Ryou is a watcher. He has been for the last few years. Actually, he probably had been one since he moved to Domino. The teen would stay back and rarely participate, standing quietly and watching the action unfold. Of course this was also out of fear. When he used to have black outs, people always seemed to get hurt. That was back when the spirit of the millennium ring would possess his body to achieve his own goals. Both were now gone but Ryou still kept his distance.

He wasn't really close to Yugi and his friends; the spirit had taken care of that, so when everything was over, Ryou had taken off. Everyone had told the boy that they didn't blame him for his others act but they were already a tight group and Ryou had no desire to intrude. Because of this, he wasn't quite sure why he was back in Domino after being absent for three years.

He doesn't want to search out any of his old friends so he finds a bench in the park and simply starts watching as people walk by. Some he recognizes as former classmates that he never had the chance to speak to but he saw many more that he didn't know where the face was from. Many of the people in the former category were holding heavy books or even reading them in a last minute cram. A small few had children with them that brought a smile to Ryou's face. He always wanted to start a family.

"Bakura?" a voice says. "I know you always liked hiding in the shadows but your hair is kind of easy to spot. Even in the dark."

Ryou frowns. He had tried to dye it after leaving the city. He didn't want to draw attention but himself but unfortunately white hair had the opposite effect. However, dye never seemed to stay in put so he had given up after his 3rd attempt. Ryou's frown turns into a smile though when he sees who is talking.

"You are one to talk Yugi." Ryou laughs at the young adult.

Ryou takes in his former friend. He had grown but not by much. The most noticeable difference was the absence of the millennium puzzle. Of course the last time Ryou had seen Yugi, there wasn't a puzzle but it still looked wrong. Ryou wondered if Yugi ever feels the same empty weight he sometimes feels from no longer wearing the ring. However, he doesn't ask the question.

"It has been too long!" Yugi exclaims. "What have you been up to?"

"Mainly school." Ryou responds. "I'm getting a degree in anthropology."

"Figures. You always were interested in people. Where about do you attend?"

"My hometown." Ryou purposely keeps it vague. "How about you?"

"Oh." Yugi responds trying to hide his disappointment. He was hoping for specifics. "I'm studying probability and stats at the university down the street. You know Bakura, no one blames you."

"I know Yugi." The smile is gone from the taller boy's face. He was excited to see his old pal but had no desire to talk about that specific past.

"You just took off. You didn't even finish high school here." Yugi says. "We all thought you were dead until you sent us a letter confirming that you were alright. That was three years ago. No one has heard from you since."

"I'm sorry, Yugi." Ryou says staring blankly ahead.

"Bakura what he did-"

"No," Ryou interrupts. "That isn't it. I don't even remember half the times when he took over. I always thought it was a medical condition. Black outs. Honestly, his memory doesn't bother me anymore."

"Then why did you leave?"

Ryou keeps the same blank expression. In the last three years, he had never been asked to explain himself. Many people didn't want an explanation or if it was his former friends, their default response was that it was the spirit's doing. Ryou had learned to keep quiet and never say anything.

"How about a game of Duel Monsters?" Yugi asks changing the subject.

"Are you kidding? You will win."

"Maybe not." Yugi smiles. "I haven't played since I fought the other me. That is 3 years of rust."

"And the last time I played, I was a card. I think my deck might still be-" Ryou stops himself.

"Bakura, I am being honest, but your decks weren't that different," Yugi ignores the glare that the light haired boy was giving him. "It is innocent. No holograms and no other realms. It will be a game like it is supposed to be."

"Fine." Ryou says exhausted.

"Oh and if I win, you have to tell me where you've been these last three years."

Ryou rolls his eyes and knows his fate is to lose but he grabs his untouched deck from his bag anyway.

A/N: So this is going be my first longer piece ever and I'm kind of nervous. I'm writing it for NaNoWriMo and I know you aren't really supposed to do fanfiction but this idea has been floating around in my head for a while. I have about five parts written up right now so hopefully there isn't too much time between updates. I don't think there is anything important I need to mention right now. Constructive Criticism and reviews always appreciated!