Chapter Four is where things get longer and the anime/manga will finally be introduced. Also, I have a confession; I've never truly read the manga. So, I started reading it online. Then, I realized it is almost completely different than the anime! Guess I'll be buying the manga… *sighs, then shrugs* This will start off with Ishizu coming to Domino with her exhibit (although it will be Japan, not America, like how the English dub has it. Most dialogue will come from Japanese subs from videos or my own made up stuff). So, from here on Marik and the rest of that timeline/story will be involved, along with my own made-up nonsense! Yay!

So, let's get started, shall we?

Also, you know Yami and Tea's date? Well, it will be Yami and Ava's date! Take out Tea and put in my own OC, what an "original" idea, eh? *wink* Ok, I know it's not an original idea at all, but I love it in every story I read. I love the date episode, so it's getting put into story…I just don't like Tea/Yami. I am a shipper of Tea and Yugi. Now, we can begin!

As everyone left school, Joey and Tristen found themselves having the best of time—Clean Up Duty!

"So, what's the word on Serenity's operation?" Tristen asked.

Joey turned around, a big smile spreading, "Thanks to Yugi, I was able to hire the world's most elite doctor to fix her eyes! She's gonna be able to see again!"

"That's awesome!" Tristen said, adding, "So, when do we visit?"

Joey suddenly got a little uneasy, "Well, it's not that easy…"

Dipping his mop in the dirty water, swishing around as he did so, Joey continued, "After our parents divorced, my sister and me have lived separate lives."

Tristen grabbed Joey, a coy looking grin on his face, "What'cha talking' about?! You gotta go! In fact, we can go together!"

Joey, then, became a little irritated, "Why the hell are you goin', again?"

"To see Serenity, of course! She looks different from you, so I know she's cute." Tristen said, a little perverted sounding as he went along.

Joey grabbed Tristen, forcing him into a rather painful looking hold that made it look like he was going to break the poor pervert's spine clean in two. "You asshole! I'll send you to the hospital, alright!"

((A/N: I had to intermingle the English dub lines in. I love them too much to not do so.))

Waiting for it to quit raining, or at least ease up a bit, Ava stood there, outside the door but still managing to be rain-free. The rain was calming, yes, but she didn't want to be soaked the entire walk home.

"Oh, Ava!" Yugi called, walking up.

"Uh? Oh, hey, Yugi." She greeted with a smile.

"Umm…I was…I was wondering if you were free this weekend. Sunday, to be exact." Yugi said, sounding pretty nervous as he did so. Thinking the nervousness of his words sounded a little weird, Ava replied with some uncertainty, "Yeah, I am. I'm always free, you know that."

Yugi nodded, "Well, I wanted to ask you for a favor, and I completely understand if you say 'no', but I thought I'd give it a try."

"Yugi, spit it out." Ava said, crossing her arms.

"Well, my other self hasn't been acting like himself, and I thought it'd be good for him to talk to someone." Yugi said, trying to clear away the uneasiness he was sure his face broadcasted. "Even though you both have only spoken a handful of times, he seems calm around you, and he even shows concern when something is obviously bothering you. So, I thought…"

"That could talk to him about it?" Ava inquired.

Yugi nodded, "Exactly!"

"Question." Ava stated, continuing, "Why don't you just talk to him, or even let Tea do it? Hell, even Joey! I don't know him like you guys. In fact, out of everyone, I'm pretty sure I know him the least!"

"He won't talk much to me," Yugi said in return. "From the times we've talked, you've always seemed to help me out, even if it was nothing."

"Yugi, I don't really…" Ava said, sounding very uneasy.

Yugi wanted try to get his point across, "You know how you said you trusted me to hold your bracelet, because you felt I was trust-worthy? You didn't know why or how…you just knew?" Ava nodded, Yugi continuing, "Well, that's what I feel about this. I can't explain why…I just know you are the one that can do this. You're best for the job!"

"Hmm…" Ava hummed, but ultimately gave in.

"Great! Thanks a lot, Ava." Yugi said, running out into the rain. "I need to head to the store before heading home, so I'll see you there!"

Ava blinked, sighing in obvious unease, "Geez…what have I gotten myself into?"

When the weekend approached, Yugi found himself standing before the mirror, a little anxious about what he should wear for today. Yami, on the other hand, sat on the bed, wondering why Yugi was so antsy.

"Well, I set up the day for me and Ava to spend some time together. You know, just to talk." Yugi said, turning back to the mirror. "I just wish I could settle on an outfit. Does this stand out too much?"

"A date? With Ava? I'm surprised, but go for it, Partner!" Yami said with a smile.

Even so, the smile wasn't completely true. Upon hearing the "date" news, Yami felt a small burn inside. But why? He knew Yugi liked Tea, but he was young and it was normal for his young heart to waiver. If he liked Ava, why should it bother him? He shook it away, for now, feeling it was nothing that necessarily needed his attention.

"I will, but it's not my date…" Yugi whispered before giving a wink into the mirror he looked into.

Since she was already out and about pretty early that morning, Ava told Yugi just to meet up with her. So, standing at the library, she waited. The entire morning, one question haunted her, over and over; why was she going through with this? Honestly, what could she say to help the spirit? Nothing. That's right…nothing.

"I know nothing about this situation! Yugi…why did you have to set this up? Geez…" Ava thought as she absentmindedly chewed on her bottom lip.

Yugi rushed to the library, seeing Ava standing there.

She was in something other than her uniform, which was a nice change. Her outfit consisted of a long grey tunic top which she wore a swear over top of, as well as normal black jeans. She wore gladiator scandals that went part way up her legs, her usual bracelet, a necklace, and wore her hair in a half-up/half-down style. She carried a small handbag with her, as well as sunglasses clipped to the front of her shirt.

Yugi smiled, unconsciously commenting on how nice—aka cute—Ava truly did look.

He looked down at the puzzle and smiled, "Ready or not, I leave the rest to fate. Good luck, Spirit."

A quick golden later and there was an extremely confused Yami, looking like he'd just been dropped off in some alien location. Quickly realizing Yugi had done this, he began shouting at the puzzle, catching Ava's attention as he did so.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!" He shouted in irritation, "THIS ISN'T A DUEL, YUGI!"

((A/N: Oh...the abridged version forever changed this scene, haha!))

Looking up, especially after seeing Ava's gaze pointed right at him, Yami felt rather small.

"Hello," He awkwardly stated as he raised his hand in greeting.

In a coffee shop ((A/N: Actually, it's Starbucks. Don't believe me? Watch the Japanese dub. The logo is on the cups Yami and Tea are holding. I laughed when I found out; I mean…Yami in a Starbucks? Haha!)) Ava and Yami found themselves at a table. Ava could feel the tension, not to mention awkwardness, in the air. She knew she couldn't do this. It was better to take her pride and leave.

"I'm sorry, I told Yugi this was a bad idea. I can leave if you want me to." She said, already readying her bag and self to leave on command.

After all, he looked…well, she wasn't sure what the emotion he wore was. Was it irritation or boredom? Maybe a little of both? But, upon hearing her words, Yami snapped out of his gazing out the window, shaking his head in response.

"It's not you, Ava. So, please, forgive me for being rude." He apologized.

"Actually, I think Yugi was rude…" She said, continuing, "I was under the impression that you knew of this little meeting he'd cooked up."

Yami chuckled lightly, "And I was under the impression that Yugi had a date with you. Guess we were both wrong."

Ava blinked, nearly choking on her drink, "D-Date?! Oh, no…no no no."

Yami gave a look of shock, followed by an amused smile, "Forgive me, again."

Ava, finally, regained her composure, "I mean, don't get me wrong, any girl would love to be with you on a date but…it's a bit too soon. Let's just call this a…umm…nevermind it doesn't get a title. It's just a day for you and I to try and get to know each a little more, 'kay?"

"Honestly, I like that much more." Yami agreed.

Nodding as well, Ava figured it was time to get to business. After all, Yugi had asked her to do this little favor for him for a reason.

"So…Yugi thinks there's something up with you. He said something about not being yourself." Ava said, taking another drink. "Any idea what he might be meaning, because I am lost."

Yami gave a surprise look Ava's way, him looking at his drink next, "Well, I think I do. I haven't been myself, it's true. I just…I feel like something isn't right. Like something's missing."

Ava blinked, "What do you mean?"

He glanced at the few bracelets he wore on one of his wrists—bracelets Ava was certain Yugi had put on, not Yami—and began speaking, "I watched him put these on. I thought it was…well, you know, for you and him to spend the day together, but, really, it was for this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset. I just…he hides who he really is so he can fit in when he should just be himself."

"He's worried about you, you know." Ava said, looking Yami right in the eye.

Yami blinked, "He's got no need to worry about me. He doesn't even know what he, himself, wants."

"Okay, you lost me…" Ava said, a uncertain grin on her face.

Never breaking eye contact, Yami spoke, "Just as I am, he is looking for who he really is."

"…Still not understanding…" Ava said, being honest.

"Who am I? Where did I come from?" Yami replied, "I don't know how to find these things out. But that's fine. Things are fine the way they are."

Ava doubted that, really. He was a spirit that was, according to Yugi, thousands of years old, and he was trying to say that he didn't mind never finding things about himself out? Like who he was or where he came from? Why he was even here? Come on. People that actually live in the present time ask themselves the same questions!

"I don't think you're being honest with yourself," Ava said, Yami's attention snapping her way.

"Huh?" He questioned.

"It sounds like you're more afraid of what you might find, in my opinion." She finished, Yami looking down at the table for a moment.

Could she really look right through him that easily?

"However, I think everyone is that way. The unknown and what exists inside it is something I think people should be cautious of. After all, isn't that why so many people are afraid of the dark? But you can't let that keep you from going into. I mean, look at me. Living on my own is hard, and it's even harder knowing my parents are thousands of miles away, but it's also helping me." Ava said.

Yami blinked, "How so, exactly?"

"Well, it's giving me a taste of what real life, living on my own, no rules, is all about. When you actually have to live on your own, you realize it's not as fun as most believe it to be. Especially when realize there is only you now when it comes to killing spiders. Worse days of my freaking life, let me tell you."

Yami had to chuckle at her words, but they didn't seem to give much effect on him. While they were enlightening, in their own right, they didn't add to his situation, really.

Ava, realizing this, went about it from a different perspective, "Maybe you need to think of this way: You have your own person, and Yugi has his. The way I see it is that, one day, you won't be there to guide him. Thousand-year-old spirits don't just come for vacations, I figure. You have something to do, a purpose, like we all do. Yugi, also, has his own purpose. Like him, you just have to willing to find it."

Ava looked at the puzzle, "And I know a good place to start. Domino Museum. I heard they have a new Egyptian exhibit there. The puzzle is from Egypt, so…it's a good place to be begin!"

Yami didn't look as confident as Ava felt, causing her to immediately lose her own confidence, "Then, again, I don't think I'm qualified to give you such words. I mean, we're still getting to know each other."

"Your words are wise, Ava, and, some day, you're going to use them for just the reason you were given such wisdom." Yami said, his eyes returning to gazing out the window. "But…I just don't think I'm ready for such a thing. Not yet. I know Yugi wants us to remain together, as we are, and going after such answers…would ruin that. As I said, I am fine with the way things are. They don't need to change."

After a moment or two of silence, Ava picked up her bag, and spoke as she took hold of his wrist, "Come on. Let's get our minds off this conversation and spend the day looking around town. You never know, it could be just the thing you've been needing."

((A/N: Yes, through this whole thing, I am envisioning the abridged version of this episode. In fact, I'm even singing the "Beauty and the Beast" little parody song in the abridged ep…lol Btw, I am going to have to change the flow of the episode because the whole Johnny Steps/dance-thing isn't going to be this as Ava isn't a dancer and wouldn't play DDR where a good amount of folks can see her…))

Walking around town, Ava and Yami went to a number of places; the movie theater, music stores, the park—where Ava nearly died from laughter as poor Yami got attacked by pigeons—and even swung by the arcade. Afterwards, they stopped by a Duel Monsters card shop.

"Duel Monsters cards? I didn't know there was even a shop here." Yami said, a little astounded.

"I think it just opened not long ago," Ava said. "Let's go inside."

"Okay," Yami agreed, both walking in together.

As Yami looked at the booster packs, so did Ava. Noticing, he looked over at her. Was she a duelist?

"Oh my, wow! Look! They have Amaranth! The Guardian Mage!" Ava, then, gasped and continued in her little fangirl-like rant, "They have keychains of her?! I'm getting one!"

Yami watched the entire little rant, a smile playing on his face. He had never seen her react like this; neither had Yugi, actually. Immediately, Ava looked at him, blinking in shock before the embarrassment took over.

"I, uh, I'm sorry you witnessed that…" She said, looking at the ground as she pushed imaginary dirt around with her foot.

It's ok. Yugi has exhibited such behavior before." Yami admitted, nearly chuckling at the memory of such a thing. He continued, "So, then, I am guessing you are a duelist?"

Ava nodded, "I am, but I don't duel much. If given a chance, I bet I'd be pretty rusty."

"Why don't we find some place and duel, then? It'd be a shame to let those skills go, unused." Yami said, taking out his own deck.

"Aren't you buying some cards, first?" Ava said, reminding him of the few booster packs he held.

As if he had forgotten, Yami nodded, "Yes, you're quite right."

((A/N: We all know Yami got Light Force Sword…so skipping on to my made-up duel. If you wish, you may skip it. We all know who will win…or do we? Hee hee hee. Also, I'm just going by normal dueling rules. So, they might not follow the show or game 100%. The show doesn't follow the true rules anyways…))

Ava knew a good way to cheer Yami up; a friendly duel! He had gotten so excited when it came to looking at cards, so Ava felt positive about this one. Turns out, rather than go all the way back to the game shop, Yami had been carrying a dueling mat; when she asked why, he claimed that yugi kept it on him in case Joey wanted a random duel, which was something that, apparently, happened quite a bit. It wasn't as exciting as using a machine that produced holograms but…this was just as fine, in Ava's opinion. Anything that cheered up a friend made her happy, with or without holographic monsters.

"I'll begin with the Celtic Guardian!" Yami stated, placing his monster in attack mode.

"Alright," Ava said, fingering through her cards. "Then, I will place this in face-down and this little beauty on the field."

"A magic card?" Yami asked aloud. "I do not believe you are as rusty as you claimed."

"You never know. Who said it's a magic card?" Ava inquired, ending her turn.

"I guess we'll see," Yami said, continuing, "I attack with Celtic Guardian!"

"Bad move," Ava said, turning her card over.

Yami's eyes widened, "Witch of the Black Forest?! So, then, you get to immediately add one card from your deck to your hand!"

"Uh huh! And I choose this girl!" Ava said, laying down a card. "Amaranth the Guardian Mage! Her special ability allows her to be automatically payed whenever I draw her from my deck."

Yami gave a grin, "I am to, then, assume she has other special abilities?"

Ava shrugged, "You're an opponent. So, until the duel has claimed a winner, you're an enemy. Well, kind of. I'm just not giving you any hints or help."

"Which is exactly the way I'd like it to be, Ava!" Yami said, ending his turn as he played a facedown.

"I assume she will use a special ability to knock down my life point count. The facedown I placed, Divine Wrath, should do the trick, also destroying her card." Yami thought out his strategy. "I know you love that card, but it won't be on the field for too long, Ava."

"Unless she isn't trying to do that," Yugi said all of a sudden.

"Well, I guess we will see." Yami said, ending his turn.

"I'd bet anything that is a card to get rid of my Mage," Ava thought, a smile spreading on her face. "However, it's not gonna work the way he wants it to!"

Ava drew, speaking, "My Mage's special ability, number two of three, erases that card from the field, Yami! Well, it does if it's a magic or trap. Monster cards aren't affected."

Yami's eyes widened, a smirk playing on his features before he removed the card from the field and placed it in the Graveyard. "Clever, Ava. You read through my move quite easily."

"I have a feeling she lied to us, saying she wasn't much of a duelist." Yugi chimed, Yami nodding in agreement.

"I agree, Aibou. However, she never said she wasn't much of a duelist. She merely said she might have been rusty. I wouldn't say it was out of the realm of possibility that she had been in a few tournaments in the past." Yami thought to his mind partner. "She's too skilled with the rules to be some ranked amateur."

"Well, it's your move." Ava said, wondering why Yami had been so quiet.

"Very well. I draw!" Yami called out, drawing from his deck.

In his hand was Kuribou, Silver Fang, Living Arrow, Beta The Magnet Warrior, and Spellbinding Circle. The Spellbinding Circle could come in handy, but Ava's creature and its special ability makes it nearly useless. All he could do now was to set a defense and hope to draw a card that could turn this duel.

"I play Silver Fang in defense and end my turn," Yami stated.

Ava nodded, drawing from her deck. She looked at him, placing her "thinking cap" back on. She needed him attack.

"I love my Mage but her full potential can't be reached until she is destroyed in battle," Ava thought, looking at Yami once more, speaking aloud, "Neither of us seem to have a good hand, so I'll do us both a favor."

She placed Card Destruction on the field, Yami giving her a smirk.

"I should thank you. However, I have a feeling you didn't do that to truly help me." He said as he discarded his hand, drawing four new cards. "I don't know your strategy, but that won't help you, Ava. Dueling me meaning dueling against the Duel Monsters Campion!"

Ava rolled her eyes, "Someone has an ego."

She, then, laughed, showing she was just having some fun teasing. As she drew, she placed a monster in defense and one facedown, motioning that she ended her turn. Eventually, someone was going to attack. Yami drew another card, inwardly grinning in excitement. This was a much better hand than before!

"I sacrifice my Silver Fang, so that I can summon my Dark Magician Girl!" Yami called, feeling his excitement grow. "Next, I use a Magic Card! Sage's Stone, which allows me to automatically summon my Dark Magician!"

Ava had to commend him for that move! It was just what she expected, too!

"So, Ava, I figure you know what happens next." Yami said, commanding his Magicians, "Attack her Mage, as well as her lifepoints!"

Ava couldn't save her monster from Dark Magician, but her facedown prevented from a direct assault via Spirit Barrier.

"So, you were able to protect your life points from my direct attack, but you still lost a chunk. Your Mage had 1800 attack points, my Dark Magician has 2500. That is a total of 700 points lost." Yami said, triumphant at his attack.

Ava nodded, "You did land an attack, but…well, I wanted you to destroy my monster. Honestly, 700 points of damage was worth bringing out her true power."

Yami's eyes widened, "True power?!"

"Uh huh! And because you sent her to the graveyard through the attack of your monster, Yami, you allow me to bring out my second most-prized creature!" Ava said as she fingered through her deck, pulling out a card and playing it face-up on the field. "My 'King of Centuries Old'!"

Yami blinked, a little lost. That was the true potential of her Mage? This "King" did have an impressive number of attack points—that being 2100—but it still didn't seem all Ava had stoked it to be. Yami figured she had more planned out and wasn't risking in letting the secret out just yet.

"My King allows me to return my mage to the field, also," Ava said, placing her previously-destroyed creature back on the playing field.

That was it. That was the reason she let him destroy her monster.

"You see, Amaranth is the King's protector, and, as such, when she is destroyed in battle, he not only avenges her but also calls her back to the field. Their bond is tough and strong, nigh impossible to break!" Ava said, almost as if she had been reading a love story of some kind. She, then, added, "Also, his Special Ability destroys the monster that destroyed Amaranth, removing the monster from play altogether."

Yami blinked, astounded. She just got rid of his best monster!? So easily, too?!

"Very well," Yami said, honestly a little peeved at losing his most-prized monster from the game.

Next, he drew.

"Ava, I don't know what powers your monsters possess, but the game is over from here on." Yami said, laying down a card: Brain Control.

Ava's eyes widened. Did he just draw that!?

"Your King might very well be attached to your Mage, but while under my control that bond isn't so strong and is very breakable! I have to give up 800 points, but it is a price I am willing to pay to rid the field of your monsters!" Yami said, taking possession of Ava's King. "Now, my King attacks, sending your mage back to the grave! But since both creatures are yours, you are cut down to 1000 points."

Next, he set down a magic card: Magic Formula.

Ava's eyes widened, "That card…"

"I see you know what the outcome of this duel will be once I equip this card, then?" Yami said, a smirk spreading upon his face. "My Dark Magician Girl gains an extra 700 attack points, and now that you've no monsters to defend yourself…this duel is over!"

((A/N: You don't have to say it…I'm not good with writing out duels. So, in the future, unless it is absolutely needed, I will skip the duel whenever one comes up in the story.))

Ava smiled, gathering her cards and placing them all in her deck, speaking, "Congrats. I knew you'd win."

"Don't sell yourself short, Ava. You are a duelist with more skill than I assumed you possessed." Yami said, commending her in his own way. "How many tournaments have you entered in the past?"

"Three, winning one of them. I have the trophy at home, actually." Ava confessed, pocketing her deck. "I just don't make a big deal of it, I guess. I've never won anything as grand as Duelist Kingdom, after all."

Yami chuckled, "You may say that, but I am still impressed."

Ava smiled, a proud grin shown, "I'll take that as a compliment!"

Ava and Yami walked around a little longer, soon stopping by an overlook near what appeared to be the ocean (or a really big lake). Yami seemed lot in thought, but they kept walking along, not really aiming for anything or any place in particular.

"Wanna head back? It's getting dark." Ava said, "Actually, there is one more place I'd like to go." Yami said.

"Huh? Where?" Ava asked.

"The museum." Yami replied, placing his hands in his pockets.

Ava couldn't help but widen her eyes. Wasn't he just saying not long ago that he didn't want to figure out those answers? What changed his mind?

"But…I thought…you said earlier…" Ava said, having a hard time voicing her thoughts.

Yami already knew them, though, "Something you said before, earlier today, left me thinking, even while we were dueling. Back then, you said we all have our purpose. Aibou has his, and I have mine. Until now, I haven't had the strength to go searching for it."

"But…?" Ava said, urging him to continue.

"But you helped me to find it. I know I have something to do, a purpose," Yami said, pausing.

"I just worry what it might be…" he finished after a moment passed by.