It's been about three weeks since Yami and Seto broke up, just so that no one gets confused, okay? Yugi's still uncertain, sort of, Yami's turned stalker, and Bakura and Mokuba are playing…matchmaker?

Chapter 4: Really, Truly, Always.

"Do you guys get the feeling that someone's following us?" Yugi asked, looking over his shoulder for the fourth time. Ryou shrugged. "Not really, besides, we have Bakura and three Duel Monsters with us. Who's tough enough to take on that?"

Kuri grinned, nodding. "I'll beat up *anybody* who tries to hurt Yugi-sama!" Yugi smiled with a trace of sadness appearing in it, feeling more comfortable. "I guess you're right." Bakura chuckled to himself. Well, there *was* someone following them, a certain former Pharaoh, and Bakura could tell he was not happy. Yugi had been talking to Kuroi for almost as long as they had been walking, and Yami was *very* possessive. "I'll meet you at home, Ryou. There's something I have to do."

"But-" Bakura waved and walked off in the opposite direction. "I wonder what he has to do. I hope it's nothing illegal."

*Relax, Ryou. The Pharaoh is following us, or rather, he's following Yugi. I'm going to see what he wants. *

**Please don't start a fight with him. **

*Did I say I was going to fight with him? No, we're going to have a chat. A nice friendly chat about why he's following Yugi rather than talking to him.*

**When did you turn matchmaker? **

Bakura mentally snorted. *More like peacemaker. A jealous Pharaoh is not a good thing, lover. *

**I think you want to see them happy too. **

*Shut up. I do not. I'm just making sure you're out of harm's way. That idiot might think that you're competition too. *

Ryou smiled. **That's sweet. **

*Shut it. * Bakura turned the corner and found himself nose-to-nose with Yami. "Hey. How long do you plan on following your Yugi and glaring his lover into oblivion before you actually *do* something, Pharaoh?"

"He is *not* Yugi's lover."

"Tell that to them. Yugi's got more love bites than the neighborhood whore." Yami flushed an angry red. **Stop jerking his chain, love. **

"Fine, fine, they're not lovers yet. But I stress yet. The sexy mage is one-up on you-in fact, he's so far ahead he's practically at the victory celebration already. Ditching him and using Kaiba as your man-whore didn't exactly raise you in his eyes-not to mention that Kuroi over there became his knight in shining armor."

"It's none of your business."

Bakura shrugged. "When *your* lover becomes so heartbroken that he takes out his anger on *my* lover, it becomes my business." Yami shoved past him. "Stalking him won't help." Yami growled and walked faster. *Well, that went well. I stoked his fire. He'll be making up with Yugi before tomorrow. *

**You're like an old village marriage broker. **

*Shut up. I just like teasing him. It's funny. *

Jounouchi was royally bored. Honda had finally asked Anzu out, and she'd accepted. The bad part was that Jounouchi had no one to hang with. //I could call Seto-woah, no freaking way-no, uh-uh. // Jounouchi was shaken out of his thoughts by the ringing of the phone. "Hello?"

"Jounouchi-san, it's Mokuba-"

A voice in the background interrupted the younger Kaiba. "Mokuba! Hang up this instant!"

There were thuds; it sounded like Mokuba was running. "I wanted to know if you'd consider-stop that! -going to the movies with Nii-sama. He wants to ask you-Nii-sama!-but he's too shy!"

"Mokuba, if you don't hang up this second-"

"Will you? He's been moping for ages now. He really wants to go, honest! He-" Seto's voice was suddenly on the other end. "Sorry, Jounouchi. Mokuba likes to torment me." "Well, I'm not doing anything tonight-if you wanted to go-you know, just supposing, we could go, or to dinner or whatever."

There was a silence, then Seto answered, "I'll pick you up in an hour." He hung up. Jounouchi made sure there was no one in hearing distance that he knew; then he let out of whoop and ran to the shower. He was going to look good if it killed him.

"Nii-sama has a date! Nii-sama has a date! Nii-sama has a-."

Seto growled. "It is not a date. This is business." //Personal business. //

"You do business with that boring guy from CEND all the time, and you don't get all dressed up to go out with him."

"This is different."

Mokuba nodded. "I know. This is a date."

"It is not."

"You're putting on the *real* expensive cologne so that you smell good to make him want you, you're putting on good-but-functional clothes to make sure he knows that this *is* a date, you've brushed your teeth twelve times, and you're taking him to dinner and a movie. It's a date. And don't say you're not taking him to a restaurant because I heard you call ahead."

"I don't know why I even agreed to this."

"Because he wanted to go with you, and you like him, and he likes you, I think. Besides, you need a life. You're the only teenager who spends his Friday nights at home. Seriously, though, Nii-sama…I just want you to be happy. And I think he makes a good match for you."

"Mokuba…."

The dark-haired Kaiba punched the air. "Now go and get your date and kiss him until his lipstick is all gone." Seto stared at his little brother. "Uh…I mean…I guess that doesn't apply-until you can't tell the difference between his cologne and yours!"

"No more late night television."

Mokuba pouted. "But I was gonna watch my new porn video while you were on your date…" Seto paled to a rather unhealthy looking white-green. "I was joking, Nii-sama! Now go, go, go!" Still looking rather disturbed, Seto left, muttering about the sadness of the loss of innocence. Mokuba laughed to himself then went downstairs. There was a big bowl of chocolate pudding in the fridge with his name all over it. In white frosting.

"Mmm…Kuroi-san…this is so good!" Ryou took another warm gooey bite of his apple pie. "Whenever Bakura tries to make me something, he always burns the pan and it comes out looking like charcoal. It's so unromantic."

Bakura frowned, which was an expression that was so funny to the former puffball it made Kuri giggle around his mouthful of pie. "Ugh-that's gross, close your mouth," Kane grumbled. Kuri giggled again, spraying Kane with chewed pie. "Oh, sowy, Kane." The swordsman grabbed a napkin and began wiping off his shoulder. "Thank you, Ryou-san," said Kuroi, nodding. The white-haired boy laughed. "Does Kuroi make stuff like this all the time?"

Yugi shook his head. "No, he can't. We'd all gain *way* too much weight. Can't help eating it. Too yummy."

"Like him," Kane commented. Everyone turned to stare, Kuri's eyes now bulging due his mouthful of pie. "Uh…anyone want more milk, I'll go get some!" Kane zoomed into the kitchen. Kuri immediately started to sing, "Kane likes Kuroi, Kane loves Kuroi, Kane wants to get sweaty with Kuroi-and make the bed squeak-."

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Kane shrieked, and ran back into the room and grabbed Kuri by the left ear. "Sorry, Kane-sama…."

"If you ever so much as mention that again, I'm going to…" Kane then noticed everyone was staring at him yet again. He dumped Kuri down on the sofa and bolted upstairs. There was a very long, somewhat uncomfortable silence. "So, how about them Yankees?" said Bakura, in English, making everyone stare at him. "What? I heard it on TV on one of those English soap operas. I haven't a clue what it means though." There was some puzzlement over this for a good amount of time.

Hair is good. Good. There is no B.O. Very good. Clothes had been ironed correctly. Excellent. Wallet is full. Very nice, if he had to split the check at whatever place Seto chose. "I am ready!" Just as he said this, there was a knock at his door. He ran to open it, to reveal Seto in tight indigo pants, a white button down shirt, and a vest to match the pants. Jounouchi could feel himself starting to drool. "Uh, ya look nice." //That sounded incredibly lame.//

"Yeah, you too." There was a silence. "Come on, let's go. I made dinner reservations for an hour from now, and it's a bit of a drive." Jounouchi followed Seto to his car, which was, for once, not a limousine. Getting into the passenger side, Jounouchi commented, "I didn't know you could drive. Thought that those guys drove ya everywhere."

Seto laughed. "Yeah, they used to, but then I realized that I had to be able to handle myself if I got lost or something. What was I supposed to do if Mokuba and I were alone and I needed to get somewhere? Wait for one of them to show up and drive me?" He smiled ever so slightly. "I can even pump my own gas, believe it or not."

Jounouchi blinked. "Did you just make a joke, Seto?"

The CEO looked blank for a second, and then he cracked a real smile. "Guess I did, puppy. And did you just call me by my name?"

"Uh, sorry-"

Seto leaned over and placed a finger on the blonde's lips. "It's fine. It makes a nice change from jerk, asshole, rich boy, or Kaiba." Jounouchi blushed. "Cute." The blonde blinked. "What's cute?"

"You. See any other tall attractive blondes in this car?" That did it. Jounouchi couldn't speak for the next few minutes, as all of his energy had to be focused on keeping himself from turning the color of a fire engine. Seto smiled to himself. //Damn, I'm good at this flirting thing. Better than I ever was with Yami-no, I promised myself that I wouldn't think about him.// Smiling, he slipped his free arm around Jounouchi's shoulder, who blushed and looked out of the window. Seto liked having this sort of effect on the other boy. It made him feel…in control.

Upon reaching the restaurant and ordering, Seto was stuck. He didn't have a clue what to say; it wasn't like he planned this part. Flattery could get old really fast. "Thanks for coming with me," said Jounouchi suddenly.

"It's my pleasure."

"I was scared ya wouldn't, ya know, after Yami broke up with ya." The blonde quickly shut his mouth. "Sorry. Didn't mean to bring that up." Seto waved the words away. "I'm here with you now. I think that suits me just as well." Jounouchi grinned and reached for an appetizer. "What's this?" He popped into his mouth. "It's good."

"It's squid." Jounouchi swallowed and grabbed more squid with his fork. Seto, on the other hand, was more interested in what appeared to be cheese sticks. He had just grabbed one when he felt Jounouchi's fingers brush his. The blonde started to pull his hand back, when Seto broke the stick in half, stretching out the cheese and popping his half into his mouth. Jounouchi dipped his non-broken end into the little sauce bowl and ate it. Both boys-after swallowing-smiled at each other, a silent yet heated emotion passing between them.

"Kuroi…could you sleep with the others tonight?" The mage, surprised, nodded. "May I ask why?"

Yugi sighed. "I have to choose someone…and I…"

"You don't want me."

The boy sighed again. "I-I really do care for you, a lot. And you're so kind, and attractive-"

The mage leaned over and touched noses with Yugi. "I understand. What you feel for me pales in comparison with what you feel for him. He softly kissed Yugi's soft cheek. "However, I believe you will always hold a piece of my heart, Yugi-sama." He took his pillow and left the room. Kuroi opened the door to where the others slept. Kane sat up in his bed. "What are you doing in here-Kuroi!" Tears were building in the mage's eyes. "What's wrong?" Kane reached for his friend and held him close, letting the mage lean on him. Warm tears fell on his naked flesh as Kuroi whispered, "Yugi-sama loves him." Kane hesitantly stroked the mage's long purple hair. "Well, it'll make him happy, won't it? Isn't that what we came here to do? Isn't that what you want? To see him happy?"

Kuroi nodded. "I just thought he could be happy with me. I thought I'd finally found one who loved me in return. I should never have fallen in love with him. I should have stayed aloof. Then this wouldn't hurt so much." Kane pulled back and moved over, closer to the wall. "Sleep here with me tonight. At least you won't be lonely." Kuroi obeyed, but kept his back to the elf. In a few minutes, the elf slept, and wrapped an arm around his waist. Kuroi didn't fight him, but he did not return the embrace.

Yugi got out off bed that night to get the last piece of apple pie. He had just slipped it onto a plate when a voice broke the silence. "Ai-Yugi?" The small boy turned to see Yami sitting on a kitchen chair, or rather, straddling it. "Oh, Yami. Long time no see." An idiot could have read the slight bitter tone to Yugi's voice. He had good reason, though. At least when Yami was dating Seto, he'd talked to Yugi every once in a while. Now, though, he didn't talk to anyone, and simply went into his soul room the minute he got home and stayed there. "I wish to speak with you."

Yugi put his pie down. "What about?" 

"About us."

Yugi laughed harshly. "There is no us, Yami. You've made that clear." Yami shifted in his chair. "There will always be an us, Yugi. We're connected." The smaller boy felt longing-but it was quickly covered by old anger. "You should have remembered that when you decided that I wasn't good enough for you to hang around with and thought it would be more fun to bang *him* instead." Yami gritted his teeth. "I broke up with Seto-."

"I know that. He nearly ran me over trying to get into the bathroom to throw up after you broke his heart."

"He never loved me, not really."

Yugi picked up his pie again. "That still didn't give you the right to play with his feelings. Like you did with mine."

"I never-" Yami stopped. "I did. But I swear, Yugi, I didn't intend to. I thought that I-that I loved him. I can make mistakes. I'm not asking you for forgiveness. Can I just have another chance? You were willing to give chances to so many others…may I have one too? " Yugi could feel his anger slipping away like a bar of soap in wet hands. Before he could let it go completely, he had to know something. "I can tell you're sorry. But I want to know something."

"Ask."

"Do you love me? Really love me, not just for sex."

Yami looked surprised at this. "Of course I do. It may have taken some time for me to get it, but I do. "

"Are you sure?" Yami bit his lip and nodded, eyes slightly glittering. Yugi, not knowing what to do now, put the pie back into the fridge and turned to head for the stairs. *Aibou…please. * That did it. All the hurt, all of the anger, all the sadness, all of everything seemed to burst and fly away at that one phrase. Yugi turned and ran back to Yami, burying his face in his neck. //I love him so much still…I'm sorry, Kuroi. //

Yugi felt Yami whisper, "Thank you" into his hair. "I am really sorry. I'm sorry for ignoring your feelings-for not realizing my own, for breaking your heart, for abandoning you, for-."

"Stop. I know. I'm not going to say it's all right until it really is, but I can start to forgive you in any case. Because I love you. I think I always have. I can't help it. That was the reason I didn't take Kuroi's love when he offered it to me. I may have wanted love, but I didn't just want to take it because I was lonely. I wanted your love, because I love you. That's what hurt me most. I couldn't just take his love. It was an easy solution, but now I see I would have broken his heart because I love you more."

"More?" There was a trace of jealousy in Yami's voice now.

Yugi nodded. "Yes, I love him too. But it's not the same; it's not as much. You'll always be first, Yami. I just have space in my heart for him too." With that, Yugi took Yami's hand and led him upstairs.

Breakfast was, to say the least, uncomfortable. Kuroi wouldn't look at Yugi or Kane. Kane wouldn't look at Kuroi or Yugi. Yugi wouldn't look at Kuroi, and Yami glared at everyone who wasn't Yugi, even Kuri. After the fifth glare from Yami, the third sigh from Yugi, the sixth minute of Kane frowning, and the twelfth minute of Kuroi pushing his food around and looking like he wanted to cry, Kuri burst into tears himself and ran to the living room. "He hates for people to be so upset, and having four tense and possibly unhappy people must have been too much for him," said Kuroi, flatly.

Yugi left the room too, to find poor Kuri sobbing into a pillow. "Kuri, don't cry. We'll fix things. It's just hard right now." Kuri looked up, sniffling and tear-stained. "Why Yugi-sama and Kuroi angry with each other?"

Yugi shook his head. "We're not angry. It's just that I love Yami and not him, and that hurts him."

"But Kuroi loves Kane too," said Kuri, puzzled. "He can be with Kane." Yugi raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Long time ago, Kuroi said to Kane 'I love you.' Kane said, 'Well, I don't love you. Please, did you really think that I'd *ever* love you?' But now Kane loves Kuroi back. I thought I could put them together while we were here making you happy but…"

Yugi felt like smacking himself. "So I broke his heart for the second time. God, no wonder he looked so horrible. That moment must be playing over and over again in his head. What have I done to him, He came here to help me and I-" Yugi hit the side of the sofa in frustration. "I'm trying to be happy today. I finally got what I wanted most. But I can't. Not with him so sad."

Kuroi and Yami both watched the one they loved most curl up on the sofa next to Kuri. "I'll try to appear happy. For his sake."

"Thank you." Kuroi looked at Yami, startled. "If you hadn't come here, I never would have understood that I loved him." Kuroi only shrugged. "He does love you."

"I know that. Just not as much as you. Once he stops feeling guilty I'll leave. I can't stand to be around him. It hurts just to look at him."

"That will hurt him, you know. He doesn't want you to leave."

Kuroi turned to look up at the ceiling. "And what am I supposed to do? Stay? Watch him fall more and more in love with you every day? No. I will go back, and serve him as I always did. Perhaps I will forget. Someday." Kuroi left the kitchen and headed into the living room.

"Yugi-sama."

Kuri had-for once-enougjh sense to leave. "Kuroi-"

"Please don't trouble yourself on my account. Yes, not having your love hurts, but seeing you unhappy is worse. Please, Yugi-sama, be happy. That is why I came here in the first place." Yugi hugged the mage tightly, and the mage returned the hug gladly. "Now, don't you have somewhere to be?"

Yugi jumped up. "Ah! I promised Ryou we'd meet at the library! See you later! Yami, come on, we're gonna be late!"

"Late for what?" was all Yami had time to say before he was dragged out of the front door. Kuroi watched them run down the street. "Be happy, Yugi-sama." //I love you.// With a sigh, he vanished.

Gah. Sorry this took so long. I guess this is the end. Maybe I will write a sequel. Thank you all for reviewing. NT, who knows, maybe the sequel with be Y/DM. Bye!