The bracelet on Shizuka's wrist was without charms. Not that it wasn't pretty. Oh no. Katsuya had given it to her on her 15th birthday, and she treasured it. But a charm bracelet was meant to be full of memories, of charms gathered over a period of time. She supposed she should be happy about it; it represented a life just about to begin. Yet, somehow, it would have been much more comforting had it been heavy with jingling figures, hearts and stars and random little shapes. She stood at the local jewelry shop now, determined to buy the first ornament. But it had to be something special and it had to mark a special occasion. If only someone had thought to give her a charm. Then she could always think of them when the bracelet chimed.

"Hmmm," she said, glancing over the rack that held the charms.

"Do you require some help?" came a voice from behind her. She glanced around and was taken aback. It was Jounouchi's old friend. The boy smiled kindly at her. Shizuka bit her lip slightly, wondering whether to really acknowledge him, and then lost her courage.

"I just wanted…" She held up her wrist to show him.

"Ah, well… are none of these to your liking then?" Shizuka looked them over. They were rather ordinary. None meant anything important to her. A rainbow, a tiny lion, a snowflake… cute, but not meaningful.

"What's your favorite?" she said after a bit.

"My favorite?" The white-haired boy looked a bit surprised at this and seemed to muse over the idea for a bit. Finally he touched a very detailed skull charm. "This one. Isn't it cool?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow at him. "Heh, maybe something cuter."

"Do you…. Hmm… maybe something that would represent oniichan?" she asked. Ryou blinked at her.

"Well, he likes cards that rely on chance… so maybe a die?" he asked. They looked at each other for a moment, before shaking their heads. Anything that had to do with Otogi was out. "Well… " said Ryou again, a little discouraged, "maybe this?" He held up a silver four-leafed clover she'd somehow missed.

Shizuka took the clover from him and held it up first to the light, and then to her wrist. It looked alright. Not special, not perfect, but it was somehow like Katsuya. There were four leaves too, so it was like Yuugi-kun and Anzu and Honda-kun were also there. She sighed. Well, there would be other days and other charms. This was as good of a first as any.

"Yeah. This one is good," she said to him. Ryou looked relieved and then happy. He rang the total up for her and bowed slightly as she left the store.

Walking out again into the busy sidewalk, she glanced back. At least someone was pleased about it. Probably glad to have made a sale today. As she made her way to the underground, she found herself taking the charm out and looking at it. Four.

Why, she wondered, did it feel like something was missing?

AN: This was a Softshipping drabble for Sefina that I found again recently. Thought I may as well post it as not.