Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Kasumi, the Game Queen ❯ A Day at the Carnival ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and Yu-Gi-Oh belong to their respective companies. I am doing this fanfic for my own pleasure and hope that you will enjoy it. Jounouchi Katsuya is the original name for Joey Wheeler from Yu-Gi-Oh.

Kasumi the Game Queen
By David Knight

Chapter 4: A Day at the Carnival

It had been two weeks since Ryoga had left the Tendo Dojo, declaring that his feud with Ranma was finally over.

Surprisingly it had been eerily calm and peaceful in the Tendo Dojo since then. Ranma had only managed to anger Akane enough to mallet him once the entire time. Other than that they had actually remained civil to one another. It was probably due to the fact that Ranma was enjoying his newfound joy at no longer being bothered by the eternal lost boy.

Genma and Soun didn't pay it much mind, as they were too absorbed in playing shogi and in trying to get the families united as always.

Akane could be found in the dojo breaking breaks or trying to train after school, though she kept wondering where her beloved P-chan was.

Everything seemed to be running very well indeed. That was what Kasumi thought in any case as she woke up peacefully for the fourteenth day straight.

_I actually think the work load is getting lighter now that Ryoga's stopped fighting Ranma,_ she mused to herself as she got herself dressed. She noticed that she was wearing less and less of her dresses and skirts and more of the type of clothing that she picked out for herself and that Jounouchi had found for her. Today she was wearing a white shirt, red pants and the light navy blue jacket she had bought two weeks ago.

_You seem more excited than you usually are Aibou,_ Yami said to her through their connection.

_I just... feel surer of myself. I'm starting to understand what it is like to really live my life,_ Kasumi replied. _And then there's the surprise that Jounouchi and Ukyo have planned for us today._

_I did find it strange that they wouldn't tell us what they had in mind,_ Yami said.

_Well it wouldn't be a surprise if they told us now would it?_ Kasumi quipped.

_True,_ Yami chuckled, _but why did you stay up late last night, cleaning the entire house?_

_Because I wanted to have this entire day to my two friends and myself,_ Kasumi smiled, _That last time with Jounouchi was only a half-day. So now I am taking your advice Yami. I'm not going to work today. This is my day off._

Yami smiled proudly from her place in the Millennium Puzzle, _You are learning very well Kasumi. I do believe though that it's nearly ten am._

_Yes it is. They'll be here in fifteen minutes,_ Kasumi realized. _Let's not keep anyone waiting._

Upon descending the stairs, Kasumi was greeted by Nabiki who stood at the bottom, arms folded. "Hey big sis, is there any breakfast today?"

Kasumi shook her head. "No, sorry. I'm not cooking today."

"What?!" Nabiki exclaimed, blinking. "What do you mean you aren't cooking?"

"I mean simply that," Kasumi said to her, "I am not cooking today. In fact, I am not doing any work around the house at all today."

Nabiki's eyes narrowed. "What is wrong with you lately? Since that Jounouchi started coming over, you've been acting very weird."

Kasumi took notice of that and looked back at her younger sister. "What's weird about living like a normal girl, Nabiki?"

"It's.... just not you!" Nabiki said, her voice failing in its conviction.

"Not me?" Kasumi asked, open-mouthed. It took her just a moment to gather her own wits before giving her reply, "You're right, I'm not like I used to be. I'm much happier now Nabiki and I like feeling like I do a lot more now than how I used to."

Nabiki scowled. _When did my sister ever act like this?_

*Knock Knock*

"Now if you will excuse me," Kasumi said walking past Nabiki, "my friends are waiting for me."

"What friends?" Nabiki asked, following her sister who opened the door to see Jounouchi and... "...Ukyo?"

"Heya Sugar, " Ukyo said to Nabiki.

"Oi Kasumi. Ready for our surprise?" Jounouchi said with smirk.

"Ready whenever you are," Kasumi smiled back.

"Well, let's going," Jounouchi said, "Ladies first, and that includes you too, cousin."

"Keep it up, Jounouchi and you'll find yourself with my battle spatula in your face," Ukyo teased as she, Kasumi and Jounouchi walked away from the Tendo Dojo.

They left a twitching Nabiki behind them. _C-co-cousin?! Jounouchi is a cousin of Ukyo's?!_ Doing her best to compose herself, she decided going out to investigate this personally wouldn't do at all. Her sister would definitely be on to her.

She would not, however, be expecting her to send one of her underlings to spy on her.

* * *

It took them about thirty minutes of walking and taking a bus to get to where Jounouchi and Ukyo had planned to go. Kasumi was wondering the entire time what exactly they had planned but they still hadn't told her.

They didn't have to say a word when at last Kasumi saw a school. This school, however, had something very special going on. "A festival?"

"Yup. Haze Jr. High's Fall Festival," Ukyo replied. "This used to be my school. After graduating from here..."

"You ended up moving to Nerima and then ran into Ranma," Kasumi supplied.

"Pretty much," Ukyo shrugged. "But Haze was a great school."

"Even if you pretended to be a boy there just like you did with every other school you went to," Jounouchi quipped.

"Very funny Jounouchi," Ukyo rolled her eyes at him. "Remember why we picked coming here?"

"Of course I do," Jounouchi smirked. "We wanted to give Kasumi something to experience that she's never had before."

Kasumi was only half listening to their comments as she was looking out to the festival grounds a bit, or what she could see from where she was outside. There were many different stands and areas to go to and there were lots of people seemingly enjoying themselves. _Is this how normal people act? How they like to have fun?_

_Define normal, Aibou,_ Yami cut in. _We are not 'normal', or at least what this society considers to be normal._

_Yami..._ Kasumi sighed.

_Sorry, but what I am trying to say is that these people try to enjoy life instead of just living it._

_And that's what I've been doing for over ten years. Just living. Not enjoying or working with life. Just living and doing what I was told._ Kasumi knew that in the last few weeks had had a very profound affect upon her. She had changed already and she knew it. She wasn't the same sheltered, innocent girl that she had been. She was still changing, trying to find out just who she was becoming.

So far, she liked where she was going.

"Oi. Kasumi?"

"Nani?" Kasumi blinked and looked at Ukyo, who had spoken.

"Are you okay?" Ukyo asked, "You looked sort of spaced out for a moment there."

"I'm sorry, just had something on my mind," Kasumi shrugged.

"Well if it was housework then just forget about it," Jounouchi said with a smirk, "We came here to have fun now."

Kasumi's face had a small smile form on it, "Then let's go have some fun."

But even as Kasumi, Ukyo and Jounouchi purchased their tickets into the Festival, they had no idea of what was about to happen... or the people that they would meet.

* * *

"That Idiot! She isn't even here! And I have no money!"

"Hikaru, could you calm down a little bit?"

Thirteen-year-old Shindou Hikaru growled slightly at his companion Fujiwarano Sai. There was a definite difference between the two though. Hikaru was a living human being, messy brown hair with a shock of blonde in it that framed his face, wearing jeans and a black/white shirt with an 'x' on the front.

Sai on the other hand was a ghost that only Hikaru could see. A long violet haired pale man with a hint of makeup, dressed in a Heian Era kimono of a sensei of the arts.

"Why should I Sai?" Hikaru growled, "Am I supposed to just watch people eat?" his stomach growled then, making his face redden, "Damn that Akari. Why does she have to be late?!"

Sai fought back a bit of laughter, "Hikaru try to relax. Everyone else seems to be having a good time here."

"Yeah but I'm hungry," Hikaru muttered, kicking a rock to the side. As he turned into that direction, he saw many different booths there, among them was one for playing...

"Go! Hikaru they have a booth for playing Go!" Sai exclaimed.

"I know. I know Sai," Hikaru sighed, "Well maybe playing Go will take my mind of off food. Let's go have a look huh?" However Hikaru hadn't gotten more than ten steps before he realized something was really wrong.

Sai wasn't head of him rushing for the boards. As Hikaru turned around he saw Sai... looking rigid. As if he was almost frozen. "Sai?"

"Hikaru... did you feel it?" Sai breathed, his voice low.

"Feel what?" Hikaru asked, "What is with you?"

"I just felt something powerful brush right past me..." Sai said seriously, "I've never felt anything like it in my life."

"Really?" Hikaru asked intrigued.

"Hikaru, can you see if anyone looks out of the ordinary."

"And how am I supposed to do that?" the ghost's protégé asked, rolling his eyes.

"Well you can see me right. Maybe you can see this presence I felt," Sai returned.

Deciding to humor the spirit, Hikaru looked around the area, not walking anywhere. Everyone looked pretty much the same. _Maybe Sai's just over reacting. I mean there can't be anyone who...?!_ Hikaru's eyes were wide as he looked over saw a group of three. Two of the people, a long brown haired girl and dirty blond haired boy were as normal as everyone else.

It was the girl in the middle that got Hikaru's attention. He could see a gold and silver aura all over her. He didn't know what it was, he had never see anything like it but he knew if he could see that when everyone else around her was normal, then she had to be someone special.

"You see him?" Sai asked.

"Not him... her," Hikaru returned, "And boy is she putting out an aura. I don't feel power like you do Sai but I can see it and it's all over her." However when he turned his head to look for her again, she was gone. "Oh damn it! She's gone."

"No. She's still here." Sai said softly, "I can still feel her presence. She hasn't left the festival. I don't think she will for some time."

"You want to meet her don't you?" Hikaru asked.

"Hai," Sai nodded but to Hikaru's dismay, saw his head return to the game booths, "But now let's go play Go!"

Hikaru put a hand over his face as he saw Sai going for the Go tables and knew he had to go there as well. "I knew it wouldn't have lasted... still. It's definitely refreshing to know Go isn't everything that he thinks about." As he walked toward the booth, Hikaru could only wonder about the girl he had seen, and hope that he would see her again.

* * *

Over the next hour, Kasumi found herself really enjoying herself, enjoying the different attractions at several of the booths with Jounouchi and Ukyo. There had been ones run by several of the school clubs, showing off what they did to the public.

"Hey I'm going to get something for us to eat," Jounouchi said while they were walking.

"And I should go with you because I know which food actually is good," Ukyo added, "You'd eat anything, even if it was poison."

"Funny," Jounouchi rolled his eyes, "Want anything Kasumi?"

"No I'm fine," Kasumi replied, "You go and get what ever you want."

"We'll be right back sugar," Ukyo said as she and Jounouchi walked over to the food stands. Kasumi started to look around at her surroundings, as she was in a different part of the festival area now.

Looking to right, she saw many different booths. _Gaming booths,_ she realized when she saw people playing games over there. She decided to take a look for herself.

As Kasumi made a turn to avoid one person, she hadn't expected to bump into another person, causing both of them to fall to the ground. "Oh my," she said as she started to get up.

"So sorry. I should have been watching where I was going."

Kasumi looked forward to see the person that she had bumped into. He looked about Jounouchi's age. He was wearing light pants with a blue and white striped shirt under a light blue short-sleeved jacket. His hair was white and went down to his shoulders and he had gray eyes. His face was like that of an innocent.

"No that's quite alright. I was at fault myself." Kasumi replied, "I was looking to go to the game booths. See what they were like."

"So that means you like to play games?" the young boy asked.

Kasumi gave him a small smile. "You could say that. And you?"

"Some games, nothing really dangerous." he said with a smile.

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. Tendo Kasumi," she said kindly holding her hand out.

"Bakura Ryou," the young man replied taking her hand. However his eyes ended up turning towards the object around Kasumi's neck. A look that didn't go unnoticed.

"Is there something wrong?" Kasumi asked.

"Where did you get that pendent?" Bakura asked, "Its so huge. I've never seen anything like it."

Kasumi looked down and saw that her Millennium Puzzle was indeed showing now. _Well with something this big, you really can't wear it under your shirt. It would look silly. I really should wear it more openly now._ "It's actually a puzzle I put together. You could call it a good luck charm."

"I see," Bakura replied softly.

"Well then. Since we were both heading for the game booths," Kasumi started to say, "Why don't we..."

*CRASH!*

"Make way losers! This is our spot!"

"AH! Stop it! We were here already!"

"Shut up! We're upper classmen so you do what we say!"

"What the..." Kasumi and Bakura muttered at the same time as they looked toward the game booths... or what was supposed to be the game booths.

For now they saw a horde of older kids with cooking equipment, along the largest grill that either of them had ever seen in their lives, being the cause of the disturbance.

"Their uniforms are like the other students here," Bakura said after a moment, "Meaning they must belong to Haze Jr. High as well."

Kasumi could not believe what she was seeing, as she was seeing upperclassmen of Haze Jr. High taking bats to the game booths, swinging at them and at the people that were there. Both students and normal people. "How can they do this..."

"YA!!!"

"Huh?!" Kasumi whirled around at the cry of a young girl, no older than eight who was on the ground crying.

She had been an accidental victim of these boys' acts.

"Madoi!" cried the child's mother who embraced the crying girl. Suddenly, looming over her was a tall young man, with short black hair, wearing a cooking outfit and had the large grill behind him.

"Get out of the way lady, and take your crybaby with you!" he sneered, "I got cooking to do with my big bad grill and no one is going to get in my way! Especially not a bunch of a gaming geeks that are just so pathetic."

"What an arrogant fellow," Bakura spat, "Don't you think so Kasumi... Kasumi?" When he turned to look at her, he froze completely. Kasumi's fists were clenched, her face tightened, her eyes never leaving the sight of the woman and her child.

_How dare he... How DARE he say that to her and her child! How dare he even mock her!_ Kasumi growled, her own anger growing. These last few weeks, the calm that she had always kept had been dissolving away, as she bore witness to more violent and heinous actions of people. Their total disregard for their fellow man and how they treated people like they were beneath them, it sickened her right down to her core. _Yami..._

_Normally, in situations like this, I would advise you to consider your actions and if you truly wish to get involved,_ The spirit replied, however her own voice was laced with anger, _However, I am with you in this instance one hundred percent Aibou._

It only took a second for the change to occur, for Yami to merge with Kasumi once more. She turned to face Bakura, "Bakura. I have two friends named Kunoji Ukyo and Katsuya Jounouchi."

"Jounouchi? You know Jounouchi?" Bakura asked.

"If they come looking for me before I'm finished with this trash," Yami Kasumi continued, "Tell them not to worry at all." Without another word she walked towards the chaos, intent on playing a game with those foolish students.

* * *

Were it anyone else, Kasumi's secret would have remained safe, as no ordinary mortal could tell the difference between her change from her normal self to when she is merged with Yami.

Bakura was not an ordinary human.

He stood there, looking after her form, which was now disappearing into the chaos, his eyes wide. _I don't... I don't believe it... she has one... she's... like me._ He saw her change, the gold and silver light that came over and then the unruly silver stripes in the front of her hair, and the change in her facial appearance. He could see the changes as clearly as night and day for one very important reason.

Walking away from the area, he went into a shadowed area by a tent and pulled out from under his shirt a large golden ring with a metal triangle inside. It had a large eye engraved in its center and several metal points hanging on the circle's outer rim.

On Bakura's face was a smile, _I wonder how he'll react to this bit of news. He might have said to keep quiet all day, but after all the grief he's given me over the last year and a half, what I'll feel from him will probably make up for it._ Holding the ring tightly, he concentrated his thoughts into one phrase. _WAKE UP!_

_RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! RYOU!!!_

_Did I wake you Bakura?_ the human owner of the Millennium Ring asked.

_Yes you did you stupid boy!_ Bakura growled, _I thought I said if I was going to give you a day off from searching for the other six Millennium Items, you wouldn't disturb me at all! I need to rest so that we can begin another search in the morning._

_Bakura..._ Ryou started to say but his spirit interrupted him, _I am not through yet! You haven't proven very useful at all to me! I haven't found even a trace of the Items, and you think in this age of civilization, it would be easier to find them. I have a good mind to..._

_You know you are going to miss the Shadow Game if you keep talking,_ Ryou returned.

_Shadow Game?! What are you..._ Bakura stopped talking when at last he felt it, the waves of power that were rippling out. The waves that came from, _... a Millennium Item?_

_The Puzzle if you want to be specific._ Ryou replied, a grin on his face, _So what was that about being useless Bakura?_

_... all right. Maybe you aren't totally useless._ Bakura conceded. _Now get walking over to that direction. It has been nearly five thousand years since I've seen someone other me play a Shadow Game. I'm very much intrigued to see how someone using one of the Pharaoh's treasures plays using it._

_As you wish, Bakura,_ Ryou replied, though in his mind, he wondered what Bakura's reaction would be to seeing it was a woman that wore the Pharaoh's treasured item around her neck.

* * *

Shindou Hikaru really hated his luck some times. First this guy Kaga from the shougi club came in, ruined a Go board he and this kid Tsutsui, started to say that he hated Go and Touya Akira. Then he ended up having to play the guy in a Go game or he'd end up taking a dunk in a water tank. Unfortunately he made a mistake that cost him so badly that not even Sai's help could make him win. He lost by half a moku.

However it was that fact that he came back that made Kaga toss to him Tsutsui's own uniform, giving it to him and then telling him that he was going to participate in a Go tournament with them. Hikaru had no idea what was going through his mind but at least it seemed the trouble had passed.

Unfortunately, his cursed luck had decided to kick in again as a bunch of Haze Jr. High upperclassmen just came rushing through the game stands, tearing stuff down and starting to put their own things down. They didn't give any regard to the people caught in between.

People, who had just come to enjoy the festival, like him and Akari, whom the students had knocked down.

"Alright! This is going to be the perfect spot for my grill!" their leader sneered as he was going to smash what was left of the Go stand.

"You stupid jerk!" Hikaru snapped, throwing a stone at the student, though he moved out of the way. "You hurt Akari, me, and these people. Don't you even know it?!"

"Why you little!" the man snapped, kicking Hikaru in the chest before he could even react.

"Hikaru!" Sai cried out, his anger on the man that hurt Hikaru as well as ruined the Go booth. _Bastard... he knows nothing of compassion or common decency._

"You brat. I know what I am doing and if anyone is stupid enough to get in my club's way of getting what we want, then they are going to get stomped on like the worms they are!" he sneered, looking down at Hikaru, pulling back his fist, "Or like the worm you are! Now out of the way or you'll get more of the same."

"No." Hikaru said firmly, glaring at the bully, who just had a sneer on his face.

"Well then say hello to the Darkness." he laughed, throwing his punch... only to be held back. "Huh?"

"You first," a very strong feminine voice spoke from behind him.

Before he could move, the leader of the mob was thrown backwards into his cohorts, his large grill remaining standing up on the ground.

"Huh... who did..." Hikaru muttered as he looked up and saw, _HER?!_

"Are you alright?" the strange woman asked, holding out her hand to Hikaru.

_What the... she... she doesn't look like she did before..._ Hikaru thought to himself. _What's with the silver stripes? And her eyes... I feel... I feel strange with her looking at me with those eyes. ... Sai!_

Sai was frozen as well, now being this close to the source of the power he felt before was an incredible feeling. He had known the power had to be strong, but never did he think it would be this strong. _Just. who is she?_

"Little boy," the young woman asked Hikaru again, her hand out to him to help him up.

Being called 'Little Boy' made Hikaru snap back to attention, taking her hand he got up. "Um I'm fine, but those idiots hurt Akari..." He looked at the woman, "And I'm not a little boy."

The young woman nodded, a slight smile on her face, one that instantly faded as Hikaru noticed once she saw the carnage caused by the group of Haze Jr. High students. "They have hurt a lot of people."

"Hey! You!" the leader of the group called out to them, yet the woman didn't turn to face him. "What do you think you are doing!"

"I thought that was obvious," she said sharply, "Stopping a beast like you from harming anymore innocent people."

"You are calling me a beast?! Lady I'm Nakamora Kenchi, head of the Cooking Club and final year student of Haze Jr. High!"

She looked right at him and her glare made him step back, "Tendo Kasumi. Let's play a game shall we?"

_A game?_ Hikaru blinked, _ What is she thinking? She wants to play a game with this guy?_

How little Hikaru knew, that soon he would bear witness to a Shadow Game.

* * *

Meanwhile, Jounouchi came back to Ukyo at the spot where they had last seen Kasumi nearly an hour ago. "Anything?"

"Not a trace," Ukyo shook her head.

"She wouldn't have gone back home right?" Jounouchi asked.

"Not without telling us first," Ukyo replied. She looked around and saw that the crowd was somewhat smaller. "That's weird. There were more people here before." Some people just brushed past her, "Hey! Watch it!"

Jounouchi looked over to a student going in the same direction, "Where's the fire?"

"Might as well be a fire thanks to what the Cooking Club did. They didn't get the spot they wanted for the Festival so they decided to go wreck the Game Booths to set up their big grill," the Haze student said, "Several people have already been hurt and now there seems to be a fight about to break out involving some girl." He ran off leaving the two of them alone.

"Some girl... you don't think..." Ukyo muttered.

"I do. Come on cousin." Jounouchi said as he started running toward the Game Booths with Ukyo right behind him. What they saw when they got there was a large crowd of people, all circling someone. "Can you see her?"

"No... maybe it isn't her." Ukyo replied.

"No Kasumi is in there." Both of them turned around to see a young man with white hair looking into the crowd. "Personally I'm hoping she can teach that arrogant bully a lesson."

"... and you are?" Ukyo asked, wondering how this guy knew Kasumi.

"Bakura Ryou."

"Bakura Ryou..." Jounouchi mused, then realizing where he had heard the name before, "Hey aren't you my class with Anzu and Honda?"

"Yes I am," Bakura nodded, "Nice to see you too Jounouchi. And you must Ukyo am I right?"

"Yes, but how did you know that?" Ukyo asked.

"She told me your name, just like she said not to worry," Bakura answered, "She said she would be fine."

"I don't know..." Ukyo shook her head but Jounouchi put an arm on her shoulder.

"Ukyo, think you should know by now that in situations like this Kasumi can take care of herself," Jounouchi said smugly.

"But she was never like this before..." Ukyo muttered softly, "What changed her?"

* * *

Ryou meanwhile was counting backwards, waiting for the moment when Bakura would get it, _3, 2, 1..._

_A GIRL?!_Bakura exclaimed, _Ryou, I don't like it when someone tries to deceive me!_

_Deceive you?_ Ryou blinked, _I don't know what you mean._

_There is no way in the seven hells that the Pharaoh's personal item would ever be around a woman's neck!_ Bakura snapped, _I'll believe another Millennium Item is being held by a woman, but not the Puzzle!_

_Well there she is so you can see if I am lying or not._ Ryou returned.

_Oh..._Bakura mused as he looked on at the girl that he could feel the aura of an Item from. But when he saw it, his eyes went wide, _I don't believe it!_

_It is the puzzle isn't it?_ Ryou chirped. He expected a sharp come back, but instead got nothing. _Bakura?_

_Leave me alone right now. I'm trying to watch this._ Bakura returned and his Hikari obeyed. Once he was alone with his thoughts, he kept his eyes on the girl with the Millennium Puzzle, _It can't be him... or is it?_

* * *

Yami Kasumi kept her eyes on Kenchi, her distain for him and his friends apparent in her eyes. "You attacked your own classmates as well as innocent people who came here for the simple purpose of enjoying this festival. You have ruined that."

Kenchi just rolled his eyes at her, snorting, "Heh. Is that supposed to make me care? We should have had this spot from the start. Who wants to play with these stupid games and loser clubs anyway."

Yami Kasumi had a sly smirk on her face, "Obviously everyone in the festival, otherwise you wouldn't have tried to tear it down."

"Say what?" Kenchi snapped.

"You brought that grill to cook for these people, yet I have a feeling it will play a more different role today than being used to cook." Yami Kasumi continued, her smirk still on her face.

"Grrr... stop talking nonsense already you wacky girl!" Kenchi snarled, "Boys lets finish clearing this waste of space so I can set up my grill!"

"YEAH!" all of Kenchi's friends cried out.

"No need," Yami Kasumi replied, her eyes closed and a small smile on her face, "I'll set it up for you."

"Huh? What are you... WHAT THE!?!" Kenchi gasped, stepping back as he saw his massive grill now between both him and Yami Kasumi. _But... but I just had it behind me! How in the hell did it move over there?!_

"Now its time to play a game," Yami Kasumi spoke, opening her eyes and stretched out her hand. On the grill there appeared a hockey puck made of ice but in the middle of that puck was some sort of silver object.

"What is this?" Kenchi asked.

"This will determine who get this spot once and for all," Yami Kasumi explained, "The name of the game is called Inferno Puck. It's like air hockey, except the grill is the board. We will each use a spatula to hit the ice puck across the grill."

"That sounds lame." Kenchi muttered, "What's the silver thing inside the ice puck."

"I'm so glad you asked," Yami Kasumi smirked, "That silver case in the middle of the puck contains an explosive, once the explosive hits the heated grill, it will explode, most likely killing the person on the side it explodes on. That is how we determine the winner."

Kenchi stared at her for a few moments, perhaps in disbelief, but then a smirk came on his face, "Ha! Lady, that is bad! I like it! Too bad you are going to get your ass kicked, or should I say blown up!"

If Yami Kasumi could hear the murmurings around her, she didn't pay it any mind; she just kept her smirk on.

* * *

"... is she out of her mind?!" Ukyo and Jounouchi both said simultaneously.

_I must say I am impressed._ Bakura smirked. _Apparently whomever it is that came up with this game as a very dark side... and I like it when they are very dark._

_You like a lot of things very dark._ Ryou returned.

_Hush._ Bakura snapped. _I want to see how this turns out and I don't need you ruining the moment for me._

"Ukyo. Toss me a spatula please." Yami Kasumi's voice called out.

"What?!" Ukyo blinked as people moved away from her, clearing a path right to where Yami Kasumi was, allowing for her to be seen. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Ukyo, "I need a spatula from your belt."

"But..."

"Ukyo. Trust me." Yami Kasumi said sternly. Though reluctantly, Ukyo did as she was asked. "Thank you. Everyone, please move away from us, there is no sense in you getting caught in this." Strangely enough everyone was moving to a safe distance away.

And all the while Bakura could feel the force behind this, the power coming from the item around Kasumi's neck. But it was when Yami Kasumi's eyes had been narrowed that he felt as if he had seen a ghost.

A ghost from the past.

* * *

"So are you ready to begin?" Yami Kasumi asked Kenchi.

"Yeah, but you are going to lose in just a short while," Kenchi sneered, "Ladies first."

Yami Kasumi nodded and using the spatula gained from Ukyo, she hit the ice puck and sent it over to Kenchi, who returned back to her twice as hard. Yami Kasumi had to try to match that force when sending it back to him. She also knew that once she had first hit the ice puck that the grill had been turned on.

Now it was only getting hotter with each passing second, meaning the ice puck would melt that much faster. Not to mention that every time one of them hit the puck, a piece of the ice puck would break off. After a few minutes it was down to half the size of what it started out as and the explosive seemed to be swaying in the wind.

"Ha! Looks like it just about time to finish this game!" Kenchi smirked as he returned the puck again, even harder than before to Yami Kasumi who struggled to return it to him, "You are a foolish little girl aren't you! Don't you know you can't match my superior arm strength! Not only am I the head of the cooking club, but my arms have so much more strength than yours!"

_He's right. He is physically stronger than me in this case._ Yami Kasumi agreed, _That's his plan. To wear me out with these hard returns he's sent to me. Once my arm is numb, I wont be able to return the puck. It will hit my end of the grill with all of its momentum and then explode._ A smirk came to her face, _However his own strength can be used his own undoing._

She saw the puck coming her way and knew she had no more energy to play things his way. It was either this or death. She hit the ice puck... but only with the tip of her spatula, sending it back to Kenchi slowly.

"Oh wow! What a loon! You've given me the entire match!" Kenchi sneered, "In this one strike I will send it back to you so fast and so hard, you're life will be over!"

"Kasumi!" Ukyo's voice cried out from the crowed.

Just as Kenchi was about to the puck though, Yami Kasumi spoke, "I'm afraid this game is now over."

"Huh? What do you--"

*BOOM!*

"AAAHHHHH!!!" Nakamora Kenchi went flying back twenty feet, his body smoking as he finally hit the ground.

"Like I said," Yami Kasumi said with a smirk, kicking the grill over with her foot. When it hit the ground, it broke into pieces. "Game over."

"How... how did..."

"How are you still alive or how did you lose?" Yami Kasumi said for him, "First the latter of the two. You lost because I figured out your strategy. I couldn't match your strength, so I let you defeat yourself. My last return, I put a small crack in the puck. I knew you couldn't resist trying to beat me with that shot. You'd put all of your strength into your return. It would be enough to shatter the puck."

"As to you being alive," Yami Kasumi said with a smirk, "Well... perhaps the gods were kind enough to say it wasn't your time to die."

"You little bitch!" Kenchi snarled, pulling out a butcher's knife from cart that his still shell shocked friends had from the club, "I'LL KILL YOU!!!" He screamed as he rushed at her.

Yami Kasumi was unconcerned, "I said you don't get to die... but that doesn't mean you aren't going to be punished!" Her third eye appeared, unseen to all, "According to the laws of the Shadow Games, as the victor I can decide your fate and I chose... SPIRAL DREAM!!!" she swung her hand out at him and he remained frozen for a moment before collapsing to the ground unconscious.

"Kenchi... Kenchi wake up!" one of his friends asked. He looked at Yami Kasumi, "What did you do to him?!"

"He thought he knew hell," Yami Kasumi smirked, "He's now getting a taste of what real hell is."

"What's that supposed to mean?" the friend asked.

Yami Kasumi just kept on smirking.

* * *

In the bowels of his mind...

"AHHHH!!!!" Kenchi screamed as children were trampling him upon for several long moments. Finally it stopped and then he thought he was safe but then found a hand grabbing him, taking him up in the air. "Let me... YAH!!!"

He was now the size of a doll and now he was in the hands of a little girl. "Oh wow! A nice bully doll! I haven't had once since I tore apart my last one!"

"Hey Mandy! We're going to playing dress up, dream date and mix and match with our bullies. Want to join us?"

"Yeah!" the little girl chirped running with Kenchi screaming always.

"HELP ME!!!"

* * *

All of the people just stood there for a bit, kind of in a daze, save for a few unique people. It was only when the principle of Haze Jr. High came down with Festival Security did people start to come back to attention.

"Just what is going on here!" the Principle roared, "Who is responsible for all of this!"

"Its these people!" someone from the Cooking club said, "Yeah they got into our spot..."

"You morons never even filed for a spot in the festival until a week before," Kaga spoke up, back on his feet, "While all of us had done so a month in advance! You followed your 'leader' Kenchi like a group of obedient lackeys and because of that you ruined my club's booth, lots of the Game booths, and nearly trampled over a little girl while you were knocking people out of the way!"

"No that's not..." all of Kenchi's buddies shook their heads trying to deny it.

"But worst of all you could have killed us!" Kaga snapped, pointing to the ruined grill, "You tried to ignite it and it exploded! We could have been killed you idiots!"

The cooking club was looking for a way out but they saw none. What they saw were the angry looks of forty some adults, it was as if they were being targeted by a firing squad.

As it turned out, Festival Security had to protect the students from the guests, instead of the other way around (though the Principle was promising severe punishment to all those involved that caused harm).

Hikaru was beside himself, _What the... that wasn't what happened...that woman... where is she?!_ he got up and started to look for her but didn't see her. "Shittttt!"

"Hey kid," Kaga spoke coming over to him, "Remember the tournament..."

"Fine I'll be there!" Hikaru snapped, not really caring for anything but that strange girl, "Did you see her?"

"Her?"

"The girl with the golden puzzle around her neck!" Hikaru shouted, "The one with the magic!"

"... you lost me," Kaga scratched his head.

"Arrrgh..." Hikaru groaned but looking forward he saw Sai in a distance, motioning to him. _Of course! He must have kept his eyes on her the whole time! Of course he'll know where she is!_ Looking down at Akari, he saw that she was fine. Looking to his left he saw her friend Sayaka, who had rushed over to her now that the chaos had ended. "Make sure she's okay." He then got up and was going to run but Sayaka asked him where he was going.

"I'm going to find someone." was all he said as he followed Sai, _And get some answers._

* * *

With in the Millennium Ring, the spirit of Bakura resided in a place very much devoid of anything save for himself and the darkness. For over five millennia had searched for the Millennium Items and after long last, he found one of them.

_There were just two things I wasn't expecting,_ Bakura mused, _That the Millennium Puzzle is wore by a woman instead of a man... and that the Pharaoh's soul is within the Puzzle._

Bakura felt his fists clench when even mentioning the name of the Pharaoh. He and his family had some 'history' with Bakura, and that was only putting it mildly. He had no problem identifying the aura of the ancient ruler during the Shadow Game he had witnessed. There was no mistaking it.

_But why... why a female vessel? Why not a male one?_ Bakura asked himself. Over the years he had different hosts, yet all male. So why would the Pharaoh chose a female body. _... unless he didn't even have a choice in the matter. If the Puzzle were shattered, then it would have to be put back together, thus..._

The more Bakura thought about it, the more possibilities came into his head. Yet there were the amusing ones that struck his fancy the most. _The All Mighty Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt now reduced to living within the body of a common girl... _ he felt the laughter coming up from within but he didn't even try to stop it. He was certain if anyone of the Pharaoh's own Priests were still alive, even they would laugh at his predicament.

_And then that begs the question then doesn't it?_ Bakura mused, _I'm certain that the girl is not a problem at all. I could simply take the Puzzle from her if I wanted, but the Pharaoh is another matter entirely. I have no idea what he's up to or what his plan is..._ a wicked smirk formed on his lips, _Besides I think having him stuck in the body of a woman is very amusing and a fitting punishment for him._

He decided to think it over a bit more before coming to the conclusion that even though he could just take the Puzzle by force, there were too many complications involved with doing that. _No, it would be better, wiser... and much more satisfying to observe 'Pharaoh-chan' for a while._

Bakura laughed as he thought of what he could do when he realized that the girl's friends were with Ryou. _Now here's the first route that I have towards getting information about the Pharaoh's host. I think I'll let Ryou handle the talking though._ He fought back the urge to shiver, _I hate having to act as nice as Ryou does when pretending to be him. How does that boy do it?_

* * *

"... and I thought only your home town had the rights to obliviousness..." Jounouchi said open mouthed.

"They were all standing right here, watching the exact same thing that we did," Ukyo shook her head, "So how could they all come up with something totally different."

"Yes it really is strange." Ryou admitted. He was then treated to the sound of two thuds. Looking down he saw Ukyo and Jounouchi. "Did I say something wrong?"

"You saw that?" Jounouchi asked, up like a rocket and holding on to Ryou's jacket, "The grill, the returns, the explosion?!"

"Yes Jounouchi I saw it all just like everyone else," Ryou replied calmly, "Yet I do find it strange that the three of us seem to be the only ones to remember it the way it was."

"Yeah well with Kasumi, strange things do happen," Jounouchi shrugged.

"No no no Jounouchi," Ukyo shook her head, "In Nermia strange things happen but nothing strange ever happened with Kasumi involved... at least until you met her that day she saved your life."

"Really?" Ryou asked, "What was she like before then Ukyo?"

"Well..."

As Ukyo started to talk about what Kasumi was like before meeting Jounouchi, Jounouchi was looking for the person in question, _Speaking of which, where did she go?_

* * *

Sitting under a tree outside of the festival, Kasumi laid back, trying to think about what she had been doing. _I can't believe... I can't believe we played a Shadow Game in public! Those people..._

_Won't remember much of anything. They'll draw their own conclusions._ Yami responded. _When we play a Shadow Game, part or all of the Shadow Realm can come into reality, depending on the one who calls for the game. Those that aren't actively involved in the game will experience lingering affects. For those people, they shouldn't remember much of anything and come to their own logical conclusions._

_Like the people in the supermarket when you first merged with me,_ Kasumi realized but then thought of something else, _But if that's the case why did Jounouchi and Ukyo remember what happened during the games we played._

Before Yami could even reply, they were interrupted, "I found you!"

"Eh?" Kasumi blinked and realized it was that same boy she helped earlier. "Hello. Can I help you?"

"Just who are anyway?" he asked, "What did you do to that guy?"

"I'm sorry. I don't know what you mean." Kasumi half-lied. _I do know what you mean, but I wasn't the one that did it. Still, I can't let him know anything._

_That is for the best._ Yami agreed.

"Don't try to lie with me!" he snapped, "I can see you aren't an ordinary girl and--YA!! Two of you?!"

"Huh?" Kasumi blinked.

_What?_Yami whirled around, looking right at the boy.

"There! She just looked at me! Both of them!" he snapped.

_Yami...?_

_He... he can see me?_ Yami blinked repeatedly, not believing this, _That's impossible!_

The boy looked around trying to figure something out until, "Sai get your ass out here and help me out! Talk to the other ghost already!"

"But I don't know if it is a ghost, Hikaru."

"Huh?" Kasumi and Yami muttered as they turned to look at the boy, Hikaru, and the older man behind him, Sai, only he was wearing clothes that were definitely behind the times. "Those are old imperial robes... from the Heian Era."

It was now Sai's turn to blink as he looked at Kasumi, "You can see me?!"

It was then that the Millennium Puzzle glowed brightly. Kasumi shielded her eyes for a moment and when the light faded, there was a total spectral form of Yami beside her, "Yami?"

"I can take this type of form to speak face to face with you in the living world whenever I want. No one else is supposed to be able to see me... unless they are dead." Yami turned to face both Sai and Hikaru. "The man is dead, the boy isn't, yet the man is tied to the boy... interesting."

"That's putting it mildly," Hikaru said flippantly.

Yami turned to look towards Sai and put her hand out, "Come. We need to talk."

"Hai." Sai agreed. Once he touched her hand, they both vanished in golden light into the Millennium Puzzle. That left Kasumi and Hikaru looking at each other.

"... um... " Hikaru muttered looking at the ground for a bit, before looking up at Kasumi, "Shindou Hikaru. Kid stuck with the spirit of a Japanese man from the Heian Dynasty that is obsessed with Go."

"Tendo Kasumi. Girl stuck with the spirit of a five thousand year old Egyptian man whose duty is to safeguard items that could ruin the world, except now he's also me."

Hikaru blinked repeatedly for a minute before finally speaking, "... and I thought my life was screwed up once I broke that Go board."

* * *

When Sai opened his eyes, he found himself in a stone hallway, far different from any thing he had ever been in before. He could feel that this was ancient, more so than his own time in comparison to the present.

He had not gotten more than a few steps when suddenly out of the wall materialized a purple robed man. He stood at seven feet tall, holding a green staff, his face hidden in the shadows.

"It's all right. He is a guest. Should he ever come again, show him no trouble."

Sai flinched, moving back slightly as he had forgotten the woman, Yami, had been right beside him. When he turned forward again, the being was gone. "What was that?"

"A guardian. One of many within the Millennium Puzzle." Yami replied.

"Millennium Puzzle?"

"There is much you don't understand as well as much you shouldn't. My mission is not something you would want to get yourself involved," Yami said softly, before looking at Sai, "However I find it strange how you, a spirit, have now bonded with a living boy."

Sai folded his arms, "How is that any stranger than what you've done?"

Yami gave off a small smirk, "Well met. However I was originally male mind you."

"WHAT?!" Sai gasped, open mouth and in disbelief, "You were a guy?!"

Yami left off an amused chuckle at his reaction, "I've existed within the Puzzle for over five millennia my fellow spirit. I've long since outgrown any notions of gender." Her voice trailed off for a moment before speaking, "For what meaning does gender have when one exists in solitude?"

"I know what you mean," Sai replied, "Though not alone for as long as you were, being trapped in a Go board was a very lonely existence."

"Seems we both have our own tales of woe," Yami said sadly. Raising her hand, she made for a table and two chairs to appear. She took a seat, as did Sai. "You first."

* * *

"So... you broke a cursed board and Sai ended up bonding to you," Kasumi asked Hikaru, as they were both sitting under a tree.

"Pretty much. Though I didn't know what had happened until after I had gotten released from the hospital. Once that happened, Sai started coming around, begging me to play Go." Hikaru replied, "It's pretty much all he thinks about. So what about you? How did you meet Yami?"

"I put this puzzle that I found in my attic together," Kasumi answered, holding the Millennium Puzzle in her hands. "You wouldn't believe how profound an effect it has had on my life."

"Well if you can do all this really cool magic stuff I'd say its really massive," Hikaru beamed.

"It scares me."

"Eh?" Hikaru blinked, turning to face Kasumi, who had a worried look in her eyes.

"Every time I merge with Yami, I become more confident and more sure of myself yet I'm relatively the same person." Kasumi started to say, "But when I play a Shadow Game, the merge feels even stronger and there's a more darker side to myself that gets opened up."

"You mean something evil?" Hikaru asked.

"No, not evil." Kasumi shook her head, "Darkness doesn't necessarily mean evil. It just means what it means, darkness. That Shadow Game you saw, it was the most dangerous one I played with anyone yet. My own life was on the line, but I wasn't scared then."

Hikaru looked on at Kasumi, knowing that his relationship Sai was nothing like Kasumi and Yami's but thought it was best just to listen.

"I know I'm changing. Changing from a girl who was very much oblivious to a lot of things... but I don't know what I am changing into," Kasumi looked down at the ground a moment, "… what am I going to become... what am I..."

"Bullshit."

"Nani?" Kasumi blinked, turning to Hikaru, surprised by his language.

"No matter what happens to you, there's no way in hell you're going to be like that asshole you punished or any sort of monster." Hikaru told her fiercely, "You're a good person Kasumi. And if I need to come over and kick you every day to remember that I will do that!"

"Hikaru... thank you," Kasumi said, a smile forming on her face, "I'm glad I met you. Someone else kind of like me, some one that has to deal with a spirit now being a part of their lives. I've had this in me for a while now, I feel better getting out."

"Eh. Don't mention it," Hikaru smirked.

"I wonder what Yami and Sai are talking about inside the Millennium Puzzle," Kasumi mused aloud.

* * *

To answer that question...

"I win." Sai smiled at Yami, who looked amused. Between them was a Go board, one that Yami had created. "For someone that has never played Go before, you didn't play like a beginner."

"There was a game in Egypt that was somewhat similar to Go," Yami replied, "And I happen to be a quick study."

Sai nodded to that. Just after each of them had played ten moves, Yami's own moves had become better than those of a beginner. It was as if watching the game and seeing how it was played while she was playing it helped her improve her game.

It was also during their Go game that they shared their own pasts. Well Sai shared his at least, which he embellished a bit perhaps. The Japanese spirit felt sympathy towards his Egyptian friend, as she had no memory of her own past.

"Yami, does it ever bother you that you don't remember who you were in your past life?" Sai asked.

"Occasionally yes." Yami admitted, "But I knew the day my soul was sealed within the Millennium Puzzle that I ran the risk of my memories being lost to me. It's why the puzzle is so complex."

"How so?"

"There are so many hallways and doorways. Pathways that seem to be endless and those that seemingly appear out of nowhere." Yami explained. "Yet even without knowing who I was, I do remember my pledge; to prevent the return of the Shadow Games and I have done that for the last five millennia to the best of my ability."

"You put a heavy burden upon your shoulders Yami," Sai said respectfully, "I do not envy you."

Yami nodded. Her destiny was not one she would wish upon anyone but herself, as she had chosen it a long time ago. "I'm glad we've had this chance to talk with each other Sai. I truly hope you eventually find the peace you are seeking."

"With Hikaru, I feel I just may one day," Sai said proudly. Though Hikaru was very rude at times, he had a heart of gold. He stood up for what he believed in and he stood with Sai.

"I feel the same way about Kasumi," Yami replied in understanding. "She is my Aibou, my Hikari, the light to my darkness. Now, without her, I am nothing."

"Yami, I hope to be able to talk with you again." Sai bowed.

"If you wish, feel free to visit me when your Hikari is asleep." Yami smiled.

"Oro?" Sai blinked, but Yami put her hand on Sai's forehead and it glowed for a moment. When it faded, she took her hand away.

"Consider that a way of travel here," Yami stated, "I could use the company here in the night when my Hikari is asleep."

"I would like that," Sai said happily, "I'd like that a lot."

* * *

Back in the real world, as Kasumi and Hikaru were talking, a light came forth from the Millennium Puzzle. It soon solidified into Sai, who looked at Kasumi with a look of respect. "Tendo Kasumi, you are one of the most honorable and kindest soul I have ever met. I'm glad we have met on this day."

"So am I Sai." Kasumi smiled at the spirit, "Just as I'm glad to have met Hikaru." Looking at her watch she let out a familiar cry, "Oh my! It's nearly six o'clock!"

"Six?!" Hikaru jumped to his feet, "Shit! My mom wants me back home by six! It's going to take me an hour to get back home from here!"

"Oh dear," Kasumi sighed.

"Don't worry. I'll just explain this whole mess to her," Hikaru shrugged, "Heck, it'll probably be on the news by the time I get home." He saw Kasumi get up to her feet and hold her hand out. Once Hikaru took and shook. "Seeya around, Tendo Kasumi."

"See you around, Shindou Hikaru." Kasumi smiled.

"Yosh!" Hikaru smirked as he started to run with Sai right behind him, "Hey Sai can you help me with my ancient history homework?"

"I thought you said to your mother that you finished it," Sai asked.

"... I kind of lied," Hikaru said, scratched the back of his head.

Kasumi let out a giggle after hearing that before her two new friends faded out of sight. "They are quite a pair."

"That they are."

Kasumi turned around to face Yami in her ethereal form standing next to her, "Yami?"

"I thought Aibou it might help that sometimes we may talk face to face rather in our own minds or dreams," Yami responded, "You disapprove?"

"No. I like it," Kasumi replied.

"Kasumi!"

"Jounouchi!" Kasumi called out, seeing her friend rushing over to her location, and she saw that Ukyo and Bakura were behind him.

"We'll talk later Aibou. Right now, you should enjoy the rest of the day with your friends before you have to go home," Yami said before returning into the puzzle.

"Hey... Kasumi where were you?" Jounouchi asked once he reached her, panting to catch his breath.

"I'm sorry Jounouchi," Kasumi sighed, "But Hikaru and I were talking a lot..."

"Hikaru?" Ukyo asked.

"Shindou Hikaru. A young boy I met here. We happen to have quite a bit in common." Kasumi smiled, "Well we still have some time before the end of the festival don't we?"

"Yeah we have time for dinner at least," Jounouchi smiled, "And searching for you has given me quite an appetite."

"Good, then let's all have dinner together," Kasumi suggested, then turned to look at Bakura, "Bakura will you join us?"

"I'd like to Kasumi." Bakura smiled.

"Well then let's get going," Ukyo motioned to them all, "I know a great stand that serves okonomiyaki that is as good as mine... almost."

Everyone shared a laugh at that but Kasumi couldn't help but feel freer... more human. She was becoming more like a regular girl.

If this was how normal girls lived their lives, she wouldn't give it up for anything... or let anyone take it away from her.

* * *

From his place in the Millennium Ring, Bakura smiled. "Well so far Ryou's doing his part. I can already tell he's getting in her good graces. That will allow me to keep a closer eye on Pharaoh-chan and see just what 'she' is planning." He couldn't help but smirk as he now felt there actually was a God out there in the world.

"After all there must be a God out there. Only God himself would see fit to punish the Pharaoh as properly and as sadistically as this." Bakura mused. "But back to business then. That boy she mentioned, Shindou Hikaru. He must have been that boy that was rushing towards the exit as we were looking for Kasumi. I didn't sense the presence of an Item from him, though there was a sense of otherworldliness. Perhaps he has a spirit of his own."

At any rate, it wasn't his concern. What were his concerns were the Pharaoh and the Millennium Puzzle. Before he would make any move, he would first ascertain the status of the Pharaoh and his powers as well as the situation of the girl that was his host. His host could handle the latter, being her friend while he discretely probed with his senses, though it would take time to make sense of what ever he probed.

"But I'm patient," Bakura smirked, "After all I waited five thousand years to get this far. What's another month or even a year for someone like me? Absolutely nothing. One day all seven Millennium Items will be mine."

For now though, he would simply wait... and enjoy the okonomiyaki that his host was eating. He had to admit, Japanese delicacies were among the best of all the world's cultures that he had tasted over the millennia.

And he had tasted many.

* * *

And yet while all of this was going on, back in Nermia, in her own bedroom, one Tendo Nabiki was watching open mouthed at a video tape made by one of her lackeys. The one that she had sent to spy on Kasumi and see what she was doing with Jounouchi and Ukyo.

The path had led her flunky to the Haze Jr. High fall festival. But when she had come to Nabiki's home nearly an hour and a half ago, she was almost scared out of her mind. Her exact words were 'Never ask me to spy on your sister again. She's scary.'

Shoving her lackey aside, she had gone straight to her room, popped the tape into her VCR and watched it.

She was totally unprepared for the Kasumi that she saw on that tape. This 'Shadow Game' that she played with this Haze student, one in which that could have killed either of them. It was dumb luck neither of them had gotten killed.

And then she gave a 'punishment' to him. It looked like she just flung her hand in his direction, but he then fell down to the ground unconscious. She heard Kasumi say that he was experiencing hell.

It took Nabiki watching the tape a second time through, to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her to see the strange golden object around Kasumi's neck. She hit pause at once. _I KNEW IT! I knew there was some sort of magical object involved in all of this! That evil thing is ruining my sister! I have to get it away from her!_ She then lowered her head, slumping her chair as she came her next thought, _But how in the hell am I going to tell my family about this... and not harm Kasumi too much in the process._

Nabiki let out a heavy sigh, knowing this was probably going to be the biggest decision of her life. She thought what she was about do was right and would be the best thing for Kasumi.

_... so why do I feel like our entire world is about to change?_ Nabiki asked herself, as a feeling of impending doom seemed to loom about her.

She just didn't know whose it was.

To Be Continued...

Added Disclaimer: I do not own Shindou Hikaru, Sai, Kaga, Akari, Haze Jr. High or any other characters related to them as they all are a part of the anime Hikaru no Go and thus belong to their creators.

Author's Notes: The reason I didn't put in Hikaru no Go in the first disclaimer was to keep a surprise and not to confuse people. I don't have plans to have any of the characters from the series to appear in any of the next few chapters, however the door has been opened so there is the possibility of a return appearance in the future.

Anyway, I hope this chapter makes up for the long wait you've all had to go through for it. It was a hard thing to write up but I'm glad to say that its exactly the way I want it. The addition of Bakura was a surprise to myself, as I had only decided on bringing him this early in the story only within the last month. He'll be done pretty much as you've always known him to be, however with Yami being female and knowing their past history, it will definitely make things interesting for coming chapters. Speaking of chapters, Chapter Five is already in the works and if you haven't already guessed, a confrontation is enviable now that Nabiki has proof that something is 'wrong' with Kasumi. What Nabiki decides to do will forever change the lives of all people living in the Tendo Dojo. Next time on Kasumi the Game Queen, Chapter Five: The Storm of Change. Until then.