4. Focus

Atem, Yugi, Jonouchi, Bakura, and Honda were taken from KaibaCorp headquarters to the new KaibaLand build site for initial beta testing. An aide met them at the entry to hand them all hard hats and take them to the test site within the build site. "I must caution you," the aide said, "You must follow Mokuba-sama's orders to the letter. This site is dangerous. If you wander into an active build area, you could be injured."

They were shuttled with little ceremony past a chaos of girders and piles of dirt to a large trailer. The aide hopped out of the shuttle and knocked on the door. Mokuba popped his head out and, after a short conversation, Mokuba bounced over. "Hi, guys," he said. "You ready?"

They voiced their eagerness and piled out. Yugi asked, "Is your brother going to be involved?"

"He'd like to be, and might join in some of the testing, but he's so busy with overseeing the project and monitoring our other business that he can only do so much." Mokuba looked a little disappointed at the fact. "But I'll be helping out as much as possible."

Honda was looking around. "How much is there to test right now?" he asked. "It doesn't look like anything's been built yet."

Mokuba smiled. "There's a couple of things. One thing is that we've developed some totally new arcade games to unveil just for this site. We'll be introducing them at other sites and eventually market them to homes later on, but initially we hope that they will serve as a draw here."

"They must be somethin'," Jonouchi said.

"We hope so, but that's why we need your help. We want you to help us shake out the snags. Seto's pretty good at finding them, but since he designed a lot of the play, he can't find all the problems that a gamer would find. That's where you come in."

Mokuba led them to a building that looked like it had barely been started. They could easily see the girder skeleton, barely covered by tarpaulins and threaded through with the beginnings of infrastructure.

"As you can see, we're starting our focus groups early," Mokuba said. "We want to be completely ready when we open. Any errors in the programming of these games may take time to solve, so they need to be handled well in advance."

"Uh …" said Yugi, "since these are games, why are we doing this on site? The building isn't even put together yet."

"That's an excellent question," Mokuba said. "In fact, I'm not entirely certain what Seto has in mind, but he said that it was essential to plan the layout in advance to get an idea of the synergy and flow between the games themselves. This is just a mock-up. We'll be taking these out after the focus groups are finished."

"Ah!" Atem exclaimed. Only Kaiba would think of checking the layout, and so early on. It was so brilliant, and would mean so much to the gamers, even though many wouldn't even notice it.

But as Atem turned to try out one of the consoles, he couldn't help but wish for the presence of the games' creative force. He found himself sneaking peeks toward the plastic-swathed doorway at odd moments, a habit which cost him more points than he cared to admit.

Four hours later, the group was sitting in a private dining room at The American Diner, a popular American-style hamburger restaurant. Kaiba had obviously had Mokuba research the group's tastes and plan the outing accordingly. The meal and post-mortem of the focus group was well underway when Kaiba swept in.

"How are the data?" he asked.

"Excellent. I think you'll be pleased," said Mokuba. "I've ordered for you. I hope you don't mind."

"Hn." Kaiba found an empty seat between Mokuba and Atem, which Yugi had somehow managed to strategically arrange. Atem wasn't sure what Kaiba's syllable meant in relation to his upcoming meal, but he didn't think it was an expression of glowing approval.

Atem shot Kaiba an ironic smile and said, "I take it hamburgers aren't your cuisine of choice?"

"They are popular among focus groups," he said noncommitally. "Tell me, which games did you sample?"

"Mostly, I played Outer Rim Patrol. Very impressive. I started out thinking it was one thing and it turned into another type of game altogether. I think that it will be addictive to experienced gamers in particular. Was it your design?"

"Actually, yes."

Atem nodded. "I thought so." In fact, he was confirming what he already knew. Only Kaiba would have designed a game in just that way, with those nuances.

"Did you reach the highest levels?"

Atem colored slightly. "Well, no. I was a little distracted and I wanted to check the other games out … as well as give Yugi and the others a chance to check out ORP."

"Of course. But …" Kaiba frowned slightly. "I specifically wanted your opinion on a few of the aspects of the endgame." He paused. "Do you suppose … no …"

"Are you asking whether I'd check it out with you now? Of course. That is, if you'd give me a ride home." He looked at Yugi. "That's OK with you, isn't it?"

"'Course. You've never had a problem taking care of yourself."

"But … Nii-sama, what about the focus group?"

"You're here, aren't you? I have full confidence that you can handle all the input with no problem. Besides, you're recording everything. If I have follow-up, we can take care of it."

As Atem climbed into Kaiba's limousine, he commented, "You certainly didn't need much convincing to leave the focus group and take a closer look at this game."

Kaiba smirked slightly and shrugged. "I've had a few too many hamburger meals with focus groups. And I really do want your opinion about the endgame. After, we can eat a real meal. Tell me you love hamburgers as much as Yugi does."

"Well, actually …" Hamburgers weren't exactly Atem's meal of choice, either. Kaiba really put that much personal effort into focus groups?

"Exactly. Let me know what you're in the mood for, and I'll work something out. Believe me, you're doing me a huge favor."

By that time, they had pulled into the work site and were all the way to the future location of the arcade. Atem was telling Kaiba how impressed he was with the layout.

Kaiba shrugged. "It's really nothing. Most people wouldn't even notice it." But Atem detected Kaiba's pleasure that Atem had.

They were met by a guard, who handed Kaiba a white hard hat with black trim and Atem the usual yellow. Atem smiled. It was important that everyone know that the boss was on site—not that they wouldn't recognize him anyway.

"Here, allow me," Kaiba said. He booted up the console and initialized it to the endgame.

It was a little distracting having Kaiba look over his shoulder as he played. Having someone who was both his great rival and the game's designer tended to draw a little of his attention. Nevertheless, he found that he was drawn in quickly enough.

Afterward, Kaiba suggested that they go to an American-style steakhouse. They were seated in a private dining room with Kaiba's security nearby in a strategic location where they could monitor the doorway.

"So, the endgame … what did you think?"

"You were watching closely enough, so you should know," Atem said amicably. Then, "It was satisfying, the way it opened up like nested boxes. It was surprising, and still challenging. I think people will want to come back after they've seen how it works."

"Good, that's what I'm aiming for. It would be a pity if all that work were too easily tossed aside." He frowned ever so slightly. "I do hope you have some suggestions."

"Right, right. There are a few areas that I think you might want to take a look at." He examined Seto's face as he spoke. He actually didn't care whether he criticized his baby? He began outlining some of the rough spots and what he thought might be the approach to alleviate them. "Is this the sort of feedback you want?"

"Exactly. The more detailed, the better, and go ahead and be blunt, it saves time. Honestly, Atem, what do you think focus groups are for, anyway?"

Atem fingered his water glass and said, "I never really took you for the sort who takes criticism well, Kaiba."

Kaiba favored him with a slightly irritated expression. "There's a difference between constructive criticism and a personal attack, Atem. Too often I have to deal with the unfounded disparagement of those who have no idea what they're talking about or with whom they're dealing. It's annoying. This is entirely different. Focus groups are all about feedback and I don't take it personally. Furthermore, I specifically arranged for your comments and I value your opinion much more highly than the average focus group attendee." He smiled to himself. "You wouldn't believe some of the comments I see."

Do you find those annoying, Kaiba? Atem wondered, but he thought better of asking him that question.

As the waiter placed their dishes in front of them, Atem asked, "Was ORP all that you wanted to talk about, Kaiba?"

"No, actually. You happened to mention that you had been doing some consulting for Otogi's company. Do you think it would constitute a conflict of interests if you did consulting for KaibaCorp as well?"

Atem frowned slightly as he cut into his filet mignon. "I don't think so, but I'll find out for certain. Why?"

Kaiba let a hint of a smile cross his face. "Do you recall when we were forced to duel as a team?"

Atem grinned back. "Which time?"

"I'd been thinking that the experience was actually … well, it would have been … some of the best fun I would have had dueling in those days … that is, if lives weren't on the line."

"I wouldn't have known it from your complaints at the time."

"Well … perhaps I've mellowed since then."

"So you have."

They ate in a comfortable silence for a few moments as the exchange sank in. Then Atem asked, "So what have you in mind? A tandem dueling game?"

"Nothing so literal as that. No, I'm thinking of—and I'll have to have you keep this completely confidential for now—a partner-ninja game using the next generation of my virtual reality pods. I'm thinking of taking the experience to the next level. To get anywhere, you'll have to rely on your partner to assist, and your partner has to contribute. You can't carry the load yourself."

"You really have changed, Kaiba."

"Hn." Kaiba took a sip, then gathered himself. "So what do you think? Are you interested?"

"Very. I think that's a fascinating angle, perfect for your virtual reality system."

"Wait until you experience the latest generation," he said proudly. "It'll blow you away. The testing cycle is going to be murder."

"Wow. Count me in."

"Are you sure that there's no conflict of interest with what you're doing with Otogi?"

"Hm, now that you mention it … I don't think so, Otogi isn't doing any VR, but I'll check to make sure that everything's fine. I'd bend over backward to do it." Atem fingered the stem of his wine glass uncertainly.

"What is it? Do you think Yugi will have some reservations?"

"No, it isn't that, it's … you made me think about this game that Yugi and I have been designing, that's all."

"You've been designing a game? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's only a board game."

"KaibaCorp does have a board game division, you know. Tell me about it."

"It's just that … it's half Yugi's and—"

"But you want a third-party opinion, right? Someone you trust to give their honest opinion?"

It was true that if Kaiba didn't like it, he would be brutally blunt about the fact. "Well, actually … yes."

But it was more than that. He wanted to show Kaiba what he could do and he thought that, board game or not, what he and Yugi had put together so far was quite clever and addictive.

"Well, go ahead then. If you want, I'll sign a non-disclosure and promise not to steal any of your ideas. I carry all the standard forms in my limousine."

Atem smiled. Leave it to Kaiba. "I think I'll trust you this once," he said.

"You should really learn not to do that."

Atem enthusiastically outlined all the basics and strategies of the game, then explained what they were working on and where they were stuck.

"You know, that sounds quite promising," said Kaiba. "If you'll consider bringing it to KaibaCorp, I'll give you a superior deal."

"What do you mean?"

"Generally we'd make an offer to purchase the concept, but for you I'd offer a percentage of profit deal."

"Why would you do that?"

He shrugged. "Incentive … but mainly … it helps to know the CEO."

Atem laughed, and just like that, their desserts appeared. Atem studied his crème brûlée and said, "When we saw you at the Marrakesh Domino, you thanked me. For the life of me, I can't imagine why."

Kaiba surprised him by laughing. "You can't? After all the lectures you've given me, you're surprised that I bothered to listen to one of them? Really, Atem, I'm not completely unreasonable."

Lecture?

Atem frowned, trying to think back.

"Please, Atem. Usually you're not this dense. It took Mokuba and Ishizu to help convince me, but—"

"Alcatraz?"

Atem had been surprised to see Kaiba reappear to toss him that card, but … in the course of events, he hadn't really questioned it. It had seemed … somehow predestined.

"Tell me," he demanded.

Kaiba cast him an ironic look and said, "You censured me with all that about anger, hatred, desire, and despair consuming me … I just wrote it off as the victor's right to castigate the loser. But … Mokuba pointed out that I had initially … liked you, as he said … from my heart and that he wanted the 'old me' back. And … then Ishizu …" He paused, looking off out the window.

"Kaiba …?"

He cleared his throat, returning his gaze to Atem. "She was prepared for the eventuality that you might not be able to save her brother. In that case she would have remained on Alcatraz," he said simply.

… and died.

Atem stared at him.

So that's what had done it in the end. Her determination to save her brother and her refusal to fail him. Both of them were so loyal to their little brothers that they would do anything to protect them and could not accept failure. This is what it took for him to test Atem's "miracle," his "power of friendship."

"Whatever it took to convince you, Kaiba, I'm glad. You seem … at peace. Much happier."

"When Mokuba said he wanted the 'old me' back, I remembered telling him about my dream to build amusement parks around the world where I could allow orphans like us in to play together for free. That's when I decided to turn the dream into reality. I wasn't sure I could bury my anger and hatred under the tower at Alcatraz, but so far …"

"I'm proud of you, Kaiba."

"I don't need your approval," Kaiba said shortly. "Still, thanks. Again. That defeat … was crushing. But it taught me an important lesson." Kaiba swirled his snifter of Courvoisier and commented, "You're the one who showed me that you can leverage your gains by relying on good relationships, Atem. The key is finding people that you can rely on." He lifted the snifter and stared into it thoughtfully for a moment. "And being a person who people want to support."

"Kaiba … I've seen your employees. They're the most loyal employees I've seen. Especially the ones who deal with you directly."

He looked a little surprised. "I'm not—I'm not a particularly loving—or lovable—person. I haven't changed. Not that much."

"Perhaps not, but you're fair. You do great things for the community. And … you love what you're doing. You want to create something great. It's not as common as you might think, Kaiba."

"I'll let you in on something. I think this VR game could be the start of something great."

"And you say your inspiration was our duels together?"

"Yes. Why?"

Atem allowed a wistful smile to haunt his lips and mused, "I always thought that there was no one else who could anticipate my moves, prepare mutual strategies, or signal me as well as you, Kaiba. I admit, I had my doubts at first—"

"I always wanted to do things my own way," Kaiba shrugged.

"Meaning alone."

"Granted."

Atem took the last bite of his crème brûlée and frowned ever so slightly. "Not so much any more?"

"Didn't I ask you to help me with this project? I even told you about it without forcing you to sign a non-disclosure agreement."

"Huh." He stared at Kaiba openly for a moment, only to see Kaiba's unconcealed amusement at his shock.

"One's supposed to trust one's friends, Atem. Isn't that what you've been telling me all this time?" He studied his Courvoisier for a long moment. "Besides," he said brightly, taking a sip. "If you prove untrustworthy, I can always stop trusting you."

The prospect of Kaiba not trusting him seemed horribly sad as well as dangerous. But it was Kaiba's jaunty attitude that struck Atem. He chuckled and shook his head. "I can just picture you happily chopping my head off as you move on."

"Hardly, but you never know!" he said cheerfully.

"Your wanting my help? After all we went through, it makes me glad."

"Don't ruin it for me, Atem."

"Still allergic to sentiment? Fine by me." They lingered over the remains of their desserts in silence for a few moments, then Atem said, "Did you say that you no longer dueled?"

"Yes, I promised Mokuba that I wouldn't."

"Do you mind, or am I …?"

"No, it's quite all right. I don't elaborate for the press, but … Frankly, Atem, you should know all about it." He shrugged. "After Alcatraz …"

"But Kaiba, you—"

"I made exceptions. When I had to. When my company was at stake, or …"

… or there were larger issues.

Atem didn't press him for a further explanation. "Where—?"

Kaiba offered a ghost of a smile. "My vault. And you?"

Atem lifted his jacket to reveal what appeared to be a shoulder holster, only fashioned for a deck. The fastening was quite secure. He smiled. "Yugi likes to keep his on his belt, but …"

If a deck is like a heart …

It crossed his mind without warning, his heart skipping a beat in reaction. As he recovered from the physical sensation, he found that he had pulled out his deck and was offering it to Kaiba. "Would you like to take a look?" he said, amazed by his own words.

Kaiba looked slightly stunned as he placed his hand on Atem's deck. "Are you sure?"

Atem was anything but sure. He was handing his deck to the man who had been his chief rival for … well … ever. Although he looked at cards with Yugi still, he didn't go through his deck with him any more … They didn't even go through Yugi's. Not since Egypt. Did he really trust Kaiba so much? Still, he decided that he wasn't going to turn back then. "Of course." He chuckled confidently. "Your knowing my deck and my dueling style hasn't changed the outcome of our duels in the past."

"Touché," Kaiba said, but there was no defensiveness in the word.

As Atem watched those large hands carefully handle his deck, a thrill ran through him. It was almost as though he were stripping in front of Kaiba, the way such an examination exposed his every vulnerability and strength. He felt like he wanted simultaneously both to hide and to show off. Atem felt heat rise to his cheeks as he watched Kaiba's long fingers manipulate the cards, almost caressing them, hoping that he wouldn't look up. Atem didn't want Kaiba to catch him blushing.

Atem knew that Kaiba had large hands, but, watching him now, he seemed to realize for the first time just how large and dextrous they were, as he trailed one long, tapered finger lovingly along the back of each card, then carefully found its edge with another to pick it up.

"You still have this in your deck?" he said with some surprise. "It's a high-cost card for ordinary play."

"Devil's Sanctuary?" Why was that there, anyway? "Oh, yes," he said, "that's right, I'd added it back in because I was hoping to run into you—what with our beta testing and all. I never had the opportunity to return it to you."

Kaiba chuckled. "And you think that I don't have the resources to replace that card in all this time? Really, Atem, if I needed that card back from you, I would have requested it from you. Please. Keep it." He smiled, a genuine smile. "You know, these days, with KaibaCorp's current relationship with Industrial Illusions, I can obtain almost any card I need … with the exception of certain promotional cards, limited editions, a few out-of-print collector's items, and, of course, the god cards."

"I've had those sealed, Kaiba."

"A shame, really, but I suppose it's for the best."

With that, Kaiba returned to his perusal of Atem's deck. "You don't change greatly, do you?"

"I like to think I evolve. I don't abandon cards that serve me well. As I recall, neither do you. You haven't removed all your normal monsters, have you?"

As in Blue Eyes White Dragon cards.

"Do you think I'd tell you?"

"Do you think you need to tell me?"

"I suppose not … at least with regard to certain cards."

Atem smiled. "You still favor spells over traps, I see," Kaiba remarked.

He handed Atem's deck back. "Any judgments?"

"You're the King of Games, Atem. At this point, I have nothing to say."

Atem studied his rival. The man seemed considerably less driven—at least on the surface, anyway. That could pose a real problem when they next dueled.

I promised Mokuba that I wouldn't duel …

… The problem was … Atem was starting to want that duel. And he didn't think that urge was going to lessen any time soon.

Author's Notes:

Yikes. Well, this was a huge one. I think I will be fine putting this out now & I won't need to come back & change it around. I've been feverishly pounding out the story and the general shape is there, but there's I still have a lot of filling in and pruning to do. Some of it I like the looks of, if I do say so myself. I hope you'll like it too.

In that case she would have remained on Alcatraz: From the manga. (Too bad this wasn't kept for the anime ...)

They're the most loyal employees I've seen: We're not speaking of Gozaburo's remains here, but Seto's employees. Ref Isono from the Atlantis arc.

you thanked me: My assertion that the duel at Alcatraz clearly has an effect on Seto.

a partner-ninja game: OOC? I say no, not after Atem proves his "power of friendship." (See the above note.)

Note for future reference: Although I tend to enjoy puzzles and games, they're more the classic sort, and I can't say that I have an in-depth knowledge of Duel Monsters or video games. I'm trying to get around this by sketching in video game play vaguely and limiting duel action (tell me you're sad). Any virtual reality play will come out of my fevered imagination.

Oh yeah, you'd probably like a preview of chapter 5:

Atem suddenly found his coffee cup fascinating. "I kind of tentatively accepted a consulting job with KaibaCorp."

"Man, you work fast!" Yugi laughed. "Or else Kaiba does, I don't know which!"

Atem couldn't help but stare. Yugi was finding this situation way too funny. "What's wrong with you?"

"Oh, nothing. I just think the way you too are hitting it off after butting heads all this time is just … well, kind of classic. Sorry."

Odds are that it will make up for this chapter by being extra short. Sorry about that!