You can thank my sister for my randomly dropping off the face of the planet. She got me grounded from the computer until I finished my painting... Which I finished today at school... In Chemistry. ^_^() More proof that I do virtually nothing in that class.

Also, due to the fact I've been unable to touch the computer for a week, I also have not finished that picture of Bakura. I promise to have him up within the next few chapters, okay? Hopefully the weekend will lend me more time for that sort of thing.

Again, I'm very very sorry for this... As a way to try and pacify your annoyance with me (if there is any, and if not, than this is just an extra treat!) I also went ahead and put up my Music of the Night fic that I'd mentioned a couple of times before. I hope you enjoy that one.

Anyway, I don't own YuGi Oh.

~*~*~*~

Chapter Seven: The Second Encounter

Bakura sat ignoring his hikari's complaining. He tried to recall why it was that Ryou was fussing at him again, but had done such a good job of tuning him out, that he couldn't be sure. Something about stealing... *Oh yes... He must have found those things I swiped with Malik a week ago... He sure is slow.*

Bakura stretched out on Ryou's bed and yawned, not even caring to hide the fact he wasn't paying any attention. His thoughts were elsewhere. Going over the events of one week ago.

One week ago he had gone to the mall with Malik to make sure he kept in practice... One week ago that Malik had found out that his sister was with Mariku... One week ago was one day before Malik talked him into seducing his sister... That was six days ago...

Five days ago, Bakura had made his first appearance at the Ishtar residence with the purpose of beginning that seduction. Five days ago, Bakura began to have a problem... But he wouldn't admit it to anyone. Wouldn't even admit it to himself.

Ryou sighed and plopped down on the edge of the bed. The shift in the mattress jolted Bakura out of his thoughts. "Eh?" he looked at his hikari and blinked.

"Forget it. Why do I even try?" Ryou shook his head.

Bakura sat up, laughing as he patted Ryou on the head. "Love you, aibou." He grinned before standing and wandering out of the room. He trotted down the steps and walked into the living room, glancing around with a bored expression. "Bleh..." He practically threw himself down onto the couch and propped his head up on one arm.

After a few minutes, he rolled over onto his back and tugged on the bottom of the shirt he was wearing. It was another of the ones he'd bought with Malik. This one was a dark blue that almost seemed black until you compared it to his black pants. The pants were a bit tight, of course, and the shirt had no sleeves and showed a bit of his stomach... He'd already gotten used to the new style... but he just had to make sure that he still made a fuss about it.

There really wasn't anything to do... Time dragged on so slow that Bakura felt like each second was an hour long. Sitting up, he glanced around the room. "There's nothing to do in this house..." He grumbled and stood up.

"Perhaps Malik will have some ideas on what to do for some fun..." He pondered out loud as he made his way to the front door. Calling over his shoulder to Ryou, he opened the door. "I'm going to Malik's." Then he closed the door and started down the sidewalk.

~~~

Bakura stretched absently as he waited for someone to answer the door after he knocked. His mind wandering slightly, he turned his gaze to watch some people walking down the sidewalk a short distance away. Hearing the door opening, he turned back... to find Mariku standing there.

The other yami's eyes narrowed as he glared down at Bakura. "What do you want?"

Bakura inclined his head to one side and blinked with feigned innocence. "To see Malik... Whatever else would I possibly want?"

"That's sick." Mariku smirked.

Bakura blinked and stared at him a moment before he realized what was being implied. Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fists. "That's NOT what I meant, and you know it..."

Mariku looked him over a moment before stepping aside, grudgingly. "He's in his room." He grumbled as he shut the door after Bakura and walked towards Isis' office.

*Wonder what they're doing in there...* Bakura smirked absently before heading to Malik's room. As he ascended the stairs, he heard pacing.

"Hello?" Bakura opened the door just enough to peek his head in.

Malik looked up and ceased his pacing. "Oh, hey Bakura. What are you doing here?"

Bakura shrugged, entering the room and shutting the door. "I was bored. Figured that you could surely help me come up with some mischief to keep myself occupied. You know... two heads are better than one. Even if one of them is your head."

Malik rolled his eyes, but nodded. "How about we go to the museum and deface some of the artifacts with Yami on them?"

"Heh..." Bakura's face split with a wicked grin. "Sounds like fun. That accursed Pharaoh..." He was too busy enjoying the thought of vandalizing something that had Yami's face on it to notice the sly smile that Malik had gained.

"I'll be back in a sec, alright?" Malik said as he dashed out of his room.

Bakura raised an eyebrow and stared out the door after him a moment before shrugged and sitting down in the chair in front of Malik's desk. Bored, he picked up some of the duel monster cards spread out on the desk. They were all very powerful monsters... Bakura grinned and slipped a couple into his back pocket as he stood, having heard Malik coming.

The blonde boy appeared in the doorway. "Come on. Isis is going to take us and unlock the museum for us."

Bakura was surprised. "What!? Why would she do that?"

Malik grinned. "Because I told her that you're feeling depressed and wanted to see some of the artifacts from Ancient Egypt so that you could feel a little more at home..."

Bakura just stared at him for a long time. Finally, he shook his head slightly. "You're kidding... Right?" When his friend just grinned at him, Bakura's eyes narrowed. "So... Was your plan ever to vandalize the artifacts?"

"Heh... You're hatred for Pharaoh makes you easy to manipulate." Malik shrugs. "And we wouldn't want to make me out to be a liar to my sister now would we? So I advise you to play along. Besides, it's about time the two of you spent more time together, you know. You promised to steal my sister's heart away from my yami and so far you've only managed to put the slightest of wedges between the two of them."

Bakura sighed. "Right... But you'll get what's coming to you, Malik... And soon."

"Yeah, I know I will." Malik shrugged as though he didn't care.

"I've been meaning to ask you... What exactly were you and Mariku doing out so late that night?" Bakura eyed his friend, who was suddenly grinning like an idiot.

"Oh, you know us... Just... Guy stuff..."

Bakura raised an eyebrow. "Uh, huh..."

Malik's grin broadened. "We were spending a fun-filled evening in one of the shadier sections of Domino City. A little food, a little drink, lots of women..." He laughed and opened his mouth to speak again.

"No!" Bakura held up a hand to stop him. "I'd rather not hear the details I think..." He shook his head. "Isis found out the truth no doubt?"

"Yes." Malik looked very proud of himself. "Wasn't very pleased, I must say."

"I wouldn't think so..." Bakura had an odd feeling when he thought of Mariku making Isis angry and upset. He shook his head, shoving the thoughts away, and started for the door. "Well, Let's get this over with if we have to."

"Alright," Malik said as he followed. "Just remember... You're depressed... Oh, and before we go... Give me back those cards you stole."

Bakura growled and gave the cards back to him. When Malik returned from putting them back on his desk, he reminded him yet again to be depressed. Bakura nodded, his expression not changing. Of course, it already looked depressed. To think... He was going to spend the day in the museum, alone with Malik and Isis. Then again, he soon found out that wasn't exactly true either...

"He's what!?" Malik demanded of his sister, even as he stood glaring at Mariku.

Isis frowned, giving her brother a fierce glare. "He's coming too. I don't see why it bothers you so much."

Malik made a face as Mariku slipped his arm around Isis' waist and held her close.

Isis shook her head. "Oh grow up, won't you?"

"Yeah," Mariku smirked. "You'd think that someone who's shared a mind with a 5000 year old would be a bit mature."

Bakura sat on the couch watching. He had sat down when the argument first began, several minutes prior, when Mariku had first entered the living room as Bakura and Malik were entering from the stairs. Mariku had instantly started pestering Malik, using his relationship with Isis. Bakura was getting the feeling that it was obviously something that happened a lot...

Bakura's mind drifted off to how Mariku had gone out partying when he was supposed to be in a serious relationship with Isis... He recalled that Isis had looked very annoyed and upset before he left. He was glad he'd gotten out of there when he had. Otherwise, he probably would have had to witness her getting really upset with him.

*Jerk...* Bakura found himself thinking as he glared daggers at Mariku. Then he stopped suddenly. Why did he care if Isis was upset? *I don't.* He assured himself as he waited for them all to stop arguing so they could leave.

Finally Malik sighed and stalked past Mariku and Isis. Mariku smirked smugly after him. Isis turned to Bakura, who by this time was lost in thought and leaning back against the back of the couch, his head tilted back as he stared at the ceiling.

"Bakura?" Isis called to him. Blinking, he lifted his head and looked at her, catching an annoyed glare from Mariku. Was he jealous? "We're ready to go now. Sorry you had to wait while we argued with my stupid brother."

Bakura nodded as he stood. "Don't worry about it." He said and followed them out of the room and then out of the house.

Isis smiled, attempting not to let Mariku notice. Bakura wasn't half bad now that she was getting to know him better... It was odd that he seemed to be interacting with her more often all of a sudden, though... She pushed it away and shrugged it off as a coincidence as she walked alongside Mariku, her arm in his.

~*~*~*~

Meh... Not the best chapter, but oh well... I must say I do love the next chapter. It has two names. ^_^() I love the fact that it has it's real title, then it's 'AKA Threats in the Closet' *giggles* But you'll see what that means when you read it tomorrow evening.

Reviewerness!!! (going through them in order, so some might be mentioned twice)

Flamedancer33: *beams* Alrighty then. I'm glad it makes you feel special. And I know exactly what you mean. My school's computers suck as well. And you'll just have to wait and see what Malik has to say about it. *grins* Actually, it may not be what you expect... *dances around absently* I'm unpredictable! I'm unpredictable!

Reign of Isis4559: Again, I'm glad to make my reviewers feel special. For I really do apreciate all my reviews. And... It's really starting to look like it's leading towards an Isis/Bakura isn't it? *grins evilly* But who knows? You'll just have to wait and see!!! MWA HA HA HA HAAAAAAA!!!!

Umeko the Beatnik Emu: Tee hee. Yeap it is already written, and update soon I will. Now that I've gotten all caught up in art class I shouldn't have any trouble staying connected to my computer. I'll try to warn you from now on if I do need to miss a day. I'm glad that my story entertains you at school. Also... Although I generally don't approve of following the masses... It's okay that you love the bloopers. It's just one of those things that you love to love, right? ^_^()

Lily of the Shadow: Heh... You kinda make me feel bad for my absence now that I'm reading this... "I am really glad you do update a lot!" ~_~() But that's okay! Cause I'll be back in the habit now!

Flamedancer33: ~_~() Again... I really am very VERY sorry... *stretches absently* Glad I'm back!? Anyway, comments on the poem... No, that isn't the first poem I've written. I write a lot of poetry actually, and usually they have some sort of rhyme scheme to them. This was done so that it would flow (as close to) exactly like 'Twas the Night as I could make it. Cause that was the joke. And yes, Bakura saves people... When Ryou, Honda, and Anzu sneak up into the tower in Pegasus' castle and they end up in that weird Ancient Egyptian place... Pegasus is gonna take their souls, but Bakura comes out and stops him and they all end up back in their rooms. And yes... Bakura in leather... Wait... I never said his pants were leather... *is suddenly feeling slightly confused* And don't worry about writing a lot. I like long reviews too. In fact, at times I prefer them, cause it shows that you're really interested and have things to say about my story! *hugs*

Yami Tenshi: Okay... First of all... AMBER!!!!!! *huggles her best friend tightly* That's so awesome that you could get on a computer and review this! *cough* Granted, you told me Monday that you had, but that's okay... Okay people... You've gotta read this review if for nothing more than the fact that there are certain comments that I'll make that might not make sense other wise... For example... *grumbles as her friend dodges so Silverscreamer can't reach her to smack her*

Review:

Alright, first of all, if you can't guess who this is by the end of the review I'm going to slap you...hard. Second of all, in case your wondering how I managed to post this review, I'm at my mom's work, messing around on her computer.

Hee hee. I like reading everybody else's reviews, esp. the ones that mention wondering what will happen next or if it will turnout one way or another, cause I KNOW THE END! **hides before silverscreamer can smack her**.

Oh, just in case anybody else is just reading through these, I'm the evil friend with the Mariku x Isis dare. Oh how fun it was getting glared at for that one. Almost as fun as getting glared at (and smacked at times) for stealing the story in the middle of a word/sentence/whenever I saw her working on it.

I just thought you'd like to get another review so "I love the story, (like you didn't know that) and I'm really proud of you for pulling it off. You also did a very good job using so many of the random lines. (Perhaps next time I'll try to make you use certin objects as well.)

Hee hee.

GO BISHIES!!

~YaMi TeNsHi~

Yes, that's right. Here is the mastermind behind Mariku/Isis as well as bringer of comments like "Love you, Aibou," "How many times do I have to tell you to take the jacket off first?" "I AM the phantom of the opera," "Do I look like my hikari to you?" (don't think that's the actually way it went in the story, but yeah.) Let's see... I don't think I ever put in "Kiss me Guido" ... No wait! Didn't I at one point? *ponders* I think I fit that one into a blooper... Anyway... And oh does anyone know how annoying it is to have someone snatch the thing you're writing on from you every time she sees you!? *growls playfully at her friend then laughes and throws a skittle at her* Just cause you've read the entire story, that doesn't mean that you need to rub it in everyone else's noses!

Pruningshears: Heh... You too? Groundings are contagious it seems... ^_^() Glad you like it.

Okay, so the populace has spoken... My addressing the reviewers individually will continue!

((Sorry this one was so long... Had a lot to say after being gone so long.))