If you made it this far, either you haven't been bored to tears or I've managed to not turn you away by putting myself in as a character. Either way, thanks ;D
Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and everything related is (c) Kazuki Takahashi and not me. But I belong to me, naturally ;D
"Mr. Mutou," Sarah began as she looked out the window at the quickly setting sun.
"Hmm?" he asked as he slipped into the kitchen chair opposite of her.
"What am I supposed to do tonight?" she asked as she swirled the tea around in her cup.
"Anzu's offered to ask her parents if you would be permitted to stay for a while. You'll be under the guise of a visitor from America that took the time to speak to her English class about things. Your accommodations while visiting had fallen through and Anzu said she would see if you would be allowed to house with them for a while. Her parents are fairly allowing on this, and as long as you remain well mannered they won't give you any problems. I'd offer to have you stay here, but I'm afraid we really don't have anything that you might need while Anzu would."
Good, while I did enjoy meeting Yugi and his grandfather I couldn't just stay there. I had so many worries, for instance what was I supposed to wear? I had no change of clothing. On top of that I had no items for personal care beside the brush I carried with me. Anzu and the other two had departed a while ago, Yugi was currently in the shop doing some cleaning before he would return to the living quarters. I had offered to help as I felt bad about doing nothing, but Mr. Mutou insisted I just relax. At this point I knew this wasn't a dream, and things were beginning to crash down on me. That was part of the reason I had been given the tea, it was an herbal blend that was supposed to relax me. It did somewhat, but my mind was still racing at a million miles a minute. I was lost, I was really lost. I had no family, nothing other than what I was wearing and hardly anyone could understand me. I sighed loudly as I lay my head on the table. Though I couldn't see it, I felt Mr. Mutou frown a bit. He must have a inkling of how I feel, so alone and confused. You'd think I'd be overjoyed about all this, but I wasn't. I had no idea how I got here or how to get back, if I knew that then maybe I could enjoy myself a little more.
Yugi called up the stairs before his footfalls raced up them, another set followed behind him slower. Sarah lifted her head to see Yugi and Anzu step into the kitchen, they both had a worried look when they saw her. Mr. Mutou said something and the two nodded.
"Well, my parents will let you stay. You've got a week. And as for the issue on why you have no bags with belongings. Don't worry, I'm willing to use my paycheck for this week to get you some things to use. Including clothing, I'm hoping you don't have expensive tastes," the brunette said.
"Well, I don't think I do, I don't know what counts as expensive here, though."
"Don't worry, I'll let you know. Now, we have to hurry of you want to get some things tonight, before stores close."
Shopping, joy. Oh well, this was the one time I really had to do it. I never was one for shopping, and I got the feeling Anzu believed I was a shopping fanatic, wonder if that was the stereotypical view of Americans or if women everywhere just enjoyed it. Yugi tagged along, Anzu would translate for the both of us when we would try to talk. Yugi loved the picture I had done and was wanting to see what else I could do. Perhaps while I was staying with Anzu I could pump out some images of regular subjects to me. I got to seem more of the city, and at night too. Too bad I wouldn't recognize anything during the day, oh well. Hopefully I wouldn't be around too long. Anzu and Yugi were surprised with how fast I whizzed through things, Anzu told me what stores had what and where they were. I browsed through, got price opinions and picked up the most inexpensive things I could. I always did this, be it someone bought for me or I did it myself. Thankfully brands I was used to at home were also here. Might not be able to read them, but labels were still close in design and made it easy. Clothing, oh this was fun. For some reason Yugi thought it to be the funniest thing in the world when I insisted on going into the boy's and men's section. I never was one for girl's clothing and being here didn't change that fact. I was relived to find a store that sold things with an "American flavor." Really would make me feel at home to have such things. And what would you know, they happened to have a sale. Picked up a few pairs of jeans and various t-shirts. Right, the next part was awkward with Yugi around, underwear. Was even harder when I couldn't find bras just the right size. I swear, the boy's eyes about popped out of his skull when we got into that section. All the more reason to get out quickly. I got those items and a suggestion from Anzu to look into getting something a little more dressy almost irritated me. But I could see where she was coming from. Would look weird if I came into their home looking as I did. It was fine to change into my current clothing, but I should really set a better example. Right, so we picked up a nice pair of slacks and a blouse. This was as much as I wanted, but damn... my boots wouldn't work. Sandals, had some nice ones real cheap. Finally we were done, I felt bad having her pay for all this but she didn't seem to mind, said I actually spent less than she expected. Pays to be cheap some times. Wait, that sounded funny. Oh hell, these are my thoughts, I'm all that need to understand them. I did have some cash on me, I would see about finding a place to get it exchanged so I could pay Anzu back as best as possible.
We were going to return to Yugi's place for me to change before heading over to Anzu's. Yugi insisted on carrying some of the bags, I didn't argue and just let him. Anzu wasn't so bad, on the series at times she seemed a bit odd, don't know how else to put it. She talked a lot, was a cheerleader or sorts and really did her job well. Sometimes too well. Ah, she was nice to do all this for me. Hell, everyone was. And geeze, at the drop of a hat too? Oh, self induced guilt trip coming on, damn I'm good. Mr. Mutou let me borrow luggage to hold my stuff. We could always say I lost some as well as my hotel room or whatever, they said what I had was very light for travel so far from home for so long. I'd be doing laundry in the week, but I was happy having enough clothing for three more days, was better than only having what was on my back. And I had my own bath items now, felt even better that I wouldn't have to bum off someone. Although technically I did, Anzu bought it all. Right, yes, I will go get my currency exchanged as soon as possible.
I had just finished packing most my stuff before taking my change of clothing. However, the bathroom was blocked. Yugi stood in front of the door, but it wasn't the Yugi that Anzu and I had spent the evening with. He was taller, his face was harder and his eyes were unforgiving. The fact his irises were also red didn't help any. This was Yami Yugi, and I knew something was up. He only came out in Duels or when Yugi was in trouble. Why was he out now?
The teen studied the slightly taller woman, his gaze unwavering. She returned it, staring back into his red orbs without any expression to betray the worry that had seeped into her.
"Sarah, you almost ready?" Anzu called from another room as she began to approach the woman. She froze in her tracks when she saw Yami, quickly she asked him something, Sarah couldn't understand. Yami answered, his eyes still locked with the brown orbs of the woman in front of him.
I didn't like his tone, he sounded angry and as far as I knew, I hadn't done a thing. I wasn't expecting what happened next.
"How have you come here?" Yami asked strongly.
"Wha-what?" Sarah blinked in surprise, she stepped back a bit. English shouldn't be what he was using, if Yugi didn't know it how could Yami?
"Everyone else seems to be willing to accept your story at face value, but I cannot. Strange things happen a lot, and more often than not they turn out to be trouble," Yami paused for a moment and asked Anzu to leave before he stepped up to the long haired woman. He spoke lowly, only she could hear. "And I know you have knowledge of myself as well as everyone else you have interacted with today. And more who you haven't met yet nor heard mentioned. How is this possible?"
Oh great, I'm screwed. I hadn't anticipated this, no one was supposed to know of what I knew. I mean, how could I explain it? Yeah Yami, I'm from another world or something. Where I'm from all your friends are part of printed media and televised escapades. The whole world knows about you, you're toys, books, cards, shirts and other items. Sure, this would go over so well with him. How did I answer? I was simply going to hold eye contact with him and answer in the same quiet tone he had used.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. And I'd rather not go into it. I mean no harm to anyone, I'm lost and simply going with the flow while I'm here, hoping to find a way back home."
"You aren't from the Shadow Realm, I would sense it if so, I'm unsure what to make of you and this is what makes me not trust you. I will be watching you very carefully, if you bring any harm to any of our friends I will not hesitate to do anything, woman."
Ouch, that's harsh. Never been spoken to like that before, then again I never knew more than I should in any given situation. Another question formed in the back of my mind, should I alert the others to what I know since Yami knows it? It was almost as if he had read my thoughts, about then he told me to tell no one, time would determine if they should know or not.
"How, how is it that you can understand and communicate with me?" Sarah asked in a normal volume. She stepped back from Yami, feeling uncomfortable with how close the younger person was.
"A talent, I can quickly absorb things and use them to my advantage."
"So that explains the slight southern accent you're using, you got it from me," Sarah gave a wiry grin.
"I could have picked the language up from Grandpa or Anzu at any time, but saw no need. So yes, I'm stuck with your accent now," Yami replied flatly.
"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to change so I can head over to Anzu's, I don't want to make a bad impression on her parents because I'm late," the woman said as she side stepped and slipped past Yami.
"You won't stay there long, I'm going to request keeping you here. Easier for me to keep an eye on you," Yami said over his shoulder. He turned away and his form melted away to Yugi's normal stature.
Ok, no worries about me being the creepy person, Yami was really scaring me now. I closed the door about the time Yugi turned around, his eyes were wide and he had an apologetic look on his face. I gave a curt nod to him before the door closed completely, have no idea if he saw it or not. I changed quickly and slipped my discarded clothing into a bag, to keep them separate of my clean stuff. I tied my hair back into a low pony tail and made sure I looked presentable. Eh, it would work. I could dress normally the next day, so I'd put up with this for the time being. Well no sense in staying in here, might as well get it over with.
The walk to Anzu's home wasn't too great a distance, but being in new unbroken in shoes made it seem that much longer. There was also the fact I was carrying luggage too. Anzu took some, but I wouldn't let her take the heavy stuff. She was of smaller build than I was, so it seemed natural for me to take the heavy stuff. She assured me her parents spoke no English so conversation would be at a minimum if she needed to translate both ways. It went over fairly well, they had a few questions. Mainly how much different things were from where I came from. I'm ever so grateful they never asked what I did or tried to talk about political subjects. I had arrived in time for dinner, not quite sure what they were having then but I did like it. Always one to try new things, and was damn glad I was like that now; my mom would have turned her nose up at this. They didn't cook the veggies the way mom `thinks' they should be done. I rather liked the crunchy ones, mush is horrible. Her parents did a good job of making me feel welcome, Anzu said it was because she was hardly seen hanging around other girls, just her four guy friends. Four? Jou, Honda, Yugi, that's three. Was she counting Bakura? Maybe. Oh god, I don't want to meet him. If Yugi's Yami was that hard on me, I'd hate to see Yami Bakura... Maybe she meant Mr. Mutou, I don't know. And I'm not going to dwell on it, need to stay focused and friendly.
Her parents came to understand my trip had been hard and I lost so much of my things, that's why I had so little on me and my art was rather bare. I would die if I lost any of my art for real. Taking this into consideration, and that Anzu had said I was going to return to classes the next day; they didn't keep either of us up with conversation. I used the guest room, Anzu was to wake me the next morning so I could dress. I wasn't going to school with her, oh heavens no. When she set out the next morning I was going to return to the game shop with Mr. Mutou. I told myself I'd see if he could take me somewhere to get my American money exchanged for proper currency so I could repay Anzu. I'm not a morning person, this should be fun. I had showered that night so I wouldn't be in anyone's way the next day.
That night I had a dream, it told me I'd never get home and portrayed Yami as a rather mean individual. He had locked me away somewhere, I couldn't tell. It was a dream, yet being I was there where it could happen, it scared the begeezus out of me. We arrived at the game shop early, Anzu was going to walk with Yugi and accompanied me there. Yami greeted us, warned me again and reverted to Yugi once more. I could tell the boy was feeling guilty for his Yami's actions, I remained friendly around him and acted as if nothing happened so he wouldn't feel so bad. Yugi reminded me he knew some English when he wished me a good day before he and Anzu departed.
Today passed a bit quicker, Mr. Mutou took me to get currency exchanged and the others surprised me by being off early, an early release day or something. The weekend was coming up, so they'd be off tomorrow. Anzu only took part of what I owed her, she said I needn't worry about it and to use the rest for anything else I might need while I was there. Mr. Mutou wouldn't let me pay him back for the meal I had with him the other day; he said the little bit of cleaning and stocking I had done that day was more than enough. Well, I have cash now at least. Won't need others to pay my way.