Chapter 95: Smile For The Camera!
Atem walked slightly behind Oblivion until the silver-haired male came to a halt. Ahead of them laid a pillar of light that shone brightly through the darkness. "...So this is the pathway...it's just as Kindness said..." Atem murmured. "Once you enter the light...you should find your companion on the other side..." Oblivion mouthed. "...Well then I suppose this is where you and I part ways..." the Pharoah murmured as sadness lingered in his voice. "Yeah..." the silver-haired male answered. "...Why do you seem to be hesitant?" "It's strange...but I feel as if somewhere deep inside, I know whom you are..." Atem confessed to Oblivion. "And yet for some reason...you do not wish me to have knowledge of this...before I leave...might I inquire as to why?" the Pharoah asked.
"...Because...as far as you're concerned...i'm no one..." Oblivion mouthed in return before he turned his back towards Atem. Atem however never averted his eyes from him. If but only for a moment the man before him began to take a more familiar form as time turned backward in the Pharoah's mind. One whom he knew from his long ancient past. {You'd better hurry...the gateway won't be open for much longer...} Oblivion's voice reached beyond his lips.
"You're mistaken..." Atem began. "Regardless of what you yourself may think...you've never been anybody to me...but if you're lost in the darkness as I once was...then i'll guide you back into the light once more...just as another has done for me...until then...don't lose yourself to it..." the Pharoah almost whispered before he turned back towards the pillar of light and entered it. Oblivion watched to the very end until Atem was engulfed by the light completely. "Light huh...?...Yugi...you're a lucky guy...at least you can look upon the face...of the one you care about most...something...I can never do again..." Oblivion mouthed as a single tear escaped his blindfold.
Rather than light, Atem entered a room of darkness as he walked along a single illuminated bridge. It was almost like walking on air going on and on with no end in sight. "Was I mistaken perhaps?" the Pharoah questioned. Atem paused as he heard a sound that was familiar to his ears and looked around him. "Hello?!" the Pharoah called out before hearing the voice only it sounded closer. "Can it be!?" Atem's eyes widened before he started to walk even faster. That voice. It could only belong to one person! Sure enough, a certain blonde scarlet eyed male came into his view at the end of the bridge.
Yugi's face lit up as he saw Atem on the bridge. A smile spread on the scarlet-eyed male's face as excitement rose up in his chest. Unable to wait one more second Yugi broke into a sprint and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. "ATEM!" he cried out. "YUGI!" Atem called in return before the scarlet-eyed male knocked the Pharoah onto his back.
"You're safe! You're safe Atem!" Yugi cried out joyfully and clung to the Pharoah as if he'd never let go. "I was SO worried when you suddenly disappeared!" "I feared the worst as well. But i'm glad you're safe as well...and that we're together once more." Atem murmured as he sat up holding Yugi in a warm embrace. "Now the only question that remains is how do we return once more to the living world..." Yugi only looked at Atem questionably.
"Living?" Yugi questioned as he blinked a few times in confusion. "Right I probably should we were separated I was pulled back into the millennium puzzle at first...however, a stranger emerged to lend me his aid...and with his help, I found my way to what he referred to as the Astral Plane." Atem began. "It's the world between the living world and the Neitherworld." "Wait. The person you mentioned earlier...was her name Kindness by chance?" Yugi questioned. Atem only shook his head.
"No, but our minds did come in contact. It was thanks to her that a pathway opened and that we were able to meet as we are now." Atem explained. "Huh...well I wish I could've met him to thank him for all his help." Yugi murmured. "However...she merely instructed that once I passed through our spirits would combine once more...I must say I certainly wasn't expecting this result." the Pharoah admitted. {So that's what Kindness meant...} Yugi smiled to himself before his cheeks reddened slightly as a thought crossed his mind.
"...Is something wrong...?" Atem asked concerned before Yugi looked up. "Oh um...no not really..." "I feel a but coming on...you're quite easy to read you know." the Pharoah teases the scarlet-eyed male. "W-Well...MY body is in the living world...while YOUR body is in the Astral Plane...thingy right?" "I'd assume that be the case yes..." Atem admitted. "So...maybe...if the two planes cross...in one way or another...we'll be able to become one again...but then again I could be completely wrong." Yugi murmured. It took the Pharoah a moment before he understood what Yugi meant and felt his own face redden as well.
"V-...Very well then..." Atem murmured Yugi shook slightly in his arms before the pharaoh's hands caressed the scarlet-eyed male's face. Although they had done this before Yugi always felt so once he wanted to make the first move. But as Atem pressed his lips against his nothing else seemed to matter as everything in the background just seemed to fade away. The sound of a door reached Yugi's ear as the scarlet-eyed male paused as he heard Derrith's voice.
"Having a love affair with my pillows are we...?" Derrith questioned as Yugi paused and noticed he had his lips pressed against one of the pillows. The scarlet eyed male felt his face turned as red as a cherry. Yugi only groaned loudly and pulled the covers over himself. Derrith only giggled amused at his reaction."After you finish having a go at my sheets perhaps you can stomach some rice porridge love?" she questioned as Yugi slowly poked his head out of the sheets only for something else to draw his attention a bruise situated in the cook of the Queen's neck.
"...D-Did he hurt you...?" the scarlet-eyed male questioned worriedly. Derrith paused as her body tensed up slightly. "Tis just a bruise nothing to worry about love. But it tis sweet that you'd be worried for my sake." the Queen murmured with sincerity before she placed down his breakfast before him. "Now eat, one should take medicine, not on an empty stomach." Derrith mused as she gently patted his head.
Obviously just mentioning it troubled her. And she was being so kind to him that he didn't wish to cause her any trouble. Still, it worried him. A smile mixed with sadness reminded him of Natsume that took such good care of him. It was like having a mother that he never had himself. In a way, Tea was like that. Always concerned for his sake and looking out for him. The voice of the reason in a tough boy had it been tough. "R-Right thank you..." Yugi murmured softly before he picked up the spoon and blew on it before taking a bite.
"It's good. I like the sweetness that's placed it." the scarlet-eyed male smiled. "Good, tis an old family recipe my brother made when we were just children. We wandered into the forest and I got bit by a poisonous serpant...of course I twas rendered terribly ill and he had to carry me upon his back to administer an antidote...he fixed this same dish for me that day. Said the secret ingredient was Juniperian Honey collected from golden hummingbirds...since I loved it so much he presented one to me as a get well present of sorts...please forgive me I didn't mean to bore you with such old stories." Derrith told Yugi. But he only shook his head.
"No, not at all, in fact, I enjoyed it really. I never had any siblings but the way it sounded to me is that you both really look out for and care about one another. I've always wished I could've had a little sister like Joey or an older brother...though Joey's kind of a sibling in a way." Yugi admitted as he blew on the rice porridge. "I guess...i'm just a little jealous...of everyone else...the more people I met they all seem to have these close-knit loving families...I was told my parents live overseas...well not here, here in MY world...but i've never actually seen them...but maybe that's because...I don't mean as much to them as I thought..." Yugi murmured softly before Derrith took a seat next to him and pulled him into her arms.
"Hush love, you shouldn't think such things...EVERY parent loves their children...no matter the distance or time that hath passed between...circumstances may prevent them from reaching out...but you are always somewhere tucked beneath their heart...and I can assure...yours are no different...that alone you can have faith in...and believe...and someone as honest...and pure hearted as you...any parent would be foolish...to throw you away..." the Queen told as she held him close. He held no true comprehension of just how precious he was to his father. But the guilt only weighed further on Derrith's heart.
Yugi felt tears surface to the rim of his eyes as they trickled down his cheeks. Unable to hold in his bottled up emotions he finally broke down into tears. Derrith gently rubbed his back as he attempted to console him. Weldon watched from the corner of the doorway in silence. It was true when it came to obstacles standing in her way she was a force not to be trifled with. But there was one thing his sister had always had a weakness for. And that was children.
"She's grown QUITE fond of out LITTLE pawn now HASN'T she hmm?" Weldon smirked amused at the sight before him. "Yep, that's how it seems anyways. You don't find a kid like him every day or guillable at that." Cloud told Weldon as he came over to him. "Indeed! INDEED! This JUST keeps getting MORE and MORE interesting..." the BriarBlood grinned. "Just don't break him, otherwise you'll upset your sister. I doubt you wanna see her when she's unhappy. Trust me it's not a pretty sight." "Fret NOT...there's no NEED to do ANY such THING! Perhaps EVEN we can SCRATCH each other's BACKS! Hmm? SURELY...we can come to SOME sort of...arrangement..." Weldon raised his brow. He wasn't the only one eavesdropping as Kindness listened to the two go back and forth.
"...I need to find some way to get Yugi out of the castle...he can't continue to stay here now that he's better...otherwise it's just going to be that much harder to leave...perhaps I can link my mind with Atem's so I can speak to him directly...it's only a matter of time before the A.O.J comes to Juniper in person...and if that happens...then Yugi...will..." Kindness paused as her thoughts were cut off as she felt a sharp yet dark Aura suddenly reach her senses. She wasn't the only one as the others felt the presence as well. Yugi ceased his tears and looked up and around the entire room. "THAT AURA!" he cried as his eyes widened and got out of bed and ran out of the room. {Do you think it possible be?} Atem questioned as sweat beat down Yugi's face. "Yeah...The Wizards Of The Black Circle..."
Back In Domino City...
Bloom only stared as she found herself on the end of Loore's joke as the familiar poked fun at her. "Ahahaha...I can't believe you fell for that...you were all serious too...adorable really...humans...I mean faeries are so amusing heheheh..." Loore teased before Bloom's face lit up bright red and recalled her transformation. "Can you stop joking around this isn't funny to me! This is important Loore!" the faerie cried before the family took a moment to pull herself together.
"Oh alright...I suppose you DO have a point...down to business then..." Loore mused as he twitched her nose. In a matter of moments, a green seal manifested before her. "W-What is that!?" Bloom questioned. "THIS is what you're going to step into...by doing so you accept becoming my vessel. Now in you go!" the familiar told her. "I-I don't know about THIS!" Bloom cried before she found herself pulled into its center. "By becoming my vessel to dwell in you will gain the ability to call upon and use my powers," Loore explained. "Now call out the words of summoning!" the familiar commanded.
"LET SHE WHOM IS MY SPIRIT TO COME FORTH UPON MY WILL!" Bloom cried out as the words seem to emerge from her lips on their own. Suddenly Loore transfigured herself into a green orb and entered Bloom. The faerie's whole body illuminated a bright neons green before nearly her whole appearance changed. Her red hair turned a raven black and her blue eyes an emerald green matching the silk ribbon around her neck. But that wasn't all as she discovered she had cat ears and a tail attached to her body.
"WHAT THE HECK!? I-I'M SOME CAT GIRL!...THING!" Bloom cried out in horror as she swished her tail back and forth it hitting her in the face by accident unable to control it before she squeaked having black sparkling wings burst from her back. Well, at least she STILL had her fairie wings. WAIT NO THAT WASN'T THE POINT! {Yeah...I forgot to mention...you might be part cat...ain't life grand?} Loore purred inside Bloom. "NO! I can't have everyone seeing me like this! E-Especially not Kaiba! Definitely not! NO NO NO!" the faerie cried as her ears twitched wildly before she let out a gasp and covered her ears.
{Don't you think you're overreacting? Who knows. You might like it...and maybe he will too...} Loore giggled. "It's not ME i'm concerned about! Plus I highly doubt that! NOW! Tell me how I can change ba-" Bloom paused cut off as she turned around only to see Roxy about to explode with excitement. The faerie turned white watching Roxy hurry towards her. "OMY GOSH! I was wondering where you two ran off to and now I see you like THIS! I can't believe it!" the faerie of animals squeeled in excitement.
"I mean at first I thought a fusion between you and Loore would be like WAY weired but Bloom you are just SO CUTE! I CAN BARELY CONTAIN MYSELF!" Roxy cried before she began to play with Bloom's ears. "And they're SO soft and warm! You're so lucky! I'd love to be a cat hybrid faerie!" she sighed happily. "You even have a tail! Is it attached?" Roxy questioned before she slightly pulled on it. "Ow Ow Ow! Roxy s-stop!" Bloom cried as her face turned three shades of red embarrassed out of her mind before her new hearing picked up something from afar.
"I think I hear her over here!" "Alright lead the way!" two familiar voices called out. Bloom gasped recognizing them. "T-That's Carlos!...and Selina. "THIS IS SO BAD! I'M OUTTA HERE!" the faerie cried before without any effort jumped up and onto the roof of the building just above them. "W-WAIT!" Roxy cried but she was already gone. Bloom could only let out a sigh of relief and looked down below as she watched Roxy converse with Carlos and Selina. "Phew...that was a close one..." she murmured before a voice behind her called out. "Hellloooo!" startling the faerie as all the fur on her tail stood on end crying out "WAHHH!. Though when she turned around her eyes widened seeing a familiar face.
"Mi-Mirai?" Bloom questioned almost shocked. "What's the matter cat got your tongue?" Mirai teased before Bloom turned red in the face. "THAT IS SO NOT FUNNY!" the faerie exclaimed but the blonde only smiled and chuckled. "ANYWAYS...what are you doing here on Earth? Aren't you suppose to be Bright's bodyguard? And by the way, you didn't do a very good job. Someone impersonated the prince and framed Xuri for murder and they took him away!" Bloom cried. Mirai sighed sadly. "Yeah I heard about that...but we can disscuss THAT later...on another note...have you paid a visit to Kaiba Corp lately? If you did perhaps you would know the answer as to why i'm here already." Mirai mused.
Bloom paused as she looked at the blonde worriedly. "Ah, I see I got your attention now..." the blonde pointed out but the faerie's ears only bent downwards. "Ac-Actually...no...Kaiba told me to stay away from Kaiba Corp for my own safety...but I TRIED to change his mind...stubborn CEO..." Bloom murmured softly. Mirai only frowned as he shared her sympathy. "I see...so that's how it is..." "...So do you know what's going on Mirai?" the faerie questioned. "Mayyybee...FIRST I have a question for you..." the blonde grinned.
"Um...ok...?" "You came to Domino City to help Kaiba right?" Mirai asked her. "That was my intent yes..." Bloom answered back. "Gooood...then, in that case, I have a proposal for you." the blonde put it bluntly. "A proposal?" "Yep! one that would be PURRRRRFECT for yo-OUCH OUCH OUCH!" Mirai cried as Bloom pinch his nose. "Cut it out already! The blonde afterward only laughed. "Worth it..." he winked before the fusion finally wore off and Bloom turned back to normal. "Aw, and I was just starting to have fun too..." Mirai pouted.
"What happened?" Bloom questioned just as surprised as he was. {Sorry...I guess I also forgot to mention that the fusion has to wear off on its own before you can return to normal.} Loore apologized. "Uh...right i'll keep that in mind...you were saying Mirai?" "Oh right...all joking aside Kaiba Corp is in danger of being completely taken over by CW industry. If something doesn't change...Chris GoldenWater will succeed and i'm willing to bet they'll get rid of Kaiba as well to avoid unnecessary retaliation..." Mirai narrowed his eyes.
Bloom let out a horrified gasp hearing such awful news before Loore interrupted now sitting at her new mistress's feet. "I don't get it...won't that hurt him to get rid of Mr. CEO? Smart, as he may be he can't own Kaiba Corp without the Kaiba name right?" the familiar mused. "He has Mokuba though..." Bloom muttered. "Yeah, i'm afraid so..." "So then what can I do!? I'm not exactly an influential presence here in Domino City...nor do I know anything about business!" the faerie cried in frustration.
"Oh! But you can...BECAUSE you're neither of those...BUT you ARE Kaiba's Fiance!" Mirai grinned. "I...I don't understand...what exactly do you mean by THAT?" Bloom questioned. "According to my calculations, Chris GoldenWater will attempt to tarnish Kaiba's character for his next move. So WE'RE going to damage HIS integrity first instead..." the blonde smirked mischievously. "As to how exactly he plans to do that i'm still looking into...it's surprising how money can sway people's loyalty." Mirai snickered.
"I'm ALMOST afraid to ask...but exactly how do you plan to accomplish that?" Bloom questioned the blonde. "With a grin like that one...you oughta be..." Loore threw in her two cents before Mirai handed the faerie a box tied with a pink ribbon on it attached to it was an invitation. After reading the flyer that Stella found earlier Bloom recognized it almost immediately. "T-This is..." the redhead began before Mirai interrupted her. "Go and change then meet me in the Chocolatier's kitchen. Make sure to enter from the employees only entrance...it'll be unlocked." the blonde instructed.
"W-Wait! How am I supposed to get down!" Bloom cried. "Oh! Almost forgot!" Mirai's mouth dropped before he snapped his finger. In the blink of an eye, the redhead found herself back on the ally way of the restaurant. "Oh...like that...I guess..." she murmured before she looked at the box in her hands. "The kitchen huh..." Bloom couldn't help wondering now if this was all a set up right from the beginning. He might as well have been. Yet again she saw Roxy return once more to her side.
"Roxy! I'm so glad you came back!" Bloom exclaimed as she walked up to her. "Well you just took off all of a sudden...everyone was really worried when you still hadn't come back...those two earlier Carlos and Selina were looking for you too. I didn't know what to tell them except that you were worried about Kaiba and was trying to get in contact with him." Roxy told Bloom. "You covered for me? That is so sweet of you Roxy thank you." "So what was it that kept you? Were you still a cat?" the faerie of animals questioned. "Well..." Bloom told Roxy about Mirai and the situation unfolding and the strange instructions she was given by him.
"...Ok, wow...that DOES sound pretty bad...though I wish I knew what it was he was expecting you to do." Roxy admitted. "You and me both," Bloom told her. "But unless I do as he says then Kaiba and his company..." the red head's voice trailed off. "I understand...you have to do what you can to protect him. That's who you are Bloom. I've always liked that about you. No matter how hard things are you always try to beat the odds. I dunno how but i'll come up with something to buy you all the time you need. So just do what you have to do! You've always had my back and I have yours." Roxy assured her. Bloom only smiled touched by her sentiment. "Thanks, Roxy i'll be back as soon as I can!" the redhead cried and entered the side door as quickly as she could.
After awhile Bloom emerged from the women's bathroom and met in the kitchen as planned. Nathan and Mirai's gaze both turned towards the faerie as their mouths nearly hit the floor both of them turning red. Standing before them was Bloom dressed in a sparkling pink and blue ballgown with her hair was down a single braid woven with a big pink ribbon made of silk to match her gloves. Her diamond-encrusted slippers hugging her feet like clouds with small pink roses lining them. Though nothing could hide the blush tinting her face.
"S-So...how do I look?" Bloom asked the men sheepishly. "They're rendered speechless and their faces are as red as a cherry...what more do you want them to say?" Loore teased the faerie. "If Kaiba could see you now there's no telling WHERE his hands might waunder ^^" the familiar giggled before Nathan walked over towards Bloom. "You look stunning Miss Bloom." the gentlemen assured her as she felt her face reddened embarrassed. "T-Thank you, Nathan..." the faerie murmured embarrassed.
"Um...was it you by chance that picked this dress out for me...?" Bloom inquired. Nathan only chuckled aqwardly. "Guilty as charged madame." "Yep! Nathan sure picked a winner that's for sure! You look even better than I imagined...maybe I should steal you for myself..." Mirai teased with a wink. "Hmm...I won't change that if I were you...unless you like your head removed from your shoulders..." Loore advised. "Indeed, Miss Kitty speaks the truth. It's not very gentlemen like to court an engaged woman." Nathan scolded the blonde. "Hehe...as Chris GoldenWater will soon find out..." Mirai stuck his tongue out playfully.
"After hearing you say that...I suppose i'm not dressed like this by accident am I?" Bloom finally spoke up. "Noope you catch on pretty quickly hehehe..." Mirai complimented Bloom's keen instinct. "As I mentioned before we have to damage Chris's image." "You mentioned that before so like how?...by sabotaging his party...maybe?" the faerie guessed. "Not exactly but close. We're going to create a scandal. One for the books!" Mirai told Bloom.
"E-Excuse me!? I-I don't think I heard that right!" Bloom squeaked out. "It's simple really you're going to-" Mirai then began to whisper in her ear. "...EH!?" the faerie cried out as a limo pulled up outside by the Chocolatier. "Your ride awaits!" the blonde exclaimed with a smile and started to push her out the door. "W-WAIT! I-I don't know if I can even do this!" Bloom protested before the limo's door opened. Out of it came an older male with jet black hair highlighted with white. His eyes were hazelnut colored him wearing a white, grey and black striped suit with black dress pants. Even his shoes looked expensive. To top it all off around his neck was one of the latest high-tech camera which also went for exorbitant prices. As he spoke his eyes locked right into hers his voice deeper than most.
"So, this is the young lady i'll be escorting to the party this fine evening?" the older male questioned not hesitating in letting his eyes waunder. Bloom swallowed hard overwhelmed by all of this fuss around her. And yet for some reason, this particular man seemed almost familiar to her before she gasped in excitement. "I GOT IT! You're Hiro Tsugestu! The author of my all-time favorite faerie books! Even after all this time I still love to read them! This is so cool! I never ever ever thought i'd meet someone so famous here in Domino City!" Bloom exclaimed as her eyes lit up.
"A fan of mine are you? Then perhaps this fate...I might consider just this once to mix business AND pleasure..." Hiro gently grasped Bloom's chin easing her close to him before her face turned red. "BAD HIRO!" Mirai cried swatted his hand away from Bloom. "Oh dear...I do apologize Miss Bloom. Hiro's harmless but he can be quite the womanizer." Nathan apologized. The redhead quickly tried to shake the stars from her eyes. "U-Um...before we do this...I just have one more question..." Bloom spoke up.
"Why are all of you placing so much energy into saving Kaiba Corp? And if you say it's because of me save it for someone who's buying!" the redhead told the men. Hiro only smirked. "Brains and beauty huh...? I like it..." the author grinned before he scowled being pinched by Nathan. Mirai only sighed forlornly. "I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this...but I guess I can't really avoid the question...the truth is that Chris is aligned to some rather dangerous people whom share a mutual goal...and if Kaiba Corp falls into their hands then it spells out only trouble for us...I really can't get too much into the details. But it's OUR job to help you and the others succeed." Nathan explained afterward. "And that's ALL you need to know." Hiro interceded.
Bloom stood there for a moment silent and thought about everything they said. "...I understand..." the faerie finally conceded to their whim. "Think of it as three knight's protecting their princess!" Mirai smiled broadly before Hiro offered out his hand. "...U...uh thank you..." Bloom hesitated for a moment before she accepted it as he guided her into the limo. "Take care. Both of you..." Nathan murmured. Bloom offered a smile before the door closed behind her. Carefully the redhead took a seat as the playboy took a seat next to her. "Driver take us to CW Industry please," Hiro told the chauffeur. "Right away sir." the limo driver responded before they began to move.
"Wow..." Bloom murmured as she looked around. Inside it was cushioned with seat warmers providing relief from the cold weather outside. There were small tv's aligned on certain angles with a mini bar. It was definitely more extravagant than Kaiba's Limo. Then again he liked simplicity. Riding in a limo with her all time way hunky favorite author. She'd honestly be SUPER jazzed if she wasn't so painfully SUPER nervous!
"Not to sound ungrateful or anything...but is there a reason you're also accompanying me Mr. Tsugestsu?" Bloom questioned as she tilted her head. "I'm not going to tell you anything unless you lose the Mr. It's Hiro ok Kitten?" the male teased before Bloom turned bright red. "N-No way Mirai told you!?" the faerie cried before the author only laughed. "Fine! Fine! Hiro! J-Just don't call me that!" Bloom begged getting all flustered. "Oh, and ONE more thing before I forget..." the author mused before he snagged something off the red head's finger.
"H-HEY! That's mine! Kaiba gave it to me! Give it back!" Bloom cried as she saw the cherry blossom ring situated in between Hiro's fingers nearly climbing all over him to grab it back. "Ah Ah Ah...it's a dead give away that you're off the market missy...so i'll be holding onto it for now. We wouldn't want Chris to think he's chasing a red herring now would we?" the author teased before he placed the ring in his pocket. "...Well, I...no I guess not..." Bloom frowned as she sat back down only sadness emanating from her before she jumped as a flash suddenly went off from Hiro's camera.
"You know the heroine can't make her big entrance with a face like that." the author pointed out. "W-Well then what kind of face am I supposed to make?! I didn't exactly take a flirting 101 class in Alfea!" Bloom cried as her nerves were getting to her before she paused as she noticed Hiro making a drink that was pink. "Here. Just sip this it'll help calm you down." the author offered. "...Oh...um thank you..." the faerie murmured and accepted the drink take a sip. "mmm it's tasty!" she beamed as her face lit up and sipped on it a little more. Before she knew her she started to feel a bit giggly smiling. The redhead squeaked as another light flashed in the limo from the author's camera. Capturing her smile for himself.
"Much better." Hiro grinned broadly. "And for a little extra. Some icing on the cake." the author told her. "I can't give you back your ring. But I can bestow the lovely lady with another gift." Hiro smirked before he pulled out a necklace made of opal and wrapped it around her neck. "There, a perfect fit." the author mused as the limo came to halt. Slowly Hiro leaned in until his breath tickled her ear. "Don't take it off...or i'll have to punish you when I get back..." Bloom only squeaked in response. His sadist tenancy almost reminded her of Kaiba.
"We've arrived Mr. Tsugetsu." the driver spoke up. "Already? Well, then I suppose we should take our place on the red carpet. So, are you ready Princess?" Hiro questioned as the limo door opened. "...Yeah...I have to be..." Bloom responded. "Good answer." the author applauded before he took her hand and helped her out of the limo. Carefully he linked arms and began to walk arm in arm down the red carpet. "And here comes the famous world renowned Author Hiro Tsugetsu! And what a lovely young woman on his arm!" the media cried out as the cameras went off one after another.
Bloom's grip only tightened as her nerves started to get the best of her. It was one thing being the Princess Of Sparks. But it was another thing to have everyone's eyes glued to her as though she couldn't so much as sneeze without someone taking a snapshot. "Just try to relax..." Hiro whispered. "O-Ok..." Bloom nodded and forced a smile on her face shyly waving. Hiro had to admit she wasn't half bad at this. She might just be able to pull this off after all. Watching from above was Mirai with high tech binoculars. "It's all up to you... Bloom..." the blonde muttered. "...Now to keep Kaiba busy..." Mirai grinned and pulled out a PDA from his pocket. With just a few strokes on the key, the stage was set. "This oughta do it. Have fuuunnn..." Mirai smiled mischievously.
Back At Kaiba Corp...
Chaos broke out as the employee's computers began to run haywire along with the phones ringing one after the other off the hooks. Roland flung open the door as he ran into the Command Center. "Mr. Kaiba! I hate to interrupt you but we have a big problem Sir!" he exclaimed before Kaiba turned his attention towards him. "What is the meaning of this Roland!?" the CEO snapped back at his employee. "We have a team of technicians looking into the computer system's malfunction as we speak," Roland informed Kaiba.
"Wait, Seto! Can't you use your code breaker to fix whatever is bugging up our system!?" Mokuba questioned. "That's what i'm trying to do...but the entire database is frozen...instead i'll have to initiate a hard reset...but even that alone will take some time to restore everything to full working order..." Kaiba narrowed his eyes before he rose up from his seat. "What!? You gotta be joking big bro!" Mokuba cried. "Afraid not...and i'll bet my deck GoldenWater is behind this...he's trying to sabotage our system..." he muttered bitterly.
"S-So then what do we do Seto?" Mokuba questioned worriedly. "As of now the control center is useless...i'll have to go down into the basement and examine the computer system's hardware in person..." Kaiba told his little brother before he turned back to Roland. "Find out who's responsible at once..." the blue-eyed male commanded. "Y-Yes Sir Right away!" Roland exclaimed before Kaiba began to walk towards the elevator just down the hall. "Let's go Mokuba..." the CEO muttered. "Right behind you big bro!" Mokuba assured him before they entered the elevator the doors closing behind them. Kaiba pressed the button to the very last floor before suddenly a jerk caused both brothers to nearly smack into the walls as the light flickered going out, Luckilly Kaiba was able to grab Mokuba protecting him taking a nasty blow to his back.
"GAH!" Kaiba hissed in pain before Mokuba's gaze turned upwards. "Seto! Are you ok!?" he cried in concern. "Don't worry about me, are you alright?" the CEO asked. "Y-Yeah I think so...but what happened? And why is so dark?" Mokuba questioned. "A power surge is most likely to blame..." "Well we gotta get help!" the little brother cried and tried to press the call help button. "It's no use Mokuba...it seems that only the computer network crashed but the building's technology seems to have been also tampered with as well..." "... So...we're stuck, Seto...?" Mokuba questioned with fear in his voice.
"That's what it amounts to...at least until I can think of a way to allow us to escape without harm..." Kaiba told Mokuba in response. "Hmm...Wait! I know! Why don't we just cut a hole in the top! Then we can climb the cables I saw it in a movie I was watching the other day." Mokuba suggested. "Hmph...as much as i'd like to applaud you in our current situation that's impossible to carry out." "W-Wha!? Why not big bro!?" Mokuba frowned in disappointment. "...Well for starters...just because the lights are off and the technology controlling the elevator is as well doesn't mean there's not still an electric current running through the wires...if we even so much as come into contact with them we'll end up extra crispy..." Kaiba warned him.
"Aw man...I wish Bloom were here...she always has great ideas not to mention her magic is awesome! I bet SHE could get us out of here no problem. She could just use her pretty faerie wings and fly us to safety!" Mokuba exclaimed with a sigh. "Yes, wouldn't it be nice if magic could just solve ALL of our problems. Besides we don't have time for that, if the elevator starts moving again...we're in serious trouble..." Kaiba muttered as a bead of sweat beat down his face. The CEO closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Think. There had to be a way out of here.
RATE AND REVIEW! And maybe i'll write another chapter ;D