Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return of the Demon ❯ Guilt Trip ( Chapter 8 )

Xpyne: Whoop-dee fucking doo!!!!

Solitaire: Watch the language, Xpy-chan...

Xpyne: ~_~` Sorry 'bout that. And for the really long author's notes, which I order you to read as religiously as the rest of this story. I'm just so glad this darn chapter is finally freaking done!

Solitaire: Yeah, no thanks to you. ::glances at Xpyne's indignant face:: Well, I take that back. It took numerous harassings and risking death, but I finally got her to do her stupid lemon scenes. Oh, and we are so pissed off that we lost a total of 179 reviews. To the person who reported us-

Yugi: Fuck you!!!

Soli and Xpyne: O_____________O`````

Soli: Yu-chan! I think you've been spending too much time with Xpyne. Um, actually, I was just going to say, "You're really mean, and that's just sad," but, uh...that works, too. Which brings me to our next point: I figure that we might have gotten reported because we didn't have enough warnings...even though the first chapter CLEARLY states that this fic contains NC-17 material. But, since people are too retarded to understand the concept of a blanket statement, we're stating here-

WARNING x WARNING x WARNING x WARNING x WARNING x WARNING

This fic contains material not appropriate for younger or sensitive viewers. This fic is rated Mature for LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL HUMOR, GRAPHIC SEXUALITY, and all-around possible offensiveness. If you have a problem with hot bishies having make out sessions and boy-boy lovin', GO AWAY! We don't want you here, and chances are, you don't want to be here.

WARNING x WARNING x WARNING x WARNING x WARNING x WARNING

Xpyne: That should do it. ^^` And I did more than lemon! I'm good for more than smut!

Solitaire: Yeah, I know. I can't characterize Ryou to save my live.

Ryou: ...I noticed.

Xpyne: Yeah, and I can't really characterize Bakura.

Bakura: I noticed! Oh, and by the way, thank you so freakin' much for my gay name. ::glares fiercely::

Solitaire: Yeah, I lost the poll. v_v Buuut, that's okay. I had forgotten about that whole "boku" meaning "I" thing.

Xpyne: Yeah, plus the point was to give Bakura a girly name-

Bakura: What?!?

Xpyne: To help explain why you're so mean!

Solitaire: Oh, I am sooooo proud of myself for coming up with Baku-chan's past! ^_____^ You won't get more than hints in this chapter, but the explanations are coming. ....Eventually.

Xpyne: ::busts out the champagne:: I won the poll! I won the poll! ^_^ Okay, I'm done rubbing it in. Oh, yes, and there's one more thing that I have to take care of... ::sharpens large knife:: SAILOR COMET, I'M COMING FOR YOU!!!

Solitaire: O____O But Xpy-chan! It's a good thing that she made me take Bakura away from you to characterize him better!

Xpyne: She turned you into an obsessed nag-queen!! ::Stabs Sailor Comet effigy. Repeatedly.::

Seto: She wasn't before? ::shirks from Soli's Glare of Death::

Xpyne: Everything I made come out of Baku-chan's mouth went under the microscope! ...Well, except for the lemon scene. ::snickers to self:: I suppose Soli didn't want to touch that one.

Soli: ::who is sooo sick of typing 'Solitaire':: Yeah, well, I don't mess with emotional crap. You're better at that than I am. I figure, if it makes me all sad and go, "Awww," it's all good.

Xpyne: ^______^ Thanks. Anyway, I've decided to give Téa a bigger part in this story. ::ducks all Anti- Téa flames thrown her way:: What? I like Téa! Anou, she still doesn't have a very big part, it's just grown beyond "Hi I'm Téa and friends are great!!" It shows up more next chapter. I've kinda made her act like me...when I'm not in a violent, crazy mood.

Soli: When's that?

Seto: ::cough::Mary Sue::cough::

Xpyne: Not that much like me...or else this would be a Y/Y/T story. ::shudders::

Soli: So she's obviously still OC...um, even more so. Don't like it? TS. Ooh, I forgot. Joey, why don't you tell everyone what Baku-chan insulted you with last time?

Joey: ::frowning:: He called me a kyapi kyapi, which is basically Japanese for "bimbo." ::glares at Bakura:: I am, like, so not a bimbo, Baku-chan.

Bakura: Why is everyone suddenly calling me "Baku-chan"!? ::takes Xpyne's knife from her and goes after Joey::

Soli: ::innocently:: What? We've just been talking to Vampire Huntress D a lot lately...

Xpyne: Ooh, ooh, we just saw "Vampire Hunter D" one and two last week-those are the coolest movies ever! D is so hot. Everybody, go see that movie!

Soli: For once, I have to agree. I used to hate anime, but now I realize that it's way cooler than American cartoons.

Xpyne: With the exception of Spider-Man.

Everyone else: ::roll eyes::

Soli: She's in love with Spider-Man. It's unhealthy. We all just smile and nod.

Xpyne: You're just jealous cause Spider-Man loves me.

Soli: No! I couldn't care less. I'm jealous cause you friggin' get to make out with Yami in your dreams!!!

Xpyne: It's true. I actually have dreams where Yami makes out with me, and Yugi and I walk around holding hands. I even had one once where Bakura was naked, in the shower. I couldn't see any "details," you hentais, but...yeah, naked.

Soli: ::raises an eyebrow at Seto:: Why can't I swing a deal like that with you? In the only dream I had with you in it, I was your secretary. ::glances to the readers:: Now tell me if that sounds fair to you. ::glares at Xpyne::

Seto: ::whispers to Soli:: Xpyne "makes deals" with the other characters.

Soli: ::whispers back:: What?! I want in!

Seto: ::gives her a 'yeah right' look:: You can't write lemon, Soli.

Soli: ::incredulously:: That's the deal??

Seto: ::nods:: She writes the lemon, they make guest appearances in her dreams. That, and she just has a hentai mind. Even when she's asleep.

Xpyne: ^_____^

Soli: ::to Seto:: I'd better not catch you making any "deals" with her.

Yami: ::thoughtfully:: He does get a lemon in this chapter. And last chapter...and next chapter...

Soli: He's my bishie, damn it! Hands off! ::hugs Seto possessively::

Seto: *_*

Yugi: ::sighs:: Xpyne and Solitaire don't own Yugioh, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, or "Pop Goes the Weasel." Xpyne likes to think she owns the name "Kura," and we're not going to argue. ...Um, I don't think he can breathe, Soli.

Seto: *_*

Chapter 8 - Guilt Trip

Returning to Ryou's house, Bakura grumbled bad-temperedly as he approached the window to the boy's bedroom. He grimaced, his jeans painfully tight as he stepped over the flower bed and up to the sill.

\\ <Damn, sexy baka and his "morals"...> \\ It was now that he noticed the window was no longer open a crack, as he'd left it. \\ <Ryou probably got cold and closed it.>\\ Wrapping his fingers around the bottom of the frame, he tugged upward. Nothing happened. Frowning slightly, he tried again, to no avail. His paranoid little light must have locked it. Bakura growled softly in exasperation before concentrating on using his link to Ryou and the ring to warp into his soul room.

Once more standing in the familiar corridors of his hikari's mind, he stormed in the direction if his soul room, not caring if he woke Ryou or not. He was frustrated that neither of his desires had been fulfilled that night.

When he reached his room, fully prepared to march inside and slam the door, he was surprised to find Ryou blocking his way. The boy's arms were crossed, and his face displayed a mixture of anger and pain. The pain was nothing new, but the anger...? Pfft. What did Ryou have to be angry about?

"What are you doing here?" the tomb robber snapped. "Get out of the way."

Ryou gazed into his eyes with his own soulful, deep brown orbs. "Where were you?" he demanded, sounding for all the world like a nagging wife. Sneering, Bakura shot back:

"None of your business!"

The gentler boy averted his face abruptly, trying to hide the tears that sprung to his eyes at his yami's harsh tone. "You went to Joey's house." It wasn't a question.

Bakura glared at his other, glad for the long shirt he was wearing that hid the rather obvious evidence that his plan hadn't quite gone the way he'd intended it to. "No I didn't." Ryou's head shot up and he glared back at his dark, just as venomously. The other platinum haired boy was taken aback slightly, but Ra be damned if he was going to show it.

"Yes, you did, don't lie to me! I saw the whole thing through our link." What Ryou would die before he admitted, however, was that he had felt it, as well. It had been a slightly muted version, but he had still felt the faintest ghosts of Joey's touches-his lips on his neck, his jaw, his own lips, his fingers brushing over a nipple, his hand cupping him. And despite Bakura's own violence, Joey had been so gentle... Ryou shook his head, flushing lightly. Thoughts like that were not helping.

Knowing he was found out, the former tomb raider crossed his arms, mimicking Ryou's stance. "So?" he challenged testily.

"But you promised-!"

"I didn't break any promises!" his darker half interrupted indignantly. "You never said I couldn't bargain for the eye." He grinned smugly. Ryou clenched his fists at his sides, a deepening scowl looking decidedly out of place on his beautiful features.

"I'm not some-some-some dirty slut you can pass around!"

Bakura's grin became a smirk. "Oh please, like you wouldn't have jumped at the chance." The shorter teen fairly shook with rage. It wasn't enough that his yami was constantly insulting him, but for his to act as if he were a possession, like a toy he kept around for his personal amusement, demanding complete loyalty, then scorning his love, never offering so much as a word of affection in return...

Bakura saw the expression of hot fury steal over the boy's countenance, looking so alien on his light, and was secretly relieved. He couldn't stand it when Ryou got all emotional and weepy; but anger, he knew how to deal with. To prevent his little lover from doing anything rash and foreseeably stupid, the white haired fiend waved a hand and chains sprung from the wall behind Ryou, wrapping around the boy before he could realize what was going on. Within moments, he was bound tightly against the cold stones at his back.

All anger had fled the gentler boy's face for the moment, replaced by shock. After a few seconds, he began to strain against the chains, but they both knew it was useless. The yami watched him struggle for a minute before rolling his eyes, at himself and the situation.

"Fine," he spat. "I'm sorry I offered up your body. But it's half mine, too!" he added nastily. Ryou made a face. It was supposed to be all his.

The tomb robber eyes his sweet little hikari thoughtfully. His encounter with Joey had left him...unsatisfied, and the course fabric of his pants created a torturous friction every time he moved. Letting his eyes roam over the young teen lustfully, he noticed with a smirk that his other apparently hadn't remained unaffected by his late-night meeting with the blonde.

"Through our link-" Bakura paused, stepping closer to his hikari. He ran a hand lightly over Ryou's chest. "Through our link you can feel what I do, can't you?" Ryou didn't respond, staring defiantly off at the opposite wall. The taller boy laid his head on the other's chest, inhaling deeply. Ryou always smelt nice. He slid his hand along Ryou's side, to his hip, towards his-

"Don't even think about it!" Bakura snorted and touched him anyway, applying gentle pressure and rubbing circular motions over his other's heated juncture, eliciting a gasp from the less assertive boy.

"You're angry, and you're horny. Can't have you going to bed like that, hmm?"

"Stop it, Yami! I mean it!" Bakura leaned up and kissed Ryou's neck.

"You'll feel better if we have sex," he suggested. The light one tensed, pulling against his chains.

"You mean you'll feel better if you rape me!" he sobbed. Yami Bakura pulled back angrily.

"Since when is what we do rape?!" he yelled.

"Since you chained me to a wall and won't stop when I say 'no'!" he cried out in anguish. Bakura growled menacingly.

"Have it your way, child," he sneered before storming down the hallway. Yanking open his soul room door, he decided he'd just leave Ryou chained. But when he glanced back towards his bound light, he saw the teen had disappeared. \\ <Damn it. With both of us in the ring, either is free to transfer his essence into his body.> \\ Bakura frowned and slammed his door.

He paced back and forth in his darkened room, agitated. He was doing the boy a favor-Joey was the last person Ryou needed to get mixed up with! On some level, Bakura's warped sense of humor found it fittingly ironic that his lighter half, the reincarnation of the better part of his soul, should fall for the very same person who had betrayed him five thousand years ago. Ryou didn't understand. He was protecting him. \\ <Sooner or later, Jounouchi will show his true colors, and then Ryou will thank me.> \\

Bakura didn't want to hurt Ryou; that's just how these things went sometimes. He would be saving him from experiencing much greater heartache in the future. His naïve, innocent little light needed to learn that he couldn't build his life around the illusion of love.

~*~*~*~

As soon as Ryou was back in his body, he yanked the ring off his neck and tossed it out his window. He knew it would be sitting on his dresser again in the morning, but it still felt good to chuck it now.

<Bloody thing-can't get rid of it!>

Ryou closed his window once more and collapsed onto his bed, sobbing. He cried thinking of his dark until he had run out of Tears to shed and the ability to think, and then he was left with nothing but his broken heart and the only question that mattered to him anymore.

<Why doesn't my yami love me?>

=Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q=

Warm, enveloping pleasure surrounded his dreamless, slumbering mind. He stirred a bit, yawning.

\\ Is it raining...? \\ The spikey haired boy blinked open his sleepy eyes. \\ It never rains in the dry season... \\ Yami rolled onto his side, hugging a squishy pillow and resting his long lashed eyes once more. He sighed happily, enjoying the feel of his imaginary soul-room silk sheets against his naked skin. He liked sleeping naked, too. It wasn't like Yugi ever disturbed him while he slept, and, well, after recent developments, he didn't think he'd mind if his little light found him nude in bed anyway. \\ Hmm. \\ A thought occurred to Yami. \\ It can get lonely in my soul room. I ought to invite Yugi to mentally sleep with me from now on. \\ He smiled at the image of the sensual boy in his adorable penguin pajamas. \\ Maybe I can talk Yugi into sleeping nude, too. Although, with both of us nude in my bedroom, he probably won't get much sleep. \\ Yami smirked.

He yawned again, letting his mind wander as he listened to the heavy rain drumming down. \\ Such strange weath- \\ Yami sat up abruptly. \\ This isn't my soul room!!! It's-it's- \\

"Ohhhh." Yami remembered where he was, and what he'd done the previous night. A grin appeared on his handsome face as he flopped back down on Seto's pillows. \\ Where is Kaiba? \\

The former pharaoh rolled out of the comfortable king sized bed and tread noiselessly across the plush carpet toward the sound of running water. The door to the lavatory was ajar, and the regal boy slipped inside the steamy room. Stealthily, he crept up to the frosted-glass door of the massive bathing chamber. He opened it quietly and stole into the foggy, humid shower room. The wet tile floor chilled his bare feet, but the muggy sauna felt wonderful on his lightly tanned skin. Droplets quickly collected on his heated flesh and after a cautious moment of peering around, Yami spied the delicious body of his lover through the haze. His back was turned to him, slowly lathering his shoulder and arm under a hot spray of water from once of the several shower heads. Yami dragged his eyes appreciatively along the length of Seto's body, admiring his broad, toned back, slim hips, tight rear, and lanky, muscular legs. The pharaoh shivered, groin warming at the gorgeous specimen. Seto rolled his neck back, running his washcloth sensually over its length. He murmured, smiling, eyes closed against the wet spray. He turned under the shower, revealing his magnificent manhood, which to Yami's surprise, was fully aroused. His own half-hard organ twitched, begging to be touched.

"Nice of you to join me. Enjoying the show?" the brunette inquired smugly.

"Hmph. When did you hear me?"

"Pff. Sensed you the second you slipped into the bathroom." Seto opened his eyes, gazing bemusedly at the shorter teen, whose image was still a bit murky in the steam. His annoyed stance was erotic: arms crossed, putting his weight on one foot, hips forward. Kaiba tossed his washcloth at the other's face and leaned against a wall.

"My turn," he announced arrogantly, waiting for Yami, glaring at him, cloth in hand, to begin.

"I didn't come in here to bathe." The multi-colored haired boy sauntered over to his koi. He glanced down at Seto's erection. "What were you thinking about?" he asked suggestively, leaning just close enough to the brunette that his protruding sex poked into Yami's firm abs. Yami drew an elegant hand up Seto's side and into his chest.

"You, coming in here not to bathe." Yami laughed. Kaiba yanked him against his own larger body and kissed him, tongue exploring the other's eager mouth. The petite boy moaned, rubbing his hands all over Seto's wet form and into his silken hair. The young billionaire broke for air, panting heavily. Yami's slick, wet body rubbing so intimately against Kaiba's quickly had the former as aroused as the latter.

"You're beautiful, you know," Seto informed the other.

Yami flushed slightly at the compliment. "You're not exactly an eyesore, either." Seto looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Can I-can I wash your hair?" Yami was a little taken aback.

"You want to wash my hair?" he repeated incredulously. Seto nodded. He loved Yami and Yugi's hair. It was so unusual and exotic. Even under the shower's stream, it retained its spiked appearance, although it drooped some.

Turning the smaller boy around, Seto settled Yami on his chest. Reveling in the sweet torture of the former pharaoh's lower back pressing against his heat, Kaiba groaned. Snatching up a shampoo bottle, he squirted the fruity scented goo into his palm and began lathering Yami's hair.

"Ahhh..." Yami's head lolled as the boy turned into a malleable mass of willing flesh under Seto's ministrations. "...So good..." he mumbled, sagging a bit, which in turn massaged his love's pinned erection. The soothing, circular motions of Kaiba's strong hands on his scalp and occasionally behind his ears had Yami clutching at Seto's thighs behind him.

By the time he had finished shampooing Yami's hair, said boy was twitching and moaning under the onslaught of pleasurable sensations. The spikey haired boy turned against the water, rinsing his hair with trembling hands. Seto reached down and cupped him, and Yami's knees buckled. Luckily, the brunette instinctively caught his love and supported him, one hand still kneading the tender, hyper-sensitive area. Yami clung desperately to Seto's muscled arms.

"Take me! Ra damn it, take me now!" he gasped.

Propping Yami up against the wall, Seto rubbed soap along his own length. The dark boy bit one of his nipples, teasing it between his teeth. Seto had to grab the wall to support himself. Growling, he raised Yami up by his hips and positioned himself. The smaller boy nodded encouragingly, wrapping his legs around the other's waist. Letting his heart take over for his head, Seto drove into his lover with one stroke. Yami cried out, throwing his head back.

"Oww."

"Did I hurt you?" Seto questioned, panting.

"No-I hit my head on the tiles...give me a minute to adjust," he added, taking in a sharp hiss of breath as he shifted his hips, finding the right position.

For what seemed an eternity of torture for Seto, his love remained tense, strong thighs gripping him, blunt nails biting into the skin of his shoulders, brow furrowed. The tall teen had never experienced such an amazing feeling as being buried in the dark one's almost painfully tight, burning sheath. Kaiba could hardly breathe, for the turbulent emotions churning through him and the vice-like grip around his middle. Finally, he felt Yami relax, gasping as he did so. The petite one leaned in and licked a trail of water from his koibito's temple.

"Alright," he whispered.

Seto began moving in and out of Yami, slowly and carefully at first, unsure of himself. Yami helped him, moving his hips along, creating a rhythm. The spirit of the puzzle groaned, eyes rolling back in his head. Kaiba drove into him, pressing him hard against the white tiled wall, increasing his speed to match the frantic want inside him.

The excruciating ecstasy boiled deep within him, causing his entire body to tremble and shudder, overloaded with sensations he couldn't get enough of. Seto pinned Yami's arms against the wall and slammed into the boy, crying out again and again. The pharaoh turned his head to the side, eyes clenched, and screamed with his release. The spasmodic tightening of the slender boy's already narrow entrance drew a choked shout from Seto Kaiba as he, too, released his seed into his lover.

Holding Yami against his heaving chest, he rolled them over so Kaiba was the one leaning against the shower wall and pulled out of him, slowly sinking into a sitting position. They sat there against the tiles, hot steam surrounding them and warm water raining down, for several minutes. Yami rested on Seto's lap with his head on his chest, listening to the boy's erratic heartbeat slow and calm, feeling the gentle pulsations of Kaiba's coursing blood through the skin against his own tingling flesh. Eventually, Seto reached over and picked up the discarded washcloth, sudsing it once more. Wordlessly, he commenced bathing the smaller boy, taking special care at the juncture of his legs. Yami glared at him.

"If you don't cut that out, we're never leaving this shower." Seto obediently stopped lathering Yami's groin and moved his washclothed hand to Yami's backside, sliding it along his cleft. The boy growled.

"Tease."

Seto smirked. Yami snatched the cloth from him and quickly finished cleaning them up. He clambered to his feet and extended a hand to the brunette.

"Come on. You're getting pruny."

~*~*~*~

Yami lounged on Seto's bed while the latter dressed.

"I'm going to see if Yugi's up," Yami announced. Kaiba nodded absentmindedly as he searched for a clean pair of socks. He paused and looked up with a small smile as a thought struck him.

"Do you think you could ask Yugi to come over?"

The former pharaoh looked doubtful. "I don't know if his grandfather would allow it..."

Seto returned to the hunt for his ever elusive matching black sock. "I can promise he'll get his homework done, if that's what Solomon's worried about." Behind him, Yami fiddled with the hem of his towel.

"Actually, I think he's more concerned that Yugi will take up drugs and join your motorcycle gang."

Kaiba froze before turning very slowly to face the other boy, certain he'd misheard him.

"...What???"

Yami sighed and gestured in the air with a hand. "When Yugi and I went to rescue Solomon from the 'graveyard,' we found him experiencing his own personal hell, much as you and Mokuba did. In his version, Yugi was a disrespectful, foul-mouthed, belligerent young man who smoked, stole from his grandfather, and had joined a gang. Um, your gang, actually." The tri-color haired boy shrugged apologetically. "And you know you haven't exactly been Solomon's favorite person since your duel in which you tore up his Blue Eyes..." Kaiba actually had the decency to look ashamed at that last part.

Seto tried to imagine the Yugi his yami had described, and found it impossible. Yugi's was the sweetest, kindest, most selfless soul he'd ever met. How could his grandfather ever think such a thing?? He voiced as much to Yami.

The former pharaoh bristled slightly. "I think it's a perfectly legitimate and understandable fear. As far as Solomon knows, he's all the family Yugi has in the world right now." Yami's eyes softened as he gazed up at his lover meaningfully. "Seto, the man is simply worried that he won't do right by his grandson, that he'll fail him as a parent. Surely you, of all people, can understand that."

The brunette lowered his head, nodding slowly. If Mokuba were to grow up into a troubled, hateful youth, he would never forgive himself. "You're right, Yami, I'm sorry."

The dark one shook his head gently. "I don't think it's me you should be apologizing to." Sighing, Kaiba nodded again. Of course, Yami was right. Again. Something which Seto was quickly learning to dislike. He raised his eyes ruefully.

"So I suppose he wouldn't condone any sort of friendship between Yugi and me?" Yami smiled lightly.

"Solomon is not a spiteful man, Seto; he just needs some time. And it wouldn't hurt if he got to know you a little better. I think yesterday helped-he got to see you with Mokuba, see that you're an actual human." Yami's smile became a smirk. Kaiba rolled his eyes and made an exasperated noise.

"I thought you said you were going to see if Yugi was awake."

"Hnuh."

"Oh." Seto threw the boy's clothes at him. "And see if Yugi can come to the park. I don't think I can corrupt him from there." Yami nodded, then chewed his lip thoughtfully. "What?"

"I just remembered-Joey wanted to drop by the game shop today to see how our duel went." The brunette frowned slightly, squeezing his eyes closed before opening them and gazing down at the former pharaoh resignedly.

"I'm probably going to regret suggesting this, but what if you invited all your friends to come to the park with us?"

A genuine smile crept over the smaller teen's features. "Is Seto Kaiba actually being magnanimous?" The other chose not to respond, and made his way towards his closet for a trenchcoat. As he moved past the boy on the bed, Yami reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him. He tugged the much taller male down to his level, staring into his deep blue pools and seeing the hint of hurt in them.

"Thank you, Seto." He kissed him gently, his tongue grazing the brunette's before he pulled back. "I love you."

Seto pressed a kiss to the underside of the dark one's jaw. "And I love you, Yami." He poked the multi-color haired boy lightly in the ribs, which caused Yami to have to bite his tongue to keep from emitting any undignified noises.

"Now, are you going to contact Yugi, or what?"

Releasing the other, the former pharaoh sat back and his eyes promptly lost focus.

Kaiba watched with growing anxiety as Yami's lower lip quivered and his vacant, glazed over eyes grew shiny. When he blinked several times and focus returned to his ruby orbs, Seto immediately sat next to his diminutive love on the edge of his bed.

"Are you alright? What's wrong?" he asked with a tenderness few knew the young billionaire possessed. Yami abruptly buried his face against Seto's chest and clung to his shirt.

"I think Yugi is mad at me," came the small, muffled explanation. Kaiba wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, one hand soothingly fingering his silken hair.

"Are you sure? Why would Yugi be mad at you, of all people?"

The dark one sniffed. "Isn't it obvious? I'm a horrible guardian; I left him alone last night to fulfill my own selfish needs." Seto hugged him tighter, resting his chin on the top of the other's head.

"Don't say that, Yami..."

"I should go back into the puzzle, right now, before I make things even worse."

Kaiba blinked, glancing down at the boy who still had his face buried in his shirt. "You can do that?"

Yami shrugged. "Of course." A horrifying thought occurred to him and he pressed himself closer to Seto's comforting warmth. "Unless he blocks me."

The brunette pulled back and gently took hold of the other's chin, making him look at him. "I don't think Yugi would do that," he said cautiously, trying to reassure his small lover, but not really having a clue when it came to the whole "puzzle" issue. "Maybe it would be best to let Yugi cool down, and we can try talking to him later," he offered.

"...Okay," Yami agreed quietly. He looked down at his clothes in his lap. "I suppose I should be getting dressed. You must be starving." As if to prove his statement, Seto's stomach growled suddenly, causing the larger boy to blush faintly.

"Right."

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"Mushi mushi. Turtle Game Shop, how may I help you?"

"Hey Gramps," Joey greeted the elderly man with a cheerfulness he didn't feel. "Is Yuug there?"

"Hello, Joey!" Grandpa replied warmly. "I don't know if Yugi is awake yet...let me tell him you're on the line." Setting down the phone, Solomon made his way up the stairs and to Yugi's room.

"Yugi?" he called, knocking lightly on the door. The room within was silent. "Yugi?" he tried again, knocking a little louder. "Are you awake?" Still no reply. Frowning slightly, Solomon returned to the shop downstairs.

"I'm sorry, Joey, but Yugi's still sleeping."

"I'm up before Yuug?? ...Well, when he gets up, could ya tell 'im ta call me back? It's kinda important."

"I'll give him the message."

On his end, Joey sighed in relief. If there was anyone he could talk to about this, it was Yugi. "Thanks, Gramps. Bye."

The old man smiled. "Goodbye, Joey." Hanging up the phone, he cast a concerned glance toward the stairs. Yugi was an early riser and was usually up by this time. Of course he had been through a lot the past two days...but it wasn't like the boy to sleep in this late. A frown creased Solomon's brow. He hoped Yugi was alright, that he hadn't overexerted himself in bringing so many souls back from the Shadow Realm. Maybe he should check on him, just to be sure-?

Trekking upstairs once more, the elderly Muto tried knocking on his grandson's door one last time. Receiving no answer, he reached for the doorknob. He hated to invade the boy's privacy, but according to Yugi, the last time he woke, he was covered in mysterious bruises; what if the same or worse had occurred last night? The small boy was all he treasured in this world, and he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him.

Solomon opened the door to find his grandson sleeping rather unpeacefully, squeezed into the crack between the mattress and the wall. He lay on his stomach with a pillow over his head and an arm thrown over the pillow. The older man chuckled quietly, approaching the boy's bedside. As he touched his shoulder, Yugi immediately tensed and tried to squirm even deeper into the crack between the bed and wall. His voice was muffled by the pillow, but still intelligible, clearly sleepy and irritated.

"For the last time: no! N-O! What part of that do you not understand?! Leave me alone!"

Solomon blinked. "...Yugi?"

The small boy pulled the pillow off his head and sat up, turning to see his grandfather staring at him in surprise. The teen had faint bags under his unusually dull purple eyes and a slight frown etched on his brow. He obviously hadn't slept well, if at all. The boy sweatdropped.

"Sorry, I was, uh, dreaming. What is it, Grandpa?" It was then that he realized the Dark Magician was nowhere to be seen. Yugi tried not to panic. He couldn't have gotten far...right?

Solomon scratched his head. Yugi was sure acting oddly. "I just wanted to let you know that Joey called," he told the boy. "He said it was urgent." He noticed Yugi craning his neck to peer around him. Following his grandson's gaze, he saw only the boy's desk with his school books on top of it. Turning back around, he eyed Yugi strangely. "Are you feeling alright, Yugi? If you're worried about the school you missed last week-" Said boy's attention snapped back to the man in front of him. He laughed nervously before jumping up to push his grandfather towards the door.

"No, no, I'm sure I'll catch up soon." Inspiration struck. "Seto Kaiba's in all my hard classes-could I go over to his house to study later today?" A small frown pursed Grandpa's lips.

\ <He must not be over his Shadow Realm experience, yet.> \

But the look of disapproval disappeared as Grandpa sighed. "Yes, Yugi; you may. Just make sure you work, not duel?" His grandfather winked. Oh, if he only knew.

"YeahsurethingGrampswellIgottagetdressednow-"

"You're sure you're alright?" he asked doubtfully.

"YepI'mfineI'llbesuretocallJoeybye!" Yugi shut the door, then slumped against it, breathing a sigh of relief. Relief that lasted about two seconds, until he remembered the Dark Magician was missing. A fresh wave of irritation passed over him. It was bad enough he'd spent practically the entire night rejecting the Dark Magician's infuriatingly tempting advances, but to, once he had FINALLY managed to fall asleep, wake up and find the sorcerer missing, was just too much.

\ <Maybe he finally went back into the card.> \ he thought hopefully. To make certain, Yugi peeked into his closet. \ <No Duel Monsters in here...> \ Crossing the room, he opened the bathroom door. And immediately slammed it shut again, leaning against it.

The door opened and Yugi fell back, landing on his butt on the floor. The momentum sent him flat onto his back, peering up at the handsome Duel Monster.

\ <Right. Bathroom doors open in.> \

The Dark Magician, once more in full armor and staff in hand, looked down at him with a slightly bemused expression. "I assume the intruder has left, as you have come to find me, master?"

Yugi scowled at his upside down view of the sorcerer. Choosing not to reply, he moved to get up from the floor. The magician offered him a hand, which he slapped away.

"I'm perfectly capable of standing on my own, so keep your grabby hands to yourself!" To prove his point, Yugi pulled himself to his feet before stalking to his closet to pick out some clothes. Unfazed, the purple clad boy smiled.

"You seem upset, Pharaoh. Perhaps it would improve your mood if-"

Yugi whirled around and pointed a warning finger at the blue eyed boy. "So help me, if you say 'sex'..." The other's mouth shut with a snap.

Sighing wearily, the small teen turned back to the closet. After rifling through hangers for a few moments, he finally decided on a snug grey sweater and a pair of black leather pants. (A/N: drool...) Smirking to himself, Yugi's thoughts of how Seto would react were interrupted as the Dark Magician knelt behind him and rested his chin on the small boy's shoulder, running his hands up and down his bare arms.

"Strange but excellent choice of garb, master." Yugi turned his head to glare at him.

"Who asked you?" he demanded grumpily. \ <And since when do I base my wardrobe on Seto Kaiba's tastes?> \ Yugi was not in a good mood. He was beginning to think it would serve Yami right if his hikari was seduced by the very Duel Monster he, himself, apparently had a less-than-platonic relationship with. The magician's strong arms wrapped invitingly around him, as if he could sense the other's thoughts.

As Yugi was distracted entertaining a plethora of revengeful thoughts, the dark one leaned in and captured his earlobe between his lips, sucking lightly. While Yugi had to admit it felt kind of nice, it tickled, more than anything.

"Will you cut that out?!" He swatted the amorous sorcerer away. "Why do you keep doing that?" Not waiting for an answer, the tri-color haired boy hurried into the bathroom, slamming and locking the door behind him so he could change, unmolested. The Duel Monster stood and blinked.

<Why didn't that work?>

When Yugi finally emerged, having dressed, brushed his teeth, and gotten his hair into some semblance of order, he regarded the purple haired boy suspiciously. "I was wondering: how did you know to hide when my Grandpa came in?"

The other bowed slightly, small smile tugging at the corner of his lips at the obvious test of his memory. "I know none of your advisors are allowed to see us together, Pharaoh. It could result in 'unfortunate consequences'."

To Yugi, that last part sounded like the magician was reciting from some often-heard speech. \ <Yami has a hellovalotta explaining to do!> \ Yugi fumed. Stepping over to his nightstand, Yugi retrieved the puzzle and placed it around his neck, making sure to keep his link with Yami firmly closed. He didn't know what the former pharaoh and Kaiba were doing right now, and he was not about to make the same mistake as yesterday. Tense and frustrated as he was right now, Yugi didn't think it would be a good idea to stretch his resolve any thinner by currently arousing more than his anger. The teen picked up his "Dark Magician" card and crossed his arms, giving the summoned Duel Monster a stern look, inadvertently coming off as looking very much like the pharaoh he insisted he wasn't.

"Okay, well it was very nice to meet you, Dark Magician, and no hard feelings, you're still my favorite card, but you have to go back to wherever you came from now." Yugi watched him expectantly, as the other male just stood there. After several silent moments, Yugi growled in frustration.

"Argh! You're gonna make me guess how to get rid of you??"

The sorcerer smirked, raising an eyebrow. Yugi muttered all manner of foul names under his breath.

"Little pharaoh: you are so fond of games, I know, but I do not think this new one you have concocted is very fun for either of us. When will you grow weary of denying yourself the release you need and make love to me?" he cajoled.

"I unsummon the Dark Magician," was the stubborn reply.

The other boy stifled a snicker and rolled his eyes. "Oooh, so close," the magician taunted, sounding disturbingly like Seto. Yugi shot him a death glare before pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Look, I don't have time for this. Joey needs me to return-" The purple clad bishie was so not paying attention to him, his eyes focused on his loins, hungry look on his face. "Dark Magician!! Cut it out, you hentai-!" There was a flash of lightning and a loud crack like thunder. When Yugi opened his eyes, the sorcerer was gone. Glancing around, he checked the bathroom to be sure. Yep, he was really gone. Yugi let out a huge sigh of relief.

\ <Why on earth did he finally leave?> \ Shaking his head, deciding not to question that bit of luck, he shoved his dueling deck into his pocket so he could ask Yami about all this when he saw him. After making his bed, he bounded downstairs and grabbed the phone, dialing his best friend's number from memory.

"'ello?"

"Joey? It's Yugi."

"Oh, hey Yuug!" Joey's tone instantly brightened. "So...um...uh...is Yami there? I...I wanted ta ask 'im how his duel wit Kaiba went!" Okay, so he was avoiding the real reason he'd called earlier; so what?

Yugi sweatdropped. "Uh, Yami...Yami's in the puzzle...Asleep! Yeah, uh, heh heh."

"Oh..." Joey bit his lower lip. He couldn't do this over the phone. He was silent for a minute. "Can I talk ta ya in person?"

Yugi blinked. "Sure. Why don't we-"

\\ Good morning, aibou. \\

\ Yami?? I guess this means you and Seto are done with your, uh, "activities" for now? \ This came out a bit bitterly.

"Yuug?"

Yami sensed Yugi's resentment, as well as his...anger? Guilt washed over the dark one. He should never have stayed, with Yugi being forced to come home.

\\ ...Yugi? Do you think Grandpa will let you leave? \\

\ Why? \ Yugi inquired sulkily.

"Yuug?"

\\ Seto suggested we all go to the park today. You can call and invite our friends, right? \\

"Yugi!"

"Huh?" he exclaimed, startled.

"What's goin' on over there? Is everythin' okay?"

"Oh, yeah, I was just talking to Yami..."

"Huh? Did 'e wake up?"

"Um, something like that. Uh, Joey, do you wanna come to the park? Yami suggested it; you can ask him how the duel went, and we can talk. I figured I'd invite the rest of the gang, too, if that's all right."

Joey gulped. "Everyone" included Ryou and Bakura. But this might be his best chance to talk to Yugi and Kaiba about taking the eye off his hands. "Sure," he agreed, with forced enthusiasm.

"Okay," Yugi answered. "See you then. Bye."

"Bye."

\\ .......... \\

\ I can come to the park, and to Seto's. Grandpa just said I need to work on my studies. \ Yugi knew that came out a bit frostily, but he couldn't help it. He was exhausted and sore, both indirectly and directly Yami's fault, not to mention he really did have school work to do.

\\ Yugi, please, I... <want to apologize? To beg you for forgiveness? Do whatever it takes to make you happy again?> \\

\ Look, Yami, I'll talk to you at the park, okay? I want to eat breakfast. \

\\ ...Okay. \\

Yugi closed their link and sat down at his kitchen table dejectedly. <He didn't even call me 'aibou'. (A/N: Yeah, he did. Yugi just wasn't paying attention, poor baby. v_v) Today is not a good day.>

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They entered the kitchen to find Mokuba already up, sitting at the table while munching happily away on a bowl of Corn Pops and reading manga. Seto stepped past him, ruffling his brother's hair on his way to the refrigerator.

"You know, the cook can make you anything you could possibly think of. Why do you insist on eating that 'Corn Puff' stuff every single day?"

Without looking up, Mokuba shot back, "It's 'Corn Pops,' and I like it." His brother shook his head in exasperation.

"I'll never understand your eating habits," he sighed as he pulled a box of Froot Loops out of the cabinet. As he poured the cereal and milk into his bowl at the counter, Mokuba finally looked up at Yami, who was still standing a bit uncomfortably in the doorway. The younger boy smiled at him.

"You're allowed to sit down, you know. Did you want anything to eat?"

The dark one's eyes darted to Seto before he pulled out a chair and sat. "Um, I don't eat. But thank you." Yami wasn't sure how much Mokuba knew about his and Seto's newly formed relationship, but if the boy's smug grins and, well, the fact that Yami was having breakfast with them, were any indication... The former pharaoh had been a little apprehensive as to how Mokuba, the only person whose opinion mattered to Seto, would react. However, the black haired boy seemed content just knowing that his brother was happy, and for this, Yami was immensely grateful.

He peeked at Kaiba out of the corner of his eye to see how he was handling the slightly awkward meal, and found the brunette eating his cereal and drinking his coffee as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Apparently he was either confident that Mokuba could accept their relationship with maturity, or expending great amounts of energy pretending Mokuba didn't have a clue.

It was the younger Kaiba who finally broke the uneasy silence. Finishing a page of his manga, he set the book down and glanced up at Yami, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Nice hair, Yami."

The spirit gave him a confused look.

"It's all..." The small boy gestured with his hands. "Poofy." Seto raised his eyes from his coffee mug to notice for the first time that the Game King's normally precisely spiked hair was in almost fluffy disarray. Yami ran a hand through his hair self-consciously. At his brother's glare, Mokuba took pity on him.

"It's okay, Yami; I've got some BEWD hair gel you can use." Kaiba shuddered at the thought of the highly undignified bottle sitting in his brother's bathroom. Yami raised an eyebrow.

"Since when do they make Duel Monsters hair gel?"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Since manufacturers discovered that people like him," he jerked a thumb at his brother, "will buy anything that has their favorite duel monster plastered on it."

Mokuba snorted. "Says the guy who owns BEWD b-"

"Shut up, Mokuba!"

The smaller boy sniggered and Yami glanced to Seto curiously. The brunette glared fiercely at his brother. "Just for that, you're not invited to come to the park."

"That's okay," Mokuba retorted flippantly, "I wouldn't want to interrupt anything, anyway." Seto's cheeks reddened and he gave the boy one last scowl.

"Come on, Yami." He grabbed the pharaoh's hand, pulling him from the kitchen, and Mokuba's laughter followed them out the door.

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Bakura watched his light slumber, small frown creasing the boy's brow. His eyes were red and puffy, as if he'd cried himself to sleep.

\\ <Who am I kidding? Of course he cried himself to sleep.> \\

It seemed Ryou cried more now than before he'd found a way to exit the ring. The yami gazed at his other with a crestfallen expression. \\ <Do I really make him that miserable?> \\ He couldn't help it. He cared for his pathetic little light, he really did, but something was missing. It was like they couldn't survive in a relationship by themselves. \\ I take advantage of his trust, his innocence, and especially his forgiving nature. Fucking hell. He lets me. When is he going to realize that he's just as strong as I am? I could best him physically, of course, but he has so much untapped millennium power, he never wants to try. He just wants... He wants... I don't know what he wants. \\ Bakura thought miserably.

\ I want you to be happy. \ Bakura jumped, startled a bit.

\\ How long have you been awake? ...And that's it? That can't be it. You must want something for yourself-no one's completely selfless! \\

Ryou sat up, pulling his bedsheets around him. "I just heard the last part. And...and you're right," he paused. "Sometimes I wish I could be happy." The tomb robber turned away, unable to look at his little angel right now.

There was a long silence before Bakura spoke.

"All you have to do is-is lose a duel for the ring. Then you can be rid of me. I won't try to stop you," he added slowly. Ryou's doe eyes went wide.

"Why would I do that??"

The snowy haired demon growled. "'Why'?" he demanded incredulously. "Go look in the mirror and see if you still wonder why!" He reached out and cupped Ryou's cheek, running his thumb gently along the silken skin below the edge of the ugly bruise around his eye.

"Why don't you ever fight back?" he asked softly, more to himself than Ryou. The boy didn't answer. He merely leaned into his dark's touch, closing his thickly lashed eyes.

"Why does everything with you have to be a fight?" The fiend tensed, narrowing his eyes.

"You know, you're a lot like that baka ka." His sonorous tone had a regretful note to it. Ryou didn't have to ask to know who he was speaking of.

"You knew Joey in your past life?" There was a very long pause.

"Yes."

"Does he know?"

"No."

"Then how can you hold him responsible for actions he doesn't remember?" Bakura growled in frustration and Ryou decided he ought to change the subject a bit. "Would you like to talk about it?" His yami sighed.

"No."

"I'm sorry," Ryou murmured, eyes downcast.

"Don't be." The pale haired boy sat slightly behind his light and placed his hands on his shoulders. "You threw the ring out the window again," he stated.

"I'm sorry," the boy repeated quietly.

\\ <He hates you. He's trying to get rid of you. You're ruining his life.> <I didn't ask to be here!! It's not my fault he's stuck with me! He is the one with the power to separate us.> \\ Gentle fingers touched his on the other's shoulder, snapping him out of his self-deprecating mental conversation.

"Will you forgive me?"

Bakura drew his hand away from his light's and began kneading his knotted muscles. At first he only stiffened more, but gradually, sensing no ill will from his fiercer half, he started to relax. The white haired yami worked his hands lower until they reached his waist. Then Bakura slid his elegant fingers up under the hem of the pale yellow pajama top, pulling it over Ryou's head and discarding it. He resumed massaging the now bare skin, a small moan escaping his hikari's lips. Bakura leaned in, pushing aside Ryou's long white locks and placing a kiss on the back of his neck. Ryou tensed.

\ <He only wants your body. He doesn't love you. He doesn't care. He only wants to have sex with you.> \ Ryou craned his neck to peer at his dark, who was resting his head against the gentler boy's shoulder, bright brown eyes looking deceptively innocent.

\ <I don't care.> \

The slightly shorter boy threw his arms around his yami and kissed him, a desperation in the way he pressed his supple body against the spirit's.

\\ <He loves Jono, not you. ...Even if he doesn't know it yet. He doesn't want you around; he's just too afraid to get rid of you. He's only trying to please you with his body, to make you happy; he doesn't want this.> \\

Bakura pulled his tongue from his light's mouth and drew back far enough to look into the other's large eyes, searching for something, anything, to refute the mean little voices in the back of his head. \\ <You're taking advantage of him. Again.> \\

Ryou shifted from his awkward twisted position so that he was on his knees, pressed to his yami who sat against the headboard. He lifted his hips very slightly, pressing them against his dark.

\\ <I don't care.> \\

Bakura crushed his mouth to his light's, taking all the boy could give. He hoisted him up so the teen could straddle his waist, not breaking the kiss. It was Ryou who finally threw his head back, gasping, silver locks shimmering in the late morning sunlight. Bakura latched his lips onto the other's chest, sucking at the delicate skin.

\\ Erm...is your father home? \\ Ryou peered down at his beautiful yami with half-lidded eyes.

\ No. On a dig. \

\\ Good. I recall you're rather vocal. \\ A small smile quirked at Ryou's lips. He leaned away to fall onto his back, bringing Bakura with him. The darker boy propped himself up on his elbows, his snowy hair hanging in a curtain around his face.

"I can't-I mean-it's-my stitches..." Bakura silenced him with a kiss. As he moved his tongue against his light's, he slid off Ryou's pajama bottoms and boxers. He pulled back to see the angelic boy was only half hard, something the tomb raider knew he must rectify.

He slid a hand down to Ryou's groin, fingers lightly encircling him. The boy let out a soft moan, and Bakura, with satisfaction, could feel him swell. He began to stroke him firmly, lips busy suckling on alternating buds of peaked flesh. Ryou trembled, his hips pressing upwards, trying to deepen the contact. Bakura moved down until his head was at his lover's waist. He dipped down, licking the inside of Ryou's thigh. The teen cried out. Slowly, deliberately, the yami trailed his hands up his koi's legs , causing the one under him to writhe and moan with anticipation. The pale spirit slipped his tongue around the tip of his other half's rod and sucked lightly. Ryou moaned and turned away, squirming, seeking an escape from the sensations too amazing to bear. He needed more; he yearned for more.

"Oh Yami! Oh, please!" His throaty cries stirred dark feelings in the white haired fiend. He lowered his mouth on his other, increasing his suction. He drew the length as far as he could, comfortably, and then let it slide out again, teeth grazing the sensitive flesh. Ryou clutched the bedsheets, his knuckles turning as white as his unruly hair.

Bakura moved Ryou's erection in and out of his mouth, again and again, until he had the boy screaming beneath him. Ryou had never experienced anything so incredible and he knew: This is what he wanted, what he needed. The escape, the joy, the pain, the dirty pleasure that drove everything from his mind but his love for his dark. And when there was nothing but the throbbing elation his yami was creating, he could pretend that he was loved in return.

Tears in his eyes and ache in his abdomen, Ryou curled his fingers in his other half's lush hair, riding the ecstasy he knew wouldn't last, but craved anyway.

Bakura could feel the flickering emotions roiling through his light, but he couldn't quite identify any of them. Ryou wasn't wearing the ring, and his own focus was so aptly distracted, preventing him from pinpointing their exact nature, but, heart plummeting with the realization, Bakura could tell they weren't all pleasurable. He could feel pain.

\\ Ryou! \\

Heavy breathing, low moans.

\\ Ryou! \\ Bakura growled at the boy for not paying attention to him, for being lost in his own world right now. The vibrations around him caused Ryou to shriek.

\\ Damn it, aibou, say my name!! \\

\ Ba-Bakura...? \ came the confused reply. Bakura sucked harder.

\\ No, out loud. Scream the name of the one who gives you this pleasure! \\

"BA-!" He broke off, groaning, as his yami deep throated him.

\\ <Scream the name of the one you love.> \\

"KURA!!" he finished, orgasming, white hands clutched painfully in downy hair. Bakura swallowed all his light gave forth, tears welling in his own eyes at the all-too familiar name his gentler half had cried out.

'Kura.' No one had called him "Kura" in a long, long time. He disentangled Ryou's hands from his hair and sat up, taking a deep, ragged breath. He looked down at his sweet hikari, laying there limply before him, smooth chest heaving, sweat glistening on his pale skin, and his own long white locks splayed ethereally around his delicate face. The sunlight that filtered in through the window caused Ryou to almost glow in its rays.

\\ <He is truly beautiful.> \\

Silence filled the room for a moment, as Ryou caught his breath and Bakura merely watched him. Then the phone rang. Making a noise of frustration, Ryou rolled off his bed onto his feet and quickly crossed the room on shaky legs.

"Hello? ...Um, sure." Ryou glanced over at his yami, who had lain down on the mattress with his back to him. "Okay...uh-huh...okay... We'll be there... Goodbye." Ryou hung up the phone. "Yugi just invited us to the park..." he trailed off. He walked back over to the bed. "I said we'd come." He climbed onto the mattress. Bakura said nothing. Ryou slid a hand over his dark's hip. The more aggressive boy turned to him, the fact that he was still quite aroused evident through his jeans.

Without making eye contact with him, Ryou slowly undid the fastens of the jeans and freed his lover's erection. He laid down next to his yami, gentle hand firmly stroking him. Bakura hissed.

"Harder."

Ryou obediently applied more pressure, increasing the speed of his hand as well. He regarded his other half quietly, seeing a torrent of emotions crossing over his usually guarded features. Bakura wrapped an arm around Ryou, holding his naked body close to him as he panted, eyes clenched shut.

"Harder," he ordered. Caught between fear of hurting his dark and fear of angering him, Ryou stroked harder. Bakura choked back a cry, bucking his hips. It only took a moment more and Ryou was momentarily surprised to feel something soft cover his hand before Bakura released, gasping. Ryou looked down, raising an eyebrow. Bakura had used his pajama top to catch his seed. Ryou grimaced.

"What?" The former tomb robber sat up, grinning. "I saved you the trouble of cleaning up." He tossed the soiled shirt at Ryou who caught it, slight frown on his face.

"Uh, thanks," he remarked dryly. He used it to wipe the remainder of his other's orgasm off his hand before throwing it in the hamper.

"I'm going to go-" He turned to see Bakura had already returned to the ring. "-take a shower now." He sighed. How much longer could things go on like this?

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"You want to what??"

"Give da eye ta Kaiba," Joey repeated. Yugi had arrived at the park to find Joey already waiting for him on the swings. He'd sat down next to his blonde friend, and Joey had lost no time in getting to the point.

His eyes darted from his feet to meet Yugi's nervously. "D'ya-d'ya think he'll take it?"

The tri-color haired boy's brow furrowed the slightest bit. "Um, I don't know, you'd have to ask him yourself. But why, Joey?"

The other teen dropped his gaze to his feet again, scuffing his toe in the dirt beneath his swing. The corner of his mouth turned up in a self-deprecating grin. "Bakura."

Yugi immediately ceased the gentle rocking of his own swing. "What?!" He reached out and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, amethyst eyes wide with concern. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

A quick, humorless laugh escaped the blonde's lips. "He didn' try ta cut me up, if that's what ya mean." Joey self-consciously tugged the collar of his jacket closer around his neck.

The smaller teen watched the other, distressed. He had a feeling Joey wasn't being completely honest with him; there was an underlying current of pain in the boy's voice. And he had caused it! If only he hadn't made Joey hold onto the millennium eye... He should have just kept it himself, at least he had Yami to protect him, if need be. Yugi made a little sad face.

"Here, Joey," he said, holding out his hand. "I'm pretty sure I can convince Seto to put the eye some place where Yami Bakura can't get to it."

The blonde fished the item out of his coat pocket to drop it into his friend's waiting hand with a downcast expression. "I'm real sorry, Yuug, I know you were countin' on me, an'-" Yugi cut him off with a shake of his head.

"Don't be, Joey. I would never want to put a friend in danger."

Joey gave him a small smile. "So I guess you 'n Kaiba are pretty good friends now, huh?"

\ <Well, I suppose my best friend is going to find out sooner or later...> \ His petite friend blushed slightly. "A little...a little more than friends."

Joey was silent for a moment. "What...do you mean?" he asked carefully, not wanting to jump to any frightening conclusions.

"Well, um, Yami and I and Seto are kind of all dating each other."

"WHAT?!" Joey freaked out. "Since when have you guys been dating?!" Joey placed his hand on Yugi's forehead. "You don' feel warm-Is Kaiba payin' you?"

Yugi smacked Joey's hand away. "No!" he huffed indignantly.

"Waidaminute-" Joey scratched the back of his head with a look of confusion. "You and Yami? How does that even work?"

Yugi shrugged. "Well, yamis and their hikaris are like a package deal. We both fell in love with Seto, and I'm pretty sure he loves both of us." (A/N: Awwww! So kawaii!)

Joey frowned, thinking about that whole "yami/hikari package" idea. He wasn't sure whether to be enthralled or scared by the prospect of Ryou and Bakura... He had to give Kaiba credit; it must have taken a lot of guts to ask out two guys, much less guys at all. If he didn't hate the creep so much, he'd be tempted to ask him for pointers.

"But Kaiba's always been such a jerk to us. You sure you know what you're doin'? I don't want you or Yami gettin' hurt, buddy."

Yugi was quiet, thinking about this seriously for a moment. He looked up at Joey with large amethyst eyes. "I trust Seto," he said firmly.

The blonde gave his friend a skeptical look. "Well...as long as treats you right, I suppose I won't have ta kick his ass."

Yugi shook his head, laughing. "Um, could we maybe keep this between us, Joey? I don't think the rest of the gang's quite ready to find out about us and Seto."

The other teen rolled his eyes. "I don't know if I was ready to hear that!" He then grinned widely at his friend. "But no problem, Yuug."

Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of Téa and Honda. The brunette girl flashed the two on the swings a bright smile.

"Hey, guys! What's up?"

"Hi Téa, hi Honda," Yugi replied, somewhat tiredly. Joey offered only a weak smile.

"So," Honda asked, glancing around, "Where's Yami? We wanted to find out how his duel with Kaiba went."

Yugi sweatdropped. "I, uhhh..." Just then, he saw Yami and Seto come through the trees towards the group, holding hands. "There he is!" he pointed, relieved that he wouldn't have to come up with another lame excuse. As everyone turned to face the new arrivals, the brunette quickly dropped Yami's hand, shoving his own into his pockets.

"So, Yami," Joey called out, eager for the chance to mess with his friend. "Di'ja win?" The former pharaoh grinned slightly.

"Of course," he retorted smugly. Seto blinked in surprise before glaring at Yami, but couldn't say anything.

"Ha ha," Joey crowed, grinning slying, " I knew Yami'd come out on top!" Said spikey haired boy suddenly experienced a brief coughing fit.

Taking an uncharacteristically complacent attitude, the young billionaire merely raised an eyebrow. Honda glanced up quickly as a thought suddenly occurred to him. He scratched his head in confusion.

"Wait a minute, you gave your deck to Yugi yesterday, remember? So how did you duel without your cards?" Yugi abruptly fell out of his swing, and all eyes turned on the taller of the multi color haired teens.

\ Let's see you get yourself out of this one, Yami. \ The dark one blinked, momentarily taken aback by the snideness of his hikari's mental voice. Yugi was never snide.

"I let him construct an identical deck from my extra cards," Kaiba interrupted smoothly.

"Oh." Honda seemed to accept this explanation. Joey, on the other hand, was still looking to cause trouble. He gave the appearance of being deep in thought.

"Hey, but wouldn't-Ow!" Yugi, from his spot in the sand, pinched Joey hard on the back of the leg.

"Hi everyone!" Yami thanked every god he knew of that Mai had chosen that instant to make her appearance.

"Mai," he greeted her, trying not to sound too relieved. The blonde girl smiled, then held her hands behind her back, looking off to the side.

"Joey? Could I talk to you alone for a minute?" The teen glanced up at her, slightly surprised.

"Uh, okay..." He got up from his swing to follow her away from the group. As he watched them walk off, Honda had a leer on his face and was starting to open his mouth when Téa stopped him short with an elbow to the gut. She frowned at him disapprovingly.

"Don't even think about saying whatever it was you were going to say," she warned him.

Yami's eyes darted nervously to Yugi, who was still on the ground. "Aibou, can Seto and I talk to you?"

Avoiding his gaze, the smaller boy picked himself up and brushed off his pants. \ Frankly, Yami, I'm really not in the mood to talk to you right now. \ he answered coolly. He sat back on the swing and pushed himself despondently with his toes in the dirt. The dark one looked as if he'd been slapped.

\\ A-aibou- \\ Seto saw the unshed tears in Yami's eyes and felt his heart wrench. He wasn't sure what was going on between the two, but he had the sinking feeling that it was his fault.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Yugi sighed wearily. "Okay, I'm coming." He started to stand when Téa placed a hand on his arm.

"Yugi, could I talk to you for a second, first?" He sat back down.

"Sure, Téa. I'll be there in a minute, Yami," he said, effectively dismissing his other half. The former pharaoh nodded quietly before turning to walk off toward the trees. Seto's eyes flickered from Yugi to Yami and back. Biting his lip, he chased after the taller of his two loves.

The three remaining teens were silent before Téa glared pointedly at Honda.

"What?"

"Could you give us a little privacy?" she demanded, exasperated. The brunette boy frowned.

"And what am I supposed t-" He broke off as the sound of bells playing 'Pop Goes the Weasel' reached them. "Ice cream truck!" He suddenly took off running. Téa sweatdropped.

"Right... Anyway, I-I wanted to ask you," Téa paused, choosing her words carefully. "You and your other half, Yami, are 'seeing'," she made little finger quotes while smirking, "each other?" Yugi's cheeks tinged slightly pink and he smiled, despite his foul mood.

"Yes."

"And both of you are 'seeing' Seto Kaiba?"

There was nothing slight about the pink on his cheeks now. "Uh..." Téa looked at him expectantly. He swallowed, hoping Yami and Seto wouldn't mind his discussing this with her. Well, he'd already told Joey. "Yes." Téa giggled.

"I knew it! Well, as long as you're happy, Yugi; I'm happy for you!" she beamed at her friend. A wide grin spread over his face, Téa's encouraging words dissipating the last of his bad temper.

"Thanks, Téa. You don't know how much it means to me to hear you say that." They hugged.

"Does this mean no more waiting in line at Kaiba Land?" Téa joked. Yugi laughed.

"Don't count on it; it's still Kaiba!" Yugi bit his lower lip apprehensively as his violet eyes darted off in the direction his two boyfriends had departed. "I hope they're not mad at me-I was pretty rude a minute ago." Téa shrugged. "I'd better apologize." With a last wave at Téa, Yugi trotted off, heading towards the wooded area of the park where the two taller boys awaited him. He'd hardly gone ten feet, however, when he heard his friend's voice, sounding edgy.

"Uh, heh, hi."

"Come on, pretty girl-wouldn't you like to go for a walk?"

"Hmm, uh-NO."

Yugi turned to see a large, shady looking character in matching sweats leering at his brunette friend.

"Wrong answer, sweetie!" The man grabbed Téa's arm roughly.

"Unhand her!" Yugi commanded. Ignoring him, the man proceeded to drag Téa towards the trees, cursing as she pummeled him repeatedly with her free arm.

"Let-go-you-creep!"

Yugi ran to her aide, kicking the big thug hard on the shin. Téa used the distraction to knee the man in the groin. He let her go instantly, doubling over. Téa flew backwards a few steps and smacked into a tree.

"Ow!" she cried, falling over, clutching her head. The sweatpants-wearing jerk was through playing games. Still bent over gasping some, he yanked Yugi off his feet with one arm and whipped out a knife, pressing the cold blade to the tri-color haired boy's pale throat.

\ YAMI!!! \

~*~*~*~

Some distance away, Yami stumbled and gasped at the intense force his light used to scream at him through their link. Seto's arms shot out to steady the smaller boy.

"What is it?" Téa's scream was heard from across the park.

"HELP!!!!"

Seto and Yami took off at a full sprint in the direction of the shriek.

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Having led Joey to a secluded bench, Mai gestured for him to sit down. When he had done so, she placed a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes sympathetically.

"Now, Joey, I know we've kind of had a 'thing' going on between us these past few days, and you're definitely cute, but I don't know if you're exactly...boyfriend material."

The blonde teen stared at her blankly. <Huh?>

Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she continued. "I mean, you're a little immature for me, and I'm looking for a man who can keep up with my lifestyle, and, well..." Her expression softened. "I guess what I'm trying to say is-I've met someone." Mai pursed her lips, waiting for his reaction. The blank look remained as Joey wondered what the hell she was talking about.

"...Aaaand?"

Mai shook her head to herself. <Poor boy must be in shock.> "Oh, Joey!" she cried, throwing her arms around him. "We can still be friends, right?"

The blonde's eyes widened and he patted her back uncomfortably. "Uh, o'course, Mai." She pulled back with a sad smile.

"So you're not upset?"

Joey blinked. "Oh. Ohhhh. Uh, gee, Mai, don' worry 'bout me, I'm sure my heart'll mend." He gave a put on sigh. "Eventually."

She touched the side of his face tenderly. "I'm sure you'll find someone, Joey; someone more right for you than me." Joey didn't quite know what to say to that.

<I thought I really liked Mai, yet now all I feel is relieved.> "So, ah, who's da lucky guy?" Mai beamed.

"His name is Ryouji-"

"Woman," a haughty voice called from across the park. "I don't have all day, you know." Otogi fingered his earring made from a die. "I'm scheduled for a hair appointment in 45 minutes."

Mai straightened and shot a glare in the black haired teen's direction. "I'm coming, you pig!" She turned back to Joey with a dreamy look in her eyes. "That's him. Isn't he just too perfect?" He peered around her to see 'Ryouji' tapping his foot impatiently, arms crossed and what looked like a very bored expression on his face, though it was kind of hard to tell from so far away. Joey raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Uh, if you say so."

Mai swooped down and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm glad we had this talk. You know we're still great friends, right?"

The sound of someone loudly clearing his throat came from Otogi's direction. Mai whirled around.

"I said 'wait', and you can just 'wait', got it?!" She faced the blonde teen once more. "Bye Joey!" she told him before making her way to Otogi's side, hands on her hips. Joey could just make out the words "complete lack of manners" and "no way to treat a lady."

Watching the two walk away, Joey had to admit that he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The millennium eye was no longer his problem; he'd avoided an embarrassing conversation with Mai about why he "suddenly" wasn't interested in her...he was in clear now, right?

As if to prove the gods were mocking him, at that moment he spotted Ryou walking towards him. At least he hoped it was Ryou. Joey held his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"Ya c'n tell yer yami right now that I don' have the eye anymore, so he c'n just leave me alone!"

The white haired boy stepped directly in front of him and gazed into his eyes with a pained expression before hanging his head in shame.

"I-I know what happened last night. My yami told me," Ryou admitted quietly.

The taller teen winced. Here it came-Ryou was going to get upset with him for what he'd almost done, and tell him to stay away from him. He had every right to. Ryou probably wouldn't get mad, per say, as it wasn't in his nature, but he would forever look at him with disgust. If at all. And the worst part was, now that he was finally willing to admit to himself that he might actually have deeper feelings for Ryou, he'd gone and destroyed any chance he may have had with the snowy haired boy before it even started. Joey stared down at his hands fisted in his lap, cursing himself with every foul word he knew.

Ryou, in turn, stared down at his own shoes. He sighed softly. "I am so sorry, Joey. This is all my fault. If I'd been able to control him-"

The blonde's head snapped up. Ryou was blaming himself??

"-I should have stopped him. If only I weren't so weak..." Joey's hand darted out to snatch Ryou's wrist and tug him down onto the bench beside him.

"No, Ryou, don' ever say that. It's not true." He hazarded a glance up at the brown eyed boy and was instantly drawn into those chocolate depths. "I'm th' one who should be apologizin'. I should've-it's not my place ta-" He dropped his eyes in shame, unable to stand the trust and innocence in the other teen's face. Trust and innocence that he betrayed.

Ryou timidly placed a hand over Joey's. The blonde reluctantly dragged his eyes up to see a soft smile on Ryou's face.

"It's not your fault, either, Joey. I don't really think it was anyone's fault." He sighed. "Not even Bakura's." Joey opened his mouth to protest, but the platinum haired boy stopped him with a shake of his head. "I don't think even he knows why he does some of the things he does. For what it's worth, I don't think he intended for things to go quite like they did." Joey flushed slightly, but managed not to look away. <Ryou seems to think Bakura's got some redeeming qualities...maybe...> He shook his head, dismissing any notions he'd been getting about a "package" deal. <Bakura hates me, for some reason.> He knew the vicious yami was only interested in torturing him with mind games. And Ryou... He wasn't sure where he stood with Ryou. How anyone could gain both boys' affections seemed beyond him.

The shorter teen moved to take his hand away, but Joey kept it there by laying his other on top of it. "Um, I do want to apologize for-for…" <How am I supposed to word this??> "That Bakura-I mean, I know you don't like-in that way-That you're straight! And the way my yami <Harassed. Tortured. Molested.> bothered you..." \ <He hates you. Both of you. Why shouldn't he?> \ Ryou forcibly drew back his hand and turned away, snowy locks falling over his face, hiding his treacherously wet eyes, but not his scarlet cheeks.

"Ryou... You're wrong." Joey bit his lip. " I-I do li-"

"HELP!!!"

Ryou's head whipped around and his eyes widened. "That sounded like Téa!" The blonde jumped to his feet.

"I gotta go help 'er!" The smaller boy started to stand as well.

"I'm coming with you."

"No!" Joey protested forcefully. Ryou was taken aback. "You stay here, Ryou."

"But-"

"Stay. Here! Please! I'll be right back." Before Ryou could argue further, he had taken off in the direction of the shout.

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Soli: Mini cliff-hanger. We had a better one, but this chapter was getting long, so it got delegated to the next chapter.

Xpyne: ::in a voice like the guy at the end of Pokémon:: What will happen to Yu-chan, Téa, and the sweat-panted mugger? Will Yugi stay mad at Yami? Will Bakura continue to be a meanie? Will Ryou stay behind?

Ryou: Will Joey just freakin' admit his feelings already??

Xpyne: Tune in next week--::sees warning look from Soli::--um, more likely next month for the answers, and more! And for the first time ever, appearing all the way in chapter 9, is ::dramatic music:: our PLOT!!

Soli: ::scratches head:: We had a plot?

Xpyne: Yes! You know, that thing I told you was gonna happen when we started this story, that would make this more than pointless smut?

Soli: ::thinks hard:: Yeah, vaguely...

Yugi: Well it's all coming together soon, and in a couple of chapters, the title might start making sense to our readers.

Yami: I'd been wondering about that. "Return of the Demon"?

Xpyne: Yami, you dumbass, I explained the plot to you weeks ago!

Yami: -_-` ::pretends now he knows what she's talking about (but still doesn't):: Oh, right, the plot. ::to Soli:: It involves more lemon, right?

Soli: ::whispers:: Of course. ::evilly:: And some Yami-torture, too.

Yami: O___O ::mutters:: I knew I should have been paying attention to Xpyne and not her 'Notebook of Hentai' drawings...

Joey: ::mumbles:: None of which I'm in.

Xpyne: ::looks up from current hentai picture of Yugi ****ing Yami:: Oh, what, now you want to be gay?

Soli: ::gives Joey a predatory look:: Why Jou-kun, I never knew...I think I can do something about that. Well, the set-up, anyway.

Xpyne: ::thoughfully:: Perhaps it's time I tried drawing pairs beyond Y/Y/S. Any suggestions, Joey?

Joey: ::blushes furiously:: B/R/J?

Soli: Ooh! Do one of him and Ryou cuddling on the couch watching a movie and eating popcorn! ^_^

Bakura: You're an idiot. You have the talented artists Xpyne and Dai-onna willing to draw you whatever you want, and you pick "cuddling"?! I think I'm going to have to have a talk with Xpyne myself.

Soli: ::glares at Bakura:: Oh yeah, Baku-chan? Okay, Xpyne, I want a picture of Bakura tied up, with Joey ****ing him, hard, and Ryou looking on with an expression like, "I'm going to allow this."

Xpyne: ::cracks up:: Okay. Uh, by Christmas, Soli will have a scanner, and I'll be happy to share my perverted artwork with everyone then. ::hands length of rope to Joey::

Joey: ::evil look on face:: Oh Bakura...

Bakura: O_o

Soli: ............He certainly got over his denial quickly.

Ryou: 'Bout time.

Soli: Anyway, if you had any doubts as to Xpyne's insanity, here's something to clear that up for you...

Yugi: This is a brief play Xpy-chan wrote for no apparent reason when Soli left the room for two minutes. She came back, and there was Xpyne's "masterpiece." Soli has decided to share it with the world-

Soli: For the sole purpose of hoping to embarrass Xpyne.

Xpyne: Sorry. That's not possible. I have no shame.

Seto: ::taking a peek at the "Notebook" and Xpyne's latest picuture:: I'll say... ::eyes get a glazed over look and drool pools at the corner of his mouth::

Yami: ::snatches away the precious notebook:: Don't drool on the hentai!

Yugi: Um, anyway, here's the "masterpiece."

YUGI: Sexy lady! Sex-y la-deeeeeee!!!! Ooh, ooh, yeah!!!

SETO: ::covering ears:: Make him stop!! Make it stoooooooooooooop!!

YAMI: I-I'M TRYING!! ::attempts to cover offensive off-tune mouth::

YUGI: Mmf! mamhhf!! LAAAAAAAAAAAA-DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! OOPHOOHOh!! Sexy!!

SETO: Ahhhh!!!!---- ::falls over and dies::

YAMI: Seto!! Nooooo!! ::falls over::

YUGI: Who's that laaady--?? ::notices bodies:: Uh, guys? Are you okay? ::leans over their prone bodies::

YAMI: Yu-yugi..?

YUGI: Yes, yami?

YAMI: sh-sh-sh--::appears to die::

YUGI:……………????????

YAMI: SHUT UP!!!

YUGI: Ahh!! ::falls over and dies::

YAM: Ra damn it. ::dies as well::

~fin~

Soli: -_-```

Bakura: What the fuck was that?! ::looks at Xpyne with a new appreciation for her insanity, which rivals his own::

Xpyne: ::shrugs:: These things just come to me.

Yugi: I take offense to being portrayed as tone-deaf.

Yami: That's all you're taking offense to? I take offense at being called "Yam."

Soli: Nah, that's just Xpyne's "excellent" typing skills. Which she got a chance to try out again when we switched roles for half an hour. She did the typing while I sat on her bed and tried to draw something. Opperative word being "tried."

Seto: It kinda looks like me.

Yugi: I like it.

Soli: ::sniffs:: You guys are so sweet. ::grabs them::

Yugi and Seto: *_* Can't...breathe...

Xpyne: Right. Well. Since it took me half an hour to type a paragraph, and just as long for Soli to draw a head-

Soli: ::giggles sheepishly::

Xpyne: I don't think there's any danger of us permanently switching roles. Review, people! We're so depressed at our lack of reviews. Review review review! Oh and if anyone actually likes my masterpiece-

Soli: Yeah right.

Xpyne: --say so in your review, and perhaps I'll create a few more to throw on the ends of chapters. ^_^ Ja ne!