Sorry I didn't post this chapter yesterday, but I had a very busy weekend and did not get a chance to even turn on my laptop!

Anyway, enjoy the chapter.


Chapter 23.

Last Chance.

Briefly catching his eye, Katsu looked away. Her eyes flickered downwards, drawn by the way he was covering his wounded hand with his good hand.

"How is it today? ...Your hand."

"It's not serious. Two stitches." He raised it to show her, but all she could see was a clean white dressing.

"That's good then.. I suppose." An awkward moment of silence followed. Was he going to talk to her or what? The atmosphere was so frosty, she felt like getting out of the car and running after Anzu.

Or... perhaps she should ask him what it was he wanted to say to her.

Relationships were so foreign to Seto, that he did not really know how to apologise and make amends to someone he might have offended. He found it easier to talk to his computer than he did another person, because his technology was programmed to be compliant. In fact, the only time he did not mind talking to other people was when he was making threats or giving orders. And he knew that Katsu would never concede to orders.

"How long have you got?" He asked, simply. Stupid question! He knew what time lessons started.

Katsu did not wear a watch and her phone was in her school bag. "Erm... about twenty minutes, I think."

Seto gave a knowing nod. Plenty of time to talk. But he was unusually tongue-tied.

Katsu barely even noticed the limo pull away and join the morning traffic, until the chauffeur's voice crackled over the tinny intercom. "Where would you like to go Sir?"

Seto was relieved that the driver's question offered a distraction. "Domino High School, in twenty minutes," he answered.

Katsu cleared her throat. "So... er.. what did you want to say?" There was a hint of apprehension in her voice, which Seto did not fail to notice.

"Do I unnerve you?"

"What? Oh! Nah... I'm related to the Mutt, remember? Nerves of steel." Her attempt at sarcasm sounded funnier than intended, and Seto chortled with laughter.

"Yes, but thankfully, you are not him." He sounded so certain about it, that it was Katsu's turn to laugh.

They may have both been laughing for different reasons, but it did serve to ease the tension between them.

"I wanted to apologise for getting angry last night," he suddenly said. "It was uncalled for."

"No need. You got your punishment," she pointed at his injured hand. "But apology accepted." She let out a sigh. "If it helps, I was a bit bad tempered too."

"Bad tempered is an understatement." He raised an eyebrow and gave her a slight smirk. "I will never understand women. That is why I prefer technology."

"And dragons," Katsu interjected, with a snicker.

"My dragons worship me, and they never dare to argue," he chuckled at his own joke. However, Katsu could not tell if he was joking or being serious.

"Anyway!" He continued. "Since I am forgiven, does that mean we can try again?"

Katsu felt a shudder run down her spine. She opened her mouth to tell him it was over, but... the way he was looking at her from underneath his curtain of hair. His eyes looked almost navy in the dark interior of the car. But they also sparkled with hints of sapphire, which gave them a hint of uncharacteristic gentleness.

She had never noticed it before, because he seldom smiled genuinely, but she could see that he had a little dimple on the right side of his cheek.

For a moment, he looked nothing like the frosty, spiteful CEO that they so often had to deal with. He looked so boyish and handsome that it caused her resolve to crumble.

"Well, erm.. yes, I guess we can." Her friends were going to be very disappointed in her.

"Good!" His trademark, self satisfied smirk was back and Katsu felt stupid for falling so easily into his trap. He had known exactly how to put on the charm to win her over and get what he wanted. He probably used the same manipulative tactics in business; to disarm clients and rival companies before going in for the kill.

"I will not put pressure on you to move in with me, but I would like you to have dinner with me tonight. And maybe this time we can dine without an argument." They would be dining alone too because Mokuba had a guitar lesson.

Katsu was trying hard to think of an excuse, but her mind was not functioning and the pounding in her head had returned. "We have after school club today!" She eventually blurted.

"Yes, but that won't go on all evening. I will send a car to collect you at seven."

Unable to think of another excuse, Katsu was left with her jaw flapping.

The small communications speaker crackled and the driver's tinny voice came over the small speaker. "Mister kaiba! We have arrived at Domino High School."

Wrinkling her nose, Katsu squinted out through the dark, smoky glass of the car window, and was surprised to see they were parked up outside the school. The car ride had been so smooth, she had barely even noticed the journey.

She could see that many of the students had stopped at the gates and were looking at the limousine. She really did not want to face the questions she knew they would bombard her with and it made her want to remain hidden inside the car.

Maybe she should just tell the driver to take them somewhere else! But, then she would be alone with Seto. Doh... she wanted to cry out.

However, that was not an option as the chauffeur was already opening the car door for her.

"Miss Katsu?" He held the door open and swept his arm in a gesture for her to exit the car.

This time she did cry out... "Doh..."

"Is there something wrong?" Seto enquired.

She turned to glance at him over her shoulder and could see the concern etched on his features. "No! Yes! They're all looking at me!" She squeaked.

Seto looked beyond her to where some students were gawking, while others were muttering to one another and giggling. "They are only jealous. Just ignore them."

"Easy for you to say! You don't have to face them!" She complained.

"Then kiss me? That will really give them something to gossip about," he smirked.

She was unable to work out if he was serious or just teasing so she rolled her eyes.

"I think I will stick to ignoring them. See ya later!" Composing herself, she hoisted her book bag over her shoulders and marched towards the gates.

She was immediately harassed by fellow students.

"So its true! You really are dating Seto Kaiba?" An irritating girl asked.

Katsu smirked at her. Himari was one of the girls who always fantasized about romance and boys. She had giggled and tried to flirt with Seto when he first came to the school and Seto had merely sneered at her and asked: 'are you always this cheap?' It had upset her. Jonouchi had offered to cheer her up, but she had called him a 'creepy guy' and told him to get lost.

"If you want to date Seto Kaiba, you need to have class. So, yes! I am," said Katsu, in a superior tone. Seto must be rubbing off on her.

Himari huffed and pouted and Katsu wanted to laugh in her face and call her 'creepy girl'. But she resisted the urge and bit her tongue. She did not need a confrontation.

Ignoring the remarks from one of the other bitchy girls, about about her lacking any class, she stuck her nose in the air and quickly hurried away from them. She needed to find her friends.

::::::::::::

Outwardly, Seto never showed any self doubt.

Because of his status and reputation as a ruthless CEO, and also because he was very tall and physically strong for his age, people tended to forget he was still not yet seventeen.

And, when it came to women, he had often found himself in situations where he was surrounded by women who were older than himself. At business functions, he was frequently pursued by them.

It was obvious they saw him as a rich, handsome young man, whom they could snare with their brightly painted acrylic talons, seduce him into bed, and then teach him things that most boys his age could only dream of. They would try to wheedle their way into his heart in order to get their claws on his fortune. But he was not as naïve and gullible as they hoped he would be.

At first, he had been flattered by such attention – how could a young man not be flattered? He allowed himself to be seduced and at the time it was enjoyable. If he was the Mutt, he would probably have been bragging about it for days – weeks even.

But he was a private person, who preferred to be alone, and afterwards, he had come to the conclusion that the encounter had actually been slightly awkward and disappointing. The woman had been a stunningly beautiful model, and had also been voted Queen of a beauty pageant.

But her personality was lacking and he had no interest in trying to explain what a Duel Monsters card was! There was no love involved, just sex, and even that had hardly seemed worth the effort.

After that, he had ignored all attempts to seduce him. As beautiful as many of them were, he never once found any of them attractive enough to care about, so he pushed them away.

But Katsu was different. He considered himself good at judging peoples intentions and he was certain that she was not trying to lure him into her 'honey trap'. In fact, she actually seemed so uninterested in intimacy, that he wondered if she might be repulsed by him.

Judging by her body language when she had first got into the car this morning, he had been sure she was about to tell him that she did not want to date him any more!

That alone, unnerved him; it was what was giving him his self doubts.

"We are here Mister Kaiba," the chauffeur announced through the small tinny speaker.

His voice jolted Kaiba from his rumination. "Oh! Thank you Ito."

Without waiting for his chauffeur to open the door, he got out of the car and marched into Kaiba Corp. HQ. He needed to be alone in his office, and he needed coffee!

His journey through the foyer, into the elevator and up to his office was the same as always; employees bowing lowly in his presence, like he was some sort of royalty, and afraid to meet his eye without first being addressed by him. They were even too afraid to get into the elevator with him!

Did they think they were showing him respect? It actually made him feel sick. Maybe he should fire the next person who bowed before him like a snivelling sycophant.

Upon stepping from the elevator, the next person he saw was his secretary, Keiko. She stood from her chair and bowed her head. "Good morning Mister Kaiba."

Seto rolled his eyes and let out a loud guffaw, causing her to startle slightly. Typical! He thought. I can't sack Keiko, she's the best secretary I have ever had.

"Is everything okay Sir?" She frowned, a little concerned.

"Yes, thank you Keiko. I was just thinking about something... amusing."

She blinked at him and blushed. "Oh! Okay, Sir! Would you like me to bring you some coffee?"

She must have read his mind! "Yes please. Have there been any calls for me yet?"

"Siegfried Von Schroeder called earlier. He would like to arrange a conference call today, if that's okay?"

Seto growled. The one person he did not need to deal with this morning was that effeminate fool. "Tell him I'm busy."

::::::::::::

When Katsu entered the classroom, her friends all looked relieved. Anzu must have told them that she had gone with Kaiba, in the limo. They had probably been discussing her decision.

She was prepared for the scolding lecture, but it did not come immediately.

"Katsu!" Anzu's face flooded with relief. "Thank goodness you're here! I was worried Kaiba might drag you off somewhere."

"No!" Katsu was quick to remind her. "I told you I would see you at school. I would never let you down."

"Well! Did you say it?" Honda raised his eyebrows at her, expectantly.

Katsu pretended not to understand what he meant. "Say what?" She smiled at him, innocently.

Honda sighed. "Why am I not surprised," he grumbled.

Katsu looked at Yugi and Anzu for some support. "Come on guys? You know how hard it is for me! I need to find the right moment."

Yugi shook his head. "I'm sorry Katsu, I really don't understand why you continue to date Kaiba. Nothing good will come out of it!"

Katsu felt slightly disappointed that Yugi was not supporting her. He was usually good natured and could always be relied upon to support Jonouchi. Why couldn't he show her some of that support?

What about Anzu? She had been a really good friend, but even she was looking a little disappointed in her for not telling Kaiba it was over.

"Look guys! I will, I promise. I was just in a hurry to get to school and he kind of put me on the spot when he asked me to have dinner with him tonight."

"What?!" All three of them said at the same time.

"You didn't say yes, did you?" Honda was very worried. The look on Katsu's face told him what he needed to know. He let out an expletive under his breath and huffed. "What is wrong with you?"

"Do I have to spell it for you?" Said Katsu, sarcastically.

Anzu was concerned that they were about to start quarrelling. "Guys! No fighting in class," she ordered.

"Yeah, we should all sit down," said Yugi, assertively. "Sensei will be here any minute."

"We will talk at lunchtime, okay?" Anzu suggested.

Nodding, the four of them went to their desks and sat down.

Katsu looked over her right shoulder at Honda, and mouthed, "sorry! I promise I will definitely tell him tonight."

Honda gave a brief nod in return.

On her left hand side, Anzu leaned across the gap and gave Katsu's forearm a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

::::::::::::

As always, the Kaiba limousine arrived at seven on the dot! And, as Katsu got in, she felt uneasy.

It was not just because she had upset her friends again by continuing to see Kaiba, there was something else bothering her.

She had felt odd this morning, but that feeling had passed. Now, however, was starting to fell a little disjointed. She was sure that her time here was getting shorter with each day that passed, and she wondered just how much longer she would be around. It almost felt as if shadows were starting to bleed into her, through small cracks that were starting to appear in her soul.

Did that mean the spell starting to fade? Having had no prior experience of magic, she had no idea.

But it was starting to occur to her that maybe she should make the most of her evening with Seto, because it might be her last!

However, guilt was eating at her over her male counterpart. At first, he had been controlling her behaviour, but his influence had quickly faded away. Now, he had no influence over her at all. She could not hear him or feel him in her mind; it was like he was not there at all.

She had no idea where he even was! But Yugi's talk of soul rooms and shadows and darkness and stuff, lead her to believe that he had been shut away inside his soul room.

If that was the case, Jonouchi had absolutely no idea what was happening outside his soul room. This body was not his body; it was not male, it was female and was unique to her. If she wanted to be intimate with Seto, or anyone else for that matter, then it was her choice. She would take her memories to the afterlife – or wherever it was she would return to – and Jonouchi would have no knowledge of what she had been doing. He would get his own body back, and could carry on with his life. He would probably forget all about the spell that Bakura had used on him.

But was she ready for intimacy? It was a scary thought and she was unsure.

Maybe she should just wait and see how the evening unfolded.

::::::::::::

Just like last evening, Seto was waiting for her in his games room.

"Do you enjoy playing games?" He asked.

"You bet I do!" She nodded.

"Good! I hope you are better than the... your cousin?"

Katsu thought for a very brief moment before answering. "I would say we're similar."

Seto raised an intrigued eyebrow. "I hope not! Otherwise playing against you will be a waste of my time."

"Hey! That's not fair!" She complained, offended.

Looking mildly amused, Seto just shrugged. "Let's eat first, and we can find out if you are capable of offering me any competition afterwards."

"You just wait! I'm an expert at fighting games. I even gave Yugi a run for his money."

"Did you win?"

"Well, no. Of course not! No one beats Yugi! But I nearly got him a couple of times."

Shaking his head, Seto lead her to the dining room. "It is quite a while since I have had time to play anything other than Duel Monsters. So I might be a little rusty."

"I play Duel Monsters! Why don't we have a game?" She hoped he would say yes! If she was able to beat him, she would have to resist the urge to gloat, but it would be hilarious to win after some of the nasty things he had said to Jonouchi.

"Perhaps." Seto shrugged half heartedly. Playing Duel Monsters for fun did not really interest him. He preferred the high stakes games, that really got his adrenalin going.

Sitting down, he poured some wine.

Thanking him, Katsu took a sip andwinced as she suddenly felt a stab of pain behind her left eye. Was this what a migraine felt like? She hoped she was not getting one.

::::::::::::

The dark wall made Jonouchi feel miserable and despondent. It held so many painful memories, but he continued searching, undeterred. Somewhere in here was the door out of here.

Fumbling, his hand found a door handle. Wrenching it, he was not surprised to find that it was locked.

Out of frustration, he barged the door with his shoulder. Had the door been made of the usual plywood, the hinges or lock would have been easy to break, but this door was made of much more solid oak.

Raising his baseball bat he swung it at the door handle. It bounced off with an awful crack, but did noting more than dent his baseball bat. He swore, loudly. But no one could hear.

This door was not going to budge. He needed another strategy.


I could not resist using that little Kaiba line from DSOD: 'snivelling sycophants'. It was one of several Kaiba classics!

As always: Thanks for reading and please review.