The Silence of Our Hearts
It was an unspoken, unwritten rule that Kaiba and his Blue Eyes White Dragon cards were not to be parted. It was common knowledge: even to the public. Recently, it had come to hold more and more truth. The man seemed to be turning deranged. He had begun to frequently chase away his employees, cancel meetings and lock himself in his office, emerging only when he deemed it right.
The rumours were spreading as swiftly as they were thought up. It was bad for business.
Still, Kaiba sat at his desk, chin resting on his clasped hands as he stared intently at one of his Blue Eyes White Dragon cards. The blinds were drawn shut; the emergency protocol heat cloaking system had been turned on; the sound proofing had been activated. He wanted complete isolation. He would have it no other way.
His eyes closed to blink, remaining closed for longer than usual. When he opened them once more there was an apparent weariness. Dark circles were beginning to form. He ignored it. He ignored it all. He had to. It was the only way.
His arms slipped slightly. Eyes closed, he groaned quietly. He was desperate to sleep. He hadn't rested properly in weeks, months perhaps. His hands loosened too as he began to pull himself up once more.
"Stop it, Seto,"
He jolted up, eyes flying wide. His weariness had been forgotten. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound was allowed forth.
"This is too much," the glowing silhouette of a pale woman standing on the other side of his desk chided. "How can you do this to yourself? Please, Seto, stop this. You need to rest."
"No," he responded immediately. "I need to know. I need to find you."
A spark lit her eyes. She almost seemed touched, excited. It was quelled quickly. The sorrow engulfed her, lessening the glow. She lowered her head, eyes glancing to the floor.
Her voice was low and subdued. "I… I can't see… It's so dark…"
Seto could feel his shoulders slump. It had been so long. They had both tried so hard. It was impossible not to feel deflated.
"Ah," she gasped, her hands flying up for inspection. "No. Not now, please, not now."
Her words failed to dissuade the great power that had brought her to Seto. She was fading, dissipating. Her entire body was vanishing.
"Wait!" he had leaped to his feet. "Wait! Where are you?"
"I…" she looked up, eyes wide with terror. "I don't know! I don't know!"
This could be the final time. She had no understanding of an afterlife. She had no knowledge of any future appearances.
"You'll find out! You have to know!" he shouted. Another spark lit her eyes. "What is it? Say it again! Kisara!"
The room was reduced to darkness – as it always was when she vanished.