Mountain Blue: Okay, now I've had a lot of debates with myself whether or not I should make this into a lemon. I've decided not to, gomen! But I myself think I'm going a little too fast with this, or at least it seems like it, so I think I'm going to ease down on such a strong romance. That's why I'm kind of not happy with how the end of chapter 7 is, so I'm gonna ease up a little. I'm trying to get out of the habit of making the plot go too fast, but it's kind of hard. So sorry, no lemon, but I'm still thinking about making a sequel. I've got some ideas but that's still a major MAYBE. And I don't even know if you *want* me to make a sequel. If you want me to give you a description of what I might make the sequel like, e-mail me. Anyway, on with the fic!

-------------------------------------------------

Chapter: 9

Hysteria



Yami clenched his eyes shut, and just before he was transported out, one image flashed into his mind: Seto.

'STOP! Stop now!' Yami mentally screamed to Yugi, and instantly the light was gone.

"What's wrong Yami? Are you okay?!"

Yami opened his eyes and unclenched his fists, sighing. 'I'm fine Yugi, but... I can't leave just yet.' Another image of Kaiba flashed into his mind. That's why he couldn't leave here... he couldn't leave Kaiba. He couldn't walk away. He had to stay with him.

"I'm going to try again."

'No! Yugi, I can't go back yet.'

"But... why?"

'I have some things to take care of first. See you on Monday.'

With that said, Yami closed off the direct connection between the two. Not that he didn't love Yugi like his brother, but since he had gotten over his sickness and was okay now - there were some other things to take care of. Yami looked at Kaiba's shocked form and bit his lip. What was he going to say now? Yami snapped his fingers when he found and idea. 'I know!'

Kaiba backed way when he saw Yami coming towards him. "I thought you were leaving?" To Yami's great surprise, Kaiba's voice was soft and concerned. It wasn't hostile, but child-like.

"I couldn't return. Yugi collapsed weakly onto his bed just before it could happen. I guess he wasn't as well as he thought.

Kaiba moved so he was sitting with his legs dangling over the edge of the table, facing Yami. "That's not the real reason, is it?" Yami winced. Kaiba was good, really good.

Yami focused his eyes on his feet. "No, no its not actually."

"Then what is?"

"I..." Yami hesitated. "I didn't want to leave you... alone." Yami added that last word uncertainly.

I can handle myself." Kaiba sounded so sad, Yami felt.... a pain in his heart. It was him who made Kaiba sad. Him and his stupid feelings. Maybe he just had to get them out. Maybe that would make things better? But nevertheless, Yami was confused. Very confused.

"So... what do we do now?" Kaiba sounded tired, and those words were followed by a long yawn.

'I don't know what to do now.' Kaiba said in his head. 'I mean, I have these feelings for him... I have feelings? Yes, I can't deny it anymore, it's definitely... something. Love, maybe? But is it really that strong? ....yes, it is that strong. I've loved Yami for a long time. So long, I can't remember when it started. I've been hiding it... and maybe its for the best. Yes, I don't think this should go any further at all.'

Yami, inside his head, was thinking the exact same thing.

*****

"Yugi, why isn't Yami back?" Téa said worriedly, wondering why after all that effort Yami was still not with them.

"I don't know. He told me he had something to take care of before he came back here." Yugi looked confusingly at the Millennium Puzzle in his hands.

"I wonder what it was?" Téa said, tilting her head to the side.

Yugi shrugged. "I have no idea."

*****

Kaiba yawned again and lay down on the table to go to sleep. Yami agreed and he was tired too, It was after 2 in the morning and they hadn't gotten any sleep yet. But they still wondered as to what they should say to each other. Neither of them had the guts to say they had feelings for the other.

Kaiba looked at the bookcase that was right in front of him. He had the sudden urge to get up, turn around and ravish Yami right then and there, but he couldn't.

Even though he desperately wanted to.

Yami frowned and turned away from Kaiba's back. He walked slowly, and rather reluctantly, back to his own designated table and lie down on it. He could have sworn he just lay there for hours without closing his eyes or even blinking, but when he looked at the clock over his shoulder it seems only five minutes had passed. Yami couldn't take it anymore, he had to get it off his chest or he would explode.

Kaiba, too, lay awake unable to sleep. He couldn't help but wonder why Yami would take staying with him over leaving. Yami was certainly a strange person, but he was Seto Kaiba, so who was he to talk.

Yami sat up. He clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and he could feel his heart beating rapidly. "I love you Seto Kaiba!"

----------------------------------------------------

Mountain Blue: Another cliffhanger. I'm so evil. ^_^

Yami Bakura: You're such an ass.

Deiji: Yes, you are.

Yuka: Shut up, both of you!

MB: Ok minna, you know Yami Bakura, he's my official muse and sex slave. ^_^

Y. Bakura: Hmph...

MB: You know you love it.

Y. Bakura: Do not! *blushes*

MB: This Deiji, my other muse, and Yuka, my Yami.

Deiji: This story sucks.

MB: Shut up Deiji.

Yuka: This story is great!

Y. Bakura: Why the hell is Deiji you muse if he's an asshole?

Deiji: I'm not an asshole.

Y. Bakura. You are so!

Y. Bakura & Deiji: *growl, roar*

MB: *sweatdrop.*

Yuka: Get out of the way, Aibou! They're gonna fight!

MB: Well *ahem* anyway, sorry about the extensive authors notes. Enjoy the rest of the fic!