Disclaimer: I do not own yu-gi-oh or any of the characters. I do however, own Kara. She is mine! Ahem anywho, the reason each chapter consists of many POV changes is because this is really meant to be one story, but the file would be too big in one piece and is therefore split into chunks. If the point of view changes confuse you, I'm sorry, but I really felt like writing the whole story in first person and I figured this was a good way to do it. The beginning paragraphs are in fact in third person so don't get too cornfuzzed. Hope you like.
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Punch. Kick. Block. Counter. A tired, sweaty girl flopped down to the ground, lying in the cool blades of grass. 'That was a tough practice.' She thought to herself, glancing at her watch. A lone bead of sweat dripped onto its face. 'Long one too.' A gentle breeze licked playfully at the ground, creating the effect of a tiny green ocean on land. 'That feels great.' She sighed contently, gazing up into the endless blue sky. How long had it been since she had started training herself in martial arts? 'Ten whole years…Has it really been that long?' Kara found an interest in the style exactly ten years ago to this day. Today she turned sixteen, the big sweet sixteen. Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she gazed into the swirling white fluff of the clouds. She was so exhausted from her training regime; she could've fallen asleep right then and there. Stray strands of her white gold hair fluttered around her like a pale halo of light. Brightly colored birds of spring flitted from tree to tree around her, their chorus unimaginably light and cheerful. "Nefer." ('Beautiful') She muttered in Egyptian. "Tanni Shan." ('Simply beautiful') The girl added to herself in Japanese. Kara was absolutely obsessed with other cultures, Japanese and Egyptian being her favorites. She spoke other languages constantly and was fluent in the two. This fascination drastically affected her wardrobe, which… didn't exactly help her social life. Most teens usually made fun of her for wearing such different clothing. She was very detached from society. The few friends she did have weren't around that much. It's not that they didn't care, they just didn't go to the same school as me.
Today she was supposed to go meet up with Seto and she was excited, she really was, but their meeting wasn't for a while… Seto. The one boy she could really talk to without fear. In fact she always told him her fears and worries and just about everything else. They'd been friends for so long she practically fell flat on her face when she understood what should've been so obvious to her. Kara was in love with Seto, a love that seemed as though it could never be. Seto was athletic, popular, handsome, witty… all the things she wasn't. But somehow, they'd become friends. She'd never told him her true feelings, that she wanted to be more than just friends. Whenever she tried he'd be just smiling contently at her, so innocently. She'd always blush and turn away, changing the subject to something completely different. If he noticed, he never complained. He always would change right along with their conversation, finding something in there somewhere to joke about. He never pushed to get her to talk about things she'd rather keep private. To her, he was perfect, even with the little quirks she alone seemed to catch. Like how he always seemed to trip once during the course of a day. It could be so small that you'd never notice or cause loads of chaos. Or how his eyes always showed a tiny glimmer of confusion when she went off on a tangent talking about obscure cultural facts. It took practically all she had not to giggle when she spotted it. Speaking of going off on a tangent…. Kara shook her head to clear her thoughts. If she didn't stop herself soon she'd be off on a tangent.
She reached around her neck, unclasping the golden piece that lay there. Sunlight danced amoung the brilliant azures and emeralds of the scarab centerpiece. Surrounding the creature was an intricate tangle of chains and hieroglyphics that lead around to undeviating beads of jade. Yes, in a word the necklace was beautiful and she was lucky to have it. She had found it one day when she was messing around with a metal detector. It was a mystery how it could've even got there, but she never cared enough to ask. The necklace was an amazing addition to her collection of Egyptian items and artifacts. If it hadn't have been for Seto, it might not even be in her hands today. Kara was… a bit of a ditz. After hanging out on the lake one day, she went to put it back around her neck but couldn't find it or remember where she put it for the life of her. She panicked. She didn't any idea what to do. But Seto kept his cool. He went back into the boat, rummaged around for a few seconds before holding up the glimmering necklace in victory. "I figured you'd leave it in there." He teased, holding the necklace just out of her reach.
"H-hey! Come on, now. Give back." She fake-pouted. "Please?"
"Hmm… I don't know if I- oh, alright." Seto handed her back the necklace with a small chuckle. Kara squealed, hugging him joyfully. Those times were the only ones where she could be that close to him without blushing in embarrassment.
She held the necklace to her chest, closing her eyes and sighing with contentment. She practically knew every groove and pattern by heart as she gently traced her fingers over it. She didn't even need to see it to find the small chip of the jewel missing in the right wing or the crack in the third small bead from the right. Hey, it was her prized possession. She knew it well. Her tense muscles relaxed more and more. She had time for a nap, right? With one last sigh, the blonde fell into a deep sleep, a small smile playing her lips at the thought of seeing him again.
KaraIntense burning heat pounding against my tender skin stirred me. It could've been hours or minutes… I don't know how long I had been asleep, but it was hot. Where was I? I stood up quickly. Too quickly. After my vertigo subsided and I was able to stand up straight again, I finally got a good look at my surroundings. Sand. That was it. Nothing but drifting sand dunes in every direction. I scanned the entire horizon using my hand as a visor. Still nothing. 'Where am I? And how the heck did I get here?' It looked like no place I'd ever been to… Though it did look sort of like… 'Egypt?' That was it. But how could I be there? It was impossible. Egypt was half way around the world and I didn't even remember leaving the backyard. All I did was lie there and close my eyes. 'This has to be a dream.' I could think it to myself all I wanted, but it would get me nowhere. Even if it were imaginary, just standing here would be a waste of a perfectly awesome dream. So, I took a deep breath and set off. Yep. Of course, it was a random direction and I had no idea where I was going, but it was worth a shot. Besides, I was dreaming, right? What did I have to lose? I didn't know what to look for as I started my trek, but I was alert for anything. And so, I walked. And walked. And walked some more. Did I mention I walked? Okay, maybe I did. A lot. But, hey, it was a long way and I still couldn't see anything except sand! I must have been in the middle of the desert. Man, what a boring time.
After what seemed like hours (which it probably had been, judging by the sun) I was ready give up. My vision was blurring and my arms felt like deadweights. I had to be dehydrated. It was starting to feel less and less like a dream. People don't get tired during dreams and let me tell you, I was exhausted. I kept seeing fleeting images of buildings or oasis but every time I ran towards them, they disappeared. Of course, running didn't help with my low energy factor. My tank was on empty. I couldn't bring my body to go any farther. The natural human instinct to survive carried me a few more steps, but that was it. I wavered dangerously before sinking to my knees in the hot sand. 'No! How can I die here? How can this not be a dream…?' My mind was growing increasingly hazy. I couldn't think anymore, let alone move. I fell onto my stomach and closed my eyes. I could have sworn there was the fleeting sound of something above the wind, but after all the illusions I had already gone through my mind I made nothing of it. That's the last thing I remember, the sound of… a motorcycle?
I later found that I had been inches from a road when I collapsed. The tips of my outstretched fingers grazed it as the sand cover danced away. If I could have just gone a little further… but I was unconscious now, so it didn't quite matter.
KaraWhat happened next, I wasn't really there for so I had to ask Marik, the guy who found me. The sound I had heard was, in fact, from a motorcycle streaking down the road. Had it been night, the vehicle would be invisible for it was a deep midnight purple (I also wouldn't have passed out from the heat, but I might've gotten hypothermia… Interesting). The boy at the wheel had pale, cream colored hair and violet eyes. He was clad in a deep purple tunic khaki jeans, and brown combat boots. His sleek machine thundered down the road, hurling great clouds of sand in its wake. Two brilliant violet orbs flicked about to catch glimpses of his fleeting surroundings through dusty goggles. 'I lost them.' He thought to himself, relieved. 'At least for now.' The teen had been fleeing his relatives for many weeks now. They had begun the chase after he supposedly killed his father. He was found at the scene of the crime covered in blood and tears. He had no clue what happened. One minute he was talking calmly to his dad and the next he was kneeling on the ground cradling his dead body. He tried to tell them the truth of the other soul inhabiting his body, but none believed him. Ever since he had found the strange scepter that he carried on his belt, he could hear this other voice inside him, a voice not his own. It told him about items of power like the one he possessed. It told him that with his scepter, he could gain the six other items. His staff had the power to enter and control the minds of others to do his bidding. Marik cursed this voice. At times, it almost drove him mad. His eyes saddened at the memory of his mother's tears.
Marik
'"Why did you do it, Marik?" My mother cried in anguish. She sank to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "Why?"
"I told you, it wasn't me!" I defended, panic-stricken. Sudden fury gripped my mother as her palm streaked across my face.
"Don't you lie to me." She threatened harshly. "I saw you there with his blood on your filthy hands!" the woman all but screeched.
"I wouldn't lie to you! It was my yami, the darker soul in me. He told me to collect father's Eternal item to-" My quickly spoken explanation was interrupted by another resounding slap.
"Other soul?" She shook her head furiously. "There's no such thing! It was you and only you with your father, Marik!" Mother picked up the phone with trembling hands and began dialing. "There's something wrong with you a-and I'm going to get you help." She shuddered, tilting the phone to her ear. My eyes grew wide as I understood. She was calling an asylum. I couldn't reason with her in this state. She just wouldn't listen, so I bolted.'
I shuddered in a feeble attempt to shake the haunting memories from my mind. It was useless for the thoughts would forever shadow my consciousness.
'Hey, idiot, pay attention to the road.' A voice echoed in my mind.
'I thought I told you not to speak unless spoken to, Malik.' I thought back in annoyance.
'Just look ahead, you dimwit.'
I sighed, complying with his instructions, if unwillingly. At first, all I could see was a sandy heap on the side of the road, but upon closing in on it I made out the features of a body. A girl's body. I skidded to a stop next to her and did a visual once-over. 'She's not moving…'
'No, really?'
I shook my head, ignoring him and instead knelt down to feel along her neck for a pulse. There wasn't much, but at least she was alive. She must've been extremely dehydrated for she definitely looked it. I jumped up grabbed my water bottle from my saddle bag. I touched the bottle to her lips, which turned out to be a bad thing because she coughed and sputtered. There's no way I could've gotten her to drink. I poured the cool liquid over her forehead and around her neck to help cool her down.
'Marik.'
I ignored him, focused on helping the poor girl.
'Marik.' He repeated more insistently. Again, I shrugged his comments off, pouring more water on her head. 'Marik!'
'What?' I growled in annoyance. Sometimes the only way to ever shut him up was to talk.
'Look at her necklace.' Malik prompted with just about as much annoyance. 'Sometimes you can be as inobservant as a rock.'
I looked down, not expecting what I saw.
'Isis' necklace! How could she-? That artifact has been missing for... thousands of years. And yet, she wears it plain as day like it's normal. Does she know what she's wearing even?' Jade glinted in the sun as I stared.
'If she does, she doesn't seem worried about it. Though she does look one to know her Egyptian artifacts…' My yami commented, based on her clothes.
'We can't worry about it now. She needs help.' "Hello? Anyone else around here?" I called, though I'm pretty sure that if someone were around, they'd have helped her already. I gingerly picked her up and situated her in front of me on my motorcycle. 'I can't just leave her here.'
'Of course you can, just toss her off the bike and go.' He replied bluntly. If he'd been in his own body, he'd probably be smirking. I rolled my eyes, revving up the engine. My fingers went numb as he took control of my hand, forcing me to stop the motor.
'What are you-?' That's when I heard it. It was quiet at first, but so distinct in my mind that I instantly knew what it was. Sirens and shouts emitted from a cloud of dust in the distance. My eyes squinted to see what I didn't want to believe. They had found me again and were gaining fast.
'We gotta go…' He urged impatiently.
'I know, I know. I just-' I looked down at the girl in front of me. She wouldn't much safer with me than she would in the scorching sun, but I had to take her. My hunters were nearing to close for comfort. I took off only to find them still closing in. I leaned forward with the girl, coaxing every last ounce of speed out of my machine. Something was off. Malik sensed it first. A soft tingling started low in my spine, but I ignored the feeling, only focused on going faster. The bike froze, instantly stopping and sending us into the handlebars. Blinding arrays of colors and shapes blasted in front of my eyes dizzyingly. We were falling uncontrollably. What seemed like hours passed. I spotted the sand rushing towards us, taking that split second to pull the girl above me so I would take the front of the impact. We landed with a sickening thud and rolled a few feet. Everything was spinning. I couldn't breath. I could hear the wind blowing in a far off, faded tone. I couldn't focus. My head tilted to the side and I found what I hoped was the form of the girl I had saved. 'Ra help her...' I thought hazily before everything blended together. We were in the middle of the scorching desert with no reprieve from the sun. I could only hope that we'd live because my consciousness slipped and we were completely helpless. If only I'd looked the other way…
Jou
I slipped through the shadows past the unlit homes of the city. I didn't need, let alone want any attention. All I wanted was to make it home without-
"Mutt. In here. Now."
That. 'He saw me...' I didn't want to have to deal with that cocky bastard tonight, but now it was inevitable. I groaned, trudging back to the stairs in defeat. "Yes, High Priest Seth?" I replied in a sarcastically polite voice, hoping to peeve him off at least half as much as he did me. He simply rolled his icy blue eyes at me.
"Where do you think you're going?" He asked in a cold voice.
"Hm… let's see…" I tapped my chin in feigned thought, turning to leave. "away from you."
"Stay, dog." Seth ordered. I turned back to face him with a scowl etched on my face. Why couldn't he take a hint?
"Will you stop calling me a dog?" I growled in annoyance. The brunette smirked.
"But you are a dog, mutt."
My eyes narrowed, trained on his.
"What do you want, Seth?"
He let out a short laugh. That one sound grated against my ears like none other. The one thing that would drive me insane. Anyway…
"The nighttime watch. You're on duty tonight." He smirked. "Go on, guard mutt." I curled my lips into a snarl.
"Since when do you make that decision?"
"Since now." He replied simply with a grin that showed he was having fun tormenting me in anyway possible. And I could do nothing about it. If I were to defy his orders… I shuddered to think of the consequences. Giving the brunette one last glare, I turned to tramp off to my post, swearing under my breath. Seth chuckled audibly at my defeat as I walked away causing me to clench my fists. He'd get his.
"Stupid High Priest. Thinks he can order me around… calling me mutt… Who does he think he is?" I grumbled feverishly, nearing the city gates. As I plodded off around the city, I glared out at the night as if the stars would wink out under my stare. All I could see was darkness. Darkness. And more darkness. A few stars… and more darkness. It was going to be a really, really long night. I trudged on for what seemed like an eternity. My routes were blending into one another and I had no idea how many circuits I'd made. I was currently leaning against the cool bricks of the outer wall, content with closing my eyes for a moment's rest. Just then, a soft pleading moan floated to my ears from the dark desert beyond. I tensed instantly, searching for the source of the noise. My eyes slowly readjusted to the night only to fall on two unknown forms in the sand. One of the forms shifted slightly, sand pouring off of it. That was where the sound had come from. It had to be. After looking for a few moments I found they were human, a boy and a girl. How they could've even gotten there was a mystery and so, I inched towards them with caution. Sky blue eyes met my own as I stood over the barely conscious girl.
"Wha-…what happened?" Her soft voice wavered, a barely audible whisper. "Where-…" The weak girl couldn't even finish her sentence. Her head tilted to the side as she returned to an unconscious state. I stared at her in disbelief momentarily before my mind launched into gear again.
"Hey!" I called to one of the nearby guards. "I found two citizens. They're injured! Get them into the healing wing now!" The sleepy guard soon was wide awake, scurrying over to the boy.
"Are they dangerous?" He asked me. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Do they look dangerous? They're unconscious!" The guard bowed his head silently, hefting the boy onto his back and rushing back towards the city. I turned back to the unconscious girl on the ground. Kneeling down, I looked over her for any life-threatening wounds, then shifted her into my arms. 'She's so light, it's a wonder she survived the heat.' Her head lolled against my chest causing me to glance down once again. A golden necklace reflected the flickering light of the city. 'Is that...? Could it be?' I shook my head, realizing I was wasting precious time. I stored my questions in the back of my mind to ask later. Right now, she needed help.
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Dia: Yay! The end of my first 'chapter'!
Jou: The necklace! The necklaaaaaaaaace! twitches
Dia: Jou… chill out dude.
Jou: pants Ok. Ok, I'm good.
Dia: Ahem. Right. PLEASE REVIEW!
Jou: ….Scary….
