Title– Destined Together

Disclaimer– I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard or any of its characters… Only the OC's in this story.

A/N – Greetings, everyone! Wow… time passed by so fast… My year was a roller-coaster ride and too many things happened… Anyway, I hope everyone's doing well! Thank you for all your support and encouragement. I'm really very- very- very grateful and thank you for your patience and understanding as well.

So without further ado… Let's continue the story!

'…' - Thoughts

"…" – Speaking

"Italics" – Flash back

Chapter 37

No One's POV

Kai's Villa

"…?!"

All the ladies were dumbfounded at the sight of the grand villa. They didn't expect it to be manor-like countryside luxury villa, modern with traditional touch. They were awed as they walked on the gravel path in the courtyard. The two-storey building was indeed magnificent and taken good care of. The traditional style garden of the courtyard and the trees surrounding the border walls along with the artificial pond adjacent to the building enhanced its beauty. One could guess the villa was equipped with modern amenities yet it was masked with ancient touch.

Nakadai Reishi had left to his resort for the night and his guards followed him back. Since everyone would be busy with the festival, Kai thought of visiting his villa for at least a day where he would get some peace. Kai scanned the surrounding with his eyes. The security guards were already stationed outside and were surrounding the villa. He asked the guards who had followed them in the festival, to join the other guards after taking rest and having dinner. The guards thanked him and left while his friends admired the place.

"Amazing!" Akari and Yuri exclaimed while Misaki and Kourin looked awed.

"I know, right? I can spend my whole life here" Miwa said.

"Wait till you see inside" Koutei smirked at the ladies.

"Welcome back, Young master Kai" greeted a middle-aged couple as they bowed to Kai at the doors.

Kai gave them a curt nod "How are you doing, Arata-san, Rumi-san?"

The two caretakers of the house smiled at their young master and replied "We're doing well. Thank you"

"And how's Luna?" Kai enquired.

"Our daughter is well, Young master. She turned ten this year" Arata replied and Kai gave a curt nod.

"Hn. These are my friends" Kai gestured at the gang.

"Welcome" the caretakers bowed and the gang curtsied back, politely.

Although the caretakers were surprised to see ladies accompanying Kai and his friends, they didn't comment. It was a surprise since Kai never allowed women in the villa whenever he visited except Asaka who had visited once. They recognized her as Ren Suzugamori's secretary.

The men except Gai were acquainted with the caretakers so they casually talked with them while the ladies smiled and thanked them for welcoming. Ren and Miwa introduced the ladies and Gai.

"Please follow us. Everything is prepared" Arata said as he followed Kai who had already gone inside.

"Sorry for making you arrange everything on such a short notice" Miwa said to the two.

"It's our job, Miwa-san. Besides, we're happy you're all here" Arata stated.

"You all should visit more often" Rumi smiled.

They went in as they chatted along. The ladies were again awed by the interior of the villa. Leon's place was beautiful but this place was extraordinary. The place was spacious and luxurious interior designed with attention to detail and elegantly furnished with modern amenities. Akari complained that they should've visited this marvelous place earlier while Misaki hushed her.

"Make yourselves at home" Kai told them and plopped down on a comfy couch.

The others followed him as they were tired from the day's activities. They relaxed on random seats and complimented the place.

"Would you like some drinks? And dinner?" Rumi enquired.

Since they were already full from eating snacks and delicacies from the festival, everyone declined. All they wanted was to sit and relax.

"There are clothes for the guests in the closets for the night. Your bags will be brought in the morning" Rumi instructed and the gang thanked her.

"Young master, these arrived before you" Arata told Kai, gesturing towards the desk where the gifts and rewards won from the festival were kept.

"Leave it be" Kai told him. "Arata-san, you and Rumi-san can retire for the night. Also, take a day off tomorrow and enjoy the festival with Luna" he told the couple.

"Thank you, young master… We really appreciate it!" the couple looked happy and grateful as they left after bowing goodbye "Have a good night!"

"Kai-san, can we take pictures?" Akari asked Kai.

"Yes. But you cannot post them on social media" Kai told her.

"Of course! You can trust me, Kai-san!" Akari gave a thumbs-up. "I'm just capturing the memories" she smiled.

"Hn. Feel free to explore. You guys can have any room you like or you can share them. Do as you please" Kai told everyone.

'RING-RING-RING'

Kai's cellphone started ringing and it was a call from his uncle so left to talk "Excuse me"

"But don't go to the shady and dark places because this place is haunted, Aka-chi (Akari)~" Ren added.

"Ehh?!"

"Really…?" Akari ignored the nickname given by Ren since it was his habit.

"Yeah. You can feel it at night. That eerie atmosphere…"

"Don't scare them" Koutei cut in.

"Come on. There's no such thing" Miwa added and Ren shook his head.

"Have you two stayed up at night here?" Ren questioned the two.

"No…" Miwa and Koutei replied, skeptically and Ren continued.

"See? I have experienced it myself last time. I was strolling in the garden in the midnight… Suddenly, it felt cold and the wind picked up and something passed through the bushes"

"It must be some animal" Gai assumed.

"I thought so too but then there was nothing when I followed it"

'Who follows something like that?!' the others looked wide-eyed at Ren.

"And then there's something on the floor above… There are rumors that… Way before Kai's uncle bought this place, there was a murder here"

"Oh, that… Yeah, I had heard about it too" Aichi thought aloud.

"See? Something still roams-…"

"What are you insinuating?" Kai interrupted the tense atmosphere.

"That this place is haunted" Ren replied.

"Oh" Kai looked indifferent while the others looked at him, dumbfounded.

"What do mean by 'Oh'?! Is it true?" Misaki looked at him in surprise.

"Maybe? Who cares?"

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" Misaki frowned.

"I don't visit much… So I forgot" Kai shrugged.

"Goodness…! First that Haunted Mansion… And now a Haunted Villa…? This is too much!" Akari looked anxious.

"I don't believe there are ghosts" Yuri shrugged.

"Right. Anyway, this place is safe" Koutei reminded.

"It doesn't look… haunted at least" Kourin glanced around.

"Wait till the lights turn off" Ren smirked and he continued his rant "Then again, there's also a rumor about the forest behind…"

The gang started talking and enquiring more from Ren and Aichi about the intriguing story and incidents on the matter while Misaki looked at Kai.

"Is it safe to stay here?" Misaki asked Kai.

"Well, nobody is harmed till today so… Let's hope" Kai smirked and poked her forehead.

"Ha?"

"Just avoid the dark corridors, Tokura"

"…?!"

An Hour Later…

Since the villa had fifteen bedrooms, everyone got to have their own room to settle. After deciding on their respective rooms, they all went to freshen up. The boys had retired for the night while the girls decided to chat in Yuri's assigned room for the time being.

They sat on the carpet in a circle with snacks and drinks in the center like they were having a picnic. It was convenient and comfortable rather than sitting on couch and chairs. All of them – both men and women- wore similar clothes; loose t-shirts and Bermuda shorts in shades of white and grey. The clothes were comfortable to sleep in and the only option to wear on such a short notice. Each one of them had a glass of wine and snacks to munch on amidst their talk.

On the other hand, Misaki was frustrated. She was continuously thinking about him. He was everywhere around her! She knows she has feelings for him so it was to be expected to feel giddy whenever he was near but now just by thinking about him, her heart would race. She had become so easy to tease and she would always loose her composure in front of him. It was quite unnerving that he has such effect on her while she didn't know if she affected him at all. Granted, he likes her company since he accompanied them everywhere and he was being nice and kind… but she wanted know if he was… interested in her? She wanted to know if he enjoys her company… Wait… Since when did Tokura Misaki start thinking like this? She was going mad here while he gets to sleep peacefully. She wanted to sleep but she couldn't! He was confusing her! Does he really care or it's his way of amusing himself…? What if she's misinterpreting his actions towards her? He was messing with her head! Now her head throbbed. With that, she gulped down her drink. May be this will help…

"Shouldn't we go to sleep…" Misaki looked at Asaka who hiccupped.

"Come on, Misaki!" Yuri poured her second fill. "We have to talk!" she added with a smirk.

"Yeah!" Asaka exclaimed, extending her glass to Yuri for refill. "I'm heartbroken!" she added with a sigh.

They looked at her in sympathy and consoled her. Asaka hadn't shared much but Akari had told them she was fine. Instead of spending her time in gloom in her room, Asaka went out of her way and spent her day with them. They knew it must have been hard on her. Even though she was being tough, she needed her friends to share her burden.

"Here" Akari refilled Misaki's and Kourin's glass. "Loosen up, girls. Share your problems" she added.

At that, Asaka continued with her rant about Ren. The girls consoled her and the topic circled around boys. It was almost midnight and most of them looked drunk, even Misaki. Kouri and Akari looked sober enough while Yuri was swaying to some incoherent song she sang. Asaka was blabbering how she tried everything and Misaki noted with nods. Kourin and Akari shook their heads at the three as minutes passed by.

"…They c-confuse us, Misaki… I'm s-s-sure you think you're z-sspecial to Kai-zan but…"

"…s-z-zpecial?!"

"…but you have to be s-s-sure…"

"Uh… I don't think Kai-san would be playing around…" Kourin pointed out, sincerely.

"…but I don wan her to z-s-suffer l-l-like me…"

"She… has a point. She knows Kai-san and others more than us…" Kourin thoughtfully added.

Akari turned to Misaki and asked "Misaki-chan… You… like him, right?"

"Mmhmm. He'z nice" Misaki replied with a smile.

'She's so honest when drunk…' Akari thought and chuckled.

"You should tell him, Misaki-chan"

"Hmm?"

"You see… once we go back home, we'll be busy again so you have got time to tell him before we leave"

"But…"

"You like him but what does he think about you?" Akari asked and Misaki stared at her, dumbly.

"I don… know…" Misaki pouted and stood up.

"...Where… are you going?" Kourin asked when Misaki dusted her clothes.

"Im'ma…" Misaki said and continued while walking "…aszk… him…"

Akari and Kourin glanced at each other as the door of the room closed shut after Misaki.

"Is she serious?" Kourin looked surprised.

"I'm curious how Kai-san will react" Akari smirked.

Kai's Room…

Kai was in deep slumber. He had greatly enjoyed his day and he was actually looking forward to spend more time with Misaki. He had soundly dozed off when he was woken up with a knock on his door. He ignored it but then he heard the sound of the door opening and closing shut. He clicked his tongue in annoyance as he opened his tired eyes. It was dark except for the moonlight pouring through the terrace into the room and he was brought out of his daze when suddenly his comforter was pulled. Now he was alert. If Ren was trying to prank-….

"Kaii…"

"Tokura…?" Kai was surprised to see her in his room and it was almost midnight. 'Am I dreaming…?' he wondered.

"Tell me…"

"What happened? Is everything okay?" he pushed himself up and switched on the bedside lamps as he sat up. 'She's really here' he realized.

"No" she shook her head.

"…" he glanced behind her to see if someone else was with her but no. Now he was confused and concerned.

"Did you get… lost on your way, Tokura?" he came up with possible reason.

"No…"

Kai was more confused at her behavior. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, facing her while she stood at his bedside. It felt a little weird when she just kept staring at him with those half lidded eyes. Since she was standing, she looked taller as she stared down at him.

'Sleepwalking…?' he wondered.

"What… brings you here?"

"Kai… Zstop mooing (stop moving)" she finally said.

Kai was a little perplexed. The way her speech slurred and the way she swayed… He sighed. Yuri did say the ladies were going to talk in her room… She was definitely drunk, he concluded. He need to call-…

"I zaid… zsstop moving!"

Kai was surprised when Misaki moved forward and grasped his shoulders, perhaps for support. His hand instinctively reached her shoulder to keep her steady. She stood up straight and smiled sheepishly. She looked embarrassed. This was very… new to him. He had never seen Misaki act like that and he was very much delighted to witness such scene. He was going to use it against-…

"…Sshhory…" she sat down on his bed beside him as she felt wobbly.

"Tokura? You okay…?"

"Aa… Why… you… kind…"

"Hmm?"

"Why… you so naisshh (nice)…"

Kai smiled lightly "Because it's you"

"Uhhmm…me…?" she looked at him with glassy eyes.

"Hn…"

Kai looked stunned and flustered when she cupped his cheeks with her hands.

"Sh-Shmile (smile) more… You… aa cute!"

"…L-let's get you to your room, Tokura" he grabbed the hold of her hands and moved them away from his face. Did he just stutter?

"No! I wanna… I …wanna…?" she shook her head and sighed "…I…"

"…?"

"…Kai… I…"

His heart skipped a beat. The way her lips drawled out his name with flushed cheeks and her half lidded drowsy eyes… The way her eyes bore into his… Suddenly aware of their close proximity, he tried to move but he felt stuck. He could smell the faint smell of wine from her. His face heated up when she took a hold of his hand and entwined their fingers. He knew he was blushing when she kissed the back of his hand that was linked with hers.

In the next moment, her grip loosened and she fell back on the bed, mumbling something incoherent.

Kai blinked. What just happened…? He felt an overwhelming emotional experience… What was she doing to him?

To say Kai was stupefied was an understatement. He glanced at his side only to find her fast asleep. He exhaled a deep breath as he ran his hand through his hair. He looked at their -now loosened- entwined hands. He could feel his heart beating abnormally fast and he tried to calm down. He cleared his throat. He needed some fresh air!

She was definitely here to tease him!

'Tokura… you're so sly' he gave out a soft chuckle.

The Next Day….

"Umm…"

Misaki woke up and stretched her hands up. She yawned and ran her hand through her hair to straighten it. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked a few times. She felt relaxed. Weird. She had a dream about Kai. He was smiling and they had their hands entwined. She blushed. Now she was having such dreams!

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She glanced at her bedside table to look for her cellphone.

'…Where…?' she couldn't find her cellphone as she rummaged through her pillows and comforter.

'Right! We were in Yuri's room! May be it's there… I wonder how I got to my room…' she thought and got off the bed. She decided to freshen up before leaving her room.

Once refreshed, she drank some water from the bedside table.

'We had decided to go to the town and-... I shouldn't have drunk so much! It's Yuri-chan's fault if we got late! Did they sleep in too? Or… Have they left?' she wondered and straightened her clothes before she left her room.

After checking the girl's rooms, she knew that they must have left since she didn't see or hear anyone. That means…

'Did they leave me here alone…?!' she thought as she trudged downstairs to the kitchen. 'At least, leave a message behind' she sighed.

The villa without humans felt too empty but she was used to it. She was hungry and she also needed coffee so she went straight to the fridge and opened it. Nice. The fridge was stocked full with fruits, vegetables and food items. She picked out milk, two eggs and bread.

'Hmm… This will be quicker. Now where's coffee…?' Misaki wondered as she rummaged through the shelves beside the fridge.

"Coffee is on the left side of the upper shelf"

Misaki jumped and instantly turned around only to see Kai. She sighed in relief.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"Hn. Make one for me too"

"Fine. Had breakfast?"

"Not yet"

"Then make us some" she casually stated.

"Now, now, Tokura… You're being mean" he pointed at the freshly cooked breakfast on the dining table, covered with lids.

"…" she blinked, surprised.

"Here I was waiting for you and…"

"S-sorry…" she said. "I'll make coffee right away!"

"That's better…"

Once Misaki made two cups of coffee and Kai put the rest of the things away, the two settled on the dining chairs beside each other; Misaki on his right side.

"Here" Misaki kept his mug beside his plate. "Thank you for the food" she said.

They ate breakfast in comfortable silence. She had never expected they would be having such peaceful moment before coming here. She was grateful that she listened to her uncle Shin and attended this festival. Because of it, she realized her feelings, made beautiful memories and was enjoying her time. As much as she wanted to revel in his silent company, she also wanted to talk to him.

Once they finished, Misaki offered to wash the dishes since he had made breakfast for them. Akari would've definitely teased them of acting like a couple. She chuckled and she glanced at him only to find him looking at her.

"Did you… sleep in too?" she asked.

"Aa… Since someone decided to barge in my room last night and disturb me" he stood up from his chair with his empty coffee mug.

"…" she paused and blinked.

"…And one thing led to another…" he walked towards her.

"…?!" she swiftly turned around and suddenly found him face to face.

"…W-what do you mean?" she backed up, pressing herself against the sink.

"Do you want me to remind you…?"

"Y-you m-mean…" realization hit her that it wasn't her dream.

"Were you trying to test my patience, Tokura…?"

Misaki gulped and she recalled 'T-that wasn't a dream?! W-what else did I do?!'

"…" she sweated as she finally recalled last night's events.

Kai smirked, amused. He kept the mug in the sink before backing off from her. He was thoroughly enjoying himself at her expense but he didn't want her to avoid him again. He leaned against the kitchen counter with crossed arms across her.

Misaki stared at him with an embarrassed face. He was smiling gently while she gulped. She bowed to him in apology.

"I'm so s-s-sorry! I really am! I w-wasn't-…. I didn't mean any harm!"

"I know, Tokura"

"I apologize for such abominable behavior-… I wasn't in my-…"

"Tokura, relax"

"…-right mind"

"I don't blame you. I know I'm charming"

"…" she averted her eyes.

"Did I… do anything… uh… inappropriate…? I m-mean… you know… uh…"

"Hmmm… Well, I would've pressed charges by now but it's alright since it's you…" he shrugged.

"W-what are you trying to say…?"

"You know I'm a responsible person… I had to carry you all the way to your room after you passed out"

Misaki gave sigh of relief "T-thank you… I'm grateful"

"You can rely on me, Tokura…"

"I… know" she smiled, gratefully.

"Now hurry up. We have to catch up to our friends"

To be continued…

A/N – Doki-Doki scene! I hope you all enjoyed reading! Do share your thoughts on this please! I apologize since I'm always short on time and kept you all waiting for so long… but I'm always thankful for your support. Thank you!