Jaid: Here I am! With a great new story for you all. ^__^

Naga: *snort* In your opinion, anyway.

Jaid: Hey! That isn't...Naga! Jad! YOU'RE BACK!

Jad: Yup. It was a great vacation.

Naga: *sighs* And now...it's back to reality...

Jaid: I missed you guys so much!! *hugs Jad*

Jad: Um...that's nice...Jaid, you're choking me...

Jaid: Sorry! Your turn, Naga!

Naga: *backing away* No! Stay back!

Jaid: Aw, come on! It's been months! Give your authoress a hug!

Naga: NOOOOO!!! *runs away*

Jad: *sweatdrop* Ah...er...anyway, if you are a new reader, it is highly recommended that you read "Aishiteru" and "Sands of Time" before this, although this one could stand alone somewhat. *Jaid and Naga run by in the back ground*

Jaid: Just one hug!

Naga: ABSOULUTELY FREAKING NOT!!

Jad: *sweatdrops again* Um, anyway, the R rating is for a reason. Jaid wants license to be unnecessarily violent. Please enjoy the story. *goes off to prevent the destruction of the house due to Jaid and Naga*

*****

Fall had come. Gone were the warm days of summer. At Domino High, students were scattered on the outside grounds, school having just ended for the day. In the cool, crisp October weather, the trees proudly displayed their banners of gold, red and orange.

Leaning against one of the trees was Ryou Bakura. His eyes were closed and his white hair provided a violent contrast to the deep brown bark of the oak he stood under. Slung over his shoulder was his leather book bag and the boy had unbuttoned his school jacket as soon as he had left the building.

The events of the summer had left him and Bakura drained. The spirit had not spoken much and seemed to lock himself away even more than before. Ryou felt sorry for him, but didn't know how to help.

In a way, school had come as a pleasant change. Routine was comforting after the bewildering aspects of their vacation in Egypt. Briefly, Ryou wondered how Isis and Shadi were doing.

Pushing away from his tree and he opened his eyes. Across from him at the stairs of the main entrance, stood a group of girls. They were all clad in the pink jackets and short blue skirts required by the school, but there the likeness ended.

Tea Gardener was facing him most directly, her reddish brown hair held back with some silver clips Yugi had given her for her birthday; two weeks ago. She had worn them every chance she had since. On her left stood Katya Suzuki. A tiny girl with big grey eyes and a bright smile, she was currently dating Tristan.

On Tea's right was a tall, slender girl with long golden hair. Her green eyes were filled with sharp intelligence and laughter. She was Tara Etsuko, captain of the Cheerleadering squad and Duke Devlin's much envied girl-friend.

The last girl was opposite Tea, and so had her back to Ryou. Her dark brown hair was in a high ponytail and a duffle bag was over her shoulder along with her school bag. She turned away and met his eyes with her own gold-flecked brown ones. A slow smile spread over her face and Ryou returned it as she walked over.

"Are you watching me?" she asked, in a teasing voice. Ryou shrugged.

"I figured I'd escort you to the track field." The English boy stated. The girl, Rei Yukimona, nodded.

"Okay." She answered. The two of them fell into step with one another.

Ryou had met Rei earlier in the year, in February. They had met thanks to Tara, who was Rei's best friend. The two of them had become fast friends themselves...and during the Egyptian incident, something more as well.

Not that they really talked about it. Ryou knew that it made Rei uncomfortable and so, things had gone very slow. He was all right with it for now. After all, they had a lot to time.

Even so, he cautiously put his arm around her shoulders and smiled to himself when Rei leaned against him slightly.

***

"A Halloween party?" Seto looked up from his laptop to look at his girlfriend, Serenity Wheeler. The red-headed girl was in her school uniform, which was a navy blue and white sailor outfit. She smiled cutely.

"Why not? We could even have a Duel Monsters theme if you like." She suggested. Seto looked back at his screen.

"I'm not really a party person." He stated. Serenity sighed a little.

"That's because you work so much." The girl stood and walked over, gently closing the top of the computer. "Come on, Seto. Mokuba would have a blast and it would be fun to prepare for. Besides, what's the point of this big house if you don't use it for something?"

Seto stared into her green eyes. Inwardly, he knew she would eventually win. Like with Mokuba, Seto couldn't refuse something she had her heart set on.

The young CEO sighed in defeat. "All right." He said reluctantly, trying not to feel warm satisfaction at the way her face brightened. "But-"

"You don't want to be bothered. Of course. Mokuba and I will take care of everything and only ask you about the important things." Serenity leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you! Now, I have to go. I promised Joey I'd meet him for dinner tonight."

"I'll call the car for you."

"I can walk, Seto." Serenity stated, picking up her school bag and jacket.

"I'll call the car." Seto stated firmly, picking up his phone. "It's getting dark."

Serenity forbear from rolling her eyes. Between Seto and Joey, she was well-protected, but sometimes it was a little much. Seto put the phone back down and stood, to walk her down to the door. Serenity's smile returned and Seto's face relaxed as they walked out.

***

Yami sat on Yugi's bed, looking bored as the boy muttered to his math book. Yugi's brows were drawn in tightly and his mechanical pencil was tapping against the edge of his mouth.

"How much longer?" Yami asked.

"Huh?" Yugi looked up. "Oh, I don't know. Not too much longer, I think. Why?"

The spirit shrugged looking away. A merry grin lit up Yugi's face. "Bored?"

"Perhaps."

Yugi turned back to his work. "It won't be long now, Yami."

***

Joey sat in the diner, staring at the menu, but not really reading it. Beside him, Mai sipped at an iced tea, while one finely manicured hand turned the page in her own menu. Joey looked up and rested his chin in his palm. Mai looked up.

"Already know what you want?" she guessed.

"Cheeseburger." Joey answered, watching as the waitresses behind the counter at the other side of the room walk back and forth.

Mai made a face. "You always get that."

"You always get iced tea." He said then straightened and closed his menu. "She's late."

"I'm sure that she's fine." Mai said dryly. "I mean, really, between you and Seto, there's no way Serenity is going to come to harm any time soon."

'Unless we're caught in a situation like during the summer.' Joey thought grimly. Their souls had been stolen so effortlessly; it was only through fate that Serenity had turned up in a place where both Seto and Joey could keep a somewhat limited eye on her. What if something happened that he couldn't prevent? Joey sighed and then yelped as Mai punched his arm rather hard.

"Snap out of it." She demanded. "Face it, no matter what anybody does, Serenity might get into a situation where she'll have to take care of herself. There's nothing you can do about it and if you keep brooding, then I'm leaving."

Joey frowned, but nodded. "Fine."

Mai let out a breath. "Joey...I can understand that you're worried. But give Serenity some credit. She's a smart girl."

Before Joey could say anything, a shadow fell across the table. Serenity dropped into her seat. "It's cold out there!" she exclaimed. "Good thing Seto insisted on the car; I was going to walk."

Mai smiled at her boyfriend's sister. "I ordered you some pop." She said. Serenity nodded and took a sip of the sweet liquid before she beamed at her brother.

"Hey, Joey. Guess what? My choir teacher wants me to do a solo. Isn't' that great?" the girl's eyes sparkled. Joey smiled back.

"Yeah." The blonde boy seemed to relax and Mai nodded to herself. Joey needed to relax.

***

Ryou watched the sky darken as track practice ended. Rei was the co-captain of the track team, but the captain would be graduating in spring and Ryou was willing to bet that Rei would soon be his replacement.

The girl tugged at her gray sweatshirt, trying to cool off and waved. Ryou smiled and waved back as she jogged towards the lockers. He looked back down at the chapter in his English book he had been reading. The reason he had waited for Rei was that he was going to her house for dinner. He usually did; Rei didn't like him going home to a lonely apartment all the time.

About twenty minutes later Rei appeared her hair slightly damp and down. "Brr...It's cold. Let's go before my head freezes." She said. Ryou grinned at the image of Rei with icicles hanging off her hair in his mind. The two of them began to walk quickly.

"Your tan wore off." She commented.

"It wore off about three weeks ago." Ryou returned. "And you've said that about five times now."

"Huh? Have I?" Rei blinked. Ryou laughed and put his arm around her shoulders again.

"That's okay." He said softly. The two of them fell silent for a little while as they walked.

***

The sky was now a cascade of purple and blue, studded with pin points of light. A man stood on the balcony of a tall building, looking out at the lights of the city. The sharp cold wind blew his black trench coat as his pale, pupil-less blue eyes studied the view. A grim smile stretched his thin lips.

This was going to be fun indeed.

***

Jaid: *arms around Naga* Isn't it great? I got my muses back!

Naga: *turning blue*

Jaid: Anyway, this is a note for Indigo; I hope that Ankh and Scales make an appearance, but it might not be done till near the end. We'll see how it goes.

Jad: Well, bye now!

Jaid: And remember to review!

Naga: *is now purple*

Jaid: Bye! Hey look, Jad, Naga is the same color as the review button! He wants everyone to review too!

Jad: Uh, Jaid...*sweatdrop*