A/N: A lovely new chapter. Akina turns up. We haven't had Akina for a while. And Ken. Miki and Ryoga are having fun with Fate and Charity. Kaito is figuring out Destiny and Rio is getting a little huffy. Yuma is still clueless. Poor boo. Oh and for the first time Mother Grace appears in person. Anyway. Thank you for you lovely, lovely reviews, thank you for reading and enjoy my dears.
"You're not supposed to go in there," Akina said. She caught his sleeve and pulled him back. "Please, Ken, don't go in there."
Ken frowned and crouched down in front of her, brushing her hair from her face. Since losing that duel, she'd been so wrong. Her soul had been sacrificed and it was all his fault. He should have protected her but he'd failed. Just like he failed to protect Miki. It was only the full moon that let him have them back. And only for a little while. He had to make things better.
"Mother will understand," he replied.
"She's already mad about you betraying the family," she said. "Because you kissed Shark. Hiro told her, you know. She's mad at you and Miki. Please don't get into more trouble."
"I didn't betray the family," Ken said. He took a deep breath and stood slowly, resting his hand against the door for a moment before knocking quietly. "Mother?"
The door unlocked and opened. Ken glanced over his shoulder, hesitating for a second and watching Akina sit on the stairs, hugging Fluff with tears slipping down her cheeks. He had to do this. He pushed open the door slowly and popped his head around, gazing into the dark room. Mother Grace was sitting by the window. Ken smiled as he shut the door. It had been a long time since he'd seen his mother. She was dressed in black, as always, and a veil hid her face. She was still in mourning. That was what Hiro always said.
"Mother?"
"Which one are you?" Mother whispered.
"It's me, Mother. It's Ken."
"What's your name?"
Ken frowned. "Hishikawa Ken? Remember Mother?"
She tilted her head and Ken lowered his gaze. There was a long moment for heavy silence before she pointed over to the far wall. Ken gazed over at the shelves and boxes resting upon them.
"I want to save my family, Mother," he said, walking over to the wall. "Will you help me? I want to save Akina and Miki, and to protect Nico. Can you help me?"
"Have you forgotten who you once were?" she rasped.
"No." He took one of the boxes from the shelves and knelt in front of his mother. "No, I haven't forgotten." She took the box from him and Ken took a key from around his neck. "If I returned to who I once was, would it help them?"
"Perhaps. If you're not about to be pulled under by the currents." He frowned but unlocked the box anyway. "Remember who your enemy is, my dear son. Don't lose your purpose. No matter how they pull at your heart, remember why you fight."
"For my family," Ken replied. "No one else matters."
She nodded and opened the lid to the box. "I'm glad."
Fluff screeched and bolted down the stairs and Akina flinched at Ken's scream. She scrambled to her feet, banging her fists on the door and crying for him. But he didn't answer. He just screamed.
Fate laughed. "You're going to be trouble, aren't you, Ryoga?"
Ryoga shivered and his stomach dropped. They'd been found. Was Fate impossible to lose? Was he going to find them no matter where they went? Miki's hands clenched against his shoulders. He couldn't let her go. If Fate tore Miki from him now he'd never get her back, all the answers he needed would vanish with her. And Miki knew it too, didn't she? She didn't want to go back either.
He caught her hands and pulled her away quickly. They'd have to find somewhere better. Was there anywhere he could manage to hide from them? Miki followed willingly this time. There was no arguing or hesitance. Fate laughed and Ryoga clenched his jaw. Was their struggling to lose him that funny?
Someone stepped out in front of them and hope rose in Ryoga's chest. Fate wouldn't do anything in public, right? Just one person would be good enough, right? Only, as they got close, he noticed the black mask over the girls face. He stopped dead and Miki nearly hit his back at the suddenness.
"You're Glory?" the girl said.
"Kamishiro," Miki snapped, tugging Ryoga away down the next street,
"Who is she?" Ryoga said, catching up again. "Another hunter?"
"I guess," she replied. "I met at least a dozen while I was hunting. And there were always more going in and out. You lose and you lose your soul. It's high risk, we lost one and another one took their place within days."
Ryoga frowned. It was that simple? How could she say it like it was that simple? Two of those hunters were her siblings? They worked together even if it was a despicable job. No honour among thieves, wasn't that what people said? People with such jobs were the first to turn on each other. And Yuma was infecting him with his need to save everyone and see the best in them. He shouldn't have cared about saving Miki. This was all that idiot's fault.
They rounded another corner and froze. Ryoga's heart sunk. A dead end. They'd hit a dead end. Fate laughed and Ryoga whipped around to see him and the new girl at the end of the alley. He frowned and Fate tilted his head, laughing softly.
"Now, shall we talk again?" Fate said.
"I won't let you have her," Ryoga said, putting himself between them. He'd put his soul on the line and duel them if he had to. "So you should just back off."
"We just want Glory to come home where she belongs," the new girl said.
"What is so bad about that, Ryoga?" Fate continued.
"It is when you're trying to force her to hunt souls."
"What is it with you?" Miki snapped, glaring up at him. "You know I don't need to be watched over all the time. And I can speak for myself."
"Hey, I'm defending you," Ryoga snapped back.
"I don't need you to defend me."
Ryoga clenched his jaw and fists, glaring down at her. What was wrong with her? He was trying to keep her safe and she was having a go at him? What one earth was wrong with her? What were they supposed to do anyway? They were cornered by two soul hunters and he was the only one who could duel right now.
"What is this? Some kind of guilt over what you did to Hibiki?"
"This isn't just about Hibiki, how many times do I have to tell you that?"
"Whatever you think I did, it wasn't my fault. I didn't make her do anything. I didn't know about any of this."
"Give me a duel disk!"
"Miki?!" Ryoga shook his head as Fate tossed her his duel disk. "No. I won't duel you."
"You know it's called hunting for a reason?" Miki said. She caught his collar and tugged him down, lowering her voice to a whisper. "So run while I keep them busy."
"Miki, don't-"
"They already have my soul. There's nothing to lose, get going already."
Ryoga was shoved away and he stumbled back a step, watching Miki glaring at him. He hesitated for a moment before he turned and broke into a run. Fate and the new girl let him run.
"You and Charity go after him." Fate's voice echoes through the alley behind him. "Wait until he gets to his sister and remove them both at once. Don't fail us, Glory."
Rio? They were after him and Rio together? There were footsteps behind him and Ryoga dropped his head, focusing on running. Where was he supposed to go? And would Miki really duel him and Rio for their souls?
The footsteps chasing him stopped and Ryoga kept running until he rounded a corner. He waited for a moment to see if they were baiting him before he realised they really were gone. He glanced around the corner and there was no sign of Miki or Charity. Where the hell were they? What just happened? Why had she done that? He was supposed to be protecting her and getting answers, Miki pushing him away didn't help at all.
"The new recruits aren't as smart as they used to be."
He whipped around and found Miki leaning on the wall behind him, arms folded over her chest. She smiled and Ryoga gave a frustrated sigh. Really? Were they really going to be like that?
"You don't know this Charity then?" She shook her head and Ryoga frowned. "How did you get rid of her?"
"What are you asking me, Kamishiro?"
"Did you hunt for her soul rather than mine?"
"I'll still hunt for yours if that would suit you," Miki said, glancing away.
"Of course, I'm always desperate to give my soul to pretty girls," Ryoga muttered. Miki's head snapped up and she stared at him, her cheeks going a dark pink. After a moment, Ryoga realised why. "I didn't mean it like that. What is it with your family?"
"Hmm." She pouted slightly then turned away. "Was that what had you so worked up last night?"
"What?" Ryoga muttered.
"Ken?" He frowned, following her down the street back toward the cross roads Fate had found them at. "I'll take your silence as a yes."
"Mind your own business," he snapped. "Pick a direction." Miki frowned and glanced around before wandering off to the left. "You never did say if you duelled her for her soul."
"Can't hunt souls on a full moon," Miki said. "The full moon restores souls. Cancels out the magic. No matter what Fate says, on the full moon it's an empty threat to scare you."
Ryoga nodded, catching up to her and shoving his hands into his pockets. "Don't do that again. No matter what's happening, stay by my side."
"And when morning comes and my soul slips away again?"
"I'll save you." Miki shot him a sceptical look and Ryoga rolled his eyes. This was Yuma's fault. "I will."
Destiny – 4000
Kaito – 2800
"Kaito's got this duel in the bag!" Yuma cheered, jumping up and down. "Now he's got Galaxion on the field-"
"Yuma," Rio said gently. "Let him duel."
Kaito smirked, glancing back at them and offering Rio a small smile of gratitude. Yuma's constant chatter could be somewhat distracting. But Yuma was right. Starlord Galaxion was a quick way to get his ace out. And Kaito was certainly done playing around with Destiny. She was far too calm given what she was facing. He glanced up at Galaxion, brandishing his swords. 4/2000/21000.
"So, Destiny," Kaito said. "This ends here. By removing both overlay units, I can summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from my deck!"
There was a bright flash as Glaxay-Eyes appeared. But Kaito was watching Destiny. As the field lit up, her face underneath the veil was revealed. Ruby red eyes, very familiar eyes, were watching his calmly, a soft smile on her lips. Like she'd been waiting for his Galaxy-Eyes. Then he realised why that face, those eyes, looked so familiar. The girl he'd seen briefly with Ryoga a few times. Miki, wasn't it? Looking so similar, did that make her…? The dragon roared and Kiato shook his head, clearing his mind. 8/3000/2500.
Kaito paused and looked over the field. Madolche Waltz made reckless attacks a source of damage. The lack of monsters in her graveyard and Madolche Chateau gave her monster a substantial power boost. On top of that, Galaxion was weaker than both of them. And with nothing in his hand to change things around, he had to go with brute strength for now. Getting Chauxvalier into her graveyard was a start.
"Galaxy-Eye's Photon Dragon, attack her Chauxvalier!"
His dragon roared and fired a blast of light into the little toy horse and rider, tearing through it and into Destiny. She staggered back a step and when the light faded, Destiny was brushing off her dress.
Destiny – 3200
Kaito – 2800
"When Madolche Chauxvalier is sent to the graveyard it's reshuffled back into my deck," Destiny said. "But Madolche Chateau means it's added to my hand again."
Kaito scowled. Chauxvalier was returning to her hand? That meant Madolche Puddingcess still had her attack boost and she could summon it again next turn. If she didn't have something worse planned. What else could he do though?
"And after a Madolche monster battles, Madolche Waltz inflicts 300 points of damage."
The card lit up again and tore into him once more. At least he knew it was coming now. He groaned and shook off the blow.
Destiny – 3200
Kaito – 2500
He clenched his jaw and stood straight. He had Galaxy-Eyes on the field. He was safe for now. "I end my turn."
Destiny laughed softly, tilting her head. "My turn then. Draw."
"Hibiki, isn't it?" Kaito said, lowering his head. Destiny paused and he knew he was right. "That's why you want to know where Miki and Ryoga are?"
"That's right," Destiny said.
"Then, why hunt souls again? I was under the impression you weren't fond of hunting?"
"Don't you understand how important family is, Kaito?" Fate said softly, approaching from behind. He smiled and Destiny glanced at him. "Glory is on her way. The little Kamishiro boy you're so fond of is with her."
"Ryoga's on his way?" Rio cried. "But if he-"
"Don't worry," he continued. "Glory and Charity will have relieved him of his soul long before he reaches us."
"Ryoga…"
"Shark!"
Yuma turned and was running off before anyone could say a word. Rio hesitated before turning and running after him. Kaito paused. Much as he wanted to continue the duel, or at least make sure he ended on top, Rio and Yuma were probably running off into a trap or danger.
"Go on," Destiny muttered, turning away. "Go save them if you can."
Kaito turned, deactivating his duel disk as he ran, listening to the pair as he went. "You let him go? You could have dealt a winning blow."
"There was no point continuing. Will Glory really return to us?"
"You mean will she really turn of the Kamishiro boy? What is it with you two and that boy?"
Glory and Ryoga? His eyes widened as it hit him. Miki. It was that Miki girl. She was hunting Ryoga's soul? He trusted Ryoga as a duellist but Miki was an unknown, as was this Charity they'd mentioned. What kind of trouble had Ryoga got himself into this time? These children were going to be the death of him.
Kaito caught up with Yuma and Rio easily, not that he thought they had any idea where they were going. If Ryoga was searching for them, and looking for a way to avoid being hunted, they could be running in circles.
"Orbital."
"Right."
Within moments he'd taken to the sky, soaring above the streets. If Ryoga was in the area, he'd spot them easily from up here. He frowned. They had to be somewhere around. If Fate believed they were heading towards the duel, they had to be there somewhere.
And then there they were. Despite what Fate had said about Miki duelling Ryoga for his soul, Ryoga and Miki were holding onto each other, running through the streets, with Ryoga tugging her down streets every now and again, although once or twice Miki had dug in her heels and tugged him in a different direction.
Miki gasped as Ryoga caught her hand, pulling her back quickly. He pulled her back to his side, gazing down the street. He frowned and Miki glared at him, silently demanding to know what was wrong?
"There's something wrong," Ryoga murmured.
"Like what?" she snapped.
"Like I know this road and there's not normally a side alley there," he replied. "Can you lot make illusion?"
"Umm… kinda yeah, depending on how strong they are. How many souls they've gathered. That kind of thing. You think…" Ryoga nodded. Yes he did. Charity had got ahead of them and was lying in wait. "There's another way around, right?"
"Yeah, but it's a long way. It wastes time."
"Ryoga." His head snapped upwards at Kaito's voice. That bastard and his robot. If he had a robot doing everything for him he'd be able to swoop in like Kaito did. "Are you alright, Ryoga?"
"Yeah, I did just great on my own," Ryoga replied. "No thanks to you guys."
"I was duelling," Kaito said, folding his arms.
"You duelled Destiny?" Miki said.
Kaito glanced at her and Ryoga frowned at the coldness in his eyes. More than normal. It wasn't even coldness, it was something worse than that. What had Miki done to piss him off? She'd been with him the entire time.
"I duelled Hibiki, yes." Miki flinched and Ryoga glared between them. Hibiki was Destiny? One of the best hunters? He knew Hibiki had hunted souls, Miki pointed that out whenever he said anything good about Hibiki, but he'd thought that was over. What Miki had said about Hibiki wanting to stop hunting because of him… "And I assume you're Glory? The hunter supposedly after Ryoga's soul."
"She's not hunting," Ryoga snapped.
"Ryoga!" Rio called.
"Shark!" Yuma yelled.
They ran over and Ryoga smiled slightly. He'd been worked Rio would be duelling. The news that the full moon stopped them being able to gather souls had eased his fears. He worried about Kaito far less though.
"You," Rio snapped, glaring at Miki. Ryoga wasn't sure what Miki had done to offend Rio either but he was far less likely to step against Rio. "You put Ryoga's soul in danger. You and your family are making him do all this crazy stuff. We have enough trouble without you hurting him."
"Rio-"
"Trust me, I didn't ask for him to stick his nose in," Miki snapped back. Ryoga glanced between them, suddenly getting the feeling of being cornered. "You know, it'd be all very well if he just went and dealt with his little crush on Hibiki but I don't like being used as a replacement."
"Miki, it's not-"
"Shut up!" they yelled as one.
Ryoga didn't bother to try and get between them again. He gave up trying to make sense of their arguments and instead focused on Kaito smirking. Yuma was watching Rio and Miki with a frown, talking to Astral about why they were fighting, and closest Yuma could come to an answer was 'because girls are weird'. But Kaito seemed far too smug.
"What are you smirking at?" Ryoga snapped.
"You're life seems to be run by women, Ryoga," Kaito replied.
"It is not."
"Rio is always telling you what to do," Yuma chipped in, earning a glare. "I mean-"
"I know what you meant."
"And he's right," Kaito agreed.
"You do seem reluctant to argue with your sister," Astral said.
"Kamishiro!" Miki called. Ryoga turned. Why was everyone suddenly turning on him? "I'm heading home."
"I'll walk you," Ryoga said. Anything to get away from the teasing. "Just in case they come after you while you're alone."
Miki gave him a sceptical glance but didn't argue when Ryoga came to her side and walked with her, ignoring Rio's glare. After a moment, Kaito huffed and Ryoga glanced over his shoulder. Rio had caught Kaito's arm, looking furious.
"You'll have to walk me home then, Kaito," she said, glancing at Ryoga. Probably to make sure he was watching, because this was obviously a show for him. "Since there's no way a girl my age should be walking home on her own."
"No one said you couldn't come with us," Ryoga called.
"Why would I want to come with you and your stupid girlfriend?"
"Especially when you could walk home with your stupid boyfriend?"
They glared each other for a moment before Ryoga rolled his eyes and caught up with Miki. Rio yelled after him, something about maybe she should just stay with Kaito tonight and Ryoga waved. She was being needlessly jealous and trying to work him up to get her own way. She wasn't getting her own way on this. He gave in and gave her whatever she wanted often enough to make up for not protecting her. Not today.
Once they were out of sight of the group, Miki's small smirk turned into quiet suppressed laughter. Ryoga's frowned and glared over. What did she find so funny? After a moment thinking over what had happened, Ryoga found something Miki had said bugging him far too much.
"I never had a crush on Hibiki."
Miki's laughter increased and she tilted her head. "Really? So you're doing all this because you're curious?"
"Because I want to know what happened," Ryoga snapped. "For some reasons my memories are fuzzy and until you turned up I couldn't remember any of it. I wanted to know why. And like I told you, I lost my soul once too. And now we're all stuck together until this is worked out."
"Sure," she laughed.
"You don't believe me?"
"I've seen enough guys fall at Hibiki's feet."
"You're jealous?"
She huffed and folded her arms. "I worked hard. I gave up everything. I let them use me and forced myself to be alone and Hibiki got everything. They never cared anything about me. She was perfect and Fate was strong and I was… nothing."
Ryoga frowned. He was sure that sounded familiar. He'd heard someone talking like that before. Not that it really mattered. Whatever she thought and however bitter she was, Ryoga wasn't going to let her fall apart. He wasn't going to lose her to them.
"Then prove you're stronger now."
"I bet your sister would just love that," Miki laughed.
"Ignore her," Ryoga muttered. "She says I don't have the right to interfere in her life, but doesn't see any harm in interfering in mine."
"I know the feeling," she said, shrugging slightly. "So umm… you and Ken?"
"Can we not talk about this?" he snapped, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Well, I'm just curious." He rolled his eyes. Was he going to be the centre of all the gossip for now? Why wouldn't they just accept that it wasn't something he'd wanted, or even expected, and it didn't mean anything? "You're not interested in getting to know him better then?"
"What? No!"
"Why not? Didn't you like it?"
"I don't know. It was weird. It just came out of nowhere and then he walked off. And I'm not a fan of people in my personal space to start with. Just drop it."
"Fine, fine." They paused, having reached the end of Miki's street. "Well… goodnight then, I guess."
"Yeah," Ryoga said, turning away slightly. "And tomorrow you'll be…" He didn't want to think about that. "Anything you want to tell me while you still can?" Miki sighed. "Let me guess, 'Mother wouldn't approve'?"
"She certainly wouldn't," Miki replied, turning away. "But if you want to save Hibiki, Fate's the gate keeper. Get past him and the path is clear to saving all the souls we've taken. Goodnight, Kamishiro."
"Yeah. Goodnight Miki."
He watched her walking down the street, just in case. It didn't look like there was going to be any more trouble though. Miki paused on the steps up to her house, waving slightly. Ryoga turned away, hiding the smile threatening to break out as he lifted a hand. Everything would be back to normal again tomorrow. They'd have to figure things out themselves again.
There was a small yelp and Ryoga whipped around. Miki had vanished. There was an eerie silence and for a moment Ryoga wondered if Miki had just slipped on the stairs. She did seem to trip over her own feet every a bit more than normal people. But where there was nothing but silence, he walked slowly down the street.
"Miki?"
"Too late." He glanced over his shoulder and found Charity sitting on the wall on the side of the street. "She's out of your reach now."
"What? What have you done with her?"
"Mother Grace doesn't allow outside interference," Charity replied. "You've assigned them the same punishment. But then Tsukikage and Hishikawa have always shared everything, even the fate that awaits them."
"What are you talking about?" Ryoga snapped. "Answer me!"
"Go home," she said, getting up off the wall. "I'm sure they'll tell you everything tomorrow."
He hesitated as Charity walked away. Miki and Ken? What was she talking about? Although perhaps she was right. He couldn't do anything now, could he? Whatever had happened, he wouldn't get inside Mother Grace's house to ask Miki and Ken. And Charity had already vanished. He frowned and turned down the street. His best bet was to return to Rio and talk things through with her. If she was talking to him after their argument earlier.
In the Next Chapter: The gang return to school to face Mother Grace's children. Yuma isn't sure what he's done but Nico isn't talking to him. And Ryoga is forced to confront Ken, alone.
The Problem with Siblings
