My first story. Not usually what I'm used to by going with the actual Yu-Gi-Oh storyline, but I'm overall happy. Enjoy! :D

The country of Egypt was a mysterious land of sand dunes and hidden ruins. If the grains of sand could speak, they would tell stories about the kings whom have ruled over their kingdoms with courage and power. To this present day, the mystery still lingered, as well as the bleating sun. I, unknowingly, became part of one.

I was a Japanese-born/American-raised city girl work transfer from the Industrial Illusions HQ in New York. My job was to act as an escort for the Director of Egyptian Antiquities, for she planned to travel to Domino City, Japan to introduce a new Egyptian exhibit at the Domino Museum. However, when I met with Ms. Ishizu Ishtar for the first time in Cairo, I had felt that the operation ran deeper than that.

"You seem suspicious of me, Ms. Takenaga," she had said. "Do you feel as if I am not being truthful to you?"

The kind woman's face was one that was hard to keep secrets from. She must have had her own fair share to be so all-knowing. I sighed in defeat.

"It's not that I don't believe you're telling me the truth, Ms. Ishtar," I began, "but I do believe you're not telling me everything. Is there any more to this that I should know about?"

Ms. Ishtar smiled. "I suppose I could tell you. You are one of the only ones that I can trust, since you were not here when the incident happened."

I felt an eyebrow rise on my face. "The 'incident'?"

"Yes. Now tell me, are you familiar with the game Duel Monsters?"

"A little off-topic, but yes. I'm an Apprentice Card Professor back in the states. Also, I work for the company that created the game. In summation, I love the game to pieces." I became quizzical. "What does that have to do with the incident?"

Ms. Ishtar's laugh was gentle. "Well, it is because the incident involved the theft of two of three legendary rare cards that your boss - Maximillion Pegasus - entrusted to me. We were able to prevent one from being stolen, but that does not really cut it, does it?"

I scoffed. "I guess Industrial Illusions has its own secrets it likes to keep from its 'valued'employees. Not to seem ungrateful to Mr. Pegasus, but I for one would've liked to get a memo."

"I suppose that is understandable." Ms. Ishtar made a serious glance towards me. "It is because of that incident that I need to take this card with me to Domino City. I have to find a duelist capable of keeping the card safe from the Ghouls, and some of the best players live in that very city."

"What about me?" I suggested. "I'm fully capable of taking care of it. I'm part of the Card Professor's Guild; it'll be a cinch."

"Not yet you're not. I am aware that you are quite adapted to the game, but I need someone with…more experience."

I looked away with downcast eyes. It did hurt to hear that I was not good enough, but I could not help agreeing with Ms. Ishtar. The duelists from Japan were ferocious players; the best in the world aside from the Americans. They loved the game just as much too, maybe even more. Ms. Ishtar was truly a wise decision-maker.

Still, my training to be an elite duelist was not good enough to handle this "amazing" card? Who exactly did this mysterious woman have in mind? Whoever it was, they had to be really good to have Ms. Ishtar's approval and my begrudging envy.

I could only assume that Ms. Ishtar used her special gift of future-seeing to make this decision. If so, then the card was never going to be mine in the first place. That left only one last thing…

I was going to just have to be the insurance if things went awry with the "capable duelist".

Domino City, Japan

A week or so later, our plane landed at Domino Airport and Ms. Ishtar and I - along with her personal bodyguards - were being driven to the museum in a limousine. The artifacts themselves were transported anonymously by dump trucks for safety precautions. Everything was moving along smoothly.

I adjusted the necktie of my suit for the fifth time since seating myself. In truth, I was a bit nervous. Not from being in a foreign country or being aware of the press conference that would soon follow our arrival, but of the small metal case handcuffed to my left wrist. Inside the case was the legendary rare card: The God of the Obelisk. The card itself was giving off some powerful aura, overwhelming even. It was as if it was growing impatient…no longer wanting to wait for its freedom.

Ms. Ishtar had sensed my discomfort and turned to me. "Do not fear the card," she consoled. "It just knows that it will be free soon. It does not mean to frighten you."

I shook out my uncertainties and put up a bold front. "I'm not scared. It's just really warm in here. But from the look of things, we should be getting there soon. There'd be no need to turn on the AC now."

A laughable lie, but then again, I was never really good at the craft of weaving yarns. Especially when I had to tell them to Ms. Ishtar; she never bought any of them, but she always left them as they were. She was never really one to pry, either. Then again, she knew all that she needed to know thanks to her special gift.

And true to my suspicions, Ms. Ishtar made a knowing smile. "Very well, Ms. Takenaga. If that is how you really feel."

Sometimes I wondered if she really enjoyed knowing about the future.

Domino Museum 9:55PM

"I think it is time you knew who I plan to give Obelisk to, Ms. Takenaga."

Ms. Ishtar and I were standing in the now-complete exhibit that would be opened to the public in the following morning. We were both marveling some of the stone monoliths that depicted events of the ancient times in a respectful silence until she spoke up. I turned to her while preparing myself for her reply. In some odd way, I could feel the card waiting for the answer as well. I guessed that we were both eager to know.

"He will be arriving any minute now," she continued. "But before he does, I must ask a favor from you."

"S-sure thing, Ms. Ishtar. What can I do?"

"Keep a close eye on him for me. If my trust in him becomes misplaced, you are to take Obelisk by any means necessary. In the meantime, I would like for you to conduct your own search for the other two cards. Is this understood?"

I nodded with a wide smile. I had a feeling that I would be asked to be a plan B. The "by any means necessary" part sounded very appealing to me. I was already hoping for the poor schmuck to slip up spectacularly somehow, just so I could make a good attempt at a hit-and-run. That would teach him that I was the better choice all along.

"You got it, boss!" I said with pride. "So, who's the lucky guy that'll get his knee kicked out of place? I must say, I'm a bit excited to find out now."

An amused grin found its way onto Ms. Ishtar's calm face. "I am sure you are. Do not worry, you shall see him soon."

On cue, one of my fellow co-workers - Jahaad the bodyguard - came in and addressed us with a bow. "He has arrived," he simply said.

"Right on time. I would not have expected anything less." She turned to me. "Are you ready, Ms. Takenaga?"

I grinned back. "I was born ready for anything."

Confidence was a suit of mine that I always wore, but in reality, I never wore it well. It had always clashed with my true personality as a timid soul. Traveling abroad was heart-wrenching and scary, especially if I was alone. My family was left behind in the states for me to pursue my horizons. I was reluctant, but they - especially my twin brother Kuzurami - sent me off with high hopes and good spirits. I missed them terribly; I had never been away from them for so long.

My friends took part of the same dilemma. Naomi Yagari left for Alaska the year prior to live closer to the untamed wilderness. She was the optimistic type that brightened the room with overwhelming energy and kept everybody smiling. As for Yume Kurenai…she left for Europe to study overseas fashion. She always had this knack for creating new and interesting clothes for Naomi and I; I was her favorite "test subject". She was my rival in Duel Monsters and my closest friend. Smart, beautiful, and fearless, Yume helped bring out the best in me.

My family, my friends…they were all over the place, but nowhere near me. I was all alone and - on a more subtle note - afraid. I had to step it up, and I was going to do it by evolving from the shy and fragile Caterpie into the hardened Metapod. With time, I would evolve again into a liberated Butterfree.

…In truth, I used that same line after being accepted into the Card Professor's Guild as an Apprentice. It made someone cry, making me feel better about it. I had promised myself then that I would use more Pokémon references in the next speech, give or take I had to make one.

I followed Ms. Ishtar to the front lobby to greet our guest. I felt sour in having to meet him, but decided to just deal with it.

"It'll be fine, Ami," I thought to myself. "It's not like you're going to have to like him or anything. In fact, be the saltiest thing alive. Be saltier than salt itself, be a total bitch. Let him know that he doesn't deserve the card and that you do."

We stepped through the large archway and that was when I saw him. In the middle of the lobby waiting for us was a tall, young man with an aura of superiority encircling him. From his neck down to his shoes he wore black, but was also wrapped in a violet trench coat and adorned with stainless steel gauntlets that matched the large briefcase he held in his left hand. A necklace that resembled a Duel Monsters card hung from his neck and sat softly against his broad chest; a modest accessory that tied the look together. His neatly-combed, coffee-colored hair led to his menacing cobalt eyes. Those very eyes studied Ms. Ishtar and I as we approached him.

I knew exactly who he was. Even worse, there was no way he did not deserve the card. On the plus side, that fact itself gave me a reason to be a salty bitch.

"Mr. Kaiba," Ms. Ishtar acknowledged. "I am glad that you were able to come. I am Ishizu Ishtar." She then gestured a hand towards me. "And this is my associate, Ami Takenaga."

"DON'T BRING ATTENTION TO ME! I DON'T WANT TO SOCIALIZE WITH THIS GUY! HE STOLE MY RIGHT TO THE CARD IN THIS CASE!"

I would have said that if she was anyone else other than Ms. Ishtar. Unfortunately, she was Ms. Ishtar; my respect for her knew no limit. So I kept to myself, remained composed as I put on a fake smile, and made a short bow.

"It's a pleasure that you've decided to grace us with your presence, Mr. Kaiba," I drawled.

Kaiba blinked once before smirking. He walked over to us and shook hands with Ms. Ishtar. I felt rigid when he turned to me, but nonetheless, I extended my right hand to him as a polite gesture. However, he was not on the same page as me, for he took that hand and planted a small kiss on the knuckles. My face shot red as he continued to grin in a smug manner.

"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Takenaga," he replied with a voice like icy silk. "You should be careful of how and who you greet. You just might leave a lasting first impression."

I heard Ms. Ishtar giggle beside me. "She certainly does have that effect on people, Mr. Kaiba. She has a very likeable personality, once you get to know her."

The blue-eyed Blue-Eyes duelist chuckled. "Really? Then I intend to know more."

One lie. One little white lie and I ended up in Seto Kaiba's good graces. The Japanese were truly strange…then again, I was part-Japanese, so I could relate. I had to get things straight with him. It was too sad to see someone fall for a little trick like that.

"Look, I'm going to level with you," I began as calmly as I could. "I was lying. I don't know if you caught that-"

"Oh no, I caught it. It's the same way I greet corporate dunderheads for meetings and appointments. It's like I'm giving them a taste of what's not even there."

"Then…why did you fall for it? I would think you're smarter than that."

Kaiba leaned closer - almost too close for my comfort - and whispered, "I didn't and I am. Unfortunately for you, there is something that you have hidden away. I can see it in your eyes, Ms. Takenaga; you're not being faithful to yourself. And I intend to have a taste whether you give it to me, or I force it out of you."

For the first time since I left home, I felt fear in the pit of my stomach. I trembled; not from his proximity, his grip on my hand, or the cold, calculating stare of his eyes, but from the sheer determination he had on drawing the "real" me out. The "me" that I was embarrassed to reveal to anyone other than my friends or family. This man…he was dangerous.

All I could ask was, "Why?"

There was no existent amount to describe how serious Kaiba looked. "I can't stand it when people lie not only to others, but to themselves."

Slowly, he released my hand, but never the hold he had with his gaze. He knew already that I was not even the least bit a bitch, but I was not yet about to give him the satisfaction. If he was going to draw the real me out, he was going to have to do a lot more than idle threats to break down my walls.

I glared right back. "I'd like to see you try."

Ms. Ishtar cleared her throat nervously to try and draw our attention. "Shall we get started then, Mr. Kaiba?"

Not a single glance was sent her way as Kaiba smirked at my challenge. We both knew too well that he could not resist. Evidently, neither could I.

It excited us both all the more.

In perfect unison, we answered Ms. Ishtar with a simple reply: "Let's."

Drop a comment, rate and review, and stay tuned for the next chapter!