Co-authoressed by:

High Crystal Guardian

and

Ebony Kuroneko

HCG: All right! Chapter two of book two! That's gotta be…like…good luck or something! Right? Well, at any rate…we need a guest. And since Kaze's quickly becoming the main focus of this chapter…why not drag him in?

*portal opens, Kaze falls out*

Kaze: X_<;; Ow…*places hand to head*

HCG: ^^;; Er…you'll be okay by the end of the chapter, right?

Kaze: If you say so. >_X;;

HCG: *sigh* Ah well. I'll just jump to the disclaimer, then….

Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs neither to myself or Ebby, but to Kazuki Takahashi. The Negative Realm and related thoughts, ideas, and theories, as well as characters such as Kawari, Kaeru, Kaze, and NR Yami/Nozomi, belong to High Crystal Guardian. Naosu's personality belongs to Ebony Kuroneko (his identity is HCG's). The Reverse Negative Realm and its characters, as well as Shikyo, belong to Ebony Kuroneko as well.

HCG: Did I nail everything?

Kaze: -_-; Yes…especially my head. I need some aspirin…or coffee.

HCG: Somehow I don't think that'll help you much. Ah well. Roll fic!

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"Alone we can do so little.
Together we can do so much."
~Helen Keller
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Shikyo and Kawari phased in rather suddenly amidst a small gathering of shadows on hard, concrete ground. Frowning and glancing around at his dark, shadow-coated surroundings with the practiced experience of an Opposition member, he spoke. "Where are we? I thought you were bringing us to the Reverse Negative Realm's Opposition base, and this definitely isn't it!"

"Of course not. I thought it might be better to enter the realm here," Shikyo said calmly, a note of lazy control to his voice--yet at the same time, with something of a sneer hidden within the tone. "I highly doubt the members of the Opposition in this 'Reverse Negative Realm,' as you call it, would take kindly to the two of us appearing virtually out of nowhere." He fixed Kawari with an unreadable gaze. "Unless you want to be pummeled with reflexive gunfire?"

Kawari's eye twitched slightly--even though he had agreed that this Shikyo character could be trusted, that didn't mean he had to like him. He conceded the point, however, with a slight nod, and then murmured, "So…we're outside the base then? In the warehouse?"

"Yes. At the moment, it's the safest place for me to take you to. Until, of course," he added, "you finish up the formalities for your little military alliances." He gave Kawari that unreadable look again, not enough for Kawari to react to him as he would to an opponent, but with just enough of a sneer to annoy the negative hikari.

Kawari's eye twitched in annoyance again, but he ignored the Wanderer and set about looking at his position. They were currently in the shadows of several large crates, apparently for storage--though Kawari knew better. They were also currently out of camera range, which was fine for the moment, although Kawari had full intentions to make himself visibly identified as an ally before he entered the Opposition's main rooms. His last visit had ended up with what seemed like the entire stock of the Reverse Opposition's weapons aimed at his head, and he had no interest in repeating the experience.

Sighing, Kawari stepped forward, heading for the nearest camera purposefully. Stopping in front of where he knew its dulled, hidden lens would be--the camera itself was fairly well hidden--he paused for several moments, waving his hand at it in a manner that showed he was a friend, not an enemy. After waiting approximately five minutes, allowing the Opposition enough time to react as they chose, he turned and headed for the hidden elevator, Shikyo trailing silently behind him like a dark ghost.

The elevator ride was short, but even so the impatience of its two occupants could be noticed. Kawari stared restlessly ahead at the door, as though willing it to open, hoping that he had been recognized as an ally so that he wouldn't become human Swiss cheese as soon as he took a step. Shikyo, though still himself and looking almost bored, betrayed his annoyance at the wait as well--the hem of his unusual cloak twitched irregularly, as though attempting to tap non-existent fingers.

At last, however, the doors to the elevator slid open, and the two were immediately confronted with Opposition agents.

At first, Kawari thought that it was another attack, a meeting at gunpoint--the same as his last encounter. However, after a few seconds he came to realize that, while there was a large gathering of agents waiting, there were no weapons immediately at the ready, prepared to fire at a moments notice. These agents were waiting, wary; hands close to their weapons, just in case of a trick, but not yet ready to attack.

Good, Kawari thought, slightly relieved. They recognized me. Now... Scanning the crowd, he slowly came to focus on one figure at its center, a particularly recognizable figure with violet eyes and spiky hair…

"Atemu!" the hikari voiced, allowing a slight smile to come to his lips. "There you are! Just the guy I was looking for."

"Kawari," the leader of the Reverse Opposition responded, nodding slightly and showing his recognition. "I did not expect to see you again so soon. This is a pleasant surprise." Although he did sound pleased, though shocked, the Negative also detected a heavy trace of fatigue to his tone. The leader was exhausted, that much was immediately obvious.

And there was something else about him too, Kawari realized, frowning. In fact, all the agents had that "something;" though they looked alert upon his arrival, calm and in control as all Opposition agents were trained to be, they looked…wrong, somehow. Weak.

It hit upon Kawari what that "something" was as he strode forward, nearing the group of agents, Shikyo trailing like a black specter behind him. They were starved. Weak, undernourished, thin and tired, they had not yet reached the point of skeletal resemblance, yet Kawari felt that they would resemble an army of skin stretched over bones within a matter of a few short months...perhaps even less.

"What happened?" Kawari asked, a deep frown on his face, as he reached the Opposition leader of this Realm. The concern in his voice was evident. "I know you guys had less supplies than we did, but…I didn't think it was this bad!"

"Originally," Atemu responded quietly, "It wasn't. To answer your question, the Liberator is what happened." He sighed, the tired note again evident in his voice, but then he straightened, looked firmly at the hikari, the strong leader within him still evident. "But that can be discussed later. What brings you here again so soon, Kawari? Is it the Balance again? And who is your companion?" This last part was added with a glance over Kawari's shoulder at Shikyo, who was watching the other agents quietly and listening to the conversation, even if he did not appear to hear it.

Kawari blinked, a little surprised at how abruptly Atemu ended the previous subject, but then he shook his head. "No. This time I'm working independently from the Balance…thanks to this guy." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the Wanderer. "His name is Shikyo, and he was…I guess you could call it my 'ride' here."

Atemu's now-thin face donned a confused frown. "You came here of your own accord, then? But why?"

"That's just it, Atemu," Kawari said calmly, allowing a small smirk to twitch at his lips despite the starvation all around him. "Shikyo was the transportation, but I'm the messenger. See, I've got a 'business proposal' of sorts from my Opposition…from the Blue Eyes himself."

The former pharaoh's confused frown diminished slightly, but did not vanish. "A business proposal? Of what sort?"

"I think it would be better discussed in your office," Kawari said, glancing over at a few of the Opposition agents. "I've got a lot of other-Realm stuff to discuss with you, and considering the welcome I got here last time…"

"I understand," Atemu said slowly, nodding slightly but with his curious face still intact. "Come. My office is quite close by." Turning, he led the way, Kawari following immediately. Shikyo, after a last glance around at the starved agents, slid after the two, his cloak shifting slightly as though uneasy about the silent hunger around it.

Ten minutes later, the three were comfortably settled in Atemu's office--or at any rate as comfortably as was allowed. Due to the lack of money and supplies, Atemu had only simple, functional furniture; ornate desks and cushioned chairs were out of the question. Kawari hardly cared, seating himself on one of the hard chairs hurriedly so that they could get down to business, while Atemu settled at his desk.

Shikyo remained in the far corner of the room--near enough to hear the conversation and plans made, but far enough not to be considered part of the conversation himself. It was not, after all, his job to offer suggestions and advice to the two. He had served as transportation and planned to continue to offer help in this particular area, but the Travelers would probably get particularly angry if he got too involved--their knowledge of his love of meddling would not matter in the least.

"Now," Atemu began, resting his hands on the desk, on the stack of papers about the lack of supplies and reports about Hand agent movements, "what is this proposal you speak of, Kawari?"

"This," said Kawari calmly, glancing back at the Wanderer in his corner momentarily. "Shikyo here approached the Blue Eyes with the information that your Realm was in a lot of trouble, and that you could use our help. And apparently, he was right on the dot--a few of us had our doubts, but no longer." Shikyo himself did not move, but the cloak twitched irritably, as though annoyed…as though alive.

"The Blue Eyes…" Atemu murmured. "That is your leader, correct? The…the Seto Kaiba?" His voice hissed in the slightest fashion as he spoke the name, but out of respect for Kawari he attempted to keep the tone down.

"Yeah," Kawari answered, nodding slightly. "When he heard you guys were in trouble, he was concerned. After all…Mokuba came from here, so he's got a connection to you, in a sense…"

"Of course. How is Mokuba?" The pharaoh's eyes had become very alert at the mention of the boy's name, and he leaned forward slightly, waiting for the answer.

Kawari shrugged. "I don't see a lot of him around the base--usually I'm on missions, and he generally stays in a safer area. He's definitely filled out, though…gained some weight, and he definitely looks a lot more healthy and energetic."

Atemu sighed in relief. "Good," he whispered, almost to himself. "I have been concerned about him ever since he left…I don't doubt that he is safe there, but all the same…"

Kawari shrugged again and returned to the matter at hand. "Anyway, Kaze sent me here to check out your situation and propose that our forces join yours to aid you."

The Reverse leader blinked in surprise and sat up fully straight, exhibiting his shock. "He proposes…what?"

"You heard me," the Negative answered, grinning slightly at the other's reaction. "Of course, I don't know the details fully…I was, like I said, sent here as the messenger. Kaze would have come himself to make the proposal--he believes in all that etiquette," said Kawari, rolling his eyes slightly, "but he figured that you probably wouldn't be particularly inviting if the likeness of your enemy suddenly popped into the middle of the Opposition base."

"No," Atemu murmured, frowning slightly, "it is unlikely that we would be."

"At any rate," Kawari said, leaning back in his chair, "there's your proposal. If you want to discuss it further, Kaze is more than willing to meet with you on your terms--he can meet you here, or you can come to our Realm. With Shikyo here, any option is possible." From the back corner, the Wanderer snorted slightly in dry amusement at the description of his use.

Atemu was silent, contemplating for several minutes at his desk, hands folded in front of him. Kawari sat in silence as well, waiting, watching the leader. The former pharaoh murmured to himself momentarily, and then…

"I will come with you," he murmured in answer, lifting his head to meet Kawari's eyes calmly.

"You will?"

"Yes," Atemu answered, his voice still calm at the surface, but barely hiding a tremor of excitement, of relief, beneath its surface. "Your leader has already been more than courteous, offering this proposal to me. The least I can do is come to him in order to discuss the arrangements."

"Good," Shikyo said, the first words he had spoken at the meeting so far, as he slid forward from the wall. "Time travels at relatively the same pace in both of your Realms. If you have any arrangements to make before you attend this meeting, you had better make them now."

Atemu nodded, summoning Joey quickly with his communicator. After explaining that he was leaving for an unknown amount of hours and dictating several of the duties that had to be met that particular day, the Reverse leader was ready to depart from his Realm and turned to the Wanderer and the Negative.

"All set?" Shikyo asked, his words polite, though a rather impatient-yet-amused tone could be heard below his tone. "Lets go, then." And, making sure to keep contact with each of the two Realmers, the Wanderer adjusted the device on his wrist and faded from sight, taking his two Realm passengers with him.

* * * * *

Atemu phased into the Negative Realm Opposition alongside Shikyo rather suddenly. It was an unusual experience for him; he'd been familiar with other Realms now for a good six months, but had never traveled between Realms before.

Blinking in curiosity, he glanced around at his new surroundings and nearly gasped in surprise. He was able to hold his shock in check--after all, he was an experienced Opposition member and knew how to hold the emotionless mask in front of his face when needed. Even so, his surprise was evident from the slight widening of his eyes and the slightly sharper intake of breath.

He was standing in the Council meeting room at present--he recognized it by the long table and room enough for thirteen people at the very least. Yet that was where the resemblance ended; this meeting room's furniture was more comfortable, yet practical, and the room was somewhat larger. The room was also empty, the chairs around the long table neatly pushed in and quietly waiting for their next use.

"Huh," Kawari muttered from Shikyo's other side. "They must have left. It took me a little longer than I planned to pick you up." He stepped forward and glanced at Atemu.

"This wouldn't cause a problem, would it?" Atemu inquired politely, still glancing around the room and its simple but comfortable design.

"Nah," Kawari answered, shaking his head. "I'll just take you to meet Kaze without the Council. If he's anywhere, he'll be in his office." He rolled his eyes. "Sometimes I think he's been surgically attached to that laptop of his, the way he works." And, completely ignoring Shikyo, he gestured to Atemu and headed out the door. Atemu followed, with Shikyo gliding behind them quietly as usual, bringing up the rear.

The Reverse Opposition leader felt his surprise grow as he saw the main rooms of the Opposition. Everything was, as before, simple but comfortable and functional. Computers and equipment, far outdoing the technology available in Atemu's own Opposition, were expertly manned, recording and displaying data and surveillance information on the Hand's activities. Other agents looked over maps, charts, and sheets of information, each doing his or her job with purpose and expertise. Even though Atemu could tell there were not a lot of agents in the room, they still nearly doubled the activity in his own organization, and the sight of all the activity shocked him.

Kawari led him through the busy rooms casually, on his own home ground. As he and his two companions passed, agents would momentarily look up at them, glancing at the two versions of Yami with confusion or suspicion. It was quickly disregarded, however; news of Shikyo had traveled fast among the agents, and Atemu, despite his shock, walked with the quiet dignity of a leader that the agents could not help but respect. Their gazes and focus returned to their work quickly, the Yamis forgotten within a matter of moments.

"Amazing," murmured Atemu, still glancing around, before the trio passed into a quieter, less active hallway. Agents still ran past them here and there, delivering information or running errands, but for the most part the remainder of the trip was quiet.

"You like it?" Kawari asked over his shoulder, grinning a little at Atemu.

"It is much larger than my own Opposition," the leader responded. "As you no doubt know. It is a little surprising, I will admit."

Kawari shrugged before speeding up his pace for a few moments, reaching a door at the end of the hallway they were in. Opening it, he stepped through, leading the two behind him into a medium-sized room with a door on the side opposite them.

This room, too, followed the previous patterns of the others; the furniture was comfortable but not overdone, as usual, consisting of several chairs, many filing cabinets, and one large desk close to the door. This room also had an occupant--Saguru was sitting at the desk, the chair leaned back and his legs swung up on the piece of furniture's surface, casually cleaning a gun with practiced ease. Upon their entry he looked up, glanced in their direction, and grinned.

"Hey, Kawari! Back already?"

"Don't sound so disappointed to see me," Kawari answered with a smirk on his face. "Yeah, I'm back. So, Mr. Secretary--" he snorted in amusement at Saguru's irritated glance. "Sorry, Mr. Second, my bad--is Kaze in? Atemu needs to discuss some business with him."

Saguru rolled his eyes. "I swear I'm going to get you for that one day, Kawari," he muttered, but there was a good natured grin on his face. "Okay, let me just rescue him from that sea of paper. Hold on a minute." Swinging his legs off the desk and setting the tilting chair down with a thud, the Second in Command stood and headed over to the second door, opening it and stepping in.

Atemu raised his eyebrow slightly at the actions of the two agents, but said nothing. He was interested in meeting this Kaze, now…he still was not sure what to make of the leader. The idea of a Seto Kaiba in charge of the Opposition still made him feel slightly ill, but after the obviously excellent management of the organization he had seen so far, he was beginning to wonder about this Negative Realm Kaiba.

Saguru stepped out of the room a few moments later, heading over to speak to Atemu directly. Grinning, the blonde announced, "He's been waiting for you to arrive. Go on in." Nodding his thanks, the Reverse Opposition leader stepped forward, entered the room beyond, and closed the door behind him.

The pharaoh glanced around the room immediately, taking in important details as his Opposition instincts had trained him to do. The room was a little smaller than the one he had just left, with several more filing cabinets lining the walls and shelves holding books, charts, and maps filling up the wall space that was not already taken. Towards one end of the room, a large desk and three chairs sat. These looked more ornate than the furniture he had previously seen, but from what Atemu had gathered so far this seemed to be only because others had encouraged their owner to have them--not because he had chosen it himself.

Behind the desk, the owner in question was sitting, working quickly and efficiently with the stacks of paper, spread out charts, and laptop computer that filled his desk. As soon as Atemu entered, however, the figure stopped and stood respectfully, watching the Reverse leader with utmost calm.

Atemu recognized him immediately; there was no denying that tall form, brown hair, or icy blue eyes. Yet as he approached the desk, he realized something about this Kaiba was definitely different. The Liberator was crazed and dominating, while this Seto was cool, calm, patient, and utterly in control of himself at all times. The former pharaoh could not help but find his respect for the Blue Eyes beginning to warm already, though realizing it surprised him a little. He had expected to have difficulty accepting the Negative as a different person than the Liberator; yet somehow, without having even spoken yet, the Blue Eyes had established himself as an entirely different person.

"Hello," the Negative greeted, his voice friendly and respectful. He held out his hand to shake, continuing, "I'm Seto Kaiba, but people generally refer to me as 'Kaze' nowadays."

Atemu returned the handshake warmly. "Pleased to meet you. As you know, I am Yami Moto, but as with you, most people simply call me 'Atemu' now."

Kaze looked vaguely amused. "Ah, so you've discovered your history in your Realm as well?"

"Of course," the Reverse answered, mildly pleased that Kaze seemed to have some of his own memories of the past.

Kaze nodded, but his amusement turned to a concerned frown. "Go ahead and sit. You look ill--evidently you haven't been eating well."

The yami leader accepted the invitation and sat gratefully, nodding slightly. "No, I have not--nor have my men. But we can discuss that in a bit. Your proposal--"

Kaze shook his head. "Not yet. That can wait a bit. Give me a moment." Turning, he slid around the desk and headed for the door; Atemu noted with slight surprise that the Negative walked with a limp, as though one of his legs was injured.

Opening the door, Kaze spoke calmly into the next room, interrupting what sounded like a verbal squabble involving the word 'secretary.' "Saguru."

"Yeah, Kaze?" the Second responded. Atemu could only hear his voice, as the blonde was out of his line of vision.

"Do me a favor and head to the kitchens for me. I want a good, hot, full meal for our guest."

"Sure," the Second answered. "Only one?"

"One should do for now. I'll probably be eating in a while anyway." There was a faint hint of amusement in that statement, though Atemu did not quite know why.

Saguru laughed. "Of course. Okay, be right back." There was a sound of footsteps and a door opening and closing before Kaze carefully closed his own office door and headed back to his desk.

"You don't have to go through such trouble--" Atemu began, but Kaze shook his head, settling himself into his own chair.

"Nonsense. You obviously need food, and I'm quite sure offering you dinner is the least I'll be doing." The Blue Eyes' tone was patient. "It shouldn't take too long, the kitchens generally operate more frequently at this time. In the meantime, make yourself comfortable--you are a guest, after all."

"Thank you," Atemu answered quietly, nodding.

"Think nothing of it," the Negative Kaiba answered calmly. "While we wait, do you mind if I finish up with some of this work? I don't want to appear impolite, but some of these scouting reports indicate Hand activity in a particular location and I'd like to pursue the matter while I have the chance."

"Not at all," Atemu responded, shaking his head. "I know how the work builds up…I will just look around, if you do not mind terribly yourself."

Kaze shook his head and waved him on, already sitting at the desk once more to look over several reports, marking significant areas on a widespread map in red ink as he read. He seemed to become absorbed in his work almost instantly, intent on assessing the situation, his mind already whirling to discover a solution.

The Pharaoh shook his head slightly, understanding the heavy workload himself, before standing to look around the room. He looked over another map briefly, pinned to the wall and marked, as the one on Kaze's desk was, in various inks indicating city positions. The Reverse Realmer noted with interest that this Opposition held on to far more land in Domino than did his own force, and though they were still outnumbered according to the positions of the Hand, it did not look too severe. This Opposition was holding its own, that was evident, putting up a strong fight with every chance of survival--not like his own Opposition, currently destined to die.

Other maps, maps of the entire country of Japan, or of the whole globe, were stretched on the walls as well. These, too, known points from both the Hand and the Opposition where either organization had control, whether from spies or brute military strength. As before, the Opposition was outnumbered, but holding its ground unrelentingly.

Shifting his attention from the maps to the shelves full of books, Atemu tilted his head slightly to skim the titles of the novels. The books carried a surprising range of information, though all was relevant to the organization. There were books on military strategy, of course, as well as books on previous wars and military history; books on politics and law; books on sciences--medicine, computers, and technology; books on weapons and explosives; books on languages and cultures; and, on the far end of the shelves, a few small volumes on Ancient Egypt, though these did not appear to be as well-worn as the others.

Atemu felt a small smile tug at his face as he glanced at these last volumes--they were probably there only for quick reference, considering the surprising amount of people wandering the halls with firsthand knowledge of Ancient Egypt. Although, he thought to himself quietly, these other volumes appear to be just for reference as well…it would not surprise me terribly to learn that this Kaze has already absorbed all the contents of these works into his mind.

He had just begun thumbing through one of the military strategy books, skimming for possibly useful information, when a knock came at the door. Kaze, marking information on the map, called for the person at the door to enter, and with a soft click Saguru entered the room, carrying a laden tray.

"You called for a meal?" he asked Atemu, grinning a little, as he headed over to the desk. "Then dinner is served!"

Kaze cleared a small space from his desk, as best as he was able with the large map stretched across its surface, and Saguru set the tray down in front of the chair Atemu had been previously occupying. With a grateful nod of thanks, the Reverse set himself in the chair again. Saguru, meanwhile, informed Kaze that he was just getting off duty ("Finally! I don't think I could take another Secretary crack!") and would be heading to some other responsibilities of his, leaving Damon in the other room in case he needed anything.

Turning to his guest, Kaze motioned for the Pharaoh to begin eating. "You deserve a good meal," he added calmly. "Take some time to enjoy it." Atemu, nodding quietly once again, dug into the food and drink on the tray with relief.

The meal was simple but filling, and the Reverse spent a half hour of silence eating it. It seemed like one of the best meals he had ever eaten in his life, and once again he felt unusually grateful to this Opposition, to its Blue Eyes. Despite his hunger, however, he ate delicately--though perhaps this was not particularly surprising, due to his position as former Pharaoh and now, head of the Opposition.

When he was finished, he set the tray aside out of the way and spoke to the Negative Seto, who was still working busily, absorbed almost completely in his maps and reports. "Thank you," he repeated once again, nodding his thanks as well. "I appreciated the meal greatly."

"I told you," Kaze answered, mildly amused again, "think nothing of it." The amusement dropped from his voice as he assumed a more serious, businesslike expression. "Now," he said, his voice calm and in control, "I believe you wanted to talk about my proposal."

"Yes," Atemu answered, his own tone and expression gaining a serious look as well. "Kawari delivered the message that you wished to join your forces to ours to aid us."

Kaze nodded. "Shikyo told me that your Realm was having particular trouble with your battle…he seemed to imply that you were on your last legs. I didn't really want to believe it, but from your particular state…" he let it hang.

Atemu sighed. "Yes," he answered quietly, "Shikyo was right. Our Opposition…it is dying. There is hardly any hope anymore. We do not have enough forces…the base's technology and systems have not been updated in a very long time…our supplies have dwindled, leaving us with little weaponry, medical tools, clothing…and in particular, we are running out of food. Food is our biggest problem--we are not being overrun from without, we are being decayed from within." He looked particularly grim.

Kaze frowned, his eyes intent as he took in all the information. "Base systems…supplies…force strength," he murmured to himself momentarily, lost in thought. Then he shook his head, straightened a little, and nodded. Looking Atemu straight in the eyes, he said calmly, "I may be able to help with all of those difficulties."

Atemu looked rather surprised. "Help with all of them?" he asked, his eyebrows raising.

"Yes. Let me think…" muttering to himself slightly as he searched about the papers on his desk, he suddenly reached out, grabbed a small communicator, and spoke into it. "Damon?"

"Yeah, Kaze?" came the answering call through the communicator a moment later, crackling slightly.

"You're on duty at present, correct? I need all the most recent records on surplus supplies…everything. Weaponry, medicine, tech, but in particular food."

"You got it, Kaze. I'll have it for you in a few minutes."

"Excellent. Also, see if Shikyo is still around…I need to confirm some information with him about Realm travel." Clicking off the communicator, the Blue Eyes turned back to his guest. "We'll take care of the supply angle in a minute…now, how big exactly is your force? The Council, its divisions, other in-base workers, and the like?"

Still feeling slightly bewildered at the quick, business-like way in which this Seto handled the situation, but not showing his surprise openly, Atemu listed the numbers of his ranks and members, revealing an almost horrifyingly small number. In addition to such low numbers, a great amount of agents were considered unable to work, due to the starvation raging through them. Kaze listened to these numbers intently, his arms rested neatly on the desk, his fingers interlocked in front of his face as he stared over his hands coolly with his icy, sharp eyes.

When the Pharaoh finished reciting the numbers of his force, a silence stretched across the room for several minutes before Kaze spoke. "And the Hand?"

"They more than double us in size. We are completely overwhelmed by their forces…no matter how hard we try, no matter how clever our plans…the odds more than 2 to 1…they cannot be competed with."

"Perhaps. What is their attitude?"

Atemu frowned. "What exactly do you mean?"

Kaze explained calmly. "Do they continue to remain on the alert for you, or do they seem to know they will win against you? Do they regularly patrol and set up traps for you…or have they become less watchful?"

The Reverse considered for a moment, and then sighed. "Less watchful," he answered quietly. "They do not care anymore. They know they can destroy us with hardly any effort…they still fight us of course, meet us in raids or try to set up ambushes, but it seems half the time they just do not care…as though they know it is hardly worth their effort." He shook his head bitterly. "It is the ultimate insult, to not even be considered a threat anymore…"

Kaze shifted slightly, and as Atemu looked up once more he could have sworn he saw a flicker of a smile there in those icy blue eyes. "Excellent."

The Pharaoh frowned again. "Excellent? How can such an insult be excellent?"

"Because they won't see the counterattack coming." A ghost of a smile flickered across the Negative's lips. "Let me inform you, Atemu, that from the sounds of your numbers, my force is nearly double yours as well. If all my forces are combined with yours…then your Opposition has just tripled."

Atemu's violet eyes widened in surprise. "Tripled? With your help? Then we would certainly outnumber the Hand!"

Kaze nodded. "In addition," he continued, "the fact that your Realm's Hand seems to have grown lazy works in our favor. I don't know the complete layout of your Domino of course, but with a blitzkrieg strategy, hitting the enemy hard and fast before they can retaliate, I have a feeling you will be able to take back a great amount of land in the city with only one or two decisive battles."

"You would really do this to help us?" Atemu asked, genuinely surprised.

"Of course," Kaze answered. "In a sense, I owe you." He continued on before the Pharaoh could ask exactly what he meant. "As for technology, I have a feeling I could update you myself--I designed most of the systems in this Opposition, and if it wasn't me it was one of my Kaiba Corp engineers and designers. So updating your systems shouldn't be much of a problem--at the most, time consuming, since it may take--"

A knock at the door interrupted the Blue Eyes, and with a quick call of permission from the leader, the door opened to admit Damon. The one-eyed falconer carried a collection of several folders in one hand, which he brought over to the desk and handed to his leader himself.

"There you go," he said, "copies of the supply lists. I highlighted the pages with surplus information, you'll spot them no trouble. Those are our most recent lists--the survey is only a few weeks old, I think. Oh, and Shikyo's still here, he's in the outer office."

"Excellent," Kaze answered, already looking over the lists in one of the folders. "Send him in."

"No problem. Need anything else?"

"We're fine for the moment. Thank you, Damon."

The falconer headed back out, leaving the door open, and a few words were exchanged outside. A moment later the dark-cloaked figure of Shikyo swept into the room, shutting the door behind him with a quick kick.

"You needed to see me?" the Wanderer asked, his voice sounding amused--as though speaking to someone inferior about great things.

Kaze ignored the tone, speaking calmly. "Yes. You said you were willing to help out with this inter-realm situation. I know you can only transport four people at a time, so tell me--is there any way you would be able to transport large amounts of people and supplies from one Realm to the other?"

"Not by myself, no," Shikyo answered, now sounding amused, yet almost bored. "But it can be done."

"How?" Kaze pressed, unwilling to let Shikyo's answer end there.

The Wanderer shrugged, his cloak rippling slightly as though imitating his movement. "Other Wanderers like myself would need to come. We would build an Inter-Realm gate. It would take about two days, but afterwards you would be able to send quite a few people through at once, continually--rather like a very large door." A slight smile touched at his lips, though it was anything but friendly.

Kaze nodded. "Thank you. If you would kindly step outside for a few more minutes so I can finish discussing the situation with Atemu…then you will be able to return him to his own Realm."

"Of course," Shikyo answered, though he looked slightly annoyed at being kicked out. He exited the room quickly, and with a sigh the Blue Eyes returned to his guest.

"Now. I've just been looking over these surplus lists…it should be enough to sustain your Opposition, particularly in the areas of food." He handed the food survey to Atemu, adding, "it isn't enough to splurge on meals as you like--rationing will probably still be needed--but it will take you out of the starvation zone and bring your men back to a healthy level. Weapons and medicine can be supplied as well--" he handed over the corresponding charts, "--though again, I would suggest careful rationing."

Atemu nodded, looking over the charts as well. "Of course," he said quietly. "Still, thank you…I cannot thank you enough. Giving us your surplus…updating our systems…tripling our forces…" he shook his head in genuine surprise and respect.

"You need it," Kaze answered quietly. "So long as I can do something about it, I'm not about to allow a fellow Opposition to die out. It's my job to stop the Hand…and I will, your Realm or mine. Especially," he added, his eyes narrowing slightly, "him." Atemu had no doubt which "him" in his own Realm this Seto Kaiba could be referring to.

A sharp chime from the clock on the wall behind the desk sounded rather suddenly, and the Blue Eyes glanced in its direction, suddenly chuckling slightly. "Seven in the evening," he mused. "Probably only a few minutes…" turning back to the Pharaoh, who looked slightly puzzled, he continued. "May I ask you a favor now?"

The Reverse Realmer blinked, but nodded slightly. "Of course."

The Blue Eyes looked mildly amused. "Would you mind terribly hiding behind the door?"

The Pharaoh looked surprised. "Why?"

Kaze chuckled again slightly. "For nothing bad, I assure you. It's simply that we're about to have a 'visitor' in a few minutes, and I think it would be interesting to save you as an unexpected surprise."

Atemu raised an eyebrow. "Who is this visitor, exactly?"

Kaze smiled slightly to himself. "He isn't exactly a visitor now, but…well, you'll see. Just, please--for the present, humor me."

The Pharaoh, still looking slightly confused, did as asked, standing next to the door so that when it opened he would be hidden from the person entering, and waited for this mysterious "visitor."

If only he knew how little he would have to wait.

*****

HCG: And that’s a wrap! *dusts hands off* Whew, lots of stuff covered in that ^_^

Kaze: *recovering over a cup of coffee* Indeed.

HCG: :D And Kaze, you’re such an awesome boss! ^^

Kaze: If you say so. *takes a sip*

HCG: ….okay, I think I’ll just let him have his coffee for now…*sweatdrop* Review, folks!

Chapter 3

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