K: *groans* Arg….! *coughs* We're SICK, the week of VALENTINES' DAY, of all things!! ;

Y: At least we have plenty of time to write this, ne?

K: *glares* Kheper ger, Ya-chan….

Y: Heh heh… ^^;; *stares out the window* Eh???

K: *looks out it too* --; My brother's an ass….

Y: ^^; What's with the purple dragon kite? *watches as they attempt to get it out of the tree*

K: *rolls eyes* That won't work… No hand/footholds….  *watches as her brother tries to climb up* --; What did I JUST say?!

Y: ^^; Yep- he's an ass….

Disclaimer: We're usually broke. If that doesn't prove we dun own it, what DOES?!

Warnings: Well, we've decided to leave it as is. If people still read it after the 1st chapter, and then complain about the rating of the content 8 chapters later, why the hell did they read all of it in the first place?

Mou Hitori no Boku: Setsumei Suru

The Other me: Explanation

            I watched as the frail body of my best friend slept, wondering what nightmares he might be facing all alone in there. He's stuck there with that monster, and I can't do a damn thing about it. Dammit, I HATE THIS!!

            I promised I'd be there for him, that I wouldn't let that bastard hurt him anymore… And yet, in his time of need, I simply turned tail and ran; ran away and left him all by himself…

            I sigh, running a hand through my messy hair as I watched the blanket rise and fall with every breath he took. "God, I'm such an ass…."

            "No objections there, inu…"

            I turn and glare at the figure in the doorframe, but it takes more effort than I'm capable of right now, so I let it drop and shrug instead. Kaiba strolls in, pulling up a second chair and glancing at the figure wrapped up in the blankets. I raise an eyebrow when he lets his gaze linger, then clear my throat. I don't like the look he's giving Yuugi- it holds way too much lust…

            To my relief, he turns to me, defiling Yuugi's innocence no longer. "Nande ga hoshii desu ka, inu?" What do you want, dog?

            Not knowing what to say, I blurt the first thing that comes to mind. "Why'd you take us here? You must have other things to do, ne?"

            Sugei- that's pretty good for something off the top of my head… Apparently, he thought so too, since he takes a while before answering.

            "I'm curious as to what really happened. Why would Yu- ano… Mutou-san act like that? Why would he kill his own classmates? He doesn't seem the homicidal type…"

There was no malice or spite in his words, though I was still suspicious as ever. Why would Mr. Smartass almost call Yuugi by his first name? Didn't he think it was 'too low' for his tastes?

"That's all?" I press- there was some other reason he was hiding… Something having to do with Yuugi….

He fixed me with an angry leer, snorting and turning back to the person in question. He was afraid to tell me, whatever it was, and it would take more than casual conversation to pry it out of 'im. I was about to try again, but a quiet yawn caught our attention- Yuugi was awake.

I leapt forward, clasping my tomodachi's hands. "Daijoubu ka, Yuugi?! He didn't hurt you, did he?!" Are you okei, Yuugi?

He blinked, looking around at the room before turning back to me. "Watakushi-tachi wa doko ni nanda?" Where are we?

"Kaiba Manor."

We turned to the one who had spoken, and I caught a glint of jealousy in Seto's eyes. Was he jealous of me? Why?

I looked down, noticing my hands still covered Yuugi's. So THAT was why he was being so nice… He liked Yuugi…

The pieces all fit- the daily taunts, how he'd always back down when Yuugi stepped in if we fought… Why he picked on me rather than him when we were together…

Suddenly, I felt a strong urge to protect Yuugi from the CEO, and sat on the bed next to him, helping him into a sitting position so he could talk. He didn't seem to notice, leaning against me for support as he prepared to question Kaiba the same way I had. Seto, naturally, was peeved that I was touching the object of his affections, but had no time to bitch about it, as Yuugi countered his actions by asking him why he was being so courteous.

A grin plays on my lips as he shoots me a glare before telling him the same thing he told me minutes before.

~Yeah, right….~ I thought, rolling my eyes at him.

He catches my snide look, glaring at me again while Yuugi sighs. He stopped as soon as his violet eyes open again, pretending to pay full attention to him again. Ha- this is great! I have blackmail on Seto Kaiba!

My thoughts shift to the boy in my arms, who had begun to retell his story. Kaiba was seething in rage throughout, but he was doubtful of the whole 'evil spirit' thing. After comparing the 2 personalities he'd encountered though, he slowly came to accept it. Not one for believing in the supernatural, huh?

Tired of sitting still and saying nothing, I asked Yuugi what had been bugging me for a while. "Ne, what did he do while you were asleep?"

My friend peered up at me with curious violet eyes, and he replied, "Nothing. I know- I was freaked too…"

He shivered a little, and I could tell there was something he didn't want to say. I gave him a small hug from behind, urging him on; mentally laughing at the look Seto-baka must have on his face about now.

Taking comfort in my embrace, he leaned up and whispered in my ear. What he said scared me and made my blood boil.

"He… He was going to rape me…."

I subconsciously gripped his slight form tighter, and he continued, loud enough for Kaiba to hear this time.

"He didn't though, and it makes me wonder what goes on in there…"

Yes, what IS that bastard thinking? I can't believe he'd actually think of doing THAT to someone so pure… That sadistic bitch will never touch Yuugi like that, not if I have something to say about it….

"Didn't do what?"

~Oh yeah- Kaiba didn't hear the first part, did he? God- he'll be as pissed as I am… Maybe more…~ I thought as my best friend answered him.

"He was g- going to… THAT ASSHOLE!!" Is it just me, or do I sense a tirade coming up?

The CEO slammed a fist on the wooden bed frame, ignoring the fact it would probably bruise by tomorrow. Yep- he would probably kill the spirit on the spot if not for the fact he was dead already…

Yuugi looked on with a confused expression- probably wondering why the hell Kaiba cared that much. Speaking of which, why did he tell him anyway? Wouldn't the bastard in his head get angry and hurt him? Maybe even go through with his earlier plan of rape?

"Yuugi-kun… Won't your 'darkness' be mad you told Kaiba? I don't want him hurting you again just because of us…." I stated, mentally adding, ~I don't want him hurting you, period….~

He frowned, and for a minute, I was afraid I was right in my assumption, but he sighed. "Actually, he was the one who said I could tell him. I think… I think he's getting better or something… First, he didn't punish me, and then he let me tell you both…"

A glint sparkled in his eyes and it was almost as if I could see the gears turning in his head as he found the explanation he'd been searching for. "It's the puzzle! If I die, he gets sent back to confinement within it, and that's why that other guy was trying to kill us! He must know about the spirit, maybe even have something against him from back when he was pharaoh, and was somehow able to preserve himself until he could claim revenge!"

We were all listening intently to his rambling, understanding bits and pieces and fitting them into place. He went on, eyes wide with excitement, his hands gripping the golden object that hung from the chain around his neck.

"He told me he was afraid of being sealed again; that he didn't like being in there… I survived, which means he won't be sealed again anytime soon, and that's why he's being nicer now! That's why…"

He trailed off, letting the latest discovery sink in. It was like some warped form of psychology- sick and twisted into a morbid, sadistic mystery that held the key to understanding Yuugi's tormentor. The room was silent for a long time, the air so thick with tension you could cut it with a knife.

At some point or another, the boy in my arms dropped off again, and I carefully laid him back into the pillows, tucking him in. Kaiba came over and helped, and I stared at him like a stern parent.

"Do you really care about him, or are you just thinking of using him? He's been through enough already- more than most people years older could take in a dozen lifetimes… He doesn't need to add heartache and betrayal to the list…"

He turned to me, determination blazing in those cerulean pools of his. "I would never hurt Yuugi… I want to protect him from all this as much as you do. And if… If he doesn't want to be with me that way, I'll respect his decision. I just want him to be happy- no matter what acts of jealousy I'd partaken in beforehand…"

I nodded- understanding him completely. I felt much the same way… I have since I first poured my heart out to the violet-eyed angel. I never told him though, afraid it might push him away and leave us both alone again.

I smiled at Seto, nodding and holding out my right hand across the bed. "Me too."

He stared at my hand, then smiled slightly in return and shook it. "As long as he's happy…"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

K: *yawns and stretches* Finally! I'm finished!

Y: *reads over chapter* You just had to spoil the perfect angsty atmosphere, didn't you? --;

K: Hey- there's still angst! Seto and Katsuya are both afraid of telling Yuugi their feelings! A truce, yet both rivals of love! *strikes a pose*

Y: --;; The Niquil screwed your mind up again, didn't it?

K: Heh heh…. ^^;; I can't help it?

Y: *sighs and shakes her head*