(Sorry it took so long! To be completely honest, I forgot about this story for a while because I've been so busy with my life and my Black Butler stories. I want to continue this story, but I need to actually come up with a plan for it, otherwise it'll be in for a major rewrite. I don't know when I'll have another chapter ready, but please be patient with me. I'm doing the best I can, and unfortunately I've just been having more fun writing other stories lately. I do not intend to forget about this one again, considering I'm going to see about actually writing out a plan for the rest of it. As you can probably tell when you read this chapter, I'm trying to set up for what has been causing me so many issues (assuming you've watched the Battle City arc. If you haven't, I'm not entirely sure why you're here). 

Sorry for the long message. In short, I just want you to know I'm not giving up, and please be patient while I try to plan out my story and get it written. Thank you, and I sincerely hope you enjoy.)

I dashed away from Yugi a moment later, hoping to get as far away from him as I could. After running for several minutes, I came to a stop, trying to catch my breath.

Not ten seconds later, Ally was standing beside me, panting harder than I was. "Wow! You're fast, Aria! Have you ever thought about joining the track team?"

I ignored her question and stood, scanning the area for my next victim. There didn't seem to be many duelists around, but I did see something that made me have to suppress a smile.

Bakura was in the shadows, watching me.

I quickly looked away, not wanting anyone to catch me staring. Had he seen my last duel? Or how I'd blown up at Yugi? I really wanted to talk to him, but I knew I couldn't. Not yet. Even if Yugi was planning to leave me alone for a while, that didn't mean he and his friends were going to stop watching me.

I turned back to Ally, trying my best to make my expression sadden. "I'm sorry, Ally, but that duel really took it out of me. I'm going to take a break for a little while. Why don't you go scout out the competition for me and I'll see what you've gathered later?"

Ally gave a small smile and nodded, clearly happy to be useful in some way. It made me feel guilty. I was just trying to get her to leave me alone for a little while so I could possibly slip away and talk to Bakura, but this was also a good task for her. If she was watching Yugi and his friends, she'd be able to tell me if they were in turn watching me.

My heart only wanted to help Bakura. I didn't care what any of them said. If he was evil, then I guess that made me so as well.

*

After Ally vanished, I carefully surveyed my surroundings before dashing into the shadows. Bakura was quickly beside me.

"You're doing well," he observed.

I smiled. "Thanks. I had a good teacher."

He smirked, then turned his gaze back out to the city streets. "I have something I need to tell you, and I'm not quite sure if you'll like it or not."

My smile fell as a look of confusion crossed my face. "What is it?"

"Do you remember that day Yugi was caught in that fire?"

I nodded, then gasped. "You didn't-"

"Of course not!" Bakura aggressively informed me. "My ring pointed me in the direction of the puzzle, and I happened across him. Anyway, the important part of this is, the Puzzle was somehow broken in the process of whatever had happened there, and I was able to take a piece and infuse a part of myself into it."

I stood silently for a moment, letting the information sink in. "So you're saying a part of you is in Yugi's puzzle?"

Bakura nodded.

"Okay... I'm not upset or anything by that, but is there any particular reason you're telling me this?"

He shrugged. "I just thought you should know. If something happens to force me out of this body, I'll most likely end up residing in the puzzle until I can find a way back."

I stared at him, even more confused. "What could be strong enough to force you out?"

"Most likely another Millenium Item," he answered, looking down at his own. "And I suspect we'll encounter another one very soon."

"Really?" I asked, getting excited. "When? Do you think we can win it?"

Bakura gave me a look that said I was being entirely too loud. I closed my mouth, smile dropping, and looked at the ground before whispering, "Sorry."

He hesitantly reached out a hand and lifted my chin. "I cannot say for sure if we can obtain it right now. I have yet to figure out which item is approaching, but my ring can feel it." He lowered his hand from my chin, turning his head away to look back out at the busy streets filled with duelists. "You'll know more when I do, I can promise you that."

I smiled at him again. "That's all I need."

He glanced back up at me, and I could almost see a small smile on his face. He quickly turned away again. "Go on back out there, or maybe go get some lunch. I have to go do some more digging for this item. I'll come find you later when I have more information."

My heart fell when I realized I was going to be dueling on my own, without his support, but I knew he had to do what he had to do. We were in this together. Too bad my main goal at the moment was making sure Yugi and his friends didn't think we were. Except I'd kinda blown up at Yugi, so...

"You're doing well," Bakura told me again. "I cannot continue to watch you, but you have my support nonetheless."

Looking up at him, I saw he was once again staring at me, not hiding his face in the shadows of his hair. He meant what he said, and he wanted to make sure I knew it.

My smile returned. "I know. Thank you, Bakura."

He smirked, then jerked his head in the direction of the streets. "Now get out there and show them just how capable you are."

I nodded, then quickly checked my surroundings before emerging from the shadows.

I would take a short snack break, then, I'd knock them dead.