I agree. After first drafting a few more chapters, I've decided to make this one 'T' rated after all. ^_^ Well, enjoy!
A Changed View
Chapter 04:
Second Impressions…
Kaiba placed the last book in his bag and shut the locker closed. Time was unusually on his side today, it was strange. Despite all the disruptions he had earlier, everything he needed to do, had been done. 'For once.' It strengthened his resolve to head home. His phone rang against the soft fabric of his white trench coat and he answered in an annoyed tone upon reading the - unfortunately familiar - number. "This is Kaiba." He started and sighed in a tired tone. 'What have you done now, Mokuba?'
"Shizuka!" Jounouchi called as he ran up to his little sister.
The young girl twirled around and brightened with an enthusiastic wave. "Katsuya!" She hugged him tightly. "I've missed you so much!" She squealed in a muffled glee into his school uniform. 'Oh, please don't cry!' She told herself happily.
"Sis, why didn't you tell me you were comin' here?" He asked and let her go, as he'd been holding just as tightly. The grin on his face made her feel warm and safe. 'Just like back then. Katsuya…'
"Hey, Jo, where you been all day?" Anzu asked slinging her backpack over her shoulder.
"Yeah, man, leaving your sist-" The brunette girl shoved her elbow into Honda's side. He mumbled an 'ow' and rubbed it tenderly. "Hitotsu-Me Mazaki…" He muttered under his breath.
Yugi grinned and couldn't help laughing about it a little. "So, I saw you earlier in the counselor's office, Jounouchi. What's going on?" He started in attempt to keep the conversation going. At the rate his two friends had been going on, it would otherwise be a while.
Shizuka frowned as her brother nodded with a roll of his eyes. "Uh, yeah apparently rich boy and I have had one too many fights in this school an' old man Mikame doesn't wanna use his conventional methods anymore." He rolled his honey brown eyes again. "Wants me to take counseling wit' Moneybags." He explained further.
"Dude, you ain't married to the prick." Honda snorted. Anzu shook her head.
"I know. That's what I was sayin'." He growled in irritation. "It's pointless. Says, it'll hopefully make us 'nicer' to each other. Pft, As if there's anyway that'll happen." He muttered sarcastically. "Close to that asshole? Not even in my nightmares." The blond continued. Honda shuddered at the thought.
Shizuka lowered her gaze slightly. "Katsuya, I'm sorry. You only got into that fight because of me." She interrupted quietly.
Jounouchi quickly brought his gaze to her and smiled softly. "Shizuka, don't apologize." She looked up at him. "Moneybags and me argue about five times throughout the day over something an' we fight about ten times outta the month, so it woulda happened anyways." He offered in comfort. "It wasn't your fault, don't even think that." He insisted and hugged her close. "Besides, I'd take a thousand classes wit' rich boy if it meant seein' you again." He grinned and released her once more.
Shizuka smiled broadly. "Thanks Katsuya."
Honda was near to tears and covered his face with his right hand. "Beautiful. Corny, but beautiful." he murmured. Yugi and Anzu sighed in tired exasperation.
The blond nodded. "Okay, let's get goin' guys. I've had enough of school for the day." He beamed and the group agreed as well. "Oh, do you hafta ask mom first, Shizuka?" Her brother asked as they headed out of the school building. "How is she doing? You guys move down here or something?" He asked slightly dejected. It was no surprise that her brother and their mom didn't have a close relationship. It wasn't that Jounouchi never attempted… 'I've heard mom say before that he reminds her of Father…'
The girl stared off into the distance for a short pause before smiling somewhat. "Oh, it's fine… She sort of expected that I'd want to catch up with you anyway, Katsuya. So let's get movin'." She smiled and with a collective cheer they headed out.
They walked to the arcade, Jounouchi and Honda going back and forth over nothing in particular… Mostly slinging insults and whatnot. Anzu went on berating the pair while Yugi tried to play referee. Shizuka watched the group all the while, 'They seem so… connected with each other. The light banter, the pointless chatter over food of all things.' She mentally pouted. 'I wish I had close friends like that at my old school. I hope I can become close to these guys like they are with Jounouchi.'
"Well, sis, there it is." Jounouchi started jubilantly. Her eyes widened at the neon lit building. "Pretty cool huh? And you haven't seen it from the inside yet. It's way better." He promised as she nodded silently.
"Well, let's get going!" Honda motioned and ran towards the entrance. Yugi and Anzu followed suit in a mad dash.
Shizuka smiled warmly at their eagerness. Her eyes flitted to her brother who was still beside her. "Katsuya, you ready to head inside?" She asked in her soft-spoken voice.
"Shizuka." He started, his smile set into a straight-lipped concern. "Is everything ok?" He asked suddenly.
"Uhm, what do you mean?" She asked unsure where this worry was sprouted from. 'Why do I feel a bit of dread at his unease?…'
His eyes narrowed in concentrated scrutiny as he attempted to read her expression. She was starting to get a little uncomfortable in the silence. "I know I'm not really the smartest guy in the world, sis. And I know even less 'bout girls in particular…" He started hesitantly. He wasn't good at this sort of thing. "But, I'm not blind and I'm pretty good at figuring out when somebody has something on their mind. Especially when that someone is you, sis." He winked.
The girl shook her head in the negative. "Katsuya, everything's fine, really." She replied in earnest. 'How does he know? How could he know? Did mom talk to him? Did I give myself away? What should I say?'
"Shizuka. Listen-"
"Hey, guys, you comin'?" Honda called out as he poked his head from the entrance doors.
The two stared over to the pointy-haired brunet and Shizuka waved and nodded. "Yes, we'll be right there!" She exclaimed brightly. 'I've never been so happy for a distraction.'
Jounouchi cursed his dear friend for interrupting. He exhaled heavily and gave his sister a warm hug. She 'eeped' at the sudden action. "Let's have some fun, Shizuka. But later, I want us to finish talkin' alright?" He asked as he pulled away and gave her a look she could only smile and nod to.
The blond headed towards the building, with her right along side him. 'I didn't know Katsuya could see through me like that. Even after all these years, he still knows when something is bugging me.' She couldn't help but feel comfort in that. She'd lived with her Mother all this time and thought about him constantly even though she couldn't remember much of her brother - not to mention how he'd changed in the process… 'When I first came to Domino, I was afraid that he'd turn out to be someone I didn't recognize and wouldn't want me around anymore. What if he was still doing bad things, what if he thought I was annoying and fragile.. A hindrance… Maybe he wouldn't even care about me at all - notice me even.' She smiled loosely. 'But seeing him here, he's still the same big brother trying to protect me. Thank you, Katsuya.' He held the door and let her inside. As excited as she was to see him, she had been equally as nervous and tense. But it seemed that uneasiness wasn't necessary after all.
"Oh, wow, this is amazing, Katsuya." She chimed in awe at the dimly lit room with tons of flashing colors emanating from all sorts of video games. "I've never been into an arcade before." She stated, more to herself. It was true, after all, a lady like herself, was far above such an establishment. Games were a waste of time, didn't you know?
"You serious?" Honda asked in disbelief. Shizuka scratched the back of her head idly. "That's insane. I don't think your brother could survive without this place." He added.
She laughed at the thought. Jounouchi hit him on the shoulder playfully. "Yeah, that's probably true. Well, sis, what kind of game would you like to play first?" He asked excitedly.
Anzu beamed. "Shizuka, you should come play Dance Off with me!"
The younger girl raised an eyebrow in uncertainty. "What kind of game is that?" She asked in innocent ignorance. The group went quiet in dramatic pause at her question. Did she seriously not know what that game was? 'Uh, They're giving me such peculiar looks again. Heheh, I guess they don't really understand - I'VE NEVER BEEN TO AN ARCADE BEFORE.' She blushed under the pressure she was once under. "Well, you know, I wasn't really allowed to play video games that much back home.." She tried to explain her poor knowledge in the field.
Anzu's eyes softened in understanding. "Yeah, it's okay Shizuka. Don't feel so embarrassed by it." She started and threw her a gentle smile.
Yugi shared a similar grin, "Of course. We understand and we'll be happy to teach you. Right guys?" The short teen glanced over his friends for further support.
"Yeah, and ya don't hafta explain yourself to us." Honda continued as he reached out to place a hand on her shoulder, Jounouchi glared and stepped between his brunet friend and sister. Honda scoffed faintly but the blond ignored his now pouting friend.
"Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sis. We'll have ya hooked to this place in no time." Jounouchi winked once again with assurance in her direction.
"Sounds great!" She agreed genuine with a nod.
Anzu grinned broadly and grabbed her by the hand. "Now come, let's go play Dance Off!" Before Shizuka had a chance to even ask what the game was, she was dragged towards the maze of virtual innuendo. Jounouchi smirked and eyed Yugi and Honda warily.
"So guys, what do ya wanna lose at first?" He challenged. Honda snorted with a roll of his eyes and Yugi smirked, interest piqued. The trio took off in a different direction as the girls. "I've been practicing, just so you guys know." The blond warned.
"Big brother, I said I was sorry." He mumbled for the fifteenth time since the older had entered the Principal's Office. His brother had not been happy in the least and he knew there was going to be some major scolding his way. Kaiba was walking in his usual quick stride, Mokuba had to sprint somewhat to keep up with his brother's long legs.
"That's just it, Mokuba. You're always 'sorry'." He spoke in low frustration. "The word is lost on you. Doing something that is bad and saying sorry afterwards, doesn't fix the issue." He cited. "Mokuba, what you did was wrong and you know it was - you knew so before you even did it." The brunet chided exasperated.
"But, Seto…"
"No. Mokuba." He halted his step and turned to give his brother full attention. The young boy shifted uneasily under the fierce gaze. "I don't understand why you behave this way. You say, I work too much, so I take time off and you still misbehave. You neglect your homework because supposedly I'm not there to help you understand it, and yet when I do help - you leave it at home." He sighed as the other pouted. "Whatever is going on, it won't change unless you tell me what it is, Mokuba."
The small boy nodded to show he had been listening. Kaiba was still unsure if he really had paid any attention. This conversation seemed to be replaying often lately. A few more moments of silence passed between them before Kaiba relented and changed the subject. "But, we can talk about this later." Mokuba's hazel eyes met his brother's defeated blues and softened. "Come on. I didn't bring us here just so we could stand in the parking lot all day." He further urged as he began walking towards the doors.
Mokuba smiled in relief. "Okay, Seto!" He didn't want to ask, usually his brother went straight to Kaiba Corp and it was either Isono or one of the other servants that picked him up from school. But he wasn't going to complain. It'd been some time since the two visited the Domino Eccentric Arcade together. "Can I get a whole pizza to myself? Oh and the Bottomless Bucket of Fries too?" He exclaimed as they waltzed in through the front entrance.
Kaiba snorted with a roll of his eyes. "Don't you eat at school?" He asked incredulously.
"Ah, but Seto, that was like three hours ago and they never give ya enough to eat."
"Then have the staff make you something." He furthered the conversation.
"Ah, big brother! It's still not the same!" He insisted. "Can I? Please?" He asked and pulled out what Kaiba scarcely could refuse; the Puppy Dog Eyes of Doom.
The brunet eyed him sternly for a long minute before groaning once more in defeat. Mokuba cheered. "Your bottomless pit of a stomach, Mokuba…" He pinched his nose in irritation. "Where do you put it all?" He asked rhetorically.
Mokuba ran off towards the counter to place an order in as Kaiba scanned the lit up aisles. His demeanor relaxed as he took in his location. 'I can't remember the last time I was here with Mokuba. It seems like so long ago.' Indeed, now that Kaiba Corp was a worldwide success, nearly a household name, he'd been busier than usual with growing popularity. He found a booth and sat down, still in eyesight of his younger brother and smirked despite himself. "I guess with success comes greater responsibilities." His eyes rolled lazily at the twist on the tired line.
The brunet wasn't necessarily depressed about his busy new lifestyle. Well, it wasn't 'new' per say, he'd been the CEO of Kaiba Corporation for nearly three years but in business terms the teenaged chief executive officer would still be classified as 'wet behind the ears'. But the infamous name he was tagged with, left more than half the world skeptical and his age was also a critical foreboding. How could a child manage to change the face of such a deplorable name? Whereas the name 'Kaiba' instilled pain and hurt, he promised to bring entertainment and 'peace'. Three years later and people were finally beginning to believe him and bury the past hatchets. It took a lot of effort but he'd managed to whittle, for the most part, the ones still loyal to his now deceased adoptive tyrant of a father and with the firing and replacing of more than half of the list of employees that did not want to conform to his fantastical ideal. Still, his company was understaffed but manageable. "But most of all, progressing." And that was the important thing. Kaiba smiled faintly as his brother came running back to him.
"Big brother, they gave me this buzzer and said it would start blinking once our order is ready. But since its so crowded it'll be a while before then." The boy took a big gulp of his drink and handed it to the brunet. Kaiba nodded and took a sip of it and cringed. Mokuba laughed lightly. "It's Mango tea. You like that flavor don't you?"
The older took the other drink from his deviant little brother and shook his head. "It's not the flavor, it's the amount of sugar you put in it. Is it even considered tea anymore?" He inquired as Mokuba took back the heavily sweetened tea.
"Hey, you know I like a little tea with my sugar." He pouted playfully and then brightened considerably. "Seto, let's go play some games until our food's ready!" He exclaimed and took off in a run before the older could respond.
"Mokuba." He called, the buzzer in one hand and drink in the other, and followed at a much calmer pace through the crowd.
Shizuka took a big gulp of her water and breathed a heavy sigh. "Man I'm beat." She managed to huff out. Her eyes caught the blue proud orbs of Anzu Mazaki and she smiled in admiration. "You're amazing at that game, Anzu. You're a really good dancer." She gushed. 'I, myself, have always had two left feet.'
"Thanks Shizuka. That means a lot considering I plan on being a famous one in the future." She shared excitedly. "Now since it doesn't look like you want to go another round, at least for a while," She chuckled lightly. "How about we find us a really good game to play that doesn't require too much movement?"
"Now you're speaking more my level." The two started off and found some more games to play, After playing a few, some were too difficult for the girl to play whilst others didn't particularly hold her interest for long. She did find one game called 'Froggie' but soon grew tired of that one too.
"I haven't seen Katsuya and the others in a while, where are they?" She asked searching about, she idly jingled the cup of coins in her hands.
Anzu smiled and nodded. "They like the more challenging games, this way, I'll show you." The two headed off when a particular game between to seated kids caught her attention. Her walking halted as she hovered and watched intently.
"I flip-summon my Magician of Faith," The boy smiled smugly. "With this card, I can bring back a Spell Card to my hand from my Graveyard." He explained to the other boy.
"Well so what?"
"Don't you know anything? I bring back Monster Reborn, to bring your Blackland Fire Dragon to my side of the field and I'll sacrifice my Faith, to bring out Summon Skull. How's that?" He mocked smugly.
The other boy just rolled his eyes and pouted. She watched in fascination as they exchanged dialogue and childish taunts. 'What a crazy game… I don't know what's going on. I've never seen something like the looks of these cards before. Huh.'
As they went on, she had lost herself in the designs and how serious they were about their card game and wanted to ask what it was they were doing but, she didn't think it'd be respectful to be asking something like that while they were so concentrated. With a shrug, she pried herself away and began walking off towards Anzu's direction, who she could only guess hadn't noticed her as she lagged behind. 'I really liked those cards, they were pretty and had such bizarre techniques. Actually, when I think about it, haven't I seen some commercials for it, and like I remember some people at my school would talk about something of… What was it called again. I don't really reme-' Shizuka was abruptly tackled by a flash of black blur. Her cup sailed through the air, silver coins glistened through the neon lights before landing in clunks and clinks on the ground all around them.
A loud gasp left her lips as she fell on her back to the ground in absolute shock. The black blur, which was actually a mop of raven-colored hair, lifted up its gaze and with a shade of red scrambled to his feet. "I'm sorry! I wasn't lookin' where I was runnin'!" He apologized sheepishly.
Shizuka rubbed her elbow as it had hit the floor pretty hard. She looked up and met the eyes of the young hazel-eyed boy. He seemed utterly ashamed of knocking her down. Shizuka smiled warmly, "It's okay." She replied quietly.
"Are you hurt? I'm really sorry." He said once more and eyed her elbow that she was still rubbing.
"Oh, I'm okay, really." She insisted and let go of it, as if to convince him.
He frowned, not at all sure. He opened his mouth to speak when a much lower and irritated tone broke through. "Mokuba, I've told you several times to stop running through here like that." A voice chided and walked passed the pouting boy.
"Big brother, it was an accident." He mumbled.
"An accident that could have been avoided." He furthered. "Forgive my erratic little brother, Miss…" Kaiba leant forward and reach out with a slow gentle hand and turned his gaze to the victim of his brother's charge and visibly flinched as if irked. He'd been chasing after his brother, insisting that he stop running about like a maniac when from a distance, he saw the boy plow right into some girl. He had been so busy trying not to relentlessly scold his brother that he didn't pay any attention to who the girl was. Until now. So he stood frozen in place, his hand already out as an offer to help the girl to her feet.
Of course had he known it was the Mutt's sister… Shizuka stared up at him and blushed at the outstretched hand. She didn't notice the cringe that had flashed once he'd realized it was her but she instead found herself amazed he could be so kind as to lend a hand. She took the help and stood to her feet swiftly and still silent. The two shared an uncertain and awkward gaze.