Disclaimer: Personally, this is really stupid. Obviously we don't own it if we're writing a fan fiction about it. I mean, if we owned it, we'd just change it to whatever the hell we want, right? Right. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything else lawyers may find in here to sue me about.

Chapter 3

Shall We Meet Again

By CFB

"Jou! Jou!"

Jou turned slightly to his left in time to see Yugi pelting towards him.

"Yeah?"

Yugi skidded to a stop beside the taller boy and caught his breath.

"I was just wondering where Serenity is. Her art sensei asked me to find her to get her artwork from her. You know, that picture of, um, him…"

Jou snorted and quickened his pace. He didn't quite feel up to talking about his sister. Betrayal was an emotion he was still wrestling with.

"Jou, c'mon, just tell me where she is. It's not a crime or anything."

"She's suspended for two days."

Yugi's jaw dropped an inch in shock and he stopped walking altogether.

"Suspended?" He whispered in awe.

Jou grunted.

"Yeah, suspended. First offense for cutting classes."

"I thought they usually only gave one day of suspension?"

"She cut two classes, Yugi. She never showed up for class after lunch. When I got home, she had locked herself in her room. Probably asleep and dreaming of that miserable scum bag—oh, forget it. I should've known this was coming, right? Girls always want the guys they shouldn't have. Right…?"

Yugi's left eyebrow raised slowly and he placed a hand on Jou's forearm.

"Um, Jou, no offense, but I think you should take this up with a professional, not me," Yugi started, earning a reproachful glare from the other, "Not that I don't care! I'm just saying I don't know how to help you with it. I guess…I guess I could talk to her, or something. If it would make you feel better…"

"Yeah…would you? She's mad at me."

Yugi rolled his eyes.

"What did you do this time?"

Jou didn't answer, but he narrowed his eyes and shifted his gaze to the trees.

"I ripped her drawing. I mean, c'mon, it was Ishtar! Why is she thinking of him? He was…jeez, he tried to kill us all! I had a right to be angry, right?"

"You didn't have to rip up her drawing."

Jou and Yugi glanced at Anzu. She sighed and pulled the four pieces of the drawing out of her backpack. Jou snatched them away from her.

"Yeah, I did! I swear, if he's at the tournament, I'm going to kick his—"

"Jou, shut up. I'm coming over tonight to talk with her. She never met me after school on Monday."

"Don't you have work tonight?"

She shook her head, a few strands of her hair getting caught on her eyelashes. She brushed them away irritably.

"I think you're being a little selfish, Jou. I think the real problem is that she drew Malik and not you."

Blood rushed to his cheeks and his spine straightened in anger.

"You don't have any right to tell me—"

"Yeah, I do. As your friend, I have every right to set you straight. Let's go. I have a project to do later on with Misou."

"The cheerleader?"

"Yes, Jou, the cheerleader. She happens to be the best student in the class."

All tension and anger gone, the two of them squabbled about Misou the entire way to the apartment.

Jou unlocked the door and let Anzu inside.

"Excuse the mess…my dad…"

"Don't worry about it. Which one is her room?"

He waved his hand towards Serenity's closed door. Anzu picked her way through the beer bottles and knocked on the door.

"Serenity? It's me, Anzu. Can we talk?"

Silence.

It was suffocating, heavy. Fragile. Anything could break it, but still it smothered them.

Serenity's door opened and Anzu was permitted entrance. The only thing Jou heard was Anzu's gasp before the door closed again and he was locked out.

Sighing, he decided to pick up the bottles laying around. An hour passed…then two hours…

Anzu emerged from the room with tear stains on her cheeks and puffy eyes. Jou stared at her in bewilderment.

"What happened!"

She sniffled and didn't meet his gaze.

"I think…you owe her an apology."

And then she left. Jou stared, dumbfounded, at Serenity's door. It was cracked open by an inch and he perceived the smell of fresh paint.

"Serenity…?"

The doorway widened and Serenity appeared wearing paint-covered over-alls and a shy grin. Her paintbrush dripped on the plastic floor covering.

"What the hell did you do?"

Her grin faltered and she looked down at the bristles of her paintbrush.

"I…I had to let go of some stuff…"

Jou figured he had two options. He could gawp at her in disbelief or he could try to make amends for the stupid things he had done.

So he did both.

"Jou, please don't—"

He shook his head and closed his mouth.

"You want some help?"

"I was just—what?"

"Do you want some help?" He repeated slowly, enunciating the words carefully.

A gracious smile spread across her lips.

"Yeah."

He lifted himself from the couch and went to her. Her cheeks pinked; her nerves frayed and her uncertainty of Jou's disposition still haunting her. He pulled her into a tight embrace and she gasped and hugged him back.

"Sorry for being an idiot," he muttered.

"It's okay…I should've…drawn you instead. You're more important than him."

He smiled.

"Well, at least you've got one thing straight."

A small, nervous laugh escaped her.

"Umh, Jou…your uniform has pink paint on it."

He swore under his breath and released her to check the back of his jacket. She held up the paintbrush timidly.

"Sorry?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah…you're lucky I have an extra."

The corners of her mouth lifted and she allowed him in her room. He gazed around at the walls in awe. The walls were all different colors, the last wall had a window placed in the center of it and only half of it was pink, the other half white.

He reached for a paint roller.

"So…what're you gonna do after all this dries?"

"I'm going to paint a mural."

"A what?"

"A mural. A picture telling a story. Oh, c'mon, Jou, don't give me that look! I know you've seen one before."

He brushed it aside and shook his head at her impractical notions.

"Whatever you want, Sis…"

Determination burned in her eyes.

"I do."

And he believed her.

page break>

"Serenity, I graded your drawing."

Serenity looked up at Odom warily.

"And?"

"I'm impressed. I left it in my office. Could you come see me after school? I have a proposition for you."

"A proposition?"

"Yes, only offered to art students as talented as you. You know where my office is?"

Serenity nodded, a smile tugging at her lips.

"The top floor, right?"

"Right. I'll be here until five tonight, so come at any time."

"I'll be there right after school."

Odom beamed.

"Perfect."

The period ended and Serenity hurried to lunch. She threw her satchel down and grabbed Jou's arm.

"Sensei Odom wants me to meet her after school for a special proposition!"

"What kind of proposition?" Yugi implored curiously.

Serenity turned her excitement-lit eyes to him.

"She said one only offered to talented art students! Jou, d'you have practice today?"

"Naw, coach cancelled. He's got the flu."

"Can you come with me? I'm kinda nervous."

"Sure."

Anzu plopped down on the bench and sent Jou and meaningful look. He inclined his head to her and she smiled.

"How's the room coming?"

Serenity's smile wouldn't disappear.

"Great! I've started the outline of the mural already. I'm kind of having problems with Yugi's hair though…"

Yugi did a double-take.

"What's wrong with my hair!"

"Nothing! It's just hard to paint. Hey! Maybe everyone could—?"

"Hey, wait a second. Before you make any plans, we gotta ask Dad. Plus, the tournament's this weekend. We're all going to be driving to Tokyo tomorrow after school."

Serenity pouted and Yugi chuckled.

"We'll all come over next weekend, 'kay?"

"I guess…"

"Even me?" Honda asked bitterly.

She bit her lip hesitantly.

"Sorry. I was…I was in a really bad mood and I took it out on you."

"Uh-huh."

Jou narrowed his eyes at Honda.

"Get your head out of your ass, Honda. She just apologized to you, even though you don't deserve it."

"I don't deserve—?"

"I agree with him," Anzu stated, cutting off Honda, "You were being extremely obvious and you were pressing on her personal space. No girl likes that."

Honda snorted in incredulity.

"Yeah, well…whatever. I have to go finish a project…"

He snatched up his backpack and stormed away from the group.

"Does he have to be in the mural?" Jou growled.

Serenity gave him a stern look.

"Yes."

"Fine, fine…I still don't understand this whole mural business. Why are we all in it?"

"Because…I…you guys mean the most to me. You're like the trees to me, I guess…"

She noted their weird stares and sighed deeply.

"We're trees to you?" Yugi asked, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the statement.

"It's a long story."

"Speaking of long stories, I have one for you."

The four of them looked at Ryou in shock.

"Where have you been the last few days?" Anzu questioned.

"Let me tell my long story and you'll find out," He replied heavily, seating himself on the bench.

"Ooh, story time. It's like preschool again!" Yugi cheered.

Ryou gave him an uncharacteristically distressed look. Yugi's smile flopped and he gulped. Ryou took a deep breath and looked away from them.

"It all started when Bakura decided to make curry…"

Serenity giggled. Ryou glanced at her, grinning.

"That's exactly what I thought. But he was serious. I think…he's gone…insane."

"Y'mean he wasn't already?" Jou snorted.

"Well, more insane. Guys…he wants to learn how to cook. Like, he enrolled me in cooking school! What am I supposed to do about him?"

But they were all laughing too hard to answer or give him any useful advice.

"I don't think you understand. The fire department was already called once because of a kitchen fire…he tried to make Baked Alaska. I guess he was watching some American cooking show on TV…Emeril or something…I dunno, but he says this one thing and it makes me jump out of my skin. Anyways, Bakura can't speak English, so he was trying to just guess what the chef was using and he caught the kitchen on fire. I've been missing the last few days because I've been with my father, trying to get money to replace the oven and the microwave. My landlord is not happy."

"Umh…Ryou…I think…you should sit him down and have a serious conversation about his motives." Serenity said, giggling all the while.

Ryou rolled his eyes.

"I may not have a couch to put him on if my father doesn't give us money…"

"Why won't he give you money?"

"That's another long story for another time. The point is…I need a place to stay for a week."

"I'll ask Grampa."

"Thanks! I promise, I will try to keep Bakura away from your kitchen."

"No, no. I've been dying to have the kitchen remodeled for years. By all means, let him burn it down."

Ryou smiled graciously at Yugi.

"Thanks. You're a life saver."

"I know. Hey, are you coming to Tokyo with us?"

Ryou lifted a shoulder.

"I might be…depends on when my first cooking class is…guys, stop laughing! This is a serious issue!"

But no one was listening to him anymore as they were all rolling in laughter.

page break>

"He said you're welcome to stay with us. I hope you don't mind sleeping on a couch."

Ryou stared at Yugi, dumbfounded.

"Yugi…how did you find my apartment?"

Yugi grinned.

"I asked a friend of yours."

A succulent smell wafted in from the kitchen.

"Mmm…what is that?" Yugi asked, his eyes wide.

Ryou sighed.

"Bakura."

"I'm staying for dinner! We can do our math together."

Ryou groaned and let him inside. Yugi wandered into the kitchen to find Bakura concentrating over a pot of stringy noodles. Yugi stood beside him.

"What're you making?"

Bakura frowned and furrowed his brow.

"An Italian dish…spaghetti. But the noodles aren't…why am I talking to you? Get out of my kitchen."

Yugi raised his eyebrows and look up at him.

"Your kitchen?"

"Yes, my kitchen. Scram. I've gotta fix these noodles."

Yugi chortled and backed off.

"Hey, it smells good though. Where did you learn to cook, anyways?"

Bakura was concentrating on the sauce then and nodding in satisfaction.

"I lived in the desert on my own for years…I had to learn how to feed myself. No one wants to eat food that tastes like crap…and I am no exception. Personally, I'm done with take-out. I mean, for Re's sake, he's got the restaurant down the street on speed dial…"

"No I don't." Ryou retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Don't argue with me. I could blackmail you into next year."

Yugi's shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. He decided in that moment that he needed to have dinner with the Bakuras more often.

"With what?"

Bakura sent Ryou a smirk.

"I found that picture in your wallet…along with something else that I won't mention out loud. So much for being a good Catholic."

Ryou's cheeks reddened suddenly in defiance and embarrassment.

"I'm Anglican, idiot."

"Oh, even better! So, tell me about Krissy."

"Bakura, not right now..." Ryou whined.

"Be a man. Tell me. Girlfriend? Friend? I need details."

Yugi accidentally laughed out loud. Ryou sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Girlfriend and best friend. Why do you want to know?"

"Well, I always thought you were gay."

Yugi ducked out of the room, afraid of insulting Ryou with his obvious amusement with Bakura's assumptions.

"WHAT!"

"It's the sweaters. Besides, all your clothes match. Metro sexual isn't too far from homosexual, you know…"

Ryou mouthed wordlessly at him. Bakura smiled in triumph, lifting a noodle out of the pan. He turned to Ryou and flung the noodle past his head. Ryou yelled out something indiscernible as the noodle hit the wall with a splat.

"Get that for me, will you?" Bakura asked congenially, turning off the stove and draining the noodles.

Ryou gaped at him.

"What are you on!"

"Me? Nothing. It was the pharaoh who shot opiates. I have proof, too. Now can you get me that noodle? It's stuck to the wall."

Ryou swiveled on his heel and lo and behold, the noodle was indeed stuck to the wall.

"How did you…?"

"That means the noodles are done, moron. Now get it, already!"

Ryou jumped and retrieved the noodle for Bakura. He took it from him and tossed it into the trashcan.

"Is Pharaoh eating with us, too?"

"I don't know."

"Ask."

"You."

"Ryou."

"Fine."

Ryou huffed out of the kitchen to find Yugi. He found him in the living room watching TV with the pharaoh.

"You're both eating then?"

"Yup. Is it ready?"

"Apparently," Ryou grumbled.

"Great. I'm starving." Pharaoh said, getting up from the couch.

"Umh…did you ever…do anything with opiates back in Egypt?" Ryou asked hesitantly.

Bakura's laughter carried out to them from the kitchen.

"Nice one!"

Ryou blushed. Pharaoh rolled his eyes.

"Did he tell you I did?"

"Yeah, and he said he has proof, too."

"If anyone was on opiates, it was him. Swear to Re, always barging right in like he was immortal…"

"He kinda was."

Ryou received a glare for that comment and he shut up about it.

CFB: Well…that was mostly dialogue, and not much emotion…though I must admit, I was laughing while I was writing this. This was kind of a drabble that doesn't really have anything to do with the story line, but it kind of does. Yeah, I know, confusing. Also, I have NO idea what to call the pharaoh in this. I'm thinking I should just call him 'Yami' so everyone knows who I'm talking about, but…in the Japanese series Yugi calls him 'mou hitori no boku'. Gah, I'm confused. He doesn't even play a big role in this…oh well. Review please!

Side note: Even if this was drabble, it gave a look into the lives of everyone else involved to show why they act like they do. And personally, I think it would be uber funny to see Bakura toiling over the stove. And I know that Ryou's the innocent and quiet type, but even they have girlfriends sometime in their adolescent lives. And did anyone pick up on the whole Catholic thing? If you did, that was my friend's idea. She's Catholic and she thought it'd be really funny to add in there. So if you picked up on it and thought it was funny, I'll send the comments on to her.