Chapter three

[Bakura to Ryou and back]

{Yugi to Yami and back}

// Ishtar to Malik//

\\ Malik to Ishtar\\ 

The journey to Los Angeles was really long and Yugi got really fidgety.

"Yugi, sit down!" hissed Yami. 

"I can't! I'm really bored!" Yami sighed and tried to get some sleep.

"Are you sure it's wise to take a casino addict to Los Angeles?" asked Ryou, who was sitting next to Yugi.

"Well, it was his turn to choose."

"I would have gone to the North Pole."

"Why?"

"Well, I'm well camouflaged for a start. Secondly, I love snow more than sand for some reason." Yugi giggled.

"Snow is fun! We'll go there next."

"Go where?" Malik had just come back from the snack bar, and was glaring at Ryou, who had nicked his seat.

"The North Pole."

"Why would you want to go somewhere with snow?"

"Snow is fun!" Yugi repeated. Malik scowled.

"I don't like snow."

"Tell you what then. You can stay in Los Angeles gambling your life away, and Yugi can come with me and go skiing." Ryou suggested, looking at Malik with resentment. Malik just continued to glare at him. "Hey, Yugi? Have you ever been to the North Pole?" Yugi was practically bouncing up and down now.

"Nope! I can't wait!"

"Why don't we get a ride there when we touch down then? You don't seem too thrilled to be going to LA."

"Is that Ok Malik?" Yugi asked, looking up at Malik pleadingly.

"FINE! Go! See if I care! Go have a fling in the Alps!" Malik then turned on heel and marched back down the hallway. Ryou tutted.

"The Alps aren't anywhere near the North Pole." Yugi sighed, watching Malik's retreating back. "Don't worry Yugi, we won't be gone for long!"

"Wont you miss Ishtar?"

"He's still not talking to me."

"Mmm, well I'm not sure I'll go… 'Cause going to the top of the world with someone who admitted to still loving me last night isn't really gonna help my relationship."

"Aww come on Yugi! I'm not gonna try anything! And I really don't like all the flashing lights in LA, and I don't wanna go on my own, and I'd rather go with you than anyone else!" Yugi thought for a while.

"Ok then."

Yugi and Ryou said goodbye to everyone in LA port and headed straight for the plane to the North Pole. Ishtar and Malik were in a corner glaring at Yugi and Ryou.

"I'm never going to see him again." Ishtar muttered.

"Nope. I have real doubts Yugi'll still love me when he comes back." 

North Pole:

Yugi and Ryou stepped off the coach that brought them to the campsite. Yugi saw snow and freaked out.

"SNOW! Snow snow snow everywhere snow snow snow!" he started running round like a maniac. He then flung himself into a huge pile of snow and started burying himself. Ryou gasped and ran over to him, pulling him out.

"Yugi! You can't do that in those clothes!"

"Why not?"

"You'll get frost bite! If you want to burry yourself, at least put something warm on and gloves!" Yugi bit his lip.

"Ah, there's a problem there… I don't have anything warm. I've gone to all warm places, so I didn't pack anything when I left home." Ryou sighed and pulled Yugi over to the nearest shop.

"Go in and get something."

Yugi came out half an hour later with a vibrant red jacket and warm red trousers, all padded, which made him resemble a red berry. Ryou grinned.

"Well, at least I won't lose you easily." Yugi smiled and ran headfirst into another snow bank. Ryou went to get a room.

"Can I have a two bed room please?"

"Sorry sir, all them is full, they's only gots one bed ones now."

" Ah, um ok then. Big bed though?"

"Quite big."

"Alright I'll take that one." Ryou got the key to the cabin and walked back over to Yugi's head- the rest was under the snow.

"Hi! Did you get the room?"

"Yeah. They only had one-bed rooms though. Is that ok?"

"I don't see why not. Um, can you help me out? I'm kinda stuck." Ryou grinned and shoved his hand under the snow, searching for Yugi's hand. He eventually found it and pulled him out.

"Don't do that too often, or you will get frost bite." Yugi shivered. Ryou couldn't tell whether it was fright of getting frostbite or anticipation. 

"Where's the room?"

"It's number 13. I'm not sure where it is though."

"Just follow the numbers. Anyways, I'm going to get some sleep now. I've been flying all day and I'm shattered." Yugi made his way to the room while Ryou went to see where the hot drink was. He eventually found a small kind of restaurant.

"Do you do hot chocolate?"

"Yup."

"Can I have some then."

"Mmmhmm."

"Ok, I'll go wait over there."

"Right."

[Ryou?]

[Hi! How're you doing?]

[Shut it and listen. Ishtar's really worried about you. I haven't seen him this bad since I nicked the key to his safe.]

[Huh?]

[Long story. Look, do you want me to pass a message on to Ishtar?]

[Not really. I guess you can tell him that we're here fine, and I'm getting hot chocolate at the moment. Yugi's back in the room. We have to share a bed 'cause the two-bed rooms are all taken.]

[You really want me to tell him that?]

[Yeah, why? Anyways, does Malik have anything to say to Yugi?]

[Hang on, I'll see] Ryou waited for a few seconds [Malik says to tell Yugi that he loves him a lot… and if he sleeps with you he'll rip your guts out.]

[Ok then. See ya!] Ryou shut off his link and saw that his hot chocolate was ready. He took it and went back to the room.

Ryou finally found the room, and walked inside. Yugi was in bed, sitting bolt upright, staring at the TV.

"Hi." Yugi shot round and smiled, then turned back to the TV. "What's on?"

"Horror movie."

"I should have known."

"Yep." Ryou put his hot chocolate down and went to get undressed, returning shortly and getting in bed.

"What is it?"

"I haven't got a clue. All I know is it scares me to death." Ryou gulped his chocolate down in one.

"Yeah, well if your gonna die, do it quietly."

"Ok then."

Yugi woke up early in the morning. He squinted at first and looked round. He saw Ryou's arm round him. Yugi frowned and sat up.

"Ryou?"

"Mmm…"

"Are you awake?"

"I am thanks to you." Ryou sat up slowly and turned to face Yugi. "What?"

"Has Bakura been in touch with you? I'm worried that Yami hasn't."

"Oh yeah! Sorry I must have forgot to tell you! Bakura asked how we were… kinda, and I told him, oh and Malik said he loves and will rip my guts out if I sleep with you." Yugi grinned.

"Same old Malik."

"Mmm." Ryou got out of bed and shivered. "Snow may be fun, but it sure is cold."

LA:

Malik hadn't slept all night. He was fretting about Yugi. All alone… on the top of the world… with a guy that loves him. Yugi's never gonna come back to me. Malik sighed and turned over for the hundredth time. He looked at the clock with blood shot eyes. Five. Malik sat up and rubbed his eyes, gazing round the empty room. Everyone had separate rooms now, except for Yami and Bakura of course.

\\ Ishtar? \\

// I'm asleep. //

\\ No you're not. \\

// Aren't you clever? Thanks to you talking to me all night about Yugi, I haven't gotten any sleep at all! //

\\ You're not worried about Ryou? \\

// *Sighs* what is destined to happen, will happen. If Ryou chooses Yugi, then I can't really stop it. If he doesn't, I'll be waiting when he gets back. //

\\ Wow that was real deep coming from you. \\

// Yeah, well I'm finally in a relationship that I want to keep… and it's the shakiest one I've ever had. // And Ishtar closed off the link. Malik got up wearily and went to have a shower. Then he remembered this place didn't have one- Yugi and Ryou were the ones with the millions, and now that they were off in the north with all the money, the four of them had had to scrape together enough for rooms.

Once Malik was dressed, he headed down to the lounge, if you could really call it that. Four settees in each corner around a table.

Yami and Bakura were already up and were snuggling in a corner. Malik's heart fell as he realised how much more he missed Yugi than he had previously known… and back then it was a lot.

"Hi Malik!" Yami called. Malik forced a smile and went to sit with them.

"Can you contact Yugi for me?"

"Why?"

"I want to know how he is."

{Yugi? Are you up?}

{Yep I've been up ages! How's Malik?}

"He wants to know how you are." Malik smiled for real, glad that Yugi still gave a crap about him.

"Say I miss him so badly. Did he get my message?"

{(All of the above)}

{Yeah, I got the message. Listen, is Malik gambling a lot? 'Cause I've been thinking, Ryou and me are the ones with the money… how're you guys even paying for a room?}

{Malik hasn't gambled at all. I think he's pining for you.}

{I'm sorry.}

{Don't worry. Just have fun in the snow, and don't come back with any frostbite-amputated limbs ok?}

{Deal! Bye bye Yami. Tell Malik I love him lotsa.}

North Pole:

Yugi groaned.

"What's the matter Yugi?" asked Ryou.

"Malik's pining."

"Oh, that's sweet."

"No it's not! We left them with no money and Malik's missing me like hell. What have I done?"

"Thought about yourself and what you want, and put it first for once in your life." Yugi smiled.

"Thanks. I don't know how you do it, but you always seem to turn a hopelessly bad thing into a dream come true."

"One of my better talents." Ryou smirked and left the cabin, Yugi following behind.

"Where're we going?"

"Do you know how to ski?"

"Nope."

"Well you're about to learn!"

LA  

After they had all eaten some of the disgustingly greasy food that the kitchens gave them, Yami, Bakura, Malik and Ishtar set off in search of something cheap and entertaining to do… if there was such a thing.

They wandered round aimlessly for a while, before coming to rest in a café, purchasing nothing.

"Where did we go wrong?" Yami asked, gloomily

"We let out filthy rich hikaris escape." Bakura answered. Yami nodded. Malik had his head in his hands and was funny noises.

"Uh Malik? You ok down there?" Ishtar asked, poking him.

"HOW CAN I BE OK WHEN THE ONLY THING THAT BRINGS MEANING TO MY LIFE IS ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD, SHARING A BED WITH YOUR LOVER?!" Malik then shot out of the café and out of sight. Ishtar sighed and put his head in his hands. Yami smirked.

"And my life is perfect." He stated. Bakura grinned and wrapped his arms around Yami.

Malik didn't know how long he ran for, and he didn't really care. Malik was furious with himself. Before he met Yugi, he was totally independent. Now, whilst Yugi was having the time of his life, he was pining for him in a totally different country.

Malik stopped when he came to the beach. Where it all started… Hawaii's beach… my home… in Hawaii. I should have never left. I was happy there. Free. I never had stress there. Not like this anyway. Now, I can't live without Yugi…                Malik sighed sadly and walked along the beach, finding a small cave, which he crawled into. This is where I'm staying. He thought.

North Pole:

Yugi had bumped into several trees and small bushes. Twice, he had run over people, and got several cuts and bruises, and he was having the time if his life! Yugi found out that he really loved skiing! He hadn't felt a rush this good since he beat Kaiba in the duel with Exodia.

"Having fun?" Ryou called. He was an expert at skiing, and was running circles around Yugi… literally. Every now and then, Ryou would go a few feet infront of Yugi and ski a full circle round him.

"Yep! This is great!" Yugi turned to smile at Ryou. Bad move. Yugi shot straight into a tree. Ryou cringed as he heard the crack. He raced back up the hill and bent down.

"Did you break anything?" he asked fretfully. Yugi sat up, a huge cut on his cheek, and a huge grin on his face.

"YES! I broke my arm! Isn't it great!" Ryou frowned. 

"Um, do you have a concussion?"

"No, it's just that I've never broke a bone before! I feel so mature!" Ryou rolled his eyes and helped Yugi up.

"Hold on to me, I'll ski you to the infirmary."

Once down the hill and in the hospital, Yugi had a cast put on, and made Ryou sign it. Then, Yugi went round the entire room of complete strangers and got them to sign it too. He had forty-three signatures when he was finished.

"I'm so happy!" Yugi grinned and flumped on a chair.

{Yugi?}

{Hi there! I'm having the time of my life here I'm just so…}

{YUGI! Malik's gone. We can't find him. He wont tell Ishtar where he is.}

{Oh}

{Look, I know you're having fun, but I'm really worried. If Malik does something stupid… I don't want you hurt Yugi. You have to come back.}

{*sighs* ok then I'll be back as soon as I can.}

"I have to go back."

"Why?" Ryou asked.

"Malik's gone someplace. I have to find him." Ryou sighed.

"Ok then."

"You can stay if you want."

"You think I'm staying up here by myself? Uh uh!" Yugi smiled and headed for the bus station.

LA:

Yami, Bakura and Ishtar were sitting in the airport, waiting for Yugi and Ryou.

"You realise we'll probably be here all night?" Ishtar asked.

"Yup."

//Malik? //

\\What?\\

// Yugi's coming back for you. //

\\ … I don't believe you. Yugi's having fun in the North Pole. \\

// Come to the airport and see then. //

\\ ……..if this is a trick, I'll skin you alive. \\

"Guys? Malik's coming here… I think."

"What changed his mind?"

"Yugi, of course. I told him Yugi would be here."

And hour later, Malik showed up. Not letting on that he was there obviously. He kept a close eye on things though.

Three hours later, Yugi and Ryou descended from a plane. The first thing Malik noticed was Yugi's plastered arm.

"Lookie what I did!" he said happily. Ryou was looking nervously at Ishtar. Ishtar walked up to him.

"Do you still love me? Or do you love Yugi again now?"

"It's not love I feel for Yugi… it's a crush that won't go away, but I ignore it. He's my best friend. You're my love. I can't believe you doubted that." Ishtar was overjoyed. He wrapped his arms round Ryou and captured his lips in a kiss.

Malik was watching from directly above where Yugi was.

"How the hell did you do that?" Yami asked, looking at Yugi's arm.

"I crashed into a tree! Well, several actually, but the last one did it!" Malik smiled. Trust Yugi to get excited over a broken arm. He sighed and dropped down from his perch above Yugi, landing straight infront of him. Yugi gasped and fell over backwards.

"Sorry." Malik muttered half-heartedly. Yugi struggled to his feet, while he noticed Yami and Bakura backing away. "How was the North Pole? Good?"

"Yeah great!"

"And how was sleeping with Ryou? That great too?" Yugi looked shocked.

"I didn't sleep with Ryou! And as you can see, Ryou hasn't come over all cuddly with me!" Yugi said, pointing over to where Ryou and Ishtar were still kissing each other heatedly.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"What? Malik, I love you."

"Then why did you go with Ryou?" Yugi sighed.

"Because Ryou and I are so much alike. We've got the same tastes, the same fashion sense even though we don't show it, and the same idea of a good time. And we enjoy each other's company."

"Then why aren't you going out with him?" Malik snapped, fighting back tears.

"Because we're best friends. We both have the loves of our lives already. And I'm sorry if I upset you by going with Ryou, but I just… did what I wanted for once. I like snow Malik." Malik smiled.

"Well, if you're sure you don't love him…"

"Sure as I can be." Malik put his arm around Yugi and led him away. "Ah, what about them?" Yugi pointed back to Ryou and Ishtar, who were attracting a lot of attention by all the moaning. "I should stop them before they get arrested." Malik nodded and let Yugi go. Yugi ran up to Ryou and Ishtar and tapped Ryou on the shoulder. Ryou stopped kissing and turned to Yugi.

"What?"

"You're attracting a lot of attention. I think you should go somewhere more private to do that before you get arrested." Ryou turned back to Ishtar.

"Makes sense." Ishtar said, letting go of Ryou. Ryou walked alongside Yugi while Ishtar ran up to Malik.

"Are you two ok?" Ryou asked.

"Yep! I didn't think Malik would get so upset. I miss the snow though." Malik and Ishtar were having very much the same conversation.

"So, did you get back with Yugi alright?"

"Yeah. I don't know why I ever doubted him." Malik answered, looking over his shoulder at Yugi, who was looking kind of upset. "What's wrong?" he called. Yugi looked up.

"I miss the snow." He called back. Malik grinned.

"I should go up there with him next time."

"You hate snow Malik." Ishtar reminded him.

"Well, yeah. But I'll do anything for Yugi."

"YUGI!" Yami called. He was up even further ahead than Malik and Ishtar, "Get down here, and bring Ryou with you!"

Yugi and Ryou shot off towards Yami and Bakura. Ryou was winning, but then Yugi launched himself at Ryou, knocking him to the floor and running towards Yami.

"Hey that's cheating!" Ryou yelled. Malik and Ishtar were behind him, laughing. Ryou scowled and got up, running at Yugi full speed, easily catching up and still beating him to Yami and Bakura. 

"Wait up!" Yugi called.

"Took you long enough." Yami said, "Where are we going now?"

"Ice skating?" Ryou suggested. Yugi jumped up and down.

"Yey yey yey!" he latched onto Ryou, "Thank you!" Ryou grinned and ruffled Yugi's hair.

"HEY! Get of my property!" Ishtar screamed. He ran up to Yugi and pulled him off Ryou.

"I'm not your property."

"Whatever." Yami rolled his eyes.

" C'mon. We gotta find the ice ring." Bakura was looking apprehensive.

"What's wrong?" asked Yugi.

"I don't like ice. Ryou took me skating before. I broke my hand and dislocated my arm." Yugi smirked.

"Why don't you and Yami go to a nice hotel then? Here's two thousand. Go get three luxury rooms in the best hotel you can find." Yami was staring at him.

"You carry round thousands?" Yugi shrugged.

"Small cash to us millionaires." He said. Yami continued to stare until Bakura pulled him away.

Yugi, Ryou, Malik and Ishtar walked round looking for an information centre. Yugi and Ryou were in front. Ryou was trying to teach Yugi to skate.

"I can't believe you're so athletic."

"I can't believe you're so athletically challenged." Ryou said, grinning. They didn't look where they were going and bumped into someone, falling over onto each other. Malik and Ishtar rushed to help them up, but Yugi and Ryou weren't moving. They were paralysed in fear. Yugi and Ryou were staring up at a green haired version of Téa. She was dressed like her, same hairstyle even the same horrible smile.

"I'm sorry!" the girl practically screeched. Her voice was even higher pitched than Téa's. "Let me help you up!" she reached down to Yugi, who squeaked and crawled backwards away from her, tripping over Ryou, who was still motionless.

"What's the matter?" Malik asked.

"Téa…." Yugi stuttered, turning only slightly away from the girl.

"How did you know my name!?" the girl said. Yugi turned back to her, wide-eyed. "Maybe you knew my cousin, Téa Gardener? I'm Téa Blackwood! HI!" Yugi and Ryou shot up and ran away screaming. Malik and Ishtar turned to each other, frowning, and then ran after them. "See you round then!" Téa 2nd screeched after them.

Malik and Ishtar eventually found Yugi and Ryou in an alleyway. They had obviously only stopped running a few minutes ago, because they were both wheezing, Yugi was on the floor, rocking slightly, and Ryou was leaning against the wall, looking down at Yugi.

"What is wrong with you two?" asked Malik.

"Téa's… Téa's back…" Yugi whispered, eyes full of fright.

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Number three all done! Hope you enjoyed it… REVIEWS PLEASE!"