AN: Well, let's see if the Italics work. Bet they won't, and I don't know
any coding, so if they don't oh well. ~~~~ Stands for the beginning/end of
a memory/dream/flashback/ whatever you want to call it. The *'s stand for
a scene/POV change. I'll tell you now, the only other POV in this story is
that of a nurse and you'll be able to tell when it's her POV quick enough.
It's sort of confusing, but it's the best I can do. Read a bit into it and
you'll get it. I hope. Anyway, this is by far my longest chapter. 'Twas
the most fun to write too. *Grinz evilly * So much angst! *Is in her
element *
Hurts XI
~~~~ I studied the board in front of me and felt my face break from its almost constant poker face. I quickly took a breath and put my poker face back on. I moved my queen two spaces and looked up at the man in front of me.
"I believe that's Check and mate, Mr. Kaiba." I smiled, politely extending my hand for him to shake. He looked from me to the board, almost in disbelief. I smiled to myself. Most people couldn't believe I was such a good player. I always shrugged them off. I was a genius after all. The man in front of me was also smiling now.
"I believe it is, Seto." He nodded. "I shall be off to sign the papers for you now."
"I'm sorry, sir." I said quickly. "It's me and my brother, Mokuba, or neither of us. You promised that when I first challenged you. It's a package deal, sir."
The man stared at me intently, but I wasn't intimidated. I couldn't afford to be. Mokuba was my brother and we stuck together no matter what!
"All right, my boy." The man nodded slowly. "I'll be off to sign the forms for you and your brother now."
"Thank you sir." I grinned, fighting the urge to jump over the chess table and hug the man. At last! Mokuba and I would have a home! ~~~~
~~~~ I stepped out of the car and felt Mokuba tug on my hand.
"Big brother?" Mokuba asked, when I looked down at him.
"Yes?"
"Where are we?" Mokuba asked, his eyes showing his unease.
"This is our new home, Mokuba." I told him, stopping down so I was on eye level with him. "Remember that day I went and played a game of chess with the man? I beat him. He's adopted us."
"So we're not living in the orphanage anymore?" Mokuba asked. I sighed. I'd taken a few minutes to explain this to Mokuba before we left, but I should have known he wouldn't full understand. He hadn't been very old when we started getting tossed around. The longest we'd stayed at a single relative's house was about a year. Mokuba had never had a steady home life and the orphanage had been the most secure place we'd been in since our parent's death.
"No. But I promise you. This house is permanent. No more moving all the time; no more switching schools and friends. We're hear till we are old enough to take care of ourselves."
"Oh." Mokuba nodded. "So now I have a father?"
"I suppose so." I shrugged. Mokuba nodded again then stopped as if a horrible thought had struck him.
"Are you still my brother?" Mokuba asked.
"Of course." I laughed. "I will ALWAYS be your big brother. I promise you. Just like I promised that nothing would separate us. I keep my promises."
"Okay." Mokuba nodded. I smiled and we stood watching the driver carry our two suitcases into the mansion. "Seto? I'm scared."
"So am I." I told him. I wasn't really. Apprehensive, maybe, but not scared. I just wanted him to feel better. "Don't worry, little brother. I'll protect you."
"Promise?" Mokuba asked. I nodded.
'Three promises. I'll keep them all.' ~~~~
~~~~ "NO!" I cried out as the belt came down. I let out a muffled sob and the belt came down harder.
"Weakling! Idiot! Brainless! Bastard! Pathetic! Why can't you do anything right?!" He spat, the belt coming down with each word. Finally the beating stopped and I heard him walk away. I stood up and waited for him to speak, my eyes fixed firmly on my toes. Looking him in the eye could result in another beating. "Go. Next time I won't be so kind."
"Yes, sir." I mumbled, limping out of the room. I entered my own room, knocked on my closet door and waited a second before knocking again.
"Seto?" Mokuba asked, coming out of the closet. I watched him look around cautiously and let out a long sigh. "Is it safe now?"
"It's safe." I nodded, not meeting his eye.
"Will you be okay?" Mokuba asked, looking at my already bruised back.
"I'll be fine. I'll just have to do better."
"Alright brother." Mokuba nodded, closing the door to the hall softly as he left. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Please." Kaiba begged, rolling over in his sleep, pain shooting up his shoulder. "It hurts so much. Please stop."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~~~~ I looked at my feet as he flipped through the game system I had invented. I hoped it would pass. With him nothing was ever excellent. 'Passable' was the best I'd ever achieved. I waited and suddenly a foot slammed into my back.
"Dismal." He snarled, standing over me. He picked up the stick and brought it down as if he was going to hit my head. I cringed and it stopped inches from my head. I risked opening an eye and saw that he was grinning. "Tomorrow you start martial arts training." He told me. I blinked in confusion, and lowered my shoulders and he brought the stick up again. "But, now, for your punishment."
I watched as the stick came down. Another punishment was beginning. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A scream echoed down the hall and I ran into Kaiba's room.
"Mr. Kaiba?" I asked.
"NO!" he screamed. "No! Please! Stop!"
"Mr. Kaiba!" I asked again, shaking the screaming teen. Suddenly, Kaiba stopped screaming and lay still. I lay him back down and walked back to my desk in the lobby, the boy's screams still hanging in the air.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~~~~ I smashed my foot into my teacher's stomach and watched as she stumbled a bit. I was surprised that my thirteen-year-old body was capable of so much power.
"Good, Seto." My trainer grinned, standing up. I really liked her. She was always encouraging when we were alone and she never questioned the bruises on my back. We both knew where they had come from and her questions would just embarrass me. "Try it again with a bit more anger."
"Anger?" I asked.
"Anger." She nodded. "Use more force. Anger is always a good trigger. Come on. Kick me again."
I nodded and got in the set up position. I knew I couldn't really hurt her because she was ready for my blow and could fall just right so the pain would be minimized. I sighed and closed my eyes. I saw my usually punishments and then saw my adopted father striking Mokuba. He'd only done it once, but the mer though made my blood boil. I repeated the image and opened my eyes. I ran forward and jumped. My foot came down and hit the floor. I looked around surprised. Where had my teacher gone? I looked up and saw that my tutor was staring at me.
"Did I do something wrong?" I asked, confused. She shook his head, cautiously. "Then why did you move?"
"Seto, we weren't doing that kick. That kind of kick could have killed me." My instructor told me. I looked at my feet and blushed.
"Sorry." I muttered.
"Let's continue with the lesson." My teacher suggested. "This time, no anger." ~~~~
~~~~ "And that's for showing emotion!" He yelled punching me again. "Never show emotion!"
I fell to my knees and waited for the next blow.
"Get out of my sight." He hissed. I jumped up and ran away. I made it to the bathroom my tears mixing with the blood from my cuts, stinging like mad. I pulled off my shirt and turned on the shower. I stripped off my clothes and got into the hot shower, letting the water run over my body, washing the dirt from my cuts. I looked at my body and couldn't even begin to count the scars that my ever-present trench coat hid. I got out of the shower and bandaged my new cuts. I pulled on my bathrobe and looked at my face in the mirror. I was thirteen and I looked five years older. I watched in horror as my face transformed into his.
"No! I'm not you. I will never be you!" I screamed at his face, clutching the sink. The face just shook its head and laughed. "Go away! Please! Leave me alone!"
The face faded from sight and was soon replaced my own reflection. I watched as tears poured down my face, leaving salty trails. I let the sobs rack my body and sank to my knees, unable to support my weight. Collapsing onto the floor, I let my head fall into my hands, and cried myself dry. The tears fell fast and carelessly as I cried for myself and for my brother. I let myself cry for the cuts and bruises that riddled my body, causing its pain. I cried for almost half an hour; crying until I couldn't cry anymore. I stood up slowly and looked myself in the mirror, suddenly realizing that the face was right. I was he. My heart was stone and my eyes were empty. I would never cry again. I had become the monster and he knew it. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I looked up from my work as another cry echoed down the hall. It was that boy again; the rich one named Kaiba. It was really sad that both he and his brother were here for bullet wounds. I sighed and put down my pen. Mr. Kaiba must suffer from truly terrible nightmares. Perhaps it was his shoulder. It was in a terrible state and his thrashing around was not helping it. I frowned as I stood up. I always had to walk down to his room, shake him a few times, and he would be quiet. Perhaps I would talk to his doctor about some sleeping pills or a room change for Mr. Kaiba. His nightmares weren't letting any of the other patient's sleep.
"No!" The boy was yelling. "I won't I swear! I'm nothing like you! Monster!"
I reached over, grabbed him by his left shoulder and shook him roughly. I continued for a minute before the boy went limp and I laid him back down on the bed. I walked back to my desk and wrote myself a note to speak with his doctor in the morning.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(AN: The following memory was actually inspired by a picture I once saw. Here's a link in case you care to check it out http://www.geocities.com/bountyhunterwitch/Kaiba_And_Goza.html. Sister put it up on her site, so there you go. Kinda grainy but it's the best I can do!)
~~~~ I stared straight at the wall in front of me. Studying the wall, I decided that the walls of his office were the ugliest walls I'd ever seen in my life. I could feel him circling me, studying my reaction and my posture. I didn't watch him cautiously or warily, like I used to. There was no need. He didn't scare me anymore. I can't be scared of what I am. And I was he. My indifference must have gotten under his skin, because, before I knew it, a fist was coming for the side of my head. Years of training kicked in and I leaned back, dodging it.
"Good." He nodded, taking his arm back. "You have changed, Seto."
I didn't answer. I didn't have to.
"You're just like me, Seto. You know that? Just like me. I'm amazed. You've changed so fast. You're only... how old are you?"
"I'm thirteen." I told him, my voice a monotone. 'No emotion. No hatred. No love. Nothing.'
"Ah." He nodded, as if remembering. "Very well, Seto. You may leave. Another training session tomorrow. I nodded stiffly and turned, leaving the room. I made my way to my own room and was surprised to see Mokuba sitting on my bed, waiting for me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly, turning away from him.
"I wanted to make sure you're alright." Mokuba shrugged.
"I'm fine." I told him. Mokuba stared at me closely and I let out a sigh.
"You sure?" Mokuba asked.
'Perhaps a bit of emotion couldn't hurt.' I reasoned. I turned and ruffled his hair.
"I'm fine, kid." I nodded. He decided not to push it and smiled. He hoped of the bed, hugged me around the knees and left the room, leaving me alone to think. ~~~~
~~~~ I walked into his office and looked at him. He was working on a project and barely spared me a glance.
"Seto?" He asked. "Go home. We don't have another training session until later."
"I'm not here about that." I told him. I clenched a hand behind my back, my one sign of nervousness, and stepped forward. "It's a bit stuffy in here, don't you think?"
"No." He replied. "I like it this way."
"I'll open a window." I told him, pretending like he hadn't spoken. I walked behind him and pushed one of the large windows open. I walked back to his door and shut it firmly.
"What are you doing?" He asked me. I smiled to myself. 'He's uneasy. Good, he should be. He should be terrified of me.'
"I'm here to kill you." I told him calmly. "Don't bother calling for your secretary. She's on maternity leave, remember? No one knows I'm here. The entire building has gone home. Work days over."
"Finger prints. You'll be traced." He told me.
'He is trying to find holes in my plan. Good, let him. There aren't any.'
"Gloves." I told him, waving my gloved hands so he could see them.
The tapes!" He shrugged, standing up. "Someone can use those against you."
"I AM a genius. You think I haven't already thought of that? I took some tapes from a few years ago and edited the date."
"Where are my guards?" He asked me. I could tell he was getting desperate.
"You always give them Fridays off." I told him, a small smile playing on my face. He turned around and reached out to close the window. I came up behind him and grabbed him by the neck so he was leaning out over the ledge. I could see that his fear of heights was making him sweat. I laughed.
"Seto!" He whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. I gave him a push and he lost his grip on the window. As he tumbled to his death, His scream reached my ears. I listened as he hit the concrete with a sickening thump. I glanced out the window to make sure he was dead and saw his mangled body lying in the sidewalk. I nodded and permitted a small smile to cross my face.
"Good-bye." I snickered and left the building by the back door. ~~~~
~~~~ I was sitting at my desk working on a project when a person knocked on my door.
"Yes?" I asked. The door opened and Mokuba walked in.
"Seto. There are police in the living room. They want to speak with you."
"Did they say what it was about?" I asked even though I already knew.
"No, they just said they want to talk to us." Mokuba shrugged.
"Alright." I nodded, closing down my computer. I walked down the stairs, caring Mokuba on my back. I looked down at the two officers who were sitting on the couch. I entered the room and let Mokuba jump down onto a chair.
"Be careful." I warned Mokuba. "Gozaburo won't like it if you damage the chairs."
"Alright brother." Mokuba nodded. I smiled at him and ruffled his hair. One of the officers coughed and I turned to face them.
"I'm sorry. What did you wish to speak with me about?" I asked forcing a smile.
"Sir, you may want to sit down." The male cop told me.
"I'm fine." I shrugged. "Now, why are you here?"
"Well, you see sir, it seems that your guardian is dead." The sitting policewoman told me. I stared at her, pretending to be shocked.
"Mokuba, it's past your bed time. Go to your room." I told my brother without looking at him.
"Yes brother." Mokuba sighed. I waited till he was gone before I sank into a chair.
"Could you repeat yourself?" I asked the women.
"Gozaburo Kaiba is dead."
"Oh my God." I whispered, allowing my true horror to show. 'I've just killed a man.'
"I'm sorry we had to tell you." The policeman sighed.
"Do you know what happened?" I asked.
"It seems that about 9:30 he moved to close one of his windows and fell out."
"An accident then." I sighed. I closed my eyes and covered my eyes with my hands. 'They don't suspect anything. I've gotten away with it. Oh God.'
"We'll leave you now. His body is in the morgue, if you want to collect it."
"No." I sighed. "He donated his body to science."
"Very well sir." The woman nodded standing. I showed them out and allowed the maid the rest of the week off. I made it half way up the stairs before I felt my mind catch up with my body.
'I'm free. Yet still trapped. I suppose I own KaibaCorp now.'
"Seto?" Mokuba asked. He was standing in the doorway to his room, dressed in his pajamas. "Is he really dead?"
"He is." I nodded. He clutched onto my coat and I sank to my knees, holding him close, trying to comfort my brother.
"It's okay. You're safe now. We're all safe." I whispered over and over again. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I sat up sharply and tried to catch my breath.
"It's just a memory." I whispered, trying to reassure myself. "It's just a dream. It's the past. He can't hurt them or me. Only I can."
Hurts XI
~~~~ I studied the board in front of me and felt my face break from its almost constant poker face. I quickly took a breath and put my poker face back on. I moved my queen two spaces and looked up at the man in front of me.
"I believe that's Check and mate, Mr. Kaiba." I smiled, politely extending my hand for him to shake. He looked from me to the board, almost in disbelief. I smiled to myself. Most people couldn't believe I was such a good player. I always shrugged them off. I was a genius after all. The man in front of me was also smiling now.
"I believe it is, Seto." He nodded. "I shall be off to sign the papers for you now."
"I'm sorry, sir." I said quickly. "It's me and my brother, Mokuba, or neither of us. You promised that when I first challenged you. It's a package deal, sir."
The man stared at me intently, but I wasn't intimidated. I couldn't afford to be. Mokuba was my brother and we stuck together no matter what!
"All right, my boy." The man nodded slowly. "I'll be off to sign the forms for you and your brother now."
"Thank you sir." I grinned, fighting the urge to jump over the chess table and hug the man. At last! Mokuba and I would have a home! ~~~~
~~~~ I stepped out of the car and felt Mokuba tug on my hand.
"Big brother?" Mokuba asked, when I looked down at him.
"Yes?"
"Where are we?" Mokuba asked, his eyes showing his unease.
"This is our new home, Mokuba." I told him, stopping down so I was on eye level with him. "Remember that day I went and played a game of chess with the man? I beat him. He's adopted us."
"So we're not living in the orphanage anymore?" Mokuba asked. I sighed. I'd taken a few minutes to explain this to Mokuba before we left, but I should have known he wouldn't full understand. He hadn't been very old when we started getting tossed around. The longest we'd stayed at a single relative's house was about a year. Mokuba had never had a steady home life and the orphanage had been the most secure place we'd been in since our parent's death.
"No. But I promise you. This house is permanent. No more moving all the time; no more switching schools and friends. We're hear till we are old enough to take care of ourselves."
"Oh." Mokuba nodded. "So now I have a father?"
"I suppose so." I shrugged. Mokuba nodded again then stopped as if a horrible thought had struck him.
"Are you still my brother?" Mokuba asked.
"Of course." I laughed. "I will ALWAYS be your big brother. I promise you. Just like I promised that nothing would separate us. I keep my promises."
"Okay." Mokuba nodded. I smiled and we stood watching the driver carry our two suitcases into the mansion. "Seto? I'm scared."
"So am I." I told him. I wasn't really. Apprehensive, maybe, but not scared. I just wanted him to feel better. "Don't worry, little brother. I'll protect you."
"Promise?" Mokuba asked. I nodded.
'Three promises. I'll keep them all.' ~~~~
~~~~ "NO!" I cried out as the belt came down. I let out a muffled sob and the belt came down harder.
"Weakling! Idiot! Brainless! Bastard! Pathetic! Why can't you do anything right?!" He spat, the belt coming down with each word. Finally the beating stopped and I heard him walk away. I stood up and waited for him to speak, my eyes fixed firmly on my toes. Looking him in the eye could result in another beating. "Go. Next time I won't be so kind."
"Yes, sir." I mumbled, limping out of the room. I entered my own room, knocked on my closet door and waited a second before knocking again.
"Seto?" Mokuba asked, coming out of the closet. I watched him look around cautiously and let out a long sigh. "Is it safe now?"
"It's safe." I nodded, not meeting his eye.
"Will you be okay?" Mokuba asked, looking at my already bruised back.
"I'll be fine. I'll just have to do better."
"Alright brother." Mokuba nodded, closing the door to the hall softly as he left. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Please." Kaiba begged, rolling over in his sleep, pain shooting up his shoulder. "It hurts so much. Please stop."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~~~~ I looked at my feet as he flipped through the game system I had invented. I hoped it would pass. With him nothing was ever excellent. 'Passable' was the best I'd ever achieved. I waited and suddenly a foot slammed into my back.
"Dismal." He snarled, standing over me. He picked up the stick and brought it down as if he was going to hit my head. I cringed and it stopped inches from my head. I risked opening an eye and saw that he was grinning. "Tomorrow you start martial arts training." He told me. I blinked in confusion, and lowered my shoulders and he brought the stick up again. "But, now, for your punishment."
I watched as the stick came down. Another punishment was beginning. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A scream echoed down the hall and I ran into Kaiba's room.
"Mr. Kaiba?" I asked.
"NO!" he screamed. "No! Please! Stop!"
"Mr. Kaiba!" I asked again, shaking the screaming teen. Suddenly, Kaiba stopped screaming and lay still. I lay him back down and walked back to my desk in the lobby, the boy's screams still hanging in the air.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~~~~ I smashed my foot into my teacher's stomach and watched as she stumbled a bit. I was surprised that my thirteen-year-old body was capable of so much power.
"Good, Seto." My trainer grinned, standing up. I really liked her. She was always encouraging when we were alone and she never questioned the bruises on my back. We both knew where they had come from and her questions would just embarrass me. "Try it again with a bit more anger."
"Anger?" I asked.
"Anger." She nodded. "Use more force. Anger is always a good trigger. Come on. Kick me again."
I nodded and got in the set up position. I knew I couldn't really hurt her because she was ready for my blow and could fall just right so the pain would be minimized. I sighed and closed my eyes. I saw my usually punishments and then saw my adopted father striking Mokuba. He'd only done it once, but the mer though made my blood boil. I repeated the image and opened my eyes. I ran forward and jumped. My foot came down and hit the floor. I looked around surprised. Where had my teacher gone? I looked up and saw that my tutor was staring at me.
"Did I do something wrong?" I asked, confused. She shook his head, cautiously. "Then why did you move?"
"Seto, we weren't doing that kick. That kind of kick could have killed me." My instructor told me. I looked at my feet and blushed.
"Sorry." I muttered.
"Let's continue with the lesson." My teacher suggested. "This time, no anger." ~~~~
~~~~ "And that's for showing emotion!" He yelled punching me again. "Never show emotion!"
I fell to my knees and waited for the next blow.
"Get out of my sight." He hissed. I jumped up and ran away. I made it to the bathroom my tears mixing with the blood from my cuts, stinging like mad. I pulled off my shirt and turned on the shower. I stripped off my clothes and got into the hot shower, letting the water run over my body, washing the dirt from my cuts. I looked at my body and couldn't even begin to count the scars that my ever-present trench coat hid. I got out of the shower and bandaged my new cuts. I pulled on my bathrobe and looked at my face in the mirror. I was thirteen and I looked five years older. I watched in horror as my face transformed into his.
"No! I'm not you. I will never be you!" I screamed at his face, clutching the sink. The face just shook its head and laughed. "Go away! Please! Leave me alone!"
The face faded from sight and was soon replaced my own reflection. I watched as tears poured down my face, leaving salty trails. I let the sobs rack my body and sank to my knees, unable to support my weight. Collapsing onto the floor, I let my head fall into my hands, and cried myself dry. The tears fell fast and carelessly as I cried for myself and for my brother. I let myself cry for the cuts and bruises that riddled my body, causing its pain. I cried for almost half an hour; crying until I couldn't cry anymore. I stood up slowly and looked myself in the mirror, suddenly realizing that the face was right. I was he. My heart was stone and my eyes were empty. I would never cry again. I had become the monster and he knew it. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I looked up from my work as another cry echoed down the hall. It was that boy again; the rich one named Kaiba. It was really sad that both he and his brother were here for bullet wounds. I sighed and put down my pen. Mr. Kaiba must suffer from truly terrible nightmares. Perhaps it was his shoulder. It was in a terrible state and his thrashing around was not helping it. I frowned as I stood up. I always had to walk down to his room, shake him a few times, and he would be quiet. Perhaps I would talk to his doctor about some sleeping pills or a room change for Mr. Kaiba. His nightmares weren't letting any of the other patient's sleep.
"No!" The boy was yelling. "I won't I swear! I'm nothing like you! Monster!"
I reached over, grabbed him by his left shoulder and shook him roughly. I continued for a minute before the boy went limp and I laid him back down on the bed. I walked back to my desk and wrote myself a note to speak with his doctor in the morning.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(AN: The following memory was actually inspired by a picture I once saw. Here's a link in case you care to check it out http://www.geocities.com/bountyhunterwitch/Kaiba_And_Goza.html. Sister put it up on her site, so there you go. Kinda grainy but it's the best I can do!)
~~~~ I stared straight at the wall in front of me. Studying the wall, I decided that the walls of his office were the ugliest walls I'd ever seen in my life. I could feel him circling me, studying my reaction and my posture. I didn't watch him cautiously or warily, like I used to. There was no need. He didn't scare me anymore. I can't be scared of what I am. And I was he. My indifference must have gotten under his skin, because, before I knew it, a fist was coming for the side of my head. Years of training kicked in and I leaned back, dodging it.
"Good." He nodded, taking his arm back. "You have changed, Seto."
I didn't answer. I didn't have to.
"You're just like me, Seto. You know that? Just like me. I'm amazed. You've changed so fast. You're only... how old are you?"
"I'm thirteen." I told him, my voice a monotone. 'No emotion. No hatred. No love. Nothing.'
"Ah." He nodded, as if remembering. "Very well, Seto. You may leave. Another training session tomorrow. I nodded stiffly and turned, leaving the room. I made my way to my own room and was surprised to see Mokuba sitting on my bed, waiting for me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly, turning away from him.
"I wanted to make sure you're alright." Mokuba shrugged.
"I'm fine." I told him. Mokuba stared at me closely and I let out a sigh.
"You sure?" Mokuba asked.
'Perhaps a bit of emotion couldn't hurt.' I reasoned. I turned and ruffled his hair.
"I'm fine, kid." I nodded. He decided not to push it and smiled. He hoped of the bed, hugged me around the knees and left the room, leaving me alone to think. ~~~~
~~~~ I walked into his office and looked at him. He was working on a project and barely spared me a glance.
"Seto?" He asked. "Go home. We don't have another training session until later."
"I'm not here about that." I told him. I clenched a hand behind my back, my one sign of nervousness, and stepped forward. "It's a bit stuffy in here, don't you think?"
"No." He replied. "I like it this way."
"I'll open a window." I told him, pretending like he hadn't spoken. I walked behind him and pushed one of the large windows open. I walked back to his door and shut it firmly.
"What are you doing?" He asked me. I smiled to myself. 'He's uneasy. Good, he should be. He should be terrified of me.'
"I'm here to kill you." I told him calmly. "Don't bother calling for your secretary. She's on maternity leave, remember? No one knows I'm here. The entire building has gone home. Work days over."
"Finger prints. You'll be traced." He told me.
'He is trying to find holes in my plan. Good, let him. There aren't any.'
"Gloves." I told him, waving my gloved hands so he could see them.
The tapes!" He shrugged, standing up. "Someone can use those against you."
"I AM a genius. You think I haven't already thought of that? I took some tapes from a few years ago and edited the date."
"Where are my guards?" He asked me. I could tell he was getting desperate.
"You always give them Fridays off." I told him, a small smile playing on my face. He turned around and reached out to close the window. I came up behind him and grabbed him by the neck so he was leaning out over the ledge. I could see that his fear of heights was making him sweat. I laughed.
"Seto!" He whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. I gave him a push and he lost his grip on the window. As he tumbled to his death, His scream reached my ears. I listened as he hit the concrete with a sickening thump. I glanced out the window to make sure he was dead and saw his mangled body lying in the sidewalk. I nodded and permitted a small smile to cross my face.
"Good-bye." I snickered and left the building by the back door. ~~~~
~~~~ I was sitting at my desk working on a project when a person knocked on my door.
"Yes?" I asked. The door opened and Mokuba walked in.
"Seto. There are police in the living room. They want to speak with you."
"Did they say what it was about?" I asked even though I already knew.
"No, they just said they want to talk to us." Mokuba shrugged.
"Alright." I nodded, closing down my computer. I walked down the stairs, caring Mokuba on my back. I looked down at the two officers who were sitting on the couch. I entered the room and let Mokuba jump down onto a chair.
"Be careful." I warned Mokuba. "Gozaburo won't like it if you damage the chairs."
"Alright brother." Mokuba nodded. I smiled at him and ruffled his hair. One of the officers coughed and I turned to face them.
"I'm sorry. What did you wish to speak with me about?" I asked forcing a smile.
"Sir, you may want to sit down." The male cop told me.
"I'm fine." I shrugged. "Now, why are you here?"
"Well, you see sir, it seems that your guardian is dead." The sitting policewoman told me. I stared at her, pretending to be shocked.
"Mokuba, it's past your bed time. Go to your room." I told my brother without looking at him.
"Yes brother." Mokuba sighed. I waited till he was gone before I sank into a chair.
"Could you repeat yourself?" I asked the women.
"Gozaburo Kaiba is dead."
"Oh my God." I whispered, allowing my true horror to show. 'I've just killed a man.'
"I'm sorry we had to tell you." The policeman sighed.
"Do you know what happened?" I asked.
"It seems that about 9:30 he moved to close one of his windows and fell out."
"An accident then." I sighed. I closed my eyes and covered my eyes with my hands. 'They don't suspect anything. I've gotten away with it. Oh God.'
"We'll leave you now. His body is in the morgue, if you want to collect it."
"No." I sighed. "He donated his body to science."
"Very well sir." The woman nodded standing. I showed them out and allowed the maid the rest of the week off. I made it half way up the stairs before I felt my mind catch up with my body.
'I'm free. Yet still trapped. I suppose I own KaibaCorp now.'
"Seto?" Mokuba asked. He was standing in the doorway to his room, dressed in his pajamas. "Is he really dead?"
"He is." I nodded. He clutched onto my coat and I sank to my knees, holding him close, trying to comfort my brother.
"It's okay. You're safe now. We're all safe." I whispered over and over again. ~~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I sat up sharply and tried to catch my breath.
"It's just a memory." I whispered, trying to reassure myself. "It's just a dream. It's the past. He can't hurt them or me. Only I can."