CHAPTER 3

Thank you everyone for your wonderful reviews! Things finally are getting started now between Kaiba and Rei as this story gets rolling. In case there was any confusion here are the ages:

Seto Kaiba: 20

Rei Hino - 18

Mokuba Kaiba - 16

Minako Aino - 17

Usagi Tuskino - 18

Ami Mizuno - 18

Makoto Kino - 19

Mamoru Chiba - 22

Chibiusa - 6

Tea Gardner- 19

I'm considering a Mokuba/Minako pairing. Good or bad idea?

Seto Kaiba sauntered into his kitchen in a numb daze. Dawn was pouring in through arched windows and casting a warm glow on the enormous, mahogany toned features of the rich room. His mind was busy replaying the events of the previous night, something that had been haunting his mind all night, and resulted in 10 minutes worth of sleep. Something that started out completely normal, had turned around and slapped him in the face - literally. No one dared to treat him that way and it was fueling his fleeting insomnia, which made him all the more irritable. She wouldn't get away with it.

He was pleased to find his morning newspapers and coffee being rushed to him as he took a seat at an elongated mahogany table that could seat at least 20 people. Good, at least his staff wasn't trying to be incompetent at this early hour or even attempt to disrupt his morning ritual. Nobody could ever leave him alone, especially after he made appearances. He'd spend the day fighting off people who wanted something from him; a quote, a comment, a financial report or whatever.

He'd always wrestle paranoia after nights like last night, when he was fair game to the press. Part of his success was making sure no one got him at a weak moment and making appearances pretty much placed a frame around his head for photographers sneaking around for stories for the next day's newsflash. They probably got wind of his new contract and nowadays KaibaCorp and it's products were the center of much controversary.

For a moment, the human corporate titan fretted reading his paper for that very reason.

And it wasn't wasted.

On the front page of his financial-oriented newspaper was a clear shot of his face and a line about his new contract with HTR (Hino Technologies Corporation). Oh great. It was just a teaser leading to the editorial page, so it had to be criticizing. Seto Kaiba never cared what the newspapers said about him anyways.

Idly, Kaiba slid the paper down the length of the table. There would be no more reading that newspaper. He turned his attention to the stocks page and to his relief, there was no mention of him except for the news that KaibaCorp stocks had risen significantly. But it barely did anything to lighten his mood.

His gently massaged his temples after taking a few sips of coffee. Black coffee, no sugar. Strong and a necessary ingredient in his morning ritual. It made his patience as flexible as possible, which isn't saying much, but he'd be in a far worse mood without it. For a beautiful hour he would sit there and drink his coffee and read his newspapers, participating in the daily crossword and in complement to his intelligence, finishing it with ease. No one would bother him.

But today, his schedule was interrupted. His newspaper was offending and he couldn't get certain thoughts of revenge against a certain ebony-haired spitfire out of his head.

His haven was interrupted.

Look out.

Hazy morning sunlight slowly began to pour through the windows like a dam being unleashed. The arched windows allowed the room to become filled in golden hue. At the center of the elegant, richly decorated room, a lump under a maroon and gold comforter was unceremoniously sprawled out on a luxurious, plush, cream couch.

"Hmmmmm" The lump whispered as it made an attempt to role, and plopped off the edge of the couch in a flying fury of covers, pillows and cushions. Four limbs poked out from under the jumble as the person concealed stretched indolently. Slowly, a river of silk ebony hair poked out from under the covers like a turtle emerging from its protective shell.

Rei immediately realized her mistake as the sunlight graced her sleepy features and assailed her eyes that were enjoying the dark until now. She shrank back into her safe haven for a moment and let out a soft, frustrated moan. Then she remembered the night before: The event, dancing with Kaiba, spitting at Kaiba, running from the party then spending the night at Minako's because she was far to tired and annoyed to drive home at that hour.

" 'Ello, Sleepy-head! Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey!" A bubbly, musical voice chorused throughout the room.

Incoherent mumbling rumbled from underneath the blanket as a vibrant blonde entered the living room, adorned in a red apron adorned with pink hearts, and a spatula in hand.

"What's that? I can't here you." Minako said and put a hand to her ear to emphasize her point.

"The light, it burns!" Rei yelped from under the covers.

Minako shook her head as if to imply Rei was silly and threw her hands in the air in exasperation and returned to the kitchen.

Minutes later, Rei protruded from the heap into the kitchen, following her nose. Amazingly, Minako was cooking….pancakes. She hummed a cheery tune and bounced/swayed side to side, occasionally performing a small dance move. There was no doubt of the performer in her as she occasionally sang into the spatula when it wasn't being used.

"la la la la la la la-la-la-la-la- la la la la la la la la la-la-la-la-la- la la. Machikogarete ita kisetsu ga yatte kite. Zawamekidasu kaze ugokidasu machinami…Itsumo yori asa no otozure ga hayakute. Soredake de umaku arukeru yoona sonna ki ga shite" She sang merrily to the spatula. (The season I was looking forward to has come. The wind is stirring, the city is taking life. The morning comes earlier than usual. I feel I can walk well only for that)

Rei immediately recognized the songs as one of Minako's. It was a bouncy, light-hearted song that sang about the brighter things in life and the happy days of summer - just like Minako. She was always one for 'fun in the sun'. Her head slowly bounced as she recalled the tune in her mind.

Rei quickly seized a banana and placed it to her mouth.

"Mune o itameru hanashi bakari ga konogoro ja afureteru kedo. Kanashimi no tame ni tanoshimu koto okizari ni shinaide ite…" Rei continued the song. Minako jumped slightly at seeing her friend but simply smiled. (There are plenty of terrible news around nowadays. But please don't leave pleasure behind because of sadness)

For a moment, Rei felt horribly jealous as Minako continued the song. The blonde didn't have to run a corporation. She could bounce around the world singing songs like this, and have a good time about it. She didn't have to negotiate with certain evil CEO's or deal with the business world, which was horrible, cold, and unforgiving and a power play. One mistake meant everything. And the worst part was, everyone was in it voluntarily, including herself. Two years ago, she would have rather died than succumb to her father's level and become a political image, but the other senshi were finding their callings, and she needed to find her place too. She was always…controlling, stubborn and fast tempered. The CEO shoe fit, and she took advantage of it. It was ironic, she started out hating the very idea and who would have guessed she would become the idea herself. Everyone has their breaking points.

"Mijikai natsu ga hajimatte iku. Kimi to ikutsu no omoide tsukuroo. Taiyoo wa tada hikari kagayaki. Nami wa itsumo yosete wa kaeshiteku" The two girls chorused together and began dancing around the small wooden table adorned with yellow roses in a vase and matching yellow dishes. (The short summer is starting now. How many memories can I make with you? The sun is just shining bright. And the waves are always rolling on the shore)

After the line was finished, both girls burst into laughter. "Just like old times.." Minako breathed in between giggles. Memories of Makoto belting out karaoke songs with her sour notes. One could assume she was tone deaf and not be far off. Ami would always stand stiff as a board singing, afraid to make herself vulnerable to any kind of humiliation. She was always very…. withdrawn. Then Usagi would join in and dance, and Ami couldn't hold back. Usagi had that effect on everyone; her laughter was as contagious as her bright, white smile and there was something you could always trust about her. But they were all…just memories now. They were forced to grow up all at the tender age of 18 and there was no turning back now.

When they had calmed down, Minako placed a towering plate of pancakes on the table, and glasses of milk.

"So, do you want to tell me why you acted so strange last night?" Minako prodded, utilizing the advantage of her practical peace-offering of food to Rei.

Rei began angrily slicing her pancake and poured syrup on it hastily. "He was just so infuriating!" She raged and forked a piece into her mouth.

"Rei-chan, you're speaking in riddles. Who is infuriating?" Minako continued her interrogation.

"SETO KAIBA!" Rei burst out and began to tell Minako everything that happened in a quick rant before even realizing what she was doing. It all came gushing out and she was silently thankful it was off her chest.

"Seto Kaiba? Sheesh Rei-chan, I hear he is really adorable but do you know who you're messing with?"

"The arrogant, egotistical CEO of KaibaCorp and sooooooo not adorable."

"That's not what I meant." Minako unconsciously twirled a strange of blonde hair around her finger. "Everyone knows about that guy. He's ruthless. Stuff your pride for once and surrender because you're in way over your head."

"No. My whole life I've never stood for bullies and people like him. I can't back down now. I won't!" Rei pleaded with her friend.

"Be careful, and don't do anything to land yourself in hot water." Minako cast a warning glance at Rei, something that was untypical of her normally cheery demeanor. She was worried for her friend this time despite the fire that raged in Rei. Everyday life was one thing the corporate world was another. It was another game from regular life and Rei was brand new to it.

"He's the one that better watch out."

Good Morning Mr. Kaiba.

It rang throughout the domain of KaibaCorp headquarters as the powerful CEO strutted through his territory at the apex floor of KaibaCorp on the way to his office. His ice blue eyes glared and penetrated the defenses of the fearful workers. It disgusted him how they pretended to be such goody-two-shoes to his face, when he caught them slacking considerably ten minutes later, playing solitaire at their computers. None of it fooled him. With a grunt he entered his office, and scowled at the contract that was carefully placed on his desk by his secretary.

It was the contract proposed last night. He just needed to sign it.

Yeah right.

Like he was going to make a deal with HTR now. He was about to discard the offending piece of paper in the nearby trash can when it occurred to him. During the project, Hino would be under his jurisdiction, while he called the shots. If she wanted to keep her company alive, then she'd have to obey his commands and be right under his thumb.

He smirked to himself as he quickly whipped out a pen and signed the contract. His plan was put into motion when he pressed the intercom on his phone.

"Fax this contract to the office of Mr. Subaru at once. Have Mokuba take his innovation and tech team to HTR headquarters at once. We need to start…. production immediately." He barked.

"Yes Mr. Kaiba." A secretary answered hastily.

He hung up the phone, his triumphant smirk never fading. HTR was now on a leash and he would control with an iron fist, and crush the competition.

He was in control now….

And she didn't stand a chance.

Oh ho ho how will our favorite senshi of fire react? I'm considering a Mokuba/Minako pairing. I don't think it's been done before. Give me feedback on that idea! My apologies for taking so long! Please review so I feel inspired to write more.

Next Time: Rei meets Mokuba and Tea comes into play.