Author's Note: I have some telepathic conversation between Hikaris and Yamis in this chapter. Spoken speech is indicated by " " marks. Telepathic speech shall be noted with - -. Thank you, and hope there's no confusion.
By the time Nazaa arived with her sister, the others were allready there. She saw Serfia, wearing a long, denim skirt with a pink blouse, Koji, in jeans and a yellow T-shirt, Celestina, in black jeans and a dark blue and black striped shirt. Suki was wearing tight jeans, a plain white T-shirt, and a black leather jacket. She had to admit (to herself, of course), that he looked super-cute dressed like a tough guy. He had chains hanging loosely around his waist, and a collar around his neck.
"Ah. Miss. Kaiba", Celestina said, noticing her. "I see you brought someone with you. What's your name, Sweetie?", Koji asked kindly. Hena blushed slightly and hid behind her sister. "H-Hena", she stammered, not used to being adressed by big kids. "She's my little sister", Nazaa said, smiling at her. "Yes, of course.", Koji said. "Well, let's stop wasting time. We're all friends here. Are we gonna go to that new resteraunt or not?", Koji's stomach gave a huge rumble. "The appetite on legs speaks again", Suki said, laughing. "Allright, let's go. Serfia, my motercycle will be safe here, right?". "Yeah, I don't think anyone's gonna hurt it parked here", the tiny girl replied. With that, they headed off for the resteraunt, Koji talking about what he was going to eat the whole way there.
Celestina sighed and swirled her drink around with her straw, listening to the happy chatter going on around her. The group was laughing, giggling, Suki was flirting with Nazaa, everyone seemed to be having a good time. She wanted to join in, to laugh and be happy, too, but she found it hard to do so when she knew as soon as she went back home she'd be alone again. It wasn't that her mother didn't care about her, but she was always so busy, trying to make sure she had enough money to get Celestina the things she needed. Then there was the matter of her Yami. Supposed she allowed herself to become close with any of them. He'd probably exploit that "weakness" as he called it to his fullest ability. Koji's loud voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Here. Have some carrots", he said, thrusting some carrot sticks from his plate under Hena's nose. "Ew!! No!", Hena laughed. "Keep them away". Koji put the carrots down and turned to Celestina. "Why so quiet?", he asked. "Just thinking", Celestina replied. "I miss my friends at my old school". That was a lie, she'd never had any friends, but Koji seemed to buy it. "That's understandable", he said, and flashed her a warm smile. "I know we'll never replace your old friends, but hopefully we can make your move a little easier". Celestina smiled back at him, her second real smile that day. "Thanks", she said. "I'm sure you will".
"Oh!", Nazaa gasped. "Hena, come on! We're supposed to be home for Father's dinner-meeting in half an hour.". She snatched up the bill "This order's on me. I'll pay it on my way out. See you all in school tommarrow". Hena lept from her chair and waved. "Bye!". The others voiced their thanks and goodbyes, but Celestina just watched the sisters leave and prodded the rest of the icecream in her bowl. The group was allready starting to break up for the evening. Somehow, the prospect of returning home to an empty house was begining to bother her, when it had never done so before. "Shall we go to the park? Play some soccar or something before we all go home?", Koji asked. Serfia nodded. "I've got nothing to do, so I'll go. Celestina? How about you?", Suki asked. "Sure. Why not", Celestina replied. Anywhere but home. She knew she was in for a beating by her yami when she got back. He always beat her, a way of reminding her he had control, not her. Most nights it was a light beating, but if she did something he didn't like-such as try to get rid of the Ring-he really made her regret it. Celestina pondered this and wondered if she'd be stuck with her yami the rest of her life as she followed what was left of the group to the park.
A little while later, Celestina, Suki, Serfia, and Koji where standing outside of Serfia's father's card shop. Celestina sighed. "What's wrong", Serfia asked. Celestina hated the way her amythest eyes gazed at her with compassion and concern. "Nothing", she tried to lie quickly. "There is something wrong. What is it?" "I don't want to talk about it!". She didn't mean to snap at the small girl, and instantly regretted it when Serfia's eyes filled with tears and she looked away from her. She felt a tug on her heart-one she hadn't felt for a long time. "Serfia, don't cry, I'm sorry", she appologized. "I'd better get home". Without another glance at them, she took off running full speed ahead to her house.
Celestina winced as she felt the pain course through her body. More bruises appeared on her pale skin as she fought to remain upright. The beating was over quickly-he never beat her for more than five minutes unless she offended him-but they were the worst five minutes of her day. When her yami released her hold on her, she looked at her pale, bruised skin and rubbed her arms, determined not to cry the tears welling in her eyes. For some reason her thoughts wandered to Serfiai. She wondered if Serfia's yami beat her, too. "Cellie? Are you home, honey? I managed to get off early today.". Her mother! Quickly, Celestina pulled her sleeves down and rubbed concealent on her face to hide the fresh bruise forming on her forehead. Then she went down the stairs and smiled at her mother. "How was your first day of school, Sweetheart?", Mrs. Ryou asked, rolling up her sleeves and throwing together the things to make beef stirfry. "It was fine, Mother. Actually, I got back not too long ago, because I was out with a girl in most of my classes and some of her friends.". She hoped to end her mother's worry by telling her she had some friends. "Really? What are they like?", her mother pressed. "Well, Serfia''s really sweet, Koji's silly, and Suki is cool. I'm not sure what to think about Nazza, she acts kinda aloof". Her mother didn't say anything else, so she didn't, either. They ate a quiet dinner together, and Celestina washed the dishes. Then she went upstairs, took a shower, and went to bed.
Serfia yawned and hit the button on her alarm clock. Another day at school. She stumbled out of bed and into the shower, still half-asleep. After she showered, she pulled on her uniform, and brushed her teeth. She never ate breakfast, even though her father was always telling her she should, that she was too thin allready. Serfia flopped down on her bed and proceeded to brush her hair. -Hikari-. Serfia was a little confused. Usually Yami's presense stayed sleeping this early. -Yami?-. -Watch out for Celestina, OK? She's in possession of the most dangerous of the items-. Serfia was taken back. -Dangerous- she asked. -How so?- -The spirit in her item is evil, and possesses the wearer to do wrong things.- -I see. Well, I'll be careful.-. Serfia looked at the clock and raced out the door, hoping to catch Koji on her way to school.
Koji was allready waiting for her outside the house/gameshop by the time Serfia got out. She was used to seeing Koji, but not so used to the third person with them. Suki stood besides Koji, carrying roses. Koji and Serfia exchanged looks. "You think Nazaa will like these?", Suki asked Serfia The girl shrugged. "I honestly can't say.". Suki sighed. "I thought you, being a girl, would know if another girl would like flowers.". Serfia smiled at him sweetly. "You wanna know what I think?", she asked. "No, not really", Suki replied. "You're scary when you smile like that!". He glanced at his watch. "Come on, we'd better get going, or we're gonna be late!". The trio hurried off to school, not yet aware of the adventures that would meet them in the future.