New Disclaimer: Do I own Y-G-O??? Let's say it together….NO!!!

Zoeygirl: Hey there!! (^_^)

Everyone: AWWWWW!!

Zoeygirl: (-_-) Hehehe-funny. Anyways bet ya didn't think I'd update so soon huh? Well hope the quality is just as good as the quantity. Put like 16 pages on the computer into this so we'll see. Anyways didn't really respond to anyone b/c Uh…I wrote this pretty fast and I wanna get this out but um huge thanks to everyone once again and I love it that you guys enjoy the story. There's my muse and inspiration right there. (^_^)

Seto: Uh huh.

Zoeygirl: Hush you! Or I will put you as a MAIN character into my soon to be next story!!! Mahahahaha!!!!

Seto: (-_-) I think you've lost it.

Zoeygirl: Yeah you're right.

Seto: (*_*)

ON WITH THE STORY!!

The group stared silently up at the huge business building Kaiba called his home. All were silent as he punched in the numbers to several security codes, answering no and yes to questions they couldn't even begin to guess he had created. The truth was it was quiet…uncomfortably quiet.

Tea: Ahem…Um so this is your home huh Kaiba? (She said unsteadily.)

Seto didn't even bother to look at the girl. He concentrated his cold icy blue eyes on the security system in front of him, latched on to the bared security gates.

Seto: If you're trying to lighten the mood Gardener then it isn't working and frankly this isn't the time for it. If anything, you're going to want to be as alert as humanly possible and extra cautious. As of now we cannot be at comfort with ourselves and we shouldn't let our guard down not even for a second. That includes friendly conversation and that pertains mostly to you.

Tea: (Stiffening.) Well sorry for trying to break the silence-

Seto: Well don't. Without it, we will be unable to hear what's lurking out there and what's most likely watching us this very moment.

Tristan: (O_O) That's comforting.

Joey: Yeah really man! (He replied shaken up.)

Seto: Well sometimes you nitwits the truth bites, and in your case Wheeler it's going to bite hard. (Smirking.) Of course I'm unsure if you'd snap back or not.

Joey: (-_-) Funny…real funny.

Seto: It wasn't meant to be.

Bakura in the mean time was completely bored out of his mind. He knew deep down that the freak out there somewhere wasn't going to strike just yet. If anything this BLOOD MAN, as everyone called it had a motive and an arrangement of victims. It probably even knew when and where to strike so all it really had to do was to simply wait. So Bakura decided to amuse himself with a little sporting fun until the moment to kick Blood man's ass came.

Joey: (Coughing.)

Bakura: (Coughing.)

Yami: (Eyeing Bakura.) 'Dirty evil bastard! He's at it again!!!'

Joey: (Sighing as he waited for Seto to open the door.)

Bakura: (Sighing as well.)

Joey: (Glancing oddly at Bakura.)

Bakura: (Glancing back.)

Tristan: (O_O) Uh…

Duke: (Shaking his head.) Don't ask.

Joey: Uh you got a problem?

Bakura: (CHEESY New York accent.) Uh you got a problem?

Everyone: (Sweat drop.)

Tea: (Drops her purse.) What was that? (She said more than asked after Bakura's cheap imitation.)

Tristan: Hey does he have rabies or something? (*)__((*)))

Joey: (One word….FREAKED!) Hey man, you possessed????

Bakura: (Crossing his eyes.) Hey man, you possessed???

Seto: And I'm letting them into my home. (-_-) (He commented quietly.)

Joey: Hey cut it out!

Bakura: Hey cut it out!

Yami: He's doing it again!!!!!! (He screamed pointing at Bakura with a stiff finger.)

Everyone: (@)_(@)

Joey: Oh yeah? Two can play this game! (He said ticked.)

Bakura: (Laughing.)

Joey: (Laughing too.)

Bakura: (Narrowing his eyes.) Doesn't work on me boy.

Joey: (Narrowing his eyes.) Doesn't work on me boy. (He replied his voice making a rather odd, sharp sound.)

Bakura thought hard how he could push this further and that's when it hit him! Yami's lame attempt to turn this around on him could actually be of some use and perhaps come in handy after all! It was a nifty trick to use on other people…just not him. That was Yami's first mistake. But Joey would sure to fall for something as moronic as that!

Bakura: I'm a total idiot!!!!

Joey: (*_*) Uh yeah sure man…I ain't gonna hold dat against ya.

Bakura: (Face fault.)

Tea: (*_*) Um…

Ryou: By crocket Bakura fell in his own trap!

Tristan & Duke: By Crocket??????? (-)_(-)

Ryou: Never mind. Just ignore me.

Yami: HA! Now what!!!????? NOW WHO'S THE FOOL!!!

Duke: Hey Yami you okay?

Bakura: ((-))_((-)) Dammit.

Joey: (Rubbing his head.) What? What happened?

Tea: Yami take it easy. It's not that big of a-

Yami: YOU SCREWED UP ON THE SAME TRICK I USED!! HOW SAD!!!

Tea: (*)_(*) deal……

Seto: Okay if you're all done with your simple minded personal issues I'd like to go inside now. (He said awfully bitterly.)

Bakura: (Mumbling.)

Duke: Hey Malik?

Malik: …….

Duke: Malik??!!!

Malik: Huh? What is it?

Duke: We're going in. You coming?

Malik: Oh yeah I'm coming. (He said half dazedly.)

Duke stared quizzically at the blonde Egyptian but quickly shrugged whatever it was off and followed the others in followed by a trailing Malik. Malik kept his eyes on his millennium rod though. He still couldn't believe after all this time he was still able to stay in touch with his Yami. It occurred to Malik that the reason he couldn't before may have been b/c of his concealment within the rod. When Y/M was outside it, Malik could respond to him within thought freely. But why did it bother him so much?

As the gang walked within the huge mansion, their eyes averted to every which direction. The place was beyond huge! It was almost as if half of it was a normal everyday wealthy person's house while the other half was almost like a business office, computers and papers all over the place.

Joey: (Whistling.) Big.

Tristan: Thanks for pointing that out for us Einstein.

Joey: Hey! No need for da comments! I'm just saying.

Malik: (Smirking.) Impressive. Even for me.

Seto: (smirking.) Hm, Of course it is.

Malik: (-_-) Humph, well don't worry rich boy, in a couple of years my sister and I will be major competition.

Seto: We'll see.

Yami: (Raising an eyebrow.) My room was bigger than this. (He mumbled.)

The group stared at Yami oddly especially a rather unhappy Seto Kaiba, a look of demise upon his face.

Yami: (Sweat drop.) Uh…I mean back when I was Pharaoh and I ruled over Egypt.

Seto: (-_-) Yes and I was a powerful priest. (Walking past them.)

Joey: Kaiba he ain't joking. He really was.

Seto: So was I.

Joey: (Blinking.) Oh.

Tea: Um so now what?

Seto: Now you can all listen to the rules I set up in my home for all unwanted visitors such as yourself.

Ryou: Nice welcome. (He mumbled under his breath.)

Bakura: Oh? And those are?

Seto: Ahem. (Clearing his throat.)

No touching the furniture

No touching the food

No touching ANYTHING

Don't go up stairs

Wipe your feet

Wash your hands

Don't go downstairs

Don't ouch the computers

Don't go through any of my files or papers

No asking questions

No making rude gestures or remarks

No killings, murders, threats unless made by me

No dangerous weapons ahem Bakura & Malik…

No dueling without my consent YAMI

No entering the kitchen JOEY

No wandering without my approval

No messing with the guards outside

Ask before using my telephone

No coughing

No sneezing

No noises that involve your body WHATSOEVER

If you're in my home make sure you smell descent

No looking around

Don't go into my backyard

Stay out of my and Mokuba's room

Leave the TV alone

Don't enter my lab

Don't talk to anyone who may appear on the monitor to the camera outside-

This includes opening the door for them or letting them in

Keep away from my vases

Don't touch any of my Dueling trophies

Keep your hands and feet and paws to yourself

Stay away from

Don't talk to me

If you try anything I'll have my guards make easy work of you

Play a practical joke or trick of any sort in here and I'll deal with you myself

Break anything and I'll sue you for all your worth

Oh and finally, mess with Mokuba in anyway this includes teaching him things, touching him, hurting him, making him upset or messing with his mind in any possible way, then I shall personally hunt you down,  destroy your life, destroy your loved ones and then destroy you. I swear if anything happens to him then I promise you ANY of you, I WILL end your life whether it means a bullet through your head or breaking your face with my bare hands, you won't exist anymore. Okay got it? (He replied in a simple minded monotone voice.)

(Crickets Chirping.)

Everyone: (BIG sweat drop!) (((X))___________________((X))

Malik: (Dropping his rod.)

Bakura: (Buggey eyed.)

Ryou: (Hair frizzled.)

Joey: (Backing VERY far from a picture of Mokuba hanging next to him.)

Tristan & Duke: (Eyeing each other nervously.)

Tea: (---____---) 'I need a Motrin.'

Yami: Ahem….'I should've knocked him off the edge of that cliff on Duelist Island when I had the chance!' (0_0)

(Silence.)

Yami: Uh very well Kaiba, we…can follow most of…those rules----Kaiba you're a nut case you know that?!!! (He blurted out all together.)

Seto: (Shrugs.) Perhaps. But where would you be without me right now?

Joey: Better off. (He mumbled.)

Tristan: (Elbowing Joey.)

Joey: OW! What da-

Seto: No cursing.

Joey: (-*___*-) WHAT????

Seto: No raising your voice.

Joey: Hey you can't do dat!

Seto: Are you done yet or must I create more rules to silence you?

Joey: (-_-)

"Big brother!!" A voice cried out from behind.

The group stared at the bundle of black hair as Mokuba raced into Seto's arms. Seto gave him a reassuring smile while Mokuba stepped back to greet the others.

Mokuba: Seto I was a bit worried. And I was worried about you guys too.

Yami: Oh? Why's that?

Mokuba: B/c the blood man is out there! And I've noticed he's been picking off everyone who we knew! This is serious!

Yami: You're right. I think whoever it is has a certain grudge against us, this I'm sure of.

Mokuba: Is that why you guys are over here?

Tea: (Smiling.) Yep. We have to stay together and stop him as a team. I think this includes all of us now.

Bakura: Well that sounded corny. Tea your speeches are truly sickening.

Tea: (Losing her temper.) So is your face but you don't see me saying anything about it.

Everyone: OHH! (Somewhat VERY shocked!!)

Joey: Hahahahahaha!!!!

Yami: (Blinking.) Tea.

Bakura: (Mouth agape, eyes furrowed.) Y-y-you…

Tea: Me what? (Raising an eyebrow.)

Bakura: Y-y-y-y-you can't say that!

Tea: (O_O) I…just did.

Malik: (Still in a state of shock.) Tea that was pretty good.

Seto: (Smirking.) I have to say I'm impressed.

The gang continued to laugh easily for a few more hours, picking on one another and teasing each other. Since Tea and Ryou were the only ones who were able to keep their cool, they had to step in and break up quite a bit of fights during those few hours. That night Mokuba made homemade his homemade pizza, which turned out less than ordinary, but it was still good. Nobody dared asked him what the green rod shaped objects were though.

After what was assumed to be dinner, Malik and Bakura proceeded to the living room where they caught up on the events of their lives in the past couple of years or so. They remembered their good times and bad, and Bakura explained to Malik how he had returned from what was to be an afterlife and refreshed Malik's mind with the deal he was forced to make with Shadi. Malik in turn explained to him as best he could his troubled life and the road to recovery.

Yami, Duke, Tristan, and Joey decided to help Mokuba out with the clean-up afterwards while Tea and Ryou finally sat down after the less than amusing evening…well at least for them. As for Seto, he disappeared into his office refusing to come out even for dinner. No one wanted to bug him so they let him be. Yami figured when Kaiba was ready he'd give the rest of them whatever information Seto was hiding from all of them. He guessed that's what Seto was working on and that's why they really had nothing better to do.

Joey: Hey Mokuba ya know dis screen shows your guards leaving. They supposed to do dat?

Mokuba: Yeah um we let them off after 10:00. Seto doesn't think it's necessary to keep them here all night anymore. Besides while this Blood Man things going on, everyone has to be inside their homes and locked up after 11:00 or the police will take it to be suspicious behavior. (Shrugs.)

Joey: Yeesh! All dis talk about Blood man's got me wanting to go! Hey buddy you know where da bathroom is?

Mokuba: Uh it's a little confusing maybe I should show ya.

Tristan: Hey I'll come too. I need to fix my hair.

Duke: Actually if ya don't mind I'd like to come. This place looks pretty big and I'm bored so what the heck.

Joey: Why do ya guys want to follow me to da bathroom? Sickos.

Tristan: Hey! The dice boy's following me!

Duke: Your still holding a grudge on me b/c Serenity likes me more aren't ya?

Tristan: Please. Serenity loves me and when I rescue her she'll be with me forever.

Duke: Rescue her? Ha! That's a laugh! Serenity and I are gonna get married!

Tristan: No way! We are!

Duke: No me!

Joey: Uh hello…brother here, who don't want to hear dis sick talk about his sister. Neither of ya are going near my baby sister after dis mess is cleared up.

Tristan & Duke: WHAT?!

Mokuba: (Sweat drop.) Uh you guys want to go or what?

Joey: Oh yeah come on! Before I spring a leak or something!

Duke & Tristan: ((-))___((-))

Yami smiled at the bunch as he dried the last glass cup and placed it in 1 of 50 cupboards. He enjoyed that they could talk so freely right now despite what Kaiba said to Tea. In Yami's opinion, they needed to be at ease right now b/c things were going to get a little more dramatic the next 24 hours.

Joey: Hey Yami you wanna come?

Yami: I'm fine Joey, thank you. (He said softly as the group left down the hall.)

Joey: Okay suit yourself. (He trailed off, catching up to the others.)

Seconds past by, before the looming silence finally reached the Pharaoh. He quietly whistled to himself trying desperately to outdo the silence.

Yami: (Whistling.)

The refrigerator creaked slightly sending a wave of panic up Yami's spine.

Yami: (O)_O) OKAY, I think its time to see what Tea and Ryou are up to.

Meanwhile Joey, Tristan, and Duke were following Mokuba to the bathroom. It took them 3 minutes alone to walk down the barren, slightly lit hallway.

Joey: Jeez dis place is freaky at night.

Duke: Yeah I feel like I'm in Dracula's home.

Mokuba: Oh thanks….

Duke: Um sorry Mokuba.

Mokuba: (Shrugs.) That's okay. Uh Joey there's one bathroom and Tristan there's another one two doors down.

Tristan: (*_*) How many of them do ya have?

Mokuba: What? Rooms or bathrooms?

Tristan: Um Bathrooms.

Mokuba: 12.

Tristan: 12???!!!!!

Joey: Then how many rooms are in dis place?

Mokuba: Oh uh 78.

Joey, Duke, & Tristan: 78!!!!!!!!!

Mokuba: (Covering his ears.)

Tea: Hey did you hear something?

Ryou: Uh no did you?

Tea: Yeah I think.

Ryou: Well wait here I'll go check it out.

Tea: Hey I should come with you.

Ryou: No!

Tea: (Stepping back.) Why not? (She asked as a rumble of thunder shook the mansion.)

Ryou: B/c it may not be safe. (He replied seriously.)

Ryou exited the room just as Yami wandered in, an apron clutched tightly in his arms. Tea sat at the table tapping her fingers on the red oak. She wasn't too thrilled to hear Ryou tell her she couldn't come b/c it wasn't safe. It wasn't safe for him either and he was more of a baby than her when these situations arise.

Tea: Yami did you hear something just a second ago?

Yami: I hear a lot of things Tea.

Tea: (*)__(*) Okay um I think I'll go see if Kaiba plans on coming out any time soon.

Yami: NOO don't leave me here alone!!!

Tea: (O)_(O) Okay……sure Yami.

Bakura: Hey Malik did you here that?

Malik: Yeah it's going to rain…again.

Bakura: No not that you fool, that noise. It sounded like someone yelled out a number or something.

Malik: Hmmm I don't know. I think I'm going to go get Kaiba though. He has some explaining to do and I'm sick of staying in the dark while he holds information from us, while at the same time our lives are hanging in the balance. Care to join?

Bakura: I've had enough of that loony for one millennium thank you. But don't let me stop you. (He replied simply laying on the couch with his arms behind his head, as he closed his eyes.)

Malik: TE, fine. (Smirking.) Enjoy your nap you lazy fool.

Bakura: Yeah, yeah whatever.

Mokuba: Joey are you almost done in there?

Joey: Yeah give me 10 more minutes.

Mokuba: ((O))___________(O) t-t-ten??? Uh Tristan are you done in there yet?

There was no answer from within the bathroom.

Mokuba: Are you alright Tristan? (He asked approaching the lit, closed bathroom door.)

There still was no answer.

Mokuba: Hey Duke where did ya go? You guys, its kinda dark! Where are all of ya!!!????

"Child, what are you doing here all alone?" A voice mumbled within the shadowed hallway, as rain danced on the empty streets outside.

Mokuba: Hey! Who is that? Show yourself!

"Child if I showed myself you wouldn't be able to grip on to reality." The voice mocked chuckling quietly as it stepped out within the shadows slowly.

Mokuba tried his best to keep a cool head. Whoever it was, he wasn't about to provoke it.

Mokuba: Listen I j-just want t-t-to know who you are. Please.

"Hehehehe, very well. I suppose I owe you that much before I take you to the darkness with me. You are the first victim of mine to ask me that I suppose."

Mokuba's eyes shot wide open and his jaw quivered slightly, yet he kept his head lowered down, concealing his horrified expression.

The strange figure stepped out completely into the light, without the yellow hood, without anything at all…except as himself……

"Child you asked me to step into the light and here I am. Now please don't offend me so be a dear and look up!"

Mokuba raised his head up high reluctantly, somewhat level to the stranger standing less than a couple feet away.

Mokuba: Y-you!!! I-it's YOU! It can't be!!! It was you all this time??? But why??! BUT WHY? HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO YOUR FRIENDS?

"You sound surprised."

Mokuba: I am!

"Should you be? Is it really that outrageous? You should know as would everyone else in this building, that my life has been nothing but a painful memory. It really isn't that surprising." The stranger replied almost disgusted.

Mokuba: I-I can't believe that! I can't believe you'd do this! Especially to me!!!

"That's enough talk from you!"

Joey: Hey Mokuba sorry I took so long. Hey What THE-

Mokuba: MMMMMM!!!~ (A hand clamped tight over his mouth.)

"Stay back!" It hissed backing up into the shadows out of Joey's view.

Joey: Hey come back here!!!

Joey charged head first after the stranger, but it was too late! The figure disappeared into the darkness without a trace. Joey came to a sharp halt as Mokuba's struggling scream trailed off. Whatever it was had now made its way into the house.

Joey: M-Mokuba! Aw shit! How'd it get in!!??

Duke: (Running from one direction.) Joey what happened? I heard a scream?

Tristan: (Running from another direction.) Yeah me too!

Joey: (Grabbing both of them by the collar.) Where were ya guys!!!!???

Duke: Uh I was looking at some of the pictures down that way. Their really swank ya know?

Joey: No I don't know! Mokuba just got taken by da Blood Man!

"WHAT??????"

Joey: Yeah! Tristan I thought you were in da bathroom!

Tristan: I was but I walked out b/c I forgot my um…….

Joey: You're what?!

Tristan: My um….

Duke: Tristan just spit it out.

Tristan: My um gel….

Duke & Joey: (Face fault.) (*)_(*)

Joey: So you're saying you snuck out and ran all da way back without getting lost?

Tristan: No not really. I heard a scream so I came running back.

Duke: And Mokuba didn't see ya?

Tristan: He was kinda walking off so I just left. I thought I'd make it back before Joey here, would get out.

Joey: (-_-) Well now what?

Duke: Now somebody's gotta tell……Kaiba that…

Joey, Duke, & Tristan:  KAIBA……

Joey: I'm not telling him, I'm already on his hit list.

Duke: Uh did anybody remember his last rule when we went into his house?

Tristan: Yeah he'd kill us…But we didn't hurt him the blood man did.

Duke: Doesn't matter, Kaiba's gonna be pissed.

Joey: So uh who wants to tell him his brother's gotten kidnapped too?

Duke: (Pointing to Tristan.)

Tristan: (Pointing to Duke.)

Duke: How about you. I mean he already hates you so it'd be okay.

Joey: Are ya kidding me??? No freaking way!!!

Tristan: Well I'm not going near his office that's for sure.

Joey: (Gulp.) Shit he's gonna think its one of us guys!

Duke: That's one of the least of our worries. The freak is in the house!!!!! We gotta get back and tell the others!

Joey: (Freaking out.) I WAS GOING TO DA BATHROOM WITH A PSYCHO DAT COULD BE ANYWHERE????

Tristan: (-_-) Yeah pretty much Joey.

Duke: We gotta stay close together you guys. Come on!

Tea: (Poking Yami.) Yami did you fall asleep?

Yami: ……………..

Tea: (-_-) I guess I'll take that as a yes. Well um guess I'll let him sleep. Hmm I wonder what everyone else is up to.

Tea rose from her chair slowly, glancing around for any other movement or sound close to her. A large amount of light illuminated from what she assumed to be Kaiba's living room. Sighing in boredom she followed the light until she spotted a white haired boy laying lazily on the sofa nearby. His arms were tucked behind his head and his arched eyes were closed tightly, sealed from the world.

Tea approached Bakura steadily, unsure whether or not he was alive. She ignored the thunder, lightening and rain pounding the earth outside, staring intently only on Bakura.

Tea: I wonder if he's dead.

Bakura: I'm very much alive you foolish girl.

Tea: (0_0) Oh…….Um do you know where everyone else is? (She asked suddenly trying to change the subject.)

Bakura: Does it look like I do? (He snapped)

Tea: It was just a question, no need to get immature on me.

Bakura's eyes snapped wide open, staring instantly up at the brunette girl, who had her hands on her hips, looking as best peeved as she could.

Bakura smirked slightly, and Tea was almost sure he was eyeing her up and down.

Tea: Excuse me but what's your problem? I mean seriously!

Bakura sat up, placing his hands on either side of him as he sighed wearily.

Bakura: You know Tea…

Tea: What? What do I know that you can use against me? (She snapped agitated.)

Bakura: You're kinda cute when you're angry.

A long eerie silence followed after his remark. He wondered if Tea was able to comprehend his statement.

Tea: (O_O) W-WHAT DID YOU SAY???

Bakura smirked again rising from his position and approaching Tea with long strides.

Tea: Hey get back there! Whatever you're trying you can just forget it! (She remarked folding her arms tightly.)

Tea stiffened as Bakura approached, and just as it seemed he was going to walk right into her, he made a detour to the left barely brushing his arm against her.

Bakura: You are an amusing person to say the least.

Tea: Oh well I'm not sure whether to say thank you or run away and hide.

Tea froze as Bakura let out a slight chuckle, loud enough for the entire room to turn heads.

Tea: You're a weird person you know that?

Bakura: Hahahaha! You know Tea! If I didn't have such hatred for people I would have to say I almost like you.

Tea: (-_-) Oh well thank you for the compliment. I'll have to remember to keep that in mind when Prom comes around.

Bakura: You know I am interested in the sudden change in your attitude. It is quite spontaneous. Any reason why?

(*_*) Tea stiffened. How could she tell him it was that time of the month again??? She couldn't!!! Ugh how embarrassing!

Tea: ……..

Bakura: Well? (Raising an eyebrow.)

Tea: You wouldn't understand believe me.

Bakura: Oh is that so? (Smirking.)

Tea: Um yeah, Bakura even you wouldn't understand the traits of a woman.

Bakura: (*_*) What? (Furrowing his face completely.) Your right I don't understand and maybe we should just keep it at that.

Tea: (Shrugs.) Good.

Bakura: Great.

Tea: Fine.

Bakura: Swell.

Tea: Ye—SWELL?????? ((o))___(((o))) What are you Ryou now?

Bakura: (About to speak but at a loss for words.)

Tea: (Snickering.)

Bakura: Shut up….(Slightly embarrassed.) Just shut up.

Joey: TEA!!!

Duke: Bakura!!!

Tristan: MOMMY!!!!!

Tea & Bakura: (Sweat drop.) Mommy?

"THE KILLER'S IN THE HOUSE!!!"

Tea's eyes widened in sheer horror. Bakura did not move or show any signs of surprise. Instead he stared down at his millennium item.

Bakura: So he wants to fight, well then let him come. I promise it will be this stranger's last.

Zoeygirl: So what did ya think? Good? Bad? I dunno tell me so I can improve…..Hopefully. (-_-) Criticism of ANY kind is highly appreciated. Heck if it's a flame make it a good one so I can a get a good laugh. (^_^) But seriously folks hope ya enjoyed whether you review or not! (O______----.)