My thanks to sweet Mel for motivating me to write this chapter with these inspiring words:

"...And since the viewer only got to see the Fem!Yami face through Seto's eyes, that to me, screams how Seto sees Yami... As something beautiful."

Yes Mel, I saved that part of the conversation because I am dorky like that, LOL~! However, the outcome was this chapter so I am truly grateful.

So, this is the penultimate chapter, folks—pray that I will remain motivated enough to finish it off.

Enjoy~.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

O-o-O-o-O

Silence met the CEO as he stormed into the lobby area of KaibaCorp-Tokyo; lips pressed tightly together. He was aware of the keen stares that were sent his way and his lips thinned even more. Marching towards the elevator, the awkward silence followed him; it accompanied him until he was safely inside the contraption and the doors shut firmly behind him. Then the reception erupted into noisy excitement, fervent whispers on whether Kaiba-sama was really going out with Tengu filled the foyer.

Kaiba knew what his staff was saying behind his back. He had the preview of what was to come that morning from his own brother. Mokuba confronted him during breakfast demanding to know if she was the reason he had split up with Yami. He laughed at the teen, mocking his gullibility with scorn. The latter had heard the news the night before, but he did not have the opportunity to voice his concerns, as Kaiba had not returned home until very late. The subject, himself, hadn't realised his "love affair" until he read it in the morning headlines. Needless to say he was not impressed with the assertions. He found the incident most distasteful.

The elevator had arrived on his floor and he swiftly exited it, his lips curled in contempt to the half glances he received from his personal staff. His secretary quickly looked away to hide her embarrassment when he caught her staring at him. It began to grate on his nerves to be surrounded by naïve and shallow fools, who believed everything they heard and read. The hoard of reporters outside the building did nothing to ease his ire. It was troublesome and irritating. His scowl deepened.

Once inside the confines of his office, he paused and exhaled deeply. He hadn't realised he had been holding his breath in the first place. Brushing a hand over his face, he made his way to his desk. After placing his briefcase onto the wooden surface, he dropped heavily into his chair and leaned back; his weary head resting on the leathery support behind him.

Truth be told, he was used to trouble following him, it shadowed his every move, faithfully trailing his person and waiting for the opportunity to force him into a bind. This was no exception. However, the fact that it involved a personal matter irked him to no ends; he resented having his private life exposed by the media and he hated lies being fabricated to sell a story. How should he deal with this matter, he thought coolly? Kaneko's pose in that picture had not left much room for refutation; it was no wonder people jumped to that conclusion; still, he refused to allow this to go unchallenged. Someone will pay for this nonsense; it will give him immense satisfaction to vent is irritation in a productive way.

Curiously, Kaiba wondered if Yami knew, it unconsciously led to thoughts on how the crimson-eyed male would react upon learning of it. Would he feel hurt and dejected, he asked himself? His hand crept to the pocket of his coat, to where that was secured in its depth. He felt its tug; it was urging him to acknowledge its presence—its significance. Tapered fingers dug into the opening, it snaked slowly towards the item, delving deeper until it grazed against the sharp corner of the foil wrapping. He secured it between his finger and thumb and drew it out. Absently fingering the packet his mind strayed, blue eyes stared vacantly into space as memories of that night flooded back to him. He recalled how his lover proudly showed off his purchase, how he subsequently coaxed, dared and threatened his partner just so he could see it being used. It evoked a small twitch of the corners on the thin lips and the longing in Kaiba's chest throbbed gently.

Yami...

Kaiba raised the item and pressed it to his lips. The ache in his chest flared up, the gesture intensified the longing he felt. He wondered what his ex-lover was doing at that moment in time. Was he with Sakaki? Did he still think of him, he wondered? It was vain for him to have such thoughts but it didn't stop him from thinking it all the same.

A sharp knock on the door shook him out of his brooding and he hastily returned the item back into his pocket. He was about to respond when the door burst open and none other than his alleged "lover" walked in. Noticing the newspaper she clutched in her hand, he frowned with displeasure.

"Did you see this?" Kaneko asked without ceremony, not even a polite greeting to her employer. She placed the paper on the desk in front of him and tapped it. The coloured picture stared up at him, mocking him with how the impossible could easily be made real with a moment of carelessness. It captured him with his defences down.

Kaiba shrugged, his indifference was for her benefit; he could ill-afford to show emotions in case she misconstrued them. He couldn't give her hope any more than he couldn't stop thinking about... He shook himself.

"Fucking camera phones!" he growled. He was sure the photo was taken with one; it had "amateur" stamped all over it.

"What do you plan to do about it?" Kaneko asked cautiously, her curiosity coloured the enquiry, as she peered quizzically at him, her hands on he hips.

"There are many options available," Kaiba replied frostily. "One, I could fire you for being the cause of this hearsay and send you to some remote place until this incident is forgotten. Two, I could deny the claims and cause more speculations, or three; I could ignore the claims and hope it will blow over with disinterest. Personally, I prefer the first option, however, I would need advice on that. Make an appointment with the lawyer and we'll see what he says. I do not want this misunderstanding to escalate."

Kaneko nodded and took out her phone. She selected the number and placed the handset to her ear. Meanwhile, Kaiba called for the company's security, instructing them to remove the press off his property. By the time he had finished his call, Kaneko was patiently waiting with the results of hers.

"Hashimoto-san said he'll clear his morning appointments for you, he said to go in as soon as it is convenient," she informed him crisply.

Without acknowledgement, Kaiba got up and picked his briefcase off the table. "I'll meet you in the car park in five minutes." Not waiting for a reply, he skirted around the table and made his way towards the door.

Kaneko watched the retreating figure with a feeling akin to disappointment and berated herself for being an idiot. Did she honestly think Kaiba would return her feelings? Foolishly, it didn't stop her from hoping that maybe—just maybe—he would accept her. The opportunity had presented itself; she was hoping to use the picture to confess her feelings as long as he gave her an opening.

But he didn't.

He shot down all hopes with his denial, a "misunderstanding" he called it. And he was right. It was a lie, resulting from a mishap and he had every right to refute it. She was surprised he wasn't angrier about it.

With a sigh, Kaneko began to head for the door. Kaiba would be most put out if she were late, he wasn't known for his patience. The subdued sound of her heels made a dull noise on the carpeted floor, it was followed by the sound of the door opening and then closing.

Silence was once again restored in the room.

O-o-O-o-O

"How may I help you, sir?"

The receptionist looked suspiciously at the strange man in front of her. Slim and small built; he was dressed in a khaki linen jacket, which was zipped up to his neck, with a large brown beanie hat that covered most of his head and light-tinted sunglasses hid his eyes. The girl at the desk was a little apprehensive of the shady character, for all she knew, he could be a member of the press trying to get a scoop on Kaiba-sama's love affair. Luckily, the subject had left, so she could honestly say he wasn't in and hope the man would go away.

"I am sorry to trouble you, but would it be possible to see Kaiba Mokuba?" The man asked timidly. Leaning on the counter, he fidgeted nervously. "I am afraid I do not have an appointment, but the matter is rather urgent."

The reception smiled; relieved he wasn't asking for the elder Kaiba. It would also explain the man's casual appearance; he didn't look the type of guest Kaiba-sama usually received. It made sense if he was a friend of the younger Kaiba.

"I am sorry, sir, but Mokuba-sama is not here at the moment, but we are expecting him to arrive soon. Would you like to wait or, perhaps, come back later?"

The sudden slumped shoulders told the girl the man was discouraged with the news. After a long pause the man replied, "I will wait if it's possible."

The girl nodded with a smile, "Please take a seat, sir. I will inform Mokuba-sama of your presence when he arrives. May I take your name, please?"

"Mutou Yami," the man answered reluctantly.

The girl smiles again. "Please take a seat, Mutou-san," she said, gesturing to the leather armchairs in the lobby. "I will inform you as soon as I get an answer from the Vice President."

Yami bowed and sauntered over to the seats in the corner, it was a distance away from the door, but it allowed him to spy the entrance without being noticed. Mokuba must be at university, he thought dejectedly. It served him right for coming to Tokyo without notifying Mokuba in advance. It had been nothing but a fanciful whim that compelled him to buy a ticket and head out to the unknown. It would have been wiser to ask Mokuba if he was available to meet him or not first. Being stuck here made him feel most uncomfortable, he feared he might blow his cover and be recognised.

He let out a long sigh; it was too late to back out now. He was here already so he might as well wait it out. What he hope to accomplish he didn't know, maybe he wanted closure on his relationship with Kaiba, maybe he wanted to see him, maybe he wanted to...

Yami sighed again. He will see what comes out of it.

The sound of the door suddenly sliding open made Yami look up. An imposing figure walked through it. Yami blanched and remained very still, he dared not breathe—afraid that even the slightest movement would draw blue cerulean eyes his way. His heart beat so frantic he thought it would burst out of his chest; crimson orbs behind tanned lenses stared hungrily at the tall form of KaibaCorp's CEO. It followed him as he made his way to the elevator.

"I told you to let me drive, didn't I?" A female came running up behind him; struggling to keep up with her companion's long strides. "It's been ages since you last driven in this city, things do change, you know!"

Yami's eyes widened. It was the woman in the picture!

His heart stopped for a heartbeat and he clenched his hand tightly on his lap. The knucklebones bore through the taut skin.

"As if I am going to get in a car with you driving!" Kaiba jeered. "No thanks, I value my life!"

"But you got us lost," she countered openly. She stood beside him, her arms crossed in front of her looking a little sulky.

"Better than being maimed or worse!" came the terse reply.

At that moment, the elevator arrived and the doors opened allowing the passengers to get in. Yami could faintly hear them quarrelling as the doors closed. With his head cast down, he stared at his curled fists. Blue spidery veins were clearly visible through the stretched skin, his nails dug painfully into the flesh of his palm. He wanted to laugh; he wanted mock his own stupidity. Had he thought all would return to how it was before their quarrel? With his thoughts filled with Kaiba, he had forgotten one important factor: her!

Giggles could be heard from the reception desk and he turned his attention to them.

"There they go again, fighting as always," one of the girls snickered. "It's surprising how Kaneko-san gets away with it."

Her companion nodded in agreement. "I know, only she can treat him so boldly without being fired. I heard she applied for employment here so she could work with Kaiba-sama, it seemed she's had a crush on him for a very long time!"

"Well, it looks as if she finally got her wish. In that picture, they sure were intimate, I mean they are close—but I didn't realise it was that close. Chibi's going to be happy, he likes her."

A sigh followed. It was obvious to the eavesdropper that despite the elder Kaiba's cool disposition; he was still very desirable. Yami bit down on his lips and gnawed on it until it bled. The warm liquid spilled onto his tongue, coating it with a rich coppery taste, but he paid no heed to it. His body trembled from the shock and he felt sick. He needed to get out of the building; he felt the confinement closing in on him, trapping him, suffocating him.

Getting up he made his way to the door, he did not stop to inform the receptionist of his departure nor did he look back. Hasty steps covered the distance from the seat to the exit, making short his walk. In a matter of seconds, the lobby was less one occupant.

As Yami stepped over the threshold, his mind was made up; Kaiba did not need him, just as he requested in their last encounter, all traces of his existence must be removed. He knew what he must do.

O-o-O-o-O

Arriving back at his office with Kaneko following closely behind him, he set his briefcase down and began loosening his tie. The day had seemed to drag on although it was only noon. The meeting with his lawyer had ceded little result. Kaneko's gesture had made the allegations hard to disprove; there was little they could do other than wait for the fuss to die down. Kaiba ground his jaw in annoyance; he could already imagine how the media was going to react when they discover the "mysterious woman" was an employee as well.

Shit!

Biting his knuckles, he spun around and looked dispassionately out of the window, trying hard to calm his simmering temper. The crowd of people below, oblivious to the fury of the one observing them, went about their way. Kaneko was saying something to him, but he was not listening.

One person, out of many, caught his eye.

The individual was walking away from the building. A figure, clad in a slim-fitting jacket, long slacks and a large hat, piqued his attention and drew his blue-hued focus. Kaiba slackened the grip on his fist and leaned his face towards the window, squinting his eyes in order to get a better look. As his curiosity increased, the closer he moved to the glass until it fogged over with his breath. Muttering a curse, he shifted a step to the side and peered out again.

The way that person walked seemed oddly familiar. It reminded him of a certain someone with a similar dignified manner in his gait, one with a proud and assured bearing. On countless occasions, Kaiba had watched his rival's retreating back to notice the similarities...

It can't possibly be?

"PHONE!" he yelled to Kaneko, a hand outstretched in her direction, his eyes never leaving the window.

The startled female stared speechlessly at the agitated man.

"Give me your phone NOW!" he demanded again, he gave his hand an impatient jerk with the command.

Without a word, Kaneko handed over her cell to her employer and for a brief moment Kaiba turned away from the window; his attention steered away from the fixation he had of the outside world. It lasted long enough for him to snatch the item out of her hand and dial. The sound of the call connecting could be heard before he pressed the phone to his ear and returned his gaze outside.

Narrowing his eyes, Kaiba watched closely. The steady tone sounded loud in his ear as it rang. Was he mistaken, he thought? He could not describe the feeling that was whelming him inside. With each passing second, he felt more agitated.

Yami.

Suddenly, the figure stopped.

Kaiba's heart stopped too.

The person was searching for something in his jacket, the franticness in the action spoke of urgency.

Kaiba's heart leapt and began beating at a frantic rate too.

The person had retrieved something from his jacket and was looking at it.

Kaiba held his breath...

The person raised his hand to his ear...

"Hello?" the voice through the phone was clear and familiar. Stunned, Kaiba could not utter a word—not even when the person repeated the question. He could not reply. All he could do was watch helplessly as the person glanced at the item in his hand and hung up.

The sound of the dead tone drew Kaiba out of his shock. Temporarily paralysed, he could nothing than stare out at him.

"Kaiba?" The concerned voice of Kaneko broke through his trance. Shutting the phone, he slowly offered it back, his arm stretched out towards her, but his face remained adhered to the view outside. The phone was gently retrieved, its owner waiting for the other to respond.

"Leave," he ordered, the brusqueness of the command left little room for argument.

Reluctantly, Kaneko complied. She was bewildered and curious with Kaiba's behaviour, she wanted to remain to find out the cause, but she dared not. Clutching the phone, she pondered on the number Kaiba had dialled on it. She may look into it when she got back to her office.

The soft click of the door informed Kaiba of her departure, but he did not move. Spellbound, the brunet could only watch, as the figure became nothing more than a speck in the distance. He traced the tiny form with his finger, stroking it until it was no more, but even then he remained embedded to the spot, his stare fixed on the place Yami disappeared...until a thought hit him.

Why was Yami here in Tokyo? Was it possible he came to KaibaCorp?

The questions plagued him; it nagged him for answers.

Turning around he reached for the office phone; punching in the extension number as soon as he picked up, his call was diverted to the reception desk. A cheery and courteous voice answered the call immediately, "Good afternoon, Kaiba-sama, how may I help you?"

His question was quick and concise, "Tell me, did anyone come in and ask for me just now?"

O-o-O-o-O

It was the night of the full moon, as the sky was bathed in its silvery glory, two lonely figures stared out into the night. Their thoughts were of each other.

Kaiba stood on the terrace of his penthouse; his body leaning against the balcony's wall; his arms crossed over his chest as he looked down at the city below him. He was unmoved by the blinding lights of the bustling metropolis, which battled with the opaque and silent sky above. The cool wind gently ruffled his hair and he closed his eyes to the sensation.

His thoughts instinctively steered towards his ex-lover who was here at KaibaCorp today, but he hadn't come to see him.

He had asked for Mokuba.

He huffed in annoyance. What did he expect? Did he think the ex-spirit would want to see him again? He knew it was impossible, yet he couldn't help deluding himself. Excitedly, he called the desk to enquire about a person seeking him—only be told that there were none. Instead he was told, there was a gentleman, only moments ago, was looking for Mokuba-sama. A person called "Mutou Yami".

Needless to say, he suffered a fool's disappointment and deservedly so. He shivered and tried to ignore the chill that cut through his thin attire as he thought about that person who was so near yet so far from him. He knew it was Yami—he always knew when he was present. His body would tingle with anticipation, his eyes would always seek him out; his ears would listen for him. By now, he was able to differentiate Yami's mood just by the way he would call his name.

"Seto..."

The many ways he would say that name. The noticeable growl when he was angry, the gentle way he would speak it when he was concerned, but the most memorable was the way he would draw out the last syllable in the softest of tones, it showed his love for him.

Seeing him again today had wrecked havoc with his emotions and shattered his peace of mind. He thought he could get over him, he thought he could reject Yami's existence, but the incident today had proved how wrong he was. His frenzied actions had exhibited how unwilling he was to let go. He had lost his cool over the sighting of the petit man; his desperateness was evident in the way he demanded Kaneko for her phone so he could confirm what his heart already knew. He could not risk calling from his own cell or from the office. Yami had both those numbers stored on his phone.

Hearing that voice aroused feelings he thought he had safely stowed away. It made him want to feel the small body close to him again. With the exception of Mokuba, he thought he never needed anyone else by his side. Had he not welcomed solitude and valued his seclusion? Had he not enjoyed the freedom it gave him? But Yami changed that. He had shown him what it was like to wake up in the morning with a warm body snuggled up close; he had shown him what it was like to have a partner to intimately share bodies with, and most of all, he had shown him how to love. The loneliness now was hard to endure, to revert back to the life he had before that cocky Game King intruded was painful. He thought he did not need anyone—but he was so wrong.

However, now it was too late to make amends. What he did was unforgivable and he could not bring himself to admit to Yami he was wrong—not after what was said and done. His pride would not allow him to beg for forgiveness, he could not ask Yami back. For that he was destined to spend his life alone, he wanted no other than the one he could no longer have.

He fucked up big time.

Resting his head into the crook of his arms, he closed his eyes; the image of the retreating figure immediately filled his mind. His heart ached from the memory.

"Yami," he whispered, the pain was audible in the timbre, but it was lost amidst the din of the urban jungle below.

He had made his bed and now he must lie in it.

O-o-O-o-O

Likewise a small and dejected figure looked at the darkened heavens above Domino City. Yami sat on the couch by the window, his cell phone clutched possessively in one hand. Tearing his eyes away from the night, he stared at the item in his grasp, the lure of Kaiba's beautiful face as he slept was too strong to ignore.

Yami had cherished that picture with all his heart; it was his most prized possession. The fact that it had taken him months and numerous attempts to capture it, made it particularly special. Kaiba was a light sleeper so he had always managed to thwart his efforts, confiscating his phone and erasing the results of his hard work, much to his chagrin. It was only due to his stubborn persistence he finally succeeded in taking that one photo; and even then he had a sneaky feeling Kaiba allowed it, that he yielded to his lover's determined whim.

But now, it didn't matter anymore because somebody else was privy to that face. Someone else was able to wake up in the morning and see the relaxed expression of the haughty man. Kaiba was not his anymore, he had lost that exclusiveness and now, he was someone else's. Kaneko was her name. To say he wasn't envious was a lie.

Staring at the picture, he touched the screen; his finger lovingly traced the lines of the still face. Closing his eyes, he brought the phone slowly up to his lips and kissed the sleeping man. His heart lurched achingly as his lips made contact with the cold display.

"Seto," he called out softly.

Opening his eyes, he took one long final look and then pressed a key on his phone.

Delete?

The word flashed before him, the boldness of the warning reminding him the gravity of his action.

Closing his eyes once more, Yami pressed his answer...

Yes.

O-o-O-o-O

The next day, Kaneko appeared in Kaiba's office. Helping herself to a seat in front of Kaiba's desk, she held an electronic pad, which she had placed carefully on her lap. Kaiba was working on his computer, his fingers tapping the keyboard in a diligent manner, his eyes never leaving the screen as she informed him of the day's schedule.

"This morning, Mokuba has a meeting with the advertising representative of Sakaki Incorporated. Would you like to be there for the discussions or would you like us to inform you of the details after?" she asked. "Of course, nothing will be agreed without your approval."

The typing stopped and cold eyes veered towards the speaker. "Who is the representative attending?" Kaiba enquired slowly and cautiously; dread began to form in his gut, his body rigid as he waited for the reply.

"Sakaki Ryuichi."

Kaiba dropped his eyes and stared at the screen before him. Letters, symbols and number stared back at him—the cursor blinking impatiently—waiting for further instructions. But, the former ignored it, his mind a swirled with the unwelcome thoughts of that man. That hated man. His face darkened.

Sakaki Ryuichi.

Since the quarrel with Mokuba, Kaiba had not heard that name mentioned; to have it suddenly brought up provoked a barrage of emotions that began surfacing from its locked confinement. Unwanted thoughts emerged, thoughts he chose to dismiss and ignore because it wasn't supposed to matter any more. But now the possibility of meeting him had dredged them up, along with it, it answered the question that vexed him last night. An image of a figure began to materialise from the strands of those thoughts, Kaiba knew who it was even before the vision was completed.

Yami!

How did he not realise Yami's presence in Tokyo had something to do with Sakaki?

Angry at his own stupidity, he gripped his hands tightly. The screen in front of him was now blank due inactiveness, he could see his reflection in it. His expression was murderous.

"Kaiba?" Kaneko's concerned voice sifted through his fury, compelling Kaiba to look up and meet her curious stare; it questioned his prolonged silence.

"Inform Mokuba I will be attending the meeting," he clipped. "You may go now."

His dismissal was brutal, but Kaneko was used to it. The only thing that irked her now was how frequent it was happening. Distant and moody, the CEO had become more so than in the past. He was increasingly cold and reserved. With a slight curl of her lip, she got up and left the room. On her way back to her office she tried to understand what was it that made him so withdrawn. She wondered if the newspaper incident had caused it, but the more she looked back, the less it seemed. He was already edgy before that.

Upon arriving in her office, she flung down her e-pad and slumped into the chair. Swivelling the seat around she gazed out the window, her fingers distractedly drumming on the armrest. Instantly she was reminded of the incident from the day before and Kaiba's shocking response.

Just who was that man? How was he able to trigger such profound reaction from Kaiba?

Though she would never openly admit it, she re-dialled the number he had called and a man answered it. Like Kaiba, she said nothing, but she could feel the man's annoyance from the stretched silence. She ended the call after that and saved the number under a question mark, whether she will ever find out whom that person was and what was his relation to Kaiba, she will never know, but she was too shrewd to dismiss it altogether. Maybe Mokuba could shed some light on this mysterious man, but it will require tact. She would have to wait for the opportunity to arise to be able to approach him about it.

Giving a quick glance at the clock, she saw it was nearly time for their appointment with Sakaki. Pushing off the chair she retrieved her files and made her way to Mokuba's office. They were going to have a quick briefing before meeting. With the Kaiba elder involved, it was going to be a long and arduous process. She hoped for Mokuba and Sakaki's sake it will go well.

O-o-O-o-O

The tension in the room was palpable; it stifled the occupants with its density. Kaiba and Sakaki emitted an aura, which made Mokuba and Kaneko stare at each other in helpless dismay. The attitude between the two was noticeable. With stiff politeness they greeted each other, then subsequently not speaking with one another unless it was absolute necessary. It increased the Chibi and Tengu's concern immeasurably. Even without words, the hostility was discernible; the way ice blue clashed with steely grey had shown animosity with tangible results. Gone was the friendly and charming Sakaki of the previous encounter, instead was replaced by an alert businessman. The observers could see he was trying to prove his worth in front of the KaibaCorp CEO. However, the latter did not look impressed. In fact, he looked nonchalant and bored!

Having Mokuba and Kaneko present was just a formality, the two and a half hours spent in that meeting was mostly dominated by Kaiba and Sakaki; the project's owner forgotten and dismissed whilst the older males warred against each other. Bewildered, Mokuba could only look on, powerless to prevent his nii-sama from grilling the representative and finding fault with every single objective. If the younger hadn't know better, he was sure his brother was being vindictive—but why?

As expected, the result of the meeting yielded poor results; squandered by the bickering two men, they could not reach a decision. Not that Sakaki was discourteous. Mokuba and Kaneko could not fault the way the representative acted; determined to sell his proposal, the young heir of Sakaki Incorporated withstood the outrageous demands and snide remarks his rival threw at him. The man possessed a fierceness, which he lacked last time; he was unwavering in his resolve to succeed. Even so, the encounter ended with the promise that the proposal would be examined in detail and discussed further if required. Needless to say, it was unsatisfactory for both parties. A compromise was neither what they were after nor what they wanted. The other younger participants were just thankful the two men weren't killing each other by the end of it. They, on the pretence of going through the proposal again, escaped as soon as they could and the room was left with Kaiba and Sakaki.

Eager to be away from his rival, Kaiba swiftly gathered his documents and strode to the door.

"Yami is going to Egypt."

Kaiba paused. Still bristling with anger, it made him cruel and his words unkind. "And why the fuck should I care where he goes?" With a scathing laugh he added, "So, even without me present you still couldn't make him completely yours? Or did he play you for the fool as well?"

He began walking again.

"He was never mine in the first place!" Sakaki spat angrily. It stopped his rival in his tracks; his back still turned towards Sakaki.

The rigidness of his body spoke of tension—tension from the conflict that was debating from within. Logic dictated he should disregard the remark and leave, but the need to know and the desire to goad his rival with the knowledge held him immobile. The latter won out and a strained, "What?" escaped between clenched teeth.

"He was never mine!" Scrubbing his face with the palm of his hand, Sakaki continued, "I could never oust you, no matter how hard I tried, no matter what I did!" Resentment was heavily accented in his voice.

"Well, don't come to me crying over your failure, bastard. I will not be a part of your sick game." Kaiba began to move again.

Sakaki fought briefly with himself before blurting out, "Nothing ever happened between us. I exploited the knowledge and used it to my advantage."

Kaiba stopped, this time he turned around, giving the other his full attention. Eyes narrowed to slits of blue, stared aggressively at his rival. "What. Did. You. Say?" he asked, each word chipped effectively through the tensed silence.

Sakaki swallowed hard, his eyes unable to tear away from Kaiba's steadfast glare. He felt a cold sweat form over his body and his hands felt suddenly damp. He clasp and unclasped them.

"What did you fucking say?" Kaiba took a step towards Sakaki. "Answer me!"

The latter could see how the CEO was able to instil fear and obedience in his employees and associates. Despite Kaiba being a few inches taller than him, his commanding presence allowed him to tower over his rival; his menacing aura threatened to choke the fearful man into submission. The effects were frightening. It took all of Sakaki's self-control not to display the fear he felt. He took a step back.

"I overheard Yami and you making out on the telephone that night I lost the poker game at the Gentlemen's Club," Sakaki admitted, "It was how I knew how he sounded intimately."

Kaiba paled, his hands were pinned by his side by sheer determination alone, he was very close to punching the daylights out of the audacious bastard. "So why are you telling me this; it's not like you would gain a thing by confessing," he forced out; words laced with scorn as he leant away from the man, his eyes glared down at the other disdainfully. "You could have allowed this misunderstanding to continue and exploit it to your advantage. Or could this be a ploy, thought up between you and Yami, to deceive me."

Sakaki stiffened at the accusation. He could withstand Kaiba's contempt towards him, he had anticipated it and deserved it, but he would not tolerate the insults directed at Yami. It was maliciously uncalled for. He made no attempt to defend what he did, but for Yami…

He drew out a long weary breath. "True, I could have allowed this misunderstanding to continue, for me it would be very beneficial and I get the pleasure of seeing you suffer. But I realised by causing the estrangement, I hurt Yami. I couldn't live with the knowledge that I am the reason for his anguish, his suffering..." Sakaki paused briefly, looking distractedly out of the window, unwilling to go on. The view is magnificent, he thought absently.

"And?" Kaiba prompted as he sensed Sakaki's hesitation. He really wanted the man out if his sight and out of his life as soon as possible. He needed some time to reflect on what was said before he attended the fiscal meeting due any moment and he couldn't do that with the bastard comfortably zoning out.

"Initially, I wanted to take him away from you, which was why I devised that lie. However, it backfired and the grief it entailed was too high a price to pay. You are right that I gain nothing by telling you the truth, but there's one thing that I hate more than not having Yami—and that is not having him and knowing he's all alone because of me."

"Like I give a shit! Why the hell should I believe you? Do you think I am unaware that he is here in Tokyo with you?"

"What? Yami is in Tokyo?" Sakaki responded to Kaiba with his stunned query. "Last time I saw him was in Domino City…"

Kaiba rolled his eyes in disbelief and it angered Sakaki.

"Did you know even to the end, he thought nothing but you? Did you know how he reacted on seeing you and Kaneko-san on the news?" Sakaki paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink into his rival. "I felt his heart break, I felt it shattered to tiny pieces. If he allowed me to comfort him, I would gladly do it. I offered to take him away from Domino City, away from the sorrow, and away from you, but he rejected me. He would rather flee to Egypt with his pain, and do you know why?"

Kaiba remained silent. He didn't know.

"He couldn't bear the thought of betraying you and the feelings he had for you!"

Blue eyes widened at the words spoken with resignation, he gaped with surprise.

Sakaki let out an acrid laugh; Kaiba could hear the bitterness in its forced joviality. "And when I asked him if he still loved you, do you know what he said?"

Kaiba held his breath, the air around them stilled.

"He said he 'never stopped'!"

Stunned and relieved, the CEO felt the blood rush to his head, the beating of his heart pounded loudly in his ears as he tried to digest what was said to him. Yami still loved him—after all that was done to him—he still loved him? It was almost too good to be true. Kaiba being the pragmatic man found the revelation hard to believe, suspicion was second nature to him, it kept his elation in check. Caught up in his thoughts, he almost missed what the other said.

"You were his one and only, there could never be another, there never will be another. If he could not be with you this lifetime, he will wait for the next. Do you have any idea how that made me feel, Kaiba?" Sakaki stared long and hard at the man opposite him, he had an air and look of a defeated man.

"You probably felt the same as I did when you told me how my lover sounded when being fucked!" Kaiba sneered. He did not hide the satisfaction echoed in the retort. The Game King had crushed his opponent in the most effective and cruellest way possible; he would have pitied the beaten man had he not brought it upon himself.

Sakaki grimaced. "He may not return to Japan, you know," he voiced grimly.

"And you are telling this because…?" scoffed Kaiba.

"Will you not stop—"

"Why should I? You were the one who caused this mess, you were the one who drove him into a corner—forced him into this position and now you want me to fix it? How pathetic!" Kaiba's objections were merciless. "Besides, why should I trust a liar?"

"You are very welcome to ask the Sudo guy, he was there when I overheard the incident," Sakaki said with exasperated venom, annoyed at being interrupted. "Though I am beginning to think you really don't deserve Yami!"

"Like you fucking deserve him!" Kaiba growled. "Attempting such underhanded methods to drive us apart and gain his affections. You have no honour or pride!"

Sakaki gave a short snort. "What's the use of 'honour' and 'pride if it can't keep the person you love beside you. You stubbornly clung to your so-called 'pride' and 'honour' and lost Yami in the process. At what cost are you willing to pay for upholding these sentiments, Kaiba?" Kaiba laughed outright at Sakaki's comments and Sakaki scowled. "What's so amusing?" he asked, resentful of mockery he detected in the timbre.

"Did you know 'pride' and 'honour' are two commonalities that Yami and I both share? Yes, it could tear us apart but it was what bought us together in the first place. Without it, we would not be where we are or who we are now! This is one of the reasons why you will never have Yami!"

With a shrug, Sakaki replied coolly, "I can always abide my time and wait for the both of you to self-destruct, I am not fussy as to how I obtain Yami as long as it's achieved. Beggars can't be choosers, you know."

In a flash, Kaiba grabbed Sakaki by the front of his shirt, the movement was so fast, the latter had not realise he was caught until he was inches away from the snarling face. "The hell you will, you little shit!" growled Kaiba. "Yami is mine! You are fool to think you are fit to be by his side—let alone replace me. Go near him again and I'll ensure you and your company will go down before you could say, 'FUCK!' Now get off my property, you've outstayed your welcome!"

With that said, Kaiba released his captive with a shove causing Sakaki to stumble a few steps back. After regaining his balance, the visitor collected the documents scattered on the table and sluggishly made his way to the door. His steps were slow and hesitant. Kaiba knew his adversary had something else to add, it was clearly shown in his reluctance to leave.

Pausing by the door, Sakaki turned around. "If Yami was mine, I would never have doubted him. You are the fool, Kaiba, for doing that."

Then he was gone.

Kaiba remained where he was. Raising a hand, he pinched the bridge of his nose wearily and heaved a sigh.

He knew he was a fool.

O-o-O-o-O

The meeting with his accountants lasted longer than anticipated and Kaiba was dog-tired when it had finished. Back in his office, he began packing his briefcase; agitation dominated his actions as he threw the items carelessly into the steel case.

He was impatient to leave.

Distracted throughout the meeting with reflections on his earlier conversation, he had unnecessarily prolonged the meeting and it annoyed him. With his task completed, Kaiba secured his briefcase and drew out his phone.

"Mokuba cell," he commanded into the handset and waited for his younger sibling to pick up. It rang six times before it was answered, Kaiba suspected Mokuba was engrossed in some game hence his tardiness.

"Nii-sama?" Mokuba sounded surprised and curious. "What's up?"

Kaiba inhaled deeply before answering him, he knew what he was about to say would be followed by an onslaught of questions, but it can't be helped; he had given instructions to have his departure prepared, he refused to back out of it now.

"Mokuba," the brother said gravely after the a short pause, "I need to return to Domino City..."

~TBC~

O-o-O-o-O