Chapter 2: What You Leave Behind
May 22nd, Friday, 8:07 a.m.
Yugi and Anzu ran to get to school on time. They'd missed the bus and both were sure to be in deep trouble until they got to the grounds. A crowd of students was gathered in the commons. Jou worked his way over to them.
"They're not letting anyone in. Apparently someone got killed in the library last night. Ms. Sashi found'em this morning."
Anzu gasped and Yugi wrapped an arm around her then let Yami take over. He scanned the commons and saw the young librarian near hysterics being questioned by the police. A moment later, a hush fell over everyone.
Two paramedics had come out of the school wheeling a black body bag.
Slowly, as the crowd parted to allow their deceased peer by, words whispered through the crowd.
"Suicide…"
"…cut his wrists…"
"…can't believe it…"
Suddenly, Joey lifted his head. "Shouldn't Mokuba and Kaiba be here by now?"
The doors on the ambulance slammed shut and the principal and teachers ushered them to class. The library was blocked off with yellow crime scene tape.
None of the teachers would say a thing though all of them were clearly shaken up.
Yet, they should've said something. It would've been easier, Yami decided. Especially after he flipped on the news. Jou's head snapped up and Anzu froze in the doorway to the living room, Mutou-ojii-san right behind her.
Good evening, this is Hanako Mizu for Channel 7. Tragedy struck today in Domino City when KaibaCorp CEO, Seto Kaiba, was found dead in the library of Domino High School at 7:00 a.m. this morning by the school's librarian. The cause of death is an apparent suicide.
The report went on to talk about Mokuba and all the many charitable things KaibaCorp had done recently. Anzu was pale as the white curtains and Jou looked positively green. Only Yami seemed to be thinking straight.
"We have to go see Mokuba."
Anzu and Joey both nodded but Yami practically had to lead them to the car. They reached the mansion in record time. There was a crowd of reporters being held back by the police at the gate. Yami got out and pressed the button next to the speaker.
"Mokuba, it's Yugi, Anzu and Jou."
A few moments passed and one of the policemen began eyeing him.
Then a hoarse voice he barely recognized as Mokuba's came through the speaker.
"Come on in," it rasped.
Mokuba met them at the door with a tired smile, his black hair more disheveled than usual. He was dressed in too large jeans and a loose white t-shirt with the emblem of a Blue Eyes on it. It didn't take a genius to figure out that both the jeans and shirt belonged to Seto.
Mokuba led them into the large living room and Yami couldn't help but shudder at how cold the house suddenly felt. Sure, Kaiba had been one icy bastard but this…
This was death.
"HOW COULD HE DO THIS!?" Mokuba suddenly screamed and Yami lunged to catch the collapsing teen. Mokuba dissolved into tears for what looked like the millionth time from the boy's red eyes and sunken features.
Both Jou and Anzu looked at a loss and Yami just held the black-haired teen until the tears quieted and Mokuba looked up at them quietly.
"I keep asking myself that," he whispered. "I just wish I knew why."
A nearby door opened and a blond man came in, folding a cell phone into his pocket. His Japanese was slow and broken with an American accent.
"Everything's taken care of, Mokuba. Nice, quiet funeral, private."
"Thanks, Jake," Mokuba said softly.
The man named Jake nodded. "Hokutei will read the will tomorrow."
Mokuba blinked and raised his head.
"Seto had a will?"
Jake looked sadly at Mokuba. "Yeah, he penned one a couple weeks ago, according to Hokutei. Also set up numerous trust funds for you and an insurance policy including suicide. I'm sorry, Mokuba, but looks like Seto had been planning this for a while."
Mokuba closed his eyes sadly and leaned into Yami's embrace. Jake met the gaze of the other three in the room and smiled weakly.
"You three are in his will too."
May 23rd, Saturday, 10:29 a.m.
The Will
The next morning Mokuba looked, if possible, worse. Perhaps now because he was trying to fake a smile for all those around him. Yami just kept growling at the press and Yugi kept reminding him that he couldn't send them to the Shadow Realm. Jou continued to look green and Anzu gripped his hand as Shizuka took his other hand.
Jake was there next to a somber man with long black hair and a deep tan. Mokuba smiled weakly at him before giving him a short hug.
"Hokutei,"
The man whispered something to Mokuba who nodded and followed Jake inside. He turned to the remaining three and after a moment, offered his hand to each in turn.
"My name is Hokutei Namato. Hajimemashite.*"
"Hajimemashite." Yami responded amiably but Jou and Anzu were silent.
"If you'll follow me..."
Hokutei led them into the courthouse where they met up with Jake and Mokuba. Slowly, the five of them settled into a small room, Shizuka waiting outside. With the offered cup of water in hand, Jou seemed to settle a bit and look up, waiting.
Waiting.
Hokutei cleared his throat and after some genial nonsense, began to read.
I suppose I must first apologize. Mokuba, I am sorry you are hurting. Jounouchi, Yugi, and Anzu: I am sorry you must be involved. As for myself, I am not sorry for what I have done. I suppose you must want to know why but I don't really care if you know except that...Mokuba, you must know that my actions were in no way your fault. I love you. I always have and always will. You gave me reason to live for as long as I have.
Mokuba let out a fresh sob.
Please don't cry. I am sorry I couldn't live any longer. I'm sure you think I am weak.
"No, you're not." Mokuba choked and Jou gripped the fabric of his pants until his knuckles were white.
I imagine here you say that I am not but I am, Mokuba, I am. Only the weak commit suicide. *pause* I realize that none of this brings any closure and I apologize. I've done a great deal of apologizing here it seems. Well, I did none in life.
Mokuba-You know I love you and I always will. You are strong, so much stronger than me and I know you will grow up to be incredible. I hope my actions have not hindered that. Be strong, Mokie, but don't be afraid to cry.
Anzu—Ah...so much to say.
Anzu's head shot up.
I'll start with gratitude. Thank you. Thank you for making me believe in all the good things in life and for pretending, for however brief a time, that you cared what happened to me. Thank you for being a friend to Mokuba. I ask that you continue that. He needs a friend like you. By the way, I'm leaving you three million dollars. Go to Juilliard.
Anzu burst into tears.
Yugi—Again, I think I'll start with gratitude. You saved me from what Gozaburo made me. You brought me back to myself and allowed me to live as I should, for Mokuba. You allowed me to be a...halfway decent big brother and you were always there to save him when I wasn't. If I'd had a best friend, I like to think it was you.
Yugi was stoic but shaking.
To you, I also leave three million dollars and my three Blue Eyes White Dragons. Tell your grandfather I'm sorry. As well, if Mokuba doesn't want it, the company is yours and Jounochi's. The two of you have good business sense.
Jounouchi—
Jou didn't look up but stared at a crack in the attorney's desk.
The enclosed letter, I believe, says it all. Please watch after Mokuba with the others and keep an eye on Yugi. Kami knows he can't take care of himself. As well, for the sake of equilibrium, take three million dollars.
Jou slowly lifted his head and took the small envelope with one hand. He set it in his lap and stared at it.
Everything else is yours, Mokie. And Jake, go to college or I'll haunt you.
"Yes sir," Jake said softly. Hokutei sat back and relaxed.
"The rest is simply several monetary donations to various charities."
Jou stood and left the others, moving out into the hallway. Yugi wrapped an arm around Anzu and Jake took Mokuba's hand.
As Hokutei finished up some paperwork, Jake gave them a weary smile and shook Yugi's hand.
"The funeral's tomorrow morning at 9 a.m."
Yugi nodded. "We'll be there."
Upon entering the foyer, he glanced around until he found Jou by the fireplace, slowly feeding the fire shredded pieces of the envelope.
"Jou!" Yugi snapped and Jou jumped in surprise then looked ashamed.
"Trust moneybags to give me useless information." Jou said bitterly.
Anzu glared at him but Yugi recognized the look in his eyes. In his heart he knew what the letter had said, something Jou had always wanted and somehow come too late. They'd all come too late.
Yami frowned next to Yugi. "If only we knew why..."
Yugi nodded slowly.
"If only..."
