Disclaimer: Merrily we roll along, roll along, roll along! Merrily we— oh yeah, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh —ahem, merrily we roll along . . .

Chapter 2:

First Impressions Last Forever

Yugi was shivering, and as he opened his eyes, he found he was curled in ball. He lay enervated for a moment, breathing and nothing more. He gradually became aware that his surroundings were suffused in a pale brightness, bright yet not so much that would hurt his eyes.

At last thoughts came to his head. 'Where am I? Wasn't I, just in the forest with Yami and Duke?'

Slowly he began to move, and as he did, he found the weariness within him, receding. He sat up, bringing his feet down to meet a powdery-white floor. He looked, with half-lidded eyes, and saw that he had been sleeping upon a creamy satin rolled-arm bench

His brow creased in confusion; he took a moment, and yawned absently. He then looked up and around.

There it seemed, he was in the middle of a vast plaza, with short, ornate, cream colored buildings scattered about here and there. All the roofs of the buildings were domed, smooth and painted with little gold symbols all around the borders.

Yugi shifted, and stood, more awake than a moment ago. As he moved away from the cushioned bench, eyes opening wider in interest, his ears then became aware of the pleasant sound of trickling water.

He moved toward sound and as he did, the area before him seemed to spread out, and become more clear before his eyes. He raised an eyebrow at this sensation, and saw now that there was a large fountain sprawled before him.

He went right up to it and bent, peering into the crystal water. He blinked, somewhat surprised to see that his reflection was whole; he saw nothing wrong with himself, and yet, wondered why.

"Hmph," he breathed, and stuck his hand into the excited liquid.

His eyes widened slightly; the water was warm! Yugi didn't know why, but he suddenly had a great desire to dip his feet in. He removed his shoes and socks posthaste, then rolled up his pant-legs.

That done, he got in! He stood for a bit, and looked down at his reflection again. That's when he heard a giggle sweet as honey.

He turned and there saw a girl, his own age, coming towards him. Her hair was the color of pale wheat, and her eyes were like shining sapphires. She was in a flowing pale cerulean dress that seemed to be made of silk.

She stopped in front of him, smiling brightly. "What are you doing?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Oh! I, uh . . ." Yugi didn't know how to respond, "Erm, getting my feet wet."

The girl giggled again, and the sound of her laughter made Yugi think of cookies, and candies. "Oohh," she said playfully, "Come, get out of that water! I have much to show you!"

Yugi looked on. "Oh (!), really?"

He did as he was told and was soon at the girl's side, following her as she lead him passed many of the decorated structures.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"Firstly," the girl said, counting on her fingers as a way of remembering, "My father wants to meet you. Then, we'll go to visit his mother, my grandmother." she smiled, "Then we'll have a welcoming feast, in your honor, then—"

"Wait, wait," Yugi stopped. She turned to him. Yugi suddenly seemed worried; he was looking through her, in thought. "I," he began, "I'm missing something." He cringed as a slight pain came into his brain.

"Really? What?" she queried, looking back toward the fountain, "You have your shoes and socks. I made sure you didn't leave anything behind."

Yugi slowly shook his head. "No, I don't mean that. It's . . . Yami and Duke,"

The girl looked at him enquiringly.

"Do you know where they are?" Yugi asked forthright.

"Well first tell me who they are, and I might be able to answer." she replied.

"Well, Duke's a friend of mine; he's got black hair and green eyes." Yugi looked at the girl, and out of the blue said: "But his eyes aren't as pretty as yours."

The girl began to laugh, her cheeks filling with a sudden blush. Yugi blushed too; why had he said that??

"Anyway," said she, "Keep going. I've got Duke: black hair, green eyes. Now what of this other?"

"Yami, he's – he's like my brother. Well, he might as well be, and he looks a lot like me. Actually almost exactly like me, except for his eyes, and he's a little taller."

"I see," mused the girl, "Well I'm afraid I haven't seen either of them. And I seriously doubt I will! Now come along." she turned away.

"Wait a minute!" Yugi said; all thoughts of Yami and Duke abruptly vanishing from his mind, "I just realized I haven't ask you your name!"

The girl looked back at him; she smiled mischievously. "I wonder why," she said, with a tone that suggested she didn't really mean it, "Well," she came up to him and curtsied, "My name is Ashen, you may call me Ash or Ashy if you wish."

Yugi felt red rise in his cheeks and, as she had curtsied, he bowed with his hand against his stomach. "My name is Yugi Mutoh."

The girl covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. "I know what your name is silly, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you mine. My name isn't something I think about often, in fact, sometimes I forget what my name is."

Yugi blinked at her, then his brow creased. "That's strange."

"OH? You think?" Her gaze was challenging, but her smile sincere; she took his arm. "Yugi Mutoh! Now we are dawdling! We must hurry!"

Ashen pulled him along so speedily, Yugi didn't have time to object.