I know, I know.  It took a while.  As you know, FF.net was going haywire for a while, so I stayed off for a few days and waited for everything to go back to normal, and now, voilá!  All is fixed!  And the conclusion of The Dark Citadel has arrived in all its shortness!

Chapter 37: Excuses, Excuses!

            Mokuba ran down the hall, with Yugi and his friends following close behind.

            "Jeez, where did this kid learn to run?!" gasped Joey as he tried to keep up.  "You'd think he had jet fuel for breakfast or somethin'!"

            "Seto!" cried Mokuba as he burst into room 212.  Seto lay peacefully among the clean white sheets of the hospital bed.  His navy blue trench coat had been hung over a chair in the corner of the white room.  At the sound of Mokuba's voice, Seto opened his eyes and sat up.

            "Mokuba . . ." he said as his brother came toward him.

            "I thought . . . I thought . . ." stammered Mokuba, on the verge of tears.  Seto took his hand.

            "It's ok," said Seto reassuringly, looking down at Mokuba.  "Everything's going to be ok now."

            He glanced up to find Yugi and the rest standing near the doorway.  His eyes hardened as usual, but they didn't seem to notice.  Joey stepped forward.

            "Well . . . uh . . ." he began.  "I just wanted ta say thanks 'cause I know watcha did, and well, thanks."

            Seto looked at him, an unreadable expression on his face.  Finally, he spoke.

            "Don't be ridiculous, Wheeler," he sneered.  "I didn't do it for you; I just did it so I could see the look on your face when Serenity beat you in a duel."

            "Wha?!" yelled Joey.  "Alright, that's it!  Lemme at 'em!"

            He attempted to charge towards Seto in his normal blind rage, but Tristan held him back.  Yugi just shook his head.

            What is it, Yugi? asked Yami.

            Kaiba's just making an excuse, said Yugi.  He can't bring himself to admit that he saved Joey for an unselfish reason; his pride won't allow it.

            Do you think he'll always be this way?

            No Yami, replied Yugi.  After all, he did save Joey.   It's only a matter of time before he comes around.

            I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed my story, and also to congratulate bofors, Kristine, Kage Onna, botan mai kai, and Atriux, who took the time to read this story, despite the large number of chapters already posted.  A special thanks goes to Silver Dragon, Iron Claws for staying with the story since chapter eight, and an incredibly BIG thanks to Sakurelle, who was the first person to review this story, and who kept reviewing all the way till the end.  Without your 6-word review of "It's good so far! Plz continue!" I would not have continued this story.  You're all fantastic!!!!!  By the way, some of you have mentioned a sequel.  Should I write one?  Your overall opinions of this story are welcome and greatly appreciated.