Points of Authority :: Chapter 1 -- Chivalry is Dead to Corporate By-Laws

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He stepped fully out of the limo, looking at you with a glare that could have cracked an iceberg. Sticking his nose up in the air, Kaiba simply straightened his back, holding a silver-white briefcase in one hand, and letting his other shut the door behind him.

.: Points of Authority

.: Chapter 1: Chivalry is Dead to Corporate By-Laws

So this was Domino, Japan?

It was a very impressive place. A nice assortment of towering buildings, and quaint shops that added some curious spice to the flavor of this urbanized city. So entranced by this routine place, you had somewhat forgotten why you had come to this symbol of success that was Japan...

Oh wait.

Seto Kaiba.

And some tournament that you had "so graciously" been invited to.

You grunted.

Your delighted mood had suddenly been slashed by the one person who seemed to put a stitch in your side; sucking on your cheek with light remorse, trying not to think about the 16-year-old CEO...

You involuntarily cringed as you went down the large sidewalk, trying to avoid the heavily-trafficed concrete.

No, you didn't like Seto Kaiba at all, and you hadn't found out that he was hosting this "Battle City Tournament" until you had gotten here...when you couldn't turn back home. You'd feel bad wasting the money you had saved up for this.

Seto Kaiba stood for everything you were against, in principle. In fact, his strategy was a mockery of anyone who had pride as a duelist; hit hard and don't relent, even if they beg for mercy. His strategy seemed more like a vengeance on the world instead of honorable play.

Humiliation wasn't so bad, you thought, but the way Kaiba did it seemed so...barabric to you. Didn't he have any honor?

You shook your head clear of those thoughts; the subject of Kaiba always rubbed you the wrong way; you could actually feel yourself get hot with agitation.

Looking around aimlessly, you noticed how different the Japanese were than Americans. Most of the people you observed on the sidewalk walked with reserve and purpose. That kind of behavior was foreign to you, as most people in America walked with no sense of being. It was almost intimidating to be surrounded by people who held the same disposition as you. Almost like competition...

Suddenly, a giant building had caught your eye, practically inundated by windows. The cascading crowd gently moved like water, letting your suitcase-d arm flow in an ethereal float as you stared up at the building.

Atop of this building was an intertwined "K" and "C". As people still pushed past, alarms went off in your head, like you should know what the logo stood for, but you just couldn't get it...

Out of no where, the crowded sidewalk thinned to nothing and you were slow to react to the lack of body heat. With delayed speed you searched to the sides, noticing that there was no one in sight. Paranoia kicking in, you started to worry that perhaps you had missed something imperative...? But what was i-!!!

>/BAM\<

Something solid, cold and hard hit your backside, inertia transfering to your body, and wobbling dangerously before taking a grounded step to equalize yourself. Once you had, the churning in your stomach stopped and it initiated a heated anger on whoever the perpetrator was...

But you were struck dumb when you saw a familiar mop of brown hair, and icey, blue eyes...not to mention the dramatically flaired white overcoat...

This was Seto Kaiba.

Wait! This guy had HIT you and still hadn't apologized! This was no time to be awed by seeing the real thing; however, just as quickly as your surprise and shock had arised, it was beaten back down to a harsh anger. Your odd mind had also noted that a black limo was part of the perpetrator's offense. Afterall, this guy had hit you, you weren't going to just stand there and take it! Besides, he probably had seen you and done it on purpose!

Your face set in that familiar glare you usually got when talking about Seto Kaiba back home and his direction with DUel Monsters. Your arms had found their way up to your hips in conviction, almost out of habit.

"Excuse me, sir," you told him in a solemnly even, but insulted tone. "But you just hit me with your car door."

He stepped fully out of the limo, looking at you with a glare that could have cracked an iceberg. Sticking his nose up in the air, Kaiba simply straightened his back, holding a silver-white briefcase in one hand, and letting his other shut the door behind him.

"Did I?" he paused dramatically in his mid-door swing, as if to mock bow in apology. His tone was crossing the line of mockery, and sarcasm was practically dripping from his eyes. "Well, I'm sorry that you were in my way."

Kaiba went to glide past you in an arrogance, but you slid right in front of him, hands on your hips in a subdued, diplomatic anger.

"I want an apology," you stated simply.

Kaiba gave you a blank look...and then laughed in a short chuckle that came from his chest.

"That's nice," he finished laughing, his eyes now sparkling in near anger and amusement. He put his free hand into a fist and rested it on his hip in attitude. "But you were in my way, so I have nothing to apologize for."

Kaiba then tried to pass you again, but, again, you followed him over to his new directory.

You folded your arms across you chest in resolution, putting your weight to one side with your hip protruding in attitude. "I'm not letting you leave without an apology."

His eyes narrowed in an icey-covered rage, at least freezing the air molecules around you. It made you subtlely flinch; your eyes had jerked slightly.

"Get out of my way," he warned darkly, not bothering to move.

You rolled your eyes, noticing that Kaiba's face was tightening around the jaw. "I'm not moving, I was here first," you told him stoicly. "If you want to leave you can walk around me."

You saw Kaiba's free hand fist in a hard anger, seeing his knuckles go vaguely white, before he spoke in gritted teeth.

"Look, you--"

"SETO!!!"

It was the shrill sound of a child's voice; it had broken the tense atmosphere between you and the CEO. In fact, you were honestly now confused at what was going on, especially when a a mass of black hair "WOOSH"ed by you and latched onto Kaiba's waist.

You blinked three times for good measure, bringing your finger up to scratch the side of your face before they spoke.

Suddenly, the raven-haired boy let go of Kaiba quickly, folding his arms in childish contempt, and turned his back to him as he said, "You're late! You said you'd be here an hour ago, Seto!"

"Mokuba," he said in lidded frustration, but it didn't seem directed towards the younger. "I got held up at a client's office, I couldn't help it." Kaiba glanced past you and "Mokuba" as he said it.

Abruptly, the raven-haired boy caught your confused and dropped his fake-hurt act. "Hey, you look familiar... Aren't you that American Duelist?"

Caught of guard, you felt a small heat rush to your cheeks. "Who...me?" you pointed to yourself. "I am an American Duelist...but I don't think we've met..."

He waved off your confusion in a light-hearted manner, his eyes signaling a change in subject. "Oh, sorry 'bout that. I'm Mokuba Kaiba, Seto's little brother." He extended his hand and you shook it in understanding.

"I wasn't aware that Kaiba had a little brother," you told him in all honesty. "I'm Kenzie Ray, by the wa--"

"Wait," Kaiba interrupted in cold recognition. It was like an icicle had just zipped right past your nose, completely killing whatever warmth Mokuba had been providing. "You're that two-bit hack that won the American Tournament by default, aren't you?"

Anger cascaded through your body in tangible waves as your bloodstream moved in erractic rhythms. Your teeth clenched in frustration, biting down that pride that kept welling up in your chest. That was your weakness, having that god-awful reputation being rubbed in your face...and by someone who had no place to say those words!

"By a series of unfortunate events, I did manage to win the American Tournament by...de...fault," you gritted out of your clenched mouth, your eyebrow ticking at the sensitive nerve.

You could feel Kaiba's smirk reach out and stroke your already bruised ego as he continued.

"And you had the audacity to tell me to move!" he jeered in arrogance. "You're nothing more than the dirt off of my shoe!"

You felt your ticking eyebrow jerk violently as you stood there and listened to his laughing, feeling your knuckles go white. Finally, you just snapped, yelling back at him, "Those losers before me were cheating!!! It's not my fault!"

Kaiba wasn't fazed by your outburst, and proceeded to condescendingly fold his arms across his chest. "Well you can't be that much of a duelist if even cheaters can beat you."

Trying to keep a lid on your anger, a comeback had come to your mind making you suddenly at ease. "You don't have much room to talk when an international champ is beaten by a two-year player," you quipped. "I'm sure Yugi Moto could see the devastation in that."

You grinned evilly when you saw Kaiba practically foam at the mouth from that comment.

"At least I'm not a default duelist!!" he shoved back in a spiteful rage; you had obviously hit a sore spot...

...And apparently he had hit one on you. Feeling vengeful waves of anger course through you, you glared darkly at Kaiba, clenching the handle of your suitcase until you could feel your knuckles burn... But it disappated quickly when you recognized the familiar warm buzz streak through your head and sinuses. You closed your eyes, pinching the outter most part of your nose to ward off the annoying pangs of painful throbbing.

"So have you found your hotel yet?" the cheery voice of Mokuba broke through your brooding pain.

You blinked in confusion at him before answering, trying to ignore the unpleasant hum in your head. "Um, no."

Mokuba smiled. "Well maybe we could give you a ride?" he offered.

Before you could answer the question, Kaiba's curt tone cut sharply through the air.

"Maybe in a cab," he spat, glaring at you venomously. "Because you're not getting in the same vehicle as me."

You felt your blood boil as soon as Kaiba's insult had left his lips, but you quickly let go of it as soon as a sharp pain started to dig on the top left side of your head. It was like a hot metal pick had been swung into your skull, with a patterned throb to match your sinuses. You winced, almost going to grasp the top of your head when you held your hand still, trying to keep your cover.

"I wasn't planning to, highness," you tried to keep a hold of the fading venom in your voice, your glare likely confused with that of biting pain. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be going to find that hotel now..."

And with that you swung around contemptuously, leaving the brothers in a bewildered state, and heading down the sidewalk in an apathetic trance.

**********

"Se-to...!" Mokuba whined in desperation, stomping his foot to get his point across. "Kaiba Corp. invited Kenzie here! We can't just let her wander the streets!"

Kaiba only folded his arms apathetically. "Watch me."

Mokuba glared, throwing his hands up. "What if she's killed? How will that reflect on Kaiba Corp, Seto?" he argued tersely. "She's our responsibility! I can't believe you'd just abandon your own job, Seto..."

Mokuba knew Kaiba wouldn't go after you for any other reason besides if it affected his company.

Kaiba had flinched at Mokuba's arguements, but stayed glued to his spot on the sidewalk.

"Fine!" Mokuba fought in resolute frustration. "I'm going after her then!"

Mokuba had took off before Kaiba could stop him, and he shook his head in frustration as he opened the limo door and got in.

**********

Failing to nurse the pain in your sinuses away with your fingers, a raven-haired ball of delight had managed to catch up to you.

"Wha...? Mokuba?" you momentarily forgot the pains in your head. "It's dangerous by yourself; you should be with your brother."

He gave a rueful smile, his eyes glinting in reciprocal reprimand. "Well it's not safe for you either," he chidded, putting his hands on his hips defiantly. "And that's why I'm here. Besides, you don't even know your way around!"

You gave a withering glare at the buildings in front of you, turning your nose up and saying, "Well I guess I hadn't really thought of that..."

"Don't let my brother get to you, Kenzie," Mokuba nudged light-heartedly. You eyed him suspiciously. "I know he can be a bit of a jerk sometimes--"

You grunted derisively.

"--but he's okay once you get to know him," he finished with a wink.

You gave him a look of disbelief and lowly mumbled a, "I'm sure...;" however, Mokuba was sharper than you took him for.

"Okay, okay," his voice waved off your sour mood. "So you don't like my brother! At least let us drive you to your hotel; we owe you that much."

You stopped in your place, turning to eye Mokuba in solemn seriousness. "As much as I like the fact that a world renowned corporation owes me something, I have to decline."

Mokuba's jaw had dropped open, clearly taken by your unpredictable answer. Afterall, this was Kaiba Corp! It wasn't some kiddie toy shop!

"Why not?!" he queried in a disbelieving shriek. You had continued walking before he had answered.

It took a couple seconds for Mokuba to register that you had started walking again before he had sped up to you.

You sighed, knowing with a kid like Mokuba, his curiousity ALWAYS had to be filled.

"I really like you, Mokuba," you told him sincerely. "But honestly, I can't stand your brother's attitude."

"C'mon!" he pleaded, jumping in front of you and making you stop walking. "He's like that to everyone he first meets! You can't hold first impressions to be true!"

You looked away from Mokuba's pleading eyes, thoughtfully. You admired this kid's tenacity and loyalty to his brother...even if the admiree was a jerk. And besides that, he had amazing persuasion skills for someone his age.

...And you really would have accepted Mokuba's gracious offer, if a certain cold-hearted someone hadn't just pulled up and ruined Mokuba's tactics.

The limo had stopped towards the end of the vehicle, putting the last window next to you and Mokuba. The automatic window had ominously traveled downward with a "BZZZZ" sound, revealing none other than Seto Kaiba himself.

"Get in the limo," he said in resentful acknowledgement, glaring at you coldly.

Just seeing his face again set off all the pains in your head again; that white, hot pick digging just underneath your scalp and your battered sinuses going off in a fever reaction. You closed your eyes and spun on your heel, noticing how the brightness of the day was making your headache worse...

"I'm sorry, Mokuba," you began in a lidded anger and a regretful tone as you began to take off hurriedly down the sidewalk, "but I'll still have to decline the offer."

You heard a foot stomp the ground in frustration, and you could bet it was Mokuba, also giving Kaiba a chastitizing glare at what he had done.

The more you held on to your anger of the CEO the more your head began to hurt, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus on anything but your painful headache, which only made it worse. Your stomach began to churn in an unsettling force as you noticed that your face had began a cold sweat...

'Dammit...,' you cursed and gingerly put your left hand up to the left side of your head, trying to cushion the throb away. 'Why now?'

Breaking you out of your stupor was the sound of scurrying feet, and suddenly Mokuba was back in-step with you again; you knew from his shoes. You weren't going to open your eyes to let the daylight make your head worse, but you had just barely opened them to recognize who it was.

He let a moment pass before speaking, giving the air a thick, confusing, feel. "What's wrong, Kenzie? You look kinda pale..."

"It's nothing," you assured him quickly, but unusually soft...although the panging in your head seemed to intensify ironicly when you had said it. "Just a headache."

Of course, you felt Mokuba's disbelieving stare on your raised arm, resting on your head. You quickly let it fall, turning to him momentarily for an assuring smile.

He hadn't bought it.

You sighed and kept your pace, knowing inevitably that Mokuba would keep asking and you were ready to answer him if need be...

"I said get in the limo," an angry voice snapped.

Turning your head to the source of the voice you saw that Kaiba's head was keeping in-step to your pace by way of his limo.

"You're lucky I even reconsidered!" he reproached in a spiteful hiss.

You turned your face away from him to keep your vision diligently forward; it was your way of sticking your nose up at people.

"No," you said bluntly, noticing that you had momentarily forgotten your weakened state. A sickening wave of nausea ran through your whole body, making you feel slightly hot. "I won't get into the same vehicle with someone I despise."

You heard a growl, satisfied that he was getting as angry as you felt at the moment, even though it did nothing to relieve your headache.

"Don't flatter yourself!" he bit out hotly. "The feeling's mutual!"

Spinning quickly to a stop and facing Kaiba, your fists clenching unrelentingly to your blood flow, and you felt your eyebrows dip to a dangerously dark glare. You even felt scary.

"Well then if you hate me so much," you began in a deceptively steady tone, teeth gritting painfully, "...get. LOST."

Kaiba gave you a withering glare, turning his head forward.

"Mokuba, get in the limo," he said evenly.

"But Se-to...!"

"NOW, Mokuba."

You heard Mokuba suck his teeth in an "unfair!" tone, hesitating before going for the other side of the limo.

"It's obvious she doesn't want a ride," Kaiba informed in a steady tone, almost sounding condescendingly malignant. "Not that I have a problem with it."

Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit you so hard you stumbled in your footing. It had washed through your body quickly, dulling your headache in an out-of-body way, and muffled your hearing.

You saw black dots popping out of holes in front of your eyes, making you feel dizzy and missing your equilibrium...until you could feel the faint feeling of falling over...

**********

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.: Points of Authority

.: Chapter 1: Chivalry is Dead to Corporate By-Laws

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