The Fall of Seto Kaiba

This story, if you didn't already know, is focused on the two main characters, Kaiba and Sydney. Sydney is my own character but I don't mind if anyone else chooses to use her in their stories. Just let me know that you're using her so I can read the story and see how you did. The plot of this story seems very straight forward at first, but trust me, things do get a bit stronger toward the end and it won't focus on just the two characters anymore. The first couple chapters are merely to introduce Sydney and explain her relationship with Kaiba and Mokuba, than the story gets bigger and more confusing! Unfortunately, to those who love happy endings, this will not contain a fairy tale ending wedding or a closing with a lovey-dovey kissing scene and anything to that nature, but I do believe you will enjoy it none the less. The ending however, doesn't have the world being taken over either. I've thought this whole story through before beginning to type it so hopefully everything will make sense. If it doesn't, let me know so I can fix the loose ends and hopefully make the story most enjoyable. Well, I guess that's all I have to say. Oh, please keep the flaming to a minimum. Everyone has their own writing style so please keep an open mind about things. Not everyone writes the same or uses the same style so please watch the criticism. And lastly, I do not, though I wish I did, own Yu-Gi-Oh! or it's awesome characters.
Chapter One: Solitude is the Best Policy

The lean figure strided down the length of the narrow hallway, his footsteps slow and swift, causing the ocean of students to part as he made his way through. His right hand grasped the sleek outline of his school books as his left raised to brush the loose strands of dark bangs from obstructing his view. He came upon a door and entered silently, slipping into the desk farthest from the front of the room and away from the blinding light that occasionally poured in through the windows. This was his usual seat.
He opened one of his books and immediately began to read, distracting himself from the socializing that stirred up from his entrance. He was Seto Kaiba. Only known as 'Kaiba' to those he despised or failed to notice. He was feared by many boys and yet admired by the girls. His silent demeanor and handsome features cursed his seclusion and generally attracted more attempts of conversation than he had anticipated. His enjoyment of tranquility was soon interrupted by a sudden shadow that had casted itself over his reading.
Lifting his gaze, he sneered and iced his voice,"Do you mind removing yourself from my light?"
"Yes, I would, Mr. Kaiba."
Kaiba lowered his book, realizing that it was not a student that had blocked him, but his teacher, Mr. Karubo, who, out of his sudden interest, had decided to find out what distracted his student from following along with the others. Kaiba remained silent and let his book close quietly by itself as he sighed, mentally kicking himself for letting himself become too indulged in his reading to notice that class had started.
"Sorry, Mr. Karubo."
"As I was saying," Mr Karubo continued as he slowly strode from beside Kaiba's desk to the front of the room, where, Kaiba noticed, stood a girl around his age,"This is Sydney Muik. She has just transferred from Gerudo High School. I assume you will all make her feel welcome, right, Mr. Kaiba?"
Kaiba forced back his sarcastic tone,"Yes, Sir."
Mr. Karubo's satisfied smirk slowly drooped into an expressionless line,"Please, Miss Muik, take a seat."
Kaiba's face remained expressionless as he watched the long dark haired girl slowly stride to the only open seat that happened to be located in front of him. He watched her slender figure slowly slip into the seat and narrowed his eyes. The girl slowly raised a hand and ran it slowly through the length of her hair, gently tugging the barrette that had been placed deep in the strands and removing it, sliding it into the small bag that sat beside her on the desk. He noticed her uniform seemed altered slightly, making it different from the normal girl's uniform that most female students were forced to wear.
As class went on, he found himself studying her elegant features and her thoughtless habits. He noticed she tapped her fingers lightly as she listened, as though she were drumming in her mind as Mr. Karubo rattled on about ancient Eygpt. When she turned to pass back the homework assignment, she smiled at him briefly, showing off her sparkling green eyes and perfect smile. Kaiba kept his cold glare and took the packet of papers from her rather hastily, causing her to bite her lip and face forward again.
He wasn't going show this girl any kindness. She wasn't different from the other morons that attended this lowclass school. He sighed when he finally heard the tone of the bell echoing through the halls and slowly stood, gathering his belongings and turning to walk from the room.
"Excuse me."
Kaiba grunted in response.
"I'm sorry, but do you know where room C127 is?"
He let one of his hands slowly gather into a fist and turned slightly to face the new brunette,"Down the hallway, past the library, first left."
He watched her brow furrow, scrunching up her beautiful features,"I'm afraid I have no idea where the library is. Do you mind showing me?"
Kaiba's voice grew even more annoyed,"Look, I have class to attend to also. I cannot show you where every classroom is on your schedule."
She seemed offended and remorse showed on her face,"I'm sorry, I don't know anyone here and I figured you looked nice enough-"
"I'm not." He replied flatly.
She was taken back by how incredibly bitter his response was and decided to take a different approach,"I'm sure you can take a couple minutes to show me on your way to class."
Kaiba's eyes hardened into a deep glare as he looked down at her,"I've already taken a couple minutes."
The girl finally sighed and decided to give up,"Nevermind. Sorry to bother you."
Kaiba's gaze followed her as she slowly strided out, turning to the left, which he knew was the wrong direction. Mentally arguing with himself, he let out a sigh and followed the girl outside the class room and turned to the left.
"Wait." He called, his voice barely above a normal tone.
Surprisingly, she had heard him and turned to face him,"Yes?"
He walked toward her, closing the space between them and placed his free hand in his uniform coat pocket,"The library is the other way. I guess I could show you the way."
Her curious expression blossomed into a genuine smile, which made Kaiba immediately regret his decision. Now he had initiated what she probably thought was a friendship, which it wasn't. He didn't need nor wanted friends and certainly not with this girl. She appeared attractive and friendly but looks were decieving. Besides, he had other things to do, other things to worry about. He would just show this girl where the library was and be on his way, as simple as that.
He turned slightly and gestured with his arm to the other side of the hallway. She raised her gaze to look, still clutching her books to her chest and looked to him unsure. Kaiba began to walk, not caring to look behind him to see if she were following. She was, closer than he had expected, especially when she reached out and took his arm. He looked back at her briefly than looked forward again, concentrating himself on reaching the library.
They turned the corner and nearly bombarded into another student. Kaiba quickly recoiled and hissed angrily at the blonde boy. The girl just blinked a couple times, unaware of what had just happened and still held onto Kaiba's arm.
"Step aside, Wheeler."
Joey slowly bent down to pick up two books that had knocked to the floor and frowned at him,"Other people go to this school too, ya know!"
He raised a hand to sift through his blonde mane and noticed the girl on Kaiba's arm and looked between the two. Kaiba glared at him when he realized why he was just standing and staring, and slowly removed his arm from the girl's hold.
"Wheeler," Kaiba sneered with an iced voice,"This is Sydney. I'm showing her where the library is."
Maybe I can just get rid of her here, Kaiba thought to himself, Wheeler will be the perfect distraction.
"Hi," Sydney said with a warm smile,"Is your name Wheeler?"
Joey chuckled and exposed a large grin,"Nahhhhhh.... The name's Joey, nice to meet ya!"
"It's nice to meet you too, Joey." Sydney suddenly looked to side and realized Kaiba was nowhere to be seen. He must have snaked away turning their introduction. She let out a heavy annoyed sigh and turned back to Joey with a soft smile.
"It seems my tour leader has abandoned me," She said softly, loosening her hold on her books,"Could you show me where room C127 is?"
Joey looked down the length of the hallway, noticing Kaiba's figure was just turning the corner. He shook his head and mentally growled at him for being so unconsiderate, especially to such a pretty girl. She didn't know anyone and Kaiba still proved to have no concern for her well being.
Big surprise, he growled to himself.
"That's Kaiba for ya," Joey said to her,"He's kind of a loner."
"Kaiba? Is that his name?"
"He didn't even tell ya his name?"
"He never brought it up."
He's truly a jerk, Joey mentally noted.
"His name's Seto Kaiba but everyone calls him 'Kaiba'," Joey explained,"He's got some big smoozy company and lives alone with his brother in a large mansion. He's pretty much well known in the school as the smartest student and the biggest jerk."
Sydney titled her head and looked at him strangely,"He doesn't seem that mean."
Joey couldn't help but laugh,"That's cause ya just met 'im! After ya get to know him better, he's just like every rich buisness guy, selfish, rude and obnoxious."
She bit her lip as Joey spoke and he realized he was starting to appear just as spiteful as Kaiba.
"Me and him don't get along very well," Joey quickly remarked,"He doesn't like it when people try to help him."
"I see," Sydney finally replied just as the last bell rang,"I'm late."
Joey's expression changed,"Me too. Come on, I'm in C127 too, I'll show ya where it is."
"You take psychology?"
Joey rubbed the back of his neck,"Yeah.... I ain't doin' too well in it though. Let's go, I'll show ya the way."

*************************

Kaiba swiftly strided from the school building, knocking into other students along the way. He didn't bother to apologize or to even pay attention to their gruff replies, just walked onward toward his car. Every school day was the same. He came, sat in a class that he was too smart to be in and than went home to his brother. His presence in school was pointless. He had a successful multibillion dollar company, had been world champion of Duel Monsters, had an extremely large estate and amusement park and yet he was only sixteen. His knowledge exceeded those of the rest of the morons that attended Domino High.
He approached his car, slowly retrieving his keys from his pocket and slowed his brisk walk to a smooth stride. He could hear laughter and turned slightly to see that Sydney had become acquainted with Yugi and the rest of his group. He turned back to his car and slowly slid the key into his door, sneering at the sound of their constant laughter. He should have figured that Sydney would have joined their group, not like he cared or anything. The girl was nothing but a nuisance to him anyway. He was better without her.
Why am I thinking about her like that? Kaiba asked himself as he seated himself in his car, Sure, she's pretty but why do I care so much?
His behavior was laughable and that's what he did. He laughed. Was he actually feeling lonely? Him? The great Seto Kaiba.... was feeling lonely? The thought alone was enough to have him rolling on the floor in laughter. Loneliness was something he had to deal with since his parents death. There was nothing foreign or new about it. He was acting ridiculous. He had Mokuba, and that's all he needed.
He slowly began to pull out of the parking lot, shifting his car into drive and making sure he fought the urge to just run over Yugi and his group of followers. Instead, he slowly weaved around them, letting his eyes dart to Sydney, than to the road in front of him. She seemed pretty cozy walking along with Wheeler like that. He noticed, however, that she had noticed that he looked at her briefly. Her look was indifferent, as though she knew that their paths wouldn't cross again. Kaiba snorted and smirked to himself. Wheeler had obviously made an impression on her.
"Than that's taken care of," He said aloud as he slowed to a stop at the traffic light,"She won't bother me anymore. She's all Wheeler's now."
Unfortunately for him, Sydney wasn't thinking the same thing, in fact, she was thinking the direct opposite. She had taken a curious interest in him since Joey had told her he never let anyone aid him with anything. When she had first talked to him, she knew he wasn't the most socialable person she had come across. She wasn't naive-the direct opposite actually. After getting to know the rest of Joey's friends, they had all taken to know her as what she was, a pretty, intelligent and friendly person. She was glad she had made friends at Domino now but still carried a hanging thought about Kaiba. His cold demeanor and 'I'm perfect' attitude made her want to dig beneath the surface and figure out why he acted that way.
After Yugi had explained the occurances that had happened at Duelist Kingdom with Kaiba and his younger brother, she was almost positive that Kaiba wasn't as cold as he put on. Anyone who held such a strong affectionate bond with a sibling had to have some sort of emotions. Or she thought so anyway. She stepped aside with the others, letting the traffic drive by them and out of the parking lot, and turned to Joey who was glaring at something to the other side of her. When she raised her gaze her eyes locked for a brief moment with none other than Kaiba himself. His car passed them and she continued to watch him as his car pulled out of the school and onto the road.
Was he looking at me? She asked herself, But why? He obviously wanted me to leave him alone. That is why he abandoned me earlier, isn't it? Why do I care anyway? From what I've heard, he pretty much thinks about noone but himself.
"He's got some nerve!" Joey suddenly exclaimed as the rest of the group proceeded to the sidewalk. "He wanted to run us ova!"
Tristan put a hand on Joey's shoulder,"We know man."
"I'm sure he wasn't thinking of running us over, Joey," Yugi remarked as he lead the group.
Sydney watched Tea roll her eyes and turn to her slightly,"Don't worry about Joey. He's always like this."
Sydney couldn't help but crack a smile when Joey blushed at her remark.
"Hey, but I got reason to!" Joey replied as he raised a fisted hand,"He beat me up at the Duelist Tournament."
"Did he really?" Sydney suddenly asked from behind him.
Yugi sweatdropped,"Not really."
"He just flipped him over," Tristan told her,"Joey was the one who got in his face."
"Hey!!" Joey suddenly stopped walking and eyed the rest of the group,"What's wit you guys all of a sudden?! Dis is Kaiba we're talkin' about! The same guy who ripped up Yugi's gramp's blue eyes white dragon, and the guy who used suicide to win a duel against Yugi!"
Sydney looked at him shocked,"Suicide?"
"Yeah, that was a pretty big one there," Tristan considered,"That was cheating."
Tea was becoming angry,"He didn't even care what he was doing to Yugi!!!"
Yugi tried to calm everyone down,"Guys, come on."
Joey sighed loudly,"Sorry, Yuug."
"Come on, guys," Yugi encouraged,"Let's go to the Game Shop and see if my grandfather got a new shipment of cards!!"
"Your grandfather owns a game shop?" Sydney asked him as they walked along the street and turned a corner.
"Yup," Joey replied before Yugi could,"His gramps is the one who taught me and Yuug everythin' we know 'bout Duel Monsters!!"
"That's wonderful," Sydney responded,"Your grandfather must be very talented."
Yugi nodded,"He's the best."
The group continued to walk along the street, chatting away.

**************************

"Is someone sitting here?"
Kaiba grunted and didn't bother to look up,"Yes."
"What about here?"
"Go away."
Sydney furrowed her brow,"This is a public library. You can't just tell me to 'go away'."
Kaiba raised his gaze to realize that it was in fact, Sydney. She had her hair up in a ponytail except for the few loose strands of her bangs. They fell into her eyes playfully and she brought a hand up to brush them away. She was no longer wearing her uniform but a dark blue jean skirt and a soft wool knit tank top that hugged her curves. Her shoulder was holding the same bag he had seen her have earlier and her hands were full of books.
Kaiba, as usual, was sporting his trademark outfit which consisted of his dark purple trench coat, dark almost green dress shirt and dark pants. He narrowed his eyes at her, preparing to try and scare her off. Instead, she pulled out the chair across from him and sat down. She lowered her load of books and immediately opened them, not really taking to account that he was seated in front of her. He studied her a moment as she brushed hair from her eyes and flipped through the books she held in front of her.
Kaiba decided to ignore her and continued to read through the book that he too, had held in front of him. He had actually hoped that'd they'd never speak again, but to his dismay they had run into eachother, and at the Domino Public Library no less. She must have came to catch up with everyone else in her classes and had seen him sitting here and considering how he abandoned her earlier, he had thought she would have steered clear. He studied her figure though, as she let her eyes run over the book's pages and let his fingers tap against his book. Now, he had an urge to talk to her, to find out-
"Do you know anything about psychology?"
He raised his eyes to look at her suddenly,"Psychology?"
"Yes," she sat chewing lightly on her pencil that she held in her left hand,"The only person in my class that I know is Joey and let's just say Joey's a bit psychology impaired."
Kaiba couldn't help but crack a smile at her Joey insult but quickly turned it down into a frown,"Why should I help you?"
Sydney put her pencil down and locked eyes with him,"Who said I was asking for your help? You shouldn't answer a question with another question."
"You just did."
"That's different," She replied as she tilted her head at him,"So do you?"
"I'm taking psychology now."
"Oh, good, so you know about the schools of psychology then?" She asked cheerfully.
"Maybe."
She lifted a book suddenly and scanned over it before looking at him again,"I'm getting so confused with the Gestalt School."
"So seek help from a teacher," Kaiba snapped angrily,"I'm trying to do other things here."
Sydney lowered her book again and looked at him,"You don't have to be so nasty about it."
"Go away."
She sighed,"I told you. This is a 'public' library. You can't tell me to go away."
Kaiba growled. He was really getting tired of her countering everything he was saying. He wasn't used to such a perservering attitude. She continued to look at him, studying him as though she were trying to figure him out. He soon became so uncomfortable he knew he had to move.
"Than I will move."
She watched him gather his books and move to the table behind the one he was just sitting at. She returned to reading her books and raised her pencil, chewing on it nervously. So far she wasn't getting anywhere with him. She just wanted to be his friend and he continually acted as though he were disgusted by her. She looked up to look at him and than back down at her book again. She suddenly sighed again and stood up, walked to his table, and sat down in front of him again. He looked at her extremely angry and extremely annoyed.
"Don't you have some else to annoy?" Kaiba asked in a sarcastic iced tone.
"Nope, looks like just you," She retorted as she looked at him,"Come on, Kaiba. I'm trying to be friends with you."
Kaiba snorted,"Well, your failing miserably."
He began to stand again to move to another table but she grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back down into his seat. He was thrown off by the sudden action and stared at her surprised. It didn't take long before his expression hardened into a glare and she bit her lip nervously.
"Look," Sydney started,"I'm not like Joey or Yugi or anyone else in that group. So why are you acting like you hate me? I'm just as smart as you, my student rank is only one spot below yours, and yet you act as though I'm naive enough to believe that this outer shell is really you."
Kaiba laughed at her,"If you think that little speech is supposed to impress me-"
"I'm not trying to impress you." She said annoyed and with a bitter tone,"I'm trying to be your friend."
Kaiba stopped his laughter and held a hard glare with her, his tone so filled with caustic ice that Sydney could have sworn his eyes flashed, "I have no friends. I don't need friends. So. Get. Lost."
Sydney was taken back by his coldness. Maybe she was wrong about him. His constant attachment to being in solitude was starting to make her realize that maybe he was as cold as everyone told her he was. Than she did something completely contradicting to her personality.
"Would you date someone like me?"
Kaiba's defense was thrown,"What?"
"I said, would you date a girl like me?" Sydney repeated as she leaned in toward him more,"If you never met me before and one day realized you were lonely, would you have looked at me and thought I was attractive?"
He snorted, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms,"You've got to be kidding me."
"On the contrary," She replied continuing to lean forward and placing her hands on the table to steady herself. She was now only a couple inches from his face. She could tell he was becoming very uncomfortable and laughed inwardly to herself.
He's not as tough as he thinks he is. He's become intimidated by the mere mentioning of dating someone! He must be really insecure.
Kaiba continued to stare at her, not being able to look away from her green crystal-like eyes. If she thought he was intimidated than she thought wrong. He suddenly reached out a hand and pushed her backward, causing her to slide into her seat with a thump. He than laughed, causing Sydney to look at him confused.
He slowly stood up, still chuckling a little, and gathered his books. He slowly approached her and leaned down to her, a dark evil smirk across his lips.
"I don't scare so easily," He told her, his face now closer to hers than she had been to his earlier,"For your information, I have dated before and whether I would date you..."
He trailed off and she continued to look into the deep pool of blue in his eyes. If he had thought she was afraid by his tone, than he was right. She didn't know what he was planning on doing. She closed her eyes suddenly and let her head hang down. She suddenly felt his hand grab her chin and her eyes shot open to look at him.
"I actually was going to ask you something earlier today," He responded as she pushed his hand away,"You were with Wheeler and since my temper has no tolerance for that dog, I decided it could wait."
"Which is?"
Kaiba stood back to give her space,"I'm sure that group of fools has told you about my past and my brother Mokuba."
Sydney simply shrugged and he crossed his arms.
"You looked familar to me when we first met earlier today," He remarked,"Have we met before?"
It was Sydney's turn to cross her arms,"That's what you had to ask me?"
Kaiba uncrossed his arms and began to walk away. Sydney frowned and sighed, turning to watch him walk out the double doors. They swung closed behind him and she shook her head. He didn't even let her answer. Maybe he assumed what her answer was from her reply or maybe he just figured she was going to say that and became annoyed. Either way, Sydney had failed.
Maybe it was going to be harder to get through to him than she thought.