I know I said that I was going to have this chapter up on Tuesday, but I had a hard time writing this one.  My brain was rather fried after finals and a long plane trip.  Sorry… *hits self on head with large mallet*  Anyways, wow!  I was so surprised with the amount of reviews I got last time.  I never thought I'd break 100 with this story.  I'm glad all of you rejoiced when Bakura was evil again, I know I had fun writing it. 

I love you CharcoalCat for your very long reviews and for bringing up so many good points.  Now that I think about it, you are right about everything. 

Vappa- yeah, I totally can't stand the large group thing either. 

To all Jounouchi fans- thanks for the encouraging comments, hopefully I won't piss off the Anzu fans out there with this chapter. 

Sour Schuyler- I don't understand the –shipping terminology either. 

Lyn/Lin- thanks for reviewing each chapter and same to each of you who have done the same! 

Raidne the Silent Siren- I wouldn't be too worried if I had the same people skills as Bakura.  I think I chose to write this fic from Bakura's point of view because his personality is the more like mine than Yami's, so it would be slightly easier.  I would love to see Bakura blush in the anime as well, but I'm not going to get my hopes up on that one.

And thanks to everyone else whom I didn't mention, I'm so amazed that there are people out there who like this fic!

Chapter 14

Mall Madness

After my little outburst towards Jounouchi, everyone else finished their meals very quickly and without further incidence.  I have to admit, Yami was right, I did have some fun.

So, after we paid our bill, they decided on some mall to go to, but because the mall is so far away, we have to drive there.  This nominated the only two people who actually have cars to drive everyone.  Now, everybody is awkwardly trying to figure out who goes in what car and sit next to whom.  Of course, this awkwardness has been caused by me because they are all trying to avoid me, much to my approval, but I am getting frustrated standing here, waiting for them to make up their damn minds.

"Ryou, if you want, you can ride with me to the mall."  Malik yells over to my hikari.  Right, I forgot he had a motorcycle. 

"Sure, thanks!"  And with that, Ryou runs over to Malik.  He gives him a helmet and they both get onto the motorcycle. 

"See you guys there!"  Ryou says to the rest of the group.  I watch them ride past and as Malik begins to speed up, Ryou leans close and holds him tightly around the waist.  What just happened here?  When the hell did they ever become so close?  This is quite unsettling.  Nobody should be allowed to be able to take my hikari away like that. 

"Yami can ride with me.  I don't care what the rest of you do."  Kaiba informs the group.  He seems so smug about it too, like Yami is the only one worthy of riding in the passenger seat of his car.  There's something I can't help but feel as Yami follows Kaiba over to his car… damn jealousy.  Yami glances back towards me and practically says "Don't worry" with his eyes. 

Everyone starts to divide up on their own after that.  Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda head over to Mai's car with her.  There's no way in hell that I'm going to ride in that car, so I join Yugi and Mokuba in the back of Kaiba's car.  I get in, glare at Yugi when he smiles to me as I sit down, and pray to Ra that I can hold my temper until we get to the mall.  At least I am in the same car as Yami, so I can monitor Kaiba and make sure he doesn't decide to do anything stupid while he is around my Yami.

I focus on staring at nothing in particular out the window as the other occupants in the car begin conversations I have no interest in being involved in.  Since I am sitting behind Yami, I can see his reflection in the side mirror of the car.  I observe his movements for a few seconds without him noticing me and then go back to watching the outside world blur past me. 

I look at Yami and I can't understand why things have happened the way they have.  I mean, why is he attracted to me anyway?  For that matter, why am I?  Yami has no reason to want to be in a relationship with me.  First off, Yami has Yugi and before this, I had always thought that they were together.  They are so close, so why branch off from that stable love that they obviously have?  Yugi even said that he was afraid of losing Yami to me and now he has risked damaging that bond by becoming involved with me of all people.  But maybe I am underestimating their relationship.  Maybe they trust each other enough not to lose each other to anyone else.

I guess Ryou has been much the same way about this.  He has not once objected to any of this, as long as it is what makes me happy.  He is placing an inordinate amount of trust in our own relationship, believing that I won't run off with Yami, leaving him completely alone, not like I would do that anyway.  I love Ryou, but I'm just not in love with him and now, I don't want to jeopardize our relationship for anything.  It must be the same way between Yami and Yugi.  As long as I have Ryou's support in this, I know that I can love both Ryou and Yami.

Ra, how could I have just thought that?  I mean, we haven't even been an official couple for one entire day yet and I'm already thinking about the possibility that I love Yami!  I don't even know what Yami truly feels towards me.  The more and more I consider his possible reasons for wanting this, the more unsure I become about it.  Yami used to be a powerful Pharaoh and I was a Tomb Robber that challenged him so that I could gain more power.  I did terrible things to him back in Ancient Egypt, things I'm not exactly proud of.  We were enemies back then and still continued to be in this time, until now.  What has changed?

I'm not exactly relationship material, just look at what I did to Ryou.  I have a dark personality that is not the loving, caring type, though not as dark as it used to be.  Yami saw to that.  Maybe that is why.  Yami probably feels guilty for affecting me to the point where I tried to kill myself.  But if he cared about me enough to try and save me after that, then there must have been something there before.  It can't be just pure guilt, can it?

After my own change, Yami seemed to have changed as well.  I have been seeing a side of him that I never thought he had or maybe I just never bothered to look.  It's like he's becoming less like Yugi and more like a tamer version of me.  There were times before when I think he let his true colors show through, like when he was always sending everyone to the Shadow Realm who pissed him off, including me, but that only happened a lot towards the beginning.  I think that once Yugi actually realized that he had a spirit residing within his body, he began to have more control over Yami.  I'm not saying that Yugi was wrong to do so or anything; I just think that he was just scared of what Yami would do to people.  Hell, when Yami first started to take over Yugi's body, he went so far as to set someone on fire, not that the idiot didn't deserve it or anything.  But, because of Yugi's influence, Yami lost some of his own personality traits, much like myself. 

I think I like this new side to Yami though.  It's different from his usual self righteous, high and mighty Pharaoh self.  He does have a bit of evil in him.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised though, considering he is a yami himself.  Yamis are literally supposed to be the dark side of a soul.  Maybe that is what I'm attracted to in Yami, his new little dark side, slowly reemerging from its shell.  Sure before, I found him physically attractive, who wouldn't with those tight little leather outfits he wears, but I would never have admitted that to myself. 

But, even before I saw Yami's new evil tendencies, I still felt something towards him.  I think that seeing his softer, compassionate side was attractive to me as well.  I never thought that past that rigid wall he always puts up was someone who could care so much for me, knowing what I had done in the past.  I doubt that anyone either than Yugi has ever seen Yami act like that.  But I have Ryou, why do I need Yami as well?

Ra, why do I do this to myself?  I should not be asking these questions.  I should just be happy that things have worked out the way they have and refrain from analyzing everything.  Maybe this is why I've never been in a real relationship before- I analyze everything to the point where I am suspicious and doubtful about myself and everyone around me.  I guess it was my way of keeping people at a distance, but I think that now, I can let that change.  I shouldn't have to ask why, just know that it feels right.

"We're here!"  Yugi happily calls out, even though I'm sure everyone else in the car already knew that.  Though it did break me out of my damn thoughts.

Kaiba parks the car and we all get out, looking around to find the others.  I immediately focus on picking up on the energy from the Millennium Rod and the other Ring, so I can find Ryou.  We all walk to the front entrance of the mall and I finally detect Ryou and Malik moving towards us.  They come around the corner and join us in waiting for Mai's group to arrive.  Why the hell did they park so far away and what had they been doing?  I give Ryou an incriminating glare and as usual, he smiles innocently back. 

After a few minutes of standing off by myself to the side of the group, the rest of them turn up and we all go inside.  Almost instantly, Ryou, Yugi, and Malik disappear into a random store.  Anzu and Mai head towards a clothing shop, which I think that Yami was tempted to follow them into, considering how he was eyeing the clothes in the display.  But he restrained himself and the rest of us who were left, ended up going into an electronics store.  Kaiba and Mokuba of course are extremely interested in everything, but I could care less and undoubtedly Yami is thinking much the same thing. 

I notice Yami indiscreetly start to move away from the group while Kaiba is saying something about how inferior their technology is compared to his own.  Yami vanishes into a different aisle and I wait for a moment before making my move.  I doubt that any of them even noticed that I tagged along anyways.  I know Honda is terrified of me, but I think that he is trying his best to ignore me, so he doesn't make an ass of himself by purposefully avoiding me all the time.  Though I would rather have him cowering in fear, this will do for now.  On the other hand, I bet that Kaiba isn't really too intimidated by my presence.  He must be the only other person besides Yami who is so arrogant that he doesn't find anyone around him to be a real threat.  I should try to change that one day, but today is probably not the best one.

I stalk down the aisle, searching for Yami, when I suddenly feel a tug at the back of my shirt.  Turning around, I am greeted by Yami's bright, crimson eyes and a long, much needed kiss. 

"What you did back in the restaurant, that was amazing.  I mean, I wanted to jump you right then and there."  I laugh a bit at his comment.

"Too bad that would've given everything away.  I'm just surprised you didn't get angry because I was beating up on one of your friends."

"Well, I was about to, but I figured that you needed to get pissed off at someone and Jounouchi did kind of deserve it.  I would've stopped you though, had you actually tried to hurt him."

I make a small, mocking sound.  "There's nothing you could have done to stop me if I had really wanted to kill him.  You know that I am stronger than you."  I say, purposefully trying to provoke him.

"Oh, is that so?"  Yami smirks and slides his hands onto my chest.  He starts taking slow steps forward, but I match his movements so that he can't catch me off balance.  He has such a mischievous expression, I can't help but think that I am walking right into a trap.  I notice his eyes dart to the floor and he gives me a slight push.  I let out a small yell of surprise as I fall backwards and hit the floor with a crash.  I look to see that Yami pushed me over some various boxes that were sitting on the floor.

Yami takes this opportunity to sit down on me, straddling my stomach.  "You don't look too strong to me, if I can so easily dominate you."  He teases back.  He starts to lean closer, same evil little smile still on his lips.

"Can't you two ever stop fighting?  This isn't exactly the best place for it."  I hear from a ways behind us.  Both of our eyes widen in surprise.  Yami looks like he's going to panic as we hear steps, coming ever closer to our position.  His hands glide from my chest to my neck as he mouths an apology. 

As the steps come to a halt, I look up, glaring angrily at Kaiba for disturbing my fun with Yami.  Kaiba frowns as usual at me as Mokuba and Honda run up to his side.  "You two are worse than children."

He can't insult me like that!  Not to mention insulting Yami as well.  I think that now may be the time to teach Kaiba that he is not the all-powerful CEO that he thinks he is.  I move a bit, trying to get up to face Kaiba, but Yami tightens his grip around my neck ever so slightly, causing me to stop my advance.  Yami's eyes plead to my own, obviously not wanting me to start a fight here.  His eyes widen just enough to make me give in, he's just lucky that Kaiba can't see his face.  I swear that Yami has picked up that big, innocent eye thing from Yugi, so damn manipulative. 

I exhale loudly and lie back against the floor, letting Yami know that I'm not going to start anything.  Yami lets go and gets up off me, standing next to Kaiba.  "I am not childish."  He growls at Kaiba and walks off.  Kaiba watches Yami walk away, while I stand up and brush myself off. 

I notice Kaiba's eyes linger on Yami much too long for my liking, so as I walk past him, I hit the side of his arm side hard with my shoulder.  I don't even bother to look at him, but I half expected him to say something after I hit him like that.  Apparently he was at a loss for one of his normal, disparaging remarks. 

I head off in the same direction that Yami went, hoping to catch up with him without anyone noticing.  I see him leave the store and enter another.  I follow him in, looking around to see what type of shop he's gone into.  Figures it would be a game shop.  I find him in a back aisle looking aimlessly at various packs of Duel Monster cards. 

Yami turns his attention to me, acknowledging my presence.  "Sorry about that."  I walk up to him and tug softly on the side of his bangs that points downwards.  "Baka."  I let go and his hair magically springs back into place.  I've always wondered how he pulls off that hair style. 

"You must really want everyone to find out, with the way you're acting.  You are just lucky that Kaiba didn't see what we were really doing." 

"No, no.  I was just having some fun.  I couldn't help myself.  And besides you are the one who provoked me that time."  He says smirking, knowing that he is right.

"Hey, you started it back in the restaurant!"

"Okay, I promise I will be on my best behavior from now on."  Yami's eyebrow raises and his eyes glint wickedly.  "Just until I can get you alone, that is."

Gods, I love when he does that.  I move to tackle him right then and there, but voices entering the shop stop me dead in my tracks.  "I think they came in here."  Stupid interruptions. 

Yami hurries over to the other end of the aisle and picks up some ridiculous doll of the Black Magician.  I turn around, coming face to face with several shelves of manga and game guides.  I pick up the first one within reach and open it to a random page as Kaiba comes around the corner.  Not even looking at the manga, I scowl at him, annoyed by the fact that he seems to be monitoring me and Yami.  He gives me an equally annoyed glare, but soon turns his attention to what I am holding.  He gets this utterly confused look and shakes his head, disappearing around the corner into another aisle.  What the hell was that for?  Still staring at where Kaiba previously stood, I suddenly hear stifled laughter from behind me.  I turn around to see Yami trying his best to keep from laughing any louder.

"My, my Bakura.  I had no idea you were interested in such things.  Were you getting ideas for later?"  He manages to say between giggles.  I get this terribly worried feeling in my stomach.  What the hell type of manga did I pick up anyway?  I take a look at the page I opened to and it instantly clicks that I had chosen a yaoi doujinshi from some anime.  Horrified, I numbly put it back on the shelf and face Yami once again. 

"The look on Kaiba's face was priceless!  I wish I had had a camera to catch your reaction as well!"  My face begins to turn red from anger and embarrassment.  I really don't care what Kaiba thinks of me, as long as he doesn't go and tell everybody else.  I'm sure he is just as suspicious as Malik now, if not more so.  I really want to leave, now.

Yami gets his laughter under control, while I mutter several Egyptian curse words under my breath.  "Are you quite finished?" 

"I'm sorry, but you have to admit that was pretty funny."  I roll my eyes, not at all amused with the situation like he is.  I'm not mad at him, he's just not helping my mood.  I'm sure I'd be laughing if it were the other way around.  This little event just drained the last of my tolerance and I can't stand being here any longer.

"I'm going to go find Ryou."  Scanning the various aisles, I realize that everyone has ended up in this store.  Figures since they all like Duel Monsters so much.  I finally find him next to a display for a new series of cards that had been released.  I stop next to him and cross my arms.

"We need to leave, now."  I state, very irritated.

"What's wrong?"

"I- Maybe I'll tell you later."

"Okay, just wait until everyone has had a little more time in this shop."

"Fine, but it'd better not be long."  Frustrated, I turn to the other various boxes of cards.  Taking a random pack, I open it and sift through the cards.

"Bakura, you're supposed to pay for that."  Ryou informs me in a slightly disapproving manner.

"I know that, but do you think that I care?"  Yami and Yugi come around the corner after appearing to have rounded up the rest of their little friends.  Great, now we are one big, happy group again.  Trying to ignore them and their meaningless chatter, I look at the cards in my hands.  I recognize a couple that have in my own deck, but none others of real value.

"Are you looking for new cards for your deck?"  An overly cheerful voice inquires.  Looking up from the cards, dread fills my face as I look into the smiling one of Anzu.  Why does she have to be so damn friendly all the time?  Why can't she just leave me alone?  She must not have learned her lesson from before at breakfast.  She has just pushed me past my limit and must face the consequences.

"We should duel sometime!"  I don't think so.  I'd become violently ill when she started using all those happy, love and peace, absurd, waste of paper cards she has in her deck.  I take another look at the cards in my hand and an idea clicks in my head. 

"Why, I would love to.  We can play now."  I respond, my voice dripping with malice and eyes narrowed.  Anzu becomes puzzled, and opens her mouth to say something, but backs up a few steps out of fear as she looks into my eyes.  I pull one of the cards from my hand, one that I am sure that she will recognize, even if she still thinks that previous encounter was a dream. 

As I gather more Shadow Magic into the card, the form of the Metamorph Pot materializes in front of her and the rest of the group.  Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda all freeze out of absolute terror, identifying it as the monster that would take them to the card graveyard, as it had before.

Yami, Yugi, and Ryou are all to my side, so I don't have to worry about them.  Kaiba pulls Mokuba back and Mai and Malik have the sense to step aside as well.  The other three though, are petrified where they stand.  I see they remember that interesting little Shadow Game we had a while back. 

All breaths are held in anticipation of my next action and the ghostly black body of the Metamorph Pot floats silently next to me.  I raise my arm, directed towards the three, while wearing a smirk overflowing with evil intent.  "Go."

And with that, the Metamorph Pot accelerates towards Anzu who is standing closest as she turns and screams.  She takes off running, as Jounouchi and Honda join her, panic overtaking each one of them.

"I don't want to go back to the graveyard!"  Jounouchi yells as he exits the store.  I can't help but let out my maniacal laugh for the second time today.  This will surely convince them to leave the mall and then I can go home.  A hand is placed on my arm and I turn to meet Yami's concerned gaze.

"You're not really going to put any of them into the Shadow Realm, are you?"

"Aw, come on.  Can't I just drag one of them to the graveyard?  We can get them out later."  I plead with my best attempt at puppy dog eyes, though I'm sure they aren't very convincing.

Yami simply rolls his eyes at me.

"You're not being any fun."  I pout as I turn my attention back to the rampaging Duel Monster that has gathered quite a bit of attention from other bystanders in the mall.  Concentrating for a moment, the Metamorph Pot dissipates into a black haze, but Anzu, Honda, and Jounouchi keep running towards the exit of the mall.  They won't make the mistake of pissing me off again any time soon. 

"I- I bet that they are headed back to my car.  I'll see you guys later!"  Mai says nervously and leaves the store, following the path left by the other three. 

"We should leave as well."  Kaiba states, while taking hold of Mokuba's hand and briskly making his way to the door. 

"Come on Ryou."  Malik says without looking over at me, as Ryou walks by me.  He smiles as he passes me.

So, did you have fun today?

Maybe a bit.  I admit, rather pleased that I just scared the shit out of those three idiots just now. 

See, it wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be.

He leaves with Malik and Yugi, Yami, and I make our way to Kaiba's car who hopefully hasn't decided to drive off without us.  As we exit the mall, I can't help but smile as we pass several astounded and shocked individuals.

With Malik and Ryou out of visual range, I take hold of Yami's hand.

"You know, you are the one who can't behave.  You had no right to tell me to do so."  Yami teases.

"Hey, I wasn't behaving in the same manner you were.  It wasn't exactly appropriate for a public place anyways."  Overhearing our conversation, Yugi turns around to look at Yami, worry filling his huge violet eyes. 

"Yeah, that's right.  Your Yami could have been arrested for public indecency back there, especially at the damn restaurant."  Yugi goes wide-eyed, but doesn't say a thing.  Poor little thing is so sensitive, but I just can't help myself.  It's way too much fun to torture Yugi like this.

"Stop over exaggerating."

We reach the car, which is luckily still parked in the same spot, and get in.  There is little conversation during the drive back, which is shorter than the first because of Kaiba's almost constant velocity above the speed limit.  Kaiba drops us all off at Yugi's house.  I think I'd rather get off here and walk the rest of the way, rather than having to be alone in the car.  I'm just glad that this aggravating day is over.

Before reaching the steps, Yugi breaks off to the side, waving to us.  "Bye!  I'm not sure when I will be back.  I'll call to confirm Ryou made it back alright."  And then he takes off.

"Where is he going off to?"  I ask, rather baffled by his sudden actions.

"He's going over to your house.  Jii-chan will still be working in the shop for a few more hours, so are you coming in?"

"Oh, right."  Heh, Yami has such a one track mind when it comes to certain things.  I guess this day isn't quite over yet.

To be continued-

Whew!  Finally done, hope I didn't put anyone to sleep with this chapter.  I know there was a lot of Bakura's thoughts in the beginning, but I wanted to put it in somewhere.  Sorry if it was boring.  Well, the story will move on from here and the topic of who to pair Ryou with has come up in my mind.  I really, truly can't decide between pairing him with Yugi or Malik because I think both are cute, so I was wondering what all of you thought about it.  I've had a bit of input about it already, but I still can't decide!  Anyways, sorry again for the delay and please review!