One Random Story...

By Bob-and-Obo Inc.

Seto Kaiba sat in his darkened office on the top floor of the Kaiba Corp. Building. It has been five years since he graduated from Domino High and Kaiba Corp had prospered for a while. But one year ago, after Mokuba's grad the brothers had a fight about Mokuba's choice in fiance's and so Mokuba ran off with said girl and hadnt been heard from since. In that year, since Mokuba's disappearance Kaiba corp has slipped and gone down hill. Staff was leaving without notice because Mr. Kaiba couldnt afford to pay their wages anymore. It was a dark place at Kaiba Corp...but that was how Seto liked it...dead inside...like himself.

Seto pushed away from his desk in discust. 'My mind wanders like a depraved lunatic.' he mentally sneered. He grabbed his half empty bottle of vodka from the desk and stormed out of his office grabbing his trench coat on his way out. He made his way down to the lobby and out into the pouring rain.

Ashley was just getting out of her taxi that she had hired to get across the city in the rain. She was going to apply at Kaiba Corp. She knew that the business was floundering, but at least it would be a job...she looked up at the imposeing structure. 'Well stop gawking like an idiot and get moving.' she mentally chided. She moved to go up the stairs and was soon bowled over by a wall of solid muscle.

"Ooff..." she exclaimed as the tumbled backwards. She stood back up, her arms and backside trobbed a bit but she would live, but unfortunately she had landed in a puddle and was sopping wet, "Wow...im going to look like a drowned puppy when I go in for my interview." she muttered.

"There wont be an interview." The wall of muscle growled and moved past her.

Ashley looked up and was about to shout a retort when she realised who had bumped her...It was The Seto Kaiba...and he didnt look to impressed...or even healthy for that matter... his eyes were angry and bllodshot and ringed from fatigue, he looked as if he hadnt shaved in a few days, his clothes were rumpled and unclean...and he smelt as if he hadnt showered in at least a week...and to top that all off with the recogniseable stench of alcohol.

"I'm sorry Mr. Kaiba, But may I ask why not?" Ashley asked as she picked up her pappers and folder off the ground, they were as thuroughly wet as she was...

"Simple, there isn't even a company anymore...the last employee left this morning...I'm surprised he lasted this long...Now if you will stop wasteing my time..." He walked off towards the park.

Ashley stared after him. 'Poor man.' she thought. 'First his brother runs off and now his company goes under...' Ashley sighed and turned towards the street, She looked up and down for another Taxi but she didnt see one, so she headed off up the street towards a coffee shop where she could warm up and dry off before heading back to the unemployment office to find a new job...'With Kaiba Corp gone it will be hard to find a new job..' she thought as she enetered the cafe. She ordered a Hot Chocolate and sat near a window. She pulled her book out of her purse and began reading.

A little while later she head the shop bell ring and she looked up, There was Rachel and a few of her friends. Ashley waved to them. They came over and sat down. Ashley looked at the group. There was Rachel, Yami, Yugi and Ryou.

"Hey guys." Ashley greeted.

"Hey, how did your interview go?" Yugi asked.

"There was no Interview, Kaiba threw in the towel today..." Aslhey sighed. "So now its back to the Enemployment office for me."

"Well, you know that I would offer you a job at the Game Shop, but we dont have the extra money to pay you, business has been slow." Yami said sadly.

"I know...I know...Thank you anyways." Ashley said sadly.

"Cheer up, Ok, there'll be other jobs!" Ryou's cheery english voice cut into Ashleys gloom.

"Dont be so sure Ryou, After Kaiba Corp going out that'll mean alot of unemployed for Domino." Rachel said. "But like the man says, Cheer Up Ash, It wont be to hard, i mean you have some skills others dont."

"Yeah, Im a Registered Massage Therapist, and I am also skilled at housework...but who isnt. Sure I also have a bachalors in journalism but the paper isnt hireing. And how much could a book writter make? i mean really? a novelist just gets lucky." Ashley said defeatedly.

"Hmm we shall see, Lets take a walk down to the Unemployment office now and see what they can find for you, Im sure there is a receptionist office hireing somewhere?" Yugi said and stood up. "Come on!"

They all got up and walked down the street. Rachel and Ryou were both teachers at the High School, Yugi and Yami both ran the Game Shop that their grandfather had left them after he had died. So all four of them were set in jobs. Tea and Serenity worked at a hair salon. Joey worked in the warehouse at the furniture store down the street from his apartment. Mai was abroad promoteing her clothing line. Bakura and Marik were roomies and did odd jobs for Isis at the museum. Malik was on a dig in Giza. And duke owned his own triving business...more so now that Kaiba Corp was down and out...but again they were all set and Ashley was down and out...Just like Kaiba. They reached the office and there was a line out the doors, The rain had subsided and so they didnt mind waiting.

And so they waited...For three hours and finally it was Ashleys turn to go in and talk with one of the receptionists.

Another two hours later and Ashley came back outside a small smile on her face.

"So?" They asked in unison.

"Well they found me a job..."

"But?" Rachel prompted...

"Its at a small diner on fourth street, I'll be paid seven dollars an hour plus tips. But it is at least twelve blocks from where I live now and personally i think cab fare will kill me." Ashley said. "But its a job...I have to go in tomarrow for an interview."

"Well I say that we all take you out to celebrate, Now I know that Duke and Mai cant make it, But most of the gang can!" Rachel said. "What do you think?"

"Ok, but you dont mind that I cant pay? as it is I'm going to be short on the rent this month...But Mrs. Dibbs wont mind, Shes usually pretty good about it."

So it was set, They were all to meet at their favorite restaurant near the park at seven pm. Ashley smiled and said goodbye to her friends and promised to meet them later. She went up to her apartment and looked at her clock. four pm. well she had three hours, might was well have a bath and enjoy her book. She was half way through filling up the water when her phone rang. She walked out to her living room and answered it on the fourth ring.

"Hello?" She asked.

"Hey!" The voice on the other end answered.

"Mai?" Ashley said astonished, "Where are you?"

"I'm at the airport...I got finished early and came home, So what you up to tonight?"

"Well the gang is all meeting to celebrate that I got a job."

"Thats great news! Where at? Mind if I join?"

"Not at all, were meeting at our usual spot near the park. What a great suprise you'll be!" Ashley laughed.

"Indeed. Well I'll let you go hun. See ya tonite!" Mai said cheerfully.

"Later!" Ashley said and hung up the phone.

She went back and finished filling the tub, An hour later she got out and wrapped in a towel, she walked to her bedroom and threw oopen her closet, she looked through all her clothes until she finally found what she was looking for, A little black dress she had baught a few years ago for a school dance, she pulled it out and tried it on, It still fit, so she took it back off and laid it out on her bed along with a black shawl and a pair of black heals. Then she went to the bathroom again and did up her hair and makeup. By six pm she was all dressed up and ready to go, so she grabbed her purse and umbrella and walked out of the apartment and down to the lobby. She walked out the front doors and into the rain putting up her umbrella as she walked.

She was a few blocks away from the restaurant when she saw a man wandering around, he looked drunk out of his mind and lost. She was about to cross the street when something familiar about the man reached out to her. She walked a little closer. Sure enough the man walking towards her was none other than Seto Kaiba.

"..." She said lightly...

"What do you want!" he slurred.

"Mr. Kaiba...what are you doind out in the pouring rain...at this time...it doesnt even look like you've been home..since I saw you this morning..."

"What home? I lost that this morning with my company..." He went to take a swig from his bottle and found it empty, angry at this small slight he threw the bottle and it smashed against the building.

"Come with me...You cant be out wandering the streets...do you want to be murdered?" She asked.

"Why the fuck do you care? You dont even know me!" He slurred and almost fell down.

Ashley reached out and steadied him, pulling one arm over her shoulders and helping him walk. "I care because...well I guess Im almost as down and out as you are, We Sir, are in the same boat, but since I am able to help you out, I might as well. Come on lets get you out of the rain." Ashley started moving him back towards her apartment.

Twenty minutes later Ashley was hefting Kaiba up the stairs of her apartment towards her door. It was an older building therefore unequipt with an elevator. Finally she got him up to her floor and down the hall to her door, another five minutes and she had him into her living room and onto the sofa, Then she went over to the phone, noticing that it was ten to seven she called Rachels cell phone. On the fifth ring she picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Rachel...I cant make it tonight." Ashley said.

"Why not?" Rachel asked confused.

"I had an emergency...Im fine but I cant come tonight...can you and I catch up tomarrow after you get off work?" Ashley asked.

"Yeah sure...but what do I tell everyone else?"

"Just tell them that I caught a little cold from being out in the rain this morning...I'll give you the whole story tomarrow though, ok...But Mai is gonna be there tonight, she just got in from where ever it was that she was...so they'll buy the story and not ask any questions ok...talk to you tomarrow?"

"Yeah, How about we meet at Second Cup up the street from the school, I know that is only 3 blocks for you to walk..."

"Yeah sure, see you tomarrow. Good night." Ashley hung up the phone and looked over at her new room mate.

Ashley walked over to the sleeping ex-CEO. He looked so peacefull...but that stench was all over him and moxt likely all over the couch. Ashley frowned. She went back to the kitchen and brewed a big pot of coffee, She came back with a steaming mug and woke up Kaiba.

"Hey...hey Kaiba, wake up!" she shook him until his eyes opened. he grumbled something unintelligable and closed his eyes again. Ashley shook him again and this time he sat up, with Ashleys help.

"What now..." he grumbled.

"Drink this." Ashley offered him the cup of coffee.

Seto took it without hesitation it had been at least forty-eight hours since he'd had a good cup of coffee. He smiled slightly as the warm liquid flowed through him making him more aware of his suroundings.

"Where am I?" he asked the blonde in front of him. "And who are you?"

"Well, Im Ashley Bennett and you are at my house."

"Why am I here? and how did I get here? Last I remember I was in my office..." he spoke slowly, trying not to slur his words.

"Well I brought you here after I found you drunk and wandering in the streets, you told me that you didnt have a house to go home to and so I figured that you'd do just fine here. That is until you get back on your feet." Ashley said.

"I...umm...Thank you I guess...But you dont even know me...I could be a murderer...do you make it your practice to bring home strange men?" He asked.

"Actually I do know you...Not very well. I attended Domino High for my graduating year and was in your class. I also met you again for the first time in five years this morning when I went to Kaiba Corp for an interview...you bowled me over on the stairs and walked off...fireing me before I was even hired." Ashley looked at Kaiba, she could see that something had clicked...a memory perhaps.

"Ah yes I remember now, You were a member of the geek squad...a quieter one I might add, and more likeable to the others but a member no less...At least you didnt preach like Gardner or bark like the mutt." Seto said and Ashley smiled. "You actually think what I said was funny?" He asked...amazed that a friend of said people would actually laugh at jokes about them...

"Yes I always had such a hard time keeping my laughter in when you insulted Joey in front of all of us at school. One time I was laughing so hard I had to try and come up with a lie...and then you told me to stop baying like a donkey...in spite of the insult it was supposed to mean i laughed harder.." Ashley laughed a little.

Seto looked at her with suprise written all over his face...'she actually laughed at insults thrown at her...that explaines why she helped me after i practicly shoved her down the steps this morning...' he thought.

Seto and Ashley talked a little longer until Seto had sobbered up sufficiantly to notice that he smelled awful and asked to make use of Ashleys bathroom. An hour later Seto came out his hair still slightly wet from the shower, he was dressed in his boxers and his dirty clothes were folded over one arm.. Ashley was stuned at the sight of him and was almost incoherant when he spoke to her.

"Do you have means of washing these?" He asked.

"...ummm...oh yeah... here." she walked over and took the clothes and walked down to a closet near her room inside was a small washer and dryer she threw the clothes in the washer and turned it on. She walked back to the living room. Kaiba was sitting on the couch. "Umm...if you just stand up a moment I can pull out the couch bed for you..." Ashley said.

Seto stood up and Ashley pulled out the bed, she wandered off down tha hall again and came back with a blanket and two pillows. "Here you go." she said and ploped the pillows down on the bed. "Are you hungry?" She asked him.

"A little...you?"

"Famished!" Ashley smiled and laughed a little and walked to the kitchen...she rummaged about in her cupboards and found what she was looking for, two cans of spagetti and meatballs. She smiled. She opened the cans and nuked the contents, served them up on two plates with two slices of home made garlic bread and sprinkled some herbs on top and took the meal out to the living room. She handed one plate a fork and a napkin to Kaiba and sat down on the chair. Seto took one look at the food and laughed. "Im sorry...its all I have...at the moment..." Ashley blushed slightly embarrassed...of course he was probably used to better than canned spaggetti...

"Oh...its not that..." Seto saw her blush.."I was just wondering how you knew what my favorite food was? i mean its certianly not something you'd see in a magasine." Seto laughed again and Ashley joined in, relieved that he wasnt mocking her on her sparse groceries.

After they ate Ashley cleared up and washed the dishes. Then she sat back down in the chair as Seto made his bed and got comfortable. "Do you want to watch a movie?" Ashley asked. "Or do you want me to leave you now so you can sleep?" She stood up.

"I think a movie would be great...What do you have?" he asked. Ashley smiled and walked over to the movie cabinet.

"Well, I have all six of the Star Wars movies...hmm...Moulin Rouge...All three Lord of the Rings...Pirates of the Caribbean...yeah thats about all thats good anyways..." she sat back and let Seto look inside the cabinet.

"Ok, lets watch Star Wars then...do you mind if we start with episode four?" he asked.

Ashley smiled, "No not at all, thats where I always start!" She laughed slightly and pulled out the Dvd's and put the fourth episode in and turned on the Tv and Dvd machine. She went to sit in the chair but Kaiba stopped her. "Sit with me on the bed, I doubt you can see the Tv from over there anyways, go grab your blanket if you want, Im sure that I can figure out this machine..." He laughed slightly. It was a nice thing to hear him laugh, His mind was off his company and he was enjoying himself Ashley thought...and he hardly ever laughed in high school...and anything that remotely resembled a smile on his lips was usually just the classic Kaiba smirk as Joey had dubbed it. Ashley grabbed her blanket and a pillow for her back and went back out to the couch as the movie started. She hit the lights before she sat down. Now the only light was coming from the Tv.