Paladin: Wow, I think that's the most reviews I've ever gotten at one time! Thank you everyone. Here is chapter two in all its unedited glory.

One Day

Chapter Two

Alone and Unnoticed

The light hurt his eyes. "I'm so glad its Friday." Yami murmured as he stepped into the shower. He shivered when the water hit his skin. Seto's shower never got hot enough for him. He needed to hurry, or he was going to be late for school. Yami found himself hurrying. Why am I so excited? Then he remembered. He had a date with Yugi tonight. Just thinking about it brought a smile. He was dying to know if Yugi was as innocent as he seemed.

-----

Bakura looked up, surprised to see Ryou stalking towards him. He just had time to realize he looked extremely pissed about something, before he slammed his books down on the table and said, "What the hell where you thinking?" Bakura automatically scowled, crossing his arms.

"What are you talking about?"

"You and Yami are playing with someone's life!"

Bakura raised an eyebrow and Ryou sat down in the desk next to him, completely frustrated. "Don't look at me like that; you know perfectly well what I'm talking about!" There was a pause, Bakura still playing dumb.

"The dare!" Ryou practically screamed.

"Tell the entire world." Bakura motioned at a couple of people who had stopped talking a couple of seats ahead of them to look.

"I don't care! It is not right for you to be doing this!"

"Not right? Come on, I'm doing them both a favor."

"You don't even know Yugi. How could you possibly think that?"

"He's never been out with anyone, has he?"

"Maybe not, but still, how do you even know he likes boys and not girls?"

"Have you seen the way he stares at Yami? It doesn't take a rocket scientist, Ryou."

Ryou ran a hand through his hair. "What about Yami? He is supposed to be with Seto."

"Seto is…" Bakura trailed off, looking away, not meeting Ryou's gaze. Ryou frowned and leaned forward. Lowering his voice, he said, "You feel guilty for setting them up, don't you?"

Bakura shrugged. "I just don't think they are right for each other."

"Aw, that's kinda sweet, 'Kura… in a completely twisted sort of way."

"I know, but Yami is so stubborn. He won't admit when he's wrong."

"Hmm, that sounds familiar." Ryou muttered as he stood and grabbed his books. "We're going with them tonight."

"What? No way!"

"Uh, he will not go with Yami by himself, he feels intimidated by Yami, and besides, didn't Yami say we were going?"

"I guess." Ryou gave him a dirty look.

"Don't get any crazy ideas, either. I'll see you later." He said, pop kissed Bakura and ran out the door as the bell was ringing; smiling at a group of girls he almost ran into in the process. Bakura just grinned to himself.

-----

"Stay here today." He was pouting? It wasn't very convincing.

"No way, Seto. I'm going to fail everything if I skip any more. And I really want to graduate this year." Yami was almost through the bedroom door when Seto's hand on his arm stopped him. He put an arm around him, drawing him close. He tried to kiss Yami, but he pulled back, not completely breaking free.

"Please?" He asked slowly. He didn't want to make him mad yet. He wasn't going to like Yami going out tonight without him anyway. So, that's why he gave in and let Seto pull him back into the room.

-----

"Are you alright?" Bakura asked as he slung an arm around Ryou's neck. "You've been really quiet."

"Yeah, I'm fine." Yami replied, sticking his hands in his pockets. Since Yugi lived downtown, they had decided to just walk from Bakura's house. Yami was starting to regret this decision. Dark clouds had rolled in earlier, and it looked like it was going to pour.

"This is it." Yami said as they came upon the Game Shop and Yugi's apartment.

"Try to cheer up, okay Yami? We don't want to scare Yugi." Ryou teased as Yami pulled the door open.

-----

Yugi swallowed the last of his nerves as he came down the steps to find Yami, Ryou, and Bakura had already arrived. He tried to smile to hide his nerves. The three teenagers that stood before him were all dressed in black, complete with silver jewelry and pieces of leather here and there. Ryou even had on some eyeliner. Yugi relaxed a little when he saw Yami's welcoming smile, glad he had chosen dark clothing similar to theirs.

"Hi, Yugi. Ready to go?" Yami said playfully.

"Sure." Yugi replied, locking the door behind him as he stepped outside.

As they walked down the sidewalk, Bakura poked at Yugi, "You're not going to be all quiet on us, now are you?"

Yugi fought with a blush and managed to win. "Probably, why? Got a problem with that?"

"Oh, Yami!" Ryou said before Bakura could reply, "There has been a change in plans, Bakura has decided he does want to go to a movie tonight. Is it okay if we tag along with you guys?"

The last question was directed at Yugi, who nodded his consent. He was glad secretly, very glad. Not only did he not want to be totally alone with Yami, he was afraid to be. Besides-hadn't Yami said this was just going out with friends?

Bakura and Ryou moved in front of Yugi and Yami. Feeling nervous because he knew he was supposed to talk to Yami, he glanced at him from the corner of his eye. He was surprised to see Yami staring back. How long has he been doing that?

"What?" Yami asked, smiling. Yugi decided to trust his instincts and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Nothing. Why did you not come to school today? Are you sick?"

Yami's smile faltered for an instant, and Yugi wondered if he had said something wrong.

"I'm sorry. I know you were probably looking for me."

"Oh, it's no big deal." Yugi said softly, not really realizing Yami had avoided answering both his questions.

"So, Yugi. We have been going to school together-in the same class, no less-for about what, twelve years now? And I don't know a thing about you, other than you like to be by yourself apparently, and you like to read."

Yugi looked up, a little surprised. "How did you-"

"What, every time I look at you, there is some type of book in your hand. I even caught you reading your math textbook once. So," Yami said, moving a little closer. "Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

Yugi could feel a blush starting. Is all I'm going to do is blush?

-----

Yami and Ryou were laughing, Bakura was scowling, and Yugi was smiling.

"Shut up, you guys! I didn't see the frickin' step! You two were acting like it's funny I almost broke my neck.

"But it was!" Ryou gasped, "You should have seen your face!" Bakura sniffed.

"Yugi is a way better friend than you guys. He appreciates my worth."

Yugi giggled which caused Ryou and Yami to erupt again.

"Whatever! He's laughing at you too! He's just too polite to show it!"

"That's exactly my point." They stopped outside of Yugi's house.

"I'm going home! See ya Yugi." He waved and kept walking.

"Hey, Bakura! Wait!" Bakura didn't slow, causing Ryou to sigh.

"Oh, great, now he's pouting. I better go too. Bye Yugi, Yami. It was fun!" He shouted as he ran after him.

Yami shook his head as he watched them go, placing a hand on Yugi's back as they walked to the door. Yugi was a little confused. Suddenly it felt like electricity was running through his veins.

"See? I'm not that bad, to be around am I?" Yami teased him.

"Of course not."

"Now, tell me your motives." It was right on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't make himself say it. He couldn't make himself ruin the moment.

"Well good. I guess I'll see you…Monday maybe?" Yugi smiled and nodded.

"Bye." Yami leaned over and kissed Yugi's cheek quickly, jumping down the step and starting up the sidewalk at the brisk pace.

Yugi was stunned.

"Goodbye Yami." He whispered to himself, wondering at the feelings swimming in his chest.

And, for a change, he didn't try to make them go away.

Paladin: Hope it was okay. Thanks!