Chapter 4: Freedom Run
Kaito walked down the hall of Heartland Tower. The full moon projected its light through the windows, lighting his way. He stepped into the elevator that led to his brother's room. Haruto stood by the window, staring down on the Heartland Fairgrounds. "Nii-san, why are they laughing?" Haruto asked blankly.
Kaito grimaced, dropping to one knee, placing his hands on his brother's shoulders, "Haruto…" The brothers were silent for a moment before Kaito broke the silence, "Haruto, we're going on a trip." Haruto spun around, a small glimmer in his eye, "Where are we going, Nii-san?" He asked eagerly.
Kaito cracked a smile, "Somewhere far away from here, called New Domino City." Haruto beamed, "When do we leave, Nii-san?"
"Now." Kaito answered. Haruto seemed to jump in place with excitement. Kaito stood, his brother following close behind. They walked down the hall keeping a quick pace. They didn't have much time. Angel's words rang in Kaito's head.
*Flashback*
"A train?" Kaito asked.
Angel nodded her head, "There's a train leaving for New Domino at 12:07. I know someone who works at the train yard and he said there's an empty car that he'll leave the door open on. All we have to do is be there on time and get on it. That way we still get to New Domino without having to be out in the open for such a long distance." She explained.
Kaito nodded his head, it made sense. "All you have to do is get Haruto out of Heartland Tower and I'll wait outside with Orbital and then we'll make a dash to the train station." Angel finished.
"Alright." Kaito responded, "I can do that."
*End Flashback*
It was 11:45 now and it would take them a good five minutes to reach the train station. Things were going well, better than he had planned, until they rounded the last corner before the main elevator out of Heartland Tower. There in his yellow suit, stood Mr. Heartland. "Out a bit late aren't we, Kaito?" The man asked evenly with a small smile. Kaito glared at the man, "I don't know what you're talking about."
The man scoffed, "You better not be trying to do what you did last time."
Kaito held steady, and Haruto hid behind his brother, "Is it such a crime to spend some quality time with my little brother, Mr. Heartland."
Mr. Heartland eyed the Tenjo brothers darkly, "No. I suppose not."
Kaito pushed on, Haruto holding onto his hand as the two entered the elevator. Mr. Heartland watched them darkly until the elevator doors made him disappear. Kaito sighed in relief, that was close.
Angel gripped the handles of her mother's Duel Runner. She glanced at the clock on the screen. It was 11:51. "Kaito," she mumbled, "We don't have much time."
The small robot sat beside her. Orbital looked at the girl, why was she helping his master? She was friends with Yuma. Why help his greatest enemy?
"Angel-sama, why are you helping, Kaito-sama?" The robot asked,
Angel looked at the robot, "Because. What Mr. Heartland and Dr. Faker are doing is wrong. Kaito and Haruto don't deserve to be treated as slaves." She paused, "What happened to their parents?"
If Orbital could frown he would have, "Kaito-sama hasn't told me much. His parents died in an accident is all I know."
Angel frowned, holding her hand over her heart, "I can sympathize with that pain. My father died in an accident."
The two were silent for a moment until two figures came jogging out of Heartland tower.
"Kaito!" Angel called in relief. "What took you so long?"
Orbital had changed into his motorcycle form and Kaito lifted Haruto onto the seat. "Mr. Heartland was in the way. We should hurry, he might be on to us."
Angel nodded her head, "Right. Let's go." She revved the Duel Runners engine, tearing off with Kaito close behind.
Mr. Heartland returned to the control room. Kaito was up to something. "Where is Kaito?" He demanded evenly. The robots in the room typed away, collecting the required data. A map of Heartland appeared on a screen with a blinking dot, traveling quickly on it.
"Where his he off to in a hurry?" Mr. Heartland mumbled, "Where is he going?" He ordered. The robots once again searched for answers. "There is a train leaving Heartland Station in ten minutes." Mr. Heartland growled, "He's running again. Send all the litter bots after them, NOW!"
"Yes, Mr. Heartland!"
The streets were practically empty, allowing them to go faster than normal. They had ten minutes to reach the station. Angel smiled, they were going to make it. Angel squinted, catching sight of something on the horizon. "What is that?" she mumbled. Ahead of them, blocking their path was a row of litter bots.
Kaito growled, "He's on to us."
"Damn," Angel muttered. She found an ally way before the blockade, "This way!" she called, sliding into the ally.
They zigzagged through allies and side streets. The litterbots seemed to everywhere. Eventually, they were on their own again. Angel looked at the clock on the duel runner. It was 11:58. Angel smiled, they were going to make it.
Then, litterbots poured onto the road from converging streets. One that was just close enough, latched onto Orbital. After that, the litter bots formed a chain, connecting onto one another. Orbital struggled against the added weight. "Kaito-sama! I can't cope with the added resistance!" the robot chirped in distress. Kaito growled, "Damn you, Mr. Heartland…"
Angel dropped back behind them, ramming the litterbots. Knocking a few off at a time until Orbital could finally break free, accelerating away. Angel placed herself between the pursuing litter bots and the Tenjo brothers, sideswiping any that tried to pass her. In doing so, the distance between the duo grew rapidly.
Kaito glanced behind him, "Angel-kun!"
"Don't worry about me! I'll catch up, just make sure you two get on that train!" Angel yelled, smashing a litter bot into the guardrail causing a small explosion. Kaito frowned, but nodded his head, speeding away.
He soon left her sight and Angel finally crushed the last litterbot. She looked at the clock on the display. 12:05. "Damn," She cursed, pushing the Duel Runner's engine to its max.
Kaito peered out of the train car. Haruto slept soundly in the corner of the car, Orbital standing guard next to him.
"Where is she?" He whispered, searching the streets for the blue duel runner. He was worried, he didn't know where he was suppose to go in New Domino City. Where would he go? Suddenly, the train jerked forward. Kaito's heart sank. Where was she? As the train slowly gained speed, a small light came into sight. Angel road parallel to the train, searching for a way on.
The train was quickly starting to gain speed. She needed to find a way on, fast. Angel searched up ahead, finding a loading ramp parallel to the train. She sped up struggling to get slightly ahead of the train car the Tenjo brothers were in. With a silent pray, she jumped, landing in the train car. She exhaled, realizing that she had been holding her breath the whole time.
Kaito gave a sigh of relief and Angel smiled, "Sorry bout that."
Kaito shook his head, "It's fine. Just glad you made it."
Angel nodded her head, looking out of the car, "New Domino, here we come."
They arrived in New Domino City late that night. Angel had made arrangements with her Aunt and Uncle for Haruto to stay at their home in the basement rental. It was exactly like a small home. Angel's aunt tried her best to make it look better for Haruto's stay. When they arrived, Aki led Kaito with his sleeping brother in his arms downstairs. Angel and her uncle talked about how long Haruto would be staying with them until it was safe for him to return to Heartland. After they had finished Akiza returned from downstairs.
They said their good night's and the two retired to their room for the rest of the night. Angel made sure all the doors were locked and quietly made her way downstairs to the Tenjo brothers. She peaked into the bedroom. Haruto slept soundly and for once, peacefully. Kaito sat by his bedside with his back to her. He was exhausted, and he fought to stay awake. Angel set her hand on his shoulder, making him jump.
"Get some sleep, Kaito. I'll stay with Haruto." She said quietly.
Kaito looked at her unsurely for a moment but quietly stood, "Thank you."
Angel nodded her head, sitting down where he had been sitting a few moments ago as he left the room. Angel looked over the young boy. This was the first time he had truly gotten to examine him. Young, she guessed about 7, icy blue hair like her own, and…frail. If that was the right word. He looked so weak, and vulnerable. It made Angel's stomach flip knowing what Dr. Faker and Mr. Heartland had done to him.
Angel glanced around the room, smiling. She had stayed her many times when she was young. She loved coming here to spend time with her Aunt and Uncle. They had loved hr as much as her own parents, beings that they couldn't have children themselves. She hoped this place could be filled with good memories for Haruto as they had been for her.
Haruto stirred for a moment before cracking his eyes open. He lay still for a moment, before blinking his eyes a few times and looking around. When he caught sight of Angel he jumped, looking around the room frantically.
"Who are you? Where's Nii-san?" He demanded in terror, his eyes wide.
Angel was taken aback for a moment before she realized she had never met Haruto, explaining his reaction.
"My name's Angel, Haruto." She said softly, "Your brother is sleeping."
Haruto stared at her, not convinced. "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe now." Angel crooned gently. The boy settled, but he still eyed her. They sat in silence until Haruto broke it.
"Are you friends with Nii-san?"
Angel was surprised by the sudden question. To be honest, she wasn't sure if Kaito considered her a friend or not. "Yes, I am." She chose the hopeful thought in her head. Saying no or she wasn't sure would have only sent Haruto into a panic again, elevating the situation.
Following that, Haruto asked her a barrage of questions. Where she lived, how old, favorite card, food, drink, color, and so forth. Angel saw the lively young boy Haruto truly was. The two chatted happily, Angel's turn to ask questions.
"What's your favorite story, Haruto?"
Haruto cocked his head, "Story?"
Angel was surprised, "Bed time story. Did your parenst or Kaito every read any to you?"
Haruto shook his head, a look of confusion spread across his face. Angel glanced around the room until she found the old book her Aunt would read to her when she had been Haruto's age. She flipped through the pages until she found The Three Little Pigs.
She began reading softly, showing the pictures to Haurto. The young boy was fascinated, scooting closer so he could see the illustrations better. Angel made voices for the different characters, and acting with her arms at different points. At the end, she closed the book, "The end," She concluded, smiling. Haruto beamed and after a split second, he started to laugh. Not the crazed laugh like before, but a little kid laugh. Full of light and happiness. It warmed Angel's heart to see him free and happy.
"You should get some sleep Haruto." Angel said softly.
Haruto smiled nodding his head, "Good night, Angel Nee-chan!" Plopping down on his pillow, pulling the blanket up over his head.
Angel stared in surprise. Had she heard him right? He called her Nee-chan. Angel closed her eyes, smiling. She stood, setting the book on the nightstand and quietly crept over to the door. She turned the lights off and stepping into the hall. She jumped when she saw the sudden figure standing outside the doorway. It was Kaito. "Kaito-kun? Is something wrong?"
Angel swear she saw a slight glimmer in his eye. A tear? "Arigato, Angel-kun."
"Hun?" Angel cocked her head.
"I haven't heard Haruto laugh since… since all this started." Kaito answered.
Angel's expression softened, "You're welcome, Kaito-kun."
Next Time on Light of the Photon!
Yuma- Angel, what are you doing with, Kaito?
Angel- How could you betray be, Kaito?
Kaito- I have to do what's best for me and Haruto!
Angel-Next Chapter of Light of the Photon. Betrayal
Angel-Yuma, Astral…forgive me…
Author's Note: I'm sorry it took so long to post this. ^^; Another long chapter. Next will start the duel scene!
I DO NOT OWN YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL!