Yu-Gi-Oh
Fan Fiction

Chapters

I had been at the top of a hill when I tripped, lost my grip and my cycle began dragging me. I'd run out of gas an hour ago and walking home in the cold and dark was getting old. My attention had waned as I thought of all the ways I could end my self-imposed hardship and I failed to notice the change in the pavement height.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit!" I yelled as I tried to slow the vehicle to no avail. There was a time when a word that coarse wouldn't have been in my vocabulary, but now it was frequent.

Suddenly, there were extra hands helping me and three of us eased the motorcycle to the bottom of the hill.

"You cool dude?" It was Japanese but the speaker was blond, looked and sounded American - the rough, street kid type that good boys like me are far too often attracted to. The other boy was Japanese. Both were about my age - 17 or so.

"Yes, thank you." I answered. It was late and no part of town was a good one to be alone with strangers.

"You need a hand?" The other one offered.

"Yeah, which junkyard you hauling this piece of crap to?" The American laughed.

His friend hit him. "Joey! Where are you going? We'll help out."

"Thank you but it's not necessary," I deflected. "I have several miles further."

"Oh. Well, we're not far from here. Maybe you can fix it. Do you know what's wrong?"

"No gas." I answered simply.

"No prob. There's a gas station a couple blocks that way."

"No cash." I added.

The American shrugged. "We can spot you a gallon or two, that'll get you home, right?"

I protested, but they ignored me and we wheeled my cycle to the gas station.

"I'm Honda, he's Joey."

"Tak." I said.

"Please to meet you, Tak." No honorific but I wasn't surprised. The American wasn't the polite sort. He shook his head as I pumped one gallon of gas. "Seriously, this thing should be put out of its misery." He mimed shooting it.

"It's the only transportation I own." I answered, which was technically true; my father's corporation owned everything else.

They paid for my gas and the cycle started with no trouble. I thanked them profusely before heading home to the one-room closet I called an apartment.

I checked my emails and replied to everything, urgent or not. The trick to my little vacation was to not have anyone looking for me.

My personal secretary, Mazaki, and I left the big city and came to a small town. Frankly, I hadn't even bothered to learn its name. There was nothing here, no reason for any executive to come here and perfect for what I wanted - nothing. Mazaki answered my calls and only contacted me if I actually had to make an appearance or something was about to go critical.

That gave me time for the first time in my life to do nothing. I rode my motorcycle, played video games, hung out at the local mall and generally acted like a 17-year-old boy. I stopped wearing my trademarked dueling jacket or the western style suits my Father preferred and let my hair grow long. I went to a thrift store and bought five shirts and three pairs of pants for the whole two-month stay. No one recognized me.

That was a very good thing. My Father was out of the country and would be for another month. That meant I had another month to relax before I had to get home and go back to being the most valued son. As if I ever had been.

My brother and I were adopted. My Father, Kaiba Gozaburo, was making a photo op out of an orphanage donation and I challenged him to a chess game, swearing him on camera to adopt us if he lost. He's never forgiven me for beating him. He honored the terms and adopted us both, but my new status has come with a heavy price. My Father expected only the highest and best from me. Anything less was worthy of severe punishment. He rarely left visible bruises, but he was not averse to slapping, punching, caning, humiliating or whatever else he could think of when we were alone or he was drunk. The only thing Father and I agreed on was my brother, Mokuba.

Mokuba was the light of our collective lives. He was what made me go on when our biological family died and he won even Gozaburo's heart within days. Mokuba adored our Father and it was for his sake that I endured the man.

The Kaiba name and wealth had given me some rare opportunities and I demonstrated CAD abilities at an early age. Shortly after my adoption, I was working with Kaiba Corp designers on everything from weapon systems to home décor sims. But my personal passion was for games and especially dueling.

My first Duel Disk was so wildly popular that we were able to fund Kaiba Game Corp from it. It was my company; I owned 40% with my Father and brother owing 30% each. I spent most of my time either designing new Dueling tech or running the corp. But when I realized that I would have two months to myself, I decided to skip town and play hooky.

For the most part, it had been heaven. I got up when I wanted, ate what I wanted, associated with whom I wanted and wanted nothing more. Mokuba was in boarding school in France; once a week he called me and we caught up. Father only called if the stock price dipped significantly. Everyone else I handled issue-by-issue.

And it wasn't a complete waste of time. I was learning what Duelist actually thought of our products, how they really used them and what improvements were needed. I was learning how to manage cash - most of my life if I had to pay I simply used plastic. I was picking my own restaurants and doing my own laundry and all kinds of things that normal people do every day but I'd never even done once prior to this vacation. Mazaki had been invaluable during my first week.

Two days after I ran out of gas, I got 'paid' and was able to fill up my tank. I went back to the neighborhood where I'd meet Honda and Joey and simply hung out. Eventually I spotted them. They were carrying backpacks and wearing school uniforms.

I pulled up next to them. "Honda-san, Joey-san! I was hoping I'd find you."

"Hey, Tak! Still haven't put her out of her misery, eh?" Joey laughed.

"If she'll start, I'll ride." I laughed back. At some point, I learned to take a joke; to laugh occasionally. "Here. I wanted to pay you guys back."

"What?" Honda looked offended. "Keep it. A gallon of gas? It was nothing."

"It was everything. I don't feel right about borrowing like that."

"No sweat!" Joey waved it off.

"Yes, pay it forward. I'm sure you'll do the same for someone else, right?"

Actually, I would almost never have done something like that. "Can I at least buy you dinner?"

"Dude, it's not a..."

Honda cut his friend off. "Absolutely! Never turned down a free meal!"

We went to a sushi house nearby. It wasn't the most exclusive place in town. They served simple food, nothing fancy or exotic.

It was, however, the best meal of my life. I made my first friends.

I've had acquaintances and peers. I have had business associates and rivals. I have even had a few enemies. But Joey and Honda were the first people that wanted to know me, not my name and not my money.

We saw each other frequently after that. Not everyday - they had school and I had to work occasionally. But as often as possible. One night we got caught in the rain and because we were only a few blocks away, I invited them to my place to wait it out. I was embarrassed at the small size and the lack of hospitality I could show my guests. They were both impressed that I had my own place. They were also concerned.

"So it's just you? No parents, no siblings, no nothing?"

"I have...resources." I shrugged. "I get by."

"What about school?" Honda asked. "We never see you there."

"I don't go." I answered. "I -" I hesitated, not sure how to answer. "I was a special case."

"Oh." Joey responded. "Special. Ok."

"Are you ok on your own?"

"Yes." I shrugged again. "As I said, I have resources."

"Resources and a boat load of dueling cards!" Joey said, spotting part of my collection. "Dude, you never told us you duel!"

I hadn't mention it because I want to avoid anyone who might know me, but the topic was one of my favorites and we spent several hours discussing cards, strategies and duelists we knew.

"You two are killing me!" Honda moaned finally. "I'm going out for food. If I give you two hours, can you just admit you're hard for each other and do the deed before I get back?"

I looked at my hands as my face felt flush. I hadn't realized my attraction to Joey was that obvious.

"Oh for -" Honda gasped as he stood up. "You two are hopeless!" He left.

It took a moment for me to find the courage to look at Joey. I'm not used to being afraid of things, but I couldn't bear the idea of him knowing how I felt.

"I guess I was coming on a little strong." Joey said finally.

"No, it was me." I responded quickly.

We both started to apologize and then stopped, realizing that our attraction was mutual.

"Is two hours long enough?" He asked me.

"Aren't you and Honda...?"

"Straight as an arrow." He replied to my unfinished question.

He reached out, put his hand on the back of my neck and pulled me forward. Our lips meet and I felt myself shiver. I had been with other boys but money had more to do with it than passion. Either I was buying them or they were using me. They were convenient, meaningless and forgettable. Joey was different. I wanted to remember everything about him. The way he smelled, the way he tasted, the way he groaned when I entered him, the way he felt when he entered me. We made as many memories as we could in two hours and were still wrapped in each other's arms when Honda returned.

"Oh yeah, that's just what I wanted to see!" He teased, pulling out three servings of noodle soup. "Get a room!"

"Get a girl." Joey countered as he pulled on his pants and grabbed a soup.

I dressed and thought of Mazaki, working hard and all alone for the last two months. "I think I might know one."

"One what?"

"A girl. For Honda."

"Stop! No. No matchmaking. I don't do blind dates."

"She's only here for a few more weeks. She's working for some hot shot executive who's here on business."

"Yeah? So how'd you meet her?"

I shrugged. "Just lucky, I guess."

"I don't care. I'm sure she's sweet or pretty or whatever, but these things never work out."

I picked up my phone and called her. "Hey, it's Tak. What are you doing right now?"

"I was in the shower." She answered.

"Well get dressed and come over to my place. Ok?"

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Kaiba-san, I don't think that...."

"It's not like that." I tried to put her at ease. "It just plain old Tak. The guys I was telling you about are here and I want you to meet them. One of them's cute and I think you'll like him."

"Oh." she sounded even more worried.

Honda took the phone from me. "Hello? Yes. Hi, look, Tak is insane. It's far too late for anyone to be going anywhere so don't listen to him. Of course, you're welcome. I mean, it's just the three of us and we're just hanging out, eating and we might duel some later. You do? Well bring your deck! Ok, sure. You know where he lives? Ok. Ok. You too." He hung up the phone and handed it back to me. "You are a psycho."

"No, I'm just happy." I found myself grinning. "I've never been happy."

Mazaki was staying in a much nicer apartment only a few blocks away. She was still very nervous when I opened the door. "Remember, I'm just 'Tak'." I whispered. "If you're polite to me, I'll fire you."

She smiled and shook her head.

"Mazaki, this is Joey and Honda. Guys, Mazaki."

"Pleased to meet you." She said. "I stopped for rice balls if anyone wants one."

"I think I love this woman already." Honda took the offered food happily.

We had a great time. Mazaki relaxed. Joey sat in my lap. We dueled and laughed and spent the whole night simply having fun.

Four days later, my father called from Tokyo International.

"How soon can you be in the office?" Honda, Joey and I were sprawled across their living room.

"Two hours." I answered. I had a private charter plane retained at the local airport.

"We have a new situation developing."

"I'm not at liberty to speak now. May I call you back in thirty minutes?"

"Don't bother. Just put your efforts into getting back to the office as soon as possible." His tone changed. "And leave your boy toys where you found them this time."

Of all my sins, being gay was the worst.

Still, something was important enough that he came home early. I got up and dressed and, on my bike to the airport, called Mazaki.

"Father just called me. He's returned. Shut down things here and join me as soon as you can. Our vacation is officially over."

"Yes, Kaiba-san." She said smoothly. "Shall I have a stylist join you on the plane?"

"Yes." There was already a change of clothes there.

By the time we landed, all signs of 'Tak' were gone. My hair was cut, my suit tailor made and my hands manicured. I emerged from the plane, Kaiba Seto, and my full staff greeted me with questions, problems, ideas and issues all needing my attention. A limo was waiting and I called Mazaki for her ETA as my floating office rushed to an emergency board meeting.

By the time I reached the office, I'd signed three new contracts, put 16 people out of work, launched 4 products in 9 countries, hired 246 new employees and made myself another 2.6 million US. KaibaCorp and KaibaGames were both down in the market, but not significantly - normal market fluctuation.

Still, the stock price and an emergency meeting at the same time concerned me. I arrived at the office - greeted by Mazaki's temporary replacement and a cup of strong coffee - and went straight to my father's office.

I bowed deeply and reminded myself how much I owed this man. "Good morning, Father."

"Son." He barely acknowledged me, looking out his window at a spectacular view of the city. He gestured to a stack of newspapers. "If you care to read them."

They were from a variety of countries, most in English, French or German. Articles in each addressed how Dueling was affecting the education of young children and - significantly - how the 'privileged but uneducated child' who ran 'a major Dueling corporation' was profiting off the interference in the education of others.

"Uneducated?" I was seething, but even I could hardly deny 'privileged'.

"They point to your lack of formal schooling." He sounded quite mild, but I recognized him at his most furious. The few permanent scars I have, I received when he was like this.

"Plebes."

"They have driven sales down twenty points in eight days. In ten markets."

"What?"

"Ah. You did not know. I was afraid that you simply hadn't reacted." He turned to me. "You would have known if you were here, doing your job and not in some pig sty rutting with some common gutter trash."

I should have realized he knew where I was. I said nothing. This was going to be bad and what was worse, I deserved it. We lost market share and I did nothing.

"What defense do you have?"

"None, Father." I replied. "I failed you and myself. I am ashamed." I thought I'd found a glimpse of happiness; I should have known I didn't deserve it.

He didn't respond. I risked looking at him. He was staring out the window again. "It's MGCo. They can't beat our products on the shelves so instead they are attacking any weakness they can find in you."

Monster Game Corp was a small but growing American company. They had proved ruthless in their tactics and unrelenting in their push for bigger market share. They had not been coy about their desire to destroy KaibaGames and had not worried about ethics in the process. Up to now their methods had little success outside of a few very small markets. This was their first effective strike.

I nodded. "I'll get a team on it. I'm sure they have a few 'privileged' or 'uneducated' children lurking in their closets."

A secretary called, alerting us that the board was ready to meet. We entered, as always, together; presenting a united front regardless of what private horrors he may have visited on me.

"Gentlemen, I will assume you are familiar with the MGCo situation." Father started. "I'd like your proposals."

Either they were or they covered their ignorance well. Suggestions came from around the room for marketing campaigns, stock tactics, a way to hire away several of their top designers, and other methods to attack them directly or indirectly. Father listened intently. After the board argued the merits of various ideas for far too long, Father gestured for silence.

"Approved," he decreed.

They looked at each other in confusion until Konosuke, the oldest member of the board, asked for clarification.

"All of them." I answered. Father almost cracked a smile and I knew I read his intention correctly. "They have declared war. They have sown the wind; they must now reap the whirlwind. All of these ideas are approved and new suggestions should be brought to my attention immediately."

"What about a hostile take-over?"

"NO." I stopped that one forcefully. "I've seen their products. They are inferior. I don't want them to become part of KaibaGames, I want them removed from the deck."

"Sir?"

"I want them off the market and out of business." I looked around the table. "How much clearer can I be?"

"Kill them." My Father said. "Metaphorically, of course."

I wouldn't have phrased it in that way, but it was what I wanted.

"There is one other plan we will be implementing in the next two weeks. This issue brings to a head my son's image problem."

"Image problem?" I looked at him to see if he was joking. He wasn't.

He started a video, a collection of interviews from conventions, game shops and tournaments. Duelists were talking about me and it quickly became apparent that worldwide I was viewed as cold, aloof, unapproachable, and arrogant. I was seen as inarguably brilliant, but disconnected from anyone in our target market.

Two months ago, I would have called it a trivial waste of time; a pointless exercise in character assassination. And one more reason for MGCo to die. Now, all I could think of was to wonder if Joey and Honda would think it was accurate.

"Do you agree this is an issue?" My Father asked me. I could hardly say no. "Good. I have a solution. After you completed your primary education, it was clear that you would quickly outpace any standardized program. As an indulgent father, I spared no expense to provide you with a wealth of private tutors, but I fear that has made you..." he paused, "...remote."

I swallowed my real response to the description of my educational history. The truth was that after I beat him at chess, he had me test out of several high-end primary school programs and I 'graduated' as a remote student. My on-the-job training and a few tutors enabled me to complete my secondary schooling remotely and I was already two years into duel Bachelors programs in Computer Programming and Business Management. If I was 'remote', it was by his design.

"I could attend more Duelist events as a non-competitor." I suggested. "As a spectator rather than as a presenter." For once, that actually sounded fun.

"You could and you will. But my solution is more drastic. You will enroll in a local public high school starting with the next term in two weeks."

"What?"

"There, you will have the opportunity to behave just like the average teen. You'll have a few additional responsibilities - KaibaGames will still need your leadership - but we will provide you with a local staff to assist with that."

"I see."

"This is where you will be attending school." He handed me a printout. It looked like a hundred other schools in Japan. "I trust this meets with your approval?"

"Of course, Father." I answered mechanically. "Thank you."

After the meeting, I went to my office. Mazaki was at her regular desk and followed me in without my request.

"Status?"

Someone had apparently brought her up-to-date about the move. "KaibaGames has purchased a condo in a gated community for your use. It has all the standard amenities plus a concierge service that has been retained to handle mundane things like cooking, cleaning, laundry and so on."

"And this gets me away from appearing 'privileged'?"

She continued on. "Transportation has also been arranged. There will be a plane on call 24/7, and two cars - one for local travel and one for out-of-area trips. Kaiba-sama made sure that you would be able to attend weekend events at your convenience."

"How thoughtful of him."

"Your suite at your Father's home has been packed and is in transit to your new residence. It should be ready for you when you arrive."

"What did you tell them?"

She wasn't expecting the question and looked at me, confused. "I'm sorry?"

"What did you tell Honda and Joey?" She still looked confused. "About my leaving. What did you tell them?"

"I didn't tell them anything." Her brow furrowed.

"So you just left, you didn't call them?"

"I just assumed...."

"Assumed what?"

She looked down and her cheeks turned pink. "I presumed that you had told them all you wanted them to know, sir."

I was in a forgettable town under a false name fooling around with a boy I wouldn't even have stepped on ordinarily. She thought exactly what would have been true at any other time. "Of course." I said finally. "You are correct. I told them everything they needed to know." Something caught in my throat and I coughed for a moment. "Please continue."

She went on with the status of my Father's plans - which were well under way - and with other issues more pertinent to KaibaGames directly. I had two meetings already scheduled. There was a factory visit that needed to be arranged. I needed to approve my staff for school and determine who would run things in the office while I was away. Then she said something that actually caught my attention.

"What?"

"Your new personal secretary will start on Monday. His background checks and security clearances were completed last week."

"What new personal secretary?"

"Your permanent placement." I looked at her blankly. "I am only a temporary secretary from the pool to fill in while a suitable new hire was found."

"I don't want a new secretary." They can take Honda and Joey, but they can't take Mazaki too.

"Kaiba-san, I am not a senior secretary. I was only placed here because I was the only one available the day Kanan-san left. I am not worthy to be your -"

"SHUT UP!" I hit my speakerphone and called personnel. "This is Kaiba Seto, I want the manager. Now." I glowered at Mazaki while we waited. She should have told me she was only a temp. She'd been on my staff at least a year. I thought; maybe it was less.

"Kaiba-san, how may I help you?"

"I am making several changes to my staff. Two are effective as of start of business this morning. First, Mazaki Anzu should be promoted to Senior Secretary..."

"But Kaiba-san..."

"Are you questioning me?"

"No, sir."

"Mazaki-san is now a Senior Secretary, MY senior secretary. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Kaiba-san."

"In addition to the increase to her base salary, please give her a 25% increase to compensate for being on-call 24/7 as part of her standard work load."

"Yes, Kaiba-san."

"She will need a car and driver at her disposal and an unlimited expense account. I expect all of these changes to be in place before the end of the week."

"Yes, Kaiba-san."

"Now. Second. A new administrative staff member was hired for my office?"

"Yes, Kaiba-san. Bakura Ryou. He is a -"

"Irrelevant. His correct title is Educational Secretary. You may leave his payroll at its current level."

"But sir, he's a -"

"I don't care who or what he is, this is MY personal staff. Is that clear to you?"

"Yes, Kaiba-san!"

I hung up and swallowed hard. I took a breath to calm down. "Now, what else is on today's agenda?"

Mazaki looked like she was about to cry but was struggling not to. "Sir, I - I don't know what to say. I'm...."

"I simply have neither the time nor the patience to train someone else in my preferences or needs. You know my habits and have proved competent at anticipating what I want and when. Besides," I had to smile, "who else knows when I need a hair cut?"

She smiled and wiped her cheeks. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

"Add to your list making housing arrangements for yourself and this Bakura person. And met with him yourself before Monday to bring him up to date. I don't need him getting in our way during this move."

The rest of the week was pointless and forgettable. I went through the motions of operating the company, paying just enough attention to not burn the place down. Mazaki selected staff to travel with us from current staff members I tolerated well. She selected office intermediaries from a list provided by my father. Except for the new Office Senior. For that position, I chose my cousin Noah.

Noah and I had grown up together and while I held no illusions that he was loyal to me, I knew his personal inheritance and standing depended on maintaining good relations with 'Dear' Uncle Gozaburo's heir.

Over the weekend, I assisted Mazaki in packing her old apartment. Actually, that consisted of me calling a service to do the physical labor while she and I sat in the living room and analyzed the latest MGCo data.

Monday, at 9am, Mazaki knocked on my door and presented me with something that stepped out of a wet dream.

"Kaiba-san, this is Bakura Ryou."

He bowed deeply. "It is an honor to meet you."

He was young - 18, 19 maybe - tall and slender with an almost feminine grace. His hair was white, set off by soft brown eyes. He was immaculately dressed in a navy double-breasted suit and white shirt. His tie and cuff links were the same color as his eyes.

Suddenly I knew why he'd been hired to be my personal secretary. "Mazaki, find Bakura's CV."

"Here, sir." She handed me the document from the papers she was holding.

It was brief. He had graduated only a few months ago from a good school with a business degree. He had a second certification from a school with which I wasn't familiar. He was young because he'd been an advanced placement student. Still, his credentials were a bit thin for someone personnel insisted was at the Senior-level.

It did make me think. "Mazaki, find me your CV."

"Oh. Yes, sir." She left the office and returned a bit more slowly with her own document. I noticed that she too had been an advanced placement student. She had a little more experience than Bakura but not much. I dismissed her and she closed the door as she left.

I looked at him again. He was stunning. My Father was a bastard but he was a perceptive bastard. And he knew me unfortunately well. "Bakura, whatever my Father told you, I have no intention of sleeping with you and telling you my personal confidences." His face turned nearly purple, telling me that I had guessed right about his primary skill set. "If you want to retain this job, I will expect your unquestioning loyalty at all times. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Kaiba-san." He bowed deeply, apparently relieved that I hadn't fired him on the spot.

"Fine. Contact the school and find out what books or equipment or whatever I will need for the first day and purchase everything that is required. Mazaki can approve the costs. If you have other questions, see her as well."

"Yes, sir. Thank you. Excuse me sir, what exactly are my duties?"

"Whatever I tell you to do." I said frankly. "I should think that would have been clear."

The rest of the week consisted of arguing with my Father about my management choices, arguing with him about my personal staff choices, arguing about how best to precede with MGCo and arguing about anything else that arose.

Not all of our arguments were pointless. In many, I simply had to present a strong enough justification and he let my decision stand. In some, he presented a point that I had not considered. Several of our discussions, however, were simply attempts to exert his will over mine. And I confess that on more than one occasion, I was unnecessarily disrespectful.

When we discussed my personal staff for the fifth time, I snidely thanked him for Bakura. "Since he has no discernable skills, I presume you have provided him as a gift for my personal entertainment. I guess you have come to accept my 'lifestyle' choice."

He slapped me hard enough to split my lip and push me back a step. But then instead of striking me again as was typical, he stepped back and faced the window. After a minute he spoke. "Make no mistake; I do not accept your perversion. I do acknowledge however that so long as you indulge in the disgusting practice, your public behavior reflects on the Kaiba name. Consider him your in-house Geisha. Use him as needed."

I was speechless. Bakura was a gift; a concession to my preferences over Father's. The harsh words I had intended died away. I wiped my lip and bowed. "Thank you, Father." The man was barbaric in so many ways it defied comprehension, but this action came from genuine good intentions. For once.

"Mazaki." He said.

I stood up. "Yes?"

"I want her. Transfer her to my staff."

We'd discussed this before. "Out of the question. She is irreplaceable."

"No one is irreplaceable, Seto." Neither of us pursued that thought.

"We are leaving this weekend;" I pointed out at last. "It would take too long to train her replacement."

"You'll manage. You hardly need a beard and a lover at the same time."

"Then take Bakura. I can find another lover. A competent secretary is considerably harder to find."

Thankfully for me, Father and I were interrupted and the discussion was not revisited before my team left.

We flew into the new town on Saturday. I spent the plane ride and the limo ride doing paperwork.

"Kaiba," Mazaki snapped. She, Bakura and I were spending so much time together that common courtesy was rare. "MGCo."

"Where?"

She grinned. "Two miles from the condo. Tomorrow. A local gaming shop is celebrating its twenty-year anniversary. Kame Game Shop."

I laughed. "I know the place! I got my last Blue Eyes White Dragon there."

"It would be a shame if we didn't stop by for the celebration." Bakura grinned.

"Agreed. Mazaki, I want one of everything KaibaGames sells, with Kame's logo stamped on it by dawn tomorrow."

"Nice. I hope you remember my anniversary." She grabbed her phone and called the appropriate department.

Saturday night and part of Sunday morning were spent preparing for our impromptu visit. We arrived just as MGCo was finishing their presentation. I inadvertently overshadowed the scheduled KaibaGames representative, but it was worth it to see the executive from MGCo turn green. The shop was achingly familiar and reminded me painfully of Honda and Joey. For a moment, I thought I even saw them.

I had been planning to spend the day there, but Mazaki received a call about an upcoming Australian launch and we left to resolve that issue.

Sunday night I actually got a look at my new home. Mazaki and Bakura had condos on either side of mine. It was larger than the suite I'd had at my Father's containing four bedrooms, five baths, a den, a game room, and a formal dining room that seated ten. We made it the conference room.

I woke as someone shook me gently. "Kaiba." The voice was warm and soft. It was followed by a warm soft kiss. "Kaiba."

Joey used to wake me early, before he had to leave for school, kissing, sucking, caressing. It was my favorite way to wake up. My hand was sliding down to more interesting points when I realized that Joey's chest had a series of scars from a knife fight he was in years ago. This man's chest was smooth.

I shoved back, distancing myself and pushing him out of my bed. "Who the fuck -?" I tried to calm down but my adrenaline was running for several reasons.

"Kaiba-san, forgive me." Bakura's broken voice came from out of my eyeshot and when I peered over the edge of the bed, I saw him sitting there, teary-eyed, wearing nothing but a pair of silk shorts. "Anzu said -"

"Fuck!" I swore. "MAZAKI!"

Wide eyed and stricken, she stepped into my bedroom. She was clutching my standard morning coffee as if it could protect her from my wraith.

Suddenly, the absurdity of the moment occurred to me. Honda would have called us hopeless. Joey would have told me jump his bones since they were being offered. Mazaki was trying to play matchmaker and poor Bakura was simply smitten. I laughed. I couldn't stop. It was the first time in weeks, something was honestly funny - me.

Mazaki wasn't sure if I'd completely lost my mind when I gestured for my coffee, but she handed it to me anyway.

I took a sip and felt myself begin to actually wake up. Dreams of Joey slipped back into my memory. "Ok. I'm ready. Status?"

"You have thirty minutes to dress for your first day of school."

"I hate rushing. Bakura, tomorrow wake me at 6. Just wake me; unless, of course, you like the floor."

"Yes, Kaiba-san." He still sounded miserable.

"Mazaki, no match making. I will pick my own lovers in the future and they will not be from among the staff. Clear?"

"Yes, Kaiba-san." She said with a bow.

We got moving.

There were two carloads of us by the time we left for school. Mazaki, Bakura and I were in one car. My security detail was in the other. Mazaki was dressed for corporate war - suit, tie and Bluetooth. Bakura and I were both wearing the school uniform - Bakura as a concession to school administration.

"You could hardly imagine her in fuzzy slippers when she's dressed like this." I observed.

"I'll fuzzy slipper you, you - oh. Damn. Mazaki. Hold on. Quiet, you two. Yes?"

We got to school while on a conference call to Russia. Dueling was becoming a massively popular hobby there and we were considering opening our own chain of stores in that market. My security detail pushed through the surprising crowd of students and made a path for us. It was silly. As soon as I hung up, I heard someone shout and the team forcibly pushed a student -a blond boy - back.

"STOP!" I yanked the guard away from my eventual classmate. "This is ridiculous. I couldn't possibly need this much security at school."

"Please step back sir and allow us to do our jobs." The uniformed idiot replied.

"Your job is defeating the purpose of me being here. How can I possibly mingle with the masses if you obstruct them at every opportunity?" He looked at me blankly. "You are dismissed."

"I'm sorry, sir, but..."

"But you may consider yourself dismissed or you may consider yourself fired. Either way let go of him!" I yanked the guard's hand off the boy and turned to ask if he was all right.

Joey looked back at me, stunned. "Tak?"

I looked at him. I felt my mouth open but no words came out.

"Kaiba-san, I'm sorry but we have to go to the administrative office before class." Bakura tugged me and I followed automatically.

I looked back over my shoulder to see a wretched Joey and a confused Honda. "Mazaki!" I snapped, looking around. She wasn't with us.

"She's handling the security issue. She'll catch up. We're late already."

I looked back again, but Joey and Honda were gone.

I spent most of the morning taking placement tests. My team and I had discussed this. We knew there were some classes that were unavoidable. Composition, physical education and some form of literature were going to be on my schedule. Nearly everything else I was likely to test out of. We decided that to fill my schedule, I would volunteer to be a teacher's aide or tutor classes I was too advanced in.

Finally, as my classmates were finishing lunch, I was joining the Headmaster to review my results. My phone had been off for the entire morning and I was almost afraid to turn it back on.

"Let's see, Kaiba-san." He pulled out a computer printout and a checklist. "You've done quite well in Algebra, Calculus and French. Your English could use a little vocabulary work so we'll place you in the Junior class. Sophomore for..."

"Sophomore?" I hadn't expected to be that low in anything.

"...Chemistry and Biology. Senior for World History and Civics. You'll be Freshman Lit." He seemed amused as he checked off classes, placing marks in one or more columns until he'd gone through all of my test results. "There! Well, I am impressed! We've never had a student who'd come so close to testing out of our program."

"Close?" What could I have possibly have missed? I reached out and he passed me the results and the raw scores. The majority of my classes were at the Senior level with one Junior and two Sophomore. Fiction was never a priority in the Kaiba home but still.... "I really must protest Freshman Literature."

"Journey to the West was a novel long before it was a manga. You really should read the original."

"I have." Although to be honest, it was several years ago and 'Saiyuki' was one of Mokuba's favorites animes. If it were someone else, a mistake like that might be possible. Not for me, of course.

"Then you'll read it again. This is a year-by-year list of graduation requirements. You've only got a little more than a year to finish -"

"A year!"

"That's really quite impressive, Kaiba-san. These are the classes I'm recommending this semester. You have three slots left for electives. We also require that students join one athletic and one social club or group." He gave me a booklet listing my options. "I'll give you a few minutes to make some selections. Excuse me."

As soon as he left, I called Mazaki. "Status?"

"Security is resolved; they'll have the new personnel in place by Wednesday. James called; they want to meet with us next week to discuss marketing. I routed him to Noah for scheduling. Bakura is -"

"STOP! Who cares? Mazaki, did you find him?"

"Who?"

"Joey! He and Honda - they're here! They were in the crowd this morning." I had to laugh. "Joey was the one security tried to detain."

"Oh. I didn't realize. I'll get security back here and find them. Would you like them transferred to another school or a more permanent solution?"

"Would I..." I didn't finish the question. One of the very first things Mazaki did for me was to remove an inconvenient ex-lover - she had his employer abruptly transfer him to another city. "Mazaki -" I stopped. "Anzu, please just find them. You do it. Find them; tell them why I left. Tell them...." What? That I love Joey? That I want to marry him and make a life together? "Never mind. Forget it. Forget I ever said anything." I hung up.

Mokuba's birthday, four years ago. That was the last time I'd cried. It was the first time ever that we'd been apart on one of our birthdays and he had only been at school for a month. He was lonely and miserable and there was nothing I could do. After I hung up the phone, I cried for an hour. Alone, in my room, wishing I could be with him.

I took a deep breath and pushed my emotions down. I am Kaiba Seto. I'm known for my cold, heartless demeanor. I do not have emotional breakdowns. I looked through the options and selected three classes. When the Headmaster returned, I gave him the list.

"I see you chose three self-study classes. And you've left your clubs blank." I didn't respond, waiting for him to make his point. "My understanding, Kaiba-san, is that you are here for more than just education. Frankly, with your test scores, I could easily substitute classes you've tested out of for some of our requirements and grant you a diploma in six months. Three if you put your mind to it. But that's not why you're doing this, is it?"

"You seem to think there is more involved?"

He smiled. "We have six dueling clubs in this school. The debate about the educational merit of dueling reaches even small town educators. I have no problem with dueling or with you. But if you want to seem less unapproachable and privileged, you might want to look at some of the classes with more group activities. Sociology would be a good one. Maybe one of the Creative Writing or Art classes. And, for your athletic group I suggest the Cheering Squad."

"I hardly think -"

"I'm sure you feel you have no reason to be there but, if you would, simply trust my experience on this. It is only for the semester. You can change groups if you'd like. But it will bring you in contact with a large number of students in non-classroom settings and, well, often the local paper is there. That kind of press can't be bought, especially for a young man in your position. Think it over. Bring me your final selections before classes tomorrow."

I left the administrative offices and called Mazaki. When she didn't answer, I called Bakura. "Status?"

"None." He sounded frustrated. "I can't do anything until I have your class list, sir. I've very sorry. They won't even allow me to pre-select the books you might need."

I read off the list of classes that the Headmaster indicated. "There will be three more but I'll decide those tonight."

"Yes, sir."

"I will need a gym uniform and..." I hesitated and then decided 'what the hell?' "...and see if the Cheering Squad has a uniform."

There was a moment of silence. "The...what? I'm sorry; I don't think I heard you clearly."

"Bakura, I should think it would be clear even to you that if I attend a large number of sporting events, I will come in contact with a large number of students. Since this entire exercise is to give me a friendlier image, what better place is there than supporting my fellow classmates?"

"Oh. I see. Of course, sir. I didn't think."

"Get me a uniform and find out what's involved with the group - is there a try out, that sort of thing. Where's Mazaki?"

"She, uh...she's..."

"Damn it, I've been unavailable all day! Where is she?"

He sighed. "She said it was personal, sir."

I shivered. Personal. For her or for me? "Fine. Have my car brought around. I'm ready to go home."

"Yes, sir. I'll get the books for these classes and have them delivered as soon as possible."

I went home alone. The day staff had come and gone. The evening staff hadn't arrived yet. Just me in a huge condo with no friends or family to share it with. If I still had my bike, I would have....

....I'd left that rusted out junk heap at the airport. I called the hanger to see if it was still there - it was. KaibaGames had been paying ¥500 a month to store it. I changed clothes. Not down to Tak's wardrobe, but simple for me. Then I had the car take me to the airport, telling them that I'd phone when they needed to return. It was a shame that I'd left my phone in my room.

She was still a rusted out junk heap, but she started. This time, I had plenty of cash in case I ran out of gas. I got lost once on the way back to town, but I didn't really care. I wasn't in a rush. I stopped by a noodle shop and got three orders of soup to go.

It was around 10pm when I pulled up in front of Honda and Joey's place.

I stood in front of their door for a good five minute before I found the courage to knock.

Honda opened the door and looked at me. Finally, he bowed. "Welcome, Kaiba-san. To what to we owe this honor?"

"Please don't call me that." My heart was pounding so loud that I was surprised the whole building couldn't hear it.

"Who is it, Hon-" Joey appeared over his shoulder and stopped cold. "-oh."

"I want to explain." I started to come in; Honda pushed me back.

"No explanation is necessary. You and your secretary were slumming."

"We weren't...." I couldn't even say it. "It wasn't like that." I tried to lighten the mood. "I brought free food." I held up the bag.

"It costs too much." He said and closed the door.

My car was waiting out front. The bike was on a trailer behind it. Mazaki was waiting inside.

"What did you tell them?" I asked her after we'd sat in silence for a while.

"The truth." She said simply.

"What did you tell them?" I repeated.

"The truth, damn it!" She wiped her face. Her eyes were red. "You already have a lover and you don't have time for people like them. You are a Kaiba and the last thing you need is to run through back alleys with a pack of stray dogs."

"You used to run with that pack."

"It was convenient. It was meaningless." She sniffed loudly. "To both of us."

Neither of us spoke again. When we got back to the condos, Bakura looked like he was close to having a stroke. The three of us ate cold noodle soup in silence.

I took Bakura to bed with me.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I took the Head Master's advice and chose his suggestions for my electives - Sociology, Creative Writing and Art. I joined the Chess club rather than any of the dueling groups, although I scheduled time to meet with them and offered my advice on building their decks and the like.

The Cheering Squad was harder than I expected, but turned out to be worth the effort after the first soccer game. The physical requirements were more or less within my capabilities, although not activities I was used to and I came home from practice tired and sore. The cheers themselves were ridiculous, but easy to remember. And I discovered how many boys at school were interested in other boys. The payoff happened shortly after the first game ended. We'd lost to another team, but despite that, the custom was to greet each player with a 'good game' as he left the field.

Bakura told me later that he had notified a local network that I was attending my first intramural event and that they might want a chance to see the 'great' Kaiba Seto at school before anyone else did. What they got was me, smiling, cheering and supporting my schoolmates on video. That in turn made the national news. Bakura got a bonus from KaibaCorp and a raise from KaibaGames.

I saw Joey and Honda almost every day. We had classes together. We did not speak.

Mazaki was her ever-efficient self throughout. She kept me on time and prepared whether I was going to school, attending a board meeting or dueling. I didn't do much dueling, but she made sure my schedule allowed it here and there.

In my Art class, however, one of Bakura's talents came forth. While I concentrated on Drawing - hoping to improve my engineering drafts - he set up an easel in the back of the classroom and painted a series of student portraits. They became quite popular and my classmates became friendlier to me, hoping to be selected by him.

Bakura excelled in a number of surprising areas, among them being a talented singer and musician. Many evenings while I was doing homework, he sang or played the koto in the background.

There were days that I had emergencies - meetings that could not be avoided, documents that needed my personal attention. On those occasions, I left class and Bakura remained to tape my classes for me.

Mazaki and I were returning from a last minute meeting - a happy event, we had purchased the Korean factory that previously produced MGCo's product line exclusively - when I called Bakura for a status update.

"Nothing interesting over all. You've been assigned to a group project for Sociology, the subject is to compare and contrast two cultural groups. Apparently the groups were assigned last semester for another project so you've been added to a group that's worked together before."

"Fine. Arrange for them to come to the condo tonight so I can meet them all and we can schedule whatever we need to do. Contact facilities and have them convert one of the spare rooms to an intranet workroom for the group."

"On it." He hung up.

"Group project?" Mazaki asked casually.

"Be sure you work them into the schedule. I don't want to miss the presentation like last time." We'd had a scheduling conflict with Noah and I'd missed part of what turned out to be a very dull sales pitch. She glared at me but I grinned back. "It's not polite to call your boss rude names."

"I didn't say a word." She went back to her paperwork while biting back a grin of her own. "And you can't fire me for thinking."

We got back to the condo in time for dinner. The group was already there. I could hear one of my classmates chatting away about the size of the place. As far as I could tell from the hall, though, he was talking to himself.

Bakura, Mazaki and I slipped down to my room for a quick conference. "Are the others here yet?" I asked.

Bakura nodded. "But, I don't know. Mutou-san's being kind of odd and the other two have seemed irritated since the instructor assigned you to the group."

"They'll get over it." Thus far I had been very successful at being charming when I wanted to be. "Can you two compare notes without me? I shouldn't keep them waiting forever." They nodded and I sped to the dining room.

Honda was picking at a full plate of food. Joey was staring out the window. Mutou was desperately trying to engage either of them. He saw me walk in but failed to read my expression properly. "Kaiba-san! This is an amazing apartment! Do you live here by yourself? It's really impressive! Don't you think so, Honda?"

"You did say you had resources." Honda observed dryly.

"Excuse me, Kaiba, but -" Mazaki walked in and stopped cold at the door. "- uh, I, oh God!" She literally fled from the room. Honda stood up, moved to go after her and then abruptly sat down. He then took a large bite of food from his plate and chewed it slowly.

A moment later Bakura entered. "Was that Mazaki I heard leave?"

"Yes." I said simply. My eyes hadn't left Joey since they landed on him.

"Does anyone want to tell me what's going on here?"

"You got me!" Mutou agreed. "I've never seen these guys like this. I mean even when Honda broke up with that girl a few weeks ago, he wasn't like this."

"Maybe this is a bad night." Bakura suggested. "We could do this another time if that's better." Joey scoffed but didn't say anything and Bakura is not slow. "I see. Maybe I should set Mutou-san up on the intranet. Honda-san, I suspect that if you exit our front door, Mazaki-chan will be in the unit to your left. The door is usually unlocked." He took Mutou and left.

Honda sat for another minute or two and then left as well.

Joey didn't move for a long time.

"Joey, let me -"

"We knew something was up. I mean, pretty much from the start. We thought you were on the run from the police."

"My Father." I admitted.

He nodded. "Yeah. Something. I woke up when that piece of shit of yours started. Got to the window just in time to watch you pull off. Figured," he shrugged, "he'll be back. For breakfast. For dinner. Tomorrow. Next week."

"Joey, I'm sorry."

"You didn't make me wait long." He nodded sadly. "You did come back. You weren't lying when you said you were special."

"Please, just let me explain...."

"Hey, you don't need to explain shit, dude. We fucked. That's all."

"No, that's not all. That's -"

"Stop!" He looked at me suddenly. "That's. All. What, you think I'm stupid? Are you? Where does this go, some kind of relationship? I know who your father is; what's he gonna say when you bring me over for dinner. 'Oh, here's just the kind of man I want my son involved with.' Bullshit! You should have just told me in the first fucking place that you were slumming; we could have had a few kicks and been done."

"Joey, I don't care what my Father says. And if that's how it would have gone, then I'm glad I didn't tell you before because I wouldn't have gotten to know you." I couldn't help crossing the room to him. "Joey, please let me explain everything. Just please give me a chance." I held his face, looked into those eyes and couldn't resist kissing him.

He tried to pull away, at first. But after a few seconds, his arms were around my waist and mine slipped around his neck and if my Father had walked in and disinherited me on the spot I would not have cared in the least. It felt like destiny brought us together.

It was destined not to last.

"Joey!" and "Kaiba!" rang out at the same time from two different voices, breaking the moment for us.

He grinned at me. "Maybe we should get a room." Gently, he pulled my arms from around his neck.

I turned, a bit sheepishly, to face Bakura only to have my mild embarrassment whipped away by shame. Bakura's expression plainly showed his hurt.

"Ryou..." I started as he took a step back.

"Mutou-san is on the network now, Sir. If you don't - won't - need me, I'll retire for the night." He was out of the room before I could think to react and I heard the front door close a moment later.

"Replaced me that fast, did you?" Joey sneered.

I looked him in the eyes. "You are not replaceable." I stated flatly. "Excuse me." I followed Bakura, presuming that he'd gone to his suite.

As I anticipated, his door was unlocked. I heard the sound of something breaking and followed it to the kitchen. There was a bloody broken glass on the floor. Bakura was standing at the sink wrapping his hand with a paper towel.

"Ryou -"

"Don't." He snapped. "I'm fine."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You never lied. I knew. I didn't know it was him, but I knew it was someone."

"You knew?"

He laughed ironically. "You flat refused me, shoved me out of the bed. Then you come home, looking like hell and suddenly the 'no fraternization' policy goes out the window? Come on! How naïve do you think I am?" He finished wrapping his hand and sighed. "No, you're the naïve one. I keep forgetting how sheltered you are. You've never dated, have you?"

"Neither of you was my first, if that's what you're implying."

"I don't mean sex, Seto." It was the first time outside of my bed that he called me by my given name, but under the circumstances, it seemed appropriate. "I mean relationships. Falling in love. Complications. I knew there was someone else and I let myself fall anyway and you had no clue what was going on around you. Did you?"

It was more of an accusation than a question. And he was right; I didn't even consider what anyone else felt.

He must have read my answer on my face. "You are just the boy my mother warned me about. She always said I'd get my heart broken by a pretty face and there you are."

"I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

"You didn't. I was the fool. I knew second was the best I was going to get and I did it anyway. Like the old song." He sang softly in English, "I'd rather be a fool with a broken heart than someone who never had a part of you."

My phone rang but I ignored it. "Ryou, please -"

"Are they still here?" He asked me suddenly.

"They can wait. This is more important."

He shook his head. "Idiot."

He walked past me, out of his condo. I followed him back into mine where Mazaki and Honda had joined Joey and Mutou.

Bakura walked over to Joey. "He fucked me because he couldn't have you. I'll get over it. Will you?"

"Look, I don't even care."

"That's a shame then because he loves you."

"Yeah, well, he's with you now."

"I'm not his lover, I'm his Geisha." Bakura stated, shocking me and everyone else in the room. "I'm his employee. This will just be a change of responsibilities." He turned to me. "Will that be all, Kaiba-san?"

I was too stunned to think. Was that his opinion of his job or did my Father actually tell him that when he was hired? "Bakura...."

"Very well. Good night." He left and this time I didn't have the strength to follow him.

"I don't think we're going to get any studying done tonight." Mutou said, looking at the door.

I had the limo take Mutou home, promising that we'd have our group meeting the next night. The rest of us sat in the living room and talked about the few weeks we were apart. It seemed like a lifetime.

After a few hours, Mazaki yawned. "It's late gentlemen, and my boss is an ogre. He'll fire me if I oversleep."

I laughed softly. I was half asleep myself by then. "I would never fire you, Anzu. KaibaGames would fold without you."

"You say the sweetest things when you're not likely to remember them." She smiled sleepily.

I found my phone and scrolled through the address book until I reached the personnel manager's home number.

It rang several times before a drowsy voice answered. "Hello?"

"This is Kaiba Seto. I need to make a change to Mazaki Anzu's personnel file, effective immediately."

"Oh. Hold on. Let me get a pen." The phone was put down and I heard a great amount of rustling. "OK. Mazaki. This is effective tomorrow."

Tomorrow would be close enough. "She can not be fired."

"What?"

"She can resign but she can't be fired."

"I'm sorry sir, but even for you, I can't do that. I'm not sure it's even legal. I'd have to give that clause to every employee we have."

I thought about the clause for a moment before coming up with a more reasonable solution. "Ok, fine. Kaiba Mokuba has to sign off on her termination. Can you do that?"

"Yes, I think so. I'll have to verify it when I get to the office, but that should be possible."

"Good! Thank you." I hung up.

"What was that?" Joey laughed.

"I just set it so that only my brother can fire Anzu." I smiled at her. "So even if I get in one of my moods, I can't fire you."

She stood up, crossed the room and kissed my cheek. "I don't care what anyone says. You are very sweet, Seto." She yawned and glanced at her watch. "You have to be up for school in four hours."

"Oh here," Honda scrambled to his feet. "I'll, uh, walk you home."

"I live next door."

"Oh." He looked unsure as to what to do next.

She smiled and shook her head, took his hand and they both left.

Joey looked at me, his head in my lap. "So are you ready for bed?"

Not sleep, I noticed. "Joey. I want you to understand. What happened with Bakura -"

"I don't care."

"I just wanted you to know -"

"Tak," he pulled me down and kissed me firmly, "I don't care. I really don't. Besides, he's wicked hot. I'd fuck him." I blushed. He got up and offered me his hand.

I took it and led him to my room. We took turns fucking each other until we both fell asleep. I awoke to Joey slowly entering me again and my phone ringing.

"Hello?" I managed to groan.

"Tell him to hurry up and finish." Bakura said, sounding a bit amused. "It's 6am already."

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Life was better after that. The six of us were together almost constantly. Joey and Ryou were almost as close as my shadow most days, and Honda and Anzu were only a step back from that. Mutou was a childhood friend of Honda's and spent almost as much time with us. Mutou was a strange boy with wide eyes, spiked tri-colored hair and an air of both innocence and sadness - which he hid most of the time under an onslaught of deliberate cheer. The old Seto would have found Mutou's constantly cheerful disposition irritating, but now he didn't seem so annoying. Maybe it was because I saw something in life to be cheerful about.

A few weeks later, Ryou began spending time away from us. Finally he confessed and introduced us to Otogi Ryuji, whom he'd met at a dueling tournament. Otogi was a little older, but was already blind in love with Ryou.

It was a hot Saturday afternoon near the end of the semester when the walls fell in. We were all at the condo, sitting around allegedly dueling, but mostly wasting time. The condo community's transformer had blown taking everyone's central air conditioning with it. The windows were open but there was no breeze and we were wearing as little as possible to remain decently covered. Joey was sitting in my lap, Anzu was in Honda's, Ryou was playing his koto while Otogi was trying to cuddle with him on the futon, and Mutou was teasing the rest of us relentlessly. There was a knock at my door, which shocked all of us since everyone was already there.

"Maintenance?" Anzu guessed.

"I'll see." Ryou got up and got the door. He rushed back a minute later. "Kaiba-san! Kaiba-sama is here to see you."

"What?" I replied, stunned.

"Oh dear." Anzu got up and rushed out. We hadn't been expecting anyone and her t-shirt and shorts were far more revealing than she would want my father to see.

"He's waiting in the den, sir."

I stood up. I was wearing a pair of cut off shorts that were bad fashion but Joey's favorites. "Did he say what he wanted?"

"No sir. I think," Ryou hesitated, "Kaiba-san, I think he may be...unwell."

Ryou had never seen my father drink before. I nodded. "You all may stay here. I doubt this should take long."

In the den, Father was waiting impatiently. "This is how you treat guests? Make them wait while you finish your little orgy?" He had been drinking, but was not as intoxicated as I had feared.

I bowed deeply. "How have you been, Father?"

"As if you care about my health!" He smacked me. "I wouldn't be seeing this in the papers if you gave a damn about my health!" He flung a newspaper article at me. It had a picture of Ryou, Joey and me at a tournament. I had just won another top duelist trophy and Ryou and Joey were both kissing my cheeks. A reporter had asked me which of them was my boyfriend and I said they both were. It was a joke but the press spread the story like wild fire. Oddly, sales went up that week.

But seeing me happy wasn't enough to sell Father. "Your disgusting perverted behavior! It's bad enough you do it here! But I have to see it in print too?" He slapped me again, harder. "I provided you with a suitable creature to use - who is this American mutt you've been seen with?"

"His name is Joseph Wheeler." I said calmly. "We're in love." The next two hits came in rapid succession - one on my face and one on my shoulder.

"Don't you discuss love, pervert!" He grabbed me by the throat. "You don't have the right."

I was saved from being choked to death by Anzu bursting in. "Seto! Seto, it's - forgive me, I'm so sorry - but it's Mokuba!" she was waving the wireless landline at me.

It was roughly 2am in Paris. Mokuba never called after lights out and never called on the weekend. I took the phone. "What's wrong Mokuba? Why aren't you in bed?"

"Seto?" He sounded scared.

"It's me, it's ok What happened?"

"Some man took me -"

The receiver abruptly changed hands. Father asked me what was going on, but I motioned him quiet. Then I indicated that he should pick up the other line.

"Kaiba." A rough, somewhat distorted voice spoke.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"You aren't Gozaburo."

"No. This is Kaiba Seto."

"I don't want you. Where's your father?"

"If he were available, I'm sure he would have taken the call. You were routed to me."

"You'll wish he'd been there if I kill this brat."

Father snapped his fingers at Anzu and mimed paper and pen.

"You have my attention. Who are you and what do you want?"

"Twenty million. US."

"By when?"

"Three days."

"Not possible."

"On day four, I can get twice that in Thailand. Three times if I tell them whose son they're selling on the open market."

I had no blood, no nerves, no nothing. Someone had kidnapped Mokuba and was going to sell him into prostitution. "You are presuming that we want him enough to pay that much."

"I don't really care since I make my money regardless of who pays."

"Let me speak to him again."

"He's alive."

"Who are you?" The voice just laughed. "Where should I take the money?"

"I'll call you back in two days." The line cut.

"A cell phone in Egypt." Father said, hanging up his cell. "We've got the number. The physical location could be within two miles of the tower." I didn't ask how he got the information so quickly. I should have known he had tapped my landlines. "I have connections in Thailand. It would almost be easier to let them sell him and bring him home from there. I'll work from that side. You find the security hole in France."

"Has to be in the school administration. Or here, in ours." I thought about it. "Maybe a dozen people know both who he is and where he was. They all need to be questioned."

Father's security chief entered the den. "Kaiba-sama, we are ready."

Father looked at me. It was a very, very hard look. Mokuba had been kidnapped. Two of my employees had clearance to know how to do that. Four of my friends could have found out. I walked out to the living room where my friends and my security were in a standoff.

These are my friends. These are my lovers.

He is my brother.

"Take them." I said. "They are not suspects, but question them."

Bakura and Mazaki went quietly; they understood why. Honda, Mutou, and Otogi resisted some. Joey fought. I watched, sick, as one of the guards' tased him.

Then I called my driver; I needed to catch a flight to Paris.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I love nightclubs. I love dancing. I don't get to go often - my employer isn't fond of them. But occasionally, he's in the mood to indulge his lover's preferences and he takes all his friends some place loud and wild and expensive. My 'employer' as I typically refer to him is my patron's eldest son. My Patron is Kaiba Gozaburo and I am his Taikomochi - a male Geisha.

I am only one of half a dozen certified Taikomochi. I studied at the prestigious Gion Kobu Kaburenjo and was even allowed to live in the Komo River Okiya - the same house to which 20 percent of my current income goes each month. I am trained in both traditional and Western opera, the koto, painting - oil and water color - calligraphy, and, of course, dance. I participated in the Miyako Odori last year and will most likely be invited again this year. I play tennis and golf. I have attained rokudan at Go. I have attained nidan in Aikido and godan in Kyudo. I speak English, French and Portuguese fluently. I even have a BA in business administration. We Geisha have never been simple creatures. We only appear that way to preserve the mystery.

My Geisha name is Momoka. It means 'peach blossom'. I rarely get to use it; Kaiba-sama prefers that I maintain a 'low key' image. I use my birth name unless I am actually entertaining at a teahouse. I do not wear white paint and million dollar kimonos - except on very rare, very formal occasions or to entertain very special guests. The modern world doesn't relate well to those images. Besides, a well-tailored suit looks so much better on me. I did mention I was a man, didn't I?

But I love nightclubs and the reason I mention it and the dancing is because that's where it started. Where I met him. The Him. The only Him for me.

Kaiba-san and his lover, Wheeler-san, were attending a Duelist Tournament. Several of their friends were competing as well but only Mutou and Kaiba matter. One of them would win and everyone else would settle for lesser prizes while they split first and second place between them. In the evenings, however, Wheeler got bored and explored the hotel. When he found the club, he pestered Kaiba into going. There were seven of us in the Kaiba Entourage, all dressed to be seen by the press. At times like this I do not refer to Kaiba as my employer.

I am honored to call him my friend.

When we first met, I wanted to call him my lover. I did very briefly, in fact. But Wheeler was always there, lurking in the shadow of Kaiba's heart and when they finally admitted that they loved each other, I exited his bed, as any good surrogate should.

He retained my services in other ways, however, and since then, Wheeler and I have formed a warm friendship.

But the club, the dancing, that's what started that night. We only have one woman in our circle of friends - my co-worker Anzu. If I am Kaiba's yin, she is his yang. She and I meshed from the moment we met and when we all go dancing, she is always my first partner. She has a boyfriend, Honda, who will never dance with me, but I ask every time regardless. It's terribly entertaining to watch him blush as my invitations become more and more outrageous.

Eventually, however, I must search the crowd for a new partner. I have only two criteria: they must be well dressed and they must have rhythm. Beyond that, I'm only there to have fun.

I was leaning against the bar looking for my next partner when someone approached me. "Excuse me?"

I looked to my left and saw long dark hair - not a shock in Japan - tied back loosely. Sharp, bright green eyes - not nearly as common - and full lips smiling at me. I never even saw what he was wearing. "Yes?"

"Please tell me that you are here with someone. You have a date?"

"No. Just here with friends. Why?"

"Oh dear." He exaggerated a frown. "I was afraid of that."

"Really?"

"You see, now I have to ask you to dance and, if you say no, I'll have no choice but to kill myself."

"That seems rather drastic." I finished my drink. "Maybe you shouldn't ask."

"But I'd regret it forever if I didn't take the chance."

I was already beginning to think the same thing. "Well, I'd better say yes then. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."

He had rhythm. He had style, he had grace, he had energy. And he was flexible enough for my mind to wander a bit. By the time we danced through the next half dozen songs, I knew I was taking this man back to my hotel room. It would be a mistake. My favors are not mine to give. My 'employer' is my keeper in every sense that matters. But those eyes, those lips, the way he moved next to me, I had no resistance to any part of him. And he seemed just as taken by me.

A meaningless fling at a gaming convention. How cliché! And yet I found myself kissing him passionately in the hallway; trying to let go of each other long enough to get to the elevator. Pulling up his shirt as we ascended to a room - his, mine, who cared so long as it was close.

We could barely get the door closed before he was on his knees in front of me, devouring my cock like he enjoyed what he was doing. I wouldn't let him finish me that way, though. I wanted to finish inside him. Watching his eyes as his orgasm hit.

I woke to my employer calling me, wondering why I wasn't waking him. We were tangled in the sheets of his bed - I realized that I still didn't know his name - and I had to hurry to gather my clothing, dress, and leave. I woke him long enough to take one final, passionate kiss.

If I had any sense at all, it would have ended right there.

Kaiba-san never does anything for only one purpose and the pleasure of dueling was always mixed with some business or other. Today, I knew his calendar had a meeting with a South American distribution firm and an initial negotiation with another game designer. Kaiba-san's younger brother had discovered a dice game he enjoyed and my employer wanted to buy it for him as a birthday gift.

The hotel had arranged a small meeting room for our use. While Kaiba and Anzu went over their notes, I arranged refreshments, presentation equipment, a table large enough to roll dice on, and other last minute details.

I was talking to one of the hotel staff members when I had the feeling that someone was standing behind me. I ended that conversation and turned to begin the next.

Only to find myself face-to-face again with those eyes and those lips. And those shoulders, that chest, those hips, that cock, that ass, those legs and surprisingly, those feet.

I retained enough presence of mind to ask, "And just how may I help you?"

His face flushed a bit and I was thrilled to see his thoughts were in the same gutter as mine.

"Bakura!" My employer's voice boomed from the room. "Bring me a drawing pad and a damn pen that works!"

The request broke the spell nicely and I excused myself to get the items he needed. When I returned to the desk, handsome was still there. Internally, I sighed happily. "So, where were we?"

He smiled. "I'm Otogi Ryuji." The name was familiar but I couldn't place from where. "I have a 9am appointment with Kaiba Seto."

"...I..." Fucked "...oh..." Kaiba's "...my..." Business "...yes...." Partner. Shit! "Just a moment, please. Allow me to let him know you are here." I tapped on the door. "Kaiba-san, Otogi-san is here." I said in my most controlled voice.

Once the door was closed and the meeting had started, I allowed myself a groan. I knew sleeping with him was a mistake. I knew it and I did it anyway! This is my problem - I never listen to my head, always my heart or parts lower.

I took a deep breath and resigned myself. Those eyes were now officially off limits. If Otogi and Kaiba were going to be in business, I could not be in Otogi's bed. No way. Never again. Zero tolerance.

And, apparently, zero resistance, because when my alarm went off the next morning, Otogi and I were tangled in my sheets.

He began nibbling my ear. "Good morning. Top or bottom?"

Both, I wanted to answer. Instead, I pushed him away. "Get dressed. I have to go. You can't be here."

He wouldn't be pushed. Then again, I wasn't trying particularly hard. "How much time to you have?"

"None. I have to be dressed in twenty. I have to wake him in thirty. Stop that." His hand on my cock was making it impossible for me to think.

"Tell him you're sick today. That you want to spend the day in bed."

"Oh God! He'd be in here before I put the phone down." He tightened his grip. "Oh please, you're torturing me! Faster!" He sped up. I grabbed his shoulder and kissed him hard to keep from screaming loud enough to be heard in the next room.

When I'd finished making quite a lot of mess, he laughed softly, warmly. "You even come lyrically. Why did I have to meet you here?"

"Karma." I sighed. "You must have been very, very wicked in your past life."

"Do you really have to go?" He asked. "I could be very, very wicked now."

"Yes, you could and yes, I do."

I got out of bed, showered and dressed. Otogi lay there watching me, sheet over his hip, hair tussled, looking well fucked and making me want to crawl back into bed with him.

"Mm, mm, mm!" He leered as I fixed my collar and cuffs - French thank you, never, ever button. "I have never met a man who looked as good dressed as he does undressed. You look like something good to eat." I was wearing my gray suit, pink shirt and white striped tie. It does compliment me quite well.

My wrist alarm went off. Time to wake my employer. I kissed Otogi as if it were our last. "I really have to go now. If I'm not back in ten minutes, I'm not coming back this morning and you should go."

Kaiba had an especially busy day planned and I didn't see Otogi again before we left for home. On the plane, I smiled and laughed with everyone but found myself frequently sketching Otogi nude from memory. Yesterday; he belongs to yesterday. A Geisha cannot promise tomorrow. A Geisha cannot have forever.

We are forbidden to marry. It hardly makes sense to even suggest it. We are not spouses, we are not lovers. We are mysteries. We are touchable and yet unattainable. We are the cherry blossom - lovely and real but fleeting and ethereal. Even if I wanted to pursue him, it would be at the cost of eight long years of training. I don't want to retire. I love being a Geisha. Where else can I be paid to be both as beautiful as I am and as intelligent as I am?

We went home and I began to forget him as life returned to the rhythm and flow it had before I met him.

And then, about a week later, my phone rang. I was just finishing Kaiba's classes for the day while he and Anzu returned to the corporate office for a meeting with an American firm. I presumed it was one of them and didn't even glance at the phone before answering, "Bakura."

"I'm sorry." He said.

A cold chill ran down my spine while a hot flash engulfed the rest of my body. "How did you get this number?"

"While you were in the shower, I used your phone to call mine. I programmed my name in too."

I spared a glance at the screen. It had his name and 'lover' as his company. "I'll remember to take my phone with me next time."

He groaned. "Promise me there will be a next time."

"I can almost guarantee that there won't be." Teenagers were jostling me so I started walking to where Kaiba's car was waiting. "We can't keep meeting at conventions."

"We don't have to. I moved here."

I stopped short. "What?"

"Kaiba-san told me where you live. I moved here. My game is 90% internet sales. I'm very flexible." He exaggerated the word; reminding me of just how flexible he could be.

"It doesn't matter." I forced myself to say. "I can't see you."

"Please! Please, just a few minutes. Just meet me for tea. I'll keep my hands to myself. I just need to see you."

"I cannot be seen with my employer's competitor." Otogi's price was higher than Kaiba was willing to pay so they weren't working together.

"So come work for me." He whispered. "Let me employ you." Everything he said was beginning to sound sexual.

"Out of the question."

"Bakura, please!" His voice took on a more strident tone. "I need you. You're like a drug. Do you think I pack up my life and move for every Administrative Assistant I meet at a tournament?"

"Yes." He could. Maybe he was one of those insane people who became stalkers.

"Please don't tease, Bakura. I should never have danced with you."

Agreed, I thought as I got into the car. But the truth was that I wanted to see him too. "Where are you?"

"A tea house." He gave me the address. I knew the place; it was on the same block as a love hotel.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. "Hold on." I gave the driver the address. Now he can tell Kaiba exactly where I was seen fraternizing with the enemy. "I can't stay long."

"I just want to see you." He swore. "I can't stop thinking about you." He laughed a little. "I thought falling in love was supposed to be wonderful. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Love? Oh dear God. "Otogi, don't. Don't do this to yourself. Don't tell yourself this is love. It's lust. Flames of desire burning as hot and as bright as we let them. They will die out."

"God, I hope so. I need you so much I can't sit still."

"I can't stay." I said again. "Ten minutes. If that long."

We were at the hotel in five.

Kaiba called six hours later. "Is there a reason you and my car are not at the airport?"

I tried to wake up. "Not a good one, Kaiba-san." I didn't stifle a yawn. "I fell asleep."

"You haven't been sleeping well recently, have you?" He asked.

"I've had a few late nights this week." I replied.

"Is this something I should be concerned about?"

"No sir," I looked Otogi in the eyes. "This will never happen again. I'll have the car there shortly." I hung up, got out of bed and began dressing. "Do not call me. Move back to where ever you came from. Forget you ever met me, ever saw me."

"I think I really would rather slit my own throat." He sighed. "You love him, don't you?"

"Yes, but not that way. He really is a remarkable young man." I struggled with my tie and finally gave up on it. "And he hasn't been loved much in life so he doesn't know what to do with people who love him."

"What about you? Do you know what to do with people who love you?"

I looked at him. "Otogi," I sat on the edge of the bed and reached for his hand. He gave it willingly. "I have loved many people. But I have never been in love with any of them. I cannot fall in love. I am Geisha. My heart is my patron's."

He looked stunned. "A - a - Geisha? A whore? Kaiba has a full time prostitute?!"

I tried not to be offended. Geishas and Whores have been confused since the days of samurai and shoguns. "No. There is a difference between a Geisha and a Prostitute."

"You mean besides the fancy makeup."

I did not try to break the hand I was holding. "Yes. One has sex for money. One does not have sex."

"So tell me again which one you are." He took his hand away. "Do I need to give you cash or do you all take plastic these days?

I stood up and left. The car ride to the airport gave me plenty of time to chastise myself for getting involved with anyone. I deleted his number from my phone. I swore I'd never do anything that stupid again.

Kaiba and Anzu got in without a word, but I noticed the two of them exchanging glances. "I'm fine. Really. Probably just the stress of living around you two is finally getting to me."

"Well, he still sounds obnoxious, but he's disheveled." Anzu looked at me carefully. "Could be a spy sent to replace him."

I pointed to her feet. "Careful or I'll mention those shoes I told you never to wear in public again." Kaiba laughed.

She rolled her eyes. "It's him."

My phone rang. It was an unrecognized number. I sent it to voice mail. Anzu and Kaiba both stared at me. I always take my calls. "Wrong number. He called earlier." When he called again, I turned the phone off.

In my room later I listened to the six messages he left, apologizing, crying and swearing undying love. I felt like the world's lowest form of scum for making Otogi suffer like that, but I didn't call him back. To call him back would be to make him believe there was a chance of a future for us. Ignoring him was cruel, but giving him hope would have been heartless.

I listened to the messages again. And again.

Someone knocked on my door. Since Kaiba, Anzu and I kept the doors unlocked, I presumed that it was a member of the general staff - housekeeping, maintenance, or cooking.

It was Anzu. "I didn't want to intrude if you want to be alone."

"No. Please. You're never an intrusion. Come in."

The KaibaCorp family bought me a condo. Two bedrooms, two and a half baths. A sunken tub that could double as an indoor pool. My living room I was still decorating largely as a showplace for my own ego. In the far corner was my koto and on the wall above it was my grandmother's. Opposite that were my bow and a quiver. Two of my watercolors hung above the couch, one of my oils was over the loveseat. I handmade all the floral arrangements in the room.

"I still can't get over how artistic you are." Anzu said admiring the latest addition - a lacquer box that I made in one of Kaiba's art classes.

Anzu knew my real profession and had known from the beginning. She saw the training on my CV and asked about it. Then, with me still in the room, she called personnel to verify. The amazing part was that, despite my lack of 'proper' training, she treated me as an equal, for which I was very grateful.

"He's going to start asking soon, you know." She said unexpectedly.

"He's going to start asking what soon?" There was only one 'he' between us.

"You've been distant and moody. You keep disappearing in here for hours when you used to spend time with us. And now there's this whole sleeping thing. If there's something wrong, you know he won't hesitate to fix it."

"There's nothing he can fix." I said quietly.

"Is it...health related?"

I smiled. "No. I'm healthy." I had to laugh at myself. "I'm just stupid." She arched an eyebrow. "I met someone and he might be falling in love."

She arched both eyebrows. I sat down and signed deeply. "I might be falling in love."

"Might?"

I put my head in my hands and everything between my knees. "I cannot fall in love with this man, Anzu. I mean he's gorgeous, he's funny, he's smart, and he's so off limits Kaiba would fire me if he knew."

"That bad?"

"That bad." I sighed again. "Do you remember the owner of Dungeon Dice Monsters?"

"Otogi Rei?"

"Ryuji. Otogi Ryuji."

"He works for Otogi?"

"It is Otogi." She didn't respond. "I know, I know!" I got up and began pacing. "I didn't know who he was; I met him at that night club and we danced and the next thing I know we were in his hotel room and, well, I'm sure you can guess how that ended. And that should have been the end of it but he followed me here and, God help me, Anzu, I can't stop thinking about him. I just can't!"

"Then I guess you'd better call him." I nearly gave myself whiplash at the sound of Kaiba's voice.

"Sir - I -"

"This is interfering with our efficiency. If having him stay here with you means that you can take notes without nude sketches, I think it's worth it."

He handed me his Biology notebook - which I took with no small amount of embarrassment. I flipped to the last few pages of notes and found several sketches. Some of my better work. Anzu leaned to get a better look so I shut the book with a snap.

"I want to meet this man again; he seemed interesting enough." He said turning toward the door. "Have him over for dinner tomorrow. From your drawings, he certainly looks good enough to eat. And speaking of, don't bother me for the rest of the evening; Joey's coming over." He left and a moment later his door closed.

I looked at Anzu who was covering her mouth trying not to laugh. "When did he come in?"

She let out a loud peel of laughter. "About the time you said he'd fire you."

"So he pretty much heard everything."

"Pretty much." She giggled.

"You've been a big help."

"My pleasure." She tittered. "See you at dinner tomorrow." She continued to laugh as she left.

I picked up my phone, looked at it for a moment and then called him back.

"I'msorryi'msorryi'msorryi'msorryi'msorry!" He said after the first ring. "I didn't mean any of it. It was petty and mean and please don't hate me."

"We need to talk. Where are you?"

"I have no idea." He replied. "I've been wandering around in a daze, kicking myself." He found a building and read off the address.

"Stay there. I'll send the car." I waited on pins and needles for the next hour as the car went to find him and bring him back to my place.

I changed clothes four times. I opened a bottle of sake. I corked it. Then I opened it again. I was changing clothes for the fifth time when the driver called to say they were pulling up to the community gate.

I sat on the couch. Then I stood in front of the door. Then I sat on the couch again with my arm draped over the back. Then I realized how ridiculous I was behaving and deliberately set the sake service on the coffee table.

I almost dropped one of the delicate cups when a soft knock came at the door.

'Welcome to my home; come in.' It was an easy phrase I could say in a steady voice in my sleep. 'Welcome to my home; come in.' But when I opened the door, I couldn't speak. And after a minute I didn't need to. His lips had captured mine and everything else was irrelevant.

We made it to my bedroom. The second time.

My alarm went off at its usual time. Otogi tightened his grip around my waist and I kissed his forehead. "You cannot hold me, Otogi. One day you're going to call me and I will not be there. I will never promise you forever, not even in my heart."

"I can hold you while you're here," he murmured, clinging harder.

"I will break your heart if you do."

"But I'd kick myself forever if I didn't try."

I kissed him again knowing that there was no point trying to convince him. He would learn, as I always do, the hard way. Kaiba-sama will eventually recall me to his side and I will drop everything I am doing to answer his call. He is my Patron and I am his Geisha. And that is the way of things.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

A teacher with gambling debt found a file identifying half a dozen high profile students. Mokuba happened to be in the right place at the wrong time. KaibaCorp ran better background checks on the full staff and found four others with severe financial issues. In addition, there were several with addictions, two actual pedophiles and a sexual offender. I was appalled that this institution had been entrusted with my brother's safety in the first place.

I'd been in France for four days when the kidnappers called again. We had expected that they would not be timely, but I was getting frantic. My landline was forwarded to my cell and all calls in or out of Father and my networks were being traced.

"Miss me?" The rough voice asked.

"I think it's impolite not to call if you are going to be late."

"There's a bidding war going on. People like pretty little boys with soft skin."

I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him. I also knew that the longer I kept him on the phone, the more information the call yielded. "He's a small child. I can't imagine he's worth that much." My pager vibrated, telling me that Father was aware of the call and listening.

"The smaller the bag, the bigger the price tag."

"And just how big is this price tag?"

"Forty million."

"Yen? Fine. I'll write a check."

"Cheeky. US. Cash. Be at the airport in Bombay in three days if you want to see him."

"You could let me speak to him now."

"I'll send you a keepsake."

"I won't pay full price for damaged goods." I was sweating, fighting to keep my voice calm. "If you start sending me parts of him, the value goes down."

"You'll get all of him. Eventually."

"Perhaps. But if I can't put all the pieces together, I can't use him, can I?"

"Yeah, you're the bastard's son alright. What would he have paid if I'd snatched you?"

I wondered that myself. "If you are truly curious, try it."

The line went dead.

Two things happened within four hours. Father tripled the security around me and Ryou arrived at the KaibaCorp Paris office with the courier bringing the cash.

I didn't even wait until we were alone to fling myself into his arms. We embraced for too long and a moment longer as I had to pull myself together.

"Status?" He asked with a beautiful, but sad, smile.

"Irrelevant. Where is Anzu? And Joey, Honda, everyone; I'm barred from information about them." He frowned. "Ryou, damn it! Please! I need something."

He nodded. "Anzu was under suspicion because of the amount of force she's used on you over the past year."

"Force!?"

"The promotion, the termination clause, the..."

"She didn't ask for any of that! I did it because she deserved it all!"

"We know that, but Personnel doesn't." He moved toward my office couch. "And Security doesn't believe anything it can't verify twice."

The answer was flawed. "You've gotten almost as many perks."

He hesitated. "My case is different."

"How so?"

"I work for KaibaCorp not KaibaGames. You didn't actually approve my raise or any of my bonuses. And my initial security clearance was more recent."

I thought about that for a moment as I paced the room. I did sign all the paperwork, however, payroll office and work assignment did not always track and employees of one company often did work for both.

But not my personal staff.

"Why were you never shifted to KaibaGames?" He looked away from me. "Regardless of who hired you, when you joined my personal staff you should have been shifted to my budget." He didn't answer and would not look at me. "So who is your supervisor?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Kaiba-sama."

He wasn't a gift, he was a plant.

I wanted to be hurt and outraged, but I didn't have the strength. And frankly, after all I knew about Ryou, even if he started out as my Father's spy, I genuinely believed he no longer was.

"Get Anzu and the others out, Ryou." I said, startling him. "Contact the school, update them on everything you can, see if there is some way we can defer - or preferably eliminate - the missing week of classes. Don't worry about Mokuba - Father and I have that under control. My staff, my friends, and my education. In that order."

He stood and snapped into a bow. "Yes, Kaiba-san."

I crossed the room to him and lifted his face to mine. "If you are ever polite to me again, I'll fire you." I let him go before we both cried.

Anzu arrived in time to go to Bombay with me. Yugi - and, I learned later, his Grandfather the owner of Kame Game Shop - were both released and home the same day. Ryou assured me that neither had been mistreated but I still felt responsible for their being detained and investigated.

At Bombay International, Anzu and I waited in the main terminal with one bag of luggage each. Secreted on both of our persons was a GPS chip to insure that we couldn't be grabbed out of the crowd. Secreted in the crowd were 56 armed security guards, including 25 sharp shooters. We were all waiting for my phone to ring.

At 4:30pm it finally did. "I'm losing my patience with this." I said letting some of my frustration vent. "For someone selling a product, your customer service is severely lacking."

"He is quite a product." The rough voice said. "You'll buy and sell anything won't you?"

"Games, weapons, people. They are all commodities. Everything has its price and its market. You are about to lose yours."

"Terminal D, Gate 502." The line went dead.

"D, 502," I said aloud as I grabbed Anzu and we ran.

"It's an arrival." Anzu informed me as someone on the headset informed her. "Pakistani Air 1215, in from Istanbul."

"When this is over, he'll have seen more of the world than I have." I tried to joke.

As we neared the gate, my phone rang. "Yes?"

"When the attendant steps away, leave the money on the left side of the desk, near the trash can."

"You never said anything about exchanging the money today." We brought it just in case but he hadn't mentioned it.

"You didn't bring it?" he screamed.

"You said we'd see him today."

"How long will it take you to get the money?"

"Tomorrow at best - unless you'll take half."

"How can you get half?"

"I have resources."

"Wait there."

"Just a moment," I said before he hung up.

"What?"

"I am not infinitely patient. I would prefer my brother, quietly, alive and in one piece. I can provide you half the money, in 30 minutes and we can do this without anyone else involved. But do not think for one moment that if I suspect he is here I would not hesitate to the shut this facility down and search every grain of sand for him. You would be well advised to take the offer." This time, I hung up.

Anzu looked up, excited. "They found someone." She whispered.

We waited.

Then her phone rang. She gave it to me. "Kaiba."

"He's a mouth piece." Father said simply. "They told him where to call from and what to say. He says that the boy was here, but he doesn't know when or for how long."

"Do we have video confirmation yet?"

"No. But soon." He hung up.

They found him on the security tapes. Mokuba looked drugged. He seemed dazed but was moving mostly under his own power and wasn't too thin. They boarded a plane going to Hat Yai on the southern tip of Thailand, a known sex tourism stop.

Anzu and I returned to Paris. We found Honda and Otogi waiting in my office with Ryou.

I embraced them coolly. Yugi was fond of saying that friends stick together through thick and thin, but my friendship had imprisoned them. And even if they were willing to stand by me, what kind of friend would I be to continue to endanger them?

Still, I was grateful to see them. "Where's Joey?" I asked. "Is he taking a later flight?" No one would look at me. "I see." Imprisonment was too thick for some. That was understandable. Joey and I had never made any promises to each other. He wasn't breaking any vows. It had been a long day so I sat down heavily.

"Seto, it's not you." Ryou dropped a folder on my desk. "Joey's father is a 1% owner of MGCo."

"Oh." Father was making the arrangements for our next move; I had already tied up the loose ends at Mokuba's school. There wasn't much to hold my attention for a while. "I see."

"Seto." Ryou gave me a shake. "Joey's still being held by security because of his father's involvement."

"His father's involvement with what? MGCo has nothing to do with Mokuba." Ryou watched my expression as understanding dawned on me. "Get me the MGCo file." He tapped the folder already in front of me.

I flipped through it. We had a list of stockholders as of the time the company folded. There were no 'Wheelers' on the first or second page - the controlling stockholders. I found him on page 5, near the bottom of the list. He owned one share.

I dialed the main security office. "This is Kaiba Seto. Wheeler Joseph is being held for questioning. Release him."

"I'm very sorry, sir. But you don't have that authority."

I hung up. There was no point in terrorizing the man. If I didn't have the authority, only one person would.

I left my office and went to my Father's. I didn't bother to knock or to speak to the insignificant peons in my way. "Why are you holding Wheeler?"

He stood up and slowly, deliberately slapped me hard enough to make my head spin for a moment. "Let's try this conversation with a more respectful tone, shall we?"

I had to take a moment to collect my wits. "All of my friends have been released except Wheeler. Why is he still being held?"

"He's a threat." Father answered simply.

"What threat?"

"He has a history of violence. He has a sister with an expensive medical condition. His father is a shareholder in a rival-now-defunct company. Frankly, son, you could not have designed a worse choice of company to keep."

"None of that matters, Father, you know that."

"I know that one of my sons has been kidnapped and the other has been threatened on multiple occasions. What kind of father would I be not to take preventive actions?"

What kind of argument could I make against that? "How long do you intend to keep him?"

He shrugged. "When the family is together and secure."

Mokuba first. I nodded. "Agreed. What's our next move?"

We discussed Hat Yai. A security detail was already in the city, but really we were waiting for the sellers to contact one of Father's 'associates'. There wasn't much preparation that could be done. Those that were going needed to be ready at a moment's notice.

I didn't need to tell Father that list included me.

By the time I made it back to my hotel room, Anzu, Ryou and several boxes were waiting for me.

Anzu barely gave me time to close the door. "Tell me you're not going with them, Seto."

"It's late, Anzu, you should get some rest. Go be with Honda."

She ignored me. "This isn't dueling, Seto." They both watched as I opened my gear. "This is dangerous."

A ballistic vest. Two high-powered assault rifles, both my preferred design. I thought of what I would need in a weapon - size, caliber, and accuracy - and built that. They had never been a mass selling item but they were often special ordered by sharp shooters and other specialists. The boxes also contained a pair of boots, a helmet and other sundries.

"Can you even use that?" Ryou asked.

"Of course." I checked the sight. "I designed it."

At 1am, I got the call. I carried what I couldn't wear and joined security. We convoyed to a private airstrip and violated several air rights agreements. We landed a few miles outside Hat Yai and took several jeeps to the location.

We arrived at a whorehouse that sat by alone behind high walls.

"They consider themselves exclusive." Father scoffed.

Inside the gate, our team began taking custody of young women, quickly and quietly. Very young. Not women, girls.

Father and I entered together. The Madam quickly jumped up to greet us and was abruptly stopped by a vivid red splatter.

"She took custody of him when he got here." Father said. We moved past her. I could hear screaming and gun fire all around us. We went upstairs.

It was quieter; the noise downstairs didn't seem to carry up for some reason. He signaled me to search the rooms to the left while he searched to the right. Each had a child and an adult engaged in acts that had nothing to do with childhood. I had no hesitation when I pulled the trigger on four separate occasions. I moved quickly down the hall. The fifth door I opened lead to a hallway. There was one door at its far end.

Inside, I noticed that the décor was superior to the rest of the dismal surroundings. In the center was a table with a tea set in disarray. Beside it lay a dead man. I moved into the room, stepping wide away from the door. It turned out to be a wise precaution because someone jumped out from behind the door and I was just far enough away to miss his first strike.

I didn't quite have time to register before he flung himself at me, but this time it was as his knife clattered to the floor. "Nii-sama!" and then we were both on the floor, crying and laughing.

I pulled him roughly away from me. "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" He was splattered with blood but none of it seemed to be his.

"No," he shook his shaggier than normal head. "I'm ok." He turned and spit over his shoulder at the corpse beside us. "Told you." He said with some satisfaction.

"Was he one of the men who took you?"

"He used to teach at my school. I think he set it all up but I didn't see him until I got here. He used to catch boys in the locker room after gym and get all touchy-feely. I told him if he ever touched me, I'd stab his eyes out." He looked at me again. "Is Dad here?"

Father himself answered that as if on cue. Mokuba squirmed out of my arms and sprang on him. For once I didn't begrudge my Father the moment. I stood up again and turned the body over. There were two bloody holes where his eyes should be. There was too much blood everywhere else to confirm what killed him. I could not stop myself from smiling wickedly. He may be young, but Mokuba is still a Kaiba.

Over my brother's shoulder, Father looked at me, then the body, and non-verbally asked if I had done it. I shook my head and indicated Mokuba. Father tightened his grip on my brother. I found the knife, tore some fabric from the 'victim' and wrapped it. One of them would likely want to keep it.

When we left the house of ill repute, we took everyone under the age of 18. Then we torched the building. Father, Mokuba and I returned to Paris. On the plane - for the first time ever - the three of us fell asleep with my Father holding us both. For a moment, it was believable that he loved me, wanted me to be happy, and wanted the best for us both.

He called the office and ordered Joey's release before we landed.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Father wanted the two of us to return home and enroll in schools where his security net could protect us. I wanted to stay with my friends. We spent the first two days in Japan at my condo purely because that's how long it took to finish my final exams for the semester. We still hadn't determined where I would spend the next semester.

What should have been a tearful, joyous and passionate reunion with Joey was restrained and uncomfortable because it was at school.

Father and Mokuba were in the limo when it picked me up after school that same day. It was odd not having Ryou at my side and Anzu waiting for us, and my expression must have shown it.

"What's wrong, Nii-sama?"

I tried to brighten for him. "Nothing. Did you have fun today?"

"No. Your house is boring! But guess what? Dad's taking us to Disney World next week!"

"I'm unavailable next week." I said without thinking. "Let's look at the week after." I didn't need Anzu to remind me that there was a conflict. We'd carefully and strictly cleared the first week of school break to take the group to a private beach. There was a hot spring and great deal of privacy.

"Become available." Father said.

"No." We stared at each other, both looking for a sign of weakness.

"Next week, this office will be closing down."

I bristled at having my home referred to as 'this office' but let it pass. "And where will my staff be while I attend school?"

"I think you have successfully demonstrated your ability to socialize in what might be considered a normal fashion. The media is quite engaged by you. That is a suitable resolution to our initial image problem."

"I haven't graduated." I pointed out. "Part of the issue was my apparent lack of education. One semester of school will not address that." He started to speak, but I continued. "And students that transfer schools often are viewed with lower regard. We should not prematurely dismiss this task as completed." I had another moment of insight. "And Mokuba is advanced enough; he can enroll here with me."

It was a calculated risk, but one I was sure of and I was gratified when Mokuba responded by non-stop pleading for the rest of the ride to be allowed to go to school with me. I conceded to cancel my plans and go to Disney, but even if I hadn't, I knew eventually Father would give in.

I told Anzu to give everyone my regrets and reschedule the trip for the week of my birthday - preferably someplace with a warm beach in October - and spent a surprisingly pleasant week in Florida with my Father and brother.

By the time Mokuba and I returned, his belongings had been installed in one of my spare bedrooms and a condo for his new governess had been purchased. I suspected that she was my new governess as well but she would find supervising me more difficult. Ishtaaru Isis was a beautiful young woman originally from Egypt; Mokuba seemed to develop a crush on her almost instantly. She got along well with Anzu and Ryou, however, and in short order our lives went back to the happy chaos I was enjoying before Mokuba's kidnapping.

Joey began attending all KaibaGames events with me - I even bought him a blue leather Duelist coat to match my trademarked white one. We were not shy about showing affection in public and were caught holding hands or stealing kisses so often that even the media stopped caring. In truth, most of the group traveled with me as often as possible. The Kaiba Entourage, the press dubbed us. The Kaiba Posse, was Joey's laughing preference.

And Yugi finally got bitten by the 'love bug' at a tournament and succumbed to a duelist who beat him soundly in the final round. The rest of us had no end of fun teasing him about the damage to his Dueling record. Kujaku Mai was far rougher around the edges than Yugi, but she had his same impetuous nature and it wasn't unusual to see them running off to do something without forethought or planning. Frequently, I'd discover that Mokuba had run off with them.

Anzu arranged a week in Aruba for the four couples - Mokuba whined incessantly about not being allowed to come, but I promised I'd throw myself a lavish birthday party before we left so that he didn't miss the good parts. Most of the school was invited. Instead of receiving presents, I gave them since there was almost nothing my friends could give me that I didn't already have. I had some new duelist tech that I had been working on in my rare moments of spare time so I unveiled that. There was a cake, ice cream and games. In truth, I'd never had a birthday party. It was juvenile. It was also an inordinate amount of fun.

The next afternoon, we took a private plane to the island.

Anzu arranged four bungalows on a beach for us. They each consisted of nothing more than a sheltered porch with a bedroom set and three solid walls giving the illusion of privacy. The fourth wall was a rolling screen that faced the east and the beach. There was a main house with a kitchen, dining room and concierge if we needed anything. There was a selection of daytime excursions and evening events for us to attend. There was scuba, tennis, wind surfing and other sports for us to indulge in.

I indulged in Joey's body for two solid days. We kissed and touched, caressing, licking and groping. Biting and sucking and when we woke up, doing it all again. We made love, we fucked, and we did everything in-between.

I woke up to the sun rising. We had lifted the screen the night before to get a cool breeze. Joey was holding me in his arms and every so often kissing my hair.

"Morning." I sighed. I could not have been happier.

"Morning." He kissed my head again. "I got a problem, Tak."

"If it's the same problem you had last night, I have a solution."

"Heh. Yeah, I got that problem too. But that's not what I'm worried about." His grip tightened slightly preventing me from turning to face him. "I love you, Tak. I love you more than I thought I could love someone. More than I thought I could even be willing to love. I want to grow old with you and, shit, adopt kids with you and all that stupid family crap. But Tak, your Dad hates me. I mean, he hates me. And right now, you can't just walk."

"I'll worry about my Father, Joey." I hated the fact that he was right. It killed my mood and I pushed out of his arms. "He will accept our relationship, sooner or later."

"Tak, I'm not worth being disinherited over."

"You mean far more to me than money!"

"You say that because you've always had it."

That said to an orphan. I snapped, "I'm glad you think I'm that shallow."

"Tak! Come on! Look, I know you love me. This isn't about how we feel, ok?" He got up and pulled on a pair of shorts. "It's about living in reality. We've been living in fantasy and it's been unbelievably fan-fucking-tastic and I don't regret a minute of it. But I will hate myself if you and your old man can't get around this."

"That is my problem. I will solve it," I assured him.

"How?"

"I simply will."

"Tak." He sighed deeply. "Look, when we get back, I'm going to the States for a while." I nodded. "A long while."

"How long?" I tried to steel my nerves for an answer I knew I wouldn't like.

"Couple months at least. Serenity wants to try this new treatment at Mount Sinai and Mom can't take that much time from work again. So I'm going to go with her. There's an international school near there and they're letting me transfer in." He laughed a bit. "Born the same State but now I'm an international student."

"I wish your sister well." I truly did. "Is there anything I can do to assist her?"

He hesitated. I imagined he was thinking about saying 'come with me' but he didn't. "No. She's cool. Hell of a trooper. Nerves of fucking steel."

I wish I had her nerves; mine clearly were made of clay. The rest of the trip felt like one long goodbye.

By agreement with Noah and with each other, Anzu, Ryou and I had all left our cell phones at home. This trip was scheduled to be a wholly uninterrupted vacation from Kaiba-anything and in that, it was quite successful. Joey and I did eventually do some diving and tennis and a few other things outside the bedroom. But not many.

Our last night on the island, the eight of us had a romantic dinner on the beach. Perhaps it would have been more romantic had it been just Joey and I but, sharing it with all our friends - and seeing how happy they were - made it that much more special.

When we arrived at Tokyo International, there was a messenger waiting for us. He had a sign with my name as we exited customs.

"Kaiba-san, I have instructions to bring you all right away. Mazaki-san and Bakura-san?"

"Yes?"

"You are needed urgently. A driver is waiting." He gestured them to a limo and I recognized the driver who got out as a Kaiba staff member.

Anzu kissed Honda quickly on the cheek. "I'll call when I free up. Noah probably broke something."

Bakura shrugged but frowned a bit as he went with her.

"Who instructed this?" I asked the man who greeted us.

"Kaiba-sama."

"Give me your phone." He handed it over and I called my Father's office. He wasn't available but I spoke with his personal secretary, Kogoro, who assured me that my Father would explain everything when I saw him.

The six of us were escorted to a van and driven home. He dropped Yugi and Mai at Yugi's Grandfather's home. The driver took Otogi to his apartment. When we pulled up in front of Honda and Joey's apartment, I noticed my motorcycle was parked out front.

"What's going on here?" I asked.

The driver was nervous as he took out luggage for all three of us but he wouldn't answer me. Finally he handed me a note, got into the van and fled the scene.

"Shit!" Joey threw his hands up. "Aw man! I knew he would do something like this! Fuck!"

"What?" Honda was confused but trying to remain calm. "What does the note say, Seto?"

"It says his father's a shithead!" Joey answered.

"Joey - kill it." Honda snapped. "Seto, read it. Maybe it's not what you think."

Slowly I opened the envelope.

"You are not disinherited. I have spent too much time and money to allow your foolhardy and sentimental digression to leave KaibaCorp without an otherwise capable leader should something unforeseen happen to me. I am, however, disappointed that you fail to understand the truth of your circumstances. You believe that this 'Kaiba Entourage' of yours are reliable friends who will remain at your side no matter what. That is not the case. You refuse to see the wisdom of my advice and so I have decided to allow you to learn this lesson the hard way.

"You are now officially on sabbatical from the Kaiba Corporate family until your 19th birthday. You will have no connection to any Kaiba business affairs; you will not draw a salary; you will not be allowed used of any Kaiba-owned property. You may contact the proper staff and arrange visitation with Kaiba Mokuba on a monthly basis if convenient for his schedule. An apartment has been obtained for your use, I have taken the liberty of paying a one month deposit and one month's rent in order to allow you time to establish yourself. Your personal possessions have been delivered to this new address and the building's resident manager has the key.

"On the occasion of your 19th birthday, you will be invited before the Boards of both KaibaCorp and KaibaGames and required to demonstrate your ability to resume your position in both firms. If you are successful, all your rights and privileges as my son and heir will be restored. If you cannot or do not, the offer shall be retracted until your 20th birthday and so on until you are successful or until my death.

"Because of their close association with you and their knowledge of current projects, Mazaki Anzu and Bakura Ryou have been recalled to the home office. They and Kaiba Noah will form a triumvirate to manage KaibaGames as you pursue this course you have set for yourself.

"I hope you enjoyed your birthday.

"Kaiba Gozaburo"

I laughed out loud and read the note a second time. It sounded like freedom. Like one full year of freedom. I handed the note to Honda and kissed Joey. "My Father is a shithead. A wonderful, amazing, unbelievable...."

"He cut you off." Honda said, shocked.

"Yes." I grabbed Honda and kissed him too. Then I kissed Joey again.

"Sick!" Honda groaned and wiped his mouth. "It says you're going to have to earn your way back to what you had."

I waived his concern off. "That is the least of it, I assure you. My design skills alone will guarantee my place. Frankly, they wouldn't want to risk my working for a competitor. This," I took the note, "is my Father giving me a year to myself. To us." I turned to Joey, grinning. "A year for us."

He frowned. "You wanna spend six months in the States?"

"Yes!" I kissed him again. "I'll be penny-less but there."

He looked pained. "Tak..." he swallowed hard. "Maybe we should go inside."

He grabbed his suitcase and headed inside. Honda looked at me with a helpless mournful expression and picked up his own bag. I grabbed mine and followed them in.

We went into their apartment. It occurred to me how truly small it was for the two of them. It also began to sink in on me that someone had to be paying for it.

Joey sank on to the futon and dropped his head on his hands. "Live in reality, Wheeler." He muttered.

Roundtrip tickets for two, a hospital stay for six months, six months of rent or hotel, food, education. The costs of the trip began to occur to me. Joey's mother was not well off. I'd surreptitiously assisted the family on several occasions although I hadn't told Joey. "You know, as I think about it, maybe it's better if I stay here and get things situated. Get a job. Keep Honda out of trouble."

"Tak, it's not that I don't want you there..." Joey was looking at the floor.

"...but penny-less does have a few disadvantages." I finished for him. "Your sister needs you; I do not."

"Tak..."

"Shhhh." I sat next to him and coaxed him into my lap. "Live in fantasy for a few hours more." I kissed him. Or he kissed me. One of those.

The front door opened suddenly and loudly. "Everyone who wants free food say 'alakazam'!"

"Alakazam!" Honda said jumping up. Joey and I nearly went through the roof. "Dad!"

"Hey boys! Take no notice of me I'm just here for the weekend." He noticed me. "Were there three of you the last time I was home?" He raised an eyebrow. "And should you be doing that?"

Joey scrambled out of my lap. "Oji! Hey, hi! Uh, welcome home."

"Oh yeah." Honda got moving and took the bag of food from his father. "Hey wait - it's Wednesday."

"When you have two days in a row, it's the weekend." He sank into the room's most comfortable chair. "Beer?"

"Got it." Joey said and popped into the kitchen.

Honda's father opened his beer and took a swallow. "No, I definitely remember there only being two little mouths to feed."

"Yeah, Dad," Honda cleared his throat and stood formally, "this is -"

"Tak." I interjected. "Just Tak. I go to school with these guys."

"Are you the one that had the legal trouble?"

"What?"

"Oji!" Joey gasped as Honda defended my honor. "No, no, Dad! We were totally wrong about that."

Honda-sama looked at me. "I work a lot but I do try to keep up with what's going on. And, kid, when your son make friends with one of the richest boys in the country, you should at least dye his hair before you give him a fake name." He grinned as the three of us took a moment to be embarrassed. "Pretty good for the old man, eh?"

"Forgive me, Honda-sama." I said, bowing from my seated position. "My situation has...changed."

"He's been cut off." Honda said succinctly.

"We need a bigger futon." His father laughed. "Say Joey, when's that pretty mom of yours moving in?"

"I keep telling you, she just got rid of me." He got four bowls and then began serving himself. "She's not looking for any more guys."

"Humph. Well, your sister, then." Honda-sama and Honda both grabbed a bowl. "She over 18 yet?"

Joey laughed and shook his head. "Perv!"

I watched them. It had never occurred to me that I'd never met either of their parents. I hadn't been concerned enough to ask - even though that had been one of the first questions they asked me.

Joey hit my leg. "He'll eat it all. If you want some you better get it now."

I smiled. They had so little; I had had so much and didn't appreciate it. "Thank you. No. I'd better get my own home situated."

"Front office has the key?" Honda asked without looking up from his food.

"The resident manager."

Joey handed me a bowl and Honda shook his head. "He doesn't live here."

I looked at them. "The resident manager does not reside here."

"Nope. He's been shacking up with his girlfriend for a couple years now."

"Why hasn't anyone reported this to the owner?"

They all looked at each other and shrugged. "Just haven't. Things get fixed and he doesn't make a fuss if you're a day late on the rent. Sit. Eat. You can see him tomorrow."

I sat. I ate.

"Hey, Tak! What about prize money?" Joey said suddenly. "You earned all that; can he take that?"

"I don't know. I just presumed he'd closed my accounts."

"So check them!"

I reached for my cell phone and realized that I no longer had one. Nor did I know the access codes for any of my accounts. That was Anzu's job.

"Anzu." I said.

"Yeah." Honda agreed and found his phone. He speed dialed her and handed the phone to me.

"Hiroto, sweetie, I really can't talk now." She said without waiting to see who it was.

"You say the sweetest things when you don't think I'm listening."

She went silent for a moment. "I can't talk now, sweetie. I have an office full of people who don't want to hear this."

"Who's there?"

"Darling, please, not at the office. I'll call you as soon as I can. Give Tak and your father my love, ok? Bye." She hung up.

I handed the phone back to Honda. "She sends her love."

"That was rather quick."

"I think my father was there."

"Oh."

We sat in silence for a while. They ate while I thought. I was going to need a source of income. I could duel - if my deck was in my new apartment. But that's not steady employment. Professional Duelists are on the road constantly. I wouldn't be able to go to school if I did that. I'd have to find a job locally. See what companies are here, what management skills they lack...

...Which ones would hire an 18-year-old boy claiming to be Kaiba Seto. Or just 'Tak'. With no history, no experience and no family name. Not management. Retail. Food services. Labor.

"You alright, Tak?" Joey was suddenly next to me, hand on my shoulder. "You look kind of sick."

The room I always thought was Joey's room, which we never made it to, was actually Honda-sama's room. Joey's room was the futon. After Honda-sama went to bed, the three of us sat up and talked.

"Things got kind of tight for Mom one time a few years ago and she lost the apartment we were in. She could stay at her work and Serenity was in the hospital again but me.... Anyway, Oji said I could hang out here for a while..."

"...and he's been taking up space ever since!" Honda laughed.

Joey laughed a little. "Yeah. These guys - I don't know what we'd have done otherwise. Mom's folks are gone. Dad's folks are back in the States. Dad's - well...." He shrugged.

I wanted to ask. Joey never discussed his father. I knew the man was alive but my research didn't say where he was or why he had no contact with his son. I wanted to ask but it seemed like prying. I didn't like discussing my father; Joey may not like to discuss his.

"When are you leaving?" I asked to change the subject.

"Sunday."

"Live in the now." I said, taking his hand.

They both looked at me. "Since when are you Buddhist?"

I shrugged. "I'm more Buddhist than anything else."

"Huh." Joey looked absolutely serious. "I always thought you worshipped me."

"You're not that hot." I retorted.

"Hey you're the one who calls me 'God'! 'Oh God, oh God, don't stop!'" He mimicked.

"Ok!" Honda grabbed the remains of dinner. "I'm out!"

"You sure you don't want to join in?" Joey teased. "Anzu ain't here."

"I'm not listening!" He sang from the kitchen.

Joey and I grinned at each other. Then he frowned a bit. "You know I'd never fool around behind your back, right? I mean, I flirt sometimes but it's just talk."

I looked at him; it never once occurred to me that he would sleep with someone else. No one had ever done that. Who would? I lived in a world of perfect loyalty. I am Kaiba; I am the man others sleep around with not on. But Joey and I will be apart for months. There was no reason for either of us to assume the other would remain faithful. I thought carefully about what to say next.

"If anyone should make promises, it should be me." I pointed out. "I am the one who - what's the expression? - stepped out on you. With Bakura."

"Well, yeah. But he doesn't count. I mean we weren't really, you know, together then." He swallowed hard and looked away. "And we kinda are now."

"Even so. I'm the one who should be assuring you of my loyalty. You don't need to; you wouldn't do that."

"Yeah? Pretty sure of yourself, there." He grinned.

"I am Kaiba." I said simply. "You wouldn't do that. Not to me."

He looked at me, incredulous. "I am Kaiba? What, that matters? Dude, if I decide I wanna go fuck somebody else, I'll fuck them! Your name doesn't mean shit to me!" He stood up abruptly. "You know something, maybe we should just call it off now. You are an arrogant little prick, sometimes." He stormed toward the door.

"Joey?" Honda looked out from the kitchen.

"I'm out!" He slammed the door behind himself.

Honda looked at me and I shrugged. "He just blew up."

He rolled his eyes. "What did you say?"

"What did I say? Nothing! We were talking about being faithful to one another while he was gone. I told him he didn't need to make any promises; that I trust him. Would it have been better if I'd said I thought he'd fuck the next boy he saw?"

He sighed. "Seto, Joey's stressed. I know he's acting ok, but he's really worried about Serenity. And about his mother too. And now he has to leave just when you really need him."

"I don't need him."

"You just got cut off by your family; you're going to need your friends more than ever."

"No. I appreciate my friends and their concern but I don't need them. This is an inconvenience not an insurmountable obstacle."

Honda looked at me for a moment. Then he shook his head. "You really don't get it to you?" He went back into the kitchen. A little while later he bid me good night and went to his room.

Joey came home shortly before sunrise. His eyes were red.

"Joey, I...."

"Skip it." He cut me off brusquely. He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer. His kiss was much more forceful than usual, as if he were taking it from me not me giving it to him. When I tried to back away to catch my breath, he grabbed my jaw and held it painfully.

The experience had more of a timber of violence to it. He demanded my affection, required my desire. He took me and I wasn't sure if I was swept up in the moment or used without my consent. When I tried to reverse our roles, he held me down and took me again. Neither of us was ever particularly vocal but I struggled to remain silent; I didn't want Honda-sama to find us, like that. Me, submitting to Joey, like that.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

When I woke, the sun was up and Honda and Joey had already left. Honda-sama was making breakfast.

"Ah good, you're awake!" He said cheerfully. "Eggs, bacon, melon. We eat then we go see about your apartment."

It was easy to see that Honda had gotten his charm and ease from this man and I quickly found myself smiling with him. He went with me to the manager's office and helped me inspect the apartment for damages. The rent was 44,000 yen a month for one room with a half-kitchen and a private bathroom. There was no furniture and only a dozen or so boxes. He stayed with me most of the day to help me unpack.

"Kaiba-san!" He called out while I was unpacking the kitchen. "Here's another one." He waved a note.

We had found my Father's definition of my 'personal belongings' to be rather limited. My cell phone was most notably not there. Much of my clothing was but none of my formal kimonos. Not my Dueling Jacket or my deck. There were enough cooking utensils and dishware for a dinner for two. My toothbrush, my soap, a set of towels. Most of my books and notes for school.

But interspaced in boxes were notes from Ishtaaru containing recipes, phone lists, and other useful bits. One note had a website address. Another, in Mokuba's handwriting listed all the cheat codes for his favorite video games. In between each code, however, were three of my bank account numbers and their PINs. Honda-sama and I began unpacking more carefully when we found the first note and were retaining the packing materials so I could review them more closely later.

When we were done, we sat on the floor, drinking tap water and staring at the line of empty boxes against the wall.

"Thank you, sir." I said. "This would have been much harder without you."

"That's why I'm here." He grinned. "But I think you're going to have to buy a few things. Chairs. A bed."

I nodded. "A lamp or two."

"It will get dark in here. I think we have a spare one. I'll bring it down."

"Sir, really, you've done enough."

He waved me off. "Bring it back when you replace it." He looked at his watch. "They'll be home soon. I should go cook, I guess."

"I've taken your whole day." I realized guiltily. "I didn't mean to waste your time like this."

"Oh, it's nothing!" He slowly got up, groaning and stretching. "I'd have wasted it sleeping anyway. Work is good for the body and I sit all the time anyway."

"At the very least, I can help you cook!"

"Alright - but only if you help us eat." He gestured to my mostly empty kitchen. "I think they forgot to pack you a lunch." He glanced around. "Among other things."

We went back to their place and started dinner. I chopped; he boiled and fried. It brought memories to the surface, long buried.

My Dad - my biological Father - he was tall - or maybe I was short. He had brown hair and glasses. He'd cook when he came home from work. He wore an apron over his suit. He taught me how to chop vegetables safely. 'No fingers in our soup' he'd laugh. I could just remember his voice. I couldn't remember my mother at all any more except that she had black hair, like Mokuba.

"Kaiba-san?" Honda-sama's voice was distant. "Kaiba?"

I snapped out of my memory suddenly and realized that my face was wet. Then I was sobbing. I had no idea why. My parents had been dead for a decade at least. I cried for them years ago when tears were all I had. Tears were worthless now and I had so much more. I lost my parents and gained an empire.

How much was chopping vegetables in my Father's kitchen worth?

Honda-sama was holding me, arms around me like he was protecting me from something. I pushed him away and I went back to my apartment. I locked the door and tried to ignore him calling for me. Kaiba Seto does not cry. He does not fall apart over life's small challenges. He is not a child to be frightened of future risks. He finds opportunities, takes advantages, makes victories when others can only see defeats. I got out of an orphanage. I built a corporation. I am the greatest living Duelist in the world. Chopping vegetables cannot break me - my will is indomitable.

I remembered telling Mokuba once that so long as we were both alive, the game was still going; the duel wasn't over. I wiped my face and pulled myself together. My Father - the man who raised me, educated me and pushed me - was presenting me with a new challenge. Another of his 'gifts'. Like Bakura, this apparent freedom would have hidden strings attached. But if I succeed over this next year, I won. Gozaburo thought I'd come groveling back when my friends went the way of my money. He was wrong; friends were nice but they were the wrong commodity. I'll find new friends, new lovers. But he can't take my brother. The duel wasn't over yet.

I searched all my clothes - pants, jacket pockets, book bags - and found ¥41,528. That was enough to get a few things. It was still daylight outside so I made some mental notes about what I needed first and headed down to my bike.

Before I got on it, I noticed that the lid of the trunk wasn't closed properly. If it was damaged that was going to have to be replaced - an expensive proposition at this point in my budget. I opened it to examine the lock and almost fell over. My dueling coat had been stuffed in. Under it was my logo dueling disk and my deck. I almost cried again. Whatever Ishtaaru was being paid, she was worth far more.

I went to what passed for downtown. I couldn't afford a computer, so I bought two flash drives and time at an internet café. I opened a new e-mail account for myself as Tak and set up a Facebook page. Then, I sent 'friend' requests to Otogi, Mai and Honda. I found Ishtaaru's website and sent a message to her. I discovered that she had captured my phone memory chip and was able to upload all the data I had stored there. I downloaded as much as I could. Most of it was homework but there were some design ideas I had started and a few personal photos. Anything I couldn't capture, I told her to delete. That wouldn't make it go away, only make it harder for KaibaCorp to find if they look.

My 'sabbatical' was all over the news. KaibaGames' stock dipped in late trading as the news that I was no longer on the board worked its way around the globe. Talking heads debated my sudden departure in every language I could find. Media blogs on the subject were almost entertaining. I was leaving because of illness, or because my lover and I were eloping, or they were covering my sudden death while skiing, or secret military projects, or one even suggested that I wanted to concentrate on my education for a while. I took some time to look for the news stories that my staff normally searched for me. I didn't typically web surf often, but I was going to have to learn how.

I checked the bank accounts Mokuba had supplied me with. Two were set up by KaibaCorp. They were both open but frozen. The balances were intact, but I couldn't withdraw or transfer funds. I did notice on one that my regular payroll had been deposited that morning but was, again, inaccessible. The third account was local; Anzu had set it up so that we had a financial institution if we needed services. The account only had 100 yen in it, but I had full access to the account. Anzu and Ryou were joint holders on the account.

The bank was just about to close when I got there but I managed to slip in before the guard locked the door. I removed Anzu and Ryou, changed the password and got a new bankcard issued, voiding the old. I deposited half the cash I had and left feeling a little more secure. I bought a few groceries, some toothpaste, and a few other necessities. When I got back to my apartment a pair of reading lamps and a foil-covered plate were waiting in front of the door. Under them was a list of homework assignments I'd missed for the day.

I ate the dinner provided as I sat on the floor and did my homework. It was considerably harder without having immediate access to a computer and took longer to write long hand. It was late when I finished.

I knew enough to wash my plate after eating - an ant infestation in my last solo residence taught me that lesson - and I set it to dry so I could return it the next day. I wasn't used to sleeping on floors, but I could adjust. The apartment was cold; I would have to learn how the heat worked soon. And what it cost. Still, it had been a long day and I fell asleep quickly.

I got up early and went to school. I knew they had a computer lab that was open for student use but I had no idea where. It took me a while to find it and when I did I almost left immediately. The machines were antiquated compared to what I was used to. There was one printer and a 20-page maximum. I sat down at the unit furthest from everyone and began typing from my notes. Thankfully, my typing speed was fast enough that the process shouldn't delay me too long.

"Hey, Kaiba! What are you doing here, slumming?" A voice behind me laughed.

I turned to see several of the boys on the baseball team moving toward me. I recognized them all, though I had not taken the time to learn their names. Ryou would know - he had painted two of them. "My system at home is unavailable for a while. This is easier than buying a new one."

They all nodded. "Yeah. I guess even for you, that's kind of pricey. Hey, Suzuki Kazu is throwing a party this weekend; are you going? He's going to set up a Dueling Arena. It's going to be cool." He suddenly looked embarrassed. "I mean, not like anything you've got...."

"Actually, I like dueling in backyard arenas. I find I learn more from people trying to impress their friends than from duelists trying to impress me." Which was actually true. "Do you think Suzuki would mind if I attended?"

"If Kaiba showed up at his duel?" One of the other boys asked. "No way!"

"Then I would be glad to attend." I turned back to my homework. The boys stood awkwardly for a moment and I realized that they didn't understand that I had dismissed them.

Then I realized that I could no longer simply dismiss someone and expect Anzu or Ryou to handle details for me. I turned back to them. "I do not wish to be rude but these assignments are due today and I did not expect to have no computer access last night. At what time will I be expected?"

"Tomorrow. At like 2, I think."

"It's noon." One of the others said. "I have to go after my dentist appointment."

I wrote down the time and location on my notes and thanked them. This time they left. I finished two of my assignments but had to leave for class before I could get to the rest.

It was a long day, punctuated by my running back to the computer lab at every opportunity to type and print my homework. In every class, I had homework from the week we were in Aruba that needed to be done on top of the current assignment. Joey wouldn't look at me. Honda kept trying to get me to talk to him anyway, but I found I didn't know what to say. It might be better in the long run if Joey was one of the friends I did lose over the coming year. Most of my classmates asked where Bakura was; he seemed to have more friends than I did. Several times I reached for a cell phone I no longer owned or turned to ask Ryou the status of something only to find he wasn't there. Despite being in a crowded school, I felt very alone.

Eventually, the school day and all the related activities ended. I returned to the computer lab and began my homework.

It was slow. The Lab's internet access was low speed at best and made research ponderous. I quickly realized my dilemma - the internet café had high speed but no word processing software or printers. The lab had the tools I needed but research was so slow as to be worthless. I was going to have to do the bulk of my research after school, draft the work by hand and arrive early to school to type and print it. It would put my time at an even greater premium until I obtained a computer for myself.

There was another plate waiting in front of my door by the time I got home again. The food was cold but filling. I again ate while sitting on the floor doing homework. This time I fell asleep on my books.

Honda and Joey were leaving the apartment building at the same time I was heading to Suzuki's party. There was a time when we would have all piled onto my bike and gone together. This time Joey stalked off to the bus stop and Honda helplessly shrugged and followed him.

Suzuki's family had purchased a semi-permanent dueling arena that I was very proud of. It was more popular in places where homes tended to have land around them but the courtyard of the Suzuki's building was large enough. The only problem was that it didn't work.

I gave his father a half an hour to determine the problem and then I politely offered my assistance. They naturally fell over themselves thanking me. It took me ten minutes to determine that the unit had been improperly installed and - worse - the main projector was beyond repair.

I showed Suzuki-sama the problem and he began swearing. "I had the dealer install it! I'll never get them out here today!"

"I'm very glad of that. I don't want these people touching Kaiba products again. May I use your phone?"

The conversation did not go as expected. First, after announcing myself to the customer service department, I was placed on hold and then transferred twice. Then I was given to a clerk who promised to look into the matter and have a replacement part shipped in 3-6 weeks. I hung up, seething.

I called Anzu. Her secretary refused to connect me. She did forward me to Ryou's secretary - who put me on hold for an interminable amount of time.

"Since when do you have a secretary?" I exploded when he finally answered.

"Kaiba-san." He sounded more than a little distant. "How may I assist you?"

"What is going on? I want every idiot who touched this call fired before close of business today!"

"Kaiba, you don't have that authority any more." He said coolly. "Please calm down"

My first response was to threaten to fire him. But it was Ryou. I took a breath. "I need a new projector for a KC Duel Arena 3. In fact, I want an entirely new arena. I want the incompetent morons who installed this unit barred from touching Kaiba products for life. Then, I need to speak with engineering; there is no reason that projector unit should be that sensitive to begin with. It is not cost effective and it reflects badly on me. Have the parts delivered as soon as possible - by helicopter, if necessary."

"Kaiba, you are not CEO." He said.

"I DON'T CARE WHAT MY TITLE IS -" I started but he actually yelled louder.

"SETO!" He let a beat of silence go by. "Kaiba-sama has made it expressly clear that you are no longer the CEO. You cannot fire people. You cannot have products delivered by helicopter at will. You cannot simply call engineering. You do not work for this corporation." I didn't know how to respond to any of what he was saying. "I know this is difficult for you but please try to adjust. Where is Honda; let me speak to him."

"I don't know." I replied numbly.

"Well, who's this for?"

"Suzuki Kazu."

"He's one of your classmates, right?"

"Yes."

"He purchased it?"

"His father. Hold on a moment." I handed the phone to Suzuki-sama and looked out the window. I could see much of the room behind me reflected as I watched the party below continue without the arena. The guests were dueling using the arena for its space rather than its technology. I could hear Suzuki-sama explaining the problem and where he purchased the unit.

Eventually Bakura resolved the situation. Suzuki-sama was very happy and thanked Bakura profusely. After he hung up, he thanked me but I cut him off. "You have no need to thank me. I did nothing. If you will excuse me, I am very sorry."

I went home. I took the two clean plates and returned them to Honda's apartment door. I boiled some water and made instant ramen noodles. Maybe I could get a job installing Kaiba tech. Job-hunting is what I should have done instead of wasting my day with people who won't help me in the future.

I took a walk - I needed to start conserving gas - and went to the internet café. I found a huge number of job-hunting sites but none had any jobs listed for our small town.

"So how on earth are you supposed to find a job here, damn it!" I scowled at the machine. I pulled up the local paper but found their website incomprehensible. "Damn it!"

Someone beside me laughed, which did not help my mood. "Let me guess, local job search?"

I looked up to see the waitress smiling at me. I scowled back. This was frustrating enough without being taunted by the staff.

"Sorry! We kind of cater to out-of-towners; they don't get that we're still kind of archaic around here. You're wasting your time with that." She pointed to a stack of print newspapers. "Local listings are in those. And seriously, if you need something quick, a lot of stores still put up help wanted signs."

"Oh. I see." I logged off of the computer. The newspapers were useful but still limited. I still had to prepare a CV to apply for real jobs and then get back online to send it. I didn't bother looking at the retail or lesser positions because, frankly, I had no relatable skills. I was lucky that KaibaCorp had done some work as a contractor a few years ago and Anzu had saved a copy of my CV as it was included with the bid. I had no idea whether it was a good one or not, but I updated things that were clearly wrong - such as years of experience and most current position. Taking a positive approach, I applied for all fourteen office positions listed in the paper including the six management level jobs.

When I got home, Honda was leaning against my door. "Are you going to talk to him?"

"Talk to whom?" I asked, as if I didn't know whom he meant.

"Come on! Don't be like this! He's driving me crazy. Look, just tell him you're sorry. He's leaving tomorrow."

"I have nothing to be sorry for. If he would like to apologize for something, he may do so." I moved Honda aside and opened my door. "If you will excuse me; I have homework."

"Set-" I closed the door before he could say whatever he was planning.

I made another bowl of instant noodles and did homework until I fell asleep.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

My name is Morio Abdulatem.

Actually, it's not but that's the name I signed on the convention register. Mai and I grinned at each other as I handed the pen to her boyfriend Yugi.

I don't use my real name anywhere but at home. I have a passport issued in my false name by special Government request. I also have a concealed weapons permit. Both will tell you who I really am if you have the security clearances to find out; not that it ever gets that far.

Usually, I get caught with a knife or a gun, and then the local authorities take me into custody and try to call my parents. I'll show them my ID and the permit and they'll insist that both must be fake - which they are, but not in the way that matters. They will then run both through the computer. Ten minutes after they type my name in, the highest authority in the building comes to wherever I am, apologizes for the inconvenience and insists on paying for my trip or my convention pass or whatever. It's actually pretty funny.

It would be funnier if I didn't actually need a fake name and a concealed weapon.

Mai, Yugi and I grabbed our luggage and headed to our room. This weekend we were at a comic book convention in Okinawa. Last month, it was an LRPG con in Kyoto. The month before, it was The Kaiba International con in downtown Tokyo. So long as it's in Japan and Dad's security knows where I am, I can go pretty much anywhere I want.

Dad's security is a tricky bunch. They are absolutely loyal to KaibaCorp in general and Kaiba Gozaburo specifically. He runs it like a shogunate. Once a year, he even goes on training missions with them. It's a smaller group, but I still wouldn't take a bet on who would win between them and the Army. And if a war broke out, they would follow Dad, not the Emperor. Scary, scary guys.

Except that they all feel a little sorry for me so they don't always tell Dad where I go or when. The rule pretty much is if they didn't have to get me out of it, Dad doesn't need to know about it. So I get to hang with my friends and get away with anything just short of murder and Dad gets to believe that I'm the good son.

If he knew the truth, he'd have a stroke.

Mai pays for everything when we go to these things because she's over 20; Yugi's almost 18 and I'll turn 14 this summer. Though she always 'pays', I provide the actual cash flow. I have money in my Kaiba accounts and I get my allowance every week. And then 'Morie' has an on-line bank account that is funded by a few investments that Dad and my brother, Seto, don't need to know about. If anything ever happens to me, Seto and my 'governess' Isis split that account and a few other assets. Dad taught me: know, but don't show, everything you have.

So anyway, for the convention, Mai booked us as a double king-sized suite with hot tub. Yugi is always overwhelmed by opulence but Mai and I love it. The first thing we do is wait for security to give the room the all clear. They put cameras in over the main door and over any other possible entrance, angled to see who comes and goes, but not to see what goes on in the room. I could get stoned out of my mind and so long as no unauthorized person opened the door, security wouldn't bat an eye. Really; I tried it and they didn't.

After security does their bit and gives me the room key, we go in, lock the door and get naked!

Yugi is the aggressive one in bed, actually. People who know Mai wouldn't believe that, but really she likes to cuddle more. Yugi's enthusiasm for anything fun puts him on the top of the stack or the first to try any crazy new idea.

I don't like sex. Not that I've actually had sex - I'm 13! - but I don't get excited like other people do. I just like being naked.

Sometimes, when they've finished, I'll cuddle with them. It helps me sleep. I feel safe between them. I feel safe sleeping with Seto too, but that rarely happens any more. I haven't slept with Dad since I was 9.

Generally, I do research. I use the time they're being bunnies to find as many local newspapers, libraries and temples as possible. The older the better. Then, during the convention - when there isn't something I want to do - I go check the archives and the places I find. Sometimes it's a waste of time. But sometimes I find interesting things.

We're early for the convention, but late for archive I want to go to first, so after I get bored watching Mai and Yugi go at it, I get dressed again and go down to the dealers room. Comic cons are fun, but I like game cons more. Really, I'm only here because the orphanage Seto and I was in was not too far away; which means that there's a good chance my biological parents are buried in the area.

I don't really remember my bio-father. He's this blur in my memories of a Christmas party when I burned my hand on a light I wasn't supposed to touch in the first place. Seto held me and told me everything was ok and someone I think of as father bandaged me. I kind of remember my father's funeral. I remember sitting with Seto, in black kimonos, and having to be very still. My brother is very good at being very still, but I hate it. So every time I moved, he held me still. I remember that the whole day was very, very sad. That's not much really, but I was only five at the time.

But comic cons are for fun, not depressing thoughts. I goofed around the dealer room for a while and then wandered through the artist's room until Yugi and Mai came down. We got some food, found some duelist and some dice games and played both for a while. And then we got some more food. You know, convention stuff. Around midnight, we went to bed - all three of us, together.

It's always a large man, in my dreams. He's wrapped in black and I can't see his face. I just know that he wants me, to take me away. He's a bad man. You would think these nightmares started recently, after I was kidnapped. But really, I've had them for as long as I can remember. Seto was always there at first, always holding me at night, always promising to keep me safe. He thinks I don't know that I'm the reason we didn't get adopted for the first year. We were young and cute and then a prospective family would find out that I wake up screaming five days out of seven. I told Seto to go without me. He wouldn't.

He gave up a chance for a real family to protect me. I don't think anyone knows how much my Nii-sama loves me. Or what I would do for him. I'd die for him. I'd kill for him. People talk about Seto being heartless. They have no idea how much heart he has.

But my nightmares. They've gotten better over time, but I still wake up screaming sometimes. Yugi and Mai are almost used to it. That's why they let me sleep with them. I'm less likely to have a nightmare and it's easier to calm me down if they're right there with me. Tonight, I could almost see him. I felt like he could touch me. Seto couldn't stop him; Dad couldn't stop him. I almost called Nii-sama at four in the morning just to hear him say, 'I won't let him take you.'

Even so, I was up and out by seven.

I went to the local newspaper office. I had to beg - even shed a few tears - but finally their librarian agreed to let me search their files. I'm not going back that far. Not more than 15 years. Everything I need information on happened after that.

Mostly I look at obituaries. If they have funeral tapes, I scan them. Over the last year, I've downloaded some interesting details. For instance, my bio-father's last name was Abdulatem. Funny coincidence, huh?

Actually, no. It's my Dad being ironic. Using my real last name to hide my adopted one. I don't think he knows I remember it. But really, I was young, not stupid. I knew my name and becoming a 'Kaiba' didn't make me forget it.

'Abdulatem' is not a common name in Japan. In fact, it's not common anywhere. It's Coptic, from Egypt - like Isis, another coincidence. There are maybe 300 speakers of Coptic in the whole world. Anyway, I have only found one guy named 'Abdulatem' in Japan in the last 15 years. He was a professor who studied air pressure at TIT - Tokyo Institute of Technology. I can't think of a more boring topic, but apparently he was very interesting to several government officials.

Abdulatem was working with a biologist and they discovered a way to make concussive force grenades. They were non-lethal and did not use any form of projectile, but could render an area of people unconscious for some time. I didn't read the details - I couldn't care less about that - but his partner's name was really interesting. Kaiba Kisara. And guess what? They ran away together and settled in the Okinawa area to start a company to develop these force grenades into something that police worldwide could use instead of guns.

I'll bet my Dad was real interested in that.

The archive's obituaries didn't list either Abdulatem or Kaiba. I switched to their video collection. The tapes were raw footage, no sound or commentary. I played them fast-forwarded to get through as many as possible. Apparently, they had a cameraman who would go to a cemetery and just film everything for the day. In about the middle of the tape, I saw a boy who looked familiar. Brown hair, stone face.

Seto.

I went back to the beginning of the event. The cameraman got to the gravesite at the same time that the hearse did. As the staff got the urn, someone opened the passenger door and a tall man with brown hair and glasses got out. He was carrying a black-haired infant. Behind him, a brown-haired boy got out. I couldn't see him clearly, but it was the same kid that made me rewind the tape. The priest tried to give the urn to the tall man but he indicated that Seto should carry it. Together, they walked from the car to the funeral site.

The camera zoomed to follow them and focused on the tombstone for a moment. The kanji read 'Sapphire-eyed Daughter of the Dragon'. Then he moved to focus on the priest as he began chanting. Another priest was handing out incense.

About a third of the guests looked Middle-Eastern and seemed confused by the rites. A pair of priests spent some time explaining to them what to do. I noticed that the Japanese guests did not move a finger to assist the foreigners.

Finally the camera returned to the man and the boy. To my Father and Seto. And me, probably, around three days old.

It was a normal funeral. Apart from the apparent bad blood between the races, nothing unusual happened really until the chant ended. Father and Seto stood up to leave and were stopped by a teenage-girl and a boy about Seto's height. They spoke for a moment and the boy gave something to Seto. Father seemed grateful and hugged them both, carefully so as not to drop the baby. Both of the children asked and were allowed to look at the baby and the girl kissed the tiny black head. Then a procession started and everyone placed flowers inside the casket.

My mother's casket. They were placing flowers around her head. I cursed that the cameraman couldn't get an angle to see her. Even in death, I have never seen my mother's face.

Seto and my Father were the last two to pay their final respects, and then father handed the baby - me - to Seto and closed the casket himself.

Suddenly, the camera swiveled to someone just arriving. It must have been loud because everyone the camera passed was turning to look too.

The large man. The man in black. The bad man in my dreams. He snatched incense and flowers from a priest's hands and stormed to my Father. There was an exchange and if I had to guess, they were yelling because in the middle they both stopped and looked at Seto and me. Nii-sama was rocking me in his arms, his face close against mine. I know, without seeing his mouth, without hearing his words, what he is saying.

"I won't let him take you."

I stopped the tape and took it with me.

Yugi and Mai left me a note with their itinerary. I had the room to myself for another few hours. I played the video again, paying close attention to as many faces as I could see. I didn't recognize any of them. I did notice that Nii-sama's expression changed after Father handed me to him. He was no longer stone faced. He smiled. He looked at me and smiled.

And then, the bad man arrived. I couldn't see his face clearly from any angle on the tape. After he and father argued, the bad man pushed past father and reopened the casket. He looked at the woman inside for a moment, placed the flowers inside and closed the lid. Then, he walked past everyone, apparently without another word. The cameraman followed him as he got into a white limo and left. A white limo with a corporate logo on the back. The Cameraman saw it too and moved to catch a better shot of it. He got it clear and in focus for three seconds.

KaibaCorp.

Who the hell is Kaiba Kisara? And which Kaiba attended her funeral?

There is a KC office in Okinawa - in Japan, we have an office almost everywhere. I took a cab there. It was closed, but I have an employee ID so I let myself in and took the elevator to the top floor. I needed two security codes; one to operate the elevator at all and one to access the executive suites. Once there, I picked a desk at random and logged in.

Everything inside the Kaiba system was recorded. This was going to be in the security system and I was going to need my personal codes to get any kind of access. Basically, that meant that if I was about to delve into Dad's secrets, he was going to know about it within the next twenty minutes. Was knowing who Kaiba Kisara was that important?

Not really. Except....

Except what if she wasn't married to the guy that was holding me? What if the irony is that my real name IS Kaiba?

What if Dad really is my father?

That, I wanted to know.

I started with corporate history. Who started the company, who developed which products, which Kaibas were on the payroll and when. I found myself, still an employee in good standing. Nii-sama was on suspension.

I am not blind to the abusive relationship between Dad and my brother. When I was little, I used to try to convince Dad not to be so mean to Nii-sama. He told me that I would understand when I was older. What I grew to understand is that Dad saw Seto as a sword. When Dad adopted us, Seto had been shaped but crudely. Dad needed to temper him, sharpen him and make him a weapon worthy of the Kaiba name. I also grew to understand that I would never be that son for him. There was never even a moment when he considered leaving his legacy to me. If something happened to Nii-sama, I would not be heir to the Kaiba family name. Oh, I'd be taken care of. I'd get money and property. But not power. I will never be head of the family. That honor falls to Kaiba Seto or no one. One day I'll remind Dad that he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.

Seto's suspension was another in a long line of petty cruelties that Dad has visited upon my brother which Seto will tolerate it as part of his guilt for not being the perfect son. Dad keeps winning the battles and Nii-sama keeps collecting scars. But one day, Seto will win the war.

I'm not blind to their relationship. I stay out of it because I love them both.

I found a long line of Kaibas. The family is actually quite large. I opened a link to the Ministry of Vital Records and did a little checking. Dad's father had two brothers and two sisters. That whole generation had passed away, but all of them had at least three children. Some of the resulting children had children.

Dad had a sister - my Auntie, Noah's mother. I found Noah's birth certificate; it listed his mother but no father, leaving me to wonder if that picture of my 'uncle' was Noah's father. I flipped back a few pages. Dad's birth certificate showed that he was third of three live births. But I could not find the certificate for the first child. Death certificates were even more frustrating; not finding one could mean that the death was not recorded. I found a pair of surprises in the Ministry of Marriage and Divorce. A Marriage certificate had been issued for Dad but was voided and sealed.

I linked through a Kaiba system back door into TIT's personnel system. KC and TIT did a lot of joint research and being able to draw on their staff at will was one of Dad's requirements for the partnership.

And then, in a list of TIT graduates, I found her. Kaiba Kisara, Biology PhD. 'Pictured on page 46 with Master's candidate Kaiba Gozaburo'.

It took me an hour to find the actual document. No one had it on line but someone at the campus library found it and agreed to send it to me at home. I was shaking when I hung up the phone; in the next few days I was going to see my mother's face. Maybe - if 'Kisara' turned out to be Dad's missing wife. I turned back to the computer to see if I could find why Dad's older sister had been erased from family history. We are Japanese; we don't do that sort of thing.

"Please leave your hands where I can see them." The unfamiliar voice was accompanied by the very familiar sound of a gun being cocked.

I put my hands up slowly. "You are making a mistake." I said calmly. "I have ID."

"Stolen."

"May I turn around?"

"Move and I'll shoot." The voice was young and scared. "Soto to base. I have the intruder." There was a burst of static. "I understand. OK. Stand up. Slowly."

My heart was pounding, racing. I glanced over my shoulder and saw it briefly before turning back to the computer. A KC .38, similar to the one I carry, but Soto's was the standard issue while mine was custom designed by Seto. The other difference, of course, was that one was pointing at the back of my head. "Is that a KC .38?" I asked, letting my voice quiver a bit.

"I said stand up!" he ordered.

"Are you going to shot me?"

"I will if you don't stand up!" I shivered. I almost didn't move but at this distance even a blind man could hit a target. I stood up. "Who are you?"

"Would you believe me if I said Kaiba Mokuba?" This was a bad time to tease security, but I couldn't help myself. He started it.

"Fine. Don't answer." He walked up behind me, put the gun's barrel on the back of my neck and reached for my right arm.

I fought not to moan out loud, but the gun barrel was too much. He grabbed my arm and pulled it behind me. I wanted to let him cuff me. Maybe he'd put the gun barrel in other, more sensitive places. This is why I don't like sex; I can't find partners who want to play with my toys.

Common sense quickly reined in my sick fantasies and while he was trying to hold me one-handed - rookie mistake - I pulled my gun left-handed and turned around. He jumped and fired and the bullet went past my neck close enough to burn as it went by. That was enough to get me all the way hard.

They were always stunned to find themselves disarmed and flat with me sitting on top of them. "I'll bet I'm enjoying this way more than you are." I said as I cocked his gun again. I had my legs wrapped around his hips and he turned pale as my real meaning sunk in on him. I used the barrel of my gun to stroke his torso. "Bullet proof." I reached back with his gun and stroked his crotch. "Not bullet proof."

"Don't...don't...oh, God...please...."

Kaiba Security doesn't whimper, I thought with disgust. "How long have you worked here?"

"Two weeks."

"If you live through this, quit."

"Yes, sir."

I kept stroking him with the important barrel while I pulled his radio. I changed the frequency. "Tamura. This is Kaiba. Where are you?"

It was a moment before he answered. "Kaiba-san? My apologies, sir. There is an intruder at the Kaiba Office and we were asked to assist."

Apparently, the exchange scared Soto as much as my sitting there did. Or maybe it was the proximity of live ammo to his privates. I grinned at him and moved the gun to someplace dry. "I don't suppose you're on the 12th floor, by any chance?"

"No, I'm out front. Where are you, sir? Just by chance."

"I happen to be on the 12th floor doing homework." I had a sudden thought. "Tamura, when I got back from Paris did my security protocols get reactivated in all the offices?"

There were a few moments of silence. "We're checking, sir." There was a little more silence. I rubbed Soto's gun along his cheek, wishing our positions were reversed. "Kaiba-san? This office was never informed of your safe return home. Your ID and password were flagged."

"But not disabled?"

"We wanted to catch anyone who used them, sir. We wanted to talk to them." Talk was probably the last thing they had planned for my kidnappers.

"Tamura, I'd like to stand up now." Actually, I wouldn't but Soto looked freaked out enough. "If I do, is anyone going to shot me?"

There was silence for a moment again and then I heard Tamura's voice from radios surrounding me, calling them to stand down. I stood up.

"Kaiba-san!" Three members of my own security were leading the pack. They had big guns. The images gave me another shiver.

One of them noticed the bullet hole in the wall and another caught the red mark on my neck.

"That was me." I said, daring Soto to say something.

"But sir, you couldn't have...."

"I think I know when I have fired a round." I said flatly. "This is all a small misunderstanding. I didn't check in with the security office here when I came in to do a little homework. Officer Soto surprised me. I got a little nervous and fired. I'm sure that explanation will satisfy everyone." I looked at Soto. "Isn't that what you remember?"

"Yes." He said simply.

I looked at the ranking officer in front of me. "Fujimoto?" He bowed. "As far as training exercises go, I think you all did quite well. I could have escaped Soto, perhaps, but I could not have gotten past all of you. Excellent job. Now, if you will excuse me, I'd like to finish my research." Fujimoto ordered the men back. Soto paused and almost found the balls to ask for his gun back. I locked it, kissed the barrel and offered it. He looked a little sick and let me keep it.

I downloaded everything I could to a thumb drive. Then I went into the machine's history and erased my searches. It wouldn't hide my trail; just give me more time to decide what to tell Dad. This one, he'd hear about.

Then, just because, I looked up gun porn. Pictures of naked people and guns. Some male, some female. Sometimes rubbing against skin, sometimes inserted into rude places. I found myself rubbing Soto's gun against myself as I looked. I had a feeling that this wasn't a healthy fetish. But there was something so hot about guns. Something I found both phallic and yonic at the same time. Something I found more erotic than any other image - even watching people have sex in the bed next to me.

Monsieur Bernard was as close as I'd come. But I told him that he had to play my way - not in the locker room at school and not with the other boys. He said that I was too young to tell him what to do. I told him if he wanted to play with me, it had to be my way and if he ever tried to touch me against my will, I'd feed him his own dick and stab his eyes out. I didn't know at the time just how sick he really was.

The thing that scared me, though, through the whole kidnapping wasn't the danger of being hurt or the threat of being a sex slave. It wasn't even the thought that I'd never see Seto or Dad again - although that was a close second.

What really scared me down deep? What still catches me off guard at odd moments and makes me shiver, is the fact that, if Bernard had used a gun instead of a knife in Hat Yai, I would have let him do whatever he wanted.

I sighed heavily. It would be embarrassing to have to explain a stain on my pants and I had a hot tub I could be discrete in at the hotel. I started to log out and stopped.

KaibaCorp never had a bio-weapons division that I knew of, but it was worth a quick search. There was a security lock on the search but I overrode it. There was only one folder.

It had been created 16 years ago by Kaiba Kisara.

Inside, was her journal; the log of the experiment she was working on with a young Arab idealist. You could almost read how she fell in love with him. You could also read how worried she was about her family approving of their work. It stopped abruptly. I copied the folder and took it with me too.

I erased the bio-weapon search and the porn search and turned off everything.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I was awakened by someone banging on my door. Bleary-eyed, I made my way to the door and opened it.

"Geez!" Joey and a middle-aged woman were standing there. "You look like crap." He observed.

"What is it Wheeler?" Both my back and neck were stiff. A bed of some kind was moving up on my priority list.

"My Mom wanted to meet you." He muttered. "Mom, Kaiba. Kaiba, Mom."

Meeting your lover's parents was supposed to be an important event. I bowed slightly. "Forgive my appearance. I was not expecting guests."

Kawai Shizuko was an average woman, not pretty but not unacceptable, with curly brown hair nothing like Joey's blond cascade. "Oh, please, pardon us! I knew it might be a bit early for you, but we're leaving for the airport shortly and, well, I just thought you might want to go with us." She smiled. "I've been hearing so much about you these last few months, I feel like I know you already."

I couldn't stop myself from yawning and nodded as I did. "Let me get dressed." I closed the door and gathered myself.

I was in the bathroom when I realize that I had just agreed to go with them to what undoubtedly would be an emotional family ordeal. I could just not go. It wasn't as if I was required to. But I had agreed to go and it would be impolite to change my mind now. I sighed. I would simply have to control my own emotions. There was no reason for me to join the histrionics; Joey and I were no longer a couple. No longer lovers. No longer friends, even.

Kawai-san had rented a van to drive Serenity, Joey and a surprisingly small amount of luggage to the airport at Osaka. Honda and I rode with them. If Joey had told me about this trip two weeks ago, I could have arranged a car to take them to a charted jet. They could have flown to the United States in comfort instead of in coach. Two weeks ago, I could have done that. Today, I can barely afford to contribute to the cost of gas for the van.

"Kaiba-san?" I realized that the small voice had called my name twice. I pulled away from my thoughts and looked at the speaker.

Kawai Serenity was a little older than Mokuba and a lot shyer. The most notable thing about her was her eyes; they were a milky brown color as if there was a film over her irises. Otherwise, she resembled her mother leaving me to suspect that Joey resembled their father.

"Yes?"

"Are you Joey's boyfriend?"

Honda snickered and I found myself flustered.

"Serenity, stop trying to embarrass your brother," Kawai-san admonished.

"Yeah!" Joey added. "Quit being a brat!"

"I am not a brat!" She objected. They bickered for a few minutes allowing me to avoid answering the question.

"So, are you?" She asked again after their dispute had settled down.

I hesitated which gave Honda time to answer for me. "Yes, he is. They just had a fight and neither of them wants to apologize first."

"Shut up, jerk," Joey groused. I didn't see a reason to reply at all.

"Oh. I see." Kawai-san glanced at me in the rear-view mirror. "Well, you could always agree to apologize at the same time."

"I have nothing to apologize for." I said simply.

Joey muttered something in English that I didn't catch and his Mother glanced at him sharply. "Joey! Not in front of your sister."

"Sorry."

Honda and Serenity carried the conversation from that point while I looked out the window and thought about what stage two of my job search should be if I needed a second stage. I was about to ask Anzu for my calendar until I realized that she wasn't there.

A phone. I needed to purchase a new phone. And a calendar. Maybe I should start my own company rather than work for someone else.

"Kaiba-san?" Kawai-san was shaking me gently. "We're here." I hadn't realized that I'd fallen sleep but I roused myself quickly to join the rest of the group.

Honda and Joey were unloading the van. I got out of the vehicle and I honestly didn't know what to do. I never carried luggage. My secretary always had my tickets and knew which gate to go to. I felt useless.

"Uhgh! I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached!" Kawai-san frantically searched her purse until she pulled out an envelope. "Oh thank God! I was afraid I'd left them at home. Kaiba-san, please keep these before I really do lose them." She handed me the tickets without waiting for my answer. "Ok. Joey, do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Sera? Last chance."

"Mom! I'm going to be in the stupid hospital the whole time. I won't need anything."

"Books, games?"

She rolled her eyes. If I had done that to my Father he would have broken my jaw. "No, Mom!"

"Ok." Kawai-san locked the van. "Ok, four kids, two tickets, car keys, the doors are locked. Everybody take a bag."

Honda took great perverse joy in handing me what must have been the heaviest piece of luggage there. I carried it simply to prove I could.

The concourse was loud. Normally, in the rare event that I was flying on a common carrier, I waited in the first class lounge where it was quiet so I could work. Honda and I waited while Kawai-san got the luggage checked and got their boarding passes.

"So you are really going to let Joey get on a plane and vanish for six months without saying anything."

"There is nothing that needs to be said."

"Kaiba, come on! At least tell him you'll miss him!"

"I won't."

"That is such a lie!" Honda nearly exploded. "I can't believe even you believe that."

"A simple act of will. I assure you I will not miss him in the slightest."

He looked at me for a moment and then shook his head. "No. I don't believe that for a minute. Not even from you, Kaiba. And if you believe it, you are seriously messed up in the head."

I shrugged. It didn't matter if he believed me or not.

Those not traveling were not allowed through security. My staff always followed me to the gate whether they were flying or not. Kawai-san was torn looking at Joey and Serenity and then Honda and I.

Joey solved it for her. "Look, Mom, you might as well head back. You still gotta work today, right?"

"Yes but -"

"Don't worry! I'll keep an eye on the squirt."

"And I'll keep the thug out of trouble." His sister countered. "You worry too much, Mom. You should have some fun while we're gone."

"I have plenty of fun with you two." She thought about it for a moment. "I guess it doesn't make much sense for us all to stand around waiting. Ok. First, a bathroom break for you, young lady."

"They have bathrooms on the plane, Mom."

Kawai-san's eyes just briefly landed on Joey and I. "Yes they do. But they have them here too so march." She paused with a significant look at Honda. "Two hours will be a long drive home."

"Yeah, no I'm - oh - yeah. Yeah, I should go too. Be back in a couple minutes."

"Subtle." Joey rolled his eyes as they all moved away leaving us as alone as possible in an airport. "Look, Tak -"

"Please don't call me that anymore." It didn't feel right to allow it.

"You have to be a dick now?"

"Just as you persist in being a foul-mouthed cur."

"You know what?" He started to speak several times but stopped. "You are such an arrogant little prick!" He finally seethed.

"I am who I am."

"You're a son of a bitch!"

"Making you a stray mutt?"

His Mother returned before we could trade any more insults. She pulled him aside after one glance at his expression.

"You guys just couldn't kiss and make up, could you?" Honda shook his head sadly.

I didn't reply; the whole trip had been a waste of my day.

There was a final moment as Honda embraced Joey when I felt a surge of jealousy. For just an instant, I wanted to shove Honda aside and hold Joey there, keep him from leaving at all. But it passed before they let each other go and I was able to indicate my goodbye with a slight nod. I did wish his sister well, though.

We stayed until we saw them pass through security without incident and head together through the door that took them to the next concourse. Joey looked back once. Kawai-san waved frantically, but he didn't see her. Or she wasn't who he was looking for. We left immediately after that.

"So, Hiroto," Kawai-san tried to remain upbeat as we drove home, "since we're both on our own for a while, how about you let me treat you to breakfast?"

"I have never turned down a free meal." He answered laughing.

'Yes you have', I thought. 'When I brought it to your door, you said it cost too much.'

"Kaiba-san?"

Again, I had been lost in thought. "Yes?"

"What do you think, breakfast?"

I would have preferred to salvage at least part of my day but she clearly intended to stop regardless of my opinion. "If you'd like."

"Good! There's a little place we passed on the way up that had American blueberry pancakes on their sign. Have you boys ever had blueberry pancakes?" She didn't wait for either of us to answer. "Oh, my God. When I first went to America - as an exchange student, I must have been your age I think - I stayed with the Wheelers - my husband's family. Of course, he wasn't my husband then!" She laughed. "They were my host family. And his mother made blueberry pancakes for my first American breakfast. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! I could have eaten them every day!" She went on about the food, the family, American high school, anything she could think of. Honda asked a question or two each time she seemed to be running out of material and I wanted to tear my brain out the entire trip. The whole conversation gave me a raging headache. She extracted a promise from both of us to try the pancakes as we pulled into the restaurant parking lot.

I found them too sweet, but I did make a mental note to see that Mokuba tried them. I suspected they would wind up as a staple in his pantry. Honda loved them almost as much as Kawai-san did and they enjoyed themselves completely. I was aware that I would have enjoyed the meal far more if I were paying for it.

"So, Kaiba-san." She said when the conversation lulled. "Joey told me some of what you're going through right now."

I shrugged. "It will be a learning period."

"It will." She agreed. "Here." She pulled a slip of paper out of her purse - she had no trouble finding it despite the fact that it was far smaller than the earlier envelope. On it was her name and two phone numbers. "I don't expect that you would need my help with anything, but if you do need something, I hope you'd feel free to call me. Actually," she laughed to herself, "I hope you do call me. It's going to be very quiet without Joey and Serenity to look after. Honda all but takes care of himself."

"Aw!" He grinned easily. "Everybody needs a Mom sometimes. Right, Kaiba?"

No, not at all. "Yes. Of course. Thank you." I put the note in my pocket.

She paid the bill and we returned to the car. "Kaiba-san, now here's something you can do for me. You duel, right?"

I tried not to be insulted. "I am currently the number one duelist in the world."

"You or Yugi." Honda amended.

"I currently outrank him." Thanks more to Kujaku's distraction than to my own skill, but it hardly mattered.

"Even being number fifty would impress me!" She said. "I don't understand it at all. But Joey goes to those tournaments all the time and he wins impressive amounts of money - and he's not at your level, is he?"

I had to chuckle. "No."

"So I was hoping you could explain the game to me, a bit. I mean Joey has tried, but I just keep missing something. You have the cards and you have points, right?"

"Yes." We spent the rest of the drive talking about Duel Monsters and dueling. Several times I had to revise my way of describing the process either because of her lack of gaming knowledge or because of her 'parental hearing' - as she described it - getting her stuck on the wrong concept. As we neared home, I realized that the conversation was the basis for a new game manual, but no one had been taking notes and all of what was said might have been lost. My eidetic memory is phenomenal, but an entire two-hour conversation would be difficult to recapture.

She dropped us off at our building. "When's your father due back, Hiroto?" she asked.

"Next month. Probably the 15th or so."

"Give him my love if I miss him, ok? Call me if you need anything, both of you."

"Yes, ma'am!" He laughed. He waved as she drove off. Then he sighed heavily. "So, what do you want to do today?"

"I have a great deal of work to do. I'm afraid I can't simply hang out for the rest of the afternoon."

"Oh, well, yeah. I mean, I've got homework too." He paused. "Hey, why don't you come up? We've got two computers - you can use the spare. Actually, it just sits in the closet now. I'll bet Dad wouldn't mind if you just took it. I mean, until you get your own."

I was about to turn the offer down until I realized how stupid it would be to waste the resource. And, frankly, I used to enjoy doing homework with Honda and Joey. Sitting on my floor, staring at my textbooks was too reminiscent of sitting at my desk as a child, literally chained to it until I finished my assignments correctly. Speed won me freedom, errors brought me lashes.

I shook those thoughts from my head. "Yes. Thank you. I will get my books and join you."

"Great!"

When I got to Honda's apartment, he was setting up a computer in the living room even older than the ones at school. I groaned out loud when the Windows 2000 logo appeared.

"I know." He chuckled but it was hollow. "Joey used it for a while until his Mom got him his laptop."

"It's a dinosaur. Does it even have web access?"

"Oh, yeah! We've got a split connection and, I mean, it's not great, but you can work. You can download stuff. It just takes, like, five minutes instead of one."

That was faster than the school's shared connection, but not as fast as the café's instant.

Then a screen popped up for a password. 'This machine is registered to Honda Ichirou'. Honda-sama's name was 'Kenshin'. I didn't ask, but Honda answered my unspoken question.

"My brother. He and my mom died in a train wreck in Amagasaki. Back in 2000. It was all over the news. The wreck, I mean. Like, 100 people died. They were visiting my Grandparents. A commuter train going way too fast jumped the track and crashed into my grandparent's apartment building." He typed while he talked, but I could see the subject upset him. "I was supposed to go with them, but I got a bad grade on my math test and Dad made me stay home."

Neither of us spoke for a few minutes. I didn't know what to say. It was obviously emotionally costly for him to use this equipment, so fraught with painful memories. I knew I should say something comforting, but I truly wished Anzu were there to handle such a delicate moment.

I opened my mouth to offer my condolences, but instead said, "My mother died in childbirth with Mokuba. I was five. My father died when I was eight."

He was silent for a moment. "That reeks." He said finally. "I don't know what I'd have done if I lost Dad too."

"You would have overcome."

"No." He shook his head. "I'm not like you. If both my parents had died, I'd have just, I don't know, lost it. I couldn't do it alone."

"I haven't." I pointed out. "I had to take care of my brother. Everything I've done was to ensure he had the best of what life can offer."

He nodded. "Yeah, I have to give you that. You are an awesome big brother. Mokuba told me you've always been there for him. He said you were even the first one in to rescue him."

"He is the only thing I have." I hadn't meant to say it, but I doubted it had any real meaning to Honda.

But he smiled. "Not the only thing. You also have a friend." He got up. "Look, why don't you get started here and I'll go scrounge up something in the kitchen. Those pancakes were good but they sure weren't filling."

We spent most of the day studying. I spent some time on my job hunt - mostly checking for responses. We did waste some time dueling and I wrote a few general notes for a beginner's dueling manual. Honda thought it was a good idea as well and helped me reconstruct much of the conversation with Kawai-chan.

As it was getting dark, it began to dawn on me that I hadn't seen Honda-sama in a day or so. "Where is your father?" I asked finally.

"Back out at sea, by now." He saw my look of confusion. "Dad's a commercial fisherman. He's out on the boats ten to twenty days at a time usually." He had been typing when I asked the question and he continued as he spoke. "It's going to be quiet around here with him and Joey gone." He paused and looked at me. "Of course, you can hang out anytime you want. I mean, it's not like I'll be busy or anything. So if you need help or something. Or if you're just bored. Or whatever."

He let me borrow Joey's futon and a few extra blankets when he realized that I was sleeping on the floor. I complained that more of his furnishings were in my apartment than in his but he ignored me and we carried the heavy thing down together.

As I wound down my evening I began to get a sense of how lonely Honda appeared to be. Joey and his father were gone, Anzu would have her hands full taking on one third of my responsibilities at KaibaGames, Mutou had been out of touch since we returned from Aruba. To all appearances, I was the only friend he had left. I had to laugh at the irony of that and vowed to myself that I would check on him occasionally. Honda was not the type of person to be left alone for long periods.

My dreams the first night Joey was gone were arousing. By the end of that week, they were disruptively erotic. I'd wake suddenly in the middle of the night, groaning, sweating and panting. There was usually cum splattered from my abdomen to my chest. And almost all of my dreams were a replay of our last night together, of his dominance of me. Except that in my dreams, he was more aggressive, more forceful. I was more submissive to his will. It was terrifying. And yet at the same time, exhilarating.

I did not understand these dreams. I found the idea of being dominated repulsive. In all honesty I didn't want to dominate him either. I enjoyed our balance, giving and taking equally. I spent so much time in control of others that it was nice to share control with someone. But I had no desire to give up control completely. Except in my dreams with Joey taking me hard and fast and aggressively.

By the second week, my days had become a vague impression of time passing. And it was getting cold. I had discovered how to control the heat but after the first bill arrived - with usage for only half the billing cycle already outrageously expensive - I vowed to turn it off and leave it off. I began sleeping fully dressed under as many blankets as I had but, thanks to my dreams, I was now doing a lot of laundry.

Someone smacked the back of head sharply. It woke me and instantly I realized that I was falling asleep sitting at a school desk. Last time that happened, Father lashed me 40 times, promising to double the number if it ever happened again. My body jumped out of the seat at the same time that my brain realized the incident I was remembering was four years ago.

"Something to add, Kaiba-san?" The instructor of the class asked as my classmates snickered. "I'm so sorry we were boring you."

I was embarrassed and livid. "Excuse me." I said without a word of explanation and left the room.

I went to the bathroom and wiped my face in an effort to wake myself. Honda must have hit me; only he and Ryou would have the audacity to do something like that to me in public. I should not have been falling asleep in class, however. Sleep at night was becoming more elusive. My stress was at an all time high.

Most concerning was that I had not found a job yet. My rent was due in two weeks and I did not have the funds for it. Nor did I have any concrete idea where I could obtain the funds necessary. There had been no responses to the CVs I sent out. I resorted to going to businesses and turning in CV's until one receptionist accused me of using a false name. I had to show her my identification before she would accept it. From then on, I attached a copy of my ID to the rest of the documents. I had managed to get almost half the money offering my services as a Kaiba-certified technician and installing Dueling tech for schoolmates and others. That had some success but there wasn't enough work available. I had left the ad posted in several places to provide some additional income, but the idea would only supplement any full-time position I found.

The night before, I spend the entire evening going from store to store at the local mall filling out applications. Tonight, I would do the same at the stores downtown.

I returned to class and managed to stay awake to the end.

"Kaiba-san, may speak to you?" the instructor called me as the class was leaving.

"Falling asleep in your class was unpardonable," I began.

"I am concerned about that but it's not what I wanted to speak to you about." He pulled my last paper from his desk. "I will not accept this from you."

"Excuse me?"

"This is far below the level of your work in this class. I won't accept it knowing full well that you can do better. Now, the headmaster has informed us that you are having some difficulties at home, and I understand that you do not have some of your previous resources available but this - this - this is inexcusable. You have one week to re-do it and give me something that shows you at least read the assignment."

I took the paper back; it wasn't as if I really had a choice.

Honda was waiting for me. "Wow. Harsh."

"He's correct. My work of late has been substandard at best. I doubt he will be the only teacher to return assignments to me."

He wasn't.

Between that and the lack of sleep, my day was exhausting. By the time Cheering ended, I was honestly at my end. I could think of nothing but going home and hoping I could keep my eyes closed.

"Hey, Kaiba-san." One of the baseball players called me as I was leaving the locker room. I didn't recognize him, but at the moment, I wasn't sure if I would recognize Mokuba.

"What?"

"Uh, ok. Look, Suzuki says you're an ok guy and word's going around that you're looking for a job."

I found the strength to be indignant. "My employment issues are none of your concern."

He frowned. "Look, do you need a job or not?"

"I will resolve my own problems." I said.

"My Dad owns a hardware store. He needs somebody to do stock. None of my friends want it 'cause my Dad's kind of a hard-ass. But I told him I might know someone. So are you interested?"

Networking; I hadn't even considered networking at the high school level. I bowed. "I would be most humbly grateful."

He rolled his eyes. "It's not all that. Come on; if you have time tonight, I'll take you over. Let you meet 'The General'. You won't be thanking me after you've worked for him for a week!"

Takahashi Rakuo was my classmate's name I managed to learn before I was embarrassed. His Father was positively permissive compared to mine. He allowed me to start right away. I knew nothing about hardware, but the job came down to putting objects in the properly labeled bin or on the right shelf. Even I could manage that. The store closed at 9pm and I stayed an hour more to do the required new hire paperwork.

I had to do it twice because the first time I instinctively completed all the management sections.

By the time I got home, I fell asleep fully dressed. I still woke up in the middle of the night but my dreams were becoming even more sexual and more distorted. Ryou and even Anzu I could understand. But now Mokuba was in them, forcing me on my knees and holding me there with a hand full of my hair. I woke up with my school uniform covered with sweat and cum; I threw it in my laundry pile and showered.

Dreams are the subconscious mind randomly connecting thoughts. Was I trying to tell myself something or was this all meaningless? Hmm. Perhaps I could make an appointment with myself and discuss it at a more reasonable hour. I'd have myself talk to my secretary just as soon as I had one again.

The next morning was Saturday. Insistent banging on my door awaked me. Honda was calling me and clearly worried.

"Calm down." I yawned. "What's wrong?"

"Where have you been? You vanished after school and nobody knew where you were! If you weren't here this morning, I was going to call your Father next!"

I stared at him. "Don't ever do that. Why would you even suggest that?"

"Your brother got kidnapped! They could try that with you. How do I know? What am I supposed to do? You didn't call, leave a note, nothing!"

"I was at work!"

His whole tone changed. "You found something? Awesome! Where is it?"

"Takahashi Hardware. Honda, I'm serious. I don't care if you find my dead body, do not call my Father. Mazaki or Bakura. Mokuba. My cousin Kaiba Noah if you absolutely can't find anyone else. Calling my Father will only cause you trouble."

Honda looked at me. I know he wanted to argue, but he was thinking of his father; he had no experience with mine. In the end, he shook his head. "Ok, whatever. Hey! Let's go grab breakfast! Do you have to work today?"

"Yes."

"What time?"

I paused; I had no idea. I flipped through the papers I had brought home but none of them listed the store hours. Honda helped me find the store's number and let me use his phone to call them. No answer.

"Easy!" He said. "We'll go by on our way to breakfast. If they're not open, they'll have their hours on the door." He looked at me, concerned. "And I know you're worried about this homework thing, but you seriously need to get some sleep. You look wrecked."

The store was open when we got there, but Takahashi-sama did not expect me until 10am. "I want you here to re-stock after the morning rush." Honda and I had breakfast nearby and I went to my first official day as an employee afterward.

The work was easy, actually. It took a day to learn how the store was laid out, but the order was logical so it only took another day to memorize. As I began to learn the function of each tool, I found new understandings of some of my design work. When I didn't have other assignments, I paid careful attention to the service men. They often explained to customers how to do repairs or builds. Takahashi himself noticed me and began specifically teaching me projects mostly electrical and plumbing. But from these, I made a wealth of notes about how to better design the Arena3 series. And for another idea for something even smaller - the Arena4 for apartments. I promised myself that Suzuki would get the first one available.

Takahashi-sama was generous enough to give me my first week's salary a few day's early so that I could pay my rent on time and in full. It seemed foolish, but I felt like it was one of my most triumphant days.

I was still having some trouble sleeping, but most days I was so exhausted my sleep was dreamless. And yet not restful. I started having persistent headaches that nothing I did would abate for more than an hour.

And then, I got sick.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I was already finding it harder to wake in the mornings and virtually impossible to concentrate in class. During Cheering, my head began spinning each time I moved it more than an inch up or down. I was only able to continue because our drills are so repetitive. However, when it came time for me to execute an assisted handspring - something I'd been doing for more than a semester - I instead fell backward into a teammate.

I apologized and attempted to stand, but found my legs too weak to hold me. The Coach asked if I was all right and as I answered him, my vision began to go gray. And then black.

I woke on the ground, surrounded by people but disoriented. The Coach insisted that I lay still and in truth, I had no real desire to move. The school nurse arrived and took my temperature, 41(c, which she and the Coach seemed concerned about. She asked me a number of questions about me recent health and activity level. She asked me if I was seeing anyone. Then she asked how to get in touch with my parents.

I did not want her to call my Father; if this was a passing virus, I did not want him to see my weakness. And if it were more serious, he would see to my care but my year of freedom would be over.

I knew my emergency contact has to be over 20. Honda wasn't old enough. Joey was too far away to call even if he was the right age. Bakura or Anzu could have handled things for me. They simply would have called my family physician. But no doubt I was no longer allowed access to him. The National Care system was cheap and I'm sure just as good. The nurse seemed to think I was delirious and continued to ask for my parent's phone numbers.

"Call Honda Kenshin or Kawai Shizuko." I said mostly to get her to shut up.

I closed my eyes after that. When I opened them again, I was in motion. In an ambulance; there was a paramedic taking various measurements. He asked what my name was and pointed a bright light in my eyes. Mokuba told me to just relax because everything would be fine. It seemed odd that Mokuba would be that tall or that old - he had a mustache - but I didn't have the strength to question it.

I stopped being able to follow most of the details after that. Clearly I had a fever and they seemed to be somewhat worried. But obviously it couldn't be serious. I am Kaiba Seto. I don't get sick. I have been in perfect health my entire life. They must be mistaken. I have no doubt that even viruses are afraid of my father. None of them would dare come near me.

I had the impression of opening and closing my eyes many times in a constant waking dream. I remember asking for Mazaki to give me the current status and I remember looking for Joey. I think I asked about other things, other people but none of it was clear.

When I did finally open my eyes and the room was clear, it was also dark save for a small light beside me. Kawai-san had fallen asleep reading, her book light creating just enough light for me to identify her. Clearly I was in a hospital bed; the IV in my arm confirmed that. But I couldn't figure out why she was at my side.

I tried to speak and found my throat dry and sore. I'd had a sore throat for some time I realized, but I hadn't thought much about it. There was a pitcher and a cup beside the bed but it was a struggle for me to reach them and I was too weak to lift the pitcher. "Damn it!" I muttered as I fell back on the pillow.

"Oh!" Kawai-san woke with a start. "Seto!" She sat carefully on the bed beside me. "How are you feeling?"

"Irrelevant." I managed. "Water then status." I closed my eyes again.

"How you feel right now is very relevant. Here." The cup touched my lips but she had to actually help me hold my head up to drink. "Not too much. There. Better?"

"No." Swallowing was exhausting. "Status?"

"Of what?"

"Everything." Why was this a hard question?

"Well, let's see. Last Wednesday, you were acting a little odd in class but Honda didn't realize..."

"Irrelevant!" I tried to shout but had a coughing fit instead. She tried to say something about me relaxing and I managed to talk over her. "Stock price. Did the Arena4 launch? Who has been informed of where I am. Who's running things in my absence? Status!" Which brought on more coughing.

Which brought in a pair of nurses and a rather handsome doctor and when I next opened my eyes there was sunlight and Honda sitting in the chair, snoring.

I tried to fill in the missing time. I could not deny that I was seriously ill. I undoubtedly had been in this hospital for several days, perhaps a full week. There were cards on the table beside me. Had I seen Mokuba? Unlikely. Suzuki and Takahashi visited I was fairly sure. Yugi, Mai and Yugi's ... brother?

That was a strange memory. It brought back the time I first met Yugi. Not at my condo when Joey and I reunited. But two years ago, dueling. We've faced off countless times and he's beaten me in almost every one. But when he used to duel, he always had an air of regality about himself. Not merely arrogance but the assuredness of true monarchs. He used to call himself the 'king of games' and acted accordingly. In all honesty, I had a mild crush on him briefly. The boy I saw at school was nothing like the prince I dueled. In fact, I didn't realize that he was 'the' Yugi Mutou until we entered a tournament together after Joey and I were dating. Yugi had none of his dueling presence any more and his dueling style had changed as well. But his brother...his brother seemed like the Yugi I remembered. If, of course, I hadn't dreamed the brother's existence in the first place.

"Honda." I called out as loud as I could. "Honda."

My friend yawned. "Oh hey. Sorry. Water or status?"

I paused. "Both and then a question. Does Yugi have a brother?"

Honda had been pouring my water but stopped. "You remembered that? I told him it was too freaky." He shook his head. "I don't know who that guy is. I mean, Yugi keeps calling him 'his other self' but that's, you know, weird."

"He used to duel for Yugi, didn't he?"

"No, Yugi's always dueled."

"No." I shook my head but it made me dizzy. I moan involuntarily.

"Oh, sorry! Here." He helped me with the water. "The doctors say you're getting better really fast but you still have to be careful."

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

"You don't know yet? You got Mono. You had a fever of, like 41. The doctor's said that you'd probably been like that a week. They still don't know why you're not dead yet."

"I am Kaiba." I said simply but the fever did scare me. "Who's been notified?"

"Me. Of course. Kawai-san, Headmaster. He was going to call your father but I told him no way. He's a little pissed about that but since you don't have a next-of-kin on record right now...."

"What?"

"Yeah, that's what made me figure you were probably right about calling your Dad. He pulled his name off your school records."

I nodded. He wanted me to come to him and beg for aid if I needed it. "Who else?"

"Well, I left Anzu and Ryou messages but they haven't returned my calls since we got back."

"Most likely, they can't. Every call they make is monitored, I'm sure, and calling you would probably be seen as an attempt to assist me."

"So? They're your friends!"

"My father sees friends as liabilities."

"Your father's kind of messed up."

I laughed. It hurt but I could not stop myself. "You have no idea." The conversation was exhausting me already. "When can I leave here?"

He winced. "That's kind of a problem. They want you to leave next week but if you don't have a caretaker, they can't release you - not without your signature - and you've been too far out for the doctors to explain everything to you. You can stay if you want, but you get charged by the day after Wednesday."

Near death and discharged after a week? "How long have I been here?"

"Two weeks. Almost three. "Oh, yeah, my Dad knows. He stayed here a couple nights when he came home. He said if you needed it, he'd take some time off next time he's on shore."

"That won't be necessary. I will release myself today." Three weeks! "Inform Takahashi that I will return to the store as soon as I can and see if I can make arrangements with the landlord...." Honda was shaking his head. "Now what?"

"Takahashi-san knows. He hired someone else. He said when you can work again, come see him and he'll see if he can find a place for you."

"When I can work again is tomorrow."

Honda shook his head again. "The doctors said total bed rest for at least another month and after that, school only - no PhysEd."

I sighed deeply. "How am I supposed to work if I'm in bed? I still have to pay my rent, damn it!"

"Not, well, see, you missed the first so on the tenth, the landlord rented your apartment to someone else."

"WHAT!"

"I got all your stuff. All of it. I got home before he started to clean it out and took everything up to my place. Hey are you ok?"

My head was swimming again. No job, no apartment, no prospects. Maybe I should go crawling back to father. Honda rushed out of the room and returned a minute later with a nurse. She began poking and prodding and rang the call button for more nurses and a doctor.

Before Honda got squeezed out completely, though, I told him to call Mokuba. "Tell him that I'm fine, but that I will need to discuss something with him." The best way to approach my father would depend in part on which advantage he believed was his. There was no point in playing to his strengths. I needed to probe his weaknesses and find a spot to strike there. If these medical people would ever leave me alone.

But this time before the senior doctor left, I made him fill me in completely. I caught Mononucleosis. With a month or more incubation, I could have had the virus for weeks before symptoms began to show. By the time I arrived at the hospital, my fever was dangerously high and they were fearing I might show signs of permanent brain damage. The mere words made my blood run cold. He asked if I'd like to take a full battery of diagnostics and I agreed. There would be a fee, but I would find a way to pay it.

They started me on antiviral medication and I started to get better. Then two days after my initial fever broke, my temperature soared to 42 and they had to put me in an ice bath just to stabilize me. The test results showed that I had developed Meningitis. They began treating me for both infections. He promised to bring me materials explaining both conditions and left me to sleep.

When I woke again, someone was leaning on my chest. Mokuba. He was far too old to be curled up next to me like he did when we were children but then I was too old to hold him there. I went back to sleep more comforted than I had been in a long time. The best part was that when I woke again, he was still there.

I kissed his forehead and he shifted. "Nii-sama?"

"Yes, brother, I am here."

"Would you be really mad at me if I didn't tell you something important?"

"I might be." I said honestly. "But I'd forgive you."

He sat up and looked at me. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick? Did you figure I'd just forgive you too?"

"I didn't want you to worry." And then more truthfully. "I didn't want you to see me like this."

"And if you died, you didn't want to say goodbye?"

"Mokuba..."

"Come home, Seto. Tell Dad you're sorry and just come home."

"I can't. If I crawl back now, he will use this against me."

"He uses everything against you. It doesn't matter if you come back now or a year from now, he'll still use it to his advantage. But I miss my brother. And KaibaCorp's down 20 points since you left."

"I didn't know you cared."

"Dad doesn't think so either but with him it's better to know more than less."

"Does he know I'm here?"

"Not from me or Isis but he has enough sources that I'd assume that he does."

"What do you think I should do?"

He smiled. "I'm biased. I want you to come home so I'm kind of on his side. But only kind of. I already know how I'm voting in October."

"Then I'd better get well so I can be there."

Even for Mokuba it was hard for me to stay focused and awake and eventually, I woke up and he was gone.

In the chair was Mutou. Or, more precisely, someone who appeared to be Mutou.

He was taller and somehow more mature without being older. And his skin was tanned bronze. Otherwise, they were identical except for this one's bearing. Even the way he sat was superior.

"The sleeper awakes." It was Mutou's voice, but not his tone. "You wanted to see me?"

"I just want to confirm your existence. This explains a great deal."

"How so?"

"I found it difficult to believe that that wet sop was the true King of Games."

"And what makes you think I'm not 'that wet sop'?"

"Simple. You're not." He didn't respond and I leaned my head back. "You've answered my question. You may go. Send Honda in."

"If I am King of Games, then surely you believe you are its crown prince."

"You are welcome to disagree." He didn't leave. Actually, I didn't want him to. We sat for a while contemplating each other. "Who are you, really?" I asked finally - mostly to see if he would tell me.

"Yugi's brother?" He said with a trace of mirth. "Truly? I am the Pharaoh Atemu reborn. My spirit was locked in the Millennium Puzzle which Yugi reassembled and we shared his body until he was able to help release me to the Afterlife."

"So then how are you here?"

He gestured expansively. "I won a game."

I believed him. I believed every word. The story was too absurd to be fiction. And when we dueled - he and I not Yugi and I - he acted like a Pharaoh. "And you think you will be content to live as Mutou's brother?"

I could just see the trace of a smile around his lips. "I owe him a great debt. I will want more, eventually, but for now I can be content. Have you been content in your humble abode?"

"Yes. Quite." He was trying to bait me. It was like dueling on several levels at once. I wasn't sure which of us was winning.

There was a light tap on my door and Yugi whispered "Is he awake?"

"Yes." I answered. "Come in, Mutou."

A crowd of them entered. Mutou and Kujaku, Honda and Honda-sama, Kawai-chan. "The Cheering team is waiting outside but the nurse said they'd have to wait." Mutou said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Too many people." He replied with shrug.

I sighed. "Why are they here?"

"They're your friends. Everybody's been here at least once." He began listing names of classmates. Some of them I knew but many were only vaguely familiar. Honda added occasional clarifications.

"What do they want?" The list was irrelevant; all of those people could not be my 'friends'.

"They want to see you, Seto." Kawai-chan kissed my forehead. While I had been ill, she had been behaving more and more as if she were my mother. I suffered it only because I knew sending her own children away was difficult for her. "They care if you're ok or not."

"Or they want to loot the corpse." Kujaku suggested.

"Mai!" Yugi sounded shocked.

"Dibs on his bike!" Honda-sama shouted.

"Hey! I wanted that!" Honda whined. "Fine, I'm taking his deck!"

"No." I had to smile. "You can have my clothes - you could use a little style. But my deck goes to Mokuba."

"Aw, man!"

"Yugi will need to set up house keeping soon," I continued, "so he can have my kitchen ware."

"And what of me, Prince?" the other Mutou - the Pharaoh - asked.

"You can have what you can take." I shivered, thinking of what he might want to take.

"This is morbid!" Kawai-chan shook her head. "I'm going to go see how many people are waiting downstairs. Don't you all stay too long; give the others a chance."

"I'll go with you." Honda-sama took my hand and shook it warmly. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. You'll see."

"Thank you." I replied.

Slowly everyone but Pharaoh left. We sat in silence as several of my classmates came in. I did know all of them. They didn't stay long and to all appearances, they really did only come to wish me well. It was kind but pointless and after only a few minutes I pleaded exhaustion so they would leave.

A nurse came in, took my temperature and told us that visiting hours would be ending shortly.

"My how time flies." I quipped.

"It seems to be taking an eternality to me." Pharaoh responded.

I heard Honda arguing with the nurse outside and then the door opened.

And my favorite wet dream walked in. Bakura Ryou was wearing black skin-tight jeans, a red silk t-shirt and mirrored sunglasses. He looked like a porn star. I saw his expression fall when he saw me. "Kaiba-san!"

"You're fired." I said flatly.

"I'm sorry?"

"I told you that if you were ever polite to me again, I would fire you."

He looked away and his shoulder shook for a moment. He took off the glasses and I saw him wipe his eyes. He sat on the edge of the bed and kissed my lips softly.

"You're not my boss, so you can't fire me." He smiled. "And you can't sue me for sexual harassment either."

The kiss brought all my dreams rushing back to me. My dreams and Joey. "He left." I said softly.

Ryou knew whom I meant. "For his sister, just as you would have left for Mokuba. He'll be back. And, remember, you'll always have me."

"Well, if Otogi will share his toys, I imagine." I sighed. Then I remembered the Pharaoh. I looked over Ryou's shoulder to see him quietly watching us.

Ryou turned around and stood. "I apologize. I did not realize that you were not alone."

The Pharaoh stood as well. "Clearly, you two are ... friends. Mutou Yami." He bowed slightly from the shoulder.

"Bakura Ryou." He responded in kind. "Mutou; are you related to Mutou Yugi?"

"In a manner." He crossed to the bed and bowed almost politely to me. "I'll take my leave now, Prince. You will need your rest."

"As you will yours, Pharaoh." I wasn't sure why I said it. Maybe the fever was coming back.

When he closed the door, Ryou let out a low whistle. "So much like Yugi and yet nothing like him at all. Is there a story there?"

"I'm sure there is, but I don't have the details."

"And I don't have time to investigate." He sat in the chair and pulled out an envelope. "A few things I hope you can use." Inside it was cash, a few articles and other paperwork. "Nothing urgent; you can read it all later. Your father is pushing Anzu; he thinks she's the weak link. He's keeping her at the center of office politics and on top of four real-time projects. Her stress is way over the line. Tell Honda to stop calling; it's more than she can bear right now."

"What about you?"

He laughed. "Your father owns me. He knows that I will fall right into place when he yanks my chain." He smiled at me shrewdly. "He thinks that owning a man's body is the same as owning his soul."

I nodded. Father had missed that with Mokuba and me to his private disgrace a number of times. "And Noah?"

"Harder for me to read. Your father keeps us apart when ever possible. I think he's afraid I'll seduce the man."

"Noah's straight, isn't he?"

"With this face?" Ryou smiled. "No man is."

"Even my father?" I asked just to tease.

"Even your father. Of course, I'd have to be willing to die afterward. He'd never let me leave the bed alive." He looked at his watch. "I need to move. This visit is being hidden under a secret tryst with Otogi. If I get caught spending my expense account on him, no one will question it. KC is starting some questionable negotiations with both India and Pakistan - without the other country knowing. Kaiba-sama is trying to convince Noah and I that both of these are good markets for KaibaGames storefronts but, frankly, I think there's an ulterior motive. I've ordered an in depth market study and Noah plans to dispute my research when it's complete in a few months and do a several month study of his own. That should drag out the decision for a while - hopefully until you return - but if we have to go/no go, I'll follow the data."

I nodded. "Agreed. If the markets are solid, Father's plans should not stop KG growth. Anything else?"

He looked at me and smiled softly. "No. Go to sleep, Kaiba. You look like hell. What's wrong with you anyway?"

"Mono. Or Meningitis. Apparently, I've had both."

He paled. "Those are both contagious."

"Are they?"

"They didn't tell you that?" He rolled his eyes. "How do you even get both? Sue." He started to kiss my lips, stopped and then proceeded. "If I pass this to Otogi, I'm blaming you." He put on his sunglasses again and left.

Over the next two days, my energy increased and my appetite returned - in truth, I hadn't noticed it was missing. Honda and Kawai-chan were there every day and I discussed when I should check out and where I should go with them. I also asked Kawai if she had any experience with medical malpractice.

"With Serenity's eyes? Oh yes!" Her brow knit. "Hmmm. Actually, you were getting better at first and then you relapsed. You know, this might be worth looking into. I know someone but it he might need a retainer. I might be able to help if it's small enough but...."

"Don't concern yourself with that part. See if you can arrange a meeting and I will negotiate the rest."

"Ok. I think I have his number with me. Let me give him a call now." She stepped out of the room.

Honda was excited about me leaving. "I've got everything set up at home. You'll be in the bedroom and I moved the TV and the good computer in there. Oh, and hey! Yami - Yugi's brother or whatever he really is - he's not in school and he's not working right now so he said he can come hang out with you during the day."

"Yami?" Alone all day with the Pharaoh? My nerves shivered, but my blood boiled.

"They've been hanging out with me the last couple weeks. I gotta tell you, I was really mad at Yugi. I mean we've been friends since we were little kids and this whole other self thing comes up and he never said a word!"

"I'm sure he didn't want to burden you with it."

"But we're friends! I mean, that's what friends do! You're supposed to burden them."

"I suppose that makes me a good friend then."

"Only if I get the bike when you die."

"You sell yourself too cheaply, Honda." I said seriously. "You're worth more than I could ever repay."

He blushed. "That's...look...jerk." He turned away for a moment. "Oh, while you were asleep, Joey called. He left his number. You know, in case you want to call back."

Suddenly I felt guilty. His mother was caring for me. He left promising to be faithful. I was already looking at another man. I yawned and Honda excused himself so I could sleep. But I didn't sleep.

I thought about the Pharaoh. Whatever was between us, it was mutual. I was sure of that. And Joey hadn't tried to make up to me. After all, he was mad because I said I trusted him. I had nothing to make up for. Except that I was becoming more and more willing to, not so much apologize as forget the whole argument and go on. I wanted his input on how to handle my father. And he would have made convalescing more tolerable. And worse, the dreams were beginning to return. I had decided that the reason they had gotten so bad previously was the fever and delirium, but dreaming about Joey now while looking at Pharaoh every day.... With a bed so close. With Joey's bed so close. Thoughts of one lead to thoughts of the other. I watched them intertwine; Joey seducing Pharaoh seducing Joey seducing Pharaoh until....

....I woke suddenly causing the nurse beside me to jump. "I need a moment alone." I told her. "Get out." She didn't hesitate.

Sitting up on the side of the bed took all of my strength. I used the IV drip stand to pull myself up and crossed the four steps to the door in a little over five minutes. By the time I sagged against the doorframe, I was no longer concerned about the hospital gown's frank rear view. I walked - more accurately crawled on two feet - to the bathroom. Where I sat for almost fifteen minutes after doing my business. The walk back to my bed seemed almost too far. But I was tired of bedpans and the sooner I demonstrated normal mobility, the less trouble I would have leaving. Three weeks was more than enough time in a hospital.

By the time I left the bathroom, the nurses in my section were frantically searching for me. Two of them helped me back to bed while one of them thoroughly chastised me for risking another relapse. I was ordered not to stand up again and put back to bed. All of which sounded like good thinking to me.

I tried to read some of what Ryou had left me, but I fell asleep on it twice. I did secure the $50,000 yen he gave me as best I could. I hoped I could use it to find a new apartment when I recovered enough to look for one.

"Seto?" Kawai called me softly from the door. "I'm sorry dear, I don't mean to wake you but my friend, Yamada-san is here and this is the only time he could speak with you."

Yamada looked like a lawyer. And it was clear that once he heard my name I looked to him like a walking cash machine. He asked a few questions about my condition and my treatment - specifically if I recalled any of the staff coughing or sneezing near me. I didn't remember any, but Kawai could name several. He nodded a lot and took notes. He asked if I'd received my bill yet.

"Bill? What bill?" I gestured impotently. "I'm afraid that my father and I are at odds at the moment. I'm not a private patient; I'm here on national medical."

His face fell, but then quickly recovered. "So how are you in a private room?"

I shrugged. I hadn't thought to question it.

"We had to tell them who he was in order to get him admitted." Kawai said. "But we told them that he had national medical not private insurance."

He took a few more notes, more specifically about particular aspects of my care that I hadn't considered - like the room and the number of nurses assigned to me. When I asked him about a retainer he grinned like a hungry wolf and waved the question away. "I'll take the case on contingency."

Kawai thanked the wolf profusely so that I didn't have to pretend to be grateful. He would likely make a small fortune on the case if I read his expression correctly.

"How long will this take?" I asked.

"Well, if we take it to court, it could be a year or more. But it will be worth it."

"Not to me. I want a speedy settlement. Use my father's name if you have to, but get them to settle as quickly as possible."

He hesitated. "Will Kaiba-sama be involved?"

"Not if you do your job well."

"Very well, sir. Thank you, sir. Please let me know as soon as you receive your bill. We will start from there."

Kawai walked him out. When she returned, I was standing up, waiting for her.

"And where do you think you are going?"

"The hospital administrator to get a copy of my bill."

"Oh you think so?"

"Yes. And you are going with me."

"I am." She tilted her head slightly. "And why is that?"

"Because you would worry if you didn't."

She shook her head and sighed. "Thank God you're Joey's problem. You'd have driven me crazy by now. Let me get a wheelchair."

"I prefer to walk."

"And I'd prefer that you stay in bed, but apparently you are one of those willful children. So, my soon-to-be son-in-law, you will stay put while I get a chair."

I felt useless but I had to admit, it would have been difficult to walk the whole way on my own. Kawai chatted as she pushed me down the hall. She still believed that Joey and I would reunite when he returned. I still didn't know if he would return. As far as I knew, he might settle in the US. Fall in love with a boy from Texas with a horse and a twang. There was no reason he shouldn't, despite his mother's confidence.

The administrator was in conference, but someone was able to print my bill and make a duplicate for me.

6.5 million yen.

Kawai literally choked when she saw the bottom line. The number made me a little dizzy. I was charged for services I didn't recall receiving. Tests were listed that I'd never gotten results from. I was being charged 50,000 yen a week for the private room - 6,000 more than my apartment rent for a month. We hurried as much as I could back to my room and she called Yamada. She began reading charges to him over the phone. Then she gave the phone to me.

"Refuse to pay it." He counseled me.

I laughed. "Even if I could afford it, I would contest this. Frankly, my father would enjoy ripping into these people's books. It's almost a shame not to involve him." I paused. "Of course, he would thoroughly investigate you as well if he were involved."

"There is no reason to call anyone else, sir. This is a very clear case of fraud. I am certain that they will settle very quickly. I will come by tomorrow morning with a contract for my services and our papers to serve the hospital notice. They will first come to you and ask for one third of the bill. This is what you should have been charged under national medical. Please accept the bill and tell them that you will consider payment."

"I can't afford 2 million yen either."

"You will not pay it. When the nurse sneezed in your room, she gave you Meningitis."

"Can you prove that?"

"It doesn't matter if we can prove it, Kaiba-sama, only that it is medically possible. And, as I understand it, you had a severe, life-threatening case. You, Kaiba-sama, have been called a national treasure by the media. If this case goes to trial, the hospital will look very bad. They will settle rather than lose face."

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I had to fight the doctor, but I was able to check myself out on Thursday, three weeks and one day after I arrived. I did receive copies of all the tests they ran, especially the CT scans; all the results came back normal, which was a tremendous relief to me. Kawai, Honda and Mutou were there to help me gather my things. I didn't have much to take personally, but medically there was a ton. They had even expected me to purchase a wheelchair. I opted for a rather elegant cane. It had a white dragonhead.

"Kawai-chan, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was so late." Yugi looked at his watch. "Do you think you could take me home before you drop off Kaiba?"

"Oh, of course." She replied without even glancing at me. "You're on the way, aren't you?"

The afternoon was cold and snow had fallen recently. Despite being lunchtime during the week, there was no traffic. "Where is everyone? This looks odd." I commented.

"No doubt hiding from the cold." Kawai answered. "Are you boys warm enough back there?"

We actually got lost on the way to Mutou's house. Twice I suggested that she take me home and wander around for as long as she needed without me, but she insisted that we were 'almost there'.

"Oh, wait! That's my Grandfather's shop." Mutou announced. It was hard to miss. It had an outrageously gaudy Christmas display. "We should stop and say hello."

"Ok." Kawai agreed readily, much to my surprise and horror. "Just for a moment. I'm sure Seto is tired."

"Yes." I said with as much patience as I could muster. "Seto is very tired."

"You know, if he's open, I need a new duel disk." Honda said.

I looked at him. "I bought you one. Mazaki said it was your birthday or some damn thing." Not that Honda dueled that often to begin with.

"Oh yeah." He seemed to almost panic. "I broke it. Can you just help me find a new one?"

How do you break a duel disk? I waved him off and leaned my head back. "Pick the one with KG on the box."

"Kaiba, come on. Five minutes. Please?" He was actually pleading.

"You know, Mutou-sama was very worried about you." Kawai added helpfully. "I'm sure he'd appreciate knowing that you were home now."

"I can't tell him I'm home because I'm NOT HOME YET!" My voice wasn't strong enough to yell, but it was loud enough to get my meaning across.

"Kaiba-san, please." Mutou gave me that pleading, wet sop look of his. "He's my Grandfather. It would be disrespectful if we didn't say hello."

"Fine." Kawai had already pulled into the parking lot. I opened my door before she turned off the engine or I changed my mind. "Let's get this over with."

Honda raced around the car to help me and I tried to push him away, but nearly lost my balance in the attempt. Kawai shouldered her purse and then took my other arm.

She brushed her fingers through my hair, licked her thumb and rubbed my cheek with it. "There! Perfect!" I was revolted. "You lost so much weight in the hospital; we'll have to feed you some more before Joey gets home."

We stepped into the shop's doorway.

"SURPRISE!" It sounded like a thousand people screaming at me at once. "MERRY CHRISTMAS, KAIBA!"

"NII-SAMA!" There was a crowd of people but Mokuba launched himself out of the center of the pack. If Honda and Kawai hadn't been holding me, I would have collapsed painfully and even with their help I could hardly stand. But nothing could have pried my brother from my arms.

"Now, now don't mob the boy all at once!" someone said. "We set up a couch for him over here. You boys, give him a hand. Mokuba, son, come on. Let him breath."

I may have grayed-out for a moment because I didn't remember moving to the couch only being there, with Mokuba beside me.

"What is all this?" I asked as I tried to get my bearings.

"Something called 'Christmas', Prince." I looked up at the voice. Pharaoh had brushed his hair free of Yugi's characteristic spikes and it fell in tri-colored waves just around his shoulders. He was dressed for the season in a long-sleeve billowing green shirt and tight white pants. The shirt had red ruffles at the collar and cuffs and red laces left open to reveal a muscular and smooth chest. The pants left little to the imagination. I wasn't sure if it was another fever or him that was making me hot.

"Tonight's Christmas Eve." Kujaku told me. "Here, it's eggnog. It's really good."

"I don't think...." Kawai began.

"Oh stop fussing like someone's mother!" Honda-sama laughed. "He'll survive a nip or two."

Of my close friends, only Mazaki and Bakura were not there. Even Otogi had shown up. He too, I noticed, had trouble keeping his eyes off the Pharaoh. Several of my classmates, including the whole cheering team were there. They wrote a get-well cheer for me. After enough coaxing, we all went outside into the cold and watched them perform it. It was childishly simple in lyric but included several impressive physical moves.

"When you're back on the team," they told me, "you have to do the final flip there in the center."

"I thought something looked missing." I said shivering but smiling. "I will have to start practicing soon."

We all went back into the store. There was a huge amount of food, of which I ate very little. Ishtaaru Isis and Kawai traded turns smothering me or coaxing some other allegedly wonderful food into my mouth. In between mouthfuls and noise, there were phone calls. Bakura called very briefly. Takahashi-sama sent his regards through his son. The Headmaster called and promised to work with me to make up the time I missed in class rather than force me to attend extra classes.

I did leave to use the facilities. When I came out, Ishtaaru was waiting for me. She handed me a phone. "You have another call."

Clearly someone private. I stepped back into the bathroom and locked the door. "Hello?"

"Oh God!" Anzu sniffed loudly. "Seto? I'm sorry. I was so worried. Are you ok?"

"Yes, Mazaki. I'm fine. Pull yourself together, woman. If you keep this up, I'll fire you."

She laughed through her tears. "You really have to come up with a better threat than that. At this point, I should be threatening to fire you if you don't get well."

"You wouldn't dare fire me."

"Of course not! Oh God, I wish you were here now. I don't know enough! We had a factory shut down for a day because I made a contract for the wrong, oh, I don't even know any more! Noah fixed it. Who is Abdulatem?"

"I have no idea."

"I keep getting messages from him. He says he's your cousin, but Noah doesn't know who he is either. He said he gave you his bear. He's very strange. Don't worry about it; I'll take care of it. That, I know how to handle."

"You can handle the rest too. You'd be shocked how often I simply guessed what to do. How's the stock?"

"Good. We were up at the US close. Holiday sales were very high especially - oddly - in girls 13-16."

"That's not odd." I said as the logic hit me. "That's you; a woman on the board of KaibaGames is fueling sales among girls in the target market. I should have thought of that years ago."

"Oh of all the obvious things!" she huffed. "Hold on, let me make some notes for Katya."

"Who?"

"My secretary."

"Are you at the office?"

"Only for a few more minutes. Your father is having some of us over for dinner and if I'm late again, he'll kill me."

"You were late for dinner with my father?" I chuckled, imagining the moment.

"I'm always late." She sighed. "He invariably picks days when I have far too much scheduled. Ordinarily, he's very understanding, but this time the Russians will be there and he has a contract in the pipeline and - fuck! I just broke a nail." She hissed. "Seto, I love you, but I have got to get off this phone. My makeup's a wreck, I still have to change clothes and now I have to redo my nails. Take care of yourself, ok?"

"I think I should be telling you that."

"I promise, just as soon as you come back, you can have the whole desk back. Oh, Seto!" She stopped me just before I hung up. "Get a hair cut. I'll bet you haven't had one in a month."

I returned to the party, pleased to have spoken to her, but a bit disturbed by the conversation. Although, I had to confess that my hair was brushing the top of my shirt collars. It had been a while since I'd thought about grooming.

In the main room, the others had started their gift exchange. I made my way back to my couch and settled down to watch. Mutou-sama was handing boxes to Mutou and everyone was impatiently waiting to open them all together.

"Ah-ha! I knew this was back there!" Mutou-sama said with a flourish. "Hand this one to our guest of honor."

"I thought this was a gift exchange?" I protested.

"It is." Mutou handed me the box. The tag said 'From Father Christmas, To Seto'. "I didn't give a gift to exchange."

He laughed. "Your gift is you! We're just happy you're alive."

"You would have ruined Christmas for generations." Otogi observed. "Such dramatic timing."

"Next time I'll plan for a time when your calendar is clear."

"Thank you."

"Just not during baseball season." Takahashi added. "Bad luck for the team."

"Not during school break either!" Suzuki pointed out.

"Maybe I'll just die now and save the scheduling issues."

"Don't even joke about that, Nii-sama!" Mokuba threw himself at me again. "I don't ever want you to die!"

"Shhh. Little brother, hush." We held each other and the room quieted for us. "I won't die. I promise. The duel isn't over yet," I whispered.

After a few minutes, Mutou-sama cleared his throat. "I suppose I should finish handing these out. Now, who is Fujimoto?"

They handed out the rest of the gifts while Mokuba and I talked softly. When we were ready, finally, Mutou insisted that everyone open the gifts one at a time so that he could take pictures.

There were a lot of teenage boys in the room and so a lot of KG tech around the circle. There were bottles of cologne for Kujaku, Kawai and Ishtaaru. The few adult men got tools. My box was small. Inside it was a necklace. A glass Egyptian ankh filled with sand. On one side was etched an elaborate Egyptian eye; on the other was a cartouche.

"What is this?" I asked holding it for the room to see.

Pharaoh spoke up. "I can answer that. Your name - Seto - is obviously a reference to the God Set. The God of Chaos and Evil." He added dramatic menace to his voice and several people laughed. "In my day," he stopped and corrected himself, "In the past, Set was the Egyptian God of the Desert. The God of Strength. It was even said that the desert's strength was Pharaoh's strength."

"May I see it, Kaiba-san?" Ishtaaru asked and I handed it to her. "This is the Eye of Horus. It is a protection symbol. This is a name. It says -" she hesitated and I saw her face as she seemed troubled by the translation. She looked at Pharaoh oddly and then looked back at me. "I'm sorry. I - it is your name. Seto. In hieroglyphics." She put the chain around my neck. "You should wear it always. It suits you."

I looked at Pharaoh. "I shall have to thank Father Christmas when I see him." He smiled slightly.

The evening progressed. I was sagging, but luckily no one expected me to do more than lay on the couch. Kawai kept track of when I needed to take my prescriptions. If I fell asleep, no one commented on it.

Finally Honda-sama asked if I was ready to go home. He and Honda moved my things to their car while I said goodbye to everyone.

"Wait, wait!" Kujaku said into her cell "There's one more, he's just about to leave. Say Merry Christmas." She told me as she put the phone to my ear.

"Merry Christmas." I dutifully said.

"Tak?"

"Joey?"

"Uh. Hey. Uh, how you doing?"

"Fine. Better." My throat went dry. I wanted to tell him to come home. That I needed him and he should come home now. I also did not want to be so weak that one man could humble me so low.

"Good. Good." He was silent for a minute. "Listen, Tak, about that thing..."

"Irrelevant."

"What? What's irrelevant?"

"Anything. Just take care of your sister and come home to me soon."

"Oh Jesus! Tak, I'm so sorry. I miss you so much!" he started to gush, but I cut him off.

"We can discuss that when you come home."

"Will you be waiting?"

"Yes."

"I love you, Tak."

I realized that there was a large group of people watching me - most notably Pharaoh. I could feel the weight of his necklace on my chest. It felt as if it had always been there; as if it belonged there. "

And I, you, Joey." I replied. I hung up the phone and handed it back to Kujaku. "Thank you."

I was asleep before we were out of sight of the store. I was mostly incoherent getting into the apartment and settled in bed.

The next few days were irritating in detail and mind numbingly dull in general. I slept a lot. When I wasn't sleeping, I was swallowing pills or resting from the long walk to the bathroom or the kitchen for more water. Honda-sama claimed he like having me around because I was cheaper to feed than Joey was. Honda, I think, was just glad to have someone around.

Eventually, the school semester restarted and I attempted to go. I made it as far as my bike before I was too exhausted. Honda-sama helped me back to the room Honda and I were sharing.

He sat down in front of me. "Seto. May I speak to you, honestly?"

"Of course." He'd never hesitated before.

"You are a very stupid young man."

"Excuse me?"

"What is the most important thing? Health. Your health. You want to get a job. You want to make money. You want to show everyone that you are stronger and smarter and better than all of us. But where are you? In a poor man's bed. Why? Your health."

"If you would prefer that I leave...." I tried to sit up, but he used one hand and pushed me back down.

"See? Weak!" He smiled. "You see? Stupid! You still aren't hearing me. You want to be rich? You want to show us all up? You have to get well first. And you won't get well if you keep jumping up to go to school or try to prove how strong you are and run all the way to the kitchen. Where am I? I'm on land! Why?"

"I'm sorry I've taken you away from work, sir."

"Stupid!" He laughed, and I was beginning to get a little irritated with the word. "I took off work to get water for you. Why am I here if you keep getting it? I get the water, you get well. I get the pills, you get well. Honda will bring you the homework. You. Get. Well. You have so many friends who love you. Your brother, he loves you. The boys, eh? Joey and that pretty one at the hospital? They love you. Get well. Do you see why I call you stupid?"

"You think I'm wasting my energy doing things I'm not strong enough to do yet."

"I think you will get stronger if you do the right things."

"And what are the right things?"

He grinned. "Sleep. Eat. And listen. You are very good at thinking. Not so good at listening. I'm the other way. Very good at listening. Not so good at thinking. Hiroto is in the middle - thinks ok, listens ok."

"I will try to become a better listener."

"If you try, you will. So I'm going to the store. Get some meat, get some fish. Do you like gingerbread?" I had no idea what it was. "We'll have gingerbread after dinner. It's British; you'll like it. So, I'm going out and you...?"

I had to smile. "I will lie here, sleep and get well."

He smiled back. "See? A better listener already!" He left a few minutes later.

I tried to take his advice and tried to do less. But the boredom while I was awake was insufferable. I couldn't concentrate on homework or designing the Arena4 for long periods so instead I researched low energy exercise - yoga and tai chi. I found that even in my weakened condition, I was able to do a few minutes at a time of many forms.

Honda-sama caught me but actually, he approved. "See? You listened, you thought, you found a way. Not so stupid."

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I am a simple girl. I come from a simple family in a simple town and all I ever wanted were simple things. A home. A husband. A child to raise. Maybe a dog. I was smart in school so I took accelerated classes and went to secretarial college when I was 16. Simple. I didn't want a fancy career; I wanted a good job while I looked for a man I could be a good wife to. I knew girls who wanted to be executives, some were friends of mine; I wished them well. Job, home, husband. Simple.

I graduated near the top of my class and because of that, I got a job immediately - a good a one at KaibaCorp. Actually, it was one of several offers I was given and my counselor told me not to take it. The secretarial pool, she said, was no place for my skills to shine. I could make more money as the Executive Assistant. I'd have more prestige as the Embassy Liaison. Secretarial Pool, she said, is for baby makers. So I took it.

For the first year, it was wonderful. I got an apartment near the office and worked every day from morning to night. I typed letters, proposals and bids. I filed contracts and briefs. I received my internal security clearance and was allowed to fill in sometimes when a junior executive assistant was out. I was even beginning to date a very nice young man in Marketing.

And then I was called to the Personnel Manager's office.

"Do you enjoy working for KaibaCorp?" She asked me.

"Yes, ma'am. Very much so." I didn't know what I had done wrong. I didn't know what I could have done wrong.

"How old are you?"

"19, ma'am."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, ma'am."

Her eyes narrowed at me. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

I blushed. "No, ma'am."

"So you don't mind working late? Even if it were very often?"

"Oh!" I was very relieved by the question. "No, ma'am. I live alone and I can come in very early or stay late."

"What about weekends?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She looked at the papers on her desk and considered me for a moment. Then she sighed, "Kanan-san was terminated this morning. Kaiba-san needs a replacement right away."

I couldn't even gasp. Kaiba-san? THE Kaiba-san? Even for a day - even for an hour - if anyone on the 35th floor needed a temporary assistant, one of my managers was sent to fill the desk. To send me....

"Yes, I know this is very sudden. Will you do it?"

"Me? But - I - I'm not - me?"

"You meet the standards Kaiba-san has set for his staff and it will only be until we hire a new Senior Secretary for him. A month or so at most." She must have seen the look of shocked horror frozen on my face. "I would not have chosen you if there were anyone else on staff that would fit the qualifications. It is your responsibility to be loyal to the company. Will you do it?"

I nodded. Of course I would do it. I worked for KaibaCorp and I would do whatever my job asked of me. I just never expected to be asked to do this.

"Very well. Go now, directly to the 35th floor. Give me your ID badge." I gave it to her and she handed me a new one. "This will allow you access to the suites you'll need." As I left her office, the last thing she said before the door closed was, "Good luck, Mazaki."

Kaiba Seto was something of a legend in the office. Not for the games or the tech or the things he was known for worldwide. We knew all of that, of course, but it was less relevant to the day-to-day office. He was known for his quirks. For firing people because his coffee was cold or his newspapers were old. He was very demanding in odd ways. It was rumored that one assistant had never filed a single sheet of paper for two years but was fired because he forgot to schedule Kaiba-san's routine hair appointment. I hadn't met him in person, of course, but from what I'd gathered from those that had, it wasn't that he was cruel. It was that he was focused on what he was doing and the slightest thing that disturbed his focus infuriated him. In that, he was very simple. I can do simple, I told myself.

And once I learned what he wanted and when, he was simple. He wanted his coffee, hot, when he stepped through the door. When he opened his office door, he wanted to know everything that had happened while it was closed. He wanted a hair cut every two weeks, at two pm, on Wednesday, wherever he was - even in the car. He was even open to my opinions on occasion. He wanted an honest opinion about his appearance. If he called me into his office and asked which product I used, he expected to find it in my home. His schedule was insanely busy and we traveled a lot. But it was all simple.

And then he became complicated. He wanted freedom. He wanted change. He fell in love and after months of not having a minute for my own life, he introduced me to Honda Hiroto. A simple man who wanted a simple life. A wife who cooks, a son who listens and a job that kept them comfortable. Not rich, even. Just happy. He was perfect.

But, of course, it all ended when Kaiba-sama returned. I had tried to keep Kaiba-san informed and tried to convince him that the stock price fall was not a simple flux. I'd been watching the market for him long enough to recognize a problem when I saw one. But he was too lost in infatuation to notice or care. That had happened before but usually he tired of them in a day or so. A week was the longest. A month was unheard of. And Kaiba-sama was furious.

Father and son were nothing alike in the Kaiba family. Where Kaiba-san was tightly focused, Kaiba-sama was all-seeing. He was unpredictable and unlike his son, often cruel. When he came to Kaiba-san's office I often heard him yelling. I frequently heard the slapping. Occasionally the bones breaking. I had more than once assisted in covering up Kaiba-san's bruises or deeper injuries. Treatment he didn't deserve.

Simple, I thought as I rode the elevator to what was now my office on the 35th floor. Why can't my life go back to simple?

Seto was disgraced and no longer considered part of the family. I had been moved to his job along with Bakura and Kaiba Noah. We three knew the KaibaGames market and could run the company for a while without Kaiba-san. We were barred from any contact with him.

In addition, Kaiba-sama had taken particular interest in me. He told me that with so few women in the Kaiba upper echelon, he wanted to work with me through the transition. He has since spent many hours with me. Helping me; truly. He is an extremely knowledgeable man, powerful and even innovative. But not simple.

It was Christmas Eve and I was on my way into the office to make a secret phone call on a secret phone. Not simple. But I had to call him. I had to speak to Hiroto.

A friend of mine gave me a pre-paid phone for Christmas. It was kind of her to give me just what was on my wish list. Another friend was given one just like it. I had 30 minutes - 30 precious minutes that Ryou was covering for me. My assistant - I still had trouble believing that I had an assistant - would be arriving at 6pm on the dot to help me change clothes and get me out the door on time.

I got to my office and closed the door behind me. The building was empty apart from security because it was Christmas. Only crazy people come to the office on Christmas. Crazy people with complicated lives. Simple people are at home with friends and family, eating duck and dueling with their kids.

"Hello?" I recognized Ishtarru's voice as soon as she picked up.

"Isis? Is he there?"

She hesitated. "I have to tell you something."

"What?" Her voice was strained and it scared me. "Is he ok?" but my real fear was, is he with someone else.

"He's fine. It's not him; it's Kaiba-san. He's been sick."

Seto had been sick before, like everyone. He usually took a few doses of some high-powered medication and continued about his day. In my time with him, he refused to take a day off. "Sick, how sick?"

"He was in the hospital for three weeks."

I sat down heavily. "Is he ok? Why didn't you tell me? Oh my God! What's wrong with him? Tell me where he is - I'm coming now."

"Anzu, calm down! He's fine now. I couldn't tell you, you know that. I told Kaiba-sama weeks ago. If I had told you, you would have done what you wanted to just now and he would have known that you and I are talking."

"You're right." I sniffed back a tear. You're right, I know. I'm sorry. I just - so much depends on him."

"I know."

"Is that where Bakura was, when he slipped out of here that weekend?"

"I don't know but Otogi didn't answer his e-mails until Monday night so I doubt it. He said he'd been out getting his battery recharged when he finally replied to me."

"God, I wish I could just ask him."

"I know."

"Why is it all so complicated?"

"Because it is."

"That doesn't help."

"I know."

She gave me a minute to pull myself together. "Ok. I want to talk to him. Where can I reach him?"

"He's here, at the party."

"Oh so he really is ok?"

"He was released this morning. That's where Honda was all day."

"Of course! He'd never leave Seto alone like that. Not like me."

"You are helping him in the ways you can."

"I know." I found myself crying again. "I know."

"Wait a moment. I think I hear him."

"Where is he?"

"The little boy's room." She chuckled.

"Oh." I had to laugh too. "Make sure he washes his hands before he takes the phone."

"Eww! Gross!"

We snickered about boys and bathrooms for a few seconds until I heard her hand the phone over. As soon as I heard his voice I knew his illness had been serious. Gone was the deep baritone that cut through any crowd. He sounded frail. But up-beat. Thinking still, planning still. Even comforting me until I reached for my desk drawer and broke the tip off one of my freshly manicured nails. I got off the phone quickly then - my 30 minutes was almost done anyway - and cursed for a moment the way my father used to when his baseball team lost.

Then I took a breath to clear my thoughts - a helpful suggestion from Kaiba-sama - and called my assistant. She was probably already in the building, but I called her anyway.

"Katya, where can I get a manicure at 7pm on Christmas Eve?"

"In Domino?" she laughed. "Please tell me that's a joke."

"And I need my makeup redone."

"I should have never let you go back to the office." She whined. "Give me a minute. I may know someone."

"I still have to dress. Did you bring the shoes?"

"Yes, Anzu, I have them. I'll be up shortly."

Katya and I had become relatively close very quickly. We even lived together now. It was the only way for me to remain even close to organized. I could run Kaiba-san's life in my sleep. My own, however, was a train wreck.

And getting even more complicated by the hour.

Across the room was the brand new dress I would be wearing to the office Christmas dinner. I hadn't seen it yet. It was a gift from Kaiba-sama. He had provided me with a swatch of the fabric so that I could match my shoes and other accessories to it. It wasn't the first gift he'd bought me, or our first dinner together. But it was the first gift so intimate.

At first, I believed that his help was to somehow trick me into betraying Seto. But I discovered it wasn't as simple as that. Gozaburo was a harsh man, but I found he loved his sons in his own way. The cruelties he did were often because the world was cruel to him. He wanted them to succeed over even the impossible. But I found, over the months, that he was capable of kindness and that his anger could be turned aside. At his heart, Seto was a very simple man. Gozaburo was very, very complicated.

"OK!" The door nearly burst as Katya arrived with several bags. "My cousin Mishiko. She's a stylist; just graduated. She'll met us on the way and fix everything in the car." She dropped all the packages. "So how does it look?"

"I haven't opened it yet."

"Anzu! You have less than an hour to get there!"

We opened the bag and both fell silent. We had known it was made of jade green silk but neither of us expected the garment we found. It blended traditional lines with modern shape and created a dress that was elegant. Brilliant. Complex.

"Oh my God! Where did he find this?" Katya checked for a label. "Hand stitching! Oh my God I'll bet it's a one off!"

"He wouldn't." I shook my head. "It's an office dinner, for God's sake!"

"We'd better get you in it."

My jewelry was wholly inadequate for the divine neckline, but it was the best I had. Thankfully, the new shoes were perfect. We hurried down to the waiting car - an actual limo tonight - and a roughly a mile away, picked up Mishiko. She fixed my nail and my makeup and redid my hair to better suit the dress. I looked as if I knew what I was doing by the time I stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet of the Kaiba mansion's main entrance.

I heard a low whistle behind me and turned to see Bakura Ryou looking as scrumptious as ever in a black tux with a red silk shirt and tie. His cufflinks and tie pin were green wreaths. I don't want a complicated man to marry, but I'd take him for a night anytime he offered. Not that he ever had, but a girl could always hope.

"Who are you and where have you been all my life?" He asked, bowing low and kissing my fingertips.

"Ryou, stop teasing."

"Anzu, not only have you outdone yourself tonight, I think you've outdone me."

I hit his shoulder lightly. "Is that a compliment for me or for you?"

"Can't it be both?" We grinned at each other. "How is he?" He asked me softly.

"As well as can be expected, I think. He thinks the jump in stock price is because of me."

"Honda noticed the stock price?" He asked shocked.

"Of course not!" I laughed. "Seto."

Ryou frowned. "I thought you were calling Honda."

"I was. But Isis told me about Seto being ill and I, well I guess I freaked out about it a little. You knew, didn't you?" He nodded, sadly. There was a time when Ryou and I never had secrets. Now even friendship was complicated. "I had to speak to him. And I ran out of time." Which sounded so much better than I forgot to ask him to get Honda.

Ryou kissed my cheek. "I'm sure he'll understand. Come on. Kaiba-sama is waiting for you."

I have never gotten over the main hall of Kaiba Manor. It always made me feel like I'd gone back in time and I was visiting the Shogun Emperor. There were museum quality artifacts and priceless kimonos along its length. At the end, hand painted rice paper doors led into what would be the living room in any other home, but here it was more like a small ballroom with couches.

There must have been two hundred people there yet somehow Ryou took me directly to Kaiba-sama.

When he saw me, he actually turned away from his conversation. Kaiba Gozaburo walked away from the man who was speaking and over to me. He took my hand, bowed low over it and kissed my fingertips.

"May I be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas, Mazaki-san. And may I say how lovely you look this evening."

I could not have been more stunned. Ryou's finger poking the base of my spine prodded me into to an appropriate response. I bowed even more deeply. "Thank you Kaiba-sama. Please allow me to thank you for your gift. If I look lovely, it is only because of your benefit." Which wasn't quite what I meant to say but my mind was reeling.

Did Kaiba-sama just kiss my hand? Did Gozaburo just bow to me? He came to me - he walked away from an important conversation just to say Merry Christmas to me. A secretary! Not even his secretary!

He tugged my arm gently and helped me stand again. "Mazaki-san, please allow me to introduce you to some of our Russian counterparts." He guided me forward and smoothly transferred me from his left hand to his right arm. I tried to smile and remember names and faces of complete strangers while Kaiba Gozaburo's arm rested gently around my waist. He handed me a glass of champagne and guided me to meet a group of Germans. And then some Americans. My dress received may compliments and more than once I had to reply that I didn't know the designer; the garment was a gift from Kaiba-sama. Each time the subject came up he smiled indulgently and affirmed that it was made for me.

He escorted me to dinner and seated me at his left hand. I was seated where Kaiba-sama's wife would sit if he had one. The American Ambassador was seated to his right as the highest-ranking guest. I glanced down the table and saw Ryou seated with other board members. He gave me a curious look but smiled slightly when I answered with a panicked shrug.

Dinner consisted of me not tasting any of the food I ate in between moments of Kaiba-sama asking me what I thought of this morsel or that. I had two glasses of wine in a failed effort to settle my nerves.

When the meal finally ended, Kaiba-sama pulled out my chair and used me to lead his guests to the actual ballroom. A full orchestra was playing the Ice Skaters Waltz and a 12-foot spruce tree was fully decorated in the corner. "And please, everyone, before you leave be sure to take a gift home for yourselves." He gestured to a table next to the tree when two scantily clad female 'elves' had gift baskets. "Please excuse me a moment, my dear." He kissed my hand again and joined several dark suited men I had not been introduced to. They stepped into another room and closed the door firmly.

"Well that's one way to earn a promotion." Someone said behind me. I whirled around, ready to smack the speaker, but it was Ryou grinning at me. "He seems quite smitten."

"What is he doing?" I whispered frantically.

"If it were any other man, I'd say he was courting you."

"What do you mean 'courting' me!? That is Kaiba Gozaburo; he does not court." Ryou smirked. "Don't look at me that way! What do I do?"

"Well a typical courtship includes afternoon picnics, walks in the moon light, quiet candle-lit dinners...."

I hit him hard. "Don't tease me now, idiot! What do I do?"

His grin softened. "Anzu. What do you want to do? This would be complicated, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be right for you."

"You mean date him?" I glance around and realized that several people were taking note of us. I smiled politely and pulled Ryou in to the ballroom fully where there were too many people for anyone to notice us. "I'm dating Honda! How can I date Seto's Father and his best friend at the same time?"

"You haven't spoken to Honda in months so it may not be accurate to say you are still dating him. And, frankly, you would not be the first woman to date two men at one time." He started to speak again, but stopped and turned me around.

Kaiba-sama approached us and took my hand again. "May I have the pleasure of the first dance?"

Dance with him!? I almost panicked, but a moment of brilliance saved me. "I am afraid, Kaiba-sama, that by a long standing tradition, my first dance always belongs to Bakura." I slipped my hand from Kaiba's and offered it to Ryou. He took it without a word.

"I see." Rather than angry or even disappointed, Kaiba-sama looked calculating. "In which case, I shall put in my claim for your last dance. Do you have an objection, Bakura? If I claim the last dance of the evening with Mazaki-san?"

"Far be it for me to object to anything, Kaiba-sama." Ryou said with that well trained, smooth and lyrical voice of his. "If you will excuse us."

"Bakura," Kaiba-sama stopped us before we were a foot away, "I may have an assignment for you later."

Ryou nodded gracefully, but I saw the lines of tension appear and vanish from the corner of his mouth. "As you require, sir."

"An assignment?" I asked as Ryou waltzed me around the room.

"No doubt he wants me to fuck some foreign fag."

"Ryou!"

"It's true!" He laughed. "And at least it's one of the more fun parts of my job."

I sighed. "Well at least he doesn't want to fuck you." Then the cold idea stuck me and I clung to Ryou. "Oh God! What if he wants to fuck me?"

"Do you want to?"

"What?"

"Do you want him?"

"Kaiba Gozaburo?"

"Yes." He smiled. "It's not an unthinkable concept. He's actually quite handsome. He's rich and powerful. I was quite excited when I thought he wanted to hire me."

"But - but..."

"The question really is, do you like him."

"Kaiba Gozaburo?"

"Yes."

"But he's horrible."

Ryou shrugged. "He's human."

We danced in silence for a while. It was true. I knew Kaiba-sama had done some horrible things. But I also knew he could be kind. Sweet. Funny. "I don't know." I said finally.

"You don't have to decide right now. But whatever you do pay attention to everything. What he says, what he does. When in doubt, chose tradition. Keep your mouth shut if all else fails. And if you do decide to sleep with him - I won't tell you not to, Anzu, that has to be your choice - but if you do, for God's sake, girl do not get pregnant. Are you on anything?" I blushed but nodded. I hadn't seen Honda in months, but the pills helped regulate my monthly cycle. "Good. Make damn sure you are wearing a wedding ring before you risk that. More women have disappeared around Kaiba-sama than in the Bermuda Triangle."

The song ended and a member of the board pulled Bakura away.

"I must say Mazaki, you are looking ravishing." Kaiba Noah approached me and kissed me lightly on the cheek. He gestured to the woman beside him and switched to English. "Angelica Fitzgerald, Mazaki Anzu. Ms. Fitzgerald works for Mattel."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Mazaki."

"The pleasure is mine, Ms. Fitzgerald." She asked about the dress and I said simply that it was a gift. She asked about Kaiba Gozaburo.

"You two seem quite close."

"He has been very helpful to me as I assume my new responsibilities. He has been my - patron?"

"Showing you how things are done. Introducing you to the right people. That sort of thing? Mentor."

"Yes. My mentor. I am very grateful for his assistance."

Noah stepped away for a moment and she leaned in closer to me, "And who was that God you were dancing with earlier?"

I had to smile. "Our associate, Bakura Ryou; who is also on the board for KaibaGames. Would you care to meet him?"

"Well, if it isn't too much trouble."

"Of course." I had an idea about a Barbie card game that I wanted to consult with a few designers on, but she could be useful in making the deal. We found Ryou and he was as suave and gracious as always.

After that, I circled the room greeting people I knew and introducing myself to people I didn't. That was what these functions were really for; not to see old friends and sing Christmas songs, but to make business contacts and network ideas. I would have cried if I wasn't worried about my mascara running. I wanted to be home, with my family. With Honda. With simple people and simple things.

Finally, I noticed that the guests were leaving. I approached Kaiba-sama but he turned his back to me and continued his conversation. I waited a few minutes more and got a similar reaction. I said good-bye to a few people and watched Ryou leave with an older British gentleman. He was promising to sing for him as soon as they reached the gentleman's hotel.

It was almost midnight when I realized that the only people left were staff. The elves had taken down the gift table and were chatting with the cleaning crew.

Kaiba-sama entered the ballroom. "You all may go. The cleaning can wait until tomorrow." They all virtually fled. He gestured to his left and I realized that the orchestra was still there; they had been so quiet that I hadn't noticed them. They began playing something beautiful and faintly familiar. "I believe this will be the last dance of the evening." Kaiba-sama said and held his hand out to me.

I was shaking when I walked over to him and it did not calm me to notice that his hand was shaking some too. He took my hand again and led me to the center of the room. He was not the dancer that Ryou was. In fact, I don't think I had ever even heard of Kaiba-sama dancing. But here he was, dancing. With me. He was holding me closely. He was looking deeply into my eyes. His heart was pounding against my chest.

"Kaiba-sama -" I had to stop this. It was too complicated.

"I think we can dispense with the formalities at this stage, Anzu." His voice caressed my name as if he'd been waiting to use it.

I hesitated. Using his given name was not just a level of informality; it was a level of intimacy. It was a dramatic change in our relationship - creating a relationship, where we were simply co-workers before. My throat went dry.

"When we are alone," he said softly, "occasionally, my sister calls me Buro. She is the only one with whom I am so familiar. The only other person, I hope, would be you."

"Buro." I said terrified of waking up from this dream, but he smiled and twirled me around. "Buro, I don't know if we should...."

"We are the only ones who will dictate what we should do. For instance, if we should kiss, who is there to stop us?"

'I should' a small voice in the back of my mind said. But I didn't speak aloud and Kaiba-sama's lips pressed warmly against my own.

Kaiba Gozaburo wanted me. Here, now, tonight. What was complicated about that?

There was nothing complicated about Buro taking my hand and leading me out of the ballroom, up the stairs or into the master bedroom.

There was nothing complicated about us undressing each other, about us caressing and kissing and stroking each other.

There was nothing complicated about Buro entering me slowly, thrusting slowly, and building me slowly to the orgasm I hadn't felt since that last night in Aruba with Hiroto.

It was all very simple.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

One week after school started, Honda-sama went back to work. By then, the trip to the bathroom wasn't so exhausting. I could spend the entire day in the living room sitting up reading - if I didn't tax myself too much trying to do things for myself without Honda-sama catching me.

Just before Honda left for school, there was a knock at the door. "You sit." He ordered. "I got it."

Mutou and Pharaoh entered together. "Hi Kaiba!" Mutou was as cheerful as ever. More so - the hint of sadness in his eyes was gone. "Wow! You look so much better already! You looked half dead at the Christmas party."

"I will presume that was meant as a compliment." I mused. "I suppose I should accept it with grace."

"You should." Pharaoh replied. "You are looking more like your old self, Prince."

"What's that about?" Honda asked.

"An inside joke." Pharaoh was still looking at me. "I trust that you know your own medicinal schedule?"

"Quite well."

"Then you two should go on to school." Pharaoh dismissed Honda and Mutou. "There's no reason you should delay."

Honda looked very unsure. "Yeah. Hey Seto, I forgot something." He went into the bedroom and looked at me until I joined him. He closed the door. "Is there something between you and him?"

"Something like what?"

"Something like Joey is coming home soon and he kind of thinks you two are still together."

"We are." I stated. "Pharaoh is - something else. I think KaibaGames could use him."

"You know I'm not stupid, right?"

I looked at him sharply, in part because he was right - I was presuming he was stupid. "No, you are not stupid. I cannot deny that Yami and I seem to have some mutual attraction but you were right when you said I would miss Joey. Believe me, it's disgusting how much I want him. Yami said that if he was the 'king of games' then I was the crown prince. That's all."

"Yeah, well. Sorry. I don't mean to come down on you, but the thing that sucks about friends dating is that if they break up, you usually wind up losing a friend."

"I doubt you could ever lose Joey's friendship."

"I meant you, idiot." He glanced at his watch. "I'd better go. Yugi and me are gonna have to run. Hey, can I use the bike?"

I laughed. "Just don't scratch the paint."

I got him the keys and they left. Pharaoh was looking at the few Honda family photos around the living room. I felt uncomfortable in the loose pants and no shirt I'd been wearing for two days and expended the energy to dress. I combed my hair, about which Anzu was right, needed a trim. I took a rest and then went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth.

"None of that was necessary you realize." He said when I finally settled on the futon. "I preferred seeing you half dressed." If he could see the ankh around my neck, he didn't mention it.

"Your preference was not on my list of considerations."

"It should have been." He looked out the window. "I remember Joey. Blond American? Has a tendency to play luck cards?"

"Yes."

"A little beneath your station, isn't he?"

"My relationships are hardly subject to your approval."

"I notice that your 'relationship' is not here."

"He had a family emergency; he's out of the country."

"So for now, you are alone."

"I thought your offer to assist was to provide companionship."

"It was. But I'd like to know how companionable I may be."

"Surely a Pharaoh can find the kind of friendship he desires from more appropriate sources."

"At one time I could have had half of Egypt at my feet." He finally turned and looked at me. "A prince of industry has a more modern appeal."

"I am flattered, truly. But even if I were free to indulge, I don't have the strength now."

"I'm not so cruel as to take you now." There was a trace of humor in his voice. "You can hardly stand." He changed the subject. "So how do you spend your days?"

I showed him. We did some tai chi and yoga. We dueled a lot. He amused himself while I took a nap. After lunch, we took a walk around the building. It was my longest walk in months and I was worn out when we returned. I recovered quickly though - a good sign. Over the next few days, he fetched-and-carried for me and helped me with my medications.

And we talked a lot. About things I'd never discussed with anyone and things I suspected he'd never shared either. Growing up with Gozaburo. Being Pharaoh at 15. The deaths of both our biological fathers. The loneliness of being 'superior'. We talked about his previous 'visit' and what it was like seeing the world for the first time in thousands of years - and seeing it through Yugi's eyes. How difficult it was to adjust to everything. How angry he was. It reminded me of starting my own life over after the orphanage. Our lives had been very different and yet in many ways very similar. It made the attraction to him that much stronger and much, much harder to resist. I was very glad that even the idea of using the erection he inspired fatigued me.

I did get a call from Yamada. "They are claiming that you told them you were uninsured and would be paying the full bill."

"I don't recall saying anything of the kind."

He laughed. "With a fever as high as yours was, you could have said anything, but it's all inadmissible regardless. You are a minor and they admitted you without notifying your parents."

"I see. And that renders everything else invalid, doesn't it?"

"Somewhat. They are trying to convince the court that you were aware of everything and approved all the decisions made."

"I don't even remember going to the hospital."

"I assure you, they will remember you." He chuckled again. "They have filed every possible motion they can to try to collect this. The court will rule on it and then they will consider your counter-suits for malpractice and wrongful damages. You may have to make an appearance before the magistrate. I will tell you a few days before if you do. Please be sure to look very sick. We will lose face if you appear looking healthy and well."

I hung up shaking my head; maybe I would introduce this wolf to my father. They seemed to think along similar lines.

"I have a confession." Pharaoh said after he'd been looking after me for a couple of weeks.

Our daily walks had gotten longer. We could take my bike to the mall and walk for an hour at a time, if I took a 30-minute break when we stopped. I had gained most of my lost weight back, but thanks to the tai chi and yoga, I was toner and more flexible than I was before my illness. I was actually looking forward to Cheering Squad.

"I knew you before." He said as we sat on a bench near a vacant store.

"Yes, we dueled. I know."

"No, not my previous time with Yugi." He looked at me. "Before. In my time."

"Someone like me."

"You."

"It could not have been me." I laughed. "Your story is impossible enough. There isn't enough 'suspended disbelief' in the universe to believe that it could happen to two people."

"Your soul then." He compromised and went on before I could dispute that. "But you. And no, not in the same way. I don't know how you are here, but it is you. By Ra, you look as you did when I gave you the throne. Same eyes, same hair, same undeserved arrogance." We both smiled at the reference, taunting each other. "You are Priest Seto." He looked away. "And you still hold my heart."

"I...what?"

He looked at his hands. "A Pharaoh is a God. But even Gods can love."

My heart began racing. It seemed I had wanted to hear those words my whole life. But Joey. Joey was my heart; Joey had wanted me without anything before he knew I was anyone.

"We should return. You look tired." He started to stand.

I reached out and stopped him. He wouldn't look at me until I turned his face to mine. Pharaoh or Joey? How could I choose? I leaned forward and kissed him, hoping that it would be meaningless, forgettable and cold. It was not.

It was hot and engulfing. Like a wind blowing me over. A wave crashing down, drowning me in need and want and pleasure and pulling us both into each other with more power than anything I've ever felt. I was lost to it. He pulled away first.

"You have sown the wind, Prince, dare you reap the whirlwind?"

"Are you always so moved by a single kiss?" I tried not to pant. "Not a weakness that would serve you well."

"Even time yields to the desert sands."

"I'm..." terrified I wanted to say but I settled for "...tired." I realized that somehow our arms had entwined around each other and pulled mine quickly away from him. "And I have homework I'd like to try to finish today."

"Answer me this, Prince. Does the whelp move you as I do?"

"Joey is like no one else." I said. It was honest and deflected Pharaoh's question.

We returned home in silence. I held him as he drove my bike and cursed the spiteful biology that made so clear what my words tried to hide. If he noticed my rather obvious arousal, however, he did not mention it.

Honda's phone was ringing as we arrived and I answered it. "Hello?"

"Tak?" Joey's voice was the most welcome and yet unwelcome thing I'd heard in days. "Hey! How you feeling?"

"Better." I answered in English. Pharaoh looked curious but turned his attention the kitchen. "How is your sister?"

"Good. The treatment's working. Her eyes are really clearing up a lot." He lowered his voice. "Hey, you alone? Honda told me you had a babysitter these days."

"I would hardly call him that."

"Is he hot?"

I shivered. "Not especially."

"Funny, Honda said he's wicked hot."

"I wouldn't think he's one to judge."

"So he is hot." Joey laughed. "Hotter than Bakura?"

"Not hotter than you."

"Oh, so you don't call him 'God'?"

"Joey!" I snapped. Pharaoh looked up and I took the phone into the bedroom and closed the door. "I wasn't calling you 'God'," I whispered. "It's an exclamation of passion."

"Oh, he IS there. I was wondering why you were speaking English."

"Did you want something?"

"Have you made that offer to him?" Joey teased.

"If you keep this up, maybe I will."

"Tape it for me; I wanna watch you."

The idea made me shiver. "You're a pervert."

"Nah, I'm just hard up."

"What? No American lovers keeping you awake at night?" I asked, grateful to be able to turn the tables on him. "No Texans with spurs and large hats?"

"Well...."

Well? "Well what?"

"Nothing."

"If it were nothing, you would not have said anything. Well what?"

"It's no big thing. This guy I used to know, back when I was a kid. Turns out Diesel still lives here."

"So, is he hot?" I asked with no small amount of jealousy. "Are you calling him 'God'?"

"Geez! Kaiba! Relax. We went out a couple times but it's cool. He knows I'm only here for a couple months."

"But not that you are already seeing someone."

He remained silent for almost a minute. "You and I weren't together when I first got here." He said at length. "We haven't gone out since Christmas. OK? I mean yes, I went out with him but that was all. No touching or fooling around. I gave him one good night kiss and that was all."

"Really? And why was that?"

"Because when I kissed him, I knew I'd never want to kiss anyone other than you again."

My guilty conscience pained me. "I'll bet you wanted to fool around." I tried, hoping to find a way to feel less wrong.

He laughed. "I still want to - but only 'cause you're half the planet away. I can't wait to get my hands on you. I'll bet your babysitter doesn't make you feel good like I do."

"No one makes me feel like you do." But I couldn't stop wondering how Pharaoh would make me feel.

"I wish I was there right now. Know what I'd do?" He didn't wait for me to answer. "I'd lick that spot on your neck, right where your shoulder begins." That spot always made me shiver.

"Joey, I don't think this is a conversation we should pay international rates for."

"Don't worry, it's my birthday gift from Grandma. A 120-minute prepaid phone card. Since I can't be there for two hours making you sweat, I figured I'd do the next best thing."

"I'm sorry; I completely forgot about your birthday." More guilt.

"You can make it up to me when I get back." I heard him shift positions. "I really miss you, Tak."

"I miss you too."

"How much?"

"Do I need to quantify it?"

"Do you think about me?"

"Of course."

"What about when you, y'know," he snickered, "abuse yourself?"

I felt my face flush and glanced to see if the door was still closed. "I, uh, haven't done that in a while. But I - I was dreaming about you. A lot."

"Good dreams?"

"Very."

"Messy dreams?"

My face got even warmer. "Uh, very."

He laughed deeply. "Yeah, me too. You remember Aruba? That day we were on the beach?"

We'd made love as the tide came in, slowly, wave after wave rising up our bodies until the ocean and we both reached 'high tide'. Then we lay in each other's arms and watched the sunset.

"I had sand everywhere the next morning." I reminded him.

"Yeah, but it was worth it. I'm going crazy, Tak! I just want to be with you so much right now."

I had to smile. "That is what your right hand is for."

"It's not the same." He made an odd sound. "But it does help."

"Joey? What are you doing?"

"I'm picturing you, in those cut off shorts you used to wear. So tight, I could tell if you're Jewish."

"That's vulgar even for you. Oh wait," I looked at the door again. "You are not masturbating while we're on the phone, are you?"

He laughed again. "Every time I think of you in those shorts, I have to."

On the one hand it was crude. The sort of trashy, uncouth mutt behavior that made Joey the stray dog he was. On the other hand, the mental image made my already strained inseam pop a stitch.

"I should go." I swallowed hard.

"Talk to me, Tak. Tell me you want me."

"I want you, Joey." He began breathing heavy. "I want you, I need you."

"When I get back, I'm gonna jump you at the airport." He panted. "I'm not even going to get my luggage, I'm just going to find you and push you against the nearest wall and pound you hard. And fast. And deep." He groaned. "You like the sound of that, Tak? You want me to take you like that?"

"I want to take you like that." I couldn't resist saying. "It's my turn. I'll push you against the wall and take you slowly from behind." He moaned. "And I won't stop until you swear you'll never leave me again."

"I swear. I swear." He gasped. Then he groaned loudly. "Oh yeah! Oh yeah."

"Well, that was quick." I quipped.

"I told you I was hard up." I could imagine the lazy smile on his face. "We should do this again."

I looked at the door. "I'd rather wait until I see you."

"I miss you too much to wait."

"Come home now, then."

"Tak," he hesitated. "Tak, I can't just leave Sera. My Grandmother already takes care of my Grandfather. She can't go running to the hospital for Sera too."

"I know. I didn't mean it. My babysitter and I are getting along quite well without you."

"Yeah? Well he better be hot and he better do three-way when I get back."

"You know, I'm beginning to believe you're serious about having a ménage-a-trois."

Joey laughed. "Only if he's hot as Bakura."

"Maybe I'll arrange for Bakura to give you your birthday gift."

"Now why would you even say something like that?" Joey laughed. "If I say 'no' you won't believe me and if I say 'yes' you'll get all mad. I can't win!"

"We'll see." I said in a non-committal tone. "I should go."

"Yeah, ok. It's kind of late here so I should probably get some sleep. I'll call again soon. Ok?"

"Ok."

"Tak? I love you."

I opened my mouth and looked at the door again. I could feel the ankh around my neck still, always. "And I, you."

He hung up and I went back into the living room. Pharaoh was reading. I sat down on the futon.

"I should tell you now that I'm very competitive." He said without looking up. "I dislike losing and I will keep playing until I win."

"You sound as if you plan to duel for my hand."

He looked at me over the edge of the page. "Maybe a prize a little lower."

"Maybe not at all." I stood up and went into the kitchen. "I resent the idea that I could be won like some common trophy."

"A trophy, yes, but not common." Pharaoh put the book down. "And honestly, it suits your vanity to have us competing over you, doesn't it?"

"Not at all." I pulled out a pot. "Shall I make lunch?"

"We had lunch. I suppose we could start dinner." He joined me.

We cooked, a chore I never thought I'd do, but I found actually I enjoyed. Because it wasn't strenuous, I was able to make more elaborate meals than Honda was used to and he was frequently coming home to more than noodle soup and rice. I wasn't sure if Pharaoh enjoyed helping me or enjoyed the occasional moments of physical contact the size of the kitchen fostered.

I enjoyed both. And, today, after my conversation with Joey, I enjoyed the stolen caresses and 'accidental' touches more than usual. Pharaoh was hot. Taping a ménage-a-trios with him, Joey and Ryou would be lucrative enough to launch an adult video company. The image was pervasive once the idea struck me and I found it almost impossible to resist imagining them together.

"Your buns are hot, Prince." Pharaoh whispered in my ear. His breath tickled my neck warmly and caused me to shiver.

"That's hardly appropriate." I moaned.

"Shouldn't you pull them from the oven?" He was deliberately teasing me. My neck was my weakness. The slightest touch brought me to my knees. "You don't want them to burn, do you?"

"N-n-no." I tried to resist the arousal surging through me. I was still recovering. No strenuous activity.

Pharaoh reached around me and down and ... opened the oven. The smell of the fresh meat buns wafted through the small kitchen.

"Oh!" I said, suddenly realizing that he had meant the food. I pulled the tray out, thrilled that they were not ruined and mortified by my own responses.

He stood behind me, pressed against me. I could feel his arousal and his heat. "Are you always so moved by a single breath?" He blew on my neck to illustrate my weakness.

"I'm not moved." I swallowed hard. "I'm tired." I put the buns down to cool. "I think - I should - sit."

"You do seem...over-stimulated." He stroked my shoulders. "Go lie down. I'll be in, in a moment."

If Honda came home and found us in the bedroom, he would never let it end. I sat on the futon and tried to rub the feeling of his touch from my neck and shoulders.

"Allow me." As he sat down, he began massaging those areas with strong hands. "You need to relax more." He coaxed me into lying down and he began working his hands up and down my back.

Joey, I reminded myself. I can't do anything with this man because I love Joey. Pharaoh lifted my shirt and I heard myself nearly purring as his hands massaged stiffness I wasn't aware of.

Joey. Joey. Joey.

It was inevitable. I was going to sleep with Pharaoh. I was aching to kiss him again, run my fingers down that lean chest, and hear his voice catch as I teased his sensitive places. Mentally, I willed his hands lower, trying to encourage them to work around my belt, under my jeans, reach inside....

"Hi Joey!" Honda's voice rang out. "I didn't know you were home."

I sat up and turned so fast I actually kicked Pharaoh in the stomach. "JOEY?"

"Oh." Honda looked a bit smug and a lot disgusted. "My mistake. Hey Kaiba, Hey Yami."

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I returned to school the next day. It was difficult; my energy began to fail during third period. But if I had spent another day at home with Pharaoh, I would have done something I would have regretted.

I'd have enjoyed it, but I would have regretted it too.

Just before lunch I was called to the headmaster's office.

"How are you feeling, Kaiba-san?" He asked with a look of concern.

"Much better. Thank you."

"Are you sure you are ready to resume your school work now? I've been trying to discuss your situation with your father but..."

"But he hasn't returned your calls." I finished for him. "As I'm sure you are now aware, my relationship with my father is unusual."

"Frankly, I would say it borders on the abusive."

"I would prefer that you not pursue that."

"It is not my option to ignore signs of abuse." He pointed out.

"And I would ask that you understand that the Kaiba family is not like other families. My father is somewhat stricter than others and he will react badly if he thinks he's being ... criticized."

The headmaster hesitated and then looked at me sympathetically. "Seto, if you are being abused, you don't have to...."

I stood up. "My relationship with my father is none of your concern. I appreciate your position, but let me assure you that no abuse exists here. If you wish to confront Kaiba Gozaburo on the matter directly then please do so at your own peril. Was there anything relevant to my education that you wished to discuss? Otherwise this meeting is over."

He waved me back into the chair. "I should require you to see a counselor, but you'd only find a way around it. There is another matter. You missed the end of last semester. All of your instructors have agreed to waive your missing homework if you pass their final exams. Is that acceptable to you?" I nodded; it was probably the best deal I could get. "Good. So as not to get too much further behind in this semester, though, you need to take those exams this Saturday. I will proctor them. Here are the study notes your instructors said you'd need. The tests will be taken from these materials."

"Thank you. What time should I be here?"

"8am should be early enough. You have six tests to take, so be prepared."

"I will. Thank you." I stood and started to leave and then stopped. "Sir, I realize you've done a great deal on my behalf and I'd like you to know that I appreciate it. Much of your advice has been invaluable to me."

He smiled. "That's what I'm here for, Seto. Come see me anytime."

My classes after lunch were tedious and it was a struggle to concentrate in any of them. Honda finally accosted me at my locker between classes.

"Look, just go home Kaiba, you're wrecked."

"I have two more classes."

"You know what? Joey's right. You are an arrogant little prick."

"I take exception to that statement." I said with a straight face. "I'll have you know my prick is -"

"WHOA! Stop right there! TMI! I don't need to know anything about you that involves the swimsuit area!" He threw up his hands as a defense. "You pass out in class, don't say I didn't warn you."

I did not pass out during either class, but I did not contribute to the learning process. I made it to my bike, but I was in no real condition to ride it. I almost tried, but Honda appeared and I rode behind him instead.

"I'm still kind of ticked off with you, you know." He said as we walked the hell-spawned three flights of stairs to the apartment. "You have got to stay away from Yami, you know?" He unlocked the door. "Or call Joey and tell him you want to see this guy. But I'm not going to cover for you."

"You're right." I agreed, collapsing on the futon. "I should stay away from him."

He handed me a glass of water. "But you're not going to are you?"

I took a long swallow. "I will try."

"OK. New topic. When's Anzu's birthday?" I shrugged. "Ok, what month?"

I shrugged again. "I have no idea. Why?"

"Because if I haven't missed it, I want to get her something." He shook his head. "She's worked for you for like two years and you don't know her birthday?"

"I never needed to know."

"So you never got her a coffee mug that said 'world's best secretary' or took her to lunch or any of that kind of stuff?"

"Why would I?" Although as I thought about it, I suspected Anzu would have appreciated any of 'that kind of stuff'.

"Man, I am glad I don't work for you! You're a dick!"

"You're beginning to sound like Joey."

"Yeah!" He laughed. "I guess so." He turned sober. "So, seriously. Are you still into Joey or is it over or what?"

I sighed. I didn't want to think about those questions yet. "I love Joey. But...but it's hard when he's not here."

Honda nodded. "Yeah, I get that. And at least he's called you. All I get from Anzu are these terse little tweets 'very busy, love you, miss you'."

"She is very busy right now."

"All the time? She has to take a break sometimes! She's not working 24/7, is she?"

"Actually, she probably is. She was working on Christmas."

"How do you know that?"

"She was at the office when she called."

His face fell. "She called? Why didn't anyone tell me! I left her like a million messages around the holidays! You know what I got? A New Years postcard."

"She is very traditional."

"Fuck tradition!" He burst. Then he seemed to get a hold of himself. "Sorry. I just.... Damn it!"

"I'm sorry, Honda." I said, really meaning it. "I didn't realize she hadn't spoken to you. She said that she'd just learned I was sick and sounded panicked. I only spoke to her for a few minutes. She had an office event she was late for."

"Seto - look, seriously - is there someone else? I'd understand if she was seeing someone else. I mean, I'm not exactly a catch for her."

"I'd imagine not. She wasn't seeing anyone else while she was working for me because I didn't leave her enough time for a social life."

"She wasn't that busy."

"I will point out that I require my key staff to be on call 24 hours a day. They lived with me, remember?"

"Required?" He looked surprised. "Geez! You are a dick."

"Thank you. Now remember she's working for my father who is infinitely more demanding than I am."

"Wow. She really is that busy."

"At least that busy." I smiled -- reassuringly I hoped. "I'm sure the only other men she is seeing these days are Ryou, Noah and my Father."

Honda chuckled. "I guess I can live with that."

We had a quiet night. I studied for my up-coming tests and went to bed early. The rest of the week was almost identical.

Saturday's exams were the hardest tests I had ever taken in my life. It wasn't the material so much as my inability to completely prepare for them. I was drained and depressed when I finished them. To cheer me up some, Honda coaxed me into stopping by the Kame Game Shop.

I dueled for a while, mostly an exhibition for me. A patron was complaining that without knowing the contents of the booster card packs, you could wind up with losers and I dared him to a modified mini-duel of sorts. I'd open a pack and if I beat him with it, he had to buy it.

Mutou-sama sold ten packs that way.

"I think I'm next." I shivered as Pharaoh's voice worked its magic on my nerves. I heard the plastic rip on a new pack as an unopened one was dropped in front of me. "If you win, Prince, I'll buy both."

"Then I will enjoy beating you all the more, Pharaoh." I replied keeping my voice low.

We traded a few more barbs as we battled, and were literally tied when the last card was played. Another patron, watching the duel offered to buy two more packs and we resumed the duel only to reach a second stalemate. Since there were only nine cards in each booster pack, we were able to tie several times before the one of us by chance pulled a card that unbalanced the duel. We were still able to sell all the used cards - I signed the ones I opened - and Pharaoh and I resumed our stalemate challenge.

"Are you two still at it?" Mutou-sama asked, what seemed only moments later. "I should be closing now."

Pharaoh looked at me and smiled. His eyes flicked to the crowd watching us and I knew what he intended. "Is it past closing already, Grandpa? I hadn't noticed the time."

"Indeed, I lost track of the time as well." I agreed. "I still need to rest. My illness, you understand."

"Of course. We can resume this when you are feeling stronger."

There was quite a lot of protest, but in the end all cards were sold and Pharaoh and I promised to resume our duel the following weekend. Honda raved about it the entire way home but my thoughts were on Pharaoh and how he looked at me with every turn of the cards.

"I swear, I've never even seen a duel tie - and you guys did practically every time! How is that even possible?"

"Careful choice of cards and a bit of math."

"That was deliberate! Are you kidding me?"

"I thought it might be possible for a few cards at a time so I thought I'd test my theory." I smiled as I pictured the moment Pharaoh realized what I was doing. "Pharaoh must have attempted the same strategy." His mouth had frowned but his eyes had positively lit up. For a moment, I was afraid he'd push aside the cards and take me.

I was certainly tempted to take him.

I woke up Sunday morning not sure if my dreams had been about Joey or Pharaoh, but sure that I had to do something to relieve the pressure. My thoughts drifted between them as I 'abused myself' which did not take long.

For a moment I seriously considered Joey's request for a three-some when he returned.

Then I went to Takahashi's store to see if they needed me yet.

"On the mend, I see." Takahashi-sama greeted me warmly. "We were afraid we'd lost you."

I shrugged. "I am Kaiba. We are stronger than any fever."

He laughed and agreed. He didn't have any work, but he promised to give me a good reference if I found something else.

It was too cold to job hunt outside so I went to the mall and put in applications at each store. I realized that I'd overtaxed myself when I sat down and found my hand shaking too much to write my name. I looked at my watch; I'd skipped lunch and forgotten my medication.

'How much damn longer does this insufferable disease last?' I lamented silently. I put my head down on the food court table as I felt the ache in the back of my neck growing. I knew the ache was only the beginning of the unpleasantness.

"Kaiba?"

I looked up into the worried face of Mutou; Pharaoh was with him.

"He's simply exhausted himself, Yugi," Pharaoh's strong hands began rubbing my neck and shoulders. "He'll be fine in a moment. Why don't you go on and I will stay here until he's recovered."

Yugi hesitated. "Yami..." He seemed torn then sighed. "Ok, I'll get the last couple things and meet you here. But Yami," he waited until Pharaoh looked at him, "Joey is our friend."

"And we would never intentionally hurt a friend, Yugi. Yes. I remember our conversation. But Kaiba shouldn't be alone and he is our friend as well."

Joey owed much to Honda and Yugi.

Pharaoh's massage relieved the edge of the pain, but in truth, I needed several pills, a meal and at least six hours of sleep. I also needed to find a job.

"Prince." Pharaoh's voice was soft. "This Joey of yours is becoming a problem. I have never known you to suffer interference before. If you want him, take him. If you want me, then take me. But choose." He ran his fingers through my hair.

"You were never known for your patience or diplomacy, were you?"

"Were you?" He countered.

"I am accustomed to getting what I want. What if I should choose both of you?"

He was silent. "I was never known to share either." He said finally.

Neither of us spoke after that and Yugi returned eventually. "Ok, I got everything. I think. Kaiba? Do you need a doctor?"

"Absolutely not. There is no need to trouble you further. I am fine. I'm going to finish this application and then go home." I sat upright and looked at the application again. My head was aching and I could hardly think straight enough to answer the simple questions but I managed.

Pharaoh and Yugi waited until I completed the form and walked with me back to the store to turn it in. They walked me to my motorcycle and I assured them I was well enough to ride.

Unfortunately, it would not start.

I checked for obvious problems but there were none. There was gas in the tank and no clear problems. She simply would not start. I prayed to Gods I did not believe in. I kicked several parts of it. I swore. She still would not start.

"Perhaps a new means of transportation would be in order." Pharaoh said blithely. For a moment, I wanted to kick his teeth in.

Then I calmed myself. The temperature had dropped while I was in the building. Quite probably, the engine was too cold to start. Time would fix this problem. I secured what few things I had and began walking the bike home.

"Where are you going?" Yugi asked.

"Home." I said simply.

"But it's going to snow." He pointed out. "You can't walk in the snow; you'll get sick again."

He was right, of course. "I don't have any other options, I'm afraid. I need to take this home and I can't afford a tow. I am Kaiba. I will survive a walk in the snow." I continued walking.

Pharaoh held the bike from the other side and walked with me. I looked at him both surprised and pleased. "Not the way I had intended to exert myself with you." He said quietly.

Yugi caught up with us a moment later. "Uh-huh! That's the street. We'll be walking along there - headed to Honda's place. OK! Thanks!" He hung up his cell. "Mai's not home, but Otogi has a car. He's on his way."

"Why would you bother them?" It was annoying and embarrassing to have my situation broadcast across town.

"They're your friends!" He answered matter-of-factly. "Why wouldn't I call them?"

"They don't need to know about this." I felt myself slowing down and pushed to move faster. "Everyone does not need to know about my weakness. Do you have to run, Mutou?"

Yugi looked stunned but slowed down. "Sorry, Kaiba. I wasn't thinking. Why don't I push for a while?"

"It's my bike. I can do it."

"I'm very glad you're not stubborn, Prince," Pharaoh said. "Otherwise this would be unpleasant."

"I don't need your assistance, either." I shot back. I knew I was probably running a fever again. It was easier when everyone left me alone. "Why do either of you even care? Were I not stuck in this misbegotten backwater pigsty, I wouldn't even know any of you exist."

"Friendship, like love, is often blind." Pharaoh said. "To ask why we care is foolish. Simply accept that we do."

"I don't like people caring." I grumbled. My strength was fading quickly and I was almost certain that I would not make it home without stopping several times. "It obliges me to care."

"It's ok, Kaiba." Yugi spoke up. "You don't have to. I can like you without you liking me." He laughed. "I have for years!"

"You have what?"

"Liked you. I mean, you've always been a bit hard to like, but you're an amazing duelist and super intelligent and sometimes you're so arrogant it's actually funny."

I stopped. "You think I'm funny?"

"Not really. You just act funny sometimes."

"What does that mean?"

"Prince..." Pharaoh pulled my arm, but I snatched it away from him.

"Don't attempt to placate me! I act funny how?"

A car pulled up next to us. "Can't remember my name when there's a party, but who's the first one you call when you need a ride?" Otogi complained.

"Thank Ra!" Pharaoh exhaled. "Help me with this thing."

"I don't need help!" I snapped. I knew I was being irrational, but I was so tired I couldn't even think.

"Well!" Otogi flitted. "Someone's on the rag."

"It's 'things' like you that give fags a bad name." I retorted.

"You know, I'm only here because Ryou would never forgive me if I let you freeze to death." He and Pharaoh moved me aside and hitched my bike to the back of his car.

"Be careful with that, damn it." I snapped.

"Oh honestly!" Otogi huffed. "Just get in the car!"

I got in. Yugi began yammering as soon as I sat down but my minimal patience was long gone. "Mutou, shut up." Blessedly, he did.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, Honda was shaking me.

"Hey, are you cool?"

"No." I sighed. "No I am not 'cool' I have a headache that rivals the birth of Athena and my fucking bike died."

He helped me to the apartment and to bed. When I opened my eyes again, it was to the sound of my wrist alarm.

I made it to school on time but just barely. Honda was in my first period class.

"I figured you'd sleep until Wednesday!"

I might have if I didn't have a back up alarm."

"Backup!" He slapped his own forehead. "I should have thought of that."

"You disabled my alarm clock?"

"Dad said it was the best way to make sure you slept."

"Your father is a devious man."

Honda laughed. "Yeah, he is!"

School was bad, but not as bad as Sunday. When my classes ended I forced myself to the Headmaster's office to get my test scores.

"Kaiba-san. Please, sit down." He handed me an envelope. "I'm pleased to say you did quite well."

Out of six tests, I got no 'A's, two 'B's, three 'C's and one 'D'. "This is well?" I tossed the document on his desk carelessly. "When can I retake the tests?"

"Retake? Why?"

"Because I'd rather re-take the tests than retake the classes."

"I don't understand. You passed. Why would you retake anything?"

I picked up the document again. "I passed? With a 'D'?"

"Well, 'D' is below average, but it's not a fail. That is a passing grade."

I stared at him. "I do not do below average work."

"Kaiba-san, the fact that you took six tests in one day after having missed a month and a half of school and passed any of them is astounding. In all honesty, I wouldn't have made the offer to any other student. But from you we've grown accustomed to amazing things." He tapped the envelope. "This is proof of your extraordinary ability."

"There's not even one 'A'."

"Under the circumstances, I would consider an 'A', proof of divinity. Relax, Kaiba-san, you did well. Your records will be changed tomorrow to reflect these final grades instead of incompletes. Now be sure you make arrangements with your current teachers to make up last week's work. And here." He handed me a folder. "We normally send this to the parents. I wasn't sure where you would want it to go."

It was the graduation package. Class photos, yearbook, class rings, cap and gown for graduation. All things I did not have the money for. "Thank you."

For a few days, my life was fairly simple. I went to school and went home. I studied as hard as I could with my limited resources. It had never occurred to me how much independent work I was used to. I found it frustration to be limited to merely finding the answer in the textbook for most questions. I wanted to know everything there was to know if a problem caught my interest. If it didn't, I resented spending even a moment of my time on it. Still, I was able to catch up on most of my schoolwork and even finished all the reading for my literature class.

The brightest spot in my life was that while I was ill, Mokuba had applied himself and tested out of several lower level courses. This semester, he was attending school on the same campus as I for half of his classes. We didn't see each other often, but we could see each other. On Wednesdays, our schedules were such that we could meet for lunch if neither of us delayed.

My only on going concern was my job prospects. I still had not found a paying position. Even the Kaiba installation work had seemed to dry up completely. Honda told me repeatedly not to worry about it. His view, apparently, was that my presence was more helpful than hurtful. I could not believe, however, that my illness was not a burden and I found myself becoming frustrated by the lack of short-term or long-term progress on any of my future plans.

Yamada called me finally. "The hospital is refusing to settle unless we use arbitration."

"Then do so."

"You will get more money if we hold out for a court date."

I debated with myself for a minute. I weighed the options of getting some money now when I needed it and getting more money later. When it might be too late. "How much do you believe the final bill will be?"

"Bill?" He sounded shocked. "You? Pay them? Kaiba-sama, whether we use arbitration or the courts, it is they that will be paying you! I expect that you will walk away with no less than seven million yen."

"But that's more than the original bill!"

"Did you know that two dozen other patients got meningitis in that hospital?"

"No. I did not."

"They may file a class action suit. The hospital put you at risk by not taking proper precautions with your caregivers and your visitors." He paused. "If I may ask a personal question: who is your guardian while your father is away?"

'Away' was one way to phrase it. "He did not appoint one."

"You are a minor. They did not report that you are an abandoned child."

"I am hardly an abandoned...."

"Kaiba-sama, please do not let your family's wealth blind you to the law. You are under the age of twenty and you do not have a legally appointed guardian. In the eyes of the law, therefore, you have been abandoned and the hospital had a duty to report that to the proper authorities."

"I see." I hadn't considered the full legal implications and I suspected my father had not either.

"Temporarily, Kawai-san has applied for custody of you. It is a formality, you understand. We do not wish to appear to breach the same law we are bringing suit under."

"Of course not."

"So. Shall we wait for a court date?"

"You said seven million, either way?"

"Yes, but if we take this to a judge, it will be closer to ten million."

"When would I have the seven?"

He sounded disappointed. "Well, we could begin the arbitration process in the next few weeks and have the final decision by the end of the month."

"Would I have the funds before March 31st?" I could see the graduation folder sitting on the edge of my worktable.

"If not, we'd certainly have the binding order by then. We could make some kind of arrangement."

No doubt via a short-term loan with a wolf-like interest rate. For the moment, however, that would do. "Fine. I'll need two day's notice to arrange my classes at school. Do I need to bring anything with me?"

He listed out some paperwork I should send him. A copy of the bill. My eviction notice and a statement showing that I had been terminated from my job due to the prolonged hospital stay. A few other things to show either how badly I was treated in the hospital or how terribly I'd suffered since. He also asked me to bring someone who could vouch for my suffering.

I made phone calls as needed to get the written statements and Honda agreed to be my witness.

Yamada called back with the day, time and location of the arbitration. "Remember, show up on time and don't look too healthy."

I got another call. A clothing store at the mall wanted me to come in for an interview. I almost passed it up but agreed to come after school the next day because it could be a month before I had the settlement.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Much to my own surprise, I got the job at the mall. I suspected it had more to do with my appearance than my skills, but I wasn't going to complain. It was a job and it paid enough to meet my current expenses - mostly assisting Honda with household costs. They required that I wear clothing purchased from the store stock while on shift, but they provided me with a monthly allowance for 'uniforms'.

My first day, I quickly discovered that my co-workers were all girls. It was a bit uncomfortable. They were very close and called each other by cute pet names. The first two shifts, they spent most of their time 'training' me - which I realized quickly was a euphemism for 'prying into my personal life'.

Finally, near the end of my second day, one of the girls asked me out right if I was 'that' Kaiba.

"Yes." I said simply. There was no reason to drag it out.

"So why are you here?"

"I needed a job." I finished folding the last shirt and picked up the empty box. "I still need to select pants and a shirt for tomorrow. Do you mind if I do that now?"

She didn't. In fact, none of the girls minded. They seemed to enjoy assisting me in choosing things to try on. I was in the changing room putting on some ridiculously tight pants that Joey would have loved when I realized that my co-workers might have had the same idea.

I came out of the dressing room. "I'm gay."

"Wow!" Kimura gushed. "You don't look gay at all! Those pants fit perfectly."

"You look scrumptious!" Suzuki agreed.

"No, ladies, I don't mean I look gay. I mean I am gay. I have a boyfriend."

A couple of them looked outright disappointed but Fujita, our manager on duty, tried to remain unaffected. "So? No one cares about that kind of thing."

I had to smile. "Good. I didn't want it to be a problem. Besides, I think it's a bad idea to date co-workers." They all agreed with me that it was. I looked at the outfit in the mirror. On Joey, it might have looked reasonable. On me, it was just silly.

"You should totally wear that tomorrow for the sale." Kimura exclaimed!

"Yes! But leave the shirt open!" Suzuki began unbuttoning me.

"Absolutely not!" I took a step back, but the wall was behind me.

"But you have a great chest!" She said as she flung the shirt open. "There! See?"

The girls began quickly agreeing, but I had to retain some kind of dignity. "I cannot parade around a place of business half-dressed."

"He's right." Fujita came to my rescue. "Put this on under it. Then you can leave the button down open and still look hot."

I looked at the shirt - it was labeled 'large' but there wasn't enough fabric for that to be accurate. I looked at the girls around me. "This does qualify as sexual harassment, you realize."

Fujita shrugged. "Hey, we're all wearing micro-minis. This is fashion and sex sells." She pointed to the dressing room. "Put it on, boy; let's see how it looks."

It looked absurd but at least I wasn't naked. I sighed deeply. At least there was little to no chance of anyone who knew me seeing me dressed this way.

"SeSe-kun, come out and let us see you."

"Stop calling me that!" I snapped as I exited the little room. "You could at least leave me the decency of a name!" They ignored me and instead focused on whether my belt was fashionably loose enough.

Over the next few days, my strength and energy began to reach more normal levels and I started practicing with the Cheering Squad again. The first week, I found myself drained when I got to the store, but KimKim, Miko-chan and ChouChou were forgiving and let me do light work on those nights. That largely consisted of operating the register and folding clothing. The register was easy, and soon I was routinely the one assigned to closing and reconciling the store for the night.

The dreams returned. Joey and Yami shared me nightly. I was able to function through school, but evenings at the store I began to flag.

"SeSe-kun, what's wrong?" ChouChou was everyone's little sister. It was hard not to feel some affection for her as she rubbed my shoulders. "You seem even more tired than usual."

"It's nothing. I've been having some trouble sleeping recently."

"You poor thing." She cooed. "That boyfriend of yours is not doing his job."

I smiled. "My boyfriend is in America for the time being. I haven't seen him in several months."

"Really? He left you all alone?"

"Well, I'm hardly alone."

"If you were my guy, I'd never let a cutie like you out of my sight!"

"Joey trusts me." I said sadly.

"Oh, I'd trust you," she laughed, "just not anybody else!"

My life became ordinary. I made enough money to put a down payment on my cap and gown. I was able to contribute to Honda-sama's rent and grocery bills. I purchased a cell phone; not the top of the line I was used to, but a pre-paid unit that was capable of calls and text.

And I was able to finally make an appointment to see Mokuba. Seeing him for a few minutes at a time at school was not the same. We spent a day together really catching up on our personal lives. We did not discuss KaibaCorp or father. It was a wonderful day.

I had my official return to the Cheering Squad at the first Volley Ball game of the season. The Squad did their 'get well Kaiba' cheer before the start of the game - something they had apparently done several times while I was out. When they reached the end, they shouted "Come Back" and what sounded like most of our school responded "Kaiba". On the third call and response, I performed a series of backward handsprings, the last using one of my teammates as a springboard and landing me roughly front and center of the group. I did not 'stick' the landing but the crowd screamed wildly regardless. It was overwhelming.

These people, these strangers, were cheering for my healthy return to a group they had little to no connection with. My teammates, supporting me and helping me to our bench, made sense. We worked together and my absence created more work for the others. But the audience was unaffected by my presence. And yet they cheered for me as if they were personally involved.

"SeSe-kun!" A girl shouted. Mortified, I looked up to see KimKim, Miko-chan, and ChouChou rushing over.

"Dear God." I had time to sigh before the three of them actually hugged me. I heard a bit of good-natured snickering from my teammates and at least one lament that the wrong man was receiving the female attention.

"That was awesome, Kaiba-kun!" Another familiar voice called out. "Kaiba-kun?"

"Give him a chance, Yugi." Pharaoh chuckled. "He's occupied at the moment."

"Why do all the girls like him?" Honda asked.

"I could answer that if you like." Pharaoh teased him.

"Girls, please!" I finally managed to break free and stood up. "Kimura, Fujita and Suzuki meet Mutou, Mutou and Honda." They greeted each other, but I watched as Pharaoh's eyes spent far more time reviewing my form fitting uniform than acknowledging the girls I'd introduced.

"You are looking well, Prince. Back to your former glory."

"Not quite, but better than I have been." Looking at him made me breathless. "What brings you here today?"

"Yugi said I would see something interesting."

"Did you?"

"Oh yes." His eyes caressed me again. "I am losing patience with this game, Prince."

"Then stop playing, Pharaoh." I was still panting from my performance. I had to be; just looking at Pharaoh could not affect me so much.

"SeSe-kun, we have to go." ChouChou kissed my cheek. "But we will see you tonight, right?"

"Please say yes; the store is boring without you!" KimKim added.

"SeSe-kun?" Honda looked at me first with confusion and then with growing mirth. "SeSe-kun?"

"Honda," I warned, "don't."

"What store?" Yugi wanted to know.

Miko-chan kindly told him. "Oh we all work at the G&N at the mall."

"The G&N?" Honda was up to barely restrained laughter.

"I told you I was working retail." I said with a deep sign.

"Yeah, but not where!" He pulled out his phone. "Oh, I have got to tell Joey this one!"

"Honda -" I reached out to stop him but my teammates interceded and pulled me out for our next cheer. When we returned to the bench, my guests were gone.

Watanabe - one of my squad mates - leaned over to me. "That guy with Yugi-kun, is he why you turned me down?"

I shook my head. "I am still seeing Wheeler-san. Mutou is available if you'd care to pursue him."

He sighed. "Out of my league."

It wasn't the response I expected. "And I'm not?"

"Well, yeah," he shrugged, "but I know you."

After the game, I went to work. I changed clothes at the store rather than let anyone see me in the ridiculous outfits Fujita recommended out of the limited stock of clothing I had purchased. We had developed a routine. I had a locker containing my 'uniforms'. Miko-chan would pick what she wanted me to wear for the shift and hang it on the locker door. If something new came into stock, she would add it to my locker and extend me credit until payday.

As much as I hated to admit it, there did seem to be a spike in sales when I wore a garment we had in stock. And, personally, the added attention of my co-workers - and some of the customers - seemed to ease the dreams somewhat. Plus I had to admit to having enough ego that I was pleased to be the store's resident 'hottie'.

"Oh, by sweet Ra!"

I looked up from folding shirts to see Pharaoh, looking good enough to eat, watching me. "What are you doing here?"

"Satisfying my curiosity." He smirked.

It echoed our first conversation. "You didn't believe I existed?"

"I didn't believe -"

We were interrupted by the sound of loud guffaws. In the doorway, Honda, Mutou and Mokuba were literally falling on each other laughing.

"Tell me you got the picture!" Mokuba managed.

Mutou nodded. "I'm posting it now."

"Wait - posting what?" I crossed over to them and snatched his phone away in time to see the confirmation message pop up. I scrolled to the camera and saw the picture he posted on Facebook.

It was of me, leaned back against the rack while I spoke to Pharaoh. My black Hawaiian-style over-shirt was open displaying the skin tight pink t-shirt Miko-chan insisted complimented my eyes. My left hand was combing through my now shoulder-length hair. I looked like a G&N poster boy.

"You had no right to post that without my permission!" I railed at Mutou. "Take it down now!"

"Oh Kaiba-kun -" he started but I cut him off.

"Take it down or so help me, I will insure that you regret it."

"Nii-sama!" Mokuba put his hand on my shoulder. "Relax! It's a picture! You look great - it's just not like you at all."

Any other time I would have been overjoyed to see my brother but I don't take embarrassment well. I stalked back to the stock room where they couldn't follow me.

ChouChou could and did. "SeSe-kun? Your friends are still waiting."

"They are NOT my friends."

"You mean that one you were flirting with isn't your boyfriend?"

"Certainly not." I told myself as much as her. "And I wasn't flirting."

"Is he straight?"

I looked at her. She was an intelligent young woman with a great deal of retail skill. "Is this where you want to be?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Here, G&N, do you want to work for them forever?"

"No. I mean, I guess not. I hadn't really thought about it."

"When I open KaibaGames Retail, I will need competent management I can trust. The men you meet working for me will be worth a thousand of those pack animals out there."

"SeSe-kun..."

"Kaiba-san." I said firmly.

"...You're really scary when you talk like that. Like you're not even the same person any more." She started to leave, but paused at the door. "And, really. You do look especially hot tonight."

I sat in the stock room for a few minutes. There was a time when I would have owned this store not work in it. I only looked 'especially' hot if Ryou said so. I had to wonder what he would have thought of this clown-wear. He would not have laughed. Then again, maybe he would. Ryou had a sense of humor. I used to have one as well.

Soon, I reminded myself. Soon my wolf will take down his prey and then I will take down mine. Father will not win this.

And Father would HATE these clothes. It would almost be worth sending him the photo just to watch him seethe.

I had to smile.

I went back to the sales floor. Mokuba and the others were still there, chatting with the girls.

"Mutou." He squeaked in surprise at my voice. "Have you taken the picture down yet?"

"Oh. Yeah. Sorry, I didn't..."

I waved him quiet. "Mokuba, send the photo to Ryou and Anzu. If they don't feel it damages the Kaiba image too much, you may repost it. After that, you all may send it to whoever you like."

Mokuba snickered. "Oh, Dad's going to hate that."

"We close in half an hour, so if you all have nothing useful to do, I have to get back to work." I turned to take over the register. "I should point out, Honda, that you could use a little more color in your wardrobe."

"You should totally look at our jungle tees." KimKim exclaimed. "Come on!" She dragged a protesting Honda to the display.

"Mai is always complaining that all my clothes are ugly." Mutou mused. "Maybe I should look at them too." He followed Honda.

"Nii-sama, how long are you going to do this?" Mokuba asked with a tired sigh.

I looked at my watch. "Another twenty minutes. Then, I'm afraid, I have homework."

"You know what I mean." He frowned. "Just come home. We can handle Dad. He'll be a royal prick for a couple months and then things will go back to normal."

I stopped and looked at my brother. "I don't want things to go back to normal. I don't want him to believe that he can uproot my life - or yours - at will. This is the last time, Mokuba. This is the last indignity. When I return to KaibaCorp, in my own time, it will be when I decide to return. And I tell you now, it will not be in October."

"Sooner?" he asked hopefully.

"Perhaps. Maybe later. I rather enjoy the simplicity of working here. Miko-chan is certainly easier to work for."

He deflated, apparently knowing when to end the argument. "I hate this."

"I know." I finished counting the till. "But I know what I'm doing."

"Do you?" Mokuba asked. "You know, he's not that bad."

I looked at my brother. We were no longer children. He was no longer dependent on me for everything. In fact, he didn't truly need me for anything. But he didn't know everything that man had done. And I had no intention of ever telling him. "If you believe that, then..." I didn't know what to say after that. Nothing in life existed if I lost Mokuba.

"Nii-sama, I trust you!" He grabbed my hand and held it hard. "I am always on your side. No one changes that. I guess he's just different with me." He sighed then looked me in the eye. "But you are ALWAYS first."

His eyes were dark, but open to me. I held his hand just as hard. "When I call you, I need to know I can count on you."

"Anytime. Anything. Always."

"You two sound more like you're making a war pact than a declaration of brotherly love." Pharaoh commented. I had forgotten he was even there.

Mokuba laughed. "In our family, that's the same thing." He sat on the edge of the counter and I gave his hip a swat. He stood up again. "Nii-sama, do you do any weapon designing anymore?"

"No. Why?"

"I had an idea for a new KS .38-km. The original is still good, but I realized that the reason my hand keeps cramping is because you designed it for a smaller grip."

"You were nine." I chuckled.

"Yes, well I'm bigger now."

"What's wrong with the KS .38?"

"Nothing. But it's standard. I want something..."

"You want your own personal weapon." He smiled. "I'll think about it. E-mail me what's wrong with the km."

"Actually, I've been playing with a design of my own."

"Really?"

"I was hoping you would look at it. When you have time."

"KaibaCorp...."

"Doesn't care what I draw in art class."

I smiled. "Well, little brother, I'll be happy to look over your homework anytime you'd like."

"I thought you might. It's stored in my art supply drawer at school."

"Convenient."

"Sneaky." He replied. He glanced at Pharaoh. "You know, I don't care how long you stare at him, if he doesn't want you, you won't get anywhere." He turned back to me. "So how's Joey?"

Pharaoh was absolutely undone and his expression was priceless. After a moment, he stalked off and joined Mutou. Mokuba giggled.

"I haven't spoken to him in a few days." I said trying not to laugh. "Honda talks to him more regularly. He would know."

"He wants you so bad!" he snickered. "He's way better than Wheeler, though. How come you aren't seeing him?"

"Relationships are not that simple." I answered sagely. "Joey has qualities that Pharaoh does not."

"Like what? Mutou's taller, richer, smarter and a better duelist."

I glanced across the store. Pharaoh's head fell between Mutou's and Honda's. Joey's was just a touch above Honda's, nearly level with my own. "He's not taller. Not by any stretch."

"Well, he seems taller." Mokuba ignored that fact and went on. "And he's way, way hotter."

I hit the wrong button on the adding machine. "You think he's 'hot'? Since when do you think anyone is 'hot'?"

"Nii-sama, I know about sex already. I'm not a child anymore. I got the speech on where babies come from."

"Perhaps not accurately." Did I influence Mokuba to be gay? Or was he naturally that way? I thought he had a crush on Ishtaaru. "Were girls mentioned in this speech?"

He grinned at me. "Yes. Boys have an outtie, girls have an innie. When you put them together, you make a baby. You like putting your outtie with other outties. Some girls like putting their innies with other innies. I believe I have the concept clear."

"What do you prefer?" I asked before I thought about the question.

He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I can see value in both." He blushed suddenly. "I haven't had a chance to do any real research either way."

"You're a little young for that kind of research at any rate."

"You were younger." He teased.

"Really?" Mutou piped up. "How old were you, Kaiba? I was 16."

Not a conversation I wanted to engage in. "I don't think...."

"So was I!" ChouChou sat on the counter next to me. "But don't tell my brother; he thinks I'm still pure."

"What about you, Honda?" Mokuba asked.

"I'm not listening." He sang back.

"It was Anzu." Mutou said matter-of-fact.

"YUGI! Geez!" Honda exploded. "Can't you keep anything secret?"

"I think it's nice." Mutou looked at ChouChou. "He waited for true love."

All of the girls cooed. "That's so sweet!" KimKim kissed Honda's cheek. "I wish someone loved me like that."

Honda blushed deeply. "Yeah...well..."

"What about you, Mutou-san?" Miko-chan asked Pharaoh. She was a close to him as she could get without simply draping herself around his neck.

"You first." He said mildly.

"ME?" She blushed. "Oh, well, I haven't actually....you know..."

"I was 12." Pharaoh said.

"12?" She repeated.

"It was a -" he hesitated, "- religious ceremony." He looked me in the eye when he said it. "The priest was practicing an old custom in my home town."

"...oh..." Miko-chan was mortified to bring up such an awkward subject.

But Pharaoh turned back to her with a large smile. "It is a good memory. Some very good things happened in my life thanks to that ceremony. And the priest and I are very close friends."

"Even now?" She asked.

He looked at me again. "Even now."

Suddenly his meaning occurred to me; I - or at least his past-life version of me - was his first. When he was 12. Something of a coincidence; I was 12 my first time as well, and it was with a boy remarkably similar to Pharaoh.

"SeSe-kun, are you ok?" KimKim asked suddenly. "You look a little pale.

I took a deep breath. "Fine yes, thank you. All of you go away and let me finish this." They moved the conversation away and I concentrated on finishing for the night. I looked up once and they all seemed involved in an intense discussion, which suited me fine.

I took the paperwork to the office, clocked us all out for the night and locked everything. ChouChou caught sight of me first. "Are you ready to leave, Kaiba-san?"

They all looked serious. The girls were somewhat embarrassed and would not meet my eyes as they went to get their things.

"I guess we can all go now." Honda said in the growing silence.

"I want to wait for them." I said. We waited in continued silence. Eventually the girls emerged with coats and purses. "What were you all talking about while I was working?"

There were lots of guilty looks. "Nothing."

"You're all that spineless?" Mokuba laughed. "Your co-workers wanted to know, if you are really The Kaiba Seto, what you were doing here. Actually, ChouChou had a good question - are you thinking about buying the chain?"

"Actually, no." I answered. "But I was thinking of asking Bakura to advise on a line of KaibaGames brand clothing. Noah is still researching retail outlets but those would be game shops."

My brother looked smug. "I told you. If you want to know something, ask him directly."

"Kaiba-san, we're sorry." Miko-chan bowed deeply. "We weren't trying to be rude but -"

"Why are you calling me that?" I asked her abruptly.

"I'm sorry?"

"Kaiba-san. I've been asking you all for weeks, it seems, to call me that. Now suddenly you are. Why? What did they say?"

"Well -" the girls looked at each other. "You're so important." KimKim finally offered. "It wasn't right of us."

"Kimura, Fujita, Suzuki. Look at them." I gestured to my 'posse'. "These are the people I spend my time with. I assure you, that there was a time when I was 'so important' and there will be again. But for now you and ONLY you," I paused to glare at Honda and the others, "may call me..." I couldn't say it, "that other thing."

They looked at each other. "We didn't mean to be disrespectful, not really. I guess we're all just affectionate."

"You dress me as your own personal 'Ken' doll, I hardly think you could be more disrespectful than that."

"But you're so cute!" KimKim exclaimed.

"And you're much nicer when you're being SeSe-kun." ChouChou hugged me, which triggered a group hug, which I suffered.

"Awwwwww." Honda, Mutou and Mokuba all teased.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

In sixth grade, I ran with a rough crowd. New York has a large population of Asians living in Chinatown - not just Chinese - and a few of the gangs were hardcore.

Hirutani's crew was like that. Diesel Kane Hirutani; father was Japanese, mother was American. We all had split backgrounds. We all spoke Japanese. We all wanted to get back at the culture that didn't want us and at the culture that didn't understand us. We were all supposed to be too young for teenage rebellion. That didn't stop us from being bad-ass. We beat the living shit out of anything stupid enough to get in our way.

I was kind of Hirutani's number two back then. I was jumped in by the whole gang at once - which, if you don't know gangs, means it was all of them against me in a fight. I took all of them out except Hirutani himself. He tagged me with a stun gun a few dozen times and then sliced my chest open in several places. Then he told me if I lived, I was in.

I hung with them until I landed in juvie. Mom and Dad were divorced by then and the courts had awarded Dad custody of me. When he didn't show up to bail me out, the cops called Mom, she got social services to change the custody order and then took me home to Japan. I was only in for about a week, but it was enough to convince me that serious jail time was not something I wanted.

I figured new country, new attitude. I met Honda and Yugi and gave up my life of crime. And things went pretty well.

But I can't take being alone. And I can't stand most Americans. My grandparents are ok but old; I was glad they were letting Sera and me stay with them, but I wasn't exactly eager to hang out with them after school. So I wasn't long after I got back to the States that I found myself drifting down to Chinatown and checking out my old haunts.

And finding my old friends. Most of the guys had gotten busted for one thing or another. Three of them were still inside. But nobody could ever pin anything on Hirutani.

"I usually go by Diesel these days." He told me when we met for tea. "It's easier. So what are you doing back here, Wheeler?"

I shrugged. "My sister is here for medical treatments and I'm just looking out for her." He was tall and buff and I remembered how in awe of him I used to be. I had a serious thing for him back before I knew I was 'that way'. "What have you been up to?"

"A little of this, a little of that." He shrugged. "A few things I could use a partner for."

"Any of it legal?" He shrugged again and I shook my head. "No way. I fuck my visa, I'm stuck here. I'm telling you, man, as soon as my sister is done, I am on a plane!"

"Girlfriend waiting?"

"Nope." I smiled. "Boyfriend." Not that he was waiting.

He did a spit take. "You're a fag?"

"You got a problem with that?"

"Only that I didn't know back in the day."

"Dude, back in the day, I didn't know."

"Yeah." He nodded. "Neither did I."

That was pretty much the end of conversation. We went back to his place and fucked.

Serenity's initial surgery went well and her recovery was on schedule. She was home in time for thanksgiving. Grandma did the whole turkey and chestnuts thing. My uncle and his family showed up. My cousins spent half the night saying I 'tawk'd funn'. I left before I had to hit one of them. Naturally, I went to Diesel's place. He was having noodle soup.

"So tell me about this boyfriend." He said while we were enjoying turkey-flavored ramen.

"You wouldn't believe me." I laughed.

"What, he the Emperor?"

"Close. You ever heard of KaibaCorp?"

He answered by leaning over and reaching under his couch. He pulled out a rather large handgun. "This KaibaCorp?"

"Shit! Yeah, dude, them. Fuck! Put that shit away!" He grinned as he hid it away again. "Yeah, that Kaiba. I'm dating him."

"No fucking way! You're dating Kaiba Gozaburo? I thought he was like 40?"

"No, not him! His son, Seto. He's our age. Hell, we've been in the papers all over Japan."

"I don't read that celebrity shit."

"Yeah, well, I didn't either until my face was plastered on it."

"Seriously? What's a rich boy want with a mongrel like you?"

"My sparkling wit and charming personality." I rolled my eyes. "How the fuck do I know? We met by chance. He's got this piece of shit motorcycle he won't replace and it broke down on him. One thing kinda led to another."

"And led to you banging a fucking Kaiba. Hey, can you hook me up with a supplier?"

"Not through Tak! He runs the games not the guns." Or at least he used to.

"Tak?"

"He gave me a fake name when we first met, but I still use it. It suits him."

"So are you always the top with him too?"

"No. Why?"

"Just curious."

It had been surprising that as dominant as Hirutani was on the streets, he was pretty passive in bed. I didn't like always being on top, but every time I thought about letting him take me, I thought about Tak and I couldn't do it.

The second week of December, Sera went in for her second surgery, which did not go as well as the first. Her corneas were reverting back to the shape they were before the first operation - self-healing the doctors said. Sera was handling it like a proper Buddhist; I was handling it by hanging out with Hirutani.

6am Christmas Eve, my phone rang unexpectedly. I had already talked to Mom and said all the expected things. I haven't talked to Dad in years. I'd given up on Tak calling.

"Hey Joey! Merry Christmas!"

"Mai?" It took me a minute to register who she was and what she was saying. Yugi was throwing a Christmas party. Everyone was there; she gave her phone to everyone who walked by in between catching me up on the latest gossip. "Even Kaiba made it! Scary, scary. You know about him, right?"

"Know about what?"

"That he was sick?"

"In the head?"

"Seriously, no, like in the hospital, almost dead sick."

My chest suddenly felt hollow. "But he's ok, right?"

"They let him out. He still looks half dead to me. But he's been rude to everyone at least twice so for him that's a good sign."

"Let me talk to him. Wait, put Honda on first."

As soon as I heard his voice, I bombed Honda out for not telling me.

"He didn't want to talk to anyone, Joey. He doesn't have a phone anymore, and he wouldn't call anyone back on mine. The only way to talk to him was to come to the hospital. And don't worry, he knows you didn't know. It's not like he thinks you were ignoring him or something."

"I should pop you for this, dude."

"Yeah, but you won't. How's Serenity?"

We talked for another few minutes and he promised to send pictures of the party. Then he gave the phone back to Mai who passed me through another ten people before she gave me to Tak.

He sounded tired. He voice was a shadow of its usual power. But it didn't matter. Once he said 'come home to me', I wanted to cry with relief and jump for joy at the same time.

Until he said, 'and I you'.

'And I you'? Typical arrogant Kaiba bullshit! Why can't he just say 'I love you' like a normal person - like we used to? It was as if he was hiding our relationship.

Was he?

The thought haunted me for days. Hirutani and I didn't stop fucking though.

"You'll stop when you go back." He told me. "Besides, I thought you said you wanted to teach him a lesson."

"You don't know Kaiba. He can hold a fucking grudge."

"Fuck him."

I talked to Honda at New Years and convinced him that Anzu wouldn't dump him without at least calling. He told me about Yugi finding his 'other self'.

"Wait, he was possessed by the spirit of an Egyptian Pharaoh?"

"Yeah, you remember that giant pyramid he used to wear?"

"Yeah?"

"It was in there."

"And you believe him?"

"Did you look at the Christmas pics I sent?"

"Yeah."

"See the guy who looks like Yugi with his hair combed and a tan?"

"Hang on." I opened the email and found the photos he sent. There were several pics with the guy he was talking about. He could be Yugi's twin. "Ok, he looks like Yugi. How's that make him a king or whatever?"

"Hell if I know, but Mai and Mutou-san say it's true too. And I mean, whoever he is, he is a nice guy." Honda hesitated. "He's going to be here with Kaiba for the next couple weeks."

"So?"

"So, nothing. Kaiba can't be trusted to rest when he's alone so Yami's going to baby-sit."

I didn't think too much of it until later. I looked at the pictures again and saw them. Together. The guy looked like Yugi after an extreme model make-over. Definitely fuckable. Tak was stretched out on the couch. Yami was sitting beside him, resting his arm on Tak's leg. They were looking at each other like no one else was in the room. Tak had that look he gets after he's been well fucked - like he's too tired to even smile anymore.

I drove Hirutani crazy with it. Finally, he said, "Call him! If he's banging this guy, dump him!"

I didn't want to call because I already knew the answer. I'd know it for weeks. I knew it when it happened. 'And I you'. Bullshit!

Tak was breathless when he answered the phone; no doubt, I caught them in the middle. I did remember to ask how he was and was surprised when he suddenly switched the conversation to English. Like he didn't want someone else to know what he was saying. Then he asked about Serenity.

"Good." I fibbed. "The treatment's working. Her eyes are really clearing up a lot. Hey, you alone? Honda told me you had a babysitter these days."

"I would hardly call him that."

"Is he hot?" I asked and Hirutani snickered in the background. I showed him the picture and he shrugged indifferently.

"Not especially." Kaiba replied.

"Funny, Honda said he's wicked hot." Words that would never leave Honda's mouth.

"I wouldn't think he's one to judge."

"So he is hot." I laughed. "Hotter than Bakura?"

"Not hotter than you."

"Oh, so you don't call him 'God'?"

"Joey!" I heard movement in the background. "I wasn't calling you 'God'," his voice dropped like someone else really was listening. "It's an exclamation of passion."

"Oh, he IS there. I was wondering why you were speaking English."

"Did you want something?"

"Have you made that offer to him?" I sat down on my bed and Hirutani sat next to me. He began running his hand up and down my thigh.

"If you keep this up, maybe I will."

"Tape it for me; I wanna watch you." It would be a hot tape.

"You're a pervert."

"Nah, I'm just hard up."

"What? No American lovers keeping you awake at night?" I looked at Hirutani, guilty. "No Texans with spurs and large hats?"

He wasn't Texan, no. "Well...."

"Well what?"

"Nothing."

"If it were nothing, you would not have said anything. Well what?"

"It's no big thing. This guy I used to know, back when I was a kid. Turns out Diesel still lives here."

Tak actually freaked out. "So, is he hot? Are you calling him 'God'?"

"Geez! Kaiba! Relax. We went out a couple times, but it's cool. He knows I'm only here for a couple months."

"But not that you are already seeing someone."

I thought about the best way to answer that especially since Hirutani was opening my belt. "You and I weren't together when I first got here." I said finally. "We haven't gone out since Christmas. OK?" Christmas was when things changed at least. "I mean yes, I go out with him but that's all. Nothing serious. I gave him one good night kiss, and that was all."

"Really? And why was that?"

"Because when I kissed him, I knew I'd never want to kiss anyone other than you again." That was true. Kissing Hirutani just reminded me that I wasn't kissing Tak.

"I'll bet you wanted to fool around."

I laughed, guiltily. "I still want to - but only 'cause you're half the planet away. I can't wait to get my hands on you. I'll bet your babysitter doesn't make you feel good like I do."

"No one makes me feel like you do." I had to wonder if Yami was better or worse.

Hirutani pulled my dick out and began stroking it. I realized that I wasn't going to be able to hold an intelligent conversation for long. "I wish I was there right now. Know what I'd do? I'd lick that spot on your neck, right where your shoulder begins." That spot always made Tak shake.

"Joey, I don't think this is a conversation we should pay international rates for."

"Don't worry. It's my birthday gift from Grandma. A 120-minute prepaid phone card. Since I can't be there for two hours making you sweat, I figured I'd do the next best thing."

"I'm sorry; I completely forgot about your birthday." There's a surprise. I'd have bet he didn't know my birthday to forget it.

"You can make it up to me when I get back." If we ever see each other again, I thought. But not for long as Hirutani slurped my dick into his mouth and rational thought got too hard. I bit my lip to keep from moaning and lifted my hips so he could pull my pants off. "I really miss you, Tak."

"I miss you too."

"How much?" I asked just to keep him talking.

"Do I need to quantify it?"

"Do you think about me?"

"Of course."

"What about when you, y'know, abuse yourself?" Tak hated admitting that he ever did such things.

"I, uh, haven't done that in a while. But I - I was dreaming about you. A lot."

"Good dreams?"

"Very."

I tried to keep my breathing level as Hirutani began seriously blowing me. "Messy dreams?"

"Uh, very." Tak having 'messy' dreams almost set me off.

I laughed. "Yeah, me too. You remember Aruba? That day we were on the beach?" We'd fucked in the sand for hours.

"I had sand everywhere the next morning." He whined.

"Yeah, but it was worth it. I'm going crazy, Tak! I just want to be with you so much right now."

"That is what your right hand is for."

"It's not the same." Hirutani got me with his teeth and a hiss escaped me unwillingly. "But it does help."

"Joey? What are you doing?"

I thought of my favorite Tak image. "I'm picturing you, in those cut off shorts you used to wear. So tight, I could tell if you're Jewish."

"That's vulgar even for you." He admonished. "Oh wait, you are not masturbating while we're on the phone, are you?"

I couldn't help laughing again. "Every time I think of you in those shorts, I have to."

"I should go." He offered.

"Talk to me, Tak." I really wanted to hear him say just three words. "Tell me you want me."

"I want you, Joey." He said. "I want you, I need you."

Hirutani sped up and I knew I was close. "When I get back, I'm gonna jump you at the airport." I had to pause to get my breath "I'm not even going to get my luggage; I'm just going to find you and push you against the nearest wall and pound you hard. And fast. And deep. You like the sound of that, Tak? You want me to take you like that?"

"I want to take you like that." He countered. "It's my turn. I'll push you against the wall and take you slowly from behind." I couldn't resist moaning; between Tak's image and Hirutani's mouth, I was almost there. "And I won't stop until you swear you'll never leave me again."

"I swear. I swear." I gasped. And then I hit it and came hard in Hirutani's mouth.

"Well, that was quick." Tak teased. Hirutani stuck his tongue out at me.

"I told you I was hard up." I looked at him and grinned. "We should do this again." I said more to Hirutani than Tak.

"I'd rather wait until I see you."

"I miss you too much to wait."

"Come home now, then."

"Tak," I hesitated. Even if he still loved me, I couldn't just up and leave. "Tak, I can't just leave Sera. My Grandmother already takes care of my Grandfather. She can't go running to the hospital for Sera too."

"I know. I didn't mean it. My babysitter and I are getting along quite well without you."

I had almost forgotten Yami. "Yeah? Well he better be hot and he better do three-way when I get back."

"You know, I'm beginning to believe you're serious about having a ménage-a-trios."

What did he mean 'beginning' to believe? "Only if he's hot as Bakura."

"Maybe I'll arrange for Bakura to give you your birthday gift."

I shivered. "Now why would you even say something like that? If I say 'no' you won't believe me and if I say 'yes' you'll get all mad. I can't win!"

"We'll see." He answered in the self-assured way of his. "I should go."

"Yeah, ok. It's kind of late here so I should probably get some sleep. I'll call again soon. Ok?"

"Ok."

"Tak?" I swallowed hard, afraid of what he'd say. "I love you."

He paused. "And I, you." He replied finally.

I hung up the phone and lay back on the bed. Hirutani stretched out next to me. "You didn't even ask him."

"I didn't need to." I felt the tears begin rolling over my cheeks. "He was pretty clear about it."

"So if you think he's all over this other guy, why didn't you dump him?"

Why not? Things were going well in the States this time. I could finish school here - that would make more sense anyway - and then maybe get a job here. Hirutani's job actually seemed to be on the level. I could work with him. Serenity had one more surgery and then we all got to wait and see if any of it made a real difference. Then, since I was already 18, I could pretty much do what I wanted. I could just stay here. Tak could have Japan and I'll have the States.

He could have Yami. Hell, with his ego, he probably wanted a king. That would fix things with his Dad too.

"Hey, Wheeler?" Hirutani wiped my face. "Don't get all soft on me, OK? He's an asshole; fuck him! We're way better together than you and him could ever be."

"Yeah." I agreed. "We were always a good team."

"Listen, my boss said I could hire an assistant. All we do is handle the hardware; one of the guys from corporate does all the talking. We test fire when they sell it and deliver it when it's paid for. Every so often, we get a bonus like the one under the couch. Easy money, up and up. Well, mostly - some of the deliveries remind me of the old days, if you get my meaning. But seriously, you and me. It could be sweet."

I nodded. It could be.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Mokuba's handgun design turned out to be a drawing pad full of small caliber weapons. I made a few suggestions, but overall the designs were well thought out and easily marketable.

"You and your brother are seriously into guns, aren't you?" one of my classmates asked me as I looked through the pad.

"It is the family business." I reminded him.

"Isn't it violent, though? I mean, don't you worry about all the people who die because of you?"

Someone at a press conference once asked my Father that. His answer had been that he had no control over how people use his products. For years I thought that was a reasonable answer. But as I started to say the words myself, I realized that it was wholly inadequate. I looked at the weapon sketched before me. It could be used to hunt for food, but at its size, its true purpose was clearly to hunt man. This was a killer's weapon.

And a second thought - this is the weapon Mokuba wanted to carry.

I studied the design again. Although it was designed to look much like a six-shooter, it was really an auto load with a clip. Additionally, a small change would allow the user to manually load six bullets. It could be switched on the fly between manual, semi-auto and automatic fire. And it would load .38s or .357s. Mokuba even made notes about the aesthetics of the piece. It had smooth curves rather than sharp angles. It was deadly, sleek and sexy. And it was what my little brother wanted to carry with him.

"Kaiba-kun?"

I looked at the boy who was still waiting for his answer. "Yes." I nodded. "Yes, it is violent. But there is violence in the world. A gun like this one might be used in a robbery. Or it might be used to stop one. We are taught that violence is the way of the West. Thousands of Americans are killed by guns every year." I looked at the drawing again. "But just as many Japanese kill themselves with kitchen knives. Did you know that? They kill each other but we kill ourselves."

"People who do that are weak."

I nodded. It was a very Japanese belief. "Maybe. Or maybe it is easier. Maybe, if they had a gun, they would have killed someone else. An abusive father. A cruel employer. A classmate who asks too many questions."

"Uhh..."

"No need for concern." I closed the notebook. "You've given me something to think about."

The KaibaCorp my father guided was for his generation. They were formed before the gun control laws. It was a curious fact that of all the places I'd been in the world, the place I was least likely to find KC goods was my home. Father's way was to arm Iraq, Timor-Leste and Sudan. My generation talked about rebuilding them. Maybe my KaibaCorp should talk about that too.

Of course, that did not change the fact that I wanted one of Mokuba's designs for my own collection. As the boy said, we are into guns.

I sighed as I left the classroom. Contrary to what I'd told my brother, I really didn't know what I was planning to do next. This had to be the last time I allowed father to do this. I would have to find some way to free Mokuba and myself from his irrational and extreme moods. I had no doubt he knew I was hospitalized; would he have let me die? If I did, what would prevent him from turning these cruelties on my brother?

Yamada was correct - I was under the Age of Majority. For two more years, my father was my legal guardian. He could make decisions about me and for me and I had little to no legal recourse. I needed to find a way to stop that. I needed a reliable source of income. Real income. Poor sucked; it indebted you with no way of repayment. Very soon, several people would learn that Kaiba Seto settles his debits no matter how large.

But first, I had to decide how to handle father.

When I got home, I called Yamada. "You said Kawai-chan had applied for custody of me. What exactly does that mean?"

"Well, if she won - which is unlikely in your situation - she would be become your legal guardian. She could then sue to adopt you, if she wanted. It will never be granted, of course."

"Why not?"

"It would not be in your best interest. As Kaiba Gozaburo's son, you are virtual royalty. Perhaps if the Emperor wanted to adopt you, that might be granted. But, with an adoption like yours...."

"Was mine unusual?"

"The most famous adoption since Momotaro?" I had to smile. I used to read the 'Peach Boy' folk tale to Mokuba at the orphanage when he couldn't sleep. I always changed the name to 'Mokuba' and promised him that one day an old woman would find him. "The KaibaCorp website has the complete story of how Kaiba-sama found you."

"It has what?" How he 'found' me? Our family history was included on the website, but the last time I'd seen it, it simply mentioned that we were adopted. A member of my staff normally alerted me to changes on the site; clearly it was a task I was neglecting these days.

"Yes, I read it when we filed the custody petition. It tells the whole story."

"Please, tell me. I'd like to hear how he's phrased it."

"Oh, well, it explains how he'd heard about an orphan who played chess at the grand master level, but had no family to care for him or his brother. He made arrangements to adopt you right away. He set up the charitable event at the orphanage and made sure the staff told you that a chess master was coming. He was pleased that you challenged him and let you beat him at the match to test your skills. Naturally, no one thought seriously that a child could beat Kaiba-sama at chess." The distortion of facts was laughable, but Yamada seemed to believe it. "He petitioned the Prime Minister himself to have your birth records changed and make you and your brother part of his bloodline. It was before the law was changed, you understand. Adopted children used to keep their original family name but your father went to great lengths to change yours. He is a very honorable man."

I nearly retched. "Quite." I swallowed the bile. "What if my father does not respond to the petition?"

"In any other case, I would say that either the petition would be granted, or, if the minor was over the age of 18, they would be granted Emancipation."

"Emancipation?"

"They would legally be granted the rights of majority. Of course, many 18 and 19 year olds are living on their own and supporting themselves quite well. We are only pursuing this issue because the hospital is claiming that you presented yourself as an adult and therefore should be held to it."

"Yes, of course. How would I go about petitioning for Emancipation?"

"You?" He sounded shocked. "Well, the process simply involves filing a few forms but, Kaiba-sama, forgive me, it would be foolish."

"And why exactly is that?"

"You will reach the age of majority in less than two years; it could take that long to bring the case before a magistrate. Additionally, it is unlikely that they would grant it. It seemed like the act of a ... it seems badly considered."

"What if I had just cause?"

"Unless you could prove gross physical abuse, repetitive sexual harm, or something equally as horrendous, I doubt there is anything that would qualify as just."

My throat went dry. He was partially correct; I could not prove he committed gross physical abuse, repetitive sexual harm, or other equally horrendous acts.

"I see."

"If, for some reason, you truly wanted to leave your father, the surest way would be if your natural family petitioned for custody."

"I thought you said Kaiba was now legally my family?"

"It is, but Japanese law prizes blood bonds above all others. If a blood relation sued for you, the Ministry of Family Services would undoubtedly re-open your original adoption case and reconsider your placement." He cleared his throat. "Of course, if that were to happen before the arbitration order was binding, it could be unfortunate. As Kaiba-sama's heir and eldest son, you are most highly prized."

"I am beginning to suspect that," I replied. "This information has been most illuminating."

I hung up and thought.

I didn't have many choices for legal independence. I wasn't going to accuse Father of the countless abuses he was guilty of without even a pretense of proof. And even if I had biological family apart from Mokuba, I would never be able to find them. Father's treatment was particularly pitiless if I used my birth name by mistake when I was first adopted. My memory is amazing, but that was one thing I learned to forget. Perhaps that is why Father prefers Mokuba to me - he seemed to have no trouble adapting to his new family. Within days, my brother called him 'Dad' and introduced himself as Kaiba while I had to have my past beaten out of me.

I didn't see another way. Freedom from Gozaburo would come only at his death or mine. Mine seemed to defeat the purpose. His seemed unlikely. Perhaps I could cough on him and give him mono.

There had to be a strategy I wasn't thinking of. We were playing a game, he and I.

No.

We were playing multiple games. I was thinking in one arena. But to win this, I needed to think in all arenas at once. I needed to beat him at my game, at his game, and at any game he could think of next.

He let me beat him at chess. Let's see if he lets me beat him at war.

I was still contemplating my options when Honda came home. He had two armloads of groceries and as I opened the door for him, the phone rang.

"Can you get that? My eyeballs are floating!" He rushed into the bathroom without waiting for my response.

I picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

I heard Joey actually giggle. "Quit it, dude!" He told someone in the background. I heard them kiss; a wet smacking sound. "I'm on the phone! He'll hear you." Another voice - a male voice - promised to do audible things to Joey in the near future. "Just gimmie - hold on - Hello?"

"Hello Joseph." I said trying to keep my voice level.

"Kaiba?" He asked. Not even 'Tak' anymore. "Uh, hey."

"Who was that?" I asked, hoping I sounded restrained.

"My roommate." He answered. There was a small note of guilt.

"I thought you were staying with your grandparents."

"It wasn't working out." He cleared his throat. "Is, uh, is Honda there?"

"He's unavailable." I could feel my body shaking with emotion. "You two sound close. Very affectionate."

"Seto, it's nothing. Me and Diesel go way back."

"Is this the same Diesel that you only gave one good night kiss to?"

"Yeah. So?" He paused. "How's your babysitter? He still taking care of you?"

"No. And he hasn't for quite some time. As if you'd have noticed if I had died."

"You know what?" Joey all but screamed. "Fuck you! Don't get all pissed at me when you know damn well you been doing that guy since Christmas - at least!"

"YOU OVERSEXED, MONGREL SON-OF-A-BITCH!" I howled. "I was in a hospital! I wasn't even doing my right hand! Now you have the unmitigated gall to use Pharaoh as an excuse for your deceitful, two-timing, backstabbing, disloyal behavior?" I took a breath; I was feeling a bit light-headed. "I trusted you, you damn mutt! I've never trusted anyone, but I trusted you."

"You did it to me first, asshole." He shot back. "Did you think I wouldn't know? You won't even say you love me anymore. And you never trusted me, Tak."

"Don't call me that! You lost the right to call me that!" Something inside my chest actually hurt. "And how could you claim I don't trust you?"

"You never got it, did you? Did Honda finally tell you?"

"Tell me what? That you're a liar?"

"Fuck you! You never trusted me, you arrogant prick! You trusted your precious name. You figured I wouldn't cheat on you because who would do that to Kaiba? Did it ever even occur to you that maybe I love you enough that I wouldn't cheat on you even if your name was Jack Shit? DID IT?" One of us sniffed loudly. "Well I fucking hope you and your fucking babysitter are fucking happy!" The line cut.

There was no sound except my own sniffles for a moment then I heard Honda clear his throat behind me.

"Uh, Seto..."

I put up my hand to stop anything he was going to say. "Did you know?"

"No. Not really. He said a couple things that made me wonder. And I told him the same thing I told you. Tell you the truth or cut it off with the other one." He paused. "Seto, I'm so-"

"DON'T!" I roared. "I don't need your pity or your sympathy. I should never have gotten involved with him."

I left. Honda didn't try to stop me, but he looked as if Joey had broken his heart too.

I got on my bike and took off. I couldn't see anything in front of me - something was blurring my vision - but I wasn't trying to go anywhere. Still, when I found myself at the mall, I parked and went in. In the past, I have always used work to drown emotional pain. Hopefully, the store would let me put in a few extra hours.

KimKim saw me as I came through the door. "SeSe-kun?" She ran out from behind the register, leaving a customer standing there. "What's wrong? ChouChou! Miko-chan! Hurry!"

They all clustered around me and coaxed the whole phone conversation out of me. I realized, then, why I was here.

I could cry. I could cry and not lose face with them.

When the store closed, they took me to a karaoke bar. I had never been to one before. We drank kamikazes and sang bad love songs. When we staggered out, the sun was up.

We got a cab together and he dropped ChouChou and KimKim at their respective homes. "You shouldn't be alone." Miko-chan told me when we got to her place. She pulled me out of the cab.

I woke up to a splitting headache and a mass of black hair covering my chest.

My naked chest.

There was a warm, soft, naked body pressed against my naked body. It definitely had too many lumps to be Pharaoh and the hair color was wrong to be Ryou or Joey. That exhausted the list of people I expected to find in that position. I would have presumed it was a dream if not for the headache.

I tried to remember the previous night, but most of it was a blur. The girls and I went to a bar where I proceeded to act like a common tramp. We were loud. We were that group that usually drives me out of an establishment. Father often lectured me on the evils of strong drink and, for once, I found myself in complete agreement. Whatever I was drinking should be banned by The Hague.

He moved and I realized that my arm was still around his back. I struggled to recall a face, a name, anything to belie the fact that slept with - probably fucked - some unknown man I picked up at a club somewhere. Some unknown fat man.

I didn't completely lose my wits; I didn't have a tell-tale ache in my posterior.

Then she sighed in her sleep.

I didn't know any oaths strong enough for the moment. 'I slept with a girl! I quite possibly had sex with a girl. I am waking, naked, in a strange bed, with a girl in my arms and I have no memory of the preceding event.'

"Oh dear God." I said for lack of anything else.

She sighed again. "SeSe-kun?" I recognized the voice, at least. Miko-chan. "Thank you. That was wonderful."

What was wonderful, I wondered. Did she think we were going to do it again? Did she think we were dating now? What was she going to tell the others? Was I going to have to 'service' them as well?"

"Are you mad at me?" she asked softly.

"I'm...confused." I confessed.

"Oh." She went quiet.

"I'm not angry." I said, hoping to ease her concerns. "But I've never, uh, been, with a girl and so, I'm rather curious why I'm here."

"Oh." She repeated.

"I didn't, uh, force myself...."

"No! Oh no! You'd never do anything like that!" she shook her head, which caused her hair to rub against my chest, which, I confess, felt divine. "I was just hoping you might remember a little of it."

"Oh." This time I stayed quiet.

"It's a little embarrassing." She admitted.

"Surely that's a joke." I remarked. "I'm in a bed, naked, with a girl and you are embarrassed."

"Sorry."

"Miko-chan, please, just tell me what happened."

"Ok. We were at the bar and it was last call and you asked what if we all died and the last person we were with was our own personal 'last call'. And I said I didn't want to die a virgin and you promised me that I wouldn't. You said you would find a man worthy of me and if there wasn't one, you would do it." She looked at me for the first time. "Can I tell you something? I'm glad it was you." She lay down again putting her silky hair against my chest. "I know this won't happen again. And I promise, I won't tell KimKim and ChouChou. I'll tell them you fell asleep."

"Thank you."

"Oh." She sounded a little down. "Sure."

"Miko-chan?" I shifted my shoulder until she looked at me again. "I've never been with a girl. This was my first time too. So I won't die a virgin either. Thank you."

She smiled. Then she lay back down. "Do you want to know what happened?"

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Oh yes!"

"Then no. I'm sure I will remember it all soon enough."

Eventually, we got out of the bed. I covered my eyes until she put her robe on. Then she went to the bathroom and I got up and dressed. I found my cell phone; the battery had completely drained. I felt like it - completely drained.

Did being with me mean so little to Joey that he could replace me with anyone? How could he believe I would betray him - and he's the betrayer!

"Awwwww!" Miko-chan entered the room and hugged me. "You look so sad! I was hoping I would cheer you up."

"I'm not a child." I snapped at her. "I don't need cheering." I sighed. "I will simply have to accept that this relationship is over."

"Just because he cheated?"

I pulled away from her. "Just?! He was disloyal! If I cannot trust him to remain faithful to my bed, I can hardly expect him to be faithful anywhere else."

"I guess." She said sadly. "But it just seems so sad that you can't work it out."

"What's to work out? He wants to be with someone else. Let him."

"But don't you want to be with him?"

Yes, part of me wanted to yell. But another part was angry enough to never want to hear his name again. And part of me was thinking about Pharaoh. Last night would have been the perfect opportunity to drown myself in his arms. Instead, I surrounded myself with women. It was perplexing.

The only thing I could reason was that I had intended, unconsciously, to remove myself from temptations. It was almost amusing that it failed - although 'temptation' may not be the correct word. I had never been 'tempted' by girlish charms. In frank honestly, I was surprised that I was able to perform. I didn't want to ask if I had for fear that she would answer in detail.

"There are other men." I said finally. I stood up. "I should go." Not that I had anything to do. Either I went home and wallowed in misery with Honda, or I went to Mutou's and wallowed in sin with Pharaoh. Neither was appealing.

Miko-chan left at the same time I did, carrying several bags and a large awkward box. She dropped the bags several time in the elevator. When she almost dropped the box trying to open the building door, I took it from her.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh, thank you!" She said relieved. "Just to the corner, to the bus stop."

"Is someone picking you up?"

"Oh no. I'm taking the bus to my brother's fiancée's place. They're getting married tomorrow. These are for the tables. And these are for the bride's maids. And these - oops! That's my bus!" She gathered as much as she could quickly and I picked up the box and boarded the bus with her. "Oh thank you!" she exclaimed as I sit beside her. She began showing me all the little nonsense favors she was providing the happy couple. I nodded politely. After 45-minutes, I began to wonder what possessed me to help her.

Eventually we reached her stop and walked another twenty minutes through a residential area. We finally reached the small apartment complex and were announced by a small child yelling, "MOM! MICHIKO's HERE!"

"That's my baby brother, Hiro."

"Miko?" A woman yelled from somewhere. "How many candle holders did you bring?"

"Umm, hang on." She yelled back and began digging through the box.

"Perhaps we could put this down." I suggested.

"Oh, yes!" She laughed and led me to a pleasant, but crowded living room.

"OK. That's Mom, and Aunt Reiko. My cousin Saikura. That's Eiko and Shiiko - they're bride's maids. Where's Biko? She's the bride." I nodded as each introduction was made, making no attempt to remember any of them.

The moment the box was down, it was besieged. I found a spot out of the way and waited for a good moment to make my exit.

"I didn't know men were allowed in here." A male voice chuckled beside me. I turned to see a man in his late twenties coming down the staircase. "I'm Fujita-san." He bowed casually. "Dad and I are hiding upstairs in the den if you need an escape. We have beer and snacks. Come on."

Upstairs was quieter. There was an older man and another young one as well. They were watching a soccer match. I had little interest in the game, but found myself watching the cheerleaders on the sidelines. I was stunned to realize that an hour had gone by when another man joined us. He was waved to a seat and given a beer with no further ado.

A little while later a woman yelled, "Ten-kun?"

My host rolled his eyes and sighed. "Yes, Biko?"

"Don't come down." She answered and we all had to snicker. None of us had moved since the start of the second game.

"Why not, dear?" Fujita-san asked.

"Because you're not supposed to see me in my dress."

"I'm glad you told me, dear. I won't come down." I doubt he would have even without her warning.

A few minutes later, another call rang up the stairs. "SeSe-kun?"

The men in the room looked at me. I sighed. "Only her." They nodded knowingly.

I however had no intention of yelling back and forth. I got up and went down to Miko-chan. "How much longer are you going to be here?" I asked her.

"That's what I wanted to ask you! We're going to go to the restaurant - they're letting us decorate the room tonight and then we're going out to Biko's bachelorette party. Nii-kun's friends are coming over here for his bachelor party. Do you want to stay?"

"Your brother doesn't even know me. Why would he -"

She leaned past me and yelled up the stairs. "Nii-kun? Can SeSe-kun stay for the bachelor party?"

There was a bit of chuckling. "Only if you introduce him by a real name." He yelled back. Miko-chan blushed.

"Oh. Sorry."

"I'm adjusting." I said dryly.

She grinned and ran up the stairs. I followed more slowly. "This is the groom, my brother Fujita Tenchi. This is my co-worker, Kaiba Seto."

Around the room the men all but choked as they recognized my name.

"Are you related to the famous one?" One of the latecomers asked.

"There is no one else in my family by that name so I rather suspect I am the famous one." The groom looked stunned. "If it is an inconvenience, I understand completely."

"No, please! I'm sorry. Of course, you are welcome. I'm afraid, thought that we didn't plan anything special - I mean, it won't be what you're used to."

"I'm not used to anything." I confessed. "I've never been to a bachelor party."

"Uh, hey, uh, how old are you?" one of the other men asked.

"18." I replied. "I wouldn't worry about police however; they are as afraid of my Father as everyone else is."

Miko-chan went back to join the women and the men sat again in an uneasy silence in front of the soccer match. 'It was easier when they didn't know who I was', I thought. 'At least then the afternoon was pleasant.' I stood up. "Thank you for the invitation, but I will be leaving now." They all protested and the groom followed me down the stairs.

The women all screamed at us for invading their sanctum, but we continued toward the front door so there wasn't too much complaint.

Miko-chan caught up with us. "SeSe-kun, where are you going?"

"Home." I said with a sigh. "There is no reason for me to be here. My presence is inhibiting everyone."

Tenchi muttered a half-hearted lie, but Miko-chan protested loudly. "That's crazy! They just don't know you. Tell him it's not true."

"Miko, if he doesn't want to stay...."

"Of course he wants to stay!" She answered for me. "He's just shy." Fujita-san gave me an arched look over his sister's head and I had to resist smiling; I had no idea that I was shy. "He just had a bad breakup with his asshole boyfriend and he shouldn't be alone right now."

"Miko-chan, I'm fine. And stop discussing my personal life with strangers."

"He's not a stranger; he's my brother." She explained. "And besides, he's just who you should be talking to right now. Biko used to sleep with everyone!"

Fujita-san looked pained. "Michiko! Go inside!"

"Well she did."

He huffed and then turned to me. "Kaiba-san, we would be honored if you would join us when the party starts in a couple of hours. Until then, as you can see, we have nothing planned. You are most welcome to stay."

"My presence is clearly unwelcome."

"Only by Gorou; he works for you."

"Oh." That would explain some of the tension in the room. "Which one is he?"

"He was sitting across from you. You don't recognize him? He works in the main office."

I shrugged. "KaibaCorp has over 150,000 employees. I only work directly with my personal staff. I know a few of the KaibaGames staff on sight. Truly, you could have told me you worked there and I'd still have to verify your ID."

Fujita-san grinned. "He'll be delighted to know that. He seemed to think that you were out to get him personally." He gestured toward the house.

I didn't particularly want to be there. On the other hand, I didn't want to go home and face Joey's betrayal yet either. If I was here, I would have to be social, but I wouldn't have to think. I nodded slightly and preceded them in. The women screamed again as Fujita and I moved past, but I don't think any traditions were shattered.

At the top of the stairs, I paused and asked him quietly, "Which?"

"Gorou? Him." He pointed to a nervous looking man with short hair and a loud shirt.

I walked over to him. "Good afternoon." He looked as if he was going to faint. "You may be pleased to learn two pieces of information. First, I don't know you. I don't know what department you work in, I don't recall ever having seen you and your name is completely unfamiliar to me. KaibaCorp has no employees that I or my Father are 'out to get' because if you attracted our notice in that manner, you would have been fired on the spot." He did not look relieved. "The second piece of information is that, currently, you do not work for me. I have been relieved of my responsibilities. I work," I sighed ruefully, "at the mall."

"But - but you're his son!" Gorou sputtered. I shrugged. "He made you work at a mall?"

I shrugged again and sat down. "It was the only job I could find. I'm 18." I laughed somewhat. "No one believed I used to run a corporation."

He took a sip of his drink and nodded thoughtfully. "I guess not." The he seemed to perk up. "Are you really going to a public high school?"

"Yes."

"Public, not private?" he seemed excited.

"Yes." I opened my wallet and showed him my school ID.

He cheered. "I win the office pool!" The others were politely feigning non-interest in our conversation, but now they all were curious. "When you left, last year and that press release went out about you going to school, my department took up a pool. I said that they were telling the truth - it was too unbelievable to be a lie! Kaiba-san? In a public school?" He laughed. "You just made me $500 yen!"

I laughed with him. It was like the group projects at school. Much like my classmates, these men were simple, but not completely stupid. If I let them start the conversations and made an effort to appear somewhat interested in their lives, they believed that I was charming and open and nothing like my cold, closed reputation. I made a note to set up a scholarship in the Headmaster's name. Perhaps I'll hire him to run it as well. I would never have learned how simple it is to manipulate most people if he hadn't suggested "group" classes.

KaibaCorp needed a greater presence in education. Indeed, the mathematics involved with dueling attracted engineering and computer programming students. We as a company should be targeting those students. I considered changes a wanted to make in the corporate structure while I made 'small talk' with the other guests. It was simple to split my concentration as most of the conversation involved jokes at Fujita's expense.

The first change in the evening was when we were all summoned to the living room by the women. The younger ones had dressed for a night on the town and the men seem required to make appropriate compliments.

"So?" Miko-chan did a twirl in front of me. "How do I look?"

I wasn't sure how to answer. I had a fair guess as to what Ryou would recommend but I wasn't sure if she was looking for a more personal response.

"Just tell her she looks sexy, so they'll get out of here!" Gorou clasped my shoulder and laughed. He had already had too much to drink and I was beginning to prefer it when he was my cowed employee.

Still, it gave me an idea of how to respond. "If you are going for sexy, then leave the jacket and take up the skirt another inch."

She looked down at the hem. "You think?"

"Definitely. Especially if you are going to wear those shoes."

"Ok. Where's the - Ah-ha!" Out of the mess on the coffee table, she found a roll of fabric tape and we shortened her skirt with most of the family looking on in surprise. I taped her top to her bra as well to eliminate any 'accidents'. After a few further adjustments for the other women, they left, taking the aunts, mothers and decorations with them.

Fujita-san looked at me oddly, "When she said 'boyfriend' that wasn't just a slip of the tongue, was it?"

"Is that a problem?"

He looked a bit sheepish. "Well no, but you might find the entertainer a bit boring."

"I'll concentrate on the rear view." I replied. The others laughed.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

We went to a bar where a room had been reserved and the party progressed as expected. I avoided drinking too much - one hangover per weekend was sufficient - and found the heaving, over-stimulated men more than entertaining enough to make up for the half naked woman that was dancing for them.

It was arousing enough to wish I had someone to pounce on and share the arousal with. If Joey hadn't betrayed my trust. If I could look at Pharaoh and not think of how much I loved Joey.

And I did love him. It was revolting how much. I wanted him so much that thinking of his smile was enough to get a rise. But I will not be made a fool of.

I went outside for a breath of fresh air. The bar had a small Zen garden and I studied the pattern for a moment. Everything had a pattern, even my life. It veered away from happiness or joy. It steered me toward misery and emptiness. Why should I meet Joey only to lose him again and again? Why would he betray me?

"Kaiba-san?" Fujita came out and joined me. "Are you alright?"

"Fine. Thank you."

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

"I should be asking you that - it's your last night of freedom." I echoed the sentiment that the others had expressed several times throughout the evening.

He chuckled. "She's a little stressed with the wedding plans but normally Biko is very sweet. She's not as demanding as they make her out to be." I nodded.

He stood silently beside me for a few minutes and then I heard him to turn around to leave. "Fujita, may I ask you something?" I had to clear my throat twice to get the question out.

"Certainly."

"How could you forgive her?"

He stopped walking and was silent for a time. "I had to." He said softly. "There was an emptiness in my life without her."

"But how can you trust her? He betrayed you."

If he heard the slip, he didn't mention it. "It was hard to. At first. But I love her. And in the end, I discovered that I was happier with her - even if I wasn't sure I trusted her - than I was without her."

"I see." I could never be happy if I didn't trust him.

"And," he hesitated. "And I might not have been as honest with her as I should have. She said that she couldn't have betrayed me because I never trusted her in the first place. In order for her to be faithful, I must have faith."

"And you believed that?" I scoffed.

He chuckled. "I have less than twelve hours to figure that out myself."

"I should think the answer is simple. If you do not believe in such nonsense, don't marry her."

"Logic is simple, relationships are complex." He sighed. "Women are beyond comprehension."

"Not just women." I added.

"Love. Love is beyond comprehension."

"How do I even know he loved me to begin with?"

He put his hand on my shoulder. "Faith. If you believe he did, then he did. If you believe he still does, then you have to trust him."

"How can I trust him?" I snapped. "He's living with the bastard!"

"Oh." The hand stayed on my shoulder, but I could feel Fujita's sudden stress.

I realized that I was close to embarrassing myself so I took a deep breath. "I have kept you from your guests for too long. Please, do not concern yourself with me; I am fine. I'll return in just a few minutes. I just need another moment to clear my mind."

"It took me a month to stop being angry and another month to stop being hurt." He said. "Only then was my mind clear." He gave my shoulder a squeeze and left.

Eventually, I returned to the festivities. The dancer was engaging in her third and final performance for the evening - a lap dance for the groom. Fujita was enjoying it, but trying not to show it. Several of the other guests were a glass or three past prudent behavior and were yelling out suggestions for Fujita to try. The poor groom was struggling not to touch the woman although no one would have faulted him for it. Even I had to admit she was skillful. When the song ended, she stayed seated, facing Fujita and asked for a large glass of water. When she received it, she poured it down herself so that it spilled into his lap. Then she got up smiling; they were both drenched leaving everyone wondering just how far things progressed.

After she left, the party ended quickly. Most of the guests went home but the wedding party was staying at Fujita's apartment. "Kaiba-san, you are welcome to stay as well." He offered.

"You have enough houseguests, I should think."

"But you'll be escorting Miko to the wedding, won't you?"

I paused. "I had not been invited."

He waved it away. "Please. Come, as my guest."

"I'd have to go home at any rate. I'm not dressed for a formal event." I no longer owned clothes for a formal event.

"Borrow something of mine. We're close in size. And if my sister doesn't see you tomorrow, I have no doubt she'll come find you." Several of the groomsmen agreed.

A cab was flagged down and we all piled into it. Fujita's apartment was a good-sized one and there was space for everyone to lay out a mat.

I lay down, closed my eyes and immediately had visions of Joey and Pharaoh. Dancing. Stripping. Lap dancing. I woke hard and sweating. I went to the bathroom and relieved my bladder and other needs, then tried to go back to sleep. Only to return to the same dream. Joey, sitting in my lap, gyrating. Pharaoh grinding against me in a g-string.

I got very little sleep.

We all slept later than expected, but still had time for coffee and breakfast before dressing. Fujita's pants were a little shorter than I'd like but serviceable. The shirt was a little large, but with a vest over it, it was hardly noticeable. I desperately needed a haircut.

I rode with Gorou to the temple. He chatted on, catching me up on office gossip as if I knew who any of these people were or cared who contributed to the coffee fund and who kept donuts in their desk drawer. He was especially long winded about the commuter trains and how crowed they were. I had never considered the difficulties of getting to and from work. Transportation was always provided for me. But it occurred to me that all of KaibaCorp's staff could not afford the expensive city or the affluent suburb and many - most of them - probably faced this same issue daily.

It also explained to me how people could live two hours from where they worked. They took the high-speed train.

Miko-chan was thrilled to see me and sighed constantly about the bride, the music, the décor, the guests, the service and everything else that reminded her that she wished she were the one getting married. I didn't say it but I agreed. I wished I were the one getting married. I wished I could trust someone to that degree. That there was someone in my life I could hold on to forever.

There wasn't and there wouldn't be. My parents were dead. My Father delighted in taking hope from me. My lovers had been a string of disappointments, culminating in Joey's betrayal and making me wonder if Pharaoh would ultimately led to more grief than he was worth. Even my brother, whom I adored, I knew would one day have to choose between his needs and mine. In the end, they all betray you. Maybe Father was right.

I didn't eat much at the reception. I had hoped to leave early, but Miko-chan pleaded with me. "If you leave, they'll all start asking if you're my boyfriend and why aren't you my boyfriend and when am I going to get married and all of that. Most of them are from out of town - if we wait til they leave, I won't have to think about them until the next wedding!"

"Simply tell them the truth."

"That I couldn't get a date for Tenchi's wedding? Are you kidding? They'd throw every boy they knew at me trying to get me set up and married off!" She sighed again. "It may not be love, but at least I like you."

She leaned her head on my shoulder and I realized something. She did like me. Few people did.

"Thank you."

"For what?" She asked.

I smiled. "I'd prefer not to tell you."

She rolled her eyes. "It's like having another brother." She put her head back down and we stay that way until social convention forced us to dance or socialize.

Tenchi and Biko looked at each other the whole day with eyes so full of love and faith that it hurt to see them. I caught him alone, just for a moment and asked him, "What did you decide?"

He glanced over at his bride and smiled again. "I believe. I have faith." He looked back at me. "But only because I believe she has faith in me. It's like a house of cards - belief and faith hold each other in balance, doubt is the wind that blow them apart." He bowed. "Thank you, Kaiba-san. You've helped me more than I have helped you."

"I'm glad to have been of some use." I replied.

Belief and Faith. Smoke and mirrors.

Eventually the bride and groom left and good grace allowed the guests to begin leaving as well. It was 11pm when a cab dropped me off at Honda's apartment.

Pharaoh was sitting on the futon. "Thank Ra." He sighed as he dialed the phone. "He just walked in." He told whoever answered the other end. Then he offered the receiver to me.

I took it warily. "Hello?"

"Where the hell did you go, dude?" Honda sounded frantic. "The police found your bike Friday and told me to start looking for your body!"

"My body?" I didn't understand the statement until I remembered what drove so many people to suicide. "No Honda, if I was going to use self annihilation, I would have done it years before I met you."

"Are you, you know, ok?"

"I am Kaiba."

"So not an answer but whatever. Call Joey." He ordered.

"I hardly think…."

"CALL JOEY!" He hung up.

I looked at the phone for a moment. Why call the mutt - so we could argue some more?

"Speed dial 5." Pharaoh said.

"Why?"

Pharaoh actually smiled. "Because all Honda would tell him is that the police found your bike but they were still looking for you. Your lover has called almost hourly for two days. I confess that I too, was concerned. He and I had some time to get re-acquainted." He stood up and crossed the room to me.

"You and Joey? Re-acquainted?"

"Among other things, we talked about the pressures of loving you." He ran his fingers through my hair and then held my face. "And the fear of losing you." He kissed me. My knees wobbled. I wanted to push him away, but no part of my body was able to respond to anything. When his lips parted from mine, it could have been seconds or hours that had passed. "I explained to him that, despite my best efforts, you had not tumbled into my bed. And I assured him that if you were to tumble into a bed, it would be mine. And so, he and I have declared a truce."

"A truce?" My brain was still a bit numb.

"While he is still away, I have time to remind you of our past. When he returns, you will choose - him or me." He looked at me when I didn't respond. "I thought it a rather elegant solution. No comment, Prince?"

"I think my fever has returned. I must be delusional."

"I knew you would not leave us." He whispered. He kissed me again, not as deep but lingering. "Call him. He is quite anxious to speak with you." Pharaoh let me go and left.

I ate first. I had some concern about Honda returning before I made the call but my growling stomach could no longer be ignored. And I needed some time to decide what to say to Joey. Belief and Faith.

He didn't actually say that he and this Diesel were sleeping together; I inferred that from the kiss. As far as I know, really, Joey was being his typical flirtatious self and simply was not giving a firm 'no' at the moment. Joey is extremely affectionate - even with Honda and Mutou, Joey does more touching and petting than I would have allowed any other lover. His accusations of me were most likely an exaggerated response to hurt feelings from being wrongfully accused himself.

I am Kaiba. Why on earth would he even consider another man? My fears are most likely groundless. I may even owe him an apology. As Fujita pointed out - in order for him to be faithful, I must extend him some faith.

He would apologize to me, I would apologize to him, and we would put the whole incident behind us.

There was cold fish in the refrigerator and left over noodle soup. I had that, two aspirin and most of a pot of tea before I stopped procrastinating and made the call.

"He just went to sleep," an unfamiliar voice answered in Japanese. "So if they haven't found the body, I'm not waking him."

I presumed it was Diesel answering the phone and already I disliked him. "Have I reached the residence of Joseph Wheeler?" I said ignoring his entire statement.

"Who is this?"

"This is a call for Joseph Wheeler. Is this his residence?"

"It might be. Who wants to know?"

"This is Kaiba Seto."

"Oh. You." I didn't respond and eventually he put the phone down and I heard him calling for Joey in the background.

I heard the pounding footsteps as Joey ran to get the call. He ran to me. "Hello? Tak?"

I couldn't help being pleased that he actually ran, but Diesel answering the phone bothered me. "Yes. I'm fine. I went to see a co-worker and I didn't recharge my phone."

"I was losing my fucking mind, Tak!" He snapped at me. "God Damn! Honda just about lost it when you didn't come home."

"I didn't think anyone would worry."

"You don't live alone anymore, Tak. People actually care if you vanish for three-fucking-days!" he took a breath. "You can't do that shit anymore. I don't care how mad you are at me; you don't do that to Honda, OK?"

"You are concerned only about Honda." I said, just a little incredulous.

"You asshole." I could almost hear him smirk through the phone. "I am so gonna kick your ass when I get back. Of course I was worried about you! But Honda kinda freaks out. I was cool about it. I knew you just needed to think."

"Really? Pharaoh said you were calling hourly. Frankly, I don't see why you were concerned. I see Diesel is still there."

"It's not like that, Tak. And anyway I'm kinda stuck for a while; I need a place to stay. But look, I got a job so as soon as I've saved up some, I'll get my own place."

"What happened with your grandparents?" He didn't answer. "Joey? I said what happened with your grandparents?"

"They started getting on my case about where I was going and what I was doing."

"What were you doing?"

"I have to have this talk with you too?" He huffed. "Look, it's all cool. I got a job, I'll be cool. Hey, I told you who I'm working for, right?"

He hadn't apologized yet. I was trying to decide why I was still on the phone. Belief and faith. "No. Who?"

"KaibaCorp USA!" He laughed.

The air around me felt like it suddenly dropped by 10 degrees, "Joey, you cannot be working for any Kaiba entity. The company is a fraud."

"Dude, I already got my first check. It has the same company logo, same signature, same everything as yours used to."

"Joey, when Mokuba was kidnapped and all of you were taken in for questioning, my father had you all blacklisted. None of my friends can pass the background security check required for employment with the company anywhere in the world."

"Maybe he lifted it." He laughed hollowly. "Ok, I give. I'm not working for KaibaCorp. Not directly anyway. Diesel's got a contract with them and I'm a 'consultant'. I'm an assistant small arms distributor. Diesel did the security check and the office here rubber stamped it."

"Really?" I made a note to follow up on that. If contractors were actually allowed to run their own checks without verification, it was a huge hole in our security net. Americans! The background check applied especially to anyone working with arms directly. The blacklisting was placed on all my friends but Father only wanted it to insure that I never put Joey on the payroll in a 'consultant' position. The only way it could have been removed is if Father removed it. Diesel either didn't run a check against our internal file or…or something more sinister was at play.

"How long has Diesel had this contract?"

"Couple months. He started just before Thanksgiving."

How many games are we playing, Father?

"Naturally. It's a set-up, Joey. Resign."

"What? No way."

"Joey, I know my Father. Your long lost friend did not happen to get that contract the month you return. And he did not just happened to be able to get you in to work for KaibaCorp. I guarantee that my Father set this up. I don't know yet what he is planning, but I can assure you that it will not be pleasant."

"Tak, he can't know every employee in the company."

"I'm sure he doesn't. But I think he may know his son's lover whom he held captive for ten days in connection to his younger son's kidnapping."

"I had nothing to do with that. Even he admits that!"

"I assure you, he would not have removed the security block without a good reason."

"I'm telling you that Diesel bypassed that shit. Maybe you're just a bit paranoid." He sighed heavily. "Look, Tak, I need this right now. I got stuff I've got to take care of. Can you just trust me, here? I know what I'm doing. Not everyone handles business in the board room. Me and Diesel got a way - legal, ok? - to make some quick cash. I can handle some things here and then me and Serenity can be on the first plane home. Then it's just you and me, ok?"

Paranoid? Maybe I'm paranoid? Belief and faith were looking more like smoke and mirrors again. "Very well. Perhaps you are right. Things seem to be going well for you there."

"Tak, come on! Don't be like that!"

"I'm not being like anything."

"You're being a prissy little bitch." I was hanging up the receiver when I heard him apologize. "I'm sorry! Tak? Ok, I'm sorry! Don't hang up. I just want to talk for a while. We don't talk anymore. I used to like that."

I didn't want to talk to him; not now. But Fujita's comment about his life being empty struck a familiar chord with me. "What do you wish to talk about?"

"Are you gonna be mad at me all night about this job thing?"

I almost hung up again but, angry as I was, this 'job thing' really was more important at the moment. "You have no idea the position you are in." I stated simply. "My Father, as you well know, does not like you. Nothing he does is to your benefit."

"Presuming he knows I'm here, what can he do? Fire me?"

He could send a shipment of damaged goods that 'inadvertently' explode. He could arrange for a company truck to have faulty brakes. "How well do you know this Diesel?"

He laughed. "You remember that gang I told you about?"

"The one that scared your chest?" This couldn't be….

"That's them. Diesel and me used to run together then. He's saved my ass more times than I can count."

"He's endangered it at least as often, as I recall you telling me. Isn't he the one that got you arrested?"

"That was ages ago, Tak. He's not the same guy."

"Trust me, Joey, this is not a good situation."

"No, Tak, you trust me. You say you do. But do you? Really?"

"At the moment? Surely you jest."

"You wouldn't even talk to me at the airport, Tak. What was I supposed to think - you were planning our wedding?"

"Do not try and blame me for your need to rut like a stray dog." I snapped. "I DID trust you." And, foolish as it was, I still loved him. I just couldn't let go.

"Hey, you the one turned me loose." He replied.

He wasn't going to apologize, I realized.

He went on. "I've run with the pack before, ok? Tak, believe me, I know trouble when I see it and I'm gonna be a blur moving in the other direction."

'But what if you don't see it coming', I thought. 'What if you're too deep in the trap to see it close? Do I have to let you fail in order for you to see I trust you?'

I sighed deeply. Belief and faith, Fujita said. Clearly, Joey needed to see this the hard way. "Very well, I tr-" I nearly choked on the word 'trust'. "If you say this is legitimate, I will accept it. I'm sure Diesel is a charming gentleman."

He laughed. "I wouldn't go that far! But he won't shoot me in the back and he could never take me from you."

"Two of his highest qualities." Undoubtedly two of his only qualities.

"Tak…" Joey's tone turned serious and he hesitated. "Hang on." I heard his hand muffle the receiver, but it wasn't enough to prevent me hearing Joey asking his roommate to leave for a few minutes. "Tak?"

"I'm still here."

"Listen. Have you talked to Yami since you got back from your little hissy fit?"

"My what?"

"Seto, come on. You vanished for two, almost three days. Real mature. I'm serious here. Me and Yami made a deal. About you."

"What kind of deal?" I asked just to see how their descriptions differed. Since he saw no reason to apologize for his behavior, the logical conclusion was that it was intentional. This 'deal' was obviously to relieve his guilt.

"A … a … I don't know. Look, do you remember a guy named Marik?"

"A duelist, isn't he?" I could picture the man clearly; another Egyptian, but with light blond hair and almost purple eyes. I could see his image in my mind clearly but I could not recall anything else about him. "He was obnoxious, arrogant and fairly rude as I recall."

"Yeah. That's him." Joey chuckled. "You think he's rude. That's a good one."

"How is this man germane to your deal?"

"Well, see a couple years back some stuff went down with -" Joey stopped suddenly and lowered his voice. "Have you ever heard of the Shadow Realm?"

The words sent a chill through me but I had no idea why. "No. What is it?"

"Doesn't matter." He said normally. "Yami and I did some stuff. I thought it was Yugi, but when I tried to talk to him about it he didn't remember anything. I always figured that he just wanted to forget about it but, yesterday, I found out that it was Yami that day. Yugi doesn't remember because he wasn't there."

"What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Now who's not trusting?"

"Ok." His voice turned harsh. "I'll tell you right after you tell me how you got that burn mark on your back."

A fireplace poker. Father too angry to think, too drunk to care. The searing pain and the sickening smell of burning flesh. He'd seen the mark the first time we'd showered together. He knew the source for some of my scars, but I refused to discuss that one. "I hardly think this is of the same caliber." He didn't respond. "Fine, I won't ask what happened." I sincerely doubted he had been scarred by a duel and was shocked that he'd bring the issue up now. "What is the deal you made?"

"I told him I'd step back."

"I'm sorry?"

"He says he loves you." He rushed the words out. "And I don't know if all this Egyptian crap is true or what, I just know I owe him big time."

"So you are giving me to him the way you hand over property."

"I'm stepping back so he can take a shot with you. I'm betting you love me more than you love him."

"So you can be with Diesel guilt-free." This would be less time-consuming if he'd simply be honest.

"No! This is 'cause…." He stopped and restarted in a softer tone. "It's 'cause you deserve something good in your life and this guy is better than I'll ever be. If you love him, you should be with him. I don't want to stand in the way of that."

"You're willing to take a chance like that?" He was virtually handing me to Pharaoh.

"I'm not there to stop him from trying anyway. And I trust you Tak. I mean, sex is just sex. But you wouldn't leave me for King Tut."

Sex is just sex, indeed. "And that makes your behavior justified?"

"Hey! You. Dumped. Me. I tried. I called, you wouldn't call back. And I know you and Yami haven't been as innocent as you claim 'cause I saw the pictures from Christmas and I know that look. You did him that night, didn't you?"

"ROT IN HELL!" I cut the connection wishing I could slam the phone down on his head.

When Honda returned an hour or so later, I was still mad. He stunned me by walking in and throwing his arms around me before I could stop him.

"Don't you ever, EVER do that again! I knew, I just KNEW I was going to have to explain your dead body to Mokuba!"

"I assure you I'm fine." I replied. I had intended to distance myself from Joey's best friend, but Honda's reaction made it difficult.

"You are so not fine!" He accused. "You've got that tight lipped look like you want to shoot something. Did you call him yet? Did he apologize like he said he would?"

"If that was an apology, it was sorely lacking." I pushed and Honda let me go without crushing my ribs further.

"Damn it! He said he'd just say he was sorry. Just sorry. I know he is." He frowned. "Oh well. I was hoping…. So, uh, did Yami stay? I mean are you two - no, stop. That's none of my business. Joey's being stupid. He has this whole trust issue. Neither one of you can trust anybody so I figured you'd work it out but I guess not. Whatever. I'm really sorry. If there's anything I can do, just ask, I'm right here, ok? But I'm not butting in. Yami is your business. If you and he want to…."

Honda is too well intentioned to let him suffer for long. "He left before I called." I told him. "So, no, I haven't slept with him."

"Oh."

"Yet."

He rolled his eyes. "Your sense of humor's back, at any rate." He headed into the kitchen and made dinner. He spent most of the evening asking if I was ok and assuring me that I should feel free to talk to him if I needed to.

I didn't want to talk to anyone. I was beginning to understand why Father considered friends and lovers liabilities. Friends create obligations. Lovers create weaknesses. And yet, friends were often extraordinary resources. And I had never felt stronger than when Joey was at my side. Honda needed so much, took so little, had almost nothing, but gave everything and more. Otogi didn't even like me and yet, for his lover and friend, was willing to inconvenience himself on my behalf. None of it made any sense.

Thinking about Joey hurt. It was a dull ache, throbbing in my chest. I wanted to hurt him, make him suffer as I was. And yet, the thought of him suffering made my heart ache worse. It was intolerable. Belief and faith and smoke and mirrors. How could a life be built upon such things? I needed facts and proof. I could trust things I could prove; I could believe that which was real.

Love and friendship were not real. They were smoke-filled reflections of fantasies. They were the beliefs of the faithful, not the knowledge of the intellectual. Father tried to tell me and I refused to listen.

I went to bed. I had no dreams.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

The arbitration, the next day, went much as Yamada described it. He brought a wheelchair and insisted on wheeling me in. I recognized several people seated at the table: the hospital administrator, my head physician, one of my nurses. There was no one on my side of the table except myself, Honda and Yamada.

Yamada allowed the hospital's attorney to present their side first. Simply put, I arrived, announced who I was, insisted on immediate care and volunteered to pay all costs. The hospital rendered all services necessary and only services necessary and should collect its rightful recompense. As to my bout with meningitis, that could hardly be considered their fault.

Honda had some trouble not speaking out and was asked to leave the room.

"Magistrate," Yamada started when it was our turn. "Did you know that at 42°C the human brain sustains permanent brain damage?"

"Yes." The Arbitrator nodded.

"According to the school nurse, Kaiba-san's temperature was 40.5°C when the ambulance took him away. That was confirmed by the ambulance driver. Kaiba-san was delusional at the time of his admittance." Yamada handed several sheets of paper to the Arbitrator. "He was not able to admit himself. In addition, not only was there no parent to speak for my client, but in fact, my client is an abandoned child and this negligent, greedy institution did nothing to protect him."

I heard the nurse grumble something under her breath; as I recalled, she was particularly unfriendly while I was under her care. My doctor sighed deeply and frowned.

Yamada went on, explaining how my Father inexplicably removed himself from my life and left my welfare in my own inexperienced and unprotected hands. He led me through questions about my difficulties of hunting for a job for the first time - although he avoided asking if I obtained one - and of the quality of my first apartment.

"Kabia-san, are you well?" Yamada asked gently. "Do you need to take a break?"

I would have laughed, but it would have ruined his act. "I am fine for now. I will let you know when it is too much."

"Fine. Kaiba-san, I realize that this is difficult for you, but what is your normal employment?" He emphasized the word 'normal'.

"Normally, I am the CEO of KaibaGames Corporation." But my life has been far from normal for quite sometime.

"And in that occupation, what was your annual income?"

"Annual?" Frankly, I never thought about it annually. I always considered each individual contract. I did some calculations, adding all of last year's deals, plus the stock dividends and my bonus. "130 million yen. Approximately." The whole room gasped.

"And what do you do with that money?"

That was easy. "A portion goes to my personal living expenses and some to a fund for my brother, but 80% of it goes back into KaibaGames."

"Two questions. First, yours is a for profit corporation and yet you run it as if you were a non-profit. Why is that?"

"KG employs, at my last check, 5,181 people worldwide and gaming is a volatile industry. KaibaGames has a very generous fully-funded benefit package for all employees. This includes a one-year salary severance package if we downsize. Should we fail, I do not wish my employees to bear the brunt of it." My Father and I had argued about those benefits. But my HR survey showed that long-term benefits retained more employees than high salaries. High retention reduced corporate espionage - a serious problem in my industry - and increased loyalty.

Of course, only a fraction of the profits went to HR; most of the funds went to R&D but there was no need to discuss the specific division of reinvestment now.

"I see." Yamada looked at the magistrate and then back at me. "And my second question. Why do you have a fund for your brother? Surely your Father is responsible for him."

"He is, of course. But my brother is my only biological family. And while I certainly honor my Father deeply, I feel it is my responsibility to ensure that he will never want for anything."

He looked at the magistrate again. "He cares for his brother. He supports his workers. Kaiba-san, in your state of health, are you currently working for KaibaGames?"

"Currently? No." It was a true, if misleading, statement.

"How much income have you lost while you were ill?"

I almost answered 'none' but Yamada had asked 'while' not 'because'. "It is difficult to say because so much of what I do is in the decisions I make. But, last year, in this same time period, my income was roughly 32 million. Of which 80% was returned to the employees." In one form or another.

We took a break, and then Honda returned to the room. He was questioned at length and in detail about my behavior and abilities before and after my illness. He was asked about my status as an 'abandoned child'.

"Isn't your Father his legal guardian, Honda-san?"

"No sir. He's living with us because he lost his place while he was in the hospital."

"So he's renting from you?"

"No." Honda shrugged. "I mean, technically, he's homeless. He's just staying with us."

"Would you look at this document?" Yamada handed Honda a piece of paper. "Would you please tell us what that is?"

"I think it's the admissions form for the hospital."

"Is that Kaiba-san's handwriting?"

"No," he chuckled. "Some of it's mine, some of it is Kawai-san's. We had to just guess at a lot of stuff."

"So Kawai-san is his legal guardian?"

"No, she's his boyfriend's mother." There were a few raised eyebrows but the arbitrator was not one of them. "We called her because she knows a lot about hospitals."

"I see. So you two completed the form and Kaiba-san signed it. That is Kaiba-san's signature, is it not?"

"Uh, no. We, uh, ok…see we thought he was going to die and -"

"Relax, Honda-san. You won't be penalized. This is not a courtroom; we are simply uncovering the facts. Are you saying that Kaiba-san did not sign this admittance form?"

"Uh, yeah."

"And the signature that appears on the bottom of this form is not that of his legal guardian?"

"Uh, yeah. I mean, no, it's not."

"So Kaiba-san was never legally admitted to this institution and was treated - badly - without his consent." Yamada took the form from Honda and handed it to the Arbitrator. "Thank you, Honda-san. You have been very helpful."

There was more talking after that, but nothing more to be said. I pleaded exhaustion after another hour of drivel and Honda and I left to allow Yamada free reign on his victims.

Once we were in a cab, I called Mokuba. "When you get this message, I need to know the stock position of the Big Five. I'm aiming for the 31st." I hung up and looked at Honda. "Shall we go to Kame Game Shop?"

He looked confused. "I thought you were tired?"

"Tired of procedure, yes. Yamada didn't need us for the rest of it. I dare say he was enjoying himself."

"Oh good." He said with just a touch of sarcasm. "I was afraid it was just me. Hey, did you really make 32 million last year?"

"At least. Of course, that's not my personal net worth."

"Well, yeah! I kind of figured that."

"We were only discussing KaibaGames. Personally, it's closer to two billion with my KaibaCorp stock and bonuses factored in."

He opened his mouth and then closed it. The cab driver laughed uproariously.

"You got him good with that one!" the man chortled.

Honda continued to stare at me in shock the whole drive to the store. When the driver pulled away, Honda stopped me before I could enter the store. "Two billion yen. Two? With a 'B'?"

"Yes."

"Wait, you - personally, not the company -"

"I can't access any of it right now, you realize."

"Yeah, ok, whatever, but when this thing between you and your Dad is over, next year, you have two billion sitting in the bank."

I wasn't about to stand there and teach a corporate finance class. "Not in cash, but effectively, yes."

"But you didn't have gas money!"

"Ah! Yes. The week we met, I was slumming. I had no funds immediately available except my allowance."

"Your allowance?"

"A hold over; an early concession from my Father. When he first adopted us, he told the press that we would be raised like any other children - that we would have chores and get an allowance and so on. Being on the KaibaCorp board of directors has been one of my 'chores' since I was 13. It's one of Mokuba's as well. I receive 2,000 yen a week for that and mowing the Kaiba Manor lawn."

"You mow the lawn?" That idea seemed to shock him as much as anything else.

"Certainly not!" I chuckled. "I have a service come in once a week. It's automatically withdrawn from my account."

"So you were living here, on 2,000 yen a week, doing what?"

"Nothing."

"Doing…what?"

"Nothing. I was on vacation."

"You came here on vacation? Not, like, Rome or Hawaii or something?"

"I went someplace where no one knew me, where no one would think to look for me and tried to be as invisible as possible." He nodded but he still looked confused. "It was actually the best vacation of my life. Would you care to know why?"

"Yeah. How could this dump be the best anything?"

"It was the first and only time in my life that I was responsible for nothing but myself. I was accountable to no one but myself. It was the only time in my life I have actually been free, Honda. Like you. You don't have to worry about the jobs of 5,000 people. You aren't concerned that your Father will fire you. You've never had a final exam and a board meeting on the same day. I got to live like you for almost two months. It was sheer heaven and if I could get away with doing it again, I would leave tomorrow."

"But…but…"

"But?"

"You're rich. I mean, seriously, mega-rich."

"There is more to it than just money. I can buy almost anything. But everyone owns a part of me. You can't buy anything, but no one owns you."

He thought about it for a minute. Finally he shook his head. "That reeks. What's the point of having all that money if life sucks?" I started to answer and stopped when I realized that I didn't have an answer. "You know, I used to want to be rich. But after meeting you, no offense, but I'll take poor any day." He continued to shake his head as he entered the store.

I made a mental note to create a second fund, one large enough to support Honda and his father. They might not want to be rich, but I would ensure that they were never poor.

As soon as I walked in, Mutuo waved a paper at me. "Kaiba-kun! Morio called! He said to give this to you right away." The message was a list of numbers; I slipped it into my pocket.

"So we are an answering service now?" Pharaoh's voice was soft behind me, but it still sent heat surging through my veins.

I turned to face him…and burst into laughter.

He was standing in the stockroom doorway and had evidently been cleaning. His gray sweatpants and yellow sweatshirt were both stained and grimy despite an equally dirty full-length apron. His hair - which might have been neatly tied back earlier - stuck out in several directions and hosted at least two cobwebs. The pink rubber gloves only served to highlight the dirt when Pharaoh scratched his chin.

"I'm glad to see you in such high spirits." His droll tone only made the image funnier.

And then a flash went off beside me. Mutou was typing on his cell phone as he walked away. "Grandpa? Do you mind if I post a picture on the website?" He yelled.

Pharaoh started to move after him, but I blocked his path, still chuckling. "I'm sure he would not agree if he thought it would damage the Mutou image."

"I had forgotten how vindictive you could be." He didn't sound upset by the idea.

"I didn't tell him to take the picture."

"You merely allowed it to happen."

"I can't control how you present yourself in public."

"I am no longer ruler of all I survey; I have limited amounts of privacy." He took a pair of steps closer to me. "I've been cleaning the store room. It's quite private in there."

Why was I breathless whenever he was close to me? "Every time I'm near you I feel like I'm being propositioned." The room was cold, the air was hot.

"Am I to blame for that?"

"Perhaps the cause would be a better description."

"Cause and effect?"

I could give in, push Pharaoh against the nearest wall and pound his hips into sand. I desperately wanted to. Five minutes! I couldn't spend five minutes in his presence without wanting to rip his clothes off and ravage him. And I could no longer think of a reason not to. Joey was over.

But, as tempting as Pharaoh was, this was not the place. Nor, looking at all the dirt, was it the time. "Soon, Pharaoh," I breathed, "soon."

I walked home. It's a long walk but I've done it before. I did some homework. It was a struggle to keep my grades up not because the work was difficult, but because I had no desire whatsoever to continue school. I was quickly losing interest in anything other than getting back to my life. Getting back to KaibaGames and getting away from these irrational liabilities.

The phone rang, but I let the answering machine - really, who doesn't have voice mail? - pick it up. "Kaiba? It's me." Honda's voice said. "Ok. I'm just going to presume you're listening because I know you wouldn't just leave again after this weekend. I know you're still upset - don't say you're not 'cause I don't believe you - just I wanted to tell you we're all cool with you and Yami. I mean, not that you needed permission or something. Not that you'd ask if you did. I just mean…."

There was the sound of fumbling and a small squabble. Then Mutou's voice. "Kaiba-kun? What Honda meant to say was that we're on your side."

"There's no sides in a break up between friends!" Honda yelled behind him.

"Yami really likes you," Mutou went on, "and if you and he are interested in each -"

Another voice cut over Mutou's in the background. "What are you doing?" Pharaoh thundered.

"Uh…." There was the sound of the phone being fumbled and Honda talking fast in the background. Then, the line cut abruptly and I found myself actually rolling on the floor, laughing so hard that tears were falling.

That's what Father was missing - moments when friends were priceless.

I pulled myself together and called the store. I left a message with Mutou-sama to let Honda know that I was at home and would see him when he arrived. Then I retrieved the answering machine tape and packed it with a few of my other private things. I replaced the tape with a fresh one.

Friends could be a liability. But they could be a resource too. And resources were what I needed at the moment.

I thought about everyone I knew at the moment, as I would look at them if they were duel monsters. Their primary strengths, their secondary skills, their weaknesses. What uses to put them to and when to reserve them. Who to sacrifice.

Then I called Yamada. "I have issues I need legal assistance with. However, as you know, at the moment I am financially strapped."

"I understand." The wolf said diplomatically. "Perhaps we may come to an agreement that is mutually beneficial."

"Perhaps. I need a personal legal representative on an on-going basis for the foreseeable future."

He was silent, considering the statement. There was a possibility that he would not be interested in continuing an association with me.

But wolves are hunters and Yamada recognized the scent of easy prey on the wind. "Of course, Kaiba-sama. I will bill you for my hourly rate until after your settlement is complete. If you wish to continue our relationship, we can make further arrangements then. How may I be of assistance to you?"

I told him.

We arranged to meet in a teahouse near the main office - Konosuke, my wolf and I. KaibaCorp retained a room there to entertain guests and for meetings that required more privacy than the office could provide. In an office, someone knows who is meeting with whom and may be persuaded to disclose that information. In a teahouse, no one speaks of what happens behind closed screens. We indulged in the traditional service and waited until the young woman had finished her song before dismissing her.

"Lovely, don't you think?" Konosuke asked me.

Konosuke Oshita was Vice President of Business Strategy and the oldest of my Father's associates. He was the only person I'd say was my father's friend in as much as he had any 'friends'. There was never any love lost between he and I - before my adoption, he stood a good chance of succeeding my father as head of KaibaCorp.

"Reasonably so. Bakura is a better singer, frankly. You should have him play for you. He's easily the equal of anyone here."

Konosuke laughed at that. "Perhaps an area where our opinions diverge."

"Perhaps." I agreed. "Sir, I come to you seeking advice."

He seemed a bit startled that I was ready to begin our business, but he put his tea down and gave me his full attention. "Advice, eh? On what matter?"

"On the future. The world is changing. Japan is changing. The KaibaCorp my father guided was before many things. The gun control laws, for instance. We cannot sell our goods in our own country. Something strikes me as wrong in that."

He nodded. "Yes, we have lobbied for many years to have the laws changed."

"Perhaps it is not the law that should change." I took a thoughtful sip. "Do not damn the river, divert its flow. KaibaCorp must find new revenue streams. The trouble in Iraq has pressured the Government far more than any lobbyist could. We need to consider new ideas."

I reached out to Yamada. He opened his briefcase and handed me a folder.

"This is very old." I said handing it to Konosuke. "Do you recognize it?"

He gasped at first and then laughed. "It is a marketing plan I suggested several years ago that your father rejected. How did you obtain it?"

"Father gave it to me to study. He told me there were ten reasons he rejected this idea. He locked me in a room until I wrote a paper describing all ten to his satisfaction. I was caned for each typo." Konosuke looked appalled. I went on. "It was a difficult assignment because I found so many more good reasons to implement the plan. I swore that, one day, when KaibaCorp was mine, I would use ideas like this."

"The market's too soft for this to work now." He said cautiously.

"Is the mind that originally devised the plan too soft to revise it?"

"That depends." But he took the folder. "How much longer do you intend to be on sabbatical?"

"That is up to the Boards. I would be willing to return now but -" I gestured that it was out of my hands.

"I don't trust that secretary of yours. She's a bit too bitchy. She's been working with some American woman who doesn't know her place."

"Mazuki has a weakness. I can be assured of her support."

"You'd better be sure; he gave her shares."

"Did he?"

"Oh yes. Her and that he-she, Bakura." He all but spit the name. "I can't stand bishounen." He looked at me sourly. "No offence intended to you, of course."

"None taken." I managed not to snarl. "Bakura is unique."

He snickered. "You have a gift for understatement." He re-filled his cup. "Numbers?"

"I would imagine that none need to change."

His lip curled. Of course, I knew he'd expect a bribe. I gestured to Yamada again and he handed me a single sheet of paper.

"I believe that this is what your shares are currently worth. I can have that transferred to you at any time. Prior to the vote, of course."

"Of course." He studied the number, no doubt doing a few calculations of his own. "The others?"

"I have not asked their advice on the future."

"You'll need their support."

"Only if I can count on yours."

He nodded, folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket. "I hope I can advise you again soon."

"I look forward to it."

We both stood and bowed formally. Konosuke left and I looked at Yamada. "He was the easy one, I suspect." I said grimly.

"You are certain he will back you?" Yamada asked hopefully.

"Not at all." Yamada looked crestfallen. "I am simply assured that he will not take my offer directly to my father. The others may."

Yamada left before I did. I used the private time to text Mokuba and ask him to set up an emergency board meeting.

When I did finally leave the room, I noticed that there was another group in the room beside ours. I heard an American voice ask, "I don't suppose you could play 'Stairway to Heaven' on that thing?"

A familiar male laugh answered the question. "Not without a great deal of practice."

Bakura? Here? There was the strum of a koto and then 'Sakura' began playing.

"Hey, I've heard that!" The American exclaimed.

"It is a very old folk song." Bakura answered. I opened one of the wall panels a slit and peered in. I could see the American but the woman playing had her back to me. "It is one of our national songs." She said with Bakura's voice.

I slid the door open fully and stared at them. It looked like a common geisha from the back. She wore a very elaborate kimono and her hair was decorated with ribbons and delicate flowers.

The American looked up first and tapped the woman's shoulder. "Uh, Momoka? I think he wants something."

She turned and looked at me. The wig was black, the lips were red and the face was painted white but it was Bakura. "Yes?" He asked, obviously not recognizing me at first. Then, I saw the moment he did. His eyes went wide with shock, but he recovered quickly. He put the instrument aside. "General, please forgive me, but I must speak with my associate for just a moment."

Bakura stood up gracefully, but the General - a man who looked too young for the title - caught his hand and kissed it. "Now hold on, Momoka. What do I get for letting you go, little lady?"

"When I return, I will tell you a story." Bakura said and the General actually leered.

"A bedtime story?"

I stepped across the doorway. There were so many things wrong, I wasn't sure where to begin - except of course to break the American's neck.

"Outside!" Bakura snapped at me in Japanese. In English he told the General, "When we leave here, I think I will show you a more physical pastime."

"That idea I like." He kissed Bakura's hand again and let him go. Bakura joined me in the hall and closed the door. "Seto! What the hell are you doing here?" He whispered, anxiously.

"That is the question you should be answering!" I snapped back. I refrained from yelling, but I made no real effort to keep my voice down. "What do you think you are doing? This - this is utterly inappropriate!"

"Kaiba, this is not the time or place for this discussion. I'm working! I will call you later this evening."

"Working?" I did yell this time. "What kind of -"

"Lower your voice, damn it!" He hissed.

"Why? Afraid someone will see you in that ridiculous outfit?"

"NO! Of course not; I'm -" he stopped and stared at me. He opened his mouth and then stopped. His entire expression changed. "Seto. This is not a ridiculous outfit for a Geisha."

"Well of course not!" I couldn't believe he was trying to justify this cultural sacrilege!

"Seto-san, I am a Geisha."

"Stop saying that! It has long since lost any humor it had."

"I do not intend any humor. Didn't you Father ever tell you why he hired me? I thought you knew; the first thing you told me was that you had no intentions of using me sexually." I stared at him as it slowly sunk in that he meant what he was saying. I looked at the door to the room we just left. "A guest of your father's; I'm entertaining him for the afternoon."

"He seems to misinterpret the purpose of the Geisha." I still wanted to break his neck.

"He has correctly interpreted your father's purpose." I looked at Bakura, instantly understanding him and horrified by it. "Oh don't look so stunned. He hired me to be your whore. It's simply another of my skill sets."

"Ryou, I swear I had no idea."

He smiled and stroked my cheek. "So naive about so many things. Seto, how many men still arrange flowers?"

On reflection, a number of his skills were archaic at best. "I never considered it. You are artistic."

He kissed my lips softly. "This is not the place to discuss this. I will call you this evening." He glanced over his shoulder. "It may, of course, be a bit late."

"Otogi?"

"Knows." Ryou smiled sadly.

The door opened and the General poked his head out. "How much longer you gonna be?"

Ryou went from annoyed through amused to playful before he turned around. "This is my apprentice; he needs some advice before I spend the rest of the evening entertaining you." The General's eyes played over me and I was mortified as I realized that he believed Ryou.

"He could join us." He offered helpfully. The idea increased my desire to grab his throat.

Ryou laughed lightly. "I'm afraid he cannot; my little Seahorse must run along now." He turned to me again and looked significantly toward the exit. "Don't look at me like that; you have an American of your own." My expression must have darkened further. "What happened?" He asked.

"Nothing." Of all times and places, I did not want to discuss my love life here and now.

Ryou stepped back to the General and whispered something to him. The General nodded. "Oh sure, sure. I understand. Take all the time you need. Think I can get another bottle of wine?" Ryou went back into the room. I heard a door open and hushed voices speaking. Ryou gave his 'guest' a last minute assurance and then came back to me.

He took my hand and led me out to a garden. "Ok. What did he do?"

"We can discuss it later." I dismissed the issue.

"Later, we will discuss why you are in Domino to begin with. I know you well enough to know that if you look that miserable at just the mention of him something must have happened."

I didn't feel like dragging the issue out. "He has a lover."

Ryou's jaw actually dropped. "Are you sure?"

"He confessed."

He shook his head. "Unacceptable. Where are you staying tonight?"

"I'm going home as soon as I leave here."

"Stay with me."

"What about your guest?"

He shrugged. "He will have to accept 'no' for an answer."

I considered it. Nights with Ryou were wonderful. But it didn't truly appeal to me at the moment. It sounded hollow and unsatisfying. I wanted Pharaoh. I needed Joey. I shook my head.

"Are you sure?" He asked. He ran his fingers through my hair, brushing it out of my eyes. "I must say I love your hair like this. Are you sure you want to be alone tonight?"

"No." I said honestly. "But I don't want sex and I don't love you." Ryou's expression told me how cruel those words were. "Forgive me. That was unnecessarily thoughtless."

"It was honest." Ryuo accepted. "And there's nothing to forgive; no harm done." He put his fingers to my lips when I tried to speak again. "No, I truly understand. You need to resolve this situation before you do anything else. If you need me, call."

"Thank you." He hugged me and then we both turned to leave. I had one further thought and stopped him. "Does he know there is no woman under all this?"

Ryou smiled seductively. "I think he'd be sorely disappointed if there was."

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I didn't want to ask him but I felt badly not saying something. Mai didn't care but Yami agreed with me that I couldn't just leave. Still, as I watched Kaiba and Yami duel at the shop, I couldn't help but think I was hurting a friend.

Yami glanced at me and frowned. I knew exactly what he was thinking. His expressions are exactly my expressions. We may not think the same things at the same time, but we do show the same thoughts in the same way. Which is why I call him my other self and not my brother - he and I are more like one than anyone knows.

Oh, we have our differences. I like girls, for a start. And no one had to explain to me that banishing people's souls to other dimensions was wrong. I'm very lucky that no one seems to remember any of the truly bizarre stuff that happened last year, otherwise I don't know how I'd explain it.

Yami gave me a look and I knew that if I didn't say something, he was going to say it for me. So I took a breath and tried to sound as cheerful as possible. "Guess what, Kaiba-kun? Mai and I got a job offer."

"Together?" He said with only vague interest. "I'm sure you'll both be thrilled. I suspect your employer may regret the decision."

"Oh no, he wants a couple. He wants us to duel as a team at tournaments and conventions. Like the Kaiba Couple."

He looked up from his cards. "The what?"

"The Kaiba Couple? They were at the last two tournaments." Yami and I both winced. I hadn't meant to mention that. Kaiba hadn't attended a tournament in ages. He claimed that he didn't have time, but we all knew it was because he didn't have the money for the entrance fees and he wouldn't let any of us pay for him. "You know, I'm sure you've seen them. They were married, but on the verge of divorce and someone suggested that they start dueling as a way of re-kindling the romance. Now they represent KaibaGames at all the events. They're really cute together."

"Oh. Yes." He said, looking back at his duel. "I had forgotten about them."

"You…forgot?" In the whole time I've known him, I've never heard Kaiba say he'd forgotten anything.

He shrugged. "Frankly, I have no interest in what Noah does with the company now." It was such a blatant lie even Yami almost laughed at it. "So you and Mai will replace them?"

"Huh? Oh, no. We'll be working for another company." I hesitated. "One of the competitors. It's a chance to travel all over the world and Mai and I get to be together and Grandpa won't have to pay out as much anymore and -"

"It's alright, Mutou." He said, cutting me off. "Who?"

"Maximillion Pegasus."

Kaiba nodded. "You should accept the offer. If the contract is reasonable, of course. Have you had an attorney look at it?"

"No. I don't even know one."

"Give it to me tonight. I'll have Yamada look at it and let you know tomorrow."

"Oh, I wouldn't want you to…." I started but Yami caught my eye over Kaiba's head and stopped me. "OK. Sure. Thanks!" I ran to find my copy of the contract and brought it out to Kaiba. "I really appreciate it; I wouldn't know what was fair, now that I think of it. I was just so excited about dueling that I -."

"Yes, I'm sure." Kaiba took the document without even glancing at it. He played a card. "There, Pharaoh. I believe that will hold you for a moment or two."

Yami considered the trap. "Clever. Very, very clever." He pointed to a card. "You realize you've left an obvious opening here."

"Did I?" Kaiba leaned back and crossed his arms. "I must be slipping."

Yami's smile grew slowly and I rolled my eyes. I knew that look well. I wore it every time Mai beat me in a duel. Yami was thinking about dueling, but not with cards. "Not in the shop, Yami." I reminded him with a laugh. "You promised."

No one was surprised when Yami and Kaiba started sleeping together after Kaiba's terrible break-up with Joey. But their lust frequently caught people off guard. I mean, I thought Mai and me were pretty extroverted but these two! In the dressing room at Kaiba's job, the stock room here at Grandpa's shop, Honda's kitchen, Otogi's car. It hadn't been two weeks yet but we'd already caught them 'engaged' at school twice! They lit like gas meeting flame sometimes and whoosh! Get the kids out of the room!

I knew Yami so I knew this kind of passion wasn't so strange for him. But Kaiba had always been so conservative and closed. Even when things were good with Joey, he never did more than a small kiss in public. This was not like Kaiba at all.

Yami spared me a glance that let me know the reminder was necessary as he leaned forward and pulled Kaiba to him. "It is so rare that I lose, I hardly know what to do about it."

"I have a suggestion or two." Kaiba was acting cool but I'd seen this routine often enough to know what happened next.

"Please -" They kissed and I couldn't hear the rest.

"Yaaaa-miiii!" I called out.

He broke off the kiss. "All right! We'll go upstairs." They both stood up and my other self led my friend to the apartment above the shop.

Grandpa shook his head. "It's not right."

"Grandpa! There's nothing wrong with them being in love!" I was stunned; Grandpa's usually so accepting.

"Eh? What, them?" He waved the thought away. "No, not that. I mean Kaiba-san not dueling. Something is going on with him. And I don't think he's in love with Yami, either, just so you know. We used to call it 'gettin' lucky' back in my day."

"GRANDPA!"

He laughed at me. "Well where on earth do you think you came from if I'm your Grandpa? I got lucky once or twice when I was young and handsome."

"Play your cards right, you could get lucky tonight, cutie." Mai's arms appeared around Grandpa's neck. "Got anything hot and spicy for me tonight?"

"I'm lucky I happen to know you're talking about dinner, young lady." Grandpa chuckled. "Otherwise a greeting like that is liable to give a man my age a heart attack."

"Oh!" She kissed his cheek and let him go. "You're no fun." She crossed to me and grabbed my shirt collar with both hands. "What about you short stuff, are you any fun?"

"We could play a game." I said innocently. "I know a neat one that involves cards and several hours of quiet reflection."

"Keep it up, funny boy, and that's the only game you'll get to play." I leaned forward to kiss her nose and she giggled. "So did they actually finish a duel this time?"

"I don't think so. Kaiba said something about laying a trap and Yami got all excited."

"Huh." Mai let me go and looked at the cards on the table. "Slick! Kaiba is getting devious these days. Being poor works for the rich boy."

Grandpa and I joined her and we all studied the trap. I thought about my deck. In truth, I wasn't sure how I'd escape it with out taking massive damage. But I was pretty sure Yami's final position was strong enough to survive it. I looked at the un-played cards in Yami's deck - I knew he wouldn't care if I did - and saw a pair of his heavy hitters near the top. He could have won, but it would have been a hard match - and without looking at Kaiba's deck, I couldn't say for sure. Kaiba was using a lot more traps these days. A lot more tricks using secondary card abilities and forcing his opponents to waste special attacks or sacrifice cards. Kaiba had always been an aggressive duelist but he'd never been quite as subtle. It was a shame that he was doing his dueling at a shop and not in an arena.

"Hey." Mai sat down and began clearing the table. "You tell him yet?"

"Yeah. He said I should have the contract looked at by a lawyer."

"Did you tell him we already did?"

I shrugged. "It couldn't hurt for Kaiba to look at it again. He might see something else."

"You," she said, shaking her head, "are a marshmallow." She got up. "Hey Grandpa, did you get those toon cards I ordered?"

As it turned out, Kaiba did find a clause that we hadn't noticed that said if we broke up as a couple, we were out of the job. And he pointed out that the way the finances were structured, in the short-term, Mai and I would make a lot of money but the longer the deal continued, the less we'd get. He made a couple of suggestions as to how to fix both issues. And it was Kaiba who read the contract. He tried to tell me that his attorney looked it over and I pretended that I believed him but I recognized his handwriting in the margin notes.

They were good suggestions and Pegasus made the changes. Mai and I were under contract and on route to our first event by six am Thursday morning.

Pegasus let us use his personal jet to fly to the 15th Annual Pegasus Duel-a-thon at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It wasn't as big as Kaiba's jet but Kaiba's didn't have an actual bedroom! We spent most of the 22-hour flight taking advantage of the queen-sized bed and the privacy.

At some point, while we were cuddling between making love and making more love, I was lying there looking out the window. Mai was snuggled against me, dozing, and I thought, 'Wow, how perfect is this?' I was being paid to travel all over the world and duel with my girlfriend. Yami was back, Grandpa's shop was doing well. The only thing that would make it better was if it could last forever. I woke Mai.

"What?" she purred and rubbed her cheek against my chest.

"Let's get married in New York."

She bolted straight up, which surprised me. "WHAT?!"

"Uh - let's get married in New York. Are you ok?"

"Am I ok? Are you a freak? You ask me, out of the blue, to get married and then ask if I'm ok?"

"Oh! Sorry. I didn't mean to weird you out or something."

"You did." She seemed suddenly shy and pulled the sheet over her naked breasts.

"I didn't mean to."

"You want to get married?" She asked, calmer but now nervous.

"Well, yeah."

"To me?"

I had to grin. "If I marry anyone else, I'm out of a job." She smirked and hit me with the pillow. "Ow!"

"Twerp." She hit me again. "Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get hurt."

"But it's not a stupid question." I held the pillow down so she couldn't hit me again. "Let's get married in New York."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on! Wouldn't it be great? We come here, duel, win and then get married!"

"You mean a publicity stunt?"

"Well, kind of." She face went dark and I knew I had to talk fast. "I mean really married, not publicity for that. But here, at our first duel as a couple. Wouldn't that be cool?"

"I think your brain is working faster than your mouth again."

"Oh." That happened sometimes when I was really excited about an idea. "Here is it from the beginning. I was thinking that my life was really perfect right now and the only thing that could make it better is if it lasted forever. And then I thought, well marriage is until death and that's pretty close to forever. And then I remembered that Joey was in New York and he could be our witness. And then I thought, heck, the whole convention could be our witnesses. I don't care who's there if you say yes."

She tackled me. "You're an idiot!" She kissed me. "You're an idiot and I love you! Why didn't you say that in the first place?"

"I did, I thought." I didn't think I had to spell out the whole thing.

"We probably can't do it this trip, but maybe next time." She gasped. "But we can go to the diamond district and get the biggest ring in New York!" She jumped out of the bed. "I have to post this!" She grabbed her phone and started typing. I looked over her shoulder - Facebook. At least everyone we knew would find out at the same time.

When we landed, we were both pretty wired so we got to the hotel and did some checking. It turned out that with valid ID it was possible that we could get a marriage license. It would be a pain to have it transferred over once we got home again - but it was probably easier to have a real wedding with all our friends after I turned 20 anyway and Mai liked the idea of having two weddings. I called Pegasus-san and he was thrilled as well.

"Have you planned a honeymoon yet?" He asked.

I laughed. "We haven't even figured out how to get married yet!"

"Don't worry, I'll handle everything. You don't have to be at the tournament until 6pm tonight. Why don't you take Mai shopping for a ring?"

"Well, we were planning to spend the day hanging out with Joey."

He laughed, "Did you make those plans before or after you asked her?"

"Well before, but…"

"I think you'll find your plans for the day have changed." He hung up promising to have everything ready by the end of the convention on Sunday.

"Joey and his friend can go ring shopping with us." Mai informed me when I reminded her that we were spending the day with them.

"Well I mean it's just a ring, right? We won't be shopping all day, will we?" I asked her.

Famous Last Words.

I didn't like Hirutani from about two seconds after I met him. Mai had been in the bathroom so I went down to the lobby to greet them and she joined us.

"Joey!" She yelled before throwing herself at him.

"Hey Wheeler!" Hirutani sneered, "Who's the skirt?"

Mai could hold her own anywhere, though. She looked at Hirutani over Joey's shoulder and asked, "Hey Joey, who's the asshole?"

Hirutani kept leering at her, but Mai hates guys like him - which is part of why I love her.

Joey used to hate guys like him too. Hirutani kept putting his arm around Joey and trying to kiss him, but Joey kept pushing him off. Not an 'I don't like you' kind of push, just a 'not now' sort of thing. And all day, Joey was laughing and making jokes like usual, but he seemed down - like he was just going through the motions.

Our first stop was to the Manhattan Court House where we showed them our passports and were issued a New York State marriage license. We called the Japanese Embassy and learned that it would only be honored back home if my Grandfather was a witness. "Oh well." Mai said cheerfully. "We'll just have to have two weddings."

Great.

There was a bridal store near the hotel and after explaining our situation, the manager told Mai to come in early Saturday morning and they would find a suitable dress for her. And they could help with the bouquet and my suit rental - I didn't know I needed to rent a suit! That just left the rings.

Mai went to every jewelry store in New York City and found something wrong with every ring they had. They were all too small or the wrong color or made her hand look big or something. I kept telling her that they all looked pretty on her but she wouldn't believe me. And she just laughed when Joey said it too. She managed to ignore Hirutani all day.

Finally, she sighed. "Ok. Let's go back to Tiffany's."

"Go back?"

"Yeah. They had the one with the pink diamond engagement ring set."

"Oh." We went back to Tiffany's. The ring set she wanted cost more than my Grandpa's shop made in a year. "Uh, Mai…." I started, but she ignored me and handed the salesman a credit card with the Pegasus logo.

"Maxi said get the one I wanted and tell everybody!" she grinned. "They can even size the rings before I leave." They sized both rings for her and she wore the pink one while the white one went into a black box. Then they sized and boxed a matching white one for me - apparently, I got a pretty ring too.

I had gotten Pegasus-san to invite Joey as an Exhibition Duelist for the tournament so he and Hirutani rode back to the hotel with me and a very happy, very affectionate Mai. If it had been just Joey, I would have loved for the three of us to go back to our room and fool around some. If it had been Kaiba, I might have brought up the idea of the four of us - although I suspect he's a little too conservative for games like that. But Hirutani set off all kinds of red flags for me. He reminded me of some of the dark spirits that Yami and I encountered in the Shadow Realm. Yami used to insist that there were some people who needed to die and, looking at Hirutani, I had to wonder if he was right about that.

"Who is that guy?" I asked Joey when we had a moment alone between duels.

"Old friend of mine. We used to run together before I moved to Japan."

"Are you sure he's ok?"

Joey laughed. It was a very dark sound. "OK? Ok how? Like 'ok, he's a nice guy'? No, he is definitely not ok. But he's cool. We're living together now."

Honda had mentioned that Joey was living with the guy that he left Kaiba for. "You mean you dumped Kaiba for him?" Talk about downgrading!

"I did not dump Kaiba!" Joey hissed. "He. Dumped. Me!" He stood up and started pacing. "He's the one that started it. Don't start on me, Yugi, I don't need that right now. Look, this thing with Diesel - it's - it's not what you think. I know what I'm doing here. You just have to trust me. Besides, Tak's probably happy as hell with King Tut."

"You mean Yami?" It had never occurred to me to call him that. "I don't think he is." Which really was a shame.

"Are you kidding? He's got a fucking King bending over for him. Hell, he's getting off on that thought alone!"

"He may be getting off, but he's just as miserable as you are."

Joey's shoulders sank. "I'm not miserable." He lied. "Everything's great here. Tell Honda I'm fine."

"But you're not! Even I can see that."

"Look, Yugi, I don't have time to explain to you.... Look, I'm fine, ok? Everything's fine. Me an' Diesel -" he sighed and faked a smile. "Me an' Diesel are good together. Like you and Mai. I'm really happy for you guys."

"Thanks. It was kind of a spur of the moment idea and got way out of hand! I can't believe how much those rings cost! Pegasus is going to have a stroke!"

After the duel Hirutani was nervously looking at his watch and trying to rush Joey out. "Be cool, dude." Joey kept saying, "We got time."

Finally, Hirutani grabbed Joey and roughly pulled him aside. They spoke in low tones, in Japanese, but I couldn't hear enough to tell what they were talking about. When they came back, Joey looked angry.

"Look, we have to go. We've got a delivery scheduled."

"At 9:30pm on a Friday?" Mai asked, managing to sound only a little suspicious.

"We don't ask when the client wants it, we just get it there." He responded with a shrug.

"What are you delivering?" Mai asked next.

"None of your business, that's what." Hirutani snapped.

Mai was going to respond to that but I stopped her. "Mai-heart, we should let them leave. Didn't the dress shop say you should be there early? We should probably turn in soon."

She glared at Hirutani but kissed Joey's cheek. "You better be here Sunday, Wheeler. Don't make me come find you."

He put his hands up in mock defense. "And miss seeing Yugi finally send you down in flames? No way! That's one duel he'd better win. I'll be here."

Mai and I did another couple of circuits around the convention so that she could show off her new ring to anyone who wanted to see it. Then we went back to our room and made love again. And again.

Saturday morning, her phone rang and then my phone rang and we spent an hour on the phone talking to everyone in Japan.

"I had a feeling I should have gone with you this time." Yami sighed heavily. "You get into far too much trouble when I leave you on your own."

I laughed. "You know, this time you might be right."

"Mai is happy?"

"Mai is crazy! I didn't think she'd go all nuts like this." She was close enough to reach over and hit me.

Kaiba took the phone a few minutes later. "This must be the year for weddings. Congratulations. I'm afraid your gift will have to wait for some time."

"Oh we don't care about that!"

"Is that Kaiba?" Mai ended her conversation to ask. "Tell him he owes us something cool when we do the Japanese wedding."

He laughed. "I heard her. If you two are doing a second service here, then my gift is easy. Have the ceremony in the garden at Kaiba Manor."

My jaw dropped. I'd never been to Kaiba Manor, but I'd seen pictures. The garden was stunning. "Seriously? Kaiba-kun that would be awesome! He said we could get married in Kaiba Garden." I told her.

She took the phone from me. "Kaiba, I want to have your baby!" I hoped that meant she was very happy because she hadn't ever mentioned having my baby. She laughed a bit and then gave me the phone back.

Yami was on the line. "We'll let you go now. I know you have things to do."

"Not much, really. Pegasus-san said he'd take care of it all. I just have to get a suit."

Getting a suit was easier than getting a suit that Mai liked. We had four hours before our first team duel and it took us the whole time to pick clothes she liked and get fitted. Most of the time I was just sitting around because - even though I wasn't supposed to see her in the dress - she wouldn't let me leave without her!

We got to the duel on time - barely - and won the first team round easily. We won the second round too but it was a bit harder. People were already calling us the Pegasus Pair and Mai loved that as much as she loved the ring.

Then, around 8pm, Pegasus himself arrived. He was greeted like a rock star and went straight to the center of the main ring as soon as the duel in process ended.

"Do we love Duel-a-Thon 15 or what?" He yelled and the crowd cheered. He talked about some of the events that had already ended and brought some of the duelist on stage with him. Then he teased a few of the duelists who were still competing and that got a laugh. He was a showman and it reminded me that even though Kaiba-kun usually - well used to, at least - attend every Kaiba sponsored event, he almost never spoke at them. He'd duel and that was all. I leaned over to Mai, "How come Kaiba never does this?"

She looked at me. "You have to have personality. Look at him! People love Pegasus."

"Kaiba has personality."

She scoffed. "Look, I admit, I kind of like the little bastard, but Kaiba Seto has the personality of a wet fish."

"You know I'll tell him you said that, right?" I teased her.

"Where is my little Mai?" Pegasus yelled from the stage and spotlights started spinning around the room until she stood up. They focused on her. "Well, come on, come on!" He beckoned and she headed for the stage. "You too, Yugi-boy! Can't have one without the other, can we?" The spotlights followed us as we made our way through the crowd and Pegasus kept talking. "Now there have been some changes to the schedule tonight and tomorrow. If you have a three-day pass, you are covered but for a one or two day pass, you'll have to pay another fee -" He touched his headset. "Oh wait, what's that? We're letting all these little hellions attend?" He shielded his eyes against the glare and searched for the tech booth. "Are you sure about that? Have you seen these people?" He pretended to listen. "Well, far be it for me to have an opinion; it's only my show."

Mai and I arrived and he opened his arms to us. Mai went surging forward to hug him but he unexpectedly stepped back and slapped her wrist. "I don't want you!" The audience howled. He took her hand and gawked at her engagement ring. "Good Lord! Look at all those rocks! Is there a camera for that big screen; can we get a tight focus here?" The overhead screens suddenly focused on Mai's hand and the ring glittered in sixty-foot by eighty-foot splendor. It was a very pretty ring. "So who's the lucky boy?" Pegasus prompted.

"Mutou Yugi." Mai laughed.

"Oh My God! The dueling world will never recover!" Pegasus wailed. "Not me?"

"No," Mai laughed even louder, "not you!"

Pegasus looked at the audience. "Laughed in my face. Can you believe it?" He looked at me. "Yugi-boy, come here and take this rude woman away from me! Are you really sure you want this one - I saw some pretty ones in the back row."

I played along. I had to. "Really? Where?"

Mail wasn't even joking, though. "Look in that direction and I'll rip your eyes out." She put her arms possessively around mine. The audience roared.

"We'll talk later." Pegasus said in a stage whisper. "Ok! So when two of the world's finest duelists get hitched, the finest game system has to do something! Tonight - in the Play-by-Play Club downstairs - we are having his and hers bachelor parties from 10 to 2! His go to his, hers go to hers. Some of you understand the 'his and hers' concept. I see a few of you are a little confused on the subject. Let me help out." He pointed vaguely to a group in the back of the room. "You're a his, you're a his, you're a hers, you're a…. Turn around. Oh dear. Turn around again. Jerry?" He shielded his eyes again and looked at the booth. "I think we need another room: His, Hers and Others."

"Now, seriously." Mai whispered to me. "Can you see Kaiba making a joke like that?"

"Sure! He and Joey used to make jokes like that all the time."

"He was different with Joey." She dismissed me. "Kaiba now, would never."

It struck me that she was probably right.

Pegasus went on for a while and then announced our wedding, Sunday at 1pm, right after the trophies and awards were given out in the Theatre. Mai would come down the aisle to the winner of the Most Romantic AMV.

My bachelor party was fun but I missed the guys - especially Yami and Honda. They should have been my best men. And Joey. And Grandpa should have been there. I was beginning to think the whole wedding was a bad idea but I knew if I called it off now, after Pegasus-san had gone through so much effort and cost, Mai would kill me. So I kept smiling and drinking and trying to have fun.

We faced off Sunday morning in the final round against the Kaiba Couple. They were good duelist, but honestly, I wasn't sure how they got as far as they did because the duel seemed way too easy to me. Afterward, they smiled and we had a stilted conversation - they're German and neither Mai nor I speak that.

Then we ran back to our room to change clothes. Before Mai could lock herself in the bathroom, I stopped her. "Look, I know this was kind of an impetuous idea…"

"All of your ideas are impetuous."

"…and none of our friends are here..."

"So? They'll be at the next one."

"…and I'm still in school. I mean, not for long. It's only because I missed that one semester …."

She put her hand over my mouth. "Yugi. You're an idiot. And a marshmallow. And the most naive creature I have ever met. And I love you. And I love this dress, so I'm wearing it. And if you aren't down there in an hour saying 'I do' and all the rest, I will hunt you down and kill you!"

I had to grin. "This is gonna be great, isn't it?"

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

"Nii-sama, this is Tamura."

Mokuba caught up to me at school, at lunchtime, which was about the only time we'd been able to see each other recently. I thought he was introducing another student but when I looked up, I realized it was an adult. The man was well over six feet, broad shouldered and chiseled. He was dressed casually, in a polo shirt and khakis, but it took me only a moment to realize that he was Kaiba Security. There was something in their stance that gave them away.

I nodded politely. "Tamura. Please, both of you sit down. To what do I owe this honor?"

"Last week, Tamura was head of my security team. This week, he's on vacation. Next week, he'll start as the Security Beta." Our number two corporate security man.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, Kaiba-san."

I looked at Mokuba and waited. My brother grinned. "Tamura was head of the ground team in Hat Yai. And he took care of the 'clean up' afterward." I nodded that I understood. "Personally, I think he's sweet on Isis, but he won't admit it to me. Then again, anyone worth knowing loves her! But he's just the kind of man we want in the Security office."

I thought about it, wishing I could read Mokuba's mind. Father's top security people were loyal to Father. When I returned to KaibaCorp, I would need security that was loyal to me. Was that what he was trying to tell me?

"Did you enjoy your time on my brother's staff?" I asked.

The man smiled slightly. "Kaiba-san made my job a challenge occasionally."

That was a surprise; to my knowledge, Mokuba had never given anyone a moment's worth of trouble. "Really? You must tell me more when we have more time to speak." He nodded. "Are you looking forward to your new position?"

He glanced at Mokuba. "It is a promotion."

It was a rather vague answer. "Not everyone is ambitious. Would you prefer to stay on my brother's team?"

He smiled thinly. "In that all of Kaiba is one, I am still on your brother's team."

"I'm glad you feel that way. I prize my brother's welfare above my own."

He glanced at Mokuba again. "That is good to know."

I looked at Mokuba too. "Is there a purpose to this interview or shall he and I avoid any relevant subjects for another…" I looked at my watch, "…fifteen minutes?"

Mokuba laughed and looked at his watch. "Three minutes! You're learning patience big brother!" I glowered at him and he managed to restrain himself. "We need a man in security we can trust. I'd prefer the post myself -"

"Out of the question." I stated flatly at the same time Tamura did.

"But since the two of you think alike," Mokuba went on, "Tamura may be a better fit."

"I see." Since when does Mokuba care about KaibaCorp staff decisions?

My brother smiled. "Well, Tamura?"

The security man shrugged. "I may have been mistaken."

Could Mokuba be plotting something against me?

He laughed at my expression. "Nii-sama! Always!"

"Excuse me?"

"I am Always with you!" He brought himself to a controlled chuckle. "When Father called Tamura yesterday, Tamura called me. Tell Seto why, Tamura."

The man hesitated then came to some personal decision. "I do not like Kaiba-sama, but I...appreciate your younger brother." Appreciate? "The internal politics of Kaiba Security would make it difficult for me to turn down this position, but I would find it...distasteful to report daily to Konosuke-san."

I could understand that; I could hardly tolerate the man for tea. If I were able to pull off a coup, Father's team would ultimately need to be replaced. If this man were loyal to Mokuba - and my brother truly loyal to me - it would go a long way toward insuring my future success. No coup can seize the power of the government without the military's support. "But you would be willing to do so?"

"To protect Kaiba-san, yes. I am, of course, presuming that Kaiba-san will eventually take his rightful place as KaibaCorp's Vice President."

My jaw dropped for a moment. Mokuba? VP? I looked at my younger brother who had spent most of our lives avoiding anything to do with KaibaCorp business.

He shrugged. "I don't have any other career plans."

"This seems rather sudden."

"Yeah, it kind of is. I hadn't really thought much about the future until I realized that you and Dad are never going to compromise. I don't want to watch you fight forever. I thought maybe if I was in the office with you, I could keep the peace between you. Help ease the gap between you." I couldn't help smiling and he laughed at himself. "I guess that's a little naïve?"

"No. Not at all." I replied. 'No wonder everyone loves him', I thought. "And, yes, Operations is the correct place for you. When I return, I plan to do some restructuring. New things are coming, some old things are going."

"I don't suppose one of those new things is an amusement park?" He asked hopefully. I frowned. I had wanted KaibaLand to be a surprise. "Oh, I guess I should have outgrown things like that."

"I hope not." I answered. "It would make the time planning it a terrible waste. I was just hoping to surprise you."

"Really?" His eyes actually lit up as I nodded. "Really?!"

"Yes, Mokuba." I laughed. "I really intend to build KaibaLand. I even found our original drawing to work from."

"Yes!" He turned to Tamura. "You see? I told you, Seto is nothing like my Father. I promise you, his security force will have none of the corruption you're worried about - and if you find it, we will kill it."

Tamura nodded and turned to me. "There are some serious internal breaches between the weapons divisions and some of the security divisions. Mexico, Turkey, the US and Russia all have unspoken reports of merchandise that simply goes missing occasionally. Konosuke is aware of the problem and has an investigation underway."

"And you don't believe that is sufficient?" I asked.

"I don't believe it's real. My sources tell me that Konosuke is perfectly aware of where the missing merchandise is."

"Your sources?"

He glanced at Mokuba. "I worked in several security details before taking the position with Kaiba-san. I have made a number of friends. We stay in touch."

Mokuba smiled back at Tamura and the look set off a red flag for me. "Tamura, exactly what sort of relationship do you have with my brother?"

He looked confused. "I work for him."

"And that's all you do?"

Before Tamura could determine my meaning, Mokuba guessed it. "Nii-sama! We're not lovers if that's what you're implying."

"Lovers!" Tamura sputtered. "Are you mad? What kind of man do you think I am?"

"Tamura, calm down." Mokuba verbally stepped between us. "If you must know, Nii-sama, I did actually make a pass at him a couple months ago. Not only did he turn me down - brutally, I might add - he told Isis about it and she promptly grounded me."

I looked at Tamura and he still seemed somewhat offended. "You seem to have a great deal of affection for Mokuba."

He looked away and sighed heavily. "I do." He paused and then continued. "The wealthy always forget the second son. Moke-san is far more capable than your father - or you - give him credit for being."

The bell for class rang and all three of us looked toward the school building.

"The 31st?" I asked

"Set." Mokuba replied. "Proxies have been mailed."

Belief and faith hold the house together. Doubt blows it apart. "Tamura, if your sources cannot follow the merchandise, see if they can follow the funds. Konosuke has undoubtedly left an audit trail unless Shuzo is working with him. Let 'Moke-san' know as soon as you can. Have Morio leave me a message."

"I'll see what I can find." He nodded. "Gentlemen." He turned and headed for the school's parking lot.

Mokuba sighed. "He can hit a falling leaf at 100 yards. With a pistol."

"Never sleep with your staff." I said.

He grinned at me. "My 'staff' seem to be the only ones I'm attracted to. Did I tell you about the new girl? She's Turkish - that how we found out the Turkish office was on the list - she collects rifles. She has a special permit but she has to keep the collection in storage. We went to the training range and she -"

"We really must talk more often, Mokuba." I said chuckling. "I think there are some things you've neglected to tell me."

He blushed and grinned. "Maybe a few." He perked up almost immediately. "Hey, are you going to keep the dragon roller coasters?"

"Of course. What's an amusement park without a roller coaster?" I picked up my books and we both headed to class.

"You know what we should add? Those new computerized rides - what do they call them? Indoor trains? You know, where the cars are on an indoor track but there's like a whole hologram all around you? We could have virtual duels where the riders are the cards and have to duel each other as dragons and stuff!"

I thought about it. I knew the type of ride he meant. I'd have to convert the existing holographic technology to 4-dimensional playing field; 5-dimensions as timing would be a serious consideration. I'd have to be careful about directing the time and relative dimension in space.

"Nii-Sama?"

"Sorry. Considering the idea. I think we could do that."

"Really? Cool!" He stopped. "Nii-sama." He bowed deeply which was both surprising and embarrassing. "Thank you. You are the best brother anyone could ever have."

If we had been almost anywhere else I would have hugged him, but at school there were too many strangers around us. "If I am, it is only because I am your brother."

We stood there, awkwardly looking at each other for a moment until Mokuba grinned and launched himself at me. "This is gonna ROCK!"

A few passing students teased us, but I determined that I could handle that.

The second bell rang and we managed to part ways. I went to my first class of the afternoon almost looking forward to the future.

My classmates were looking toward the final exams, less than a month away.

"Hey Kaiba," Suzuki waved me over to a group of students pouring over a desk. "You get this stuff."

I joined them and was dismayed that, although I knew the subject - Calculus V - I did not know the solutions for the problems at hand. "I am familiar with this. What seems to be the issue?" I asked, hoping they wouldn't ask me for any answers.

"It looks like artwork to me." Takahashi lamented. "Who's free tomorrow? I'm screwed tonight." Several others agreed that tomorrow was good for them. "What about you, Kaiba?"

"Free for what?"

"Group study at my place. We need at least one smart guy." Takahashi said and the others laughed. In this particular class, everyone qualified as 'smart'.

I was scheduled to work. But I was fairly confident that if I did not find extra study time myself, I would quite probably manage to fail a test for the first time in my life. "I may not be of much use. I have to work tomorrow evening, but I'll see if I can change my schedule." I went back to my seat and opened my textbook. Nothing looked familiar; I also noticed that I had skipped the last two homework assignments.

It was a long afternoon.

When I got to the store, Miko-chan and I arranged my schedule so I'd have some flexibility for the rest of the school semester. KimKim needed some extra hours and was happy to cover for me as needed.

The study group met on Thursday evening after school. Honda wasn't in the class so I attend the group alone. At the start of the evening, I expected a formal session spent concentrating on the material. Instead, it was more like a group of guys hanging out to play video games. For a while, I tried to stay focused on the class work - and Takahashi and I did eventually work through the entire chapter - but at some point, they started playing KG video games and I still had a professional interest in that.

"Hey Kaiba!" Someone yelled as Takahashi and I were starting the next section. "What's the trick to level six of Dragon's Deep?"

I winced. "There is no point in playing if you are simply going to cheat."

"There's no point in playing if you can never win." Someone else pointed out.

"Yeah, I stopped playing that one a month ago." Suzuki commented. "The graphics are awesome, but I can't get past level four."

A discussion ensued and the boy playing the game stopped trying to solve the puzzles and opted to simply explore the level. We all watched over his shoulder. They did like the graphics and the few monsters we encountered were dispatched with just enough challenge. But I noticed that several of the secrets were passed because the clues were too subtle. For some of the doors, the controller switched players because only one person in the group knew the 'trick'. They were right; the game was less fun.

"Stop there." I said abruptly. "On the wall, to the left. See that blue gem? Press it." A panel slid open. "If one of the gems on the sword hilt is glowing check the wall for a matching gem." That trick none of them knew. I passed on a few more tips. When we returned to the final room, I took the controller and painstakingly unlocked the trap that unloosed the demon. Then I opened the secret panel in the demon's lair that held the blessed weapon. It took two tries, but I finally killed the bloody thing and moved to level seven.

The guys cheered.

"How long did it take you to figure that out?"

"Too long." I sighed. "But that is my job. Well, was my job."

"Your job is to play video games?" I nodded. "Sweet!"

"Not always." I pointed to the video screen as I handed the controller to someone else. "That game cost two-point-six million in research and development. Another million and a half went into production. But no KG game goes to market until I give the final approval." I sighed again, actually somewhat ashamed. "And I could not get off level four. We lost an estimated ten million in sales because I couldn't finish the game before November." They all looked stunned. "Playing the games is fun, usually. But knowing what's at stake behind them, that's not so fun. My Father took that ten million out of my pocket."

"Dude, you just torpedoed my dream job!" Someone threw a handful of popcorn at me.

I laughed. "Video game tester? I tell you what, you beat my score and I'll hire you myself."

"What was your score?"

"999,999. I opened every door, found every secret, killed every monster and obtained every piece of treasure. It took me weeks."

"How many were there?" someone asked. I shrugged; I stopped counting after the first day. "How the hell did you do it?"

I did it because Father locked me in my office until I completed the game. Meals were delivered to me and I was lucky enough to be in an office suite with a private lavatory.

"I am Kaiba." I said with a shrug.

Directly after school the next day, I caught the commuter train heading to Tokyo. I had a long walk even after the bus from the train station. It was early evening when I arrived in a well-manicured, well-heeled upper-middle class neighborhood. There were mostly single-family homes lining the streets here. What few apartments there were, were much nicer than Honda's. I was envious for almost a minute before I realized how absurd the thought was of me being jealous of anyone.

There was a car parked in the driveway - his wife's I guessed - and an 8-year-old girl playing near it. I opened the gate and sat down on the front walkway. There was chalk and a few pictures drawn and I studied them.

"Hello." The girl said looking at me oddly.

"Hello." I replied. "You must be Ashiko." She nodded. "Is your father home yet?" She shook her head. "I'll just wait here, then. Did you draw these?" She nodded again. "They are very good. I like this one. Is that your puppy?"

She shook her head. "Mommy's allergic."

"Oh, yes, I had forgotten. Your mommy's allergic to all kinds of animals." She, like most young children, was too trusting. "While we wait for your father to come home, would you like to play a game?"

She did look at me suspiciously then. "What kind of game?"

I laughed. "And easy one. Do you know how to play Go?"

She didn't. Rather surprising since her father taught me. "I'll show you. The rules are very easy. I will draw us a board, you go get some rocks from over there - some white ones and some of the red ones." I drew a board big enough for her to get the feel for the game and she gathered several handfuls of rocks from the garden and sat beside me. I explained the rules, which she understood easily and we began playing.

Almost immediately, she realized that the game was not as simple as it sounded. We played for ten minutes before I was able to box her in and remove a stone. Then I let her box me in. I had expanded the board so we could play a bit longer when a car pulled into the driveway.

Chikuzen Oka got out without closing the door. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing with my daughter?"

"Daddy!" Ashiko sprang into her father's arms. "He's teaching me to play Go."

"She's quite good." I said. "I'm surprised you haven't taught her yourself."

"What I teach my daughter is none of your concern. Who the hell are you?"

"Has it been that long?" I said feigning hurt.

It did take a minute and I had to lift my hair out of my eyes as well. "Kaiba Seto?" He kissed his child and set her down gently. "Go and tell Mommy that we have a guest for dinner." He waited until she'd gone in the house. "That answers who you are, but not why you are here."

"Sitting in your office playing Go is one of my few happy memories growing up. Why haven't you taught her?"

"She's a bit young for complex strategy."

"Children are never as young as we hope they are. And they learn things from us that we never intended to teach. Mokuba from me, Ashiko from you, me from my Father." I looked down at the Go board. "She's very bright. Notice that she has only lost one stone."

"You took it easy on her."

I nodded. "As you did with me. She could not learn if I simply overwhelmed her. Nor would she want to learn. There is no motivation to continue when there is no hope of winning."

"And you have hope of winning."

"It's the only reason I continue to play."

He looked at me. The front door opened and a woman's voice called out. "Oka?" His wife joined us. "Welcome, Kaiba-san. It's been so long since I've seen you I hardly recognized you. Will you join us for dinner tonight?"

"Yes, many people say they don't know me these days." I agreed. "But I have hopes that my friends still know me."

"Are we friends?" Chikuzen asked, doubtful.

"I think the difference between friends and enemies is that, with friends we remember the games we play fondly. With our enemies, there are no friendly games." I turned to his wife. "Thank you for your hospitality but I cannot stay. Others are expecting me tonight." I bowed to them both. Then I bowed to Ashiko. "Perhaps we will be able to play again another time. May I call you my friend?" I asked her.

"Yes!" She said grinning. "Friends!"

"Good bye, my friend."

"Good bye." We both bowed again and I grinned at her Father. "Children are remarkable, aren't they?"

He frowned. "Good bye, Kaiba-san."

"See you soon, Chikuzen." His frowned deepened as I opened his front gate and walked away.

It was a frustrating rush back to the train station made more irritating by the fact that I missed the 7pm train and had to wait for the 9pm. Two hours in a commuter train station must be the 11th circle of hell. I spent my time waiting reading the newspaper. It hadn't occurred to me just how out of touch I was without my staff gathering data for me constantly. The sheer volume of information available was staggering. I wasn't keeping up with even a small portion on my own. Yet, I honestly didn't know the names of the staff members in my Information Management department. Another group that I did not appreciate enough while I had them.

I had left my bike at the train station so I didn't need anyone to meet me there, but I sorely missed the days of having my car pick me up so the I could read, write or - frequently - sleep on my way to where I needed to be next. When I was with Joey, we could neck.

I stopped that line of thought. Joey was over. There was nothing to think about. Never mind that he still frequented my dreams. Pharaoh was my lover now. And quite a lover he was. It seemed neither of us could get enough of each other. Sex with Pharaoh made me simply crave more sex with him, like a drug.

I had originally intended to go straight home, but instead I found myself turning toward the business district and to the small plaza where Kame Game Shop was; Pharaoh used the apartment above the shop.

I could see there was a light on in the apartment, but I would have banged on the door even if there wasn't. He wouldn't mind my waking him now. Not to satisfy this need.

It took Pharaoh a minute to get to the door. When he opened it, he was shirtless with only a pair of loose black pants. His tri-colored hair framed his face in a way that reminded me again of Joey. I brushed the thought aside; Joey was over.

"You're rather late, Prince." His chest was smooth and golden where Joey's was scared and usually pale. His fair skin tended to burn rather than tan.

I grabbed Pharaoh by the back of the neck and pulled his mouth to mine. We kissed hungrily, vying for dominance as I pushed him back against the open door.

"We can't stay here." He managed to gasp. "We promised Grandpa." Mutou-sama had received numerous complaints the time we didn't manage to close the door and had fucked in the open doorway.

"Fuck Grandpa." I pushed my hand inside the back of his pants, happy to find bare skin.

"Maybe another night." Pharaoh chuckled. "I don't think he'd mind." He slipped away from me and hurried up the stairs. I hurried behind him.

I concentrated my attention on his body and my need. Sometimes I needed that; I needed a release. I needed to control the moment, feel him under me and know that he was mine. Pharaoh hadn't complained so I gathered he wasn't averse to being taken so forcefully on occasion.

"You were thinking about him today, weren't you?" Pharaoh asked me later, after the need was gone and we were lying together looking out the window.

"Thinking about who?" I asked. "I wasn't thinking about anyone but you."

"Joey." He replied. "You were thinking about Joey today."

"I wasn't thinking about anyone." I snapped. I rolled over on top of Pharaoh. "I think you think too much. Maybe I should give you something new to think about."

"In truth I don't mind you thinking about him." Pharaoh continued, ignoring me. "You're more aggressive when you do. But it does mean that you are not thinking about me."

"Trust me; I'm definitely thinking of you right now." I leaned down and bit his nipple softly.

He moaned. "Roll over and let me show you whom I'm thinking of."

"I'd rather stay right where I am, thank you." It never took either of us long to recover and recharge. I began rubbing myself against him. "Who are you thinking of, Pharaoh? Yugi?" It hadn't taken long to discover that Mutou and Pharaoh had occasionally satisfied each other.

"You, Priest. Only of you."

I stopped rubbing and hissed in his ear. "Don't call me that!" I hated it when he brought up his 'past life' delusions.

"But you are my Priest." He prodded, provoking me to anger. He spoke in Egyptian and held me tightly atop himself when I tried to pull away.

"Stop!" I fought him off and sat heavily on the floor beside the bed. I was panting. My eyes were watering. "Bastard! Why must you do that?"

"Why must you deny who you are?"

"Because I am not some reborn priest! I'm not what you think I am! I'm not!" I found myself shaking. I pulled my knees up and put my head down.

And of all the questions I could have asked myself at that moment, the one that was loudest in my head was 'why did he do that to me?' I tried to push the question aside. Joey was over.

"My poor Prince." I heard Pharaoh sit down next to me, felt him stroke my hair like I was some frightened child. "I gave up divinity to share mortality at your side. Joey divides us. And his hold on your heart prevents you from accepting the truth. You must let him go."

"I have." I told us both. "I have."

"You have not." He stated matter-of-factly. "Be honest with yourself if not with me."

"He betrayed me!" I tried to get my emotions back under control but I was having little success. I refused to shed tears for one who could not have possibly shed them for me.

"Hearts are seldom wise in their choices."

"I refuse!" I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths. "I refuse to care about anyone who could betray me."

"Then let him go." Pharaoh insisted. He turned my face toward his. "Be with me, Seto. Only with me."

He kissed me softly and pushed my hands back when I tried to grab him. I understood what he wanted then. Slower, softer. Less aggressive, more shared. I didn't want to think about Joey, but even as Pharaoh lay me down and mounted me, I was picturing Joey's grimace of pleasure. Even as Pharaoh coaxed me to orgasm, I was hearing Joey's voice. And when he finished and we were both breathless and satisfied, it was Joey I was wishing was in my arms.

I pushed those thoughts away. Joey. Was. Over.

I got up early, went home, showered, dressed and spent about an hour on homework before Honda and I left for school together. I tried to always spend the morning with Honda because he seemed to need consistency.

Actually, I was beginning to worry about him. He seemed distracted often and his normally positive disposition was more and more frequently clouded. Clearly there was an issue preoccupying him, but he hadn't felt the need to discuss it. I was reluctant to invade his privacy. Honda was not shy; if he had something he wished to discuss with me, he would do so.

Once we got to school, I tracked down Mutou. "Would you be willing to do me a favor?"

"Of course!"

The key detail to all resources, whether you are discussing equipment, cards or people, is to know what they can do, both primary and secondary abilities. A tool that is used to lock may also be used to open. Honda-sama told me that I needed to listen more.

I was taking his advice.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Mutou and I took the commuter train into the city. I was already beginning to understand Gorou's issues with the system. Our train was virtually empty; the one leaving the city was packed like sardines. I wondered, as we watched it go past, if there was money to be made in opening a competing transit system. I added it to the list of ideas for a new KaibaCorp.

I had other plans for today.

"Kaiba-boy! What an unexpected delight it is to see you!" Maximillion Pegasus greeted Mutou and I with nothing but smiles. "Yugi-boy, you didn't tell me you were bringing a guest; I'd have put out the good silver."

"He didn't tell you because I asked him not to." I said, regretting the decision to come already.

Coming to Pegasus was a choice that usually ranked after ritual suicide in my opinion. But I had to consider the realistic possibility that I could fail in my bid to assume at least temporary control of KaibaCorp. If that happened, and Father did not kill me - literally - I might find it necessary to find a real source of income. Currently, I didn't have the resources to build or design as I'd like, but there was an easy way to obtain both equipment and funding.

Offer my services to one of KaibaCorp's competitors.

I considered H&K or GenDyn but, honestly, I wanted to move away from weapon design. I kept both companies as secondary choices; Father would be furious if I were to work for one of them. There were a number of smaller industries I could have considered, but I wasn't interested in them enough to make any real efforts. The Gaming industry was my passion and it was where I personally had the most contacts and could find the best options.

Industrial Illusions, Doma, Konami, Schroeder Corp. I had spent a half of my life trying to put them out of business, trying to one-up their CEO's and trying to prove that I was cleverer than they. Now, I was forced to swallow my pride and sell myself to the highest bidder. For me, it felt more like prostitution than any quid-pro-quo sex act could.

'If' my plans failed. I reminded myself again that I had every chance of success. That sitting here, whoring myself to Pegasus was only a precaution and not a necessity.

"I wanted to surprise you." I added.

"Well, you certainly did that, Kaiba-boy! You certainly did that." He moved toward his office bar. "I have a few sodas, I think - although I won't mention serving martinis all around if you won't."

"Actually, if we could, I'd like to come straight to business." I tried to remain friendly but focused. "Mutou is still in school so I would not want to abuse his homework time."

"Or your own," Pegasus added pointedly. "Very well! To brass tacks it is. Please, sit!" He took his own plush chair behind the desk and waved Yugi and I to the not-as-plush guest chairs in front. "How may I be of assistance to the unbelievable Kaiba Seto?"

I took a breath and handed him a binder. He opened it and then looked at me. "What is this?"

"My CV and portfolio," I said. Oddly, I was nervous. In truth, I have never had to apply for a real job, never had to interview for a position. I did not realize how unnerving it was to be on other side of the desk.

"Unbelievable." Pegasus sat back and looked at me. "Are you applying for a job?"

"I am…assessing my skills and their value in the market."

He closed the portfolio. "What did Dartz offer you?"

"I have not spoken with him." I had no intention of ever speaking to that irritating man. "Yet."

"Von Schroeder?" I shook my head. "Four hundred million for the first three years, 30 percent ownership rights for two years, stock options and whatever benefits package you want. I think we have insurance, vacation, some kind of retirement."

Mutou gasped at the offer but I was not impressed. I knew I2's books almost as well as I knew KaibaGames'. "Eight hundred million, two years, 60 percent, ten years."

Pegasus laughed. "Should I just give you the keys and stand back? Really, Kaiba-boy; pretend we're friends."

He might have had a point, I conceded. "50 percent."

"Five years." He counter offered.

That was the useful market life of most game devices anyway. "Agreed. In writing."

"Unbelievable! And what will your start date be?"

"Leave it open ended."

He laughed again. "Oh really, Kaiba! I must say you are just too much!" He gave me his business card - the one with his private phone line. "Have them call me. I'd rather negotiate than have one of those e-bay bidding wars." I took the card but when I reached for the binder he pulled it out of my reach. "HR records. My personnel manager gets quite snippy if I don't keep interview notes."

I tried to keep the snarl off my face; but I would have done the same if the situation had been reversed. Smug bastard.

There were few pleasantries after that and Mutou and I were able to make our exit shortly after. We missed the 7pm commuter train, but waiting with Mutou was marginally better than waiting alone.

"Ok." Mutou said once we had tickets and I had a newspaper. "What the hell was that?"

"Contract negotiation. Surely you've been to one before."

"Nothing even close."

"Which part confused you?"

He snickered. "Everything after 'sit down'."

"When you and Mai...."

"Just Mai." He interjected. "If it involves money, she makes me sit in the corner."

"Wise woman." I had to smile. "I need to be able to demonstrate to the Kaiba Boards that it is a foolish decision to risk my working for another company. One part of that is -"

"Oh! Can you get a better salary offer somewhere else!"

I nodded. "Pegasus offered me four hundred million yen a year for three years plus 30 percent ownership of any new technologies that I develop while working for him for two years."

"But he didn't even look at your portfolio!"

"No. He offered it based on my reputation alone."

"OK. I'm impressed. Four hundred million. Wow."

"I'm worth more." I remarked. "I counter-offered eight hundred million a year for two years and ten years for 60 percent ownership rights."

"More money, but less time?"

"I am willing to bet that he will make considerably more than that if I work with him."

"Wow. So when will he counter-offer - no, wait - you asked him to put it in writing? But what was the final deal?"

"Eight hundred million a year for two years, but only 50 percent ownership and only for five years."

"Wow." Mutou said again. "So when do you start?"

"I don't. This was just an offer. I can use it as leverage against KaibaCorp or I can see if one of the other gaming companies will give me a better deal."

"A better deal? Kaiba-kun, how much better could it get?"

"Well someone might offer me full ownership of my creations and license use of them from me."

"Oh." That idea clearly hadn't occurred to Mutou.

"They might offer a few perks like use of a corporate jet or a corporate condo in Bangkok. Things like that."

Mutou snickered. "I thought I was pretty well off when Grandpa used to let me have a couple free booster packs."

"I rather assumed Pegasus would do that much." I said opening the paper. "No free cards is, of course, a deal breaker."

Mutou looked stunned for a moment and then broke into peals of laughter. "You had me there for a second!" I tried to keep an impassive expression. "Even you wouldn't turn down eight hundred million yen over a booster pack!"

"Dueling is very important to me." I said, pretending to read.

"But...but...but...."

"There is a principle at stake."

"You...you...oh you lying snake!" He hit my shoulder - which surprised me; Mutou had never been quite that relaxed with me before. "You would not!"

A smile crept through despite my attempts to hide it. "Well, perhaps not over a booster pack."

"Yeah! Perhaps not." He grinned.

I put the paper down. "It is a very good deal if I am forced to take it."

"Forced?"

"My intention is still to return to my original position."

"Oh." He sounded a little disappointed.

"You would prefer something else?"

"Well, no. Not really. It's just that I've gotten a chance to know you better and, I guess, I'm just realizing that whatever happens, we won't see much of each other. I mean the whole Kaiba Posse. You'll be going back to Domino, me and Mai will be traveling all the time, Honda's going out to sea, and -"

"What?"

He stopped and looked confused. "Which?"

"What do you mean 'Honda is going out to sea'?"

"Oh! Yeah. He hasn't made it final yet, but well you know. University is expensive and Honda-san doesn't have much if Hiro can't get a scholarship."

Honda never mentioned his plans to me. In fact, it never occurred to me that he was considering plans for after graduation. I never asked; I just presumed that Honda, Yugi, Pharaoh, all of them would be wherever I was. If they could not arrange things on their own, I would just suit them to meet my needs as always. But if I was not successful in returning to KaibaCorp, I was going to need my own plans for after graduation.

"Kaiba-kun? Are you ok?" Yugi asked, apparently concerned.

"Yes. Of course." I pulled away from my thoughts, vowing to myself to speak to Honda as soon as I returned home. "He never mentioned these plans to me."

"Oh well, we all know you have a lot on your mind. I'm sure he didn't want to burden you with it."

'But that's what friends do.' I almost said aloud. "I'm sure." I replied. My wrist alarm went off. It was time to implement part two of tonight's plans. "May I borrow your phone?"

"Sure." Mutou was a little confused as he could see my phone, but he handed his over.

I dialed one of the few phone numbers that I had bothered to commit to memory. The line rang for a little more than a full minute - a virtual record given how long it normally takes to get his attention after his assistant left for the day. Eventually, it was answered.

"Soichiro." The voice was rough from years of smoking.

"Hard light." I said without preamble.

"Science fantasy."

It was almost a game for us. Soichiro Ita was KaibaCorp's VP of Research and Development. Officially, he was charged with developing the next generation of weapons, but most of the time, he left that to his staff while he explored theories largely culled from sci-fi movies he'd seen as a child. Much of his work was a waste of corporate funds. Three of his breakthroughs, however, had patents worth half a billion US each. He had been my tutor for all of my technical engineering work.

If I had a friend at KaibaCorp, it was Soichiro.

"Theoretically possible."

"How?"

"You'll hate yourself when I tell you. Believe it or not, a salesman in a hardware store pointed out the obvious to me. Once I realized the true issue, the solution was simple."

"How?"

"I'll tell my employer."

"Funny." He sighed. "I'll go talk to Kaiba-sama. He'll let you come back to work on this."

"I have a job offer from Industrial Illusions." He laughed. When his laughter ebbed, I added, "Eight hundred million for two years."

"What's Konami's counter offer?" He hooted.

"I have an interview there tomorrow. I'll let you know."

"Yeah? What time?"

"As soon as I can get to their offices after school. They understand I cannot be there during the normal work day for now but.…"

"Wait - are you serious?"

"Of course."

His mirth vanished. "Seto, don't be irrational here. Let me talk to your Father. Innovations like this should not be mishandled. You know that."

"I would rather be an employee of another firm than subject to my Father's capricious whims. If the board backs me, then I will see you in the development lab. If not, I make you different offer."

"What's that?"

"Come with me."

He was silent long enough for me to wonder if the call had dropped.

"He'll never let me leave, Seto. I'd be a dead man fifteen minutes after I walked into I2."

"That is true for both of us."

"Look, you don't have anyone depending on you, kid. I've got a wife, kids. I can't just quit and let the chips fall."

"Then stay."

"Seto, you and I have been working on Hard Light since the day you walked in here! You can't just tell me you solved it then take it to someone else!"

"I don't want to. I've been anxiously waiting to return since I realized where we had gone wrong."

"Where?"

"No hints. There is a board meeting scheduled for the 31st."

"Is there?"

"You should have received notice by now."

"I might have. There's some crap on my desk Yoshi's been bugging me to read."

I had to smile. Yoshi had possibly the hardest job at KaibaCorp. "A good assistant is hard to find. You should thank him for putting up with you."

"Who the hell are you and what did you do with Seto?"

"Let's say, I've developed an appreciation for the salary man. Especially useful as I may soon become one."

"Did you seriously talk to I²?"

"I may not have a family to support, but I do have to pay rent. Goodbye Soichiro." I hung up and handed the phone to Mutou. It rang almost immediately. "Don't answer that. If anyone asks, you lost your phone for an hour or so."

"Your life is just amazing." He said as he put the phone away. "You're like one of those spies in the movies."

"Why do you say that?"

"Secret meetings, mysterious phone calls. They don't usually travel on commuter rail," he laughed, "but they're always charming, rich, sexy…."

"Sexy?" He blushed. "You think I'm sexy?"

"It's not like that. I mean, uh…."

I had to laugh. "I'm not offended, Mutou, just surprised. I thought you were straight." Apart from Pharaoh, of course.

"Oh, I am. I mean, mostly. I love Mai and she's great in bed." He grinned even as his face turned red. "She can do the most amazing things with her tongue -"

"Thank you!" I cut him off. "I hardly think your wife would appreciate you telling me her more intimate skills."

"No." He leered at me. "She'd rather show you herself." He laughed at my expression.

Then I realized that he had gotten me. "Funny, Mutou. For a moment, you got me. I almost believed that."

"Oh. Yeah. Funny." He said. "Where was I? Oh right! Yeah, I always had a kind of thing for you. I think I got it from Yami. He's loved you forever. That's why I'm sort of sad about Joey and sort of not. I mean I know you cared about him, but I know how much you and Yami mean to each other. I mean, talk about a love through time!"

"Enough!" I snapped at him. "There is no 'love through time'; that is at best part of Pharaoh's delusions. We are lovers and that is all, I assure you."

"Then why do you call him 'Pharaoh'?"

I didn't have an answer for that. I pulled out my newspaper and began reading again. I ignored Mutou for the rest of the trip.

When we arrived at our station, Mutou pulled out his phone and called his wife. "Hi, we're here. Are you? Oh. No, honey, that's fine. I can wait." It became apparent to me that it would be some time before she could pick him up.

My bike was a few feet in front of us. He would never ask for a ride. But, as a friend, I was obliged to offer one. I sighed and then found myself chuckling. Maybe he'd get a thrill from holding me. "Tell her I'll bring you home."

"What? Hold on. Kaiba-kun, I don't mind waiting."

"I thought you might enjoy it." I tried to keep a straight face. "I'm sexy."

He laughed uproariously. "Mai-heart? Kaiba-kun's going to give me a lift." He gave me a sidelong look. "I might even talk him into giving me a ride. Nothing, sweetie. I'll tell you when I get home. You'll laugh. I love you, Mai-heart." He blew a kiss through the phone and hung up. "She worries too much." He sighed, grinning.

"I'm sure." I led the way to my bike, annoyed. They were so disgustingly, syrupy in love it was revolting to watch. Pharaoh and I never had conversations like that. Only Joey had ever made me say that honey/sweetie/darling kind of foolish…. Joey. Was. Over. Damn it. "Hold on." I snapped as I sat down." Mutou put his arms around me and I started the engine.

It was a thirty-minute trip to Mutou's new home, during which my jealousy faded. Every time I sped up, Mutou's grip tightened. I made a few tight turns just to spook him and by the time we arrived at his home, he was clinging to my back firmly.

Joey used to hold me like that. Then we'd go home and…. Joey. Was. Over! DAMN IT!

I rode home before Mutou could invite me in. Honda was home, studying.

"When are you leaving?" I asked with no preamble.

He looked up, frowned, and then sighed. "Probably the week after next. Dad should be home Wednesday and Thursday and I'll leave with him Friday morning."

"That's before school ends."

"Yeah. Headmaster's letting me take my exams before I go."

"You'll miss graduation." I reminded him.

"If we stay on schedule, I'll be back that weekend. The Captain said he'd stay in dock an extra day so Dad and I can go."

"If the boat stays on schedule." The whole idea was insane. "You could at least wait until after graduation."

"One of the other guys is quitting. The slot's open now."

"I'm sure you could find a slot somewhere."

"No, I can't. And I need a job."

"Then why didn't you ask me!" I snapped.

"I didn't want to bother you."

"I thought you said that's what friends do."

He hesitated. "Just because you were Joey's friend doesn't mean you have to be mine. I know we're not -" he stopped. "I mean, it's not as if you tell me anything going on in your life."

"The things going on in my life are dangerous!" I huffed. "I don't want you being interrogated again."

"But you don't care about Yugi."

"Frankly, no." Although on reflection, the thought did bother me a bit. "Yugi has direct access to Pegasus. I needed that; I used that."

"And you don't need anything from me."

"Honda-" I paused to gather my thoughts. "Hiroto, until I met you I did not know what friendship was. That is the only thing I need from you. That is the only thing I will take from you and it is the only debt I do not know how to repay in kind."

I expected him to respond, but I did not expect the bear hug I received. "Seto, you're something else! I love you, man!

"You're creasing my shirt." I said rather than deal with the sudden influx of emotions I was feeling. "If you want to hold me in your arms and discuss your love for me, perhaps we should move to the bedroom?"

"Not like that, Seto! I didn't…." He dropped me rather abruptly. "You sonova-! Agh! You know what I meant."

Yes, I did.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

For a week, my life was more or less stable. As much as I disliked Honda's plans for employment, they had no real bearing on my own. When I wasn't at school, my time was split between the store, study groups and Pharaoh. My dreams about Joey eased - largely because I began spending my nights with Pharaoh often enough that I finally had to leave a change of clothes with him.

The girls were overjoyed and insisted that it qualified as 'Almost Living Together'. They advised - or more accurately 'instructed' - me on which clothing and personal effects should be at Pharaoh's and which should not. They seemed to be enjoying the relationship more than I was.

I wasn't enjoying much of anything.

I had friends - Honda, Mutou, Takahashai, Suzuki - and I had a lover. School would end soon, the arbitration would be decided any day now, and for better or worse, my future plans were in motion. Yet I was finding less to be joyful about as each day passed. It was infuriating.

The only thing more frustrating was my inability to contact Shuzo Otaki, KaibaCorp's CFO.

Four executives formed the second the tier of KaibaCorp's control. Through them, my Father controlled his entire empire. There was a fifth man - Father's Executive Assistant, Kogoro - who controlled access to Father. Mokuba and I had always referred to the group as the 'KC Big Five' and tended to treat them as Father did, like one unit.

But if I intended to convince them to vote against Father's decision and allow me back into the corporate fold now, I had to appeal to them as individuals. I had drawn on my own experience for the first three, but I had not spent much time with Shuzo. Accounting was a discipline that I had no interest in. I understood financial statements well enough to recognize the bottom line and know if the numbers added up. In my view, one hires a competent accountant, fixes him to an ironclad contract, and sues him to death if he defrauds you. I was much more interested in the technical side.

All of which simply meant that Shuzo's vote in my favor was key to my future success. And I couldn't find the bastard.

I couldn't call his office directly without leaving a trace. If Father was currently suspicious of me - and I had to proceed under the assumption that he was - the Big Five's phone and e-mail records were being reviewed daily. Their home numbers were also undoubtedly under surveillance. My wolf had tried to make an appointment, but he was told that Shuzo-san was not available. His home address was an apartment three blocks from the KaibaCorp headquarters. Security could watch it from the comfort of their own offices. He was not married, had no children and did very little that didn't involve KaibaCorp. A year ago, his life would have seemed quite normal - even ideal - to me. Now it sounded lonely and empty.

According to Yamada's investigator, Shuzo's only outside interest was fitness. He jogged early in the morning, weight lifted at lunch, and had a yoga class in the evenings.

"Perhaps your friend Otogi-san knows his instructor." Yamada suggested.

"Why would he know the instructor?" I asked, baffled by the suggestion and impressed by Yamada's research.

"He teaches Yoga as well. And he has several clients in Tokyo. Domino is close enough to overlap."

"That's worth a try." I said and hung up to call Otogi. "I need your assistance," I said when he answered.

"Why hello Kaiba; my goodness it's been ages since we've spoken." He replied. "I hardly recognized your voice."

"Yes, it has been some time. I need your assistance."

"So, how have you been?" He asked, ignoring my repeated statement.

"I don't have time for idle chat."

"Then I don't have time to help you."

"You don't know what I need. I have a proposition that may work out well for you."

"Tough! I don't take that kind of rudeness from my business associates either. Dungeon Dice is not for sale and especially not to you. Bye!"

"Wait!" I yelled before he could hang up.

"Yes?" He drawled.

I would never understand what Ryou saw in this man. True he was sexy, but a ripped chest and tight ass could be found anywhere. Especially for someone like Ryou. I sighed. "I haven't seen you since Mutou's engagement party." This would be pointless and boring. "What have you been up to?"

"Oh, you know." He said lightly. "Same old same old. How are you doing? Still seeing that yummy little Yami?"

"Yes. How is Ryou?"

"I wouldn't know. He hasn't had a weekend off in months."

"Oh." But that gave me my opening. "Perhaps I could help with that. Do you still teach yoga?"

"Yes. Since when do you care about that?"

"I started doing yoga during my recovery. I'd like to continue, but more, I think I'd like to expand the classes for KaibaCorp employees - when I return to the company, of course."

"Look, my game sales got a boost when you left. Why in the hell would I want you to go back? Happy little KaibaCorp employees don't help me at all."

"Yes, but since I don't want to sleep with Ryou…."

"Bullshit."

I amended. "I don't want to end your relationship."

"That, I'll believe."

"If I'm Ryou's supervisor again, then I'll want him focused on the job, not worrying about his love life. He'd be required to see you. And if you teach the class at KaibaCorp, you'd be practically living with him." Another thought struck me. "And, if you help me now, I'll lease you office space in any KaibaCorp building - at cost - and we'll carry Dungeon Dice products when we open KaibaGames retail."

He seemed to think about it for a moment. "You know, that really is one hell of an offer. It really is. So when I tell you to go fuck yourself, I want you to know that I understand how big a deal this is."

"I don't understand." I truly didn't.

"I don't want Ryou to see me because he's required to. I want him to see me because he loves me and he wants to see me. I'd rather not see him at all than see him because you pay him to see me. Is that it? Do you think that because people are paid to tolerate you that everyone has to be paid to spend time with friends?"

"I'm sorry if I've offended you." Something went very wrong in this conversation, but I had no clue what. "I need your assistance and I simply wanted to compensate you for your time and effort. I thought -"

"You thought you could buy me to do something sleazy?"

"I was hoping you had some information!" I snapped. "I don't know what you think I was proposing, but I assure you I am only interested in your professional skills."

"Fine! What?"

"Someone teaches a yoga class in the KaibaCorp building weekday evenings. Do you know who?"

"Sato Aya."

I sat there with my mouth open until he called my name. Did he actually know this or was he pulling the name out of thin air. "Are you sure?"

"Well, of course! I sub for her when she can't teach."

"You…sub? At KaibaCorp?"

"Not often. Sato's very reliable. Just occasionally. They honestly don't care so long as the class starts on time. So what did you want to harass her about?"

"I need to reach one of the students." I said, still a bit stunned. 'You never know who has useful information,' I reminded myself. "He's an executive named Shuzo Otaki."

"Big bruiser type? I know him. He doesn't look it, but he's very graceful. Not my type, but no accounting for taste."

"Can you get me into that class?"

"Well," he sighed, "oh alright! I promised Ryou I'd help you if I could. Oh, and by the way, has anybody told you what a dick you were to him? He offers to console you about the guy you dumped him for after he dumped you and you not only assume all he wanted was sex, but tell him you don't care about him on top of that? That was an awful thing to say and you're an asshole for saying it! Look I hate to tell you this, but not everyone wants to tap your skinny little ass."

"Ryou and I have some history."

"And that's all you have. If I ever catch you sniffing around my man, Kaiba, I don't care who you are, I will beat you like a drum."

I didn't actually credit the threat, but I appreciated the sentiment behind it. "I will keep that in mind."

"You do that. Hang on; let me call Sato." He switched lines and I pondered the conversation. I understood that Otogi wanted Ryou's attention for his own sake, but his anger over my reinforcement baffled me. Just as Joey's initial response to my trust. It was as if both of them placed more value on belief than on proof. It was completely irrational, but that seemed to be the case.

Faith and belief again. Relationships keep coming back to faith and belief. Smoke and mirrors. I don't believe in magic. I can't. It's not real.

"Kaiba?" Otogi picked up the line again, mirth lightening his voice. "Sato will actually let me teach it tonight. She says Shuzo is always asking about me anyway so it'll get his heart rate up."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't tell me you didn't know! Shuzo as queer as they come."

"Are you sure?" I thought about the man. I'd sat across from him in hundreds of meetings. I'd never got even the vaguest hint of homosexuality from any of my Father's close associates. "I've known the man for years."

"I'm like that comedian, Buddy Cole - if you're gay and our eyes meet, honey, message received." He chuckled to himself. "Ok, so do you want to meet me there - oh, right, you don't have a car. I'll swing by and pick you up. Wear something you can move in."

"Why?"

"Well, I'm not wasting my time over all this. You can tell him whatever you need after class. And if you're going, I'm not going to let you just hang around. And you're paying the 100 yen for the class, too. You can owe me until payday. I'll be there in 20; be ready." He hung up.

It was not the information I expected or a situation I would prefer, but I could not waste the opportunity. I changed clothes.

Recently, I had taken to doing tai chi forms in the morning and yoga before bed, both in the nude. My schedule had been disrupted some by my new sleeping arrangements and it was easier not to worry about workout clothes, but I found I had a loose pair of pants and serviceable shirt. I let Honda know where I was going and was waiting at the front door when Otogi arrived.

His eyes swept over me as I got in the passenger seat. "Well that will get his attention!"

"What will?"

He laughed as he pulled into traffic. "Oh my God! Ryou was right; you really are clueless, aren't you?"

I looked at myself. The pants were lightweight, white, but not translucent. The shirt was from the store - a light blue cotton t-shirt that was fit but not tight. "Is there something I'm missing about my appearance?"

"You mean other than your outfit screaming 'someone please take me to bed'? All you need is to mess up the hair and add a cigarette."

I looked at myself again. "There's nothing sexual about the way I look now."

"Ok." Otogi snickered.

The ride to the city was long but not unbearable. For most of it Otogi left me to my own thoughts. I knew nothing about Shuzo; convincing him to side with me would be difficult. I could offer to buy out his stock. Once the settlement was resolved, I should have funds available to buy out two of the Big Five if need be. More than that and I would have a problem. I was depending on...on faith and belief. Faith that these men would behave as they always had. Belief that they trusted my word more than they trusted my Father's. If there was such a thing as magic in the universe, then I was attempting the ultimate binding spell.

I smiled to myself. Real life was remarkably similar to dueling.

"Wakey-wakey sleepy head!" Otogi shook me and I woke with that sudden feeling of realizing you were asleep and knowing you shouldn't have been. "Relax, we're here and right on time." He got out of the car and, after a minute to focus, so did I.

He'd parked in the garage and we took the front elevator to the lobby level. I remember as a child getting excited to come in through the lobby because everyone always made such a fuss when Father and I arrived for a formal event together. Ordinarily, our driver took us directly to the back entrance and we took the high-speed elevator directly to the penthouse. There was no fuss when Otogi and I stepped into the glass and steel lobby but I still felt a tinge of excitement as I realized that, technically, I wasn't supposed to be in the building.

I grabbed Otogi's arm and pulled him back. "Until we leave, call me Tak."

He looked at me confused and then seemed to catch on. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Come on, Tak. I don't need to be late." He walked up to the security desk and pulled out his ID. "Hi. I'm here to teach the yoga class on the 4th floor." The guard glanced at the ID, then at the man himself and handed him the visitor logbook to sign. A second guard printed a visitor nametag.

My wallet was in my pocket, but it suddenly occurred to me that I didn't have any ID I could use.

"Well, come on Tak." Otogi called. "Let's go." I frowned and he came over to me. "Problem?"

"I've never had to go through security. I forgot I needed ID."

He laughed loudly making me even more nervous. "Oh you silly thing." He pulled me over to the guard's desk. "I have a small problem, guys. My, um, cousin forgot his ID. He's going to sit in on my class tonight and then he's going to stay with me for a little while."

The guards snickered. "Cousin, huh?"

"We're very close." He said. He looked at me then blew me a kiss, which was only slightly mortifying. The guards laughed outright as they printed another visitor pass. "Here, Tak-chan, sign the book." I felt my face burning as I approached the desk and took the pen. Otogi tousled my hair and whispered in my ear, "Sign it 'Yamada Taro' and they won't even look twice." Then he rubbed his face in my hair. "You have to tell me what shampoo you use, Tak-chan, I love that smell!"

He was right; the guards were too busy laughing at Otogi's antics and my embarrassment to care what I wrote down. They handed me the pass and chortled when Otogi patted my butt on the way to the elevator. When the doors closed he sighed. "Thank God you can act. I wasn't sure we'd get away with that."

"You humiliated me like that for no reason?" I nearly burst.

"Oh relax! Sometimes security is paying attention, but at this hour they're usually not. A pretty boy like you, with a man as fem as me? Please! They're taking bets right now on whether I'm bending you over already. Or the other way around. And believe me, no one recognizes you with all this hair!" He pulled a strand gently as the doors opened and then led the way to the room used for the class.

A dozen women were standing or sitting, waiting for the instructor. A few of them greeted Otogi by name as he started passing out mats and apologizing for Sato's absence.

Shuzo was in the back of the room, mat already in place, stretching. He wore a gi with a black belt and was bare foot. He appraised me and dismissed me in the same glance - which gave me ample time to appraise him.

He was a hulk. One usually pictures accountants as small, thin bird-like people but Shuzo was a bear. Easily six feet and more than twice my width, he was physically imposing and had always maintained the same unpleasant demeanor my Father had.

Otogi was right; his movements were surprisingly fluid. I found myself watching him throughout the class and more than once Otogi had to call me to keep my eyes 'front'. I wasn't attracted to Shuzo so much as I was fascinated by the strength of his body. He was nothing like either Joey or Pharaoh.

It was almost a relief when the class ended. Except that I realized that I still had no idea how I was going to approach the man.

He saved me the trouble by approaching me. "Tak?"

"Oh!" I was surprised and looked down, hoping he hadn't recognized me. "Shuzo-sama."

"You do work here." He said in a warmer baritone than I remembered him having. "I thought I recognized you. You seemed to have trouble with some of the forms. You are not strong enough."

"Yes, sir." I kept my head down. Would he have spoken to me that way if he knew who I was?

"Have you ever lifted weights?"

"No, sir."

"Come with me." He ordered. "The staff gym is closed, but I have access to the executive facilities. We won't be disturbed at this hour."

I risked looked up at him. He was smiling slyly at me.

I nearly laughed out loud. I had not considered simple blackmail as a method of coercion, but if he wanted to provide collateral, I would be happy to accept it. I looked away again, shyly I hoped. "I arrived with Otogi-san. Would I be here late?"

"If you are, I will have a car take you wherever you need to go."

"It can't be too late," I said just to seal his fate, "I have school in the morning."

"Then I think this evening will be educational."

'For one of us at least.' I thought. "Excuse me." I said and hurried over to Otogi. "I should have trusted your instincts. He wants me to stay with him." I told him quietly. "He wants to show me how to lift weights."

"And you want to stay?" I nodded. "You're kidding, right? What do I tell Ryou when you vanish into the night, never to be seen again?"

"You tell him I was an unappreciative little bitch." I said with a small smile.

Otogi rolled his eyes. "I tell him that already." He cleared his throat and spoke loudly. "But Tak-chan, I thought you wanted to stay with me tonight."

"I don't plan to keep him for long." Shuzo interjected smoothly. He crossed the room and joined us. "An hour. Or so."

"In an hour I'll be halfway home." Otogi complained.

"Then it's settled. You can be on your way. I will show Tak the proper positions and when I'm finished, I'll have a company car bring him home."

Otogi looked genuinely angry. "And I'm supposed to be ok with that? You 'position' him and then send him to me when you're done?" I started to speak, but he cut me off. "Don't. I know when I'm not wanted. Honda told me you were no good." He picked up his bag and stomped out of the room.

I looked away, at the floor, mostly to control the urge to laugh hysterically.

Shuzo made a disapproving sound. "Come." He ordered.

We went up to the 30th floor. The gym was small, but well equipped.

"Let's test you first. Sit here." He indicated a bench with an array of weights around it. We spent some time as I pulled or pressed, sometimes with my arms, sometimes my legs. Occasionally he'd stand over me to adjust something. Allegedly.

Mostly it gave me an opportunity to honestly admire his chest - when he took his shirt off - and catch his musky body scent.

I hadn't had a mindless, meaningless fuck in what seemed like years. Shuzo was older than any lover I'd ever had but arguably in the best physical condition. I was curious which of those details would matter most.

"You're stronger than I thought." He said finally.

"I was distracted in class." I had yet to meet his eyes. "I was not looking at sensei."

"Who were you looking at?"

I diverted my eyes again. "It's a little warm in here."

He moved away from me to the door, and locked it. "Now we won't be disturbed." He pulled off his pants revealing a rather frank pair of briefs. "There is no point to being shy now."

I stood and removed my shirt and pants. He studied my body for a few minutes. Then he began caressing me. "Good muscle tone. Healthy skin." Unexpectedly, he kissed me. "Soft lips."

"Shuzo-sama...." I whispered only half in character.

"Otaki." He corrected me.

"Otaki," I whispered. "I haven't…." I paused and he completed the sentence in his own mind.

"I'll show you. Don't be afraid."

"Oh, I'm not." I replied softly. "I just don't want anything to go wrong."

He smiled. For a moment he was almost handsome. "Trust me."

He was gentle. And slow. Strength turned out to be more important than age. Shuzo was large in every respect and I was not faking either my gasps of pain or my cries of pleasure. In truth, I couldn't be sure if what excited me was his skill as a lover or the knowledge that his career was over.

I told him I was still in school, he didn't ask my age. I implied that I was a virgin, he didn't ask my consent. He was under the impression that I was an employee and therefore he was in blatant violation of the 'no fraternization' policy. I was almost too excited when he 'lovingly' rolled over and let me fuck him. He didn't realize that it would be the first time, not the only.

When I was sated and he was finished, we lay together 'cuddling'. I picked up my shirt and cleaned myself of some of his residue.

"What are you doing?" He asked sharply.

"It's ok." I tittered. "It's only my shirt. See?" I used it to wipe my residue from him.

"You little imbecile!" He roared. "You can't tell my gi from your cheap rag?"

I held it up, shocked. "Oh no!"

He snatched it from me. "You little idiot! It's probably permanently stained."

I couldn't help letting a snicker escape. "Like I am? Permanently stained - by you?" He frowned and muttered something about children who think they are clever. "Let me keep it." I cooed. "As a memento." I peeled the shirt out of his hands. "It still smells like you. You can keep mine."

"What would I want with -"

"Keep it to remind you of me." I quickly picked it up and stroked his chest and abdomen with it. "You could keep it under your pillow and late at night, wrap it around your cock and pretend it's me stroking you. I'm very good with my hands." I pushed the shirt downward but he stopped me.

"I think it's time for you to go." He took my shirt. He found his pants, pulled out his cell phone and called his secretary to have a car pick him up at the back entrance. He ordered a second car to get me from the lobby. He opened a locker and tossed me what must have been one of his workout shirts; it was a dress on me. "Here. Put it on. You can keep them both." He put my shirt in his pocket.

His phone rang. He checked the number and pressed a button. "Let's go." He pulled me, very un-gently.

"Otaki…" I whimpered.

"DON'T!" he growled as he virtually smashed the elevator down button.

"Of course, Shuzo-sama. Forgive me." I looked at the floor and hugged my new prize tightly. "Will I see you again?"

"Why?" he asked, callous, cold. It occurred to me rather unpleasantly that in similar past scenes, I had been the callous one. "What department are you in?"

"I'm administrative." I demurred.

"How are you with numbers?"

"I'm better with my hands." I reached for him again but he grabbed my wrist. I exaggerated a squeal of surprise.

"I'm not going to transfer some moron to my staff just because he gives good head." He let my hand go. "Don't be stupid. Take a few accounting courses. If you pass any of them, put in an application to transfer to my department. We'll see then."

"Yes, Shuzo-sama." I oozed. "Thank you, Shuzo-sama."

The elevator stopped on the fourth floor. "You tell anyone about this and you will regret it. And if you try to use that shirt to blackmail me, I will bury you in it." I had every reason to believe him.

But I wasn't worried. "Oh no, Shuzo-sama. This is just for me. I promise."

He looked at me for another minute or so. "I know I've seen you." He leaned over and kissed me one last time, deeply. The elevator began to buzz as we blocked the doorway and he let me go, swearing. "Come up to my office tomorrow. I have a test I want you to take."

"Yes, Shuzo-sama." I said, bowing as the doors closed. I waited until the car began moving to stand straight again. "You're an asshole, Shuzo-sama." I couldn't help actually giggling. I fixed my expression to look properly humble as I passed the security desk.

The guard who took the visitor pass stopped me. "Didn't you come in with the yoga sensei?" I nodded and looked away, properly embarrassed. "So why are you still here?"

"Someone with an office on the 35th floor wanted to see me." I whimpered. "Please, don't ask me who. There's a car waiting for me." I pointed to the limo - at least Shuzo had some class - that was sitting out front. The guard looked at his partner who nodded and went out to the car. He spoke to the driver for a moment and then he returned.

"Accounting." He said.

The first guard looked enlightened and they let me leave.

The driver held the door for me but looked at me oddly as I got in the car. I told him the commuter train station when he asked where I wanted to go. "I can catch the 9pm train if you hurry."

"I could simply take you home." He said. "They said take you wherever you want to go."

"I live almost two hours out. The train will be fine."

"I don't mind, sir."

Something in his tone made me look more closely through the partition. "I'm no one special. Please don't feel you have to go out of your way for me."

"I would do the same for any guest of Kaiba-san's." He winced visibly. "I mean, of Shuzo-sama. His secretary called for the car so you were there to see him, right?"

"Why would I be seeing such an important man at this hour?"

He hesitated. "That's not my job to know, sir. My job is drive people from here to there. I don't mind taking you back to Chubu."

My jaw actually dropped. "How did you know…?" I looked at him more closely but he wasn't at all familiar. "You know me, don't you?"

He hesitated and looked at me in the rear view mirror. "Yes, sir. I doubt anyone else did, though."

"How did you?"

His shoulders slumped. "I've ferried you around for most of your life, sir."

"Stop the car!" I demanded.

"Sir?"

"Pull over NOW!" He stopped the car. "Get out." I ordered as I opened my own door.

"Sir?" He was confused but he obeyed.

I never noticed who drove my car. I was always much too concerned with anyone or anything else to notice the people who kept my life moving smoothly.

If Anzu and Honda had taught me nothing else, they taught me that the people around me are as just as important as I am.

Just not as monetarily valuable.

I studied the man, committing him to a card in my mental 'friend' deck. "What's your name?"

"Nakamura, Sir."

"Nakamura, as I'm sure you are aware, my Father and I are going through a difficult time. I am in the process of resolving that. If I am successful -"

"You will be." He stated simply.

I paused. "Really. And why do you believe that?"

"You've never failed before."

I had to smile. "Neither have you." He looked confused. "That, I would have noticed." He tried not to smile. I went on. "If I am successful, I will be returning to the office. When I do, I want you to make a decision. You may remain here, as my personal driver, for as long as you wish. I will be doubling your salary regardless." He started to protest but I stopped him. "It has come to my attention recently that I am a dick to work for. Higher salary is the least I can give you for putting up with someone like me. You may keep this job or, you may move to a position you feel better suited for. I have no idea how our transportation is arranged but if you have a better idea for running the department, tell me and we'll try it. If you'd like to retire, we can arrange that as well."

"You don't have to do that, Sir."

"No, I don't. I want to." I looked at my watch. "I'm afraid I do have to ask you to drive me home. And, Nakamura, I was never in the office this evening."

"Oh, no Sir. I snuck off early to give a friend of my son's a lift back to school."

We got back into the car - I got into the front passenger seat. He started to comment then stopped.

A memory struck me. "Ichiro was your son, wasn't he?"

Nakamura smiled. "Yes sir. He was about your age and I thought it might be good to have someone to call a friend."

We hated each other. He clearly resented me - only now did I realize why - and I found his presence irritating and disruptive.

He glanced at me and chuckled. "Well, you can't blame a father for trying. My parents used to do that too. There was this girl in my village; they thought I should have married her when we were six."

"You disagreed?"

"She had crossed eyes and buck teeth." He laughed. "Owns half the village now too."

"But not you."

"But not me. I left when I was 17. Wanted to see Tokyo. The only thing I knew how to do was drive. I got a job with your father and I've been here ever since."

I decided to triple his salary; no one should suffer through two Kaibas.

He talked most of the drive, mostly about his family and other similar drivel. I stopped genuinely listening and simply made the appropriate noises when he paused. I began to wonder how Pharaoh spent his evening. And reminded myself that I should call Otogi; I wasn't sure if he was truly concerned for my safety, but his assistance had been invaluable so some thanks were in order.

"Sir?" Nakamura gave my shoulder a slight shake. "We're almost there, sir. Did you want me to pull up out front or stop a block or so away?"

I woke up a bit bleary. "I'm sorry. I must have drifted off."

"Always do."

I looked at him. "I'm sorry?"

"You always fall asleep in cars. If the trip's longer than twenty minutes and no one's actually keeping you awake, you've always gone out like a light. It used to seem like the only way you got any sleep. Sometimes I'd take the long way to get somewhere just to give you a few minutes." I never realized it. I never noticed. I decided to quadruple his salary. "This is the place, isn't it?"

I looked out the window; we were parked in front of Honda' building. "Yes. You have quite a memory."

"Well, it's not as good as yours."

"When was the last time you were here?"

"Oh, must have been the first week of October. Wheeler-san decided to stay with you at your old place so you asked me to bring Honda-san home."

"Then I would say your memory's at least as good as mine."

"Thank you, Sir." He smiled warmly. "Forgive me for saying so, Sir, but I think this vacation has done you some good."

I nodded. "I think it has too. But I'm ready to go back."

"We're ready to have you back, Sir."

"Good night, Nakamura." I said getting out of the car. "Thank you for the ride. I intend to see you very soon."

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I went up. I still had an hour or so of study time before I needed to sleep. An odd odor struck me as I reached the door and I realized that I was wearing one of Shuzo's unwashed gym shirts. 'The man's ego knows no bounds' I laughed to myself as I opened the door.

"Hey, Kaiba!" Honda yelled out.

"You survived." Otogi unexpectedly added. "I was - Good lord! What are you wearing?"

"His shirt." I said, amused. I held up the gi. "The clean one, relatively speaking."

"Collecting new garments, Prince?" I had seen Yugi sitting with Honda, but somehow failed to notice Pharaoh sitting by the window. I crossed the room to him and leaned over for a kiss only to have him push me away. "You stink." He scowled.

"My evening has been quite athletic. I'll shower. Give me just a few moments." I went into the bathroom and started the water.

Moments after I stepped under the spray - Shuzo's odor was astoundingly strong - Honda stormed into the bathroom without even knocking.

"Are you really that callous or have you finally lost your damn mind?"

I looked at him; stunned by this new level of intrusion. "Were you not aware that I was bathing or is this some new method of seeing me nude?"

"Seriously. What the hell was that?"

"What was what?"

He gaped at me. I turned off the water and began drying myself. "Are you -? Are you serious? You walk in smelling like a whorehouse, waving one guy's shirt, wearing another and we're all supposed to just let it go? What's Yami supposed to think, dude? What the hell?"

"I see. So Joey can sleep with another man for fun, but if I complete a business transaction, somehow that's wrong." I wrapped the towel around my shoulders and began drying my hair.

"Huh?" Honda looked completely confused.

"You chastise me, but not Joey."

"Are you nuts?" Honda threw his hands up. "You think I didn't lay Joey out for screwing around on you? You think I still don't tell him he's a moron for losing you? And, Dude, that is so not the point. Joey's stupid; he fell hard for you and got all freaked out. He always does that as soon as he starts feeling like it's serious he goes and jumps on someone else. Only this time, I knew he'd regret it. But you, you're not stupid. I figured you wouldn't go jump on someone, not after Joey just did it to you. Especially not the way you and Yami go at it! Seriously, he is pissed off!"

"Fine! I'll go explain things to him." I started walk past Honda.

"OK, a) could you wrap that up and b) he's not here. He and Yugi left. Like I said, he's kind of seriously pissed off. And I can't really blame him."

I stepped into the living room - after wrapping the towel around my waist - to find it empty. I found my cell phone and called Pharaoh. He didn't answer. I hung up with a frustrated sigh.

"So what the hell?" Honda asked again.

"It was business." I couldn't help chuckling. "Shuzo actually tried to seduce me."

"Seduce you?"

"He thinks I'm some young office gopher - which is the very reason he shouldn't have considered even looking at me - but in his infinite wisdom, he decided to bed me and then threaten me if I exposed him."

"Oh shit!" Poor Honda looked horrified. "You were raped!?"

I laughed. "Certainly not; although he was stronger than I'm used to." Honda was looking more even more bewildered. "Shuzo will not want the sexual nature of our 'workout' revealed for a number of reasons. I am now assured of his vote in my favor, and when I terminate him without severance he will be unlikely to pursue the matter."

"Ok, I am so lost…. Did you sleep with another guy?"

"I had sex with someone other than Pharaoh, yes."

"So you cheated on him!"

"Certainly not!" The towel began slipping so I retied the knot. "This was business. There are no off-limits tactics. I assure you, if I thought a greater advantage could have been gained by buying him off, I would have done that. But it is always more successful to let the mouse build its own trap. He propositioned me. He set himself up. Hmmm. Actually, I could claim rape. He is considerably stronger than I am. It wouldn't have taken much for him to overpower me if I had let him."

"If you had let him?"

"I don't practice as I should, but I am a shodan in judo."

"So this was business."

"Yes."

"Like prostitution."

I sighed. "I dislike that characterization, but yes, I used my body to buy an advantage."

"And that's ok to you?" I shrugged. "Have you totally flipped?"

"I don't why this is an issue. I do whatever is necessary for the best outcome for KaibaCorp."

"And you think having sex with some guy just to get his votes is ok?"

"Frankly, this works out better than buying him out as I have limited funds and I don't know when I'll have access to them. If I could have slept with all of them it would have simplified the process." Honda's jaw dropped. "I assure you; it was not the first time I've used sex to ensure obedience."

"There is no way your father would condone..." Honda started, but my laughter stopped him.

"Condone? His suggested it! He is very much against homosexuality, but he has no problem using any advantage. He has sent virginal secretaries to the beds of cold-blooded executives with the instructions that they are to return to the office with a signed contract and a bloodstain. Using me as bait was nothing to him." He looked sick but I went on anyway; I didn't seem to be able to stop. "My first time - for KaibaCorp, not myself - was when I was 13. An English banker Father needed financing from was claiming that the company wasn't stable. It was completely a ploy for a bribe, of course. Father made it my job to get the loan when he caught the man staring at me once too often. When I asked my Father what I should do, he said, 'Take off your pants and close your eyes. When he's finished, hand him a pen.' I personally made six million off the resulting investments."

"Dude…" Honda was truly shaken and honestly I found myself little unsettled. I hadn't thought about that incident in a very long time. "That - that is the worst thing I have ever heard. Why do you want to go back there? Look," he crossed the room to me, "I know it's not glamorous or what you're used to but we can make space on the boat for one more. It's honest and it pays pretty well - well, for most people - and no one out there does crap like that to a kid!"

"Hiroto, I am going back there because I have given everything I am to that corporation and I will not allow my Father to steal that investment from me. I am going back because the only way all of that stops is if I stop it - my Father will never change the corporate culture. I'm going back for Mokuba; because what would stop my Father from using him the way he uses me if I did not acquiesce to his every demand?"

Honda stared at me for a long moment. I realized that the towel had slipped; I was shivering even though the room was warm. His expression was set. It was a look I'd never seen from him before - absolute resolve.

"That's it. I'm calling the cops."

"What?"

He grabbed the phone receiver, but I got his hand before he could dial. "Hey, I don't know if you knew this, but child abuse is illegal. This isn't some third world country!"

"You don't understand!" I tried to take the receiver from him, but he wouldn't let go. "That won't work! My Father plays golf with the Prime Minister. Half a dozen judges are in his chess club. The police won't even go to the house if he didn't make the call."

"lt's not right Seto! It's just not right."

"No one cares if it's right." I yanked the phone from his hand and slammed it back in its cradle. "And no one enforces child welfare. I was an orphan, Hiroto, believe me, my Father is not the worst." I smiled at the irony. "Besides, the Japanese criminal code does not consider it rape to have sex with a boy. I looked it up." I went back to finish my shower.

It had been a long time since I thought about the banker. That was largely the reason I was always content to leave Mokuba out of KaibaCorp business affairs. The English Banker, the Polish Arms Distributor, the Russian Government Official, the others. I stopped trying to remember them all. Undoubtedly, Ryou had a similar list of 'business contacts' that Father had asked him to attend to. They had all taught me a great deal about sex and tactics. As I got older, I even managed to enjoy myself occasionally.

I also learned how to negotiate and often replaced sexual congress with the threat of exposure. Who would believe those evil brutes against such an innocent face? And if they signed whatever Father wanted signed, he didn't care how I did it.

I was still shivering despite the warmth of the water. I turned up the hot as far as I could take and washed. It ran out before I finished and I had to rinse in icy cold. I dried off briskly. That gave me something real to shiver about.

When I left the bath, Honda was on the phone talking softly. He glanced at me and mouthed 'Yugi'. I rolled my eyes and went into the bedroom. I threw on a t-shirt and grabbed my calculus book. I studied until I found myself falling asleep. Honda finished his conversation and watched me.

If he had anything further to say, he didn't say it.

When we came home from school the next day, we could smell food cooking as we opened the door. "Dad!" Honda cried out happily. "You're early."

"We got lucky and meet our quota a day early," He replied with a grin and a hug for both of us. "I get an extra day with my boy. That's one of you, right? Don't tell me - I can figure this out. Wait! I remember. Mine doesn't eat much." He threw his arm around my shoulder. "Funny, you don't look like me, son."

"You dye your hair." I quipped, pointing to his almost-bald head. I pulled away from his grasp as they both laughed. Slipping into the bedroom, I took a deep breath. If Honda-sama was back, then Honda would be leaving in a few days. I'd have to do something about my living arrangements sooner than I thought. I found one of my few suitcases and began packing.

"Hey, Seto, where'd you - oh, here you are. Dinner's almost…." Honda voice trailed off. "What are you doing?"

"If you still intend to leave with your father, then I will need a new place to stay. I'm sure I can stay with Pharaoh for a few days."

"Not unless you've apologized." He reminded me. "Besides, why would you need a place to stay? Nobody will be here."

"I can't stay in your home." I said, still packing. "It would not be right."

"Hey Dad!" Honda yelled. "Do you want Seto to move out when we leave?"

"Who's gonna pick up the mail if he leaves?" His father yelled back. "You two gonna eat or is all this for me?"

Honda looked back at me. "Any more dumb ideas or are you convinced?"

There was no way I was going to abuse their goodwill. The daily rate for their apartment was roughly 1500 yen. By the time they return from sea, I'd either have KaibaCorp back or I'd be working for I2. Either way, I would be able to pay them. "Thank you, Honda."

We went to have dinner. After, Honda and I did the dishes. "So what will it take for you to apologize to Yami?"

"First, I need to have done something unintentional or that I regret having done."

"Or you could just be the bigger man and admit fault."

"Ah teen drama." Honda-sama sighed. "Catch me up. Any pretty girls involved?"

"A pretty boy," I offered. "Does that count?"

"You got bad luck with boys. Maybe you need to switch."

I laughed. "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. Most girls don't have any appeal to me." Although when I occasionally caught Miko-chan from just the right angle, I found my vague memories of her intriguing.

"Shame. You got no luck with boys; he got no luck with girls."

"Dad!"

"That Anzu call back yet?"

"Anzu is in a very difficult position right now." I answered for him. "She's not at liberty to call."

"Hey - how come you don't just date him?' Honda-sama pointed back and forth between Honda and I.

Honda gagged. "How about because I like girls?"

"I like my men a little less butch." I tried to keep a straight face and stared significantly at Honda-sama. "Although I have found a few interesting older men recently."

"That's so wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to start." Honda shook his head.

"Bah! You're not drunk enough to look at me." His father chuckled. "You better go make up with your boyfriend." He stood, yawned and stretched. "I'm too old to stay up all night with you two. Wake me when you leave for school."

We wished him a goodnight and finished the kitchen.

"Phone's right there." Honda pointed out helpfully.

"It was business."

"It was wrong, but don't tell me. Yami is just a phone call away." I spent the evening studying as Honda helpfully reminded me periodically that the phone was in easy reach and not in use.

There was, however, nothing to apologize for. The phone worked two ways; if Pharaoh wanted to discuss his insecurities, he could easily call me.

My dreams, however, were vivid. Pharaoh and Joey shared me but neither was satisfied. Over and over they used me and nothing I did was good enough. I woke gasping.

"Seto?" Honda was next to me, shaking me. "Dude, come on, wake up."

"He ok?" Honda-sama asked from the doorway.

"He's fine." I replied. Honda stopped shaking me and held me by my shoulders. "You can let go now."

"You're still shaking." He pointed out. "Are you sure you're ok? Is this about you know, that thing you told me yesterday?"

"lt's about nothing." I snapped and pushed him away. I got up and went to the bathroom. Honda was right; my hands were still shaking for no apparent reason. I could still hear Pharaoh and Joey laughing at me. Taunting me. It was only a dream, but in it I failed. 'Dreams are meaningless,' I told myself and breathed deeply until my hands were steady again.

Honda and his father were talking softly when I passed by his room. They stopped abruptly when the floorboard squeaked.

"Seto?" Honda-sama called out. "Come here, please." He sounded authoritative - almost fatherly.

I opened the door all the way. "Yes?"

"Do you want to try fishing for a while?"

I felt the bewilderment crease my brow. "Why on earth would I want to do that?"

"Do you mind keeping an eye on things for me here while Honda and I are both gone?"

"Of course not; it's the least l could do to repay you."

"Do you want to discuss what made you wake the whole house in the middle of the night?"

I felt my face flush. "No. A disturbing dream. It will pass."

"Like hell it will!" Honda scoffed. "You were practically crying!"

"Hiroto!" Honda-sama called him sharply. "Bed"

"But ..."

"Now." Much to my surprise, Honda made an irritated sound and stomped off to his room. "Seto, every man has the right to keep his own counsel, but if you want, I'm still a pretty good listener. OK?"

I did not wish to share my personal demons with anyone. But I did appreciate his offer and his discretion. "Thank you, sir."

He waved my thanks off. "It's a school night. You're only allowed to have good dreams." I had to smile.

"Yes sir; I'll keep that in mind."

The next morning, Honda went directly to the Headmaster's office to arrange his exams, leaving me the task of informing his friends of his eminent departure.

Mutou was, to my surprise, apparently the least affected. "OK. So then, it's tomorrow night at Grandpa's shop. Tell everyone to get there around 6pm. Mai should be back by then which is good; she'd be upset if she missed him."

"What am I telling everyone?"

"About Honda's surprise farewell party! I've been planning it ever since he told me he was going."

"Oh." I hadn't even considered a farewell event. "I see."

"Could you -" He hesitated. "Well, Yami plans to be there. I mean, he does sort of live there and…"

"And it would be simpler if I didn't attend since he refuses to be reasonable."

Mutou's eyes narrowed. "You are perfectly welcome to attend, if you want, but let's be clear. You are the one who made the mistake, you are the one who should apologize and you are the one who is wrong here, Kaiba." He took a breath. "I'm sorry, but you really hurt Yami and I have to be honest with you."

I raised a hand to stop him. "You need not go on. I have no intentions of disrupting an occasion I wasn't invited to."

He looked at me oddly. "Why wouldn't you be invited? Besides, I need you to stall Honda for a while and then bring him over when everyone gets there. It would be great if you and Yami made up, but when you think you're right, boy, are you stubborn!"

I had to smile. "I don't think I've ever been told off quite so good-naturedly."

He shrugged. "Just because I'm mad at you doesn't mean I'm not still your friend."

I had to consider that. "Honda will have a number of exams tomorrow." I told him after a moment. "I'm sure I can find a plausible reasons to delay him."

I headed to my next class before he could say anything else perplexing. If someone had hurt Mokuba the way I allegedly hurt Pharaoh, his brother would be attending his funeral by now. I certainly would not be inviting the offender to a gathering at Mokuba's home or calling the offender 'friend'.

And yet, I had no doubt that Mutou meant every word of his brief tirade. For no reason I could fathom, I suspected that he did consider me a friend - although I had done nothing to earn the title in months. Nor did I see any particular reason to do so. As Mutou himself pointed out, this living fiction would be ending shortly.

I found Mokuba at lunch and let him know about Honda's departure and the forthcoming party. I also told him what caused Pharaoh and my current 'falling out'.

He shrugged. "It's a perfectly reasonable tactic. I'd have done it."

I felt a chill. "Really?" I forced myself to keep an even tone. "And just when have you used such a tactic?"

He blushed. "Well I haven't had to yet. I just meant if I was there. It makes sense. If he was stupid enough to seduce you - hey, wait! I think that gym is wired into security!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! 30th floor, right? I got in trouble one time for messing with equipment when I was supposed to be doing homework and that's how they found me; the security cameras."

"I'm sure the tape has been erased by now."

He shook his head as he dialed his phone. "They keep the good stuff even if it's not technically security-related. Sex? In the executive gym?" He grinned. "My big brother, the porn star. Hi, is Tamura-san available? Tell him it's his son." He mouthed 'code' to me. "Hi Pop!" He listened for a moment. "Tamura, a friend of mine at school had a terrible thing happen to him in the executive gym last - when was it?"

"The day before yesterday."

"Tuesday. On Tuesday. Would you see if there is a security tape? My friend doesn't want to press charges, but he couldn't bear the shame of knowing there was a tape in existence. No; call me first. Thanks!" He hung up. "He thinks he might know the incident."

"How would he know it?"

Mokuba grinned again. "Nii-sama, even if they don't know who the participants are, it's a sex tape!"

"Oh dear God." I groaned as I realized that he was right. "This could be the most embarrassing event of my life."

"But you can still fire Shuzo over it." Mokuba snickered. "He's hard to miss on tape."

"I'm sure that will keep security from recognizing who he's with."

"They might not be looking too closely." He managed to get out.

"Mokuba, this is not funny!" I snapped.

"Yeah, actually, it is." He restrained himself somewhat. "The shame of it is that I can't tell anyone who my 'friend' is."

"If anyone finds out, I will hold you personally responsible."

"Not at soul, I promise. Well, maybe Tamura - he's seen you with your hair all wild so he might know straight off."

"I will never forgive you, brother, never."

"Just Tamura. I swear!" He stopped laughing and grinned. "Maybe I should have pictures printed for next week."

"Next week?" It caught me decidedly off guard. Final exam week and the critical board meeting at the same time. "Damn it. I need to move my exams."

"You haven't talked to Headmaster yet?"

"I feel like I've spoken to everyone."

"Don't worry; everything will be fine."

I took a deep breath. It had been a long time since I felt like everything was spiraling out of my control. I am Kaiba, I reminded myself. I can do this.

I stopped by the Headmaster's office before I left at the end of the day.

"I was wondering if you'd forgotten me, Kaiba-san." He smiled warmly. "When your brother told me you both were expected at a board meeting, I presumed you'd need to do some rescheduling." He handed me a form. "I had everything moved to the day of make-up exams. It means you'll have to do exams while your classmates are taking things easy."

"I am used to such things." I took the schedule. "Thank you, sir."

I went directly to the mall to work what might turn out to be my last shift. Miko-chan and Kim-Kim were both there, but ChouChou was in the country with her grandparents. I told the girls about Honda leaving and they both promised to come say goodbye.

I did not tell them that I might be leaving soon as well. It seemed, somehow, unkind.

It was a long busy shift and I was glad to get home when I finally did. Honda took a moment away from his studies to remind me that I could call Pharaoh at any time. I ignored him.

When I woke in the middle of the night again, I began to reconsider. The dreams had returned already, and in force. This time, Pharaoh and Joey were pleasing each other and I could only watch them. Each time one of them reached for me, I could not touch them. My hands passed through them like the virtual monsters I dueled.

I needed my wits about me over the coming days. I needed my head clear and I needed every moment of sleep I could steal and these erotic dreams were something I could ill afford. The solution was obvious - I needed a lover to keep my hormones at bay while I did real work. I was, at the moment however, short of options.

Joey was too far away. And out of the question, I sternly reminded myself. Pharaoh was possible, but I refused to compromise KaibaCorp for his ego. Honda was not interested. Yugi was interested, but married, which carried complications I didn't want; I doubted Mai would be as graceful as Miko-chan.

Who, to my surprise, I found myself considering. She had kept her promise and not breathed a word to anyone and what I remembered of that night was more tempting than I would have expected. But I needed a short-term release and she might become more committed to the relationship than I'd like. Plus one can never overestimate the threat of pregnancy with women. Mentally, I crossed her off the list.

Ryou was forbidden fruit, at least at the moment. Otogi would make for an interesting evening, but I doubted he was even remotely interested in me. Which, oddly, added to his appeal.

No one was currently suitable. I'd need to find someone else. It would only be for a few days. Just long enough to abate the dreams until Monday.

Monday.

A day that had seemed so far away was now threatening to overwhelm me. I got up and slipped into the kitchen for something to drink.

I sat in the living room window and looked out at the street. Joey and I used to sit in the window of my condo and plan our future together. Much better view. Much brighter future. Joey always started thoughts with 'if I'm still around' or 'if this gets serious'. I had assured him that I would become bored with him soon enough. But still I told him about the gardens at Kaiba Manor. How the cherry blossoms in the spring turn the entire view pink. How the Shinto shrine reflected in the koi pond. I told him that when he got married, I'd let him have the service there; he'd make a lovely bride. I had hoped at the time that I would be the groom.

Pharaoh and I sat on his roof and tried to see Egypt. We'd watch the stars and calculate where in the world their light was falling. I wasn't sure if I believed his impossible tale of ancient life and mystic death, but his mathematical ability rivaled my own and his knowledge of the ancient world was uncanny. It made me want his story to be true. It made me want to be Pharaoh's Priest.

But I was not Joey's Groom or Pharaoh's Priest and I never would be. These were fantasies, no more real than the dreams that plagued my sleep. Reality was that I was Kaiba. All that the name encompassed - the family, the corporation, the power and the isolation - made up who and what I was. I was never going to find one man to share my life with; my life would be shared with all that is Kaiba. The joy of true love was not in my deck and no booster pack would ever have it.

I laughed to myself. Maybe that was a new product. A deck for lovers. True Love. The Kiss. Faith. Belief. Jealousy. Denial. Pain. Powerful cards, some would say. Not me.

I am Kaiba.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I was really glad my Yugi-bear agreed to stay home this time.

I had four tournaments that I had registered to compete in as a duelist before our quickie wedding. I could have cancelled my registrations but Maxi and I both agreed that it was probably better if people still considered me a serious threat and a few solo duels here and there would help 'the Pegasus Pair' over all.

Especially this particular tournament - the Gyrl Power Duel. I've either won or place in the top five every year since they started the damn thing and I don't want anyone thinking that just because I got hitched, I've gone soft.

I very patiently explained to Yugi-bear that this was an all girl thing and if he tried to tag along, I'd pound him - and not in the good way. He took the hint and went back to studying for his finals.

The nice thing was that since this year's tournament was in New York, I could squeeze in a dinner with Joey, preferably without that sleaze ball he was hanging with. That guy totally set off my 'Danger Will Robinson' alarm.

As soon as I touched down - after I called hubby and told him I loved him, but that I was not going to call again until I checked out of the hotel - I called Joey.

"Mai! Where are you, chick?"

"Still in customs; too many morons in line, so I'm going to be a while."

"It's cool. We can wait."

"We?" I asked with a sinking feeling.

"Yeah, 'Tani came with."

"Wheeler!"

"What can I say? We hang kinda tight right now."

"He's a total loser, Wheeler. You know that, right?"

"Yeah." He laughed. "But he's hung like a horse."

I had to laugh. "Ok, that justifies a night, maybe two. But come on! It can't be that good!"

"Yeah - hang on." He muffled the phone for a minute and I moved up in line. "Sorry. 'Tani says hey."

"Tell him to go fuck himself."

"He'd enjoy it too much." Joey snickered.

We chatted until I got to the customs desk. I got through it as fast as possible - I'm here to duel, yes I've been here before, no I'm not staying long, no I'm not smuggling contraband in my makeup case. Then I found Joey and Asshole on the main concourse.

Yugi-bear was really good at acting like he liked people - mostly because he really did like almost everyone. So when my hubby said he didn't like you, there was something seriously wrong with you. Take it as a fact.

Yugi did not like Hirutani. Nuff said.

But we both liked Joey - even though I gave him hell most of the time. I really missed the whole group hanging out, but nothing lasts forever.

Anyway, I gave Joey a hug and a kiss from me and Yugi and took a couple pictures of him and me - not the dick-wad - and teased him about the way too short hair cut over an airport coffee.

"It was in my eyes, so I buzzed it." He grinned. "I thought it was slick, all military, you know?"

"You and Kaiba have totally swapped." I said, scrolling through my camera's memory. "Here. This is at the shop. That's him."

"It's past his shoulders!" He laughed. "What happened - his hairdresser go on strike?"

"Nobody knows! I think his girlfriends like it."

"Girlfriends?" Joey's face damn near turned white.

I had to laugh at him. "The girls he works with. They're so wet for him I'm shocked they don't swim around the store!"

"Oh." He said sheepishly.

"Gotcha." I teased. "So, you want to give me a lift to the hotel? The jet lag's catching up with me."

"Sure. Come on - you can see my new ride."

Which turned out to be a new, true blue, mustang convertible.

"Oh sweet!" I exclaimed when I saw it. "Yours? Seriously?"

"Gift from my employer." He pointed at Sleazy as he opened the door for me.

I stopped. "Is it hot?"

"What?" Dick-wad actually looked offended. "Bitch, chill!"

"'Tani!" Joey snapped.

"Hey, the skirt's been riding me since she got here." He reached in, pulled paperwork out of the glove box, and handed it to me. "There, happy?" It was the receipt, title and insurance. I handed it back without a comment and got in. I did feel better having seen it.

I told Joey which hotel and we made it there without being stopped by authorities. I promised to call him as soon as I knew what my schedule was going to look like and gave him another kiss. I frowned at the asshole, but at least said 'bye' this time.

There were too many people in line for the hotel registration, followed by too many people in line for the tournament registration, plus I had to go register for some special 'past champions' event where I supposed to speak or present or something.

Of course a ton of people asked to see the ring once I had my nametag on. And most of them asked where Yugi was - which was a stupid question at Gyrl Power. But I answered that and a bunch of others while I tried to make my way to my room. Once there I didn't even undress; I just dropped on the bed.

I hate sleeping alone. I totally get why poor Mokuba has nightmares and I had no hesitation about letting him sleep with Yugi-bear and me when we travel together. Yugi, I think, thought it was going to get freaky, but I have enough of an issue sleeping with a guy three years younger than me. I like 'em young, but at least close to legal!

No doubt, some of Yugi's friends were hot, but most of them were gay too. I thought Yugi was gay, actually, until I realized he was sprouting wood while we were dueling one time. He beat me mostly because I was trying too hard to figure out if it was me or the duel that was getting to him. After dinner, I put on something slinky and found where the Kaiba posse was hanging out. I bent over in front of him and asked him if he wanted a rematch the next day. He tried really hard to keep his eyes on mine, but every time he blinked his eyes went down then came up to meet mine. For the duel, I wore a top that showed side boob every time I pulled a card. He lost in his fastest defeat on record.

When he suggested I was cheating, I pointed out that I could accuse him of sexual harassment. He turned twelve shades of red. It was adorable. I told him he could make it up to me by taking me to dinner and the rest sort of fell into place. As much as anything else, I was thrilled that I'd never have to sleep alone again.

Except, of course, the occasional tournament alone. This whole thing was going to suck without my Yugi-bear, but I had to be independent. Just because I was Mutou Mai, I wasn't going to become a marshmallow like the rest of them. Besides, with the jet lag, I was pretty much guaranteed to sleep.

The next morning I had a 9am duel, which was way too close to the crack of dawn for my tastes. I won it pretty fast - mostly because, after spending too much free time dueling Yugi-bear and Yami, I have learned the art of the double-trap. Winning was a good thing because it gave me most of the rest of the day off to sleep.

The tournament was pretty standard, and without Yugi-bear, Yami or even Kaiba, pretty dull. I wound up placing Second after some American chick named Gardner and I had to have a sudden death face off. Those always come down to luck of the draw. We did some posturing and some posing and then I went to the Grand Champion discussion board - where Gardner was a spectator not a speaker - and told people what made me so great.

The Tournament wrapped up Monday afternoon, but my flight back wasn't until Wednesday morning. Which gave me a day to kill in New York. I called Joey as soon as the tournament people gave me my check.

"So where are you taking me to dinner tonight?" I asked him.

"How about Italian?"

"Someplace nice? I got a new dress I want to test before the spouse sees it."

"Yeah, I know a place and we'll go clubbing after."

"Cool with me." We arranged where to meet and when, and I wore my 'I'm still young and hot' dress.

Joey showed up - without Dickwad - looking pretty hot himself. I didn't like the buzz cut, but it did give him a kind of dark and dangerous look that was just a little tempting.

Not that Yugi-bear wouldn't approve, just he'd be upset that he missed out.

So we went to this place that looked right out of Scarface. People looked at us oddly as we were led to a table. Joey waved to a couple guys on staff and they settled back down.

"What, mob friends of Asshole?" I asked only half joking.

"Hey, keep your voice down, ok?" He pulled out my chair like a gentleman. "Just be cool."

The menu did not have prices. He told me to order what I wanted so I went with the surf and turf. If Joey was a little short, I had an Industrial Illusions credit card with me for emergencies.

Joey and I talked. "So how is, you know, everybody?"

"Same old, same old." I said shrugging. "We see a lot of Otogi these days. We're all on the same convention circuit now."

"Yeah? How's Honda? He and Anzu get back together?"

"Ok, you have to swear not to tell Honda this." I took a sip of wine and waited.

"Ok, I swear! What gives?"

"Me, Anzu and Isis talk a lot."

"Honda says she never calls."

"He's Kaiba's roommate; of course she can't call him. We're girlfriends. It's different. Anyway. I think Anzu's falling for someone else."

"No fucking way."

"Way! She won't tell us who, just that she works with him. At first she couldn't stand him, but she's gone out with him a lot. And he must be loaded because he took her to dinner at Aragawa twice."

"Is that place nice?"

I stared at him. "It's the most expensive restaurant in the world."

He chuckled. "So, outta Honda's price range."

"Hell, it's outta Kaiba's price range! I can't figure who this guy is, but he totally rocked her world, if you know what I'm saying."

He shook his head. "Honda's gonna be a wreck when he hears."

"Why do you think I won't let Yugi tell him?" A pair of well-dressed thugs headed toward us. One was tall and angular, the other shorter and box-y. I tipped my glass to point them out. "Friends of yours?"

Joey looked over his shoulder, wiped his mouth then stood up to meet them. "Cavallaro-san, Donnafugata-san. Uh, hey!"

He offered his hand and they both shook it. "I did not expect to see you this evening, Joseph, and certainly not with such a lovely young creature."

Joey actually blushed. "Yeah, well my girl wanted to go someplace nice and this is the nicest place I know."

"Thank you." The wide one said.

"This? This is your girlfriend?" The tall one pointed to me in shock.

"Well she's not my -" Joey stopped suddenly. "I mean, we've been apart for a while. Right, Honey?" His eyes pleaded with me to play along.

"Oh. Yeah." This was definitely a case of better to play along than get shot. "I live in Japan." I explained.

"Uh, here. Cavallaro Salvatore, Donnafugata Vince, meet Kujaku Mai."

I almost corrected him but stopped myself. Instead, I smiled and offered my hand.

Cavallaro laughed. "He still says it wrong, but he's a good kid." He took my hand and squeezed it gently. "How do you do, Miss Mai?"

"Fine. Thank you."

"Donnafugata-san owns this place." Joey said.

"Really? It's beautiful. And the food's great!"

"Thank you." He replied.

"What an extraordinary ring!" Cavallaro exclaimed holding my hand up for Donnafugata to see. "Vince, is that not exquisite?"

"Very pretty. Very pink."

"It's my engagement ring." I said without thinking.

"Engagement?" They both looked at Joey.

"You? And this lovely creature? Engaged?" Cavallaro sounded shocked and amazed. "You done good, kid." Then he looked at me. "You, my dear, could do better."

I had to laugh. "You don't always pick the one you fall for." For instance, I probably would not have picked Yugi-bear.

"True, very true." Donnafugata observed. "Louie! Champagne!" The waiter arrived with a bottle rather quickly. "This table is on the house. Consider it my engagement gift."

"Oh hey, Sir, you don't have to do that."

"Please! I would be remiss as a host if I did anything less." He spoke to the waiter in Italian; the waiter agreed and hurried off. Donnafugata turned back to us. "If you will pardon me?"

"Of course!" I said. "You must be very busy. Thank you."

"My pleasure." He took my hand, kissed it and then turned to Joey. "Joseph, when is the service?"

"Uh, we haven't set a date. This was kind of unexpected."

"Unexpected?"

I jumped in. "He means I got tired of waiting and asked him."

"I see." Cavallaro chuckled. "You are one of those no-nonsense take charge women, eh?"

"Yeah, something like that." I grinned at Joey and he blushed some more.

"You hold on to this one Joseph; the value of having a good woman at home can never be overestimated." Donnafugata turned to me. "I should be asking you when the festivities will be."

"I haven't set a date yet. I was hoping for June."

"Well when you do, contact me. We will cater for you. I'll give you a good deal."

"Really?" Actually, if he'd come to Tokyo, I'd consider it - dinner was fabulous. "Joey, we have to!"

He finally loosened up and laughed a bit. "What, I was going to argue with you? Every time we fight, she wins."

They laughed. "The women always do." Cavallaro observed.

Donnafugata excused himself, but Cavallaro looked pointedly at Joey until he got the hint. "Oh, hey won't you join us?"

"Just for a moment." He said and sat down. "I am very glad to see you my dear. We were afraid that his business partner had lead our young Joseph astray."

"Yeah, well Hirutani's an asshole."

"Mai!" Joey looked stricken.

Cavallaro looked like he was stunned to discover that I wasn't some delicate lotus blossom. Then he laughed loudly. "An honest woman." He slapped Joey on the back. "Your taste in women is better than your judgment of men, my friend. Hold on to this one." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "But if he doesn't, my card." He handed it to me and then stood up. "I'll leave you two love birds to finish your meal in peace. Goodnight."

I took Joey's hand lovingly and prodded the back of his hand gently with my nails. "Sweetheart, who was that?" I smiled so that no one watching us would suspect anything.

"Hey! Watch those claws! They're clients. They've got a contract with 'Tani."

"With or on?"

"Cute. With."

"What kind of contract does he have with the mob?"

"Hey, not all Italians are in the mafia!"

"True. Just the ones that buy guns wholesale for restaurants, you idiot!" I hissed at him. "Take me back to the hotel," I rolled my eyes, "Joseph."

"Fine!" He waved over the waiter who reiterated that Donnafugata was paying and expected us to stay for dessert.

It was pretty good; some chocolate-cream thing. But it didn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy about Donnafugata.

When we left the restaurant, we found Asshole sitting on the hood of Joey's car, smoking.

Joey pulled the cigarette from his mouth. "You said you'd quit."

"I lied." The jerk shrugged. "What are you doing here?"

"Having dinner." Joey replied. He unlocked the doors and waved us both in. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"We have a delivery."

"Tonight? Fuck!" Joey started the engine. "When?"

Asshole looked at his watch. "We need to be in Jersey in thirty."

"Are you shitting me?! Diesel, we cannot pick up and -"

"Relax, it's in the trunk. We just cruise over to the dock, drop off and you and the skirt can go fuck or whatever."

"Go fuck yourself, Asshole." I shot.

"Mai!" Joey glanced at me in the mirror. "Sorry. We don't always get a lot of notice. Do you mind?"

"I don't have much choice do I?"

"No." Douchebag answered. "We are not missing a drop. Here's the address, Wheeler."

Nobody talked much in the car.

We got to the location, which was a warehouse on the docks.

"Oh you are kidding me!" I couldn't hold back. "This isn't a cliché at all."

"Shut the fuck up." Asshole snapped. "Wait in the fucking car." He said as he got out.

"The hell!" I got out with them. "I'm not sitting out here alone."

"Mai," Joey looked torn. "He's probably right. It might be better if you stayed here."

"Yeah, and I also might look like a bargaining chip." Douche opened the trunk and I got a look at the KaibaCorp hardware stacked in it. "I thought you worked for them now."

He looked away for a couple seconds. "It's complicated, ok? Just trust me; I know what I'm doing. Just wait here. We'll be, like, ten minutes."

Asshole was loading guns into canvas bags. There was a stock of latex gloves conveniently in the trunk as well. I grabbed a pair of gloves, put them on, and then began loading a bag. "I do not get this, Joey. You said you loved him."

"Yeah, well, things change."

"Uh no! 'Things change' covers sleeping with his best friend or, I don't know, posting his journal on Facebook. Not gun running."

"I'm not….Look, just….I can't explain, just trust me. You have to trust me."

I glared at him and the three of us emptied the trunk.

Sleazy slammed the lid and shouldered two bags. "Come on. Party's this way."

Joey grabbed my arm and held me back. "Look, I know you think…. I know this doesn't look good but I swear to you, this isn't what you think it is. I wouldn't do that, not to - to - not to him. Me and Diesel go back a long way and -" He stopped and looked past me. "We'd better catch up. Come on. Just keep your mouth shut and play along."

It really was quick and easy. Almost. Four guys who looked like rejects from the Bob Marley look-a-like contest took the bags and gave Slimy two bags - one with cash, one with packages. He stuck a knife in one of the packs and sniffed the white powder.

"Oh shit! Yeah, that's good." He offered the next knife-full to Joey. "Wheeler, try it?"

He waved off. "I'm good, dude."

"You sure?" He looked at me. "What about you, chick?" I glared at him. "Fucking bitch." He muttered and turned back to his clients. "Ok. I'm good. We out."

"Yeah. Pleasure doing business with you." Rasta-boy said, giving Sleazy a fist bump.

"Same."

Joey grabbed the bag of cash and Asswipe grabbed the drugs and we headed back to the car. I was so mad I wanted to punch something, but I wasn't about to do it here where hiding my body would take less time doing than it would to say 'what do we do with her?'

We heard a car pull off and then silence. Douche opened the trunk and dropped his bag in.

Joey said, "Hey, how come -" and then dropped to the ground like he'd been shot.

Asshole reacted damn fast, I'll give him that. He was past me and at Joey's side in seconds. "Joey? Joey? Come on, dude! Not here! Fuck!" He slapped his face a couple times.

"What happened?" I tried to remain calm as Joey lay there looking dead. "What's wrong with him?"

"How the fuck would I know?" Asshole yelled. "He just started doing this a couple days ago. He just drops out."

Joey's eyes opened suddenly and he screamed. He sat up panting like he was in a panic for a moment before it all flushed out of his system. "Jesus fucking H Christ!" he swore.

"Joey, what happened?" I asked him. "Are you alright?" Then I mentally kicked myself for asking the world's stupidest question.

"Yeah," he answered, looking anything but 'all right'. "Yeah, I'm good. I just - it was - I'm good. I'm fine. Where -?" He looked around. "How long was I gone?"

"Like, a minute." Slimy told him. "You need to see somebody about this, Wheeler."

"I'm fine." He pushed us both aside and stood up. "It's not medical."

"Oh, right." I brushed the gravel off my dress. "Because people pass out for non-medical reasons all the time."

"What the fuck is it then?" Hirutani asked him. "I swear, you do that in the middle of a drop and I will fucking shoot you myself."

"Or I will." I added, for once agreeing with him.

"You're both overreacting." Joey got in the driver's seat. "I'm telling you I'm fine. I know what's happening and why. I'll deal with it. It's not -" He looked at both of us and frowned. "I don't want to discuss it. Let's just go. I need a fucking drink."

"I'm not riding with you!" I snapped. "Get in the back; I'll drive."

"What?"

"You passed out. Suppose you do that in traffic?"

"I won't."

"How do I know that? You won't tell me what it is."

He looked at me for a moment. "Get in the fucking car, Mai, or I will leave you here and tell Yugi I never saw you."

Asswipe was grinning, but Joey looked totally serious. I got in.

The trip back to the city was dead quiet.

He took me back to my hotel. I got out and marched in without a word to either of them.

Joey chased me into the lobby. "Mai! Mai wait!" He grabbed my arm and snatched me back. I stopped, but snatched my arm back.

"What?" I snapped.

"I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" I yelled. "You drag me around while you steal guns from the love of your life and sell them to foreign drug dealers. Then you have some mysterious medical condition that you won't talk about and you're sorry?"

"Jesus, Mai! Keep your voice down!"

I rolled my eyes; I was yelling in Japanese. I doubted anyone around us understood a word. But I did notice a couple hotel employees watching us.

"I can't believe you'd do this!" I snapped, but more quietly.

"I'm not, ok? It's not what you think."

"I think you're an asshole."

"Mai, look, I can't tell you everything now, ok? Just please, you have to trust me." He looked desperate. "And, please, please! You can't tell anybody. Tak'll try and get involved and Tut would just treat it like some damn game. And Yugi and Honda won't understand. So just don't involve any of them."

"I'm not going to tell them. But not because you asked. I don't give a fuck what you want, Wheeler." I was not only mad, I realized, I was hurt. "I'm not telling them because I don't want them to know what kind of a shit you really are. Kaiba would get over it, but Yugi and Honda love you. This would break their hearts."

"I know." He said sadly.

"Then why -" I stopped and threw up my hands. "You know, I don't even want to know. I don't know you. I don't want to know you. I am so over you. Goodbye Wheeler. Have a nice life." I turned and headed for the elevator. He didn't follow me.

I did cry for a few minutes when I got to my room, but once I got home, I was fine. I told everyone that I got to see Joey for like an hour and everything was same old, same old.

But I was so glad Yugi-bear didn't go with me.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

The next afternoon, I meet a thoroughly mentally exhausted Honda at the Headmaster's office.

"Honda, I'd like to have a word with both you and the Headmaster." I said in my best 'no argument ' voice.

"Now?" He groaned. "Kaiba - fine!" He went in and threw himself into the nearest chair. "What?"

Headmaster gave me an odd look and I let a small smile cross my face before turning sternly to Honda. "I do not see why you are being allowed to opt-out of the Sociology paper purely because you will be leaving school a paltry two weeks early."

"Oh I see." Headmaster frowned. "Yes, that is a serious lapse."

"WHAT!" Honda jumped up. "This is a joke, right? You want me to write a 20-page research paper, now? I'm leaving tomorrow!"

"I could do it." I asserted. Headmaster politely covered his mouth and coughed.

"Then you do it!" Honda shot back. "I thought you said the paper didn't matter?"

"That was before I knew other students were aware that you had a waiver."

"Oh come on! It's Kaiba! How many waivers has he gotten?"

"Kaiba's a special case."

"Oh please!"

"I do have a compromise." I offered.

"Do tell." Headmaster seemed to be enjoying this as much as I.

My phone buzzed which was the signal I was waiting for; Yugi was ready. "An essay, say 5-pages. Nothing he'd have to research but something that demonstrates a basic understanding of the concepts."

"An excellent suggestion, Kaiba-san." Headmaster nodded and opened his calender. "You could write that. We'll make the due date simply before graduation. You may e-mail it to me. What will your topic be?"

"How about the social ineptness of rich damned bastards?" Honda snarled.

"Perfect!" Headmaster began writing. "Socially inept, rich damned bastards. Kaiba-san? Your topic?"

"Mine?" I asked with a bit of a start.

"You did say that you could do this." He looked at me almost innocently. "It wouldn't be fair not to give you the assignment as well."

The longer I glared at him, the smugger his expression became. "I'll have to consider the subject." I said finally.

"I know!" He began writing. "What I learned in school. You understand, of course, that I mean about how people interact with one another. That, after all, is what you enrolled here to learn."

"Apparently, I may have missed a lesson." I griped. I pulled out my assignment book and added the essay to the list of assignment I managed to get pushed until after finals.

"There is only one lesson. People are only mostly predictable." He stood up. "Honda-san, I am sorry that you won't be continuing your education, but I wish you well in the future." He bowed to Honda quite deeply. "Kaiba-san, I'll see you Monday. Did you need me for anything else, or am I dismissed?" He smiled at his own joke.

"No, sir." I managed to be polite.

"Thank you, sir." Honda snapped, glared at me and left. I had to hurry a bit to catch him.

"Well, that didn't go as I expected." I sighed heavily.

"Yeah, well at least you got screwed too. What the hell are you trying to do to me, dude?" He yelled.

"I was hoping to..."

He cut me off. "You were hoping to stick your great, big, arrogant butt into somebody's business other than your own! Look, Kaiba." He stopped walking and actually poked me in the chest to emphasize his point. "It is my decision. I'm going. That's final. If you need to pry so much, why don't you pry into why you keep having nightmares? Or how about why you can't keep a boyfriend for a full semester. Oh, here's a good one - why not pry into why everyone hates the rich kid? I'll tell you, it's because he's a jerk!" He turned and stomped off.

Again, someone who claims to be my friend has no understanding of how I think. No consideration for how I feel. I started to let him go to his party on his own until I remembered that I was the one taking him to the affair that he didn't actually know about.

"Damn." I snarled to myself and went after him. I would drop him off at the store and be done with it.

I grabbed his shoulder to stop him when I finally caught up with him. He was almost past the student parking lot. "Honda, wait."

"What?" He snapped. He kept his face turned away from me.

"I'll give you a ride."

He pushed my hand away. "I don't want a ride, Kaiba. Thanks."

I grabbed him again. Honda is larger than I am but not considerably stronger. "I'd like to." Which, I was beginning to think was true.

He wiped his face and looked at me. His eyes were pink. "You remember that whole thing about how you learned about friendship from me? I must have skipped something. If you know a friend is going through a rough time, you don't try to make it worse!"

"A rough time -" I stopped myself suddenly, realizing what I had missed all along. "You don't want to go."

His face twisted in confusion. "Of course I don't want to go! I wanted to go to college! I wanted to at least have time to go see Anzu, find out once and for all what's going on! I mean, if she cared, she'd have called at least once, you'd think. It's been almost six months. Nothing!"

"Then stay. I have the resources to -"

"To what? To piss your father off with this vote next week? Even if you go back, then what? You can't pay for my whole life, Kaiba. I have to solve my problems, make my own way. Even if it does suck." He looked away again.

He was absolutely wrong. And absolutely right. And if our positions were reversed, he'd tell me that. "You are right, Honda. Your life should be your decision. I am so used to telling people what to do that I forget that sometimes it is not my place to do so." I'd save why he was wrong for when I could actually do something about the problem. "I'm sorry I tried to interfere." I had to laugh. "I can't promise that I won't do so again, but you have my express permission to tell me to keep my big arrogant butt out of your affairs." I struggled to look behind myself. "Although, I'd been told it was rather slender."

He laughed slightly. "I wouldn't know. I was speaking figuratively only. Not on your figure!" He added before I could suggest it. He sighed. "I'm sorry I blew up like that. It's just, everybody's all wigged out about me going. I just wish everyone would say 'see you when you get back' and not act like this is forever."

I shrugged. "No one wants to see you go. I don't. I was rather hoping you would be at my first official dinner home. It will be an astoundingly large free meal."

He smiled. "Buy me a pizza and we'll call it even."

"Excellent." I gestured toward my bike. "I need to make one stop first. Shall we?"

When we pulled into the parking lot of Kame Game shop, however, Honda sat looking at me. "Yugi didn't think this would work, did he?"

"Think what would work?" I asked blithely.

"He's got some surprise party thing going, right?"

"I have no idea. And frankly, I doubt I'd be invited since, as you keep reminding me, I have yet to 'apologize' to Pharaoh. And before you ask, no that is not why I am here. Mutou's Grandfather has an Arena that needs repairs. He called me. I am a fully certified technician, you know."

"Yeah. Ok." He got off the bike. "Sorry. I'm just tired. I don't want any big deals; I just want to go home."

"Of course," I said as I opened the door. "This repair shouldn't take long. Then we can go home and you can rest." I stepped aside. "Please, after you."

"SURPRISE!"

It sounded like a thousand people and Honda stepped back into me as they truly did surprise him. He sputtered for a moment before finding his voice. "You lying sonova gun!"

"I did not lie." I shrugged and push him forward. "I prevaricated."

"Hiroto!" Mutou embraced his friend. "Promise me you get satellite out there otherwise we're never gonna talk any more."

There were actually fewer people in attendance than were at the Christmas party, but Honda was glad to see all of them specifically. Apart from Miko-chan and KimKim, Mutou had picked people of particular importance to Honda. I marveled at the interactions around me from a corner by the register. Honda did not want a fuss, had only wanted people to wish him well and Mutou managed to invite only people who did just that. If he decided to retire from dueling, I was considering hiring Mutou as an event planner.

"You are being decidedly remiss." Pharaoh slipped quietly beside me, his voice once again igniting my senses.

"I will have several opportunities to speak my piece to him. For these others, it may be their last chance." I looked at him. "You look well." He looked nearly irresistible.

"As do you." He looked back at the group. "I will not be second. Not to anyone, not to anything." He said softly.

"KaibaCorp is first." I pointed out. "Even I am second to it."

He nodded. "If that is as you wish, then so be it." He moved back into the party.

It was not as I wished, but it was the choice I had to make. I glanced at my watch. It was late enough that Honda and I should both be considering sleep. I caught Mutou's eye and indicated my watch. He checked his own and frowned.

A few minutes later, people began making their exits. It was subtle, almost brilliant and even I had to be impressed by Mutou's ability to convince a whole room of people that it was time to leave, without once saying 'get out'. Mai said it once or twice, but not until after people were already leaving.

Eventually, the group was down to the Mutous, Honda and I. Mai said her final farewells, claiming that she couldn't come to the dock in the morning. Honda hugged her as if they had been lovers themselves not simply friends.

"I'm not going anywhere!" He insisted. "Ten days out. I'll be back for graduation."

"You better be!" She fumed. "This one's already been impossible since he heard you were leaving."

"Dude, you're gone half the time anyway." Honda laughed.

"I refuse to see your point." Mutou quipped. He turned serious, "So, uh, she didn't…." Honda shook his head. "Wow." He exhaled loudly. "All for the best, right? Hey - that means Mai can start setting you up with her friends, right?"

"My friends!" Mai laughed. "Sure!"

"Stars of The Grudge, The Eye and The Ring." Pharaoh commented. "If you have seen those, Honda, you've met her friends." Everyone laughed and Mai denied any resemblance between her friends and the horror movies.

"At least my friends are not homicidal." I reminded him. "And KimKim would be in your bed now if you gave her the key." I pretended to look for my keys. "Or did I give her mine?"

"If you did, she's sleeping in your bed!" Honda insisted. "Your friends get me in trouble!" He laughed for another minute and then sighed. "It's ok. I knew I wasn't really Anzu's type. I mean, hell, she worked for you, Kaiba."

"And that didn't warn you away in the first place?" Pharaoh teased.

"I didn't know." Honda protested.

"You gotta check these things, Honda." Mai advised. "Trust me, I'll find somebody really hot."

"Who can cook." I reminded her.

Mai looked thoughtful. "Oh you want her to do that wife crap."

"Sure, honey, just like you." Mutou said. "She does all that, cooking, cleaning, sex on demand." He managed to dodge when she swung at him.

"I'll get you later." She promised. "I've got the car keys and I'm going to bed so unless you want to stay here…." She headed for the door.

We all chuckled as Mutou scrambled after her, promising to see us at the dock in the morning.

Honda and I followed. "So you and Yami didn't make up?"

"We agreed that we have different priorities." I handed him my helmet - since I only had one, I always let him wear it - and got on the bike. "I think it's for the best."

"Are you sure?" He sat down and held the back of the seat. He always held the seat, never me. "It kind of sucks, that both our love lives reek."

"Offering?" I asked with a sly look.

"Ew."

I had to laugh. "Then hold on."

I took the short route home. About halfway there, we passed a lone boy in our school uniform. He waved as we passed.

When we got home Honda looked back toward the way we came. "Hope he's ok."

"Who?"

"Kajiki. He usually rides with Tsunami. I don't know why he was walking."

"Oh." We started up the stairs and I started thinking.

Kajiki Ryota had asked me out while I was still with Joey. He was on the cheering squad. Although his face was not particularly handsome, his body was physically attractive and his personality was tolerable. I wasn't intending great conversation with him.

I stopped. "Honda, I think I will check on him."

"What?" He turned and gaped at me, stunned.

"Make sure he is alright. I could simply give him a ride home." Honda continued to look stunned. "It is, after all, what you would have done."

"Well, yeah, but..."

"I am trying to learn how not to be a jerk."

"I didn't mean that."

I had to grin. "That's because you are too much of a gentleman to call me a dick." He blushed and I went back down to my bike. "I'll be back as soon as I've taken care of things."

"Hey Kaiba." He yelled from above me. "You're a dick!"

We both laughed.

I found Kajiki about a mile from where we'd seen him. I had guessed right about the direction he was going and caught up with him easily.

"Rather late to be out walking, isn't it?" I asked after I pulled up beside the rather stunned young man.

"Kaiba! Hi! What are you doing here?"

"I saw you walking; I thought you might appreciate a ride."

"Sure!" He answered excitedly.

I took off the helmet and offered it to him. "Here, get on." When he sat, his hand touched me briefly and then abruptly moved to the back of the seat. I looked over my shoulder at him. "You can hold me, if you'd like."

"Oh, uh, I..."

"I'd prefer it, actually."

"Oh...ok." His arms slipped around my waist. They tightened as I revved the engine.

"Do you need to go straight home?"

"No." He swallowed hard. "Why?"

"I thought we might ride for a while." I reached back and stroked his leg. "Maybe go someplace quiet and talk. It's a lovely evening."

"Talk?" His voice dropped an octave. "Just talk?"

"Unless you'd rather do something else."

"We could go back to my place." He offered in a rush. "It's just my sister and I tonight. It's quiet."

"So we'd be alone? In your room?" He nodded. "Should I be worried that you would take advantage of me?"

"No!" He said, shocked by the suggestion.

"Maybe, then, you should consider making me worry about it." I turned forward again and started the bike before he could respond.

I drove fast, taking a pair of turns at unsafe speeds before circling through a picturesque neighborhood I used to ride Joey through and past one of the more elaborate Shinto shrines. I stopped nearby.

Kajiki was clinging to me. "Wow! You ride fast!" He panted. His heart was pounding and I could feel him growing harder behind me.

"Do you like that?"

"I let you know when I calm down." He chuckled breathlessly. "What's this?"

"A shrine. The chi here is supposed to be very -" I paused and looked at him, "very invigorating for men. It's a good place to offer prayers before meeting a lover. I was hoping you might find that as interesting as I do. At least, for tonight."

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, oh yeah. I find that fascinating tonight. It's the most interesting thing I've ever heard."

I got up. "Care to take a closer look?"

"Sure."

We looked over the shrine. Phallic symbols were engraved or embossed everywhere. A 4-foot tall phallus stood on the central alter and incense and offering were strung around it. Prayers had been folded up and slipped into slots at the base. Kajiki found one on the floor. He picked it up, read it and snickered.

"Yeah, let's all pray for this guy; 'Please don't let her be pregnant'."

"This may be the wrong shrine for that one."

"If it were me, I'd leave it at every shrine in the prefecture!" We both laughed and he refolded the prayer then submitted it properly. "Namaste."

"Any prayers of your own you want answered?" I asked coyly.

H

e leaned against the altar and studied me. "I have a question. I thought you were seeing Mutou's brother."

"We broke up." I said simply. "I do not want a long-term attachment, you understand. Just a night or two."

"Oh." He nodded. "You want someone to fuck around with in secret."

I shrugged. "Not necessarily in secret, but I do not expect my relations to become common knowledge." I stepped closer to him, letting my leg rub against his. "It that a problem? Do you need something open, permanent?"

"Uh, no." I could actually feel his body temperature going up. "No, I just wanted to know where I stood."

"You stand right here." I moved over, so that my legs were between his and put my arms around his waist. "I need a lover for the night, not a partner for my life." I whispered. "I was hoping you'd be willing. Are you?"

"Yeah," he breathed, seeming just a little overwhelmed. "I -"

I didn't let him finish; I kissed him gently. Then a little more greedily. He responded by kissing me in return with just as much need.

"Seme or uke?" He managed to ask between kisses.

"Seme." I replied, running my hands under his shirt and finding his nipples rock hard. "You?"

"Same." He grunted. "Oral?"

"Yes."

"Cool. Here?"

"If you'd like." I pulled away from him, letting go of his chest and moving his hands from my ass. "But I'd rather go somewhere a little more private."

"My house." He affirmed. "Seriously."

"Tell me where to go." I led him back to my bike and he didn't delay getting on or directing me to his home.

At his house, his sister yelled out to confirm that it was him coming in. He didn't mention having a guest.

We moved quietly to his bedroom at the back of the house. The first thing he did was open the window. "If you don't want to leave through the front door later, you can go out here. You have to creep around to the side, but the roof of the storage shed is right there and then you can climb down easily from there. It's like a two-man somersault."

I grinned at him. "You slip me in, you sneak me out. You've done this before."

He blushed. "Not ever, but...."

I put my fingers over his lips. "I rather like the idea. I'll be your secret." I let my finger tip play along his lips. "What other secrets are you hiding?"

"If you're going to torture me, this is going to be really embarrassing." He sighed.

"If I were going to torture you, I'd want a full day, not a few hours."

"A day?" He didn't seem to know how to respond to that.

"Right now, I'd like to see if my prayers were answered." With one hand I began unbuttoning his shirt. The other I let stroke his thigh.

"Mine have." He gasped and hurried to open my shirt. He moved it out of his way and I cooed as his lips and tongue began toying with my nipples.

Rather quickly we were on the floor kissing, licking, nibbling, teasing. He wasn't Joey, he wasn't Pharaoh but he was here and enough and I even found myself enjoying his body, his touch.

But it wasn't the same.

When were done, he got me a towel to wipe my chest with and asked if I wanted to stay the night.

"I can't, I'm afraid. I will be taking Honda to the dock in only a few hours so I need to get back." I took his chin and kissed him. "Thank you."

"Are you kidding?" He sighed. "Thank you."

I did leave through the window. Kajiki was right; it was an easy flip to the ground. He grinned at me from the window as I managed to stick the landing with a small flourish. I grinned back and blew him a kiss before finding my way back to my bike and heading home.

When I got there, a lamp was on in the living room and Honda-sama was reading. "You kind of late. You find that kid?"

"My classmate. Yes." For no reason I could determine, I did not want to tell him how I spent my evening. "I got him home safely."

"Good. Hiroto gone to bed already. Oh, hey I almost forgot. A man named Yamada called you. He said your phone was disconnected, but to call him on Monday. If you need money -"

"No." I stopped him, genuinely embarrassed. "I simply forgot it. Someone else has always paid my bills for me. I guess it's hard to remember."

"Aw, you get used to it." He yawned. "You know about fish?"

"Beyond that sushi and grilled salmon both come served on a plate? Not a thing."

"Joey got me this for my birthday last year. The Emperor wrote it. He likes fish." He laughed. "But he's the Emperor so he has to use big words."

"Are they words with any value?"

He shrugged. "All kind of common sense. Well, maybe not so much. You work on a boat, you see a lot of fish. I guess if I worked in the city, I might value them more. Then again, if I worked in the city, I wouldn't want to read about fish, eh?"

"Probably not." I agreed.

He sat silently and looked at me. I began to feel uncomfortable; I didn't know what I was feeling guilty about, but I was feeling so.

He closed his book. "Hiroto seemed to think you were pretty upset about something." He said finally.

I thought through the evening. "No. If anything, I would expect him to still be angry with me. I'm afraid I inadvertently got an additional paper assigned to he and I."

Honda-san nodded. "He told me he said some pretty harsh things."

In retrospect, nothing Honda said to me seemed like more than ill-considered thoughts spoken in the heat of anger. "I sincerely doubt Honda has ever said a harsh word and certainly not one that wasn't deserved."

He smiled at me, ruffled my hair and then sat back. "You a good kid. Keep it up; you'll be a good man."

It didn't make sense, but from him the words felt like high praise. "As they say at school, sir: takes one to know one."

A yawn interrupted his grin. "Alright, you. I'm tired so you need to go sleep."

"Shouldn't you sleep if you are tired?"

"That too."

We wished each other a good night and both turned in.

Joey and Pharaoh both visited my dreams, but not enough to wake me, just enough to ensure I'd be doing yet another load of laundry.

Honda-sama woke us both up at sunrise. "You can sleep when the nets are down!"

Honda was already packed - not that he needed to take much more than a clean shirt and a toothbrush - so it didn't take either of us long to bathe and dress.

Honda-sama was planning to drive to the dock, but I needed my bike to get home. They were about to pull off when I had another idea. I pulled up in front of them and got off the bike. I opened the passenger car door and handed Honda my helmet. "You drive, I'll ride."

"Seriously?" He asked with a great deal of excitement. "Cool!" We switched and he peeled out of the parking lot before I could get the seatbelt on.

Honda-sama took the trip at a considerably saner pace. He spent most of the time telling me about the Emperor's book, which I had not even the vaguest interest in. But I did manage to stay awake the entire trip.

At the dock, Mutou and Pharaoh were already wishing Honda bon voyage. Unlike the night before, Mutou was visibly upset.

"I'm sorry, Hiro," he sniffed, "but I worry enough about your Dad going overboard. Now I have to worry about you too!"

"Aw, he swim real good. He go in, I pull him back. Unless the shark get him first." His father joked.

"Thanks, Dad." Honda rolled his eyes as Mutou actually began to cry. "Big help."

"I don't understand." The more time I spent with Mutou, the more incomprehensible I found him. "Yesterday he was fine."

"Yesterday he was putting on a brave face." Pharaoh informed me. "Today, he's being honest."

"Mutou," I said, "you must accept Honda's decision. Neither of us has the right to tell him not to go."

"I know." He said, already recovering himself. "But I hate this."

We got Honda and his Father aboard without too much more ado. Much like seeing Joey off, I kept my goodbye to a minimum.

"You gonna miss me?" Honda asked with a smirk.

"Of course not." I replied easily. "A simple act of will."

"Riiiiiiiiight." Honda nodded.

We waited until they went below deck and then walked back to the parking area. Mutou asked if I wanted to go back to Kame Game with them, but I declined. It occurred to me as we walked that I had two days, with an empty apartment and nothing to fill the time with. There was only so much studying I could do.

If Pharaoh were more reasonable, I would fill my hours with him. Joey was - I did not understand why I had so much trouble accepting that my relationship with Wheeler was over.

I got on my bike and rode back to town. I could stop by Mokuba's condo and make sure that there were no last minute changes. I could pick up a few groceries. I needed to go to the cell phone store and pay my bill as well.

Instead, I found my way to Kajiki's home.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

When I knocked on the door, a middle-aged woman opened it. "Yes?"

"Good morning. I am Kaiba Seto. Is Kajiki available?"

"Good morning. Come in." She said cheerfully. "Ryota?" She yelled upstairs. "You have a guest, son." She looked at me again. "I'm sorry; you said your name was?"

"Kaiba." I repeated, just a bit amused. No one had ever asked me twice.

"Thank you. It's Kaiba." She yelled.

From above a male voice - not my classmate - answered. "Tell him to wait, boy. You're not going anywhere until that wall is finished."

"Yes, sir." Kajiki sounded resigned as he came down the steps. His mother gave him an encouraging smile as he passed her. "Hey, Kaiba." He pulled me a few steps aside. "What are you doing here?"

"I have an empty apartment and an entire weekend. I thought you may have some suggestions on how to spend the time."

"Oh man!" he lamented. "This so sucks! We have paper walls upstairs - you probably didn't notice -and I was supposed to replace one last week 'cause I ripped it. I was going to do it last night, but I got," he grinned, "kind of distracted."

"You should pay more attention to your chores." I commented.

"You shouldn't be so distracting." He retorted. "Anyway my Dad's super pissed. This will take me another hour or so. How about if I come over after I'm done?"

"I could assist you."

"No, this is sort of a thing with Dad."

"I see." I really didn't want to go home alone. "Very well; I can wait."

"You want to wait?"

"Want? No. But I am willing to."

Someone came clattering down the stairs. We looked up to see a girl, just a bit younger than ourselves. She looked at me and her eyes went wide.

"Oh man!" Kajiki moaned. "My sister knows who you are."

"OH MY GOD!" She nearly shouted. "MOM!"

"I'm right here, dear." The woman replied.

"Don't just stand there!" The girl was in a tizzy. "Do something!" She came over to me and bowed formally. "Good morning, Kaiba-san. Welcome to our home."

I grinned at Kajiki and bowed in return. "Good morning. Thank you. You realize, of course that your mother has no idea why you are making such a fuss."

She looked at her mother and gasped. "Kaiba? KaibaCorp? All those video games Ry plays?"

"Oh." Their mother looked at me. "Are you related to that family?"

I smiled. "I am, yes."

"Forgive me. I'm afraid I don't keep up with the latest -" she was cut off by Kajiki's father shouting for him.

"Crap. We've got a Play station in the living room if you want to hang out for a while. I'll try to hurry up." He rushed upstairs again.

"Well!" His mother laughed. "I guess you'll be waiting in here." She led me to the living room with the game system and a good array of games.

"Thank you." I remembered Kawai's interest in dueling and wondered if there might be a trend. "Do you play?" I asked her.

"I do." Her daughter said, but I ignored her for the moment.

"Oh, no! I don't have any skill for that."

"Do you play Go?"

She paused and smiled. "I haven't in many years, but I used to be quite good."

"Excellent!" I gestured to the futon. "Please, join me."

"Well, maybe for just a minute."

I picked up a KG game and loaded it. I handed her the controller and gave her a crash course in using it. When the game began, I said, "Press A, up and left at the same time." A menu appeared. "This menu controls the version of the game. All KaibaGames - those are the ones with this symbol - ship set to the standard version, but they all also have a 'Go' and a 'Puzzle' version. Type 'startgo' and hit enter. There! Now most of the monsters have been removed and the game relies on strategy to win. It's very much like playing Go." I reached over her shoulder and pressed start. "Now move forward."

"Like this?" she asked. "Oh! I see. Oops! I guess I don't have the hang of it yet. What am I looking for?"

"Ultimately, you are defeating five dark lords to rescue the princess. Right now, you are exploring and looking for weapons or tools that will help you in your quest."

"I see. OH! What did I do? That gem is glowing."

I explained what a glowing gem meant. A few minutes later, she solved the first riddle and obtained the first of ten keys. She died twice getting the hang of combat so I set her on 'God mode'. After that, she did quite well navigating the maze, discovering secrets and solving traps without getting caught in them.

By the end of the first level, she'd set a family record score and was hooked on the game.

"I had no idea how much fun this would be." She observed as the second level loaded. "I'll play just a little while longer, and then I really have to get some work done."

I was coaching her through defeating the third dark lord when Kajiki joined us. "Hey, what's this?"

"Dark Lord 2."

"Yeah? I don't recognize this level. Where is she?"

"The lava pit."

"Where are the pit monsters?"

"Not in this version. Switch to your lightning cannon. You will only get one shot before he hits you."

"Don't the acid grenades bounce once first when you fire them?" she asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"Well, you said his armor was weak from the back, so if I can bounce the grenade behind him…."

"….you could do considerable damage, yes. If you can do a bank shot. Ok see that lava flow? Get ready. Wait, not too early. Now!" And to my surprise, she fired two rounds, ricocheted them off the wall and landed grenades behind her opponent, cutting him down to half points. "Now, switch to the cannon." But she was already switching and defeated the dark lord without any further help from me.

"Your mother is an amazing woman." I told Kajiki.

"Kaiba!" She actually blushed. "I'm nothing special. Just a little applied geometry."

"Dude, are you hitting on my mom?" He whispered.

I smiled. "Certainly not," I whispered back. "I'm creating a new customer." Aloud I said, "I still have quite a lot of work to do to study for the Literature test. Bring your textbook with you."

"Oh sure!" he went back upstairs and returned with his backpack. "I should be back this afternoon, Mom."

"Actually, I intend to study all day today and tomorrow. I work better with a partner so I wonder if you would mind if he stayed at my home this evening, ma'am."

She only considered it for a moment. "I'm sure that will be fine. Call and check in this evening, alright, Ry?"

"Yeah, sure Mom! Bye!" He kissed her cheek and we left.

As we walked to my bike I explained. "I complimented her a few times, taught her a new skill and behaved like a gentleman. I suspect she'll be playing that game for the next month. I knew she'd agree to you staying over. I dare say I could convince her to let you move in if I gave her a DS-lite."

"You think?"

I made sure no one was watching then kissed him. "I won't need you that long. I plan to wear you out long before Sunday night."

"So you don't want to study?"

"Oh yes, but we'll have time for that in between."

We went back to Honda's apartment and sucked each other dry. We looked over the literature text while recovered our strength and quizzed each other on various aspects of the last novel we were assigned. We made a deal that whomever recovered first could fuck the other. I didn't mind 'losing'; the more active we were the less likely I was to have dreams that kept me awake and distracted.

I used Kajiki and allowed him to use me. He learned that uke could be just as pleasurable as seme. He was not as knowledgeable as Pharaoh or as assertive as Joey. He would hint at what he wanted but wouldn't ask outright. After a while, I began simply telling him what to do. The physical release was there, but the satisfaction began to wane.

He also did not have my stamina. Sunday morning I woke up with visions of Joey still in my mind and Pharaoh's voice still in my ears. I found myself with morning wood and pulled a sleeping Kajiki close to sheathe it. He woke while I was still 'armed' and protested my using him without waking him first. Joey would have enjoyed the ride. Or, more likely, he would have awoken first and I would be the one crying out 'faster, harder, oh God, please!'

Kajiki was not pleased. In fact, he seemed almost offended. "You know, I never thought I'd say this but, I think I've had enough sex, ok?"

"Enough?" We'd barely spend a day together and had slept or done school work through half of that. "Surely you're kidding."

"If you can still get it up, there's something wrong with you."

I started to refute that by pointing out that both Pharaoh and Joey could go at least as long as I, but I remembered something Ryou told me about comparing old and new lovers. Don't. Instead, I got up and picked up a shirt. "I imagine, then, breakfast would be in order."

"Yeah, that I can handle." He went into the bathroom while I went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, he joined me, looking a bit sheepish. "Sorry. I didn't mean what I said earlier about there being something wrong with you."

"Think nothing of it." I said while making American style eggs and sliced pork. "I've forgotten it already."

"It's just I've never done anything like that before." He went on anyway. "I mean, I only did it once before and that was just, you know, a quick thing."

"There is no need to say more." I pointed to the cupboard. "Glasses are in there. I had hoped that we could review the last Chemistry chapter after we eat, but if you prefer, I will take you home."

"I guess I should look at that Chem stuff," he said slowly. He got glasses and plates and put them on the table. I brought out the food and fruit juice. We ate in silence.

"Hey Kaiba," he looked quizzical. "How'd you teach my Mom Dark Lord 2 so fast?"

"Game Theory. Our school doesn't offer it but if you find a class, take it. It's really quite fascinating. Humans play; we all know that. But how we play. Why we play. What we play. I have found that, in general, people play either skill games, knowledge games or strategy games and so all KaibaGames' products can be played in three modes. You and every teenage boy in the world play skill games. Your mother likes strategy."

"How'd you figure that out?"

I grinned at him. "Well, I did a simple game theory analysis, but I verified my findings by simply asking her."

"You asked her?"

"What else should I have done?" he shrugged. "I think the benefit of being raised without a mother is that I have no pre-conceived notions about how they should be. As far as I'm concerned, they play games, have sex -"

"HEY!"

"- do everything just like anyone else. You should try asking her things occasionally. You might be surprised."

"Fine! Can we not discuss sex and my mom at the same time?"

I laughed, but let the topic drop. After we ate, I rinsed the dishes and we spent a few hours on Chemistry. I had memorized all the data and the equations themselves were easy enough, but for some reason, understanding eluded me.

"No!" Kajiki seemed to be as frustrated as I. "Look, you keep thinking like this stuff is hard and fast. Like engineering. It's not. In engineering, if it's solid, it's always solid, right?

"Of course. You couldn't construct anything without constants."

"Right. Chemistry's closer to biology. It's sometimes solid, sometimes liquid."

"I'm not stupid! I can see that. What I don't understand is why."

"It just is. Why are you such a hardass at school and so sweet in bed? You just are; different states in different environments." I started to reply and then actually realized what he said. Kajiki blushed. "I mean, uh, that didn't…"

"No one ever said I was sweet before." I set the book aside. "You surely don't think I would allow such a comment to go unchallenged."

"Dude, you're like one of those sex maniacs, aren't you." I moved his book, leaned forward and kissed him. He protested somewhat but seemed to be more interested in helping me undress than stopping me. "See? This is more like physics." He breathed.

"Later."

I licked and sucked him, even swallowing this time when he came. Then I positioned him on his knees and fucked him slowly. He came again before I finished.

Then, I was done. I woke with him and me on the living room floor and the familiar feeling of annoyance by his presence.

That was what sex was like before Joey. These tiresome boys were like physical junk food. They abated the hunger, but never nourished the body. I wanted to call a cab to take him somewhere I didn't have to see him. But I couldn't afford that. And to make matters worse, I would have to see him again next week and at graduation and likely again after that. That was the primary reason I saved my trysts for out-of-town ventures. So that these empty calories didn't linger around the house.

"I think you should go now." I said gently. I kissed his cheek - I had learned something in the last few months. I did not have to tolerate the inferior, but I also did not have to be insensitive about it. Sheep did not need to be wolves and they did not need to be dissatisfied with being sheep. If I had no intention of devouring him, what was the purpose in biting him at all? People were much more useful when I refrained from causing them pain. "Get dressed; I'll take you home."

"Yeah, it is kind of late, I guess."

I pulled up to his front door this time. When he climbed off, he took off the helmet and handed it to me. "So will I see you again?"

"We do go to school together." I reminded him.

"I meant, you know, outside."

I pulled his face to mine and kissed him again, deeply, lingering. "I think I'd rather you continue to think of me as sweet. Too much time together and you might discover what I'm really like."

"Oh yeah," he said with only a little irritation. "Who wants that?" He went in and I went home.

I cleaned. The whole apartment. If things went according to plan, I may be gone for a few days and coming back to a bug infested apartment would be disgusting.

Then I looked at my meager closet. Ordinarily, I would wear a designer suit to a board meeting. I only had one jacket now - a beige and navy stripe that KimKim insisted would sell out if I wore it with no shirt. She was right, I was amused to discover. I did have a pair of navy pants that coordinated with it, but all of my shirts were too casual for the meeting. I put the jacket and pants on and went to the mall.

ChouChou was at the register. "SeSe-kun! Are you on today?"

"No. I need a new shirt. Is Miko-chan here?"

"Miko-chan's off today." She finished with her customer and then came around to greet me with more affection than I expected. On reflection, it occurred to me that the hug and kiss were how we four always greeted each other. It seemed so unnecessary with anyone else and yet perfectly natural with them. Chemistry - affection existed in liquid, solid and gas forms. I smiled, but kept the observation to myself. "It's just me and Ayu."

"Ayu?"

"The girl who replaced KimKim."

I stared at her. "What do you mean, replaced?"

"You didn't hear? KimKim got offered assistant manager at MAC."

"Oh." I hadn't heard. I wasn't pleased to hear it. I reminded myself that I had no more control over Kimura than I did over Honda. "Well, I won't keep you then." I headed to the men's section.

"Ayu?" ChouChou shouted. "Come take the register. I have to help someone." A minute later, she was helping me look. I explained where I was going and what I planned to wear. She looked doubtful. "You could wear that but, I mean, how dull."

"This isn't a place for exciting. My Father is very conservative."

"But you're not." She picked up a jacket I hadn't seen. "Why not wear something bold? I mean you're not cutting your hair, are you? Why wear something stodgy?"

I had completely forgotten about a haircut. "Do you think I can get it cut at this late hour?"

"If you so much as trim the sides, I'll never speak to you again!"

"ChouChou -" she crossed her arms and looked quite firm. "Fine. What would you suggest?"

Her expression changed and she studied me. "Peach."

"Peach?"

"Yeah." She grinned. "Keep the pants - those are so hot." She led me to a rack. "This shirt." She went to the woman's side. "And this jacket."

"Out of the question."

"Just put it on, ok? Trust me."

It was absurd, but once she saw it, she'd understand that I could not wear a woman's jacket out of the store. I put the outfit on and discovered, to my chagrin, that it wasn't as ridiculous as I had feared. It was far too bright, but the color of the jacket seemed to match the pants well and offset the shirt.

"You're stalling." She yelled.

I sighed deeply and came out. "Well?"

"Too bright. Stay put." She left and after some time came back with a brown shirt. "I wanted the round neck but let's see how this does."

It was a button down, which suited me fine. When I stepped out, she immediately unbuttoned the top three. "Why do you always seal it up to your chin?"

"Why do you always strip me down like a porn star?"

"Because you look like a porn star." She laughed.

I closed all but the top-most button and then looked at the mirror again. I did look quite attractive. The jacket was not at all feminine and actually suited me quite well. I noticed Pharaoh's ankh was not quite revealed; I wasn't sure why I was still wearing it. Overall, the look was office appropriate, but not stiff. Young. Fresh. I looked at ChouChou and smiled. "Thank you. I'll take it."

She pulled off the tags. "I'll put it on Miko-chan's desk; she can add it to your uniforms."

I sighed. "ChouChou, tomorrow's meeting - I might be returning to KaibaCorp after."

"Nooooo!" She whined. "Not you too! All the cool people are leaving." She frowned at me. "Will you come back and see me?"

"I'd rather hire you as my style consultant." She laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Oh SeSe-Kun! That's why I'm going to miss you!"

We went back to the office to drop off the tags. She bagged my jacket and gave me a hug. I found myself returning the hug tightly.

"SeSe-Kun?"

"I've had to say goodbye to so many it seems." I whispered still holding her.

"Don't worry. I'll always be around! You have my cell and my email. You're not going really away, right? Just to Tokyo!"

"Domino, but yes." I took control of myself and pulled away from her. "Of course. I'm just …."

"Having a moment." She smiled. "Everyone does." She sighed. "I'd better go check on Ayu. She gets a little nervous if I leave her alone too long."

"I should be leaving anyway. I still have several other things I need to finish."

She gave me another hug and kiss at the door. Then, before I left, introduced me to Ayu. "Ayu, this is Kaiba-san. He's a very special friend of the store's so if you see him come in, be sure to let me or Miko-chan know, ok?"

The poor girl's eyes went wide. "Kaiba-san? The Kaiba-san?" she bowed quickly. "I'm sorry, sir. I will, ChouChou." As I left, chuckling, I could hear her going on still. "I didn't know anyone famous shopped here!"

I went back to the apartment and took stock. I didn't have anything to take to the meeting except, frankly, smoke and mirrors. I still had no money, I couldn't touch base with my allies to confirm that they still were my allies and I still could only hope that I could actually get into the building again. As plans went, this one was a disaster waiting to happen.

I called Mokuba.

"Kaiba residence," Ishtaaru answered.

"It's Seto. Let me speak to my brother."

"I'm sorry, sir, but he's already sleeping."

I looked at my watch; it was 8:30pm. We couldn't get him in bed at that hour when he was seven. "I sincerely doubt that's true."

She hesitated. "He's been having some trouble sleeping recently. So he's taken something to help him rest and gone to bed early."

"The nightmares? Damn it! Why didn't you call me if they were getting that bad again?"

"He didn't want you to worry."

"Of course I'm going to worry! Where is he?"

"He's asleep, Kaiba-san. He will be fine in the morning. Shall I have him call you when he wakes?"

"Yes, damn it, do that!" I slammed the phone down. It was as worrisome that Mokuba was having nightmares again as it was that he was having them now.

I recognized my own stress level was too high. I needed to calm down; find some focus. I picked up the phone again and paused. I didn't know anyone I could call. Kajiki was out. Pharaoh was out - I refused to apologize for something that was not an error. Joey was out.

There was a gay bar. Outside of town. It was where I had been the night my bike ran out of gas and I had to walk it home. The night I met Joey. It was secluded and unlikely to be crowded.

I changed clothes and left before I thought too much about the wisdom of the idea. For one last time, I just wanted to be 18 and unencumbered. This was the last time, my last night of childhood, of freedom. My bachelor party of sorts. I wanted my own stripper and lap dance before I tied myself inextricably to KaibaCorp tomorrow. For better or worse, 'til death do us part.

There were only a few people there. I found a table and ordered sake. I was already beginning to realize how foolish it was to go to such a place. Picking up men in a bar was the lowest form of trolling.

"Good evening." I looked up to see a woman holding two drinks. She was not pretty by any stretch - although she had a certain kind of elegance about her - and her voice was surprisingly deep. "Your sake."

"Thank you." A waiter had taken my order.

"May I sit down?" She laughed deeply at my expression. "I guess you don't recognize me. Ushio; I work at your school." I looked at her again as she took the seat next to me. "I'm surprised to see you here. I thought the boys at school were following you around like puppy dogs."

"Evidently not," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "I don't recall seeing you."

"I'm in security. Truancy and Hall Monitor." She pursed her lips. "You probably wouldn't speak to me if you knew me well." She chuckled.

"I see." The name was vaguely familiar. Joey would probably know her; he'd had a few run-ins with the Hall Monitors. "I don't mean to be rude, but why are we having this conversation?"

She smiled. "I have a passion for young boys - especially ones as lovely as you. I was hoping you might indulge me."

"I'm afraid I have no interest in women." I took another sip of my drink.

"I wouldn't be here if I thought you did."

"Excuse me?"

"Ushio Tetsu." I looked at her - his - rather large breasts and then back at his face skeptically. "It's amazing what modern science can achieve."

"Does the Headmaster know about…?"

"I've been on leave. I'll speak to him after graduation."

"I see." How awkward. I took another sip. I glanced around the room. The other four patrons were looking at their drinks.

"Curious?" He asked.

Excessively, but I wasn't about to admit that. I had never actually met a transsexual. The temptation to bring him home with me was immense. Father would have a coronary and save me the trouble of the vote. But no.

"Pity." He sighed when I didn't respond. "I was looking forward bending over for you."

"Excuse me?" It was a bit more frank a discussion than I was used to.

"I want to bend over for you. I want to suck that teenage cock and then let you use me until sunrise."

Which sounded a bit too much like he'd read my mind. "If you'll excuse me; I'll be going now." I finished the drink and stood up.

"I'm sorry." Ushio said, standing as well. "Here - I'll pay for the drinks. I didn't mean to be so unnerving, but I've learned recently to ask for what I want. So, I'm asking. I want you to fuck me, Kaiba. I've wanted you since I first saw you and it's a fantasy come true to see you in here."

I stopped. "You've had fantasies about me?"

"I lust after adolescent boys; I've had fantasies about half the school. But you came here." He tilted his head. "Why?"

I was looking for someone different, I started to say. Ushio was as different as I was likely to find. I thought about it for another moment and then shook my head. "I should not have come."

"But you did; why?"

"I do not need to explain my actions to you."

"Maybe it was fate." He bit his lip. "Kaiba, please. I promise - one night and you can do anything you want to me."

All I needed was one night. Just relief for one more night. But…. "How much exactly did medical science achieve?"

"Nothing below the waist."

"I live too far away."

"My car is parked outside."

In truth, I'd never fucked in a car. I always had a convenient hotel room. Or whatever semi-private space that might be handy. Coatrooms were common at the events Father used to drag me to. I headed to the door. If he followed me, well…. If he didn't, I should simply go home.

He followed me.

"Over here." He directed me to an old Datsun stationwagon.

"That thing?" I stopped and laughed. "It's older than my bike!"

"It's older than you." He chuckled. "But it runs. They don't make cars like this anymore. Observe." He opened the back and crawled in. He released the back seat and suddenly, there was a veritable bed. He beckoned me to join him.

"How useful." I commented as I crawled in beside him.

"You have no idea." He breathed as he closed the hatch. He began to remove his shirt. Underneath was a pair of visually perfect tits inside a lacy bra. "Implants. I was too impatient for the hormone injections."

"I see."

Quickly his hands moved down and he removed his skirt, revealing a rather large, rock hard member.

"Oh my." I breathed.

He snickered. "That's what all the boys say." His hand touched my shirt tentatively. "May I?"

It would make for a novel evening, I thought. I reached over and caressed his nipples. He groaned. He had exposed himself completely to me, I thought, the least I can do is enjoy it.

The car was surprisingly spacious allowing us to try a variety of positions. His nipples were very sensitive and I had a great deal of perverse pleasure from causing him to cry out quite loudly. I was unable to resist the temptation to let him take me and reveled in the sensation. I didn't allow him to finish that way. Instead, I rolled him on his back and proceeded to fuck him hard enough to shake the vehicle. He called out my name when he released. He called it again when I finally release some half hour later. We were both sweating; the car windows were completely steamed over.

"Oh my God!" He moaned. "I'm never going to be fucked like that again! That was incredible."

It was tedious. And, although I didn't say it, Miko-chan's tits were better. All I wanted to do was go home and shower. Twice. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." I said, hoping I sounded more considerate than I felt. "It's late. And it is a school night."

"And you want to leave before you start feeling the regret." He smiled wistfully. "I've had my fantasy; you can go. I couldn't stop you if I wanted to; I'm not sure I can move after that."

I had to smile. "I'm confident you'll survive." I found my pants over the driver seat. My shirt was simply missing. I left without it.

It was a long, cold ride back to Honda's apartment.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

I awoke to the sound of Honda's phone ringing in the living room. It was still pitch black and I staggered into the table trying to find it.

"What?" I snapped, rubbing my bruised shin.

"Hey," said an equally tired but only somewhat familiar voice. "It's me."

"Me who?" Then I realized who. "Mokuba?"

"Yeah. Sorry. I'm not awake yet. I'm going to be leaving in about an hour. Did you want to ride with me or do you have another way into the city?"

Transportation! I hadn't even considered the fact that I had to get there. "If I could ride with you that would be better. Thank you."

"Of course, Nii-sama. Hey what's up with your phone?"

"I had it disabled." I lied. "Since when are you having nightmares again?"

"Again? Still!"

"I thought they'd stopped." I felt my throat tighten. "You stopped calling while you were in France."

"I didn't think it was right to put you through it every time I woke up."

"So now it's so bad you need sleeping pills?"

"Relax, big bro! These aren't habit forming. It just takes a while to shake it off. I'll be fine by the time you see me. Believe me; I took these, like, every other night in Paris." He yawned. "So that's my excuse. Why do you sound wrecked?"

"Late night; I didn't get much sleep."

"Nii-sama, if you want to delay this…."

"No! Today. It needs to be today."

He was silent for a moment. "Yes, Nii-sama." He said softly. "I will see you in an hour." He hung up.

I hung up the receiver and looked at my watch. It was 4:45am. If we stayed on schedule, we'd get to the office around 8am. That would give me an hour to organize myself. To place the mirrors and prepare the smoke; to create magic and make my Father disappear.

No small trick.

I showered more to wake myself than to clean and then got dressed. On the dresser was Pharaoh's ankh and beside it, a bracelet that Joey had given me. I didn't remember pulling it out, but it was a good piece of jewelry and it suited the jacket. I put them both on. My hair was a joke. The man looking back from my reflection looked nothing like the boy I was just a few months ago. Hopefully, he was man enough.

It was raining, but I was in front of the building when the limo arrived. Nakamura stepped out with an umbrella, smiling, and opened the door for me. "Good morning, Kaiba-san."

I had to smile back. "Good morning, Nakamura. Thank you."

Mokuba was actually chipper. "Morning big bro! I got coffee and muffins!" He handed the goods to me. "We can have a real breakfast when we get there."

"Thank you, brother. This will be sufficient." I tapped on the glass partition.

"Yes sir?" Nakamura asked through the intercom.

"Have you given any thought to my offer?"

"I don't want much, sir. Ichiro's going to college next semester so really -"

"I'm not trying to rush you, just checking the status. Ichiro's tuition will be covered. You can let me know the rest next week. Thank you." I turned off the intercom. "Sorry. I wanted to resolve that while it was on my mind."

"You've had a lot going on, haven't you?" Mokuba sipped his coffee and bit into a donut.

"You will too if today works. Does Ishtaaru know you're eating that?"

"She'd ground me if she did." He laughed. "So what is the plan?"

"We attend the board meeting and vote on whether Father should continue to lead KaibaCorp."

He nodded. "That part I sort of figured. You want everyone to vote no, right?" I nodded. "Ok, then what?"

"Then I assume control."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"Wow." He laughed. "That easy?"

"Of course it won't be that easy. That is the plan. Reality will be far more difficult than that. Father will not step down without a fight. And even one yes vote ends the matter."

"You need everybody? One hundred percent?" I shrugged. "You'll never get it. Konosuke hasn't voted against Dad ever."

"Konosuke wants more say in the corporate direction than Father will allow him."

"And you'll give him that?"

"He believes I will."

"Ok so you've locked Shuzo, everyone under forty, and maybe Konosuke. What about the others?"

"I've spoken to them. They have reasons to vote for me."

"But will they vote against Dad?"

"We will see, won't we."

"What are you going to do if they don't?"

I shrugged. "Call Pegasus and ask if I can start the Monday after graduation."

"Pegasus!? That arrogant fuck?"

"Mokuba! It's a bit early in the morning for such language."

"Nii-sama, you can't be serious!"

"I have quite a satisfactory offer from him."

"Please tell me this is another nightmare."

I smiled. "Eight Hundred, plus rights."

"That is a joke."

"I even have a witness to the offer."

"He should double it just for you walking into the building." He groused.

"I'll ask him to consider that." We hit a bump and Mokuba spilled coffee on his t-shirt; which is when I registered on what my brother was wearing. "Did Father relax the office dress code while I was gone?"

He dabbed at the stain with a napkin. "Nah. But I have clothes on the plane." He laughed. "Actually, you have clothes on the plane and I wear your stuff a lot. The pants are still a bit long but the jackets are perfect."

"Really? I wish I had known that yesterday. It would have saved me a great deal of time."

"But if you wore one of your old suits, you wouldn't look so hip!" He laughed. "You'll be the most stylish thing in the room if Anzu's secretary isn't there."

We talked about people in the office until we reached the airport. I revised my timetable. I'd have two hours to confirm my plan had a chance of success. Had I taken the commuter train, I would have gotten there thirty minutes before the meeting started. That would have given me no time to prepare. Two hours would be cutting it close; there were so many things that I couldn't do until I got there.

And, as we took off, I realized that I'd forgotten to call Yamada.

Mokuba and I both slept for most of the flight, his arms around my waist, mine around his shoulder. I started to protest that we were no longer children who needed to be held, but I found I could not deny him even that.

When we woke, with a mere thirty minutes to touchdown, Mokuba opened the storage compartment and revealed the half dozen suits I'd left for my own convenience. "Isis told them they were mine so they didn't confiscate them."

"What did he do with my things?"

"They're in your room at home. Are you going to change or are you really going in there like that?"

"Is there something wrong with the way I look?"

"No, I'm just not used to being the conservative one." He laughed and pulled out a suit. "I'm going to have to do some serious shopping if you're going to start being fashionable." He undressed.

The last time I saw my brother naked, he was a spindly ten year old trying to avoid taking his bath. He'd filled out considerably in the last four years. His chest and shoulders were broader, his legs thicker, he even had enough body hair to catch my attention in quite the wrong way. I excused myself quickly. Maybe Kajiki was right; maybe there was something wrong with me. I should not be looking at my own brother in a sexual manner. My brother cannot be 'hot'.

Instead, I mentally reviewed my position. Once I reached the office, I would have to prepare what little I could as quickly as possible. No one had called me to sell out ….

….because my phone was disconnected, no one could call and sell me their vote. I could be Daniel walking into the lion's den. Maybe this was a mistake.

"We are approaching Tokyo International." The pilot announced overhead. "Please fasten your seatbelts and return all seats and trays to their upright positions."

I sat down and buckled in. A moment later, a well-dressed Mokuba joined me. "See? All presentable."

"Hugo Boss suits you. You should keep that one for as long as it lasts."

"Huh?"

"The shoulder seam is out of place. I doubt you'll still be able to wear it in six months. I do want that tie back."

He looked at his shoulder. "Really? Isis keeps complaining that I don't shop enough for the right things. I didn't think I was growing that fast."

"You are an adolescent." I had to chuckle. "Growth and foolish behavior is what you all do."

"Ha-ha, big bro; very funny. You're still an adolescent too, you know."

"Yes, but my clothing fits."

"Nobody's going to notice."

"Anzu in five minutes. Ryou in less."

"Bet?"

We used to bet dueling cards. It never particularly mattered since there were no cards that we could not both obtain, but the competitive principle was the important part. I smiled. "Bet. I don't have my deck with me but you can have whatever two cards are on top if neither of them notices."

"Deal."

After we landed, I made our driver stop at the first cell store I saw and paid my bill. They were able to reactivate my phone while I was standing there. I had fifty-six voice mail messages. "Bloody hell," I sighed as I got back into the car. There was no way I'd have time to review them all. "Brother, do you have a secretary?"

"I think so." He shrugged. "I never use her. I don't even know if it's the same girl when I come in. Isis does anything real that I can't do myself."

"I'll need someone for a few hours."

"We can do that." He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Hi! I figured you'd be in by now. I need an assistant for the morning. Is Damla free today?"

"I need someone who can type dictation at 120 words." I told him.

"Whoa! Never mind Damla. Call admin for me and find someone who can type like hell and won't ask questions. Are you sure? Thank you! Thank you; I'll call when we get in." He hung up. "Tamura is going to let us use his admin. She's cleared on all levels."

"Who's Damla?"

He grinned. "The Turkish girl I was telling you about."

"I thought she was a security officer."

"She is."

"Should I ask why you asked for her specifically?"

"

Well, she put herself through school as a secretary." He grinned. "I figured…."

"I will not be used as a dating service." I tried to sound perturbed, but I couldn't help snickering at him.

"Aw come on; I figured it was worth a shot."

I laughed outright. "To what end? Convince her that you do not take her seriously?"

"No! That I was listening when she told me all that crap about her past."

"Brother, there is a great difference between hearing and remembering and actually listening." I drew a breath to say more and stopped.

Had I actually listened to Joey, he would be with me today. He'd be on the phone, at the very least, telling me how much he loved me and promising to see me soon no matter what happened.

"Nii-sama?" Mokuba put his hand on my shoulder as concern creased his brow. "What is it?"

I shook my head of such thoughts. Joey. Was. Over. "Nothing. This girl; if you care about her, show her enough consideration to treat her with some respect."

"Yes, Nii-sama." He said softly, formally.

"Today will be difficult, Brother. What I do, I do to secure our future. I cannot protect you, if I am being besieged."

"Yes, Nii-sama."

"Mokuba? Look at me." He looked up. "He is our Father. I can respect the office even if I cannot love the man."

He smiled sadly. "I know. He needs a break. Did you know he stopped playing chess? He said he doesn't have time anymore."

As a point of fact, he stopped playing when it became clear that my winning was not a fluke. I tried to smile. "Then this will give him time."

"Yeah," he brightened, "I guess it will."

It wasn't that much further to the office. As the car pulled up to the rear entrance, I had two responses. The first was the knowledge that I was about to change my life and my brother's forever. The second was the image of the impressively long list of bad anal sex jokes my friends would make if they knew I routinely used 'Kaiba's rear entrance'. I started laughing and couldn't stop.

"Bro?" Mokuba didn't seem to know whether to laugh with me or call someone. "What?"

I shook my head. "Maybe when you're older." I managed to snicker.

We entered the building - me practically giggling foolishly - with no issues over ID. They recognized Mokuba and there was no need to ask his 'friend from school' to sign in. I tried to control myself as we took the high-speed elevator 'shaft'. From which we would burst forth at the tip.

Most of my life could be reduced to a series of bad sexual jokes. Joey and Pharaoh were living proof. Otogi, Ryou and Mutuo would have no end of fun laughing over it. I looked at Mokuba.

My life was about to be turned over to KaibaCorp forever but his did not have to be. He deserved inside jokes and friends to share them with.

"Brother." I turned serious. "I am not going to make you VP of Operations."

His face went through a number of expressions before he looked away. "Yes, Nii-sama."

"Mokuba, Operations is a constant, boring, stress-filled position that will suck the joy from your life." He started to speak, but I waved him quiet. "No, there is no point in arguing. I'm not going to listen. You do deserve a position in KaibaCorp but I am not going to allow your life to be taken over the way mine has. I want to you finish school."

"School's boring." He whined.

"Then I will speak to the Headmaster about placing you in an accelerated program. I'm sure he'll find a way to capture your interest."

"I'd rather be here. This is where I belong."

"You will be here. But not now. Not before you've had a childhood."

"I'm not a child, damn it!"

The elevator stopped and we stepped out. I took my brother by the shoulders and turned him to face me. "You are not a child. And that is my very concern. I don't want you to be alone and miserable for the rest of your life. I have nothing and no one except this corporation and you. I will be damned if I let you become like me."

"Nii-sama, that's all I want." He said softly.

I swallowed hard. He had no idea what he was saying. "Become like Honda. Become like Mutuo if you must. But not me." I kissed his forehead. "Where's your office. I have a lot to do."

He sighed, rolled his eyes and half smiled. "Come on, Nii-sama. This way."

We passed an office with an open reception area. Ryou was leaning against the desk reviewing a document with a man who could have been his protégée. "Change this whole - hold on - Mokuba? I was hoping to -" he stopped mid-sentence with his mouth open, looking at me.

"Bakura," Mokuba coughed to cover a laugh. "Excuse me. This is my friend from school, Tak."

Ryou grinned, "Tak. I think we've met, haven't we? You were in Seto's class, weren't you?" I wasn't sure I could speak without giving myself away so I simply nodded and bit my lip. "My goodness, you're much too shy to associate with Seto." Bakura observed. "He's so aggressive; he'd eat you alive."

"I think Seto'd do him." Mokuba put in, I think, just to be evil. "My big bro has weird taste in men."

"Does he?"

"Oh yes! He -"

"Mokuba," I muttered, "time."

"Oh. Right. Tak's here to help me with some stuff for this morning's meeting."

"Do you need me?" Ryou offered.

"Uh, not now." Mokuba glanced at me and I gave him my 'no' sign. "I'll call you if I do."

"Then I'd better finish in here. Pleasure to see you again, Tak. Love the hair. Oh, Mokuba, I know a tailor who can let out that jacket if you'd like."

He went back to his office and I hurried onward. Thankfully, no one else stopped us.

The woman Tamura sent was 912 years old at least, but typed as fast as I could speak. I gave Mokuba my cell phone to clear my messages and dictated several new proposals in case I needed them during the meeting. I had no idea which way anyone would go, so I needed to have a number of situations accounted for. She sat at Mokuba's computer and I paced his inner office and we churned out a dozen documents in half an hour.

"Hey Nii-sama?" Mokuba yelled from his reception area.

I glanced at the secretary, but she didn't look up from the computer screen. I went out to my brother. "Please try not to shout for me at the top of your lungs while I am trying not to be seen in the office." I said as calmly as I could.

"Oh. Sorry. Who's Yamada and why would he be wiring funds to you?"

"I have a settlement coming. When will the funds be available? Today?"

"From the sound of the message, he wanted to make sure you got them last week."

"What?" I snatched the phone and scrolled through the address book until I found my bank's number. I waded through the friendly dial-a-teller until I got to my balance.

It was over nine million yen. I felt my blood pressure drop and I sagged against the desk in sheer relief.

"

Nii -uh -Tak?"

"I'm ok." I took a deep breath. "I'm fine. I need checks." I hit zero to speak to a live person and handed the phone to Mokuba. "Get me at least a dozen checks before the meeting starts. I don't care how."

"O-o-ok."

I went back in to the office and began revising half my documents.

It took another half hour to get paper checks, but by then, I was ready with the accompanying documents. I thanked the old woman and was surprised when she addressed me by name.

"It was my honor, Kaiba-san. Welcome back." She shuffled out of the office slowly.

Then I checked on Mokuba and my voice mails. "Are you seeing Kajiki Ry?" He asked before I could say anything.

"Why?"

"Because he left you, like a dozen 'call me' messages before he finally left this long thing about last night being amazing and how no one's ever done anything like that or made him feel like that. He was kind of graphic."

"Oh." I hadn't even considered that such a message might exist when I asked Mokuba to listen for me. The intimate details of my love life were not something I was ready to expose or explain to him.

He laughed. "You should see your expression! You know I collect porn, right? Besides, it wasn't nearly as graphic as watching your disc." He grinned and held up an unlabeled DVD.

I snatched it from him. "Where did you get this?"

"Interoffice mail this morning. Don't worry; it's the only copy. Tamura said he destroyed the rest."

The rest - meaning that it had been circulating.

"So? Ry and you?"

I tried to recover some dignity. "Briefly, yes."

"You know he has a boyfriend, right?" My surprise must have shown. "Ok, I guess that's a no. You didn't think he and Tsunami Mako spent an awful lot of time necking in the hallways?"

"Frankly, no."

"Do you even care?"

"Not especially. I have no intention of seeing him again. You may delete his messages." On reflection I added, "And anyone else claiming to be a lover. I'm sure I did sleep with them and I'm sure I won't be calling them again."

"What about Yami?"

I hesitated, but I didn't really have an option. "I'm afraid that I no longer have time for such things."

"Geez! You sound like Dad already."

I went back into the office without comment.

Go to: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Interlude 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Interlude 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Interlude 3 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

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