Title: That Smile Will Cost 51 Cents
Summary: His ticket out of the orphanage was a wealthy man, and hope for a better future. Instead of the life he wanted for his younger brother, he was met with cruelty and discipline that not only affected his future, but the way he looked at his past. One person stood with him throughout this, and that's the one person who would do anything to see him smile once more, no matter what the cost.
Warnings: Nothing beyond K+, a little violence in later chapters, but not much
Enjoy!
o-O-o
Chapter One: Seven Cents
o-O-o
November 25, 1995
Domino City, 17:08
When 5-year-old Seto saw his mother and father sitting at the kitchen table, smiling, grinning, laughing, and cheering, he knew something was up. Right at the moment, his head was peeking through the door to the kitchen, and he was picking up pieces of the puzzle.
"Mommy? Daddy?"
Both parents turned their attention to the youngest member of the family. His mother grinned. "Seto! Come here! We have some exciting news!"
He didn't need to be told twice. The young brunet had heard from many people that he was an obedient and smart child. His parents were never mad with him. He had manners, he was smart, and he listened to what he was told to do. His parents told him over and over again that they were proud of him.
Seto sat at the third chair at their brown wooden table, smiling brightly and looking excited. "What is it mommy?"
His mommy and daddy looked at each other, looking like they could burst open at any given moment. Seto's mom bit her lip, barely containing the urge to burst out with the news. "Seto, you're going to have a baby brother or sister!"
After a minute of letting the words process, Seto's eyes widened in shock and managed out a meek, "How?"
His dad laughed along with his mom. His mother came and held his hand in her warm, thin fingers. "In about nine months, you'll have a baby brother or sister! It's in my stomach, Seto!"
Seto's eyes widened, this time in panic. "You can't leave it in there for nine months! It's going to suffocate!" he tugged on his mother's sleeve desperately. "Quickly! Get it out!"
His mother laughed once again, and his father got up and started to put a pot of rice on the stove; Seto then noticed how late it actually was in the day. Turning back to his mother, he looked up at her expectantly.
"No, no Seto... It'll be fine. How about we talk more during dinner?" His mother asked, smiling brightly.
Seto grinned back at her, and nodded his head. "Alright, mommy!"
The five-year-old ran into their large living room, and plopped down on the sofa, playing with a hand-held video game. He had his mind set on other things now, though.
What would his baby brother or sister look like? Would it get his mother's chestnut hair, aqua colored eyes, that natural tanned skin? Or would it have his father's black hair, azure eyes, and pale skin? He smiled at the thought or having sibling. Would he be tiny, or really tall like he was?!
Nothing could hide his excitement. If anyone saw him right now, they'd see a grin that reached from one ear to the other and sapphire eyes that glowed with excitement.
A new brother or sister!
The news was the best he ever heard. Questions kept flowing through his mind.
He knew the baby would be perfect, now matter how it looked, acted or anything else. Seto just hoped he'd be the best big brother ever.
"Seto," his mother called from the door to the kitchen. "It's dinner time."
He got up smiling to himself, and hurriedly made his way to the kitchen almost tripping on the way. He sat down in his regular spot, looking at the food in front of him. His father had always been a good chef. He waited patiently for his parents to sit down before he ate.
Even after his mother and father sat down, he still couldn't focus on anything beyond the words 'Baby brother or sister'.
"We need to think of a name."
Seto turned his attention towards his dad, who had just spoke to him and his mother. "What was that, daddy?"
"We need to think of a name. For your new baby brother or sister." his dad smiled at him. "Got any ideas?"
His mother said the first name. "How about, Kaiyo, if it's a girl?"
Seto and his father smiled at the name. Seto spoke next. "Or how about, Mokuba, if it's a boy?"
Seto's father's eyebrows crinkled with confusion, "Where did the name 'Mokuba' come from?"
The young brunette shrugged. "I don't know. I just really like the sound of the name Mokuba.
His mother and father brightened at that name. "...Mokuba? I like that..." Seto's father nodded in agreement. Seto grinned brightly and started eating his dinner cheerfully.
o-O-o
November 26, 1995
Domino City Elementary School, 08:30
The next day at school, he was excited to tell his friends of the good news.
Now, on the earlier comment about him being a polite, caring, and obedient child, he was also quite popular. He was considered a nerd by some people because he skipped 2 grades, loved math, and dressed more fancier than normal kids at the school, but overall, he was considered 'popular'. This was a high class school, and as far as he knew, they should all be like him. Responsible, obedient, smart, caring, and a whole bunch of words that could go on forever.
He was in the 2nd grade, shorter than everyone else because of it, got all A+ on his report cards, and had lots of friends.
As some of his friends walked up to him, he almost -almost!- squealed in excitement.
"Hey Seto!" One of his friends, Ronny, grinned at him. "What's up? You look like you could explode."
Seto bursted. "I get to have a baby brother or sister in nine months!"
Ronny's eyes widened before he shook his head in disbelief. "Seto! That's not good! If your parents are having another kid, then that means they'll forget about you!"
Seto's face dropped, but it was gone as soon as it came. "That's not true! My parents love me!'
"But," Ronny pointed a crooked finger. "They wont. My parents forget about me all the time becuase of my little sister. All they go on about is how cute she is and that they're so proud," He explained further.
Seto growled. "This matter is dropped, leave my family to me."
As responsible and smart as he is, he is also stubborn, has a large ego, and can lose his temper, but only if people agitate him to the point where he is flat-out annoyed. And if you talk to the people he's verbally attacked after they make him mad, you'd know not to get in his way. But really, when people make stupid remarks, how can he not retort back? People make him that vexed.
He made a small, 'Hmph!' sound before walking to the front doors of the large school with his nose held high in the air.
Although he hates the comment that Ronny made, he couldn't help but dwell on it. What if they did forget him? What if they paid more attention to the new baby instead of him?
He collected his text books, and walked to his first class, math.
He sat down at his regular spot, beside a girl named, Satsuki. She was very annoying. She was hyper all the time, and he hated sitting beside her. At least in this class. He's lucky they switch classes every period. Most of the time, elementary schools wouldn't do that, but since they were a high-class school, they did.
When their teacher came in, he opened the textbook, and started on working through the questions.
But, for the first time since he can remember, he couldn't concentrate on his math.
o-O-o
November 26, 1995
Domino City Elementary School, 15:32
Outside, Seto was waiting at the gate in front of his school. His mother was picking him up today, and he nearly dreaded the moment.
He didn't want to be near his parents. After what Ronny said, he was still thinking about it. If his parents noticed him acting weird they'd ask him about, then he would tell them, then they'd be mad at him for not liking his soon-to-be sibling.
Seto didn't want them to be mad at him. He wanted them to be happy. He wanted himself to be happy.
A familliar black car pulled up to the school gates, and he got in quickly to the backseat.
His mother smiled warmly at him as he got himself buckled up.. "Hello, Seto! How was your day?"
"Good."
She nodded and drived away from the school, back home. "Guess what? Today, we're going to pick out a room for the new baby! Want to help us?"
"No."
His mother instantly frowned at the less-than enthusiastic reply, and glanced worriedly at the rearview mirror.. "Seto, what's wrong?"
He sighed and looked distantly out the window. "Will you still love me?"
She was completely taken back by this comment and the confusion was written on her face. "What do you mean?"
"When the baby is born, will you still love me?" The brunet finally asked, scared of what the answer would be.
She then knew exactly what he was saying. "Seto!" his mother laughed gently. "Of course! I will love both of you equally! Do not worry, Seto, I can't put a favourite sign on any of my kids!"
A wave of relief washed over him, and he felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. "Of course mommy, it was a silly question..."
She looked in the rearview mirror again and saw two wide blue eyes staring at her in an apologetic way. "It wasn't a silly question, Seto. Please, if you're upset please tell mommy or daddy, alright?"
Seto's mother got a nod of confirmation from her son. "So do you want to pick out the color of your new brother's or sister's bedroom?"
Seto grinned and nodded happily. "Aqua. Like your eyes."
His mother pulled up to the driveway of their big white house. She picked him up out of the car despite his light protest. "Lovely choice, Seto."
o-O-o
December 24, 1995
Domino City, 18:48
There was a bump.
Seto could now see a bump where his mother's stomach was. Frankly, he was still pretty concerned about the baby suffocating in there, but he knew better than to argue and left it alone. Besides, it was Christmas eve and he was wrapping presents for his mom and dad.
After Seto collected up enough allowance from doing chores, he 'secretly' got his mom a blue sapphire and silver locket, on sale. He got his dad a package of coffee. It sounds totally unfair considering what he got his mother, but that's what he heard his dad complain about all the time after work. Not having a decent cup of coffee in the morning, Seto found out, was a problem for adults. Whenever he asked, they'd laugh it off gently, telling him he'd understand when he got older.
He just packaged both presents, and creeped down the stairs, hurriedly putting his presents for both his parents under the Christmas tree.
Anyways, his mother had a bump on her stomach. It was small, but noticeable. People were also calling his parents wishing them good times and sending over presents for the baby. Seto remembered something like this happening when he was a couple months old. People would visit him, and bring him blankets, toys, foods, and other baby stuff. He's been told he has an eidetic memory.
His current thoughts got washed away when his parents walked into the living room together. His mom was carrying a tray of small European chocolates, homemade cookies, and two glasses of milk.
Another fact about Seto. He had a major sweet tooth. For chocolate. Especially chocolate. He hated chocolate that was fake. He loved European styled chocolate, namely German ones. Seto ate healthy, but when he got chances like these, he savoured every last bite of them. Of course, he wasn't a pig either.
"So, are you excited, Seto?" His father asked smiling at him. Seto nodded for confirmation, but kept his attention towards the chocolates on the tray. Oh, Raspberry... and dark chocolate...
Seto felt something placed on his head. He turned around to see his mom grinning. "Sorry Seto!" she giggled and snuck her arms around her son's waist. "But you look so adorable when you wear a Christmas hat!"
Seto smiled back and never bothered taking the hat off.
He spotted another chocolate.
Hehe, mocha...
o-O-o
January 17, 1996
Domino City, 19:23
Seto was left with a babysitter a lot now. His mother and father both explained to him that they needed to got to the doctor's office to check if the baby was healthy. He didn't really get everything they explained to him, but accepted the fact anyways.
After the new years, the bump on his mother's stomach got bigger. She also wore the necklace he got her, while father stopped complaining about coffee.
He had also got various toys, clothing, video games and other stuff that was high-quality. Seto hated to brag, but he definetely wouldn't call his family... not poor, per say, but he would say he was definitely luckier than most families in Domino.
Now, his family didn't live in a mansion, but his house was big, his dad was a the head of the biggest medical center in Domino, and his mother was a Lawyer, the best one in Domino. She usually wasn't unfair with her cases, and often was very generous and kind to other people. Her warm heart always got the best of people, and her persuasive aditude always made her win. It was everything you wouldn't expect in a lawyer, but everything you'd want.
Him, he was considered a child genius. Seto had qualified to skip another grade because the principle of his school said that he was learning nothing in class, and needed more of a challenge. He was also sended into a program called 'Gifted', which allowed him to take time out of class time, to see if he was qualified to skip another grade.
As it was looking, come February, he'll be in the 4th grade.
When his mother and father came home from their doctor's appointment each day, or night, they welcomed him with hugs and 'We're so sorry Seto! It must get boring here!'
He smiled at them, and just told them that he'd be okay. He had plenty of toys from Christmas, and after the New Years, he was pretty caught up in school.
o-O-o
February 13, 1996
Domino City, 15:57
There was another appointment.
Seto got very concerned about the baby suffocating, and even brought the subject up with his mother. She laughed warmly at him, and told him the baby would be okay and that he shouldn't worry.
His reason for worrying? The bump was ginormous.
He thought for sure, they baby was struggling to get out, and he was really nervous that when the baby was born, it wouldn't be breathing, and if it wasn't, he blamed his mother for not listening to him earlier.
Anyways, his mother stopped working now (she explained it was called 'maternity leave'), because she wanted to take care of Seto, but he also heard from eavesdropping, that his mother was finding it a bit painful to walk, or even do everyday household things.
While his mother took time off, she taught him how to play chess.
His mother got a special Onyx chessboard especially for him. They played for hours, before his dad came home from work. Of course when Seto was at school, he never had time to play chess with his mom. That's why he grew to love weekends, something he used to dread.
Right at the moment, it was a Saturday, and he was playing chess against his mother.
He was white, which meant he goes first. He made his first move by moving one of his pawns forward two. His mother then moved the pawn in front of her queen one space forward. Seto moved his bishop on the white squares, up diagonally one to where he moved his pawn. His mother then moved the pawn in front of her knight forward two. Seto moved his bishop up four spaces.
"Check."
His mother's eyes widened and she looked down at the board, smiled, then smirked playfully; it was check. Thankfully not checkmate.
The game went on for about 45 more minutes before Seto had her in checkmate, surprising her and Seto himself.
From that night on, Seto decided he loved chess.
o-O-o
March 27, 1996
Domino City, 12:18
Another weekend, a warm spring Sunday. He was still winning against his mother in chess, and they did more work on the baby's room.
His new brother's or sister's room had aqua walls (just like he requested), a tiny crib on the far right corner, a rocking horse near the end of the crib, a table for changing diapers, (Seto shuddered at the thought), a soft resting area on the window ledge with fluffy pillows and blankets, blue curtains and waxed wood flooring. There was also a closet full of necessities that would be needed in the near future, but the clothes had yet to be added. It was either gender friendly.
Seto had picked mostly everything out, and knew in the future, he would spoil this kid rotten.
Now, he was still concerned with the fact that this bump on his mother's stomach was growing considerably big, and he was sure the kid couldn't breathe. But he had given up on that, and only thought about it in his head.
His other concern... What was the baby eating? Being smart, you'd expect him to know these things, but nope. He had no idea. And it irked him badly.
Seto really wanted to ask his mom about what the baby was eating, but he couldn't find himself doing so. Everytime he couldn't help but worry about his new sibling, and
Questions enetered his mind with no restraint.
What if it isn't breathing?
What if it's starved right now?
Other than the fact that he'd be spoiling his new sibling when it was born, he also knew that he would protect it from the bad stuff in this world.
Bullies, bad guys, strangers, anyone his sibling wouldn't like, they'd get a piece of Seto first!
This new brother or sister would be something special, he knew from the start.
o-O-o
April 24, 1996
Domino City, 09:41
It was a boy. The baby, they found out, was a boy. But they found something else out too. Something he didn't know, and it terrorized him to the very core.
Hearing his mommy's and daddy's voices this early in the morning, talking hurriedly, and with concerned voices, made Seto very unsettled.
He picked up a few pieces.
'Not healthy...what if it doesn't... we can't tell Seto... too late... now...'
It concerned him too.
That's why he marched right into the kitchen, startling his parents. Their reaction was quickly gone though, and they put on smile's. "Good morning, Seto!" his mother hugged him lightly.
"Mommy, daddy, what's wrong?"
His mother smiled while pulling out a fry pan. "Nothing, Seto." she took out some homemade bread, milk, vanilla, nutmeg, eggs, cinnamon and bacon. "So, want french toast and bacon for breakfast?"
He forcefully pushed all negative thoughts to the back of his mind with a great force, and nodded, somewhat not hungry after hearing all that.
His father grabbed the pan from her grasp and said, "Let me cook breakfast. Sit down and relax."
She rolled her eyes playfully at him, but sat down anyways. "I'm expecting a child. Not unusable hands."
Seto's father returned that by playfully making a 'hmph!' sound, and continued cooking breakfast.
The thoughts from a few minutes ago were pulled back to the front of his mind. What did they mean by, 'Not healthy?' It could mean anything... What if it had a headache? Or maybe it was sick with the flu...
Then it dawned on him.
Yep, he knew it! The baby was starved and was suffocating! That was it! He was about to tell his mom, but the thoughts got pushed aside yet again when his dad gave him a plate full of french toast and bacon, then repeated the action with himself. His mother muttered something along the lines of 'I want chocolate...', when Seto's dad set a smaller plate of food down for her.
He smiled and ate it up, forgetting everything that troubled him.
Life was good.
o-O-o
May 20, 1996
Domino City, 13:30
Mommy's belly had grown into a huge bump... It wasn't the baby starving or suffocating that made him worry anymore.
His mother was in deep pain and Seto was concerned beyond belief.
About a month ago, they were talking about something like this. They were covering something up. Something bad. Seto wanted to know what it was, and they wouldn't let anything slip. This was done in private or when he was away, and his parents never let anything slip. Whenever his mom would play chess with him, or spend time reading with him, she would cover it up. The pains, the tense form, the uncomfortable shifting...
Most of the time he forgot about it. He didn't want to make himself dread over the fact...
Everything will be okay, right?
Right.
He needn't dread on things that would turn out good in the end anyways. His mommy was probably just a little sore from the baby in her stomach, or maybe she just needed to see a massager to smooth out her sore muscles.
At the minute, he was working on his math, but secretly listening to his mother complaining about her back being sore from the other room; and he could tell you, it was no easy task.
Okay, 4¾ + 6⅝ …. darn it, are these even real questions? Usually these would be so easy for him to answer, but he's so confused.
He heard another pained yelp from the other room, and winced from the high pitched sound. It sounded so agonized...
Poor mommy...
He shut his math book closed, and laid down on his bed, not caring that his homework wouldn't be done.
Seto felt the tears grow at the corners of his eyes and couldn't concentrate on anything else except one thought.
Will everything actually be alright?
o-O-o
June 9, 1996
Domino City, 22:34
Seto's been crying for days now.
Something was wrong.
A few nights back, mommy woke up with pains, and daddy brought her to the doctor. A babysitter showed up at the door a couple minutes later, with a fake smiled plastered on to her face.
She was a close friend of his mommy and daddy's, and he knew her very well. That didn't help when she'd walk into his room and try to comfort him.
He was worried sick, no joke.
Seto hadn't hardly touched his food, and had cried himself to sleep. He only slept for about 2 hours every night.
He knew it! He should have focused more 2 months ago when they were talking about mommy. That's what it was about, wasn't it. They knew! The worst part was that they never told him!
Although he was beyond furious, he refused to be mad at his mommy and daddy, especially at a time like this.
The next morning when he woke up, and after breakfast,mommy and daddy came home.
He wanted to go up and hug his mommy, but he refrained from it, afraid he would hurt her.
His mother beat him to it.
She bent down and wrapped her arms around him, pressing him into her chest.
"I'm so sorry Seto..." she stroked his hair, and whispered into his ear. "I'm so sorry. Mommy will make it up to you. Alright?"
He gripped on to her shirt, and buried his face into the crook of her neck. "Don't leave me again, please..."
She tightened her grip on him and shushed him. "Mommy won't leave, don't worry..."
o-O-o
July 1, 1996
Domino City, 16:07
It was about a week later. They had been fine all week. His mom was okay, they were playing together like they used to.
Everything was right again.
The small family was in their backyard. The space contained an orange tree that was very tall and the oranges were ripe. Underneath the tree was a round white table, and it was encased by 3 matching chairs. The centrepiece consisted of a vase with a white tulip. The smell of lilacs and oranges mixed in with each other from the bloomed lilac bushes and the fresh oranges waiting eagerly to be picked. There was a small pond too, and birds rested by it's side, picking small insects out. Seto could clearly see his house from where he hid from his dad.
They were all playing tag... Well, technically his mom was sitting out because Seto's father didn't want her straining her body.
So, he and his father were playing hide-and-seek. He was winning, of course. Another fact. He was competitive as ever. He will not give up without a long, hard fight. His mom and dad love him for that. Like everything else they loved him for.
"Boo," Seto squealed in surprise when he felt his body being grabbed and pulled away from the safety of the lilac bush. "Seto," his father poked him in the stomach, sending a ticklish feeling through his tiny body. "Want a sandwich?"
Seto nodded and ran up to his mommy while his daddy went to make sandwiches. His mother engulfed him in a light embrace, and he returned it happily.
"Mommy..." he asked shyly, playing with his thumbs. "Are you going to be alright? I mean a weak ago you were in the doctor's office, and you came home, and you were still in pain, and you-"
He got cut off by a tighter hug, and a light feathery voice being whispered into ear. "I'll be alright Seto. Remember I made a promise to you. I'll never leave you alone.."
She grabbed something that was tucked lightly into her shirt and pulled it out. It was the locket he got her. His mother opened it, and inside was a picture of his mom, dad, and him. The other side of the locket was blank.
Seto asked his mom, in a confused voice, "Why is the other side blank?"
"That will be the side you new baby brothers picture will go." she laughed gently. "Keep your little brother safe, alright?"
"Of course mommy. Why do you ask?" he stared deep into his mother aqua eyes.
"No reason." she grinned while looking past him. He looked behind him as well, and saw his dad coming with a tray of sandwiches.
His dad came over and sat down in the perfectly green grass, also setting the tray down. "Eat up, Seto. Before the bugs do."
Seto let out a slight chuckle before grabbing a sandwich off the tray. They all ate in silence for a while before his mother broke that silence.
"July 7th or July 13th."
Seto's head snapped up in confusion, and it was evident in his facial features. "What was that?"
"July 7th or July 13th. Those are the days that your brother is expected to born on."
He put it together. "So in, 7 or 12 days!" Seto giggled, reaching over his food and poking her belly lightly. "That's probably why your tummy is so big."
His mother and father shared a hug with him, while laughing.
o-O-o
July 6, 1996
Domino City, 12:59
Tea was another thing Seto loved. It was really an accident.
The babysitter, gave him tea and he loved it. A side effect of it, was that he was bouncing off the walls from the caffeine. Literally. The babysitter still hasn't stopped apologizing for it, even after his mother and father laughed it off gently and forgiven her.
Anyways. Green tea, fresh squeezed lemon, china cup, brown sugar instead of white.
Seto's proffered drink. And it got more perfect when his family was sitting with him, telling jokes, sharing memories, and spending time together.
Absolutely perfect.
"So Seto," his father said grinning. "You excited?"
"About what?"
"Tomorrow."
He racked his brain to figure out what was tomorrow.
July 7th...
Oh...
Oh.
"The day the baby is supposed to be born." Seto smiled after he clued in.
His mother nodded. "Don't expect it though, it's an estimate, not a fact."
"I know."
"Good. Who do you think he'll look like?" His father asked him, sipping at his own coffee.
"What do you mean?" Seto asked.
"Well," His mother pointed to herself. "You have my hair. It's brown, but you have your father's eyes and skin."
Seto smiled to himself, inwardly, remembering when he thought the same question nine months back. "I don't know. But I hope he gets mommy's eyes."
His dad pretended to be offended. "Hey!"
Seto's mother laughed and so did he.
Tomorrow was the day...
July 7th...
The baby would be born.
They'd have another addition to their family.
Seto would have a baby brother to protect and love.
They would be a happy family.
The surprise tomorrow was not happy.
But sitting drinking tea, laughing together, telling corny jokes, cheering about what could come tomorrow, Seto didn't realize that this would be the last time spending time with his mother. Last time hearing her laugh, seeing her face. The very last time he would gaze into her eyes that held so much in them.
Because tomorrow they'd be one family member short.
And he didn't know.
"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
-Abraham Lincoln
A/N: Alright, thanks for reading peeps! I'm really excited about this, and hope you'll read my fic again! I am new to this, so sorry if characters were out of place. I have written other fanfiction's, just none for Yu-Gi-Oh! so I'm trying to get used to how everything works!
I also did my best with times. Apparently the first Duel Monsters game was made in 1998, but Konami kept it under their direction, until 2009. I choose 2008, though, subtracted 18 years from that, then added five, adding up to 1995, which going by this time, would mean Seto is five, and Mokuba will be born in that year.
The setting I guess is a bit of a mix between the Japanese version anime and the English, but the timeline is the same, just some details about their past will be mixed together a bit. I should be updating weekly now.
I'd pay attention to the times and dates I put before every scene too, because time will move around.
And finally, the name I mentioned, Kaiyo, means forgiveness in Japanese.