So yeah...here I am again...
a quick thanx to my reviewers like always - Cettie-girl (yeah, we all hope he'll figure it out soon...) and mom-mi-oh (climax coming but it'll still be a little while...blushes)

by the way, if u haven't seen The Two Towers yet, GO SEE IT! b/c it's awesome. if u're a ravid fan like me, you'll be a little disappointed that it doesn't follow the book as closely, but it's still an incredible movie....i already saw it twice in the first three days it was out....lol ;

and anyway...enough of that...here's more of the story 4 u all...
it's a little lighter than my usual, intensly emotional chapters...but i'm hoping u'll enjoy it just as much...
if you'll remember, i made a couple brief mentions of a school dance coming up...well that's finally here. and if you were to look back, you'd remember seto already asked tea, and yugi and mai decided to go together....that leaves joey and kira as a couple (not romantic though....don't get any ideas..lol)

so yeah...and if u haven't noticed...it's a nice long chapter. i had hoped to be a lot farther than this by now, but such as life goes. at least finals are over with and i'm free to get this written (this and the half a dozen other stories i'm currently working on blushes again...ya know, there's a lot of blushing in this chapter...lol)
NEWAYS.....i'll let u read now....and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and God Bless!!!!!!!

Part 1 (Chapter 22) – Here, Forever, In Spirit

"Well, we're here." Yugi glanced about the decorated room hesitantly, then back up at his date. "Thanks for coming with me, Mai."

"No problem. It was kinda nice to be asked for a change. Even if it's just as a friend."

Yugi gave her a curious glance, "What do you mean? I would think someone like you would have a line of guys around the block waiting to ask you out."

Mai shook her head. "Not me. In truth, I don't get many dates."

"You way out of everybody else's league?" Yugi guessed, half-joking.

"I say that to a lot of people," Mai pointed out. "But sometimes I have to wonder. After all, beauty isn't everything."

Yugi hid his surprise, "You've got a lot more than just beauty going for you, Mai. Some people just haven't realized that yet."

Mai grinned back at him, bringing a light flush of color to Yugi's cheeks. "Yugi! You know, you could be quite the charmer if you put your mind to it."

Yugi looked away, unable to think of a response to that. There was an awkward silence between them for a couple minutes. A semi-slow song was just beginning in the background, though the lights continued to swirl in bright colors. Reaching the dance floor, Main turned to face Yugi, "Well?"

Yugi turned and blushed again, hiding it with a firm bow. Coming up to face his partner, Yugi wore a more captivating smile matched by pupils of a deep maroon. Now able to face Mai at eye-level, Yugi spoke again in a lower voice, "Beautiful lady, would you care to dance?"

Mai smirked at his chivalry; yet down inside, she was also touched by the sweetness of his offer. Raising a hand to place on his shoulder, she replied softly, "I accept."

"Hey guys," Yugi, who had returned to normal, walked towards the food table, Mai at his side. Kira stopped talking to Miho and Tristan for a moment to wave at Yugi. "Hey yourself."

"Where's Joey?" Yugi looked around for Kira's date.

"Over there," Kira motioned to her right where Joey was returning carrying a piece of cake for her and about ten for himself.

"Didn't you guys go out to eat?"

"Yeah," Tristan pointed out, "But that pig decided he was overdue for a snack."

Joey made a face, then turned away from his friend and delivered the cake to Kira who smirked at the both of them.

Yugi took this moment to look around the dance floor. Most of his classmates and other friends were there. Well, Ryou wasn't, but that could hardly be a surprise with the events of late. Still, one other couple stood out in the crowd:

Seto Kaiba, looking different without his usual trenchcoat, moved slowly across the dance floor with Tea, who, in Yugi's opinion, shone like a star in the sky. He had known for weeks that the two of them were coming together. After all, it was obvious how much Seto seemed to like Tea - he had been flirting with her since the start of the school year. But to see them so close together like this did something strange to Yugi's heart. Seto's arms had snaked possessively around Tea's waist, and her head rested gently on his shoulder, brown hair against brown. Yugi stood still, watching them in a frustrated disbelief.

Hikari. You're obsessing again.

Yugi could only sigh, What's wrong with me, Yami?

Perhaps it's the extreme jealousy rushing though your veins about now, Yami suggested lightly.

Don't tease me, Yami.

I'm not teasing, Yami assured him. And you are feeling jealous. Believe me, no one knows you better than I do.

Whatever, Yugi dropped the link with his dark spirit.

"Yugi?" He felt a hesitant hand on his shoulder. Mai was glancing at him with concern. Suddenly aware that he had been standing stiff with fists clenched and a dark frown on his face, Yugi forced himself to loosen up a bit.

"I'm all right."

"You were shooting death glances at Kaiba," she remarked.

"Was I?" Yugi tried not to sound so guilty.

"C'mon. It's so unusual to see you upset that just about anybody could notice it."

"I'm not upset," Yugi looked down, spreading his fingers, still full of tension.

"Wanna tell me that to my face?" Mai suggested.

Yugi turned his head, "I..."

Mai cocked an eyebrow in playful impatience.

Something about her expression release Yugi from the rest of his tension. "I'm not upset." He grinned.

"I still don't believe you," Mai told him. "But I'll buy that smile for now."

Tea sighed, resting her arms loosely around Seto's neck. She had been looking forward to this – her first high school dance, and she had been asked by one of the most sought after guys in the school. It was every girl's dream to even get one dance with Seto, and she had already enjoyed five. Not to mention Tea was now comfortable against his body in a lovers' embrace. True, Seto could seem harsh; but this night, he was everything she could have asked for in a guy. So why wasn't she happy?

Her head against his shoulder, Tea moved slowly with the music, and as they turned, her eyes caught a glimpse of her friends gathered near one of the corners. Joey and Kira were talking over punch with two other friends from school. Tristan seemed to be trying to convince Miho to join him on the dance floor, and Tea briefly wondered if he really knew anything about moving to music.

Then her eyes strayed to Yugi and Mai, both grinning at each other while they talked. For some reason unknown to her, Tea felt like crying. It wasn't fair that the two of them should be so happy together. Though she didn't understand it, Tea felt a stab of brief bitterness towards Mai. Maybe deep down, all Mai happened to be was an obnoxious flirt.

Unable to hear the conversation, Tea could only watch. Mai said something that brought Yugi to a more serious, puzzled expression. He drew his eyebrows together, replying something short. Mai, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, brought her face down towards Yugi's, and...

Tea gasped. No!

"What is it?" Seto was snapped out of his trance-like state, and glanced down at her in concern.

Tea's eyes never left the scene, but watched anxiously as Mai cupped a hand around her mouth and whispered something in Yugi's ear. Yugi's serious expression left as he burst out into a musical laughter.

"Nothing," Tea sighed with a strange relief. "Could we go get something to drink?"

"Of course," Seto told her. Reluctantly loosening his grip around her waist, Seto took her hand instead at his side and escorted her over to where the rest of their friends were.

Music wafted through the otherwise still shadow realms. It was a sound that had never before been heard in that dark place. The notes reached Ryou, lightly tickling his senses. The first happiness that Ryou had felt in weeks rode the melody along with an ever so slight chord of hope.

He had finally accepted his current fate. He was trapped inside this garden with no possible route of escape reguardless of how hard he looked. He was trapped, but time passed around him. Bakura had completely taken over his body, of that Ryou was sure. He was trapped, a sad soul lost to the world he had loved. He was trapped with a pain that ached inside his very essence.

But the music made a difference. As the song floated around him, its tune became almost tangible. Ryou could feel the soothing of the melody as it wove through the air around him, then passed on, finding some magical way to pass the garden, floating above and away. With the music, there was no pain.

Ryou closed his eyes, and the music brought visions to his head. People dancing, laughing, talking, eating, sighing. His friends. Through the music, he could almost feel their contentment and all the emotions running through the group. It was almost as though he was there with them. He watched as Yugi felt jealousy and as Yami tried to calm him. He heard Mai's jokes, Seto's tenderness, and Tea's reluctance. He was there, if not in body, then in spirit.

"Yugi? Didn't you hear me?" Mai gazed curiously at the other boy.

"I'm sorry, what did you say, Mai?"

"Where were you?" she didn't bother to answer his question. "I thought you were listening one minute, and the next you just zoned out. Something come to mind?"

"Not exactly," Yugi was still a little confused himself. "I just felt something. Like a disturbance near here."

"What sort of disturbance?" Mai asked uneasily, glancing at Yugi's millenium puzzle.

"Nothing dangerous," Yugi assured her. "It was something familiar, but I can't quite picture what."

"Weird."

"Yeah. But I do know, I don't feel quite as alone as usual, and I kinda like it."

"Hello, hikari," Bakura spoke his new name for Ryou with its usual sarcasm, a mockery of Yami's bond with Yugi. To Bakura's surprise, Ryou managed to look up with a calm expression that was rather unnerving to Bakura. "What's with you?"

"Memories," Ryou spoke. "My friends."

"Friends," Bakura spat. "Friendship is weak. Your so-called 'friends' have already forgotten you."

"No."

"Is that so? Tonight's the school dance, in case you lost track. I assure you, they're having quite the good time without you."

"No."

Bakura smirked, "I thought about showing up, but then again, I wouldn't want the sudden appearance of you ruining their fun."

"You lie." Ryou spoke steadily. "You never once cared about how any of them felt, or me. You'd bring pain if you could, but you know that if I did show up, it wouldn't hurt them. They may be having fun, but they still all remember me. Especially Yugi."

"You're confident tonight," Bakura's smirk turned to a scowl. "Perhaps you need to be drained of some of that." He lifted his hand; sapphire threads of shadow magic took form and flew towards Ryou in a effort to ensnare him. But as they flew, the music grew louder, swirling in tones that rose and fell around Ryou. The magic was deflected.

"What?!" Bakura was clearly shaken.

"It's the music," Ryou recognized.

"Music?" Bakura looked puzzled, then angry. "You're delusional. I'm leaving."

He can't hear it, Ryou realized as the dark spirit walked off. Slowly, the music faded into silence. "Thank you," Ryou whispered. "For my life."

"It's gone now," Yugi sighed a while later.

"What?" Kira asked, as she and Joey approached behind him.

"Something I felt, a familiar presence in the air," Yugi told her.

Kira nodded. "I felt it too, strangely enough." Yugi looked at her in surprise. "For some reason, it made me think of Ryou."

"Yeah..." Yugi thought, "Now that you mention it..." Only, what does it mean?

But he was interrupted from any further speculation as a voice came over the sound system announcing the last dance of the night.

"Already?" Kira looked surprised. "I suppose we should enjoy it," she commented, watching Tristan drag Miho out to the dance floor.

"Yeah," Tea added with a small smile. "It's been a good time."

"Hmm..." A sudden idea struck Joey as the music started to play. "Would you mind if..." he leaned over, whispering in Kira's ear.

She listened, then grinned at his idea. "Go ahead. Should be interesting."

Joey then turned and gave a polite nod to Tea, "May I have this dance?" Without giving her a real chance to answer, Joey grabbed Tea's hand and led her out onto the dance floor, smirking at Kaiba whose gaze followed them in a stunned disbelief.

"That was odd," Mai commented, looking around. There were four of them left: Yugi, Seto, Kira, and her.

Kira saw the same thing and grabbed Yugi before Mai could even respond. "C'mon," she whispered, then tugged him off to dance, her eyes laughing at the couple left.

Mai glared at Seto, irritated, while he shot her a near death look, apparently upset that the ending to his evening had been ruined. "I can't believe she just walked off with that...dog," he growled, turning his deadly stare at Joey.

"I'm not exactly thrilled myself," Mai returned stonily.

"That makes two of us."

"So much for the last dance," Mai turned her back to Kaiba.

"What's it gonna take, huh?" Kira was suddenly there, dancing with Yugi.

"Beg pardon?" Mai frowned.

"Yeah," Yugi chimed in. "You can't end the night on a bad note."

"It's all in fun," Kira continued. "So just finish off the dance together."

"You've gotta be kidding!" Seto and Mai spoke together.

"Please," Yugi put on his begging face, big pleading eyes looking right at them both in the most innocent, child-like expression.

Finally Mai gave, "Fine. But for you. Not for me, and definitely not for him." Reluctantly, she took Seto and, holding him at arm's length, began to dance.

"I'd say our work here is done for now," Kira commented satisfactorily. She and Yugi moved slowly away from the unhappy couple. "So," Kira started after a moment, "What's going on between you and Tea?"

"W-what?" Yugi glanced up at her, startled.

"You heard me," Kira nodded, "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Yugi blushed slightly. "Why would there be?"

Kira shrugged innocently, "I dunno. But from the way you were looking at her all evening, I'd be very tempted to suggest that you like her."

"No..." Yugi trailed off.

"It's not like I haven't seen the way you act around her, even at school," Kira continued. "You blush every time she even so much as says hi; not to mention you worry incessantly if she's even a little late, much more than any of your other friends. And all the hearts in your notebook with her name in them..."

Yugi was blushing furiously now, "How'd you find out about that?"

"Remember that day you left your notebook in class and I had to drop it by your house after school?"

"Oh."

"Don't worry," Kira couldn't help but feel remorse at his worried expression. "Your secret's safe with me..."

"Thanks, Kira," Yugi sighed.

"...though I really think you ought to tell her."

Yugi shook his head, "I can't. She likes Seto."

"Are you so sure about that?"

"Sure enough."

"You ought to at least tell her how you feel," Kira insisted. "Or you'll regret it later on."

"Maybe I will," Yugi conceded. "But not now."

"Are you ever gonna tell him how you feel?"

"Huh?" Tea looked up. "I'm sorry, Joey. What were you saying?"

"Sheesh," Joey sighed. "You haven't heard a word I said. You've been to deep in your own little world, staring at Yugi."

"I was staring?"

"Hopelessly," Joey let out a small grin. "I'm now wondering whatever possessed you to come with Seto instead of Yugi."

"What are you saying, Joey?" Tea pretended confusion.

"I think you know what I mean."

"Maybe." It was something Tea wasn't quite ready to admit.

"Why'dja come with that jerk anyhow?"

"Would you stop calling him that?" Tea defended. "You never even give him a chance."

"I don't need to," Joey argued. "He makes it pretty obvious on his own."

Tea shook her head, "There's no point in trying to convince you otherwise. You're too stuck in your ways, Joseph Wheeler."

"Hey. Relax," Joey insisted before Tea could walk off. "I'm sorry. Forget I said anything."

"Do you take it back?" Tea asked.

"No, I still think he's nothing more than a heartless..." Joey trailed off again as Tea glared at him. "...jerk," he amended. "But I won't say anything more about it to you tonight."

Tea reluctantly relaxed her muscles, letting Joey lead her around the floor. "All right."

"I don't know what she sees in that loser anyway..." Seto was still shooting death glances at Joey.

"Can you just forget about that and let them be?!" Mai exclaimed in irritation. "Tea's free to dance with whomever she wants, and Joey's really not half as bad as you make him out to be. I don't see why you hate him so much anyway."

Seto looked surprised, and the anger left his face for the first time that night, "I don't hate him."

"Could've fooled me," Mai mumbled.

"I'm not quite sure what it is," Seto told her, looking at Joey again but this time without any emotion in his face. "Maybe the fact that for all his brave actions, he makes some pretty foolish decisions to back them up. He talks big, but he lets people make an idiot out of him."

"Maybe so," Mai objected. "But he's also loyal to his friends just as they are to him. I learned that on Duelist Island. I thought he was nothing but a punk at first, but then I saw how much of his heart he puts into the game, just like Yugi. And I saw how he was willing to risk everything for his friends. I think that takes a lot more courage than you're willing to give him credit for."

"You may be right," Seto conceded. "But I'm afraid I can't just accept that about him yet."

"You men," groaned Mai. "Especially you. You're so stubborn."

"I pride myself in that."

"If only you opened up more to everybody," Mai insisted.

"I've got to be firm to run a company," Seto told her.

"But that's no way to run a friendship."

Seto wasn't quite sure what to say to that.

"You know," Kira and Yugi were suddenly at Seto and Mai's side again. Kira smirked, "It's amazing they've lasted this long without completely destroying each other."

"Yeah," Yugi joined in with his own amused grin, "And it seems to me they've actually managed to have a civil conversation while they're at it."

"Imagine that." Kira raised her eyebrows.

Mai growled at her, "Cut it out or you'll be in a world of hurt."

Kira and Yugi backed off just a little.

"Sound's like a threat to me," Yugi kept up his joking tone though.

Kira winked at him. "Maybe we should go. Looks like they want their privacy."

And before either Seto or Mai could tackle them, Kira and Yugi slipped away, still laughing.

Watching them go, Mai sighed, "They're such little kids at times."

"Much more annoying than that," Seto added. "Someone should give them a taste of their own medicine."

"Hmm," Mai looked suddenly thoughtful. "Maybe we can."

"What?" Seto gave her a startled look. "What do you mean?"

"Trick them," Mai insisted. "A little harmless fun."

Seto slowly grinned for the first time since he had started dancing with Mai. "Lets."

"That was hilarious," Yugi was still laughing. "Did you see the looks on their faces?"

Kira nodded. "Of course. It was just what I was hoping for."

"What in the world gave you the idea to say all that?" Yugi wondered.

"Kali."

Yugi stopped laughing, "Your yami?"

"Yeah," Kira grinned. "Don't worry, we're on good terms now."

"Well, that's something to be grateful for anyway," Yugi acknowledged.

"Sure is," Kira told him. "I'll admit, she can come up with some interesting ideas at times."

Yugi sighed.

"What? What is it?" Kira asked.

"It's just," Yugi looked down. "You weren't supposed to get that far into this. At least, I didn't want it that way."

"It's over now, Yugi," Kira told him gently.

"Is it?" Yugi looked back up. "What about Ryou?"

Kira stiffened. "What about him?"

"He's still trapped in the shadow realms. Bakura still has control over him."

"So?" Kira's voice was suddenly colder.

Yugi looked at her in surprise. "He needs our help...your help."

"Why?"

"Kira..."

"Why should I throw myself in danger again just for him?"

"He needs you," Yugi pointed out. "I can't rescue him on my own. And Yami always told me to be patient, that someone would come who could help us. I think that's you, Kira."

"Me?" Kira looked torn for a minute. "It can't be, Yugi."

"Why not? After everything that's happened..."

"It can't be, because I won't."

"What?!" Yugi looked ready to cry.
Kira gazed at him sadly. "I'm sorry, Yugi. I don't want to hurt you, but this is asking too much. I'd do almost anything for a friend like you, but you don't understand what I went through. Bakura turned Kali against me, deceived her, and Ryou helped him."

"He wouldn't..." Yugi tried to object.

"But he did," Kira continued. "Bakura used him to find out about me. Ryou watched me, deceived me into being a friend, then brought Bakura to me. He betrayed me, Yugi. That's something I can't easily forget."

"Kira, please..."

But she cut him off again. "I'm sorry, Yugi. But I can't help you do this." Without another word, Kira turned and, letting Yugi go, hurried across the dance floor, through the doors, and into the night air.

I can't do it. I can't face Ryou again.

I thought it was Bakura you hated.

I do, Kira insisted. But he made it clear from the start that he hated me. Ryou earned my trust then threw it all away to his dark.

Maybe you're taking this out of proportion, Kali suggested.

Not likely.

Kira, I hate Bakura as much as you, but you haven't see all that he does to Ryou. You don't know the whole story.

I know enough. What more is there?

Hikari. Listen. I made my mistakes, and I found out that nothing good comes of bitterness.

I can't trust him, Kira felt ready to cry. Please let me be, Kali.

All right, Kali sighed. But nothing good's going to come of this, let me tell you.

Just...go.

Yugi watched Kira leave the room, his heart almost torn in two. The music of the last song faded out, and couples prepared to leave, laughing and sighing at the enjoyable evening. But Yugi stood still on the dance floor, continuing to gaze at where Kira had left.

Hikari? There was no answer. We'll find a way, I promise. There's still hope.

"Is there?" Yugi whispered to himself, fighting hidden tears. Ryou... He could still hear his own scream of pain echo against the walls of his mind. Friend... He heard Bakura's laughing, taunting voice from their last confrontation:

The game starts now...

So it does, Bakura, Yugi thought. But I promise you, we won't give in so easily. I'll find a way, and then, working together, we will rescue Ryou.

END OF PART 1

dont freak....i say "part 1", not "book 1" yeah, in case u 4 got, this whole thing has been "Part 1 - Piercing the Shadows"...
i originally planned for it to go about half this long, but that's how things just go with me. can't say i'm too surprised

part 2 should be coming in about a week or so, and it'll still be more chapters added to this...so u can still find me under the same story.
I've planned for a while to end it here...it's not really supposed to be a real ending, i mean, there's plenty of hints as to what's to come with the now developing situation between yugi, kira, and bakura...etc...

i suppose it's just a transition between parts. "Piercing the Shadows" was supposed to dwell more on Kira, as you saw, and her dealing with her yami. now that that's been taken care of, we'll move on to part 2 which will deal more with Ryou (yes yes, it's what all of you have really been waiting for) and Bakura's continedl domination of him and how, if possible, yugi and kira can free him...lol

so enough of my extended explaination of all this schtuff.....any questions....email me at i luv email....lol

next time begins:
Part 2: Soul Garden.

luv to all and to all a good night
Joey