I know, I know! Life is so crazy... and all I want to do is write, ugh... Well I haven't forgotten. Here is the last chapter of It's Never That Easy.
~Jem's POV~
I reached one of the side entrances to his park. This was the when and where. It was dark, and I grew anxious as I approached. This place would be big and packed with people. Ugh, I so hated people. I half-wished I had sabotaged that race so I could still be on that island, but a bigger part of me was giddy at the idea of seeing Seto again.
Some people were going in and out of the park, but one man stood out. He was still, wearing a suit and waiting off to the side. He spotted me. "Miss Jemmea, I've been instructed to greet you. Please come here." I approached him cautiously. When I was close enough that we couldn't easily be overheard, he expanded. "I'm Roland. Mr. Kaiba told me to let you into the restricted area to keep you separate from the crowd. I will let you in just here," he said, leading me to a door off to the side. "He told me to give you the option of having me escort you or not. What would you prefer?"
I did not know him. Perhaps Seto recognized what PTSD I might experience at being left alone with a suit in a private tunnel. "Tell me where to go and I'll go myself."
He nodded, unlocking the door. "You just follow this hallway. There are signs periodically. You are headed to the Blue Eyes Fortress. Mr. Kaiba will meet you where the tunnel meets the back entrance to the fortress."
I nodded, my anxiety level already raised, then walked past him. Once he closed the door, it was nice to be alone again, but I was a little nervous about getting lost. I pushed on, following the signs. Thankfully, it wasn't too hard and I soon came upon the area. It was a bit more open, and I could see that around this corner there were stairs lit by artificial torches. Seto had made enough changes that this place didn't make my stomach churn with familiarity.
I stepped into the area to wait for him, wanting to get out of the hall. As I entered, I went to extract my phone to check the time; but, now that I had turned the corner, I noticed too late a person in the shadows. I froze. The layout of the space kept him hidden from view until I was too close. He turned, hearing the click of my heels. "Vell, vell," he said to himself.
I noticed now that he had been tinkering with a computer panel. "What are you doing?" I asked. I had a feeling it wasn't for the benefit of Seto.
He turned to face me, then took a step toward me. "Oh, nozing to vorry about." With his first step out of the shadows, he came into view. He presented himself rather extravagantly, and with a whole lot of pink.
"Vhat pretty little zing do ve have here?" he asked. "I'm guessing you're not supposed to be back here."
"I'm guessing Seto doesn't want you back here," I retaliated.
He smirked, seeming to think we were quite alone, and I became very worried that was true. "Seto, you say?" He began inching towards me and I backed away.
"Stop it," I voiced. He didn't. "Go away." I was becoming desperate. "Geh weg von mir!" I tried (I taught myself how to say "Go away," in about fifty languages, if nothing else).
He just laughed. "You know German! How endearing-" I was running out of room to back away from him. "Don't be scared, darling. I'm not going to hurt you. You're simply gorgeous, and look at zis sveet pink dress you're vearing-" He reached out to touch it. "Somehow you must have known you vere going to see me."
Suddenly there was no where else for me to go. I analyzed the situation once more, then saw a chance. Frantically I ducked under the arm that reached for me and dashed. However, I was intercepted at the exit I was headed for, bumping into someone who grabbed me.
~Seto's POV~
It was done. I had taken care of everything. The KaibaLand grand opening was coming to a close, and I knew just how I wanted to see it all off.
The door that led to the fortress-tunnel gateway opened for me. My attention was caught when I heard voices. Just as I turned the corner, I saw the snake from earlier with her cornered, his hand reaching toward her. The bold pink of her dress tonight must have made her an exceptional target for him.
In but a second she eluded him, ducking and fleeing him blindly. I was right there when she escaped, catching her as she bumped into me. Her body was closed and eyes sealed tight. She was terrified, taking an extra half-a-second to look up at me. Once she did and saw it was me, her body came undone. She pressed herself to me and clutched my clothing. "Seto," she breathed.
Calmly, I told her, "Go on up, I'll be there in a minute."
She didn't stray, turning and gesturing. "He was tampering with that," she added, thinking I may want to know. I glanced over briefly.
"Go," I ordered. She retreated, hastily racing the stairs once she was at arm's length. I watched her for a moment.
"I vas right. I sensed she had a connection to you, Heir Kaiba. Who did you steal her from?" Ziegfried mocked. I was all out of patience.
I reached up to tap my coat. "Roland, I need security at the back entrance to the fortress."
"Are you trying to scare me, Heir Kaiba? Zrowing me out now vould just make you look like a sore vinner." It appeared that he had not learned his lesson. Oh well, I had no problem unleashing my wrath on him now.
"You know, Ziegfried, I would hate to think that you have taken advantage of my hospitality. I have been very generous with you," I threatened with the same false kindness I had given him all day. I gradually inched toward him, now forcing him to be the one who backed away. "I invited you here. I gave you a second shot, even after you trespassed, endangered the lives of my guests, committed fraud, and tried to destroy my company. I broke a promise to myself, just for you. I never once pressed charges this whole time, and instead gave you the most sought after spectator seat for the most anticipated duel, where you watched your cheating plan embarrassingly backfire. I can't imagine why you are still here. Your plan failed. Whatever backup plans you have will fail. But, even with all that, I'm still a generous guy, so since your humiliated name will magically pop up on the no fly list in the next hour," his face began to fall, "I will make sure that you are seen out of the country and make it back home so you can get back to your sad excuse for a company. Meanwhile, I will be standing on the balcony of my palace, enjoying that ravishing woman that you just assailed and all the success that I have achieved despite medalling wannabes like you." I stopped, his face now twisted in rage.
"Vy you spoiled-" he began, stepping toward me threateningly. Just then my men showed up, grabbing him.
I smirked, narrowing my eyes. "Enjoy your flight." I turned away, leaving that disgrace to my men. I had other business to attend to.
His rebarbative voice disappeared as I reached the top of the stairs and was completely gone when my eyes again fell upon her.
She sat on the rail, her body turned, looking out over my work. It was silent up here, peaceful, with all the crowds spread to other attractions. Now it was just the two of us.
"Are you all right?" I asked, grabbing her attention.
With this, she turned, standing when she saw me. She came straight to me, and I welcomed her. She kissed me. Then she kissed me again. Then another couple times before she was appeased. She hadn't answered my question. "Do you feel better?"
She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for a moment, then nodded.
"Hmm," I answered, satisfied with this as I moved on. I bent down, going for her neck, and she in turn wrapped her arms around mine, again clinging to me.
I so enjoyed the way she felt. I had missed it. She glanced over her shoulder, still clinging to me, but I knew the lights distracted her. She just looked at them now, though. They couldn't seem to lure her in with me right here.
"It's so pretty," she noted as I continued. "Are you happy? You've been working on this for a long time."
"Mm," was all I gave her. I took hold of her, turning her only to bring against me again. "But that's not what I brought you here to see."
Just then, the first light rose into the darkness, illuminating the sky with a bang that echoed over the city. She jumped reflexively, then quickly covered her mouth with both hands. "It's fine," I assured. She eased a bit. Then the rest followed. Her hands moved near her shoulders where she again gripped my sleeves. I continued to hold her to me, my hands roaming and eyes primarily on her.
She smiled and laughed, delighted. "What are those?" she asked.
"Fireworks," I answered. I lowered myself, again going for her neck. She tilted her head, allowing me the access I wanted.
"I love them," she breathed.
I raised my head slightly. "I know. I doubled the order, once I knew you were back," I added before returning to what concerned me. I ran my hands down over her dress, only to start to run them up again, this time evading the cloth...
"...For me?" she echoed.
"Mmm," I answered, slightly distracted.
She completely settled in at this, resting her head against my chest as she watched. Then she added, "No one has ever done something like that for me. Not knowing how much I would like it beforehand."
I slowed at this remark and said nothing, turning my eyes up to my work, though not with the same allure she had. "Sorry, I didn't mean for you to stop," she added quietly, turning her head to encourage me. I smirked, then resumed my interests.
~Mokuba's POV~
I ran fast, responding to Seto's radio call, but I was on the other side of the park. I'm coming, Seto! I thought to him.
When I reached the fortress gateway, I halted, skidding a bit. But no one was there. I glanced at the stairs, then started again.
Far enough up I saw him on the balcony from earlier. "Seto!" I called, but I was drowned out by the pound of the fireworks finale. I figured I would just wait until the noise was over or I reached him, but then, at the cheer of the crowd, she moved and I noticed her for the first time.
I halted and froze, now praying that I went unnoticed. I pushed myself off to the side. She spun around, smiling wide as she looked up into my brother's eyes, and again pressed herself to him. He had no reservation. He opened himself to her and closed himself around her.
Jem wrapped one arm around my brother's neck as she went to kiss him, her other hand tightly grabbing one of the straps that bound his arm. The kiss was in no way a peck, and when the two finally broke it, they pressed their heads to one another, their eyes still closed.
It was now quiet again, and I was able to hear her serene, "Thank you," before resting from her stretch. She turned her head and placed it against his chest, looking out over KaibaLand. Seto again opened his eyes, but he was more perceptive than she was. His eyes fell right on me, as if he already knew I stood there.
I'd been caught, but so had he. I stepped forward, not trying to hide anymore and smiling for forgiveness. He still made no notion towards me, staring me down, and I realized he wasn't going to so long as she didn't notice. So, more confidently, I gave him the thumbs up and winked to show my approval. Then I waved, quickly fleeing, feeling happy and quite accomplished. Perhaps there was hope for him after all.
Another done! Onto Seto's Silver Ace.
And as always, I love to hear what you think.
