Chapter one: An albino!?
"Bakura, what's got into you today?"
It was lunchtime at Domino City High School. A small group of 11th graders sat in their form room, eating lunch and watching two of their members play 'Duel Monsters' – a favourite game for their year group.
"Aw, Yugi, that's unfair!"
"No it wasn't, Joey. I placed Magical Cylinder there at the beginning of the duel. You need to consider all your options, and the opponents cards, before you make such a risky attack."
"Yeah, I know, Yugi, but that was mean."
Yugi Mutoh was very small for his age. He had totally wacky hair and carried a pyramid-shaped pendant around his neck.
Joey Wheeler, in contrast, was tall and blonde, and had a tendency to make very rash decisions.
Ryou Bakura, a tall, white-haired English boy, interrupted Joey.
"Yes, Yugi, that was mean. You need to remember that not everyone is as skilled as you are."
"Ooohh… Owned!"
Tristan Taylor laughed good-naturedly. Tristan was Joeys best friend, the 'muscles' of the group. He gelled his hair into a point every morning.
"Helloooo… Earth to Bakura! I asked you a question!"
"What?"
"Oh, seriously…" This was Tea Gardener. She was a quiet, sensible girl with a secret crush on Yugi. "I asked why you were so happy today."
"What… Oh, right!"
Bakura smiled, his face lighting up. "My cousin is flying here from England today!"
Yugi smiled up at Bakura. "That's great, Bakura!"
"Her name is Kerah," gushed Bakura. "She's really nice. I'm sure you'll like her."
"What does she look like?" asked Tristan. Tea flashed him a 'warning' look.
"You'll se tomorrow," said Bakura brightly. "But, one thing I must say is…"
Typically, the bell rang then for the end of lunch. There was a flurry of activity as the group packed away.
"What were you saying, Bakura?" asked Yugi as their classmates filed in.
"I'll tell you later," Bakura said, manuvering around people to get to his own desk.
That night, Yugi sat on his bed, thinking.
"I wonder if Kerah will be nice," he said. "What do you think, Yami?"
The translucent shade of the Egyptian Pharaoh faded into view, leaning against the far wall.
"I'm not sure, Yugi. I have a bad feeling something will happen."
Yugi contemplated this. "What kind of thing?"
"I don't know. But, after the events of the last few weeks, I would be careful."
Yugi nodded. He trusted the Pharaoh completely.
He got up and hung the Millennium Puzzle on a peg on the wall. It dangled there, by its chain.
"Well, goodnight, Pharaoh."
"Goodnight, Yugi." The Egyptian spirit faded out of sight as Yugi fell asleep.
The next day, Bakura was almost shivering with anticipation.
"Whoa, calm down, Bakura!" said Joey, as Bakura flashed past him, Yugi, Tristan and Tea on the way to school.
Unseen by anyone but Yugi, Yami was also walking with the group, looking out for anyone that might be Kerah.
"There, Yugi." Yami pointed out a petite girl, not much taller than Yugi himself, with the characteristic Bakura white hair. Yugi nudged Joey, but the girl was swallowed up by the crowd.
"What?"
"Never mind."
In class, Bakura sat on the edge of his seat, waiting for Kerah to walk in.
"Bakura seems to be happy about his cousin arriving," pointed out Tea, looking pointedly at Bakura.
"Well, he would be. He's been the only English person in the school for a while. Maybe he wants some company."
"Yeah, so thay can talk about English things, like Tea."
"Tristan, that was mean."
"Sorry, Yugi."
"Class, I would like to introduce Kerah. She's an exchange student from England, and will be staying with us for about a month. Please welcome her."
The teacher opened the classroom door, and the girl that Yami had spotted hesitantly walked in.
She was an odd girl. She wore the same uniform as the rest of the girls, but she wore it differently, like she couldn't wait to get it off. She had long, waist-length hair that wasn't white, like Bakuras, but colorless. The fringe partially covered her face.
The most striking thing about this girl was her very pale skin and her eyes. Instead of any normal color, they were pink.
Whispers started up around the room.
"An albino…"
"M-my name is Kerah Bakura. Like your teacher said, I'm on exchange from England. I'm Ryou's cousin."
"Yugi, look at Bakura!" Yami had materialised sitting on the edge of Yugis desk, and had spotted something very odd happening to Bakura.
The front of Bakuras jacket was rising, right on top of where Yugi knew the Millennium Ring was hidden.
Bakura had noticed too, and quickly put a hand on his chest to push down the Rings sensors. He covered this motion with a cough.
"Well, that was nice. Let's see… There's an empty desk next to your cousin. You can sit there for now."
Kerah smiled gratefully and moved around people to get to her desk. Heads turned to watch her as she passed.