-le gasp!- You all actually like DC? Amazing... But, anyway, I wanted to really spice things up but, seeing as how I'm practically through with DC, I won't get to do what I wanted to do and bring Jou in as Ryou's date. Oh, well.

---

Ryou groaned, pushing the sheets away from his half-naked body. He was burning up and for a moment thought he even had a fever. He quickly jumped from his bed, put on a long T-shirt, and hoped down the stairs in anxiousness. As he rounded the corner of the staircase, his eyes widened beyond the size of saucers. Once again, he had caught Airashii and Bakura doing something they shouldn't have.

"Baku-! Stop that!" Airashii giggled as Bakura continued to fake dance with her in the middle of the kitchen.

Ryou stared, an uncontrollable anger rising in his gut. Surely, they weren't acting like lovesick puppies in his home, were they? He regained his composure quickly and gave a loud 'ahem!'

"Hehe! Huh? Oh, morning, Ryou!"

Ryou coughed a small reply and shuffled over to the fridge.

"Hey, what's your problem?" Bakura hissed, in a mean and bully-like tone.

"I have no problem, Bakura. Except maybe my sanity is gone."

"That's not true, Ryou. We can see right through your little white lies. C'mon, tell us what's wrong." Airashii coached.

Ryou glared, "Okay, you want to know what's wrong? I have a hangover. My head is killing me. My body aches. I woke up way too early. There's nothing to eat or drink. Oh, and did I mention my love life sucks? Well, guess what. It does."

Ryou slammed the fridge door and stormed back up the stairs and into his room.

"That poor boy. You think we should tell him?"

Bakura glared down at Airashii, signaling he'd much rather not.

"Alright, fine. You could be a little nicer about it."

---

Later that evening, Ryou felt as though he'd die. Ryuuji had sent out invitations for his birthday party. Surely the boy was trying to kill Ryou, no? Ryou and Bakura had received specially-made invitations. They were engraved with golden vine borders and a fancy font to match. But it wasn't the design, it was the content.

'Hello, Ryou! Bakura!

It's me! Ryuuji! I'm sure your year has been pretty sucky so far. So why not come to my birthday party! We'll have lots of food! And even, it's both your favorites- cream puffs and wine!

So bring whoever you want! We have lots and lots of room! Anyway, love ya! Mwah!

Love, Ryuuji"

Somehow this immensely shameless invitation had the power to make Ryou smile. He wasn't sure why or even how, but Ryuuji was planning something and he could feel it. It was feeling deep down in his bones. And that meant that poor Ryou wasn't going to hear the end of it for a long while.

"Oh, I'd like to go!"

Ryou's head nearly became unscrewed from his neck. He inwardly screamed at Airashii, but quickly remembered he was still on bad terms with both of them. He turned back towards his invitation that was slowly scrunching up in his gripping hand.

---

Ryou hadn't quite gotten to the large Kaiba mansion when he had seen how big this was. The mansion was unusually shiny and vivid. It screamed the clashing of the two lovers' taste. Ryou was glad to know that he wouldn't catch to much attention from his regular black tuxedo suit after stepping in the doors. Mainly it was just dresses and tuxes.

He immediately spotted Seto and a thin figure next to him that Ryou prayed wasn't Ryuuji. He didn't even have enough time to turn and run before the figure noticed and ran to him.

"Ryou! You came!"

"Ryuuji? What are you wearing!"

Ryou's exclamation wasn't an understatement. Ryuuji's outfit was somewhat formal looking, but that didn't make up for how much was missing. He had on a pair of black dress pants with a golden design down one leg, a small tank top like shirt that was also black and had the same golden design along the hems, and a black sash wrapped around his waist. Plus, his hair was down. Surely Seto didn't allow him out, did he?

"How this? Malik talked me into wearing it. I decided it would hurt, but I have an even bigger surprise later! You all are going to love it!"

Ryuuji grinned and patted Ryou on the back, "So where's loverboy and the wicked witch of the west?"

Ryou frowned, "Airashii couldn't decide what to wear out of the 3 dresses Bakura got her and Bakura didn't want to leave her behind seeing as how she didn't know the way and didn't have anyway to get here either."

Ryuuji sighed, "Well, maybe you should talk to them about it. Like Yugi said, what could it hurt?"

Ryou's frown only deepened, "I don't think so."

"Hm, that's your problem."

Ryou turned with Ryuuji as they heard quick footsteps in their directions. Ryuuji smiled brightly as Jou and Honda continued to walk in their direction, presents in hand.

"Here, birthday boy. We got you something."

"Ooh, what is it?" Ryuuji asked, snatching the present and shaking it.

"Be careful! You don't want it to break do you?"

Ryuuji frowned "But I want to know what's inside! Ryou, what'd they get me?"

Ryou smiled at Ryuuji before taking the present so he couldn't do anymore damage, "I don't know, but you're just gonna have to wait. You'll have a hour-long present ceremony anyway. Normal people only get like 10 minutes."

"He's right. I don't get how Kaiba puts up with you."

"He's mine, that's how."

Ryuuji quickly turned and tackled the approaching brunette, planting sloppy little kisses on his face. Jou rolled his eyes at the sight before adding that Kaiba also had the money.

"Money doesn't mean anything when it comes to my love for my Seto-koi."

"Yeah. Right." There were a few snorts from Honda before another figure approached the group.

Ryou tensed as he recognized the familiar pink mop of hair; it was kind of hard to miss, even in a crowd. The figure morphed into Airashii as she continued to step towards the group, her long, glittery-blue dress catching a little attention on the way. Ryuuji and Seto got quiet as they noticed her, feeling Ryou's unacquainted hatred. Honda and Jou, on the other hand, continued to chat up a storm.

"Why don't you introduce me, Ryou?" Airashii asked shyly, her eyes glancing from one individual to the other.

"Why should I? You already know them all." Ryou hissed under his breath.

"Well, anyway, I'm Airashii. I hope if Ryou's said anything about me, it's been good."

Ryuuji coughed as he nodded and placed a fake smile on his face; yeah, he'd heard about her all right...

Seto nodded, "So I heard you were interested in journalism."

Airashii raised an eyebrow, "I never said anything about that- how did you know?"

"Seto has his resources," Ryuuji muttered, snuggling into Seto's side.

Airashii smiled at Seto, "Well, I really want to write in a documentary-like format. I'd like to write about my experiences and situations in life others can relate to."

"I'm sure you would." Ryou muttered, silently boring large, swiss-cheese like holes in Airashii with his eyes.

"Hm? What'd you say, Ryou?" Airashii asked, turning to Ryou.

Ryou's gaze immediately turned soft as he shook his head, "Oh, nothing. I was just saying how that seems like something you'd write about."

"Thank you!" Airashii cutely replied, before jade orbs widened with excitement.

"Bakura!"

Ryou's pupils suddenly became dilated as Bakura advanced toward them. He watched as Airashii ran from the group and tackled Bakura in a grizzly-bear-esque hug. Jou was the first to notice Ryou's odd, silent behavior. The poor boy looked hysterical!

"Ryou! Are you alright?"

Ryou nodded quickly, "I ... just ... need ... a little air!"

They all watched as Ryou hysterically ran off as though he had seen aliens land in crop circles. Airashii smirked gleefully before running after him, calling out in fake distress for him to come back.

---

Ryou groaned and panted as he leaned over the balcony rail. He just couldn't take it anymore! Airashii was invading his life! She took away everything he had! His friends, Bakura, everything! What was her problem?

A gentle hand landed on Ryou's stiffened shoulder, "Ryou?"

Ryou's eyes narrowed at the gentle sound of Airashii's voice, "What?"

"I... need to confess something to you. And it's something that I'm sure has been a very important asset of your life for the past few months."

Ryou glared as he turned to Airashii, "What is it?"

"I'm not really... in love with Bakura."

---

Well, that's enough for now. Nah, just kidding. I'm already done with the next chapter and since I'm hurrying to finish DC, I'm doing a back to back. This means- yes, you guessed it- the next chapter is calling your name! Go fetch! Fetch that next chapter! Fetch! Good doggie ... xD