**** I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh ****
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Blush Response
Roux could feel herself shaking all over, even with the heat of the noon sun on her skin. She looked all around her. Through the crowds of people, she could see suits make their way towards her. No one had seemed to notice them, or the fact that Roux was scared at the sight of them.
Instinctively she could feel them closing in on her, and with her back to the town's fountain in the middle of the square, she had no escape, no place to run. She was running out of options. She couldn't try to run past them; they were bigger than she was and they were all around. She tried to call for help, for anyone, for Joey, but she found that her throat was dry and her voice inaudible.
Not just a little ways away, Marik stood from the balcony of a nearby office building, high enough so he could see his men closing in on Roux. With his arms crossed, he watched with a grin on his face. He was deliciously enjoying the moment.
This was his first time seeing Roux in real life, basically. He had seen her of course in the photograph at Kale Tori's apartment that night he killed the famous photographer, but he hadn't seen her in real life. He hadn't counted on her being so attractive. Her picture didn't do her a bit of justice.
Indeed Marik wouldn't have been surprised if she wooed every man, even Seto Kaiba, her protector, to her seduction. Marik knew for a fact that she wasn't a temptress or a seductress, because she had married Kale Tori, and any woman who married him was the sweet and loving type. Marik couldn't live with the sweet and loving type. If he were going to keep her after taking her Millennium stone from her, he'd have to think of some way to alter her personality.
Marik grinned wider as he saw her with her back against the fountain, and his men slowly formed a circle to secure her. She could not escape now, and it made Marik laugh with triumph.
Roux had her back against the fountain, this was true, and tears were threatening to spill from her jeweled eyes. The suits had gathered together in a circle, closing in towards her. Roux's jaw began to shake as she tried to find the courage to scream. One of the goons, once he was close enough, reached out to grab her.
Suddenly something incredible happened.
From where she was crouched, hiding her face with her hands, she could barely hear a voice shouting in among the crowd off towards the street. But once she had heard this voice, she heard an incredible sound, and the people screaming.
When Roux peeked out from her hands, she saw that the goons were all distracted by something behind them. Roux could see the outline of an enormous structure against the sun. People were screaming and running for their dear lives, and to the wind came an incredible roar, but one that Roux faintly recognized.
The suits had seemed to forget about Roux, as they turned their backs to her and stared up at the structure before them. They seemed glued to their feet. Roux struggled to get to her feet, holding the edge of the fountain to support her weak legs, and she looked up.
She let out a relieved sight, and smiled greatly. The Blue Eyes White Dragon.
From his observing spot, Marik's smile was instantly gone and his eyebrows furred. He felt rage begin to flare within him as she spotted the Blue Eyes White Dragon down among the crowd, scaring the hell out of almost everyone in the square. People were running this way and that, screaming, running for their lives.
Marik sneered. Kaiba, he and that new technology of his, the piece of equipment he had used the first time Marik had attempted to capture Roux. It must have been in his briefcase. Marik's hands balled into fists tightly.
He didn't even watch. Marik turned his back to what was happening below and turned to exit where he had come in. He already knew that this attempt had failed, like the previous one.
Roux smiled when, once the square had been almost completely cleared away, she caught the glimpse of the Blue Eyes White Dragon coming towards the goons who had circled her, and at the dragon's feet walked a very confident, upright yet very pissed-off Seto Kaiba.
The goons straightened themselves out and took a few steps towards Kaiba. Roux stared at Kaiba as he stood still at the dragon's feet; his expression showed just exactly how irritated he was. A dangerous fire was burning in his eyes, and already, even though he had saved her again, she knew she was in for it once these goons were finished off.
The goons stood, looking rather confused, and Kaiba and the dragon stood still. No doubt Kaiba was waiting until they made their move. Roux watched as one of the goons tapped a small headphone that was in his ear. Then he spoke into a pin on his jacket.
"Master Marik, it's Seto Kaiba sir-" the goon spoke.
"I'm aware!" Came a snappy voice from the microphone, loud enough for Roux to hear. For the first time she had heard Marik's voice.
"Well what do we do, sir?" the goon asked.
Marik sighed heavily. "Do whatever you need to, shoot him, bang him up, drown him in the fountain, whatever, just bring me the girl alive and unharmed."
Roux's eyebrows went up in shock and slowly she tried to slink away for a fast getaway, but the goons were already onto her. The one nearest to her tried to grab her, and she let out a startled scream, but then Joey, who appeared out of nowhere, threw him to the ground easily!
Joey looked down at the goon angrily. "That'll teach ya to mess with Joey Wheeler or any of his friends, ya creep!" Joey snarled, shaking his fist at the goon.
Roux smiled and ran to Joey, embracing him tightly. He hugged her back, and then led her away from the scene. "Come on, let's get home." Joey told her.
Roux shook her head. "No Joey, not yet. I want to see what Kaiba does." Roux said, and they stood far enough away from the event that they could, but close enough to see and hear everything. Roux bit her lip nervously and kept her eyes on Kaiba. He looked rather pleased, as though this was enjoyable to him. She couldn't understand how he could feel such a way at such an odd time.
One of the goons started to smirk at him stupidly. "Well look boys, it's the CEO. They sure chose the wrong guy for this job."
Kaiba smirked. "You'd think that, wouldn't you? Talk to my dragon! Blue Eyes, White Lightning Attack!" Kaiba commanded the dragon, pointing at the goons.
Roux watched for the second time as the dragon let out a deep roar, and the attack formed. The goons started to back away, and some had started to run, but within a moment the attack was let go, and the entire square filled with a brightness to bring the sun to shame. Roux and Joey hid their eyes from the glare, and waited until it fainted softly into the daylight.
All who was standing was Kaiba and the dragon. A few goons lay on the ground in agony and pain, they looked a little beat up and unconscious. Some of them had been able to get away. Roux took in a deep breath, and then she looked up at Kaiba.
Without a moment to lose, Kaiba stood and stared at Roux and Joey as they came towards him. Joey was the first one to lose his head about seeing the Blue Eyes White Dragon out of a duelist arena. To Roux it wasn't a surprise.
"Whoa Kaiba! That was wicked! How'd ya get your Blue Eyes to come out like that, especially without any duelist arena and all! That's so wicked-" but Joey was cut off short when he realized Kaiba wasn't even listening to Joey.
No, Kaiba pushed right past Joey, ignoring him completely, and charging right up to Roux. When she saw this happening, Roux's smile was gone and she shivered under the furious look in his icy blue eyes. She knew she was going to get it now.
She swallowed and tried to smile. "Hi Kaiba." She squeaked, barely audible.
"Don't you hi me!" he barked at her. "What the HELL do you think you're doing? You march straight into an open area where no one would recognize it if you were gone, where anyone is able to get at you!" Kaiba was going red. Roux was frightened under his tone.
"I-I" Roux found she couldn't speak. She was lost for words.
"You WHAT?" Kaiba shouted at her. "You didn't think it'd happen? You didn't think it was stupid?"
Roux shook her head. "Look, it was an innocent mistake. We thought that since it was a nice crowded yet PUBLIC place that it wouldn't be dangerous, so-" Roux was interrupted.
"Well now it WAS dangerous, wasn't it?" Kaiba snarled. "You couldn't have gotten yourself caught by those goods, bad enough I have to speak with Marik himself to hear what a sick mind he's got, what he has in store for you if he gets you!"
Roux's look of innocent shock was gone, and replaced with a rather disgusted look. "What? What are you talking about Kaiba?"
Kaiba opened his mouth to say something further and then shut it. If he told Roux what Marik had said to him earlier that afternoon, he would have to admit that Roux was attractive and that Marik was attracted to her in a lustful way. Kaiba wouldn't let such words pass his lips, he simply wouldn't allow it.
Kaiba shook his head, and then he took her wrist and jerked on her arm harshly. "Come on, I'm taking you back to the mansion and you're NOT leaving!"
Roux went with him. She knew it was better than arguing with him. She knew she had done something pretty stupid, yet she wanted to know when, where and why Kaiba had spoken to Marik, and why he hadn't killed Marik or anything.
"Blue Eyes, return!" Kaiba instructed the dragon, and in a moment the dragon was gone from sight of the square. All that was left was the confetti, the messes and the damage on the cobblestones where the Blue Eyes had attacked the goons.
Joey looked at it. "Wow, it's like them dragon attacks was real." He said, and then hurried to catch up to Kaiba and Roux.
Kaiba picked up the card and then looked around.
~ Where's that limo? I called for it right after I spoke to Marik! Where the hell is it? ~
Kaiba's train of thought was interrupted by the sudden loud sounds of a helicopter approaching. Kaiba, Roux and Joey looked up and searched the sky. Indeed a news team helicopter was heading right in their direction.
Kaiba grit his teeth furiously. "Perfect! Your little charade got the attention of the press!" he sighed heavily.
Roux scowled up at him. "My little charade? You're the one who broke out the Blue Eyes White Dragon and attacked Marik's goons with it!"
Kaiba tightened his grip on Roux's wrist and he glared down at her dangerously. "Don't make this any worse than it already is, Roux!" he growled. "You're in for it enough as it already is!"
Roux gulped and shuddered under his glare, but she tried to keep her stern face as he stared down at her. She looked away when the helicopter was almost to the square.
Within that instant, Kaiba saw the limo rolling up the street. He pulled on Roux's wrist and hurried towards it. Joey followed them quickly, telling Kaiba to wait up, but he wouldn't. If the press knew anything about Seto Kaiba, the CEO millionaire with the icy heart protecting a woman, they'd have a field day, and his company would go in a zigzag for business.
Kaiba was so angry that when they got to the limo he pushed Roux into the back and then reluctantly told Joey to get in as well. Then with a last look up at the sky, seeing the helicopter coming, he got in himself and told the driver to go as fast as he could.
When the square was safely out of view from the limo's windows, Kaiba relaxed a little, and settled down into the seat. That had been especially close. Kaiba didn't want to risk anything like that ever again.
None of them had said a word for awhile. Joey and Roux hugged to each other for comfort as well as fear. Roux was frightened about Kaiba's mood. He looked about ready to beat her into submission, but the comforting touch of Joey made her feel better about it. Joey wouldn't let anything happen to her, even if that was Kaiba's job.
Within twenty minutes or so, the limo pulled up and stopped in front of Joey's apartment. Joey looked out the window and was a little bit amazed. "Wow, that was quick." Then he gave Kaiba a small smile. "Well thanks for the ride Kaiba. Come on Roux." Joey said to Roux , pulling on her hand.
Kaiba stopped them. "You get out, Wheeler. I have to speak to Roux in private." The sneer of his tone showed just how angry he was.
Joey gave Kaiba a protesting look. "Wha? Hey I thought we had an agreement, she stays with me during the day and-"
"I don't care what we discussed!" Kaiba snapped at Joey. "I'm taking Roux to the Kaiba mansion. You'll be lucky if you see her once during the tournament."
~ If there's going to even be a tournament! ~ Kaiba thought, miffed.
Joey was about to protest again, but Kaiba rolled his eyes and turned to Roux. "Tell the dog to get his nose off my car."
Roux scowled at Kaiba. "He's not a dog!" she insisted, and then nervously crawled towards the door and looked up at Joey. "Don't push it, Joey." She advised him softly. "I don't think it's the right time."
Joey's angry look melted. "I'll see ya again before the tournament, won't I?" he asked, rather concerned.
Roux smiled. "Of course you will Joey. I'll talk to you soon." She waved to him, and the door closed. Joey waved to the limo as it pulled from the street. Roux waved back to Joey, even though he probably couldn't see through the tinted windows, until they turned a corner.
Roux settled back into the comfort of the seat. She needed all the comfort she could get at this time. She felt Kaiba's dangerous glare upon her, and she tried not to look at him. She knew he was going to yell at her some more, and then lock her in a room in the mansion so she couldn't get out. She sighed softly.
Kaiba crossed his arms and shook his head. ~ What was she thinking? Foolish girl, stupid girl! I should have told Ishizu that I refused this mission. She's already costing me more than I can afford! ~
With that Kaiba reached over and turned on the small television set that was in the back seat. Curiously he flipped through the channels.
Roux watched him with curiosity. Was he doing this to ease the silence between them? Maybe he was bored and wanted to watch some television. She slid down the seat slowly so she could see the screen.
Kaiba stopped at a news report. Sure enough it was a report about what had happened in the square. Kaiba sat back and crossed his arms, watching the news report. It was live, and it was coming from the helicopter they had seen earlier. Roux saw just how much damage the Blue Eyes attack had caused to the square. It was rather startling.
"A simple practice duel day gone horribly wrong!" said the reporter flawlessly. "What had started to be a practice duel day, a preparation day to prepare duelists for the Battle City Tournament, has turned into a nightmare which has injured many and caused over three million dollars in damage to the town square." The reporter reported softly. "Judy Close has the report."
The reporter named Judy Close stood at the square with her microphone, a rather disturbed look on her face. "It's amazing, what had started to be a mere practice duel day to prepare duelists for the upcoming tournament, has turned into a dangerous setup with possibilities of terrorism and sabotage." The reporter spoke sternly. "Less than half an hour ago the square behind me was flooded with people training, trading and speaking of the upcoming Battle City Tournament, but all these mere preparations had gone seriously wrong when a rather large creature, possibly one of the duel monsters, was ordered to attack civilians among the crowd. The attack has sent more than six men to hospital with critical injuries and has caused over three million dollars worth of damage to the square."
Roux looked over at Kaiba. She was baffled by what she saw. In his eyes he looked sad, almost hurt, like someone had just taken the most precious thing to him in the world and destroyed it right before his eyes. She looked back at the screen.
"The president of Kaiba Corporation, Seto Kaiba is being notified of this attack, and will be asked to add his explanation and opinions to this attack, and to see what is more important to him; his tournament, or the safety of the people who are participating in it. Domino City will have to reconsider intensely the decision of the Battle City Tournament, if there still is one to come."
Without another word, Kaiba turned off the television, and stared at the black screen for a very long time before he ran his hands through his brown hair.
Roux instantly felt terrible. Her act of going to the square was going to cost Kaiba the tournament, and maybe more. Even though she didn't think too much of Kaiba, she knew the people who had been looking forward in participating in the tournament, herself including, would be disappointed if indeed this happened.
Roux sighed to herself. She felt terrible. She had brought herself to danger, and now Kaiba would suffer for it, because he was living up to the mission, to his destiny.
When Kaiba looked at Roux, he saw how ashamed she looked. He knew it was good for her to be ashamed, and that she should feel terrible that she had caused him the tournament. But when he looked at her, looking sad and upset, something washed over him, a feeling of pity almost.
Quickly he shook it from his head, and focused rather intently on what he would say to her next. "Well," he began.
Roux looked up at him, her eyes full of apology, but he didn't think of it at all.
"Your foolish act has cost my company the tournament, and probably a lot more." His voice was hollow. He didn't add anything to the statement.
Roux shook her head. "Kaiba, I'm so sorry.but if you hadn't released your Blue Eyes, this wouldn't have necessarily happened."
Kaiba's emotions flared again in anger. "Don't you dare talk back to me!" he shouted at her, scaring her out of her wits. "Don't you dare make this all out to be my fault!"
Roux's expression tightened a bit. "Well sorry, but it's the truth!"
"If I hadn't released my Blue Eyes back there Marik would have caught you and you'd be probably dead by now!" Kaiba waved his hand at her angrily. "You just be thankful that I was there, and that I happened to know where you were! You don't have the position to object!"
Roux knew he was right, and she huddled herself together, trying not to look at him, trying to hold herself for comfort. Kaiba in general was bad enough, but Kaiba as mad as this was just frightening, and even life- threatening.
Kaiba sighed heavily. "I should have disqualified you weeks ago." He muttered to himself, shaking his head and staring at his shoes. "At least I would still have my tournament." He growled to himself. "My life has been a fucking hell since you came."
Roux's heart felt torn right at those words. Normally she wouldn't even care what anyone had to say about her, but for some reason Kaiba's opinion, spoken to her, effected her greatly. She felt like she would cry. She didn't want to have fucked up Kaiba's life, and she doubted she really had, as it already seemed fucked up. But she couldn't help it.
"When we get back to the mansion, you're not to leave it EVER!" Kaiba stated firmly. "And if I find that you have or you try to, you'll live to regret it."
Roux looked down at her feet. She didn't want to look at him. She didn't want to see him or hear him ever again. She would have been perfectly happy if he was gone from her life as of now. If she was fucking up his life, he was doing to same to her.
Momentarily, the limo had hit a red light, and Roux had a crazy idea. With her entire body shaking, and the thought of being imprisoned in the Kaiba mansion for awhile, with the man who hated her most in the world in decision of her safety, was scaring her.
Before she could even think, as though instinctively, her hand went to the knob of the limo door and she pushed it open. She was lucky the car had stopped. She started to run from the limo that fastest her legs could carry her. She wasn't even thinking.
The tears streamed down her cheeks and glittered in the sunlight, she felt her weak legs begin to protest. Her mind told them to keep running, and not to look back.
Roux just wanted to be away from Kaiba. But even that was refused to her.
Before Roux could really get far from the limo, she felt a strong hand clench on her arm. She screamed in pain, and got the glimpse of the navy blue jacket before a great force threw her down to the sidewalk. Roux lay on the sidewalk. Both her arms in pain, her legs aching, her stomach hurting, her tears burning her skin.
"You try something like that again, and I swear I will kill you." Came Kaiba's cold voice as he snarled down at her.
Then he bent down and wrenched her up by her aching arm, and pushed her back towards the limo. Roux wasn't conscious of what was happening until she found herself on the floor of the limo, struggling to get up on one of the seats. Leaning against the seat, hiding her face from Kaiba, she began to sob.
Kaiba heard her crying, and he didn't even care. The limo started again, and their ride was not disturbed until they safely reached the Kaiba mansion.
~*~
When they arrived at the mansion, Mokuba had been literally jumping up and down. He had just seen on the news the special report on the news about what had happened at the square. He had called his big brother at the office, but the secretary told him that Mr. Kaiba wasn't in at the moment.
Then Mokuba heard the limo pulling up in the driveway, and thinking it was his imagination, he went to the window to prove himself wrong. But he saw the limo and he was rather surprised. His older brother never came home at noon, was something wrong?
Mokuba watched out the window curiously. The door to the limo opened, and Mokuba's eyes lit up when he saw Roux step out of the limo. She looked a little shaken and was rubbing her arm, and Mokuba noticed this. She looked like someone had tried to hurt her.
Kaiba, who walked behind her so she couldn't have the chance to dash and try to get away again like she had tried earlier, followed Roux towards the house. Mokuba watched them, and saw them approach the front door. Then without a moment to spare, Mokuba ran from the room and down into the main foyer.
He got there just in time for Roux and Kaiba to come in. Mokuba laughed as he skipped down the stairs. "Roux!" he cried out happily.
Roux looked up, and then she smiled as she saw Mokuba. The little boy ran into her and threw his arms around her waist. She hugged him back. "Hello Mokuba." She said.
Mokuba looked up at her, and he noticed that indeed she did look a little beat up. Her face was a little grubby, her arm was bruised, and her hair was disheveled. Mokuba looked at her in almost horror. "Roux, are you okay? You look awful!"
Roux gave him a weak smile. "I'm okay Mokuba, thanks." She said and patted his head.
Mokuba smiled. "That's good." Then he looked up at his big brother. "Hey Seto! I didn't think you'd be coming home so early!" Mokuba said cheerfully. "Did you guys go out for lunch or something? Did you go out on a date?"
Both Kaiba and Roux looked disgusted at the mere thought. "No Mokuba, we just came from the square." Kaiba said scornfully, and saw a detestful look at Roux. "After someone almost got herself kidnapped by Marik!"
Roux returned his glare.
Mokuba didn't seem to notice. "Seto have you seen the news report on the news? They say they might cancel the tournament because there was an attack!"
"Yes, I know." Kaiba growled.
Mokuba looked a little bit confused. "You're not worried, big brother?"
Kaiba sighed. Yes, he was worried about it; probably more than anything right about now. But he wasn't going to admit it. He turned from Mokuba and put down his briefcase by the door. "No, I'm not worried about it Mokuba."
Mokuba shrugged. He didn't know how his brother could be so calm about the entire ordeal, but he trusted his big brother more than anyone. If anyone knew what to do, it'd be him. So Mokuba looked over at Roux. "Gee Roux, you don't look so good. Did you trip or something?"
Roux swallowed softly. Kaiba listened for her reply. If she so much as mentioned what had happened earlier, she was going to pay for it.
Roux must have known what Kaiba was thinking, because she nodded. "Yeah. I was at the square and just-tripped." She said softly.
Mokuba nodded. "Well, do you wanna clean up or something?" he motioned for a maid to come over to them. "Marianne, could you please show Roux here her guest room?" Mokuba asked sweetly, without even looking at his older brother.
The maid nodded, and gestured for Roux to go with her. Roux thanked Mokuba, and looked at Kaiba with fear and hate in her eyes. Kaiba stood and turned around just to catch her glare as she disappeared up the stairs and down the hallway, following the maid.
Kaiba let out a smirk and then continued to walk in the direction of his office. Mokuba noticed his brother walking off and he quickly tried to follow. Mokuba for one wanted to know why Kaiba was so calm about what had happened at the square.
"Seto what happened? Why are you home so early?" Mokuba asked, jogging to keep up with his big brother as they went down a hallway, and in through the doors of Kaiba's office.
Kaiba growled under his breath. "The worst!" he sat down at his desk, and watched as Mokuba climbed into one of the leather chairs in front of Kaiba's desk, his big eyes were expectant of an explanation.
"What happened?" Mokuba asked.
Kaiba rubbed his forehead. He couldn't even remember fully what had happened. It was bothering him. "It was." he trailed out. Should he have told Mokuba about Roux and all the trouble she was in with what happened in the square and with Marik? Seto didn't know if Mokuba knew the entire story, but he was too tired to explain it all. "Do you know about Marik and all the trouble Roux's in?"
Mokuba nodded.
Kaiba was a bit surprised, but he continued. "Well Marik was at the square today. He tried to capture Roux, but I was able to get to her before they did." Kaiba concluded, and he thought that he was home free. But he wasn't.
"How did Roux get all dirty and stuff like that?" Mokuba asked, tilting his head to the side, a sad expression over his little face, looking at his older brother as though he held all the answers.
Kaiba thought it over. He assumed that was something he could tell Mokuba, even if the boy didn't like it. He had asked to know. "Well, we were coming here and she tried to run away from the limo." Kaiba said, starting up his laptop, not really looking at Mokuba at all. "So I had to stop her."
Mokuba was confused. "So.how exactly did you stop her?"
Kaiba shrugged. "I threw her to the ground, it was the only way she would stop." Then he felt a cold wave over him. He looked up and saw that Mokuba was staring at his brother with shock in his eyes. "Mokuba, don't look at me like that. She needs to be protected, and she's trying to run from me."
Mokuba looked as though he had just witnessed a gruesome murder. "But Seto.you didn't have to beat her up!"
"I didn't beat her up," Kaiba commented. "I just pushed her to the ground and then brought her back into the limo."
Mokuba didn't believe his brother. "You gave her that bruise on her arm, didn't you?" suddenly his voice was hollow.
Kaiba looked up, wondering why Mokuba was making such a big deal about this. Then he saw that his little brother had tears in his big eyes. Kaiba was suddenly aware that Mokuba was rather hurt with Kaiba's actions towards Roux. "Whoa Mokuba, get a grip, please.it's for her own good, you know that, I know that-"
"You don't have to be so mean to her though!" Mokuba sniffed, and a big tear rolled down Mokuba's cheek, and Kaiba watched it with pain. "You're always so mean to her, you're always yelling at her, always demanding her to do stuff!" Mokuba wiped his nose with his sleeve. "You're just a big bully to her, Seto! And what did she do to you?"
Kaiba balled his hands into fists and slammed them down on the desk. "As we speak she's costing me the tournament and my company!" Kaiba shouted at his little brother. "Ever since she's come to Domino I've had nothing but bad luck! She's a jinx! She doesn't deserve to be treated any better than how I treat her!"
"Yes she does, Seto!" Mokuba was sobbing heartily. "She's nice and pretty and smart and if you weren't so blind maybe you would see that!" Mokuba gave a heart-choked sob and tried to wipe away the tears. "If you chase her away, I'll never forgive you!"
"Mokuba, I-" but suddenly Kaiba stopped and he stared at his younger brother. Had Mokuba just said what he thought he'd said? Why would Mokuba not forgive Seto for chasing away the jinx that had brought them all bad fortune?
Kaiba very slowly sat down. "Mokuba, listen to me very carefully." He said slowly. "Roux is now staying here in the mansion. I'm not chasing her away." Kaiba knew that he already had too many enemies, he didn't need one out of his brother, the one person in the world he could confide in.
Mokuba sniffed. "Well you better not be." He said and got off the chair and started to head in the direction of the door. "I hope you'll say you're sorry for bruising her arm!" he added, and then was gone.
When Mokuba was safely gone, and Kaiba heard his footsteps growing faint down the hallway, he let out a huge sigh and ran his hands over his face. He was in such an awful position. Mokuba was mad at him, the tournament might have been canceled, and things were being questioned of Kaiba Corporation.
Kaiba leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. Maybe he had been a little hard on Roux, despite not wanting to admit it. If her arm was badly bruised, the least he could do was apologize.
~ What am I thinking? ~ He scolded himself. ~ She should be the one apologizing to me! She's costing me the tournament, my company, my pride.~
Seto shook his head and found his conscience reaching out to him. It hadn't done that in years, but the only way he could get it to shut up and leave him alone was standing up and leaving his office.
~*~
Roux closed her eyes as she stepped into the enormous bathtub that the maid had fixed for her in one of the guest bathrooms. Tilting her head back she let the warm water rush over her aching body, stinging in some of the places that she was hurt, but then calming her every nerve and making all her bad thoughts melt away.
She hadn't remembered when she had last been this relaxed. The bubbles that the maid had added softened the water and gave a sweet almond smell to the water. The tub, big enough to fit at least three people, was all to herself.
Roux could have used the relaxation after the terrible day she had just been through. Even though it wasn't over yet, she was glad that the better portion of it was over. Hopefully tomorrow would be another day.
She was almost positive that Kaiba hadn't been serious when he said he would keep her in the mansion and she wouldn't leave. At least she hoped he hadn't been serious. Even though there were many things to do around this enormous mansion to keep her preoccupied, and she would be protected highly by all of the guards, she couldn't stand a cage to keep her from the outside world.
And then there was Joey. She wanted to talk to Joey more than ever at this point, just to hear his voice. If Kaiba was indeed serious, she could always nag him to have Joey over or something so they could visit.
But at this point in time Seto Kaiba was scaring Roux a little bit, despite how much she loathed him, and how much he hated her in return, he was intimidating.
Worse than intimidating, Roux thought to herself and grimaced, he was also attractive, and that made everything unbearable. There was nothing worse than being afraid of and hating someone whom attracted you.
Momentarily she thought about the tournament. If it was going to be canceled, Kaiba would rule it out to be her fault, and even if it wasn't, Roux would somehow bring it upon herself to feel entirely guilty. She sighed. If the tournament was canceled, Kaiba's company would get a little shifty, and she would be held responsible, by both Kaiba and herself, even if it was he who had launched the Blue Eyes White Dragon, scared all those people, hurt Marik's men and destroyed half the square.
Roux shivered at the thought of Marik. His voice had sounded evil enough, she didn't even want to meet him in person. She began to think that maybe staying in the Kaiba mansion was a good idea afterall. Here Marik couldn't touch her, what with Kaiba's guards and all. She would be completely safe here.
After an hour had passed and Roux was still lying in the tub, she pulled the plug and climbed out of the enormous bathtub, and threw on the housecoat that the maid had left for her. Roux blew out the candles that had been lit, fixed her hair up, and then headed towards the door.
She turned the knob and opened the door, and she turned off the light, and then ran directly into Kaiba, who was standing there, as if waiting for her to come out.
Roux let out a soft scream, and she looked up, and upon seeing Kaiba she immediately pulled her housecoat completely closed and cleared her throat. She didn't know what to say; what was he doing there, waiting for her to get out of the bathtub?
Awed and dumbstruck by his presence there, Roux was completely lost for words. She swallowed tightly and couldn't pull her gaze away from his icy blue eyes. He stared down at her, and for a single moment she thought she saw his eyes gleaming with a kind of warmth. He looked down from her eyes.
Roux sighed softly, and then wondered what he was looking at. If he was trying to look at her beneath the housecoat, he was a filthy pervert, and she was about to slap him what-
He reached out with his hand, and mumbled something inaudible under his breath. Roux leaned forward. "Sorry?" she asked.
Kaiba looked into her eyes. "Let me see your arm."
Rather surprised, but curious to know what he was up to, Roux extended out her right arm. She swallowed, she was afraid he was going to hurt her again, she almost pulled her arm away.
But then Kaiba very gently took hold of her wrist, and with his fingers on the other hand he rolled up the sleeve of the housecoat. His eyes stirred for a moment when he saw the bruise on her arm, the shape of his fingers.
Roux studied him. What was he doing? He was holding her arm so gently, it were as if he were afraid he was going to hurt her. She swallowed softly and watched as his eyes shook softly, almost with sadness.
Kaiba sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry." He told her.
Roux couldn't believe her ears. "You're what?"
"I'm sorry." He said again, running his thumb lightly over the bruise, and the covering it with the sleeve. Then he dropped her arm and stepped back from her, his eyes still on her. "I got carried away this afternoon." He confessed. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."
Roux stared at him. She wondered if he was sincere. His eyes told her that he was doing this just because his conscience was getting to him, but her heart told her that he was truly sorry for bruising her arm.
She shrugged. "I'm sorry too." She said softly.
Kaiba's eyes widened slowly. He hadn't been expecting that, but he found himself lost for words. He couldn't say anything to respond to her words.
Roux sighed and looked down at the floor. "I've probably cost you the tournament, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so stupid." With that she turned away from him and slowly began to walk down the hallway. "Forgive me." She said to him, and then disappeared through the door to the guestroom.
When she was gone, Kaiba let out a deep groan and leaned against the wall. That was about the hardest thing he had ever had to do in his life. He couldn't wait to tell Mokuba. Now his little brother would never think that Kaiba was mean.
Ever since he had met Roux, he never thought he would ever have to apologize to her for anything, but there it was, and now it was over. He was glad to have something so horrible out of the way.
But if he thought it so horrible, why was he suddenly feeling so warm inside?
~*~
**** Aww! ^^ Well it's now official! Once this story is finished, which shall be pretty soon, I will begin to write a sequel! But I need suggestions for the title, can YOU help me? Thanks for all the great reviews guys! ^_^ Ciao for now! ****
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Blush Response
Roux could feel herself shaking all over, even with the heat of the noon sun on her skin. She looked all around her. Through the crowds of people, she could see suits make their way towards her. No one had seemed to notice them, or the fact that Roux was scared at the sight of them.
Instinctively she could feel them closing in on her, and with her back to the town's fountain in the middle of the square, she had no escape, no place to run. She was running out of options. She couldn't try to run past them; they were bigger than she was and they were all around. She tried to call for help, for anyone, for Joey, but she found that her throat was dry and her voice inaudible.
Not just a little ways away, Marik stood from the balcony of a nearby office building, high enough so he could see his men closing in on Roux. With his arms crossed, he watched with a grin on his face. He was deliciously enjoying the moment.
This was his first time seeing Roux in real life, basically. He had seen her of course in the photograph at Kale Tori's apartment that night he killed the famous photographer, but he hadn't seen her in real life. He hadn't counted on her being so attractive. Her picture didn't do her a bit of justice.
Indeed Marik wouldn't have been surprised if she wooed every man, even Seto Kaiba, her protector, to her seduction. Marik knew for a fact that she wasn't a temptress or a seductress, because she had married Kale Tori, and any woman who married him was the sweet and loving type. Marik couldn't live with the sweet and loving type. If he were going to keep her after taking her Millennium stone from her, he'd have to think of some way to alter her personality.
Marik grinned wider as he saw her with her back against the fountain, and his men slowly formed a circle to secure her. She could not escape now, and it made Marik laugh with triumph.
Roux had her back against the fountain, this was true, and tears were threatening to spill from her jeweled eyes. The suits had gathered together in a circle, closing in towards her. Roux's jaw began to shake as she tried to find the courage to scream. One of the goons, once he was close enough, reached out to grab her.
Suddenly something incredible happened.
From where she was crouched, hiding her face with her hands, she could barely hear a voice shouting in among the crowd off towards the street. But once she had heard this voice, she heard an incredible sound, and the people screaming.
When Roux peeked out from her hands, she saw that the goons were all distracted by something behind them. Roux could see the outline of an enormous structure against the sun. People were screaming and running for their dear lives, and to the wind came an incredible roar, but one that Roux faintly recognized.
The suits had seemed to forget about Roux, as they turned their backs to her and stared up at the structure before them. They seemed glued to their feet. Roux struggled to get to her feet, holding the edge of the fountain to support her weak legs, and she looked up.
She let out a relieved sight, and smiled greatly. The Blue Eyes White Dragon.
From his observing spot, Marik's smile was instantly gone and his eyebrows furred. He felt rage begin to flare within him as she spotted the Blue Eyes White Dragon down among the crowd, scaring the hell out of almost everyone in the square. People were running this way and that, screaming, running for their lives.
Marik sneered. Kaiba, he and that new technology of his, the piece of equipment he had used the first time Marik had attempted to capture Roux. It must have been in his briefcase. Marik's hands balled into fists tightly.
He didn't even watch. Marik turned his back to what was happening below and turned to exit where he had come in. He already knew that this attempt had failed, like the previous one.
Roux smiled when, once the square had been almost completely cleared away, she caught the glimpse of the Blue Eyes White Dragon coming towards the goons who had circled her, and at the dragon's feet walked a very confident, upright yet very pissed-off Seto Kaiba.
The goons straightened themselves out and took a few steps towards Kaiba. Roux stared at Kaiba as he stood still at the dragon's feet; his expression showed just exactly how irritated he was. A dangerous fire was burning in his eyes, and already, even though he had saved her again, she knew she was in for it once these goons were finished off.
The goons stood, looking rather confused, and Kaiba and the dragon stood still. No doubt Kaiba was waiting until they made their move. Roux watched as one of the goons tapped a small headphone that was in his ear. Then he spoke into a pin on his jacket.
"Master Marik, it's Seto Kaiba sir-" the goon spoke.
"I'm aware!" Came a snappy voice from the microphone, loud enough for Roux to hear. For the first time she had heard Marik's voice.
"Well what do we do, sir?" the goon asked.
Marik sighed heavily. "Do whatever you need to, shoot him, bang him up, drown him in the fountain, whatever, just bring me the girl alive and unharmed."
Roux's eyebrows went up in shock and slowly she tried to slink away for a fast getaway, but the goons were already onto her. The one nearest to her tried to grab her, and she let out a startled scream, but then Joey, who appeared out of nowhere, threw him to the ground easily!
Joey looked down at the goon angrily. "That'll teach ya to mess with Joey Wheeler or any of his friends, ya creep!" Joey snarled, shaking his fist at the goon.
Roux smiled and ran to Joey, embracing him tightly. He hugged her back, and then led her away from the scene. "Come on, let's get home." Joey told her.
Roux shook her head. "No Joey, not yet. I want to see what Kaiba does." Roux said, and they stood far enough away from the event that they could, but close enough to see and hear everything. Roux bit her lip nervously and kept her eyes on Kaiba. He looked rather pleased, as though this was enjoyable to him. She couldn't understand how he could feel such a way at such an odd time.
One of the goons started to smirk at him stupidly. "Well look boys, it's the CEO. They sure chose the wrong guy for this job."
Kaiba smirked. "You'd think that, wouldn't you? Talk to my dragon! Blue Eyes, White Lightning Attack!" Kaiba commanded the dragon, pointing at the goons.
Roux watched for the second time as the dragon let out a deep roar, and the attack formed. The goons started to back away, and some had started to run, but within a moment the attack was let go, and the entire square filled with a brightness to bring the sun to shame. Roux and Joey hid their eyes from the glare, and waited until it fainted softly into the daylight.
All who was standing was Kaiba and the dragon. A few goons lay on the ground in agony and pain, they looked a little beat up and unconscious. Some of them had been able to get away. Roux took in a deep breath, and then she looked up at Kaiba.
Without a moment to lose, Kaiba stood and stared at Roux and Joey as they came towards him. Joey was the first one to lose his head about seeing the Blue Eyes White Dragon out of a duelist arena. To Roux it wasn't a surprise.
"Whoa Kaiba! That was wicked! How'd ya get your Blue Eyes to come out like that, especially without any duelist arena and all! That's so wicked-" but Joey was cut off short when he realized Kaiba wasn't even listening to Joey.
No, Kaiba pushed right past Joey, ignoring him completely, and charging right up to Roux. When she saw this happening, Roux's smile was gone and she shivered under the furious look in his icy blue eyes. She knew she was going to get it now.
She swallowed and tried to smile. "Hi Kaiba." She squeaked, barely audible.
"Don't you hi me!" he barked at her. "What the HELL do you think you're doing? You march straight into an open area where no one would recognize it if you were gone, where anyone is able to get at you!" Kaiba was going red. Roux was frightened under his tone.
"I-I" Roux found she couldn't speak. She was lost for words.
"You WHAT?" Kaiba shouted at her. "You didn't think it'd happen? You didn't think it was stupid?"
Roux shook her head. "Look, it was an innocent mistake. We thought that since it was a nice crowded yet PUBLIC place that it wouldn't be dangerous, so-" Roux was interrupted.
"Well now it WAS dangerous, wasn't it?" Kaiba snarled. "You couldn't have gotten yourself caught by those goods, bad enough I have to speak with Marik himself to hear what a sick mind he's got, what he has in store for you if he gets you!"
Roux's look of innocent shock was gone, and replaced with a rather disgusted look. "What? What are you talking about Kaiba?"
Kaiba opened his mouth to say something further and then shut it. If he told Roux what Marik had said to him earlier that afternoon, he would have to admit that Roux was attractive and that Marik was attracted to her in a lustful way. Kaiba wouldn't let such words pass his lips, he simply wouldn't allow it.
Kaiba shook his head, and then he took her wrist and jerked on her arm harshly. "Come on, I'm taking you back to the mansion and you're NOT leaving!"
Roux went with him. She knew it was better than arguing with him. She knew she had done something pretty stupid, yet she wanted to know when, where and why Kaiba had spoken to Marik, and why he hadn't killed Marik or anything.
"Blue Eyes, return!" Kaiba instructed the dragon, and in a moment the dragon was gone from sight of the square. All that was left was the confetti, the messes and the damage on the cobblestones where the Blue Eyes had attacked the goons.
Joey looked at it. "Wow, it's like them dragon attacks was real." He said, and then hurried to catch up to Kaiba and Roux.
Kaiba picked up the card and then looked around.
~ Where's that limo? I called for it right after I spoke to Marik! Where the hell is it? ~
Kaiba's train of thought was interrupted by the sudden loud sounds of a helicopter approaching. Kaiba, Roux and Joey looked up and searched the sky. Indeed a news team helicopter was heading right in their direction.
Kaiba grit his teeth furiously. "Perfect! Your little charade got the attention of the press!" he sighed heavily.
Roux scowled up at him. "My little charade? You're the one who broke out the Blue Eyes White Dragon and attacked Marik's goons with it!"
Kaiba tightened his grip on Roux's wrist and he glared down at her dangerously. "Don't make this any worse than it already is, Roux!" he growled. "You're in for it enough as it already is!"
Roux gulped and shuddered under his glare, but she tried to keep her stern face as he stared down at her. She looked away when the helicopter was almost to the square.
Within that instant, Kaiba saw the limo rolling up the street. He pulled on Roux's wrist and hurried towards it. Joey followed them quickly, telling Kaiba to wait up, but he wouldn't. If the press knew anything about Seto Kaiba, the CEO millionaire with the icy heart protecting a woman, they'd have a field day, and his company would go in a zigzag for business.
Kaiba was so angry that when they got to the limo he pushed Roux into the back and then reluctantly told Joey to get in as well. Then with a last look up at the sky, seeing the helicopter coming, he got in himself and told the driver to go as fast as he could.
When the square was safely out of view from the limo's windows, Kaiba relaxed a little, and settled down into the seat. That had been especially close. Kaiba didn't want to risk anything like that ever again.
None of them had said a word for awhile. Joey and Roux hugged to each other for comfort as well as fear. Roux was frightened about Kaiba's mood. He looked about ready to beat her into submission, but the comforting touch of Joey made her feel better about it. Joey wouldn't let anything happen to her, even if that was Kaiba's job.
Within twenty minutes or so, the limo pulled up and stopped in front of Joey's apartment. Joey looked out the window and was a little bit amazed. "Wow, that was quick." Then he gave Kaiba a small smile. "Well thanks for the ride Kaiba. Come on Roux." Joey said to Roux , pulling on her hand.
Kaiba stopped them. "You get out, Wheeler. I have to speak to Roux in private." The sneer of his tone showed just how angry he was.
Joey gave Kaiba a protesting look. "Wha? Hey I thought we had an agreement, she stays with me during the day and-"
"I don't care what we discussed!" Kaiba snapped at Joey. "I'm taking Roux to the Kaiba mansion. You'll be lucky if you see her once during the tournament."
~ If there's going to even be a tournament! ~ Kaiba thought, miffed.
Joey was about to protest again, but Kaiba rolled his eyes and turned to Roux. "Tell the dog to get his nose off my car."
Roux scowled at Kaiba. "He's not a dog!" she insisted, and then nervously crawled towards the door and looked up at Joey. "Don't push it, Joey." She advised him softly. "I don't think it's the right time."
Joey's angry look melted. "I'll see ya again before the tournament, won't I?" he asked, rather concerned.
Roux smiled. "Of course you will Joey. I'll talk to you soon." She waved to him, and the door closed. Joey waved to the limo as it pulled from the street. Roux waved back to Joey, even though he probably couldn't see through the tinted windows, until they turned a corner.
Roux settled back into the comfort of the seat. She needed all the comfort she could get at this time. She felt Kaiba's dangerous glare upon her, and she tried not to look at him. She knew he was going to yell at her some more, and then lock her in a room in the mansion so she couldn't get out. She sighed softly.
Kaiba crossed his arms and shook his head. ~ What was she thinking? Foolish girl, stupid girl! I should have told Ishizu that I refused this mission. She's already costing me more than I can afford! ~
With that Kaiba reached over and turned on the small television set that was in the back seat. Curiously he flipped through the channels.
Roux watched him with curiosity. Was he doing this to ease the silence between them? Maybe he was bored and wanted to watch some television. She slid down the seat slowly so she could see the screen.
Kaiba stopped at a news report. Sure enough it was a report about what had happened in the square. Kaiba sat back and crossed his arms, watching the news report. It was live, and it was coming from the helicopter they had seen earlier. Roux saw just how much damage the Blue Eyes attack had caused to the square. It was rather startling.
"A simple practice duel day gone horribly wrong!" said the reporter flawlessly. "What had started to be a practice duel day, a preparation day to prepare duelists for the Battle City Tournament, has turned into a nightmare which has injured many and caused over three million dollars in damage to the town square." The reporter reported softly. "Judy Close has the report."
The reporter named Judy Close stood at the square with her microphone, a rather disturbed look on her face. "It's amazing, what had started to be a mere practice duel day to prepare duelists for the upcoming tournament, has turned into a dangerous setup with possibilities of terrorism and sabotage." The reporter spoke sternly. "Less than half an hour ago the square behind me was flooded with people training, trading and speaking of the upcoming Battle City Tournament, but all these mere preparations had gone seriously wrong when a rather large creature, possibly one of the duel monsters, was ordered to attack civilians among the crowd. The attack has sent more than six men to hospital with critical injuries and has caused over three million dollars worth of damage to the square."
Roux looked over at Kaiba. She was baffled by what she saw. In his eyes he looked sad, almost hurt, like someone had just taken the most precious thing to him in the world and destroyed it right before his eyes. She looked back at the screen.
"The president of Kaiba Corporation, Seto Kaiba is being notified of this attack, and will be asked to add his explanation and opinions to this attack, and to see what is more important to him; his tournament, or the safety of the people who are participating in it. Domino City will have to reconsider intensely the decision of the Battle City Tournament, if there still is one to come."
Without another word, Kaiba turned off the television, and stared at the black screen for a very long time before he ran his hands through his brown hair.
Roux instantly felt terrible. Her act of going to the square was going to cost Kaiba the tournament, and maybe more. Even though she didn't think too much of Kaiba, she knew the people who had been looking forward in participating in the tournament, herself including, would be disappointed if indeed this happened.
Roux sighed to herself. She felt terrible. She had brought herself to danger, and now Kaiba would suffer for it, because he was living up to the mission, to his destiny.
When Kaiba looked at Roux, he saw how ashamed she looked. He knew it was good for her to be ashamed, and that she should feel terrible that she had caused him the tournament. But when he looked at her, looking sad and upset, something washed over him, a feeling of pity almost.
Quickly he shook it from his head, and focused rather intently on what he would say to her next. "Well," he began.
Roux looked up at him, her eyes full of apology, but he didn't think of it at all.
"Your foolish act has cost my company the tournament, and probably a lot more." His voice was hollow. He didn't add anything to the statement.
Roux shook her head. "Kaiba, I'm so sorry.but if you hadn't released your Blue Eyes, this wouldn't have necessarily happened."
Kaiba's emotions flared again in anger. "Don't you dare talk back to me!" he shouted at her, scaring her out of her wits. "Don't you dare make this all out to be my fault!"
Roux's expression tightened a bit. "Well sorry, but it's the truth!"
"If I hadn't released my Blue Eyes back there Marik would have caught you and you'd be probably dead by now!" Kaiba waved his hand at her angrily. "You just be thankful that I was there, and that I happened to know where you were! You don't have the position to object!"
Roux knew he was right, and she huddled herself together, trying not to look at him, trying to hold herself for comfort. Kaiba in general was bad enough, but Kaiba as mad as this was just frightening, and even life- threatening.
Kaiba sighed heavily. "I should have disqualified you weeks ago." He muttered to himself, shaking his head and staring at his shoes. "At least I would still have my tournament." He growled to himself. "My life has been a fucking hell since you came."
Roux's heart felt torn right at those words. Normally she wouldn't even care what anyone had to say about her, but for some reason Kaiba's opinion, spoken to her, effected her greatly. She felt like she would cry. She didn't want to have fucked up Kaiba's life, and she doubted she really had, as it already seemed fucked up. But she couldn't help it.
"When we get back to the mansion, you're not to leave it EVER!" Kaiba stated firmly. "And if I find that you have or you try to, you'll live to regret it."
Roux looked down at her feet. She didn't want to look at him. She didn't want to see him or hear him ever again. She would have been perfectly happy if he was gone from her life as of now. If she was fucking up his life, he was doing to same to her.
Momentarily, the limo had hit a red light, and Roux had a crazy idea. With her entire body shaking, and the thought of being imprisoned in the Kaiba mansion for awhile, with the man who hated her most in the world in decision of her safety, was scaring her.
Before she could even think, as though instinctively, her hand went to the knob of the limo door and she pushed it open. She was lucky the car had stopped. She started to run from the limo that fastest her legs could carry her. She wasn't even thinking.
The tears streamed down her cheeks and glittered in the sunlight, she felt her weak legs begin to protest. Her mind told them to keep running, and not to look back.
Roux just wanted to be away from Kaiba. But even that was refused to her.
Before Roux could really get far from the limo, she felt a strong hand clench on her arm. She screamed in pain, and got the glimpse of the navy blue jacket before a great force threw her down to the sidewalk. Roux lay on the sidewalk. Both her arms in pain, her legs aching, her stomach hurting, her tears burning her skin.
"You try something like that again, and I swear I will kill you." Came Kaiba's cold voice as he snarled down at her.
Then he bent down and wrenched her up by her aching arm, and pushed her back towards the limo. Roux wasn't conscious of what was happening until she found herself on the floor of the limo, struggling to get up on one of the seats. Leaning against the seat, hiding her face from Kaiba, she began to sob.
Kaiba heard her crying, and he didn't even care. The limo started again, and their ride was not disturbed until they safely reached the Kaiba mansion.
~*~
When they arrived at the mansion, Mokuba had been literally jumping up and down. He had just seen on the news the special report on the news about what had happened at the square. He had called his big brother at the office, but the secretary told him that Mr. Kaiba wasn't in at the moment.
Then Mokuba heard the limo pulling up in the driveway, and thinking it was his imagination, he went to the window to prove himself wrong. But he saw the limo and he was rather surprised. His older brother never came home at noon, was something wrong?
Mokuba watched out the window curiously. The door to the limo opened, and Mokuba's eyes lit up when he saw Roux step out of the limo. She looked a little shaken and was rubbing her arm, and Mokuba noticed this. She looked like someone had tried to hurt her.
Kaiba, who walked behind her so she couldn't have the chance to dash and try to get away again like she had tried earlier, followed Roux towards the house. Mokuba watched them, and saw them approach the front door. Then without a moment to spare, Mokuba ran from the room and down into the main foyer.
He got there just in time for Roux and Kaiba to come in. Mokuba laughed as he skipped down the stairs. "Roux!" he cried out happily.
Roux looked up, and then she smiled as she saw Mokuba. The little boy ran into her and threw his arms around her waist. She hugged him back. "Hello Mokuba." She said.
Mokuba looked up at her, and he noticed that indeed she did look a little beat up. Her face was a little grubby, her arm was bruised, and her hair was disheveled. Mokuba looked at her in almost horror. "Roux, are you okay? You look awful!"
Roux gave him a weak smile. "I'm okay Mokuba, thanks." She said and patted his head.
Mokuba smiled. "That's good." Then he looked up at his big brother. "Hey Seto! I didn't think you'd be coming home so early!" Mokuba said cheerfully. "Did you guys go out for lunch or something? Did you go out on a date?"
Both Kaiba and Roux looked disgusted at the mere thought. "No Mokuba, we just came from the square." Kaiba said scornfully, and saw a detestful look at Roux. "After someone almost got herself kidnapped by Marik!"
Roux returned his glare.
Mokuba didn't seem to notice. "Seto have you seen the news report on the news? They say they might cancel the tournament because there was an attack!"
"Yes, I know." Kaiba growled.
Mokuba looked a little bit confused. "You're not worried, big brother?"
Kaiba sighed. Yes, he was worried about it; probably more than anything right about now. But he wasn't going to admit it. He turned from Mokuba and put down his briefcase by the door. "No, I'm not worried about it Mokuba."
Mokuba shrugged. He didn't know how his brother could be so calm about the entire ordeal, but he trusted his big brother more than anyone. If anyone knew what to do, it'd be him. So Mokuba looked over at Roux. "Gee Roux, you don't look so good. Did you trip or something?"
Roux swallowed softly. Kaiba listened for her reply. If she so much as mentioned what had happened earlier, she was going to pay for it.
Roux must have known what Kaiba was thinking, because she nodded. "Yeah. I was at the square and just-tripped." She said softly.
Mokuba nodded. "Well, do you wanna clean up or something?" he motioned for a maid to come over to them. "Marianne, could you please show Roux here her guest room?" Mokuba asked sweetly, without even looking at his older brother.
The maid nodded, and gestured for Roux to go with her. Roux thanked Mokuba, and looked at Kaiba with fear and hate in her eyes. Kaiba stood and turned around just to catch her glare as she disappeared up the stairs and down the hallway, following the maid.
Kaiba let out a smirk and then continued to walk in the direction of his office. Mokuba noticed his brother walking off and he quickly tried to follow. Mokuba for one wanted to know why Kaiba was so calm about what had happened at the square.
"Seto what happened? Why are you home so early?" Mokuba asked, jogging to keep up with his big brother as they went down a hallway, and in through the doors of Kaiba's office.
Kaiba growled under his breath. "The worst!" he sat down at his desk, and watched as Mokuba climbed into one of the leather chairs in front of Kaiba's desk, his big eyes were expectant of an explanation.
"What happened?" Mokuba asked.
Kaiba rubbed his forehead. He couldn't even remember fully what had happened. It was bothering him. "It was." he trailed out. Should he have told Mokuba about Roux and all the trouble she was in with what happened in the square and with Marik? Seto didn't know if Mokuba knew the entire story, but he was too tired to explain it all. "Do you know about Marik and all the trouble Roux's in?"
Mokuba nodded.
Kaiba was a bit surprised, but he continued. "Well Marik was at the square today. He tried to capture Roux, but I was able to get to her before they did." Kaiba concluded, and he thought that he was home free. But he wasn't.
"How did Roux get all dirty and stuff like that?" Mokuba asked, tilting his head to the side, a sad expression over his little face, looking at his older brother as though he held all the answers.
Kaiba thought it over. He assumed that was something he could tell Mokuba, even if the boy didn't like it. He had asked to know. "Well, we were coming here and she tried to run away from the limo." Kaiba said, starting up his laptop, not really looking at Mokuba at all. "So I had to stop her."
Mokuba was confused. "So.how exactly did you stop her?"
Kaiba shrugged. "I threw her to the ground, it was the only way she would stop." Then he felt a cold wave over him. He looked up and saw that Mokuba was staring at his brother with shock in his eyes. "Mokuba, don't look at me like that. She needs to be protected, and she's trying to run from me."
Mokuba looked as though he had just witnessed a gruesome murder. "But Seto.you didn't have to beat her up!"
"I didn't beat her up," Kaiba commented. "I just pushed her to the ground and then brought her back into the limo."
Mokuba didn't believe his brother. "You gave her that bruise on her arm, didn't you?" suddenly his voice was hollow.
Kaiba looked up, wondering why Mokuba was making such a big deal about this. Then he saw that his little brother had tears in his big eyes. Kaiba was suddenly aware that Mokuba was rather hurt with Kaiba's actions towards Roux. "Whoa Mokuba, get a grip, please.it's for her own good, you know that, I know that-"
"You don't have to be so mean to her though!" Mokuba sniffed, and a big tear rolled down Mokuba's cheek, and Kaiba watched it with pain. "You're always so mean to her, you're always yelling at her, always demanding her to do stuff!" Mokuba wiped his nose with his sleeve. "You're just a big bully to her, Seto! And what did she do to you?"
Kaiba balled his hands into fists and slammed them down on the desk. "As we speak she's costing me the tournament and my company!" Kaiba shouted at his little brother. "Ever since she's come to Domino I've had nothing but bad luck! She's a jinx! She doesn't deserve to be treated any better than how I treat her!"
"Yes she does, Seto!" Mokuba was sobbing heartily. "She's nice and pretty and smart and if you weren't so blind maybe you would see that!" Mokuba gave a heart-choked sob and tried to wipe away the tears. "If you chase her away, I'll never forgive you!"
"Mokuba, I-" but suddenly Kaiba stopped and he stared at his younger brother. Had Mokuba just said what he thought he'd said? Why would Mokuba not forgive Seto for chasing away the jinx that had brought them all bad fortune?
Kaiba very slowly sat down. "Mokuba, listen to me very carefully." He said slowly. "Roux is now staying here in the mansion. I'm not chasing her away." Kaiba knew that he already had too many enemies, he didn't need one out of his brother, the one person in the world he could confide in.
Mokuba sniffed. "Well you better not be." He said and got off the chair and started to head in the direction of the door. "I hope you'll say you're sorry for bruising her arm!" he added, and then was gone.
When Mokuba was safely gone, and Kaiba heard his footsteps growing faint down the hallway, he let out a huge sigh and ran his hands over his face. He was in such an awful position. Mokuba was mad at him, the tournament might have been canceled, and things were being questioned of Kaiba Corporation.
Kaiba leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. Maybe he had been a little hard on Roux, despite not wanting to admit it. If her arm was badly bruised, the least he could do was apologize.
~ What am I thinking? ~ He scolded himself. ~ She should be the one apologizing to me! She's costing me the tournament, my company, my pride.~
Seto shook his head and found his conscience reaching out to him. It hadn't done that in years, but the only way he could get it to shut up and leave him alone was standing up and leaving his office.
~*~
Roux closed her eyes as she stepped into the enormous bathtub that the maid had fixed for her in one of the guest bathrooms. Tilting her head back she let the warm water rush over her aching body, stinging in some of the places that she was hurt, but then calming her every nerve and making all her bad thoughts melt away.
She hadn't remembered when she had last been this relaxed. The bubbles that the maid had added softened the water and gave a sweet almond smell to the water. The tub, big enough to fit at least three people, was all to herself.
Roux could have used the relaxation after the terrible day she had just been through. Even though it wasn't over yet, she was glad that the better portion of it was over. Hopefully tomorrow would be another day.
She was almost positive that Kaiba hadn't been serious when he said he would keep her in the mansion and she wouldn't leave. At least she hoped he hadn't been serious. Even though there were many things to do around this enormous mansion to keep her preoccupied, and she would be protected highly by all of the guards, she couldn't stand a cage to keep her from the outside world.
And then there was Joey. She wanted to talk to Joey more than ever at this point, just to hear his voice. If Kaiba was indeed serious, she could always nag him to have Joey over or something so they could visit.
But at this point in time Seto Kaiba was scaring Roux a little bit, despite how much she loathed him, and how much he hated her in return, he was intimidating.
Worse than intimidating, Roux thought to herself and grimaced, he was also attractive, and that made everything unbearable. There was nothing worse than being afraid of and hating someone whom attracted you.
Momentarily she thought about the tournament. If it was going to be canceled, Kaiba would rule it out to be her fault, and even if it wasn't, Roux would somehow bring it upon herself to feel entirely guilty. She sighed. If the tournament was canceled, Kaiba's company would get a little shifty, and she would be held responsible, by both Kaiba and herself, even if it was he who had launched the Blue Eyes White Dragon, scared all those people, hurt Marik's men and destroyed half the square.
Roux shivered at the thought of Marik. His voice had sounded evil enough, she didn't even want to meet him in person. She began to think that maybe staying in the Kaiba mansion was a good idea afterall. Here Marik couldn't touch her, what with Kaiba's guards and all. She would be completely safe here.
After an hour had passed and Roux was still lying in the tub, she pulled the plug and climbed out of the enormous bathtub, and threw on the housecoat that the maid had left for her. Roux blew out the candles that had been lit, fixed her hair up, and then headed towards the door.
She turned the knob and opened the door, and she turned off the light, and then ran directly into Kaiba, who was standing there, as if waiting for her to come out.
Roux let out a soft scream, and she looked up, and upon seeing Kaiba she immediately pulled her housecoat completely closed and cleared her throat. She didn't know what to say; what was he doing there, waiting for her to get out of the bathtub?
Awed and dumbstruck by his presence there, Roux was completely lost for words. She swallowed tightly and couldn't pull her gaze away from his icy blue eyes. He stared down at her, and for a single moment she thought she saw his eyes gleaming with a kind of warmth. He looked down from her eyes.
Roux sighed softly, and then wondered what he was looking at. If he was trying to look at her beneath the housecoat, he was a filthy pervert, and she was about to slap him what-
He reached out with his hand, and mumbled something inaudible under his breath. Roux leaned forward. "Sorry?" she asked.
Kaiba looked into her eyes. "Let me see your arm."
Rather surprised, but curious to know what he was up to, Roux extended out her right arm. She swallowed, she was afraid he was going to hurt her again, she almost pulled her arm away.
But then Kaiba very gently took hold of her wrist, and with his fingers on the other hand he rolled up the sleeve of the housecoat. His eyes stirred for a moment when he saw the bruise on her arm, the shape of his fingers.
Roux studied him. What was he doing? He was holding her arm so gently, it were as if he were afraid he was going to hurt her. She swallowed softly and watched as his eyes shook softly, almost with sadness.
Kaiba sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry." He told her.
Roux couldn't believe her ears. "You're what?"
"I'm sorry." He said again, running his thumb lightly over the bruise, and the covering it with the sleeve. Then he dropped her arm and stepped back from her, his eyes still on her. "I got carried away this afternoon." He confessed. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."
Roux stared at him. She wondered if he was sincere. His eyes told her that he was doing this just because his conscience was getting to him, but her heart told her that he was truly sorry for bruising her arm.
She shrugged. "I'm sorry too." She said softly.
Kaiba's eyes widened slowly. He hadn't been expecting that, but he found himself lost for words. He couldn't say anything to respond to her words.
Roux sighed and looked down at the floor. "I've probably cost you the tournament, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so stupid." With that she turned away from him and slowly began to walk down the hallway. "Forgive me." She said to him, and then disappeared through the door to the guestroom.
When she was gone, Kaiba let out a deep groan and leaned against the wall. That was about the hardest thing he had ever had to do in his life. He couldn't wait to tell Mokuba. Now his little brother would never think that Kaiba was mean.
Ever since he had met Roux, he never thought he would ever have to apologize to her for anything, but there it was, and now it was over. He was glad to have something so horrible out of the way.
But if he thought it so horrible, why was he suddenly feeling so warm inside?
~*~
**** Aww! ^^ Well it's now official! Once this story is finished, which shall be pretty soon, I will begin to write a sequel! But I need suggestions for the title, can YOU help me? Thanks for all the great reviews guys! ^_^ Ciao for now! ****