Chapter 3 - Plans Afoot

"You've done a great job." Kaiba repeated as Mokuba continued his third re-iteration of the company's profits. "There's a reason I trust you."

Mokuba beamed at him, torn between wanting to appear professional and giving his brother another hug. The first five minutes of Kaiba's return to Earth had been managing re-entry sickness whilst being squeezed by the human limpet version of his younger sibling.

Kaiba noted the magenta tie on his precocious suit was askew, Mokuba had clearly rushed to dress his finest before meeting him.

"Thanks Seto, I've done my best!…I know some things won't be exactly what you would have done but…" his brother began for the fifth time.

"It's fine, honestly."

Kaiba caught Roland giving them another smile in the front mirror of the limousine. They were speeding down the avenues towards Kaiba Mansion. Home seemed like the right idea for the moment, despite a growing need to visit New York.

Six months…It's the end of February already, Kaiba blinked again. The Pharaoh had been right after all. He'd lost six months and although sales for the new duel disk model had broken every record, his disappearance had hit the company badly. Investors were worried, the police sniffing around, plus the usual government and private interest vultures were circling, trying to steal his tech. And that was just for the Neurons VR system and the Duel Links world he created before his trip to the Afterlife. The new Duel Dimension System was beyond revolutionary, the possibilities were astounding. With it he had mastered death itself!

So why could he only think of New York?

His phone rang again before he irritably turned it to silent.

"They know you're back," Mokuba trilled, "we tried to hide it but satellites were on watch for the station. Social media's already going wild!"

Kaiba could see the mixed feelings behind the grin. His little brother didn't want to share him and Kaiba couldn't fault that. He pushed aside the continual worms of guilt and tried to focus.

I did what I had to. He's done well in my absence, he thought, fighting the niggling feeling that had it been anyone else he would have given them an earful regardless. No-one else could run KaibaCorp like Seto Kaiba; not even Mokuba had the technical brilliance and vision to manage what the corporation was becoming. Besides, Kaiba led the company from the front like a true CEO. People expected his presence at the big cons and expos.

I've already missed the Tokyo Game Show, some of the PAX events and the D.I.C.E. Summit, he thought, incensed. The D.I.C.E. Summit was the worst, he had been down as the keynote speaker and he always enjoyed networking there amongst the few people he considered peers. As for the rest he'd been looking forward to rubbing his genius in their faces…now they'd had months to analyse his designs and come up with cheap knockoffs, not to mention gossip about him and his reclusive behaviour.

Apparently, despite Mokuba's gift for spin, half the industry thought he was dead, the other that he had gone mad and locked himself away like some 21st Century Howard Hughes. Added to that were the sizeable followers of the 'Tron Conspiracy', spread on the less salubrious parts of the internet, which theorised that he'd been eaten by his own tech and was trapped in some digital dungeon. Given how close that was to actual events that he'd done his best to repress - marked under 'Legendary Heroes' and 'Noah' - it had angered him further.

Digital dungeon, if only! Kaiba thought. At least then I'd be able to avoid interacting with other human beings…He ran a hand through his lank hair and grimaced. What am I going to say to the shareholders anyway?

A memory of blue eyes and dark hair tugged at him and his pulse skyrocketed. What was the time in New York right now? Could he fly the Blue Eyes jet and be there before dark instead?

"Don't worry, we'll have everything back on track and hey at least you didn't miss E3 or Gamescom," Mokuba said.

"Anyone else's accomplishments are insignificant compared to my creation," Kaiba replied. "This isn't just going to revolutionise gaming, Mokuba, it's going to change the world!"

"I knew it!" Mokuba bounced on the leather seat, "I knew it would be worth it! What happened there, big brother? Did you see the Pharaoh? Did you beat him?"

Roland glanced at them again, trying not to appear obvious.

Kaiba consciously released the tension in his shoulders. "Oh I met him alright, Mokuba. Did you doubt me?"

"Never!" Mokuba's eyes were shining. "How badly did you kick his ass?"

Kaiba's lips turned down. "The game is still ongoing. But rest assured, I'll have my victory."

Mokuba frowned. "Ongoing? But isn't he in the Afterlife? Are you going again?" Kaiba didn't miss the note of anxiety in his voice.

"Not just yet, don't worry. As for the game, it's complicated…I'll be needing a lot of space and time to plan."

"Oh…" Mokuba bit his lip and looked away. Kaiba almost thought he saw unshed tears.

"So I need you and Roland to continue the good job you've been doing," Kaiba said, crushing his guilt down further.

"Of course, sir!" Roland nodded as he continued to drive. Mokuba rubbed his face and gave another wide grin.

"You can count on us, bro!"

"Good."

Familiar trees and green pastures replaced ugly modernity and at last the car reached the final furlong to Kaiba Mansion. Kaiba felt a wave of relief. It might have only been a few hours in his mind in the Afterlife, but the journey back from the landing site felt like the last six months crammed into one. Not to mention the intrusive medical exam to make sure dimensional travel hadn't had any deeper side effects, which of course it hadn't. He was in peak physical condition, if a little weary.

Blue Eyes statues greeted them as the car purred to its resting spot outside the main entrance. Roland raced to open his door but Kaiba was already out and onto the gravel. The cold wind ruffled his trench coat. He didn't allow himself to feel it, but the sooner he could get inside and get a hot shower and some decent coffee the better.

"What do you want to do, Seto?" Mokuba said, grabbing his briefcase as they mounted the stairs. "Are you hungry, tired?"

All of the above, Kaiba thought, then again Gardner's face flashed before him. I have to think…

"I'll take some food in my office, plus a double espresso," he said. "I need a shower, then I have to go through things."

"Do you want your schedule, messages or the reports first, sir?" Roland asked.

"Send them all through, but cancel everything for the next few days. I must work out some details first," Kaiba replied as he pushed through the bowing household staff that had lined up to greet him.

How am I supposed to plan a seduction with everyone asking me questions and these idiots in the way!

At least standards hadn't slipped since his disappearance. The mansion was as pristine as always. A shame, firing someone would have improved his mood right now.

He turned to Mokuba once they'd cleared the fawning staff and attempted to soften his irritation. "I'm going to need some privacy to catch up on what I missed, can you and Roland manage for a while?"

"Of course," Mokuba nodded, "I'm just happy you're back! You do whatever you need to, you're home now."

Kaiba relented and ruffled his hair. That sweet smile had always been his undoing. "Not for long, Mokuba, we're going to New York soon."

"New York? Why?" Mokuba exclaimed, his shock overriding the prohibition to question his older brother.

Kaiba turned and walked up the main stairs. "…I need to speak to the New York office…"

"Couldn't you VR link them?" Mokuba said, following him. "But while we're on the subject, Beijing or San Fran are the ones that really need to talk with you…"

Kaiba gave him a patented glare from under his fringe then continued on. Mokuba sighed.

"Oh! Are you going to PAX East then?" he brightened up as they made their way along the elegant corridors, priceless paintings staring back at them. "That's in Boston in a week. That would be a great place to announce a comeback!"

"I'll tell you and everyone else my plans when I'm ready," Kaiba said as he reached his suite door. "For now, fuel the jet and get the staff there to prep the penthouse. I feel like seeing Central Park again…"

He closed the door to prevent more discussion then locked it for good measure. He loved his brother more dearly than anything in the world and KaibaCorp not far behind, but if he didn't get some peace he was going to go mad.

Kaiba rubbed his temples, easing the tension headache that was starting to take hold. The suite was a blessed oasis, light filtering through the drapes and setting off the ice-blue decor. It smelled like home - varnished wood, clean chrome and the fresh, woody scent of his custom-blended room diffuser.

Téa Gardner…

He leaned back against the heavy wooden door, the pulse of desire returning full force.

What am I doing?

He hadn't even asked how his brother had coped during those lonely months, bar a few cursory enquiries. Did Mokuba have anyone to unburden himself to or spend the holidays with? On the corporate side, a million emails needed answering, meetings needed rearranging and a full board session had to be called. Plus he must dream up some explanation of where he had been and what he had been doing that didn't involve - "I've been risking my life in the Afterlife battling my Ancient Egyptian rival in a card game. And yes, before you ask, he beat me again."

Kaiba clenched his fists. I can't believe I lost!

It still rankled. Yet what of this new game?

He kicked off his boots and marched to the bathroom, throwing his trench coat over a finely lacquered chair on the way. He used the toilet and washed his hands, finally able to reconnect with himself now he was alone.

Kaiba's body ached, his eyes were grainy and he was becoming increasingly desperate for sleep and food, yet he couldn't repress the tide of sensations that kept building within him nor the images that provoked them.

Atem on his balcony looking at that necklace, Téa in her regal robe smiling lovingly beside him, Atem's pain then rage at the thought Kaiba could take her from him.

A grin burst forth again as he washed his face in the sumptuous porcelain basin. Sexual desire was so foreign, Gozaburo had seen to that, that the thoughts both excited and repulsed him. He'd never needed a partner for the release of the rare urges he felt. Conquest in the boardroom or the duelling field was far more satisfying, besides no-one had ever been worthy enough to tempt him. But this was different…

Kaiba shook his head, tossing water droplets from his face and leaving them trailing down his hair and the arched mirror.

But how was it different? What made Téa Gardner so irresistible, when before she had just been a nuisance? His scientific mind was going to break it down piece by piece as if she were a duel disk in need of repair.

True, if viewed dispassionately, she was a beautiful thing - lithe body, pretty face, with all the grace of the dancer she was training to become. She wasn't unintelligent, unlike the mutt she insisted on hanging out with, and was at least familiar with the game Kaiba had dedicated his life to.

Her mouth could do with some tact though…he frowned as he dried his face, remembering the tirades she'd launched at him at various points in the past. Although at least she's not a push-over… He would have despised anyone who couldn't stand up to him, even if they should have known better.

But that wasn't the real reason of course. It was the Pharaoh. It always came down to him.

Atem had left the world taking victory with him, after having the gaul to choose little Yugi as the opponent to ceremonially defeat him - a right that belonged only to Kaiba! He'd left nothing, only memories and wounded pride.

Kaiba didn't want to remember the weeks after learning what had happened in Egypt…the initial fury and despair, the sleepless nights replaying every duel and argument until he determined that he needed to see Atem again, to settle the score once and for all.

How can he be at peace with no adversary to push him? Kaiba thought as he grasped the basin and stared at his haunted reflection. Hate him as much as I do, life just isn't the same without him…

So smug, so confident, Kaiba ground his teeth, remembering Atem, resplendent in gold on his throne. Yet I hold the final trap card now, don't I?

The chink in the armour, the very thing Gozoburo had warned him about so many years ago. Atem was in love with Téa and that made her more desirable than anything else on the planet.

Kaiba closed his eyes, his skin shivering with delicious anticipation. Honourable fool…I bet he never touched her, never even told her how he felt. I'm going to make her beg, her throat is going to be raw from screaming my name.

He could see her eagle-spread on his bed, whimpering with pleasure, lips swollen from kissing, breasts sore, gorgeous legs wrapping round his waist as he thrust into her again and again until they both climaxed.

I'm going to own every inch of that cheerleader's body, Pharaoh, Kaiba thought. I'll have her in every way imaginable. Every way you can't. Then we'll see who needs to move on.

Author's Note:

Couple of things here -

1) Update schedule - I'm trying to update every 2/3/4 days when I can at present, but my health isn't great right now so that might change. Your positive comments are a joy to read and really help.

2) Just a gentle note re reviewing - I really appreciate anyone taking the time to review. However this is a Azureshipping fic that does a deep dive into Kaiba's character. We all know he's a douche and is going to do some questionable things at first if he's to remain in character. Things are at some point going to get explicit too. So if Azureshipping or Kaiba aren't your thing, please don't read further. The fic is also going to contain some Atem x Téa aka Revolutionshipping as well. I want to feel comfortable writing this stuff, so you know what you've gotten yourself in for! ;) That doesn't mean you can't call him out in the comments (cos I spend half the time writing this fic going "Kaiba you little ****) or give me at times some gentle constructive criticism, but if that's all you're going to do, this ain't the fic for you :)

3)Trigger warning - I touched on Kaiba's childhood abuse in this chapter and we deal with it in this story as it's at the heart of his character, but I'd like to reassure my readers that while I feel Seto (and likely Mokuba) were subjected to unacceptable emotional and at times physical abuse, I don't think it was ever sexual and it certainly isn't going to be in this story, so don't worry. You will see in a future flashback that Gozoburo just essentially ingrained his sh*tty attitude on Seto which is why I feel he is very repressed in several ways.

4)We finally get Téa's perspective next chapter and see what she's been up to since DSoD. Thanks again!