All right. I have to say something in my own defense before anyone reads this. They characters play a game in this chapter and the game is dark but I don't think it's out of character. You have to remember; in the series Yami has set people up to be burned alive, poisoned to death, and worse. Seto also has sicked mass murders on people and worse. Bakura is Bakura. No more needs to be said there. The action starts to pick back up in this chapter but it won't really get rolling with the main bad guy until chapter 14. Hope everyone likes this. Thanks.

Chapter 13:

Title: Shadow Wars Inc.

Author: Fairyfae

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: SetoxYami

Genre: Action, Romance, Angst

Spoilers: None of which I am aware.

Warning: Cussing, Gore, Sadistic Games

Disclaimer: Me no own...TT

Splayed fingers pushed off of polished mahogany propelling their owner to his full height. "Good evening Mr. Sho." Kaiba's perfectly modulated voice purred in greeting, "So sorry to call you to work this late. I hope I haven't inconvenienced you." The weak light arching through the windows behind Kaiba stretched his shadow across the room letting it envelop the tense man hesitating in the doorway. Dressed completely in black and with his back to the windows, Kaiba was nothing more than an inky silhouette blocking out a magnificent view of the night sky. As if seeking its proper place, the light from the lamps in the far corners of the office reflected off of the only white surface provided by Kaiba making his false, conciliatory smile gleam with predatory beauty. His hand curved under the rim of the desk and depressed a button causing the door to slam shut seemingly under its own power.

The nervous figure in the doorway jumped drawing a dark rumble of laughter from the area of the couch. Darting his eyes anxiously to the right, Mr. Sho registered the presence of two visions that trapped his body in a torrent of lust, fear and uncertainty. Whereas Kaiba seemed mired in darkness, these two figures seemed luminescent, their outfits catching and reflecting the light. The two males were dressed in clothing that mixed his most perverted fantasies with his worst nightmares, each a personification of a masochist's wet dream. Sitting slumped with his knees parted, was Kaiba's head of security. Although usually attractive, now the figure was wildly stunning and positively deadly. His legs were covered in skintight silver vinyl pants, cutouts revealing sections of inner and outer thigh. His chest was visible through the white mesh shirt, two silver nipple rings winking teasingly through the mesh. The figure slouched so that his head was propped on the couch's back, hair trailing behind where Mr. Sho couldn't see it. Propped between his legs and reaching halfway up his chest was a steel-like bar with a rubber-like handle. The young man caressed up and down the bar suggestively, light dancing on the spiked leather knuckles adorning his slim fingers.

The other figure leaned against the side of the couch facing the door. He didn't recognize him although; he was vaguely reminiscent of someone he had once seen in a game tournament. If it was possible, this figure was even more stunning then the seated boy. This young man's clothes were a duplication of the clothing worn by the head of security except his pants were gold and his shirt was black. Instead of having a pair of matching nipple rings, this figure wore a gold belly ring on each side of which was a pyramid. Riding low on his hips was a black leather, holster-style belt. Instead of holding a gun however, a naked, serrated blade was hanging from a loop. Next to the blade was an oldish looking pouch cinched by a golden chain. One hand rested lightly on the knife's hilt and the other rested casually against the opposite hip, some sort of devise clenched in his fist.

It wasn't the clothing that froze him, however…it was the eyes. All the eyes in the room, baring his own, were the eyes of predators. Although he couldn't see Kaiba well in his position behind the desk, he knew that Kaiba had eyes that, despite the smile, were as cold and hard as a reptile's. His gaze would project the sharp, intent focus that came moments before a snake or crocodile inflicted certain death. In contrast, the head of security's gaze was manic, feral like a wild dog's. Those eyes broadcast their master's dark enjoyment of a vanquished enemy's pain. Those were the eyes of a creature that relishes the process of rending and tearing prey. The most frightening look however, came from the unknown figure. Blood red eyes projected the calculated malice of a cat. They held the surety of victory and the desire to play with the victim. They radiated the knowledge that the loser would not only be battered but also broken. From this man, death would be the merciful outcome.

"Beautiful aren't they. I picked their outfits myself." Mr. Sho drew in and held a breath, chest painfully tight as Kaiba paced around his statue-like figure. He had been so engrossed in the two figures by the couch that he failed to sense Kaiba's movements, a fatal mistake in the most innocuous of situations.

With exaggerated kindness, Kaiba settled his palm on the small of the executive's back, guiding him towards his two associates. "Allow me to introduce you. I invited you here to play with us after all."

Mr. Sho's head spun to face Kaiba, a nervous tick warping the left side of his face while he demanded. "What are you talking about? What is this all about?"

Almost as if coordinated, the two figures allowed their controlled malevolent laughter to drift through the room. Kaiba, however, ever the considerate host, settled his face into a look of false concern. "Mr. Sho, I was sure a man of your…ambition would know." Kaiba paused and seemed to think for a moment, "This is about power of course. After all, for a man of your refined tastes it couldn't be about the…" Kaiba stopped in an exaggerated manner to think, fingernails absently scrapping Mr. Sho's spine in a mocking caress. "How much was it Yami?"

Yami casually slanted a hooded gaze in Kaiba's direction, "I believe it was $1.67 million American dollars Seto, give or take a little."

"Ah. Yes. I believe you are right as usual." Seto allowed a wicked smile to cross his lips as he removed his hand from his captive and stunned audience. "That is the amount you were paid for handing over…17 wasn't it. Yes. You were paid 1.67 million to hand over a broken little girl…a transaction that you didn't complete I might add. Very bad business if you ask me." Seto tsked in the trembling man's direction.

Mr. Sho began to cower like any weak-minded creature caught in the act of taunting a predator. He was caught up in the trembling that sets in when that creature realizes that its control over the situation was only an illusion, that his tricks had not fooled the stronger animal. Now, the predator was within striking range and Mr. Sho was afraid, knowing he was caught but not knowing how much the predator knew.

Laughing lightly, Seto reassured the intimidated man next to him as he continued to reveal to Mr. Sho exactly how deeply he had buried himself, "Now don't worry Mr. Sho. I don't hold the money against you. I don't even hold the attempts on my life against you. After all, everyone knows the only way to get power is to take it from someone who is already powerful. That's what I did, right? Like I said, we're just here to play a game."

Casually, Seto strolled from beside Mr. Sho until he could lean against the couch. Accommodatingly, Yami moved aside until Seto seemed comfortable before leaning his own back against the tall brunet. For the first time, Mr. Sho got a clear look at Kaiba Corps. current CEO and he felt fear settle permanently into his bones. The man always wore trench coats but almost never were they closed like this one. His coat was full-length and black with a priests collar. The whole ensemble was reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition. With the golden boy leaning on him, Mr. Sho couldn't stop his mind from picturing scenarios with dirty priests and naughty alter boys. The scene would have aroused him if he didn't feel as if he was about to be condemned to hell.

Seto continued casually as if the topic of conversation was of no importance, "As I was saying earlier, allow me to introduce you to our playmates for this evening. The lovely specimen leaning against me is Yami and I'm sure your already familiar with Bakura. Of course, since we're here to play, call me Seto and I'll call you Kyo. Is that all right Mr. Sho?"

Mr. Sho was panicked. What did Kaiba know and who were these men with him? Shit, he didn't like this. Mr. Hatahori assured him that Kaiba would never find out about his betrayal. He promised that the CEO would be gone before that could happen. Damn, he knew making that under the table deal with Expire would come back to bite him on the ass. Desperately, he tried to think of a way out of his current predicament. He tried indignant aggression. After all, the CEO was just a young man barely out of his teens. "I didn't come here at this time at night to play games Mr. Kaiba. I have a family. I thought you had important business to discuss."

"Important business?" Kaiba ignored Mr. Sho and nipped at Yami's ear. "Did you hear that love? He said he needs to talk about important business. He said he needs to get back to his family, but we know better don't we." Kaiba felt Bakura shift behind him. The ex-thief was getting impatient, but he would just have to wait. The longer the turkey roasted the more easily it would fall to pieces.

"Indeed? Isn't this a game company my dragon?" Yami's voice lightly queried but his gaze stayed strongly focused on Mr. Sho, nailing him to place by shear force of will. "What could be more important to a gaming company than games?"

"And family values?" Bakura waved a finger in disapproval at Mr. Sho, drawing the executive's attention. "You don't have to lie to us. We all know the strength of your morality. Family can't be that interesting to you. After all, as a man that seeks power, I know that nothing else really matters to people like you and me. As such, we've created a special game…one suited to your unique tastes."

Seto suppressed his glare and played along. The idiot was speeding the game along. So much for letting his prey stew for a while.

"Special tastes? What are you saying?" Mr. Sho's voice rose in pitch as he dropped his tough act and returned to agitated nervousness, "I don't have to sit here and take this. You can't play with me like some sort of toy."

Seto's voice was a hard seductive whisper, "But Mr. Sho. You know that I can. Isn't that why you're trying to steal my power? So you can play with people like they were toys. So you can do anything you want whenever you want, without interference. We both know that you could disappear right now and no one would ever question me. You want to be able to do that don't you Mr. Sho? Right now, you wish you could make me disappear and never pay for the crime."

Seto pulled a remote from a concealed pocket in his jacket and flicked a switch. An image appeared, projected on the wall. The slide show went from one scene of carnage to another, each picture more grotesque than the one before.

In an angry, low voice Seto growled, "You know these scenes don't you Mr. Sho? These are the fruits of your labor. The destruction caused by militant groups all over the world. You say you want to get back to your family while at the same time creating this." Seto hit a pause button on the remote showing the remnants of a small room. In the room were the massacred remains of a woman's body. The body was curled as if it had tried to protect something, the back nothing but a gapping hole. Hanging partially out of the hole rent in the woman's back was a small blood soaked doll. To the right of the woman, was a finger too small for an adult, a foul testament to what the woman's last failed attempts might have been trying to protect.

"Like I said. We are going to play a game Mr. Sho. But I am afraid that no game created by my company would suit your…singular tastes. As such, I asked my friends for assistance. After all, I can't just kill you. I need you to tell me all about your little friend, Mr. Hatahori." Seto reached out to caress Bakura's cheek before indulging in a spit-swapping kiss with Yami, again ignoring the sweating man whose eyes kept darting between the door and the oddly appealing lewd scene in front of him, increasingly desperate for escape as the evidence mounted against him.

"You have to be crazy. I would never play with you." Frantically, Mr. Sho was thinking of how quickly and completely he could disappear. These people were almost as crazy as Mr. Hatahori. He knew he was an idiot for sealing that deal. But what choice did he have. If he hadn't cooperated, he would have died. Spinning on his heals; Mr. Sho made a mad dash for the door only to find it missing, obscured by a thick mist of black smoke. Desperate, Mr. Sho plunged into the blackness blindly, hoping that the door was on the other side. What he found instead was that there was no other side. It was almost as if he had stepped into another world…an evil world.

Meanwhile, Bakura had been revealing in the pantywaist's fear as it built in response to Seto's cruel game of cat and rat. He saw the man stew in a cauldron of too many mixed emotions until Mr. Sho couldn't tell his head from his ass. Indignation at being discounted, lust, fear, hatred, jealousy, confusion and more had all been captured in Mr. Sho's face over the last few minutes. It must rankle to be a villain, to know you're a villain, to know you've been caught and to be treated as if your villainy was insignificant enough to ignore. It must suck to think you've pulled the wool over your bosses eyes only to have your boss show you that he ignored your actions because you weren't important enough to capture and hold his attention. At the same time, Bakura knew that Mr. Sho's mind must have being playing twenty questions, trying to figure out how much Kaiba knew and what the cost of his betrayal was going to be. Doubtless, Kaiba wanted to drag this game out, to get a little of his own back at the expense of the man who had dared set into play the events that harmed both his company and more importantly, his brother. Nevertheless, although Bakura enjoyed watching Seto's little torture fest, the rat's retreat to the maze signaled that it was time to move onto the real fun games.

Two pairs of lips separated, each curved in a depraved smile and Bakura rose from the couch, stretching in the process. "All right kiddies, time for the fun to begin." For once in perfect accord, the three figures stepped into the darkness after Mr. Sho.

Mr. Sho cowered like a cornered rabbit, trying to make himself as small as possible in the hopes that the approaching predators wouldn't see him. As usual, that tactic was useless. "Well Mr. Sho. I am so glad you decided to take me up on my game." Seto directed at the pathetic man. He couldn't believe that this weakling had the audacity to think he could take over Kaiba Corp.

"Yes. So glad." Bakura hissed. If anything, he looked more maniacal now than he did in Kaiba's office.

Mr. Sho's voice trembled, "Take you up? What are you saying? Where am I? What is going on?"

"Why Mr. Sho," Yami was the one to speak, "You took my dragon up on his offer of a Shadow Game of course. That's why you're here."

"Shadow Game?" Mr. Sho squeaked like the rat he resembled.

Another sinister laugh escaped Bakura's lips. "Yes. A Shadow Game you fool. And this is one I know I'll enjoy." Bakura looked at Seto, "May I?"

"Be my guest. I've been rather impressed by your restraint so far." Seto responded.

"Excellent," a dark chuckle bounced around the formless surroundings. "This little game is designed to test the strength of your soul against the strength of the priests."

"The priest?" Mr. Sho's eyes widened as he again looked back and forth between

Seto and Yami.

"Seto Kaiba you idiot. Now shut up and listen. I want to get to the fun part. To be a Shadow Game, things you both want and value have to be on the line. We all know what you want. You want power. As such, if you win this game, you get a controlling share in Kaiba Corp."

"What?" Mr. Sho questioned, voice gaining in strength.

"Now that caught your attention didn't it?" Bakura taunted.

Mr. Sho just shook his head in disbelief and directed a cautious gaze at Seto who just raised an eyebrow in an expression of detached inquiry. "You would never do it. Even if I did win, you would renege on the deal."

"That is where you are wrong." Yami's natural born authority rang out making everything he stated seem like absolute truth, "Seto is not like you. He would never renege on a deal. And in this case, it would be impossible. Surely you are slightly familiar with the world you've been messing with, the one from which your weapons are extracted? Once a game is started here, all participants must adhere strictly to the rules."

A calculating look put steal into the cowering figure's stance. "You've told me what I get if I win but you've said nothing of what you get. What do I have to give up if I lose?"

"What one stands to lose is always at the crux of a matter, isn't it." Kaiba purred, "Well you don't have to worry this time. What I'm after is information. I want to know the 'how.' How are you making it so the children are brainwashed? How are you making it so children can call their soul monsters over from the Shadow Realm? And most importantly, where can I find Mr. Hatahori, the mastermind behind Expire?"

Mr. Sho's eyes widened, "He'd kill me."

"And I get to kill you if you don't say." Bakura cut in cheerfully. "Either way your dead. Your only chance is to play this game and win enough power to protect yourself. So what do you say? Are you in? Are you ready to hear the rules?"

Mr. Sho looked from face to face, carefully examining the people in front of him. Licking his lips and trying to suppress his twitch, he stated "Very well. I'm in. What are the rules?"

"Finally. I thought we would never get this far." Bakura reached into Seto's pocket earning him a handful of something and an elbow to the head, "Gods priest. First your groping me then your gripping me. Make up your mind."

"Stay on subject fool."

Snarling at Seto's comment, Bakura turned to Mr. Sho, showing him what was in his hand. "Since Kaiba didn't have any fun games to play, he decided to borrow one of mine. Here I have two die, each with six sides and a spinner. On the spinner is your name and Kaiba's. On the first die is an action. Those actions include bludgeon, cut, burn, shock, stab, and choice. The second die lists body parts including hands/feet, arms, legs, torso, head, and choice. As you'll notice, Yami and I are equipped with certain instruments capable of carrying out the actions. My staff can be used as a blunt instrument and it can deliver a rather nasty electrical shock. A punch from me with my current spiked jewelry would leave you with four substantial stab wounds. Yami's knife, one of my own actually, is capable of making rather ugly cuts and the staff in his hand is actually a thin torch. Don't worry. It burns hot enough to do some serious damage. Although we will be the ones carrying out the actions, we cannot be biased. Once the game is in play, the powers of the Shadow Realm will be sure that we distribute the pain appropriately."

Bakura looked almost drunk with happiness at his own little game. "Doesn't this sound fun already. Now, the rules of the game are as follows. At the beginning of each person's turn, they make a choice. They can roll the die and spin the spinner or they can answer a question. If you roll the die, you also spin the spinner. What shows up on the die is done to the person the spinner chooses. As such, each time you choose die, you have a fifty/fifty chance of hurting yourself, but you also have a fifty/fifty chance of hurting the other. For instance, if Seto chooses die, he may roll bludgeon on one die, leg on the other, and spin Mr. Sho on the spinner. At that point, I get the pleasure of smashing your leg with my little toy here." Bakura waved his staff in the air like a fairy wand.

Seto winced. When Bakura was happy, he looked like a queer. Perhaps that was his reason for staying angry so often.

Yami continued the narrative as Bakura became caught up in daydreams of bloody carnage. "If you choose to answer a question, than you must answer any question posed to you by the opposite player and you must tell the truth. Doubtlessly, Seto will ask you fascinating questions about what you've been up to for the last couple years. Unfortunately, I doubt you want to know much about Kaiba. As such, we have added a bit of interest for you. Seto has writen down on a notepad conveniently located in his pocket, a two-digit number, no zeros. At no time can you ask straight out what that number may be. However, you can ask questions such as, 'does the number start with a one?' If you correctly guess the number Kaiba has written on his paper within the allotted number of six questions, you win. Kaiba will sign over the controlling stocks to Kaiba Corp. If you don't, Kaiba wins since he learns what he wanted to know from you with his questions and he doesn't have to forfeit his company If at any time you lie or refuse to answer once picking the question option, the die will be rolled twice as a penalty. You will notice, by the way, that certain combinations of the die are likely to be fatal. Death means you lose by default." Leaning slightly into Mr. Sho, Yami whispered menacingly, "Any questions?" Patting the man's ratty face he smirked, "I didn't think so. Since it was us that proposed the game, I think its only fair that you go first."

Mr. Sho wrung his hands and tried to think of the best course of action. He wanted Kaiba Corp. so he wanted Kaiba to choose to be asked questions but that didn't tell him if he should choose to answer Seto's questions or if he should risk rolling the die. If Seto asked the wrong question, he could be forced to reveal information that will lead Mr. Hatahori to kill him, but if he could get his hands on Kaiba Corp., he could have the power to take over Expire and eliminate Mr. Hatahori. The only real course of action was to risk the die thereby not letting Kaiba ask him any questions until he knew that he was in a position to guess Kaiba's number correctly. After all, there was a fifty/fifity chance that it would hurt Kaiba and the chances of rolling a fatal combination were relatively small. Upsetting Mr. Hatahori without becoming more powerful had a one hundred percent chance of gruesome death. Voice shaky, "I chose to roll the die."

Bakura's face lite up with demonic glee, "Look Kaiba. The rat has balls. All right, then roll the die and lets see what happens."

The die rattled continually in Mr. Sho's unsteady hand. "Where do I roll them? There's no surface here." As if in response to his words, a ten by ten black marble board materialized in front of the executive startling him into dropping the die, the clacking of surface tumbling over surface the only sound any of the four could hear. Mr. Sho's eyes were clenched tightly shut so Bakura strolled over to see the results, wicked smile dominating his face, "Looks like someone is going to get a nasty cut on their arm." With exaggerated casualness, Bakura pushed the spinner across the polished marble surface until it rested in front of Mr. Sho, "Don't keep of in suspense man. Spin."

With a pathetic little whimper, Mr. Sho reached out and limply flicked the spinner. Everyone held their breath until the spinner stopped. Nervous laughter broke out and Yami turned angry eyes on his dragon. He did not want to risk playing this game with his dragon's life but Seto had refused to let him take his place. He starred deep into Seto's eyes until the other spoke to him in a whisper too soft for anyone else to hear, "You said you would believe in me, that you had faith in the strength of my soul. Have you changed your mind now?"

Eyes unusually bright, Yami bit off in an angry whisper, "How can you ask me that? I will always believe in you. I just don't have to like it." In a louder voice, Yami ordered, "Take off your jacket."

Underneath Seto's jacket the other was still dressed like a delinquent Catholic father in black slacks and a white, high color shirt. Without further ado, Seto held his arm out and Yami removed his knife from his belt. Viciously, he drew the heinous blade horizontally across the meaty part of Seto's upper arm cutting almost to the bone. Instinctively, Seto clutched at the wound and sank to his knees, the pain more intense then he had expected. Eyes squeezed shut; he tried to think beyond the dizziness and throbbing. Both Yami and Bakura assured him that the Shadow Realm would not allowed him to pass out from anything short of a fatal wound. The game had to continue. It was his turn.

In the background, Seto could hear Mr. Sho gloating as he regained his confidence from one stroke of good luck. No wonder the idiot got wrapped up in something so far above his head. It seemed as if he was tossed around easily by a single change in circumstance. He looked up, vision hazy, to see Yami deliver a low blow to the gloating figure. Yami removed his fist from the others crotch as the other wheezed and complained, "That's not part of the game."

"No it wasn't. "Yami growled, "I did that for the pleasure." Bakura laughed.

"Enough." Seto's order rang out, strong as ever as he forced himself back to his feet. "Yami. Stop playing with Mr. Sho and come wrap my arm. There are bandages in one of my inner pockets." Yami reluctantly withdrew to comply. "It's my turn and I choose to answer one of your questions Mr. Sho.

"The man slowly uncurled from his bent over position. The blow Yami had dealt him was not an easy one to recover from. The man's eyes were spiteful and resentful. "Of course you want me to ask you a question. You can't afford too many injuries like that."

"Stop bragging and get on with it." Bakura loomed over the man.

"Fine." Mr. Sho winced and tried not to cower again, "Is the first digit greater than or equal to five?"

"No. You turn."

Mr. Sho gloated internally, not quite ready to gloat outwardly again. He now knew that the number was between eleven and forty-nine. Feeling his own power, he decided to roll again. With more confidence this time, he rolled and Bakura smiled and skipped back and forth between his too feet, "Oh goody. It looks like it's my turn. Hurry up and spin." Mr. Sho complied only to look on in horror when the spinner stopped on his name, "N…Now wait minute." He held up his hands in defense and tried to push his body backwards only to find himself stuck in place. Bakura's smile was malicious as he raised the rod above his head, "You don't know how grateful I am to you for this. I've been dying to bludgeon your sorry ass since the first time I met you. No stop cowering and take it like a man." Evil laughter drowned out the sound of Bakura's rod breaking Mr. Sho's ribs but it couldn't block out the others pitiful wailing. The gloating figure of a few moments ago was now whimpering, rolled up on the ground around his damaged torso. Indulging in the moment, Bakura rapped the man hard on the back, painfully jarring the other man's injuries, "Painful ain't it. Feels as if you could pass out at any time but you don't have to worry about that. It's impossible for this game to stop until one of you dies or wins. The potential for suffering is practically infinite. Isn't that grand." Suddenly Bakura's nose wrinkled in disgust as the scent of urine filled the air. Jumping back, he scowled. The man had peed himself in fear. "I can't believe that you thought you had a chance in hell against Kaiba."

Yami glared, "I can't believe we're wasting this much time on a man that is obviously little more than a puppet in the hands of a master."

Wavering on his feet from blood loss, Kaiba proclaimed, "Cut the commentary. It's my turn. Ask me a damn question you fool and stop crying. You're making me sick to my stomach. Do you or don't you want my company?"

The whimpering figure on the ground just kept rocking while muttering, "You're crazy…You're all fucking crazy."

Yami sighed in exasperation, "Do you forfeit your turn. You know the game can't end here."

Garbled, Mr. Sho fought out a question, "Is the first digit less than or equal to two?"

"Yes." Kaiba answered sharply, "Now what do you want to do? Roll," Kaiba sneered and looked down on the other despite his own injured state, "or answer my question?"

"Question." Was the barely audible response from Mr. Sho.

All business, Seto continued, "Fine. Where can I find Mr. Hatahori?"

A tear filled giggle fell from Mr. Sho's lips. He sounded broken already, "I don't know." Giggle. "He always contacts me…He always finds me." In a sing song tone like a little child, "Your turn."

The three looked at the die. They didn't start rolling a penalty so the other was telling the truth. Damn!

Seto just shook his head. Pathetic opponents made games no fun. With a sigh, he stated again. "Ask another question."

Mr. Sho tilted his head up just enough to see the other. This question would determine the first digit since the last question had narrowed the number down to something between 11 and 29. Quietly but with building anticipation, Mr. Sho asked, "Is the first digit a one."

"No. I've answered another one of your questions. Now, what is your next course of action? Answer my question or roll the die?"

Mr. Sho whispered, "What do you want to know?"

"How does Mr. Hatahori usually contact you?"

Closing his eyes tight, Mr. Sho tried to give away as little as possible, "He sends encoded messages to a special e-mail account."

Seto paused to think out his current strategy. He knew the other had narrowed his number to something between 21 and 29. With three remaining questions, Mr. Sho could narrow the answer down to a sure thing. Nonetheless, he still needed to know what the e-mail address Mr. Hatahori contacted if he was going to track down the other and he needed to know how the asshole was doing what he was doing. Furthermore, he didn't know what the other would choose and he couldn't afford to take too much damage. Deciding to tough things out, he stayed on his current track. "Ask." Seto ordered.

Mr. Sho could feel his victory getting closer and his arrogance slowly started to return. Pushing his pained body painfully into an upright position, he asked, "Is the number odd or even?"

"Odd."

Mr. Sho cursed inwardly. That left him with five possible numbers instead of four. The number could be 21, 23, 25, 27, or 29. He still wasn't confident enough to risk more pain though. As long as Kaiba didn't ask him the wrong question he would be okay. He was so close to having Kaiba's power. Only two more questions to go before he had to guess. "Ask me another question."

Kaiba motioned to Yami that he should retrieve the pad and pen from his pocket. "What is the e-mail address Mr. Hatahori contacts?"

Mr. Sho answered knowing that he now had to win this game if he wanted to live. There was no way Mr. Hatahori would let him live now.

"Ask." Kaiba stated without emotion.

"Is the number greater than or equal to five?"

"No."

Mr. Sho exalted in Kaiba's answer. He had a fifty/fifty chance at guessing the correct number now It was either 21 or 23. He still had one question so his victory was practically guaranteed. The illusion of strength and power began to make Mr. Sho giddy. Despite the pain, selfish ambition began to fill the others eyes again. Feeling invincible, he was confident that nothing Kaiba could ask would hurt him, "Ask me a question." He demanded.

A smile crept across Kaiba's face making him seem demonic and confusing Mr. Sho. He had been watching the other the entire time he was playing. From the moment the other had walked into his office, he had been feeling him out, examining him to discover what he least wanted to reveal. Now was the time to ask that question and to test the metal of the fool's soul.

Mr. Sho just ignored his confusion and gloated inwardly. Didn't the fool know that he was over a barrel now? Didn't he know that, after the next turn he was sure to get his hands on Kaiba's stocks?

Kaiba's polite voice was back signaling trouble to anyone with half a brain, "Mr. Sho, What does Mr. Hatahori do that makes it so children can call shadow monsters into the Mortal Realm?

Mr. Sho began to tremble again and sweat gathered on his brow. He couldn't tell Kaiba that. No matter how much power he was to get from being CEO in Kaiba Corp., he would never be able to survive the wrath of Mr. Hatahori's master. He stuttered and then yelled, "I…I d..don't know? I don't know, okay? I don't know how he does it?"

Suddenly the dice seemed to take on a life of their own, trembling in place as if they were stuck in the midst of a earthquake. Mr. Hatahori's eyes focused on the die as if they were the very hounds of hell.

Bakura's grin was so wide and sinister that it looked ready to crack his face. In a lightly scolding voice he taunted the other, "Didn't your mother tell you not to lie?" Laughing, "Well its too late now. Don't worry; I'm kinda happy you did. Now, you have to pay a penalty."

"No! Wait! You can't do this to me!" Mr. Sho scrambled desperately across the floor to clutch at Seto's legs only to be kicked off like the pathetic animal he was. In horror, Mr. Sho watched as the dice floated in the air in front of him switching between two options…stab head and burn legs.

"Looks like the dice have chosen Mr. Sho." Yami lite his torch until a steady blue flame emerged illuminating the immediate surrounds.

Bakura addressed an imaginary audience while laughing menacingly, "Remember kiddies. We don't do violence because we have to. We do it because its fun."

Yami's torch lite the bottom of Mr. Sho's pants before moving steadily up the material and Bakura raised his clenched fist above the others head, spikes shinning as if polished.

Mr. Sho threw both hands up over his face and screamed, "Stop! Please Stop! I'll tell you. My God, I'll tell you everything. It's that damn ring of his. Something's in it. Something that is not human lives in that damn ring. It's evil. It runs everything."

Yami and Bakura backed off when a slimy voice broke in, seemly coming from everywhere around them. Seto instinctually looked for the speakers in the room only to wince when he remembered where they were, "I'm disappointed in you Mr. Sho. And you were doing sooo well up to know." The a parody of a loving father's, mocked the suffering man.

Seto shuddered. He hated that voice when he was a child and he hated it now, "Mr. Hatahori."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Kaiba. I've heard so much about you. And you too pharaoh and thief of ancient Egypt. You'll have to excuse me though. I have some business to attend to. I leave your entertainment up to some friends of mine."

Slowly misshapen creatures crept out of the darkness trailing unmentionable globs of foul slime behind them.

Bakura snapped at the others, "They're Goblin Zombies. Not that dangerous one at a time, but like all zombies they come in hoards. Do something pharaoh!"

Closing his eyes, Yami removed another talisman from his pouch. Concentrating, he empowered it causing three swords to spring up in front of himself, Kaiba, and Bakura. The monsters shielded away from the swords blinding light, moving instead towards the writhing unprotected figure of Mr. Sho. "This should protect us until I can manage to project us out of the Shadow Realm. What about Mr. Sho?"

The three turned towards the writhing, screaming figure that was trying to escape and put out flames at the same time. Mr. Sho's screams began to escalate as fire met flesh, the smell of burning adding to the Zombie's stench. In a futile attempt to save his life, the man pleaded with the air around him "Stop! Mr. Hatahori, don't do this to me! I've always helped you. You need me." Turning, he faced Kaiba and the others moments before the Zombies reached him, eyes pleading.

Kaiba didn't look away. He couldn't even though he hated this man. He was a man and didn't deserve this type of death. Unfortunately, his hands were tied. The best he could do, was not ignore the other's suffering. He didn't turn away as the Zombies closed in on him. Nor did he turn away when blood coated the ground like a horrific red carpet. He listened to the plop and splat of small globules of flesh impacting the wet floor and he allowed the frightened, dying screams to create new material for his nightmares. Slowly, the scene faded as Yami returned him to his office.

Still strung out from the horror they had just witness, all three figures went into offensive stances when the door slammed open only to reveal the tear stained figure of a panting little girl. Heedless, Bella threw herself at Seto's legs, "Daddy." She wailed as she drenched the stunned figure. "The bad man's got him. He's got Seth and he's gong to use him again. It could kill him this time Daddy. He might die. He hid me and Mokuba and he let them take him. You have to save him daddy. You hafta!"