Chapter 19: A Promise Under The Cherry Blossoms

Note To Readers: Hey guys! Hope most of you are all caught up. I wrote enough for a few more chapters. Don't worry there is more to come. A warning to all those whom dislike PuzzleShipping there will be scenes ahead. Briefly, mind you. If you didn't sense that already. Ok! So on with the next chapter!

"It can't be true! It just can't be!" Bloom cried as she wept with tears trickling down her face with devastation lingering in her deep blue eyes. She ran as fast as she could as if trying to escape the cruel truth. She pictured the first time she met Sky and all that they had been through together. The pain shot through her chest as it ached with heart break. She ceased her movement unable to run any further as she tried to catch her breath. The redhead leaned against a tree before she broke down inconsolable sobs slowly sliding down the tree.

"I was so focused on getting Kaiba out of there that I didn't even consider what might happen if Sky and Bakura didn't make it out on their own...I thought that everything would be ok once I stopped the duel...I messed up...so bad...I wish the girls were here...they'd know what to do...but I'm so ashamed that I can't even face them..." Bloom choked on her tears before she heard footsteps nearby but she didn't look towards the source of the sound. Fearing who it was.

"Suck it up!" Kaiba's voice echoed in the distance as the CEO slowly began to advance towards Bloom. "Are you going to cry all day? If so then it's like you've already given up!...Is what I'd like to say but this time if you're going to blame someone then blame me...I didn't hesitate to send Bakura to oblivion and get the hell out of that messed up place...besides as much as I hate to admit it, it was thanks to you and Yugi that I'm here in one piece. I can't say I'm exactly a fan of your boyfriend but even he didn't deserve what Bakura did to him. Mark my words he and The Wizard's Of The Black Circle WILL pay! No matter what it takes we're going to get Bakura and Sky out of there..." Kaiba swore. Slowly Bloom turned towards the CEO before she slowly rose to her feet.

"Do you really think that's even possible?" Bloom asked as the remnants of her tears fell down her cheeks. "I mean these are forces Kaiba the likes of which even I have NEVER seen before..." Kaiba only smirked. "And just who do you think I AM? I'm Seto Kaiba of Kaiba Corp the largest company who runs EVERYTHING in Domino City...NOTHING is beyond my reach...you can count of that..." the blue eyed male muttered. "...Do you promise? That we'll find them?" "You have my word Bloom. I won't rest until all of this mess is taken care of...taking out the trash is what I do best at. So leave everything to m-" Kaiba found himself cut off as Bloom threw herself into his arms clutching at his trench coat as she trembled. Burying her face into his chest as if there was only one thing she could dare to believe in. Slowly Kaiba lifted his own arms and gently held the redhead in return resting his head on hers as the cherry blossoms from the trees rained down upon them. Feeling Kaiba's warmth Bloom found herself wanting to stay like this. At least for awhile.

"Why that no good-" Joey grumbled as he peered out from behind a tree nearby twitching his eye. "Putting his hand all over Bloom..." Yugi sweatdropped as he tagged along just to make sure Bloom and Kaiba were ok. "J-Just try to calm down Joey..." Yugi coaxed before he turned his gaze towards Kaiba and Bloom. "It's strange...but Kaiba almost seems different somehow..." he murmured softly. "That is to be expected...both of them have been through much, it's not surprising Kaiba is beginning to change little by little..." Atem murmured softly. "...After all, she IS the Blue Eyes Seto fought for in his former l-" "Huh?" Yugi questioned having not been listening. "N-Nothing Yugi. I was just talking to myself...to put it simply...those two are forging a bond ...one spun by destiny...just as the one you and I share..." the Pharoah smiled before Yugi broke into a blush.

"Hey, Yug? Ya ok? You're all red in the face pal." Joey pointed as he noticed Yugi blushing like crazy. "N-No reason Joey!" Yugi quickly covered it up before Joey just shrugged before his cell phone vibrate. Quickly the blonde checked it and grinned. "YES! BREAKFAST HERE I COME!" Joey beamed and took off. "J-Joey wait up!" Yugi cried before he sighed. "He never changes...Atem I was wondering...if...maybe...by chance..." "Hmm? Yes, Yugi?" "...Were...Were you in love with Bloom's sister...Daphne? You speak of her often so I thought the reason you were concerned with watching out for Bloom was like a promise or something..." Yugi murmured. "Indeed...I was the past..." "Ah, I thought so." Yugi chuckled. "However..." Atem began before Yugi squeaked as Atem's arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind him. "The past is the past..." "UH! Breakfast! WAIT FOR ME JOEY!" Yugi cried as he took off in utter embarrassment with the red even tinting the corner of his ears. Atem chuckled softly before he looked towards Kaiba and Bloom.

Once the redhead realized what she was doing she quickly broke away. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that! Uh, my body just moved on my own..." Bloom apologized as her face flushed embarrassed herself for just hugging Kaiba like that. "You probably don't even like that sort of thing!" Kaiba smirked. "Well I'll admit it wasn't THAT terrible." he teased. "Oh no?" the Faerie questioned before she gasped seeing blood seep through his black shirt. "Kaiba! You're bleeding!" Bloom cried alarmed. "I'm fine...it's probably just a scratch. Something like this won't stop me." the CEO muttered. "Please hold still..." the redhead murmured as she focused her powers on healing the wound. Kaiba bit down on his lip trying to endure the pain whilst Bloom closed the wound.

"It's my fault...you're locket would have protected you...it's about time I gave it back..." Bloom murmured and took out the duel monsters card pocket and held it out to him. "...Did you...?" "No! No, I didn't! H-Here just take it already it's too tempting anyways..." the redhead returned the locket to Kaiba. Without a word, the blue eyed male took out the picture of Mokuba and replaced it with one of his three blue eyes in the locket and put it around Bloom's neck. "Hold still..." "Uh..." "You take it. You see I don't really need it anyways. I have to check on Mokuba...i'll call you once Kaiba Corp is up and running again...until then I don't think Yugi will mind keeping you at his place. Later..." Kaiba muttered and turned away.

"Wait!" Bloom exclaimed as she hurried over to him. "What now?" Bloom raised her hand and gathered the sakura petals into a bouquet of flowers. "Take these for Mokuba. You know as a get well gift!" Kaiba reluctantly took them looking around. "I sware if anyone sees me I might just be placing their flowers on their grave..." he grumbled. "Oh! I almost forgot!" the faerie exclaimed and shot a burst of magic to manifest a silver dragon choke collar to appear on Kaiba's neck. Blue eyes white dragon. "Well now...that's what I call an accessory..." "Pretty cool right!? My best friend's a fashion designer so I dabbled a little. Of course, her focus is more on clothes. I-I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me. I know it's not much especially when you ARE a billionaire. But it totally suits you!" Bloom exclaimed.

"Finally a woman with taste...I like your style..." the CEO smirked. "It's also got a few hidden abilities but I think I'll let YOU figure that out for yourself." the redhead smiled in a teasing manner. Kaiba crossed his arms. "You know when we first met I thought...now this will be a little girl who'll be nothing but trouble...Well, I was partly right...but what I didn't expect is that she'd make quite an impression...even making Wheeler wag his tail on command...and driving me insane..." Kaiba muttered before he leaned over and pressed his lips against hers. Leaving Bloom stunned as he pulled away. Did that really just happen? "Oh and by the way...I'm not apologizing for that...see you when I see you..." Kaiba grinned before he left her side. Bloom pressed her hand against her chest.

Well, that was it then. He fears were confirmed. She didn't want to admit it. But deep down. She DID have feelings for Kaiba. What was she going to do? the Faerie wondered to herself as she felt the soft breeze blow against her as the cherry blossoms danced all around her. Holding out her hand Bloom caught a single petal in the shape of a heart.

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