Guardians
Note: Sorry for the wait, but I have major writer's block and cranking out this chapter took forever. Nevertheless, I enjoyed writing it. I hope the reading experience is the same. Enjoy and review!
Disclaimer: Don't own Yu-gi-oh, or anything relating to Yu-gi-oh, except the cards that I totally paid for
Chapter Seventeen: A Clumsy Morning
The next morning, Karmina woke as she often did, tired, confused, and alone. It was something she was used to, but the feeling of butterflies in her stomach was not. She looked around and noticed that another strange outfit had been set out for her to wear. It was a silky, flowing blue gown, a shift to go underneath, and a pair of purple gloves.
"Interesting," she muttered to herself, slipping into the dress and shift but leaving the gloves where they were.
"They told me to come get you for breakfast."
She jumped, recognizing the voice of Seto Kaiba. Sure enough, he was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.
I thought my outfit was bad, she thought, noting his costume.
"L-Lord of D, hmm?"
"Ah yes, and it's very funny. Ha ha."
"At l-least you aren't wearing a dress."
"Close enough." She looks beautiful in blue.
Why does he only compliment me in his thoughts? What's so bad about being nice every once and a while?
"Critical, aren't you?" You wouldn't understand. Leave me alone.
"Whatever." How can I understand if he won't let me? I guess… I guess I'm not good enough to know his secrets.
Did she just say whatever?
Oops… I guess I ought to apol-
"DON'T APOLOGIZE!"
"Right… sorry… I mean… oh… forget it."
He shook his head and then started walking down the stairs. Karmina smiled a shy little smile and followed him, walking carefully in her dress but not managing very well. Her foot kept catching on the hem, nearly making her fall each and every time she tried to take a step.
"Darn it you stupid dress," she muttered, not noticing when Kaiba turned around to watch her with a hint of a smile on his face. She yanked at the hem, trying to get in her hands so she could hold it away from her feet.
She heard the strangest noise in the world and glanced up to see someone she almost didn't recognize. Seto Kaiba was almost smiling and that sound was clearly his attempt at laughing.
"What's s-so funny?"
"Who said anything was funny?"
"Oh no you don't. D-don't pretend you weren't smiling a second ago."
"You caught me," he said indifferently.
"Ha ha." She took a step and wobbled pathetically. "So maybe it is a little funny," she muttered, fumbling with the dress a little more before heaving a great sigh. "It's h-hopeless. Go on w-without me."
"Was that supposed to be humor?"
She smiled a gentle, secret smile. "Maybe."
He shrugged and offered her his hand. "Here. We'll never get there unless I help you."
Blushing, she put her dainty hand in his and together they descended the stairs, though sloppily and with a lot of near falling experiences.
At the bottom of the staircase stood Wingweaver and Blue Eyes, both of them smiling.
"Follow me, Karmina, if you don't mind. It's time for you two to eat breakfast, and then I'm afraid it's on to the bad news."
"Bad news?"
Bad news?
"Come, eat. We will discuss it later."
This sounds bad.
This is not going to be a good day. I can just tell.
Well aren't you a little ray of sunshine.
Yeah, that's me.
There was a huge buffet of various foods awaiting them, and Karmina was stunned.
Gosh, this is better than stale cereal with no milk.
I'm not impressed.
Both of them grabbed their plates, and studied the food. Seto Kaiba put some eggs and a slice of toast on his plate and poured himself a cup of coffee. Karmina stared dumbfounded at the sheer amount of food before getting some pancakes, which she had never had, and sausage, which she had also never had. For a drink, she had a tall glass of milk.
"This is amazing Wingweaver. Thank you!"
"I suppose this is a lot considering what you have to compare it to."
"She's that orphan, isn't she, Wingweaver."
"That's not the nicest thing to say in front of the girl, Blue Eyes."
"Blame it on my little charge's sour attitude."
Kaiba cocked an eyebrow. Little?
Karmina giggled and nearly chocked on her milk. "Whoops."
"Are you just feeling clumsy today, Karmina?"
"M-maybe a little."
He sighed when she stuttered, making her flinch. "Just full of little ticks, aren't you?"
"I guess."
Is she afraid of me like the others? Did I do something wrong? Am I being too mean?
Like a reflex, Karmina's hand went to his arm. "No," she said softly, startling both Kaiba and herself.
End note: Another cliffie, dears. Review and there shall be more!