Note To Readers: PHEW! Hey guys. Sorry for the long break. First Exam out of 4! I had A LOT of studying I had to do but luckily I wrote on the side when I took a break. This Chapter contains more of my OC but it all has a purpose. The Cloud in this fan fiction is MINE. Based off various characters NOT to be confused with Final Fantasy. {They can't have him *Huggles*} We will be taking a break from Kaiba and the others briefly, but in the next chapter they will return. I hope you enjoy Chapter 92!
Chapter 92: Painting Hopes True Colors...
The red faded from Yugi's forehead as he hung there in a catatonic state. All he could see was darkness only able to hear voices echoing in his ears."SO...any LUCK? HMM?" Weldon questioned the blunette beside him. "No, the kid doesn't seem to know anything. Unfucking fortunately..." Crimson huffed disappointingly. The BriarBlood only frowned. "WELL now THAT is UNFORTUNATE...but THAT doesn't MEAN...to SAY that WE can't SEIZE...the OPPORTUNITY in front of US! Hmm?" Weldon's lips twisted into A grin.
Slowly the BriarBlood approached Yugi and manifested into his hand a blood crystal and forced it into the scarlet eyed male's chest causing him to cry out again as pain coursed through his body unrelentingly. Afterward, a blood seal formed upon Yugi's chest unknowns to him. Unable to retain consciousness any longer the scarlet eyed male gave into his pained exhaustion. "NOW...let THE games...BEGIN!" Weldon clasped his hands together before he paused as he heard footsteps come from behind him and turned around.
"AH! My DEAR sister! Right ON time AS usual!" the BriarBlood chuckled in delight as Derrith approached him her eyes drifted toward the young man bound to the wall by chains. Besides her was another young man with green eyes with blonde hair and dark blue tips wearing leather pants, shirt and a dark blue jacket and boots. On his back was his sword that gave off blue flame known as The Wind Fire. Not a word uttered from his mouth.
"I see you've played with him your usual manner." "I DID indeed!...BUT...I twas...HOW you SAY...unsuccessful DREADFULLY...the CHILD knows NOTHING...of THAT...you can be certain..." Weldon told Derrith. "Pity. Then I suppose I shall take it from this point on...I do hope you didn't break any bones he may be a vital asset but he IS still just a boy." Derrith murmured. "By ALL means. DO as YOU see FIT..." the BriarBlood told her.
"Retrieve him if you would and try to be gentle." the Queen ordered the blonde haired male. Without any objection the young man undid the chains and caught Yugi as he dropped down and lifted him onto his back. "TA-TA!" Weldon chuckled as he watched his sister depart from the guild. Headed towards the gateway the two passed through a bridge made up on most thorns the young man breaking the silencing tension.
"So, exactly what are you planning to do with this kid?" Cloud questioned his mistress. "You wouldn't bother taking him back to Juniper unless you have something up your sleeve." "You're perceptive as always." Derrith mused. Cloud only flashed a grin. "Always keep two steps ahead...isn't that right?" "Quite..." the queen simply replied. "I gotta ask though...what could you and Weldon possibly want with THIS kid...Weldon's not picky with who he chooses to torture...but you...it seems kinda unusual at the very least..." the young man admitted as they continued walking.
"Does it truly intrigue you so, that it nags at your conscious that badly?" Derrith inquired. "Yeah, actually." Cloud confessed. "Very well...at first glance...I suppose one could tell not...a simple manipulation of the boys appearance...take away the mask...and this child holds yet another identity...golden hair...blue eyes...tell me...what would you see hmm?" the Queen questioned her follower. Cloud froze as he looked at Derrith and then Yugi losing color in his face.
"If you understand I need not say more." Derrith murmured. "I-I'll make a note of that." Cloud noted as his gaze turned back towards Yugi whom was breathing heavily with his face flushed. "Speaking of which we might want to hurry up and take him to the castle. He doesn't look too well." the blonde spoke up. "Fret not, we're nearly there love." the Queen told her follower and arrived at the gateway of BriarBlood. "I command thee to grant entry to Juniper...Upon my name Derrith BriarBlood..." Derrith commanded before the gateway's portal opened. "Come." the Queen coaxed and passed through with Cloud following close behind her.
Ahead of them was a castle made of Marble a beautiful white surrounded by a rose garden of several different breeds. Humming birds of plenty danced through the air without a care in the world chirping a song amongst the others. All were of the same color except a single golden humming bird who glittered like the finest gold. A Marble pathway led Lady Derrith and Cloud straight to the castle. No announcement needed to be made as the drawbridge pried itself open both of them going inside the bridge closing behind them.
Within the castle's walls were more fine marble pillars and red carpeting as red as rubies. Within a matter of minute a red haired young woman wearing an emerald dress came to greet them. "Welcome back My Lady." the hand maiden Bella offered a smile with her pink lipstick stained lips. "A pleasure as always." the Queen offered a smile in return. "Might I prepare a bath or meal for you My Lady?" "No that won't be necessary, but I'd appreciate if you'd change the sheets in my quarters to fresh ones for our guest. Also if you could please bring a basin of heated water to the room once you've finished. I'd be most grateful. Poor dear's been through much as of late " Lady Derrith offered a smile.
"Of course, I shall do so at once." Bella bowed before she hurried off to preform her given task. By the time they got upstairs the sheets were clean as requested. Without any command Cloud carefully lowered Yugi onto the bed afterwards rolling his shoulder. The kid was heavier than he looked. "Thank you love but I believe I'll take it from here." Derrith offered a smile. "Sure about that?" Cloud questioned as she took a seat next to the scarlet eyed male feeling his forehead.
"Poor dear has a fever...a rather high one...at that...i'm willing to bed my brother used that underling she-witch's poison to render him to such a state...a strong cocktail of sorts..." Derrith surmised as Bella returned with a golden basin filling with warm water the steam wafting out from it. "Here you are My Lady...if you require anything more of me just call." "Thank you Bella. I Shall." the Queen gave her thanks and sent the red head away before she took a washcloth and dipped it in the heated water.
Wringing it out, Lady Derrith folded the cloth and carefully placed it on Yugi's forehead. The scarlet eyed male trembled as he muttered in his sleep tossing slightly as if he were having some terrible nightmare sweat beating down his face. "Stay by his side a moment would you? I'm going to pay a visit to the Apocrathy. The boy probably needs an antidote to leach the poison out of him. I'll be but a moment. I believe it goes without saying...you're not to permit anyone entry into this room. Is that understood?" the queen questioned. "Yep, I think so anyway." Cloud half teased. "I do hope for your sake that you do." Lady Derrith muttered before she smiled and left the room.
Cloud felt a shiver go up his spine. "I can't tell what's scarier...Derrith's smile or the thought of her being pissed off at someone...me in this case..." the blonde thought out loud before his eyes drifted back to Yugi ridden with illness. The words she spoke before echoed loudly in his head as Cloud took a seat next to the scarlet eyed male. The blonde paused and looked around before he grabbed something from within his leather shirt. It was a pendant is the form of a sun. Hesitation lingered in Cloud's eyes for but only a moment as he lifted up his to reflect off the sunlight coming through the window.
"From Ashes, We Rise...To The Sun...We Set..." the blonde whispered. Cloud froze as he watched as Yugi's necklace responded glowing in response. Steadily the blonde only watched stunned as the black and scarlet in Yugi's hair faded revealing only golden locks. Cloud covered his mouth in shock. Only to reveal as the light shines upon him in return all the color from his hair dissapears even his green eyes turning blue. As the light fades the color returns once more to their hair and eyes. A soft groan escaped from Yugi Cloud quickly putting away his pendant. Yugi opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out as he began to cough violently pain shooting throughout his body. A gasp escaped from Cloud's lips and placed his hands on Yugi's shoulder's as the scarlet eyed male trembled.
Down the hall Derrith walked down the corridor heading towards a small room. Within the room was a young woman sitting in a chair with a paint brush wearing a paint stained dress with ribbons tied around her arms and feet. Her hair was just was colorful as her dress woven in a braid with each strand of her hair a different color to make up every color of the rainbow. The young woman's eyes a soft lavender. As easel resting in front of her the other hand holding her paint. Humming softly to a song in her heart.
All around her were paintings that she had made hung on the wall and behind her were shelves piled high with potions ingredients including a cauldron. Her hand had yet to cease not paying attention to the splattering of the paint. The picture resembled Yugi and another who resembled him. Only slightly taller. In between them was a sun and a black and green cat at the other figure's side along with a male with snow white hair in a cloak. "Yugi..." the name lingered on her lips before the young woman turned towards the noise of the creaking door opening as Derrith soon emerged from it.
"I see you've been busy..." Derrith's voice broke through the silence. "But I'm afraid that I must ask you to cease painting for the moment. We have a guest in our castle that I need looked at, at once." the Queen told the young woman as she fumbled to place her paint and brush down. "Oh, of course." she did as she was told without a fuss and followed Derrith to her chambers. Only to find the scarlet eyed male coughing up blood. The young woman paused as she saw Yugi in suppress before worry crept up on her face and slowly approached him. Only mouthing his name which caused Yugi himself to look towards her as blood dripped down his lips.
{...He looks...just like the boy in my painting...} the young woman thought to herself. "...Give me your hand..." she instructed softly. The scarlet eyed male didn't argue and held out to her the one not stained with red shaking violently. Gently she barely touched him reading his body's aura. "Poison...that's what has rendered him to this state..." the young woman told Derrith and pulled her hand away. "It won't cure you...but it will help to suppress the pain..." she murmured and pulled out a small white gel. Yugi forced his mouth open and allowed her to give it to him, the scarlet eyed male swallowing it.
"I memorized the remedy to this poison by heart, so I'll go make some now." the young woman told Lady Derrith. "Very well. Cloud please accompany Miss Kindness back to the Apocrathy. I'll watch our guest for the time being." the Queen instructed. "Alright if you insist." Cloud sighed and followed the young woman out of the room. Slowly Yugi began to feel the pain subside and eased his head back on his pillow. Gently using a damp cloth Lady Derrith wiped the blood from the side of the scarlet eyed male's mouth.
"There good as new." the queen smiled before Yugi turned his head towards the unfamiliar woman. "...W...Where am i...?" he questioned. He didn't regonize any of the people nor the room which he was held in. "Juniper love, this castle is my place of dwelling. Fret not, no one can touch you here." Lady Derrith assured him. "...oh...ok...well whoever you are, I suppose I owe you my thanks." Yugi offered her a softened smile. "Actually...I can't remember anything...but whatever took place...I just know that I don't feel well at all...sorry...that probably sounds weird..." Derrith only smiled bemusedly.
"Believe my darling, there is very little that exists in this world that causes me surprise." she assured him. "...If you don't mind...would it be alright if I asked you how you found me?" Yugi questioned. "Surely, there's no need to discuss such things now. They'll be plenty of time later to speak of all that. For now you need to rest." the queen told the scarlet eyed male as she patted his leg in a motherly manner. "...Yeah...you're probably right." Yugi smiled weakly back in return before he looked around.
"Something wrong dear?" Lady Derrith questioned. "N-No...I was just thinking to myself..." Yugi murmured softly. He had noticed it up until now but Atem was STILL gone. Just what had happened to him? It was nice at least to have someone so nice watching over him. "Thanks again. Really. A lot has happened recently...and well...I'm...I'm terrified..." the scarlet eyed male confessed as tears fell down his face. "I need to help my friend...but honestly...I don't know if I can anymore...I tried...but I can only assume that my meeting ended in failure...so...so what am I supposed to do now...?" Yugi wept bitter tears.
It was hard to believe that someone so pure and innocent existed in another world. Which made it all the more sicking to Derrith that she was deceiving him. This trusting soul that probably never experienced betrayal. It almost made it too easy. However that didn't mean she enjoyed this charade. The queen opened her lips to speak before she paused hearing footsteps behind her as the door creaked open. A male with a similar cloak as Oblivion adorned a magenta haired male with a heart shaped tattoo. "...Well...if it isn't my loving wife..." a smirk manifested onto the male's lips only coming closer until his breathe was on her neck. Yugi may have been hallucinating but the look of sheer terror on Derrith's face was utterly mortifying.
Down the hall Cloud accompanied Kindness back to her room. "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting my day to turn out like this." the blonde admitted. A small giggle just emerged from her mouth. "It is a little usual." Kindness agreed. "Yep! That Derrith is pretty scary. Leaving her brother to do all the dirty work while she swoops in and plays the kind hearted mother." Cloud drly laughed as Kindness made her way to the shelves. Looking silently at the bottles as she takes one down at a time along with herbs placing them side by side. "By the way...when you entered the room...I saw you mouth that kids name...how did you kn-" the blonde paused as he caught a figure passing by the room. One he well recognized.
"Is-Is that!?" Cloud narrowed his eyes with rage clouding his pupils. "I'll be right back!" "B-But Cloud!" Kindness cried but he was already gone. She only let out a sigh and turned back towards her ingredients laid out. No. She had to remain focused. Yugi needed her help. Kindness closed her eyes and remembered everything she felt. Each emotion the sadness, the confusion, heart ache and pain. Slowly Kindness looked towards her painting. Just from a single touch she could feel his fear that was bound by the chain of uncertainty around his heart.
Kindness measured different powder on a scale along with liquid before she paused hearing a voice echo in her head. A voice that was unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time. {Yugi...Yugi...can you hear me?} the voice came again. "...You know...Yugi...?" Kindness questioned softly. {...Wait...you're not...Yugi...who are you?} "...Kindness...and you...what's your name...?" {Atem...} "...it's nice to meet you... Atem." the young woman murmured softly. {Likewise...but why am I speaking with you and not Yugi?} the Pharaoh questioned the strange occurrence.
"Well, that might be because...when I came in contact with Yugi, it must've also allowed me to connect with you as well...Mentally not physically..." Kindness tried to explain. {I see...do you know where he is by chance?} "Yes, I do. He's actually in the same place as me." {...Is he safe?} Atem questioned with worry in his voice. "I'm afraid he was poisoned earlier...but don't worry I'm making him a potion to neutralize it. He'll be fine." Kindness assured him.
{Is that so...then I'm relieved...that knowledge places my mind at ease...knowing Yugi is in good hands...} "...You said your name is Atem right? Then could you please tell me, are you the one who's always with him? The one who resembles him but isn't?" Kindness questioned softly. {That's correct...} the Pharaoh answered. {But, how is it you know of not only Yugi's exsistance...but mine as well?} Ate, questioned the young woman.
"Oh, right eheheh...sorry I guess it only makes since that you'd want to know that, of course you would. "...I'm...what one would call an Aura seeker...I see visions of the past, present, and even the future...but...I seem through colors...when I get a new vision I paint a picture on my easel. The painted colors on it reflect bad, neutral or good things...each person has a type of Aura path. When I pain it form a connection between me...and them...lately Yugi...and you as well...are the ones I've been seeing...so, when I touched him earlier I saw his Aura path...because of that it must've crossed with yours as well. That's why I knew you both before I actually met you." Kindness confessed as she used her powers to create a candy like item from her cauldron.
{Interesting Indeed...well, I thank you...for all you have told me. But I'm not certain how much longer I can maintain this link between us...} Atem's voice and image from her mind began to fade. {"Yugi and I were separated...and now with the aid of another we are traveling through the astral plane, I had hoped that through communication...that I might be able to merge my spirit with his once more...but I fear that might be impossible now...} the Pharaoh sighed. Kindness paused as she took a moment to think.
"If you were connected before...then I should be able to use Yugi's Aura path to link yours with his." she spoke up. {...How exactly...? In order to guide a spirit from the Astral plane to the living world you need a beacon} "That's right, I can use myself as a medium to intertwine your spirit with Yugi's." {...Can you really do something like that?} "Yes. If that's what you want." Kindness murmured.
{More than anything...I made...a promise...} Atem answered in return. "A promise?" {Yes...not Yugi...but myself...that I would do all in my power to protect him...you mentioned once...before...that you can see what lies beyond tomorrow...so tell me...what is it you see...in Yugi's...no...OUR path...?} the Pharaoh asked Kindness. "...I...I can't...say...not everything is as clear as black and white...the same can be said about all of the colors I see...but, there is a light, that burns as bright...as a cold fire on the darkest night...even when lost...you will always find your way..." the young woman murmured as she cast a spell on the candy item she held in her hand. A small smile manifested onto her face as she looked at it before Cloud came back into the room.
"DAMN IT!" Cloud spat angrily as he slammed his fist against the wall beside him. Kindness gasped as she looked upwards startled being brought out from the trance she had been under. "Cloud, is everything ok?" the young woman questioned him softly as she made her way over to him. "HE'S here..." the blonde muttered bitterly. "You mean...Rosario?..." "Yeah...that son of a bitch...for a woman who shows no fear...you should have seen her face...she's utterly terrified of that bastard...the damn A.O.J...forcing her to marry that asshole...it's as if the A.O.J leader himself is here..." Cloud spat angrily.
"Is SHE ok?" Kindness asked worriedly. "I don't know...she left with Rosario after I tracked him down. My guess is that the A.O.J already suspects that they're planning something...but doesn't know what...better way of doing that then to send someone to sniff around...of all times for Weldon to not be around...anyways did you finish that antidote yet for the poison?" the blonde questioned.
"I did. See for yourself." Kindness offered a smile and showed him a small candy like item that she placed in a small glass bottle. "Good, then you should hurry up and give it to him. I'm not sure how much longer your medicine is going to work." Cloud suggested. "You're probably right. I'll go ahead then." "Right, and Kindness...keep on your toes...we don't know what Rosario or the A.O.J has up their sleeve..." the blonde warned. "I'll keep that in mind, thank you." Kindness told Cloud before she hurried off. Cloud only took a deep breath before he let it out leaning against the wall. He paused as he noticed one of Kindness's latest panting. Slowly he walked over towards the easel his gaze catching the sun. He couldn't help wonder just what WAS going to happen.
Kindness made her way down the hall as she thought back on the last conversation the Pharaoh and her had before Cloud entered the room. "But you know...the link may not take place immediately...that I can't control...once I create a connection from the living world to the Astral Plane, you'll have to open and pass through it to the other side..." Kindness explained to Atem. {I see...then could you perhaps pass on a message for me?} the Pharaoh asked of the young woman.
"I think I can do that, what would you like me to say?" Kindness asked Atem as she finally came to Derrith's chamber. Slowly she pried open the door and made her way inside only to find Yugi alone. Slowly the scarlet eyed male turned his head and looked towards the source of the noise. It was that girl from before. "Oh it's you." Yugi spoke up as he carefully sat up. "Just me." Kindness giggled softly. "...Oh that didn't...I mean...I didn't mean that like it sounded..." the scarlet eyed male apologized. "Hehe...that's ok." she assured him with a warm smile as she took a seat by the bed.
"How are you feeling?" Kindness asked Yugi. "Fine, I guess...thanks to the medicine you gave me earlier...but I do feel like most of my body's fallen asleep." the scarlet eyed male forced a smile in return as his eyes drifted towards the small glass bottle she held in her hand with a strange candy like item contained within it. "Is that for me?" Yugi questioned. "Mhmm, it's medicine. This should take care of the poison's nasty effects." Kindness told the scarlet eyed male and popped open the top and gently shook it until the candy like item rolled out into the palm of her hand.
"Here." Kindness offered to Yugi before he struggled to lift his arm and carefully picked up the candy. With a bit of extra effort he managed to swallow it. "Phew...I sure hope this works." "It should. I practiced the recipe many times. To make sure I got it right the first time every time." she told him with a slight giggle. "I'll have to take your word for it." Yugi smiled. "...Actually...I wanted to meet you..." Kindness confessed before Yugi's eyes widened in surprise. "But I suppose that might sound a little strange." she admitted. Yugi only chuckled.
"Nothing has ever NOT been strange for me." the scarlet eyed male told Kindness. "In fact up until just a little while ago Derrith left the room with some guy...she seemed so terrified...I felt awful that I could barely do anything...when I tried to get him away from her I was pushed off the bed and then...they were gone...there was nothing I could do...It's time like today that I wished I had my other half with me...then maybe I could have done something...without him...it's like part of myself...is gone...now I suppose THAT might sound strange huh?" Yugi drly laughed.
"Sorry...i'm going on and on and I just realized...that I don't even know your name." the scarlet eyed male apologized. "Kindness." "Yugi." he answered in return. "It's nice to meet you Yugi. Although it almost feels as if we've already met since I met your OTHER half." "...Do you mean..." Yugi nearly choked on his words. "I'm with you Yugi...in spirit...as I have always been...and I always will be...just wait...we'll be together again soon...not EVEN the sands in the hourglass of Egypt can break the bond we share..." "That's the message he asked me to give you..." Kindness told Yugi with a smile.
Kindness's eyes widen as tears gather in Yugi's eyes before they poured down his cheeks. The scarlet eyed male tightened his grip on the covers. "So...he's ok...he's out there...somewhere...he didn't leave me after all..." he choked out and wiped his eyes as best as he could. "Thank you...for telling me that...you're name...it suits you...you know...it...really...does..." Yugi smiled through his tears before he was unable to battle the fatigue any longer the medicine taking effect and fell back onto his pillow closing his eyes. Kindness watched as the scarlet eyed male for a moment before she closed her eyes and lifted her hands. Slowly Yugi's chest glowed shooting out a beam from it dissipating afterwards. "Now...it's up to you...Atem..." Kindness murmured with a smile as she looked upwards.
RATE AND REVIEW! And Maybe I'll Write Another Chapter ;D