Baku, Ra, to Ringu: UnCut

They found Malik's FXDB Daytona right where he'd left it, outside the boutique in Tokyo. The cab driver didn't ask for money-- He recognized Malik from the telecast of the car chase, and couldn't drive off fast enough.

There were people milling about as if nothing had happened. Malik was displeased.

Stupid people. Can't they just go away? Approaching his beloved motorcycle, he managed to cheer up.

"See? I told you it'd be here." He straddled it and smiled at Jouno. "I remember seeing a motorcycle for the first time as a little kid in Egypt..." He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. Jouno climbed on and wrapped his arms around his partner, and they disembarked.

o o o

Bakura rewound to the first shot of the girl and paused, then turned to Kaiba. "Tell us everything you know about this girl."

Kaiba arched an eyebrow. "I don't have time for this. I'm going after Wheeler." He stalked to the door. "Get out, and take that worthless tape with you."

They went after him. Yugi jumped in Kaiba's path. "Please, Kaiba, we have to work together."

Kaiba grabbed the front of Yugi's shirt and tossed him aside. No sooner had he rid himself of Yugi than Bakura, Fluffy, KSan, and Hiro were surrounding him.

Bakura got right in his face. "You know more than you're letting on, Priest. Stop wasting my time."

o o o

Malik turned his motorcycle off, then he and Jouno climbed off and walked it inside, so the roar of its engine wouldn't echo off of the concrete walls. Malik found the secret lever that opened the door, and they went into the main lobby of the Tetra.

The hotel manager, an elegant older woman, greeted Malik warmly, recognizing him as a guest. She then took notice of Jouno. "And this is...?"

Malik drew Jouno close and they stood cheek to cheek, smiling at her. "This is the other half of me."

"Ah." She smiled and nodded. "Is there anything you'll be needing this evening?"

Jouno piped in, "I could go for something to eat."

"Later."

"But I'm so hungry. I think it's this body..."

Malik dragged Jouno off towards the elevators. "We'll be fine, we'd just like to not be disturbed, if that's alright."

"Yes, Sir."

Once they were alone in the elevator, Malik glared at Jouno.

The blonde puppy wilted. "Sorry..."

A smile broke out on Malik's face. "I'm just messing with you. It's okay." He gathered Jouno in his arms. "Besides, we're all we've got. We shouldn't fight."

Jouno closed his eyes and leaned into Malik's embrace.

They were quiet, each basking in the sheer euphoria of having a warm body near.

Jouno's hand found the bare skin between Malik's waistband and midi, and his palm ran in lazy circles over the grooves. Malik sighed and held Jouno a little tighter, kissing softly along his neck and jawline. He kissed a trail to Jouno's lips and took the lower one, sucking on it. Jouno kissed him back, running his tongue along Malik's lip, tilting his head and delving in to a deep, hot french kiss. Malik arched his body, curling against Jouno as he gripped handfuls of Jouno's trenchcoat.

"Mmh."

Realizing what they were doing, Malik broke the kiss and shoved Jouno away. They stared at each other with wide eyes for a seemingly endless time.

The elevator's doors opened, and they left it. They went into a quiet alcove to talk.

"I'm sorry," said Malik. "I shouldn't have done that."

Jouno had lifted his arms and clasped hands behind his head. "Why not? Was it not good?"

"It's not that. But... Didn't you... I mean, technically, we're the same person. Doesn't that bother you?"

"I haven't given much thought to who we really are. It tends to confuse." He closed in and took Malik's hand, interlacing their fingers. "I'm me, and you're you. If these bodies are attracted to each other..."

Malik met Jouno's gaze. "I suppose it's no stranger than Malik having a relationship with Fluffy."

Smiling, Jouno moved closer, leaning in for a kiss. Malik accepted him.

o o o

All that could be heard was the click, tap of Eiri Yuki's laptop computer. He had a deadline for his new book. Since ShuChan wasn't there to distract him, the work was going smoothly. The ashen tip of the cigarette in his mouth glowed as he took a drag. He stopped typing long enough to tap away excess ashes in the tray on the couch cushion beside him, his eyes scanning the paragraph he'd just typed.

He didn't take notice of Ayaka, who was sitting on the opposite couch, watching him.

Their families had arranged for Ayaka to wed Yuki, but Yuki had rejected her, choosing to be with Shuichi. Some time after that, she'd begun to date ShuChan's best friend Hiro, hoping to forget her love for Eiri.

The love has finally begun to dull... but a certain sadness remains. I'll always have feelings for you, Eiri, just as Hiro will always love Shindo San.

The only indication of her thoughts was a small crease at her widow's peak.

There was a knock at the door, and Ayaka stood up. "I'll answer it."

She opened the door to Malik and Jouno.

Malik smirked. "Forgot my card key."

She was about to step aside and let Malik and his friend in, when Jouno's arm flew out and snatched Ayaka's wrist. He pulled her out and threw her against the opposite wall with sufficient force to knock her unconscious. They went into the suite and locked the door.

Going into the livingroom, they intercepted Eiri, who'd been running to see what the loud noise had been. He froze when he saw Malik and Jouno, the cold, cruel smiles on their faces.

Jouno looked Eiri over, not hiding the lust in his eyes. "Let's play with him, first."

"You read my mind." Malik licked his lips.

o o o

He was cornered and he knew it.

Letting a long breath out through his nose, Kaiba's shoulders lowered as he went slack.

Yugi tried to sound nonconfrontational, even though they were circling him in case he tried to run. Holding the piece of cardstock for him to see, he asked, "Kaiba... Do you know what happened to this girl?"

Kaiba didn't need to answer. Regret was etched upon his face as he turned away from the photograph.

"It doesn't matter who she is..."

Everyone waited for him to continue.

Instead of saying any more, he threw himself backwards, breaking away from the group, and, bursting out into the hall, disappeared.