Chapter Eighteen
Third Choice
Kaiba landed his jet only hours to late. The feeling of dread hadn't left him, if anything it had painfully increased. Ignoring the yells of protest he quickly exited and marched up to Pegasus's front door.
"Kaiba!" Yugi yelled finally catching up to the taller male.
"You don't even have a plan!" Draconis exclaimed leaning against the castle wall.
"I don't need one." Kaiba informed coldly.
"You want to bet?" Draconis asked with a sigh.
"I'm not going to lose her." Kaiba growled glaring at the male.
"That has never been an option." Draconis murmured returning the cold look.
"Good thing we left Mokuba in the jet." Yugi sighed.
Kaiba ignored the comment and opened the large doors, leading the group to Pegasus's throne room. Just when he thought he'd never see this place again, here he was.
"I was wondering when you three were going to arrive." Pegasus's voice echoed eerily off the walls as the group walked through the open doors.
"Where is she?" Kaiba hissed as he saw Pegasus calmly sitting on his throne looking far to pleased with himself for Kaiba's comfort.
"Be specific, dear boy, I'm old and senile." Pegasus smirked sipping his glass of wine.
"Aquarius, where the hell is she?" Draconis roared his temper reaching its boiling point.
"Such language, was that really necessary? Besides, I have a proposition for Kaiba." Pegasus stated standing and moving behind his throne.
"I'm listening." Kaiba nodded his knuckles white.
"Aquarius for your brother!" Pegasus laughed darkly holding a squirming Mokuba out in front of him.
"What?" Yugi's jaw dropped.
"You're sadistic!" Kaiba yelled fists at his side.
"Give us both and you won't die." Draconis growled menacingly.
"None of those are answers. Come now, Kaiba, which is more important; love or family? Pick on of the two, boy, and I suggest you hurry." Pegasus stated.
"How about a third choice?" A voice questioned as a shape quickly shot out of the shadows. A fist collided with Pegasus's jaw and a sickening snap was heard as he hit the ground. Mokuba ran to Seto then paused as everyone turned to see the figure.
Aquarius rubbed her knuckles, her breathing erratic to the point of hyperventilation as she looked at the faces around her.
No one could find their voice. Aquarius looked like death served cold. Her hair was in tangles, matted and twisted in places. Her clothes were torn and bloodstained. There were scratches with beaded blood over every inch of visible skin. Her right eye was swollen and both were bright red from bloodshot exposure.
"By the power of ra." Yugi murmured his eyes filling with tears.
Seto and Draconis rushed forward, both ready to hold her when she held up her hands and backed away.
"Please, please don't touch me." Aquarius's voice was a hoarse pained whisper. The agony she felt evident in her terrified eyes.
"But, Sis, it's me." Draconis tried slightly hurting.
"I, I just want to go home." Aquarius whimpered tears spilling onto her cheeks.
Kaiba felt his heart break at her words, of how she looked even! His clothes now no more than glorified rags on her body. The shattering truth struck home as he realized he was to late!
Pegasus stirred on the floor a dark chuckle escaping his lips as he sat up. "You're to late, Kaiba! You'll never get her back! I took something that you can never have!" He laughed as more tears flooded down Aquarius's face.
"You bastard! You bloody son of a bitch!" Draconis screamed trying to rush him only to have Mokuba and Yugi jump him causing him to fall to the ground.
"It's not worth it! We have to get Aquarius out of here!" Yugi stated as Draconis finally stilled.
"You're right. My sister's more important than reassuring this pitiful jerk of his disgusting nature." Draconis spat brushing himself off.
Kaiba's eyes never left Aquarius's as she looked at him sorrowfully. "I am so, so sorry Aquarius. I know you'll never be able to forgive me and I understand. I just want you to know how terribly sorry I am." Seto murmured his voice breaking as tears of sorrow filled his eyes.
Very slowly, Aquarius walked up to him. Her fingers hesitantly touched Kaiba's hand. "It's not you fault." She spoke softly threading her fingers through his.
"Yes, it is, if I had gotten here sooner." Kaiba mumbled futile only to have his words silenced by the gentle caress of Aquarius's lips on his own. It was a gentle kiss like a lover's sigh and Seto felt the heated shockwave travel through is entire body.
"Let's go home." Kaiba whispered holding her hand gently as they left the room and the broken man behind.