This is the first in a series of short stories I have written. They are individual one-shots and do not make up part of a longer story. However, some might tie in with each other. There will be often be a focus on various relationships, as well as hints at relationships, either plutonic or romantic. Most of these were written when I got writers block, or bored, of other multi chapter stories I was writing at the time; I probably have about eight pieces that are written so far, and will add to them as ideas pop up, or if I get requests that I like the idea of. So please feel free to make suggestions. Just don't ask me to write any Prideshipping.

There may be some innuendo, fluff, bad language and adult themes, but nothing too graphic and a warning will be put at the beginning of each chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not, or will I ever, own Yugioh.

#1.

Secret Romance.

A sneaky kiss on the cheek when they said goodbye.

A light brush of hands when they thought no one was looking.

No one could accuse Yugi and Anzu of not being discreet about their relationship. They were friends and that was as far as it went.

All through high school, they kept it secret. Or so they thought...

He might not be very observant during lessons, but Jonouchi was a bloodhound when it came to picking up on other people's behaviour; it was something that had kept him alive during his time spent in gangs.

The way Yugi jumped to her defence when they stalked her to Burger World after school, and he had suggested to Yugi that she was working as an escort girl.

The way they would always sit next to one another, thighs sometimes touching.

Honda had noticed too, nudging Jonouchi and shooting a knowing nod and a wink towards the pair as they sat on the ledge of the roof, huddled together and sharing their Bentos.

But Jonouchi and Honda were worried. They feared that Yugi might have his feelings crushed by a girl who was obviously besotted by the Pharaoh – how could Yugi be the only one not to notice the way she perked up at the mention of other Yugi?

Sadly, it seemed he did.

Jonouchi noticed Yugi watching her with a dreamy look in his eyes while she served other customers, and he decided to tease him about it. "Ain't it about time you told her how you feel Yug?"

Yugi looked at him, aghast. "Huh?!" A blush tinted his cheeks. "What? Who?"

"Meh... don't pretend you don't know what I mean. You're looking at her like a love sick puppy. Ask her out properly. Not just as friends. Do some proper, romantic stuff."

Like she would be interested in doing anything romantic with me, thought Yugi.

With a big sigh, he looked down at his cola. "It's not me she loves, Jonouchi," he said sadly, poking at his drink with the straw

"Waddya mean by that dude?!" Jonouchi retorted, too loud. "Course she does! She can't get enough of ya!" he said assertively.

Yugi shook his head. "It's not me. If it wasn't for my other self she wouldn't even look at me."

Poor kid. After that, Jonouchi stopped teasing him.

They all became a tight knit unit of friends and their lives revolved around helping the Pharaoh find his memories. Love took the back-burner.

Meanwhile, Anzu seemed to be sorting out her feelings for the two Yugi's and was noticeably more relaxed around the pair.

And then Atem left them, leaving a huge void in all of their lives.

But life goes on, and with Atem gone, Yugi and Anzu were now closer than ever.

Jonouchi even spied them sharing a loving glance as their fingers brushed during games and pizza night round at Bukura's flat.

The next day, they all went to the arcade after school.

Jonouhci and Honda were at the vending machine.

"I've been thinking," said Jonouchi. "What if she's just using Yugi as an Atem substitute?"

"We shouldn't interfere," Honda told him. "I think we should leave them to it."

"But Anzu's leaving for New York soon. What if she breaks Yugi's heart?"

"Then, perhaps you should have a word with her," Honda suggested, thoughtfully.

"You're kidding, right? If I go and say something I might ruin Yugi's chances all together! You do it."

Honda shrugged. "You're the one that wants to interfere!"

"No I don't!" Jonouchi argued. "I wouldn't even know what to say! I'm crap at that sort of thing."

"Get Bakura to do it then. He's good at that smooshy stuff."

"Get me to do what guys?" Bakura had crept up on the scheming pair.

They both startled at being overheard.

Honda face palmed. "You and your big mouth Jonouchi!"

"What?! You're the one who blabbed, moron!" They started fighting.

Bakura was bemused. All he had done was ask a simple question.

Anzu came running over and grabbed the pair by the scruffs, pulling them apart. "Will you two pack it in?!" Fighting in the arcade was prohibited and would get them all thrown out.

Pouting, they postured for a moment and then backed down.

"He started it," Jonouchi grumbled, straightening his jacket.

"It doesn't matter who started it!" Anzu scolded. "What were you even fighting about anyway?"

Jonouchi gazed around. Yugi was not with her.

"Thought Yugi would be with you?" Honda was the one to ask.

"Oh! He's so engrossed on some racing game that I got bored and came to see what you three were up to." Anzu narrowed her eyes when she noticed the pair smirking at each other.

Jonouchi mouthed something. It looked like "you ask" but she could not be certain.

"Bakura!" Jonouchi grabbed the unsuspecting teen by the shoulder of his sweatshirt and dragged him aside to whisper something.

"What?! Why me?" Bakura shrieked. "You know I'm hopeless at that sort of thing?" He was blushing.

"Well, you're better at it than us two!" Honda stated.

"Will someone tell me what the heck you three are on about?!" Anzu yelled at them. The trio went quiet and started looking very guilty and awkward. Other people were looking at them now, too.

Honda and Jonouchi both shoved Ryou forward.

"Bakura wants to ask you something." Poor Ryou just stood there, cringing.

Feeling nervous all of a sudden, Anzu glared at him. Oh, no! Was he about to ask her to go on a date with him?!

After several painful seconds, that felt more like minutes, Ryou found his voice.

"Honda and Jonouchi were just discussing you and Yugi." He gulped.

"What about us?" She glared at them. Honda and Jonouchi were grinning and squirming like stupid boys that had been caught sniffing underwear in the girls changing room. What were they planning?

"This is a very serious question..." Honda stated, deciding that he would need to be the brave one. "What we want... is how we..." Crap! He was making a right mess of this. He cleared his throat and started again. "What we want to know, is how you feel about Yugi?" Anzu raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"What sort of stupid question is that?!" she replied, indignantly, adding defensively, "Yugi's my best friend. We're close; I like him a lot."

"I think what my buddy is trying to say, is.. would you... you know, do the business with him?" Jonouchi blurted, thoughtless as usual. That was his attempt at asking how serious their relationship was.

Anzu went bright red and her jaw flapped.

Honda slapped Jonouchi round the back of the head.

'OMG!' thought Ryou, 'They've already have done the business!' Finding his senses, he spoke up.

"I'm sorry if Honda and Jonouchi are making a complete mess of this." Even though he was nervous, he was calm. "What they are trying and failing to say is this: we have all noticed that you and Yugi are much closer than just friends. However, we are worried that you might still have feelings for the Pharaoh, and are only with Yugi because he reminds you of him."

"Of course I'm not!" she snapped. "Why would you think that?"

"Coz we don't want you hurting Yugi's feelings," Jonouchi piped up.

"Yugi's my best friend. I would never hurt him. You guys should know that?" Anzu was hurt by the accusation, and Ryou sought to console her.

"I'm sorry if Jonouchi is being a little blunt. But we are worried that you might be seeking a close relationship with Yugi to make up for the gap Atem has left in our lives."

"Oh!" Anzu looked down at her hands and fiddled with her fingers for a moment, before glancing round to make sure no one from school was in earshot that might go and blab to their class tutor. She looked back to her friends and moved in closer so that she could talk quietly. "Yugi and I are dating," she admitted. "We actually started dating while Atem was still here. But we didn't want anyone to find out.. you know? School rules and all that. But you don't have to worry, everything is good between us."

Honda scratched the back of his head and grinned stupidly, "Well, that's good to hear."

Jonouchi grinned. "Tee heh... we knew all along, right? Just needed to hear if from the horses mouth... Not that we think you're a horse...Bet your gonna have cute little kids. Wonder if they'll get Yugi's hair!" He couldn't stop snickering.

No one had seen Yugi approaching. "What about my hair?"

Jonouchi startled slightly, but he was on a role now and could not stop talking, "We was just saying, that when you and Anzu.." A well aimed clip round the ear halted him mid sentence.

"Shut up Jonouchi," Anzu ordered.

"Ow!" Jonouchi grimaced at her, rubbing his ear. "What the hell was that for? I was only saying..."

Winking at Anzu, Honda quickly grabbed his pal in a headlock. "She said shut it, man!"

The pair started fighting again, just as the manageress came over to tell them to leave.

Short and sweet, but hope you enjoyed.

Please review.