(Guys I have been experimenting in this story by using present tense. It has put a great restriction on my work, as I am not used to working with it. So from henceforth I shall write in past tense!)

Bakura was always fond of complexity. Strategies that overlapped to create a truly beautiful victory, puzzles that left you stumped, plans and lies so tangled, they were near impossible to unravel. His adoration showed in his work, be it duels or just mind games. Simplicity bored him. He preferred a challenge.

But then again, there were some things best kept simple. For example, relationships. His relationship with Ryou was perfectly simple. They were roommates, with firm boundaries that had never been breached. The arrival of Imate had complicated things, but it wasn't too bad. She cleaned, cooked and woke him up with a cup of tea. But then, Marik, Melvin and Shi decided to move in. Privacy was all but respected, daily routines were cast aside, and the cherry on top, everyone was in his business all the time. And then there was the constant noise! He swore he was turning into the Grinch! All that noise, noise, noise!

However, that morning he woke to silence. Imate was not there with his tea. For a second he believed that the past few months were a dream. Part of him rejoiced, he was no longer forced to interact with those fools. But a larger part of him panicked, you can probably guess why. He rushed to the kitchen, clad in jeans and an unbuttoned blue shirt. There he found Melvin, carving a fresh, and most likely stolen, pig. Bakura forced himself to relax, but alas, his mind would not allow it.

"Where's the chick?" he grumbled, trying to play cool.

Melvin gave a wicked grin as he sliced through the thick hide. "What do you think I'm cutting up?" He tilted his head back and laughed, before pointing to the adjacent room. "Last I checked she was on the couch, passed out. Did you know she can't handle blood? You should have seen her face when I cut this beauty open! Priceless!"

Bakura bit his cheek to suppress his sigh of relief and stumbled into the living room. And there she was, hair splayed like fire against the couch, seemingly asleep. She looked sickly, so he placed his hand on her forehead. No, that was normal…he shrugged, figuring it must be a side effect of passing out. His fingers ghosted to her cheek, but then he pulled back, like he had been burned. He knew he had feelings for her, and he wanted nothing else to voice, or better yet, show them. But he couldn't. He had this habit of hurting everything he loved. Ignoring his affections to keep her safe was worth the price. Almost.

"'Kura!" A voiced hissed at him, catching his attention. "Get away from her and get over here!" Marik Ishtar. Of course. He gave the girl one last glance before walking over to the Egyptian. "Gah! Oh sorry, I was just blinded by your paleness. Only I can pull off the half dressed look, 'Kura. You got the body but not the skin tone."

"Says the Oompa Loompa. Tell me, how much do you spend on spray tans each year?" He growled. He was always aware of his cursed complexion around Marik. Once upon a time, he had a tan deeper than the blond, and it brought all the girls too the yard. But now he looked like some kid who's tanning process was turning up the brightness on his laptop. Especially around the energetic Egyptian.

"I already told you Bakura, it's completely natural!" he screeched, before coughing. "Just get inside, we already started the meeting."

Meeting? For what? Oh, Ra, please tell me it isn't another Evil Council meeting!

Inside Ryou's incredibly clean room was the rest of the group, sitting in a circle. "Okay, Marik is in charge of decorating, Melvin has food and enterta- okay you know what I think I'll take care of entertainment, Shi that leaves you with the guest list and Shopping. Bakura, you have to distract her while we get everything set up. We all know what we have to do, so let's get to work!" Ryou smiled, reading off a yellow legal pad. The others nodded and fled the room, leaving a very confused Bakura and his exhikari.

"Will someone tell me what the Hell's going on?" He demanded, sepia eyes narrowing in irritation.

Ryou looked at him, phone in hand, and gave a tiny frown. "The surprise party? For Imate's birthday?"

It's Imate's birthday?

Shit.

(Imate's Pov)

It seemed as though no one remembered my birthday. Not that I was upset, I was used to this happening. And if my birthday was remembered I had to wrap my own presents and make my own cake. Plus I had only briefly mentioned it to Marik, so this was technically my doing. But why did I feel so… sad? Oh, wait. That's why. But I'd rather not think about that at the moment.

When I had come to, Bakura told me he had to run a few errands and asked if I could come along. Seeing as this would most likely be the highlight of this annual occasion, I agreed. We walked around Domino Square in silence, as he glanced in the shops. It didn't appear as though he was doing errands but more like he was meandering. Of course, having skipped breakfast, my stomach screamed to be fed. Embarrassed, I had pointed to a small café. We walked over, and he pulled out my chair. Flustered, I sat down.

It was awkward at first, but slowly we both loosened up! I was almost sad when it was over. We then walked around some more, went in and out of shops, had some of that amazing ice cream by the fountain. The whole time we were laughing, and on a few occasions, without realizing it, his hand had slipped into mine. It was almost like… a date. But even then, the magic had to end as he herded me back home.

Home… strange, I haven't thought about my old life since I revealed it to Bakura. And in the short time since I have come to this world, I had thought of that dingy little apartment as my home. Then again, why shouldn't I? It was full of people I loved, and they cared for me in return. If that isn't what makes a home, then I don't know what one is.

As soon as he turned that doorknob I knew this was it. No one remembered. My last birthday was going to be spent on an almost date with Bakura and-

"SURPRISE!"

Okay, I didn't scream like a little girl, no matter what they tell you.

(3rd person pov)

It was two hours of dancing, laughing, a few drinking games, and a lot of presents. But for Bakura, it was two hours of torture. He watched as Imate danced and got hit on by drunk guys. At least she wasn't flirting back. He never really pegged himself as the jealous type but we all know how territorial he is. It became two much, so he slipped outside.

It was a rather nice evening; pleasantly cool for summer, a slight breeze, thousands of stars in the sky. He didn't notice though, no, he was too preoccupied with his thoughts. Imate was inside, dancing a way with a more capable guy, he hadn't bought her a present, he didn't even know it was her birthday. What kind of friend was he?

"Hey, I saw you leave. Just making sure you're okay." He grunted, but didn't turn around. "Bakura? What's wrong?"

He let out a sigh, and gave her a sideways glance. " I'm sorry, I never got you a present."

Imate shrugged and kicked a rock. "Doesn't matter to me." She mumbled. "But um… you know, if you really feel bad I uh guess you could a possibly um owe me a dance." Bakura gave a start. Did he really just hear what he thought he heard? Judging by her flustered state, he deemed the answer to his question a yes.

He smirked, and pulled her to him. "A dance, huh? I can do that." And so, in the weak moonlight, they danced, arms laced around each other and cheeks brushing together. And then, they stopped, both of their hearts hammering. In a perfect world, they would have shared their first innocent, and pure kiss. But this wasn't a perfect world. Bakura swallowed hard, and pulled away. "You should get inside. They are waiting for you."

"Wait, Bakura…" he stopped and looked at her with sorrow. "I… I can't…" Her bottom lip trembled, tears threatening to escape. He stood before her, one hand raised, almost touching her.

"Oh for crying out loud!" A voice behind him yelled. Bakura let out a shout as he was pushed. Right. Into. Imate. Their lips smashed together awkwardly, and they sprang apart.

"What the hell? Get out of here, all of you!" He yelled, and everyone from the party did in fact, go back inside. However, they were spying through the curtains. "Ra, I'm sorry." He said, facing Imate. She stood, wide eyed, hand on her mouth, confusion in her eyes. "Imate I… I'm actually not sorry. I should have done that myself and I was so much of a coward I didn't. Let's pretend that didn't happen and try again." He pleaded.

Bakura stepped closer, and put a curl of her hair behind her ear. And finally, finally, they kissed. Fo shizzle.

(to da party)

"I am glad Bakura finally has someone." Ishizu smiled, looking down at her water. She never approved of drinking. It drove even the most respectable people to shallow and disgusting beings.

"Yeah, especially because I get twenty from Melvin. I told him Bakura was straight and he didn't believe me. But this won't matter because we're probably going to be so busy chasing after this Hikari girl that they won't have a second to spare." Marik shouted. He had drunken quite a few drinks, not enough to have him stripping like at the last party.

The blue-eyed beauty's jaw dropped. "Did you say Hikari? I just spoke with her just the other day! She's about to leave for Egypt with the Pharaoh."

Marik smiled. "That means less chasing and more beauty naps! Thank you Ishizu!" He said, glomping his sister. Oh this was going to be a loooonnnnggg night.

(Time skip till after the party because its late and writing very fast in such a short time makes me even more tired so!)

Bakura smirked, he had his girl, and everyone but them would have a major hangover tomorrow. And it just so happened, he had a blow horn. Ah, the simple rule of drinking; if you drink, expects your friends to ruin your life the following day. It was a beautiful thing. In the mean time, he just had to cope with everyone's drunken behavior. It was then Marik burst into the living room, where all the residences were sitting, and climbed on the table.

Ra I hope he doesn't start stripping again.

But he did no such thing, though he had somehow lost his shirt.

"Pack your bags, we're going to Egypt!"

A/n: crappy ending/chaptah but shut up. This is Fanfiction. Most of its crap anyway. Plus you read it. So you can't give me any lip! Enjoy the update, you strawberry poptarts! (many will read, few will understand. If you do, hala.)

Quick joke: There once was a woman who lived in Q, who filled her Vagina with glue. She said with a grin if they paid to get in, they'd pay to get out of it too.

Source- black butler two bloopers. Sebastian Michealis to undertaker.