Why did he look so neutral? When had he become that way? I had to really wonder if that really was Tristan Taylor. He looked like himself, clad in a black blazer over a white button-down shirt, and black jeans. His hands were in his pockets, as he looked around, with a bored expression.

He just seemed to put out the vibe that he really, honestly didn't want to be there.

Devlin stuck up his arm, waving. "Yo, Tristan..! Hey, over here...!"

I wanted to sink into the floor, at Devlin's actions. Tristan glanced at us, then quirked an eyebrow. With an almost visible sigh, he walked down the steps, and started towards us. Once he was in front of us, I practically felt faint.

I never noticed how time could be so generous, yet cruel. Tristan looked the same, if not more attractive; the same handsome features, the same brown hair, and the same grey eyes. But his attitude, he just felt distant.

Devlin was right. He changed. A lot. And it hurt to discover that for myself.

"Looking good... what took you?" Devlin asked, with a smirk.

Tristan smiled, very faintly. A forced smile, I noticed. I began to think he must have did it very often, just wearing a friendly mask.

"Thanks... I was debating whether or not to show up, actually," Tristan answered, with a curt shrug.

"What's to debate? Old friends are here, you know that," Devlin chuckled.

Tristan's eyes seemed to darken at that. "Yeah... friends..." Then he looked at me, and it made my heart nearly stop. His eyes gained even more intensity, it seemed. "Bakura."

This wasn't Tristan. This couldn't have been my best friend. My best friend wouldn't sound so bitter. Biting my tongue, I nodded, "I... uh, hi, Tristan... how are you?"

"... Fine... you?"

Fine. I was fine. I felt fine. Didn't I? I was certain I did. But at the same time, I didn't feel fine at all. I was standing in front of the man I foolishly let go, so I shouldn't have felt fine. Right?

Licking my lips, I nodded as my answer. Words just didn't feel trusted right then.

"How's life?" his tone still seemed empty.

It was as if he were bored out of his mind, or something. Was he only being polite? He must have been. It was how conversations went with a friend who you haven't seen in years. But did he even consider me his friend anymore? Was he just tolerating me?

"... It's alright," I answered, softly.

"... Checked out one of your books, it wasn't bad..."

I blushed darkly. How did he know? Almost no one knew what I even did, unless I told them. The only person who had a vague idea was Yugi, yet he still had his doubts, until I just told him that I was an author.

I slowly looked up at Tristan, whom was still taller. "You did?" I asked, meekly. "Thank you... that means a lot... coming from you."

Tristan frowned slightly, "sure..." He sighed, and went back to looking around, waiting for something. Or someone, I decided.

"Who are you looking for?" Devlin asked, his eyebrow raised, probably at thestrange conversation between Tristan and me.

"An old friend, so we can suffer this thing together," Tristan smiled wryly.

"Ah, you have a boytoy..?" Devlin smirked.

"I resent that remark..." a voice said, darkly.

Devlin became very tense. And even I felt a chill at such a cold tone. Devlin and I slowly turned around, finding ourselves in the presence of the Seto Kaiba, CEO of KaibaCorp., and the most successful student of Domino High.

"Oh hey, Red, thanks for taking your sweet time," Tristan said, blandly.

"You're welcome... I assumed you would have appreciated the chance to catch up with your friends," Kaiba calmly replied.

Again, Tristan's gaze turned very hard, but only for a moment.

I furrowed my brow thoughtfully, at Kaiba's new nickname. It seemed appropriate. Kaiba's hair became a little redder; no longer the rusty red that he was known for, he was almost a true redhead now. His eyes were still their chilly blue. Surprisingly, Tristan was taller than Kaiba, but only by a bit.

But I suppose it was understandable. While we were all 16, excluding Yugi, Kaiba was 17, which meant Tristan still had time to get a little taller.

Kaiba was dressed in his same style. A long sweeping deep blue trenchcoat, over a white oxford shirt and black vest, and black slacks. But unlike Tristan, Kaiba actually looked a little interested to be at the reunion.

Then his cold gaze fell on me. "Ryou Bakura..."

I fidgeted again. Now why would Seto Kaiba wish to greet me? I nodded politely, "Kaiba-san, nice to see you again."

He smirked faintly, "I'm sure it is..."

"Still running KaibaCorp.?" Devlin cut in, sensing tension.

I couldn't blame him. By the feel of it, Kaiba seemed to be with Tristan. "With." That word didn't exactly flood me with the warm fuzzy feeling I felt when I saw Joey and Yugi together. But maybe I was wrong. Tristan was barely giving Kaiba any of his attention at the moment.

While Kaiba aimed his own attention to Devlin. "Yes, I am... how's DDM?" he asked, smirking.

"It's fine... formed a partnership of sorts with Industrial Illusions, and other games are in the works..."

"Pegasus, huh?" Kaiba raised an eyebrow, "is he still a manipulative pansy?"

Devlin blinked, then grinned, "more or less."

And even more shocking, Kaiba laughed. Not a taunting laugh, but an actual amused laugh. It was an interesting sound. As Kaiba and Devlin began discussing business, I noticed Tristan was looking out at the dancefloor.

I followed his gaze, and saw Yugi, Joey, and Tea. I had to smile. Yugi was looking worn out, and he continued trying to go sit down. Of course Joey and Tea were making the simple task a little difficult, as they kept him on the dancefloor. They even pulled him further into the other dancers

"How's Joey?" Tristan asked, flatly.

It took a moment to figure out he was speaking to me. I blinked, then looked up at Tristan, "um, sorry... what?"

"How is he?" he repeated, still managing to keep an eye on the trio, most likely Joey.

I swallowed. Is that how things became? Did Tristan and Joey just let their friendship go, dropping it like it meant nothing? Joey did say he and Tristan weren't on speaking terms. Now I was more than curious about what had happened. But common sense was telling me Yugi was the reluctant key player.

"He... Joey's fine... works at Leon's AutoShop... he was offered the job as assistant manager, but he said he preferred working on the vehicles, than sitting at the desk, worrying about money," I told him.

Tristan smiled faintly. A real smile, which made me feel a little better. "Yeah, that's something he would do..." he said. Then he looked back at me, "you're wondering."

"Huh?"

"... No questions?"

I blinked in confusion, and started blushing again, as I started to grow flustered. "Oh! I, uh... I was just... I mean, I... well, I just had to... um..." I cringed inwardly. "Um, how're you?"

"We both established earlier that we're fine," Tristan replied, dryly.

"... Sorry, I mean..." I then cringed outwardly. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"... I'm a photojournalist for Domino's Daily News... and a part-time photographer for Business Weekly."

"Photography?" I asked, slowly. "I didn't know..."

"Tea's hobby rubbed off on me, or something," Tristan shrugged.

"Hey, I thought it was you!!" Tea's voice suddenly cried out happily. I could only stare as Tristan was latched onto from behind.

Tristan's eyes actually widened in surprise, as he tugged Tea's hands apart, slipping her arms down and off of him. Then he glanced over his shoulder at her, "yeah, long time no see..."

Tea gave him the once-over. "You're looking great!" she praised.

"... Sorry, not interested, Tea..." Tristan replied, smoothly.

Tea took no offense, and merely laughed. "Yeah yeah, very nice, Tristan... I am a dancer, remember?" she said, playfully.

Tristan raised an eyebrow, then he smirked, "no, tempting, but no... I'm taken."

An icy feeling just seemed to grip my chest at that. So it was true. He was taken? He was dating someone? Long-term? Married?

Then I glanced at Kaiba. They couldn't have been something more, could they? They didn't seem that close, at least to me they didn't. Then I found myself staring hard at Kaiba's left hand. No ring. I almost sighed heavily with relief.

"Oh really, who with?" Tea was asking, oblivious to my sudden jumpiness.

"... Same person since college."

"Really? I thought you guys would call it off by graduation," Tea admitted, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"You thought wrong..."

"Well, I guess once you get to know him, he's not too bad."

"Exactly."

"Hm, you're happy with him, right?"

"... Yes."

They were driving me crazy! I was almost tearing my hair out of my scalp, but Tristan and Tea continued talking, like I knew everything that was going on. But I didn't!

"Happy with who?!" I demanded.

They stared at me in confusion. Or at least Tea was. Tristan was watching me, with that cold steady gaze.

"With me," Kaiba said shortly, apparently hearing the conversation. Most likely because of my outburst. Tristan was then on the receiving end of Kaiba's glare.

Tristan smiled, "relax... I thought you wanted things private."

"Bastard," Kaiba snorted.

"Hey guys..." Joey said, strolling over, Yugi at his side. They seemed to be reluctant to be joining us, I noticed. Suddenly the little group just seemed... awkward and tense. It didn't feel the way it used to in high school.

It felt... bitter. Almost miserable.

Kaiba's eyes narrowed, "Wheeler, how sweet of you to show up, so as to remind our former peers what failure looks like."

Joey's eyes flashed, "do the world a favor, Kaiba, and drop dead," he snarled.

"Joey..." Yugi bit his lip, quickly grabbing Joey's arm.

Tristan frowned, and stepped between the both of them, like he had done it several times before. Glaring rather viciously at his 'former' best friend.

"Hey, uhh... so, Yugi, how's the game shop, huh?" Devlin asked quickly, sidestepping towards the shorter man.

Yugi swallowed, watching Joey glare at Kaiba, worriedly. "Um, it-it's... okay."

"Damn, guys..." Tea said, scowling. "Let it go, already..."

I couldn't help but wonder what she was talking about. Yugi and Tea must have been in closer correspondence since she seemed to know the situation. While I could only assume a lot of things had happened since I was in England.

"What the hell do you see in that bastard, Tris'?!" Joey demanded, practically growling at Kaiba, who stood behind Tristan, almost safely.

Tristan's eyes flashed, "shut the hell up, Joey..." His tone was colder than before, almost threatening.

All of us stared at Tristan, stunned.

"Who I'm with is none of your concern, so do me a favor, and mind your own business..." Then Tristan glanced at Kaiba, and wordlessly turned to leave.

Kaiba released a very soft sigh, as he nodded to Devlin, almost courteously, and calmly strided after Tristan. I swallowed, a lump forming in my throat, tears stinging my eyelids. I wanted to cry all over again. I had lost Tristan to Seto Kaiba? How and when did that happen?!

oooXXXooo

"It was one the messiest fights they'd ever been through..." Yugi said, softly.

At the moment, we were in my hotel suite. Yugi was laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I sat at the foot of the bed, silently. Yugi had said Joey would have liked some space after the little scenario earlier that night. So there we were, in my suite.

We never spoke. It was killing me how things could have gone so wrong. I really wanted to know, but I didn't want to ask. So, we tolerated the silence for a while, until Yugi spoke up.

He sighed, then chuckled darkly, as he flung his arm over his eyes. "It was a while ago... I'm not sure how Kaiba and Tristan came together in the first place, but somehow they found each other. It was about a year since you moved, Ryou."

I bit my lip, but waited for Yugi to continue.

"Since you left, Joey noticed Tristan moving even further away, seperating himself from me and Joey even more. Joey tried to keep Tristan close, but he couldn't... it was almost scary, seeing Tristan, when he would say no to Joey's invites to go somewhere. He would smile, but his eyes... his eyes were so... well, not normal... and he would tell Joey he couldn't, that he should just ask me..."

I felt that pang of sympathy for Tristan. And pity for Joey.

Yugi raised his arm, resting it against his forehead. "One day, Joey just saw Tristan with Kaiba... of course Joey didn't take the little scene too well. Joey never did tell me what he saw, but it was enough for Joey to fly off the handle. They just started arguing right there in the middle of the street. Joey calling Tristan a traitor, Tristan calling Joey a deserting bastard. Kaiba only watched..."

Then Yugi laughed bitterly, and wiped his eyes. "Joey came home... he looked terrible, bruised and bloody... he, uh... he got into a fight with Tristan... fists flying, and all. It didn't exactly make me feel any better when Joey said Tristan was just as bad..."

I furrowed my brow. Tristan and Joey were almost similar in strength. Despite their different backgrounds, they both became streetwise, making them a forces to be reckoned with. They may have been older, but apparently they were both still known to inflict a lot of pain when necessary.

"And that's when things just became more messed up..." Yugi swallowed. "Tristan seemed angrier with me, so I even made it a point to start avoiding him... Kaiba and Joey would fight even more everytime they were near each other... and Tristan... he became... well, no longer a friend, I guess."

Yugi sighed, shaking his head. "The only time Tristan would ever seem 'normal' was when he would step in between Kaiba and Joey. It was scary for me, because Tristan would always tell Joey that if he ever threatened Kaiba, he would make him regret it..."

I hesitantly rested my hand against Yugi's shoulder.

"I hated seeing Joey hurt... I hated it so much... Joey kept saying he could take Tristan, that he could make Tristan see that Kaiba wasn't right for him." Yugi pursed his lips, and sat up, "it was just this way for a while... Tristan and Kaiba, Joey and me... I really don't like things this way, Ryou... but... it's staying this way. I hate it."

"I don't blame you," I murmured. "It really hurt seeing Tristan protecting Kaiba..." I admitted.

Yugi watched me, sympathetically. "I'm sorry... I should have told you about everything..."

I shook my head. "No, Yugi, it's alright. Perhaps it's good I found out for myself what's been going on..."

"You still care about him," he observed, softly.

I smiled faintly. I had forgotten that I told Yugi about Tristan and myself a while back. "Very much, yes... but, you said he's changed... and even I can see that he's not himself..." I murmured.

"... He doesn't even seem to be honestly happy anymore... he's just become so... closed off."

I laughed, despite my mood. "He's not like himself at all..." I agreed. "And yet... I still want to be with him... even if he's still angry with me," I told him, almost shyly.

"That's love," Yugi teased, returning to his goodnatured self.

I blushed, "if you say so..."

Yugi looked thoughtful, "I think if you hang out with Tristan enough, Ryou... maybe that'll get him back to his normal self."

"... And Kaiba?" I asked, softly.

"... It might just be my grudge talking, but I think the only reason Kaiba likes Tristan is for his new attitude." Yugi sighed, "I feel bad for saying that, but it's what I think."

I nodded. Then I smiled, "I had no idea he'd get into photography..."

Yugi blinked, "huh?"

"Tristan... he's a photographer... and a photojournalist..."

"He told you that?" Yugi asked, eyes wide in amazement.

It was my turn to blink in confusion. "Huh? Well, yes... don't you know?"

"... Tristan doesn't talk with us, remember..? Let alone discuss his profession," Yugi reminded me, smiling faintly.

"Oh..." I blushed, "sorry, I thought..."

"He talked to you?"

"Um, yes... more or less."

Yugi soon wore a very warm smile. "Old habits die hard, I guess..."

oooXXXooo

I smiled to myself. It was a beautiful day, and I was feeling nostalgic, so I decided taking a walk around Domino City seemed like a good idea.

While walking the familiar streets, even being greeted by older, yet familiar, people, I began feeling as at-home as I used to. Leaving the shopping district, I noticed I was heading straight for Domino High School.

"... How appropriate..." I murmured.

Domino High. It never seemed to age. The walls were still vibrant like a fresh coat of paint was recently applied. The windows, clean and untouched. The grounds were still well-tended to. It was a very nice school. I liked being a student there.

While strolling around the grounds, I never realized that someone might have actually been around, despite it being a saturday. Who it was only made it more difficult.

Standing at the sports fields, snapping a few pictures of the landscape, was Tristan.

Of course the temptation to just leave was huge. But I really wanted to speak to him. I always found it strange when someone would have a conflict with their self. But there I was, doing it on my own, without a half-crazed soul.

Tristan wasn't exactly dressed stunningly, either. Just a pair of blue jeans, and a white button down shirt. And beside his foot was a carrying case, possibly for his camera. Either way, I'm certain it was his appearance that was making me blush so badly.

Then by some twist of fate, he had the urge to look in my direction.

Of course the moment was incredibly tense for me. He just watched me. Then with barely a flinch, he turned back to his camera, and snapped another picture. While twiddling my fingers, I made my way over. Once I was in earshort...

"Hi."

Click. Another picture.

"What, um... what're you doing?"

Click. "Pictures."

"Yes, I... I can see that."

"... Well, ask a stupid question..." he muttered.

I had to cringe. His grudges really weren't pleasant. I sighed, and looked back at him, watching. It seemed like a boring place to take pictures, but that was what he was doing. I wanted to ask, but he didn't seem too talkative at the moment.

"... Editor gave me this job... he heard about the reunion, and some big mouth told him I used to school here... so I was given the story."

I think my jaw dropped.

Click. Yet another picture. "Didn't want to... it's just an interest story... and hardly anyone reads the interest section."

"... I do," I admitted, sheepishly.

He glanced at me in the corner of his eye.

I blushed, "I mean... well, I don't mean to... it's just... the interest section just seems better to read after reading about... crimes and such." I bit my lip and stepped a little closer. "Local people just seem... happier, I suppose."

"... Hm, to each his own." Click.

Sighing slightly, I began surveying the area for myself. It wasn't bad for a landscape. The grass was still green and thick, the surrounding trees were perfect, and the flowers were blooming nicely.

About a minute later, he was packing up his camera again, shouldering the carrying case, and started walking away. An act that was becoming far too familiar. I walked after him. "Tristan, wait..."

He slowed his pace, but didn't stop. I was soon able to walk by his side again. "Are you still angry with me?" I asked. Tact was not going to get me anywhere.

"... Why does it matter?"

"It just does..." I said, quietly. "I said I don't like it when you're angry at me."

"... I'm not angry."

"You're lying..."

He frowned, and looked at me through the corner of his eye, "why are you bothering me, anyway?"

"Bothering you?" I had to stare at him, stunned. "So, you're not angry with me, I'm just a bother?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

I froze in my steps, while he still kept walking. "Why are you acting like this is all my fault?!" I demanded, in a watery voice.

He didn't stop.

"I came back, didn't I?!"

He stopped.

"I came back, Tristan!I know it took a while, and I'm sorry, but I am back!"

Tristan slowly turned around, his eyes hard, as he stared at me. Only at me. As if I were all that he could see. An unsettling feeling swirled in my chest. Why look at me like that? I couldn't understand. Then he was striding back, stopping just a few inches from me.

I swallowed thickly, as he stood directly in front of me, staring down at me.

"You came back? For me?" he asked, his tone was cold.

My chest began to feel hollow, "Tristan..."

"You think after leaving me alone... for so long, that you can just waltz back to Domino City, into my life, and expect me to welcome you with open arms?"

I swallowed, "I-I don't know..."

"Just answer, truthfully, Bakura..." Tristan said, his eyes glaring into mine. "Did you think you could just walk back into my life? Did you think I could get over the fact that you left me?"

"... I don't know."

"Understand something, Bakura... you coming back for a couple days isn't going to make everything better..." he spat, eyes blazing.

"I know it won't! But, I... Tristan, I mean..." I tried again to swallow the lump forming in my throat. "I'm back... isn't that enough?"

"No."

"Tristan..."

"I was alone when you left..."

"Joey was here!"

"Joey was too damn obsessed with Yugi to give a damn about me!" Tristan snapped. "You think I wanted that lovesick idiot for a friend!?"

"He was always your friend..."

"Until Yugi came along," Tristan ran his hand through his hair, eyes still blazing. "I hated it, Bakura... not having you... it just... it was hell."

I quickly wiped away a tear that fell. "I'm here now..."

"... For a couple days."

"But I am here."

"You left me," he repeated. "I was alone."

"I'm sorry I left," I said, softly. "Can't you just let it go? Can't we go back to being there for each other?"

"... I can't let it go, Bakura."

"Why not..?!"

Tristan chuckled wryly, "I got used to this." He turned, and started to leave me, again.

I bit my lip, to avoid crying outright, as I turned around, heading in my own direction. That had not gone well. At all.

oooXXXooo

I sighed, walking out of the steamy bathroom, drying my hair. The shower was nice, after such a tense afternoon. While showering, I found myself going through the pros and cons of seeing Tristan.

Obviously the cons were far more than the pros.

Yawning, I noticed the time. Oh perfect, I thought. The dance was in two hours. Two never seemed like an appealing number. I threw the towel aside, and walked across the room, to my suitcase, to get dressed.

oooXXXooo

"Oh wow, this is so great!" Tea was saying, cheerfully. Joey, Yugi, and I were right behind her, as she looked around the dance hall, her bright blue eyes wide in amazement.

I had to take notice of Joey. He just didn't seem like his light-hearted self. Of course the suspicion of it being due to Tristan was very strong.

Yugi was doing his part in being there for Joey; hugging him, holding his hand, kissing his cheek, all in an effort to get Joey to smile. I suppose I had a sense of envy for the two of them. Joey and Yugi were always there for each other, despite their rough first impressions. One couldn't even begin to assume that Joey used to bully little Yugi in the beginning.

Joey took a breath, and squeezed Yugi's hand, offering him a tight smile of reassurance. And I started that sympathy towards Tristan. It just didn't seem fair for some reason.

... Was he already forgotten?

Was it so easy for Joey to let Tristan go?

I was almost miserable without Tristan. And Joey, he was handling Tristan's absence so well, because he had Yugi. But who did Tristan have?

... He had me. And I left.

The need to make things right was increasing.

TBC


12 pages O.o;; Hmmmm, I dunno. Mixed vibes for this chapter. Just weirdness. Please, don't mind me. Oh yeah, shoulda said this earlier. Thanks for the reviews. They mean a lot, so thank you.

Annnnd, I'm pretty much myself again, so I dunno how the fic is going anymore. Heh, strange, isn't it? Sorry.