Aisha: You're all going to kill me, aren't you? Listen first; kill me after I've finished this story, or if you can find the mercy in your hearts, after the sequel and possible spin-off/AU. I've got lots of things planned out for this, so hang tight. I realize now that summer is not the ideal time for writing; I'm just too distracted. I even had excuses lined up for you all, like getting new glasses, helping my sister move into her apartment, starting other stories, getting a puppy, and while all of these are true, it's a sad and feeble attempt on my part. I'm sorry; I suddenly realize I need the boring monotony of school to put order into my life. So starting September 3rd, expect regular updates every Saturday night/Sunday morning! See? Back to the original schedule! Now that I got that out of my system I'd like to add a shameless plug for my new YGO story. Go check out 'Battle City Cafeteria Style!' It's a bit nutty.

Author's Response:

27 reviews for one chapter!!!!! WOW! I'm in shock!! 162 reviews in all, I never imagined that this story would be so popular. Oh, something I must say: For all of you who are waiting for Seto and Jou, it doesn't look like they'll be making it into this story, but hang on, because they'll definitely be in the sequel, and in the spin-off/AU.

Other then that, uhhhhh, well, THANK YOU!!!!!!! Huggles everyone You make me soooo happy! Thanks to this story my writing has improved and I'm moving into honors English!!! Life is definitely handing me a few unexpected perks. Actually, I'm thinking about writing an original novel sometime and maybe getting it published. Too bad this is fanfiction otherwise I'd get this published.

Oh, and yes, I did notice that I had the same chapter down twice. Thank you to everyone that pointed it out, I'll make sure to take care of it real soon.

Disclaimer: Help. I'm falling, I'm crawling, I can't keep away from it's clutch. Can't have it, this habit. Dream Theater; Metropolis Pt.2 … I dunno, I thought it fit as a disclaimer for this story. --;;

Bound By Our Simple Mistakes

Chapter12: Hough Court.

(Yugi's POV)

I glided behind Yami until we reached his home, my nerves running wild. What was I thinking?! I couldn't possibly stay the night at a mortal's house! It was a horrible idea! I continued my silent berating while I entered his home, trying my hardest not to look anywhere in his general direction.

Ryou truly was my idol. So many people made fun of him, and turned the other way when he was in need, but he continued to have this incredible faith even in the eyes of all this distrust and mystery that seemed to follow him where ever he went (A/N: --;; Yugi's just a tad dense, or a little too innocent, take your pick.) And here I was, given the chance to face one of my greatest fears and what did I do? Turned the other way. Ryou once told me that humans and angels weren't so different once you took the wings, power, and life spans out of the picture. Of course I'm not really one to listen to things in the face of danger.

But was I really in danger? Yami hadn't given me a reason not to trust him so far. Was that enough? My fears were overwhelming and irrational, even suffocating at times. But he hadn't done anything nasty so far, so why would he start now? Or was it a trick of some sort? Was he just trying to get me to let my guard down so that he could—

Could what?

What was he to gain from attacking me? Was there any point at all? He seemed pretty nice, and he had tried to be helpful when I was panicky.

But was that enough to trust him?

I glided into house, jarred from my thoughts as the door was closed behind me.

Apparently it would have to be.

………………………………………………………

(Malik's POV)

Warm, fuzzy, soft, satin, and silk everywhere. Above below and all around. It was only after the need for air became apparent that I pulled away from all those glorious pillows. Squinting at the sun glaring through the windows I finally stood up and stretched. Unlike most creatures from the Lower Elements I adore the sun, it always feels so nice to nap while bathed in it.

'That's funny,' I thought, exhaling sharply while stretching my back out, 'I don't ever remember breathing before.' Looking around I tried to regain my bearings, all the while something nagging at the back of my head. It had something to do with the Egyptian style room I was in, of that I was sure. But what was it?

And then the events of the previous day hit me like a ton of bricks.

Ryou!

I had to get to Ryou. Everything had come out all wrong. Things weren't supposed to have turned out like they had. I thought he was my cousin. How horribly wrong I had been. But that was only if these mortals were who I really thought they were. I could be totally wrong. I'd need to check. But that meant breaking into secure files held in the extensive libraries in Heaven and Hell. Not an idea that I was in love with at the time.

But I would have to, if I planned to work this whole mess out.

Tricky business, seeing as how I was bound to a mortal, not that Hell cared, but I honestly didn't want to face the wrath of my boss so soon. She would undoubtedly be pissed that I hadn't shown up to work, especially after the five hundred dollars that went mysteriously missing during my last sift was noticed. A Demon's gotta eat, ya know!

'Speaking of which…'

I wandered off to find a kitchen.

…………………………………………………………………………

(Ryou's POV)

"…Your crimes being large in quantity-"

"Really? What else has he done?"

"-and traitorous in nature-"

"Can he hear me?"

Groan.

"-you are sentenced to-"

"This is boring."

"Will you please shut up!"

"-banishment, until further notice."

Let's just say that our little endeavor to Heaven didn't quite go as smoothly as planned. As a matter of fact, the plan pretty much just self-combusted.

What a horrible day! It started too early without enough food, then I had to face off with a demon that later turned out to be my cousin then found out that I'm really half demon, and now I was banished from the Upper Elements until further notice.

Peachy!

And what's worse is that we never even got to my data bank! If there was ever a time that I felt numb on the inside, it would have been then.

Bakura wasn't helping matters, either. Ever since we had arrived he'd been nothing but trouble. At that moment I couldn't even look at him, because I suspected that he was trying to poke a member of the High Court, which was disturbingly funny in that period of numbness, so I was trying my hardest not to look at anything he was doing.

Until that damn magic bond dragged me a few feet forward. Looked as though he had wandered a little too far away from me.

"I except this punishment and hope you find it in your hearts to allow me back." Pomp and ceremony. I was gagging on the inside. Bakura was not quite as tactful, or perhaps he just didn't care, because he was doing everything in power to piss off everyone in the general vicinity.

Including me.

Especially me.

I guess I really just don't understand humans, but I doubt it's natural for mortals to leer like that.

Or sneer.

Or smirk.

Or manage to have fangs like that.

He was more like a demon than any human I had ever met.

Err- not that I had met many at all.

Ok, so I only knew two. That was enough. And I didn't spend the last century or so studying them for nothing!

Alright, so maybe that career was out of reach, even if I did get admitted back into heaven.

…Crap, life was going to suck.

……………………………………………………………………

A/N: I'd like to point out that each POV is following it's own timeline. They'll get back together soon, but as it stands right now, for Yugi it's still Friday night, Malik it's Saturday morning, Ryou it's undecided.

Aisha: Sort, yes, but at least it's an update. I'll have more soon September at the latest. REVIEW PLEASE!!

……………………………………………

Chapter Revised: August 6, 2004.