A/N: So this chapter was a challenge to write, but the journey is interesting! I promise smut soon omg . !

Atems POV

He stares into my soul with eyes as unreadable and as cold as stone. His mouth a small line lacking all known emotions. He stands rigid, his shoulders squared in his elaborately extra white cloak of a jacket. He sports a stainless steel briefcase and if I didn't know any better I would say it was attached to him. His balled fists though are his only outlet of emotion. His knuckles are white with how tightly he squeezes them but what emotion he is suppressing is a mystery to me. Anger for seeing me. Surprise? His own personal emotional constipations? I dont know. But this silence drags on until the chill of the outside seeps into my clothes and surely through the store. I must say something or we will freeze here forever as permanent residents of the store.

"Kaiba." I say stiffly. His eyes narrow ever so slightly and I catch the slight twitch pulling at his lips as if to snarl but he remains as stone face as he can.

"Atem are you dow-" I hear Yugi's sweet voice call from the stairs trail off as he's spotted us. I want to look back but as Kaiba looks over me to spot him I watch his eyes soften, his lips part ever so slightly and then he looks back to me. He doesn't seem angry anymore though. If I had to guess I would say it could be fear but he would never admit to that.

"Seto, what's the hold up?" I hear Mokuba's voice behind him call from the limousine outside and Kaiba steps aside slightly to let him see. "Whoa. Yugi you yet a tan?" He asks innocently. I offer him a sympathetic smile as I sense Yugi come up beside me.

"Hi Mokuba." He calls, waving to him. Its amusing to watch his eyes grow wide and his mouth hang ajar but there is a much more pressing matter standing right before us.

"Explain." Kaiba says to Yugi.

"Good to see you too Kaiba. Would you like to come inside?"

"I came all the way down here to see if the rumours and photos were true. Not to enjoy tea in a 4th rate corner shop. Now explain to me this." He says, gesturing rudely with his head towards me as if I am a 'this'.

"This…" I say pointedly, grabbing his attention and gesturing to all of me before him. "Will take a while to explain. Would you prefer to stand outside as if uninvited or come in away from prying eyes?" I ask him.

He smirks briefly and pushes past us, wasting no time with pleasantries. I share a glance with Yugi before I follow him. I believe Mokuba is coming too so Yugi waits for him before he closes the door.

"This is weird. Who's he?" Mokuba asks Yugi as they join us by the counter. Its strange to see them with my own eyes. Mokuba's gotten smaller since I last knew him… or I have gotten taller since I no longer share Yugi's body.

"This is Atem. Previously the Spirit of the Puzzle." Yugi says kindly, smiling at me knowingly. I love that smile and that sparkle in his eyes when he looks at me. He looks so proud and it makes my heart soar.

"It is good to meet you both again, myself this time." I say politely, offering a small bow of my head in respect. Not that Kaiba is deserving of this kindness.

"Not more of this Egyptian crap…" Kaiba whines, but I find it amusing how he can continue to deny this when I am standing right in front of him.

"This Egyptian crap is standing right before you in his own flesh and blood Kaiba. You may not want to believe it but it does not change that I am here." I say smugly.

"Kaiba, this past month Atem has been freed from the Millenium Puzzle and gotten his own body and memories back. Everything we've been saying these past few years now has something real you can look and touch." Yugi says.

"You want me to believe that this man has been living inside your puzzle for … how long? 5000 years or something and now appears as young as you and I?" Kaiba asks him, looking me down and sizing me up. It's amusing I stand almost a head smaller than him now. He was always so much taller than Yugi. But then… wow. I didn't notice it before because I see him every day but Yugi is a little taller now. At least in comparison to where he came to on Kaiba the last time I took notice, which would have been during Battle City.

"You can believe whatever you want Kaiba. You asked us to explain." Yugi shrugs. I love when he's confident like this. He fills me with such pride. I remember when he would have been terrified of this kind of confrontation… which brings me right back to why I was angry in the first place. Yugi has come so far and this… boy made him so scared as to make him run away. Not even back here where he is safe.

Kaiba looks at me and I take a deep breath to steel my nerves again. I must shelf this for now. Perhaps it is for the better as well. I am not a student and if I get caught assaulting a child that could bring more trouble for Yugi and his grandfather.

While he comes to terms with whatever he's struggling with we can still hear Joey and Tristan upstairs talking loudly about Koji. They're not loud enough to make it clear but their voices are still furious so I can't imagine what else they'd be talking about.

"Sounds like a party up there." Mokuba says awkwardly.

"Yeah… they're not too happy." Yugi says shyly. I don't blame them to be honest. I'm about ready to fight someone myself.

"So … all these years you claim to have had an Egyptian Pharaoh living inside you and he is the one who's been helping you become a better duellist." Kaiba says finally. Hes looking at me but his question is directed at Yugi.

"Among other things yes." Yugi says stiffly.

"In that case, Atem is it? I challenge you to a duel. Prove to me your the same man who's been duelling me all these years."

Is he serious?

"Kaiba Atem just got out of the hospital, he's in no state to duel anyone." Yugi says defensively.

"The man I knew would duel regardless. Besides, he looks about ready to leave the house, he's up and on his own. How unhealthy can he be?" Kaiba retorts. I feel Yugi look at me and I feel slightly shamed for being caught about to leave, but I mustn't focus on that now. Kaibas presenting me with an opportunity to let off a little steam… furthermore he's not one to do things without striking a deal. Maybe we can get something out of him in return.

"No i don't want him dueling yet-"

"Hang on Yugi." I interrupt him with a gentle hand. He looks at me, mouth agape in disbelief. I sense I'm approaching dangerous waters but I feel I must do this. "Kaiba isn't normally one to duel for fun. Aside from the glory of asserting his dominance over me he wouldn't be fool enough to challenge someone without some form of compensation for their time."

Kaiba smirks. His lips pull into a grin of amusement and respect and his eyes glint with the same eye to eye challenge he's given me on occasion. The rare moments we understand one another. I think he believes after all, he just wants another chance to claim back his precious title. A title that technically Yugi holds. If he wants it, it's him he'll have to defeat. At least in the eyes of the world.

"Want something huh? Fine. I already had an idea that might interest you anyway." Kaiba says smugly. He sure likes the sound of his own ego.

"You were?" Yugi and Mokuba both ask at once.

"If you are indeed this so called spirit of the puzzle then it stands to reason you don't exist anymore. At least, not legally. There are already rumours floating around that the King of Games has a secret bo and it won't take long before the photos of the both of you outside the hospital this morning surface and begin all manners of talks. Not that I care what Yugi does with his love life or that I care what his fans think but how long until that curiosity of who you are, involved or not, begins to catch the attention of the authorities? And after that, how long until they realise you are no one? They'll deport you out of this country and that is if they don't imprison you instead. So… my offer: you prove to me you are who you say you are and I'll arrange for your security. Birth certificate, travel visa, passport, medical documents… anything you will need to prove your legitimacy so you can stay where ever you wish, be it here or back in Egypt, Australia, the US… wherever you want to go you'll have the ability to do it legally. You can even apply for a job, your own house. You'll be a fully fledge citizen of the 21st century. All for one duel against me."

Is he serious?

I can hardly breathe.

This… is so much more than I expected. I was going to ask him to keep Koji and his family off of Yugi's back but to give me a life… a legitimate life, one I can freely share with Yugi and not worry about getting found out, not worry about being taken from him… We can go anywhere. I can take him to Egypt, we can travel the world, we can own our place, I can find a job to support us… There's no question now. I must do this. I don't have any other option. We've scraped by so far without any documentation despite going to the doctors and being admitted to hospital all in the span of a month… we are lucky I haven't been found out sooner and we still are no closer to obtaining these things but Kaiba is offering them all for the exchange of a single duel. I cannot pass this up.

I look at Yugi who appears just as shocked by this proposal. His attention is cast ahead of him but he stares at nothing, possibly going through all the scenarios he can think of. But we don't have a choice. There will not be a better opportunity than this.

"Yugi." I say and he slowly looks at me. I don't know what he's thinking. He looks like he could say yes or no but one smile from me and he's on board with me. He gives me a single nod which fills me with so much excitement. I cannot wait for this duel and win my freedom to be me publicly, for us to be us in the eyes of the world.

"I accept your terms. But I must ask: proving myself to you. Of course I will duel with everything I have, I will not make this an easy duel for you, but if I should win does this guarantee us those papers?" I ask. The terms of the duel are for me to prove I am me. Given that I have never lost to him I expect he expects me to win.. But if I should lose, does that mean I do not get another chance at those papers?

"Win or lose it doesn't matter if you aren't who you say you are. I will win this duel: the question is whether you are the one I have been duelling these past years. If you are, I expect you'll be able to prove it, regardless of the outcome."

"So what do you get out of it?" Yugi asks. "Win or lose."

"The satisfaction of beating him if he's true or being right if he's false." Kaiba says, offering me a challenging cock of his brows.

"You can make those papers in the name of Atem Sennen, Kaiba. I was born in Thebes 17 years ago this June." I say back to him, matching his arrogance with ease. He seems to respect this though judging by the slightest twinge of his lips before he passes by us. There's one more thing though. I'm not done.

"Kaiba." I say as he gets to the door.

"Those papers are up for if I prove to you I am who I say I am regardless on the winner. But what does the winner get?" I ask him, turning to face him. He turns slightly to look back at us, waiting. I am on thin ice, but I must ask this.

"Should you win the duel I will regard you as my superior. You will still need to win the title of King of Games from Yugi in the worlds eyes but in mine you will be the better duellist than me. But should I win I have one request." I say confidently.

"Name it." He growls.

"Koji Takajo. He is a senior at Domino High and a Martial Arts champion competing in the Olympics. I want to know if his family have ties with the Yakuza and if they have their sights on this shop. They might not yet, but they may between now and the coming weeks. If they do I want to know in advance."

"Atem…" Yugi says quietly beside me, tugging on my arm slightly but I ignore him as Kaiba turns to face us fully. I can't read his face but all manner of rivalry is gone. He looks serious but I cannot tell how much. Perhaps it is the mention of the Yakuza that has him on edge.

"Why would they have interests in you?" He asks.

"Not me. Yugi."

"Atem please." Yugi whispers urgently but again I ignore him. Kaiba looks at Yugi, his blue eyes piercing him in a way I doubt even a Millennium Item can. He seems to have an internal conversation with himself, discerning all manner of possibilities but this silence is unbearable. If he were to just talk we might come to an answer sooner.

"I don't want to know what happened. But I can tell you now his family does have ties with the Yakuza. If you have crossed them, you best get yourselves into hiding. But this does not mean you can run from our duel. Yugi… you have Mokuba's number. Call him when you are ready to set up a time and date, but do not take long. I expect to hear from you within 48 hours." Kaiba says turning once again.

"Of course." Yugi says politely.

"And Yugi…" Kaiba says, somewhat softly now. His hand on the door he doesn't turn around to face us but his voice is sincere. Almost terrifyingly so. "Call Mokuba if you need to." He says and leaves with Mokuba trailing close after him.

"Bye guys! See ya soon!" Mokuba calls back happily… as if that last sentence wasn't ominous enough.

I sense danger though. Right beside me. I chance glancing at Yugi only to see my instincts confirmed. He doesn't look happy. The expression he's wearing is a rare one indeed. I know him inside and out so it's easy enough to see that I believe, for the first time since having my own body, he's actually upset with me. It's not terribly clear but it's in the way he's not looking at me; it's in the way his jaw is set; it's in the way his shoulders are tense. He's bothered by something deeply but he does not wish to be and he is trying very hard to calm himself down. But what I have done is unknown to me. I thought he would be happy we have Kaiba looking out for us and willing to help us with my identity. I did not breach his privacy too much with Koji… I dont think. So why is he so mad?

Play it dumb. Do not attack him for being mysterious. Just… act cool.

"S-so that went more smoothly than it could have." I said, internally kicking myself for the failure of my voice.

"Were you going to go somewhere?" He asks me with no room for patience. He doesn't look at me but he does glance at my feet now snugly inside their boots. I understand now though. I just got out of the hospital, I shouldn't be leaving the house alone and without letting him know. I cant exactly hide this either, so I won't lie to him.

"Y-yes… I-"

"Why? Where?" He asks me. His tone is different now. He doesn't seem as angry but more hurt. My heart reaches for him because I have hurt him somehow but there's also a part of me that feels attacked almost.

"I don't know. I was angry. Furious. I'd be lying if I said I wanted fresh air because my destination was the school but my plan wasn't fully formed. Koji hurt you, his friends helped. They -"

"The school?! Atem you cannot go after them. What were you thinking? You just got out of the hospital-"

I swear if I have to hear that line one more time.

"I'm fine Yugi. They let me out for a reason. I feel back to normal." I explained but he huffed and sighed impatiently.

"The Puzzle is still glowing around your neck, no matter how fine you feel you are not. You might have forgotten but colds can trick you into thinking you're fine but then you push and you fall right back down again." It irritates me he feels the need to remind me that considering how sick he was a few weeks ago. Who was it that fought hard against his own sickness and he was in a much worse state than i am now.

"I wasn't going to go swimming or anything or go frolicking after dark, Yugi. I was just going to -"

"Teach Koji and his friends a lesson? The same Koji that has ties with the Japanese Mafia?!" His tones getting bitter, more heated… and its only serving to heat my blood too. Why is he attacking me like this? I have done nothing wrong.

"The same Koji that put you into a very difficult situation. The same Koji that tried to hurt you and worse and made you feel so unsafe you couldn't even return home to me. The same Koji that shook the strongest person I know down to his core." I bite back. It feels awful to argue with him about this but he cannot expect me to do nothing.

"It doesn't matter. I've already screwed us over by breaking his wrist, we don't need you making it worse. I appreciate you wanting to protect me but the damage is done." He says, his tone sharp and finite. He's trying to end this now but I'm not finished. Not until he understands and listens. I didn't do anything wrong here.

"I can't stand by and let this kid rule you Yugi. I won't stand for it."

"I'd rather that than coming home to the house all ransacked and Grandpa missing or worse both of you dead." He said pointedly, with a very obvious bite to his tongue. I've only ever heard him use this tone with Tea a few weeks ago… never did I think he'd use it on me. Why is he so catty? It doesn't matter. He's letting his mind run away again.

"Yugi it won't come to that." I say boredly.

"This is the Yakuza, Atem. They're possibly worse than Bakura." He says unamused. He cannot be serious. Like the Yakuza is actually going to target a small shop it's owner for a scuff at a high school. Bakura has 5 Millennium Items and his sights firmly on us. For certain.

"I have to disagree." I laugh but he is very serious by the ice cold stare he's giving me. I don't believe this. "Yugi Bakura single handedly destroyed villages for fun, he ransacked my fathers tomb and broke into my palace to challenge me directly. He burned my people and stole what belonged to my family. His crimes are numberless and that does not include the death and torment he has delivered here in modern times." I argue. His eyes turn fierce though and I didn't fail to notice the shift in his shoulders. He's getting very impatient with me. It won't be long before he leaves this conversation. But I mustn't back down. I dont care if he doesn't want me looking for Koji but I am entitled to be angry and want to defend him against predators such as him.

"Bakura boasts about his victories to a point that it leaves him open. The Yakuza will not give us the chance to escape. They deal their damage silently and directly and long before there's enough time to act. They won't hold us for ransom, they won't threaten us with property damage or challenge us to a duel… they strike to kill." He says angrily.

"So does Bakura. I couldn't count how many of my people died to him, Yugi and I doubt Ryou wouldn't say the same. If it hadn't been for you 3 of us wouldn't be here today -"

"I know!" He shouts and I jump. I hadn't realised my own voice was rising but his snap was enough to make me aware of myself. Apparently everyone else was aware too as they watched with morbidly keen interest from the stairs.

The deafening silence that followed his voice gives us both enough time to ashamedly breathe and cool off but as I do I can now feel how much my heart hurts. I cant believe he's fighting me on this. Can he really expect me to do anything less than teach this kid a lesson?

"I know." He says again, considerably calmer but no less lethal this time. I hold my tongue because I don't want to fight with him anymore, especially since we have an audience now. He looks about done too. This is fantastic. My first day back home with him and we get into our first real fight we've ever had. All because he doesn't want me fighting his battles? This kid shouldn't be allowed to get off without a reprimanding just because of his ties.

Slowly, as if unsure and nervous, Tea breaks the silence with her gentle, testing voice. "Is everything okay?"

I won't answer. I'll leave that to Yugi. I've clearly been making enough mistakes so I'll let him decide if everything is in fact okay.

"Everything's fine." He says stiffly before changing his tone in a snap. He turns to face them with a spring in his spin but hes not fooling anyone. They saw us fight and I'm not about to pretend I'm happy. I won't lie to them.

"I'm kinda tired though, what with the hospital stays-"

Bitterly I remark in my mind that he didn't need to stay at the hospital. He chose to do that in his own; but I know better than to give this opinion a voice.

"Okay. Well we might let you guys get some rest and we'll talk more a little later." Tea says pleasantly. Good. As much as I hoped to have a pleasant day with everyone I am not in the mood to entertain right now. Yugi can catch up on some sleep if that's really what he's going to do and I'll be happy knowing I'm not possibly screwing something up by minding my own business.

So we said our goodbyes, however awkward and scarce they were and when it was just us the dreaded silence returns. I hate this. I haven't done anything wrong so why am I the bad guy?

"I'm going to get some sleep. Whatever you do today can you please promise me you won't go after Koji and his friends?" He asks me. Immediately I can think of several snarky comments but I hold my tongue, biting it down lest I make this worse.

"Fine." I say quietly. Short and to the point. He sighs anyway though and trudges upstairs with slumped shoulders, his head hanging low. I guess I can't even agree with him right. I almost wish I was still in hospital. He wasn't mad with me then.

Tea's POV

That was weird. I never thought I'd see them fight like that. They always revere one another. I thought it was impossible for them to actually get mad with the other. I wonder what it was about. Yugi seemed to be trying to explain to Atem how dangerous the Yakuza is but for some reason he wasn't listening. It's not like Atem to not listen and act so rashly.

"So that was weird." Joey says for us and together Tristan and I groan in agreement. Thank god someone acknowledged it.

"Right? What were they arguing about?" I ask. We stop on the corner across the road well out of everyone's way. I don't really like hanging around here being a Tuesday, but thankfully we look old enough we could be just out of school. Hopefully no one recognises us.

"I think it was about the Yakuza and Bakura?" Tristan asks and I immediately hush him, slapping his mouth closed before anyone could process what he stupidly said out loud.

"Shut up dingus! Don't go using that name in public!" I whisper yell at him. He blinks a few times before he nods. I sigh tiredly, pinching my nose. Honestly, dealing with stupid mistakes like that is something I didn't miss.

"What could they have been on different pages about though? Those two are like the same person, I didn't think it was possible for them to argue." Joey says in thought.

"I know what you mean. I wonder if they ever argued like this before. You know, before he got his own body. It's weird to see them fighting." I say sadly. As much as I wanted Atem to myself and as difficult as it is to give up on that dream I am genuinely glad that he is looked after and that if anyone was going to win his affections that was not me, that it is Yugi… but to see them fight like that? I mean it wasn't the most heated either of them have ever gotten with anyone but it's a big deal when it's them. Even if they weren't together, Yugi and Atem are like brothers. It's just so wrong to have them fighting.

"I dunno. You'd think so but Yugi never complained or bitched about him so … who knows?" Joey shrugs cluelessly.

It makes me uneasy to think about. Deep down I know how sensitive Atem is. He doesn't show it often but he's let it out a few times before. He acts all tough and composed but when it comes to Yugi he actually thinks a lot about every little thing. He notices things that most people miss and I know for a fact how Yugi can be when he's mad. I can't imagine Atem would do something that would hurt him so I can't imagine why either of them were so mad. I just hope the two of them can come to terms soon before one of them says something that they regret.

"Hey they'll be fine." Tristan says calmly.

"You think so?" I ask him.

"Yeah. They're probably just tired." He shrugs but it's annoying. Is he serious?

"What makes you think that? That didn't look like 'just tired' to me."

"No I think he's right Tea." Joey says, nodding with his arms crossed. Are they both serious? "Think about it. They both just got out of the hospital this morning. Yugi just admitted something very private to us and Atem just learned what happened between Yug and Koji. We were all angry too about it, still are right? Imagine how angry Atem must have been. I mean he stormed out." Joey explains. It makes sense now but … is that really it?

"Yeah and we know how protective Atem is of Yugi. I mean it's almost a health hazard." Tristan agrees.

"Yeah they probably just need some time to rest up. They'll sort it out and be kissin and making up in no time." Joey says much to my annoyance. I've already seen them holding hands and I definitely didn't miss the little hickey Yugi was trying to hide. I don't need to visualise them kissing too.

"Did you have to say that?" I sigh tiredly.

"Eh don't worry about it. Can't be more embarrassing than seeing our dear Pharaoh in the nude… right Tea?" Tristan laughs, nudging me gently in the shoulder and earning him a hard smack across the back of his head.

I know they're joking but I do not need to be reminded of that. Not when the image of his beautifully toned body is burned into my mind only to visit my dreams every night since.

"Hey come on Tea, don't be like that!" They call after me.

Seto's POV

I cannot believe anything of what I just saw. It makes absolutely no sense. There is no possible way that man was nothing more than a spirit. Ghosts aren't real and even if they were, an Egyptian Pharaoh? He doesn't even give off a royal vibe. If he's an Egyptian Pharaoh then I was once a servant. And Seto Kaiba serves no one but himself. So who exactly is this guy that they claim to be a damned spirit?

"So weird that there's two Yugi's now huh, Seto? Think this is gonna affect how the "King of Games" title will work? Who do you think technically owns it?" Mokuba asks me. His innocent little mind seriously buys this crap?

"Oh Mokuba. This changes nothing. Yugi Moto is still the holder of that title, for now. This guy Atem? The world doesn't know him. He doesn't exist. And when we duel I'm going to prove he's nothing more than a fake. No matter where he came from."

"But Seto, what if they're telling the truth? What if this guy really did live inside the Puzzle?" He asks me.

"What if he did? I still don't believe in their crazy delusion that he is actually a Pharaoh. But all the same, who cares if he was? All I need is to know whether or not he is the one I've been dueling all these years or if it was Yugi putting on some kind of front. Challenging this Atem to a duel will tell me all I need to know about him." I say. I know I shouldn't even bother with this, but this is for my own personal satisfaction. When I confirm this guy isn't the duelist they claim him to be I can challenge Yugi again and take my title from him without anyone's back seat dueling.

"Hmm, well dueling aside, what do you think about the Takajo clan? Isn't this Koji kid's uncle the one we have under our control?"

I frown because while I know Mokuba knows about just about everything Kaiba Corp is involved with I still don't like him talking about them like they're some kind of business partner. If it were up to me the Yakuza would be destroyed but even they are too powerful for just my company to thwart.

"The very same. I don't know what business Yugi has gotten himself into but if he's caught his attention then it won't be pretty. I'll arrange to speak with him soon but I don't want you involved at all. Leave it to me, Mokuba."

"Umm… okay?" He says but I'm not giving him an answer. I don't want him involved at all. By the time he inherits Kaiba Corp I will have the Yakuza disbanded and he won't have to deal with criminals such as them. Until then our dealings with them are my responsibility and I will not have him exposed to them.

Still… it is rather annoying. I hope Yugi appreciates the effort I am going to to ensure his safety. If his title wasn't on the line I wouldn't bother.

"Mokuba when we get back to Kaiba Corp I want you to cancel my plans tonight and have my PI team investigating this 'Atem'. I want to know everything before our duel."

"You got it, bro." He says cheerfully, swiping out his laptop to make said arrangements.

Good, now that he's focused on that I can concentrate on this damned meeting tonight and finalising my deck before this duel. If he's the same guy that he claims to be then I doubt his deck will be too different. Yugi's might change but both of them will favour the Dark Magician. Even if this guy is a totally different guy he will be trying to prove he's not… which means his deck will not be terribly different to the last time we dueled. And I have a few new tricks up my sleeve.

Seto's POV

I'm never late. I am always where I need to be before I need to be there because everyone else is never as punctual and prepared as I am. But Tsusiro Takajo, 3rd son of the 3rd son of the Oyabun is punctual enough to even show me up. I see him sitting at the reserved table for 2 with 2 of his henchmen standing somewhat behind him. A balding, chubby man with fat fingers and strong shoulders. He looks like a slimmed down and toned up sumo than a businessman but business is his game... which is why is deals with my company under the radar. His suit is too tight for him and his piercings in his ears and brows along with the tattoos across almost every inch of skin save for his face do not make him look approachable, but none dare to question his appearance because aside from his connections, he is a cunning and ruthless man of business. He sips at his wine, which will no doubt be the most expensive and on my bill, waiting arrogantly and impatiently for me. But our dinner reservation isn't scheduled for another half an hour, which means we are both early and he has the balls to make it seem like he is waiting for me.

This will not be pleasant. I hope that Yugi appreciates the length I am going to do ensure his safety and the safety of that title. Readjusting my briefcase, I take a deep breath to settle my nerves. It's not that I am worried, but dealing with Tsusiro always ends in favors for a favor. Depending on how bad Yugi screwed up this could get irritating.

I approach the table and he looks up to greet me. His boys tense but they know not to approach me. It isn't as if I came alone either afterall.

"Kaiba." He says, returning his attention to his wine.

"Takajo." I say, sitting down opposite him. A waitress comes by with a menu and a waiter goes to pour me a glass of wine from the same bottle my guest ordered. I rather enjoy this flavour but I am here on business, not to dine pleasantly with the Japanese criminal sect; so I hold up my hand for him to stop. He bows low and retreats back to wherever he needs to be. The waitress leaves as well and now it is just the two of us.

I chose a crowded restaurant overlooking the city. It's a popular establishment among the rich and noteworthy, with eyes in every plant and ears in every wall. People enjoying lavish and expensive meals and exotic wines. Couples celebrating anniversarys and special occaisions. Even politicians enjoy their meals here, as I spy the Prime Minister at the opposite side of the room with his family and his guards. This is the perfect place to be seen ... which makes this perfect place for a private meeting. I might be seen dining with a suspected Yakuza member, but if he so much as endangers me it will be all over for him and his family.

Of course he knows this, which means he already has something planned in mind he wants in exchange for whatever request I have of him. But I've prepared myself for this. Whatever he asks he will get, because I do not want my company in their debt.

"Not thirsty?" He asks me. He doesn't care, he's merely breaking the ice. Which is fine by me.

"I'm not here to drink. I've asked you here to ask you a few things."

"If you wanted to ask me a few things you'd have asked over the phone. But this is more delicate than a simple chat. Which means what information you have cannot be leaked. Interesting considering your chosen venue. Even the flies have spies here and the eyes are numberless, almost like a spider. And believe me Kaiba, the spider is very busy."

Him and his spider motif. His obsession with spiders has always been uncomfortably clear, what with with his web, fang and spider tattoo's across his hands and neck, and undoubtedly all over his body. I have never witnessed it, but it is said he deals with spider venom with his victims and methods of fear torture. If Yugi is indeed a target he will be in for a rough treatment. Even if he doesn't kill him I can't have my King of Games incapacitated because of his games.

"Let me get to the point then. Yugi Moto is a senior Domino High. He is a world renowned duelist and vital to my company's success. Without him I must admit the very game in which my company flourishes will suffer a massive loss, which hurts our business with your boss. So I've asked you here to ensure his continued wellfare."

"I see. So that is the type of spider you are. I figured you as more a Widow Maker but you are in fact a Trapdoor." He says unamusedly as he swirls his wine around his glass. He sounds bored and his spider euphemisms are annoying.

"I don't have time for your jokes Takajo. Is Yugi Moto currently within the Yakuza's interests or isn't he?" I ask impatiently.

"Let me see if I understand you correctly, Mr. Kaiba. Your company is one of the richest gaming companies in the world that is currently holding a vast range of power within this country. You have ambitions of spreading your influence globally to become the sole largest most profitable gaming company in the global industry, leaving your brand in every home from here to Europe, to the States and even if our intelligence is correct, space itself." He says, finally leaving his glass to look at me. I give him nothing. He's right on the money and he knows it. He doesn't need the satisfaction that he is right. His lip curls into an ugly grin, revealing 3 sets of gold teeth, two of which pointed to fangs before he leans back in his chair and gathers his wine again.

"In the interest of your company's future Yugi Moto is not necessary. What is, is his title. You desire it and while he is a world champion among duelists, he himself is not needed for your companies success. That title could be anyones and your interests would shift. You do not ask me if Yugi Moto is within our interests. You ask me if his title will endanger your company. Am I wrong?" He asks me. His question chills me. On the surface he is correct. Yugi's title could be anyone's, even that fake double of his or his no account upstart Joey Wheeler. Yugi is famous among duelists but without his title his fame would fade and it would not affect my company. The title, the current champ is what the people desire and so long as Kaiba Corp continues to sponser the titles owner the people will flock to whoever it is.

But what is chilling is how accurate that statement is. If I agree with it, then I am consenting to the dispatch of Yugi Moto and the trade of his title to someone else. The Yakuza are cunning. They likely have a plan already to disperse his title. If they do not make a show of it, they will likely write a letter on his behalf relinquishing it freely... and they'll get me to run a tournament for a duellist to claim it. Including me. I can defeat every duellist in this city, in the world who comes for their chance of it, but Yugi is the one duellist I have never won against legitimately. It won't feel like a win if he is forced to give it up and I am forced to duel someone else for it. It must be Yugi I win it from.

"Yugi Moto is a star among duellists and it is correct that I desire his title, but I must earn that title myself from him and no one else."

"In that case challenge him to a duel and host it for the world to see. Win that title and be done with the runt." He says simply. I know why. He is demanding I be finished with Yugi so that our business can continue unhindered and his business with Yugi can be done. So the Yakuza do have their eyes on him and they want him gone quickly. That is why he agreed to meet with me so readily at the last minute. What else could this meeting be about except him.

Yugi needs to leave the city. But if I end this now Takajo will pay them a visit after this meeting. I have no doubt he already has people watching his house just waiting for an order. He knows I called him here to talk about Yugi, so he's preparing his web to catch his prey should I let him go unguarded. But his deal with Kaiba Corp is too important to risk for the sake of one teenage boy. I wonder what it is he did to get their attention.

"I will duel Yugi for his title. In fact I am already in discussions with him regarding that. Until our duel is made public I want it perfectly clear that nothing is to happen to him. I don't know what business you have with him but it is clear he has caught the keen interests of your people. If something is to happen to him before our duel, our deal is off and I can assure you that you are not the only one who has a web that is spun." I say cooly. He smiles wide: a horrible smirk of deathly cunning I do not like. He amused but in my web now. Yugi is safe for now... but a hungry spider waits for only so long.

"Perfectly fine by us. You make it sound like this boy is of consequence to us. I assure you, he is a gnat in a big big web. No one will think more of him." He says, sipping his wine.

I am done here.

Clicking my fingers for the waitress I write down a generous number for my guest. I know how expensive that wine is and he is undoubtedly wanting a hearty meal. I on the other hand have business to tend to.

"Not staying for dinner?" He asks, feigning disappointment.

"Like I said. I am a busy man but a gracious one. You may order whatever you wish, just make sure there is enough for other guests." I say politely and leave without a second thought.

I must make a public announcement of my duel with Yugi but I must also make arrangements for his removal of the city. It isn't too late to pay him a visit but there are arrangements to be made first.

As I leave the building and comfortably enter my limo, Roland drives us away in the direction of home. This is fine. If we're watched I do not want them thinking I am on my way to see Yugi. I mustn't raise their suspicion. If they suspect even an ounce of foul play they will kill him. Our deal between the Yakuza and Kaiba Corp is important, but if they have their 3rd son on his tail then they will break it to fulfil a hit.

"Roland. Dispatch a small undercover police unit to watch Yugi Moto's house tonight. Tell them Kaiba Corp suspects intent of harm of the residents there but under no circumstances are the Moto's to be informed."

"Yes sir, right away."