Thanks for the reviews. (Sorry SimDragon for the delay!)

Chapter 4

"Why are we here?" Malik asked, looking at the small game shop.

"Come on," Bakura said, "I have to go talk to Yami about something."

Malik nodded and got out of the car, following Bakura to the front door. A tiny bell's jingle announced their presence as they entered and walked up to a small counter.

A door behind the counter opened and Yugi rushed out. "Oh, hey you two. Yami's out back if you'd like to talk to him. Do you want me to go get him?"

Bakura nodded and crossed his arms.

"Ok," Yugi said cheerfully and disappeared out the door.

Malik took a seat on one of the nearby benches and waited.

Moments later, Yami walked back in. "Yes Bakura?"

"When is the next club scheduled?" he asked.

"Um," Yami seemed to think about it for a moment, "Actually it's tomorrow. Can you still make it?"

"Yeah, I was just making sure."

"I lost my drumsticks yesterday and almost had a mental meltdown."

Bakura shook his head and smirked. "One time, I had misplaced my guitar and I almost destroyed the house while trying to find it. That didn't settle to well with Ryou, as you can imagine."

"Yeah."

Malik sat by, watching the whole exchange of words with slight curiosity. What was it about the two... no, what was it about Yami that seemed strange. It was the way he talked to Bakura, and Malik was no dummy. Could it be that he... 'Nah...' Malik thought. 'Surely Yami doesn't-'

"Hello Malik," a cheerful voice said.

Malik turned to face large violet eyes and a carefree smile. "Yugi."

"Are you okay? You seemed to be zoning out a moment ago."

Malik waved it off. "Oh no, I'm perfectly alright."

At about this point, Yami and Bakura had turned toward both of them.

"Are you feeling alright?" Bakura asked.

Malik nodded, "Yeah, fine." He cursed mentally for the confusion he had just caused but thankfully it seemed to be quickly forgotten.

Yugi patted Malik on the shoulder and went to stand beside Yami, who draped an arm around him.

Malik smirked to himself, 'Nah, I was definitely wrong.'

Not too long after that, Bakura and Malik were headed back to the house. The sky was already showing signs of darkening, even possibly rain.

"Thanks for showing me around today," Malik said.

Bakura sighed. "Yeah whatever. You probably would've gotten lost on your own—but yeah, you're welcome."

They pulled into the driveway, parked the car, and went back into the house.

Ryou greeted them almost immediately, "Hello, so how did things go?"

Malik raised a brow, "It was all fine until we went to the café..."

Ryou bit his lip, "Oh. I probably should've told you not to take Bakura anywhere public... which pretty much rules out everywhere. Tell me he didn't give you the tip back..." By the look on Malik's face he knew it was so. "Oh well," he smiled, "at least you both came back in one piece."

"Surprisingly..." He turned to talk to Bakura but he had disappeared. "I didn't even see him leave."

"Get used to it. He has a habit of walking off in the middle of conversations."

"Well, I'm going to go take a shower. I'll see you later." He stopped at the stairs, "I don't have to wake up early tomorrow, do I?"

"No. We don't have to meet at the club until around 3pm tomorrow."

Malik sighed, "Good. 'Night."

"Goodnight."

Ryou sat at the kitchen table once Malik had left and wondered. Could things really be improving? Bakura didn't pester him about what he did all day or worry over him being alone in the house. It seemed Bakura's shift of attention was... elsewhere.

Upstairs, Malik had stripped and wrapped a towel around his waist. Bakura had still not shown his face since they had walked through the front door but Malik didn't worry about it... or at least he tried not to.

He walked to the bathroom, pushed the door open, and froze.

Bakura stood, "dressed" exactly as he, only he was one second away from removing the towel.

Almost immediately, that well-known scowl returned to his face. "Have you ever heard of knocking?"

Malik threw his hands up, "I've been blinded!"

"By what, my nipples?" he said perturbed. "Now was there something you wanted? Because I was about to take a shower."

Malik sighed but couldn't help smirking, "Well, I did want the shower..."

"Well, you'll have to wait in line 'hun, cuz I've got it now."

"Did you just call me "hun"? That's scary."

"Oh shut up. You're a beanpole, can't you wash yourself off in the sink?"

Malik glared, "Very funny."

Bakura turned to start the water and picked a bad time to let go of his towel because, well, the support that held it up was... gone.

Downstairs, Ryou, who was washing dishes, paused when he heard at first laughter, then yelling, and finally what sounded like a chase going on upstairs. What followed was a loud crash and silence.

"I don't know whether it'd be better to go up there and make sure they're okay, or stay down here where it's safer..." Ryou thought aloud.

Malik all of a sudden came running down the stairs and took sanctity behind a stunned Ryou. "Don't let him get me!" he laughed.

"Wha-?"

Bakura rushed into the kitchen breathing hard. "Oh, I see. You think hiding behind Ryou will save you?"

"Need I ask why you two are running around the house wearing only bath robes?" Ryou inquired.

"Don't ask, just run," Malik suggested.

Bakura took a step forward and grinned triumphantly. "You have nowhere to go Malik."

"Stop right there, Bakura," Ryou said and smiled. In his hand he held a bottle of dish soap, the lid removed.

Bakura gasped, "You wouldn't hit your own brother!"

Ryou looked at Malik for confirmation.

Malik nodded, "Fire at will."

One small squeeze of the bottle sent blue liquid flying through the air. It landed perfectly on Bakura's chest.

Bakura pretended to fall back, as if a real bullet had hit him, and collapsed on the floor.

"Do you think he's dead?" Malik asked.

Ryou shrugged, "I'd go check just in case."

Malik inched slowly to the fallen teen and loomed over him. "Yep, I think you got him."

Suddenly, Bakura's eyes flew open and in a fluid-like moment, Malik was pinned to the floor. "Think again. It seems that I've got you."

For a moment there was silence. Malik didn't really want to make any sudden movement but for some strange reason, his heart was racing. Bakura was wondering why he wasn't making any move to release him. Each stared at the other with a confused expression. But, as all things come to an end, so did this and soon Bakura was back on his feet and standing at the door.

"Well, I'm going to go take that shower," he said and left.

Malik dusted off his back and yawned, "I'm going to go wait in his room." Soon he was gone as well.

Ryou, who had watched the awkward moment, smiled. "And so it begins..."

--

The next morning came quickly and around 1 o'clock there was a surprise knock on the door.

Ryou answered it to find Jounouchi and Yami standing side by side.

"Hey, is Bakura here?" Jounouchi asked.

"Yes, I'll go get him."

"He better have his lame butt outta bed."

Moments later Bakura was at the door glaring daggers at Jounouchi. He hadn't been in a very good mood ever since Ryou had burned himself on the stove earlier that morning. What made matters worse was the fact that soon after that, Ryou had dropped a plate and cut himself on the broken glass. "I didn't quite hear that last part. What did you say?"

"Heh, only that you're the greatest vocalist I've ever known. I just don't deserve to be in this trio sometimes."

Bakura rolled his eyes, "You can say that again. Now what is it you two want?"

Yami spoke up saying, "We were wondering if you wanted to practice a little before we head out today."

"Sure, where today?"

"Well, could we do it here? The Shop is filled up today and we can't go to Jou's house."

"Fine," Bakura grunted.

They all shuffled into the house and set up their places and finally after everything was placed and plugged, they began.

( (AN: insert any song here, but right now I want to strangle someone. Every time I uploaded the chapter, everything after the song was screwed up!))

Malik, who had come in earlier to listen to the song, nodded. "Nice."

Jounouchi shrugged, "Bakura wrote it. Hence the fact that it's not really happy..."

"Jou, shut up. If you'd wrote it, it would go something like this: Mary had a little lamb... and so on."

"Would not!" Jounouchi retorted.

Yami stepped in, "Let's just get going please."

"With pleasure."

Everyone gathered outside and into their individual vehicles and were on their way. Ryou and Malik once again rode with Bakura and thankfully no arguments took place. After stopping and picking up a few more people and driving for about 15 minutes, they finally reached the club.

Everyone gathered inside and sat together at two connected booths.

"We're the fifth band up," Yami informed the others.

"Fifth?" Jounouchi asked. "Usually we're placed at least second."

Bakura looked up at him, "be glad we're going at all, Jou."

Malik glanced at Ryou, slightly confused.

Ryou only shrugged. "Sometimes he just gets like this," he whispered. "I'll be back, I'm going to the restroom," he said. Bakura nodded. Ryou backed his chair out right into someone else accidentally knocking their drinks out of their hand. He stood up quickly to face two unhappy guys, "I'm terribly sorry about that."

"Yeah, you better be," one of them said.

"Just look what you did," said the second, "You ruined my buddy's shirt. You outta be ashamed."

Ryou bit his lip, "Yes, of course."

The two guys took a few steps forward pushing Ryou against the table. "Are you scared, cuz' you should be."

"Not as scared as the two of you will be when I'm through with you," Bakura said, stepping between the guys and Ryou.

"Oh really?" the first one said, sounding un-amused.

"Yeah," Jounouchi cut in, "Cuz I'm gonna make sure I get in a few punches too."

Honda smirked, "Don't forget me, Jou."

"How could I?"

The two put their hands up and backed away. "Fine... but this ain't over," the second said.

Yami stood up, arms crossed, "Actually... it is."

The two boys glared but left quickly.

Ryou sat down and drummed his fingers on the table, "Uh, maybe I won't go to the restroom after all..."

"Damn right you won't," Bakura said, aggravated.

"Oh come on, Bakura," Jounouchi said. "It was just a misunderstanding-"

"Just shut up, Jou! This doesn't concern you."

"You're yelling at me, so yes it does!"

"Guys come on," Yami said.

"No!" Bakura said. "I'm tired of this crap that goes on 24/7. It's childish and I won't be a part of it!"

"Fine, then don't be!" Jounouchi said.

"Fine!" And with that said, he got up and stormed off.

Yami ran a hand over his face, "Well this is just great."

"It's all my fault," Ryou said.

"No, it's not." Jounouchi sat down quietly, "Well, who's gonna go talk to him?"

"Maybe I should," Yami said.

"Or me, I caused this mess," Jounouchi admitted.

"No you didn't, Jou."

"I could go," Honda said.

"No," Malik said, pushing in his chair. "I'll go."

---TBC--- Ooooh what will happen next?

Please review! Thanks for reading.

AmethystRoze