Chapter Twenty-Seven

27

Stay or Go?

The Duel Will Decide...

"No...Not yet."

What?

"It is not time for you to be here yet...it is not the time...:"

What is this...voice in my head...?

"Soon though...very soon."

What's...soon?

"Very soon...you will come back here again."

"You will see me again!"

But...who are you?

xxxxx

All was black in Connar's disconnected mind...

"I'm back Connar." Chazz spoke out as he placed more notes on the table next to Connar's cot. She was still unconscious, but he continued to gather her notes for her and visit on occasion to check on her.

"The nurse says it would be good to talk to you while you're in here...even if you're not awake." he said awkwardly,"Apparently it's believed that coma patients can still hear, and so hearing a familiar voice might beckon you to wake up again...or...something." he said, "Though...I'm not sure if my voice holds any exception to that claim..."

He stood in silence for a while and sighed.

"I'm sorry Connar...that slacker is the reason for this and I won't be able to be the one that makes him pay for it." he grumbled,"Apparently he and Syrus are supposed to duel some top shot tag duelists for their punishment, if they lose...they'll be expelled. Hmph." He muttered,"Well I guess so long as someone does it..." he huffed and fell silent once again.

"...I hear they called your dad." he said softly, shifting a concerned gaze to the unconscious body on the cot,"Bet he's pissed...I'll pray for you-" He was interrupted by the sudden swinging open of the door to her room while an ash haired male came rushing in.

"Connar!? Connar!" he called her name,"Connie, it's uncle Mokey, can you hear me?"

"Hey...I know you." Chazz said suddenly startling the older male into looking his direction,"You're...Mokuba right?"

"Huh?" the male blinked,"That's right. I'm Mokuba Kaiba, I'm Connar's uncle." he said sternly,"You're Princeton, Aren't you? What are you doing in here?" his eyes narrowed as he asked this question. The Princeton family and the Kaiba family weren't exactly known to be friends or anything...

"Connar isn't supposed to be having any visitors right now."

"Uh, That's..." before he could get another word out, a looming presence of a brunette male hovered over him.

"What are you doing here!?" a stern raspy, voice asked with sharp intent,"I thought I made it clear that my daughter wasn't to have any visitors."

"Ahh, !" Chazz jumped back a bit and quickly gave a polite bow, "My apologies, I'm a class mate of your daughter's." he said quickly," I was here dropping off some notes and lesson plans she missed from the day's classes and I was just leaving."

"Chazz Princeton...so I see." His sharp blue eyes narrowed as he gazed down upon the obelisk blue student, sending chills through him. Without much else to say he kept his head down, which was probably the safer choice, "While I appreciate that you took the time to concern yourself with my daughter's missed studies, but she won't be needing those."

"What?" Chazz blinked,"Why is that?"

Though he wasn't sure that he wanted to hear the answer.

"Come on Seto..." Mokuba said softly,"Connar is in a hospital bed right now. Don't you think you're coming off a little harsh?"

Chazz kept his mouth shut. It was overwhelming being in the presence of such a famous man. Not that it was the first time that Chazz had met Seto Kaiba. His family often had meetings with Kaiba Corporation, it was just the first time he remained so close under his looming presence for this long. He fidgeted nervously trying to find the right words to say and the proper way to speak to the man when he noticed Connar's body beginning to stir.

"...Connar?" he blinked curiously and watched her stir, hoping that it was a sign of her waking up soon.

xxxxx

"Ms. Connar... !"

What...? Kaibaman? Kaibaman is that you?

" ! We have finally connected!"

Kaibaman? What happened?

"I'm sorry to say, but I wish I knew myself."

The spirit's voice echoed in her subconscious.

"You made a connection with that spirit at the dorm, then lost all connection to your own world!"

With a Spirit? That's right, I remember now...

That blue haired boy with the pink eyes...the one who looks like me...

Is he another Duel Spirit?

"I'm sorry... but I can't say that he is..." he said softly, "But I can say that he is someone you should know, even though he was certainly no type of duel spirit he is however, deeply rooted in you." he said,"You two have a connection...You know each other."

We know each other?

Yeah...he felt so...familiar, but...

But I have no idea who he is or how he could know me...

"Nevermind that now." he said softly,"We have finally reconnected which means your consciousness must finally be connected to your waking world once again." he said,"We will try to solve the situation of this matter later, for now , you must wake up!"

What...? Wake up?

"Yes...Wake up!"

A sudden light of white flashed in Connar's mental vision, which then soon blurred up and took form of the cieling panels of the infirmary.

"Ah-Connar?" Chazz blinked,"Connar, you're awake!"

"What!?" both the Kaiba brother's gasped and rushed over to each side of her bed, While Chazz stood at the foot of it.

Her blue eyes opened slowly and soon had the shine return to them as she took in the scenery.

"Uncle Mokey...?" she said weakly.

"Connar! Oh thank goodness!" he had tears in his eyes as he slowly lifted her into his arms and hugged her tenderly,"The nurse said that you had collapsed and wouldn't wake up...we were so worried...!"

"We...?" She blinked and slowly shifted her gaze over to the presence on the other side of her cot.

If Uncle Mokey was here...it could only mean one thing.

"...Hey, Dad." she said weakly and swalled hard at a forming lump in her throat. Her father leered down at her with an angry expression, and she knew she was in trouble...and no matter how high she pulled the sheets to cover her face, there was no hiding from him.

"Don't you dare hide from me!" he snapped," You are in big trouble young lady!"

"Seto, please-!" Mokuba hissed notioning with his eyes that there was still another presence in the room, but her father showed no mercy.

"You deliberately disobeyed me!" he stated,"For that you will be punished!" he stated,"Like any other student, you will be treated as such for trespassing... " He said,"You are to be suspended!"

"What!? Suspended!?"

"And when I get you home-You are grounded-!"

"B-But-"

"No buts, Connar Rose!"

"Seto, please!" Mokuba huffed.

"I...I'm sorry to interrupt." Chazz spoke up suddenly gaining the brothers's attention."But actually, the other students who dragged her along on their adventure to the abandoned dorm are actually being given a chance to redeem themselves with a tag duel." he stated,"If she is to be treated like any other student...then wouldn't it only be fair to punish her the same way?"

"Jaden and Syrus? Really?" Connar blinked.

"Hmm...Jaden Yuki and Syrus Truesdale are to partner up for a tag duel huh?" Kaiba huffed, still displeased by the third party in the room, even if he did make a fair and valid point. "And who do you suppose would be her tag partner?"

"I'll do it!" Chazz stated, startling Mokuba.

"Really? You will, Princeton?" Seto huffed.

"Well I mean..." Chazz pulled at his neck nervously, but soon regained face with determination,"If she's in need for a partner for a tag duel I think it's fair she gets the same chance as the slackers her dragged her down! Even if it has to be me-"

"I've heard enough." Seto snapped,"Leave. Now." with sharp eyes he glared daggers which shot chills

Chazz took a sharp breath and bowed apologeticly.

"Yes, of course, I'm sorry." He said,"I'm leaving now." with that he took his leave quickly.

I can't believe I raised my voice against Seto Kaiba!

He thought to himself.

What is wrong with you Chazz- Get it together!

Mokuba heaved a sigh as he watched the startled student take his leave in a panic. He gave his brother a look, but Seto didn't seem to pay attention as he pulled a chair beside his daughter. He wore a pained expression on his face as he placed a palm on her head. Mokuba sighed and snuck his way out after the Obelisk student.

"Princeton, hold on a second!" Mokuba called for him and he stopped to acknowledge the adult following behind him.

"Listen...please...Don't take what Seto said to heart." Mokuba said softly,"He's just really worried about Connar..." he sighed,"The call was just really sudden...please understand."

"I do understand." Chazz sighed softly,"I was out of line. It was my fault."

Mokuba blinked and gave a soft chuckle gently patting the student on the shoulder.

"Princeton...we really appreciate what you did for Connie." Mokuba smiled warmly,"And don't worry about her...I'll talk to Seto."

Chazz returned an awkward smile and bowed respectfully, to which Mokuba greeted with a wave before making his way back into his niece's room.

xxxxx

"As if I would trust the care of my daughter in the hands of a Princeton..." Seto huffed as Mokuba made his way back inside,"That family has been trying to turn up my company more times than I can count, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he found a way to sabotage the duel."

"Dad..." Connar spoke up softly,"Princeton isn't like that...he plays honorably..."

"Hmph." Seto huffed.

"Still though." Mokuba said softly taking a seat on the other side,"He didn't have a bad idea."

"About the duel?" Seto asked.

"Well yeah..." Mokuba chuckled,"I mean he did raise a point, if the other two students are getting that oppritunity, then perhaps in spirit of the school... and in the name of punishing her we should honor it?"

"Hmmm..." Seto hummed for a while as he thought it over, inch by inch raising the girl's hopes of possibly finding a way out of the mess she got herself in,"I suppose you're right." he said,"If they are gonna get a duel, then Connar, so will you."

"What!? really!?" she beamed in relief. Though much too soon.

"So be it...I will arrange your opponent." he stated,"If you lose you will be expelled, and when we get home...you are grounded." he huffed,"Win, you'll be cleared. And you're grounded. Take it or leave it."

"Grounded!?" she pouted,"How can I be grounded in a boarding school!?"

"Don't test me." he hissed and she shut right up immediately.

"Right, okay, yes sir." she nodded profusely,"I understand and accept the conditions."

"Very good." Seto smirked and crossed his arms as well as one leg over the other,"And Mokuba...since you have been so kind to volunteer yourself...you will be her opponent."

"What!? Me!?" he blinked and Connar shared his surprise.

"That's right."

"You mean...I have to duel Uncle Mokey, to determine wheather I stay or go!?"

"Correct." Seto said as he stood to rise and turned his back glancing backwards over his shoulder at his daughter who was at a loss for words."So you best get plenty of rest sweetheart, after your release, your future in this school will be determined." with a smirk following soon after this statement Seto Kaiba then took his leave, with his tailcoats fluttering behind him.

"Dramatic as always..." Mokuba mumbled,"Me and my big mouth..." he sighed,"I'm sorry, Connie."

"It's all right..." she sighed,"I disobeyed my father...I broke the rules...I deserve to be punished, just like Syrus and Jaden." she sighed.

Mokuba sighed and gave a saddened smile.

"I'll give you time to get ready." he said,"Once you recover, Big brother and I will arrange a private duel to determine your future with Duel Academy. So don't hold back..." he said softly," Because I won't."

With that, Connar let out a heavy sigh and rested her head back on the pillow, to which Mokuba then switched off the light and left her to rest for the night.

To be Continued