Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! However, I am claiming OCs I might have. I only accept constructive criticism.

Obsidian's Pearl

Chapter 10

This Promise

Pegasus hummed to himself as he ate the five-star breakfast Croquet had made him. Biting into his toast he turned the page to the Domino Chronicle and smiled as he read about a local girl winning a pageant. Turning through a few more pages he looked over at the apron clad man loading the dishwasher and chuckled. He placed his now empty dishes on the counter. He paused there drumming his fingers on the countertop before he heard a distinct crash. He smiled at the now alert Croquet.

"Seems our guest is awake." They both paused and listen to the sharp crack of wood followed by the rattle of chains. Soon after a long pained moan echoed through the space then a thump. "I suppose I should go alleviate his pains, hm?"

Pegasus exited the kitchen and headed up the stairs. He opened the door to the guest room and clicked his tongue. The four poster canopy bed was ruined. The wooden poles that extended upwards were cracked into pieces causing the canopy to fall down on the bed, to slide off onto the floor. The head board was also shredded but what made him most upset was the pile of stuffing, fur, and buttons sitting on the floor. His oh so valued guest was face planted on the floor, dry heaving and sweating profusely.

"Hello Kaiba-boy, how are we today?" Pegasus' tone was sugary sweet and if Kaiba hadn't have felt so terrible he would have made a smart-ass comment.

Leaving the room the man returned holding a tin cup of what looked like billowing smoke. Grabbing Kaiba he easily forced his body back on the bed and sat down on the edge. Pegasus maneuvered the lolling head into his lap and placed the container to Kaiba's lips. Immediately his dry parched lips felt the freezing temperature of the cup and his lips opened, taking the coldest what he thought was water down his throat. His body began to shake with cold but he continued drinking it down, feeling that his body needed the liquid.

"This will help rehydrate you and keep your body temperature stable." Taking the cup away from his lips he rolled Kaiba over and watched as his shaking worsened till he was convulsing. Soon he was coughing violently, splattering black melted tar all over the bedspread till he finally went still. "Sleep now Kaiba-boy…I'll be back." The silver-haired man exited the room and slowly shut the door.

Slowly Kaiba rolled over glaring daggers at the door before sitting up. A huge wave of nausea and dizziness crashed over him. He paused in his endeavors and gathered his thoughts. They were jumbled and moving a mile a minute causing him to swoon but not quite succumb to darkness. He stared at the chains for sometime not quite sure how he was supposed to remove them from around his aching wrists. However, he wasn't going to do anything until the room stopped moving a mile a minute.

When Kaiba felt well enough he slowly rose and felt really light; exceptionally light. He could feel the weight of his pants and as he experimentally walked around the room he felt the resistance they offered to the air moving past him. It was the equivalent to wading in a weak creek current and his chains felt cumbersome. Slowly he lifted his arm and eyed them warily. How as he going to get them off? Out of annoyance he grabbed the chain in the middle and tugged. A sharp snap filled the room followed by the soft tingle metallic shards hitting the floor. Looking at the missing link he found it scattered on the floor.

Kaiba swallowed at the new found strength and took his hand, snapping the chain around the opposite wrist with a simple tug before doing it to the other. The chains coiled at his feet and his ears nearly whined at the harsh sound of metal hitting and vibrating against one another. Lifting his head he heard the soft hum of the A/C like never before. He now realized it wasn't necessarily the machinery but the breeze it created. It ghosted past his ears creating a complicated rhythm of wind that was a gentle roar in the room. He could tell the air was turned down in the room but he couldn't feel the chill.

He took in a much needed breath before exhaling. Breathing seemed clearer. Not that he suffered from any complications involving it, he just felt like he didn't need to always need to take a breath since one filled his lungs enough for what seemed hours. Testing his theory he held his breath and proceeded to not feel lightheaded after his usual limit. He almost felt comfortable not participating in the human need. Looking down at his pants he slowly unzipped them and slid them down his legs before picking them up. He set them down on the bed and then slowly walked around the room.

The feeling was much better. He could tell just how constrictive the fabric had been since he was moving through the room more rapidly now. Pausing he chuckled when he learned he hadn't taken a breath. Inhaling he breathed out and shifted his eyes to the bathroom. He needed a shower, bad. He could smell the sweat collected along his skin along with a burning chemical brew that seemed to waft from his pours. It was a sickening ancient smell. Perhaps it's what the injections smelled like? Shrugging he headed for the bathroom and made a plan to see Isis. Everything was so new and hypersensitive he needed more information. Not to mention he just wanted to…see her.

Bubble. Bubble. Screech.

Calming the teakettle's cry Isis quickly poured the cup full and focused intently on the tea leaves settling to the bottom of the ceramic mug. Focusing with all of her strength she watched as the leaves suddenly jumped rearranging themselves as if the brew had been stirred. Gasping at the find she quickly left the room and the tea. She changed into a long thick black skirt and a gray turtle neck. Oddly she looked as if she was in mourning rather than high spirits. Moving through the apartment she quickly went down into the living room rummaging through the computer.

A picture of Odion then blipped up where he saluted. She returned it and a gentle frown settled across his strong features. "Sister…your sadness worries me." The man eyed the chosen colors along with the material it was made from.

"My sadness does not supersede nor influence my wits Odion. I come to you in need of a favor." Shifting a little Isis changed her body language appearing more vulnerable. She didn't like manipulating her brother but she had already made this plan the night before. Follow through was most important at these times.

"I am listening Isis."

"I need my simulation room unlocked brother."

"What?" Odion leaned forward in his chair, leaning more into the camera and conversation. "Isis…I must ask why?"

"I'm ashamed to say…perhaps a bit of nostalgia would be a pacifier to my stress?"

"But the room's corrupt. You know the glitches are beyond our knowledge of repair not to mention—"

"Odion. I know. Please, simply do this for me."

Staring long and hard into those blue eyes the older man knew too well he reluctantly gave a curt nod. "I will do this; not because you are my teammate but because you are my sister. Try the room in five." Giving a salute the screen went dark.

Giving a sigh of relief Isis shut down her console and glanced at the clock. It was seven twenty-three which meant Dr. Crawford would be leaving his home in the next five minutes which was how long it would take her brother to unlock the shutdown room. Croquet would leave five minutes after his roommate to roam the grounds and handle his business accordingly. She then had a fifteen minute window to move Kaiba to the private elevator and transport him to the barracks without Mai or Joey seeing them. Luckily Atem, Yugi, Shadi, and of course Odion were already at work.

Moving over in front of her front door she made an X over her chest by crossing her arms. Balling her fists she tapped her shoulders three times and hummed something deep and ancient. She slowly opened her eyes and peered past the now transparent door down to where Pegasus had just excited his home. The silver-haired man looked down at his watched before motioning behind him. Croquet soon joined him making her window of opportunity now twenty minutes. It was better actually; if Kaiba was dead weight she'd have extra time to move slower.

The two men walked over to the panel that held five round glowing buttons used for calling rooms. Typing in a quick code a portion of the wall slid back revealing the personal elevator in which the two docked before the wall slid back. Isis closed her eyes and re-patted her body before opening her door and closing it quietly. Taking in a breath she jumped off her landing, twisting her body sideways through the air before landing on her knee and foot; hand planted down to steady herself. She looked left then right before moving silently over to Pegasus' room.

The woman braced her back against the door and shook her wrist causing a small silver item to slide out. Placing it against the knob she felt the slight sting from the hack and the door squeaked open. She slipped inside and looked at the top of the stairs to find Kaiba already standing there. She placed her index finger to her lips and motioned him down. Much to her surprise she watched as the brunet leapt the banister and landed on his feet almost as soundlessly as she had in the foyer.

Kaiba gave a perplexed face at the sudden decision to do such a thing but ignored it when Isis gave him a nod of praise. He followed her out of the room still feeling light, even with the new clothes on, and watched as she typed a sequence into some panel. The wall slid back revealing a small plastic like tube and he was hesitant to enter. When he didn't budge she grabbed his wrist and pulled him in with much strength. When the door slid back she typed in a long code into the elevator keypad labeled zero through nine. As soon as she was done the tube zipped so fast through the complicated pipe system he didn't even have time to gasp before it came to a stop.

The doors open and darkness greeted him. Rather than wait Isis disappeared into the shadows and he reluctantly followed. When the elevator doors closed a soft hum met his ears and organized nanotechnology buzzed a mellow blue casting the room in odd lightening. He found the room was actually smaller than what it felt thanks to the floor to ceiling illumination. Going over to the wall he found the same plastic casing holding the small bytes but for some reason he knew it was more advanced than the other larger room she use to train him in.

"Seto, activate the room."

Kaiba suddenly felt extremely nauseas and winded. Looking at the way the lights made Isis' eyes glow caused the oxygen to rapidly leave his lungs and the ideas moving around his head made him believe he was going to vomit. His legs buckled and he fell to his knees where Isis was soon in front of him, supporting his upper body. She was whispering something to him in a language he knew but couldn't recognize. Finally he felt a tickle in his throat and rather than puke touching his tongue like he thought words did.

"Siffer arba'a siffer khamsa…"

Drip-Drip. Caw-Caw. Shush-Swish.

A splash of something so cold it felt like ice splattered against Kaiba's forehead. He felt the tickle of something soft brush his cheek and the familiar smell of something pleasant poked his sensitive sense of smell. He easily separated the natural ingredients from the soft chemicals and identified it as a shampoo somehow. That something splattered against his face again but on his cheek. Opening his eyes slowly he was surprised to find a lapping curtain of black followed by what he thought was the denseness of a forest.

Lines of deep brown dusted in white reached for the gray above where opaque gold attempted to penetrate the world. The black curtain returned and rocked back and forth and his curious fingers reached up running through it. Smelling his finger tips he smelled the shampoo more strongly and understood it was indeed hair. Isis' hair he was sure but why was it so close? Where were they? Opening his eyes more he felt his body and realized it was pressed against another body and being carried.

Suddenly he felt extremely stupid and embarrassed. Rather than analyzing things he simply said in a hard tone, "Set me down." The movement ceased and he looked up to find the bright eyes of an amused Isis. Narrowing his eyes at hers he climbed from her arms and looked down at the shorter and smaller person. How was she able to carry him without his feet dragging? Realizing she had to carry him fairly high he was given a better idea of just how strong the woman was.

Kaiba finally took in his surroundings that were the surreal snow covered forest. Snow caked and dusted the dark dense wood and the canopy was so heavy with the precipitation that the sun could only peer through melted gaps. The way the backdrop looked accompanied with the darkly clad Isis, her eyes almost seemed to be dripping with their bright blue shade. He wondered how her eyes would look if she was wearing white. Pushing it aside he listened when she spoke.

"Please follow me."

Isis pushed past more snow covered vegetation before pausing before a blinking pond. It was waving as if water was repeatedly falling into it, along with scrolling complicated lines of code and causing random fish to jump out of the frozen water. It was an obvious glitch in the code but for some reason it was where she stopped.

"Please, sit."

Kaiba wasn't sure were to sit down since he didn't want to feel the wetness of snow melting around him. She seemed to catch this and simply sat down, reminding him of the un-life-like water glitch. Nodding he sat down next to her and the rattling pond. The cold of the snow was felt and welcomed since his body temperature was still an issue. He realized this was probably the reason for the location. Looking around his legs he was surprised to find his heat had melted the white specs till he could see grass.

There was silence before Isis finally spoke. "How have you been feeling? Light? Agile? Are your senses heightened?" Her eyes shifted to the sky taking in the sun.

"Yes Isis, all of the above. What else should I expect?"

"Besides another injection, I suppose just an enhancement of what you're already experiencing. How are you feeling now, at this very moment?" Her body shifted closer to him and skimmed down his bare arm. "My, you're burning up. Did Pegasus offer you a drink?"

Kaiba nodded as he subconsciously leaned into the stroking hand, "What was that stuff anyway?"

"It's a manipulated chemical that's reminiscent of dry ice. But do not worry; it'll be more of a helper to your current condition than actually poisoning your system."

"Hurray, I won't die just yet," he murmured sarcastically. When he felt her hand stop he looked over at her and found a very serious look settling into her features. Her eyes however were sad.

"Seto, I promise that you will not die. No matter what will happen, you will not die." Her hand then tightened around his arm.

For the life of Kaiba he could not believe himself for he actually believed what she said; beyond that, he believed in her. He didn't like the feelings that started to overwhelm him or the déjà vu that wracked his body. The way Isis sat as a lost princess among the white in her black and gray all appeared as a painting, a dream, something he'd experienced but not in reality. Her warm skin blended with the wet trees and her long black hair framed those blue eyes in more mystery. Those eyes seemed so bright, blue, and hidden that he knew they couldn't match his own.

Reaching a hand forward Kaiba ran a hand through her hair and tucked it behind her ear. "What is this place?" He felt oddly at peace touching Isis in this place, at that particular moment.

"It's a room someone personally built for me. It was made with experimental technology that was more advanced than the public and council-only rooms in the barracks. Sadly it was never truly finished." Their eyes shifted to the pound that had a Koi fish currently suspended above it before it disappeared. "The glitch is larger and more advanced than any of us understand. Because of it, it blocks the surveillance and communication mechanisms in the room. It's weak everywhere in this simulation but at zero by this pound."

"No one knows we're in here or knows what we're saying?" He watched her nod. "Its voice activated?"

"You remember? I thought after you passed out, that moment would have been lost from your mind."

"How am I able to activate this room? What was the code?" He said this more to himself than her and raked his mind for what was spoken before. The closer he got to the answer he felt that familiar feeling in his throat but rather than nausea it was a tickle. He licked his lips for they felt dry and dug deeper till, "Siffer arba'a siffer khamsa" shot from his lips. His eyes grew big with the realization of what he had spoken. Turning to Isis he nearly whispered, "Your birthday."

Despite her reservations a small smile spread across her lips, "Yes." He simply stared at her and she returned the perplexed look. Eventually she shifted her eyes away.

"How do I know—"

"I hate to interrupt you but we must go. Croquet will return to Pegasus' home soon." Looking back up at the sun she slowly rose and waited for him to do the same. "He'll be expecting you there and if you're not, he'll suspect me and report me to Atem."

"What will happen then?"

"Probation. My duties will be taken and I'll be forced to stay in the hive, training future fighters." She was already moving through the wood and Kaiba didn't have to work too hard to keep up.

By the time they got to the clearing the whole system flinched and shutdown by itself. They got back into the elevator and as they rode Kaiba couldn't help but watch Isis. Here she was risking everything for him; her status, reputation, and pride just to give him some sort of extra protection she didn't have to do. Looking over at the buttons he found a large red button and hit it. The whole pod game to an abrupt stop causing both of them to stumble briefly before easily catching their bearings; she went to hit the button again but the brunet quickly stopped her.

"Seto, what is the meaning of—"

"Why are you helping me?" He was getting suspicious. He knew the feeling was forced since he never felt a stale feeling regarding her, only good vibes and flashes. He just needed to know.

To say the least Isis was caught off guard by the question. "It's the right thing to do."

Kaiba caught her left shoulder rotate back slightly, "You're lying."

"How do you know?"

"Your shoulder; what do you get out of this, any of this? Why is my life so important to you?" When she didn't respond he continued, "Why should you even care? Following orders? Well you're orders were to leave me—"

"I'm a foolish woman Seto Kaiba, a very foolish woman!" The ache behind her words didn't go unheard, "I am a naïve female who would like to be gullible regarding situations of the heart. The past bounds us all, in some way or fashion."

Pressing the red stop button they rode in silence and once the doors open she disappeared down the hall. Standing in the foyer Kaiba watched her go and slowly he read between the lines; she cared for him. However, how could she feel so genuine about someone she didn't know? Hearing footsteps coming his way, he quickly he moved into Pegasus' home and went back into the guest bedroom. Sliding into the bed acting as if he was sleep a few moments later Croquet cracked the door and checked in on him. When the man left, he pondered on the ideas and ended up falling asleep. Obviously he underestimated his still building stamina.

Beep. Beep. Ring.

The large warm heavily wired room allowed another beep-ring through the room before a very annoyed blonde answered the phone. "Pegasus?"

"The one and only."

Malik moved through the nerve center of security and out into the dark labyrinth that was Bakura's hideaway. "What news do you have?"

"He's ready. Croquet has assured me that his body has responded quite wonderfully to the elixir. He's ready for a test run if Master is ready."

"We'll see." Malik hung up the phone and in a "poof" of tendrils he disappeared.

The boy reappeared sitting in a chair made of deep obsidian stone placed in a room made of black marble. The only light was a large flame enchanted to hover over the area as if a chain was connected to it. Four chairs sat in a semi-circle before a large throne which was encrusted with dark rubies. Marik soon appeared in the seat on the right which was next to Malik. Kisara soon appeared in the chair on the other side of Malik. The last of the four Ryou soon occupied. Finally Bakura seemed to melt from the air gently settling into the chair.

"It seems it's that time again to discuss matters regarding Kaiba. Malik?"

"Pegasus claims Kaiba is ready for your inspection."

Bakura wasn't the only one to show surprised. "After one injection?" Ryou asked what everyone was thinking.

"Yep; I suppose his body wasn't exactly in remission. Perhaps he trained his body to appear as so?"

"This could be true," Marik agreed looking over at Bakura. "Should I approach the bastard?"

"No Marik, I'd prefer you stay here and monitor along with me." Stroking his cheek the white-haired man pondered things before finally speaking. "Run operation Angelic Dragon."

"What?" Ryou questioned much to everyone's surprise.

"Well, Pegasus did request the halo on his last call."

"He may have but what makes him think Kaiba is ready for that?"

Bakura shrugged, "The only way of finding out is to test him out. Malik make the call and the preparations and Kisara, prep for the mission." In a wisp of smoke the five were gone.

Eeeeehhh! Eeeeehhh! Eeeeehhh!

The alarm blared through the somewhat quiet hive at twelve in the afternoon. Many were scurrying to what was known as their "battle stations" while others were trying to wrap up whatever work they had to take shelter. Kaiba happened to be sitting at Pegasus' kitchen table having a very disgusting lunch with him and Croquet. While they ate well he was told to drip an ice-cold broth that made his stomach quiver and his tongue tingle. He was grateful for the alarm since it meant he could put the spoon down.

"Master Pegasus," Croquet said in an all too knowing manner.

Pegasus rolled his eyes and stood motioning for Kaiba to do the same, "Great, can't a guy catch a break on his break?" Casually he slid his hand into his pocket and for some reason Kaiba found this interesting.

As soon as the door opened, Kaiba watched Isis run past them down the hall, so Kaiba and Pegasus followed suit. Coming to a door Isis speedily put in a code and the doors slid back to a little room where and elevator dropped them off were Atem, Yugi, Joey, Mai, Odion, and Shadi were all waiting in.

"What's happening?" She asked purposely not making eye contact with the brunet. She hadn't seen him since yesterday but according to his appearance another injection had occurred and his body took it exceptionally. She really didn't want to talk to him feeling stupid for being so week the day before but if it came down to it, she would. She always would.

"Kisara has broken into Kaiba Corp." Atem moved over to a wall and pressed a button were a piece of it slid back revealing a large super computer. Footage of her moving through the heavily populated building came up. "Isis, we need you and—"

"Me. I'm going." All eyes turned to find Kaiba challenging anyone of them to question him.

Joey rose to the occasion, "Oh really? What makes you think you can handle something like this?"

"It's my building so it's my business."

Kaiba had no idea why he had spoke up but he felt just so inclined to go. When Atem had showed the footage he could have sworn he was watching himself announcing to the room his plan of action against the pale woman. Whether it was another vision or not, he wasn't sure but he was positive that he had to go. Perhaps his instincts were burning stronger. The last injection hadn't even hurt. In-fact, after it had received it, he had gotten up much to Pegasus' surprise. He needed to burn off this energy and though he wouldn't say it, he felt he owed Isis back for what she had done so far. It was little but more than she had to do.

Atem titled his head to the side, genuinely curious. The crimson eyes looked the brunet up and down in a slow sensual fashion that had Kaiba shifting his weight uncomfortably. It was like the leader was undressing him with his eyes and when the short man licked his lips in calculation; the CEO was ready to move out of his line of sight. Checking him out for a final time, Atem's eyes narrowed and burned into the cobalt colored ones, "He may go."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Yugi asked quietly. Everyone knew Atem would be gentler with his words if Yugi were to ask rather than them. They were grateful for the little ones questioning since they were all wondering the same thing.

"Yes I'm sure Yugi."

"But what of Isis' decommission involving things surrounding Kaiba?" Shadi asked.

"Isis is not interfering with Kaiba's situation, he's interfering with her mission, and oddly, I will allow it." Turning to Isis and Kaiba he said, "Go in and do not be seen. Kaiba's still supposed to be on vacation and Kisara must remain unseen as well. Also, figure out what she's after and Kaiba, if you have any ideas on the matter, it might be wise to bring it back here. Now, suit up."

PLEASE READ:

Yesssss! I finally finished this. It's nice and long so I hope you all enjoy it and sorry for the wait. I hit a creative slump and had college issues. However, I'm back and already working on the next chapter which I hope to have posted sooner than this one was, but we'll see.

Sorry for any typos and all that jazz, I'll go back later and fix them. I'm just tired of looking at this thing…seriously. Ha.

ALSO! NEW FANART for my one shot Let Us Come Together posted on my page under the fanart section. Check it out! DO IT!

Arabic Words:

Siffer – Zero

Arba'a – Four

Khamsa – Five

This was posted especially for:

Zoelle – Glad you liked the toon bedroom. I love Pegasus' love for cartoons and stuff. It fits him so well. Thanks for the review!

Lace Kyoko – I love that you jizzed from the kiss! It was my goal. I find it hard for myself to write hot kisses. And I hope you liked this chapter and its components as well! Thanks for the review!

Still Stands: If I don't get one measly review, no new chapter, however if I do get one measly review, new chapter.

REVIEW!!!

Well I'm Out.