A/N So I was wondering how I should mark the event of my birthday and told a friend that I was toying with the idea of posting a second chapter today, so here we are, two chapters, one day :)
Even though Lara and Kaiba had been gone barely a day, it felt like eons had passed since they left their home. They could see the manor grow larger as they approached it with Kaiba touching down on the lawn.
He would arrange for someone to fly the helicopter back to its hangar later but for right now, that was far down on his list of priorities.
Lara was apprehensive about walking into the house. She had no idea what the scene would be like.
She heaved a deep breath and undid the harness before opening the door. She looked at Kaiba who held his door open but his eyes were firmly fixed on the front door of the house that was substantially damaged.
They climbed out walking together to their home, Lara just a step behind Kaiba. Roland ran out to greet them but Kaiba held up a hand to silence him, he wanted to inspect the damage himself before he got whatever rundown Roland wished to give.
"Where's Mokuba?" It was the only thing Kaiba asked. The most important thing to him.
"They've already left the safehouse sir. They should be here in an hour."
Kaiba nodded. He had been extremely quiet since they left the island and it was very clear that his anger was simmering just below the surface. He climbed the stairs and surveyed the entrance.
The left side of the heavy double door was closed, but the right had been ripped off the top and middle hinges leaving it tilted precariously. Lara's hand flew to her mouth as they walked into their home. There were deep gouges in the wall which had obviously come from gunfire. There was shattered glass everywhere and large pieces of the carpets missing.
Lara and Kaiba split apart from each other, each of them choosing to inspect something different.
Lara was drawn to the console table that was covered in broken glass and splinters. Her steps crunched over all the debris. She picked up a broken ornate silver picture frame with a tinkle as broken glass fell away from it. When she turned it over she saw that it was the picture she had only just put up of her and Kaiba dancing together at the engagement party, looking young, carefree and very much in love. She put it down and picked up the frame that lay on the floor. The glass was shattered and one of the sapphires was missing from the eye of the silver dragon.
Lara heaved a sigh and placed the picture of the brothers playing chess down on the table. She followed Kaiba and Roland to the back of the house where they saw the row of broken windows.
The two of them investigated every part of the house and realised that there was a lot of repair needed. It was not even secure enough to stay in right now.
They tried to ignore it for the moment as Roland briefed Kaiba on everything that had happened, anything he may have left out on the phone for the sake of brevity. He even reported about Vlad's visit but Kaiba insisted he not worry about that.
The three of them spent a long time in the study with Lara making a call that would prove to be Yamamoto's undoing the next day, and it was only the sound of people entering the house that interrupted the conversations.
"Mokuba," Kaiba said lowly and rushed out of the room.
He ran down the stairs two at a time with Lara following closely behind. The two brothers immediately saw the other and ignored everyone else as they strode towards each other. They hugged tightly with Mokuba leaning down a little.
Kaiba's immense relief at seeing Mokuba unharmed and perfectly fine was rivalled only by Mokuba's utter joy. While he did firmly believe that Kaiba was not dead, he was still worried that something may have happened to him. Just the thought of his brother being killed shook him to his very soul.
It touched Yugi that even after all these years, the two brothers were still so close.
"Are you alright?" Kaiba asked Mokuba when he was ready to let go. He stood back and appraised his brother.
"Perfectly fine, but this place isn't." Mokuba looked around and it felt like the house had been a war zone. "Can we even stay here?"
"No," Kaiba answered simply.
"Kaiba." Yugi approached the brothers with Tea standing behind him, her hands clasped in front of her skirt. "I'm really glad you're okay. We were really worried."
"Thanks for the concern, Yugi, but I'm fine," he said lowly. Yugi could not help his smile at the very typical response.
Rebecca joined Mokuba who wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Good job kid," Kaiba said to her.
"Thanks Kaiba." She smiled happy to receive a rare compliment. Mokuba pressed a kiss to her head then looked over to the stairs where Lara still stood watching everyone that she cared so deeply about. She tried to push down all the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. The soft look in Mokuba's eye pulled her in like a magnet. There was a silent connection between the two and he pulled away from Rebecca to turn towards her. Lara did not even feel the long strides she took towards her best friend. They hugged each other tightly with Mokuba wrapping his arms around her and it took all she had not to break down right there.
"Mokuba,' she whispered unable to say much more.
"I know. I was scared too," he said softly. "Are you okay?"
"Fine."
"Are you sure?"
"No," she replied with a huffed laugh.
They broke apart and she looked around him at the others who all looked tired but otherwise, okay.
"How are you guys holding up?" she asked.
"We're okay Lara," Tea said.
"What happened to your lip?" Yugi asked as he moved towards her. She unconsciously ran her tongue over the wound and winced. It stung and while it no longer bled, it was swollen and still had the tell-tale copper taste.
"Don't worry about it." She waved off their concerns but could see a frown settle on Yugi's features. She had never really seen him angry but no emotion would fix what happened to them.
"I don't know about you guys, but I could use a drink." Lara turned her back on everyone and walked to the kitchen composing herself while no one saw. There was still a lot to be done and she could not let the cracks start showing now.
Kaiba could sense her turmoil and followed her closely. He wanted to be alone with her but understood that it would be impossible. There were things that still needed to be discussed. He pulled two cut glass tumblers from the cupboard and poured a little whiskey in each handing one to her while Mokuba made the others coffee.
Just the aroma of the fresh beans excited his taste buds after being subjected to the excuse of a caffeine shot he had been drinking at the safehouse.
Lara took a small sip of the smooth amber liquid and rolled it around in her glass absentmindedly. The others sat around the breakfast nook but she was too wired to do so. Kaiba stood close to her and the light touch of his arm was oddly comforting. Kaiba felt the same way.
The kitchen was quiet, no one really knew where to begin. Mokuba sipped his coffee and took a deep breath. He was the first to speak.
"What happened there guys?" He dropped his gaze to the table then met his brother's eyes but it was Lara who answered.
"We went to the island and there was a base there concealed by holograms just as Pegasus said. The only way in was by retinal scan so we just walked up to the door and they opened up for us like we knew they would." Lara avoided everyone's eyes, looking only at her glass as she spoke. "There were four guards waiting for us and they took us to a room where we met Hobson. He had another two guards with him. One of whom you're quite familiar with Mokuba," she said finally looking at him.
"Who?"
"Kemo."
"What? Does that mean Pegasus was working with them?!" He asked raising his voice slightly.
"No. Pegasus got rid of him ages ago," Kaiba informed them.
"The other guy was someone I had met in Germany. He was in the lift the night I had dinner with Leon. We were all being watched for a long time. I remember him entering the restaurant behind me." She shook her head, ridiculously thinking that she should have been suspicious then.
"What happened after that?" Rebecca asked getting them back on track.
"Hobson pretty much laid his plan bare. The hack was to get into personnel files, he wanted to know who we had on security."
"But only team one is employed by Kaiba Corp. team two is our private security," Mokuba said.
"Which is why he probably thought he was covered. Anyway, he was still loyal to Gozaburo and wanted to take the company and turn it back into a weapons manufacturer but that wasn't all he wanted." She laughed mirthlessly. "He wanted to rule the world with war. Gozaburo's vision."
"You're kidding!" Tea exclaimed.
"After we told him he could go fuck himself, he took Seto away." Lara heavily edited their experience. The others did not need to know about the threats or how they had planned to use Lara.
"Is that when you called us?" Yugi asked.
"No. I was in that room until I saw the boat Seto was on blow up then they took me to another room underground but I got away from them and then called you. That's when I saw Seto was okay. He was on the roof with Hobson." She looked up at Kaiba recalling everything she saw and felt.
"Hobson was hanging off the side of the building the last time we saw him," Kaiba said.
"D-Did you… did you push him?" Rebecca asked with shock. Her voice was barely audible.
"No, Seto didn't do anything. He stepped onto the ledge and slipped. He could have run…" Lara shrugged her shoulders.
"And this place?" Yugi asked.
"Twenty men attacked, Roland did well to defend it and that's all you lot need to know," Kaiba said. No one dared argue.
"So that's it? It's over?" Tea asked with unmasked hope.
"We have some company stuff to take care off but otherwise yes." Lara tipped her glass back and drained the last of her whiskey.
"We can go home," she said to Yugi. Lara understood how Tea felt except Lara's home was uninhabitable.
"Yugi, do you have somewhere to stay other than your flat?" Kaiba asked lowly.
"Do you think it's still unsafe?" Yugi tried to hide the worry from his timid voice.
"It's possible." Kaiba folded his arms and leaned against the marble counter.
"I could make a plan," Yugi said.
"Seto, why don't they stay at my apartment. Obviously we have to and I have the space for all of us," Lara suggested. After a beat, Kaiba nodded.
"Then it's settled."
"Just one thing, what about the hacker? If they're still out there, they could do anything." Rebecca looked between Mokuba and Kaiba. Surely one of them thought about this.
"He will be arriving in Germany before morning where he will be welcomed with bracelets." Kaiba smirked.
"We arranged a flight for him to Munich with a warning to leave the country and since hacking is such a serious offence there, we took it upon ourselves to inform the authorities," Lara elaborated.
"I'm assuming there will be more to this but I won't ask." She smiled.
"You catch on quick," Lara joked. Mokuba caught Lara's eye. He knew the plan. He looked away but his eyes snapped back to her as if he only just noticed a difference.
"That's a weird shirt." He frowned.
"It belonged to Pegasus's wife. He gave it to me since mine had ripped."
Ripped. Kaiba's jaw clenched at the word.
While she spoke to the others, Kaiba summoned Roland who arrived in the kitchen within moments.
"Roland, we'll be at Lara's apartment. Get this door closed…" he gestured to the front door, "and have guards stationed around the house. Each watch will be three hours," Kaiba instructed. It had been a long few days and while he needed his home to be secure, Kaiba needed a rested security team.
"Yes sir."
"Arrange for the house to be repaired immediately. I don't care what it costs they just need to be quick and discreet. Any questions they have, send it to Lara."
"Yes Mr Kaiba."
Kaiba turned to Lara. "Do whatever you want. You have full control."
"Sure. I'll just go pack us a bag," Lara said as she moved to leave the kitchen. She stopped and turned around when a thought dawned on her. "You guys will want to as well." She was happy to let the girls raid her cupboard but there was no way in hell either Kaiba or Mokuba would have anything that could fit Yugi.
"Roland, have any two guards and Fuguta accompany our friends home to get their belongings and then drop them off at my flat."
"Right away Lara." Roland bowed and left.
Lara trudged upstairs, her footsteps felt heavy. She felt exhausted. Her mind, her spirit was drained. "Just a little more left" she kept telling herself. That little more happened to be Yamamoto and Fukuhara.
Being so well travelled, she was able to pack quickly and soon was back downstairs. The others had already left and with all their laptops still in the SUV the three of them went down to the garage, climbed into the armoured vehicle and drove to the apartment that none of them had visited in months.
Kaiba parked in the empty bay that was still allocated to Lara's flat. They gathered their belongings and stepped into the elevator that smoothly ascended to the twenty-fifth floor. It opened with a ding and they walked to her door which she quickly unlocked and they all stepped in with Kaiba closing the door behind him. The place was exactly as it had been left. Not a thing was out of place, but Lara was still paying for her cleaning service.
"Mokes, you know where the guest rooms are, pick one," Lara said lightly.
"Can I help you with anything before I put my stuff down?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll just order us some pizzas… and maybe some groceries."
Mokuba laughed. "Okay."
Lara stood by the large window overlooking Domino. She could see the Kaiba Corp. building like a beacon. They did so much to protect it and it amazed her how connected this web of madness had been.
She felt Kaiba wrap his arms around her waist and press her body against his.
"Keep it together just a little while longer. We'll be alone soon," he whispered in her ear. She had not realised that her feelings were so plainly visible. She said nothing. Lara was just happy to have a few quiet moments in Kaiba's arms, especially after everything that had happened that day.
It was getting dark quickly. The dinner that she had ordered arrived and she went to call Mokuba but could hear the shower running so she kicked off her shoes and rejoined Kaiba who had settled on the couch with his laptop. His brow was furrowed in concentration. It was best not to disturb him so instead she placed an order for groceries to be delivered later on that evening. Lara was actively looking for things to do. She needed to keep busy.
Mokuba soon reappeared in pyjama bottoms and a t-shirt, he looked much better than he had earlier. Lara offered him dinner but he chose to wait for the others to get back which thankfully, did not take long.
Fuguta escorted the three of them up and once he was satisfied that they were safe, left to go back to the mansion where Roland would surely need help.
Lara was grateful that everyone was so tired. It made dinner a really short affair before they were all bidding each other a good night.
Kaiba shut down his laptop and grasping Lara's hand, led her to their bedroom. Finally, he was alone with her.
He pulled her to the bed folding his one leg under as they sat facing each other with him holding onto her arms.
"Talk to me," he said softly, almost tenderly. Lara could not respond. Everything flashed through her mind and now that she was alone with Kaiba, she just felt empty.
"I don't know what to say," she replied honestly.
"How are you feeling?"
"Drained. Numb."
He understood that. A lot had happened and she would need time to process it all but he wished she would react in some way. He had to break through somehow. He ran his hands down her arms and over the thighs. She winced at the light contact and his eyes darkened.
He pushed her back against the pillows and gently undid the button and zip on her jeans.
"What are you doing?" she asked but made no move to stop him. He said nothing. His teeth were clenched as he pulled the jeans off her and tossed it to the floor. His eyes were fixed on angry deep red welt that ran across her thighs. It had already started turning purple in places.
Visions of Hobson striking Lara with the switch came to mind and he was struggling to keep his temper in check.
"Tell me what they did to you," he said quietly. Too quietly. She could hear his usually strong voice quiver with anger.
"Nothing happened Seto."
He took a deep breath and left the room only to return almost immediately with a small first aid kit that they had packed. He sat next to her and pulled a small tube of arnica out of the kit.
He tried to be as gentle as possible as he applied it to the bruises on her thighs and around her wrists.
She sat up and began to talk, arranging the thoughts in her head as she spoke.
"Tell me everything. I need to know." He still looked down at the dark stripe on her light skin. His hair blocked his eyes from her view but Lara understood why he wanted to know.
"After they took you away, they made me watch from the window. I saw you get onto the boat. I spoke to Hobson, he said that Yamamoto's plan was just a backup, he didn't care about them. They were just pawns in his plan. He wanted people to execute his orders and pass him information. If Yamamoto did get Kaiba Corp. he would have just killed them.
"He said he had been watching us for a while and knew you would never fall for Misaki so he set less store by Yamamoto because of it. I guess my plan did work. Anyway, I didn't understand why he was making me watch unless he planned something truly awful and he was." Tears began silently rolling down her cheeks. "I...I saw the explosion-" Lara stopped speaking. She took a breath to compose herself and Kaiba wiped away her tears with the back of his finger. "They took me down to one of their sleeping quarters and locked the door."
Kaiba stopped breathing. He steeled himself for what he was about to hear.
"They were still armed so I knew I had to play along until I found an opening to get away. Kemo held me while his partner took off his vest, guns and knives. He tossed it onto the bed, I could see his handgun with that silencer and I knew it was my ticket out." She was not even looking at Kaiba. Her eyes were fixed on a spot on the comforter, but all she saw was the memory in her head. "After that he held my hands behind my back while Kemo disarmed but he kept his knife and gun. They said things that… I guess they just wanted a reaction."
"What things?" It was the first time he interrupted her.
She met his eyes. "It's just going to make you angry."
"What things?" He enunciated clearly.
" 'How do you think Kaiba would feel if he knew what we were going to do with you?' That I'd be begging for it or for it to stop." Lara saw the pallor of his skin change. She continued on quickly. "I didn't react which annoyed them a little so Kemo made me watch as he ripped my shirt open and said he thinks I like it so I told him to go fuck himself and that's when he slapped me." She raised her hand to touch her lip but Kaiba held it and pulled it away.
"Kemo said I needed to be taught how to behave and I could tell the thought excited the guy holding me but they were distracted. Kemo put his knife away and I knew that was my only chance so I kicked him in the chest and he fell over the table but the guard behind me still held my arms so I stomped on his foot and got loose enough. I think I elbowed him in the nuts and broke his nose and managed to toss him but Kemo came at me with a knife which I got rid of and I managed to drop him. I threw the knife into the first guy's neck and reached the gun on the bed before Kemo could reach his."
"And you shot him." Kaiba was careful to mask the fury in his voice.
"No. I shot his partner. God, I killed the man and I have no idea what his name is." Lara heaved a shuddering breath.
Kaiba cupped her cheek, he tried to hide the immense relief he felt knowing that they did not touch her. "What happened after that?"
"I kneecapped Kemo. He begged me not to kill him so I asked for information. I asked how many people worked there and he said twenty six without Hobson. Each of them had a duty to run the place but they sent twenty men here. I knew I needed to get hold of Mokuba quickly but I couldn't leave kemo able to get away so I shot him twice more and locked him in the room. That's when I found the control room and after speaking to Mokuba and Rebecca I saw you on the roof and I…" Fresh tears trickled down her cheek and she bit her lip trying to control herself but immediately regretted it, scrunching up her face in pain. Kaiba pulled her lip out from between her teeth with his thumb and inspected the wound.
He fetched a glass of water from the bathroom and dipped a cotton ball into it and with the lightest of touches began cleaning her lip.
His breathing was ragged. Kaiba almost wished that Lara had not killed Kemo just so that he could do so himself in the slowest most painful way he could think of.
When he was satisfied and certain she did not need a doctor, he placed the glass and used cotton ball on the bedside table, and pulled her towards him hugging her tightly. She clutched onto his shirt, still unable to stem her tears.
"Seto," she croaked.
"I'm here," he said lowly.
"How did you get away?"
"Thanks to you."
"Me?" She pulled away from him with a confused frown.
"I had the paperclip from the satellite photos in my sleeve."
Lara looked at him blankly. She did not know how to respond but a chuckle burst out of her.
"The paperclip?!"
"I'm here because of you," he said grasping her chin and kissing her lightly.
"What happened on that boat?"
"They cuffed me to a chair and one of them disappeared obviously to arm the bomb. He foolishly lowered his guard when he returned and I was already free so I used his rifle to take out his friends and snapped his neck," Kaiba said simply.
"But you got back in…"
"I threw him overboard and swam with him to shore. He was a useful eyeball."
Lara laughed shaking her head. "I take it you used him because you didn't need the blood from the others attracting the local wildlife in the water."
"Yes."
"You're amazing."
"Surprised?"
"Never." She beamed but her smile quickly faded.
"What's wrong?" Kaiba asked.
"I just… I can't get the sight of the explosion out of my head." She covered her face with her hands. He pulled her hands away.
"Look at me. I'm fine," he said patiently.
"But I didn't know that."
Kaiba laid his head on the pillow and pulled her down to face him. Lying on their sides, she was not able to look away from him when they spoke. He brushed her hair away from her face, gently caressing her cheek with his thumb.
"I can't describe to you what it was like watching that. It was like… like I was being burned alive. I wanted to give up then Seto. I felt like I had nothing left." She wept.
"I told you to stay alive," he said.
"I didn't want to. Not without you. I remembered what you said, it was on my mind constantly but… I don't know…" she trailed off lamely. There was a dark patch forming on the pillowcase as each tear sunk into the fabric.
"Something must have got through to you."
"Mokuba. I couldn't get a hold of myself and his face just popped into my mind, I don't know why, and I knew I couldn't let him face Hobson. I had to protect him. When I told Rebecca to blow the missiles I knew it would take me with but you were gone and I can't fly the chopper so I was okay with it. I had to be."
"Come here." Kaiba opened his arms and she buried her face in his neck. "I'd never leave you, Lara. Not even death could keep me from you." *
"I love you so much Seto," she whispered.
"I know," he replied. "Mokuba" he thought.
She pulled away and punched him in the shoulder. "Don't you ever do that to me again!"
He could not help but chuckle. Kaiba leaned in gently brushing his lips against hers at first but connected like this it was a lot harder to keep everything he felt in line. All the rage that was still flowing through him, the relief knowing she was okay, the pride he felt for her all came rushing out and he tangled his fist in her hair kissing her harder and deeper than he meant to. He wanted so much more of her but stopped as soon as he realised he was probably hurting her.
She did not care, she was just as bad with feelings as he was and this was an outlet she craved. The tears were something she hated and did not understand well enough, it was not something she could control. She tried to move with his lips but he pushed her away.
"No, you're injured." He kissed the top of her head but held her in place.
"Seto, it's nothing."
"It's not nothing!" he shouted. Kaiba sighed, hanging his head. He did not mean to raise his voice at her.
"Hey, I'm fine. I feel like a broken record right now but I really am. The people responsible for this are all dead. I get that you're angry but that won't help anything. It won't make me heal faster or make you feel better. They're gone, Seto." Her eyes implored him to listen.
"Tell me about Vlad," Kaiba growled.
"Well… You know when you looked me up when I first came to Domino and you found nothing, well that was thanks to Vlad. I've known him since I was twelve or thirteen. He'd just joined a group my father used to clean up messes. They all had very specialized skills if you catch my drift. It was always discreet, there was no record of them and after a few years Vlad took over."
"Why was he so willing to help you?" Kaiba asked.
"History I guess. He knows I'd never call him unless I had to. He's a good connection to have," she answered.
"You used him before."
"Yes. Dr Wagner did not die of natural causes. I needed a few more pieces on my board and struck when I was able to. His wife was also removed from society. Relax she's alive," she said in response to the look on Kaiba's face. "She's just in a place that the insane belong. She knew everything her husband did all along and did nothing to stop it because she enjoyed the life it allowed her, Seto. I couldn't let her get away with that."
"You realise you lied to me," he said evenly.
"If I did, it was by omission. I told you that I was darker, you never asked how." Her guard was up, Kaiba could see it.
"Well it makes no difference now, but in the future I want you to tell me everything, even if you think it's inconsequential."
"I promise."
"Good."
"Is that it?" she asked uncertainly.
"Lara I love you and want to marry you, nothing is going to change that. I've always known that you have a past even if I didn't know the extent of it. There were plenty of hints along the way but the thing is, I just don't care."
She opened her mouth to say something but there was nothing she could say. Kaiba heaved a sigh and climbed off the bed holding his hand out to Lara.
"Come on, let's get you out of that ridiculous shirt."
Lara smiled, taking his hand as he led her to the bathroom. They needed to feel more human and get some well needed rest because the next day, they would be raining down hellfire.
"I'd never leave you, Lara. Not even death could keep me from you." This line is a nod to dramatic anime Kaiba. I mean in DSOD he created a an invention that allowed him to visit Atem in the afterworld lol
