Calm before the storm

[3rd POV]

Walking towards Kaiba, Yuna dismissed her spirits and took a deep, steadying breath. Her face had gone pale, and she could feel the toll her power had taken on her body. With a resigned sigh, she touched her upper lip and frowned as a thin line of blood trickled down from her nose.

"Tsk…" she muttered, clicking her teeth in frustration as she wiped it away. Now was no time to falter; the most crucial battle lay just ahead.

But as she took her next step, the world tilted sharply, and her vision blurred. Her body overcame with exhaustion, and she collapsed. Yet, before Yuna fell, Kaiba quickly caught her.

"You need rest," he ordered.

"No… I'm fine…" she tried to insist, but before she could protest further, Kaiba lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she found herself cradled in a princess carry. "Put me down… I'm probably too heavy…"

"Not at all. You're light," he replied, his gaze steady, intensifying her blush. "But stay still; if you fidget, it'll only make it harder to hold you."

"Nn…" Yuna nodded in embarrassment, sinking into an awkward silence as he walked. The gentle rhythm of his steps swayed her, each movement lulling her closer to sleep. Soon, her heavy eyelids fluttered closed, and she gave in, letting the weariness finally take her.

"Kaiba..." Yuna murmured in a daze, her voice faint and distant. "Are you... there?"

"Yes, I'm here." Kaiba's reply seemed to reach her as she smiled softly, half-conscious, and a hum escaped her lips. Without thinking, she nestled her head against his chest, and he tensed, caught off guard by the closeness.

"I'm glad… I missed you," she mumbled, her words slurring as sleep began to overtake her. "I don't think… I can hold on for another year…"

Kaiba's steps faltered. Her words lingered in the air, too raw to ignore. He looked down at her, a seriousness darkening his gaze. "Yuna... just how long have you been here, in this place?"

She giggled softly as if hearing something funny in his question and lifted a sleepy hand, holding up five fingers. "Guess that makes me older than you now… Kaiba."

Before he could reply, her eyes fluttered closed, her breathing softened, and she drifted off, leaving him standing in silence. Staring at her sleeping face, Kaiba lowered his head in a complicated emotion. 

"I'm sorry…" he muttered under his breath, the words slipping out before he could stop them. "I'm so sorry..."

Though it wasn't his fault, Kaiba felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. If only he'd arrived at the museum sooner or if only he'd stopped Bakura before he activated the Millennium Stone, perhaps all this could have been avoided.

Yuna shifted slightly in her sleep, and Kaiba's hold instinctively tightened. For a moment, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips. If Yugi and the others could see him now, they would be shocked, maybe even a little horrified, to see that familiar, steely expression soften.

"Yuna!" A sudden voice cut through the stillness, jolting Kaiba back to the present.

He looked up, watching Kisara hurrying toward him, her gaze fixed entirely on Yuna's peaceful face. When her eyes met him, Kisara hesitated, standing awkwardly before him.

"She's just asleep," Kaiba reassured her, and Kisara visibly relaxed, letting out a breath she'd been holding.

"T...thank you," she stammered, nodding. "It's already late, and I think…we could all use some rest."

Kaiba glanced down at Yuna once more, his expression unreadable as he quietly nodded in agreement.

Kisara gestured for Kaiba to follow. Together, they passed Priest Seto, who was waiting silently nearby, and the two men locked eyes, both freezing up in place...

"I appreciate your help in the battle against Aknadin," Seto said in a formal tone.

"I did what I had to do," Kaiba replied coolly.

They continued to look at each other, both feeling a strange, unnerving sense of nostalgia. 'This guy… looked too much like me...', Kaiba thought, a subtle frown crossing his face.

'They say life may be full of coincidences, but this… is just too much...' Seto mused, equally perplexed.

"Come on, what are you two standing there for?" Kisara broke in, her voice cutting through the silence. "Let's go."

Both men, suddenly aware of how awkward they looked, cleared their throats and hurried to follow her.

Inside the palace, they found Shimon tirelessly organizing the panicked crowd. Relieved to find Kisara safe, she explained the situation that led to the subsequent battle outside.

Shakened from Aknadin's betrayal, the elder sighed heavily, a shadow of sorrow crossing his face, but he quickly regained his composure and arranged rooms for Seto and Kisara to rest.

Priest Seto offered a brief farewell before retreating to his chambers, while Kisara led Kaiba down a corridor to a modest room, a far cry from the lavish quarters that had been lost in the battle. It was the same kind of small, simple room she had once occupied as an apprentice, and the familiarity brought a soft smile to her face.

"Here," she murmured, patting the bed. Kaiba, moving with uncharacteristic gentleness, laid Yuna down as if she were made of glass. His expression softened as he stepped back to watch her rest.

Watching Yuna sleep, Kisara stroked her hair gently, a fond smile softening her face. Kaiba stood nearby, feeling an unspoken hesitation. It wasn't his place to interrupt this quiet moment.

"You must be wondering who I am, right?" Kisara finally broke the silence, glancing up at him. Kaiba gave a slow nod, though his gaze was full of questions. Kisara, however, chuckled softly, leaving him momentarily bewildered.

"Fu fu fu... Sorry, I was just surprised at how much you two are alike. You even have the same name. Anyway, please call me Kisara."

She paused, and her expression grew serious. "You must be confused. But before I explain, tell me, "How much do you truly know about Yuna's situation?"

Kaiba took a moment, choosing his words carefully. "All I know is… she's been here for a long time."

Kisara nodded, a trace of sadness in her eyes. "Yes, five and a half years, to be exact. But the reality is even harsher… in all that time, only a select few could even see her." Her voice grew soft. "For five and a half years, Yuna has been like a ghost, visible only to me… drifting through these halls with no one else to talk to." She paused, looking at Kaiba. "It's much like you."

Kaiba's eyes widened slightly as the truth dawned on him. The entire time he'd been here, only Kisara and Seto had acknowledged him, while the rest of the palace staff seemed to overlook him entirely as though he were invisible.

"I always wished she could have more people to share her days with," Kisara continued, her voice thick with regret. "But no matter how hard I tried, I could only ease the emptiness of her loneliness so much…"

"But I will keep filling that void, no matter how long it takes," Kisara said with quiet resolve. "Yuna has given me a life I could never have dreamed of. She's like a sister to me, someone I deeply cherish."

Gently caressing Yuna's face, Kisara let out a soft laugh. "You know… she spoke of you sometimes. There was always this nostalgic, almost regretful look when she did."

Kaiba swallowed, his pulse quickening. "What… did she say about me?"

Kisara's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Stubborn, blunt, prideful, snobbish…" she recited, watching his reaction. "Oh, and let's not forget that air of superiority you apparently carry around."

Kaiba shifted, looking away. "That…"

"Fu fu… she also said you're kind, honourable, dependable. Someone who'd do anything to protect those he cares about," Kisara continued softly. "She hoped, one day, to be part of that small circle of yours."

Kaiba's chest tightened. "Is… is there more?"

With a playful smirk, Kisara shrugged. "That, you'll have to ask her yourself. But Seto…" Her expression softened, the teasing replaced by a gentle seriousness. "I hope you're truly the man Yuna believes you are."

Kaiba took a moment, her words sinking in, resonating deeper than he'd expected. Before he could respond, Kisara chuckled. "It's late. Would you like me to get a chair for you?"

"No need," Kaiba replied, masking his emotions. "I'll find somewhere outside."

He moved toward the door, hesitating for a brief moment to glance back at Yuna, her face peaceful in sleep. His expression shifted, a hint of something complicated passing over his features before he stepped into the hallway, letting the door close behind him...

[Yuna's POV]

Sometime Later...

"Uhhh…" I groaned, blinking as I slowly came to. I yawned and sat up, still half-dazed.

"Yuna, you're awake," Kisara's voice was soft beside me, and I turned to see her closing the book she'd been reading.

"Kisara? How long was I out?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Only about an hour," she said, leaning in to hug me. "You can sleep more if you want."

"Thanks, but I don't think we have that luxury…" I murmured, feeling a wave of worry. Kisara's smile faded, and I felt her hug tightened,

"Do you think we can win?" she asked softly, her voice laced with fear. "I mean… we're fighting a god."

I let out a long breath, unsure how to respond. "Honestly… I don't know."

Kisara's gaze fell, but I forced a smile, trying to sound reassuring. "But we've already beaten him once. What's to stop us from winning again?"

Kisara nodded slowly, though I knew she was as anxious as I was. "You're right… there's no point in being anxious if we're going to fight either way."

After a moment, she released me, and I stretched, still feeling tired from everything that had happened. "By the way… where's Kaiba?"

"Oh, he said he'd rest outside," Kisara replied. As we reached the door, she gave me a sly look. "I'll leave you two alone. I need to discuss our strategy with my master."

I blushed, seeing her smirk, and gave her a playful pinch on the cheek. "Don't tease me! You're just as bad when it comes to Priest Seto."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied innocently, nudging me toward the door. "You should hurry! You should've seen his face when he was holding you!"

Before I could respond, she pushed me out of the room, leaving me standing there, flustered but smiling.

"Huh?! What are you talking about?!" I shouted after her, but Kisara was already out of sight, leaving me with more questions than answers.

With a sigh, I shook my head and started down the hallway. Even this late at night, the palace was buzzing with soldiers, their eyes wary and on edge. The battle with Aknadin had shaken everyone to the core, and the signs of destruction still lingered, a constant reminder of the fight that had taken place.

Thanks to Shimon, things seemed to have calmed somewhat, though I was sure a few people had seen our dragons soaring in the sky, and the rumours must have already spread.

After wandering for a bit, I finally spotted Kaiba sitting alone on the steps leading down to the courtyard where the battle had unfolded. Aknadin's body had already been removed, but the stone floor was scarred, marked by craters, claw scratches, and scorch marks from our battle.

I walked up beside Kaiba and sat down quietly, watching him as he gazed up at the full moon hanging high in the sky. After a moment, I broke the silence. "Didn't peg you as the type to enjoy this type of thing."

"It was always typical for me to work late into the night," Kaiba replied, his eyes finally shifting from the moon to me. "So, sitting here… getting lost in thought… it's refreshing."

But his expression held a weight I couldn't ignore; his gaze was anxious and almost hesitant. After a pause, he finally spoke. "That woman… Kisara. She told me what you went through."

"Ah… I see," I replied, scratching my cheek with a nervous smile. "I mean, I've had time to get used to it, right? And look on the bright side, I can finally talk normally now."

Kaiba chuckled, but the sadness in his eyes didn't waver. "True… but that's not really how you feel, is it?"

His words struck right through me, and I quickly turned my gaze away, hugging my knees tightly. "What do you think?" I retorted softly.

Kaiba seemed to wrestle with his thoughts before he spoke again, his voice almost a whisper. "Sano I..."

"No, Kaiba, it's not your fault…" I interrupted with a sign. "We never expected something like this to happen in the first place, so I don't want to hear any self-deprecating talk from you."

"Alright…" Kaiba nodded, falling silent. The weight of our conversation lingered between us, and I turned my gaze back to the moon.

Since being trapped in this place, I had lost count of how many times I had stared at the moon. Yet, no matter how often I looked, it never bored me. Each time felt like discovering a new facet of that giant rock floating in the night sky.

"I always think about you guys during moments like this…" I murmured out of the blue. "Sometimes I wonder if I never return, if maybe I should have tried to talk to you all more?"

With a smile, I leaned against Kaiba's shoulder, and I felt him stiffen in surprise at the contact. "Mokuba… Serenity… Noah… I really missed all of you. When I saw you again, I felt happier than I had in a long time…"

Kaiba's gaze turned serious. "There are so many things I want to tell you, but I know we don't have much time. The evil god will be here soon…"

"Can you try?" he asked softly, sincerity radiating from his words.

I met his intense gaze, caught off guard by the genuine curiosity behind it. Despite his usual composed demeanour, there was a vulnerability there that drew me in. "Uh, yeah, sure… But don't get mad if it's a bit boring!" 

"I won't..." He responded solemnly, and I nodded

"Well, here goes... After the Millennium Stone took me," I started, my mind flickering over the past five years.

10 minutes later...

"Thankfully, Kisara knew how to read and write. That gave us some hope," I added, remembering the early days. "I'll never forget how ecstatic I was when she passed the exam... Her whole life transformed right before our eyes," I continued a hint of pride in my voice.

20 minutes later...

"It was surreal, though... Priest Seto, he's so much like you but entirely different, you know?" I hesitated, trying to capture the memory. "But in the end, it was Kisara he fell for, and I promised myself I'd support her, no matter what."

I continued recounting everything I could think of, and Kaiba listened intently, occasionally asking questions. With each passing moment, I felt my cheeks heat up, and I found myself enjoying the act of storytelling more than I expected.

"That's pretty much it..." I finally wrapped up, taking a deep breath. "How was it?"

"You truly cared about that Kisara woman, don't you?" Kaiba said, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"What? Don't get jealous now?" I joked, inching a bit closer until our shoulders touched. I intended to lighten the atmosphere, but to my surprise, Kaiba remained stoic, and I sensed my playful banter was starting to backfire.

"Sano... No, Yuna..." Kaiba suddenly spoke up in a solemn tone, drawing my attention.

"Uh, yes?!" I jumped slightly at the mention of my first name.

"When this is over... I will give you my response then." He declared with a seriousness that took me by surprise, "As long as your feelings remain the same after all this time..."

"You..." I froze at his statement, my heart racing as I buried my face in my knees.

Remain the same? As I recalled everything that had happened in the battle, I realized my feelings had grown even stronger than before...

"If you let me down... I will never forgive you..." I warned, the thought of being hurt again sending a shiver down my spine. I couldn't even bear to imagine that I had been played this entire time.

"I promise... My answer won't disappoint you." Kaiba smiled, and I felt my cheeks flush. The warmth spread through me, making me feel both giddy and nervous.

Quickly backing away, I searched for an excuse to escape the moment, "I remembered I have something to do..."

Standing up, I turned to walk away, but his laughter rang out behind me, and I couldn't help but pout in response, "What's so funny?! Do you know how embarrassing your words are? Are you actually trying to drive me...."

*ROAARRRRRRRRRR*

Suddenly, both of us froze when a deafening roar shook our entire surroundings. The calming atmosphere of the night has disappeared, replaced with an indescribably dread that consumed us.

Turning our heads, we gazed into the distance, where a massive black mass was approaching us.

"Yuna..."

I nodded with a grim expression, "Zorc Necrophades is here..."

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I hope you enjoy it!