Disclaimer: All together now... We the authors of Hidden Heart stake no claims to the ownership of the YuGiOh characters used in this wonderful peak into the darkness of Seto Kaiba.

Sherabo: Hey, special thanks to Telpei, you are the best, I really put you through hell on this chapter, any mistakes left are all mine...smiles...

Seto: "This really sucks, I have to talk to Pegasus, that white haired-freak. Where's that Vampire chick, she understands my needs?"

GeniusVampire: "Seto, I promise you I will not mention Pegasus in my chapter. It will be all goodness and yummy. But we need reviews and fans to get there. Be nice."

Malik: "Geez, he's not a baby...Jump...Jump...

GeniusVampire: "Malik, that's it, hand over your rod, you are so dead."

Seto: "Thanks Genius Vampire, I will be sure to give you a special reward for great taste in characters, can't wait for your chapters : Great fan so far. REVIEWS ...

Author: Sherabo

Beta: Telpei

Recap: Tears welled up in the corners of his cerulean blue eyes, the wind only gently caressed his face, giving a faint blush to his pale features. "This is it... It's what I want...Seto Kaiba waited..."

Chapter 4: I Cried Alone

Middle of the Atlantic Ocean...

Somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying a cool breeze, a man sat alone, though he was not lonely. Pegasus loved his solitude. After Cynthia's death he had bought an island and had started to research secrets of the black arts. Life and death occupied his waking hours. He sought out every possibility of reincarnation, often reading ancient scrolls and manuscripts late into the night. In the early days of traveling the world, his only thoughts were those of Cynthia. His grief manipulated his thoughts and actions, and led to dangerous and harmful events. He searched in vain for ways to bring his beloved back to life, only to fail miserably.

Pegasus was the only child of an aristocratic, rich family and he had never lacked for money. However, the secrets of life and death were not his for the taking. Pegasus traveled to the farthest corners of the world looking for answers to questions where only God had the right to know the answers. Maybe this was why he had never gained happiness or known how to give it to anyone.

In his narrow world, he had recreated beautiful art and had designed the card game called duel monsters. This was the life he led. The wine Pegasus sipped came from his private collection and the cheese was imported. "Merci, Croquet there is nothing like a sip of chateau Pegasus 1982, and sharp aged Gorgonzola cheese to eat. How I love these quiet moments, "he sighed.

"Yes, Master Pegasus, you do know how to enjoy a beautiful day. Would you be needing anything else? Might I suggest a loaf of the cook's hot French bread? She baked it especially to go with your cheese this morning." Croquet knew this was a special moment, his master's comfort was weighted heavily in his heart. His master was wearing his favorite lime green robe and pink bunny slippers, lounging in the early morning, and this truly brought him pleasure. If only he had a companion to share this.

"Ahhh! Yes, Cook makes the most delicious sweets. Also, Croquet would you bring my sketch pad? I think I'll finish the art work I've started and add the final touches on my new card."

"Oh yes, Mr. Pegasus that would be so lovely. She is a wonderful card, a great addition to the other dragons." Croquet was so excited to see fire back in his Master's eyes. He had been so broken and near death after the eye was taken. Croquet, ever loyal knew his Master to be a gentle youth with great love for his precious bride. Who could really blame him for his bitterness in the years that followed?

"Careful, careful, my dear Croquet, you never know who is listening or watching us. Don't speak of our secrets." Pegasus smiled at his own comment. Only Seto could find a way to spy on him out here in the middle of nowhere. There they were again, thoughts of the CEO. Lately Seto Kaiba stayed on his mind.

" The lighting it is so right. Look how the sun sparkles on this beautiful morning. Yes that would be lovely. Maybe I'll be inspired to create a true masterpiece." Pegasus pushed up his sleeves and thought about the last time he had really felt alive. 'Oh, it was at a private duel between Seto Kaiba and myself here at his castle. Kaiba-boy desperately wanted a special card to beat the three God cards that Yugi owned.' Pegasus had created the cards. It only made sense that he had a back- up card to beat them. The duel had excited Max and had actually inspired him to create his current, secret project.

God knows why thoughts of Seto Kaiba, his enemy, had invaded his mind, twice in the same morning. His Kaiba-boy. Pegasus smiled at the nick name that had always pissed Seto off. On such a promising day, anything could happen, and yet thoughts of a certain blue- eyed duelist crowded his vision. Since the loss of his millennium eye, Pegasus often experienced random nightmares or vision of the past, present, and future. Apparently the deep roots of the power behind the eye still resided in his brain. He felt the man could be in danger, but Seto would only laugh at the idea coming from him. "Oh well, where is that darn Croquet?"

"Master Pegasus, Master Pegasus, I have something to tell you." Croquet came running back from the castle in a hurry. His face had turned a ghostly white and he had trouble speaking; his words were falling on top of each other. " Pegasus I don't know how to tell you... I . . . " In his trembling hands he held out Pegasus's portable lap top. It was an ingenious device which served as a communication and satellite link which could connect Pegasus to events all around the world, including complete audio feedback and visual clarity. With shaking hands, Croquet put the lap top on the small table in front of his master, and without delay he pushed the enter key.

Kaiba stood in plain sight. It appeared he was standing on a ledge of the Kaiba Corp. Tower. He was looking down as the wind gently blew the edges of a wrinkled suit coat around his legs. You could see the large silver buckle shining, with the initials KC carved on the front, even from the tremendous height. The wind was blowing his chestnut hair in wild directions, and it only added allure to his presence. Croquet adjusted the controls and zoomed in on his face, highlighting his cold blue eyes- only blankness seemed to fill the space. Yet, the beauty that Pegasus dared to admit belonged to Kaiba was still there. " WHAT? This can't be. What game are you playing, Kaiba-Boy?" The media looked up at the CEO and seem to cheer him up or down. 'Animals,' thought Pegasus, 'just waiting for a tragic accident to happen.' Pegasus even tilted the screen to see if it was a joke. Maybe he wasn't on top of the building, but on a sidewalk. Prehaps this was a new game or something.

However, now the voice of Ken Midorikawa from the Domino Daily Press echoed in his ear. "It appears our reports are correct. The subject has been truly identified as Seto Kaiba. The owner and CEO of Kaiba Corp. is standing on the east side of Kaiba Corp. tower on the ledge of his pent house. We all know Seto Kaiba as the youngest billionaire of our century and loving brother to Mokuba Kaiba.

"Although Kaiba is often described as being arrogant, self-centered, dismissive, rude, he has never been labeled as suicidal. His love of the Duel Monsters game and his desire to become the world's greatest player has led him to create arenas for tournaments all over Japan. What has driven him to this point of his life? It is a question we are all asking. It appears as if friends of the CEO have gone up on the rooftop to try and talk to the young CEO." In his zest for a top story the reporter dropped his camera, causing the screen to go blank for a moment.

"Damn it, Croquet get on the phone and call the station. I have to know what the hell is going on." The glass broke in Pegasus's hand while he glared at the blank screen. Standing up, he knocked over the bottle of wine, spilling all the beautiful liquid on the side of the pool. It looked like ripe blood and the image appeared to be a prediction of the events about to unfold.

Croquet couldn't move; being superstitious by nature he in visualized images of broken bones mixed with blood on a smooth surface. It clouded his mind. He knew his Master well and the hurt this would bring. It was true they were rivals, yet he knew Pegasus's preoccupation with the duelist ran very deep. Almost a sickly love /desire relationship. The screen started to function again causing both men to jump out of their skin. This time the reporter had moved to his van Full images of Seto's filled the screen. Each frame was more dramatic than the one before. The new media already had him dead and buried.

" Oh, look over there. It's Mai Valintine, a fellow reporter. I believe we can get a statement from her." The reporter switched cameras and ran over to Mai. "Mai, aren't you a close friend to the CEO? Didn't you once duel him? Does he cheat? Is it true he was dumped by his lover? I heard he was gay. Tell us Mai! What's going on? Will he jump? Has he lost all his money? Some are saying he's dying of an illness." Just like any reporter Ken hoped for his time in the spot light, his big break.

"I have nothing to say at this point. I am here just like the rest of you idiots, except I look a hell of a lot better . So, go and get your own story. I have a dead line to meet. Go play your own fools game, there is more out there than a rich fool throwing his life away. I'm out of here. Send me the clips and I might have time to make a story out of it." Mai had never been one to show her true feelings, except to Joey, and she was secretly crying inside. She had to find Joey, and fast.

"And there we have it from the greatest female reporter of all time. Ms Mai Valintine. And Cut!" Ken knew this was his big day. Mai had let him take the lead. She had said that she needed to go somewhere, he knew it had to involve this story and it would be a big push in his career. Mai had faith in him to hold the line.

Pegasus found his legs and sat down again in the chair that Croquet pushed underneath him. "I can't accept this Croquet. Why would he end his life?" Pegasus put his head down and thought for a moment. ' OK, Kaiba- boy, I just have to give you a reason to live. Just when things were so sweet. My project. I planned on revealing this to the world later but for you the time is now.'

Croquet stood off to the side and watched as Pegasus lapsed into a deep silence. He more than anyone knew how impulsive and emotionally driven the white-haired artist could be. Since the removal of his eye his demeanor had been a lot calmer, but still irrational, when it came to all the duelist and especially Seto Kaiba. His obsession with beating Seto in business could only be described as insane.

"Oh no my friend, my Kaiba boy. If you are going over the ledge then I will be the one to throw you. Style, Kaiba where is your style. Well, after I best you with my new invention and prove to the world I am the better man you can dig a hole and bury you sorry ass. Or at least let Yugi beat you one more time, or maybe I'll give you the card to beat him. Until then you will come down." Croquet felt a small sense of relief. At least his Master's approach rang of sanity.

"Croquet we will need a bottle of my finest Chateau Supreme 1982, meet me down stairs in the lab. We have business to conduct. Ah... my precious Kaiba -boy. Would you rob me of my victory over you with this? No, never just hang in there. We both know you are not going anywhere, just an elaborate show, right. Well welcome to the circus your favorite toon is about to take center ring. I Pegasus will become the true master in this game Kaiba-boy." Pegasus laughed as he stepped inside a large elevator, along with Croquet to change destiny.

Back in Domino ...30 minutes later...

"Kaiba-boy, Kaiba-boy are you there? It's Pegasus, you know me, your dearest enemy" Pegasus, Mr. Toon-town, was standing behind the control panel of his latest invention and he looked quite excited. You see, he'd projected an image of himself from miles away to the roof top of Kaiba Corp.

"What the hell is this? Am I dying before I decide?" Seto started to become undone."That voice, this can't be happening!"

" Kaiba-boy turn right, no left...no just look up...Yeah...that's it. You see, I'm right here beside you. Look into my eyes and you will be able to hear and speak to me. It's my latest invention: hologram projection by satellite to any area in the world. The system is designed to..."

"Shut up you fool, I must be in hell. The last words I hope to hear are from you, you Toon Town buffoon. That's impossible." Seto eyes turned a shade of deep purple. He clinched his hands tightly into fists of fury, the knuckles turning a ghostly white. Yet his next words were spoken with a calm demeanor. " Leave me, Pegasus. There's nothing I have to say to you. My head is splitting. Just let me go in peace. Why have you come to torment me with your games?"

Pegasus's hands froze on the keyboard. He took a sip of his wine. The quiet sound of his computer humming in his ear distracted him for a second. By the Gods, this was not a game. His next words should be chosen with care. Yet that would not be his style. So why not just piss him off? Croquet could only stare at the image of Seto Kaiba on the large monitor which took up one wall in the laboratory.

" Kaiba, how rude you are. I'm trying to help and you dismiss me like a bug. Well think again if you leave I swear Mokuba will be my next target. Would you leave him to my care...ah so young... so ripe..."

"Damn you Pegasus, if you so much as..."

"As what... Kaiba-boy, remember you are blowing in the wind, standing about three feet on a ledge and twenty-two stories up. Unless you can fly, I don't think there is much you can do. While I am at home enjoying a cool glass of wine, having a delicious time tormenting your sorry ass, I can do as I please. Oh my, maybe I hit a nerve. The last time we shared a glass of wine you wanted a card to beat Yugi. That's it , you've had nightmares about losing to him and the pressure is just too much." Pegasus could see the color slowly leaving Seto's already pale features. Turning to Croquet, he asked, "Did I go to far?" Pegasus pouted just a little.

"Two minutes, Pegasus, or you will have my blood on your hands. Trust this, I will drag you down to hell with me before you lay a hand on Mokuba..."

"Kaiba-boy, such language from such a pretty mouth. Tu... Tu...As I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me, through my holograms, gamers can play opponents in other countries without having to leave their homes. They will experience the holograms just as I am appearing next to you. There is a small device in the eyes and it acts like a receiver/ projector. I have a full screen of you in front of me. You can almost reach out and touch, feel, and, well,you can use your imagination. I need you to help mobilize the market, work out voice input, and link it to your present day gaming system. This will be a prefect buy to add onto anyone's existing game disk. Please, Kaiba the possibilities are endless. Only I understand the mind of a genius. That mind is yours." Now it was Pegasus's time to smirk. He had the CEO's attention. "I did try and steal your company, but you pissed me off first and ,well, that's history. You know they say to keep your rivals closer..."

"Damn you, Pegasus," were the only words audible from the brunet's lips. Seto always thought of Pegasus as a fool, immature and crazy, but games he knew. Just to see this sparked his business sense. 'Yes business, does my greed have no bounds? Would living just to make more money bring me happiness? Am I really that shallow?'

"Leave Pegasus, I hate you even more, your two minutes are up... and don't call me Kaiba-boy again."

"Wait, there's someone else who wants to see you. If you turn slightly look up to your right...Say hi ..."

A bit shy, blue and beautiful, she hovered in the air. Seto gasped at the sight. He leaned back against the ledge in complete shock at the majestic image presented before his eyes. All four Blue Eyes White Dragons stared back at him. They stood, united, with the exception of one, a card he'd destroyed in a jealous rage, years ago, that stood off to the side, away from the others.

It appeared that this dragon had scales of the deepest shade of blue, and they nearly matched Seto's cerulean blue eyes to perfection. Never would the color mirror his reflection so wonderfully. Her wings were still damp from her hatching and needed to be groomed, yet their beauty sparkled like stars on the pale web of her delicate skin. The colors would change deepening to great depths of blue depending on his mood. How did he know that? Already he could sense her needs, and lack of attention. She was a young princess, just a baby in every sense of the word, and she needed him. Pieces of the broken egg shell lay scattered on the ground around her fine webbed claws, and she cautiously stepped around them . She wobbled slightly, trying desperately to stand proud and firm like the other dragons who watched on with affection.

Next to this fragile creature was the image of a card that Pegasus project for the CEO. BEWD...ATTACT POINTS...4000...DRAGON...DEFENSE 3500...NAME.(unknown).

Still in shock, Seto looked deep into her eyes and spoke, "Aurora, your name is Aurora." The bond between the two grew with each passing moment.

"So I see you two know each other. Yes, Kaiba, it is the card. I reconstructed the card you destroyed . I was guided by a force so powerful it consumed my waking hours for almost a year. I will never make these colors again. Aurora, what a lovely name, it is one of a kind. She wants to join her sisters in battle by your side and be a part of the family you have created. Only you can make that happen. Seto, this card has more power than Exodia and the God Cards combined. Only you can tame Aurora and the well of the magic she posseses. We both know the dragon will bow to no one but you. Come, Seto, you feel it and this is only an image. Don't you want to touch the real card? "

"Stop it, Pegasus, this has to be one of your games. I don't believe this. None of this is real. It's just a silly trick." Yet, Seto could not pull his eyes away. He wanted to teach her and make this card his own. The dragon cards were always real to Kaiba, although he would never admit it to anyone else. Each Dragon was wrapped around his very soul and lived in his heart. He had a chance to make up for the wrong he'd inflected on this little angel. She tugged at his heart. How could he leave her again? 'Am I really a monster, thought Seto?'

"I hate you, Pegasus. Leave me and take your silly toon games with you." His voice was once again cracked with emotion, barely above a whisper.

"Seto, I mean Kaiba, listen. I was only joking about Mokuba. I would never hurt him. It was always you I really wanted, you are the only one to give life to this shell of a man. Because of you I desire the zest of living and now enjoy my solitude on my island in peace. Please come down! I expect a hell of a lot more from my rival in games and business!!"

A few moments passed before Seto spoke, "Pegasus leave, I just want to be alone."

"I'll go Seto Kaiba, but only on one condition. I want you to remember and think about my final words. When Cythnia died, my world changed Seto. No longer did the flowers hold beauty, or the sky sunshine. Only darkness filled my space. My money only aided in destroying my twisted mind. In the end I hurt anyone and destroyed everything of beauty that we had created together. Life became routine. It's been two too many years of despair. Funny, you are the only person I have said this to."

Seto, now refusing to appear weak lashed out at Pegasus," Spare me your morbid fairytales, you're not me."

"Yes...and neither is Mokuba. He's not like us. He's not a fool. Well, Kaiba -boy needless to say you raised a good boy. But he'd have enough money to completely drown in his misery if you die. It doesn't take my eye to see he will most likely meet you in death soon after. Mokuba would never recover . He would be emotionally dead and lose everything anyway. You might as well kill him to."

Pegasus looked at Croquet who smiled at his Master. " Croquet, I did the best I could." Taking a sip of wine Pegasus pushed the enter key on the gaming system and left the room.

Seto looked up at all his precious dragons. He needed to touch the cards; a strong desire, burned his soul. Slowly the images including Pegasus faded into the wind. Once again the CEO stood alone on the ledge. His reasons were still locked deep inside his heart. He could hear the sirens below. Now he waited. The letter heavy in his heart. The images were still strong in his mind. This time, not only did his eyes sting, but a lone tear fell down his cheek...he waited...

Malik: Seto has four dragon,...that's so wrong...whyyyyyyyyy...

Sherabo completely ignores Malik...next chapter, different author will be writing, and she is so cool, r/r will bring it on...Love you all good night... Oh yeah how are we doing...