hey - life's been crazy over here, and i doubt it'll be getting much better anytime soon, but here's another chapter anyway 4 u're enjoyment...

also a quick thanx to mom-mi-oh, Christina, & Cetti-girl for your input and support. also Fyredra - i get the feeling that Kira's starting to annoying you (wonder y...stubborness can be very agrivating...lol) she'll come to her senses eventually... & R Amythest - i think i'm getting nightmares about scissors. never knew a household tool could be so frightening...lol ' but yes, i enjoy your unique reviews! very entertaining and encouraging...

PS - oh yeah, anybody see the TV guide magazine this week??? special edition yugioh - 3 different collecters covers! i got all three the first day....i'm so insane...

Part 2 (Chapter 4) – One Long Monday...

Yugi couldn't help but yawn as he stumbled into the school building bright and early Monday morning. Students wandered the halls, most looking as dazed as himself. Joey and Tristan stopped to talk for a few minutes before heading over to their lockers and gathering their things. As they left, Yugi continued to plod towards homeroom while the halls started to crowd.

"Hey, Yugi!"

He looked around for the speaker, stopping just in front of the classroom door. "Mai?"

"Where're you going?" She approached from the opposite direction.

"Huh?" he gave her a confused look.

Mai reached him and looked down seriously, "Didn't you hear? You were just called to the office over the PA."

"Really?" Yugi mused, "I didn't hear a thing." Then again, I'm so tired, I wouldn't be surprised if I did miss it.

"Yeah," she shrugged amiably enough. "You had better hurry."

"Sure," Yugi turned and headed back down the hall, but when he reached the office, there was no message.

Yugi sighed, "She must have heard wrong." He turned to go, but only steps from leaving, the bell rang. "Shoot!" Clutching his books tightly, Yugi took off running.

"Mr. Mutou!" Yugi winced, drawing his shoulders up and his head down as his teacher frowned from the front of the classroom. "I'm surprised at you. Nearly a full minute tardy!"

"Gomen nasai," Yugi mumbled to the floor, turning red and still fighting to catch his breath.

"Take you seat," the teacher continued solemnly. "I expect to see you after class."

"Hai." Yugi bowed slightly and quickly made his way to his desk through the thick cluster of stares.

"Yugi, what...?" Tea started to ask, but Yugi only turned a brighter shade of red and shook his head.

Before leaving, Yugi got a private reprimand from the teacher that lasted several minutes. Tea waited for him outside the door, so of course, Seto joined her, and Mai wasn't quick enough to disapper before Yugi got out.

"What gives?" Yugi attempted to give Mai a dark look as she avoid his eyes, but all he could really manage was a rather solemn expression. "I wasn't called down."

"I could've sworn..." Mai looked back innocently.

Yugi sighed. "Fine. Whatever. Maybe I'm just paranoid."

Tea grinned down at him, "And maybe it's just another Monday."

Things continued uneventfully until Math class...

"Now class, if you would please turn to page eighty-seven?"

Kira, supporting her sleep head with a hand against the desk, moved to flip open the cover. "What the-?"

"Something the matter?" the teacher looked over.

Kira blushed and yanked on her book cover to no avail. "Um...my book," she stammered.

"What about it?"

"I can't get it open."

The teacher raised an eyebrow, "Enough fooling around, Kira."

"But I'm serious," Kira protested weakly. A few snickers ran through the class.

"I won't ask you again." The teacher turned back to the board.

Kira struggled again to pull her book apart, but only managed to drop it on the floor, much to her classmates' amusement. With a very irritated scowl, the teacher stalked over to Kira's desk, picked up the book, and with a grunt, pulled it open and slammed it down on the desk. Defeated, Kira sank back into her chair as a second round of laughter circled the class. It was going to be a very long Monday.

A short while after the rest of the group of friends had gathered for lunch in their usual spot, Yugi trudged out to meet them, his books still in his hands.

"What's up, Yug?" Joey gave him a questioning look. Tea, Tristan, and Kira glanced over at the other boy who collapsed into a seat at the table. Seto and Mai seemed very distracted with their food.

"You look exhausted," Tea commented worriedly. "What's wrong? Hasn't your day gotten better?"

"Hardly," Yugi moaned. "My locker's been jammed all morning, so I haven't been able to get any of my books for class. I don't even have my lunch because of that."

"Can't you just get the janitor to open it?" Tristan suggested.

"It's his day off. Go figure," Yugi sighed again.

"Here," Kira passed over half of her sandwich. "I've kind of lost my appetite today."

"Why's that?" Yugi took the sandwich gratefully.

"Let's just say my morning hasn't been much better than yours," Kira admitted. "Somehow glue got into all my books. I couldn't get any of them open without help. Not to mention my chair in history broke the moment I sat down. Apparently somebody took out the screws."

Joey and Tristan snickered at this until Tea glared at them, "But who would pull a prank like that?" she asked.

Kira shrugged. "If someone is behind it, I'll make sure they regret it."

"If someone is, that might explain Yugi's bad day too," Tristan suggested.

"But who would be after Yugi?" Tea said in surprise.

Joey gave her a funny look, "Don't forget the enemies he made back at Duelist Kingdom."

Tea raised an eyebrow, "I think that's being a little paranoid."

"Maybe you're right," Joey grinned, raising a hand behind his head. Tea only shook her head in exasperation.

"Duelist Kingdom?" Kira spoke up, "I think I heard about that."

"It was only the biggest Duel Monsters Tournament ever!" Joey pointed out, amazed at the thought that anybody could not know such an obvious fact.

"Yeah," Kira nodded. "I overheard someone talking about it. It was supposed to be really elite... So, you went to that," she looked at Yugi with a mild interest.

"Yeah," Yugi shrugged modestly.

"Maybe you could help me out then," Kira continued. "I was wondering, if, well, maybe you could teach me how to play?"

"What?" Yugi put down the sandwich and stared at her, losing it, but not in an obvious way. Meanwhile, Joey took to distracting Kira, never missing the chance to brag about his part in the tournament.

Hikari.

What? Yugi asked again, this time inside his head.

Be careful.

It's only Kira. Yugi was amazed at the seriousness in his yami's voice.

Still. There's something different about her. And her skills.

What do you mean?

She almost beat you before.

Yugi fought the urge to laugh at the almost absurdity of it all. That was chess, Yami. This is Duel Monsters. This is my...our game.

Just play smart.

I always do.

"Yugi?" Kira was now staring intently into his face.

"Huh? Oh yeah, sure. I can teach you." He smiled.

"Good," Kira settled back. "For a moment there, it looked like you were about to freak."

Yugi lost his smile. I wasn't, but Yami almost did. And if there's something that he's worried about, it can't be good.

okay, well, neways, i wanted to keep going a little more, but i figured it's better to at least let u guys know i'm still alive, but yeah, i dunno if that scene was just confusing or what, but i figure everything can't be all dark and evilly emotional all the time...but neways...

joey