Previously..

It was then that Dawn noticed something about Yami Bakura. He was really a very good listener, as he hadn't interrupted her story unless it was to ask some questions that were related to it.

Quite nice of him, too, she thought, and then smiled to herself.

"What happened to Glory?" Yami Bakura asked after a moment.

Smiling still, Dawn replied, "Well, it turns out that she was sharing a body with this guy named Ben Wilkinson. Because he was human, Buffy spared his life. She told him to warn Glory not to come near her and her family again. Quickly afterwards, Ben was suffocated to death by Giles, who considered Ben an innocent for the most part, but was determined to prevent Glory from ever returning." She looked down, on the verge of tears. "Giles was successful, for Glory never returned."

"Oh, Dawn," said Yami Bakura as he took Dawn into his arms and gave her a hug, "it's going to be OK. It can be tough, but don't worry. I'm right here, and I will help out you, Buffy and the rest of the Scoobies."

Dawn smiled tearfully. "Thanks, Yami Bakura. That means a lot to me, too."

"You're welcome, Dawn," Yami Bakura replied.

****************************************

They used to call me lightning
I was always quick to strike
Had everything I own
In the saddles on my bike
I had a reputation
For never staying very long
Just like a wild and restless drifter
Like a cowboy in a song

I met a dark-haired beauty
Where they lay the whiskey down
In southern Arizona
In a little border town
She had to dance for money
In that dusty old saloon
I dropped a dollar in the jukebox
Played that girl a tune, yeah

Never see it comin'
It just hits you by surprise
It's that cold place in your soul
And the fire in her eyes
That makes you come together
Like wild horses when they run
Now the cards are on the table and
The bullets in the gun

~Toby Keith, Bullets in the Gun

Emerald eyes sparkled as Buffy rose from her bed, stretched and yawned. Smiling, she sat where she was for a few moments, while the previous night's memories soon came back to her — which, in this case, was a good thing.

Apparently, her chat with Yami Bakura sure had worked wonders — especially for her. She had a feeling that with Yami Bakura around, things would be kind of different (but hopefully in a good way).

With that, Buffy then got out of bed and went about her usual morning routine. After preparing some breakfast (which consisted of a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios and a glass of ice water), she sat down to eat. As soon as she put her empty bowl and glass in the sink, Buffy pulled out her diary and opened it to a clean page. Picking up a pink pen, she began to write:

November 1, 2001

I can't believe it. My little sister Dawn isn't exactly little anymore — at least not in the physical sense, and especially where the male gender is concerned either. But it is true — things change, and I've learned that the hard way more than once. Dawn is growing up, and that is the way it's supposed to be; she's beautiful, and I can sense that in time, she will become a strong woman someday.

She even has a significant other. His name is Yami Bakura, and he has brown eyes and white, spiky hair. The way I see it, he's been quite a neat guy ever since the first time I found him fighting against a pack of vampires. However, I have to say, I was impressed when I saw him using some of the same martial arts maneuvers that were kind of similar to the ones I myself use when it comes to the battles against vampires.

Of course, he is an enigma — even to me, my Watcher Rupert Giles and the other Scoobies. I think I will ask him about that golden ring-like necklace with the matching pointy spikes he wears around his neck the next time I see him. But I will do my best to be as nice as possible when doing so — especially for Dawn's sake.

Closing her diary, she looked out the window and smiled when she saw how lovely it looked outside. With that, she decided she would go for a walk in order to get some fresh air and clear her head; secretly, she also wanted to give Dawn some much-needed privacy. After all, as Buffy well knew, the saying of "No girl's privacy should be invaded" was definitely a good one, as well as one that Buffy intended to take to heart.