Disclaimer: None of the characters contained herein belong to me. (Sigh.)

They're always laughing.

Always joking, or going out to get an ice cream cone, or whatnot.

I can't stand it.

I suppose it's because of Mokuba that I care at all. He's taken a liking to their little circle. Not that I blame him.

I would, too, if I were in his shoes.

It was just the other day...or was it week? I was sitting by myself, in the park, reading. Odd, really, to think that I would be there and not in the comfort of my own home, away from the harsh, jagged world. They were all together, out for a picnic. It was sunny out.

My brother has a habit of showing up when you least expect him. If he's learned anything good from me, that would be it.

He was out for a walk. Must have caught a ride with the driver on duty, the little rascal. They waved to him, and he stopped to talk. I watched from under the shade of the ancient weeping willow. It suits my temperament. The blonde exchanged a few friendly punches with him. They laughed, and apparently they invited him to join them. I merely watched.

It ripped at my heart strings.

Pathetic, really. Me, have a heart? Yes, it's true. I may have tried to crush it, but every once in a while, fresh blood wells up, old wounds torn open anew.

I know it means nothing. I come first in his heart.

Don't I?

As I watch him with Jounouchi, the faintest glimmerings of wonder stir in me.


I guess it was when I first met her. I mean, how could anyone be that way? Just...the way she is.

She's beautiful, you know.

And she has this...look. Like, it screams Come and get me! I've only seen her use it a few times. But oh, god, does she pull it off.

And then I noticed that he saw it too.

The bastard. Watching when he thinks no one's looking. Watching when he knows people are looking. She doesn't discourage it. Sucker for attention, that one. I guess it's part of her appeal.

That, and just the way she moves.

Her hair, long, wild, honey colored, swirling down around her waist. The slight tilt of her head, the intensity of her eyes. The smooth curves of her body, the tiny smirk that so often graces her lips.

It' s amazing.

Man, I sound like a real sap, don't I? At least she's not really paying attention to him. The jerk. Sneering, spying, insulting. All the damn time.

I'd get him for it if I could get away with it.