After The End
- Chapter2
The Return of the Lost
Disclaimer-
do not pretend to own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything else that will get me in trouble. I do occasionally pretend that I�m normal.
CEO Office Kaiba Corporation Domino, Japan There could only be one reason why the aurora was flickering across the skies of Japan. If Seto hadn�t known it, the soft-hued lights weaving in and out of the sky so fluidly might�ve brought pleasure to his stressful day. A secret piece of him even wanted to stand idly before his window, gawking at the aurora like a passerby watched a painter weave a fascinating tale of color on the canvas of the sky. Unfortunately, the only possible cause behind those lights was magic: that hocus-pocus nonsense that made him scowl just thinking about it. Abandoning (what he hoped was the last time) all scientific principles, Kaiba Seto whirled on his heel, swallowing the remains of his scotch in the same motion. This aurora shit could only mean one green, twisted Duel Disk totting Dartz. He quickly prepared a mental list of all the tasks he�d have to undertake before he could slap on his street clothes, grab his Duel Disk, and go kick that long-haired pussy�s ass. Something out of the corner of his eye made Seto�s thoughts come to a screeching halt. His grip relaxed, and the glass fell almost silently to the cushioned floor, the ice spilling unto the expensive carpet. Lying where his cards were scattered about, was a figure. Cautiously, Seto maneuvered around his desk, until he was at a distance close enough to examine the intruder, without putting him in immediate danger. Apparently unconscious and even more apparently female, the interloper was resting on her side, hugging her knees. Her frost white hair spilled far past her back, and blanketed her nearly as pale flesh. On closer inspection, he identified silver highlights interlaced throughout her insanely long hair, and that she wasn�t wearing anything at all. Seto paled; Realizing there was a naked, apparently defenseless woman in his office wasn�t good on his teenage hormones. Realizing they were alone, with the door locked, and that (given the harsh tone he used with his secretary) they weren�t going to be disturbed wasn�t great for those raging hormones either. Probably what was worst of all was that she was extraordinarily beautiful, he couldn�t detect so much as a blemish on that fair skin, and Seto was eyeing her very closely. Just as he was about to move in closer, his face turned stark white. This wasn�t any ordinary woman (if a woman who suddenly appears naked in one�s office could be considered ordinary) this was the woman he had not one, but two visions of. This woman was the one who appeared before him in one of those illusionary worlds he seemed to have acquired a habit for stumbling into. She called him �Seth-sama,� before she took a closer look at him and realized he was not the man she sought. Her words to him then, though spoken clearly, were as mysterious as her apparent nature. This woman was the one he had followed to a structure in a desert, where she met with a man who looked extraordinarily like him. This was the woman who had fought and died for his �twin,� and perhaps most notably, had summoned the Blue Eyes White Dragon. His logical side prayed that this recognition was the one that kept Seto from calling security, and not the fact that a bunch of armored guards wouldn�t encourage a situation that he would hope to come across with a nude beauty. Instead, he inched toward her, speaking to her less forcefully than he would�ve liked: �Who are you? What are you doing in here?� At least, that was what he thought he said. But to be honest, he was so intoxicated with her that he could barely trace his own thoughts. When she didn�t stir, he kneeled before her, �are you listening? Answer me!� No response, so he gently tilted her head toward him. Her silk-to-the-touch hair swayed with the movement, brushing ever so lightly across his hand. Seto tried to ignore his shudder, �woman! You�d better think about whose company you snuck into!� With that, her eyes slowly blinked open. Her eyes caught him so off guard that he nearly leapt aside: they were the most perfect shade of blue he�d ever seen. �Seth-sama?� she whispered meekly, �Seth-sama? Is that really you?� she reached and caressed his check, and Seto made no move to stop her. ��I�ve waited three-thousand years for you.� �I�m�.I�m not,� he grimaced. He didn�t want her to stop touching him, but it wasn�t right. �My name is Kaiba Seto.� She removed her hand like he thought she would, but didn�t seem any less delighted.��Se�to?� He nodded, too enthralled in his inner-argument to answer. Seto should�ve ordered her to prison by now, but instead he was entertaining an interloper in his private sanctum. �Seto-sama!� She threw herself on him, wrapping her arms about his neck and burying her face in his hair so abruptly all he could do was gasp. By sheer force, she landed him on his back. Every nerve in his body was screaming that she was on top of him, and that it was all quite enjoyable. He could both hear and feel her weeping into his hair, but it seemed like they were tears of joy and not of anguish. �Seto-sama!� She just kept repeating, �Seto-sama!� That was it. His hormones were finally overruled. Kaiba Seto�s ever logical, calculating, and cold side emerged, and shoved the girl from him. �What do you think you�re doing? Who the fuck are you? And what are you doing in my office?� he demanded. �Seto-sama?� she gasped in alarm, ��please. It�s me.� �Answer me, damn it!� �Seto-sama,� she had to take a deep breath before she spoke, because her blissful tears turned to sorrowful ones. �Seto-sama�I�ve waited, waited for you for so long�� He blinked; it seemed all he could do. �So please, Seto-sama, don�t make me wait any longer.� Attempting to wipe away the tears now streaming down her face, the girl looked ashamedly aside. And Kaiba Seto did what he so very rarely did� He apologized. �I�m�I�m sorry,� he tentatively placed his hand on her shoulder. �I just don�t understand what�s going on.� �I don�t either,� she admitted when her eyes were dry. �But�� �Hmm?� She smiled up at him, the kind of smile so pure and true that once again she took him by surprise, �I think it�s a good thing.� Not knowing what else to do or say, Seto nodded, returning her embrace when she offered it again. But there was one thing he was certain of: This would be far from the last time he abandoned all scientific principles. For a short while, Seto had cradled her gently against him, letting her tears soak his designer suit. When the time came to pull her off him (tenderly this time) he�d presented her with the white trench coat he kept for dueling, and waited patiently while she clumsily fastened the buttons. She needed to wear something, after all. He couldn�t have her go naked just because he preferred her that way. �I�ve always been with you, Seto-sama,� her comment caught him so off guard all he could do was stare at her. �Even when you thought you were all alone, I was by your side.� �What do you mean by that?� he replied slowly, not quite sure why he was forcing his initial rebuke aside. �I wanted to protect you,� she clasped her hands over her heart. �No matter the cost to me.� �Blue Eyes�� Seto turned away. Understanding, at least partially, that this girl was more than just connected to his Blue Eyes. She was his Blue Eyes White Dragon. Utterly still, every predatory instinct kept him wary as she heard her step closer to him. �Maybe I should explain�� By the time the woman finished her tale, Seto had ordered and downed three cups of coffee and some tray of green things that Mokuba insisted he ate (he made a mental note to never let his little brother get on the subject of healthy eating again). Her story was nothing short of unbelievable. In fact, he would�ve stopped her from the moment she uttered the phrase �three thousand years ago,� had he not experienced it partially for himself. That �dream world� he�d met her in wasn�t a dream at all. �So basically,� Seto summarized, �you died, but instead of going to the place you were supposed to, you became the Blue Eyes White Dragon for my sake. Today, your soul was supposed to move on, yet here you are, quite alive and in my office. And you don�t know why.� She shifted uncomfortably on the couch he�d seated her on, �I know it�s difficult to believe�� �Kisara�� he sighed the name she�d given him earlier. She couldn�t expect him to even consider what she was saying, but she gave no signs in her body language that gave away a liar. Propping his elbows on his desk, Seto leaned his forehead tiredly into his hands. Listening to his heart, he wanted to believe her. He wanted to believe that Kisara was the incarnation of his beloved card, and that she had sacrificed everything just for him. It was beyond his understanding why anyone would give up so much for another, but Seto yearned that her reasons were� He shook his head, physically tossing the following thought aside. �Seto-sama?� Glancing to her, Seto could feel the last traces of his logic slip away. Drowning in her eyes, which were oceans of worry for him, all he could see washer. Kisara�s hair was tumbling teasingly over his white trench coat, and the oversized article was showing no small amount of cleavage. Maybe he didn�t have to believe her, or even not believe her. Perhaps it was better to wait out the situation, until things began to clear up on their own. That seemed the best way if he wanted his solution to fit his principles and still allow him time with Kisara: a win-win situation for his mind and heart. Still, it wasn�t like Seto to show inaction, and there was one thing he knew he could do. �Get me Ishizu Ishtar, NOW,� Seto barked into his intercom. �Yes, si�� his secretary�s reply was cut short as he clicked off the receiver. �Kisara?� his tone was deliberately lighter as he addressed her. �I need to make a call, but you can stay here.� It was more like an order than an invitation, but she didn�t seem any less delighted. �Thank you, Seto-sama.� �Mister Kaiba?� Instead of the light, teasing voice Ishizu normally used with him, she sounded quite agitated as her face popped up on his vid-phone. �Whatever it is, I can assure you I don�t have time for it.� �Even if it includes a three-thousand year old Egyptian just appearing in my office?� �So you got one, too?� was Ishizu�s bored reply. �WHAT?� �Something similar happened to Yuugi. He�ll be on a plane back to Japan with his sudden visitor shortly.� �Ishizu,� Seto spat, �it would be in your best interest to explain, and quickly.� �I�m afraid I can�t. My family and I will be in Japan soon enough. Just deal with it on your own until then.� With that, a black screen appeared where her face had been. Seto�s azure eyes flared in anger, �that bitch has the audacity to hang up on me?� �Seto-sama?� Kisara murmured from behind him, his anger vanishing as quickly as she appeared to have moved. �Hmm?� he contained his anger, saving it for when a certain Egyptian female decided to land in Domino Airport, and turned his attention to a much more fascinating creature. �I think she is talking about Mahaado�� 3rd Class Egypt Air Airlines Mute Yuugi�s story was just beginning, but already it had a surprising twist. In the mere seconds following his first steps in the sunlight after the Ceremonial Duel, something amazing happened. First, the aurora borealis just spit out into the sky. Then, just as abruptly, the deck formally kept by Ate launched out of his jacket, and a very tan and very naked man appeared next to it. In the confusion that followed, both sides gawked, then gasped, then screamed, and finally, all became chaos. Ishizu Ishtar�s low, confident voice was all it took to calm the havoc (everyone listened to Ishizu. There weren�t many things scarier than an angry Ishizu) and she identified the man as Mahaado. In turn, he called her Isis. And that was that. Their little gang obtained a brand new member. Almost as if Fate was giving them a replacement for the one they had lost. When Mahaado had been bathed and clothed, he told them his story, only to be interrupted occasionally by Ishizu, who explained those little details that Mahaado left out. It wasn�t exactly on purpose. After all, he didn�t understand life in the current century, and he didn�t see any point in giving details as to why the Egyptians thought of their Pharaoh as a god, or why this �god-ling� had so many wives. Mahaado had been in direct service of the Pharaoh, and during a duel with Bakura, he had �merged� with his Ka to create the Black Magician. He described what happened before he appeared before them in the desert, how he�d been looking into the image Black Magician Girl was scrying, of Atem walking into the land of the dead. Then all he could remember was a hot, white light, followed by blackness, and eventually, Yuugi�s shocked face. It was certainly an impressive story, and probably unbelievable if the evidence hadn�t been on Mahaado�s side. He claimed that all the Duel Monsters who could were returning to their former hosts, to take their place as Ka again, and this account was backed by a message Ishizu received. There was the aurora for one thing (which was seen all over the world. Not just in Egypt), and for another all the stone tablets of Duel Monsters mysteriously exploding on their own on the same exact second Mahaado had appeared. Then again, Yuugi and the others may have believed him without any proof. They had certainly experienced so many unexplainable events and situations just short of miracles that Mahaado�s story seemed quite placid. As for trusting him, Mahaado was accepted into their circle so quickly it would�ve made the world�s most naive person double take. Jounouchi was the only one who was still a little wary of Mahaado, but he had good reason to be. The Egyptian�s story was far too much like a ghost story, and Jounouchi loathed ghost stories. Still, he didn�t object when it was decided that Mahaado come to Japan with them. Yuugi seemed to outright adore the former Black Magician. �And if,� as Jounouchi told Anzu later, �the Yuug-ster is happy. Then I�m happy.� They had all been worried about Yuugi, and what effects loosing Atem might have on him. Having Mahaado around seemed to ease whatever emptiness he must�ve been feeling, and for that reason more than any other, the stranger became an instant friend amongst them. �Still�� Jounouchi thought uneasily. �The guy is pretty damn creepy. I mean look at him, we�ve been stuck in this damn airplane for four hours straight, and he doesn�t look uncomfortable at all!� Almost to prove he was �normal,� he shifted his weight in the cramped seat, and downright violated Anzu when he �accidentally� elbowed her. �Jounouchi! What the fuck?!� she yelped, covering her breasts protectively even though he�d already scored. He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, �sorry, sorry!� �Like hell you are!� �Hey,� Jounouchi snorted. �If I wanted to grope ya, I woulda just grabbed �em. And I wouldn�t be apologizin�!� Anzu copied his snort, and flipped through the magazine she�d been reading so quickly the pages ripped beneath her fingers. �What is she so pissed for?� Jounouchi thought bitterly. �Next time, I will just reach out and give �em a squeeze.� Then his scowl turned into a snicker, �she�d probably like it better that way. You go, Jounouchi-sama, great pleaser of the ladies!� He took a sip of the soda he ordered while not so indiscreetly eyeing her breasts. She hadn�t gone into any measure to conceal them, considering the tight clothing she was wearing, so he didn�t consider himself to be leaching. �Then again,� he reminded himself. �I wouldn�t consider it leaching if she wore the most concealing clothing on the planet! After all, what�s wrong with a stare? It�s not like I�m a horn dog, like Honda and Otogi.� He then ignored the little voice telling him he was just perverted as they were, if not more. �Besides, it�s not like she can really cover those babies up too good,� he continued. �They�d poke out no matter what she wore, so she might as well show �em off. And hell, I�m not complaining! She�s probably got the best rack I�ve seen, �cept perhaps Mai.� It was tempting to follow that train of thought with a mental image of Mai, removing those clothes that made imagining what was beneath them a simple chore, but Yuugi�s laughter caught his attention. He took another gulp of soda, and fixed his stare on the aisle next to the one he, Anzu, Honda, and Otogi occupied. Mahaado was telling a story of Atem�s childhood, and Yuugi was hanging off every word like a lovesick teenybopper. Jounouchi snorted again, returning his gaze to Anzu�s chest in disgust. He was jealous, and he made no point in trying to disguise it. Something about Mahaado just rubbed him the wrong way, and Yuugi was half in love with him! Well, that wasn�t true. Yuugi was straight, and even more perverted than Jounouchi, Honda, and Otogi could ever hope to be. �It�s always the quiet ones,� he hadn�t even realized he had said it out loud until Anzu looked at him like he�d grown a third eye. �What?�he asked with contempt. Anzu didn�t say anything, but her expression was a mix of �What�s his problem?� and �I knew he�d flip one of these days.� �I just wish Yuugi wouldn�t act that way,� he dismissed her and continued his mental tirade. �I mean sure, this Mahaado guy lived three thousand years ago, is a living, breathing version of Yuugi�s favorite card, and he knows more about Atem, the guy who lived practically inside Yuugi, than pretty much anyone. But hey, he doesn�t come close to Jounouchi Katsuya�who�.who�can make one helluva omelet!� �Oh forget it, man,� he sighed. �You�re pathetic compared to him.� �Quit feeling sorry for yourself,� Anzu sighed with no small amount of agitation. �Yuugi adores you just as much as Mahaado, if not more.� �Wha�what the�what the hell?!� Jounouchi yelped, �were you�like reading my mind or something?� �Nobody needs to read your mind, Jounouchi. Your thoughts are as open as a billboard.� He glowered while he crossed his arms, but didn�t say anything in return. �Anyway,� she rolled her eyes. �Mahaado�s a new, interesting adventure�� �What? What does that make me?� ��And you, are someone he already knows really well.� �Oh�� �Look, the more Yuugi concentrates on getting to know Mahaado, the less he�s thinking about Atem.� �Yeah, I guess it�s better he acts this way, huh?� he sighed in resignation. He didn�t want Yuugi to be lonely, and he knew things were better for Mahaado if he had a bright-eyed-bushy Yuugi around to ease his anxieties. The twentieth century world had to be overwhelming him, and Ishizu had very little time to explain things to him before they had to catch the plane. Assuring that they would come to aid Mahaado in Japan once their affairs were in order, the Ishtars presented him with an identity (invaluable in this day and age) and their best wishes as they shooed him away. At that point, almost all of his arguments had been rebuked. Almost. Remaining was the itching feeling of suspicion he got whenever he recalled that Ishtars just sending Mahaado off like that. It was probably for the same reason Anzu noted, that Yuugi had a very empty place in his heart where Atem used to be, and Mahaado was the perfect filament for the void. Still, it seemed odd to him. Meanwhile, Anzu had taken his silence as attention to her words, and took the opportunity to preach. He�d been shaking away his thoughts just as she finished with: �So quit with the hurt puppy look.� �Ya know, Anzu,� acting like he had been listening was one of his many gifts, �you�re kinda hard on the heart sometimes.� �You�ll live. Besides, I don�t see anyone else setting you straight.� To Be Continued
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