Here is the fourth chapter. After hour long struggles, I have finally poured enough blood into this thing to get it out there. Just kidding. But it really was hard, a lot of blood did go into this…I wasn't sure about a lot of it, and I had serious writer's block and doubt about the story itself… So yeah. You'll read it and then you'll decide if I suck or not, ne? Thanks so much for the reviews, all! I gain happiness with each passing one, (and that's rare for me). Enjoy!

Oh and yes school started. (Obviously, yeah, that's why I've been so late in updating.) In case anyone was worried or anything, I'm fine…lol. High School is pretty fun, actually.

By the way, one reviewer said that I should try to keep the chapters as deep as possible. I will try! Here it goes, hope you're not disappointed.

Warning: This story is not good for little children and people that are homophobic and dislikes yaoi pairings. Leave now or the waters will be rough ahead, I can promise you that.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any mentions of the movie Sin City, (although I wish I did…).

Chapter Four: The Oak Hole

"Seto, we don't want to be late! The movie is going to start without us, you know!"

I sighed in aggravation. We were sitting in the car, (I was obviously in the driver's seat, expected to start the car already so we could get moving, Mokuba was squirming in the passenger seat next to me, barking orders from his little 12-year-old mouth). At 3:00 sharp Mokuba had pushed me out of my office and, using his master-mind tactics of persuasion, into the car. He told me that he wasn't going to take any chances with me, things needed to be placed under his jurisdiction if we were going to go at all. Unbeknownst to him, I had given up the chance of one billion dollars to do this. There was no way in hell I would miss out now.

Jamming the key into the ignition, I said, "Mokuba, the movie doesn't start for another half hour, we have time."

"Well, you want to get a good seat, right?"

"Put your seat belt on," I told him, ignoring the previous question as I pushed the gas pedal and startled the car into moving at a comfortable speed.

Mokuba chattered incessantly about the movie all the way to the cinema. We were going to see a movie called Sin City, which, apparently, all the kids in his school had seen and he had heard oh so much about. However, he strangely couldn't tell me anything about the plot other than the fact that Jessica Alba played a stripper.

I wasn't really paying him any mind, I figured the movie wasn't going to be that bad if all his friends had seen it and not had a problem with it. Unconsciously, I pushed thoughts of the movie away from me and began thinking about more pressing matters. Like my company.

The overall value of stock had slipped to $30 despite all the money from Toshokama, and the money from my various amusement parks and theme centers. It didn't make any sense…then I reminded myself. Yes it did. Companies fall, they break, they die. Don't they? Of course they do.

Perhaps it was time to begin thinking about trashing the company and starting again with a new source of income, (begin making new products, things other than Duel Monsters equipment, the same thing I did with Gozaburo's company when I came to charge). But…that would mean…giving up on the very dream I had derived when starting the company. That would mean, quitting.

It's not really quitting, per se…It's more like…accepting defeat and trying to save your own skin.

That's the synonym for quitting. Is it not? Of course it is…I can't quit now. I would succeed with this Duel Monsters business. Things would look up soon, I knew. After all…there was Tuesday night, with the $684,000. That was bound to help some.

Oh who the hell was I kidding? There was no chance in all the seven goddamn hells that Toshokama was going to give me nearly that much. He probably wouldn't even give me the $90,000. I'd be lucky to get that much, honestly.

Then why do it?

That question I couldn't answer. I supposed it was because of…all the psychological comfort of knowing that despite all the hardship of giving myself unwillingly to someone I was still doing something to try. Trying.

Or maybe…because it was the little bit of love I had been getting through-out all this, the little bit of needed punishment along with a little bit of protection I felt when I was under his heavy weight…

What the fuck? Of course that wasn't the reason why! Of course not! I mentally slapped myself for even thinking such horrible nonsense. What the hell was I, a depraved child or something sick? Of course not. Iie. Iie. Iie. I was doing this for the money and nothing more. Goddamn myself for that wretched, wretched thought. God. Maybe I really was sick. Maybe I needed a shrink. Maybe I wasn't nearly the strong person my stepfather had brought up. Maybe I was just a pathetic weakling who enjoyed being raped. Maybe I was.

Iie. Iie, of course not. Iie, those thoughts before were just weird things from a mind deprived of sleep.

Sleep, right…I had been able to sleep the night before, but only for an hour. I missed my damn sleeping pills. I would need to stop by the pharmacy and pick up some more on my way home from the movies.

Briefly in the distance I heard my name being called.

"Seto? Seto? Seto? Are you okay?"

It was Mokuba. Groggily, I turned my head in his direction and said, "Hai. What is it?"

"You passed the cinema three blocks back!"

I sighed. "Gomen. I'll go back." Sloppily, I made a U-turn and went back under Mokuba's directions to the movie theatre. I parallel-parked in front of the place in a spot I was sure to see later. It felt like I would loose it if I couldn't see it as soon as I left, I was that tired.

The car fizzled out of life. We sat in silence before getting out. What was he waiting for? He probably wondered the same. Things were suddenly very awkward.

Mokuba fidgeted. "Seto…are you sure you're okay? Because if you feel sick or something we could go back home and maybe you could rest—.."

"Iie, Mokuba. I'm fine. Let's just go in, shall we?" I opened the door with a loud clunk and went to the other side to help my little brother out. He moved with his head down, seeming reluctant.

"What's wrong, Otōto?" I asked, staring at the black forest of the top of his head.

"….Nothing…"

We were walking to the front of the elaborately decorated movie theatre. A line of people snaked out the door, prophesizing an extensive wait in our future.

"I thought you wanted to see this movie, Mokuba." I was trying to make him brighter by mentioning the things he liked, (a pathetic tactic, but a semi-effective one at times). I really couldn't understand his dismay. It was probably something that I had done, once again. I never knew what he wanted; I was a terrible big brother.

"I do, but…" He still eyed the floor.

I took the bottom of his chin in my hand and lifted his face to meet mine, ceasing the walk. We would settle this now or not at all, I knew. "But what?"

His purple eyes vibrated with emotion as they stared at me, burning my face. He forced his head out of my hands and said, "Seto…there's something wrong with you, lately. I know it! Why won't you tell me what it is? I want to help!"

I shifted the weight in my legs and stared at a pebble in the cement, anything to get the focus off my accusing little brother who was absolutely right. I should just tell him already. So what if he knew that the company was going down? So what if he found out that his precious big brother was a prostitute? No harm down there, right? Obviously not. I couldn't possibly tell him, not in the open public, anyway.

Of course I never counted on him guessing. "Is Kaiba Corp. not doing so well, Seto? Is that it?"

Unwillingly, I tore my gaze from the pebble and looked at him through pained eyes. "Mokuba…" Why couldn't I deny it? That was the only logical way to keep him happy, wasn't it? But then I realized. He wasn't happy. He knew it anyway. If he wanted, at any time, he could look up online or in the newspaper my company's value of stock. And he would then figure everything out for himself. And worse, he would know that I had been lying to him all this time.

Was it possibly better to tell him straight out right now?

"What, Seto?" Now he seemed just aggravated. He stared at me again, a tired look lurking in his eyes.

I wrenched my vision back to the pebble.

"Hai…" I said.

Mokuba looked at me imploringly. "Hai? You mean…that the company is not doing good?" Inwardly, I smirked at his cuteness despite everything else, ("good" instead of "well").

"Hai." This time more forcefully.

My little brother stared at me. Now he knew what a failure I was. But strangely, I didn't feel only the shame. I felt a little twinge of relief mixed in it. I didn't have to pretend anymore…

He nodded, finally. "Ok. Well…how bad?"

Hell. I had gone this far. "Thirty."

"Overall?" His eyebrows shot up.

I nodded.

A tiny jaw dropped. "Seto…" he choked out. "What happened?"

The relief was gone. Now there was only the shame. The utter shame at having failed in everything I had tried to achieve. Why the hell had I told him? What was wrong with me? Was I retarded? Was I sick?

I raised a hand to my forehead and touched my fingertips to my eyebrow. "People don't care about Duel Monsters anymore…"

"That's not true! Everyone at school still plays with them! It's still really big!"

Now I was confused. I had been assured that Duel Monsters was certainly not the thing any longer…could I be wrong? Then why…iie, Mokuba was the one with misgivings. "Mokuba, I don't think you're correct."

He blinked back in surprise. "I am."

I stared at him. Maybe his friends were the only ones that still played with them. Hai, that was probably it. "Well, regardless, it's still only thirty."

Mokuba's eyes widened and he sighed. "That's crazy…Seto, I—.."

But the sound of the loud speaker from the movie theatre came across us saying, "The 3:30 showing of Sin City has only three seats left. Will all parties containing over three people please leave. Arigatō gozaimasu."

I looked at Mokuba. "Do you still want to see it?"

He nodded weakly, still looking reluctant.

But we had come all the way here and I had cancelled all my plans, so I took his hand and walked briskly to the front of the line where they gave us our tickets, (and an odd look when they saw Mokuba's youngness, which I wasn't to figure out until the movie began). They sat us down in two middle seats, one next to a fat woman who had three bags of large popcorn and four candy wrappers around her feet. She seemed nice, though, as she smiled at Mokuba when he sat next to her, discussed characters of the film with him, and offered him some of her food at various times during the picture. (I deemed her safe and allowed this two hour friendship to transpire.) The other seat next to me was occupied by an older man who looked lonely. He didn't have anything to eat or drink and throughout the duration of the picture he sat with his arms wrapped tightly around himself and his large jacket.

As soon as I saw Nick Stahl as a child molester I began to wonder if my judgment was wise in letting Mokuba view this film. Of course as soon as Micky Rourke made his appearance with Goldie and Mokuba had to lean over to me to ask what they were doing together, I immediately cursed myself and my stupid thinking that just because his friends had seen it everything would be fine. I massaged the bridge of my nose and told Mokuba that they were just talking. Yet, by the end of it all, he figured it out on his own I'm sure.

The very second the screen went black and the red lettering appeared for the credits, I hustled Mokuba out of there, just in time for him to say his good-byes to the kind woman next to us.

"Wow, that was a great movie, Seto!" Mokuba said happily as the double doors swung behind us on our way out, (maybe he had forgotten about our discussion before the movie?).

"Iie. It was not." I hated the movie. I wasn't sure if it was because it was just about killing or the fact that they had glorified the degrading life accompanying prostitution. How…dare they? Did they not know of the pain that went with the sex? Did they think that prostitutes could run everything, like the fabled city of Old Town?

Mokuba gasped. "Really…I thought you would have loved that movie. You like that kind of stuff, don't you? Killing, mob dealings…and they even had samurai action in it, Seto!"

I blinked. He was absolutely right. A few months ago before this whole thing with Toshokama and my company I probably would have loved that movie more than Mokuba. "You're right…" I told him. "It's just…"

"Nani?" Mokuba asked. "What?" We were standing just outside of the car.

"I guess my tastes changed." I flashed him a brief smile to calm those worrisome eyes and opened the car door. When we were alone in the car together Mokuba got serious.

"Seto…about before…" I revved the car and pulled out widely.

"I don't want to talk about it, Mokuba."

My little brother, who had to brace himself against the speed of the pull-out said, "I know…but…I have an idea."

"I don't want to talk about it, Mokuba." I was weaving through the traffic, people were honking at me. I just wanted to get home. I couldn't care less about those people who were afraid of my dangerous driving techniques.

"Seto, watch out!" I swerved to miss an oncoming truck. But I did not slow down.

"Seto, be careful! Drive safe!" I did not heed him. I just kept looking indifferently out of the windshield as my hands seemed to drive the car of their on volition.

I didn't relax until we were home. I pulled forcefully into the garage and shut the car off immediately upon arrival. When I let go of the steering wheel, I let out a gigantic breath and began panting. When had I begun holding my breath? Probably about the time Mokuba stopped talking about my company because he was too busy helping me mind the road and trying to calm my road rage.

Mokuba was panting, too, but probably because he was scared. "Kami, Seto…you have to be more careful when you drive."

I nodded. "Sure." I moved to depart from the vehicle, but Mokuba grabbed me. Upon feeling the tiny hand wrap around my forearm I halted, even though I could have easily yanked him off of me.

I would have had to face this either way. Any time. Soon, as a matter of fact.

"What is it, Mokuba?"

He sighed. I saw him near tears again. "Seto…could it be time to call Katsumoto-san?"

My insides froze at hearing the name. A deep hate rose in me immediately after it. I turned to Mokuba ready to strangle him for even uttering that name. (I did not.)

"Iie," I said briefly and stonily. There was no way I would ever call him. Ever. Not even if this prostitution failed and everything turned to nothing.

"Get out of the car now, Mokuba." My little brother seemed hurt that I had to be so rough with him, but I did not care. I had to be alone now. No more talking.

Even after Mokuba left, I felt the hate of Katsumoto's memory. Of course, the one who had sparked this hate in me, (Mokuba-chan), did not know why I hated the sound of it so much, and perhaps never would. I wanted to keep my little brother's innocence as long as I could. For now, I just needed to forget that Katsumoto had ever been brought up and just go on with what I had been doing lately. Jesus. Compared to Katsumoto, Toshokama seemed like a warm father giving me understanding hugs instead of forced sex.

I felt so numb…sitting there in the car. There had been too many emotions today in these short hours; I needed to relax them all at once. But I could not. One hand ran itself through my hair. Too many thoughts.

And Katsumoto was like a tick. Once he wormed his way into your skin, he stayed put stubbornly, feasting himself on your blood, growing fatter at your own displeasure. I could not get him out of my mind now.

I sighed. Sleep would feel so good and…damn. I had forgotten about the cursed sleeping pills I wanted to buy from the pharmacy. I would be without sleep for days, now. Like that would help for anything.

One more sigh. I threw my head back against the car's head rest and closed my weary eyes.

Suddenly and for no reason at all, I began thinking about Jonouchi. He had actually shown up at my house the night before. So unexpectedly…somehow I had managed to repress all thoughts of him from my mind until just that moment. Maybe Jonouchi was like Katsumoto. He slunk inside your mind and stayed there until you noticed him.

Iie.

Jonouchi was not like that. Not at all.

I thought of Jonouchi and suddenly thought of the bruises. Who had hurt him? Why were they there? I didn't presume to know anything about Jonouchi's life other than the fact that he was poor, (that fact was obvious enough by his mannerisms and clothing, perpetually ragged). Maybe he was involved in a gang somewhere. Probably. Or maybe he had been mugged. Or maybe his father beat the hell out of him every night and raped him on the floor of his bedroom. I had no idea. And I couldn't think about Jonouchi without feeling the guilt that went along with the punch I had administered to him and the rudeness I gave him when he had shown up after who-knew what madness. It was all my fault.

I sighed. What way could I fix all these problems? Well, there were some that proved to be utterly irreparable, like Toshokama and his nonsense, (could it be called nonsense? Not really. It meant too much to be nonsense). And of course my company. That needed fixing. But…I had no solution to these problems. They were too different to be considered one and the same problem, it was more like they were intertwined problems, even if you fixed one of them, the other would still be there.

Violently, I pushed thoughts of that aside and thought about the ones I could fix. Mokuba. That would take a hug and nothing less. I could give a hug. Hopefully he would leave my company to me…I could fix that, too, once I reminded him who the big brother was. Mokuba was easy. Maybe that's why I loved him so much; he was never one of the real problems in my life. He just floated above everything.

Jonouchi. Could I fix that, too? Make inu? The mutt? Maybe. I didn't honestly know.

How could I? What did he want? Maybe…maybe I had to return the favor of what he had done last night. Maybe I had to show up at his house and apologize.

Definitely not. First of all, I really didn't owe Jonouchi an apology. He was the one that had come to my house in the middle of the night, not the other way around, and just because I had acted badly about it, didn't mean that it was necessarily my fault. How could I be expected to act at that ungodly, hateful hour? Especially after what I had been through that night alone.

Whatever. I didn't really care after all…

Or did I? I wouldn't be thinking about it if I didn't care.

Shut-up.

I opened my eyes and sat up. What did I really need to do right now? I really needed to work on my company and see what could fix that huge problem—that problem was bigger than Jonouchi goddamn it.

I put my hand to the ignition and prepared to pull out and head for Kaiba Corp. But I stopped before I actually did it. My hand wouldn't move. My mind was telling it to, but I just couldn't.

At that moment in time, I would have rather died than go to my company. That wretched place of death. That horrible accursed…I could not go there. I would sooner throw my precious laptop against the pavement.

I dropped my hand. Where else would I go? I could not very well stay in this place. It was a horrible garage in the first place, too empty. And I could not go into my house—what would I do besides work? Mokuba was not ready for me; I was not ready for him. The best thing for me to do was leave this place and go somewhere.

So, I left my car and my house and I began walking to a park known simply as Domino City Park. Sometimes I felt bad that they had no other name for it, and other times it amused me. The park was located right in the very center of the city. At least now there was no confusion over that, thanks to the name.

The sun was slanted in the sky. It was about 4:00 now. It started getting dark around 6:00. I had a few hours unless I wanted to stay in the dark, (which didn't seem to daunt me, Mokuba would not be nervous if he didn't find me, he would think I was at the office).

I walked down the city streets in my blue trench coat, hands jammed in my pockets. People shuffled around me, too busy to pay any mind to those around them unless people were stationed in a group in which case there was laughter all around and directly in your ear when they passed. Everyone seemed like they had this huge important place in life, yapping into cell phones angrily, eyes floating above the crowd, pushing their way through.

Where was my place among these people? I had once been just like them, my own display of cell phones attached to my belt as proof. But now…I had no more company, basically. Who did that make me? I was certainly not important. I had nothing to show for all the intelligence I once boasted. Everything that had happened between me and my stepfather…everything that I had overcome in my life…it was all nothing.

That's not true, I told myself as I reached the park. You have the memories.

Memories. What good were memories? They couldn't save me in times of trouble. They couldn't really do anything for me, just remind me of what I once was.

I reached the park gates. They were long and tall, rusted over but somehow inviting to me. Green bushes and empty walkways beckoned me inside, promising space to think, clear of the crowds. That was nice enough.

As soon as I entered the park, I tried to stop myself from reciting the regular pity party. I needed to do something else with my thoughts. This was just ruining me. Think about something else.

Like what?

The flowers had come in nicely on the side of the walkway. They were so bright, pink and cheery. Every time I passed another giant bush of them, I had to close my eyes. The flowers were cruel to me, mocking me with their happiness. Nothing unfortunate had ever happened, or would ever happen, to those flowers to stain their petals in blackness…unless there was suddenly a rain storm and I could watch as they drowned in their only source of food, gulping in too much water. And then they would die.

I moved past this cheeriness and entered a grassy area where giant oak trees blocked out the sunlight. It was like a hidden area in the park, I don't think many people went there. I went and sat down in the middle of this patch of darkness.

It was strangely peaceful there. I could feel the wind blowing around me, faintly hear the sounds of the city as they rumbled around me, feel the soft grass beneath my fingertips, and lean my head against the strong oak trees. This was a wonderful place. It was like being inside a hole, hiding from the enemy. I enjoyed it. This was my new place. My Oak Hole.

I closed my eyes. The trees rustled their leaves above me soothingly. There was no one here…my secret place…no one would find me…alone…darkness…hole…alone…

Water droplets fell on my face. One. Two. Four. Six. Ten…it was raining. (Well, I had gotten my wish.)

I opened my eyes. Almost pure darkness met them, for a moment shock rang through my heart, had I gone blind? And then my pupils adjusted. I made out the outline of the trees, the soft rain coming down. It was not at all a violent downpour, just a soft shower really. And it was so warm. Not humid, just warm.

A sigh of relief. I was still safe. But it was so dark…

I looked at my watch. What the living hell? 10:39? At night? How the hell is that possible…I must have fallen asleep.

That was weird. I hadn't planned on staying over six hours. Mokuba…was he starting to worry? Probably not. No one really cared, I didn't think. That was good. This could just be my little secret…no one had to know about this, after all, this place was mine, right?

And then I heard footsteps in the distance, feet clomping through newly formed puddles. Damn. Maybe I wasn't alone. Oh well. It was probably just a park ranger or something closing up for the night…hopefully, anyway. I only prayed that they hadn't locked me in here by myself.

Slowly, the footsteps approached. Maybe I should make an attempt to leave before this person showed up. Just as I was about to stand up, the speed of the steps increased. The person was now running. Why? That didn't make any sense to me.

The first shape visible in the distance was, of course, the blonde hair. Eventually all of Jonouchi came into view and I saw him running toward the spot that I was currently stationed at—my Oak Hole. What was…

He reached the entrance, I standing there, looking at him incredulously and him panting and staring at me like I had nine heads.

"Kaiba?"

"Jonouchi?"

Then, in perfect unison, "What are you doing here?"

Jonouchi looked irritated and angry. Like he couldn't deal with me right now, he wouldn't stand for it. His face had only slight traces of bruises where I had hit him. I couldn't make out any other bruises in the rain.

"You first, Kaiba!"

I sighed. What to tell him? "I don't have to explain myself to you, mutt." I snarled. It was goddamn raining, and I wasn't ready to face Jonouchi just yet. I needed time to prepare my strategy for reparation.

"Oh yes you do! This is my place, Rich Boy!" There was not a hint of niceness in his voice when he said this. He rarely got this angry.

"What do you mean, 'your place'? It is a public park, Jonouchi." And mine.

His brown eyes flashed angrily, even in the rain, which I noticed was gently picking up ferocity. "I was here first!" he shouted, like a child that missed his turn on the swings.

I sighed. Perhaps he was…why would I want to fight with him right now, anyway? It would only make my problem worse.

"Get yer ass outta here, Kaiba!"

I wanted to tell him to relax. But I didn't know how he would take that. And he had no right to speak to me that way.

"A little surly tonight, aren't we, Jonouchi?" These insults felt so stupid because we had to shout over the sound of the rain.

"Shuddup! This is my place! Get the hell out!" He moved toward me like he was going to physically throw me out of here. He came at me with his hands ready to grab me. Instead, I caught said hands and latched onto them, keeping him in check.

His snarling face was so near to mine. And he was dripping wet. I was a little thrown by the realization that he might actually want to hurt me. But it would only be justice. I had punched him unfairly earlier that week, what could he do but return the favor?

"Jonouchi. Let's not fight," I said.

"Backin' down, Kaiba Boy?"

"Iie!" I said, out of habit, really. I'd never back down. But…this time, I had to. I did not want to fight with Jonouchi right now. "It's not like that. It's for your own good, I—.."

He broke free with one hand and threw a punch. I dodged, my own hand swinging in automatic response and connecting with his jaw square on.

We both stopped. The rain fell harder. Jonouchi was doubled over in pain.

Perfect job, Seto. You've managed to break the kid's jaw.

I stood there for a moment listening to his colorful swearing. Then I went over and put both hands on his shoulders. "You alright?" I asked.

He squirmed out of my hands. "Fine. Just fine." Anger, covered humiliation ringing clear through his voice.

The rain had almost stopped now. Just in time for the both of us to be soaked down to our skin.

"Is it broken?" I asked. Damn reflexes.

"I don't think so…" He stood straight up, wet hair flinging back as he did so. He was massaging the area of connection and cracking it from side to side.

Angry and frustrate that this had not gone at all like I planned; I crossed my arms and turned away from him. "Told you." Oh well. At least he had relaxed a little bit now, regardless of how I got there, I had eventually subdued him.

To my surprise he began chuckling. I turned back around, confused.

"You really got me, there, Kaiba." He thought this was…funny?

I blinked. "I warned you."

This just made him switch to full laughter. "Yeah, but what are ya', like, this karate expert or somethin'?"

Shockingly enough, I found myself struggling to keep down a smile at this statement. Smile? Me? Trying to? What…

Finally I decided to go with it. What the hell, I was going to die fairly soon anyway. "You bet your ass."

He laughed heartily. The rain had turned to a light mist now. But we were still drenched. Nevertheless, Jonouchi went over and sat in front of an oak tree, seeming not to be bothered by the mist or the fact that he was exposing his throat to a potential enemy.

He looked so calm sitting there, and his clothes were sticking to him. I watched as he relaxed fully into the bark of the tree, feeling a strange sensation creep over me that I hadn't felt in a long time, so long that I didn't even remember what it was called. It was just the tiniest hint of emotion.

"But seriously, are ya'?" He kept his eyes closed.

What to tell him? "Iie…not really."

He shrugged. "Whatever."

I didn't know if I should leave or not. I didn't want to leave, go home to that hell of its own. And it didn't seem right to leave Jonouchi all alone over here. So I sat down beside him.

"What are ya' doin' here, anyway?"

Even though he couldn't see it with closed eyes, I shrugged. "I don't really know. I was going for a walk when I stopped here. I guess I fell asleep. That was at four and I don't remember anything until you came."

Whoa…why was I telling him all this? He didn't care at all. And that was my secret, the sleeping part. I was not supposed to let anyone know, least of all Jonouchi. Why was my mouth running amok all of a sudden?

"Yeah, this place is real nice like that. I like goin' here when I'm messed up and need to relax."

Interesting. What would mess him up? "Is that why you're here now?" I was watching him as he remained oblivious to the world, (eyes closed), and talked to me.

"Yeah." He was acting so casual, around me, as well. I found it…weird. But I didn't dislike it. In fact, dare I say that it was kind of natural?

We were silent for a few more moments. I studied him. One arm rested on a bent left knee, the other leg and arm went straight out. His clothes were wet and sticking to him like mine, (not leaving much to the imagination to be honest). The emotion within me grew stronger. What was this feeling? It felt…

"I'm damn tired." His voice startled me out of my concentration.

I didn't say anything in return, I was too embarrassed. For I just realized what I had been staring at all that time. Why was I even looking there? Good thing his eyes were closed, he couldn't see my blush.

He stretched agilely. I tried not to look but of course failed miserably. Damn he was…

I knew this feeling all of a sudden. My blush deepened.

I shook my head, trying to clear it of those thoughts. How could I even feel that anymore with what Toshokama was doing to me? I had thought it was impossible, but…apparently not.

"Kaiba?"

I grunted in response, trying to act normal and not at all nervous.

"What's the one thing you want most in the world?"

That was an easy enough question. I wanted my company back. Though it was not like I would come out and tell that to Jonouchi. That was personal information. If at all possible, I would keep at least one secret from him.

"I don't know," I said simply.

He opened his eyes and turned to look at me. I hoped my blush had subsided a little. "Yes you do, Kaib'. Everyone knows the thing they want the most. I won't tell nobody…it's ok if you say it."

So I looked away and decided I would give him half my answer. "I just want to live, I guess."

He looked surprised but not shocked. I wondered how many people he had asked this to. "But…you are livin', right?"

I shrugged once more. "I can't really call what I do living. It's just existing, not living."

He stared at me for a moment. Then he said, "That's a good wish, you know?"

I nodded. "What about you? What do you want most?" I don't know why I cared. Maybe I was just being polite and asking this question to keep a conversation. But something felt more than that…

He sighed and looked at the tree. One of his skinny, rough hands ran gently over the bark. "I want to survive."

I blinked. "Survive what?"

"Life." He leaned back against the tree after this was said.

I pondered this response for a while, sitting there with him. What did he mean? His life must have been hell enough not to think he would be able to survive it. But what would help him? Didn't he have those irritating friends to bond with, like, 24/7? Maybe that wasn't enough. Maybe they were just there, just existing for him, not fulfilling his survival needs.

My cell phone rang in the middle of this thinking, startling us both. Jonouchi managed to laugh it off, but I was worried as soon as I checked the caller ID: Ichigata-san.

What bad news would I get now?

I answered it apprehensively. "Moshi moshi?"

The nervous voice of my Vice President answered me without hesitation. "Kaiba-sama, where are you?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"There is a…rather…well, there's a man here to see you."

"Is there? What's his name?"

I heard shouts in the background. They were enough to make me stand straight up and forget about Jonouchi being there at all. This was in my office there were shouts. What the hell as going on?

"I…can't…exactly tell you that on the phone, sir. Could you just…come by the office?" More shouts. "Immediately?"

"Of course. I'll be there in one second." I hung up promptly.

Gathering myself in frantic cautiousness, I turned to Jonouchi.

"What was that about?" he asked.

I shook my head swiftly. "I have to go. Don't tell anyone that you found me here…ok?"

He nodded, but seemed a little disappointed. "I won't if you won't tell about what I said."

"Deal. Sayonara." And with that, I fled the park and ran all the way to my office.

Not a thought in my mind was on anything but the office. Who had arrived? What was going on? Why was I not there in the first place? I should have been. This is exactly why I was such an irresponsible boss, I was never doing the right thing. That wasn't true…

My mind was running faster than my feet. I think it reached the office before I did.

Which is a good thing. Because my heart would have just given out if it had seen who exactly was in my office without any warning form my brain.

A/N: Ugh…cliffhanger. So sorry! OMG, I said I would never, but here I am, tricking all you guys with it, I'm so sorry! Oh well. I can promise that the next chapter won't take too long…well, it might. I don't know. School is a many wretched thing! I'm actually procrastinating my homework to write this to you…is that not backwards?

Well, thanks to everyone who read this, I hope you enjoyed it, sorry if there was any OOC-ness with Kaiba, and I know the Sin City thing was kind of unexpected, please forgive me. I had to put that in there because it's like one of the best movies ever, and it totally applies here. So yeah. There you go, that's why I did it.

To fallen-angel-of-repression, I have not forgotten about you! I love your story, you're right, the chapters after 12 had a lot more action in them, very sad action, but still wonderfully written. I'll get that review out soon enough! I just have to keep up with everything, you know? Grr…I'm so sorry to make you wait like this. Forgive me!

Also, to any who care, I've written a one-shot on the side of this, (something that has absolutely nothing to do with this story), and it's a SetoxRyou and a suicide fic, so if any of you are interested, I beg of you to read it! It's really weird, of course, because it is written by me, but I think a lot of you will like it. So, if you wan to, check it out, if not, I'm out.

Thanks everyone, sorry if it was boring, too, by the way…please review! Peace out.