When The Angels Cry

Chapter 01:

Where Does It All Go?

The snow gently fell in a rhythmic acclaim. The sweet smell of fireplaces and steaming pies filled the air both indoors and out. Winter was one of the most beautiful seasons to behold when it covered the dry grass with soft powder. Kaiba sat back and read a book slightly disappointed that the 'gentle snow' was currently barring him from leaving the Kaiba estate.

On top of this, Mokuba was at a certain game shop waiting out the winter storm and icy roads. So for the time being he was alone without his work or without his dear brother to keep him entertained. Kaiba sighed, placing his book on the coffee table. "I understand now what Mokuba meant when he said I had no life. How can it be I have nothing to do?" So perhaps his life really did revolve around his work as everyone said. But surely he had something to do besides sit there in the empty house reading a book he's already read several times. Right?

But to his dismay and growing irritation he couldn't think of anything to occupy his mind. He sighed once more before heading up the stairway. He tried to fulfill Mokuba's request but it just couldn't be done. There's nothing else he could do other than work at home. "While I'm stuck over here, you should kick back and relax. That means no working… Seriously Seto, you need to take advantage of the situation you know."

Kaiba smirked. He attempted watching television but disliked greatly the barrage of reality TV shows that seemed to air on every channel imaginable besides the infomercials. He already read two of his favorite books, took a nap and even sorted through his duel monster cards that were locked safely away in a vault. There was nothing else left to do but work.

Jounouchi shivered and rubbed his hands together. "That's the last of the firewood. You should've stocked up Gramps." The blond joked as he headed into the small kitchen.

The old man glared and shook his head; "It'd be enough if you weren't sucking up the warmth of the fire. Keep up the annoying comments and I'll throw you outside young man."

The immature teenager laughed lightly. "Now there's the old Gramps I remember." He poured himself a cup of hot cocoa and added a mess of marshmallows.

Yugi groaned lightly, "Jounouchi would you quit pickin' on my Grandpa? Come on, I think Mokuba wants to duel you." He chimed.

The blond widened his eyes, "Does Mokuba even have a deck? I thought Kaiba was the only one wit' one."

The raven-haired child greeted them at the top of the stairs. "Of course I have a deck Jounouchi. Seto taught me everything about the game and I can beat you down easy." He taunted with an ever too familiar smirk.

The blond grinned darkly, "I ain't gonna lose to another Kaiba, kid. You better have your dueling strategy ready for me."

Kaiba shook his head and added up the numbers for the latest cut in taxes and incomes for the many employees and assets of his glorious company. Now that his mind was focused on something other than the sad details of his boring personal life, things and time were moving along shortly.

But as he busily typed away and calculated the critiques and reports, the outside storm continued to rage on. Instead of subsiding, as the weather reports and newscasters predicted, it was starting to pick up and grow stronger. Kaiba could hear the howling winds blowing outside his office window and he didn't need a TV to notice the change in weather. His eyes narrowed deeply, unfortunately there was no way of contacting his brother at the time since the winds blew any reception clear out of the sky- and Yugi's telephone wasn't working at the moment.

He hated not being able to reach his brother, not being able to check up on him. It was unsettling- though he knew the others would never place him in harm's way- still, the feeling of not knowing his exact status in this heavy storm was unbearable.

He turned back around and continued his work. Of course he was overreacting as always. He was definitely controlling when it came to his brother, he couldn't help it. In fact at the moment the younger Kaiba was probably having the time of his life with his poor choice of friends.

Kaiba rolled his eyes. Okay, maybe they weren't such a poor choice, friend-wise. They were trustworthy and very nice to Mokuba even he had to admit. Still, "There the most annoying group of people I have ever come to meet in my life." And that belief held merit and strong proof in his mind every time one dared utter something to him.

His mind was shifting again. He stared down at the files on his desk and nodded. He shouldn't be thinking such immature things and should just concentrate on his work.

"I didn't mean to brag and taunt you so much. I guess some things come so naturally, maybe it is in our blood to be zealous and a little cocky." He smiled and laughed nervously. "But I did win and you did lose. I told you Jounouchi, Seto taught me everything about the game and the strategies and how to just about beat everyone. The only one in this house that I can't beat would be Yugi." He admitted.

The blond smiled, "Well you inherited Kaiba's smarts but definitely not his attitude. You're really good at this Mokuba. I'm surprised you don't duel more often."

"Yeah, why don't you?" Honda asked sitting down and passing cups of hot cocoa to them.

Mokuba shrugged, "I don't really have people to play with. You know, I have a lot of things going on and the kids at my school don't really like playing cards with me." He answered with a less than chipper tone. "But it's okay. I actually do play a lot against Seto at home. He says that I'm really good too and that he's impressed with how much I've learned." This time his voice was filled with tremendous excitement. Obviously such strong praise from his brother was well accepted.

"That reminds me, whatdo you think your brother is doing now?" Anzu asked.

Hazel eyes dared to laugh at the question, "By now I'm sure he's working on something related to the company."

"Man your brother is one workaholic."

Mokuba laughed. "He tries to stop but it's really the only thing he's got besides me. What else can he possibly do?" There was a small pause as the words left an awkward emotion in the room. "But he's the greatest brother one could have and the smartest person in the world."

Jounouchi nodded in the negative, "Hate to disappoint ya but I'm the greatest brother in the world."
"But not the smartest." Honda cut in, and was hit in the head in reply.

Mokuba chuckled some more. "You guys are crazy. I suppose one thing my brother said about you is true." He interjected before the two started going at it.

"Heh, yeah I can imagine some of the other things he says 'bout us." Jounouchi muttered.

"Oh he's not that bad." Mokuba defended lightly. The group continued to shoot cheap jabs and hysterics at one another throughout the storm; laughter, sweet innocent laughter countered its blistering winds and harsh intensity.

Mokuba's infectious laughter always made things brighter and better than before. So… 'Why did such innocence have to fade away?'

Kaiba sat up in his bed, panting and sweating as his gaze found the frost-covered window. The wintry wonderland still resided outside, tainted with the blood and broken memories. His head was pounding once more but like the hollowness inside he grew to accept and dwell in it.

Don't say a word to me.

I can read the tears on your face.

All the happiness and love

Has fallen from Grace.