Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh. Or "Somebody's Baby" by Jackson Browne.

Many thanks to my reviewers, and especially to those who have been around for a while! Your support really makes my day and is part of my motivation.

A Change Of Seasons

By: Chi Yagami

I heard her talking with her friend when she thought nobody else was around. She said she's got to be somebody's baby.

She left the studio on Monday with a friend. Bakura had taken care to sit on a different bench, in case she went looking for him; he didn't want her thinking that he was waiting for her or anything. His bench was located where she couldn't exactly see him, but if he turned his head just so, he could see her. And her friend, who was luckily talking loud enough for the whole world to hear.

"You're so lucky, getting the lead!" her friend exclaimed, obviously happy and jealous at the same time.

"It's not a big deal… you did really well; you deserve it more than I do…" Bakura had expected her to be modest, after watching her for so long, and she did not disappoint. The girls continued to stand in front of the studio and discuss the upcoming ballet, for the next few minutes. Bakura's interest began to slip and his mind began to wander…

"…and you'd bake him some of your chocolate-chip cookies every week? Wow, any guy would be lucky to have you!" her friend giggled. The girl blushed and tried to deny it, but her friend kept talking.

"Oh, there's no way you're still single! No, you must be somebody's baby."

"I—"

"I hope you'll bring him to the studio someday! Well, I'll see you Wednesday!" her friend said, waving goodbye and running off. The girl looked after her for a minute before turning and heading for the bus stop.

Bakura silently agreed with the unnamed friend; there was no way that girl was still single. Pretty, friendly, modest… She was always eager to talk to people at the bus stop, calling her parents to let them know what she was doing… She looked well-cared for and probably cared for others much more than herself. Yes, she had to be somebody's baby. Damn it, why did he care? He had already decided that he wasn't going to steal her. Why did it matter to him if she had a boyfriend? Why was he so damn jealous? No, I'm NOT jealous! Not jealous! he repeated to himself. If I was jealous, that would mean that I was interested in her… romantically. Which I am NOT! No, she is merely a pretty thing to look at, something to pass the time because there's nothing to do in this stupid town…

He remembered that he had brought her umbrella with him, and Bakura decided to return it now before someone else joined her. He'd much rather thank her while she was alone.

He stood and left the park, waiting for traffic to drive by before crossing the street. She was staring in the opposite direction and didn't see him approach. He stood several feet away from her, and when it was obvious that she wasn't going to notice him, he thrust the umbrella under her nose.

She jumped in her seat and her eyes shot up to see who was standing before her. Bakura watched her eyes grow in size as she realized who it was; he, however, simply thrust the umbrella closer to her face.

"Take it," he commanded, and she hastily obliged.

"Thanks," she stammered, shoving it into her dance bag. "I forgot that you had it."

He couldn't think of anything else to say except, "Oh." And then,

"Well, umm… thankyou," he told her hurriedly, practically saying the two words as one. He wanted to thank her, but yet he didn't want to. It just wasn't in his blood to thank people, least of all strange girls.

She looked very surprised, but quickly smiled instead. "Oh, well, you're welcome! You just looked so cold and wet that day; I thought you could use it."

"Hmm," he mused. Then, after staring at her for a bit longer, he turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" she asked. He turned on his heel and gave her a blank look. She cringed in her seat and looked regretful.

"I'm sorry!" she apologized. "I didn't mean to pry—"

"It's okay," he forced himself to state. He briefly wondered how much longer he could go without snapping at her. "I'm…" Well, he couldn't exactly go and sit on his usual bench… that would probably seem weird and creepy. "I'm going home," he offered lamely.

She nodded and he relaxed. He had taken a few steps before he heard her say, "Thanks for returning my umbrella."

"Oh… It was nothing."

And he walked away and went straight home, not bothering to see if she boarded the bus or not. Bakura was slightly afraid of what she would do if she discovered that he was watching her. Or what if she had already noticed? He groaned and jammed his fists into his pockets, ignoring Ryou's text.

"Okay, where were you, seriously?"

"Nowhere, damn it!" Bakura snapped. "Stop asking!"

Ryou raised his hands in surrender and returned to the kitchen, where he was making coffee. He offered Bakura a cup, which the latter took somewhat reluctantly, and the two boys sat on the couch to watch TV.

"How was your day?" barked Bakura, causing Ryou to spill his coffee.

"It was alright!" he stammered, obviously surprised, trying to clean the mess. "I went to school… then came home… called Miho… The usual."

"Oh."

"How was your day?" Ryou asked nervously, and Bakura knew the boy was curious at his attempt at small talk. Bakura never made small talk.

"Fine, fine."

"Oh, Shadi dropped by again; he seems to think that you are avoiding him…"

"Hmm, maybe I am?"

Bakura tuned out whatever movie Ryou had switched on and returned his thoughts to the events of that evening… Now what? He couldn't sit there anymore, or she'd notice him. And he couldn't join her… could he? Why, if he spent so much time watching her, couldn't Bakura carry a normal conversation with one girl? I'm not meant for social interaction. But… He wanted to be… Bakura decided right then and there that he would overcome this hatred of being social, all just to talk to one girl. I'm attracted to her, that much is obvious… But why do I still pursue her if I can do nothing with her? Am I obsessed? Maybe if I talk to her, I'll find out who she really is and stop liking her… yes, there's an idea…

"Bakura, what are you thinking? I know that look…"

"What?" he snapped. "What look? I'm not thinking about anything!"

But Bakura felt the color flood his cheeks, and he hurried out of the room. He couldn't let Ryou see...

The only word he think to describe it... embarrassed. He was embarrassed!

Shorter chapter, but a faster update. My muse is on a roll lately. Thoughts?