Okay, first off, I got a present!! Everybody go check out Team-Rocket-4eva's wonderful fanart at and leave a comment! Thank you!

Thanks to fatlazikat, dragontiger1, Amarin Rose, major-rocket-fan, Kiharu-sama, and Lyn/Lin for reviewing. A couple of you asked how much longer this would be and I'm pretty sure that after this one, there will only be two more chapters. My goal is to finish them by New Year's, but I can't guarantee that with tests and school and all that annoying crap that gets in my way.

So, here's the next chapter!

Chapter 25

Payback

Oh, gods, my head… what time is it?

I wearily locate the clock on my desk, noting that it is in fact after noon and I should have been out of bed a long time ago. Wait a minute, where is Yami anyway? How did he get out of bed without me noticing?

I sit up in my bed and try to rub some of the sleep out of my eyes, though to no avail. I can't believe I slept that long. Come to think of it, I don't even know when I went to sleep last night. Even though it has been about two weeks now since my Ring started working again, it's still taking a while for all of my power to return. But each day, it gets better. It won't be too long now until my energy is fully restored.

Though, I probably would have completely recovered by now if it hadn't been for Yami. I swear he doesn't know what to do with the prolific amount of energy that is available to him, now that he isn't using it on me. I guess he's getting better though. He seems to be slowly adjusting back to a normal state as well, because last week he practically couldn't sit still, he had so much damn energy.

It was actually rather amusing because the first few days after he had finally gotten a good night's sleep, Yami tried so hard to be very concerned and gentle with my recovery, while it looked as if he was going to explode if he didn't go do a few hundred laps around the house or something. I couldn't bear to see him like that anymore, so I gave in and told him I was up for whatever he wanted to do.

A grave miscalculation on my part.

Since then, we have been doing anything and everything. Yami has even been casually including me in activities with all of his friends. Yet another thing that I could have done without for awhile. Of course, we don't really interact much and I am just seen by the others as Ryou's inconspicuous and uncooperative tagalong. I don't know why I let them talk me into it. But mostly, we have been spending time with Ryou and Yugi. And then there are the occasions when we actually get some time alone, but I'm rarely ever allowed to sleep during those periods, though it's not like I would want to anyway.

So, I suppose I'd better get out of bed and see what Yami has lined up for today, assuming he is still in the house. I slip on a shirt and head to the bathroom, hoping that a little cold water on the face will fully wake me up. I stumble though my bedroom and out into the hall, heading towards the bathroom. I don't see anyone else, but I can vaguely hear voices coming from downstairs, so I know someone is in the house.

I walk into the bathroom and turn, coming face to face with the mirror. Instantly, I am horrified by the image that is reflected back to me, causing me to stop dead in my tracks. Numerous possibilities run through my head as to how such an atrocity could have occurred without my knowledge, but that period of time only serves as a window for my anger to multiply to an immeasurable magnitude.

Someone is going to die.

Slowly and with a great deal of control, I turn to leave the bathroom and head down the stairs. My fists clench tightly in a vain attempt to contain some of the mounting fury. I follow the sound of the voices downstairs and into the dining room, where I find Yami, Ryou, Malik, and Yugi sitting at the table, all engaged in lively conversation.

Someone is going to die.

Yami notices my presence and turns to me. "Oh, Bakura, I was wondering when you were going to get up. Do you want something to eat before we go out today?"

I look up from under my bangs and glare at everyone who is at the table, their attention now fully focused on me.

"Who the fuck did this?" I ask in the lowest, most menacing tone I have used in a long time. I watch as they all turn to each other in confusion, with puzzled expressions on their faces.

"Did what, Bakura?" Yugi finally says in an overly innocent voice.

Someone is going to die.

"Who had a death wish and did this to my hair?!" Maybe I should just incinerate the entire room… that would solve my problem.

"What's wrong with your hair?" Yami asks, sounding slightly false. A tiny smirk appears even though it is painfully evident that he trying to suppress it.

"What's wrong with it?" I start in a quiet tone. "What's wrong… is that it has been turned fucking PINK!!" All of my rage is released into the utterance of that final word, startling the occupants of the table somewhat.

There is a weighted silence and all everyone can do is stare back at me, with expressionless faces. And then comes a small giggle from Ryou. Shortly afterwards, Malik can't help but break into a smile. Then Yugi starts to laugh and finally, Yami is the last to break.

"You bastards! You all had a part in it, didn't you?" Asking only causes the laughter in the room to rise.

Yugi manages to quell his excessive fits of laughter for a moment to actually be able to speak to me. "Hey, you deserved it after all the things you've done to us."

"You did have it coming, Bakura." Ryou tries to tell me in a level voice.

Yami gets up from the table and approaches me with that triumphant smirk of his he always wears after winning a duel. Lazily, he drapes his arms over my shoulders. "I told you I'd get you back, didn't I?"

"But…" Most of my anger dissolves into a heavy feeling of defeat. "How…?"

Yami's smirk broadens. "Well, you were just so tired last night that, once I was sure you were sleeping soundly, it was simply a matter of having access to all of your hair. Luckily for us, you had fallen asleep on your stomach, so all we had to do was be careful not to wake you up. And with a little bit of Shadow Magic from Malik and me, we were able to turn your hair this wonderful shade of pink! Isn't it beautiful?"

And the laughter begins anew. Ra, I think I could just about cry. "Don't worry. The hair color I got is just spray-on temporary stuff, so it should wash right out." Ryou tells me with a bright smile…. like that makes it any better.

Should? They will all die if it does not wash out instantly. "Oh and I was the one who got to be the photographer!" Yugi says with a little bounce in his voice.

Photographer?!?! Okay, I've decided who will be the one to die. "You took pictures?!?"

"Yugi, I told you not to tell him about that!" Malik says in a scolding, but urgent tone.

Damn them. "Tell me where you put that film or I swear, I will come over there and-"

"Do what? Somehow, I just can't be intimidated by someone who looks as you do." Yugi counters, obviously not afraid at all.

I move away from Yami, taking a step towards Yugi, when there is a sudden, blinding flash. After blinking a few times to rid my vision of several white spots, I see Yugi laughing hysterically with a camera in his hands.

"Oh, you'd better be afraid now. I'll send both that camera and you to the darkest, most horrific corner of the Shadow Realm." I advance closer to where he is sitting in the chair and as I approach, Yugi contains some of his laughter and jumps up, adopting a defensive stance.

"Ah, I'm so frightened!! The big, scary, pink Bakura is coming after me!!" Yugi says mockingly, while everyone laughs.

I growl in frustration, while trying to catch him, but he is much too quick in maneuvering around the table. He raises the camera to take another picture, but I take that opportunity to charge forward. Due to his delayed reaction I am able to catch him, but before I can, he throws the camera elsewhere.

I grab Yugi in a headlock and dig my knuckles into his head, despite his protests. "Ow!! Bakura, that hurts!"

I press my knuckles down harder, causing him to squirm even more. "That would be the point, now wouldn't it?"

Deciding that he's suffered enough, I release him and go in search of the other target. "Alright, who has the camera?"

Unfortunately, I come face to face with the unalterable, innocent smile of Ryou. He holds up the camera simply to taunt me. "Now, you wouldn't hurt me… would you… Bakura?"

And here come the watery puppy eyes. Using his most effective weapon so soon utterly demolishes any hope I have of getting that camera. I can't do a thing and he knows it. I have lost.

I sigh loudly in defeat. "I'm going to go take a shower."

Before leaving their field of view, I turn around and face them once more. "But all of you had better watch your backs, because I will get you back for this!"

With that, I head upstairs to the bathroom, leaving the string of giggles and laughter behind.

The world is against me…

------------------------------------------------------------

"Come on, Bakura!! Let's go!!"

"I told you, I'm not going!"

"It'll be fun!"

"I think your definition of fun is slightly different than mine."

I hear light footsteps tread up the stairs and finally, the door to my room opens and Yami enters.

"If you come, I'll show you exactly what my definition of fun is… later tonight." He tells me in a rather cat-like fashion. He walks over to where I am laying on my bed and languidly crawls on top of me, sitting down on my stomach.

"Yami, you can't bribe me with sex because I know that it would be just as much torture for you to go without it as well." I move my arms from under my head to his waist. "Besides, I already know what your definition of fun is for that particular subject."

"So, you're coming?" He asks with a sly grin.

"No."

"Aw, come on… You're not still mad at me for what we did to your hair?" He protests, emphasizing it with a slight bounce on my stomach.

"What do you think, Yami? Do you know how hard it was to get that crap out of my hair? It was horrible!" I tell him, not exaggerating one bit. That stuff felt worse than hairspray and it certainly did not wash out as easily as Ryou had originally advertised.

"You're just mad because you didn't think of it first."

"No… that's not it." I'm mad because my hair was pink… I think that would make anyone angry.

"Then why won't you come with me?"

"Because I don't like going to the stupid arcade with your friends. I just sit there, out of place, maybe playing a game or two with Ryou. I don't know why you always want to drag me along anyway."

"It's because I like having you there… And you can always play games with someone else."

"Yami… How many times do I have to say this? I don't like your friends."

"But, I want you to at least get along with them." He tries to pout, but he has never been able to pull off that look. He slides his hands up my chest to my shoulders.

"I won't stop pestering you until you agree." His face morphs into the typical evil grin. Damn, he means it, too. Why does he always have to win?

"Fine…" He smiles in triumph and jumps off of me, standing next to where I am still laying. Apparently, I don't move fast enough because he starts to pull at my arm, trying to drag me out of bed. "I'm coming, I'm coming. Ra, you're worse than a child."

Playing along with the analogy, he sticks his tongue out at me before turning and heading out of my bedroom. I follow, shaking my head slowly. He still has way too much damn energy.

I get half way down the stairs before Yami runs back up them, with my coat. "You could walk a little faster. I was supposed to be there over a half hour ago."

"That's not my problem." He gives me a nasty look as I slip on my jacket. He hurries back down the stairs, dragging me with him.

I look around, trying to find our usual accompaniment to this sort of outing. "Where's Ryou?"

"Oh, he and Malik left a while ago, while you were still sulking in your room. Yugi is already at the arcade, waiting for us."

"You mean Ryou isn't coming?" I ask, somewhat alarmed.

"I assume not, since he had other plans with Malik." Yami says levelly, as we leave the house after putting on our shoes.

"So, how is it going to look when we walk into that arcade together, with no Ryou?"

"It will look however it looks."

"Are you going to tell them about us, then?" His even pace falters slightly before he answers.

"I don't know if I am ready for that quite yet. Let's just let them think whatever they decide to think." His voice is softer than before. This is obviously something that has been troubling him lately.

"That's fine." I take his hand and lace his fingers in between my own. "So, what do we tell them when we get there?"

"Nothing. The less attention brought to the fact that we are walking in together, the better. I can always say something like Ryou forced me to bring you along if they ask."

"Alright." Idle talk continues until we are almost to the arcade and I stop walking, causing him to stop as well.

"What is it?" Yami asks me, concern evident in his voice.

I take in a deep breath, letting it out forcefully. "Just gathering my patience, that's all." I smile as he rolls his eyes. "A kiss before I have to act like I still hate you?"

"How could I say no?" We back away from the main path and Yami moves closer, his arms looping around my waist. I bring my hands to his face and our gazes lock together momentarily, before I lean to kiss him. Yami's exorbitant amount of energy flows into the kiss and I feel as if it has somehow transferred into me. He pulls away, but I'm not going to let him go just yet.

I slide my hands along his neck to his shoulders. Yami turns his head nervously to the side out of paranoia of being caught, exposing his neck to me. I seize the opportunity and descend upon his, for once, uncovered skin. That stupid neck buckle he wears always gets in my way. I hear him gasp as I softly bite at the sensitive area towards to the back of his jaw line.

Deciding that it would not be the best idea to continue this particular activity so close to danger, I draw back to meet his eyes again. "That was more than one kiss."

"That's what you get for being distracted."

"So, getting distracted is a bad thing then?" He smirks and steps away from me, back towards the arcade entrance. "I'll go in first; you can follow behind a little ways."

"Oh, I see how it is, reverting back to your old Pharaoh habits."

He waves me away dramatically. "Twenty paces back, slave!"

I laugh at the expression on Yami's face when he realizes that he said that loud enough for a couple of random people to hear, who give him odd looks before continuing on their way.

"Inside… before you make more of an ass of yourself." I push him gently though the door and try my best to put on my typical pissed off expression.

I follow Yami as he winds his way through a few different aisles in search of his friends. Finally, he stops, finding Honda and Jounouchi. "Hey guys, sorry I'm late."

"Where were you, Yami? We were wondering if you were going to come at all." Jounouchi asks, playfully punching Yami on the side of his arm.

"I got distracted by some things." He smiles, unwilling to make up anything more specific. "So, where is everyone?"

"Oh, Anzu and Mai are here somewhere. I just saw Otogi run off with Yugi to play Dungeon Dice Monsters. I even saw Kaiba and Mokuba around just a little bit ago, but Kaiba was being his usual antisocial self." Honda informed him.

"Speaking of antisocial, I didn't expect to see you here, Bakura." Hearing my name, I turn to find Jounouchi looking directly at me.

Yami quickly covers for me, stepping a little bit closer to me. "Ryou made me drag him along, since he wasn't coming himself."

Playing the part, I scowl at both Yami and Jounouchi while crossing my arms in front of me.

"Aw, I thought he was actually starting to like us." Honda says in an overly sarcastic tone.

Fed up with both of them, I walk away in a random direction after glaring at them again. Maybe I can find a first-person shooter game and imagine that I'm taking out a bunch of people that just happen to look like Honda and Jounouchi.

I turn around a corner and come face to face with my worst nightmare, Anzu. Quickly, I dart back around, hoping that she didn't have a chance to see me.

"Hey, Bakura! I didn't know you were coming too." Shit… Would Yami be mad if I killed her… maybe not. She comes bouncing around the corner with way more happiness than I can handle.

"So, you finally decided to come and hang out with us." She says with a big smile.

"Believe me; I am not here by choice." I tell her, lowering my voice and narrowing my eyes.

Unfortunately, she completely ignores my threatening glance and continues to babble on. "Do you want to play a game?"

"What?" I ask, startled, the pause in noise from her catching my attention.

"What game do you want to play?" She reemphasizes.

"I don't have any money." Please let there be an earthquake or something to destroy this building and save me from this torture. I should have stayed around Yami. At least then he could have provided some sort of barrier between me and these people.

"I'll pay for you." Why won't she just give up?

"I don't want to play." I tell her sternly.

Completely ignored yet again, she pushes me along to some unknown destination. I may just have to burn this shirt when I get home. Touching me will get you killed, little girl. "Sure you do!"

After a few moments, she stops us in front of a large, brightly colored table. "Let's play air hockey!"

She hands me this round plastic thing and pushes me to one end of the table. "Do you know how to play?"

"No." She puts some coins into the slots on her side of the table and suddenly, I can feel air coming from the table's surface.

"All you have to do is use this thing to hit this puck." She holds up a plastic disc. I swear if she keeps treating me like an infant, I will hit her square between the eyes with that thing. "And you have to try to hit it into my goal." She points to a thin slot on her end of the table. "And whoever gets seven goals first, wins. See, it's really easy!"

Yeah, so easy I wanna cry just being here. "Are you ready?"

I put my plastic thing down on the table to signify that I am. I wonder if I beat her at this stupid game, she'll leave me alone. She puts the puck down on the table and taps it towards me. What, does she think that I am five years old? She's left her goal wide open. I take the opportunity to hit the puck hard, straight back into her goal.

She looks a bit stunned and suddenly, there is more determination in her features. "Okay, I won't go easy on you then."

Like she is intimidating in any way. She starts off fast this time, but she is no match for my perfected hand-eye coordination. It's been awhile, but my skills as a thief have not diminished.

She yelps in surprise as I knock in the seventh and final goal to completely crush her. She didn't even score one point. I have a right to be smug and I make that known to her very clearly. She scrunches up her face in dissatisfaction, but quickly reverts back to her overly happy smile. Heh, she's really pissed that she lost. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

"Wow… that was really good, Bakura! I'm amazed. It must be beginner's luck." Luck had nothing to do with it.

"This was rather boring since there was nothing at stake. I'm going to go now." I start to walk away from the table, only happy because I made her mad. I should go see what Yami is up to or maybe Yugi.

"Don't go! You should play someone else!" Anzu disappears and in seconds, returns dragging Honda and Jounouchi behind her. Damn, I was hoping she would take longer so I could sneak away.

"What do you want me to do now?!" Honda says, looking somewhat alarmed. I bet she just yanked them away from the game they we playing without asking.

"Play air hockey with Bakura." Honda looks over to the other end of the table where I am standing, with my arms crossed and eyes narrowed just enough to be at my most intimidating.

Honda visibly tenses and tries to back away, but Anzu pushes him up to the table. "Okay, I'll play, but you have to pay." He tells Anzu, clearly unsure of himself.

"That's fine." She puts the tokens in the slot once again. "Now, play!"

In mere minutes, I beat Honda the same way I beat Anzu. Jounouchi automatically takes the loss personally and insists that he play me as well. He's so loud and obnoxious, how do people stand playing games with him?

Jounouchi is easy to beat, of course… stupid mutt. Sometime during our game, Yugi, Otogi, and Mai wander up to the table to watch.

Yugi walks up to me after the game and pokes at my arm, while Jounouchi is distracting the others with his loud ranting about how he can't believe he lost. "I didn't know you were this good at air hockey."

"Neither did I. This is my first time playing, but it's not like the game requires much skill."

"I guess you're right. So, do you want to come play a game with me?" He asks, his eyes suddenly getting bigger.

"Sure, as long as you're paying."

"Yay! I want to play this racing game over here." He starts to run off in the direction of some other game, but we don't get far before Anzu notices.

"Hey, where are you going? You can't leave yet." Who the hell does she think she is, telling me what I can and can't do... Okay, I am leaving now.

I take three steps and before I know it, she has dragged Yami back with her. This should be interesting.

Yami has this bewildered look on his face. He looks to me for some sort of explanation, but all I can do is roll my eyes.

"Yami, you have to beat Bakura at air hockey!" She promptly proclaims.

"Why do I have to be the one?" Yami looks very unsure, but I think it'd be fun to beat him.

"Scared, Pharaoh? It's a very easy game. Or are you worried that you can't win a game that isn't partially based on luck? What will you do without your little 'faith in the Heart of the Cards?'" I still love to tease him about that. Yami plays along, appearing to be deeply offended, while everybody watches to see what he will do next.

"Fine! I accept your challenge and I assure you that I will not be the one to lose!" I have to try really hard not to laugh at his dramatic performance. He even pointed at me for added effect. I think the reason he hasn't told his friends about us is because he likes doing this sort of thing too much.

"Alright, but I'll only play if there is something at stake." Yami looks a bit confused, but hides it instantly. I might as well make the game a little more exciting.

"If that's what you want." He tells me in a diplomatic tone. I grin evilly and step to the opposite side of the table from where everyone else is and nod slightly, motioning for him to join me. He understands and walks up close to me.

"What are you thinking?" He asks in a hushed whisper.

"Hey, I'm just giving them more of a show and besides, it makes it more fun if there's something at stake, right?" I whisper back.

He sighs softly. "Fine, what do you want to bet on?"

"I don't know, you pick something."

"Um, if I win, you have to cook for me for a week."

"That's stupid. It has to be something bigger."

"Um, then…" His eyes light up with an idea. "Then, if I win, you have to kiss Anzu in front of everyone."

"What?!? That's just wrong!" I say way too loudly. It is at this point that I realize everyone is staring at us from the other side of the table, trying to discern what we are saying.

"You wanted a bigger risk, didn't you?" Yami says quietly, trying to beat me at my own game. The competitive light in his eyes incites my own instincts to fight back.

"Okay then. If I win, you have to kiss me in front of everyone." A look of surprise and fear races across his expression, fractionally dimming that competitive light. He searches my eyes for a few seconds, deciding whether or not to accept my terms.

"Alright… I don't have to worry, because I know that I am going to win!" He says defiantly, for everyone to hear, before returning to his end of the table.

His determination has soared and he is ready to beat me. We start playing and I take a slight lead, but Yami quickly catches up and soon we are tied at six goals each. The puck starts to go back and forth faster and faster. Finally, I hit it at apparently just the right moment and angle for the puck to fly off the table, narrowly missing Yami's head. I stare in astonishment, while Anzu runs to pick up the puck. I try my best to non-verbally apologize to Yami without the others noticing and luckily, he notices.

"There's no need to be so rough, you two!" Anzu says as she returns the puck to Yami.

Yami's competitive nature fully restored, we resume the game. Eventually, I finally see an opening and I stretch to my full reach to hit the puck hard into Yami's goal, scoring the last goal.

I can't help but smile in triumph, mainly because I can't believe that I actually beat Yami. I look over to Yami, who is simply stunned. The others are all murmuring amongst themselves, expressing their own surprise in the victory.

"See Pharaoh, you can't win all the time." I tell him arrogantly. "Now, hold up your end of the bet!"

Everyone turns their attention to Yami, wondering what our bet was in the first place. I mention it only because that is expected from me, but I certainly won't force the issue. I wonder if he'll actually do it. I'm just glad I didn't have to kiss Anzu. I know Yami never would have let that one go.

Yami meets my gaze and from the panic in his eyes, my smug façade softens immediately. He's clearly not willing to go through with the bet, but his pride won't let him withdraw and he doesn't know what to do.

"Well, Pharaoh? Not willing to go through with your side of the bet? I guess I can let you do it later, I know you always keep your word. Until then though, it will be our secret." I tell him in a condescending tone, but Yami looks to me, grateful for my words.

There's a tug on my sleeve and I find Yugi at my side. "What was the bet?"

I lean down and whisper into his ear. "I said that he had to kiss me in front of everyone."

"That's mean." He tells me with a small laugh.

"He was going to have me kiss Anzu." I tell him, attempting to redeem myself somewhat.

Yugi's eyes go wide in surprise. "Okay, I think that was worse... for you anyway."

Yugi makes his way over to Yami, through the small crowd of people pestering Yami about the terms of our bet. After a few statements from Yami, most of them disperse, going back to what they had been doing originally. Only Yugi, Anzu, Jounouchi and Honda remain around Yami. I approach the outer edge of the small gathering, hoping that Yami is not still being badgered about losing the game.

"Hey Bakura, that game was amazing! See, you should come to the arcade more often with us and maybe you'll find other games you're really good at." Anzu exclaims, unfortunately involving me in the conversation.

Yugi comes up to me once again. "You said you'd play a game with me, so hurry up!"

"Yami, what's that mark on your neck? Did you get hit by the puck?" I hear Anzu ask, sounding very concerned. This catches my attention immediately, considering I know exactly what that mark is probably from. I really didn't think that kiss was enough to bruise him.

I stop and turn around, monitoring the situation. Yugi holds up as well, not saying anything and only sensing my apprehension. I watch as Yami becomes slightly flushed and puts a hand over the mark. "It's nothing; the puck probably just grazed me."

Jounouchi has this comical look of serious contemplation and suddenly, an idea hits him, much to my dismay. "I know what that's from!" He playfully nudges Yami in the arm, wearing a sly grin. "You've been making out with a girl and you didn't tell us?"

"Really? Is she pretty? How long has this been going on?" Honda starts interrogating. Anzu just looks entirely shocked about the whole possibility. Yami notices me standing nearby and his eyes send a plea for help. I don't know what I can do though, without being completely out of character.

"It's nothing like that… I don't have a girlfriend, guys… sorry to disappoint you." Yami tells them without the usual confidence backing up his statement. Jounouchi and Honda seem discouraged for a brief period, until Jounouchi decides to speak up once again.

"Is it a guy then?" He says, in a slightly lower tone. Yami's eyes get almost as big as Yugi's, clearly displaying his surprise. "Because it's okay if you do have a boyfriend. You can always tell us."

Hm, that was not quite how I expected him to finish that sentence. Oh, well. Better for Yami I guess. Yami still looks as if he is about ready to panic, though. I know he doesn't want to blatantly lie to his friends again.

"Hey Pharaoh! Come tell your pint-sized hikari to stop bugging me, before I decide to throw him into the pinball machine over here!"

Yami breaks out of his near panic attack and quickly hurries through the others, to Yugi's side. Luckily, we are far enough away from the others that they can't hear us. Yami takes Yugi's hand and steps back a couple paces, giving me a nasty look for show.

"You owe me one." I tell Yami, trying not to look too comfortably in his direction.

"I think we're even now, after that ridiculous air hockey game." Yami retorts.

"Anzu was the one who insisted that I keep playing. So, don't blame me."

"You're the one who suggested there be some sort of wager." Yami's voice rises slightly.

"You're just mad because you lost." I state with a smirk.

"I'm not mad."

"Sure… when was the last time you lost any game?"

He glares at me for some time, making it fairly obvious that he was lying about being mad. Well, I can consider that payback for the pink hair.

I look around to find that there is no one in our immediate vicinity any longer. I slide a hand along Yami's cheek and watch as his anger melts away. "I didn't mean to push you into doing something you weren't ready for. But, you still have to fulfill your end of the bet... someday."

"I know. Sometime soon, I'll be ready to tell them."

"Are you going to keep your side of the bet?" Yugi chimes in, reminding us of his presence.

"Hell no! I won, remember?" There's no way I would have done that even if I had actually lost. I would have killed her first. "And if you mention that again, I'm not going to play any video games with you."

Yugi pouts, but pulls me in the direction of the video game anyway. "Fine…"

Giving one last glance over to Yami, making sure he is alright, I let Yugi lead me away while Yami goes in the opposite direction. Hopefully, I can survive the rest of the evening without doing any more damage.

To be continued-

Phew! Well, that was a long chapter… I thought it would be nice to have more of a light-hearted chapter after all the angsty stuff lately, although I really like writing that. So, tell me if you liked it and leave a review!! My goal is to hit 300 reviews with this story, but somehow I doubt that will happen… so help me out!