Chapter Ten-Seto's Choice

Mokuba took Veronica back to the Kaibas' large estate. The young girl gaped. They'd never shown Kaiba Manor on the anime, but she'd had her own vision of it. The real thing was much larger than she'd anticipated. "Whoa…."

Mokuba merely shook his head, grabbing her hand. "Come on. The inside is much bigger." He smiled slightly at the reaction that got him. "You told me on the way over that your family was a mirror image of mine. Isn't your estate just as big?"

"Well…It's not this big. My brother wants to expand it, but it will have to wait until next year." Veronica sighed inwardly. "I miss him, Mokuba."

The young boy nodded, sympathetically. "I know how that feels. Of course, the majority of the time I was with Noa, I don't remember."

Veronica sighed deeply. "I'm sure there are things I don't remember. But the important thing now is that Noa realizes there are people who are willing to be friends without all that brainwashing stuff."

Mokuba nodded. "Yes." Veronica had told him the entire story of how Noa had kidnapped her, then made her go through several ordeals, only to tell her she could not leave. Then his deceased foster father had corrupted what was to be her release. Now the only way Veronica could return to her world would be to free Noa and destroy Gozabouro. "Don't worry, Veronica. I'll help you save him." He took her inside now. "You hungry?"

"Very." It had been nearly two days since she'd eaten anything decent. Veronica explored the parlor,and entrance hall.

"Well, come on." He called from the dining room, which was unseen by her right away.

"Oh! Coming!" She rushed into the room. "Oh!! This is gorgeous!!" She was referring to the table and chairs.

"Thank you." Mokuba replied, handing her a tuna sandwich.

"This is my favorite!" Veronica tore into the delicious sandwich hungrily.

"Mine too. Hey, maybe you are right. Perhaps you're me in your world. What's your brother like?"

"Almost exactly like yours." She told Mokuba. "The only difference is I'm not allowed to go anywhere with him. He went away on a trip the night Noa took me." Veronica shook her head. For some reason, she couldn't remember the details.

"Did something else happen with Noa?" Mokuba asked quietly.

She looked up at him. Mokuba had about six inches on her. "I…I don't remember…I know he showed me my brother…He was crying, Mokuba. I've never seen Vincent cry before."

"We have to get you home to him then." Mokuba said with determination. "He must be so worried."

"Publicity." Veronica muttered. "He doesn't even notice me unless I'm on a dueling platform."

"I'm sure that's not true!" The younger Kaiba put a hand on her shoulder. "Noa told you that, didn't he? He'll never change. He's probably got your mind so confused still…" He paused a minute. "In any case, I'm sure your brother really loves you. Come on." He took her upstairs now. By then, the city's lights were blinking on, as the sun had set. "You can stay here overnight. I think I can convince Seto to listen to you when he gets home."

"Overnight? No, we have to get back tonight, Mokuba! I don't know how long the base will be safe!"

"You won't be any good to Noa if you're exhausted." Mokuba returned calmly. "Besides, you need some sleep. It will give me time to talk Seto into helping. I know he hates Noa, but he's still family." He opened a door, turning on a switch. "This can be your room while you're here."

"Thank you." Suddenly, Veronica felt silly. "I…I didn't bring anything to sleep in…"

"Hmm…. You're not too much shorter than me. I can lend you a pair of my pajamas."

Veronica nodded, and a few minutes later, she found herself in dinosaur night clothes. "These are neat." She grinned at her new friend.

"They glow in the dark." The boy informed her, smiling broadly.

"Great! I won't get lost in the dark corridors. I need a pair of these for at home." Veronica joked, as she turned her bed down.

"Do you need anything else?" Mokuba asked her now.

"No thank you. Good night, Mokuba. Thanks for the pajamas.

"You're welcome." He turned off the switch when the girl was settled into bed.

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"Absurd. Do you believe everything people tell you?" Kaiba asked his younger brother.

"It's true, Seto! She described the base to the tee, and she says our foster father wants to destroy Noa! If he does, Veronica will never get back to her world to her own brother."

"Mokuba, we have no way to prove any of those claims. I believe someone is out to make a fool of us."

"Veronica wouldn't do that! She loves us!" Mokuba insisted. "Listen, Nii-sama. If she's right, and gets stuck here, you'll be responsible for tearing an older brother from his sister. How would you feel it was me?"

"Mokuba….This has to be some kind of joke. Someone knew about our history with Noa, and they're trying to recreate it, using this girl Veronica as a pawn."

"It's not a joke!! Noa kidnapped her, then was going to release her, but his father came back! Her brother's been looking for her for nearly a week, and she really wants to go home to him! If you won't help her, then I will!" Mokuba fled to his room, angrily. How can Seto be so blind? She knew the names of the Big 5. Not everyone knows that, even if they know about Noa. She also knew about Battle City, and how our brother hijacked the battle ship. It's all there. How much more proof does he need?! Don't worry, Veronica. I'll help you save Noa. You obviously feel very close to him. Mokuba pulled out a backpack, and started filling it with things he knew they'd need. He would wake her up at dawn, then they'd see about getting back.

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Damn him…Always getting to my soft spot! This could all be a trap, and he'd be sorry. Well, I won't buy it. But if I know Mokuba…and I do, he'll go along with her back to Virtual world. I'll follow with him, but at a distance. Someone has to make sure he doesn't get hurt. Kaiba shook his head with a growl. He had this distinct impression he was going to regret this, but…oh well. Mokuba would learn the hard way. At least the CEO would be there in case anything did happen.

Kaiba got up, and headed for his room to sleep. If Mokuba gets hurt, that girl Veronica will pay. That's all I have to say. No one tricks the Kaibas like this. No one.