A Rose by any other name…

For the first few minutes I was thrilled! I was rich, handsome, and even a bit older than Seto! I sat there, spinning in my chair and feeling like a king. But then reality dawned on me. How could I ever get an appointment with Seto?

I happened to know that he would not see anyone without an appointment, and that he was booked for the next week!

I sighed. I knew it was too good to be true. But the dragon had promised, and I trusted her. I don't know why, she just seemed… to need to help me. There had to be a way! I started to pace around the room, but just as I began, I heard a knock at the door.

"Lord Tekai," A voice beyond the door said, "There is some urgent business that needs your attention."

Oh no… I didn't know much about Matthew or what he was like. I had only seen him when he had come over to discuss business with Seto or when Seto and I came to Tekai-I, and then I spent most of the time playing with his younger brother, so I didn't really know anything about him, even including the times when we did meet.

What would Seto do in a situation like this? I know, he would order whoever it was to go away, and make up some valid excuse.

"I'm sorry, but I am very busy with important company matters that are crucial to the success of this company." I said, trying to stifle a laugh. I used long annoying sentences to get across something simple, just like Seto did when we had company over.

"Lord, I'm sorry, but this is possibly even more important. It's regarding your meetings for tonight and tomorrow." The voice said again.

"Meetings? Refresh my memory. Meetings with whom?" I asked trying not to laugh again. Being rich was harder than it looked.

"Sir… I mean Lord, are you feeling alright? You're not acting like yourself… and you don't even remember your most important meetings of the year."

I was starting to get impatient. "What meetings!" I asked sharply.

"Your meetings with Sir Kaiba, of course." The voice said. I opened the door.

"Please," I said with a smile, "Come on in and sit down." I motioned for him to take a seat in the large, cushioned chair in front of the desk.

"Lord… I don't think you're going to like…" He began.

"Just sit." I said, glaring.

"Of course, Lord." He said, slowly lowering himself into the chair.

"Now," I said, matter of factly, "tell me the news."

"Well…" the man began slowly, "Sir Kaiba has… canceled the meetings."

"What!" I yelled. "Why? I demand to keep the appointments as scheduled!"

"Umm… Lord I'm afraid that's not possible. After all, we are the one an only supplier of Kaiba Corporation for one reason, and that reason is we never complain. To anger Sir Kaiba like this might endanger the entire company…"

"So," I responded, "Is there no way to keep the appointment?"

"Well, you might try to figure out his challenge, but, I don't think…" He began.

"That's right," I said, smiling at him like he was a two year old, "you don't think. Now give me Ni S…" I caught myself, "Kaiba's challenge."

I smiled. At last, something I knew about. Every year, My big brother makes a new cryptic program. He sends it to Tekai three days before they meet, and if he can complete it, A message pops up that says that he can ask one favor from Seto, and My big brother has to do whatever Tekai asks, or else all of his computers stop functioning until he does as Tekai asks. In Ni Sama's words, "If that idiot is ever smart enough to figure out one of MY cryptic programs, then he deserves a reward."

Luckily, I had watched Seto design this year's puzzle, and he had even showed me how to solve it. I sighed. As long as my miracle dragon was on my side, nothing could stop me. So with that I set to work.

After half an hour and a whole lot of work, The message finally popped up on my screen.

*Congratulations! What favor do you ask of Seto Kaiba?*

Under this a little animation popped up on my screen. It was Seto and I (Mokuba) throwing confetti up into the air.

I laughed, then typed in I humbly request three meetings with the esteemed Seto Kaiba

That was what he always called my brother

The two that were previously planned, and a third, the day after the final scheduled one.

That sounded good. I pressed enter. Suddenly the phone rang. I picked it up.

"Hello," I said, "This is Mr. Tekai speaking, how may I help you?"

"Matt, you B@$~@^&." Seto yelled into the phone, "What are you playing at?"

I just sat there.

"Well, What do you want?" he asked, his tone a bit more calm, "You could have asked me for anything, so why did you ask for meetings? And at a time like this, too."

I finally got the courage to answer, "A time like what?"

He sighed. "Look, you know how an hour ago there was an earthquake? Well, I kind of yelled at Mokuba, and he disappeared. I was just about to use the computer to locate him, but then you solved the program, and to insure I complied with your request, it locks up all my computers until I have completely fulfilled your request. I can't do anything until I've found him, so I need you to make a different request. Please. I'm really worried."

"You must not have cared that much before if you made him run away, could you have? My request still stands. If not for my sake, then for his. From what I know of Mokuba, he really cares about you. If you did something to scare him away, then mabey he needs some alone time. After all, he's only been gone an hour… But, that's just from my experiences as an older brother. When Hara gets mad at me, It usually takes him a while to cool off, sometimes even three days. I'm sure it's alright." I said.

I couldn't believe he was actually worried about me. I thought he only hated me. I'd have to investigate that later.

He sighed. "Thanks Matt, I can always talk to you."

"See you in an hour then," I said with a smile in my voice.

As went to get ready, I felt a tug on my sleeve.

'ni chan.

I heard. I turned around and saw Hara. I smiled.

"What do you want, Hara?" I asked

"Can I come with you, 'ni chan?" He asked, pleadingly.

"I'm sorry," I said, "But not this time. Mokuba's not there today, and I don't want you getting in trouble."

"Umm… Okay, if you say so, 'ni chan." Hara said quietly and slowly walked away.

"I'll let you come next year," I called after him, "I promise."

He turned to me, smiled, and said "Thank you 'ni chan," then hugged me. He ran off as I walked away to get ready.

*********

Hey! How was it? Horrible? Oh -.-

This was originally going to be done 1 chapter = 1 day, but I'm a really slow typist, and it took me an hour to type this much, so it'll have to do.

Gomen.

PS. I'm really honored. A lot of people have reviewed Ch.1 and said how great my writing style was. And at least two of them didn't even like the pairing. I can't tell you how much this means to me, seeing as this is technically only my second fic. ^-^

I know this chapter was written like a piece of … poop *-*, but I couldn't think today ~.~ I'll do better on the next chapter ^.^

Thank you again, and I luv y'all!

~Megami