Chapter 7

A few days passed with little significance to anyone. Everyone seemed to be on good terms with each other and mealtimes were not so stressful.

Once, seeing his brother watching him feed Metsukiao after school, Mokuba got up and deposited her into his arms. Mokuba already seemed to have mastered how to hold a baby as well.

"Not so stiffly, Seto. She's not going to hurt you."

"She might spit up."

"That won't kill you. Now here." Mokuba put the cloth next to his brother's body. "Just tilt the bottle and let her go. It's easy!"

And so it was. In great astonishment, Kaiba looked down at the girl in his arms and saw she was looking back up at him with her light blue eyes.

"Metsukiao," he whispered.

Mokuba made a face. "Are you saying her name or her eye color? Oh, wait, that's what her name means."

"You told me to name her. You could have changed it."

"Nah. It fit. I just think you could have done it a little less obviously. Instead of 'eyes-blue,' why not 'ice' or 'sky' or 'water?'"

"Because that might be referring to her temperament, where her head is, or how wishy-washy her will is."

"Fine." Mokuba sat back in exasperation.

The infant was still rolling her eyes around, trying to see everything as she drank her milk. Far from being enthralled by Kaiba, she had gone from his face to the ceiling to his clothes and on.

Mokuba glanced up again as Kiseira entered the room. She saw the boy's pointed glance at his brother and smiled as she noticed Kaiba holding Metsukiao and feeding her. The small, blissful smile adorned her pale features, making a blossom in pink color her cheeks. Glancing up, Kaiba felt uncomfortable, but he was in no position to drop the child and run. Instead, he found himself staring at her as he thought about a different Blue-Eyes.

The light flush in her cheeks deepened for some reason, and she turned around and almost fled back down the hall. Mokuba went back to his homework, not understanding what had happened. Kaiba looked after her for awhile, wondering himself what was going on.

After a half hour had gone by, the bottle was gone, and Mokuba was struggling to encourage his brother to burp Metsukiao.

"No, I don't think so." He tried to hold her out, especially once seeing how quickly it looked like she was going to cry.

Mokuba refused to take her. "No, no. You fed her, you burp her."

Kaiba was beginning to panic. "Mokuba, she's going to cry! Just take her, please!"

Rolling his eyes, the younger boy took the child from Seto. "Geez, Seto. You don't have to make it seem like she's going to explode."

Kaiba sniffed the air. His face blanched. "I think she already did, Mokuba," he said in a choked voice.

Mokuba groaned. It was true; some odiferous scent was rising from the diaper, but it was nothing that bad. He began patting her back once the cloth was in place. "It's not that bad. I never thought my big brother was afraid of anything."

"I wasn't afraid." He was, however, backed into a corner.

Mokuba raised his eyebrows.

"Why should I be? She, she's harmless!"

"That's what I was trying to tell you, Seto."

The CEO walked away muttering he had more work to do. Behind him, Mokuba beamed at the calmed Metsukiao, whispering that her older brother was coming around. Maybe, even Seto Kaiba would be changing a diaper eventually.

Ever since that first night, the Rod had not shown any more images. Maybe Kaiba knew as much as he was going to. Not that that was much.

The item was placed on his desk and constantly tore his attention away from the computer screen. He was ahead with his work anyway. Maybe a little concentration with the Rod would not be wasted.

His head still pounded dully from the remembered fast-paced images from before. Still, some things were more important that a simple headache. Now that he was beginning to believe, he had to know more.

Hand just about to close around it, a small tapping came from the door. Kaiba remained frozen for a small time, and then he stood to open his door.

It was Kiseira, and she did not look well.

"I-I'm sorry to interrupt you. But, I feel something is wrong. I've—heard things outside my window." Her big pleading eyes looked up at him. "I feel something is going to happen. Those cruel people have been watching this house for a long time," she finished in a whisper.

"What? Those thugs who attacked you before?"

She nodded, eyes brimming with clear liquid, looking like rain about to fall from a clear sky. The red mark on her forehead had healed well, but a scar would always remain. And as of yet, it had not scarred over completely. A thick brown scab still stuck out like a piece of mud on a white garment.

"I'm sorry. I would not have bothered you, but I don't know the others…" She could not finish for the threat of spilling her tears.

Attempting a smile of sorts, Kaiba thought it ironic that she did not fear him, the one person so many other people did. Including those whom she feared.

"It's all right. I'll deal with it, Kisara," his mouth stumbled over the name, one of the rare times he had been going to say it, and it had come out incorrectly. "I'm sorry," he said quickly, "I didn't mean to call you that."

A kind of relief passed through her. "It is all right. It is just the Egyptian version of my name. You can call me that whenever you want."

Now was his chance to tell her not to call him by his first name anymore, but he could not bring himself to say it. Instead, he felt an overwhelming desire to keep those bullies away from here. He accounted such a feeling to the ancient history of man's role. It had always been to keep others safe, and now, he was determined to do it at all costs. Odd to think Kaiba was stooping to the level of evolutionary roles.

"Stay with Mokuba and Metsukiao. It will be best if you are all together where my goons had protect you. I'll see about those bullies." Kaiba brushed by her, but he was stopped by her frantic tug on his arm.

"No, Seto! I don't want you to get hurt!"

"I'll be fine." It was odd. The only one who had ever detained him was his brother and others who were trying to yell at him like the infamous Téa Gardener. For some reason, it was pleasant to know someone besides his brother was worried about him. Maybe Seto Kaiba was not all bad.

He did not let himself dwell on that for long. Deciding to do what was needed, refusing to make any of it personal, Kaiba put one long-fingered hand over hers.

"I won't do anything reckless, Kiseira. I know how to deal with bullies." Then, he removed her hand and hurried down the stairs.

Mokuba was not pleased by what his brother was doing, either, but he gloomily knew better than to go get in his way. Instead, he tried to reassure Kiseira who was growing terrified. Metsukiao, changed and sweet-smelling, was being rocked by the girl.

A few goons were in the room with them, all senses alert to any intruders. It was unlikely anyone could get inside. But if the threat was not taken seriously, there was a risk that something unforgivable could happen.

Mr. Kaiba had vanished from sight, creeping to the dark back doors of his house. For several minutes, he stood at one, merely staring outside to see if anyone was there. He was about to go check a different area when a swift movement went by the door as of someone sprinting past to find another hiding place.

Narrowing his eyes, Kaiba crossed his arms. Not only had these bullies insulted him by carrying through with their callous threat, they had had the audacity to enter his grounds. He wanted them out. Now.

There had to be something within his mansion that would work to scare them away. He was not going to force them into a fight; that was what they wanted and what they excelled at. Instead, Kaiba had to play a different game and one that would bring them back down to their level—squalling brats.

It would be risky, but the thrill and effectiveness would be worth it. First, he had to go change his clothes to blend in better with the darkness.

None of his goons was informed of his plan. They would not be pleased with it. Some might even feel the need to go out there before he could in order to get rid of the annoyances. So, Kaiba kept it quiet.

The only flaw in his plan as he saw was the time it would take to ready his materials. The youngsters might have already grown bored and left by the time he was prepared to do action.

With all the stealthy figures in his own yard, he doubted they would notice one more. So, when he crept out a side door with his utensils, he got straight to work with the same movements of the others. It seemed they had separated into different groups, so each person would probably take him for another group.

All he needed were little chips that he put in convenient places. These he memorized where he placed in order to collect them back. Losing supplies like this was not worth it for these gang members.

Everything was working. No one noticed him planting his weapons, or if they did, they did not know what he was doing. He could have laughed for their dullness. The gang was absorbed in throwing pebbles at windows, laughing quietly at the thought of the fear they caused.

Then, Kaiba stood back in his yard and prepared for the reactions. From a hand-held computer, he signaled the satellite.

Immediately, all over the yard, images of ferocious Duel Monsters sprang to life. These holograms had been prided, had succeeded because of the attention to detail that made them life-like. Kaiba had chosen all the spookiest, most threatening monsters to startle the gang.

The sudden appearance of 3-D beasts around them made the adolescents start running and shrieking. To Kaiba, his plan's reactions were beautiful.

The only problem was the gradual losing of surprise. He only hoped all of them fled swiftly before they laughed off their fright and wanted even more revenge.

Treading feet faded away, and Kaiba began gathering his chips. All of them were safely in his bag as he headed back to his mansion, a smirk on his face. The sight of his monsters leaping into consciousness was one that would remain for a long while.

His hand was on the doorknob when a prick was in his back.

"I know what you did. Don't think you'll get off the hook because of it. We'll be back and be serious. No jokes next time." The murderous voice was female. Obviously, the lone girl in the group had been the only one to remain.

Without even thinking, his hand closed on a card inside his coat, and he whipped it backward. There was a hiss of anger and pain, then the knife tip was gone. Kaiba whirled around, reaching to snatch her wrist.

The girl was prepared and faster. She fled away quickly before he could grab her. At least his dueling card was unharmed on the ground. Still, he knew it had bitten deeply. Sometimes, it seemed like the cards took their own revenge.

One had understood his plan. And now, he had to be even more prepared. The police were unable to deal with the gangs all over the country, so it was up to him to protect those people important to him.

Soundlessly, Kaiba went back inside his house with his supplies.

Mokuba jumped up as soon as he came into view.

"I'm glad you're safe, Seto!" He came running to give him a hug. Smiling, Seto returned it.

Shyly, Kiseira watched their action from farther in the room. The only sign of how pleased she was came from her slightly curved lips and faintly blushing cheeks.

Why did this remind Kaiba of older times when the father of a household would come back successfully from a battle to the great joy of his children and wife?

He was grateful when Mokuba tugged on his coat to get his attention and asked, "What happened, big brother? What did you do, and what was going on?"

The goons left after seeing their employer return. Kaiba nodded at them to allow it before turning to his brother. "That gang was back." Thinking he ought to get something straight with Mokuba before his story made his brother too bold, he warned, "I want you to understand that you are not to be going out of this house alone until those bullies are taken care of. Do you understand?"

He made a face. "Seto. I'm not going to go try to fight them."

"You'd better not." Then he sighed. "All right. I'll tell you all about it." There was a little thrill of pride coursing through his veins, and Kaiba could not resist explaining his great idea. However, the memory of the sharp pinprick in his back remained as well as the whispered threat, so he did not give up all thought of caution. He extracted another promise from his brother to be extra careful once he finished the tale.

Then, looking over to where the nanny had taken a seat, he did not need to ask for her to promise. It was already shining in her eyes.

Uneventful days passed. The police again could do nothing about the mini gang, but their excuses were getting annoying to Kaiba. How could the police fear being beaten up by adolescents! If Kaiba had not been so involved in the situation, he could have looked at all the circumstances and agreed the police faced explicit danger. As it was, he muttered of police incompetence.

The weekend finally came. Yet, for Mokuba, it was no time for rest. He had a huge project to work on for his science class—a lab report. When it came time for dinner, Kaiba had to go knock on his door to call him down.

"I'm too busy!" he cried back in a somewhat higher voice.

"Mokuba, you have to eat."

"Just bring me a plate."

"I thought the government in this house was a dictatorship."

"You're wrong, Seto! It's a partnership. Now, please, I have to work!"

Kaiba shook his head. But it was true. Well, actually, Kaiba thought the dictatorship part was true. The only problem was that Mokuba was the dictator. He went down to the table and sat after sending a plate up for his brother. Now it was just Kaiba and Kiseira at the table. Metsukiao could not really count.

They were beginning to eat when the girl spoke up, putting down her fork back to her untouched plate:

"I think I…" Her voice obscured until it was all but faded. She cleared her throat to try again. "Seto, I have decided I have put your family in jeopardy by being here. I will leave."

Now Kaiba stopped eating.

"What?"

Nervously, she played with her napkin. "I don't want to harm anyone. I am here to protect, not hurt."

Kaiba slowly took a breath. Yelling at Kiseira to get some sense into her head would not work well. He did not think he would ever be able to yell at her. For some reason, he could not stand to see those clear sparkles come forth from her eyes. And they would come if he yelled. They were already coming now.

"You wouldn't be able to live on your own, would you? You have no work lined up or a place to stay. Plus, those bullies may notice you leaving and follow you for some amusement. How far could you go to stay safe?" He shook his head. "What about Metsukiao? What about Mokuba? What about—" Abruptly, Kaiba stopped. That was something he had not even know was going to come out. Fortunately, he had stopped it before it came.

She just looked at him miserably with tears dripping down her face.

He sighed, knowing he had to do a better job of reassuring her. If only Mokuba had not chosen tonight to tackle his project. His younger brother had always been better at this than he had been.

"Kiseira, you've been doing excellent work here. I don't want you to leave. Don't worry about that gang. It was never your fault. If anything, now, it is my own fault. I taunted them. So, don't leave on account of them."

"But, what if you do not need me anymore?" This was hardly above a faint murmur.

He did not know what to say.

"You have overcome your fear, Seto. Metsukiao now has two loving brothers. And ancient memories have ceased haunting you; those, too, you have come to accept."

"If you were to go," he whispered, "I think you, then, would haunt me." Had those words really come from his mouth? He had never said anything so remarkably foolish! Anything mushy made him want to vomit. Why was it he could not control himself around her? "I mean, you would be on my mind because I would have to worry about your safety."

She looked down, face very rosy. The growing silence was making Kaiba even more uncomfortable. Not even the delicious aromas permeating the area could attract his taste buds any longer.

"I will stay then."

Kaiba did not answer.

Author's note: Gag, choke. Reading this makes me embarrassed!