Birdhouse in Your Soul

"Upon the wish of the former pharaoh,

You will be reborn to walk this earth again

And again

And again...

Search your King..."

The bus screeched to a stop in front of a teary eyed tri-colored hair boy who let out another yawn, "Today will be a fun day." He said to himself. He tried squeezing into the bus and looked for something to support himself with. Since there was no seat, Yugi had to rely on the people around him to keep himself balanced. A person caught his eye and he realized it was a kid from his class, Hanasaki. They both made eye contact and Yugi cheerfully greeted him, "Morning!"

The boy turned his head the opposite direction and ignored him. Yugi winced from the rejection but decided that Hanasaki must be shy about talking to other people (talk about optimism at its best).

~"We are sorry, but the bus must make an urgent stop!"

Yugi yelped and stumbled all the way to the back of the bus, "Ah sorry, sorry, sorry!" He apologized to those around him as he tried not to trip and fall over others. As soon as he was out of reach with everyone else, he was surprised that the back of the bus was almost empty. And he learned why once he heard this absurd sound coming from the back seat, "What's that sound?!" He tried covering his ears.

"That's dubstep." A voice from behind made him jolt with goosebumps and turned to reveal...

"Ah! Idol!" He blushed, though she wasn't all dressed up, her hair was plain tossed to one side, and she was not wearing make up like she did yesterday but he could still recognize those eyes that either made him want to tuck his tail and run or be struck by them. She almost looked like a normal kid if it weren't for her eyes but I guess that's what made her pretty or the fact that she's talking to him.

"Good morning, Yugi!" She chirped in happiness, "How are your bruises? I got some pain killers for you... that is if you're allergic to aspirin, then I can treat you to home remedies!"

"Ah, no no, it's fine, Idol!" He waved his hands in front of her wondering why on earth she would be so concerned about him.

"If you say so..." She grinned and asked with a wink, "So, how was your night?"

Yugi gave her a dumbfounded look, "Um... okay I suppose? I did homework and saw a movie with my grandpa." He explained trying to think back... Funny how some events couldn't come to his mind and she noticed it all too well.

"So... either he's acting like nothing happened or he doesn't remember. That can happen, though I must keep an eye out for more."

"Well that sounds nice."

Yugi kept looking behind the bus and gestured to the front, "Hey, Idol, let's go find some seats in the front."

This caused her to frown in confusion, "What's wrong with back here?"

"WAIT JUST A SEC, YUGI!"

She jumped at the unexpected call and could have sworn she saw Yugi's hair spiked up even more out of fright like a cat and she turned to see who had called him. There was an overgrown high school student with a strange Elvis styled hair (seriously what is up with this city and their hair styles). He gave Yugi a wicked grin that made her not want to trust the Elvis guy, "Take a load off, Yugi, there's a seat here." He patted on the empty space next to him, "And bring your pretty friend here as well." He sent a wink at her after he made his statement and she scowled. Yugi walked over with his head lowered and the scene reminded her of a beta dog being pushed around by the alpha male. She wondered where was his arrogant, big ballsy attitude now?

"How about you introduce me?" He let out a deep chuckle, "I doubt she's your girlfriend. Cousin maybe?" He kept looking at her and she felt disgusted as she can see him practically salivating.

She rolled her eyes, "Don't excite yourself, big guy," crossing her arms she stayed standing as she figured Elvis wouldn't let her sit next to Yugi but only on the other side of him, "Maybe I am dating him."

Both Yugi and Elvis looked at her like if she had three heads. Yugi felt like if his buckled collar was on too tight and he couldn't breath now that he was getting too hot at the thought of her being his... His thoughts came to an abrupt stop when he heard Souzouji cackle at her, "You can't be serious!"

She shrugged, "It doesn't matter cause it's non of your business." She cleared her throat and walked over to Yugi, she bent forward and kissed his burning forehead, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm getting off the bus," She sent a wink at Yugi, "See you later, kid."

First she's nice, then she flats out surprises him with a kiss, and now she's teasing him. This girl is unbelievable and frustrating! And they have only known each other for about two hours! He noticed how quiet Souzouji had gotten, if that was possible. Hell even his music lowered down a bit. Yugi felt him sizing him up, "Hm... Yugi."

Yugi hated himself for flinching.

"It seems as you're becoming a man now." He chuckled, "So you won't have any trouble as to joining me in my "All Night Solo" live show that's coming up soon?"

Yugi inwardly groaned at the thought of it. Souzouji does this every month the same damn thing and sings horribly in front of people. He's heard so many stories of how people don't go to school for the next three days because of it. They all said that his voice is...

"Now then, Yugi! Since you are such a big man now I want you to sell these tickets for me!" Souzouji shoved a handful of tickets at Yugi for the price of two thousand yen each ticket, "You better make sure you get a lot of girls!"

Yugi looked down in despair, he didn't know how to get out of this one, hell he can't.

"And make sure your girlfriend is there too!" He laughed, "Who knows? I may steal her away with my voice!"

The bus had arrived at the school and Yugi was about to make his escape but Souzouji still had him, "Yugi, the party is in three days," he cracks his knuckles, "You'll know what happens if you don't sell those tickets."

[at the school]

"Ah, so you're the new student that everyone keeps talking about." A man who seem to be in his early thirties chuckled examining the paper work he just received, "Are the rumors true that you're famous?"

"No, I'm not really famous. I think it's the fact that my name is Idol that everyone just assumed it was a different term." She giggled while fiddling the ends of her hair, "I'm surprised that you're American, sir."

"Oh, yes, I just moved here this past year. I was formally a professor at an archaeology school in New York." He explained as she watched him in curiosity, "Glad to see another American on board here as well, not that the Japanese are a pain. I really enjoy it here. Sorry, your name is kinda strange, it's Idol, right?"

"Yeah, it's a long story." She looked away in embarrassment but gave a small smile nonetheless.

"Well it's good to have you on board with us. From now on this will be your homeroom classroom, you have access to it whenever you feel it's necessary: before or after school or during lunch hour. Up to you," he explained, "My name is Mr. Haner or Dr. Haner, whichever you prefer I won't call you out on it and welcome!" He grinned and shook her hand.

"Thank you, very much!" She went to her assigned seat after she was introduced to the entire class. The class was rather small but it was fine. It wasn't the class she was aiming for but at least she was in the same building as him. Now she can keep a closer watch on her short companion. As the lecture started she began to drift and focus on that particular energy that she felt on that day when she first met him. The hairs on her arm stood when she felt the familiar warm buzz. It wasn't as chaotic as that night when she saw him go berserk. It was soothing, nonthreatening, and calm... Calm before the storm. She was able to feel his presence across the hall from her class room.

Eventually, the bell rang, signifying that it is now lunch time.
She had put her notes, which were filled with nonsensical scribbles and drawings, away along with the new text book she was given. She stepped out and smiled at the other class labelled 1-B. She stepped in after almost every student left for lunch.

Inside 1-B, Yugi had his eyes focused on his desk. He didn't know that his face gave away how stressed he was at the moment, though Jounouchi did, "Hey Yug, what's up?"

Yugi snapped out of it and sent a smile to his dear friend though the smile didn't reach his eyes, "Oh hello, Jounouchi."

"What's got you down?"

"It's nothing." Yugi shrugged, "I'm fine."

Jounouchi leaned forward, "Listen, Yugi, I've been investigating and as I figured there is an Idol in this school!"

Yugi gave him an incredulous look, "What the-?! You're still looking into that!"

"That's right! I found her this morning in the school's office!" He grinned like a little boy, so proud of himself for his little discovery.

"Jounouchi-kun, that's impossible!" Yugi tried getting through him, "I've met her already but she's-"

"She's right here." A girl spoke up and Yugi jumped looking at her in shock. She keeps doing that! Is she stalking him?

"What are you doing here?" Yugi questioned though he didn't mean for the question to come off as rude. He then realized she was wearing the school's uniform. This morning she was dressed completely different.

"Yugi, don't be rude to the pretty girl." Jounouchi nudged his side and sent a wink over to the girl, "The names Jounouchi! At your service!"

"Nice to meet you, I'm Idol."

"Ah, so that's the confusion! It's just your name!" It was as if a chain of light bulbs sparked above his head and she couldn't help but chuckle, "but in all seriousness, are you secretly famous?"

She didn't stop smiling at his persistence, "No, I'm not. I just moved here from Africa."

"If you're from Africa, then why do you look and sound white?" Jounouchi questioned.

"Jounouchi! That's not a nice thing to say!" Yugi said sending an annoyed glance at his friend.

"Oi! I'm just being curious!"

Idol looked at the two bicker and smiled. For the first time in her life, she can slightly relax. She cleared her throat so she can get their attention, "That's okay, Yugi. I was only in Africa for a short time... I'd say close to six months. From there I was attending a program with a good friend of mine who was at the same orphanage as me in North California, which is of course the United States."

"Well that makes more sense!" Jounouchi smiled and then he thought of something, "Wait a sec... So, how did you end up here? Foster parents?"

She only smiled at him. A girl came in the room and caught Yugi's attention. She was grateful for the interruption because she didn't know how to answer Jounouchi. She didn't want to tell them the truth. There were two reasons why she was here. One was that she ran away and why she chose this location was the thing around Yugi's neck.

"Hey guys!" The girl who came in greeted the two boys. She had short brown hair and was almost as tall as Jounouchi.

"Hello, Anzu!" Yugi greeted back happily, "Anzu, this is the new student everyone has been talking about."

"Yeah, the only downfall is that she's not famous." Jounouchi grumbled but sent Idol a smirk.

Idol laughed and for the first time she can say that she was really happy. After introductions, Yugi let her explain how they met yesterday. Of course, Idol left out what had happened that night. She actually tested Yugi to see if he would mention it but it seems as if he had no clue of what happened after she left him. This made her more confused.

All of this made Yugi felt more at ease as to what had happened earlier on the bus. He watched as Idol explained their first meeting and he replayed those events in his head. She really did look pretty then and how much of a fool he was for falling to such a cruel prank and somehow got her involved. He didn't really know what had happened after that and he didn't want to ask her where she had gone thinking it would make her feel uncomfortable. Soon lunch hour was over and Idol had to go back to her class. He couldn't help but to ask, "Idol, would you like to join us to the arcade after school?"

"Arcade?"

"Yeah," he faltered maybe she didn't enjoy those type of things, "That's if you'd like to."

"Sure, I hear Japan has better arcades than we will ever have."

"Ah! Perfect!"

If Idol wasn't so concerned about the puzzle, she then would've taken Yugi's reaction to heart.

[After school]

Idol closed her locker and made her way outside of the school almost tripping over her shoes. This was such a weird routine, she thought and spotted Yugi waiting for her. He seemed to focused on the ground. Something was off, she thought. She had noticed this behavior all day.

"Hey," She called and suddenly his eyes brighten when he saw her, "Ah, Idol-chan, are you ready to go?"

"Sure," she looked around, "Where's Jounouchi and Anzu?"

"Jounouchi will meet us there in half an hour, he had cleaning duty today and Anzu said she couldn't make it." There was a disappointment tone towards the end of that statement, she caught. "How cute, he likes her, too bad she doesn't feel the same way."

"Shall we?" Yugi called out to her. She gathered her backpack and walked alongside him to wherever this arcade is. It was a quiet walk thought it didn't seem awkward. Every time she looked over to him, his eyes were unfocused. There had to be something wrong with him.

"Yugi, are you alright?"

He snapped out of it and smiled at her, "Uh yeah, I am."

"You seem kinda off today, I hope I'm not intruding or anything."

"N-no, I'm sorry, I just have a lot on my mind." He chuckled nervously and her eyes narrowed.

"Yugi, do you know what happened last night?"

"Last night?"

"Yeah, did you hear about the director? They found him passed out in front of the media building." She explained looking to see if anything sparked in him,

"What! Really?"

He truly was shocked, he hadn't even thought about that cruel man up until she brought it up.

"Yeah, you didn't know?"

He was so confused as he shook his head. After seeing her run away yesterday all he remembered was picking up her shoe and walking back home to nurse his wounds. He thought about where she had gone to return...oh that's right, "Oh, Idol, I still have your shoe."

"Huh, I completely forgot." She kept looking at him to see if there was any sort of sign of what he did that night but... Nothing. It's like he wasn't even there. He either could be a very good actor or... That person wasn't him at all. For a moment, she thought she saw the puzzle glint at her. That made her more suspicious about it. This thing is possessed.

"Idol, how about stopping by at my place after the arcade."

"Your place?"

"Y-yeah, so you can pick up your shoe... Y'know..." Why was he starting to feel embarrassed all of a sudden?

She giggled at him. She giggled!

"Yes, of course, before i forget about it again." She ruffled his hair knowing it will annoy him, "How far are we from the arcade?"

He got over it after she mentioned it, "It's just around the corner!" He grabbed her wrist in excitement, "Come on!" Like a child dragging their mother to a candy shop, Yugi had already forgotten whatever bothered him that morning. Idol, too, dropped her suspicions of the millennium item and decided to have fun instead.