Kitty: I thought of writing one more chapter before this weekend is over...after all, after not writing for so long, two chapters so close together should help me feel less guilty.

Yugi: (hugs Kitty) That, and you just wanted to write.

Kitty: Do I ever not want to?

Yugi: (thinks) ...no.

Kitty: Exactly. (grins)

Noa: R&R!

Chapter Fourteen:

Riddles and Writing

Marik went straight up to the Slytherin common room instead of going to his next class, as to change clothes and see what he could save out of all the ink-stained stuff in his bag.

'I'm going to kill both the dwarf and Lockhart for this,' the Tomb Keeper thought to himself.

He sighed as he took off his shirt, before rummaging through his set of drawers for a new one.

After changing into a new set of clothes, Marik dumped everything in his bag onto the floor for a damage report.

'Damn,' he thought, looking from each of his ruined schoolbooks from the next, 'Guess I'll be sharing with Seto-kun and Dare-kun for the next few days.'

It was as Marik was examining the damage of his books that he found one book completely dry of any ink.

'T. M. Riddle's diary?' he asked himself.

He looked from his ruined Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2, and again at the diary.

'Hmm…'

He flipped through the diary to look at all of the pages, but there wasn't a single drop on any of the pages.

'That's odd…'

Getting curious, Marik took a spare quill off his bedside table, and dipped it into some of the ink on his schoolbooks. Then he opened the diary to the first page and dropped a huge blot toward the top of it.

He blinked, waiting…

And then his eyes widened.

The ink stain was gone!

Feeling excitement course through him and questions dart through his mind, Marik wrote a single sentence on the page:

My name is Marik Ishtar.

And again, the sentence was sucked into the page. Then, to Marik's shock, a sentence appeared in his place, using his ink but written by a different hand.

Hello, Marik Ishtar. My name is Tom Riddle. How did you find my diary?

Marik at first didn't know how to respond to this: or, indeed, to respond or not. Then, after a minute of inner questioning, he wrote back,

Someone tried to flush it down a toilet.

He waited as the sentence vanished, and another sentence took its place.

Good thing I kept my memories documented in a safer way than writing. There are definitely things some of the teachers wouldn't want students to know about that I do.

What do you mean? Do you mean things about the Chamber of Secrets? Marik wrote back quickly, his heart thumping in his chest like a huge African Congo drum.

There was a pause. Then Riddle wrote back,

Of course I do. Why? Has the Heir of Slytherin struck again?

Marik was surprised. Yes! How did you know?

I always knew he would, Riddle replied, He wasn't imprisoned last time, and the monster wasn't destroyed. It was only a matter of time until he came back.

Marik felt some sweat trickle down his forehead.

'If Riddle knows as much as he's hinting about the Chamber of Secrets,' he thought to himself, 'I could help Ryou-kun and Yugi-kun…and the whole school, for that matter…'

Who's the Heir of Slytherin?

There was another pause. Then Riddle wrote,

I can't tell you that. After I caught him, the school gave me a big shiny trophy and warned me to keep my mouth shut, so technically I can't tell…

Marik's heart sank. 'Looks like I can't help after all…'

What Marik hadn't realized yet was that Riddle hadn't finished writing, and then, a couple spaces down the page, another sentence wrote itself out,

But I could always show you.

Marik's eyes widened, as the book's pages started flipping rapidly, to a page marked June 13th; there was a huge gust of wind coming from nowhere, and as quickly as he was there, Marik was gone.

During the next few classes, Seto thought about writing a letter to Kitty. He reckoned that she and the others would want an update about the attacks, as well as how they were doing.

He bit the top of his quill, thinking, before dipping the quill into a bottle of ink and starting to write.

Dear Neko-chan,

I know we've never been on the best of terms ever since we first met, but as Yugi-kun has been Petrified and is now lying in the Hospital Wing, there isn't really another way for you and the others to get any news from our end.

Ryou-kun was petrified shortly before your response to his letter came on Christmas, and we all miss him unwaveringly. Harry-kun has been holding onto Yugi-kun's Puzzle and looking after Atem-kun, so you don't need to worry about him, at least. Dare-kun also has taken Ryou-kun's Ring and has been Bakura's substitute host, but I think Bakura's been helping her out just as much as she's been helping him.

The good news is that we may have found a clue to help us solve the mystery surrounding the Chamber of Secrets. It's an old diary that used to belong to this guy named T. M. Riddle, who went to Hogwarts 50 years ago and therefore might know who opened the Chamber the first time. The only problem with this theory is that the diary seems to be blank, but Marik has been examining it for traces of ancient magic. Hopefully it'll be able to answer some of our questions.

Again, I know we've never really gotten along before all that well and we probably never will, but I do know you care about Yugi-kun and I know you know I do too, even if we'll always be dueling rivals. I'll keep writing to you for news and updates, and I expect you to do the same, as Japan seems even farther away than usual. Pass on my love to Melisanne and Mokuba-chan.

Ja Ne,

Seto

At dinner, Seto came over to join Harry, Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. But as the plates filled up with food, two of their number remained missing.

"Where's Dare and Marik?" asked Harry.

"Dare went to the Hospital Wing," said Hermione quickly, "I don't know about Marik."

"But why did Dare-kun go to the Hospital Wing?" Seto raised an eyebrow, "Hasn't Artemis already been dealt with?"

Hermione sighed. "It has nothing to do with Artemis…Dare's been making herself sick."

"WHAT?" shouted Harry and a newly appeared Atem at the same time, making a few Gryffindors turn to look at them.

Hermione glared at the supposed eavesdroppers, and they quickly turned to go back to their own conversations.

"Bakura caught her doing it after breakfast this morning," Hermione explained, "He took over Dare's body, which was kind of creepy-looking…"

"What did Dare-kun look like with Bakura in control?" a newly appeared Seth asked curiously.

"Her hair was up in a few places and her eyes were brown," replied Hermione, "Anyway, Bakura told me she's been doing it for a while, whenever she feels like she's 'under pressure'…Bakura didn't quite know what she meant by that, but I have a suspicion."

"And what is that?" inquired Atem, putting his head on top of Harry's as he floated in thin air.

"I think it has to do with when puberty hits her in various ways," Hermione told them as quietly as she could.

"What, you think this is her version of PMS, Mione?" Ron said in disgust.

"No, not PMS, Ron," snapped Hermione, "Bakura said that she made herself throw up after receiving that valentine, right? Well, that would mean someone had a crush on her. Why she'd hate that is my question…"

Ron's eyes widened. "Dare's mum…of course."

"What about Dare's mother?" Harry asked.

Ron didn't have a chance to answer, however, because right then Marik came over.

"There you are!" Seto smirked, "We've been wondering where you were."

Marik's face was very pale and he sat down abruptly next to Hermione as he whispered, "I know who the Heir of Slytherin is."

Kitty: And the suspence increases...

Lina: (glares) Does it EVER decrease?

Kitty: When the story's over.

Lina: (sweatdrop) Oh, THAT'S helpful.

Kitty: (grins) Reviews?

Kara: (looks in the review box) Kyte's first.

Kitty: At least someone knows how it feels. I've felt this way for four years, ever since 6th grade... (sighs)

Yugi: (kisses his girlfriend's cheek) I officially hate Kitty's two directors.

Kitty: Don't, Yugi. Only hate Ms. Meyer. (growls) SHE's the one who chose all those untalented preps to perform instead of me.

Noa: (grabs Ms. Meyer and throws her into a sea of pirahanas) MWAHAHA

Kitty: (glomps her best friend) Thanks, dude. You made me feel a lot better.

Diana: (hugs Bakura)

Lina: (fuming in the corner)

Bakura: (blushing) Heh. You bet she is. Not that I didn't like it...

Diana: Next is Claire!

Kitty: Don't we all wait eagerly for the bash Lockhart and Malfoy chapter? (grins evilly) One less chapter 'til then!

Lina: I hate Mondays.

Kitty: Me too.

Yugi: Me three.

Kitty: Sad to say, the Valentine shall remain secret for quite a while yet.

Lina: Dare's also like a half-bulimic. She's not doing it for weight issues, but it doesn't stop it from being unhealthy and disgusting.

Kitty: And Yugi and I'd be honored. (smiles)

Kara: And...Engie!

Kitty: You really are! It is kinda cool. (grins widely)

Yugi: And we can always wonder...

Diana: (hugs Bakura tighter and grins)

Lina: (glares at Diana and Bakura) Onward to aNiMe-AzN-aNgEl.

Kitty: (tears form in her eyes) I'm sorry...

Bakura: (pulls out of her arms) There's a reason to that neither Kitty nor I won't reveal now!

Lina: (growls under her breath)

Kitty: It's understandable for you to think that way; but no, it's not Bakura. (shrugs)

Kara: Now to Seto's Girl 2004's review.

Kitty: (goes into the corner and cries)

Yugi: As Kitty has said time and again, she can't guarantee that any of the chars are safe. And I will not let you hunt down my Kitten! (glomps Kitty possesively)

Kitty: (sniff) I'm glad you like it, though...

Lina: Next is Setoglomper.

Noa: (sweatdrop) Two fans of my step-brother's in a row? Geez.

Seto: (sigh) Just goes to show you that Kitty is the only one who likes to torment me...

Kitty: I AM NOT! Joey likes it too, don't ya, Joey?

Joey: I'll say yes, as I do and if I said no, Kitty would be ready to kill me.

Kitty: No, I couldn't do that to you after the latest episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! FIRST YUGI AND NOW YOU! (begins to cry)

Yugi and Joey: (both hug Kitty to make her feel better)

Lina: (sweatdrop) Let's answer the review, please.

Kitty: Right. (sweatdrop) I'll do that. (grins) You'll have to wait for the Bash-a-thon, but certainly! And I'll update again soon.

Diana: The next review is from our dear friend Rainbow Guardian Angel.

Bakura: (pulls out of Mizumi's arms) What is it with everyone hugging me today?

Kitty: They're taking advantage of your sweetness toward Dare; otherwise, they'd run and hide.

Lina: (bares her fangs) STAY AWAY FROM MY BAKURA-CHAN! (glomps Bakura)

Diana: (glares at Lina) He's my friend, Lina.

Lina: (glares back) Tel me, do you want your grave to be made of limestone or marble?

Kitty: (sweatdrop) Now who's not answering the reviews? (sigh) I hate pink too.

Marik: (goes white) Uh, no, wasn't me! Dare-kun's only a friend, and besides, I'm most definitely taken!

Kara: (glomps Marik) Mine. (kisses her boyfriend's cheek)

Yugi: (hugs Mizumi back) Same here!

Atem: (gets hugged by Mizumi) Never thought a snake could be so pampered... Then again, Kitty pampers her dog Yami plenty. (sweatdrop)

Kitty: I luvsies my puppy. (glomps Yami)

Diana: And now we reply to ZeldaAlly's review.

Kitty: OMG! I'm so sorry! I forgot about Jake!

Yugi: (looks at the tree where he was tied up) Hey...where'd he go?

Kitty: We neglected his shooting, and now he's escaped! SEARCH FOR HIM! HE'S IN THE ROOM! WHOEVER FINDS HIM FIRST, SHOOT HIM!

(they search)

Bakura: (sees Jake trying to run out the door) AHA! (shoots him in the legs to stop him from running)

Jake: Owchies!

Bakura: Take this, bastard. (FIRES!)

Jake: (has so many holes in him he looks like Swiss cheese)

Kitty: Now that's over...we can speak to dark sorceress of egypt.

Diana: (sighs) I hate Valentines...

Kitty: I am planning to have Lockhart join the Bash-a-thon, and I can't wait to see your rocket-shooting skills then!

Ryou: (blushes) Thanks.

Kara: Finally, last but certainly not least is ANAYAS-CREATOR.

Kitty: Believe me, it made me sick too.

Lina: How long are you going to keep us wondering about of that valentine?

Kitty: Hmm...for at least one more fanfiction.

Everyone: (glares at Kitty)

Kitty: What?

Bakura: Hey, Dare, ANAYAS actually has some sense!

Diana: (sighs) I know, I know...

Kitty: Luckily, this is probably gonna be the end of all that.

Lina: Kitty went NYC, and the photos just got developed.

Kitty: Yeppers! (smiles) I posted some of the best on my Xanga, which you can find in my profile if you're interested.

Yugi: Balto rocks.

Kitty: YES! I was able to glomp Balto! THE MOST AWESOMENESS DOG IN THE WHOLE WORLD!

Yami, Kitty's Dog: (whines)

Kitty: Besides you, Yami. (kisses the top of her dog's head)

Seto: R&R!