Chapter 1: A New Beginning


Despite being a child prodigy and a billionaire in charge of a multi-million dollar company, the all-mighty and temperamental Seto Kaiba was still a human being filled with emotions. And although he chose to be alone and was firm in his belief that everyone is destined to be alone, he subconsciously had feelings of loneliness that he stubbornly choose to deny. A thirst for companionship. A feeling for a meaningful connection with another human being that went unfulfilled for most of his life. As if he was standing in the middle of a city with people rushing by, feeling like he wasn't even remotely connected to any of them. His pride and ego was at the forefront to all of those vulnerabilities, yet they only became evident when he met Mokuba's girlfriend for the very first time two years ago.

Seto tried to be understanding upon Mokuba's request to be so. He really did. But his heart couldn't help the betrayal and rejection he had felt when Mokuba called the woman 'his best friend' and 'the love of his life'. He thought he already was those things to Mokuba. He thought he already fulfilled both of those roles, yet this woman barging into their lives and claiming his spot was ruining everything. It made his blood boil. As if he was being replaced. That this woman had stolen his little brother away from him.

The CEO eventually developed discontentment towards Mokuba's girlfriend. He retaliated by shunning her during family outings and found her incredibly irritating when she tried to get on his good side. No matter how many times she tried bringing cake. Or tried including him in conversations. Or talking to him, let alone apologizing. It didn't phase Seto at all. He didn't care.

He resented her.

This quiet pattern of behaviour went on for months, with Mokuba continued being blissfully unaware of the situation until his girlfriend brought it up with him one night. The young Kaiba then confronted Seto about it, which resulted in a big family drama that resulted in the Kaiba brothers not speaking to each other for weeks.

It took much thought and reflection - a lengthy inner battle with himself - for Seto to finally realize that his way of thinking wasn't like him. It was immature and wrong. Mokuba was a grown adult and his own person, with his own life, hopes, and dreams and he had to respect that.

But it wasn't going to be easy. And he knew he had to stop acting as Mokuba's father, because at the end of the day, as much as he took on that role years ago when they became orphans, he really wasn't.

As a subtle yet indirect attempt to apologize to the woman, Seto invited Mokuba's girlfriend over to the manor for dinner. For most of the evening, the CEO drank his champagne contemplatively and closely observed the two of them as they talked and ate together. Mokuba really did look happy being with her, and the girl even brought out sides of him he's never seen before. She also seemed like a genuine person who was truly in love with Mokuba.

As time went on, Mokuba's girlfriend grew to become less intimidated by Seto as the two of them eventually learned to get along. It was then Seto finally put his fears of losing Mokuba aside. She eventually got Seto's stamp of approval months later.

That was two years ago.

Since then, Mokuba proposed and the two of them had gotten engaged.

Seto stepped on the marbled floor of his little brother's former room, which is now almost empty. He took one step, then another, making his way towards the colossal window. He stopped, his piercing blue eyes observing the moving truck outside of the Kaiba manor, and watched the way the movers all loaded Mokuba's furniture one by one at the back of the opened truck.

One employee then started yelling at another employee to get a move on.

"C'mon men! Hurry up!" he said. "Quickly!"

The older Kaiba took one step back and scanned the entire room, taking note of the empty spaces of posters that once hung on these walls and the dust-stain that had formed from the chandelier that once had the room brimming with light. It was so bizarre knowing that his little brother had become a full-fledged adult. It still seemed like yesterday he was only eleven and followed him everywhere he went. He idolized him so much.

Indeed, his relationship with his little brother hadn't been glamorous at all, especially within the last few years. It had been like a never ending tidal wave that had only grown stronger each passing minute. And as tight-knit as they once were when Mokuba was younger, it hadn't prepared Seto for the inevitably devastating blow to their relationship that made them butt heads a lot more often: Mokuba's teen years.

By the age of fifteen, Mokuba had grown bored of his responsibilities at KaibaCorp and wanted more out of life while Seto pushed Mokuba to become the heir. This had caused some friction in their relationship and they found themselves butting heads a lot more frequently. Seto had tried to gain back Mokuba's affection, but the damage had already been done and then it was the other way around; Mokuba had shunned him.

It was all but a memory now, and their relationship had greatly improved since Mokuba's adolescence. He still saw his little brother at KaibaCorp everyday. And although Mokuba wasn't working as Vice President any longer and had no desire whatsoever to become CEO, he worked as a technician in the creative laboratories and oversaw all technical equipment, including in the engine and production rooms.

Seto blinked as a gust of wind blew his bangs aside. It was eight years after the events of the Pharoah's unfortunate passing into the afterlife. He was now twenty six and his own younger brother along with practically all of his former colleagues and classmates had settled down in some way. He wasn't one to anguish over such trivial and insignificant things such as relationships, but he sure as hell felt as the odd one out over something he never even gave much thought.

Yet, he'd chosen to channel his loneliness in another way instead: adoption, something his father Gozaburo had done before him, and something that had been on his mind for several years now.

Seto's initial purpose of adopting a child was purely for internal gain; to select a heir for KaibaCorp, a reason which had brought him a lot of criticism from concerned parents who labeled him as an uncaring, selfish man who wanted to exploit his children for the sake of his business. He was also open to the idea of possibly just caring for a child who was less fortunate should the child choose to decline being heir. He also rather missed raising a child since he was accustomed to raising his own younger brother for most of his life. This was also a chance for him to do what he wished Gozaburo would have done with him and Mokuba while they were growing up.

And although Seto wanted to adopt in order to raise a heir, he knew he couldn't hold his breath. The process would have been too long, and based on his experience with Mokuba, he didn't want to force the idea of being a CEO to a child only to have them lash out and rebel like Mokuba did when he was a teenager. He would have worked as CEO until he was eighty as far as he was concerned. He liked being in control.

But Seto secretly hoped it wouldn't come to that. Truthfully, he really wanted - needed - a heir.

He was due to get a tour of the orphanage soon and possibly decide within the next few days whether or not he was going to go through with an adoption process. It was a conflicting decision. As much as he held compassion for children, his schedule and responsibilities as the CEO of KaibaCorp hindered him from going through with a 'yes'.

Adoption would also hold a lot of sentimental value to him because, should he choose to do it, it would be from the same orphanage where he and Mokuba once resided. He knew this would be a transitional period in his life, one that brought upon new challenges and responsibilities he had never faced before.

He shot one last, quick glance inside Mokuba's empty room before he turned on his heel and closed the door behind him as he went.

In the Kaiba manor's massive parking lot, Seto stepped outside to discover that all the men had already finished loading the truck. He placed his hands in his pockets and walked briskly towards the site where the movers still burst with activity. They all instantly stopped what they were doing.

"Mr. Seto Kaiba, sir!"

"I trust that everything loaded fine, gentlemen?"

"We seemed to have gathered most of Master Mokuba's things," one of the workers said, eyeing the back of the truck with his hands on his waist. "Unless there's something else you want us to move."

"No. I believe that's the last of it," Seto uttered and studied every piece of the furniture. "Very well, then." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a wallet and took out a large sum of money.

"Wow, sir. That's a lot," the man exclaimed. Of all his years of working as a mover, he had never been payed this much money. "Not that I'm complaining, of course."

"Keep the change."

The man nodded then tipped his hat. "Thank you."

Seto returned the nod then watched the movers bustle around and about while chatting amongst themselves. They all skedaddled to each side of the truck to open the doors, then leapt in. The engine started and they eventually drove away and out of sight. And for a bit, the CEO just stood there.

That was it. The last token of Mokuba's childhood. Gone. Out of reach.

He had to admit, it was a little bizarre, and not just for the maids and butlers that tended to Mokuba everyday. Even for him. For the Chief Executive Officer of KaibaCorp who was immune to emotion and sentimentality.

Seto hung his head down, and with both of his hands in his pockets, paced slowly along the pavement, his eyes studying the narrow, brick path as he walked. He had a lot of work to do today. Paperwork to finish. Meetings to go to. A new blueprint for a new Duel Disk to revise.

Instead, he sat on the swing that occupied the garden, wasting time by sinking deep in his thoughts.

It was completely unlike him. To stay still despite his busy schedule, even just for a moment, and lose himself in the here and now.

But this was Mokuba. Someone he'd gotten so used to always being by his side. Every day.

Ten years ago, he never would have imagined that his little brother might move out one day and not need him anymore.

Without even realizing that twenty minutes had already gone by, he wound up thinking about nothing but his little brother and all the regret he has about what he had done to him in Death-T. And the many years prior to that too.

Then, from afar he saw a car driving closer and closer, and for a while he thought nothing of it until it parked and the engine turned off. Seto then noticed a mop of jet-black hair in the front seat. He stood up and squinted his eyes.

A familiar figure leaped out from the front seat.

"Big brother!" the younger Kaiba called out, running towards him with all his might. Just as he always had when he was a little boy. And for Seto, it was extremely relieving to hear.

"Did they come?" Mokuba asked just as he reached Seto.

Seto nodded. "They did. And I instructed them accordingly."

Mokuba, now in front of Seto, sighed in relief.

"Thanks, big brother. You really saved my hive," he said, then stretched his muscles. "With my early morning appointments, there's no way I would have been able to be here with the movers."

Seto's lips budged, a slight curve that resembled a smile. It was incredible just how far Mokuba had come, and how mature he had grown up to be. The younger Kaiba was almost as tall as him now, only one inch shorter, yet he seemed so much like an adult somehow.

"So I came back just to make sure they got everything. And also because I think I forgot to take something with me."

"What could you have possibly forgotten?" Seto asked, because he was pretty sure he'd told the movers that the nightstand was the last of the furniture.

"It's just my locket," Mokuba replied and started walking towards the door. "I put it somewhere while I was packing. I just remembered I left it somewhere in my closet."

Seto followed Mokuba inside the manor and down the hallway. When they reached Mokuba's former room, the pair walked inside and stood in the centre. The room was dim, hollow and completely devoid of furnishings, as if it had been abandoned.

"Wow, it's so empty," Mokuba exclaimed in awe, then laughed. "It's kind of weird, actually."

The younger Kaiba then went to try and look for his locket, while Seto remained where he was, not only observing the room but reminiscing about their childhood again. About how Mokuba, at the tender age of eight, a week later after Gozaburo's passing, came into this room and claimed that he wanted it. It had been their first night by themselves at the Kaiba manor and the only memory that was a blissful one.

"Here it is. Thank goodness," Mokuba muttered to himself right after he crawled in a small space under the closet to discover his missing locket. The younger Kaiba then crawled out, then leapt up, blowing the dust off his necklace before putting it over his head and around his neck. "I thought I might have lost it."

He did a quick scan of the room, then placed his hands on his waist. "Well, it looks like they took everything," he concluded, satisfied. "That's good."

"So I suppose you're leaving again," Seto mumbled.

Mokuba's expression softened at the sight. He chuckled, then walked towards Seto. They embraced and Seto found himself prolonging it by gripping him tightly. Because whenever the Kaiba brothers hugged before, Mokuba's arm were so tiny that it occupied only a fraction of his waist. But now his arms went all the way around it, something Seto still hadn't gotten used to.

"You know I'm only a phone call away," Mokuba stated, pulling away. "Speaking of which, I should be getting my new number today. I'll call you and let you know what it is."

Seto nodded and the two walked outside to the parking lot. They chatted for a few more minutes until Mokuba decided to go back to his new house where his fiance was waiting for him.

"Bye, big brother."

Seto tried to hold it together when he heard that. He knew it isn't a real goodbye. He knew that he'd see his little brother again at KaibaCorp later on today.

Just as Mokuba plopped behind the wheel, he closed the door. He looked up and flashed a grin at his older brother. Then, he raised his hand up and waved a goodbye. Seto returned the wave and watched as his little brother put on a pair of black sunglasses and turned on the engine.

"Mr. Kaiba, sir," Isono said, as he then stood beside him. "Should I confirm the orientation at the orphanage tomorrow?"

At first, Seto didn't say anything. He watched Mokuba's car drive all the way towards the nearest intersection, and only when he had made a turn and driven out of sight did Seto attempt to say anything. He hesitated, his voice gone astray.

"Not yet," he finally managed. "Let's wait a bit."

"Yes, sir."

Pause.

"We must make haste. Go prepare the limousine at once."

"Right away, sir."

With that, Isono walked off to make preparations for their departure. And Seto stood there, letting the cool air hit his face for a bit before deciding to go and join his assistant.

Work awaited.


The limo pulled up to KaibaCorp and into a space specifically designed for the Chief Executive Officer. On the sidewalk close to that area, there was a group of paparazzi and a mob of protesters waiting for him who were predominately women all holding signs, chatting, and whispering. Just as the door to the limo opened and Seto exited, cameras flashed in his face and reporters with microphones fought to be the first ones to talk to him. The mob all began chanting hateful words:

"Stay away from the children!" one woman shouted.

"You sick, disgusting monster!" said another.

"You only care about your business!"

"What would you know anything about parenting?"

The mob persisted and yet Seto ignored them and the reporters as he walked with Isono. He had gotten used to this kind of treatment and crowd reaction. Being a CEO meant dealing with a lot of criticism. He had the thick-skin and brushed all of it off; he couldn't have cared less about a bunch of women who opposed the idea of him adopting a child. Their worthless opinions would never affect the decision he had already made long ago.

"Should we get reinforcement, sir?"

"No. Leave them be," the CEO ordered as he and his men all entered KaibaCorp. "Pay them no mind."

The pair walked through the bustling hallway of Kaiba Corporation, where many employees hurried back and forth, and straight into an open elevator. They stood side by side, minding everyone else who was in there with them. It took them up three levels. Once the door opened, they exited and Seto abruptly pulled Isono aside for a brief moment.

"I need you to go prepare the test flight for the new BEW-X at sector 2104. Inform the team for a meeting at 6:00 PM sharp."

"Right away, sir."

They parted ways. Seto walked towards his office. Just as he reached the door, a woman greeted him and presenting him with a mug and a file.

"Your morning tea, sir," she said, bowed as a gesture of respect. "I also cleared your cache and rescheduled all your Saturday meetings to Monday as you told me to."

"Very good," Seto said, accepted his cup of tea with one hand and the folder with the other. "I don't have anything else for you to do right now, so you're dismissed for the next thirty minutes."

The woman nodded, then muttered a quiet 'thank you' and turned on her heel to walk out the door. Being his copywriter and secretary for more than eight years, Miki Tachibana had proven herself more than just a competent secretary. Her hard work, dedication, honesty and willingness to perform far more than her given tasks had done more than impress the CEO. She had always showed up on time, done what she was supposed to do, followed instructions accordingly and never once slacked off or gave him a reason to be suspicious.

He figured it was about time to show his gratitude. It was long overdue, but Seto Kaiba wasn't an easy man to please.

"Tachibana."

Miki came to a halt. "Yes, sir?"

"Expect a raise on your next paycheck," the CEO said, taking a small sip of tea. He felt like being nice for once, and that was his own, way of saying 'You do good work for my company. Keep it up.'

A slow, but light smile formed on Miki's face. She tried her hardest not to freak out or sound overexcited.

"Yes, sir," she said quietly. The secretary then bowed to show her appreciation. "Thank you, sir."

Miki exited the room, leaving Seto alone in his office. He took a sip of tea then looked over his schedule for the day.

He spent the next hour wading through never-ending paperwork from yesterday and sorting through everything before moving to the next item on his list: a meeting with his creative team at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door. Before Seto could even ask who it was, his younger brother entered.

The young Kaiba grinned. "Did you think you would be getting rid of me that easy?"

"Didn't you have to stay with the moving truck?" Seto asked, surprised.

"Oh, it's fine. The fiance said she'd take care of the rest," Mokuba said as he paced towards Seto's desk, holding up what appeared to be an orange file. "Anyway, I mostly came by to drop this off." He plopped the file on Seto's desk. "It's the finished blueprint for the Big Project."

Seto picked up the package Mokuba had placed on his desk. He opened it and took out a blue roll of paper. Unrolling it, he scanned the contents, then looked up at his younger brother. "Did you look over it like I told you to?"

"I did. It didn't need much tweaking though," Mokuba replied, hovering over Seto's shoulder. He pointed at top corner. "I just made some small edits here and there. There were a couple of typos I fixed too. Nothing too big or drastic."

The two brothers spent the next few minutes reviewing the blueprint and discussing how they were going to carry on with their current project; Duel Academy.

Seto always had a desire to open his own school. He'd held several meetings, hired only the best architects and interior designers in Japan, and assembled what he thought was a top-notch creative team in order to pursue this dream project. It had been a lengthy process and an ambitious one at that, one that would expand KaibaCorp as a company, improve their reputation in the gaming industry and present more opportunities.

The blueprint Seto held in his hand was the final design and Mokuba was a part of the creative process too. It was a personal project for both of them. A partnership that stood the test of time. A formidable yet a rewarding act that bonded the two of them even closer together.

"Alright," Seto said, satisfied. "Thanks."

Mokuba nodded. "Sure."

Suddenly, his cellphone rang. Upon reaching into his pocket and pulling it out, Mokuba realized that it was a message from his co-workers.

"Anyway, I'd better go. The technicians need me downstairs," he said with a grin, then slipped his phone back into his pocket. "See you later. Oh!" he suddenly remembered. "Let's go out for lunch, okay? Call my cell after five. We'll go to Chunkie Burgers."

Seto paused. He looked down at the large, blue sheet of paper. "You know how I feel about fast food places."

"I know. But this one has really good stuff. You really need to try them!" Mokuba said. "Don't pass out on this one, okay? Come with me! I promise the food will taste good."

Seto thought about it as he rearranged some documents on his desk. Finally, he looked up and gave his younger brother a half-smile. "Alright."

Mokuba grinned then turned and walked out of the office. Seto gazed at the spot where his younger brother stood moments earlier and suddenly he felt grateful. Because, as much as Mokuba had grown and developed his own sense of individuality, he was still his little brother.

He still cared. He was still in his life. And that meant more to Seto than anything else in the entire world.


A/N: It feels so surreal to finally have the first chapter of my long-awaited project up! This story has been in development for about a year and a half, and I'm so happy and relieved to finally be wrapping everything up this year. :D This is also my first time writing Kaiba and the Kaiba/Ishizu pairing, which happens to be one of my favourite YGO couples. There will also be two OCs as main characters, but I promise its mainly a Kaiba-centric fanfic. :)

Just as a warning; the rating will change due to some mature content in later chapters. I'm keeping this story as T-rated for now because M-rated stories don't show up in the search engine here, sadly.

Also, big thank you to my beta-reader, Bara, who looked over this chapter and will continue to be involved in it for the long haul. You are seriously the best. x3 Your insights, comments and suggestions means a lot!

- Mandy