Well, folks, looks like we're done-I hope you enjoyed the story as much as the poems, and that you remember to drop a review or two.

Thanks to all of you for reading!


12

'I don't want to be here' thought Kaiba, as he made his way through the park, searching for his secret admirer, or any hints to this one's whereabouts.
'There are so many things I would rather do instead of wasting my time on a foolish wild goose hunt! It's not like I got any real interest in some kind of useless romance anyway. I'm only doing this to satisfy my curiousity.'
'Liar, Liar!' singsanged his concience again-before it received another pummeling.
'If I could, I would have you arrested for invading my privacy!' hissed Kaiba, before realizing, how pointless it was, to be arguing with himself.
Sighing, he looked around, trying to find his elusive would-be date, when his eyes snapped over to a park bench near him.

There was something placed on it.
Something square, white, undisputely familiar.
Kaiba picked up the envelope, blue eyes searching for the person who might have put it here, before he focused on the poem.

"That time of year thou mayst in me behold,
When yellow leaves, or none, or few do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou seest the twilight of such day,
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self that seals up all in rest.
In me thou seest the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed, whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well, which thou must leave ere long."

Seto shook his head in surprised amusement.
"I would have never guessed, it was you", he confessed.
"Really?" asked Jou, as he came to stand next to Kaiba, a serene, confident expression on his face. Seto smirked.
"You had your sister give the kid the letter, ne?" Jou snickered.
"That was rather easy, really. How'd you guess?"
"Well, knowing you-"
"Don't" hissed Katsuya," use that word again. You think you know me? The real me? Or are you referring to this happy-go-lucky-dumbass clown mask I'm wearing? Or the occasional glimpse I give people while dueling or saving lives?"

He shook his head, sadly.
"Obviously, I haven't taught you very well, ne?"
Kaiba's jaw dropped.
"You-me-you taught me?" he rasped incredulous. Jou nodded.
"Yes. I needed you to learn about love, about decency, respect and humility. You needed to learn for yourself, that, when you're in love, you're prone to make a fool of yourself, and that it's ok, if you do so. I also had to teach you to apologize and, basically, to become a considerate, compassionate human being. You're not a computer Seto, and you're not a machine either. Despite everything your stepfather did to and told you, you're still a human, and humans do make mistakes. Nobody is perfect, not even you."

Blue eyes narrowed in anger.
"Wrong. I was destined to become perfect. I am perfection incarnate."
Katsuya cocked his head to the side.
"Then, I'm afraid, you're also prone to extinction. Perfection denies evolution, and evolution is the key to survival, ne?"
Kaiba just stood there, slack-jawed, as he gazed into Jou's amber eyes, and for the first time looked, really looked into them, and saw the real Katsuya, the one everybody else only caught hints and glimpses of.

He saw the loneliness, the pain and loss, the love and sacrifice, the desperate hopes, conquered fears and shattered dreams, the wishes, pride, bravity, desire and passion, and in all those things, his own soul reflected.
"Well, " he heard the soft tenor say, "my offer stands. What is your answer, Seto Kaiba?"

He rose from his seat, indicating that the meeting was over. As he led the way out of the room, he pulled his secretary to him and hissed quietly:
"I need a softer cushion for my seat, asap!"
The young woman blinked in confusion.
"Sir?"
"Just make it happen!"
"Hai, Kaiba-sama."

When he opened the door to his mansion, he was greeted by a very disgruntled, and very tired looking Mokuba.
Pointing an accusing finger at Seto, he yelled:
"I don't care what it costs, or if you have to remodel the entire house, but I want sound-proof walls in my room!"
With that, the raven-haired boy turned around and left his elder brother standing there, highly surprised and completely embarassed.

Fin

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°