A/N: So there was a big fight at work and I used the distraction to finish this chapter. I hate my job but I love the opportunity to write while there. Anyway, this chapter, lot's of bits of info and Arclights. Anyway, that's about it for this note. I have nothing to ramble on about, expect the pain of the latest episode and how I don't like that the writers are doing this to us, but that's not the point. Reviews would be nice, thanks for reading and enjoy.
"Don't you have a home to go to or something?" Miki said, folding her arms.
Ryoga frowned and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Of course I do. But I wanted answers from you."
"So, why are you looking so pale and where are we going?" she said.
That was a good question. If it really was the full moon that allowed her soul to return to her body, then he needed somewhere for her to stay tomorrow. If she went home, he'd lose a chance to talk to her again tomorrow night. He needed to figure something out. As for why he looked so pale… well, he really didn't want to think about that right now. He frowned and his fingers went to his lips absently. He'd only been kissed a few times before. They weren't anything like that.
"Oi, you're blushing," Miki said.
Ryoga turned away and glared at the ground as they walked. "I am not."
"Whatever. Just ignore Ken, he'll flirt with anyone." His eyes widened slightly and Miki laughed. "So it is that then?"
"No," he snapped.
She snorted and tossed her head. "Ignore him, he's an idiot who'll do anything for a laugh. Has no one ever flirted with you before or something?"
"It's not that," Ryoga replied. "I've got plenty of fans, apparently, who insist of thinking I'm interested in them."
"Then what is it?"
"I've just…" He paused and frowned. "I think I know where to go. Come on."
He turned and headed down some of the more rural roads. Miki followed at his side for a while before they headed into the wood and suddenly there was a weight against his back. He turned slightly and found Miki's boot had got stuck in the mud and she was holding onto his shoulders for support. Ryoga sighed and moved around the patch of mud- because he wasn't getting his white shoes covered in mud- before carefully lifting her into his arms. Miki wrapped her arms tightly around his next and he took her over to the fence lining the path, letting her sit on it while he fetched her boot.
"Be more careful," Ryoga said firmly, handing it back to her.
"It's dark," she snapped back. She banged the boot against the fence post before pulling her shoe back on and strapping it up tighter, and tightening the other while she was at it. "I can barely see, you're walking fast, I don't know where I'm going and what's so great about Hibiki anyway?"
Ryoga blinked at her, processing the list of complaints and how had the got to Hibiki? "What?"
"You're doing all this because I remind you of her, right?" she said, shrugging slightly. "Well what the hell is so great about her?"
"I don't remember much about her," Ryoga said. Miki frowned and folded her arms, glaring at him. "I don't. Ever since I saw you I've been starting to remember but it's not all there yet. Is it true you hunt souls?"
"Yes," Miki replied. "As did Hibiki."
"She did?"
"Yes."
"Then… who were you two duelling when you lost your souls?" Miki frowned and lowered her head. "Miki?"
"You ask too many questions, Kamishiro."
She stepped off the fence and this time wrapped her arms around his, staying close at his side despite his annoyance at her proximity. He'd had enough of people invading his personal space today.
"Who were you duelling?"
"Both of us duelled the same person," she muttered.
"Who?" he demanded.
"Fate."
Fate. It was Fate. That would explain why their souls were in his deck. And how he knew everything. After all, if what he said about Ryoga watching the duel was true, he'd have to have been there to know about it.
"I was there, apparently," Ryoga said.
Miki snorted. "I wouldn't have let you leave with your soul."
"How cold. I'm so scared."
"Don't make fun of me, I'm a really good duellist you know?"
"Then duel me."
"I don't have my deck."
Ryoga smirked. "Then I guess you can't show me how good you are."
Miki sighed and leant on his shoulder, closing her eyes a little and letting him guide her around the patches of mud on the path. It was worth the unkempt path. No one would look for them out here and it was a safe place to hide to Miki. And he could hide here and not go to school. As they came out the woods a little cottage came into view.
"Our grandparents used to live here," Ryoga explained. "It's a solid place and no one will come looking out here."
Miki nodded slightly. "Thanks. I know you're only doing this for Hibiki, but thanks anyway."
"I'm not just doing this for Hibiki," he snapped, pulling his arm from her grip as he pulled out the keys. "I lost my soul once too. No one deserves that."
"Aren't you the special one, Kamishiro?" Miki muttered.
Ryoga glared at her before unlocking the door and pushing it open. Miki followed him in and he locked the door behind them. For brief moment he wondered how horrified his grandmother would have been if she knew he was locked in her cottage with a girl older than him for the next twenty-four hours at least. And how his grandfather would probably have laughed and launched into a story about back in his days as a youngster and how he knew Ryoga was just like him really. Actually, now he thought about it, most people would assume his intention were impure. After tonight, he was starting to understand why everyone thought like that.
"Not bad," Miki said, glancing around. "You certainly know how to make a girl feel special."
"Don't get any ideas," Ryoga muttered. "I've had enough of your family to last a life time."
"Geez, for a guy with fan you take a bit of flirting seriously," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "What's the big deal? It's not like some girl you're crushing on was flirting with you, right? Or is it because you're not used to having guys taking an interest?"
It wasn't that. Ryoga had fanboys as well. But he wasn't going to admit that he'd been pinned against a tree and kissed and not even put up a fight. He'd been too shocked to put up a fight.
"Oi, stop spacing out, Kamishiro," Miki snapped.
"Stop telling me what to do," Ryoga snapped back. "I'm doing you a favour here."
"And I'm willing to answer you stupid questions about my stupid perfect big sister," she said, flopping on the couch. "Be nice or I'll change my mind."
"Then you can walk back through the mud." They glared at each other for a moment before Ryoga sat in the arm chair facing her. "Tell me about Fate. Why did he take your souls? And why's he blaming it on you?"
"You really do ask a lot of questions," she muttered. "Can I see your deck?"
Ryoga frowned but after a moment offered her his deck. She couldn't go anywhere and he was constantly updating and improving. He supposed it didn't matter so much. Miki took it slowly and flicked through it slowly, her eyes lighting up a little.
"This is so cool," Miki said, gazing at the cards. "You're deck is awesome. We have to duel sometime."
"Sure," Ryoga muttered. He didn't generally let people touch his deck, or flick through it, but they had to do something to keep busy. "What kinda deck do you run?"
She smirked and glanced over. "One very similar."
"How so?"
"The ocean's beautiful, don't you think?"
"You run a WATER deck?" She nodded slightly. "Interesting. We really will have to duel sometime."
Miki smiled and nodded. Ryoga moved over to the couch and Miki set down his deck, spreading it out as they chatted. Finally something normal. After everything that had happened, sitting down at chatting over card was a welcome reprieve. And if nothing else, it proved he was right about Miki. She wasn't dead and cold and she could certainly duel, at least in theory. She saw combos in his cards he'd never considered before, mainly because he'd never been in a situation where he'd needed to, but seeing those combinations was interesting.
"So, you and Ken?" Miki said finally. "What has got you so shaken up?"
"I'm not talking about it," Ryoga replied.
"Fine, but he'll tell me when I see him next."
"I'll bear that in mind but I'm not going to tell you."
Despite Kaito and Haruto getting up early, and disturbing her in the process, Rio was actually late heading to school. It was all Kaito's fault. She'd been about to leave and head back to their apartment to get dressed for school when they'd got chatting at the door. It was supposed to be just a quick goodbye but somehow the conversation had wandered and it was only her weekly Monday morning call from Thomas that made Rio realise how late it was getting.
Ryoga didn't know that she got a call from Thomas every Monday morning. She wasn't entirely sure whether he'd forgiven the Arclights for what they'd done, but she knew he wouldn't be keen on them being close.
"So, you stayed all night with Kaito?" Thomas said as Rio ran through the streets. "With no Ryoga watching over you? Should I be jealous?"
Thomas certainly wasn't sweet and innocent as he acted for the fans, but he wasn't the twisted, sadistic young man Ryoga told her about. Well, not really. He still showed signs of it but it was fine. He didn't scare her anymore. He was a tease, she'd certainly give him that. And charming. But it was nothing for Ryoga to worry about. Actually Thomas was practically her secret best friend. In all honesty, Rio found it easier to get on with boys like Thomas and Kaito and Ryoga. They didn't see how pretty she was, just her strength. She was a duellist first and a girl second. Just how she liked it.
"Why? Because he's a better duellist than you?"
"What?"
"I've seen the videos of the WDC."
"He's not a better duellist." Rio smirked and Thomas frowned. "Where is Ryoga anyway if he wasn't watching over you and Kaito?"
"Rio!" She paused and turned slightly. Ken was running over with Nico just a few steps behind him. He smiled and paused next to her. "Taking lessons from your brother on time keeping, Rio?"
She glanced at him as Nico stepped up beside her, glancing at her D-Gazer. "Hey, you're the Asian Champion."
"I am," Thomas replied, putting on a soft smile. "It's always a pleasure to meet a fan."
"I'm not a fan," Nico said, flashing a bright smile.
"Akina is," Ken put in.
Rio scowled and Thomas folded his arms. "Who are you two?"
"Unimportant," he replied. "Rio, where did your dear brother take Miki last night?"
"Like I know, I haven't seen him."
She certainly wasn't impressed with that fact. Ryoga had promised to tell her everything but in his message last night he'd simply said he was staying out and would explain later. Whatever he was up to with Miki, she hoped he wasn't getting too attached. She was hunting souls. She was trouble.
"Hmm," Ken hummed. "They did hurry off rather quickly after…"
"After?" Rio snapped.
"After you two kissed," Nico said.
Rio froze, vaguely aware of Thomas laughing. They what? Ryoga and Ken… kissed? How was that possible? She didn't think it was possible for anyone to plant a kiss on Ryoga without getting hit. Hard. How had Ken managed to tame Ryoga and get a kiss out of him?
"Ryoga seems to be going soft," Thomas laughed.
"You decided that since I wasn't there and he was so you'd try with him instead?" Rio snapped.
"Twins," Ken said with a wink. Rio narrowed her eyes slightly and he flashed a grin. "Anyway, wherever he's hiding, I hope Miki's safe."
"Who's Miki and why is Ryoga hiding out with here?" Thomas asked.
"Weird girl, used to hunt souls until she lost hers," Rio said quickly. "Related to that Hibiki girl he seems to like. He reckons she was at that tournament."
"Tsukikage?"
"You know about them?"
"Yeah, all three of them were at the tournament where…"
He paused and glanced away as someone muttered something in the background. Ken frowned. "Three of them?"
"That's right," Thomas said. "Definitely three of them. I beat Hibiki in the semi-finals. I remember because Ryoga was really fired up about her loss. Tsukikage Hibiki. What were the others?"
"Tsukikage Miki," Michael said, appearing over Thomas' shoulder. "She was Hibiki's little sister, she was there cheering in the crowd, probably in the year above you, Rio." Rio smiled slightly. Michael was always so polite and helpful. "And their big brother."
"Big brother?" Ken said, leaning over. "No, it's just the two of them. Just Miki and Hibiki."
Not even Ken and Nico knew about the third Tsukikage? What did that say about him? Was he another soul hunter? And why were they even doing it? Was Ryoga in danger getting involved with these girls?
"No," Thomas said. "There were definitely three of them."
"That's right, Hibiki and the guy had an argument," Michael agreed. "They were yelling and Miki was sitting there between them. I wouldn't have known they were family if Miki hadn't called him her big brother."
"Did you get a name?" Rio said, frowning slightly.
"Fate," they both said at once.
"Fate?!"
Rio glanced between the other two. They knew Fate too? Did that mean they were soul hunters too? Ken clicked his tongue and turned away, storming off back in the opposite direction. Nico paused for a moment before turning and following only for Ken to glare at her.
"Stay here," he said. "Watch over Akina and Hiro. I'm going to find Hibiki and Miki. Don't let them get hurt."
Nico frowned and gazed up at him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright. Come back safe, ok?"
"I always do."
She nodded and turned to head back to school. Rio frowned and glanced at her D-Gazer's screen. "I'm going to go with him."
"Of course you are," Thomas said. "Don't get hurt. I'm not taking the blame for this one."
Rio smiled and hung up, pushing her D-Gazer into her pocket and running after Ken. If they were going after Fate, or looking for Miki and Ryoga for that matter, she was going with him. If Ryoga was in danger, Rio wasn't going to let him get into it on his own. Ken would have to put up with her. Perhaps she should call Kaito too. He'd probably want to be involved with this too but then… Running to him every time something was a little hard wasn't her idea of being strong. She had to do things on her own, even if it was with Ken at her side.
After a week of his dreams being haunted by distant vivid memories, Ryoga was glad to final wake up peacefully. He opened his eyes to the sun's mottled rays seeping around the edges of the curtains. He wasn't going to school. After staying up late with Miki, he'd slept until nearly midday. There was no point going in now. By the time they walked back it would be too late.
Miki was lying at his side, wrapping in her own blankets and sleeping soundly. Despite having been visiting the cottage since he was tiny, it was a little creepy. It creaked and groaned in the wind and the woods didn't help. Miki had joined him not long after they settled down to rest.
Ryoga smiled and laid down once more, pulling the covers around him and absently reaching for his D-Gazer. If just having Miki at his side while he slept did this, he would have to do this more often. He glanced at the screen and frowned. There were eight missed messages of Rio. Even though he'd promised to share everything, he didn't expect her to be checking up on him constantly.
There was a tune from the floor and Ryoga forced himself to sit up. Something in Miki's discarded waistcoat was lighting up. He recognised that. He picked up Miki's waistcoat, and from an inside pocket, produced a folded D-Gazer.
"Ryoga?" Ken said, blinking slightly. Ryoga swallowed heavily, his cheeks heating up slightly before he set his jaw and narrowed his gaze, ignoring Ken's smirk. "You are still with Miki then?"
"Have you only just woken up?" Rio snapped, leaning into sight.
"And?" Ryoga said, shrugging slightly. "I stayed up late with Miki to get answers."
"Did she tell you Fate is her big brother?" she said.
"But he took their souls. Why would Hiro-"
"No," Ken snapped. "Not Hiro. He's grumpy and strict sometimes, but he'd a good guy really. He cares about us. Whatever Miki and Hibiki did, he cared. Besides, the way they were described, this was a blood resident. We're all adopted. Hibiki and Miki were the only ones who were related to each other and Hibiki left. She didn't want to be there. She tolerated it for Miki."
"Who is he then?" Rio said. "If he and Hibiki and Miki were hunting souls then they must have known. They must have known who he really was."
"I don't know," he sighed, shaking his head. "I only met him once. He creeped me out. But other than that, I just had what Miki said to go on."
Ryoga nodded. "I'll ask her about it later. Rio, can you give Kaito directions to our grandparent's cottage. He's the one most likely to avoid being followed. Tell him to bring something to eat too."
"I'll send Miki's deck over too," Ken said. "I'm glad you're ok, Ryoga."
"When I get back there we're going to have words," Ryoga hissed. "And you're not going to like it."
Ken laughed and shook his head. "Alright, alright. I'll be sure to sweet talk you out of hurting me when we come to that then."
"You can try but it'll just make your suffering worse."
"Ryoga," Rio snapped. "I don't care what's happened between you two right now, just be careful. Alright?"
"I will. Don't worry. Just keep Yuma out of trouble."
Yuma had been worried when Shark didn't turn up to school. And when Rio, Ken and Miki weren't in, he started to panic. They weren't on the roof and they weren't hanging around the homes. They weren't at any of the normal hang outs.
It wasn't unusual for Shark to vanish without warning. And Yuma didn't know Ken and Miki well enough to know their habits but Rio wasn't the kind of student who just disappeared. It was getting late and Yuma wound up alone with Astral hovering at his side in the sunset.
"Why are we looking for Fate, Yuma? We defeated him," Astral asked. "Shouldn't we be looking for Shark instead?"
"But after what Fate said and how he treated Shark, maybe Shark went after him," Yuma reasoned. "Besides, after what he said about my parents and what he's done, we need to duel him to free Hibiki and Miki. That'll cheer Ryoga up, won't it?"
"You logic is a little flawed, Yuma," Rio teased, approaching from behind with Kaito at her side. "Ryoga is only truly happy when he's allowed to be in a mood."
Yuma smiled. Kaito and Rio were spending a lot of time together recently. Kaito smirked. "He doesn't seem to be capable of being happy about anything, that's a certainty."
"So, what are we after, Yuma?" Rio said.
"We're going to find Fate, beat him and free Miki and Hibiki for Shark. Right?"
"Is that so?"
Yuma whipped around. A woman was in the middle of the street. He frowned. She gave off the same aura as Fate. She sent shivers down his spine. A soul hunter on the prowl? She was in a long black dress, her long black hair flowing down to her waist and a hat and veil hiding her face. Definitely like Fate.
"Good evening," she said quietly. "You're the boy Fate tested yesterday?"
"You're a soul hunter?" Yuma called.
She nodded. "I am Destiny. Which one of you will be tested against my strength?"
"If I win, you will reveal your secrets to us," Kaito said, stepping forwards.
"I will reveal to you one secret," Destiny said. "Of your choosing."
"I suppose that's acceptable." He nodded and Orbital 7 hurried over. "And if I lose?"
"You will tell me where Kamishiro Ryoga is hiding with Tsukikage Miki."
"We don't know where-"
"Quiet, Yuma," Kaito snapped. "I accept your terms, Destiny. I'll be your opponent."
In the Next Chapter: Kaito faces off against Destiny for answers and Ryoga drills Miki for more information of Fate.
A Bittersweet Ending, Kaito Vs Destiny
