Author's Notes: Well things are running smoothly right now, so I decided to add chapter eleven. There will be only fifteen chapters to this story. Oh and I will have Joey/Mai later on, I can assure you that! ^_~ Enjoy!

Chapter 11:

Wanting

"The end of the first round is about to begin folks! Next up is Bakura Ryou VS Mako Tsunami!"

The crowed once again cheered.

"Mako Tsunami is a well known duellist who first began duelling at the Duellist Kingdom Tournament. He's been searching for his long lost father who disappeared at sea years ago. He lost to Yugi Muto and went on to duel in Battle City. Once again, he lost this time to that unknown dueller, Joey Wheeler. Mako will now try once again to make a name for himself and honour his father."

Joey crossed his arms. "I give up." He sighed.

Mai giggled. "Come on. You should know by now that it's hard to make an honest name for yourself when legends like Yugi and Kaiba are still around."

Joey mumbled something under his breath and looked away. "Whatever …"

Yugi watched as Yami returned to his seat. "What happened to you?"

Yami smiled as he sat down. "Nothing. I just went to find Téa and Bakura. I bumped into Bakura on his way back to duel and Téa followed shortly." He looked over at Téa, guilt filling him within. He knew what he had done was wrong, but he couldn't stand the thought of her with Bakura. He was not a trustworthy person and if he harmed Téa, he would be sorry god gave him a second life. But he was playing with her heart, though he didn't mean too. And he did want to be with her, but to just go and say all of that when it was obvious by Bakura's words that she had chosen him, was wrong. Now he felt foolish and wondered if he lost any chances of having a friendship with her or anything else for that matter. He sunk down low in his seat.

Yugi was growing worried. "Yami, what's wrong? You can tell me!"

Yami looked up at Yugi and sighed. "Yugi, I did something very stupid."

Yugi looked confused. "What could you have done? You never make mistakes!"

"I lied to Téa … well, sort of, that is …" He sat back upright. "I was worried about her and went to see if she was all right. Bakura ran past and when I asked where Téa was, he said that she was taken. I knew what he meant, but I still found her and tried to make her give me a chance. I really messed up, didn't I? I can't help it that I want to be with her …"

Yugi nodded sadly. "I'll say. But, I wouldn't feel too bad. Téa's a very understanding girl. I've known her most of my life and she never stays mad long at people she really cares about." Yugi smiled assuredly. "Just explain why you said that and I know she'll forgive you. But I'm curious, Yami. What did Bakura mean by 'she's taken'?"

Yami looked over at Téa and then over to Bakura, who was taking a large lead against Mako. He could hear her cheering him on. "They love each other, Yugi. I don't know how or why, but they've fallen in love."

Yugi almost fell out of his seat. "Whoa! I always knew Téa had weird taste in guys, but Bakura? Well … if it makes her happy, I guess." Yugi shrugged and returned to watching the duel.

Yami stared into space momentarily. "Happy … yeah …"

"Wow! Mako just played his rare card. That took Bakura's life points down quite a bit! Now Mako is in the lead!"

Bakura glared at his opponent. "Is that the best you can do?" He sneered as he placed a card face down and put 'Dark Nercofear' into attack mode. "Let's see how you do against her!"

Mako grinned. "Not a problem! I'll have your monster down and out this turn! Taking your life points to zero!" He had his card attack, but sadly he had fallen for Bakura's bluff. Bakura revealed a trap card, which reflected Mako's attack back at him, reducing his life points to zero.

"And Bakura is the winner again! Now all duellists are entitled to an hour break before the finals begin. You must be back by seven or you will be disqualified! Congratulations to all the duellists who have made it past the first round! And as for the ones that didn't, try again next year!"

***

"An hour before the finals? That's a new spin on tournaments." Joey exclaimed as everyone rose from their seats to stretch their legs.

"Maybe Pegasus is planning something?" Tristan suggested as he placed his arm around Serenity's shoulder and led her away from a growling Duke.

"Well, let's get some refreshments!" Yugi piped up as he led Yami to a hotdog stand.

Téa searched the crowed of people, trying to see if Bakura was anywhere nearby. "Where could he be?" She wondered. She bumped into a white haired boy and thinking it was Bakura, she tapped him on the shoulder. "So, what took you so long?"

Ryou turned around and laughed. "Huh? What was that,, Téa?"

Téa blushed. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Ryou! I didn't know. I thought you were Bakura."

Ryou rubbed the back of his head. "Um, do we really look that much alike?

"Well, except for the fact your hair is slightly longer and his skin his tanned, yes." She answered honestly.

Ryou cheeks tinted red. "Uh, alright …"

Téa laughed. "Well, he'll find us soon enough!" She reached over for Ryou's hand and dragged him toward a stand selling ice cream. "Pick anything you'd like, Ryou. It's my treat!"

"Oh, you really shouldn't, Téa …" Ryou said hesitantly as he waved his hands in front of him.

Téa rolled her eyes. "Ryou, you've put up with so much for so long, you shouldn't feel bad because a friend wants to treat you."

Ryou clasped his hands in front of him. "Um, I guess I've been away from people for so long, I kind of forgotten. Even after I met you and Yugi, I never really hung out with you guys. So I was never really sure I was a friend. But during Battle City, Yami told me I was among friends. When he said that, I looked up and saw all of you looking down at me. So it still feels awkward for me, I've never had so many people care about me before." He blushed.

Téa couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad. And Yami was right. We are your friends and no more hiding because of that ring. He's our friend now, too." She pulled him toward the counter. "Now pick!"

Ryou sighed and gave in. He gave his order and waited for Téa to give hers. She paid for their ice cream and they took a seat on one of the benches nearby. Yugi, Yami and Joey soon followed.

"Hey, guys!" Yugi smiled as he greeted his friends."

"Hi, Yugi." Ryou replied, looking up from his ice cream.

Téa searched the crowed with her eyes. "Have you guys seen Bakura?"

Joey nodded. "Yep! His right over there." He pointed to the fountain.

Téa excused herself and went over to see him.

***

Bakura turned around when he heard footsteps behind him. "What?"

Téa stopped. "Uh, I just wanted to congratulate you. I couldn't see all of your first match, but I did see all of your second match." She walked up next to him. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Bakura raised an eyebrow.

"It means, what's on your mind?' She laughed.

Bakura shrugged. "A lot actually …" He turned to face her. "Téa, do you know what I really wished for when I was a wandering spirit?"

Téa shook her head. "To be at peace?" She asked in a guessing tone.

"Yeah." He replied. "I wanted my soul to be at rest. I was tired and I just wanted sleep. It never came and the next thing I knew, I was alive again."

"You know what? You need to stop thinking so much! Come on! After tonight, you are coming with all of us to Joey's party this weekend." Téa tugged playfully at his arm.

Bakura smirked. "What's he throwing a party for?"

"It's his sister graduation. We've all agreed to come." Téa smiled. "Well, it's getting on. Let's head back. We need to find out who your next opponent is!"

"I'll make it easy for you. It's Ishizu and then me." Came a sneering voice from behind.

Téa and Bakura turned around quickly and saw Kaiba and Mokuba standing before them.

"Good luck, Bakura. You'll need it." He watched him from the corner of his eye.

Bakura's eyes followed his movement as he walked away. "You'll need it more." He warned. He felt Téa place her hand on his arm. He looked down at her.

"Come on." She said gently, leading him away from the retreating Kaiba brothers.

Bakura hesitated, still watching the disappearing shadows. "You're right. Let's return to the others."

Téa kept glancing up at Bakura, as if she was trying to say something.

"What's on your mind?" He asked without even looking at her.

"Should we … tell the others … about us?" She asked, blushing.

Bakura looked curiously at her. "Us?"

"I mean … we are together now … right?" She was starting to wish she had stopped this topic before it started.

"I guess …" Came Bakura's insensitive reply.

Téa decided to get her point across the best way she knew how. "Would it bother you if I dated Yami or maybe even Ryou? Oh and you can't forget Marik!" She giggled. She shrieked when she felt him spin her around and grip her shoulders tightly.

"WHAT? Are you saying you want to actually … touch … those guys?" He cringed at the thought.

"So are you saying only you can touch me?" She teased.

Bakura went dark red. "Uh …" He let go of her arms and backed up. "You know what? Never mind … forget I said anything."

Téa reached for his arm as he started to walk away. She pulled him right up against her. "Actually, I want to hear the truth from you." She gave him pleading eyes.

"I … I just don't … know how to say this. I'm not good at this stuff you know!" He blurted out. "I just don't want to lose you. That's all I can say."

Téa leaned against him, hugging him. "I get it. I know you can't express feelings well, no need to blow up. I was just wondering if 'our' friends should know or not."

"I really don't care. They can know if you wish them too. I see no reason why not anyways." He eyed her suspiciously. "Or does my past have anything to do with this?"

Téa stuttered. "Uh … well … I …" She felt so silly. "Maybe it has a small part in it." She emphasised 'small' by making her index finger and thumb come together, showing a little space between the two. "Can you blame them? You yourself thought people would judge you on your past, so you know what I mean!"

Bakura ignored her and started to walk back toward the group.

"Hey! You can't just ignore me! I'm your GIRLFRIEND NOW YOU DUMMY!!!"

The entire square went silent. Joey fell right off of the bench; Yugi and Yami helped him back up. Mai stopped in the middle of paying a lady for a chocolate bar. Tristan and Serenity and Duke who was following them, all stopped in mid walk. Solomon once again looked like he was going to have a heart attack and Ryou seemed to have stopped breathing all together. Everyone turned to face the duo shouting at the fountain. Bakura looked back and forth at the staring faces and then back to Téa.

Bakura approached Téa and mimicked her mannerism. "Should we … tell the others … about us?" He spoke in a high feminine voice as he quoted her from earlier. "I THINK YOU BLOODY WELL TOLD THE WHOLE WORLD!!!" He shouted in his normal and very dangerous raspy voice.

Téa stomped her foot. "How dare you act like that with me? And you didn't even seem to care that people knew we were a couple, so why should you care now?" She shouted leaning toward him with her fists clenched tightly.

Joey sweat-dropped. "They're already acting like an old married couple, eh, Yugi?"

Yugi simply nodded.

"Me? You're the one who started it with all of those weird questions. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME? I LOVE YOU AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME! YOU'RE MINE! GOT IT?"

"YEAH? WELL I LOVE YOU TOO! AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU!"

They both stomped off in the opposite directions, completely unaware of how many people just witnessed their moment or what they had just confessed.

"Um … that … was …" Joey started.

"Weird?" Serenity ended for him.

Yugi sighed and started to follow Téa in the direction she went. "Téa! Wait!"

"Go away, Yugi! I don't want to talk to anyone right now!"

"But, didn't you just hear what Bakura said to you or what you said to him?"

Téa blinked and then gasped, covering her mouth. "OH MY GOD!!!" She started to run off in the direction Bakura went, but halted when Yami stepped in front of her. "Yami?"

"Téa, I won't let you go. I heard what you both confessed, but he's not stable and he might hurt you!" Yami stated, blocking her way. "I care too much about you!"

"If you cared, Yami, you'd let me go to him!" She yelled.

Yami held his ground firmly. "No …"

Téa gave out a frustrated yell and ran back the way she had come, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Yami, why did you do that?" Yugi asked.

Yami bowed his head. "I'm only doing what's best for her!"

Yugi narrowed his eyes. "Best for her or best for you?" He chased after Téa, leaving a speechless Yami behind.

To be continued…