MythCreatorWriter: Well, if you believe it, maybe I can believe it, friend. Woah I totally thought I was review replying for Consequences for a second there, thank goodness I didn't though!(review replying would be much easier if I remembered what happened in previous chapters. That literally is how bad my memory is, I don't remember half the stories I write, it's great.) Aw, don't feel sad about your comments being hard to respond to! That's not your fault! If anything it's mine! I'm a writer dammit! I should be able to write anything by COMMAND! Like SUPERMAN! Or something cool like that. I can't wait either; it's going to be epic! But for now, enjoy this fresh twist I have going on here! Thanks for the review!

SelenaKaiba: Hey, haven't I seen you before? I feel like I've seen your username in a review in the past, have you read any of my past stories before? Or maybe it's just my bad memory… hahaha, well, thanks for reviewing anyways!

Lace Kyoko: Thank you! I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Ash Kaiba: Hey, don't worry about it! You're fine, trust me:] I like your language usage in your review; it definitely caught my attention when you said "the next installment." It was cool, that's something my dad would say! Wow that's random, but anyways, good to have you with us and reading, and thanks for the review!

WhiteAsukalover: Oh baby, it's ALREADY fun;] Thanks for the review!

KnotofRibbon: I KNOW GOZABURO'S DEATH IS LIKE THE MOST AWAITED THING EVER! I feel like EVERYONE is waiting for that scene. Oh my gosh, dude, I bet you anything this is going to be like 'The Dark Knight' for comic book lovers. Like everyone's so excited, they know it's going to be awesome, but also they're totally scared it's going to be a fluke. Or maybe that's what I'm scared of. Or wait, no I'm not, I already know it's going to be awesome! And wow, this is me rambling to myself-.- Hahaha! And hey, thanks for believing in my edge, I think I'm starting to re-believe in it too now!:D Thanks for your review and enjoy!

Seventeen

"Seto, as Kaiba Corp.'s board of directors, we're curious about why you have called us here," asked Johnson. Seto sat apart from the five, with his legs crossed in a business manner. Seto didn't want to waste any time for there wasn't much time to lose to begin with. His plan was about to be put into motion.

"Let me get right to the point, you are all very talented men yet my father treats you all like dirt. That's why I've assembled you all here to present you with the proposition of your lives." Each of them looked shocked and a little uneasy. They didn't know what to expect. "If you guys help me with this, we can rule Kaiba Corp. together as a team." The five were most certainly baffled, but Seto continued to keep his cool. He had to come off as confident and in control if he were to get these five to be part of his team.

"Could you give us a moment, please?" Nesbitt asked.

"Of course," Seto replied, coolly. This would work, he knew it would. Seto had no doubt that it would take little to no convincing to really get this done. The Big Five, although they were basically the five leaders of Kaiba Corp. under the dictator rule of Gozaburo, weren't the brightest bunch as people. Not to mention the fact that many of them could be easily be driven by the forces of money or revenge.

They continued to whisper for about a minute or so before breaking away and turning back towards Seto. Seto was mentally preparing to give all the right answers to all of their questions.

"So, what do you gentlemen think? Do we have a deal?" Seto asked, holding out his hand as he was ready to seal the deal.

"Not quite, Seto," Crump said, "We're not buffoons, we want to know exactly what you're signing us up for."

"That's no problem at all. It's a simple plan," Seto leaned forward in his chair, "All I'm talking about is take over." The room got deathly quiet. But Seto continued on, "You see, what I need you five to do is slowly start buying up stocks of the company, if each one of us does this in a reasonable and subtle fashion, we'll be able to gain enough to shares to possess the 51% we'll need to take over."

"I'm not going to lie to you, Master Kaiba, but this sounds like an awfully dangerous plan," Lector stated.

"I agree, surely you don't think we would be foolish enough to join the likes of you with a plan like this," Gansley added, "After all, you're nothing but a child. Why on earth would we trust a kid to run a plan like this?" Seto furrowed his eyebrows.

"I'm beginning to hate this accusation that being a sixteen year old makes you a child."

"Oh come now, Seto, look at yourself. You're more than half of all of our ages, not to mention you haven't been working here for merely a fraction of the time we have. What makes you think you have what it takes to defeat Gozaburo?" Johnson asked. Seto was becoming aggravated now, but he was trying to keep himself collected. These five didn't know what they were talking about, but Seto still needed their contributions for his plan to work.

"Do I need to remind you five of my achievement a year ago?" A couple of them rolled their eyes.

"So you were able to accomplish Gozaburo's little task he gave you in less than a week. Big deal, it's not like Gozaburo expected you to fail," Lector said. Seto eyed him.

"It's true. He might've talked it up to be this impossible thing, but Gozaburo knew from the beginning that you would be able to do it. You are his protégé." Seto didn't exactly agree with any of these assumptions. Quite frankly, it annoyed him to think that his final task was too menial to be considered a real accomplishment. But Seto really didn't have the time to argue such things; he needed to seal the deal.

"Look, disregarding my business experiences in the past, what is it that makes you believe I don't have the ability to take over?" Seto asked, gritting his teeth. Each of them had a look on their face that told Seto they knew exactly what to say.

"An ego is a dangerous thing, Seto, and we have to wonder whether you have it in check. Gozaburo is a cruel and devious man, but he is quite cunning and intelligent, especially when it comes to his company. We think you're underestimating the man that he is and the skills he possesses," Johnson paused, "In a business world like this, we can't afford underestimation. If Gozaburo were to ever find out about this before you were able to take over, he would have us fired instantly."

"That's right, and that's not a risk we're willing to take!" Crump stated, crossing his arms, "And if you don't do this right, you'll lose. And if you lose, we'll all lose." Each of them began gathering up their papers and neatly stacking them in their briefcases.

"We're sorry but it's far too great of a risk to do business with you. Perhaps there will be a chance for us to work together in the future, although you have proven yourself during the time you have begun working here, but it's not enough to convince us to risk our jobs."

"But if we did succeed, you could make millions! I've got plans for this company, good, money-making plans. Gozaburo may not hear me out, but that's where his age and experience blinds. What I have on my hand, gentlemen, is a formula for success and whole lot of money. And I'll be willing to split it evenly; we can run this place together! I just need your support." Seto was becoming desperate. It seemed that even his last statement didn't seem to have any effect on them. None of them looked convinced at all, and a couple continued eyeing the door from behind him.

Seto had to think fast, he was losing his crowd. He looked away for a moment to try and think. There had to be a way to stop them from leaving, he had to bribe them in some way into helping him with what he needed to do… but where would that come from, and what would he have to offer?

At this point, the Big Five had given up on telling Seto they were leaving; they all turned away and started walking towards the door without another goodbye. Seto kept flexing his hands nervously. Seto knew a bit about marketing and he had a hunch that the minute those five walked out the door, the deal would never be done. He needed something to real them back in, he had to insure them in some way… Seto's eyes shot open.

"Wait!" Seto called, stopping the business men just as they were about to walk out, "I have another proposition to make." Nesbitt, whom was first in line by the door, let go of the knob.

"We certainly hope this won't be another waste of time, Seto. I'm beginning to grow impatient." Seto ignored his comment.

"Look, I know this is a bit risky, but it'll be worth your while if we triumphed in the end as a team. But, on the off chance that this does not succeed, I have something to give you as a token of gratitude for your dedication."

"What do you have that will interest us?" Seto took a deep breath and looked up.

"After my parents died, the rest of my family members took most of the assets in my parents' name. All except for one in particular, something they overlooked. My parents had invested a lot of cash in the stock market, saving up for my and Mokuba's college funds. My relatives never found evidence of it, so the thought never came to mind. But I have the receipt that declares my ownership of the stocks and if this plan does not succeed and you lose yours jobs, I will cash the funds and split the money equally between you five, no questions asked." They were all silent; some were showing liking towards the idea, some even seemed impressed. "What do you say?"

None of them looked displeased at this point. They nodded in unison together.

"I think that's a done deal, Mr. Kaiba. Happy doing business with you." Seto rose from his seat and shook each of their hands, finally letting them walk out of the room. After the last one had left, Seto let out a long breath of air and slumped forward.

"Damn that was difficult," Seto said to himself, looking around the room. He spotted a stray suitcase in underneath the table. He picked it up and looked at it. Violently, he released the suitcase from his hand and kicked it across the room. "DAMMIT!" Seto yelled, ready to beat someone up.

Then a strange sickness came over him and Seto felt the urge to throw up. Slowly, he eased himself back down into his chair and let his arms fall off of the sides of the handles. Out of nowhere he brought up a fist and slammed it onto the armrest.

"Why the hell did I just do that? What the fuck was I thinking?" Seto said to himself, rubbing his temples. Uncontrollable flashbacks began to emerge from the inner depths of his subconscious. Images of his mother's smiling face could be seen quite clearly inside his head, her voice slowly echoing in the back ground…

"Seto, you are such a good son…" Seto's mother said from the rocking chair she was sitting in. She was rocking slowly, back and forth, watching her eldest son as he diligently did the dishes under her supervision. "You're going to become a fine lad indeed, helping your mother out at such a young age…"

Her soft and gentle hand gently stroked the large, protruding belly that lay in her lap underneath her maternity shirt. "My baby boy is going to be so lucky to have a big brother like you; I just know you're going to take good care of him." Seto took a moment from cleaning the counters to give his mother a delightful smile in return for her compliment, then he went right back to cleaning the kitchen. Underneath it all, though, Seto could never get his fill of his mother's praise.

"In fact… Seto, because you have been so responsible lately, I decided to give you a little reward." Now Seto couldn't resist. He placed the sponge he was using to clean the counter tops down and hopped off the stool he was standing on eagerly.

"A reward?" Seto's face was beaming with excitement. Seto's mother slowly nodded. She stopped rocking for a moment to grab her purse. Shuffling through her things, it only took her about a minute to take out a small sheet of paper. "What is it, Mommy?" Seto's mother held it out towards him.

"Come look at it yourself." Seto ran forward and snatched it out of her hand. His eyes stared at the paper, but he was still too young yet to make sense of it. He looked up at his mother, fearful that he would disappoint her.

"I don't understand what it says…"Seto said in a sullen tone. Seto's mother coaxed Seto to come over to the side of the rocking chair, Seto did as she asked. Seto's mother held out the paper in front of him.

"This sheet of paper is documentation of the college funds I've been investing for you since the day you were born. I've been adding some in for your brother as well in the last couple months, hoping you will be mature enough to share it with him when the time comes…" Seto was still confused, but he hated to admit it. His mother picked up on this right away and began to explain further.

"A fund is a certain amount of money that you can invest in the stock market. So it's like this sheet of paper represents that amount of money. You can take it out whenever you want it, but the idea is that you invest your money in the market so that it will grow in time. So the money I put in now will grow to be enough for you and your brother to use to go to college, basically. Do you understand it a little better now?" Seto nodded his head.

"Good, because you'll to be in charge of it now only if you promise me you will only use it for either you and your brother's college or if it comes down to it, an emergency. Do you understand? Can I trust my little man with that responsibility?" Seto at the idea of having both responsibility, a sign of maturity, and his mother's trust, so he nodded his head.

"Yes Mommy, I promise to only use it for those two things!" Seto's mother smiled.

"That's my boy."

"Nii-sama?" Seto jerked forward and turned around. Mokuba was clinging to the doorway, peering into the room cautiously. "Is it okay if I come in?" Seto sat up and straightened out his suit. How long had he been sitting there? Had he fallen asleep? What had just happened?

"Yes, yes, of course," Seto said, jumping out of the chair to greet his brother. Mokuba walking over to him slowly, he couldn't keep his eyes from wandering around the room as if looking out for trouble.

"So… how did it go?" Mokuba whispered.

"How did it go? Oh, well… it went, well, it was great!" Mokuba looked up excitedly.

"Yeah? So they went for it?" Seto gulped.

"Yep! They most certainly did."

"Awesome! I was beginning to worry out there for a while. I decided to wait in the lobby because I couldn't contain myself; I had to see how it would go! But you were in there for a really long time, like almost an hour! And I began to worry that they might not have gone for the deal… but it's good to hear that they did!"

"Yeah…" Seto looked off to the side as Mokuba ran ahead of him. "They sure did…" Seto whispered to himself. He stopped walking for a moment and watched his brother run out of the room with glee. Seto couldn't help but think back to his mother and the one responsibility she had entrusted him with before she was on her death bed. She had trusted him to make the right decision about the funds she had invested… and less an hour ago he had bet it away.

"I'll make it up to you, Mokuba…" Seto said under his breath as he started moving forward again, "I promise. Once this plan falls through, I'll make sure you have the life you deserve and you'll be able to go to the best college in the country. I'll do the right thing in the end, I'll make Mom proud."

With thoughts and goals aside, Seto had to focus on the present and in the future. Now that the Big Five were with him, it was time for phase two of his plan.

A/N: So… what did you guys think?! I know it took a while to do, but I think it turned out nicely! The reason it took so long was because I had written it up, but I knew I had done a sloppy job and that I would have to re-write a lot of it and I didn't want to and… yeah, you get the drift, right? Human nature, duh! That's what it's all about, isn't it? Anyways, so I actually liked this chapter and my own little take on how the deal was done as well as with the college funds thing. Although I liked this chapter, I'm happy to have it end because as you all know, when one chapter ends, that brings us another chapter closer to the EPIC DEATH OF GOZABURO KAIBA. Which I am JUST as excited as you are to do, it's going to be fantastic! Anyways, thanks for reading, check out my twitter sometime if you're bored or wondering what I'm doing story-wise(maybe know when I'm going to update this story rather than Consequences) The link is at the of my profile, check it out if you ever feel like it! I'll make sure to keep you guys more in the loop than I have with my story status. XP Thanks again for reading!