HowtoLaughOutLoud

Remember My Love
By Misster Cackles
Rating: M
Warnings: Yaoi, profanity, sexual content, abuse, character death, religious hints
Pairings: Kaiba Seto x Jounouchi Katsuya
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and a few OCs

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Chapter Five - While He Sleeps...

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It had been far too long since he's seen that short blonde hair splayed on his pillow and rag doll patched skin contrasting against his blue quilt. Just about twelve years. The moonlight that leaked in through the monstrous window decorated patterns on the younger man's face, illuminating his closed eyes and long lashes. His mouth was open enough to show the tips of his white front teeth and a flash of his red tongue. The goatee had spread as a small stubble, giving his chin a darker shadow than the rest of his face. On his ear, the hooped ring had been removed and it lied on the bedside table along side the silver framed glasses, and ever so often his hands would grip at the comforter, a fine sheen of sweat crossing over his knitted brow. When that happened, another hand, Seto's, would lay on top of his, Katsuya's. Katsuya's breathing would even out again, and he'd fall deeper into sleep. Seto would let his hand linger before pulling away again and leaning back in the chair that was placed so close to his bed, then he would proceed to sigh, troubled.

Well, troubled was probably not a strong enough word; he wasn't just worried and concerned, but he was enraged! Angered that his plan had failed and Katsuya was out in the open again. How the hell - no, how long ago (if you had the when, you had the how) had the Yakuza found Katsuya to know his schedule at the cemetery every Monday? Seto leaned forward, elbows on knees, hands on face, thinking crucially. Yet something didn't fit right. The Yakuza were late to the cemetery if they were waiting for the blonde. Seto blinked; then it was only coincidence that the Yakuza found Katsuya because he came back for some reason?

He came back and caught him at his sister's grave.

Seto squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself not to get distracted. He would talk this over when Katsuya awoke, there was no need to fret at the moment - he'd get him to understand...somehow. How much does he remember? That was Seto's second concern, after the Yakuza happenings. If Katsuya remembered what happened twelve years ago, how would he react? Would Katsuya be nervous around him, accept what he's done, or would he still be angry about what had conspired between them? One thing was for certain though; if he did remember, Katsuya would definitely not be safe around him; the Yakuza would use Katsuya against Seto as a weakness if they ever got their hands on the blonde. He shook his head and gave out another, barely audible, troubled sigh. If he really wanted to keep Katsuya safe, he should ignore his puppy's wishes and send him the hospital again.

A groan came through the strangled throat, and Seto immediately clasped his hand over the scarred one. He let his thumb run across the blonde's knuckles, feeling every ridged inch of the burn marks. It was like wrinkled leather, almost, stretched over his body as skin. His arms, legs, and back of his neck had taken the worst of the fire, Seto knew, once seeing the blonde curled in the corner of his burning apartment room, burying his face between his knees. Azure eyes flashed with pain, the big question, if Katsuya hadn't made it, resurfaced his thought once more. He was so frightened that day...

Isono pulled close to the curb, slowing down at the gate entrance of the tall apartment building. It was the first time that Seto rode with Mokuba and Shizuka to take the strawberry brunette girl home since he was free of work and meetings. He was also very curious as to where exactly his center of attraction live, even though he could easily pull up Katsuya's public file. Shizuka had stayed the night again, working with him and Mokuba on how they would press charges when Katsuya's record plainly told that he had been straggling in numerous gangs, especially Hirutani and Ranama's group. Jounouchi would be able to use that cover up from his son even though all the bruises had been from him.

Across from him, Shizuka sighed, readying herself to exit the limousine as the automobile turned off its engine, "I still don't see why you insisted on bringing the limo, Mr. Kaiba. It would gather attention in this neighborhood."

Understanding now, and feeling a little silly, Seto side-stepped the question for one of his own, "So, which floor are you on?"

"Third floor, first door on the right. You should be able to see Katsuya's bedroom window from here." Shizuka looked out the window and pointed as Isono opened the door for her. Seto had followed her finger and counted the floors up to the third one, but when he saw the window, it looked different from the others...foggier, but Shizuka didn't seem to notice anything amiss. Mokuba, beside him, quietly nudged Seto in the side. Seto turned his gaze to his younger brother, but the raven-haired boy was staring at the window transfixed, head tilted curiously and almost squinting.

Seto switched his eyes back to Katsuya's sister, but Shizuka was already skipping with a joyful bounce to the elevator. Seto pushed the door opened as Isono tried to close it; something didn't seem right.

"Seto..." Mokuba called his attention again, and this time he also pointed a finger almost urgently to Katsuya's window. "Is that what I think it is, big brother?"

Seto looked up to the window for a second time, squinting as his brother had. An orange flicker crossed the window briefly, and it was easy to see some sort of gas coming from the window pane. Azure eyes shot open when his genius mind clicked. Seto pushed himself from the leather seat, stumbling a little before making a mad dash to the apartments, yelling over his shoulder for Mokuba to call the fire department.

He skid to a stop in front of the elevator, and while the lit numbers said that it had landed at the third floor, someone else had gotten in and started going further up. He would not wait for it! He turned to his left and right to find a staircase, but found none. They must be further down...

Running towards the back of the building, near where the office desk was, the young CEO swerved around the arm rail and took two steps at a time. On the second flight, he noticed that the stairs continued up on the other side, next to the elevator. He made an incredible noise, finding that rather irritating in a serious situation like this. He sprinted down the hall, a couple of people looking out their doors to see who was making all the heavy footsteps.

An elderly man from room 201, who seemed slightly put off, tugged on Seto's sleeve and made him stop. The brunette was about to tell him off when he noticed that behind the old man, smoke was pouring through the air vents on the ceiling.

"Are ya headin' to da third floor?" Seto nodded quickly, looking from the vent to the old man. "Good, tell the peeps above meh dat I can't breathe in here! Whateva they are doin', it isn't --" A loud raging voice made both males turn to vent.

"DON'T YOU FUCKING LAY A HAND ON HER! I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU TOUCH HER, I'LL - " Heart skipping a beat, Seto automatically wrenched his sleeve from the man and dashed to the stairs, tripping on the second step and banging his head against the metal railing. Mumbling a few curses and blinking away stars, he searched for his footing. Somehow or another, he was on the next landing, heaving slightly, but no time for a breather - he needed to find Katsuya and Shizuka now! Oh, fuck... Katsuya, Katsuya... What if something awful was happening to him?

"Leave her the fuck alone you bastard!" It was barely there, so muffled from behind the doors, but Seto knew where to go; to the right. Careful in case there were flames behind the front door, Seto kicked it in, coughing as went in. The small living space was already thick with smoke. The late teen dodged tripping over the three legged table (propped up on a box), and searched down each small hall. Where the hell could they be!? Seto's eyes were watering from the smoke and he had to squint through it, knowing he was coming close to the source by each layer of thickness.

Off from the kitchen, down a smaller hall than the rest, were the flames visible from a half-way opened door. A fat man, apparently unconscious, was laying in front of the way, his nose gushing blood. No doubt, by the blonde messy hair, that was Jounouchi senior. Seeing no way around him, Seto stepped quickly, but non-too lightly with his strapped boots, on the man's chest, falling into the room.

"Katsuya! Shizuka!" He called out over the roar, not seeing them. Had Shizuka gotten Katsuya out? It was hot, and almost everything had caught fire. He coughed into his fist, bringing up his turtleneck around his mouth to act as a filter. He helped somewhat.

"Behind...here...!" Shizuka's voice came from the bedroom door. Seto rushed over, finding her huddled over her brother, blocking his left side from the fire, parts of her hair burnt clean off her scalp. Katsuya appeared unconscious as well, head between his knees, and hands above his head. Something was scrunched in his palm. He immediately reached down to grab both of their arms, but Shizuka knocked him off and helped him with Katsuya. Seto wrapped one of the blonde's arms around his neck, his own around the smaller's waist. Seto turned to the sister, hand ready to help her stand, and with her sitting straight, he was able to see that her knee was bent in a very odd angle, and her other leg's ankle was twisted the same way. He recoiled his hand back in shock.

She was crying silently, but was smiling all the same, "Go on, Seto. I'll be down in a moment." She swallowed thickly and blinked a couple of times, "Watch after him, please? Tell him what I've done?"

Seto nodded, understanding what she wanted to do, and knowing that he had no time to argue with her; there was no 'moment' left for anything in this room. She knew that as well.

"I'm sorry, Shizuka." And he was. He really was. They both knew if he had the time he would have saved her as well, and it wouldn't have made a difference if Mokuba had come with him or not, he wouldn't be able to carry someone taller than him. He nodded to her again, more like a bow of the head, and repositioned Katsuya in both arms, carrying him out of the room, and out of the apartment building,

Sometimes Seto blamed himself over something he knew wasn't his fault; what if he hadn't tripped on those stairs, or if he had pulled away from the old man sooner, or at least have gone with Shizuka to her door. He would have been able to save both of them, charge Jounouchi for all he's done. What went wrong...?

The damaged hand slipped out from under his, and brought Seto back to reality, pulling on once more the familiar stoic face before remember who was in his company. He let his eyes flicker into studying the younger's face. Not many scars, but it was still stretched a little much. Mostly around his ears and forehead was where it really got ridged as his arms and legs. His skin color was just about the same, if not a little more pinkish than before. Seto reached up and brushed some bangs from off his forehead; Katsuya would need to trim it soon. The older Kaiba brother almost smirked; it had been Seto who had cut Katsuya's hair, when the blonde was in his care. He was surprised to see that Katsuya had still had it the exact same length at Barnes & Noble. Not that he minded, he was about to see the other eyes great.

But it wasn't just hair style that seemed to have grown on Katsuya when he stayed with him for six months: While staying at his mansion, Katsuya would have joined him in the personal library, picking a book off the shelf, and reading just about half of it (no matter the size) before leaving with him when KC called. In the beginning of the second month, Seto was teaching him English, and surprising him, Katsuya learned rather fast. There were probably many little things Katsuya had picked up from him, but it didn't have the same feeling as to if Katsuya remembered where he got it all.

A knock stopped him from listing a few more things, and he turned to the bedroom door. It opened easily, and the matured face of his little brother poked in.

"Hey, Seto," Mokuba said softly. Seto motioned that it was alright to come in. Mokuba grinned, coming in fully while balancing a bed tray with one hand when he closed the door behind him. Seto stood from his chair and took the tray from his brother, saying small thanks as he set it down on the right side of the bed for when Katsuya woke up.

"No problem, just not sure that he would eat it if he knew I made it," Mokuba joked, remembering when he was a kid and poisoned Katsuya's food. Seto smiled and looked back too; that was the eve of Death -T. Honestly, even with the poison's antidote, it would have taken the average man two days to be on his feet again. The blue-eyed male praised the blonde for his endurance.

"Poison free this time?" Seto teased back. Mokuba's grin widens.

"If you pick the correct one, I can't recall whose soup I put it in." Seto glanced at the tray, and sure enough there were two bowls of soup, by the broth's color he would guess French onion. One for Katsuya and one for Seto.

"If I get the poison, you're grounded."

"Hey, you can't ground me, I'm twenty-five!"

"Still too young to marry."

Mokuba stared at his older brother with an unaffected face, "I love Rebecca." The teasing was gone from the conversation; the wedding was a touchy subject.

"You loved Shizuka." Seto retorted.

"I have to move on. I still love her, but she's not here anymore. Seto, we've been through this."

"You moved on rather quickly," Seto lightly noted.

Anger flashed behind Mokuba's gray eyes. "It's been twelve years! I -"

"Keep you voice down!" Seto hissed angrily. He looked to Katsuya sympathetically and stood, walking to the door. He glanced back and jerked his head for Mokuba to follow so they could discuss and argue elsewhere without waking Katsuya.

"What's all this about, now, Seto?" The younger Kaiba stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the corridor wall. "I love Rebecca," he repeated.

"But she doesn't feel the same for you."

"Come on! Just because you saw on her give Malik a hug and a peck on the cheek doesn't mean anything! I asked her about it and she said it was a habit she had since she was a young girl."

"She kissed him on the mouth, Mokuba! Arms wrapped around his neck, leg around the waist, pushed against the wall like they were about to fuck in public," Seto bit furiously. How could his brother be so thick! "I'd be a little worried if she was kissing like that when she was eight!"

Mokuba gave his brother an even stare. "I don't believe you. You said you saw them kiss, nothing more."

Seto gave a frustrated sigh, "Because I thought you would end it already with Rebecca if you knew she kissed another man when you two were engaged. She's been using you for the Kaiba wealth ever since you placed that ring on her finger!"

The raven haired young man placed his hands over his ears and clenched his eyes shut, "I don't believe it, Seto!"

"You don't want to believe it, Mokuba!" He raised his hand and started counting off his fingers, voice louder so his brother would hear him. "You gave her a Kaiba Corp tech phone that hasn't even been released! With gold cover and embedded with jewels! She asked for a new car and you bought a sports car for her, all payments in your name! She said she always wanted a tennis bracelet and you bought her one with a necklace to match! Need I continue?"

Mokuba had slumped to the floor, head between his knees. "Well, when you say it like that, of course it sounds like she's a gold digger." But it sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than Seto.

Seto gave another sigh, but this time it was anger dissipating. He kneeled in front of his brother and smoothed out his dark hair with his hand comfortingly, "Come on. I want you to see the security tape of what happened - I should have showed you them in the first place, I know, but I didn't want to make you see them." He helped Mokuba stand up and together they walked back into Seto's bedroom, Katsuya the same as they left him. Seto went to his desk cattie in the corner and opened the laptop. Mokuba read over his shoulder as he pulled up the management security screen to the Domino Museum.

"They were at the museum?"

"Where else would Ishtar be?"

"Trying to destroy the world?"

"Har-har, Mokuba. Very funny."

"I thought so, but were you stalking Rebecca?"

Seto typed in his Kaiba Corp password to get all access to the editing buttons as well; he would need to delete that clip so some security guards looking through these wouldn't find his little brother's fiancé sucking face with someone not her fiancé. "No, I had to talk with Isis about the Kaiba Corp in Egypt and I happened to...stumble upon them." And then, finding the appropriate time before the Hopkins girl and the Egyptian man came around the corner and found their not-so secret place, Seto clicked the play button. The hall was shaped like a T, and the hall were they got comfy at was the only way to Isis' office. Seto had been down there once before - before starting up Battle City; the large stone slabs were there.

Anyway, the camera had a front view of what was going on, and it was just exactly how Seto said it was and more. Malik was groping her breasts and ass and if his mouth wasn't on hers then it was on her chest. Even from the bad quality, it was easy to see that he was grinding her hard. Her hands were around his neck, in his hair, down his back and pulling him closer to feel more... Seto glanced at his brother to make sure he was doing alright, and found him glaring that infamous Kaiba glare at the laptop. He looked beyond furious, and hurt. Seto moved the mouse to the delete button.

"Wait. I want to see when you come in," Mokuba said, and there was a hint of delusional wicked humor in his tone. Seto left the mouse alone anyway.

About thirty torturous seconds later, a digitalized Seto appeared on screen, walking down the hall in long strides. It was obvious that the sneaky couple hadn't heard him because they carried on. The miniature Kaiba stopped walking and turned his head a little sideways, a look of concentration on his face. He seemed to be listening.

"Ew. How loud were they?" Mokuba asked, glad now that there wasn't any audio. He was watching his brother on screen walk again, more slowly as he came to the corner.

"They were rather quiet, but it wasn't a sound you normally hear in a museum, you see."

The tape continued showing Seto making a look of realization and disgust. He came around the corner quickly as though he never slowed down. He stood there for a second, while Rebecca and Malik were getting over the shock that they had been seen, neither one yet registering that it was Seto, who took a step back when he saw who the girl was. Since his back was to the camera, al they could see was him throwing his arm to the side and taking that step forward again.

"You were yelling at her?"

"Of course I was."

Rebecca looked at him with fear, almost stumbling down the stairs towards the basement before Malik caught her arm. Seto then turned to him and seemed to be having some words to him, too. Malik looked equally frightened. The recorded Seto then stood straight and walked on down the stairs to Isis' office.

The Seto in the bedroom then clicked the delete button, and sighed once more. "That's it."

"What were you saying to her?"

"The usual tell my brother first before I tell him kind of thing."

"And to Malik?"

"You're sister would be hearing of this kind of thing."

"But with more words?" Mokuba was lightly smirking, despite the situation, but he still appeared pale and his knuckles were white by gripping the back of Seto's chair. Seto gave a small comforting smile in return.

"More colorful words, yes." Seto turned his head to check on Katsuya, a growing habit ever since the young man had been placed in his home since yesterday morning. Katsuya was still sleeping. Another clench to the quilt, though, had Seto up and quickly back at his side, palming his forehead. Mokuba watched.

"Is he sick? A fevor?"

"No, just nightmares. Lots of stress, and regaining memory I'm guessing, has made him confused. He needed the rest."

The raven-haired man was quiet for a moment, then spoke his mind, "Are you going to drug him again if he remembers?"

"...I don't know, Mokuba. I want to, but it wouldn't be fair to Katsuya; he's gradually getting his memories back, but if I drugged him again, everything he's just remembered over the last few years would be wiped. He'd have to re-learn many things."

"You want my advice?"

Seto snorted, "You'd say not to do it anymore."

"Well, not exactly," Mokuba said slowly, "I don't want him to forget anymore. Look, Jou's older and he would never live with the influence of his father. When his brain had slowed down a bit from the fire, he told you himself he loved you. He was just scared because you never returned the words."

"That was twelve years ago, he's probably grown out of it. It's usually a stage for most." Seto ran his fingers into the short bangs, massaging Katsuya's scalp gently and enjoying the way the other relaxed and sighed, tilting his head to the fingers.

"But you're really hoping it wasn't," Mokuba observed, mentioning to his brother's actions.

"Of course..." Seto said softly, eyes fixed on the sleeping man. "There hasn't been a day yet when I thought otherwise since I was sure I loved him."

"Kirameke venus utsukushiku Kirameke venus konjiki ni, boku no kokoro terasu kimi wa smile ichiban ii onna." It was Mokuba's cell phone. The elder Kaiba looked over in curiosity, brow rising at the choice of ringtone; if Katsuya owned a phone, he would suspect something like that.

Mokuba looked at the screen of the cell phone, then glanced at his brother with a look. Seto knew who was calling, and the way Mokuba answered his phone confirmed it: "Kaiba." He only answered as Kaiba when he was mad at the person who was calling. Seto lightly wrinkled his nose, turning back to the sleeping blonde, thumb caressing his burned ear as he listened in on the one-sided conversation. From the sound of things, his younger brother was pretending not to know of Malik and Rebecca's relationship.

"Wait, wait, wait - slow down. What's going on? What about the Millennium Items?" Seto's head shot back up at 'Millennium Items.' Was he actually talking to Motou? A moment of Mokuba listening to the phone and Seto knew it was Rebecca, "Hold on, you told me that this month we're going to get this wedding settled. A step away from Egypt, you said-"

A pause.

"What...?" An eyebrow from Seto rose again, watching Mokuba's gaze flicker to him with a roll of the eyes, shaking his head slightly. "But, I can't, Becky... We already promised to have the wedding in Domino. No one would be here to watch over the compan-"

Mokuba's voice took an angry edge, even though his face was calm. He was still acting; giving her time to confess, but by the sound of things she was doing anything but. "Of course I wa- I'm going to have my brother at the ceremony, Rebecca. He'd be my only family witness, and besides he's going to be my best man." Mentioned brother felt a sense of pride for his younger brother. They would always stick with each other, and not even the fiancé would stand between family.

"We're not going to live in Egypt, Becky. I'm Vice President of Kaiba Corporation; I just can't give up my position to move!" Mokuba said sternly, "And we already picked out a house out here, too."

Another pause, and Mokuba's brows knitted together downward angrily and he cursed under his breath.

"You did what," he hissed, "Tell me you're joking, Rebecca." Seto looked more than interested in the conversation. "No. I... No, I said... We, Beck--... No, Rebecca. That's it! No! Look, Rebecca, I already know about you and Malik, so stop doing this!"

Rebecca on the other side was near screaming at Mokuba and snapped back loudly, "I broke it off with him because I love you, thank you very much, Mokuba! I just wanted to live in Egypt with you! But if you're going to be so selfish like your brother, then fine! I don't want to marry you, Kaiba Mokuba!"

Seto glared thoughtfully at the cellular phone; for a girl so smart, could she not just come out with the truth when Mokuba already knew? Or why was she trying to make Mokuba decline against her offers? From what he gathered, Rebecca was wanted back in Egypt because they found something that might lead them to the Millennium Items, wanted Mokuba to come have the wedding in Egypt (something she knew perfectly well could never happen because one or both Kaiba brothers needed to stay close to the KC in Japan), wanted Mokuba to move to Egypt, and something that made Mokuba not believe something or another... Something didn't quite fit; besides, that was a really lousy comeback for a genius: Mokuba was never selfish. Mokuba, looking shocked and slightly hurt again, only stood there, jaw open a little. Seto motioned for Mokuba to give the phone to him. He did so, and then sat on the bed with his face in his hands, thinking he had ruined his chance to get Rebecca back.

"Good evening, Hopkins."

"Nice to hear from you, what do you want, Set-o," Rebecca pronounced his name with a sneer, but to Seto she sounded a little nervous. Heh, they so easy to read when they were nervous... "This is none of your concern."

Seto smirked, "Oh it very well is, Hopkins." He stopped shortly, hearing himself echo in the background and a whispering voice, too low to hear what they were saying. He mused a thought aloud, "I am on speaker phone, Hopkins. Who else is there, I wonder?" The whispering stopped.

"...No one else is here, Kaiba, why would you think so?" Behind her, an intercom went off, saying the Egypt Exhibit would close in twenty minutes. So she was at the annual Egypt Exhibit at Domino Museum? Again she was lying to her brother.

"Because Mokuba gave you a cell phone specially made by Kaiba Corporations which can pick up the slightest whisper from your side when on speaker."

"Yeah, well, I'm in a café... Quiet and noisy sometimes, you know." She was lying, that much was easy to tell, and as a trained professional, Seto knew Rebecca started this conversation as a lie.

"Don't kid yourself." Then, with his genius mind, everything clicked together. He moved his thumb to the button on the side and pushed. His speaker was also on, and he moved the phone away from his ear onto the dresser, "Hopkins, you have a choice to let Mokuba listen in on my second discovery concerning you and Ishtar."

"Go ahead, like I have an-ything to hide." Rebecca sounded so childish, he just wanted to hit her, but because of that little quiver in her voice he knew he would be right. Seto glanced to his brother to find that he was already listening, and probably had been since Seto found out he had been on speaker phone. Mokuba had glared at the phone suspiciously at the stutter, and Seto was even more proud to have him as his brother; two specially trained Kaibas...

"You have been unfaithful to my little brother with Ishtar Malik. That much is obvious since I found you two in the museum and Mokuba knows it now since I've told him. Ever since you went to check out this year's exhibit at the beginning of the month you've been with Ishtar. You were probably sleeping with Ishtar even when you were in Egypt, but I shouldn't know of that..." When he had talked to Isis the same day, she said that they were a bit suspicious in Egypt. "So, how long have you been going behind my brother while engaged?"

"Wait, tell me something, Kaiba. If I was sleeping with Malik, then why would I offer the wedding and a house in Egypt?" Oh, so she bought a house in Egypt (most likely with Mokuba's money), that's what Mokuba couldn't believe. Seto crossed his arms.

"Because if Mokuba refused, you would be able to break off the engagement by pretending to be unhappy about his decision. You would still move to Egypt to be with Ishtar. If Mokuba accepted the invitation, you would still have slept around, going with Ishtar to work. Mokuba would have never suspected anything."

"You give me low credit, brother." Mokuba sighed, with a small smile of gratitude. He looked weary, Seto noted.

"Good analysis, but wrong. So sorry -"

"Tell me right now, truthfully, that Ishtar Malik is not beside you that moment."

"He is no-t."

"May I remind you Kaiba Corporation has access to every security video footage with the exception of Kame Game Shop, X-Kids Industries, and Toys and Games Corporation? Believe me when I say, Hopkins, Mokuba knows. He watched the tapes."

"Mokie -"

"Don't call me Mokie, Becky." Mokuba snapped.

"- you love me, don't you? I was there, remember, when Kawai died."

Mokuba started laughing hard and bitter, "You offered me compassion while sneaking your hand in my pocket for money. How could I love someone like that? I wasn't ever really suspicious of girls hanging around me like my brother was, but I guess being a Kaiba changes everything. Do you even know when my birthday is, Hopkins?" Seto smirked inwardly; Mokuba never used last names unless furious.

The girl stuttered over the phone.

"Thought not. Now," Mokuba cleared his throat, "I'm going to have Isono come there soon to pick up the belongings I rightfully own. I am also going to have a restriction order against you and Ishtar Malik to me, my brother, my home, our company, our vehicles, the summer cabin, the winter cabin, and - did you really buy that house in Egypt?"

"Yes."

"And the house in Egypt." Katsuya turned over in his sleep, and Mokuba added, "And Jounouchi Katsuya." Seto gave a small approving nod to his brother. He was taking no chances of getting Rebecca to the Kaiba family, and when - if Katsuya ever remembered what happened and did decide to continue the screwed up relationship they had twelve years ago, Seto wanted to prove to him that he did love him by going public.

"Eh? Jou? Why Jou? He's one of my friends - you can't block me off from my friends! Yuugi will be hearing of this!"

"Rebecca," Mokuba gave an exasperated sigh, "When was the last time you contacted him? Since Doma, twelve years ago? What do you really know about him now?"

"Wel-ll. I-I know he likes too eat a lo-"

"Not now," Seto cut in, "He slowed his eating habits."

"Look," it was Malik, "What does Jounouchi have to do with the restriction? That's going a little extreme, isn't it? You don't even like Jounouchi that well, Kaiba-san."

"Please refrain in using the actual name 'Jounouchi' because I can assure you it won't be that for much longer." Seto quickly went over and snapped the phone shut before they could gather what he meant. Hell; he didn't even know what he meant. Sure he despised what Jounouchi Senior did to his son and every mention of the full Jounouchi name gave Seto a reminder of what he left behind before he died, but what he had said gave off the indication that he wanted to...marry Katsuya!

Well, Seto shrugged. The fantasy wasn't so hard to imagine. In fact it was rather enjoyable. Seto let his idea stay for the moment, until it immediately vanished when he heard the sound of metal bounce off the wall when. It was Mokuba's promise ring. Seto sighed and crouched in front of his hurt brother, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Better fish in the sea, Mokie?" He tried helpfully. Mokuba switched his somber gray eyes on the blue pair and stared at him with unreadable eyes.

"Just don't say I told you so," Mokuba returned. Seto smiled softly and pulled him into an embrace. He knew his brother would get over Rebecca sometime even if he still loved her. She just never felt that way for him at all. Seto pushed back, and patted the younger's shoulder.

"Off to bed with you."

He gave a half-hearted broken smile, "Sure, sure." He stood, sighed, and gave a final goodnight to his older brother. Seto thought for a second, and then quickly called him back.

"In the morning, could you go over to Katsuya's house? He's got a dog, and," he looked on the bedside table where Katsuya's accessories were, "look for the silver cross." Mokuba blinked.

"Sure," he said again, "But bring the dog over, or just feed it and make sure it's comfortable?" Seto weighed the options; he really, really wasn't an animal person besides his own pup, but he just had a feeling…

"Bring it over; I'm sure Katsuya would be happy to see him. In the mean time, I got to call the school and tell them that Katsuya won't be coming in any longer."

Mokuba grimaced and said as he left the room: "He's not going to be too happy with that." Seto stood there, watching Mokuba's retreating back and then yawn tiredly. He made his way to get his bowl of French onion soup before going to bed. It had cooled down considerably, but it still was good; he sat down with it, watching Katsuya snore lightly in his slumber. Soon, even under the covers next to his love's desire, he would fall back in routine thinking of the Yakuza and Katsuya's forgotten feelings for him. Perhaps Donovano would call Aizaki with more updates...

---

Dark eyes lifted to the woman's terrified face and sneered at her. How pathetic, she was shaking. No living thing shook naturally. Shook like a leaf, she did.

"Get a hold of yourself, woman." HA! She even flinched when he spoke! So frail and stupid, like all women were... All women were useful for was a good lay, that was their purpose.

"So, why are you here?" He taunted, and smirked as she quickly stopped shaking out of fear and more of rage, her natural white brows knitting in anger and teeth bearing dangerously. Her nostrils flared, and she tilted her head in an almost-bow to glower at him from under her short bangs, eyes flashing with pure hatred. She looked like a ferocious cat, being quite honest, he almost sniggered. Funny - cats were supposed to be sleek and graceful - the woman in front of him was anything but. Cats were silent, though, she was silent, too. He gave her minimal credit for effort.

She waved her arms about. He frowned. He hated that. She looked like a crazy. Crazy people weren't good. Besides, he never could understand what any of those stupid hand symbols meant. So stupid, like Morse code. Morse code was just as horrible, with the little symbols and strategy alphabet... He was glad he killed his father before he even suggested that he was to go into service. Service!? HA! Horrible waste of time. Weapons? Yes. Killing? Yes. But the orders - FUCK ORDERS! He took orders from no one, not even that rich fuck. Heh, fuck... Women were good for that... He blinked.

"Stop that, stupid woman. Go get yourself paper and pencil, why don't you? I can't understand a damn thing you just signed."

He didn't need to wait long, and when she returned she thrust a small sheet of folded paper at him. He didn't bother to unravel it, though - he knew what it said. He was good like that. He had the brains. Brains meant that he was smart. This woman didn't have brains, she was stupid. He was smarter than her. He didn't need the paper, he knew why she was here, why she came here shaking...shaking like a leaf on a tree... He blinked again.

"You want to know where she is?" He grinned maliciously. Her eyes flashed with both fear and anger. One curt nod. Hm. No speech, still? He wanted to make her squeal. Pigs squealed. He almost sniggered again. Human scum were like pigs, always feasting and begging. This woman begged before. She was a pig then. He wanted to make the pig squeal. Squeal like a piggie. Little piggie squeals, like that little girl. He wondered if she would make the same squealing noises. Perhaps she squealed like a pig? Pigs squealed... He blinked yet again.

"Your daughter isn't here." He frowned and looked sorrowful, "I was going to play with her some more, but," his face changed again dramatically to a more crazed look, one eye widen larger than the other, "A friend came and took her. Kidnap, you might say." And once again he was sad, "Should I call the police?"

She glowered, and hissed out hot breath until it started to rumble in her throat, and growled - strangled as it was - she growled fiercely. He frowned again. Hissing was a snake and growling was a dog. She was doing any other animal impressions but a pig. Well, cats don't squeal, but they hiss and growled. So, still a cat? There was no snake or dog then.

"Oh don't fret, woman. I'll return her." A wave of relief washed over her angry features, but then she appeared guarded - cautious. "That's right. I want a trade for her." Heh, he'll make her do his work for him - that way he can kick back and watch and play with the piggie. "A life for a life. I'll give back your daughter if you can find me a man. Do you agree to this?"

Hesitantly, she nodded. Could she at least mew for him? Purring is good, too... Nice vibrations...around his...

"The man I need you to find is named Jounouchi Katsuya. Blonde hair, brown eyes," he shrugged and lifted his arm to a random average height, "About ye high...? Oh yeah, and he should be covered in scars, too - got in a fire accident long ago with my best bud..."

She appeared to be concentrating on the couch under him, green eyes flashing yet again, but this time with something he couldn't place. Then she appeared dreaded, approaching him slowly to take back the slip of paper. She wrote on one of the folded sides. Now he was confused. His kitty was perplexing - he liked that in cats, er - women... They were random, but yet so easy to read. Not this one though... Blink.

He took the paper again from her, reading it now, the horribly written Japanese characters made it hard to understand almost. Stupid English woman.

I've met him. Earlier this week, I've met him. About thirty hours ago. I want my daughter, though. If I tell you, can I have Tracey? What does he have that you want, anyway?

He grinned drunkenly - too perfect. How small a country Japan seemed to be? "He's got dough, lots of it. We don't stop hunting a project until we get what we're hunting for. My bud started this project long ago; he was a member, too. He wanted the cash for drinks, and since he died, we're now doing it in his memory, almost. I just want the money, don't care what bud wanted. Bud usually wanted a Bud, hehe. Could never put down the bottle..." He nodded and gave her back the slip, which she flipped over to the other side. After a moment, he was reading the paper again.

I've met him at a doctor's office - Dr. Howard. Down town on Hana Plazza. He gave me his card and home phone if I needed a quick session. You can trace him through that.

The man started laughing in delight, this was just too easy now! And how gullible she was!

"Ah! Mary, Mary, Mary... Oh how do your Hanas grow? Coincidence? No - Hana, flower, hana? Funny. Wait, I'm supposed to laugh at funny. Heh, hehe...hm... Kyuk, kyuk, kyuk...? No... Ku, ku, ku, ku! Ugh, no. Haha, hahaha! Hm..." He blinked, "You do know it is illegal for a registered professional to give his home phone number to a client, right? Oh, Mary... Used and abused and tossed away..." She stiffened. "I'll kill him for you? No, wait... I'll get information off Jounouchi first, and then kill him? You want me to kill him? He was going to give you private 'quick' sessions. Human scum. Pigs. He'll squeal..."

Green eyes widened at his insane truth, but after a moment he calmed and studied her through his dark eyes, she slowly nodded. She wanted her daughter, and everyone she met was sick, especially this man before her. The Yakuza were sick fucks...

He glowered at her suddenly, "You may leave - I'll take care of this, you'll see your daughter soon."

She spun on her heel and left the private room.

...especially Donovano. The sickest of the Yakuza.

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