hey everybody -

thank you to everybody who's reviewed so far, even Orion for complimenting my writing skills even though he made his dislike for MS clear and probably won't be back to read this...
:P

(Edit: and I'll still argue that it isn't ms, and will hopefully get less so, but if it really bugs you, you don't have to read.)

Mewgar - it's awesome that u're so into my story, u're own stories sound real interesting - can i read them sometime? well, hope i don't keep u waiting too much longer 4 more.

Fyredra - thanks for keeping up with me and sorry i didn't have this up as fast as u hoped. maybe i'll do better from now on (we all hope :P)

and to Amanda (the rest of you don't even bother asking) like always - ty for the compliments and encouragement. tell bob that i'm afraid the flying bunnies won't get a part in my next chapter - this fic really isn't their style, but they ought to try over on jupiter, i hear there's a sptry opening over there... and thank your yami for the sledgehammer and migrane - both involved in breaking my awful writers's block. painful but effective.
your Speciall buddy - joey

and now on with the show...uh....yeah...anyways...read on!

Part 1 (Chapter 7) – More Puzzles

"What did you say to her, Yug'?" Joey demanded.

"Yeah, we were gonna ask her to come with us," frowned Tristan.

"I...I'm not sure," Yugi half lied.

"Well she seemed okay until you went over and talked to her," Mai pointed out.

"Look," Yugi was growing embarrassed. "I might have said something, but it wasn't intentional. I didn't know she'd react like that, and it's really not any of your business."

"Whoa!" Tristan held up his hands, "Cool it, buddy. We were just asking."

"Sorry," Yugi mumbled, trying to turn the attention elsewhere.

Tea could see how uncomfortable Yugi felt, "Why don't we just get going? The movie'll start without us."

"Ok," Joey said agreeably enough. "I can always bug Yugi about it later..."

"Joey!!!"

"Kidding!"

Laughing, they all piled into Seto's limo. Yugi gave a last backwards glance at the direction Kira had gone.

You know exactly why she ran off.

Maybe I do, Yugi bit his lip. But the others don't need to know the details.

Probably not. Still, you don't believe her.

It's hard to. I mean, the way she showed up...it was obvious what she seemed to want... Yugi's train of thought drifted, I mean, you were there. You saw.

I did, and I saw the way she was today, and there's something strange about the whole thing.

Maybe so. But you have to admit, we barely know anything about what Kira's really like. It hasn't even been a week. She seems nice, but she could be hiding something.

This doesn't sound like you, my hikari. Wasn't it just the other day that you convinced me that this new girl was not evil?

Yugi answered with an uncomfortable silence.

I saw the way she was today, and I don't think she was playing games. Yami's voice smiled briefly through the mind link. She was telling the truth.

If you say so, Yugi wasn't convinced. But if Kira is innocent, then who was at my door last night?

I don't doubt that it was your new friend, but the reason she was there could be different than what it seemed. Someone else is behind this.

Who?

I have my suspicions.

Yami, this is one of those things you can't hide. You're a part of me. I need to know.

I haven't seen Bakura since your friend Kira came.

But Bakura can't be a part of two people at the same time. He's already taken Ryou, and he's done more than enough damage there.

But he might be up to something, and Kira might be involved, whether she knows it or not.

I hope not. Yugi clenched his fists tightly, ignoring looks from his friends. Ryou. My friend. Destroyed by that monster. Yami, you say help is coming, but I don't see it. If that dark spirit is not destroyed soon, I swear I'll take it into my own hands to beat him, no matter what it takes. I will fight for the ones I love.

Yugi! Yami fairly shouted. Don't be foolish. You would never get a chance at Bakura before he would send you to oblivion - a place not even I can rescue you from. You must be patient. I know the pain you feel, but we will eventually rescue Ryou. Not everything has been played out yet. You must be brave and ready for anything when the time comes.

I will try, vowed Yugi. A tear slipped down his cheek, and he rested his head in his hands. But it is so hard.

"Hello, Kira," Ryou said all too sweetly as the named girl stormed over.

Kira stared straight into his eyes, meeting his challenging look. "I...want...to...know...what's...going...on!" she said slowly and steadily, trying to relax her rapid heartbeat.

"You tell me," Ryou replied. "How should I know what you're even talking about?"

"You do," Kira glared, "Or you wouldn't be smiling like that."

Ryou only continued to grin, lounging back against the wall, not at all threatened by her demands. "I'm afraid you're only making it difficult on yourself."

"Stop playing games!" Kira lowered her voice. "I know who you are...Bakura."

"Do you now?" Ryou straightened up, his face hovered above hers. She took a small step backwards. "That's terribly clever of you, but it won't do much good knowing just that. And as far as your first question is concerned, you'll have to find out for yourself. I don't doubt that you'll do just that." There was a threatening undertone to his voice. "I don't take kindly to intruders, especially when they get in the way of my plans. Remember that, and don't let it happen."

Ryou turned his back, leaving Kira unable to reply, even if she had been able to think of any words to say. As it was, she stood trembling in place for several minutes. Whether it was from anger or fear, she couldn't tell, but more than likely it was a combination of both.

sorry this is kinda short, but i've been really busy this past week. like i said before, i had an awful writer's block, and that's y i didn't update. hopefully, i'll be back on track soon and start updating more regularly. well, i've g2g now, but u should see more from me soon...

luv ya --- joey