Book One of Eight;
Chasing the Dragon
-Chapter Twenty-
The Balance of Power.
-Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus-
The poison of failure hung heavily over Number 12 Grimmauld Place the next day – and none suffered its effects more greatly than Remus Lupin.
His pallor, Seto noted, suggested that he hadn't slept at all since the incident. The smudges of purple that shadowed his eyes were a mere testament to the fact.
Wrapping his fingers for warmth around his coffee mug, Seto averted his eyes once again to the steaming liquid that swirled hazily within the cheerfully painted porcelain. The tremor in the coffee's surface only served to remind him of the cause of it.
His hands had been shaking all morning.
That was probably why Seto wasn't surprised when the decidedly sharp assessment was made of, "you shouldn't be out of bed."
Seto barely spared the Weasley matriarch a passing glance, his only response that of an unintelligible grunt and another swift swig of his coffee. The woman in question pursed her lips at the dismissal and turned back to the stove, not in the slightest bit willing to give up on the debate just yet.
A sizzling rose through the air that Seto found himself tuning out with a queasy turn of his stomach. Pressing his lips firmly together he turned his attention back to the steaming contents of his mug, he was fairly sure that he had never felt worse in his life – except maybe, for the previous night. That, however, didn't mean that he had to let the wizards know that.
Raising a hand he filtered still trembling fingers through his damp bangs distractedly, he had thought that a shower might clear his head.(1) Needless to say – the effort had been wasted. Fixing his face Seto took in a deep breath and focused upon gaining a semblance of control. After all, Molly Weasley wasn't the only one watching him this morning.
Casting a decidedly sharp look in the direction of a far-too observant Severus Snape, whose eyes had been fixed firmly upon him over the top of the mornings Daily Prophet, he swept his hand out for the coffee pot and deemed it best to ignore the painfully curious stares of the rest of the table.
'He seems awfully curious today.'
Seto nearly jumped at the quiet observation that lingered in his mind. The spirit of the rod sounded almost as bad as he felt.
'They're all far too curious for their own good,' was Seto's dark response as he lifted his coffee to his lips and took a deep sip.
He could feel traces of Set's amusement tingling at the edge of his consciousness and his lips tugged downwards in response. The spirit clucked his tongue softly in response, somewhere in the near vicinity of Seto's earlobe and the elder Kaiba jumped visibly at the sudden intrusion.
'Is it any wonder they're curious, omote, when we ourselves cannot explain what happened?'
Seto turned his eyes briefly in the spirits direction as he directed himself into the chair neighboring Seto's own before turning his eyes back to his coffee mug with a twitch of his lips.
True to form the spirit looked about as bad as Seto's own reflection had that morning – much like he had been doused with a healthy portion of bleach – and much to Seto's irritation his old faithful was proving less than reliable. Seto had never been up against anything that a couple of cups of coffee in advance of a couple of hours of sleep couldn't fix and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
"Now honestly – you look like death warmed up. Are you sure you shouldn't be resting?"
Seto cast a faint glare of annoyance in the womans direction and growled back, "I'm fine."
The disbelief that clung to Molly Weasley's features were enough indication that Seto certainly didn't look fine but she backed off none the less and instead set a plateful of eggs and bacon in front of him.
Ignoring the nauseous groan that escaped the elder Kaiba as she set a plate in front of Remus as well the Weasley matron declared coolly, "if you are so fine then you will not object to speaking with Albus later. I was under the impression that last night you were not well enough to see him."
Set didn't bother to suppress the openly amused chuckle at the disgruntled expression that worked its way onto Seto's face and ignored the brief glance he was spared by the decidedly somber Werewolf at the end of the table whose eyes returned to the dregs of his cup of tea almost mechanically.
Lupin didn't even appear to have noticed the plate of food that had been set in front of him.
"Remus?"
The Weasley matron's thinly veiled concern went unnoticed by its recipient who appeared to be swirling the remnants of his tea with dull disinterest.
Seto glanced up in time to catch the decidedly dark sneer that the other occupant of the room directed in Lupin's direction and raised an eyebrow slowly in faint curiosity as the Potions Master rustled his newspaper, drawing attention to the grim cover story.
In huge bold letters the headline read, 'Tragedy Strikes Brockdale Bridge.' (2)
When the Weasley matron tried half-heartedly again to attract Remus' attention the Potions Master let out a sneer of laughter before drawling darkly in the other wizards direction, "pathetic Lupin. This house has had enough of moping mutts to last until its rotting in the ground without you starting as well. Though, considering the company you tend to keep Lupin, I wouldn't be surprised."
Considering the Wizards previous lack of reaction to anything that had been said Seto was decidedly surprised to see Lupin's head snap up sharply and focus upon the other with decided clarity.
"How dare you."
The words were spoken so softly that Seto thought he might have imagined them – at least, he might have if Remus hadn't abruptly stood, his eyes shining far brighter than they should have.
Snape's eyebrow raised nonchalantly, his eyes gleaming with something like triumph as he replied silkily, "how dare I what Lupin?"
Mrs Weasley turned, her mouth already opening in an attempt to stop the fight that was brewing.
"How dare you sit in this house – at this table and insult him."
The same rise of fire that Seto had witnessed in the Order meeting and upon Otogi's arrival was blazing suddenly within the usually docile wizard and a fierce expression had worked its way onto his face.
Snape's lips curled coldly as he shifted his position in his chair, black eyes never leaving those of the other Wizard's as his mouth curled, "you might not have noticed Lupin, but the people you associate with do not command a whole lot of respect."
A cruel glint echoed in his black eyes as he leaned forward and added in the same cold voice, "I do believe there was rejoicing the day after your dear friend Potter and his mud-blood wife died."
From the moment the words left the Potions Masters lips Seto knew that he had something that went beyond insulting. The plate that Mrs Weasley had been determinedly piling food onto dropped to the floor with a dull smash and Remus Lupin's chair clattered to the floor as his spine stiffened and his face was stripped of color.
Lupin's wand was clutched in his fingers so tight that his knuckles had drained too pale white, his eyes were flooded with tears and for a moment he shook so violently that Seto was sure he was going to tear his way through the table to throttle the Potions Master with his own two hands.
"Remus," Mrs Weasley managed to choke out around the shocked silence that had followed Snape's words.
Slowly Remus' wand returned to his pocket, his lips pressed together in a firm line as he slowly extracted himself from the legs of his chair before striding quickly from the room without a second look at any of its occupants.
The Weasley matron let out a soft sigh of, "oh dear," even as she placed the chair back in its place and waved a wand at the mess that her dropped plate had made upon the floor. (3)
"I hope you're pleased with yourself Severus," she muttered stiffly in the Potions Masters direction.
Seto rather thought that the man in question did look rather pleased with himself as he shuffled the Daily Prophet between his fingers and returned his attention to it.
Shaking her head as the egg and bacon vanished from the floor and plate repaired itself Molly Weasley turned away from the table, her lips pressed firmly together as though determined not to say anything. The silence that followed the events was so intense that Seto found himself shifting uncomfortably without even realizing what he was doing.
It was with grateful eyes that Molly turned towards the doorway when it swung open. The gratitude in her eyes dimmed considerably, however, when she saw who it was.
"Morning Charlie," she declared briskly as she turned her back on the door and moved back to the stove.
The second-eldest of the Weasley brothers spared a half-smile and a subdued, "morning mum" before settling down into a chair that was a considerable distance away from the silent Potions Master.
Seto's eyes drew magnetically towards the gleaming bundle of scales curled upon the dragon tamers shoulder and felt his lips quirk in the first signs of good humor he'd shown all morning. A shimmer of open amusement crossed Set's own lips as he rolled dark eyes and leaned towards his reincarnation to murmur enigmatically into his ear, "I've known many who would kill for the pleasure."
Seto flinched at the proximity of the voice and turned his head towards the spirit with a visible furrow of his brow. Blue eyes fixed questioningly upon the spirit but upon receiving no answer were given over for a decidedly hoarse mutter of, "what are you talking about?"
The High Priests lips quirked with amusement and he replied in a low tone, "to incite that amount of reaction from you in the morning – I believe even the little snot had deemed it impossible."
With a brief, yet decidedly chilly, look in Set's direction the elder Kaiba turned his eyes back towards where the sleeping Kleidon had previously been and instead found the grinning face of the newest addition to the table.
Charlie Weasley stretched his arms high over his head with a conspicuously loud yawn before cracking his neck with a grimace. "I believe you're the one to throttle for keeping Bill alive," he declared conversationally, his hands moving towards the pile of stacked toast that had gone untouched until now.
"Charlie!"
The Dragon Keeper cast an amused glance in his irritable mothers direction before returning his eyes to Seto and correcting himself in good humor, "the one to thank profusely for keeping Bill alive then."
The ever so slight raise of his eyebrows, coupled with the unnaturally strong amount of eye-contact that the Dragon Keeper maintained dictated that it would be easiest to simply answer and so Seto replied with a faintly surprised murmur, "in part."
Seto paused for a moment, a nasty urge wriggling its way up through his mind that he couldn't quite find a reason for, before a decidedly amused half-smirk touched his face, "I believe Severus had something to do with it as well."
For a moment the Weasley brothers face froze in motion, the cheerful grin slackening ever so slightly before resuming (with only the faintest scrunching of his nose) and turning his gaze briefly towards the Wizard in question.
A wizard looking less than gratified at his mention in the affair.
"I assure you," came the decidedly irritable response as black eyes shot towards Seto with faint puzzlement, "I had very little if anything to do with it. It was all Mister Kaiba's doing."
Charlie's eyes glittered with something that could have been amusement before it was snuffed out and replaced with the same conversational tone, "it wouldn't do to have you feeling that we were ungrateful for your part in it though.. Sir."
A decidedly sullen glare was fixed briefly upon Seto before turning upon the Weasley brother with a grimace and a muttered response of, "you over-estimate my involvement."
A wan smile was all that the Potions master got in response as the Dragon Keeper returned to buttering his toast and his eyes were once again directed upon Seto.
His eyes widened somewhat comically as he watched the tiny dragon, that had previously been sleeping on his shoulder, sniff cautiously at Seto's plate of quickly cooling (and noticeably untouched) bacon and eggs. After a pause his lips curled into a good-natured grin and he lifted his eyes once again to the elder Kaiba whose attention was completely directed towards the little creature.
"He likes you," Charlie declared abruptly, causing the other to startle out of his reverie and turn with badly-concealed curiosity shining in his eyes towards him.
Without waiting for any further acknowledgment the Dragon Keeper continued, determined to keep some sort of conversation going for his own sanity at least, "its strange really. They're usually quite anti-social creatures – don't like humans much at all."
Without a word he rolled up the thick sleeve of his woolen sweater, revealing several thick strips of scarring that looked like they had once been deep gouges.
"It was my first time handling a Ukrainian Irony-belly – I was too busy watching out for its teeth that I forgot about its talons. I was lucky I didn't lose half my arm."
Contrary to the grim sight that the scars made a wide smile cracked the Weasley brothers face as he rolled his sweater back down and gave a rueful chuckle, ignoring the decidedly tight-lipped expression that his mother gave him as she presented a plateful of bacon and eggs in front of him with rather more force than was necessary.
"Kleidon here is an Antipodean Opal-Eye. Very rare of course, well, at least rare for the Northern Hemisphere. They're native to New Zealand and Australia," Charlie bore a grin in Seto's direction as he scooped a forkful of scrambled eggs towards his mouth and noted that the elder Kaiba wasn't even bothering to hide his interest.
The dragon, now halfway through tearing apart the second of three of Seto's strips of bacon with vicious jerks of its teeth, didn't appear to mind the fact that the elder Kaiba was brushing a finger absentmindedly between its tiny leathery wings. Molly cast a disapproving glare in the tiny dragons direction even as she turned back to the stove with a huff.
"His mother was one of the worst-tempered of her breed I've ever met – she nearly took one of the Keepers arms off when she first arrived. Disowned the little guy as soon he was born – she would have killed him if we hadn't had him removed."
For a moment the Dragon Keeper paused, his fork hovering halfway between his plate and his mouth with a thoughtful look upon his face before offering another smile in Seto's direction and swallowing another mouthful of scrambled eggs.
"Charlie -"
Seto found himself thinking that Mrs Weasley's voice was rather strained, "did Bill seem alright to you when you got up?"
Swallowing his last mouthful the Dragon Keeper rolled his eyes pointedly in Seto's direction and turned his head towards his mother with another of his seemingly endless supply of smiles, "you mean aside from the continuous stream of groaning and 'why me?'s while I was trying to sleep?"
The Weasley matron narrowed her eyes.
Charlie didn't bother to hide his amusement as he raised his eyebrows marginally in Seto's direction and replied cheerfully, "he seemed fine."
The tense expression on the Weasley matron's face lessened and she offered a decidedly less strained smile at her son in response.
"At least – fine enough to attempt to beat that lunatic Otogi to death with his pillow.."(4)
Seto found himself hard pressed not to snicker at the very idea and so turned his attention from the Weasley's back onto the much more favorable tiny dragon.
His lips curled and he watched with faint amusement as the dragon devoured his last piece of bacon and sniffed hopefully at his plate in search of more. Finding none it instead began its ungainly scamper towards Seto's hand and sniffed at it cautiously before freezing abruptly. It's large pupil-less eyes turned a violent shade of violet and it began to make making an odd sound that sounded somewhat like a cross between a hiccup and a sneeze.
There was sudden pandemonium as Charlie threw himself in a tremendous leap from his chair in a belly flop on the table which groaned loudly under the sudden weight. Ignoring the oozing feeling of his breakfast soaking through his clothing the Dragon Keeper seized the dragon in both hands and lifted the dragon high over his head and away from all present company as it began to wheeze loudly.
Only seconds later a stream of brilliant scarlet erupted from its nostrils.
A hysterical shriek erupted from the general direction of the stove as Molly Weasley swooped forwards, her face an ominous shade of crimson and a storm brewing in her eyes. For a moment Charlie watched in stunned silence as one of the faded floral-print curtains began to crackle merrily, before slowly extracting himself from the table before it gave way completely.
Clutching the little dragon to his egg-covered chest he offered a pacifying half-smile in his mothers direction and began to back away from the mess he had made of the table.
"You know, he really can't help.."
The words died on Charlie's tongue as his mothers eyes cracked with lightning and thunder rolled from her tongue.
"CHARLES -"
Seto watched in faint amusement as the Dragon Keeper skidded on spilled scrambled eggs as he raced off out of the kitchen door, snagging a piece of toast with his fingers and casting one last rueful look back at his ruined breakfast.
"Why, to tell long stories, showing how I have spoiled my life through morally rotting in my corner, through lack of fitting environment, through divorce from real life, and rankling spite in my underground world, would certainly not be interesting; a novel needs a hero, and all the traits for an anti-hero are expressly gathered together here, and what matters most, it all produces an unpleasant impression, for we are all divorced from life, we are all cripples, every one of us, more or less." (5)
Seto paused, his eyes raising slowly to meet their lighter counterparts with a sardonic curl of his lips. Albus Dumbledore met his stare with a benign smile, an ironical gleam twinkling merrily in his periwinkle eyes as he leaned forwards to rest his elbows upon the smooth mahogany table that sat between them.
"I am told it is a classic," was the innocent suggestion that did little to hide the obvious amusement in his voice.
An eyebrow raised sardonically in response. Seto highly doubted that the book had opened at that particular passage by pure coincidence.
"You did not bring me here to give me a get well present," Seto offered diplomatically as he snapped the pages closed and set his eyes to firmly staring down their opposing force.
"I did not," Dumbledore conceded with an inclination of his head, "I wish to speak with you on several matters. Most pressingly that which involves the events of last night and the abduction of your friend Mister Ishtar."
Seto's lips curled with derisive amusement, his eyes glinting cruelly in the subdued light as he readjusted his position in the chair. The novel came to a rest in his lap as his arms folded over his chest.
"He is not my friend," he declared with a deliberately biting tone, the sneer becoming even more pronounced as he added sharply as though in justification, "he kidnapped my brother and tried to murder half of the passengers of my airship in their beds."
Albus' lips quirked with faint amusement as his chin rose ever so slightly, eyes twinkling merrily as they observed the eldest Kaiba over half-moon glasses, "and yet the pair of you have worked quite proficiently together on many occasions over the course of the last few weeks."
Seto felt his shoulders tense accordingly and settled for sending a somewhat disgruntled scowl at the headmaster and carefully pushing his feelings on the matter away. He needed to keep a clear head for the discussion ahead or he would end up sounding like a sullen teenager.
'No matter that that is precisely what you are Omote.'
A muscle twitched ominously above his left eye.
The spirit of the Rod inclined his head lazily towards the Headmaster as he made himself known draping himself over the back of Seto's chair, his elbows resting on the shoulders of his reincarnation. The wisened headmaster hid a smile at the wash of faint pink that surprised itself upon the elder Kaiba's cheeks.
"I have already spoken with Mister Mutou concerning last nights events and we have come to the conclusion that there are forces at work that even he does not have a profound knowledge of."
Seto's eyes sharpened upon the headmaster, his fingertips drumming out a beat against his upper-arm as he determinedly ignored the presence of the High Priest. The words that were forming upon his tongue were overshadowed however by Set's interruption, "and you?"
"I have a few theories – each as unlikely as the next. I was hoping that together we might be able to reach a conclusion."
The troubled smile that the wizard offered him went without notice from the elder Kaiba as he deliberated over his thoughts. For a moment he seemed unlikely to speak, his eyes darkening as he was absorbed in thought before he murmured somewhat doubtfully, "I remember very little."
"A small detail can recall just as much an entire monologue," the headmaster replied cheerfully.
With a visible grimace that did little justice to the feeling of frustration that had been building within him, Seto readjusted his position in his chair once again. Bringing a halt to the jittery drum beat his fingers had been beating he caught the elderly wizards eyes and began to relate the hazy memories of the night previous.
"We had been waiting for quite some time in position, Yuugi and myself were hidden together. Moody across the street from us – Weasley to our left and Snape further up the street. The Pharaoh was asking questions, it seems the concept of silence is lost on him."
Pausing only briefly to brush a wayward strand of hair out of his eyes he continued, "he was asking about the ritual and what it entailed – so I told him. The Death Eaters must have arrived some time while I was explaining to him, because the next thing we knew they were looking through the bushes. They knocked Moody unconscious almost immediately – as if they knew he was there already."
For a moment Seto paused, noting the concentration that Dumbledore was suddenly wearing with interest before resuming.
"Then they started trying to knock Weasley out – he fought back for several minutes before he too was knocked out. That was when we realized that one of them had managed to get behind us, he had Mutou at wand point and told us to move. It was strange.. Almost as if they already knew where we were before they got there."
At this Dumbledore's forehead furrowed considerably and he spoke carefully, as though he were passing onto dangerous territory, "you think that those Death Eaters knew there would be members of the Order there that night?"
It was Set who answered, not even bothering to wait for Seto to answer he replied coldly, "I am sure of it."
Dumbledore's eyes darkened in troubled thought and he glanced between the two briefly before asking carefully, "did they say or act suspiciously at all?"
"When Set took over – he took control of the Death Eaters mind and forced him to return to the others and tell them he hadn't found anything. We watched as they dragged Moody and Weasley into the middle of the street – and one of them mentioned that it wasn't likely that 'they' would only send two to take care of them. They also mentioned an ambush."
Dumbledore seemed to sink within his chair, his eyes darkening with obvious disappointment as he let out a sigh, "they learned of our plans. They knew that there would be members of the Order of the Phoenix at that location – and they must have known that there would be more following Lucius Malfoy. Voldemort was one step ahead of us once again.. Though why they took your friend Ishtar instead of Remus is troubling.. Remus knows far more about the Order."
Seto raised an eyebrow and shook his head sharply, "they did not want a member of the Order of the Phoenix. They wanted Ishtar – they were hunting him back in Egypt as well. They killed his sister."
Set's eyes darkened as he leaned heavily against the back of Seto's chair, one of his hands idly toying with the collar of Seto's jacket as he declared darkly, "you have a traitor in your midsts."(6)
Dumbledore shook his head with a sigh, his long silver hair catching the gleam of candle-light before he waved a hand almost dismissively, "that is a topic for further contemplation at a later date. For now let us continue with what happened last night. If you would Mister Kaiba?"
Swatting the spirits hand away from his collar, Seto frowned, his lip curling in faint hesitation before he resumed the story, "they were talking about an ambush and then one of them kicked Weasley."
For a moment Albus Dumbledore paused, his eyes turning with curiosity upon Seto as he suddenly halted. For a moment the Headmaster thought he saw confusion slip passed the tight grip that the elder Kaiba had upon his expression before it reverted to its usual stoic facade.
"I don't know why," he abruptly murmured, breaking the silence that held and raising Dumbledore's eyes back to study his face.
"But.. I knew that if I let a single one of them escape that it would be a costly mistake," blue eyes shone humorlessly as he let out a cold and impersonal quiet laugh that made Set frown faintly.
He plowed on ruthlessly, as though he knew that if his thoughts should catch up with his words he wouldn't speak them at all, "so I tried to regain control of my body. But something happened – it was as if.. I was.. We were both in control. But at the same time.."
"Not?"
A brief curl of Seto's lips was all the answer that Albus Dumbledore seemed to need, "do you remember anything after that? What it felt like perhaps?"
Seto's eyes glittered darkly as his lips twisted, "it felt as if I was being burned from the inside out."
Something in the wizards eyes changed abruptly, as though a light had suddenly switched on behind them and their stare seemed to intensify as he leaned towards Seto, half-moon glasses slipping further down his nose.
"Burned?" was the question that came out as barely more than a whisper, "do you know what it was exactly that you felt..?"
The answer came without the slightest moment of hesitation, "it was power. Complete, pure power."
If Seto's answer surprised the Headmaster he did not show it, for a brief gleam of triumph was all that surfaced upon his face before he questioned sharply, "have you ever experienced this feeling before?"
It seemed that any hesitation had dwindled away quickly as Seto's business-persona roared into life, complete with an elevation of his chin and shine of pride that stabbed through blue eyes with a ferocity that would have made most any other man cower and a devil-may-care curl of his lips, "many times."
An elbow dug sharply into Seto's collarbone and the elder Kaiba cast a faintly miffed glare in the direction of his other half (which only succeeded in him rolling his eyes upward in a manner that made Dumbledore stifle a chuckle) before adding rather stiffly, "although I have only felt exactly the same twice before. Once in Diagon Alley when I was attacked by a bounty hunter, the other when we rescued Ishtar - when I summoned the Blue Eyes White Dragon."
There was a pause in which Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with open curiosity before he murmured softly, "the blue eyes?"
Seto deftly removed his dueling deck from his coat pocket. His eyes fixed firmly upon Dumbledore's face he began to systematically shuffle through the cards, each flick of the wrist a testament to the skill that had developed over years of practice. He didn't even deem to look as he abruptly plucked a card from the top of the pile, flipped it over and slid it across the desk to the headmaster.
His expression didn't change as the wizard cast a faint smile of amusement at him before peering through his half-moon glasses at the beautifully detailed form that twined sinuously through the image. When Dumbledore's eyes lifted to meet Seto's once again there was a pause before he murmured aloud, "it's a card game."
A low chuckling filled Seto's ears and he jumped at the warm breath that brushed his neck. Blue eyes turned in dark glare towards the offending spirit as he unwrapped his arms from Seto's shoulders and rose to his full height to observe the headmaster with an air of faint condescension. He cocked his head to one side, dark eyes alight with amusement as he spoke, "I'm beginning to wonder what History it is that they teach at that school of yours."
A smile accompanied the good humored response, "in the nature of history – only that which is remembered."
Set's lips quirked almost imperceptibly before he turned upon his heel and began to pace the floor behind Seto's chair. On his first turn he began to recite aloud to his awaiting audience in a practiced tone, "long ago when the world was young, Egyptian Kings and Sorcerers played games of great and terrible power.."
Seto raised an eyebrow questioningly as he interrupted with a scathing, "so you're a great sorcerer now are you?"
The spirit paused momentarily to fix a glare upon his reincarnation before resuming his speech.
"These games served as magical ceremonies to foretell the fortunes of men and kings – and even to change a persons fate. They were known as the Shadow Games."
Set halted in his speech once again to cast a quelling glare at Seto whose lips had thinned at the use of the word 'fate' and was now following Set through decidedly skeptical blue eyes.
"But there was something about these Games that those Sorcerers did not know – for everything in this world comes with a price, and the power that they received in these games was so tremendous that they did not, at first, notice the changes as they came. The ability to summon the Shadows came at a terrible price – for from the Shadows were born terrible Monsters of tremendous power."
The spirit paused in his pacing once again, his face strangely solemn as he stared at the palms of his hands as though caught in some long lost memory. "Those monsters were born of something far darker then that realm of shadows as we so foolishly presumed.."
No amusement could be found in the High Priests voice now, his face was stripped of anything other than a strange bitter sting in his dark eyes that turned to focus upon Albus Dumbledore's solemn face.
"They were born of the human soul. They were.. a mockery of the human soul – their wielders in their most distorted and true form. And what we saw, when we realized what it was that we had so foolishly done, frightened us all beyond comprehension."
Another twist of his lips had a painfully forced smile appear upon his face, his eyes fixed firmly upon the man who continued to stare at him without anything other than compassion.
"That.. Card game that you hold now. It is a distortion of a game so awful – so terrible that the Pharaoh had to sacrifice blood and flesh and soul to seal it away from the world. A game that was hidden deep below the surface of the new world, away from memory, in a place where man would not dare to look -"
Set paused, a suddenly thoughtful expression touching his face before a wry smile touched his lips and he raised an eyebrow pointedly in Seto's direction as he tacked on, "unless they were looking to break into the lucrative gaming industry that is."
Dumbledore's lips quirked in response, his eyes glittering with amusement as Seto's eyes snapped with anger and he sneered back, "you are well aware that it was Pegasus who released it as a game Set."
A soft snort echoed, "says the former-World Champion.."
Seto let out a disgusted groan and rolled his eyes in exasperation,"oh bite me."
Set's eyes perked up considerably and he opened his mouth to reply, a wicked smirk already falling into place as he draped himself over the back of Seto's chair once again before he was cut off by someone clearing their throat decidedly loudly.
Both pairs of near-identical eyes turned towards the elderly Wizard and met his decidedly amused expression.
"I think we have gotten somewhat off track, have we not Mister Kaiba?"
Even as Seto moved to nod his agreement with another attempted glare in Set's direction a hesitant knocking on the door behind him sounded.
Dumbledore seemed to have been expecting someone, for he merely smiled at Seto's questioning look and called out, "come in."
The door was pushed somewhat hesitantly open and the dark tousle-haired head of a dubious looking Harry Potter appeared in the gap. Green eyes took in Seto and Set before moving onwards to meet Dumbledore's crystal-blue eyes with open curiosity.
"You wanted to see me Professor?"
Dumbledore's lips curled in a welcoming smile and he waved Harry inside, "yes of course, come in. Have a seat -"
The elderly wizard waved his wand almost distractedly and a heavy armchair appeared in mid-air quite suddenly to fall with a thud to the floor beside Seto's own chair. With a bemused look the Boy Who Lived closed the door behind him and strode over to take the seat.
Seto's eyes moved from the quite sturdy armchair (that bore a strong resemblance to one that had previously vacated a space in the Living Room) to the boy sitting in it. The cold impersonal assessment that he took of the Boy Who Lived was enough to make Harry shift uncomfortably in his chair and direct his stare firmly towards the Headmaster.
"I wished to speak to the both of you about a matter that concerns you both greatly."
"The prophecy," Harry surmised with a shrewd smile.
Even as Dumbledore nodded his acknowledgment, Seto scoffed softly beneath his breath.
Slightly bemused, Harry turned curious green eyes upon Seto before watching with amusement as Dumbledore peered at the elder Kaiba through his half-moon glasses, "was there something you wished to say Mister Kaiba?"
Harry caught sigh of Set waving one hand frantically and miming the word 'don't!' out of the corner of his eye and blinked in surprise before turning his eyes back to Seto to watch.
Seto's lips curled with disdain as he bit out, "prophecies are for the weak-minded who need to believe that they have some higher purpose in life than their boring everyday lives."
Harry listened with startled bemusement, his eyes catching upon the grimace of frustration that had slowly spread across the High Priests face. Green eyes shifted curiously towards the Headmaster and he found his lips curling in a faint smile. Dumbledore looked as though he was rather enjoying himself.
The High Priest was surprisingly the first to respond, his eyes darkening momentarily as he growled out, "fore-sight, omote, is one of the oldest branches of magic still in existence. Destiny is not a figment of the imagination – it is a force that everyone faces, whether they believe it or not."
Seto lent back in his chair, swelling in presence with the accomplished ease of a seasoned actor, his eyes glittered with derisive amusement as he met the fierce stare of his counterpart staring down at him.
"Destiny, as you call it Set, is life. It is up to the individual to take control and shape it. The strong forge their own paths in life – only the weak do as they are told. The question isn't of what is written in the stars or what some hag thought she saw in the bottom of her morning cup of tea – it's of power and whether you're willing to use it to achieve your end. 'Men at some time are masters of their fates: the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.'"(7)
Harry turned his head slowly from Seto towards Dumbledore, who was observing the former with a thoughtful expression, his eyes gleaming with something that looked almost like pleasure. But Harry's eyes had darkened as words returned to him that seemed so very similar to what it was that the elder Kaiba was saying.
Without even realizing what he was doing he spoke the words aloud, his eyes fixed with sudden ferocity upon Seto as he said them, "there is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it."
Harry's eyes didn't leave Seto's face as he added darkly in what sounded almost like an accusation, "that is what Quirrell said to me – when he was trying to convince me to give him the Philosopher's Stone."
"There is evil," was the sharp voice from behind them, "just as there is good and a great deal of grey area in between, But power is what this world is built upon. Power is what makes you who you are. It's why the man sitting in front of you is who he is. It is why the Pharaoh – and even you omote, will always be hunted by those weaker than yourselves. Because you have it – and they need it."
"It's the difference between Kings and Pawns. It is why you will be remembered and your friends and all those who fight and die in this war will not. It is why your world fears to speak the mere name of one man for fear of the ruin it will bring down upon them."
Set rose to stand at his full height, his eyes fixed upon Harry with a dark stare that was almost eerie in its intensity, "it is why in the end it will always be you or him – no matter how hard they try to protect you." (8)
Stark silence followed Set's announcement, as Harry stared numbly from Set to Dumbledore as though questioning him with a mere look. But when Harry turned back to look at the spirit he was gone and only Seto remained, his face belying a curious expression as he stared down at a book lying in his lap.
Without warning Seto abruptly began to chuckle to himself, a cold mirthless sound that made Harry's skin crawl even as he watched the elder Kaiba fan the pages of the book open and shut before raising his eyes to turn upon Dumbledore abruptly.
"I see what it is that you are thinking with all this talk of prophecies and power."
The wisened Wizards eyes softened behind his half-moon glasses and his face was suddenly solemn, ".. A novel needs a hero, Mister Kaiba. If what I have learned about this prophecy is true.. If you are one of those that it speaks of.."
Seto's eyes flashed sharply and he stood abruptly in his seat, one hand clutching the novel tightly between his fingers.
"I am sorry to disappoint – but I'm no hero, old man. Why don't you try Mutou – that's more up his alley."
Seto moved briskly, cradling the novel in his hand and maneuvering his way past his chair and back to the door. Without a backward glance he slipped through the door and closed it with a snap behind him.
For a brief moment Albus Dumbledore stared after him in silence, the smallest of smiles touching his face before muttering to himself, "I think there's more hero in you, Seto Kaiba, than you'd ever let yourself believe."
For a few moments Harry stared in silence at his Professor, who continued to stare at the closed door with that same expression upon his face.
So absorbed in his own thoughts was Harry that he jumped when Dumbledore abruptly spoke to him, "so Harry, did you learn anything from Mister Kaiba's speeches?"
"You mean aside from the fact that him and that spirit are both obsessed with power?"
Crystal blue eyes crinkled in the corners with hidden mirth and Dumbledore shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips, "yes. Apart from that."
Harry paused, green eyes lost in thought before he hesitantly shook his head.
"The point that Mister Kaiba made, quite fiercely I must admit, is that there is always a choice in what we do with our futures Harry, nothing is ever certain."
For a moment the Boy Who Lived paused, his mind working furiously before he spoke slowly, confusion evident in his voice, "but the Prophecy said -"
Dumbledore's expression softened and he shook his head of silver hair with a faint smile, "I see.. A discussion that is perhaps best left for another time then."
Harry's eyes scrunched up slightly as though he were going to debate the point before shaking it off in favor of pausing, before hesitantly asking, "Professor.. Why do you think Kaiba is so determined not to believe in destiny?"
Crystal eyes studied Harry's face with a solemn expression before he spoke, his voice softened with a touch of sympathy, "one of the hardest things in this world, Harry, is simply to believe."
"To believe in something you have no proof of and simply trust that it exists requires a huge amount of faith. For a person like Seto Kaiba, who has had very little to believe in since he was a very small child, it is the hardest choice he will ever have to make."
"So.. What'd Dumbledore want?"
Harry paused, glancing towards the youngest Weasley brother with a faint grimace as he collapsed upon the arm-chair nearest the couch upon which his best friends were currently sitting playing chess.
Not for the first time, Hermione was losing abysmally.
Casting a half-glance in the direction of the other couch, or more specifically, the supposedly sleeping form of Otogi Ryuuji who was stretched out upon the other couch Harry frowned and muttered, "Kaiba was there."
"Really?" Hermione murmured thoughtfully, watching with a faint grimace as Ron's knight brutally took out her bishop.
"Yeah. He must have been talking to Dumbledore about something – when I came in he changed the subject."
Harry's nose wrinkled thoughtfully as he lent back in his chair and absentmindedly ruffled the back of his hair in an action that made Hermione shoot a glance in Ron's direction with amusement. The red-head however, seemed completely oblivious.
"There's something.. Strange about them. Kaiba and that spirit I mean."
Ron snorted loudly and replied, "Kaiba's got issues alright.."
Hermione's eyes shot frantically over her shoulder and she let out a hiss of, "Ron!" as Otogi's form shifted languidly on the couch.
The youngest Weasley brother grinned to himself and shrugged, "what? It's true.."
With a moan of what appeared to be disgust mixed with irritation and a trace of amusement Hermione shook her head and turned her eyes instead upon Harry, "go on Harry."
"Well Dumbledore brought up the Prophecy. You know, the one that they were talking about at the Order meeting, and Kaiba started ranting about destiny -"
What sounded suspiciously like a snort came from the couch harboring Otogi and Harry paused briefly but when nothing else came of it he continued.
"He said something about, 'men at some time are masters of their fates..'"
Hermione's eyes widened somewhat and she carried on from where Harry had trailed off with only a brief hesitation, "the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings."
Ron stared at her blankly.
"It's Shakespeare – why on earth was he quoting Shakespeare?"
Harry shrugged, readjusting his glasses as he slumped back into his chair and continuing, "then that spirit.. Set.. Started talking about power.. You should have heard him. He said something like, 'it's why in the end it will be you or him – no matter how hard they try to protect you.'"
Ron blinked at Harry for several moments before leaning forwards and in a distinctly softer voice than he had used before he muttered, "thats right creepy that is. You don't think that he knows about what the prophecy said do you? You know.. About you and You-Know-Who."
Harry shook his head and frowned, "no. I asked Dumbledore after he'd left if he knew.. He said that he hadn't told anyone other than me.. And I've only told you and Hermione. How could he have known?"
Ron shrugged in response, the chess match now forgotten as he turned his attention upon Harry in full.
"When I was talking to Bill earlier he said that Kaiba was the one who saved him and Moody from the Death Eaters, apparently he went completely ballistic. Four Death Eaters dead on the spot.. The other two were out of their minds, talking absolute gibberish.. You don't think.. That Kaiba's a dark wizard do you?"
Harry was sure that that was a snort.
Hermione's eyes rolled and she smacked Ron deftly over the head.
"Do you really think that Dumbledore would let a dark wizard into the Order? That he would let him stay in the same house as Harry and do as he likes? Come on Ron.. I'm the first to admit that Kaiba isn't a pleasant guy, but I'm just glad that he's on our side."
What started out as a snort soon turned into what appeared to be uncontrollable laughter, causing all three heads to turn towards where Otogi Ryuuji was now clutching at his stomach gasping for air, tears of laughter streaming down his cheeks.
"Kaiba.. Wizard... Dark side.. 'he's on our side!' God.. I haven't laughed so hard in.."
A loud thump echoed around the room as the Game Creator toppled off of the sofa and continued to laugh, his hands thumping the ground.
"I knew he wasn't sleeping," Ron muttered distractedly shooting a dark look at the deliriously laughing Otogi.
"I don't think he's playing with a full deck.." Hermione murmured behind her hands to Ron, in an attempt to quell the nasty flush of red that had begun to creep up his neck.
All her efforts received, however, was a blank stare and a sneer of, "and what's that supposed to mean?"
Hermione sighed and hissed back, "I think he might be just a bit.."
"Crazy?"
Three pairs of eyes turned towards a decidedly flushed looking Remus Lupin who was leaning in the doorway, an oddly glazed expression on his face and a strange smile upon his lips.
Otogi's laughing came to a halt and he paused, looking up at the wizard with a faint frown as he wiped tear-trails from his cheeks with the backs of his hands. "Excuse me?"
Remus' lips curled jovially and he stepped in, a definite sway to his walk as he sank cheerfully onto the couch that Otogi had vacated before leaning conversationally towards the Game Creator. "They," he gestured in the trio's direction with a flourish, "think you're crazy."
Another thoughtful smile touched his lips.
"I don't blame them myself.."
Hermione stared in horror as Lupin abruptly began to laugh to himself as though he had made a marvelous joke.
"Professor are you alright?"
The werewolf flashed Hermione a brilliant smile and extended a hand to help Otogi up off of the floor. The Game Creator eyed it warily before accepting the boost and being hauled – rather more forcefully than had been anticipated – off of the floor and towards the couch.
"..Hermy – Herm.. Hermione. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Remus?"
Harry turned incredulous green eyes towards Ron and Hermione as the red-head suddenly choked out, "Professor are you drunk?"
For a moment Lupin seemed to consider this before smiling broadly, "it's a possibility.."
He paused, glancing from Harry to Otogi with fascination before declaring loudly, "you look just like him."
Looking none to pleased with this declaration the Game Creator tried valiantly to get out of the way but to no avail, as the Werewolf suddenly clasped him in a hug that made the origins of his sudden friendliness all too apparent.
"Definitely drunk," he ground out as he attempted to prise the werewolf's arms off of him.
"At least he's a friendly drunk," Ron interjected helpfully.
Otogi's lip curled in dismay as he persisted in attempting to break free, "oh yeah.. Thats of great comfort thanks."
The Game Creator nearly fell of the couch again when the werewolf abruptly released him and sank back into his seat with a content sigh. After a moment he offered a wide smile around at the somewhat bewildered stares of his former-students and the decidedly disgruntled Otogi.
"I think I like him this way – thats the first time I've see him smile all summer," Ron declared abruptly and received another sharp slap across the back of the head courtesy of Hermione.
With a meaningful glare in Ron's direction the witch turned her head back towards the pleasantly smiling Lupin slowly, "Remus? Are you.. I mean, are you sure you're alright?"
A quaint smile was all the response she got from the werewolf who had taken to rummaging through his pockets in a decidedly distracted manner. When he triumphantly produced a small hip-flask from his pockets, Otogi decided to take matters into his own hands.
"I don't think that you need anymore of whatever the hell it is you've been drinking," the Game Creator muttered decisively as he snatched the flask out of Lupin's hands before taking a thoughtful swig for himself.
After a moment in which his throat burned and the werewolf stared blankly at his hands, Otogi quickly screwed the lid of the flask back on and tucked it into one of his jacket pockets, pointedly ignoring the incredulous stares of the trio on the other side of the room.
Turning amused vivid green eyes upon the clustered wizards and witch he leaned forwards, batting away one of the Werewolf's hands that was destined for his jacket and one eyebrow rose expressively as lips curled with obvious amusement, "so, tell me more about this theory of yours about Kaiba being a dark wizard – I could do with a good laugh. Or wait – what was it you said, 'I'm glad he's on our side.'"
Without warning the Game Creator crowed with laughter again, slapping one of the werewolf's hands away again as it went in search of the stolen flask.
"May I ask," Harry muttered sharply with his own eyes fixed firmly upon the laughing figure upon the couch, "what it is that you find so funny about that?"
Otogi's eyes gleamed as he sank into the couch in perfect disarray, one of his legs hooking over the armrest as his arms stretched out over the back of the couch, moving with the effortless grace which seemed to come naturally to him.
He cast an amused look of disinterest at the wall-paper, rubbing a finger over the faded pattern with mimed interest as though finding it a damn-sight more interesting then the question that had been presented to him – just when the trio thought that he was looking to ignore them completely he replied with a wicked smile, his voice all but dripping with , "Kaiba's on nobody's side but his own little kiddies."
At the proffered stares he received his eyes glittered with sardonic amusement and he clucked his tongue loudly, cocking his head to the side and leaning deftly away from another attempt at the raiding of his jacket pockets from the Werewolf. His tone was chiding as he lent conspiratorially towards the trio and added in a staged whisper, "you didn't honestly think that he was helping you out of the goodness of his ooey-gooey glowing golden heart now did you? This is Kaiba we're talking about – I'm telling you now, he's got his own reasons for helping you."
Vivid green eyes shot to the side as a long fingered hand seized hold of the wrist that had gotten far too close to their prize. Lips turned a sharp angle in his face as he raised an eyebrow pointedly at the decidedly sleepy looking stare that the werewolf gave him in response.
"It's all Snivellus' fault," was the decidedly distracted mutter as Lupin slumped back into the couch, amber eyes turning thoughtfully towards Otogi as he chewed on his lip in frustration, "he shouldn' talk 'bout James.."
With a sigh the former-Professor slumped in his seat, not seeming to notice the odd stiffness that coursed through the Game Creators body, or the way that his entire demeanor seemed to suddenly change within the blink of an eye.
Without a word Otogi was on his feet and stalking towards the door, moving with a grace that was strangely familiar to the trio who watched him with blatant curiosity.
With single-minded focus the Game Creator stalked through the hallway, passing the staircase without a single glance at Yuugi and Ryou as they descended, talking in barely more than whispers.
Upon catching sight of the Game Creator Yuugi lifted his head and blinking called out, "Otogi-kun.. What are you..?"
When the Game Creator merely stalked on passed, by all appearances completely ignoring the pair, they exchanged confused glances and hurried down the rest of the steps to follow him.
"Is it just me or is he.." Ryou began softly with an inquiring look in Yuugi's direction.
The King of Games offered a smile, "possessed? I think so."
They followed as the Game Creator threw open the kitchen door with suitable dramatics, his eyes flashing as he crossed the room with graceful sweeping strides to where a decidedly irate Severus Snape was declaring loudly to an indulgently smiling Albus Dumbledore, " - Filch assures me that Peeves was on the third floor at the exact same time pulling apart the suits of armor. There is something messing up my dungeons - "
The Potions Masters words were cut off sharply as he was seized by the robes and shoved harshly up against the kitchen cupboards, to the bewilderment of both the Headmaster and wizard in question.
Snape was the first to recover, his black eyes filling with rage as he snarled out, attempting to brush the Game Creators hands off of him, "what is the meaning of this?"
"Listen up Snivellus," was the snarl that seemed to echo a voice that was all to familiar to the Potions Master as the Game Creators face was pressed only centimeters away from that of the man he was threatening, "if I find out you've upset him again you will not live to regret it."
For a moment Snape thought that he could see a flash of storm-tossed blue eyes and a haunted aristocratic face before it was gone. The hands that had been gripping the front of the Potions Masters robes released him in sudden bewilderment as the presence that had flooded Otogi suddenly deserted him.
Vivid green eyes widened considerably as he stepped backwards, ignoring the snarl that Snape suddenly released of, "Black," in favor of taking a long swig from his pilfered flask.
"Otogi?"
Large amethyst eyes turned upon the decidedly confused and disoriented Game Creator as he sunk into a kitchen chair and stared blankly at the wizard he had been threatening.
Snape's eyes whirled upon Dumbledore with fury apparent, "everything that he," a hand jerked in the direction of a decidedly bewildered Ryou, "said is true. It's Black."
Albus Dumbledore's eyes widened with apparent amusement, his lips curling into a benign smile as he sucked upon a decidedly sticky Sherbet Lemon.
"So it would appear." (9)
Footnotes:
1. Just a piece of trivia for those of you playing at home – I do believe this is the first time Seto has showered in this story.
2. Ah yes, good time to elaborate on the HBP situation. I will be incorporating the facts into this story – that is in part, why I chose to base this story in Harry's summer holidays, to enable a bit more freedom in how I worked it. Expect to see tidbits from the book showing up every now and then.
3. Don't get huffy – I happen to be of the opinion that Remus would actually show some reaction to the death of his friends. One of the things that I tend to disagree with JK about.. That and the Tonks situation.
4. For some reason this continues to make me grin..
5. The novel mentioned being, 'Notes from the Underground,'Dostoyevsky, Fyodor.
6. That they do indeed..
7. You'd really think they would have learned by now wouldn't you? And the Shakespeare quote resurfaces!
8. And once again Set makes sure that Dumbledore knows exactly where they stand.
9. And another piece of the Sirius Black puzzle slots into place, with traces of another hovering in the background.
AN: And after a long delay, the next chapter arrives. All 20 pages of it.. I couldn't believe how long this was getting, originally I had another whole scene to put in this chapter but it was simply too much. I'm still in denial regarding the ending of the Half-Blood Prince and I do believe thats why there was so much involvement of a certain two characters in this chapter. Once again it looks like I'm going to have to extend the fix by another chapter or so as some of the content from this one had to be moved. Buggar it. Oh well, hopefully you enjoyed. Right, onto writing the next chapter.
Night-Owl123: Not so sure about the 'soon' but here's an update.
Shiny-Chan: Ah, good to hear that you enjoyed it. Otogi's possession will become more clear as we go on, but for a clearer understanding you might wanna re-read Ryou's description of what happens to the soul once it passes through the altar. It should make it clearer as to what happened. Of course there's lots of smirking – we're talkin' bout Kaiba here – and you are absolutely right about the Dragon.
Phoenixfire1389: You can expect a whole lot more chaos in upcoming chapters.. Especially when things start to really get moving and a certain 'forgotten' character rears their ugly head.
Samuraiduck27: I shan't say a word on what happened with Kaiba as it'll become clearer later – but we can safely assume that yes, Otogi is being possessed by Sirius – and Snape isn't happy about it.
Suteneko-chan: Ah! You have discovered the gaping plot-hole that I was sure I had covered up. In order for the plot to continue we shall spackle it up and pretend you never noticed. I shall let you assume that, yes, all of our Japanese/Egyptian characters are just that damn cool that they can speak English without requiring to learn it. Perhaps they've discovered the Babble Fish.. You may continue to muse over what Otogi means.. For now I shall remain silent on the matter.
A lilmatchgirl: Ah, I can only say that should you re-read Ryou's speech on what happens to the soul after it is split by the Veil you might have a better understanding. I don't hate Malik – I just love Yami no Mariku.. And whoops shouldn'ta said that. There are some things that simply have to happen for dear little Malik to be of any use to Kaiba and Co.
PrEtTyStUpIdGiRl: Glad you think so too – Set would make an interesting Jedi Knight at the very least. Very swish.
Darkdaisy: Oh yes.. I've been waiting to burn that portrait down for many a chapters and it seemed only fitting that Lupin got to do the damage.
Mokuba's Official Glomper: Cheers for the review. Seems I'm delving into Kiwi-Speak again, must remember not to do that.
WindWitch: I actually did a lot of research for this story into the Egyptian myths – more than was probably healthy actually. Anzu and Shizuka have their own place back in Domino – they're all where they are for a reason. Don't worry. It's all part of the grand plan.
Lily of the Shadow: We'll see what happens to Malik – and lets just say it won't be pretty.
Eden's Echo: Well since you asked so very nicely I'll fill you in on a few details before the official release. Remember that Charlie is part of the order, Dumbledore is head of the Order, Dumbledore was at Otogi's trial, Seto an Co let slip that they knew Otogi, Charlie didn't just come trundling over from Romania for a family holiday. Savvy? You're taking in all of the little hints I'm leaving about the Malik thing – this chapter should clear any other questions up for ya. 'Cept of course for the grand, "What the hell is happening to Malik?" As for Shaadi.. Let's just say that he's not quite so absent as we might think, he dropped Malik off in London with a purpose.
Kyia Star: As we've already debated your review to pieces I'll simply say, hope you enjoyed the new chapter and feel free to renew any new debates you have.
Achika: I'd like to take a moment to thank god for you! You put all of the clues I've given together and got it absolutely correct before I even had to explain it. THANK GOD! You are, indeed, awesome. Good to hear that Otogi-dear has got some support! I imagine Sirius would like being good looking again after all that time in Azkaban. Not to mention that the free ticket out of there would have been a bonus.. Look out for the big Otogi story coming next chapter.
The Violent Tomboy: Glad to hear you enjoyed it – and an update.
Skycat: Glad to hear that little Kleidon is appreciated – I was having some doubts about whether to involve him or not. Hopefully your obsession is recovering nicely in its little padded cell – I'd send a fruit basket but the grapes would turn into raisins by the time they arrived; and I don't care what anybody says, nobody deserves Raisins.
Ciardra: Oh yes, Otogi's going to be lots of fun. Two out of two for your guesses. You're getting far too good at this for my own good. I can just see Seto with his very own dragon in the backyard.. How sweet. It would certainly keep the press away from his front door.. I can't say a word on the 'possession' issue. You are definitely way too good at this – let's just say that the spotlights on, the audience have arrived and they're all hankering for a bit of spiky-headed goodness. And yes, I am very proud of Remus for his sudden pyro act.
Queen of the Paperclips: Much applause, you got the dragon absolutely right and Sirius is on his way to resurrection! Viva la Sirius. I completely agree with you about Seto – he'll never be a big girly pants.. Lets leave that to the professionals folks! -cough-DanCarter-Cough-
Crystalstorm: Yes.. Poor, dear Malik just can't keep himself out of trouble – but then again, he's very good at getting himself back out of it again. All just as well I suppose.
Jak'idiot: Otogi is for all occasions – but yes, he does have a purpose to serve and I do feel bad for putting poor Mokuba through all that I do. He's such a good little snot..
LovingKitten: Ah, I'll just have to coddle Otogi for the both of us then. Glad you think I've got Mokuba down, it's a comfort to think I've got at least one of the characters personalities right.
Sevter: Another Kaiba + Dragon scene, just for you.
Yuki Tsukihana: Cue the psychopaths.. I think I can hear them banging around in the background waiting for next chapter. And we welcome to the stage...
Cor-chan: Good to hear – hopefully all the plot-weaving will come together in the end.
Captain-Inuyusha777: Ah you made me all glowy. Have been writing as fast as possible, but this chapter was being decidedly stubborn about how it wanted to come out.
Azrail Liddell: Oh yes, the psychopath extraordinaire may make an entrance.. Rather soon..
Chelley Angel: Poor Malik indeed.. Stuck with Bellatrix Lestrange.
Rima: Maintain the enthusiasm – they want Malik for a reason and it will all become clear very soon. And yes.. Otogi is that damn cool.
Nachzez Black-Rider: Good to hear you appreciated dear Kleidon.. He appreciates the love. Truly he does. And yeahp he lives with me. I feel rather badly for little Mokuba.. He gets rather the raw deal a lot of the time.
Viva Rose: If I get that kind of reaction every time I update I might just have to do it more often!
BH: It's always advisable to re-read stuff if you don't understand, though its most likely that the stuff you aren't understanding is stuff that I'm purposefully leaving in the blank zone. Yes.. "Defenestration" is the kind of word that would appeal to Kaiba isn't it.. I don't quite know where I stumble across words like that, they seem to just pop into my vocabulary. It's strange..
Dartz'LoyalServant: Kaiba and Set.. Oh yes. You can take it any way you like at the moment. And yes – Mokuba does have scolding privileges after what Seto'd been doing.
QueenofGames2: Ah lovely – another clue that has been deciphered. Very, very good Detective Ma'm. I wouldn't want to be the Death Eaters at the moment – they're about to face something that they hadn't counted on. Because despite all appearances – Malik isn't simply going to be left to deal with them on his own.
Sanjuno Shori Niko: There we go – another update for your reading pleasure.
"It's a big rock.. I can't wait to tell my friends - They don't have a rock this big."