Umm...yeah so my mom is threatening to make me stay off the internet...says I'm becoming obsessive. O.o...Oh boy. So don't be surprised if I suddenly don't update for a week or more.

StormySkys: (smirks) Kawaiiiiiii! Japanese words are sooo awesome! Yay! I must agree with you. It'd suck to depend on a necklace to live. Yeesh. I don't do so though. (strokes LOTR's ring that Ferris has on chain) Yesssss...precioussss...(looks up) Heh.

Red Phoniex:I shall indeed continue to e-mail you then. Yay!...o.O...I have to finish the story before you'll call it a fav? -.-; yeesh. I must say I'm insulted when you told me to make the chappies longer. I mean, come on, I'm updating every three or four days! As far as I'm concerned that makes up for any "shortage" of chapters, as you put it. Sorry if I made you mad for my little rant there. I do so every so often. (smirk) Love you, dear! Review! PS: I'm not trying to pry here, but some of your spelling is Britishy...Are you in England? (goosh!) I love foreign people! ACCENTS! (Red: o.o;)...ahem...sorry about that...heh.

KeraJeir: Yes, Yami's...a baka, for lack of better words. (smirks) Review again! Love ya!

Satra: (laughs) You are a die-hard Yami fan, aren't you dear? (huggles) You're so cute! Wondering what Malik's plotting? Hmm...you see him scheming again in this chappie. Finally time to put his plan into action! Booya! Wondering if Yami will discover Bakura's secret life? (smirk) And does he...Review again, love!

Blue September: (squeals in delight) A new reviewer!...at least, I think you are...(Glances around old reviews) Hmm...(shrugs) I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Anyhoo, the site's plotting to destroy my story is it? (glares at site) I'll have to look into this. Thank you for telling me. This chappie's for you! (hugs)

dragonlady222: Don't like Malik, eh? (smirk) Oh he's quite tame at the moment. (Malik: blood dripping down chin. "Hmm?") o.O...Yah, so anyway, you think Kura's gonna confess eh? Hmm...perhaps...(sighs) Yes, everyone seems to want Ryou to just magically come back. You poor things. Ryou-deprived, they are! (smiles) Review again, love!

Freedom of Darkness: (Grabs at sugar) Hand it over honey!...BAM!...x.x...Ooookay...nevermind. Keep it. Ow...(rubs nose) Sheesh. I'm glad you're not going to attempt to kidnap me. That would have been...interesting...

pink-kiss-candy: There you are! (huggles) I missed you!...Um...you think it's angsty and tragedy right now? (O.o..) uhhh...just wait until next chappie. Then the angst and violence and death really get started. Review again, dearie! Love ya!

KilaInverse: Marik and Malik make you think?...-.o...Um...is that good? I hope so. There was this kid in my class once who was like: "When I think, bad things happen." O.O...ya...So anyhoo, ya Yami and Bakura are torturing eachother with this lying game they're both playing. Yeesh. Review again! love ya!

Dreaming Child: "Hug of Doom"? (hides under bed) I'll just stay here then. Me hates hugs. Of course, internet huggles are all right cause it doesn't require physical contact. (shudders) Review again! Love ya!

xKokurox: (smirks) So let me get this straight: a chapter sucks if Marik and Malik aren't in it? O.o...hmm...interesting concept, dear. (grins) Read it and it wasn't enough? (sighs) It's never enough for you peoples! Cliffies! Mwahahaha! I am in control! (Mom: What are you doing on the computer again!) -.-; wellll...almost...

Bluegrass Elf: Liked the fluffiness in the last chappie? (clears throat) Ya, about that...it's gonna end really abruptly after this chappie... Review again, love!

blackalbino: Perfect, eh? (smiles triumphantly) Oh no. Now you've gone and done it! You've fed my ego! (head starts growing) NO! Must...be...selfless...Must...not...put...self...on...pedistal...Yeesh. Anyhoo, I'm glad you liked the scene with the ring so much. Feel sorry for Marik, eh? (smiles secretly) Review again, love!

Wish-full thinker: (screams) Aieeeeeeeeee! My head is bloating! You and blackalbino are feeding my ego! Aaaah! I'm becoming my egotistical self! (clamps hands over eyes) I'm a horrible writer. I'm average. I'm not special...(head shrinks again) There. Much better. Where were we? Ah yes, thanks for the compliments. Don't worry honey, the gore and violence is coming up swiftly beginning next chapter! Love ya!

Silver Mirror: I'm glad you liked it when they got locked out of the house. One time we had to take a small window apart and shove my sister through it in order to get in the house. (cackles) Good times, good times. (Chella: >. ) Hehe. Anyhoo, review again, love!

This chapter is for Blue September!

Warning: I'm sorry all of you out there that like fluff. It's going to end abruptly next chappie. (readers: O.O) Oh yes. I'm now on chapter 27 and have yet to see another funny chapter. Just prepare yourselves. It's gonna get bloody and violent.

Opinion

They do not think like I do

I do not understand

Their morals aren't like mine

Nor their ideals and plans.

It's like they have no consciences

Or maybe it is me.

They walk in trails of darkness

Under foreboding trees.

Their eyes aren't any different

Than any other humans',

But when they open up their mouths

I can see right through them.

Their tongues twist like vipers

As they speak their inner minds.

I struggle hard to figure out

If they really are my kind.

How could we think so differently,

Their morals so twisted and skewed?

I just back up and walk away

Their realm I won't intrude.

Chapter 17: Preparations

(Yami's POV)

I slowly open my eyes as sunlight pours in a corner of the window where the curtain is scrunched up a bit. Damn the morning. I hardly got any sleep last night. Why must Ra torment me? Down, sun god! Down!

Ryou moans beside me, burying his face in my shirt. I smile, running my hand through his hair. Two chocolate eyes open and stare up at me.

"Morning," I grin.

He blinks before groaning. "I hate mornings…"

I laugh, shaking him slightly. "Come on. I smell breakfast. It appears Yugi's already up," I add glancing over at the empty couch.

"What a surprise," he mutters sarcastically.

I smirk, hoisting him to his feet. "Come on. I'll have Mr. Mutou make hot chocolate."

His eyes are fully open now, excitement visible.

"Then what are we waiting for!" he exclaims rushing off to the kitchen. Ra, what have I started?

(Yugi's POV)

The four of us sit around the living room discussing what we should have for our party this evening. Grandpa is taking us shopping.

"Hot chocolate!" Ryou cheers happily.

"Um…perhaps we should have a different kind of drink…" Mr. Mutou mumbles earning a horrified look from the white-haired hikari.

Yami chuckles, putting his arm around his boyfriend. "Don't worry, we'll get some hot cocoa for you." He barely finishes this sentence before Ryou knocks him over, thoroughly snogging him. I roll my eyes, turning back to Grandpa who has a look of slight sternness on his face. He doesn't appreciate it when people make out in front of others.

"Anyway…" Grandpa clears his throat loudly, causing the two to look up. "Have you decided on a time the party ends?"

I laugh. "Grandpa, you never decide when a party ends! The party decides for itself!" He looks about ready to faint. Yami and Ryou snicker.

Grandpa sighs heavily, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. "Let's just get this over-with. Come on."

(Bakura's POV)

We wander about the large shopping center, already having one cartload of goodies! Did I just say goodies?...Must not be over my hot-chocolate high yet…

Yugi rushes off muttering something about last-minute presents. Mr. Mutou's only Ra knows where, probably unloading all the things we put in the cart. Disagreeable man…-.-

Yami and I link fingers, aimlessly roving about, glancing around as we're shoved to and fro by aggressive shoppers. Who new modern-day people could be so hostile. I internally smirk at this. It's all quite amusing…ow! Except when they push me! Ass-hole!

"Perhaps we should try the back aisles," Yami suggests, tugging me towards the far end of the store.

He's right, there aren't any people in these common appliances and gardening aisles. Apparently they aren't much for the holiday marketing. I don't care if all the domestic devices are a bore; we're safe from all those maddening…

"So how are you feeling?" Yami asks me as we stand in front of a shelf lined with gardening gloves. They're all sappy, covered in colorful flowers and smiling bees. I know for a fact that bees do not smile. Whoever made those things should take a nice walk through the park. Heh.

"I'm fine," I answer quietly.

He squeezes my hand. "You ready for the party tonight?"

I smirk. "Does it matter?"

He chuckles. "I suppose not. They're coming."

We smile, strolling about the empty aisles, announcements of large stocks of sales in numerous parts of the store continuously interrupting the annoying Christmas music that's playing. I'm not sure which is worse.

"How long does this season last for?" I sigh.

He laughs. "Where have you been?"

I shrug. "Never really celebrated Christmas before."

His thumb strokes the back of my hand. "I'm glad your first celebration's with me"

I grin. "I can't complain, either…" I stop. Something's wrong.

"Ryou?" Yami asks worriedly.

I shake my head releasing his hand. He gives me a questioning look. Without warning I take off down the aisle turning sharply and tackling the figure there.

"Ryou!" Yami yells coming up behind me, eyes widening in disbelief at the sight before him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I hiss.

"Shopping," Marik answers smugly from under me. I'm straddling his chest, my hands on his neck.

"Why are you following us?" Yami growls, the puzzle flashing in warning. I've no doubt he'll make good of that threat.

Marik glares. "Who said I was?"

I scoff. "Oh it's fairly obvious." He turns to me, eyes penetrating mine. Oh shit.

"So Ryou, how's Bakura?" he purrs, a smirk on his smart-ass face.

"Don't you even talk to Ryou," Yami hisses.

I feel myself bristle, standing and pulling Marik up by the front clasp on his cape. I draw him close so our faces are inches apart. The little freak doesn't seem to mind this in the least.

"Beat it," I whisper fiercely, giving him a violent shove. He falls down; face not intimidated in the slightest.

"As you wish. I'll see you later," he smirks, getting up and wandering away.

Yami and I glare after him. After it's clear the little sneak is gone Yami turns to me.

"Do you have any idea what he wants from Bakura?"

I scowl darkly. "He has a…fondness for my yami for some odd reason. They never even got along. I don't understand why…"

Yami smirks. "Well, Marik and Malik never really have made much sense to me. Poor Bakura."

I look over, grateful he didn't go ranting about 'Bakura.' We link hands and decide it's time to find Yugi and Mr. Mutou. Thank Ra, I was about to go completely insane in this hell hole.

(Yami's POV)

We get through the rest of our shopping spree with little incident…besides when Ryou fought with an old man for the last mix of hot chocolate. o.O….I ended up tugging the poor hikari away, no hot chocolate. Mr. Mutou promised he'd go shopping later after the Christmas season.

"Stupid fucking, hot cocoa snatching geezer," Ryou mutters darkly under his breath as we head home.

Yugi and I try to hide our grins while Mr. Mutou frowns at the language my little lover is using. While Ryou continues ranting I inform Mr. Mutou and Yugi of our meeting with Marik. They're both less than thrilled to hear this.

"He won't show up tonight, do you think?" Mr. Mutou asks, concern edging his voice.

I shrug. "I'll just banish him to the Shadow Realm until the season's over."

Yugi scowls. "Can't you just banish him permanently?"

I smirk. "You have no idea how much I'd love to do that. However, those two always seem to find a loop hole. They'd manage to escape. I must admit it took Malik longer to get out of the Shadow Realm than I expected. He should take some lessons from the tomb robber."

Ryou stops his ranting at the mention of Bakura, looking over curiously. "Huh?"

I chuckle. "Just saying how your yami manages to get himself out of every situation."

Ryou grins. "He has a knack for such."

We enter the shop, bustling about to prepare everything for the party. I'm just plain excited. This is my first Christmas with my own body. We all squeeze into the cramped kitchen in an attempt to get all the appetizers ready. After bumping into each other continuously for half an hour Ryou volunteers to tidy up the house instead. Breathing sighs of relief, we all agree.

(Bakura's POV)

I go about fluffing up pillows, folding blankets, and doing a quick sweep-through. I really just want a little time to myself. Plus, there's a gift to wrap. I glance nervously toward the kitchen where they all seem occupied. Taking a deep breath, I tiptoe up the stairs to Yami and Yugi's room, listening intently for anyone who might come looking for me.

I sit down on the bed, carefully pulling out the gift I've decided to give to Yami. I stare at the small object in my hands for a long while. It just seems appropriate. I sigh, kneeling on the floor and scrounging under the bed where all the other presents are for some extra wrapping paper. Growling when I can't find any I sit up, glancing about the room.

I stride over to the closet they now share and peer inside. I frown, scuffling about through the leather and school uniforms. I suddenly grin. That's it. I glance apprehensively toward the door. What to do…I walk softly over to the window and open it, deftly crawling out and jumping to the snow-covered roof and sliding unceremoniously to the ground two stories below. Ow.

(Yami's POV)

"Did anyone else hear a 'thump'?" I ask looking up from the batter I'm stirring.

Yugi and Mr. Mutou exchange confused looks, shaking their heads. I shrug.

"Must've been my imagination."

(Mokuba's POV)

"Niisama, I'm going in half and hour!" I call, rushing about to get all the presents I've gotten for Yugi and the rest of them wrapped.

It's all Kaiba Corp.'s latest dueling merchandise. It was especially exciting picking out something for Yami. It's so awesome that he has his own body now!

"Are you almost ready, sir?" one of our body guards asks, knocking on my bedroom door.

I roll my eyes. "By and by, Roland! It's not like they picked a specific time! Have someone get the limo warmed up."

"Very good, sir." I listen as his footsteps fade down the hallway.

Once again I'll go and ask Seto if he'll come along, and once again he'll tell me no. I sigh, tying a bright red bow on the last of the presents. Might as well get it over with.

I open my door glancing about. I notice a maid coming down the hallway.

"Pricilla!" I call. She turns and bows slightly. I hate all the formalities Seto insists they perform when talking to him or me. Oh well.

"Yes sir?"

"Could you see that somebody takes the presents on my bed down to the limo? I've got to go talk to niisama."

"At once," she bows, hurrying off.

I rush down the hall in the opposite direction to niisama's study, knocking on the door.

"Niisama! It's me!" I call.

The door opens, my brother standing their in his favorite blue outfit and cape.

"All ready then?" he smiles. I'm the only one who can make him smile now. Well, he still smiles when he's insulting Jou or beating someone in a duel, but I don't think that really counts. This is a real smile without any arrogance. My niisama.

I nod excitedly. "I came to ask you if you're coming, but I guess…" I stop when I notice his suitcase set up and ready. "Are you going somewhere, niisama?"

He frowns. "Unfortunately yes."

I scowl. "You're not going to work now, are you? It's Christmas Eve!"

He smirks slightly, ruffling my hair. "No, I have business not involving Kaiba Corp."

I look at him confusedly. "Not involving Kaiba Corp? With whom?"

He glowers slightly, glancing toward his closet. "I have something important to question Yami about."

"YOU'RE COMING?" I shriek in delight, jumping up and throwing my arms around his waist.

He sighs, staring heavenward as if asking 'why?' I'm just so thrilled he's actually coming!

"Mokuba, you're going to have to let go of me if either of us are even going to attempt to go anywhere," he mutters as he struggles over to his briefcase.

I nod enthusiastically, backing towards the door. "We leave in half an hour!"

(Malik's POV)

Ah Christmas, one of the sappiest times of the year. How I loath it. Still, there couldn't be a better time to go through with the plan.

I sit back on an old wooden bench outside some weather-worn tea shop. I look down at the gold watch and chain I took off of someone's hands earlier today, wiping off the little splatter of blood on the chain with my finger. It's not like dead people need to know what time it is. Heh.

I glance up to see my light jogging over, panting heavily.

"What have I told you about running in the cold?" I scowl, putting the watch in my pocket.

"Sorry I'm late," he says quickly. "Bakura snuck out of the shop. Jumped out a window, actually."

I quirk an eyebrow. This is unexpected.

"What for?"

He shrugs. "Last minute shopping. I think the window thing was a bit extreme, but then that's just my…"

"Oh shut it. Where is he now?"

"Just snuck back inside. Used the door this time, though…"

"I don't care about the thief's preferences for exiting and entering buildings, just get to the point," I snarl, standing up.

Marik nods. "The little groupies are starting to arrive."

I smirk. "Right on schedule."

"When do I go?" he continues eagerly.

"When I tell you to," I growl, getting quite annoyed by my light.

I reach into one of the large pockets on the side of my pant leg and pull out the item of the thief's demise. Marik reaches out and takes it reverently, eyes shining with anticipation.

"Don't you dare mess it up," I growl as we stride off for the Mutou residence. Wouldn't want to miss the party.

The fluff is ending! Noooo! (Sobs) It gets SO depressing! Damn it! I need to work on something happier!

Seriously though, my mom's trying to keep me off the computer completely. So, I'll do my best to update again soon! No promises!

Review!