[A/N: I've never bribed y'all for reviews or asked for more than your honest opinions if/when you did review, and I'm not going to start now :) **Mostly because it aggravates me when someone else puts 'no new chapter til I get x number of reviews'** Yeah, sometimes I took FOREVER to post a new chapter, and okay so I have some spelling and grammar issues, but I just want to thank all of you for sticking around anyway :) Well here it goes… the final moments of DFAD, maybe.]
***Last Disclaimer, possibly*** (I don't own "Yu-Gi-Oh!" or its characters, plain and simple.)
NOTE: [In this chapter a strikethrough is represented by anything that is in between asterisks because FF doesn't have the option to cross things out; however, the strikethrough was needed because... oh you'll find out :) ]
Epilogue: Validation
"Where is she?" Seto demanded, his face enraged as he stood on the lawn of the Porter Estate.
Sofia clasped her hands tightly in front of her, "I do not know, Signore Kaiba. 'ow many times must I say this?"
He snarled, running a hand through his hair. "How can you not know? You talked to her an hour ago."
"I spoke with 'er on the phone, yes. But all she would say was to come unlock the 'ouse and make sure you got the two bags. She said nothing about where she was going." The Italian woman explained harshly.
"So you have no assumptions about where she was headed? None at all?" The brunette questioned with a tired sigh.
The cook frowned slightly, "No, but I would guess that Signora Alice does not wish to be found."
"Well that's too damn bad." Seto grumbled as he turned away from the woman and began stalking toward his car with the two bags in tow.
"Signore Kaiba!" Sofia called after him.
The brunette threw the bags into the passenger's seat of his car and turned back to the elder woman. "Yes?"
Alice's caretaker smiled sadly, "I do 'ope you find 'er soon."
Seto grimaced, "Me too."
~~~DFAD~~~
When the CEO finally made it to his house he found the entire geek squad squatting on his lawn with his little brother and the two head Shadows in tow. Grumbling under his breath about useless monkeys, Seto got out of his car and headed for the mansion, deciding to ignore the home invaders. His attempt was in vain however, because they managed to catch up with him before he made it to the door.
"Well did ya find anything, Moneybags?" Joey asked hopefully.
The brunette stopped and turned to him, rolling his eyes. "If I'd found something I wouldn't be here, Wheeler. I went to her house, but the cook didn't know where Alice went either."
"Why would she disappear like that?" Mokuba wondered quietly, his sad eyes on the grass.
"We don't know." Seto ground out angrily as he opened Alice's backpack.
Yugi looked at the billionaire with a disapproving frown before saying to Mokuba, "But we're going to find out."
"That's right," Claves added with a kind smile. "She's only been gone a few hours, so she shouldn't have gone too far."
"I wouldn't count on that, she is quite clever. She could be halfway around the world by now," Hayden commented nonchalantly.
The clover haired woman smacked his shoulder, "Not helping. So what's in the bag, Kaiba?"
Seto pulled out Alice's duel disk and deck, showing it to them, "Now we know why tracking her didn't work. But it seems she took her phone with her."
"Great, now if she'd only answer it." Duke said dryly.
"Can't we use the gps in her phone to find her?" Téa suggested hopefully.
"Yeah rich boy, why don't you hack a satellite and do that gps thing?" Joey agreed as he tried to grab the other bag from Kaiba.
The brunette shifted the bag away from the blonde, "Because that takes time mutt, and time is something we don't have."
Silence greeted Seto's statement and the group stood in a tense circle watching Seto go through the canvas bag. He pulled out Yugi's God Cards and Dark Magician Girl, handing them to the multicolor haired boy, he grudgingly gave Joey his Red Eyes Black Dragon back, and then the only thing left in the bag was his Blue Eyes deck, held together with a thin red ribbon, and a small white envelope with his name on it. Seto took his deck out and slid it into his trench coat, and then he stared into the bag skeptically. He had a bad feeling about that damn envelope, but he ignored the urge to throw it away.
As he began opening it Tristan spoke up, "What do you have there?"
"Obviously it's a letter, Tristan," Téa answered sarcastically.
"I think he means why is rich boy the only one getting to look at it." Joey clarified as he tried to look around Seto and got elbowed in the face.
"It has his name on it, Joey. It's none of our business," Yugi reprimanded his friend, but he too tried to get a better look at the envelope.
Seto turned his back on their curious gazes and demanding questions. He had no idea what was in the envelope that had his name written neatly across it. He did however recognize the handwriting and he felt a strange wave of something akin to nausea swim inside of him. As the small piece of paper slid free of the envelope he took a moment to ensure that he was breathing evenly and that he was showing no outward signs of distress. But the facts were staring him in the face.
Alice had run away, and it didn't seem like she was returning. She'd left everything in order for all of her friends, made sure that nothing was left undone or said. Seto still had no idea why the fiery brunette had fled, but he knew that the words he was about to read would explain it all, and he was dreading them. He, Seto Kaiba, was afraid to read the departing words of some average eighteen year old girl. So average in fact that she had become the King of Games in less than a month, successfully Shadowed him for over a year, disbanded a ring of thieves and killers that had been around longer than her, and most impressively of all she'd gotten him to admit that not every action can be quantified by hormones and testosterone. Yeah, average. With a grimace he unfolded the letter.
Seto,
I'm so sorry about this, about everything. Sorry I mislead you *in the beginning* all the time, and sorry that I left the way I did. But most of all I'm sorry about the danger I've put you and Mokuba through. If you're reading this… oh just listen to me, I'm *acting* so dramatic, but I suppose that's no different than how I usually am. I've left Domino to head for Egypt. I have to return Aeris to her proper resting place. No one can know *about her card* about the Goddess Chaos or this could happen all over again. I'm leaving you this letter, because honestly I don't have the courage to say these things to you personally. Though I'm going to return the card, ultimately it will be destroyed, and I can't guarantee that I won't go down with it. Also, even if I make it out alright I wouldn't be coming back. I did terrible things in the name of the Shadows. I wish I could forget *sometimes* all the time but I know it's pointless. I killed someone Seto, and not just anyone but my own uncle, my own flesh and blood. Even though it was with good intentions it's still a crime, and I could never face you, Yugi, Mokuba, or any of the others knowing that I'm a murderer; knowing that I'm just like *him* Vesuvius. And even if I could face you it would take a lot for all of you to forgive me for the things I've done, so I'm not going to ask for forgiveness. I'll make it easier on everyone and just disappear. So before I leave for good I need to say these last two truths. You were my first kiss. Did you know that? Probably not considering the way you kissed me back. When I thought of my first kiss I had always pictured it in some romantic venue with a handsome and blonde prince charming… but instead I got you, and it *was so much better* meant so much more because of it. I know it's silly, a silly thing said by a silly girl, but that doesn't stop it from meaning something to me. All the time I spent with you, whether it was in reality or what you thought were dreams, I will always cherish. And, I suppose, since I don't plan on returning, I might as well tell you now. I know you don't like it when I'm *too expressive* overly emotional, or when I drag out the point, so I'll say it quick and get it done with. I love you. I really honestly do. It wasn't love at first sight, and I severely doubt we're soul mates considering how often I want to kill you, but loving you was *so easy* so natural. I used to think that love was *a disease* a poison, that nothing good came from the sensation, but you and the others showed me differently. I'm in love with you, Seto Kaiba, even though I know you can never return the sentiment. My affection has always sent you running in the other direction. And I know that you must have cared, in some way, to have *stuck around* put up with me for so long… but I'm positive that once Aeris' influence is gone you'll be disgusted by the thought of my affection. Now that pushing you away doesn't matter, I thought I'd tell you, even if it will become a disturbing memory for you. The final reason I'm leaving Domino is to forget about you. That's my final gift; a life free of a meddlesome fangirl. If I have enough time, if I'm away from you long enough, maybe I can get over these feelings. Maybe I can stop loving you. I need to recover, to let my heart rest after it's pounded so hard in my chest for the last few months. It's kinda *sad* funny, I always pictured that I'd feel better after I confessed, but I feel oddly empty.
There were dried splotches across the paper, smearing the black ink of her delicate handwriting. Seto clutched the paper tightly as he continued to read.
Sorry, my thoughts got away from me, I didn't mean to ramble. My flight leaves soon, so I'm afraid that my time has finally run out. I know this is a lot to ask, but could you tell Mokuba goodbye for me? I don't deserve to see him again after the cowardice of this letter. I've left everyone's belongings in the bag with this letter, and I hope you'll be able to return them for me too. Again, I'm sorry to put this all on you. Farwell, Seto Kaiba. *I hope that* I promise that we will never cross paths again. I warned you when we first met that things in Shadows have a way of finding themselves in the light… I wonder if you ever realized I was referring to myself.
~ Alice
Cold blue eyes stared down at the paper before flitting away as he crumpled up Alice's last letter and shoved it into his trench coat pocket. He schooled his expression, making sure all walls and masks were in place before he turned to face the others.
"Well ask already." He demanded.
"Umm, did Alice say where she was going?" Téa asked cautiously.
"Yep." He replied shortly, not even looking at the dancer but staring straight at Yugi.
Tristan huffed in response, "Well are you going to share that information with us?"
Seto's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression bored, "No."
"No? What the hell do ya mean no?" Joey demanded, grabbing the front of Seto's trench coat in a fit of rage.
"Joey, let him go!" Yugi pleaded, "I'm sure Kaiba's only keeping it a secret on Alice's behalf."
"Partially." Seto said nonchalantly as he removed Joey's hands from his white trench coat.
"Partially?" Yugi echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"Come on man, don't keep us in the dark." Duke complained, crossing his arms over his chest. "Where is she?"
When Seto said nothing Joey made to grab him again but Yugi stepped in the way.
"Hold on! Not even Kaiba's that cold hearted. He has to have a reason why he isn't telling us," the boy with multicolored hair tried to reason. "Can't you tell us anything? If we can't know where she went can you tell us why she left?"
The CEO's responding smile was razor sharp, "To get away from all of us."
"What?" Claves exclaimed, her hopeful expression cracking.
"That doesn't sound like Alice." Hayden muttered quietly, his brows furrowed.
"The hell?" Tristan demanded, looking at Duke for support.
"The hell is right, dude. What did we do?" Duke lamented as he flung his hands in the air.
Yugi shook his head knowingly, "I have a feeling it wasn't what we did, but what we didn't do or say."
"Oh no." Mokuba mumbled almost inaudibly.
"What do ya mean, Yug?" Joey questioned with a tilt of his head.
Seto reclaimed everyone's attention with a dry chuckle, "What the king of dweeb's means is that Alice thinks we all hate her."
Joey's expression became even more confused, "Why would she think dat?"
"Gee, I don't know, Wheeler; maybe because one of the last things you said to her was 'We ain't gunna hold it against ya forever, just maybe like a week or so.'" The brunette mocked with a snarl.
"Woah, Kaiba. I was kiddin when I said that. Chill out," the blonde said dismissively.
Seto ground his teeth together but turned away from him; so much for staying calm.
"Does Alice really think we hate her?" Mokuba asked his brother, his voice only wavering slightly.
"Not hate her, not yet." Seto sighed as he regained some of his lost composure, "But she seems to think we'll eventually hate her because she killed Vesuvius. She's under the delusion that we care what happened to that second rate lunatic."
Silence greeted the billionaire's comment and he crossed his arms in response and sneered, "Or do you care? Well, is making Alice feel guilty over Vesuvius' death really so important to you?"
"Stop it, Kaiba." Claves insisted, her tone almost as icy as his. "You're being self destructive again."
The group's faces shifted into angry scowls and hurt frowns, but the brunette went on as if he didn't hear his employee's warning or see the expressions on their faces.
"That's it, isn't it? You've already decided you don't care about Alice now that the threat is gone. She was some tool to you; a means to an end so that you didn't have to get your hands dirty," he said callously.
"Ya know damn well that ain't it, Moneybags!" Joey interrupted defensively.
Seto smirked at having provoked the group, "Then what is it, mutt? You're willing to forgive her next week but not now? What's the difference?"
The blonde looked away guiltily to the ground, having no real reason why he couldn't seem to forgive Alice right away.
The CEO crossed his arms and gave them their ultimatum, "You all love to preach about friendship, but when it comes down to forgiveness you're very quiet. So I'll make it easy on you losers. Forgive her now, or forget about her; those are the only two options available."
"I'll always forgive her," Hayden answered almost automatically.
"There was nothing to ever forgive," Claves voiced confidently.
"She was forgiven a long time ago," Yugi said with a smile.
The rest of the group responded in similar ways until Seto's brother was the only one left. Mokuba continued to stare at the ground non-confrontationally, refusing to give an answer.
When the raven haired boy glanced up at his brother the brunette shrugged, "It's your choice kid, no one will make it for you. Do you forgive her?"
"I don't know…" Mokuba shook his head as he trailed off.
"You need to decide now." Seto warned, his eyes glinting slightly.
The teen's amethyst orbs watered in response, "I wanna forgive her Seto, but I can't stop thinking of her as Pegasus' niece."
"Yeah, she is. Kind of like you're my brother," the brunette whispered, his cobalt eyes uncharacteristically soft.
Mokuba blinked rapidly, "I'm your brother? What does that… I'm your brother!" He exclaimed excitedly, his face full of delight. "I forgive her! No doubt, one hundred percent!"
Seto chuckled quietly, "Good. That's all I needed to hear." Then the CEO began walking back to his car.
"Hey! Where are you going, Kaiba?" Yugi yelled after him.
The door to Seto's black and red Koenigsegg CCXR was already up and he was poised to get in. "Didn't we agree to forgive Alice?"
"Well yes but–" Yugi began but Mokuba cut him off.
"You did that on purpose!" The raven haired teen accused, his mind warring with the idea of being amused and upset. "You made us all feel guilty so we'd forgive Alice before you went to get her!"
"Of course. Guilt is a convenient trick I picked up from you, little brother. I knew there was no way Alice would come back unless all of you dweebs wanted her here." Seto said confidently before smirking that trademarked smirk of his. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be heading to Egypt; I have a damsel to rescue."
"Wait for me, Seto!" Mokuba called as he sprinted for the CCXR.
~~~DFAD~~~
It was sheer luck that Alice and her spiritual companion were able to enter the Millennium tomb unobstructed. Word of Vesuvius' demise had spread faster than wildfire and all of his followers were quick to retreat, leaving the Valley of the Kings unguarded. After years of experience with the tomb, Alice quickly made her way to the hidden chamber.
She walked forward and placed the three shards of Goddess Chaos into a pile where the Millennium tablet originally stood. "Will this even work without the tablet here?"
"The Millennium tablet was never a part of my creation, merely a bookmark of sorts." Aeris answered calmly as she walked to stand beside her opposite, the dust swirling around her feet as she moved.
"So this'll work? Once we… I destroy the tablet and the card you'll vanish?" The brunette verified, her expression torn.
The Egyptian woman shook her head, "Since not even Kaiba's satellite survived the duel, these are the last traces of my existence; you have nothing else to be wary of."
Alice began to cross her arms but winced, her sling getting in the way of the motion. Instead she settled for glaring at the black haired woman, her good hand on her hip. "That isn't what I meant and you know it."
Aeris tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling, "Once the ritual is complete you will never see me again. It is inevitable."
"But you'll be okay, right?" She asked, worrying her lower lip.
Black green eyes met emerald as the two old friends stared at each other without uttering a word. Slowly Alice shook her head, denying the truth of the moment. "We don't have to do this, I could just keep the card and never use it."
"Like you did before?" Aeris lamented, her tone far more patronizing than Alice would have liked. "As long as I exist in this realm there will be chaos and destruction, it's part of my title."
"But I don't want you to go," Alice mumbled lamely, her eyes on the floor.
The Egyptian woman placed a comforting hand awkwardly on her shoulder, "You will thrive without me, and in return I promise to survive without you."
Without warning, Alice flung one arm awkwardly around the still solid spirit, hugging her tightly to her side with a strength she didn't know she possessed. "I'll miss you, Aeris."
A warm smile uplifted the woman's lips as she returned the younger girl's hug and smoothed her hair affectionately. "And I you, Alice. But it has to be done."
The brunette stepped out of the embrace and nodded, "Right."
Together the two women, so opposite and yet so much the same, walked to the altar of the Millennium tablet. Aeris knelt in front of Goddess Chaos' shards as Alice took up her place across from her, kneeling as well.
A dull roar sounded above them, shaking loose sand and coating the women in a fine layer of it. Steadily the rumbling grew louder and louder and then all too suddenly, it stopped. Alice looked to Aeris for an explanation but the winged woman was as startled as she was.
"I can't believe this place hasn't collapsed yet," Alice sighed as she ran her good hand along the ancient floor, scattering the fallen dust.
"It surely will fall with my destruction. This entire tomb will be but a crater of ashes and dust in the end," Aeris said solemnly. "You must promise me that once your part in this ritual is complete you will leave immediately."
"I promise," Alice mumbled, as she pulled out Aeris' card and placed it on top of the shards.
The Egyptian woman nodded and held out her hands for Alice to take. Together they began reciting the ancient separation ritual and the familiar electricity surged through both of them. The brunette then renounced the woman in front of her, denying the spirit any part of her being. And the electricity that had become ever present from the day she met Aeris was ripped from her and she gasped.
"Go, now! Leave before the tomb collapses, I can finish the rest of the ritual myself," the olive skinned woman cried, her voice wavering from the surge of power running through her body.
Alice squeezed her hands before releasing Aeris completely and heading for the passageway out into the labyrinth. She made it to the exit of the hidden chamber and looked at the winged woman one final time before running from the room.
As Alice made her way through the collapsing tomb she tried to be quick, but her body was not used to having such little energy and power. Without Aeris' presence it was as if she were learning how to walk all over again. She stumbled out of the way as large chunks of rock and sand that had begun falling from the ceiling. A little bit more and she would be out of the tomb, a little bit more and she would be able to keep her promise.
Her breathing was ragged and her legs had the feel of overcooked noodles, but somehow Alice made it out into the cold night air. She continued to run blindly, trying to put as much distance between her and the Valley of the Kings as possible. Just when she began to think that she was in the clear a sound akin to an explosion filled the silent night and a wave of harsh wind and sand sent the girl flying face first over a dune. Sputtering and groaning in pain, Alice righted herself. She stood on her trembling legs and stared at the tomb she had left.
Aeris had been right, there was nothing left of the old rock face but a crater of dust. Holding her broken arm in its sling, the brunette bowed low, her long hair touching the ground as she said goodbye to the bravest woman she'd ever met. She'd promised herself she wouldn't cry, but that didn't mean that the green eyed girl wasn't saddened by her loss.
For the past eight years Aeris had been a constant companion, even when the brunette had not wanted her to be. The Egyptian woman had watched over and guided her as she struggled to find the right path. In a lot of ways Alice felt very alone as she straightened out of her bow and stared up at the starry night sky. It was so quiet outside and in her mind that the green eyed girl wondered if she'd ever be able to hear again.
Before she could wallow in her self pity for too long, her cell phone rang insistently. Up to this point Alice had simply ignored all the calls she'd received, in part because she'd been on a twenty-one hour flight. Since it was three in the morning she wondered who would be persistent enough to call this early, but then she remembered it was around two in afternoon back home and sighed, answering the phone after reading the caller id.
"Is there something you need?" She asked, her voice miles away from sounding normal.
"It's about time you answered, my dear! You sound dreadful! And rude too, is that anyway to speak to your favorite uncle?" The effeminate voice chastised.
Alice sighed heavily but a small smile graced her lips, "I'm sorry, it's been a long day. Is there something wrong?"
"Does something have to be wrong for me to call?" The man teased lightly.
The brunette rolled her eyes heavenward, "You haven't talked to me in two years, Maximillion."
She received a quiet chuckle from the white haired man, "And over those two years you've developed quite the attitude. Since when am I 'Maximillion', Ali-cat?"
Alice had forgotten over those two years how much she really liked the older of her mother's brothers. Though the nickname had originally been given to her by her father, Maximillion had taken to using it after his death in memory of him.
"My apologizes." The brunette giggled quietly.
"My apologizes, who?" The creator of Duel Monsters insisted.
"My apologizes… Uncle Maxi." She grumbled almost silently, but still the man heard her.
"Excellent! Back to business then; I've heard the most delicious rumor from a little birdie," Maximillion trilled with a cheerful sigh. "Is it true that my tactless brother really bit the dust?"
A vision of Domino city's hospital crumbling to the ground flashed in front of Alice's eyes. She cleared her suddenly thick throat, "You could say that."
Maximillion whistled low, "Impressive. And you won the duel, yes?"
Alice nodded even though he couldn't see her, "I did."
"And that Kaiba Corporation satellite that spontaneously combusted during the global power outage, that was you as well?" The man wondered, a smile in his voice.
"You don't have to sound so pleased, but yes that was mine and Aeris' doing. Your 'little birdie' is very well informed." The brunette said suspiciously, shaking her head at Maximillion's eccentric nature.
"He certainly has his moments," Maximillion said dryly, before exclaiming like a proud parent, "But really, spontaneous combustion! Looks like you really did get the Pegasus flare for the dramatic."
Alice laughed quietly, "Yeah, I guess I did. Listen, Maximil– Uncle Maxi, can we talk later? I'm kind of in Egypt and I'm worried about what my phone bill will be if I talk with you any longer."
"That's right, you are in Egypt by now…" Maximillion said, trailing off and his voice getting uncharacteristically serious. "Are you handling her absence well?"
"It, it hasn't really sunk in yet." Alice admitted, shivering slightly in the cold night air of the desert. She suddenly got a whiff of coffee and roses through the dry and sandy breeze, but she figured it was her imagination. "But I think I'll be alright. Loss is nothing new to me."
"I know it isn't Ali-cat, but promise me you won't shut down again." The white haired man all but pleaded.
Alice thought about the way she'd left her friends and grimaced, "I won't."
"That better not be a lie, Alice." Maximillion threatened darkly.
"It's not!" The brunette exclaimed defensively.
"I beg to differ, I've heard that you don't plan on returning to Domino." The man said sounding disapproving.
"It isn't like that, I just need some time to myself." Alice lied blatantly.
"Alright. Just remember that you're the only family I have left, well you and the Hay-boy." He said with a snort.
"I won't forget," she mumbled with a solemn frown.
"And remember that you're your mother's daughter," he said sternly, before adding with a chuckle, "You really are you know. You and Lotte; always trying to fix everything."
"Okay, geez I'll remember." Alice groaned, though she was smiling again. "Now can we talk some other time, my bill," she reminded him.
"Of course! We can talk all you want later," her uncle gushed, his flamboyant personality back in full swing. "Maybe over a picnic! In Ireland! There's this gorgeous hotel we could stay at, and I hear it's just fab there this time of year. We'll bring Hay-boy too, and you can wear that lovely white dress I bought you a few years ago."
Alice couldn't help but laugh, knowing that it was in the fifties and very damp in Ireland at the moment, and that the white dress she'd worn when she first met Seto was anything but warm; not to mention that the hotel he was talking about had a name she was very familiar with. Sometimes she thought Maximillion acted like an eccentric idiot on purpose to amuse everyone.
"Alright, alright! Goodbye, Uncle Maxi." She said with a roll of her eyes.
"Goodbye, Ali-cat! Stay safe, and slap around Kaiba-boy for me!" Maximillion ordered before hanging up the phone.
The brunette shook her head, there was no way she could "slap around Kaiba-boy" if she never intended to return to Domino. She was beginning to think her uncle may actually be crazy when another strong gust of wind blew in her direction, carrying with it the smell of coffee and roses again. This time Alice stiffened, the gears in her head turning as Maximillion's words really sank in. Who else could be his informant? And what else could that rumbling she'd heard earlier have been? Alice turned around, facing the way the wind was blowing and felt her heart stutter to a stop in her chest. He'd actually followed her.
For a brief second Alice entertained the thought that she was hallucinating, that she'd finally sustained enough head injuries to warrant a pleasant delusion. Or maybe she was seeing a mirage, because there was something surreal about Seto being surrounded by the sands of Egypt. His chestnut hair was styled flawlessly with not a hair out of place. His icy eyes took on a shade of blue that even the deepest parts of the ocean would envy. He was wearing his signature white trench coat number which was fitted to his lean and well muscled body perfectly. He smelled as he always did, of coffee, roses, and expensive cologne, but now it made Alice's stomach clench in nervous anticipation. Everything about the billionaire in that moment seemed almost dream like, even the hint of a smile that was gracing his lips.
But then the reality sank in and Alice realized that mirages don't have a smell, and the beauty of his eyes was muted by the emotionless way they shined. Even his half smile melted into a contemplative smirk.
Despite what had happened in the Valley of the Kings, Alice forgot for one moment that Aeris was no longer with her. The small brunette tried to call upon the spirit's calm demeanor to mask her own emotions, but found her mind all her own. She had no more masks, nowhere to hide or run, she was completely exposed in front of the CEO's piercing blue eyes. And she was panicking.
Alice fidgeted with her sling nervously, staring at the ground in between them. "You weren't supposed to follow me."
Seto crossed his arms, his gaze hard and cold. "I do what I want, remember?"
"Well this is awkward," the green eyed girl admitted in a whisper, her cheeks stained red. She felt so stupid for leaving him that letter, for telling him anything that he could possibly have held against her later. Yes, she loved him, but had he really needed to know that? Stupid. He was probably pissed at her for using him, or maybe he was angry that she'd destroyed Goddess Chaos before he could examine it with his computers. Whatever the reason he had no excuse to be in Egypt, so the question was, "Why did you follow me?"
For a moment so brief Alice thought she imagined it, the billionaire's eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned, as if he was remembering something unpleasant, and then he explained statically, "You left before Yugi and the geek squad could say a proper goodbye."
"Oh," she responded lamely. "Is that all?" Her voice disguising none of her disappointment. What did she have to be disappointed about? Stupid, silly girl.
The brunette opposite her frowned, grimaced really, but said nothing. There was an uncomfortable silence for a beat before Seto reached inside his trench coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He held it out for Alice to take, his expression carefully neutral. "Here, this is for you."
As the former Shadow grasped the piece of paper he offered her she felt panic inside her. Was this her letter to him? Was he forcing her to read it aloud? Or would he simply make her look at the words that had broken her heart to write? Or worse, was this his reply!? Her hands were literally trembling as she unfolded the unassuming piece of notebook paper. Once open the trembling in her hands ceased, it was not her letter. She read the first three words on the paper and relaxed further, before tensing for an entirely different reason.
Ali (Alice) Porter!
I can't believe you left for Egypt without taking me with you! You know I've always wanted to go there –pouts- And what's this Seto *keeps ranting* said once about you never coming back to Domino!? You can't leave, we haven't made each other BFF bracelets yet! I know we were really mean to you, but you have to know that we love you and forgive you entirely! I'm sorry for being so stubborn and rude about Pegasus being your uncle. I understand now that you can't control who your family is, I mean look at the *jerk of a* brother I have. After Seto told me you left I realized, with some help, that I was being hypocritical. Can you ever forgive me? When you found out that Mr. I-never-smile was my brother, I told you that the reason I didn't mention it was because I didn't want you thinking of me as "Kaiba's little brother". Now I see that I was thinking of you as "Pegasus' niece" instead of "Ali, my best friend *and Seto's future wife*". Please, please forgive me. Oh! And Yugi and the others say they forgive you too and want you to come back! So we'll be waiting for you at the Kaiba Corp. airfield, because Seto wouldn't let us tag along. If you forgive us please, please come back to us, Ali.
~Mokie
P.S. Seto made me change the parts that are crossed out; but know that he really was ranting, is a jerk, and will marry you later on even if we have to force him to. Also, whatever you said to him in your letter really did the trick, I've never seen my brother blush before! ^_^ Please come home so you can do it some more.
Seto watched Alice intently as she read over Mokuba's carefully written letter. She giggled quietly as she read, her terrified expression melting. The billionaire hoped that his plan was working. He needed that letter to be enough of a push that she would agree immediately to Mokuba's suggestion and return to Domino. If she didn't, he was confident that nothing he could say would convince her otherwise. The words that might have been able to help were still stuck in his throat, like they had been since he found her in front of the destroyed tomb, and he didn't think he'd be able to get them out.
She looked up at him when she finished reading, a radiantly gorgeous smile spreading across her lips and her eyes alight with hope and joy. Seto felt a sharp stab akin to pain in his chest and with a start he realized it was jealousy; an emotion he so rarely experienced, and yet it was so encompassing now. Seto was jealous of his own brother, simply because the raven haired boy had managed to make Alice smile despite what she had been through. The billionaire managed to maintain his indifferent stare, but to be honest, he was struggling.
This was very difficult for him, not only because he'd never been in such a situation before but also because in the past he never would have cared. Standing in front of the girl who had professed loving him, he had no idea how to reciprocate her feelings, to assure her of her position. It didn't help that she was so open and vulnerable now, no tension coiled her face, only unending trust. Without Aeris' presence her expression was easier to read than Twilight, every emotion spelled out in the colors dancing in her eyes. It made Seto swallow hard, though he doubted that the small girl noticed.
"Why didn't you let the others come with you?" She asked softly. Was it his imagination or had her voice always sounded that sexy?
Discreetly he cleared his throat, "They wouldn't all fit in my jet."
Her eyes widened and she scanned the desert until she found the shining blue dragon that he called his jet. He'd been exceedingly lucky that when he first designed the jet it was made to land on virtually any surface, otherwise the sandy desert terrain would have given him problems.
If it had been any other time Seto probably would have sneered at the shock and awe on Alice's face at seeing the Blue Eyes White jet. Instead he demanded more sharply than he intended, "Are you coming back to Domino or not?"
When she flinched in response he had to resist the urge to snarl. Why did she suddenly think that he was going to attack her? It was so unbearably frustrating! She smiled at a letter from his younger brother, but when speaking to him cowered in fear. Unbelievable. For someone who claimed to be in love with him she sure was keeping her distance.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Alice confessed, her tired eyes suddenly wet.
Seto did snarl this time, "Why not?"
He received an embarrassed smile from the girl, "Well, it's just that I… I need time to recover."
"Recover? You can recover from your injuries in Domino. Now that the Shadows are gone it's safe for you to go to the hospital," the billionaire persuaded lightly. If these were her only arguments then he could snuff them out quickly.
"Those aren't the injuries I was talking about," she mumbled, her eyes returning to the sandy expanse between them.
Seto's teeth clenched together and his hands balled into fists. He was glad, grateful in fact, that Alice was not looking at him in that moment. How she could be so stupid, so unbelievably dense, was beyond his comprehension. There was no way he was going to spell it out for her. It wasn't going to happen.
"What about Mokuba?" He demanded, though the raven haired teen was the least of his concerns at the moment.
"He'll be fine. He's young, I'm sure he can find a new best friend." Alice whispered uncomfortably, hugging her sling to her chest.
"What about Yugi and the dweebs?" The CEO persisted, growing desperate.
The former Shadow smiled sadly, her long brown hair blowing around her dejected face, "They have each other, they'll be alright too."
"Fine." He said almost callously, refusing to be cliché and ask about himself.
"So you'll leave?" She whispered, eyes still refusing to meet his.
The billionaire crossed his arms, sneer firmly in place. "I didn't say that."
Her emerald eyes flashed up to him, pleading that he understand and leave. She opened her mouth before she seemed to realize what she was saying, "Why do you always call Yugi by name?"
"What?" He asked, completely thrown off. A few moments ago she'd do anything to get rid of him and now she wanted to talk about Yugi? If he didn't know any better he'd think that she was stalling for time.
"Well, when you talk about Joey or the others it's always 'Wheeler' or 'idiots' or 'dweebs'; but Yugi's the only one you ever call by name." She explained with a blush, obviously embarrassed that she'd blurted out the question.
"The hell if I know," Seto lamented coldly. "Now are you returning or not, Alice? Or will I have to drag you back?"
She frowned slightly before completely ignoring his questions, "I used to think it was because you secretly wanted to be his friend, but now I've realized it's because you respect him."
Seto didn't respond, his expression incredulous.
Alice managed a smile, "You do respect him. Silence and deflection always mean yes."
"… I don't see what this has to do with your return to Domino." Seto stated simply.
"When we first met you called me 'Porter', and I was like every other person you'd ever met." She explained with an almost wistful sigh, "After some time I became 'doll', and then eventually I earned my name. You started to see me as a person instead of a blank card. You started to respect me. I'm asking you to respect me now. Listen to my wishes and let me be. You don't have to keep pretending to care; I know the others will be fine without me."
"And you'll be alright without them?" he questioned cruelly, though the worry he felt was thick in his throat.
"I have to be," she whispered almost silently, large emerald eyes pleading with him to accept the facts and leave.
He couldn't stand it any longer, he'd finally run out of misdirections and self-control. With sure hands he reached forward and cupped the shocked girl's face, leaning down until his eyes were level with hers.
"I thought you said you loved me." He all but growled out.
"I do," she breathed, her eyes vibrant with liquid green tears. "Which is why I need to get away from you."
Seto took two deep, calming breaths as he ran his thumb along her trembling lower lip. "That's the stupidest thing you've ever said."
The tears in her eyes dissolved slowly, replaced by the familiar emerald fire of determination, "I don't recall asking your opinion on the subject."
"Well maybe you should have." He grumbled, ignoring the sudden clenching in his abdomen. "Maybe you should have told me how you felt directly."
"Maybe I should have?" She repeated bitterly. "I love you. I already knew what you'd think about that, so why would I need to ask? Anytime I've ever shown affection besides lust or admitted to feeling something for you, you always change the subject, or find an excuse to not respond at all. Do you have any idea how much that hurts? It was hard enough telling you how I felt in a letter, and you want me to say it to your face? Just let it go; let me go."
Seto didn't respond, he gazed into her defeated eyes with determined insistence. His penetrating cobalt irises didn't waver once; his callused hands continued to cup her soft face. Alice hated when he got like this. She was starting to struggle with the urge to kiss him one last time. Finally she groaned, rolling her eyes and trying to ignore the intense heat that was pooling in her cheeks from being forced to confess.
"Fine." She breathed quietly. "I'm in love with you, Seto Kaiba. Every damn moment of the day I struggle with the absurd desire to both slap and kiss you. You drive me insane. I hate that I love you but for some reason Ra only knows I can't stop myself. So, what do you think about that, hmm? Is it alright that I love you? Do I have your permission?"
When he just continued to stare at her with his gorgeous blue eyes, the silence stretching out to an unbearable length, she felt her temper boil. Why would he make her say that, ask that, if he hadn't intended to reply. Of all the nerve!
"You see? Just like always, you don't even bother to respond." She ranted, beyond embarrassed that she had actually half expected him to reply this time. Alice was so consumed with her own mortification that she wasn't paying the least bit of attention to the other brunette. So when she heard him chuckle warmly, a sound so amused and dare she say sweet, her confused eyes flashed up to his.
A devilish smirk stretched across his stupid face and his eyes shined with undeniable mirth. If she wasn't so red already from embarrassment, Alice probably would have flushed upon seeing such boyish joy on his face.
"W-what?" She sputtered defensively.
Seto continued to chuckle, brushing stray strands of her hair out of her face before looking at her with soft and serious eyes. "Weren't you the one that said silence and deflection always mean yes? You have no reason to be embarrassed or angry."
The green eyed girl blinked rapidly. What was he saying yes to? She bit her lip and turned away from him when it clicked that he was giving her permission to be in love with him. Because that wasn't something to be embarrassed about; yeah right! She felt so hot it was like an explosion was happening in her chest. Seto was fine with her loving him, he didn't care. It was ridiculously sad that something that simple could make her so happy. She tried to hide it but the CEO wouldn't let her escape, he turned her gently back to face him.
"Do you understand now? Will you come back with me?" He asked, his expression oddly vulnerable.
Alice found herself nodding before she had even realized she wanted nothing more than to go home. He gave her one of his rare smiles, his eyes burning with satisfaction as he let go of her face and began walking toward his jet.
The green eyed girl smiled sweetly after him. She knew it must have been difficult with that ego of his to say what he said, or rather what he didn't say. Sure, he enjoyed tormenting her with his touch but she had always known he thought of it as a purely physical attraction. This proved he cared, at least a little bit, and it was like asking for a stuffed animal and getting a puppy. Maybe everyone else really would still want to be around her even though Aeris was gone.
She rushed after him, slipping her hand into his when she caught up. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and the smile on his face morphed into a conceited grin.
"You're being awfully forward, Alice." He mocked, running his other hand through his mused hair.
Alice blushed, stumbling over her own feet in embarrassment. Seto gripped her hand and used his other to catch her waist before she got a mouth full of sand. He pulled her back up and they continued to walk, Alice shuffling her tan combat boots across the uneven sand with obvious caution.
Seto chuckled at her mishap, "You're still so easy to predict."
She scowled up at him, watching as his grin morphed into a full smirk of self-satisfaction. Arrogant bastard. Like he has any right to be smug! Guess I'll have to knock him down a peg or two, Alice thought wickedly as the gears began to turn in her head.
"Seto, I have a question." She mumbled sweetly, hoping that the malevolent edge to her voice wasn't noticeable. Thankfully, the other brunette was still basking in his astounding victory and he didn't hear it.
"If you want to fly the jet, the answer's no," he laughed as his winning smirk widened smugly. Alice smiled too. He was so happy that she almost felt bad for what she was about to do… almost.
"No, silly. I love you," she whispered, squeezing his hand gently.
The blue eyed teen quirked an eyebrow and teased, "Is that your question or your new catch phrase?"
The green eyed girl bit her lip and looked away, "I'm working up to my question… but that can be my new catch phrase, if you'd like that."
Seto's eyes widened slightly and his hand became like a vice around hers. "It doesn't matter to me," he said indifferently, though his clenched hands said otherwise. Phase one of her plan: complete.
He was so used to hiding any emotions that contradicted his cold image that he did it on reflex. Even though he wasn't used to expressing such feelings he was about to get a quick crash course: aka phase two.
"Seto?"
"What now?" He grumbled, not really understanding why he was suddenly in a bad mood.
"You love me too, right?" She asked timidly.
The billionaire literally froze, his face growing rigid and his hand reflexively releasing hers so he could cross his arms. They were only a few feet away from the jet, but Seto had nowhere to flee.
Alice gazed up at him with a hopeful smile and he grimaced in response, "That's your question? Now really isn't the time to discuss that."
"I disagree. Now is the perfect time for this," she said softly, her voice seductive as she trailed her left hand up his abs.
Seto became like an immortal statue, breathing in shallowly as the siren of a girl trailed her delicate hand across his coiled muscles. Her eyes shined innocently, but her hand continued its sinful torture. The CEO groaned quietly, both thanking and cursing Ra that one of her hands was injured. When her soft hand cupped his right cheek he realized that all her teasing had been a diversion.
She now stood with the tips of her boots touching his, her slim frame inches away from him. Seto noticed far too late that he was leaning down into her hand.
"Do you love me?" She demanded again, her voice still rough and sensual.
Seto swallowed hard; the sound of her voice was like sex. The heat of her small hand on his face was unbearably soothing; the look of adoration and lust in her eyes painfully addictive.
"You're blushing, Seto." She giggled with a sly smile.
He stepped away from her quickly, clenching his teeth and shaking his head. I do not blush, he wanted to deny, but he could feel the heated blood pooling in his cheeks. So instead he bit out, "I don't see what this has to do with returning to Domino. We should leave now. The dweebs won't wait at Kaiba Corp. airfield forever."
Alice looked up at the moon, laughing softly to herself and perplexing the other brunette. She then turned her amused and triumphant smile on him and said, "You're right, we should go."
Seto raised his eyebrows, having not expected her to comply so easily. She continued to grin up at him until he finally noticed the wicked edge to her smile, but it was too late.
She grasped the back of his neck, threading her fingers through the hair there and pulling a small groan from the CEO. Leaning into him she ghosted her lips over the shell of his ear and whispered, "Besides, I already got the answer I needed. Silence and deflection always mean yes, hmm." And then she kissed his lips chastely before releasing him and skipping away toward the jet. Phase three of Alice's super-awesome-fantastic-super-steller-manipulation plan: complete. Mission accomplished.
She swung herself up onto the jet so she was sitting on the long neck of the dragon before she glanced back at the still stunned duelist. In retrospect her plan probably wasn't executed at the best time. Watching him intently, she began to worry when his rigged posture didn't relax.
"Seto?" She called out cautiously.
He moved slowly then, turning to face her with his narrowed eyes the color of frosted sapphires and a tight scowl on his face. She shivered slightly as he began to stalk toward her, not really knowing if he was angry or something else entirely. She got her answer when he grasped her ankles and yanked her down into him.
A gasp escaped Alice's lips before his covered hers hungrily, greedily, and she whimpered quietly. Seto growled low in his throat in response and trapped her in between his body and the jet, being careful not to crush her broken arm between them. She trembled in response. Not even the chilly air of the desert could have created the chills that encased her body as he ran his hands up her body and into her hair, tangling in her messy brown locks. Breathing became a second priority as he ran his tongue along her bottom lip with a needy groan. There was no telling how long they stayed locked together as the tension that had built over the last few days melted away. But when they parted both teens were breathing heavily and Alice's blush had spread to her neck and chest.
Seto slowly let the weak kneed girl slide back down to the ground, caressing the small of her back one last time before pulling away completely. He then smiled smugly, "If you ever do something like that again I'll ensure that you regret it."
Alice nodded quickly in understanding, her good hand over her heart that was threatening to pound through her chest. She understood… that she was going to do that much, much more often, but he didn't need to know that.
The CEO chuckled in response, "Good. Now that that's settled, duel me."
"What?" She asked with a nervous laugh, "What happened to not keeping everyone waiting?"
"They'll survive. Duel me, right now," he demanded, taking a step closer and towering over her as he placed a hand against the jet. "I brought your deck and duel disk. You're still technically the 'King of Games', a title I plan to win back."
Alice sweat dropped, "You can't be serious, Seto? Without Aeris you would totally cream me!"
He smirked down at her confidently, "Exactly. I'll win my title back with ease from the Red X that stole it."
Narrowing her eyes Alice pushed against his chest, "I didn't steal it, I borrowed it to get your attention," she admitted sheepishly. "Besides, Yugi was the King of Games, not you."
Seto set his piercing blue eyes on her, letting his glare speak for itself on the subject of who was the REAL King of Games. Alice winked at him playfully, and he didn't even try to hide his amused smile. "Borrowing means you intend to return it," he informed her, grasping the hands that were still pressed to his chest.
"Well I was thinking I'd just never duel again and that way I stay undefeated," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him as she tried to pry her hands out of his.
Seto shook his head with a chuckle before he let go and moved past her. Alice stumbled slightly but managed to regain her balance before turning around to find him already getting into the jet.
"That'll never work you know," he informed her sagely, holding his hand out for her to take.
"Oh and why's that?" Alice asked crossly as the wind changed directions and sand swirled all around her, her hair blowing across her face. She tried to fix it but with only one good hand the feat was impossible. She heard a heavy sigh above her before Seto grasped her left arm and hoisted her up into the jet. He sat down in the pilot's seat and moved her into his lap easily. With a soft chuckle he began to run his slim fingers through her hair, fixing the tangled mess for her. She sighed quietly in contempt, resting her head against his chest. When he was finished he pulled up her chin and locked eyes with her; emerald flames to cobalt ice.
"Because Alice, if there's one thing I've realized from all this chaos," he said with a knowing smirk, "It's that we're destined for a duel."
[A/N: Yay! Someone needed to say the name of the story! Might as well be the sexy Seto Kaiba :d IMPORTANT! Go vote in the poll! Depending on the results I'll either post an afterward in a week or an A/N saying that there will be none. Thanks, and review!]