hi...it's been a while, i know, my apologies - to u and to myself. i really wanted to get a chapter out at least once a week, but i've been slacking...but yay - i've at least hit a writing spree & some free time, so I should have a second chapter up in a few days...

Thanx to R Amythest - tricycles, chill pills, and chibi spray, oh my!
and to mom-mi-oh for always finding something good to say, and for helping me out on my other story. i should be sending u the second half of chapter one real soon... you've already been an awesome help!

and as far as this chapter is concerned, i cut it off because it kept going and didn't wanna stop, so the rest is coming soon, but yeah, it's a little weird, and Mai is kinda OOC, but that's what fanfics are about....right??? ;

lol...i'm in a strange mood, so go read!

Part 2 (Chapter 5) – Teasers...

After a rather stressful lunch, Yugi continued half-heartedly on to gym class. Kira wants to learn Duel Monsters. But why now? He had no real objection to teaching her the game. Well, okay, so Yami had a problem with it, but he would be careful. Besides, Yami was the King of Games, he couldn't be beaten. Could he? With a shiver, Yugi remembered what Yami had told him a while back:

I have never lost any challenge set before me...it is what keeps me alive.

If he was beaten, would Yami really die?

But if Kira was a strong as she seemed, would she even allow that to happen?

And just who was the master of Kira's game? Was it her...or Kali?

They still knew very little about the dark spirit that had once plagued Kira. She seemed fine with things now, but Kali had worked for Bakura. Could there be any deceit still left in her? Maybe Kira was still in as much danger as Yami. And with no word from the Shadow Realms, Yugi was getting anxious about his friends - about Yami, Kali, Kira, and especially Ryou.

But moments later, Yugi was brought out of his deep thoughts by a more disturbing scene. I don't believe it!!!

Yugi? What's wrong?!

Yugi just stared at the empty locker before him. It hadn't been jammed, but might as well have been. My gym clothes!

Huh?

They're gone!

Today really isn't your day, is it?

Tell me about it! Yugi moaned aloud, burying his head in his hands.

Hikari, don't be like this.

Forgive me for having a bad day, Yami. It happens. Yugi spoke with a slight bit of sarcasm.

That's not what I meant, Yugi. I just don't like seeing you so down. I'm afraid I'm not the best at cheering people up. My sense of humor is somewhat...lacking.

Yeah, by about 5000 years worth, Yugi pointed out, managing a smile.

Can't argue there. Yami was smiling too.

Thanks, Yami. It's enough just to know you're always there for me.

What can I say? We seem to be stuck together.

I suppose I should look on the bright side. A lot of worse things could have happened.

True. Besides, your clothes did show up, didn't they?

After class.

Still...

"Hey, Yugi!" Mai came running up moments later. School had been out for about fifteen minutes already, but there were still people leaving.

"Hey, Mai," Yugi managed a smile. His other friends had already come and gone, but Kira hadn't showed up yet, and she had asked him to wait for her.

"You look pretty down for someone who got to skip gym class," she commented lightly.

Yugi shrugged, "With everything else that's happened, it hasn't exactly been the best of days. Besides, the teacher still made me run laps."

"Oh," Mai looked slightly uncomfortable. "Well."

Wait a minute...

Huh?

Did you say...

Yugi caught Yami's meaning quickly. "How did you hear about that anyway? I didn't mention anything to the others."

Mai shrugged uneasily, avoiding Yugi's probing look. "News gets around... Hey, look, I gotta go," she turned quickly, but was stopped by the softly serious tone in Yugi's voice.

"You can't lie."

Mai didn't turn around. "I fooled you all pretty well at Duelist Kingdom."

"True, but we're friends now," Yugi pointed out. "I'm not mad, Mai. I just want to know."

Mai glanced over her shoulder, her expression tight, "I..."

"Yugi!"

Mai sighed in relief as Kira came running over.

"I still want an answer," Yugi said before she could leave, then turned to face Kira. "What's up?"

"Sorry I'm late," Kira paused to catch her breath. "I had to stay after class."

"Why?" Mai couldn't resist asking.

Kira rolled her eyes in annoyance, "My pager went off."

"Guess you learned your lesson," Mai commented.

"Yeah," Kira eyed her, "Especially since I don't even own a pager...or a cell phone, or anything like that for that matter."

"Wierd," Mai spoke neutrally, avoiding the looks that Yugi was shooting her. He had a strong suspicion about the reason both he and Kira were having a bad day.

"Yeah," Kira matched her tone in an almost challenge. "And the funniest thing? There was a maker's label on the back - for Kaiba Corp."

Yugi was surprised at this. Raising his eyebrows, he turned back to Mai. "You and Kaiba? Actually working together, or is this just an absolutely remarkable coincidence? Either way, it's a twist I didn't expect."

Kira looked from Yugi's challenging expression to Mai's definite embarrassment, and started to sort things out.

Mai stood silent for a moment, still staring at the ground, then finally glanced up. "Serves you both right."

"Huh?" they echoed in unison.

"That whole thing at the dance. Leaving us together, and then the constant taunts."

Yugi stared in surprise, "You're still bitter about that?"

Mai bit her lip, "I wouldn't say bitter really, but it was sorta embarrassing, and the two of you didn't really help things."

"Wow," Kira spoke with the same innocence as she had that night, "I didn't realize you're relationship with him was so sensitive."

Yugi choked back laughter as Mai blew up. "I'm not!!! I can't stand that egotistical jerk, I'm just using him to get back at you."

"Ouch," Kira smirked. "I definitely rubbed a nerve there."

Mai fumed.

Kira smiled, putting both Mai and Yugi on edge. "No worries, Mai. I understand why you did it. No hard feelings," she offered a hand.

Mai eyed her suspiciously, "Really?"

"Sure," Kira assured her. "I think the whole thing was rather hilarious." Her eyes narrowed despite the fact that her grin remained. "So funny, in fact, that I'd watch my step tomorrow, if I were you."

Mai's eyes widened.

"They can't do that to our buddy!" Joey was looking outraged.

"Yeah," Tristan chimed in with an equally upset expression.

"I don't know guys," Tea was hesitant. "Do you think it's right?"

"Since when has that stopped us?" Joey demanded.

Tea sighed, "Good point. But what I mean...is it really such a big deal? So they played a couple pranks. Whatever happened to not taking revenge and all that "love thy neighbor" stuff Yugi usually tries to follow through on?"

"It's all in fun," Kira objected.

"Besides, we're not Yugi." Tristan pointed out.

"He's right, Tea," Joey clenched his fists. "This means war."

Tea only shook her head, "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Welcome, welcome,
welcome...to the world of Yu-Gi-Oh
In to the world we go, oh, oh, oh
Welcome, welcome,
welcome...to the world of Yu-Gi-Oh......

um...hi? '