Chapter 10:

Title: Shadow Wars Inc.

Author: Fairyfae

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: SetoxYami

Genre: Action, Romance

Spoilers: None of which I am aware.

Warning: Cussing

Disclaimer: Me no own...TT (Snuggles Seto plushie)

Summary: Memories long since forgotten have reemerged to haunt Seto. The world is suffering random and unimaginable attacks. Seto suspects his company is involved in weapons dealing and a Pharaoh is brought back to life for a limited time to stop a supernatural disaster and to save his undeclared love

Seto groaned while lazily flopping one arm over his eyes, the other dropping to scratch absently at the light smattering of hair trailing from belly button to groin. Both his head and his back were protesting his currently waking state. How is it possible to feel so crappy and so relaxed at the same time? He'd never had a hangover before, but he didn't think one could be any worse than this. Funny thing was, he couldn't remember drinking anything. Seto moved his arm and opened his eyes. Rolling to his side, he examined the clock hidden in the side of his nightstand. It was already late afternoon. He hadn't slept this late since he'd done that forty-nine hour work marathon before the launching of one of Kaiba Corps. new signature products. Sitting up, his mind slowly registered his state of undress. What the hell? Where were his pajamas? Thinking back, all he remembered was…

"Oh, shit." Seto groaned while collapsing to his bed only to arch up in pain as his back hit the mattress hard. What was he? Some kind of masochist. Seto let his mind flash through the events of the previous night only to wince when he remembered his final words. How pathetic could he be? Although he didn't really believe in all the magic mumbo jumbo the others were always spewing, he did believe Yami's statement that he wouldn't stay. Whatever excuse the other decided to give him, it didn't change the fact that Yami was leaving himself an opening, a way to leave him eventually. But then, he had known that already. Everyone always left. Even Mokuba would grow up and out of his need for a big brother one day. It was inevitable. Everyone always left. He also knew that it would hurt. It would hurt when Mokuba left and it was bound to hurt when Yami left. Only now it was worse. Now, he had let Yami past his barriers; he knew how good it felt to be with the other. Now, Yami's leaving would hurt him just as much as Mokuba's eventual abandonment. Now the pain would be even worse.

The most pathetic part, he couldn't even blame Yami. It was his own lack of control that resulted in the events of the previous night. In spite of all his efforts, all his obnoxious behavior, he hadn't been able to push Yami away and now, it was too late. He remembered what Yami had looked like, helpless, bound, and spread eagle before him, submitting to his every whim. Now that he knew what that was like, he could no longer act like he didn't want it.

Seto began to clench his fists. Damn the fates, and damn Yami's own will. Now that Seto knew what pleasure the other could give him, he was never going to let the other go. Yami had done it to himself when he'd submitted. Yami had tricked him into wanting him this much. He should have remembered that what a Kaiba wants, a Kaiba takes by any means necessary. It didn't matter that Yami might one day want to leave him. He wasn't going to let the other leave. Yami was his now, and if Yami thought he was going to leave, it was going to be over Seto's own cooling body.

Sitting up he noted that the ties had been returned to the curtains and the broken lamp and glass had been cleaned up. Yami's clothing was missing, but he wasn't surprised. He doubted that the other would wait idly around while Kaiba slept. Although, he wouldn't have slept this long if Yami hadn't drugged him. He needed to remember to punish Yami for that later. He couldn't track Yami down right away, however. He had missed hours of work already. He needed to clean up, check on his little brother, see what new information Bakura had, and check in on his company. It irked him that he only had half a day to accomplish all that.

Sliding off the bed, Kaiba started towards the bathroom, only to spot a note where the lamp used to sit. Picking it up, he read:

Deat Seto,

Bakura has found a lead in the investigation and we are pursing that lead now. Hopefully, I will be back before this evening. I know you won't listen to me, but take this time to rest and recover. You just got out of the hospital a few days ago. I am sorry to leave, but remember you are never alone. I am yours and I feel you even now. I always have and always will love you.

Yours,

Yami Noble

P. S. You were magnificent my dragon but I am sure you can do better. I'll be happy to help you practice in the future.

Seto felt a blush color his cheeks; practice indeed. As if that would distract him from the fact that Yami and Bakura bloody well took over the investigation of the people attacking his company. How dare they! Seto reread the note a couple times getting more irate each time. He feels me? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Seto thought back to some of the stories the other had been telling him, something about sensing his presence and being tied to his soul. Damn! With all the crazy stuff that had been going on, that might actually be true. If it was, he wondered if it could work both ways.

Cautiously, and feeling utterly ridiculous, Seto closed his eyes and concentrated on picturing Yami's face…. Nothing. Seto opened his eyes and glared at the note as if it had made him be foolish. Of course there had been nothing. This soul tied crap was utter hogwash. He didn't know why he felt that niggling bit of disappointment. It could have nothing to do with the fact that Seto wanted to see Yami right then, wanted to argue with him right then. It didn't really matter that he was mad at the other. He wanted to be mad face to face with Yami. He sighed and gave in to a minute of weakness; he allowed himself to indulge in his longing for the other's presence.

Suddenly, he could feel him. He was in a car, driving away, his mind preoccupied with something upsetting. What the hell? He concentrated, but couldn't make out what the other was thinking.

Seto paused. Yami was better at this metaphysical crap than he was. What if the other could tell what Seto was thinking. That was disturbing. Carefully, Seto imagined that his thoughts were enclosed in a safe, one like they had at the Swiss Trust and Funds. When he locked the safe, he could no longer feel the other. Hopefully, Yami could no longer feel him either. Seto was not really comfortable with the fact that the other might be able to feel him without Seto knowing. Better safe than sorry, no pun intended.

Seto dropped the letter when his cell phone rang. Looking around, he tried to use the sound to pinpoint his briefcase. There, it was on the far side of his desk. Walking over, he opened the case and removed his phone.

"Kaiba."

"Good afternoon, Kaiba Sir." A middle-age professional gave the customary emotionless greeting, "You told us to inform you right away when the boy woke up."

Kaiba's body came to attention, "He's awake? Has he said anything?"

"No sir. He just keeps asking about the number 17. The questions we ask are either ignored or the answers are confused and irrational. I think the boy may be in need of psychiatric treatment."

"Don't have him sent to a facility yet. I want to question him myself. I'll be at the west-side entrance to the hospital in," Kaiba looked at his watch, "forty-five minutes. You will let me in at that time and make sure that I can surpass all the security checks. Am I clear."

"Yes Mr. Kaiba. I'll see you at ten til seven sharp."

Kaiba hung up. He only had about fifteen minutes to get showered, dressed and to check on Mokuba. He walked to the closet and laid out one of his rarely used casual outfits. He didn't want to draw undue attention. That done, he went to his safe and removed his brand new PX4-Storm. Technically, it was only available to law enforcement, but he had contacts in both law enforcement and gun manufacturing. The only way to keep his own company out of the weapons business was to keep his finger on its pulse. That being said, he knew how to shot. He didn't like it, but he needed to see that kid. He would use a back holster. It wasn't a quick drawl but he was hoping like hell that he wouldn't need to defend himself and others. Not today and not ever. Not like this. Nevertheless, he had to be prepared for the worst now. Someone was out to kill him and Mokuba had already been hurt.

At ten til seven sharp, Seto walked in the west-side entrance of the hospital's Kaiba Corp. wing, a wing built for ailing children using funds Kaiba had raised at a charity auction years ago. Needless to say, he was greeted and walked around the metal detectors without any problem. As he walked down the hall, white yielded to black as the hospital staff and residents moved clear of his dark clad form. Despite his casual black jeans, t-shirt, and black leather duster, Seto still gave off an air of authority that kept others clear of his path. He stopped at a private room and turned to face his escort. "That's all. What's your beeper number?"

The doctor handed it over without question, "I may be in here for a while. I don't want to be disturbed by anyone. I'll page you when I want to leave. Understood." The doctor bowed politely and withdrew. Kaiba would have to remember that doctor. He liked him. He was efficient and he didn't fawn over him.

Turning, he entered the room. Across from the door was the boy who hunted him just a few days ago. Seto could barely believe it. The boy was recognizable, but just barely. His skin and hair were still dark but the hospital staff had cleaned him up. The child looked frail, undernourished and bone-weary. The child turned to face him, his movements oddly stiff and controlled for a child, that Seto recognized, was much younger than he had originally thought. The boy must be only five or six years old.

A high-pitched but emotionless voice broke into his examination, "Are you going to kill me?" It was oddly disturbing that an unbroken voice could ask that question.

Seto looked straight into the boy's eyes. Now that he saw them without the pupils dilated, he saw that they were an unusual shade of green…and they were old, far older than the boy's body. His tone when he had asked that question was detached, casual, and uninterested. The tone had just been wrong. Nonetheless, Seto refused to let down his guard.

"I should," was all he said while he walked to the other's bedside, choosing to stand. His height had intimidated many. It didn't seem to faze this child in the least however. Kaiba couldn't help but think, the boy had strength to be admired. "In the end, it depends on what you tell me."

The boy just continued to stare at him with his eerie gaze, "You shouldn't have come. I already partially broke their control. If you hadn't come, I could have stopped myself."

Kaiba's eyes narrowed, "Not come where? To the hospital, the factory?"

The boy just shook his head, "I didn't want to kill you. None of us want to kill. Why did you come?"

Kaiba could feel his head start to throb but he knew to keep his patience. He didn't think the boy was deliberately trying to frustrate him. The child was honestly trying to communicate. He just didn't seem very good at it, "Come where? You need to be clearer?"

"You came to the factory," the boy started to tear up, "I didn't want to do what they said. They hurt her. They hurt me. They hurt all of us. We don't want to listen to them. When I saw them give her to him, I lost control." The little boy seemed to get more and more agitated with each word. He started to rock his body back and forth. Seto pulled up a chair and sat down as the boy continued.

"I wanted to protect her and I couldn't. I was too weak. But I tired to not do what they said." The boy directed a pleading gaze at Seto, he eyes begging the other to understand. Seto sighed. He had a fatal weakness for children, especially needy, strong children that were in pain. Even the ones that tried to kill him.

Kaiba awkwardly took the young boys hand in his own and squeezed. There had to be a better way to do this. "I want to understand you but you have to tell me everything. I don't follow what your saying now. How about this? I'll ask you questions, you answer, and then I ask for clarification if I need any okay."

Kaiba watched the boy struggle with himself. He recognized the emotions chasing each other on the boy's face. The boy didn't know if he could trust. The boy didn't know how to trust. Seto went on, "I won't lie to you. What happens to you is dependent on what you can tell me. I will tell you this, however, if none of this is your fault, I will get the people who did this to you. Do you understand me?"

The boy's chin quivered a moment before he stoutly raised his head. He nodded and continued, "It is partly my fault though. Those people died because of me. They died because they hurt me and her and I couldn't take it anymore." He looked Seto in the face bravely and wiped his tears away defiantly. Seto couldn't stop his heart from melting a little. After all, he was not innocent himself and it was obvious that the boy was tortured.

"If I tell you what I know, will you really help the others, despite the fact that I am bad?" the question was tossed at Seto like an arrow.

Seto responded in an unusually gentle tone, "Are the others children like yourself?"

The boy nodded and swiped at his dripping nose.

"Then I will help them if they are in trouble." Seto assured the figure.

"All right." The boy sounded resolute, "I'll answer your questions then." Sniffling, "What do you want to know?"

Seto thought for a moment. He was going to begin this with an interrogation but now, he thought he should explore what the boy had said when he came in the door. The first priority is to figure out who the 'they' that's pulling the strings are. "Earlier you said that 'they' hurt 'her.' I need to know who 'they' are and who 'she' is?"

The boy's eyes softened for the barest moment and he almost seemed to brighten, "She's number 17. She's my best friend. We were raised together," the boys voice hardened, "by them."

"Number 17? What's her name?" Seto furrowed his brow.

The boy looked frustrated and put out. He spoke to Seto like a child does when they think an adult is being stupid, a mix of exaggerated exasperation and caution, "I just told you her name. It's 17."

Seto pursed his lips. He knew what he was going to hear in here was going to make him angry. He just didn't think it would start this early, "What's your name?"

The boy drew back at Seto's tone but was held in place by the grasp on his hand, "I'm sorry. I'm not angry with you. You just have to understand that I may be angry with some of the things you tell me. Numbers are not names."

The boy looked confused but matter of fact, "But we're all called by number. She's 17 and I'm 22. Number's 1 thru 15 have already been sold or they burned out during production and have been replaced."

Seto shook his head and fought to control himself, "Production? What do you mean production? And didn't you have names when you had parents?"

The boy just shook his head, "We're not good enough for parents. They told us so. Our parents hated us so they gave us to them. We've all been with them since…forever. Periodically, a new baby shows up…one that the parents didn't want. They get a new number. Sometimes they are given a number that one of the 'burn outs' had. When they get us, they raise us for a few years and then they start our treatment. The treatment that makes us worth selling."

Turning away, Seto regulated his features before asking another question, "Again, I need to know who 'they' are? And what is treatment?"

The boy shrugged, "I don't really know. They don't have names either. They're just the people who raised us. When we get old enough, they send us away from where we were raised and they treat us…injections and stuff. The injections let me call Gigi and Fufu. They're nice but 'they' make me do terrible things with them."

"Gigi and Fufu?" Seto raised an eyebrow, "I thought you said none of you had names?" Not that Gigi and Fufu were great names. Seto inwardly rolled his eyes.

"Ummmm." The boy looked down and squirmed in his bed, "Gigi and Fufu are friends too." The boy's voice was high and squeaky. "Ahhhh…they take care of me. They killed them for me."

Seto stared and the boys squirming increased until he almost fell off the bed. Meekly, the boy looked up at Seto through his eyelashes, "They really didn't want to kill you but I have to do what they say and Gigi and Fufu have to do what I say."

As realization struck, Seto jumped up and released the boys hands, "Gigi and Fufu are those damned monsters!"

The boy rolled up onto all fours and reached around to cling to Seto, almost as if he was afraid that the other would attack his absent friends, "Please Mr. Kaiba. It was my fault. They told me to kill you and I couldn't disobey the order. When they sold her, I broke their control but only partially. I was able to overwhelm the order that I could never harm them. Gigi and Fufu felt my anger and they moved to destroy the bad people. I don't know why I did it." The boy started to sob, "I was just so angry. I was angry at them for treating her like she was nothing. She was my best friend. I had to stop them from hurting her."

Seto stood still at the outpouring of the other's words, extremely conscious of the other's small, clinging fingers digging into his back through his duster, "Once Gigi and Fufu started killing the bad people, I couldn't make them stop. I was out of control. All I could remember was the pain they had caused me and the sight of them sending 17 away."

Calmly, coldly, Seto placed his hands on the small boy's shoulders and pressed him back until he was kneeling on the bed facing him. His voice harsh and precise, he ordered, "Wipe your eyes."

After a second, the boy complied and Seto continued along the same vein, "I already told you I would help. Enough hysterics. They displease me."

The boy responded with a shaky nod of his head.

Seto ordered, "Tell me why you ordered them to attack me. I am not one of your torturers."

The boy sniffed once and then looked down in shame, "That is what I was trying to tell you sir. I didn't want to tell Gigi and Fufu to do that. I just couldn't completely break their control over me. I was able to force myself to stay on the complex grounds. I planned on staying there until I burned out and died. I deliberately disobeyed the order to hunt you down and kill you. But you showed up. You came to me. Once I saw you, I had no choice but to follow their directives. They ordered me to kill you on sight. That was the strongest compulsion they put in me and I was too weak to disobey all their orders."

Seto released the boys shoulders and tipped the others chin up with a finger until watery green met haughty blue. "Do you want to kill me now?"

The boy shook his head, "No sir. I haven't had an injection in such a long time." The boy's eyes became impossibly sadder, "I don't have 17 and now I cannot call Gigi and Fufu either." The boy shook his head, as if to gain control of his emotions, "It's okay. They didn't want to come back again anyway. They told me that their being with me would burn me out. It would kill me…Gigi and Fufu said I should let them go once they finished killing the bad people but I wanted to die...and then you showed up and I was trapped by the compulsion to kill you."

Seto took a deep breath and then tried to summarize what he thought the boy was trying to tell him. "Let me get this straight. You and a bunch of other children have been raised by a group of people. You don't know who those people are. When you get old enough, they send you off to facilities where you are 'treated' to call monsters. They then implant suggestions slash compulsions in you that tell you how and where to use these monsters. A girlfriend of yours," the young boy blushed, "was sold in front of you and you got angry enough to break the compulsion that kept your keepers safe. You destroyed the facility and everyone in it in a fit of anger. Your main compulsion, however, was to kill me. I show up, and you couldn't resist the command." Seto stared hard at the boy, "Is that right?"

The boy shook his head rapidly in affirmation.

"Did you kill your girlfriend and the buyer?"

Again the boy blushed, "She's not my girlfriend! She's a friend." His outburst was followed by a more subdued tone, "And no. The seller and the buyer got away by helicopter. They took 17 with them."

Seto's interest was piqued, "Can you describe the buyer and the seller?"

The boy shook his head sadly in response, "No. Not really. I can't tell you what the seller looks like. He handles the business side of things and he doesn't interact with our keepers very often." The boy's voice piped up as he offered, "I can probably identify the buyer though…you know, if I saw him. I remember he had a Kaiba Corp. logo on his briefcase." The boy sat up straight, "I know that logo because they made me memorize it along with your face, you know, for when I was hunting you." Suddenly recognizing what he just said, the boy shrank back into himself.

"Sit up." Kaiba ordered, "I don't want to see you slouch like that again. From what I heard, you are blameless in your actions. You will act like it."

The boys looked at Kaiba in wonder, and asked meekly, "Really Sir."

Kaiba cracked a small smile as he returned to his seat and retook the boy's hand. "Yes. Really. Now tell me, can you describe the place where you were raised?"

The boy's brow furrowed in concentration. "I don't know what it looks like from the outside. The only time I was allowed out of the building was when they sent me to the place you found me. That time I was unconscious. Inside, it looked a lot like the place I was sent except that there was never any sunlight…no windows. I think, maybe, we were underground." He tilted his head to the side, "Every once in a while I could hear other children's voices, you know, happy children…and a train whistle in the evenings."

Seto made a snap decision. He reached under the boy's legs and behind his back, lifting his light body effortlessly in his arms. "We're going somewhere."

The child started as Seto strode quickly out of the room and past stunned hospital employees. Not too long into the trip, he stopped at another door. Opening it he walked in and gestured with his head that the boy should look at the sleeping occupant. "Is she one of the people you were raised with?"

The boy looked and practically deafened Seto, "17!"

"I thought that might be the case. Apparently, you weren't the only person programmed to kill me. And you saw the person who bought her." Seto looked down at the boy cradled in his arms and felt as if he was looking into a mirror…a mirror that had captured the emotions of his ten-year-old self. The boy's expression was a mask of protective determination and strength. Seto now knew, that this boy loved that girl with the strength that he loved Mokuba. These two children had suffered to a degree that few did and, still, this boy managed to be strong despite his own protestations. Again, he made an instantaneous decision.

"Is that girl still a danger to me and my brother?"

"Your brother?" the boy questioned before shaking his head, "Has she been here more than forty-eight hours?" At Seto's nod, the boy confirmed, "No, she's no danger. The drug should be out of her system by now. It has to be renewed on a regular basis. The high influx of drugs is part of the reason that we burn out eventually."

"If I take you somewhere and show you pictures of people who work for me, can you identify the man who bought her," Seto nodded towards the girl again.

Eagerly the boy confirmed, "Yup! I can do that. No problem."

Seto nodded his head, "Fine. You'll have to pick a name."

The boy looked confused, "Huh?"

Seto just continued without pause, "I'm cold, I work too much, I can be a real bastard, my best employee and my lover are insane and I'm gay. The two of you will have to mostly look after yourselves. Aside from the insane occupants of my household, I have a housekeeper that comes in twice and a groundskeeper that comes in once a week. Nevertheless, I will provide you with the best education and see to all your needs to the best of my ability. I have a little brother and he is a much nicer and a better person then myself. Do you have any problems with that?"

"Ah…No?" the boy looked at Kaiba like he was crazy. "Mr. Kaiba, what are you talking about?"

Seto just looked back, "Family call me Seto. You'll both need names and I'll leave there selection up to you. The legal arrangements should be made by the end of this week. I'll have your sister delivered to the mansion before the end of this evening."

"Mansion?" the boys voice was getting progressively squeakier.

Carefully Seto set the boy in the chair, and dialed the doctor on his pager. The doctor showed up minutes later, "You're ready to depart Mr. Kaiba Sir."

"Yes and I will be taking my son with me," the boys eyes widened impossibly, "Have my daughter delivered to the Kaiba Estate by the end of tonight." Seto nodded to indicate the girl on the bed behind him.

The doctor only stared for a moment, truly an admirable doctor, before adjusting to the situation. "As you say Sir. Come this way."

Seto picked the boy back up, "Do you know what you want to be called. A name is necessary before I can acquire any of the necessary paper work."

"Ahhh…but sir, I…I…how can you do this? The law..."

Seto cut the shakey words short, "You are a Kaiba now, and legalities be damned. The first thing you need to learn, as a Kaiba is that you don't follow the laws, you make them. Understand?"

"Yes Sir?" The boy's voice was uncertain.

"Just remember, you'll need to be strong if we're going to find the people who hurt your sister and my brother. As a Kaiba you must do anything necessary to protect what's yours. You do want to protect her at any cost don't you?"

"Yes Sir!" Kaiba smiled at the confidence that now rung in the young boys tone as he exited the building, new acquisition in hand.

Kaiba entered the mansion, again carrying the boy, only to have Yami burst into the foyer and confront him. "Where have you been! Don't you know that people are trying to kill you, you irresponsible idiot!"

Seto just continued by Yami and towards the couch in the informal den. Bakura looked up and noted the boy's presence at the same time Yami did. Simultaneously, they turned to face Seto with matching incredulous expressions. Seto ignored them as he set the boy on the couch.

Turning to face them, "This is my son. He needs a name. I have to put something back in the safe. I'll return shortly." Seto left the paralyzed figures of Yami and Bakura in the den as he strode out of the room and towards his bedroom.

"Uhhh…Hi?" the boy waggled his fingers in the general direction of Yami and Bakura.

Yami plopped heavily down into an overstuffed armchair and stared incredulously at the figure he fought to keep Seto from killing mere days ago.

"Damn. And I thought I would drop the biggest bombs today. Bloody priest, always has to outdo everyone." Bakura returned to tossing knives at a dartboard in the corner of the room, ignoring the one he had dropped due to the earlier announcement. "

The boy rose unsteadily to his feet, and approached Bakura, "Ummm…May I?" He bent down and retrieved the dropped knife. Looking up, he expertly flipped the knife so that he was holding the point. He threw it at the dartboard and struck the bullseye.

Bakura looked down at the kid and scowled. The kid stood unaffected. In a sarcastic, slightly impressed voice, Bakura sneered, "And we get to keep him? Oh goody."

"Well." Yami rose to his feet and walked steadily over to the other two, "The white-haired ass that just deigned to speak is Bakura, I'm Yami, and you don't have a name. I propose that we play a game with these knives and that dartboard. Winner gets to choose your name. Sound good?"

Bakura growled, while retrieving all his knives, "As if I want to choose a name." Regardless, he continued to set up the game.