Her Sweetness: Okay, here's the deal. I was looking at those hit things; you know what I'm talking about? The counter they put on the fanfics to monitor how many people have looked at the chapters. Right now, I have about 64 reviews. Do you know how many hits I have for this?

Over 400!

Someone is not reviewing. And I am not happy.

Motel 37

Chapter 7:

"Ugh… Dammit, Marik, can't you see when I'm trying to do something nice for you?"

Yami growled to himself right before he'd hit the beginning of the hallway. Of course, the others weren't within hearing distance and so Marik didn't hear what Yami had said at all. But then, Yami didn't want him to hear. He'd just put up a fight and they'd spend ten minutes arguing over nothing. And that would delay Yami's journey to the basement to turn on the circuit breaker.

But don't get me wrong; he had no desire to go at all. The whole thing frightened him to death. If the floors weren't covered in water up to his waist, everyone would've seen his knees knocking together. The only reason he volunteered was because of Shivers' off suggestion towards Marik. The way he and Shakes had been starring at the boy did not go unnoticed. He didn't think it was exactly safe for Marik to go down this dark hallway, with that large man, Shakes, around, carry buckets of blood. Maybe it was just him… but it didn't sound like something good.

So he took the job instead, still thinking of himself as the Responsible One. It was a fact. It seemed to Yami that neither Marik nor Bakura had acquired this thing called 'common sense'. And they showed it in so many ways… If they were going to make it out of this motel with all their limbs, they were going to need at least one level head, yes?

Yami nodded to himself, stepping onto the red carpet. The lobby was in two feet of water, but the hallway went up a ramp and so there was mild dampness. Oddly enough, though, there were no candles in this hallway. Not like the other one with their rooms, which happened to have at least two candles every twenty feet. But here was straight darkness. And Yami wondered just how he was supposed to find the stupid fuse box.

'Let's see…' He thought, standing still for a moment, 'Shivers said that the basement was forty paces down here… and then there'd be stairs. And the basement should be right there… I sure hope it's as easy as he makes it sound.'

The boy put one shaky foot in front of the other. He wanted to count every step because the stairs might be on the forty-first step, and falling down the stairs face-first would not be something he'd want to do. Step number three, four, five… It was a good thing his hikari had taught him to count up to one hundred and two, or else he'd be in a bit of trouble. Step number ten, eleven, twelve…

Yami…Yami, bring him…

"Ah." Yami stopped, looking around himself wildly. The darkness remained still and unwavering. He took in a deep breath. 'I-I could've sworn… Something… someone said something.' Continuing his path down the hallway, faster than he began, he encountered a problem. He'd forgotten which number he'd stopped on. Being the smart Pharaoh that he was, he decided the best thing to do would be to go back to the lobby and start again. And just maybe he could get someone to accompany him.

He turned around and began walking in the direction of the lobby. It wasn't more than five feet back when he thought he'd heard something again. Yami cringed, taking a step back. The heel of his foot landed on something other than the floor, something rather hard. Yami straightened and lifted his hand up to his ear and felt something behind him. Something taller than him; breathing, heaving in and out.

"AAAHHHH!" Yami let out a terrified scream and ran, doubling back and sprinting down the hallway, running into a wall and falling down.

Somewhere, sunny and bright, on the coast of the Bahamas, the Chilly Water Resort was shining in the warmth of the sun. It was about twelve noon and there was not a cloud in the sky, just a lovely building admiring the brilliance of the crystal sea. Though it was such a wonderful day outside, three hikaris opted for the air-conditioned comfort of the indoors. All three receiving a manicure and pedicure, complements of the hotel staff.

They were relaxing in the room, cucumbers on their eyes and letting their facials set I as their feet rested in a small tub, full of minerals and oils. Three slightly pudgy ladies were taking care of their nails and cuticles as they leaned back in the leather chairs and taking in all of this pampering.

"Ah…" They sighed in unison.

Ryou smiled, "I don't understand why we don't just stay on vacation…"

"Yeah…" Malik nodded slightly, "I see nothing wrong with that…"

"I'm sure our yamis won't miss us if we stay for another three weeks or so…" Yugi chimed in, sighing contently.

Both Ryou and Malik nodded in agreement.

"No more chores…"

"No more school…"

"No more hideously maiming innocents…"

"…!" Yugi and Ryou lifted their cucumbers and starred over at Malik. He looked around and shrugged. They winced at this seemingly non-caring expression and Malik pouted, "Oh, c'mon! Don't act like you guys don't do the same thing."

Yugi raised an eyebrow and was about to say something but before he could, a blue flash passed before his eyes. He gasped and shook his head, trying to clear some odd feeling he was having. His ears felt waterlogged and he tried to pop them, but didn't have much luck. Ryou noticed his friend's obvious discomfort and tapped him on the shoulder, "Yugi…?"

"I… I'm fine." He blinked a few times and smiled up at Ryou, Malik as well, "It was weird. I just thought I heard something."

"What was it?" Malik asked.

"Sounded a lot like Yami's voice, but I know it couldn't be. Hmm. I don't know, it sounded like he was upset… maybe he's hurt or something."

"Maybe he fell down some stairs, again?"

"Uh, no-"

"He probably got caught peeing on a cop car again."

"How did you-"

"Someone could've bitten his toe off again. By the way, did the last one ever grow back?"

"Not that I know of."

"That's a shame, how does he were those leather boots?"

"WAIT A MINUTE!" Yugi shouted, stopping the taller hikaris' conversation about his yami, "Just how do you two know about all that stuff Yami did? What, is it public knowledge or something?"

"Yugi," Malik looked at him, "Haven't you ever heard of tabloids?"

"B-But… Ah, never mind. I'm not going to ask. The point is that I think Yami is in danger. And Marik and Bakura might be too, you guys. I know Grandpa's there too, but still… Shouldn't we just see what's going on?"

Ryou blinked and then nodded, "Alright Yugi, I'm curious to know just what it is you're talking about."

"Malik?"

"Hmm? Oh, sure, I don't care."

Yugi beamed and pulled a little black cell phone from the fluffy white pocket of his robe. He flipped it open and dialed seven special numbers, his Grandfather's cell phone was the only one they had with them. He listened for a moment and it began to ring. One ring, two, three…

Somewhere in the winding hallways, the twisting corridors, the large Motel 37, something moved. Slightly. He starred up at what he thought was the ceiling. The darkness had stopped spinning and now he could see nothing just fine. Had he been knocked out? For how long? No, that wasn't possible. It had barely been ten minutes and for some reason his back was wet. He worried for a minute. Hopping with everything he had that his back, the leather shirt that he'd paid thirty dollars for, was not drenched in his own blood. Of course it'd be even worse if it was someone else's blood. Aids.

Yami gasped as liquid was now seeping into his choker. 'What?' He sat up and looked down, not being able to see, but knowing that this was not blood. It wasn't at all thick enough. Water.

"Oh no!" He stood in a hurry, "If the water's rising here then… the lobby must be over flowing! Okay, okay… gotta find the basement." Yami turned around and sighed. He'd forgotten that he didn't know which way was which now. He'd been running and that's why he came to on the floor. Something had made him run and scream. He jerked his head around, listening for a voice or waiting for a figure.

Suddenly, out of the darkness came a ball of soft, bouncing light. The orange glow came closer and Yami backed to the wall, squinting. He was about to take off again but before he could, a familiar voice sounded in his ears.

"Mr. Motou?" It was just Shakes. He was carrying a candle in his hand, and looking down at the frightened, spiky-haired boy. "Is that you?"

"Ah… Shakes. I-It's you. What are you doing down here?"

"… Well, sir, I came back to the lobby and everyone's in about five feet of water. Mr. Shivers was getting worried, his exact words were Just bring him to the fuse box, it doesn't matter anymore, just bring him to the fuse box! And that's all he said."

Yami blinked, "Uh, hey, Shakes… Were you down here a little earlier? I mean, without the candle?"

"No. Mr. Motou, we should really be getting to the basement…" He started to walk past Yami, the bouncing candlelight going with him. Yami hurried after him, not wanting to be left alone again.

… The ninth ring. That was the ninth ring and the forth phone call. Not one was answered. The phone was heavy and uncomfortable in the overall's top pocket. Though the discomfort went unnoticed and so it was fine. It was tipping, though, the antennae had been peeking out of the pocket for almost four hours. It didn't fall, just hung their from the corner of the pocket by the left suspender. After the ringing, it jiggled a little and there was no one to tuck back into it's pocket.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Brown working boots were wet.

"…"

Water surrounded them as they almost floated off the ground. This was getting annoying. Having your shoes wet was something Bakura could handle. And yes, even having your pants wet was something that could be enjoyed. But swimming in name brand clothes was not something he wanted to handle or even wanted to think about. Ryou had told him these were dry-clean only. He was going to be furious.

"Alright. I'm not happy!" Bakura gurgled, planting his feet back on the underwater floor. He refused to be carried with the tide like a piece of lose seaweed, "Where the hell is that so-called Pharaoh!"

Marik was floating right next to him, "He's probably off playing tiddlywinks! I swear, when I get my hands on him… I knew I should've went, I just knew it! That bakayaro does nothing right. Hey, Shivers! Didn't you send your goon to get him?"

"…" Shivers was barely hovering above the surface. As before mentioned he was not a good swimmer and looked rather silly dogpaddling around the perimeter. So, he flipped his feet quietly back and forth, hoping to look somewhat dignified. "Shakes went off to help Mr. Motou to get to the basement. I assume he was lost. And besides that we can't wait any longer. If I cant patch up the door, then-"

"We can all kiss our butts goodbye." Bakura finished.

Shivers glanced over at Bakura, shaking his head. "Ahem. Mr. Marik, I do agree. It should have been you to go…"

"C-CAN'T SWIM! I-I CAN'T SWIM!" Brittany was doing her best to stay afloat. She wasn't doing to well and kept bumping into the wall in the darkness. She sincerely hopped there were no water snakes.

"Shouldn't someone help her?" The other man asked, whose name, Marik and Bakura found out, was Tim, "She might be drowning."

"Eh, let her. I've got my own problems." Marik frowned, trying to fix his hair. He used nowhere near as much gel as Yami did, but his could just as easily be washed out by water.

Suddenly the entire room was lit. Florescent lighting from the bare bulbs on the ceiling shown down on the murky water. Marik and Bakura looked at each other, laughing in unison about the condition of each other's hair. They then frowned and consulted each other on which gel to use to prevent these kinds of accidents.

"Oh, I use the same kind Yami and Yugi do, it's just I use a lot less."

"My hair is naturally spiky, I just need a few globs of Sassy Girl Gel every morning and I'm good to go. I really don't know how I survived this morning, but I guess I was just lucky."

Marik eyed Bakura, getting a little freaked out. That was not something just anyone said to anyone else. 'This kind of secret must be handled with care,' He thought.

"Bakura, whatever your problem is, I bet it's hard to pronounce."

"…!"

"H-Hi, everyone!" Panted Yami, swimming over. He had just come sprinting down the hallway and leapt into the water, wanting to get out of there as fast as he could. He noticed that Shivers was making Tim and Brittany pail out all the water. They decided to help too. Yami saved what he had to tell them for later.