9. Taking Aim

Sunday left Seto with a pile of work to catch up on, which he took into his home office. He allowed Mokuba to bring in some homework to work on. He wasn't happy. Even with all the work he'd put in during the week to minimize what he had to do, it would still take a long time to go through. Frustrated, instead of scanning through all of the reports as usual, he resolved to simply read the abstracts and jot down questions for his staff. If he spotted something suspicious, he could go back and read in depth.

Even so, the work took all morning, and he didn't even get past the administrative work to his engineering tasks. Finally, he stretched and sighed. "Mokuba, let's take a walk before lunch," he said.

Mokuba immediately hopped up from his spot on the rug. "For real? I've barely seen you all week."

The two headed for the gardens. As they grabbed their jackets, Seto stole a look at Mokuba. He looked cheerful enough now, but up until then he'd been looking remarkably glum. It was obvious that Mokuba felt neglected. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid, he thought.

"So, Nii-sama," Mokuba said as he hurried to keep up with Seto's pace, "How did your dates go?"

Seto consciously attempted to slow to ambling speed since they were simply walking around the garden. "Why don't you tell me?" he replied. "I know you grilled Isono for all the information you could get out of him."

While he waited for Mokuba's reply, he wondered what his honest response really was. He certainly wasn't going to ask either of those people out again. Things had been so much simpler when he didn't have to think about frivolous things like romance! But that didn't seem possible any longer.

"You think I gossip about you behind your back with Isono?"

Seto didn't bother answering that, unable to suppress a small eye roll.

"I still want to hear what you have to say. How was Ishizu?"

"Miss Ishtar was very personable. I think I will hear from her in a business capacity."

"But not personally?"

"You've already talked with Isono …" But Mokuba was giving him a look that insisted that he say something, so he said, "All right, if you insist. She's very pretty, and we get along well enough, but not that way, so …"

"It's because she's a girl, right?"

Seto stopped and gave Mokuba a sharp look. He sighed and started walking again. "All right, yes," he admitted.

Mokuba hurried to catch up again. "But Isono said you didn't like the guy—"

"Rafael."

"Rafael—even more."

Seto tried not to roll his eyes again. "If I happen to like men, do I have to be attracted to every man I run into? You know, Pegasus J Crawford expressed interest in dating me; would you like it if—"

"God, no!"

"Well, then."

"Honest, I don't think that way!" Mokuba protested. "It was just—Isono said the guy was good-looking and pretty nice, so … I don't know."

"You think I'm desperate, so I'm not in a position to be picky."

"No, I—"

Seto gave him a look.

Mokuba frowned. "You're the one who went on blind dates," he said, a little sullenly.

"Hn. You're right, but it was an experiment. I needed to confirm that I prefer men, for one thing."

"I could have told you that."

Seto scowled at that. Why was it that everyone else seemed so sure of that when he hadn't been? Whatever. "But even so, that Rafael was arrogant and pushy."

"Like you, you mean?"

Seto's scowl deepened.

Mokuba laughed a little and said, "And other than that?"

"You mean that wasn't enough? Both of them had the temerity to hand me advice! Of all the nerve!"

"Is that all? What about?"

Mokuba looked genuinely curious. "What? Oh, Rafael went on about, oh, right, about how I'm too hard on myself and should 'forgive myself' or something stupid like that."

Mokuba trudged on for a couple of seconds, then said thoughtfully, "That doesn't sound so stupid to me, Nii-sama. You are too hard on yourself. You work too hard and when you make a mistake, you punish yourself."

"I do not."

"Yes, you do! What about that black eye you got after you got caught in that dare? And that wasn't even your fault!"

"You think I walked into that ape on purpose?!"

"Maybe, subconsciously."

Seto did roll his eyes this time.

Mokuba went on. "Maybe you ought to date that Rafael guy, if he tells you stuff like that. And if he likes you."

"I don't like him," Seto commented, but he was pretty sure that Mokuba wasn't listening because he continued to talk.

"So you were saying? Ishizu gave you advice too?"

"Oh, right. Somehow she caught on to part of my school situation and suggested I forgive the person who offended me."

Mokuba stared at Seto as they walked for a second, then said excitedly, "Oh, she means that guy who came over! The one who was kissing you in the internet picture!"

"I suppose."

"You could date him. I bet he'd like that."

Seto renewed his scowl. "I bet he would."

"Oh, and that would mean admitting defeat?" Now it was Mokuba's turn to roll his eyes. "Do you like him?"

Seto didn't say anything.

"Come on," Mokuba insisted. "Do you like him?!"

"That's not the point."

"So what's the point, then?"

Seto sighed. "How can I take him seriously when he initiated things as part of a silly challenge? It was a dare that Otogi set up. It's insulting."

"But he wants to make it up. Can't you get over that? If you both like each other, you have to figure a way around that, don't you?"

"I don't know if that's possible. Look, all this stuff about forgiveness is crap. Forgive Atem? Forgive myself? I don't have anything to regret. I always move ahead. Plus, I think he's moved on, too." As if to confirm his resolve to move forward, he hastened his stride, forcing Mokuba to start trotting along again.

"So what are you going to do?"

"I hadn't thought about it," he said. Truly, he'd been too busy to give it much thought until now. As much as he'd like having that time back, he couldn't drop it at this point. "I suppose I could ask Mai to set something else up," he mused.

"But you do like Atem … right?"

Seto slowed a bit, to Mokuba's relief. "Yes. He even makes history class bearable. If it hadn't been for that incident, I would consider going out with him." Actually, consider wasn't the right word for it, but he wasn't going to say that to Mokuba. He was far more interested in Atem than he wanted to admit.

"Then give him a chance! You know it's going to take way more time to find someone else," Mokuba pushed. "Just figure out some sort of devious punishment to torture him with. If he was willing to work your show, he'll do just about anything."

"I don't know," Seto said. "I saw him with Anzu the other day. He might have found someone else."

"As if. Not the way he hung around here just to apologize. Besides, it's you!"

It was true that Atem had been pretty insistent … until he became resigned, that is. And it would solve a lot of problems—and a lot of time. If he could think of a penance good enough to salvage his pride, a host of other woes would resolve. It might actually be worth it. … If he wasn't dating that Anzu already, that is.

"You don't understand. What he did—I just can't get past it. He didn't even begin to take my feelings into consideration—"

"How about if you punish him? I know! I can help you figure out what to do!" A devious look came over Mokuba's face, to the point that he might almost feel sorry for Atem if he didn't feel that any punishment was richly deserved.

Mokuba was running after him as he turned back toward the mansion. "But if he is dating that … Anzu? … I'll help you work out your game plan to get him back, OK? It can't be that hard!"

Seto thought about history class. The way that Atem challenged him and made him think about his conclusions was enjoyable in its way. Was it conceivable that this had translated into some sort of affection?

Certainly, Atem had been persistent enough. And Seto was obviously superior to anyone else that Atem might be interested in. So, in reality, all he had to do was convince Atem that he was available and serious. He generally left the sales job to his sales team, but he knew a great product and a strong presentation when he saw one. Sooner or later, Atem would be sold on him.

For once, Seto found himself looking forward to Monday.


When Seto entered school the following Monday, he felt something had changed. There was something in the air, perhaps a change of mood. Looking around, he spotted a girl sitting on one of the benches out front, clearly in distress, leaning on a girlfriend. Realizing that it was Anzu, he slowed. He was sorely tempted to ask what the problem was, but he knew that if he did, rather than getting the two or three words of information he desired, he'd be roped into a long, dreary conversation in which he'd be expected to provide (gag) emotional support. Leaving it to the other girl—he didn't recall her name; he believed she was the one all the boys called "Ribbon"—was a trivial decision.

Maybe she and Atem broke up? Well, he wasn't going to take it for granted. For all he knew, she'd gotten a bad grade or found out she lost a position on the cheer squad. Girls seemed to cry over anything and everything.

As he continued down the hallways, he noticed that they were buzzing with chatter about something or other. The breakup he was hoping for? Maybe. Or …?

Still, he felt somewhat relieved. All those eyes weren't following him. At least this isn't about me this time.

He was heading to Latin class feeling more upbeat than he had in days,when he rounded a corner and saw a knot of students in heated discussion. He made to move around them when one of them noticed him, and, like a striking viper, reached out to grab him by the collar of his school uniform.

"This is your fault!" the boy yelled at him.

"Are you referring to a KaibaCorp product?" Seto replied automatically, peeling the offending hand from his uniform. "Because if you're experiencing any issues, our service department can help you. I can give you a number for expedited service." That usually got angry consumers off his back.

"K-KaibaCorp—!" If anything, the boy looked even more apoplectic. Seto looked at him more closely. Wait, he thought, this is one of Atem's friends. Then it came to him. Jounouchi. But the boy was still yelling. "… you mother—"

"Before you exhaust your thesaurus of expletives, why don't you tell me what this is about?"

"You haven't heard? It's all over school by now."

Seto refrained from replying, Because of you, obviously. "No, I haven't," he said.

"I went to pick up Honda for basketball and what do I find? Him and my best friend! I didn't even know he was queer, and now they're dating!"

"Hold it right there! Him? Him, whom? I don't see how this is my fault. I'm not even involved!"

"The hell you're not! You kissed Atem, and he hasn't been the same since! He—"

Seto felt his heart fall between his feet at the mention of Atem, but he ignored it. "Listen, Asshole, in the first place, I didn't kiss Atem, he kissed me, and if you hadn't noticed, that incident was extremely inconvenient for me. And, secondly, what he and Honda do still has nothing to do with me. So if you have a problem with it, take it up with them."

Without waiting for Jounouchi's reply, he turned on his heel and hotfooted it to Latin class, ignoring the loud blond following him. No doubt he was late, and they were due for a quiz. As rushed as he was, he couldn't help thinking about Anzu. Jounouchi must have wasted no time telling her all about it, so …

No wonder. A small expression of disgust crossed his face as he quickly slipped into class. You'd never catch me breaking down like that!

Seto wasn't surprised to find that the quiz was already underway when he sat down at his desk. Fortunately, he couldn't be better prepared and completed the ten questions in record time, spending about a half-second per each. He could have sworn he was still finished first. He would have hated to blow such a simple test. And because of that dumb blond, too.

But …

Could what he said possibly be true? Atem and Honda? That just didn't seem possible. Of course, Atem and Anzu hadn't seemed likely, either. Or was he just being vain?


For one crazy minute before PE, Honda considered stopping off by the nurse's office and trying to claim some sort of exotic stomach ailment to get out of class. School hadn't been going well, and he was hardly looking forward to finding out how Kaiba had reacted to the rumors. Jounouchi and his big mouth!

But there was no way that he was going to slink off; people were talking enough as it was. So, despite his better judgment, he walked into class as usual that day, resolving to give Jounouchi a special beating later.

The sport of the week was met with general disgruntlement because it turned out to be archery, which took them out of doors into air that was a little too refreshing for some. Honda didn't groan until partners were assigned. "Honda! You and Kaiba! Next target."

"Um, Coach Nakamura …"

"No complaints! You've been matched by skill level."

This week is getting better and better, Honda thought as he headed toward the target. But Coach didn't want to waste time repeating things to people who didn't need to hear them, so he couldn't very well complain. Kaiba joined him, reflecting his grim expression back to him. Honda tried to listen to the last few instructions that Nakamura was giving, but Kaiba's bad mood actually lifted his own. Ha, he thought. So Atem was worried about Kaiba finding someone else? It doesn't look likely.

"Is it true?"

Honda looked up, almost dropping his bow. Well, this is awkward. He hadn't anticipated discussing this straight off the bat, but he should have considered the possibility; Kaiba was so blunt. To give himself a moment to recover, he said, "You can shoot first." He gave Kaiba plenty of room and said, "Is what true?"

Kaiba took his time examining his bow. Testing its draw, he said, "Hmph. As if you didn't know." Well, that was true enough, but why give Kaiba a break? Honda wanted to hear it. "What your friend has been spouting all over school. He says you're dating Motou."

Kaiba didn't seem happy with the bow, but he took a shooting stance just the same. Nocking his arrow, he took careful aim, then let fly.

Thop!

It hit the bullseye, just off-center. "You're good," commented Honda.

Kaiba shrugged. "I can do better. If I'd known we had archery, I'd have brought my own bow. Next time."

Honda suppressed a laugh. It was just like Kaiba to make excuses for not hitting the target dead center. Plus, he'd called Atem "Motou." Normally, Kaiba would call Atem by his given name, so this formality was unnecessary. But how was he to answer Kaiba's question? If told the truth and Kaiba believed him, it might help him out of his current jam, but what about Atem? "So what if I am?" he said carefully.

Kaiba lifted an eyebrow along with his bow and nocked another arrow. As he took aim, he said, "I didn't even think you were gay."

Thop!

Bullseye. This one was closer to dead-center, just a little high and to the left.

"Even better," Honda said.

"Of course."

"Well, I'm not."

"Not?"

"Gay," Honda said. "But I was interested in Shizuka—Jounouchi's sister—so it was painful, really, having him breathing down my neck all the time. She won't make a move without his approval, so basically it means maybe I'll get a date when I'm fifty—if I'm lucky. I guess I finally figured it might be just as well to try something different while I was waiting. Between friends, without complications …" Honda shrugged. "You know."

Kaiba regarded him with the sort of undisguised disgust that Honda supposed was reserved for a slug he might spot crawling over his newly-shined shoe. He had been taking aim, but now paused and lowered his bow for a moment. "I thought …" he paused, scowling and sighed, pulling himself into form again and taking a breath. "I saw him with Anzu the other night and so I thought he was dating her."

Thop!

A little further out, right on the edge of the bullseye this time.

"Anzu's a friend, so it's not surprising to see her around. But why are you so interested?"

"I'm not," Kaiba said. "Just making conversation." As if to confirm this, released his next arrow.

Thop!

"Darn, just missed this time," said Honda. "But you know what?" he went on, lowering his voice to a confidential tone that he was pretty sure couldn't be overheard, "I think you're a coward, Kaiba."

Kaiba barely paused, but his voice took on a menacing tone. "What did you say?" he demanded. He took his time nocking and drawing his next arrow. Honda could have sworn Kaiba had pointed it at him before putting it to the string.

Thop!

This one hit the bullseye dead on.

But Kaiba had to wait for Honda's response as the all-clear came and everyone collected arrows for the next round of shooting. Honda almost felt sorry for Kaiba as he moved off to the side, taking on the aspect of a winter storm. Walking back to the line, Honda could almost feel the chill.

"Come on, Kaiba," he said, taking his stance and thinking, I wish I was half as good at this sort of thing as Kaiba! He probably takes lessons. "That kiss did something to you or you would have shaken it off by now."

With that, Honda let his carefully-aimed arrow loose.

Bip.

Bip?! How could my arrow land with so much less authority than Kaiba's? Plus, it was off the bullseye, well into the next ring, Honda noted with some consternation.

"That? It was an insult."

"Yes, but you let Atem work for you, right? And you noticed that he was with Anzu—and you asked about me. You could be with him, but you're afraid. What are you scared of, Kaiba? That your business will suffer? That everyone at school will laugh at you? That Ushio will beat you up daily?"

Honda was reaching for an arrow when Kaiba grabbed the collar of his jersey and yanked him forward. "I'm not afraid of anything," he said in a low, dangerous voice. "Certainly not you."

"Kaiba! Honda! Is there a problem?"

Kaiba let go of Honda's jersey and called, without breaking eye contact with Honda for a second, "Not at all, Coach!"

"Good! Because your grades have been so good so far. Get back to shooting."

"Yes, Coach."

"Right," Honda said, giving Kaiba a measured look. "Is there a problem? Because we can discuss it after school if you like. When we don't have pointy weapons at hand."

The corner of Kaiba's lips curled into a sneer. "I don't think I have anything to worry about where you're concerned."

Honda could only grimace. Kaiba had a point. He could hardly compete against him in this sport. Kendo, yes; archery, no. Or maybe … Honda glanced Kaiba's direction as he pulled out another arrow. Did he mean as far as Atem's concerned? Well, of course, but Kaiba wouldn't necessarily know that. But it would be nice to know just what Kaiba was thinking so he could pass along the scoop to Atem.

If only Kaiba weren't so hard to read!


Author's notes ...

Sorry that this chapter took forever (!) to get out! Part of the issue is that this and the following chapter were initially one huge chapter. Rather than post a huge mega-chapter at the end, I decided to chop it in half. If you find the chapter transition a bit awkward, you're not alone! I agree, but I really couldn't come up with anything that seemed very graceful. Hopefully the wait for the next chapter will be short because I only have one scene to rework - but it's the hardest sort of scene to do, so ... yeah ...

I don't have very many comments, but just in case you're interested in this sort of thing ... I must have changed the sport for Honda/Kaiba at least four times! In other words, you would not believe the number of re-writes that went into this chapter. I hope it evolved from "piece of crap" to "half-way decent." ;) Let me know! And, really, thank you for your patience and support! We're almost home.