Sorry for the delay everyone…I've had writer's block. Writer's block sucks. :P
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
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Chapter Four
" Mokuba, I run a company. Tell me, where are we going?"
Seto reluctantly tagged along with his brother as Mokuba pulled him down the sidewalk.
His mind was occupied of whether he should join alliance with that company from Kyoto…as shops flashed by, he amusedly noticed his face on a magazine rack. Some people were pointing at him, mostly girls, who giggled mindlessly as he passed them.
Frowning, he didn't realize it when Mokuba stopped and nearly crashed into his little brother.
"Here!"
Mokuba announced, pointing to a loud, people-filled, noisy corner on the sidewalk.
Seto blinked, unsure of what he was seeing. His insides did a somersault, and his hand went to grasp his little brother's shoulders, turning him around.
"Mokuba…the amazingly important thing that you NEEDED to show me was an ARCADE?!"
Alecia walked along the aisles of blaring arcade-y sounds, thoughtfully frowning. She blinked, wondering where Mokuba was. He had promised to play Tetris one last time before she and Kestrel left for Hiroshima to discuss something with one-or-another government official.
She squinted in the bleary, flashing lights, sure she had spotted the short cobalt gray eyed boy somewhere ahead. Jerking her head to avoid the torrent of people crowded around one game; she squeezed through the mob and spotted the boy.
Not exactly spotted-all she saw was the back of his head, his hair, and his shoulders-his shoulders?!
Somebody's hand was on his shoulder!
It didn't take her long to make the connection. Mokuba was rich! He was being stalked! Somebody was going to take him hostage!
The girl's mouth dropped open.
Ducking under someone's arm, she ran to her short friend, blindly ripping the stalker's hand off his body. Wildly kicking out at the other person, she heard the figure give a faint grunt.
Her panicked eyes connected with Mokuba's, who was staring at her quizzically with a look of amazement.
"Are you okay? Mokuba?"
Alecia tilted her head in confusion as the boy across from her burst into laughter.
Yugi Muto chatted happily with his friends, the Millennium Puzzle clanking across his chest.
Suddenly, Joey and Tristan came to a stop as they stared in silence at something near the arcade.
Yugi turned around, asking, "What's up?"
Tears were welling up in Joey's eyes, and his whole face had gone red.
Tea glanced at where they were looking at, and her mouth dropped open.
Yugi was about to turn toward the center of attention too, when he was distracted by Joey and Tristan's guffaws of laughter. The blond haired boy fell to the concrete sidewalk, gasping with (not-so-well) suppressed snickers.
Yugi bent down, and offered Joey a hand.
"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.
All Joey did was point.
Yugi turned, and his violet eyes widened.
"Kaiba!"
He rushed over to the scene as fast as his (short) legs would carry him, pulling the CEO to his knees.
"What happened?"
Alecia whirled, and spotted Yugi with... Oh my GOD!
Yugi whirled, and spotted Mokuba with the person who had... Kami-sama...!
Kaiba whirled, and spotted his little brother with... All right, who the hell kicked me?
"Um...hi everyone," Yugi greeted slowly.
Alecia had reddened, until her face resembled a plucked cherry at the peak of ripeness (or maybe even over-ripe).
Kaiba gazed around coldly at his surroundings, wryly spotting Yugi's 'gang' that seemed to follow him everywhere (That Chihuahua better not be laughing...) and Ale-Miss. Riese.
"Yugi," he answered composedly, looking down his nose at the tri-color haired boy.
Yugi nodded, and gave a faint smile.
"Now, Mokuba, if you have nothing better to do, let's go home."
He started to step forward, when he felt a hand on his wrist.
Turning around, he looked down to see Yugi Muto next to him. The small boy opened his mouth hesitantly, but began quietly so no one but them would hear.
"Kaiba, you…really should spend more time with Mokuba. He looks up to you."
And with that, Seto Kaiba's (The Genius, the CEO, and the former Duel Monsters Champion) opposition got him to spend an entire afternoon playing video games that mostly were ones that he himself had created.
Seto skulked in the background behind Alecia (who was uneasily trying to avoid him) and Mokuba (who was so hyper and happy you could've sworn he had had sugar for breakfast).
Alecia glanced down with compassion at the younger boy, and shot a look at his brother, who deadpanned his way through the crowd with distinct grumpiness. Closing her eyes, she thought, What the heck, it's my last day here. Might as well owe it to Mokuba. Shame he loves that brother of his so much...
"Look, Seto! PINBALL!" Mokuba exclaimed, pointing to the unoccupied machine.
Alecia, now a brazen flush coming into her cheeks, took action.
"Hmmm-"
He looked down in surprise as somebody grabbed his arm, hauling him toward the game. It was the girl.
"Look," Alecia hissed, "I'm sorry I kicked you, but you're not exactly having any fun. That's what arcades and little brothers are for. And seriously, the Great Seto Kaiba that can live through any amount of business meetings like the ones that my mother goes through should be able to handle an afternoon of playing video games. Or can he?" muttered the black haired girl sarcastically, pushing him toward the pinball game.
"I..." stated Kaiba flatly, trailing off.
There was absolutely no other way to say plain and clear that Seto Kaiba did NOT know how to play pinball and still keep his pride.
Mokuba had already started the game, and Seto broodingly watched, finally realizing how good his brother was at these...games.
He eyed the game in silent amazement as his brother's score climbed...and climbed…and climbed to 4,668, 959, 878, 423.
Mokuba turned around, eyes shining.
He piped up, "Of course, you can do better, big brother..."
Seto's mouth twitched.
Alecia gave a wry smile as the younger boy pushed the taller one to the machine, slipped a quarter into the slot, and placed his brother's pale hand on the various knobs. Kaiba had a stiff, rigid composure as he hesitantly pulled back the handle…
Leaning back against another machine, she crossed her arms, an amused smile hovering about her lips.
I bet this is one of the things Seto Kaiba can't do...
Mokuba and her watched as Kaiba's score climbed…and climbed…and climbed…to 4,668,959,878,421.
Alecia's mouth dropped open, and she sweat-dropped. Glory...
"Hey, big brother! I'm two points higher than you!"
Mokuba chirped, and a nerve pounded in Kaiba's temple.
Alecia ran her tongue over her dry lips, and an idea popped into her head. A slow grin curved over her face mischievously.
As Seto Kaiba turned to her when she spoke, Kaiba was sure that look on her face ought to be fined.
"Let's go eat, shall we?"
"Alecia, are you coming back to Domino City?"
The girl bit into an onion ring, thoughtfully knitting her eyebrows together.
"I doubt it," she finished shortly.
Glancing over at Mokuba's brother, who had taken out his ever-present laptop, she eyed his untouched hamburger.
Mokuba looked up from taking a hungry bite into a fry.
"Mokuba...why don't you go buy…a dessert?"
The boy's face twinkled with something for a second that she could've sworn was mischief, but nodded and jumped toward the counter.
Bending across the table, she passed her hand over Kaiba's face. The CEO was indifferent, clacking away at the laptop keys. Undaunted, Alecia continued.
Finally, the annoyance got to Kaiba's (short) temper, and he caught her wrist, snapping, "What do you want?"
She nodded toward his food. "Eat."
Kaiba scoffed. "You forced me into playing pinball today. And you expect me to obey your every whim…?"
Alecia smiled mockingly. "All for your little brother...you know, sir, if I didn't know you were still in high school, that deadpan look on your face makes it almost look like he's your son."
Though this was very untrue, Kaiba still didn't let someone have the last word and live (take his five feet under step-dad, who, of course, deserved it but nonetheless…) to talk about it.
Blinking emotionlessly, he said bluntly, "Insubordinate."
Alecia returned an insult.
"Jerk."
"Incompetent."
"Moron."
"Baka."
"Anorexic."
Alecia's voice rang with triumph.
Seto Kaiba glared, his face full of impassionate despising.
"I dare you."
Alecia waved to Mokuba as their limo passed out of sight.
She smiled, remembering the last half hour. She had gotten Kaiba to eat a hamburger.
Reflecting on what she was thinking, she realized how idiotic that sounded, and burst into silent laughter.
Advancing the steps with a skip, she made it to the apartment room and opened it.
Kestrel was inside, talking urgently to someone on the phone.
Alecia blinked as she heard Kestrel's impassive voice started to press insistently on some subject.
Her ears perked as she heard her own reference; Kestrel protesting, "Look, my daughter-"
She stopped abruptly as she saw Alecia, and quickly hung up the phone.
"What's up?" asked Alecia to Kestrel, who looked tired.
The older woman sighed.
"Liccy, we've been relocated," she started hesitantly.
At Alecia's questioning look, she continued.
"To Kyoto."
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In case any of you forgot, Kyoto was where Alecia lived as an orphan. Therefore explaining some angst in the future. ^^
Sorry to all reviewers who have waited for this chapter...
-Serenia