Howdy! It certainly has been a long time since I've put something up, hasn't it? Well, I've been busy with school and whatnot, and also I've been improving my writing skills. Other writers will understand; I have hundreds of story ideas and little drabbles EVERYWHERE. I have filled up so much notebook paper, it's crazy. But none of them have gotten too far. But anywho, I figured I should put something up, cause it's been forever.

Anyway, I honestly don't know where this story if going to go. My mind has been filled with nothing but YGO recently, so this story was born from that. I don't know when exactly I'll update this next, but I'll try to make it ASAP. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

"Good morning, class. Today we have a new student, please make her feel welcome." The teacher motioned towards the door, beckoning the new girl. She timidly came into the classroom, brushing her bangs back nervously. She waved nervously to the class, and the teacher frowned. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" He asked. She looked at him nervously, shaking her head. She pointed to her throat, smiling sheepishly. "You're mute?" He asked, though it was more for confirmation than an actual question. She nodded in reply. All the class stared at her in curiosity, and the teacher sighed. "I apologize. I wasn't informed. Class," He turned to the students, "This is Jerah Hanasaki. Please take care of her well." She smiled gratefully at the teacher as she went to sit at an empty seat towards the back, sitting right behind Yugi, who hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her. She was rather beautiful, and timid, like him.

Yugi happily turned around and introduced himself, easily offering her friendship. She smiled bashfully at him, happy to already have a friend. Then the teacher began class, and Yugi turned around to focus on the lesson. But it was rather hard for her to focus, because she could feel a pair of eyes on her. The rest of the students had gotten over her arrival already, but one certain white haired boy couldn't look away. Or rather, the spirit within him couldn't. She glanced over, looking directly at the spirit that had manifested beside the boy, her eyes widening in recognition. She quickly looked away, but not before catching the burning gaze of the yami.

Class time passed by quicker than she thought it would. By the time she thought to think again, the lunch bell was ringing. She blinked before she realized Yugi was speaking to her. She looked up at him apologetically, silently asking him to repeat himself. He smiled softly, "I asked if you want to eat lunch with me and my friends. We play games too, if you'd like to join us." He suggested kindly. She smiled and nodded shyly. Yugi grinned, "Do you play Duel Monsters?" He asked, excitedly. She nodded again, reaching into her backpack and taking out her deck. She wiggled it in the air, proudly displaying her love for the game. Yugi got his own deck out, sitting at his desk in front of hers, facing her. He set out a duel map, "Shall we play?" She nodded, setting her deck in the designated spot and picked up her first hand to play.

"Yo! Yug!" Joey called, after having gotten his lunch. He walked over to Yugi and Jerah, smiling. "Oh, hey new girl. What was your name again?" He asked. She deflated slightly, looking to Yugi.

"Joey, she doesn't speak. Her name is Jerah." Yugi supplied, looking to her and nodding slightly. It's alright. She smiled at him gratefully.

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot about dat. The name's Joey Wheeler! Runner up in Duelist Kingdom! Second to Yugi!" Joey shouted proudly. Jerah looked to Yugi, confused. Joey noticed the look on her face. "You mean he didn't tell ya? Yugi here's the King of Games!" He gloated, leaning his arm of Yugi's head. Said armrest was looking very bashful. She smiled, glad to know he was humble.

"Well, it didn't exactly come up in conversation…" Yugi defended nervously. She giggled quietly, her soft voice ringing out. Yugi blushed at the sound of her voice, and Joey pointed at her accusingly.

"You do have a voice! I heard it!" He shouted, drawing the attention of the others in the class. She shook her head, waving her hands in front of her face frantically.

"Hey, Joey, keep quiet! Geez, you know some mute people can still make some sounds. She laughed, that doesn't mean she can talk." Yugi defended her without hesitation. Joey seemed to dumbfoundedly let that sink in. The other students in the room decided to ignore the commotion, going back to their activities. Jerah was highly embarrassed, and she was hiding her face. Yugi and Joey looked at her, Yugi reached over to her and tapped her arm, "It's okay. You don't have to hide anymore." He said softly, as she peeked at him through her fingers. Tea appeared from nowhere, smacking Joey upside the head.

"Come on, Joey! You just had to go and scare her, didn't you? Don't you have any manners?" She chewed him out. Joey rubbed his sore head as Tea looked to Jerah. "Don't mind him, he has a habit of speaking before he thinks. My name is Tea Gardner. It's nice to meet you." She held out her hand towards Jerah, who had finally come out of hiding. She timidly shook Tea's hand, sniffling a little.

"Now, shall we duel?" Yugi asked, now that she had settled. She nodded, picking up her cards again. She smiled a little, she had a good hand. Yugi kindly let her go first, and the others watched as she drew a card and placed down a couple. She placed a monster card face down in defense mode, and one spell and one trap. Yugi raised an eyebrow, smiling in excitement. She was smart, that much he could tell. He set down one trap and summoned Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts. Yugi decided he was going to call her bluff and attack her face down monster. She smirked as her Blast Sphere was revealed and automatically equipped to Gazelle. She playfully wagged her finger at Yugi, who chuckled nervously in defeat. "Good play. I end my turn." He said, watching as she drew a card. To start off, her Blast Sphere destroyed his Gazelle automatically. Then, she placed X-Saber Gallahad and Apprentice Magician. She attacked with her Apprentice, first, activating Yugi's Magic Cylinder. She took 400 damage, but that was her plan. Now that Yugi was defenseless, she attacked with Gallahad, and Yugi took 1800 damage. Joey shook Yugi, appalled that he was losing.

"Come on, Yug! You're not gonna let her win, are ya? Why are you going easy?" Yugi chuckled nervously.

"I'm not, I just got a bad hand. And she seems very skilled." She smiled at the compliment and ended her turn, taking out her bento and starting to eat while Yugi took his turn. They continued the game until ultimately, Yugi won, but not without a challenge. He was actually tired after the game ended, getting out his own bento and beginning to eat instead of dueling anyone else. "That was a good game, Jerah. You had me in a corner for a while." She nodded, making a face. It wasn't hard to read.

Yeah, but you made one hell of a comeback. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yeah, I get that a lot." He said, chuckling. She giggled mutely, before she noticed the spirit standing behind Yugi. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw him. His eyes met hers, and he was understandably shocked that she could see him. And more than that, she seemed to recognize him. This, of course, did not go unnoticed by either Yugi. "You can see him?" She nodded slowly at Yugi's question, still staring at Yami Yugi. "Do you know who I am?" Yami asked her, and she flinched at hearing him. Before she could answer, the bell rang for class to start. She took that as a chance to escape the conversation as she made it a point to put her deck away as everyone settled in their seats. Yugi reluctantly turned around in his seat and face the front of the class room. He'd have to ask her about it later. Yami, disappointed, returned to the puzzle.

She spaced out for the rest of her classes, thinking about the two spirits she saw. She knew about the Millennium Items, and it was obvious that Yugi had the Puzzle. So she assumed that The white haired kid had one too. She hadn't met him yet, besides just seeing him on the other side of the classroom. She still felt the eyes of the spirit on her. Apparently he didn't know that staring was rude. Or that it made her uncomfortable.

Soon enough, the school day was over. She stood as the bell rang, taking a deep breath as she grabbed her bag. She needed to head right home, she couldn't be late in taking her medicine, and she (of course) forgot to bring a dose with her. Cause she's so smart. She started leaving the classroom, right after the crowd of students when she heard Yugi call out to her. "Wait!" He ran up to her, "Want to walk home together? I live at a game shop, so you could check it out! There's lots of Duel packs you could look at…" He said, rushing to say everything. He needed the chance to ask her about what had happened earlier. She smiled sadly, shaking her head.

"I can't…" She whispered, since there was no way to convey her next statement in words, and she figured that Yugi wouldn't know fluent sign language. "I have to hurry home and take my medicine…" She said, holding her throat as though it was painful to even whisper. Yugi looked at her in shock, watching as she left before he could think of a reply.

"She can speak…"

She sighed as she reached her locker. She opened it and grabbed her umbrella. It hadn't rained, like the forecast said it would. She was glad for that. She put her umbrella in her bag and closed her locker. Then a hand slammed the locker right beside her head. She jumped and turned around, instantly backing up. In front of her was someone she hadn't met yet, but she had seen his face. He sat at the front of class.

"You're mute huh? I don't believe it." He said lowly, moving closer to her. She looked terrified, looking for some way to escape. "I want to hear that pretty little voice. Come on, say something!" He insisted, determined to prove that she wasn't mute. He grabbed her arm, and she flinched, but still no sound escaped her throat. The boy still looked determined, but took a second to reconsider his methods. His fingers tugged at a lock of her deep violet hair, before they moved to take hold of her chin. "Perhaps there's another way to get you to talk. You have such smooth brown skin…" He murmured as she shook in fear. All of a sudden, he was pulled back and punched in the face. "Who the hell-". Another jab in the face shut him up.

"If you ever dare to touch her again, I'll rip your hands off!" A voice shouted at the guy as he scrambled away. She knew this voice; it rang in the back of her mind. She slid down the locker till she was sitting on the floor in shock. Tears had filled her eyes, and she felt as though she was on the verge of an attack. I need my medication… She thought, panicky. A hand in front of her face broke her from her thoughts. She looked at the hand, then up at the face it belonged to. Her eyes widened. Kura…

He had a blank look on his face as he waited for her to respond in some way. He jerked his hand once, to emphasize it. "Take it." She barely hesitated, taking his hand and pulling herself up. This happening was so familiar, she was suddenly feeling mild. "May I walk you home?" He offered quietly, his voice as deep and smooth as she remembered. She nodded, blushing softly as she looked down and brushed her bangs back. He picked her bag up off the floor and handed it to her, and she took it. They walked out of the building, silently walking towards her house. After a few minutes, Bakura realized he should probably introduce himself, since she wouldn't remember. "I'm, I'm sorry, I didn't even introduce myself, I'm- ". She gently touched his arm.

"I know who you are, Kura." She whispered, her cheeks tinted pink. He was stunned for a moment, before his eyes softened.

"So you did recognize me…" He said, remembering how she looked at him that morning. She nodded slowly.

"I have my memories. Of the past. Of us." She whispered, her voice slightly scratchy. He frowned, patting her head.

"Don't talk anymore. You'll hurt yourself. This conversation can wait until we get to your house." He said softly. She smiled a little. He was still so gentle towards her, just as he was in the past. Of course now, he was a little different. He shared the same skin tone as his host, and he did seem a bit different in his mannerisms. But she didn't mind, so long as he still cared about her.

It wasn't long before they reached her house. It was only a few blocks past the Kame Game shop. She opened the door and let him into the house. "Tea." She said shortly, beckoning him in. He stepped in and removed his shoes as she shut the door behind him. He walked around, exploring her little abode as she removed her shoes and went to the kitchen to make tea. It was a 1 story house, with several rooms. The front room, living room, and kitchen were immediately accessible from the front door. At the end of the front room, he found a hallway. He followed it, and all the doors were open except for what he assumed to be closets of some kind. He found her room, the bathroom, and a study. After the quick self-tour, he wandered back to the kitchen and leaned against the counter, watching as she prepared tea.

"You live alone?" He inquired. She nodded, figuring that he was looking at her. Which was correct. "Hm." He responded flatly, more to himself rather than to her. "Do you have any family?" She looked back at him, unsure how to answer.

"Yes and no." She whispered. He raised an eyebrow.

"What does that mean?"

"Biologically, I have no one. But I have adoptive parents." She said. Then she remembered that she had to take her medication. She went to the cabinet as the kettle sat on the stove. She got out the little brown bottle and took out two pills, and swallowed them easily. Bakura watched her, intrigued. He walked over to her and plucked the bottle out of her hands. She pouted, trying to take the bottle back. He was taller than her, so he was able to hold it out of her reach and read the label.

"Anxiety?" He questioned, both his eyebrows raised at her as she finally managed to snatch the bottle back. "You never had medication for that."

"I did. Elixir." She corrected him. Then he rolled his eyes.

"But you never saw a healer."

"Made it myself." She quipped, daring him to insist whatever he was insisting.

"How?"

"Trial and error."

"Ah. Must have been a lot of error." He teased, smirking. She gasped, playfully smacking his arm.

"Rude!" She giggled, folding her arms over her chest. She flinched as the kettle began to whistle. Bakura chuckled as he went to shut the stove off.

"You flinch a lot." He pointed out softly, as she took the kettle from him and poured the hot water into two cups.

"Anxiety."

"I suppose that causes a lot of inconvenience for you, doesn't it?" He asked, gazing at her as he leaned back against the counter. She simply nodded as she put the kettle on the tray she kept on the counter, bringing the tray to the living room, so they could sit at the kotatsu. She set the tray on the table top, making herself comfortable as Bakura trailed in behind her, sitting adjacent to her. He claimed one of the cups and added some sugar, as she did the same. Now that she had her medicine, her tea, and a familiar feeling in her chest, it wasn't so uncomfortable to speak. She was mute mostly by choice, and partly by disability. Her anxiety and an accident she had when she was a child made it difficult for her to speak, so she chose not to most of the time. But if she was feeling relaxed, and was with someone she was comfortable with, she was willing to make small conversation. She took a small sip of her tea, instantly regretting it.

"Ouch!" She hissed, setting the glass down and placing her hand over her mouth.

"You should be more careful." Bakura said, frowning at her carelessness. She pouted, her fingers still gracing her lips in response to the pain on her tongue.

"Shush." She retorted, watching him shake his head with a smirk on his face.

"Whatever." He said softly, shamelessly glancing at her from time to time as she waited for her tea to cool. One of those times, she caught him looking, and he wasn't nearly bashful enough to look away. Instead, he held her gaze. His face looked relatively blank, but she knew that he was staring in reminiscence. She blushed lightly, shyly breaking away from his stare. She shivered at the sound of his deep chuckle.

"You were shy then, too. Before I trained you to be a thief." He remembered aloud, watching as she nodded. She remembered too.

That's what was most intriguing to him. That she remembered her past in ancient Egypt, yet she wasn't a spirit like him. She wasn't sealed away in an item. She was just here. Then he looked at his hand. When he had grabbed her hand back at school, it seemed to be cold… Colder than it should be. But that may be normal for her in this life. The weather had been cooling off recently, but… He had to know how she had come to be this way, memories and all.

"How'd you get your memories?" He asked, a slight, unintentional edge to his voice. She flinched slightly, her eyes shifting nervously.

"I've always had them." It wasn't a lie. But he could tell, it wasn't the truth either. Not the whole truth. He had always been able to tell when she was holding back, and now it wasn't any different.

"Perhaps. But the chances are slim that you were magically born into a perfect incarnation of yourself with all of your memories. The gods are rarely that generous." She shrugged, her eyes flicking to him before she took a sip of her tea.

"Maybe this was one of those rare times." She remarked, setting her glass down as she ran her thumb along the rim.

"I doubt that. See, you're too easy to read. First, your eyes shift." He said, "Then you take a deep breath to collect your thoughts. You find a loophole in my words, as a means of escape. Then you find something to do with your hands, in this case, you move your thumb along the edge of your teacup. And you keep your eyes low. You're hiding something."

She was silent, staring at him with wide eyes. Then she deflated slightly, sighing in defeat. "You know me too well. Damn you."

"So?" He beckoned, awaiting the information she was so dearly holding back. She sighed once again, brushing her bangs back.

"I may or may not have made a deal with the gods." She mumbled, looking away innocently. Bakura's eyes widened.

"What?!" He was floored! "What was the deal?!"

"Now that part, I really can't tell you. Otherwise, they can choose not to hold up their end." Bakura was silent after that, knowing that what she said was certainly true. If she promised something to the gods, then she'd have to do it by her own strength. He sighed, his fists resting on the table. She smiled sadly, placing her hand on his. "But don't worry about me, okay? I put myself in this situation, because I wanted to be with you again. I missed you so much. All this time I'd been wandering in between life and death. Now I can live again, and I can be near you. That's all I want." She explained softly, smiling at him.

He looked up at her face, taking her hand in his own. "Okay." He said shortly, and she smiled.

The young boy ducked into an alley, having just stolen his meal for the day. He had managed to go unnoticed, not getting nearly caught for the fun of the chase, like he usually did. He took a bite of the bread, not minding that it was slightly stale. At least it wasn't as hard as a rock. The sound of a thud caught his attention, and he turned sharply, facing the depths of the alley-way. His guard dropped slightly when he saw a girl slumped on the ground. He watched as a man tossed a couple coins her way and her tired hands groped the ground for the measly amount. The man passed Bakura as he left the alley, grumbling something about 'make sure to rough her up if you want a good show'. The young girl looked towards Bakura as the man left the alley. Bakura's eyes narrowed, glinting dangerously as he noticed one important detail.

He hardly hesitated grabbing the man, punching his jaw as hard as he could. "What the hell!" The man shouted before Bakura punched him again.

"Don't ever come near her again." His voice growled venomously. The man nodded frightfully as he scrambled away. He turned to the girl, who was shocked. She quickly looked down, appearing to look for any more coins that she may have missed. Bakura stepped closer to her, halting the moment she flinched and fumbled back, staring up at him fearfully. She was so young. Younger than him by a few harvests, at least, still practically a child. Torn, dirty cloths hung from her tiny frame, hardly even worthy of being called garments. She was so thin, it was clear she had scarcely eaten for a long time, getting whatever scraps she could manage, until she was just barely old enough to seduce men for money. He tore off the piece of bread he had bitten and held the rest out to her.

She looked up at him, then to the bread. Her gaze was hungry, longing for any form of nourishment. Her eyes shifted back up to his face, as if asking permission to accept his offer. He nodded, pointing at her with the bread. "Take it." He asserted. He blinked, and the bread was in her hands, disappearing fast as she shamelessly wolfed it down. The moment she ate the final bite, she was bowing at his feet in thanks. He knelt down before her, lifting her head and making her sit up tall. He removed his cloak and placed it over her, covering her tiny body much better than the shabby clothes she wore. "Will you come with me? I can provide you food, shelter, clothes, and protection. You won't have to worry about survival any longer." He offered, holding his hand out to her. She looked to his hand, then to his eyes in wonder. She took his hand, the thought of a new beginning shining in her mind.

He led her through the alleys, to his hideout. He helped her bathe, a frown twisting his features as he noticed all her scars, and even discovered recent wounds on her back. They looked far too painful to be healing properly. He told himself he'd have to get ahold of some ointment for her. For now, he cleaned her up as best as he could, and gave her a soft linen robe to wear until he could get her some better clothes. He smiled as she looked down at her new outfit, which fit her nicely compared to the pieces she had before. She yawned, and he led her to a bed, helping her crawl in and pulling the sheet over her. He stayed beside her until she fell asleep. Then he decided to go out and use her money to buy her something. Maybe he'll get her some grapes. Surely she'd like those.

He sighed. He wondered how a girl so small ended up on the streets, selling her body to earn a meager half a meal's worth.

And, that's all I've got! Please Review and tell me what you think! And also, just a PSA here, if y'all like this, then you should go to my profile! I've got a poll where you, the readers, can vote on what story I should do next after I get this one rolling and completed. When you guys vote, I know what story y'all wanna read next, and I can work on it and get a bunch done before I publish it here!

Anyway, I'm going to do my best to continue and finish this story. Like I said, I don't really know where this is gonna go. School starts in a couple weeks for me, so I'll do what I can. This is my senior year in highschool though, so I'm not expecting it to be too busy. Thank you again for reading and please review! And go vote on my poll!

~Hinata-chan, signing out!~