Note To Readers: HEY GUYS! Sorry for not updating in a while. I had so many diffrent ideas that it was hard to organize my thoughts XD. Since my book has changed due to me editing my first book you may notice that some things are diffrent then what I had first mentioned in the fanfiction. If anything confuses you feel free to message me and I will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have! I hope everyone has been paying attention to all of the individual characters storylines as they begin to converge with one another. Here you go! Chapter 101!
Chapter 101: Hidden Under A Mask
Yugi swam through the frigid waters as he came upon a large ebony ship. Painted on it was the symbol of The Black Family. A skull with a snake wrapped around it. A loud thunderous noise echoed through the darkness of the smoke as cannon fire rang into the air. Aimed at a formidable group of foes. "The Wizards Of The Black Circle!" Yugi's scarlet eyes widened. Gantlos clasped his hands together sending the cannons hurling right back towards them. "GAHHH!" Yugi cried as one of the cannonballs was sent in their direction causing a ripple of waves. {Are you alright Yugi!?} Atem questioned as he held onto Yugi's shoulders. The scarlet eyed male only coughed having swallowed some of the water.
"...Y...Yeah, i'm fine...I think...I was just startled more than anything..." Yugi assured the Pharoah before he looked back towards the ship as the smoke from the cannon fire began to clear. Climbing the mast of the ship Daunte stood on the tallest part of the ship his eyes locked with Orgron's with a death-threatening glare. Down below him was a purple-haired female with medium length hair and purple eyes wearing a white and purple mage's cloak. "PROTECT THE PRINCESS!"one of the Knight commanders cried as the crew quickly created a circle around the purple haired girl.
"You might as well surrender Prince. Your defeat is inevitable...now just come along quietly...and we'll leave the people of this world be...after all, all this fighting is so unnecessary...wouldn't you agree?" Ogron mused condescendingly. But Daunte only scoffed at the absurd offer. "Hmph...I doubt it...a dirty bastard like you...nothing you say can even be remotely trusted...let's get one thing straight you pompous ass hole...YOU picked this fight with ME...and I don't plan on telling any of you disrespectful pricks a DAMN thing!" the brown-haired male snarled as his hazel eyes glistened with an unquenchable rage. "Now...i'll give you ONE more chance to scram...before I get serious..." Daunte warned The Wizards whom only laughed in utter amusement.
"Uh oh, Orgron I think we made it angry..." Anagan mocked. "Hehehe yeah he's the one who should take off before we're the ones in a BAD mood!" Gantlos followed. "Let's show yer majesty how he should be treatin his elders..." Dumont snickered before he transfigured his body into a black dragon letting out a sea of dark flames to consume nearly everything in its path unleashing a mighty roar from within. "DAUNTE!" Yugi cried before he began to swim as fast as he possibly could. {YUGI! WHAT ARE YOU-} "I'M GOING TO HELP THEM! AND DON'T TRY TO STOP ME! the scarlet-eyed male told the Pharoah taking great care to avoid the flames and grabbed onto the fishing net hanging on the other side of the boat.
Not wasting any time Yugi scaled the net with great difficulty before managing to climb aboard. Huffing in attempts to catch his breath the scarlet-eyed male looked upwards gasping as he watched Daunte's aura surround him. Almost as if the prince was being eclipsed by shadow. The brown haired male cracked his knuckles not phased by The Wizard's display of power as the gust of wind from Dumont's wings flapped through the air. "...Are you done with your worthless blathering? I will show you the face of the TRUE POWER OF DARKNESS!" Ogron only roared with laughter.
"Well! In that case, things just got a whole lot more intriguing now haven't they! I accept your challenge! COME AT ME THEN!" Ogron taunted as Daunte gathered shadow into his hand right in between his knuckled. Shadows that were shaped like sharp kunai daggers. "DAUNTE BE CAREFUL!" Abigail pleaded only able to watch her brother anxiously as he formed a bridge underneath him made up of darkness. In the blink of barely an eye, the brown-haired male broke into a sprint. One after the other he thrusted the kunai in the Wizard's direction. Each one exploding after the other like a shadow bomb.
"...I had no idea the power of darkness could be used for other than things than shadow magic...to think he can manipulate the shadows like that..." Yugi murmured as a bead of sweat trickled down his face as he witnessed firsthand Daunte's awesome display of power. {...Darkness is often given the misconception that it is evil...but without darkness, there can be no light...it is an element like any other...that is why those who control dark elements are vulnerable to White Magic or Light spells...it has a purifying effect...that is why those drawn to the shadows are seen with a crooked eye...often misunderstood. But what is clear is that Daunte has a great mastery over his element and uses it to the fullest extent of its ability...for when something is threatened... the desire to protect it only sharpens that dangerous skill hidden within...} Atem explained.
"NEVER... UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER ...OF A BLACK!" Daunte roared as he commanded the sea of dark fire below them and manifested it into a large flaming skeleton made up of purple and black flame. Large enough to even overwhelm Dumont's own beast transformation. "HOLY SHIT!" Anagan's eyes widened as Gantlos looked upwards at the flaming skeleton that towered over them. "Ogron! I say it's time to bail post haste!" Dumont suggested. Ogron only narrowed his eyes locked with Daunte's. Slowly the skeleton began to gather a blackish purple light within its mouth.
"TCH!" Ogron gritted his teeth in displeasure. Suddenly a powerful beam burst forth striking right as The Wizard's Of The Black Circle retreated into a black vortex. But even that wasn't enough to fully prevent being struck by the mighty blow of Daunte's power as The Wizard's manifested in a darkened room with chains. The darkness nearly eclipsed their bloodied bodies as they laid on the ground only Orgon maintaining consciousness as he tasted the revenge of a vengeful spirit whom he mocked. The Wizard could barely hear footsteps echo in his ear before they ceased shortly afterward as a cloaked figure with a red and steel mask advanced towards the tattered Wizards.
"...How does it feel...for your own magic...to be turned against you...? Your darkness...was no match for his...the blood that you've spilled...the lives you've taken...all in the name of...power was it...? How many have done just as you have...in their quest to seek after a greater truth? A knowledge beyond mere mortals...this thing called magic...well no matter...like you...those whom walk this path...will soon come to understand...one cannot simply control magic...infact...it is quite the opposite...it controls those whom acquire it...twisting the souls and hearts of men...and you...will serve as a mere stepping stone...for a means...to that end...fitting...isn't it...?" the darkened mask figure mused.
"And what...do you...mean to do with us...we The...Ancient Wizards...Of The Black Circle...make us apart...of your little plot to...fight...those...whom would challenge your so-called...beliefs..." Ogron question as he spat blood on the figure's mask as they knelt down to his level. "Don't make me laugh...at...such a pathetic attempt to...recruit me..." the Wizards muttered before the figure violently grasped Orgron by his red locks whom only gritted his blood stained teeth as he glared at the cloaked figure. "...No...there's only one way to leave...Requiem Prison...Ogron...for the crimes you've committed..." the A.O.J leader began before he manifested a blade made of red aura into his hand as he slowly raised it towards Orgron's neck "...I sentence you...to an ETERNITY in hell..." the cloaked figure muttered slowly cutting into the Wizard's neck cleaving it from his body until the A.O.J held Orgron's severed head in his hands.
{Back On The Ship...}
Exhausted Daunte returned to the deck of the ship as Abigail broke through the guards surrounding her and hurried over to her brother. "Daunte! Daunte are you alright!?" the princess questioned worriedly. "...Yeah...I think I just overdid it...but those bastards just pissed me off...after mouthing off like that...I wasn't about to let them leave here alive..." Daunte snarled. "...Yeah...but still..." Abigail murmured softly. Slowly Yugi emerged from behind one of the barrels only to be quickly spotted by the soldiers. "Your Highness! we have an intruder on board! He could be one of The Wizards' allies!" one of the knights cried. "What!? An intruder!?" Abigail questioned before she blinked her eyes as she directed her attention towards the scarlet-eyed male.
"...Well, he doesn't LOOK harmful..." the princess observed. It took a moment as Daunte made his way over towards Yugi before he recognized him. "Hey! If it ain't pipsqueak!" the brown-haired male exclaimed as the scarlet-eyed male formed a slight anger mark on his forehead out of irritation. "It's Yugi...Yugi Moto...remember?" Yugi sighed. "Oh, do you know each other?" Abigail questioned. "Yeah...I kinda helped him awhile back...I think you were back at the castle at the time. So what brings you here to Agethrim Yug?" Daunte questioned.
"About that...It's a long...s-story ACHOO!" Yugi let out a rather violent sneeze sniffing afterward as he shivered. The wind and his wet clothes were starting to take its toll on him. "Oh, you poor dear! You're soaked to the bone! We need to get you into some warm clothes!" Abigail cried before she turned towards the captain steering the ship. "TAKE US TO PORT!" the princess commanded the captain. "AYE AYE!" the captain responded and began to steer them back towards the direction of the castle. "For now i'm afraid I can only offer you some dry towels until we get to shore." Abigail murmured as she handed Yugi a few white towels.
"Uh, thanks...um..." "Abigail. Abigail Black. I'm Daunte's younger sister." "Well, then thanks very much, Abigail." Yugi offered a smile in return. "Still that was unexpected...I didn't think that anyone would suddenly attack us out here in the ocean...who were those guys anyway?" the princess questioned. "...The Wizards Of The Black Circle...actually the reason I came to Agethrim was because I could sense them heading in this direction...but I was too late to warn you guys..." Yugi frowned. "Oh yes. Raeger and that girl he was with at the Council meeting in Covenant DID mention something about them...but I don't think anyone took her warning very seriously..." Abigail recalled.
"Hmph...I can't remember anything like that..." Daunte muttered. "That's because you were too busy napping to pay any attention!" Abigail scolded the brown haired male. "meh..." the brown haired male responded. "Anyways what are you doing out at sea? Fishing?" Yugi questioned. Not that he'd want to chance eating anything out of that murky black looking water. "...I'm looking for something..." Daunte responded after a moment. "Out here? Like what?" the scarlet-eyed male mused. "...The source of a great power...sealed long ago by our family...the same thing those Wizards were after...The Black Power..." the brown haired male muttered as Atem's eyes widened as a bead of sweat trickled down his face Yugi taking notice almost immediately. Why did the Pharoah seem so terrified all of a sudden?
"The Black Power?" Yugi questioned before Abigail told the same story Froste had spoken of back to the others left behind in Covenant. "The Zalozian Elders sealed the power away, but the location is hypothetically located within the core of Zaloz...the thing is no one knows for certain how to get to it. Our father has...discouraged seeking after it on several accounts...but..." Abigail's voice trailed off as her eyes fell upon her brother. {Abigail clearly disagrees with his pursuit of it...however she is also just as worried about leaving him to seek after it alone...} Atem muttered. "...What about you Atem...have you heard of it also?" Yugi questioned but the Pharoah only shook his head. {I dare not speak of it...it is a power that NEVER should have come into existence...Daunte MUST not seek after it! His father is wise but I doubt that will sway Daunte's mind from pursuing it...}
"Atem..." Yugi murmured softly as his stomach twisted into knots before a thought struck him. "...I wonder...um...Daunte..." the scarlet-eyed male spoke up. "Hmm?" Daunte questioned as he turned to look at Yugi. "...Does finding this power...have anything to do...about freeing Kenshin from The A.O.J...and his father.'s influence...by chance...?" he questioned softly. Maybe if they could understand his reasoning they might be able to find another way without using The Black Power. The brown haired male only let out a heavy sigh. "Do you remember the promise you made me...when I agreed to help you? If so then you already know the answer..." Daunte muttered."And just so you know it took me quite a bit of time to heal from your spell...but just as I figured Kenshin was STILL forced to return to that prison..." the brown haired male mused.
Yugi only narrowed his eyes. "And I meant what I said! But wanting to help and being able to...are two very diffrent things..." the scarlet-eyed male murmured as he wrapped the towel around him. "Though I gotta admit your powers are seriously impressive! It's hard to imagine how you could lose to anyone...is...is The leader of The A.O.J...really THAT powerful?" Yugi questioned only answered by a scoff. "Hmph...pretty much...not even the Blood Mages on BriarBlood could stand a chance against him...even in Aura, he orchestrated an entire bloody war against the Knight and The Mages...he is an individual to be greatly feared...and make no mistake he will carry out his will without mercy...no matter who he has to cut down to do it..." Daunte hissed as Atem remained silent only drawing his attention towards Yugi worry reflected in his eyes."Do you get it now? I alone with my power can't to a bloody damned thing!" Daunte cursed.
"...There's something I don't understand though...you mentioned Kenshin has a seal that prevents him from going through the gateway. But I imagine even he STILL has free will. So if that's the case then why doesn't he just oppose his father and The A.O.J if he disagrees with their vision?" Yugi questioned. Abigail only frowned in response. "That's because...The A.O.J leader uses a forbidden spell which binds the victim's spirit in a chain which connects them to him...it forces the target of the spell to act according to HIS will...and if they refuse to obey ...an almost unbearable pain is inflicted upon them...and if one does this too many times...they can die..." the princess explained as Yugi's eyes only widened in horror. "I-Is there any way to break the spell!?" Yugi cried out in desperation as Daunte only gritted his teeth. "DON'T YOU THINK IF THERE WAS I'D ALREADY FUCKING TRIED IT!?" the brown haired male snapped in utter frustration as he brought his fist down in front of him.
"Using ordinary magic or methods won't do a lick of good...that's why I HAVE to find The Black Power...you can only fight forbidden magic with forbidden magic...there is NO other way...so I WILL find it...even if I have to cross all of the bloody damn worlds in search of it..." Daunte swore. "But Daunte don't you think there is a reason Father told you specifically not to search for it!?" Abigail questioned. "Tch...like that's going to stop me...i've never cared about anything he's said...why the hell should I start now?" the brown-haired male scoffed before he made his way up to the front of the ship. Slowly Yugi approached Abigail whom only frowned worriedly."Is he always like this?" "I'm afraid so...he's so hardheaded that once he sets his mind on something there's no changing it..." the princess answered with a soft sigh. "I see..." Yugi murmured. "Actually in the past when we were young Daunte used to not care about anything at all. He snuck out at night, ignored the rules even drank when he wasn't supposed to. In fact, he hardly took anything seriously...but then one day...something had clearly changed..." Abigail began.
"Changed?" Yugi questioned. "Yes...it was as if he saw the world he was apart of differently than he used to...of course he was still the rebel he always was...there's no mistaking that...but he almost seemed kinder towards people than he had previously been...like his heart was transformed in a way...and it continued...the more time he spent with that man...it really is quite strange...how just one person could affect someone so deeply..." the princess murmured. Yugi only bit his lip. "Is it...? Is it so odd that one's person's scars can heal another's?" Yugi questioned before Abigail and Yugi paused as dark clouds set in rain slowly begining to fall.
Meanwhile In Juniper...
In a small shop, Kenshin sat at a workstation grinding herbs and other various ingredients into powder in several mortars. Many patients came in and out of his Apocrathy just to be treated but the clients that came to see him only seemed to be growing by the day each affected by that toxic miasma flowing through Agethrim's Zaloz. His patient's ranged from children, elders, and adults each receiving medicine or medical care which only he seemed willing to treat those who were turned away by all other Apocrathy in Juniper. Yes. He was far less concerned about himself than them. Concealing all of his bruises with compact from the previous night as his mind went back in time. He had returned back to his castle only to slapped across the face knocking his glasses off sending him to the floor with a violent thud.
"HOW DARE YOU DILIBRITLY DISOBEY ME! DID YOU THINK I WOULDN'T LEARN OF YOUR USE OF THE GATEWAY!? I hope you're ready to receive your punishment and it won't be a light one..." Mallock hissed as venom dripped off his every word. Kenshin suddenly felt himself unable to move bound by the Will Chain before suddenly cuts began to appear all over his body each worse than the last the blunette cried out in agony until his white shirt was soaked with his own blood. He could hear his father's footsteps making their way out of the room as Kenshin layed on his side looking at the fire burning in the fireplace blood dripping down his face. Slowly he struggled to retrieve his glasses and placed them back on his face. He grabbed a hold of the wall and pushed himself up winded as pain coursed through his body.
No matter how far he may try to run. He was bound by an invisible chain wrapped around him. However, no matter how much blood he himself shed as this curse tore his soul apart. He refused to bow to the will of The A.O.J or his father. "...I...I will not...allow any more blood...to be shed...nor more lives to end...before they begin..." Kenshin swore as a fire burned in his eyes. He always had thought from the beginning of his life, he would be nothing more than a puppet who would play the role expected of him. But that day when he met Daunte he realized that wasn't how it HAD to be. Kenshin was pulled back to reality as a frantic knock rang through the Apocrathy. Quickly the blunette removed himself from his chair and opened the front door. Standing in the doorway was Blaze carrying Kaiba unconscious. Rain pouring down outside.
"Can't stick around. Patch this guy up would ya?" Blaze mused before he tossed Kaiba over to Kenshin. He's in pretty bad shape, has a nasty rumble with a big old bad snake in The Abyss Woods. Thanks ur a pal! Oh and here's something for your trouble!" the red-haired male added before he tossed a bag of coins at his feet before he disappeared. Caught off guard Kenshin shook his head before he hurried and placed Kaiba on one of the hospital beds. He was covered in cuts with a large white fang piecing his left shoulder. The blunette pressed his hand up against the CEO's forehead. "He's burning up...the poison is probably already in his bloodstream..." Kenshin surmised and got a cold wet washcloth wiping down his face as Kaiba breathed heavily with sweat dripping down his face.
Grabbing a vile of green liquid Kenshin poured it, it creates a green gel in its place. Picking it up the blunette carefully sat Kaiba upwards helping him to swallow it. Slowly the gel began to absorb the poison from within him. Now came the worst part. Using a blue gel this time Kenshin once again helped the CEO take it, it being a sedative that would help with the immense pain that would soon be following. After he was certain it kicked in the blunette grabbed the fang and ripped it out before he placed his hands over Kaiba's bloodied shoulder mending the would just enough to where he could wrap it up tightly. Kenshin wiped the sweat from his brow exhausted from the long day. Once about a half an hour passed the blue-eyed male finally regained consciousness as he pried his eyes open. Everything around him being in a haze."Ugh...what the hell happened to me...?" Kaiba groaned as he held his head before a familiar voice echoed in his ear. "I see you're awake." Kenshin mused as Kaiba's vision began to adjust.
"...Oh...it's you...you were that physician that treated Bloom awhile back..." the blue-eyed male observed. "Yes, that's correct...but I didn't expect i'd see one of you all so soon after leaving." "...Putting that aside how the hell did I get here anyway?" Kaiba questioned. "A red-haired stranger with a cloak came to my door and asked me to treat your wounds. He mentioned you were in The Abyss Woods fighting a snake...I imagine you had a run in with the Baskalisk Guardian of those woods...you were cut up from head to toe and you had a large fang embedded in your arm...I was hoping YOU could tell ME that." Kenshin told the CEO. "...That's right...I think it's starting to come back to me..."
{FlashBack...}
Yes. He had come through a gateway that led to a thick purple mist. Just barely he could see the red-haired stranger that had attacked him and Bloom and chased after him leading him through a forest made up of thorned vines that were red and black. He wasn't about to let that red haired bastard out of his sight. As Kaiba ran through the forest each thorn he passed pierced his flesh as the CEO followed a trail of flames Blaze had left behind. Other than that the woods were pitch black. Not able to see anything around him. However unknown to him The Wizards were already in its depths looking around the woods Ogron's hand emanating a small flame from his palm. "Nothin over ere Ogron..." Dumont muttered. "What is this power supposed to look like anyway?" Gantlos questioned. "I'm beginning to think we're being played by that Bakura..." Anagan muttered before Ogron paused sensing something.
"Well, gentlemen I think our luck may have just changed..." Ogron smirked as he sensed Kaiba's aura nearby before he noticed a trail of flames. "Tsk Tsk...don't people know about the danger of forest fires?" the Wizards mused before he smothered the fire delivering Kaiba right into their clutches. "This time we'll make him unleash the darkness inside of him without anyone getting in our way!" Ogron spat. "Yeah! And I know just how to do it too..." Dumont snickered as he turned into a snake calling out to the beast that lied within the shadows. Still unable to see anything Kaiba stopped to catch his breath. Where did that bastard run off to anyways? If the flames ceased to burn that must've meant he was around that area somewhere. Going unanswered the CEO began to feel the ground quake beneath his feet. Suddenly a hissing sound echoed in Kaiba's ears from nearby as a bead of sweat dripped down his face.
Aways away Blaze stopped in his tracks and looked behind him. "What!?" he cried as he took notice that Kaiba nor his path of flames were no longer behind him. "Well, this is NOT good...I better have a look see!" the red-haired male surmised and hurried to retrace his step. But he was too late as he watched the Baskalisk strike Kaiba from behind him the CEO barely able to turn around letting out a blood-curdling scream. All either of them could hear was the roaring laughter coming from a voice Kaiba knew all too well as his eyes began to go into a catatonic state. "...O...Ogron..." the CEO muttered from the unbearable pain coursing through his body as one of the Baskalisk's fangs impaled his left shoulders. Using the last of his strength Kaiba used the hidden blade in his other arm to cut right through the fang cleaving it from the snake as it hissed in rage.
Unable to retain consciousness from blood loss and the venom everything went dark collapsing on the ground. But before the giant snake could strike once more Blaze used his flaming shuriken from getting near him forcing the Baskalisk to retreat back into the shadows. "Well Well looks like someone showed up to the party to crash it...what should we do with him Ogron?" Anagan questioned. "I say we teach him some proper manners..." Gantlos suggested. Shit. His plan had completely shot to Hell! So much for keeping The Wizards and Kaiba's paths from crossing. "Aw come on! At least let me have some party favors before I go!" Blaze taunted as all four of them came flying towards him. But Blaze was not able to be undone as he summoned a wall of fire around him and Kaiba unleashing a barrage of flaming shuriken. Orgron only twisted his mouth in displeasure.
"I think we've played around enough for one day...we've explored this entire bloody forest and still haven't seen hide nor hair of it...however i'm willing to bet a member of The Black Family might have a few ideas on the subject at hand...rest assured gentlemen we won't leave one stone unturned until we find The Black Power..." Ogron muttered before the Wizards Of The Black Circle escaped into the shadows. Blaze's eyes widened in shock at the very mention of it. "...Great...things just went from bad to worse...UGH...what a mess...i'm in for it for sure...either way...I gotta report this back to the boss man...but I can't exactly leave the kid here now can I? Up ya go!" Blaze exclaimed and picked up Kaiba throwing him over his shoulder.
{Flash Black ends}
Kaiba cursed under his breath. And now he had no idea where that cloaked figure was or Mokuba for that matter. "Damn it...I have to find that bastard..." the CEO hissed as he tried to get up only to be eased back down by Kenshin."...Ugh...why in the hell does my body feel like led?" Kaiba questioned. "...I'm afraid that was my doing...I had to give you pain medication in order to treat your wounds. It's probably best you rest for now..." the bluenette advised. "...Great...just what I want to be doing right now..." the blue-eyed male muttered. "Still...I gotta say i'm rather surprised...I had no idea you lived on Zaloz as well..." "Lucky for you huh?" Kenshin offered a smile. "I'll...say...I would never have guessed i'd have ended up in the hospital next..." "Next?" "...Oh right...let me catch you up on what's happened since you took off..." the CEO mused as Kenshin listened quietly.
"I see...so you came here because of that red-haired male in the cloak kidnapped your little brother...and you also wanted to meet with The Witch Of The Abyss..." Kenshin murmured. "...According to Undine's lackey and The Wizards Of The Black Circle, I have this power within me...but even that being so I can't unleash it to its full potential without losing control of it...last time I tried I ended up badly hurting the one I care about the most...and I have absolutely no desire to see it happen again...and yet I want to grow stronger because I want to protect her...a feat that seems almost nearly impossible i'm afraid...it is for that reason I need to know what this power is...and how its connected to me..." Kaiba explained before Kenshin let out a chuckle."...And just what do you find SO funny about THAT!?" Kaiba nearly hissed angrily."...hehehe you sound just like another stubborn hardheaded individual I know..." the blunette smiled gently before the CEO paused.
"You WILL get stronger...because you have something that pushes you beyond mere understanding...and that's a love that no one can come between..." Kenshin murmured as he removed his silver half-hearted pendant etched with Daunte's name on it. "You see? He's what gives me strength..." the blunette smiled. As Kaiba's eyes began to adjust the CEO's eyes widened taking notice of all the bruises and cut that had been hidden by compact until now the rain from earlier washing it away. "...Those bruises..." Kaiba began. "...Where did you get them...?" the CEO questioned. Kenshin paused for a moment before he realized the rain must've washed everything away. Still, he only smiled.
"Oh, these? I'm afraid my father didn't take too kindly to my little visit to Earth." the blunette answered simply. Just looking at how badly he was beaten up Kaiba couldn't help but be reminded of his own step father's cruelty. His mind taken back to when he was confined to a corner in the room. A whip coming down upon him. The CEO's back hurt from just the thought of the whip echoing in his head as it struck him blow after blow. "...I've had my share of experiences with that..." Kaiba's voice nearly shook. With his jacket already removed the CEO slowly pulled up his black shirt only to reveal several scars etched in his back. The scars of his past that he hadn't even shown to Bloom. "People would be surprised...what's hidden under the mask..." Kaiba murmured almost in a whisper.
Meanwhile On The Train...
Cupid succumbed to the sweet spell of sleep as they continued to ride the train. Slowly the redhead pried his eyes open stirring and turned his gaze towards the window beside him. Snow continuing to fall from a slightly darkened sky. He could feel something pressing up against him though he didn't recall using a blanket or a pillow. Whatever it was at a pleasant scent. Almost like cherry blossoms. Suddenly Cupid paused as he felt a little bit of movement. Gradually the redhead directed his attention to his side down just a little further only to find a certain faerie asleep with her head resting in the crook on his neck with his red hair draped over her. There was no possible way to move without disturbing her. This was BAD if anyone saw them like this! Wait...the train didn't seem as full as it was earlier...and he couldn't hear the others voices either. As a ticket taker made their round Cupid reached out and got their attention.
"Um...excuse me...but how much longer is it until we reach Supporo?" Cupid questioned. "...Sir, we've already passed Supporo about two hours ago..." the male attendant informed him as the color from the red head's face nearly drained completely turning white. "...EH!?" Cupid cried out in shock. "...unfortunately it will be quite some time before we circle back around..." "...H...How long exactly?" the redhead questioned. "My estimate would be...roughly six to seven hours...if I were you i'd wake your wife up and inform her about the delay. Now Please excuse me..." the ticket taker bowed and continued his rounds.
"Why does everyone assume we're a couple!?" Cupid flailed his hands before he looked back down at Bloom slumbering without a care in the world. Then again...he supposed it DID look that way. How could she sleep so soundly, next to someone she barely knew? At least the REAL him. Oh well, might as well wake her up and tell her what happened. Gently Cupid placed his hand on Bloom's arm and softly shook her stirring the faerie from sleep. Opening her eyes Bloom looked up to see red hair draped all around her. "...Hmm?" she questioned. It took her a minute before Cupid's eyes met hers.
"Good morning sleepy head." Cupid teased before Bloom's face turned three shades of red as she quickly sat up nervously fixing her hair. "O-Oh Cupid! I-I'm SO sorry! I-I didn't mean! Uh, what I mean to say is I sorta...kinda...have this habit of clinging to things in my sleep...did I...?" Bloom questioned. "I'll say..." Cupid responded only causing the faerie to groan as she hit her face in embarrassment. "ohhh...after stuffing my face with all those Pizza buns...I must've crashed pretty hard..." "Hehe, that makes two of us..." "I guess we're both pretty hopeless huh?" Bloom giggled aqwardly. "Maybe so..." Cupid mused. "By the way...how much father is it to Supporo anyways?" "...uh about that...we've...kind of...sort of...passed it..." the redhead regretfully informed her. "...OH NO!" the faerie cried. "...And...just how long...will it be until we...turn around...?" "...S...Six hours..." Cupid murmured before they both started to laugh nervously."SO WE'RE STUCK HERE ON THE TRAIN UNTIL THEN!?" "Yep...sounds like that's how it's playin out..." the redhead murmured.
"Oh man...I bet everyone is worried sick! I'd better call them right away!" Bloom exclaimed and pulled out her phone. "...No service...and things just went from bad to worse..." the faerie sighed heavily. "...Well, what do you think we should do? If we stay on the train from now and until then we won't arrive until 1:00 am in the morning!" she informed Cupid. "Hmm...well what do you want to do?" the redhead questioned before Bloom took a moment to think. "...I think...we should get off at the next station and find a place to stay the night...that way we can at least contact the others...well?" the faerie proposed. "Sounds good to me." Cupid mused. "Great! Then we got ourselves a plan!" Bloom clapped her hands together. About an hour passed by before they arrived at the nearest station Kitami and got unboarded the train as the snow continued to fall."I'm going to go contact the others. In the meantime why don't you see if you can find us a place to stay!" Bloom suggested "Gotcha!" Cupid offered a grin before he watched her walk aways dialing her phone. "Come on pick up..." the faerie pleaded as she paced back and forth before finally, someone answered.
"...YOU'RE WHAT!?" Stella cried on the other ends as the rest of the party was already unpacking in the hot spring hotel. Slowly everyone began to gather around the blonde. "Well if that's the case can't you ride the train back here!? I mean how long could it possibly take?!... Well so much for Domino's speeding bullet trains!" Stella exclaimed. "So what ARE you going to do?... Seriously? Well, don't stay in any of those shady hotels you hear me!? And tell Cupid he better takes good care of you or he'll be on the receiving end of a solar star shower! Well anyways...make sure you contact me when you find a place...ok kisses!" the faerie exclaimed before Bloom ended the call. "Was that Bloom just now Stella!?" Roxy questioned.
"Uhuh...you'll never believe what happened. It turns out Bloom and Cupid slept right through our stop!" Stella told her. "Oh dear...I was afraid something like this would happen..." Selina sighed. "What do you mean?" Raeger questioned. "Bloom has a habit of falling asleep on trains...normally we wake her up but there were so many of us it completely slipped my mind..." Carlos admitted. "Well...I just hope everything will be ok..." Flora murmured as her mind wandered. "Hmm, why wouldn't it be Flo?" Joey questioned. "...Well...a man...and a woman...in a hotel together..." Flora murmured as her face reddened slightly along with Amourettes. "...Do ya get it Duke?" the blonde questioned as he raised his brow in confusion. "Nope not a clue..." the dice master muttered. "Hmm I guess ignorance really is bliss now isn't it?" Loore surmised as Marik remained silent in a deepened state of thought. "Marik?" Layla questioned before the tomb keeper turned his attention towards the dark-skinned faerie. "Hmm?" "Are you worried about Bloom Marik?" Layla asked concerned about his behavior.
"...No...not particularly..." the tomb keeper mused. "Even so...you must have something on your mind..." Marik only offered a smile. "It's nothing you need to trouble yourself over Layla." "...If you say so..." the faerie murmured softly as she made her way towards the hot spring with the others girls headed in the same direction. "What was that all about?" Selina questioned. "I'm not sure really," Layla admitted. "Is everything ok Layla?" Flora inquired worriedly. "You're not fighting with Marik or anything are you?" Stella added in. "No. Nothing like that...he just seems... I dunno troubled about something...and i'm worried..." Layla frowned. "Hmm well, i'm sure once he's ready to he'll talk to you about it." Roxy murmured. "Oui!" Amourette offered her friend a smile. "Thanks, guys..." the dark-skinned faerie murmured softly. Though she couldn't help but think he was hiding something from her.
Meanwhile...
"So did you find a place to stay yet?" Bloom questioned as she placed her phone in her pocket making her way over to Cupid. "...W...Well, sort of...there was only one place that didn't take reservations..." the red-haired male hesitantly answered before they soon found themselves in front of a hotel. As they walked through the doors, however, both froze in place as they saw the security camera of all the rooms. Which only had a single bed. Cupid swallowed hard as did Bloom. "...We're only...getting shelter...from the c-cold...ri-right?" Bloom squeaked. "...R-Right..." the redhead agreed as they received their key and made their way to the room. "After all that running around i'm freezing so I think i'm going to go take a shower if that's alright...? Alright exc-excuse me..." the faerie murmured as she made her way into the bathroom and closed and locked the door. As her hands shook she removed her clothing before turning on the shower getting in it afterward. Closing her eyes as the hot water fell down on her.
Although she was trying to remain calm mentally she was completely flipping out on the inside! ALONE! IN A HOTEL ROOM! WITH ONE BED!? And to top it off she was Cupid of all people! She hadn't even been in this situation with Kaiba before! Oh man if he knew Cupid would end up in a body bag after all this was over. She was STILL embarrassed by the fact she had snuggled up to him in her sleep. Of course, he smelled like roses so it wasn't like it was unpleasant or anything. In fact, he seemed really sad for some reason. He may have acted like this happy go lucky philanderer. But that wasn't the truth. Maybe if just a little bit she wanted to see more of that smile he showed earlier. "...Does that make me... a bad fiance?..." Bloom questioned softly as she looked upwards. "Why is it so many people try to hide their pain and the scars that came with it?" the faerie pondered in a hushed voice. "...I mean...if they were hurt by another...doesn't that mean they can also be healed by another? Why must they try and bare all of it alone in silence...?" Bloom asked herself.
After Bloom made her way inside the bathroom Cupid fell forward onto the king-sized bed. He could feel the silk red blanket against his face faintly hearing the sound of water turning on in the shower. "...Does she really trust me so completely...?" the redhead questioned softly. "Or is she just really that naive...? I don't know anymore...I wonder...what should...I do? Hehe...maybe in the end...i'm the biggest fool of them all..." Cupid drly chuckled as he buried his head onto one of the pillows. Slowly tears trickling down his cheeks staining the pure white cover over it. "Here I am once again...wanting something...that was never meant to be mine..." the redhead sobbed as he choked on his tears clutched the sheets under him.
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