Chapter 29:

Kaiba Land

Ana stared up at the large glass entrance with bold red letters announcing "Kaiba Land" to anyone with in a 100-foot radius. What are we doing here? She glanced up at Seto, who casually strode up to the ticket gate and bought them tickets. The ticket merchants didn't seem to recognize him. Well, he does look a lot more normal in casual clothes. He should wear jeans more often. They really make his ass look good. Ana blushed when the thought crossed her mind. She quickly adverted her gaze when Seto walked back over to her.

"Let's go." He held up the tickets and led the way into the park.

This is work, right? But why would he need to buy tickets to his own park? Oh, maybe this is a secret inspection? Ana held open her bag at the security check. The guard barely glanced into her bag and waved her on in. Wait? That's it? Dude, take your job more seriously. The owner is standing right there! Seto however didn't seem the least bit interested in the guard. Ana hurried on in and they walked into the park. She looked around at the gift shops that lined the entrance. They were all dual monster themed.

"Um, Kaiba—"

He interrupted her. "It's probably best that you don't call me that here."

Ah, true. It might attract attention and ruin the inspection.

"Then, Amin-chan." She corrected herself, but for some reason he seemed less happy about that. "What are we doing here?"

"Good question. Where do you want to go first?" He pointed to the large directory map.

"What? You're leaving it up to me?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

He looked down at her, and his brow furrowed. "Well, I could pick, but I can't guarantee you'll like any of the attractions I pick."

"But shouldn't you be doing this a little more methodically?" Ana frowned at him.

Seto looked confused, and a little appalled at her question. "I mean, I plan out lots of things in advance, but theme park visits are fun because you can ride what you want when you want. So, why plan it?"

"But for an inspection, shouldn't you take this a little more seriously?" Ana sighed at how strangely carefree he was being today.

"Eh? Inspection? Since when did I say this was an inspection?"

Ana blinked a few times before shaking her head. "You said you needed my help with something. I assume it has something to do with me accompanying you. Since we're at a theme park, I assumed it was for an inspection. Isn't the reason I'm accompanying you because it would look strange for you to wander around the park alone. Am I wrong?"

Though I'm just guessing. This seems like a pretty simple task in exchange for saving my life.

Seto half frowned and scratched his head while looking at the directory. "It would seem odd if I was walking around alone, wouldn't it? You can just treat it like how you would if you went to any theme park though and pick where you want to go."

That's not very methodical, but maybe that's the point? If he planned it out, then the employees might predict his path. Maybe he brought me along to pick for him because of that? Just one problem…. Ana eyed the directory and frowned.

"What's wrong?" He asked her when she remained quiet for too long.

"I… haven't ever been to a theme park. Other than a small mall carnival and it only had a Ferris wheel. I don't really know where to start." She admitted as she scanned the attractions.

He put his hand over his mouth and laughed. "How sheltered were you?"

"I was just busy and my family never took me," Ana grumbled.

"Perfect. Then all the more reason for you to pick what you want to do. So, where do you want to go?"

She scanned the map and pointed to something call the Dragon's Race. "What's that?"

"It's a coaster. You want to try it?" He grinned, and she felt a sense of foreboding.

"Yes." She would not back down and risk him teasing her.

"This way then." Seto led the way and Ana followed beside him.

She looked at the scenery as they walked and found the park oddly beautiful. The park was filled with lakes and full of greenery. Since it's Amin-chan's park, I thought it would be all metal and glass, but it's surprisingly refreshing. She noticed the family's laughing and chatting as they went. As they were passing into a larger open area, she saw people were gathering more than usual.

"Is there an attraction near here?" Ana asked, but Seto frowned and looked around confused.

Loud trumpets started blaring, and members of a band quickly formed ranks. Suddenly, the crowd swelled to watch the band perform. Ana was flung into the crowd and pushed around. Too many people! She struggled just to breathe and forced her way out. When she got out of the crowd, she ended up on a side street without any people. What was that about? An impromptu parade? Amin-chan looked surprised too. She turned around expecting Seto to have made his way out of the crowd also, but she found herself alone.

"Ah." She trembled. She clasped her hands together and tried to take deep breaths. No, don't panic. Reaching into her bag, she meant to pull out her cell phone and call Seto, but it wasn't there. Her wallet was gone too. The color drained from her face. Did someone steal it when I was in the crowd. What do I do now? I can't just go home, it's too far away. Is there an office I can wait at? Someone from the crowd was looking at her curiously. Her stomach dropped, so she turned and ran. No. No. No. The panic was rising. No. No. No. She came out onto another main street and ran into a person.

"S-sorry." She apologized to the startled mom and ran away. She kept running. Finally, she stopped and found herself in a very secluded part of the park. Her vision swam as tears poured out. Her heartbeat wouldn't clam down and her breath came in gasps. In a split second, the light drained from her vision and she collapsed.

"Who the fricks' idea was it to start an impromptu parade! There's a reason we section off the crowd before parades! Someone wants to be fired."

Ana's head throbbed. When she opened her eyes, she had to strain them against white lights. She tried to sit up, but the room started spinning, and she almost collapsed back onto a pillow. A strong arm caught her before she could fall. She blinked a few times and Seto's worried face came into focus. Quickly, she shifted herself upright, so he didn't have to support her. This action resulted in her head spinning again, but she stayed upright.

"Can you stand?" he asked.

She tried, but she was still too dizzy. "Nope."

He let out a sigh and before she could protest picked her up in his arms.

"W-what are you doing?" Ana's heart raced.

"Taking you to the hospital to get your head checked. You passed out and hit the concrete," he explained.

Her hand went up to her head and she could feel some bandages wrapped around it. She looked around as Seto carried her. Someone had brought her to a nurse's office and a balding middle-aged man who was sweating profusely stood to the side dabbing a handkerchief to his head. Seto glared at him as they passed, and he shriveled under his gaze. As they left the park, people stared at them as Seto carried her. This is so embarrassing. After he put her in his car, he drove her to the hospital to get her checked out. The doctor told her she had a minor concussion. She needed to be monitored for 24 hours, but as long as she could stay conscious, she didn't have to stay at the hospital.

"That's good. I need to go home tonight." Ana let out a sigh of relief and the doctor quirked an eyebrow.

"Are you traveling? I wouldn't recommend that. You need to rest." The doctor didn't seem pleased.

"We flew here." Seto added.

"Then that's a definite no no. I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay in Domino City for the night."

Ana's heart stopped. But my wallet was stolen and I have no way to contact my family. Before these thoughts could send her into a panic, Seto pulled out his phone and called someone. He quickly explained the situation to someone on the other end without taking a breath and then handed the phone over to her.

"Hello?" Ana asked, confused.

There was a sigh on the other end. "Ana, stay there for the night. Listen to the doctor."

It was her grandfather. "B-but… ok."

She didn't have the nerve to tell him she'd been pickpocketed. After her grandfather agreed to explain things to her family, she hung up and sat there wondering what to do. The doctor left them alone in the exam room while he went to fill out paperwork.

"How did you get my grandfather's number?" Ana asked, putting off her problems.

"I didn't. He's been calling me," Seto admitted.

Oh, so that's how he's been spying on me.

"I wouldn't really call it spying if someone else is telling you. I'd just call that being nosy." Ana huffed and lowered her head. "Um… during the parade someone took my phone and wallet."

Seto seemed to remember something. He pulled out her phone and wallet from his back pockets. "I know. I noticed. I punched the guy in the face and got them back, but by the time I turned around you were gone…. I'm sorry."

She looked up at him, confused. He didn't meet her eyes. Is he feeling responsible? She took back her wallet and phone. Everything was still in them.

"It's fine. If I hadn't had a panic attack, I wouldn't have collapsed." She frowned, then put her phone and wallet back in her back.

"You wouldn't have had a panic attack if I'd paid more attention or trained my employees better." He growled.

"Don't fire anyone," Ana said, and he looked at her surprised. "If you fire people because I freaked out, then I'm going to feel awful about taking someone's lively hood from them."

The conflicted look on his face would have been funny, but she didn't find the situation amusing. He said nothing.

"Anyway, do you know a cheap hotel I can book a room at? Maybe you aren't the best person to ask that. I doubt you've ever stayed at a cheap hotel." Ana laughed and pulled out her phone to look one up.

Seto's face turned red. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"What do you mean? I need somewhere to stay tonight if I'm not allowed to go home."

He adverted his eyes. "Someone has to watch you for 24 hours. Which means someone would have to stay at the hotel with you. Who do you think that would be?"

"Oh," She blushed. Yeah, staying at a hotel with Amin-chan probably won't go over well and it will start a lot of rumors. "Then where am I going to stay? Wil you let me stay at your house?"

Seto smirked and crossed his arms. "If I remember correctly, you said there was no way in hell that you'd ever stay at my house."

She scowled. Crap. She swallowed her pride and asked, "Oh, please. Oh, wise and merciful overlord, may I stay at your house for the night?"

He grimaced at her. Oops. That came out my usual sarcastic. He just sighed and sent a message on his phone.

"Oh, did that work? If I'd known you caved to those types of compliments, I would have implemented them sooner." Ana couldn't help herself.

Seto rolled his eyes. "I don't cave to those compliments. I gave your grandfather my word that I'd keep you safe."

She laughed. "It doesn't seem like you hated the compliment."

"I'm not going to turn down compliments." He shrugged.

It was Ana's turn to roll her eyes. "I think your ego's big enough as it is."

He didn't deny it, but just smiled. "Yeah, and your pride makes you stubborn. Did it hurt a little when you asked to stay at my house?"

She glared at him and carefully stood up. She stumbled, and he was there to catch her. Looking up, she found him staring down at her, his blue eyes full of worry. "I-I'm fine. I can walk on my own now."

She worked her way out of his arms and stood up straight. Her head still hurt, but the dizziness was mostly gone. After, the doctor came back to release her and give her more instructions. Seto drove her across town to the Kaiba estate. They passed the front gate and drove through a well-kept garden. When she saw the large white mansion surrounded with tall columns, she let out a sigh.

"Do you have a problem with my home?" Seto's voice filled with annoyance.

"It's too big, do you really use all that space? I bet it's a pain in the butt for people to clean." Ana let her true thoughts spill out.

Seto parked the car and looked at her, lips pursed. "That all you have to say?"

She groaned. "It's annoyingly pretty. Thank you for letting me stay the night."

He snorted at her comment. A butler opened the door and helped her out. This feels weird. Mom hires people for when we have large parties, but mostly we maintain the house ourselves. The butler led them inside where a young preteen boy with long dark hair and blue-grey colored eyes met them.

"Hiya, I'm Kaiba Mokuba. Seto's little brother." The kid grinned up at her.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Sakurai Ana," she introduced herself politely.

"I'll show you to your room!" Mokuba turned around, but was dragged back by Seto.

He didn't seem to please by his little brother. "One of the maids can show her to her room."

A tiny maid stepped forward and curtsied. Ana followed her to a lavished room with blue marble floors and blue walls that complemented the white canopy bed. They had laid a night gown out on the bed for her for later.

The maid curtsied to her again. "If there's anything you need, simply pull this rope here. We'll be serving a late lunch shortly. In the meantime, feel free to freshen up and rest. Someone will retrieve you when it's ready."

"Thank you." Ana stood there awkwardly until the maid left. She explored the room and discovered it had a private bathroom. After she freshened up, she looked around the room and sighed. Waiting in this large room by myself is a little boring. As long as I don't overdo it maybe I can explore some to kill time? Her curiosity and boredom got the better of her. She exited the room and walked down the hallway. The mansion had an 1800s feel to it. She found though that the décor was rather tasteful. The paintings on the walls weren't grandmaster pieces, but the landscapes gave off a serene feeling.

Voices from a door caught her attention. She recognized Seto's and Mokuba's voice.

"Did you confess to her yet, Nii-san?" Mokuba's voice carried into the hall.

Huh? Amin-chan likes someone? Ha, ha. Well, I guess Sanae was at least partly right. I wonder what kind of girl caught his attention? There was a slight sting in her chest.

"No, now stop being annoying and go tell the chefs to hurry up with lunch."

Mokuba chuckled. "Are you sure you don't want to be alone with her? Today was just an excuse to spend time with her and it got interrupted. So, how about a candle lit meal with just you and her?"

"Mokuba, go now."

"Fiine."

Ana quickly turned and ducked into the nearest room. It was a study. She held her breath as she waited for Mokuba's footsteps to fade. Her face was warm. She put her hand over her heart. It was beating a mile a minute. She wasn't having a panic attack, though. Unless someone else had spent the day with Seto besides her, there was no way for her to misinterpret the conversation. Amin-chan likes me…