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. We also don't own Disney or the movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Ash Kaiba: Hey...This is the Halloween chapter! Thank you all for reviewing. Please enjoy.

Previously in When Destinies Collide: Chapter 12: Rivals Talk

Kaiba and Yugi talk and team up to stop the Rare Hunters. Ash and her family are visiting the Kaiba mansion. Kaiba admits his feelings, but is immediately shot down by Ash.

Chapter 13: Halloween Party

Two Months Later…

I am eighteen years old and I am going to a Halloween party, Kaiba mentally growled. He was back at 143 pounds; he had fully recovered from his exhaustion. However, he was still sometimes forgetful.

"Seto! Hurry up; we're going to be late!" Mokuba yelled.

Kaiba dashed out of the bathroom. When he met up with Mokuba, his brother sighed. "You forgot the toothbrush," Mokuba pointed out. Kaiba crossed his eyes to see the toothbrush sticking out of his mouth.

"Fine," Kaiba snapped as he went back into the bathroom. Mokuba smiled at the way he tried to talk around the toothbrush, making his voice sound strange. Kaiba rinsed out his mouth and combed his hair. He looked at himself in the mirror. He could hardly believe that he had fallen head over heels for Ash Black. Maybe he still felt some sort of concern for her. On the second day of school, Kaiba tried to explain himself to her, but Ash told him it would best that "they don't talk." Kaiba agreed to try, but it was killing him.

Even worse, Kaiba and Yugi played 'stay away' around Yugi's gang. However, they planned secret meetings where Kaiba dressed in typical, middle class style. "Ash has been acting weird lately. I can't figure out what's bothering her, except her dream." Kaiba remembered the whole conversation.

"What dream?" Kaiba asked.

"From what she told me, it has you in it. You tried to kiss her and then, you vanished," Yugi replied.

"That is weird, but I'm not thinking that it was only coincidence. That girl probably has some sort of connection to our past, Yugi."

"You're right, but Ash started having it when she met Bakura. Bakura holds the Millennium Ring. The Ring could have made her see that dream."

"You have a point. You have more knowledge on the Millennium Items than I do. I hardly believed in them…or destiny."

"Don't forget the Heart of the Cards, Kaiba."

"That too. Wait a minute; did you give her any advice, Yugi?"

"I suggested that she go to the museum and talk to Ishizu."

"Ishizu… She's still here? Now, let's get back to Ash. You need to get her to talk about it, Yugi."

"Yup. See you later."

So far, Yugi had no information. Ash refused to tell anyone. Kaiba took a deep breath and snapped on a black cape. Then he put a medallion on over his locket. Finally, he left the bathroom. Mokuba was waiting for him. Outside was a limo. The Kaiba brothers left for the party.

At Domino High School gym…

Joey stood with his friends at the door. The party hadn't started yet, so Joey was entertaining the crowd by joking around. He was dressed as a clown, after all. Then, he looked at the road. A metallic red motorcycle pulled into the parking lot. The rider got off and took off the helmet. It was Ash. Behind her, two headlights blinded some spectators as a limousine pulled in. By the time Ash joined Joey, the back door of the limo opened and two figures climbed out. One figure was shorter than the other.

"What do you know? It's the Kaiba brothers," Joey growled.

Kaiba and Mokuba walked over to them. Kaiba was fiddling with something in his mouth.

"Okay, Kai. What are you supposed to be?"

"A vampire."

"Then, what were ya doin'?"

"Putting my teeth in so I can drink your blood, Wheeler," he answered as he licked his fake vampire fangs. He hissed to show off the plastic fangs. Then, Kaiba cringed as he noticed Joey's costume. "You're a clown." I hate clowns. I hate them down to hell.

"Yeah," Joey answered.

"Well, Kaiba. You should look at our costumes." Téa suggested.

Kaiba looked at the rest of the crew. Téa was a belly dancer, while Yugi was dressed as Elvis. Tristan was a hobo in huge rags. Then, Kaiba looked at his brother, noticing his costume for the first time. Mokuba was wearing a forest green tunic with tights (despite the 'girls wear tights' rule). Mokuba was Robin Hood. Finally, his eyes fell upon Ash. She was in light brown pants and a dark green top. A matching green cape rested on her shoulders. In her hand was a wizard's staff. A hello passed through his mind, but he decided not to say anything.

"Hey," Ash greeted, friendly and with a smile on her face.

"I thought we weren't going to talk," Kaiba answered, looking in down in embarrassment. (A/N: Isn't he acting like a cute puppy?)

"Well, we started talking at work," Ash pointed out. She held her hand. "Truce, pal?"

Kaiba took her hand and nodded. "Truce." This time he froze for a second. There it is again. The time is close. I can feel it. Then, he cautiously searched the air.

"Hey, the door opened!" Joey replied. Everyone went in except Yugi. He stayed out with Kaiba.

"Is something wrong?"

"I feel like we're being watched. The air is little cooler than usual."

Yugi agreed. Over the meetings, Kaiba developed a 'sixth sense.' Yugi had found it a little frightening at first, but soon began to trust Kaiba. He caught all of the warnings nobody else could. "Is someone out there?" Kaiba shook his head. Yugi looked into the blue irises and saw fear. "What is it, then?"

"Our fist encounter," he answered as he walked inside. Yugi ran ahead. Kaiba let him go before he looked at the sky. Whatever you are, I'm ready.

Inside…

Kaiba looked around the gym. He spotted Duke Devlin and Bakura Ryou, classmates in his class, dueling. Duke was a court jester, dressed in a red and black bodysuit and a hat with little bells that rang every time he moved his head. Bakura was dressed as an Atlantean from a Disney movie Mokuba liked to watch. Standing next to Bakura was a girl dressed as an ancient Egyptian, wearing a filmy white tank top that showed off her stomach; a long, flowing skirt of the same material; and lots of gold jewelry, including a headdress. Her long black hair hung loose over her shoulders and kohl rimmed her violet colored eyes in the traditional Egyptian style. For some reason, she looked somewhat familiar.

As Kaiba continued surveying the gym, he spotted Yugi and Téa dancing together on the dance floor. Joey and Tristan were hitting the snack bar. Mokuba was looking at the decorations. On the other hand, Ash was at the games. Kaiba finally decided to check out the games…after he played a joke on Joey. He went to the snack bar, picking up a glass of red Kool-Aid. Then, with two fingers, he tapped Joey hard near the base of his neck. Joey screamed bloody murder. The clown looked at the vampire.

"Ah! The vampire bit me!" He screamed, making nearby students laugh. They saw Kaiba tap him with his fingers and knew Joey was over-reacting.

"Your blood is delicious, Wheeler," Kaiba teased. "But I would rather drink the blood of a maiden. Have you seen your sister lately? I have her blood right here." He held up the glass of Kool-Aid. Joey's eyes widened in horror, revealing that he thought it was really blood. "And just so you know, you're stupid," he added. Joey's mouth dropped when he realized Kaiba played a joke. Kaiba then turned his attention to Ash. As he walked over, he kept a cautious check on his surroundings. When he arrived, Ash was throwing baseballs at wooden milk bottles.

"Having fun?" He asked.

"Why do you want know?" Ash snapped at him.

"I'm just curious." He answered, his voice revealing his innocence. (A/N: Aww, he's doing it again.)

"I'm enjoying myself. And you?"

"I'm hanging in there. Ash, I've been impressed with your knowledge on computers. And I wish to thank you for helping."

"Now what are you going to do? Repay the favor. May I remind you that I applied for the job?" Ash snapped as she missed the stack. Then, she faced Kaiba and dropped a ball in his hand. "Go ahead."

Kaiba took his place and threw the ball. It hit the stack. The worker smiled as he revealed the prizes. He looked until he saw a bracelet with a dragon on it. It was on a black, leather chord. "The dragon bracelet, please." The worker gave him a curious look.

"Who are you? Why a bracelet?" He questioned.

Kaiba glared at him. "Seto Kaiba. The bracelet is for her." He whispered and pointed at Ash. The worker grabbed the prize and gave it to Kaiba. He turned to Ash. "Um…Ash, this is for you," he replied. He showed her the bracelet and she seemed to be awed by it. "May I?" Ash nodded and held out her wrist. Kaiba clasped the bracelet. Ash pulled back her hand and looked at her new piece. (A/N: I know Ash is a tomboy, but she still has some girly moments.)

"It's beautiful. You didn't have to. You could have gotten something for Mokuba," she answered.

"I did that by coming here. Besides, I wanted to do something for you." Kaiba leaned on the counter. Then, the air temperature suddenly dropped. Kaiba noticed it when Ash exhaled; a small fog of air escaped from her lips. The air pressure changed slowly. It seemed to be calling him. Kaiba retreated from the counter. He approached the dance floor. Then, it appeared.

To be continued…

Next Chapter in the When Destinies Collide Saga: Chapter 14: Attack From the Shadow Realm

Kaiba meets his opponent for the first time. However, he gets trapped in its spell. Not knowing what is going on or willing to lose her boss, Ash jumps to his rescue. Is what Ishizu told her true? Will Ash save Kaiba from this new evil?

AshKaiba: That is the end. Review. If you are a cliffhanger expert, then hand out some pointers. Thanks again!