I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Jono is mine, though. This is the fourth installment of Life Contract. If you have not read the first three, I suggest you do so now.

Chapter One- Jono and Bakura

Jono watched through Joey's eyes as the blonde went through the school day. He sensed his counterpart's boredom with the lessons, but he found them fascinating. Commoners didn't receive schooling like the pharaoh and the palace residents did and he reveled in being able to learn. When Joey and the others got to lunch, Jono dug through Joey's mind to truly know his friends. His memories and their adventures fascinated him as much as the lessons did. They are such good friends and that bond has helped them conquer many foes. He came across the memory of Joey dueling Marik in Battle City and was proud of how bravely Joey stood up to him even though he lost.

"Joey, you had some interesting adventures," Jono said as school ended for the day.

"I thought you were going to pay attention in school," Joey teased.

"And I did. I love being able to learn."

"Heh, I'd say you're welcome to attend in my place but I think our friends wouldn't like that."

"I would have to agree. Joey, isn't Kaiba our age and in our class?"

"Yeah. Why are you asking?"

"Well, how come he's absent?"

"Kaiba's real smart and I think running a company is a good enough reason to skip school. He does attend every now and then."

"Seto's smart too. I remember him stopping by my stand to tell me about the knowledge he acquired."

"You envied him."

Jono blinked. "How could you tell?"

"I…just sensed it."

"Yeah? That must be part of our bond. Cool."

Joey smiled which showed in the real world. It was noticed by Yugi, Tea, and Tristan as they hadn't left the room yet. The trio shared knowing looks; Joey's eyes had a faraway look, one Yugi got whenever he talked to Atem so they knew that Joey was talking to Jono. Then, Yugi saw that Joey's odd behavior had attracted another's attention: Ryou.

That's right. Ryou doesn't know that Joey has another half. He came up beside his friend. Hi, Ryou."

Ryou startled slightly before looking over and smiling. "Hi, Yugi." He tilted his head at Joey. "Is he okay?"

"Oh, yeah. He's like you and me. He has another half."

"Really? What's his name? Have you met him?"

"I've met him. His name's Jono and he's Priest Seto's best friend."

"That's interesting as Joey and Kaiba don't get along."

"Yes, but Joey and Seto are good friends because Seto doesn't insult Joey like Kaiba does."

Ryou turned his gaze to Joey. "So, he's talking to Jono. I'd like to meet him."

"Joey may be able to convince him. He said that Bakura's monster killed him the night Atem chased Bakura."

Ryou's eyes widened and he sensed Bakura recoil. Once outside of school, Ryou said, "Bakura, you didn't know you killed Jono, did you?"

"No, I didn't. Honestly, I was possessed by Zorc's will and, to some extent, Zorc himself."

"You were?"

"Yeah. I won't deny that I did bad things on my own. I was a thief and sough the Items but simply to possess them not open a door to the Netherworld."

"Well, I would like to meet him. You don't have to or do anything if you don't want tol"

"Gee, thanks. I'm not interested in meeting another goody-goody, anyway."

"Uh, yeah. Right." Ryou cut the connection and continued walking home in silence.

Bakura stared up at the ceiling of his Soul Room, thinking. Ever since Atem defeated him in that Shadow Game tabletop RPG and he had returned to Ryou's body, he had stayed quiet and barely had any interest in the real world. He was ready for his eternal rest but he had to wait for Ryou's life to end before that happened. He only spoke to Ryou and never took control.

No point in taking control. All of Ryou's friends hate me and Ryou alone would be friendly to me. Better if I stay in Ryou's mind and keep to myself, only speaking to Ryou in order to maintain connection and avoid a true death.

Meanwhile, Joey was talking happily to Jono, the two of them sharing family experiences. While Jono recounted a story he had told Joey before, Joey thought of the other people who had other halves: Yugi and Atem, Kaiba and Seto, and Ryou and Bakura. Hmm, Ryou doesn't know about Jono, but I don't think Jono would want to meet Ryou. What if Bakura took over or appeared in spirit form?

"What's that about Bakura?" Jono suddenly asked.

Joey was a little thrown off by Jono picking up on his thought like that but took it in stride as he replied, "I realized that Ryou doesn't know about you."

"Ryou. The boy who has Bakura as his other half."

"Yeah. Him. I know he'd like to meet you. He's a real nice guy…which you probably already know."

"I do know and I'd like to know him, it's just, well, Bakura."

Joey didn't say anything. Yes, Jono's death happened so long ago but, for the spirit, the memory was still fresh. Despite being in the afterlife, the event still haunted him.

"Joey? Go ahead and call Ryou. Arrange a time for us to meet."

"Really?"

"Really. Bakura's been scarce since returning to Ryou's body, right?"

"You're right. He has. Okay. I'll call him."

"Oh, I know about Jono. Yugi told me when I saw the faraway look in your eyes. I'd love to meet him."

"Okay. Cool. So, after school tomorrow?"

"Okay. Tomorrow." Ryou hung up and thought-spoke, "Well, I got my wish. I'll meet Jono tomorrow."

"Have fun," was the disinterested reply.

Ryou sighed sadly. Bakura had no interest in Ryou's affairs or the real world. He spoke to Ryou to maintain their connection but otherwise stayed in his Soul Room. He didn't wonder why as Bakura was making no effort to conceal his thoughts. He thinks my friends hate him. I can see why he would think that, but without Zorc, he's not causing that kind of trouble. He'd rather move on to the afterlife, but thanks to our bond he can't. Ryou felt for Bakura and was determined to find a way to cheer his friend up somehow.

Joey had just hung up when the phone rang again. "Hello?" he said when he picked up.

"Hi, Joey," came Kaiba's voice only it wasn't Kaiba.

"Seto! Hi!"

Seto chuckled before saying, "May I speak to Jono, please?"

"Sure." There was a pause and an accent-less voice said, "Hi, Seto."

"Hi. You sound happy."

"I'm always happy to see or hear you. Also Joey set up a meeting with Ryou tomorrow after school."

"I see. Perhaps I can persuade Kaiba to let me out tomorrow."

"I hope he does. I'd like to see you too, even though I did yesterday." Jono hung up, looking forward to meeting Ryou.