Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh and have anything related in the making. I don't own any characters. The original character that I own is Kairi and her parents....... Ok maybe the name has been in my other fictions and isn't that original, but it's hard for me to think of a Japanese names and I like that one =)

Castle on a Cloud By Duckie4rmabove

Chapter 20

Kairi woke up day after day in tears. It was the Friday and Kairi was demanded to never leave her prison for the reason of Mr. Shinomori's boss coming over. Though Kairi didn't have to do any work she still wept. Kairi had thought that it was still night, but she heard the Shinomori shuffling around. Kairi turned her head to glance out her only light. Surprised to see fog she smiled and quickly pushed her weak legs to the window.

She remembered the only thing that kept her living was foggy days. She looked out and saw what her five year's old eyes saw. A building that can only be seen in the fog. It was lighted up with the colors only fit for an empire. The majesty and power showed over the humble. Each turn and stone of the large building represented every little girl's dreams.

There was something different about it this time. It looked............Different.

"Why it look so familiar.........Like I've been there......... I'm hallucinating......... I hope one day I'll be able to live like a princess.......... In that castle" Kairi smiled towards her dream palace.

~*~

'Kairi been sick for a whole week......... I'll see her when she drops off Sandra' Seto walked off the school grounds.

"You imbecile!" Everyone knew Seto was in a horrible mood the past few days. He threw his suitcase at his driver and slide in the limousine.

The driver unable to speak to his boss quickly drove to his younger brother's school.

"Hi big brother" Mokuba cheerful slipped into the car.

Seto grunted.

"Is something wrong?" Mokuba looked at his face.

"No"

"Okay........... Do you mind if Sandra comes early today?" Mokuba changed the subject.

"No" Seto though that it couldn't be a more perfect day if Sandra came early.

"Ok" Mokuba sat back and relaxed.

When the Kaiba Corps limousine halted in from of the Kaiba mansion there was another limousine already anticipating their arrival.

"That must be Sandra!" Mokuba jumped out excitedly.

'Good, now I don't have to wait' Seto said to himself.

The Kaiba brothers forwarded themselves to the lonely limousine and knocked on the side passenger door.

The window rolled down to reveal a expected face.

"Sandra!" Mokuba smiled widely.

Sandra smiled. "Hello Mr. Kaiba" She got out of the limousine and waved her hand at the driver.

"Sandra....... Is Kairi in there?" Seto asked.

"Um......... Why do you ask?" Sandra curiously asked.

"It doesn't concern you" Seto never did have the patient for any other children than his little brother.

"No" Sandra scared.

"Is she back at the orphanage or the Shiratori residence?" Seto exalted his questions.

"No" Sandra lowered her head as she knew that Mr. Kaiba was looking for her, but she won't be found now.

"Then where else can she be?" Seto raised his voice.

"Big brother........ Don't scare her" Mokuba cut in.

"I'm sorry Mr. Kaiba......... But that is a matter I cannot say without permission"

"Very well then......... Run along" Seto disappointed.

Mokuba apologize for Seto and he ran ahead to lead the way. Sandra didn't quite him in a heartbeat, but instead she turned around and said to Mr. Kaiba.

"Mr. Kaiba........ Kairi and I have been together fairly long....... And we developed a bond........ I don't know why........ But I don't have a good feeling.......... So I think it is in your best interest to visit the Shiratori" Sandra spoke in her well manner, respectfully, and careful tone.

Seto only stared at her.

Sandra's fear rose and she turned around to quickly catch up with Mokuba, but before she could leave the distance of Mr. Kaiba, he replied.

"I will tell your driver I will take you home"

~*~ "Mr. Shinomori" A tall dark young gentlemen spoke as he stood at the door of the Shinomori.

"Mr. Takashi, please come in" He spoke back.

"Thank you" He politely replied to his gratitude.

"You appeared much younger than I had expected" Mr. Shinomori announced.

"I am Mr. Takashi's son" He replied.

"I understand"

"Won't you have some ordure?" Mina presented a tray of goodies.

"Thank you" He took one off the tray and laid it in his mouth in a mannerly order.

"Shall we begin?" Mr. Shinomori was quick and down to business.

"Certainly" Mr. Takashi slightly moved around as he heard a tone of a goddess weeping, but he ignored it as his imagination.

"As we begin...... I would like to made known that there is another well being competing for you position as well......... We are offering the second and third CEO of the company" Mr. Takashi started

"I will only be held second in position only to your father" Mr. Shinomori conducted will business.

"Nothing less from the man who saved five of our wealthy accounts................... three of them which you are attributed to" Mr. Takashi looked at his papers from his suitcase.

"You know my accomplishments.................. So you should know my abilities I could add if I was second to your father" Mr. Shinomori took a slip of his own tea.

"I am well aware of you're accomplishments................ and well aware of what position you are fit for" Mr. Takashi looked around as he thought he had heard a soft voice of a goddess weeping again.

"That is a comforting to keep in my mind" Mr. Shinomori noticed his movements.

"Dinner is served" Mina came in the nick of time to give her announcement.

"Shall we discuss this more over a meal?" Mr. Shinomori suggested.

"Certainly" Mr. Takashi got up and followed Mr. Shinomori.

Over dinner Mr. Takashi kept hearing soft cries from a depressed beautiful tone.

"About this other well being.................."

"I am eradicated to tell you who it is Mr. Shinomori" He interrupted her.

"I understand fully" Mr. Shinomori finished his dinner.

"Then that limit is met"

"Yes"

"May I present the question of the sound of the goddess?" When Mr. Takashi asked Mina blushed.

"Goddess? You mean my daughter?" Mr. Shinomori smiled.

"Your daughter? Why doesn't she join us for dinner?" Mina frowned at this comment.

"I assumed you meant Mina" Mr. Shinomori gently appointed her.

"I spoke of the graceful sound that is upon us" Everyone was frozed in silences only to hear the soft cries of Kairi. The Shinomori never noticed, it was never loud enough for them to hear and it was soft enough only for a dog to hear.

"You have a very keen sense of hearing" Mr. Shinomori complimented not knowing what else to say.

"Yes....................... My father said I have the hearing of a animal" Mr. Takashi replied.

"That is interesting" Mrs. Shinomori added.

"May I see the goddess which has captured my heart with her cries"

"She is unable to be presented.......................... My deepest apologies" He said as Mrs. Shinomori took their places and replaced with her dessert.

"As I hear..................... a goddess is always presentable" Mr. Takashi very persisting.

"Yes.................." Mr. Shinomori shuttered and searched for words.

"Lead the way" Mr. Takashi finished his dessert and stood up.

"Of course" Mr. Shinomori didn't know what to do. He stood up and led the way to Kairi's room. He stumbled as he contemplated if he should open the door.

Waiting to see the angel of song he had heard, he persisted his speed.

Giving in to his persistence he opened the door. Kairi perked up to actually see people standing in her eyes.

"Is this the goddess of voice?" Mr. Takashi smiled at the messy haired, pink eye, and bruised limbs. Kairi quickly bowed down to their feet as she was a slave in a kingdom.

"What is your name?" Mr. Takashi kneeled down to obtain a better view of the beauty.

"I am nothing more than the dirt on the ground you walk on everyday" Kairi looked at the ground afraid to look at her masters.

"Does this girl belong to you?" Mr. Takashi turned around to ask the Shinomori.

The Shinomori spoke no words.

"She's beautiful.......................... I will secure you the second CEO position you wish........................ all I ask for in return is this angel" Mr. Takashi turned his attention back to beauty in front of his eyes.

Mr. Shinomori smiled and turned to his family.

© 2003 Duckie4rmabove

A Duckie4rmabove Production