"So you're going to protect my grandson?" Yugi's grandpa asked me as I swept up his game shop.

"Yes sir. That puzzle of his is an extremely important part of the future of the world and he could be in big trouble. But don't worry, sir. I'm highly trained in defense, so there's no reason he should be hurt." I offered a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes and continued to sweep.

"Well as long as Yugi is safe, then I see no harm." Solomon Moto smiled at me and took the broom from me. "You won't do much good cleaning here when Yugi is at school with his friends, you know."

"I'm afraid I'm too old to attend school with Yugi, sir. And I doubt his school would let me in if I said I'm protecting him from an ancient evil."

"Oh…you just might be right. Well in that case here," he handed me a box, "Can you organize these for me? A group of kids came in yesterday and made a mess of them and I haven't gotten around to putting them in order."

"Ok." I nodded and took the box into the back of the shop.

After a couple of hours I had every card in the box organized and I took them back to the front of the shop to be inspected.

"My word! You divided them by star level, attack and defense, and type!"

"Is that not what you wanted?" I cocked my head to the side and waited.

"No no! it's wonderful!" he grinned and ran off with the box before coming back with another. "Can you do the same with these?"

"Yugi gets out of school in less than an hour and I have to walk there to make sure he's safe getting home. I'll do those tomorrow." I gave him a slight bow and walked out of the store before I wasted more time getting to the Pharaoh on time.

"How long have you been waiting here?" Yugi asked as I took his backpack from him and slung it over my shoulder.

"Forty-three minutes and twenty-seven seconds."

"Uh…why?"

"I have to be sure you and Yami are protected and safe at any cost. I would die of starvation and sleep deprivation should the Pharaoh call that upon me."

"He wouldn't do that to you. He's really nice." Yugi smiled at me and nodded at his own words.

"Well I'm glad to hear that…" my voice faded with silent hopes that he's right about the Pharaoh.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm just hoping you're right about that. I don't know if you were paying attention when he and I were talking but my life is literally in his hands…"

"I was listening, but I still don't understand."

"My life is bound to the soul of the Pharaoh Yami. When I was born I had a mark on my back that meant it was my destiny to protect him. I don't remember exactly the rituals that happened to make me bound to be his servant because I was very little, but I know if I fail I die." Yugi stopped in front of me and his energy changed into that of the powerful Pharaoh.

"You need to let that go Jessica. Your heart is bathed in darkness and you'll remain in the shadows until you can learn to live your life."

"My life isn't mine to live…it's…yours."

"No it's not!" I flinched at the anger in Yami's voice and the heat in his eyes.

"I wish you would listen to me Yami. I mean no disrespect master but…" his hand covered my mouth before I could finish my words.

"If you call me master one more time, I'll treat you like I'm your master."

"I'm scared…"

"You should be."

"Master I…"

"WHAT did I JUST say?" Yami grabbed me by my ponytail and tugged it down so I had to look up at him before he captured my lips in a fierce kiss. After what seemed an eternity he pulled away and looked at me, my eyes were filling with tears. "Did I hurt you?" I shook my head. "Then why are you crying Jessica?" My body was shaking so bad all I could do was touch my trembling fingers to my lips.

"I-I n-never k-kissed bef-fore." The hard and angry look on his face softened and he brushed his fingertips over my lips.

"I'm sorry I did that then. Had I known I wouldn't have done that…I shouldn't have anyways, but you…" he paused and continued walking. I trailed behind him and we remained silent for the rest of the walk to Yugi's home.

"Jessica?" Yugi's voice called from the other side of my bedroom door.

"You can open it Yugi." The door squeaked open and Yugi took a step into my room.

"I need you to talk to Yami. Something is bothering him and I don't know what. He seems sad." I looked at him, the innocent and caring look in his eyes was determined for me to help the Pharaoh of his puzzle.

"Promise one thing please…" he nodded and I sighed, "please don't pay attention to our conversation." He smiled and gave me a thumbs-up before his energy changed again.

"Hello Jessica. I see Yugi is trying to make things right."

"He said you've seemed sad, is that right my Pharaoh?" he nodded slightly and I stood and motioned to the bed I was sitting on the edge of. "Please sit and talk with me."

"Why should I?"

"Yugi wants us to." Yami's body stiffened and he nodded before moving past me and laying face up on my bed.

"Not much talking will be done you know."

"Yugi won't take over again until we resolve this." Yami sighed and chuckled.

"Leave it to Yugi. Alright, where do you want to start?"

"I'm sorry I anger you Yami."

"No reason." he motioned with his hand to show it was nothing. "Come here." I took a step next to the bed and knelt at his side. "No no, I mean here." He tapped the bed next to him and I stared at him.

"W-why…"

"Don't worry I won't hurt you." I nodded and sat next to him. "To be honest, you scare me. Something about you has sparked feelings I haven't felt since I was a man long ago."

"It's because I'm female…nothing more."

"No. it's more…much more. I don't know how but I…" his hand slid to my side and his fingers trailed over my hip and down my leg. "It's much more."

"Yami…what are you doing to me?"

"Touching you."

"There's more."

"What do you mean?"

"My body feels funny…" my hands shook as I reached out to touch Yami's cheek. "Your skin is so soft…" my fingers trailed over his lips. "And lips…" he leaned forward and pressed his lips to my cheek.

"I don't know what or how I feel but I know this…you mean something more than you think."