As usual, a fair amount of concern arose out of Florence travelling alone in a strange city. On the other hand, her parents were desperate for their daughter to be happy and make friends, it was the least they could do to let her go to this friend's house…

When the teen arrived downstairs, she found her parents in the middle of a serious dialogue.

"Dear, you can trust Florence." Her Dad said casually as he took a sip of his tea.

"I know that!" Her Mum replied, her voice rising as she waved her hands for emphases. "But I don't feel comfortable knowing that she'll be riding that...thing..." She trailed off.

Feeling a little defensive, Florence decided to intervene. "Mum," She started. "First of all, that 'thing' is my motorcycle and it's perfectly safe. Second, I know that my friend will look after, and no, we are not planning a rave. Finally, I know my way through the city well enough not to get lost." Everyone in the kitchen looked at April when Florence had said the last part, and a small tint of blush appeared on April's face.

"Hey,hey, that only happened once!" Florence defended, a hint of a blush spreading across her face too.

"Once in your lifetime, or once in Domino City?" Her Mum interjected.

"Mum! Please!"

"But you really can't help but wonder as to how a 16 year old girl can get lost looking for a library that's only a few blocks away." April commented, causing Florence to send her younger sister a playful glare.

"Honestly April, you're supposed to be on my side, not theirs!"

"Okay," Their Dad said finally. "Settle down children, breakfast is served."

Reading the address out of the Yellow Pages book*, Florence briefly checked Google Earth and plotted her route to her friend's house. It really was sweet how he had invited her over out of the blue like that.

After a few more minutes, Florence shut down the computer, pulled on her motorbike gear, strode outside, turned the key in the ignition, vaulted over the bike and kicked off with a loud roar.

Within a matter of five minutes, Florence arrived at Yugi's house, having taken a few wrong turns on the way. Then again, you can't get everything right all the time. She reminded herself.

Dismounting her bike, Florence carefully wheeled it around the back of the shop, removed the keys and lifted her helmet off to tuck it under her arm. Running a hand through her windswept hair, she slowly walked around to the front of the shop.

It was a small, but eye-catching building. It announced 'CARD' in bold letters at the front of the shop, and there was a bright, vast display in the window.

Feeling a little nervous, Florence slowly made her way to the door and cautiously pushed open the door. A small bell tingled somewhere, announcing her arrival.

Florence's eyes widened. The shop was amazing! There were cards everywhere!

Posters of Black Luster Soldier… Harpie's Pet Dragonl… any duel monster you could imagine… Duel Monster Heaven! She thought, allowing a slight smirk to twist her lips.

"Excuse me young miss, can I help you?" A deep, elderly voice asked. Spinning on her heel, Florence turned to meet the deep purple eyes of a short, grey haired man.

"Er…" Florence paused, searching for words. "Er, well I was asked to come here by Yugi. I don't s'pose you know him do you?"

The old man's enquiring expression quickly transformed into a beaming grin. "Why yes! Of course, he's my grandson!"

As if on queue, Yugi suddenly appeared from behind the counter, his height having previously obscured him from sight. Waving a friendly hand at Florence, he greeted her enthusiastically as grandpa Muto's eyes darted between the two teenagers with suspicion.

"Yugi…" He began, turning to his grandson. "Is this your new girlfriend?"

There was a moment of silence as Yugi blushed to his roots while sending a discreet but infuriated glance at his unknowing grandfather.

Taking pity on the short boy, Florence stepped in. "Oh no Mr Muto, Yugi only invited me so I could help him with some homework." She smiled benignly and tucked a loose lock of golden hair behind her ear. "If that's alright?"

Grandpa Muto took a few moments to process the information as Yugi breathed out in almost audible relief, silently thanking Florence for saving him from a potentially embarrassing situation.

Eventually he nodded, turning his gaze on Yugi. "You could have told me you had some homework you needed help with…" He grumbled to his grandson.

"Computers grandpa!" Yugi improvised, knowing his grandfather had an aversion to the machines. "Computers."

Appearing to accept this as a good reason, grandpa Muto turned back to the counter. "Go on then. Enjoy yourself." Then he added surreptitiously to Florence. "And don't let him distract you with Duel Monsters!"

Nodding in satisfaction, he watched the two teenagers leave the room as he manned the shop.

Yugi's Room

"Phew!" Yugi sighed in relief. "Good quick-thinking Florence!" He sent a small, shy smile to her which she returned. A light blush tinted the short teen's cheeks before he diverted his eyes.

Cute. Florence thought. Cute, but not really my type. Ah well, he'll get over it.

"So, we going to do this duel or what?" She prompted him.

Yugi froze for a moment, his gaze fixing on a far-off point. Waving a hand in front of eyes, Florence jumped as he suddenly reached up to grab her forearm in his long fingers.

"Ow," She yelped slightly at his strong grip. "Please can I have my arm back?"

He released her arm and looked down at the ground, his face brooding. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine." That was odd. His voice seems deeper – again. A frown briefly crossed Florence's face then she forced a smile on her face, putting Yugi's strange actions down to 'typical guy behaviour'.

Reaching in her pocket, Florence produced her deck and watched as the now strangely quiet Yugi mimicked her actions, taking his from a stylised leather belt which fitted snugly around his waist.

She watched curiously as Yugi pulled up a table, a fixed, serious expression on his face. A slightly unnerving contrast from his previous embarrassed manner. It's almost like he's a different person.

Aware that Yugi's piercing purple gaze was now fixed on her, Florence's head snapped up. She met his dark lilac eyes with an intensity equalling his, challenging him.

"Let's duel." They said in the same moment as they slammed their decks onto the table and drew five cards each. Surveying her hand, Florence smiled in satisfaction. She had drawn well.

Yugi nodded at her, indicating for her to play first. Raising an eyebrow in response, Florence drew another card. Dark Magician Girl! Brilliant! My favourite card…what luck!

She smiled confidently, it would only take a few turns for her to win at this rate. She scanned her eyes over the powerful equip cards in her hand. Yes, this should be an easy win.

20 minutes later

"Damn! How did you do that? That was amazing Yugi!" Florence complemented her victorious opponent. A small, vague smile appeared briefly on her opponent's face. "Well done."

Holding her hand out in a sportsmanship gesture, Florence offered it to shake. Glancing down at it a moment, confused Yugi hesitated before grasping her hand in his.

Florence's nerves tingled slightly. Yugi's hand was warm and enclosed hers in a gentle grip before gently shaking it. Her eyes wandered to his deep purple ones. He definitely didn't act like Yugi… but he certainly appeared to be Yugi. But his eyes looked somehow different, somehow more mysterious, somehow…older.

Noticing that her hand was still in his, Florence gently removed her hand, feeling the uncomfortable sensation of blood rushing to her face. What was happening? She barely ever blushed.

"That was a good game." Yugi's deep, calm voice said softly as his eyes continued to gaze unashamedly into hers. "You would've won if you focused more on your other cards." He reached into the pile of cards which acted as Florence's Graveyard. "Dark Magician Girl is a rare and powerful card, but you need to place your trust in all of your cards." Another smile crept onto Yugi's face as he gently handed Florence her favourite card. This smile was more sincere, but it still wasn't the Yugi who had introduced himself.

"Thank you." Florence replied, carefully placing Dark Magician Girl on top of her deck before tucking it away into her pocket. "Like I said, you're a brilliant player."

Yugi nodded his head graciously in acceptance of the praise. Yet the Yugi I knew would probably blush. Hmm… Sky pondered.

Yugi lifted his head then cocked it on one side, a large smile spreading over his face.

"Wow! Well Florence, that was amazing!" Yugi enthused as Florence frowned in deep confusion. One moment he was all serious and quiet, the next he was back to chatty blushing Yugi… what the heck was happening here? "Maybe next time you'll even beat me!"

Rubbing her forehead, Florence looked down at the excited young teen. "Look, er Yugi…" Hold on, how was she going to phrase this? She couldn't exactly ask if he was schizophrenic…. But curiosity ate away at her insides like something with an insatiable hunger.

"Florence, there's sorta something I need to tell you first…well, I mean show you." Yugi said suddenly, cutting off the girl's absent train of thought. He reached down to the large necklace around his neck and lifted it to head-height.

The brilliant gold pendant swung, catching the light and gleaming like a miniature pyramid-shaped sun in the light streaming through Yugi's window. Florence gasped involuntarily as the reflected rays of light almost blinded her. Holding up her arm to shield her eyes from their unrelenting glare, Florence moved back slightly.

A strong hand closed gentle fingers around her arm and slowly pulled it away from her face. Opening her eyes cautiously, Florence looked up to see Yugi's deep lilac eyes. Wait, they'd turned a shade darker again.

"This is what I wanted to show you." Yugi's deeper voice said again, his hand once again failing to release her arm.

Captured by his eyes, Florence listened intently to what Yugi had to say. Whatever it is had better be a good explanation, or I'll have to assume he has some weird sort of problem with his voice breaking…

"My name is Yami. Only recently Yugi became aware of my presence and up until two months ago I was trapped within the Millenium Puzzle." Yugi explained casually gesturing at the pyramid hanging around his neck. He spoke easily, as if telling Florence that ancient spirits lived within pieces of Egyptian jewellery on a worldwide spectrum. "We have reason to believe that my soul was trapped within the Millenium Puzzle for a reason." He released Florence's arm subconsciously and protectively cradled the Puzzle between his hands. "I need to discover that reason, and for some purpose, destiny guided you to me." Yami paused to lift his gaze from the Puzzle and looked directly into Florence's dark green eyes. "Can you help me?"

Florence shook her head slowly. "Wait, this is information overload. I mean, what sense does this make? Do you even have any proof?" She frowned at Yami's stunned expression. "How do I know you're not just schizophrenic or something?"

"Schizophrenic?" Yami asked blankly, his face an almost comical picture of confusion. "What's that?"

Sighing, Florence couldn't resist smiling slightly. Either Yugi was just playing dumb… or dare she think it, he was telling the truth. "It's this thing where you have like two personalities, one person."

Yami looked thoughtful, then nodded.

Florence rolled her eyes. "By the way, it's not normally a good thing. Means you're going crazy."

Yami looked worried, apparently he wasn't sure about anything, except duel monsters. Florence was slowly starting to believe he might be telling the truth. But until there was proof, she wouldn't be utterly convinced.

"Am I crazy?" He asked Florence seriously. He sounded genuinely concerned.

Florence shook her head. "Look, Yami, or whoever – whatever – you are, if you are a separate entity from Yugi, can you prove it? I mean, what's your past? Is it the same as Yugi's?"

Yami shrugged.

"You don't know?" Florence asked disbelievingly. "Nothing?"

"Only what I've seen in Yugi's mind. That is all I know." Yami affirmed, inclining his head slightly and resting his solemn gaze on the ground. Feeling a pang of guilt, Florence reached forward to lay a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Whatever was wrong with him, she wanted to help.

Yugi's head snapped up and his face coloured slightly as he registered Florence's grip on his shoulder. "Florence? What…?"

"I think I upset you, or Yami, or whoever." Florence quickly removed her hand from his shoulder and registered the fact that the 'original' Yugi had returned.

"Yami? Oh, he's always like that." Yugi reassured her with a bright smile.

"But," Florence continued, "the thing is, though I'm uncertain, I've noticed you seem to change, and Yami did really seem like another person, but…" She trailed off and looked down at Yugi. "Yugi… is it really true?"

Yugi nodded and rubbed the pointed spikes of his hair awkwardly. "Yeah. I know it's impossible, but it's true…"

A sudden, loud rapping on the door interrupted them and Yugi almost fell over in shock.

"Yugi! Dinner's ready!" Yugi's grandpa shouted through the door, punctuating his words with another series of knocks. "Ask your friend if she wants some."

Yugi glanced over at Florence questioningly. She shook her head carefully. "Thank you Yugi, but I just need to think all this over." She smiled. "Heck! It's a lot for a girl to take in for just one day!"

Yugi let out a short laugh then turned to the door. "That's okay, I understand. I guess I'll see you Monday!"

Yugi watched Florence from his window as she walked out of the card shop and journeyed back along the street outside. The dappled sunlight cast spots of shadow over her blond hair like the spotted marks of a leopard's back.

He instinctively looked over his shoulder upon sensing Yami's unmistakeable presence.

"How'd you think it went?" Yugi asked Yami's transparent projection.

"I'm not sure Yugi. But I expect we'll see." Yami replied, his eyes fixed on the road as if imagining Florence was still there.

Yugi felt a slight spike of jealousy. Yami appeared to like her too. Then again, he was only a spirit and a brooding one at that. Pushing the unwanted feeling aside, Yugi smiled carefreely at his doppleganger.

"I'm gonna go downstairs have something to eat. You coming?"

Yami shook his head, transparent and ghost-like in the sunlight pouring through Yugi's window. The younger boy watched as the spirit strode purposefully over to the window sill and sat beside it, looking out pensively, sifting through his scattered memories. Desperately trying to remember his past.

April's POV

April jumped as Florence bounded in the door… wait… bounded? Since when does Florence bound?

The younger sibling immediately ran downstairs to greet her sister. She planned to tell her about what she'd discovered later, for the moment, she was content to hear Florence's story. Hers could wait.

Florence's POV

Florence smiled as her sister enthusiastically pulled her into a hug.

"How was it?" She asked, a mischievous spark in her eye which made her sister feel slightly unnerved. April winked mischievously. "Don't worry, I won't tell Mom… much!"

She laughed impishly as Florence made to grab her. "I've still got to get you back for the other day! You'd better watch it you little scamp!" She threatened as her sister grinned in an accurate rendition of the Cheshire Cat.

Florence gave up chasing her sister and instead collapsed on the sofa, pulling her cards from her pocket. It was amazing just how exhausted she managed to get from going over a friend's house. Then again, it was far from an ordinary day.

After a few minutes, realizing that she was safe, April joined her sister on the couch and watched her as she thumbed through her cards. There was a long silence. It was often like this. The sisters respected one another, and one another's peace. Sometimes it was better to fill spaces with silence than words.

"Did you win?" April asked finally, still slightly breathless from her earlier exertion of dodging her sister's lousy attempts to catch her.

Florence shook her head. "No… he's good. Possibly the best I've met." She paused, her gaze roaming the still unfamiliar room until her gaze rested on the fire's glowing embers. "But it was a good game. Close. These cards you got me though, they're brilliant." She smiled up at her sister.

"That one looks like you." April said suddenly as she looked over her sister's shoulder. Florence followed her sister's pointed finger.

"Dark Magician Girl? You think so?"

April nodded and Florence smiled in flattered response. "That's cool. She's my favourite."

Another silence ensued until broken by a loud clatter as the girls' parents returned.

"Florence, April! Get yourselves off the sofa! It's teatime!" Their Mum shouted as the two teens cringed.

"No need to yell!" Florence yelled back. April grinned and followed her groaning sister to the kitchen where they sat down for their evening meal. The younger sister had noticed that Florence was even quieter and more pensive than usual. Unfortunately it didn't stop her from complaining though.

"Mum, please tell me that whatever's in that bag is vegetarian cause I really want to stick to this whole veg-diet-thing." Florence began.

April rolled her eyes. Her sister might give off the impression of being all easy-going and friendly but she was like a Mr Hyde when she arrived back home. Vegetarianism! Huh!

The meal passed without further incident and Florence carefully evaded the questions about precisely whose house she had visited. April waited patiently for her to finish, leaving her plate virtually untouched in her desperation to talk to her sister. She had to tell her. Soon.

Florence finally finished and helped April clear the plates. Sensing her sister's distraction, the older sister remained silent until they reached their rooms.

Sinking down on her bed, hands clasped and supporting her chin, April snapped her head up as Florence called her name again.

"April? What the heck is wrong?" She repeated, her voice laced with concern as she considered her preoccupied sister. April twisted her hands in her lap, preparing herself for what she was about to say.

"I need to tell you something… I've…" April took a breath in. "I've been having these weird dreams lately..." Her hands still twisting and turning in her lap.

Florence raised an eyebrow, "They're not just any weird dreams, are they?"

April was silent, her eyes went dull for a moment-this showed that a deep thought was in progress, "Depends on whose definition on 'weird'. Florence these dreams I've been having, seem so...So-so..." April couldn't seem to find the right words.

"Unreal, perhaps?" Florence wanted to know exactly what was going on her sister's head in that very moment; usually they had a bond in which they could easily and often so read one another minds. The strange feeling of actually not knowing where this conversation with April was going scared Florence.

"The opposite." April looked Florence dead in the eye; brown looking into green. April's eyes were starting to tear up; this notion shocked Florence. In all the years Florence had known April; from the moment she was adopted into the Driver family and there on April never cried; much less had tears in her eyes. Yes, April was on the verge of tears once in Florence's memory when a certain incident had occurred but that was it.

"Florence," April stated; she was trying with all her might to hold the tears back, "The dreams are too vivid; too familiar."

"W-What are you trying to say, April?" Florence placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You can talk to me about anything; it'll be alright." Florence's concern grew stronger.

"Florence," April began again, "I think that these two people I've been dreaming about are my parents."

Florence looked at April in bewilderment," Why would you dream about Mum and dad?"

The younger sister shook her head, "No, not mum and dad. I mean my real parents."
Florence looked at her sister with wide eyes. "And…" She trailed off, letting a sob escape her lips. "And I think they might still be alive…"

*Yes! I know, Yellow Pages. But unless anyone knows the Japanese equivalent… Yellow Pages STAYS!!!!

Please review lovely people!