Disclaimer: I own nothing from Yu-Gi-Oh!. Wish I did, but what you gonna do, right? Big ups to Takahashi-san for creating such a fierce character as Yami. Lapis I smy own addition and if you're looking for Honda (Tristan), you won't find him here! Sorry fo' ya!

To Serve and Protect

Chapter One: Introductions

Yugi and Yami walked together on the way to school in silence, each with his own thoughts. Neither spoke with reaching the entrance gate, then Yugi smiled sheepishly at the taller boy.

"You know, I, uh, I think I'd better do all the talking. I can handle their freaking out a bit better than you," he said.

Yami smiled kindly, hand in one pocket. "That's fine."

Walking into the classroom, Anzu turned with a smile almost immediately as though she was waiting for Yugi's arrival.

"Yugi, come here! I have to show you! We-"

Anzu's mouth fell to the floor as she caught sight of a taller, slimmer, more mature looking spiky haired version of Yugi behind the younger shorter blushing boy. "You have a twin?!," she nearly shrieked. Her outburst quieted the room as everyone turned to stare at the curious yet startling sight of two Yugi Mutous standing in the doorway. Yugi laughed nervously. Lying wasn't his strong point.

"Uh, yeah...ha ha ha...twin...that's right. Hmmm, see, this is, uh, this is Yami. Yami Mutou. He's, uh, he's my long lost twin...Isn't it funny what Grandpa won't tell me...Yami's been, he's actually been in Egypt...so that's why, why he's here...now...with me..." His words trailed off as he looked at the floor.

"Like, whoa, Yug, that's totally awesome," exclaimed Jonouchi without seemingly missing a beat. He jumped out of his desk and sauntered over. "Hey there, Yami, right? Name's Jonouchi. I'm sure Yugi here told ya all about me, right, Yugi?" He plopped himself on a nearby desk and grinned.

Yugi laughed, his earlier nervousness gone. His friends seemed to be accepting Yami, even Anzu as she teased Jonouchi.

"Don't listen to this guy, Yami, he's just full of hot air. I'm Anzu by the way," she said, flipping her short brown hair flirtatiously. Then she focused on Yugi. "Actually, Yugi, I'm kinda mad at you."

Yugi's eyes widened. "Really, Anzu-chan? Gomen nasai. If I've done something wrong, I'm-"

He stopped short when Anzu laughed. "Relax, Yugi. Come on, I was just playing around with you. I just wasn't counting on you bringing a surprise like I did, that's all."

Jonouchi turned. "Oh, right. You were saying something about that."

Anzu rolled her eyes. "Pay attention, would you?" She smiled at the Motous. "Guys...Yami...I'd like you to meet our other new classmate. This is Lapis."

The boys' heads turned in the direction of the desk Jonouchi was sitting on and Jonouchi jumped. "Whoa! Geez, lady...I didn't see you there!"

The cinnamon colored girl smiled quietly. "No harm done. It's nice to meet you as well."

Yami, who had been standing silently during his introduction, stared openly. Lapis was lovely with grass green eyes, thick black lashes, diminutive features, long black hair pulled into a single ponytail and white white teeth. Those gorgeous orbs flickered over to him only once, but there was no malice or even friendliness, just a quiet...what? Yami almost thought obedience, but that couldnt be right. It couldnt be. Why would this beautiful creature be subservient to him? He opened his mouth to speak her name, but then the teacher walked in and he could not.

Yami couldnt keep an eye on Lapis since he was placed in a seat in front of her, but her presence was strongly felt. He couldn't explain it, but he also felt safe in knowing that she was there. When lunch time rolled around, he turned to speak to her, but found himself suddenly surrounded and bombarded with questions by Anzu and other females of the class. He wanted to scowl. Instead, he forced a smile much to Yugi's delight.

"Ladies, ladies. Please," he said in his deep tenor voice. "One question at a time."

"What's Egypt like?," asked one shy young girl, hands clasped in front of her as she stared at the handsome boy with stars in her eyes. She, like the others, was quickly falling in love.

"Egypt? Oh, well, it's..." He searched desperately for an answer. How could he possibly tell them that he didn't remember his homeland after centuries of being locked away in a puzzle and then living as a part of Yugi's soul? "It's nothing like here," he said finally.

"Yeah, I bet," said Anzu. "I heard it's just sand and camels. Is it?" THen she gasped. "Oh I forgot! Lapis! She was in Egypt too, she can tell us! Lapis-chan! lapis-chan? Did she leave? Oh, there you are. Come over and join us."

Yami looked behind Anzu to see Lapis still in her desk, head bowed as if in submission. She hadn't left. He felt comforted in knowing she hadn't. Involuntarily a small, rare smile touched his face as she spoke.

"No," she laughed, "it isn't just sand and camels although I can see why majority would say so. They don't see the beauty of the land even though it is mostly desert. They forget about the history, the long lines of ancestry that make up the country." Her head raised and her eyes were bright with rememberance. "My family is one of those long lines, so forgive me for speaking with pride. I have lived in Egypt for most of my life, but it is true what my-" She stopped short, catching herself. "I mean, my friend?" Here she looked to Yami for confirmation. He nodded encouraginlgly and she wanted to smile, but didn't dare. "What my friend says is true. It is nothing like here." Her eyes lowered, admonishing herself silently for almost giving away secrets, deep secrets.

Yami stood up, pushing his chair from his desk and walking through the crowd to get to her. "Lapis?"

Her eyes met him just once before lowering, but again he felt the silent obedience. "Yes?"

"Please come join me...I mean, us, for lunch. I would like it if you did."

"Yes," came the unhesitant answer.

Yami couldn't shake the sudden feeling that Lapis would do whatever he asked, whatever he demanded. How absurd, he thought. It should be me doing what she asks. The thought startled him, but only for a moment. He had been a pharoah, a high being who had been waited on and adored by his people, yet he was a pharoah no more. Just a boy living a new life with new friends and, as he looked down at the gorgeous girl in front of him, possibly a great beginning to something. He held out a friendly hand which she took instantly, hoping he wouldnt see it shaking as she did so. He had, but said nothing as the small group of friends left the room, heading for lunch.