AN: Still don't own Yuugiou. Drat. snaps fingers Maybe I can buy the rights later. Heheheh. Thanks all for the lovely reviews. I really appreciate them. Urgh! kills her computer Evil thing that happens when a story doesn't save right, for those of you who want to, there's the correct version of Chapter 2 up now.

Charms

Chapter 3: Plans and Questions.

For the rest of school the memory of being caught by Kaiba-kun played in Shizuka's mind. It wasn't that he had caught her, she had been grateful for that, but what bothered her was the sudden flash of light. Then there was the look had on his face. As if he was looking at Mokuba. Shizuka looked out her window and noticed the boys playing a game of soccer. She spotted her Oniichan quickly; he was out in front taunting the other boys. Yugi had the job of being defense, though he didn't look like he was having that much fun with it.

Yuugi She had been thinking of him a lot since the basketball game. He'd held her hand the whole time, neither of them saying a word. When Jounouchi had come over after clobbering the other team, as he said he would, (Although he was pretty bruised up from getting elbowed a lot. Not to mention the ball hitting him in the face a few times.) Shizuka had held her breath ready for him to start yelling. But he totally missed it.

She heard Yugi let out a deep breath, and caught Shizuka blushing some. He gave her a shy grin. She thought that they were in the clear, that was until Honda-kun said, "Hey, why are you two holding hands?"

Jounouchi turned around and looked down. "Huh? Hey what's going on here?"

Yugi blushed some, "Um…Shizuka-chan…"

"I tripped," Shizuka explained. "Yugi was just holding my hand till I stopped shaking."

Jounouchi looked at Yugi, as if waiting for him to say that it wasn't true. But Yugi just nodded, but kept his eyes down. He didn't want Jounouchi getting mad at him for liking his sister.

Jounouchi snorted, "Well you've gotta be more careful sis." –he gave her a grin and looked her over. "No brusies right?"

Shizuka blushed, "No…unlike you."

He chuckled, "Yeah well comes with the territory."

Yugi let go of her hand then, and the warmth that she had been feeling faded. In class she stared at it. Vowing that she'd get to feel that warm hand again, Shizuka watched him from the window and sighed some. He was cute; there was no doubt about it. Why Anzu-chan couldn't see it she didn't know.

As the school bell rang to signal the end of the day Shizuka hurried to the foot lockers. She slipped on her shoes and stowed away the slippers that she used in school. She headed for the door to wait for her brother, only to be surprised to see Yugi waiting for her there. He gave her a bright smile and waved. "Hi"

Shizuka hurried over to him, and grinned, "I saw you playing soccer today."

He blinked, and then blushed, "You did?"

She nodded, "Yeah."

Yugi rubbed the back of his neck and looked down shyly, laughing, "I'm not really that good."

Shizuka smiled, from what she could see he had kept up quite well, and she told him so. That only made him blush more, and she glanced around looking for her brother before whispering. "I though you looked really cute out there."

His fact turned red as a beet, and she giggled.

"Shizuka-chan!" Yugi looked away trying to get his face back to normal, "You shouldn't say that."

"Why not?" she laughed. "It's true."

His crimson color deepened, "Because. It's not true. I'm not good like your brother is at sports."

She grinned, "So. You still try your best don't you?"

He nodded slowly and she giggled, "Well that's what counts right? You told me that once. Remember?"

He thought a moment, and then nodded. It was just after her operation, a day or two later. Jounouchi had gone to see her and he had tagged along. Shizuka had been trying to re orient herself to the darkness. She was scared, but she wanted to do things on her own. When they had come she was trying to eat, and kept getting frustrated because she couldn't remember which side of the tray held the mashed potatoes, and which was holding the soggy veggies. Jounouchi had insisted upon helping her eat, but Yugi had stopped him.

"Yug," he said and pulled away. "She needs help."

"I know," Yugi had said, "But remember when you were dueling Mai? Everyone wanted me to help you. But Other Me stopped me, and you gave me that look that said that you weren't giving up."

He had looked at Shizuka then and took her hand helping her pick up the fork, "If you give up now Shizuka-chan you won't be able to do it. We know you can. Just try your best."

She had turned her head to his voice. At the time Shizuka felt a flutter in her heart. Something she didn't get when Honda-kun talked to her. She smiled, "Okay. I will."

It took her a couple of days to get oriented, but eventually she was able to eat and wash herself up. Not to mention use the computer when Honda gave it to her. Though she needed people to tell her what was happening.

"Yugi?" her voice brought him back.

"Huh?" he glanced at her, face no longer flushed and grinned, "Yeah I remember."

She smiled, "I'm glad. By the way where is my Oniichan?"

He shuffled his shoe a bit, "Well actually, he had meeting with the soccer coach and the other players from last year. I think he's going out again this year."

"That would be awesome!" Shizuka grinned then blinked, "So does that mean he sent you to walk me home?"

Yugi blushed again, "I sort of offered. And I think he trusts me more then Otogi-kun."

Shizuka giggled, "I'll bet." –she took his hand just then and he grinned. This had been one of the best days he'd ever had. As they walked to the gate Shizuka spotted Kaiba and her thoughts moved back to the incident in the afternoon. Yugi saw her looking and squeezed her hand. She blushed some.

"Sorry just thinking."

"About?" He asked and she sighed. "The flash?"

Shizuka nodded, "What if Oniichan sees a picture?"

Yugi laughed, "He won't. I think someone was just a fan. Kaiba-kun always has people sneaking pictures of him. Especially the girls, it's like there's a club."

Shizuka giggled then blushed when he added, "Or maybe it wasn't Kaiba-kun they wanted to take a picture of."

"Are you saying that someone would think I was pretty enough to sneak a picture?" He nodded grinning. "Really?"

"Yeah really. You're pretty enough Shizuka-chan," Yugi told her with a bright smile. Shizuka laughed. She had never seen herself as pretty enough to take pictures of. In fact, in her opinion, she didn't photograph well at all. They walked past Kaiba laughing and giggling. He just stared then sniffed. So the bonktsuko's sister is hanging out with Yugi. I guess like brother like sister.

He walked out to the sidewalk and waited beyond the gate of the school till a long black limo pulled up. The driver let him in and Kaiba slid into the back seat. Across from him a dark purple haired young woman sat. She was typing on a laptop and glanced up, shutting it as he got in.

Dark gave Seto a smile, "How was school?"

Kaiba shrugged, "Same as always. Lets just get going."

Dark nodded, and asked the driver to head for Kaiba Corp, "I've got all your meetings…organized." She paused seeing he was distracted. "Something wrong?"

"Huh? No." He blinked. Dark glanced out the window and watched as Yugi and Shizuka walked down the street talking. The limo turned right when they turned left and soon they were out of sight.

I know that girl she's my neighbor. Dark stared at Kaiba for a moment then coughed. "So that's what's wrong."

"What are you talking about?" he huffed. She raised an eyebrow. Working for Kaiba meant that she learned all about his ticks. Especially being his personal assistant, it gave her access to more of his quirks then the other employees. She crossed her legs.

"I'm talking about you watching that girl like a hawk," Dark explained.

"I am not watching her like a hawk." Seto spat and Dark grinned. When he got upset he looked cute. But she maintained her calmness.

"Seto-kun," she was the only one he ever let call him that. "It's clear that you like what you saw. Just admit it. You're a guy; of course you're going to look. No man cannot look at a pretty girl with nice legs."

He closed his eyes and chortled, "If you're looking for a compliment you're not going to get one."

Dark rolled her eyes, "Oh jee, I'm soooo disappointed."

He smiled some, that was one of the reasons he liked having her around. She didn't go fishing for his approval all the time. The smile fell into a scowl when she asked who the boy was.

"Yugi."

Dark blinked, "The Yugi?"

Seto nodded, "One in the same."

"Are they going out?" Dark inquired and Seto shrugged. He didn't know, and didn't care. He just wanted the questions to stop. So what if Kawai was pretty. That didn't matter. He had his work; there was no time for romance. Period.

As he walked into the building Dark watched him. His body stance read it all. He liked the girl. And, she figured, what Seto Kaiba wanted, he got.

At home Yugi and Shizuka had just made it to the house when Kaili came riding up. Her shirt was un-tucked. Blazer wide open she screeched to a stop right in front of the gate. She blinked seeing Yugi then grinned, "Hey you're the shorty that was unloading yesterday."

Yugi flushed embarrassed, and Shizuka shook her head, "His name is Yugi, Kaili-san."

Kaili grinned, "Ah so you remember my name. And don't worry I remember his name. I just like to tease. Where's the lunk head that was with you this morning."

Shizuka gave her a sharp look, "My brother is still at school. And please don't call him that."

Kaili just laughed and parked her bike. Yugi gave her a scowl. She wasn't being nice at all to Jounouchi, and then looked at her puzzled when he saw a duel packet hiding on her hip uncovered when she shifted her blazer some. Kaili blinked and shifted down her jacket.

"Hey you two want to come in to have something to eat?" her tone changed and she gave them a smile. Shizuka glanced over at Yugi.

"Well ah…" he started to say then nodded. "Sure."

Shizuka blinked then followed Kaili inside the house. The older girl took the stairs two at a time and opened the front door saying, "Don't bother taking off your shoes."

Yugi was starting to slip off his sneakers, and shoved his foot back inside. The two guests looked around. The house was decorated with posters of old movies from the 1940s. Casablanca, and the Maltese Falcon, Cary Grant and Gary cooper. Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady, and various other musicals loomed out at them. The furnishings were standard. A light cream colored couch, a pair of end tables; there was a desk near the door, and a entertainment center with fake plants. Shizuka stared around the room; it's a duplicate of our apartment.

Kaili went into the kitchen and shouted, "Are you guys okay with sandwiches?"

Shizuka and Yugi nodded leaving their back packs on the sided. Stepping into the kitchen they found Kaili pulling out ingredients from the refrigerator. She set them out on the counter. "Make what you like. My cousin keeps a stocked supply of stuff. A lot of it is gifts to her boss from clients."

"Where does she work?" Yugi asked and Kaili thought a moment. She shrugged.

"I don't know. I think it's some corperation. I never really asked. Truth is I didn't want to come here in the first place." She finished slathering on her mayonise and shoved the slice of bread down. Yugi glanced up from his penutbutter and jelly sandwich.

"What do you mean Kailia-san?"

Kaili reached for a plate and then started rummaging in the cabinets for chips, "Eh…doesn't matter." She yanked out a bag of ruffles and dumped them in a bowel then got out some sodas. "Coke okay? We have Sprite and orange too. I think even grape."

"Grape for me," Shizuka said and Yugi took a coke.

"Look go get settled in the front room, I'm just going to go into my room to change. Take off your jackets, get comfortable. I really hate these uniforms. So stifling," Kaili said then ducked out of the kitchen into the room that was below the balcony. Shizuka smiled, it was just like her brothers. Shizuka and Yugi sat down on the floor, and Shizuka took off her jacket. She glanced over at Yugi who was looking away, and had not removed his coat.

"Are you comfortable in that?" Shizuka asked untieing her bowtie. Yugi turned his head and nodded.

"Yeah, I like my uniform." He smiled, then looked away again when she unbuttoned her top three buttons. Shizuka blushed and rebuttoned the lowest one. By then Kaili had come out in a pair of jeans and a short sleveeved shirt with ripped off sleeves.

She raised her eyebrows at Yugi. He chuckled nervously, "I'm compfortable like this."

"Uh huh," Kaili said sitting down and munching on her chips. "So what were you guys up to?"

"Huh?" Shizuka said as she took a bite out of her sandwich, swallowed. "What are you talking about?"

Kaili grinned, "The two of you. I mean your brother don't seem like the type that would just let you go out that easily. So what? You two sneaking around or something?"

Yugi turned red and Shizuka yelp, "Kaili-san! Yugi's my brother's best friend. We wouldn't do anything behind his back!"

"So then you're saying you are a couple?" Kaili raised an eyebrow and smirked. Shizuka flushed. The nerve of this girl asking that in front of Yugi! She had no right to say such things. Shizuka was about to tell her so when Yugi said, in a soft but very cool voice.

"Kaili-san, if you were inviting us over to interegate us about our friendship, then you're very rude. I think Shizuka and I should be going." He started to stand up when Kaili sighed.

"Wait…don't…please." Yugi paused and Shizuka watched as Kaili hung her head.

"Listen I asked you up here because…well…I'm bored. I don't have any friends at school, and Dark works late. I just…I just though…you know," she waved her hands and huffed some. "I just thought you two looked cute together. That's all."

Yugi flushed some and Shizuka turned away as Kaili finished, "Your right. I'm sorry that was rude of me."

"It's okay Kaili-san," said Shizuka touching the other girl's knee. She smiled. "Hey can we see your room?"

"My room?" Kaili blinked and Yugi repeated the question.

Shizuka stood up, and nodded, "Yes. Can we see your room? My brother has the same room as you, but I don't think he decorated it yet. And I wanted to see how you could do that."

It was Kaili's turn to flush, "You don't want to go in there. It's a real mess."

Yugi laughed, "Can't be as bad as Jounouchi-kun's room at home."

At this Kaili laughed some and got up followed by Yugi. She led them into the room, warning them that there was junk on the floor and to not trip. Opening the door Shizuka was amazed at the mess. Kaili was right about it. Clothing was strewn on the floor, her bed wasn't made, and there was a stuffed tropical fish on her pillow. Yugi noticed the large aquarium on the side filled with a rainbow of colored fish, and that the walls were painted blue, with surfer pictures on them. He looked at the trophies.

"Are these all yours Kaili-san?" he asked and she nodded.

"Yeah…all mine. My family comes from Hawaii. I'm a junior surf champion over there."

"That's really awesome," Yugi told her with a grin and she flushed with pride. Kaili sat on her bed and watched as they explored her room.

"Who are all these people on the posters?" Shizuka asked.

"Different surf legends," Kaili explained and named them as she pointed them out. Yugi asked about the fish and, Kaili laughed saying it was her water home away from home. It reminded her of the islands. She picked up her fish and cuddled it.

"Who's that?" Shizuka asked. Kaili blinked.

"His names Cottlestock. He's…an angle fish."

"He's really cute," Shizuka grinned. The trio talked to Kaili for a long while after that. Shizuka quickly learned that she was living with Dark because of money problems at home. But Kaili refused to talk about her family. Though she ranted for a good half hour about how sick she was of the snobs at her school. And how, not even one of them, knew how to pronounce the name of the island she came from correctly. Kaili was happy when it took Yugi and Shizuka less time to learn how to say it right.

"Bravo," Kaili clapped, "Not many people can say they mastered saying a Hawaiian name correctly."

Yugi grinned, "It's really cool that you like teaching it, Kaili-san."

Shizuka nodded and looked at the clock on the night stand near Kaili's bed. "Oh man, Oniichan will be home soon."

Yugi nodded, "And I have to get back to the shop."

Kaili lead them to the door, "Well then…maybe we can hang out tomorrow?"

Shizuka and Yugi nodded and grinned, Yugi saying, "That would be a lot of fun."

"Cool, well see you tomorrow!" Kaili said as she shut the door. Shizuka and Yugi walked back to her apartment and went in. Yugi stopped in the front room and glanced around, "Shizuka. I should get going."

Shizuka looked disappointed, "Oh okay."

Yugi gave her a smile, "Hey Shizuka-chan. Today was really fun walking you home."

She grinned, "Yeah. I liked it to." She paused then took his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. "See you tomorrow Yugi."

He blushed and smiled at her, "Yeah. See you Tomorrow."

As he walked down the stairs, Yugi paused and stared at the railing. His fingers slid around the grooves of the carvings. He smiled as he thought of going back up and asking Shizuka if she would come look at them with him before he left.

"They're called charms," a voice said, and Yugi looked down to see a young woman in a black skirt suit coming up the stairs. Her hair was purple, and her blue eyes stared at him in a twinkling, but serious way.

"Huh?" Yugi asked as she came up and stood beside him.

"The carvings on the railing, they're called charms. It's an Irish thing I think. They're supposed to be spells. Or so my cousin tells me," the woman said and gave him a smile. "I'm Dark Speltman, you must be Yugi Mutou. I've heard a lot about you."

Yugi stared at her. "Oh. Well um. Thank you."

She turned and headed up the stairs, adding, "I think I saw your blonde friend coming up the walk way. Say hi for me."

Yugi nodded and headed out the door wondering why he got a strange feeling around Dark. It wasn't like the feeling he got around Shizuka, it was more like how he felt when he first met Pegasus. There was something that was brewing behind her smile, something dangerous if pushed.

Dark shut the door behind her and glanced over at Kaili who was cleaning up, "School good today?"

Kaili shrugged, "Same as always. You look tense."

Dark blinked, and then laughed, "Me. No. Trust me I'm fine." Dark turned away as Kaili went into the kitchen. She sighed. So Seto likes a girl. Well that's nothing new. But I wonder…Dark glanced over at the papers on her desk. Different PR pictures of Seto, some with her some on his own. The thing that bothered her the most was the fact that the papers were calling him a cold prince. That no girl would go out with him. People, she knew, found it hard to swallow that Seto Kaiba wasn't single and dedicated to his work. She wished there was some way to show that he was human.

The beeping of her computer caught her attention. Dark clicked on the IM and scowled when she saw it was from Isona.

"Did you see this? It just came out on line and now it's going to be published in the morning." He typed and showed her a link. Dark clicked on it and gaped. It was a picture of Seto holding a girl, one she knew very well. Shizuka Kawai. Under the photo the caption read, "Seto Kaiba and mystery girl."

Dark gripped her fists. This was bad. But maybe she could turn it into something that could be useful to Kaiba Corp. Dark smirked, "Well well Shizuka-chan. I knew you'd be of use to me. One way or another."