So close! The story is almost done, just one more chapter after this that will clear everything up. Big thanks to the reviewers, I really am trying to make sure sentances dont run on forever, sometimes I just can't tell myself. Anyways...

Enjoy and pretty please review! :)

Yugi stood in front of a large full body mirror, something that was common in this place. He was adjusting the white formal shirt with gold buttons he wore. Over his shirt was a long sleeved white coat with silver threaded into it. His pants were a very light grey since he couldn't ever wear white pants, he always spilled things on them then his white boots that he'd tucked most of the legs on his pants into. Around his neck was a silver choker with a keyhole on it, luckily he didn't have to worry about keeping track of a key to get it off.

In just a few hours he would be heading down to the ballroom for the masquerade, he was really looking forward to all of the costumes, but he hoped that he avoided seeing either Seth or Yami. Since the fight he had with Yami he'd moved out of the room and moved into Kaiba's. Because he had no mirror in his room, Yugi had to go to the room of mirrors to get ready, which was very helpful because he could look at himself at every angle to make sure his costume was perfect. After all he had the phantom to compete with who had grown up living a masquerade.

He had told Yugi that he would change masks for the occasion, so he was very much looking forward to what he was going to look like. Though no matter what, he was sure to look better than him. When he was done adjusting his shirt he bent down to pick up his mask gently in his hands, after all he couldn't show up without this. At a masquerade everything was about the mask, your costume could look absolutely horrible but if you had an attractive mask everyone would applaud you.

Yugi's was silver, it covered only his eyes since he didn't like full face masks. On the left side there were three large white feathers and silver beads around the edge, they seemed to keep the feathers in place. Around the edges of the mask was embroidered with white trimming, and in the inner eye sockets were fake small diamonds. He really liked it, and remembered it had caught his eye very quickly when he had been out looking for one. What he was looking forward to more than putting it on was letting Kaiba see it, since he had yet to.

They were not going to show up at the party together since he could be recognized by Yami, he'd said he didn't want anyone to know who he was. Yugi could tell that he was actually nervous about going out into a crowd of people. That was of no surprise since he hadn't his whole life. Though Kaiba was sure to keep his distance from everyone else which was going to be nice. When he had been with Yami he liked to flutter between groups of all different people Yugi didn't know. He remembered how uncomfortable he felt standing next to him as he spoke to all sorts of different people.

Yugi looked over the mask before slipping it onto his face. When it was on he gazed at himself through the mirror, he almost didn't recognize himself. Amazing how a mask could make you look like a totally different person. Though with his hair it was impossible to mistake him for someone else.

"Beautiful…"

Yugi jumped when suddenly hearing a soft whisper in the room. He then looked around at all the mirrors for blue but couldn't seem to find his eyes. "Seto? Where are you?"

He chuckled darkly. "Everywhere."

"Please show yourself… I want to see you!" Yugi admitted while moving to the center of the room to gaze at each mirror.

"A masquerade is about not knowing who is who, it is about the mystery of the people you meet. I will not be showing myself until you arrive. Another true test of love awaits you."

"What do you mean by that?" Yugi questioned. Kaiba knew that he loved him.

"Only if you truly love me you, will be able to find me within an array of other masks."

"So your saying your not going to show yourself to me, but I have to guess who you are out of possibly hundreds of other people?" Yugi asked. Just to make sure that was what he meant.

"Yes, love. You will have to find me."

Yugi frowned. "But what if I don't find you… I'll have to look at everyone to be able to start guessing." he remarked.

"True, but as I said before if you love me you should be able to find me very easily."

"I do love you though! Why do you question it?" Yugi asked. Almost feeling hurt by the distrust.

"I do not question it, I know you love me. All I ask is that you find me, is that so hard?"

"No."

"Goodbye love, until tonight." he said as his voice faded away.

"Until tonight…" he murmured to himself. He then walked to the mirror again, looking over himself until he was sure he was as perfect he could be. He then looked to the edges of the mirror until he found a small little slit in it. One you could only find unless you were seriously looking for it. Yugi pressed it and he was able to bypass the mirror with ease. On the other side in the pathway to his phantom's room Yugi now walked. He took his time unlike all of the other times where he had been practically running.

The reason he was walking down this pathway, was because he had realized while he walking that he forgot the white rose clip he'd wanted to wear on his coat. Kaiba had also wanted him to wear it. When Yugi entered the room he was surprised to see things look so messy. Almost every book was open and were at pages with red ink written in them. Yugi walked to the nightstand to see in the drawer his white rose sitting on top of the book Couleur des coeurs. Yugi picked up the rose to clip onto his coat. He then got curious and picked up the book.

Yugi flipped it open and was surprised to see that the map he had once seen with all of the french scribbles, circles, and arrows was now gone. Had Kaiba taken it out? But why? What did it even mean? Was there something he was planning behind his back?

He just brushed it off while placing the book back into the drawer then closing it. Yugi then moved to sit down on the bed and lay back. He placed his hands behind his head and relaxed. Something he hadn't done since he'd come here.

xXxXx

As soon as Yugi entered the ballroom he was seeing many masks, all had their own style, color, shape, and design. The chandelier was what lit the whole ballroom but there were also some candles on the walls that helped. There were only tables near the walls so that the middle of the ballroom was used for dancing to the soft music that played. Each table was covered in a white sheet and had a candle on it probably just for looks. There were waiters with trays walking around with tiny assortments of food, and Yugi could see outside the tall windows fireworks going off. If the roar of people talking wasn't in his ear's then he would be able to hear them boom and crackles as they exploded.

Yugi began gazing around looking for Kaiba. He knew he wouldn't be in the middle, so maybe he was at a table. Yugi began walking through all of the tables, glancing to each one he passed in hopes of seeing his phantom. After walking around the ballroom about three times and not spotting him, he decided to take a seat at an empty table. Letting his feet rest before he went to search some more. Where could he be? Was it really this hard to find one person? Yugi wished that he would just come up to him so that things wouldn't have to be so difficult. He'd never been good at find it games, so finding someone else was impossible.

Yugi didn't even understand why Kaiba wanted him to find him. Yugi would have rather shown up with him, but then he remembered a phantom had to make his own entrance. He didn't know how he was going to do it but he always had a way.

"Yugi…?"

The boy looked up hearing his name called. When he saw Yami before him he was shocked. He had no idea what he wanted so he said nothing, just looked at him.

He sighed before seating himself in front of Yugi. "I'm sorry… about the things I said to you… I didn't mean them… I do really care about you… I was just so angry…"

"Yami… you did really hurt my feelings." Yugi admitted while gazing down at the table cloth. Not wanting to keep eye contact with him.

"Yes, I know and I'm truly sorry." Yami confessed.

Yugi looked back up at him. Not sure whether to believe him or not. He did look honest.

Yami then stood up and offered his hand to Yugi. "How about a dance?" he asked with a slight smile.

Yugi was unsure but Yami took his hand and forced him up. Then took him to the middle of the ballroom. Yami held his waist as Yugi very gently put his arms around Yami's neck, but nothing compromising. They swayed very slightly to the music, it was nothing wild but well enough for them to keep a rhythm to. Yami was dressed in a black suit with a mask that covered his eyes much like Yugi's, except it was black and there were no feathers. His costume was simple but it looked good. Yugi also noticed something near his waist but he didn't question it, it almost looked like a sword case, but it was probably just a part of his costume.

"So where is your phantom? I would have thought he would have come with you." Yami asked. His voice sounded a little harsh.

"He's here…" Yugi trailed. He just didn't know where yet.

"Hmm… I don't see him… maybe he has left you." Yami remarked while spinning them slowly. "Perhaps he got too scared, after all a phantom is a creature of the shadows. There are no shadows here for him to crawl around in."

Yugi frowned at him. "Stop it, he's not some kind of creature. He's a person."

"I just don't understand… what is it about him you love?" Yami questioned while very unnoticeably, moving Yugi closer to him.

"Everything. I love everything about him. He's mysterious, passionate, mystifying, and intelligent. I've never met anyone like that." Suddenly finding it awkward talking about this with him he changed the subject. "I really hope we can still be friends. I hate losing friends over such stupid things… I really don't want to fight with you Yami." Yugi admitted honestly.

Yami looked at him for a long moment before smiling kindly and bringing Yugi closer to him again. "Of course… we can always be friends, but…" He moved his face closer to Yugi's. "I still love you, and wish that you would marry me… I still leave my offer." Yami told him sweetly while gently kissing him.

Yugi quickly backed away from the kiss but stayed with his arms around his neck. "Yami…" he trailed. Not wanting him to kiss him anymore.

"I just want you to know that I still love you despite the fact you love someone else… and I wish that you would stay with me and not him." Yami said as he moved his hands lower. Just above Yugi's butt.

Yugi felt uncomfortable with this and tried to pull away but Yami's grip on him was stronger. He removed his arms from around his neck to try and push him away but to no avail. "Let me go!" he cried.

Yami's grip on him only hardened. "I don't understand what I did to make this happen… why won't you give me another chance?"

"Yami! Please understand that I don't love you anymore!" Yugi told him while continuingly trying to get free.

"Yugi…" he trailed while leaning forward to kiss him once again.

"You insolent fool! Don't you listen?"

Yugi turned his head to look at Kaiba who now stood behind them. He had on a white mask but it didn't cover his entire face, just his cheeks, forehead, and around his eyes. The mask had a strange texture to it like it was supposed to be a mask of a face of a skeleton. He had on a long black cape along with a blood red suit with an even darker red tie. Near his waist was also a sword case that looked slimmer than the one that Yami had. Yugi tried harder to break free to get to Kaiba, but Yami suddenly moved Yugi to stand behind him protectively.

Yami instantly drew the very real sword from its case to point at the phantom. "I don't like how you've taken Yugi from me. I hope you know your not going to get away with it."

Kaiba chuckled darkly. "Do you think your saving Yugi? Do you think killing me would make him love you?"

Yami glared while shoving the sword closer to the phantom, unaware they had a crowd of people now watching them. "Your actions disserve justice. You held him captive!"

Kaiba didn't even appear to care that a sword was being pointed at him. "I did no such thing. He was free to leave whenever. Yugi chose to stay with me."

"You lie!" he roared before taking a swing at his arm before the phantom moved backwards to avoid it.

"Yami! Stop it!" Yugi cried.

Yami completely ignored him while swinging at him again. Only to miss.

"A duel, you wish to partake in? For Yugi?" he questioned as he slowly drew the sword that he had around his waist also. His sword was much slimmer then Yami's but looked more deadly.

"Please don't do this!" Yugi exclaimed. He couldn't stand it if something happened to Kaiba. He didn't think he was worth fighting over.

Yami smirked at him before drawing his sword closer to him. "Perhaps. The winner will have the true right to be with Yugi."

Kaiba also drew his sword up closer to him. "I agree. A duel to the death."

Yugi's eyes widened. "No! Don't!" he shouted at them. Wishing they would listen to him.

They both simultaneously brought their swords together to make a loud clash of metal. Both not taking their eyes off of the other.

"When was the last time you picked up a sword, Yami? I already see many mistakes in your stance. Shall I teach you?" The phantom offered while suddenly knocking the sword away from being pointed at him to swipe at Yami's leg which managed to cut him.

Yami slightly stumbled before growled out of the slight pain and the fact the phantom had taken the first shot at him. Out of clear anger, he viciously swung his sword down on Kaiba just for it to be blocked. He tried again but it was blocked.

Kaiba laughed evilly. "You don't know how to handle a sword, do you? How foolish." When Yami swung his sword at him near the chest once more Kaiba blocked it. He then ran at Yami, managing to take him by surprise, and as he ran by cut his side with the sword. Now on the other side of Yami, Kaiba grabbed Yugi's hand and ran towards the entrance of the ballroom. Through the large circle of people that had been watching. While he ran he swung his sword at anyone who got in his way, surely now they would not follow.

"Seto!" Yugi cried. He looked back seeing Yami chasing after them. He then looked forward. "Why are you doing this? You know I love you and would chose you over him!"

"He needs to learn a lesson or two in swordsmanship." he admitted while pushing past a group of people. "I will kill him for kissing you!" he yelled angrily.

"No! Please don't kill him! He just loves me…" Yugi trailed. He didn't want anyone dying, and especially for him. He didn't see how he was so worth it. "I don't understand why your willing to die just to be with me… I'm not worth death!" Yugi shouted at him.

"My love, you are worth everything to me. Without you I am dead. Yami must be put in his place, he's an arrogant man for thinking he could force you to love him as he was, and for loving not just you but my brother too. I will show him that you are mine." Kaiba stated as they reached the large doors. He pulled them open before Yugi could question him about what he said and ran through them. He swiftly hurried down the stairs before reaching the middle of the large second foyer. They stopped and Kaiba turned Yugi towards him. "If anything does happen to me, I want you to know that I will love you forever." he then leaned down to kiss him passionately.

Yugi wrapped his arms around him to hold closer. Not ever wanting to let go. He could feel tears starting to work their way to his eyes.

"Soon I will put you where you belong! In a grave!" Yami yelled as he descended down the stairs with his sword ready to swing.

Kaiba broke Yugi quickly away from him. He pushed him to the side before blocking the swing Yami took to his shoulder. Kaiba pushed the sword away from him, taking his own swing towards Yami's arm which missed by an inch.

"Losing your touch, are we?" Yami asked mockingly while the phantom was on the rebound, slicing a long cut on his arm.

Yugi watched with horror as Kaiba's arm began bleeding. He was tempted to cover his eyes from the sight but knew he couldn't. He neither could stop them from doing this. They were going to fight until the other was dead or extremely close. Which scared him.

Kaiba barely took note of his cut before with great force hitting his sword against Yami's. This turned into a constant fight for the next hit on the other, their swords moved so quickly that it was hard to determine where they would be going next. The sound of metal slapping each other filled the foyer and the growls of anger that came from both of the sword wielders. With each swing that missed or connected with the others causing both of them to become more enraged and determined to hit the other. They moved so quickly that it was impossible to see who had the upper advantage if there was one.

Yugi watched with fear. Why did they have to fight? He couldn't even talk them out of it, they wouldn't listen to him.

"Yugi doesn't love you." Yami growled while their swords were pushed together in an effort to over throw the other. "He only pity's you."

"And you think he loves you? Do you really think he would ever marry you?" he questioned while pushing strongly against him.

"Before you, Yugi loved me! I promised him that I wouldn't let a phantom take him away and I plan to keep my promise!" Yami shouted as he managed to disarm the phantom them cut the other side of his arm. Before he could get to the sword Yami kicked it away, then swung at the phantom again who moved out of the way just in time.

The sword was slid right at Yugi's feet. He quickly picked it up. "Seto!" Yugi call out.

Like knowing without looking that Yugi had his sword, Kaiba ducked after Yami took a swing at him. He then shoved him back to make him more paralyzed, quickly running to Yugi to take his sword from him. He turned to see Yami coming after him, ready to run him through. To get Yugi out of harm, he pushed him away while sidestepping just to miss Yami's thrust, instead his sword ran through a vase. As it broke unintentionally, the tip of his sword knocked over a candelabra.

Yugi had landed on the floor from being shoved but if he hadn't he surely would have been dead.

"You can barely hit me." Kaiba remarked.

Yami turned to glare menacingly at him. "Check your arm. I would say that's made it up."

Kaiba laughed mockingly. "Barely."

"We'll see about that!" Yami suddenly ran at Kaiba. They began the mad swing of swords again. Seeming almost never ending before Kaiba managed to elbow Yami in the face, then cut him on the shoulder.

Kaiba hadn't been expecting Yami to recollect himself so quickly, the next thing he knew was being disarmed again then be punched in the face. Causing him to fall to the ground. His mask had fallen off and was laying farther away from him as Yami stood above him smirking.

"Your death will be quick." he said while bringing the sword up ready to end his life by running his sword through his heart.

Yugi instantly ran to Yami. "No!" he cried. His large eyes filled with nothing but sorrow and pain. He grabbed Yami's elbow to keep him from stabbing Kaiba. "Please don't do this! Please!" he begged desperately.

Yami broke Yugi's drip over him. "I won this duel. So the phantom will be no more!" he yelled.

Kaiba all of a sudden began laughing.

Yami glared at him. "How can you laugh when you are about to die?" he growled.

"Fool! I have been dead for many years. I only recently felt alive when I was with Yugi…" he suddenly unbuttoned his suit to reach into it. "If I cannot be with Yugi… then… death to the house."

After his words were said the foyer began to shake, all of a sudden a loud explosion and screaming was heard. Just as soon the room that held within it all of the fireworks blew up, causing such an impact that both Yami and Yugi were blown to the ground. Yugi quickly gazed up to see that what had once been the room to the fireworks was now blown up and fire was spreading over the walls, engulfing anything and everything in its wake.

"What have you done!" Yami yelled as he stood up. "Your insane!"

Kaiba merely laughed again.

Yami quickly pulled Yugi up then began running out of the foyer.

Yugi tried desperately to break away from him to run to Kaiba who still laid on the floor like embracing death. "Let me go! Let me go!" Yugi screamed. He had to help Kaiba he couldn't let him die.

"No Yugi! You'll die! Just leave him, he's mad." Yami said while pulling Yugi along who was giving up great resistance.

The fire was so bright and large now that he could feel the flames heat as he was forced to run from it. "Seto! Please get up! Please!" Yugi cried as loud as he could, over the crackle of large flames and the crumbling of support beams and walls.

Kaiba merely turned his head to look at Yugi. "Don't forget that I will always love you…"

Yugi felt millions of salty tears fill his eyes. "No! I can't leave you!" Yugi managed to break from Yami to begin running back towards Kaiba. "I won't leave you!" Before he could get very far his wrist was grabbed again by Yami and was forced the other way. He gazed back forward to tug on his wrist. "Yami let me go!"

"No, Yugi. I'm not going to let you die." he told him.

Suddenly a loud crash was heard. Yugi gazed back and his heart ripped into millions of pieces seeing that where the phantom had been was now covered in a large portion of the ceiling that had fallen. Yugi felt his body wither under the extreme sadness. He was gone. Not seeing any reason to stay behind he stopped resisting and let Yami take him through the door into the main foyer. They quickly exited the mansion by the doors that were already held open and were having many other people exiting the mansion.

When they were outside and far enough away from the mansion they stopped to gaze at it. The fire almost had already consumed the whole mansion, black smoke filled the nighttime air and Yugi could hear the approaching sirens of the fire trucks. A very light snow had been falling from the sky as they stood in the cold watching the mansion burn. Yugi had fallen onto his knees by then and sobbed into his hands. How could he have just given his life like that? Why? Yami wouldn't have killed him.

He could have gotten up, he could have saved himself, but why? Why did he chose to kill himself instead? Was it because of the curse, or was it something else? Yugi didn't understand, did he think that he wouldn't love him anymore if he lost the duel against Yami? Yugi did realize something though, something he should have realized sooner. That his arrangement to flames was an explosion, he must have planned the whole thing. If only he had figured out that sooner. He then would have never gone to the masquerade. He would have left with Kaiba right then and there. If only he had known.

Yugi knew that he would never forget his phantom. Yugi would love him just as Kaiba had loved him. Forever.