~Lizy~

Lizy's eyes slowly crept open as the morning tore her from sleep. She took in her surroundings and noticed something: Ryou wasn't there. Looking around he was nowhere to be found. Deciding to investigate, she carefully tried standing up. With difficulty she rose to her feet and tested her injuries.

Taking a few steps, she had to stifle a yelp. Her leg was still pretty beat up, and it was painful to walk. Though it hurt, it wasn't unbearable. Lizy pushed herself and fought a limp as she made her way to the kitchen.

It was small but nice, and not surprisingly well-kept. Noticing some pictures on the fridge, she hobbled over to it. The pictures mostly consisted of Ryou and his friends, all smiling and carefree. There was one picture that was different though. It was of Ryou when he was younger, and he was holding the Millennium Ring. He looked happy as could be with a teethy grin, but surrounding the ring Lizy swore she could see a shadowy glow. Squinting her eyes, she drew closer to look at it. She lifted her hand to touch it when-

"Oh good Lizy you're up! But what do you think you're doing trying to walk with your leg in that condition?" Ryou snapped at her from the doorway with a silly grin. Startled, Lizy swirled around and almost lost her balance. Straightening up she smiled at him.

"Sorry Ryou, I was just looking for the bathroom." She chuckled out, not wanting to alarm him. The picture could wait until he wasn't around.

"Silly, you should have just called for me! Let me give you a hand." He walked over to her to try to support her but she stopped him.

"No, please, I'm perfectly alright. My leg is just a little sore. Nothing I can't handle." Giving him a smile of reassurance she paced back and forth to show him. Looking at his face she could tell he wasn't fully buying it, but nevertheless he backed off.

"Alright, whatever you say. Well let me at least show you to the toilet." He beckoned her to follow him. Covering the limp, she walked behind him. Walking down the hall he pointed toward the door.

"Just give me a call when you're done." He instructed then left.

After flushing the toilet Lizy shuffled over to the sink. While washing her hands she looked in the mirror. Her face had a couple scratches and a faded bruise on her cheek but was otherwise fine. She washed her face then left to find Ryou.

"Ryou?"

"Right here." He responded, turning the corner. "You know, it occurred to me that I haven't shown you around yet," he smiled, "how about a tour of the house?"

"Sure, I'd love it."

"Great, follow me then." He walked out into the living room and started from there, followed by the kitchen. He then went down the hallway and pointed out the bathroom again. Around the corner the hallway continued and he stopped between two doors. Turning to the one on the left he began to open it.

"This is my room." He stepped inside and motioned Lizy to join him.

The room was standard. Just like the rest of the house it was clean and looked cozy. His room consisted of a bed, small TV, a desk, dresser, a bookshelf, ect..

"It's nothing much but that's the way I like it."

"I think it's nice." She said looking about. One thing she wondered though was how he kept it so clean with Bakura around.

"Well come on, last room." He said crossing the hallway to the other door. He opened it and once again they both stepped inside. It was another bedroom, only this one was very simple and bare.

"This is the guest bedroom. This is where you'll be staying if you decide to stay." He told her with another smile.

"Wait. I can stay?" She asked, pointing at herself.

"Of course, you said you didn't know how you got here, so I'm guessing that you have nowhere to go. Plus you're hurt." he grinned, "I couldn't possibly throw you out into the cold. I would never be capable of ever doing such a thing." He boasted.

'Yeah, but it's not you I'm worried about.' She thought then sighed. Well, if he was willing to give her a hand, then she would be stupid to say no.

"Thank you so much, I'd be grateful to stay." She thanked with a bow.

"No problem. Now how about we go and change those bandages?"

He walked Lizy to the couch and sat her down. Slowly, he clipped and unwrapped the white strips on and above her knee. The wound was a pretty bad cut with bruising around it. Seeing it for the first time, Lizy's eyes went wide.

"It looks that bad?!" she gasped out.

"Actually, it looks a lot better than last night. It's healing rather quickly. Should be good as new in a few days." He assured as he nursed her leg.

"Really? Thanks a bunch for caring to me like this. I sure owe you big-time, don't I? She said with a laugh.

"Nah, don't think much of it. Helping someone is a good enough reward."

"No really, I will make sure to make it up to you." She insisted.

"Okay, okay. If I really end up needing something I'll let you know." He acknowledged with a smile as he did the bandages on her arm. She wasn't sure, but she could've sworn that she saw a flash in his eyes at that moment.

"So anyway, you really don't know how you got in the city last night?"

"No, not a clue. All I know is that I one moment I was at home and the next I was waking up in the street." She explained. All of a sudden it hit Lizy that she hasn't seen Susy anywhere. Not sure whether to be concerned or not, she decided to worry about it later.

"That's mighty odd. Maybe someone drugged you?"

"I don't think so…however I did eat 5-month-old peanut butter," she shrugged, "but I'm not too worried. I'm a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, so I guess I'll see what happens."

"Do you remember where you live?"

"Um..uh.." She didn't know if it was a good idea to tell him where her house was, given the fact it probably wasn't in this weird world where dream hotties come to life. "I can't remember. I must have some anesthesia." She concluded, bonking herself on the head.

"Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait. But I don't mind, you can stay as long as you want. I really enjoy your company."

Once again, Lizy swore she saw another flash go across Ryou's eyes.

"There we go, all done," he stood up then looked her up and down, "but you know, those clothes really took a beating as well. How about we go out and get you some fresh ones?"

"Oh, I'd love to but…," she blushed, "I don't have any money…"

"There's no need to worry, I can pay for it."

"Are you sure? Please, I really don't want to be a burden."

"It's no problem. Just add it to your little list of IOU's." he joked and helped her stand up. "Let's get going."

"Okay."

At that they left. Ryou helped Lizy in his car and they took off. As they drove, Lizy looked around at the city. It looked busy, but not too busy. One thing she was sure about was that she had never been here before. The car ride ended quicker than she expected as they pulled up to a little clothes shop in a less crowded area.

"Here we are. I know the owner so she should be able to help us out." He explained as they entered the store.

"Oh, hey Ryou." A girl behind the counter said.

"Hey Anne, this is Lizy." He gave her the short version of what happened. "…and so I was hoping to help her get some fresh clothes. Can you help us out?"

"Um, yeah. I wish I could help you personally but something urgent just came up. Would you mind watching the store while I'm gone for little bit?" Anne asked him.

"Sure, we'll just look around while you're gone."

"Okay, thanks." She ran out the door, turned over the open sign to closed, and left.

"She seemed nice."

"She is. Now let's get started."

Lizy wasn't sure if she should be surprised or not. Before her Ryou was bustling around the store, picking stuff up and putting them back just as fast. When he would find something he finally seemed to like he would put it up to Lizy and say something like "too flashy" or "wrong color" or even just plain out "no".

Finally, after what seemed like forever, he had gathered a stack of clothes that pleased him.

"Here, go and try these on. Call me when you've got one on so I can see." He instructed, pointing to the changing rooms. Lizy, half-afraid to refuse, nodded and went the rooms.

Shocked was one word to describe Lizy's feelings toward the clothes. She picked up the first shirt, which was a black over-the-shoulder shirt. Pulling it, along with a pair of jean-shorts, on she looked in the mirror.

"I love it!" She squealed, looking at herself from every angle. Not wanting to take it off, she slowly rolled it upward. It was almost off when-

"My, you're going to hurt my little host's feelings if you don't let him see." A voice spoke from behind her. Gasping, she looked in the mirror and saw Bakura. Whipping her shirt down, she blushed as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"What do you-!"

"I swear, he wants to be a regular fashion designer," he looked her over, "but I must say, he did a good job with you."

Lizy, deciding to be brave, turned around and smirked.

"My, was that a compliment?"

"Don't get any ideas mortal," he leaned against the wall, arms crossed, "I just like the color black."

Glaring at him she straightened up. 'He's testing me…he's gotta be.' She thought, wondering what to do. 'Well, I guess the answer is obvious…' she grinned, 'try to pass.'

"You know, you talk all high and mighty, but you're no different than any other guy." She announced, walking over to him.

"Hmm?"

"Just like any other jerk once you see something that appeals to you, you try to snatch it." She explained, sharply pronouncing each word. At this point she was a couple feet in front of him. Looking him in the eye she leaned in.

"In other words," she grinned, "you just like eye-candy." Leaning back she stood, proud of herself.

"Like you're no different?" he responded raising an eyebrow, not even phased.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she recoiled.

"You know exactly what it means."

"For your information, I am way different than most of the stuck-ups you've probably met."

"I'll give you one thing, you definitely make more of an effort to resist the urge." He said slyly.

"What urge?" She snapped back.

Just then Bakura tripped her, making Lizy fall into him. Bracing herself against him she felt his hand hold her back, keeping her there. She could feel the warmth coming off his chest and suddenly that same feeling from the night before came back. The fight of whether to stay or run filled her mind as the closeness set in.

"The one that's going through you right now."

A shock went through Lizy. 'He's right…,' she thought, 'Right now I'm an open book. I guess I really am no different than any other girl.' She let out a small laugh of defeat, 'Wait..no…I will refuse to give up now! Somehow I have managed to get the chance to win over my all time dream-guy, and then I just give up?! You've been pathetic ever you've gotten here, start being smart! Any other girl would play into his hand, you've got to change the game plan. If you can properly catch his interest then you'll have a chance.'

"What's so funny?" he questioned her, confused. Lizy, armed with an actual plan, pushed away from him and backed up.

"Oh nothing, just the fact that you think I'll be that easy." She mocked, laughing.

"Is that so?" he asked, following her.

"Don't believe me?" She let out with a laugh. The two started to circle around the room, waiting for the other to make a move.

"Don't get cocky now…it will be your downfall." Bakura warned.

"Giving me advice? Are you sure that's wise?"

"Well I wouldn't want the game to end too quickly, now do I?"

"No confidence in me?" She put a hand on her chest, feigning insult.

"You ask a lot of questions, you know that?"

"I'm naturally curious." Lizy shrugged.

"Curiosity killed the cat." He scoffed at her.

"Then I'm surprised you're not dead yet." She barked back.

Bakura and Lizy kept circling around and scaling each other up. The tension in the room was almost visible and it looked as though either one of them was about to make some sort of move when-.

"Hey guys! I'm back!" Anne shouted from the entrance.

The two seemingly-now-rivals stopped their stare-down and knew that they were done for now.

"Shame…I was hoping to get more out of this." Bakura sighed.

"Same here." Lizy agreed, grinning at him.

"Guys?" Anne called out.

"Just a second!" Bakura called out in Ryou's voice. That made Lizy a little confused.

"Hold on, you can actually do that?" she questioned, giving him a weird look.

"Of course. There's a lot of things that you don't know about me." He smirked and started walking for the door. "You've done well…well enough that I think I shall let you stay longer…if that is what you still wish." He let out darkly.

"Why would I go and miss a chance to show you up?" She boasted.

"I warn you, playing this game will get dangerous. If you don't think you can handle any sort of suffering put forward to you than give up now."

Lizy paused to think. Was she actually up to this? She always told herself that she could handle anything…but just what did he have in store for her?

"I'll do it. I never have fancied stopping games halfway through anyway." She grinned. Even though she knew this could be a big mistake, stopping now would probably be an even bigger one.

"You are certainly brave," he grinned back, "or just an idiot."

"I guess we'll find out won't we?"

"I hope you know I'm not going to go easy on you." He informed her.

"Wouldn't want you to," she looked him in the eye, "come at me with all you've got."

"Choose your words wisely, you just may regret them." Bakura gave her one last smirk then turned back into Ryou.

"Oh Lizy, that looks marvelous on you!" He exclaimed joyfully. "I'll go so you can try on the next round." He continued then left.

Next round. Lizy braced herself against the wall as what just happened ran through her head. She just sealed herself in a game with Bakura. So far this had just been a warm-up. Next round…that was what Lizy was afraid of.

"Well Bakura…I'll play your game," she let out a laugh, "but in the end we'll see who's the last one standing…and one of us won't like the answer."

Yes, Lizy and Bakura are back! They weren't dead, they were just hiding while Susy and Marik got their spotlight. Sorry for the wait for them, I had to come up with some sort of plot for them and that wasn't very easy. (Bakura's a little harder to manipulate than Marik is .) Well anyway, WHAT DOES BAKURA HAVE PLANNED FOR LIZY!? Hehe, either way I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter, I really did try to bring them back in a non-lame way...(I hope it worked ^.^) I guess all that's left to say is that I really do appreciate the feedback from you guys, so thanks a bunch! ^_^ Well, I guess that's it for now so I WANT MY SCREEN TIME, wait wrong catchphrase, PEACE OUT!