Duality Chaos, Book Two of The Chaos Saga

Chapter 20: The Target

     "Maelstrom is the oldest Chaos Demon, that we are sure of."  The cloaked figure stated, bowing on a knee in front of Yami's desk.  Yami turned to Seto, eyebrow raised.  Seto looked back, impassively.

     It had been two days since Yugi had come back.  Two days since Yami let Yugi out of his sight.  Even now, knowing that Yugi was with the third best protection, Joey, he was still worried and wanted this meeting over with, and quickly.

     Seto looked at the bowed figure.  "Ji-Jin, have your compatriots deciphered the reason for her attacks always centering on us?"

     Ji-Jin looked up, his perfect Asian featues marred only by a thin scar from his left temple down midway to his jaw.  His brown eyes were a deep pool of secrets.  "Not at this time.  We are still tracking her movements, but we lost her.  Our trackers will find her again, though...do not fear.  It is more difficult since she is a demon.  She can slip dimensions, which is one place we may not go."

     Yami stood as Ji-Jin stood as well, his short blond hair a spiked, striking contrast to his tanned skin.  "Do any know an expert on Chaos Demons?"  Yami asked, looking at the two.

     Ji-Jin nodded.  "Yes.  He is... unpredictable, but I know a man who may be able to give you answers.  We have been consulting him as well."  Yami nodded.  "I will retrieve him as quickly as possible."

      After Ji-Jin left, Yami looked at Seto.  Seto turned away.  "Cousin, while I appreciate the united front you present with me in front of others, you haven't spoken to me in two days.  Care to explain why?"

     Seto stood rigidly, his back to Yami.  He walked towards the door.  But instead of being able to open said door, Yami appeared in front of it in an instant.  Seto eyed a spot above Yami's head.

     "Come now, Cousin...you were never one to play the silent treatment game."

     Eyes blazing, Seto glared at his shorter cousin.  "Game!"  He hissed, pure venom in his eyes.  "Is that all this is to you, a game?"  Seto's hand encircled Yami's throat in an instant.  "I could kill you this moment!"

     Yami calmly stood, watching Seto.  "But you won't.  You never give away your plan by doing something so ineffectual as showing your cards.  You know you cannot kill me by strangling me, as I do not need air, so what is this tantrum for?"

     At that, Seto picked Yami up and slung him across the room, body slamming painfully into the stone.  Yami stood, eyeing Seto.  "Do not try my patience.  Speak what ails you.  But stop with the use of physical force.  You are no match for me and you know it."

     Seething, Seto got up, nose to nose with Yami.  "Sire, the next time you want to play games, do it where no one else gets hurt.  You put Joey at risk with your pity party.  Do it again, and I will end you, family or not."

     Yami raised a brow.  Breaking into a smile he hugged Seto.  "Seto, you now finally understand the fear of losing someone.  I do believe you have finally, truly met your soulmate in Joey."

     Seto looked at Yami like he lost his mind.  "He is my mate, yes...but Kisara was my soulmate."

     Yami smiled innocently.  "Oh, really now?  Then why did you send Kisara away?"

     Seto glared.  "I am bound to the Mutt by wereleopard magic, so it wasn't fair to her."  He crossed his arms.

     Yami merely blinked.  "Oh, of course."  Walking to the door to go check on Yugi, he looked back over his shoulder.  "Let me leave you with this though....Your loyalty to your family is beyond reproach.  You have protected Mokuba and I for 3,000 years.  You have stated that you would lay your very being down for Mokuba or I."

     Seto sighed.  "Yes.  So?  I remember what we spoke of.  Your point?"

     "You have never once threatened my life before, in 3,000 years.  Now, you threaten it because Joey could be in danger."  Yami smiled triumphantly as he walked out, closing the door softly behind him.

     "Whatever."  Seto mumbled, not liking the truth in the statement.

     ******************************

     Kisara stumbled in the dark, running.  That lady lied to her!  Seto still refused her.  She needed someplace to think, rationally.  She had been running for several days;  she lost count.  The look of betrayal and anger in Seto's eyes was damning.  She would never have a chance with him now that she had betrayed his family.  Finding an abandoned building, she crawled in.  Looking around the building, she climbed the stairs to the second floor.  Finding a bedroom, she crept in, sneaking into a closet and shutting the door.  Sighing, she now had time to think.

     What could she do?  What would bring Seto back to her?  Rubbing her forehead, she could only think of two things..Joey killing Yami or Mokuba or Joey cheating on Seto.  Neither seemed like a plausible option.

     Suddenly, the door swung open.  Whimpering, she scooted to the back, but a long, slim hand caught her wrist, pulling her into the light.  She gasped at the man holding her.  He had a thin face, light brown hair cut close to his head, brown eyes, and a cold smile. 

     "What do you know about this...Yami?"  He whispered, voice like silk.

     Kisara stood still, eyes huge. She hadn't said Yami's name aloud, had she?  Searching her brain, she jerked her head up when he laughed.

     "Silly girl,  you said nothing out loud.  I can read your thoughts.  Now, what would you say if I told you that if you helped me, I could help you get Seto back?  Hmmm?"

     Kisara laughed bitterly.  "I'd say I have heard that lie before."

     The man smiled a patronizing smile.  "Damien Dahrk has never been a paragon of honesty.  In any event, I am.  Now, Seto can't be with Joey if Joey is dead now, can he?"

     Kisara looked at the man.  Murder?  Was she really ready to go that far?  She gripped her hands into fists.  She mustn't...looking down, she saw the golden band on her left hand.

     Seto chose Joey over her.  So, how to break Seto and Joey.  What can she so...what does Seto hate...or what does he value.  He values Joey.

     "How do I know you will do as you say?"  She eyed the man warily.

     He smirked.  "You have no guarantee.   But, you have no other better option."

     She looked up, a firm determination in her eyes.  Seto said til death do us part..."Deal, as long as he doesn't know its me."

     The man smiled at her, holding out a hand.  "Deal, Ms...?"

     "Kaiba...Kisara Kaiba.  And you are?"

     "Ciacto."