AN: I know Mokuba's birthday is July 7th so the setting of this story will take place a month after "Happy Guardian Day!". I apologize for not posting this in July, but I had a lot going on in the past 2 months. Please review kindly or let me know what I can improve on. Otherwise, all insults will be deleted. Thank you and I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own "YU-GI-Oh!" or its characters. Just Kaiba's special coat and the made up card in this story. RIP Kazuki Takahashi.
Part 1: The Favor
Deep, cobalt eyes glared at the phone sitting on the mahogany desk, as if it was this evil thing that warranted such a look, though in truth, it usually was. The tall brunette sitting behind the desk never liked being disturbed unless it was a pre-scheduled appointment. The only other exceptions were if there was an emergency within his company or his home, or his younger brother calling for whatever reason. Of course, his secretary or employees would have to call from time to time but even those times still annoyed him.
But the teenage CEO wasn't mad that someone had disturbed him, quite the opposite actually, though he would be lying if he said he felt guilty for bothering someone else. He was pondering whether or not to call a certain frivolous snake-of-a-man who irritated him to no end. It shouldn't have been hard, however; he wanted to do something special for the one person who means everything to him: his little brother, and contacting the fiend was the only way he could make his plan work.
He let out a frustrated sigh. The person he had in mind to call was a former (or rather current but they hadn't had to deal with each other since the incidents with the Orichalcos fiasco and Anubis some time back) rival, and he would never forget about the past actions done against him and his sibling. However, said rival has proven that he has changed from the enemy he once was, but what he had done in the past was something the young CEO would never forgive him for.
He closed his eyes and thought long and hard about why he was contemplating doing this in the first place.
You know why you are doing this. Mokuba is worth it, isn't he?
The eighteen year old growled softly to himself. He knew his conscious was right, his little brother was indeed worth everything the teen CEO could do for him. And he had made a promise he intended to keep, for he never broke a promise that he made to his one and only family member.
About 10 minutes ago…
"Seto?"
Upon hearing his name, the brunette wearing his purple trench coat over his black turtleneck and pants looked up from his computer, his hardened, cold eyes softened when he gazed at the raven-haired child ('no, he's not a child anymore', he reminded himself, for the kid was about to turn fourteen) standing in the doorway of his corporate office, dressed in a blue and green striped shirt under a yellow vest and blue jeans. His card locket hung close to his heart.
"Yes, Mokuba? What is it?"
Mokuba closed his eyes, contemplating what he wanted to ask his big brother. He knew he could always talk to the elder, his protector, his best friend in the whole world, but he was afraid of being rejected. It seemed ever since they got back from Egypt, Seto Kaiba just focused more on work and Mokuba hardly ever got to see him anymore. Finally, he gathered up his courage and faced his older brother, determination settling in.
The dark-haired kid inhaled and exhaled slowly before he asked, "I was wondering if you would teach me to play Duel Monsters for my birthday this year?"
Mokuba's birthday was three days away and he really didn't want a gift other than to spend the day with his big brother. He knows his brother is busy but surely Seto could take that day off and spend some good quality time with him.
Kaiba leaned forward at his desk, lacing his fingers together in front of his face as he mulled over the request for a minute before he finally responded, "I suppose I could do that, but my question is why now? You never showed interest to learn before."
"Well, I've been thinking about my role as Vice President and I decided it would be better if I understood the game more and actually participated with playing. Plus, I thought it would be a way for us to spend more time together." Mokuba said the last sentence sheepishly, running a hand through the back of his long black mane.
Kaiba's eyes widened a little as he realized what his brother was implying. He knew he was much busier with Kaiba Corp. Kaiba Land was being expanded and new duel disk projects, as well as other ways to improve the dueling experience, were being underway. He just hadn't taken the time to think about just how much he wasn't actually there for his brother, like hanging out with him, that sort of thing. In all honesty, it never occurred to him due to Mokuba still assisting him with things within the company, but that didn't mean that the kid didn't need him to be with him at other times.
Deep blue eyes stared into violet eyes as the the corners of Kaiba's mouth turned slightly upwards which formed that rare smile only Mokuba ever got to see. The thirteen year old's face beamed brightly, understanding the silent notion that he was not going to be denied his request.
"Alright, kid, you've got a deal. But I expect you to build your own deck and we'll see what you've learned up to this point."
Mokuba fist pumped the air as he exclaimed, "Yes, thank you, Seto! You're the best!" He ran over to his brother and hugged the elder Kaiba from his side as the brunette still hadn't gotten up from his desk. And with that, Mokuba left the room, leaving Kaiba to his thoughts.
End of flashback
Even though Mokuba didn't ask for a gift, like something that could be bought (his own priceless coat that Mokuba gave him the month before came to mind), Mokuba's request did give him an idea of what he could get him for his birthday. A new, one-of-a-kind duel monster card to aide the younger Kaiba in his new venture. But to do that, he would have to reach out to the game's creator. That was a call he was not looking forward to making.
After everything Mokuba has done for me, I can certainly do this for him.
Kaiba didn't have to wait long as the man's beaming face came on the screen of the phone. He was clad in a red coat and red pants with white dress shoes while sitting in a regal throne, one leg crossed over the other. His silver hair covered the left side of his face where the gold "Millennium Eye" used to reside. The very joyous voice was like nails on a chalkboard, causing Kaiba to pull the receiver away from his ear.
"My my my, this is very exciting! But, am I dreaming? Am I actually being called by my dear friend, Kaiba-boy?!"
Kaiba sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, greatly irritated by the older man's foolishness. Kaiba has told the Industrial Illusions' CEO many times that they were not friends, but, alas, it seemed that the boisterous Duel Monster creator was never going to stop referring to them as such.
"First of all, Pegasus," Kaiba hissed the man's name venomously, not concealing his hatred for the Duel Monsters' creator at all, "I do loathe having to repeat myself, but you and I have never been, nor will we ever be, friends."
Pegasus feigned a shocked expression and pouted as Kaiba spat the word "friends". Kaiba's eyes narrowed at the notion but he was already used to the other's antics, so this really came as no surprise.
"And secondly, I'm calling to request a favor. The fact is you owe me after everything you put me through, so grant me this request and I'll make sure the media never finds out about criminal charges, such as kidnapping, that you are long overdue paying for." And for all the other shit you put me through.
Despite the serious and dangerous tone in his business rival's voice, Pegasus couldn't resist the laughter bubbling from deep within. It started as a mere chuckle but quickly bursted out in a fit like that of wild hyenas.
"Mmhm heheh hahahahah! Kaiba-boy, when did you become such a 'Witty Phantom'? A dark jokester kind of guy? Hahahahah!"
Pegasus finally composed himself and opened his one good eye to catch the murderous glare through narrowed ice cold eyes from the brunette on his iPhone screen.
"Ooh, Kaiba-boy is angry with me isn't he?" Pegasus chuckled again before going into business mode. "Very well, Kaiba-boy, what is this favor you are calling about?"
Here goes… "I want you to make an official Duel Monster card, the only one of its kind, for…"
"What? Are my 'Blue-eyes White Dragons' not good enough for you anymore?" Seeing the annoyed glare from the teen CEO, Pegasus quickly added, "I'm just kidding, Kaiba-boy. Honestly, you need to learn to develop a more lighthearted sense of humor."
"And you need to learn to stop acting a fool and be more professional, Pegasus!" Pegasus's right eye twinkled in amusement, truly enjoying his effect on the former Duel Monsters World Champion. Kaiba was about to open his mouth again when Pegasus stopped him, his mood shifting back to his business side.
"Alright, Kaiba-boy, I know exactly what, or rather, whom you want this card for. I know your brother's birthday is on the 7th so I'm assuming you are wanting the card for him, correct?" Hard, cobalt eyes widened at the mention of his brother's birthday. Kaiba never told Pegasus (or anyone for that matter) when his or Mokuba's birthdays were, and he knew Pegasus was no longer in possession of his freakish golden eye (thanks to that white-haired scoundrel, Bakura), so how could Pegasus have known this?
As if reading Kaiba's thoughts, Pegasus answered, "I may not have my 'Millennium Eye' anymore, but I have plenty of other sources at my disposal."
So, he must have a spy in my company. When I find out who it is, I'll make him regret ever turning against me!
"And I believe I have the perfect card in mind to make!" Pegasus said, folding his hands while his right eye sparkled in delight.
"Whatever, just let me know when it's ready." He was about to hang up when Pegasus stopped him, waggling his forefinger in a "tsk-tsk" motion.
"Mm-mm, you will need to come to my art studio. Shall we say tomorrow morning?" Pegasus smiled excitedly as he took in the perturbed expression of his rival.
"What the hell for, Pegasus?!"
Pegasus chuckled again before answering, "Why, to be my model, of course. I want to paint you wearing your new fancy coat with wings."
That did it, that confirmed what the brunette CEO was already suspecting. There was no way in hell Pegasus could have known about his special coat unless he had a spy within Kaiba's own company or… his…
He must have a mole in my manor! Kaiba's eyes were ablaze as he seethed on the inside. He watched Pegasus feign innocence as the man wore a childlike smile with his only revealed eye twinkling. It made his own stomach churn, a wave of nausea crashing over him. If only the creator was here in person, how Kaiba would love to vomit all over the older businesses man. But he swallowed the feeling down knowing this might be his only chance to get a special card for his kid brother.
"Fine," The blue-eyed brunette spat through clenched teeth, "you win, Pegasus."
"Yay, Kaiba-boy, I'm so excited you came to your senses and made the right choice! Let's meet at Industrial Illusions at eleven am, is this ok with you?"
…
"I'll take your silence as a yes. Ooh, I really can't wait to see that coat on you, Kaiba-boy! See you tomorrow morning!" And with that, the waving toon lover hung up.
Kaiba released the breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Now that that obstacle was done with (for today at least), he could turn his attention to a more pressing issue: Pegasus's spy.
While Pegasus could have someone working for him at Kaiba Corporation, there was no guarantee of that, however, Kaiba knew there had to be someone in his mansion that worked for Pegasus. His coat that Pegasus spoke of, the one Mokuba gifted him, only stayed at the manor and Kaiba hasn't spoken of it to anyone. There were only a handful of people who knew, one of which was Roland. Kaiba knew Roland kept his personal business between them two only, and he trusted Roland more than anyone else that worked for him. The only other people were the maids who cleaned and vacuumed his bedroom and closet. He could easily see one of them, or all them in all honesty, working for Pegasus. The man was very crafty and could fool most people into doing his bidding.
Kaiba pressed the hidden button on the end of his coat collar. "Roland, come to my office, immediately!"
"Yes, Sir."
I'll just fire them all and be done with it, I can always hire more. But this problem makes me wonder just how much more of my personal business he actually knows about? Kaiba shuddered at that last thought. Pegasus was definitely the last person in the world who he would want knowing anything personal about him.
Damn you, Pegasus. Damn you!
XxXxXxXxXx
Alone on his regal throne in his empty castle, save for his staff and guards, Maximilian Pegasus held a wine glass with a small amount of strawberry colored liquid. He placed the glass between his lips and took a small drink as a man with teal hair and wearing a black suit and shades walked up to the back of the throne.
"Croquet, inform my art studio in San Francisco that a guest and I will be in at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning."
Croquet bowed and said, "Yes, Master Pegasus."
"Tomorrow will be a very interesting day, my dear Croquet. I wonder how things will turn out. Hahahahah!"
AN: I had originally planned for this to be a one-shot but I decided that I would make this a two-part. Not sure yet when I'll have the 2nd part up but it shouldn't be too long of a wait. Please tell me what you think or what you think I could do to improve it. I tried very hard to keep everyone in character so please feel free to point out if you feel someone is too OOC and help me figure out how to make them more in character. Also, you don't have to read "Happy Guardian Day!" first to understand this story but if you haven't read it, I encourage you to check it out. Plus, that story explains how Kaiba got his "fancy coat with wings". ;) Thank you for reading!