A/N: Don't own anything but my twisting plot…all the characters (with the exception of the ones never seen on the show 'cause I made them up) are owned by someone other than me… I think we all know who that genius it…

I must give major credit to those who guessed correctly...you will know who you are shortly...

Chapter 25

One Long Treacherous Riddle

"I tried to explain to you Sir, that we have tried all methods to get Seto Kaiba to crack, but there seems to be nothing we can do or say to waiver him." Max ran a nervous hand through his hair. By Friday the patent would go through for Kaiba Corp. and all would be lost for Taylor Industries. "I think we're finally getting closer to Mokuba Kaiba Sir, that might be the key. He has been spotted in California, in the Bay area to be exact."

"I'm losing patience Max," Taylor Senior growled into the phone. "If the information has to be beaten out of him, so be it!"

"The only thing that a beating will get us is an unusable Kaiba. I had my men do a number on him, the guy looks like hell and yet it seems he mocks us as we pound him." Max shook his head. Breaking fingers would kill progress, as would any other torture method. Gozaburo made Seto Kaiba into one tough SOB. Max was still certain the way to the CEO was through what meant most to him-his brother and the girl. Too bad the little bitch was the object of Tristan's affection. The only way to break the attraction was to show what a turncoat she was. Problem was, Kaiba liked her and yet she seemed to like Tristan. Was the girl insane? What the hell she saw in Taylor's son was beyond him.

"That patent will be filed and set in mere days Max, you promised to deliver the system to me…are you capable or do I need to replace you with someone competent?" Taylor growled on the phone. Max shuddered, knowing what 'replacement' meant.

"I'll get the information Sir." Max sighed heavily. One way or another he had to get the information.

"I'll be coming home earlier than expected. I'll be there Thursday, not Friday. If you can't handle this I will then."

"Yes Sir," Max relented.

"Don't think that gets you off the hook, Max. There will be severe consequences if I have to get the prototype myself. I didn't hire you to piss my good money away." Taylor did his best to maintain his control. "Know this, rare hunter, there will be hell to pay if you fail. Believe me, I will take great pleasure in taking out all my aggression on your sorry ass if you fail me." With that, a loud click was heard.

Damn, now Max felt seriously screwed. He slapped the cell phone shut. His last shot was Mokuba, and where the little bastard was…only God knew. Unfortunately, he didn't know God on a personal level, not on any level-actually. It was time to collect the runt and peel off his skin, if need be, Seto Kaiba's compliance now meant his own life or death, and Max had no intentions of dying. He was into the practice of self-preservation and that's what his intentions were-save himself.

So many thoughts turned in her head; her stomach lurched. She wanted to gather herself and get the hell out of this asylum.

Suddenly an arm grabbed her from behind. She was pulled back against a man's form, a rare hunter? She had no idea who it was. She could tell he was strong, and quite angry.

One of his arms snaked around her waist while the other held a knife against her tender throat. No scream escaped her lips. She had past the point of shock.

"Give me one good reason why I don't slit your worthless throat-you bitch." He growled against her ear. The knife pressed closer, as she swallowed hard.

"Go ahead," she whispered in defeat, her hands guiding his, pressing the blade closer. "You would save me a lot of trouble. I think I'd rather be dead at this point."

Her words stayed his hands. What the hell was she up to? She wanted death? It just didn't fit into the equation; then again, little made sense these days.

Slowly he dragged her into the closest room. After he jerked her in, he shut the door behind them. It took every ounce of strength he possessed not toslice the blade across her throat. He gave her a harsh push. She stumbled forward and fell to the floor sobbing. It seemed as if she was a big tangle of tears, sobs and wild red hair. She looked pathetic.

"Why not just kill me? Save everyone the energy and effort?" She hiccupped and whimpered. Tears fell relentlessly down her puffy, red cheeks. Even closing her eyes tightly didn't help. Images flared behind her closed lids; Seto's murderous glare, Tristan's heated one, the fetid kiss, the agony of seeing Seto slump forward, how much more could she take?

"I don't know what your game is," he growled as he grabbed her by the hair, at the back of her neck. He lifted her, she wailed softlyas she rose to her feet under the harsh treatment. "I sure as hell am going to find out. You better start talking before I really do slit your throat."

After regaining her feet she turned her eyes to the rare hunter. It was the same one who had been eyeing her with hatred since she stepped foot in the house. A small gasp escaped her lips upon realizing it. He held the knife at the ready. The blade gleaming under the light he had flicked on. Could it be possible that his eyes were even colder than before?

"Who are you?" She whispered. "Why are you looking at me with such hatred? Aren't you pleased that I passed the test your Master gave me? I stood up and proclaimed his ownership over me…what more do you need? A blood oath?" Holding her hand out, daring him to cut her. Thesadgaze turned from sorrow to anger. Her voice wavered. More tears soaked her lashes, frantically she wiped at them to clear her vision. She had suffered enough. It ended here.

Her tears had no effect on him. She deserved to hurt, to suffer. Whatever the reason was forthe tears he hoped to multiply it.

"Aren't you glad you finally got to tell the famous Seto Kaiba where to go? I mean, with 'lover-boy' standing in the wings it didn't look hard from where I stood." His voice was harsh and sarcastic; he wanted her to hurt. He wanted her tears.

"I would rather tell 'lover-boy' where to go." She turned to face her assailant. "Kill me, because I already feel dead inside."

Complete silence.

"What the hell are you talking about?" The rare hunter reached for her again, grabbing her slim throat with one hand. "You always giggle and look at him with such sappiness, only a fool would think you weren't head over heels for him."

"Then I guess you are a fool." She scratched at his wrist, her air being cut off. He loosened his grip, with that she gasped in a deep breath. "It doesn't matter anymore now. Everything that I was fighting for just ended with that lecherous kiss." Her eyes dropped to the floor. She had just given away her true feelings-to a rare hunter. "Slit my throat now please, I was honest with you so, make it quick." Resigning to her imminent death she tipped her head back, baring her throat.

A soft chuckle caused her head to snap up. "You're laughing at my pain? Are you mocking me?" She moved to slap him. He quickly grabbed her wrist. Just as quickly he pushed back his hood.

Raven hair and soft gray-violet eyes, which looked hauntingly familiar, were revealed. A tiny gasp escaped her now parted lips. A soft smile crept across his lips as he released her wrist. She felt like she was looking into Seto's eyes, well, they were the same shape as Seto's.

"I've grown up." Mokuba offered.

"Mokuba?" Serenity softly touched his cheek, could it be? "I don't understand."

"I'm here to save my big brother. I thought you were here to torment him." Mokuba shrugged. "I need the truth now."

"I love your brother Mokuba. I came here to rescue him too. Mai, Joey, Yugi and Roland are all in on this. Seto has been so worried about you." She threw herself into his arms and he hugged her to him. He softly stroked her back. He smirked, Seto had a girlfriend-how amusing.

Mokuba was still confused. "You said he was cruel to you and then the water thing…"

"I had to do something or else Max and Tristan would have seen right through me. I just hope Seto did see through me. I was with him earlier today and I told him how I felt. I just hope he doesn't think that I'm really in love with…that…leech." She cringed in Mokuba's arms.

"My brother is fairly intelligent, at times. I think he'll know. I just hope he wasn't hurt too badly. I can't get in to see him. If he knew I was here he would blow a gasket." Mokuba squeezed her tighter then let her go.

"You shouldn't be here Mokuba. If you're discovered they'd kill you." Serenity's eyes were wide in fear. He was taking a greater risk than her. She could leave, butif he was found out he would be, at least tortured. A shiver coursed through her body, Mokuba was Seto's greatest concern. If Max had Mokuba… "You have to get the hell out of here, go into hiding. I can handle this. Oh God! Do you know what you're doing?"

She clutched hisrobe and tried to shake him. This was insane! Holding one Kaiba brother was bad enough; two could open the way for a complete take over and an end to the Kaiba name. His smile caused her to stop, the gesture almost calmed her.

"My brother always says to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I'm only living by his rules." He shrugged and chuckled. The years melted away, and she found herself smiling back.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you. How old are you now?" She took his hand in hers.

"I'm 18 now. All grown up, but still a boy in Seto's eyes I'm afraid." Mokuba led her to the bed, where they sat down. "We don't have a lot of time. They'll be missing you soon."

"What do we do Mokuba?" Serenity let the fear show, for once.

"I have men in here, besides myself. There aren't many of us yet, a few more will be joining us shortly and then we can rescue Seto." Mokuba squeezed her hand.

"What can I do?" Serenity asked.

"I need Seto in a room with a window. I also need Tristan distracted." Mokuba sighed heavily. "I know you hate him, and I hate asking, but do you think you could do it?"

Serenity's gaze darted nervously around the room. She had nearly gagged from the kiss he planted on her. If he tried again she wasn't sure she could submit. Then again, Seto's life hung in the balance, and now so did Mokuba's. Could she ignore them and just sit back, hoping for the best? Unfortunately she feared the worst. Looking at her hands, then up to Mokuba's eyes, slowly she shook her head.

"I have no idea how to get him moved." Her shoulders slumped. "Roland had suggested the same thing, but Mokuba how?"

"Tristan was delighted with torturing Seto tonight by using you." Mokuba started. "Maybe we could use that against him?"

"Let me think about it. Mai might be able to help me come up with something. Mokuba, you can't get caught. Promise me you'll stick to the shadows. Stay out of the way until the time is right. It would kill Seto to have you in danger." Serenity stood.

"Seto huh? Does he call you Serenity?" Things had changed since he went away to school. It seemed things were improving. Maybe his brother could learn to act human, and less like a computer. Mokuba reached under his robe and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. "You better clean up before you go back out there. I would come up with an explanation too. Girls don't cry when the man they love kisses them." He winked at her, trying to lighten the dismal mood. They both knew what they were up against. However, they now knew they had allies.

"I'll be OK Mokuba, Tristan is somewhat…" She searched for a word. Her eyes darted around the small room.

"Mentally incompetent? Moronish? Dim-witted?" Mokuba smirked that famous Kaiba smirk. Serenity giggled.

"How about D-all of the above?"

"Clean up and get back out there. They mustn't know anything is wrong. And for God's sake, get out of here soon. Spend as little time here as possible." Mokuba adjusted his hood. "Seto would kill me if he knew I was putting you in danger. I saw the way he reacted where you're concerned."

"I'll be back tomorrow," Serenity explained.

"Tristan's lessons are everyday atthree o'clockwithout fail. If you find yourself here at that time we'll be able to exchange information. First things first, work on the window, let me work the inside. Tell Roland I'll be in touch, but tell him to trust no one. There are inside enemies." Mokuba looked her over as she wiped her eyes. She was in no state to go see Tristan.

"What will you tell Tristan? Why were you crying?" Mokuba questioned, she needed to have an excuse.

Serenity dabbed at her eyes for the last time. "My first true kiss was just experienced in front of a man I despise. I had wanted it to be special and sacred. I'm just a sappy little thing that let's her emotions get the best of her. I'm sorry I'm so…naive." Sharp eyes met gray-violet ones. A question lingered, would that explanation work?

"Go, but get out of here now. Nothing more can be done today. Also be leery of Max, he doesn't trust you."

Serenity stood on her tiptoes and kissed the young Kaiba's cheek.

"Please be careful Mokuba."

She turned towards the door. Hesitating for a moment. "We will free him, right?"

Mokuba bit his lower lip, his eyes downcast. "Of course, he's never let me down. I won't fail." Serenity turned to him.

Softly she whispered, "No Mokuba, WE won't fail."

Serenity walked quickly down the halls and back to the foyer. It was past time to get the hell out of here. She had so much to tell the gang. She whispered a soft prayer for the Kaibas, so close to one another, yet so far. Would it make Seto happy to know they were under the same roof, or drive him insane? She would obey Mokuba and not disclose a thing to Seto. Seto… She would have to get him out of that hole tomorrow. She also wanted to see him again. Make sure he was all right. He did receive a major blow to the head.

Her eyes burned furious at the thought. If Seto were seriously hurt, Mokuba would have to stand back. She would draw first blood! Mai was standing near the door with, ick, Tristan.

"Are you ready to go hon'?" Mai asked sweetly as she eyed the door. This place was creeping her out, and the sooner she was in Joey's arms the better.

"Yes, but I'll miss you Tristan." Serenity smiled shyly, not raising her eyes to him.

"I'll see you soon." Tristan tried to comfort her, she sounded so sad.

"Maybe I could come over tomorrow?" Serenity asked, trying to sound hopeful. It was very necessary for her to come back and get Mokuba's plan into action. The more time she spent here the easier that would be. Only problem was that she had to make Tristan think he was the aggressor. If she didn't he may realize she wasn't as innocent as he believed her to be. That would be dangerous, very dangerous.

"Would you really like to? I mean I was going to ask, but I was afraid that you might not be able to…" Tristan's gushing made Mai and Serenity want to hurl. "Please, I would love to have you here tomorrow. Maybe lunch?" He offered.

Serenity's mind reeled; she had to be here when Tristan had his lesson. Mokuba said that was three o'clock. It would be the only time she would have to speak to him, and see Seto. She needed to see Seto.

"How about two o'clock?" Serenity offered with a shy half smile. Eagerness would be a bad thing.

"Oh…um…"Tristan struggled. "I have a duel lesson at three." He looked disappointed.

"Well," Mai offered, "We could have lunch at two, you could have your lesson and then you could spend time together after that." Mai had no idea why Serenity wanted that time, but had a feeling it was for something important. Mai shrugged, as if in annoyance, and turned her eyes back to Tristan. What would he think?

The expression on the boy's face wasn't readable. He looked confused, which probably meant he was thinking.

Max returned to the room, as the question hung in the air. His cold dark eyes drank in Mai, and she shuddered at his survey. Once he knew he had her attention, he ran his tongue across his lips as if he were imagining her taste. It was revolting.

"Take a picture, asswipe, it'll last longer." Mai said flippantly as she tossed a long lock of hair over her shoulder. The man terrified the hell out of her, but if he saw the fear in her face he would know he held power. "Tristan, you should train your underlings better. Manners are important, that derelict doesn't seem to have any."

"Manners aren't everything Mai," Max countered. "Sometimes skills make a woman happier."

The comment was arrogant and lewd. Tristan turned his attention on the man. If Mai felt nervous in the house, Serenity may not be able to come. Something had to be done.

"Apologize Max, this instant." Tristan snapped. "I won't have my invited guests harassed by you. Mai is off limits."

Max snarled low in his throat and turned to leave. He looked Mai up and down once more. She had never felt more violated.

"We have to go Tristan," Serenity announced sadly. "I appreciated your hospitality."

Tristan leaned in to kiss her, but Mia intervened.

"I think she has had enough kisses for one day, Romeo. She has a reputation to uphold and I won't allow her to do anything unseemly. She is a lady, after all." Mai slowly tucked Serenity behind her. "You love birds will see one another tomorrow, until then you'll just have to use your memories to keep you both warm."

Tristan smiled at Serenity, she smiled back, weakly. She hated leaving Seto and Mokuba under this roof. Tristan could be left in a heartbeat, in fact, she longed to be out of his presence. The longer he looked, the more his brown eyes seemed to devour her, the more her stomach turned.

Mai opened the door and out they went. The night air was crisp and cool. It felt good to be in the fresh air, as opposed to the stagnant dank air that seemed too oppressive in the mansion. The moon was almost full; stars filled the black sky. The two girls walked to the car slowly, each enjoying the fresh night air, taking deep lungfuls before exhaling slowly. They had pulled it off. How they had done it was beyond them, but they had. No one inside was the wiser, that they knew of.

Tristan was still as moronic as always. Max, well, they knew he would be a problem. Thankfully, Tristan had put him in his place, for the time being. Caution was still key.

Once they were safely on the road, the van containing their friends came into view in the rear mirror. Mai smiled brightly…Joey. Serenity noticed the smile and knew it was for her brother. Mai's finger looked so naked without the engagement ring, but she didn't feel safe wearing it around the hunters.

"I have some news," Serenity finally broke the silence. "Mokuba is alive."

Mai looked at Serenity when they arrived at a red light. Her eyebrow quirked, it was as if she were asking Serenity to go on. Mokuba was the missing link in this whole mess. If Serenity knew he was alive, she must also know where he was.

"Did Kaiba tell you?" Mai asked, intrigued.

"No," Serenity whispered, sheepishly, "Mokuba did."

A/N: Congrats go out to: for your insightful guessing. The rest of you, don't feel badly at all, I know I have this plot twisting and turning. It honestly could have been anyone. I'm not a great guesser at mysteries, just wanted to see if any of you were. (Though, I must admit I did have the SCREAM series figured out quite quickly.) I just wanted to make sure I wasn't too obvious, otherwise, how could I keep you all in suspense? Things are building, I'm working on the seriously scary part now and I'm kinda freakin' my own self out. Geez, I hope you can all handle it. My beta is down to her last nail-lol! Thank you for all the awesome reviews...once again...guys you are the best-hands down!