Part 1 (Chapter 2) – Back to School

"Welcome everybody, to Domino High School..." Most students shifted somewhat attentively in their seats as the teacher continued his speech and proceeded to read the classroom rules. Year after year, they never changed much, and most of it was common sense anyway, so few kids actually listened. So in the meantime, Yugi Mutou glanced about for his friends.

Tea caught his gaze immediately and winked, causing the young boy to blush, and look away. Mai and Seto were giving each other the evil eye; they had somehow been seated next to each other despite loud protests from both parties. Joey and Tristan were absent, but not surprisingly. They had dared each other to play hooky on the first day, and neither had been willing to be the first to back down. Oh well, Yugi thought. They'll regret it later.

One person was still missing from Yugi's count. He finally spotted Ryou in the back corner of the room. The white hair nearly covered the other boy's steady gaze on something – or rather someone – in particular. Yugi followed Ryou's eyes to that of a head of medium-length, light brown hair near the front of the class. Hmmm...

"One more announcement," the teacher's voice cut through Yugi's thoughts. Their instructor motioned briefly, and the new girl stood to face the class, looking just a bit nervous. "This is Kira. She is an exchange student recently arrived from the United States. I expect all of you to make her feel at home among you, is that understood?"

There was a murmur of agreement from the students, then an awkward moment of silence before the new girl realized she was supposed to reply. She bowed hurriedly, "Thank you. Arigato." She moved to take her seat again; Yugi caught a glimpse of pale, sea-green eyes beneath long lashes and smiled to himself, She's cute. No wonder Ryou was staring...

Lunchtime rolled around, and the group of friends finally got the chance to talk. Gathering on the grass outside, they found a spot in the shade big enough for all of them. Most of his friends, Yugi had known for years. Mai was the only exception. She had hung with a different crowd until, well...she never talked about it much. She had become cold and withdrawn, but eventually, Yugi managed to befriend her, and now she had a new group to which she belonged.

Seto Kaiba, with all his money, had found that you couldn't buy true friendship, and for a while, Yugi was the only one to accept him for the person he was. Tea and Yugi had been best friends since the first day of Kindergarten. Joey and Tristan had joined up sometime between then and now. All of them from very different pasts and situations, but they had all grown very close.

Then there was Ryou. He and Yugi lived down the street from each other and had been as close as brothers for a time. Lately, though, he had withdrawn from most human contact. Not that Yugi could blame him. When the Millennium Items had come, they had changed everything. Ryou seemed to be fighting a losing battle against the dark spirit in his Ring, and there wasn't much Yugi could do to help without putting his own life in jeopardy. His yami assured him that the time was soon coming when help would arrive, but it was so very hard to be patient. At least Ryou agreed to sit with us today, Yugi assured himself. That means something, doesn't it?

"It's hot enough without you breathing down my neck!" Mai growled, breaking into Yugi's thoughts.

"And that concerns me how?" Seto shot back, trying to stay out of the sun. Mai had obviously taken up more than her fair share of shade.

"The least you could do is allow a lady a little leg room!" Mai complained.

"I'd be glad to," Seto grinned, "But the only lady I see here is Tea."

Mai smacked him on the back of the head, enough to send his eyes spinning while Tea turned a bright shade of pink.

"Calm down, you guys." Yugi said a little nervously. "It's too hot to argue." Unable to say anything against that, Mai and Seto settled for facing opposite directions. "So," Yugi turned to Ryou, "What did you think of the new girl?"

Ryou shrugged uncomfortably.

"She seems like too much of a goody-goody," Seto commented, taking a bite of his gourmet steak and offering some to Tea who blushed again. "Though her appearance in general was fairly attractive."

Yugi shook his head disapprovingly, "Don't even think about it. You'll just break her heart."

"If she's stupid enough to fall for his charms, I say let him." Mai pointed out.

"Nah," Seto shook his head, "I'm not all that interested anyway."

"Ryou?" Yugi turned back to the boy he had originally asked, but the other was already gone. Yugi sighed.

Seto rolled his eyes, "Forget it, Yugi. You'll never get him to be the same kid he used to be."

"I know," Yugi whispered softly. "I just miss him." Tea put an arm around his shoulder comfortingly. "I hardly saw him all summer. I was hoping...now that we're back in school..." his voice faded away.

"Someday he'll be free again," Tea tried to cheer him up.

"Seto's right, though. Even if a miracle happens, he'll still be changed."

Tea had no answer.

"New girl at twelve o'clock," Mai mumbled a moment later with a nod of her head.

"Hey!" Tea waved to the blond. "Over here! You're welcome to join us."

The other girl hesitated a moment, then approached, carrying her lunch with her. "Thanks," she settled in the spot where Ryou had been sitting.

"No prob," Tea shrugged. "You're Kira, right?" Kira nodded. "I'm Tea. This is Yugi, Mai, and Seto."

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you," Kira replied sincerely.

"Likewise," Tea smiled.

There was an awkward silence, then Mai made a surprising effort to be nice, "Do you like it here in Japan?"

Kira frowned, "Not sure yet. I only moved in a week ago."

"Well then," Yugi spoke up. "We'll have to show you around, won't we?"

"That would be great."

well? i figure it's not extremely exciting yet, but i promise they'll be a lot more to it

and i know most of them are a little ooc, but use u're imagination! i mean really, it's a fanfic.

R&R