Seto Kaiba: The Shifting Legend

Author Note: I do not own these characters or the anime/manga.

Chapter 2: Secrets to be Hidden

Seto was curiously happily to see his brother. Things were starting to come together. Mokuba was his brother whom Seto was moderately fond of. The child appeared mysteriously unharmed, sitting beside Ria. Mokuba was excessively glad to see Seto, as well.

"Tell me what has happened?" Seto begged, afraid for reasons he could not understand.

"Well…" Ria began, only to drift into thought as to how to answer. "It all started when your father and I- me and Seto Senior- were driving two nights ago. We had just been to dinner and a play when we were in that yellow car you saw in the driveway. Of course, it was in much better condition that night."

Ria hesitated to continue, afraid of her own words. Seto Senior continued for her, saying, "I was very focused on the road. It was snowing and I think you, Seto, were distracted by something. Perhaps by your brother, or something. We had a head-on collision. It's only by the grace of God that you survived."

Mokuba was suddenly uneasy, shifting in his seat. He looked towards Seto, searching for something in his brother's expression, then looked away. Seto could sense something strange, as Ria and his father distractedly glanced here-and-there, avoiding eye-contact as if their life depended on it. Have they failed to tell me something, Seto wondered, distraught by the discomfort that lingered in the air.

"Never had I imagined," Seto Senior breathed, "that I would see you boys like this…after all these years…"

"So it's true then- our blood-relation is quite certain?" Seto Junior inquired, looking at the floor to hide his own shock.

"Yes," Ria assured.

Seto Junior rose, angered and frustrated. His mind was blank and yet it was full. He could not focus on one thought. Who was he? What was this implication of a gap in time between Seto confronting his parents? Had he not known them prior to the accident? Questions echoed throughout his mind.

"Please don't panic. You're turning white, my dear, " Ria told him, taking his hand which he quickly snatched away.

"Don't touch me!" He cried, moving away. He stood and watched the expressions that these strangers wore on their faces. "You may be carefree about all of this, but I'm not! I don't know who the hell you are!"

"Seto…" Mokuba said, concerned. "You remember me, right?"

How could he answer? The child's face washed over with sadness, horrified by his brother's condition. He couldn't fight his tears as he begged, "Seto, you have to remember! How could you forget about me?"

Seto growled loudly, punching the wall. "Don't think I haven't tried! I can remember you, Mokuba. Only, I see bits and pieces of memories."

Mokuba jumped from his seat and clung to his brother. He let out his sobs, overwhelmed by the turn of events. Seto placed his hands on Mokuba's shoulders and lightly pushed him away.

"My…head hurts," Seto grumbled, rubbing his head.

"You shouldn't rub it like that!" Ria exclaimed. "Actually, Seto, we have a…proposal, if you will, for you."

Seto relaxed himself, sitting in an armchair. The room began to spin as he was flooded with dizziness.

"Move in with us," Ria urged, cutting to the point. "Move in with us, and we'll help you recover… We'll take care of you."

They had a long, painful discussion about the situation. Seto, according to his parents, had little money and had been attending a nearby high school. His parents explained that they only found this out through Mokuba, who was silent throughout the discussion.

He was allowed to stay there until his memories began to recover. Seto, although he felt a great amount of shame in doing so, accepted this proposal. He would continue on with high school, pretending to be living a normal life.

"How the time goes by," Seto Senior said, looking outside through the window. "I can see that you two are exhausted. Seto, my son, why don't you head on through the hallway and familiarize yourself with home. I'll catch up so I can show you where you'll sleep."

Without any arguments to be had, Seto went through the small hallway and peaked into some of the various rooms. But, he was convinced that something was not right. They were probably talking about Seto in his absence, he assumed. He crept to where he could hear them speak.

"I don't understand why I still think it happened that way," Mokuba sighed, as if he had just been disappointed by some kind of information. "I know what I saw…"

"Mokuba, my son," Ria began. "Whatever you think you saw, put it out of your head. Seto does not need to know…"

"But how long can we conceal the truth?" Seto Senior questioned with concern.

"Everything will turn out right in the end," Ria assured. "He'll never know…"

Chapter 2/end

Chapter three summary: Seto is sure that his parents are hiding an important detail from him, but is assured that all is well. But, if that was the case, then why do so many old acquaintances from school hate him?