Preparations

Yugi woke feeling cold, and reached out blindly for a body that wasn't there. He felt a crushing disappointment weighing in him as he realized that Bakura was not there, and then chided himself for expecting the thief to remain with him. It wasn't as though he didn't know that Bakura hated being tied down.

He stayed that way for a moment, one hand stretched out as if to touch the thief, and then remembered why Bakura had been with him earlier. He had his own body! Yugi jumped up and tore down the stairs, skidding to a halt inside the main room of Ryou and Bakura's recently acquired house. It was only when Bakura's eyes turned to him mildly that Yugi thought about his dirty clothing and how disgusting he must look after sleeping in his clothes.

Bakura's lips curved upwards slightly, and he gestured absently at a third place set at the table. It was only then that Yugi managed to focus his eyes on Ryou and really take in the sight of the two sitting together. It had to be the hottest sight he had ever seen, he thought giddily, hastily sitting down to hide the tell-tale bulge in his pants below the table. It was true what they said then, about love being the most potent aphrodisiac.

He couldn't help smiling with the overwhelming happiness and relief at their success. Bakura looked pleased at his reaction, Yugi thought. He had begun learning how to read the Egyptian thief, but he wasn't an expert on Bakura's moods by any means. Ryou was smiling happily at both of them, not seeming to care which of them he watched as long as he could spread the joy around.

"You know what?" Yugi said suddenly, and found two sets of brown eyes focused on him with alarming intensity. He had to swallow hard before he could continue. "What we need now is a celebration! I'll go home and get changed and then I'll call the others and ask them to come over after school. If you guys can bring popcorn or chips over to the game shop I'll ask the others to bring stuff and we can have a party."

"All right," Bakura agreed uncertainly after a glance at Ryou. He looked rather uncomfortable with the idea of a party, and Yugi realized that he'd probably never been to one before.

"That sounds great! Ryou cheered, grinning happily. "We've been so busy we haven't spent much time with the others outside of school lately."

"Yeah," Yugi's bright smile dimmed for a moment and then he shrugged dismissively. "So we'll make up for it now and have a great time with the whole gang!"

Bakura sighed and stood up. "You'd better head off to get ready for school now if you don't want to be late, Yugi."

"Sure." Yugi nodded and shoved his chair back. "Thank you!" he yelled out as he reached the door and ran home as quickly as he could. His grandfather was going to be furious with him for staying out without telling him, but he hadn't realized the effect that the spell would have.

Ryou was right, he reflected as he snuck up the stairs and into the shower. He had been neglecting his friends for their research lately. They didn't seem to hold it against him, and he made sure to talk with them during lunch hour at school, but he knew that it wasn't healthy to spend so much of your time on any one thing. It would be over soon now, though. Bakura had successfully completed the first spell, and they knew what they needed for the second spell, so as long as everything went right it would all be over by next week.

After briskly drying himself with a soft towel, Yugi wrapped another towel around his hair and threw on his school uniform before heading downstairs to grab the phone. He had managed to dial Joey's number, and was waiting for his friend to call when his grandfather came into the room, and Sugokuro was far too polite to yell at him when he was talking to someone else. Joey jumped at the suggestion and agreed to bring a few bottles of soda over when he and Serenity came over.

"I'm really sorry about staying out last night, Grandpa," Yugi apologized once Joey had hung up. "I didn't realize how late it was until it was too late to call you."

Grandpa's shoulders slumped and he nodded wearily. "I understand Yugi," he said sadly. "Next time, though, don't worry about the time. I want to know where you are at nights." He looked more worried than angry, so Yugi ran to hug him, trying to reassure his grandfather with the force of his hug that he was really all right.

"We're glad you're home safe," his mother said softly, coming downstairs with a basket of washing held against her side. "It will be lovely having your friends over tonight. I'll order pizza for everyone."

"Thanks mom!" Yugi smiled at her dazzlingly and grabbed the phone again to dial Anzu's number. There wasn't much time left. He had to call them all before he headed off to school or they'd be mad at him.