Setting: It's the next day after Kibira and Ryou's first meeting, and everyone seems to be restless for one reason or another. Most of the group is working on a handful of school projects, which is just stressing everyone out more.

<Mr. Sakura> So, after you substitute in your x-values… *lectures about Math*
<Ari> @_2' *not understanding a word* *grumbles* I hate math…
<Setsuna> *pokes her* It's not that bad… ^-^'
<Yugi> Easy for you to say… =_='
<Seto> I agree with Setsuna.
<Bakura> Why are you even in school, Seto?
<Seto> =_='
<Mr. Sakura> *clears his throat* As I was saying, the next step is to factor out the coefficient term…
<Ari> *whispers to Setsuna again* I'm going to need help on this stuff… I don't understand it. T^T'
<Bakura> Same here….
<Setsuna> ^=^' I'd love to help!
*the dismissal bell rings*
<Mr. Sakura> Remember, I want those homeworks Friday!
*everyone pours out into the hall*
<Setsuna> Gaaaaaah… Creative writing project to do, math, physics… T^T' So much to do!
<Seto> So I take it I can't come over this evening?
<Setsuna> No. You delayed me enough yesterday. =_='
<Ari> Yesterday? *blink*
<Setsuna> *points at Seto* This one shows up outta nowhere and distracted me from my homework yesterday evening.
<Yugi> Oooh, Seto you sly dog. *sly grin*
<Seto> Speaking of which… Wheeler wasn't in school today; not that I care.
<Bakura> Yeah, neither was Honda…
<Ari> Mai said they were going to visit Shizuka today.
<Yugi> No wonder Honda wanted to go. *laughs*
<Setsuna> I've gotta get going… see ya'll later!
<Ari> Me too… I'm meeting up with Marik later, so I've got to get some stuff done before then. Bye! *leaves after Setsuna*
<Bakura> *Ryou pokes through annoyed* =_='
<Yugi> *notices Ryou* What's wrong?
<Ryou> =_=' Nothing. *reverts back to Bakura*
<Crystal> *comes running up* Hey, Yugi! ^-^'
<Yugi> *eyes light up*
<Crystal> *looks around* Did Setsuna and Ari already leave?
<Bakura> *blinks* Yeah…
<Yugi> How come?
<Crystal> Oh… nothing. I just wanted to talk to them is all…
<Seto> Is anything wrong? *worried look*
<Crystal> *looks at Bakura* No, nothing's wrong.
<*Ryou*> Damn… she knows, doesn't she? She'd better not squeal.
<*Bakura*> Knows what?
<*Ryou*> Go away. Play with your little friends.
<*Bakura*> =_='
*meanwhile*
<Setsuna> *has gotten home, and is pulling things out of her bag* Man… I wish I didn't have so much homework to do. *sigh*
<*Liana*> Anything I can help with?
<*Setsuna*> Eh… not unless you know pre-calculus.
<*Liana*> that stuff in class today? =_=' Setsuna, you forget that it was the ancient Egyptians who made most science and math advances. The priests I worked with were some of those people who wrote down how all of this math worked.
<*Setsuna*> O_o' You can do my homework then!
<*Liana*> =_=' I thought you liked doing math.
<*Setsuna*> But if it's so easy for you, then I can concentrate on Creative Writing! *laughs*
*suddenly there's a knock at the door*
<*Liana*> I thought you told Seto not to come…
<Setsuna> Maybe he wants some help? ^=^' *goes to answer the door* Seto, I thought I- @_@'
<Marik> *standing in the doorway* =_=' Ya know… that's twice now you've assumed I was Seto…
<Setsuna> *holds the door, ready to slam it in his face* What do you want now? Geez…
<Marik> May I come in?
<Setsuna> *notices his hair is slightly spiky* Uh… noooo. I've got homework I'm supposed to be doing. =_='
<Marik> *eyes flash for a second, but then they go soft again* Please? I really need to talk to someone about Ari and Kibira. Yesterday… she had a spike of her Seidan to my neck.
<Setsuna> @_@' why?! *holds the door open for him*
<Marik> I don't know. I kinda just… woke up… and she was about to leave!
<Setsuna> Uhhh… "woke up"?! @_2' What were you two doing? *raises an eyebrow*
<Marik> *suddenly goes into a coughing fit, laughing his head off* Nothing like that!! ><' We were just talking… but then Taireru came out.
<Setsuna> *rolls her eyes* Well, that's probably why she was pointing her Seidan at your face. Taireru probably made her mad or something. He is darn scary, you know… *absent-mindedly rubs the scar on her arm*
<Marik> Yeah, well, I'm worried about it. I don't know what he did, and I also don't like the fact that Taireru can come out at any time now. *hair spikes up a bit at this* By the way… what about your Kage?
<Setsuna> *not noticing his hair* I haven't seen her yet… maybe I'm not strong enough to call her out?
<Marik> *eyes glow to a brighter purple* Or maybe, she just needs the proper motivation… *walks over to her and strokes her cheek lightly* I could help with that…
<Setsuna> *gets a chill* Marik, what are you doing?!
<Taireru> *leans into her, nuzzling her neck with his face* I'm motivating you… *suddenly grabs her arms and squeezes them tightly, pulling away* After all, what better motivation is there than fear?!
<Setsuna> *tries to pull away* Let me go! *eyes filling with fear*
<Taireru> *holds her steady with ease* I think not… Not until Reira makes an appearance at least. *takes the Shadow Rod from his belt loop, where it'd been hidden* And I'm prepared to take drastic measures that she shows herself. *grins evilly* I never did finish with your arm… I was planning on doing more.
<Setsuna> *eyes widen in fear* No! *jerks out of his grasp and runs down the stairs to her room, attempting to call out telepathically to any of the others*
<Taireru> *laughs, calling down to her, twirling the Shadow Rod in his hand* They can't hear you, Setsuna… they're too far away now. *slowly walks down the stairs, looking down to try and spot where she went*
<Setsuna> *is hiding in her closet, and trying to call someone on her cell phone* *whispers* come on… give me some reception here.
<Taireru> *stands in the room, unsheathing and sheathing the shadow Rod over again* Setsuna… I grow impatient. You can't hide forever… do you really think your cell phone will work down here?
<Setsuna> *clenches her fist, knowing he's right*
<Taireru> *walks over to the closet* Besides… it will be so much easier if you simply tell me what I want to know. *opens the door of the closet, looking intently at the pile of boxes she's hiding behind* I promise not to hurt you if you cooperate…
<Setsuna> *watches in horror as he closes the door sealing them inside and making escape impossible* *tries to stay still so he can't hear her moving*
<Taireru> *crouches by the boxes on the opposite side of her, able to see perfectly even in the dark* *grins* Setsuna… *puts the unsheathed Shadow Rod to the side of the box and thrusts it through*
<Setsuna> Ah! *grits her teeth, not giving him the satisfaction of hearing her scream, although her eyes are tearing up* *the dagger bit right into her right shoulder*
<Taireru> *pulls the Shadow Rod back out, slowly, looking at the little bit of blood on the tip of it* Mmmm… *licks the red liquid off, smirking deviously*
<Setsuna> *gasps, holding her arm as it starts to heal*
<Taireru> I can taste the fear in your blood. Why not let Reira out, then I can stop hurting you…
<Setsuna> *whines softly, curling up, backing further into the corner*
<Taireru> *warningly* Setsuna… *is starting to become annoyed* *thrusts aside the boxes, his violet eyes glowing in the dark*
<Setsuna> *presses her back against the wall, fear filling her eyes at the sight of Taireru's glowing ones*
<Taireru> Ah… I forgot your healing power… *reaches out and grabs her, dragging her out into the room as he opens the door* We'll just have to fix that…
<Setsuna> *screaming* No! Let me go! *claws at his grasping hand, trying to pull away*
<Taireru> *laughs manically, throwing her roughly to the floor* Come now, don't give me trouble… *presses the Shadow Rod to her neck, straddling her with his knees* *leans over Setsuna, his free hand running up her thigh* Now… *angrily* Why don't you let Reira out?
<Setsuna> *starts crying* I can't! I've never met my Kage!
<Taireru> *glares at her* Then I'll call in someone who can bring her out for us! *grabs Setsuna by the arm and drags her along as he goes back to the closet to grab Setsuna's cell phone* Now… you're going to call Seto for me and tell him to come over…
*meanwhile*
<Seto> *is pouring over business reports, having already finished all of the homework* *answers the ringing phone* Kaiba.
<Setsuna> Seto?
<Seto> Hey! You need something?
<Setsuna> A-actually… I was wondering if you'd like to come over here…
<Seto> *blinks* I thought you had a lot of work to do.
<Setsuna> Yeah… but… I could use some company… It's so quiet here… *sounding annoyed* No one around.
<Seto> *hearing her voice inflection* Setsuna, is something wrong?
<Setsuna> *winces, Taireru putting the Shadow Rod to her arm in warning* No… my computer is just acting up… Anyway, can you come?
<Seto> Sure. I'll be over in a few minutes. *hangs up*
<Setsuna> *turns off her cell* Happy now? *annoyed look at Taireru*
<Taireru> *pushes the Shadow Rod into her shoulder about a centimeter* Don't take that tone with me, hikari. You'd do well to learn your place.
<Setsuna> *grits her teeth against the pain* You'd do well to remember that without us hikari, none of you would be able to walk and talk as you do now.
<Taireru> *sneers, yanking the Shadow Rod from her arm harshly and putting the blade to her throat* I'll kill you for your impudence, bitch!
<Setsuna> *narrows her eyes, though the fear still is showing* I thought you wanted to talk to Reira?
<Taireru> *growls, grabbing her by the arm and throwing her on the couch*
<Setsuna> *whimpers at the pain in her arm*
<Taireru> *climbs on top of her, putting the blade to her throat again, this time pressing intently* Defy me again, hikari, and I'll have no further use for you. All of the Kages will die by my hand sooner or later; Reira is no exception. I'd like to start the blood bath now, but I have other plans first. However, I am willing to change them, should you provoke me further! *his eyes are glowing with an intense fire*
<Setsuna> *eyes widen in fear, her apprehension growing* W-What is it you have against Reira and the others anyway?
<Taireru> *grins darkly, his malevolence showing clearly* Let's just say I have a hidden agenda… and leave it at that, for now.
<Setsuna> *cringes and leans back as far as she can into the couch as he leans forward, getting way to close to her face for comfort*
<Taireru> *grins softly, then gets back up* Now, let's get ready for your boyfriend's arrival. *grabs her roughly and tosses her to the floor*
*a few minutes later, a knock on the door sounds*
<Taireru> *calls out* Come on in, Seto…
<Seto> *outside* What… the? *opens the door and sees Taireru standing in the hallway, Setsuna braced against his chest, the Shadow Rod pressed threateningly to her throat, and Taireru's other hand wrapped mockingly around her waist*
<Setsuna> Seto, I- *is cut off by the Shadow Rod being pressed closer to her neck*
<Seto> *eyes narrowing, he quickly turns to Seth, taking out the Millennium Rod* Taireru!! I thought Sesu took care of you last time, but I guess I'll just have to finish you off myself!!
<Taireru> Ha… don't make me laugh, Yukikureru. You're not in any position to be making such statements… *presses the Shadow Rod harder to Setsuna's throat, making her whimper softly* I'm in control of this situation… You'll listen to me.
<Seth> *clenches his teeth* What do you want?
<Taireru> *gives Seth a snide look* Reira… Setsuna's Kage. And I need you to kindly let Sesu out for me, so I can summon her. *tightens his arm around Setsuna's waist* And if you give me any trouble about doing it, I'll make sure your little girlfriend here loses some skin.
<Seth> How will his presence summon Reira? If she can't come, she can't!
<Taireru> *smirks* *nicks Setsuna's neck* I wouldn't be so sure about that…
<Seth> *sneers* Fine. *changes to Sesu*
<Sesu> *glares at Taireru as soon as he realizes what's going on* You bastard, using her to get to me! I knew I should have gotten rid of you last time!!
<Taireru> *laughs cockily* Well, that was your second mistake, Sesu… that's twice now your soft heart has done you in.
<Sesu> *grits teeth* I should have killed you rather then bind your putrid soul in the same Item as mine…
<Setsuna> *is struggling to keep her neck away from the Shadow Rod, which Taireru keeps pressing further and further into her neck* Ugh…
<Taireru> *looks down at her* Heh… getting uncomfortable, Setsuna? *looks at Sesu as he kisses Setsuna's temple* Sesu… there are so many things I could do to her… are you just going to stand there as I do?
<Sesu> *eyes blaze* You son of a bitch!! *dashes towards Taireru, the Millennium Rod raised to slash at Taireru's face*
<Taireru> *grins* Exactly what I wanted… *waits until Sesu is close enough, and then slashes out with the Shadow Rod, putting a deep cross-cut in Sesu's chest* DIE!
<Setsuna> *screams, the slash Taireru made cutting her neck as he brought the blade up to strike Sesu* *eyes tear up as she looks at Sesu crumpled on the floor* N-Noo! *screams again as her Kage starts to take over, the sight of Sesu making something snap in her mind*
<Taireru> *laughs maniacally, raising the Shadow Rod in the air* Finally!!
<Sesu> *looks up in pain as Reira takes over Setsuna's body* No… she shouldn't have come out!
<Reira> *as soon as she gains full control, she turns around in Taireru's arms, grabbing the arm holding the Shadow Rod* *glares, her eyes burning gold* You went too far this time, Taireru… *yanks down on his arm, twisting the Shadow Rod from his grasp*
<Taireru> Agh… heh. *laughs as she backs up, leaning down to check Sesu's chest* Not that it matters anymore… I don't need the Shadow Rod to get what I want now.
<Reira> *puts a hand on Sesu's chest* Sesu… Are you all right?
<Sesu> You shouldn't have come out, Reira… Taireru is going to try something. *cringes as Reira's healing ability goes to work*
<Taireru> *laughs, pulling Reira up to his face* Now that I have you out, all I need is Nadirei.
<Reira> *glares at him* What are you planning?
<Taireru> *smirks* I want some information out of you… I distinctly remember the three of you made a spell right before I was sealed within the Rod. *glares* I want to know what you did… after spending so much time in the Rod, I had lots of time to think, and I need to know if my theories were correct.
<Reira> A spell?
<Sesu> I remember the spell, but you won't find out anything else. We erased out memories of what we did, so you'd never find out!
<Reira> *realizing* But we made it so when we all get back together, we'd remember… *eyes widen* If Nadirei comes out, he'll be able to read her mind!
<Taireru> *glares at her* She's the only one whose mind I CAN read… *suddenly grins evilly, as if bringing up old memories to haunt them, solely for the fun of it* And if you remember correctly, I have full control over her mind anyway…. She might just tell me of her own free will!!
<Reira> *unhooks the Chain, readying for an attack* I won't let you get near her!
<Taireru> *puts his hand out over the Shadow Rod, levitating it into his hand from the floor* Do you really think you can beat me? You just got back, Reira. You probably can't even see straight after healing Sesu.
<Reira> *narrows her eyes* I'll take my chances.
<Sesu> *gets up, his chest still stinging from the blow, his shirt torn and bloody* And she's got help.
<Taireru> *chuckles* Don't make me laugh… you two didn't have enough muster in the past to get rid of me- you had to resort to just sealing me away!! What makes you think you can defeat me now?
<Reira> We didn't have our weapons then, idiot. *throws the Chain at his face*
<Taireru> *brings up the Shadow Rod to deflect the attack, but the Chain gets caught on the Item* Heh… You're mine. *quickly loops the Chain around his arm, and yanks it down, pulling Reira towards him*
<Reira> Agh! *falls in front of him, screaming when he drives the Shadow Rod into her shoulder*
<Sesu> NOW ITS MY TURN! *attacks as Taireru is vulnerable, driving the Rod into his side*
<Taireru> *cries out in pain, pulling away and letting go of the Chain, pulling the Shadow Rod from Reira's arm* U-Ungh… agh… *holds a hand to his wound, blood flowing slowly from it* I… this isn't the last you'll hear of me!! I'm going to find out what spell you used sooner or later! *rushes from the house, climbing onto his motorcycle and driving off, grimacing with the pain in his side*
<Sesu> *falls to his knees by Reira, making sure she's alright* Can you heal it?
<Reira> Yeah… hold on. *the wound in her shoulder slowly closes up, but she's left shaky and breathing hard afterwards* I think… I'm going to need to practice. I haven't been out in a long time.
<Sesu> Same here. *stares out the open door after Taireru* At least we beat him off for one day. But he'll be back…
<Reira> We'll be ready. *smirks at him* You know… I'd almost forgotten what you sounded like, being locked away in the Chain for so long.
<Sesu> *blinks* *smiles* Yeah, it has been forever, hasn't it? *picks her up gently and carries her into the living room, setting her down on the couch* *holds her hand, looking into her eyes* At least you're okay. I never thought we'd have to be summoned… but I guess Taireru's gotten stronger, feeding off of the shadows from inside of the Rod.
<Reira> Yeah… well, at least we're together again. *leans over and kisses him gently* I missed you.
<Sesu> I missed you as well, my love. *takes her into his arms and kisses her deeply*
*meanwhile*
<Taireru> *has reached Ari's house, and dismounts from his bike, limping over to the door, his breath ragged* *knocks*
<Ari> *opens the door, not expecting Marik (or Taireru for that matter) to be over so early* Wha…? You… you're bleeding!! *catches Taireru as he falls in through the threshold*
<Taireru> Agh… *eyes scrunch up in pain* Sesu…
<Ari> *eyes widen as horror as she feels his warm blood running over her hands* What happened?!
<Taireru> *curls up as a spasm causes a shot of pain to run through his body* Reira, Setsuna's Kage, and Sesu… they attacked me and Sesu stabbed me in the side… *drops the Shadow Rod to hold his wound with both hands*
<Ari> *reverts to Kibira, rage building up inside of her* Those idiots!! *looks down at Taireru, feeling sorry for him, but also remembering their conversation last time he came out* I'm sure they had reason for attacking you… but I can't believe they would leave you to bleed and die! *picks Taireru up, closing the front door with her foot* Come on… *carries him up the stairs to the bathroom, setting him down on the floor*
<Taireru> *looks up at her, his eyes misty from the hurt* What are you doing?
<Kibira> *picks up a wash cloth, running it under warm water* I'm going to dress that cut. Take off your shirt…
<Taireru> *manages to chuckle* Ooh, can't wait to strip me, eh?
<Kibira> *turns around and glares at him* No! I'm still ready to cut your throat for last time I was alone with you!! *helps Taireru get his bloody shirt over his head* *presses the warm wash cloth to his cut, sopping up the blood* Which reminds me… *looks up at him* You haven't told anyone, have you?
<Taireru> *stares at her for a moment before replying* No, I haven't… but I still want to know what your thoughts are about Ryou. Of course, if you won't tell me willingly, I could easily read your mind… *glares at her*
<Kibira> *backs up slowly* You stay out of my head!! *looks at the floor* Besides, I don't know what I think.
<Taireru> *sitting up, and putting a hand under her chin* Oh, I think you do, Kibira.
<Kibira> Oh, what do you know?! *smacks his hand away* I'm still not going to tell you anything!! And you're in no position to be threatening me!
<Taireru> *slumps back into the wall* *grumbles* Fine… but I have a lot of questions I need answered. You forget I can feel Marik's emotions… we share the same body: I have his best interests at heart.
<Kibira> *bites her lip as she realizes how much she's been ignoring Marik lately* Well… I just need to think.
<Taireru> Hmmmm… if that's what you want to call it; "thinking".
<Kibira> *ignores him, continuing to clean his cut, and then grabs the emergency kit and takes out the gauze*
<Taireru> *watches her work, and thinks back to the past, where he was in a situation much like this one, but with Nadirei* *suddenly asks a seemingly random question* What do you know of your Kage, Kibira?
<Kibira> *looks up at him* I… don't know anything about her. Ari and I have seen the door to her "room" in our mind, but the door to her soul is going to be tough to open.
<Taireru> *looks at the floor as he thinks about this* I wonder…
<Kibira> What?
<Taireru> Nothing. I just… was wondering when I'd be able to see her. I… miss her a lot.
<Kibira> *thinks about this, finishing up his bandages* Well, I'm done.
<Taireru> Thank you. *eyes glint* I suppose you want Marik now… if you're not going to cooperate and tell me what you're up to with Ryou.
<Kibira> *glares at him*
<Taireru> Fine. But I'll be back with the same questions… in time. *reverts to Marik*
<Marik> *eyes tear up, and he cries out as his wounded body is suddenly handed over to him* Agh!! What the hell…?!
<Kibira> *holds him still* Be careful… you're side was hurt. Taireru had a run-in with Seto and Setsuna's Kages.
<Marik> Oww… damn, what did they do to me?! *scrunches up eyes* I'm going to make Setsuna heal me tomorrow: and I'll have a little "talk" with her about keeping her Kage in line! Seto too!! *holds his side* Oww…
<Kibira> *rolls her eyes* Come on, you silly… it's not that bad. I put pain-killer in the cut. It should be dulling by now. *helps Marik to get up, and carries him into the spare bedroom, letting him lie down on the bed* Here… rest.
<Marik> *smiles at her* Thanks… *takes her hand as she's about to walk away* Stay… I... haven't gotten to be with you for a while. I'm wondering why you're never around.
<Kibira> *is relived to know Taireru wasn't lying when he'd said he hadn't told anyone about her thoughts about Ryou* *sits back down on the bed* I've just… needed some time to myself. I've been really stressed out lately.
<Marik> You should have come to me… I'll always be here for you! *gently rubs her hand*
<Kibira> *sighs* Sorry… I just don't know what to do anymore. *climbs over to his side, lying down next to him, wrapping her arms carefully around him* *sniffs*
<Marik> *kisses her on the forehead* It's okay, I understand. I just worry, alright? Just know that I love you very much…
<Kibira> *pauses, his words making her gut clench up* Yeah… I… I love you too. *as she says this, she can't help but feel like she's lying to him and herself too*