[Yu-Gi-Oh! AU] Don't Think Twice before You Listen To Your Heart; Follow the Trace for a New Start

[motherlypeace]

[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.]

Comments

A week and a half later...

[motherlypeace]

[As a girl who was used to sleeping on futons, Bakura's home suited her just fine. She spent most of her time inside, eating when Bakura ate and practicing her Hieratic when he was out of the home.

It was well and good that Naturia could translate for her and help her speak, but she needed to learn the language on her own.

She pointed to things to learn the words for them, learned phrases and practiced speaking, and even practiced them on Bakura when he arrived home in the evenings.

It was...nice.

She found some soft spare cloth around the home, and fashioned it into some light day wear by looping it together and tying it in the middle with a loose strip of fabric. (She made sure that nothing was see-through or exposed: she hardly wanted Bakura to get an eyeful!) It likely was not what people of this land wore around the house, but it was comfortable enough and easy to wash when Bakura was out. She got into the habit of washing her clothes (and herself) when he was away with some water and scraps from her skirt: her uniform was too torn up to be used for much other than scrap fabric at this point, so she might as well re-use it.

She was particularly tired today, though...She spent more time sleeping than usual, huddled in her usual spot among some soft pillows.

Naturia huddled close, cuddling with her as though he was a feline instead of...well, her Ka. He typically rested at her feet or a foot away, but he was particularly close this morning, purring softly against her stomach as though trying to comfort her.

She's sleeping soundly, though.]

[thefinalsacrifice]

[It was... strange having someone here with him. At first it had just been himself. Then Diabound manifested one day as a tiny snake. As he began to grow older, the Ka beast too grew in shape and form. While it generally remained as a snake, it was capable of becoming a terrifying god-like being. Even then, it took a while for the two to adjust to each other.

Now? Now he had a woman and her Ka in his hideout with him. A woman out of time, out of her element but was willing to adapt.

That was one of the few reasons he didn't throw Inko out on her ass. She proved capable so far... How long would what last though?

But now would be the time to integrate her into traveling in town by herself. He needed to buy her clothes so she could blend in. So he buys a cursory outfit to get her by for the time being until she can pick something out herself. The thief returns to his hideout to find Inko sleeping and gently nudges her with his foot.]

Hey.

[motherlypeace]

[Inko lets out a small huff as she's nudged...and slowly opens her eyes.

For a moment, they look dull, but upon seeing Bakura they spark with life, glittering in the morning sunlight.

She sits up, stretching her arms as she yawns.]

Nnnnn...Ohay--I mean, Good morning.

[The more she speaks hieratic, the better she gets at it. She's been slipping into Japanese less and less lately.]

Did...Baku sleep well?

[thefinalsacrifice]

Well enough.

[He unslings the bought outfit from over his shoulder and holds it out to Inko.]

Here. You can wear this instead of the makeshift... robe you've made. Once I teach you how to walk and carry yourself, you can pick out other outfits in the market.

[motherlypeace]

[Inko's smile brightens and she takes the outfit into her hands. She holds it to her chest, almost hugging it.

A gift from Baku...he was kind enough to give her an outfit...to help her blend in.]

Thank you...thank you so much. This is...so kind of you.

[thefinalsacrifice]

[The thief scoffs and looks off to the side.

Why is she always so grateful for everything...]

It's nothing. Just a common outfit. There's no need to make such a big deal about it.

[motherlypeace]

A gift is a gift. No matter how common it is, I'm still grateful.

[She stands, holding the outfit to her chest still, but then...stops.]

Ah...

[She bites her lip.]

C-can you...m-maybe...

[A pause.]

Turn around, please? S-so I can change?

[thefinalsacrifice]

... It's whatever.

[The thief rolls his eyes and turns around, knowing how strangely modest she is.

Gods, are people that worried about nudity in her time?]

[motherlypeace]

[Inko relaxes and begins to peel her robe off, so she can gently place it aside. She's in her bra and panties -- white, silky, and soft -- but as she tries to pull her second leg out of the robe--]

Kyaa!!

[She stumbles forward, towards Bakura--]

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Inko screams a lot, he feels.

What is it this time? The thief turns around to see the poor girl stumbling towards him. He acts fast, catching her.

And while most would assume a hot blooded man would go crazy at a woman in lingerie, he's simply curious as to what the strange clothes are she has on. Bakura blinks and tugs at a strap of her bra, only curiosity in his expression.]

What sort of smallclothes are these?

[motherlypeace]

[That...

Actually makes her feel better. Even as her face is red and her heart is pounding, he's looking at her clothes, and not...her.

There is no lust in his gaze, no disrespect in his actions.

He is just...curious.

Fear in and insecurity flash in her eyes for a moment, but after a second, she...breathes. Calms herself.

He doesn't see this as scandalous. It's okay. He doesn't see this as scandalous. This is only the first man who's ever seen her this way, but he doesn't see it as scandalous, he doesn't see it as scandalous, and he doesn't see her as...]

I-It's called a...'bra'. It's used to...h-hold the breasts. To keep them steady.

[Be technical. Be technical. Don't think about their position.]

T-To keep them from...m-moving around too much.

[They also served a secondary function: to keep Inko's breasts from being particularly noticeable. Bakura might notice that they are straining in the cups a bit, and are clearly much bigger than they originally appeared.]

[thefinalsacrifice]

[She is... surprisingly busty, that's for sure. It's the first time he's noticed she's far more curvy than he initially thought.

Bakura's eyebrow raises as he studies how they hold her in place though and after a moment, he hums in thought.]

Makes sense, I suppose. Are they always meant to be so... fancy looking? And tight? That top looks terribly uncomfortable.

[motherlypeace]

[Her face reddens further.]

A-ah...i-it's...

[She twiddles her fingers, just a bit.]

I-It's...They're meant to l-look...s...sexy. N-Not that I've e-ever...b-been with...a-anyone! Y-You're the f-first man I-I've even...! B-but...th-this is the typical design...A-and it's n-not uncomfortable! I-it's just meant...t-to...m-make me l-look...s-smaller.

[She pauses.]

M-Men...s-stare. I-If I don't...w-wear something...l-like this...

[thefinalsacrifice]

You look like you're about to pop out from it. If you think that's comfortable, whatever.

[He tilts his head.]

If you don't want men looking then... it's meant to make yourself feel sexy? Like when women wear makeup?

[motherlypeace]

[She flushes softly, but nods.

It's...nice. To talk about this. He's asking genuine questions and not lusting after her or staring.

Bakura is such a good person...]

S-Sort of...M-my friend...b-bought it for me. Sh-she told me that it would...make me feel confident and...start talking to boys.

[Not that Inko ever found anyone who caught her eye outside of a celebrity or two...

Primarily foreign men. Dark-skinned, built...]

[thefinalsacrifice]

Hm.

Has it helped with your confidence?

[He asks as he grabs the clothes he bought her, ready to help Inko into it.]

[motherlypeace]

[She's grateful, accepting his assistance as she starts to dress herself.]

No... not really.

[She laughs a little.]

I've never had a boy show interest in me before. I'm not exactly pretty.

[She sighs.]

I think... getting out of that tomb and coming here did more for my confidence than a bra ever did--

[Actually... the bra was a bit...it was catching on the fabric a little.

Quickly, she pivoted her body to preserve her modesty as she unhooked her bra, setting it aside before finally adjusting the top part of the gown.

...

She turns towards Bakura, and...oh, she certainly is busty, isn't she? And...

Oh.

The fabric is a little see-through along the top...]

[thefinalsacrifice]

[He grunts. She's prime marriage age. Odd that no one has shown interest in her.

But when Inko removes the bra and has the complete outfit on, it's the first time there's something more in Bakura's eyes as he gazes at her. His eyes trail over her body, studying her shape, the way the fabric hugs her curves.

... Right. The headdress. He places that gently upon her head and gives her another more neutral look over.]

You look much more native now.

[motherlypeace]

[Something flickers in her eyes as she notices his gaze; it disappears as quickly as it comes, but she looks happy.

Honestly, these clothes feel... good. Comfortable. Cool.

She doesn't even notice how her breasts are partially visible, or how her curves are hugged by the fabric...]

Oh, this feels wonderful.

[She gives a little twirl, and her hair and the fabric flutter in the air.

With a bounce to her step -- oh, she really does bounce in this, doesn't she -- she looks over herself with wonder.]

Do I really look like a native, Bakura? I look okay?

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Oh.

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.

[motherlypeace]

[... why did his eyes widen?

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...]

[thefinalsacrifice]

If you... want to use my robe until we get one, you can.

[Bakura tugs on his trademark red robe.]

Show me how you walk though.

[motherlypeace]

[His robe...

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?

[thefinalsacrifice]

Hmm.

[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.

[motherlypeace]

[Inko nods, taking a few steps back to start again.

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?