<Mr. Sakura> Now I know you're all anxious for the end of the year, but we've still got a lot to get through. I want you all paying attention! *eyes Seto* That includes you, Mr. Kaiba… you need to learn like everyone else.
<Seto> *gives an innocent look* I always pay attention, Mr. Sakura.
<Mr. Sakura> Well I suppose if I were to give a test on the strands of Miss Himoko's hair, you'd pass with flying colors.
<Everyone else> *laughs and giggles*
<Seto> *tries to hide his blush* I have had full marks you know. It's not as though I'm flunking…
<Mr. Sakura> *ignores his last remark* Now, today we're learning about a new function… *goes off into a lecture*
<Setsuna> *thinks to Seto: Smooth… real smooth.*
<Seto> *thinks back: Oh hush. If you were sitting behind me you'd stare too.*
<Setsuna> *snort* *Ho, right… like I can afford to not pay attention to this class?*
<Seto> *I'm distracting you now, aren't I?*
<Setsuna> *smirks* *tilts her notebook up enough so he can see it, showing him that she's still taking perfect notes*
<Seto> *sweatdrop*
<Ari> *tries to catch Setsuna's attention, since she's unable to think telepathically to her*
<Setsuna> *thinks to her: What?*
<Ari> *thinks: I need to talk to you after class… It's important so don't let Seto drag you off like always* *grins*
<Setsuna> *smiles back, nodding slightly*
<Mr. Sakura> Mr. Ryou, would you kindly stop nodding off? You're struggling in this class, I'd hope you'd try a little harder to pay attention?
<Bakura> Hmn? Oh… sorry Mr. Sakura.
<Mr. Sakura> *sigh* As I was saying… *is interrupted by the bell* Well, I guess you'll all have to read the rest of the chapter for homework. Mr. Kaiba, can I see you for a moment please?
<Seto> Sure. *gives Setsuna a "wait for me" look as he goes up to the front of the room*
<Yugi> *stretches* That was a long day of lessons… I'm going to meet Crystal. See you guys later.
<Ari> Bye, Yugi! *waves after him*
<Setsuna> *walking over to her* So?
<Ari> *eyes Bakura who's still half asleep in his seat* Bakura, could you get going?
<Bakura> *eyes her sleepily* Okay… *yawn*
<Setsuna> What's wrong with you today? I know you don't like math, but… you look terrible.
<Bakura> *picking up his bag with another yawn* Ryou kept me up most of the night talking about… *glances at Ari* some things. I'm fine… just tired. See you tomorrow. *yawns himself out of the classroom*
<Setsuna> Okay, now. What's up?
<Ari> Marik… he's… he's starting to scare me. The last few nights he's been over now he's snapped at me about little things… and if I mention Bakura or Ryou at all, he goes ballistic. I'm afraid Taireru might be behind it…
<Setsuna> *smirks* I doubt it. I think he's just jealous. Ari, you probably spend more time with Bakura than you do with Marik. He doesn't want to lose you.
<Ari> Well what does he do if Kibira and Ryou stay together? Am I going to have to deal with him freaking out all the time? *slumps down into her seat* I don't think I want to have to worry about him going totally insane over it all…
<Setsuna> Well the more I think about the situation, Ari, it seems more and more likely that you aren't meant to be with 2 guys.
<Ari> What do you mean? I'm not with 2 guys… Kibira's with one and I'm with another.
<Setsuna> *smirks* But it's the same body, Ari. Sooner or later, you're going to have to decide between the two, and all three forms will have to agree on that choice. It's just physically and mentally impossible to belong to two different people at once.
<Ari> *hangs her head* I… I really care about Marik… but I can't rip Kibira away from Ryou… she loves him too much. I don't even really know who Nadirei likes… Probably not Taireru…
<Setsuna> *stops her* Wait, you "really care" about Marik? But you love him, don't you? I mean… you don't just "really care" about someone you want to spend your life with… You love them.
<Ari> I… I don't know… *puts a hand on her forehead* I think I'm going nuts…
<Setsuna> Well Ari, I want to help you… but in the end it's your decision who you end up with. I don't want to give you any strange ideas, but it seems to me that Marik is turning into something you don't want… and the more you see Bakura the more he is something you want. The answer seems obvious to me, but I'm on the outside… it's harder to see from the inside sometimes.
<Ari> *looks at her oddly* Do you and Seto ever fight?
<Setsuna> All the time. Why? *grins*
<Ari> I don't mean the playful stuff you two are always doing… I mean actually have an argument and get mad at each other and all that.
<Setsuna> Well… not really… but I'm sure it'll happen eventually. No couple goes through life never having an argument.
<Ari> So what if this is just a temporary thing? Something I have to work through with Marik?
<Setsuna> *shrugs* Like I said before, that's something you'll have to decide. I can't tell you that. I'm not the one who… er… "really cares" about him.
<Ari> *opens her mouth to reply but shuts it, seeing Seto coming back over*
<Seto> *looks miffed* *is muttering various things*
<Setsuna> What's wrong? *goes to put a hand on his shoulder but he brushes it off, walking past her with barely a look* *blink* What the?
<Mr. Sakura> *walking over to them* Don't mind him. I just broke the news to him…
<Setsuna> About what? *raises an eyebrow at Mr. Sakura*
<Mr. Sakura> About how he hasn't got full marks. His last test grade was a 90%. I attribute it to the fact that he took an extra 10 minutes to stare at the back of your head during the test, Miss Himoko.
<Setsuna> *blushing* You know, you don't need to make fun of him like that. Everyone knows we're going out.
<Mr. Sakura> *laughs* Yes but it's too much fun! *walks back to his desk, absorbing himself in his papers*
<Ari> We have the oddest teachers… *grabs her bag with Setsuna* Anyway… What am I going to do?
<Setsuna> I already told you twice now, Ari. The decision is yours to make. I can't tell you who you like. Don't worry about it just now if you don't know what you want to do. Wait and see who ends up being the man of your dreams.
<Ari> And if it's not Marik he'll think I was leading him on… *sigh*
<Setsuna> Well that's Marik. I know the truth and anyone with eyes knows how frustrated you are lately, so I wouldn't worry about it. *walks out of the classroom with her, finding Seto banging his head against his locker* O.o SETO??
<Seto> *defeated look* Ow…
<Setsuna> Seto stop it! Geeze! *pulls him away from the locker* It's just a 90, my goodness!
<Seto> That's the lowest grade I've gotten in my life… a 90!
<Ari> *muttering* I wish that was my lowest grade ever…
<Setsuna> Seto for crying out loud, stop it. It's still an above average grade. It's not like this is going to affect your company or anything like that.
<Seto> *sighs* *starts walking away without her*
<Setsuna> *grabs her stuff* Hey! Don't leave! *runs after him*
<Ari> *puts a hand on her hip, tutting at them* They have issues…
<Ryou> *threads his arms through hers and rests them on her hips from behind her* Who has issues? Not you…
<Ari> *stiffens* Would you stop doing that? People here think I'm going out with Marik and I don't want to be the talk of the school! *pushes him away before someone sees them*
<Ryou> *tuts at her* You shouldn't hide it so much… hidden feelings tend to surface themselves very harshly if you keep them too hidden for too long…
<Ari> *glares at him as she pulls some things from her locker* I don't have hidden feelings for you if that's what you're insinuating.
<Ryou> *holds up his hands innocently* I'm not insinuating anything… just giving a bit of good advice. I'll see you around, Ari… *walks by, letting his hand brush over the small of her back as he passes*
<Ari> *glares after him* One thing is for sure, Marik or not, Ryou isn't my type. *checks her watch* I should get going, Marik's probably out there waiting for me… *gets the rest of her things and heads out to the parking lot* *doesn't see Marik* Hmm… he must be a bit late…
<Bakura> *driving up in his car* Marik not here yet, Ari?
<Ari> *softens, seeing its not Ryou* No not yet. Funny, normally he calls me if he's going to be late…
<Bakura> *is about to say something when Ari's phone rings*
<Ari> Speak of the devil. O.o *answers her phone* Hello?
<Marik> Hello my sweet… Listen I'm very sorry but I can't pick you up today… can you snag a ride with Setsuna or something?
<Ari> *tries not to sound too indifferent to this news* Ye-ah… I think I see them now… *watches Seto and Setsuna leave* I'll just catch them and get home that way.
<Marik> Sorry… My bike is having… issues. I'll talk to you later; maybe I'll come over and see you if I get it fixed.
<Ari> Oh… don't push your bike right after you fix it… I've got a bunch of studying to do. End of year rush, you know…
<Marik> Oh… All right. Well I'll see you tomorrow then. I love you.
<Ari> *cringes* *forces a giggle* Goodbye, Marik. *hangs up*
<Bakura> I couldn't help but notice your expressions during that whole conversation.
<Ari> *blinks* Oh… yes. Marik's bike has broken down so I need a ride home… Think you can give me one?
<Bakura> *blushes slightly* Sure. Hop in… but what was with the "Goodbye, Marik?" Don't you normally tell him you love him?
<Ari> *suddenly defensive* Why does everyone keep asking me if I love him? Isn't it my business when I say it or how I feel about it??
<Bakura> *taken aback* Sorry… I'm just wondering. Don't mind me. I've had a lot of odd thoughts lately.
<Ari> About what?
<Bakura> *blushes more* Uh… oh… nothing really. Just… odd.
<Ari> *blinks* Uh-huh… *as they pull into her driveway* Do… you want to come in for a bit? I need a bit of help with the history homework… you're better at it then I am.
<Bakura> Uh… sure… You… you're not afraid Ryou and Kibira will try something again?
<Ari> Oh… I forgot about that…
<Bakura> *quickly* Well, seeing as how Ryou gave me the afternoon, there's no reason for him to come out, and your control over Kibira is improving so I don't think we have anything to worry about.
<Ari> *blushing* Ok. Come in then. *gets out of the car leading the way to the door*
*meanwhile*
<Setsuna> *has arrived at the Kaiba mansion with Seto* Seto, I really don't know why you're so upset by this. It's not as though you failed…
<Seto> But I always get 100's! A 90 is just… just…
<Setsuna> *finishing the sentence for him* Normal? Seto, you know you really insult those of us who DON'T always have top marks and for whom a 90 is very good when you go off like this! It's just a 90, and Mr. Sakura drops the lowest grade every term anyway! It won't even count against you!
<Seto> *sighs* You don't understand… It's a huge let-down for me… I was sure I had that test in the bag…
<Setsuna> Well apparently you had my hair on your brain rather than the test questions. Mr. Sakura said you were staring at me for 10 minutes.
<Seto> When I was done with the test!
<Setsuna> Well maybe you should have looked over your test instead of staring at the back of my head! I'm flattered that you do so, but you obviously lack the skills to focus on two things at once.
<Seto> Well if you think that then you really don't know much about what I have to do with the company!
<Setsuna> Well I can think of one way to help you concentrate, oh great one for whom a 90 is a failure! *picks up her bag and storms out of the house*
<Seto> *cringes as she slams the door* I didn't mean… *chases after her* Setsuna!
<Setsuna> *ignores his calls, walking down the street towards her house angrily*
<Seto> *catches up with her* Setsuna, wait! I didn't mean… I don't want… please, I'm sorry!
<Setsuna> *glares at him* I happen to have gotten an 88 on that same test, Seto. I would love to have a 90 instead of an 88. Stop grousing about the stupid grade!
<Seto> *grabs her arm and stops her, pulling her into a deep kiss* *when he breaks it* I'm sorry. I'll stop… just don't be mad at me… *embraces her*
<Setsuna> *softens* It's ok… I'm not mad at you… *returns the embrace*
<Seto> Come on, I want to show you something down in the band room. *takes her arm and takes her back to the mansion*
<Setsuna> Did you get a new guitar or something?
<Seto> *shakes his head* You'll see.
<Setsuna> *grins* Tell me!
<Seto> *playfully* No. *leads her down the hall to the room which the boys practice in* *flicks on the lights* Sit down.
<Setsuna> *flops down on her favorite bean-bag chair, watching him set up his bass*
<Seto> Now… don't laugh, ok?
<Setsuna> *smiles* Do I ever?
<Seto> *smiles back and then starts playing, singing a new song which Setsuna has never heard before*
<Setsuna> *when he's finished* That was excellent! Did you write that?
<Seto> *nods* Seth isn't the only one that can sing!
<Setsuna> *gets up, running over to him and kissing him lightly* You're so talented… I'm lucky to have you. *smiles*
<Seto> *puts down his bass, pulling her into his arms again* I'm the lucky one. *kisses her deeply*
*meanwhile*
<Ari> So you just multiply these two together, and then add the numbers together till you've only got one number left. Simple, see?
<Bakura> Oh! I get it now! *scribbles something on his homework*
<Ari> *glances at the clock* Eeek! You've been here for almost 4 hours!
<Bakura> *looking at the clock as well* So I have been. At least we've gotten all our homework done. If it hadn't been for you, I'd still be working.
<Ari> *grins* Same here.
<Bakura> *finally deciding in his mind to say something* Ari… what do you think of me?
<Ari> *blinks at him, a slight blush in her cheeks* I… er… well… *is about to answer when there's a knock on the door* Uh, better get that! *runs out of the room* *answers the door* Can I help- MARIK?
<Marik> *grins* I thought you'd be happy to see me, not so much surprised. *goes inside*
<Ari> No, Marik, wait!
<Marik> *has already walked into the living room and sees Bakura sitting there* What is he doing here?
<Ari> *rushing into the room, pushing Marik back towards the door* We were studying. We needed help with our homework. I missed Setsuna and Seto so Bakura was nice enough to give me a ride home.
<Marik> *glaring at Bakura around Ari* It's almost 7 o'clock! What's he still doing here? *looks at Ari hurtfully*
<Ari> Marik, it's… it's nothing. We were just doing homework and it took a bit longer than we planned. We were just finishing when you knocked on the door… right Bakura?
<Bakura> *gets up, glaring at Marik* Don't be mad at Ari. I'm the one who asked if we could study together when I took her home. It's not her fault.
<Ari> *is about to correct him but realizes he's taking the blame for her and doesn't say anything*
<Marik> *glares daggers at him* Get out.
<Bakura> *strangely defiant* This is Ari's house. I will leave when she asks, not you.
<Marik> *gives Ari a "Well?" look*
<Ari> Marik we weren't quite done yet… if you want to wait up in my room we'll be done in a moment.
<Marik> Fine. Fine, I'll go wait upstairs. *storms up the stairs*
<Ari> *doesn't turn back to Bakura until she hears her door slam shut* I'm sorry… I didn't think he was going to come over. I told him not to.
<Bakura> *gathering his things together* It's fine. I'll see you in school tomorrow then? *leaves without looking her in the eye*
<Ari> *stands still for a moment, thinking hard* I wish Marik hadn't come… *goes up the stairs, not looking at Marik when she first enters the room* Look, I'm sorry if you thought something was going on. We were just studying.
<Marik> *grabs her shoulders, making her look at him* He's trying to take you from me, I can feel it! Don't let him in like that again. *pulls her into a hug* I don't want anyone to take you away… You're mine… I love you too much.
<Ari> *pushes him away and looks at him* Marik, he's not trying to take me away from you. We were just studying, that's all. It would have been no different had it been Yugi or Seto. Bakura is a friend… we were studying…
<Marik> Ari, I can't help but notice that you haven't told me you loved me in a long time… What's wrong? Have I done something?
<Ari> No! No, you haven't done anything! I do… I mean… I think I do… At least… Marik I'm just a little confused is all. It has nothing to do with Bakura… I'm just… I…
<Marik> *bristling with anger* This wasn't a problem when she wasn't with Ryou. This has everything to do with Bakura, doesn't it?
<Ari> No! Marik please I-
<Marik> *cutting her off* Don't lie to me! You're falling for him and you're not in love with me anymore, is that true?
<Ari> I… no. No it's not true!
<Marik> *glaring at her* I'll pick you up after school tomorrow. *starts to go*
<Ari> Marik please don't-
<Marik> I said I'd pick you up tomorrow! *leaves without another word*
<Ari> *sinks to the floor, sobbing*
*meanwhile*
<Bakura> *is talking to Ryou in his mind* Marik isn't right for her… <*Ryou*> Score one for the home team! Now just get your resolve up and tell her yourself.
<Bakura> =_='' Stop it. Just because you have nerves of steal doesn't mean I do. I could never just walk up to her and say "Ari, I think Marik is an ass, go out with me instead!"
<*Ryou*> Well you can't very well wait until they break up. If you don't do anything, they may never!
<Bakura> So what am I supposed to do? Break them up? Set it up so they argue until they're blue in the face??
<*Ryou*> Whatever works… *sniggers* I'm joking. Listen, just keep talking to Ari… keep being kind to her. I'm sure she'll notice the difference soon enough.
<Bakura> *indignantly* You just said they may never break up if I don't do something!
<*Ryou*> *sighs* But you are doing something. You're talking to her and showing her that Marik overreacts and is childish. She'll realize that. You just have to wait, since you don't want to do something more drastic.
<Bakura> …What if she doesn't like me?
<*Ryou*> *laughs* Kibira can read her like an open book… if Ari doesn't like you, I'll never take over your body again.
<Bakura> *blushing* You're that sure about it then?
<*Ryou*> Would I give up the body I've become so attached to?
<Bakura> …I just hope I can get the nerve to ask her out when the time is right…
<*Ryou*> If you don't do it, I'll help you.
<Bakura> No… I want to do it on my own.
<*Ryou*> Suit yourself… just don't screw up.