The air was fresh and clear. Domino City was an industrious city that avidly recycled and reused everything, and produced very little pollution. Most people used compost piles, saved leftovers, yadda yadda yadda.

The air was also cool, causing Otagawa to shiver a little bit—effectively drawing SO much of his attention that he forgot he was running like gangbusters down the path, and he tripped over a miniscule crack. "OWWWWW!"

Meanwhile, Bakura ran past him, imitating the run of Fat Albert from… Fat Albert, pointing and laughing at Otagawa as he ran.

Bakura glared with the intensity of a thousand suns at the person who was blocking their way. "What are you doing here!"

The tanned, spiky-haired Egyptian grinned like the Cheshire. Behind Bakura, Otagawa was whining because he had stubbed his toe. (And he was so happy before, ne?)

Marik Ishtal just grinned like a mad hatter. "Aww, darn you, Bakura. Just because I went away, that means you don't want me around anymore? I thought we were friends."

"We were enemies!" Bakura barked. "This guy's my friend."

Bakura gestured with his arm backwards towards Otagawa. Otagawa looked up, a smile plastered on his round face. "Hi!"

Marik sweat dropped. "Um, he's an idiot?"

"Yeah. Lackeys are idiots."

"Lackey?"

"Lackey, friend, whatever."

"Is there a difference?" asked Marik curiously.

Bakura considered this. "Well… I've never heard of one…"

"Yeah." Marik shook his head. "Wait a second! I'm here to act EEEEEEVIL!" Marik held up a book. "I have a library book and it's yours! It's overdue by five weeks! Muahahahhaha!"

"What book is it?" Otagawa wondered. "And how did you get Bakura's library card?"

Bakura sweat dropped. "I think Otagawa's naivete is more evil… Anyway, Marik, I don't care about the book. It's really, really mediocre for you… um… weren't you dead?"

Otagawa said: "Whoa! Zombie!"

Bakura bigsweated. "Otagawa… this is my… uh… acquaintance, Marik."

"Nice to meet you, Marik!" Otagawa grinned stupidly. Marik stared at him hard.

Bakura said, "And Marik… this is Otagawa… my lackey-friend-thing."

"Hi! I'm Otagawa!" Otagawa was now shaking Marik's hand. Bakura winced. His friend was definitely rattling the tiger's cage with this gesture.

"Otagawa?"

"Hm?"

"…Marik doesn't like to be touched."

"Oh! Sorry!" Otagawa jumped back and smiled.

Bakura pushed Otagawa past Marik. "Well, I'll see you later for a Shadow Game," he hissed in Marik's ear.

"What were you talking about?" Otagawa asked as they left a very confused Marik behind.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what's a 'Shadow Game'?"

Bakura stopped dead in his tracks. "Uhhhh…"