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t u r m o i l
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by sir mocha
V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V
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chapter 12: r u i n
"Well, Mr. Kaiba, you're free to go," said the police officer jovially. "Though I'm supposed to remind you that, by the judge's orders, you aren't to go within a hundred yards of Miss Wheeler, or the baby. Still, all things considered, you're mighty luck that you escaped with only that, and a small fine."
"Well, I can be extremely persuasive when I need to be," grumbled Kaiba, unfurling his long limbs from the hard jail cot where he had spent the night. "I don't suppose you have my motorcycle?"
"As a matter of fact," stated the other officer, "we did take it. It's currently parked outside, in the officer parking lot."
Kaiba nodded, and then headed towards the door of the small jail. Both officers exchanged knowing glances, and then the first officer blurted out, "Wait!"
Kaiba stared at him, his gaze plainly saying, 'This had better be important!'
The officer swallowed, trying to suppress the CEO-induced nervousness, then said, "I would advise you to exit out the back door, and come back later for the motorcycle."
"Well, why would I want to do that?" asked Kaiba snidely, irritated by the seeming irrationality of the statement.
"Just a suggestion is all," said the second officer. "A suggestion that you would be wise to heed."
"Whatever." Kaiba gave them a condescending look, then proceeded to the front door as he had originally planned.
"Well, don't say we didn't warn you!" chirped the first officer.
Kaiba strode confidently to the front door, trench coat billowing out in the true President-and-CEO-of-Kaiba-Corp fashion. How much did two half-wit police officers know anyway?
As soon as he flung open the door, Kaiba wished he had just ignored his damn stubbornness, and had followed the advice of the officers. He was momentarily blinded, both by the morning sunlight and by the countless flashbulbs going off in his direction.
Between the flashes, he could see the monumental crowd gathered in front of the jail. Myriads of men and women waved cameras, and microphones, while yelling questions to the bemused CEO.
"Is it true that you were arrested for child abuse?"
"Mr. Kaiba, is it true that an infant was hospitalized after you brutally attacked it?"
"Mr. Kaiba, what can you tell us about the child you had out of wedlock with your best friend's underage sister?"
"HANG ON!" he roared, seething. "The day Joey Wheeler is my best friend is the day I lose to him at Duel Monsters!"
Kaiba was in earshot of one reporter, who turned to his partner and said eagerly, "How's this for a headline? 'Defeat at card game prompts Seto Kaiba to seek harsh revenge against long time friend.' Snappy enough?"
Kaiba gritted his teeth. He pinched himself harshly, trying to wake up from this awful nightmare. He wanted to get back to a reality where he wasn't being hounded by reporters, he hadn't hit Rei the night before, and Joey Wheeler was not his newly proclaimed 'best friend'. But the pinch did nothing to improve the situation; rather, the small pain only angered him further.
He wanted to release the good old Kaiba anger, but felt that, considering what he was in trouble for, it would only make the situation look worse. Instead, he silently worked his way through the jungle of microphones, cameras, and newsmakers, wishing very much that he had access to the sprinkler system controls for the jail's lawn. But he didn't, and as he fought his way to his motorcycle, he had to endure countless questions about the topics of illegitimate children, child abuse, and lurid romantic involvement with Serenity.
As he finally reached his bike, he filled his lungs with air, and bellowed as loudly as he could, "I will be available to answer questions tomorrow morning at my estate. Anyone that I find on my property before tomorrow morning will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately." Then he pulled his helmet on, got on the bike, and gunned the engine, making the media clear a path for his escape. They knew very well that he would not hesitate to run over anyone in his way.
Riding out of the claustrophobia-inducing crowd, he took a satisfied breath of air, and felt rather pleased about his handling of that difficult incident. But his happiness was short lived, as he remembered the incident that had sparked this whole mess. He berated himself for losing his temper, after being told for years to control it, and release it in a more constructive form. But just like in the jail, he hadn't listened to the sound advice, and it had cost him dearly.
While he brooded, he passed the turn for the mansion. There was no way he was going to return to his house and face the reporters, as he had told them. No, he was going to that one place that offered a constant source of sanctuary from the public: Kaiba Corp.
-V-
"Well, that was a colossal waste of time," said one disgruntled reporter, throwing down his jacket on a desk with a nameplate that read 'J. Imman'.
"I got a few pictures," replied his frustrated partner, whose nametag read 'Tazaki: Tokyo Journal'. "But I got nothing except tabloid-worthy crap. It wasn't worth it to go all the way to Domino. We should have focused on that trade embargo article due soon."
"Well, one thing's for sure: I'm not going to bother going out to Kaiba's mansion tomorrow. The other idiots may not have realized it, but I know Kaiba isn't going to give them anything except another rude dismissal."
"Hey, check the answering machine, would you?" asked Tazaki. "Maybe someone actually left a message that won't be a waste of time."
Imman leaned over, and hit the 'New Messages' button on the machine. The first message was left by a very thoughtful representative of a carpet cleaning company; the second, a request from a fellow journalist in the sports department. But the third message made Imman sit up, intrigued.
"Hello, Mr. Imman," said a voice in drawling English. "My name is Harrison, and I'm the CEO of N-Technologies, a corporation in the United States. Until recently, my company was a major partner of Kaiba Corp, and I had close, personal connections with Seto Kaiba.
"But let me get to the point. I have an offer you simply will not be able to refuse, because it will give you the biggest story of the year. Though I can't tell you directly, I can say that you should take a closer look into Kaiba Corp's financial records from the past ten years. I've heard that you and your partner are the best of the best, and I am confident that you will be able to uncover the astonishing truth about the company.
"I am not an altruistic man. I am giving you this tip because I believe it would be mutually beneficial to both of us if you were to write this article. If you manage it correctly, it will give you the story of your lifetimes. As for myself… well, if you write this article, you will see very shortly how greatly I benefit.
"I urge you with the utmost sincerity to look into the matter, Mr. Imman, and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. If you have any questions, please give me a call. I do have one condition: once the matter is exposed, you cannot, under any circumstance, identify me as a source. It would be devastating for my career. I am taking a large risk for you, and I truly hope that you will honor my need for secrecy, and show your appreciation by keeping me anonymous. Happy hunting, and I have faith that you will triumph over corporate scandal."
Tazaki, who hadn't understood most of the message, looked inquiringly at Imman, who had a predatory smile on his face. "What was that all about?" he asked.
"Forget trade embargoes! I just got a tip for the story of our careers!" he replied with malicious zeal.
-V-
"You wanted to see me, Mr. Kaiba?" asked Kurakane timidly. He had seen the morning's paper, and he sure as hell didn't want to face Kaiba right now.
Each man studied the other. Kurakane saw a weary, despairing CEO, who had a pinched look on his haggard face, and prominent bags under his tired blue eyes, which were much less cold and calculating than usual. Kurakane knew that Kaiba had not been home for several days, and wondered if the prolonged office exposure was good for Kaiba's sanity. Indeed, Kaiba looked to be not entirely aware, which only discouraged Kurakane more: Kaiba Corp needed its CEO at his razor sharpest.
Kaiba blearily eyed the executive. Kurakane, usually so prim and polished, looked as if he'd just been through a grain thresher. Or, more likely, through a bloodthirsty mob.
"Well," said Kaiba, his voice hoarse, "is it as bad out there as it looks?"
Kurakane wondered how best to phrase his response. He didn't want to be the one responsible for his CEO's complete mental meltdown. "Well sir, it took me half an hour to get my car into the parking lot, and another half hour to stave off the overeager crowd of reporters and angry employees."
Kaiba looked at Kurakane's tattered suit, and said, "Well, it's all very evident to me now: I'm screwed, and if I step foot outside, I'm dead."
Kurakane remained tactfully silent.
"And now," said Kaiba, reaching into a secret drawer under his desk, "I think the time has come to execute Plan B."
Kurakane saw the pistol in the CEO's desperate hands, and said, "NO, Mr. Kaiba! You can not do this!"
Kaiba stared up at him, gun held to one of his temples. "And why not?" he asked angrily. "I have NOTHING now! My family is DEAD, my daughter is GONE, and my company will NOT survive!" Kurakane was astonished to see tears leaking out of the corner of the CEO's eyes. "All my life, I've had to do things for OTHER people! I could never do what I wanted to do, but what I HAD to do! But now that everything that matters is gone, I can finally chose what I want to do for myself. So who are you to stop me?" He clicked the safety catch off.
"Mr. Kaiba," said Kurakane calmly, and soothingly, "you are one of the most powerful men in Japan, and as you know, with power comes responsibility. You say that this company will not survive. Whether that is true or not, you still have a responsibility to see this problem through to the very end. You cannot quit now."
Kaiba clicked on the safety catch of the pistol. He was glaring at Kurakane, but he knew that the older man was right. Seto Kaiba, President and CEO of Kaiba Corp, and the most determined man in Domino, did not just give up when things weren't going his way. He didn't want to be known as a quitter. That would not be a good epitaph on his upcoming tomb stone.
The glaring ceased when the window exploded. Both men ducked for minimal protection against the flying glass shards. After a moment, Kaiba lifted his head, sending a cloud of glass sparkling to the ground. As he walked across the office, more glass fell off him, and he winced at the feeling of shrapnel digging into his skin. His wince turned to a scowl when he saw the cause of the explosion: a large rock, emblazoned with the words, We demand the TRUTH!
As both men shrugged off their outer layers of glass-covered clothing, Kurakane said softly, "Mr. Kaiba, I think it would be wise to do as they request."
Kaiba walked over to the window, wondering what could have caused the rock to shatter the triple-reinforced glass. When his form became visible to the crowd below, Kaiba could hear loud calls of disapproval.
Reaching a very quick decision, Kaiba intercommed his secretary, and said, "Get me the journalists Imman and Tazaki. I want to speak to the men who caused all this."
-V-
"Well," said Kaiba, facing the two journalists, "you have effectively ruined me and my corporation with your article." He picked up the paper on his desk, with the headline; 100 MILLION DOLLARS EMBEZZLED IN MASSIVE KAIBA CORP SCANDAL! He eyed it for a moment, then threw it back on the desk. "And considering that we kept this under strict security, I must wonder how you came to find out."
Tazaki spoke up. "It all stemmed from your arrest last week. When we were looking into that, we discovered the mismatched finance records. Apparently you did not cover it up as well as you thought."
Kaiba's eyes held all the warmth of a glacier as he said, "Seeing as how those are strictly confidential documents, I think it rather bold of you to admit to looking through them. No, I think you and your partner are smart enough to stay within the law while investigating one of your stories, and I know how you found out.
"I think it quite foolish of my ex-accountants to talk, especially considering the strict gag order I put on them. And I think it extremely foolish of Harrison to contact you, after the agreement we made."
Both Imman and Tazaki looked slightly flustered, cluing Kaiba that he was right. He gestured towards the door, and said, "You are dismissed."
"But we were promised an interview…" responded Imman, holding up a tape recorder.
The fury imbued in Kaiba's tone sent shivers down the spines of both the reporters. "You may be destroying my company, but this is still my building, and if you don't get out, I'm afraid I will have to lose my temper, which would be regrettable."
As Kurakane escorted the two shivering journalists out, Kaiba dialed Harrison's number, slipping the headset on, while the video component blackened the computer screen.
But soon enough, Harrison's office filled the screen, while the American slipped on a similar headset, a smirk on his face. "I thought I'd be seeing you soon, my boy."
"Harrison, I assume you saw the headline," Kaiba said wearily. "I thought we had agreed that you wouldn't reveal the whole accounting mess. That was the impression I got from our last conversation." His eyes filled with hatred at the remembrance of the evil things Harrison had confessed to doing.
Harrison's eyes held a spark of malice. "Well, Seto, I don't remember saying that, exactly. And I do feel sorry for you, my son: it must be difficult to have your company come tumbling down around you, while you're helpless to do anything but watch."
Kaiba ground his teeth audibly.
"But even now, lad, I'm willing to help you. The offer is still open: I'll buy Kaiba Corp from you, and take this whole mess off your hands."
Kaiba glanced outside at the angry mob. Harrison had him caught between a rock and a hard place, and he knew when to concede defeat. Now that the news of the scandal was out, Kaiba Corp finances were going to collapse, leaving Kaiba $100 million in debt. If he sold now, he would be left with nothing, and while that was not ideal, it would be better than the alternative. And if he sold now, Kaiba Corp would survive, and, with a little work, he would be able to earn it back. He had been outsmarted this one time, and he sure as hell wouldn't let it happen again.
Kaiba sighed, and with that one sigh, Harrison knew that he had, at long last, won this game.
-V-
"What is going on here?" asked Kaiba, hopping off his motorbike. "Who are you people, and what are you doing to my house?!"
The burly construction worker pointed towards a well-dressed man and woman who were busy overseeing the construction. "Buddy, if you have questions, you gotta ask those two. I'm jus' followin' orders."
Kaiba strode over to the pair, who were deep in conversation over a clipboard. "What is going on?" he shouted, startling the two.
The woman peered accusingly at him. "You're Seto Kaiba, aren't you?" she asked.
"Who do you THINK I am?" he said. "And what do you think you are doing to my HOUSE?"
"Mr. Kaiba, I'm afraid that this property no longer belongs to you," said the man, dressed in a suit and tie. "This house, and all its possessions, belong to Mr. Harrison, of N-Technolog—"
"What are you talking about? I bought this house with my own money! It's not Kaiba Corp's!" Kaiba's tone was one of disbelief.
"It was paid for with a bank account connected to Kaiba Corp. That makes it property of Kaiba Corporations, and property of Mr. Harrison."
"Kaiba Corp was linked to my personal bank account, not the other way around!" protested Kaiba.
"Be that as it may!" replied the man. "Anything even remotely connected to Kaiba Corp is now property of Mr. Harrison. That includes you bank account, and your house as well!"
"I don't believe this," said Kaiba faintly. Both the man and the woman could see that Kaiba was not himself. The trademark anger was missing, replaced by a distant, unbelieving confusion that was, in a way, worse than the anger.
The man and woman looked at the lost CEO with pity. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kaiba, but that's the way things are," said the woman compassionately. "It's not up to us to decide these things: we're told what to do, and we follow orders."
"What am I supposed to do?" asked Kaiba in that small voice. "I have no home, no money, and no job." As soon as he had had the papers of ownership of Kaiba Corp, Harrison had fired Kaiba. "What can I do?"
The man and woman looked at each other, at a loss for words.
"Well, can I get a few personal items?" asked Kaiba quietly. "Just things like drawings, and duel monster cards. And some clothes: small things like that."
"You are not allowed to take anything out of the house…" started the man.
"Oh, for goodness' sake, just let him have a few things!" snapped the woman, feeling sympathy for the CEO. "He's lost everything! I think we can bend the rules and let him have a few things!" To Kaiba, she said, "Of course, you may get you things. But don't be too long about it: I could get in trouble for letting you do this."
"Thank you," said Kaiba gratefully. "I won't be long, I promise."
Fifteen minutes later, he exited the mansion, carrying a duffel bag that contained a few items. He gave the two supervisors one last look, of sadness and confusion, and then walked down the long driveway, towards the main road.
The woman turned to the man, and said, "He's been completely devastated. It's so sad, seeing the ruined shell of the powerful man he once was. I couldn't help but pity him."
The man nodded in agreement.
-V-
Once he was a few hundred feet away from the house, all traces of confusion and helplessness left Kaiba's face. His sharp blue eyes narrowed as he smirked, which turned to a chuckle, and then to an outright laugh.
Your acting was terrible. Those must be two of the thickest fools ever, to have fallen for it, said that voice in his head.
The important thing was, thought Kaiba, I got the things I needed to get, and hopefully those two will spread the tale of a broken Seto Kaiba that the population will believe. He felt quite lucky at this unforeseen benefit; it would be much better for everyone to think him feeble, and helpless. It would make gaining Kaiba Corp back a much easier task, when people didn't suspect him.
Kaiba had nothing: no friends, or family, or job, or house: nothing but the clothes on his back, and the items in his duffel. There was a part of him that had already given into despair, a part that had truly been broken. He would never be the same as he once was.
But stronger than this fog of despair was a beacon of determination that shone through it. Kaiba had had everything taken from him, but in no way did that mean he was just going to passively let it happen. He was going to take back what was his: his life had purpose, and a goal to fulfill, and Kaiba was going to accomplish this task.
He took his determination, and his forming plan, and tucked them away in a pocket of his mind, to be pulled out and examined later. Those things would have to wait. He had more pressing issues to attend to, like finding a place to spend the night.
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V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V
End of Part II
V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V
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V- september 16, 2004 –V
Ah… and so Part II comes to a close. I think we can all agree that Parts I and II can be described as angst-centered, with very little (if any at all). Part III will be more romance than angst, and I'm also going to try for some action/adventure. So it will be quite different, except at the very end, where the angst will return in full throttle! And with the end of Part III will come the end of the story. So we are about two-thirds done with our angsty adventure…
I made a C2 called Kaiba Corp (there's a link in my profile), and it's a C2 for good stories that have Kaiba in an important role. I'm looking for some staff members, so if you're interested, leave it in a review or email me. Also, if you have any recommendations of good Kaiba stories, tell me about them so I can add them.
On a related note, I'm looking for a Bakura C2 to join. If you know of any of them, can you please tell me?
Life-size animatronic Seto robots (kind of creepy, I know) for all the lovely people that reviewed! (And by the way, how many of you have changed your pen names since August? I don't recognise a lot of them, and I know I recognised them when I got them.)
Tinyflyer02
lil twin stars – ooh, a stalker…
Passion Wind
Wise Man Domingo
pinkdreamer122
The Dark Angel Reborn – I was not impressed with the YGO movie plot, and the end was weak. But I had fun with it AA
IcyPanther – I think I implied that Gozaburo was abusive. And if I didn't, well, I meant to. It a factor that shapes Kaiba's relationship with Rei.
kikoken – sorry for making Kaiba mean, but he will definitely make up for what he did.
Meii-chan – on the show, Serenity is a total wuss, and I can't stand her. I made her more interesting. AA And your Soujiro doll was cool…and kinda creepy, too…
And, as usual, another fabulous prize in store for all those who review. (hint hint)