Disclaimer: If I owned either "Rurouni Kenshin" or "Yu-Gi-Oh!" then you would be seeing this in the manga or anime as opposed to ff net.

Chapter 39

Tuesday morning, Yugi woke up early. Thinking over the events of the previous night, he decided to go wake up Yami. Opening the door to Kenshin's room, he was surprised to see the red head sitting on the bed with his back leaning against the wall. He didn't move as Yugi entered the room.

"Yami?" Yugi asked, not sure if he was awake or not. Getting no response, he concluded that Yami was indeed asleep. Deciding to wake him up, Yugi gingerly reached out his hand to shake him.

Inches before Yugi's hand would have touched him Kenshin's arm shot out, knocking Yugi's hand aside and grabbing his throat. In one fluid motion, he spun around bringing Yugi with him and slammed the smaller boy against the wall. His fore arm was pressed against Yugi's throat, cutting off his air before Kenshin's eyes even opened.

Yami's groggy mind tried to make sense of what his mind was telling him. Yugi was in front of him, apparently being hurt by someone. This caused Yami's anger to flare up, whoever hurt his aibou had to answer to him. With his mind more alert, he tried to see who was hurting his aibou. That was when he noticed it was his arm that was currently choking Yugi. His eyes widened as he quickly pulled back, allowing Yugi to fall on the bed coughing.

"I-I'm sorry, Yugi. I don't know what came over me, I-" Yami stammered, horrified at what he had just done. As soon as Yugi was able to breathe again, he smiled at Yami.

"That's ok. It was just Kenshin's reflexes. I guess I didn't learn well enough the first time. Neither of you two like to be woken up!" Yugi said, attempting to make a joke to lighten the mood. Yami was torn between looking upset with his actions and relieved that Yugi had forgiven him. Yugi decided to change the subject.

"Why were you sleeping sitting up, anyway?" Yugi asked, remembering Yami's position when he had first entered the room. Yami looked a little confused.

"I'm not sure. Last night, I couldn't get comfortable lying down, so I sat up for awhile. I guess I must have fallen asleep," Yami admitted.

"Well, Grandpa should have breakfast ready now. Let's go get something to eat," Yugi said, leading the way out of the room. Yami followed him.

Grandpa wasn't surprised to see Kenshin come down stairs for breakfast. However, he was a little surprised when he noticed that Yugi was still wearing the Millennium Puzzle. Grandpa looked at Kenshin shrewdly, deciding if perhaps his soul had come back during the night. Kenshin returned his gaze, shaking his head sadly. At Grandpa's confused look, Yugi explained.

"Yami got stuck in Kenshin's body last night, Grandpa," Yugi said, taking a seat at the table. "He can't return to the Puzzle."

"Oh dear. This may present a problem. What will Kenshin do when his soul comes back and he can't enter his body?" Grandpa mused, a little worried. Yami's gaze shifted to the floor in shame, even though it wasn't really his fault.

"Don't worry, Grandpa. It'll work out in the end. It always does! We'll figure out something," Yugi said, reassuringly. No one said anything during breakfast, each lost in his own thoughts. Grandpa finally broke the silence.

"Well, Yami, since you're now in control of Kenshin's body, you will be accompanying Yugi to school today. After all, we can't have Kenshin flunking out simply because his soul is missing, can we?" Grandpa said, smiling at Yami's look that was akin to shock.

Although it was a logical enough request, Grandpa had his own reasons for wanting Yami to go to school. Yami had so much energy last night, Grandpa didn't even want to think about being cooped up in the shop with him all day long.

~*~

Ryou woke up to hear voices conversing in his head. Apparently, Kenshin and Battousai had been awake and talking for awhile.

/I'm sorry. I didn't mean to distract you. Although, if you didn't always have to wait until the very last minute to evade, you wouldn't have been hit by Yami's attack,/ Kenshin said half apologizing, half antagonizing.

//If you could improve your timing, we could have forgone this entire fiasco altogether,// Battousai grumbled. How Kenshin could stay in such high spirits when everything was going wrong was beyond him.

/Yes, well, Kaiba said that in order to get out of the system, one has to die in the system. Apparently, pain is not supposed to be able to be felt, but I'm assuming that I could feel it because my mind was in the computer, thanks to you leaving with my body./

//I panicked! They drugged you and I couldn't sense you at all! I tried to enter your soul room, but it was locked! I did the only logical thing I could think of-- you were in danger, so I removed you from the danger,// Battousai argued, defending himself.

/You may have removed my body from danger, but you trapped my mind!/ Kenshin wasn't really anger, he just like to get Battousai all riled up. It was extremely easy to do.

//I didn't know it would do that! I didn't know you could do that! What happened in there, anyway? You say you had to die to get out?//

There was a pause. /I'd rather not discuss that,/ Kenshin said quietly.

Ryou didn't like to eavesdrop, so he decided to make his presence known during the break in their conversation. My my, you two are up early, he commented.

/Oh, good morning, Ryou. I'm sorry, did we wake you?/ Kenshin asked, apologetically.

Ryou shook his head, even though he knew Kenshin couldn't see him. No, I need to get up and get ready for school anyway.

Ryou got up and started to get ready. So, what were you two talking about? he asked.

//Don't worry about, it doesn't concern you.//

/Battousai…/ Kenshin's voice held a warning in it.

Well, Kenshin is currently trapped in my Millennium Item. Anything that concerns him now, by default, concerns me. You're just being overprotective. I think you're really a nice person, but you don't want everyone to know that so you act tough. Oh, I'm not saying that you're weak, I know that you can be downright merciless if the occasion calls for it. But, deep down, you're a nice guy.

/He got you there!/ Kenshin said, laughing.

Battousai was not amused. //And just what, pray tell, gave you that idea?// he asked. He didn't like people being able to see through his façade quite so easily.

Ryou shrugged. I used think you were cold and heartless, like everyone else does, until Bakura stole the Mask. Just the way you acted towards me, like trying to make sure you didn't scare me and whatnot. And then when you asked, actually asked my permission to take over my body. It's just a little thing, really, but I had never had anyone ask before. Bakura just took over when he felt like it. It made me realize that there was a lot more to you than everyone thinks. Don't worry, I won't damage your reputation by telling anyone, Ryou said, chuckling a little.

//Hmph.// Ryou was actually starting to remind Battousai a little of Kenshin. He was starting to talk back to him without fear. He was also proving his trustworthiness by keeping their secrets. Battousai was starting to like this kid, although he'd never admit to it.

Sensing that part of the conversation was over, Kenshin answered Ryou's previous question. /Battousai and I were just exchanging information as to what has happened since we've been separated. Apparently, shortly after I entered Kaiba's virtual reality system, Battousai left with my body, leaving my mind and my soul in the system. We think that because my soul was absent from my body, his soul was used to replace it, since he was unable to return to the Mask. Yami found out he was in control of my body and challenged him to a shadow game. Unfortunately, he sensed me when I came out of the virtual reality system and, thus distracted, was unable to dodge Yami's attack in time. He was sent back into the Mask afterwards,/ Kenshin summarized.

Oh. So, how did Battousai get stuck in your body, exactly? Ryou asked.

Battousai decided to answer that one. //When Kenshin entered the virtual reality system, Kaiba had to drug us first. As soon as the drugs wore off, I left Kaiba's mansion. I think that because Kenshin's soul was absent, I was used as a replacement when I possessed his body,// Battousai explained.

Well, according to that logic, then all we have to do is put the Millennium Ring on Kenshin's body and let Kenshin possess himself. Then, his body should automatically pull him out of the Ring. Is that correct?

//As far as I know, yes. Bare in mind that this is only a guess, but it seems to be the best one so far.//

Well, after school I'll go over to Yugi's house, Ryou decided.

/That's all well and good, but you might want to look at the time,/ Kenshin said.

Ryou looked at the clock on the wall. Oh no, I'm going to be late!

Ryou ran around the house, trying to hurry and finish getting ready. As he was about to run out the door, Kenshin's voice stopped him.

/Ryou would you like me to run to school? It will be a lot faster, and you'll even be there a few minutes early,/ Kenshin offered.

Ryou thought about it for a second, then nodded. It would be greatly appreciated, he replied.

The Ring flashed, although it couldn't be seen under Ryou's shirt, and Kenshin took control of the body. Pausing only to get his bearings, he took off running towards the school.

Kenshin came to a stop when he was about a block away, looking around. Ryou was a little confused by his behavior. What's wrong? Why did you stop? Ryou asked.

/I sensed something that was not quite right,/ Kenshin answered distractedly.

What? What's not right? Ryou pressed. If Kenshin was going to make him late for school, he wanted to know why.

/It's…Yami. Normally I can sense him within the Puzzle, but his aura is muted unless he is in control of the body. Then Yugi's aura is the one that is muted. Now, however, they are both strong, as if they are both in control of the body. But, that can't be./ Kenshin paused for a few seconds. /Wait! They are coming from two different places! Almost like…/ Kenshin peeked around the corner.

Coming up the street, was Tea, Yugi, Joey, Tristan, and Kenshin.The new spirit of the Ring cast out his senses towards his original body, and got the answer he'd been dreading. He turned back ad continued to school at a quickened pace so he would arrive ahead of them.

Battousai inquired as to Kenshin's anger that he was feeling, through their link. //Kenshin? What's wrong? Why are you so upset all of a sudden?//

Kenshin came to a stop right inside the school courtyard. /Yami has apparently decided that my body is at his disposal. He's using it to come to school,/ Kenshin said, darkly.

//What?!//

But, if he's in control of your body, then- Ryou stopped, realizing what that meant.

/That's right. Now, we have to get him out of there before I can go back in./

Kenshin blocked Battousai out of his mind as the latter started cursing rather colorfully.

~*~

Tea, Tristan and Joey were all surprised to see Kenshin walking to school with Yugi, until Yugi explained about Yami getting stuck in the body. The reached the classroom, and walked inside. Yami saw Ryou sitting across the room, reading a book. Yami felt guilty as he saw the mark he had left on the white haired boy's cheek. He started towards Ryou, to apologize about his behavior the previous day, when someone grabbed his shoulder.

Without even thinking about it, Yami rammed his right elbow backwards and was rewarded with a grunt it connected with someone's stomach. Without giving them time to recover, he dropped down and swung his leg out behind him, knocking the person off their feet. Yami quickly stood back up and turned around while he still had the advantage. Lying on the ground where he had fallen, clutching his stomach, was a very upset Kaiba. Yami's eyes widened as he realized what he had just done.

Kaiba scowled at him as he slowly stood up. Yami regained his composure and apologized. "I'm sorry, Kaiba. You startled me," he said, bowing in way of apology.

Kaiba just glared back at him. Normally, he would have hit Kenshin back, but a crowd was starting to form so he put his battle rage aside for later. He looked at Kenshin indifferently. "We need to talk. Come to my place after school," he said before walking to the back of the class and sitting in his normal seat.

Meanwhile, across the room, Ryou was speechless after watching what had just taken place. Kenshin was laughing hysterically. Battousai was confused.

//What? What's so funny?// Battousai demanded. It was starting to get annoying not being able to see anything.

/Yami--can't--reflexes--/ Kenshin managed to get out in between his laughing. Unfortunately, that was about all he could get out, so Ryou had to translate. He explained what had just happened to Battousai. Not surprisingly, Battousai found it as funny as Kenshin did.

//Yami did that to Kaiba?!// he said, still laughing. While Ryou did find the situation a little humorous, he thought they were blowing it out of proportion.

Come on, guys, it wasn't that funny. Besides, I thought you were still upset about Yami taking over Kenshin's body? Ryou asked.

/Ryou, Ryou, Ryou. Consider this payback, of a sort. You see, my body has very finely tuned reflexes. This is not a problem for me as I am used to dealing with them and I can tell who is around me because of my ki sensing abilities. Yami, on the other hand, does not have either of those advantages. Thus, he doesn't know how to stop my reflexes. And, judging by the distance Yugi put between Yami and himself, plus the sympathetic glances he keeps sending Kaiba, I'll bet the he woke Yami up this morning. And I am relatively sure that it was not a fun experience,/ Kenshin said, still laughing a little bit.

Well, that means we need to get your body back as soon as possible, right? Ryou asked, hopefully. He didn't want to accidentally bump into Yami and end up in the hospital because of Kenshin's reflexes.

/I don't know. I'm toying with the idea of letting him keep it for while. What do you think, Battousai?/ Kenshin asked, nonchalantly.

//I think it would definitely prove to be very entertaining,// Battousai agreed.

/Yes, and I do believe a little retribution is in order. Oh, sitting still in class is going to murderous for him!/ Kenshin said, both he and Battousai laughing again.

Ryou sighed. You two are hopeless.

~*~

Kenshin's prediction came true. Yami was fidgeting the entire time, he just could not sit still. He managed to contain it enough when the teacher was looking that he didn't get in trouble, but he knew people had noticed. Yugi kept looking at him sympathetically, Kaiba was glaring at him suspiciously and Ryou was trying hard to contain his laughter.

By the time class was over, Yami practically bolted for the door. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he had to do something. That particular problem was solved for him, as it was his misfortune to run into some of Kenshin's fan club (not literally run into them). There were about four girls waiting outside the classroom. They all ran over to him the second they saw him.

"Kenshin! Oh, we were worried when we heard that you were sick yesterday. Do you feel better now?" one of them asked.

"Yes, I'm much better today, thank you for asking," Yami replied, a little uncertainly. What do these girls want? he thought.

"Oh good! Well, I was kinda wondering, if you weren't busy on Friday, maybe we could-" another one began.

Yami could tell where this was leading. He didn't want to tell her yes or no, this was Kenshin's body after all. He didn't want to take any part in the red heads love life. That would be up to Kenshin. So, when faced with a situation where you can't win no matter what you say, what do you do? You run. And that's exactly what Yami did.

"I'm sorry, but I've really got to be going now!" he said before he took off running down the walkway.

The girls, however, were not to be deterred. They started chasing after him. "Wait! If Friday's not a good time for you, how about Saturday?!"

Yami kept on running, no where near as fast as Kenshin was capable (he didn't want the boy to be labeled a freak in school), but enough to keep the girls from catching him. He became curious when he heard more footsteps join the original ones chasing him. He glanced over his shoulder and almost tripped in surprise. Where there had been only four girls before, now there was an entire mob chasing him.

Deciding that drastic times call for drastic measures, Yami increased his speed and shot around the next corner. Fortunately, there was a boys bathroom conveniently located right there, and he slipped inside. The door closed right as he heard the mob turn the corner. He listened as they all ran past his hiding place and kept going. Once he was sure they were gone, he cautiously made his way back to the classroom.

Ryou, at Kenshin's request, had stood in the doorway after Yami had left. Thus conveniently located, he was able to witness all of the events from a relatively safe location. He would occasionally lose sight of the mob whenever Yami turned a corner, but saw as Yami hid in the boy's bathroom. Kenshin and Battousai, who was getting the commentary from Ryou, were both in hysterics. Even Ryou couldn't help but laugh at the situation Yami had gotten himself into. Ryou went back to his seat as Yami started his cautious approach to the classroom.

Poor Yami. I should have told him that you should never run from fan girls-- they chase you and the rest of the club will join in. Although, it's nice to see someone else with these problems for a change, Ryou said, chuckling a bit.

Yami looked at the laughing boy a little suspiciously when he re-entered the classroom, but Ryou just smiled innocently. After all, it wasn't like he had sent the fan girls after Yami.

So, how long are you going to let Yami keep the body? Ryou inquired.

By that time, Kenshin and Battousai's laughter had both died down. /I'll have to get it back soon,/ Kenshin said.

//Do you have a plan to get it back?// Battousai inquired.

/Well, I do have one idea, but I'm not sure if I can make it work. I won't know until I try,/ Kenshin admitted.

So, how much longer are you going to let him keep the body? Ryou asked.

//Oh, I'm sure he can keep it until the end of the day, right Kenshin?//Battousai said. He was enjoying watching Yami suffer because of Kenshin's body.

Kenshin smiled mentally. /I don't see why not. After all, I still need to get a few more items./

~*~