**** I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh ****
**** Bulletin: There are five remaining chapters left of "Red Lips, Blue Eyes"! ^_^ ****
Chapter Thirty
Angel
"We're going where?" Roux asked the next morning at the breakfast table, where she had been eating oatmeal and talking with Mokuba, who was eating pancakes. They had been talking when a maid emerged and informed them both to get ready, the master of the house was leaving soon and they would have to go with him.
Mokuba was out of his seat in a flash, jumping with excitement and forgetting all about his half-eaten pancakes. Roux got up slowly, feeling a bit confused. Mokuba took Roux's hand and led her out into the foyer, and they waited for Kaiba.
Roux didn't understand. Where was Kaiba taking them both? Wouldn't she go with Joey today? Or would Kaiba keep her close by? And if he did, for what reason?
Kaiba emerged momentarily like a dark, angry shadow. Roux saw him at the top of the stairs. He touched his forehead, and she frowned. He looked terrible. His skin was pale and his eyes hid disturbed feelings. Had he slept at all last night?
Mokuba noticed it as well. His cheerfulness was gone and replaced with worry. "Wow Seto, are you okay?" he asked.
Kaiba rubbed his eyes softly. "I'm fine." He lied. "Difficulties sleeping."
Roux nodded. So that had been it. She wanted to ask Kaiba if he would be okay, and if maybe he should stay at the mansion and get some sleep, but before she could ask he was hurrying them both out the door. "Come on, hurry. We have to get to Kaiba Corp quick as possible."
Mokuba ran to the limo ahead of Roux and Kaiba, who were walking side by side and in silence. Roux looked at him from the side. Why was he acting so odd? He never walked beside her; he always walked in front of or behind her. Finally she turned her eyes and looked at him fully. He looked upset and disturbed. It stirred her curiosity and worry.
"Kaiba," she asked softly, fighting the urge to touch his shoulder. He didn't look at her, but she knew he was listening. "Where-where are we going?"
He breathed in tightly. "I have to take you with me today to Kaiba Corp. I've already talked to Wheeler, he knows you're not coming today." They got in the limo.
Roux sat in silence. She didn't understand, as she stared at Kaiba, why on earth he would want her around. Because not only did he resent this stupid mission and his foolish destiny, but he hated her. At least she thought he did. Why would he want her around?
Roux didn't complain, however. Perhaps spending the day with Kaiba would be good. Perhaps they could talk. She knew she had to spend at least a little time away from Joey, especially after the way they had all laughed at Kaiba the day before. This would be a nice change of pace.
Kaiba wondered if this had been a mistake. Bringing Roux to Kaiba Corp, that is. He knew that it wasn't as though she would act like a dumb blonde, to say she would trip over something and break it. No, Roux wasn't like that, she wasn't stupid, and he knew this well. He also knew he had to keep an eye on her because of his dream last night.
Half the night he had been up on account of that dream. He thought about it a few times over, trying to make a rational conclusion about it. Little sleep was not good for someone like him. He wasn't looking forward to going into the office today, and he was wondering if bringing Roux had been a mistake.
Mokuba however was so excited to be having Roux come to Kaiba Corp; he was practically giddy with excitement. "I can show you the labs, the testing room, Seto's office-"
Roux smiled heartily and touched Mokuba's shoulder gently. "That sounds great Mokuba," she eyed Kaiba and held her smile. "But I don't think we should disturb your brother while he's working."
Kaiba crossed his arms. So she was being considerate, that didn't mean anything. "I'm checking the tournament equipment. The appeal came out, the tournament is postponed to next week." He announced.
Roux nodded. "I didn't think they'd cancel it." She said modestly.
They all sat in silence until they arrived at the Kaiba Corp building. Mokuba bounced out of the limo and was the first one to reach the doors. Before Roux or Kaiba got out he was already inside. The two of them slowly approached the doors.
Before Roux could reach for the door handle, Kaiba placed his hand gently on her shoulder, bringing her to a halt. She froze, turned around and looked at Kaiba questionably.
Kaiba's eyes showed something like compassion, maybe sadness. They seemed to warm a little as she stared at him. "I want you to stay close to me today." He told her. "Don't wander off out of my sight. You understand?" his voice held a gentle tone, one which was unfamiliar to Roux.
She stared at him, trying to see something more in his eyes. She nodded. "Yes." She told him. She was confused. Was Kaiba-did Kaiba care about her?
A voice spoke inside Kaiba's head. ~ Don't be too gentle, you idiot! You'll give her the wrong impression! ~
Kaiba heeded this warning, and soon he took his hand off Roux's shoulder. He cleared his throat. "Hurry up, in!" he said sternly, opening the door.
Even as Roux was forced inside she sighed softly to herself. ~ No, he doesn't care. ~
The lobby of the Kaiba Corp building was tastefully decorated. The floor was laid out of granite slabs that made it smooth and stylish, and which made noise when walked upon. Two large water fountains rested on each side of the door, gurgling gently, surrounded by green plants. A large security desk sat in the center of the room, where a woman with a headset sat comfortably. On the desk was a large silver KC symbol overlapping each other, identical to the enormous KC on the far wall by the back of elevators.
"Follow me." Kaiba ordered in a hiss to Roux, who was admiring the interior design of the lobby. She let him walk ahead of her. Mokuba was already talking cheerfully with the woman at the desk.
"Come on Mokuba." Kaiba said to his brother, going past the desk without a word to the woman, who nodded.
"Good morning Mr. Kaiba." She said cheerfully, no reply. Mokuba left to follow his brother but not without giving the woman a wave.
Roux followed along. Kaiba was almost to the bank of elevators when roux came towards the desk. The woman smiled happily at her. "Good morning." She chirped.
Before Roux could reply, the woman's jaw dropped open in shock and her eyes went wide. "Y-you're-wow! You're Roux Matuko!"
Roux laughed and then nodded. She felt like she was back in Osaka, where the people would see her, recognize her and praise her. "Yes," she confessed. "I'm Roux Matuko."
The woman gasped in excitement and came closer. "Wow, this is such an honor! I have a subscription to 'White Plum', are you one of the most talented models I have ever seen!" she placed her hands over her heart and looked like she would cry. "You're like my idol."
When Kaiba looked over, wondering where Roux was, and why she wasn't following him closely like he told her to, he saw that she was talking to the woman at the desk rather excitedly. He rolled his eyes, irritated.
~ Great, the blonde bimbos find each other. ~ He sighed and started to walk towards the desk.
The woman at the desk couldn't stop talking to Roux; she was having the time of her life. "So what are you doing here in Domino City?" she asked. "New shoot or something?"
Roux shook her head. "Actually I'm taking part in the Battle City Tournament."
The woman looked like she would have a heart attack. "Wow, how cool! Well that explains why you're with Mr. Kaiba-" the woman trailed out softly and her expression melted as a very furious-looking Kaiba stepped behind Roux.
Roux looked up and over at him. Indeed he didn't like to be kept waiting. "If you two hens have stopped clacking away," he narrowed his eyes to Roux. "I'd like to move along!"
Roux swallowed softly. "Sorry." She mumbled.
Kaiba's nostrils flared testily, and he moved away from the desk again towards the bank of elevators. Roux knew she should follow him, so she waved good bye to the woman at the desk.
"Well it was nice meeting you." The woman waved, and then her expression faltered. "Oh, hey! I'm sorry about Mr. Tori!"
Roux's smile was gone when she heard Kale's name. She tried to keep it neutral. She didn't know if anyone knew he had been murdered. Although it sounded like this woman did. "What about him?"
The woman shrugged. "Well I heard on the news that he had died, the police found him murdered in his own home." She looked forlorn. "You were married to him awhile ago, weren't you?"
Kaiba stopped, and very slowly he looked over his shoulder at Roux. She stood and stared at the young model, sadness was growing in her eyes. Kaiba's chest gave an unexpected pound, and it startled him for a moment. He didn't want to see her sad like that.
Roux tried to give a smile, but failed. "Yeah." She said softly. "I was." She nodded.
Kaiba started to walk again towards the elevators, looking at his feet. He tried not to let her get to him, not her or her feelings. But it was hard. She had lost her ex-husband and her best friend brutally, and he was certain she didn't want to be reminded how or why he was killed.
Roux followed Kaiba, looking sad, trying her best not to think about Kale. It wouldn't be good at a time like this. No one was there to offer her any comfort. Well, there was Mokuba, but she didn't know how to accept comfort from him. And Kaiba-Kaiba wouldn't give her any comfort. He sounded like the person who would mutter, "suck it up" and walk away.
The bell dinged and the three of them got into the elevator quickly. When they were inside Mokuba pressed the button and both Roux and Kaiba leaned against the far wall of the elevator car. Roux let out a soft sigh.
They were in the elevator for what seemed to be forever in the silence. When they reached the floor where Kaiba's office was, all Roux could see was a small hallway leading to two large platinum doors with the same KC symbol on them. Beside the doors was the secretary sitting at the desk.
Kaiba trudged forward through the hallway. "Any messages?" he asked the secretary, not looking at her.
"No sir, but they're expecting you down in the lab." She commented, and went back to shuffling her things around and organizing things.
Kaiba nodded as he unlocked his office doors. "I know." He said. He opened the doors and went inside. Roux hurriedly went after him. She was in his spacious office while Mokuba went to chatter with the secretary, like he had done with the woman downstairs.
There was hardly anything in the large office. Kaiba's desk sat in front of a very large window towards the back of the room, where a laptop and phone rested on top. A large aquarium took up all of the side-wall to her right, and a few bookshelves stood against the wall to her left.
"I just have to get something." Kaiba said and went to his desk.
Roux went to the large aquarium without delay. The gentle gurgle of the sway water relaxed her, and the schools of coloured fish danced past her, making her smile. If she owned anything like this it would bring her the greatest tranquillity.
She slowly moved from the aquarium to the other side of the room to the bookshelves. She was interested to know what kind of books he read. To her disappointed, they were all binders of payroll and business papers. But framed pictures sat in front of them, so Roux looked over them.
Most of the pictures were of Mokuba doing various activities, and sometimes in the picture K\aiba could be seen off in the back scowling and crossing his arms. Roux smiled when she saw those pictures. Then she saw another picture and her smile fainted slowly.
It was a picture of both Kaiba and Mokuba together when they were younger. They were sitting and playing chess, while other kids gathered around and watched. Kaiba was smiling.
Roux studied the picture for a long time. Kaiba was smiling. How long ago was this?
"Found it." Kaiba announced, and he scaled across the room to go to the doors. But then he looked around. "Roux?" he called.
Kaiba looked around, and he saw her standing at the bookshelves, looking at the pictures. Slowly he walked towards her; he was interested in what she was looking at. He came and stood beside her, his eyes followed her gaze to the picture of him and Mokuba at the orphanage.
He growled inside. ~ Of all pictures she had to see this one! ~
"This picture," she murmured, and lightly touched it with the fingertips. "You're smiling." She seemed to be in disbelief, almost shock.
Miffed, Kaiba reached forward, took the picture and placed it face down so she couldn't see it anymore. He could feel her disappointment. He looked down at her. "We have to get downstairs." He informed her, and then he went to the door.
Roux followed silently, still in what seemed to be shock of seeing Kaiba as a young boy smiling. She thought it was interesting why he didn't have any other pictures in between that time and the age he was now. Or from when he was littler. Roux suspected something very faulty had happened in Kaiba's past. And even though it was none of her business, she felt in her heart it was her duty to find out. \
~*~
The laboratory was grander than anything Roux would have expected. The massive room was filled with electronics, devices, and men walking around in long white jackets with clipboards. When the doors to the elevator opened, and they came directly into the room, Roux felt a mass of excitement come to her. She was seeing how everything in a duel monsters duel was done.
Kaiba marched directly inside. Roux and Mokuba followed, but Roux took the time to look around. She saw men this way and that trying out new equipment and hunching over little electronics. In the far back corner of the room was a duplicate of what the dueling arena would look like. It was all so overwhelming.
"Ah, Mr. Kaiba!" came an impressed voice from not far away, and Roux looked over to see what was going on. Kaiba was talking to one of the scientists, one who looked like he was in charge. Kaiba didn't look particularly pleased.
"I should think you've heard the appeal." Kaiba said sourly.
The man nodded. "Of course sir, and we are busy like beavers trying to make everything just as perfect as nature will allow, I can assure you." He put his palms together and smiled.
Kaiba smirked. "Good, because I'm paying you good money to make sure that a postponement like this never happens again!" he looked around expectedly. "Now where is it?"
Roux took a few steps forward to see what Kaiba was talking about. In a moment the scientist turned to his desk and brought forth what looked like a normal dueling disk. Roux couldn't see anything different about it.
She watched closely as Kaiba put it on, and it snapped into control instantly. 4000 life points dialed up on the disk's life point detector.
"We're extremely proud of this invention, Mr. Kaiba." The man beamed. "Of course, it was your idea afterall. It had to be great." Roux rolled her eyes as she could detect falsehood in the man's voice.
Kaiba didn't seem to be listening. He waved his arm this way and that, checking each inch of the dueling disk carefully, making sure there was nothing wrong with it from what he could see. He nodded. "Good." He reached inside his pocket and pulled out his deck, and inserted it into the deck holder. "I assume, as we discussed, these new holograms create the real blasts and perform real damage?"
The man nodded. "Yes sir."
Roux was confused. She stood and listened. If the new holograms could create the real blasts from each monster, and inflict real damage upon their opponent when in a duel.but this was a hologram game. Why would Kaiba want it so it could hurt people?
Kaiba nodded and took the disk off. "Perfect. Have at least ten of them ready for the Tournament Finals." He handed it to the man.
The man nodded. "Of course sir, we're working right on it."
Kaiba left the man and began to approach Roux, who had a startled look on her face. He didn't seem to notice right away. "I have some work to do now. I'm sure I can trust Mokuba to show you the parts of the building, if you so wish." Then he must have noticed the look on her face. "What's wrong with you?" \ Roux shook her head. "Nothing." She lied.
~*~
The day had gone by swiftly, and by the time it reached eight o'clock PM it was getting darker outside and Kaiba was getting distracted. As he tried to work on his uploaded files, nothing could bring him away from the memory of seeing Roux down in the lab with that look on her face.
What had been bothering her? He didn't know, and he wanted to know. She seemed so disturbed all of a sudden, and he didn't understand it. He stopped tapping at the keyboard and buried his hands in his hair. He couldn't think of anything else all day.
Gentle rapping came to the door, and Kaiba snapped himself out of the daydream. He cleared his throat. "Come in." he called.
The door opened, and Roux stepped inside. She had a small smile on her lips. He was relieved. He didn't want to see her with that pain-struck face again. "Your little brother is getting a little bit restless." Roux said. "He wants to go home."
Kaiba looked at his watch, and then he nodded. "I'll call the limo around and we'll go." He declared turning off the laptop and standing up. He pressed the button on the intercom to his secretary. "Get the limo around." He ordered, and pulled his finger from the button.
He looked up after gathering everything in his briefcase. Roux was still standing in the doorway; she has looking once again, disturbed. This was beginning to bother Kaiba. What was wrong with her? Why did she always have that upset look on her face?
\When they were down in the limo Mokuba had curled up and was asleep. He rested his head on Roux's lap, and she gently stroked his hair while staring out the window with the same pained look on her face.
Kaiba sat and stared at her, irritated. Why did she look so upset? Had something happene\d during the day when he hadn't seen her and was working? He badly wanted to ask her.
He came to the conclusion that it was because the woman in the downstairs foyer had said she was sorry about Kale Tori's death. That had to be it. Roux didn't want to be reminded of the brutality in which her ex-husband had been slain.
Mokuba stirred and then sat up. He rubbed his big eyes and then was wide- awake. He yawned. "Wow, I must have been sleeping for hours." He mumbled to himself, unsure if his brother and Roux were listening.
Roux smiled down at him. "Only ten minutes." She told him gently.
Mokuba looked disappointed, for whatever reason, but he instantly looked out the window and he broke into a wide-open smile. "Hey wow look! A skating rink! Let's go skating!" he looked up at Roux and then to his brother. "Can we go skating Seto? Huh, can we? Can we?"
Kaiba groaned, and he wished Mokuba had stayed asleep. Kaiba didn't want to waste his time at a skating rink, he wouldn't be skating, so what time value could be held sitting at a bench?
"I don't think so, Mokuba." Kaiba mumbled.
"Aww come on Seto!" Mokuba whined. "Can we please go? Please?" Mokuba brought his hands together and begged his brother.
Kaiba looked at Roux, and she shrugged with an odd smile on her lips. Kaiba then looked down once again at Mokuba. He couldn't resist those eyes. He sighed very deeply, picked up the phone, and told the driver to drop them off at the skating rink.
They rented skates, and Kaiba sat on a nearby bench while he watched Mokuba cling to Roux's hands as he tried to skate backwards with great determination but sudden discomfort. It was clear that Roux knew how to skate, she gently moved to and fro while holding Mokuba's hands.
Twinkle lights decorated the trees that hovered above the frosted air. The rink was almost deserted, except for the odd couple skating in unison, and the few kids with hockey pucks and sticks wanting to play a game. The evening air was warm, but the ice was cool. It was silent, and the soft plush blue light of the nearby lamps gave the rink an eerie glow.
Roux skated a little faster, still holding Mokuba's hands, twirling him around and then twirling themselves on the ice. The more Kaiba watched the more he wanted to be a part of it. But he stayed quiet and kept to himself. He had never once in his life really been asked to take part in anything, but he never needed it. All he needed was himself.
Kaiba kept his eyes on Roux. She left Mokuba to skate by himself, and again he fumbled with trying to skate backwards. Roux skated off on her own, going swiftly, raising her arms to meet the wind. Her eyes closed as she felt the kiss of the warm air on her cheek, the wave of golden hair flowing behind her.
With her black jacket and the shimmer of her golden hair and the glow of the ice and the light on her perfect face.she was a soaring angel, with the grace and spirituality of a goddess. Kaiba tried to force his eyes away and think of something else, but he couldn't. He couldn't think of anything but her for the past few days.
\Mokuba skated towards Kaiba and sat down next to him. "You sure you don't want to try it Seto?" he asked. "It's fun once you get used to it!"
Kaiba smirked. "It will be a cold day in Hell when I get on a pair of ice skates and make a fool of myself." He growled.
There was silence between them. They both watched Roux as she skated around the rink like a free spirit, swaying this way and that like there was music to sway to. She would spin and embrace the air.
She skated towards where Kaiba and Mokuba were sitting, and she grinned at them both. She was pink in the cheeks, her eyes sparkled. "Tired already Mokuba?" she asked Mokuba.
The little boy shook his head. "No! Just resting a minute." He said.
She nodded and then turned her gaze to Kaiba, who already knew it was coming and prepared himself. "What about you Kaiba? Any second thoughts?"
He pouted. "Whatever."
Roux grinned and reached for his hands. "Come, we must have you skate!" she proposed, and pulled him to his feet instantly and smiled, as if she were Mercutio asking Romeo to dance.
Kaiba rolled his eyes and looked down at her. She was enjoying herself, he could see it in her eyes, but he didn't want to dance on the ice. Further more, he refused. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not one for ice skates."
The girl laughed softly. "Oh there's nothing to it." She backed up a little to show him. "See watch my feet, this is all you do." She gently kicked off with one foot, and slowly came towards him. "Then you do the same with this foot." She did the same with her other foot, and skated an inch more towards him. "And then you just-oops!"
Without warning, the tip of Roux's skate caught in a dent in the ice. She let out a small cry and fell forward.right into Kaiba's arms. \ Kaiba had been completely oblivious as to how it happened. She was on the ice one moment, and then in his arms the next. He hadn't moved, he held onto her tightly, and held her against him instinctively. What it for fear or her being hurt? Or what it coincidence?
Roux was so confused; her head screamed a thousand comments at her. Telling her to get up, to stay there, to get a whiff of Kaiba's cologne while she had the chance.Roux was so confused, but she found herself cradled in Kaiba's arms, her body against his. She looked up at him daringly.
To her surprise, he was neither angry nor disgusted. He stared down at her with his azure gaze, and Roux could have sworn she saw them fill with something.something like.
He helped her up, and she lost her train of thought. He swallowed tightly. "I think that's enough skating for today." He said modestly, and waited patiently while Mokuba and Roux took off their ice skates and handed them to the booth.
The next moment they were in the limo. Mokuba had fallen asleep once again, and both Kaiba and Roux were staring out the window, both unsure what to say to each other. Roux swallowed. She certainly hoped Kaiba didn't think she intended to fall into his arms. He wouldn't have liked that one bit. Or would he have? She eyed him cautiously.
He wouldn't look at her; Kaiba's eyes were fixed directly on the objects passing by. His arms crossed and his expression grim, she knew for a fact that he had indeed been angry about what she had done.
Roux cleared her throat. She wanted to clear this up more than anything. She didn't want another feud to brew between them. "Kaiba." she whispered gently.
Kaiba didn't move. He was a statue lost in his own thoughts.
Again she tried. "Kaiba? I." she couldn't find the words to speak as she saw him blink, and then shift his shoulders.
Taking in a very, very deep breath, he let it out in a gigantic sigh, and said the few words that he knew he would regret. "Do you still want to know about my past?"
~*~
**** Okay, sorry it took so long to update guys! Rough couple of days, week before Christmas, got so much to do, so little time. Well, what does this chapter say to you, hmm? Is Kaiba softening and beginning to trust Roux a little more? Is that all he'll feel for her? Hang on tight for the next update, coming soon! ****
^_^ Merry Christmas!!
**** Bulletin: There are five remaining chapters left of "Red Lips, Blue Eyes"! ^_^ ****
Chapter Thirty
Angel
"We're going where?" Roux asked the next morning at the breakfast table, where she had been eating oatmeal and talking with Mokuba, who was eating pancakes. They had been talking when a maid emerged and informed them both to get ready, the master of the house was leaving soon and they would have to go with him.
Mokuba was out of his seat in a flash, jumping with excitement and forgetting all about his half-eaten pancakes. Roux got up slowly, feeling a bit confused. Mokuba took Roux's hand and led her out into the foyer, and they waited for Kaiba.
Roux didn't understand. Where was Kaiba taking them both? Wouldn't she go with Joey today? Or would Kaiba keep her close by? And if he did, for what reason?
Kaiba emerged momentarily like a dark, angry shadow. Roux saw him at the top of the stairs. He touched his forehead, and she frowned. He looked terrible. His skin was pale and his eyes hid disturbed feelings. Had he slept at all last night?
Mokuba noticed it as well. His cheerfulness was gone and replaced with worry. "Wow Seto, are you okay?" he asked.
Kaiba rubbed his eyes softly. "I'm fine." He lied. "Difficulties sleeping."
Roux nodded. So that had been it. She wanted to ask Kaiba if he would be okay, and if maybe he should stay at the mansion and get some sleep, but before she could ask he was hurrying them both out the door. "Come on, hurry. We have to get to Kaiba Corp quick as possible."
Mokuba ran to the limo ahead of Roux and Kaiba, who were walking side by side and in silence. Roux looked at him from the side. Why was he acting so odd? He never walked beside her; he always walked in front of or behind her. Finally she turned her eyes and looked at him fully. He looked upset and disturbed. It stirred her curiosity and worry.
"Kaiba," she asked softly, fighting the urge to touch his shoulder. He didn't look at her, but she knew he was listening. "Where-where are we going?"
He breathed in tightly. "I have to take you with me today to Kaiba Corp. I've already talked to Wheeler, he knows you're not coming today." They got in the limo.
Roux sat in silence. She didn't understand, as she stared at Kaiba, why on earth he would want her around. Because not only did he resent this stupid mission and his foolish destiny, but he hated her. At least she thought he did. Why would he want her around?
Roux didn't complain, however. Perhaps spending the day with Kaiba would be good. Perhaps they could talk. She knew she had to spend at least a little time away from Joey, especially after the way they had all laughed at Kaiba the day before. This would be a nice change of pace.
Kaiba wondered if this had been a mistake. Bringing Roux to Kaiba Corp, that is. He knew that it wasn't as though she would act like a dumb blonde, to say she would trip over something and break it. No, Roux wasn't like that, she wasn't stupid, and he knew this well. He also knew he had to keep an eye on her because of his dream last night.
Half the night he had been up on account of that dream. He thought about it a few times over, trying to make a rational conclusion about it. Little sleep was not good for someone like him. He wasn't looking forward to going into the office today, and he was wondering if bringing Roux had been a mistake.
Mokuba however was so excited to be having Roux come to Kaiba Corp; he was practically giddy with excitement. "I can show you the labs, the testing room, Seto's office-"
Roux smiled heartily and touched Mokuba's shoulder gently. "That sounds great Mokuba," she eyed Kaiba and held her smile. "But I don't think we should disturb your brother while he's working."
Kaiba crossed his arms. So she was being considerate, that didn't mean anything. "I'm checking the tournament equipment. The appeal came out, the tournament is postponed to next week." He announced.
Roux nodded. "I didn't think they'd cancel it." She said modestly.
They all sat in silence until they arrived at the Kaiba Corp building. Mokuba bounced out of the limo and was the first one to reach the doors. Before Roux or Kaiba got out he was already inside. The two of them slowly approached the doors.
Before Roux could reach for the door handle, Kaiba placed his hand gently on her shoulder, bringing her to a halt. She froze, turned around and looked at Kaiba questionably.
Kaiba's eyes showed something like compassion, maybe sadness. They seemed to warm a little as she stared at him. "I want you to stay close to me today." He told her. "Don't wander off out of my sight. You understand?" his voice held a gentle tone, one which was unfamiliar to Roux.
She stared at him, trying to see something more in his eyes. She nodded. "Yes." She told him. She was confused. Was Kaiba-did Kaiba care about her?
A voice spoke inside Kaiba's head. ~ Don't be too gentle, you idiot! You'll give her the wrong impression! ~
Kaiba heeded this warning, and soon he took his hand off Roux's shoulder. He cleared his throat. "Hurry up, in!" he said sternly, opening the door.
Even as Roux was forced inside she sighed softly to herself. ~ No, he doesn't care. ~
The lobby of the Kaiba Corp building was tastefully decorated. The floor was laid out of granite slabs that made it smooth and stylish, and which made noise when walked upon. Two large water fountains rested on each side of the door, gurgling gently, surrounded by green plants. A large security desk sat in the center of the room, where a woman with a headset sat comfortably. On the desk was a large silver KC symbol overlapping each other, identical to the enormous KC on the far wall by the back of elevators.
"Follow me." Kaiba ordered in a hiss to Roux, who was admiring the interior design of the lobby. She let him walk ahead of her. Mokuba was already talking cheerfully with the woman at the desk.
"Come on Mokuba." Kaiba said to his brother, going past the desk without a word to the woman, who nodded.
"Good morning Mr. Kaiba." She said cheerfully, no reply. Mokuba left to follow his brother but not without giving the woman a wave.
Roux followed along. Kaiba was almost to the bank of elevators when roux came towards the desk. The woman smiled happily at her. "Good morning." She chirped.
Before Roux could reply, the woman's jaw dropped open in shock and her eyes went wide. "Y-you're-wow! You're Roux Matuko!"
Roux laughed and then nodded. She felt like she was back in Osaka, where the people would see her, recognize her and praise her. "Yes," she confessed. "I'm Roux Matuko."
The woman gasped in excitement and came closer. "Wow, this is such an honor! I have a subscription to 'White Plum', are you one of the most talented models I have ever seen!" she placed her hands over her heart and looked like she would cry. "You're like my idol."
When Kaiba looked over, wondering where Roux was, and why she wasn't following him closely like he told her to, he saw that she was talking to the woman at the desk rather excitedly. He rolled his eyes, irritated.
~ Great, the blonde bimbos find each other. ~ He sighed and started to walk towards the desk.
The woman at the desk couldn't stop talking to Roux; she was having the time of her life. "So what are you doing here in Domino City?" she asked. "New shoot or something?"
Roux shook her head. "Actually I'm taking part in the Battle City Tournament."
The woman looked like she would have a heart attack. "Wow, how cool! Well that explains why you're with Mr. Kaiba-" the woman trailed out softly and her expression melted as a very furious-looking Kaiba stepped behind Roux.
Roux looked up and over at him. Indeed he didn't like to be kept waiting. "If you two hens have stopped clacking away," he narrowed his eyes to Roux. "I'd like to move along!"
Roux swallowed softly. "Sorry." She mumbled.
Kaiba's nostrils flared testily, and he moved away from the desk again towards the bank of elevators. Roux knew she should follow him, so she waved good bye to the woman at the desk.
"Well it was nice meeting you." The woman waved, and then her expression faltered. "Oh, hey! I'm sorry about Mr. Tori!"
Roux's smile was gone when she heard Kale's name. She tried to keep it neutral. She didn't know if anyone knew he had been murdered. Although it sounded like this woman did. "What about him?"
The woman shrugged. "Well I heard on the news that he had died, the police found him murdered in his own home." She looked forlorn. "You were married to him awhile ago, weren't you?"
Kaiba stopped, and very slowly he looked over his shoulder at Roux. She stood and stared at the young model, sadness was growing in her eyes. Kaiba's chest gave an unexpected pound, and it startled him for a moment. He didn't want to see her sad like that.
Roux tried to give a smile, but failed. "Yeah." She said softly. "I was." She nodded.
Kaiba started to walk again towards the elevators, looking at his feet. He tried not to let her get to him, not her or her feelings. But it was hard. She had lost her ex-husband and her best friend brutally, and he was certain she didn't want to be reminded how or why he was killed.
Roux followed Kaiba, looking sad, trying her best not to think about Kale. It wouldn't be good at a time like this. No one was there to offer her any comfort. Well, there was Mokuba, but she didn't know how to accept comfort from him. And Kaiba-Kaiba wouldn't give her any comfort. He sounded like the person who would mutter, "suck it up" and walk away.
The bell dinged and the three of them got into the elevator quickly. When they were inside Mokuba pressed the button and both Roux and Kaiba leaned against the far wall of the elevator car. Roux let out a soft sigh.
They were in the elevator for what seemed to be forever in the silence. When they reached the floor where Kaiba's office was, all Roux could see was a small hallway leading to two large platinum doors with the same KC symbol on them. Beside the doors was the secretary sitting at the desk.
Kaiba trudged forward through the hallway. "Any messages?" he asked the secretary, not looking at her.
"No sir, but they're expecting you down in the lab." She commented, and went back to shuffling her things around and organizing things.
Kaiba nodded as he unlocked his office doors. "I know." He said. He opened the doors and went inside. Roux hurriedly went after him. She was in his spacious office while Mokuba went to chatter with the secretary, like he had done with the woman downstairs.
There was hardly anything in the large office. Kaiba's desk sat in front of a very large window towards the back of the room, where a laptop and phone rested on top. A large aquarium took up all of the side-wall to her right, and a few bookshelves stood against the wall to her left.
"I just have to get something." Kaiba said and went to his desk.
Roux went to the large aquarium without delay. The gentle gurgle of the sway water relaxed her, and the schools of coloured fish danced past her, making her smile. If she owned anything like this it would bring her the greatest tranquillity.
She slowly moved from the aquarium to the other side of the room to the bookshelves. She was interested to know what kind of books he read. To her disappointed, they were all binders of payroll and business papers. But framed pictures sat in front of them, so Roux looked over them.
Most of the pictures were of Mokuba doing various activities, and sometimes in the picture K\aiba could be seen off in the back scowling and crossing his arms. Roux smiled when she saw those pictures. Then she saw another picture and her smile fainted slowly.
It was a picture of both Kaiba and Mokuba together when they were younger. They were sitting and playing chess, while other kids gathered around and watched. Kaiba was smiling.
Roux studied the picture for a long time. Kaiba was smiling. How long ago was this?
"Found it." Kaiba announced, and he scaled across the room to go to the doors. But then he looked around. "Roux?" he called.
Kaiba looked around, and he saw her standing at the bookshelves, looking at the pictures. Slowly he walked towards her; he was interested in what she was looking at. He came and stood beside her, his eyes followed her gaze to the picture of him and Mokuba at the orphanage.
He growled inside. ~ Of all pictures she had to see this one! ~
"This picture," she murmured, and lightly touched it with the fingertips. "You're smiling." She seemed to be in disbelief, almost shock.
Miffed, Kaiba reached forward, took the picture and placed it face down so she couldn't see it anymore. He could feel her disappointment. He looked down at her. "We have to get downstairs." He informed her, and then he went to the door.
Roux followed silently, still in what seemed to be shock of seeing Kaiba as a young boy smiling. She thought it was interesting why he didn't have any other pictures in between that time and the age he was now. Or from when he was littler. Roux suspected something very faulty had happened in Kaiba's past. And even though it was none of her business, she felt in her heart it was her duty to find out. \
~*~
The laboratory was grander than anything Roux would have expected. The massive room was filled with electronics, devices, and men walking around in long white jackets with clipboards. When the doors to the elevator opened, and they came directly into the room, Roux felt a mass of excitement come to her. She was seeing how everything in a duel monsters duel was done.
Kaiba marched directly inside. Roux and Mokuba followed, but Roux took the time to look around. She saw men this way and that trying out new equipment and hunching over little electronics. In the far back corner of the room was a duplicate of what the dueling arena would look like. It was all so overwhelming.
"Ah, Mr. Kaiba!" came an impressed voice from not far away, and Roux looked over to see what was going on. Kaiba was talking to one of the scientists, one who looked like he was in charge. Kaiba didn't look particularly pleased.
"I should think you've heard the appeal." Kaiba said sourly.
The man nodded. "Of course sir, and we are busy like beavers trying to make everything just as perfect as nature will allow, I can assure you." He put his palms together and smiled.
Kaiba smirked. "Good, because I'm paying you good money to make sure that a postponement like this never happens again!" he looked around expectedly. "Now where is it?"
Roux took a few steps forward to see what Kaiba was talking about. In a moment the scientist turned to his desk and brought forth what looked like a normal dueling disk. Roux couldn't see anything different about it.
She watched closely as Kaiba put it on, and it snapped into control instantly. 4000 life points dialed up on the disk's life point detector.
"We're extremely proud of this invention, Mr. Kaiba." The man beamed. "Of course, it was your idea afterall. It had to be great." Roux rolled her eyes as she could detect falsehood in the man's voice.
Kaiba didn't seem to be listening. He waved his arm this way and that, checking each inch of the dueling disk carefully, making sure there was nothing wrong with it from what he could see. He nodded. "Good." He reached inside his pocket and pulled out his deck, and inserted it into the deck holder. "I assume, as we discussed, these new holograms create the real blasts and perform real damage?"
The man nodded. "Yes sir."
Roux was confused. She stood and listened. If the new holograms could create the real blasts from each monster, and inflict real damage upon their opponent when in a duel.but this was a hologram game. Why would Kaiba want it so it could hurt people?
Kaiba nodded and took the disk off. "Perfect. Have at least ten of them ready for the Tournament Finals." He handed it to the man.
The man nodded. "Of course sir, we're working right on it."
Kaiba left the man and began to approach Roux, who had a startled look on her face. He didn't seem to notice right away. "I have some work to do now. I'm sure I can trust Mokuba to show you the parts of the building, if you so wish." Then he must have noticed the look on her face. "What's wrong with you?" \ Roux shook her head. "Nothing." She lied.
~*~
The day had gone by swiftly, and by the time it reached eight o'clock PM it was getting darker outside and Kaiba was getting distracted. As he tried to work on his uploaded files, nothing could bring him away from the memory of seeing Roux down in the lab with that look on her face.
What had been bothering her? He didn't know, and he wanted to know. She seemed so disturbed all of a sudden, and he didn't understand it. He stopped tapping at the keyboard and buried his hands in his hair. He couldn't think of anything else all day.
Gentle rapping came to the door, and Kaiba snapped himself out of the daydream. He cleared his throat. "Come in." he called.
The door opened, and Roux stepped inside. She had a small smile on her lips. He was relieved. He didn't want to see her with that pain-struck face again. "Your little brother is getting a little bit restless." Roux said. "He wants to go home."
Kaiba looked at his watch, and then he nodded. "I'll call the limo around and we'll go." He declared turning off the laptop and standing up. He pressed the button on the intercom to his secretary. "Get the limo around." He ordered, and pulled his finger from the button.
He looked up after gathering everything in his briefcase. Roux was still standing in the doorway; she has looking once again, disturbed. This was beginning to bother Kaiba. What was wrong with her? Why did she always have that upset look on her face?
\When they were down in the limo Mokuba had curled up and was asleep. He rested his head on Roux's lap, and she gently stroked his hair while staring out the window with the same pained look on her face.
Kaiba sat and stared at her, irritated. Why did she look so upset? Had something happene\d during the day when he hadn't seen her and was working? He badly wanted to ask her.
He came to the conclusion that it was because the woman in the downstairs foyer had said she was sorry about Kale Tori's death. That had to be it. Roux didn't want to be reminded of the brutality in which her ex-husband had been slain.
Mokuba stirred and then sat up. He rubbed his big eyes and then was wide- awake. He yawned. "Wow, I must have been sleeping for hours." He mumbled to himself, unsure if his brother and Roux were listening.
Roux smiled down at him. "Only ten minutes." She told him gently.
Mokuba looked disappointed, for whatever reason, but he instantly looked out the window and he broke into a wide-open smile. "Hey wow look! A skating rink! Let's go skating!" he looked up at Roux and then to his brother. "Can we go skating Seto? Huh, can we? Can we?"
Kaiba groaned, and he wished Mokuba had stayed asleep. Kaiba didn't want to waste his time at a skating rink, he wouldn't be skating, so what time value could be held sitting at a bench?
"I don't think so, Mokuba." Kaiba mumbled.
"Aww come on Seto!" Mokuba whined. "Can we please go? Please?" Mokuba brought his hands together and begged his brother.
Kaiba looked at Roux, and she shrugged with an odd smile on her lips. Kaiba then looked down once again at Mokuba. He couldn't resist those eyes. He sighed very deeply, picked up the phone, and told the driver to drop them off at the skating rink.
They rented skates, and Kaiba sat on a nearby bench while he watched Mokuba cling to Roux's hands as he tried to skate backwards with great determination but sudden discomfort. It was clear that Roux knew how to skate, she gently moved to and fro while holding Mokuba's hands.
Twinkle lights decorated the trees that hovered above the frosted air. The rink was almost deserted, except for the odd couple skating in unison, and the few kids with hockey pucks and sticks wanting to play a game. The evening air was warm, but the ice was cool. It was silent, and the soft plush blue light of the nearby lamps gave the rink an eerie glow.
Roux skated a little faster, still holding Mokuba's hands, twirling him around and then twirling themselves on the ice. The more Kaiba watched the more he wanted to be a part of it. But he stayed quiet and kept to himself. He had never once in his life really been asked to take part in anything, but he never needed it. All he needed was himself.
Kaiba kept his eyes on Roux. She left Mokuba to skate by himself, and again he fumbled with trying to skate backwards. Roux skated off on her own, going swiftly, raising her arms to meet the wind. Her eyes closed as she felt the kiss of the warm air on her cheek, the wave of golden hair flowing behind her.
With her black jacket and the shimmer of her golden hair and the glow of the ice and the light on her perfect face.she was a soaring angel, with the grace and spirituality of a goddess. Kaiba tried to force his eyes away and think of something else, but he couldn't. He couldn't think of anything but her for the past few days.
\Mokuba skated towards Kaiba and sat down next to him. "You sure you don't want to try it Seto?" he asked. "It's fun once you get used to it!"
Kaiba smirked. "It will be a cold day in Hell when I get on a pair of ice skates and make a fool of myself." He growled.
There was silence between them. They both watched Roux as she skated around the rink like a free spirit, swaying this way and that like there was music to sway to. She would spin and embrace the air.
She skated towards where Kaiba and Mokuba were sitting, and she grinned at them both. She was pink in the cheeks, her eyes sparkled. "Tired already Mokuba?" she asked Mokuba.
The little boy shook his head. "No! Just resting a minute." He said.
She nodded and then turned her gaze to Kaiba, who already knew it was coming and prepared himself. "What about you Kaiba? Any second thoughts?"
He pouted. "Whatever."
Roux grinned and reached for his hands. "Come, we must have you skate!" she proposed, and pulled him to his feet instantly and smiled, as if she were Mercutio asking Romeo to dance.
Kaiba rolled his eyes and looked down at her. She was enjoying herself, he could see it in her eyes, but he didn't want to dance on the ice. Further more, he refused. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not one for ice skates."
The girl laughed softly. "Oh there's nothing to it." She backed up a little to show him. "See watch my feet, this is all you do." She gently kicked off with one foot, and slowly came towards him. "Then you do the same with this foot." She did the same with her other foot, and skated an inch more towards him. "And then you just-oops!"
Without warning, the tip of Roux's skate caught in a dent in the ice. She let out a small cry and fell forward.right into Kaiba's arms. \ Kaiba had been completely oblivious as to how it happened. She was on the ice one moment, and then in his arms the next. He hadn't moved, he held onto her tightly, and held her against him instinctively. What it for fear or her being hurt? Or what it coincidence?
Roux was so confused; her head screamed a thousand comments at her. Telling her to get up, to stay there, to get a whiff of Kaiba's cologne while she had the chance.Roux was so confused, but she found herself cradled in Kaiba's arms, her body against his. She looked up at him daringly.
To her surprise, he was neither angry nor disgusted. He stared down at her with his azure gaze, and Roux could have sworn she saw them fill with something.something like.
He helped her up, and she lost her train of thought. He swallowed tightly. "I think that's enough skating for today." He said modestly, and waited patiently while Mokuba and Roux took off their ice skates and handed them to the booth.
The next moment they were in the limo. Mokuba had fallen asleep once again, and both Kaiba and Roux were staring out the window, both unsure what to say to each other. Roux swallowed. She certainly hoped Kaiba didn't think she intended to fall into his arms. He wouldn't have liked that one bit. Or would he have? She eyed him cautiously.
He wouldn't look at her; Kaiba's eyes were fixed directly on the objects passing by. His arms crossed and his expression grim, she knew for a fact that he had indeed been angry about what she had done.
Roux cleared her throat. She wanted to clear this up more than anything. She didn't want another feud to brew between them. "Kaiba." she whispered gently.
Kaiba didn't move. He was a statue lost in his own thoughts.
Again she tried. "Kaiba? I." she couldn't find the words to speak as she saw him blink, and then shift his shoulders.
Taking in a very, very deep breath, he let it out in a gigantic sigh, and said the few words that he knew he would regret. "Do you still want to know about my past?"
~*~
**** Okay, sorry it took so long to update guys! Rough couple of days, week before Christmas, got so much to do, so little time. Well, what does this chapter say to you, hmm? Is Kaiba softening and beginning to trust Roux a little more? Is that all he'll feel for her? Hang on tight for the next update, coming soon! ****
^_^ Merry Christmas!!