Hi guys! This is my very first fic, so please be gentle. I typed it up on my little iPod touch notepad app so i sincerely apologize for any errors.
This fic contains violence, strong language, and some Smut for future chapters.
*Genderbent characters* If you don't like that sort of thing, then this story is not for you.
*Yami "Bakura" will be replaced with "Akefia" later on. I hope the name change will not confuse you.


Chapter 1- "Am I going insane?"

It was the very early hours of the day, merely a quarter until six in the morning. A window was half opened, and the curtains on the inside swayed with the wind. The room was deathly quiet except for the faint sound of soft breathing coming from the old velvet colored couch. It wasn't a very expensive piece of furniture, but it looked quite elegant with its soft textured pattern and cloud-like cushion. Despite it's appearance, it wasn't the most comfortable couch, but the young girl slept atop it effortlessly. A thin stack of white copy paper with small text printed on them sat on her chest as she slept, each page lightly flapping along with the morning breeze coming from the slightly opened window. Her chest heaved up and down as she got the much needed sleep. Her dreams were more like nightmares as a dark fog always clouded her mind.

The sun began to break through the cloudy skies. It's rays of light passing through the blinds and landing on the girl's face. The unexpectedly warm sensation caused her to shift a little but not too much. She continued to sleep a little longer until the sun's rays shone bright on her closed eyelids and the warmth was becoming too uncomfortable. Thinking that she was on her bed, the young girl turned over to avoid the sun but soon realized she fell short of space and tumbled down to the floor with a loud thud. The papers resting on her chest scattered everywhere.

"Ow!" The young girl rubbed her forehead with one hand and supported her upper body with the other. She landed, chest first and face down on the carpeted floor. The carpet scraped on her palm and she felt a burning sensation on it. Her umber eyes narrowed, they were still slightly red from the lack of sleep.

"I've to be more careful and remember where I fall asleep..." She mused out loud as she got on her two feet and glanced over at the silver clock hung on the wall right above her couch. It made a ticking noise with each passing second.

Her eyes widened once she fully focused her vision on the clock.

Six-thirty.

School.

"Oh, Ra I'm going to be late!" Normally, she would leave her house by six. She had a train to catch and try to avoid the mass of people that always managed to get in her way. She sprinted toward her bathroom to freshen up, wash her face, and brush her teeth. Her white disheveled hair proved to be impossible to tame, but after a few attempts, she managed to get it just right.

She frantically searched her closet for her school uniform: A long sleeved white button up shirt with a short blue skirt that was at least three inches above the knee and a bright pink coat that hugged her body nicely, revealing her lovely curves that were normal for a teenage girl. She tied a blue bow under her collar and quickly pulled a pair of knee high socks up her smooth legs. Once she slipped on her shoes she grabbed her bag and headed for the door, but quickly stopped dead in her tracks.

"I'm forgetting my report that's due today!" She went back to where the papers were scattered on the floor next to the couch and picked them up. She lifted her head up and caught a glimpse of a beautiful golden ring shaped piece of jewelry laying on her couch. It was the Egyptian artifact her father had given her. It was a souvenir from his travels. She stared at it for a foment and recalled that she never failed to wear it since her father had given it to her. It was very dear to her and she treated it like her own personal treasure. However, she was also convinced that her nightmares started ever since she first wore it around her neck. She shook the thoughts away and picked up the golden artifact. Apparently the report wasn't the only thing she was forgetting. She hung the golden ring around her neck and headed out the door with her report in hand.

"Ryou, you're never late for class, dear..." The tall slender teacher looked down at Ryou standing in the doorway not letting the snowy haired girl in. Her english accent left no trace of anger in her voice. Ryou was a few minutes late and she silently cursed all of the clumsy business workers for getting in her way at the train station.

"..but since you're one of my top students, I suppose I could let this one pass. Just don't do it again."

The senior year teacher gave her a gentle smile but also emphasized the seriousness of her statement with a quick glare. The clutter of people and cabs on the streets caused Ryou a great delay.

"I apologize Miss Blade. It'll never happen again!" Ryou walked passed her teacher and quickly sat down in the back of the class to avoid stares from snotty rich kids that she didn't particularly find interesting. They weren't exactly nice to her either. She didn't have many friends but she wasn't hated either. she only had one close friend. She looked around and saw everyone else looking tired, and lethargic. One kid had already fallen asleep and snored lightly beside her. Ryou sighed, it was going to be a long day.

Ryou stared at the clock the entire time. School was in that awkward stage where it was almost out but teachers still felt the need to give out assignments even though they graded none of it. There was only one more official week of school left and Ryou would be the lucky kid in the graduating class of that year. She smiled at the thought of finally being able to make plans of her own and go to art school to exercise her passion. She absentmindedly doodled on a blank sheet of wide ruled paper. Her hand and pen had a mind of their own as they created a figure on the sheet of paper. She held her head on one hand. Her eyelids felt heavy but was soon startled by the final bell. The mass of students all headed for the door like a tidal wave causing the sheet of paper to fly off of Ryou's desk. A short red headed guy picked it up and turned to look at Ryou.

"Wow! This looks pretty neat! Can I have it?" He asked excitedly catching Ryou off guard. She wasn't even aware of what she had just drawn.

"Thanks. Uh, yeah sure I suppose you could have it." She scratched the back of her head as she blushed at how much the kid admired her drawing that she was completely unaware of.

"Thanks!" He looked down at the sheet of paper and admired her realistic style. It was almost like a photocopy of the human eye. Strange symbols encircled it. He gave Ryou one last smile and walked out of the room. Ryou stayed behind and gathered her belongings into her bag.

A girl of Ryou's age stayed behind with her. She was much more outspoken and less shy. She had long platinum blond hair and tanned skin that beautifully brought out her violet eyes outlined by dark Egyptian style eyeliner. After all, she was Egyptian. The girl wasn't fond of the school uniforms, she couldn't properly express herself and wear the accessories she would have liked. She was gorgeous to say the least. Ryou smelled the sweet scent of lotus perfume around her and looked up to see the pretty Egyptian approaching her with a big smile on her face.

"Hey babe, schools finally out! What do you say we go grab a bite at the new American burger joint?" She had a playful look in her eyes and Ryou could never refuse those sparkling eyes of hers. They had too much history.

"Oh Malik, how could I refuse? Sure I'd love too! There is some stuff I'd like to talk to you about as well." Ryou smiled warmly at the newly named girl, Malik.

"Come on then! I'm starving!" Malik grabbed Ryou's arm and they started walking down the long hallway. Malik rambled on about random shit that had happened to her in school and all Ryou could do was nod. She loved her best friend but the girl was sometimes too damned dramatic.

"...and then the guy gave me his number but I told him I wasn't inter... oh look we're here!" The pretty Egyptian's eyes lit up as they both came to a stop in front of the American style restaurant.

"Ry?" Ryou had been lost in a daze while she held a hand against her chest firmly, but immediately broke out of her musings upon hearing Malik call her name. Truthfully, Ryou hadn't heard much of Malik's story. Odd sensations and pains pulsated within her chest, so naturally, that was what got her undivided attention. However, these sudden sensations weren't anything new. Ryou had been been experiencing them for a while now. She shook her head and looked up at her friend smiling brightly and whose stomach seemed to be literally barking.

"Oh right! Let's eat then!"

"What's been on your mind, Ryou? You've been quite distracted lately. I've noticed. You haven't even touched your food." Malik asked after taking a slurp from her strawberry milkshake. Malik knew Ryou well, and although she acted like she was completely oblivious, the girl's eyes caught everything around her.

"Malik, do you ever feel like someone is watching you?" The platinum blond's eyes widened for a second then she remained silent as if to ponder over the question. However, Ryou didn't give her a chance to answer.

"I've just been feeling strange lately. I've been getting this light pain in my chest that I've never experienced before and my ring seems to react to my pain by glowing dimly." Ryou paused for a moment and thought about how absurd she sounded. She looked down at her ancient artifact then glanced up at her friend who had a conflicting look on her face.

Malik knew perfectly what Ryou had been talking about. She was experiencing strange pains In her chest which she could have sworn were coming from her heart. But she would never admit that. It could have been a medical issue for all she knew. Malik wasn't going to acknowledge that she felt as if she were being watched either. It sounded absolutely ridiculous and crazy. She preferred a sounding as sane as possible, even certain circumstances begged to differ.

"Oh Ryou, graduation coming up is really going to your head isn't it?" Malik reached over and placed a hand on Ryou's head, rattling her hair everywhere as if she were petting a little dog. Ryou sighed deeply with an annoyed expression. She was certain that their upcoming graduation was the last of her concerns. Although it never hurt to prepare for it now.

"No Malik... That's not what's been distracting me. I honestly feel this peculiar pain in my heart and every time that happens my ring glows! I feel something... I feel someone." The restaurant was quiet except for the sound of the door opening causing a little bell to ring. Malik looked at Ryou for a long moment not knowing what to say. She could tell her she's been going through strange things too and they could both ramble on about how crazy they really are, or she could simply talk about the issue with a serious approach.

"Look, Ry, quit being paranoid. All those scary movies you've been watching are getting to your head, babe! You've got to chill." Yeah, a serious approach indeed.

Just then Ryou's heart began beating quickly and she felt light headed. Her already pale face looked even paler. Transparent even.

"Ry?" Malik looked at her worriedly. "Was the food under-cooked? Are you alright?"

"Just... Give me a minute.. I-I'll be back." Ryou got up and headed for the restrooms. Not caring which one she entered, Ryou quickly went inside and supported herself by putting a hand on either side of a sink. The sharp pain In her chest had come back and her Egyptian artifact started glowing again, this time it was stronger than before. Ryou moaned in pain as she felt a strange power escaping her.

"Ahhh! What is wrong with me!?" The pain in her chest was too strong and her head started spinning causing her knees to weaken. Her pain driven screams filled the bathroom as she held a hand over her chest. She could hear her own screams being muffled and it suddenly felt like time was being slowed down. Her vision became blurred and she was slowly loosing consciousness. Her knees completely gave out and Ryou collapsed on the floor, the last thing her weak mind being able to collect was her ring pointing to a dark figure in front of her.

Ryou woke in her bed the next morning. There was no school so she had nothing to worry about thus far. She couldn't exactly remember what had happened yesterday with Malik. She did recall the unexpected ache and it being even more powerful than the last time she experienced it. She wondered who brought her home. Was it Malik? Did the event at the burger joint actually happen? Why did her ring point to something? Was it a person or a thing? Who was that? Or Better yet, what was that? She looked down at her nightstand and saw she had an unread message on her cellphone. It was Malik.

'Hey babe! You just walked out on me the other day... are you mad at me?'

Ryou sighed. She didn't even know what happened the other night herself. She looked down at her artifact and held it tightly.

'What are you trying to tell me..?'

The ring did nothing and Ryou sighed heavily.

She got dressed and headed downstairs. She had many questions about her artifact and she was determined to get answers from the person who gave it to her.