Chapter I

Yesterday morning, Kiara stood in front of her new classmates and was practically in tears. She tried to tell herself that this was what she wanted but it was difficult to listen when she was friendless and speechless in front of a crowd, not to mention in a country so very different from her own.

Mercifully, English was her first class of the day, so she could relax as far a the language went. She stood there trying to find something to say; it didn't matter what it was, as long as it broke this dreadful silence. A single pair of ice blue eyes caught her gaze. They were narrowed. She wasn't quite sure if they were daring her to speak, or daring her to continue to exist.

Taking courage from the challenge, she inhaled and said quite forcefully, "Hello, everyone, I'm Kiara Greene and this is my second day in Japan ever."

"So, you moved here yesterday?" the teacher interjected.

"No, actually I flew in early this morning. I haven't even been to my own house yet! My uncle took me along on a business trip here when I was thirteen. I was so fascinated with the culture that I have dreamed of coming back ever since; all the while, I have studied and practiced my Japanese almost every day."

"That's quite interesting, Miss. Greene. I look forward to having you in my class this year. You may have a seat now. That empty desk beside Mr. Ryo will do."

Bakura smiled and raised his hand in an introductory wave. She smiled thankfully back and walked towards him as her new instructor began his lesson for that day. She looked around one last time for Mr. Blue, but they were concentrated on a stack of papers in his briefcase so she seated herself and began taking notes.

Kayla glanced sideways at "Mr. Ryo." He looked friendly enough. Should she say something after class? Or wait for him? Or pass a note? She knew that this school was much more strict than most American schools but this was also a private institution. She decided against the note idea when she noticed something odd.

There was a crumpled paper on her desk that was not there before her thoughts had carried her away. Furtively, she grabbed it and smoothed it out. It was from her new neighbor and said, "Hi! I'm Bakura Ryo. Meet me after class, okay?" She glanced sideways to find the boy zealously taking notes and began doing the same.

After class, Kiara held her textbooks close as she looked around the hallway. "Hello!" a rather soft voice said behind her, in English.

She spun around and came face to face with her new friend. "Hi!"

"Are you all right? You look a little on edge."

"Sorry, it's a little unnerving being in a brand new school. Let alone a new country," Kiara answered with a small laugh.

"I know the feeling," Bakura said, softer still.

"You're from England?" Kiara hinted at his accent.

"Wales. But I've been to plenty of other places as well…" his voice trailed off.

Seeing his expression, she decided not to press the subject and went on to start complaining about the workload. "My first day and I'm going to have homework from six classes!" She whined good-naturedly.

Bakura's gentle features brightened as he laughed and said, "I'm sure you'll be all right. Do you know how to get to your next class?"

"Yeah, I…think so," she said, holding a layout of the school out in front of her. Bakura tried to hide a smile as he reached over and turned it right side up.

"You don't sound too sure. I'll walk you there; let me see your class schedule."

"I don't want to make you go out of your way, Bakura-san," She handed him the paper when he held out his hand for it. Secretly, she was grateful for the company. Outside the door to her second period, they made plans to meet after school.

Outside, after all of her classes were done, Kiara rushed to the fountain that graced the front courtyard. She was excited to be able to spend more than ten minutes being around her new friend. He was really sweet and thoughtful. Surprisingly, when Bakura was around, she felt quite at home in this new environment. She felt like she belonged.

Her excitement flickered, however, when she saw the group that was following behind Bakura. It was only for a moment. Her heart told her that Bakura wouldn't put her on display , especially without good intentions. She still felt a little exposed as they all gathered around her. She instinctively moved closer to Bakura, hoping he was not expecting her to speak first. He did not let her down.

"Guys," he began in Japanese, "this is Kiara-san. She just moved to Japan today and I figure she could use a few new friends," he put his arm around her and squeezed gently. The short boy with spiked hair and the tall blond one exchanged very surprised looks. She had only known him for half a day and she could tell that this was Bakura Ryo going out on a limb. She felt his touch gingerly linger as he waited to flee at the slightest hint of rejection. She sort of liked it there; it made her feel…special.

"Of course!" Several of then interjected.

"And Kiara-san," he went on, "this is Yugi-sama, Joey-sama, Tristan-san, and Tea-san." He pointed to each of them as he spoke each of their names.

"Hello!" she said, also in Japanese, when Bakura stopped speaking. She glanced at Bakura and smiled warmly as she clasped his hand that was holding her arm as a sign that he was not being rejected but he could safely drop his arm.

"Hey, are you busy today? We're going to hang out at my Grand-pa's gaming shop. You can come if you want!" said Yugi.

"Sure! What kind of games does he sell?" she asked.

"Oh, all kinds; but primarily Duel Monsters cards! They're so cool!"

"Oh," she immediately realized that that statement could be off putting so she quickly recovered with an interested sounding, "Really?!"

"Do you play?" the one called Joey asked.

"Not really."

"Well, why not?! It's only the best game ever!" Joey said.

"Oh, well, over in America, I was always busy with my studies and even then I would have to constantly guard them from the paper murderers I call my pets. Do you know how difficult it is to tell your teacher that your cat ate your homework?" Kiara surprised herself as to how easily she lied. Especially because none of that was a lie; it was just not the reasons as to why she didn't duel. This was not a topic she was ready to get into.

"Well…whatever. Are we going to go or not?" Joey said, impatiently.

"Yeah, sure!" Yugi answered. And the two lead the way. Tea walked next to Kiara.

"It's nice to meet you!" She said warmly. "As you can see, the boys don't have manners but I hope that you can hang out with me and my friends more often."

"Really? You wouldn't mind?" Kiara asked her.

"Sure! Any friend of Bakura-kun's is a friend of mine! Especially if she's female," she chuckled.

Kiara smiled and continued walking amongst her newest friends. She could not have been happier. The group had stopped in front of a hot dog stand. All of the boys were complaining about being starved and were arguing about who was going to order first.

Tea and Kiara were standing off to the side and were discussing their first periods when Kiara was shoved aside suddenly. "Hey!!" she exclaimed loudly.

"Why don't you watch where you're standing," Seto Kaiba said gruffly. He looked behind him with a piercing gaze.

She straitened up with incredible grace despite the circumstances. She locked in on his gaze and said with great authority, "Why don't you learn how to walk? Do you even know who I am?"

He looked ahead. "No. That means you are no one important." He walked away calmly and did not look back.

"Oh! The nerve!!" She growled at his shrinking silhouette.

The group had gathered around her and were explaining how that was regular Kaiba and they were sorry they had not warned her earlier. They continued on to the game shop, hot dogs in hand.

Bakura had been quiet through the whole ordeal. He finally spoke up and said, "Kiara-san, should we know who you are?"

She smiled at him a little sadly. "No, I was just trying to rattle his cage. A lot of good that did."

"That's not going to happen," Tristan said with finality in his voice.

"Never mind him," Tea said trying to lighten the mood. "Look! We're here! K-chan, I'm going to teach you how to duel!" She grabbed her hand and rushed inside. The rest followed behind.