Chapter Nine-Into Kaiba Corp.

Once she felt that she was able, Veronica stood up. She'd landed in the middle of an abandoned parking garage. She looked around, as her eyes adjusted to the dark tunnel-like area. Okay. This is not where I meant to come. I have to find KaibaCorp, because more than likely, that is where Mokuba will be. The young girl hefted the small pack she'd brought with her as she descended ramp after ramp, eventually emerging into blinding daylight. She had to shade her eyes, as she looked around. This didn't look like the Domino City from the TV show.

"Hey, are you lost?" A familiar, yet odd voice asked her.

Veronica turned around; just about ran into Joey Wheeler. "Oh! I'm so sorry.."

Joey put a hand on her shoulder to steady her. "S'okay. You must be new around here. I'm Joey. Joey Wheeler."

"Well, actually…. I'm only visiting. I'm Veronica Skylar. I'm looking for Kaiba Corporation."

Joey frowned slightly, then it turned into a friendly smile. "Kaiba Corp, eh? I know where that is. I'll take you."

"Thank you, Joey." Veronica replied with a smile. Her mind was whirling though. Would Seto Kaiba even see her? She doubted it. How could she prove her mission to him? And he certainly won't let her anywhere near Mokuba!

"So, is Kaiba your cousin or somethin' ?" The Brooklyn boy asked her after a few minutes.

"No…. We've never met." Veronica wasn't sure if she should tell Joey the truth about her visit. How had the others aside from the Kaibas reacted to Noa? She actually couldn't remember. No, I cannot tell anyone but Mokuba. Those were Noa's orders. And should Seto find out….it won't matter.

"We're here….Hey, are you okay?" Joey was staring at her in great concern.

"I'm fine. Thank you for your trouble." Veronica replied softly, as she stared up at the Kaiba Corporation skyscraper in awe.

"It was no trouble at all. I hope I see you around before you leave." The boy turned and left her at the entrance.

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"I'm sorry. Mr. Kaiba doesn't see anyone without an appointment." The young secretary told the girl for a second time.

"But you don't understand! I have to see him. It's extremely important!" Veronica felt herself getting so desperate she'd be willing to run right past security.

"I'm sorry. You're going to have to make an appointment, just like everybody else. "

Veronica's heart pounded. There was an old defiance boiling in her. The kind that had given her the nickname "Mokuba's apprentice". "Okay. Thank you." She walked away a bit, making it seem like she was going to leave. Then, as soon as the receptionist was distracted, she crawled past her desk. At length, she ran down the hall.

Unfortunately, her antics hadn't gone unnoticed. Security guards were soon chasing her. "Stop! Come on, kid! This is a restricted area!!"

"I'm not leaving until I talk to Mr. Kaiba!" Veronica informed them.

"Why do you want to talk to my brother?" Mokuba caught the fleeing girl, before she ran into him.

Veronica gasped. She'd been looking for Mokuba too, and now she'd nearly ran him over. "Oh! I'm sorry……"

Mokuba looked up at the security guards. "I have this, Roland. Thank you." He led her down the rest of the corridor. "You better have a good excuse for disrupting him. My brother doesn't like to be bothered at work."

"Mokuba….I have to talk to you too. It's a matter of urgency." Veronica managed to say finally.

"How is it you know my name?!" The other ten-year- old practically shouted. "Who are you?!"

"Please. I'll explain as soon as we see Seto." Veronica whispered. The other people involved in Kaiba Corporation needn't know her business.

"Here's your chance." Mokuba opened the door in front of them. "Big Brother. We have a visitor." He pulled Veronica in, closing the door.

Seto Kaiba's eyes narrowed on her. "You're the one who was making all the fuss in the main lobby. Who are you?"

For an instant, Veronica couldn't make her mouth work. It had occurred to her exactly how closely Seto resembled Vincent in his mannerisms. Oh Vinnie…I miss you, Brother. I'm trying to get home to you. Don't give up…don't forget me…

"Well?" Kaiba spoke up again, irritably. "Explain yourself immediately!"

Veronica bit her bottom lip, another memory occurring to her. "I'm Veronica Skylar. I've come to ask Mokuba's help with something very important." "There you go again, always barking orders!" Noa's words upon his first meeting with Seto struck her as funny for some reason, because they were true. She withheld the urge to laugh.

"My help? With what? And how do you know us?" Mokuba demanded. His voice however was much kinder.

"Your brother Noa sent me." She blurted out finally. It was a do or die situation, and if they didn't believe her, she could attempt to use the virtual key to show them.

"Noa?!" Mokuba's eyes widened incredulously. "How is that possible?!"

"He can do many things." Veronica all but whispered. She was studying Seto's expression. The CEO looked positively infuriated.

"Listen, Kid. I don't have time for practical jokes. How do you know about Noa? Are you working for someone?"

"Noa is my friend, and he's in a lot of trouble. Your foster father is back in virtual world, threatening to destroy it!"

Mokuba gasped. "Oh! That's terrible!"

"Please. My foster father is dead, and has been for many years. As has his son. Now if you're finished….." He picked up his phone. "Roland, come and show Ms. Skylar the way out."

"NO! Mr. Kaiba please!! If we don't help him, Noa will die!" Okay, so that sounded absurd, since most people considered Noa to be dead already, but to her, Noa was very much alive.

"As I already told you. I don't have time for sob stories. Go tell it to someone with the time and heart to listen."

Roland came up behind her, and grabbed her elbow firmly. "Let's go you. You've wasted enough of Mr. Kaiba's time." He dragged her out into the hall.

"Wait!! Kaiba, please!! I'm not making it up! If it all falls apart, I'll never get home!" Veronica felt sobs creeping into her throat.

Mokuba looked at Seto again. His brother was already absorbed in his paper work again. He ran out into the hall. "Hey, Roland! Wait!" He caught up to them. "I'll show her out." Mokuba took Veronica's hand, and they left the building. He wanted the story Seto hadn't let her tell. Also, he wanted to know why she thought virtual world's destruction would mean she couldn't get home.