Disclaimer: I don't even own a quote from the show let alone Kaiba Seto, but oh how much I would give for that chance.
A/N:sighs in relief Chapter three is done. Finally! I had actually planned on updating before Christmas but work, shopping and friends back for the holidays took up so much time. I may even start to think like a guy and consider shopping a curse. Although if I had Kaiba's money it would be a whole other story.
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Chapter Three Sunday 8:17amBlack haze. In every direction surrounding Seto all he could see was black haze. Although he failed to understand how one could see a hazy film in front of their eyes when black was the only visible substance. For a few moments his stomach churned with the shifting cloud of matter and the billionaire feared he might vomit the small contents of his stomach, even possible choke on it where he lay. He struggled to control the urge when a stinging pain erupted behind his eyes and banished all thoughts as he slowly gained consciousness.
Seto worked to clear the cobwebs from his head and decipher where he was, what he had been in the midst of before loosing consciousness, and why the hell he was waking to such pain. Pain he couldn't attribute to one part of his body nor state where exactly it was coming from. It was just there, as much a presence as the black haze moments earlier. Fortunately -or unfortunately- he was familiar with stress inducing migraines and per protocol moved beyond the pain to get some well deserving answers.
Relenting at last, Seto pried open his heavy eyelids to reveal an unfamiliar room, resting at an odd angle. It took a few dozen seconds of blinking to clear his vision before he realized the oddity was due to lying on his side. What he lay on was relatively comfortable, soft and plush like, despite the lack of circulation in his right arm. The young CEO's head rested on a firmer shaped pillow that for some bizarre reason was a heat source. In his immediate view he was able to observe a circular table and two metal folding chairs that gave him no instant jar of memory.
A set of fingers had been combing through Seto's hair just as Anzu was prone to do without thought. Why just that morning she had persuaded him to leave their warm bed in favor of the shower with that one move alone. All too soon for his liking, business contracts be damned, he was dropping her off at her dorm where…
Seto shot up from where he lay and lunged off of what he quickly saw to be a couch. The sudden movement seriously messed with his equilibrium and caused Seto to stumble the small distance into the table, hitting his numb shoulder off of the wall, which coincidentally put some feeling back into it.
Memories of the previous day blindsided the billionaire like a slide show stuck on reverse at full speed. That bloody elevator ride.
"Kaiba? Are you alright?" A foreign hand grabbed Seto's arm to help steady him. "Why don't you sit down until you get your bearing's?"
Jerking his arm away he scowled down at his blonde cellmate, who was none other then Taryn SinClair. The fellow student of Anzu's program he'd been introduced to of no will of his. "What did I tell you about touching me?" he growled, head too muddled to toss out any threats. With surer footsteps then before Seto carefully seated himself in a metal chair, relying on the pins and needles awakening in his right arm to help keep him focused. After a few deep breaths, when he was certain he wasn't about to throw up, Seto turned his attention on Taryn.
Smiling, the blonde took that as an invite to sit down. "How are you feeling? You were out for a good twelve hours. I was really starting to worry about you." Taryn made to touch him again but one well-delivered glare distinguished the thought. "You're probably dehydrated. Would you like some water? I already had some but there's close to half a bottle left. It should help you feel better. I'm sure-"
"Shut the hell up before I knock you unconscious," Seto snarled, clutching his head in pain from the still present migraine.
All of her talking was bringing it back to the surface. She was almost as bad as Shizuka on a rant about why Gackt was the best J-rock artist to ever immerge from Japan. Never again would Otogi make the mistake of comparing Gackt to Hyde 1, or any other artist for that matter.
Pleased his out burst had the desired effect albeit due to shock, Seto began studying their surroundings. Besides the table and chairs they were currently occupying, the room housed an old sofa that has an odd shaped brown stain running down one of the cushion backs. It rested on four sturdy wooden legs that matched horribly with the olive green and rusty orange meshed fabric. The sight of the couch alone had Seto's upchuck reflexes standing up to take notice. And to think up until a few minutes earlier he had been sprawled across the entire thing.
The room was a tad on the small side. Nothing much to scream about for architectural design. Mildew gray walls boxed them in, that apart from the barred half circle window high above the couch and the steel door on the other side of the table, there was no way out. Taryn didn't need to tell him they were being held captive, he just knew. After numerous run in's involving Mokuba, Yugi and his posy, the billionaire had developed a sixth sense for it. Not to mention unwelcome co-captives.
"How long have we been here?" he finally broke the silence.
"Half a day at most. They blindfolded me when they brought us here to it's only a rough estimate. I was afraid they would return before you woke up." As if to enforce how frightened she was Taryn hugged herself, looking to the entire world like a vulnerable young woman. It was absolutely pathetic to watch.
Flat out angry as pieces slowly fell into place, Seto narrowed his eyes at her. "Did you even attempt to escape or were you too preoccupied with self pity?"
"What?" her mouth gapped while she raced to answer his insulting question, "I…I was worried…and took care of you. I never thought…did you want me to ignore you?"
"Good deduction."
Deciding to take matters into his own hands the billionaire carefully rose from his chair, scowling at Taryn when she made to help him. The last thing he wanted was her touching him again, and thankfully for her own sake the blonde got the message. Bracing his hand on the wall to maintain what balance he had, Seto made his way over to the door and tested the cold handle. His negative assumption was coincidentally correct. They were locked in.
"Locked, isn't it?" his roommate said settling herself back on the couch. Her eyes were growing heavy and she hid a yawn behind her hand. Sleep would do the two of them good, in the sense it would shut her up. Anything to give Seto peace.
"Why the hell do you think I'm still standing here?" he retorted.
Taryn gave a weak shrug before stretching her arms above her head. "It may sound stupid to you but I don't necessarily not like being locked in. We might be trapped but our kidnappers placed a steel door between them and us. So in a sense we are safe."
Finally of his right state of mind Seto stared at the blonde for a few moments. Where in the name of Ra did she get her philosophies from? Safe? If they remained captive for very long he could see Taryn becoming the type of girl to fall in love with their captors because she was just that twisted. Of course, if push came to shove Seto would definitely use that to his advantage in escaping. He had no qualms whatsoever about allowing Taryn to play the slut for his benefit. After all she seemed quite willing to do so already.
For the time being, with little option but to remain locked in a foreign room, the young CEO returned to his seat to brood and plot; death in the foreseeable future.
"Kaiba?" the blonde called to him, eyebrows drawn together in confusion.
"You're right," he told her, "I think your idea is moronic."
Sunday 9:45amAnzu paced. From the window with a lucky street view, between the beds, to the dorm room door and back. There was more then enough room to maintain her nervous habit, wearing down the carpet underneath her feet. Delaney and Taylor were comfortably situated on the punkster's bed, both enthralled in their card game of war, and paying little heed to the television humming in the corner. Her friends had spent the morning keeping the mood light for Anzu's sake. She appreciated their effort but there was little they could still do that hid the fact that Seto and his promised appearance wasn't going to happen.
No phone call. No quick drop by his penthouse. Not even his much verbally despised text-messaging Seto only used as a last resort. Hell, even Roland came up dry in his attempt to contact her boyfriend regardless of his connections, and that alone put Anzu on edge more then she liked to admit.
The bodyguard, no doubt aware of exactly where her thoughts were heading, sent Anzu a reassuring smile from his seat in her desk chair. When the morning had provided them with little information on Seto's whereabouts Roland hadn't thought twice about leaving Anzu to her leisure, enforcing his new roll with a reminder that Kaiba-san would have wished protection in such a situation. As comforting as the idea seemed it left a gnawing feeling in the bottom of her stomach.
Unwilling to jump to the worst possible option, the dancer fell backwards onto her bed and threw her arm over her eyes. There had to be at least one person in all of Toronto who had seen Seto last night. Who had he said he was meeting with? Or better yet Kaiba Corp. was certain to have kept tabs on their beloved CEO. And then it hit her.
"Mokuba!" Anzu jolted upright. "Why didn't I think of it before?"
Delaney looked up at her in bewilderment. "What the hell's a mokuba?"
"Not a what, a who," she replied, dumping the contents of her purse onto her bed in search of her cell phone. Mirror, tin of mints, crushed coupon, Duel Monster card, chap stick….
"Alright. Who is this Mokuba?" Taylor asked, admitting defeat against Delaney and just offering her his cards.
Cell phone! Anzu wasted no time in hitting the speed dial for the Kaiba Mansion and nervously began her ritual of pacing the floor. After an elongated pause, that had her checking to see if her battery was dying, she heard a ring. Once…twice…three times…. Why wasn't anyone answering? There had to be two dozen phones in Seto's home at the very least.
"Ah… Anzu?" her friend tried a second time, "Mokuba would be who?"
"Mokuba-san is Kaiba-san's younger brother," Roland answered, speaking for the first time since introductions had been made.
Sending the bodyguard a grateful smile Anzu began scrolling through her list of numbers in search of the young Kaiba's cell phone number. After many seconds of nail biting nerves she found it somewhere between Mai and Mutsuko's Dance Studio.
Intrigued by another male specimen Delaney joined the conversation. "So, how old is this guy?"
"He will be thirteen in July." It was almost creepy how much Roland knew about Seto and Mokuba's private life. He was only doing his job but sometimes she found his knowledge of them a tiny bit unnerving.
Delaney tossed her deck of cards under the bed. "Bummer."
When the phone began to ring Anzu tuned everyone one around her out and started to count the number of rings. Halfway through ring seven she heard a much welcomed and missed voice. It was buried in admits lots of noise but she heard it regardless.
"Hey Mokuba."
There was a surprised pause before she got a reply. "Anzu, hey! What's up? We were just talking about you."
The enthusiasm in his voice put a smile on Anzu's face and she sat back down on her bed. "Actually I'm calling about your brother. Do you know where he is?"
"Ahh… Nii-sama is probably at Kaiba Corp." Mokuba offered for information, before there was a rustling in her ear, "Why don't you try his cell?"
"Seto already surprised me two days ago, Mokuba, so you don't need to worry about covering for him," she quickly informed him, "Except I haven't seen him at all today. He had a conference meeting yesterday and we were supposed to get together last night but he never showed. You wouldn't happen to know why, or better yet where Seto is and a possible number I can reach him at?"
"He's not with you?" The plain confusion that carried over the line did little to calm Anzu's nerves.
She shook her head before realizing Mokuba couldn't see her. "No, not since yesterday morning."
"I'm coming over then," he responded, sparing no time to think about his drastic decision.
Oh bad, oh bad, oh bad, bad, bad! He could most definitely not be thinking what she hoped he wasn't. As much as it would be nice to see him again after the New Year, it was not the time for one to hop on a plane and jet across the ocean.
"What? Wait, Mokuba, you can't! It's probably nothing big anyway. Don't worry about it." It was turning out to be a very bad choice in contacting the young Kaiba. Nothing and no one could keep him away from Seto especially if there was a chance something was wrong. She had to persuade him not to fly over and fast. "You have school you need to attend Moki, and it isn't safe to fly all by yourself. Seto wouldn't want you to, he wouldn't allow you to."
There was some shuffling at the other end. "Don't worry, Anzu, I'll be there soon. Okay? Bye." And then she was left with the dial tone.
The dancer sat in shocked silence, unaware of the repetitious beeping carrying on in her ear. That hadn't gone anywhere near what she expected. It shouldn't have surprised Anzu that Mokuba would have no problems with casting aside his daily regime all for his brother's sake. As if Seto's whereabouts unknown weren't bad enough, Mokuba's actions were causing panic to set it for Anzu because that only meant one thing. He didn't know where Seto was either. She couldn't let him come. There was no way she could let him come!
"Anzu? Are you okay?" Somewhere in the midst of her woe Taylor had sat down beside her and gave her shoulder a comforting pat. "Did you get a hold of Mokuba?"
There wasn't any time to answer his questions. She needed to move immediately.
"Roland, you have to do something!" Anzu hurried to his side, "Mokuba can't come here, he can't! Especially by himself, Seto would never allow it. Please cal him and tell him otherwise! Please!" To show how emphatic she was, she grabbed the bodyguard's hand and pressed her phone into his palm.
"His face full of sympathy and regret, Roland shook his head. "Unfortunately Mokuba-san is as stubborn as Kaiba-san. Anything I say won't change his mind."
"Uh, guys? What's going on?" Taylor waved his hand in front of Anzu's face to grab a smidgen of attention and failed, "Guys?"
"Please Roland! We can't let him come! We can't…" She was begging, pleading for his assistance even though it was futile but the dancer didn't know what else to do. The only person capable of convincing Mokuba to remain in his home country was currently missing in action. Anzu's shoulder sank in defeat. "Seto is going to be royally pissed."
The room settled into a brooding silence with only the low hum of the television for noise. But Delaney, being Delaney, wasn't one for uncomfortable silences, or self-inflicted bouts of depression and increased the volume on the TV for a distraction. Maybe it was a coincidence, possibly fate having fun, but whatever it was Anzu didn't know what to feel when the news program showed a picture of Seto.
The anchorman was a short balding fellow, who was as average as a person could get and under any normal terms Anzu wouldn't have paid him any mind. His dark suit was a tad to large for him and he spoke through his nose with a nasally sound. But most importantly he was talking about her boyfriend she was desperate to see. The picture was one of the young CEO at a press conference the past fall and almost overshadowed the anchorman telling his breaking story. Seto Kaiba had been kidnapped.
Sunday 12:00pmBy the time their captors finally made a showing Seto had half a mind to assist them in taking Taryn out, by strangling her with his Yoshiyuki Konishi 2 designer scarf, never mind the cost he had paid for it, just to receive a few moments piece.
She had failed to identify the billionaires decreasing mood and chose to fill the past few excruciating hours with mind numbing chatter. Even when he refused to grace her with any response she carried right on as if they hadn't just been kidnapped and were being held hostage against their will. Either Taryn had nerves of steal or – and he tended to agree with the second – she was enjoying every moment of being in his presence.
This observation became even more engrained in Seto's head when all she spared the two guards that interrupting her tirade was a disappointed frown. Much to his pleasure, though, he got a nice recess of silence, not even disturbed by the guard's appearance.
Quietly the first guard stood with his feet spread in the open doorway. His thick, hairy arms were crossed over his chest and he topped Seto by a few inches. Long black hair was pulled back in a ponytail that fell over one shoulder of his cheap – by the billionaire's standards - black suit. He wouldn't doubt a number of guns were hidden underneath the dark fabric. Most definitely an impossible force to get past for the time being.
His partner in crime, a shorter man, though no less intimidating, slipped into the room with a tray of food. Not at all what Seto would have expected. For kidnappers the only right thing they had done was physically attack him in the elevator and stole his cell phone and wallet. Neither of them had been restrained at any point in time and their waiting cell was a comfortably heated room they were currently being served food in. The hostage situation was feeling more off by the second.
With a sneer full of missing yellow teeth, directed at the billionaire, guard number two set the tray on the opposite side of the table from Seto and silently left the room taking ponytail guy with him.
The new revelation proved there were at least two captors who, apart from holding Taryn and Seto against their will, were being perfect hosts. Contrary to the amount of guns he assumed they would be packing, and the physical force each man was, escaping was beginning to look easier as the moments ticked on.
Taryn rolled onto her side on the couch with a sigh. "Did they bring us anything good?" she asked, batting her eyelashes at Seto.
For the poor-little-rich-girl persona she had going on the blonde hadn't a clue how to be a damsel in distress, which was definitely a good thing. If one looked into her actions long enough she almost appeared to be enjoying herself. Some people had a seriously twisted sense of logic.
"Kaiba?"
"Come see for yourself," he replied. Maybe the food was poisoned and he could finally be rid of her. If not she could always 'accidentally' choke on a breadstick.
Much to Seto's displeasure his remark seemed to convince Taryn that he was in the mood for companionship and offering him a smile she made her way over to the vacant chair. It took her no time to scan the meager selection of food they had been given before she vetoed everything for an unopened bottle of water. What a shame, he hadn't wanted to dirty his scarf on her but his options were becoming limited.
The blonde glanced at Seto realizing he had been silently studying her. A more flirtatious smile quickly grew on her face. "Like what you see, Kaiba?"
"Hardly," he turned away.
"Oh? Have I embarrassed you?" she cued, her voice like nails on a chalkboard, "Many people can't help but notice me so I'll take it as a compliment. But don't worry; it will be our little secret. Anzu doesn't need to find out."
The young CEO wasn't at all pleased with where the conversation was heading and he leveled a glare at Taryn. "That sounded like a low played threat you just uttered. We might be in the same hostage situation Miss. SinClair but never for one minute should you assume I am on your side."
She came off more disgruntled then shocked by his statement, yet like everything else that had happened, it had no effect in shutting her up. "Are you afraid Anzu would leave you if she found out you liked another girl?"
"What I feel for you is hardly classified as affection."
Again Taryn observed him, not at all put out by his blatant disrespect towards her. It was a tad unnerving to have a pair of prying blue eyes attempting to decipher the billionaire and for a few quickly regretted seconds he wish she would go back to her mindless ramblings. Fate was most certainly against him.
"So Anzu was your first everything, huh?" she paused to take a sip of water, "I have a sixth sense for picking up on there types of things."
Was she actually proud of her stupidity? "Anzu and any past relationships of mine aren't open for discussion," Seto answered her in a clipped tone.
It was not on his to-do list to converse with a stranger about his private life as a ways to pass the time while being held hostage. The last thing Seto needed was all the juicy little tidbits being sold to the Canadian tabloids – 'billionaire Kaiba Seto lost his virginity at fourteen'. He already had enough problems to contend with back in Japan.
Taryn rested her chin on her hand. "She is your first. Who would have thought? You know there are a lot more experienced women out there who really know how to please a man. Why not get rid of your high school crush and see just how good?"
"Watch your tongue," Seto growled, his voice taking on a deep undertone, "I will not have you speaking ill begotten of my girlfriend again. In fact why don't we save you the trouble and cut all ties whatsoever. As of this moment you are on your own."
"All because I'm curious?" she asked in disbelief.
"You can converse on your own, eat on your own and escape this hell hole without any assistance from me. Although I must say you don't appear the least bit worried about being held hostage. Why not carry on and make yourself at home? You've managed that amazingly as is."
At last the billionaire had finally rendered her speechless, blessed, blessed silence. The blonde stared at him with guarded eyes, water bottle forgotten in her still hands, half gone and the bottle cap missing. For an increasing period of time they sat sizing one another up from slightly rumpled clothing to posture and even little odd habits. Whatever game Taryn was willing to play Seto wouldn't have any part in it. Everything about her screamed for him to avoid at all costs, but it wasn't exactly possible.
The steel door behind Taryn slammed open causing her to jump in her seat, breaking her focus. Three guards this time, squeezed themselves into the room making the cell even more constricting for five people.
Either full of courage, or overflowing with stupidity, Taryn scowled in the guard's direction and swatted at a rough pair of hands when the guard sporting a ponytail made to pull her from her seat. "I can walk on my own," she told them, as they were ushered out into the wide hall.
Neither of the guards paid attention to her and kept a firm hold on both hostages. As of yet they didn't seem ready to physically harm their captives, which suited Seto just fine. It certainly helped narrow down what the kidnappers were expecting from their heist.
When they reached the end of the hall, in all its buzzing bulb lights, the billionaire was none to gently shoved down a poor set of stairs. It wasn't until half way down that a handrail materialized to help him continue safely and although with the amount of pushing it did little to stabilize him.
"Hey!" Taryn's exclamation drew Seto's attention, "Where are you taking him?!"
It was absolutely perfect. The guards were leading their hostages in separate directions. That had to be the nicest thing they'd done for him all day.
to be continued………….
1 If you haven't yet read my profile then I will inform you of my awesome love of Gackt and that yes I think he is one of the best artists in Japan. Yet unlike Shizuka I don't have a problem with other j-rock artist and am in fact always on the hunt for more. On the matter of Hyde, well L'arc en Ciel was the first Japanese CD I ever got and you can't go wrong with that.
2 Yoshiyuki Konishi is a high class Japanese knitwear designer that began his career in men's fashion.
