~Now the REAL story is starting. You'll see Bakura again later, but now it's time to introduce the main character. I hope you like it!~

Chapter One:

Melody yawned and stretched as the Skull Red Bird's crowing welcomed the dawn. She hopped out of bed and ran into the kitchen, grabbing a sandwich as she headed outside to start her daily chores.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh morning air. Then she grabbed the bucket of earthworms she'd dug up the night before and poured them into the Peacock's and Tyhone's feeding dishes. As the animals came out to eat their breakfast, she collected the eggs and set the basket by the barn door to be retrieved later.

After watching them eat for a few minutes, and finishing her own breakfast, she grabbed another basket and headed down the path to the fairy forest. The tiny Dancing Fairies were fluttering between the orchid trees, spreading their magic on every blossom. Melody picked out the best, placing each one in the basket very carefully so as not to spill any. They needed to be in perfect condition so the town doctors could make the finest medicines available.

After taking a break and watching the fairies do their work, she checked her watch and realized that it was nearly eleven o'clock. She hurried back to the farm and raced inside just as her mother took a pan out of the oven. "Hey, Mom, what's for dinner?"

"Firegrass steak, freshly imported from Terrez," she replied, setting the sizzling dish on the table. "I hope you're hungry!"

Melody licked her lips, quickly washed her hands, and sat down. "I sure am!" she said eagerly.

The door swung open again, and her father staggered in. "Hey there, Mels," he grunted, peeling off his work robes and removing himself to the bathroom to clean up. After a few minutes he returned and joined Melody at the table.

"So, Mels, how are you today? Ready for the weekend?" he asked, passing the plates around. "I bet you can't wait for the ceremony…I know I couldn't when I was your age."

She bit her lip, then answered. "Yeah, I'm excited…I'm just a little scared."

"Well, that's understandable. I was nervous too. But everything will be just fine, you'll see." He grinned and patted her on the head.

Melody cringed, embarrassed by his usual display of affection. "Dad! You know I hate it when you do that. And anyway, you weren't nine years old at your ceremony. What will happen if I don't get chosen? Everyone will make fun of me…"

Her father sighed and pulled back his hand. "Honey, don't worry. I'm sure you'll do fine."

"Yes, you will," her mother said firmly, positioning the food carefully in the center of the table. "You've never let us down before; I highly doubt you will now."

Melody sighed, unconvinced. She took a bite of the steak, and thought about it for the rest of the meal, tuning out her parents' voices completely.

She was startled out of her reverie by a deep bass voice from outside. "Hey, anyone home?" it called, and Melody recognized it as belonging to her Grandpa Elix. She wolfed down the rest of her food and ran outside to meet him.

"Well! If it isn't my favorite descendant!" he cried, wrapping her in a huge bear hug. "How've you been?"

"I'm fine. Why did you come? Are you here for my ceremony?"

"Oh, didn't your mother tell you?" He glanced over her shoulder at her parents and winked. "When I heard you were graduating a year early, I just had to come. I hear it's going to be very exciting!"

Melody giggled. "It will be, with you here! I just hope I get chosen…"

"Of course you will! You're the best fighter in your entire class. Nothing will keep you from getting the best partner in all of Ventusi!"

With a twinkle in his eye, he grabbed her and spun her in a circle, and then began to tango. Melody giggled again and tried to copy his moves, falling down in the process. Then Grandpa Elix fell on top of her, pinning her to the ground.

Sensing a challenge, Melody grinned and twisted out from under him with a special move she'd only recently mastered. He tried to grab her again, but she leapt away easily and he fell flat on his face. A second later, Melody had him in a headlock and he was crying, "Uncle!"

Watching from the sidelines, Melody's father beamed with pride. Her mother came outside to see what was going on, and snorted as she saw her own father lying helpless in the dirt. Sighing with amusement, she went to help him up.

"Dad, I don't know why you pick fights with her," she said. "Melody always beats you. Don't you find it humiliating?"

"Well, yes, but you can't blame a grandpa for trying." He turned to Melody, defiance in his eyes. "One of these days-"

He broke off when he saw the look in Melody's eye, chuckled, and went inside.