There's more to life than Duel Monsters Chapter 15: Happy New Year, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

There's more to life than Duel Monsters.

Ch15: Happy New Year.

Alright! It has been a WHILE and I had quit writing this but I can't help wanting to see where this will go. In total there will be 22 chapters to this story, and I keep getting ideas for the next…er…season so to speak.

This one is super long to make up for the break, so be warned!

"There's more to life" should end up occurring over a little less than a year, the end of the second last and start of the final school year for these guys. I don't know if the ages match up, somehow I don't think they would but... well, you can blame my brain coz this is the story it's coming up with.

Please comment if you spot any inconsistencies I have missed in editing! With something this long, there's bound to be something.

And let me know if there's anything you might not like in here, seriously. Maybe it'll be a creative disagreement and then I'm sorry, I want to keep this as much my voice as possible. On the other hand maybe it's something I can fix and make the whole project better.

F L A S H B A C K

Ungodly Hour,

Morning,

Ryou's Flat

Malik looked at the ceiling. It needed a coat of paint.

"Here." Came a hoarse whisper.

He felt something cold and metal fall onto his stomach.

Malik looked down. It was a very heavy, gaudy looking gold watch.

"Wow. Is it real?" He whispered, picking it up and putting it onto his wrist to observe the effect.

He heard a chuckle to his right.

"Happy New Year, Malik"

Malik looked right at Bakura's dark form. The whites of Bakura's eyes, hair and teeth seemed to shine.

Malik sighed, feeling completely relaxed.

"I didn't get you anything." He stated.

Bakura grinned, a lazy Cheshire grin.

"I might get a tattoo." He whispered mysteriously.

"Tomorrow's a holiday." Malik pointed out.

"I know a place." Bakura shrugged.

Malik smiled, "Cool."

Leaving it at that, he looked back at the ceiling.

Bakura turned over.

"Tomorrow should be good." He whispered, yawning.

"I've got to meet Ishizu…" Malik groaned, remembering and dreading the event.

Bakura yawned again, and Malik followed suit.

Soon the dread was gone, replaced by the freedom and ease Malik inevitably felt around Bakura.

"Tomorrow should be good." He agreed through another yawn, falling asleep as he spoke.

F L A S H B A C K

Yugi Moto had always thought it was great that his grandfather had decided to open his games shop after retiring from archaeology. For one thing, it meant that Yugi got his pick of the new cards that came in, even if he did have to pay for them. It also meant that he got special booster packs on his birthdays, Christmas and New Year.

This was why Yugi awoke feeling very excited on the last day of every Old Year.

Travelling the world on different digs, Yugi's Grandpa had perfected the festival, taking on his favourite aspects of every New Year tradition he had come across in his long career.

Needless to say, Yugi was busy for most of the day, egging himself on with the thought:

Dinner is going to be brilliant.

But it wasn't the preparations that were going to make the event in Yugi's eyes. Jounochi had been spending a lot of time with his sister lately, ever since she had her bandages removed. So had Honda, but both had agreed to come out and spend New Year with the gang.

The plan was to eat early along with Grandpa, and mum, then for all three of them to go out. After dinner, Yugi's mum was going to visit her friends and Yugi's Grandpa was receiving his friends at home.

Yugi had called Anzu, but she said she was spending New Year with Mai, and Yugi did not want to speculate about what exactly that entailed.

Unlike Jounochi, Yugi did not believe the common myths about girls' sleepovers, but that left a lot of room in his head for a very visual and at times frightening imagination.

Evening found Yugi in the store, shelving some the last of the Old Year's deliveries.

The bell rang as Yugi placed the final box on the shelf.

"Hey Yugi!" Said a familiar voice.

"Hi Jounochi" Yugi replied, before turning around to greet his friend.

Yugi was somewhat surprised when he saw Mai and Anzu standing there, beside a beaming Jounochi.

"Hello girls. I didn't know you were coming."

Mai shrugged as she and Jounochi proceeded to take off their boots.

Anzu smiled at Yugi and walked over to give him a hug and explain. "It was Mai's decision. I think she's trying to get along better with Jounochi."

Yugi smiled back. "It's very nice of her to try to make peace."

"Bloody New Year's resolutions." Mai grumbled, struggling with one boot.

Yugi took everybody's coats with a quizzical look at Jounochi, who was sweatdropping and edging away from the grumbling Mai.

Anzu took off her boots and all three followed Yugi to the hall wardrobe.

It's good to see Mai trying to get along with Jounochi. She does like to tease him, and Anzu ends up playing referee. Maybe Mai secretly likes Jounochi?

Yugi had to admit that this was quite possible, although the images he got of them getting married and raising kids radiated 'dysfunctional family'.

It might work…

But then what about Anzu? Heart of the cards, this is… complicated. He shook his head.

"So what's are we doing tonight?" Asked Mai lightly, as Yugi opened the wardrobe and started hanging up the coats.

"Dinner, then I don't know." Yugi smiled. "I'm open to suggestions."

Anzu said something about a new movie coming out, but Yugi was distracted.

Jounochi, standing near the wardrobe, had used the opportunity to lean over and whisper "Yugi, she's been followin' me round bein' all nice. It's kinda creepin me out…

"You recon' she has a crush on me or somethin'?" Yugi turned to reply, but noticed that Mai and Anzu had stopped talking and were looking at them.

Mai had her arms folded; Anzu had hers on her hips. Both had completely unamused expressions.

Apparently Jounochi's whisper had carried.

Yugi closed the wardrobe.

Jounochi followed Yugi's line of sight, saw the girls' expressions, swallowed, and started backing away down the hall a stormy looking Mai in tow.

One hand waving in front of him, one behind his head, Jounochi was grinning inanely and sweating.

"Not that that's a bad thing ya know, 's just yer used to go all menopausal on me, then you're all like 'let's hang out', and you're a great catch an' all that and just… well… don't take this the wrong way, but you can be a little scary sometimes…"

Yugi sweatdropped and decided to save his friend from before Jounochi dug himself into a hole big enough for his coffin.

Just then Anzu intervened, lowering her hands. "Actually, I think he has a point. You're overdoing it a little, Mai."

Mai stopped and looked back at Anzu, shrugging noncommittally.

"Some people, you know, casual observers might say you act like you think more of him than that." Anzu continued pressing her point, sounding a little annoyed now. "I'm Jounochi's friend and I don't spend as much time with him as you have in the past couple of months."

Mai smirked looking at Anzu. " Yeah Anzu, I want Jounochi, I want him with all my heart and soul." Sarcasm dripped from every word.

Anzu blushed, but didn't back down. "I didn't mean it like that."

Mai rolled her eyes, "Sure."

An uncomfortable silence ensued.

Suddenly Grandpa Moto stepped out into the hall, with the happy exclamation "Food is ready!"

The atmosphere a little discharged, Yugi looked at Jounochi. "Where's Honda?"

Jounochi hit himself on the head. "Man I didn't tell ya, did I? He fell off his bike, the git. Broke a leg."

Yugi was instantly worried. "Will…"

"Don't worry, Yugi, he'll be fine. Shizuka's lookin' after 'im." Jounochi grinned, anticipating his friend's question.

"Let's go eat." He added enthusiastically, rubbing his hands together.

With that, the boy forgot his best friend's injury and went into the kitchen. Yugi followed slowly.

I suppose it is alright, he does like Shizuka after all. It may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. At least he won't have Otogi competing…

I should go and sign his cast tomorrow.

Mai and Anzu were walking in right behind Yugi, so he overheard their quiet exchange.

"If you really want to know girl, my ex is in town and I want him to see me hanging around some neanderthalic male so the guy doesn't get ideas about there being any chance for him."

"Alright, even if that is true, why Jounochi?"

"Do you know anyone more akin to a personification of the birth of man?"

In the kitchen, Yugi was greeted by the sight of Jounochi starting to wolf down food, not waiting for his friends to sit.

Yugi's mum smiled at Jounochi as the girls sat. "It's nice to see a boy with such a healthy appetite."

Mai put some salad on Anzu's plate, shooting the girl a 'what did I tell you, birth of man' look.

Yugi sat down, smiled at his Grandpa across the table, and pored himself some milk.

Suddenly, the feast did not look as appetizing as it had before, and it had nothing to do with Jounochi's eating habits.

Yugi was just feeling a little left out.

Everyone seems to be involved with someone.

Well, admittedly that wasn't exactly true; Jounochi seems oblivious to Mai and I don't think mum or grandpa have love interests…

Then a thought came to Yugi, making him sweatdrop. Perhaps they do...

He drank his milk and his mum sighed pointedly at his empty plate. Yugi smiled apologetically at his mum.

"I'm not very hungry."

Probably many people are alone. Maybe even happily alone.

But somehow at the change of years it seems… sad.

Seto Kaiba unglued his eyes at an ungodly hour on the thirty first of December. Moments ago something small and heavy had jumped onto his bed, and was now trying to hug him through two blankets.

Seto had gone to sleep at around four in the morning after perusing the memos on the teething problems ofconverting established corporate governance traditions in his newest acquisition – a distributor in China – to comply with the strict internal guidelines of Kaiba Corp. The idiots could never do anything right.

Seto liked to wake up at seven. Normally an early start would not be a problem, because Seto could function very well on three hours' sleep. However, since hearing the news Pegasus had brought, Seto kept having very vivid and disturbing nightmares every night, making him unable to get any proper rest.

As a consequence of this lack of sleep, Seto had taken to waking up at eight, just so he could be completely lucid. Even with black hair and sleep obscuring his vision, Seto could tell it was not 8am; it was in fact still dark.

Hn. I've only been asleep a couple of minutes. Seto knew he had a very good internal clock, but decided to check his assumption just the same.

Wiping the sleep and foreign hair from his eyes, Seto looked at the digital bedside alarm clock. It was indeed seven past four.

"Mokuba, get off." Seto grunted. It was obvious to him that he wasn't going to get any more sleep.

Mokuba sat up in the gloom and moved to the edge of the bed. Sitting up, Seto could make out his brother's grin.

"Happy New year bigbrother!" Mokuba exclaimed in an excited whisper.

Seto sat up and proceeded to collect himself. Technically it isn't going to be new year until the final stroke of midnight tonight.

However, there was no point correcting Mokuba. Seto had a feeling his brother already learned such facts at school.

Mokuba liked the day of New Year 's Eve because the atmosphere of preparation for a festival increased anticipation and subsequent enjoyment of the actual event.

So Mokuba's priorities are skewed. At least he's caught on, and used the fact that the entire basis of this arbitrary festival is all just hype.

Much of the world marked the passing of the years with this inane festival. Seto preferred to count his years from the estimated day of his conception. However disturbing the thought, biologically, it was the correct thing to do.

"Up so early?" Seto asked, getting up to choose something to wear.

An excited Mokuba nodded several times. "Yeah I couldn't sleep. IdecidedtostayupandplayUFOallnight… but… I'vejustfinished. And they're only going to start preparations at six."

Having changed into the usual black, Seto decided to break the news of their possible houseguest to his brother.

"Mr Wong is coming."

Mokuba's excited and no doubt caffeine-enhanced happiness changed gear to become similarly excited surprise. "Why? Ishestillbotheringyoubigbrother? But the investigation closed."

"They're reopening." Seto expanded.

Anger stabbed Seto as Mokuba's shoulders slumped and the boy studied the blanket. "Oh…"

That was enough.

Seto walked over to his bed and took hold of the blankets. "Get off."

Mokuba obediently got off, still not looking at Seto, lost in what looked like gloomy thoughts, although it could equally be the after-effects of a Coca-cola binge.

Seto made his bed with military precision, then walked over to his brother. "Why am I up?"

Mokuba looked at Seto, a little confused as he came back from wherever his mind had been. He smiled, making Seto respond with a smile of his own, inwardly.

"I burned some new American movies, Rebecca sent me the files. Iwantedtoshowyou Seto!"

Seto had a sneaking suspicion. "They're rated…"

Mokuba blushed and looked down. "M15+. But Ihaven'twatchedthemSeto, I was thinking you could… er be the adult supervision."

It warmed Seto, briefly, that his brother had remained somewhat innocent despite their upbringing. There was one thing that could ruin this though. "What about Otogi?"

Mokuba shrugged, looking up at Seto innocently. "He has a 'keep out' sign on his door when he sleeps."

Seto had a flashback of Mokuba bursting into his room/office/secret lab over the years.

I don't suppose it's innocent to completely ignore privacy. Seto thought sarcastically, meanwhile certain he would not have wanted his brother any different.

Seto allowed himself a smirk. "You checked."

Mokuba grinned, one hand behind his head. "He sleeps like a log! You can shake him and nothing! And he snores…"

Seto nodded. "Let's go."

Mokuba ran ahead, and Seto followed, the brothers descending through the labyrinthine mansion to first locate and pick up the DVDs from where Mokuba had left them. They then popped into the kitchen, where they knew they would find the nightshift butler, taking him along to work the projector.

Finally, all three reached the small private theatre, where instead of rows of chairs there were three tiers of matrasses with blankets and pillows, cleaned after every use.

The boys settled down, Mokuba making a nest of blankets, and sitting in eager anticipation, all excitement returned. Seto, having perused the DVD covers and made sure there was nothing there he explicitly did not want Mokuba to see, lay down with his head on a pillow in Mokuba's lap, wrapped a blanket around himself and dozed off.

He dreamed an edited version of the Westerns Mokuba was watching with Mr. Wong as sherrif, Gozaburo as badguy and Pegasus as the endearing and witty woman who was also evil, having fallen for the badguy. Mokuba was the hero. Seto was the horse.

Ryou Bakura took a deep breath, and let it out. The icy air calmed and cooled him down a little. Too little.

He had walked to the meeting place half an hour early, having caught the train into Domino City. The square with the enormous Plasma Screen was hard to miss.

It looked like there were many people standing around waiting.

What if he's here early?

As if on cue, Ryou noticed a familiar face approach him through the crowd.

Even in winter Malik looked tanned, the black leather jacket, red top and black jeans completed the illusion that the boy had just stepped out of autumn.

Isn't he cold?

Ryou bowed.

"Hi Ryou!" Malik exclaimed, stunning Ryou with a hug that melted his insides and emptied his head.

Ryou's face heated up, and he looked down at the footworn snow.

"Hello, I thought you said seven. I am sorry I have made you wait." Ryou forced the words out of a suddenly uncooperative mouth.

"Nobody makes me do anything." Malik replied, voice ringing with certainty. "Time's right though. I… eh, came out early to see the snow."

Ryou looked up and smiled, feeling more at ease as snowflakes started to drift down once more. "Yes it is lovely when we get a white New Year."

I love snow…he loves snow…

Malik nodded. "My first. So Ryou, what do you feel like doing?"

Ryou blinked, instant panic setting in as thoughts raced through his mind.

Didn't he plan anything? I can hardly tell him what I feel like doing. Not in public, though come to think of it not in private either. Why didn't he plan anything? Did he invite me offhandedly? Of course he did! Why would he do anything else? We are friends…

He managed to scrape together a reply. "I… thought you had something concrete in mind when you asked me…"

Out. Doesn't sound right. Ryou thought deflated as hopes he didn't know he had, died.

Malik grinned, confirming the friendship scenario.

Ryou, more comfortable and very disappointed, looked up at the sky.

The sun set, the sky turned purple, and the streetlights came on.

A fitting end to another year. Some more scars, property and education.

The snowfall got heavier.

One friend.

Ryou sighed a cloud of steam.

Malik broke the silence. "Let's go, I have an idea."

Ryou looked across and Malik grinned.

Ryou rubbed his shoulder. The place where Bakura got a tattoo still hurt.

"Let's go." Malik repeated, reaching out, and taking Ryou's elbow, pulled him into the crowd.

Ryou's elbow tingled.

As they walked, Malik linked his arm through Ryou's.

Ryou warmed at the proximity, his hands clenched in his pockets.

Where is my head today? I should say something.

Ryou felt uncomfortable in the lengthening silence with Malik so close.

We're friends. It should be alright for him to not plan anything…We can just… hang out, I guess. It's better than nothing. What if he never asks me again?

For some reason that thought incited worry, prompting Ryou to speak.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to imply you had to think of something before asking…"

Malik interrupted by putting his hand on Ryou's mouth as they stopped at a red light.

Ryou's mind instantly blanked although the warm hand was removed very quickly.

Ryou felt his face heat up, and his lips tingled. He didn't know how to respond to that.

As if from far away, he heard Malik's reply. "Thought never crossed my mind."

Ryou looked across at Malik, the sensation taking some time to wear off.

How do you do that? Why is it that I seem… do I… like you?

Green light, they started walking and Ryou started to breathe again.

"I am not very well practiced…" Ryou tried, gave up and sighed.

Perhaps Malik will better respond to his own brand of straight forwardness.

"Shall we pick a topic?" Ryou asked, schooling his face calm.

He felt Malik's glance on him.

"Er…Do you watch much TV?" Malik asked.

"Not more than half an hour a day, I'm afraid." Ryou replied apologetically.

That's better, Ryou thought relieved, Actual conversation.

"Do you duel?"

"No." Ryou shook his head smiling. "That is more Bakura."

He could see that Malik was getting annoyed at the uncooperative answers.

Malik released Ryou to hold a door open for him.

Ryou walked in followed by Malik, and both joined a cue.

The atmosphere of a McDonalds was unmistakeable, though Ryou had never personally been to one. His parents had never taken him to international chains and there never seemed to be any point in going alone.

"What do you want?" Malik asked Ryou, looking at the pretty girl at the counter.

"I'm alright" Ryou replied, rubbing the painful shoulder again. He couldn't read the menu very well and didn't know what anything cost, or what was good or… well anything really.

They got to the counter. Malik smiled at the girl and got a smile in return.

"My friend is so indecisive. I want a HappyMeal and could I get a blue furry? Please?"

The girl laughed. "Well, we're only giving out green ones this week, is it that important?"

Malik grinned. Ryou tuned out, feeling like he was eavesdropping on a private conversation. He saw an empty table by the window and went over to it. There was some trash on the table, but Ryou got it cleaned up, wiping down the table and two seats with some tissues the people had left.

As soon as he sat down, Malik joined him, carrying a laden tray.

"Here." He said putting the tray between them and sitting across from Ryou. "I didn't know what you wanted so I got you a strawberry ice-cream and fries."

Ryou's mouth watered, and he suddenly realized it had been a while since he last ate. "Thankyou." He smiled at Malik, taking his food.

Nice, I think I've been craving ice-cream for about a week.

Ryou opened the container and began on the vanilla as Malik consumed his drink.

"You don't like strawberry?" Malik asked.

Ryou looked up at the smiling face and blushed, looking down, feeling childishly stupid. "No I do… I just like to leave the best part till last, and less ice-cream means the strawberry flavoring is stronger."

Malik laughed happily, and Ryou relaxed a little, looking at the boy.

"Good idea." Malik added, putting away a napkin with what looked like a phone number on it.

Ryou swallowed an instant wave of bile; unsure whether he was jealous of Malik for having such an easy time in dating or the girl for attracting Malik's interest.

He looked out of the window watching the people walking by and silence ensued.

Malik ate his burger, Ryou finished his ice-cream.

Suddenly breaking the silence, Malik asked, "So, what do you do in your spare time?"

"Do? Well I suppose I study mostly." Ryou answered hesitantly, turning to Malik, uncomfortable in the spotlight.

Malik grinned and shook his head, golden locks gracefully greenish in the generic neon lighting. "No. In your time off." There was a sense of stress and annoyance in the tone. "What do you do for fun?"

Ryou was glad he was not the only one finding this stressful although he felt bad at annoying someone… I care about.

He was certain that with time it would indeed become what he felt around teachers: caring about them in that general sense; the common courtesy Ryou felt was due to all people, especially those that knew where you lived…

Ryou pushed his worries aside and reflected for a moment. "I suppose I read."

"You suppose?" Stress was replaced by amusement in Malik's voice quicker than you could blink.

Malik's mood discomforted Ryou. Does he really want to know or is this just polite conversation?

"Well I used to read quite a bit as relaxation, but I haven't read anything for about a year." He clarified.

Ever since I noticed… Bakura's presence.

"Why not?" Malik asked, eyes wide with childlike curiosity.

Ryou couldn't help smiling, feeling on firmer ground, encouraged by Malik's apparently continued interest. "The book series I was reading ended badly, and I got very upset for a while…"

Ryou blushed, feeling that what he had just said must seem quite strange.

Malik just laughed,which could have meant anything. It did make Ryou feel better, the happiness radiating off the other boy's face was infectious.

"What was it about?" Malik asked.

Ryou found himself smiling, and still blushing replied, "Dragons."

I must look like a total idiot, getting upset over… no even simply reading books about dragons.

Malik nodded and looked out of the window for a time.

"This may be a stupid question…" he began again, cautiously, "but what is a 'dragons'?"

Ryou was so surprised, all embarrassment was forgotten.

"A dragon is a giant flying fire breathing winged lizard."

"Really?" Asked Malik thoughtfully, still looking out the window onto the quickly darkening neon-lit street. "What does it look like?'

"It depends on the culture…" Ryou replied thoughtfully, before getting an idea of how to explain it without resorting to bad napkin drawings. "You play Duel Monsters, right? One representation found in the cards, would be the Blue Eyes White Dragon card."

"So that's a dragon! Is it a real creature?" Malik asked quietly, turning to lean over to Ryou, eyes glittering.

Ryou shook his head, further perplexed that Malik of all people wouldn't know something so… simple. "Dragons are mythical."

Malik grinned and sat up straight, a blush creeping through his tan. "Tch. Isis, see the idiot that I can be!"

He looked out of the window, continuing as though through a great force of will. "The Winged Dragon of Ra is one of the God cards I guard. Oh, and there's Slyther the Sky Dragon of course."

Ryou smiled compassionately, wondering how this could happen. "You didn't know they were dragons?"

Malik shook his head, still looking away from Ryou,

Still, it seemed, embarrassed or at any rate upset on some deep level.

Ryou felt uncomfortable that Malik was embarrassed.

"I just thought it was some strange card name, nobody ever explained it in tournaments."

"But I thought the cards originated in Egypt." Ryou replied, willing Malik to turn around, wishing that he could do something to make things better.

Malik grinned painfully, resting his forehead on the glass. "Industrial Illusions drew many of the cards off the stone tablets that they found in Egypt. But the company named them. No doubt Pegasus changed the translations of the ancient names to make them more commercial.

"Anubis' idiot!" Malik finished by hitting his head on the glass. It looked painful.

Ryou extended his hand to rest on Malik's arm, worried. " Don't fret." He said in a lighter tone than what he felt. "It makes a lot of sense, they would not have had knights or pterodactyls in ancient Egypt, would they?"

Malik moved back to look out of the window, and his grin suddenly turned happy, clouds clearing from his brow. "I suppose…"

Ryou suddenly noticed where his hand was, looking down, he removed it. "I'm sor…"

But Ryou's blushing apology was cut short by what seemed to be Malik's overacted surprise.

"Why look Ryou! There's Yugi!" Suddenly leaning over to look into Ryou's eyes inches away, "Wait here" he instructed, and in one quick movement left the 'restaurant'.

Ryou watched Malik cross the street, and stop to chat with Yugi and assorted friends. Absentmindedly, Ryou started eating the fries, as he watched the animated interaction. He could still see the afterimage of Malik's blue eyes.

Ryou was finished by the time that Malik pointed to him, causing everyone to look over, making Ryou blush.

He nodded hello and turned to look at the empty packet of fries.

Ryou looked up when Malik popped his head in the door.

"Want to go to the movies?" Malik asked loudly, causing a few heads to turn.

Ryou, more embarrassed and red in the face than ever before, had no reply.

Malik nodded, walked over, stowed the toy in his pocket, grabbed Ryou's arm and dragged him outside.

Malik Ishtar was smiling softly and humming a tune.

He sat in the light of the setting sun, under the big TV in Domino city.

People were going to and fro, getting ready for the night's festivities. The sky was pink, the clouds red from the sunset.

The snow was tinted pink in the light, blue in the shade.

Is he on his way here right now?

People were arriving at this popular meeting place slowly. Those waiting glanced at the new arrivals.

Some suddenly lit up and shouted a greeting, hugs or kisses before leaving. Most went back to waiting.

He's probably still getting ready.

A steady stream of vapor clouded the air in front of Malik's face, issuing from his nose, interrupted only by a contented breath now and then, accompanied by pauses in the tune.

Maybe he's not coming?

The nonsensical melody randomly took on a worried tone, familiar to Malik. He probably appropriated from somewhere. It was not the first appropriation, all accompanied by the smug satisfaction that humming was not a breach of copyright anyone would get charged with.

At least that was what Bakura had said one day…. also a good day.

The taste of worry melted in warming satisfaction.

Coming/Not Coming… Jump off that bridge if I come to it.

Nothing had been able to faze Malik for long this day. Malik had been here for half an hour and that was Great. He had to get up every once in a while to warm up and this was Wonderful. The strolling, rubbing of hands and jumping was the Best way to pass time Ever.

What would he be thinking right now?

Malik didn't like being on time. Since he almost always smiled, Malik made it a point to be either late or early to register his approval of the event to come.

Possibly deciding what underwear to wear? Mmmmmmmm. Malik grinned

Great event meant arriving really early to wait in happy anticipation, like now. Horrible event meant being as late as practically possible, meaning any meeting scheduled with Ishizu, like later tonight.

Malik's aimless gaze took in the people passing by and the beautiful scenery they seemed to be obliviously travelling through. His eyes suddenly focused and with a jolt of surprise he beheld a familiar figure looking around in the crowd.

Ryou is early! Almost by half an hour! Malik checked his new watch.

Then a thought hit, sending the initial jolt of happiness spinning away giddily.

Ra! He probably just caught the train. The gods forsaken things adhere to an inhuman schedule. It's either arriving really early or slightly late.

He picked really early! Happiness returned.

Malik approached Ryou.

Now let's NOT blow this… have to watch what I say, this boy takes things very seriously.

Ryou was in a white furry coat that blended seamlessly into his hair. Sparkling green eyes were set in a pale face, made even whiter by the snowflakes that had settled on his eyebrows and eyelashes.

Recognition flashed and Ryou bowed.

"Hi Ryou!" Malik exclaimed, enveloping the soft winter ghost in a warm hug.

He stood back to assess the damage, resigned to the fallout, grinning with the joy of seeing the idiot.

Ryou blushed brightly, and looked down. "Hello, I thought you said seven. I am sorry I have made you wait."

"Nobody makes me do anything." Malik replied, voice ringing with certainty. He smiled. "Time's right though. I… eh, came out early to see the snow."

Partly true.

Ryou looked up and smiled, as snowflakes started to drift down once more. "Yes it is lovely when we get a white New Year."

Great. The weather. Neutral topic, snore!

Malik nodded. "My first. So Ryou, what do you feel like doing?"

Ryou blinked, surprise flashing in his eyes.

Hm. I suppose this is not the time to point out that your eyes get to a lovely shade of chocolate in this light.

"I… thought you had something concrete in mind when you asked me…"

Out. I think the word you are looking for is out. Even if it was as friends, I believe being asked to go to an unspecified place outside of one' residence is the definition. And you said yes.

Malik grinned, settling for a gritted-teeth grin of the 'you're annoyingly uncooperative' variety.

Ryou looked up as the sun set, the sky turned purple, and the streetlights came on.

The snowfall got heavier.

Ryou let out a cloud of steam.

It was a perfect set-up, almost "Who do you feel like doing?"

Obviously improper replies are not something I can expect. That's OK! I can work around it.

Malik shook his head. "Let's go, I have an idea."

It's not the most romantic of places but comfortable enough, and warm. Also it's on my 'to do' list. Speaking of 'to do' lists…

Malik grinned and Ryou met his eyes.

Green eyes again.

Ryou rubbed his shoulder. Malik was reminded of this morning.

"Let's go." Malik repeated, and reaching out, taking Ryou's elbow, pulled him into the crowd.

As they walked, Malik linked his arm through Ryou's. The other boy had not taken his hands out of his pockets, like most other sane people who did not put on gloves.

Malik's hands hurt as they warmed up in his pockets.

Having accomplished the task of matching Ryou's step relatively quickly, Malik started enjoying the overheard snatches of merry making and music that flowed with the crowd.

He tuned in just in time to hear Ryou's attempt at conversation.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to imply you had to think of something before asking…"

Malik interrupted by putting his hand on Ryou's mouth as they stopped at a red light.

Warm, soft, wet.

The hand was removed very quickly, Ryou blushed, but the desired silence was reached.

Malik looked studiously at the light.

Airily, he replied. "Thought never crossed my mind."

I am currently thinking of something completely different, I assure you. Malik added warmly to himself.

He could feel Ryou look across. Green light, they started walking and Malik matched steps again.

"I am not very well practiced…" Ryou sighed, restarting. "Shall we pick a topic?"

Malik glanced at Ryou, unable to read the mask.

"Er…Do you watch much TV?" Malik asked, intending to follow up with a question about whether Ryou liked the toy Furries on the McDonalds HappyMeal ads.

These were balls of fur with faces, feet and hands. They came in different colours and had different expressions to match their personalities.

Malik had recently become an avid collector of these furballs. They reminded him of his own mood swings and Bakura's hair.

"Not more than half an hour a day, I'm afraid." Ryou replied apologetically.

Well there goes that idea.

Sons of the pharaohs, what DO we have in common?

"Do you duel?"

"No." Ryou shook his head smiling. "That is more Bakura."

Fine. I give up. Your turn.

Malik, now slightly irritated, released Ryou to hold the door of a McDonald's open for the boy.

Malik walked in second and both joined the cue.

"What do you want?" Malik asked Ryou, looking at the pretty girl at the counter.

"I'm alright" Ryou replied, a glance showed Malik that the boy was rubbing his shoulder again.

They got to the counter. Malik smiled at the girl and got a smile in return.

"My friend is so indecisive.I want a HappyMeal and could I get a blue furry? Please?"

The girl laughed. "Well, we're only giving out green ones this week, is it that important?"

Malik grinned, switching onto his bullshit autopilot. "Yeah, see I'd like to get all of them so I could give the lot to my little sister as a present…"

It only took a few minutes to get the order, complete with blue furry, a strawberry ice-cream for Ryou and the girl's phone number. Malik never felt bad about lying, especially since it seemed to make everyone around him feel better.

Lying makes the world go round. Or run smoother at any rate.

Although given this fact, the crazy world was a lot more fun when you restricted yourself to the truth.

Like in relationships. No matter how easy, I don't think lying to Ryou would be a good idea.

Malik looked around, spotted the boy, walked over, deposited the tray and sat down.

"Here. I didn't know what you wanted so I got you a strawberry ice-cream and fries."

"Thankyou." Ryou smiled genuinely at Malik, taking his food.

Feeling warm and happy, Malik downed his drink.

He noticed the way Ryou was eating the vanilla around the topping.

Feeling a little dejected, he asked, smiling. "You don't like strawberry?"

Ryou looked up and blushed, looking down. "No I do… I just like to leave the best part till last, and less ice-cream means the strawberry flavoring is stronger."

Malik laughed happily as Ryou met his gaze.

Phew. For a second I thought I ordered wrong. Mmm, cute eating habit.

"Good idea." Malik commented.

Glancing down he noted that the drink was gone and phone number still there. Malik put away the napkin.

Returning his gaze to Ryou, Malik saw the boy was watching the passers by and silence ensued.

Malik ate his burger, Ryou finished his ice-cream.

Right. What were we talking about before? Ah yes.

"So, what do you do in your spare time?" Asked Malik, straight out, suddenly breaking the silence and turning to face Ryou.

"Do? Well I suppose I study mostly." Ryou answered hesitantly.

Malik grinned and shook his head, annoyance returning due to the continued lack of cooperation from Ryou. "No. In your time off. What do you do for fun?"

Ryou paused for a moment. "I suppose I read."

Stress was instantly replaced by amusement.

"You suppose?"

"Well I used to read quite a bit as relaxation, but I haven't read anything for about a year."

"Why not?" Malik asked, wide-eyed, playing at and feeling childlike curiosity.

Ryou smiled, warming Malik. "The book series I was reading ended badly, and I got very upset for a while…"

Ryou blushed.

Malik just laughed. Of course you did, you little bookworm ghost.

"What was it about?" Malik asked, as Ryou seemed to cheer up.

Ryou smiled and replied, still blushing, "Dragons."

Malik nodded and looked out of the window thoughtfully. He swallowed.

"This may be a stupid question…" he began cautiously, "but what is a 'dragons'?"

Malik glanced at Ryou, who looked surprised.

"A dragon is a giant flying fire breathing winged lizard." He explained.

"Really?" Asked Malik thoughtfully, still looking out the window onto the quickly darkening neon-lit street. "What does it look like?'

"It depends on the culture…" Ryou replied thoughtfully, "You play Duel Monsters, right? One representation found in the cards, would be the Blue Eyes White Dragon card."

Malik suddenly understood. "So that's a dragon!"

"Is it a real creature?" He asked quietly, turning to lean over to Ryou, eyes glittering with excitement at the possibility.

Ryou shook his head, looking like he thought Malik was joking. "Dragons are mythical."

Of course they are! They'd have to be with my track record of talking to Ryou.

Malik grinned and sat up straight, a blush creeping through his tan. "Tch. Isis, see the idiot that I can be!"

He looked out of the window, continuing through a great force of will. "The Winged Dragon of Ra is one of the God cards I guard. Oh, and there's Slyther the Sky Dragon of course."

"You didn't know they were dragons?"

Malik shook his head, still looking away from Ryou, still annoyed at the fact that he had not made the connection sooner, not to mention at the whole 'dragons are real' supposition.

"I just thought it was some strange card name, nobody ever explained it in tournaments." He explained.

"But I thought the cards originated in Egypt."

"Anubis' idiot!" Malik finished by hitting his head on the glass. It hurt, and didn't make him feel any smarter.

Malik felt Ryou's hand on his arm and instantly felt better, if a little sneaky.

"Don't fret." Ryou soothed in a light tone. "It makes a lot of sense, they would not have had knights or pterodactyls in ancient Egypt, would they?"

Ryou's logic made sense but Malik believed that emotions had little to do with logic.

Malik moved back to look out of the window, and his grin suddenly turned happy, clouds clearing from his brow – he had seen Yugi, Jounochi, Honda, Anzu and Mai outside. "I suppose…"

Ryou removed his hand, starting an apology. "I'm sor…"

Malik had had enough, exclaiming in overacted surprise. "Why look Ryou! There's Yugi!"

Quickly, he leaned over to look into Ryou's eyes, "Wait here" Malik instructed, and in one quick movement left the 'restaurant'.

Malik crossed the street, still seeing Ryou's face in his mind's eye.

It looked like they didn't see him, so he yelled out a greeting. "Hi guys! What fates bring you here?"

Yugi turned around and smiled. "Hello Malik!"

Jounochi looked up, replying with a "Hey!"

Anzu smiled, and Mai exclaimed "Malik!" and came over with a kiss on each cheek.

"We're off to the movies." Mai informed him.

"Really? Which one?" Malik exclaimed excited.

Jounochi grinned. "See that's the problem, The girls here want some chick flick, Yugi wants some mythic action flick and I wanna see 'Alien versus Predator' two."

"Weren't you going to see it with Honda?" Malik asked. "Where is he?"

Jounochi grinned. "Motorbike accident, broke'a'leg."

Malik grinned. "It happens. But you can still see it with him"

Jounochi shrugged. "Yeah but I could see it twice… "

Yugi shook his head, and looked at Malik. "It appears we're down to a vote, what would you like to see?"

"In that case I'm votin' with you Yugi." Jounochi interrupted, "No way am I sittin through a chick flick! You with us Malik?"

Malik grinned. "I'm not picky, I'd go with the action movie if it's good, sorry Mai."

Mai grinned teasingly, "Traitor."

Yugi smiled "It promises to be good, it's about the dragon legends all over the world, if they were true. They ssay the producers did a lot of research to make it close to reality."

Malik grinned. "Sounds great, hope Ryou'll like it!"

"Ryou?" Mai asked, raising an eyebrow.

Malik nodded still grinning and pointed at the McDonalds window "He came with me to get my Furby."

They all looked at Ryou, who nodded 'hello', then looked away.

"I'll go get him." Malik said

"Haven't you already got a green one?" Anzu asked as Malik waited for the traffic– she was also collecting the cute toys.

Malik smirked over his shoulder. "Ra was kind, as was the girl at the counter, I got a blue."

"Get her number?" Jounochi yelled as Malik crossed.

By the McDonalds, Malik gave a thumbs-up to Jounochi in lieu of a reply and popped his head in the door just as Ryou looked up.

"Want to go to the movies?" Malik asked, happy and loud, causing a few heads to turn.

Ryou, redder in the face than before, had no reply.

Malik nodded, walked over, stowed the toy in his pocket, grabbed Ryou's arm and dragged him outside.

His hand tingled and he wished it was always this easy.

Malik stopped suddenly when they got outside, to let a car pass and Ryou crashed into him.

Looking at Ryou's blushing face now just inches from his own, Malik grinned. "Hope you still like dragons."

Then he moved on, crossing the road, still holding Ryou's arm, the afterimage of Ryou's face now burned into his brain.

Hm, it seems this strategy of ignoring these attacks of politeness from Ryou is working. Maybe I can train him…

Marik grinned at that very entertaining thought and Yugi's friends as he approached the group.

Yugi was right, everyone enjoyed the movie.

Yugi liked the blend of myth and reality;

Anzu followed the love story;

Mai liked the visual effects and costume design;

Jounochi loved the action scenes;

Ryou seemed completely absorbed throughout the entire thing;

Malik laughed often, although admittedly sometimes it was at the gore.

It did not escape Yugi's attention that Malik payed for Ryou and the lollies they shared. Yugi noted that Ryou didn't seem to object.

Since Mai always paid for Anzu, Malik's behaviour was quite telling.

The love story on screen and real life left an annoying weight on Yugi's heart.

He smiled as his friends praised the movie afterwards, and Malik walked off to the train station with Ryou.

The rest of them got into Mai's car.

"It's a pity that there wasn't enough space for them." Anzu said sadly.

Mai shrugged, smiling "They looked perfectly happy to me, Anzu."

"What's up Yugi?" Jounochi asked.

Yugi looked at his friends. "Do you feel like seeing another movie?"

Jounochi grinned. "Brilliant Yugi! Midnight sitting of Alien/Predator!"

Anzu turned to look at Yugi. "Maybe a nice Romantic Comedy to bring in the New Year?"

Yugi smiled at Anzu. "Let's do both, I'll go with Jounochi and you can go with Mai."

Mai nodded. "Sounds good to me."

There are worse things than seeing a movie with a friend, even if it is Alien and Predator two.

Yugi reasoned, the lump on his heart evaporating at the prospect of gore and a jubilant Jounochi.

Seto felt a hand on his shoulder and was instantly awake.

He shrugged the hand off and moved to sit. The lights were uncomfortably bright in the private cinema but Seto didn't let himself frown.

"Awake sleepyhead?" said Otogi, standing up into a relaxed attitude.

"I knocked, you just didn't hear me," he added, in answer to Seto's raised eyebrow.

Somehow I doubt it. Where is Mokuba? It feels like evening. Did I sleep all day?

Seto got up and walked past a sighing Otogi. "If you don't ask, I won't tell you."

Seto glanced back at the annoying git who was now trailing after him.

"I can't read your mind you know." Added Otogi petulantly.

Seto kept walking, glancing back once more to note that Otogi was wearing an outfit identical to his own, save for an emerald bandanna and a splatter of fake blood artistically dripped across his shirt front.

Black letters in the blood proclaimed that 'every day is exactly the same'.

Seto smirked inwardly. It seems he doesn't like the work/school routine.

Having put up with the pointless duality for the majority of his life, Seto was less than sympathetic.

His problem.

The festive house was conspicuously empty of people. Much of the staff had the day off after preparations had been made. A few stuck around for the overtime bonuses, but they kept well out of sight.

Nobody had been invited.

The lavish decorations, along with the huge dinner in the dining room were only there for Mokuba's benefit.

Personally, Seto didn't see the point. It wasn't his festival.

He found Mokuba in the dining room, half lying on his chair, hands on a visibly enlarged stomach.

Mokuba looked up as Seto came into the dining room.

"Hi bigbrother." He smiled weakly. "Did Otogi tell you? I didn't want to wake you, you work so much, and it's not like we could eat all of this, there'll be food tomorrow and you need your sleep more, you can eat anytime…"

Seto turned to the smirking Otogi, who walked past and sat down to continue an interrupted meal. "A Detective Wong came to see you. Something about how you killed your father?" He shrugged. "He's in your office."

Seto nodded and left, hearing Mokuba protest behind him. "Otogi, you have to believe me! He didn't do it! He couldn't do anything like that! Mr Gozaburo fell off that tower, it was an accident! "

Otogi's loud reply was in the same relaxed tone. "Sure, why not?"

A burst of anger from an upset Mokuba, and Seto was ready top see Mr. Wong.

Seto fanned the flame of anger and schooled his features into a dead calm as he walked.

What Otogi had called Seto's office, was the study that had belonged to Seto's foster father, a room nobody had touched since the man's death apart from the required cleaning and maintenance.

The room was just what one would expect – dark mahogany furniture, a thick red carpet, an immense collection of very heavy looking books with old covers, a fireplace, armchairs and a huge desk with all its trimmings. Two immense windows behind the desk were covered with heavy curtains.

There was the requisite painting over the fireplace, a very bloody, slightly abstract landscape. It displayed people of all races and ages writhing in agony. The detail was superb, and the slightly skewed perspective always managed to evoke discomfort in Seto.

Though the 'Calais Massacre' was nothing next to the dark and lifelike portrait of Gozaburo that hung between the windows behind the desk. His eyes followed you around the room.

Seto walked into the room and the hair on the back of his neck pricked up. Suddenly he felt like he was being watched and not because Mr Wong was standing behind Gozaburo's desk.

The detective was studying the lone picture that stood facing the empty chair – a small white gold frame was all Seto could see.

Hm. Absolutely no respect for property.

Seto cleared his throat pointedly.

Detective Wong glanced up and smirked.

"You know I always thought this was a picture of you." He stated gesturing and looking at the frame.

Seto waited for Wong to continue. All pretence of courtesy between him and the detective had disappeared during their second meeting, when Seto was informed he was prime suspect.

"No matter where He went, it was always on his desk..." Wong continued as if thinking out loud.

The mystery of the travelling picture. Seto thought sarcastically.

Wong looked up to regard Seto. "Why do you think he would have a framed picture of his… friend?"

Pegasus? Knowing him, it was probably a birthday present.

Seto shrugged. "He liked him."

"Seems to have been mutual."

It was obvious by the way Wong was dragging this out that he expected Seto to be tired from the festivities, irritated at the interruption and thus likely to let slip something incriminating. But as always Wong assumed that Seto was a normal teenager, and Seto wasn't.

The holiday could go to hell. Seto was well rested, mildly entertained by the pathetically obvious detective and only slightly put off by the setting of the conversation.

Daddy dearest would have enjoyed this. But he can't. He's dead.

Seto smiled internally, feeling his heart dance joyfully at the thought.

"We've reopened the investigation, new evidence." Said Wong breaking the silence.

Seto looked at the detective.

How thick do you think I am? Why else would you be allowed near this house?

"I gathered."

Wong smirked. "Well since you're so well informed, perhaps you can… assist in our investigation… would you like your lawyer to be present for this?"

"I can manage." Seto smirked inwardly.

I know my rights. Besides, this ought to be good practice for when I go into law.

Wong nodded gesturing at the small picture again. "You wouldn't happen to know where he is?"

"No idea." Seto walked up to the desk and sat on the chair he used when called in by Gozaburo.

Wong was forced to either keep standing or sit in Gozaburo's place. Frowning, he sat.

Seto smiled inwardly at the successful tactic, his face completely calm.

Now who resembles my foster father?

Taking out his notepad and pen, Wong continued, frowning at his notes. "You… he visited you several days ago," He looked up at Seto. "You went out for coffee I believe."

"Yes." Nodded Seto.

Seeing this was all the reply he would get, Wong nodded. "You do this often?"

"No." Seto looked at the nearby books.

Law books. Interesting. Perhaps I should come in here more often.

"What did you talk about?"

Seto glanced at the inspector.

"Duel Monsters."

"The game you launched with Pegasus after He died."

"Yes."

"Why didn't He launch the game?"

Seto smirked. "He died."

"But you believe he would have launched it, giving up years of … alleged arms dealing, possibly upsetting powerful people in the process."

"Yes." Seto lied.

"And yet he didn't jump at the opportunity to work with his… friend."

"He died."

"So you keep saying."

Seto grinned inwardly. And every time it's true.

"Uh." Wong had finished noting something down and flipped through the notepad. "You first said His death was accidental but at the inquest agreed with Mr Pegasus that it was suicide."

Seto nodded.

Wong elaborated. "Why change your mind?"

"Pegasus knew him."

"I see." Mr Wong stated obviously not convinced, noting something down.

Wong looked up at Seto. "Everyone seems to have benefited from His death. You get the company. Pegasus got his game launch. The board got more control over the company… It appears your brother is the only one who had nothing either way."

Seto nodded.

Wong sighed. "Wouldn't you agree it is more likely that somebody killed Him, than a successful businessman committing suicide or accidentally falling off the roof of his own building?"

Seto smirked, citing his foster father's core belief. "He was unkillable"

Wong smirked, standing. "And yet all evidence is to the contrary. Well, I'd best be going."

Seto stood. "I'll show you out."

The walk to the door was silent, as was the trip back to the dining room.

Mokuba and Otogi were gone.

Seto sat down to eat. By his reckoning it was two in the morning.

There is a superstition that says 'how you start the year is how you'll spend it.'

Seto had started it with Mr Wong.

Happy New Year.

Ryou grabbed onto Malik's black leather jacket not to fall over as the train lurched to a start.

They had run onto the station and jumped on the train just before the doors closed.

His mumbled "Sorry" received no reply.

Malik just hung on the handhold, looking at the almost entirely dark window. He didn't seem to notice Ryou, although the boys were reflected pretty clearly in the glass, and standing very close together.

Holding on in the semi-empty car, Ryou studiously ignored the few looks he got, examining the scratchy black writing on Malik's red t-shirt.

"Establish world peace, kill everyone" – effective but not very sensible.

Ryou reasoned that his behavior really wasn't that strange, after all, his coat restricted his movement so he couldn't reach the handholds. It was a case of holding on, or falling over every time the train swayed.

…Or standing too far from Malik for it to be polite. Sitting down was another option, but that would also move Ryou out of earshot.

Then I'd have to raise my voice to be heard and that would definitely be rude.

Ryou looked at Malik's faraway expression.

"Won't she mind if I come to a family meeting?"

Malik shrugged "Sure."

"But... I mean, it really isn't... really is... How can you be so nonchalant about it?"

Malik sweatdropped, frowning. "I am not! I can't relax until I gauge the fallout, can I? "

Angrily grinning at Ryou, he added, "I just know that if it wasn't you, she'd find something else to get mad about!"

He turned to look absently at the train window once more. The few people getting on and off at various stations gave the pair cursory glances.

Ryou looked down, quietly disagreeing. "I don't have to come..."

I could go home right now, and end this misadventure. But he really didn't feel like going home to an empty flat in lieu of spending time with Malik.

And I did already agree.

What Ryou agreed to was coming with Malik for a meeting with Malik's sister Ishizu at the museum. The way Malik put it was Ryou would come for moral support, and as a friend, Ryou couldn't refuse.

"What was that?" Malik enquired lightly.

"Nothing." Ryou blushed.

"Sure." Malik's tone dripped with sarcasm. His mood seemed to be getting worse as the meeting approached.

"Don't mumble it's bad for your communication skills." Malik appended a factual side note.

Ryou looked at Malik's profile, surprised. "Really?"

Malik grinned nastily, still looking away. "My sister doesn't like it, and Shadi has crazy good hearing. Ra couldn't make you as embarrassed as they can…"

He looked at Ryou with a worried smile, creating what was instantly a very intimate space. "I know how you're sensitive to that. Could be, you'll never talk again…"

Malik looked at the window once more, discharging the tension that had instantly heightened with intimacy. "And that would be a shame." He added.

Ryou swallowed, now even more worried about the events pending but with a warm buzzing feeling in his stomach from Malik's last addition. He's worried about me!

The end door of the train car opened and Ryou looked over in time to see it admit three ticket inspectors.

Ryou watched with rising trepidation as the inspectors made their way down the train. Malik was still absently staring out of the window.

Ryou reached to pull a ticket from his pocket but it wasn't there!

The first time I have ever forgotten a ticket!

Heart beating faster, he watched the ticket inspectors approach.

"Could we see your tickets please?" Asked a very polite stone-faced man, turning to the boys.

Ryou swallowed as Malik lazily handed his ticket to the man, who nodded over it, then handed it back and turned to Ryou.

"Ticket please." The man repeated.

Ryou could feel Malik looking at him.

"I am so sorry." Ryou muttered, feeling like the ground had moved from beneath his feet. "I forgot to buy one."

The ticket inspector took out a notebook and pen.

"Alright sir, do you have any reason for forgetting to buy a ticket?"

Berating himself soundly in his head, feeling the whole day had suddenly gone to hell, Ryou shook his head.

What does it matter that I was in a hurry? Hurry is no excuse.

Ryou was by now utterly dejected that he would have to call his father to explain all this, wasting pocket money he had not rightly earned on a fine, upsetting people...

Just then Malik interrupted lightly.

"Well, this is our stop."

The train slowed and Malik pulled Ryou away from the inspector. Ryou blushed, embarrassed.

The latter looked at his colleagues. "Let's get off here." He called, following the boys out onto a deserted platform, his two colleagues in tow.

"Now could I have your name please?" he asked Ryou.

Meanwhile Malik glanced at the inspectors, looked around, and pulled Ryou to stand next to a lamppost.

Politely but insistently the inspectors followed. Ryou was by now not only dejected but also embarrassed to the core for himself and Malik.

"Ryou Bakura." Ryou answered once they stopped. The inspector noted this, moving so the station light would shine on his notepad.

"Your address please." He added.

Ryou began to recite his address. Malik had let go of his arm and Ryou felt colder.

Half way through Malik interrupted.

"Hang on, not so fast!"

Ryou looked to his right and saw that the boy was juggling what must be the Senn Rod and a scrap piece of paper, hurriedly writing.

Ryou couldn't help but smile. He started again slower, when he was finished Malik repeated it back and he nodded.

The inspector cleared his throat and Ryou turned back to his personal hell. "Do you have any proof of name and address upon you?"

Ryou looked at the stone face and took out his wallet, giving the man his library card. "My name, yes but I'm sorry, not my address."

The inspector looked at the id for a moment, then his eyes glazed over and he stood stock-still.

"Um, can I have that back?" Ryou asked.

Receiving no reply, a little concern entered his mind, along with a little ray of sunshine.

Feeling he was a horrible person, Ryou enquired hopefully, "Excuse me, are you alright?"

He looked at the other two inspectors and saw the same still posture.

Glancing at Malik, Ryou's gaze was arrested by the soft glow emanating from the golden scepter. Malik was glowing too but less, his eyes were closed and an enchanting smile played on his lips.

Malik opened his eyes and looked with glowing sky blue orbs into Ryou's surprised stare.

"Don't worry." The voice had a sweet cloying feel with an undertone of laughter.

Despite himself Ryou calmed down, not jumping as the inspectors echoed in chorus.

"Don't worry"

Malik's smile widened. Ryou felt his cheeks heat up, his heart skipping a beat.

"They don't need your fine."

"We don't need your fine."

Ryou's dejection almost completely melted away to be replaced by a frightened wonder.

"You were so polite, that they are feeling charitable today."

"You are so polite, we are feeling charitable today."

The glow faded and like a magician, Malik put the scepter behind his back, withdrawing an empty hand.

"Excuse me sir,"

The inspector drew Ryou's attention away as if nothing had happened, handing back the library card.

"I don't think this will be necessary today." He smiled, tearing off several pages off his notepad along with Ryou's fine.

As another train drew up to the station, he put the pages into the nearest bin. "Just remember next time!" He called. "Happy New Year."

With that, the inspectors got on the train. Ryou waited until the doors closed and the train took off before tuning to Malik.

Malik grinned, one hand behind his head.

"Nice isn't it? That is the power of the Senn Rod."

"I learned how to use it during the Duelist Kingdom tournament." He added as a by the by, lowering his hand.

Malik was smiling lightly as he concentrated on Ryou. "Sorry I couldn't use it earlier to save you trouble, but there are cameras everywhere these days."

Ryou felt warm and uncomfortable at the concern.

"I should have taken time to buy a ticket." A little dejection returned.

Malik smiled shrugging. "More fun this way."

Ryou smiled back, dejection gone.

Snowflakes started falling once more.

"This way." Malik said, pointing off the station.

"So this is the right stop?" Ryou asked, slightly surprised.

Malik grinned, moving off slowly, Ryou in tow.

"No, but Rashid should be here in half an hour to pick us up, he's at work. Another useful Senn Rod application. You will never need a mobile phone."

"He won't mind?"

Malik looked surprised. "You don't know him very well, do you? He saves up his sick leave and days off just so he can do this."

Ryou looked forward as they navigated stairs. "Wow."

I don't know if that is normal behaviour but it must be nice to have such a brother.

They walked to the car park as Malik changed the topic.

"What did you think of the movie?"

Malik smiled at Ishizu.

"Dear sister!" He exclaimed, giving the surprised girl a hug.

Ryou and he did not talk much on the ride to the museum; Malik had a feeling that Rashid intimidated Ryou.

"What did you do?" Shadi smirked from behind Ishizu.

"Nothing much, you don't mind if I brought Ryou along, do you?" Malik said, wide blue eyes looking at his sister.

Ishizu frowned. "This was supposed to be a family meeting."

"So Shadi's family? Congratulations!" Malik exclaimed, acting the fool.

Ishizu blushed and looked at Shadi. The latter smiled and nodded to Malik "You have made a valid point."

Malik grinned. "I thought so." He turned and called out into the open doorway, "It's fine, come in!"

Ryou came in, a picture of politeness, and bowed. "Good evening, Happy New Year."

Ishizu nodded, and looked up with surprise at Rashid, who closed the door. "I thought you were at work!"

Rashid nodded. "Master Malik wanted me to pick him up from the station."

Ishizu smirked. "Don't encourage my little brother."

The words seemed to have no effect on Rashid, his face remained a picture of stony indifference.

"Tea?" Shadi asked.

Rashid nodded, and they walked off into the depths of the museum.

Ryou stood politely to the side and studied the displays.

Ishizu sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

Malik smiled. "Big sister, you don't have to do anything. I can look after myself."

Ishizu smiled "Rashid would not agree."

Malik shrugged. "I was fine before you came."

"If you call being possessed, fine." Ishizu objected, raising a hand to forestall any protests.

"I did not call this meeting to argue. We are a family and you are, like it or not, the head of that family. What do you intend to do?"

"Stay here, go to school, possibly university." Malik replied without having to think about it.

"What about the god cards?"

"Easy sister, keep them safe." Malik smiled.

"What about the family relics?" Asked Ishizu.

This one is a little harder.

After some thought, Malik shrugged, "You can keep them and take them back to Egypt, or stay here and work in the museum, make them part of a permanent exhibit."

"What about Shadi's… work?" She asked uncertainly.

Malik smiled. "That is not my purview sister, I am sure he can answer for himself."

"We can't just pick up and leave our homeland!" Ishizu exclaimed.

Malik shook his head, determined to hold his own. "I am not saying it will be easy but it can be done, people have migrated before. I managed all right, I am sure you can too. But you don't have to stay, Isis! Go back if you wish, you can keep the relics safe, you always have."

Ishizu deflated. "I think I shall go home, brother, this land is not for me. Perhaps I can make an exhibit like this at home."

Malik smiled. "I'm sure Shadi'll come with you." He consoled her.

Malik did love his sister dearly, even though she could be a major pain a lot of the time, and he wanted her to be happy.

Of course if she's happy, maybe she won't go off at me so much, so it's a win-win really.

"Do you think he will?" She asked quietly.

Malik grinned. If only Shadi could hear her, he'd come running!

"Of course! If you don't believe me, check your necklace!. He likes you, Ishizu."

Ishizu smiled. "Thank you for the kind words brother. Perhaps it is time to take your guest home."

You read my mind! Malik smiled back. "Well good luck on your journey."

Shadi and Rashid, as always with perfect timing, returned from tea. Ishizu announced that she was going home, and Rashid said goodbye to Ishizu. Shadi said his goodbyes to the brothers as he decided to return to Egypt as well.

Ryou was waiting politely by the door when Malik turned to leave. Rashid walked out with them.

"That wasn't so bad." Said Ryou, getting into the car.

Malik smiled, sitting. "No, but with Ishizu, you never know. It might have been worse if it wasn't late and she was full of energy."

"Might have been worse if you weren't there." Malik added quietly, honestly speaking his thoughts aloud.

Not sure if Ryou heard, he dictated the address to Rashid. They rode in silence.

At Ryou's apartment block, Malik got out after Ryou.

"Listen," Malik gathered his courage and grinning, took a deep breath of freezing air. "Thanks."

Ryou looked at him calmly smiling, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. Malik wanted to take a picture right then because regardless of the ugly street light, and mediocre apartment block, nearby trash bin and all, right then, heart pounding in his chest, Ryou took his breath away.

Unsure what effect it would have on their usually strained relations, Malik, refusing to think, put his hands on Ryou's arms, and gave him a peck on his cheek.

He didn't even register what it felt like, apart from the hear pounding in his chest. Malik got in the car, managing to make himself turn his grin on a very still Ryou.

He waited in the car until Ryou walked into the building, before telling Rashid to go. His watch said 00:05.