A/N: Ok this is a slightly shorter chapter because I had to rewrite it because I couldn't do what I wanted to after that episode. Not even I am that evil. I have my limits. So we focus on people who aren't Thomas and Ryoga for most the chapter. You may or may not get an update next week because I'm off to London Comicon. We'll see. So yes, thank you for the reviews, keep them coming and I'll see you next chapter.
"Don't worry, Michael," Miki murmured. "I'm sure they'll be fine."
"I know," Michael sighed, leaning against the back window and watching the gates. "Thomas is always fine. He was always the best duellist." He smiled sadly and his eyes widened slightly as Miki leant her chin on his shoulder, leaning against his back. His cheeks flushed and he kept his gaze focused on the gates. "And Ryoga's with him. They'll be ok."
Miki nodded slightly. "I know the feeling. Hibiki was always a way better duellist than I was. I always wanted to be just like her."
"I wanted to be like Thomas too," he replied. "But… there are things that happened to him I'm not allowed to talk about, things he only talks to Chris about. I'm afraid for him sometimes." Miki nodded and Michael's cheeks grew hotter as Miki kissed his cheek. "Miki?"
"I…" She drew back slightly and Michael shifted in his seat. "Michael, I… I know everything's going to be ok but, you know, if it doesn't turn out like that… I just want you to know-"
"I really like you," Michael blurted out. Miki's cheeks went pink and he smiled slightly. "I mean, I know we don't know each other that well but everything that's happened so far and the time we've spent together, I really enjoy your company and I really like you."
A wide smile spread across Miki's lips and she leant forward, pressing their lips cautiously together. Michael smiled slightly into the kiss, returning it carefully as her hands went to his shoulders. She was right. Everything would be fine, but if it wasn't, he wanted to take this chance. He wrapped his arms slowly around her, gently pulling the blonde closer and Miki made it even easier for her, shifting slightly and ending up in his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck as the kiss deepened.
When they drew part slowly, both panting softly, Miki offered him a small smile and leant down, resting her head as Michael put his weight back against the door, still holding her gently. They sat in silence for a moment and Michael closed his eyes as their fingers entwined.
"What do you think is happening in there?" Michael said finally.
"Knowing my father, he's probably being horribly polite and kind," Miki replied softly. "He always is. He'll be nice. As long as they give him what he wants."
"And… if he doesn't get what he wants?"
She smiled weakly, kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand. "Then pray their bonds are strong enough to see them through."
Michael's eyes widened slightly and he twisted, gazing out the window at the gates. He hoped they would be alright. Everything would be alright in the end but he didn't know how well the pair would manage on their own. He could only hope that they were going to be alright together. Ryoga and Thomas worked well together or couldn't stop fighting. There was nothing between. It was all or nothing.
As long as they stuck together, it would be alright, wouldn't it?
The gates opened suddenly and Michael sat up straighter. Miki drew back and climbed off his lap as a man in a black hood came out. He didn't want to leave Thomas and Ryoga inside on their own but they'd promised they'd get out of there if anyone came along. He scrambled up into the front seats and started the engine. He'd only driven Thomas' car a few times. It was took quick and zippy for his liking, every little movement had the biggest reactions. He preferred driving Chris' car or the submarine, he'd even been allowed to fly their helicopters with Chris' supervision. Thomas' car was by far his last choice.
Still, there wasn't any other option really. Miki climbed up into the passenger seat as Michael spun the car around, heading back towards the main road only for a black energy barrier to block the road. He slammed on the breaks and Miki glared over at the hooded man.
"What's further down the road, Miki?"
"Lots of winding roads," she replied quickly.
"Is there a way out?"
"Yes, I think, but it's not very safe and I don't know if I remember the way."
"It's got to be safer than being here."
He pulled the car back around and tore down the narrow road. It crossed his mind that Thomas would probably be proud of how well he was handling this and his reckless driving. He almost smiled at the thought. Thomas had been banned from teaching him how to drive. It seemed careless driving ran in the family though.
Miki gazed back the hooded figure and Michael frowned. "You know him?"
"My big brother, I think," she murmured sadly. "Left at the fork. Carefully through the ford."
Michael nodded. He'd understand if Thomas or Chris were causing so much trouble, it'd tear him apart too. But then… they had been causing so much trouble. They'd done terrible things. They were making up for it now though. He followed Miki's instructions and the soon found the ford, the swollen river flowing fast over the road. He wanted to hurry but knew tearing through it would be trouble, so he took it as steady as he could, hoping the river wasn't too deep.
"Call up Chris," he said firmly, handing her his D-Pad. "It'll probably be Kaito who answers if Chris is driving."
Miki nodded, doing as he asked and keeping one eye on the road. They were heading into a dark forest and Michael absently wondered how well the signal would get through. Miki sighed and shook her head. It wasn't getting through then. Brilliant. They were on their own. There was a deafening crack and they glanced up as a tree began to sway. Michael gritted his teeth and hit the accelerator, barely managing to get the car out the way of the falling tree. It hit the road just behind them and they skidded to a stop, feeling the ground jolt beneath them.
They sat there in silence for a moment, both breathing heavily. They'd nearly been crushed. Michael was trembling and from the look on Miki's face made him assume she was shaken too. After a long moment, he reached over and caught Miki's hand, squeezing tightly. And Miki held him back, sliding her fingers between his and squeezing back.
"I think we need to get going," Michael whispered after a moment.
Miki nodded shakily and let go of his hand. Michael took a deep breath before hitting the accelerator again. Despite it being early morning, the wood was still dark and there was shapes moving between the trees. Michael didn't believe in ghosts, not really, but it gave him the creeps and he just wanted to get out of there quickly. That hunter could be after them after all.
"Keep trying to get through to them. We need to let them know what's happening."
Miki nodded as they carried on deeper into the woods. "Maybe you should let me out and they won't bother you."
"I can't find my way back to the road without you," Michael argued. "And I won't let them take you as well. Thomas told me to look after you, so I will. You're my friend and… more than that, right? So we'll fight this together."
Miki gazed at him for a moment before smiling brightly and nodding. And then the D-Pad crackled and Michael grinned. Finally.
"Michael?" Chris called.
"He's driving," Miki replied quickly.
"I'm fine," Michael called over. "Where are you guys?"
"Well, Rio says we've just got to keep going on this road until we see a blue tower," Kaito said, leaning into view. "Where's Ryoga? And Thomas?"
"They went inside the house," Miki replied. "They made us wait in the car and then Fate came out and they made us promise to get away if anything happened but we couldn't get back to the main road."
"Ryoga's in there with those monsters?" Rio cried.
"Hey, we're the ones trying to kill, princess," she snapped.
"Kill?" Chris said, snatching the D-Pad away again. "Michael-"
"It's fine," Michael replied. "We're handling it. Just don't go off the main road. We'll get back and meet you."
"Michael-"
"We'll be fine. Just wait for us."
"Michael, pull over and wait."
"We can't," Miki replied. "We're too deep, you'd never find us, we need to get back to the main road. Wait for us."
"Michael-"
"Michael!" Miki cried.
Michael had seen it too. Without thinking, he pulled off his seat belt and did the same with Miki's, pulling her from her seat and into his arms, grasping her hand tightly. The D-Pad clattered to the ground but Michael didn't have time to worry about that.
"You have those powers too, right?" She nodded. "Use them with mine!"
"But-"
"Now!"
He felt the power flood through him right at the last second and he closed his eyes tightly, throwing up a shield and holding Miki as tightly as possibly. He could only pray their combined power was enough to protect them as the rockslide hit the car with a hideous crunch.
"Michael!" Chris cried.
There was nothing but static. He stared at the screen silently in complete shock. He closed his eyes and struggled to breathe steadily. Kaito's hand took his and Chris realised he was trembling. Hearing Miki scream at Michael and then the D-Pad hitting the ground and then nothing… had he just lost his baby brother?
"We need to find them," Yuma said suddenly.
Chris nodded. He opened his eyes slowly and glanced at Kaito, who offered him a strained smile. "We will, Chris. They're all going to be ok."
"I know," he murmured, tucking his hair behind his ear and starting up the engine again. "I know they're going to be alright. They're strong."
"For everything Tron put you guys through, he made you strong," Kaito said softly.
He nodded carried on along the road. Thomas was inside the house with Ryoga and Michael had been hit by who knew what and was with Miki. Hopefully, they'd manage. He had to trust in his younger brothers. They'd manage, wouldn't they? Kaito was right, they were strong. They'd make it through.
"Haruto," Kaito said quietly. "What else can you tell us about Akina's call to Ryoga?"
"She was really scared and upset," Haruto replied. Chris glanced back at them in the mirror. Haruto was sitting leaning against Kotori, who had been dozing but was now wide awake and holding him gently. "She was crying and…"
"It's alright," he murmured. "We'll find her. We'll save her."
"I know," he said, nodding quickly. "Because Thomas and Shark are there with her now. And we'll be with her soon too."
Kaito nodded. "I think you should let me out at the house, Chris. And then you should take the others and got to find Michael."
"I'm going with Kaito," Rio said firmly.
Chris nodded. He didn't blame them. He wanted to go after Thomas but he knew that everything he'd heard in the brief conversation… Michael could have been seriously hurt. At least if Thomas and Ryoga were duelling for their souls he could trust in their duelling abilities. Michael and Miki seemed to have been hit by something powerful and dangerous and something out of their control.
"You have to be careful," Chris said firmly.
"We'll go with Kaito and Rio too," Yuma said. "Right Astral?"
He assumed Astral agreed because Yuma was laughing and nodding enthusiastically. Chris smiled slightly. At least someone was still looking positively at this. "Kotori, I'd like you to stay with me to keep an eye on Haruto."
"What if whatever hurt Miki and Michael is still out there?" Kaito snapped. "I don't want Haruto near that."
"It's more likely to be more natural with that amount of force," Chris argued.
"It could still be dangerous."
"You know I would lay down my life to protect Haruto. It's no more dangerous than him going with you. What do you want to do, leave them here alone?"
"I want to go with Kaito!" Haruto cried. "I want to save Akina!"
"We'll save her," Kaito said gently. "I promise, Haruto, we'll save her."
Haruto sighed and Chris glanced back to see him pouting. "Fine. It you promise then I know it'll be ok."
"There's a blue tower," Rio said quietly. "Take the next turn off."
Chris nodded and they fell into silence. Kaito was still trying to get in touch with any of the missing four- he'd been near panicking when Ryoga had stopped sending messages back last time- but there didn't seem to be any luck on that front. As they turned off, Kaito sighed.
"I never told him about us," he said quietly. "And Thomas must have done. And he's mad at me."
"He seems to be mad at you a lot," Chris replied.
"Hey!" Rio snapped. "Ryoga's been through a lot! And there was no one there to help him. He's allowed to be a little touchy."
"Worry about your own relationship," he muttered. Kaito glanced up at him and Chris sighed. "You know Thomas too. Tell me I'm not the only one who sees he's blatantly mad about her."
"He's right," Kaito said, shaking his head. "He's completely smitten." Rio fell into silence as they pulled to a stop outside the gates. Kaito glared over at the gates and sighed, closing his eyes. "Be careful, Chris. Look after Haruto."
"You too," Chris replied softly. "You bring them back safe."
"I will." He nodded and opened the car door, stepping out and smiling slightly as Yuma and Rio joined him. "We'll call you when we've got them."
"Good luck," he said softly, starting off down the road.
They'd said they couldn't get back to the main road, so chances were they'd gone this way. He hoped they'd be ok but right now he had to focus on finding Michael and Miki and making sure he was ok.
"I swear, if you hurt him-"
"Be polite, little Wrath," Pride said with a warm smile, guiding Ryoga from the corridor Thomas had been dragged down. He desperately wanted to go after him but Pride had a tight grip on his shoulder. He'd been stalling since they'd arrived and Ryoga didn't doubt it had all been so they dropped their guard enough to be separated. "Come, sit and have a drink." Ryoga frowned and glanced around but sat slowly in the chair offered. "That's a good boy. By the way, your friends, I know you left them waiting outside the gate, they went off into the woods. I hear there was a rock slide. I do hope they weren't caught in it."
"You'd better," Ryoga growled. "Miki was in that car."
Pride's eyes flashed and pain bolted through him, making him groan and curl up. "You should stop fighting us, Wrath. You belong with us. I know your family isn't everything you hoped." He smiled and sat next to him. "Imagine a proper family… Ryoga."
"That's never going to happen."
Pride clenched his fists and shook his head. "Fine. Then I can't guarantee the safety of your friend."
"You leave him out of this!"
"Come with me."
He pulled Ryoga up by his collar and dragged him away. He stumbled slightly but got his feet under him and managed to follow down into the basement. It was clean and bright and sterile and Ryoga frowned looking around at the test tubes and machines. They walked slowly and Ryoga soon heard family crying.
"Akina!"
He ran down the hall and found the room the crying was coming from. There was a heavy door with a window in. Inside was Thomas. His arms were held behind his back and he was lying on the floor, apparently unconscious with a chain around his ankle. Akina was on her knees, shaking him and trying to wake him.
"Akina! Thomas!"
Her head snapped up and there were tears in her eyes. "Shark!"
"What have you done to him?" Shark snapped.
"Nothing much," Pride replied softly. "What is he to you?"
"He's my friend!" he snarled. "He's one of the closest friends I've ever had."
Pride frowned and glanced away before opening the door. "You can so go see them."
Ryoga knew it was a trap. He wasn't stupid. If he stepped inside the door would lock behind him. But he needed to get to Akina and Thomas. So he sighed and nodded, stepping into the room and, as he expected, the door slammed shut behind him. He sat down slowly at Thomas' side and offered Akina a smile as he tried to rouse Thomas but there was no sign of him waking.
"Shark!" Akina cried, throwing her arms around him. He smiled softly and held her close, noticing she was chained by the ankle too. They weren't going anywhere until they were let go it seemed. "Shark, are we going to get out of here? Are you going to save us?"
"Of course," he replied gently. "Me and Thomas are going to get you out of here." He nodded and closed his eyes kissed the top of her head. "Are you hurt?"
"No, not really," she whimpered.
He nodded and opened his eyes, taking off his jacket and laying it under Thomas' head as a pillow. He smiled softly and brushed his hair from his face. "Kaito will be here soon too. Him and Chris and Rio and probably Yuma are coming after us. And the second they open the door again I'll deal with them."
In the Next Chapter:
Breakage
