This story has been created and expanded upon using my roleplay (and mini side-fic series) with dragontamer05 over on Tumblr. The majority of it is told from Kaiba's POV, sometimes Mokuba (other characters make appearances too) It is therefore mostly my work, with permission from dragontamer05 to include bits of her replies (Kisara's parts) into the mix, as well as the appearance of her/Kisara's dragon spirit (Blue) in a later chapter.

As already mentioned, this is a story of deteriorating mental health. Other themes such as sex, drugs, alcohol abuse, rejection, rape, self-harm, will be mentioned/touched upon. There's also plenty of bad language too.

If you like what you've read PLEASE leave a comment in the reviews (criticism is also welcome) as it helps keep me motivated and is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy! ^_^

The Break-up

[Text to Yukisa] I'm running slightly behind schedule and unfortunately, it's going to have a knock-on effect for our plans.

[Text to Yukisa] Not sure how long it'll be before I can join you at the restaurant. I don't want to keep you waiting there all on your own, so come to Kaiba Corp and once I'm done here we'll go someplace else for lunch instead.

[Text to Yukisa] Sorry this inconvenience had to happen on your birthday. I promise to make it up to you tonight x

Once the messages were sent, Kaiba leant back in his chair and anxiously fumbled his smartphone still in his hands. He felt bad about having just lied to his girlfriend, even though it was for a good reason. At least he hoped she would see it that way…

Although rocky at first, his patience had prevailed and their relationship repaired to the point where he felt things were back to how they used to be before Kisara's kidnapping. Though if he'd misjudged things at all, and was moving too fast, then it might not turn out to be quite the surprise he'd planned.

The smartphone was placed on his desk and he reached into his pocket to produce the engagement ring he'd selected and purchased the day before; platinum band, with a square cut aquamarine flanked by two round, near-flawless, grade F diamonds. It cost him ¥5,000,000, and whilst his girlfriend would think it an outrageous amount if she ever found out its price tag, it certainly wasn't the most expensive that had been presented in order for him to make his choice. But had he chosen right?

An uncertain feeling began to stir in his stomach. What if she didn't like it? Or worse; what if she didn't want to marry him? Was this too soon after everything they had both gone through? Hmm, he supposed he 'might' be able to pass it off as just a birthday gift, IF he presented it to Kisara without going down on one knee. The chances of that happening though were virtually nil as he intended on proposing the traditional way right there in his office.

Stop worrying so much, of course she'll say yes. The confident voice in his head stomped on his doubts. Knowing that it wouldn't be too long before Kisara arrived, the CEO made use of the time to practise his proposal.

After having practised going down on one knee more than a dozen times already,- and reciting his proposal in equally as many variations,- the CEO wasn't going to have to worry about missing a leg workout routine that week. He then pondered to himself, still not entirely sure if he was doing things right.

Maybe I should present the ring before kneeling? It would certainly make things easier if I didn't have to worry about taking it out of my pocket once in position. But then again, it wouldn't have quite the same impact as it being presented simultaneously with my words… Hmm?

His phone sounded to alert him of an incoming text. Was that Kisara informing him of her arrival? Nope, it was only his inquisitive brother.

[Text from Mokie] You asked her yet?

He responded with a simple: 'Not yet', soon followed up by: 'You'll be the first I inform once I HAVE asked the question.'

[Text from Mokie] Good luck bro. Not that you'll need it or anything.

The phone on his desk rang whilst reading his brother's second text and he answered it right away. "Kaiba." He then listened as the secretary informed him of Kisara waiting for him outside his office. "I'm just finishing up, please send her in."

He placed the desk phone back on its base and pocketed both his smartphone and engagement ring. Sitting down in his chair he then opened several tabs on his computer to make it look as though he was working. Okay, this is it. Any moment now, I'm going to ask Yukisa to marry me.

His excitement didn't last long as intruding thoughts were quick to take hold:

'Making Kisara your wife isn't going to save her from harm. The person she needs protecting from most is YOURSELF! You're the one to blame… For everything! The kidnapping. The torture. The rape. The gunshot wound. Her current state of mind-'

No, no, no! We've talked through this already! Kaiba argued back with the voice in his head. I'm NOT to blame for what happened to her!

'But you don't believe that… do you?'

The door to his office opened.

"Hey, I do hope you aren't planning to make a habit out of suddenly changing things last minute." Kisara teased lightly as she entered his office not really bothering to fully latch the door. She wasn't mad really, things happened plans changed. "Ready to go? I was thinking and we might still be able to get a seat at the Moonflower. Unless you'd rather go someplace else?"

Kisara's presence drew the CEO from his darkening thoughts. He looked at her standing there dressed in the kimono she liked to wear for special occasions. For a moment he wondered if she had any idea of the proposal he was about to make, or if her birthday was purely what had warranted such attire.

'You're no good for her.'

"Almost ready. I just need to finish up here." Kaiba tried to ignore the voice still talking inside his head and began closing down some of the tabs he'd not long ago opened. "Sure, we can see if we're still able to get in at the Moonflower. My apologies for ruining the reservation."

'She can do SO MUCH BETTER; she DESERVES better.' Not only was the voice getting louder and more assertive inside his mind, but dark clouds were forming too. 'If she marries you, she'll be subjected to MORE torment than that she's already suffered. WORSE EVEN! You know it's INEVITABLE! It's what fate BEHOLDS her!'

A growing rumble sounded from the dark clouds that had now surrounded him in his subconsciousness.

"You're doing it again."

Kaiba heard Atem's voice first before seeing his friend's soft glowing light join him in the darkness.

"Your fear is creating this storm. If you don't dispel it, it'll grow into something far less controllable." Despite the pharaoh's attempt to calm the situation, lightning was beginning to appear within the clouds; a sign that the other was still feeling negative emotions "Honestly Kaiba, didn't our duels teach you anything?!"

"They taught me plenty." he scoffed. "Pity you didn't choose to stick around and discuss them with me after your duel with Yugi. If you had then 'maybe' I'd have come to another concussion."

The air around them violently whipped up and Atem had to raise his voice to make himself heard. "So what are you saying? You're going to destroy what you both have out of spite?"

"I've no spite for Kisara, only love. It won't be easy, but I HAVE to let her go."

"This ISN'T the way to go about things!"

"And what would y-you suggest?"

The slight tremor to the other's otherwise calm voice was the proof Atem needed; his friend was crying out for guidance. "Continue with your proposal and create the future you both deserve."

Kaiba closed his eyes, partially to stop his bangs from whipping in them, and partially so his rival wouldn't detect the low self-esteem they displayed. Whilst he had no doubts about how much Kisara deserved the world, he, on the other hand, had been conditioned into believing he was less so.

When he reopened his eyes he was back in his office once more. His heart was heavy with the decision he'd made but he would not allow himself to be the one to prevent Kisara from finding true happiness, even if it wasn't with himself.

Slowly he made his way from behind his desk. He wasn't looking forward to what he was about to do, but at least it was a selfless act to set her free; just like that idiot prince who had sacrificed his chance at happiness so that the woman he'd loved could transform into a unicorn once more in that movie they had watched together.

"Kisara, I've no desire to lead you on. Whilst this may be a shock and hard for you to digest, I…" He couldn't bring himself to look at her as he continued so slightly turned his head. "I think we should break up."

"Yuh-You're dumping me? But..but w-why?" Kisara asked upon finding her voice and trying to keep it steady.

Kaiba heard the heartache as she questioned him. Even without looking, his mind could clearly picture her crestfallen face. It tore at him like he knew it would, and for a brief moment, he even wondered if it was too late to reconsider his choice and take back his already spoken words. Surely there has to be another option?

'There is NO OTHER option.'

What if I talked to her about these fears?

'WHAT USE WILL TALKING DO?! It's NOT going to stop her from being a target for anyone else seeking revenge against you! It's NOT going to stop her from any kind of violation or suffering! Nor will it prevent an untimely DEATH!'

Kisara's gaze dropped, she was trying to keep her composure, "I..I'm sorry for making you feel unwanted and pushing you away when I know you only wanted to help."

Frustrated with his inner vacillation Kaiba clenched his fist tightly. It began to shake by his side as he listened to Kisara apologise for how she'd rejected and recoiled from his well-meaning attempts of help. Great, now she thinks this is her fault! I won't let her believe that, I NEED to talk things through with her!-

'NO! You HAVE to let her GO in order to keep her safe. PUSH harder and CHASE her away if you have to! MAKE her see the monster you truly are.'

Kaiba breathed in slow and deep, allowed his fist to unclench as he straightened himself up and turned to face Kisara with a stoical face. "I'm tired of this charade. The fact of the matter is… I NEVER loved you. Not a single bit. You were simply easy to play. And now I'm bored."

Kisara visibly flinched back at his words. Everything he'd said, the promises he'd made had been a lie? All those times spent together, those nights, had they really meant nothing to him? And what about the sad story of his childhood had that been another lie too? She didn't want to believe what he was saying, but what other reason would he have for saying such things?

"I don't…I don't believe you. You're saying none of it mattered, not even when we…when we.. made love?" She blushed a bit and swallowed hard feeling tears starting to well up, beneath the sadness a wave of anger started to boil as well. It wasn't just her that he tricked and toyed with but her best friend and her family too and that was unforgivable.

"NONE of it mattered," he emphasised, knowing he'd have to up his game in order to make her believe the deception. "Like I said, 'you were easy to play', as proven by how EFFORTLESS it was for me to persuade you to open your legs." Although he was purposely going for vile, a part of him felt that maybe he'd gone too far with the last remark when considering all she had been through.

A part of Kisara wasn't fully convinced, there had to be more to this, something just felt wrong to her about the whole thing. "So…so if this really was just some sick game to you I assume Mokuba was in on it too? Or was he just another toy?"

Mention of his brother caused a genuine flare of anger and sent Kaiba striding towards her.

"Let me MAKE something clear!" he snarled as he came to a standstill in front of Kisara, his finger pointing directly at her in an aggressive manner. "THIS is about YOUand ME! MOKUBA has NOTHING to do with ANY of it! He's an innocent bystander. His responses to the pair of us being together were nothing but heartfelt and true. He didn't play you, and I most certainly DIDN'T play him…"

Having proclaimed his brother's innocence, Kaiba lowered his hand and took a single step back. He was annoyed with himself at having been so easily provoked. Had she done that intentionally as retaliation for what he'd said to her? Regardless of whether or not she had, he knew he damn well-deserved anything that came back at him in this argument.

"And what about the man who kidnapped me?" Kisara took a deep breath her hands shaking, "Was that just a coincidence or was he part of your twisted fantasy. With your connections and money, I'm sure it'd be easy to hire someone to do the deed." Admittedly even she had difficulty believing that last part. Even if what he'd said was true about not loving her and only having been toying with her, would he really go that far as to stage a kidnapping?

"The kidnapping was pure coincidence." The fact she had described it as his 'twisted fantasy', and the suggestion he'd hired someone to carry it out, wounded him that she could even think he'd be that cruel. At least it was proof his lies were being believed. Now to put a little more weight behind them with as much spin as possible.

"If it had at all been feasible, I would have washed my hands of you back then and leftyou at that bastard's mercy. But since the media had developed a growing interest in our 'relationship' prior to it all, it would have damaged my public image if I were to be seen doing nothing to get you back. THAT'S why I made a great big song and dance about conducting your rescue; NOT because I was concerned, but because I was OBLIGED to in their eyes… Heh, you're lucky you had such a good friend who approached me with wanting to aid in finding you because nobody else gave a fuck."

Kisara tried to stand her ground, the sleeves of her Kimono thankfully hiding her shaking hands. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

"I trusted you, I stood up for you. But I guess he was right, you are just a heartless monster who only cares about money." She still didn't want to believe what her kidnapper had said, but his words mixing with her own fears and doubts had started to convince her otherwise. Why had she ever let herself believe someone would love her, that Seto Kaiba the owner and CEO of one the biggest, if not the biggest gaming company in Japan would ever show an inkling of interest in a quiet little cafe waitress.

Kaiba was starting to get restless now as he found it more and more difficult to keep up the heartless act. Why hadn't Kisara just gone when he'd told her they should break up? Why did she have to remain here to seek answers and make this even more difficult for him?

"Standing by you during your recovery was pretty much the same situation; all of it done as a show for the media," he idly plunged his hands into his pockets and slowly paced up so close to Kisara that they were almost touching. He knew his looming presence was an intimidating enough factor, but now coupled with his sharp piercing eyes hanging over her like two swords eager to strike, he was ready to go for the kill that would surely sever them both… no matter how much he'd come to regret it.

"Honestly Kisara, if not for upholding my image, why else would I consider keeping you around? Like I already said,I never loved you. And after what HE did to you… well, you're soiled goods now." He leant towards her ear and whispered, "I don't like 'sloppy seconds'."

A wash of revulsion made her want to throw up as she took a step back in horror, her heart thundering. He knew of her rape, somehow he knew about it the whole time and had never said a thing. But how had he known? So many emotions flowed through her all at once. It was hard to think and the lights began to flicker.

The moment she'd stepped back from him, Kaiba knew he'd succeeded with his task. However, he felt no satisfaction from seeing the traumatised look on her face, knowing that he'd broken her, perhaps even beyond repair. What have I done? His eyes became drawn to the flickering lights. Was that Kisara's power doing that? Had he intimidated her so much that she was about to unleash her dragon on him? As he wondered to himself, he failed to see her hand move swiftly to strike him hard across the face…

Thwack!

"Cuh-Call me names, drag me down do what you want I-I don't care. I've dealt with bullies before. But you know the worst part is? You dragged Isa, my best friend, into your lies. And not just her, but her family…MY family into it too. They welcomed you, treated you like family."

Shocked, yet knowing the slap had been justified, Kaiba made no attempt to counterattack,- neither physically or verbally,- as Kisara went on to say her piece. He hadn't even given thought to Isabel and her parents in any of this. Kisara had already made it clear that the Corazóns considered her family, so it was evident just whose side they would take when news of the lies he'd spun for their break-up made it's way to them.

Taking a deep breath Kisara slipped the ring from her finger before tossing it on the floor in front of him "Here I'm sure you want this back since it was clearly just a waste of money… Consider this goodbye Kaiba." She was near the brink of tears and struggling to hold them back as she spoke, but there was a clear quiver in her voice. She made her way to the door, and without bothering to look back she hurried out. As the door slammed behind her all the lights in the room burst.

Kaiba stared down at the Claddagh ring tossed at his feet. It had been a gift he'd given her for a previous birthday to symbolise his friendship, loyalty and heart as hers. She wasn't just returning a piece of expensive jewellery, it was a clear statement of ridding herself of him and his affections. No further words would have been needed, but the fact she'd also reverted back to addressing him by his surname before fleeing the room only dug the knife deeper into his heart.

Now alone in the slightly darkened office, he dared to touch his face where Kisara had hit him with quite some force. He winced as his fingertips barely brushed over his cheekbone that he knew was going to bruise just as badly as his aching heart. This wasn't supposed to happen, not like this. All I wanted to do was keep her safe.

He awaited the loud prominent voice from before to return and congratulate him, or at least assure that he'd done the right thing despite his dismay.

It didn't come; only silence filled his office and head.