Yami: Last time on Yu-Gi-Oh I returned Nazo's cards and beat her in a friendly game of Duel Monsters. We witnessed almost an entire change in her character (and I must admit, a far more attractive one too!)

Chapter 8: White Day; Love Chain Crisis

A month passed, and Nazo became one of Yugi's group. Although she was very quiet, everyone agreed she acted nicer than before. Most of the time, she would not talk unless the discussion was about games, at which time she'd challenge anyone to a duel of some sort. Anzu seemed to be the closest to her, and they sometimes moved away from the group to talk in private.

Yugi often caught Yami's spirit projection sitting beside Nazo, studying her, as if he wanted to say something right then and there. Even if he did, she wouldn't hear him, which made Yugi feel sorry for his yami.

One night, Yugi woke up from a restless sleep about an hour before his alarm went off. He massaged his aching muscles, and checked the date. The day was Friday, March 14th; White Day. The day he'd been waiting for.

He took a shower and slowly put on his uniform. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach. 'I'm gonna choke, I just know it,' he thought.

Yami's faded form appeared on the bed, yawning. {What're you doing up so early} he asked lazily.

{Getting ready for today.} Yugi didn't really want to tell Yami the truth; he'd make fun for certain.

Yami watched like a hawk as Yugi brushed out his hair about three times, hummed a song Yami only heard on a love music station on the radio, and almost spilt a bottle of cologne he'd just bought. Yugi stared at his pale reflection in the mirror. He turned to Yami. "I'm okay," he said aloud. "You can go away now."

{Why are you dressed so nicely, Aibou? There must be a reason.}

"No reason," he lied.

{Ha! Tell me before I try finding out myself. I can, you know.}

"Yeah, I know. But don't laugh, okay?" Yugi took a deep breath. "It's White Day today."

{So?}

"Don't you know what that is?"

Yami frowned. "Sorry," said Yugi. "I've started thinking you really are my relative. White Day is the same as Valentine's Day, only its guys that give out candy and cards and stuff." [1]

Yami's expression changed to display an evil smile. {Wait a sec... Don't tell me you're...}

Yugi looked at himself in the mirror again. "I'm asking Anzu out tonight. Nothing fancy," he added before Yami could speak again. "I'm only asking her to grab a few burgers and walk in the park."

{Alone?}

"Yes, alone. Mom lets me out of my being grounded on Fridays only until six." Yugi jumped. He thought he heard the door downstairs shut. "Did you hear that?"

{Hear what?} Yami walked over to Yugi and put his transparent hand on his shoulder. {You still going to wear that after school?}

"Sure, why not?"

{Well, its not what I would wear.}

Yugi felt his temper unexpectedly rise. He knew Anzu still had a crush on Yami, but he thought Yami had never known. "I don't care what YOU'D wear! I'M not YOU, remember!?"

Yami's hand lifted. {I only meant that you should put on a bracelet or something to look fancier, that's all} muttered Yami.

"Oh," said Yugi, feeling ashamed for snapping. 'So he still doesn't know.' "Oh yeah. Gomen."

{You are forgiven. You are nervous.} Yami sat back down. {Know what you are going to say?}

The two boys practiced Yugi's words for the next hour, and then went downstairs to eat breakfast. Grandpa Moto served Yugi a bowl of cereal. "Where'd Mom go," Yugi asked.

"I don't know," said the old man. He sniffed the air. "What's that smell? Pine doesn't grow around here."

Yugi took a bite of Lucky Charms. "I'm wearing some cologne. I thought it'd make me seem a bit more rugged." He sensed Yami fall into a fit of laughter. {Shut up,} he grumbled.

"Ho! That's right," said the old man. "It's the fourteenth! Asking Anzu-chan out?"

"Yeah, but how did you know?"

Grandpa Moto winked. "Just a hunch."

Yugi finished his breakfast and got his books. "I'm meeting the others at school today. Ittekimasu!" [2] As he turned the handle, it turned the opposite way, and Mrs. Moto opened the door wearing a trench coat over her nightgown. "Mom," Yugi exclaimed. "What's up? You okay?"

"Yes, dear," she said. "I got something for you." She handed him a box of expensive white chocolates and a silk handkerchief. [3]

Yugi gawked at his mother. "You ran out at 6am and bought this? You didn't have to!"

"I know, but if you're going to ask a girl out, you should do it right. Your father did." She rumpled his hair and kissed his forehead. "Have a good day, Yugi-chan."

"Aw Mom!" But he hugged her back and ran off to catch the bus.

Once at school, he found Jonouchi and Ryou waiting by the door. "Yo Yug," Jonouchi called. "You feelin' okay? You're kinda pale."

Now that he was at school, the butterflies in his stomach started moving up to his throat. "Yeah, I-I'm okay. Just ... just nervous."

Jonouchi noticed the chocolates. "Aw Yug, ya shouldn't have!"

Yugi shoved him. "Not funny!"

"Are they for Anzu," asked Ryou.

"Of course they are," said Jonouchi. "Who else?"

"How'd YOU know?"

Ryou shrugged. "I've known since I met you! Everybody has been wondering when you'd finally ask her out!"

Jonouchi punched Yugi's arm lightly. "Don' worry about it, Yugi!"

"What if she says no? Or worse ... What if she laughs at me?!"

"You'll do fine," assured Ryou. "You know, you really need to have more confidence in yourself."

Jonouchi nodded wisely. "Yeah! If ya don't, you'll be a pushover forever." He looked around. "We'll go find her and make sure you two can talk alone. Stay here."

"Arigato, Jonouchi-kun! Ryou-kun!" Yugi waited for a few minutes. Then he heard his name being called. "Yugi!" It was Nazo! She ran up to him, now wearing her pink and blue uniform jacket, shirt, and short skirt. But she still wore her black coat with millions of hidden pockets.

{Horus, she's hot} Yami commented.

"Ohaiyo, Nazo-san," said Yugi. "How are you?"

"Great," she said smiling. She spotted the chocolates. "Asking Anzu out tonight?"

Yugi face-vaulted. "Do I have a neon sign on my forehead or something!?"

"No, but I think she likes you too."

His heart leapt. "Really?"

Yami scoffed. {You doubted it?}

Nazo leaned down and whispered. "Tell you what. I'll find out exactly what Anzu thinks about you if you can do me a favor."

"What's up?"

She blushed slightly. "Do you - um - know if your cousin has a girlfriend?"

"No."

"Any crushes?"

"Not sure," he lied. "Why?"

"Well, I was wondering," she whispered softly, "Do you think he could meet me tonight at seven at The Laughing Swan Cafe?"

"The Laughing Swan? That's the fancy restaurant down by the beachside, ne?" Yugi pictured it in his mind. "Kaiba and Keiko are the only couple I know that can afford to go."

Nazo frowned irritably. "Yeah, well I'm rich too." She stopped a moment. "Anyway, you think he would join me for dinner tonight?"

Yugi almost said "Yes" before he remembered that he was going to ask Anzu out. If Yami went, Yugi couldn't go out with Anzu. "I'm not sure."

Yami's transparent form fell to his knees and held up his hands together. {Please!? Please Aibou! I know its a lot, but I'm BEGGING you!! You only get a day a week off!!}

{But, Anzu ...}

{Go out with her next week! PLEASE?!}

Yugi sighed and put on a fake smile. "I'm sure he'd go. He talks about you a lot."

Nazo's eyes brightened considerably. "He ... He does?!"

"Un! I think he's crazy about you!"

She gave Yugi a hug. He had been the only other person she hugged besides Yami, and only because at the moment she was so happy. "Thanks, Yugi-kun!" She took out a card from her coat. "Here's my cell number. If he needs to cancel, tell him to call me." She ran off. "See you in class! You're such a great friend!"

Yugi put the card in his pocket, trying to ignore Yami doing cartwheels on top of the lockers. "Yeah, that's me. 'The Great Friend.'"

At that moment, Anzu walked over. "Hi Yugi! Jonouchi said you wanted to ask me something."

The small teenager felt like he wanted to crawl into a hole and die, but Yami tapped his shoulder. {Oy. Didn't you say that the movie 'The Dance of Romance' is coming out next Friday?}

{Yeah. So what? Its a chick flick.{ And then it hit him. Anzu + dance movie + romantic setting Happy Anzu Happy Yugi! "Anzu, you know that movie 'The Dance of Romance' coming out Friday?"

"Oh yes! I can't wait! I've wanted to see it for ages!"

The butterflies returned full force, and Yugi felt his face get red hot. "Well - uh - I was wondering - I mean, would you like to - you know-" He took a deep breath. "Wannaseenextweek?"

"What'd you say?"

He gripped his shaking hands together behind his back around the chocolates. "Do you ... want to go see it on Friday?"

"You mean opening night? I'd love to! You really want to see it too?"

"Sure!" His feet had grown roots. "If - if it makes you happy."

"Anyone else going?"

"N-no. Just - uh - just the two of us. That's all." Yugi felt like he was going to be sick. Shaking worse then ever, he lifted the box of chocolates and slightly crumpled handkercheif for Anzu.

Her eyes widened. "Oh ... Are you ...?" She paused, took the box, and blushed. "Okay then. What time will we meet there?"

"H-how about we walk from school. Then, maybe we can ... take a walk in the park?"

"Sounds good." She kissed him on the forehead, the same patronizing gesture his mom had given him. "We'd better get to class or we'll be late."

Once she'd gone, Yugi considered her kiss. Did she only accept in order to see the movie? Did she understand that Yugi had feelings for her? Or was it only because they were friends?

{Thanks for the suggestion, Yami. I owe you.}

{No, we're even.{ He punched the air. {I can't wait for tonight!!}

{Wait, if you know you already had a wife back in Ancient Egypt, how come you're going out with Nazo?}

{Because I find her stunningly attractive, a fabulous duelist, and think she's a nice person at heart. Besides, I'm a pharaoh, Aibou. Just because I have a wife doesn't mean I can't have a mistress or two.}

{Really?}

{Pharaoh's privilege!}

Yugi's mind wandered, and Yami peeked in to see what had distracted Yugi. A second later he jumped backwards in shock. {RA'S BLOOD!! WHAT'S THAT!?}

{A threesome. It's from some porno Jonouchi leant me.} Yugi calmly walked off to class. Yami stood still for a moment, wondering what the hell kind of influence Jonouchi really WAS on his hikari!

Yami ran down an alley, dusting himself off. {Dammit! Your mother is such a pain!}

{Well, curfew is now six. It's not my fault you had to sneak out the chimney like Santa Claus!!}

Yami stopped, making sure most of the soot and grime was out. He wore his black boots, black pants, a dark-blue shirt, and a black over-shirt with an Aten symbol on the back that had belonged to Yugi's dad. [4] He also had two gold bracelets on each wrist, gold clip-on earrings shaped like ankhs, and a gold choker, along with the Puzzle on a chain. Yugi had said earlier, "Even I don't go that punk!"

"Here goes nothing," said Yami. "Game start!"

He stepped out onto the sidewalk facing The Laughing Swan Cafe. It was a small yet elegant restaurant beside the harbor and sat glowing in the distance. Valets waited to take fancy cars to the special parking lot nearby, while businessmen met for meetings or high-classed courtiers escorted in their dates.

Yami hardly noticed. He strutted along the walkway like a peacock to the front door. Nazo stood up as soon as he arrived. She wore her tall shiny boots, a short green dress, black arm-warmers, a very small black purse, and an emerald chocker and earrings. "Hello, Moto-kun," she said. "You look amazing!"

Yami remained silent. After a minute, Nazo asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm just speechless," he said. "I've never seen stars so close to the earth before I saw your eyes by moonlight." Nazo blushed brightly. Yami smirked. {Aibou, take notes!}

A waiter came to seat them. After some small talk and placing their orders an uncomfortable silence fell over them. Yami scanned the room for something to talk about, but nothing interested him.

Finally, Nazo lifted up her coin purse and pulled out a deck of cards. "Gin Rummy?"

"500 points?"

She took out a large rack of blue, red, and white chips. "Sounds good. I'll keep score." She also took out a notebook and pencil.

A sweat drop grazed Yami's face. "How do you do that?"

Nazo dealt the chips while Yami shuffled. After several hands, they began to feel more at ease with each other and their surroundings. Everyone in the room stared at them. Their attire wasn't exactly run-of-the-mill for such a fancy restaurant!

"Honestly," said one older woman to her son, "you'd think they would have a bit more respect! That boy has earrings! And that girl's outfit is horrid!"

"They're expressing themselves, Mother."

"Well, I'm ready to express myself! They're too ugly to look at!"

Yami made ready to stand up to mouth off (actually, he wanted to send her straight to the Shadow Realm, but Yugi prevented that). But Nazo put her hand on his. "I'll handle this." She said loud enough for the woman to hear, "No, dear, I didn't know you got a Prince Albert!"

The woman's eyes widened and she took her son by the hand to leave.

{Yugi, what's a 'Prince Albert?'}

{Uh…You don't want to know!}

Nazo smiled proudly. "Hey, I'm paying, so I'll wear what I want!"

Yami laughed. "And here I thought you were shy!"

Nazo laughed also, then placed a card face down. "Gin! You owe me 10 points!"

"Big deal. I got fifteen points from you last time."

Nazo smiled, and marked down her score. "So, Moto-kun, I've been meaning to ask you. Where'd you get that pendant you and Yugi always wear?"

Yami held it up as Nazo shuffled. "It's not just a pendant, its called the Millennium Puzzle. Jiichan found it in pieces in a pharaoh's tomb down in the Valley of the Kings. Yugi put it together a few months ago. The inscriptions tell of the powerful magic of the Shadow Games." He raised an eyebrow, choosing to tease her a bit. "They say that a 3,000 year-old spirit lives in it, and gives the barer excellent powers, making him the Hier of the Shadow Games and strongest of all the seven Millenium Items."

Nazo smirked. "Really? Is that why you and your cousin are so good?"

"Nope. That's pure talent!"

"Keh!"

"Where did you get your bracelet?"

Nazo hesitated, and then took off her left glove to look at it. "Back when - uh - when I was in the hospital, I really didn't do too well. My grandmother came from Egypt and gave me this for luck. She told me it had powers too." Her face fell, and she dealt the cards. "I really loved her. She died not long after she went back home."

Yami picked up his cards to sort them. "You're Egyptian then?"

"I'm half Egyptian, half Japanese."

"What're your parents like?"

Nazo looked over her cards. "Can we change the subject, please?"

"Um, sure."

After they ate and played a few more hands of Gin, Yami said, "It's not too cold tonight. Shall we take a stroll along the beach?"

Nazo blushed. "You ... still want to be with me ... not just play cards?"

Yami stood up and offered her his hand. "I came to see you, not your cards."

Yugi: Ohaiyo, minna-san!! Next chapter is gonna be the most exciting yet, because Nazo's gonna tell Yami all about her past ... at least what she remembers. Not only that, he tells her about his!! How's she gonna react!? Then, we find out WHY Nazo's so afraid to be anyone else's friend, and it's got nothing to do with her immediate past ...

Next time "Pieces Fitting Into Place; A True Evil Arises!!"

.

1 - White Day - takes place a month after Valentine's Day. Boys give girls gifts and often ask them out on dates.

2 - "Ittekimasu" "I'm going to school." or something like that. Its what you say to Mom when leaving.

3 - White chocolates and handkercheif - Traditional gifts boys give to their sweethearts on White Day.

4 - Aten - an Egyptian symol representing reincarnation and life. Its the sun with the rays turning into little hands carrying ankhs. Strange looking, but very fancy.