A/N: So, let's of bits in this chapter. Some cute kids who have everyone's relationships figured out. Ryoga with his parents (who are still alive in my story *glares at writers* but we'll incorporate the rest of the stuff because some of that was ridiculously cute). Thomas being actually helpful. Kaito and Ken duelling and Charity and Envy and Hibiki are around. Yay. Also, Numbers, which are tricky, (because the second I put something in my story the anime comes along and contradicts me so yeah, if I created something for No whatever you can guarantee that'll be the next one revealed. I can't win so I've given up trying.) So, thank for reading and reviewing and enjoy and review. Ok? Awesome.
Haruto was hidden under his covers, the light of D-Pad casting a pale glow over his face. On the screen, Akina was under her covers too, her frill night gown covered in florescent spiders webs. He'd heard people call Akina creepy while they were out with Kaito and Shark. Someone so cute being so fascinated by the darker things. But Haruto didn't care. People thought he was creepy too. So they were creepy together.
"Shark and Kaito were arguing again," he murmured.
"They're always arguing. Chris said it would ease up," Akina replied.
"But it's not easing up," Haruto said, shaking his head. "They're not getting on again. They were saying about Envy and how Kaito had taken advantage of him."
"Envy and Honour can't touch Shark anymore," she said, shaking her head.
"Why?"
"Because he's mine," she huffed, folding her arms. "I won't let anyone hurt him. I cleansed him of Honour's curse and put a protection spell on him. No one can influence him anymore."
"Then they're ok? But… they're arguing again." She sighed and shook her head before her breath caught and she gripped her chest. "Akina?!"
"Ow…" She whined and pushed her covers away. "Honour's duelling. He's really worked up."
"Ryoga?!"
Ryoga was holding his chest, struggling with the power washing over him. He'd felt the others duelling but this was different. This was a strange power that seemed to come with high emotions. His parents were either side of him, apparently woken from their sleep by his pained cry.
"Ryoga, sweetheart," his mother murmured. "Hang on, we'll get you to hospital."
"No!" he cried. "No, I need to find Honour!"
He struggled off the bed but they caught his arms and pulled him back. "Ryoga, please-"
"No, I need to do this."
"Lie down," his father snapped, pushing him back into bed. Ryoga glared up at them but he couldn't do anything. "If you insist you don't want to go to hospital, fine, but you stay in bed."
Ryoga sighed and folded his arms. There was nothing he could do. What he wouldn't give to be as old as Kaito and be able to leave when he wanted. He could feel Honour duelling and about to take a soul. How was he supposed to lie here and wait?
"Hey… do either of you guys remember me talking about a girl called Hibiki?"
They frowned and his mother sighed. "You got very attached to her around the time of… the incident."
"It wasn't entirely my fault," Ryoga grumbled. "It's just… She's back in town and her sister attends school with me and… I don't really remember much about her."
"Ryoga. Some things are better off left alone."
Kotori and Cathy scrambled to pull on their clothes as Nico threw on her shoes. They'd invited her over for the night to try and get her to feel more like part of the group. But suddenly she'd been almost in pain and winded.
When they asked what was going on, she just replied that Honour was worked up and was running off before they could register what happened. Kotori vaguely remember someone saying that all Mother Grace's children were former hunters that escaped Pride and were being slowly pulled back.
So they pulled on their rain coats and ran after her, out into the storm. Hopefully, they wouldn't be in too much trouble out there. She'd realised Honour was trouble early on. If Nico was worried, then they'd have to go with her.
"Yuma!" Kotori called, pulling out her D-Gazer.
"Kotori? What's wrong?" Yuma groaned, looking like he'd just tumbled out of bed.
"Nico says Honour's duelling."
"Right. We're on our way."
She nodded and put her D-Gazer away. All they could do was just follow Nico through the storm and hopefully get there before much else happened. Or someone lost their soul.
"Do you know where we're going, Nico?" Cathy called.
"Sort of!" Nico called back.
"That's not reassuring," Kotori called.
"It's fine, I'll find them."
And she was right. Soon they rounded a corner and found a dark energy barrier with rain pouring down the sides and two duellists drawing their hands. One was in black, and obviously the hunter Honour. And the other…
"Kaito?!" Kotori cried.
Kaito glanced back and scowled before turning away. "Stay out of this."
"Kaito, you know what'll happen if you lose!" she argued.
"And this is between the two of us," he snapped. "Now go home and stay out of this!"
"No way!" Yuma yelled, running over. "You're out friend, we're not leaving you to face this alone."
Honour laughed and glanced over at Nico who glanced away. "Oh, don't tell me you're siding with them. After everything?"
"Of- of course not!" Nico cried. "I've never betray my family!"
"Then you accept that Ryoga has to pay, and anyone who protects him has to suffer as well?"
"Of course!"
"Nico…" Yuma said, catching her arm. "Don't. It's not right."
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I tried to find loyalty to you guys, I really did. But they're my family. And they want to do something good. It's not like they're just taking souls for no reason."
"That's not the point."
"I'm sorry, Yuma."
She turned away and moved slowly around the barrier, dark energy tearing at her clothes and forming new ones. "Nico!"
"No!" She spun around as a black mask appeared over her face and her hair turned black, a cute black dress appearing. "My name is Charity!"
Kotori's eyes widened as Yuma's face paled. Charity was Nico this entire time. But she'd been willing to kill Yuma and them in that duel the other day. She'd been hunting them and then acting as their friend?
"Kaito! Stop it, we don't have to do this! No one needs to fight!" Yuma cried.
"Don't interrupt my hunt, Yuma," Kaito hissed.
"Hunt? Kaito you can't mean-"
"I'm hunting Ken's Number," he said. Yuma's face grew even paler and Kotori's hand went to her mouth. Honour sneered. "You won't hurt Ryoga again."
"Shark…" Yuma's fists clenched. "What did you do to Shark?!"
Hibiki sighed, gently taking Mother Grace's hands. "It's all coming together, Mother."
"Where's Glory?" Grace whispered. "Is she with Honour?"
"No, she's at home with Pride and Fate." Grace nodded and Hibiki sighed, kneeling in front of her. "She's searching for Despair's box. Do you know how Honour's box ended up in Despair's place?"
"I'd assume it was something to do with Pride."
Hibiki nodded. "He thinks Wrath's sister will be able to find Miki."
Grace's head jerked up and for the first time in years, Hibiki saw a familiar sparkle in her eyes as she got to her feet. "Stay here, Hibiki, watch over the children. I need to take a trip home."
"Mother, if she fails like all the others-"
"She is Wrath's sister. There is something different about those two."
Hibiki frowned as she was ushered out but gave up arguing, her mother was always so stubborn. There was no point arguing. She sighed and went down stairs to the kitchen where a young woman closer to Hiro's age was waiting. She smiled and brushed her green hair from brown eyes and took a sip from her glass.
"Any news?" she said quietly.
"Not so much," Hibiki replied. She sighed and sat with her, taking the glass offered. "Mother is going home, to see Miki and Rio. Do you really think the Kamishiro girl can find Miki's true soul?"
"You felt Wrath's power," she said, nodding slightly. "If she possesses the same power, then there's a good chance. Better than all the others."
She nodded and sighed. "Tomiko… Honour's going to duel."
"I know," Tomiko replied, finishing off her drink and pouring out another. "It's all Hiro's doing, you know? He replaced Despair's box with Honour's so little Ken would be overcome by the need to make Ryoga pay for what he did."
"I thought as much. Miki is searching the house for Despair's box."
"Pride probably has it down in the basement." Tomiko smiled sadly, running her fingers around the rim on her glass. "I'm going to destroy him you know?"
"Honour?" Tomiko nodded. "For what it did to Aito?" She nodded again. "Just don't let Ken get destroyed in the process."
"Kaito is hunting for his Number."
"Hibiki," Grace said, appearing the doorway with a bag.
Hibiki smiled. She was finally out of her black mourning gowns, her vivid red hair flowing down to her waist and green eyes full of hope.
"I love your dress, Mother," Tomiko said.
It was a nice dress. An elegant and simple pink and white halter neck that flattered her shape. She smiled and tilted her head slightly and Hibiki got up.
"I'm sorry," Grace murmured. "I don't remember your name."
"Tomiko," Hibiki said.
"Envy," Tomiko corrected.
Grace's eyes widened slightly and she nodded. "Hiro's girlfriend?"
"A long time ago."
"Well, look after the children for me, you two. I need to find Miki."
They nodded and listened to the front door closing. Hibiki sighed. It was all going to come to a head soon. She just hoped Ryoga remembered enough to keep him safe from falling into the darkness.
"Akina!" The child froze as Hibiki stood, glaring down at her. "Where do you think you're going at this time of night? In this weather?"
"To help Kaito!"
"Back to bed, missy."
"Feeling better now?" Thomas sneered.
Ryoga glared at him for a moment, rubbing his chest absently. When he'd felt Honour preparing to duel he'd promised to call him back so his parents didn't question why he was talking to him of all people. He'd give anything to be out there facing Honour. Or searching for Rio. Anything other than being stuck in bed.
"What's wrong with you anyway?" he said.
"My heart apparently," Ryoga replied.
"What's really wrong with you?" Thomas grumbled, folding his arms.
"My ex put a curse on my to make me love him and if I spoke to Kaito or let him touch me, my heart would give out," he explained quietly.
"Right," he muttered. "See how much easier this is when you tell me what's happening?"
"Shut up."
"You called me for advice remember?"
He huffed and folded his arms, glaring at Thomas, who glared back. He had called Thomas for advice and it wasn't easy, but he needed someone who understood him who wasn't Kaito or Rio. So he sighed and gave up, explaining the problem with Kaito and his forced feelings and Thomas just smirked.
"Has he got you in bed yet?"
Ryoga's cheeks went red. "No."
"Then don't you worry your pretty little head about it."
"Will you be serious, IV?" he snapped and Thomas flinched. "Well?"
"I was being serious," Thomas hissed. "There's nothing wrong with having a bit of fun, Ryoga. If you're just making out and stuff, and things aren't that serious, then what's the harm?"
"It might not be real!" he argued.
Thomas sighed, shaking his head like he was a child, something Ryoga didn't appreciate. He just wanted someone to give him advice that wasn't, wait and see or if it's meant to be it'll work out. He wanted something he could actually use to figure out where he needed to go from here to make sense of his feelings.
"But it feels good, right?" Thomas said. Ryoga nodded slightly. "Then what does it matter? If it makes you feel good in that moment and there's no harm in it later, then go with it. It'll be real in that moment, won't it? Just stop over thinking things and let things feel right."
"That's… actually really good advice."
"I know. So, can I get back to sleep now? And if you're dying you should sleep too."
"Yeah. Thanks Thomas. You're not all bad I guess."
"You too. Night."
"Goodnight."
The screen when blank and Ryoga put Rio's D-Pad away, thinking it over. Thomas was right, wasn't he? It certainly felt good to be with Kaito, whether it was fake or not. And it had felt good over the weekend when it was just the two of them. He'd certainly enjoyed it when things settled. And other than his heart, there hadn't been any damage done and he doubted there would be. He was definitely right. If it felt good, why deny himself that?
He picked up his own D-Pad and flicked over the messaged Kaito had sent. Perhaps he had been a little hasty. But Kaito should have figured out by now he had a hair trigger temper. And it was his own stupid fault for suggesting he was being manipulated. Honestly, who did that? Ryoga would have much rather he kept his mouth shut and let them enjoy it rather than ruining the moment. And it was a great time they'd had together.
Ryoga smiled to himself. He wanted more time with Kaito like that. If it wasn't real, he'd just have to make it real.
"No more talking!" Honour called. "Yes, I played with Ryoga's heart. I'd do it again. And taking your soul will be the icing on the cake, Kaito. I can't wait to see his pain."
"Let's duel!"
Honour 4000 – 4000 Kaito
"I'll take the first turn," Honour called. "Draw!"
Kaito frowned. Once again, he wished Ryoga could be at his side to tell him how Honour duelled and how to beat him. He'd just have to figure this out himself now. This was all for Ryoga anyway. Nothing else mattered by keeping him safe from Honour's interference.
"Alright then, Kaito," he called. "I'll start by activating the effect of Mermail Abyssteus in my hand. I discard one WATER monster from my hand and can special summon him from my hand."
There was a roar and a large green humanoid monster appeared in a splash of waves, covered in purplish armour and wielding a heavy weapon, something of a cross between a spike club and a spear. 7/1700/2400.
"When summoned like this, I can add a Mermail monster from my deck to my hand as long as it's level four or lower. So I add Abyssdine to my hand." The card he added to his hand glowed and he smirked. "And when she's added to my hand, I can special summon her!"
A little redheaded girl appeared, floating in the air covered in light blue armour and giggling slightly. 3/1000/200. Was this why Ryoga and ken had got on? Because they both ran powerful WATER decks?
"Next, I summon Mermail Abysslung from my hand!" A large, heavy set fish appeared, covered in black armour with large guantlets and a dark glow surrounded the others. 4/1200/1800. Honour laughed. "When Abysslung is on the field, you can't attack my other WATER monster and all WATER monster I control gain 300 ATK. So, now I set one face down and end my turn."
"My draw then," Kaito said.
He frowned and drew his card, frowning down at them. It was an impressive first turn, that was certain. But from what he'd seen of the hunters so far, they were all highly skilled duellists. And those that weren't were tossed aside quickly. Honour probably knew how he duelled, and likely knew about his Galaxy-Eyes, so leaving him with no choice but to attack his Abysslung had to have some side effect. If not, he'd have left if with the power of his Abyssteus. It must have been the face down.
Luckily, Kaito had just the card to handle that.
"I activate the spell Photon Sanctuary and with his, I can summon two Photon Tokens." Two glowing orbs appeared, smaller orbs orbiting them slowly. 4/2000/0. "They can't attack and I can only summon LIGHT monsters this turn, but that's all I need. I tribute my two Photon Tokens to summon Photon Wyvern!"
The two tokens merged and a bright light engulfed the field for a moment before it faded to reveal a dragon of blue/white fire on Kaito's field. 7/2500/200.
"Your Abysslung doesn't stand a chance," Kaito said.
"You think?" Honour laughed. "Then by all means, come on at me."
"When Photon Wyvern is summoned, it destroys all face downs on your field."
The dragon screamed and blew fired out, engulfing the card in white hot fire and revealing Magic Cylinder before it shattered. Honour growled and lowered his head, glaring up at him as Yuma and his friends cheered.
"Now! Photon Wyvern, destroy his Abysslung!"
Another shot of fire hit Abysslung and it shattered in the fire that carried on through, hitting Honour and knocking him back to the wet concrete.
Honour 3000 – 4000 Kaito
"I set two cards and end my go," Kaito called. "Your move, Honour."
Suddenly his D-Pad light up, letting him know there was a message. Kaito frowned. He could ignore it. It wasn't like he needed to read it but… What if it was finally Ryoga? After all, it had been nearly midnight when they began talking. Perhaps Ryoga had simply ignored him and then fallen asleep. So he opened it up.
Shark: You're a moron. We'll talk in the morning.
Kaito smiled softly, quickly replying before returning to the duel. In the morning. He had to get through this duel first.
"Is that him?" Honour sneered. "Little Ryoga?"
"That's none of your business," Kaito snapped.
"Don't worry, he'll be safe in hospital again before you know it."
"You touch him again and you'll suffer."
"My turn," Honour laughed. "Draw!" He glanced down and laughed. "So, you want to hunt my Number, huh? Let's get you two acquainted then."
"It's coming then," Astral murmured, appearing at his side.
Kaito frowned and glanced at up him. "I don't need your help."
"It's hard to see from out there," he replied. "And I'm the only one who can pass through the barrier." He frowned and glanced at the field. "He has a Number then? How did you know?"
"That's not important," Kaito replied.
"He's right," Honour laughed. Astral glanced over. "What matters is that it's about to eat him alive. From my hand, I summon Mermail Abyssgunde." The black haired, clownfish like girl appeared in a wave of water and Honour grinned. 3/1400/800. Kaito clenched his jaw. Here it came. "Are you ready, Kaito?"
"Are you sure you're capable of winning this, Kaito?" Astral said.
"I beat you, didn't I?" he snapped. "If I can't, who can?"
"Hey!" Yuma yelled, his voice muffled by the barrier and rain. "I beat Tron when you couldn't!"
"If you two are done?" Honour sneered. Kaito's attention was drawn back to him. "I use my level 3 Mermail Abyssdine and Abyssgunde to build an overlay network. XYZ summon!" A dark swirling galaxy appeared at his feet and he smirked, throwing up his hand as a blue shape rose from the darkness, waves crashing around it. "I hope you've said your goodbyes, Kaito."
In the Next Chapter: Kaito faces the power of Honour's Number as Ryoga's condition grows worse.
Terror From the Deep, Shark Attack
