[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

[thefinalsacrifice]

[There isn't much you can hide from a master thief, especially just starting off. Bakura always keeps tabs on Inko regardless of where she goes.

That's some of the perks of having a Ka beast who can turn invisible. Diabound is always close by should Inko need it. Which is why Bakura is generally asleep when she returns. His Ka would waken him if he was truly needed.

He lets her do as she pleases though, amused by the fact that she's trying to teach herself the art of sneaking and escaping, learning the layout of the city.

When the girl returns the current morning, he's lounging on the pillows, enjoying the cool morning breeze.

And he locks eyes on Inko as she climbs through the window.]

Hello, kitten.

[motherlypeace]

[Inko lets out a squeak of surprise as she stumbles inside; her climbing is better, but she's not nearly as graceful as Bakura. Her shawl slips off her shoulders and flutters to the floor, leaving her in little more than her tiny skirt and tennishoes.

(Look, at least she lands in a roll instead of in a heap. That's progress.)

It's also hard to stay composed when he's looking like that and using that nickname.

Is he a Master Thief, or a Master Seducer?

This man's beauty and grace is illegal.

No, really. He is so gorgeous that if he were unleashed into her time, he clearly would be arrested for crimes against ovaries.

...

Especially her ovaries, because seriously look at him.]

A-ah...! Baku...!

[Where was that confidence when she ran across town, ducking into alleyways and diving into open windows? Here she is, blushing like a schoolgirl.]

G-Good morning.

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Bakura grins, chuckling to himself for the fact that he caught her off guard. Good. She shouldn't get too comfortable when trying to sneak around him.

He shifts in his spot a bit as Diabound lazily slithers up his body to curl up around his neck instead.]

Rule number one to thieving: Never let your guard down. Even if you know your location like the back of your hand, you must always be prepared for the unexpected.

I assume your prowling and pouncing went well?

[motherlypeace]

[Prowling and pouncing.

Never let her guard down.

He knew what she was doing.

He not only knew what she was doing, but he let her do it without interrupting. He gave her a chance to learn on her own, to take initiative.

He gave her the space to learn.

Inko's eyes sparkle with understanding, and she hops up on her feet, practically bounding towards him.

Naturia glances up from his spot near Bakura as he snoozed away, before shutting his eyes again. He's aware, though, watchful as ever.]

R-right! I'll keep that in mind! Things can always go differently than you expect.

[Look at those eyes. So bright. So eager. So happy. She's smiling from ear to ear with the brilliance of the sun.]

And...yes, it did! Nobody noticed me, and I've been climbing much faster lately! I don't even need to use a carpet to get up anymore.

[She still can't do small walkways too well, but she's better than she used to be. In that she doesn't fall or make noise. But she's slow. Not particularly light on her feet, either.

She sits at his feet, setting a pillow on her knees to make her more comfortable.]

I'm getting better every day.

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Her optimism is cute. At first he wasn't sure what to make of it but she's proven herself time and time again so... he knows his praise goes a long way.]

So I've heard. You've improved quite a bit since you first arrived.

Once you've perfected being quick and light on your feet, we'll practice pick-pocketing.

[motherlypeace]

[Inko's eyes sparkle.]

You think so?!

A-and you'd really teach me how to pickpocketing?!

[The Inko of over a month ago would be horrified of the idea of pickpocketing as...Gods, a career change.

But what else was she supposed to do to support herself here? Thievery was the best way for her to take care of herself in this world--

No. You enjoy this. You like the thrill. You like the adrenalin rush. Admit it to yourself.

...Yeah. She likes this.

Being the apprentice of a master thief and training her body and mind is invigorating in a way she never thought was possible.

She grew more lithe by the day, muscles developing on her legs and arms.]

I can't wait!

[thefinalsacrifice]

If you're wishing to be the Bandit Queen then yes, I'll need to teach you all the tricks of the trade.

[He lounges back, holding his arms behind his head.]

Thankfully you'll be taught... so you won't need to learn the hard way and marr yourself like I have.

[motherlypeace]

[Mar herself...

He means his scars. She leans forward, but doesn't touch him. She knows that his scars are...a subject that she doesn't breach. It's one of those things that she knows is a hard barrier: he'll tell her in good time.

If he's ever ready.

A sadness crosses her eyes for a moment, but she tries to dispel it with a little joke.]

Oh...? Does the Bandit King prefer his queen to be unmarked by the unworthy?

[A redirection. An attempt to switch the conversation to not discuss those scars.]

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Thankfully they both seem to be on the same page and Bakura's lips curl into a cheeky grin as he brushes a hand past the crook of her neck.]

Indeed. Only the Bandit King is allowed to mark his Queen...

[Fingertips glance against a little bruise he left on Inko's from the previous night: a hickey.]

[motherlypeace]

[Inko shivers, leaning into his touch with a little sigh.]

Mmmmn...and I love it when you mark me...

[She moves forward, almost crawling into his lap; her breasts hang low and brush against her King's skin.]

It reminds me who I belong to...

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Bakura purrs at the sensation of her on top of him and her breasts brushing against him.]

Mmm... Does it...?

[motherlypeace]

It does...

[She is now fully in his lap, straddling his waist with her arms around his neck.

He's so much bigger than her.

Stronger.

But he's not scary at all...in fact, it makes her feel so safe...]

It reminds me that I belong to you, and no one else.

[And she means that. Look in her eyes: she is completely and utterly devoted to him.]

I'm yours.

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Bakura welcomes her into his lap but as he reaches his arms around to pull her closer, he looks a bit distant for a moment.

She's his. She belongs to him.

... That doesn't sound right. Why doesn't it?]

I...

[Gods, this is awkward.]

You are still your own woman though. Never forget that.

[motherlypeace]

[Inko's eyes soften, and there's something warm in her gaze. Something tender.]

I know.

[A little bit of pink blooms on her cheeks. Goodness, this was meant to be flirty, and yet...

He just made her heart feel fuzzy and her cheeks grow hot.]

That's...why I'm okay with saying things like that to you. Because you see me as myself. You see me as a person capable of making my own choices.

[A pause.]

And if I say that I'm yours...I say that of my own volition.

[thefinalsacrifice]

[That seems to ease his concerns -- or whatever they were. Bakura visibly relaxes and he presses a kiss to her forehead.

Diabound will just slither to another spot since the two are cuddling now. Tsk.

But the thief smiles at Inko.]

Very well then... My queen.

[motherlypeace]

[Inko's eyes widen slightly and her face reddens even more.

Honestly, with that smile and those words...

Her stomach swoops and her heart soars; goodness, was it possible to to feel even more in love with this man? Was it possible to fall harder?

She looks in his eyes like he is the sun itself.]

Thank you...

[She kisses him on the cheek.]

My King.

[Naturia moves, too. He's a bit too close to these two for his liking when they're like this.]

[thefinalsacrifice]

[The thief lets out a quiet content sigh at the kiss and gently rubs his lover's back.]

Inko...

[He might not fully understand how he feels towards her in full but... his tone says that he's slowly starting to.]

[motherlypeace]

[That tone is everything.

She dares not think too deeply on what it means, or to try to analyze it (no matter how much she wants to) -- she knows that Bakura is the sort of person who uses action over words, and takes his time to open up.

But...

Gods.

Her soft heart feels light.]

Bakura...

[She wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head against his chest, lying against him to hold him close.

He feels so perfect against her.

Her dear friend.

Her teacher.

Her lover.

Her King.]

Can we...stay like this for a while?

[She whispers, low and intimate against his skin.]

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Bakura holds her gently, chest beating softly in his chest as she lays against him. He lazily runs his fingers through her hair, eyes closed, and his chest rising and falling gently as he breathes.]

For however long you want...

[motherlypeace]

Mmmm... thank you...

[This is bliss. This is safety.

...

This is what happiness is: Her arms around her lover, his fingers in her hair and his breath on her skin.

His soft voice.

His quiet affections.

She presses little kisses against his skin, affectionate and gentle.]

So warm...

[thefinalsacrifice]

Mmhmm...

[Another soft chuckle as he drapes the blanket over them.]

Comfortable...?

[motherlypeace]

Mmhmmmm...

[There's a soft little nuzzle against his skin between her kisses.]

I definitely...feel like a queen like this. You feel...amazing.

[A dreamy little sigh.]

You feel...like home.

[A pause.]

You...are home.

[thefinalsacrifice]

[A grunt. Bakura struggling with words again.

... What does home feel like? It's been so long since he had a home and family himself.

He doesn't say anything, instead just continuing to stroke Inko's hair, holding her close.]

[motherlypeace]

I...never quite felt right in my own home.

[She sighs. Those empty walls, the quiet, the gaping hole inside her felt so far away. Those moments when she'd wake up in the middle of the night, screaming out an open window into thunderstorms that drowned out her voice.

Just for an attempt to find something.

To fill that hole.]

Mother was...always cold to me. Father was always gone. My friends always protected me.

[A pause.]

I never felt...whole. But after coming here, I feel like...I'm complete. I feel like I came back to somewhere I've been before. It doesn't...make much sense, I suppose. Speaking Hieratic with you feels more natural to me than speaking my native tongue these days, and learning alongside you feels like what I should have done all along.

It's like my life before coming here was a long, distant dream...

And coming here was like I finally woke up.

...

Is that...strange?

[thefinalsacrifice]

[Again, silence as he listens, thinking out his answer with care. Not that he really needs to think about it. She only asked a simple question.

So he answers truthfully as he always does:]

No, it's not strange.

[The Gods work in mysterious ways. Perhaps... she really was meant to come back to this time, for them to meet...

It's hard to say still but... he always rolls with the punches.]