Kaiba was starting to regret his presence. He looked around subliminally, realize many people were watching, or rather, staring. He growled to himself.

"What am I doing..." Kaiba sighed, sipping a drink. "I must be crazy to think that I would survive this, especially when Yugi's here."

"Man, these things are good!" Mokuba said, popping a snack into his mouth. "What are these, Seto?"

"Mm...fried caviar," Kaiba said with a grin.

"What?!" Mokuba choked slightly, then reluctantly swallowed. "Seto!!"

"I'm kidding, little brother," Seto said. "They're non-fishy." Seto finished off his drink, then poured himself another. He drank half of it in ten seconds, gulping it down, then sighed again. Mokuba ate some cheese puffs, then looked up at his brother. "Are you thirsty, Seto?"

"Very, I guess."

"It isn't because Yugi is here, is it?" Mokuba said. "You're still the best."

Kaiba smiled. He couldn't believe his younger brother's loyalty. "Thanks, Mokuba."

"And I mean it, big brother!" Mokuba assured. "So don't worry!"

"Right." Kaiba nodded, but finished his second cup of punch. He poured himself yet another glass.

'If someone tells me "I think you've had enough" I swear that I'll punch him in the nose.'

"Well, it looks like this ball is a hit," said Tea.

"Yeah, especially with the grub!" Joey ate a pastry.

"Hmm...true..." Yugi looked over at Kaiba. He was by himself in a corner, slighty shaded by a curtain's shadows. Yugi sighed. "Be right back, guys." Yugi walked away from his group, approaching Kaiba.

"Hmm...I could be getting some sleep now," Kaiba said to himself. "But nooo..."

"Hey, there, Kaiba." Yugi said, greeting him.

"Hm?" Kaiba turned around and saw Yugi. Kaiba winced. "Greetings, Yugi."

"How are you?" Yugi asked.

"How do you think? I believe I'm wasting my time here. Watching people, listening to people stare at me and talk about me. It's very annoying, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I do," Yugi said, noting the Duelists who were murmuring about his duel with Seto Kaiba. He turned back to him. "I'm in the same boat as you are, Kaiba."

"Not likely," Kaiba replied coldly.

"What? Why?"

"Because, Yugi. My reputation was tarnished because of you. I'm not saying it's your fault...you just have more powers--powers that I cannot comprehend. I do have something against you; call it jealousy, call it anger if you wish, because after that Duel I've had with you, I've never been the same and you know that...don't you, Yugi?"

"I...I do, Kaiba, and I understand, and I'm sorry," Yugi said. Kaiba sighed.

"Well, that doesn't do much," Kaiba turned around. "You're a good Duelist...and you ARE my adversary. And there's nothing I can do to change that."

Yugi nodded. "Yeah...I guess there isn't.."

Kaiba turned around, looking down at Yugi. He gave him a smirk, raising an eyebrow. "Don't beat yourself up. Be a little proud. You did beat me, I acknowledge that. I just wish people wouldn't bug me about it."

Yugi smiled. "I understand."

Kaiba nodded. "We should talk more often, I guess. Maybe you'd understand me a little more, a little better.." Kaiba walked off, leaving Yugi in his spot. Yugi turned around and blinked. Yugi nodded slightly.

"Maybe I would.."

* * * *

"I guess I can call myself 'fashionably late'," Kira said, walking quickly toward the Duelist Ball. "Eh, no one's gonna care. I'm not big...not like Kaiba." Kira froze.

"Stop this! Stop talking about Kaiba, Kira! It's starting to become obsessive." Kira frowned, then folded her arms. She resumed walking. "I mean..jeez...I wish I knew him better.."

When Kira arrived in front of the mansion, she took out her invite, and took in a deep breath. "You can do this. What can go wrong?"

She climbed up the steps and approached the door. No one was there. "I guess I can walk in--"

"And you guess incorrectly!" An usher popped up from behind the door. "Name?"

"Uhh..this IS the Duelist Ball right?"

"NOW you're correct. Name?"

"My name is Kira. Kira Domishi."

The usher scanned his list. "There's no Kira Domishi here..."

"I got an invite! Look!" She flailed the little piece of paper in the air. "My name is KIRA DOMISHI."

"Well, there IS a Kira DomiNIshi here, but I must decline your entrance."

"Ugh! I use both names in seperate tournaments. Now can you PLEASE let me in?!"

"I'm sorry, Miss, but I'm afraid you must leave!"

Kaiba walked around the ballroom, his hands tucked into his pockets. He wasn't very hungry this evening, unlike everyone else who arrived. Kaiba sighed, staring at the floor. "I think I'm going to go home.."

"Would you let me in already?!" Kira shouted. Kaiba looked up and saw Kira being shoved out.

"I'm sorry Miss..Domini--whatever, but you have no proof identification!"

"Proof?! PROOF?! I'm the Magician of the Cards!! I have the strongest Magic cards out there-! Let me in!!!"

"No, way! Out you--!"

"Wait, I can vouch for her," Kaiba said, sprinting over to the door. He poked his head out the door and smirked. "I know her, and this IS indeed the lovely Kira Dominishi/Donishi-slash...well, let's say "D." I'm sure you can let her in." Kaiba smiled at Kira and Kira turned red. Luckily, it was dark enough for Kaiba not to notice..

"Okay, fine. Since Seto Kaiba has said so..you can come in." The usher opened the door for her, and Kira walked in. She walked by Kaiba, eyeing the walls.

"This is it?" Kira laughed. "I'm sure you have bigger mansions, Kaiba. Or doghouses."

Kaiba approached her, his hands in his pockets. "And I don't have a dog."

"So how are you tonight, Kaiba?" Kira turned to him, tilting her head. "Bored already?"

"I am." He looked at Kira. "But it may change now.."

Kira smiled. They walked toward a wall and stood there, observing the other Duelists.

"Mm...I was going to decline to this thing too."

"Really? How come?"

"Eh, I didn't feel like attending. Seems...childish, to me. But eh, it happens...I'm all by myself at home, no pets, nothing...just me and my cards." She sighed, folding her arms. "My cards are my only friends."

"Hm, I never thought cards could save lives.." Kaiba said. Kira gasped.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Kaiba," Kira shook her head, kicking herself mentally. "I-- I didn't mean it, I-I-" She started to get flustered.

"It's fine, I understand." Kaiba nodded. "I have nothing against your short- term memory."

"Excuse me, look who's talking, Mr. I-Forget-My-Childhood-Memories-Because- I-Hated-It-And-Such!" Kaiba looked down, smiling, (which you know is a very rare occurence) shaking his head.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Look, my name is Seto Kaiba." He offered his hand. "My only known family is my brother, since my parents died when I was very young. What's your name?"

"Don't do that!!" Kira whined. "Damn my guilt."

"I love it," Kaiba said smugly, snickering.

"Hey, look over dere!" Joey pointed over toward Kaiba. He was standing in front of a young woman with blonde hair, wearing a blue dress. Yugi blinked.

"I wonder who dat is," Joey murmured.

"She looks very nice. And she must BE very nice in order to talk to Kaiba."

"And make him smile!" Tristan marveled. "Did you see that? Now I'm freaked out."

"Hey, it's good to see Kaiba smile," Yugi said. "I think he's happy."

"Hmm. I think so too," Tea nodded.

"So what cards do you have?" Kaiba asked.

"Here." Kira took out her deck from her leather backpack-purse and handed it to him. Kaiba blinked, then looked at her. "You're trusting me with this?"

"Sure." Kira smiled. "I trust you."

Kaiba smiled, then sifted through the cards. He gasped when he came across a dragon card. Kaiba stared at it--it's rainbow-colored eyes staring back at him, with shimmering blue scales. Kira looked at Kaiba's face, then his hands.

"I see you came across my most precious card...and my strongest."

"What...is this card.."

"It's the Rainbow Eyes Crystal Dragon," Kira said proudly. "It's one-of-a- kind."

"YOU?! You have THIS CARD?!"

"Keep it down!!" Kira took her deck back. "Why do you think those bad guys were after me the other day? It's VERY valuable."

"What's it's attack power?" Kaiba asked.

"Umm...well..."

"Tell me."

"...Three-...three..."

"Well?!"

"Three thousand."

Kaiba's eyes widened. "No." He took the card from the deck and blinked. "You can't be serious."

"It's true," Kira winced a little. "I didn't want you to know.."

"Why not?" Kaiba started walking off. "You don't want me ripping the card to shreds, do you?" Kira looked hurt, then stepped back.

"I...I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to be intimidated is all. I'm sorry." Kira sighed. "If you want the card, by all means, take it."

Kaiba turned around. "You don't mean that."

"I...I do," Kira said. She shot him a smile. "Unless you have a reason not to accept it."

"I have three reasons," Kaiba approached her slowly. "One...it's YOUR card. Two, I already have THREE Blue Eyes White Dragons...and..three..." Kaiba took her hand. Kira gasped then looked at him. "Three...I don't want you to be unhappy."

Kira looked at his hand, then back up at Kaiba. "Kaiba, I..."

Suddenly, some music started to play. Weevil's voice was heard.

"All right everyone, it's time to dance! You don't HAVE to, but it'd be a good idea...don't you think?"

Kaiba raised an eyebrow. "Well, since you're already here...shall we?"

"Wha--I couldn't, I have two left feet--"

"Come on!" Kaiba took her toward the dance floor, and Kira laughed in surprise. Yugi watched Kaiba from a distance.

"Hmm...I think this'll have a happy ending," Yugi noted with optimism.

"Yeah, whateva--I'm still not wearing slippers," Joey said.