[A/N: In my opinion the fun starts in this chapter, just a fair warning ;) ]
***Disclaimer*** (lost the bid on e-bay for ownership of "Yu-Gi-Oh!", still in the running for bids on Seto :d jk, I so wish.)
Chapter 7 – Intimidation
For the second night in a row Kaiba dreamt of Aeris, or Alice, or whoever she was. It was a very pleasant dream, no dueling involved at all. They just sat on the grass by the foggy lake and talked. Kaiba couldn't believe all the things he was telling her. Maybe it was because he knew it was a dream, so his secrets would be kept safe, or maybe he just wanted someone to talk to. There was one question in particular he desperately wanted to ask her, but he couldn't think of a way to voice it.
He knew his time was up when she kissed his cheek and walked back towards the lake. It's now or never, Kaiba thought as he called out to her.
She spun to face him gracefully, tilting her head to the side in reply.
"Do you… I mean… have you ever met someone who looked so much like someone else that it had you completely at a loss of…" Kaiba realized how absurdly pathetic he sounded so he started over. "Are you or are you not Alice Porter?"
Aeris forehead creased and answered his question with one of her own, "What do you think, Seto?"
Kaiba shook his head, not in denial but in confusion. That was the problem. He wasn't sure what he believed. They looked so much alike that he literally thought they were the same person. But that was preposterous. If Aeris were Alice she would have greeted him on the first day. So I guess that's a no. Unless… unless Alice didn't want him to know that she was Aeris. What if it were her plan to leave him so distracted he couldn't think straight. If that were the case, what was she after? No, they aren't the same person. There are differences, however subtle they may be. Aeris was so amazingly graceful, while Alice had fallen off balance and run into someone… then again that second one hadn't been her fault. Then there was the confidence issue; Aeris swam in it, while Alice seemed to drown in uncertainty. If he was being honest…
"No, it is impossible," Kaiba decided as he crossed his arms defensively.
"If that is what you believe, that is what I am. Until you believe otherwise I will only be Aeris. Farewell."
"Wait," Kaiba called, but she had already vanished and he could feel himself waking.
That morning was like hell for Kaiba, he couldn't focus on any one task. Her answer had left him even more confused than when he had gone to sleep. She was so infuriating. How dare she evade his question like that! What gave her the right–
"Seto!" Mokuba shrieked at him.
"What, Mokuba?" Kaiba did not appreciate being yelled at in the least.
"Have you heard a single word I've been saying?" he asked, feigning hurt.
It worked. Kaiba folded his newspaper, that he hadn't been paying any attention to either, and looked at Mokuba. "Sorry kid, bad morning. What were you saying?" His prime concern should be Mokuba, not a couple of identical troublemakers who were or weren't after his company.
Mokuba smiled, he was thinking of the Alice girl again. It was so obvious. He could read Seto like an open book. He was going to have some fun with this. "So have you told her?"
"What do you mean, 'have I told her?' I'm not following this conversation." Mokuba got up from the table, knowing he would need the head start.
"Have you told Alice that you're her new fanboy?" He laughed hysterically as he ran from the room.
"I'm no fanboy! This has nothing to do with that Porter girl. Mokuba, get back here. You're going to be late for school!" Kaiba gave chase to his brother.
When he finally caught up with Mokuba the raven haired teen had just finished another chorus of "Seto's gotta girlfriend." Kaiba grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder. Mokuba yelled and kicked his legs, pounding playfully on the brunette's back. Kaiba tossed him, gently, into the waiting limo and they were off to school.
The young CEO was silently fuming as Mokuba tried to suppress his giggles. He had never seen Seto so flustered before, he must have struck a nerve. When they arrived at Mokuba's school both Kaibas exited the limo. Seto stood in front of Mokuba, who was staring at the ground in preparation for his apology.
"Sorry big brother, that was very immature of me." Mokuba was playing him again, but the other teen hadn't caught on yet.
"I forgive you kid, now get to class." Kaiba had his arms crossed over his chest, so Mokuba figured he could get out one more ounce of fun.
Halfway to the building he turned around and shouted, "Say hello to your girlfriend for me," and then bolted inside.
Kaiba shook his head and got back in his limo. Alice, his girlfriend? Absurd. The entire ride to Domino High Kaiba mused over Alice and the thought of her as his girlfriend. He did find her quite appealing, though the company she kept was debatable. He exited the limo and found that the school doors hadn't been opened yet.
There she sat, on the steps into the school, silently reading a book. She looked too good to be true, like something out of a dream. Kaiba chuckled, isn't that exactly what she was? The wind blew and several strands of her hair fell across her face. She put her book down beside her and attempted to fix it. Just then another gust of wind came and sent her book tumbling down the steps. Kaiba watched her hurriedly stand and chase the book, which conveniently landed in front of him. He bent to pick it up for her.
He stood with her book in his hand and it took her a moment to realize it was no longer on the ground. Slowly she straightened and looked up at him, cheeks slightly flushed from the brisk breeze. Some of her hair was still in her face, but it didn't obstruct his view of her. He handed her the book back and she took it, holding it tightly to her chest. Had he ever wished to be a book before? He found himself wishing it suddenly. He should say something.
"You should learn how to take better care of your things." He hadn't intended to insult her but something overtook him and he found himself teasing her.
She frowned indignantly, "The wind blew and I have no control over that."
He found that he enjoyed the way her mouth moved. He wanted to watch it even more. "If you hadn't been so vain in your attempt to fix your hair," he said as he pushed said hair out of her face, causing a deeper blush, "your book wouldn't have wound up on the ground." He liked that she blushed at his touch, it was encouraging.
Her lower lip jutted out in a very attractive pout. "I couldn't see the page with my hair in the way. I'm hardly as vain as you; you fix your hair in class all the time."
"So you've been watching me during class? That's hardly good for your grades," Kaiba scolded mockingly. He didn't mind that she watched him, he watched her quite a bit too.
Her dulled pink cheeks became a more noticeable red again, but her eyes hardened at the implication. "I… I have not been watching you. You just… are always in front of me when you do it and I happened to notice." Her excuse sounded very weak and pathetic, he liked that.
"It's okay, I do have many fangirls. I would be happy to add you to the list," he smirked down at her.
"A fangirl? In your dreams, Kaiba. Only shallow and unintelligent girls would follow after you. Your so called 'list' is something you couldn't pay me to be on." She had a hell of a temper for someone so dainty and pretty.
"Are you sure? I do have a substantial amount of money. I would even consider putting you at the top." He was enjoying their banter far more than he probably should. He wanted to make her blush again so he leaned down until his face was only inches from hers. His breathing spiked. Shit, this is supposed to be affecting her, not me.
"I could make room for you in several other areas," he purred seductively in her ear. She shivered and he felt thrilled that he had gotten a real response out of her. Her eyes widened as he stared into their liquid emerald depths. He licked his lips and those eyes darted to them. He could have sworn she began to lean up towards him, but too soon they were interrupted.
"Seto!" Mikaila called as she skidded to a halt next to the two. Alice quickly looked away, no longer transfixed by his piercing blue eyes. Kaiba straightened up and glared down at the shrew that had interrupted his fun. Mikaila looked between Alice's crimson red face and Kaiba's hard scow and said, "I wanted to talk to you about our date. Oh, I hope I didn't interrupt anything," though clearly that was the exact opposite of her hopes.
"Of course not," Alice immediately denied. How quickly she dismisses our attraction, Kaiba mused. "I was just leaving in fact. Good day, Mikaila… K-Kaiba." She seemed to stumble over his name… and the stairs as well, and then with the door. Had he really affected her that much? Or was she simply clumsy? Or in appalled shock?
"Pathetic excuse for a girl," Mikaila hissed after her. "So, Seto I was thinking–"
"No," Kaiba answered curtly as he walked after Alice, leaving a very offended Mikaila behind. He called out to her but she ignored him and walked faster. He chuckled under his breath; she was a very amusing toy, the perfect little doll.
For Kaiba the lessons he had to endure had suddenly become a hard-pressed chore. He had to struggle to pay attention, as if he were some stupid child. The classes seemed longer and more mountainous with each passing second. Even the breaks they were allotted did nothing for his nerves. Was it his nerves that were the problem? He couldn't tell. Every inch of his body felt strangely alive and vibrant. Whenever Alice would even glance in his direction it was as if his system was being shocked. He wanted to escape… yet he enjoyed it, feeling shocked. When the lunch break finally arrived he wanted to flee from her presence, but he allowed himself one last look at her before he left.
Again she had a confused expression on her face as she stared at him. He had gathered his things and turned to head for the door, but had looked back at her. She seemed on the verge of following him; would he allow that? A moment ago he had wanted to escape, but now he wasn't sure at all. She bit her lower lip and turned her head away from him. That decided it for Kaiba and he left the room abruptly. Did she notice how her gaze affected him? Did she see that he wanted her to follow? He needed to get away from her quickly, before he did anything rash.
"Alice?" Joey called for the third time. She was staring at the doorway, not appearing to hear anything they said. Joey looked at Yugi for help, but his friend only shrugged. Duke got up and walked over to her desk.
"Porter!" he shouted as he slammed his hands onto her desk. She blinked several times before turning her head very jerkily toward Duke. Her green eyes seemed to want to stay fixed on the door, but slowly they too focused on Duke.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" she questioned sincerely. Had she really not heard her name being called all those times? Even Duke had barely fazed her.
"We're going outside to eat, would you care to join us?" Tristan asked before Duke could.
Alice looked around her. All her new friends were gathered around her desk, and she hadn't noticed. She blushed in apology, "Of course."
Alice took her book with her and quickly grabbed an apple from the cafeteria. They made their way outside and sat at their table. They all began eating at a ravenous rate, except Alice who nibbled on her apple as she flipped to random pages in her book. Discussions of their plans for tonight were being thrown around and Téa offered to pick Alice up for the movie. Alice declined, saying she had errands to run first, but thanked her for the thought. She appeared so distracted, hardly eating, not really reading either; she kept glancing around as if looking for something.
"Are you okay, Alice?" Joey asked with concern. He had taken up the responsibility of protecting her from her new "fans." While the other boys literally drooled over her, he had taken a more familial liking to her, brotherly.
She shook her head. "I'm fine. I finished this book and I'm dying to read the next one. I was going to run to the book store after school but I doubt I'll have time."
"You know, this school does have a library," Bakura said helpfully.
"Really? I haven't been around any other parts of the school except our classroom. Where is it?"
"I could take you there, babe. It would be my pleasure," Duke offered as he leaned towards her. She quickly jumped up, causing him to fall on his face. Everyone suppressed a laugh as he righted himself.
"That's alright. I think I can find it if you give me directions," Alice said as she brushed a piece of grass off Duke's shoulder. Bakura gave her directions and she walked out of sight to find the library.
"This is hopeless," Kaiba moaned as he sunk into one of the armchairs in the library.
Avoiding Alice was completely illogical. She hadn't done anything, well consciously, to him. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the chair. Why couldn't he think straight? Was it really that something was wrong with her, or was he the problem? Nothing seemed to make sense anymore; everything was hopelessly tangled. He breathed in deeply and sighed, he didn't know what to do.
He sat like that, eyes closed and head relaxed, for a while until he sensed someone watching him. It was the scent that gave her away, because she had a very unique smell; vanilla and strawberries. He wanted to moan, did she have to smell so edible? It was subtle, hardly detectable, but when he had his eyes closed his other senses took over. He had only smelled it once before, earlier in front of the school when he had leaned over her.
He smirked and slowly opened his eyes while saying, "You know it's impolite to stare." His suspicions were confirmed when his eyes locked on Alice standing a few feet away, transfixed in her spot. He sat up and looked her up and down. She hadn't moved when he spoke. Was she hoping he hadn't noticed her? He chuckled at the perplexed expression on her face. "Penny for your thoughts, Porter?"
That seemed to have snapped her out of it. She smiled and came to stand in front of him. She shook her head slightly as if trying to dislodge a thought. "I was wondering if I should draw on your face or pour ice water over you," she grinned down at him, obviously liking the fact that she was above him. "I had just decided on the water when you opened your eyes."
Kaiba stood up and eyed her suspiciously. She was lying; her voice sounded a bit higher when she lied. Also she was finding it difficult to look in his eyes, apparently feeling guilty for it. "Liar, what were you really thinking?"
She shook her head and started to walk away from him; he wouldn't have that. He followed her to a bookshelf where she stopped and began to look at the numerous options. "Honestly Kaiba, I wasn't thinking anything." She still refused to face him. Scanning shelf after shelf she made her way through the library with Kaiba following after her, determined to get an answer.
Eventually she turned to face him and asked icily, "Why are you stalking me?"
He smiled down at her and replied, "I'll leave if you tell me why you were watching me." It was a lie, he knew he wouldn't leave even when she told him; when not if.
"What exactly makes you think I'll agree to those terms?" she questioned, clasping her hands behind her back.
Kaiba crossed his arms, "Because I said you will." It was that simple for Kaiba, everyone always did what he said, never any exceptions. Well, never before.
Her eyes hardened and she scowled at him, "Well that's just not good enough for me."
Not good enough for her, what more does she want? Kaiba thought in utter confusion. He knew what he wanted, for now at least; an answer to his question. If demanding didn't work perhaps persuasion would.
"Please," Kaiba said in an immensely attractive voice. It had the effect he had wanted. Her eyes widened ever so slightly and the expression on her face was no longer hostile. He wanted to laugh at his strange victory, but he didn't for fear it would send her in the wrong direction.
"Please, won't you tell me what you were thinking?" he continued to plead. Again her expression softened slightly and her eyes warmed; it seemed she hated to deny people of things they wanted. She still wasn't opening her mouth to tell him though, so he kicked it up a notch.
He began to approach her slowly, giving her ample time to process what he was doing and react. She timidly stepped away until her back was pressed against the bookshelf. Kaiba smirked, now she's trapped. He pleaded with her once more, but she turned her head away from him.
Taking her chin gently in his hand he turned her face towards him, tilting it up slightly so he could see into her once more liquid green eyes. They swam with such beauty and warmth that he felt elated just looking into them. Her lips were trembling ever so gently, but her eyes were locked straight on him. He had one more small trick up his sleeve.
"Tell me, Alice please." It had worked exactly as he had intended on her, but the effect on him was staggering. She smiled at him in a very appealing way; his stomach was suddenly in knots. He had enjoyed saying her name far more than what was conventional. Now he was dangerously close to her, combined with her smile and her far too edible smell he was nearly overwhelmed.
Shyly she opened her mouth and said, "I was thinking about how tired you seemed. You must not get enough sleep, what with worrying about your corporation and younger brother, not to mention all your school work. I do hope you are taking care of yourself," she added with a smirk of her own.
Astonishing. She had been staring at him and instead of remarking on his outward appearance she was concerned for his health. He had never wanted someone as badly as he wanted Alice in that moment. Why couldn't she have said she thought he looked stunning, good at the least? He suddenly found himself wishing she was like every other fangirl, though he knew he didn't really want that.
He placed his hands on the bookshelf to either side of her face and was pleased to see her eyes widen. Her breathing sped up, but her warm eyes became… terrified? How was that fair? He had been nothing but kind to her so far and she was scared of him. He didn't want her to be afraid of him; he wanted her to feel safe and comfortable around him, since we'll be spending so much time together.
"You don't need to be afraid," Kaiba said quietly. Her chin came up a fraction of an inch, but her eyes softened a bit too.
"I'm not afraid of you, Kaiba… but you are a bit intimidating," she giggled. He liked that, she wasn't afraid of him, but she did seem affected to a certain degree. Oh he could have so much fun with that. He smirked.
"I intimidate you?" he wondered aloud as he began to lean against her soft and yielding body. She stayed perfectly still as he pressed himself into her fully, pushing her back tighter against the bookshelf. Her breathing sped again and he smiled.
"Kaiba, don't," she warned, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"Call me Seto," he said as he moved his left hand to her shoulder and began a slow trail down to her wrist. She shook her head very slowly, exaggerating the movement as if indecisive. "Why should I stop?" he inquired of her.
"Because… because I don't want this," she replied weakly.
"Don't you?" he chuckled. Her body shivered. He moved his other hand to her cheek and stared into her eyes. Dark humor was written all over his face as he said, "I'm not a very good person. I don't respect people's boundaries, especially pretty girls." He moved his head in closer to hers, inhaling her glorious scent.
"You think too little of yourself, Kaiba. I know you won't do anything." She seemed to be more firm in her response now.
"Oh, wouldn't I?" He was insulted that she didn't think him capable of going through with it, but he was also thrilled that she thought so highly of him. She had a smirk on her face as she placed her hand over his on her face. She played with his fingers before bringing his hand in front of her, caressing it. What pleasure that simple touch caused him.
"I don't think you would do anything to me I didn't want," she said as she moved her hand to his chest and stared up at him seductively. Kaiba was shocked, not expecting, nor thinking her capable of it. He took an unsteady step backward, and then a few more until he was pressed against the opposite bookshelf. Suddenly she was being the aggressive one. She had descended on him as a demon out of hell would, but with all the grace and poise of an angel.
The goddess approached sensually, pressing her curves into him before she slowly began to move her left hand up his arm. She trailed it teasingly to the junction between his neck and shoulder, and then lightly grasped the nape of his neck, sending shivers down his spine. His startled eyes were wide. She pulled his face down until it was only inches from her own as she laughed, "What's the matter Kaiba, intimidated?"
Slowly realization set in. She wasn't trying to seduce him, merely giving him a taste of his own medicine. He smirked down at her. So it was going to be that kind of game. She was quite good; but he was better.
He brought his right hand abruptly to the small of her back, jerking her closer to him. A small but noticeable whimper escaped her lips. Their faces were nearly touching. "Not in the slightest," he growled.
Still maintaining her composure, she slid her hand into his rich auburn hair and was rewarded with a low, masculine groan. Her stomach fluttered at the sound.
Kaiba's eyes were barely open, but he was determined not to back out first. He took the hand on the small of her back and slid it down to her butt and squeezed. Alice's eyes widened and her mouth hung open indignantly, but she wasn't about to lose either.
Their eyes locked as she leaned up closer, their mouths almost touching; neither wanting to flinch first, neither truly sure if they wanted to go further. A cough issued from somewhere beside them, making their hands drop on instinct before they turned their heads to see who the sound had come from.
Mrs. Manson, the school librarian, was standing with her arms crossed a few feet away from them. By the look on her face she had obviously seen what they were doing, or what they appeared to be doing.
"We weren't," Alice began in a very small voice, but was interrupted.
"I don't want or need your excuses, Miss Porter. I'd heard such good things from the other teachers about you; as such I am very disappointed." Alice's head dropped slightly. "If I catch you two doing that in my library again you will be banned. You're very lucky I don't report you two. I think you ought to leave now," she added sternly as she returned to her reception desk.
"Why didn't you say something? Try to explain what we were doing?" Alice questioned Kaiba in a hiss.
"I didn't think anything needed to be said," and then he added with a smirk, "what exactly were we doing?"
She blushed. "I was simply trying to prove that you aren't as pigheaded as you and everyone else thinks. Maybe I was wrong," she challenged.
"Maybe you were," Kaiba sighed as he moved her bangs out of her face. She hit his hand away, causing him to chuckle. "You're awfully feisty for such a dainty little thing."
"I am not dainty," she objected.
"Hmm. Out of curiosity, are you ever planning on getting off of me? Not that I mind." He looked down pointedly at where her body was still pressing him into the bookshelf.
"What?" she asked as she looked down as well.
This is amusing, Kaiba thought, she didn't even seem to realize she was still leaning into me.
"I'm so sorry," she gasped as she backed away, nearly falling over. Kaiba caught her arm and righted her, leaving his hand on her elbow.
He sneered down at her. "Watch where you're going Porter, you wouldn't want to fall into anyone again."
She shook his hand off and spat, "I don't need your help, Kaiba." She spun on her heels and began to walk away. He should probably let her go; his head was too disoriented to function properly, but maybe a bit of fun first.
He called after her, "You know Porter, I like the way you walk." She turned around and childishly stuck her tongue out at him. He playfully licked his lips, causing her to turn a very delicate shade of red before she hurried from the library. He realized lunch had ended five minutes ago as he hurried after her.
He caught up to her a little ways from their class. She could walk fairly fast for someone with such small legs, well small compared to his. With a smirk on his face he reached over and took her hand. She attempted to pull away, but his grip was firm. She sighed as they approached the door. They walked into the classroom one after the other – Alice having managed to pull her hand away before they entered. They had interrupted Mr. Hayashi's lesson.
The majority of the class openly gawked at them as they entered the classroom together. Mikaila in particular was glaring murderously at Alice as the brunette crossed the room to her seat.
"Miss Porter and Mister Kaiba, where have you two been?" Implications were heavy in Mr. Hayashi's simple question.
"Porter got lost in the library and Mrs. Manson requested that I locate her," Kaiba replied smoothly as he took his seat.
Alice gaped at him with an open mouth, apparently offended by the excuse. Kaiba wanted to laugh at her expression, but when lying it was best to maintain an image.
"Very well. Miss Porter, next time you decide to venture into the library perhaps you should take a guide." There was scattered laughter throughout the class.
"Yes sir," she muttered as she took out her spiral, eyes never leaving her desk.
Mikaila turned and hissed to Katie under her breath, "Why that hideous Porter girl? Sure the other boys think she's pretty, but she's too plain for Seto." Katie simply shrugged and Mikaila growled under her breath. She would have to do something to ensure that Porter stayed away from her Seto.
