Well hello people of extreme awesomeness. I have finally written another chapter due to the large amount of guilt swelling inside me, and the fact I had nothing better to do with my time. So here it is.

Disclaimer: YuGiOh is not in my possession...but I am possessed by it!

Yugi's P.O.V

For the rest of the walk Mel hardly said anything at all. Yugi tried to get her to open up a little but she remained distant. After she'd identified the puzzle as a millennium item she'd refused to say anything else about it. Yugi sighed to himself. 'I wonder what's wrong?'

Finally the high school loomed into view, the clock tower showing they had made it just in time.

"Hey, Yugi!" A familiar voice called out. Yugi looked around and saw Joey, Téa, and Tristan running up to greet him.

Mel looked to and saw them approaching. "Umm, well I better go, sorry about running into you earlier." She nervously twisted a strand of her dark hair around her finger. Before Yugi could say anything else she turned and hurried away.

Yugi turned towards his friends who had just caught up with him. Joey looked after the retreating Mel and asked, "Jeez Yug, what'd you do to scare her away so fast?"

"I-I didn't do-"

Téa glared at Joey, "Joey! I'm sure Yugi didn't do anything."

Tristan gladly cut in. "Yah, Joey. The reason she probably left so quick is because she saw you coming."

Yugi watched the Joey turn on Tristan. "What?! No it was probably you!" The two quickly entered a friendly brawl. Both Téa and Yugi laughed.

"Who was she anyway, Yugi?" Téa inquired, looking down at her friend.

"Her name is Mel. She's the girl that got detention yesterday." Yugi explained. "It's kind of strange though, she knew my puzzle was a Millennium item."

That distracted the fighting Joey and Tristan. "What? How did she know that?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, I mean how many school kids would know that other than us?" Continued Tristan.

"Well, after she identified it, she wouldn't say anything else about it." Yugi told his friends.

Before anyone could continue or ask anymore questions, the bell rang signalling the beginning of the school day. Everybody raced off so as not to be late for classes.

The first class of the day was algebra, and as Yugi slipped into his seat he noticed Mel at her seat in the back. She sat with her head down looking at something laid down in front of her. After looking harder, Yugi realized it was a piece of crumpled paper. At that moment the teacher walked in and she quickly shoved the paper into her bag before standing up in attention with the rest of class.

When the class was re-seated Yugi glanced back at Mel again only to see her regarding him already. However she quickly looked away when she noticed him watching.

For the rest of the class Yugi was too bombarded with algebraic equations to think about anything else. The rest of the morning continued in much the same way, with the teachers trying to cram as many facts and figures into their students heads as was possible. By the time lunch rolled around Yugi was wondering how much more he could take.

As he, and his friends lined up in the lunch line, Joey said, "I don't know how much more of this I can take! All I keep thinking is when will my head explode?"

Téa who was quite smart and always managed to keep up with her studies, retorted, "Don't be so dramatic Joey. Soon as you eat you'll be fine."

Joey ignored her comment and continued to grumble.

However Téa was right and as soon as the four friends were seated, Joey began to shovel down his food with a vigour that would have impressed a man three times as big.

Yugi looked around and noticed Mel moving across the cafeteria to an empty table near the door. It occurred to Yugi that despite the fact Mel was in most of his classes and had attended the same school as him for several years, he knew nothing about her.

Joey managed to notice through his eating, Yugi's attention had been diverted from the rest of the group. "Hey, isn't that the same girl you were with this morning?" He said after swallowing a mouthful of potatoes. "You seem to be watching her quite a bit. Perhaps Yugi has a crush." Joey said the last bit quite gleefully, drawing Tristan' and Téa's attention.

Yugi started to protest but was interrupted by Tristan. "What? On who?"

"That girl he was with this morning. She's over there." Joey replied.

Téa looked unsettled by the discussion and tried to defend Yugi who was still protesting about the wild assumption. However both Téa and Yugi were ignored by Joey and Tristan who were singing the 'Sitting in the tree K.I.S.S.I.N.G.' Song.

Then to add to Yugi's embarrassment, Joey stood up, waved his arms, and shouted out, "Hey Mel! Over here!"

Not only did he get the attention of Mel, but most of the cafeteria. Yugi wished he could dissolve into his chair. He looked over at Mel who had stopped dead in her tracks and was looking around to see if there was another Mel near by who could be the one Joey was hailing. Determining there was no such person she hesitantly made her way over to Yugi's table.

Joey purposely moved over a space so Mel had to sit next to Yugi. She looked almost as uncomfortable as Yugi had been moments ago. He wasn't exactly a shy person, but was uncomfortable with large amounts of attention at once.

Joey broke the ice. "Hey Mel, we saw you with Yugi this morning, so any friend of friend of his is a friend of us too."

Mel looked around at everybody as if trying to determine whether everything was a joke or not. Then she said, "Thanks, but we're really more acquaintances."

Téa said, "I'm Téa. This is Joey and Tristan, and you already know Yugi." She nodded at each in turn then continued, "I hope we're not taking you away from your friends."

"No, it's alright." Mel smiled politely but offered no more information.

"Hey Yugi," Joey said with a mouth full of food, "Is it cool if I come over to the shop after school. I have to practice Duel Monsters with your Grandpa if I want to win that tournament."

Yugi nodded. "Sure Joey."

To explain to Mel, Tristan explained, "Joey wants to win the Duelist Kingdom, so he's being taught by Yugi's Grandpa. He also taught Yugi everything he knows about games. Ain't that right Yugi?"

Nodding in agreement, Yugi agreed, "Yup. Do you play at all Mel?"

"Well, a bit. My father taught me." Mel replied. She brushed her fingers against her pocket. "It's been a while though."

"You should come over too if you want." Invited Joey.

Téa gave give an exasperated look. "Joey! You can't use invite people to other peoples homes. It's rude."

"Yugi doesn't mind. Do you Yug?" Joey slung an arm over Yugi's shoulder and grinned.

"It's fine Téa, really. Why don't you and Tristan come over to?" Invited Yugi, not wanting to leave anyone out.

"Alright! It's a plan." Replied Tristan.

"Of course Yugi. Besides I haven't seen you're Grandpa in a while." Said Téa, smiling. She turned to Mel. "Yugi's Grandpa is pretty amazing. He owns a Game Shop, and taught Yugi everything he knows. His deck was the one that helped Yugi defeat Kaiba in a duel."

Joey looked as if he was about to burst at the seems in excitement, and Yugi knew what was coming next.

"Yeah, it was really awesome. Kaiba had all three of his Blue Eyes out, and then Yugi, was all badass, and was like 'Its over Kaiba, I summon Exodia, the forbidden one!' and just like that he wiped out all of the other cards on the field." Joey acted out the scene, and as he pretended to summon Exodia he stood up, knocking his chair over, and threw his hand out in an attempt to banish some invisible foe.

Joey, continued his story, and began acting out Kaiba's defeat. "And Kaiba was all like, 'How is this possible?" And, I swear he screamed when he saw Exodia."

"Joey, sit down." Said Tea, sounding exasperated.

Tristan laughed at his friend, and teased, "Yeah, Joey. Besides, Yugi's is way cooler than that."

Yugi laughed at his three friends. He looked back at Mel who was also looking slightly amused by the banter. "It wasn't really that special." He told her.

"What are you talking about Yugi? Interrupted Tristan. "Its amazing you were able to do that well, under the pressure. I mean your Grandpa was in the hospital. I don't think I could have done it."

"Of course you couldn't have done it. You can't even play." Said Joey.

"What was that you said, huh?" yelled Tristan, and the two began to brawl again.

"I think its amazing." said Mel quietly. "Exodia is an amazing feat, and so is beating Japan's number one duelist."

Yugi laughed a bit awkwardly, but appreciated Mel's words anyway. The rest of lunch break passed quickly for Yugi, as he chatted with his friends, and even Mel seemed to grow more comfortable, although Yugi noticed she still didn't say a lot. Finally the bell rang, and the group had to head back to class.

Unfortunately, the rest of the day did not pass as quickly as lunch hour had, and by the end of the day, the four friends were more than happy to meet up at the schools front gate and head to the Game Shoppe.

"All right!" Exclaimed Joey. "Lets get going. If I'm late who knows what Yugi's grandpa will make to do as punishment."

Téa looked around at the group and asked, "Where is Mel? She was going to come with us today wasn't she?"

"You're right Téa." replied Tristan. He glanced around the school grounds, and said, "I cant see her anywhere in the crowd…. Wait, I think thats her by the door." Being the tallest of the group he began waving to get her attention. "Mel! Over here."

Moments later Mel approached, twisting a strand of her black hair around her finger, and said, "Hey."

"Hey Mel." Yugi greeted cheerily.

"Hey, hey, hey, can we get going already?" Interupted Joey. "Not all of us have the luxury of hanging around talking. Some of us have imminent doom hanging over our head in the form of an old Duel Monsters teacher!"

With that the group set off, Joey, lead the group at a brisk pace, and when he felt they were starting to lag behind he'd turn, shaking his fist and start yelling about Yugi's grandpa torturing him for being late for practice. Tristan would then shout some taunt at Joey, and the two would of course end up arguing in their friendly way.

"Sorry about those two." Apologized Téa to Mel. "They really have no sense of decorum."

"Its okay. Its nice to seen a friendship like you guys. Its like you all fit together like a puzzle." Replied Mel, with a shy smile.

"Thats true." said Téa. "The power of our friendship has gotten us through a lot. Haven't you had friends like that?"

Mel looked down at her shoes. "Not really."

Yugi looked at Mel surprised. Was she like him? It had been a couple of months since he had completed the puzzle, and his wish had been granted. But he understood what it was like to struggle making friends.

Just then a shout from Joey, who was still ahead with Tristan made the other three look up at them. Joey and Tristan were basically, butting heads, over what, Yugi had no idea. Téa was quick to take control however, and went a head to join them and put an end to their fighting, leaving Yugi and Mel together a few meters behind.

"She's pretty great." Commented Mel.

"Téa's always been like that." said Yugi as he watched her pull Tristan and Joey apart. "She's always been brave enough to stand up for other people, and everyone respects her for it."

The two grew silent, and Yugi watched her out of the corner of his eye, unsure of how to restart a conversation. He wished the other three would come back. Joey at least would be able to start a conversation. He never ran out of things to say, and wouldn't even notice an awkward silence. Yugi wished he could be more brave like that.

Mel walked along beside him, in equal silence, looking at the setting sun with a thoughtful expression on her face. She looked calmer than she had in the morning when they'd first run into each other. She'd looked tired and worried, and had been extremely nervous and uncomfortable. When he'd brought up his millennium puzzle, something else had crossed her face.

It wasn't widely known about his puzzle, so how could she have known? Yugi didn't know much about Mel now that he thought about it. Despite being in the same class for years, they never really had talked or anything. He felt kind of bad for never making an effort to be her friend and include her before now.

"Hey, Mel? Can I ask you a question?" Yugi asked, breaking the silence.

"Hmm, oh yeah, I guess, sure?" Mel replied, her answer sounding more like a question.

"How did you know my puzzle was a Millennium item when i showed it to you thins morning?"

Immediately Mel seemed to tense up, and worry clouded her face. "I didn't." She sighed. "It was, I don't know, a guess? Kind of. I don't know."

Yugi was about to ask more, but they'd arrived at at his place, and the rest of his friends were waiting for them. They went in, and were welcomed by the familiar entrance to Yugi's Grandfather's store.

"Grandpa, I'm home!" Called out Yugi.

From behind the counter Yugi's Grandpa appeared. "Hello Yugi. I see you've brought you're friends today." He gave a friendly smile to the group of friends and saw Mel standing behind the rest of the group. "Who's this Yugi? A new friend?"

"Yes, Grandpa. This is Mel. Mel, this is my Grandpa." Introduced Yugi.

"Well, its nice to meet you, missy."

"You too, Mr. Moto."

"Hey, I have an idea!" Said Joey suddenly. "Since Mel plays duel Monsters too, maybe I can practice with her today! I need all the practice I can get if I'm going to win at Duelist Kingdom."

Yugi's Grandpa began to laugh. "Duelist Kingdom! You're a long way from winning a tournament like that. However, practicing against another opponent is a good idea, if Miss Mel doesn't mind of course?" He looked at Mel raising an eyebrow as if challenging her. Despite Grandpa's words, Yugi knew he took a great deal of pride in Joey's skill.

Mel hesitated for a moment before responding. "I don't know if I'd be much of a challenge. I haven't played in years."

"That's okay missy. I'll be practice for you too. Do you mind if I see you deck?"

Mel hesitated again, then reached into her pocket, and pulled out her deck. She gave it a loving glance before handing it over.

Solomon Moto was silent as he shuffled through her deck. When he was done, he looked Mel in the eye, said, "If I'm not mistaken, this deck belonged to Peter Quinn, didn't it?"

Mel's P.O.V

I was surprised at the mention of my father's name. How did this Yugi's Grandpa know my father? How did he recognize his deck? The string of coincidences was almost a miracle.

I looked at Mr. Moto's face and figured he might know something.

"It is. It's my father's deck. I'm his daughter Melanie Quinn. Can you tell me how you knew him?"

So, there's some go the gang for you. Don't worry, Yami will be in the next chapter. The plot will really start to pick up now. At least I hope so. I never know how much I'll end up putting in a chapter.

Have a nice day, and try not to join a suspicious council of doom!