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"Yugi is the king of games…" Kaiba breathed, in awe of the young duelist's skills. He had managed to take down the pharaoh's God Card all on his own. Seto Kaiba had never seen anything like this.

As the duel continued, the hot light of respect for Yugi grew brighter and heavier in the CEO's proud chest. When the boy finally won, Kaiba knew he was witnessing the master's work. He would die before admitting it, but he was highly impressed— he wasn't even jealous.

But his awe became confusion as Yugi sank to the ground in sorrow, tears falling heavily as Atem tried to comfort his woes.

Although his feat over the pharaoh had been amazing, it was not what he had wanted. He was losing his best friend.

They watched the Pharaoh Atem leave their world for good. Everyone felt trapped in a thick depression—but not for long. The building shook with intense rage and the group had to run for their lives.

They just made it outside before the door was closed off by stones. Despite the uproar behind them, everyone remained silent, not knowing what to do after Atem's departure.

They all just stood there, mesmerized by what had happened, saddened and tired. Their struggle was over, but had they really wanted it to end?

After a while, Mokuba tugged on Kaiba's jacket, "Seto, maybe we should go home now…"

He sighed and nodded, just now noticing how odd it was for him to spend more than five minutes with these people. He had gotten caught up in the emotion somehow, unable to break the trance with his usual pessimism.

The rest of the group stirred at Mokuba's comment, finally breaking up the somber silence.

"I guess we should find a hotel…" Tèa said, her voice slightly choked with tears.

"Yeah, let's go… Come on Yugi," Joey said, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder to snap him out of his thoughts.

Kaiba looked at Yugi and found himself phased by his appearance. His eyes were glued to the ground, still glistening with fresh tears that would not fall. A sudden pain ran through Kaiba's chest, and he realized with alarm he was feeling sympathetic for Yugi. Normally he wouldn't care. He would see it as frivolous emotion from his childish rival. But that duel had changed all his feelings towards Yugi. He saw him as an equal, maybe even an acquaintance.

"Come on, Seto," said Mokuba, turning towards the jet Kaiba had sent for earlier that day.

Yugi and his friends began heading in the other direction, and Kaiba took another glance at Yugi's slumped shoulders limping away from him.

"Hey," he called to the group, avoiding eye-contact when they faced him, "Get on the plane," he commanded, mercifully.

"You mean it?" Yugi looked up and presented a genuine smile through his sadness—Kaiba winced at the heart-warming expression.

"Yeah… Now hurry up before I change my mind," his own kindness seemed to be killing him.

"Thank you, Kaiba," said Yugi, his cheerfulness more forced than usual, but still just as endearing.

"Don't mention it," he grumbled as the group moved past him to the plane.

Kaiba looked out the window of the cockpit at the dark, cloudy sky. They would be home soon, but everyone worth talking to among the flight crew had fallen asleep or was still busy flying and calculating. The group of friends were in the room behind him, most likely snoozing as well.

Annoying emotional thoughts would not allow the young business man any sleep. He had one thing on the mind, but that one topic was taking all his patience.

He had to do something or he was just going to get angry. As grumpy as he often was, he hated himself when he was truly upset. He could hardly stand seeing people, especially Mokuba, look at him with fear. Seto Kaiba would not open up to anyone… but that didn't mean he wanted to be hated.

He sighed and finally left his seat. He walked soundlessly to the door behind him and gazed cautiously into the narrow room at the snoozing passengers. He was about to leave, disappointed, when he noticed a bright pair of eyes peering at him from the dark corner—Yugi was still awake.

He spoke up when they made eye-contact, "Hey, Kaiba."

Seto did not answer, but moved into the seat across from the boy, not smiling, but not exactly sneering like he normally would.

"We'll be back in about an hour," he said quietly, still hiding behind his impassive façade.

"Good to know…"

To avoid an awkward silence, Kaiba quickly asked, "You're not tired?"

"Not really… I feel kind of strange without the pharaoh's presence…" Kaiba looked confused, so he added in explanation, "I'm not used to being the only one in my head… It's very quiet in here." He listlessly placed a hand on his forehead.

Kaiba shook his head, "I see… So there really were two of you… This whole time…"

"Yep…" Yugi was beginning to feel weird about talking to Kaiba of all people. The CEO had never really paid much attention to him before.

"I would accuse you of cheating," he said warningly, "but it's obvious I still would have lost if it were just you."

Yugi looked up at Kaiba in surprise. That was almost a compliment. His expression was still stern, but his words were actually respectful towards someone other than himself. His hands were folded, but his fingers twitched nervously awaiting Yugi's response.

"You really believe that?"

Kaiba sighed and smirked a little in emotional defeat, "You beat all of the Egyptian God Cards—Something I could never do. You're an amazing duelist, Yugi. I look forward to battling you again."

"Wow, thank you, Kaiba…" he looked down, a bit ashamed, "But I'm not sure I want to duel much after all this…"

"Why not?" his face fell in disappointment.

"I don't really feel like myself without Atem…" he seemed embarrassed to admit it.

"Oh…" Kaiba now felt guilty and awkward. He had finally come out of his shell a bit and somehow managed made the mood even worse.

"But… I'll try," he hated to make the rare smile leave Kaiba's face.

"You can do it. If I've learned anything, it's that the best way to do things is on your own. Other people will just get in the way," although he was still being rather open, his face had grown stoney.

"Yeah, but… You don't have to do everything on your own…"

"No. But I do."

"Don't you get lonely?"

Kaiba thought a moment. It was amazing how different he and Yugi were. Kaiba was never one to rely on others, while Yugi's entire being was based on the support of his friends. But Seto wasn't always alone. He had Mokuba.

"I may not have a friend living with me in my own mind…" he smiled a bit, "but I always have family."

"Mokuba…" Kaiba nodded in confirmation, "I guess you're right. I still have my friends and Grandpa if I get lonely…" He wondered if Kaiba would ever be his friend. The way they were talking, it seemed almost promising.

Neither spoke again the rest of the way home.