Is it true?! Did I update??!!!!! Oh my gosh I did!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SORRYSORRYSORRYSORRYSORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm ashamed! I feel horrible!
'I'll update quickly!' I say. Two months later. 'Still haven't updated. Meh heh.'
The truth is I couldn't figure out how to start this chapter. I wrote three different versions each taking me in a different direction. And none seemed to work! But finally I did it! And I still don't know if this was the right freakin' choice!!
I'm complaining. I know. I've been sitting in this chair all day writing. (I can't feel my butt or my legs. TT ) Near the end it might get kind of choppy. It's late at night and my dog's having a fit because everyone's gone except me. She'll come up and whine 'Love Me' and I can't turn away!!! I have to pet her! She's too cute not too. So…I was interrupted many times because of her….random….
If you've stuck with me for this long I bow down to you!! And I give a giant hug to all my reviewers! A VERY big hug. I hope all those who were waiting enjoy this chapter and will continue to follow along!
Read & Review!!!!!
\Kaiba link\
/Yami link/
"Speaking"
"Intercom"
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Second Chance Chap. 7: Blinded by furyThe next morning Kaiba awoke to the sound of a constant obnoxious beep. Rolling over he noticed an alarm clock flashing relentlessly six am. There was a small tinge of light from the window, but not enough to validate the time.
Swinging a fist down on the off button Kaiba stumbled out of bed. He half expected to see the comforts of his room in the mansion and suddenly realize the past two days had all been a dream. The fact that he was still wearing his uniform told him otherwise.
"Bloody hell." He muttered.
Pushing himself up to his sore feet he grimaced as the muscles in his upper arms burned at the slightest movement. He limped to the bathroom flipping on the light. At least some things never change. It was just like any other bathroom in the twenty-first century. There was a porcelain toilet, a sink, and by god there was even a normal shower. It was absolutely beautiful.
Kaiba stiffly ran his hand along the faucet. His fingers trailed the silver as gentle as if he were touching thousand year old china. It felt so long ago since he had seen or felt something semi- normal. Flicking on the faucet ice-cold water came trickling out. Cupping it with gentle hands Kaiba splashed his face washing away the sleep. He grabbed the towel that had been sitting in the corner on the counter and dabbed the beads of water off his face. As he removed the towel he met eye contact with his reflection in the mirror. Pale fingers reached up and touched the smooth flesh. Even with his unnatural energy of late he still had thought himself an old man, but as he stared back at those icy blue eyes of his he was surprised to see the face of a healthy, young, twenty-year-old man. The wrinkles were gone along with the gray hair. Smooth flesh and rich chestnut hair had taken its place. The only thing that stood out as different from any other man his age were his eyes. They still held something deep in their blue irises. Wisdom? That's what Yami had said. His body my have lost fifty years but his eyes still contained his experience.
Dropping the towel Kaiba gave one final glance before reluctantly leaving the comforts of the bathroom. As he stepped from the room he noticed a fresh set of clothes sitting on his bed. Curiously wondering how someone had entered the room with out him knowing, Kaiba walked over and lifted the clothing into his hands. They were exactly the same as the uniform he was wearing presently. He unfolded the top garment only to have a creased piece of paper fall from the folds onto the floor. Warily picking it up he read the quickly scribbled note.
Hey Kaiba,
I brought you some fresh clean clothes. I'll be down in the rec. room. Meet me there when you're ready.
-Duke
P.S. Take a shower. :P
P.P.S. On the back of this note are the directions.
Kaiba snorted and tossed the note back on the sheets. Retrieving his fresh clean uniform he returned to the bathroom and proceeded to take a shower. Within moments he was back in crisp clean clothes. His muscles felt more relaxed from the warm water and he was able to lift his arm half way without wincing. Slipping on his shoes he was ready to leave when his eye caught something gold. It was the millennium puzzle. Should he take it? He didn't want too, but after a small debate he decided it was better to be safe than sorry. Slipping it over his neck Kaiba proceeded out the door note in hand.
"Sleep well?" Duke questioned as Kaiba entered the room. Kaiba gave a low snort and plopped himself on the bench across from his partner. "Hungry?" Kaiba nodded and stiffly stood up from the table. Duke led the way to the breakfast bar and the two scooped their plates full with food. Kaiba chose the only thing that looked normal. Waffles. As they seated themselves a young blonde walked through the door.
"Morning Mai." Duke spoke through a mouthful of some spiky green fruit. Mai nodded and sat beside the ex-CEO who was quietly stabbing his food with a plastic fork.
"How are you two feeling?" She asked sweetly. It was mostly directed toward Kaiba but he didn't really notice.
"Exhausted." Duke replied shoving another face-full of the green fruit. "Couldn't sleep a wink last night after what happened. How 'bout you Kaiba? How are you feeling?"
Kaiba looked up not really paying attention. The two were looking at him patiently.
"I'm sore." He muttered. He dropped his head returning to mutilating his waffles.
"I'm sure. You were running like hell when we found you. Then on top of that you were hanging on for dear life after you and Joey fell out the back of the jeep. I'm surprised you were able to get yourself out of bed."
"I heard you were the one who saved Wheeler. Idiot. I can't believe he was dumb enough to get himself thrown out the back. That's such an amateur mistake. He was lucky to have you there or he would have been bug food." As she spoke Mai leaned in closer to the man. He could tell she was flirting.
"How's Joey?" Kaiba asked eager to change the subject.
"Complaining up a storm." Duke answered smiling. "He's lucky though. He'll only be bedridden for about a week. Then he'll be able to walk around. The surgery on his left leg went smoothly so it should be healed within a month."
"So what do we do?" Kaiba questioned. He was slowly eating his waffles figuring his hunger was more important than whatever weird ingredients they used.
"There's a mound of paper work that I've got to fill out as for you, it would be wise to get to know everything around here better. It'll also give us some time to properly train you."
Kaiba nodded and finished his breakfast. It was actually pretty good. Throwing away the remnants he and Duke both stood up to leave. As Kaiba was about to leave the room to go wander Duke stopped him.
"I almost forgot. This is your key card. It'll allow you to get through several doors unauthorized by the rest of the staff. Have fun. The color in the left corner will show you which doors you're authorized, too." Nodding his thanks Kaiba left.
As he walked down the various hallways not really paying any close attention Kaiba allowed his mind to wander. He would be on the moon for at least a week. He wasn't sure if Joey being held up would prolong the stay or not. As he trudged down the corridor the same sense as before like someone knocking on the side of his brain caught his attention. Growling inwardly he "opened the door".
/Sleep well?/ Yami questioned floating beside the man.
\Yes, actually.\ Kaiba replied. He eyed the pharaoh warily as the man took in their surroundings. Kaiba could see a small tint of enthusiasm in the depths of those fierce crimson eyes. They walked along (Yami floated) for several moments in silence. Kaiba actually found that he enjoyed snooping about. After a moment though he broke the silence. Perhaps it was time he told the pharaoh his mission.
\Yami? \ Kaiba spoke sternly through their mind link. The pharaoh turned to him with a curious expression. \Do you remember why you stayed behind? \
/Psh. Of course I do./ the pharaoh scoffed angrily. /Why?/
\After I died I had a conversation with a…person and he mentioned something about another mission.\
/And?/ Yami perked up a flash of excitement in his eyes. Kaiba looked away. He was still pissed at the pharaoh for yesterday.
\I don't know that's really all he said.\
/Hm. Well that doesn't help at all./ Yami replied dully. He floated slightly ahead looking down a random hallway. Kaiba noticed the sulky expression. A pang of guilt caused him to bite the corner of his bottom lip.
\I'm sure it'll happen soon.\ He amended.
/I doubt it./ Yami replied darkly. /I've been sitting around for three thousand years and nothing's happened./
\Your life can't be that bad. It's got to be nice being immortal. Never aging, never getting sick…\
/Never feeling, never being free, watching your loved ones die from mortality. Oh yes, Kaiba. It's loads of fun. / He replied glaring.
\You only look at the negative side.\ Kaiba replied crossing his arms.
/Like your one to talk? For most of your first life you looked at life through the negative end./
\I changed.\
/Really?/
\Yes, and obviously you have too. The only difference is I changed for the better.\
/Are you saying I've changed for the worst?/
\Pretty damn close!\ Kaiba could feel his anger rising again.
/You must've had one hell of an experience during your first life to dare tell me what I've become./ Yami snipped. The two of them had stopped in the middle of a hallway. Yami was crouched on a cart glaring hard at the ex-CEO.
\Don't say that.\ Kaiba demanded.
/Say what? First life?/ Yami mocked a smirk pulling at his lips.
\Yes.\ Kaiba growled. He clenched his teeth and glared hard at the spirit.
/Why not? Don't want to remember it? Or is it just too painful?/
\Shut up Yami.\
/Oh, but Kaiba it's just far too entertaining to watch you squirm./ There was a dark flash in Yami's eyes daring Kaiba to say something back.
\I wont be pulled into this game.\ He replied coldly. Yami smirked slightly and hopped off the cart. The two continued to walk in silence as they snooped about.
The days moved passed slowly as Joey slowly recovered. Kaiba found himself sitting in his room most of the time thinking the day a way. Duke did train him slightly when they had the chance. Kaiba learned how to use the radar in the jeep and what different techniques to use on different terrains concerning the metal detector.
At one point Kaiba was given documents on the history of the Earth. He had eagerly read through each item finishing books in the matter of a day. He learned that the U.S had collapsed in on itself and in its place a new country was born. The Star Republic. Kaiba learned that the Star Republic was nowhere near stable and many riots and revolts ensued over its short lifetime. A global depression followed its wake. Much of the world depended on the U.S for importing and exporting goods and trades. The Star Republic however was in such a state of turmoil it couldn't stand up to the pressure. The depression lasted for five years and ended up creating much controversy and animosity between the countries leading to WWIII and eventually WWIV. After the nuclear war the world was forced to work together and had to evacuate the planet. This was later called the Journey.
The star society, he found out, formed together and forced their way into power dominating four out of the nine planets after the Journey. Still in effect today they've expanded their territory throughout the rest of the solar system. Other societies have moved further out into different solar systems throughout the years breaking away but little was given on their culture or current status.
As Kaiba read he always held his hopes high that Mokuba would one day show up and after a small search through the networking web of files Kaiba was finally rewarded.
Kaiba Corp. had expanded beyond the game industry and had become more prosperous than ever. They started experimenting with new technologies and improved the hologram even further than Kaiba had ever thought possible. Kaiba Corp. became a big influence and a major supporter in colonizing other planets and systems. Kaiba couldn't help but feel a sense of overwhelming pride with Mokuba's accomplishments. Mokuba had dominated in the world of business and sought out new technologies that changed world history. That was more that what Kaiba could have asked for.
But, as Kaiba read on he couldn't help the stinging tears that fell down his face after he read of Mokuba's inevitable death. He died at an old age of eighty-seven from a heart attack. His two sons and daughter took over the company leading it on until its collapse. But, Kaiba couldn't bring himself to finish the story. His brother was dead. His little brother was dead.
It shouldn't have been a shock considering the current situation. But Kaiba had never really thought about it that way. Somehow it was as if his brother was still there. Kaiba really hadn't died and jumped three thousand years into the future. But the shock of reality finally hit him like a ton of bricks. There was no going back. There was no one to go back too.
A week turned into a month and then, due to some misunderstandings and unforeseen problems, it turned into two months. Kaiba saw little of the pharaoh during the time. Every now and then he would appear even if it were to just stare out the window as if in a reminder that he was still there. But when Kaiba had learned of his brother's demise the pharaoh had appeared and sat by his side as he wept. It was a rare occasion and there were days that Kaiba hated himself for showing his weakness in front of his rival, but at the time he didn't care.
Kaiba didn't bother him and never encouraged the presence, but he never discouraged it either. The incredible amount of loneliness and depression that had consumed the ex-CEO had become a connection between the two. Yami rarely spoke, but always gave an understanding look that at times would infuriate the man, but then there were times that it's what held him together. Yami was the last connection to his old life, wanted or not, and he was the only person that would ever understand.
It was the end of the second month and Joey was successfully walking around. Kaiba was now greatly familiar with the everyday technologies and history and was able to explore without having to ask a question every two minutes. (Not like he did in the first place, but that doesn't mean he didn't want too.)
Today they were to return to Mars and receive another mission (The company had set out another excavation team to retrieve what was left of the museum items, much to Duke's and Joey's displeasure.)
They were currently sitting in the ship preparing for take off.
/What's Mars?/ Yami asked innocently appearing out of nowhere. There was sparkle of curiosity in his eyes.
\It's a planet. You should know that.\ Kaiba replied. Yes, the pharaoh was his last tie to his previous life, but that doesn't mean the two got a long. When the two did talk it usually turned into an argument.
/Perhaps, but if I did I called it another name. I can't remember all the Japanese terms anymore./
\You speak perfectly fine with me.\ Kaiba commented annoyed.
/It's because of our mind link. It allows us to…/
\Yami. Don't tell me. I don't want to know.\
/I don't understand you. You have it you might as well understand it!/ Yami replied exasperated. / Or are you still in denial./
\I refuse to involve myself with anything to do with magic, mind links, spirits, or and I dare say it because I know it will come up; destiny, friendship, and/or Egyptian priests and pharaohs. Understood?\
/You know in your past, past life you were a priest?/
\Shut up, Yami!!\ Kaiba barked. Yami grinned devilishly but dropped the subject.
/Which planet is it?/
\The red one.\ Kaiba growled knowing full well if he didn't answer the spirit wouldn't stop bugging him until he did.
The two fell silent as the ship hummed to life.
"Port A and B are open. Engines are ready." Duke reported to the intercom.
"Countdown in thirty. Are all security locks released?"
"Security locks are released. All systems are prepared to launch." Joey announced.
"Countdown initiated. Prepare launch in ten…nine…"
"Ready to go home Kaiba?" Duke questioned.
"Six…five…""You have no idea." He replied.
/Only the home your thinking of is slightly farther away./ Yami commented quietly. Kaiba felt the stab in his heart, but his well-fortified mask withstood the blow.
"Initiate launch."
The engines groaned as they pushed the ship forward. As momentum gained a second wave of engines roared to life gradually lifting the ship off the runway. The gravitational force once again thrust against Kaiba's body forcing him to sink in the seat. He glared annoyed at the pharaoh who was standing completely unaffected as he watched curiously out the window.
Within moments the pressure eased and they glided along smoothly.
/So how long have you been alive?/ Yami questioned.
\Why the sudden interest in conversation?\ Kaiba replied irritated. Yami shrugged in response and settled himself down in the empty chair.
/Why not? It's better than mulling over nothing./
\Really? Then what is you do in that puzzle of yours?\ Kaiba retorted.
/I watch. Wait. Mull over the past, future, and most of the time nothing./
\What a life.\
/It's not really a life considering I'm already de…/
\Yami. Stop. Subject I refuse to discuss.\ Yami sighed slightly miffed.
/Then answer my original question./
\No.\ He replied stubbornly.
/Why not? It's a simple question!/ Yami argued.
\Because, I don't want do discuss it! I don't want to think about it! And I don't want you to know!\
There was a dark flash in Yami's eyes causing Kaiba to slightly hold back his words. It was something Kaiba wondered about every time they argued. Back in the older days when they fought it was always a spark of challenge or frustration and a hint of anger. But the look that he received countless times already was much more threatening. It usually lasted for only a moment, but it was enough to even cause him to rethink his words.
\Why are you so angry?\ Kaiba questioned voicing his thoughts.
/What do you mean?/ Yami asked confused.
\You always have an evil look in your eye.\ It flashed again across his features. \You did it again.\
Yami leaned back and sighed. His gaze traveled out to the window staring off into the black space. For a moment Kaiba didn't think he would answer, but was surprised when he did.
/I guess I'm still angry./
\With who?\
/Everyone./ He replied. A poignant expression crossed his face as the painful memories resurfaced.
\What do you mean?\ Kaiba's interest was peaked. He never really got to see the inner workings of the pharaoh. True, he could read some of the emotions the man produced, but many times the mask he wore was impenetrable even to Kaiba's expert eyes.
/It's a long story./
\We have three and a half hours. You have time.\ Kaiba answered coldly. Yami sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
/After I had regained all my memories I was told I still had one more mission to fulfill. They refused to tell me what it was, but I couldn't pass on until it was accomplished./ The spirit stood up feeling uneasy. He wasn't used to telling his problems. It made him feel too vulnerable. /I was sent back to the puzzle to wait, obviously. I stayed with Yugi for several more years on and off. I didn't want to hold him back so I tried to get him to go out and leave the puzzle behind as much as possible./
\And he didn't?\
/No, after some encouraging I eventually got him to agree. It was his life to live not mine. To tell you the truth I enjoyed watching from the sidelines. Seeing him grow up. I was so proud of him. I knew he'd grow up to be a wonderful person. But…he never quite made it that far. / A lost expression befell the pharaoh's face as he remembered that day. His voice was distant when he spoke again. /It was sudden nobody saw it coming. I was with him when it happened. Neither of us had time to react. The damn car came speeding around the corner and started shooting. Yugi wasn't the only one hit. There were three other people I remember standing behind him./ He paused, his eyes downcast. /You know, to this day I still don't know why that happened. Who those people were or why they shot him and those three other people. Alls I know was Yugi died almost instantly and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it./
\That's why you're angry?\ Kaiba questioned angrily. \Because you couldn't protect him you've lost all of your traits that defined you as a good person?\ He would show no sympathy for his rival. Yami rolled his eyes and folded his arms.
/Don't think so low of me, Kaiba. Yes, I admit I was extremely depressed and I was furious with the people who killed my hikari, but I know how to bounce back. Yugi's death was a huge blow, but like I told you earlier I know there's an afterlife. He's at peace, that's all I can ask for./
\Then what's really causing your excessive amount of anger?\ He demanded. Yami's eyes flashed. He was pushing him to the edge with his cold attitude and he knew it. But he refused to back down.
/My real anger,/ Yami seethed. /comes from being discarded in a crappy museum gathering dust for three thousand years. My real anger comes from watching society and the people I wasted my life to protect destroy each other over power and greed. My real anger comes from watching an eight year old little girl rush to my side quivering in fear because she's trying to run away from the 'bad people!'/ Yami voice grew darker and darker with his rant. His fists were clenched and his eyes shifted to a blood red color. Then…suddenly….to Kaiba's surprise he burst into a fit of laughter. It was dark and laced with years of depression and pain. /The irony is overwhelming!/
\You've gone insane!\ Kaiba hissed through their mind link.
/I wouldn't be surprised./ Yami laughed. /I watched an entire city get blown to smithereens in a single night. One bomb was all it took to wipe out three million people. I watched and that's all I could do. Everything I ever worked for! Everything I sacrificed myself for was wasted. I've spent 8,000 years inside a piece of dusty jewelry for nothing! They killed themselves in the end!/
Kaiba was silent. How could he possibly respond? The pharaoh had a right to be angry, he had a right to be cynical towards the human race. But he was better than that! Or at least Kaiba thought him to be! Anger began to overwhelm Kaiba's thoughts. Before Kaiba could stop himself he exploded!
\You're pathetic!\ He growled.
/How so?/ Yami questioned, his eyes daring Kaiba to say more.
\I read what happened Yami! I know the history! But just because some nut jobs screwed up doesn't mean the whole world is rotten! You of all people should be aware of that! All that darkness has messed with your mind! You can't see clearly anymore!\
/Maybe I can't! Perhaps I've gone slightly crazy! But you weren't there! You know nothing of the true horrors. Yes, read all the text you want but they're just words. Fleeting letters that will cross your mind. They may sting a little, cause you to think and mourn for a time, but no amount of writing skill can compare to the true horrors. I watched the world tear itself apart, Kaiba! Don't compare measly paragraphs and your little experience with me!/
\Measly experience?! You forget who your talking to, Yami!\ Kaiba spat.
/Now you're going to compare your pathetic childhood with the destruction of the world?! Such a comparison! What could I have been thinking?/ Yami mocked. Kaiba saw red.
\How dare you!\ He hissed.
/How dare I what, Kaiba?/ Yami pressed a dangerous smirk on his face. /Belittle you? Bring up a painful memory? News flash Kaiba! You can't always compare your life with everyone else's! You're just a tip of the ice burg!
\I'll kill you!\
/Really? Well how do you suppose you're going to do that?/
Kaiba's fist clenched the rope that held the puzzle. A dangerous smirk of his own curled across his lips.
/I dare you./ Yami hissed.
Pulling hard against the rope he snapped it off his neck and without a second thought he threw it onto the ground. Yami bristled and bared his teeth, but before he could do anything Kaiba's foot came crashing down shattering the golden item. There was a brief pause as if in slow motion as the two men stared each other down. As Kaiba's foot broke through and retouched the carpeted floor there was a flash of light and in a blink of an eye…the pharaoh was gone.
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Scratches back of head They get so pissy so easy….oops. I think I was attempting to create a sad scene where the two actually become closer together, but there damn characters took off on a tangent all their own. That's why I never try and map out these things! They always take a different unexpected turn!!!
Oy, well I hope you enjoyed it anyways. Now Kaiba's screwed himself and possibly put the rest of the solar system in jeopardy, but hey I think Yami needed a time out. He was getting a little loopy there for a while.
Please Review! My feet are dragging here I need motivation!!!!!
Thanks for reading!
-TL