Hello, there!

I'm OverlyFanaticPanda and this is my first time publishing a fanfiction of mine.

The chapters will probably be fairly short at first, but might get longer later on. Anyways, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and oc.

Chapter One: Excitement

"Are you excited to go back to Domino, Yuugi?" An older gentleman wearing a tan suit with red bowtie asks from the bedroom doorway.

Yuugi looks over his shoulder from gazing at the rain pelting his borrowed room's window to the grandfatherly figure who's helped raise him for the past decade or so. He scoots to sit at the edge of the bed.

"Oh, yes, Professor Hawkins. I can't wait to see my grandpa again!" Yuugi says with a smile.

The professor of archeology chuckles, walking farther into the room, "All these years and I couldn't break your habit of addressing me as Professor."

Yuugi rubs the back of his head, "S-sorry. It kinda just stuck for me, you know"

Hawkins waves his words away, smiling. His ashen brown eyes survey the white walled room. Shelves that once held all sorts of books, trinkets, and a multitude of handheld puzzles and games were dusted clean; the dresser and closet emptied; oak desk shiny and bare, with the exception of Yuugi's laptop resting on top; and the walls unadorned from their previous poster hangings and picture frames. Everything is packed away in the suitcases and trunk waiting by the front door.

"Rebecca is going to miss you terribly," sighs Hawkins, glancing sideways at Yuugi, "as will I."

Yuugi stands, moving closer to the professor. "I'm going to miss both of you, too. So much. You've taken such good care of me in Grandpa's place. I don't know how we'll ever thank you."

"No thanks necessary. Solomon is my closest friend. I'm happy to help him in any way I can. It was difficult for the both of you after that tragic accident, even more so for your grandfather to decide to send you to me."

Yuugi nods in agreement. "I was so young and Grandpa had just opened the game shop. I'm not sure he could have handled running a new store and raising me at the same time. But now that I'm much older, he doesn't need to look after me as much and I can help him with the store."

Hawkins pats Yuugi's head, "You're not that much older, Yuugi."

"I'm old enough to know how to take care of myself," he pouts.

"Yes. I guess you are now."

A silent second passes before Hawkins asks, "Have you spoken to Solomon about your return tomorrow?"

"Yup!" Yuugi's amethyst orbs shine. "Actually, we just finished talking over video chat. He'll be waiting for me at the airport by the time I land. Grandpa talked so excitedly about how my room is all prepared and that my school transfer is all complete. He even went so far as to have gathered all my school supplies, including my textbooks."

Hawkins belts out a laugh, "That sounds exactly like him, so prepared. You'll have a week to settle in before your school term starts, won't you?"

Scratching his cheek, Yuugi relays how he would be starting school. "Sort of. The term starts the day after I arrive, but Grandpa wants me to have plenty of time to settle in, so I'll be starting a few days late."

Hawkins eyes the boy, "Yuugi. School is very important."

Yuugi sighs, "I know. But I would have had to leave a whole week earlier and I wanted to spend as much remaining time as I could with you and Rebecca."

The professor gave in to Yuugi's honest feelings after a moment. Nodding, he turns to leave the room. "I'm glad for that. Truly."

He stops in the doorway, leaning on his wooden cane. He smiles over his shoulder, "I'm letting Rebecca skip her music lessons tomorrow, so she can see you off without any rush."

Yuugi's happy shout and toothy grin follow Hawkins down the hall.