Thank you all so much for your reviews and support! After much debate over what to include, what to leave out, and what direction to take, here's the last chapter.

One Day:

Chapter Nine

One Day

Bakura had to keep his hand clamped firmly over his mouth to suppress the giggles that threatened to leak out. It wouldn't be very good for his image if he gave in to them. It would also probably give away his current position, which if he wanted his plan to work, was definitely not a good thing. He really did want to live to see graduation, even if he wasn't participating himself.

Ryou was just around the corner, sitting in front of a mirror in his bedroom, trying to pin his hair back so it would stay out of his eyes. He was already dressed in his graduation gown, as were Yugi and Yami, who were downstairs waiting on them. The thick fabric was an ugly dark grey that some genius picked to be one of their school colors before any of them was born. It was way too hot to be wearing it already, but Ryou and Yami had insisted, saying it was their right. This sounded insane to both Yugi and Bakura, but Yugi had been overruled when Ryou's father insisted on taking photos of the three graduates.

Ryou cursed when the strand of hair he had just managed to stick in the barrette fell out again. He was so nervous about the upcoming ceremony. He had been jumpy and short with everyone all day, and Bakura was ready to try to solve those nerves the only way he knew how. He took a slow, deep breath, and braced himself.

"Don't you even think about trying to scare me, Bakura." Ryou growled harshly, finally giving up and yanking the piece from his hair in frustration.

"How on earth did you know I was here?" Bakura asked, disappointed, as he came into the room slowly.

"I heard you walking up the steps." He groaned, resting his head in his hands. Bakura hesitantly placed his hands on Ryou's shoulders, rubbing them gently.

"Are you okay?" He asked, not liking how tense his muscles were. "Its just one little speech, I'm sure it'll be fine. This is you we're talking about."

Bakura grabbed the clip, pulled Ryou's hair up perfectly, which caused him to scowl, and kissed his cheek. "Now come on," he said, "you'll be late."

Bakura lead Ryou downstairs, into the front of the house. Yami had his arm around Yugi almost protectively while he chatted with Ryou's father. Bakura was very proud of his friend. He had vowed to take care of Yugi, which was something new. He seemed to be keeping his word, however, because Yugi seemed very happy, if a little embarrassed sometimes. He had even begun talking a little more.

"Finally." Yami said, catching sight of them. "What took you so long?" He asked smugly, grinning at Bakura.

"None of your business." He murmured back as Ryou laughed nervously, grabbing Yugi's arm and steering him out the door, effectively drawing the attention of his father. Bakura and Yami followed, hanging behind their lovers a few feet, watching them talk and laugh.

Bakura caught Yami's eye and he grinned. Yami was glowing. Yugi was happy, and the sense of relief Bakura felt for fixing what he saw was a wrong was making him feel almost giddy. Now if he could only convince Ryou he was not going to make a fool of himself while he gave his Salutatorian speech before they reached the school….

Paladin: And that's all she wrote, dear readers. Lol Thank you all very much.