Title – Destined Together

Disclaimer – I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard or any of its characters… Only the OC's in this story.

A/N – Greetings, everyone! I missed this so much. It's been such a long time, I know! I'm sorry for not updating for a long time. I had got caught up in some… things and lot of stress and all but I'm back and fine now. So thank you all for waiting and all these amazing reviews! Thank you, all! I hope you'll keep reading and reviewing! I'll try and update as soon as possible again so stay tuned! And don't forget to share your thoughts and comment at the end please! Happy reading! ^^

Let's continue!

'…' - Thoughts

"…" - Speaking

Chapter 21

No One's POV

Ren's Apartment

"Akari-chan! Yuri-chan! I didn't know you'll be here too!" exclaimed Misaki, surprised to see the ladies at Ren's apartment along with Miwa, Aichi, Asaka, Kenji (Koutei), Yuri and Gai. Akari hugged Misaki in greeting.

"Hey, guys!" everyone greeted with smiles.

"See, I told you Kai will come too" Miwa smirked. Akari nodded at him while the others settled down on random seats.

"He's really unpredictable" Misaki commented and Akari smirked as she heard it.

"Ohh… you're observing him, ha" Akari whispered to Misaki.

Ren shrugged, "Well… I thought he will be resting but he was eagerly waiting-…"

"I wasn't" Kai cut in.

"Glad you came, Kai!" Kenji gave a pat on Kai's shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me about all that's happened? I found out from Miwa" he said with a frown, looking at Kai's bandaged arm and a band aid on the side of his head.

"I'm fine" Kai said and Kenji frowned more at that. Kai sighed, "Stop frowning. It doesn't suit you"

"Kai-san, we were so worried, especially Koutei… But Ren-san and Miwa-san assured us" said Yuri, hands on her hips. "Misaki-chan, you should've listened to Kai-san" she scolded, glaring at Misaki who nodded, not wanting to anger Yuri more. "Kai-san, it's good to hear that you relied on them…" she added, pointing at Miwa, Ren and Aichi.

"Leave it, Yuri. He just likes to worry his friends" Kenji taunted and Kai shrugged.

"I know you all have my back. I feel your love, Kenji" Kai smirked and everyone laughed.

"I heard Kai's uncle is back. So how are you guys doing?" Kenji enquired, looking at Ren, Aichi and Miwa.

"Aa… This week will be pretty hectic since Kai-sama had set up appointments all through this week… Some conferences too. Don't be surprised if Tatsunagi's visit again, kai-kun" Aichi informed and shrugged. "Your uncle is seriously hell bent on taking over them. Oh and Kourin-san may also visit…" he sighed.

"Don't worry, Aichi. We'll be fine. Well, Ren is doing terrific! …Don't be surprised if your uncle loses his sanity because of him" Miwa laughed. Kai shook his head at Ren who shrugged.

"It's not my fault" Ren said and others couldn't help but agree. They all burst out laughing except Kai who merely smirked.

Kai sat on spare chair while Misaki took a seat on the couch the ladies occupied. He frowned when he saw Miwa and Akari approach him. Yuri was introducing her fiancé, Kenji, to Misaki since they weren't able to acquaint properly last time. Gai was telling Aichi how scary his sister can be. It was usual gathering of friends and Misaki felt really happy since she hadn't been able to mix with this many people before who she can now call as friends.

"Hello, Kai-san! Nice to see you again! How are you?" Akari greeted with a smile.

"Likewise, Yotsue-san. I'm fine. I take it Miwa asked you to come" Kai smirked at Miwa who laughed.

"See, I told you he's so perceptive, Akari-san" Miwa said, grinning. Akari nodded.

"Well… I thought this is a good opportunity to thank you for everything you have done…" Akari said as she glanced at Misaki. "Misaki-chan, seems to be doing well… thanks to you. And more… livelier ever since you met her. Anyway, what do you think of her?" she asked.

"What exactly do you mean, Yotsue-san?" Kai frowned.

"Oh, come on, Kai-san~! You can't be that dense since Miwa-san claimed of you being perceptive" she smirked when he glared at her.

'She's too good at this' Miwa thought and snickered.

'She's worse than Miwa and Ren' was what Kai thought.

"These two must be soul mates, judging by their behavior" Yuri commented silently, looking at Miwa and Akari.

"There she goes again…" Kenji sighed at his fiancée who was smirking beside him.

Meanwhile, Misaki was smiling as she chatted with others. She felt she was away from all the problems in her life. After watching the interaction between Kai and his friends, she felt herself smile and… a little jealous of Kai as he had been surrounded by them for a long time. She glanced around to see Kai was talking to Akari and Miwa and chuckled as he glared at Akari for some reason. She knew her best friend must be nagging him. She looked for Ren and found him in the kitchen with Asaka as they prepared beverages. She approached them.

"Let me help" Misaki offered and Asaka smiled.

"Ah, Misa-Q! I hope you're enjoying. I baked a cake too" Ren said with a smile. He took out the cake from the fridge and kept it on the counter.

"Aa. Thank you, Ren…" Misaki smiled as she filled the glasses with some juice.

"Thank A-chan too. She helped me bake it. Actually, she did most of the work" Ren told her.

"I'm happy to help, Ren-sama!" Asaka smiled.

"I mean… I'm grateful to you for inviting me and calling all of them. I don't get such surprises often… I know you won't understand it much… but it means a lot to me. So thank you" Misaki said as both Asaka and she smiled at Ren's skeptical look.

"Well… if you're saying you're having fun then that's enough for me. And you're welcome, Misa-Q" Ren patted her shoulder while Asaka carried the tray of drinks out. "And I should thank you too for agreeing to our farce. We didn't mean to involve you but when you agreed to help Kai, it made me happy" he told her.

"Well… I did owe you all a lot. Besides, you all would have to deal with Kai's uncle if I didn't and I don't want that" Misaki said.

"Ah…" Ren scratched his cheek. "I hope you don't think of Kai any different after the way he acted back there. You aren't scared of him, are you?" he enquired, looking serious.

"…" Misaki was surprised but she answered him, "No… I was just… surprised, that's all. He seemed really different… Some of them called him 'The Dragon' and I don't know… He used to fight, I guess"

"Aa… Misa-Q is curious"

"I'm not. Besides, I don't think he would want me to pry in his life"

"That's Kai for ya! Well… he wasn't a delinquent or something like that so rest easy. It was a title given to him" he told her. "Back then, he just used to be… uh… angry at himself, I guess. A lot had happened after his parents died. He thought it was his fault… Anyway, the point is… he's hard to reach. But I have a feeling he'll warm up to you" he stopped with a sigh.

"What are you-…?"

"Oh! I almost forgot I have to make a call! Excuse me!" Ren exclaimed and left in a hurry. Misaki shook her head and went back to join others.

"Ren is really something else. He called everyone here to make sure everyone's alright. He cares for everyone in the same way…" Miwa said who was sitting beside Kai. "Well… except for Asaka-chan" he added, as he watched Ren leaving the room while talking on his cellphone; saying something to Asaka along the way.

"If you want to talk on such topic, you are sitting with a wrong person" Kai stated. "Go talk with Yotsue" he glared.

"Now, now, Kai. Don't be so mean. Akari-san was just teasing" Miwa laughed. "By the way, how is Kai-sama taking your relationship?" he asked.

"He's suspicious" Kai replied.

"Eh?! It must be your poor acting skills! Try putting your heart into the act or we all will face consequences" Miwa lectured. "You have to show him that Nee-chan and you are close" he advised.

"Ha? I'm handling it just fine"

"If you say so" Miwa sighed as Ren came to them.

"Here" Ren handed Kai a glass who eyed it doubtfully. He laughed, "Relax, Kai. I swear it's just a fruit juice! No alcohol or any suspicious product. I know you'll kill me this time after what happened"

"Hn… Where's the food anyway?"

Next Day…

Kai Residence

No One's POV

'He freaking ordered pizzas for dinner last night! I should've known since its Ren'

Kai glanced at Misaki's room before he passed down the hallways and led himself towards the kitchen. He frowned when his thoughts drifted on her again. Kenji, being the most thoughtful one, asked him last evening if he was taking advantage of Misaki's kindness which got him to have second thoughts. She decided to help him but she was against it before. Does that mean Kenji was right and she had to accept it against her own will? He thought. By then, he could also tell why she stayed. It's not like she stayed because cares for him. She stayed because she feels responsible for his injuries. She only stayed since she thinks she owes him and nothing else, he realized.

It's her way of showing gratitude.

'And why does this makes me upset?'

"Toshiki dear, good morning! You are early…" Rukino said. She was busy cooking breakfast.

"Morning, Rukino-san…" Kai greeted and took a seat on a stool. "Did uncle say anything regarding us?" he asked and Rukino knew he was talking about Misaki and him.

"Well… yes" Rukino sighed. "Apparently, he asked… more like interrogated us regarding you two… Good thing I explained the situation to Naoki-kun and Shingo-kun beforehand. I can tell he still doubts your relationship…" she told him.

"Aa. Expected" he said.

"Toshiki dear… How is your arm?" she asked.

"It's fine. Nothing to worry about. Koutei even scolded me, I'm surprised" he said.

"He must be pretty worried"

"Yeah. Sometimes, it's scary to think that so many people care about me…" he sighed.

"Don't be. Just accept the love~!" Rukino laughed when Kai looked her, bewildered. She continued, "Ah… I was thinking… since Misaki-chan is leaving tomorrow-…"

"Huh?" Kai blinked.

"…You didn't know…? Well, she told me last night. She had called her uncle and he's getting discharged tomorrow, that's why" she informed. "Then again… you went to sleep as soon as you two got back so you wouldn't know" she added, thoughtfully.

"Aa…" he felt silent after that, Rukino noticed.

Misaki was ready for the day, wearing blue skinny jeans and pale yellow shirt. She hummed a soft tune as she exited her room and closed it behind her. She unconsciously smiled, looking at the door of Kai's room across her. She was in a deep thought as she walked off not minding where her steps lead her. She knew she was so grateful to the same man she claimed to hate. Well… she used to hate him but not anymore. She had been quick to judge him and also misjudged many of his actions when all he did was for others' sake, one way or another. She sighed. If anyone had asked her a week ago about what she thinks of Kai, she would have easily answered she hates him without hesitation but now… She wasn't sure. She suddenly recalled Akari's comment from last night…

"Hmm… Looks like the veil of hate has disappeared from your eyes~!"

'Ugh! That Akari! Why am I reacting like this anyway?!' she berated herself, slapping her cheeks and tried to calm her racing heart. 'Get a grip of yourself, Misaki!' she chided herself. She recalled how rudely she had acted with him since the start. What would he be thinking of her? She wondered and she slapped her forehead.

'What in the world? I'm mulling over what he thinks of me?! Seriously?' she thought.

"What do you think you're doing, Tokura Misaki?"

"…?" Misaki was out of her stupor when she looked at Genryu's annoyed face. She glanced around and noticed that she was standing in the garden. 'How did I-…?'

"Uh… Oh… Sorry… Kai-sama" she apologized, realizing she was blocking Genryu's path who was… watering plants. He was in casual clothes for once, she noticed. She stepped aside, surprised that the man like him was watering the plants and was about to leave but Genryu stopped her.

"I wanted to speak to you" Genryu said as he took a seat on a chair. He gestured at the chair beside him, "Take a seat"

"Yes…" Misaki muttered and sat down. "I wanted to speak to you as well, Kai-sama…" she added.

"If it's about Toshiki-…"

"No… I just wanted to apologize… for behaving rudely the other day. I don't mean to disrespect you. It's just that… Oracle Corporation is built by my parents and they had worked so hard for it… And I would never take advantage of Kai or any other person to make it grow. It'll only be an insult to my parents and their wishes… So when you said such things, I couldn't take it" she explained.

"Hn. Then shouldn't you be looking after your company rather than wasting your time here?"

"I'll leave soon" she replied. "I just-… I feel responsible for his injuries. It's the least I can do for him after all he has done for me" she stared off in distance.

"I still don't approve of you being with him. I have found him a better suitor. Besides, I think his feelings for you are just a passing infatuation and nothing more" he stated. "He isn't the one who you can handle. What do you know about him anyway?" he asked and Misaki was silent for few seconds.

"You might be right, Kai-sama… You know him more than me so you must know what he wants" she said.

'This woman… Is she taunting me…?' Genryu knitted his eyebrows, thinking. His nephew was being rebellious because of this woman.

"Hn. Seems like he didn't tell you much about himself yet. Not that surprising" he taunted.

"I know the present him and that's enough for me, Kai-sama" she replied and Genryu fell silent although his eyebrows went up in surprise or amusement, she couldn't tell.

"Oh? You seem too confident. He must have told you about Kourin then" he commented and she nodded. "What if Kourin accepts the proposal? He might not agree with me now but sooner or later, he'll understand. What will you do? Will you let him go?" he asked.

'Kourin-chan will accept this proposal if she likes him' Misaki thought and sighed. And if Kourin likes him, then she had no other choice. If she were to compare the pretend dating farce with Kourin's future… well, it was simple to choose.

"Yes, I will" she decided. 'I hope Kai will understand…' she thought.

"…very well" Genryu said yet he was frowning. He didn't think she would say it so easily.

"I believe that was what you're worried about, Kai-sama. Rest assured. I'll never come between you two nor do I want to cause any conflicts between you. Excuse me" with that, Misaki left Genryu in surprise.

'She better keep her word' Genryu thought. He stared at the retreating form of Misaki, perplexed at her behavior.

Some Time Later…

'Not this again…' Kai thought and had an urge to smack his head on the wall. He came to his office, thinking he would at least check some files but his uncle had just barged in his office and told him to attend Kourin Tatsunagi. He didn't understand why his uncle was being suddenly persistent. Besides, he knew Misaki wanted to tell him that she's leaving but he didn't want her to leave just like that.

'I know all her reasons… but why is it so hard to accept? I have no reason to stop her but… ' he thought.

"You will do it and that's final, Toshiki" Genryu stated with a straight face before sending a sharp glance at Misaki.

"But I'm dating her" Kai tried to refuse, adorning his usual plain look. He pointed at Misaki who was brewing coffee, quietly.

"Then break it off or whatever. Just because you tell me a story doesn't mean I believe it, Toshiki" Genryu narrowed his eyes at Kai. The spoon slipped off of Misaki's hand at that but she caught it while Kai looked unperturbed.

"I'm sorry, uncle… All these things… I'm really tired. Besides, I'm behind my schedule and I have to prepare for upcoming meetings as well" Kai exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple.

Misaki actually felt pity for him. She brought the two cups of hot coffee and kept them on the table. Kai took his cup, instinctively while Genryu stayed put. She watched as Genryu stared at Kai for an answer and it was obvious, Kai looked really tired, stressed even. She frowned when Genryu pressed more.

'Even after I talked to him… He's here again' she sighed.

"Toshiki, you aren't being honest" the uncle continued and Kai averted his eyes from his uncle.

"Kai-sama, excuse my interruption but… his weariness is quite noticeable. He needs rest and yet you overlook such important thing which is your nephew's well-being. His injuries haven't even healed yet" Misaki came to Kai's aid.

"Quiet, girl. You said you won't interfere" Genryu reminded her.

"Please… sir" Misaki bowed to Genryu which had surprised him for second time that day, recalling Kai had done the same for her. She stood straight and continued, "It's alright if you don't accept me being with him but please try to understand his feelings"

Genryu glanced at Kai who looked surprised for a mere second. He glanced to and fro between Kai and Misaki than gave a long stare at Kai. On the other hand, the two couldn't figure out what the older man was thinking when he turned to leave.

"Toshiki, you have to meet Kourin Tatsunagi, one way or another. She came all the way from US just to meet you and I've personally arranged everything. I'll text you the address later. Be ready tomorrow evening, at 7" with that, Genryu left Kai's office.

Kai and Misaki exhaled deeply. They glanced at each other at the same time and shook their heads. Kai drank his coffee while Misaki took the cup for herself which she had made for Genryu. She took a seat in front of him and felt him looking at her.

"What…?" she asked as he kept staring at her face.

"I know you'll definitely deny this… but I think you're actually worried for me, Tokura" he said.

"…H-huh?"

"It's just strange… to see you defend me. You don't have to confront my uncle for me or I might think you've started liking me" he continued, his voice holding humor.

"T-That's n-nonsense!" she denied. "I'm just playing my part. I only said all that because Kai-sama is suspicious" she said, looking away from him and he felt displeased by her reason.

"I see…"

"Besides, I can understand your uncle's feelings. He just loves you so much that's why he worries too much. You must have caused him problems before" she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Hn"

"Well, too bad you couldn't avoid meeting your suitor even when you're 'dating'…" she taunted with a smirk.

"I guess… I'm that popular" he smirked back at her and she rolled her eyes.

"Too full of yourself, aren't you?" she shot a witty comment as she picked up the now empty cups. "And don't think of skipping your date or Kai-sama might think it's my fault" she added, narrowing her eyes at him and he shrugged. "And before I forget, I'm leavi-…" she was suddenly cut off.

"Tch. What's in it for me?" he interrupted as he knew she was about to tell of her departure.

"Ha?" Misaki raised her eyebrows. "It's not like you're doing me a favor by meeting her" she said as she glared at Kai who was jotting something on a paper.

"Because I deserve a reward for wasting my time and energy on something I'm against of" Kai replied. "Make me dinner tomorrow and bring it to me" he said without waiting for her to speak.

"I'm sure you'll be meeting in some fancy diner. You can get food there" she reasoned. "And tomorrow-…"

"I can but I don't want to" he cut in again. "Stop glaring. Besides, I think you should start right now so that you'll finish it on time" he told her as he continued writing.

"But I can't. I'm leav-…"

"You still work for me, you know. I'm still your boss, Tokura. You don't want your friend stood up, do you?" he stopped her from speaking yet again.

"Some things don't change…" she glared at him. "Alright. I'll do it only if you talk to her civilly and not ignore or reject her straight away" she stated.

"Tokura, that's surprising… You're looking out for a friend who isn't even in contact since middle school?" he asked, curious by her conditions.

"So what? We just got busy. Besides… she's meeting the notorious heartbreaker so I'm worried for my friend, is that wrong?" she said and Kai was surprised by the words she described him while she looked amused.

"Notorious…? Really? Well then, if you managed to bring me dinner by 8 pm, this notorious heartbreaker will do as you have said without complaining. Think you can do it?" he challenged her.

"You mean… you'll behave like a charming gentleman if I win?" she asked.

"Sure" he shrugged. 'What's with her and charming men?' he thought.

"Deal"

"Great. Here's what I want for dinner" Kai extended the paper to her, on which he was scribbling on.

"Huh?" Misaki took it and after reading it, she had a bewildered look on her face. "You really are infuriating" she glared.

"Only for you" he said, putting his palm on his cheek as he gave her lopsided smirk.

Kai chuckled when Misaki left glaring at him, almost crashing into wall beside the door.

To be continued…

A/N – Cute. Kai… Aren't you being obvious…? He managed to stop her (Smirk) XD.

Well, that's a long chapter! I'll be waiting for your reactions! Thank you for taking your time to read. Hope you had fun! As usual review and share your thoughts!

Peace! ^^