So…I'm re-writing the entire thing! I have been trying to write that new chapter for almost a year now and I just can't pick up where I left off. So I tried re-reading my story and…it was horrible! So many missing pieces, so many errors and etc.. So I thought, why not re-write it? I mean, I have changed as an author since I started this so very many years ago and I can't pick up where I left it. I have a plan now! The story will have generally the same plot and some of the same themes but I'm changing it up a bit. Let me know what you think of it okay? You may not realize it but I ADORE you guys when you tell me what you think, both positive and negative.

You will have to forgive me though for some things. As I re-read it I thought that things just moved to quickly or things didn't make since and characters changed to dramatically with too little time to change. Tea's family life for one bothered me greatly along with the developing relationships that happened on the side. Plus…Bakura is a selfish bastard and I completely changed that! So…give me time and I hope to win you all over again.

New Host: Remix

Chapter One

Tea Gardner would never consider herself average unless you didn't know her. She had friends in high places, friends with split personalities, she was in love with someone who technically didn't exist, and she was an amazing dancer. Yet anyone else simply saw an overly sensitive girl who stuck her nose in her friends business. Luck for them she didn't care about that.

Tapping her fingers impatiently against her locker door she wondered where the hell young Yugi was. It was there last day of school and he said he would meet her after their last period to clean out their lockers together; and she was already done. Tossing her brown hair, which had grown considerably in the past year, over her shoulder she scanned the hallway again trying to spot the short boy.

It didn't take long for him to sneak up to her, Tea never being truly able to spot him even when she tried, causing the girl to yelp in surprise. Turning to him with an angry red face she was prepared to chew him out only to stop dead. Yugi had this ability to just look so cute and innocent sometimes it made everyone forget their problems or grievances . Or it just pissed them off more so then when they started. She slowly let go of her anger and simply ruffled his hair with a laugh.

Running his hand through his wild hair to fix the damage she had caused he smiled up at her. "Hey Tea. Sorry to keep you waiting I had to say my goodbyes," he stood on his toes and patted her shoulder awkwardly. Tea tilted her head slightly to the side, noticing that something was obviously bothering her friend. As she opened her mouth to say something she was rudely shoved to the side by a passerby and redirected herself towards them. Biting her lip to stop her impulse to yell at them she just shook her head and turned her attention back to Yugi. "So you are joining us right?" Yugi asked with a bright smile.

"What do you mean?" She was tapping her foot on the ground, ready to leave this place and grab something to eat. "Aren't we going to eat somewhere? I can't remember the last time I was this hungry!"

Yugi, avoiding her eye contact, was slow to respond. "Actually," he bent down as he placed a handful of papers in his backpack. "We all need to talk about some things today so I thought we could meet up at the shop in a bit. If you don't mind I need to stop somewhere first before we go," he hesitated looking at her from the corner of his eye, "um, if you don't mind I need to go alone."

Tea bit her lip trying to figure out just why he was acting so strangely. It was a bit insulting to hear him ask that she didn't join him but at the same time she knew that it probably had to do with Yami. "Sure thing, no worries!" She flashed a bright smile, though they both knew it lacked her normal glow. Closing his locker for the last time Yugi pushed his bag over his shoulder. "So…I'll meet you there in an hour?" She wondered just how much time he needed. What would she do with that time? Maybe go to the ice cream parlor and get something; or she could go to the store and get some groceries.

"Not that long, maybe thirty minutes or so?" She nodded and watched him leave. As he walked away she couldn't help but notice Joey run up to him. Did he just ask what Yugi wanted to talk to him about? The urge to follow them and ease drop washed over her. Just as she took her first few steps after them she heard a soft voice behind her.

"Tea? Hey!" Turning sharply she beamed at Ryou. He walked up next to her and looked where she had just been heading. "Why aren't you walking with Yugi?" She smiled awkwardly and scratched her head.

"Well, I was going to go get some food before I meet them at the store, and he wanted to run a few errands first." She hesitated in revealing any more information after that. The whole group had learned a few things about talking around the young man. She felt horrible about it, but when a blood thirsty killer lived in the small boy you had to be careful about being a friend; and that killed her. "What are you up to?"

"Yugi told me to meet you guys there too, so I was going to see if you wanted to eat with me." Tea wondered if he was making it up on the spot or if it was the truth. Going with her instinct to trust him she nodded happily.

"I want some ice cream!" She shifted her bag on her shoulder and started to head for the door, Ryou half a step behind her. "Is that okay? I mean, if you want some food them I guess I understand."

"Actually Ice cream sounds really good." Ryou beamed over at her, his hair blocking part of his face from her vision. "Do they have any cookie dough?"

Tea tapped her finger on her chin in thought. "The one on Joyce Street has some amazing cookie dough actually. It's a little out of the way but I'm willing to walk it!" She pushed open the double door and sighed as she took in the picture before her. The trees were always so peaceful here. It was the time of year when the wind would pick up and the sound just soothed her soul. Closing her eyes and enjoying the sound she wished her family would have bought a house with trees near her window so she could hear this sound every day. "I love that sound," she commented when Ryou stood awkwardly next to her. "I wish I had trees at home," opening her eyes she watched him to see if she noticed anything had changed. Nothing. He still looked innocent and happy.

"I understand completely. I seem to be most at peace sitting in my room with the windows open on days like this."

"Really? Me too!" She exclaimed excitedly. The two started their walk after that, making small talk and Tea trying to decide who she was really talking to. There was no way that Bakura would talk such nonsense right? Though, if he wanted to fit in he would.

After a good few blocks the two found the small parlor and walked in. Ryou ordered a cookie dough dish while Tea stuck with the waffle cone with mint and chocolate chips in it. The two sat down at a high table and she rummaged through her bag awkwardly after a moment of silence.

"So what was Yugi talking to Joey about?" Ryou asked after a while of watching her. She looked up slowly, her emotions to evident on her face. Yet Ryou didn't budge or take what he said back. That was her first sign. Ryou didn't pry. Ever.

"Oh, I don't know. Guy stuff?" She awkwardly put a stray strand of hair behind her ear and checked her watch trying to decide how soon was too soon to make her way to the shop. She laughed nervously after she noticed the boy still watching her. "So I hear you want to go to Egypt?" She prayed he would take the bait. The fact that she may very well be alone with the killer, which was absolutely because of her own stupidity, scared the living hell out of her. She heard a chuckle from across the table, and though it was the one the group had learned to be Ryou she could have sworn she heard a darker side to it.

"Yeah, now that Bakura seems to have settled I think I may try to pursue my own life. My father has extended an invitation for me to attend the university over there and get my degree in Egyptology. I'm excited! I already have my enrollment along with some money saved up from the past few years of my side job." Tea tilted her head. Side job? When had Ryou had a job? When had Bakura allowed him to have a job? As much as she wanted to know she couldn't voice these questions. "So what do you plan to do?"

Tea hummed to herself and she rested her chin on her hand and leaned into the table. "I don't really know yet. My job at the dance studio isn't really taking me anywhere; though it will look good on a resume, so I think I may try to get into the university here. In a month or so I'm moving out, if not sooner." She smiled to herself. In reality her parents traveled a lot, but they hadn't been doing so much of it recently. After having so much time to herself and then suddenly having them return and actually stay she didn't like it too much. She loved her mother and father to death but they didn't know her. Not like they did before she met Yugi, or more correctly: Yami. "I have quite a bit of money saved up and if I can't afford my own place I was talking to a few people about possibly rooming together." When she looked at him she noticed the far off look on his face. "You okay?" She snapped her mouth shut. Shit.

One thing Yami had always told them was that if you notice something off, don't let him know you see something off.

Ryou's eyes snapped up to her face and she noticed something dark flicker behind his eyes. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat she turned slightly in her seat and moved to the trash can to throw away the last of her cone. When she returned he was looking out the window, the soft look having returned to his face. "You worry too much Tea. Some problems aren't meant for anyone other than the one they fall upon."

"Everyone deserves someone to help relieve them of their problems." She mumbled. Even Ryou needed someone to talk to. Sighing she shouldered her bag. "We should go now; it's already been thirty minutes. They should all be there by now." She waited for him to follow her out of the parlor before redirecting their conversation to the weather. The two came to the consensus that they both loved this weather. Tea discovered that Ryou worked in the library downtown at the front desk, the fact that she had never noticed him made her apologize profusely. Especially since she was there so often. They talked about her job at the studio and all the drama that followed.

"And then Ami thought it was okay to tell everyone! That girl is out for blood. It isn't even that big of a studio! I mean if I had ripped my leotard I would have been so embarrassed too. It wasn't because she was fat or anything though! She simply made too much of a sharp step." Sighing and idly playing with her hair the two stopped in front of the glass doors just in time to see an awkward exchange between Joey and Yugi. The puzzle was now resting in Joeys' hands and he looked as if he was dazed. Tea was about to enter when Ryou's hand shot out and grabbed her elbow stopping her from letting the two know they where there. Sign number two.

After a moment Joey looked there way and quickly shoved the puzzle back into Yugi's hands. The young boy, noticing the two, placed it back over his head and let it lay against his chest. He looked so sad.

Tea and Ryou walked in, by now she was almost positive it was Bakura, and both waved at the two. "What was that about?" Ryou asked.

"Oh, Joey just wanted to see that it wasn't as heavy as he thought. Seriously though! After wearing it for a long time you don't notice it."

Joey picked up his queue and laughed loudly. "I was so wrong! It's heavy as shit!" Tea laughed awkwardly at the two, knowing full well that there was no way that was what had been transpiring between the two. Shaking her head she followed them up the stairs only to stop half way up when Ryou didn't follow. Watching the two continue to climb she considered simply following and not investigating. Sighing she took two steps down and looked at Ryou cautiously. He was look up at the ceiling tiles and seemed to be deep in thought, his fist clenching and unclenching.

"Ryou?" She asked taking that last few steps towards him. He snapped his head her way and a look crossed his face. "Are you coming?"

A wide grin spread on his face. "Yeah, right behind you." She felt a chill crawl up her spine as she felt his eyes on her as they walked. Somehow she had to tell the guys what was going on.

There was no way they could talk about anything with this guy around.

When the two walked into the upstairs studio room she noticed the hushed tones that fell upon the group. Tristan, Joey and Yugi sat on the large couch pushed against the furthest wall and Tea noticed how quiet it got when they walked in. The tv was on in the corner, the news flashing about an earthquake that had happened a few nights ago. They pretended as if they had been watching but everyone knew the awkward time had come. If they didn't want Ryou there then why did they invite him?

It took twenty minutes for Tea to break the awkward silence, her sitting in the gaming chair while Ryou sat on the floor near her feet. "Why are we talking here again?"She asked, they never had told her but it started conversation. The group all exchanged glances and Ryou let out a deep sigh.

"Tea, can I borrow your cell phone to make a call?" Tea, knowing that he was leaving so they could talk smiled at him.

"My backpack is downstairs, it's in the front pocket." He slowly pushed up off the floor and made his way, closing the door behind him. "That was…nice of him." She mumbled. Turning towards the three she noticed they were watching Ryou leave. As soon as they heard the stairs creak and the front door open, indicating he was on the phone outside, they started to talk.

"Yami needs a new host." Yugi spit out. Tea's eyes widened as she tried to grasp what that meant.

"Wait…what?" She muttered trying to understand. So…Yami needed a new host? What did that mean?

"Yami said that after too long the vessel that the spirits use grows weak and they need to move onto a new host, if by force or choice. If he doesn't except a new vessel soon he will simply fade for a long time." He turned to Joey, "Joey was the best choice. I mean, he can take care of himself better than I could, which I'm sure was hard on Yami anyway-"

"Oh shut up Yugi! It doesn't matter. I'm just the one that is staying here so I'm easier. Plus I'm a dude and it would be weird if Tea took him." Joey spit out, playing with the puzzle idly as he talked. No one seemed to notice the way Yugi was watching him flip it around in his hands.

"The problem is that since Yami had to change that means…" he trailed off his gaze traveling to the door. Yugi sighed heavily. "It means Bakura will be doing the same soon." Tea's eyes widened and she turned towards the door, as if the boy himself had been standing there. Relief washed over her as she realized no one was there. Rubbing at her eyes a brief thought crossed her mind. What if Ryou didn't have the ring anymore and she had been talking to the real deal all day? She felt like such a jerk!

"What will we do?" She finally asked the group with a slight shake in her voice. The group exchanged looks and shrugged.

"What can we do? Simply wait and see. Who knows, maybe he will simply fade and forget to change host. Maybe he is already gone. All we can really do is sit and wait." Yugi rubbed at his eyes and leaned back into the chair. "It's just scary not having any idea what is going on."

Tea felt that it was more than that. It was the fact that Yami was gone and Yugi felt a void inside.

Maybe it was because he didn't know how to fill it.

Ryou had walked her home that night. He had re-joined the group, a little while after their talk and the group had played a few games of duel monsters. Tea had sat with Tristan on the couch and the two had talked about their plans. Tea wasn't attending graduation, nor was anyone other than Joey and Yugi. So the two talked about their plans. He planned to continue to pursue Joey's sister and work at the ball park to try to start a career in baseball. She told him about moving out and trying to influence Kaiba to let her intern at his corporation. When Tristan asked what she would intern for she laughed and told him she had heard a rumor a while back about him opening up a studio of his own. Tristan just laughed and called him gay. She smiled and called him brilliant.

So now she was walking home with Ryou, her mind racing trying to decide if he was Ryou or Bakura. The two were talking about their plans for the summer and she was trying her best to not let out to much information while also enough to come across as friendly. As they approached her house she heard him sigh. "Tea, he's gone." She hesitated before responding chewing on her lip.

"How do you know? How can I trust you?" He smiled slowly at her insecurity.

"I have no idea what happened to him. He just…please trust me Tea." His thick accent kicked in again and she felt a smile spread on her face. She always loved that accent of his. Nodding she hugged him goodbye and promised to call him that week to make plans.

As he walked away she dug in her bag trying to find her keys only to have her hand brush against something cold and hard. She stiffened as an odd feeling washed over her and she pulled the object out. Sighing she realized it was only her extra pair of shoes. Pulling her keys out after that she unlocked the door and checked the clock. It was nine at night. She had been blessed with parents that always went to bed by nine, like clock work. She prayed she was never like that someday. Taking of her shoes and leaving them by the door she made her way to the stairs and walked up them. She made sure to that no one was up so she didn't need to explain her day. She loved her parents but sometimes she needed space. She knew she would miss them though when her time came to leave.

Closing her bedroom door behind her she let her bag hit the ground and she walked over to her desk and opened up her laptop. Sighing in she connected to the internet and checked her inbox. A delighted squeal escaped her as she noticed that Kaiba Corp. had sent her an email. When she read the message she felt excitement course through her body.

A few months ago Kaiba had approached her about his idea for opening up an after school dance school for the middle school and junior high students. She had been more then excited. She had nearly fainted. He told her to talk to him again about it later on and he would keep her posted on the details. He didn't disappoint. Every Monday he had an email sent to her, personally.

Today's was special. First it was a Friday so she wasn't even expecting anything. Second, it was to tell her to report to work in one month. She rubbed her feet on the carpet in excitement. She could leave that drama filled hell hole of a studio now! She loved the students but when you have coworkers that are out for your job, well things just didn't feel safe. She sent her reply with lots of exclamation points and many thanks.

Her life was looking up!

She had graduated school, after struggling with math for so long, and now she was landing a dream job. Apart from going to America and getting involved on Broadway somehow she couldn't see things getting any better.

The Yami and Bakura thing was a bit unnerving though. Yet it didn't squish her feelings in the least! Walking over to her backpack she picked it up and dumped it on her bed to try to find her planner to start writing down all the dates Kaiba had sent her for her new job. After rummaging around a little more she felt something odd again. Assuming it was her extra shoes she pulled the item out to throw in her closet only to stop in horror.

In her hand was the ring. She felt a cold chill as a dark laugh echoed in her head and it started to glow a bright yellow. If someone had happened to walk by that night they would have thought her lights were on with how bright it was. She tried to fling it away from her only to realize that the ring was absorbing into her arm. Her eyes widened as it reappeared around her neck and a cold laugh echoed again. She felt a strange painful feeling in her chest. As if something was stabbing into her heart.

Why hello, new host.

So? Any better or worse? I really want to know. I'm posting this first chapter without writing on the next few purely to see how the reception goes. I kinda like it. It's the same but…remixed! Tell me what you think okay? I really wanna hear what you have to say.