Lia: Erm, hello everybody, it's been a while, huh? Well, now that I'm finally back, I suppose it's time for a Ritsu Sohma impression…

I am so sorry! I apologise to all the fans! I apologise to the ever-patient reviewers! I apologise to the web site! I apologise to the Internet! I apologise to all those who know me! I apologise to the Moon! To the Sun! To the Stars! I apologise to the entire Universe! I'M SO SORRY I HAVEN'T UPDATED!

(phew, tired now!)

…There is no excuse for my terrible behaviour. (Really, there isn't, unless you count the fact that I'm lazy.) But the main thing now is that I'm back, right?

A lot has changed since I last updated. It's New Year, obviously, and there have been a few new things in my life, so to speak. (let's just say I 'ent single any more…) And there's something else happening, but I can't quite remember……

(Suddenly various animé characters and authors, including Yugi, Mai and Luff, the Sohma family, Tala, Kai and Ray, Yoh, Lenny and Trey and Yami, Bakura and Marik, burst in carrying a cake, on which is 16 candles, and several brightly-wrapped presents)

All: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIA!

Lia: That's right, folks, it's my birthday, YAY! (takes pressies from Yami, who was only there to carry the gifts) Aw, thanks guys! - Let's have a party!

(Thanks to the magic of ANY-THING-IS-POSSIBLE-IN-A-XARAGI-AUTHOR-NOTE productions, brought to you by Kaiba Corp, the screen is suddenly transformed into a balloon-filled, streamer-decorated, confetti-filled mess)

Lia: And 'cos I don't like to leave people out, here is my gift to you: The next (albeit short) chapter of Wish Lists! Read on and review, but please be nice (it's my birthday after all…)

DISCLAIMER: I. Don't. Own. The. Bloody. Thing. So stop suing me!

MENTIONS: I wanna say a big big big big big THANK YOU to the author Reis#1girl (sorry for miss-spellings). Your review was really great and it made me feel a lot better, so thanks very much! - This one's for you, whoever and where ever you are…

A soft yet cruel laughter sounded behind Kai and a familiar voice that was colder than the snow around it spoke.

"Hello, Kai."

Kai spun round, his fist tightening around the red material he held.

"You." His voice filled with anger as recognition flickered across his face.

The redhead smirked in an obnoxious manner. "Nice to see you again, Kai." There was more than a hint of sarcasm in Tala's voice.

"The feeling is NOT mutual," Kai replied in a tone identical to his rival's. "What the hell do you want, Valkov."

The smirk returned. "I don't want anything, Kai, but I know you do. That's a nice headband you've got there," He gestured at Kai's right hand. "But I don't recall red as being your colour. Then again, that doesn't belong to you, does it?" He laughed coldly at Kai's face as the bluenette sussed out why Tala was here.

"You bastard," Kai growled. "What have you done with Ray?"

"Who, me?" Tala said, mock-innocently. "I didn't have anything to with ickle Konny's vanishing act." He laughed again, cruelly. "I suppose you could say, he's gone to a 'not-so-better place', hahah-OUCH!"

As Tala had been monologuing, Kai's anger had got the better of him, and he had punched Tala in the face.

As he lunged in for another hit, Tala grabbed his arm, circling around him and twisting it behind his back in one swift movement. Doing the same to Kai's other arm, Tala leaned over Kai's shoulder, whispering in his ear.

"You want to know where your precious little love is, Hiwatari? Don't look so surprised, I know all about your little crush, it is rather obvious, after all. I've been following you for some time now, you know, watching you from alleys and rooftops. I must say, your little sprint through the street just now, running towards your love, it was very…nauseous,"

Kai was struggling against Tala's grip, but he was forced to his knees by Tala's knee connecting sharply with the small of his back.

"Keep still, you unworthy piece of crap!" Tala spat. "Like I was saying," he continued in an acid tone. "I know where Ray is, and, such a nice guy that I am, I can take you to him. In fact, that's why I'm here. Now, are you going to come with me like a nice boy, or do I have to treat you like the pathetic dog that you are and put you out of your misery?" Kai froze as he felt the cold steel barrel of a gun being pressed against the side of his head.

"It's up to you, Kai," said Tala. "Are you coming with me, or not?"

Kneeling in the bitterly cold, snow-covered street, the gun against his head, Kai knew he had no choice in the matter, if he wanted to live, that is.

He muttered his reply to the snow at his feet, inaudibly.

"I can't quite hear you," Tala smirked, clearly he was enjoying this, in a twisted way. "What was your choice?"

Kai raised his head best he could, turning to glare at Tala. "I said, I'll go with you."

"Right answer." Tala pulled him to his feet, and, still holding his arms behind his back and the gun to his head, led Kai to the black limo that was waiting for them.

Darkness.

Shadows flicker around the walls. Water drips from a source that's out of sight. It is the only sound, apart from the occasional rattle of chains as the sole occupant of this dungeon shifts in his misery.

Ray sits alone, huddled in a corner of the small, dank and cold prison, shivering from something other than the low temperature. His long raven hair hangs loose over his bare shoulders and bangs fall across his dirty face that is turned to the floor.

There seems to be a noise outside. Ray looks up, amber eyes that have lost their sparkle now fill with fear as he wonders what new discomfort is no doubt coming his way. He shudders as he remembers coming round with concussion to find himself in the company of his kidnapper's leader, the horror as he realised who it was and what their intentions were, and the way they had beaten him, over and over, just for the hell of it…

But possibly there worst thing, far more terrible than the physical suffering, was the role that Ray was to play in the impending events. His attackers had taken great pleasure in taunting him as they had dragged him to this prison.

He was to be bait. The bait that would lead the only person he had ever cared for into a deadly trap that could cost so many lives…

Tears formed in Ray's eyes, making streaks down the dirt on his face. He was surprised that he had anything left to cry with, he had been weeping for many hours, the manacles encircling his wrists preventing him from wiping the tears away. He was left sitting there, chained up like an animal, feeling hollow and numb.

"Imagine, the look he'll have on his face," They had hissed, their words cutting like knives on his soul. "Imagine how he's going to feel when he realises it's all your fault…"

Fresh tears fell fast down Ray's face. It was all his fault…

'What have I done?' he thought miserably. 'He'll hate me for leading him to this mess…Oh, Kai, please…forgive me…'

The heavy bolts on the dungeon door were dragged back, and the door squeaked as it was pulled open. A small spot of light flooded the floor, illuminating the figure that had just been thrown onto the dungeon floor, also chained, blonde hair streaked with drying blood.

The door was slammed shut and re-locked moments after Ray recognised the pathetic looking figure.

"Max?"

Lia: Well that's the end of that. For now. Poor Ray, being shut in a dungeon with Max! I couldn't think of anything worse…

Well, byesies for now, see you soon! (Hopefully a little sooner than last updates!)

Please review! It's the only way to save Ray from this horrible Tate- er, I mean, fate!