Inko Midoriya (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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inkuranmaricchanbrainrot2024-02-11 02:51 am
motherlypeace) wrote in inkuranmaricchanbrainrot2024-02-11 02:51 am
Entry tags:
[Yu-Gi-Oh! AU] Don't Think Twice before You Listen To Your Heart; Follow the Trace for a New Start
[This was supposed to be an exciting class trip.
The spring semester was about to come to a close, and Inko Hakuba's first few months in high school were supposed to end with a fun trip for everyone before the summer vacation began.
Said fun trip?
Going to Egypt.
Truth be told, she'd been looking forward to this trip for weeks; it was meant to be a trip for the senior students, but after a particular incident that was not disclosed to the public, the funds and tickets were given to the first years for free (so long as the student had a usable passport) as punishment for the students in question in lieu of barring their chances at graduation.
So Inko and her class were shuttled onto a bus, put on a plane, and were sent to Egypt as a cultural studies trip.
Her very first trip, her very first trip without her parents, and to a foreign country, no less! She was being taken to a land of adventure, full of beautiful golden sands, priceless artifacts, and ancient magic and wonder.
(Of course, it was not actually like that; but nobody had the heart to tell the poor girl that when she excitedly got on the plane. She was only fifteen, less than one month off from her sixteenth birthday, and she was clearly very excited!)
Their first stop was an outdoor market near Cairo, which was clearly trying to appeal to tourists like Inko who bought into the idea of the country rather than the reality. An old woman with graying hair reached out to Inko as she passed a stall, and stopped her as she was about to walk past.
Her classmates didn't notice that they left her behind.
"Yes...?" She asked in clumsy Arabic.
"You...I've seen you before."
The woman spoke in perfect Japanese, but it was clear that she was not a native speaker. Her mouth moved in a strange way, and they didn't seem to match her words, but Inko understood her perfectly.
"I...Excuse me?" Inko blinked.
The woman fished under the counter, pulling something out and holding it to Inko.
It looked like some kind of stone, almost the size of her fist. The image of what looked to be a tiger was carved on it, and the stone...looked old.
Quite old.
"For you. Don't worry about paying."
Inko took it in her hand and held it to her chest, and it felt warm in her hand. She didn't understand what was going on, but she nodded.
"I...if you're...thank you."
She bowed quickly, hurrying to catch up to the other students that were milling around nearby at another stall.
She dreamt of a voice that night, speaking to her. It was faint and muffled, and she couldn't understand it.
It wasn't until the next day, when they went to visit the Cairo museum, that she understood the words:
"Find me."
When she and her classmates went to the museum, she found herself stopping at a stone tablet on the wall with the same tiger etched into it; it looked like he was staring right at her...but that couldn't be right! That was a carving!
And yet...
She felt the stone in her hand growing warm, almost burning to the touch as she felt it...
Phase inside her body.
And something opened up under her, swallowing her whole as she fell into an abyss to the horrified screaming of her classmates nearby.
...
And there she was, lying in her Domino High school uniform inside what looked to be an open sarcophagus, the mummy long since removed. She was in the fetal position, short hair in disarray as she hugged herself.
She was unconscious...
And she wasn't in the museum anymore.]
The spring semester was about to come to a close, and Inko Hakuba's first few months in high school were supposed to end with a fun trip for everyone before the summer vacation began.
Said fun trip?
Going to Egypt.
Truth be told, she'd been looking forward to this trip for weeks; it was meant to be a trip for the senior students, but after a particular incident that was not disclosed to the public, the funds and tickets were given to the first years for free (so long as the student had a usable passport) as punishment for the students in question in lieu of barring their chances at graduation.
So Inko and her class were shuttled onto a bus, put on a plane, and were sent to Egypt as a cultural studies trip.
Her very first trip, her very first trip without her parents, and to a foreign country, no less! She was being taken to a land of adventure, full of beautiful golden sands, priceless artifacts, and ancient magic and wonder.
(Of course, it was not actually like that; but nobody had the heart to tell the poor girl that when she excitedly got on the plane. She was only fifteen, less than one month off from her sixteenth birthday, and she was clearly very excited!)
Their first stop was an outdoor market near Cairo, which was clearly trying to appeal to tourists like Inko who bought into the idea of the country rather than the reality. An old woman with graying hair reached out to Inko as she passed a stall, and stopped her as she was about to walk past.
Her classmates didn't notice that they left her behind.
"Yes...?" She asked in clumsy Arabic.
"You...I've seen you before."
The woman spoke in perfect Japanese, but it was clear that she was not a native speaker. Her mouth moved in a strange way, and they didn't seem to match her words, but Inko understood her perfectly.
"I...Excuse me?" Inko blinked.
The woman fished under the counter, pulling something out and holding it to Inko.
It looked like some kind of stone, almost the size of her fist. The image of what looked to be a tiger was carved on it, and the stone...looked old.
Quite old.
"For you. Don't worry about paying."
Inko took it in her hand and held it to her chest, and it felt warm in her hand. She didn't understand what was going on, but she nodded.
"I...if you're...thank you."
She bowed quickly, hurrying to catch up to the other students that were milling around nearby at another stall.
She dreamt of a voice that night, speaking to her. It was faint and muffled, and she couldn't understand it.
It wasn't until the next day, when they went to visit the Cairo museum, that she understood the words:
"Find me."
When she and her classmates went to the museum, she found herself stopping at a stone tablet on the wall with the same tiger etched into it; it looked like he was staring right at her...but that couldn't be right! That was a carving!
And yet...
She felt the stone in her hand growing warm, almost burning to the touch as she felt it...
Phase inside her body.
And something opened up under her, swallowing her whole as she fell into an abyss to the horrified screaming of her classmates nearby.
...
And there she was, lying in her Domino High school uniform inside what looked to be an open sarcophagus, the mummy long since removed. She was in the fetal position, short hair in disarray as she hugged herself.
She was unconscious...
And she wasn't in the museum anymore.]
no subject
Oh my.
Not many women are as... well endowed as she is despite the slighter frame. Bakura's eyes widen for a second before he glances off to the side.
They may need to buy her a shawl of some type to hide her body because while nudity isn't a huge issue to Egyptian people, a foreign beauty of breedable stock is... it's sure to catch some attention.
He clears his throat.]
... You'll need to carry yourself a certain way. Whether that's walking with confidence you don't actually have or covering yourself to hide in the crowd, it's up to you.
I'll bring some gold for us to spend on oils and soaps as well.
no subject
Sheepishly, Inko smiles.]
O-oh...yes, a shawl sounds lovely. I don't...want to attract a lot of attention.
[Ah yes, oils and soaps... she'd be able to clean herself more thoroughly. That sounds absolutely wonderful. She misses her old shampoo...]
no subject
[Bakura tugs on his trademark red robe.]
Show me how you walk though.
no subject
Why does the thought of wearing that make her cheeks grow hot--oh thank goodness, a distraction!
She nods, and walks forward:
Very dainty, very ladylike. One foot in front of the other while making sure not to keep her legs too far apart. In a way, it's like wearing a kimono...]
Is this... good?
no subject
[He crosses his arms.]
Too dainty. You'll get preyed upon immediately. If you're going to walk like that, hold your head up high and keep your shoulders back.
no subject
Keep her head up high, keep her shoulders back...
Think of Micchan.
...
Think of Bakura. Imagine how she would walk if she was as amazing as Bakura. Like she could float and be as graceful and beautiful as him--
She holds her head high, pulls her shoulders back, and walks forward, still keeping one foot in front of the other. Her body flows like water, even as she looks Bakura straight in the face and into his eyes. There's determination in her face and admiration in her eyes.
She doesn't realize that she hadn't stopped walking until she's chest-to-chest with him, staring up into his face.]
Ah...um.
How...was that?
no subject
But. Oh. She's... very close. Pressed against him, actually. Even through the sheer fabric, he can feel how soft and plush her bosom is.
The corner of his lip twitches.]
... Much better.
[Bakura reluctantly takes a step back and removes the red robe, leaving him with the tan hooded tunic underneath.]
Here.
no subject
...
Why was she...disappointed when he stepped away?
Though having this is...a nice alternative. It's warm. Soft.]
Thank you...
[She smiles shyly, though clear pride glows in those cheeks.]
It's warm. Very soft.
[It smells like him...]
no subject
I'm surprised you find it soft. It's been put through the ringer hundreds of times. I'd have thought others would find it rough.
[A shrug. Diabound pops out from one of the pockets of the red coat and looks up at Inko.]
Shall we head to the market then?
no subject
It's not rough at all. It may seem rough on the surface, but it's very soft to the touch.
[...Just like Bakura.
Naturia sits up and yawns, hopping inside her to rest inside her head for a while. Meanwhile, Inko gives Diabound a soft smile. She hasn't gotten the courage to pet him yet, but goodness, she's wanted to for a while.]
A-And yes! I'm ready to go!
[She's more than ready. They'll be going to the market! Together! She's not sure why that makes her stomach flutter, but goodness, it does.
She moves with a light step, remembering Bakura's advice to look confident. All she has to do is think of Bakura or look at him, and it comes so easily...]
no subject
Diabound remains in the robe pocket. Just in case. He can attack anyone if need be.
So with Inko saying she's ready, Bakura leads her down the rooftops and into a hidden little alley that leads out into the main market. There's dozens of different stalls set up, all with different objects. Produce, fish, meat, flowers, jewelry, clothing, oils. Anything you can think of.]
Stay close. Either directly behind me or at my side. Tell me what catches your eye.
no subject
Special...
About seeing it like this. With Bakura by her side.
She stays close to him, making sure to walk confidently even still. Her eyes give her away, though; there's that wonder, that awe at where she is and what she's looking at.
Gods...
It's all so wonderful!]
Yes, sir.
[In Japanese, she would have called him "Sensei", but using a respectful title like "Sir" was close enough in Hieratic. She's desperate to use her mother tongue as little as possible.
Then she sees it.
There's a shawl, almost identical to Bakura's, except with a hood to cover the head.]
Ah...!
[She nudges him slightly, and points at the shawl.]
Look at that...!
no subject
Speaking of hoods, the thief prefers to have his up when skulking through the market but he needs to keep his peripheral vision in tact to make sure Inko remains safe. He knows their combined looks are catching some attention and that's not something he likes.
But the girl distracts him with the nudge and he looks over to where she's pointing.
... Something similar to his robe. He raises an eyebrow as he looks down at Inko before heading over to the stall.
The price... isn't great. But that's where haggling comes in. Bakura talks with the shop keeper, making up a story about how the two of them are newly weds and his beautiful wife would like a shawl of her own like his but they've just spent all the money on the wedding arrangements...
The voice he takes on is much softer, younger. As if he's a completely different person.
The shop keeper, who seems to be a romantic at heart, buys the story but isn't completely sold on lowering the price.
More haggling. Some gold and one of his rings.
The owner accepts and Bakura picks up the shawl to hand to Inko with a charming smile.]
For you, my beloved.
no subject
Really, the shopkeeper must have looked at her adoring, soft expression at least once; this is not the face of a girl trying to pretend, but the face of a woman who is very quickly falling in love.
He and she...
Married.
Gosh, if there was ever a man that she could imagine as a wonderful husband...it was Bakura...
Though if one is in denial, one could think her expression is just really skilled acting.
Her voice is soft, gentle.
Adoring.]
Thank you, my love.
[She touches the shawl with tender reverence.]
This means...more than words can say.
no subject
Here. Why don't you take off mine and I'll help you into your new one? I'm sure you'll look even more lovely in it... and everyone will know we're together.
[For better or for worse.]
no subject
Trying to imagine her as the kind of noble lady that would deserve Bakura's love and affection, she moves gracefully, taking off the robe and hands it to him.]
Y-yes...I want everyone to know I'm yours...
no subject
His cheeks color just a bit. Why does that statement make his blood pump?
Regardless, he drapes his robe over his arm, helping Inko into her new shawl and gently pulls the hood up.]
There... You look regal, my beloved.
[Back on his robe goes, he thanks the shop keeper again, then leads Inko off to continue browsing.
When he speaks next, his voice is back to his usual gruff, husky tone.]
Good job on selling the story.
no subject
Right. That's what she was doing. Her stomach dips a bit, but...maybe it's for the best that he thinks she's acting. She's probably not his type, anyway...]
A-ah...um...
[She coughs, just a little, cheeks pink.]
I ah. Was in Drama Club.
[Inko you fucking liar. You were in one play. One. To help Miho because an actor bailed.]
You're...v-very good at leading. It's easy to follow your cues.
no subject
[Huh. Color him impressed.
But he laughs admusedly.]
I made it up on the spot, you know. You're a fair maiden from Greece. We met while you were studying abroad in Egypt~
Any fool would fall for it given your appearance and our acting.
[He smirks and nudges her gently with his elbow.]
Perhaps I'll make a thief of you yet.
no subject
Besides, seeing him amused and laughing with her like this is better than any honeyed words and promises of love. This is the Bakura that she...
...
Cares about. Is her friend.
She's just happy that she can be his companion.]
A Grecian lady, hmm? How exotic~
[She nudges him right back with a soft laugh.]
Well, with you as my teacher, I think I'm well on my way.
[A thief. Goodness, and not even a week ago, she'd have been horrified at the idea. But considering the world she was in, her company, and her circumstances...
Yes.
She doesn't mind being a thief, if Bakura is by her side.]
no subject
I felt that fit better than Macedonian. Your hair isn't curly enough for that. But Greco-Roman women are quite lovely.
[He leads her along the beauty stalls. Oils, lotions, perfumes, makeup.]
There's a nice secluded area at the river I can show you to that's perfect for bathing once you've gotten your supplies. No one ever goes there.
no subject
No, he couldn't have. It would be nice, but she wasn't about to get her hopes up.
Focus!]
I have met a few exchange students in my time...they are just as lovely then, too.
[A pause.]
And a bath...sounds wonderful. I doubt anyone would want to spy on me, but being somewhere quiet and secluded sounds nice.
no subject
[He motions to the stalls.
As for no one wanting to spy on her... Bakura believes they would. She's gorgeous and exotic, and they're in a not so good town.
He'll need to stay by her during.]
Take your pick then.
no subject
Inko girds her courage and even talks to a few shopkeepers herself: she gets some subtle perfumes, some oils for her hair, sweet soaps...
And some very subtle makeup. She isn't one for it, after all...
After she's finished, she steps away from the last stall and makes sure not to bow.]
I... think that's everything.
no subject
They gave us much better deals than I normally see. I shouldn't be surprised though.
[Diabound shimmies around on his master's pocket a bit, which reminds Bakura...]
Shall we get a bite to eat? There's a restaurant near here that has cheap but decent food.
(no subject)
(no subject)