I had to cut another part of the finale: I mean it was 28 pages so far! This is not the last chapter SORRY!

So here you go!

Disclaimer: Don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Enjoy.

Carla took a detour to the bathroom before heading off towards the parking lot. She just couldn't contain it any longer. She went in the bathroom and laid her forehead against the wall as her shoulders began to shake from holding it all back. Yami appeared worried as he saw Carla's shoulders shake.

"Carla I will make that two-timing cheater and that ex-friend of yours pay for doing this to you. I swear it. Please don't cry." said Yami worried. He turned Carla towards him, and saw tears.

Tears of mirth. Carla let the laughter out, laughing hysterically, before calming down enough to reply to Yami.

"Oh I'm angry at them. But (giggle) did you see the look on Phillip's face when I told him off. It was priceless. (Carla wipes the tears from her eyes with a finger) And Samantha. Oh ho ho! That girl looked like she just wanted to die!"

Yami smiled proudly; his hikari knew how to make the best of a situation. "Well, I'm proud of you hikari for telling that geek exactly what he was."

Carla stopped giggling, and smiled warmly at Yami.

"Thanks Yami. You don't know how much those words mean to me. Now the only problem is…where am I going to get a date on such short notice?!"

"You mean you're going to try to go on a DATE with ANOTHER BOY." Yami said feeling something that felt suspiciously like jealousy.

"Um. Yeah." said Carla absently as she proceeded to tick off boys' names and then immediately shake her head. Yami tried to cut in, as he struggled to say something important.

"Doug?…Hmmm…no, he's a jerk."

"Carla-"

"Nick?…nope he's taken…"

"Carla maybe I-"

"Austin?…hmmm…no he'd reject me in the most humiliating way…"

"CARLA!"

Carla looked up at Yami, startled. "What?"

Yami was now embarrassed, as Carla gave him her full attention. "Umm…maybe…I…I can go to the dance with you…(seeing Carla's surprised expression he hastily added) if it's not a problem with you of course…"

Yami braced himself for rejection.

"A Problem? It's…(a sad Yami waited for it) it's perfect!" cried Carla gleefully. She threw her arms around Yami, but then remembering herself quickly let go. She was very pink as she said the next words seriously,

"Thank you Yami. (she smiled mischievously) You're the best Yami I've ever had!"

Clueless Yami (as usual), caught it immediately and said surprised,

"But I'm the only Yami you've had!"

"Exactly. (giggling at his clueless expression change when it dawned on him) Yami you're awfully cute when you're clueless!" Carla said grinning. She felt the oddest sensation of wanting to wrap her arms around his muscled chest and bury her face in his intoxicating scent …WAIT. She should not be feeling this. This was wrong; it was insane…NO. Carla convinced her brain that whatever just occurred was just one of those weird hormone things; an accidental thought. Right?

"Hmph. I am NOT clueless. In the ancient times you would have been locked in the dungeons for saying such a thing to a Pharaoh. (Carla gave him a well-we're-not-in-Egypt-anymore look and tried to conceal a sudden yawn with her hand. Yami saw this though) You should be getting home now…I worry about your strength still." said Yami. He said the last part quietly, but emotionally.

"Still? I'm fine…just dandy, never better!" said Carla a bit too quickly. She still was more tired than usual but if she told Yami that he would freak out. He was too over-protective.

Yami turned his crimson eyes on Carla, the same way that could make enemies tremble.

"Tell me the truth. If I'm really interested I can search your thoughts." said Yami dead serious. He said the last part lightly but meant what he said. Carla knew this.

"That's an invasion of privacy, Yami." Carla said warningly.

"Not if it's in the best interest of my hikari. Don't avoid the subject Carla: are you truly fine?" said Yami looking into Carla's dark eyes. Carla finally relented; he'd find out eventually.

"I'm just a bit…A BIT tired Yami. Nothing that some sleep won't cure!" Carla said putting an energetic face on for him. Yami, as predicted, started to freak out.

"A bit?! Why didn't you tell me! You're over-exerting yourself; you'll faint at any moment! I'll have to take over."

"(thinking about the hair and the odd looks given whenever this happened) Please no Yami. People will get suspicious. I'm fine…REALLY. I was just a little sleepy is all. Don't worry. (she added firmly) and if you try to take over without my consent then I'll fight back. And you wouldn't want little ol' me getting over-exerted, do you?"

"Hmm…" Yami tested this remark as he began to take over. This time he was met with full resistance. Beads of sweat showed on Carla's face as she met his force with hers. By her pursed lips and the determined look in her eyes it was obvious that if Carla failed it wouldn't be because she didn't try. Yami gave in when he saw her deep breaths start to turn into gasps as she fought to stay even with Yami's force. Stupid, stubborn hikari: she knew she was over-exerting herself. Yet that little imp knew that Yami would do anything to prevent that.

Yami sighed," Fine, I won't take over, but I will not allow you to take another step." Carla looked at Yami like he was 2. (a/n: I seem to be doing a lot of toddler metaphors)

-.-;; "Yami, how else will I get home?"

"I'm not stupid hikari (Carla gave an unladylike snort with a well-you-sure-fool-me look) I'll carry you!"

Carla was blushing furiously as Yami without another word lifted up Carla and carried her potato-sack style to Carla's house. (A/N: she missed the bus) What really turned Carla pink was that in order to keep Carla up, Yami had to place a firm hold with his hand on Carla's bottom. They were causing quite a few looks from onlookers who either looked worried about a possible kidnapping, just amused, or annoyed, muttering something about "youngsters these days, didn't they learn about PDA?". As she looked at the ground from Yami's back, she wondered many things…like why was Natalie unusually pink today, what was she hiding?!…but more importantly at the moment, how must Yami be feeling?…she wondered if he even knew the importance of him holding her…like that. Probably not: he's that clueless.

If Carla had been able to look she would've seen that Yami's face was cherry red. He knew all to well how he was holding Carla. Problem was, Yami was enjoying it. As he looked at it, he gave a small smirk. She did have one of those nice, full Hispanic butts… DEAR RA. NOOOOOOO!!!!! Yami shook his head furiously to rid himself of the thoughts going through his head, but they were still there. Yami shifted Carla down so he was cradling her: baby style. Maybe then, he wouldn't think about her so much…

Not.

As Carla looked confused at her new view of Yami's chest, but relieved (and yet oddly a bit disappointed) in the change of hold, Yami realized this was much too close as well. Plus, he was still holding Carla just below a region that had made him blush. But deep down Yami loved the way Carla's angelic head rested on his chest, tucked there securely by his strong arms. Carla was thinking how Jane-and-Tarzanish they must look. As Carla turned pinker as she thought how Yami would look in a loincloth…she had to end it before her thoughts got dirtier.

"Yami…you have to go…we're at my house."

"Yes, of course." Yami said relieved and slightly saddened that this incident was over. He was about to go when he saw a certain someone walking down the street.

"Um, never mind Carla. You go on inside, do homework and do that history essay. I'll catch up with you later…I-er…I have to take a walk!" said Yami quickly. He nudged a confused Carla towards her white house. Carla was immediately curious.

What's going on Yami?

(vaguely) /Nothing of your concern…/

(more than a bit hurt she said softly) Is it something you can't tell me?

Yami sighed ruefully; he didn't want to ruin his and Carla's still shaky friendship, but he had made a promise.

/Carla, I would never, never want to keep something from you. But I made a promise to someone, and I must keep it. You'll find out about it soon enough./

Seeing Carla still looking troubled, he kissed her forehead gently whispering another "Never". (a/n: awww) He did it without really thinking. He turned around without waiting for Carla's reaction (a/n: he was scared to see it) and headed off towards that person in the opposite direction. Perhaps it was due to the shock of what just happened that Carla did as she was told and went inside prepared to do homework; her books were laid out. The key word being prepared. She sat there looking blankly at the History textbook, no words processing in. She touched her forehead absently; as hard as she tried, she could think of nothing, no one, except for a certain Pharaoh.

Yami was heading off towards that person, pushing off thoughts about what he'd just done. He was surprised he did it too; he hadn't meant to get so emotional; it wasn't as if he l-

Yami would rather duel 10 enemies at the same time with odds 1,000,000 to 1 than say the L word. So he substituted that word with being emotional. Lately, Carla seemed to be making him do things just like that, and Yami wasn't sure he liked it. Just a moment, this shouldn't even be a question! He didn't like it. HE DID NOT LIKE BEING EMOTIONAL TO CARLA IN THAT WAY. There. He said it. But did he believe it?

During this internal conflict, Yami caught up to the person he'd been trying to get to.

"Hello, Eric." (A/N: Eric is the guy that went with Phillip on that date and later snuck off to the video game store)

Eric swung around. He had brown-auburn hair in gentle curls and startling hazel eyes. He was one of those guys who you'd thought was handsome on a second glance.

"Er…Hi. Not to be rude, but I don't know you. How do you know my name?" said Eric nervously.

Wanting to reassure Eric he wasn't a lunatic stalker, Yami quickly said,

"Oh yes, sorry. I'm Yami. A friend of a friend of Natalie. Actually we're sort of friends too but…never mind. I've heard her say something about you that I think you need to know." At the word Natalie, Eric's eyes immediately brightened and he said eagerly.

"Natalie? Tell me what you heard!" He was obviously smitten with her. It was rather amusing to watch.

"Weeellllll…she secretly told me to tell you that she likes you. I think she's been expecting you to ask her out for the dance tomorrow, but since you haven't said anything she thinks that you don't like her anymore. (Eric gets a look on his face equivalent to if you'd just told him his relative died) I'm not saying anything more but I've heard that her favorite flower is a carnation. I've heard she loves men who do romantic things…Goodbye Eric." Yami said with cock of his eyebrows in a suggestive way. He was hoping Eric would get the hint. Eric was bright enough to know when someone was giving him the hint of the century. He left immediately after a goodbye, mumbling about going to the flower shop for carnations and calling someone... Yami smiled: well, at least his cupid job was done.

As he floated back home (too lazy to walk when you can just float) he thought about…L-O-V-E. Even in his mind, he was afraid to say the word. What a silly concept. Look what it did to people: Eric was running as if his life depended to get those flowers. Just for a date with a girl. Yami gave out a laugh. But it was a hollow laugh. Secretly, Yami wished more than ever that he were Eric rushing off to get a girl some flowers for her date. Yami saw a young girl selling roses by the road with her mother. As Yami was passing by, the girl handed him a red rose.

"What's this for? I didn't buy one." Yami asked startled.

"I know. You just look like you need some cheering up, and these beautiful roses do just that." chirped the young girl with a smile.

Yami smiled back and after he said "thanks", he touched the girl's head briefly, muttering a short good luck spell. The girl and the (slightly wary) mother gave a wave goodbye as Yami walked slowly home.

Yami twirled the red rose thoughtfully between his fingers. He gave a last thought before he floated up to Carla's room (he can pass through walls in spirit mode):

(staring at the rose intently) Maybe (he struggled to think the word)…love isn't such a bad thing…

He sneaked up quietly on Carla and watched her silently (in spirit mode) as she typed quickly on her computer. He read what she typed with pride: she was a good writer. That's my hikari! Yet after a half hour passed she finished the essay, and took out a small blue book from a pile of magazines under her bed. Yami moved closer so he could look at this curious book; it wasn't homework, that was for sure…He read guiltily what Carla wrote, curiosity getting the best of him.

Dear Diary,

This has been a rather weird day for me. I should know, I've had them a lot lately. Being a hikari to Yami does that to you. (Yami smiled at this) Being a hikari has been the roughest, best, scariest, most inspiring experience I've ever had. (Carla paused for a moment, and then she shook off the nostalgia) But before I go on a rant on how…interesting…my life is now, I must explain how my day went. There were three key incidents: one, why is Natalie acting so…I dunno, like she's got a major crush on someone…hmmmm, must look into this (Yami looked at this with a bit of surprise: Carla was catching on to Natalie…). Two, PHILLIP…(she growled briefly before writing furiously with a passionate anger) That name evokes such a rage in me…I just want to MURDER HIM!!!! He CHEATED ON ME!!!! That lying, two-timing BASTARD cheated on me with that SLUT Samantha. (Yami is shocked: Carla's eyes are filled with tears) He betrayed me…and why?! BECAUSE I WAS TOO DUMB FOR HIM! I hate myself! I feel like crying right now, for my stupidity! I didn't even like Phillip: I should've dumped him! But however much I deny it, I must admit it: I was the one dumped. It's times like these that my self-confidence really reaches an all-time low…Maybe I'm not just that pretty…(Yami shook his head furiously) Maybe it was out of pity that Yami asked me for the dance (tears splatter on the page at this. Carla angrily wipes the rest of the tears in her eyes. Yami watches torn, longing to comfort her.) I can laugh on the outside, but in truth, I'm hurt…AND MAD. Enough about that. The most important incident was with Yami today. (Yami felt a pang of guilt as he knew full well that this was a huge invasion of privacy he was about to read…but he couldn't resist: it was about him after all) First of all, he carried me home while HE WAS HOLDING MY BUTT. (Radamnit, she noticed! thought Yami) Second of all he left to see someone…who is it? Is it another girl?! Would I be jealous if it was? (Carla takes long pause and then scratches out the line with an "I AM NOT JEALOUS!") But what made this the most memorable incident, pegging the Phillip incident to the #2 slot, was that Yami KISSED me. It was only on the forehead, but still. It wasn't unpleasant…just odd. Yami…his crimson eyes are so mysterious, so beautiful…(Carla lifted her head up, flushed. An amazed Yami was trying not to look smug), he can be such a clueless idiot sometimes though (Yami frowned), but it's so funny! (Yami feels an unwilling smile creep up his mouth) Anyways, I better end it here, I really wouldn't want Yami to catch me writing this. That guy is so nosy…but so kind. 'til later.

Yami wondered who in Ra's name was Diary? Why was Carla writing to this…girl? Or worse guy?!!!!!

Carla had a sweet wistful smile on her face when Yami decided he'd seen more than enough. He slipped through the wall of Carla's room and once he'd made himself solid again, he softly rapped her door three times. Carla, immediately knowing who it was, lost her innocent look, and made sure she looked alright before she opened the door. Yami pretended not to notice her red-rimmed eyes. Instead, he took out the red rose and presented it to Carla dramatically,

"For you madam."

Carla looks surprised, and then touched, "How did you get it? You didn't steal it did you?"

Yami gave out a deep chuckle that seemed to fill the whole room. "Now, Carla, would I honestly steal an innocent rose? (Seeing Carla's mouth open ready to retort) Don't answer that. A little girl handed it to me…on my walk back home." Carla looked at him nonchalantly, not looking like the girl who had been furiously writing about this "walk" in her diary moments before. Yami noted this for future references: girls could lie, and lie well.

An awkward pause followed and Yami, anxious to break the silence, said the first thing that popped into his head:

"So…who's Diary?" Yami said casually. He knew immediately he had said something wrong. Carla whipped her head up to look up him with a suspicious glare.

"What did you just say?" Carla asked sharply. All of Yami's male instincts were screaming for him not to answer the truth, and for once Yami actually listened.

"Um, on my way here there were…er…two little girls in front of me…and I-uh overheard them talking about a diary. So what is it?" Yami mentally smirked: nice save. Carla gave a slight frown, but she answered normally.

"It's a book that girls mostly keep which contain their deepest, darkest secrets. Their written so that girls may express their feelings without being judged for it by others."

Yami felt pretty guilty now, but he just had to add:

"And do you have one?"

Yami was on very thin ice now.

Carla regained her suspicion and retorted warily, "What's it to you?"

Yami was on very very very thin ice. In fact Yami could already see the ice cracking.

"Nothing…I was just curious to see if perhaps you might want someone to talk to, instead of a book…if you do write one, of course." Yami said cautiously. Carla looked into his eyes searching for a lie, but Yami was a master of masking his emotions. Carla found none.

"Yes, I do write one, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable sharing what I wrote with you." Carla said flatly.

"You don't trust me." Yami sighed, disappointed; he could've helped. But then his I'm-never-going-to-give-up mode kicked in. Hmmmm…he needed to do something with Carla where she'd respect him, trust him…then it him! Duel monsters.

"Carla are you done with your homework?!" Yami piped, acting like an eager little kid.

"Um, yeah." Carla replied not sharing her Yami's enthusiasm.

"Good. Now I'm going to teach you Duel Monsters!"

This was unexpected, thought Carla. I wonder what he's got planned…and she couldn't bear to refuse his offer on his now chibi-happy face. He's so cute. Damnit, this needs to stop!

"Sure. Teach me oh great one." Carla said with the tiniest hint of sarcasm. By the time he was through with her, all that sarcasm would be erased.

After twenty minutes of the basics where Yami showed her the cards, what each thing on it meant, and about the game itself, Yami helped her through her first game. It was a LOT harder than expected. For one, if you're a beginner and you're playing against THE KING OF GAMES, then be sure that whatever you're thinking, he knows already. Whenever Carla thought up a strategy and started to use it, Yami would immediately analyze it, see its effectiveness and counter it in one turn. It was more than a bit disheartening: he even said he'd take it easy on her. Like for example,

"Nice strategy Carla, but I'm afraid you're going to have to do better. I counter with 'Remove trap' and add a 'Book of the Dark Arts' to give my Dark Magician the power it needs to defeat your monster. Go Dark Magician! (Carla's lifepoints go down to 100) As you have only the Dark Magician Girl, I'm afraid you're done for." Yami said, challengingly. He was testing Carla into seeing how would she react. Time to see if she truly was his hikari.

Carla's eyes flashed: she was game to Yami's test. Yami had given her half his deck, and all she needed was that card she'd heard about…She raised her hand, and remembering the Golden Rule of Duels that Yami had taught her, she silently thought: Guide me heart of the cards, I believe you can show me the card I need. This was the moment of truth, she was really a skeptic over this "heart of the cards" stuff but seeing how obviously it was working for Yami, she knew she had to try. She lifted up the card and her eyes widened for a moment as she saw the card she needed. So it did work. She put two cards face down. She quickly put on a poker face and was the picture of a defeated duelist with her head down and everything,

"Well, I guess I'm going to be defeated now. Go finish me off. Oh woe is me! I guess I'm not the Pharaoh's hikari after all!" Carla said seriously with her head bowed, making sure her twinkling eyes weren't visible. Yami frowned, he had expected better, but continued in his attack with the Dark Magician…until.

"Reveal 'Magical Hats'!" Three hats appeared and one of them hid the Dark Magician Girl. One of them held an interesting surprise. One of them was empty. Yami attacked the one with an interesting surprise. Oh goody.

"I'm afraid you have chosen the wrong hat. Reveal trap, 'Brain Control'!"(a/n: not sure if this a magic or a trap card…ah well in this story it will be a trap) Yami looked flabbergasted: he hadn't expected her to master the art of traps and magic cards so quickly. It was only her first time. Carla gave a small smirk: she could see why Yami had had so many enemies. Seeing that smirk wipe clean off his face was priceless. Yami's Dark Magician was now hers for a turn.

"Now my Dark Magician, attack your former master!" Carla said with triumph. Yami was just glad his turn was over, oh that little imp was in for it soon. Yami reached over, about to grab a card-

"Ah, ah ah…I'm not finished. Yami you don't have any other monsters defending you…so Dark Magician Girl attack his life points directly!" Carla cried, starting to get confident. Yami's lifepoints dropped to 1400. But Yami's eyes now showed victory. And to put it shortly, Carla was pulverized in Yami's next and final turn. Great, she thought, just another thing I'm lacking in: beauty, brains, and…hikariness or whatever. She sighed, now gloomy. Yami heard it and frowned. Carla looked down from the loss. Darn, thought Yami, I wanted to cheer her up now put her down. Maybe, I should've let her win…In an effort to brighten the mood,

(a/n: I would just like to note that if any of the moves I just wrote were completely incorrect then I'm sorry)

"Great game hikari. You learn so quickly!" Yami said cheerfully.

"But I lost. And you tested me…and I failed." Carla said confused in a small voice.

"Who said I was testing you?!" Yami added hastily.

"Oh please Yami. I could see you calculating what each of my moves would be and you frowned when I lost just now." Carla said in a don't-deny it voice. Yami didn't.

"Fine. I was testing you, but you passed with flying colors. And it was wrong of me to test you in the first place. I did frown, but not about you losing. I was unhappy with your obvious misery that still persists: Carla why are you so unhappy?" Yami said seriously. Carla quickly went on the defensive.

"I'm not unhappy. I'm happy!"

"Carla…as your Yami I have gotten to know you very well. I can sense your unhappiness, please tell me what it is." Yami said commandingly. He lifted Carla's chin up firmly and as dark brown eyes struggled to avert crimson, Carla said softly.

"Yami, it's nothing…" She left the nothing hanging in the air.

"It is never nothing. Tell me." Yami said quietly. He already knew what she was probably depressed about, but she wanted to hear it from her own mouth.

"I don't have to tell you…(looking up into Yami's hypnotic pools of fire; she was trapped in them, and he could read her emotions) Well…it's just that…it's nothing big…but (suddenly realizing how ridiculous this situation is) FINE. YOU WANT TO KNOW YAMI. I AM SO ANGRY AT MYSELF FOR BEING DUMPED. BY A GEEK. OH YES, THE ULTIMATE DWEEB. I AM NOW WALLOWING, YES SIMPLY WALLOWING IN MY SELF-PITY, SELF-DOUBT, AND JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER SELF- NEGATIVE YOU CAN THINK OF. THAT INCIDENT HAS SHATTERED MY SELF-CONFIDENCE. SO THERE. THAT IS WHY I'M SO DEPRESSED. ARE YOU HAPPY THAT I TOLD YOU, YOU NOSY PHARAOH! (deep breath) I CAN'T MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS, AND I CAN'T EVEN MEET MY OWN! JUST GO AWAY, AND STOP PRYING!" Carla gave a gasp from all the yelling she had just done. (Yami's hair was blown back) She pulled out of Yami's gaze on her, and was about to go turn on the stereo for some music therapy: she needed it. She could almost feel Yami's intense gaze on her back. Carla thought with a weary mental sigh: 3, 2, 1…

"Carla." Right on time. Yami's deep voice had an unspoken command. But Carla didn't want to face Yami right now so she pretended not to hear him.

"Carla, don't play, I know you can hear me perfectly. I'd prefer it if you turned around to hear what I'm about to say, but I'm tired of forcing you. Carla…(Yami takes a step forward to Carla and then stops) you are the bravest, most intelligent, most beautiful, and most inspiring woman I've ever met." Yami said sincerely.

"Excuse me, pharaoh for my rudeness, but I do not believe you have met enough women in your life for this comment to count." said a cold Carla, not thinking. She would regret her words.

Yami was shocked, but then his voice grew icy as it dripped with venom.

"Perhaps I should change that last sentence to the past tense. Carla, as a pharaoh, and as a spirit I have met many young bright women who could give any person a run for their money. My own mother, the former Queen, was the brightest, loveliest, and kindest woman in all of Egypt; all our people adored her. Heck, I adored and loved her. Yet I chose you. (Carla felt really bad now) I'm sorry that mother f#$&#$ (Carla's eyes widened) fool, Phillip hurt you, and I'm sorry that b---- of a girl chose him over your friendship. If there was a way that I could change that, I would. But never doubt yourself. (Yami takes another step forward. Carla could sense his proximity, and Carla was uncomfortable. But by this time Yami didn't care whether Carla didn't like where he was standing: she needed to listen) The day you doubt yourself is the day that your life truly ends. Do you think Ra would have chosen just any person, let alone you A GIRL, THE OPPOSITE GENDER, to be a Pharaoh's hikari? There must've been a special light in you. I've seen it firsthand sometimes, when we were battling Marik, and I felt it in your essence when you sacrificed yourself. It was a beautiful, strong light, perfectly equaling my darkness. Now, my little fool (Carla wanted to protest, but she still wanted to give Yami the silent treatment) I'm afraid that light is all but gone. I try to see it in your eyes, but self-pity smothers it…(Yami gave a long pause waiting for those words to sink in, before finishing off with:) I'm glad you told me what was wrong; I wish I could see that light again in you, but as you wish I'll go."

And Yami disappeared. Now Carla felt extremely guilty…and confused. What special light? It was gone?! But there was one thing Carla wasn't confused about right now: she needed to fix things with Yami. Carla swallowed her pride, and said what needed to be said.

"Yami…" No answer. Great, just when she wanted to apologize he decides to go sulk. Carla considered giving up right there, knowing she had at least tried. But her damn conscience was telling her that her attempt was not enough. Yami probably had no idea how much this was costing her. Carla took a deep breath,

"Yami, if you're listening…then I'm sorry for not believing in myself, and I'm sorry for worrying you…I'm sorry for losing that light. Yami…if you're listening then know this: thank you for giving me the slap I needed to wake up. I'll try-no I will get that light back." Carla said emotionally. She waited for a moment and then turned around with a sigh. Guess, he wasn't even listening.

/Of course I'm listening./ said a familiar voice in her mind.

Carla found the real Yami chuckling in his deep voice as he appeared right in front of her. She didn't get a chance to answer as she found herself in a warm embrace with Yami. Yami then pulled a blushing Carla at arm's length as he tucked a stray brown strand of hair. He lifted her chin up and looking intensely into her dark eyes again with his fiery ones. He nodded approvingly.

"Good. The light's back." He said softly. Carla felt her heart quicken; they were much too close…she gently pulled herself out of his arms. Why was she acting so weird around Yami? Did she…? No.

A silence followed and Carla turned on the stereo to one of her favorite CD mixes. As the music played she realized she'd chosen the wrong one; this was her salsa CD…

"Carla…will you dance?" said Yami regaining composure, a smile graced his lips as his eyes twinkled in challenge. Carla thought about the last time he'd seen her dance with a wince. But it was hard for Carla to resist the Spanish temptation to dance. It was in her blood to dance whenever salsa music came on. (a/n: this is true…seriously, my relatives just stop whatever they're doing when Spanish music comes on, and dance. Fun.)

Too embarrassing. Must…resist…urge to dance. Carla found herself tapping her foot, as she ached to dance along. Oh screw it! She got up, and nervously wished Yami wasn't looking so intensely at her. Then the music caught her and she closed her eyes. She wished she had a partner, but Yami was not an option (she blushed though at the happy thought…DAMNIT WHAT WAS WITH HER?!)

Yami watched entranced as Carla's hips swayed quickly to the beat. Was it him or was it hot in here? Carla raised one hand and began to step around the room, shoulders and hips were always working together. She twirled around, and with her eyes still closed (it was quite amazing that she didn't hit something) her held her head high with pride as her shoulders did the equivalent to a shimmy. Yami couldn't take his eyes off her. But it looked like Carla could use a partner. When Carla gave a slight smile, Yami became instantly curious to see what was causing it. He went into her mind, with a little guilt; he could only go in because Carla had let her shield down while she was dancing. Yami was amazed at what he saw. It was Carla but she was dressed in a red salsa dress with elegant navy blue ruffles complementing red ruffles as soon as her waistline ended. Yami resisted the urge to drool at Carla's bare shoulders and the front part of her chest. But what made Yami furious was that Carla had a partner dancing with her in her fantasy. And Yami couldn't stand this. Yami felt an inexplicable jealousy rise in his chest as he stomped over to the guy who dared to dance with his hikari. The guy looked like a dark blur from afar, but as Yami stomped closer, he gasped. He recognized that hairstyle…

It was him.

Yet not him. A dark, black aura surrounded this version of Yami and his hair was blacker.

The other Yami glanced at Yami with a smirk asthe real onerolled up his sleeve, getting ready to slug the imposter.The impostergot out of the way with a mock bow and Yami took his place. The helpful shadow showed him how to match Carla, and soon Yami was dancing with Carla's arms around him. As soon as Yami got the hang of it, the shadow was gone. Yami smiled, closing his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Carla; he wanted this moment to last forever.

Back in the real world…

Carla was enjoying herself as she imagined a partner for herself. Somehow, the handsome fellow ended up looking almost exactly like Yami. She was having a grand time when she became aware that her "imaginary" partner was becoming more and more real. She could feel his warm touch and feel his breath on her skin…wait, this wasn't right?! She opened her eyes and found herself face to face with Yami. He laughed at her surprised expression.

"Is Carla surprised with her Yami's capabilities? Yes, unbelievable as this may sound, I too can dance." he chuckled at his hikari's expression: Yami was making a joke?! Carla loved his laugh…it was very manly and mature. Carla found herself not pulling away as she might have done previously, but liking Yami's gentle hold on her. His arms with their subtle muscles held her protectively, and she liked it…?! Carla smiled up into Yami's face, and Yami smiled in return. Both were thinking that the dance was over too soon. Before Carla left to put on her pajamas, Yami cupped her cheek, and suddenly time froze. Carla caught her breath, and was stunned. Yami stood there unsure, what was he doing?…he stared at Carla's face for the longest time, memorizing it. He was so close to her sweet face...Then, feeling as if he had just missed out on something important, Yami went to bed confused. Carla regained her ability to move and went to bed lightheaded. What had happened? Did Yami just try to…? Pushing those thoughts away, she soon fell asleep,

But even her dreams were haunted by him.

And it doesn't take a genius to see who was haunting her.

Anyways…almost done with the finale! ::sob:: I promise that the next one is THE LAST CHAPTER. Sorry it's my fault for reviewers who are thinking when is she ever going to do the last chapter?!

R & PLEASE R!

-Starlet36