When Destinies Collide

By Ash Kaiba

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. Plus, we don't own Kaiba Corp.

Ash Kaiba: Captain Black is mad at Ash in the last chapter. To see his happy side, go back to Chapter 3. Thank you everyone for reading. I just got my first bad review and for those that feel the same, don't say anything. Just click the back button and that will be that. For those that like it, thanks again.

Previously in When Destinies Collide: Chapter 11: School Court

Kaiba visits the principal's office. He later learns that he is doing a project with Joey Wheeler.

Chapter 12: Rivals Talk

"Kaiba! Wait up!" A young voice called. Kaiba stopped at the left side of the gate. Yugi Mutou ran to him with his blonde bangs bouncing as he ran. When he finally caught up with Kaiba, Yugi bent down to his knees as he gasped for breath. "Thanks, Kaiba. I thought that if you left, I wouldn't have a chance to talk to you," he wheezed, his purple eyes showing his weariness. "I want to ask you something and I want the truth. You already know that I consider you as a friend of mine, Kaiba. As a friend, I would like to know what is going on."

"How strange, Yugi. Here you are, wishing to talk to me, when I was going to wait for you in the first place," Kaiba replied as they walked out the gate of the school. The senior looked up at him in confusion. "What I'm saying is that I wished to have a word with you as well. I know this is against my reputation, so I must ask you to keep this a secret. We could just act like nothing happened between us until..."

"Until what, Kaiba?"

"Until I am positive about my identity."

"Does this have something to do with this morning?"

Kaiba nodded. "I'll start from the very beginning. I am diagnosed with exhaustion that worked its way up since...What's his name?"

"Anubis, the mummy who manipulated you, tossed you by the head, and knocked you out?" Yugi reminded in a question. (A/N: Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light villian.)

"Yeah, him." Kaiba shuddered at the very thought of him. Then, he decided to continue. "I haven't been able to fall asleep at night like I used to. I would lie awake in my bed at night, and sleep at my desk during work. It's like my time balance is messed up or something. The nights have become restless. My appetite has decreased to below serving size and stopped there. Then, about a month ago, I passed out at Kaiba Corp."

"So that is what Bakura meant! He told us you were in the hospital."

"Bakura? Us?"

"You probably don't remember him. He was one of the eight finalists in Battle City. Both he and I were hanging out at Ash's place in Cherry Blossom Apartments."

"Oh...Anyway, I woke up about two days ago. Dr. Muran restricted me from activity that can make my condition worse, like sports. However, something is just...different. My life isn't the same anymore." He paused as the wind blew in their faces. Kaiba felt a threat in the breeze. Yugi looked at him in a confused manner as Kaiba looked at the world out of the corner of his eyes. Then, he thought he heard something.

"Is something wrong, Kaiba?" He asked with concern in his eyes and voice.

"I don't know. I thought I heard something. Did you hear it?"

"No, but I'm starting to think that you're losing it."

"Oh." Am I just hearing things or did I hear it?

"What else, Kaiba? Is there more?"

"Yes. Before I woke up at the hospital, I had a dream in Egypt." He paused with Yugi's mouth dropping in surprise. "It had some guy named Siamun, a girl who goes by the name of Kanika, and the Spirit of the Puzzle. In it, my former teacher, Heishin, attacked me. Yami and his counselor were in my room with Kanika at the door." Kaiba stopped, allowing all this to sink into both of their heads. Finally, Yugi nodded at him to continue on in telling his story, as the Kame Game Shop got closer. "On the day I went back home, I was with one of the...Egyptian Gods, Ra. He said that 5,000 years ago I was chosen in order to stop some prophecy of the world falling into an eternal darkness, but I died before I had reached the age to harness the power he was gong to grant me. Now that he has found me in this time, he told me the only way I can strip myself of this evil was by finding Kanika."

"Evil? Kaiba, while you were out, the Rare Hunters have returned. Joey and I have beaten most of them, but they all say the same thing. 'We will find the one with darkness in his soul.' When you said something about stripping yourself of this evil, you reminded me what the hunters told me. Kaiba…Who exactly are we up against? What evil are you and the Rare Hunters talking about?" Yugi frantically asked as Kaiba stepped into a nearby alley. Yugi followed him to the very end, where nobody dared to live. Abandoned gang markers spread on both sides. "Kaiba, why are we here?" He asked as Yami ghostly appeared.

"To show you what we are up against." Kaiba answered with a weak smile of delight on his face, as his body became transparent. Yami and Yugi felt the magic at work as it made their friend's clothes clear as well. Everything in the transparent Kaiba revealed the back wall, but one. Yugi gasped he saw a dark mist shroud out the area around Kaiba's heart. Suddenly, Kaiba regained his solid matter and backed into the wall. His body slid down as Yugi and Yami rushed to his aid. Sweat seeped through his skin with a burning sensation. In his mind, an ancient voice called out to him, ordering him to attack Yugi. But before he could move, Yugi touched his shoulder and the feeling left him.

"Kaiba, what's wrong? Kaiba!"

He looked at Yugi with no recognition in his eyes. Kaiba, then, glanced around the alley as if he was trying to remember what happened. The blue irises were a dark void in his face. Yugi noticed that the original eye color was coming back. His friend looked back at him with a spark of hope in his eyes. "Yugi." He gasped as Yugi helped him onto his feet. "What happened?"

"That's what I'm wondering, Kaiba."

Then, it dawned on him. "Someone wanted me to hurt you, Yugi. I don't know who, but I remember hearing a voice inside my head." He answered, holding his head like a frightened child. His eyes regained the blue ocean waves. They walked out of the alley, silent. Finally, Kaiba said something. "I'm sorry if I scared you, Yugi."

"It's okay. I know now and that is what counts. Do you want to stay for dinner?"

"No. I better get home so I don't scare Mokuba half to death." He answered as Yugi walked away. "Yugi!" He yelled as a limousine pulled up to him. Yugi turned and smiled, knowing what Kaiba was going to say. He waved good-bye. Kaiba slowly returned the sign. Then, he slowly drew his hand down. Finally, he climbed in. The chauffeur looked at him with the rear view mirror. "Just head for home, Charles." Kaiba answered with a yawn. He positioned his head on the back of the cushioned seat. In a matter of seconds, he was asleep. Charles looked at him through the means of the rear view. Then, the chauffeur focused on the road.

At the Kaiba mansion…

"Seto should be home in any moment now. What is taking him so long?" Mokuba questioned. He looked at Captain Black and his friend, Mae, whom was wearing her school uniform. Ash stood at the bookcase in black, bellbottomed jeans and her new black Kaiba Corp jean vest, which covered a white sleeveless shirt. On her tan arms, Mokuba noticed that there were tattoos on both of her upper arms. According to Mae, when Ash was twelve, she joined a middle school gang. Her father didn't agree to it, but she continued fighting high school gangs until she was thirteen. Her long hair was tied back into a ponytail and braided down. She seemed to be very fascinated in the genres his brother reads. Mae sigh in annoyance as her sister occasionally pulls out a book to flip through. Then, Mokuba saw a box on Ash's rose-patterned belt. "You play Duel Monsters?" He asked, amazed and confused.

"Yes, sir. I've been dueling for about two years now." Black answered, remembering California and the area around the Industrial Illusions building. Those were the good times. Dueling was a hobby of hers, as were martial arts. She looked out the window as a limousine pulled up. "It looks like your brother is home." Ash reported. Then, annoyed, she added, "About time."

Mokuba and Mae dashed to the window, in which Ash was looking out of. They watched the chauffeur, Charles, hunch in the back seat. Then, he stood straight. Seto Kaiba tiredly climbed out. He grasped onto Charles's shoulder as if he was trying to become fully awake. Finally, he walked to the door. At the moment he stepped in, Mokuba was around his legs. The older Kaiba brother looked down and smiled. Thank goodness he hasn't noticed us yet, Ash mentally said. Then, Mae happily jinxed her, as always. Her sister ran up to Mokuba.

"Hi." She smiled.

Kaiba looked at her in confusion. Finally, he looked at Mokuba. "Who is she?"

"Her name is Mae Black."

"Black? Oh, no."

"Nice goin', Mae."

Kaiba looked up and saw Ash standing in the doorway. He was very surprised by her outfit compared to her school uniform. A book was in her gloved hand. Plus, a bang of hair hung in her face. Kaiba started to step back as her eyes locked onto his. At that moment, he felt some sort of fear toward her. He also felt his heart race, but the shadows were inactive.

"Howdy, partner," Ash greeted in her Texan accent.

"Hello."

"I invited them over for dinner. That is if you don't have a problem with it," Mokuba explained.

"Well, why not. They're here already. And I'll just go to bed early." Kaiba answered, still locked in Ash's gaze. He couldn't break loose, no matter what.

"Well then, an early dinner so that you can at least get some more sleep. Right?"

"Yeah, I guess." Kaiba hesitated. "What is for dinner? When is it?"

"Stuff you like, but no snails." Mokuba answered, with Kaiba groaning in disgust.

Kaiba looked back at Ash. She was still in the doorway, but had the book open. Plus, earphones were on her ears as music played. Ash closed the book and put it back on the shelf. Kaiba followed her back into the room. As he approached her, the earphones hung around her neck. She found the book's proper place and slid it in. Then, she turned around to find him there behind her.

"Shades." She cursed in one breath.

"What?" Kaiba was caught off guard.

"I said 'shades.' I always say that when I am about to cuss." Ash explained. Then, she gave him a questioning gaze. "Now, what do you want?"

"Nothing." Kaiba snapped. He suddenly felt his face go red. The only thing he could do was to look down, embarrassed. Why is this happening? Why, why, why! Why me! Startled, he looked at Ash. Then, he recovered his pose. "You could borrow it if you like."

"I know what you are thinking. You like me. First, you totally space out. And now, you like me!" She snapped back at him. "Your blush tells it all." A spark of displeasure in her eyes made Kaiba jump out of his skin. She was annoyed; Kaiba was too startled to react. Ash bent down to her schoolbag and swung it onto her shoulder. "Would you mind? I have chemistry, math, computers, and Japanese customs homework to do."

"Uh…sure." Kaiba hesitated and stepped aside. He watched her leave the den. Kaiba then turned around and walked to his room. Why did I blush? I've never blushed before in my life. He pondered as he walked his halls. An image of Ash flashed in his mind. Ash…I must stop thinking about her. She is all I can think about since I first met her. I am getting tired of this. I must talk to her. I got to let her know how I feel. But, how am I going to say it? He wondered. Then, he saw her. "Black!"

Ash turned around. She didn't look surprise that Kaiba called her. "What do you want?" She snapped, still bothered by what happened before.

"I…" Kaiba paused, looking at her. "May I have a word with you?"

"We're talkin', dummy. About what?"

"You're right. I…" The blush reappeared. "You're right. I do like you; and I have only been able to think about you all day." Kaiba replied with his face beet red. Ash didn't move. She still looked annoyed. "I would also like to get to you as a…girlfriend."

"WHAT?"

Uh, oh. I am in deep trouble.

"Ashley! Is every…"

"Yes, everything is fine, Dad. Fine and dandy." Ash quickly recovered. Then, she looked at Kaiba. "Not now. Maybe never." She grunted.

Fine then, Miss Tough Stuff.

"Seto! Ash! Dinner's done."

"We're comin', Mokuba!" Ash answered. Before heading down, she gave Kaiba a quick wink. Then, she slid down the banister to the first floor. Show off, Kaiba mentally growled.

Later that night…

August 14th, 2006

Journal,

I must admit that Ash Black is really cute. Whoa! What am I typing? Oh, well. This is only between you and me, for now. Sooner or later, I will tell Mokuba. Another thing I must add is that I must find Kanika, my ancient girlfriend in Ancient Egypt. MAN! It's been forever since I typed on a typewriter. Back to the subject that I was talking about before I got sidetracked. Ra, as in the sun god of Egypt, has chosen (yeah, chosen) me to walk the Earth on his behalf. However, I must undergo a metamorphosis to a demigod. So, Yugi and I have our work cut out for us. At the same time, I have to find a way to rid myself of the "shadows" in my soul. Sounds pretty difficult, huh?

School started back up today. This morning I made an absolute fool of myself. That is when I met her. Ashley, or Ash, Black, the American duelist everyone watched. Then, I picked a fight with Mitchell Dunedin, the class jerk. That felt good. The next thing that happened was that the shadows started to act up. Taylor and Yugi had to take me outside…during girl's P.E class. That was when I saw her without her seeing me. She was a lot better than the other girls out there! She was that good! There I go again, but I will add that she didn't look really good in her gym clothes.

Later on, I had a talk with Yugi. It was just a friendly chat. Yeah right. It was more of a discussion than a chat. But Yugi and I are up against the same thing. He told me that the Ghouls from Battle City returned. As it turns out, they want me. So once again, Yugi and I must join forces. Except this time, I am doing it willingly. Then, I came home to find the Blacks here. Ash was still annoyed with me. Before dinner, I told her that I would like her as a girlfriend. She didn't like that.

-Seto Kaiba

Kaiba took the paper from his typewriter and slid it into his journal binder. He found it ironic that he used a typewriter for his journal when he could use a state-of-the-art computer. Kaiba looked at his bed, glad that Ash and her family had already left. Yawning, he climbed in and almost instantly fell asleep.

To be continued…

Next Chapter in the When Destinies Collide saga: Chapter 13: Halloween Party

Kaiba and Mokuba go to a Halloween Party. Ash and the rest of the gang are there. Kaiba senses an aura in the air. What will happen next?

Ash Kaiba: I'm sorry if this is so long. But, hey, Kaiba asked (sort of) for Yugi's help. Might as well since he's going to get drawn into it anyway. Please review. If you like Ash's sourness, you get to see her get cocky in front of her boss. If you have an idea, send it anyway. I still have to work in Setoglomper's comment with Kaiba calling Yugi "Pharaoh." Thanks for reading.