Well, not too long now my friends, I estimate only two or three chapters after this one, we'll see how it goes. It's so sad to see it end, but another part of me is screaming "You could have had this done over a year ago and written more stories by now if you hadn't been such a lazy ass!" Well, all artists are their worst critics.

Again, I'm sorry if it isn't that great a chapter. Ever since my brother got his Nintendo Wii, he moved all his game stuff into the dining area of the house, since his rooms too small for him to move around with the Wii. Unfortunately this is also the room the computer is in, so while I write, I'm often listening to wild sirens and crashing while he plays Excite Truck. I'll be SO happy when I get my laptop and I can go type in my room in peace!

You all know what I own and don't by now, and thanks to everyone for the support.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 21: A Determined Heart

"You guys, good news, I might have something for you." DJ exclaimed, rushing through the busy station, almost tripping over his own feet and being shouted at by older, fatter officers along the way.

It only too a split second for Yugi to be up on his feet, amethyst eyes full of both desperation and hope. They had only been sitting (Yugi really lying since his wounds were still fresh) in the station for around an hour, but to it had seemed like an eternity. No doubt it felt like it had been even longer to the young male, who was still fighting urges to rush out into the streets and look for his lover. However, another part of him feared what he would find. Though there was reassurance that Drake wouldn't harm a prize he worked so much to get, the short duellist couldn't be certain. The man was clear not of sound mind; who knew what he was capable of!

Shaking himself from negative thoughts, he stood up carefully with Joey for support and hobbled over to sit next to the young detective's desk. The blonde friend stood behind him, while Kaiba leaned against a nearby wall, eyes closed and armed folded. Despite appearances though, he was showing his concern by staying in the first place. The CEO could have left with his girlfriend, who he didn't want to be in any danger, so sent her home to the security of the mansion. But he had stayed, and his rival knew it wasn't just because he wanted his own revenge for what the gang of thugs had put his new family through.

"Well come on, spit it out already!" Joey exasperated, interrupting the others thoughts. "I know they say no news is good news, but right now any news would be good to me, it's the waiting that sucks!"

"Shut your mouth mutt before I hit you with a rolled up newspaper." the brunette retorted, blue eyes glinting at the blonde growling and cursing under his breath.

"What's the news DJ?" Yugi asked, ignoring the other two males, his face clearly serious and anxious.

"Well, I think we may just have a lead on Drakes whereabouts." the policeman replied as he shuffled papers on the desk. "I have a few undercover guys on the inside of the crime world who feed me information, and one of them said he had a tip off for me, I'm waiting for the call." he explained.

"So you think this guy will tell us what we need to know?" the businessman enquired sceptically, choosing to ignore any further ranting from Joey, which of course made the other even more angry.

"He's never let me down yet." the Hispanic spoke confidentially, just as his mobile phone began to vibrate. With a gesture telling the others to be quiet, DJ picked up the phone, flipped it open and placed it next to his ear.

While the officer paced the room silently listening to whoever was on the other end of the line, amethyst eyes stared at the ground intently, both afraid and anxious. Gripping the armrests of the chair tightly, he once again tried to put the worst possible scenarios out of his mind, praying that this would be the news he was hoping for. By the time his new friend had hung up, Game King's eyes were twice their usual size, apprehensive and fearful.

"Okay, we have good news, and we have bad news. Good news, we have some lead to where they are, and I pretty sure this lead will take us to the hideout." DJ explained, causing a hopeful reaction amongst the three men. Sadly, that wasn't all the young officer had to say. "The bad news is…well, the area is a high risk place. There are a lot of tough customers there, who, even if we're no threat to them, won't want anyone snooping around…" he continued hastily.

"So, what's the big deal? We just tiptoe around these guys and go find that jackass gangster wannabe!" Joey shouted, smacking his fist into his other hand.

"You idiot, don't you understand what he's trying to say?" Seto retorted haughtily, rolling his eyes and sighing at the blonde's naivety. "It's a place of great criminal activity. Going in there is dangerous enough for the cops, now how would the police look if they dragged a bunch of civilians into a place where they're likely to be caught up in a massacre?!" he asked, glaring lightly at how the other could be so dense as not to recognise the sarcasm and obvious answer within the question.

"No very good I guess…wait, you mean…"

The sudden realisation of what the detective had meant sunk in fully. The police couldn't take responsibility for what would happen in such a place. They had no control, no authority, so there was a lack of safety and precaution for anyone foolish enough to step into a fight, whether they were a criminal, a member of the police, or an innocent member of the public. It was a risk that couldn't be taken; if DJ were to go in and find Kitty, he would be going alone.

Gazing at the downtrodden young man, now slumped over his chair with long tri-coloured hair falling to cover any expression on his face, his friends were unsure if he was close to a fit of rage or tears of pain. He had sworn that once they knew where to find Drake, they would all go after him. Yugi could see his love, and finally get back at the one person that had ruined her life once and for all.

But now, it didn't seem likely to happen. The police would never let him go with them; he would be stuck waiting again, no idea whether Kitty was safe or not.

Sighing, DJ walked over to the hunched up youth and put a hand on his shoulder, though he received no response, not so much as a twitch from the touch.

"I'm sorry Yugi, I just can't-"

"I'm going." a shaky, yet determined voice interrupted the police officers words. The statement was enough to make the others in the room tremble, but it wasn't until they saw those usually soft violet eyes blazing anew; fierce, unmoving and passionate.

"Yug, you heard him, he's not allowed to-" Joey began, but was halted by a fiery glare from his friend. The duellist had never looked at the blonde in such a way before, but it was not in some bid of hate, more of defiance, unwilling to give in or listen to any objection.

"I SAID I'm going!" he nearly screamed, staggering as he tried standing up, still weak.

"Yugi, I know you want to go make sure Kitty is okay but it's far too dangerous. And it's not just you that'll be at risk. It'll be DJ as well! Even if you all get out alive, he could lose his badge for taking you with him." Joey reasoned as he attempted once to calm shorter friend down. Losing Kitty was hard enough, he didn't what he would do if those thugs got a hold of Yugi as well.

Turning away from the other, the amethyst eyed youth instead chose to look straight into the dark eyes of the young detective. He knew he was acting somewhat selfishly, asking the officer to risk his career and reputation for him. But he knew he would never be able to live with himself if he sat back and waited for others to do the job he had to do, to protect the one he loved the most.

"Then I'll lie. I'll say I followed without your permission DJ, but you have to understand," Yugi begged the older male desperately. "I have to go."

"Oh let him go already. He won't stop whining until you do anyway." Kaiba snarled, not even glancing at the rest of the group as they stared in surprise at his input to the argument. Despite appearances though, Yugi saw there was more sentiment in the CEO siding with him than just due to wanting peace and quiet.

Within the eyes of the once icy and secluded man, he saw someone who understood what he was going through right now. He recognised pain, fear and worry, emotions he had never seen in the other duellist before. Falling in love had really changed Seto Kaiba in many ways. His rival did not know what sort of obstacles the businessman had gone through with Melisanne, but they must have been very difficult, as he clearly knew how important it was to Yugi to find and help his own lover.

Needless to say, it only took a brief moment for DJ to look between the three gamers and sigh deeply; why was he such a soft touch when it came to romance?

"Get your coats and hide in the backseat of my car, all of you. I'll clear myself with the Inspector." the policeman waved dismissivly as he tidied up his desk and walked off to tell his superiors he was going on a 'routine patrol'.

While the three men headed outside towards the car park, the shortest of the group stopped for a moment to smile a little at the young officer who was already doing so much to help him and his girlfriend find happiness.

"Thank you DJ." the Game King said softly, said male cheekily grinning back at him.

"Yeah yeah, I'm a real saint." he mumbled as he followed the other out to the car park. "What the Hell, I was planning on early retirement anyway."

"But ain't you taking a big risk here?" Joey asked just as they got inside the car. DJ paused for a moment, silently contemplating before sitting down in the driver's sear and adjusting the mirror.

"If that's what it takes to bring Drake down, then I'll do whatever it takes." he stated simply. Nothing more was said, but a now determined expression was now on the tri-coloured haired males features, a look that refused to falter.

'That's something we both agree on.' Yugi thought to himself, buckling up as the car slowly pulled out of the police station parking lot. 'Hold on Kitten, Yami, I'm coming.'

--

The eerie quiet of the drafty room that kept the girl prisoner was overpowering and enslaving her senses. For many years this claustrophobic nightmare had been the daily routine. On the off occasion she would spend the night someplace a lot more accommodating, a room with bars on it. Even overnighters in a jail cell were better than spending every evening afraid to go to sleep, thinking she might not wake up the next morning. However, there had been times over the years she had almost hoped it would happen. She would never again have to face the sight of blood splattering on the ground, the sound of constant gunfire, living with the horror of day to day life that was the existence of being part of a gang, particularly one with such a vivid reputation.

But that had all changed, when she had seen what life could be like. That there could be peace, calm, happiness...and love.

Yes, there was love, that's what Yugi had taught her.

'Kitty, are you sure about this?' a familiar baritone voice echoed in her mind. She was only getting used to the idea of Yami being inside her head, and had to admit it was a lot more to deal with than what Yugi had made it out to be. Keeping your own thoughts from mixing with a spirit sharing your mind was hard!

Clutching the comforting weight of the puzzle close to her chest, she only nodded to herself, hoping the Pharaoh would know she said yes.

For everything she valued, for everything her only love had taught her, she had no choice.

Pressing against the wall, she carefully watched and waited as various thugs, crooks and bikers passed by the room through a small gap in the doorway. Once the coast was clear, she carefully lifted the puzzle up till it level with the bolt outside, securing the door.

"Okay Yami, do your stuff." she murmured, turning her head away as a dazzling golden glow sizzled and crackled around the cold metal. When the light finally died down, the girl hung the golden pyramid back around her neck, before gently pushing the door. Of course, it opened with ease, the entire lock looking as if it had just melted away into nothing.

"Wow, who said you can't teach an old king new tricks." she chuckled, knowing within her mind the Pharaoh was grinning proudly at his accomplishment.

'Well I'm proud to say I have many more uses than those fancy pocket knives you have today.' he smirked, making the young woman roll her hazel eyes as she sprinted down the lonely corridor.

With all the adrenaline pumping through her body, the fear of what might happen next was not the first thought in Kitty's mind. It had taken her some time to realise what she must do, once she had run out of tears to shed. Sitting in that state wasn't going to do her any good, and the Pharaoh's immanent concern highlighted that as well. Both of them were worried about Yugi, and at the same time, both realised he wouldn't be moping around. Just remembering the moments before she had to leave her boyfriend lying on the station steps strengthened her resolve.

'He's alive, I know it! And I'm going to see him again, no one's gonna stop me…not even Drake this time.' she thought, carefully keeping an eye out for anyone else.

Still, the silence didn't help her nerves at all!

"What'd you mean it's MISSING?!"

Nearly jumping out of her skin, Kitty quickly ducked behind some old crates, fearing someone had realised she had disappeared from her prison.

'Yami…'

'It's okay, I don't sense anything around here. But there is a presence…somewhere, in a room close by.' the spirit responded to the females worried thoughts. But if it wasn't her that someone was screaming about, then what could be going on.

As she peeked from behind the crate, hazel eyes saw the only room was right at the end of the corridor, and already there was a great amount of screaming and crashes coming from within. Listening, the ruckus seemed all too familiar to the auburn haired woman…

"You mean you LOST it?! You LOST it?! That eyeliner was my FAVOURITE!! I can't go out like this! This will be the biggest, most important day ever in the history of this gang, so I need to look great. And YOU LOSE MY eyeliner?!"

Oh yes, she remembered that.

Finally deciding to move, Kitty climbed out from her hiding spot, and tiptoed to the edge of the door. She could hear Yami trying to dissuade her, but ignored his warnings. If Drake was plotting something, she had to find out what it was.

As she looked inside, she recognised a lot of the old familiar junk lying around. Obviously this was were the dear biker leader had decided to keep his 'treasures', better known as trophies of his sick success, and any stolen goods he took a liking to. The objects varied from pricey looking watches and jewellery, to the strangest bric-a-brac she had ever see, and still didn't know what they were used for. Of course, most of the stuff was for pure show, his special collection, was kept in a large chest, which she noticed, he was currently sitting on. Across the room, another thug, one of Drakes lackeys and also the victim of his anger, lay on the ground, coughing and spluttering up blood from his mouth. His boss didn't seem to care, dark green eyes formed in slits of concentration while he, apparently, buffed his nails.

Shuddering slightly, Kitty still couldn't comprehend that this was the same person, who not so long ago looked like a lethal killer, holding a blade in front of her face, and threatening the life of her lover. That was probably the most frightening thing about Drake; it was like he had a split personality. One minute he would be smirking evilly, killing mercilessly without a second thought, then suddenly fussing around like a teenage girl over his looks and taking a hissy fit over the most silly of things. However, unlike some, when Drake started screaming like a spoilt teenager, it could mean series consequences for those in his way. With a kid, all you had to worry about was a screaming match, while with a biker, if you looked away for even a split second, you would likely see a knife handle sticking out your back if you turned around again.

"Honestly, can't you idiots do anything right? Must I do everything around here by myself?"

"But boss, we got the girl back…" one man stuttered. He barely got those words out when he was pulled roughly by the collar, the tip of a blade close enough to stab through his eye.

"HA! You? No, I got her back, you on the other hand were too busy drawing attention to us, by smashing up limos and shooting through shop windows! Then the three stooges go and die on me! How much does it take to get one midget of a boy toy out of the way?!" Drake shrieked, tossing the thug back to the floor, uncaring and callous. From the sounds of it, the deaths of the three Suicide Brothers (now in the Shadow Realm) meant little to him as well.

Strutting back towards a large dressing table in front a vanity, the insane leader fiddled with his long hair in contemplation, occassionaly trailing a finger along the scar running over his neck and face. To Kitty, the look on his face could only be described as that of madness.

"This is exactly why I planned this," he hummed to himself, squealing a little when he finally found the eyeliner that he had lost, applying it little by little. "You want something done right, you've got to do it yourself. Which is why, when they get here, the surprise I planned will be a wonderful send off for them. And speaking of that surprise," he chuckled, sharp eyes flickering in the light, his gaze in the mirror now focused on a form lingering outside the room. "Kitty Kat, didn't I tell you it's rude to hide in doorways?"

Before the girl could even think to run, her mind was swept up in the darkness that claimed her.