Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Irksome Nature ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

DISCLAIMER: Same as previous because if I did own YuGiOh...well...*leering grin*...we all know what will happen, don't we?

Author's Notes: I'm afraid I won't be able to update until late June. Sorry guys but I've got finals next month and a project due in a couple of weeks so my schedule is pretty full until then. But, this chapter is a tad longer than the rest to make up for it. Hopefully. ;-)

Thank you very much for the reviews! Sweetbriar, as you may have noticed, comments and corrections are extremely welcome. I love it when readers tell me what they like and what they think I should improve on. Blue September, I'm going to take your advice and write for fun. It's, well, so much more fun that way! I'm glad you enjoyed the chibi scenes because I really love writing them. Think I might just include one snippet per chapter from now on. Neko no Basu, ShiroiYami, halowing4 and goddesskali, I'm extremely happy that I haven't butchered any of the characters so far. It's been great writing Kaiba because he's just so sarcastic and edgy. Female Yami/Yugi and Yuen, Mokuba is down right deadly when he wants to be, no? It's even more apparent in this chapter and poor Kaiba indeed. You know what, Yuen, I think that might be possible and you don't even have to pay! Just let me think about that for a bit...you just gave me some ideas for future chapters. Kami Beverly, I'm very flattered that you think so. I'll try to keep up with future chapters. More 'phone' bits to come, Phoenixfire.

And a big thank you to Moerae for beta-ing. I know you wanted YY/Y but uh, I'm on a S/YY streak here. Sowie.

Chapter 4

There was much to be said for research, I thought as I scrolled through document after document, budget after budget and finally, a history of BetaCorp's known achievements and actions in the past couple of decades or so. I had already checked everything there was beyond those decades earlier on and now I was hoping Hirato had the sense to be involved in some tainted dealings recently. He had to be, what with trying to kill me and everything, I scowled blackly at the screen, but I also knew he was smarter than that. It won't matter though, because as smart as he is, as clever at hiding his trails as he would have to be, I was better, and much, much smarter. Gozaburo was left in the lurch and so would Hirato, but not before I made BetaCorp a requisition of KaibaCorp's. I smirked maliciously, savouring the flavour of an anticipated success. It was a thrill that I could never live without, nor did I wish to.

However -- I scowled again but with less anger because even though Mokuba could drive me up the wall, he could never make me angry -- I didn't expect this newer problem to crop up. I sighed and rubbed the ridge of my nose in resignation. It was just my luck to have Mokuba misunderstand that situation with Yami. Just my luck he had to arrive at the exact moment Yami and me were standing together like idiots, staring at each other with what Mokuba must have thought to be moonstruck and loving expressions on our faces. My increasingly bad luck that Mokuba had somehow taken it upon himself to leave us alone, quote, unquote. It was nearly enough to send me straight into an insane asylum, sans white straight coat because I absolutely hated those inescapable contraptions. They brought back memories I would rather leave buried and forgotten.

Lost in circling thoughts, and losing interest in what I was doing before, I looked upwards at my ceiling, wondering and thinking and not even aware of Mokuba's presence until he was half way towards me. I was startled, unsurprisingly, but I never showed it. Mokuba must have seen it anyway because he looked at me inquiringly before settling in on the usual couch-but-sometimes-turned-bed whenever he decided to stay up with me. I gave him a small smile and he relaxed into his usual role of doting little brother.

"Mokuba," I started, and couldn't quite finish. Didn't even come close.

"Yes," he said cautiously before a metaphorical light bulb pinged on top of his head. "It's about Yami, isn't it? Right? I knew it!" he shouted gleefully, hands lightly clapping in happiness.

As the beginnings of a headache started to throb, I stared blankly and then said quite calmly, and hopefully convincingly, "Yes, it is about Yami. But not what you think -- he -- I -- we -- aren't what you think we are."

I sighed in annoyance, but more at myself than him because how hard was it to say we weren't -- god forbid -- lovers. Inwardly wincing, I started to explain again. "We aren't going out." It was rushingly and awkwardly said, but at least I said it out loud and with relative ease. Now I just needed to wait for something to happen. A volcanic eruption? Earthquake? Mokuba crying in denial?

"But...but...I saw you two." He gazed beseechingly at me, making those sad, round eyes and pouting his lips. I cringed because I knew I could never resist trying to make him feel better and this time, I highly doubted it would be any different.

"It wasn't like that. We were just being -- uh -- " I uncomfortably finished, "friendly. Yes. We were being friendly. Like friends."

"Oh."

One word. Only one disappointed, let down word and I was ready to take it all back and swear to Mokuba that Yami and me were a serious couple. Very serious, in fact, and with those four words Mokuba would be insanely happy. Only, if I did, then I would be deceiving him. And I promised I would never deceive him again.

"Isn't it good? At my age, I'm making new friends," I told him lightly, hoping he would cheer up at that thought that his big, bad tempered older brother was finally being socially competent with people my own age group. Well, at least people who looked to be my age.

"Yeah...yeah," he said reluctantly, but then he nodded in acceptance at last. "That's really, really good. You need to be friends first before you can be anything more."

My eye twitched.

That, I didn't expect. Out of all the reactions Mokuba could have had, this I never predicted. But then, he was a Kaiba in all ways and my little brother to boot; I should have never underestimated his stubborn will.

"Mokuba."

"What? It's true," he pouted. "I read it in some magazine."

"Mokuba..." I warned him. "Friends do not equate to -- lov -- anything more."

"But Seto..."

"Mokuba..."

He sighed painstakingly and said, "But Seto...Yami's cool. Really cool. And you two are so much alike that you'd really make a great couple! I mean, he's the only person who ever defeated you in a duel and you listen and respect him -- and don't look like that Seto, I know you really, really well so when I say you respect him, you respect him. And -- where was I? Oh yeah. You two make a really cute couple." Mokuba ran out of breath and I took the opportunity to stop his misconception.

I glared, but since Mokuba had already adjusted to my never-ending parade of black expressions, I knew it wouldn't have any effect on him. Hell, he had seen me at my worst and still stayed loyally by my side. There was truly nothing he feared, except possibly losing me, and even at that, he would still have Yugi and his friends. Sometimes I wondered if he even needed me now, and then I would immediately stop thinking along those lines because it was simply impossible that he didn't need me. What was I good for, if not to look after my precious little brother?

Closing my eyes, I lowered my head slightly and rubbed the edge of my nose. Then I opened them again in surprise, and looked down at the black-blue mane of hair that was hugging me, squeezing me so comfortingly and warmly that I hesitantly hugged back. My arms went around Mokuba's small body -- so fragile -- and I vowed, just like I did when he was nothing but a tightly bundled up baby whose life depended on me, to take care of him for as long as possible, and even when it wasn't.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into my chest. "For making you sad. I promise I won't do it again, okay?"

I softened. What else could I do when confronted with his absolute love? "You never do. And it wasn't about anything you did, so don't worry." I brushed back the tangling wisps of hair covering his cheek.

"I just want you to be happy. Is all," he mumbled.

"I know," I told him. And I did, but Yami had nothing to do with it. I just didn't really care whether I was happy or not.

-=-=-=-=-

By the time I went to bed -- midnight was really beginning to be a familiar hour -- I was physically and emotionally exhausted in ways I would rather not be. Mokuba had fallen asleep in my arms after only a short while and I couldn't bear to wake him up. Instead, I let him sleep against me while I browsed through whatever documents I didn't look at before Mokuba had arrived. It became dull quickly and I lost interest after only a mere couple of hours. Which was just as well because I wanted to take Mokuba to his room and watch over him for a little while. I truly didn't believe Mokuba was safe and protected until I saw it myself. Of course, people lied all the time anyway, so I wasn't too bothered by my own actions and reactions. My paranoia hadn't led me astray so far and I doubted it would do so now.

When I had reassured myself enough, forcing myself to deal with Mokuba's flesh and blood vulnerabilities because there were only so many things I could fight against but human fragility and mortality was not one of them, I retreated to my own room with no lessening of my fear.

I went for another shower to warm up my cold body and came out feeling slightly alive, slightly relaxed and very unperturbed. It was so real that I could almost pretend everything was all right, that Mokuba was in no real danger and that there was no threat. I could pretend that I was no son, through spirit or body of Gozabora Kaiba, someone I had never imagined I would ever meet and live under the rule of. Unfortunately, or fortunately -- I could never quite decide -- I never had that naive quality all children must have at one time or other. I went to bed burdened, but comforted by it, and slept like I haven't slept in thousands of years.

-=-=-=-=-

You were never supposed to be annoyed at the Pharaoh. He was Horus on earth, god and mortal and the ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt. Logically, that also meant you were never supposed to be annoyed at his son, the future Pharaoh of all of Egypt as well, and yet, you couldn't stop being annoyed because this royal heir to the throne just kept following you. And he didn't even have a purpose for his excursion, was what I found the most aggravating. He just kept following me, with happy, smiling eyes and such an enthusiastic demeanour that I couldn't help but be baffled by. Wasn't there anything better for him to do other than stumble behind me? Surely it wasn't fun trying to catch up to my longer strides when he hadn't yet quite gotten used to travelling on two legs, but with Atem, I could never tell.

Maybe there wasn't, I had to conclude because in order for Atem to also find watching me study an interesting past time, there mustn't be anything else for him to do. I would be looking through old scrolls, information archived and passed down from ages past, only to realise that I had company in the form of a chubby little child, who had cupped both his hands under his chin and was watching me with the rapt focus and attention befitting of an adult. I would stare back, unnerved by what I saw in young but wise ruby eyes.

Questioning him only led to frustrating answers though; I had learnt this from long, long ago when I was a year younger and more foolish so I just left it alone now and after some time, would ask him if he wanted some food. His response? A cry of yes, yes! And then we would be off to Atem's chamber along with Atem's guards Aten and Hasput who were skilled warriors, I was told, but appalling diplomats as I have found. They made sure to walk behind us respectfully, but I could feel their annoying amusement behind my back as Atem tugged me onwards and at the same time, chattered away about some thing or another. I didn't like being laughed at, and neither would Atem so I glared back, meeting two pairs of warm brown eyes head on but to no avail. Hasput just winked at me! Winked! I gave a low growl and turned away again, this time lifting my chin just a bit higher so they would know that I was displeased.

I would really like to say that their amusement evaporated at the mere thought of my displeasure, I would really would, but I couldn't because it didn't happen. There was no apparent sign that told me they were not chastised but I knew they weren't. I just knew it.

Seething and not hiding it, I let Atem tug me towards our chambers where no doubt some food would be awaiting us. The cooks were quite punctual and made sure to take care to feed us a maddening amount of dishes we could never finish. This perplexed me, to say the least, but I never minded. Atem's appetite was generally getting bigger and bigger, and the leftovers usually ended up being smaller and smaller, so I guess in a way, the cooks knew what they were doing. Soon enough, Atem was going to eat more than me at the rate he was going, I thought, amused; my anger forgotten for now. Atem always ended up unknowingly shaking me out of my black moods.

I sighed and followed Atem, letting him set our meals and helping him when he couldn't reach far enough. He thanked me before saying, "'eth, you need to eat," and then proceeded to add a plentiful amount of food to my plate, all the while talking about being strong and needing lots, and lots of food. And then he halted his long winding speech, giving me a thoughtful look and asked, almost absent-mindedly, "That enough you think?"

I looked at the pile on my plate and said dryly, "Yes. I'm sure this will stop me from wasting away."

He was cute; I had to admit, in some annoying, oblivious, chattering way and he did like taking care of me, even if I didn't need it. I stared at him fondly, exasperated, and knew without a doubt Hasput and Aten were laughing at me just out of my hearing, and with good reason.

-=-=-=-=-

Waking up was something a normal human being least wanted to do. Especially when sleep beckoned so invitingly and dreams comforted you like a long lost blanket. I had never rested so well before in my rather short life. I had never felt so drugged, so lazy and so very content, though I had a sneaking suspicion when I had been a newborn babe who slept and ate the whole day away, I most likely came close. But that was years ago, a lifetime away and a forgotten non-existent memory. Why was I feeling so at peace now?

I was surprised the nights didn't consist of unforgiving nightmares and the lingering ghosts of my scars. More than surprised that I would let my guard down during the weakest hour, but this was not as puzzling as the wriggling feeling of half forgotten dreams. There was something important. Something I needed to do -- protect? -- someone I --

And I lost the sluggish trail of thought.

Sighing softly, I reached to turn off my alarm before it started ringing and got out of bed, shivering slightly at the temperature difference between my warm bed and the air. Getting into my robe, and walking towards my pristine bathroom, I prepared myself for a taxing day of school. Despite Mokuba's insistence -- he insisted and when I didn't comply he left me sleeping half of the day away -- that I take a leave of absence, I didn't want for the sake of keeping up appearances. Hirato no doubt saw my absence yesterday as a possible sign of me weakening, and if he decided I was vulnerable enough, he would go in for the kill like the ruthless predator we both were. I had no desire for that to happen, nor did I wish to leave Mokuba unprotected with only a mere several guards.

-=-=-=-=-

"Good morning, Kaiba," Yugi waved at me with my spatula in pure morning person cheer. "I thought I'd do some cooking today." He beamed. Literally beamed at me and didn't stop even as he met my own sour look.

"Hey big brother," Mokuba greeted me with his mouth full of pancakes and his head still bent over his plate.

I smiled back and then raised an eyebrow when I caught sight of Yami sitting next to Mokuba. He was bent over the kitchen table, scribbling madly on some paper and taking a bite from his plate now and again.

Curiously, I asked him what he was doing.

"Numbers. Lots and lots of numbers. Can't talk," was the mumbled incoherent reply I received. I took it to mean he was learning our numbering system, and rather obsessively too, I thought in amusement. Then I stopped thinking altogether as my mind translated the inky hieroglyphs scrawled by Yami. I shook my head in disbelief, and then denied it ever happened, just as I did in Battle City because to believe it happened meant the past had strings to the future and destiny was set in stone. And that was something I didn't want to believe. Couldn't believe.

"Yami." I decided to distract my mind and implement my plan at the same time. "Would you mind going keeping Mokuba company at school?" I said formally and politely, which most likely equated to cold and demanding at some point.

"Huh?" He looked up owlishly. "Oh. Oh...yes. Sure. Now I'll get back to this."

I blinked. It was certainly easier than I had expected but then, I hadn't thought about Yami and Yugi's loyalty to Mokuba, whom they counted as one of their own.

"Go ahead," I said to half listening ears and a mind that was fully occupied as I sipped the cup of coffee, which had somehow been sneaked onto the table by a very domestic Yugi.

"It's a good idea." Yugi offered his own opinion after he took off his apron and settled in the chair across from me. I had to do a double take at the appearance of steaming stacks of pancakes piled up on a large plate in the centre of the table. How in hell Yugi could have carried that thing and without me noticing, I would probably never knew. I was impressed.

I nodded at him and reached for my newspaper.

"Yep. And since Yami's going to be with Mokuba, that leaves me to hang around you," he said offhandedly while squirting a whole heap of syrup.

My body stilled, and my newspaper crinkled in shock. "Repeat that again."

"Oh, you didn't hear? I said I'd keep a close eye on you at school. In case something happens," he gave an unwavering nod, looking at me with Mokuba-stubborn eyes.

I resigned myself then and there to a whole day of being surrounded by Yugi and his circle of weird, irritating friends. Including the mutt. Though, I suppose Wheeler could entertain me for a while. Insulting him might take the edge off being around those fools.

-=-=-=-=-

I was in a relatively good mood, if I did say so myself, but it was no thanks to those gibbering idiots who hung around Yugi. Yugi, I tolerated. Yugi was someone whom I respected in an entirely different way from Yami and whose personality matched that of Mokuba's. So Yugi I could live with literally. But his friends I could not. How he could stand to listen to that friendship-sprouting doll, I could never understand. Didn't he feel the reasonable urge to sew the forever-rambling mouth of that stupid girl shut? Or maybe he was just distracted by the sheer idiocy of that pencil-headed moron and his mini rivalry with the dice fetish idiot. Yes, that would be the logical assumption. I myself had been irresistibly tempted to scissor off pencil head's ghastly hair and throw dices at the other one just to see what would happen. Too bad I never got a chance to do so. Yugi had unfortunately seen the murderous glint in my eyes and dragged me off before I started on a rampaging spree.

At least I had five minutes of bringing utter humiliation to the mutt. I smirked. Yugi hadn't been able to act as peace maker all the time and Wheeler was asking for it, making jokes about the Hirato situation as if he was the clown I thought he was.

But the day hadn't been a complete waste. I smiled in relief as I left the limo with Yugi just behind me and went to open the front door. Soon after Yugi had pulled me outside, my phone had rang and I was brought some extremely good news from my private investigators. A new lead on Hirato and this time, it was big. It was a huge relief to hear, and Yugi thought so too after he had worriedly looked up at me with apparent concern for my sanity. Even though it was only just a lead, and not a nicely packaged deal, I wanted to celebrate early and send Yami and Yugi off on their way. Having them around my territory was beginning to wear thin on my peripheral edge and having them around for any lengthy amount of time would only lead me to expect their presences.

"No offence Yugi, but I would rather not live with you guys for any longer. The sooner you're gone the better," I told him bluntly.

"That's all right Kaiba. As long as you and Mokuba will be safe from Hirato and you don't need us, we can go wherever," he said back sincerely, happy at the news.

"Not that we ever needed you guys, but you have my thanks." It was truly difficult for me to acknowledge his concern because then I would have to acknowledge the growing debt weighing on my soul. "There are some loose ends to tie up. That won't take long though so you and Yami can go tomorrow if you want."

"I see...Maybe we should stay for a little longer then?" Yugi said hopefully. "Just in case something happens."

I sighed, disgruntled, but gave an assenting mumble anyway. Yugi beamed at me again and I had to shield myself from the violet-glaring rays. He giggled when I reached to rub my temples and said impishly, "I guess now I know why you keep on having so many headaches, huh?"

My glare could have scorched the earth had it been less resigned, less amused and much more heated. I said nothing in response and his giggling tapered off into his usual awe at sitting in my limo.

Once we went inside, loud video game noises filtered through and we bore the faint brunt of the sound of gun shots, sirens and a loud explosion. Yugi and me looked at each other in amusement, our thoughts aligning to the same conclusion and went into the lounge: the source of all rackets.

We managed to enter just at the right moment to witness Mokuba and Yami sitting cross-legged on the floor and holding onto their controllers with tremendous concentration. Yami was absorbed with the events on the wide screen and had this never-before-seen acute expression of focus on his face. I stood still and watched with a hint of a smile as Yami cursed in Egyptian under his breath and aggressively pressed buttons. I watched as his eyes widened in surprise and his body jerked wildly to contort to the motions of his virtual player and then gave a chuckle when he settled back down with his hands covering his eyes in mass disappointment.

"The self-titled King of Games losing to a machine. How does that feel?" I found myself saying.

He glared at me from behind his hand and between his fingers. "Shut up, Kaiba."

I laughed, actually laughed, and shook my head. "What? Can't take a defeat? Sulking?"

He mock growled and narrowed his eyes but his lips were being reluctantly tugged upwards. "You better stop that now or I'll return the favour from yesterday."

"Is that so? I'd like to see you try," I responded smugly, feeling entirely too pleased with myself.

His lips twitched and his eyes turned mischievous. "Oh, I'll try. Don't doubt me, but I think I'll wait until there aren't any witnesses." He glanced at Yugi and then Mokuba, and I gave a small, challenging snort in answer but decided to let it go because I was getting discomforted by the ease in which we bantered. We shouldn't be so -- so -- friendly. What happened to our tension filled battles? What happened to my resolute anger?

"Well, how about I play with Yugi and you guys can have your big, gigantic raging fight?" Mokuba chirped up from his position on the ground, still happily into the game. "Should do you some good, big brother."

I raised my eyebrow at this and caught Yami's amused and slightly baffled nod towards the stairs. I glanced over at Yugi who by then finished shrugging, settled himself down on Yami's just vacated seat and was holding onto Yami's controller with practised ease. He seemed to be obliviously enjoying himself so I left the lounge and started for my room with Yami just a few steps behind.

As soon as we entered, I sat myself in my armchair and inquired, "What was that about?"

He made some strange face and wrinkled his nose. "You really want to know Kaiba?"

"What do you think?" I nearly rolled my eyes. He knew me better than this. Of course I wanted to know.

Sighing like a man with the weight of the world burdened on his transparent shoulders, he finally said, "Apparently, Mokuba is convinced we have broken up."

What the hell?

"What are you -- shit. I think I know what happened." I rubbed my temple again as the throbbing suddenly began its eruption all over again. It looked like I would never have a break.

"Then care to tell me? Because I'm still confused by it myself."

I sighed and wondered whether alcohol might be the answer to the sorry state of affairs for now. Then I decided no because who knew what would happen when a drunk, socially inept psychopath and a psychologically damaged spirit who had been imprisoned in some constricting puzzle for years upon years, only to wake up in a world where he was no longer god joined forces in drunken megalomania. I shook my thoughts away, even though world domination was looking to be more and more appealing at the moment, and tried to explain to Yami.

"It, well, began yesterday. Mokuba somehow got an idea that we were going out and I told him we weren't, and I thought it was pretty clear. Though, I guess it wasn't." I sighed again and then asked, "You sure he thinks we have broken up?"

"Yes, I am sure," he said dryly. "I could hardly misunderstand when he told me he was going to 'get us back together even if it took forever' and I doubt I was mistaken when he then proceeded to give me pointers on how to get around your stubbornness." He grinned. "You know, I never knew you had a ticklish spot on your left side."

I sputtered and then turned away from him, embarrassed, and managed to growl, "I'm not ticklish."

"But you didn't deny you had a ticklish spot," he took great joy in pointing out.

"Let's get back to the topic on hand," I snapped back, irritated and beyond annoyed. I shuddered to think of what other secrets Mokuba had revealed, and grew uneasy at the idea of Yami learning more and more about me as our time together increased.

"I don't think there's much we can do. If Mokuba thinks we're broken up but secretly wanting to get back together..."

"You never said he thought we were secretly -- bah."

"Kaiba, I'm sure it'll be all right," he tried to soothe. "I think, uh, you should stop clutching your desk like that. Your hands are getting pale and I think the wood's...not holding up."

I took deep, deep breaths and tried to calm myself down. Things weren't as bad as it looked, and once Mokuba saw that Yami and me were never, ever getting together, things would take on the normalcy of before.

"I suppose, uh, now might not be a good time to say that two men targeted Mokuba?" he said apprehensively, hand rubbing his head awkwardly.

"Explain." Going cold and growing numb, I nevertheless made myself listen to what the saviour of my little brother had to say.

"Basically two men had these gums -- I think that's what you call it -- and wanted to take down Mokuba. The others couldn't reach him on time but they tried their best, Kaiba, so don't fire them just yet. I managed to get in between and challenged them to a game. They lost and will suffer the consequences." He said everything gently, as if I was one to be spooked so easily.

"It's guns," I corrected absentmindedly and then said nothing more. He grew unnerved by my silence so I spoke through frozen lips. "I'm okay. And yes, now was probably not a good time to dump everything on me."

"My apologies," he said softly and then smiled. "But Mokuba's safe, and I will keep on protecting him."

I looked at him, really looked at him and for the first time, saw the mirage of an ancient, benevolent Pharaoh who was covered in gold and shining like the sun god he was meant to be, and loved his people and country far too much. When faced with Mokuba's near fate, the measly concerns of simple misconceptions disappeared and I was just grateful he was here at all, much less here and scheming. This other problem can be ignored for now while I reassured myself of Mokuba's safety. I also knew that I would steadfastly watch Mokuba sleep until the dawning sun gave hint to its presence, and I was certain he would not be in anymore danger.

"Thank you," I told Yami and meant it.