Thank you for all you've done.
Forgive all your mistakes
There's nothing I wouldn't do
To hear your voice again
Sometimes I wanna call you
But I know you won't be there
Oh, I'm sorry for blaming you
For everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself by hurting you.
--"Hurt" by Christina Aguilera
§
Five days. Mokuba hadn't seen home in five days. The more surprising fact was that it didn't bother him as much as it should have. But one could not help but feel at a strange ease inside the Amun lifestyle. True, the boy had spent the night and played around days with his friend; but this was different. Mokuba always slept at home on weeknights—so that he could have breakfast with his brother. Now, he went to bed and went to school with the household. On the first day, the visitor was introduced into his new agenda.
6:45: Get up for school. Now school started at eight o'clock, and it was ten minutes away. At Kaiba Manor, he awoke at 7:30. This meant time to get dressed, and eat breakfast. However Talla was a twelve year old girl. She, he discovered, showered; carefully selected her wardrobe, and then had her adoptive mother come down and style her hair. After all that, the preteen would emerge from her room and eat. The younger Kaiba learned a new way to tease his best friend after that. Talla was vain in a way. Not conceited, as she did not mind people being prettier than her. But the brunette took it upon herself to present the best appearance.
Then there was breakfast. With the two males, it was an elegant, drawn-up affair of clean food and coffee. With the mistresses, it was a randomized, simple affair. Talla would call downstairs before her shower and order whatever she wanted to eat. It was at times, as simple as a rolled omelet or miso soup. Other times they were foreign dishes such as boysenberry pancakes or pineapple crepes. In those five days, Mokuba tasted more food then he had in his life. After all, top-notch restaurants did not sell simplified foods like chocolate chip waffles or peanut butter bagels; and the orphanage diet had consisted of rice and dried beans with the occasional noodle dish. Not only that but Kestrel was often missing for breakfast, and it wasn't the normal sit-down. While the coal-haired student was ready in enough time to enjoy a solo, albeit relaxed meal; the younger Amun raced down the stairs, grabbed a pre-wrapped box, and raced out the door.
School came and went, the same semi-monotony.( boredom was not a feeling someone near Talla could experience very strongly, if at all) They were picked up in a limo at the time it got out and taken back to Amun manor.
5:15: The pair arrived back at the house unless they chose to detour. A few days they stopped before going directly back to the mansion. Window shopping, playing at the local fountain with a tiger, hawk, and panda. Whenever they did manage to scoot back to her home, it was a crack-down on homework. The green-eyed girl could play, but when set to a task she completed it. Being smart naturally helped too. Afterwards the friends would play a game of duel monsters or entertain Dante. The big wolf-dog got a lot less scarier after a few nights. It was mutual too, as the fourth night the blue-eyed kid had woken up and pattered out of his room and found the creature laying quietly between the doors of his young mistress and master.
Dinner was as unscheduled as breakfast, but a little more oriented. Montague, the friendly and nearly paternal head staff-man, would come down to take both children's orders along with his employer's. He would also return when it was finished, and gather the woman from her office for the meal. On one occasion, the young CEO had been so caught up in her project that even Montague's persistence could not drive her from her office. Instead of doing as her friend did, and accepted this, the sister had gone up to her room and in her own fashion; convinced the blond to join them. Dinner with the Amun's was equivalent to breakfast with the Kaiba's. Three times, Seto had come by to see his brother. Each time he apologized for the wait, ensured that he was safe and it was merely a precaution, and simply enjoyed the banter of the meal. Once the younger Kaiba had caught his other brother roughly poking a fish as he muttered a thanks to the doctor. In her part, she laughed it off and commented softly that Mokuba had grown onto them all; and she would be sorry to see him go. Letting a soft 'hm' as a reply, Kestrel had probed a little farther by adding that Seto had almost become a part of their family too. The CEO had given her a scorning glance and muttered something his brother couldn't here.
In response, the caramel-eyed teen had pointed out that Dante and Montague had stopped growling at him. The blue-eyed man just smirked.
That was life now, and somehow, Mokuba thought it all fit. The two families were like puzzle pieces—incomplete and completely contrasting, yet fitting perfectly into the holes of one another.
§
"Montague, is Kess around?" Talla popped up behind the balding man.
He put on a small frown. "No, Miss Talla. I'm afraid she is out."
The pretty twelve year old blinked at his tone. "Isn't that good? It's not like Kess goes out a lot."
"She's working out." The Latino clarified, clearing his throat.
The young brunette slapped her face. "Oi, what is she doing this time?"
At that point the visitor walked into the room. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"My sister's a workaholic." His friend put bluntly, snorting.
"Hello Master Mokuba," The dark-eyed employee greeted with crinkling eyes
The bush of black couldn't help but smile. He did like that title.
"Montague, I'm the one who is supposed to be inattentive." The youngest Amun chimed in with a fake pout.
"And you meet that standard perfectly." The head of staff joked deadpan. "Beyond that, Ms. Kestrel has gone out for a study with a young man by the name of Joey Wheeler."
The blue-eyed male coughed suddenly, pupils dilated in surprise.
"Is something the matter Master Mokuba?" The taller figure asked with faint concern.
"Joey Wheeler?!?"
The playful child blinked. "You know him?"
Mutt. His elder brother's voice played in his head. "Ah.. yeah. I didn't know your sister knew him though."
"Why, what is wrong with him?" A slight hostility had come into her tone.
The young duelist held his hands up. Mutt. "No, nothing like that! It's just... er... what exactly is she testing him for?"
Both eyes looked toward Montague.
"Ms. Amun mentioned something about metabolism rates versus food consumption."
"Why would she be doing that? Is this guy like an athlete or something?" His host directed the question at him now.
Well he's not fat, but... The co-owner of Kaiba Corp pondered for a moment. "Not really. He's skinny and stuff, but he's a duelist."
The adoptive daughter blinked. "A duelist?"
Mutt.
§
Five days. Five days of intensive search in and everything seemed reluctant to unwind. There was only one lead he had right now, and that one had almost been more trouble than it was worth.
"Mr. Kaiba," Rolland had appeared at the door frame.
"What is it?" His employer growled in response, looking up from his laptop.
"The subject has been located."
The brunette smirked. Finally, all his hard work was about to pay off. I finally get to show this punk the price for messing with me.
It had not been an easy few days. The corner camera was found and as he expected, was on a feed loop. The camera was taken down and swept for fingerprints. The grounds were searched for any sort of disturbance. Whoever did the handiwork had been neat, and had left neither of these. However a single hair was found. Determined, the businessman had run a DNA scan. The code was discovered, however not even Kaiba Corp had the resources to identify an X genetic code with a Y identity. However the people that did happened to be the Japanese Police Force. Who, as the CEO discovered, that shity computer security. So using their lists, he searched for the hair. The name was Ashemaru Fennir, a hired killer. Using his company's own GPS system, the teen had been sweeping the area for the man. And today, finally the results came back.
Now that I've found the dog, I can force him to lead me to his master.
"Bring him in alive." Seto commanded, shutting down the laptop.
Rolland paused, shifting uncomfortably in his suit. "There's a problem sir."
Annoyed blue irises shifted over the worker. "What is it now?"
"Ashemaru Fennir is... already dead."
Fuck...
"How did this happen?" The teen's voice had dropped to a heated low.
The head of security would have gladly been anywhere else than standing there right now.
"Our systems tracked the body to a street ally fifty miles from here. We can bring the body back for analysis if you wish..."
Whoever is pulling the strings must have known that I would find his puppet, so he cut the ties.
"Bring the body back, keep it in the underground lab."
"Sir! Would you like me to call a coroner to exam it?"
The handsome icicle was smirking again. "No, I already have someone in mind."Taking this as a leave and invitation to keep his job, the gray-haired man quickly exited the room.
The basement lab was quiet, its only occupant unmoving with a thoughtful, introverted gaze. It's sterile silver-sheeted walls hummed with the numerous computers and mainframes that lined it. The laptop was plugged into a large computer against the left wall. A metal table was ready, unknowing that it would soon hold the body of a criminal.
Finally, the duelist switched out his cell-phone, hitting the number six on his speed-dial.
The phone didn't ring, but went straight to the answering machine.
"Hello, this is the voice mail of Kestrel Amun. My apologies for being unable to reach the phone at this time, but please leave your name and number. I will return your call as soon as possible. Have a wonderful day."
Beep.
He hung up the line, now pissed and dialing the number to Mikagi Corp.
This time the phone rang, twice.
"Susan of Mikagi Corp speaking, how may I be of service to you?"
"This is Seto Kaiba. I need to speak to Kestrel Amun." His tone was dripping with annoyance and retribution.
He managed to scare the girl on the other line as she stuttered. "I a—am sorry... Mr. Kaiba, bu—but Ms. Amun is currently out."
The world hated him.
But that was okay, he hated the world.
Not bothering to apologize, the infamous man hung up the phone.
Damn woman, where the hell are you?
§
"So what is it you wanted me to do exactly?" Joey asked, scratching his sandy hair.
The blond across from him winked. "Just... go about your normal day and pretend I'm not here, okay."
The teen shrugged. "Alright, what is this for though?"
She suppressed a sigh. "I am studying your food consumption versus metabolic activity on a daily basis.
The cutely confused look in his hazel eyes made Kestrel give a small laugh.
"What's so funny?" The duelist blinked, letting it go that he had no idea what she was doing this for.
"Your eyes they look... like a puppy's." The medic replied with a stifled chuckle.
Mutt.
"Hey, I am not a dog!" Wheeler pouted.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." The elder Amun was honest as she gave a small smile.
The good-natured youth simply shrugged. "T's okay. I guess I just kinda have a sore spot for being called a dog."
All thanks to that greedy pretty boy...
"Oh, I'll remember that." The businesswoman promised as they crossed the street.
"Don't worry about it... So, you just want to follow me on my everyday schedule right?"
The CEO of Mikagi Corp nodded encouragingly. "Right, just pretend I'm not here."
Her subject snorted. "Well, didn't I promise I'd teach you how to have fun? You can't really learn if you're sitting in the back corner by yourself. Come on, lighten up!"
Amber eyes blinked, before a wide upturn spread across her full lips.
"Alright."
The underdog winked and gave her thumbs up. "Then we're all set to go to the game shop!"
Kestrel stopped for a moment. "Game shop?"
"Yeah, gramp's owns it. It has the best cards in town."
The pretty teen didn't move. "Cards?"
"You know, for duel monsters!" The street-rat added, giving her a questioning look.
"Wait, you do know what duel monsters is, don't you?" He pointed a finger at her seriously.
The woman shook her head. "No I've never heard of it."
Joey had an aneurysm. "What?!? You've never heard of—How can you have never heard of it? What have you done to live all these years?!?"
Is it really that big of a deal? Amun wondered to herself as she took a hesitant step back.
However, a flaming mutt caught her. "Come on! We're going to gramp's shop so he can teach you duel monsters!"
"Okay..." She added, though he didn't seem to need her acceptance as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her off toward the store.
§
Seto Kaiba was pissed. Not like, 'wow, today sucks' either; it was 'I am going to choke the life out of the next person who makes eye contact with me.' Unable to reach the one person he trusted with the dissection of his only lead, lacking in sleep, and frustrated to no end; he had simply walked out of Kaiba Corp. His feet led the way mindlessly, homicidal gleam in his eyes kept others away, and mind ran endlessly.
I have to end this soon!
Why is that?
Because it is distorting my life. Mokuba can't sleep at our house because someone shot him! And then that note...
You're frightened.
An inner scoff broke into the argument. Of what?
That it may really be him again.
...That is insane. He died. People don't come back from the dead.
If you call that illogical, than answer this. How many people know about what he did?
It doesn't matter. So some punk dug up some information, who cares. I'll find him and make him pay!
...If anyone could have escaped death, it would have been him.
Shut up. You know what it truly crazy? Having an argument with yourself!
The stoic teen shut out the inner voice in his head that had a suspiciously familiar tone. Only then did he take notice in his surroundings, and thus hide a groan.
His feet had led him straight to an overly friendly little shop. The older Kaiba almost turned away, disowning it; when a horribly innocent face happened to peer out of the window.
"Kaiba!" Yugi Muto shouted from his window in surprise.
Hiding a wince, the CEO glared up at his rival.
Of course, the top duelist was too used to the painful-death look to be intimidated. Instead, he called back out to the other man.
"Hang on a sec, I'll be right down!"
The blue-eyed brunette almost turned and walked away. However then he would have to explain why his unconscious wandering had led him to Yugi's doorstep. Rather look irate and planned then thoughtless and vulnerable. So, with a deepening scowl, the infamous businessman walked toward the game shop door. He saw two people—one unhappily, one unexpectedly. And that, as they say, broke the camel's back.
§
Kestrel was sitting across from her new friend. An intricate web of cards lay between them, bright colors and snarling monster faces. Joey in turned out, was a surprisingly adept to teaching. While she was still flawed, unsure on moves, and not strategizing anything well, the honey-haired individual was learning. However her current choice between two cards was interrupted by an aura that singed the back of her neck. Being a healer for so long, the young woman had acquired a certain feel for people; and she was sure whoever entered the room was hellbent. However when her bird-like eyes laid upon him, they widened slightly in surprise.
"Seto?"
The tall figure stormed over to the table, completely ignoring the other man with his mouth open.
"What the hell are you doing here with the mutt? And why didn't you answer your phone?" The rant began.
While most people would have been shaking in their clothes by now, the redound doctor dealt with it accordingly. After all, she had been with pregnant woman crazed by hormones into truly frightening heights. Kaiba couldn't compare with that, no matter how many painful deaths his eyes conveyed with a cold, threatening tone.
"You know Joey?" Amun asked, her voice guarding but not offensive.
"Rich boy, what are you doing down here?" The said person growled.
"Shut up mutt." Blue eyes favored him with a 'fuck you' glare.
"He's right Kaiba. What are you doing here?" Yugi stepped in suddenly, cautious but not aggressive.
Ignoring the spiky-haired host, he grabbed the woman's arm, pulling her to her feet before releasing it. The muscle tensed underneath his touch.
"You, come with me." The human ice cube commanded, turning his back on her.
Unfortunately, he had forgotten one tiny piece of information about the tawny-haired girl in his rage. Kestrel Amun hated, above all things, to be controlled, caged.
A definite frown lined her forehead and the bright eyes narrowed in anger. Her posture grew defiant behind his back.
"Forget it." There were flames licking her tongue.
The CEO stiffened, turning his head to an angle where one eye pierced out at her.
"I don't have time for your games."
Light hair was brushed out of an eye, leaving both orbs to glare openly at him.
"Kaiba, listen to this and then leave. You do not own me. I can do what I want, when I want, although you might not like it. So come off your fucking throne, and leave."
It was the first time he had ever heard her cuss. The owner of Mikagi Corp was truly infuriated by something. So with a scowl, the intruder turned back around with the last word.
"People like you are so pathetic."
The moment his white-clad frame was out the door the adoptive mother sat down heavily, simmering.
The other two boys in the room were nearly afraid to move.
Wheeler broke the tension first, scratching his nose in fake ease. "Wow, and I thought I was going to be the one to get into a fight with pretty boy."
Yugi input. "I wonder what's going on with him though. Kaiba was acting a little strange."
Amun looked down.
Guilt is the monster that is born from the good in the world, rather than the cruel.
§
The anger was slow to walk itself off as the young man continued. What had happened back there he wasn't sure. All his resentment outpouring from missing his brother, having this aggravating search, and some strange animal that wound in his chest the moment he laid eyes on Kestrel and Joey.
Kestrel with Joey, commented the sly voice in his head.
Cursing, Kaiba stopped and collected himself again. Only someone who knew him well could tell the careful facade had been cracked, but he knew it. Gathering and bottling his emotions once more, the raka-haired man whipped out his cell phone to call for a limo.
"Hello Seto," A voice halted his fingers, poised in the same position.
It was a deep baritone, jagged but unhalting. Dominative, controlling, pinched and currently it rung with a smirk.
Long bangs hid the widened irises as the trench-coat wearing individual kept perfectly still.
"Come now Seto..." Footsteps were approaching, mocking him. "Is that anyway to greet your father after so long?"
Standing there defying death, was Gozobora Kaiba.
Only someone with as tight of control as the younger man could have dealt with this situation.
"You're dead."
Gozobora just laughed. He looked younger than he should. Even before his death, the man had been forty-two. The figure with him was a little older than himself, somewhere in the mid-twenties or early thirties.
"Did you really think you'd kill me, brat? Perhaps you're more foolish than I imagined."
It seemed the world had been sucked off color, as large gray clouds overcast. The ally street around them was dull and worn. Desolate. Secluded. Alone.
"As though I'd believe this. You're just some cheap trick." The current CEO frowned back.
However his adoptive father didn't loose the commanding smirk.
"Really? Then who do you think paid Fennir to shot the kid?"
Cold blue eyes narrowed, threatening. "You leave Mokuba out of this, whoever you are."
The Kaiba patriarch scoffed. "Still don't believe me? You always were an atheist, Seto. Well then, this should clear things up."
His bulk was covered by a fashionable business suit of onyx coloring. From its tailored pocket, the nightmare pulled out a thin scrap of paper the size of a card. Thunder rolled in the distance as if to add effect to the impact of the scene. The heir was robbed of speech for a moment, eyes seeing the same little coloring of the Blue Eyes White Dragon from all those years ago. The little paper his younger brother had made him as a sign of hope.
"I can see you're coming around." Gozobora stuffed the paper back into his coat pocket.
"What the fuck do you want?" The mask was slipping again, falling with the slow-coming rain.
"Language Seto." The older businessman retributed with malevolence.
"However to answer the question, I want what is mine. You brat, stole my company. Now I'm here to reclaim it. I was planning to kill you, but since the work you have been done actually hasn't been that bad; I'll let you live for now."
The words were beating into the duelist's heart, rhythm and sync with his soul.
"However, if you try to stop me from taking back what's mine; I will kill you."
Gozobora waved his fingers to signal three large men wearing identical sneers and carrying bats.
"Take this as a warning."
§
Inwardly cursing at guilt, a pretty businesswoman drove down the rainy streets toward Kaiba Corp.
Seto, you arrogant bastard, you had better be alright.
She had been truly furious with the other company owner. The man had hit all her trump cards—attacking friend and freedom, as Montague once put it. However after converting back to French, the medic had said goodbye to Yugi and Joey, and gone out to find the frozen-hearted young man. She was mad, not unreasonable.
Then there was this strange eclipse to her vision. Kestrel was not a very spiritual person, a trait quoted by her history. Her view of fate was like that of a puppeteer. One only needed to cut the strings to be freed. However, an ominous... shift was simply fingering her. It wasn't something tangible, but rather there—an annoyance and a worry.
Due to the now down pouring rain and a frazzled head, the female CEO almost missed the figure in the rain. But a flash of white caught her observant eyes, followed by a familiar mop of brown hair.
Please, no...
The car pulled to a screeching stop, turning completely horizontal at the force. Before the vehicle completely halted, her feet were on the slushy ground, running quickly to the unmistakable person slumping toward his office.
"Seto!" The oldest Amun felt all anger leave her, concern too strong. The professional mind-click was turning on, leaving a cool face.
His entire form was leaning and soaked. The once colorless trench-coat was splattered with the burgundy liquid a doctor sees too many times. An angry bruise patched on one cheek, and and several cuts lined his scalp, washed clean by the rain. But it was the leg her eyes noticed first. It had a strong limp, resulted from the ankle bone actually protruding. Wary cerulean depths met her assessing gaze.
"What do you want?" Kaiba growled at her through clenched teeth.
Unfathomable features met him. "To help."
The world faded into wonderful, aching, black.
§
A/N: This one was longer than I usually do, but I really wanted to end here because the next chapter is more about their past.
Kaiba does a strip tease for anyone who reviews;-)