Errr… I know this is a repost, but someone was mean enough to hack into my account and delete everything. Sorry for all you wonderful reviewers. Unfortunately, your reviews were deleted, too. Don't worry, I still love you guys. I hope you'll still continue reading my fic, though. Don't feel obliged to review for my reposts or re-add this to your favs if it was ever on your fav list. I'll be posting a new chapter of this every one or two days. Chapter six (the new chapter) will be up soon. Happy holidays! =]

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CHAPTER ONE

(18:24)

Specimen No. 3 - Browned-haired girl

- between 16 and 18 years of age

- around 5'4"

- wearing a yellow button-down tank top with blue skirt

- typical afternoon schoolgirl

The Question: Why is she here so late?

Observations: Constantly checks wristwatch, occasionally flips hair and adjusts shirt, eyes the ice cream cart, flattens skirt frequently… etc.

Hypothesis: Waiting for boyfriend.

Yami nearly dropped his notebook as he looked up. The person who she was waiting for turned out to be a little boy, but that wasn't what bothered him the most. The boy was a shorter version of himself. Tilting his head to the side, he tried to give himself a better view of the boy's face, but could only see the ridiculous hair they both shared. It was a strange experience for Yami, looking at the back of what seems to be his own head.

"Sorry, I'm late," the boy was saying. His voice didn't sound quite so young. "But honestly, I didn't forget. Jounouchi and Honda wanted to copy that homework assignment from yesterday, and I couldn't just—"

The girl cut him off with a kiss on the lips, bending over and reaching flirtatiously under his shirt, high enough for Yami to catch a glimpse of the milky skin underneath.

Almost automatically, Yami flipped to a fresh page in the notebook and began to write:

(18:35)

Specimen No. 4 - Other Me

- 14 to 18 years

- around 5'

- wearing highschool uniform and backpack

The Question: …what the hell?

Observations: Pale complexion, has my hair, squirming uncomfortably while getting fondled, kissing back somewhat reluctantly…

He watched as they broke apart, the girl glancing at the ice cream cart again. She made it so painfully obvious what she wanted. Poor boy. Doesn't he know that he's being used? Doesn't he care?

"So, Yuugi, where's the ice cream you promised?" the girl teased.

Yuugi… so that's your name.

"Name your pick," piped the cheerful voice. "That's what I'm here for, right?"

Tell me that was sarcastic, Yuugi. I pity you and your desperation.

The girl nodded. "I want a double vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles."

Yami raised an eyebrow and continued to scribble in his notebook: Girl orders double vanilla cone. So they were sharing the ice cream. That sounded like a decent date. Maybe the boy wasn't as hopeless as he seemed.

"Coming right up," his replica said. Then, the boy turned around and made his way to the ice cream cart.

And Yami's heart nearly stopped.

Standing about five yards away was the loveliest boy he had ever seen, with the most selfless compassionate eyes in the world, ordering a double vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles for his girlfriend. Dear gods. My eyes must be playing tricks on me. That, or I'm going insane. The perfect pink lips were forming words that were now incomprehensible to him as he stared at the angelic face.

"Keep the change," the boy said as he cautiously received the ice cream. The ice cream man said nothing in response as Yuugi happily bounced over to the girl with the newly-bought ice cream cone.

Suddenly, Yami could feel the jealousy coursing through his body as he watched the girl snatch the cone from Yuugi's delicate hand, licking both swirls in the most disgustingly suggestive ways. Yuugi pretended not to notice, turning his face toward the trees in the distance.

For a long while, Yami waited for the girl to offer some ice cream to what seemed to be her boyfriend, until the cone had disappeared entirely and she was licking the cream off her fingers.

"Did you like it?" Yuugi asked. Surprisingly, he was still wearing the same genuine smile.

The girl nodded. "Mmhmm."

He looked at his wristwatch. "Well, I have to leave now. My grandfather's waiting. I'm glad you enjoyed the ice cream."

"Yeah, I have to go, too," she said. "Thanks." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before running off.

Yami's eyes widened as the boy's smile suddenly disappeared, replaced with an expression that was far too complex to describe. Who was this beautiful boy? And why did he pretend to be happy when he wasn't?

I'll soon find out.

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Yuugi glanced at his watch for the third time as he quickened his pace. His grandpa would kill him for being anywhere but the game shop at a time like this. It was nearly dark, and a light drizzle showered from above. A flash of lightning briefly split the sky in two.

Someone was following him.

Help me… He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, his backpack bobbing against his back. Ten more blocks to go. I can make it.

A large man appeared in front of him. "Hey! Kid!"

Yuugi tried to ignore him, but was grabbed by the collar and yanked backwards. "Please, sir," he begged, looking up to find his vision blurred by the rain. "I have to get back home. Please let go of me."

"You're a pretty one," the man whispered. "Don't see many pretty boys around."

"No, please…"

The man chuckled nastily, securing both Yuugi's hands in one grip. "You'll be begging for more once I'm done with you."

Yuugi hung his head in defeat, allowing the man to drag him off to a dark corner and strip him of his clothes. He could feel the rough hands roaming his body, touching the most inappropriate places. It was so cold, so terribly cold, and so dark…

Suddenly, the touch vanished, and he could move freely again. Wiping the rain from his eyes, he found himself standing naked against the wall of an old empty building. Lying on the ground next to him were shreds of his clothes and the man who had tried to rape him, the hilt of a pocketknife jutting out from the back of his head. He shivered and hugged himself tightly, savoring the feeling of his own fingers against his wet skin.

"Are you all right?" a smooth baritone voice whispered from the shadows.

Yuugi could only continue staring at the dead man in front of him. "You killed him," he murmured over and over again. "Why? He didn't deserve to die. He was just as human as anyone else."

"He would've raped you."

"Then he should've. Getting raped isn't nearly as bad as dying like this. The poor man probably has no friends or family. What's wrong with giving yourself a little pleasure sometimes?" He swallowed and blinked away the rainwater, letting out a shaky sigh. "I'm sorry. Thank you for helping me."

For a moment, it was silent, and Yuugi thought he could see a pair of hard crimson eyes gazing at him through the fog. Then, something heavy fell into his arms.

"Take my jacket," the voice said. "As much as you disgust me, I pity you. Have a good night."

Whoever it was that saved him, he was gone as quickly as he came. Yuugi stared at the leather jacket in his arms before draping it around his shoulders, rubbing the soft dry cotton lining against his bare skin. It was just long enough to cover his upper thighs and he could still feel the warmth of its previous owner.

He kneeled in front of the dead man and whispered a prayer before disappearing into the fog.

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Note: I felt like doing something different, like writing an alternate universe and using a different voice (I normally write canons in the first person). The whole style is different, too. Less metaphors, more of what's happening. I hope you like this new style of mine. And yes, the girl in the beginning is Anzu. Sorry, Anzu fans. I didn't exactly make her into the greatest person, but just know I have nothing against her.

Yuugi: *sings* Yami thinks I'm beautiful!

Lanlan: He also thinks you're disgusting.

Yuugi: *lovely eyes well up with tears*

Yami: Don't cry. I think you're gorgeous. *pets Yuugi*

Please review! I'd like to know what people think of this story in particular and if I should continue. Also, constructive criticism is good. =]