Chapter Eight---
There was no mistaking it..the indigo school uniform with the jacket being used as a cape..the Sennen Puzzle dangling from a silver chain around the neck...and lastly, that hair..no one could possibly imitate that hair..
"Yugi..." replied Kaiba coldly, "What are you doing here?"
"I was about to ask you the very same thing.." the spikey-headed individual countered, "..I presume Ishizu invited you as well?"
"Why else would I be here?" the CEO retorted harshly.
"It seems you're troubled by something, Kaiba."
"Nonsense."
"Then why act so secretive?"
"Must I answer every one of your ridiculous, not to mention ludicrous, questions, Yugi?"
"I don't blame you, Kaiba.." the tri-colored head answered in a more sincere tone.
"Hn..."
"I too have beendealing with my awakened memories as former Pharaoh of Egypt.." the violet eyed being started, "..and I know of how High Priest Seth, your ancestor, once loved Is-"
"Why don't you tell me something I don't know, Yugi." interrupted Kaiba bitterly.
Parting his lips to counter, the indigo wearing individual was once again disturbed..
"I see that both you gentlemen have arrived. Please, have a seat.."
Immediately, both men turned away from their scowls and glares; and let their eyes fall upon the faint-smiling face of the Egyptian woman, Ishizu Ishtar.
She wore an off white, sleeveless dress that went all the way down to her knees and flared out from there. Her entire outfit was accented with a gold tone at one place or another, and around her waist was a large golden band. Around the band hung two gold colored strings which held charms that loosely fell over the bottom of her waist.
Onboths arms were two gold cuffs that were evenly spaced out from below her shoulder all the way down to her lower arm.Placed oneither ankle was another gold cuff that was slightly longer than the ones placed on her upper body.
Part of her obsidian hair on both the right and left side of her head was clipped into a four to five inch flaxen hair jewel. Her head was covered with a cloth that was adorned with a few jewels, and evenly matched the color of her dress.
There was nothing new about it..for she had worn the same attire to Battle City Finals..but it took the CEO considerable minutes to look away from her..
What was his problem?
Breaking his thoughts as she gestured each of them to find a place to sit once more, the azure eyed being took the same seat he had the last time he was there.
Ishizu, on the other hand, took a seat on the couch; and was soon accompanied by the spikey-headed individual.
Unexpectedly, Kaiba felt a pang of jealousy strike him.
Watching as the other two began a conversation, the CEO stared in complete malice as the so-called "Pharaoh" listened and surveyed the woman beside him intently; nodding here and there.
Wait a second..
Why did he care anyway?
So what that, that tri-colored dueling prodigy took a seat next to Ishizu? It's not like anything was going on between those two.
The thought struck him head on.
Nothing was going on between them, was there? Sure, it would be absurd, seeing as how that Miss Friendship, Anzu Mazaki, had a thing for spikey-headed Heart-of-the-Card-loving enormities; but still...
Was there?
He could see those two now...entangled in each other's presence..
His arm snaking down to her waist, and wrapping itself around her thin figure tightly..
She...reaching up both her sun-kissed arms and wrapping them around his neck..pulling herself even closer into his grasp..
He..raising a hand and running it through her raven hair..causing her to shiver all the slightest...
Finally then...he...reaching his own eager lips over to hers...and --
He wasn't going to finish that thought.
It was ridiculous to begin with..
Pfft..Ishizu?
-- Of all people? She wasn't that kind of woman...
The idea itself was absurd..preposterous...impossible...
Either way, he was nearly clenching his fists in anger..and had an unexpected urge to grab that thin, tri-color-hair-supporting neck; and throw it, along with his entire body, against a wall...
Then slowly, letting his fingers cut through the flesh, make his way deeper and deeper into the skin; allowing his fingers to cover themselves with a thick coat of crimson.. And through it all, hearing the other gripe and lament in pain and anguish...
That would certainly be music to his ears..
Finally, then, he would slowly bend his fingers and let them completely tear --
"Kaiba."
In alarm, the CEO broke his vindictive contemplations and moved his gaze towards the sound of the voice.
After regaining composure of himself somewhat, he saw that both pair of eyes were on him.
"Kaiba.." Ishizu repeated, "..are you well?"
Before answering, Kaiba saw that the "former Pharaoh" had a look of pure concern in his amethyst eyes as he watched him.
Who was he trying to fool?
"I'm fine.." the mahagony haired individual answered, surprised by how normal his voice sounded.
As the tri-color haired being heard this, he immediately got to his feet.
"Please forgive me.." he began, "..but I must be taking my leave.. Yugi's grandfather wanted him home before eight o'clock..."
At these words, the Egyptian rose to her feet.
"As you wish.." she began with a small bow, "Farewell, Pharaoh."
The spikey-head nodded in agreement, and then turned his attention to the presence sitting in the chair.
"I wish you best of luck, Kaiba." the tri-color haired being stated, outstretching his hand.
After a moment of silence, the trench-coat wearing being got to his feet. With a look of intense bitterness as he did so, the royal blue eyed individual grasped onto the hand with extreme force.
Ishizu, who had seemed to notice his intense hostility, spoke up; as the two broke the handshake.
"I shall show you to the door, my Pharaoh."
The one addressed as "Pharaoh" once again gestured in accordance, and soon, both the Egyptian and spikey-haired being had disappeared completely.
My Pharaoh...
Why did she always have to call him that?
Suddenly, the CEO heard the sound of footsteps approaching; and left his thoughts lingering.
"Kaiba--" Ishizu began for the third time.
"Save it." the silver tone coat wearing one interrupted, "I need to be leaving, as well. Thanks for nothing."
And with that, he turned around and began walking towards the doorway. As he passed by her, she spoke.
"You felt a great deal of envy towards him, did you not?"
Immediately, Kaiba stopped, his cerulean eyes still fixed in front of him..away from her seeing any part of her. Although, he could still feel those sapphire eyes upon him..expecting an answer...
But what could he possibly say? --
-- "Yes, I was jealous because he sat down next to you?"
That would be pathetic. But there was no other option...
Except silence.
And silence he chose...
"I understand how difficult this must be for you..a non-believer.." the Egyptian began in a softer, more congenial tone of voice, "Try as you may to deny it; our predecessors did love each other, Kaiba. This is why you felt such disinclination and malcontent when the Pharaoh took a seat next to me. -- You were angered, am I not right?"
"Hmn." the CEO answered from his throat, giving her an indefinite answer.
"This is why I noticed that you were unable to make your usual eye-contact with me. Your past memories are triggered when you look at me at times, is that not correct?"
That was it...
That was the last straw...
He didn't want to hear any more of this...he was sick of it... It was finally time to tell her what she could do with her so-called past.
With a swift turn of his neck, the CEO faced her with a cold, strident glare.
"Yes." Kaiba began icily, "Are you happy now, Ishizu? All your little tricks and hallucinations have finally worked! Thanks to you, I am being tormented day and night by these absurd delusions! If it weren't for you, I'd be able to live my life my way, and not by some golden rod that you say holds power! I've had it, so you and your little 'ancient past' can --"
"You act as if I myself have not been plagued with my ancestor's past memories." the Egyptian cut in, unruffled by his angry retort.
The beryl eyed corporation owner stood in silence.
"You think that if we had not met, your life would be normal? Your past is present in your daily life, whether you acknowledge it or not."
Stiffening his expression more, the company president switched his gaze forward and proceeded towards the door once more. This time, he was able to accomplish his task of exiting, and as he was about to fully step out, the Egyptian's voice briefly stopped him.
"Take a moment to abandon your persistency on the future, and listen to someone other than yourself for once, Kaiba." Ishizu stated in a calm, yet firm manner.
"Hmph.."
And with that, he was out the door...
Author's Note: Please review so I can continue writing this..