Part of the Background
Summary: A little snippet from the POV of a seemingly minor character, concerning the main "antagonist". More short stories concerning the two will be added depending upon reviews. No pairings. General fluff, dabbles of angst later.
Disclaimer: I don't own it, so you can't sue me! Haha, lawyers, take that bill and stick it!
Introduction
I recall those fateful words so vividly, even after nearly ten years.
"He's your responsibility now. Keep him out of trouble."
I was twenty-three and new to the company, only started a few weeks ago. I had foolishly thought I'd be paid to guard important business men. But, no. I was in charge of watching out for him.
I looked over the rim of my uniform sunglasses, down at my new charge in vague annoyance. He was puny, scrawny, the very definition of a runt. Who knew he'd grow up to be so tall, intimidating, and powerful? But that's in the future. Now, he barely reached my waist and stood staring up at me with wide-eyed and unguarded apprehension.
Those eyes, so brilliantly blue, filled with fear and mistrust, yet somehow managing to pierce into my very soul. It was those eyes that intrigued me enough that my annoyance vanished upon locking gazes, swiftly replaced with interest and curiosity.
"As you've probably guessed, I'll be your bodyguard." I knelt down to become eyelevel with him, noting the slightest relaxation. I tried a smile, but I guess it seemed more like a devious smirk when accompanied by my sunglasses, for he took a step back, his eyes now becoming suspicious. I held up a hand in an unarmed, friendly manner. "No need to be so jumpy." I paused, thinking. I needed him to trust me. One of the first things I learned in 'Goon School', as my mother so fondly referred to it as, was that your job is a hell of a lot easier if your charge trusts you. Especially if he's a kid. If he didn't trust me, how could I stop him from running off or ditching me as often as possible, putting himself into danger?
Heaving a sigh, I removed my sunglasses and tucked them into the front pocket of my black suit jacket. "I think it'd be best if we introduced ourselves. Don't you agree that it'd make life a lot easier if we don't have to say 'Hey, whatsyourname!'?" The tiniest of smalls appeared on his face, proving that my attempt at a joke was at least mildly successful. I held out my hand to him, saying as I did so, "My name is Roland."
He hesitated, blue eyes wary. I grimaced internally. Gozaburo had already managed to damage him after just a few hours. But I was patient, and left my hand hanging untouched in the air as he debated with himself. After a moment, I decided it was futile to try and coax him out of the shell Gozaburo had chased him into. I began to bring my hand away when I felt the cool, light touch on my palm.
He stood there, eyes as wide as ever as he stared levelly at me. He smiled, and I instinctively knew it was a rare sight--but I didn't know it'd become an even rarer sight as my employer worked his cruel magic on the boy. "I'm Seto."
I bowed my head respectfully. "I'm sure it will be a pleasure serving as your bodyguard, Master Seto." I recall now that I did once call him by his first name, until the day his life changed so drastically that we all immediately referred to him as 'Mr. Kaiba'. But that is still years to come, and until that day, Seto he remained.
KT: Yes I know it's short. It's just the introduction. If the reviews are positive, expect more stories from Roland about Seto's childhood (if you want to call that torture a childhood...)
A/N: This fic is based off a combination of information from the anime and manga, as well as a dash of my own thoughts and ideas.