Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh… now please excuse me, I must extract some revenge.

Fairydust

PM: *huggles Ryuuji* I want to see you with your hair down… *dreamy look*

Ryuuji: O.O?!?!?!?!

PM: I do! I do! And did anybody see the Harry Potter movie yet? PAS and I screamed (along with half the theater) during one of the scenes… eep. And Harry and Ron were getting a bit close there, ne? *winks suggestively*

Jyou: Stop scaring the little children.

PM: I am not… and just out of curiosity, how was that movie rated PG? I think it should have been rated PG-13.

Lance: Did anybody ever tell you that you talk too much?

PM: My parents? Anyhow, minna, remember that the first part of this chapter alternates between Yami no Yuugi POV Ryou POV, starting with Yami-kun's POV. I'll tell you where one ends and the other starts though, promise. ^_~ And the chappy takes place… uh… Friday night or so. I guess… maybe afternoon? Evening? Eep…

ANYWHO, thankies to people who reviewed the last chapter: Wildwolf (yeah, yeah, I noticed my mistake… :P), Angel-Belle, Indigo Tantarian (:P Your wish is my command), dilanda, Digital Freak(hopefully all misunderstandings have been cleared up with my slight editations in the last chappy), Shinigami (big words? I wish my English teacher can hear that…), tuulikki (my 7th grade science teacher always did say that patience is a virtue), crystaldraygon98 (this entire chapter was in Yami POV, so the first conversation was between Yami and Seto, but Seto thought it was Ryou at first), Bronze Eagle (sorry my e-mail was so incoherent… was in a bit of a mood when I wrote it), *i n c o h e r e n t* (evil symbolism in my mind :P), Neko-chan (Yami: Yuugi*Yami is NOT good), Nalan Li (Yami no Yuugi POV is so amusing… I had to write more of it! EEP!), loanshark (:P Thankies for the compliments), Aishiteru Tenshi, JediMasterYami (if it makes you feel better, I'm SUPPOSED to be studying for an English test… :P), fani90, and Sad Andy (no, no, the new chapter is right here! Kinda… umm…). ^_^ Arigatou minna!

Also… *grins* I got the third Yu-gi-oh box set… see many signs of Honda*Otogi, I do indeed! *cackles delightfully* Watch out everyone!!

~ Snuggle ~

Jyounouchi-kun. Cannot. Drive.

I do not jest when I say this, nor do I say this with any good humor. Let me just say that if that guy ever gets his hands on a car wheel again, I will do the world a favor and kill him. Slowly. Painfully. In no way is this decision influenced by the fact that he nearly killed us on the way here. Of course not. I'm beginning to wonder if he got his driving lessons from Mai [1], seeing that both of them have the uncanny ability to drive on the wrong side of the road and still curse the other driver for reckless driving.

Or something like that. I was too busy going deaf from listening to Anzu scream in terror, as well as participating in the before mentioned activity.

Since there were five of us (seven if you want to count Yami no Bakura and myself, but since we don't take up space, I will not) and, if we succeeded, would later be having seven people, Kaiba decided to call and get another car. Do not ask how many cars that man has because the answer will probably make you have a nosebleed. He didn't even bother to explain himself to his servants, who brought the car over like faithful lapdogs and gave him the keys. Kaiba barely blinked as he took the keys and walked towards the cars. Upon which, he finally noticed that there were two cars and he was the only driver.

Certainly, Jyounouchi-kun was not the first person Kaiba asked to drive his obviously very expensive cars. But what other choice did he have? Honda-kun might have been able to drive but he was emotionally incompetent at the time. Anzu can drive but she was afraid to drive such an expensive car… and as for me, aibou and I never bothered to learn how to drive. Okay, so it had something to do with the fact that I am scared of such complicated machines and besides, walking is good for you! That's what we did back in Egypt… I think. Will ignore aibou's comments that I was probably carried everywhere, that little… urgh. I can't insult aibou without feeling guilty, so I'll let him go this time.

"No."

Jyounouchi-kun was grinning and Kaiba was staring at him as if Anubis himself had come to claim his life. Kaiba shot us a pleading look but we just blanched and shook our heads while as Jyounouchi-kun looked ready to crow.

Anyhow, I'm beginning to wish that I had driven… even I, who have never driven before, can drive better than he! I've lost count of how many trashcans he's killed, how many cars he's nearly hit, how many trees he has nearly crashed into, how many cars and pedestrians he has nearly run over… etc, etc.

"Whoo! So, what did I tell you? Can I drive or what?"

Anzu and I both twitch as we shakily get out of the car. Even Yami no Bakura, who is in his spirit-form, looks a bit green as he also gets out. And to think that he had been mocking Anzu and I when Jyounouchi-kun had first nearly run over that bird.

Speaking of which, how does one manage to nearly run over a bird?!

I was kinda surprised when Kaiba told me to go with Jyounouchi-kun, unless it had something to do with how he was hoping to get rid of two problems with one action. Ugh, I'm getting a bit cynical and pessimistic. Honda-kun went with Kaiba, so they both look relatively unscathed, but as for the three of us who were stuck with Jyounouchi-kun…

"When I get back into the yadonushi," Yami no Bakura hisses softly, looking threatening but rather funny at the same time since he is still rather green, "I'm going to rip that blonde limb from limb."

For once we agree. Ignoring the fact that I'm still dizzy from the drive and my throat is raw from screaming Egyptian curses that I'm not supposed to know from all the times that Jyounouchi-kun nearly crashed into something, I stalk over to Kaiba, softly snarling those before-mentioned Egyptian curses.

"Is this the place?" Kaiba asks quietly. He also looks rather amused at my state of disarray, and it takes all my self-control not to jump on him like a rabid beast and beat the crap out of him.

A lot of self-control.

"Does he think I would have endured that… that… thing's driving any longer by directing you to the wrong place?!" Yami no Bakura screams, causing both Kaiba and I to blink at him as he continues to rant. It's kinda amusing, actually, for the tomb robber to be having such a temper tantrum and to only have Kaiba and I notice, both of whom are not feeling very sympathetic right now.

"I get your point," Kaiba smirks, causing me to want to slap him… or Mind Crush him… or imitate Yami no Malik and send a shadow monster after him in order to enjoy him as a tasty treat. Not too bony, right?

"The two of us will go, and the rest of you will stay here." The look in Kaiba's eyes say 'no arguments', and surprisingly enough, there aren't any. Perhaps Jyounouchi-kun is on a high from driving in Kaiba's expensive car? I wince as there is a loud crash, and the... err... fender, I think... falls off with a sickening crash. Kaiba's expression doesn't change, although his eyebrow does twitch slightly and he grows several shades paler.

Finally, he turns around and stalks into the building.

I've lost track of where we went and where we now are, but it appears to be on the outskirts of Tokyo in an area that is probably rarely visited. And probably for good reason as well, since the area also appears to be abandoned by all sane people. Luckily, we don't fit this definition, but that's a different story.

"Aren't you coming?" Kaiba asks, sounding rather bad-tempered.

"This is where I leave you," Yami no Bakura grins at me with that grin that I really wish I could rip off his face in one satisfying action. Before I can protest, he fades away, probably returning to Bakura or setting up his trap or… something. I must confess that I am no longer at the ability to care or deal with such matters, just wanting this whole ordeal over with.

"Well?"

I just sigh and follow after the extremely impatient Kaiba, muttering something about traps and the such.

Mou hitori no boku, have a little more faith… aibou frowns.

I merely grunt, If you are wrong, am I allowed to say 'I told you so' as many times as I want?

If you really want to. I don't like dealing with you when you're sulking, he replies pertly.

I am not sulking! I sulk softly.

~ * ~ Ryou

"There are thirty cans of tomato juice here. Should we be worried?"

I sweatdrop as Otogi-kun slams the refrigerator door shut, glaring at it as if it had offended him. Although I suppose that the selection of drinks is very offensive to him, considering I have not ever seen him drink anything healthier than orange soda, which he claims is healthy since it is orange soda. I don't have the heart to shatter his misconceptions, so I have just left it there…

But I do remember that once, okaasan bought… well, I don't remember the exact number, but I do know that it was simply too many… cans of tomato juice because they were on sale. The only problem was that nobody… and I mean nobody… in our family would touch the thing. Including her. To be frank, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the tomato juice is still there, seeing that she can't even get visitors to drink it. I wonder how much mold has grown on them by now?

"I think we have other things to worry about, Otogi-kun."

Pause.

"Like?"

I resist the urge to smack him, even though he brings up a very good point. The two of us, after waking up (and enduring Otogi-kun's screaming at me for causing him to worry so much on my account), had scoured our… well, prison, since that is basically what it is… for any chances of escape.

In the process, we have learned that unless the unlikely event of the two of us sprouting wings and/or turning into movable liquid should occur, neither of us will be getting out anytime soon. Also, judging from the supplies that had been left for us, I have a feeling that we are going to be here for quite a while.

It also doesn't help that we don't have any idea of where we are. I didn't wake up until after Otogi-kun did, and he didn't wake up until after we were already here and who knows how long had passed. The small, barred window also serves to provide us with no clues, as it looks like it could be any part of Tokyo. And who said it even was Tokyo? By the time we had waken up yesterday, night had already fallen. We could be hours away…

Such news isn't really making me feel better. In fact, I'm starting to feel a bit ill, but that's a different story.

"This is going to be quite a story to tell to our grandchildren," Otogi-kun is still glaring at the offensive refrigerator, "Kidnapped and left with nothing but thirty cans of tomato juice."

"I'm sure you're exaggerating," I mumble before blinking at him, "And how are you going to have grandchildren?"

A long silence follows that statement.

"We could adopt kids, I guess."

"We?" I can only stare at him. Last I heard, he was still having problems telling Honda-kun his feelings. And the events of Wednesday night only served to cement that opinion in my mind, but I'm not going to comment on that right now. Not only am I in the mood to get Otogi-kun mad at me, but he is the only person I will be able to talk to for the next couple of days, unless one of the before mentioned miracles should actually happen. And face it, it isn't. The chances of any of those two events happening are about as rare as Kaiba-kun and I actually getting together.

"Hiroto and I."

"What?" I can only stare at them, all previous thoughts flying out of my mind at alarming speeds that are dizzying and nauseous, "Cho… chotto matte! [2] Since when did you two…"

"We haven't."

I'm confused. I'm not kidding, I really am confused.

"Otogi-kun, I am not exactly grasping what you are trying to say…" I stammer, feeling disconcertingly inadequate and decidedly pathetic. Perhaps they hit Otogi-kun on the head harder than I had previously suspected? Perhaps he is starting to hallucinate?

Or maybe it's just me who is going insane.

"But it's time I told him, huh?"

"You should have told him a long time ago," the words slip out of my mouth faster than I can think about stopping them. An event that seems to be happening an excessive amount of times since Monday, now that I think of it.

"I know…" he grins easily at me, but I don't return the smile. I can't right now… I'm still too busy staring at him as if his head had just fallen off and he is holding it up by the hair (kinda like Yami no Malik, I suppose… although I never got to see that one [3]), "But sometimes it takes a bit of a jolt to get you ready."

"Did you just learn that, Otogi-kun?"

"Iya. I just realized it."

I think he's trying to tell me something, but I'm not quite sure what it is. That's how Otogi-kun is, along with a vast majority of this world. I sometimes wish that they can just say it straight out, but wishes are like bubbles. They tend to pop rather than to float around long enough for somebody to come along and make them last forever.

I suppose that the Otogi-kun and Honda-kun love series has been more roller coasterish than my relationship with Seto, and it's certainly gone on for far longer. Still, I can't help but feel jealous of them and of all the other people who aren't afraid or learn to deal with their fears when it comes to confronting such an important challenge in life.

I don't expect most people to understand, seeing that I didn't understand myself until this week. This experience with Seto has certainly been… eye-opening. For so many years, I have been surrounded by people who I never really understood until now. And I can't help but be jealous of them.

Koushiro-san and Taichi-san, Otogi-kun and Honda-kun. Although they've had to swallow their fears (some more than others), they finally found the courage to say those words.

I've found the courage to say some of the words when I really need to, but have I ever meant them? Not until recently, I can't really say I have. But over the past couple days, I've started feeling emotions that I never really expected to feel.

I've never been able to say anything because I'm not quite sure how Seto feels. Does he feel the same way as I do? Does he think 'Ryou' rather than 'Bakura' in his thoughts, and why do I think 'Seto' instead of 'Kaiba-kun'? No matter how many times I try to tell myself that this is going to be over in a week, that little niggling feeling of hope manages to prevail over all the negative feelings that have ruled my life for so long. It won't leave me alone, and I'm beginning to get astoundingly irritated with it.

Hope is such a frail thing, so how can it wreak so much havoc on my life? I don't quite understand the concept, and I probably never will.

There are just some things in life that will never be explained, and I suppose that it is time that I simply accept them. Not that I really want to, but it's rare that I get to decide things like that on my own.

There is probably a reason for that.

I jump in shock, ignoring Otogi-kun's stare which I'm getting pretty used to anyway, Yami… Yami Bakura?

Well, it's not the sugar-plum fairy.

I can only laugh nervously at that one… either he's getting much better at reading my mind or somebody has a dramatic flair for irony (perhaps both?), Um…

Did you miss me, yadonushi? he asks mockingly.

I can't help but cringe at the familiar question as my hands finally start working and quickly move to grasp the Sennen Ring, which is again emitting a pleasant and comforting warmth that I have always found rather ironic, considering how cold and distant the spirit is, What… what… I thought you were…

I did my part. You owe me now, he replies calmly before withdrawing from my consciousness. I sigh and drop the Sennen Ring, trying to contemplate exactly what he just said.

"He came back?"

I feel like I should go and cry in a corner due to abject depression, although I don't even know why I'm feeling this way. How is it that Yami Bakura can make me feel like this, like an insignificant speck with no will of my own? How does anybody? Am I just stressed right now, or am I always this way?

"Ha… ha… hai…"

Otogi-kun nods absent-mindedly, green eyes looking off into the distance so I can't really tell what he is thinking about. Then again, I rarely know what people are thinking about. Besides, I don't think it's very polite to pry into people's thoughts. Although a certain person with timeshare on my body certainly does not feel the same way.

Before I can reply, I hear a familiar voice yelling and know that this ordeal is almost over. For better or for worse.

"Mind Crush!!"

~ * ~ Yami

I don't like using my yami no powers, despite what some people might think. Considering how I use it so often, some might think I enjoy it, but I really don't. Imagine what would happen if you had the power to go around and destroy somebody's mind (and I don't mean getting locked up in a zoo, laboratory, or freak show, mind you), even if they did deserve it. Sure, some of them deserve it, but…

When I was pharaoh, I probably had to use my own judgement when it came to such matters. But you can't help but always wonder the eternal question, 'what if I was wrong?' What then?

As human beings (or dead humans who are now spirits and can no longer stay in their real bodies since those bodies are most likely lacking certain essential body parts and the such), we cannot be one hundred percent correct. Most of the time, the mistakes aren't very life-threatening, but those few times when people do die, what then? What can we do?

I don't know the answer. I wonder if I used to feel like this, or if it is merely because I have had 5,000 years simply to sit there and think. Just imagine, if I could have put my thoughts on papyrus and published them as the years went on, I could have written a book long enough to rival a set of encyclopedias.

The building is one of those deceptive buildings. It looks worn-down and simply unlivable from the outside, but inside it is actually quite accommodating. Then again, this is Big 5 that we are talking about, so I suppose that I should have no reason to doubt that they wouldn't finance their own workers.

"They're over there," Kaiba's voice interrupts my thought process, quiet but firm in its intent as he simply starts walking towards the area where the voices are coming from. I want to slap my forehead in disgust. Has love addled his brain to the point where he has less sense than Jyounouchi-kun? Or does he now possess a level of arrogance that cannot be comprehended by sane people? Last I checked, he has no means of protection against metal slugs, not even that stupid metal suitcase he used to carry around all the time when I first met him (and used to hit aibou… [4] will not twitch angrily and allow temper/emotions to take over reason, as a certain brunette standing next to me has allowed)!

"Kaiba, you stubborn and arrogant fool!" I hiss softly, although he's too far away to hear me. Unfortunately. Perhaps he thinks that he can just waltz right in there strutting as he usually does and they will cower at his oh-so-frightening presence?

At the rate his intelligence is clearly dropping, he probably is going to be delivered to Big 5's doorstep with a pretty pink ribbon in his hair, just as he had predicted before. I can only hope that I'm not going along for the ride.

As amusing as the concept of Kaiba with a ribbon in his hair would be, I know of several people who wouldn't be very happy with me if I do not do anything (although I do know of someone… coughJyounouchicough… who will be equally amused as I, if not more so). So I might as well swallow my pride and go save the egotist. Who knows, I might come up with a good blackmailing opportunity later.

Speaking of which, they surely have noticed an angry rich man stalking towards them by now, right? And the surprised yells coming from the direction Kaiba stalked off into seem to confirm my suspicions.

Mou hitori no boku… aibou (aka my conscience, so it seems) chides.

I'm going… I'm going… I mutter mentally as I run in the direction that Kaiba took.

Apparently, the surprise hadn't lasted for long because by the time I got there, two young men who barely look out of college (if even that) both have guns aimed at Kaiba.

In a way, I cannot help but feel sorry for them. Their gaunt cheeks and seemingly anorexic figures obviously are undesired causes that have led them to such desperate matters. Some people argue that if somebody is able, they should automatically be able to get work. But how many openings are there, and how many people are competing to get those positions? Exactly how valid is such a statement, how possible is such a reality? It would be nice if it was real, but there are many things in life that would be nice if they were real. This is just another one of them, but like the others, the chances of it coming true are less than what one could reasonably hope for.

"You… you're not supposed to be here!" there's a slight quake in his voice. Obviously, this is more than they could have expected.

"You're one to talk," Kaiba replies coldly, barely noticing that there are guns pointed at various vital body parts. Does he notice, or has he reached a level where he simply has no need to care? Or does he simply know that he is in no real danger? It would serve him right to be proved wrong for once if that is the case, which I certainly hope is not.

They don't reply, although you can tell from their eyes that they are obviously flustered and do not know what to say. They've never done this type of thing before, nor do they have the mental capability to do this with cold intent. They're not the Big 5, who are all clever at manipulation. It's kind of sad, actually, but I don't really have time to dwell on such things.

Perhaps it would do to let them off with a warning, but I somehow don't think that such measures would cut it.

Silently, I walk forward so that I am no longer hidden in the shadows, the darkness, my namesake. Kaiba doesn't move to push me away, but I can feel his eyes baring a whole into me. He's not pleased with my interruption, but I can't really say that I care right now. I can feel the power that I must have trained for so many years start to stir, despite the fact that I have forgotten most of that training. Yet it comes automatically; I am sure my teachers had trained me to the point that I can do this without constantly wondering why it is possible. Although I must admit that I often wish I could figure out the basics to doing these things, but that is a different story for a different time.

"We won," the words slip out coldly, and part of me wonders exactly who is saying those words? Certainly not aibou, but it doesn't really feel like I'm saying them either… "Now you must suffer the consequences."

Have I been watching too many B movies or something? I sound like a gangster on crack or something of the sort… then again, I must wonder how on earth I know this, considering the fact that aibou is supposed to be cute and innocent. Will discount the fact that he was playing with a porn video quite shortly after we were aquatinted with each other… I wonder if Anzu knows about that one?

How often do we have to push away sympathy in order to do what is right?

As the familiar tendrils of power start to curl open, I point my finger at the two young men (how scary that must look… Yuki always seems to be quite impassive when I do that to him) and yell out the familiar words.

"Mind Crush!"

~ * ~ Ryou (PM: Say bye-bye to Yami-kun…)

Here's a scene to contemplate on a rainy day. Imagine that you have just been kidnapped for the past twenty-four hours or so, and your saviors have finally come. Now imagine that your friend, who was dragged along on this little escapade completely against his will, was madly in love with one of the rescuers who felt the same way but the two was having more troubles getting together than one would see in a soap opera.

It wasn't long after the two of us heard Yami-kun yelling his familiar phrase before the door was unlocked and Seto… err… Kaiba-kun and Yuugi-kun entered. I suppose Yami-kun had retreated into his soul room, relinquishing control to Yuugi-kun before they opened the door. I've noticed that recently, he has been doing that soon after he plays a batsu game [5]. Although I'm not quite sure why.

"Daijoubu ka?" Yuugi-kun asks quickly as we both nod. Kaiba-kun looks uncomfortable in the scene, his eyes drifting from the back wall to us then to Yuugi-kun then back to the back wall and starting the entire process over. I feel a wave of apprehension wash over me… is he still angry about what I said on Thursday?

"Yuugi! Is everything okay?" Jyounouchi-kun's familiar voice makes itself known as the sound of people running comes closer. Next thing I know, there is Jyounouchi-kun, Anzu, and Honda-kun.

Before any of us can blink, Honda-kun pounces on Otogi-kun. Literally. I've heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I've seen it happen to, but isn't this getting a bit extreme?

The whole thing might have been funny if we weren't all busy staring at the scene, considering that none of us is ignorant (well, perhaps with the exception of Kaiba-kun?) of how much trouble the two are… were… having in the process of getting together. Of course, watching the two of them right now, it's only fact that the two are no longer going to keep from saying those words. Although to be technically correct, it was Otogi-kun who was having the initial problems saying those words. Although Honda-kun also seemed to lose his confidence after the initial rejection.

There's a loud crash that causes us all to wince as Otogi-kun loses his balance and they fall on the ground, sprawling in what appears to be a very compromising position. We're all openly staring at the pair, but we might as well be invisible considering how they appear to be ignoring our presence.

"Hiroto, I…" Otogi-kun is cut off when Honda-kun presses his lips against Otogi-kun's. Otogi-kun appears only too happy to shut up and enjoy the kiss.

And he was telling me before that he had been too nervous to tell Honda-kun that he loved him because we were there? He certainly doesn't appear to have a problem making this into some type of rated R make-out scene. Although I suppose I am not one to talk, considering the incident at the auction house. But… at least we weren't doing it in front of people! They're just doing it right here!

Maybe it's because they have been putting it off for so long, so now they need to make up for the lost time? Or some other type of twisted logic similar to that… I really don't want to know, to tell the truth.

Anyway, I'm about to lose any semblance of innocence (as is Otogi-kun, as the case may be), when I'm jerked out of my dazed stupor by none other than… Kaiba-kun?

He slips his hand around mine, a familiar feeling that I should be used to by now but obviously am not because I can feel the blood rushing into my cheeks… par usual. A smile lights his face, brightening it to the point where he doesn't look at all menacing, a soothing gesture that helps me fight the blush down but causes my heart to start beating like crazy, although I really have no idea why it would do such a thing.

It's only there for a moment before the smile slips off once again, a constant illusion that is too elusive to grasp for an extended period of time. It's quickly replaced by a much more familiar scowl on his face as he pulls me away from the rather distracting scene going on.

"Let's leave the two love birds alone," he growls before smirking at Jyounouchi-kun, "Even you, make inu. Just because you're never going to get any action on your own doesn't mean that you have the right to stick your nose in other's people's business."

This, of course, draws all of us out of stupor (with the exception of Honda-kun and Otogi-kun, who are too busy kissing each other to notice that we're even there, let alone to hear Kaiba-kun speak) as effectively as a bucket of cold water being dumped on us. As for Jyounouchi-kun… he wouldn't have been more jolted if a bolt of lightning had conveniently struck him at this precise moment.

"Why you…" Insert some bad words that made me blush to hear them as Yuugi-kun and Anzu simply sweatdropped and shook their heads, probably trying to pretend that they have no idea who Jyounouchi-kun is.

Kaiba-kun, on the other hand, barely seems to be listening to the insults as he pulls me outside. I want to dance as I breathe fresh air, but luckily I manage to restrain myself. Still, it's nice to be free.

Free? The word seems to have a bit of a bitter edge along it… am I now? I still don't know if Kaiba-kun has acknowledged my rebellion, my balking at his impossible demands. What if he hasn't? What if I'm walking right into another cage?

Although I must admit, his hand no longer feels like a constraint, a chain, as it felt when we first started this charade. It's nice, it's… wanted. Needed. I cant describe the feelings bubbling up within me, threatening to over-spill at the slightest swaying. I've missed him. It sounds odd, but I've missed him.

A part of me still realizes that the chances of this going through is… very slim. Kaiba-kun is not a very easy person to get along with, and I've come to accept that.

Mostly.

But I might as well silence these depressed thoughts… I might as well just make the best out of it right now. There's no real need to dwell on things that I may or may not be able to change.

I don't really want this to end though…

"I was thinking…" Kaiba-kun's soothing voice interrupts my self-pity. He really does have a nice voice… something that some people might not notice because they're so worried about him glaring at them. Exactly how I felt before this whole mess. Although I guess 'mess' isn't really the right word to use, right? Oh Kami-sama, I am really pathetic, aren't I? Okay, I won't answer that. No. I won't.

But instead of his voice calming my jumpy nerves, it serves only to heighten it as I start to have heart palpitations or something of the sort. What if he wants to break it, thinks it's too much trouble for him? What if he wants to end it? What if he doesn't ever want to see me again?

What if, what if, what if? So many questions, and only one person can answer me! I just stare at him, preparing for the worst. After all, when you prepare for the worst or have low expectations, you tend to live a much happier life. Or something like that. However, let me be the first to tell you that it doesn't always work. I should know.

"… about what you said."

Pause and wait for the final blow…

"You were right."

Surprisingly enough, the tone of Seto's… whoops, did it again… oh, what the hell, they are my thoughts, right? Anyhow, the tone of his voice just makes me stare at him in shock, rather than celebrating my victory with a rather badly-timed victory dance. There's just something about it that has me humbled and not in the mood to dance.

"I… I… I…" I stutter, not knowing what to say. I'm flustered and I'm not afraid to admit it. He smiles as he shakes his head, quieting my blustering with a finger on his lips.

"What would you say if the two of us went out tomorrow night, rather than all the other things that were originally planned? I heard there's a good American movie out (PM: Is that possible? *gets whacked by a multitude of rotten veggies…). We could make a date out of it."

A date?

"Kai… Kaiba-kun…" the name, predictably, gets stuck in my throat due to my initial shock. He raises an eyebrow as he silently watches my stuttered attempts.

Before I know it, his free hand runs lovingly through my hair, and I just want to curl up next to him and snuggle him for the rest of my life.

"Should I just take that for a yes?"

I don't know whether to laugh or cry, although I don't know why I should want to do either of the above. So I end up nodding, although this time, I don't feel like I'm walking into a death trap.

For once.

~ * ~

I don't quite recall how long it took for Honda-kun and Otogi-kun to come out, looking rather disheveled and I'm sure that Jyounouchi-kun was twitching when he saw the hickey. Yuugi-kun, Anzu, and Kaiba-kun were thoroughly amused even though Jyounouchi-kun wasn't… is it just me or has Jyounouchi-kun become a lot more protective of just about everyone these days? Except Kaiba-kun, of course.

Then there was a problem with who was going to drive. When Jyounouchi-kun took the keys, Yami-kun suddenly took over Yuugi-kun's body and stated quite flatly that if Jyounouchi-kun had to drive again, he would be indulging in some serious maiming and destruction and the such. Honda-kun was at the moment too wrapped up with Otogi-kun, who had suddenly discovered an obligation to play with Honda-kun's fingers. So they were ruled out.

Finally, Anzu balked at her initial resistance to driving, especially since she was scared of crashing and getting Kaiba-kun very mad at her. I think she did it out of sympathy for Yami-kun, or maybe it was because she also believed that she wouldn't be able to survive another onslaught of Jyounouchi-kun's driving.

Whatever the reason, Jyounouchi-kun ended up sulking in the back of the car as Anzu drove, Yuugi-kun in the seat next to her. Kaiba-kun, of course, drove the second car, and Honda-kun and Otogi-kun snuggled in the back seat.

Something that I really wouldn't mind doing right now, now that I think of it…

Still, rather than indulging in my needs right now, I have something a bit more urgent to tend to. As Kaiba-kun is wrapped up in driving, and Honda-kun and Otogi-kun are wrapped up in each other, I take the opportunity to retreat into my mind.

What do you want, yadonushi? Yami Bakura snaps as soon as he senses my presence.

I just wanted to thank you.

There is a pause as he contemplates that.

Thank me? There's a small hint of confusion that I notice easily.

I can't help but wonder what exactly he went through back in Egypt to make him the way he is. I know that he retains his memories, unlike Yami-kun, so the question plagues me rather constantly. Such matters also bring quite a bit of sympathy, although sometimes I wonder if he deserves it. But it's moments like this, when he seems confused by a simple act of kindness, that give me no reason to doubt that it's just the way he is…

If he had somebody to love, whether I speak of the past or the present or the future, would he have been or will be a happier person?

It's a constant wonder of the things that love and the such can do for a person, but we usually tend to forget about such things. Still, those few times where I get an opportunity like this to realize the small miracles that pass by us each day… I don't quite know how such matters change my life, but it's helped shape my perspective of life. And ultimately, doesn't that dictate whether or not you enjoy the gift of life?

Translations and Notes:

[1] Reference to volume 23. Hiroto, Ryuuji, and Shizuka meet up with Mai and she drives them to where the Death Anchor battle takes place. Let's just say that Hiroto and Ryuuji were traumatized for life. Later, Mai drives everybody to the Battle City final site.

[2] Wait… wait a second!

[3] Reference to volume 25. In the battle between Yami no Malik and Mai, Yami no Malik makes it a Yami no Game that has the monster attached to the player, so whatever pain the monster feels, the player feels. Mai's monster chops off Yami no Malik's monster, so Yami no Malik's head also comes off. Ick.

[4] Reference to volume 2. Seto steals Sugoroku's Blue-Eyes. When Yuugi asks for it back, Seto whacks him with that metal briefcase. Also a reference to the anime; Pegasus's men start shooting at Seto (dub cut), and he blocks the bullets with it.

[5] Punishment game

PM: Okay, now I ask you to appease my terrible self-confidence… I've been wondering if anybody reads these author notes. If you do, please answer this question: of the following OCs who showed up in this fic, which one was your favorite?? You can choose between Emi-chan, Yoshizawa-san, Michelle, the poor chauffeur who I keep picking on, and of course, the insatiable Yuki who is currently sitting on my bed and staring at me with his big, chocolate brown eyes… *giggle* And if you don't have a favorite, just tell me if you think the OCs were okay… please? :P This is a test! Do not start until your proctor says so! Do not open your test booklet until the time starts! Mark your answers in the scantron or it will not be counted! Do not flip back to previous sections! On the answer booklet, please fill in your name, birthday, social security number, favorite book, number of cavities you have had, how many shoes you have, and the other many other obscure questions that are really just a waste of time!

Koushiro: Are you getting bitter about SATs?

PM: Just a tad.

Pikachumaniac