Disclaimer: Seto Kaiba and all the other characters from Yu-Gi-Oh are not mine. However, original characters that I have created ARE mine.
Summary: There's a new heir at Industrial Illusions, Pegasus's heir. Who is it? And what does that have to with Seto Kaiba? Unbeknownst to him, he will be dragged into more than he ever dreamed of. SetoOC
Chapter 1: His Life
Seto Kaiba leaned back in his chair, face blank as he watched the teacher go on babbling about math he'd learned to master when he was just a child. Once again, he wondered why he was in this poor excuse for a school.
As the CEO of KaibaCorp and a genius in his own right, Kaiba was only at Domino High School because his panel of advisors had told him that it would look better if the CEO had at least a high school diploma, if not a degree from a prestigious college.
Finally, the last bell rang and he rose to his feet, grabbing his laptop.
"Hey Kaiba," said a cheery voice from behind him.
He didn't turn around. "Yugi, what do you want?"
The other shorter boy with tri-colored hair just grinned, not offended by Kaiba's behavior, "We were going to the arcade and we were wondering if you wanted to join us."
Another voice popped, "You were wondering, not me…"
Kaiba narrowed his eyes, but still kept his back to them, "Don't worry, Wheeler, I won't be joining you. I don't associate with dogs."
Behind him, he could hear sounds of someone holding Joey back.
"It's not worth it," a feminine voice said sharply.
"But Tea! He called me a dog!" Joey whined.
"You wanna get beat up?" the other guy in their little group, Tristan, said.
"The least he could do is face us like a man!" Joey taunted.
Kaiba was already heading for the door, "I would say thanks for the offer Yugi, but I don't have the time. I have better things to do."
He strode out the door to his waiting limo, ducking the female fans he had and ordered the limo to the main office of KaibaCorp. He slammed his way into his office.
"Mr. Kaiba?" a timid voice spoke.
Kaiba looked up to see his secretary standing in the doorway. "What is it?"
"An invitation arrived, sir."
"Invitation to what?" he growled.
The secretary backed away a bit in fear. "An invitation to the celebration ball of Industrial Illusions' new CEO."
"Very well, you may go."
The secretary fled.
Kaiba picked up the invitation from his desk. Hmm, very interesting. Pegasus is no longer CEO? Why was I not informed of this? I must make sure my sources are not lagging. I wonder who Pegasus would give up control of his beloved company to? Or was he forced out? He deserves it for what he tried to do to me.
He picked up his phone, "Tell Industrial Illusions that I will be making their event next week."
"Yes sir." The voice replied. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes. Reschedule all the appointments I set for that date and make sure transportation and everything else is in order."
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba."
He hung up and turned in his leather chair to his computer. His fingers flying over the keyboard, he began uncovering all the information there was about Pegasus and his successor.
Two hours later, Kaiba leaned back in his seat, eyes flashing. There was absolutely nothing solid on this heir of Pegasus's. Rumors abounded and even he couldn't find any real information on the heir. All he found was information on Pegasus, most of which he already knew and the rest of which he didn't want to know.
"Mr. Kaiba? Your five o'clock appointment is here."
Kaiba looked up, surprised. "Send him in."
"Hey Yugi, have you decided if you are going to attend that ball tomorrow night?" Tea asked as they waited for class to begin.
Two seats in front of them, Seto Kaiba tuned in on their conversation while seeming to focusing on his laptop. Are they talking about what I think they're talking about?
"What ball is she talking about, Yuge?" Joey asked as he caught the tail of their conversation.
"Industrial Illusions is holding a celebration ball in honor of its new CEO. Obviously, Pegasus decided he wanted to step down," Yugi told his friends.
"What? Pegasus stepped down? Maybe that old creep finally got what was coming to him!" Joey grinned.
"Who do you think is going to run Industrial Illusions now? It's such a powerful company. Who do you think Pegasus would trust to take over his company?" Tristan mused.
"It must be someone as devious as he is," Joey vowed. "You shouldn't go, Yuge. Who knows what tricks he's got up his sleeve. Why'd he invite you anyway?"
Tea slapped Joey behind the head, "Because he's the King of Games, stupid!"
"But…"
"I'm going, Joey. I doubt Pegasus will be able deal any weird surprises because he doesn't have that Millennium Eye of his any longer," Yugi explained patiently but firmly.
"Then I'm coming with ya!" Joey replied stubbornly.
"Thanks Joey, but the invitation only says me and a date. I'm afraid you can't go with me this time. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of security around for this event," Yugi told him.
"We'll find a way, Yuge, we always do. Meanwhile, you bringin' a date?" Tristan added.
"That's what I was talking to Tea about. See, she can come as my date and that's one less person who has to sneak in."
Tea nodded, "Not to mention, I've always wanted to go to one of these parties."
"I have an idea…" Joey started.
Tristan scoffed, interrupting him, "Oh, it's probably an idea that will get us all caught and kicked out!"
"Hey!!! That's not true!"
Seto Kaiba turned his head again, having gotten what he needed out of their little conversation. So Yugi and his friends were attending this event too? What a bother.
"Alright class, let's come to order. We have a new student today." The teacher clapped her hands and the door opened.
"Everyone, please welcome Miss Ry Lana."
The boys in the class stared in shock. Kaiba was still working on his laptop when he felt the sudden quiet. He looked up and narrowed his eyes.
There was a dull murmur between the girls as the class took in the new student.
She was wearing the uniform, but it was obvious that it was custom-made. The uniform hugged her body, not revealing much but still outlining all of her curves. Her long, straight black hair hung down her back in a ponytail and her pale red eyes were guarded.
"…originally home-schooled, but has decided to enroll in Domino High School to finish off her education. Ry, is there any reason that you made that decision? Why don't you tell us more about yourself in the process?" The teacher was saying.
She smiled slightly, though it wasn't a kind one. "Call me Lana and my reasons are personal; they are none of your business," she said coldly.
"Um…Okay, Miss Lana, why don't you sit in that empty seat next to Mr. Kaiba there."
Moving swiftly and gracefully, she seated herself and settled back to watch the boring lecture.
Next to her, Seto Kaiba was smirking. "She has an attitude that can rival mine."
The class soon ended and students were all trying to decide whether or not to approach the new girl.
Joey worked up the guts first, striding up to the black-haired girl and slinging an arm over her shoulders, "Hey Ry, my name's Joey. Joey Wheeler, if you need anything."
Something flickered in those pale-red orbs. Was it annoyance?
"Look, blondie," she said quietly, shrugged off his arm, "my name is Lana. I know exactly who you are, Wheeler."
"What…wait…" Joey protested as Lana rose and started packing up her stuff.
"Hold on a second Lana. Joey was just trying to be your friend," Tea frowned.
Lana sighed tiredly, "I know Gardner. Just leave it, will you? I don't want to argue." She straightened and slung her bag over her shoulder. She glanced back at the group and singled out one person. "Yugi Motou, I guess I owe you a thank you for everything you've done for me…" she smirked at all the confused faces, before digging a hand into one of her jacket pockets, tossing two white cards to Yugi.
As she walked away, she called over her shoulder, "And tell your friends that they wouldn't have been able to sneak in if their lives depended on it."
When the door closed behind Lana, Yugi gasped, having just read what was on the two cards.
"Joey, Tristan! She just gave you guys invitations to Industrial Illusions' celebration ball tomorrow!"
Nearby, Seto Kaiba was deep in thought. Suddenly, he bolted out of his seat and stalked out of the classroom. Once he crossed the threshold, he was met with a hall of milling students. Where the hell did that girl go?
He scanned the crowd, his sharp eyes finally catching the swish of luxurious black hair. As he rushed as fast as he could with dignity, the crowd parted for him, being who he was.
He caught up with her as she exited the school. "Lana."
She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around, "Seto Kaiba. What an honor," she remarked, lips curling.
"Why did you have those invitations? They are valuable. Believe me, I know. To be invited to one of Pegasus's events is beyond those two dorks."
"Why are you so curious anyway? It's just two invitations."
"I like knowing everything there is to know. You carry too many secrets; that makes me uncomfortable.
"Besides, I thought I made myself clear back there," she said icily, "I owed Yugi. They would have never gotten in otherwise."
"You didn't answer my first question," he shot back. If she was going to be that way, then he could too.
"Who said I had to?"
"Listen, if you know I am Seto Kaiba, then you must also know I have every source at my disposal. You can tell me now, or I'll just find out by myself."
She gazed away and her eyes softened, "You're not as strong as you think, Seto. Sooner or later, you'll need someone other than Mokuba." She looked directly at him again, the wistfulness gone and her eyes twinkled wickedly. "If you're so all-knowing, then pray tell me, who is the new heir to Industrial Illusions?"
She winked at the speechless Kaiba before flouncing away.
A/N: Like it? Hate it? All feedback is welcome! This is my first Yu-gi-oh fanfic.