Author's Notes: Hey everyone! I'm back! I was on break because of the holidays, but here's chapter 10! Enjoy!

Chapter 9:

The Hardest Thing

The morning sun crept slowly into the room. Téa stirred and opened her eyes painfully. Her head was aching. She had cried herself to sleep last night. She sat up, rubbing her head. "I wonder if he's gone?" She stood up and glanced at herself in the mirror. Her hair was sticking up in every direction, her eyes were puffy and red and she had dark circles under her eyes. "All this because of a guy? You're slipping, Téa…" She scolded herself, as she descended the stairs, not really caring about her morning appearance. Upon reaching the final step, a pleasant aroma reached her nose. "It looks like mom's making breakfast. It sure smells good." She headed toward the kitchen and the site she saw almost made her trip over her feet. Her mother and Bakura were sitting at the table eating breakfast and talking about multiple subjects.

Téa's mother looked up and her eyes winded in horror. "My goodness, what happened to you, dear?"

Téa blushed and tried to leave before her mother could reach her. Unsuccessful, she felt her arm being grabbed and her mother spinning her around to face her. "Why don't you wash up sweetie, after all we do have a guest."

Téa sighed and pushed her mother's arm away. "It doesn't matter, mom. He's seen me even worse looking then this, I guarantee it." She took a seat beside Bakura and reached for a cup of coffee. This was not her day. At least Bakura couldn't see how awful she looked.

"Téa, you look like something the cat dragged in." Came a sneering voice.

Téa spit her coffee out and covered her mouth in awe. "You…you can see me?" She asked, almost stuttering.

"Barely…you are more or less a blur, but by the amount of brown I am seeing, it is obvious you didn't comb your hair."

Téa patted her hair uncomfortably. "Well, we can't all look like beauty queens first thing in the morning." She hissed, staring envyingly at his thick and neatly combed silver hair. "Did you comb your hair?"

"No." Came his simple reply as he sipped some coffee.

Téa grumbled. "Great…"

Bakura snickered. Actually it was Yami Bakura, but he was using Bakura's body, so he didn't change in appearance.

Téa's mother smiled. "So, what's your plans on this nice Saturday?"

Téa stabbed at her bacon with her fork. "Nothing much. I'm meeting a friend at Kaiba corp."

"Who, dear?" Her mother asked, wondering if she had met anyone new.

"His name is Marik. I told you about him before. His sister and him came from Egypt to duel in Battle City. He's the one with the long blonde hair and purple eyes. Remember?"

"Ah yes. He's a cutie isn't he?" She teased, winking. Is he your boyfriend?"

Téa once again spit out her coffee, this time choking.

Yami Bakura smirked and patted her back. "Téa, I don't think you should be drinking if you're going to keep choking every time someone asks you a question. Though I am curious myself, is he your boyfriend?"

Téa pushed her coffee far away from her. She cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes. "If you both must know…we are kind of trying out a relationship."

Téa's mother eyes her carefully. "Have you kissed him?"

"Mom! That's not the most appropriate thing to ask with Bakura…"

Yami Bakura frowned. "I am curious too though. We are friends, aren't we? Téa?" He asked innocently, before taking another sip of coffee.

Téa muttered something under her breath and sipped her coffee as well. "Yes."

"Have you had sex?" Her mother asked slyly.

Both Téa and Yami Bakura choked on their coffee this time.

"NO!!!" Téa shouted in horror, this time patting dark Bakura's back, because he was choking more then her. "I would never dream of doing that unless I marry." She pouted.

Téa's mother laughed. "Alright, I'm sorry I asked." She wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. Picking up their now empty plates, she walked over to the sink and began to clean. "You'd better get dressed, honey. It's getting late."

Téa nodded and headed off toward her bedroom. Yami Bakura got up and started to leave the room when her mother spoke up.

"You care more for Téa then you are letting on, aren't you Bakura?" She never looked up at him; she just kept cleaning the dirty dishes.

"I…I don't know what you're talking about Mrs. Gardner." He stuttered, shifting his weight back and forth on his legs.

"I can see right through you, you know. And I don't want you lying to me. Do you love my daughter?" She asked, this time looking right into his eyes.

"I…" He tightened his hands, balling them into fists. "No."

Téa's mother sighed and undid the knot on the back of her apron. "Are you sure?" She asked, unconvinced.

Yami Bakura looked away. "I'm positive, ma'am."

Still unconvinced, her mother shook her head and sighed. "Alright then. But let me tell you something. Don't let go of something that can make you happy. I love my daughter and I want the best for her, but I don't think she's happy with this 'Marik' boy. I only want her to be with the right man when she becomes a woman. And if you are afraid, I can assure you; I approve of you and trust you completely with her. I can see it clearly in your eyes. You have a good heart, Bakura. And I know my daughters cares more for you then as a friend. Don't hurt her!" With that said, she left the room.

Yami Bakura stood there, just staring at the kitchen wall. He growled and punched the wall with his fist.

"Bakura?" Came a voice from behind him.

Yami Bakura spun around and made out the fuzzy impression of Téa's petit form. "WHAT?" He bellowed.

Téa backed away slightly. "Um, I was wondering if you were going to stay here or join me."

Yami Bakura crossed his arms and looked away. "Wouldn't I be interfering with your 'date'? He sneered, biting into the word 'date'.

Téa shook her head. "No, I'm not dating him. In fact, I'm not even meeting him. We didn't plan anything. I just don't want my mother to know what's been happening with the card and those dreams." She tugged on the strap on her bag. "I don't love, Marik." She confessed.

Yami Bakura looked back at her, trying to focus his blurry eyes. "Why would I care?"

Téa growled. "Well, you sure seemed interested at breakfast!" She snapped. She huffed and walked over toward the front door, slipping on a pair of platform shoes. "Are you coming or not?"

Yami Bakura shrugged and joined her at the door. "Until I get bored, I guess so. I have a few things to ask Marik anyways."

Téa rolled her eyes and took his hand. "Come on then." Deep inside, her heart was aching at being so close to him. Why didn't he just leave? She heard him say goodbye last night. He must have meant that anything between them was over for good. A tear started to roll down her cheek. He really didn't care about her feelings.

***

Marik crept down the ally way, staying in the shadows. He had to make it to Kaiba corp. He didn't need anyone following him. Finally he saw the familiar glass tower with the words 'Kaiba Corp.' on the top. He walked out of the shadows and crossed the street. He reached the doors and was about to go in when he heard someone calling his name. Turning around, he saw Téa and Bakura approaching him. He frowned when he saw they were holding hands. Then he noticed her helping Bakura across the street. Was he blind? He wondered.

"Marik!" Téa called happily. She embraced him warmly. Pulling away, she noticed Yami Bakura glaring at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Téa! What are you guys doing here?"

Téa glanced at Yami Bakura and then at Marik. "We also play a part in this mess and we hoped we could get some answers. Have you seen Yugi? I haven't seen him since last night. I was wondering if he might know anything about this as well."

Marik shook his head. "No, he doesn't even know I'm here. Remember?"

Téa blushed. "Oh, right. I keep forgetting. Well, let's go then, shall we?"

***

Seto Kaiba was seated in his office chair, typing madly away at the keys on his computer. The phone rang suddenly stopping his maddening pace. He grumbled and picked up the phone. "Yes?"

***

A secretary seated at the front desk began to speak. "Sir, there are some kids here to see you. They claim they know you? Yes, they're names are Téa, Bakura and Marik. Do you know them? Yes? Very well then." She hung up the phone and turned to face the trio. "You may see him.

The trio smiled and headed for the elevator.

Kaiba was waiting outside of the door, arms crossed and a smug smirk on his face. "If this is about the new tournament, I had nothing to do with this."

Marik blinked. "There's a new tournament?" He looked over at Téa and Bakura. They shrugged. "Anyways, no, that's not what we came for. We came to ask you about Yami no Yume."

Kaiba's eyes glanced up at Marik. "You've heard of it then?"

Marik nodded. "Yes, it's already starting to show its powers. It has to be stopped. I gave it to Yugi, hoping Yami might know more about it."

Téa looked up startled. "Yugi has it? Why didn't you tell me?"

Marik bowed his head. "Because I was afraid you would try to convince him to get rid of it. I need to know something though, Kaiba. Has my sister come here?"

Kaiba smirked. "She's at my mansion. Seems some thugs decided to follow her and frame her for killing you."

Marik gasped. "Kill me? Who would have done that?"

"Let's ask her, then." He said coolly.

***

Ishizu was watching the news when she heard the doorbell ring. Carefully she stood up and peered out of the peephole. Her eyes winded and she backed away.

Mokuba came running down the stairs in a panic. "They're surrounding the entire mansion! We have to go to the basement! My brother has an escape pod there." He took Ishizu's hand and led her to the stairs.

"How could they find me? I haven't made my appearance known here!"

"They could have placed a tracking device on you! My brother said they are shifted like that!"

"Seto knows about this company?"

Mokuba nodded. "He's been doing research ever since you came to him for help. It seems this company heard about the millennium items and want their power and that silver card. They want my brother out of the way, so they can search all of Domino for the items. If they succeed in capturing the item holders, they'll execute them. I heard Bakura was attacked and Yugi as well. You were almost killed yourself, even though Yugi holds your item now."

Ishizu narrowed her eyes in determination. "Then we'll have to stop them! My brother and I have no items to carry anymore, they are all in Yugi's hands. Only Shadi remains. And he cannot be killed. Why do they want Yami no Yume though? That card is pure evil."

"Why was it created?' Mokuba asked as he helped her into a small-enclosed room.

"The card was created by Yami's father. He was a man possessed by the shadow masters. He wanted power and world domination; he didn't even know he was being controlled. When the god cards failed him, he created Yami no Yume in order to control the people. The other cards couldn't control them; just cause fear. But Yami no Yume could control people's desires and wishes. Play with their hearts; making them puppets. If it ever selected a host, it would be unstoppable. It was a card he should have never made. For the only way to destroy it is to destroy the power that created it. There for, the items would have to be destroyed. Yami and the spirit of the ring would vanish forever. It would be a sacrifice for the greater good." She looked down sadly.

Mokuba was speechless. The climbed into a small helicopter and Mokuba pushed a button. The roof opened up and they took off into the air. "D…does my brother know that?"

"I didn't tell him how to destroy it, I only warned him of its power." She looked out of the window, watching the mansion growing smaller and smaller. "Mokuba, I'm afraid this is going to be the end of the millennium items and their spirits."

To be continued…