Okay- I think you guys will be pleased- a very long chapter for you all! ^_^. Yes- I'm actually sorta proud of it... even if it is a prelude to more drama [sigh] but since I constantly get reviews begging for more, I take it you don't mind! But yeah- replies!:

CHIBI-CHAN: Of course the song fit! ^_^. I dunno- I always liked it and when I was in the middle of "Left of the Middle" it just sorta came to me...! But um... I'm glad you connected with the last chapter- I mean, if it works for you, that's great.

NONAME: [jumps up and down] I wanna find out how he tastes! [whines] POR FAVOOOORRR???? [turns and looks at noname] how can you say that you hate Malik-san? [pouty face] he's even more f*ckin' sexy when he's horny ((as if I'd know... [sniff]))

JETI: Lol- yeah- as soon as I read your review about being "game ship" instead of "game shop", I changed it ^_^. But how could you read a J/R/B ménage o trios if you don't LIKE the theme? I mean- if it's not something you like- then why did you read my story? [laughs lightly]

ANIMEGIRL: I guess I'm happy that you got my Bakura inflatable doll- just don't hurt yourself! [chuckles] But um... about downloading the song- I'm just hoping you're aware that it's a country song- but don't freak out! It's not hick music... [shudders violently] that sh*t scares me! But um... it's good either way- sort of a cross between... jeeze well- it has a guitar and it's not slow and pathetic. [frown] hard to describe... but it's not the country you'd probably be afraid of.

ARTEMIS ZEPHYR: Of course Bakura is a great character! Not only is he a tad bit demonic- but he's definitely got issues- and for some reason, I like that in people... ((sounds strange, ne?)) And why is Jounouchi ashamed of liking Ryou but not Bakura? Well- this is how I look at it: Ryou is the delicate and impressionable type while Bakura seems like he'd be the one who'd do just about anything ((i.e. experimenting))- so if he's all ready been "hit on" by Bakura, then what's a kiss? Ryou's the one he likes at first so naturally he'd be more shy about it. If Jounouchi all ready knows Bakura will do just about anything to him, then the only other obstacle is the hikari. [shrug] if that makes sense! Lol

CHILDOFMIDNIGHT: Oh- thanks ^_^.

GENERAL: Okay- the first part is just a kinda... time lapse deal that just summarizes everything that's happened over a few months. The first half of the story was written during late winter, early spring ((showers... showers... more rain... showers..., etc, etc.))- and the lapse leaves everyone during summer vacation- so hopefully there'll be no confusion! And Yami Bakura Kia- remember that Nittle Grasper suggestion...?

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'...': thoughts /.../: hikari //...//: yami

Just Let Me Be in Love: A New Prelude

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The spring seemed to pass in somewhat of a daze for Jounouchi. All the events seemed one long day- although it wasn't as if he minded; it was helping him through the hard times. Serenity and his mother weren't coming back; he'd been expecting that for what seemed like forever and the teenager was happy with the decision. The two females had managed to break away from the patriarch who had increasingly caused terror within the family and Jounouchi was relieved.

Beatings became more frequent- but all the teenager could be glad for was his sister's safety as he tended to his wounds.

Loneliness wasn't as hard to take during all the time that passed, though. He tried to keep himself occupied- especially with the freedom of the Bakuras at his side. It wasn't as if they were "together", but that rainy night in the game shop had seemed to be the outlet he needed. The kiss Jounouchi shared with Bakura- and the words the snow-haired yami had softly whispered were more than just a moment in time. They were the eye opener Jounouchi had been praying for; the light in the dark tunnel that was his life.

And Bakura had initiated it. The teenager couldn't describe the mixture of fear and elation he'd felt in his heart... and now it was an emotion he treasured and carried with him everywhere.

The weeks passed the three in a calm wave; no one seemed to notice how they'd changed. The summer sun still hadn't burned away everyone's ignorance, but the males didn't care. As Bakura put it: "We haven't hid it- it's just no one's taken the time to notice." The only person that seemed to know was Malik, and Jounouchi was barely becoming aware on just how close the golden haired teenager was to the Bakuras. He'd never expected to see Malik curled against Ryou as the two slept on the living room couch together.

And the two silver haired young men didn't seem to mind, either. Malik would come in and out of their home to his liking, often slept in the male's bed with them, cuddled and kissed the two Bakuras- if Jounouchi hadn't known better, he'd have thought Malik was all ready their lover.

Lover: a far off word that Jounouchi had yet to say. Their "relationship" was never voiced, it was never questioned, never an issue between them. He didn't know if it could even be CALLED a relationship- it seemed that vague. But it wasn't that he didn't enjoy it. The smiles, the waves, the Saturday nights when it was just the three of them walking through Domino. For anyone else it could have seemed like how close friends would act. But the three knew there was a much deeper attachment that was held in their hands.

Jounouchi was happy with it; Ryou seemed to be lost in his view that he was surrounded in perfection; Bakura was surprisingly content with all the relationship brought- even if there was a lack of sex. That was it- sex. The one thing their connection lacked was the physical element, but they really didn't care. There were nothing but goodnight and goodbye kisses- short and sweet; probably the reason why no one ever noticed the odd ease between the three.

~*~*~

"Are you sure he'd want to go see them?" Ryou asked softly, drawing his knees to his chest in the passenger's seat. It was a hot summer night and summer vacationing had left all hours open to the teens.

"Why would I spend seven hours in a damn line with annoying, squealing girls- if I wasn't sure about it?" Ryou smirked lightly at the annoyed tone. It HAD been Bakura's idea- but there was still a bit of annoyance at what he'd had to do in order to make his "plan" work.

Finally at Jounouchi's apartment complex, Ryou unbuckled his seatbelt, stepping out of the car. "I'll be back in a minute."

"Don't take too long or we'll be late." Bakura's tone had gone back to that of commands, but all the hikari did was smile and close the passenger door. The teenager hummed softly to himself as he made his way through the shabby buildings, coming upon the battered door he knew as Jounouchi's. Ryou had been there only a couple times before- and both times Jounouchi had pushed him out claiming the place was a mess and that it wasn't respectable for guests. The teenager didn't question it but he was still curious to see what he hid all the time.

Ringing the doorbell patiently, Ryou looked around- it seemed the whole place could crumble in an instant. There was stepped on gum littering the floor, black from dirt over time. The walls had apparently been the canvas of graffiti and there were odd colors of paint attempting to hide the disgrace- it was a common sight to see four shades of light tan covering a single wall. The place was run down to the point to he didn't doubt that the living space could actually be dangerous.

"Ryou?" Jounouchi asked from the door, looking surprised to see him.

"Hi, Jou." The hikari smiled in greeting. "Hurry up and get changed- Bakura and I are taking you out."

"Huh?" The blond scratched his head in confusion- but it seemed that in a playful way Ryou didn't want to hear it. Reaching out and pushing Jounouchi back into the apartment, the teenager closed the door behind them and crossed his arms over his chest.

"C'mon- Bakura is waiting in the car. You know how he gets." At this the other male gulped, turning on his heel and walking quickly down the main hall and disappearing into a room Ryou could only guess was his.

/Bakura... you should see this place.../ The hikari blinked several times, looking around the run down apartment; he'd never seen the inside.

//What's wrong with it?// The yami responded almost lazily. The silver haired young man slowly walked down the hall which was littered with newspapers, beer cans, food, and clothing- EVERYWHERE. The paint on the walls was peeling, the entire place smelled like alcohol- was there something rotting in there? The male shuddered, stepping over a pile of dirty clothing that somehow also contained a few containers of empty Minute Maid juice.

/He... he lives here...?/ Ryou bit his bottom lip as he balanced his paces with his hand against the wall; he was walking atop a sea of dirty clothes. Stopping, he looked around once again- sending the images to his yami.

//What the... you're joking!// Bakura's voice was in complete surprise. Sighing, Ryou continued down the hall until he reached the open door which Joey had disappeared into. The place was- tidy. Stepping off the clothes was like stepping off a stool and finally standing on solid ground. Jounouchi had his back to him, putting on a black necklace were a silver cross hung- it had been a gift Bakura had given to him at the end of the school year; Ryou had one to match which he wore everywhere along with the Millennium Ring.

In comparison to the rest of the apartment, Jounouchi's room was clean and smelled of various colognes- the most prominent to Ryou's nose was Calvin Klein. A few posters hung on the walls- Gackt, X Japan, Glay- Nittle Grasper. A small smile played on the hikari's lips, but his attention turned back to the blond who had noticed he was there.

"Oh shit..." He mumbled, eyes darting to the foot high mound of clothes that made up the walking space of the hall and presumably the rest of the apartment. "I- I- I should have told you to go with Bakura-"

"Jounouchiiiiiii...." A voice growled from a distance and the named male's eyes widened. There was someone else in the apartment who'd just arrived. "Jounouchi, you son of a bitch- where the fuck are you...?" Ryou turned to the door- the voice was getting louder and he couldn't ignore the slur.

"Sh..." The blond put his index finger to his lips obtaining a nod from the hikari. Leading him behind the bedroom door, the two were silent as a figure paused at the door, sniffing the air. The hikari could smell strong liquor but he squeezed his eyes shut.

"Lazy son of a bitch..." The male mumbled under his breath and he continued down the hall. Jounouchi slid out from behind the door, poking his head out to see if all was clear. Ryou could hear a loud burp- and then a thump on the ground. At this, the blond let out a heavy sigh before looking back at the other teenager.

"C'mon..." He took Ryou's hand and led him up onto the stoop of clothes and down the hall. Before they left the apartment, the hikari stole a backwards glance and could see a figure sprawled out on the mattress of dirty clothing that made up the floor.'

~*~*~

"How long am I supposed to wear this thing?" Jounouchi frowned, itching the side of the blindfold that hid his eyes from the night. Ryou smiled at his, pulling the blonde's hand away and setting it on his lap.

"Almost there." Bakura was sullen and serious as he slowed the car down as they made their way through the parking lot.

"Oh c'mon- I've been blindfolded for at least a half hour. If I didn't know better, I would think you two are kidnapping me..." Ryou giggled, resting his head on the teenager's shoulder; the two were sitting in the backseat. The vehicle finally stopped, Bakura turning off the engine.

//Don't take it off till I say.// The mental command was noted and Ryou led the male next to him out of the car, taking his hand.

"You have everything?" The common question Bakura asked right before he closed his door.

"Hai." Jounouchi could hear the door shut. A hand on his back pushed him to start walking and he did so blindly, trusting that he wouldn't be led right into a wall. He smirked.

"Are we there yet?"

"No." Bakura said.

"Are we there yet?"

"No." The voice was slightly more irritated and Jounouchi continued on purpose- just for the amusement.

"Are we there yet?"

"Yes." Ryou smiled, pulling off the blindfold which hid Joey's honey colored eyes. They were standing at the entrance of a concert stadium; people were busily walking about, squeals of excitement filled the air- and two words were on everyone's tongue: Nittle Grasper.

"Oh my god..." Jounouchi mumbled under his breath, eyes widening. There were posters everywhere featuring none other than the three members of the Jrock group and all over them there were signs posted- "SOLD OUT".

"Didn't I tell you he would like it?" Bakura smirked down at his hikari who had a pleased grin on his face.

"You're always right, Bakura." Ryou giggled but the sarcasm was noted as well.

~*~*~

"And for my last song of the evening..." Ryuichi spoke into the microphone, looking around to the cheering crowd which was screaming out his name. "My last song of the evening is dedicated to all the fans- Nittle Grasper wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you- thank you!" He chuckled softly as the crowd broke into hysterical screaming. "And here it is: Sleepless Beauty!" The music started; Ryuichi fell into his serious trance- and all Jounouchi could do was smile.

Bakura had somehow managed to get third row seats- but Joey wouldn't doubt if the Millennium Ring had something to do with it all. He didn't mind though- seeing the one and only Ryuichi Sakuma on stage was as if all his dreams had come true- well- not all of them. Being with the two Bakuras had been his wish from the start.

"Tooku de me o hikarasete ((I've been charmed by your eyes from far away))

Mezameru monotachi matte iru ((wake up and wait for me))

Yoru no jouheki, sasowarete ((call out and break the night's barricade))

Utsurisumu mure no nukegara ni ((the crowd comes out of the reflection))

[deguchi no nai] ((there is no way out))

shougeki ni taeru tsumori nara ((if you plan to endure the impact))

[kuzureru hodo] ((until it collapses))

itsuwari o misete... ((a projected lie))

Umarekawareru anata yo hitori ((smile as you become reborn))

Hohoemanaide hitomi o irodoru ((and paint your whole body))

Nozonda sekai ga totsuzen ((see the world suddenly burning up miraculously))

Hai ni natte mo kiseki ni mada, meguriaeru ((as if we met by chance))"
At this, the blond turned to the two snow-haired males at his side. Ryou was singing along, eyes closed, swaying to the rhythm that had him hypnotized to the beat. Bakura had his chocolate eyes closed as well, nodding softly in time to the beat as if he had no care in the world. That was how Jounouchi liked the two. The opposites that cared for him and the one being they could become for him.

It seemed that at the same time they noticed he was starring, a small grin on his face.

"Hmph?" Ryou asked with a smile, tilting his head. Jounouchi knew words would be useless in a place were shouting was inevitable. So he did the next best thing. Stepping forward, he pulled the hikari into his arms, taking him into a deep kiss, tasting the elixir of his lips- savoring the electricity it sent. Pulling away slowly, Jounouchi looked up at the yami who had a satisfied smirk on his face. Letting go of Ryou, the blond wrapped his arms around the yami's small waist, pulling him close and taking him into a hard kiss- the same taste of elixir- but with fiery motions that were unique to only Bakura. Lingering as best he could, Jounouchi finally pulled away leaving two very satisfied looking silver haired men either smiling brightly or smirking evilly at him. He knew he was safe.

"Ima mo todokanu hikari no yukue ((Now, where the light can't shine through))

Azayaku ni mau, omoi o egakou ((we'll paint a brilliant dancing dream))

Michibiku kotoba ga koborete ((guided words will not fail))

Shimawanu you ni utsuru toki o osorenaide ((don't fear the times of change))"
The three males didn't see the starring eyes of two tri-colored haired males watching from the fifth row.

"[sotto dakishamete] ((hold me gently))

[zutto tsukamaete] ((catch me forever))

[motto kokoro made kowasu you ni] ((do more until my heart breaks down))"

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O.o Long ass chapter! No updates until I get 95! ((I only got 9 reviews to my last chapter [sniffle] I was such a disappointment, ne? [cries]))