:Introduction:

Thank you everyone for continuing to review this story. My time on fanfiction is drastically decreasing as you can tell, that's what tends to happen, but it doesn't mean I do not love writing my stories any more. I'm actually studying abroad in college now. I was looking through my old files and stumbled upon my Fanfics, it gave me the urge to start writing again :)

Enjoy the chapter!

R a t i n g
This Fanfic is rated M for...
- Violence
- Sexual Themes
- Language
- Use and/or reference of Drugs

T o o l s
" "– dialogue
' ' – thoughts
( ) – a/n, add ins
Italics – important facts, flashbacks, sayings, thoughts

D i s c l a i m e r : Yu-Gi-Oh and its characters do not, will not, never, etc... Belong to me, but i really wish. The original story was created by Kazuki Takahashi and I am merely "borrowing" his characters for use in my own fanfiction. Now I can make them do whatever I want! (evil laughter)

- x -
THREE
Reeving the Engine

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A warm breeze came through the window Anzu sat across from, making her look up and out to the bright and inviting world.

"Mizaki, you have a question?" the teacher remarked.

Anzu turned her eyes back down to her exam. It was so difficult to concentrate on the multiple problems neatly aligned on the white paper. Her mind kept wandering, her heart continued to feel a slight ache, and the sun which would shine on her every few minutes only encouraged her already unbearable urge to run. 'This... I can't do this.' The smell of clean floors and natures aroma enveloped her, but the thoughts in her mind only pushed her to smelling the coffee, the metal... The gasoline.

Again Anzu pinched herself in order to wake up from the daydreams of a man whose eyes burned into her mind, soul, and possibly burned into her heart.

'I've never seen anyone so angry. His rage, it made my heart hurt for him...' The vivid memory caused her eyes to brim with tears, 'What caused you that pain Atem? What is behind your name that hurts you that much?' She could not think of anything, and she would not dare find out from anyone else except the man with the velvet crimson eyes. The paper fluttered with the rush of another warm wind, the teacher wiped his brow and announced five more minutes.

Everything felt so distant, how could he do that to her? She never felt like this before, but then again she had never been at the receiving end of such anger. The feeling of guilt began to drip down her core as she thought about the life Atem seemed to be cursed with each day. 'I should have just left him alone...' Anzu thought with a sigh, trying to stop the small ache that filled her heart.

Anzu left the room with a half completed exam after the bell rang, but stopped when she noticed Shizuka standing next to the doorway.

"Hey Anzu! How was the test?" Shizuka spoke lightly while tossing her hair over her shoulder.

Anzu gazed at the hallway before her as they walked, "Let's not talk about it." Shizuka looked at the floor, her enthusiastic personality wasn't needed now. "Anzu, what happened yesterday when you talked to Yami?"

Again she was brought back to the dark and checker-tiled room. The coffee bags littering the counter and magazines covering the table. The dark sofa which two bright and alluring eyes locked her gaze, they were the only contrasting color in the bleak atmosphere. "How did you get that name?!" Echoed the voice in her head, "I'll let him have you next time!!"

"Anzu!"

The brunette snapped back to the world of metal lockers and uniformed teenagers, "I'm sorry. Just thinking."

"More like freaking out... Seriously Anzu, what the hell happened when you talked to Yami? You never told me, but you've been acting really weird since yesterday." They had reached Anzu's locker where she grabbed her bag and books before heading towards the school's entrance. "I'm sorry Shizuka, I... I just can't talk about it."

Rolling her brown eyes the girl shrugged, "Fine whatever. I'm going to use the bathroom, can you wait one sec?"

"Of course." Anzu replied calmly. She watched her friend walk in and then turned her back and leaned against the white plastered wall.

"Fancy meeting you here," came the unruly voice of a male. Anzu turned her head to face a tall figure with shaggy white hair, his brown orbs intently staring upon her idealized figure...

A few minutes later Shizuka stepped out of the bathroom, her phone in her hand, "Sorry Anzu, I was just... Calling Seto..." Her auburn hair swayed back and fourth as Shizuka turned her head in both directions, she bit her bottom lip while dialing her phone. The hallway was quiet and Anzu was gone.

[ S c e n e C h a n g e ]

Random pitches sang in the distance as Jonouchi rolled over in bed, his shaggy blonde hair tousled and knotted. "Who the fuck is calling..." He grumbled with half lidded eyes. Still under the cover the shirtless male reached for the phone under a pile of clothes on the floor, then brought it to his ear back under the blankets, "Shizuka?" he questioned.

"Jonouchi, I'm worried. Anzu's gone." his sister spoke nervously, a worried tone present.

His brown eyes opened a little while he sat up, "What do ya mean she's gone? And why are you calling? You woke me up you brat." He rubbed his temples before letting out a long yawn.

Shizuka replied angrily, "I told her to wait for me while I went to the bathroom, I've called her and looked for her all around the school. You told me about Bakura Jonouchi! I'm worried Bakura's here!" Jonouchi sat up straight, 'That bastard.' He spoke quickly into the phone, "Shizuka, just stay calm. Now there's no way I can help from where I am, but I know someone you can call..."

"Who's that?"

The blonde turned towards the window and frowned, "Well, you certainly won't like to know..."

[ S c e n e C h a n g e ]

A deep roar filled the street as a large and battered truck drove through the neighborhood. Windows down and classic rock blasting out the speakers, everyone walking turned with annoyed glances as they watched the Chevy chug past them.

Pressing on the brakes the truck came to a screeching halt as it slowed down before the red light. The driver watched patiently at the school kids walking across the street, he recognized the uniform and lowered his dark aviators.

The sound of his cell went off on the upholstered seat next to him, the male reached and flipped it open, his eyes still staring at the passerby's, "Yea?"

"... Hi Yami, it's Shizuka... I hope this isn't a bad time..."

Shizuka? He moved his left arm that was hanging out the window and switched phones to it, bringing the black cell to his ear. He adjusted his sunglasses and pushed the truck forward as the light turned green, "Do I ever think anytime is a good time?" He replied.

There was silence before the girl continued, "Jonouchi told me to call you... I think Bakura went after my friend, you know, the brunette?" Yami could sense the panic in her voice, but that did nothing to keep the anger from bubbling in his core. "What about it?" Came the short and bitter reply. "Please, Yami. I don't know where she is and she won't call me back. I'll die if that freak does anything to her. I could never forgive myself! Jonouchi said you were in the area and only said to call you if it was absolutely necessary. It's been almost an hour, I NEED your help!" Yami could sense the growing fear on the edge of the girl's voice, she was coming close to hysterics.

Yami concentrated on the road before him, "I already told her that I would let him have her next time." He then snapped the phone shut and threw it against the floor on the passenger's side.

The male gripped the leather steering wheel tightly as he clenched his teeth. He looked past his dark lenses and into the rear view mirror and watched the young girls in their navy skirts and pink blazers walk home.

[ S c e n e C h a n g e ]

"LET ME GO YOU FREAK!" She screamed as the grip on her hair tightened, causing her head to be pulled back and tears form at her eyes. "If you think for one second I'm going to let you get out without any harm, you have another thing coming." His lips drew into an evil smile as he dragged the brunette out of his car. She kicked the door shut and followed him reluctantly in order to ease the throbbing pain forming in her skull.

"That asshole has humiliated me for the last time. He won't race me? Fuck him then, I'm going to make sure his dearest suffer." The pale skinned figure turned and looked down upon the girl's trembling form, he yanked her hair back in order to make their eyes meet. She yelped in pain.

"I'm going to hurt you Anzu. I'm going to hurt you so Shizuka will be hurt, and that will break her brother's heart." His eery brown eyes lingered on her wet sapphire ones, "And with Jonouchi's suffering, it will break Atem." His laughter echoed against the walls of the dark room he dragged her into, his white mane and wicked smile gleaming against the bleak interior.

"P-please don't..." Anzu begged. On her knees, her hand against Bakura's where he pulled her hair, "please, I didn't do anything to you."

A low chuckle came from the standing male, "Of course you didn't." He began with, his voice rough, "But you do something to Atem." He let go of her hair and knelt down, their eyes meeting. Bakura put a gentle hand to her cheek and wiped a falling tear, "And I need to figure out what in you have, so I can finally put him in his place." Bakura then slapped her so roughly she fell against the dirt and grease covered floor.

Watching the girl struggle to keep herself composed excited him, she was the prey, the poor animal he would sink his teeth into. He stepped over to her and pushed her to the ground. "I hope you're not ready for this, because that will make it much more exciting."

Fear spread her eyes wide as she let out a high pitched scream, Anzu kicked Bakura in the stomach and turned to get up, to run, to escape. 'Please God! This can't be happening! Please someone save me!' Her heart beat rapidly in her chest, as if it were to burst. The adrenaline kicked in so fast she began to breathe heavily and shake.

She was up and darting towards the door when a hand grabbed onto her ankle and yanked her back to the tiled floor. Her skull smacked the floor and a shot of pain rocketed behind her eyes. "You bitch, now things are going to get so much better!" He pressed his weight on top of her and clamped her wrists to the ground above her head with one hand. '

He's too strong, I can't get him off!!'

"NO! STOP! HELP!" Her screaming became more and more panic filled as he ripped at her skirt.

His maniacal laughter only drowned out as she began to scream louder, tears cascading from her eyes.

Anzu continued to scream and thrash about as he laid on top of her, she felt his hand roaming, touching her where she never wanted him to touch. It burned her skin where his fingers felt.

Her vision began to blur, her body too overwhelmed and stressed to handle the reality, darkness began to creep in around the edges. She heard something in the distance, some profound noise. 'A voice...' The weight upon her lightened.

Anzu rolled her head to the side, her brown locks sticking to her sweat and tear-stricken face. Two men stood in the corner, one slamming the other into the wall, she could barely make out what was being said. It was when one man fell limp to the ground that she began to feel her heart pick up again, her mind sending demands to her body, to get up and get the fuck out of there. But the man who knelt and hovered above her calmed her mental screaming. "You're safe now, it's okay." His hand brushed the wet strands of hair from her eyes, "You're safe, I've got you..." And once again as she gazed into the figure's eyes his crimson orbs lulled her into a dark haven.

[ S c e n e C h a n g e ]

The glow of a descending sun broke through her closed eyes as the bumping of her seat shook her awake. Anzu smelled the musk from the seat she lay on, all was silent around her as she sat up and felt the beginnings of a cool breeze from the open window.

"How's your head?"

She turned instantly at the voice, her heart speeding up as she threw herself against the passenger door, "What happened!" she screamed, the memories of panic and fear shuffling in her mind.

The driver looked at her through his reflective aviators, "I wouldn't lean on that door, it has a knack for flying open."

Anzu stared hesitantly at herself in his glasses, wishing she could see past and into his eyes. Gently she lifted herself from the door and sat upright in the passenger seat. "... What. Happened." She repeated a little more angrily.

The truck screeched to a halt as Yami shifted gears and released the clutch. He turned the ignition off and the truck grumbled before falling silent. She watched as he opened the door and got out, slamming it behind him. Her head turned and followed him as he walked away, leaving her alone.

Anzu grabbed her door and threw it open, spilling out onto the dusty ground before slamming the metal red square closed. "Hey! Wait, where are you going?!" She chased after the tall and well built frame who walked towards the fence overlooking the ocean.

The smell of salt floated through gusts of wind which tossed about Yami's hair as the orange rays of sun broke in between his messy strands. Pebbles crunched under Anzu's shoes as she walked up next to Yami, her frame so delicate and doll-like compared to his strong and built structure. He leaned against the fence and stared at the sunset through his glasses, ignoring the blue-eyed gaze to his right.

"Thank you."

Yami looked to his side before removing his sunglasses and clipping them to the black shirt he wore. They interlocked gazes for a few moments as the wind blew Anzu's brown tresses. She refused to be the first to look away.

A small smile tugged at the edge of his lips, "Anytime," came the rich and deep reply.

He turned back to the sunset as she walked up and leaned against the railing next to him. They stood for a moment when he heard the small chokes she tried to hold back. Yami turned to Anzu and watched her small frame hunch over, hands covering her face to try and stop the tears and sobs. His face softened at the vulnerable and trembling girl who continued staring at the ground.

"He touched me," she cried softly.

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He touched me!" Anzu screamed as tears poured from her eyes and the terror began escaping from her core. Yami brought Anzu into his arms and gently held her, she wound her arms tightly around his torso and cried hard into his shirt.

The deep red hues of the sun began to fade behind dark violet clouds before sinking beneath the ocean.

[ S c e n e C h a n g e ]

"Are you ready Yami?" Asked a blonde haired male as he leaned against the wooden table in a dimly lit room. The one lamp hanging low from the ceiling barely showed the features of Jonouchi as his bangs hid his excited chocolate orbs.

A muscular back faced the standing male, Yami pulled a tight black tank over his head, then buckled his leather pants with a silver and black leather belt.

He eyed Jonouchi over his shoulder with a smirk, "This ends now."

Grabbing the leather jacket hanging off a chair, Yami whipped it around his shoulders and pulled his arms through the white and red striped sleeves. Black flames protruded from the waist and around to the back of the coat. He popped the collar and zipped it halfway, pulling on his fingerless gloves as Jonouchi towed behind him, shutting off the light and closing the door.

They stood in the back of the crowded warehouse with only flickering lights bringing color amongst the open space.

"It's about time you get behind the wheel," came the husky voice of a tall brunette. Yami and Jonouchi turned to face the well dressed CEO, Seto Kaiba. A smirk graced Yami's features as he stared at the growing crowd getting ready for the big moment. "It'll be a good release." He stated while crossing his arms, Yami looked at the male who was nearly his height, "Have you seen Bakura, Seto?"

The azure-eyed male nodded, "he's waiting by the stock cars, hanging with the random chicks who've come with other group members."

Yami turned to Jonouchi as he spoke, "Dude, where's you're car?" came a joking remark.

"It's here." He stated simply, running a hand through his tri-colored locks.

They began walking, passing by guys dressed in leather jackets and girls wearing six inch stilettos and mini skirts. The crowd parted, making a long walkway to the entrance of the warehouse. There was hollering and cheering behind Seto, Jonouchi, and Yami. Engines started from the darkness as everyone lit their headlights to brighten the walkway to the starting line.

Jonouchi glanced over his shoulder at Yami, whose eyes stared directly ahead, "I don't think Anzu or Shizuka will be here... It is pretty la-" he was interrupted by a cheerful voice, "I'm here Jonouchi!!" came Shizuka's bouncy voice.

Her brother rolled his eyes, "Typical." He laughed.

Shizuka smiled at Yami, "Kick his ass," she stated simply, eyes hard. Yami gazed at the girl dressed in dark jeans and a white tank, "I already did." he replied. She smirked at the remark before the boys continued walking towards the track. Seto stayed behind with Shizuka, "Anzu coming?" he turned and looked down to her, blue and brown eyes interlocking.

"I don't think so..." She spoke softly.

Jonouchi and Yami entered a small garage a little ways from the street, a place where the noise died down and the fumes spread more thickly through the air. "Ready?" Yami asked as he placed his hands on the edge of the tarp, with a quick nod from Jonouchi he fiercely ripped off the plastic covering, exposing the prize underneath, he then unlocked the clip for the hood and lifted it open to show the insides.

"Haha! Aw shit bro, you jerk! You kept this from me?!" Jonouchi shoved Yami playfully as he gawked at the new and shiny equipment inside. "It wasn't ready yet," the male remarked as he stood next to his friend.

Jonouchi stood and fixed his black jacket before turning to Yami with a huge grin, "He's going to be eating your smoke."

The crowd began shouting loudly as Yami pulled up his car next to a bright white one. He got out and walked in front of the headlights, facing the male staring with arms crossed.

Bakura got up from the hood of his car and walked close to Yami as Jonouchi jogged over, "I like your new color Bakura, that plum eyeshadow does wonders for your eyes." Bakura snorted in response and shoved a finger into Yami's chest. "You're fucked Atem." He spat on the pavement next to him and walked back to his car, slamming the driver's door shut.

Anger boiled in the pit of his stomach as the night air blew around them. "It's 2 a.m. Yami," stated the blonde, he held the door open for his friend, "I wanna watch this, get in and win." Yami walked to the driver's side and looked at Jonouchi, his burning crimson eyes flickering with a desire that has not been satisfied in a long time. Jonouchi swallowed hard at the hunger he saw in Yami's eyes, he stepped back, on edge. Yami was about to enter the dark interior of the car before a voice stopped him.

"Yami," came the sweet tone from behind him. He tore his blood eyes from the lights on the dashboard and turned to face Anzu. She stood there in tight jeans and a black lace top, exposing a little more than he thought she ever would. His crimson eyes stared heatedly into the tranquil and cool blue orbs of her own. He did not speak for the few seconds their gaze lingered.

She shifted her weight and crossed her arms, "I'll see you first across the finish line?"

He smirked before sliding into the black leather seat. Jonouchi shut the door as he and Anzu walked to the sidelines.

Yami sat in the car, checking the neon lights shining in a variety of colors from the dashboard. He watched Mai walk in between and ahead of the two cars, holding a green flag. His crimson eyes reflected the black pavement that seemed to connect fluidly to the black environment around it. She raised her arms above her head.

3...

2..

1.

The flag fell and the cars raced into the darkness.

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End

Closing - Things are spicing up! Hope you liked the chapter, sorry if it dragged on anywhere! I'm excited to write the next one, a lot more romance is coming so hold tight!

- peachi