A/N: (is zombie now) must do work…must do work…

Cold and Lonely

Chapter Eight

"Kaiba, I honestly have no clue where your dragons could have disappeared to! Now, what did you say they'd been replaced with?"

"FAIRY Dragons."

"Fai….What kind of freak does a thing like that!"

"A sadistic one, most likely."

"S'not even hard to woop on ya anymore Kaiba."

"What a lucky break for YOU, dog-boy."

"Why, I'm gonna…."

"Hey, look! Speaking of sadistic freaks…."

Everyone's gazes followed Honda's pointing finger. Several sets of eyes narrowed at the unwelcome sight of the white-haired teen swiftly approaching their table wearing a slightly vicious smirk.

"Wonder what HE wants…."

" Okay Yugi. This whole plot depends on how exuberantly, SICKENINGLY affectionate we can be. But especially how affectionate YOU can be, seeing as how any loving action from me will have then deeply disturbed within a few seconds."

"No worries. On demand, I can be very….hmmm…. well, for lack of a better term, 'vigorously clingy'. Don't worry about my part in it, you just be ready, and brace yourself."

"I'll irritate them for a bit, then you do your thing."

"Good as done."

What do YOU want, Bakura?" Somehow, Yami managed to make the ex-thief's name sound like the vilest insult. Bakura figured it was an skill nobles had to learn at a young age. 'Hmmm…Snob-hood 101.' The pale Egyptian had to fight to keep a straight face (well, at least his expression of mild mocking) at this, for the urge to giggle was nearly overwhelming. He fought it down and won, though.

"What! Are you saying that I'm not allowed to go to the mall? I haven't pissed anyone important off recently."

"I'm for bettin' he jus' followed us ta harass us!" Saying this, Jou leapt to his feet and shoved an accusing finger in the accusee's face. The digit was quickly removed when Bakura growled and made as if to bite the finger off.

"Honestly, I don't have that much time to waste on you lot." He met each pair of eyes in turn; Jou, Honda, Anzu, Mai, Yami, Kaiba…and Ryo.

"But, just so the suspense doesn't tear you apart, I was waiting to meet someone."

"Why the hell did you come over here then!"

"For a moment I thought that he was over here, sitting with you, but then I realized he has better taste than that. Unfortunately, this conversation had already started."

"Why would we even want someone you hang around with even near….."

"BAKURA!" At the sound of his name, Bakura's face spread into a fiendish grin as he turned around, halfway for the sake of the rapidly nearing duelist, but mostly because of the strangled sounds of shock coming from the table behind him.

The only problem was, not even he knew what his young friend was going to do in reply to a request for a caring greeting.

Yuugi had only a split second to take in the disbelieving and downright horrified expressions on the faces of his ex-friends before he launched himself into Bakura's arms and snogged the hell out of him.

Several minutes (spent doing an impressive job of trying to suck each other's faces off, for Bakura had quickly gotten the idea) later, Yugi slid to the ground and wrapped an arm around his somewhat bemused companion's waist, before waving happily at the gaping group.

"Hi guys! I gotta go get my Kura here into a pair of leather pants. I'm probably going to have to 'help' him, so we'd better go! Bye!" With a lecherous wink, Yuugi dragged the unresisting Bakura away and out of sight.

"What was…"

"Wait!" Yuugi clapped a hand over his friend's mouth.

"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL!" Yami's shout was heard clearly, as was the confused babble that followed his outburst. Bakura tried to continue on, now stifling his laughter; But Yuugi grabbed him and yanked him down beside a garbage can.

Apparently just in time, because the crew they'd just freaked out stormed past, lead by a livid Yami who seemed to be muttering things involving heinous murder. They seemed to be hunting. Three guesses who.

Once they were safely out of ear-shot, Yugi surrendered to a spate of hysterical giggles, leaving Bakura to wait patiently until the younger teen regained control of himself.

"Well, what was that about?"

"Hey! I was going for a reaction!"

"That," Bakura said solemnly, pointing in the direction Yami and co. had gone, "was one HELL of a reaction. I must commend you."

"Thanks! I figured that would do the trick like no other thing would."

"Heyyyyy…." A slight smile crossed Bakura's face, "How do you feel about pestering security after we get done shopping?"

"Sounds like fun! I've always hated the Rent-A-Cops here…they deserve a little bit of harassment!" Bakura offered the rising Yugi a hand. Taking the offered assistance, the two were sauntering along the crowed storefronts within moments.

As they walked, Bakura dropped an arm around his spiky-haired roommate's shoulders. Looking up at the pale Egyptian, Yuugi blinked in curiosity.

Leaning close to Yuugi's ear, Bakura smirked and whispered, "You know…you're a damn good kisser."

Yuugi flushed a brilliant shade of red.

And Bakura's cell-phone rang.

A/N: ooooooo~ who's on the other end?