Chapter 8

"Yes, Actually. Why? Do I know you?" Tea asked me, the confusion written on her face.

"Oh it is you! I thought it was, but i wasn't sure. It has been a long time. My name is Shiko. Shiko Nahari. Do you remember me?" I feel slightly foolish for expecting her to recognize me. After all I didn't exactly recognize her either.

"Oh my goodness! Shiko? It really has been a long time. I honestly didn't expect to see you again."

"Ya same here. Its kinda a long story I guess." I shrug and smile. "It really is nice to see a friendly face around here. Everyone is a stranger to me around here." I sigh.

"Here, follow me to your seat. I will go take my lunch break early today so we can catch up a bit. I will grab our lunch. On me K?" She sits me at booth in the far right corner of the restaurant. I guess for a bit of privacy cause all the other patrons are being sat across the room. She hurried off as i sat and waited for my oldest friend.

'So you know her?' I hear Nadeshiko ask as I glance around my new surroundings.

'Ya, she was my first friend when I was in elementary school. We met when I was around 5, I think. I used to get bullied a lot for some reason and she was the only one who actually stepped in to help me when I was about to give up. I was devastated when my family had to move away to america. We kept in touch for a while but it was a bit hard when your a kid and you get distracted so easily.' I explain to Nadeshiko.

'I know how you must have felt. My life was similar in many ways. I did not have many friends because of who I was. It was lonely. My first friend was my handmaiden. We were friends when I was young. Unfortunately, after I had reached a certain age it was no longer considered appropriate to be so close to someone from a lower class. I did not understand what the difference was or why but I had no choice but to obey my families wishes and traditions.'

I can see how me and Nadeshiko are connected now. It's as if our lives are parallel. I was chosen to help her because of my own experiences. The ability to empathize with her has made this whole spirit in my head thing easier to digest. I cant imagine how I would even start to try and explain that part of this story to Tea. She just may think I'm nuts after all.

'I don't think you need to worry about mentioning me right now. I will try to stay out of the way while you visit with your friend. I will try to keep my presence in check.' I bring out my phone and start to mess around with it a bit as i wait for Tea to return. I feel Nadeshiko's presence fade to a dull thrum. I look up to see Tea returning with two trays loaded with our lunch.

"I hope you like what I grabbed for you. If my memory is correct and you haven't changed that much then you still like your cheeseburgers plain. Am I right?" I see the smirk on her face as I blush at my obvious transparency. She sets my tray in front of me and we both start to eat. Most of our conversation is kept light as we reminisce. I explain to her most of why I came back. I told her about my family and my birthday surprise.

"I'm telling you this past week has been crazy! Ever since my birthday things just haven't slowed down. I have never had so many changes in my life in such a short time. You really have no idea how much it means to me to have run into you. I have never really adjusted to the whole being social thing and to be honest starting a new school in a newish place, it's kinda intimidating. I would be lying if i told you that I wasn't a bit terrified." I heard Tea laugh at my confession and I smiled.

" I wouldn't expect you to be anything but terrified! I know I would be. You do seem to be handling things well so far, if you ask my opinion." She glances down at her watch. " I'm sorry to have to cut this short. I would really love to stay and catch up but I can't. I have to get back to work but here," She reached into her apron and pulled out a pen and paper and scribbles something down quickly. We both turn when we hear the door chime. " This is my phone number. Text me and we can maybe hangout later. I am off in a few hours. Lets try for then ok?" She smiles at me as she fixes her apron.

"You bet!" I reply as she hurries to the door to greet the two new customers that just walked in. I pick at my remaining fries as i watch her converse with the two boys that had just entered as she showed them to a seat on the other side of the room. From the way she is conversing with them it would seem as if she knows them.

'Must be school friends ' I think as i look them over. I jump slightly as the blond suddenly stands and begins talking loudly. I could not make out what was being said however, his speech was to quick for me but i could see that he was feeling strongly about whatever he was talking about. I couldn't really see the other boy past Tea but he somehow seemed more reserved as i watched him move his arm in a casual manner almost like a shrug or sigh. Tea stepped over at that moment to face the other boy more directly, i assumed, and it was just enough for me to make out his features.

I begin to take in his features, first his hair, spiked with red and gold color, unique. I decide that i kinda like the courage it takes to have a style like that. I continue my examination as I lower my eyes to his face. It does not take long till my eyes are level with his and i feel my breath hitch as i bring my attention level with his gaze and I feel trapped and unable to pull away. My thoughts become jumbled and confused as I feel my heart pulse deeply. Almost like it skipped a beat or perhaps more like it beat truly for the first time. I was lost in the intensity of the emotions of the moment.

'Did you feel that?' the sudden sound of Nadeshiko's voice in my head cause me to flinch. The momentary distraction was just what I had needed to break the strange hold those eyes had suddenly held over me.

'I did feel that. I was unaware that you had felt it as well.' I replied to her question with a sigh. I had already begun to miss that feeling. 'I don't even know how to begin to describe the feeling to you though.'

'I know what you mean. I can only think of one word that even comes close to describing what I had felt. 'home' . ' I sigh and nod in agreement to her statement as I stand and begin to clean up whats left from my lunch. I still had to go shopping for groceries and now it seemed as if i may have a guest sooner than I had anticipated.

I couldn't stop thinking about those eyes and the feeling I had as I shopped and I was shaken by it. I was unaware as I left to finish out my errands, that Nadeshiko and I were not the only ones that had been affected.

Earlier (pov shift)

Tea walked to the front door to greet the two new customers only to notice that it was Yugi and Joey.

"Hey Tea, Me and Yuge just happened to be nearby when we started to get hungry."

"Hey Joey. I was just surprised to see you guys." she looked at Yugi and smiled. " Hi, Yugi." Yugi was lost deep in though or conversation as they had entered the restaurant. He hadn't even noticed Tea standing right in front of him. "Hey, Earth to Yugi!" Tea waved her hand to get his attention.with little success.

"Whats with Yugi?" Tea whispers as she leans closer to Joey. " Its not like him to be this spacey or rude even."

"Well You see, I'm not sure exactly. I haven't gotten much out of him since earlier today you know. That is actually why i had brought him here. I was hoping that you could help me with him actually. He almost didn't come to lunch today. I practically had to drag him here and you know how much he loves this place." Joey explains to Tea as she leads the two boys to a booth by the the window.

Yugi follows behind Tea and Joey slowly as they are led to the table. His thoughts were racing from everything that had happened over the last couple of days and he was afraid of what it could mean for his future as well as all of his friends. He was worried. How could he not be. That and he had just found out about his other self. If that is who Yami is. Its not that he doesn't trust his other self. Far from it really. There is hardly anyone else that he could trust more actually. His thoughts continued to swirl with his inner turmoil as he sat in the booth by the window and stared out at the street with his arms resting on the table.

'What is on your mind Yugi?' He hears a voice in his head ask. Having open communication with the spirit that had been hidden from him for so long was still new to him and the sudden sound of t he voice that was not his own caused him to flinch slightly in surprise. He calmed quickly at the sound of concern in the voice.

'I guess I don't really know.' Yugi sighs before continuing with his private conversation, 'ever since we found out about you being with me and the Millennium Items, I have felt uneasy, lost and maybe even lonely. Its almost like there is a big piece in all this that we all are missing. Something secret. Like I said. I'm not entirely sure what I am feeling and most of my thoughts don't seem to make sense. Its difficult to put words to this internal feeling or perhaps i should call it Instinct.' Yugi thinks in reply to the voice.

'I too, know of this feeling that you speak of. I have told you many times since meeting you that you should trust your instincts. I trust mine and they tell me that you may be right.' Just as Yami voiced his opinion they both felt a sudden pulse from somewhere within the room that was mirrored within the Puzzle. The pulse continued, it intensity invoking a sudden rush of calmness to wash over them leaving both lost in confusion.

'What on earth was that?' Yugi asked Yami as his attention snapped suddenly from the view outside to within the building. He looked around the room in confusion as he heard Yami say, 'It came from somewhere nearby. I think from across the room. The energy of the Puzzle seems to be pulling to the far corner of this room.' As he looked around the room he felt his gaze settle in the corner at a booth well out o the way of other patrons. Tea had moved to look at Yugi in slight shock as his attention seemed to be grabbed by something. Her movement had been enough to allow him to see the area of the room that he and Yami had felt the pulse. As his gaze moved to the corner to find the culprit he startled as his eyes seemed to catch those of a strange girl he had never seen before. He felt his breath hitch as he found himself glued to her bright hazel eyes. The eyes shown back at him with that same curiosity. Yugi was so enraptured that he did not notice the sudden silence coming from Yami. Apparently he too had become entranced by those eyes when he had looked for himself to see what had caused such a reaction in his partner.

They were both suddenly freed from the spell as she looked away suddenly. 'Was that a blush I saw?' Yugi thought to himself, 'she must be shy or something. She was kinda cute though.' He blushed at his own thought. Now wasn't the time for that.

"Yugi! Earth to Yugi!" The sound of Tea's voice snapped him to attention for the first time since he had arrived. He smiled with a blush, embarrassed at being caught. "Oh, hi Tea."

"Don't 'Oh hi Tea me! Is that all I get from you after being ignored completely for that past ten minutes?" He hurt was starting to show. She sighed. There was no use getting angry over it. Something must be up. It wasn't like him to be rude. To anybody. To be honest it worried her. She looked at Yugi, "Are you alright? Its not like you to be so spaced out. Well that's not true. But not usually for so long. I'm just worried for you."

"I'm sorry Tea. I've just had a lot on my mind lately. I didn't mean to worry you guys. Now what were you saying?" Yugi laughed to try to ease their worries.

"If you say so Yugi. I was asking what you would like to order.. Are you sure you are Okay??"

"I'm with Tea on this one Yuge. Wit da way you were starin out across the room. It was creepy." Joey spoke up. His best pal was keepin something from him and it was a relief to know that he wasn't the only one to be on guard. A lot of strange things have happened and most of them involve him.

"Oh, That? I'm fine Joey, Tea. I promise. I was just surprised. I saw a girl I didn't recognize. I know I don't know everyone or anything but I am pretty familiar with most of the others in our class. I guess she kinda stood out." He was rambling. He could tell.. He just didn't want them to get the wrong idea.. He wasn't staring at her because she was a pretty stranger. He just didn't know how to explain that feeling he had gotten or why he had felt glued. Best of all? He wasn't the only one affected by the feeling and that just complicated things more. "What i am trying to say is that I happened to see something move in the far corner and looked to see a complete stranger." he sighed. He looked back to the corner he was referring too.

Tea turned to see the where he was looking when it clicked.

"OH! I know who you saw. That was Shiko.She IS new here. She just got in today actually. I know her from awhile back."

"Shiko? Why have we never heard of her?" Joey was quick to question. Tea Shrugged. You wouldn't have because she move away back when i was just in grade school. When i was 7ish I think..." Tea explained to the confused boys. " This was way before you and I became friends Yugi. She just stopped in for lunch so we caught up on old times. She was going shopping and we made plans to possibly hang out later. I bet she would love to meet you guys. You both should come. I will ask her when I talk to her later and let you know a time and everything if she is ok with it. "

"That would be great." Yugi responded quickly. He blushed at his eagerness. Tea and Joey shared a look of confusion at his sudden change in demeanor. He blushed again at their scrutiny.

"I mean as long as your sure we wont be imposing upon her." Yugi added quietly.

"I promise. She wont mind at all." Tea said with a smirk. "Now that that is settled let me go get you some food. I will call you later with the details." Tea left the boys to put in their order leaving the two. Joey took the opportunity to talk to Yugi. 'Let me make sure he is all right. Before he zones out again.' Joey thinks to him self with a small frown as he turns his attention to his best pal.

" So what has been up with you lately, pal. You have been acting so down and strange lately. I cant help but worry for ya." He looked at Yugi expectantly.

Yugi blushed again at the attention. "I am not sure what you mean, Joey. I really have just had a lot on my mind lately. It really is a lot to process." Yugi says with a sigh.

"I just worry because this does not seem like your normal thinking self." Joey pushes.

"What are you talking about? I don't have a normal thinking anything. I am fine really. So can we please drop it." Yugis aggravation at the constant prodding was beginning to get to him. He didn't want anyone to worry for him.

"Fine, Fine. Gees Yuge. Touchy much?"

"Just drop it, Okay. I promise I am fine." Yugi sighs.

"Okay, Okay. I trust ya, man. I am just worried for ya." Joey finishes as Tea returns with their food.

"Thanks Tea." Yugi smiles.

"Anytime, Yugi. So I should hear from Shiko around 6. Okay? So I will call you when I talk to her."

"Okay. Later Tea." both boys say as they dig into their lunch while she returns to work.