Kaiba stood there for a long time after she left, staring at the closed door. By the time he moved, he wasn't exaclty sure what time it was or how long he'd been there.

"Mei.." He muttered "I'll try."

The door to her room opened, Kyo entered.

"Hey." She said, looking back down at her magazine.

"Hey." He replied, leaning down to kiss her, she turned away

"Not now." She muttered.

"But I haven't..."

"Kyo please... just keep it in your pants."

"Mei that's not what I... It's just that I haven't see you in almst three days and I missed you."

"Oh."

"Why did you leave without saying anything?"

"I did. I just didn't tell you."

"Why? Did you think I would get mad or something?"

"Not really."

"Then what?"

"Kyo..."

She closed her magazine and sat up on the edge of her bed.

"I don't know how to say this." She muttered

"Tell me."

"I... Well Kyo, quite frankly, I just spent several long weeks with no one but you for company. To be honest, I just needed a little time apart. I still do. You know the saying... absence makes the heart grow fonder?"

"Mei..."

"It's not... it's comming out all wrong... but Kyo... I need a little bit of a break.. it's a girl thing. I just need some time to myself. That's it."

"So you ran off to Domino to..."

"To be with Seto?"

Kyo looked up at her curoisly.

"Is that what you wanted to say? You think I ran away to be with Seto?"

"Did you?"

Mei's eyes widened. They had such a look of hurt and betrayl in them that it pained Kyo to look at them.

"Of course not! I went to see him. That's all. I told you once before... he's just a friend."

"With benefits, you said."

"That was before you... before I knew how you felt... but now I swear I am yours."

There was silence between them.

"I'm sorry." Kyo said "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions..."

"It's alright..."

"No... it's not... You need a break... that's fine... I mean if absence makes the heart grow fonder... think how much I'll want you after a couple of days?"

"Why am I suddenly afraid?"

Kyo smiled.

"Well then it's settled." Mei said "For the next week... we're just good friends... with occasional smooching."

Kyo smiled harder. He then leaned down to kiss Mei, who let him. And then he stood and walked out of the room.

School was murder to catch up in. Since he had missed well over a month he and Mei had a ton of work to catch up on. Kyo was lying on the roof, attempting to do his geomerty. He wished Mei was there with him. She was always pretty good at math. But he had agreed to give her some space and some alone time. He wanted to ask her for help, but he didn't want her to think that he was crowding her.

He sighed and scratched his head.

"Kyo?"

He looked down off the roof. Mei stood, hand up to her forehead to sheild her from the sun.

"Kyo-kun?"

He didn't answer. He just watched her stare.

"Ky-- oh where is that cat? Kyonkichi?"

She scratched her head, Kyo climbed down the ladder and walked over to her. He tapped her on the shoulder, and she jumped, having been startled.

"Hey.."

"Yo."

"You startled me."

"Sorry."

"I was looking for you... I kept calling you..."

"I'm sorry... I was..."

"Trying not to get in my way?" Mei said, almost grinning "I understand..."

"You mean..."

"Kyo, I don't want you totally out of my life... I just don't want you, you know, completely in my life. We still live together, and you are still my boyfriend. We're on a break, not broken up."

"I know..."

"Good."

She kissed him.

"Did you want something?" He asked

"Yeah... can you help me with my History homework?"

Kyo heard his door open. He narrowly opened his eyes and peaked out. It was Mei. She smiled down at him. He shut his eyes gently and pretended to be asleep.

"Kyo?" She sighed "Sleepy head." She reached down and rustled his hair

He shifted and groaned a little.

"Scoot over." She whispered

He scooted over and Mei slid in bed next to him.

"I love you." She murmreed

Kyo nodded in response.

"Kiss me?"

Kyo narrowly opened his eyes again and for a brief moment found Mei's lips.

"Sorry to bother you, but I couldn't sleep."

Kyo was still tired, but not too tired to realize that a week had passed and that they were offically off their break. It was very early morning. Maybe around four or so on a Saturday. Mei slid deeper under the covers.

"Warm?" Kyo grumbled

"Mmm-hmm." Mei said

Kyo wrapped his arms around her and she went to sleep against his chest.