As Normal as Could Be

Dragon Heart stood up weakly. The sun shone through the window of her room telling her it was morning. She was released from the prison and now had returned to her princess title in the Shadow Flames' empire. It was a familiar situation, but Dragon heart was still a little uncomfortable.

Claira opened the door to Dragon Hearts room followed by Spice.

"Morning sleepy head!" Spice said happily. Dragon Heart smiled and walked closer.

"What time is it?" she asked as she strolled out of the room. Claira followed.

"Its ten o'clock, but don't feel bad Fang is still asleep." They talked as they went to wake up Fang. Soon Panthera joined them. When they got there, Fang's door was locked. The group moved out of the way to let Claira get to the door. She stood at the door and picked the lock with ease. They all sneaked into the room and closed the door behind them. The room was very dark, but you could still see Fangs blond hair (It was red, but she changed it for some reason) Spice could barely keep herself from laughing as Dragon Heart walked to Fang's bed. Dragon Heart bent down close to her ear and whispered.

"Run, Fang, run," her voice was deep and low. Fang rustled in her sleep and everyone almost burst out in laughter. Spice had to cover her mouth to mute the giggles. "Faster, faster!" Fang rolled to the edge of the bed. "It's got ya!" Fang jumped and fell off of the bed with a thud. Everyone burst into hysteria as Fang looked up confused.

"What's going on?" Fang asked. Claira clicked on the light while trying to explain.

"You- giggle- were dreaming and," she laughed out again.

"I scared you!" Dragon Heart finished while laughing. Fang understood now and crossed her arms still sitting on the floor.

"Ya'll are mean to a girl trying to sleep!" she said sourly.

"Aww, come on, Fang," Spice help her sister up with a smile, "You slept in anyway." Fang smiled despite herself. They walked out while talking and laughing. Dragon Heart couldn't help but feel at home with all of her sisters. It felt normal for once.

Game shop

Yugi had woken up, and sat waiting for the others. He still couldn't believe she was gone. He still held hope that she would come back, but that hope was fading fast.

The bell of the shop rang and the voices of Joey, Tristan and Duke. Yugi came out to meet them. Tea and Talon were there too. They greeted each other cheerfully. All except Talon, he was in a strangely solemn mood. Yugi was slightly worried, but didn't bother him in his thoughts.

Kaiba Corp

The girls separated into each room and changed into some outing cloths. They had all agreed to go shopping (although Claira and Dragon Heart were strongly against shopping). There was to be a ball the next night and almost everyone in Domino was invited. It was the dance that Dragon Heart (and maybe some of her sisters) would choose a husband for her reign as queen.

Dragon Heart was ready first. She wore some tight, boot-cut, blue jeans with a blue shirt that complimented her eyes nicely. She also wore some black boots and her blue necklace. Each sister had their own color necklace. Her hair was neatly pulled up in a ponytail to keep it out of her face.

Claira came out next. She wore Black jeans and shirt. The shirt showing some stomach. Her hair was the same, and her necklace was black jewel. She walked over to Dragon Heart.

"Do we really have to do this?" Claira asked a bit sarcastically. Dragon Heart nodded.

"Do you want to go to a huge ball wearing a T-shirt and jeans?" Dragon Heart replied. Claira sighed and crossed her arms.

Spice came out and walked over. She wore an orange shirt with some dark blue jeans. She wore some high heels that were covered by her jeans. Her hair was down but she wore a head band to keep it out of the way. Her necklace was a ruby.

Fang and Panthera came out at the same time. Fang wore a light blue shirt and some white pants. She had some clips to hold back her long bangs. Panthera wore a tight black T-shirt with camo pants.

"We ready?" Dragon Heart asked. Everyone agreed and they walked out. As they walked down the hall they heard someone coming.

Kaiba walked around the corner and froze. He was holding his head to stop the pounding of a headache, and his eyes were wide. Four girls stared back at him. Fang jumped out and walked over to him.

"Ya like my new hair Kaiba?" she asked sweetly leaning against him. Spice saw the moment and shove out of the group before Kaiba could answer.

"Hey, Kaiba wanna go shopping with us?" she put her arm in his. He couldn't pull away. As Fang grabbed his other arm, Panthera walked behind him and pushed him along.

"Come on, company boy," she said slyly. Dragon Heart and Claira moved over while Kaiba was shoved by.

"Look at the 'lady's man' go," Dragon Heart said quietly.

"Come on, Dragon," Claira said, following the group down the hall, "We need to save him before something happens." Dragon Heart followed with her arms crossed.

"Do you like him?" Dragon Heart asked bluntly. Claira stopped. Dragon Heart walked past and turned around. "He IS cute." She added. Claira continued walking after a second.

"Asking me, he's already taken," she said not giving Dragon Heart a straight answer. Dragon Heart smiled as she followed Claira out.

City

Yugi and the group watched as Joey dueled a kid for fun. It was a surprisingly close duel, but the group had no doubt that Joey was going to win. Talon didn't seem his cheerful self, and it was worrying Yugi.

"Is something wrong?" Yugi asked Talon while the others were preoccupied with the duel. Talon snapped out of his thought and looked at Yugi, not even trying to smile.

"Yugi," he said quietly, "We need to talk…alone." Yugi looked at the others. Joey had just won and was celebrating in the usual Joey kinda way.

"Ok, let me tell the others," He walked over and Talon watched as he explained. As he came back Talon looked up at the others and tried a smile.

"I'll see you guys later," he said. He then turned to Yugi, "Let's go to my house." Yugi didn't object. Telling by Talon's voice, he wasn't in a mood to argue.

When they got there Talon walked straight upstairs to Dragon Heart's room and paused at the door.

"Yugi," he said again not looking back. Yugi stopped behind him. Yami was watching and began to feel a little worried. "What happens now must remain a secret. Everything I say and do must never leave this room. Understand?" Yugi waited and thought.

"Promise," he finally said. Yami took over and put his hand on Talon's shoulder. "What do you want to say?" Talon opened the door while speaking.

"Dragon Heart is a very complicated girl, even for a girl," he said slowly as he walked into the room and stood in the middle. Yami followed. "Things that have happened to her have cut and scarred her so deep that she can barely keep on a smile." He walked to a large black dresser. "The way she has held on to life is amazing to me, because I know what she has gone through. You and your friends, on the other hand, only know her as a simple girl with a dark history." He opened a drawer and pulled out a black book, "I need to help you understand why she's done what she has." He turned around and looked Yami in the eyes. His glare was unbelievably serious, "You, of all people, should understand that her past is closely connected to these happenings. It's funny," he forced out a slight chuckle, "We've been together since birth and I still can't understand her motives, but…" he looked at the book then back at Yami, "She is very happy and calm when around you. And that's why I want you to have this." He pushed the book into Yami's arms.

"What is this?" Yami asked opening to the first page. His eyes widened as he read the large letters: The Dairy of Dragon Heart Malitarin. Why are you giving this to me?" He looked up. Talon was looking down and tears were forcing their way into his eyes.

"Dragon Heart can't tell you what she's gone through because it was so painful," he said a little choked. "She really wants you to know." Yami looked down at the book as he closed it.

"I don't know if I should…" Yami felt as if he was invading her privacy, but Talon insisted. He wasn't going to change his mind.

That night Yugi lay on his back in his bed staring at the book in his hands. He still hadn't worked up enough courage to read it, but what was he supposed to do? The puzzle lay beside him and Yami was standing by the bed.

"I think I'm ready," Yugi said. Yami nodded and sat on the side of the bed. Yugi delicately open to the first page. It had the title of the book and one entry.

Dear NEW dairy,

Talon got me this dairy for my tenth B-Day! Isn't he sweet?

I got a necklace from my mom. She says it's a tradition every time a girl in our family turns ten. I can't wait to see what Claira gets! I'll write more soon!

Yugi paused and turned the page. There was a picture of Dragon Heart and Talon at the top of the page. They were smiling with their arms over each other's shoulders, and Dragon Heart was holding up her necklace. The next entry was more about Claira's birthday. The third entry had something new.

Discovery-day one of escape,

It's horrible! My family wants to offer me to the Masters! I almost can't believe it. My heart aches. I am in my room now, crying. How could they do this to me! I must be strong and move on to my escape. I can't sit around and just wine, I must act. I will attempt to convince Talon to help me tonight.

Yugi stopped and looked at Yami. "She was only ten!" he said in shock. Yami looked away in thought then turned back. Yugi turned back to the book as well.

Day two of escape,

Talon agreed to help me, but he is a little shocked by my discovery. I can only look to him for comfort now. Nothing mom or father say seems to help anymore. I love them so much it hurts to leave. I have vowed to return for them once I am able. Claira doesn't believe the Shadow Flames are evil and I dare not tell anyone else. I feel ill and must rest. Tomorrow night Talon and I are escaping.

Yugi turned the page. This story was getting interesting to him and was answering a lot of questions already.

Day four of escape,

We have succeeded. My old life is behind me now, but the war has just begun. We are staying in the desert until Talon can find a home- a temporary home at least. It gets very cold in the desert. It's not all bad, though. There are so many things I've never seen in the desert. I got to see the city, too. Of course I couldn't go in yet. I just saw it from a hilltop. It is huge! I took some pictures that I have put in here.

There was a picture of the city from a distance and some wildlife: a lizard, vulture and a strange-looking cactus. Yugi closed the book. They had read a lot already, and it had gotten late. He put the book on his desk with the puzzle.

"We'll have to read more of it later," he said climbing back in his bed. Yami agreed and disappeared back into the puzzle.

That afternoon in the city

The girls piled out of Kaiba's limo moving into a store. Kaiba had loaned them the limo to get them off his back; easy enough except Spice had snatched his Visa on her way out. They all began to pick dresses almost immediately. They had a blast picking and trying on some of the most expensive.

"How about this one for you, Dragon?" Fang held up and slender blue dress. Dragon looked it over.

"I don't know," she replied, "It shows a little much."

"Oh, c'mon," Fang shoved it into her arms, "You need to be less conservative and impress someone!" She pushed Dragon Heart into a dressing room. "Try it on; you'll love it." Dragon Heart sighed and put it on. As she stepped out everyone gasped and agreed. It was beautiful on her and fit her perfectly.

"We found a winner folks!" Spice said as she looked around for something for me." Everyone laughed and Dragon Heart went back in the dressing room to change back.

As Fang rummages through some outfits she heard some other group yelling. They were on the other side of the store in the men's department and one guy wasn't happy. She snaked around to the area and peeked around the corner. It was Joey who was yelling his disapproval about a shirt Tea was holding up. Fang raised an eyebrow. Joey was cute!

"You must be crazy if you want me to wear dat!" Joey yelled.

"Fine!" Tea replied as she put the shirt back, "I'll find something else." Fang walked to a stand and pretended to be looking trough them. Joey stood pouting when he saw her. She looked at him and winked with a smile. He blushed and looked away. Fang was about to walk over when she heard her name called. She huffed and walked back over. Panthera was holding up a red dress that looked like a ballroom dress. Everyone was laughing.

"Wanna wear this, Fang?" Panthera asked sarcastically.

"Hey! I was flirting with a cute guy!" Everyone stopped laughing and looked with interest.

"Who?" everyone asked at once.

"Come on, I'll show you," She sneaked over and pointed Joey out in the group. "Isn't he the cutest! So handsome!" They giggled and whispered. Dragon Heart recognized him of course, but didn't say anything about that.

"Why don't we invite him to the ball?" Dragon Heart suggested, "Then maybe you could dance." Fang gasped.

"We could!" She said as if the idea was life-changing. She pulled out some pieces of paper.

"What are those?" Dragon Heart asked curiously.

"They're invites for a situation just like this."

"What kind of situation?"

"When I run into a cute guy, and want him to come!" She walked over to Joey. "Hey." Joey looked at her confused.

"Hi," he replied.

"I was wondering if you would like to come to a dance my family's hosting," she held out the invites, "Your friends can come, too." She smiled as he took them.

"I guess so, thanks!" Fang smiled.

"Don't be late," she walked back over to the other side of the store.

"Wow," Joey looked at the invitations. Wait till Yug hears about this." Tea looked at Joey.

"Now we really need to find you something to wear," she said.

"What's wrong with what I wear!" He blurted. Fang and her sisters bought their stuff and left with smiles galore. Tomorrow would be some night!

Whoo- hoo! This is going to be a ball! Literally! Ha-ha! Anoywho, I hope you like it! - (R&R)