YUGIOH
The Times Between Darkness and Light
Chapter 5.
Kaiba had driven his Mercedes to a number of expensive clothing stores, not quite sure what he was looking for....but knowing it had to be radically different than what he worn in the past. Most of the clothes were made to flaunt its wealth in people's faces. That's not what he was looking for. He already had that with his original set of clothes. Still he couldn't find exactly what he wanted. So instead, he settled for a more professional look. He grabbed many sets of dark slacks, and dark-colored silk button-down shirts. He also decided that dark dress boots suited him much better than the light dress shoes he had worn before.
He had also abandoned even looking in one store because the fool didn't recognize him for who he was, and instead mistaken him for some pathetic school kid, telling him that he was not wanted here. Once he made sure to get in the man's face, making sure he was recognized, the man quickly apologized....but by that time Kaiba no longer wanted anything to do with that store.
Finally, at the next store he found a few sets of black turtlenecks that he really liked. Yet, he couldn't think of anything to wear them with. It didn't quite match what he had been buying all ready, and yet it stood out practically demanding that he get it. He couldn't resist and bought them all, deciding that maybe he could find them of some use later on.
And just before he left, he found another thing that stood out to him. He stopped in his tracks and headed over to it. It was a long expensive dark blue trench coat, yet not something that was so gaudy that it screamed he was above everyone. At the time, that's what he was looking for. He didn't want to stand out that much, but the darkness in the colors he felt resembled him better....like a true reflection of his soul, instead of a fake white hiding the true taint within. He found his size, and bought it.
With all the clothes he bought, he headed back home. There he found the right match for today, putting everything else away in the closet. Dark boots, slacks, shirt, and trench coat....perfect. Well....almost. That one store owner that didn't recognize him still bothered him, and he wanted to make sure even strangers knew when he came in that he was an authority to be feared and respected. Maybe heading to the area of Kaiba Corp that sold items and knickknacks just for the company could help him with an idea. But then, there was another thing he had to do, as well.
Digging through his drawers, it didn't take long before he found it. An old card pendant with an old leather string. Inside was a picture of his brother, when Mokuba was really young. Mokuba already had a similar item around his neck. Long ago Kaiba had taken his off and hidden it away. He explained to his brother that he had to do it....it was part of the game. But he promised he would wear it again, when the game had ended and he had won.
Even though he was no longer sure if it was a win or loss anymore, he still put it back on. The threat of Gozaburo was now behind them, and a promise was a promise. If doing this could make his brother happy with him, then so be it.
He left his home, and headed to the gift building of Kaiba Corp, entering to look around. Since this was not a place Kaiba ever went to before, in the past he found it 'beneath' him to go here, they didn't recognize him....especially since his entire look had changed, even his hair-color.
"Can I help you?" A woman asked politely.
"Just browsing." He said, adding nothing more.
They left him alone, as he looked through the store. The place really was as tacky as he felt it was, yet something did stand out and get his attention. Of all the things, there was a belt buckle made of silver with the bold KC symbol on it.
'Perfect.' He thought. It was bold, made sure to make a point, but not something he considered tacky. After all, it wasn't a watch or necklace that size, or even a pin. All belt buckles were that size really, and it would make sure everyone would know he was from Kaiba Corp.
Kaiba took it to the register, and said, "I want this. And I also want ten more billed and delivered to my address."
"Uh....if you say so, sir." She said, finding it odd that someone would want so many. So she scanned the credit card, and was shocked on the name that came up.
Her first thought was 'this man's a thief', as she glanced suspiciously up at the guy looking coldly down at her. But after a few seconds of studying the man with the hard-chiseled features, it finally dawned on her that maybe this really was the owner of this credit card.
She swallowed, and nervously asked, "A-are you....is your n-name....??"
"Did you forget how to read?" He asked her coldly, never flinching from the questioning.
Her face then paled as she was now certain this really was 'her' boss. "Uh....I....no! Forgive me, sir!" She fumbled out, as she quickly scanned the credit card. Then she looked at it, and said, "Oh, uh....this really isn't necessary. You don't need to pay for these things! I mean...."
"Listen, lady." Kaiba snapped. "If you let anyone walk out of this store without paying for items, that goes on my books as a theft. I personally don't like seeing those things appear on my company's books. Let's just hope, for your sake, that you didn't decide anyone else's money besides mine isn't any good here. Because if you had, you're going to be out of a job."
"Oh, uh....yes, sir! I mean, no sir!" She said moving her hand to swipe the card through a second time.
Kaiba quickly grabbed her hand, saying, "Didn't you just do that? If you scan it twice, you're then double charging the customer....and that's fraud. Tell me, how long have you worked here??"
"Uh....uh...." She stammered, almost in tears.
"Excuse me, is there a problem? Maybe I can be of some help." A manager suddenly appeared, seeing that some customer was giving one of his employees a hard time.
