Chapter 2: Welcome to Satellite

Akiza moaned as sunlight trickled in through the small porthole above her. Glancing out, she could see the outline of her destination approaching. Within minutes, the ship had docked into the port. Akiza sighed, grabbing her small amount of belongings.

"I guess this is where my life begins."

"Who's there?!"

Akiza froze, hearing the footsteps approaching. Thinking quickly, she ducked back into her hiding space, trying to make herself as small as possible. The security guard hurried onto the scene, sweeping his flashlight across the cargo hold in search of intruders. Finding nothing, he sighed and walked away.

"I must be hearing things. I've been doing this for way too long."

Akiza breathed a silent sigh of relief. That was too close for comfort, she'd have to be more careful next time. After waiting a few minutes, Akiza snuck down the gangway, hiding behind crates along the way to avoid detection. Once she got a safe distance away, she turned around to watch the ship set sail, leaving her in an unknown world. Sighing, she picked up her meager belongings and set out.

"Home sweet home, I guess."

Akiza soon found that her new home was less than ideal. What was once the world renowned Domino City was now just a shell of its former self. Dilapidated buildings, cracked streets, and faulty street lights surrounded her on all sides, with a gloomy sky overhead. Akiza's stomach growled, but she had no food on her, and no money. All of her belongings had been stolen, and she was really starting to rethink her choices. With nowhere else to go, and nowhere to hide, she slumped against a wall and cried.

"I want my mommy..."

"Are you alright, little girl?"

Akiza looked up, nearly blinded by her tears to see a kind, older woman looking down at her concerned.

"No, I...I'm lost and I..."

"Where are your parents? They must be worried sick!"

Akiza looked back down at the ground. How should she answer that? Certainly not with the truth, that'd just get her sent back to where she started.

"I...I don't have any."

"Oh, you poor thing! Come on, you can live with me."

"Are you sure? I don't want to..."

The woman smiled.

"I wouldn't offer if I wasn't sure. I'm Martha. What's your name, dear?"

"A-Akiza."

"That's a beautiful name."

"Thank you."

Martha offered Akiza her hand, which she nervously accepted. She then led Akiza to a dilapidated building, though it was more intact than those surrounding it. According to Martha, it was called an orphanage, where children like her who didn't have people to look after them lived.

"Yusei, Jack, Crow! Come meet your new sister!"

The sound of footsteps running down the stairs echoed through the building, and in a flash three kids Akiza's age appeared in front of her. The first had spiky, orange hair. The second had blonde hair, and the third had black hair with yellow highlights.

"Akiza, meet Jack, Crow, and Yusei. I took them in like I have you."

"Nice to meet you, Akiza! I'm Crow. Hey, do you like dueling?"

Akiza tensed up at the mention of dueling. No, not again. Not after...

"Now look what you've done, Crow! She's probably so bad at dueling she's ashamed of herself!"

"Oh, and calling her a terrible duelist is helping, Jack?"

"Hey, you started it!"

"Boys, stop it! I thought I'd raised you better than this."

"Yes, Martha."

Yusei chuckled, approaching Akiza.

"Sorry about my brothers, they're a little..."

"Much."

"Exactly, but they mean well. Its nice to meet you Akiza."

"Thanks, Yusei."

"You three go get ready for dinner. I'll show Akiza to her room."

The three boys ran off, allowing Martha to take Akiza off to her room. It was a lot smaller than her old room, containing only the bare basics to be considered a bedroom.

"I'm sorry its not much, but as you've probably gathered we don't have a lot of creature comforts here in Satellite."

But Akiza smiled. It was perfect.

"Don't worry, this is just fine."

"Glad to hear it. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

After setting down her meager belongings, Akiza joined the rest in the small dining room. Dinner wasn't much, just a soup made up of lumpy potatoes and a slice of bread each. Far from what Akiza was used to, but at least it was something. But what truly amazed her was how everyone acted.

When she had dinner with her parents, it was a silent affair. Maybe a few quick sentences, but for the most part everyone kept to themselves. Besides, between her father being away on business and her mother caught up in work, they rarely had dinner together.

But here, it was a complete 180. The table was vibrant with conversation, and not for a minute was there silence. Whether it was Yusei mentioning he saw a turtle, or Jack and Crow arguing over something stupid, then Martha reminding Crow to stop eating with his mouth open, something was happening. And the more Akiza thought about it, the more she liked it. It felt real, it felt natural, it felt like...

A family.

"Akiza dear, you're so quiet. Is something wrong?"

Akiza jolted out of her thoughts, not even having been aware she had been asked a question until she saw everyone staring at her.

"Huh? Oh, no, nothing's wrong. I just...don't have anything to add to the conversation."

Yusei smiled, and gently took her hand.

"Its ok. I know its scary being in a new place, but you'll get used to it. We'll help you, I promise."

Akiza smiled, feeling more at ease.

"Thanks, Yusei."

"Oooooh, Yusei's got a girlfriend!"

"No I don't!"

"Yusei and Akiza, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-"

"That's it, get back here Crow!"

Akiza laughed as Yusei chased Jack and Crow, the two instigators laughing as he tried to catch up. She had a feeling she was going to like it here.