The warm sun shone over the almond face of fifteen year old Shizuka Jonouchi, warming her caramel-peach skin, and sending happy shivers through her slender body. She turned curiously under the setting-sun orange blankets that hid her body, burying her face in her feather-filled pillow.
"Oi, Choco, wake up." Jou stood by the door, leaning against the wall.
Shizuka rolled over, blinked open her chocolate pools, and smiled.
And thus began the morning ritual.
"Aniki," she drawled, "I was sleeping."
"Since when does rolling over with a smile on your face count as sleeping?" The blond inquired, smirking at her.
"Since you were screaming 'Kujaku' and 'Leave the Dough Boy outta this' in your dreams, and wouldn't want Yuugi-kun and Anzu-chan to know about it." She shot back with a smirk of her own.
Jou laughed and rolled his eyes, and at that instant, Shizuka realized how lucky she was to have a brother like him.
Today, Jou was casually dressed in a white wife-beater, a light pair of denim jeans, and, the usual, white socks. His blond hair was tousled, since he had just woken up, and his brown eyes gleamed with pride as he stared at his little sister.
"You know," Jou said as he walked over to her bed and sat on her, "I'm gonna have to keep a close eye on you. With Honda and Otogi around, who knows what they might try to do." He said with a wink. "Unless you want to stop being my pretty little sister."
Laughing and trying to push the one hundred and thirty-seven pound boy off her, Shizuka groaned and gave up.
"Hey, Onii-Chan, get off me and I won't say anything about Kujaku-chan or Dough Boy." She coughed, trying to catch her breath.
"Well, Choco," he groaned as she squeezed his jugular vein, suddenly jumping off her.
"Where'd you learn that!" He coughed, rubbing his neck.
"'Now Sis,'" she quoted, standing up, "'I'm going to teach you something important. If a guy ever tries to touch you, or if Honda or Otogi are being asses, just reach for the jugular veins. Reach and squeeze, Sis, reach and squeeze.'" She laughed as he scratched his head.
"Oh yeah! Good job, Choco, I didn't even think you were listenin' that day." He grinned, putting his hands into his pockets. He smiled softly at the girl, standing there in her baggy yellow pajama shirt and matching shorts.
Stretching, Shizuka let out a yawn and looked around her room. "Onii-chan," she began,
walking to her closet, "do you think it would be okay if Anzu-chan took me shopping today? She said she would since she had the day off and her parents left her to go visit her sick grandmother or something. And you know I need some new clothes." She bent down to retrieve a dress that was three times to small for her. "Unless you want me exciting Honda and Otogi."
Jou narrowed his eyes, but a smile creeped on his lips. "No exciting any guy that I don't trust with you." He said, turning to leave. "I just got paid, and the check Mom usually sends came yesterday, so I have some money to give you."
Shizuka heard his feet fall with each heavy step down the stairs, a bright yet pleased smile across her lips. She walked to her dresser and picked up the picture of her, her mother, and Jou. They had taken it a few weeks ago at the local fair.
Jou had finally forgiven her. She was now his mother.
She sat on her bed, smiling at the picture. The glass gleamed in the sunlight, revealing the arm Jou had placed around Shizuka and their mother. Later pictures showed Jou hugging her, kissing her cheek, and even handing her a plush flower he had won.
Yup, life was good. Jou had forgiven her. She had forgiven herself. Shizuka now had her family back. Excluding that bastard of a father ... but he didn't count. All Shizuka needed was Jou and her mother, and her life was great.
"I love you guys ..." She whispered as she caressed the picture softly.
"Oi, Choco, your pancakes are gonna get eaten by me if you wait any longer!" Jou called up the stairs.
"Coming, Nii-chan!" She yelled back, throwing on an old pair of jeans and a white sweatshirt, deciding that she would bathe after breakfast and change into more suitable clothes. "Love you, Mommy." She said as she blew a kiss to the picture and tore down the stairs.
Slender fingers flew in a flurry of clicks across the keyboard, while icy glaciers stayed fixed on the words appearing on the brightly lit screen. Stopping for a moment, the CEO leaned back, hands clasped, legs folded. Mind deep in thought, Seto wondered about how he should phrase the next sentence. As much as he wanted, he knew trouble would follow such an obscene sentence. Therefore, he must rethink it and use fewer obscenities.
A light knock on the door encouraged the CEO to take his glance, and mind, away from the sentence for a minute. "Hai?"
"Just me, Seto." Mokuba stated, walking inside and closing the door behind him. He shuffled softly to the plush navy blue chair sitting in front of the oak desk, softly allowing himself to sink in its safe depth. "I have some bad news ... "
The brunettes brow furrowed, eyes glazing over with a sudden idea of what might've happened. "What is it?" He asked, a sharp tone to his voice. As soon as Mokuba looked up so innocently at him, he wished he hadn't been so cold.
"Well, I went to the Experiment Lab to check on the progress of the DDE. When I got down there, everything was going fine. Jito and Kari were dueling with them, and everything was perfect. The monster images seemed real, the sound effects were crystal clear, and the direct attacks were so real that they actually were harmful." Mokuba looked to the floor, eyes fixed on his sneakers. "What I mean to say is, the DDE can't be put on market as soon as we thought. They have to redo the entire system since one small flaw occurred." He laid his forehead on Seto's desk, his raven head bobbing up and down with each of his quiet breaths.
"It isn't your fault, Mokuba." Seto laid a hand on his arm, hoping to reassure him. "It's those fools down in the lab. I told them to get it right this time or I'd fire every last one of them. Seems like they really don't treasure their jobs as much as they say ..." He removed his hand and solemnly stood up, slipping into his slick white jacket and opening the door. "Do you want to come?"
Mokuba shook his head, still face down on his desk. Seto knew that the failure of the DDE hurt Mokuba ... after all, Mokuba was the one who persuaded him to actually begin constructing it, costing him millions of dollars. But he really didn't care. The DDE would be a success, and he would regain the millions, even billions, that he had lost.
"If only Mokuba would see that it isn't his fault." Seto thought as he shut the door, his face expressionless.
His path to the Experiment Lab was short, taking him three minutes instead of his usual easy paced seven or eight minutes.
As soon as the large metallic doors flew open and the workers saw his stern face, a silent, deadly hush fell over them. They knew what was coming. They dreaded it. Woke up every morning with the fear of being fired heavily set on their hearts.
To them, being fired was like Doomsday. Hello, unemployment.
Seto swiftly walked in, the people parting way for him. He headed to the middle of the room, eyes focused forward, mind intent on giving those fools what they deserved for failing him.
Before allowing any more to be said, Jito and Kari stepped forward, not trembling in the least.
"Mr. Kaiba," Jito began, "before you yell at anybody else, Kari and I would like to take full blame for the failure."
Seto was bewildered. Amazed. Shocked. Astounded. And somewhat amused ...
"Hai, it is true." Kari added, her pink-blue hair covering her right eye. "Jito-kun and I would like, if possible, to be punished alone instead of everybody else. They've done nothing, and do not need to be fired." The two bowed their heads dutifully, waiting for the worst.
Yet it never actually came ...
"You two will be punished on behalf of everybody else," Seto started, crossing his arms over his broad chest, "but you will not be fired. Neither will anybody else. The DDE is extremely important to me, and I need everybody working on it nonstop. Your punishment will be that you will receive half of what I usually pay you at the end of this month." He turned his back and began to walk away. "Get back to work, and don't ever let this happen again. Understand?"
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba!' They said in unison, and hurriedly got back to work.
As soon as the doors to the elevator closed, a smirk curled on Seto's lips. They were terrified of him, yet somehow felt as if he meant no harm at all.
"Those fools are going to fuck up and be fired one day." Seto told himself, and walked through the doors as they opened. The long corridor to his office seemed short, since he was feeling better about cheering up Mokuba.
Walking into the office, Seto looked at the small boy, who was still laying his head on the desk. His sobbing ceased, and a cal aura surrounded him. He walked carefully forward and placed his hand on the boys back, the youngers breaths slow and easy, while his own were a bit quicker and sharper.
"Mokie?" Seto kneeled down and stroked his hair. "Mokuba, I got it all figured out. Nobody was fired, and we'll have the DDE out in no time." He sighed and stood up, running his hand through his hair.
Why was Mokuba blaming himself? He knew that Mokuba did tell him to manufacture the DDE, but it wasn't his fault it didn't work out. Hardly anything worked on the first try. There had to be more ...
Mokuba stirred and slowly sat up. "Seto?"
"Mokuba ... you all right?" Seto felt he was being unusually nice ... not just to Mokuba, but to all those fools. Damn.
"Can we go to the Kikieo's?" He asked, rubbing his eyes as a half -rested yawn escaped his lips. "I need candy really bad right now."
For twelve, Mokuba sure was acting half his age. He loved candy, Seto knew that, but he hardly ever to never cried, and never blamed himself if Seto had agreed with him, either. What the hell was wrong with him?
"Uhh, sure, Mokuba. I have a few things to do, then we can go ... why not go to the Game Room and try out that game you designed, and I'll get you when I'm done."
Mokuba nodded and smiled, running off to the Game Room. Seto nervously sat at his desk, wondering why, or how, his life suddenly became so ... hellish.
He shook his head and got back to work, subconsciously thinking about her, and how he would
find out who she was, what she was doing in his mind, and why she was doing it ...
Screw working. His mind was cluttered. He needed fresh air. And possibly candy ...
"Mokuba, get your coat." Seto said, walking past his room. "I'm finished."
"You know," Pegasus began, frowning, "looking at me like that won't get you anywhere. I've found out who she is and now I need to find her."
"Master Pegasus, are you talking about Jonouchi Shizuka? She's merely a child, Sir."
"I'm merely in love with her, fool." Pegasus shot back, eyes narrowed. "Something you wouldn't understand."
Croquettes sighed, knowing that when Pegasus insulted him like that, he was serious about whatever he wanted. Which made this all the more harder.
"Master Pegasus, I understand you love her, but did you not see Honda and Otogi? They threw themselves at her, Sir. Begging for her to 'go out' with them, buying her Duel Monster cards that she said were cute, doing whatever it took to hold her hand, or lead her away from the others to be alone."
"Are you saying I'm too old?"
"No, Sir, never. I'm just saying-"
"Well, maybe you shouldn't say anything." He snapped yet again, then glared out the window.
Croquettes nodded and kept quiet, glancing tiredly out the window. Pegasus was a smart man, but his weakness was love. He witnessed that when he entered the shrine Pegasus had designed for Cyndia. He made no exceptions, buying her the purest silk, the clearest crystal, the most beautiful music and painting the most gorgeous artistry.
"I need some tea. Where are we going?" Pegasus inquired softly.
"Well, Sir," He turned to a mini computer sitting next to him, "it appears there is a nice tea and coffee place located next to Kikieo's Candy Shop. We could try there."
"Yes, that sounds fine." Pegasus mumbled, staring out the window, giving away the expression that Croquettes had just crushed his dreams.
But he hadn't. No, Pegasus was smarter than that. He saw something he wanted; he went after it until he possessed it. He had gone through his 'Possession Cycle', as he called it, many a time. He had pursued Cyndia, and she had ended up in his arms as he desired. The painting from France that was desired so much, he had persuaded the Art Museum to sell it to him for a price he laughed at.
But he more than just desired for this girl in his dreams, more than ached, drifting far away from sleep when her face appeared in his mind. She was becoming an obsession to him ... a need, a want ...
Although he had loved Cyndia deeply, knowing she was perfect when they first met, he hadn't realized exactly how perfect she was until she had died ... maybe that was a sign, or maybe just a fluke. Whatever the hell was going on inside him devious mind, he had decided to protect the girl with all he had. Merely placing guards around where she lived would only draw attention, and possibly harm.
No, he must do it quietly, cunningly. One word sailed into his mind swiftly, settling itself down as if it was the perfect thing to do.
Kidnap.
She would be safer with him, and he could talk on - on - one with her, learning what exactly caused this mysterious little angel to provoke his mind as she so lovingly did.
Yes, this was the answer. The perfect answer to the perfect question.
"Master Pegasus?" Croquettes' eyebrows were arched curiously. "Troubled, Sir?"
Pegasus merely laugh stiffly, shaking his head. "Not any longer, dearest Croquettes. My problems have been solved." He ignored the expression on the other mans face as one question still remained solely in his mind:
How do you kidnap a teenage girl who's brother is so tough? Surely, he has taught her a thing or two. And the others Croquettes was speaking of?
"Once one solves his problems, as if he thinks he has, more tend to flood the mind, soul, and body, causing the three to suffocate with confusion." Croquettes stated robotically, hands clasped in his lap.
"And that means ...?"
"Sir, I am your most trusted comrade. I have aided you since the beginning, and I am here to help you through to the end. Although my thoughts aren't with yours on this matter, I am still faithful at remaining loyal to you, Master Pegasus. I would be more than pleased to be at your humble service." He bowed his head, not exactly sure of what he had said, but he was sure that he meant it.
He smiled sheepishly, accepting the offer. Croquettes was a fool, no doubt about that, but he knew where his loyalties stood.
He pulled a silver - blue phone from his jacket pocket, flipping up the screen and speaking methodically.
"Listen, I want the coordinates of the Jonouchi residence. I want to know what time they're home, what time he works, where he works, what time she's alone, and what room belongs to her. I want a full report in two hours. Less than what I have asked for is punishable, more is a full reward." He flipped the phone cover down, a smirk crawling over and abducting his lips.
"Mmm, it's about time I got back to my old self." He said icily, a determined look on his face. "You cannot win if you're attitude is childish."
Croquettes began to solemnly regret giving Pegasus his help ... he was beginning to go overboard with this kidnap and love thing.
Pegasus beamed sadistically, beginning to wonder if he really felt love for the girl, or if it was merely lust ... the latter seemed to take over his mind for the next half hour as he and Croquettes sat in the small shop, drinking the hot tea they were served. Perhaps time and destiny would convey his thoughts ...
"Shizuka!" Jou yelled up the stairs, leaning against the banister. "Anzu's here." Jou looked over her, giving her the once - over, grinning stupidly.
Anzu glowered at him, rolling her eyes. "You really need to get a girl, Jou. Maybe then you'll stop dog - eyeing the rest of us."
Jou smirked. "Is that an offer?"
"Bite me."
"Gladly."
"Shizuka!" Anzu screamed, restraining herself from slapping him.
"God, can I please just get dressed!" She shouted back from the top of the stairs, a towel wrapped around her small body while her wet hair hung loosely around her shoulders. "Jonouchi, if you stop being so piggish around Anzu I just might, notice I said might, not tell about You - Know - Who and Mr. You - Know - What." She smirked, leaving an open mouthed Jou and a confused Anzu at the staircase.
"Could You - Know - Who possibly be a 5 - foot - something blonde with the attitude of a bitch and the personality of a slut?" Anzu mused, slightly poking Jou. "Would it?"
"I need coffee." Jou murmured, slugging off to the kitchen defeatedly.
Anzu laughed lightly, then sat on the couch waiting for Shizuka to finish dressing.
Minutes later, Shizuka took the steps two at a time, landing at the bottom, arms out. "Well?" Her 'well' was applying to her outfit, one which she self - consciously didn't like much. Kujaku had picked it out for her fifteenth birthday, and during that year she had begun to mature rather quickly. She had worn it only once before, only to have Jou order her to burn it and wear something else, like an Eskimo jacket.
Anzu eyed the outfit, beaming. Shizuka fit nicely into the skirt, which cut off just below the middle of her thigh, and formed the curves of her hips perfectly. The shirt, a creamy cottoncandy pink, complimented her warm brown eyes, soft auburn hair, and her caramel - colored skin. It hugged her waist softly, clinging to her body as it inched up and ended in a curve around her neck. She grabbed a piece of pink silk that was lying by the table, and held it up.
"What do you think? A belt or a hair tie?"
"Umm, belt." She said simply, standing up to show her the best way to do it. "Always keep the bow tied at the side, it compliments the shape of your hips and the tones of your skin."
"Expert." Shizuka said, grinning. "Taking a few lessons from Kujaku, are we?"
"Funny. I've been alone for quite a bit so I've gone through all my clothes, cut up what I didn't want, and I've done the same thing. I have belts, sashes, ties, you name it. Each to match the perfect outfit."
"You really need to get a guy, Anzu." Jou muttered as he walked by, still grumbling about having them know his fantasies.
Shizuka smiled, throwing her arms around her brothers neck. "I'll see you later, Aniki." She said, the old Jonouchi grin on her lips.
"Why don't you go wait for Anzu in the car. You're money is in your purse on the table." Jou said brotherly, but his eyes were on Anzu.
Shizuka, all though confused, nodded and obeyed, grabbing her purse and heading to Anzu's car.
"Watch her." Jou muttered softly to Anzu. She was a good friend, yes, he didn't doubt that, but Shizuka was his sister. She was everything some pervert would look for. And the clothes she wore ... typical big brother.
"Jou, trust me. Shizuka is like my younger sister just like she is yours. I would die before I let any harm befall her." She was a bit hurt that Jou didn't trust her like he should. She wasn't lying; Shizuka was like a little sister to her.
"I do trust you, Anzu. But you tend to get caught up when some guy starts talking to you. You're a pretty girl, a really pretty girl, and you know that. Guys fall head first just trying to look at you. I guess you like that, since you flaunt your body more than ever when they're looking. And when they talk to you, you're gone. You're attention is with them instead of with the person you're with." Jou sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Just watch her, Anzu, please." He left her standing there, moving slowly up the stairs and closing himself in his room.
Anzu stood, mouth gaping, eye wide. Why would Jou do that? Why was he like this? What was wrong? She had taken Shizuka out before, no problem. What was with him now?
"Stupid ass ... think he can talk to me like that ... what kind of girl does he think I am? ... I'm no Kujaku, that's for sure ... men." She took a deep breath as she sat next to Shizuka in her car.
"Yes. Men. Women talking to themselves sure do get the attention of men." She pointed with a grin to three people walking alongside the road, staring curiously at Anzu.
"Oh." She stuck in her keys, started the car, and reversed out of the parking lot.
"You and Jou talked about?"
"Nothing."
"Anzu-chan."
"Shizuka."
"You're brother doesn't trust me; thinks I'm gonna let someone hurt you because I'm flaunting my body."
"That it?" Shizuka asked, eyes looking over to her.
Anzu locked her gaze with Shizuka as they stopped at a red light. "He doesn't trust me."
"He does. He want's you to feel bad for the Kujaku thing." She shrugged. "Big brothers."
Anzu smiled at Shizuka's forwardness. "I have to make a stop at Kikieo's," she said, eyes back on the road as the light flashed, "I need chocolate."
"Women and chocolate." Shizuka said, swallowing the saliva that formed in her mouth. "God I love chocolate ..."
"Hence the name Choco." The two girls laughed, and the next ten minutes went on pleasantly.
Anzu's issues with Jou were unspoken but not forgotten, they swirled sadly and angrily around in the back of her mind. She parked the car and the two got out, linked arms, and began walking to the door.
"Isn't that Kaiba's limo?" Shizuka asked, pointing to a limousine that took up several parking spaces.
"Mmhm." Anzu mumbled, tugging on her. "I wonder what he's doing here."
"Maybe he had a sudden sugar rush?" Shizuka tried, smiling. "Or Mokuba wanted some candy ..."
Anzu nodded and pulled open the door, the two standing in the unusually short line, looking around for the Kaiba brothers.
"Shizuka? Anzu?" The familiar voice of the younger Kaiba came from their right sides.
"Mokuba?" Shizuka grinned. "Hiya."
"Hey, Mokuba. Where's you brother?" Anzu asked, smiling slyly.
"Who wants to know?" Seto's deep, sharp voice came from behind the shorter.
Mokuba grinned. "He's behind me."
"Hi, Kaiba." Shizuka said, oblivious to the fact Kaiba had suddenly began to stare for an unusually long time at her.
Damn, he thought to himself, eyes still glazing over at the sight of his strange Dream Girl, she sure as hell doesn't look as young as I thought. But why is she so cheery even though she knows I'm the bastard who talks shit about her brother?
"Erm, Kaiba?" Anzu looked curiously at him, arching a brow.
Seto snapped back to reality, glaring at her. "What?" He shot icily at her.
"You've been staring like you've never seen me before." Shizuka giggled, as if she found this amusing.
Seto merely growled under his breath, then turned to leave. He would talk to her again ... alone. Without Anzu, Mokuba, or any other fool. He had questions that needed answering.
"Bye, then." Mokuba said, smiling.
"Ja ne." The girls said together, waving.
"Kaiba's gotten stranger and stranger." Anzu said softly as she stepped up to the counter and began talking to the young woman behind it.
"Mmm." Shizuka frowned, looking at the slick limousine that pulled into the coffee shop next to them. "Does Kaiba have a rival here?"
"What?" Anzu turned around, then grinned at her. "No way. Only Pegasus has a car like that, and he liv-" She stopped short. What the hell was Pegasus here for?
"Let's get going, Shizuka." She said as she paid, grabbing her arm and tugging her outside.
"But-"
"No."
"Fine." Shizuka waited for her to unlock the doors, crossing her arms.
Anzu prayed that Pegasus would ignore them, but praying wouldn't suffice. She shuddered as she heard that too - cocky voice come from behind Shizuka. She raised her eyes just enough to see Pegasus' hands on Shizuka's shoulders.
"Hello, beautiful."