Chapter 24
The WILL
three months later
"It's ok, Kisty try me," said Seto in the gym, "One kick," he said egging her on. Kisty rolled her eyes, "Dad if I kick that bag again I afraid it will rip," she said in a sarcastic tone. Seto shook his head, "Just kick that dam bag, Kisty," he snapped. Kisty rolled her eyes and did a high jump kick with a small spin, it sent the bag swinging hard.
"Not bad, but you need to work on that more," Seto said with an eyebrow raise. "Look whose talking old man," she said hitting Seto in the chest lightly. "Ha ah ha, funny, come here you," he said grabbing Kisty in a headlock while she laughed at him.
"Seto, Kisty, it time for lunch," said Lisa standing in the stairway leading up to the main hall. Kisty looked up from Seto's armpit, "AHH, Dad you need more anti precipitant and a stronger deodorant your head locks stink," said Kisty. Seto laughed, "You need to get free if you want lunch, and to avoid my body odor" he chuckled. Kisty smirked, "fine I will," she said jumping as hard as she could then throwing all her weight back, causing her and Seto to fall on their backs.
"Oh, that had to hurt," said Lisa feeling Seto's pain of falling on his back as she stood in the stairway. Kisty stood up and offered a hand to her father, who took it with a smirk,
"Thanks but I don't need help," he said pulling Kisty down on to the mat that he was sitting on.
Kisty looked at her father as he stood up, "I may be in my later years here, but I am still able to pull myself off the floor," he smirked. Kisty shook her head, "Really?" she smirked, knocking her legs against Seto's casing him to fall to the ground. "OUCH!" he said as he hit his side hard.
"If you two are done, one up each other, lunch is ready," said Lisa with a wooden spoon in hand. Kisty and Seto looked at her, they were both in their work out clothes, which were sweats for Seto and Kisty was in a tank top and tights. "Ok, Lisa, we're coming just be patient," said Seto. Lisa rolled her eyes, "Hurry up, I have a husband and two babies in my womb that are hungry," she said turning around and heading up the stairs.
Kisty and Seto looked at each other and started to laugh as they both got up off the floor and headed up stairs to the main entrance hall. Mokuba walked in from the upstairs office, "Seto, before you get lunch there is a phone call for you from Industrial Illusions," he said.
Seto rolled his eyes, "It's Saturday, why don't those people take a day off?" he muttered to himself. Kisty tried to hold back a laugh, but failed spitting a little of her fruit juice, Seto looked at her, "What?" he said. Kisty smirked, "You used to be a work attic, and you want another company to take a day off?" she questioned. Seto sighed, "That was the old me, that didn't know what it was like to have an actual life," he said putting his arm over Kisty's shoulders.
"Go take your phone call, I will be in the kitchen with the two monsters," she giggled as Mokuba entered the kitchen. "I heard that Kisty," said Lisa as the door was swinging back and forth as Seto went upstairs.
Seto's office
Walking over to his old office chair, he sat down and picked up the phone and connected line two a female voice on the other line. "Hello," said Seto, putting the phone to his ear. "Hello Kaiba, this is Ann, do you remember me?" said a woman's voice. Seto listened, "Yes, I remember you were Alexandra's best friend and also one of the people that kept my daughter away from me," he snapped. "Some things never change," muttered Ann, "Are you sitting down?" asked Ann. Seto rolled his eyes, "Yes what is it!" he said in a very demanding voice.
The Ann began to talk; Seto's face went from annoyed to worry when suddenly Ann stopped speaking about how Pegasus's health was fine, then suddenly she told him the sad news. "Are you sure?" asked Seto worried that he would have to tell Kisty. "Yes, Mr. Kaiba, please tell Kisty for me?" Ann asked. Seto nodded, "Yes, thank you, I will tell her," he said hanging up the phone.
Seto leaned back in his chair going into deep thoughts, "Great," he muttered. A knock on the door broke his concentration.
"Hey, is everything ok?" asked a young teenage girl with brown hair with blue highlights. Seto look up at Kisty as she stood in the doorway, "No, and Yes," he muttered. Kisty walked over with a plate of PBJ sandwiches, for her and Seto. "Want to tell me?" she asked handing him a sandwich.
"Umm, you might want to sit down, Kisty," he said taking the sandwich. Kisty looked at her father his face it showed worry in his blue eyes, "Umm, I have bad news about Pegasus. It was Ann from Industrial Illusions," he started. Kisty sat down, any call from Ann to her father was not a good sign, "What happened?" she asked. Seto took a deep breath, "Pegasus, just passed away," he said in a half upset and happy tone.
Kisty went eye wide, as much as Seto had become a father to her over the last few months, Pegasus was her acting as her segregate father as Mokuba had been, when she was little and was there for her when Seto was not.
"How?" she asked with out any emotion. Seto sighed, "Heart failure," he said. Kisty nodded and looked at her feet, "Did they want other then inform us about it any thing else?" she asked.
Seto took a breath, "Yes actually, there will be a reading his will tomorrow and as his only living relative you are to be there," he said in an unhappy tone. Kisty nodded, "ok, anything else?" she asked. "No, that's all Ann said to me, and I was to tell you, I am sorry Kisty," he said watching his daughter slump in her seat looking sad.
Kisty stood up with only half of her sandwich in hand, "I am going to go to my room for a few minutes," she said calmly, leaving the room. Seto nodded, Kisty stepped out into the hall, and her black dog Kisara who was bigger now, sat in front of the office door looked up at Kisty as she slowly walked to her room.
Kisty stepped into her room, Kisara her faithful dog followed her inside, and then she shut the door. Kisara jumped upon Kisty's bed, and lay down upon it, Kisty soon lay on her back looking up at the ceiling, she closed her eyes, "he's gone, Kisara, my Uncle is dead," she whispered and started silently crying into her pillows.
The next day at Industrial Illusions Domino branch
Kisty walked in with out a sigh of emotion it was afternoon and she was dressed in her best attire, which consisted of a black skirt and red blouse. Seto was with her since he did not trust those people at that company not to try anything when he was not around his daughter. They got in the elevator and Kisty looked at the steel floor as the waited for it to take them to the 100th floor where Pegasus's lawyers where waiting to read his will.
Seto was reading his daughters emotions as she stood against the cold wall of the elevator, he could see that she was bottling in her emotion for the time being. They stood there, alone in silence in the elevator for a while around the 40th floor Seto broke the silence.
"I have a bad feeling about this," he said. Kisty still looking at the floor nodded, Seto looked at his daughter, "I know it's going to be difficult while you're in there, what ever you do, don't start crying," he said. Kisty nodded, "I know," she said in somewhat sadden voice.
"Kisty, you just have to hold it together, just for a few minutes more, after that you can cry all the way home," he said. Kisty nodded, "Thank Dad, if I can't hold it anymore would it be ok to…?" she asked Seto nodded, "There is no shame in excusing yourself to the lady's room to cry," he said, "Just make sure your cleaned up good enough to keep a straight face in there."
The elevator stopped at the 100th floor and the two Kaibas walked out, into the hallway. A woman with a black dress and high heels on and brown hair stood in the hall talking with the receptionist, who appeared to be from India, named Preethi. "Ah, Mr. Kaiba, Kisty, it's good to see you again. Wow Kisty you grew up," said Ann turning from the receptionist.
"Thank Ann you look nice, it's good to see you too," said Kisty hugging the woman. "I will show you to the board room," Ann said handing some papers to Preethi. They walked down a long hallway towards the boardroom they stopped just out side of it, Seto looked at Kisty as she took a deep breath and nodded to him to open the door.
Kisty entered the room first followed by Seto and then Ann who sat with four of Pegasus's lawyers. The room was well lit, with brown walls, purple carpet, and a large black wooden table with 10 leather chairs around it. In five of those chairs where Ann now sat, with four of Pegasus's lawyers, Kisty and Seto sat across from them, both hopping this meeting would be fast.
"Well, Mr. Kaiba we weren't expecting you to accompany the girl, here but we shall start once, Katharine Hawk arrives," said one of the male lawyers. Seto rolled his eyes, "Just make this quick," he snapped sounding like the egotistical CEO that he once was long ago.
The door to the boardroom opened a woman about the same age as Seto stepped into the room. She had long black hair, green and purple colored eyes, white skin, and wearing what looked to be a business suit for women. "I am sorry I am late, last meeting ran long," she said holding a folder in her hand and sitting down with the other lawyers.
Kisty watched the woman sit with the three male and one female lawyer and Ann. "Well, it's about time you got here, Miss Hawk, we where waiting on you," said the second male lawyer. Kisty looked at them, and then at Katharine Hawk, something about that woman sent shivers down Kisty's spine.
"Well, we all know why we're here," said Ann opening a folder in front of her. "To read my Great Uncle's will, can we hurry, I have a funeral to arrange still," said Kisty.
Ann nodded, "Very well Kristen," she said pulling out the paper.
Before Ann could begin to read, "Seto Kaiba, what are doing here?" asked Katharine who just noticed that Seto was in the room. "Katharine!" said Ann in an irritated voice, "Would you mind and save your grudge for out side the office?" she asked.
Katharine looked at Ann, "This wasn't part of the agreement, I refuse to be in the same room with Seto Kaiba," she snapped. Kisty looked at her dad for an answer or at least some type of response from him and all she got one but it was directed at Katharine.
"Kat, shut up, you know perfectly well why I am here. Kisty is MY daughter and I am not about to let her be alone with these, hounds and you, I know what you really are," he snapped.
Katharine raised an eyebrow, "That's Miss VP Katharine Hawk, to you, Kaiba," she snapped back. Seto rolled his eyes, "Please, you, Vice President of Industrial Illusions, give me a break, last time I saw you, you were a little secretary out in front of Pegasus's office shaping your finger nails, getting what ever man could snag to get to the top," he snapped at her.
Kisty had to suppress a giggle, for she could just picture the image. "Well for your information Kaiba, I worked my way up this time, unlike you, who just pushed Gosaburo out a window and killed him," she said with a sort of annoyed tone.
Kisty looked at her father bewildered, Seto saw the look in his daughter's eyes, "No, I didn't kill him," he said to Kisty, "The man died of a heart attack because he couldn't handle my take over," he defended himself turning back to Katharine.
For a while, Seto and Katharine where slaying insult to one another, and Kisty looked over an Ann sighed and played with a piece of her hair. After a few moments more Kisty had enough, "SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!" she yelled causing silence in the room.
"Kisty?" said Seto surprised that his daughter got in between them. "I don't want to hear anymore fighting, right now, Dad, just sit down. I want to hear what the will says and then get out of here," she said holding her composer as best she could. Seto realized that Kisty wanted to get as far away from the memories of her Uncle and his work as fast a humanly possible.
"Fine," he said quickly sitting down next to Kisty again. Katharine saw Kisty's act as a sign that Seto was not in control, but showing that he was weak being bossed around by his daughter like that.
"What Kaiba taking orders from your daughter?" she asked. "That's enough Katharine!" said a man's voice entering the room. Ann looked at the tall black haired man that entered; his hair was tied in a ponytail, his green eyes shined like emeralds.
"Duke, what are you doing here?" asked Seto, looking at him. Duke smirked, "I am here to hear the will as well, except some one here forgot to put me on the list to be here," he said sitting down, looking over at Katharine with lustful eyes. "Lets get this over with I have a game shop to get back too, along with a new plan to work out in my investments" Duke said to Ann.
Ann nodded, "Alright, I will read it," she said.
(The parts that say "WILL:" is Ann reading the will aloud)
Pegasus's Will
Ann began reading Pegasus's WILL: If you are being read this will, then I have passed on to the next life. I require that my niece's children or child be present for I know by that time she herself will be gone or on the way to passing.
Seto rolled his eyes at this, Kisty glared at her father because he let out a loud snort.
WILL: I lived a happy life after my niece Alexandra returned to me, and I held a many secrets from my love of cartoons to the secret birth of my niece, Kristen, the daughter of Seto Kaiba.
Kisty sighed but kept her face as blank as possible it was taking her all she had to keep her composer for any moment she was going to lose it.
The Will: I would first like to address my lawyers since they had protected me so well in the past that I give them each one million dollars.
The lawyers in the room smirked at each other, as Ann continued to read.
WILL: I would like to address my VP Katharine Hawk, my current trustee and holder of about 35 of my company. You where a dear friend to me, but I am afraid that I cannot leave you my company but I have set away some of my fortune for you since I think of you as a daughter. A slut, since I have caught you in my boardroom several times with people that I had wished to make deals with but you sealed with your inner talents shall we say. However, I am not leaving the company to you.
Katharine smirked angrily and glared hard at Kisty for she knew whom the company was going to at that moment.
The Will: I would now like to address Duke Devilen if he is in the room, my co partner in duel monsters games called Dungeon Dice monsters. I hear by pass to you the New York branch of my company for you to run, as you will, however I expect that Miss Hawk and you settle things so that you two can help build this corporation to its full potential.
Duke smiled at this, he was getting a big piece of Industrial Illusions now by getting to run the game development department over in New York City but was even better he was as high as Katharine on the totem poll.
The Will: Next up if he is present is Kaiba and his little brother, but since he will most likely show up Kisty when she arrives at the Domino branch, where this is to be read. I leave you Duelist Kingdom Island and grant you Royalty free from now on to use the Blue eye white dragon as you see fit.
Kisty smiled at her dad knowing the agreement that he had with Pegasus, half the rides for Kaiba land were not to be build using the dragon copyright, now he could use it, which cause a smirk to cross his face.
The Will: Kristen, my loving great niece who I have talked to on many accessions, I am sorry that your mother passed away when you were so young, and I was glad to be there for you during that difficult time that Kaiba boy ignored you for so long. I know this seem a bit crude, but I can only trust one person to receive this piece of my fortune and business. You hold your father's personality and your mother's heart of strength; I know you will miss me dearly, but that also you will grow up to be very successful President of my company. I hear by Give the CEO chair of Industrial Illusions to Kristen Kisara Kaiba, the daughter to Seto Kaiba and Alexandra Pegasus, to receive my company on her 15th birthday or as soon as I pass if she is above that age.
WILL:I would also like to address Ann next who should be reading this to all of you, that you are to help Kristen, manage the company with the help of Katharine, I am leaving both of you in charge of my niece's daughter's Company now, which you will help her decide when or if she accepts the job.
Ann stopped reading and looked at Kisty as she sat there with a blank look on her face trying to take in the words from her Uncle's will. He had given her everything, his company, most of his fortune, and the CEO chair to run as President of Industrial Illusions when she turned the age of 15.
The Will: Finally, I would like to say that I know it will be difficult for you Kisty, and that this new transition will be tough, but I know you can make it. I have added to this part above to this will, but never changed anything above so it mentions of anything to your mother, it will go to you since she is gone now which I left to her Industrial Illusions. There is one condition, if you are not 15 yet, that you must accept the company if I pass before your 15th birthday at midnight of that day. It will go to Katharine Hawk, my VP if you don't, how ever being that I have given her so much of it already she is to help you and guide you as you run it if you do accept it. I will miss you all of this world dearly and Kisty I will tell your mother 'Hi' for you when I get to see her again, that's all for now kiddies and oh Kaiba Boy get yourself a woman before you make Kisty go insane!
Ann looked up at Seto who rolled his eyes at the last comment made, "A joker until the very end," he said. Kisty looked at the table, "is that all there is?" she asked. Ann looked at the back of the paper, "Yes, that's all," she said. Kisty looked at the lawyers and then at Katharine who was busy staring the young girl down, "What's it going to be Miss Kaiba?" asked one of the lawyers.
Kisty bit her lower lip, "I, umm, don't really know," she said. Seto put his hand on hers, which she kept hidden on her lap. "Kisty isn't 15 yet so she doesn't have to decide anything at this moment," he snapped at Katharine. The eager VP looked at Kisty, "I know this is hard to accept but you're the owner and President of this company, now," she said to her.
Kisty nodded, "My birthday is in a few months, I will decide then," she said calmly and beginning to stand up. Seto stood up also, as they turned to leave the room, "Umm, Miss Kaiba," said another lawyer. Kisty turned, "Yes?" she said, looking at the lawyer.
"You need to pick a representative to run this corporation until you decide, when your birthday comes," he said. Kisty took a breath, "Katharine, right?" she said looking at the woman. "Yes," she said. Kisty smirked, "You and Ann are to run this company for a few months until I decide. I don't want my Great Uncle's company in ruins, before my 15th birthday so I am going to say this, I will be watching you both as you take care of this matter for me do I make myself clear!" she said. The two woman in the room nodded, "Yes Miss Kaiba," said Katharine, "Crystal clear," as a grin crossed her face.
Kisty looked at Seto holding the door open for her and they both walked out of the room. Duke looked up at them and soon followed the two Kaibas out the door. Duke rode the elevator and walked with them down to the car. Seto then realized that Duke was following them, "What do you want?" he snapped.
Duke crossed his arms, "Wondering if she's ok, considering that Kisty just sounded like you up there, for a few moments," he said smirking. Kisty turned, "I am fine Duke, thanks of the concern," she said, and got into the limo. Duke shrugged his shoulders, "Just checking on an investment," he said and walked away.
Seto rolled his eyes, and got in the limo, and told the driver to take them home. Kisty sat facing her father on the other side of the limo; she looked at him for the all clear to cry. Seto nodded, which Kisty quickly moved and hugged him and started to cry into his jacket. Seto hugged her, "It will be ok," he said as Kisty cried her eyes out.
A few hours later
They walked into the mansion, Kisty was a complete wreck, she did not want Industrial Illusions or Kaiba Corp she thought herself to young, and now with her birthday coming up and making the decision of a lifetime at such a young age. Lisa was sitting a chair in the living room watching a movie while she was quashing.
(That thing that people do when expecting a baby, they make little booties, and hats that are like one color but warm when it really cold)
She heard the door close in the main hall and looked up at the living room doorway to see Seto and Kisty walking in.
Kisty and Seto came into the living room; Lisa looked at them "So how did it go?" she asked them. Kisty lay on her back on the couch with her head on her father's leg. "My life is over," she said throwing her hand on her face.
Seto sighed, "She inherited Industrial Illusions," he said. "I have until my birthday to decide," said Kisty without moving her hand from her eyes.
Lisa nodded, "that bad huh?" she spoke.
Kisty turned her head, "BAD! THIS is the worst day of my life, I don't want that darn company, and actually I don't want any company!" she snapped. Seto looked down at Kisty, "Not even Kaiba Corp when I am gone or retired?" he asked. Kisty moved her hand, "You, I will make an exception for since, I am your daughter," she pointed the hand that was on her face at Seto's chin.
"You were or was Pegasus's niece and next of kin, so I wasn't surprised to see him hand that company to you," said Mokuba walking in the room with Kisara. The dog walked over to Kisty and started to pock her with her nose, signaling a hello and pet me sign.
Kisty put her hand on her face, took her other hand, and pet her dog on the head a few times. Seto looked at Mokuba, "You should have seen Pegasus's VP's face when Ann his former secretary read the will and said that Kisty gets it all," he said.
"So who was Pegasus's VP that replaced Alexandra?" asked Lisa. Seto laughed, "Alex's old rival Katharine Hawk," he said. Mokuba jumped, "NO way Katharine, Pegasus gave her, Alex's old job, that cruel way to remember your niece's old job," he said with a look of anger on his face.
Kisty sighed, "Would some one please tell me about Katharine, considering I am having run Industrial Illusion while I think about it," she said.
Mokuba crossed his arms, "A pain in the butt and ex best friend to your mother, they went to the same boarding school, and Alex hated her so much. The woman practically got away with everything for she used her body to get what she wanted," he said.
Kisty looked at Mokuba, "How do you know this?" she asked. Mokuba smirked, "Alex told me once when she and would be waiting for you to come down for breakfast since Seto was off to work, already," he said. Kisty sighed, "Oh, speaking of Mom," she said feeling the tears being to jerk her eyes, "I miss her, not as much as Pegasus right now, but I miss them both so much," she sounded sad at the end.
Slowly Kisty was losing everyone she loved; she almost lost Seto but stopped that from happening by putting her own life on the line. "Kisty?" spoke Lisa in a worried voice, knowing that the girl was going to lose her control on her emotions any second. "I have lost three of the six people I love over the past 10 years and 3 months," she started to let some tears fall at that point. Mokuba looked at Lisa; they knew they were part of that six, as well as Seto too.
"We better change the subject here or this may get ugly," said Lisa trying to pull Kisty back to reality that she still had three more people that love her just as much as those that were gone.
Seto smiled, "I have an idea, since where walking down memory lane," he said. Kisty looked up at him since she was originally looking at Mokuba when she spoke since she had her head against Seto's knee, "what do you have in mind?" asked Kisty sitting up.
Seto smiled, "Be back in an few hours," he said slowly standing up, "Mokuba I am going to need your help," he said, "my shoulder may be fully healed but I want to make sure that I don't lift too much."
Mokuba got up and followed his brother out of the room, Kisty looked at Lisa, "What is he scheming now?" she asked her. Lisa shrugged, "How should I know, I just have fun making him mad all the time which I should do before I have the babies," she said with a laugh, Kisty smiled and somewhat petted Kisara who was lying at the foot of the couch slowly falling asleep and looked over at her six month pregnant Aunt.
Kisara lifted her head from the floor as she heard thumping from somewhere in the mansion. Kisty lay on the couch feeling saddened and completely lonely and lusted, to what to do next.
"Why don't you finish those funeral arrangements for Pegasus?" suggested Lisa. Kisty sighed, "I have, were having a memorial service for him on Friday later this week," she sighed, "All I have to do is take Pegasus's ashes and put some on Cecilia's grave, then to Mom's grave, then fly to Duelist Kingdom and pour some there, which we will probably do later. Finally, I take the ashes, go to Egypt, and pour them on an old excavation site of where Mom got hurt, and oh Dad got Duelist Kingdom so we can vacation there."
Lisa smiled, "Well that's a lot of ashes who pouring them?" she asked looking at Kisty, on the couch as she working on her blanket for her babies. "Umm, me of course," she said sounding a little disturbed about it being someone else, "I am his next of kin."
Lisa laughed, "Yet you don't want his Company which he left to his next of kin which was originally your mother," she said. Kisty slapped her head, "I know, I KNOW!" she sighed slumping off part of the couch letting her blue and some brown hair lay on Kisara on the floor.
