Hello everyone! :D Long time no see! I apologize for the late update, I've been so busy! Anyways! I'm so happy to see so many reviews for this story! Thank you all! So here's your new chappie! I hope it's long enough and will satisfy you.

DIZCLAIMER: Me still no own.

"JONOUCHI!" GASPED Yugi and Anzu at the same time. They both got up from their seats ready to welcome their friend after so long.

"Mai!" Jonouchi repeated, "Where's Mai? How is she?"

"Jou…"Anzu began slowly, "Where have you been?"

Jonouchi wasn't listening, his mind was only thinking about one thing. "I was inside the ramen shop," Jonouchi explained suddenly.

"Jou.."Yugi whispered, "We've missed you. Tell us where you've been."

"DAMMIT, WHERE THE HELL IS MAI?!" Jonouchi yelled out of frustration.

SMACK

Jonouchi felt his left cheek throbbing. He stared at Anzu in shock, "What the hell?" Anzu cried, "You've been gone for almost nine months and the least you can do is say 'Hi'!"

"Anzu…"Yugi said weakly.

Jonouchi nodded slowly still rubbing his injured cheek, "I'm sorry," he said.

"Mai's already in labor," Yugi explained, "But we're not allowed to go in there in case it becomes critical."

Jonouchi bowed his head and then took a seat beside Anzu. "So," he mumbled lowly, "Who's coming?"

"Well," Anzu began, "I texted Honda not too long ago. I think he's going to text Shizuka and try to bring her."

"So, where have you been?" Anzu pressed, she wanted to know the reason of Jonouchi's long absence.

"I was in the States," Jonouchi began.

"The States?!" Anzu and Yugi repeated incredulously.

"But…what for?" Yugi asked.

"I.."Jonouchi began nervously, he blushed, "I was basically there to raise money by working at a ramen shop in the States. Just- just enough…to buy my boss' shop. And…" he stopped blushing really badly now.

"And…?" Anzu pressed.

"So…so that I can make a livin' and raise Mai's child…and…" he swallowed, "And marry her."

"W-Wow…" Yugi said, his cheeks turning a shade of pink.

"Ye-yeah," was all Jonouchi could say.

Anzu and Yugi had suspected for a while that Jonouchi may have had a thing for Mai. Sometimes it was so obvious they wondered when Jonouchi was just going to opening admit it. Since he is such a stubborn character after all, and so they were a bit surprised that Jonouchi had finally confessed.

"So…uh…"Jonouchi said after a few seconds, "Where's Honda?"

"I don't know…"Anzu said but she was interrupted when they all saw Valon.

Upon seeing his appearance, everyone immediately got off their seats.

"What's Jonouchi doing here?" was the first thing Valon said. He looked extremely shocked at Jonouchi's appearance.

"Valon," Jonouchi began ignoring Valon's question, "How's Mai? And the kid?"

"Please Valon," Anzu said, "Tell us what's going on"

"Well, Mai's alright," Valon began, "She's asleep through due to exhaustion. But…the baby…"

Valon looked away, took a deep breath and said, "Well, the child is a bit underweight. So we have to put the newborn in incubation for a few days. No one can see the newborn until the newborn has gained at least five pounds." (About 2267 grams)

"So does this mean…the baby's not doing well?" Yugi asked worriedly.

Valon shook his head, "It's too soon to tell. We just have to see how the kid's adjusting after a few days. But babies born at eight months have a higher chance of survival than those born earlier." Finishing off with a small smile.

Anzu sighed in relief, "Ah, that's good to hear," she mumbled.

"So when can we see Mai?" Yugi asked.

"After she wakes up, and it depends on her mood." Valon answered.

Jonouchi took a seat, "That's good to hear," he repeated Anzu's words.

Anzu and Yugi followed suit and took a seat with Jonouchi. Valon then had to leave to see another patient.

LATERS…

Honda and Shizuka joined the trio about thirty- five minutes after Valon had left. They were both shocked to see Jonouchi there with Yugi and Anzu. So shocked that Honda punched Jonouchi on his left cheek, and Shizuka was at lost for words. She too, had no idea that her brother had returned.

As soon as everyone calmed down, it was Yugi who told the news about Mai and the kid's condition. Both Shizuka and Honda were relieved to hear that Mai was doing okay, but they were both upset to hear that the baby was not.

Shizuka, who seemed the most eager about the newborn's arrival couldn't help but to shed a tear, "Poor baby…" she mumbled miserably, "Poor Mai…this is her first child."

Jonouchi placed his hand on Shizuka's shoulder, "Hey, everythin' gonna be alright." He said giving her a smile, "Besides, you know what Valon said. Eight month olds have a better chance than those born younger."

Shizuka sniffed and returned a weak smile, "It's good to have you back," she said.

"So…"Honda said after a few minutes, "What do we do now? Mai's not gonna wake until maybe in a couple of hours."

"Maybe we should get a bite to eat," Anzu suggested.

As soon as those words were said, everyone's stomach decides to simultaneously grumble. They all looked at their stomachs incredulously and then they laughed.

"Aw, man it's really good to be together again!" Honda said.

"Yeah, let's go get something to eat," Yugi said.

LATERS…

"Man, I'm stuffed!" Honda said as soon as he placed his chopsticks down and patted his belly in satisfaction.

Anzu nodded in agreement, "Me too" she said.

They had gone to a buffet restaurant that was nearby the hospital.

"Guys," Yugi said after everyone finished eating, "There's something we need to discuss."

Shizuka, who was taking a sip of her drink nodded and placed her drink on the table. Everyone's eyes turned to Yugi, who's eyes went straight to the table.

"There's something that's been bothering me for a while," he admitted, "We still don't know who the father of the baby is yet."

Everyone looked at each other nervously.

Yugi continued, "And none of us has gained our memories yet" he looked up and gave a glance at everyone, "Or…at least that's what I know. Is everyone here sure that they can't remember a thing?"

Yugi struggled, "I mean, I'm not accusing anyone of anything but all I'm saying is…The baby is finally here, so basically our time is up. So if anyone knows anything…or suspects something…now is the time to speak up."

Anzu nodded in agreement, "Yugi's right. Mai's our friend; we can't hold anything against her."

"Memory?" Shizuka said curiously, "What do you guys mean? What happened?"

Everyone glanced at Shizuka in amazement, while Shizuka looked so lost.

"You-you mean, you remember?" Honda said.

"Remember what?" Shizuka insisted. "What's going on?"

Everyone couldn't believe it. Shizuka remembers everything…which means…

Shizuka might know something…

MWUHAHAHAHAHAHA! Evil me! I have left y'all in a cliffie! Oh! What's this? SHizuka is the only one who seems to remember everything? Hmm? Will the father be revealed in the next chappie? Hmm? Hmm? So what exactly happened that night? MWUAHAHAHA! Until then! Please read n' review! :3