This fic takes place between Yu-Gi-Oh manga volume #7 (the second part of the deadly role-play game) and continues through the Yu-Gi-Oh Duellist manga series. Parts of the origonal story will be re-written, but Yugi and his friends' parts will remain intact, as will the part played by Seto Kaiba, up until after the Duellist Kingdom tournament, at which time, I will freelance the characters. So, in effect, only Mokuba's and Pegasus' roles will change but this will not affect the tournament. Also, this fic revolves around the manga, not the anime series, so Seto Kaiba is in a coma for part of it. As I have only volumes 1 + 2 of the Duellist series, my facts may be a little skewed as I rely more on the anime. Thanks for your time and enjoy!

As Human as You are

Chapter 1

'Goodnight, Grandpa,' said Yugi Mutou as he prepared for bed. 'Goodnight, Mom.'

'Sweet dreams, Yugi,' said Mrs Mutou.

'Beware of those bedbugs,' said Sugoruku Mutou and Mrs Mutou clipped him over the ear.

Yugi laughed good-naturedly. 'I'll be sure to.' He closed his bedroom door and switched off the main light. Now only the desk light shinning dimly from the midst of Yugi's as-yet undone homework lighted the room. Yugi stretched and sighed with satisfaction as he felt his vertebrae crack.

Goodnight, Yugi.

The same to you, Yami, replied Yugi and he turned off his lamp.

---------------

As the huge clock in Domino Town Square struck eight, the bell in Domino high School tolled to signal the commencement of classes.

The usual hustle and noises of the hallways as students rushed to their classes faded as Ryo Bakura entered his homeroom. 'Hey, mates!' he greeted Yugi, Katsuya Jonouchi, Hiroto Honda and Anzu Mazaki.

'Hey, Bakura,' said Yugi. 'How was your weekend?'

Bakura swept a strand of white hair from his eyes and sat at his desk. 'It was okay.'

'It's a pity you couldn't come to the arcade with us,' said Anzu, glancing sideways at Yugi.

'Yeah, sorry about that,' said Bakura. 'I had to go over to my mother's house to spend time with my father. He just came home from Egypt, so I was kind of forced to.'

'Did he bring you home any more cursed artefacts?' asked Jonouchi.

Anzu shuddered. 'Don't remind me of that.'

'Yeah,' agreed Honda. 'I got two holes in my head that time!'

Bakura chuckled. 'No more evil spirits. Not lately, anyway.'

'Settle down, class,' directed the tenth grade homeroom teacher, Suzake. He was a thin, weedy little man who was not cut out for teaching.

The class continued to talk, ignoring their instructor completely. Only Yugi's group of friends paid him any heed. They went to their individual desks and sat down.

'Class,' Suzake coughed. 'We have a new transfer.'

The class continued to disregard him until someone walked shyly into the classroom. She went up to the front desk, smiling vaguely and faced her classmates. She had long black hair that floated around her when she moved and a long fringe that partially obstructed her dark emerald eyes.

As soon as Mr Suzake began writing her name upon the blackboard, the whole class was noiseless.

'Who's the cute chick?' asked Honda.

Anzu glared at him. 'You can't label people like that!'

Jonouchi shrugged. 'Everyone else is doin' it.'

He was correct: the other boys in the class were ogling the new girl shamelessly and the girls were whispering behind their hands.

'This is Bakeshii Emara,' said Mr Suzake.

Bakeshii nodded.

'Bakeshii, there is a desk free beside Mazaki,' said Suzake.

Bakeshii nodded again and weaved through the other students to reach the free desk.

'Hello,' said Anzu after Bakeshii sat down. 'I'm Anzu.'

Bakeshii folded her hands demurely. 'I'm Emara.'

Suzake called the roll and the bell rang for first class. Emara and Anzu had the same lesson: Health and Physical education, so Anzu showed her new friend the way.

Anzu went into the change rooms, and then emerged when she noticed Emara was not following her. 'Did you bring a change of clothes?'

Emara shook her head and took a thick novel out of her bag and sat on the first level of the grandstand in the gym.

Anzu frowned in concern and went into the locker room to change.

Karita, the HPE teacher thundered up to Emara, his heavy thighs rippled and the floor shuddered. 'Where is your sports uniform?' he crowed.

Emara didn't look up at the quivering mass of gym teacher and she picked a slip of paper out of her jacket pocket between her index and middle fingers and handed it to Karita.

Karita scowled and read the note. Then his expression morphed into one of extreme pity. 'Of course, Bakeshii. You are excused from class.'

'That's very understanding of you, sir,' said Emara and she flipped a page of her book.

The rest of the girls gym class were flabbergasted. Karita was never understanding.

'I wonder if I can borrow that note,' mused a girl near Anzu.

Anzu bit her bottom lip. I think there's more to this new girl than meets the eye…