Greetings. This is a new story I have rushed to get out in honour of a birthday coming up. I couldn't think of a one-shot so I hope this will suffice. This is a kind of introduction; the next chapter will be out by the 25th for Buffybot76. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.

* * *

"Come on…Ring…Damn bell…Ring …Ring." Muttered Téa. Her attention was focused solely on the clock above the blackboard.

"Hey Téa, what ya doin'?"

Téa looked to her left at the confused blonde boy who was gazing back at her with some concern. She grinned.

"Trying to make time move quicker Joey." Muffled laughter came from behind her and she swivelled to lock gazes with Yugi.

The smaller boy stuffed his fist in his mouth to stifle his giggles less the teacher notice.

When he had his laughter contained he spoke, "Having any luck?"

"Not as such, no."

"I'm not surprised, there's still five minutes to go."

Téa groaned. "I think I might cry." Before any condolences could be offered the teacher called attention to the writing on the board.

"Class, copy down your homework for this weekend." There was a flurry as students hurried to scribble down textbook pages. Téa did this with one eye on her page and the other on the clock. 'Come on and …6… 5 …4… 3 …2 …1 and go.'

RING!

Chairs scraped and joyful shouts rang out while the teacher tried to make herself heard over the din.

"Oh yeah, the weekend is here." yelled Joey, "See ya Téa" He left dragging Yugi behind him. Yugi had time to wave once before he disappeared out the door. Téa packed up her belongings before leaving at a more sedate pace.

The brunette was buffeted by the tide of the student body as she made her way toward her locker.

Turning a corner she nearly ran into a couple embracing against the wall. Swerving to avoid a collision Téa shot the pair a wistful glance. 'It must be nice. Wish I…No Téa, don't go there. '

Once at her locker she entered her combination and tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge, so feeling frustrated she hit it. Unfortunately this didn't seem to do much.

"Allow me." A softly accented voice spoke near her ear. Téa turned to her British friend; the white haired youth was smiling at her kindly.

"Hey Ryou." She moved aside. Ryou fiddled with her locker for a moment, hit it once and the door swung open.

"Thanks."

"No problem Téa. Have a good weekend." He moved away, waving.

"You too. Bye" Téa stuffed her books into her locker before joining her fellow students in the rush out of the schools front door.

* * *

Head down against the wind Téa picked her way carefully between the puddles criss-crossing the pavement. Her socks were already soaked through and she squished with each step.

She was squelching her way past a block of shops in downtown Domino when the sky opened up and it began to pour.

"What the…? Oh for the love of…" Téa looked around then quickly ducked into the nearest store.

The bell above the door jangled as Téa entered. The room was shadowy and smelled faintly of sandalwood.

"Hello", called Téa.

Something shifted in the back of the room and a tatty overhead light switched on. With the addition of the watery light Téa could now make out that the walls were covered in tattered tapestries. The girl shifted uncomfortably on the well-worn dusky rose carpet.

The movement at the back of the room started again and Téa noticed a woman waiting to be acknowledged. It was no surprise that Téa had not seen her before; she was draped in numerous shawls and blended in with the décor. 

"Sorry" muttered the teenager. "I was just trying to get out of the rain and…"

The woman moved forward and held a finger to her thin lips, Téa stopped mid ramble. The woman gestured to a table with a lacy tablecloth then sat down. Tentatively Téa lowered herself into the seat opposite.

Fixing her with a shrewd gaze the woman adjusted her outermost shawl before speaking; her voice was surprisingly strong for one of her apparent age. "Child you are very confused. Fate has brought you here, I will tell you your fortune, then things will become clearer."

Téa shifted uncomfortably. "Um, that's okay, you really don't need to, I'll just go now."

"Hush!" The woman looked fixedly into the young girls eyes before closing her own. After an age she opened her eyes and leant back smiling knowingly.

"You need guidance in your love life, yes?"

Téa snorted. "Love life, what love life?"

The woman smiled mysteriously, "Foolish child, you have many potential suitors. You just don't realise yet."

Lowering her head onto her arms Téa grinned ruefully. "I bet you say that to everyone. Trust me on this, no one is interested in any sort of romantic relationship with me."

"Ah you do not believe, let me show you." The woman reached down beside her and pulled out a battered blue silk bag. There were holes in it and the cord it was tied with was frayed. The bag had definitely seen better days, yet the woman handled it with reverence. Gently she placed it on the table between herself and Téa.

"This was handed down to me by my Grandmother." With a flourish she revealed the contents of the bag. A small smoky grey crystal lay on the tattered tablecloth.

Téa blinked. "It's a rock."

At the woman's scowl she hastened to add. "It's a very nice rock." while waving her arms in a plasitating manner.

The woman sighed. "This 'rock' has great power. It can show you the future."

"Sure it can."

The woman looked at Téa thoughtfully. "Child you have so many options. The path to the future is branched, you have many directions you could take." Reaching across the table she took Téa's hand.

"It will allow you to see the many futures you could have." She smiled. "It may also help you with your romantic problems. For you there will be five futures with five different swains."  Carefully the woman placed Téa's hands over the crystal and removed her own.

Téa felt somewhat foolish sitting there with her hands on a rock while a certain, obviously crazy, woman held her breath waiting for God-knows-what to happen. Téa forgot any awkwardness when she felt her whole body lurch before the room swam alarmingly.