They stared at the figure in front of them.

School had just let out, and everyone was rushing out of school. It was a Wednesday, and it seemed all the teachers had decided to give them pop quizzes that day.

The entire group of tight-knit friends had left simultaneously, and even Kaiba somehow managed to trail along.

It was Honda that had stopped first, causing everyone to stumble as he was in the front of the group. Katsuya went to ask him what was wrong when he looked in the direction that the teenager was gaping in.

After that, it didn't take long for everyone to catch on and stare in amazement.

Facing away from them was a transparent figure. One of the most startling features was the shock of red-tipped black hair, just barely outlined by blond bangs.

He – for how could the ghost be anything else – was dressed in a red cape, which seemed to be fluttering in a nonexistent wind. Gold glinted off the man's arms and head; golden wings were poking out from the mass of hair.

Just as one of them was about to say something, the figure turned around.

Someone gasped. Anzu noticed that somebody next to her was shaking. When she turned toward the person, she realized it was Yūgi.

The petit teenager was gaping at the ghost, eyes wide and a protective, trembling hand over the golden pendant hanging off his chest. When the apparition tilted its head – in what she now recognized as an inquisitive gesture to the person beside her, Yūgi let out a strangled sound that was unlike the light tenor he usually had.

She glanced back at her best friend, noticing it was now the spirit – Yami – in control of their shared body now. The pharaoh had much the same reaction as Yūgi, though there was an undeniable look of fear on his face.

Deciding there wasn't much of an option in deciphering his reaction, she turned back to the unexpected figure in front of the group. When he started to move towards them, there was a collective tensing and drawing of breath.

Whilst Yami stood stock still, the others in front of him parted like water to the ghost.

It was a surreal moment, Anzu thought. Even Kaiba was watching the events unfold quietly, a strangely careful expression on his face.

The closer the ghost came to her friend, the more fearful he looked (though it really only showed in his eyes and grasp on the pendant). When he finally came in front of Yami, everything appeared hushed.

The ghost gave him a small, sad smile. For some reason, it eased the tension in Yami's shoulders, the insubstantial releasing of stress seeming to flow like water off his shoulders.

Still keeping that sad smile, the ghost placed a transparent hand on the side of his face, thumb gently stroking pale cheek. The other covered Yami's hand on his pendant, this one holding him softly by the wrist, palm covering the back of his hand.

Anzu didn't know how long everyone was standing there, watching this bizarre scene take place. The ghost didn't speak, not once even mouthing insensible words, but the pharaoh let out a comforted sigh.

When his eyes fluttered shut, the ghost disappeared, his form going away like tattered strips of fabric in the wind.

After a few moments, she realized that Yūgi had once again taken over, the same peaceful expression on his face as he opened dazed eyes. He blinked, and the incomprehensible expression in his eyes cleared, and he looked at everyone with his usual gentle smile.

They continued the walk home in silence – Kaiba taking his limo as was his wont – parting ways when they reached the intersection.

She didn't know what precisely happened, but she did know one thing.

Yami had never looked so at peace with his fate.