Part 1 (Chapter 6) – Growing Confusion
The next day passed like any other. Yugi arrived and apologized for his bizarre behavior the night before, although no explanations were given. Only a knowing look was exchanged between friends, much to Kira's confusion. The new girl was much more energetic than usual, explaining that she had actually be able to sleep deeply the night before, not mentioning the heaviness which hung on her heart, even now that the sun had risen.
Lunchtime came and the storm from the previous afternoon had not yet passed. Unable to go outside, Kira suggested a game of hearts. Only Yugi politely refused to play, begging a test to study for, much to the shock of everyone else. Then, as an even bigger surprise, Seto asked Tea to the next school dance. She agreed to go, strangely enough, only if Yugi asked Mai - much to Joey's disappointment and Mai's amusement. That afternoon, they all left with loads of homework, and plenty of unanswered questions as to just what exactly was going on.
The morning following that, Kira awoke to the doorbell. Groggily, she recalled the night before. For the first time in a long while, no dreams had plagued her sleep. She should have been well rested, but instead, was more tired than ever. Her legs were stiff and sore, though from what, Kira couldn't tell.
Voices from the hall grew louder as they approached the bedroom. Suddenly, Kira's host mother opened the door, letting bright light stream in. A man stood slightly behind her, frowning. It took Kira a moment to identify the badge over his shirt pocket. It's never a good thing when the police are standing at your door before the day has even started, she swallowed. Definitely not the makings of a good morning.
"This is Officer Daisuke," my host mother introduced. "He claims that a suspect in a robbery was seen entering this house."
"What?!" Kira's voice came out as a squeak. "Who?"
"I'm afraid they suspect you," the woman said.
Kira shook her head, "Impossible."
The officer stepped inside the room, "Several articles of clothing were stolen from a local boutique, along with fifty-thousand yen." Kira gasped. "The thief was caught on tape and her description matches your own." He paused for effect. "I have a warrant to search your room. Will you please step outside?"
Meekly, Kira complied, not knowing what else to say or do. Only moments later, Officer Daisuke emerged from my room holding a wad of bills in one hand and an extremely transparent blouse with matching miniskirt in the other. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you down to the station."
Kira couldn't believe it. She tried to explain that she had no idea how they got there, I really didn't! and that he could just take them. It didn't work. He only told her that he had heard it all before, then set Kira in the back-seat of the squad car. The last thing Kira remembered was the host mother's face full of angry confusion.
She never made it to school that day. Once at the station, the questioning and re-questioning took hours. No one even tried to believe that the young foreigner was innocent. When she found herself talking to the third detective in a row, Kira gave up trying to convince them of that, and simply resorted to tears (some of which weren't pretend). After getting grilled most of the morning, Kira finally got the chance to meet the owner of the store I had stolen from.
The owner turned out to be a quite forgiving lady, and promised not to press charges as long as Kira returned the money and paid for the clothes. A very shoddy outfit that I'd never want in a million years anyway, Kira thought to herself, but didn't dare argue out loud. A couple hours earlier, she might have continued trying to object, but by then, Kira was past caring, and followed through on the request. After all, they had found both the clothes and most of the yen in the room. Kira ended up paying about seven-thousand out of her own pocket, but that was a small price to avoid a criminal record.
Then it was time for another lecture, this time on how Americans who always consider themselves above the law and how she ought to be sent home for punishment. Finally, Officer Daisuke dropped Kira back off at home where she ignored the questions of her host family and went straight for the bedroom, not moving until finally falling asleep again that evening.
Finally, a Friday! Kira thought to herself as she prepared for school. What a week it had been. Meeting new friends, finding out that the evil spirits from my dreams are after me, and now getting accused of robbery. A rather wry grin crossed her face, I guess I should just be thankful that my host family hasn't kicked me out yet. As she pulled on the typical school uniform, Kira noticed the outfit she had supposedly "stolen" the night before laying on the bedroom floor. Funny, Kira frowned, picking it up by one of the sleeves. I thought I dropped it off in the trash before I got home. Maybe I was mistaken? Kira sighed, And maybe I'm just going crazy. She shoved it under the bed, grabbed her things, and headed to school.
Kira reached class just before the final bell rang, allowing enough time for only a quick wave to her new friends before the teacher came in. Joey, Tristan, Tea, and Mai waved back, and Seto acknowledged the greeting with a nod of his head. Ryou stared stonily at the wall like always, but the funny thing was, Yugi didn't respond either. She knew he had seen her come in, but before they could make eye contact, he quickly pretended that he had been studying his book the whole time. Tea gave him a nudge to point Kira out, but he never looked up. Yugi whispered something fiercely to her, and she left him alone. O-kay. That's a little weird. I suppose he's just in a bad mood.
Yugi caught up after school, "Kira! Can we talk for a moment?"
"Sure, Yugi," she finished stuffing her backpack and turned to face him. "What's up?"
He frowned, but didn't reply immediately, "Let's go outside."
Kira shrugged, trying to act casual, "Why not?" Inside, she was completely confused.
They stepped out the school doors. The rest of Yugi's friends were waiting by Seto's limo nearby. Tea called to Yugi, and he signaled that he'd be there in a moment. "So," he then turned his attention back to his new friend. "What was up with that little stunt last night?"
"Last night?" Kira was confused. It crossed her mind that maybe he had heard about the robbery, but that had been the night before.
Yugi sighed and looked rather uncomfortable, "Look, Kira. I know we don't know each other that well yet...I mean...you're new here and everything...but I never expected you to be like this."
She shook her head, "Huh?"
"Were you drunk or something?" Yugi asked.
Kira stared at him. "I don't drink, and I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I'm talking about last night," Yugi seemed a little frustrated at my confusion. "You know, coming to my house wearing...well...not much." He looked very uncomfortable talking about it.
Then it hit that he was talking about her. The image of the outfit she had "stolen" spread across the bedroom floor came back with a horrible clarity. Kira closed her eyes, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"You never really seemed like that type of girl," Yugi continued.
She didn't open her eyes, but a couple tears managed to trickle out. "You didn't do anything, did you?"
"Of course not," Yugi started to say something else, but stopped. "Are you all right?"
"Not really," Kira turned and ran the opposite direction fast as her legs would take her, hiding her wet face from the rest of the student population. It was mostly stares that came as she hurried by, and one grin...? Kira slowed and glanced up to see Ryou, standing propped against the school wall and a wide smirk across his face.
The last dream she could remember having came back. That little girl warned me that "the dark one" is after me. She said that he knows who I really was and that he's out to destroy me. Kira came to a complete stop and squared her shoulders. The dark one...can it be...Bakura?! She dried her tears with a new determination. It was time for some answers.