Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh (that's pretty obvious) and if I did I'd probably be frolicking somewhere wasting my money.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed for the first chapter! I really appreciate it!
Seto Kaiba- 25 Takara Kaiba- 24 Serena, Yugi etc-24 Mokuba & Rebecca- 20
Chapter 2: Haunting of the Past
Takara slowly opened her eyelids to reveal her vivid russet eyes, the warmth of the bed engulfed her as it beckoned her to fall once more in a deep slumber. She noticed that her husband had already been up and gone to Kaiba Corp., she gradually pulled herself out of bed and put on her robe.
Their spacious room was a pale blue, nothing fancy as it was Seto Kaiba's room after all; one wardrobe for him and one for her. A few artistic paintings of Blue Eyes White Dragon hung on the wall as warm spring sunshine vaguely seeped in through the large glass windows into the dark room.
Takara ripped open the curtains to admit the sunshine through; she opened the glass entrance as she walked out onto the stone terrace. Wind blew through her chocolate brown hair as the warmth of the spring season tickled her delicate tanned skin, ecstasy filled her body as she closed the doors and began her tour through her new home.
Takara lingered out of her room and walked down one of the many halls in the Kaiba Mansion. Her feet skated across the polished hardwood floors, she then came upon the main staircase that led to the foyer, slowly she slid her hand upon the wood furnished railing. Her feet tingled at the cold touch of the marble of the entrance hall. She walked all around the main floor, taking in all the Italian crafted furniture, crystal chandeliers and much more beyond what Takara could've ever imagined, she never thought of herself as a permanent guest at the Kaiba Mansion.
She strolled into the kitchen where she saw Maria standing over a stove; a sweet smell of different foods over-whelmed her senses as saliva filled her mouth.
"Good morning Mrs. Kaiba, would like some breakfast?" Maria asked in her sweet nana-like voice.
"That's alright Maria, I think I'll eat later," Takara replied as she turned to leave the kitchen.
"Oh dear, Master Kaiba told me to give this to you," Maria said as she wiped her hands on her apron and sprinted to the neighbouring room. She then came back with a dozen of long-stem, pure red roses. Takara smiled blissfully as she took the flowers from Maria and read the tiny card.
I wish I could be there to see the your beautiful eyes light in joy as you receive this gift, but the biggest gift is with me, this golden band around my finger that signifies your love for me.
Your love always with me,
"Master Kaiba has become such a sweet man, and all because of one girl who did the impossible. She softened his ice cold heart," Maria praised. Takara smiled modestly.
"I really didn't do that much, the real reward is that I have the most loving and devoted husband that I could ever ask for. I never did believe in fairy-tale endings till now," Takara said blushing as she floated out of the kitchen in her own dream world.
She drifted across the house happily as she held the roses in her arms, she took one out and ran it across her lightly tanned face. Without knowing where she was, Takara ended up in Kaiba's study room. Shelves were on every wall, every one filled with a different book with different knowledge and different worlds. Takara took out a book and began to flip through the pages. 'I never knew Seto had time to read.' She thought as she put the book back, then her eye caught Seto's computer. She would have nothing to do all day, so she positioned herself upon the leather chair and turned it on.
From: Kisho Tsunami
Sent: April 25th, 2004 6:58:45 AM
To: Unknown
Subject: RE: Reprisal
Message: Today Love I shall go pay my dear nephew a visit, to maybe even evoke memories of his past. I shall make sure that him and his little ruffian brother by no means forget that I am still alive and attend to retrieve what should be mine.
P.S.- I shall see you, my ravishing beauty at the ball tonight. I await the time till our eyes meet and our hearts intertwine, till then my heart pines for you.
Serena sat upon her cold leather chair as she had just finished checking her e-mail, the large windows let in the dawn sunlight as she began to work in her office which was situated right next to Seto Kaiba's; right on the 65th floor of Kaiba Corp.
She began her work and noticed that Kaiba had no meetings for today, then she remembered she had to cancel them all because he wanted to work on his latest innovations on the duel disk and to also have enough time to get home and prepare himself for the formal gathering tonight. She would have to go with Kaiba and Takara, which would make her feel like the third wheel with the couple. Serena could've asked Bakura but tonight she would rather be with her solitude.
Serena remembered when she and Kaiba would go together, she always knew Bakura had a problem with her being with Kaiba alone but he was too sweet to mention it to her. She recalled how Kaiba would be a stiff pole that wouldn't even dance; it would be strictly business, dinner and even once a kiss. She felt his warm lips against hers, it had been so magical but a mistake but than again it seemed so right. Serena brought her hand up to her lips and brushed her fingers across them, she breathed out heavily as she felt her heart beat intensely inside her.
She thought about all the times he had opened up to her and trusted her with his secrets, now there would be no more times like that everything that had been was now gone.
Suddenly a man attired in a grey suit holding a briefcase, escorted by two bodyguards walked down the hall. They brushed passed Serena as they headed in the direction of Kaiba's office.
"Excuse me, but I'm not permitted to let anyone in without a prior arrangement," Serena said as she rushed before them and stood before Kaiba's office door.
"Young lady I am to understand that family members need to be appointed?" The man asked. Serena looked through her deep grey eyes into his intense navy eyes; she could feel his gaze staring at her all over. She finally shook the feeling off and firmly stood her ground.
"Mr. Mokuba is the only family member that falls under that rule," she replied.
"Than you know nothing regarding your boss's precedent." He said as he pushed her aside and walked in.
"Serena, I thought I told you to rescind all my meetings," Kaiba said angrily as he looked away from his computer.
"Seto has it really been that long that you don't even remember me?" Asked the man as he took a seat in front of him. Kaiba looked at him trying to remember who he was, his brown hair streaked with grey and cold sapphire eyes reminded him of someone. Then it hit him.
"Kisho."
'My mother's brother.'
"What are you doing in my office?"
"Is that any way to treat your uncle? I had a hand in raising you," Kisho said. Kaiba's eyes became dark, he remembered how after his mother had died they went to go live with him, he promised his sister; his own flesh and blood he would watch over her children. He lied.
"I don't know how my sister married riff-raff like your dead-beat father," Kisho insulted as he watched his 10-year old nephew clean the floors.
Seto bit his bottom lip, he knew if were to talk back it would cost him and Mokuba more trouble.
"What happened to your feisty little spirit, eh? You don't know how much pleasure I am receiving knowing I broke your moral fibre, that and that indigent fool you call father, lucky you he's dead…"
Seto could take it anymore; he clenched his fists tightly and took a swing at his uncle. Kisho caught his fist just inches away from his face.
"I knew it was still their, well than I'll try harder," he said. With all his force he pushed back so Seto came tumbling down as he roughly hit the wall. Kisho abruptly brought his hand down on Seto's cheek. The little boy sat on the ground with a throb in his cheek and the flavour of blood in his mouth.
Kaiba massaged his temples, all theses memories were inducing inside him; he thought he'd never have to go through this again. Rage built up, he promised he'd take care of him and Mokuba, he swore before his mother on her deathbed. Then no more than a week later he and Mokuba were fending for themselves in an orphanage.
"You never helped raise me, you promised my mother you would you despicable man. Get out of my office!" Kaiba yelled as he grabbed the Kisho's arm and pushed him out the door, he couldn't take all the pressure building up inside of him from the past. Kisho forcefully clashed into the wall in front of the office door. "I don't want to see you here again, and if that's money to buy Kaiba Corp from me then you're more senile than I thought you were you ridiculous fool," Kaiba spat as he slammed the door shut. Kisho picked himself up and fixed his tie.
'If you think I won't get Kaiba Corp. then you're sadly mistaken, the invasion of Kaiba Corp has already begun.'
Kisho and his bodyguards slowly walked down the hallway, they briefly stopped before Serena's desk. He looked at her attentively, before heading off to the elevator.
But something inside Serena stirred vaguely, she felt the feeling grow inside her. She had to keep it under control or else she could reveal everything.
"Hello Takara," Kaiba said as he drove home from Kaiba Corp.
"Hello Seto how was your day?" Takara asked pleasantly.
"It was fine," Kaiba answered not wanting to tell her about the visit. "Be ready promptly, we'll be attending a formal ball in an hour," Kaiba stated.
"Seto! Why are you telling me now? Do you know how long it takes a woman to get ready?" Takara asked playfully.
"It shouldn't take you that long to get beautiful, I already assume that you're stunning and if you become even more than who knows what might happen?" Kaiba answered teasingly.
"Seto! Mind yourself," Takara said as she opened her wardrobe and thought about what to wear.
"I'll be home soon," Kaiba said as he clicked his cell phone off. He then sped off on the open road in his blue Ferrari Enzo.
Kaiba and Takara entered the gorgeous Banquet Hall; it was filled with masses of businessmen with their wives or girlfriends. Takara gaped at the immense chandelier hanging with tiny crystal droplets; the walls were wood furnished with an enormous ballroom dance floor, with a live orchestra.
Takara wore a white halter-topped ball gown with deep grey and navy blue crystalline flowers along the top and bottom of her dress, few of her hair strands were in curls and she also had silver chandelier earrings with an identical necklace.
She watched as couples of many ages dance synchronized to the beat of the waltz. Kaiba watched the awe in his wife's eyes, although he had no experience whatsoever in dancing he began to lead her to the dance floor and let his heart take over.
Serena smiled to herself as she watched the two newlyweds dance beautifully to the melody, she sat down alone at a table with a glass of champagne. She sipped it slowly savouring every droplet in her mouth.
She was attired in a white tank-top gown with black silhouettes of roses the cloth of dress gathered up on the side and blossoms out. Black, white and grey ribbons are tied on the side of her neck in bow fashion with thin pieces of curved white gold earrings.
Out of the corner of her eye she caught the glimpse of the man that had been in Kaiba's office this morning, her heart for no sudden reason skipped at beat when she saw him approach her. Serena, not wanting to cause a feud between herself and Kaiba began to get up to move away, he than swiftly seized a hold of her hand and gave her a devilish smile.
"Don't let the relationship between me and my nephew affect ours," he said pulling her down.
"And our relationship would be…?" Serena asked gazing over Kaiba who continued to dance.
"A mid forties man dancing with a lovely mid-twenty year old," he replied. Kisho arose and stood only a few inches away from her, she could feel his breath down her neck it tickled her ever so slightly; she shuddered vaguely.
She looked into his eyes, a deep cold sapphire colour, eyes of many secrets. But eyes that contained magic it held her gaze, hypnosis, she didn't know why but her hand slipped into his as he slowly led her to the dance floor. Serena felt his hand wrap around her waist and pulled her into the rhythm of the music.
Kaiba saw Serena dance with his blood began to boil. 'How could she dance with him?' He thought angrily. The music stopped abruptly as the announcement of dinner being served rang throughout the hall; Serena suddenly broke out of her mesmerizing position and moved away from Kisho. He smiled slyly at her before joining his other business colleagues.
"What was that about?" Serena swiftly turned around to the irritated CEO standing before her.
"Well…well—"
"Oh Seto leave her, let her dance with whom she pleases, after all she is here alone." Takara interrupted as she held Kaiba's hand. Kaiba sighed as he gave into her command; he then walked off to discuss partnerships with other corporations.
"Thank you Takara," Serena sighed in relief.
"I don't know why Seto is so protective about his employees too," Takara said as she took a seat at a table.
'Didn't Kaiba tell her about his uncle?' Serena thought confused as she sat down beside her. 'He probably doesn't want her to get near him, I completely understand why.' Serena considered while she watched Kisho advance towards them.
"And who is this dashing enchantress that I saw with Seto Kaiba?" He asked as he seated himself in front of them.
"Oh, I'm his wife, Takara Kaiba," she answered while she extended her hand in a friendly handshake. Kisho took her hand and kissed it gently, Kaiba saw this gesture from the other side of the room, he started to approach their table.
"I had no idea my nephew married such an elegant woman, he has quite…"
"What are you doing here?" Kaiba furiously asked.
"Seto you never told me you had an uncle," Takara said looking at her infuriated husband.
"I was hoping he'd be dead by now," Kaiba muttered under his breath. Serena grinned faintly for she had been the only one to hear what Kaiba had said.
"Come my boy, sit down and join your family," Kisho said as he pulled Kaiba down in the chair beside him. Kaiba quickly pushed his hand away from his arm as he heatedly sat down beside his uncle.
Dinner was unbelievably uneasy; Kisho and Takara had a wonderful conversation going on about Kaiba's past. As soon as the topic about Kaiba's stepfather came up Kisho changed the subject. Serena tried to keep a low profile, no matter how much Kisho conversed with her she just nodded and smiled politely; then there was Kaiba who looked outraged throughout the entire meal, his eyes were dark and his knuckles were white as he watched his wife and uncle chatter away.
After dinner had concluded, the orchestra began a fast paced, passionate tango. Many couples proceeded towards the dance floor and began to dance the fantastic, vivacious music.
"I would be delighted if the woman of my nephew's dreams took my hand and joined me in this dance," Kisho requested as he held his hand out towards Takara. She hesitantly took it, for she was not one to be offensive towards another person, but then there was the disregard to her infuriated husband.
"It would be my pleasure," Takara said as she rose and followed him to the dance floor.
"The nerve of that man, first he comes to take Kaiba Corp. away from me now my wife. What does he want?" Kaiba muttered apparently talking to no one. Serena smiled weakly as she fidgeted with her white clothed napkin. "Seto Kaiba doesn't bow down to anyone, come on Serena." Serena looked up confused at her boss.
"What?"
Kaiba glared at her. "This insolence that everyone has tonight, how do I put it in simpler terms for such an ignorant fool?" Serena stared up at her blue-eyed superior appalled at his comment. "Would you like to dance with me?" Kaiba whispered under his breath as he looked away.
"Hm...?" Serena said grinning widely as she teased the agitated CEO.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Kaiba said looking her straight in the eye.
"Love to, but what about the ignorant fool com-?" Serena started to asked. Kaiba sent her a fierce gaze as he grabbed her hand and dragged her onto the dance floor. Serena felt his hand slip around her slim waist as their bodies touched, she felt the beat of his heart against hers and his breath tickle her neck. They began to dance slowly to the romantic waltz; both fell into the amorous melody. Suddenly his hands were gone, he let her go and chased after Kisho and Takara. Serena sighed at how domineering he could be before she trailed after him.
Kisho and Takara walked out onto the stone-carved veranda, roses twisted throughout it as the moon shone above in the sprinkled sky.
Kaiba looked through the glass doors with jealously raging in him. How could his uncle try to take his wife?
"What a sick man," Kaiba stated disgustedly.
"I don't think Takara goes for the old males, I mean what would she do with him?" Serena asked wincingly as she stood on her toes attempting to glance over his shoulder. "It's not like the sex is great with him." Kaiba looked at his secretary stunned.
"You women discuss those things?" Kaiba questioned distastefully; Serena smirked haughtily.
"You'd be surprised about what we talk about," Serena replied as she started to move away from the glass doors. "But I think you should just leave her alone, trust her; she is your wife after all." Kaiba glimpsed at her knowing she as right; Serena pulled him away from the gates and induced him into a conversation with other business owners.
'Sorry, I know I'm deceiving you, but this is a game I promised that to my lover Kisho that I would win. If it hurts you in the process so be it, it hurts me slightly to see you crumble to your demise slowly because of these strange feelings I seem to be developing for you. But I must complete what I am suppose to be doing.'