Guardians

Note: Apologies for the wait, but I've been busy lately. I hope you enjoy this next installment in Guardians. Don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh, or else this would actually follow that plot, and would be lacking in romance

Chapter Eighteen: Story of Darkness

Seto Kaiba stared at her as if she had about thirteen heads.

Did she just touch me and say something without stuttering?

Did I just touch him and say something without stuttering?

"I did. And I meant it, too. You didn't do anything wrong, Seto. I understand… this is just the way you are. It doesn't bother me anymore."

His cheeks had that slight red tint to them, but his face looked its usual indifferent clam. "Anymore?"

"Well of course it b-bothered me at first. It would b-bother anyone to be talked down to like that."

I know I shouldn't do that but-

"Don't think about that now, Seto. It's private, and I shouldn't hear it unless you tell it to me because you want me to know."

Those were a lot of stutter free words. "You didn't stutter that time. It was much less annoying."

Karmina smiled and winked, then turned bright red. Wingweaver laughed and Blue Eyes cocked an eyebrow, reminding the girl's so much of Seto Kaiba, his charge, that even Karmina laughed out loud.

"I don't see the humor in that," Blue Eyes stated, scowling.

Wingweaver straightened. "I had been in the human realm too long. I forget our peril. For that I apologize. Karmina, though I am glad to see you smile so often, I'm afraid that there is no time for laughter."

"This realm is in great danger of being wiped out by a mysterious force of darkness that consumes all it touches. This palace is all that remains of this one wonderful land, and only because the monsters of light and dark together made a barrier to hold off this unseen force. It will not hold forever."

Wingweaver sighed and looked to the window. "Already Blue Eyes and I sense the darkness approaching, closing in on the palace. We fear that there is no time left to gather our forces for the last stand. And you two are our only hope in beating the dark."

"Why?"

"Because," Blue Eyes stated darkly. "The darkness is the embodiment of all the power of the monsters of this realm who fell to harsh ways. This is what became of their combined forces. Though they are no longer in existence, destroyed by their hatred, their dark creation remains. No monster can destroy such a thing, for it draws our powers to it, and ultimately destroys us as well."

Karmina took in a deep breath. "So… because we don't have powers, we can beat this thing?"

"I never said that you didn't have powers. But human magic is different from ours, and therefore would not be absorbed by the darkness."

"There's no such thing as magic," Kaiba said harshly.

"Even if there is, I certainly don't have any."

Wingweaver smiled. "The magic inside of you has been dormant, but coming here has awakened it."

"That's ridiculous. There's nothing special about me at all."

I wouldn't say that. Since magic isn't real, she can't have any, but she's definitely special.

Oh my… he really thinks that?

"Trust me, Karmina, you are a very special person, and you do have magic. So does your Mr. Kaiba the skeptic."

Kaiba snorted and Karmina shook her head.

Wingweaver exchanged a glance with Blue Eyes. "Then we'll just have to prove it, then, won't we?"

Karmina shrugged and Kaiba rolled his eyes.

Wingweaver smiled and shut her eyes, facing her palms outward. Humming a soft, melodic tune, she started to glow a bright gold color.

"This," she told them. "Is my magical essence. It is a part of my skills to be able to bring the magic inside a soul to view."

Glancing around the room, Karmina saw that Blue Eyes was engulfed in a light of his own, this one blazing white-blue. Holding her hands in front of her, she saw that they, too, were surrounded by light. Hers was a soft, timid color that seemed to be a mixture of lavender and silver.

"The two of you have a very special, very powerful type of magic. It is a type that connects to love and life. When used correctly, it can do virtually anything."

For the first time she noticed Kaiba's own light, a rich, deep, blood red.

"It's going to take more than a fancy light show to trick me," he said.

"Seto… I don't think Wingweaver would lie to us. I've known her my entire life, and she's never steered me the wrong way before. And even thought you didn't know it, I'm sure Blue Eyes was there to protect you, too."

Yeah, and he did a great job protecting me from Gozaboro, didn't he? "You really expect me to believe this?"

Karmina shrugged. He doesn't trust me, does he?

"No, I don't trust you." I thought I did, but how can something like this be true. It's not possible. And you just stop listening to this, Karmina.

"But I can't stop. I would, if I could, honest." Of course then, there'd be no way to tell what was on your mind. You'd never tell me. "Wingweaver, I'm going upstairs… I need to rest. I have a headache." Don't let them see you cry, don't let them see. Just a little farther.

She walked swiftly up the stairs, not minding her dress as it caught under her feet a few times, causing her to fumble. With all the dignity she could muster, she picked up her skirts and finished up the staircase, her shoes making a hollow echo through the palace.

"You should go after her, you know," Blue Eyes stated simply.

"She may not like to show it, but she hurts easy. She's going up there to cry her eyes out and sing her heart out."

"What do you two care?"

"We're your guardians. It's our job to keep you safe, and help you make good choices. And besides that, Karmina is my friend, and I'd rather not see her hurt by someone who can't seem to understand his own feelings."

Instead of answering, Seto Kaiba turned and headed up the stairs, unsure whether he was following Karmina or going to his own room.

End note: Sorry for the short chapter, but I have to think it over before I go farther. I'm going to review as soon as I can, but please have patience. Don't forget to review!