When Destinies Collide
A side story to How to Steal a Thief's Heart
By Ash Kaiba
Ash Kaiba: Welcome to the fifth chapter! I'm sorry it took a while to post, but a computer with an attitude problem can determine that.
DISCLAIMER! We don't own any of the characters/term(s) from the Yu-Gi-Oh show and games. We do own Ashley "Ash" Black, Kathryn Takemura, and Mae Black, as well as the many minor original characters that pop up from time to time.
Previously in When Destines Collide: Chapter 4: Dream
Kaiba relives an attack by a man after him. He learns a little about his ancient life as a priest. Then, he learns something about Kanika, the mage warrior at his door. Kaiba wakes up with confusion as Mokuba is celebrating that his brother is finally awake. Annoyed, Kaiba is held for observation for forty-eight hours.
Chapter 5: Recommended
It was nearing the end of August. Japan's summer break was coming to an end. Ash stood at her new school's entrance. Her mind was supposed to focus on her enrollment, but kept returning to the dream she'd had ever since she moved to Japan. It actually started when she met Bakura. It was the dream where a man named Seth nearly kissed her, but was swallowed in a dark void. Still, she was there to enroll and talk to the principal about her after school job. The sun was rising in the east, which gave the sky a hint of pink. Behind her, a red Ford Mustang pulled in. A man stepped out of the driver's side. His black hair was neatly combed back, allowing his blue eyes to show. He walked in as Ash held the door. He's an Egyptian! She thought to herself. Slowly, she strolled inside, but the man waited for her at the set of doors.
"Did you come to enroll?" he asked. Ash nodded in confirmation. "What year are you?"
"I'm now in 10th grade, sir. Are you new, too?" she asked.
"No. I'm only here to enroll a patient. He's a senior."
"Oh. You're a doctor. Sorry." She apologized, slightly bowing as Téa had taught her to.
"It's all right. We all make mistakes." He replied as they approached the counselor's office. "You don't look like a Japanese person. Are you an American?"
"Yes, sir, I am," she answered as they walked into the counselor's office.
"Yes, can I help you?" She asked with the principal, vice-principal, and school nurse in the room with her.
"Yes. I came in enroll a patient, Mr. Seto Kaiba. I'm his doctor, Simon Muran. He is a senior. Plus, nurse, I have a doctor's note from myself stating that Mr. Kaiba needs to rest in the school infirmary. You can choose for how long and when. I just want him to rest."
"Of course, Simon," the principal answered. "I promised his brother to recommend someone like…Oh, what is her name? That new American student."
All right…I'm going to get recommended for the job. Then, I guess I'd better talk to this Mokuba.
"Do you mean Ash Black?" Simon asked. "I also happen to be her family's doctor as well. I've heard she's in shape for the track team this year."
"That is just what we need, an American runner." The vice-principal sighed.
"Do you have a problem with that?" She snapped. Then, she slapped her face. Her and her sharp tongue had done it again. Instead of remaining silent, Ash added on, "I happen to know about computers. I might as well talk to this Mokuba and get this over with."
"Who are you? If you're enrolling, I need your name," the counselor ordered.
"Fine. Black is the name. You know, Ash Black, the American runner for the Domino Track team."
Silence fell in the room as the counselor found her transfer papers with the classes she was going to take. Ash nodded and looked at the principal. "Excuse me, Mr. Principal, but I would like a word with you alone." He nodded as he went to his office. Ash followed him in and closed the door.
"What do you want to ask me?"
"It's about an after school job."
"WHAT? Are you crazy? That is strictly…"
"Forbidden, I know. But, my father, Captain Ned Black, is working two jobs and running my family. I work to help him support us."
"What about your mother? Does she work?"
"No. She's dead and has been for years."
"Oh, I'm very sorry."
"Don't even go there. I don't want your pity," she growled.
Shaken and surprised, the principal pulled out a form and wrote her name on it. Then, he signed it on the line. He turned it towards Ash. "Sign on the 'Student Signature' line," he ordered as she took his pen. Ash signed her full name, which was Ashley Nikki Black. She looked up as he placed the paper with her records. Then, he gave her a 'work' card, which stated that she works after school. She bowed and left the office. Finally, she left the school's grounds. It was hard for her to believe she was in high school. Mae was in middle school, which had sixth to ninth grades.
I should head for work. She thought as a gentle rain shower started. Mr. Mutou would be concerned if I didn't show. Dad has a day off, so no Mae for today, I hope. Anyway, where's Bakura? I called him this morning to meet me here. Argh… He must be busy with that Kathryn Takemura girl. I wanted to talk to him about Kaiba Corp. I don't need Dad knowing about it. What does Mr. Mutou know of the company and its runners, the Kaiba brothers? Well, whoever they are, something is telling me that trouble may strike at any corner.
At the Turtle Game Shop…
"Any luck finding a personal assistant for your brother, Mokuba?" Solomon asked. "And how is he?"
"Seto just woke up yesterday evening. So far, he's okay, but he doesn't like being restricted to a bed. As for the personal assistant, I'm not having any luck at all."
Ring…ring. The doorbell sounded as a person walked in. Yugi turned to face him and smiled. "Ash, you're here! Grandpa and I thought you would never show up!"
"I have to work you know, Yugi. Besides, I like working here. It's fun seeing all the kids run back and forth like maniacs," she chuckled. Mokuba's painful gaze caught her eyes. Ash looked at him and felt sorry for him. Then, a vision emerged in her mind, which revealed his pain. His sad voice filled her mind with the image.
How is he? Seto, are you truly okay? I waited forever to see you up and walking, but you're on strict bed rest. All those times I offered to help you, you refused. Seto, why can't you accept the fact that you need to rest?
I don't get it… He's all worried about this Seto guy in the hospital. Could he be the same…Nah, he can't be... Or can he? Ash flinched as the vision disappeared. "Are you okay?"
"Am I okay? AM I OKAY? My big brother is in the hospital, where I so I hardly ever get to see him. He's the only family I've got." Mokuba sniffed.
"I'm sorry, really. I know how it feels to lose a loved one."
"Really?" Mokuba gasped.
"My mother died when Mae was only about two years old. She was… Argh, I can't say it, but I knew her very well." Ash explained. "Since her death, my father and I both have to work to earn enough money to support us."
"Ash, I'm…" Yugi paused.
"It's okay. Really, you guys. It happened a long time ago." She replied, suddenly toughening up.
"Maybe you could get Seto to soften up. Anyway, I'm Mokuba Kaiba, the Game Commissioner at Kaiba Corp."
"Pleasure to meet you. Mae has been saying a LOT of things about you. Well, the name's Ash Black." Ash greeted. "As I understand it, you still have that job opening."
"Well, I was looking for a guy, but…"
"She just wants to help, Mokuba," Solomon answered. Yugi nodded in agreement.
"Okay!" Mokuba smiled. "Follow me."
To be continued…
Next Chapter in the When Destinies Collide Saga: Chapter 6: Another Dream
Kaiba is drawn into the realm of the Egyptian gods, where he meets Ra, Egypt's sun and supreme god. He learns that he previous dream was in fact a memory. Kaiba finds out that a man named Heishin had an evil plot and he was the key to it. Ra tells Kaiba there is a chance if he finds Kanika.
Ash Kaiba: Sorry! But my beta reader is a little pokey. So, please be patient with Chapter 6. Yet, review anyway.
