I know these latest chapters have been short, and I apologize for that. The next chapter should be longer, though, since I have a specific event planned for it. ^^
Chapter 43
A couple of weeks later, things seem to have settled down. Alex and Kaiba returned to school the previous week, and it was as though the recent incident never happened. Max had gone out of his way to make sure that Alex wouldn't be confronted or harassed by the female students, and Tea found it very admirable, even heroic. Yugi disliked how Tea's fondness for Max only seemed to grow, despite that the other female students looked to no longer have any interest in Max. However, Yami would comfort him and tell him to stick to Alex's plan and that things would work out.
Meanwhile, Max continued with his plan. Despite that he was no longer allowed to be in any groups with Alex, he would treat her courteously with a smile and a bit of small talk, and Alex seemed to be letting her guard down a bit. However, as Kaiba was around Alex, he would scowl at Max although Max would refuse to rise to the bait.
Now, it was Wednesday afternoon, and school had just finished for the day. As usual, Alex, Kaiba, and Yugi left together to head towards Kaiba Corp while Joey and the others were preparing to leave and hang out at the arcade. Although Max would usually hang out with them, this time, he made an excuse that he had something to take care of, so he wouldn't be able to join them. Even though Tea was disappointed, she nodded in understanding, and she and the others said their goodbyes as they went their separate ways.
Max was outside walking on the sidewalk, with no particular destination in mind. He wanted a bit of time to think to himself, and he had a set plan for eliminating Kaiba and getting Alex back to the time agency. He thought to himself,
I'm glad Cas approved the plan, despite that she said it's reckless. But there's no point in putting it off. I want to go back with Alex and help her get her memories back. She deserves a happy future, and only I can give that to her.
As Max had those thoughts, he suddenly saw a hooded figure a few blocks ahead of him. Although he couldn't see much of them, he felt that something was off about them, so he decided to quietly follow the figure, wondering what he would discover.
The figure walked quickly through the sidewalks and then turned into a darkened alley. Max was able to match the figure's steps, and as they entered the alley, he entered slightly and then hid behind a stack of old, abandoned boxes, seeing that the figure had stopped walking. It was then that the figure removed their hood, and Max was surprised to see who it was. He thought,
This is definitely weird. There's no way she should be here.
However, the figure wasn't alone. There was another person with her, and Max was close enough that he could hear what they were talking about.
Meanwhile, the other person looked angrily at the woman and said,
"You had one job – just one job – and you couldn't even do something simple."
The woman scowled and replied, "It's not my fault that bitch interfered. Seto would be wrapped around my finger if it wasn't for her."
The person raised an eyebrow and replied, "That's not what I heard. If you had just stayed by Kaiba's side rather than worry about your own vanity, you would still have your modeling job and perhaps you might have even won Kaiba's heart. Isn't that what you want?"
Kiara angrily replied, "Of course that's what I want. But because of that bitch, I no longer have a job."
The person replied, "Also, you would still be in that hospital if I hadn't pulled some strings to get you out."
Kiara replied, "She'll pay for stealing Seto from me."
The person waved away Kiara's declaration with his right hand and replied, "All in due time. It would be foolish to rush into things, and even I learn from my mistakes."
Kiara muttered some angry words under her breath although she didn't say anything out loud. The person then continued,
"Now we must proceed with the plan."
Kiara nodded and replied, "Yes. You said that you got Jaden and the others?"
The person smirked and replied, "It wasn't too difficult. See for yourself."
The person showed Kiara a projection of Jaden, Jesse, and the other duelists from that time trapped in what appeared to be impenetrable bubbles. Kiara smiled for a moment but then frowned. Not escaping his notice, the figure asked,
"What is it?"
Kiara replied, "They aren't there."
The person replied, "You're going to have to be more specific."
Kiara replied, "Yubel should be trapped with Jaden, but I can't sense their presence."
The person replied, "I have no idea how you know that, let alone that you have such an ability, but that is a problem."
Kiara replied, "I can't explain it, but since being in this time, I seem to have that ability to sense otherworldly presences."
The person replied, "I won't question it. Yubel missing is a problem, but I'll tackle that later. For now, we continue with the plan."
Kiara nodded and replied, "So what's next?"
The person replied, "Since you're free and you don't need to be here for the time being, you'll be coming with me to get Yuma and the others."
Kiara smiled and replied, "How interesting. But I hope you've brushed up on your xyz summoning."
The man rolled his eyes and replied, "Of course. If nothing else, I'm prepared."
Kiara replied, "Yes, forgive me for doubting you for even one moment. And I assume I'm accompanying you because of Astral?"
The person nodded and replied, "That's correct. We have to minimize any outside forces interfering with my plan."
Kiara replied, "Understood."
She smiled and then added, "I'm surprised those idiots you supposedly work for haven't figured it out yet."
The person smiled back and replied, "They are idiots. They think they're using me when it's actually the other way around. But for now, let's leave."
Kiara nodded and after grabbing onto the person's arm, the two of them teleported, leaving no trace of themselves behind.
Once Max felt it was safe to leave his hiding spot, he quickly left the alley and walked back on the sidewalk, making sure to walk where there were many people. He thought to himself,
I have no idea what just happened. Alex would definitely have been able to figure it out, but for now, I should report it to Cas and see what she makes of the situation.
With such thoughts racing through his head, Max decided to head back to his apartment, wanting to report his discovery to Cas right away.
Later that afternoon, Alex, Kaiba, and Yugi were in Kaiba's office. As Alex and Yugi were finished with their work for the day and Yugi wanted to tell them what he discovered, they were now having a meeting before they would leave Kaiba Corp for the day.
Once everyone was seated, Kaiba turned to Yugi and said, "What do you need to tell us?"
Yugi took a breath and replied, "I didn't want to say anything until I was sure, but even Yami senses it, so I might as well. It hasn't happened today yet, but on other days, we've noticed Max following us."
Alex looked surprised and replied, "That's weird that Max is tailing you. I wonder why."
Kaiba frowned and asked, "On what days has this been happening?"
Yugi looked thoughtful and replied, "Usually on the days that I'm here. We've noticed him following us as we leave."
Alex nodded and replied, "It would be easier for Max to tail you then since you usually don't get a ride with us."
Kaiba added, "He might be trying to learn your routine."
He looked at Alex and said, "I wonder if he's going to make his move soon."
Alex looked troubled and replied, "Maybe, but if that's the case, we're going to have to be a few steps ahead of him, at least."
She looked at Yugi and asked, "Has Max seemed threatening to you, Yugi?"
Yugi shook his head and replied, "Not really. He seemed to be more curious than anything else."
Alex nodded and replied, "I had hoped that Max might have found it in himself to give up on this plan, but now I don't know."
Kaiba replied, "I told you not to let your guard down around him."
Alex looked at Kaiba and replied, "I know, but he's been so nice lately and I just wanted to believe in him. I guess I'd rather see the good in people."
Yugi smiled and replied, "I can understand how Alex feels."
He then looked serious and added, "Let's come up with a plan for dealing with Max, in case he ends up going after Kaiba soon."
Alex nodded and replied, "Agreed. Also, we can give you a ride back today. I mean, if it's ok with Seto."
She looked cutely at Kaiba and smiling for a moment, Kaiba replied, "Might as well."
The three of them continued to talk, coming up with a plan to deal with Max. Once that was done, they left Kaiba Corp, getting into Kaiba's limo to drop off Yugi back at the game shop before returning to the mansion for the day.