Nefuit: I apologize for length and the slow pace, but if you stick to reading it, the story will turn out good, I can promise that.

Seto: And how much is a promise of yours worth?

Nefuit: *whacks Seto* Plenty! Now, get on with it!

Seto: *sigh* Nefuit doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh! But she does own Kat and the story line.

The titles of this story are lines from one of my poems, which will be explained after each chapter.

Ryou is normal Bakura.

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Two Opposing forces, wielded together.

Ryou sighed as he opened another unmarked box, pulling out one of his favorite sweaters and hanging it in his closet. Ryou and his father had just recently moved to Japan, partly, his father claimed, for his work, but Ryou knew the true reason. His father wanted his abuse to stop, for he thought it was bullies at Ryou's old school in England. If only he knew, Ryou thought and sighed again.

"Ryou! Take a break and come down here for some lemonade!"

"Ok, father, give me a second!" Ryou yelled to his father downstairs. Ryou quickly hung up the rest of his clothing, completing the task of unpacking his belongings. He headed quickly down the stairs, tripping on one of the bottom steps and landing flat on his face. He looked up sheepishly and locked eyes with someone whom he had never seen before.

A young girl, medium height, stood there blushing and holding back a snicker. She would never laugh at someone who hurt themselves, but she could already see she had something in common with this young fellow, occasional clumsiness.

Ryou stared at her in wonder. He wanted to ask who she was, but before he could form these words, Ryou's father entered the room with a tray and three glasses of lemonade.

"Ryou, I want you to meet Kat." His father said as Kat casually walked over and extended a helping hand to the fallen teen, gently pulling him to his feet.

"H-hello." Was all Ryou could manage, for he didn't understand who she was or why she was here.

Kat sensed his uneasiness and shyness and bowed her head in understanding, blushing as she did so.

"I think I will leave you two alone, make yourself comfortable Kat." Kat then thanked Ryou's father for his hospitality.

Ryou stumbled to the couch and plopped down, Kat took a seat across from him in a chair. They both sat there in uneasy silence, Ryou wondering who she was and why she was there, and Kat wondering how much of her presence was known. If only I wasn't so shy, both teens thought at the same time.

"Well, I hate to sound rude, but, who are you and why are you here?' Ryou finally mustered up the courage to ask.

"Hmmm, you know less than I thought. I am just lucky you know English since I know very little Japanese" Kat said, making small talk.

"Same here." Ryou said, staring at his feet, just like Kat a few feet away from him.

Kat looked up to continue her conversation, "I am from the United States, Texas to be precise."

This surprised Ryou. What was she doing all the way in Japan? Her accent was not at all Texan, nor her vocabulary from what little Ryou knew about this state. He decided that is why she wore a long-sleeved shirt, like him, even in the summer. Texas was hot while Japan was mild all year round, or cold to people not used to the weather. He noticed she had long brown hair and slate gray eyes, hidden beneath a pair of glasses. Kat blushed from his gaze and he quickly turned away, embarrassed.

"Your father signed up for an exchange student, that is why I am here."

"Oh!" Ryou said, suddenly making sense out of all this. Ryou's father wanted him to adjust the best he could, so he got him someone to befriend that would always be close by. Although his father can be odd, he was very good at human nature, especially his son's.

"I had just moved to Texas, when my family thought it would be a good idea to get some friends, and they wanted me to have a new start." Kat said, quickly rubbing her left arm, and then rested both of her hands on her lap.

"What a pretty necklace. It looks Egyptian, but I am a little rusty. What does it mean?" Ryou asked, trying to come across as friendly and caring, since shyness could be interpreted as reudenss.

Katie was well aware of what Ryou thought and sighed, she knew shyness all too well. "It is called the Eye of Horus. It symbolises strenght and self- sacrifice." She said, clutching onto the symbol that her parents had given her as a going away present. "I am a little rusty as well, and should pick up my studies" she said, aiming a smile at Ryou.

Ryou was shocked at how alike he and Kat were and decided to pursue this conversation. "So, you like Egypt?" He asked, hoping to have another colleague to talk with in his father's constant absence.

"Yes!" Kat's face lit up. "In fact, I spent some time there." she trailed off, a look of sadness in her gray eyes. Ryou picked up on this and decided not to continue with this topic. Although shy and untalkative, Ryou was a good listener and picked up on subtle clues.

"Here, let me help you up to your room." Ryou offered, picking up one of her sparse bags. He automatically assumed they would share a room, for although it was a two-story house, there were few bedrooms.

"Thank you!" Kat replied, picking up a smaller bag and the last, slightly larger one.

Once upstairs, Ryou helped Kat get set up. They then enjoyed an English meal, much to Kat's and Ryou's delight, for they both hadn't quite adjusted to traditional Japanese cuisine.

They then went upstairs one last time and prepared for bed. Ryou took off his sweater, revealing the golden ring his father had given him two years ago. He then replaced the sweater with a long-sleeved flannel top and changed into matching pants. He wore full-body covering not only for his comfort, but mainly for covering his scars. He couldn't help but wonder about Kat's habits' he pictured her in a spaghetti strap "Princess" top or something.

Ryou then laid down on the pull out bed, examaning his ring, awaiting Kat's return. Kat peeked out of a bathroom and caught a glimpse of the golden item, and then withdrew back into the room. She gasped and mouthed a "No Way!" and then decided not to mention she saw the ring. She made a loud noise, opposite of her nature, to warn Ryou of her approach.

Ryou heard a loud bang and quickly hid his ring back under his nightshirt. He was surprised at Kat's attire; almost identical to his!

Kat noticed, with shock, the similarities as well.

"I find it very comfortable." Was her reply, but she looked down and away at this bold-faced lie. She felt it itchy and uncomfortable, but she had to wear it.

"Me too." Ryou said turning away as well.

Kat smiled sheepishly and crawled into her bed.

"Are you ready to go to school tomorrow?" Ryou sincerely asked.

"Yes, I think it might be fun. Although it will feel weird to be a freshman again. Where do you go to school?" Kat said, enjoying the small talk, something she rarely did or enjoyed.

Ryou chuckled. "Japanese school systems." He let out a sigh. They were in tenth grade, equivalent to a sophmore in America, but a freshman in Japan. "Tomorrow will be my first day as well. I think it is called Domino High, and I am afraid for I know little Japanese."

"I never thought of that. I guess we could help each other translate!" Kat said, with a big smile. Ryou returned the smile as he turned off the light and proceded to drift off to sleep. Kat followed suit.

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Ryou: At least it is picking up a bit!

Nefuit: Yeppers! Now, the chapter title refers to my poem, and it means, if you can't figure it out, that Ryou, the good, is combined with Bakura, the bad.

Bakura: I am not all bad!

Nefuit: No one is. *cough exceptforyamimalik cough*

Malik: *understood her* Right you are! *snickers*

Yami Malik: What?

Bakura: *snickers*

Ryou: *smiles sheepishly*

Please read and review!