A/N: I spent a while thinking about where to take this plot. Not saying I'm ending it so soon, oh no. We've got, at the moment, … 6 more chapters left. That's what? A total of 12 chapters? My longest yet! ;3 I knew Seto angst would get me somewhere!
Speaking of Seto angst, I'm not allowed to make Seto cry as much as I am. He says it's making him seem like a mouse of a CEO. Heh, mice can be cute, Seto.
---
Midori fidgeted as her brunette boss passed by her. It was rare for her to see the CEO, much less while she was plotting something. After he had left and the hall was once again vacant, she rushed to the last door on the end of the hall and quickly entered, closing the door behind her. She reached over and flipped the switch, shedding light on her surroundings.
Desk, papers, laptop, shelfs of books- oh, yes, this was diffidently Mr. Kaiba's study. She really wasn't supposed to here. But she couldn't call from any other phone in the mansion because those others were destined to find her. No one ever, ever just walked into Mr. Kaiba's study. It just didn't happen. Midori locked the door and walked lightly over to the desk. She thought for a few minutes if she should sit down in the oversized leather chair or if she should just stand. Her aching feet from below reminded her that she had been on her feet all day. In the back of her head, she just told herself it was a reward for her hard work.
Without hesitation, Midori plopped down in the leather chair, sighing as she nearly sunk into it. She could tell by the body imprint that Mr. Kaiba spent most of his time in this chair. She took the phone up and dialed the number written on her hand. She had done some research the other day and easily found the number to Otogi Ryuuji's home in America. There were 3 short rings before a voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Is this the Otogi residence?"
"I would think it is."
"Is … is Ryuuji there?"
"What can I do for you?"
Midori forgot about her original reason for calling and began to ramble on. The man on the other end listened, not too well though, to Midori. Finally the girl was worn out and she remembered her first intention.
"Mr. Otogi, Ryuuji-sama, I originally called to ask you if Yugi Muto was there."
"He's here. Why do you ask?"
"I need to talk to him … about the Jounouchi Katsuya case."
"… Hmm, I've been kind of curious about that myself. Yugi doesn't say much about that."
"I was told to call him by an old friend, Honda."
"Honda? When did you talk to him?"
"Just recently."
"What did he tell you?"
"That Yugi was living with you. He said you were a good guy, but you were always …"
"What?"
"Always trying to get in Jounouchi's pants."
"It figures he'd say something like that. Look, if you were there at the time, you'd be trying the same thing. But Kaiba kept stopping me. At the time, I would have given anything to be with that blond-haired wonder boy. But then I got my reply from Pegasus and I had to pursue my game. Kaiba's lucky, I would have had him wrapped around my finger."
Midori laughed at this and smiled, playing with some of the papers on the desk, "I guess he is lucky!"
"You know, we've just been rambling on and on, I forgot to get Yugi for you."
"Oh, I never even noticed."
"Let me go get him. Just a second."
Midori waited as she was put on hold, but only for a few minutes as the soft voice of what she thought Yugi would sound like rang in her ear.
"Hello?"
"Yugi?"
"Who's this?"
"My name is Midori. I'm calling to ask you about the Jounouchi Katsuya case."
"Hm."
"From what I've heard, you were his best friend. So I thought you could give me the best insight."
"Really? I'm afraid all I can tell you is that I wanted Jou to be happy. While everyone else was upset about Jou being with Kaiba-kun, I thought it was nice. No one seemed to pay Kaiba much attention at the time- or ever! Jou was very sweet to him. I remember shortly after they, um … 'got together' Jou even went to the other side of the country for him."
"Wow!"
"Wow is what I said. Jou really loved him. I'm not sure if Kaiba-kun loved Jou the same. No one is. It was normally Jou who showed all the affection."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, um ..."
"Midori."
"Midori-chan!"
"Did they ever … you know."
"Err … I'm afraid I don't."
"Did they ever have sex?"
Yugi chuckled under his breath at Midori's embarressed voice, "Actually, I'm not sure. I do know that every time Jou tried, Kaiba denied him. But that was only because of Gozaburo. I'm sure you've heard many things about him."
"I have. He didn't sound like the best father figure."
"He wasn't. He left huge marks on Kaiba's back. I remember one time it was in last school festival before we graduated. Jou had talked Seto into trying for the swim contest. When he got out there, he was wearing a t-shirt over his trunks and Jou was trying to get him to take it off. Seto didn't want to, but Jou cornered him and got the shirt. He sent him out there, but by the time he saw the marks, it was too late. Everyone else had seen them too. Everyone started gossiping about it and Seto ran back in the building."
"That's horrible!"
"Jou was only trying to help."
"I know, but I meant the marks. How could Gozaburo be so cruel?"
"I don't know. But Jou thought the same thing. He said he'd make Gozaburo pay. And at one point, he even tried to act on his threat."
"When?"
"About a few months before ... the fall. He snuck out in the middle of the night and tried to break into the mansion. The bodyguards got him though. He was only inches from Gozaburo's door. After they beat him up and threw him out, he ran to my house. You may not know, but going back home was not one of Jou's options."
"... Why?"
"Although Jou was always carrying on about Seto, he too had some family problems. His mother and father were divorced and his sister lived with his mother. I'm not sure if the divorce is what caused it, but Jou's dad wasn't the best of parents."
"You sound like your putting it lightly."
"I am. Seto never found out about it until the funeral. He was so mad at Jou for not telling him. I heard him talking to himself, saying he'd gladly have done anything for Jou. But I guess that's why they made such a great couple- they were coming from similar situations."
"Hmm …"
There was another long silence as Midori listened to Yugi's hitched breathing. It was horrible. The stories and rumors she had heard were no lie- Gozaburo Kaiba was a horrible man who deserved what he got! Sorrow filled her heart; how could Mr. Kaiba possibly keep going on in life? She knew in her own heart she would have killed herself or had a nervous breakdown long ago.
"I'm sorry, Midori, wasn't it? I have to go. I'll be late for work. Ryuuji forgives me far too many times already."
"You work for him?"
"After I came to America, I had nothing. It was only by a small shard of luck that I ran into him. He let me move in with him and even start working for him. I owe him more than I'll be able to give."
"Wow … he really went out on a limb for you, huh?"
"Yes, he has. And because of that, I really need to go."
Midori smiled in the back of her head, "Of course. And Yugi? Thank you. Most people wouldn't be up to talking about something like this."
"I guess I've gotten a handle on it. I used to be so hurt. But nonetheless …"
"I'm sorry! I just keep holding you up. Once again, thank you, Yugi. Bye."
"Of course! Bye, Midori-chan."
Midori hung up the phone and sat back in the leather chair. She laid her head back on the cushioning and rested her mind. She had been so interested in the case in the beginning, but now … it just seemed too much. If only she had just not listened to that old maid. If only she hadn't- what was that? Midori adverted her eyes back to the flashing window on Mr. Kaiba's laptop. Mr. Kaiba had mail. And Midori was just kind enough to read it for him. After reading just the first line, she diagnosed it was boring, CEO junk.
"Oh, well. I guess … while I'm here … I could just …"
Midori's sudden curiosity blinded her. She was in the study of one of the richest and youngest multibillionaires of the world. She was sitting at the laptop that held all the secrets of his business, and possibly life. Who wouldn't be taking over by curiosity? Who wouldn't rummage through all his files? The screen's reflected light bounced off the walls, changing shades every few minutes. Within half an hour, Midori had successfully discovered the plans for Kaibalands future rides, the next installment in the Kaiba branches, and even Mr. Kaiba's … journal? Midori jumped high as there was a sudden banging at the door. Mr. Kaiba's voice boomed and filtered through the thick wood and Midori's heart beat rapidly. She hadn't planned on him coming back so soon!
"Who's in here?"
Midori quickly opened the CD copying program and began the download. She just couldn't leave something like Mr. Kaiba's journal behind. She lowered the laptop closed and rushed over to the door, whipping out her duster in the process. She swung the door open and instantly froze under the deadly stare of those azure eyes. She had quite some trouble stuttering out her apology.
"I-I … I'm sorry, M-Mr. Kaiba. I must have- I must have acc-accidentally locked the door."
"Of course you did. Accidentally."
Midori let out a small breath of air as the brunette brushed past her for the second time that day. She turned her head, wishing with all her might that he wouldn't go to his laptop. And to her luck, he just grabbed a book off the shelf. He then started towards the door.
"Don't ever lock me out of my own study again."
She nodded frantically and once he had left, she ran over to the laptop and snatched the CD out. Not bothering to do anymore, the blonde raced out of the study, the CD secure in her hand.
---
Oh, it's getting juicy now, isn't it? It's Seto's journal. ;D The perfect way to turn a story around, no? I'm sorry this took so long to get out. I've been really into Gaia and Sorry, sorry. Atleast I got it out, right? Heh.