Chapter 4: Kintsugi Dreams

(Emily's POV)

Fourteen hours. That's how long I'd be stuck in an aircraft with Kaiba and no place to go. Just the thought as I tossed the last of my things in a box sent a chill down my spine and turned the bile in my stomach.

"Damn you google and being all-knowing" I muttered shoving some clothes in a bag. I paused glancing at the screen one more time. Maybe I'd read it wrong? "Damnit!" Nope. Commercial flights from New York to Tokyo were all either fourteen hours or just shy that they might as well have been fourteen hours long. There's no way he has a plane that can make the whole trip. We will have to land and wait for a refuel in probably California. I thought to myself. Still. To be stuck on a plane for any period with that jerk made my skin crawl. I could always sleep through the flight. The less interaction I had with him, the better.

I still hadn't quite figured how I would completely dodge him once we got to Japan. Then again, he probably had a big house in the middle of nowhere so I could just find the room on the clear opposite side and away from him. I would have to check the laws about minors living on their own. If it was allowed, I might even try to live on my own. As if he'd let you? He takes after his old man. He'll make sure you stick around just so he has someone to piss off and toy with. That little voice in my head pointed out as I sighed in defeat.

"Miss Emily?" Asked a soft voice behind me. Glancing back, I saw one of the Japanese maids we had on staff. Though I couldn't remember her name, I knew she'd been with the family for quite some time.

"Y-Yes?" I replied pausing my packing for a moment.

"T-These are some things from your brother's room & his dorm at school. I thought you would want them." She spoke nervously as she held up a medium box already taped shut. I was slightly taken back by her gesture. I had released the staff yesterday giving them all letters of reference to give to the other families in the area, so what was she even doing here?

"T-Thank you..." I nodded taking the box gently.

"No Miss Emily. We should thank you." She countered with a small forced smile.

"Why?" I asked kind of taken back.

"Your letters Miss. It wasn't necessary, but I can tell you that several of the others have already found work thanks to your words. We hope you too can be free now."

"F-Free?" I asked confused.

"You had dreams not long ago Miss. You had beautiful dreams. Maybe now you can recreate them like a craftsman would a kintsukuroi pot." She nodded with a sympathetic smile.

"I'm sorry? A kintsu-what?" I questioned setting the box next to the stack of my things.

"Kintsukuroi or Kintsugi Miss. It is a craft back home. In Japan, when a cherished piece of pottery is damaged or broken, it is not thrown away or just glued together trying to hide the cracks. It is repaired with care and gold. The gold does not hide the damage, it highlights it. It is believed that when something precious takes damage, it is not something to hide, but something that makes it more beautiful because it shows that the item was only broken not destroyed. It gave the piece a history to carry on even longer." She paused walking over and gently taking my face in her hands, "Those dreams you had Miss Emily. They were precious things. They too can be put back together and made even more beautiful than before."

I was confused. I was baffled. The words this woman spoke was as if she knew something I didn't. I was leaving the only home I knew only to live with a family that made it Hell on Earth. I was alone going to a country I had never thought of despite being half native. My family was dead. I was taking over a company I barely knew enough about. All this. I was forced to do this when I had only just become old enough to drive. What dream could I possibly have now besides living to see tomorrow?

The woman took my silence with a small frown as she stepped away from me. "My apologies Miss. I wish you the best." She bowed taking her leave.

Several hours later, I was stepping onto one of the private tarmacs at JFK International. I had sent my things ahead to be loaded, but they were still in that process as I arrived. Great! So we're obviously not ready for take off yet. I thought to myself. Fourteen hours. How the hell was I going to survive the next fourteen hours?

"Mikoro. I see you finally made it." I heard Kaiba speak up from nearby.

Looking towards the voice's direction, I forced a smile, "Yep! Can't wait any longer."

"You have all your IDs with you correct?" He asked in a rough tone.

"Oh fuck! I packed all that legal looking stuff in a box to be mailed to your place. I mean, are you sure I can't leave this country with just my American driver's license? I mean the Japanese government will just have to deal I guess." I shrugged rolling my eyes brushing past him.

"I'm serious Mikoro." He glared as his hand gripped my arm, "Do you have everything you need?"

"Do you have any hot male flight attendants?" I asked pulling the sunglasses I had on up for a moment. The scour on his face at least gave me a little joy as I pulled loose from his grasp. "No? Well then I guess I don't have everything I need then. Damn."

"Mikoro!"

"Relax!" I snapped slipping my glasses back down as I pulled my passport out of my jacket pocket waving it, "This isn't my first trip out of the damn country! I've got it all here, so keep your pants on Fabio!"

"No worries, " He huffed catching up just to push past me, "You're already not my type and that mouth you have doesn't help."

"I happen to think my mouth is cute. Gives me an original charm." I laughed taking the spot walking behind him.

I guess being the one pestering him could be how I live through this flight? I thought to myself amused.

"There are some things you need to sign and fill out while we're in the air." He spoke up keeping his pace.

"Um what? Sorry I don't sign shit unless it clears the family legal staff first. Last thing I need is having you slip something that sells me off to some mail-order bride crap hole or worse a pre-nup." I pointed out.

"As if I would sign myself to such a hell!" He growled turning around so we were almost nose to nose, "If you insist on waiting until we land that's fine. It's only the application you need for your Certificate of Eligibility so you can start your residency change. Just don't expect my help getting it through the Ministry of Justice."

"Hello! If it's not obvious, I'm half-Japanese! Don't I get like the easy-path for that one?" I asked pulling my glasses and setting them on the top of my head holding back my bangs.

"Your father being a Japanese National does help the process, but you still have to go through it. That means you still have to apply for a long-term visa like anyone else. The sooner you start the process the better." He retorted.

"Long term? Um sorry I don't plan on being there long. I couldn't be paid to live there long." I responded with a small laugh.

"Unless you are suddenly 90-days from your eighteenth birthday, your visa would have to be long-term you idiot." He countered with a small sneer.

"Now listen here asshole!" I snapped, "It's one thing to tease. It's one thing to play, but don't you dare try and insult me like that. I will put you in your place."

"Really now?" He asked amused, "Please tell me. How do you plan on doing a damn thing about it? You're just a girl. You are probably all bark no bite."

I gave him a quick jab to the upper gut getting a look of shock from him as a response, "I may be small. I may be a girl, but don't you dare think that makes me any less able to stand up for myself. Even if my dad may have been an asshole businessman like you and your old man, he taught me how to handle the other kids in the sand box just fine on my own. Other girls played with dolls, I played with numbers and profit margins. Other girls learned hop scotch and jump rope, I was taught how to not take shit from jerks like you in a board room. Other girls were busy collecting the newest Louis Vuitton handbags, my father was showing me the newest model of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle that we would be in charge of programming. So my bite may be small Kaiba, but trust me it hurts like hell!"

He had nothing in response except a glare. I took his silence as my triumph and walked past him boarding the jet and finding a seat in a back corner. Maybe I pissed him off enough to guarantee he kept his distance until we landed in California to refuel. I got comfortable and pulled out my laptop grabbing a pair of headphones and logging into Netflix. Fourteen hours. That should be plenty of time to find a new show or two.

(Kaiba's POV)

This girl was going to be the death of me! We hadn't even left the damn airport and I already wanted to toss her out the window! Maybe that was her purpose? Did Gozaburo sign those papers knowing he was taking a chance of getting this annoying girl just to torture me? "Touché old man if that's true..." I grumbled finally following her to the jet. How the hell was I going to survive the next fourteen hours with this headache? Thankfully, she was leaned back on one of the larger seats in the back corner; the exact opposite end where I preferred to sit. Maybe this might be manageable after all.

I took my seat and pulled out my own laptop bag. As I pulled out the computer, some of the loose papers I had tossed in there spilled out. I quickly picked them up putting them in the chair next to me. I wasn't until after we were in the air that I happened to glance at them again. It was information I had looked up and collected the other night. After watching some of Emily's performance footage, I had started looking up schools that would match her specific talent. I knew nothing of the world she lived in, but the options seemed to be out there for her. Why had she not taken them?

Tossing the thought aside, I collected the papers and put them back in my bag. If she wanted to get on my nerves, I had no obligation to help her. She could take care of her school choice and enrollments for all I cared. That's if she even can. A thought argued. Such could have been true, could Mikoro even communicate with other people in Japan? Did she have that skill? Would I have to hold her hand until she learned? I cringed at the thought.

I got up from my seat and walked over where she was watching something on her computer, "Mikoro? Mikoro?" She didn't seem to notice, so I reached over taking one of the ear buds out of her ear.

"Hea! What do you think you're doing?!" She snapped.

"Well, you obviously didn't hear me, so I thought I'd make it a little easier." I pointed out kind of pissed.

"Well what do you want then?" She grumbled tapping on her mouse pad stopping whatever was playing.

"I need to know if you father ever taught you Japanese or will we have to get you a tutor?" I asked.

"I may be rusty, but of course he taught me." She replied in near perfect Japanese dialect.

"Read and write?" I questioned.

"Though your writing system is a total a pain," she sighed, again in Japanese, "Yes, dad taught me kanji, kana, and romaji. We done?"

"Yeah. We're done." I sighed in response as I went back to my seat. As I walked away, I could swear I heard the word 'asshole' leave her mouth, but when I looked back she was grinning with that forced innocent smile confirming my suspicion.

Yes. This girl was going to be the death of me if I didn't kill her first, and I had to endure nearly two years of this.

(Emily's POV)

Somehow, I made it all the way to Japan without killing Kaiba in his jet. Thankfully, he seemed to like it in his little corner and didn't bother speaking to me except once or twice the entire trip. We had cleared customs and made it to a car he had waiting.

"Welcome home sir!" The driver spoke up as the two of us approached. Kaiba only nodded as he stepped into the vehicle. "Miss." The driver nodded to me.

"Hi!" I grinned before climbing in myself taking the seat opposite of Kaiba just like in the plane.

"Listen, I need you to understand some things before we make it to the house." He spoke up in a rough tone.

"Really? Going to give me the 'house rules' speech? We're practically the same damn age!" I replied shaking my head in aggravation.

"True, but the house has my name on it, and that is the difference." He snapped.

"Alright," I sighed sarcastically, "Lay it on me master!"

"Your mouth for one. Cool it when you're at the house! I won't have you using language like you have been around my brother."

He had my interest. There was a second Kaiba son? Gozaburo adopted brothers? I was only aware of Seto's adoption following Noah's accident. How come this was the first I was hearing of this? He just continued his speech not noticing my change in mood.

"I won't have you causing trouble. I don't know what you do for fun, but if it is-"

"Relax!" I sighed, "The worst you might get out of me is loud music. Just put me on the other side of the house as you and we'll be fine."

"That can be arranged. Though I will set another deadline."

"A deadline?" I asked bewildered.

"I'll give you one week to find and apply to a school. If you refuse or can't decide, I will choose one for you." He explained.

"Um excuse me... Did you just say school?" I tried not to laugh.

"Of course I did. What's so funny?" He retorted deepening his glare.

"I'm fine. I already went through the whole school process." I shrugged.

"Really? Which one did you choose?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest in interest.

"Umm not choose.. I finished. I can focus on getting MI relocated and running."

"No. You have no record of a formal education past primary school, so you will enroll into one of the local high schools if you can manage that one." He countered.

"Kaiba, I was home schooled I have the damn documents!" I argued.

"And those certificates will mean nothing here. Home schooling is not a big thing in this area, so it's not very well credited. That being the case, you will attend a professional school of either your or my choosing if you can't find one in the next seven days. Once you are enrolled, you will attend. I will not tolerate truancy or you slacking off."

"Like you should care!" I snapped.

"I would when it's me they have to call in and pester about you not showing up or making the grade. Remember, I'm the one responsible for you! I won't have you causing problems for me when I have better things to do." He quipped.

"You're an asshole. You know that?" I grumbled crossing my arms over my chest.

"You've made that point pretty obvious." He replied rolling his eyes

"Well good to know you are aware of my feelings. Anything else I need to know about being a good house guest daddy?" I sarcastically asked.

"Nothing right now, but I'll let you know if something comes up." He muttered glaring at me one last time before changing his attention to the passing view.

We sat in silence for the rest of the ride. He was the first out when the car pulled up to a rather large home much like mine in the New York countryside. I followed carrying the two bags I had packed to use until my things got in from the airport.

"Seto! You're home!" I heard a young voice yell as we entered the main entrance hall. Looking up, I saw a younger kid with long black hair running down a set of steps. He wasn't too much younger than us maybe only a couple years. No more than five years younger maybe.

"I told you I wouldn't be too long Mokuba." Kaiba spoke as the kid hugged him about the waist.

"Yeah, but always good when you come home brother." The kid spoke up with a small grin.

I could see it. That look of love and admiration for an older sibling. This must have made him Mokuba Kaiba. The second son I never heard about.

"How was school?" I heard Kaiba ask.

"Fine. Had a test in Geometry and got a 97."

"Why 97?" Kaiba asked pausing for a moment.

Just like his old man! Fucking perfectionist that can't see the good! I thought to myself rollign my eyes at the thought.

"It was a weird question. Do you think you can explain it to me if I show you?" The kid asked embarrassed.

"I probably can. Let me get someone to show Mikoro to her room first, so she can get settled." Kaiba nodded slipping his suit jacket off and placing it in a small closet.

"M-Mikoro?" The kid asked as if he suddenly realized my standing behind the two of them at the front door.

"Umm... hi?" I greeted with a small wave.

"You weren't kidding about bringing a girl home?!" Mokuba gawked.

"Woah! Phrasing little man!" I spoke up suddenly defensive.

"Huh?" The kid asked confused.

"Mikoro!" Kaiba warned.

"What? That wasn't foul! Just saying there are other ways to have worded that statement, because it's pretty obvious you're not my type and I'm not yours. Therefore, the thought that you would 'bring me home' would be completely ludicrous!" I shrugged holding my hands up in surrender.

The kid started to laugh and Kaiba just intensified his glare.

"Mokuba, this is Emily Mikoro. Mikoro, my brother Mokuba." Kaiba stated formally greeting the two of us.

"Hi Emily!" He waved.

"Hi.." I nodded.

"If you would give me just a minute Mikoro." Kaiba sighed stepping into one of the side rooms.

"Soooo you're going to live with us?" The kid asked curiously.

"Umm yep.."

"And I take it you're not like... trying to see my brother are you?" He shrugged.

"Ew.. Ewwwww... No. No thank you!" I cringed feeling my skin crawl.

"How do we know you?"

Holy hell! This kid is inquisitive! I thought to myself.

"Our fathers knew each other." I replied on guard.

"Wait, you mean Gozaburo?" He asked as if startled.

"That would be the man..." I muttered.

"You know he's... gone... right?" The kid pointed out on edge.

"Yeah... I'm aware of that little fact." I quipped.

"Alright Mikoro." Kaiba announced as he walked back into the main entrance with someone that looked like house staff. "Yuri is going to show you to one of the guest rooms readied."

"Oh good. Sleep sounds awesome right now." I stated forcing a smile.

"This way then please Miss." The woman asked gesturing me to a far off hallway.

Following her, we walked in silence for a good bit. We arrived to the room mentioned and I was surprised to find a decent sized room like the one I had. The furniture was simple but I could tell it was pricey. The colors were neutral. The decor was more historical and antique related. It was a small bowl on a long dresser that caught my eye. It was an antique white china looking bowl, but there were little golden veins all around the outside. I picked up the piece studying it.

"Are you a fan of the Kintsugi craft Miss Emily?" The woman asked.

"Wait.. This is Kintsugi" I asked remembering the name from that talk I had with the maid this morning.

"Y-Yes Miss. Are you familiar with it?" She asked a little uneased.

"One of the women that worked for me told me about it before she left my service this morning. I can see what she meant about highlighting the damage in an appealing fashion." I muttered setting the bowl down and running my finger around the rim as I tried to recall the woman's exact words to me.

'When something precious takes damage, it is not something to hide, but something that makes it more beautiful because it shows that the item was only broken not destroyed. It gave the piece a history to carry on even longer. '

Maybe the woman had a point. As I looked at the gold cracks in this simple piece of stone. They did not look jagged or rough at all. The seams were smooth to the touch now a part of the bowl as a whole. The gold filled cracks now gave the once plain bowl a splash of color and life. Could I do the same thing with my current predicament? Could I turn something that only broke me into something beautiful?

'Those dreams you had Miss Emily. They were precious things. They too can be put back together and made even more beautiful than before.'

What was my dream then? What did I want most before seven days ago? I wanted to dance. I wanted to be better than mother ever was! The voice in my mind reminded me. Dance. I not even tried to do it since the night I was given the news. As someone who practiced every day if not multiple times a day, the sudden realization was stunning. I had gone a whole week without the thing that mattered so much to me before.

"Miss, are you alright?" The woman asked setting a hand upon my shoulder.

"Y-Yeah... I'm just fine actually.." I nodded feeling a real grin come across my lips. "Actually, can I ask a favor of you?"

"I-I guess. What can I do for you Miss?" She asked a little nervous.

"It's nothing huge. I just wanted to know if there was an empty room near here. One with some decent space to move around in?"

If I was serious about this, I had calls to make and work to do. Most could wait until morning, but I needed to start practicing now. I had this dream denied to me once, but there was no one to deny me now. I only had to get to work! I was going to piece this dream back together. It only took the biggest tragedy of my life to get it going, but I would fill the cracks in the most beautiful shade of gold I could find and put it on display for all to see.