Hurrikane Kuar :D: I love you.
MythCreatorWriter: I know, it is one of the many mysteries I tend to solve with the completion of this fic! I think… maybe. As you can guess, there are too many things I have to explain in this story already so it might take a while for me to get to that. And yes, Mai has the best lawyers in the world. Hahaha, and as far as Seto taking off his shirt… Rena begged me to have that scene. I promised her that scene about 4 chapters ago and I didn't find the right place for it till now… and I didn't realize that it was throwing a bone to the fan girls either XD Oh Rena, she's great. Anyways, thanks for your wonderful review and I hope you like the belated chapter!
Cuteandsweet: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! All your comments are so very sweet and I do enjoy them. Oh and the title for this story is totally the most random thing ever, but I'm glad you like it! Sorry for a belated update, hope you enjoy it though!
AmePiper: OH MY GOSH, I LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU? I think those are the words I'm DEFINITELY looking for. I got SO immensely excited when I saw you had sent me a review. You have no idea. I'm so happy you're going to be following this story! I feel like it has the potential to do great things and I feel I still have something to prove to you(when I first started this story we sort of made this bet that by the end of all this, I would make you like Seth somehow… still not sure how I'm going to do that, but a challenge is a challenge and there is no challenge I plan to back down from!) Anyways, I really hope to hear your input again soon and thank you so much for taking the time to review! Love you!
KaelynnD: Thanks! That's really awesome of you to say about my story. It's not weird to like Seto for his scars and personal flaws. I think we like it when characters have flaws, it makes them seem more human and something we can relate to. Wow! National Novel Writing Month? That sounds epic! I hope everything goes well! Thanks again for your review.
Episode 10: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
The sun was shining brightly that day. Brighter, it seemed, than any other day. The climate itself was pleasant, providing a cool breeze that made it seem… perfect. Although the morning had been rough and a bit chaotic, it had no effect on the cast members as they returned to the Kaiba Mansion.
Seth: It felt like coming home, in a way. I can't really remember the feeling of having a home since the closest thing to a home I've had is my friend's basement that I lived in for two months, which was the longest I had ever stayed over at one friend's house. Still, this… this felt good.
"I'm SO glad we're out of the woods, I am ready to live in a MANSION!" Mai exclaimed happily as she leaped out of the limo. They had just driven into the driveway and Mai was ecstatic about living in the Kaiba Mansion for the next six months. So much so that she had spent the entirety of the car ride home asking Seto about it.
"I'm telling you, it's really not all that exciting," Seto said in a monotone voice as he was climbing out of the car with the rest of the group. He had lived there all his life so there wasn't any joy to find returning home. It simply didn't excite him.
"Oh come on Seto, even you have to admit this is better than being stuck out in the woods," Kisara said. Everyone was a bit surprised to hear that comment come from her, since she seemed to enjoy the camping trip the most only minutes ago.
Kisara: Yes, I like camping, but I also like indoor plumbing too!
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm excited to have Gozaburo part of our group again," Noah stated. Seto stood up straight for a moment at the mentioning of his name. No one noticed and the name didn't have the same effect on everyone else.
"I guess I have missed that creepy old guy," Seth said, "I mean… what's a reality TV show without a creepy old guy, am I right?" Seth immediately had to think about his statement afterwards which was when he realized it didn't make sense. No one cared, they were back and they were happy to be back in civilization once more. The rest of them took off towards the mansion, while Seto hung back, waiting for Mokuba to exit the vehicle. The boy had slept all through the car ride so he was just getting up.
"Mornin'" Mokuba said with a yawn as he stretched. Seto smiled.
"It's the afternoon," Seto said playfully. Mokuba gave a tired laugh.
"Oh, right…" Mokuba started walking off towards the mansion, following the others, "Well, let's go." Seto placed his hand on Mokuba's shoulder and called him back.
"Mokuba, I need you to do me a favor." Mokuba was staring up him; the seriousness in Seto's voice helped him become fully awake. Mokuba looked all around. Everyone had already left and gone into the house. It was only them. "I need you to hold onto this for me."
Seto took out a small key card that had some sort of access code on the back. It had been fixated onto a chain, with a small hole punched through the corner, and the chain large enough for it to be worn like a necklace. Mokuba stared at it anxiously and then back up at Seto.
"What is it?"
"I can't give you any details but I need you to hold onto this for me. You can't show it to or tell anyone you have it, alright? This has to be a secret. Please do this for me… I'm counting on you." Mokuba took the card key and put it around his neck and inside his shirt where it couldn't be seen. Then he looked up.
"I don't know what this is or what's going on, but I trust you. I won't let anyone know about this." Seto nodded and then they continued their way back towards the house. As they made their way back, Seto began to feel a wave of anxiety hit him, as it always did whenever he would return home from any sort of trip. Gozaburo would be waiting for him and wherever he was waiting, Seto knew, there was trouble. Seto put on a determined face and walked in with perfect timing, everyone else had just entered the house.
"It's good to see you all again, how was your trip?" Gozaburo had begun, greeting everyone as they walked in.
"It was good but… we ended up running into her," Seth said, pointing towards Mai. She waltz to the front of the group and held out her hand towards Gozaburo.
"Mr. Kaiba, pleasure to see you again."
"Ah, yes… Miss Mai, the pleasure is all mine," Gozaburo said, bending over and kissing Mai's delicate hand as if she were of royal decent. Kisara stared at them oddly.
"Wait, have you guys already met?" Kisara asked.
"Of course," Mai stated.
Mai: Gozaburo was the one that hand picked me to be the sixth member on this show. He was the one that interviewed me and everything. He's a rather pleasant man, despite the whole evil feeling he seems to give off.
Gozaburo was all smiles and giggles as he greeted each and every member as they came in. That was until he looked towards the back and spotted Seto standing in the corner. Then the happiness was wiped from his expression and a completely different side was shown.
"Ah, Seto, there you are…" Gozaburo walked towards him, Seto remained where he was, "I have some important matters to discuss with you, son." Seto wasn't amused or afraid. He said nothing to his step father. Gozaburo turned back to face the group.
"Why don't all of you get settled, the crew will bring in your things. I'll just be taking a moment of Seto's time to discuss Kaiba Corp. matters, so don't mind us for the time being." Gozaburo turned back to Seto.
"Into my office, NOW," Gozaburo whispered sternly to Seto. Seto remained silent but obeyed his command by following him up the steps to his office. Gozaburo calmly closed the door behind them when he came in, although it was obvious by the way he was shaking with rage that he had wanted to slam it. Gozaburo eyed Seto.
"You knew, didn't you?" Gozaburo asked. Seto grinned.
"Knew what, dearest step father?" Gozaburo walked towards him.
"Don't talk to me like that. You knew I was going to try and buy out all of your stocks while you were away." Seto chuckled, even with Gozaburo's face only a couple inches from his now. Seto's grin didn't disappear, however.
"Of course I did. You raised me to always watch my back and expect that even those most close have the potential of becoming an enemy in an instant. You were foolish enough to believe that something so obvious would simply slip my mind." Gozaburo grabbed Seto's shirt collar, and Seto's grin went away.
"Where's the key to unlock the two percent?" Gozaburo demanded, raising his voice.
"What two percent would that be?" Gozaburo raised his fist towards Seto but held back. Instead he turned and tossed Seto to the ground. The impact had barely any effect on Seto as he sat there comfortably on the floor below. Gozaburo walked over to him again, this time with his hand folded behind his back.
"Let's just skip the act and get right down to business. Where is the key? I know you have it, and even if you don't tell me, I plan on searching every inch of your things to find it." Seto got up and straightened his clothes.
"Well, good luck with that, because that's not where you'll find it…" Seto was about to walk out of the room when Gozaburo said something.
"Oh, I see you… You gave it to someone, didn't you?" Seto froze. Gozaburo chuckled, "Of course you would… you would do anything to keep your slice of my company, even if it meant putting another person's life in danger." Seto turned around.
"What are you saying?"
"Oh please Seto… you think that just because you threw me off guard once, that I wouldn't have a plan B? I could drop you where you stand right now, I could beat you to a bloody pulp, hell, I could break every limb in your body… but I know that's not the way I can hurt you. No… you've become one of those hero types… the kind that hates seeing people get hurt." Seto's eyes narrowed.
"And who do you plan to hurt to get to me, Gozaburo? It's not like I'm close to anyone."
"Are you trying to fool your old man? That's not how it works, my boy. I know you Seto, I know you too well. Someone in this house is sticking their neck out for you. Either that, or I'll have to call her." Seto's muscles tightened, he tried not to bare his gritted teeth, but that was no challenge in comparison to keeping his body completely still. His heart began to pound with rage.
"You said you'd leave her alone."
"Business men are prone to saying things they never intend to do." In order to protect Gozaburo and himself, Seto did the only sane thing he could think of. He turned away and left the room. "I'll find that key…" was the last Seto could hear Gozaburo say just as he walked out. He didn't care, he needed to go calm down and rid his system of this anger. Sometimes it would build up so fast it almost hurt him to be that enraged. He had to get out of the house, get a breather, for just a bit.
Noah passed Seto in the hallway just as he was doing that.
"Hey Seto… whoa, you okay?" Seto held up his hand and disappeared around a corner. Noah shrugged his shoulders and kept going on his merry way towards Gozaburo's office. There was a smile on his face. He was excited to report back to Gozaburo and let him know that he had completed the mission. Noah imagined Gozaburo being very proud and maybe even patting him on the back.
Noah looked up and saw that Gozaburo was awaiting him outside of his office, just as Noah had envisioned. Gozaburo beckoned him to come inside his office. Noah sprinted towards him and through the doorway. Once the door was closed, Gozaburo placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Did you do as I asked?" Noah nodded in reply.
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba. I became close with Seto. We spent practically the whole other day together, I'm pretty sure he likes me more than anyone else in the house now." Noah turned and looked up, awaiting Gozaburo's love and praise that Noah so desperately desired. Instead, Gozaburo's face was cold and serious, much different than what Noah had expected.
"Good. So do you have the key?" Noah's smile completely vanished.
"What key? I wasn't told to get a key." Gozaburo placed his other hand firmly on Noah's shoulder.
"You said that Seto trusts you now, correct?"
"Um… yes."
"So he must've given you the key to the locked away two percent. Now, where is it?" Noah shook his head slowly. Gozaburo lifted him up and slammed his against the wall.
"You're hiding it for him, aren't you?!"
"No! I would never do that! If I had the key, I would give it to you, I promise!"
"You've switched sides. I can't believe I didn't see this coming before. How could you, Noah? After all I've done for you!" Gozaburo slapped Noah across the face.
"I don't have it! I don't have it!" Noah yelled frantically, horrified and afraid of the idea that Gozaburo might strike him again. Gozaburo swung Noah's body onto the floor and kicked him in the side. Noah yelped in pain.
"You want to keep lying to my face and see where that gets you? Fine, if that's the only way I can get the answers out of you." Gozaburo grabbed Noah by the neck and lifted him off the ground. Slowly, he brought the boy's head close to his face, smiling in an evil fashion. "Do you want to know how Seto got his scars?" Noah's eyes widened.
"When you first began to intern at Kaiba Corp. the first thing you told me you wanted to learn was how the business world works, am I right? Well… here's lesson one; Business Negotiation."
No one would hear the following cries of pain and agony. In fact, no one was even around Gozaburo's office while it was still going on. Everyone had gathered outside after unpacking their things, a cloud of smoke had accumulated over them as Seth had started up the brand new grill he had found in the backyard of the Kaiba Mansion. They were talking and laughing, there was a plate with raw meats that was placed beside Seth as he was preparing to cook. It was a bit of a celebratory meal rejoicing their return and also the only way Seth would be able to save Kisara the trouble of cooking dinner.
"Seriously Seth, you don't have to go through the whole trouble of taking out the grill and cooking steak for us! I honestly don't mind making dinner for everyone." Seth shook his head at Kisara's comment.
"No way Kisara, you have done too much for us and cooking meat on a grill is about the only thing I know how to make so if it'll save you the fuss of dinner-making, I'm going to go through all the trouble in the world to give you a night off." Kisara smiled. She appreciated Seth for what he was doing for her. Seth turned away as his cheeks turned red.
Seth: I would cook a thousand steaks just to see her smile like that.
Everyone else continued chatting with one another… that is, until Seto entered the backyard from an outside gate from the corner of the backyard. The voices became hushed and their attention focused on Seto.
"Seto, you're back. Where'd you go?" Mai was the first to ask. She hadn't seen him since they had gotten back from the woods and that had been hours ago.
"I just went out for a little walk around the neighborhood, that's all." Seto observed the crowd that had gathered in the backyard. He noticed two people were missing.
"Where are Noah and Gozaburo?" The rest of them looked around, not even realizing they had been gone. "Does anyone know where they are?"
"No need to worry Seto," The crowd walked apart from each other watching as Gozaburo walked through them. "I'm right here." Seto's fists clenched.
"And Noah?"
"You need not worry about him anymore… he's been sent home. The boy came to me, crying, begging me to see his parents again. Apparently the time apart was too much for him to handle so he's been gone back." Everyone felt this event was a bit out of place but at the same time no one could object to the idea that it could happen. Noah was, after all, only a child.
"So I guess that means it's just us again?" Seth asked. Gozaburo grinned.
"Pricisely."
A/N: Hey guys! Okay so I am SO sorry this took forever to put up! It's been, what? Nearly three weeks? I can't believe myself! I feel so bad. Life just got super crazy for me between my school life, my professional life, and my personal life… yeah, things just got a bit insane. But I had actually written this up ages ago and re-reading and editing it now got me even more excited for what will be coming up next! Oh yes, and there weren't that many interview parts, I realized… yeah, I've just decided that'll happen. I'm sure none of you mind, just some chapters are more action-oriented than others. So I hope you guys liked this chapter and that it's awesome-ness makes up for the late update and I'm hoping to get back into my groove once more next week! Also, new one shot should be coming up soon. Check it out if you can! Or if I get it up... working on it right now, so we'll see what happens. Thanks for reading.