*AN: Hi all! Welcome back for more adventures with Yami and Angel! Ok, ok, I know the last chapter was REALLY short but hey, it was suspenseful right? Right. Anywayz, this chapter is a LOT longer than the last. So it makes up for suspense time. ^-^ I think its pretty funny. Poor Yami never gets a break. ^^; Well enjoy! Remember to R&R!!!!*

Chapter 9- Trouble and Rhythmic Hooves

Yami rubbed his throbbing temples. He could tell that Yugi had not taken her out of the apartment the whole weekend. Angel seemed ready to burst with energy. She bounded around the apartment not being able to sit still. Even the television couldn't captivate her for long. Yami's head pounded and his eyes burned. He didn't have the energy for this! She had tried to engage him in romps around the apartment or even wrestling but he wouldn't have it.

Suddenly, he realized something. It was quiet- too quiet. He looked around for Angel.From what he could see she was no where to be found. He stood from his chair and looked around. She was still not to be seen. He didn't hear her playing with anything or giggling happily. His brow furrowed as he started towards the kitchen. As he stepped up the four stairs he thought hopefully. *Maybe she's gone. Maybe she finally returned to her card!*

"Angel?" he called. his heart dropped to his stomach when he was answered by the faint sound of her ever-amused giggle. He frowned. It sounded like she was on the balcony *The balcony?!* he thought scrambling around the table. Sure enough the sliding glass door was open, letting the whipping wind chill his apartment. His eyes widened and fear struck him. And was walking on the edge of the balcony! *Oh my god!* She jumped around her arms outstretched. She wobbled a bit but caught herself. Yami hurled himself towards the balcony and through the glass door.

"Angel, no!" he yelled. The next moment seen to happen in slow motion. Angel turned her head to look at him, but as she did her bare foot misplaced itself and a scream escaped her lips as she dropped over the side! Yami threw himself against the balcony wall and snatched her small wrist before she fell too far. Angle lifted her emerald eyes to the pharaoh who had caught her.

"Yami!" she gasped out fear flashing across her face. Her dark hair swirled about her and her bare feet kicked. Yami's eyes widened even more when he saw the tip of one of her wings poke out among her hair.

"Angel, no!" he cried. it was braw daylight and their were too many people below. Her eyes pleaded with him. She wanted to use her wings. She needed to use her wings. She was hanging fifteen stories in the air!

"Just hold on!" Yami cried gathering his strength and beginning to pull her up. It was harder than he had thought. It wasn't that she was incredibly heavy but gravity was fighting against him and his arms burned. Giving one last heave he pulled her up and fell back words, her landing on top of him.

They both lay there for a minute breathing hard in pure relief. Yami lifted his head to look into the card's face.

"Are you alright?" he breathed reaching up and brushing black and red strands of hair away from her face. It was so close to his...She gazed at him, she seemed to be trying to figure something out. She moved her mouth a bit, struggling with a word.

" 'Thank you' is the term." he told her, understanding. She nodded vigorously. "You're welcome." She then looked away and got off of his chest. *No, don't go.* his heart seemd to say. But his mind sharply countered it. * Damnit, this card is too much trouble for what its worth!* When the pharaoh sat up, Angle had her back to him and he noticed something that wasn't concealed by her hair or clothing. A dark, painful looking bruise the shape of a slit of line scarred her smooth back. Remember back to the Sugar and Spice Spirit adventure, he recalled that she had two and they were where her wings retracted. Without thinking he reached up and brushed it getnly with his fingers. She jerked and looked back at him. He lifted his amethyst eyes to meet her emeralds. He had her hurt. He looked back at the bruise. It seemed bolder than before and it was puffy and rend. He then realized she had tried to bring out her wings just now and he had prevented her from it....He had prevented her from saving herself....

"Does it hurt every time?" he asked her. She stared at him for a moment as if deciding if he was worthy of an answer. She then nodded, her eyes glued to his face. She seemed uncomfortable and looked away. She then got to her feet and walked back inside the apartment. Yami got to his feet and leaned against the door frame and looked at her. For the first time her astonishment for the world was gone. The light in her eyes was gone and an uncomfortable aura surrounded her. Yami was confused. What was wrong with her? Was it he that made her so upset? He had never seen her this way.

"Do you want to go out, Angel?" he asked her. She turned around to face, the light back in her bright green eyes and a smile on her face. She nodded vigorously, her hair flying.

"I thought so. Go on, got get ready!" She smiled and hurried to go get changed.

* * * * * *

Yami sighed beginning to regret taking Angel out as they walked through the streets of Domino City once again. Angel wore a red and black striped long shirt that exposed her mid drift. Over it was a small black tank top with a white skull. A pair of big black pants that dangled with chains covered her legs and he forced her to wear some kind of shoes. Preferring bare feet, she reluctantly put on a pair of tennis shoes wanting to go outside. Yami dressed in his normal black and midnight blue outfit adorned with spikes and chains was being dragged along by the once-again happy duel card.

She now had nothing to hide as she bounded down the street. She looked like a normal, gothic girl. Her pointed ears could not be hidden, but Yami thought that as long as her long hair remained loose that no one whould really notice. She pulled and tugged to go see things as always, but not as much. He let her look at more things now, just as long as she didn't run out into the street. He still kept a firm hold on her wrist, feeling uncomfortable doing so, but knowing that if he let go, he would lose her.

A sudden jerk snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked ahead of him and saw Angle pulling him towards Sugar and Spice Spirit (yeah ya like that Saiya-jin Spice?) He stopped abruptly holding fast to her small wrist. She was jerked to a stop and nearly toppled backwards into his arms. She looked back at him.

"Ohhh, no! you have enough stuff." he said firmly but kindly. A flashe of disappointment crossed her face briefly before she turned away and started down the street again.

* * * * * *

*Ok, this was a bad idea!* Yami fiercely scolded himself as he chased Angle through the small park. Something seen to him had caught Angel's eyes and sparked her interest. She had managed to jerk her wrist from his grasp and run from him. Now as he chased her through the brush, grass and occasional tree he had flash backs of the last time he had lost her. He shuddered and prayed that something similar wouldn't happen this time. He clenched his teeth as another flood of hurrying people blocked his view. Suddenly he saw her. a flashed of dark hair and red stripes., He shoved through the crowd and sighed in relief when he reached the other side of the street to patch of vegetation. A horse and carriage was parked by a tree with some grass. the carriage driver was taking a break and had unhitched his horse to let it graze. Angle was stroking the black bearuty's nose happily, her bright green eys sparkling with joy and her black lips carried a happy smile.

As the Game King approached he saw the old carriage driver leaning up against his beautiful black, whit and red carriage smiling in amusements at the fascinated duel card. Yami hurried up to Angel.

"Angel!" he said sternly, looking down at her like an irritated mother who's child had gotten away from her. She turned to look up at him. Her pale, pretty face glowed with happiness. He was taken back by the radiant joy emitted from her. H had never seen her so happy.

"D-don't do that again." he said less firmly almost afraid to take away her joy. He blinded his violet eyes paralyzed for a moment.

"Oh, don't worry. She's alright." came a gruff but kind voice from behind. Yami jumped and turned around to see the old man who drove the carriage through Domino City.

"Oh- uh....yes, I'm very sorry about-" Yami faltered.

"Didn't you hear what I said? It's fine. Besides, Midnight Angel seems to enjoy the attention." Yami's eyes shifted to the horse. It was tall and beneath its shining, ebony coat, muscles or immense power riplled in rock hard strength. Its crimped midnight mane cascaded down its shoulder and dropped lightly over its dark eyes. The long tail swished back and forth happily and eagerly allowed Angel to stroke his nose and neck.

"yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if he followed that young lady home." said the old man. Then something the carriage driver had said before clicked him the pharaoh's head.

"Wait-Midnight Angel?" he said.

"Yup." replied the man. "It was the strangest thing. I'd just lost Moonwalker and didn't have any money to ge5t a new horse. I was cruisin' on bankrupsy road. One night I came out form me hut and heard a nose by the carriage. I look in and see a beautifuly little Fresian colt sittin' in the seat of me carriage. Don't know how he got there, but he couldn't get down. It was my gift from the stars. Why do you ask, sonny?"

"Uh....just coincidence, her name is Angel as well." Yami replied a bit cautiously. He was wary towards telling just anyone the card's name, but the old man seemed trustworthy enough. The horse owner cracked a smile across his wrinkly face.

"Well, seems like fate now don't it?" he said looking back at Angel and the horse. *Seems like fate...* The words echoed in yami's ears as he went over the carriage driver's story. The horse had come to him in a similar way that Angel had. Just appearing in the night...The horse seemed to come to the old man when he needed him. Fate dropping him into his lap. Was it the same with Angel? Was she to stay with him forever? Did he....need her...?

"You ok, there sonny?" came the husky voice. Yami blinked and looked back at the old man.

"Um-what?" he asked.

"You ok? You were lookin' at that girl of yours as if you didn't know who she was."

"Oh." he said. Suddenly, there was a loud whinny and both men jerked their heads back. Angel had swung up onto the ebony beauty's back and was now riding off!

"Ah!" both men cried immediately running forward. "Angel come back!" The two exchanged looka the the weird coincidence and raced forward after the horse and girl. The horse was only trotting, but is long legs and head start kept the two in front of Yami and the carriage driver. The pharaoh easily surpassed the old man and sprinted towards the quickly disappearing duel card.

"Angel! No! Stop! Come back!" he screamed. Fortunately, the crowd was slowing the Friesian down and Yami gained considerable ground. Suddenly, Angel gave Midnight Angel a slight kick and the horse jumped into a canter. People screamed and dived out of the way. *Ra damn this card!* Yami cursed pushing himself faster.

"Angel!" he screamed racing along the side of the horse. He dodged people and mailboxes desperately trying to get the demonic girl's attention.

"ANGEL, STOP!!!!" Angel's black head whipped around and she turned her face towards him. She looked down at her pursuer with an amused smile on her face.

"Angel, stop!" yami ordered fiercely and desperately. But she just laughed. yami cursed. His legs were burning and his chest heaving with effort. He then realized he was slowing down. For the horse was bout to pass him again. he then seized some of the remaining straps that ha connected to the ha5rness and hung on. He was almost lifted off the ground and he found that he had to run faster to avoid the horse's huge hooves. Sweat poured down his face and he thought his pounding heart would break his chest. Being as short as he was, Midnight Angle was easily dragging him down the busy sidewalk. The horse let out a whinny of annoyance and began to speed up. yami looked ahead of him and his amethyst orbs grew wide in panic. A groce4ry store was approaching and a wall of medium height of stacked produce crates was blocking their path! *Oh my gods! After three thousand years I'm finally gonna die!!* As they drew nearer, Yami became more panicked. They were going to crash!

"Aaaaaangeeelll!" he screamed. Suddenly, he was jerked off his feet and onto the back to of the horse behind Angel!

"Yaaah!" he cried flinging his arms around her slim waist before he fell off! He squeezed his legs against the side of the hose and tightened his grip on Angel's waist. Her soft blood tipped hair flew in his face and her skin was warm. It took everything he had to stay on the huge galloping beast. How could she do it? She was even small than him! She had never ridden a horse before either! He glanced over her shoulder just in time to see the wall of produce right before them and Midnight Angel gather his hind quarters and jump over it! He cried out and Angel laughed. They cleared the jump but when Yami look back he discovered the wind had knocked tow of the crates over and they came crashing to the concrete sidewalk! People all around screamed and hurried out of the way.

"Help! Police!" a women's shrill voice cried. It was followed by other screaming for the cops. *Oh shit!* Yami cursed.

"Ahhh!" he screamed as Angel turned the ebony horse out into the street! Horns screamed angrily and tires screetched to a stop just before hitting htem. Yami's tri-colored hair whipped back and his eyes watered from the wind. Angel's hair struck his face whipping him savagely.

"Angel, stop! Please stop!" he begged the duel card. Sirens sounded from somewhere and the pharaoh knew they were coming for them.

"Angel, STOP! Right NOW!" he ordered in her pointed ear. She turned her head to the side her piercing emeralds moving to the edge of her eye to look back at him.

"Stop, right now!" he ordered forcefully again. Then she sighed and leaned back pullin gon Midnight Angel's silky black mane. the horse abruptly slowed down and almost hopped to a stop. Yami thanked Ra that is was on the opposite sidewalk. The sirens grew louder and racing police cars appeared from ahead. yami's heart froze. He really didn't want to have to deal with the cops now!

"Angel," he said. "Turn the horse around and go back to the apartment as fast as you can." Angel looked at him confused ant eh ebony Friesian shifter around nervously. Suddenly, the horse reared and let out a shrill whinny. The Game King cried out in surprise and frantically hugged himself to Angel's small body.

"No!" he heard her angrily cry. "Stop!" Yami lifted his face from her narrow shoulder as he saw to his horror that someone had snatched Midngiht Angel's bridle and others were grabbintg at the angry duel card and himself. The horse whinnied again and bunched his muscles as if he was going to rear again. The police cars drew nearer, the cars and crowds parted for them to get by. Suddenly, yami could feel the girl's skin growing warmer and warmer and something pointy was poking him in the chest. *No! No, not here!* hi mind cried.

"Angel, no!" he said firmly, pressing his lips against her pointed ear so that only she could here. But the heat continued to increase and her wings became painfu8l to his chest. The cops grew nearer and Yami's heart pounded din his chest.

"Turn the horse around and go home! Home! Go, go, go!" the pharaoh cried. Frantically Angel pulled on the Friesian's mane. Midnight Angel wheeled around and jumped into a gallop on the small girl's signal. Barreling a couple of people over, they flew down the street, p[police sirens screaming behind them. Suddenly, Yami realized that Angel didn't know where 'home' was! She didn't know where she was going! *Ra, why me? Why me?!* He then slowly and cautiously unwound his arms from about her waist and to her hand that were entwined in the horse's mane. He firmly engulfed her hands with his and jerked to the right sending the hose sharply in that direction. He could hear tires squealing, sirens ringing and people screaming behind them. Yami jerked right again and watched the Kame Game Store flash by. *Yes, we're almost there!* As they reached his apartment building yami signaled a sharp right into the alleyway alongside the building. When they came to a dead end, the pharaoh clumsily slid off the back of Midnight Angel. His legs felt like jell-o and being that the horse was so tall, his knees buckled and he fell to the ground. Angel slid off the black beauty's back as Yami scrambled to his feet. He snatched her wrist and began to drag her towards the back door. But he was jerked to a stop by her strength. he looked back. She was angled back towards the horse!

"Forget the horse! Let's go!" he yelled. Pulling on her arm again. *That's it! I"m forcing he to got back to her card! * She came but reluctantly and he managed to get her though the door and up the stairs.

"What the HELL were you thinking?!" he yelled as soon as he shoved her into the apartment. She smiled and giggled but he glared her down.

"No, it's not funny! You could've gotten yourself, the horse or me killed!" The smile was instantly wiped from her face and she looked at him strangely. As if he was a different person.

"So WHAT the hell were thinking?! Even you should know that you shouldn't' have taken that horse!" he continued to roar. Angel continued to stare at him disbelievingly, her face distraught, almost as if she were going to cry.

"I don't know how you came to me but you're not staying any longer! You are going back to your card right now and I'm never playing you again! I don't car how you feel about it-" Suddenly there was a loud pounding on the door. The pharaoh jumped and whipped his tri-colored head over to the door.

"Open up! This is the police!" A strong, low voice ordered from the other side of the door. Yami's heart pounded. He snatched up Angel's wrist once again and threw her in the coat closet. He slammed the door shut and leaned against it briefly.

"Don't move or make a sound!" he ordered through clenched teeth. He then swung open the front door to reveal a large cop standing in the doorway. He had a good sized pot belly that looked as if it were going to pop out from beneath his blue uniform.

"What do you want?" he asked, his low masculine voice but the air with annoyance. He hated policemen. They were annoying and didn't leave one alone. yami preferred to keep his stay in Japan secret, even from teh police and he sure as hell didn't want anyone poking aound now!

"You are under the accusation of stealing a carriage driver's horse. Is this true?" the man demanded gruffly.

"No, of course not." Yami replied sharply.

"You were seen by countless people riding on the back of a black Friesian carriage hose known by th ndame of Midnight Angel. It is said that you were accompanied by a strange looking girl. may we speak to this girl please?" A sudden thought then struck him.

If he tuned Angel over to the cops, he'd finally be rid of her! *No more trouble, no more chasing around, nor more broken stuff, no more Devil's Dark Angel!* His thoughts tantalized him.

"No, there is no girl here." he said finally.

"Will you allow the police to search your apartment?"

"No!" Yami said insulted. *Heads will roll for this!* he thought angrily.

"Now, sir, no need to get hostile!"

"I'm not getting hostile! And frankly, I don't appreciate you sh0wing up at my door making false accusations and wanted to search my home!"

"If you have nothing to hide then showing us your apartment shouldn't be a big deal."

"No!"

"Why don't you come with us."

"No, I will not come with you! Now, I would appreciate if you gentlemen left me alone!" yami gritted his teeth restraining himself forming exploding. He hated policemen!

"Now, sir, you can either come with us or we can come back with a search warrent." the policeman said firmly. The pharaoh glared at him. His violet eyes the shifted to the closet where Angle was hidden. A search warrant was definitely not a good thing.

"Fine!" he then shoved passed the policeman and slammed the door behind him.

* * * * * *

yami lay flat on him back wide awake in his bed. he had kicked the sheets off in his restlessness and now lay flat and bare-chested, staring blankly at the ceiling. Despite his exhaustion he could not get a wink of sleep. Something was holding him back. He had been a the police station for 3 hours where they tired to extract as much ingormation from him as they could. Holding himself back from killing the chief of police, he settled for using the Milennium Puzzle to make them forget who he was and the incident with the horse.

When he arrived at his apartment he didn't even bother to look for Angel after leaving her alone so long. He was too furious to even care. Now that he lay in his long -desired bed, he found sleep impossible. He heaved a sigh and swung his legs over the side of the bed and touched his feet to the carpeted floor. He stepped into the dark hallway and paused to peer into the second bedroom where Angle slept. But she wasn't there! He eyebrows drew together in confusion. He padded out into the kitchen and gazed around his apartment. She wasn't curled up in the cozy armchair or sprawled on the couch in front of the television. *Where is she?* he pondered. He then felt a cool breeze on his skin sending a chill through his body. He whipped his head around discovered the balcony door was open Angel was sitting on the wall gazing up at the sky. He walked over silently, watching her.

"Angel?" he said softly as he stepped out onto the balcony. The demonic girl jumped and whipped around. "It's just me." An uneasy look flashed across her face, as if that didn't make her feel any better, and she turned away. She rapped her skinny arms about herself and kept her eyes averted. He stepped closer slowly, her sitting on the wall making him increasingly nervous.

"You'd better get down from there." he said. "Remember what happened last time?" Still not look at him, she got down off the wall and pressed herself against the far corner. Yami stared at her, his confusion growing, unable to speak.

"Horsey gone." she murmured after what seemed like forever.

"Gone?" he asked. She nodded hugging herself tighter. The Game King was completely thrown off; his fury towards her shattered. What was wrong with her?

"Angel, are you ok?" he asked concern filling his voice. He reached forward and brushed her soft skin with the back of his fingers but she flinched away. Yami though his hear would break. She seemed distraught, almost afraid, repentant for what she had done. Her face held the much-dreaded expressing of sorrow. Her eyes were watery and shadowed, as if she had been or was bout to cry. yami's heart pounded in his ears and his mind reeled. Why did this shatter his heart so?

"A-angel...I-I'm sorry." he choked out. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I-I didn't mean it." He was surprised at himself. Never before had he made an apology so sincere. She turned her face to him her eyes brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry." he said again. "Don't cry." Then, the sorrowful expression melted away and her beautiful smile appeared. Yami couldn't help but to smile back. Angel leaned her hands on the balcony wall and leaned into the wind causing her soft, dark hair to whip about her. The moonlight danced across her face making her green eyes glow. Yami gazed at her, feeling better about himself already. He then slowly, reached forward and too her delicate hand, linking his fingers with hers. Her fingers remained stiff for a moment, as if she were surprised by this action, but they then relaxed and curled about his. They both stood gazing at the glittering sky as if frozen in time and completely out of their minds.....

*AN: Hey again! See? I told you this chapter was a LOT longer than the last one! Sorry if this chapter has a lotta typing/ grammar mistakes. My comp is being really gay right now. So if you see anything wrong or weird, just kinda ignore it. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Come back for more! Remember to R&R ^-^ !!!!!!!!*