A/N: W00t! Can't believe how many people liked my one shot! And I have another one, another pairing in the works… ke ke ke…Anyways, Good reason(s) for lack of chapter yesterday. Namely, shopping for birthday presents, and being unable to come in here all day because my dad was painting. Could give you a ton of reasons why I can't update today either- Stinking cold, Church, Youth Group, Visiting Grandparents (Thankfully nicer then Az's!) and my mom's birthday mixed up somewhere in it all. Ah well. I didn't. Here's the chapter!

Review Response:

Dragonlady222: Yup, you guessed right. Poor, poor Az. But c'mon... do you really think I'd leave her there...? Heh heh heh...

Disclaimer: I own some stuff. But nothing copyrighted. Drat.

And now, a very suicidal plan, and a bombshell…

Eighteen: It's the Thought that Counts

June

Azreal watched the car pull up on the other side of the road, as they waited outside the school gates. This had been the bad news her father had had the night previous for her- Ruby's mother was beginning to get suspicious as to why Azreal never went- and just because her suspicions were right didn't mean that they could let her know that. So that had been the deal. She could go to the summer fest for the day, and then that evening would head up to her grandmothers for the weekend. What a way to end a so far awesome day…

Sighing, she bade them goodbye, discreetly squeezing Seto's hand as she passed. She had had fun today. Let's hope that that was enough to get her through the next two days…

As she hopped in, she was surprised to find Ruby driving. She got the feeling her dad had stayed behind with his son and his mother-in-law so she could have a break. Azreal hadn't failed to notice the way Ruby was patronised. Not that the demon grandmother thought much of Doug, either. At least, not after she had discovered his 'illegitimate daughter'. After the initial conversation had all-but died out, Azreal noticed something else that initially struck her as strange.

"Isn't it the other way?" She asked, bewildered, as they turned into their street. "Why are we going home?"

"I just thought that you probably wouldn't want to spend the weekend in your uniform." Ruby replied, innocently. "You'll need your gear."

"What are you building up to?" Anna asked, suspiciously.

"Well…" She dithered. "You need to make a good first impression, and I think that maybe you should wear a dress."

And Azreal's view of the world did a u-turn.

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After Anna had been driven away, none of them could think about going to see the fireworks.

"Poor Ann…" Téa mourned. "That old woman hates her. What a way to spend your weekend…"

"And she'll miss the fireworks." Yugi added, as the first banged overhead.

"Unless…" Joey said slowly. "We could…"

"Go and rescue her?" Ryou asked, laughing.

"Yeah." Joey shrugged.

"Do you have a plan?" Duke asked curiously.

"No. Not yet. But I know a dude who will…"

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Anna tried to look at her watch without letting anyone see. She had barely been here an hour, and yet it was still excruciating… Not to mention that she had eventually been persuaded into a dress. And as the only one she owned had been the one for the valentine's dance, she had been forced to wear that. And then it apparently looked too much like a 'party frock'- which it was- and so she had to wear a cardigan to balance it. As she didn't own a cardi, it was one of Ruby's and therefore too long for her. It matched as far as colour was concerned, but any and all character of the dress had gone. All that trouble, to have it dismissed as 'I hope that wasn't expensive' within two seconds of the door. What a horrid old woman… The others would be watching the fireworks over the ocean right now… The display went on for hours, well into the night, and was meant to be something truly spectacular this year…

"Stop huffing and puffing girl!" Ruby's mother snapped. "Honestly, Doug, how was this girl dragged up?"

"I'm sorry." Anna tried, vainly. The old woman sniffed.

"If you want to be part of my family, little miss, you need to start acting like you've been raised properly." She looked at Anna intently. The girl in question tried not to squirm. "You're supposed to be a part of this family, but you won't even bother to come and see your dear old ill grandmother? What kind of family is that? Not that you're any grandchild of mine, thank goodness."

"Well…" Anna bit her tongue to stop herself being rude. "I personally believe that family… any kind of family… needs to know each other before there can be any love, or care. How can you care about someone you don't know? But… I would…like to know you." Stay polite. Keep lying.

"Hmmph." She snorted. "That's respect for you, isn't it? Not even your own flesh and blood-"

"Excuse me," Anna said stonily. "As you said yourself, I am not your flesh and blood. And if you think it's only physical relations that make a family, I don't know what you can do." She stood slowly. "I'm going to go to bed, if I may. Goodnight, dad, Ruby. Goodnight, Grandmother." She walked from the room, sending up a silent prayer for the strength to get through this ordeal.

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"So let me get this right." Seto sighed, looking at them. "You want to go and save Az." He repeated, as Yugi, Téa, Ryou, Joey, Mokuba, Duke, Serenity, Mai and Tristan watched. "You want to go and save her from the Evil Grandmother of doom, who, from the sound of things, wouldn't hesitate to beat us round the head with a walking stick, with her dad and step-mom there, when we have no idea where 'There' is; with no plan and no way of executing one."

"Don't give us that." Joey sighed. He was playing a dangerous game. "You wanted her here more then any of us. Even if you were too polite to do it, you would've had a plan to rescue her. And even if you didn't have one before, you will do now. Right, Kaiba?"

Seto gave an almost vampirism grin. "As it happens, I do have an idea. It's so stupid, I despair to know I thought of it. But, given that I have your… expertise… it may just work." He turned to face them fully at last. "Tell me, Wheeler, just how much attention do you pay in Literature class…?"

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She stormed into the guest room that she and James were being forced into sharing, fighting very hard not to slam the door. For one thing, she wouldn't give the old bag the satisfaction of seeing her lose her temper. And for another, James was already sleeping, and she couldn't wake him.

Her first thought was to get out of this dress, the last of her goodwill gone. Unfortunately, blundering about in the dark, it was impossible to find her normal clothes in the small hold-all she had brought.

So her second thought was to get out of this house instead.

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The plan itself was suicidal in its simplicity. After all, undercover officers and unmarked cars do not need to be costumed. And the reason Seto had asked if they paid attention was because the idea was openly stolen from a very dramatic scene in A View from The Bridge, namely the part with the Immigration Bureau.

And Seto even knew where Azreal's grandmother lived. But first things first. There wasn't enough room for everyone in the car he'd brought that day, especially as they had to leave room for Azreal, so he had somehow ended up with- and who knew how or why- Yugi, Ryou, and, worse luck, Wheeler. Who hadn't as of yet put on his seatbelt.

"Put it on." Seto said, tiredly. Joey seemed surprised.

"What?"

"Seatbelt." Seto grunted, determined to say as little as possible to Wheeler. It's for Az. He kept reminding himself. You're doing this for Az. "We don't go anywhere until you have it on, Wheeler. I don't want your death on my record."

Joey strapped himself in. He was slightly concerned by that statement. It almost sounded like not only did Kaiba expect an accident, but he had rather a reputation for them. "You make it sound like you're an irresponsible driver." He commented, nervously.

Seto said nothing, starting the engine.

"Ever get the feeling you're in over your head?" Yugi murmured to Ryou. The boy next to him grinned slightly manically.

"Oh, I don't know." He said. "I think this looks like it's all going to be rather fun. The best suicide mission I've been on, any road."

Yugi decided to keep his doubts to himself in future.

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There was an advantage to living in a bungalow.

All the windows were at ground level.

As Azreal carefully began to manovere herself out of the window, it was a pity her phone was turned off so as not to give her away. Had it been on, she would have found several encouraging texts from her friends, and a rather odd one from Seto telling her to sit tight- because a rescue mission was underway.

Although, technically, the whole mix up was their fault- they should have realised that Azreal had no intention of sitting around and waiting to be rescued.

However, as she stepped out, fate, as fate so often had a habit of doing, decided to screw her about some more. And so, as she half-hopped, half stepped the metre or so drop, she could clearly hear Ruby and her mother arguing outside her bedroom door. Cursing, Azreal began to climb back into the house- she'd never have time to get away before they realised she was gone.

But she might just have time to make it look like she'd never left. Provided Ruby kept her talking.

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Téa, Tristan, Duke, Mai, Serenity and Mokuba were supposed to wait for the others to come back.

However, their attention spans couldn't handle it.

Not wanting to go and watch the fireworks whilst the others weren't there, they plunged back in to the near-deserted stalls and attractions. Most people were already down around the wharf.

"Look!" Téa said excitedly. "Hook a duck!" She glanced above the stall, and gasped again. "And look at the grand prize!" She pointed to the ceiling of the small booth, to where a poster displayed a free season pass for the local water park. "Oh, let's have a go!"

"Uh-uh." Duke replied, shaking his head firmly, backing away. "There is no way I'm going anywhere near those… those… demented things!" He stumbled off in a random direction.

"What's eating him?" Téa asked, confused.

"Well…" Tristan answered slowly as they started after him. "Did you ever wonder how he got that scar…?"

"Oh…"

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By the time the two women entered the room, Anna was- or at least, appeared to be, curled up, asleep on her bed. Unfortunately, the old woman was not as gullible as she should have been. Anna tried to keep her breathing controlled as she came right up close, regarding her suspiciously. The only light, although it was still practically daytime, came spilling in from the hall.

"How can she sleep already?" She knew Azreal was faking it.

"Mother, please!" Ruby cried, keeping her voice low. She knew equally well that her sort-of daughter, as she had become known, was feigning sleep, but was bailing her out again. "Anna hasn't been very well at all, she had a month off, only went back today…"

"She's as fit as a fiddle." She sniffed, but at least she straightened up.

"She's just as ill as you are." Ruby replied, smoothly, ushering the old woman out. Then she went and sat on Anna's bed, and the girl straightened up, looking at her dad's wife in the curtain-and-blind-induced gloom.

"She's right, Ann." Ruby said in the end. "No self-respecting girl of your age could sleep at this time. We only had tea half an hour ago. What were you really up to, and, more to the point, why is the window unlocked?"

Stupid childlocks. Too hard to do up properly in a rush.

"Um…" Anna considered. "Would you believe… I wanted some air?"

"Let's take it as read that I would not, and move onto the fact that you were trying to escape."

Anna shifted embarrassedly. "I was going to leave a note."

Ruby shook her head, but after a short pause spoke again, laughing. "Oh, go on then! You can get the bus home easily enough. Just don't let the old bag catch you! After all, the rest of us have family commitments to her, but as she's so desperate to make sure you know you don't…"

Anna was surprised, but then hugged Ruby briefly before leaping out the window once more, and away into the dusk.

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The concept was one even Wheeler could grasp. After drawing straws to see who would go (Which, of course, had been the result of Yugi's lecture on fairness) Joey and Yugi had been selected to go to the door, and somehow manage to convince the old woman that they were Immigration officers come to arrest Azreal, an alleged 'Illegal Immigrant'. Seto's argument that in no way did Yugi look the part had nothing to do with it. A further drawing of straws had landed Ryou the part of another 'illegal immigrant' just to add to the realism and confusion of the entire affair.

So Seto had ended up being the one to wait in the car.

He watched the reflections in the wing mirror tensely. They were approaching the door now. Ryou had disappeared, so was presumably in one of the surrounding bushes, waiting to run out and try to 'escape'. So far, so good. But then, if anything had gone wrong already, his opinion of them would have to be significantly lower then it already was.

Unfortunately, a proverbial spanner was about to be thrown into the works.

"Seth?" The voice was unmistakable, and had most defiantly not been rescued yet.

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There was a bus stop at the end of the road. Azreal would head there. But first, she had to get past the house without getting caught. Shouldn't be too hard; she highly doubted anyone would be looking out the windows. She could pretty much just waltz down the front path.

She hopped down, easily, silently, from the window on the side of the house and gave Ruby a half wave before heading in the general direction of the street. The street, which, her ears soon informed her, someone was walking up. And she really didn't want to bump into whoever it was. The front way was out.

Azreal shrugged, doubling back on herself, and headed through the gate that lead into the garden at the back of the house. Judging by the garden itself, the old witch had quite a green thumb. There were flower beds everywhere, and Azreal didn't even have to look to know what was growing in them and up over the trellises nailed onto the fence. She could have told what they were in no uncertain terms just from the smell. She had always loved them. And she had received some just the day before…

She smiled briefly. Two nights ago, she had been chatting to Seto, as usual, about nothing at all. Or, more precisely, teasing him about his preference for suicidal plants. Somewhere along the way, she had let slip the flower she loved- the rose. He had found that hilarious. And she had to agree, it was so cliché… but there was something about the way roses smelt that she loved, that always calmed and comforted her. But not red roses. They had almost been… cheapened, by all the over-use and symbolism that surrounded them. No, Azreal loved white roses- almost ignored, and as a result, in some way pure. There was nothing on Earth, she had said, that was cleaner then a white rose.

And although Seto had laughed at the time, when he had come to visit her the next day, he'd brought some with him. He said after she had sounded so miserable and bored on the phone, he'd just wanted to see her smile.

She had.

Now, however, the smile was slipping away. Azreal felt the memory being tarnished- the idea that she had anything in common with this old viper was almost repulsive. She crossed the garden quickly, refusing to acknowledge the plants that were climbing the fences and into her mind.

She opened the door that joined the garden onto the garage, and walked quickly through the dark room before slipping out the door and directly onto the street, skirting around the front garden, unnoticed. She didn't look around to see who it was on the street- she had read that if you looked at someone for too long they would turn and catch your eye. And she didn't want that. She was finally free.

Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, Azreal strode off down the road. She'd wait for the bus, and then, after a five minute drive, she'd track down the others- she couldn't wait to see their expressions when she found out she'd escaped…

And if that car on the kerb belonged to who she thought it did, she wouldn't have to wait long.

She approached cautiously. There was someone in the car. What was he doing here…?

"Seth?"

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Seto was sorely tempted just to let Yugi and Joey attempt to rescue someone who wasn't there. But at the last moment, some shred of humanity he'd managed to miss along the line kicked in and he jabbed his fist into the car horn.

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Whilst Azreal was making her bid for freedom, Ruby and her mother were talking in the kitchen. And Ruby, who normally wouldn't say boo to a goose, was this time pulling no punches.

"I just don't see why," She continued, keeping her voice as steady as she could. "You have to be so mean to her all the time. Can't you see she's trying!"

"Don't take that tone with me." Her mother sniffed. "Besides, I rather like the girl."

Ruby blinked, too surprised for the moment to comment on the fact that she didn't show it very well.

"I like her." The old woman repeated. "She's got spunk, and just a little cheek." She laughed. "Yes, don't you see? You have to be harsh, you have to push them to see what their limit is. I have no respect for someone with no will of their own, who can't take anything, nor stand up for anything. Can't stand a weakling, me. But, I have to say that I think… Yes, I'm quite sure, I've met my match in that girl." She picked up the mug of tea she'd been stirring and sipped it, eyes shining with a mischief far too young for her. "But don't go thinking I'll be going any easier on her- this is war. And war is always a war, no matter how much you respect the enemy."

Ruby opened her mouth to say something, but then the doorbell rang, and the older woman hastened to answer it.

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As far as Joey was concerned, it was all going rather well. Checking a final time that Ryou was prepared, hidden in the bushes- He couldn't find the guy to ask him, but that presumably meant it was all okay- and asked Yugi if he was ready- He wasn't, but wanted to get on with it anyway- Joey stretched out and pressed heavily on the doorbell.

A moment later, a silhouette appeared on the other side of the door, illuminated in the dim hallway.

"Who's there?" An old, but by no means frail voice called. This would be the grandmother, then.

"Im…" Joey began, about to yell 'Immigration' and demand to be let in. However, he was interrupted by a blaring car horn, and he trailed off as he looked sharply in the direction of Kaiba's car to see what the matter was- only to see Azreal waving at him, looking bewildered.

Suddenly, she dived in front of the parked car, hiding from view. The reason for this was that her grandmother had appeared at the door, looking suspicious. Uh-oh. Time to abort mission. But how…

Talk now. Think later.

"I'm sorry to tell you that you're killing the planet whenever you wash at 60 rather then 40!" Joey blurted, hoping it was smooth enough for her to think that his previous 'im' had been an 'I'm'.

"Uh, that's right!" Yugi nodded. "We're from the, uh, Youth Alliance of… um…"

"Protecting the… um…" Joey continued falteringly.

"Planet!" Yugi yelped. "The Youth Alliance of Protecting the Planet! Right!"

"That's right!" Joey agreed. "So, like, y'know…"

"Recycle!" Yugi put in.

"And… um… Make sure you don't… Uh…"

"Waste resources!"

"Yeah!" Joey agreed. The woman was not looking impressed. "Yes, and we all need to watch our…" He went blank. He knew what he was going to say- or he had known. Suddenly, he had forgotten. The panic was setting in… He glanced at Yugi, who looked back with a slight shake of his head. Oh dear…

"CO2 emissions!" A nearby bush hissed.

"CO2 emissions." Joey repeated, gratefully.

The woman looked down at them stonily.

"Well… um…" Yugi faltered. "I guess that's it… Thanks for listening!"

"Yeah!" Joey agreed. He should have known this would draw attention back to him… "Um… So, Save the World! And while we're about it, Save the Whales to! Yeah… Gotta go!" All pretence now abandoned, he turned and ran.

Azreal's grandmother stared beadily now at Yugi.

He shrugged and waved helplessly before running after his friend.

A second later, an odd-looking boy even more oddly climbed awkwardly out of the bushes, catching his foot on a twig and somehow managing to snap off an entire length of branch.

She looked down at him as he struggled to his feet. He seemed surprised. Apparently, he'd thought she'd gone in.

"Um…" He blinked. "Sorry about your bush!" He pressed the snapped branch into her hand and ran off.

Ruby's mother didn't bother giving chase, going inside and mumbling to herself about how crazy the world was getting.

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As soon as the front door shut, they all- including Azreal- dived into the car. Seto and Azreal, who had not only heard the exchange at the door but cringed at it, were laughing. Not that you could really tell with Kaiba. But the movement of his shoulders suggested laughter.

"I don't find it funny." Joey pouted. "What if she had pulled out a walking stick on us!"
"It's your own fault." Azreal sniffed, her stern tone being ruined by impossible to control sniggers. "What are you guys doing here!"

"These guys approached me to come and rescue you." Seto replied, jerking his head to the back seat. "We should have figured you could get out on your own." He went to turn the key in the ignition.

"Ah, well, it's the thought that counts." Azreal giggled, kissing him lightly on the only part of his face she could reach- just below and before his ear. "Thanks."

Seto felt like his entire side had gone numb, and Azreal did not fail to notice his expression as he tried to snap out of his daze enough to start the car. Hmm… It would seem she'd accidentally found his sensitive spot. How interesting…

"Hey." Joey complained, not really serious. "We helped to! How about thanking us?"

"I'm not going to kiss you, Joey." Azreal replied smoothly from the seat in front. "Can't reach you from around the seat, for one thing." She glanced at Seto, her eyes laughing even as her mouth and tone remained serious. "But perhaps later."

"Don't even think about it." Seto said flatly, not rising to the bait as he finally released the hand brake to go back to the festival.

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"What are you doing?" Seto asked, not worrying about keeping his voice low. No-one but her would hear him over the fireworks anyway.

"Pinching myself to make sure I'm not hallucinating." Azreal replied, laughing.

It really was unbelievable. When they had arrived, she had realised that she had forgotten her bag. It was still under the bed, where she'd hidden it before Ruby and her mother had entered the room. So she was watching the fireworks in a beautiful dress and an ugly cardigan. But she was not cold. Not with Seto's arm around her shoulders in a way that made her want to melt.

The fact that he was doing this in public was unbelievable enough. The fact that they were standing only a metre away from where Joey and Mai were in a very similar position was the stuff of dreams. Next to them, her eyes saw the tiny discreet movement as Téa took hold of Yugi's hand. He didn't pull away. Mokuba and Serenity were there to, talking and laughing. At the other end of the row, slightly distanced, Ryou was watching the fireworks with an odd kind of smile, looking pensive.

And so, they all stood there together, watching as a gold shatter of stars gave way to red sparks, faces bathed in light that changed colour with the bangs and crashes, as the sparks danced in the sky and reflected in the ocean beneath them of the display they'd all but missed.

Amazing.

"You know…" Seto said, sounding almost… sheepish. "We'd get a better view from the cliff top…"

"…I'll be there in a minute." Azreal promised, looking worriedly down the row. "Give me five."

"Alright."

She watched as he went, shivering slightly as the breeze hit her. Then she quietly, unnoticed by her friends, moved away from the main group.

"Ryou?" She asked, coming and standing beside him. He didn't glance away from the aerial display.

"Hello." He replied. "They're really something, aren't they?"

"Yeah." Azreal agreed, glancing up for a second before looking back at him. "Now, what's bugging you?"

"Huh?" He blinked. He was sure he had been more cheerful then usual…

"Heh." She laughed. "Seriously, I know something's bothering you. Otherwise, why have you been so determined to be overly happy today?"

Ryou looked at her in surprise, and then the smile he'd held in place all day slipped slightly, and suddenly he had that sad smile on his face again. "I could say the exact same thing to you." He replied eventually.

Impulsively, Azreal hugged him quickly.

"You looked like you needed it." She shrugged.

"I… I'm going back to England." Ryou said at last.

She was silent for a moment.

"You want to?" She said softly, asking what, to her mind, was the most important question.

"Yeah." Ryou answered, sounding certain- if a little sad.

"Then why are you unhappy?"

He considered. "Well… You must realise that when I came here- Japan, that is- a lot of bad stuff happened. But it was a lot of fun to. I've been happy here, and that was certainly a new experience. I guess I'm just going to miss you all."

She said nothing, turning away from him to watch the rather impressive explosions continuing as loudly as ever above them.

"I just…" Ryou continued. "I'm just not as strong as you are, Anna!"

She blinked. "What?"

He swallowed, gasping for air. "I just can't keep… I just can't…" He closed his eyes, briefly, getting his thoughts in order. "I ran away from England to come here. And now… I guess I'm running away again, right? Because no matter where I go, I can't get away from it…! And, well, I need… I need an uneventful life- or slightly less eventful, at least- I need to just…" He shrugged helplessly. "I guess when I ran here, I left myself behind, if you see what I mean. I was just so scared about hurting people that I left someone behind. And I think it's about time I went back for him." He gave a lopsided smile. "I'll miss you all, though."

Azreal nodded slowly. "If that's what you want…"

"It is." Ryou interjected.

"Then I guess that's fine by me!" She declared. "When do you leave?"

"Just as soon as we break up for the summer." Ryou told her. "I… I'm going to a college. Back in Stoke. It looks like a great place, Ann… I'm… looking forward to it."

"And good luck to you!" Azreal smiled, although inside she didn't feel much like smiling at all. Some of this indecision flickered on her face, and she couldn't help but ask. "Will I see- I mean, will you ever come back?"

With a sudden jolt, she realised that if he left now, she probably wouldn't ever see him again.

"I don't think I'll have much of a choice." Ryou flicked the Ring wryly. "But, yeah. I'll come back."

"Then that's that." Azreal sighed.

"Do me a favour, and don't tell the others." Ryou sighed. "Not yet."

"Okay."

"Well…" Ryou gave that lopsided smile. "I'm not leaving right this second, but…" He stuck out a hand half-jokingly. "It was nice knowing you."

"Yes." She laughed with a hint of sadness. "It was. Bye, Ryou." She began to move off in the general direction of the cliff path.

"Goodbye, Azreal." Ryou called after her, and then went back to watching the fireworks.

And this time, the smile was real.

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Seto watched as she sat down next to him, drawing her knees up to her chin. Probably a better idea then sitting cross-legged while she was in a dress, but he didn't feel that was the whole reason.

"You alright?" He asked.

"Fine." She sighed.

"What kept you…?" Seto probed.

"Nothing." She shook her head. "I was just… talking to Joey."

"What about?"

Finally, her normal smile flitted across her face. That was better. "Oh, you know…" She said innocently. "All the Big Questions."

Seto gave a short, sharp laugh. "Huh. The only question Wheeler's interested in is 'Do you want fries with that?'."

"Don't be mean." Azreal poked him as she tried not to laugh. "He helped you today."

"If you call that help."

"Seto!"

"Okay, okay…" He conceded. "I guess the Mutt did his bit."

"Can I get that in writing?" Azreal giggled. "Although, I never thought I'd see you working together with them lot."

"Neither did I." Seto admitted. "And don't expect it to be a frequent occurrence, either. Never again. Ever."

"I don't believe you." Azreal pouted, trying to sound clever. "If you hated them that much, why did you do it, hmm?"

Seto looked at her, exasperated. "Why do you think?"

She looked blank. So he proceeded to show her.

And as the last firework fizzled out, and applause thundered up from the jetty, Azreal pulled away from his lips just enough to smile at him.

"Well… I guess that makes you my Knight in Shining Armour, right?"

"Did you ever doubt it?" Seto smirked back. And they didn't talk again for some time.

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A/N: And there you have it! Thanks for reading, and join me in the next chapter when we say goodbye for now to Ryou and I will finally finish our trip through the months! (Faints)