Chapter 1: Hit and Run

Author's Note: My main motivation for writing this fanfic is because of the lack of respectful stories about Gozaburo Kaiba. Other villians from other settings are forgiven again and again in fanfiction, as well as some of the other villians of the Yu-Gi-Oh! setting itself - including Marik and Pegasus. Gozaburo, however - for whatever reason, seems to have drawn the short straw.

"I'm sorry, Noa, but your father is in a very important meeting with the Big 5 right now. He has asked that you play outside and do not bother him until he is through."

"I understand," Noa told the suit formally, carefully masking his disappointment. "Please have Father contact me when he isn't busy."

The suit nodded, then stepped back inside the room and closed the door. With the smallest of sighs, Noa turned and walked away, his step light. After all, he reasoned, We've still got the whole day ahead of us.

"That's right," Gozaburo boomed across the table at the Big 5. "I want no mess ups. My company will be in your hands that day. Also, I want not only my favorite yacht, but also a helicopter standing at the ready for my use for the entire day. This is a very special day, as Noa will be turning 12, and I will see what he makes of ten thousand dollars! I want this to be a birthday we both remember when I retire. Oh, and Crump, make sure that the gaming center at the west end of town is reserved. It's Noa's favorite."

"Sure thing, Mr. Kaiba," Crump stated.

"Your company will be in good hands," Gansley said smoothly.

"Of course it will," Gozaburo said, confidently brushing the concern aside. "I want the whole day free to spend with my son."

Outside the large glass windows, the loud squealing of tires on cement carried clearly into the room, followed by a soft cry and a dull thud. Then more squealing tires and the revving of an engine fading into the distance. Gozaburo was on his feet and at the window even before the security alarm started sounding. "No!" Gozaburo screamed, a type of sound that ordinarily did not come from the confident, brutal CEO. "Oh, God, if there is one, NO! Noa!"

The Big 5 sat, frozen in their seats, as Gozaburo dashed out of the room and ran outside.

By the time Gozaburo reached Noa's side, the Kaibacorp Emergency Response Medical Team was already gathered around the child. Breathing hard and ignoring the squeezing feeling in his chest, Gozaburo dropped to his hands and knees next to his son.

Noa's chest was crushed and bleeding from the impact, and his head was bruised and gashed from hitting the crisp white cement of the enormous corporate front drive. One arm was obviously broken, and both legs were badly scraped, but Gozaburo saw his son breathe, if shallowly.

"I'm sorry sir," the medic in charge was saying. "But it doesn't look good. Well, what I mean to say, sir, is that these wounds are fatal."

Gozaburo rounded on the man, grabbing him by the front of the shirt. "Don't tell me that! My son is still alive, and we are going to keep him that way! Do you hear me? I will NOT let him die!"

"But Mr. Kaiba!" the medic protested, his face white as a sheet. "Surely you don't mean-!"

"I do," Gozaburo growled, shaking the frightened man. "Now don't just sit there while my son dies! My mind is made up. Do the procedure!"

The Kaibacorp Emergency Response Medical Team rushed to obey, and Gozaburo Kaiba, multi-billionaire and ruthless CEO of the Kaiba Coporation, gave himself over to tears.