1Chapter 4 is finally here! Sorry for the wait, I actually had to write out this chapter, before typing it. However to make it up to you, I wrote this chapter for all of the patient readers that wanted some Seto/Ishizu action, think of it as a taste of things to come.
DISCLAIMER: YuGiOh! belongs to Kazuki Takahashi-sensei, I just bend his characters to fit my purposes!
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CHAPTER 4 - LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
It has been a couple days since Marik and Mokuba have joined forces to get their older siblings together. As planned, each of them have spent every moment of their free time hanging around Seto and Ishizu, subtly implanting ideas about the other into their heads.
Today, Marik and Mokuba have decided to meet up in Domino City Park. Since it's such a public area, no one would think to notice the younger brother of Seto Kaiba or his blonde, Egyptian acquaintance. As Mokuba walks towards the center of the park, he spots Marik sitting on a bench in front of a rather large fountain. Marik's violet eyes are focused on the water feature as if waiting for it to do something. As he approaches, Mokuba raises an eyebrow as he notices a mischievous smirk on the Egyptian's face.
" I don't know what you're thinking, but Domino City has rules against public bathing"-Mokuba says jokingly.
"Ha, ha, very funny Mokuba."-replies Marik, as he turns his attention to his partner in crime.
Mokuba grins and sits down on the bench next to Marik.
"So, what's the next stage of the plan?" -inquires Mokuba.
"Well, that depends. . ."
"On what?"
Marik sighs and leans back on the bench. Mokuba watches the older teen, with questioning eyes.
"Well, I've been talking to your brother everyday at school," -begins Marik. "And when I bring up Ishizu, his interest definitely piques. And I'm pretty sure that Ishizu has a fondness for Kaiba, at the very least she respects him. How does your brother feel about her? Does he like her?"
"It's hard to tell if Seto likes anyone. I mean look how long it took for him to admit he liked Yugi, and they're just friends. Although, he respects her as a duelist and he's stopped calling her 'crazy', that's something right?"
"See that's the problem Mokuba, we have no idea how much they like each other. We need to figure out a way to find out for sure that the two of them are actually romantically interested in each other . . ."
The sounds of water splashing in the fountain and shouts of playful children surround them as the two teens sit and think. All the sudden, Mokuba's eyes light up.
"I have an idea!"-shouts Mokuba. "Last time I was at the museum, your sister mentioned something . . ."
A couple of days ago at the Domino City Museum. Ishizu Ishtar is in her office, working on some last minute paperwork before she goes home for the day. Today she is wearing a white blouse tucked into a tan tea-length skirt with black heels. As Ishizu stands up to file some reports, her boss- the museum owner, knocks on the door. Turning to look at the short, middle aged man, Ishizu smiles in greeting.
"Hello, Shinoda-san."
"Dr.Ishtar, I just wanted to stop in before leaving today. I trust everything is to your liking?" -asks Shinoda with a smirk.
"Yes, everything is fine. Thank you for asking."
"Excellent, by the way, you seem to have a visitor-he's waiting in the lobby."
With that, the older man leaves the Egyptian woman's office with a smile. Ishizu has a puzzled look upon her face, as she wonders who her guest is. Gathering her files and her laptop, Ishizu walks out of her office. Her heels tap on the marble floors, sending echoes down the empty hallway. Turning the corner, Ishizu is pleasantly surprised to see her new friend, Mokuba Kaiba standing in the grand lobby admiring an original VanGogh painting. Since the field trip, both Mokuba and Rebecca have been making regular trips to the museum. At first she thought their visit were strangely suspicious, but the couple proved to be good company. The teens liked to learn, so Ishizu would guide them on private tours free from the other patrons of the museum after the doors closed. So upon seeing the younger Kaiba, Ishizu smiles and walks over.
"Good afternoon, Mokuba."
"Hey Ishizu."-greets Mokuba as he turns to face her. "It's just me today, Rebecca had to stay after school today."
"Is she involved in a club as well?"-inquires Ishizu, knowing all about Mokuba's own kendo club duties.
"You could say that, Rebecca is the student council president."
"That's very impressive, you must be very proud of her Mokuba."
"Yeah, but ever since she was elected, I see less and less of her. Sometimes I wish she wasn't so busy."-admits the young teenager.
"But if she was any different, would you still like or respect her as much?"
After she speaks, Ishizu begins to walk down the corridor, knowing full well that the younger Kaiba will follow her.
"I never thought about it that way." -Mokuba says as he catches up to her.
"Mokuba, I'm sure that Rebecca, would rather spend her time with you than stuck in a student council meeting. A smart girl like her, needs a boyfriend in her life who will support her decisions not resent her for them."
As they continue walking, Mokuba mulls Ishizu's words over in her mind. Then a thought crosses his mind.
"So, is that the kind of man you'd like as a boyfriend, Ishizu?"
"Mokuba Kaiba, . . . are you hitting on me?" -asks the Egyptian with a smile.
At this insinuation, Mokuba blushes but quickly covers it up by clearing his throat.
"I was just curious, I mean you're nice, intelligent, beautiful-"
"To be perfectly honest," -begins Ishizu, interrupting the flow of compliments. "I wouldn't mind a man that supports me, but I'd really want a man that would challenge me as well."
" Like my brother?"
As Mokuba mentions Seto, he watches Ishizu's reaction. Her eyes widen at the "subtle" implication and a smile pulls at her lips.
"Your brother would be a challenge for any woman, Mokuba."
"Probably, but if it's any consolation, I think you could handle him."
"Thank you Mokuba, that is quite the compliment."
" No problem." -responds Mokuba. "Hey, Ishizu, do you . . . like Seto?"
" Yes, I suppose I do. For a man his age, he's very intelligent and determined-"
"No, I mean do you like him, you know romantically?"
" . . .Can you keep a secret, Mokuba?
Grey eyes widen as the younger Kaiba brother nods. Ishizu motions for him to come closer. Mokuba leans in as the Egyptian woman cups a hand to her mouth and whispers into his ear.
" Good, so can I."
Ishizu pulls away from teen, leaving him with a perplexed look on his face. The sapphire-eyed woman lets out a small chuckle as she turns to continue down the hall. However, she is stopped as a man with a clipboard walks up to the two.
"Dr.Ishtar!"
"Yes, what is it?"-responds Ishizu, concern evident in her voice.
" I'm glad I caught up with you before you left for the day. The party coordinator needs to know where to set up for the banquet."
"I was under the impression that the banquet wasn't until next Saturday, isn't it a little early to start setting up?"
"Yes I know," - admits the man. "But apparently they need to see which wing of the museum the party will take place. Something about planning the environment and creating the right ambiance . . ."
"I see, I believe the European Renaissance wing is reserved for the engagement. It's on the third floor."
"Thank you very much, Dr. Ishtar."
As the man hurries back from where he came, Ishizu turns to Mokuba. An apologetic look crosses her features.
"I'm sorry about that. This fund-raiser banquet is keeping everyone at the museum very busy."
"That's alright," -Mokuba assures her. " So what kind of fund-raiser are you having?"
"I believe it's for the 'cultural rejuvenation' of Domino City."
"Sounds to me like just an excuse for rich people to do a 'good deed' in order to assuage their guilt for another month."
"That's a rather cynical way to put it, however I'd be lying if I tried to convince you otherwise."
"I just hate phony people like that. I mean even though Seto's rich and all, he's not some playboy that flaunts his money around. I've always admired him for that."
"Hmm . . . so have I."
Mokuba smiles inwardly at Ishizu's admission as the two of them continue their private tour.
As Mokuba finishes his story, Marik gets a thoughtful look on his face.
"I do remember Ishizu mentioning something about a banquet a few days ago. Now if we could somehow get your brother to go, it would be a chance for him and Ishizu to spend some time together." -ponders Marik aloud.
"It's about time." -Mokuba states in a tone very similar to his older brother's.
"Relax, mini-Kaiba,"-Marik teases, earning a glare from his partner. "If we want this relationship between our siblings to work, we can't rush it. Ishizu and Seto both have serious trust issues to work out before they get seriously involved with each other."
"No kidding. Although I'd pay good money to be there for their 'reunion'. . ."
"What exactly do you think is gonna happen?"
"Knowing Seto, he'll probably insult her for a while."
"And knowing my sister, she'll wait until he's done, than hit him with one perfectly delivered insult designed to shut him up for awhile."
"Wow,"-begins Mokuba. "Those two are perfect for one another."
At Mokuba's observation, the two share a laugh. However they are interrupted by the crowd of people gathering around the fountain in front of them. The once flowing water has been replaced with giant foaming clouds of suds. As the adults wonder who did this, children begin throwing handfuls of the soap at each other in play. Mokuba's eyes widen at the strange sight, but then he turns to the snickering culprit beside him.
"Are you proud of yourself?"
"Yup" -responds Marik as he throws the small, empty box of detergent into a nearby trash can. "You're just upset that you didn't think of it first."
" . . .Shut up."
It is nighttime in Domino city, the crescent moon casts a pale light on a balcony that overlooks the lights of the metropolitan area. Ishizu Ishtar is standing on this particular balcony, wearing a white, cotton dress that drapes her body. A cool wind blows through, stirring up her long, dark hair. The Egyptian shivers and rubs her arms in an attempt to warm them. However, her actions are stopped as a warm blanket is wrapped around her bronzed shoulders accompanied with a pair of strong arms that encircle her waist.
"Is that better, Ishizu?"-asks a deep, familiar voice.
Ishizu smiles as she leans back into the warm chest behind her. A contented sigh escapes her lips as light kisses are placed upon her neck, just below her jaw line. Each one, silently sending a warm, indescribable feeling throughout her. Her hand reaches up to run long fingers through his rich brown hair as the blue-eyed beauty tilts her head to the side to expose more of her sun-kissed skin.
"It's definitely an improvement, Seto." -teases Ishizu.
The tall man smiles at the woman in his arms tauntingly, and turns her around to face him. Ishizu is slightly surprised at the sudden movement, but she quickly relaxes as she feels Seto's arms tighten around her. Delicate hands rest on his chest as the CEO lowers his head to lock his ice-blue eyes with her sapphire-blue ones.
"I suppose I'll have to work on that"- Kaiba replies in a husky whisper.
Seto then closes the distance between the two of them, their bodies press against each other. The increased body heat making them forget all about the cold temperature around them. Their lips brush against each others momentarily before Seto captures her full lips with his in a passionate kiss. . .
"Ishizu, I picked up some take-out for dinner, I hope that's okay!"
Marik's loud voice interrupts Ishizu's surprisingly realistic daydream. Blinking her eyes as she returns to reality, Ishizu gets up from the couch in one fluid motion. She takes a deep breath to steady her beating heart as the archaeologist makes her way to the kitchen to meet her brother. Completely unaware that she wasn't the only person in Domino City lost in day dreams . . .
Across town in the luxurious Kaiba Mansion, Seto Kaiba sits at his desk in his study perusing a random book. One of his hands is busy rubbing his left temple, trying to stave off an oncoming migraine. When a sudden wave of pain hits, he releases an angry growl.
"Now, now Seto . . . 'growling' won't get rid of that head ache."
Looking up, Kaiba smiles as he recognizes the familiar hourglass figure of Ishizu before him. His eyes follow the desert beauty as she circles the desk, stopping right next to his chair. Placing a glass of water on the desk, she offers him two aspirin. Seto takes the pills and swallows them with a sip of water as Ishizu leans on the desk. Out of the corner of his eye, the CEO admires every curve of her body, taking full advantage of their close proximity.
"Thanks-" -offers Kaiba, gracing her with a rare act of gratitude.
However, the words from Seto's lip die, as feminine fingers tilt his face upwards. A smile appears on the Egyptian woman's face as she lowers her head to press her lips to his in a tender kiss. When they part, Ishizu places a quick kiss on his lips with a smirk.
"Don't mention it," -answers the woman above him.
Ishizu attempts to move away from him, but is stopped when Seto pulls her into his lap. Before she can process what just happened, Kaiba's lips meet hers as he continues what Ishizu started. His headache quickly fading away . . .
Seto Kaiba awakens with a start from the quick "nap" he took on the couch, in the living room of the Kaiba mansion. Recalling the dream, revolving around a certain Egyptian woman that re-entered his life, the tall businessman shakes his head to get rid of the memory. As Mokuba enters the room, he sits up on the comfortable piece of furniture and takes a look at his watch.
"Hey Seto, catching some Z's?"- asks the younger of the two.
"Where have you been, Mokuba? School ended hours ago."
"I was hanging out with some friends, okay?"
" . . . "
"Anyway, are you doing anything this Saturday?"
"Not that I'm aware of, why?" -asks the CEO suspiciously.
"Because, you're going to a charity banquet at the museum!"
-TSUDUKU!(TO BE CONTINUED)
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NINJA-RENKA: Finally, I finished it! Although writing those fantasies were pretty cool, I really liked being able to show the relationship between Mokuba and Ishizu.
MARIK: . . .
NINJA-RENKA: What's your problem?
MOKUBA: Ignore him, Marik's just mad because he just realized that everyone else in this fic has a romantic interest but him.
NINJA-RENKA: Oh, is that all? What a loser.
MOKUBA: Tell me about it, I told him he was being a baby.
MARIK: I'M NOT BEING A LOSER OR A BABY!
NINJA-RENKA: You're right, you're being BOTH! This fic isn't about your love life it's about your sister's. If you want, pretend you have a girlfriend back in Egypt.
MARIK: I would never do that!
NINJA-RENKA: Fine, pretend you have a boyfriend in Egypt . . .whatever makes you happy.
MARIK: (completely paralyzed with shock and rage)
NINJA-RENKA: Since Marik is . . . incapacitated at the moment, would you do the honors, Mokuba?
MOKUBA: Sure, the next chapter is tentatively called STAGE II - DETERMINING INTEREST. Seto and Ishizu finally meet face to face and, as an extra bonus, it will be told from their points of view!
NINJA-RENKA: Thanks! Please remember to review and later days!
P.S. That whole foaming fountain thing totally works, just make sure that you don't use to much soap unless you REALLY want a mess!
-NINJA-RENKA OUT!