Sorry this is late- I finally got my computer back a few days ago and I wanted to put a lot more into this chapter than I usually do, so it took me longer to write.  Anyways, hopefully I will get back on a regular schedule… But thanks for the reviews and let me know what you think of this chapter!

Oh, and I know I probably misspelled Jounouchi's name, but I have seen it spelled so many different ways and I don't have any of the original Japanese text to figure out the exact spelling.  If anyone knows the right way, feel free to tell me.  I shortened it to Jou because it is much easier to type.

Okay, enough rambling…

Chapter 10

Adventures at School

It's been four days since I made up with Ryou and life has pretty much returned to normal.  Ryou has started attending school regularly once again, but he has been spending most of his free time doing the make up work for all the days he missed, so I haven't seen too much of him. 

I, on the other hand, have been practically living in my room.  I just can't bring myself to leave.  I don't want to go back out into that idiotic place, it seems entirely pointless.  I know I told Ryou that I was going to try to find more meaning in my life, but it is all so mind boggling.  I mean, what does he expect me to do, have some sudden epiphany and everything will fall into place.  My life was fine before back in ancient Egypt, but I can't go back to that, now can I?  I had fun being a tomb robber.  Why did I have to be imprisoned in this cursed Ring anyways?  Why did I have to be the one to become Ryou's yami?  Stupid destiny. 

The light of daybreak filters through the blinds, straight into my eyes, which distracts me from my mental rant.  That's probably a good thing, though.  I think I have been glaring at the same spot of carpet for the past half hour.  I should get out of bed and go downstairs and say goodbye to Ryou before he leaves for school.  I know that he is still worried about me, but he has so many other concerns right now.  Maybe he assumes that I just need some time to think, which is pretty much all that I have been doing.  But the constant deliberation has only served to confuse me further.  That's why I have come to the conclusion that I had before, that it is all pointless, but I know that is not what Ryou wants to hear.  I have to at least make a good effort at this happiness thing before I give up.

I roll over onto my back and stare at the ceiling, clearing my mind of all thought or at least trying to.  At the same moment I let out a long sigh, the door swings open and Ryou strides into the room with a rather pissed off expression.  Shit, this isn't good.  Startled of course, I sit up in my bed.

"What are you doing in here?"  I ask him, not rudely, but surprised sounding.

Instead of answering me, he grabs me by the wrist and proceeds to drag me out of my bed.  I stumble a bit before actually getting on my feet, but Ryou doesn't let go and starts to pull me out of my room.

"Shit Ryou!  Why are you doing this?"  He still doesn't respond.  This isn't like him at all.  What does he think he is doing?  I consider resisting, but I think that will only make him more angry, which would add to whatever he is mad about right now.

He pushes me into the bathroom and stands in the doorway, breathing a little hard.

"You are going to come to school today with me.  You are not going to spend another day locked up in your room."  Where the hell did this come from?  I mean, sure Ryou has become more confident and will stand up to me, but nothing of this magnitude has ever happened before.  Who does he think he is, giving me commands like that?  I open my mouth to snap back at him for being so overassertive, but he cuts me off.

"I've just been missing you a lot these past few days and it would be nice to spend some time with you even if it's only with you tagging along in my Ring."  That sounded more like Ryou.  His face softens, enough that I can't even be slightly furious with him.  I really don't like spending time in his Ring though.  While his is a pretty good copy of mine, it's still not quite the same, so it feels odd to me.  It's not like Ryou really needs the Ring for anything else but the connection with me.  Ryou has no use for any Shadow Magic or powers like that.  I think he could care less.

"Okay, fine.  But you're going to eat lunch alone so I can be out of your Ring for a while."

"That's fine with me.  Now, you have half an hour to take a shower and be ready to go."  And with that, he closes the door and I am left, still wide eyed at the display of dominance Ryou supposedly thinks he has over me now.

I take my shower, which actually felt quite good and make myself look presentable, not that I really care what I look like; I just don't want Ryou to have something to complain about.  I go downstairs to meet Ryou and put on my shoes, while he stands and waits.

"I'm walking to school with some friends, so you'll have to go in the Ring before we leave."  Great… more time stuck in that stupid thing.  I roll my eyes and focus for a moment, finally materializing inside Ryou's soul room.  It took a bit longer than it usually does, but I'm a little out of practice, considering how long it has been since I've done that.

Through our link I tell him, You'd better not be walking home with anyone.

Don't worry, I'm not.  He replies, slightly too cheerful for my present mood. 

So, we finally get to school, after having to restrain myself from saying anything negative about the new friends he has.  I guess they look like normal kids, but I can find something wrong with each and every one of them.

Ryou goes to his first class and talks to some people I have no interest whatsoever in, so I am getting very bored, very quickly.  Eventually the teacher comes in and starts class.  I paid attention for about twenty minutes, making sarcastic comments here and there, some actually making Ryou laugh, which almost got him in trouble, but that is his fault for making me come with him.

After losing interest, I sit back in Ryou's simple little soul room and start to think once again.  I keep turning all the recent events over and over in my head repeatedly, trying to make some sense of it all or at least come to a partial conclusion.  Especially all that has happened with Yami.  That was certainly a side of him that I have never seen before and I doubt that anyone other than Yugi has had that experience either.  I don't know why this is so hard for me, but I really just can't see any solution to my present condition.  Before long, I have totally spaced out and consequently, I stop monitoring what is going on outside of the Ring.  I could care less anyway and Ryou is concentrating too much on what the teacher is saying.  Why does he have to be such a good student?  He could have just skipped school.

I suddenly hear Ryou tell me, You can come out now.  Wow, is it really lunch already?  I guess not watching the clock tick made the morning go a lot faster.

Still a little dazed from being jerked back into the real world like that, I materialize outside, next to Ryou, without even thinking beforehand.  I come face to face with Yami and jump back in surprise.  I hear a little giggle and look around to see who it came from.  Ra, everyone is here in the now empty classroom.  Scanning the small crowd of people around me, I see Yami, Yugi, Jounouchi, Kaiba, Honda, and finally the source of the giggling, Anzu.  And I see off to the side, Malik, in a uniform no less.  When did he start going to school here?

"So we haven't seen you in a while, Bakura." Anzu states cheerfully.  "Where have you been?"  I freeze, not expecting anyone to ask that question, figuring that no one would give a damn about my whereabouts.  I'm sure she is just being polite.

Both Ryou and Yugi look down at the ground and Yami visibly tenses.  Without an instantaneous answer, everyone starts to look a bit uncomfortable with the growing silence.  Shit, I have to think of an answer quick.

"Um, I was sick."  That was stupid. 

"Oh, I didn't think that spirits could get sick."  Anzu replies.

"Well, they can, so just mind your own business!"  I angrily respond, raising my voice more than I meant to.  But, it's not like I can tell her the truth or want to in the first place.

That was much too harsh, Bakura.  Ryou relays to me with a particularly nasty glare. 

"She was only concerned about you, Bakura!"  I hear Yami say in the middle of what Ryou was saying to me.

"Well, I'm sorry I offended one of your friends, almighty Pharaoh, but she should stop sticking her nose in everyone's business.  I know how much she gossips!"  Okay, now I'm getting defensive, but it's an automatic response when I am around so many people like this.  I really need to calm down but I can't stand all of Ryou's annoying little friends.

"What is your problem?  Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"  Jou chimes in. 

"No Jou, let me handle this."  Yami says in attempt to keep more people from getting involved.  Yami reaches over and grabs my arm, dragging me off.  Damn, why am I getting pushed around so much today?

Still within earshot, I hear Malik ask, "Is it okay to let them go off alone like that?"

Ryou answers, "It'll be fine.  Just let them fight for a while and Bakura will calm down."

"Hopefully they won't kill each other."  Honda adds.

Walking cautiously out of the classroom, avoiding being seen by any other students, I am forced to run out of one of the side doors to the school by Yami, who is still holding onto my arm.  I would free myself, but I really don't want to be caught in the school by anyone and have to make up some pathetic excuse like my earlier one or have to explain why we look too much like two students in this school.

We run to a student-free area by some trees close to the school where Yami suddenly stops, and uses my continued momentum to swing me around, slamming me into a tree.  He holds both of my wrists against the tree at my sides.  It doesn't really matter though, because I am much stronger than him, so I can break free anytime I want. 

"Why do you have to be such an ass around other people all the time?  You could have been a little nicer to Anzu just now!"  Yami yells, obviously angry.  Now he is starting to piss me off.  Why does he always defend his friends to such an extent?

I overpower Yami and knock him down onto the ground, pinning his own wrists to the grass above his head and straddle his stomach, on my knees.  I don't have to put any of my weight on him because I am sure I knocked the wind out of him, while totally catching him off guard as well, so I doubt he'll try to struggle.

"Why should I be nice to any of those idiots back there?  You know I don't like them, so why should I force myself to be polite?  It's not like I have ever been nice to them before and I'm sure they don't expect it from me now."

"I was just hoping that you would be a little nicer, for me…"  What the hell does he mean by that "for me" part?  I can't think of a response due to my confusion, so the period of silence starts to lengthen.  It's then that I realize that we are both breathing hard from running and the extremely awkward position I'm holding Yami in.  Yami must have had the same realization because all the rage leaves his face and he turns bright red.  I stare back into his eyes and his blushing must have triggered my own blushing because I can feel my cheeks getting hot.

There is a second of hesitation and finally, the signals from my brain reach my body and I quickly move from on top of Yami.  I sit with my back to him for a minute, not wanting to face him after such an embarrassing situation.  Reluctantly, I turn around to see Yami looking back over his shoulder at me.  Our eyes meet and for some reason I turn bright red once more.  I instantly face away from him again trying to get myself back under control.  Why am I getting so damn embarrassed?  This is ridiculous.  I've never had this reaction to anything before.

"I didn't mean to get so angry.  I just can't help it sometimes."  Yami says, breaking the silence.  I have this nagging urge not to drag this on further and to make up with him.  I shouldn't be having this sort of feeling towards him.  It has usually only been reserved for Ryou in the past and even then, it wasn't this strong.  I let out a sigh which I'm sure Yami must have noticed.  I guess this isn't the time to overanalyze everything.

"It's my fault too.  I get defensive too easily."  Hopefully that will be a good enough apology for him.  Wanting to see his reaction, I turn so I am sitting towards him.  I watch him move to face me as well.

"It's okay.  I suppose that we are just set in our ways."  After a thoughtful moment, he smirks a bit and I catch a mischievous glint in his eyes.  I wonder what he is planning.

"We should go have some fun!  I don't really want to go back and sit through anymore of Yugi's classes. " 

"Um, what does that imply?"  Considering that his idea of fun is usually a game of Duel Monsters, I am somewhat skeptical about the chance that it will be fun for me.  Sure I enjoy a good game, but Yami always wins, unless somebody plays unfair and even then he usually manages to come out victorious. 

"I'm sure we can find something to do to piss off a bunch of people around here."  What?  That was certainly not what I was expecting.  I know that Yami enjoys messing with people's minds, but I didn't think that he liked playing pranks.  I always figured that Yugi had pretty much tamed him.

"So, what did you have in mind?"  Deciding that maybe this could be fun after all.

"I don't know, you're the expert at this."  He's letting me decide?  This could be interesting.

"Well, we could always do something in the school, like set off the fire alarm, or better yet, set off the sprinkler system."  I suggest with an evil grin.  I've seen it done in movies and I have always wanted to try it.  I've been so out of practice with this sort of thing for too long, so I'm a little rusty.

"That could be fun, but how do we do it without getting caught?" 

"Do you have a lighter or any matches by chance?"

"No."

"Shit, that means we'll have to find some."  I think about it for a moment… What is that class that Ryou said some kid lit his sleeve on fire in?  He always complains about it being somewhat dangerous… Ah, chemistry!  That's what it was.

"I think we can find something like matches in a chemistry classroom… We just have to find one."

"I think I know where Yugi has that class, but how do we get in without being seen?"

"I'm pretty sure I just heard the bells, so most of the kids will be back in their classrooms by now.  Let's just hope there is an empty chemistry classroom."

"Okay then, let's go."  Yami's smile has not left his face since his initial suggestion and it seems he is more eager to do this than I am, but I guess I can't complain.  This will probably be the most amusing thing I have done in a while, so I'm getting a little excited too.

We run back up to a side entrance to the school and look through the window, making sure there is no one around.  When we've confirmed the halls are clear of students, Yami takes the lead, hopefully knowing his way to this chemistry classroom.  After going around a couple of corners, he finally stops before a door and slowly peaks through the window to the classroom.

"Good, there is no one in there."  Yami opens the door and walks through.  I follow him in and see a very odd looking room.  I don't think I have ever been in a classroom like this with Ryou, unless I just wasn't paying attention, which is highly possible.  Yami instantly starts to go through some drawers.  He must know what he is looking for.  I on the other hand, have no idea what any of this stuff is, because none of it looks anything like matches or a lighter.  All I know is that this room smells really weird.

"I think this is what we need."  Yami holds up a metal object that when you squeeze it, the metal scrapes against a rough spot, creating sparks.

"It isn't a lighter, but I think it will work.  I think they use to light something called a Bunsen burner.  Yugi once told me about this kid who was playing around with it and ended up lighting his shirt on fire."  Heh, I guess Ryou and Yugi were in the same chemistry class.

"So now we need to get close to one of those little metal things up on the ceiling and hopefully all of them will start spraying water all over the school."

"Okay, but won't we get wet too?"

"Who cares if we get wet?  You know how many problems it would create if we did this.  Everything and everyone in the whole school will get soaked, it'll be great!"

"I see, so how are we going to get up there?"  Yami starts laughing a bit.  I wonder how much of this sort of thing he has ever done before.  I bet that Yugi doesn't let him get away with much.
"I guess I can lift you up since you are a short, skinny little twig and don't weigh much."  I love trying to provoke him, but it is true.  Yami tries to give me an evil glare, but he doesn't pull it off and instead starts to grin again.

"Shut up and give me a boost up there!"  He's trying so hard to be mad at me, but he's still smiling.  It's kind of cute actually.

He goes to the nearest wall where there is a little metal thingy sticking out and I kneel down to lift Yami's one foot with my hands.  While supporting himself against the wall as well, Yami reaches over and begins to make some sparks.  I just hope that he doesn't get any of those sparks in his hair.  Although, come to think of it, that would probably be really funny.

The anticipation of actually pulling this prank off is making my foot start to bounce and I can't stop smiling.  At least Yami can't see me, I'm sure I must look like a total dumbass.  After a few tries, Yami is finally able to set off the sprinklers but in doing so, the sudden spray of water must have surprised him and he looses his balance.  Of course, he falls and lands squarely on my stomach, knocking the air out of me.

"Gomen!  We really need to get out of here now!"  Yami gets up off me and pulls me to my feet. 

"No shit!"  I reply, already soaking wet, but I don't care because the adrenaline is rushing throughout my body.  The sound of the fire alarm is blaring throughout the entire school and we scramble for the door.  We fly down the hall side by side until Yami slips on some water and I quickly drag him back up, eyes meeting for a fleeting moment with matching smiles on our faces.  As soon as we get around the first corner, students start pouring out of the other classrooms.  I really hope we don't get caught.

I can feel Ryou trying to talk to me through our link, but I am concentrating too much on running without slipping to answer him.  He must be worried or either he suspects something, both are highly plausible. 

We manage to dash through the halls and out the door with only a few students noticing us.  I just can't stop running and apparently neither can Yami because he is still right behind me. 

As I sense my adrenaline start to subside, I finally decide to come to a stop at a park that is a considerable distance from the school.  I think we are far enough away that we aren't in any danger of being caught and I can barely hear the fire alarm anymore. 

I collapse on the grass in total exhaustion.  It's been a long time since I have done so much physical activity and I'm somewhat out of shape.  Yami comes over and falls to the ground next to me.  We're b both breathing very hard, which is understandable.  My entire body is consumed by the after-affects of the adrenaline, but I'm not complaining.  That was the most exhilarating experience I've had in a long time.  I really need to do this more often. 

"That… was fun…"  Yami manages to get out between breaths.

"Yeah… We should… do this again."  I roll over on my side and look over to Yami.  I can't help but smile back at him.

"Why don't we dry off here in the sun for a while?"

"That's fine with me."  I turn back over onto my back and close my eyes, basking in the warmth of the sun.  Ryou is still trying to talk to me, but it's very faint.  We must be too far away from each other.  He'll get over it.  I concentrate on the heat spreading throughout my damp clothes and slow my breathing back down.

Enough time passes that I am totally dry, after flipping over and getting my back too.  I sit up to see Yami lying on his back with his arms out to his sides in the long grass next to me.  It seems like he is sleeping, but you can never be certain when it comes to Yami. 

Examining his features, I conclude that he is in fact sleeping… hopefully.  It must have been too much of a drain on his system.  A short glint catches my attention and I refocus on his Puzzle, reflecting the sunlight.

Oh, this is too much.  He has totally let down his guard and his Puzzle is just sitting there, begging me to take it.  I can't help it; I just have to steal it, even if it is not permanently.  I really have no desire to keep the Puzzle, I only want to have a little fun teasing Yami and if I can get it away from him, it will be something that no one has ever done before.  Sure others have stolen the Puzzle from Yugi, but Yugi is a little more trusting of others than Yami.

I move my hand so it is hovering over his Puzzle.  I'm still a bit nervous about this; Yami could easily wake up and catch me.  Okay, it's now or never.  I slowly lift the Puzzle from his chest and luckily, he doesn't seem to notice at all.  I move it over to the grass above his head.  Now, I just have to get the last part of the chain from under his head.  I guess I should pull the chain out in one swift movement.  It'll probably wake him up, but I will still have his Puzzle.

After a deep breath, I jerk the chain from around his neck, bumping his head on the ground in the process.  I have it!  I have successfully stolen the great Pharaoh's Millennium Puzzle.  Heh heh.

Yami stirs after a moment, sleepily blinking his eyes a few times.  I hang his puzzle inches above his nose and his eyes snap open. 

"Look what I got Pharaoh!"  I say in one of my more devious tones of voice.  He sits up still wide-eyed and shocked, while I put his Puzzle around my neck, letting it fall and clank against my Ring.  We both stand up, facing each other the entire time.

"What do you think you are doing, Tomb Robber?"  He says, narrowing his eyes.

"What does it look like?  I finally got what I've always wanted."

"You know I'll just get it back."

"You can try if you want."

"Okay then."  And with that, Yami takes off in a sprint towards me.  I turn on my heel and run towards the woods surrounding the park.  Heh, this is fun too.  I have longer legs so I doubt that Yami will be able to catch up with me. 

Shit, I guess I spoke too soon.  I feel him push me from behind and I lose my balance, landing hard on my shoulder when I hit the ground.  I roll a couple times before stopping and see Yami lying on the ground too a few feet away.  I recover quickly just in case Yami decides to come at me again.  He gets up slowly and looks at me with a cool expression and his eyes glinting.

"I'll get it back eventually."

"Whatever you say, but that was a pretty pathetic attempt just now.  You'd better try harder if you really want your precious Puzzle back."

He smiles slyly and lowers his head a bit, sending a small shiver throughout my body.  Hm, I love it when he lets a little of that evil side out.  Ack, what am I saying?  No, no, I'm not thinking anything like that, I just like seeing people be evil, that's it.  But anyways, he will never pull off looking as evil as I can.

I turn to head back home and of course, Yami is following me.  There is a stinging pain and my hand goes straight to my shoulder.  I rub my shoulder a few times trying to get rid of some of the irritating pain.  I must have jammed it worse than I thought when I fell. 

I can feel Yami's eyes drilling into my back.  Wow, it must be really bugging him that I got his Puzzle away from him.  I'll give it back though, when I'm satisfied that I have pissed him off for long enough.  I can't get this smug smile off my face, but this is so much fun torturing him like this.

We finally reach my house and I walk into the living room.  I sit down on the couch and he stands in front of me, hands on his hips and an annoyed expression on his face.

"Shouldn't you be getting home soon?  I'm sure that Ryou and Yugi are out of school by now.  You know Yugi will be worried if you're not there."  I say, taunting him with an innocent smile.

"That's okay, I'm more worried about your shoulder there.  I saw you rubbing at it a few times while walking home, it must be hurting still.  Why don't I get you some ice?"  He walks into the kitchen.  I bet he's just trying to get close to me to steal his Puzzle back, but I won't let him catch me off guard.  I turn sideways on the couch so that I face the entrance to the kitchen, making sure that I can watch Yami's every move.

After a couple minutes, he walks back into the room and my eyes follow his path around the room.  Yami comes up behind me on the couch and slides a bag of ice down my shirt to my shoulder.  I hiss in pain, more from the cold ice rather than my shoulder. 

"I'm sorry, is that too cold for you?  I can warm you up a bit."  What is he talking about?  He's been speaking in this very un-Yami like voice the whole time since we got back here.  It's so low and smooth, what is he planning?

Suddenly, there is warmth on my neck.  I close my eyes and my head unconsciously leans to the side and Yami's free hand comes up to move the rest of my hair out of his way.  His lips return to the side of my neck and I totally melt.  I can't believe this happening.  What does he think he's doing?  Why aren't I pushing him away?  I should get up and punch him right now, but I can't.  I can't believe I'm letting him do this. 

His hand snakes its way around my other shoulder and around to my chest.  I can't help but let out a small moan.  His evil little hand moves lower and lower and I relax back into him.  My head lolls back, but I can't give in, I just can't!  He has to be doing this to mess with my head or something.  Oh… too late, my body has completely surrendered, ignoring my mind's objections.

I feel his hand leave my chest, but I don't care because he is moving up my neck while doing amazing things with his tongue.  I can't remember the last time I've felt like this, considering the last time was back in Ancient Egypt.  But it's Yami doing this!  What is wrong with me? 

Much to my disappointment, Yami stops kissing my neck and a weight lifts from my neck.  I turn around and realization hits me like a ton of bricks.  Yami is holding his Puzzle, chain swinging freely.  He looks from his Puzzle to me, with a conniving smile gracing his somewhat flushed face.

"See, I told you I'd get it back."  He voices smoothly, adding a little laugh in at the end.

"That was a dirty trick though, something I never thought you would do."  I tell him while he puts his Puzzle back around his neck. 

"Well, I'm full of surprises."  He says as he starts to move back to where I am sitting on the couch.  His face is getting closer and closer to mine.  I can't move, I don't think I want to move.  Oh Ra, I can't believe this is real.

His lips are centimeters from my own and my cheeks are burning up.  I close my eyes and lean forward a bit and-

"Bakura!  I'm home!"  Shit!  Ryou has horrible timing.  Yami instantly pulls back and I stand up from the couch, hoping to Ra that Ryou didn't see what we were about to do.

"You won't believe what happened at school today.  I hope you-" Ryou walks into the living room and stops mid-step. 

"Oh, what are you doing here Yami?"

"Um, we were just talking."  Yami replies, looking away from Ryou.  He's so obviously lying, but I guess I can't say anything.  Ryou doesn't seem to suspect anything though and that's all that matters.  Unfortunately, he then turns his attention to me.

"Bakura, you're face is so red!  You don't have a fever, do you?"  He starts walking over to me.

"No, no, I'm fine!"  I put my hands up and back away a couple of steps.  I really hope he doesn't figure out that I am severely blushing.  But Ryou is so innocent, I doubt that the thought would even enter his mind that me and Yami were about to kiss.

"I should be going anyway, I'm sure Yugi is worried about me."  Yami gets up with a sheepish smile and turns bright red before leaving the living room.

"Oh… bye, Yami."  Ryou turns to me confused.  "What was that all about?"

I let out a slight sigh.  "I have no idea…"

To be continued-

Hee hee.  Well, that was a really long chapter, hope I didn't bore any of you!  So anyways, tell me if you liked it!  I will try very hard to update on time next week.