'It feels like an eternity…'

Kaiba leaned back in his office chair and listened to the sound of rain outside his window. The city of Domino appeared before him underneath a bright orange sunset. A sigh escaped his lips as he reminisced what had happened almost two years ago.

He had done it, he was able to transcend time and see Atem. Kaiba could still remember the adrenaline that filled his being as he walked towards the Pharaoh's palace. But nothing compared to how he felt when he saw him in person. It felt as though time had stopped and Kaiba knew that it was worth it all.

Kaiba smiled wryly as he remembered how things went that day. It was not according to his original plan…

"Hello Kaiba" Atem smirked as he crossed his arms over his linen covered chest.

"Pharaoh." Kaiba replied curtly as his duel disk flashed.

Atem chuckled at the serious face Kaiba was making. It reminded him of his adventures with his friends of another time.

"I see you haven't changed much, Kaiba."

"That's were you're wrong Pharaoh. I've become much stronger!"

"Hm." Atem walked down the steps of his throne as he made his way to his rival. "I don't doubt it, but it seems that there is something else different about you..."

Finally relaxing his stance, Kaiba scoffed sarcastically, "I've gotten 3 inches taller if that's what you mean."

Blinking in surprise, Atem looked at Kaiba's face that was stoic as ever, but something in his eyes seemed more…?

"Did you just make a joke?"

"Heh, I'm always a sarcastic and heartless bastard that doesn't take anything to heart. Or so I've heard."

Atem couldn't help but chuckle, "Not always, but I don't think I've ever heard you joke about something other than the shortcomings of others…and mostly Joey."

"Hm, not as frequent. But when the opportunity comes who am I to pass it up?"

Atem couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Kaiba felt strange talking to the Pharaoh. They were rivals and it was his destiny to duel him and win! However this conversation was very out of character, but at the same time it felt comfortable. It almost felt as though he was seeing a friend after a long time apart…

Snapping out of his thoughts, Kaiba glared and got into his dueling stance.

"Enough small talk! I came here to duel you Pharaoh, and I plan to beat you once and for all!"

Expecting him to prepare for their duel, Kaiba was shocked to hear a heavy sigh escape his rival. Atem wore an exasperated expression as his head drooped sideways.

"Honestly, I don't feel like dueling you Kaiba."

"WHAT?"

Kaiba growled as he thought of all the things he went through to get here. And for what? To be turned down because he didn't 'feel' like it? Not a chance!

"COWARD! DUEL ME NOW PHAROAH!"

Atem shot Kaiba a glare that befitted a ruler of Egypt. With confidence and authority he strode up to face Kaiba eye to eye. Icy blue met burning violet.

"Listen here Kaiba." Atem spoke tersely, "You are in my world, in my palace, and in my kingdom. If I do not want to duel you, then it shall not be done. But let me explain why, because apparently it is lost on you!"

Kaiba met his gaze evenly, but inside his blood boiled.

"Kaiba, even as we speak you are fading away. Physically you will not last our battle, and I will not stand and watch this happen to you. I understand that you went through great lengths to come here, and for that I am grateful, but it is not worth dying for!"

"It is for me!" Kaiba snapped, "All I wanted was to duel you one last time and stop feeling like a failure! And if I die doing it, then so be it!"

"And what of Mokuba?"

It felt as though ice ran across his body. His baby brother's face flashed in his mind and a sense of guilt hit his gut. He didn't even say goodbye…

Atem's face softened at the conflict in Kaiba's eyes. "Kaiba, I know that you will be able to create something that will let you stay here safely, but don't rush things so recklessly. Mokuba needs you still, and you need to live your life."

The look in Kaiba's eyes switched between uneasiness and stubbornness. Atem sighed and looked at his throne.

"My life ended many years ago, but yours has barely begun." He turned back to face his rival, "Enjoy the time you have. Watch your brother grow, create amazing things for people, and dare I say it, maybe fall in love."

Kaiba scoffed but a smirk made its way to his lips, "As if I have time for a woman."

Atem grinned, "Prefer men do you?"

"No, and sorry but you're not my type."

A small moment passes as a comfortable silence is shared between them. Kaiba knew it was certain that if they duel now he won't make it back home. He chuckled but rolled his eyes.

"Did you talk my ear off on purpose to get me to leave?"

Atem just smiled and said, "It's just nice to talk to an old friend."

Seto Kaiba blinked as his cell phone interrupted his memories. Without looking at the caller I.D he pressed answer on the screen and held it to his ear.

"Kaiba."

"Se-TO!" Kaiba smirked when he heard his brother's voice crack. "Eh-ahem, just wanted to let you know I have the car pulled around."

"Thanks little brother. But are you ok? You sounded a little choked up…" He couldn't help but grin as Mokuba groaned in the receiver.

"You're so mean! I can't help it, these stupid hormones are making me sound so stupid."

"Hm. Just wait until you start liking someone romantically, then you'll act stupid too."

Mokuba huffed, "Laugh all you want, at least I'll get a girlfriend before you do!"

"You say that like it's a good thing."

"Just come get in the car, Seto."

Click

Picking up his briefcase and straightening out his suit, Kaiba walked out of his office and into the elevator. On the way down his thoughts traveled back to his meeting with the pharaoh.

They didn't duel and although it was a hard pill to swallow, seeing the relieved look on Mokuba's face made it easier. It was odd after that, the feeling of revenge was still there but it seemed to fade over time. Kaiba did work on the dimension pod most days but, little by little, the importance of it dwindled away.

He and Mokuba created many things the past two years and the company even won a few humanitarian awards. But what made it strange was the involvement of the Geek Squad. Yugi and Joey had somehow weaseled their way into his company.

'Ok, maybe weaseled isn't the right word…' Kaiba mused as he exited the elevator.

It was true that Yugi and Joey were involved with brainstorming and testing new ideas for the company, but it wasn't like Kaiba asked them to. It just kind of happened and Kaiba didn't care as much as he thought he would. They even formed some kind of weird acquaintanceship.

'I must be getting too soft…'

Kaiba walked out into the evening air and saw his brother waving from the window of the vehicle parked out front. Sliding into the limo, he was met with his sixteen-year-old brother. Mokuba's hair was still shoulder length and wild but he no longer stood even to Kaiba's stomach. Shooting up like a weed, he now stood at his big brother's shoulder and gained some handsome features.

"Ok big bro, are you ready for the party? Yugi said that we needed to be there early for the big surprise!"

"I suppose so, just as long as he doesn't try and make me play Pictionary like last time…"

'Way too soft…'

Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of 'Different'! I have more on the way but please let me know what you thought of it. Thanks for taking the time to read!