Sparks Within the Heart

Chapter One: The God Puzzle

Hello, so just a couple of announcements before I put this up. So, I've noticed that there isn't a lot of YamixOC stories out, and I figured 'hey, I love Yami, so why not put one out myself' xD. However, because of this, I will say ahead of time. I'm not sure the Yami that I am protraying in my story is in character for him or not. I mean, hello, there's stories out there of him, but they all protray him differently.

So... I ask that if you come across something that you find is out of character for Yami. Here is what I ask...

Please, let me know. I will fix it. But, please don't put up 'oooh Yami's OOC!' That doesn't help me. I can't do anything because you haven't told me what you find 'OOC' about him. So, please, give me some constructive criticism, and I will be quick to fix it. Please and Thank you :)

Second announcement is simple, I am going to be following the MANGA of YuGiOh! and not the anime (honestly because I found out that the manga is better, in my opinion at least, than the anime). So, I repeat, I will be following the MANGA. So, I will be doing 'YuGiOh!' first, and then, in a 'sequel' I will go to 'YuGiOh! Duelist' and then interquel for 'YuGiOh Millenium World', okay? :)

So... Here's the story you have been waiting for...

This historic game… It can be traced back as far as Ancient Egypt… In Ancient times, the game was used to predict the futures of men and kings… But the magic ceremonies where destinies were actually decided were known as 'Shadow Games'.

And to think… She had actually met a man that could do Shadow Games.

This is of a story of a girl named Lauren Hark. She was just a fifteen year old American transfer student who was friends with Yuugi Mutou. Sure, she knew Anzu Mazaki, but trust her, she didn't like her – Lauren didn't hate her… just… something about her got under her skin. Especially after meeting… him.

However, this story is about more than her and her friends.

It's about her ties to Ancient Egypt.

And…

The mysterious spirit that dwelled within the Millennium Puzzle.

Yami.

-x-

"Recess! Time for Basketball!" A kid called. Lauren didn't even bother looking up from her book, still engrossed with Gandalf, the great grey wizard in Lord of the Rings, about to fall off the cliff with the Belrog. "Let's let the girls play!" Even though her face made it look like she wasn't listening, on the inside she was rolling her eyes.

"Hey Yuugi! Lauren! Don't you wanna play some basketball, instead of sitting in here alone?"

"I'm fine…" A timid voice came from next to Lauren. This was Yuugi Mutou, Lauren's friend. In Lauren's opinion, he was the sweetest kid one would ever meet. Problem is, he was timid and shy. He rarely talked back to someone, which, unfortunately, made him a perfect target for bullying. "Every team I join just loses anyways…"

"Lauren?" She could hear the hope in the boy's ears. She just lifted up her hand and waved it, showing she wasn't interested. She was far more engrossed with her book. She heard the clatter of them leaving, and she let herself go back into the Lord of the Rings world.

Lauren wasn't sure how long it was before she heard someone yell, "I'll teach you how to act like a man!" Lauren growled to herself and looked up. She glared deeply when she saw Katsuya Jonouchi and Hiroto Honda. They were picking on Yuugi.

The red head felt her eye twitching. I just want to read my book… Why can't I do that? However, she wasn't about to leave Yuugi to Jonouchi's and Honda's clutches. She sighed as she slowly stood up and walked over to them. "Look! I'll give the box back… If you try with all your might to get it!"

"But I hate fighting and violence!" Yuugi yelled.

Jonouchi put his fingers in his ears in a 'too loud' fashion. "Anyways… give back the box." Yuugi held out his hand, tired.

"Not a chance!" Honda grinned down at the boy evilly.

"So, what's in the box?" Jonouchi asked.

"Nothing that concerns you." Lauren stepped in coolly.

"Ah!" Both boys focused on Lauren. "Hi Lauren."

"Give the box back, Jonouchi." Lauren commanded and held out her hand.

"I don't know why you hang out with a wimp like Yuugi."

"Because he's a far better person to be around than you to $$*$." She retorted flatly.

Both boys put hands to their hearts, wounded. "We're hurt, Lauren." Honda said.

"But we want to know what's inside." Jonouchi said. "And there's only one way to find out." Lauren narrowed her eyes, getting tired of this. She wanted to get back to her book.

"Y… You can look, but don't lose it!" Yuugi said, panicking. "It's incredibly valuable!"

Jonouchi looked in the box for a minute. "Whaat… That's dumb." He said, and tossed it back to his brunette friend. "Here, Honda."

However, before he could catch it, another hand snatched it away. "If it's so dumb, give it back to Yuugi." Anzu said.

"For once, I agree Anzu." Lauren commented. It was rare for Anzu and Lauren to agree.

"Anzu!" Yuugi had a tiny blush on his cheeks that got Lauren smiling. His crush on Anzu was just so adorable!

"Mazaki!" Both idiot boys freaked out. With both Lauren and Anzu there, they were in trouble.

"Now get lost." Lauren snapped. "Picking on weaker people is a coward's job! You're the dumb ones!"

"Damn you, nosy woman!" Honda cried.

"This isn't over! We'll remember you!" Jonouchi added.

"Well, here it is." Anzu gently placed the box back on Yuugi's desk. "You're precious item."

"Thank you, Anzu! Thank you, Lauren!" Yuugi said. "But wow, that was great! One work from you two and they ran!"

"Don't flatter us, Yuugi." Lauren laid her chin onto her palm and closed her eyes. "We just saw our friend being taken advantage of. We're your friends, we protect you and things you find precious."

"All the guys in the class are just like those two!" Anzu commented. "A while back, the boys invited the girls to play basketball with them. I immediately thought it was weird…"

"So did I." Lauren added.

"To make the winning basket, the girls should use this shooting posture!" Lauren rolled her eyes, boys were so immature. "Basketball isn't meant for looking up girls' skirts!"

Yuugi suddenly go t this weird look on his face as he blushed. "Yeah! Basketball!" He sounded distracted. Lauren raised an eyebrow at him.

"Hey, what are you imagining?" Anzu asked flatly. Lauren figured he was imagining just what about every other guys imagines. Lauren sighed, Yuugi was a great kid, but he was a boy. And boys all have the same though process. Lauren chuckled.

"Yuugi," Lauren gently tapped Yuugi's leg with her foot to get his attention. "What's in that, anyways?" She jerked her chin to the box.

"Well, I guess I can let you see… But you both have to promise to keep it a secret…"

"Yeah, Yeah." Anzu nodded.

"Sure, Yuugi." Lauren added.

Yuugi opened the box to show a number of pieces. Lauren titled her head, and looked at it closely. Suddenly her heart stopped and her eyes widened. She knew what it was.

It was the Millennium Puzzle!

Lauren tried to listen to the conversation as she got her breathing in check. "Wow, so pretty!" Anzu commented, picking up some of the pieces. "They glitter like gold… What are they parts of?"

"It's a puzzle!" Yuugi exclaimed, excited. "I've never completed it, so I don't know what the final shape will be," I do, Lauren thought. "In other words, it's a thing that 'can be seen, but you haven't seen it'! I live in a game shop! There's all sorts of rare and unusual and exotic games for sale there… This was sitting in the corner, gathering dust, and I found it… Now I think of this puzzle as a memento of my grandpa."

Anzu got a shocked look on her face, before it calmed down to one of sadness. But Lauren wasn't paying attention, with a shaking hand she reached out and took one of the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle. She ran her fingers across the smooth surface. She was surprised that she was actually holding one of the pieces. She never thought she would see it in her entire life.

And yet, here it was. Right in front of her eyes. She couldn't believe it.

"This puzzle was found in Egyptian Ruins!" It really is the Millennium Puzzle. Lauren felt her heart burst with energy.

"Egypt…" Anzu's face became flat again.

"Look… The box is engraved with strange symbols!" Yuugi pointed. "With an educated guess, I think I know what they mean, too… The person who solves this puzzle will have one wish grated!" He looked over to his red-headed friend. "Lauren, you can read Egyptian writing, right?"

"Hieroglyphics." Lauren corrected. But when she looked at Yuugi's eyes, she saw that he really wanted that to be what it said. Why ruin his dream? She smiled gently at him. "You're right, Yuugi." The boy smiled, pleased with himself.

"Heh heh… Maybe that's too fantastic, though… Why're you looking at me like that?" Like what? Lauren thought. "Don't tell anyone about it, Anzu. You too, Lauren. It's between us… It's a secret…"

"We know that, Yuugi! Trust us!" Anzu said.

"You're secret is safe with us." Lauren smiled.

"But, the puzzle is very difficult…" Yuugi put his chin onto his palm, and sighed. "I've been trying for eight years and haven't completed it! Sometimes it's gets me down."

"Keep at it, Yuugi!" Anzu cheered on.

"You'll get that wish." Lauren commented.

"Yeah, I'll keep at it!" Yuugi grinned.

"… Um, what is it?" Anzu asked. "Your 'wish'?"

"Can't tell…" Yuugi winked cutely at them. "It's an absolutely confidential secret! Sealed forever in an ultra-tight vacuum pack!"

-x-

After school Lauren got her things together as was ready to walk back to her home, when she overheard Yuugi talking to Ushio. Lauren raised an eyebrow at their conversation, not liking the tone Ushio was using. Even if his words said he was being nice, something about his tone said he was scheming something. Lauren felt dread build up in her. Yuugi was the perfect target for something like this.

Better keep a close eye on him. She nodded to herself as she walked home.

-x-

She had taken a short stop at her house before she jogged over to Yuugi's. "Yuugi!" She called when she saw him.

"Ah! Lauren!" Yuugi gave a greeting smile as she got closer to him.

"Yuugi!" Both turned and saw Anzu as well.

"Ah! Hi, Anzu!" Yuugi greeted more cheerfully. Aw, he's so adorable! Lauren wasn't offended. She thought Yuugi's crush on Anzu was so cute.

"Heh, it's been a while since I came over to play." Anzu commented.

They all entered the game shop, and were greeted by Mutou Sugoroku, Yuugi's grandfather and owner of the 'Kame Game Shop'. "Welcome!"

"Gyaaaah!" Anzu let out a scream. Lauren flinched at the volume.

"Ah, it's Anzu and Lauren." Sugoroku commented. "That's cruel, seeing my face and screaming…"

"What is wrong with you, Anzu?" Lauren asked as she rubbed her ear.

"Just a second, Yuugi!" Anzu hissed. "A while ago, Yuugi said you gave him a keepsake!" She turned back to Sugoroku with an apologetic smile. "H… Hello!" Lauren raised an eyebrow. She thought that Yuugi's grandfather was dead?

"Ohh…" Yuugi decided to clear that up. "I meant that it will someday be a keepsake!"

"You're killing me…" Sugoroku stepped in. "Anyways, girls, it's been a while since I saw you here… You've grown… Especially in the chest! You just keep getting bigger!"

Lauren felt her eye twitching again. She didn't really like talking about her chest, because she knew she was bigger in that area than other girls her age were. It was annoying – since guys who were so not her type kept coming after her – and it was a tad bit embarrassing. "Haha…" Anzu's tone suggested she was creped out.

"Anzu! Lauren! I'm taking the puzzle up to my room!" Yuugi announced. "Grandpa, can you make tea?"

"Hey, Yuugi… Didn't you give up on the puzzle?" Sugoroku commented.

"Who said anything about that?" Yuugi muttered.

"It takes a very intellectual person to put together that 'Millennium Puzzle'!" Sugoroku was now smirking. "It's impossible for you! That thing has a varied history…"

Lauren felt her heart speed up. She knew the history of the Millennium items very well, but she kept her mouth firmly shut. "History…" Anzu repeated uneasily.

"The 'Millennium Puzzle' was found in the early 1900s. An English archeological team took it from the burial tomb of a Pharaoh! Afterwards, everyone involved died mysteriously… And they say the last one was screaming… something about a 'Shadow Game'."

Lauren looked down at the ground, and her hands clenched into fists. She had been to Egypt so many times, and yet she still knew little to nothing about 'Shadow Games'. It frustrated her to no end.

If only I could meet someone who plays 'Shadow Games'!

Lauren sighed to herself. She knew that was impossible. The only people who did were dead and buried away in 3,000 year old tombs.

"Yuugi…" Anzu said. "That puzzle sounds dangerous…"

"What's a 'Shadow Game'? I'm curious now!" Yuugi said. "The engraved symbols on this box… 'To the one who controls me… I will give dark wisdom and strength'… I knew it! My wish will come true!" Lauren sweat dropped. Yeah, if you wish is to destroy the world or something… "I'm so excited! I will definitely complete it!"

Sugoroku started chasing his grandson around the shop. "Hey, give it back! It'll sell for a lot!"

"I knew it! You just want to sell it!"

"Give it back!"

"Stop it! This is my keepsake of you, grandpa!"

"I knew it! You're going to kill me!"

Lauren chuckled at their strange antics.

-x-

Lauren had been walking around the school grounds, listening to her music. She had spent all night at Yuugi's house to try and get him to confess what happened with his and Ushio's little talk.

But being who he was, Yuugi wouldn't bug. He just kept saying that it was nothing.

Lauren sighed. Sometimes she really hated that he was so nice.

Lauren lifted her head when she heard a commotion near her. She pulled off her headphones and with a raise eyebrow walked over to where the noises were coming from. She blinked when she saw Yuugi Mutou standing in front of a badly beaten Jonouchi and Honda, with Ushio standing in front of him.

"Oh really?" Ushio said. "Yuugi, why're you protecting these jerks? You're a weird guy… This is your chance to get revenge!" Yuugi's not the type of guy who's into revenge. "Hit them! Kick them!"

"I can't do that to my friends!"

Lauren closed her eyes and shook her head with a smile. Leave it to Yuugi to feel that two boys who are bullying him are his friends. "Most people hate those that bully them." Ushio pointed out. "What a masochist… You're a pretty nice guy, calling these punks your friends…"

"It wasn't bullying…" Yuugi said. "This punishment is no good…"

"Well, alright…" Lauren had a feeling he wasn't done. "By the way, Yuugi! I'll take my payment now! My bodyguard fee… 200k yen!"

Lauren tensed up and her hands clenched into fists. What the #$? That $$, how dare he? There were no words that could describe her rage right now. "What?" Yuugi cried. "200,000 yen?"

"Heh heh… For 200,000 you can hit them as much as you like… You won't be distracted this way. But who said that'd be cheap…?" Yuugi stay silent. "Well? Maybe you're unsatisfied because I didn't hit them enough…" Yuugi still didn't say anything. By this time, Lauren was seeing red.

"You've done more than enough!" Yuugi finally yelled. "If anyone's beating them up more, it's me!"

"And now you've decided to beat them…" Ushio said. "Fine, have it your way…" He lifted Yuugi by the collar. "I'll leave you a bodily reminder to pay me. It's in my nature to hate bullying… But what I'm about to do isn't 'bullying'… it's a 'warning'!"

"Oi!" Everyone turned and Lauren gave the most vicious glare to Ushio. The air crackled around her like electricity. Her anger was so heavy in the air that Ushio even had the brains to take a step back. "You touch him and I will kill you!" She screamed.

Ushio dropped Yuugi. He wasn't stupid enough to mess with someone who had the street credit like Lauren Hark did. Everyone on the street knew who she saw, and everyone knew even better that you didn't mess with her, especially when she was angry. "You're lucky now, Yuugi." Ushio said. "Lauren was there to protect you. But believe me, that will be nothing… I could teach you the real meaning of pain!"

Ushio pulled a knife out as his point. Lauren growled loudly, and Ushio decided it was best to leave. Lauren's whole body was shaking with angry and she had to take a few deep breaths before she relaxed. She rushed over to Yuugi. "Are you alright, Yuugi?"

-x-

Lauren tapped her foot, huddling into her jacket. She knew that Yuugi didn't have anywhere near 200,000 yen. So, she got it herself. With her, money was not a problem, and if it meant that Ushio would get off Yuugi's back, then she'd give him all the money she owned.

Come on, Ushio. Lauren thought impatiently. Just get here, take the money, and slink back into the hole you belong in. She heard voices and figured it was Ushio. She rolled her eyes, annoyed that it had taken him that long and walked over to him.

She stopped short when she noticed two things.

One, Yuugi was wearing the now completed Millennium Puzzle around his neck.

Second and marginally more important, Yuugi was not… Well.

That wasn't Yuugi.

She was sure of it. There were many things that said this man was not Yuugi Mutou. He was similar to the boy – to the point where he could pass of as his identical twin! – but not enough that Lauren missed it. "I've gotta hand it to ya! You've decided to pay up… That lightens my mood!" Lauren's heart was racing. If that wasn't Yuugi… who was he? "Don't know why you're wearing a costume… Well, whatever! Cough it up, already! The money! 200,000 yen!"

"I have it here." The Yuugi-look-alike lifted up the money. His voice was now a deep rumble. Lauren felt tingles rush through her when she heard it. "However, I seem to have brought 400,000 by mistake." What's your game? Lauren thought. The way he was smirking made Lauren think he was planning something.

"400k!" Ushio was more than happy.

"But there's a catch…" Thought so. "Since just paying you would be boring… So… We're going to play a game!"

Lauren's eyes widened. A game? "A game…!" Ushio repeated, confused.

"Yes… But it isn't just any game… It's a 'Shadow Game'!" Lauren's heart stopped at those two words. He's… He's actually going to play a 'Shadow Game'? "How about it? If you win, you get even more than 200,000 yen! Not bad, eh?"

"Interesting…" Ushio grinned.

"To play the game, we only need one tool…" The look-alike said. "The knife you're hiding, Ushio!"

"Hmm…" Ushio pulled it out.

'Yuugi' placed both the knife and the money onto the table. "Okay! The game is set!" Lauren's eyebrows came together. What kind of game involves money and a knife? She thought.

"Money and the knife…" It seemed Ushio was starting to get nervous.

"These are the rules!" 'Yuugi' said. Lauren listened closely, way to curious. "The plays take turns placing the money on top of their hand, and then stabbing the money with the knife!" What? Lauren's eyes widened. But you could stab your hand! "All the money on the knife goes to that player, and then their opponent takes their turn with the remainder!" … This is just crazy. "The game ends when there are no more bills left! The one with the most money at the end is the winner! Also, if you stab your hand, you automatically loose the entire game, and give all your winnings to your opponent! Sounds fun, eh?"

"Heh… Heh heh… Keh, you've got guts…" Ushio sounded even more nervous now. Lauren examined this 'Yuugi' closely. It was now crystal clear. This was without a doubt not Yuugi Mutou. This was someone entirely different. While in physical looks, both Yuugi and this boy could pass to be twins, it was their personalities that were polar opposite. This boy was much more dangerous and confident than Yuugi ever was.

Who are you? Lauren silently asked this new boy.

"One more thing… If you break a rule, you will be cursed with a 'Penalty Game'!" Lauren's eyes widened as her heart stopped again. What? He knows about the 'Penalty Games' too?

"Heh… Cool…" Ushio said. "Come on, let's get started." They played 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' and 'Yuugi' won.

"Alright, I'm first." The look-alike announced.

"C… Crap…" Ushio muttered.

The Yuugi-look-alike concentrated very hard, as he positioned the knife where he wanted it and stabbed. Lauren winced subconsciously. "Hmmm…" He lifted up the bills he had gotten. "Less than ten bills… I tried to use a lot of strength, but not many stuck…" He then took the bills off and set them to the side. He then gave the knife to Ushio. "Okay, your turn!"

Ushio placed his hand on the table, and put the bills on top. "Grr…" Ushio concentrated as he lifted up the knife.

"If you get too greedy, you'll use too much strength and stab all the way though…" 'Yuugi' commented. So the point of the game is to control your greed. 'Yuugi' repeated what she said. "The point of the game is to control your greed!"

"Shut the hell up!" Ushio snapped. "Grrr…" He took a stab at the money. "Heh… Heh heh… check it out! Moe than a hundred thousand! And not a scratch on my hand! Using more strength is fine!" No, it can't be. Lauren knew enough about 'Shadow Games' to know there was always a catch. On every tablet I've seen, it talks about a game of the heart. Maybe… Lauren thought as she watched them. Maybe it shows the nature of your heart. And if you're heart is greedy, you're going to lose the game.

They went back and forth and finally it was back to Ushio. "All this money will be mine!" He started chuckling. However, Lauren noticed that his hand started to grip the knife too hard. With that kind of strength, he'll stab his hand. She thought as she watched. Ushio seemed to notice as well, and tried to relax it, but his hand wouldn't relax. It seemed he started to panic.

However, Ushio started laughing. "The answer is simple! This hand will stab with all my strength, no matter what I do! But there's a way to get all the money, and not injure my other hand!" He's not going to do what I think he's going to do… Is he? "I'm the one holding the knife… So I'll use it to defeat you!" Ushio threw his hand at 'Yuugi'. "Dieeeeeee! Yuugiiiiii!"

Without even so much as batting an eyelash, 'Yuugi' leapt into the air, out of Ushio's reach. He landed a few feet away from Ushio. Without realizing it, Lauren gripped the wall she was near. Her heart was racing. She had to know what he would do. "Just as I thought, you couldn't follow the rules!" The Eye of Anubis appeared on 'Yuugi's' forehead.

The Eye of Anubis! Lauren's eyes widened. He really is using shadow magic!

"This eye can see nothing but what is 'in your heart'!" 'Yuugi' said. "You're a greedy bully who hurt my friends and tried to steal money from me!" The look-alike pointed at Ushio. Lauren just couldn't look away, too entranced. This was the first time she had seen a Penalty Game happen with her own two eyes! "Penalty Game! Illusion of Greed!" Lauren wasn't sure what he saw, but he started rejoicing over 'the money'. "Let me tell you something… If all you care about is money… The 'object of your greed' will be all that your eyes can see! Indeed, since you're so greedy, this must be a happy ending! Heh heh… Now to make sure the money is returned…"

"Wait."

The boy stopped, but he didn't turn around. Lauren finally stepped up behind him. Her heart was racing in her chest. "You… You gave him a penalty game…" Her voice, she noticed was shaky and soft.

He didn't say anything for a moment. Finally, he looked around at her. Lauren's heart stopped when she came eye-to-eye with him. Keep your cool, Lauren. She tried to remind herself. This guy could be a creep for all your know. "You shouldn't be afraid, Lauren…"

Lauren shook her head. "No… I mean… He deserved it… But to actually meet someone who can do shadow games and penalty games is what shocked me." She explained. He respectfully kept quiet. "I've seen it all over Egyptian artifacts, but I know little to nothing about it."

He smiled. "You're a quick learner, Lauren." She felt a strange feeling course through her as he said her name. "I'm sure you'll pick up a lot." He started to turn again.

"What's your name?" Lauren asked boldly. He looked over his shoulder at her. "And don't try and give me that whole 'I'm Yuugi' $*#. You're not Yuugi. I know that. So…" She crossed her arms. "If you're not Yuugi, then who are you?"

He stayed silent for a long moment. In that minute, Lauren and he just stared at each other. Lauren saw in his eyes, that there was nothing to fear with him. Or at least, for her there was nothing to fear. Lauren's tense body became relaxed the longer she looked into his eyes. He finally smiled again. "You can call me 'Yami'."

'Yami' then turned and walked back to Yuugi's house. Lauren blinked, watching him until he was out of her sight.

"Yami, huh…" She said.

Well, there is one thing about this Yami… Lauren smiled and licked her lips. He's hot.

-x-

The next morning, Lauren walked onto the school campus with her headphones on again. She peeked a look at the crowd that was gathering around a tree, and shook her head when she knew what they were looking at. Without so much as another glance, she walked into the building and saw Yuugi – the Yuugi she knew, not Yami – looking tired. "Hey Yuugi." Lauren walked up to him with a smile.

"Hey Lauren." He greeted. He was smiley. "I finished the puzzle last night, but I can't remember…" Lauren didn't say anything. So, he doesn't remember Yami and his encounter with Ushio? Lauren nodded to herself. She figured it was best not to say anything. She doubted that Yuugi would even believe her if she told him.

"At least you completed it." She commented.

"Yeah! The puzzle!" He held it in his hands. "Last night, I finally completed it! I'm so happy!" Yuugi laughed as he tossed the puzzle into the air. Lauren chuckled.

"Yo, Yuugi…" Lauren looked over and saw Jonouchi leaning against the wall. Lauren held back, she decided to let Jonouchi have the chance to be nice. But, if he wasn't, she'd kick his $$.

"Ah, Jonouchi." Yuugi greeted.

"Hey, how are your injuries?"

"Fine… How about you?"

"I feel fine! Speaking of which… Hey, Yuugi! I also brought a treasure! Want to see it?" Jonouchi asked. Give him the benefit of the doubt… Lauren repeated in her head.

"Yeah!"

"Hahaha… Sorry… My treasure 'is in plain view, but you can't see it', so I can't show it to you!" Lauren felt her eye twitch. Jonouchi… She saw Yuugi mull it around in his head out of the corner of her eye.

"It's YuuJou!" Lauren blinked, knowing that was the Japanese word for 'Friendship'. Lauren realized it was a cute pun on Yuugi's and Jounouchi's name. Lauren smiled to herself. That's pretty cute.

Yuugi was at first surprised before he smiled. "Yeah!"

"Well come on, we've gotta get to class!" Lauren laughed, figuring Jonouchi was embarrassed for saying something cute like that. In the process of rushing off, Jonouchi lost one of his shoes.

"Hey, Jonouchi! You dropped your shoe!" Yuugi exclaimed.