Seto Kaiba was not known for his kindness. In fact, many doubted he had any in him at all. He was an icy stone of expressionless indifference and hatred. Did he fight these claims? No. He embraced and even supported them. In fact, he didn't have a friend in the world; not that he minded. Seto kaiba acted alone and he didn't need burdens like "friends" to hold him back.

Seto Kaiba sighed as he adjusted his bow tie in the mirror, scowling noticeably. Kaiba Corp's annual charity gala was tonight; an event he'd prefer to not partake in, if given the choice. However, seeing as it was he who was hosting it…

With a final icy glare at his reflection, he turned on his heel, heading for the limo waiting downstairs.

The annual Kaiba Corp charity gala was one of the largest events in Domino city. Prestigious guests gathered from all over the country, and in some cases, the world, to attend. Due to such, the company's and Kaiba's personal security teams had spent weeks preparing for this; Keeping an eye on the press, weeding out unwanted guests, and ensuring the safety of all those who attended. Sure enough, when Seto arrived, there was a line of bodyguards adorning black suits guarding the entrance. As he exited the limo, camera flashes erupted around him, though he paid them no mind. He wordlessly watched a beaming Mokuba jump out behind him, before taking special care to avoid looking at any cameras as he walked to the doors. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted he was already being studied by a band of giggling women. It was going to be a long night.

Kaede Erizawa shook her black bangs out of her eyes with a huff. They were getting too long again. She stood in a hidden corridor, silently watching glamorous people in expensive clothing socialize while a string quartet played serenely in the background. She stayed concealed in the shadows, knowing she wasn't meant to be seen. While she was a part of Kaiba Corp's elite security team, she wasn't quite important enough to be out on the scene actually doing something of importance. She frowned a little at the thought, but did nothing more. She knew in case of an emergency, she's play a bigger role, but the possibility of that happening was slim to none. No one could get past her father's well-designed security plan.

Kaede's father, Tatsuki Erizawa, was head of Kaiba Corp security. He had served the company even when Gozuboro was still in charge; he was one of the few employees who was lucky enough to remain when Seto took over. Her elder brother, Hiroki, was the primary day guard at the Kaiba Mansion. She? Wasn't quite as high up there. Fresh out of her first year of University, her father managed to secure her the measly position of watching over the security cameras some days and nights. She usually spent said days and nights sleeping in her chair.

Once again, she sighed, crossing her arms and leaning against a wall, her dull grey eyes observing the guests. It really looked like it was going to be a long, boring night.

Or so she thought.

Kaede was struggling to keep her eyes open, now slouched on the floor against the wall when her radio started crackling.

"Bzzt.. This is Agito. We've just found Hiroki unconscious out back. There's evidence of a struggle; somebody's not supposed to be here. Over."

Kaede felt her blood run cold. She quickly snapped a hand to her ear piece, turning up the volume so as to not miss a word.

"Bzzt.. Tatsuki here. Agito, stay with Hiroki and make sure he gets help. Beta and Charlie, come in from the front and mingle with the crowd keeping a sharp eye out. Alpha, keep guarding the door. Delta, circulate to the back and take a look around. Echo, check out all the back rooms and hallways. Don't dare miss a corner. All other individuals are to man your current area. Kaede, come out of your spot and go to Mokuba Kaiba. I'll personally be watching Mr. Kaiba."

Her father's calm voice came through the radio and Kaede instantly knew it'd be okay. She jumped to her feet, smoothing down her loose black dress, reaching just to her mid shin. She shook her hair over her earpiece to hide it and stepped out into the fray.

Everything seemed calm and normal. Important rich people chatted away, while a good many had taken to the center of the room where the dance floor was open. The room was encircled in bunches of tables where dinner had been served a few hours ago. It wasn't hard to spot Mokuba. Predictably, he was right beside his older brother, who seemed to draw the eye's attention. With his smoldering gaze, tall, slim frame, and aura of superiority, it was hard to not immediately spot him. Kaede started moving towards him.

As she got closer, a ball of dread grew larger and larger in her stomach. Dread for what, she did not know. Brow creasing in worry, she walked briskly towards Mokuba. She dully noted that her father was already at Kaiba, whispering in his ear. The dread increased. She found herself jogging towards the small black haired boy, not caring about the stares she was getting. She saw Kaiba give her a glare, knowing she was being way too obvious, but she didn't care. Because she had spotted the gun.

What happened next was all a blur.

She dived for the younger Kaiba, pulling a gun from the holster on her thigh as she did so, immediately shooting the one who had aimed for him in the arm. Hers wasn't the only shot to fire though. A second gunshot rang out as the second man fired for Seto Kaiba himself.

Not before his personal bodyguard could dive in front and turn himself into a human shield.

Kaede turned just in time to see the bullet lodge itself in her father's chest before he fell to the ground with a 'thud' that would haunt her forever.

Panic erupted.

Guests were screaming and making a mad dash for the doors, while some security guards were attempting to calm the hordes, the others pouncing on the two gunmen. Seto Kaiba was frozen in shock, his eyes wide. Mokuba shook in fear. Kaede noted the hysteria rising in her stomach. He couldn't be dead. Her father; the one sure thing she could always rely on in life. The strongest person she knew..

"No… he isn't… no, that wasn't a fatal shot… He wouldn't die, just like that…"

Somewhere inside of her, she knew it must've been fatal. But she disregarded that part of her, and jumped to her feet.

Her eyes darted around the crowd. Only two people broke in? It must be on a larger scale. If her father took a bullet for the Kaibas, she'd see to it that it wasn't for naught. Eyes narrowing, she raised her gun, motioning for Mokuba to move behind her; he didn't hesitate to run to his brother.

"You two are to stick to me like glue. We'll get you to the roof and call a helicopter in…" She muttered, already moving forward. Though she didn't know the CEO of Kaiba Corp at all, and had only encountered him a few times, she did know he didn't like to be ordered around.

Yet, he raised no protests.

Locking eye contact with Kaiba, she nodded and bolted for the corridor she was previously concealed in, the brothers close behind. She entered the hallway and took a sharp left, heading for a concealed set of stairs. She waved the two brothers ahead of her before sprinting behind them, her radio going crazy the whole time. Mokuba was soon panting and tired, and the panic never left his eyes, but they didn't stop. After a good seven stories, they finally hit a door. Seto slammed it open and they all got a mouthful of icy night air. Kaede shut and blocked the door behind them, before pressing a small button on her earpiece.

"Kaede here. I have the Kaiba brothers with me. What's the situation downstairs?"

There was silence for a minute. Her radio was loud enough for the Kaibas to hear every word said in the silent night.

"Bzzt.. Tomoyo here. We've gotten most of the guests out of the building, and cuffed four other men. The police and ambulance just arrived. No word yet on Hiroki and Tatsuki, over."

Kaede felt her blood run cold. With a groan, she slid to her knees, eyes closed. After a second, she felt a small hand on her shoulder, and she jerked her head upright to see the younger Kaiba brother eyeing her carefully.

"Are you alright?" His amethyst eyes sparkled with concern, despite the fact it was he and his brother who had nearly been killed. With a slight nod, Kaede pulled out a cell phone and rapidly dialed a number. As she looked up, she locked eyes with Kaiba, who was staring intensely at her. She shot him a curious look, but he just growled and turned away.

"Roland, this is Kaede. There was a disturbance at the gala. Send a Kaiba Corp helicopter to the roof of the event hall right away; we need to get Mr. Kaiba and his brother out of here."

She noted her voice was an octave higher than usual; she hadn't noticed how panicked she was. After exchanging a few more words with Roland, she hung up the phone, and sighed while getting to her feet.

"Roland's sending over Dimitri. We have about 10 minutes until he gets here. Until then, please stay here by the door, where no one on the ground can see you." She felt slightly awkward giving orders to the most powerful man in Domino, but once again, he obeyed wordlessly and moved into the shadows beside her and Mokuba.

There were a few moments of silence besides the occasional crackle of Kaede's radio before Mokuba spoke.

"K-Kaede, is it? Was that your father who was shot by the guy who tried to kill Seto?" He spoke timidly, as though he didn't want to bring it up, but he was curious. Kaede blanched for a second, her eyes widening. She hadn't thought much about her father being shot. But now that they were out of immediate danger, the impact of it hit her fully. She felt her knees buckle, and she leaned back against the door to steady herself.

"… Yeah, it was…" she murmured, her wide grey eyes staring at her feet. It became apparent a moment later that she was shaking violently. Kaede stared in confusion at her shuddering hands. What was happening to her?

"Kaede, get a hold on yourself" a cold voice snapped. Kaede jumped about a foot in the air in fright. It took her a second to realize she had just been spoken to by THE Seto Kaiba. She looked at him a little shocked. He ignored this.

"Your father will be fine; I personally will see to such. Never has a better head of security been seen. In the meantime, making sure we depart here safely is your concern. So stop spacing out like an idiot and focus on the task at hand." He snapped once more, an icy glare settling on Kaede. Along with a surge of anger, she felt a rush of relief at his unquestionable words. She nodded once, and got off her wall. At that moment, she heard a propeller beating in the distance. She immediately snapped her gaze towards the direction of the Kaiba Corp building; sure enough, one of the company helicopters was making its way there. She signaled for Seto and Mokuba to press themselves up against the wall to stay out of the way, as she did the same. A minute later, the helicopter was hovering above the building, a rope ladder being dropped. With a nod to Kaede, Seto began climbing up. She nodded back, staring after the mysterious CEO when she felt arms wrap around her middle.

"What in the—"

"Thank you, Kaede. For keeping us safe!" She heard Mokuba chirp as he separated himself from her and ran after his brother. She stared at them in bewilderment. How could two brothers be so close, yet remain so different? She shook her head and watched them leave before speeding back down the stairs they came; downstairs was going to be a mess.

;

Seto Kaiba felt a rare stab of pain as he watched Kaede Erizawa sob hysterically into her brother's chest. He turned to look down at Mokuba when he felt him pulling on his jacket sleeve.

"Hey, Seto…" Mokuba started. Seto nodded for him to go on, already knowing what was coming.

"They're orphans now, aren't they? Like us?" Mokuba asked, his large eyes dampened with sadness. Seto couldn't do anything but give a curt nod. He looked back at the girl and felt that same pain bubbling in his chest again. He didn't just see two of his employees. He saw himself holding Mokuba after their parents died, not knowing how to face the vast world. If that wasn't bad enough, he himself had promised Kaede her father would be fine. Never before had he found himself to be unable to keep a promise.

The Gala had been nearly two weeks ago. Tatsuki had been admitted to the hospital right away, but he had still already lost a lot of blood. Seto himself handpicked the doctors to take care of him. Normally, he wouldn't be so involved, but this was the man who literally put himself between Seto and certain death. At first, it looked like he was going to recover, but then his condition took a turn for the worst. After an eight day battle with the worst, Tatsuki was pronounced dead. The funeral had ended only moments ago, and they were now in the reception. Seto had full intentions of leaving right away, but he felt as though he had to say something to the newly orphaned Erizawa siblings first.

Then, for the first time in years, Seto apologized.

"I'm sorry." He muttered lowly, looking Hiroki in the eye. Mokuba looked up at him in shock, and even Kaede hiccupped and turned to glance at the CEO, tears still streaming down her face.

Quite aware of the tension, Seto cleared his voice before speaking once more. "I still expect you both to be at your shifts right on time come Monday. Until then, have a restful weekend." With that, he turned without so much of a goodbye, Mokuba trailing after him after giving Kaede a sympathetic wave. Keda just glowered in the CEO's direction.

"Nice apology, asshole." She blubbered out. Her brother did nothing but sigh.

;

Hola, everyone :)

If you're reading this, thanks for checking out my story! I found this on my laptop, and realized I at some point meant to post this. Yes, it's a SetoXOC story. So if you're in to that, enjoy! It'll take a while to get them together though ;)

Basically though, because this was old and on my computer, I'm not really in Yu-Gi-Oh mode anymore. I'll update when I can, but I can't promise it'll be too frequent. If I don't have a lot of interest in the series at the time of writing fanfiction, I experience quite a bit of writer's block. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy it! I'd be super appreciative if you left a review.

-Nyx