Disclaimer: This one is for the entire story: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh and the characters that go with it.

Warnings: Feeling-like-a-failure Kaiba, bad grammar and spelling (maybe?), weird plot (not kidding), death and angst. Yes, I said angst. Feel emo.

Note: This is my try at something with more plot. In my other multi-chap story, it focused more on romance, so I wanted to try something new without getting away from character insights, developments etc. So, to put it shortly, this will be a weird story. I personally haven't seen one like it before in the YGO fandom, but I apologize if anyone thinks I've stolen their idea or whatever. I haven't. I figured this out all by myself :P Also, this chapter is sort of like a prologue. In this first chapter, you won't know the "when" and "why". That'll show later. For now it focuses on the "what" and the feelings. Enjoy.

And yes, I know. The summary is weird and sucks. But it really does say a lot. Though I think it's too cryptic, so I'll preferably change it when and if I think of something better.

Also, raison d'être, as is the title, means to the unfamiliar eyes: "reason for being" or "reason for existing". Take your pick.

Raison d'être
Chapter 1

by Growing Pain

His blue eyes glared with an intensity rarely used. The wind carelessly played with his hair, trying to destroy the image of perfection and composure he often held. But as it weakened, the brown strands of hair fell in their original place once more, unaffected by the disturbance. The brunet cared little of this, jaw clenched, resentment clearly emitting from his eyes, locking onto one man in particular.

"You tricked me." Kaiba stated, a hint of anger in his tone, even though it was effortlessly covered up by cold professionalism. Soon an arrogant smirk came onto his lips, contradicting his inner distress, and he felt his little brother hold onto his hand even tighter as if not putting faith into the beguiling smirk. "But I trust it that you know, I never let such things happen twice." he informed with a cold face, one of his hands clenching the hold of his briefcase to distract his inner rage. His posture was as tall and calm as always, and his face did not betray him. This was no proper time to show he was actually…at unease. He knew well of life's facades and which times they were necessary to obtain and use.

The man in front of him smirked nonchalantly, various of his subordinates surrounding both the brunet, his younger brother and that man himself.

"I don't intend it to happen twice, Mr Kaiba. This time is enough." he informed politely, his dull brown eyes hiding behind a pair of glasses. Blue eyes grew even angrier, if possible. He was not one to be made a victim.

"Let us go, and I will not punish you as severely as I want to." Kaiba ordered, his eyes narrowed, but trying to remain calm. His words were only met by a ominous chuckle from the man in front of him, shoulders shaking slightly due to it.

"I'm afraid that's not possible." the middle-aged man declared, a serious expression on him now. "You see, there are things I wish to accomplish with this. Letting the two of you go is not on that list."

Had all the other people around him not been armed and aiming their guns at him, Kaiba would've left a long time ago, fighting his way out if necessary. But he had not only his own life to consider, but his little brother's as well. It complicated things, and he failed to group his scattered thoughts into coherent tactics.

"You jerk! You won't get away with this!" Mokuba spat out, glaring fiercely at the man they had both thought had brought them there to seek business. After all, he was a growing name in their country. Despite being someone who studies human behaviour, they had predicated that they could make use of him due to this knowledge. After all, games needed to appeal. They had used those types of specialists numerous of times to see what was attractive on the market and what was not.

"You should teach your brother not to talk to superiors like that, Kaiba. It's very disrespectful." the man told, looking very at ease despite the situation being anything but. His hands were in the pockets of his suit as if to prove a point that he could relax in a time whereas the tall CEO couldn't afford to. Seto glared without restrictions, taking in the appearance of his newfound nemesis. Contrary to the man's clothing, which looked quite expensive, his hair looked dull and thin, and his teeth were yellow. Obviously he cared not so much for his looks. He must not have heard of the true sentence that image was everything to the public eye. But as his own eyes refused to let go, his mind did, returning to the discussion present.

"I taught him not to show respect to those with less common sense than he. So far, he obeys that quite perfectly." Seto stated proudly, smirking.

"Hm. Never the one to cower in fear. Which is why you'll do quite perfectly." the man mused, a small smile on his face that told of all the secrets and answers he could not decipher. Though there was nothing with him that gave the impression of a nice person. Nothing could redeem him now after doing this to him. Humiliating him by overpowering him. While he was with his brother as well!

"Enough of this small-talk! Name your price. You're obviously here for something." Kaiba declared in an irritated voice, wanting this over and done with so he could extract his revenge.

"Ah, yes. But I'm afraid you won't quite agree to it."

"What a shock." the brunet commented dryly.

"With time however, you will." the black-haired man revealed.

"Stop speaking in riddles, old man!"

"Straight to business, are we? Well then…" he said, pausing for effect. His brown eyes turned cold, as did his voice. "Give me the boy." he ordered, reaching out his arm as if to take Mokuba with it. Like the CEO would let his brother go just like that, to be held captive within his grasp.

"Never!" Kaiba defied without even considering other options. For there were no other options in his mind. Giving up his brother was ludicrous.

"Having you resist is expected. But, like I said, give me the boy. Or I'll shoot you." he easily told, his free hands gesturing to the armed group around them. But Kaiba was not one to be so easily defeated.

"Hmpf, think again. If you want something from me, you'd only be a fool to have me killed." Kaiba declared, his body standing protectively in front of his brother despite the fact that it really didn't provide genuine safety since they were surrounded. He could only curse himself for bringing him. He had wanted Mokuba to take an active part in their mutual company, being with him when making contracts and business arrangements. But with afterthought, he could have waited at least a year more. There was no reason to have rushed the process of bringing Mokuba in more and more into this deceitful world.

It was all his fault, and he knew there was no way to deny it. That was why this failure stung so intensely.

"Well, I can have him killed then. It doesn't really matter to me." the raven-haired man declared carelessly, referring to Mokuba while waving his hand away as if it was nothing. For some reason that simply angered the CEO, that his brother was simply discarded like garbage, but he was desperate not to let his weaknesses show.

"I told you, I won't-"

"Seto, maybe I-" Mokuba who had previously kept quiet now began to speak, standing beside his older brother whilst letting go of his hand. Blue eyes narrowed, and he took a tight grip of Mokuba's shoulder, forcing him to stay put.

"I said no, Mokuba!" he hissed out, angry his brother dared to think different. And blue eyes glared into his brother's ones, scolding as time stood still for only a moment.

"But Seto, he wants to shoot you!" his brother pleaded, his eyes containing sadness. Kaiba's face smoothed, a reassuring smirk on his lips.

"He won't." he promised calmly, his voice containing promise that would never be betrayed. Somehow the worried look on his brother's face was not assuaged by it. The younger Kaiba opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off before he even had a chance to talk.

"You're right, Kaiba. I won't. I'll shoot your brother instead." the middle-aged man informed with a detached voice and face. "Now, could you please make a decision? Like you, I am a very busy man, Kaiba. I have very important things scheduled today." he declared, looking at his wristwatch casually as if to mock the brunet and his current situation.

"What a pity. For some reason, I really don't find myself caring." Seto insulted drawly. The man sighed heavily as if forced to do a regretful deed.

"I had hoped it wouldn't come to this." his enemy declared as if he actually truly meant it. The raven-haired man's hand then raised above his head, and he did a hand signal. On cue, all the men surrounding them aimed at the younger Kaiba, clicks being heard from each of them in an ominous way to foretell the disaster they could bring. Instantly Mokuba's eyes widened, as did Seto's. Trying to stand in front of his smaller form did no good, the armed men were everywhere. Like insects. Endless, never-ending, and irritating. The man, as he had previously known as Mr Satou, though he firmly believed it was merely a fake identity to hide his true one in case anyone wanted to trace him after this encounter, proceeded to do a count down with his fingers. He knew why and what for.

And he found himself scared.

Rarely, if ever, had he felt this helpless and frightened, now knowing he held little control of his own destiny. It rested in someone else's greedy palms now, and he had little comprehension how to take it back.

Helpless. Worthless. But he would not settle being a victim.

"Wait!" Seto objected, causing the so-called Mr Satou to stop, his fingers currently counted down to three. "Just tell me what the hell you want!" Kaiba ordered harshly, his glare permanently etched on his pale face as desperation wavered in his voice.

"What I want right now, is for your brother to come here." Satou declared, no ounce of neither anger nor sick pleasure on his face. It was cold. Perhaps he was a real businessman under that deceitful cover.

Blue eyes stared helplessly, both of his fists clenched. He couldn't give his brother up like this! It could be dangerous! That scumbag had already declared Mokuba's life didn't matter to him! There was no safety in allowing Mokuba to be brought into that man's clutches. But he had no reassurance his sibling would make it without a scratch from any other option either, his mind almost paralysed, empty with logic as if his brain had leaked it all out.

And so he felt weak, yet his outside showed nothing as it persistently refused to, only his hands and eyes giving away merely an ounce of the emotion hitting him inside.

There was nothing he could do… His briefcase may be able to take bullets, but the shooters circled around them. There was no way…

He had no weapon either. What could he possibly do?

Is this what he had come to? Being a failure to his brother? A failure as a brother? No…no, there had to be something else. Something he was missing. If he attacked the leader… Surely it was a risky move, but…

Though his mind boggled over what to do, tainted and flawed solutions brief in his mind whilst only one stood out clearer than the rest, there was a factor he had forgotten to bring into his calculations during this short period of time; his own brother. And so without any warning, he soon saw Mokuba running away from his side toward Satou, his long black hair almost flowing in the wind as to help Kaiba get a hold of him and bring him back. Blue eyes widened at the action his brother had proceeded to do, terror apparent as he had no time to shield it from his face, instincts taking over. Fruitlessly did he reach out his arm to catch, to get a grasp of his brother that failed to realize how utterly important it was for the brunet that he was to survive.

Nothing else mattered.

His fingertips could feel the fabric of shirt as he had leaped after, but as he tried to get a hold, Mokuba was free. It only took a second before two armed men held Mokuba's arms tightly so he couldn't move whilst another one stood behind the black-haired teenager, gun pointed right at Mokuba's unprotected head, daring the CEO to take one step further.

And Kaiba could only wish they'd been at a stalemate instead of this, anything but this. His body stood still, eerily frozen as he stared at his brother who's face looked apologetically at him, begging for forgiveness that was uncalled for. For Seto held no anger nor resentment to him. Only to himself for allowing everything to happen. For allowing this trap to work on him. Had he not lacked the intelligence, Mokuba would have never felt forced to run to that man. There was no denying it; if anything happened, it was Kaiba's fault. And there were certain things one can't take back.

When holding all the answers now, he knew he should have made a wider research on Satou. He should've never brought Mokuba here to this place of solitude that was ghostly free of humans. He should've armed himself even though he was not entitled to.

But he didn't. He hadn't. And now Mokuba had to pay. Why was it always so, that his sins washed over to Mokuba's unsullied hands instead of staying glued to his own tainted ones?

"I'm sorry, Seto." the croaked voice admitted as it escaped Mokuba's lips. The irony of it all. Those words weren't meant to fall out of his brother's mouth. No one's but his own. They did not belong to him, as Mokuba seemed to think. But realizing this was not the time to debate about such petty things, his hard eyes turned to the man that'd probably turn kidnapper any second now, glaring as he spat out the words with boldness as sincere as the seraph.

"You've got your way! Now release him! Let him go, and I give you my word I won't leave!" he demanded, blue eyes fierce. Satou only observed, drinking in the words and facial changes before correcting the position of his glasses and returning to the verbal world.

"No! Seto don't do this! Don't worry about me, just go!" Mokuba interrupted fiercely, worry plaguing his features. Satou spared him a calm glance before turning his eyes back to the brunet.

"Those arrangements can't be taken into action, I'm afraid." he told dismissively before turning his head to one of the nameless men, his hand making a gesture to come. Simultaneously the person came to bring him an item. A gun.

Nervous and blanched with fear, Kaiba could not think of any other way to prolong the inevitable other than with words. For if they were to attack, they most likely would shoot Mokuba, or threaten to. There was no other way.

"Quit the games!" the brunet instantly interrupted. "Just tell me what the hell you want!" Kaiba harshly inquired, fists clenched with knuckles lost of colour. As white as if he'd been deathly ill. Satou raised his dull eyes from the weapon and looked up at the CEO meters away from him while his rough fingers carefully trailed over the surface of the cool metal that was soon to be warmed up.

"You." he told in a too cryptic manner for the CEO to fully understand, leaving him perplexed and engrossed. Instantly the weapon was raised, surprisingly pointed right at the brunet instead of his brother. As his eyes widened in the realisation that he could not do much, the loud cry of the gun ringing in his ears mixing with the scream of his brother called out to him. Before he knew it, an odd stinging sensation started to slowly grow, from having sensed nothing to clearly discern pain in merely a few milliseconds. His jaw clenched, forcing himself not to appear weak, and thus having the startling agony being shown by a muffled cry. Instinctively his hand raised itself to his wounded area, his stomach, holding the area around it protectively.

He felt no blood.

"00:03:00 minutes, counting down." one of the armed men declared, eyes on a wristwatch in a professional tone.

A sudden wave of dizziness caused him to start to blink, his vision going blurry from time to time. Doubting if the world was merely spinning or if he was starting to lose balance, his logic, which started to betray him at the moment, guessed it was the latter. With unsteady feet did he search to find stability only to fall to his knees in disgrace. With his vision going from focused to unfocused, he started to grow a headache. Nevertheless, he tried to look at his stomach, his fingers feeling something not quite right there. With eyes that were growing unreliable did he observe the place in which he had been shot at for several seconds to fully process what he saw.

It appeared it was not a bullet, but something he for now lacked the common sense to understand. But a needle it surely contained, having penetrated through his pale skin into his body. With puzzled eyes did he raise his head, staring at Satou as he was with his knees dirtied on the ground.

"Seto!" Mokuba screamed yet again to gain his brother's attention whilst trying to run over to his wounded form. But he was unable to, two men holding his arms tightly despite his frantic tries to break free, thus preventing him from getting away. Overpowered, he could only watch albeit reluctant to it. Burning tears were quickly created, but none courageous enough to spill just yet.

"Mokuba…" Seto murmured almost incoherently to himself, trying to keep his vision steady.

"Don't worry, kid. I didn't really shoot your brother. It's just to make him sleep for a while." Satou told in a calm manner, eyes on the elder Kaiba however, more interested in the reactions he'd come up with.

"What…are you doing to me?" Seto asked, finding his voice to be more intact than his control over his limbs at least.

"02:00 minutes, counting down." the time-teller told, eyes glued onto his wrist still.

"Seto, Seto listen to me! You have to get away! Do it! I'll be alright! Just go!" Mokuba urged almost frantically, painfully ignored by both the man behind this scheme as well as the brunet, who only stared into his brother's eyes, slowly shaking his head in a definite no. Satou continued despite the interruption.

"Call it a calculated plan, if you wish. But I do think you'd rather call me evil. Whichever, the outcome will be for my benefit, and you're going to be my most useful pawn in a game greater than you could have ever imagined." Satou told while pride dripped from every word as if it was as sweet as was syrup. And the words fell down to Kaiba, making him sticky and uncomfortable, wishing he'd never came near them.

"You're sick!" Mokuba spat accusingly as he was even more determined to get loose whilst trying to kick his captors to enable this goal. It was all in vain.

"You're not fit to make that judgement. You don't know the purpose of this." Satou told with detachment in his voice. Meanwhile Kaiba continued to unpleasantly drift between awarenesses, his breathing controlled as he tried to get up. A futile attempt. Pathetically did he fall down as he tried, humiliation clear in his mind, shining brightly to remind him of his failure even more.

Faintly did he hear his brother's voice, urging for the freedom of the CEO, but he paid little attention, concentration on his body's weaknesses at the moment in order to understand and perhaps overcome them. He could faintly see two approaching feet, and his muscles tensed despite whatever it was that had been injected into him tried to disable him from any of that.

Satou crouched down, looking at Kaiba with eyes that told nothing, staring as if to find something important. Kaiba tried to gather strength to hit him, but once he had, Satou had gotten up and moved away. Yet so teasingly close. Desperately he still tried to get a hold of him, reaching but not grasping. So it was clear to him. He was of no use anymore, too handicapped to do anything constructive.

"We must do this quickly. He'll lose consciousness soon." Satou informed his subordinates, and some nodded in response. Instantly did the two captors holding Mokuba lead the younger Kaiba forward, stopping so that they stood perfectly in front of the fallen Kaiba while being meters away, as if he had to get a clear view of what was to happen. Casually did Satou grab a gun handed to him, the tip quickly pointed at Mokuba's forehead once he held it. His gaze lingered on Seto however, who despite himself tried to get up, his heartbeat rapidly increasing its activity. Fear was what he tasted while trying to breathe strength in calmed breaths. He had to interfere. Had to stop this madness.

"01:00 minutes, counting down." the same anonymous person alerted, detached from the scenario at hand.

Strangely enough for reasons he didn't dare to question, he managed to tower, and with staggering feet he tried to walk over. Satou smirked as he watched almost proudly.

"You want to be strong, don't you, Kaiba?" Satou asked, his face sickly calm. His voice was so smooth, not croaking at all. No regret filling him, accepting these sins so easily. The CEO's determination grew, staggering one step at a time, refusing to let go of his soon-to-be victim with his eyes.

"It's important to me that you become just that. I won't succeed with this otherwise." the middle-aged man informed, correcting the position of his glasses once more. Menacingly close now, Kaiba attempted to overpower the other by any means necessary, not paying his words any attention.

He knew not why the man allowed him to move so freely, why he smirked so satisfied at him, and why he waited so patiently. But it mattered not, for it took too much brain-power to think of such things as he was struggling with the sedation. And finally, close at last, his arms raised with a victorious feeling accompanying the action made.

"00:30 minutes, counting down."

But just as he was about to strangle the other man he found his arms being abruptly restricted and he was forced down to the ground, not aware of how many people there currently were behind him. In this condition, it may only be one. In accordance to this happening, he could hear Mokuba yell his name. And so he tried to break free, which seemed to satisfy the middle-aged man, a fascinated smirk on his lips still.

"Do you know when a man becomes truly strong, Kaiba? Aside from when our own lives are at stake, of course." he asked, interest in his own voice showing this was a subject that fascinated him. Kaiba glared, his arms trying to pull away from the ones holding them. As always, it was futile.

"There are only in two situations it can happen, I have decided." he informed generously, glad to expand his thesis. "The first one is when a man has to protect something so utterly important to him that it must be his reason for existence. His raison d'être, so to speak." he told with a knowing smirk. "I'm sure you agree with that one, Kaiba. It's what makes you unable to fall asleep now. Man can pull themselves through great things when faced with the possible loss of their raison d'être." he tried to calmly inform, but his excitement shone through despite that. "Because without it, they'd have no reason to continue on. It's as natural as survival instincts. Actually, it is survival instincts in a way."

"Let…Mokuba…go." Seto demanded whilst growing fatigue, his eyelids having a hard time staying open. There were no longer inner debates inside him; all was empty in the vast land that was his mind. Aside from one shining thought that was repeated time after time so as to not ever forget.

Save Mokuba.

"Countdown finished." the male voice told, and the eyes of the ambushers all turned to the CEO, waiting to see if anything would come to happen. If he would stay awake or not.

He could faintly feel how his limbs grew so weak his fingers could barely move. Or maybe they couldn't already, he did not know. And despite his pleading, the middle-aged man continued on with his words that mattered little, forcing him to wallow in darkness, unaware of the outcome his brother would suffer through.

"Then, there's the other scenario." Satou began, an ominous smirk on his lips that Kaiba could hardly see, looking around to try and find a way out of this predicament and save his brother.

"You see, it's only when man has nothing to care for that he can handle life without fear." he informed, finger still over the trigger, the tip of the gun still pointed at his brother, and his brother still being captivated yet trying to struggle. "Fear is what gets in the way in our lives. Fear of not succeeding, fear of being unable to accomplish greater things, fear of losing what we have." he ranted, his tone growing more excited by each word as he was enraptured by his own logic.

"Let…Mokuba…" Kaiba proceeded to try once again, but Satou interrupted, uninterested in his final wish before god knows what would happen to him.

"But once the reason to live is gone, there is nothing stopping man now. Because they still have to live. They'll be so easy to manipulate and control if you just know the right buttons to push." Satou explained, but Kaiba paid no attention, eyes on his brother, blue eyes glazed over as he tried to find redemption within himself.

He couldn't.

And the tears that had gathered in Mokuba's eyes started to fall, rolling down his cheeks, proof of just how much he had been unable to be the victor of this unfortunate meeting.

"Mokuba…" Seto murmured, his left hand twitching slightly, wanting to reach out. Simultaneously Mokuba's hand did the same, wanting to stretch out his arm to the brunet, but failing to. The tears increased, a shimmering light slowly moving down his brother's face for his blurry sight to see.

"Seto! Stay awake! Please, big brother…! You have to get away!" he urged even though it was the impossible he was asking for, his young eyes now red. Kaiba felt like snorting, but couldn't remember how to.

"Mokuba, I…" Seto started without success, slipping in his conscious, unable to formulate what it was he had tried to say.

"Sir, he's beginning to lose conscious. If you want him to remember -" one of the many nameless men surrounding them told almost worriedly. Satou disrupted him however.

"Don't interrupt. He'll stay awake, I know he will." he said calmly as he smirked knowingly. His eyes then changed their destination and turned his gaze to Mokuba. "But I guess it can't be prolonged anymore." he told, staring into the scared eyes of the teenager, the tip of the trigger no longer directed at the forehead of his brother, but the chest instead.

"No…!" Kaiba urged, muscles tensing to be able to function once again. And despite his two arms being firmly held, he forced himself up, albeit weakly, only to the amusement of Satou and worry of his brother. He could not give up. He couldn't. Yet his arms were held as prisoners in the nameless man's hands, and he could not overpower him.

"The fact that you are still struggling is amazing, Kaiba." Satou praised with awe.

But life was unfair as well as a tragedy, and his life was no exception. The harsh sound of a single bullet escaping deafened his ears as he stared with widened eyes at his brother. Trying to leap forward, he was unable to become the shield he wished to be, held back forcefully. And suddenly he could only see the wound, could only see the blood that slowly started to increase, soaking his brother's shirt from where he had been hit. Paralysed he stood, his body shaking as the carcass of his brother fell down to the ground helplessly, finally released from the holds of his captors.

"Mokuba!" he cried out in an almost perfect voice, bidding the formerly alive body on the ground to move just a little bit. If only the slightest. Any twitch would be enough. So it was with intensity he observed. But no one granted his wish, no one heard his inner pleads, and so the pool of blood only grew larger in a steady pace.

"The examples of your will and strength are impressive, Kaiba." Satou told, predisposed to whatever the brunet seemed to do, savouring the psychological discovery. But his voice faded away as Seto's eyes bore themselves to stay glued onto his brother, feebly hoping of a sign that Mokuba would be alive before he too lost awareness.

No such thing happened.

And his vision grew black as his body lost its will.

To Be Continued...

Words: 4834
Pretty normal amount of words, right? No one fell asleep I hope. Right? -looks uneasily at crowd-

Firstly, I'm aware pretty many are angry that Mokuba didn't last more than one chapter. Sorry. But it's all got a reason, I swear! And to the part of Kaiba suddenly getting all this strength when he was supposed to have fallen unconscious; well, it's not entire unknown that there have been happenings of people putting their body through great pain or other things for someone/something else. For example; a husband/father getting shot so severely, he should have been dead, but wasn't, because he wished to protect his family so he stayed alive to do so. Or in a disaster, where a grandmother (I think) refused to die despite injuries until she knew the rest of her family was safe. Etc etc. And Seto fits that category of people so darn well. If you don't agree, you may say so.

Anyhow, is anyone even interested so far? I know it's pretty weird, and Jounouchi hasn't even arrived yet (he will in the next chapter though, for those curious), so I wonder if you people reading it liked it or got a spark of interest? Did you, or didn't you? Is this even worth continuing?

If you find any faults, and I mean any, don't hold them in! I need to improve, so you'd only help. (And maybe one day, there won't be any faults! ...Or not. If one could only be so lucky.)

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I'm going away for the weekend, so please review so I have something to return to! (My persuasion skills suck, I know) Anyhow, if you will, please review and tell me your opinion whether this story is worthwhile or not.