"I'm not sure this is such a good idea." Yami muttered, pacing back and forth in front of the majestic black iron gate of Kaiba Mansion.
/Come on, you know you've got to do this one day or another./ Yugi scolded. /Now, open the iron gates and go knock on the door./
"What if Kaiba set an alarm on the gates so it activates when I open the gates?" Yami countered, stalling for time.
/YAMI!/
"I'm going, I'm going." Yami reached out and wrapped his fingers around the cold solid iron bars but didn't make a move to open it. How did he get himself into this? Is there another choice? His eyes narrowed. There isn't.
He pushed the gate open and walked down the long clean driveway to the Kaiba Mansion door. It was dark and light rain was pouring down. Yami reached the door and stood still. He fussed with his wet bangs and fidgeted with his clothes.
/Now…knock…on…the…door./ Yugi guided slowly, as if guiding a five-year-old. /After this, I'll keep my end of the promise and promise to let you handle everything on your own./
Yami knocked on the extravagant looking door. I can't believe I'm doing this…standing in front of Seto Kaiba's door like a pauper, Yami thought grimly. But I've just got to know. Daphne…she has to be Delphinium…there is just no other explanation. She's got––
The door opened and a stream of light fell across Yami, who blinked from being blinded. When he could see again, he saw Kaiba's tall frame standing in front of him, his lips curled up to a scowl and his eyebrows were lifted with annoyance. Something stirred inside. It's a strange feeling, every time he sees Kaiba, he would have this feeling…almost like a feeling of acceptation. Almost like there had been a time when they were close friends. Sometimes, Yami was sure Kaiba shared the same feelings.
"What do you want, Yami?" Kaiba asked his rival curtly after staring at each other for a few seconds. "I'm a busy man and I have businesses to attend to." Yami took a deep breath, his eyes steady.
"We need to have a talk, Kaiba." His baritone voice was deeper than usual, with the usual smoothness and richness.
"What about? You and I have nothing to talk about." Kaiba narrowed his eyes.
"About Daphne. She's––" Before Yami could finish, Kaiba cutted in.
"Oh no, Yami, you can just get that thought out of your mind right now. I will not allow this and I don't even want to start."
"Kaiba, I know how you feel," Yami said quietly, his voice was certain and filled with understanding. "But you don't understand––"
"Oh, I understand plenty and I will not allow this. My Daphne is not open to date guys like you…especially you. I'm not even happy when she hangs out with you guys at school, much less…you taking her out in public." Something inside Yami snapped. Talking about Daphne was one thing, but accusing him of wanting to date his own daughter was just too much for the King of Games to take.
"Listen, Kaiba!" He snapped. "What you have just said was outrages! I have no intention…and never will…of dating my own blood!"
Kaiba stopped still. His eyes widened slightly and he paled. His hand slipped unconsciously from the door and hung pointlessly by his side.
"If you'll let me in," Yami said calmly. "Then we can talk this over…I'm sure this story is going to be more than you bargained for."
"I'll bet." Kaiba muttered before he looked back his shoulders, then motioned Yami into the luxurious house. "Daphne is in the shower. We can talk this over in my office." With a swish of his indigo trenchcoat, he led Yami through the opulent and lavishly decorated mansion. They reached Kaiba's office and Kaiba closed the door.
"Sit." He gestured to the comfortable chair in front of a busy, but neatly organized desk. He himself sat very business-likely down in the black leather chair behind the mahogany desk. "Now…let's say you give me your explanation."
"Back when I was pharaoh, I found a baby in a papyrus basket floating down the Nile. I brought her back to the palace with me and raised her up. At first, she was Princess Delphinium, but she took after my throne when she was nine and became the queen of Egypt." Yami said simply, saying all he needed to say. Nothing more. Nothing less.
"And what makes you believe that my cousin Daphne is your princess?"
"Because of many things, including this sentiment that I have." Kaiba stared at Yami, waiting for him to say more, but when Yami didn't, he nodded shortly.
"Fair enough, I suppose, though I'd rather have more evidence." He shifted through some files and Yami saw that Kaiba was distraught. Yami also move his fingers restlessly. This is how far we both would go. Yami thought silently. We are each other's biggest rivals, yet we are sitting across from each other and talking about a girl whose presence had not even shown.
"So what's your plan when you see her?" Kaiba asked abruptly, not looking at Yami. He kept his eyes on his papers and Yami kept his eyes on the pattern of the carpet.
"Well…I really don't know." He admitted. "I suppose…watch her for her reactions."
"What makes you think she'd remember you?"
"What's with all these questions?" Yami snapped, his head flew back and his violet eyes burning with fury. Kaiba's pressuring had hit a home run and Yami's worst fear. "I'm not going to eat her, you know! If you really want to know, I don't know if she's going to remember me! Stop treating me like I'm going to tear her from limb to limb in front of you."
"I have to." Kaiba replied calmly. "You see, I don't trust you. I don't trust you at all, especially with my cousin, who has already been harassed more than once ever since she's arrived here. And now that she's living with me, she is my responsibility and I'm going to have to watch out for her well being. Besides, how do you expect me to act when a almost total stranger comes up to my doorstep and declares that my cousin is his daughter?"
"I expect you to act no differently." Yami said lowly. "But it should be up to her to decide whether I'm a stranger or not."
The two antagonists glared at each other until the walls behind them were almost burned through. Icy blue clashed with blazing blood red. A wall formed of flames and ice built in the center of the room as the CEO and the Pharaoh glared into each others eyes, neither of them back down nor admitting defeat.
A clear, enchanting tune floated past their ears and they both looked around, surprised…at different reasons. The ambrosial melody was haunting and mysterious, yet they couldn't miss the sad, melancholy harmony that flowed along with the smooth, alluring aria. Kaiba nodded, though he looked surprised.
"That would be Daphne and her silver flute." He said, though more to himself. But Yami wasn't listening. He jumped up and his eyes widened and the flames subdued. Kaiba stood up also and looked at Yami suspiciously.
"That…tune," Yami finally cracked, swallowing hard. The melody that could tame the beasts and cure the sick and pass peace and serenity to the needed…
"What about it? She probably picked it up in Egypt." Kaiba frowned as Yami shook his head.
"No, Kaiba, you are wrong." Yami turned, and Kaiba could see that the former pharaoh of Egypt's eyes were misty. "That was a melody she wrote on her ninth birthday. We wrote it together besides the lily fountain. This was the last piece we worked together and it was her favorite." He whirled around and grabbed Kaiba's arm. "I've got to see her, Kaiba! I've just got to!" Kaiba looked uncertain for the first time that Yami's ever seen. His fingers shook as he placed it on the knob of his door and opened it.
"Follow me." He motioned Yami to follow him. Again, Kaiba led them through the house to the other side of the mansion. He stopped in front of a door and knocked.
"Daphne?" He called.
"Yeah?" The melody stopped and the two teens could heard Mokuba plead. "Don't go yet, Daph, play some more. I like it."
"Mokuba, I need to borrow Daphne for a moment." Kaiba raised his voice so he could be heard above his little brother's begging. "Daphne, I have someone here I want you to meet." Yami shuffled from his position uncomfortably. What if she doesn't remember me? He bit his lips nervously.
"Coming," they heard the girl call. "Now, Mokuba, I'll be right back, but I'm going to have to meet this person." The door opened and Daphne emerged, once again donned in her goddess-like robe, her head stilled turned back from talking to Mokuba. Her face was bright and soft from just having spent time with her little cousin and soaking through the richness of the love of her music.
Kaiba felt Yami stiffened beside him. Daphne turned, her lips still curled up to a loving smile. Yami felt his dry tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. Daphne froze, the radiance and glow drained and her face paled. Yami opened his mouth, though no words came out. She looked even more stunning, standing in front of him and now, there was not a single doubt who Daphne was. If she could only remember…
His gaze was so intense that Daphne felt as if it might burn her. She swallowed hard. Her hands trembled and her heart began to race. Those eyes…that voice…the feelings…
No words were needed. A warm recognition took over her shock and surprise. She dipped deeply, casting her violet eyes shyly downward.
"Pharaoh Yu-Gi-Oh."