Author's Notes: I swore to myself that I would NEVER venture into the Yu Gi Oh fandom but I've decided to take a walk on the wild side. After reading so many Kaiba centric stories (whether it's only Seto or both brothers), I wanted to take a stab at writing a story about the Kaiba brothers. They don't get nearly as much love as they should. What love they do get is when everyone decides to pair them together or everyone decides they haven't suffered nearly enough and forces them through more heartache and grief. Anyway, this little ficlet is basically my thoughts on why Mokuba refuses to leave Seto. I know it's been done before (to death no less) but I wanted to put my own spin on that idea. I've seen and read way too many Kaiba brother stories that are filled to the brim with angst and tragedy. Not all stories pertaining to the Kaiba brothers have to be sad you know? As usual, italics will denote character thoughts and constructive criticisms are welcomed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything associated with Yu-Gi-Oh.

Warnings: This story hasn't been beta read so any glaring errors and/or mistakes are entirely my fault. Mokuba and Seto's personalities are based off of their anime counterparts because I never read the manga. Also, I admit I've taken a few liberties with Mokuba's personality but that will be explained in the following chapter. Seto gave me a bit of grief but I really did try to get inside his head.

Another boring day at school led to Mokuba being in a bad mood. He really did like learning but they could at least try to challenge him. After all, it wasn't his fault that he already knew most of the material they were trying to teach him. Having a prodigy for an older brother definitely had its perks.

Today, however, was one of those times where he wished his brother weren't a prodigy or the owner of one of the most popular gaming companies on the planet.

He was minding his business as he ate his lunch, when the other kids just had to go and remind him just how much of an outsider he was.

Earlier That Day

"Aww look! The Kaiba brat is eating lunch by himself again!" An older boy sneered while his friends stuck close to him.

Mokuba didn't answer him. He just continued eating his food.

"What? You're too good to answer people pipsqueak?!" He growled as he grabbed Mokuba by the shirt.

Still he ignored him. If it was one thing Seto always taught him, it was to be the bigger person. If you showed a person your weakness they would only take advantage of it. So just like his brother often told him, he refused to give in to Yusuke's taunts.

"Ah leave him alone Yusuke. It won't be any fun if he doesn't fight back." Another boy said while sighing dejectedly.

Yusuke glared at Mokuba for a few moments before a smile came to his face. He let go of Mokuba's shirt and then knocked him down to the ground. His lunch was already on the ground from earlier when Yusuke had grabbed him. But still, he wasn't about to get mad and make the situation worse.

Yusuke paid him no attention as he rummaged through Mokuba's book-sack. He was just about to give up hope when he ended up spotting a small metal object. Pulling it quickly out of the bag, his eyes lit up upon recognizing the item.

"Well well. Looks like someone's been holding out on us boys! Little Mokuba here has the latest pack of Duel Monsters!"

Mokuba just rolled his eyes as Yusuke and his friends gathered around him.

"And you weren't even going to share with us? Oh that's cold Mokuba!" The second boy named Hiro sniffed indignantly.

"Oh please. You idiots probably don't even play Duel Monsters let alone understand the rules. The only reason why you're bothering me is because you don't have anything better to do." Mokuba stated calmly.

He wasn't afraid of them. He was used to them because for the past six months they constantly sought him out. It didn't matter where he went or what he was doing. Yusuke and his gang would always find him.

Try as they liked, they could never make Mokuba scared or angry. The worst they'd ever done was when they had taken his book-sack which ended with him getting a detention. Not that it mattered though because once he told his teacher what happened, he was the one who had had the last laugh. He ended up not having to serve detention while Yusuke and the others got two weeks of detention.

"Oh ho! So now the twerp has a backbone!" Keisuke muttered as he shoved Mokuba.

Normally Mokuba wasn't the type to mouth off but today he really didn't want to be bothered by any of them. So for once, he threw all of his brother's words out the window. Yes, Mokuba Kaiba, younger sibling of Seto Kaiba, proved exactly why he wasn't one to be messed with.

Glaring at each of the boys, he sneered at them cruelly as he proceeded to tear each of them down with words. "Instead of torturing me, you should all be doing something constructive. For instance, Yusuke, it wouldn't hurt you to work on your social skills. God knows you'll need them if you ever expect to go anywhere in life. Hiro, instead of following Yusuke around like a little puppy you should be more concerned about pulling your grades up. You certainly can't afford to flunk the sixth grade again. And you Keisuke… Shouldn't you be studying for your "advanced" classes? Oh wait… I forgot! You got thrown out of them because you were caught cheating on the tests. Hmm, seems like someone's not as smart as their parents said they were!"

And just like that Mokuba had found himself sitting in the principal's office with a black eye, multiple bruises on his arms and legs and a split lip. He wasn't nearly as hurt as the others were though.

Granted, he might not have been big on fighting but that didn't mean he didn't know how to take care of himself. He'd been kidnapped often enough that Seto had taken it upon himself to show him how to defend himself. After all, it wouldn't look good for a Kaiba to be defenseless.

That's why when Seto came through the doors to pick him up; he couldn't help the grin that came to his face. He knew he wouldn't be in serious trouble. Sure, Seto might glare at him and lecture him about how "wrong" it was to get into fights but ultimately that would be the end of it.

Besides, once he told Seto what he did to the others, he was sure Seto might actually be amused and not disappointed with him.

Unfortunately for him, Seto hadn't said a word to him. He had merely told him to go wait in the limo while he talked to the principal. And for once in his life, Mokuba had actually been afraid of his brother.

Not in the physical sense but in the emotional sense. For the very first time in his short life, he hadn't been able to read Seto. From what he was able to pick up, he knew Seto was irritated but that was it. He hadn't been able to tell whether or not Seto was disappointed, angry or even annoyed.

Fervently, he prayed that it was annoyance or even anger. He could take just about anything except for Seto being disappointed in him.

As his mind kept repeating the endless thoughts and questions over and over, he didn't even realize Seto had gotten into the limousine until the vehicle had actually started moving. Every once in a while he would sneak glances at his brother but his brother hadn't even bothered to acknowledge him.

Twenty minutes later, both brothers were home and Mokuba all but fled to his room. Never mind the fact that he left his book-sack in the limo or the fact that Seto was frowning as he watched him run into the house.

Now it was nearing dinner time and he was very reluctant to come downstairs. Dread and mortification only went so far to describe his feelings. For one thing, he couldn't believe how he ran from Seto earlier. Secondly, he hadn't even bothered cleaning himself up.

All he had done was sit on his bed and think about his brother's actions and looks from earlier in the day. He was so lost in his thoughts that he actually forgot to lock his door. It was only when the door handle began to turn that he was able to snap out of it. His eyes grew wide and his body went stiff as desparation and fear began to take hold of him.

Please let it be anyone but Nii-sama. I swear I won't get into any more fights or mouth off to anyone for as long as I live! Just don't let it be Nii-sama!

It must have been an eternity before the door finally opened to reveal none other than Isono. Instantly, Mokuba let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding in as he fell backwards on his bed.

Isono closed the door behind him and walked towards the bed. For a moment, he said nothing as he stood by the bed. He was actually hoping that Mokuba would take the initiative to talk to him but that was clearly not going to happen.

Clearing his throat slightly, he spoke first. "Master Mokuba?"

Mokuba didn't even budge. He was still too happy that Seto hadn't been the one to come and get him for dinner.

"Sir if I might be so bold… Would you mind telling me what happened today?" Isono shifted uncomfortably as he waited for an answer.

In hindsight, he realized he should have talked to his brother first but he was still afraid of what Seto might tell him. More than anything, he wasn't ready to see that impending look of disgust on his brother's face.

Taking a deep breath, he launched into the full story about how he was being bullied by a couple of fifth and sixth graders, how he would try everything in his power to avoid them, how he was tired of putting on a brave front at school and how much he hated attending a private school.

Isono listened to everything Mokuba said with the patience of a saint. He had no idea the younger Kaiba was so miserable. During the past few months, he knew something had been bothering the boy but he never would have thought his troubles dealt with school.

Isono had always assumed that he was just lonely and wanted to spend some time with his brother. He had also assumed that because of his loneliness, he was trying to win over his "friends" by bringing his brother's latest inventions to school.

He hadn't been expecting the boy's next words though.

"I know Seto's busy and I know I tend to get in his way but I try really hard not to be a bother to him. That's why I haven't told him about my problems at school. I figured if I tried to act like him and shut everyone away then maybe everything would work out…" He trailed off, closing his eyes in defeat.

"Master Mokuba, you and your brother are two completely different people. How he acts towards other people doesn't suit you. Regardless of what happens in your life, you should never resort to acting like someone else."

Mokuba sighed softly before opening his eyes. "That's easier said than done. I was happier at my old school. At least there I had real friends. They didn't care about Duel Monsters or the fact that my brother was famous. Sometimes I just wish I was a normal kid…"

Isono was speechless. Opening and closing his mouth several times, he tried to think of something comforting to say but he could come up with nothing. When he finally did manage to find his voice, all he could say was, "Perhaps it's time you told your brother what you've told me. No matter how you feel about doing so, he deserves to know what's going on in your life Master Mokuba."

With that being said, Isono left the room quietly. He sincerely hoped his words managed to get through to him.