Author's Note: Heeeere's Chapter Four, "Pink Rose". Time for some sexual tension and the return of the household staff!

As always, please read/fave/follow/review!

It's amazing how quickly time passes.

And how slowly, too-

So thought Ishizu as her eyes fluttered open. Another night of dreamless sleep. After so many-she had come to accept it as a matter of fact. Already there was a slight dent in the pillow from where she had lain for the past week.

I've been here for a week-

A week-

A week of the tumbling lock and Seto's firm, insistent knocking on her door being the first sounds she heard each morning.

A week of remembering all over again each and every day that she was a prisoner in this palace.

A week of Seto with a tray in his arms, standing on the other side of the threshold-a week of his cheeks pinking slightly as she opened the door and looked up at him, frizzy bedhead notwithstanding.

A week of Seto drinking his coffee, his eyes moving over her nightgowned form like tentative hands. A week of smiling gently at him as if she hadn't noticed. Shyly. Acquiescing. Looking at the floor when appropriate. A week of supplication. A week of his voice, haughty and bored, announcing the evening's event.

A week of intermittent Mokuba. His impish grin and impossibly good cheer managing to make her forget, if only for a moment at a time, her state. A week of walks across the lawn and around the hedges, sun beating down. Taunting her. A week of lunches on the patio. A week of picnics by the duck pond.

A week of parties and dinners. A week of Yugi arriving each evening at precisely six o'clock, a new dress in a garment bag, occasionally accompanied by Serenity or Miho or both. A week of not recognizing herself in the mirror. A week of that surge of cruel pride she felt when Seto first saw her in the night's dress at precisely seven o'clock. A week of him looking like he wanted to push her up against a wall and have her. Desperately. A week of his mouth twisting as he denied himself.

A week of paparazzi, Seto's hand firmly at the small of her back. Never letting her forget their positions. Hers. His. Hers as his.

A week of smiling perfunctorily at Seto's work associates. A week of having her hand kissed by older men. A week of bubbly, hollow laughter as she relayed the story of how she and Seto met. A week of swallowing the lie down like a bitter tonic. A week of fine wines and hors d'oeuvres and foods she could not begin to pronounce.

A week of limousine rides and ignoring Seto in the backseat. A week of feeling that heated thrill of victory as she felt Seto struggle with himself, his fingers drumming incessantly on the seat between them, dying to touch her. His baser urges being suppressed by the one small part of him that valued honesty and goodness-she supposed.

A week of him eyeing her as they stood outside the door to the bedroom where he was keeping her.

A week of shedding her clothes, slowly and sensuously, before the hidden camera each night. Knowing that if he wasn't watching live, that he would see it anyway. See her. Her body. Lush. Bared. Bared for him.

A week of the game. Her skillful playing of it more and more evident each time he looked at her. The suddenly habitual hunger in his eyes. The quivering of his lips.

A week of Seto treading closer and closer into oblivion with every step towards her he took.

It's amazing how time passes.

At the familiar sounds of Seto outside her door, Ishizu groaned softly and eased herself out of the bed, running her fingers through her hair, sliding the strap of the nightgown off of her shoulder carelessly as she padded across the thick white carpeting, now slightly mucked up with forgotten green grass stains.

As usual, he bore a tray. A croissant on a china plate, smelling freshly baked. A pot she supposed had butter in it. And the ever-present pitcher of coffee.

"Good morning, Miss Ishtar." His voice a drawl. Casual.

As if he weren't aching for her-

Can she tell-?

"Good morning, Seto." She stepped aside to allow him to place the tray upon the coffee table, shutting the door behind him. Taking him in for a moment. The slender, suited frame. Dark hair framing those intense eyes-eyes that took pride in seeing and observing and recording all. His elegant bearing. His ever-present smirk.

-that occasional smile-

Something like a sickness twisted through her as she approached the table.

Seto poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down, crossing his legs. Ishizu bent over, her hair spilling around her shoulders-Seto taking in the drooping nightgown strap-the flesh it pressed against-and lifted the lid of the pot.

Chocolate…?

Carefully she poured a thin drizzle over the croissant before replacing the pot back onto the tray, taking the plate with the pastry in hand, sitting down in the chair opposite Seto and crossing her legs at the ankle.

She arranged her features into something pleasant and serene as she took a bite of the croissant, almost unable to resist a smile at the sweet flavor of the melted chocolate complimenting the buttery, airy confection.

Seto's eyes softened as he watched her eat the pastry with apparent gusto. "I've noticed during our dinners that you seem fairly partial to chocolate, Miss Ishtar…"

The bastard won't stop staring at me-I'm not surprised-

Ishizu nodded blithely, placing the now-empty plate back onto the tray beside the tiny pot. In a burst of inspiration, she sucked a last bit of chocolate off her index finger innocently, allowing her eyes to blink shut as she called forth a faint, almost subconscious groan from deep within her chest.

Seto nearly had a heart attack. Struggling frantically to hide his acute discomfort-to not lose his composure-he pressed his lips together briefly-not going unnoticed by Ishizu, of course-before taking another sip of coffee. I cannot be thinking of this now-it's seven in the goddamn morning-

Although it's not appropriate for me to be thinking along these lines in any case…

After Ishizu's little stunt with the camera, as unconscious as it was, Seto had been-

-well-

-distracted. To say the least.

The distraction growing disturbingly quickly over the previous week. Roaring its head wildly, heat searing and sparking within him every time he looked at her. Heard her voice. Thought of her.

And despite his sincerest, best efforts-

-think of her often he had.

-In increasingly compromising ways.

Ishizu smiled inwardly at his apparent vexation, allowing her voice to come out quietly and sweetly, face neutral. "Thank you, Seto. You're right-I do like chocolate."

Evidently she does-

He cleared his throat and adjusted himself in the chair. "Now, Ishizu, you've been quite well-behaved during our acquaintance, save for your aberrant actions in the limousine after the dinner with Pegasus-" Perhaps I should not be bringing this up so often-perhaps she is still embarrassed-

-perhaps it makes it seem as if I have been dwelling on those moments an undue amount-

It would be a lie were he to say he had not been doing just that. Every night. Repeatedly and in rapid succession.

Ishizu merely folded her hands in her lap and waited for him to continue.

"-now, as I was saying-you've been exemplary during our evening affairs and have managed to not cause me any problems…"

Her eyes widened. Brightened suddenly. Mouth falling open, lips parting. A repressed breath escaping.

Could it be-is he going to let me speak with my brothers-?

Seto took note of the change in her expression. "Therefore, I have decided that you will be permitted to roam the house and grounds as you please. You will have access to the library, the kitchen, anywhere-save, of course, my personal study and quarters. That's a given."

Ishizu's shoulders sagged slightly-imperceptibly. I see…

Quickly, she quirked her lips up in a smile of gratitude, bowing her head. "Thank you, Seto-I hope to prove that I will be less trouble for you-um…" I have to try harder. Play the game better. Then-perhaps-he'll let me call my brothers on his blasted phone.

Seto nodded curtly, choosing not to dwell overmuch on her thanks. That was that. Onto further business. "Additionally, Miss Ishtar, you will have the evening free tonight-I have to take a trip to Tokyo today and will be spending the night and following day there."

Thank god I have the chance to get away-clear my head of this damned sickness-

Ah. That's why-he wouldn't be able to listen in on the call if he's not at the Manor-

"I see." Placid. Calm. The surface of a lake. She smoothed her skirt over her knees as she regarded him with large eyes. Felt him looking at her again. Subtly, as if she wouldn't notice his gaze trailing down her neck-across the delicate frame of her collarbone-then back up, fixating on her lips…

She licked her lips as he watched. Her eyes still round, gazing at him as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Knowing she looked fairly cute right then, even with the bedhead.

Then-

She found herself noticing-

-him. Again. Strangely. Noticing him noticing her. The way his eyelashes framed his intent gaze-the line of his jaw as he exhaled-

I must be coming down with something. This man-

-he threatened my family and took me as his prisoner-

Why should it matter whether he is-

-attractive…?

She swallowed hard, feeling slightly nauseated. Not daring to entertain that strand of thought any further. "I-is that everything for today, Seto?"

Seto blinked several times, snapping out of a brief reverie involving Ishizu's lips. "Y-yes. I shall see you in two days, at seven o'clock as per usual. I assume you won't be any trouble-I've instructed Solomon and Téa not to let you anywhere near the liquor cabinet…" Trying for a light dose of humor.

Ishizu bit her lip and ducked her head in slightly embarrassed acknowledgement of his remark-the proper response.

His face then turned stony, mouth a thin, hard line. "If I find that you have misbehaved in any way while I'm gone, Miss Ishtar, I will be revoking the privileges I just gave you. Do you have any questions?"

Would you rather I strangle you or smother you in your sleep?

"No-I don't think so, Seto." Demure. Accepting. Looking down at her hands. Making sure she wasn't clenching them into fists.

Seto nodded in response, leaned forward and picked up the tray before rising to his feet.

"I trust you'll find some way to entertain yourself today, Miss Ishtar…"

The door closing.

Ishizu held her breath as she heard his footsteps grow quieter and quieter.

-no lock-

She nearly felt giddy as she stood up and walked over to the dresser, the slightest of bounces in her step as she pulled open drawers, withdrawing a simple tea-length teal dress and undergarments.

Of course-that is the mentality of the prisoner-basic decency is mistaken for kindness-

I would do well to remember that-

She walked across the carpeted floor, suddenly feeling the plushness between her toes as if for the first time, towards the bathroom, the clothes in her arms suddenly heavy.

Now which way was Mokuba's room again?

She felt slightly silly, as though she ought to have kept a hand on one wall to help her keep track of her path throughout this maze of a house. Or held a ball of yarn, like the one Ariadne gave Theseus to guide him through the labyrinth. Unwinding slowly. The lurking Minotaur ever a threat.

"Miss Ishtar?" A melodic female voice calling to her from behind, breaking her concentration. A shadow falling before her on the wood floor.

Ishizu curled her lips into a sweet smile, eyes wide with confusion, as she turned to face Téa Gardner. The tall, attractive woman-she couldn't have been older than thirty-was dressed prettily in a pale pink button-down shirtdress, held in with a belt bearing the logo of the Kaiba Corporation. Sensible canvas shoes completed the outfit.

Thinking back to Téa's outfit when they'd first been introduced, Ishizu couldn't help but wonder if Seto insisted that his employees always wear some type of KaibaCorp merchandise-or if his employees simply chose to wear a sort of uniform around the house-

Always a reminder of who employs them-who owns them-

"Ah, hello, Miss Gardner-" Ishizu bowed her head, almost feeling as if she should curtsey.

"Can I help you with something? You seem rather lost…" Téa's blue eyes were round with concern, but not with surprise-he must have told her about my privileges-

Ishizu bit her lip, releasing a slight giggle, lifting her hand to cover her mouth girlishly. "Ah-yes, as a matter of fact. I was trying to find Mokuba's room to see if he wanted to have lunch and go for a walk on the grounds today, but-I don't exactly know where I am…"

Téa grinned, reaching out her arm and patting Ishizu on the shoulder. "In that case, Miss Ishtar, you've gotten yourself quite turned around. Why, you're not even on the correct floor to find his room-and, besides, Mokuba's not in today. He went out to spend some time with some high school friends, if I'm not mistaken…" She slid her hand down to grasp at Ishizu's, features suddenly becoming grave. "As a matter of fact, Miss Ishtar, I'd advise you to follow me-you're actually quite close to Mr. Kaiba's personal study, and believe me, you don't want to trigger that alarm-not if you want to keep your privileges-"

His personal study-

-where, no doubt, the dealings of his business-

-I need to get in there. Somehow-

"I see." Ishizu grinned crookedly, putting on a show of embarrassment as Téa led her back down the hallway where she'd come, Ishizu desperately trying to take in as many landmarks as she could-perhaps if she could keep track of the way Téa was leading her-but to where? To what starting point that Ishizu could memorize, then reverse-engineer?

And there's a blasted alarm as well-of course-

"Miss Gardner, where are you taking me, if you don't mind?" Ishizu kept her voice light as she struggled to keep up with the other woman's long-legged strides.

"Well, I figured I would lead you back to your room-is there somewhere else you'd like me to take you?" Téa stopped in her tracks and regarded Ishizu thoughtfully.

It's not my room-never will be my room-

Ishizu pressed her lips together while she thought quickly. "Well-Miss Gardner-I was just thinking-since Mokuba's out and I don't really have much I can do-could I possibly help you with your morning duties? I feel a bit silly having all of you take care of me and me not being able to-to pitch in…" She hoped she didn't sound as ridiculous-seem as much as of kiss-up-as she felt.

Perhaps if I can get her to like me-

-what sort of leverage could that give me-

Téa cocked her head to the side, her face breaking out in a beaming grin. "Of course, Miss Ishtar-I mean, it's not particularly fascinating work, but I assure you-it's quite important to the running of the household…"

Ishizu matched her bright smile, her cheek muscles only straining slightly from the protracted effort. "That would be wonderful-I don't have much experience with that sort of thing, being a student and all…"

Téa nodded in understanding and began to lead her down another hallway, then down a set of stairs Ishizu vaguely recognized from her tour of the house with Mokuba-or perhaps it was another staircase entirely-Ishizu's head began to throb from trying to keep all these rooms and corridors and stairways straight-

"In about ten minutes-at eight-thirty, that is-I assemble the household staff and give them their orders and directions for the day. Then, while they're all beginning to do their jobs, I do a general sweep of each floor, checking in on each room and making note of particular things to be attended to-things like-say, if Mokuba happened to throw a party the previous night and his quarters are particularly messy-"

"Does that happen often?" Ishizu pictured the younger Kaiba, surrounded by friends, rampaging through the Manor as Seto stood watching, leaning against a wall, arms crossed, face sour-she bit back a smirk as Téa responded, a hint of humor in her voice,

"Not that often, but enough to give Mr. Kaiba quite a headache…"

"I see."

"Then we all break for lunch at noon until one-we have lunch brought out to the outdoor security guards-followed by an hour of leisure time for the staff-excepting the security, who switches rotations at that time-then back to work until four o'clock, when everyone is excused, save for the core staff-myself, Solomon, Yugi, Tristan, Joseph, and the rest of the security team."

A leisure hour?

-I wouldn't have thought Seto to be one to-

Téa gently tugged on her arm, disrupting her muddled thoughts, and led her to the main foyer of the house, where about twenty people or so had congregated into a line. Among the various faces Ishizu picked out Tristan and Joseph, the large, burly security guards, standing silently with their arms crossed-Roland, still wearing his sunglasses indoors-Miho and Serenity, chatting quietly, Miho whispering softly into Serenity's ear-Solomon, looking at his fingernails, his apron crisp and white-and Yugi, whose face lit up when he spotted her, hand popping up in a little wave, which Ishizu returned, feeling a warmth in her chest despite herself.

Téa motioned for Ishizu to stand at the side of the room; she then clapped her hands twice, the sound echoing throughout the high-ceilinged room.

Ishizu started at the noise; the staff snapped to attention, hands folded before them.

Téa walked in front of the line and turned to face the staff, withdrawing a small device from her dress pocket and scrolling along the screen with her thumb. "Good morning, everyone!" Her voice authoritative but friendly.

The members of the line all murmured their own greetings.

Téa studied the screen in her hand. "Now, before I assign you all to your position and duties, I have a few updates for the day. First off, Seto is on a trip to Tokyo today and will be returning the day after next. Secondly, Mokuba is going to be out today until roughly-I'd say-ten o'clock tonight."

The staff members nodded, a few of them reaching for their own devices to program the information in for future reference.

Téa's cheeks flushed slightly, her voice coming out tinged with joy as she continued. "And, lastly, I've been told today by Mr. Kaiba that our guest, Miss Ishtar-" she gestured to her side; all eyes snapped to Ishizu, who felt a flutter of nervousness and foolishness in her stomach as she waved her fingers at the staff gently- "has been extended the privilege to move about the house as she wishes. That also includes the grounds."

At this announcement, Yugi broke into an even wider smile, violet eyes shining. Solomon's grizzled features looked pleased. Serenity and Miho both wore twin expressions of happy astonishment-

-and Ishizu could swear she saw a flashing twinkle in Tristan's and Joseph's eyes-

Téa continued, voice ringing with good cheer. "So, if you happen to see her around, you don't need to contact security. Got it?"

The staff members all nodded.

"Now, for the cleaning staff?"

A group of young women-seemingly around Ishizu's age-in simple dresses, the KaibaCorp logo featured prominently on their shoulders, raised their hands and stepped forward.

Téa consulted her device. "For the morning rotation, you're going to be cleaning the rooms on the first and second floors-that, of course, does not include Mr. Kaiba's personal study, in case any of you have forgotten…"

Ishizu chewed on the inside of her cheek. So not even the staff is allowed in Seto's study-I wonder who is allowed-

-and how can I be among their number?

"That's all; you may go." Téa continued to scroll on her screen with her thumb as the cleaning staff bowed their heads and exited the room through a door Ishizu hadn't before noticed.

"Outside staff?" A few men in overalls and thick straw hats, their knees stained with green and brown, stepped forward.

"Same routine as always. You may go." The outside staff bowed their heads and took their leave.

"Now, Yugi, I assume you and your assistants have something to work on?" Téa's voice grew slightly softer as she spoke to the spiky-haired tailor-stylist as the short man stepped forward; Ishizu's ears pricked up at the change in her tone; she noticed a slight blush on Yugi's cheeks as he presented himself.

"Yes, Té-Miss Gardner," Yugi began, voice stumbling over her name, recovering quickly. "I wanted to make a few adjustments to some of Ishizu's gowns-if that's all right with her, that is-" His eyes flickered over to where Ishizu stood at the side of the room; Ishizu ducked her head to indicate that she didn't mind. Although they were all lovely before-

Yugi cleared his throat and continued. "Additionally, I have some staff uniforms that need a bit of patching up."

Téa nodded, pressing a few buttons on her device. "All right, Yugi, that sounds great. You may go."

Yugi's eyes shone at Téa for several almost imperceptible moments before he and his assistants bowed their heads and took their leave; Ishizu could have sworn she saw Téa's eyes linger on Yugi's form for just a few seconds too many to be completely polite as he and his assistants exited the room.

Hm. Seems our good chief of housekeeping has a bit of a crush-

Something like warmth bloomed in her chest quietly as she watched Téa give Solomon, Tristan and Joseph their instructions for the day. Téa then turned to face Ishizu, tucking a strand of short brown hair behind her ear as she placed her device back into her pocket. "Would you like to accompany me for a while?"

"Of course, Miss Gardner."

Ishizu smiled inwardly, feeling slightly wicked as she and Téa walked through the corridors of the Manor, Téa taking copious notes on her device.

"So-Miss Gardner-"

"Yes, Miss Ishtar?" Her voice friendly-her default, it seemed. Slightly distracted. Things on her mind…

"I-I noticed-well, essentially-how long have you had a thing for Yugi?" Impish. Puckish, even.

Téa's face went beet red, eyes growing slightly glassy as she stammered uselessly, "why-why, Miss Ishtar-that's-that's making quite the assumption there, now, i-isn't it…"

Ishizu patted her on the shoulder somewhat patronizingly as the older woman fumbled with her device, an exercise in futility, trying to bury her nose in her screen.

"Well then, Miss Gardner, if you don't mind my saying so, perhaps you'd do better not to-pardon my French-openly stare at his ass during the morning assignments…"

The pair of them walked down another staircase and into another sitting room-one Ishizu remembered, for she recognized Mokuba's extraordinary Pollock-esque painting on the wall, the drippings and splashes of paint resonating within her.

As Ishizu stood in the doorway, watching Téa walk throughout the room, ducking to check under the table, the chairs, swiping her finger along the top of the cabinet to check for dust, she found herself asking:

"What's it like-working for him?"

Working for Seto Kaiba-the most ruthless man I've ever met-

-that ridiculously confusing man-

"Ah."

Téa paused; Ishizu saw the muscles in her back tense up slightly before the brunette turned around to face her. Something strange and sad imbuing her features as she approached where Ishizu was standing. Forehead wrinkled with concern.

"I understand you don't have a favorable opinion of him, Miss Ishtar. And I completely understand why. His actions towards you have been nothing short of inappropriate and cruel-if he were to so much as touch you he'd have a riot on his hands…" With Yugi as the leader-

Ishizu waited, heart in her throat, for the inevitable caveat. I guess there's going to be a riot, then-

"As far as my life and my experiences are concerned, however-he's not-well-he's been nothing but kind to me during my employment here-and he didn't have to hire me and have me trained to run his household, either…"

He hired me when I had nothing-when I was just a waitress in a crappy apartment-

Ishizu half-jokingly looked around the room for a hidden camera as Téa bit her lip, catching her meaning. "And I'm not saying this because I am being forced to, Miss Ishtar-though, of course, that is what one would say under coercion-so, really-"

Ishizu folded her hands in front of her, eyes narrowing to prevent something unbearably bitter from spilling out. Pressing her mouth into a thin line, finding it increasingly difficult to meet the other woman's concerned gaze, she looked hard instead at Téa's sensible shoes.

"He's an incredibly difficult man. Judgemental. Proud. Arrogant. Unsatisfied. Angry. But-I promise you-he's not all awful-I know it's difficult for you to believe me. But I can't help thinking-from what I know of you, that is-perhaps, had you two met under different circumstances…" Perhaps the two of you could have been friends.

Ishizu swallowed hard. Felt bile rise up in her chest. Spoke deliberately, trying to hide the wobble in her voice. "I don't believe you."

Téa hung her head. "I know."

Ishizu hated her in that moment.

For Mokuba to believe in him is one thing.

But for Téa to speak well of him-

-I wonder if I'm the only one in this house he's decided to be cruel to-

The thought rendered her hollow.

Before I kill him-

-before I destroy him-

-I'll make him beg for his life. Suffer. The way he's made me suffer. Made my family suffer.

I will spare nothing.

Téa studied her face carefully. "I'm sorry, Miss Ishtar. I assumed you wanted the truth."

Ishizu nodded, struggling to hide the shudder running through her body. Calm. Serene. Untouchable-

"I thank you for that, Miss Gardner." She sniffed, wiping her nose on her sleeve as Téa reached into her pocket and offered her a handkerchief. Ishizu tried not to notice the monogrammed initials as she accepted the fabric square.

Téa smiled at her gently-sympathetically-and patted her on the arm in an almost sisterly way. "Shall we continue, Miss Ishtar?"

Ishizu nodded slowly. "I-I think I'd like to see the kitchens-and meet Solomon, if that's all right with you, Miss Gardner…"

-I obviously will get nothing out of her-

"Of course, Miss Ishtar." Téa walked past her and beckoned her to follow her back up the staircase.

As the pair of women made their way through the corridors to the kitchen, Ishizu couldn't help but pipe up, "Miss Gardner-is this the way we came…?" I can't tell where we are in this blasted house-

Téa laughed kindly, a tinkling, giddy sound. "You don't have the best sense of direction, do you, Miss Ishtar?"

Ishizu walked through an arched doorway and let out a sigh of relief as the room registered as familiar in her mind. Now-now this place, I do remember from when Mokuba took me around the house-

Hardwood floors. A large island with a smooth wooden surface in the center of the room. Against one wall rested a massive refrigerator and matching shiny freezer; adjacent to that wall was a stove with several burners; across from the refrigerator and freezer was the sink-a large metal tub of a sink, propped up on legs, bracketed by black marble countertop-and then on the last wall, exposed brickwork-a final flourish-surrounding a large oven.

And at the sink, washing something furiously, droplets of water flying everywhere, was the short, squat gray-haired figure of Solomon Moto.

"Um-Mr. Moto?" Ishizu called out tentatively, jumping in surprise as the older man dropped whatever he was holding under the water from the tap with a sharp clang. Wiping his hands on his apron, he turned around and strode over to Ishizu, his short legs taking many, many steps to cross the kitchen floor, and extended his hand. His eyes-so like his grandson's-were just as welcoming.

"Welcome, Miss Ishtar-glad to see you again-what brings you to the kitchen?" His grasp was firm. Strong. Endless laugh lines on his face. Ishizu almost felt the urge to hug him-

-stupid, stupid-

"Ah-well, since Mokuba's out for the day, I didn't really have anything to do-so I figured I'd help everyone out around the house-if that's all right?" Ishizu felt herself speaking at a higher octave than usual-her voice coming out almost childlike-as she broke their grip, folding her hands together in front of her.

"Of course it's all right!" Solomon boomed, reaching out his blocky hand once more to pat her on the forearm. "I can always use extra hands-tell me, how're your vegetable-chopping skills? I was thinking about making the staff some sautéed vegetables as part of lunch…"

Ishizu blushed. There's a reason Odion does the cooking… "Ah-well. I-I'm a… a fast learner, Mr. Moto…"

Solomon smiled broadly again. "That's what I like to hear, Miss Ishtar-after all, Rome wasn't built in a day-even I had to start from somewhere…" He walked over to the countertop beside the sink, where large piles of vegetables-asparagus, onions, mushrooms, carrots-lay in a messy heap upon a large white plastic cutting board.

Opening a drawer and withdrawing a rather intimidating-looking knife, he crooked his finger towards Ishizu. "Come on-I'll make you an expert in no time!"

Ishizu walked towards him slowly; Solomon reached for a perfectly orange carrot and laid it before him on the cutting board. "All right, Miss Ishtar, now here's how you chop up carrots-and please, call me Solomon."

"Now-make sure you've got your oven mitt on, Miss Ishtar-you gently lift the pan and tilt it so that the vegetables fall onto the plate…" Ishizu, sweating slightly from the heat of the stove, did as Solomon directed, allowing the golden-brown mushrooms and onions to join the heaping piles of fragrant vegetables on the large plate on the countertop.

As she placed the pan back on the stove, being sure to turn off the heat, she pulled off the thick, checkered oven mitt and dropped it onto the counter as Solomon patted her on the arm. "See-not so hard, right?"

Ishizu cracked a smile despite herself. "Ah-well, I don't think I'll be going to culinary school any time soon-" Like hell-though, at least I won't have to live off instant noodles when I go back to school-

-when I go back to school-

Tears sprang, unbidden, behind her eyes, as she wiped her forehead.

Solomon watched her with careful eyes as she carried the plate over to the kitchen island where the flatbreads and cuts of meat rested on large platters. "Good work, Miss Ishtar-we've still got a few minutes before the rest of the staff arrives for lunch."

He turned back to the countertop and began to put all of the utensils, along with the used pan, into the sink.

Ishizu turned around to face him. Watched him scrub at the pan for a bit.

Then-hesitantly-

"What's it like?"

Working for Seto Kaiba-

Solomon sighed. The poor girl…

His voice sounded like it was coming from far away as he responded. "Miss Ishtar… please understand that how Mr. Kaiba is treating you is entirely out of the ordinary for him. Wh-when I was let go from my job at one of the nicest restaurants in town around ten years ago-Mr. Kaiba hired me-when he was just a youngster-and allowed me to move in with my grandson. Allowed my grandson to apprentice himself to the old tailor. Then hired him when that tailor passed away a few years ago-"

Ishizu clenched her fists behind her back, wincing slightly as the nails dug into her palm. Another staff member, drunk off the Seto Kaiba Kool-aid-

-what is it about him they all see-

-what do they know about his nature that I do not-

It burned. Infuriatingly so.

"So, you see, Miss Ishtar-Yugi and I owe everything to Mr. Kaiba." He turned off the water and placed his hands on the sink.

"I see."

Another person to hate.

"But I will have you know, Miss Ishtar-if Mr. Kaiba so much as touches you-there will be a problem amongst us household staff. And we will not let it go. Understand?" He turned around to face her, leaning back against the sink, crimson eyes filled with resolve.

That promise again-

-as if they think they have the power to defy him-

My brother made an honest mistake, and look at what's become of me-

-how can they be so naive?

Solomon turned back to the sink, switching on the faucet and beginning to rinse off the pan. "And I know it might seem like he's a man who has everything-had everything handed down to him, silver spoon in his mouth-"

-As if he hasn't?

"-but I promise you, Miss Ishtar-he never had the easiest time of it-why, I remember when he hired me-when he'd just become the CEO of the Kaiba Corporation-"

That wounded, fragile boy he was-

-the pained, unhappy man he's been ever since-

His voice grew suddenly faint, trailing off-as if he had said too much.

Ishizu felt slightly queasy, unclenching her firsts and dropping her hands to her sides as Solomon laughed somewhat forcedly. "Ah, well-I'm sure you don't want to listen to the ramblings of an old man..."

"Ah-no, Solomon, I don't mind-" she piped up-fruitlessly, for the aproned older man had already turned off the water, wiped his damp hands on the starchy white fabric, and begun to pull down plates and glasses from various overhead cabinets, muttering quietly to himself.

Ishizu looked hard at the spotless hardwood floor, her bare feet.

-who the hell is Seto Kaiba?

As Solomon brought the plates over to the island, he cleared his throat. "Miss Ishtar, I believe it's noon-would you mind helping me set up the table in the secondary dining room?"

"O-of course-" Picking up the plate of sautéed vegetables, the warm porcelain comforting in her hands, she followed the older man out of the kitchen and into an adjacent room facing out onto the grounds, replete with a large round wooden table and simple but attractive ceiling light-and the view was, of course, magnificent. The sunlight shining in through the double screen doors-the refracting light almost blinding her as she set down the plate of vegetables in the center of the table as Solomon laid out everyone's places.

Doubling back towards the kitchen, Ishizu was promptly handed the meat plate; Solomon followed her back into the dining room with an armful of silverware and folded cloth napkins.

As they briskly laid out everything on the table, Ishizu heard the sound of footsteps approaching. "Ah-good to see you helping out our beloved chef, Miss Ishtar…"

Téa Gardner, ever-present sweet smile gracing her features, her small device in hand, lingering in the other doorway to the dining room.

Ishizu forced her lips up into a matching smile as she placed a fork on top of a napkin. "Yep-Solomon taught me how to prepare sautéed vegetables-so, you know, watch out for those-" She let out a self-deprecating chuckle, which Téa returned, that warm look returning her to eyes.

"Solomon?" Téa called out, looking past Ishizu to the doorway leading to the kitchen, where the older man was bringing out the glassware on a silver tray-another tray, Ishizu noted, a sense of déjà vu cutting through her-

"Yes, Téa, dear?" His gravelly voice was gentle, friendly; Ishizu wondered if he knew of the rather adorable lingering glances between his grandson and the household chief of staff…

"May I call in the staff?"

Solomon began putting out the glasses. "Yes-I finished lunch rather quickly this morning-thanks to this one here," he laughed, pointing to Ishizu with his elbow.

"So I've heard-" Téa looked down at her device and pressed a few buttons.

Within a minute, it seemed-nearly all of the members of the household staff had arrived-excepting Joseph, Tristan and the rest of the security staff-crowding into the small dining room and settling into their places around the table, chattering amongst themselves excitedly as they took in the heaping plates of fragrant vegetables, golden flatbreads, and various pink and red sliced meats.

Ishizu suddenly noticed Yugi, who was waving at her from where he sat at the table; he then gestured to the seat beside him, inviting her to sit beside him.

Ishizu smiled crookedly, shaking her head, then-almost so subtly that Yugi missed it-jerked her head towards Téa, prompting the short, spiky-haired man to blush bright pink. Ha-so it's mutual, then.

Good for them both-

"Miss Ishtar, would you like to join us? We can pull up a chair…" Solomon looked up at her from where he sat, his feet barely touching the ground, a broad, welcoming grin crinkling his face.

Something strange and foreign rippled through her-her mouth tasting sour-as she surveyed the happy employees enjoying one another's company, the camaraderie-all in their uniforms, all in those blasted KaibaCorp-inscribed outfits…

She wanted to vomit.

Needed to get out.

Of here.

-anywhere-

Steadying herself, chewing on the inside of her cheek for a moment. "Ah-no, thank you, Solomon-I was thinking I could bring Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Taylor their lunches-they're on outside duty, correct?"

Solomon nodded, lifting a thick finger to point through the screen doors, where Ishizu caught a glimpse of the distant suited figures standing at the end of the broad patio. "Right outside, Miss Ishtar…"

A tray with flatbreads, meats and vegetables in hand, Ishizu opened the screen door, ignoring the lump in her throat at the happy conversation being bandied about at the round table-Yugi indeed having saved that seat next to him for Téa, who had taken it and looked rather pleased with herself at the moment-and crossed the threshold, a cool breeze wafting over her, rustling her skirts, before she closed the door.

Walking along the patio towards the bulky guards, she arranged her features in a simple smile as she called out to them. "Excuse me-Mr. Wheeler-Mr. Taylor? I brought your lunch…"

The men didn't respond. As she grew closer to them, she began to hear it-an undercurrent of deep voices-barblike, hastily uttered words being passed sharply and rapidly between the two men-almost like an argument-

-they didn't seem to have heard her, in any case…

"Mr. Wheeler? Mr. Taylor?" she called out again, now within what couldn't have been more than five feet behind the two men-

"I'm just sayin', Tristan-ya don't think that, I don't know, takin' my sis to a scary movie was the smartest move ya could have made? I mean, don't get me wrong-I don't mind ya lousy ass datin' Serenity, though she's waaaay too good for ya-but come on, man, don't be a shitty boyfriend-" The bushy-haired blond, his arms crossing in front of his chest-

Ishizu paused, pondering on the relative goldmine of information she'd been handed, albeit indirectly-so Mr. Taylor is dating Serenity-who's Mr. Wheeler's sister-Mr. Wheeler is American, perhaps from New York, judging by the accent-

-those two say more than one word at a time-?

The brunet with the close-cropped hair snorted. "Joey, you dumbass, I don't know what she's told you, but going to see My Goldfish is a Serial Killer 2 was her idea, all right-it's not my fault that she got scared later…"

The blond reached out and punched the brunet in the shoulder playfully, albeit roughly. "Come on, Tristan-you honestly expect me to believe that my little sis wanted to see that cheap pile of crap?"

The brunet turned towards his coworker, shoving his finger against the other man's sternum. "Considering it's the truth-"

Ishizu cleared her throat delicately. "Excuse me?"

The two security guards paused their imminent debate about who knew Serenity Wheeler better to turn around quickly and drop their hands, looking down at her with suddenly blank expressions.

"Yes, Miss Ishtar?" All traces of humor-even the accent-gone from the blond's voice.

Ishizu smirked, eyes round as she held out the tray of food, a trace of a chortle in her voice. "Now, Mr. Wheeler-don't you dare 'Miss Ishtar' me. I know what I just heard, and clearly you and Mr. Taylor here have been holding out on me-with that whole 'silent, strong type' thing-"

The two guards broke out into a slight sweat at her tone, patches of red creeping up their thick necks.

The blond-Mr. Wheeler-spoke up again. "Ah-well, Miss Ishtar, ya see, Mr. Kaiba don't particularly like it when we, uh, run our mouths off in front of him or company-it ain't polite, ya know…" Mr. Taylor nodded vigorously in agreement.

So I'm "company" here?

-what a useful euphemism for my situation-

Ishizu walked in between the two men and sat down on the steps of the patio that led down to the lawn, placing the tray in front of her, tucking her legs under her skirt. She looked up at them, willing herself to keep smiling-playing this way-one of the guys, so to speak-

"Aw, come on, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Taylor, you don't have to be so formal with me-you both know I'm not exactly company, boys, don't you?" The endearment, although directed at men likely several years her senior, slipped off her tongue easily-wryly.

The burly guards looked at one another, slightly confused, before shrugging and sitting down on the steps beside her, as Ishizu extended her hands out behind her, leaning her weight on them.

The blond spoke first. "Well-I guess, Miss Ishtar-ya can call me Joey, I s'pose…" He reached onto the tray for a flatbread and a few pieces of turkey before waggling his thumb towards his coworker. "And this big idiot over here is Tristan."

Tristan bristled, his thick eyebrows lowering abruptly as he opened his mouth to protest. "Now you listen here, Miss Ishtar-if anyone in this house is an idiot, that guy is definitely Joey-man, the stories I could tell you-"

"Aw Tristan-ya wouldn't dare-else I'd have to tell Serenity about that time junior year when you-"

"You wouldn't dare, Joey-"

Ishizu looked at both of them briefly, shifting her eyes from one comically angry expression to the other, before throwing back her head and laughing. Pretending to wipe a tear from her eye as her shoulders shook with practiced humor.

"Are you two always like this?" She reached for a piece of flatbread and tore off a section, popping the warm, doughy bread into her mouth.

"Hey, when you've known someone as long as I've known this guy-" Tristan pointed at Joey, who was currently shoving a massive helping of vegetables into his mouth; the brunet reached around Ishizu and lightly punched Joey on the top of his head- "you idiot-at least pretend you have manners…" We've got a lady here, after all…

Joey swallowed, somehow not choking as the two security guards both looked at Ishizu with wide eyes-

A lady we've both seen-

-well-

-naked-

Ishizu smiled at both of them as she pulled a piece of ham from the pile on the tray and placed it into her mouth. "How long have you guys been working here?"

Easy does it-

-grease the wheels-

Tristan grabbed a flatbread and rolled up some meat and vegetables inside of it, before biting off a chunk, expression thoughtful. "Hmm-well, we started working around here at the same time-after we graduated from Domino High, Joey here tried his hand at some tournaments until the money dried up-"

"Tournaments?" Ishizu asked, taking another piece of ham.

"Duel Monsters-greatest game ever, lemme tell ya…" Joey had swallowed another head-size bite of flatbread. "Back in the day, ya know, I was a contender…"

"Oh, you were not-" Tristan replied, voice dismissive, as Joey made a face and prepared to retort something particularly impolite-

Duel Monsters-

-that card game that's all over the news?-

"I don't know much about the game…" Ishizu murmured, looking at the platter of food.

"Hm." Tristan sounded almost thoughtful. "Well, I mean, you did meet the creator last week…"

"I-I did?" Ishizu's heart beat faster as she scrambled-I've meet so many damned people-those blasted "friends" of Seto's-his work colleagues-

Joey answered around a mouthful of food. "Yeah-ya met Mr. Crawford, didn't ya-"

Ishizu's eyes widened, breath stopping in surprise. "Pegasus is the creator of Duel Monsters?" She had to cover her mouth with her hand to stop a mealy bite of food from falling out, prompting Joey and Tristan to snort, albeit good-naturedly, at her expense.

"Yeah-he came up with the idea a while ago-his company, Industrial Illusions, makes the cards, sells them, he holds tournaments occasionally, the whole thing."

-interesting-

-I have to get them back on track-

"So-you stopped playing the game, Joey?" Ishizu prompted innocently, her eyes large, voice tinged with curiosity.

"Yeah-so I stopped playing the game, the money dried up-and, well, it's funny-we actually went to high school with Mr. Kaiba, though we were never exactly buddies-but somehow, well-Mr. Kaiba had hired Tristan over here a few weeks earlier-and, well, he found out I wasn't doin' so well-god, it's so weird callin' him Mister Kaiba-and he offered me a job workin' security, and I've been here ever since."

Yet another person Seto Kaiba has helped-

-yet another recipient of his kindness-

-and what am I-?

That bitter taste flooded her mouth once more. Pasting an understanding smile on her face as she smoothed her skirt over her thighs. Picked up the now-empty tray as she stood up, eyes traveling across the endless greenery of the lawn. The sun beating down on her shoulders and face, now oppressively hot. Burning her scalp through her hair. Sluggish. Dry. Cracking.

"Well, if you two are done with lunch-is it okay if I take this back in?"

Not waiting for their nods of assent, she turned on her heel and walked back towards the house.

Ishizu studied her feet peeking out of the clear, cool water of the tub, trying to make the ringing pain in her head go away.

Why-

I don't understand.

I don't understand a blasted thing-

She straightened her back and slipped her feet below the surface of the water, watching the ripples pool in concentric circles. Ever contracting. Ever expanding.

She felt something sharp and painful in her chest. Working its way up to her throat.

Of all the people in this household-

-Mokuba-Téa-Yugi-Solomon-Tristan-Joey-countless others-

-only I am the one who has had to suffer in this way-

-me and my family-

Her body felt tight and achy as she curled her knees in towards her chest, tapping her fingers restlessly along her exposed kneecaps. Watching the drops roll back into the water and disappear. Become nothing.

Free and not free.

-what did Solomon mean when he-

She refused to let herself think of it. Of that.

Of him. Him before her. Him looking at her.

Looking at him looking at me-

-him-

She rolled her head gently on her neck, feeling a slight cramp at the base of her skull.

Usually a bath had the power to make her feel better. Soothe her muscles. Calm her nerves. Slow the wild, sickening beating of her heart.

I used to dream at night, too-

Steely resolve heated and cooled within her bones. Settling. Hard. Inflexible. A shell. Around and inside. Within and without.

Coiling around her heart.

-I wish I wasn't here I wish I wasn't here gods I wish I wasn't here-

Suppressing a sob.

Still clinging onto her mantra with shaking, wet fingers.

I will kill him.

I will.

She could smell blood in the air.

Inhaling deeply, she slid beneath the surface of the water, thick strands of hair slithering around her face like Medusa's snakes.