This chapter and every one from now on is 2 years after Kisty's 15th birthday and she is now approaching her 18th, so it's almost 3 years. A reminder from last chapter is that Josh left of New York and will be returning in this chapter also, note that Kisty had some how become the main character, I don't know why it happened that way when I wrote this story a few months ago but you will see as you read. Seto is still in the story don't forget him and since his name is in the title as a reminder to make sure he has some appearance however remember this is also my first published Fan Fiction. ReviewersI will put my reponses on chapter 33 which I will be uploading shortly.
Chapter 30
Old friends meet again
A young woman about 17 years old but from her appearance she looked to be in her early 20s stood in an office, with a woman who was obviously in her later 40's in front of a group of men. The young woman was dressed in a business suit that compiled of a black jacket white blouse and short skirt with her brown hair hanging down. The other woman wore the same outfit except it was gray, and her hair was pined back.
"Kaiba Corp wants to merge with us, ha, can I laugh any louder, Kristen you have to deny them," said one of them men with no hair. Kristen shook her head letting her hair flap on her shoulders, "I will consider it but chances are that Mr. Kaiba will see it my way," said the young woman. "How can you make Seto Kaiba, one of the world's most ruthless man, give in to you?" asked another man.
Kristen looked at them, "Did you forget who I am!" she snapped at them standing up, "I am his DAUGHTER, do you think I am that stupid, not to know things like this, I still have a few good shots at him. For what he put me through 2 years ago after my 15th birthday, trapping me in my room, working me to the bone with business techniques, so do not try to pull this crap on me that he won't listen because he will do what ever it takes to save that old company, ok. I know Seto Kaiba like the back of my middle finger, from when I ran away," she said.
The five men in the room leaned back in their chairs completely in fear of the young girl that be came ruthless and cold much like her father, Seto Kaiba. "I am not going to let his now falling company merge with mine at the moment, do you all remember how he pushed me up to this very room when I first started working here also! I am Kristen Kaiba the one and only runner of this company, I rather see my father squirm before we jump in, however since other companies are willing to pull his rear out of the fire, we're going to do it first, GOT IT! In a few weeks we will begin negotiations of the take over of his company, after my birthday, understand?" she snapped at them.
The scare five men of various ages nodded their heads at the loud CEO and her VP as they both left the room. Katharine smiled as Kristen and she walked into the CEO office. "I am impressed, when did Seto teach you to yell like that at the board members?" she asked as she shut the door to the office.
Kristen threw her jacket on the couch and sat in her leather chair at the desk letting her hair become a little messy as it hung on her shoulders. "The day I found out you were dating him, that and a little steam to blow," she snapped. "Kristen! I told you it was just a dinner, and a dance nothing more," said Katharine, "besides he was wondering what you were up too that day it was only dinner I swear."
Kristen shook her head, "Oh so now my VP is a spy for my so called "Father," Katharine please, I never trust you with anything too important, all my knowledge is in my head and plans as well, also I know your little slut rep," she said. Katharine crossed her arms, "One dinner with your father and you lose all your trust in me also think my skill with men wouldn't help your father?" she asked. "The moment I heard about your sleeping around habits were true, I never did trust you, also the day I moved out of the Kaiba Mansion, was the day I began to trust only myself, Katharine. I am not stupid when I walk in to the office and I can smile dear old pain in the rear daddy," she snapped.
The phone rang a moment later as the two discussed things in the office, "Miss Kaiba you have a phone call from a Mrs. Kaiba," said the secretary. Kisty picked the phone, "It a business call you can go," she said to Katharine who left the office afterwards. "Hello Kristen Kaiba speaking, who is this I am a busy woman," she said in strict tone.
"Kisty, did you father teach you to ever listen to your secretary?" asked a woman on the other line. "Yes, Aunt Lisa he did teach me however manners weren't on that list, but I refuse to believe anyone here at work, also," she said. Lisa laughed at Kisty on the other line, "You're as paranoid as Mokuba and your father combined, anyways, have you thought about the merge?" she asked. Kisty smirked at the thought, "I just got out of the board room where I threw a fit for the lam asses of the board, but yes I been thinking about it," she said. Lisa laughed, "That's the usual with you, so are you coming to the dinner tonight?" she asked.
Kisty looked at her PDA and checked the time slot, "I am open for now, is the scum going to be present?" she asked. Lisa rolled her eyes and sighed, "Yes, he is, why shouldn't I invite my brother in law, even though he kicked Mokuba, and me out when I was pregnant 2 almost 3 years ago. Kisty smirked she loved her little cousins, "How are my little demons cousins doing anyways?" she asked in a joking manner.
Lisa laughed, "Missing their older cousin terribly," she said. Kisty smiled she was the first at the hospital when little Andrew was born along with his twin brother Matthew an hour later. "They both wish you could come over more, they seem to behave with there older cousin around, not to mention Kisara your dog misses you as well," said Lisa. Kisty smirked, "I know, I miss all too, but you know me work, work, work," she said sounding happy.
"You sound like your father right now, a work attic but happy about it," said Lisa. Kisty sighed, "To be honest I am miserable still, but hey that is the life of a young CEO and what it takes to break from a dam contract with the bastard, not to mention, being incredibly bored, with nothing to do, oh wait I do have one thing but that's another hour from now," she said.
The door shut in the background on Lisa's end of the phone, "Lisa I am home," yelled Mokuba. "Sound like Mr. Kaiba's home," said Kisty with a smile knowing her Uncle was still his same old self 'at least some things never change' thought Kisty. "Not funny Kisty, anyways we'll see you tonight," she said. Mokuba walked into the kitchen, "Kisty? On the phone, let me talk to her, Lisa come give me the phone" he said. Lisa turned, "Uh oh, he heard me," she said hearing Lisa and Mokuba struggle for the phone suddenly. Kisty laughed, "Put my Uncle on the phone," she said as Lisa finally pulled away with a scream in the background of a young boy.
"You're lucky she likes you," said Lisa handing Mokuba the phone leaving to investigate her sons. "Kisty?" spoke Mokuba in excited tone. "Hi Uncle Mokuba, what is it?" she asked. "You know the usual, two rambunctious boys at 2 years old, and a big dinner planned which I hope you're still coming too?" he asked.
Kisty sighed, "I am thinking about putting something in my PDA here to prevent me because of the pain in my side, parent," she snapped. Mokuba rolled his eyes, "Kisty you know you're going to have to face Seto sooner or later, after the fight you two had at the party on Christmas," he said.
Kisty smirked, "But I can avoid him, while I can," she countered, "It's only March." Mokuba sighed, "Please don't drop out on us Kisty; Matt and Andy miss you, and those two don't behave unless you're around, especially when you're around," he pleaded. Kisty smiled she loved her cousins to death, she look at them as if they were her siblings that she knew she would never have.
"Alright Uncle Mokuba I am coming to dinner but Seto is to keep his distance from me, or we will have a repeat of the 50th year of Kaiba Corp or last Christmas," Kisty said. "Deal, Kisty, well I have to go now Lisa just got Andy in her arms and Matt won't be too far behind," Mokuba said, to Kisty. "Bye Uncle Moky tell the boys I said hi," she said and hung up the phone.
Katharine emerged from the door, "You're going to do a dinner party?" she asked. Kisty glared at her, "Look, it just a family dinner that I do once a mouth with Mokuba's side of the family," said Kisty crossing her arms. "And let me guess your infamous father will be there?" Katharine asked. Kisty nodded, "Yes for once he is coming, he confirmed it with Lisa today," she said rolling her eyes.
"Well looks like we should pull out the video camera for a repeat performance at the Kaiba Corp ball and last Christmas party," laughed Katharine. Kisty shook her head, "That was over a few months ago your still holding that over me?" she asked Katharine. "As long as you're holding my dinner with your father, yes," answered Katharine with a smirk.
Kisty turned, "Well, I hate to change this interesting subject but I have a meeting with Duke in a few hours so I am heading out to lunch early," said Kisty. Katharine raised an eyebrow, "You never eat out to lunch, today must be special or something," she said. Kisty smirked, "For someone yes, but I will get back to you later on that bye, Katharine hold the company together until I get back," she said slipping out the door. Katharine smirked, "time to make a phone call," she said smiling devilishly.
An hour later
A young man with short green and black hair very skinny at first glance and deep green and purple eyes walked along the sidewalk. It was a clear nice spring day in Domino and the spring air hinted some change. It had been about two years since he was accepted into the academy of arts and went to New York City to study acting and performing he stared in two Broadway plays as an understudy but got to be on stage almost every night. Most times the people he was understudying for would get hurt and he would have nothing do with it.
'It was nice to be back in Domino again,' thought the young man, who walked pasted the Kaiba Corp building heading for a restaurant near by. 'I hope she shows up, his mind thought two years wow that's a long time.' He sat down at a corner table and ordered himself a drink, and waited for his friend to arrive.
A woman walked into the restaurant about a few minutes later, he long brown hair hung to her waist, her eyes as blue as the sky and her skin as white as cream milk. The young man looked up from his drink, he saw her, she looked like an angel a lot had changed in two years and he was happy to see the results. The girl was wearing blue jeans the hugged her hips, and a tight fitting red shirt.
'Wow, that can't be her or it is?' the man's mind thought. The woman turned, and saw the man; her lips were in a line for a moment then slowly edged into a small smile. The man stood up and went to greet his old friend. The girl walked over to the young man, "Josh, is that you?" she asked. The man nodded, "Hi Kisty, long time, no see," he said. Kisty's smile grew as they hugged and closed her eyes, unbeknownst to them that they were seen by some one walking by.
"Come on I have a table," he said to Kisty pointing to his spot. Kisty and Josh walked to the table and sat down. A server walked over to them and Kisty ordered a glass of water and some food for her and Josh. "This is on me Josh," said Kisty.
Josh smiled, "You don't have to Kist, I've been gone for two years, but if you want to go ahead I could save a few bucks," he said. Kisty smirked, "When your out on a date do you always talk like that when the girl says she will take care of the bill?" she asked. Josh shook his head, "Considering I didn't date any girls in New York," he said, "There is only one girl I have had my eye on, and she is sitting in front of me," he said with a smile.
Kisty blushed, "Josh, you have to admit you dated someone other then me," she said with a giggle. "You look like you haven't giggled in a long time?" he spoke seeing Kisty relax face as she did that 'Oh how I missed her smile, her face,' thought Josh. Kisty nodded, "It's been a hard two years without you around," she said. Josh nodded, "Yeah, speaking of years how is the oval of friends doing?" he asked. Kisty was in mid drink when he asked and nearly choked on the water.
"Umm, Sam and Mana?" she spoke knowing that she, her self had not talked to them since Josh left two years ago. "I um, kind of lost touch with them after the school term ended and you left," she said. Josh looked a Kisty, "Why?" he asked.
Kisty sighed, "Seto began to home schooling me, I graduated almost a year ago," she said. Josh nodded, "I see, so you're still running a family business?" he asked. "My Uncle Pegasus's company, yes," she said a paused feeling a little sad that she gave up her dream, just so she could keep money in her name, "You could say that."
Josh put his elbows on the table, "So, tell me, how is the life of a CEO of a major gaming company. I have seen you on the news a few times, especially that one about you and your father, last Christmas," he said. Kisty looked at the table, "So, you heard about Seto and my little tiff that night?" she asked. Josh nodded, "Yeah it was in the news and the New York times, so I kind of could not miss it, in New York," he said.
Kisty blushed, "Well, he started to really push me, so I had a choice get out or push him out of my way," she said. Josh listened, "I take it you walked away from him?" he asked. Kisty nodded, "Yep about 7 miles down the road and around a counter to my Uncle's place, I lived there for about two mouths, got my own place with my pay checks, from Industrial Illusions," she said "I live on my own as of a few weeks now and I love it." Josh nodded, "I see, so have you talked to Kaiba since?" he asked. Kisty shook her head, "The tiff was the last time he and I talked if you call it that, and he wanted to know where I was hiding since he found out that I wasn't staying at my Uncle's place anymore. I wouldn't tell him at the party where I was hiding, however I will tell you it's a little house on a hill top over looking my Uncle's backyard."
Josh nodded, "I see, so you have been on your own," he said with a somewhat happy grin. Kisty nodded with a small hint of pride, "Yep," she said. Josh smiled at Kisty, "So, how is your Uncle and Aunt doing?" he asked taking a drink of his coffee.
"Lisa and Mokuba have twin boys now, Andrew and Matthew, both 2 years old and sometimes pains in the butts, I call them my little demons because only I can control them, however they can't behave with out me," she laughed. Josh smiled, "Like you did Kaiba? Anyways you still talking to your Aunt and Uncle, right?" he asked.
Kisty nodded, "Yes, actually I am suppose to meet them for dinner tonight, sadly Seto will be there, it kind of a family thing, or I would invite you to come along," she said. Josh sighed, "Nah, even of I could I have to visit the Dads you can say, I also heard they have a girlfriend that they share" he said. Kisty laughed, "Bakura and Ryou, you know those two did a good job raising you, even thought Bakura practically treated you like the dirt you once oh so well dug in," she said smiling, "You can take care of yourself at least."
"Yeah they did, just that," Josh sighed, "I wish I knew who my mother was, I actually have a clue to who my father is, I think it's Bakura or Ryou, because my mother left me at a grave stone and then Ryou found me on his rounds at the graveyard," he said. Kisty nodded, "I remember the day you told me about that, I was sick in bed at the time, with the flu," she smiled.
Josh remembered the day he came over after school, Kisty had the flu no thanks to him when she was 6 years old but that was a long time ago she was practically a woman now with her own company. "So, what are you plans this Friday?" Josh asked.
Kisty sighed and rolled her eyes, "Other then work I am pretty much open, oh wait darn it, I have some boring party to attend, that night," she said. "Need an escort?" asked Josh in a joking tone. Kisty at first did not catch it but then saw the smirk on his face, "No, I go alone to those parties, besides my repetition as a loner would be wrecked if I showed up with a date," she said.
"Kisty, you have never been a loner?" said Josh with a slight laugh. Kisty shook her head, "No, Josh I am serious here, I am a loner now, ever since you left," she spoke as if she was morning. "Kisty? Your not making sense here, what did Seto do to you exactly?" Josh asked. Kisty sighed, "I am sorry Josh, but ever since I turned 15, I've been alone and always will be alone, I can't trust anyone for what he did to me," she spoke in a slight saddened voice.
"Kisty! Your never alone," said Josh in a worried voice, "I am back so you won't be lonely even, if you father drove Mana and Sam away, from you, I am here," he spoke in a cheerful voice. Kisty shook her head at the green hair man across from her, "No, Josh, I am alone, just like…like…" Kisty closed her eyes it was hard to say it but she was becoming her father.
Josh knew what Kisty was going to say, "You mean like Kaiba?" he asked. Kisty nodded, "Like him, I am exactly like him, now, cold, alone, and practically cutthroat," she snapped. Josh shook his head, "No, you're not at least not around me, you're not," he said. Kisty nodded, "That's just because I am using a mask right now Josh, I learn several thousands of them," she snapped. "I only pull it out the old one, when I talk to you because I know you better then anyone and I am sorry but I have to go now," she said standing up and pulling out her cell phone, which was buzzing in her pocket.
"Kristen Kaiba here what is it," she said in a snappish tone of voice. Josh saw the emotionless face his old friend had as she began to speak on the phone. "WHAT! HE DIDN'T, I WILL, OHHHHHH he will pay," she paused realizing she was shouting, "I shall be right there keep him away from my office, got that Preethi," she snapped hanging up her flip cell phone.
"Josh I have to leave now," Kisty said grabbing her bag. "What is it?" he asked. Kisty sighed, "Its work, a disgruntled employee, also a really pushy ASS," she spoke quickly. Josh nodded, "I guess you do have busy life, I will see again right?" he asked. Kisty sighed, "I don't know here," she said pulling out a pen and a napkin and wrote on it. "Call me," she said and handed Josh the napkin and running out of the restaurant.
Josh stood there and looked at the napkin; it had Kisty's cell number written on it, he smiled at her as she ran pass the window towards Industrial Illusion. "Well at least I got her number," he chuckled, while putting a tip on the table since Kisty paid the bill before taking off. Josh walked outside he felt the cool breeze pass him; he could tell there was a change in the wind as if a clam before the storm.
a few hours later
"Darn it Yuge, ya beat me again," yelled Joey in the game shop. Yugi laughed as he picked up the game pieces from the game Risk, "Sorry Joey, but you're the one that broke our alliance," he said. "Yeah so you and Atem wouldn't take out Tristan. We agreed that he was to go last and Atem was to be kicked off the game first," ranted Joey.
"Well Joey if you want to feel better you should have stuck to the plan and not attacked Yugi," laughed Atem. Tristan whined, "Come on Joey at least you didn't get taken out first." Joey sighed, "Yeah you did get slathered, fighting a war on two fronts it's like World War I," he laughed at Tristan.
Tristan looked at Joey, "Well at least I didn't back stab anyone," he said. Joey turned, "WHY you, Tristan!" yelled Joey as Tristan walked away with Joey's bag of chips. Tea stuck her head in the door, "Joey keep it down the baby," she said walking into the shop holding a little bundle in hand.
Joey shut his mouth, "Oops, sorry Tea forgot about Yugi Jr there," he laughed. The tall skinny brown-haired woman smiled, "He isn't Yugi Jr, Joey! Just keep your voice down and how many time have told you not to call him that Yugi Jr, Chris is no Jr," she snapped.
Yugi walked over to Tea, "How's his fever?" he asked putting his hand on the little red haired boy's head as he slept in the bundle in his mother's arms. "He's doing better thanks to the medicine, I got from Serenity at the hospital yesterday," answered Tea.
Tristan looked at the glass case in front of him and let out a long sigh. Joey and Atem caught their friend looking sad. "Tristan, something wrong?" asked Atem, who did not know what was wrong with him.
Tristan turned around, "It's nothing, Atem, just that Serenity has been taking extra shift as the hospital, I haven't seen her in over a week," he said. Joey looked at his pal Tristan, "What Serenity, been working over time to avoid you?" he asked, "About time," he muttered quietly.
Tristan nodded, "Yeah, ever since she got that transfer to Domino Hospital from New York three years ago, so that she didn't have to move back here just to be with me or have me fly back here for a week then she goes back to work."
Joey sighed, "Hey you're the one, I remember begging her to move back here so I don't blame her for working besides Tristan, ever since you got hurt at work she has to take care of you too," said Tea. Tristan rubbed his shoulder, "Don't remind me last time I be a body guard to Kisty, and get between her and Kaiba," he said.
The bell rang as the shop door opened and a young man walked with green and black hair. Everyone looked to see the new comer, Joey, Tea, and Tristan blinked for a moment "Josh?" the three of him or her said surprised. Yugi and Atem just stood there looking at how much the adopted son of Bakura and Ryou had grown up.
"Hi everyone," he said walking over to them. "So how was New York, did my directions help?" asked Tea handing the baby to Yugi who took his son out of the room to be put to bed. Josh leaned on the counter, "Yeah they did, thanks Tea, and by the way these are for you, from Cassie," he said handing Tea some keys. Tea smiled, "Thanks Josh, I was wondering where my old apartment keys went too," she said putting them into her pocket.
(Just a quick side note, Tea did become a dancer for a while but missed Yugi and went back to Domino and got married, Atem just lives with them and the kid is Yugi's not Atem's just want to make that clear)
Tea sighed, "So how is everyone in New York?" she asked knowing that she set Josh up with some of her friends in the big apple. Josh sighed, "Other then missing you, they're fine, just wish that their best dancer would return to show the teachers a thing or too," he laughed.
Tristan looked at Josh, "So what bring you back to Domino, just visiting?" he asked. Josh smiled, "Actually, I am moving back here, I found things in New York I liked, but figured I should come home for a while, you know to see everyone again," he said rubbing the back of his head. Atem smiled, "What brought you back here really?" he asked. Josh sighed, "I just wanted to come back there are a few things I wanted to check up on," he said.
Atem crossed his arms, "Really like what?" he said with a smirk knowing Josh had other motives. Josh sighed, "Well, I found out that my birth parents are, I am a little surprised," he said, "But I am not going to confront them because well one of them is gone." Tea, Tristan and Joey all had sad looks on their faces, "What happen to them?" asked Joey.
Josh looked at the glass case he was leaning on, "Well my mother was ill that's why she left me behind at the grave yard with Ryou and Bakura, my father, well he is another story all together, because well I guess no one knew who he is, just that he fooled around a lot. He did make some donations, to Ryou and Bakura graveyard as a mysterious donor with a lot of money, I know that for a fact," he said.
Everyone listened, "I found out that my father who fooled around a lot also, was a donor at one to those banks," said Josh. Atem, Tristan and Joey nodded, Tea just did not want to think about it, and she had her own sperm bank to worry about up stairs with their investment that was recovering from a cold.
Josh sighed, "The place told me who it was that my mother used as her donor for me, I was kind of surprised by who it was, though," he said. "Well are you going to tell us?" they asked. Josh shook his head, "If I did would you all promise not to go after him, he is kind of a friend of yours? You know for not taking me in and all?" he asked.
Everyone nodded in agreement not to kill the slim ball, "Duke Devilen," spoke Josh quickly. Everyone shook there heads in shock, "Wow, who would have thought that Duke would have a kid 17 years ago?" asked Joey. "I think he knew," said Josh, "he was always visiting the graveyard surprisingly now that I made the connection of who was my mother was he was visiting her grave all the time, and he would always ask how Bakura and Ryou were treating me. I just didn't put it together until about a year ago when I found out that I came from a bank."
Everyone stayed silence for a moment, "So your back to confront the dead beat?" asked Joey sounding smug. Josh shook his head, "No, that's not the reason, actually I came back, it's because of something or I should say someone else," he said looking at the duel monster cards below him. Yugi came back with a baby monitor and handed it to Tea.
"You came back because of Kisty?" spoke Atem now voicing the motive that he had guessed all along. Josh nodded, "I was worried about her, Mana and Samantha called me a while back, and told me that Kisty was acting, well, like her father suddenly, in fact they saw her little "tiff" with Kaiba, as she put it," he said.
Yugi and Atem looked at each other, "Well, she has been a bit cut off from everyone since she turned 15 and you left. That's when we found out that, Kaiba was putting her through a test, and she passed it somewhat, but it cost her alot," said Yugi.
Josh looked at Yugi, "Want to tell me what it was that cost her so much?" he asked, "I came to kind of dig up the dirt, because of something she said earlier about not being who she used to be, however she still the same to me just older at least she was around me."
Everyone looked at Josh, "When did you see Kisty?" asked Tea surprised that the female CEO would take time off work. Josh shrugged his shoulders; "About an hour ago," he said, "we had lunch together, why?" Tea looked at everyone then at Josh, "Kisty has kind of gone on the loner side, I am surprised that she took time out to see you, if anyone sees her besides her employees it's Mokuba and his side of the family," she said.
Atem and Yugi nodded, "Josh, you have to understand Kisty runs Industrial Illusions, now, and as she put it to us once, the Kaiba name, you should talk to Mokuba and Lisa they are the ones that really know what is going on with Kisty," said Atem. "I see, so you all were cut off from Kisty too?" Josh asked. Everyone nodded, "We tried to help her through it, but she changed as if she and Kaiba just went two directions and Kisty caught Kaiba's dust as she ran off," said Tristan.
"It wasn't a pretty sight the day we all found out that that the two of them had it out, Kisty practically kicked Kaiba's ass, oh how I wish I saw that, fight on Christmas," said Joey with a small hint of glee in his voice. Tea punched Joey in the arm, "Hey I thought you and Kaiba called it truce with the, who is better stuff?" she asked. Joey rubbed his upper arm, "I was kidding about the last part Tea, gosh motherhood has taken ya humor away from ya," he said.
Josh shook his head, "So Kisty and Kaiba are really at each other then, so she was hiding something when she told me about the tiff they had at the party," he said. Everyone looked at Josh, "Yeah, we kind of saw it first hand, Kisty and Seto almost went to fists but then she just walked out, but it wasn't over companies that are for sure, it was over her freedom," said Atem, as Tea and Yugi nodded remembering the party.
