Author's notes: Right on to the next morning...poor Kira and Marik!
Disclaimer: Still don't own Yugioh or Fatal Frame...would love to though; Kira and the girls are still mine. Some people taken from Fatal Frame...I like that game too!
Chapter 10: Complicated
She was still wearing the red kimono with her long black hair tied up with little gold ornaments but she was no longer in the cavernous room. She stood in the same room she had seen Itsuki in making her hair pin. Now there were only the dolls hanging from sacred ropes in the middle of the room. It was as if someone was trying to kill them and had not yet succeeded. She looked over at the corner of the room behind the dolls and saw a small chest of draws. She was inexplicably drawn to them. As she approached she heard the familiar, "Don't kill me." Bu this time it was female and fainter. She had almost arrived at the draws when she had sudden flashes of something. At first it was just quick glimpses of brilliantly coloured kimonos but as she drew closer the image revealed more. Two twins were hanging from sacred ropes for a second. This did not faze the young girl who she was. She reached out to gently touch the lacquered wood and pull the handle. As she did so she heard a child like voice say, "I don't want to kill any more." She turned and saw two twins standing at a window behind her. One was very real she noticed but the other was moving to jerkily to be human. Both turned to her, "Kill her!" the doll commanded and ran at her reaching for Kira's neck.
"No, Azami!" another voice screamed and Kira collapsed on the floor.
She was standing outside Kaiba's mansion holding onto his arm. He was walking slightly ahead of her and she was aware that the mansion was a dangerous place. She pulled hard on his arm but he didn't notice at all. He stopped as she did it again and turned to her. His face was angry and his eyes narrowed but still she would not let go. He pulled his arm loose from hers and opened the gates. She followed but still didn't want to go in there. As they walked down the garden path a shadow fell across the path a head of her. She tried to run but Kaiba caught her around the waist. He pulled her into the house and it was dark. The lights didn't even work and her head span. Across the other side of the room and person moaned in agony. There was also a faint white figure with white hair that stuck up and one arm bound with rope. He held a body in his hand and it was Marik's. She let out a scream...
...that was still with her when she woke up. Marik was lying next to her and holding her as she sat up screaming. He stroked the back of her head and whispered soothing words into her head as she tried to stop crying. "Marik, it happened again...again. But there was no Itsuki."
"Hush now Kira hush nothings wrong and you are safe." She nestled against his shoulder and sighed.
"Why is this happening Marik? Why me?" he shrugged and smiled at her. The phone rang as he did this and he gently offered it to her. Quickly she dashed away the tears and spoke.
"Hi Mai." She really did smile this time. Mai had been her best friend since she had moved here.
"Of course I'd like to go out today...yes I'm sure he won't mind. Ok see you later bye." She bounded out of bed and took Marik with her. "Do you want to come out with us today?"
"I don't think so; I'll find a hotel to stay in."
She sped along the road again, hell bent on reaching the mall before anyone else. She had pulled on a low cut black top with a bow at the middle and long flowing sleeves. Her trousers were longer than her legs, flared and rather baggy but still comfortable. She was happy with how she looks and it didn't really hinder her movement so she was ok. On her back was a small coffin shaped backpack with a silver dragon drawn onto it. She didn't care that she was in severe Goth mode and was hell bent on making sure no one else did either. Anyway there was an ulterior motive for this. Marik loved her in this type of thing so Kaiba might not, Ultimate deterrent and brilliant fun to wear all in one, what more could a girl wish for? Ok she hadn't gone as far as wearing the make-up but hey it was good enough.
She went to the café she had been in two days ago with her little charges and waited for the others. Mai was the first to appear wearing a short skirt, white bodice style top and a purple jacket. She was accompanied by Duke Devlin, someone she hated through everything. He was just way to egotistical for her liking. Then again Kaiba shouldn't have been that attractive to her but he had never hurt her feeling directly...yet. She nodded a polite greeting to him and smiled up at Mai. "Hey guys."
"Kira..." the blonde pulled her to her feet and hugged her, "I heard what happened last night. Are you sure you're ok?"
"I'm fine Mai really; you'd be the first to know I assure you."
"Well I wasn't last night. I had to talk to Yami and boy did you have him rattled." She shook her head and then the others appeared, "Besides did you find out why Kaiba was there?"
"No I didn't...I completely forgot." Joey, Tea and Yami appeared, "Is this all of you? Where are Tristan and Bakura?"
"They were busy today." Joey smiled at her. Yami eyed her and nodded courteously. Tea elbowed him in the ribs and he coughed.
"What?" he asked agitated.
"Well you told Yugi you needed to talk to her so go talk to her." the brunette pushed Yami into Kira who automatically fell backwards into Mai. In turn Mai grabbed hold of Joey and all of them ended up on the floor in a large pile of flailing arms and legs.
"Blonde moment sorry guys," Tea laughed a sweat drop appearing on her face. They all got up and dusted themselves off Kira all the time watching Yami. Once they were up and walking about she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the back to talk. This earned her a concerned glance from Mai who was quickly re-distracted by Joey.
"Yami I'm really sorry...I don't."
"It's alright Kira; you did what you had to do. I'm sure I would have done the same thing." He turned and smiled at her, "I was kind of hoping that you weren't mad with me."
"Me mad at you, what are you on Pharaoh? Of course I'm not mad at you." They laughed and went to join the others watching a dancing game.
Kaiba was still asleep...at least he hoped he was. At the moment Yugi was killing him in a duel and he was getting seriously annoyed. Even though there was the duel at hand his mind was else were. Something was nagging at the back of his mind, something telling him to run. He ignored it and pulled out another card, he held it there and stared. As he did so the thing changed into a small hand held mirror. All the lights in the duelling arena blacked out and lightning lit up the room through the window. He ignored it and turned to face Yugi, but he wasn't there. In his place was a large open fire with screens around it. He stepped forward cautiously. "Yugi...Mokuba?" No one answered in the darkness but there was a strange rasping sound like laboured breathing. He walked towards the fire and knelt down; there was nothing of interest to him so he started to walk back the way he came. As he did so his foot feel on something. As he looked down lightning illuminated the room and his foot rested on a crimson butterfly. Its wings beat against his foot as it struggled to regain its life but soon it was no more. As the butterfly batted its wings for the last time a menacing laugh crackled into being. It grew in intensity until it sounded like someone had gone insane from something. He turned and then all he could see was a woman in a white kimono. Her hair was long and jet black, mostly covering her face. She was an older woman of about 35 but still very pretty. She had ropes attached around her wrists, throat and ankles and at her waist was a crimson rope that hung to her knees. Blood was splattered all over the kimono and her mouth dripped with the liquid. She laughed at him again and he felt a pressing urge to turn and run. Even as he did so he became aware that those two were not the only ones in the room. Holding onto the end of the crimson cord was a little girl wearing a red kimono. Her hair tied up in a traditional Japanese style with gold hairpins and ornaments. Still he could not see the little girl's eyes. Around her pale white wrist was a small red ribbon and attached to this was a bell. At her neck a large butterfly necklace was held fast by a rope. She meant him no harm that he was sure of, she looked at him and he could tell she was imploring him to do something.
There was another presence that was not as benevolent as that girl. The woman laughed and raised her sliced hand to Kaiba, pointing at him and grinning. "Go ahead, all of you...DIE." She set about laughing again and the little girl pulled on the cord that held her there. He realised that the poor child was tied to the cord and not as free as he would have liked. Even as he watched the woman's hand fell and a mist started to rise. It came through the metal floor of his battle dome and he could not understand where it was coming from. Then to his horror from the mist came a strange, distorted figure. It was as grey as the woman and just as bloody. It was bound with many sacred ropes that he had seen in the shrines down town. One of his arms was tied across his chest the other was free to wave around and attack. The creature wore only rags and was suffering from malnutrition, if it was still alive. Its white hair stood up on end at its mouth was barely more than a knife wound that had been gaped open. Its eyes were the most disturbing part of the creature, hollow and desolate with no form of feeling. He finally knew what it must be like to look into his own eyes. He was struck with terror there and then. Wanting to run but his legs would not move all he could do was staring up as the creature grabbed his arm. He felt deep gouging cuts form all over his body and all he could do was scream in agony.
He opened his eyes to stare into the creatures and suddenly saw the little crimson butterfly flutter across his view. The creature also followed the butterfly with its cold dead eyes. He heard the sound of temple bells and the creature let go of him. He buckled over in agony and closed his eyes. He could then hear the sounds of heavy boots walking across the metal with a sullen thunk. But the Nightmare was not over yet. Cautiously he opened his eyes and saw a pair of high heeled knee length boots walk past his view. He pulled himself to his knees and forced himself to look up. Kira walked past him, following the butterfly as if in a trance. She was wearing a bay knee length dress that showed her shoulders, revealing a tank top with very intricate lace straps. On the collar of the dress was a crimson ribbon in the shape of a butterfly.
The thing behind her stepped back as she approached it, parting the mists as she walked through it towards the woman who was still laughing, but not as strong now. Soon it faded away even the woman and odd creature that had caused so much pain disappearing. He stood ignoring the pain and following Kira. She was intent on the butterfly.
Soon they reached a window that stood open; Kira went through it lifting her legs over onto the windowsill outside. It shut behind her making him speed over and open the thing himself, as he did so the glass grinded on the metal causing a loud screech to pierce the all but silent air. Kira was brought out of her trance by this and lost her balance as she came out of it. Screaming she fell from the sill and grabbed hold of the edge with her fingers. She made no other sound as she hung there even when he reached down for her hand she made no sound. Then he too seemed to come out of a trance and he was strangling her to death on the ledge. Her hands released there grip on his as she died and forced him to let out and involuntary cry. "Kira..." her body slipped from underneath him into a large hole below the ledge. He let out an anguished cry as she fell through his fingers. When he could no longer see her body he felt the tears come. Stinging his cheeks as they came, Kaiba tried not to let them cloud his vision. What was that strange red thing flying up from the hole? He dashed the tears away and stared at it. A small crimson butterfly fluttered in front of him.
"Thank you..." it whispered in Kira's voice.
"Kira..." he screamed.
And woke up, "Damn it," Kaiba said while rubbing his eyes. "I need to speak to Kira." He jumped out of bed and was off to get ready.
Kira smiled at the others as she moved her arms to the beat, her legs went with it as well. They had decided to have a dance match between all of them. So far Mai had beaten Joey; she was also on her first match and was currently beating Duke. She snickered as she did so. It would be the perfect payback for all those times he embarrassed her and made her feel unwanted. Again and again he missed the arrows flying at him from the screen and every time she was there to remind him that she was going to win. At a quite part in the song Duke turned to her and smiled a cruel smile, he had something planned. As the first arrow behind her came towards them he kicked her feet out from underneath her and she fell backwards, threatening her hold on the lead. "Keep it clean Duke." Joey yelled.
"Yeah," cried Tea, "Or we're gonna call Kira the winner anyway."
She smiled as she was about to hit the floor and pushed her hand out behind her to balance her weight and press the arrow. She then spun herself around so she was facing away from the screen but with both hands on the arrows. She then kicked her legs out doing the splits and hitting all the arrows she needed before standing and hitting the last arrow. Of course after that performance she won. Kira was proud of herself on that occasion. "Ok my turn to take you on." Tea smiled skipping up to the dance mat.
"Who ever win this," Mai said, "Wins the match."
Kira and Tea drew and walked over who were the others now sat cheering at them both. All that is, except Duke who was very unhappy about not winning. Kira smiled at him, she didn't really hate him for it she was happy that she had won and was even more pleased to have drawn with Tea. She sat next to Yami (who by the way had not taken part) and kicked her legs out onto another seat that no one was sitting on. "So Mai what have you been doing recently, haven't seen you since last Thursday."
"Well had some stuff to take care of, like my car broke down and I needed it fixed. I was stuck in All God's for two days getting the parts."
"Oh Mai how did you cope..." Tea asked jokingly.
"What's so interesting about All God's?" Kira asked full of curiosity.
"You've never been?" Joey turned and looked at her as if she had the plague, "It's only the most beautiful place in Japan!"
"There are loads of shrines and jewellery shops." Tea included.
"And of course the market that always has something for you." Mai added, "One day we're going to have to take you there."
"Yeah and when we do I dare you to go into that market and not come out with anything." Joey said standing to fast and sending his chair flying. Everyone giggled and laughed again at Joey's expense. At least now Kira felt better than she had yesterday. Isis was so far out of her mind that nothing could make her feel bad...or so she thought.
A shadow fell across the table causing everyone to go quite. Kira looked up and came face to face with Seto Kaiba. Immediately she averted her eyes and tried not to think about what happened yesterday. She found herself blushing crazily and Mai took hold of her wrist and gave her a reassuring look. "What do you want Kaiba?" Joey remained standing but started to move towards the other.
"I have nothing to discuss with you." He replied coldly, "I need to talk to Kira."
"That is up to Kira, and if she wants to talk to you." Yami glanced between the taller man and his best friend, "After what you caused to happen yesterday morning I'm not sure if she wants to."
"I don't mind talking to him Yami." Kira stood gracefully from her seat after swinging her legs round, "As long as Mai can come with me." Kaiba gave her a questioning glance before Mai said anything.
"I think she needs some emotionally support so I'll provide it." He shrugged his shoulders and walked away followed by the two girls.
"What happened?" Kira frowned at him, didn't he know, "Kira..."
"Don't push your luck Kaiba." Mai also frowned at him, "If you say one wrong thing I'll take Kira back to the others."
"Oh really and how were you planning to do that?" before Mai could open her mouth Kira raised her hand to both of them.
"Please, I'm sure Kaiba doesn't understand what went on yesterday and doesn't want to hurt me." Mai nodded in forced agreement, "and I'm sure Mai will try not to annoy you." Kaiba also nodded but more openly than Mai. She raised her hands to her temples and rubbed gently, "In answer to your question, Isis had a right go at me yesterday."
"Isis," Kaiba raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest, "About what?"
"About you leaving her because you like me or something along those lines." She turned to Mai and frowned, "I wish you had been there." Her friend nodded and rested a hand on her shoulder. "At least all of her feelings since we ever met came out."
"Look Kira I never wanted to hurt you...I didn't even want to go out with her in the first place."
"What?!" both girls turned and looked at him in shock.
"That is a long story that I would only tell you while your on your own." He waved a hand at Kira and smiled making her blush. "I came over yesterday for a reason, I never got to talk to you about it."
"You had plenty of time before everyone came."
"But I..." Mai sighed at her friend.
"I think he wants to ask you something," she leaned over and whispered to her, "Give him a chance." As she was saying this she noticed that Kaiba was a little on edge as if something scary or odd had happened.
"Ok Kaiba what was it you wanted to ask me?"
"I wanted to know...if...if...."
"For goodness sake Kaiba, Kira's not going to bite your head out so tell her already."
"Look I was just wondering if you would like to go out for a meal with me." He blushed crazily before turning away and starting to walk. Kira and Mai looked at each other in shock and then together they ran after him, each one grabbing hold of a wrist.
"Hey she hasn't given you her answer yet." He stopped, "What did you think she was going to do? Say no?"
"Come on Kaiba, Mai wouldn't let me say no. Anyway it would be my pleasure." He turned back to her with a dazed look on his face, "I'd just have to tell Marik that it's to say thank you for the other day." He frowned at the mention of Marik's name and she thought that it was a spark of jealousy.
"Fine, I'll see you later." He walked off and Kira was sure that if she blurred her vision she could see steam coming gout his ears.
"You know what Mai I think I've made an enemy for Marik." It suddenly dawned on her that Mai had at one time liked Kaiba, "Oh my god I'm so sorry Mai...I" Mai blinked a couple of times and then jumped up in the air as if she was the one who had just been invited out.
"Yes, Kira just got her first date! And that means she needs a dress." The blonde grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her towards the nearest store, "I think I'm going to help you chose it."
It was about and hours later and Kira had put on the last dress that Mai had picked out. All the others were very pretty but she didn't feel quite right in them. It was a long black one with a small trail behind it. The top was more like a bodice than anything and it had a halter around her neck. She smiled at it and turned around and around. She was very pleased with this one. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of fuchsia and she smiled. She had completely forgotten about the others Mai had probably gone to get them. She turned slightly, "So Yami what do you think of this one?" the person in question came out from behind the pile of dresses Mai had chosen; he blushed and then clicked his fingers.
"Damn I was spotted again."
"You wearing that leopard skin again." He nodded and walked around her to look at the dress. The others came over and looked as well. "I think that one is the best yet."
"Yes, I think so to." Tea added.
"I think it needs to be another colour." Mai tilted her head as if examining a sculpture.
"Na, that might make her look odd, I think its fine." Joey leant against Mai, "I still can't believe that you're going through with this Kira."
"Yeah after what happened yesterday I thought you would have layed off Kaiba for a bit and what about Marik?" Tea asked.
"Look I'll talk to him about it, I'm not about to two time him."
"Yeah she's not like that." Mai stated matter-of-factly.
"Now all I have to do is buy this dress." She reached for her credit card inside of her bag and Mai ran forward.
"No, no put that thing away. I said I was going to get it for you. You deserve it and a night on the town; it'll take your mind off what has happened."
Kaiba watched as Kira and the gang left the dress shop and smiled. This was going to be perfect; he could explain himself to her and maybe even end up with her. He just had to find out why she always wanted Marik's permission to do things. Even as he watched her he started to feel a strange sensation running down his back. It was like his dream when he had felt something. A man in a long black hooded coat barged past him knocking his shoulder off his hip. "Watch where your going." He snarled, the man just laughed and headed off towards Kira. Kaiba didn't like how the man was walking. He was a little taller than himself but was just as slender. The other person quickened his pace and went straight for Kira, grabbing her arm causing her to scream. He was so fast that just as Kaiba got to where she had been standing and the others had noticed something was wrong, the hooded freak was gone. He ran and they all followed listening to Kira cry out for help.
Author's notes: Sorry it's so long but I really needed a long chapter after so many short ones. Aarghh Kira's in trouble...but who has the guts to do that? Tee Hee I'll tell you next chapter.