Terry sat in the library at school her gaze glued to the books in the shelf before her It had been this way for quite a few days now, ever since that fateful lunch. They were sitting alone as per usual, their usual banter interrupted by some very unexpected visitors: Jonouchi, Minako, Ryuji, and Honda.

"Oh, hey guys…what are you doing here?" Terry looked up at the four that stood over them.

"Hey, can we join you guys for lunch?" Minako asked, her hand tightly clasped in Ryuji's. The two had become quite close since the party a few weeks back. Not that it mattered to Atem. Terry was more than thrilled by this development. He frowned at first, expecting her to answer but noticed she was staring at him.

Ah dammit, now I'm gonna have to share this time I get with her? Fucking beautiful…. "I, sure, why not?" He sat up and leaned back against the fence that blocked the ledge.

"Really? Thanks man!" Jonouchi grinned as he plopped down. The others followed him and soon enough they were all. All sorts of topics flew between them, but one subject had grabbed Terry's attention. She had no idea there was a library in the school. That fateful lunch had changed lunch for Atem in more ways than he was happy to admit. She had stopped showing up and he was left with the others. Not that he disliked their company, it was not her though.

Kyohei and Anzu had also caught wind of the change it seemed and they had relaxed on their plans a bit. They took it as a sign that she no longer found interest in Atem or they had scared her away finally. Either way, it was a move in the right direction for them, now Atem was all theirs. Or so they thought.

Atem was fed up. Fed up with her lack of coming to lunch. Her lack of being free after school. Her lack of anything having to do with spending time with one another.

Fucking Minako had to just open her big fat mouth. 'Oh, I'll so you the library!' He thought in a shrilly terrible impression of her voice. 'It's really big and cool and stupid enough to make you forget about everyone else!' He grumbled as he tossed his lunch wrappings and made his way down to her new lunchroom. Maybe she just doesn't want to spend time with an idiot ass like yourself? Ever think that genius? I know you didn't! The voice in his head cackled but he ignored it. He was not about to get distracted by anyone.

Snapping the door open he glared at the room, the current occupants surprised by his appearance. He paid them no heed as girls fumbled out of his way and guys tripped over themselves to dive in to nearby aisles. He rolled his eyes at the dramatics. I'm not here for you fucking idiots. Ah, there she is! He spotted that familiar ponytail of hair anywhere, the makeshift uniform only made her standout more. She was on her tiptoes trying to reach a book on shelf that was just a bit too high. A smirk curled on his lips as he walked up behind her.

So strong…yet so defenseless. He shook his head as he grabbed the book. "Is this the book you want?"

"Huh?! Oh, Atem! Yes, thank you!" She flashed him a dazzling smile as she reached for the book.

Oh, you aren't going to get away that easy! Cute smile or not! He steeled himself as he pulled it just out of reach. "Not so fast," he leaned down towards her a bit. "If you want it…then woof for me." He purred the words as Terry just stared at him. He could see her mind working, debating on whether she should woof or not. Oh, you must be shitting me! No wait, nope, this is her! I knew this would happen! She better only debates like this for me though! He patiently waited but quickly moved away from the scolding whack that was meant for him by her. Her smile was gone and her eyes were narrowed with discontent. "Now, now, is that nice? Hitting someone who kindly got this book down for you?"

"No, but you're not someone who simply got it down for me! You're asking me to do something stupid to give it! That kicks 'kindly' out the window!" She puffed her cheeks.

Says the girl who abandoned me for dead trees. He frowned, book still in hand. "I don't see the lack of kindly at all, I still got the boo down and deserve a reward."

"Can you two take this lover's spat elsewhere? It's sickening."

"Oh, Seto! Sorry about that. Can you get him to give the book? He won't give it without a stupid request." She stuck her tongue out at Atem.

"Don't expect him to help without wanting something in return." Atem rolled his eyes at her idea to ask him of all people.

"I know you're going to stop making those sudden stupid remarks while having no consideration for other's people train of thought…even more than you've already been." Seto barely even glanced at the two. "Just kiss him, that'll get you the book."

Just what?! Are you-what?! Atem jumped at the sudden suggestion. She's susceptible to do stupid shit like that! Don't go saying-oh you ass…! He frantically tried to get Seto to change his words until he saw that stupid smirk. He was being played by the rich boy.

"Kiss him…for the book?" Terry frowned at the notion.

"Well…how about you kiss-," Atem quickly knocked the back of her head with the book to cut Seto off.

"Here, ignore him! He's just being unkindly like you said I was being." He plopped the book in to her hands and hooked his arm around her as he glared at Seto who silently chuckled as he walked away. Ass…she's unsafe without me around! Who suggests that out of the blue anyway? Wait, does that mean they've kissed already? As he gotten a kiss out of her!? That's it, no more leaving her here alone! But how can I watch over her without her getting suspicious? He pondered, holding her firmly to his chest.

"Uh…Atem, can I read by book now?" She looked up at him from beneath her lashes as she glanced between him and the book.

Fuuuuuuck, you're going to kill me or make me kill anyone who has been around you! He quickly let her go and cleared his throat a bit. "Yeah sure, c'mon." He grabbed her hand and lead her to a table. He would keep her safe, he just need to figure out how.