DH AN: This chapter was in honor of Phantom Duelists of the Opera's upcoming anniversary, but the date has come and gone. I can't believe this story has been on here for over a year, and by far it is my most popular in terms of reviews for the amount of chapters. (Powers Revealed is only leading in reviews because I've been updating that more frequently… hehe. That fic will have an anniversary chapter as well.)
Anyway, back on the subject of this story. First I apologize to those of you who are expecting the date this chapter. Secondly, I hope you laugh at some of the stuff in here. Although most of my writing may not show it, I consider myself to have an interesting sense of humor. Thirdly, this chapter contains an excessive amount of sibling cuteness. Lastly, I really hope you enjoy Chapter Fifteen: Our Games Just Begun, and I apologize for this long AN.
Chapter Fifteen: Our Games Have Just Begun
"We should get home to start perfecting your disguise." Mhera motioned to Keimo, who still wore a grimace at the idea of wearing the proposed outfit.
"You really think this is a good use of the robes at your disposal?" Sheon whispered in her ear slyly.
"I actually think this is a better use than what my father had planned." Mhera snickered softly. "He wants me to style them into curtains for the kitchen."
Sheon said nothing more, as he watched the two siblings head down the street to their home. You think you know someone and then…they surprise you.
Keimo unlocked the door, entering somewhat cautiously. "You know I don't like this idea." He stated. Mhera followed cautiously, and caught sight of a note tucked underneath the brown welcome mat. She picked it up hesitantly, reading it silently, and paling at the note's intended brusqueness.
Thursday 7:30, the coliseum.
It wasn't signed but she knew who it was from, and what it concerned. She quickly placed the note in her pocket.
She stepped into the door, scared enough by the note that she didn't think of the words coming out of her mouth, or more specifically the tone that she used. "You know who I think you're turning into… that statement didn't deter me when he said it either."
"That really does not help my confidence any." Keimo sighed, crossing his arms, feeling air blast his face. "Is it just me or is it cold in here?" He smacked his head. "Mhera, you didn't remind me to adjust the thermostat."
"But I thought you hate it when I remind you about that." Mhera smirked.
"I may speak like him, but you got his face, complete with expressions." It was Keimo's turn to snicker "Have you two ever looked in a mirror?"
Mhera looked from her two step vantage point on the stairs. "Several times actually… and he denied the resemblance every single time."
"I think he knows, and just doesn't want to admit it." Keimo stated
Mhera looked at him, now from a ten step vantage point. "Well, I know he knows. And he doesn't want to admit it…" She sighed, placing her right hand against the tan wall not caring that her expression had become drawn and forlorn, and that the next phrase was almost inaudible as tears dripped onto the soft turquoise carpet that adorned the whole house. "But not for the reasons you think." Keimo had now jogged up the stairs
"You mean… it's not because he's scared of seeing so much of himself in you?" Keimo asked his voice dropping to a whisper.
"It's for another reason." She looked him in the eyes. "If I had eyes the color of the other piece of the combination; I don't think he would be here." Keimo appeared lost, but looked as if he was putting in an honest effort to understanding the statement.
Reading his face, Mhera sighed. "Tell me how you would describe your eyes."
"Emerald green…" Keimo paled as he made the connection. "Amethyst and Emerald. A jeweler's combination…" He held his sister close, and whispered. "He sees so much of her in you ... he's not alone, I see her in you as well."
Mhera knew now wasn't the best time to say it, but she saw their father in Keimo just as he saw Filiron in her.
Keimo let his sister go, smiling. "Are we just going to stand here or are we going to get this over with?" They then heard a car horn. "It's Kariu." They both said simultaneously. Mhera hung on the mahogany banister as Keimo beat the doorbell, opening it just as Kariu reached for it. "Well, who do we have here? If you are here to sell something, we're not interested."
"Do I look like a solicitor to you?" Kariu asked almost icily. Her face betrayed her tone, however, exuding warmth. I actually came to congratulate and console the people who live here. Is there a problem with that?"
"There might be. How did you get the address?" Keimo asked, not prepared for the answer.
"Your sister is in the Kaiba Corp. Database. If you have a computer, I can very easily show you."
Keimo sighed. "That won't be necessary. He walked out of the doorway. "Say, how good are you with a needle and thread? I think my sister may need some help here."
"HEY, I HEARD THAT!!" Mhera's voice came loudly from the floor above.
"Does she always yell like that?" Kariu asked with a slightly shocked expression.
Keimo laughed, "We all do that… I guess you could say it runs in the family."
"Do you mean the yelling or the really good hearing?"
Keimo just smiled. "Both"
Kariu just smiled and nodded.
Mhera soon bounded down the stairs, purple robes of multiple sizes slung over her right shoulder, and a handful of safety pins and thread in her left hand. Kariu met her at the bottom, gently robbing her of the pins and thread. Kariu looked at the items on Mhera's shoulder. "What are we doing with these?"
"Altering the one that will best fit Keimo for a disguise."
"Why does he need a disguise? Does this have anything to do with what I saw in the alley?"
"It has everything to do with that. I had to make a deal, and that deal included going on a date with the winner of Keimo's duel. And before you ask, even if Keimo had won, I would have had to go on a date with him." Mhera felt sick to the stomach just thinking about it.
"You aren't looking forward to this; are you?"
Mhera just glared at her blonde companion.
"I'M READY FOR THE HUMILIATION; CAN WE JUST GET THIS OVER WITH?" Keimo's strained voice cut through the conversation.
"He wasn't fibbing when he said it runs in the family." Kariu said. Mhera shot Kariu a look that she read. "I mean the yelling thing."
"One knows better than to fib in this household." Mhera said softly.
"You have quite an interesting history don't you?" Kariu arched an eyebrow when she asked.
"You read my file… you should know most of it."
"I don't mean your dueling history, although I really liked the read. No, I mean your history away from the dueling arena."
"You have the Necklace."
"I haven't put it on yet. You advised me against it." Kariu reminded the redhead.
"When we finish here and get to your place, I want you to put it on. This is one time where prescience would be to our benefit." Mhera heard the stairs creak with Keimo's footsteps. "Keimo get back here."
Keimo sighed and the three went into the living room.
"No… this isn't the right size." Keimo muttered darkly in reference to a robe that only went to his ankles.
"Keimo, I don't want you to trip and if we go to a bigger size, that is what will happen."
"It's not because of the length." Keimo almost barked.
Mhera sighed irately as she was checking how movable the upper body was, and caught sight of the problem. "Oh, so sorry; is it too tight?"
"Yes, what was your first clue?" Keimo almost wheezed.
Mhera didn't answer; rather she quickly got the robe off her surprisingly patient brother. "Okay, let's try this one…" She quickly got a robe that was slightly bigger in the torso, and the results were more to their liking.
"This one fits much better on me." Keimo sighed softly.
Well, I guess it's curtains for these, then. Mhera mentally chuckled at the joke, placing the robes that didn't fit back onto her shoulder, but Keimo lightened the load for her.
"I'll take these; go with Kariu." He shot her a sincere slight smile.
Mhera sighed, "Alright." She felt Kariu's comforting hand on her shoulder as they went out the door, and heard it lock behind them.
Kariu hopped in the black convertible, Mhera following suit on the passenger side. They started driving, but not to Kariu's apartment.
The engine began a purring deceleration as they reached a small house somewhat on the outskirts of the city. Mhera looked at Kariu. "Where are we?"
Kariu exited the car and strode in long slightly confident strides to the passenger side door, her face somber. "You say that you are my sister, and I believe you; there is something that I need to do here first that concerns that." She cracked a small smile. "My parents have been wanting to meet you ever since I told them about you."
Mhera paled. Kariu noticed, paling slightly as well. "Do you get nervous meeting new people?"
"In the wrong environments, yes." Mhera replied softly.
"Don't worry; you'll do fine." Kariu smiled as she led Mhera up to the door.
DH: Okay, so We'll get to meet Kariu's parents next chapter in Who Ever Knew You. There was a Jeweler reference in here; did you catch it?