Mokuba swung his feet over the bed and padded down to the kitchen. It was seven o'clock, the sun was just rising, and he had about an hour before school. Seto would be long gone, usually rising before sunrise to head into the office, to get some work done before the long day of meetings prevented him from anything else. So it was a surprise to see him in the kitchen with the head chef, looking blankly at a tablet in front of him and pointing to something.
"Good morning Mokuba," Seto said formally, a small smile on his face.
"Mornin' Seto," Mokuba replied sleepily as his brother returned his attention to the chef, and politely nodded. The chef looked as confused as Mokuba felt. Why was his brother here so late, and why was he looking at breakfast? Where was the coffee?
The chef moved away, and rather than relaxing as normal, Seto maintained his stiff posture. Mokuba realized that his brother was dressed in his white suit already, even though he was about to eat and preferred to lounge in something more comfortable unless he had visitors. He also was wearing a blue eyes ring that Mokuba didn't remember seeing before, and mascara as though he was planning on going on television.
Was someone coming over? Perhaps a reporter? It would be strange for someone to come to the house for an interview. Maybe it was for a show like Cribs? Free publicity, Mokuba supposed, though there wasn't much in the house to show Seto's personality, and he doubted his brother would like his privacy invaded like that.
Mokuba walked to the fridge and grabbed a glass of ice water before sitting across the table from Seto. "Do I need to get dressed?" he asked. "Do you have people coming over today?"
Seto looked confused. "No?" he replied, steepling his fingers. "What makes you say that?"
Mokuba glanced at his brother. "You ordered breakfast, you aren't at work yet, and you are dressed. Are you sick?" Mokuba looked concerned. He didn't know why his brother would be so stiff and formal if he was sick, but it was the next possible explanation.
Seto shook his head, worry crossing his face, but only for a second. Mokuba wasn't sure where that was coming from. Why would he be worried? And why would he let his brother see it if he was going to hide it right away? He couldn't remember the last time that Seto had showed him such a vulnerable emotion without meaning to.
After a long pause, Seto shrugged and added, "I just feel like it today."
Mokuba sighed. He knew he wouldn't get more out of his brother than that.
He picked up the tablet and deftly ordered rice and eggs, humming as he went. Then it hit him. Even though Seto had designed the system so that he didn't have to interact with the cook, he had been discussing his option directly with him. Mokuba furrowed his eyebrows. What could this all mean?
When the chef came back with the food, he noticed Seto's order contained both rice with natto and miso soup. Seto never ate that much. Figuring his brother just wanted a variety and would pick at the food, he was surprised when his brother took a large bite. And then another.
He was likewise surprised at the grimace that came with the first bite of natto. It was again carefully schooled, as though he didn't intend it to happen. And he kept eating it, even though it seemed to not be up to his standards. The miso soup disappeared much more quickly. And still his brother had not requested coffee.
Mokuba picked at his food, watching his brother warily. He kicked his feet back and forth, not sure what to say. Normally his brother would be easy to converse with, but Seto seemed less than comfortable, on edge, and stiff.
"Do you have a big meeting coming up?" he asked. Perhaps his brother was meeting with someone so important they were intimidating him. It was a long shot though, he hadn't known his brother to be intimidated.
Seto looked at Mokuba. "Maybe. My secretary would tell me when I would have audiences, would she not?"
Mokuba stared at him. He had never left his schedule solely up to his secretary. And since when did he call meetings audiences? "Are you sure you are feeling fine, big brother?" he asked, holding his hand out to feel Seto's forehead. The temperature felt normal, but it still didn't assuage Mokuba's fears. Especially since Seto seemed confused by the action.
Mokuba stood up and decided he was done with his food. He didn't feel like eating when Seto was acting so strangely.
"Do you need me to come into the office with you? You really aren't acting well," he asked one last time.
When Seto assured him that everything was ok, he made up his mind. He needed to call Yugi. If anyone would have an explanation it would be him. He excused himself and left the kitchenette, confusion etched into his face.
On the third ring, Yugi picked up. "Hello, Moutou Yugi speaking." It was oddly formal of him, and Mokuba had to wonder if he was expecting a call.
"Hey Yugi, it's Mokuba, have you got a moment to talk?"
There was a silence on the other end of the line for a second before Yugi replied easily, "Yeah. What's up?"
It was Mokuba's turn to pause. Was it ok to say this over the telephone? Would someone take advantage of Seto's confusion or see it as weakness?
He shook his head. He had already decided on his course of action, and wasn't going to back out now.
"Is there anything strange going on again?" he asked, deciding that rather than starting in on the changes he had noticed in his brother, he would find out if Yugi even knew anything.
Yugi paused again. "Is Seto missing?" he asked quietly, returning Mokuba's question with a question. The question confused Mokuba even more. He furrowed his brows. Why would his brother be missing?
"No," he said firmly. "At least he looks like he is here. Why?"
Yugi paused again. "No reason, I just thought that you might be calling about him." He seemed relieved. Mokuba glared at the phone suspiciously. It didn't seem Yugi was telling the whole truth.
Mokuba sighed. Yugi had been nothing but trustworthy before. He decided to go for it. "I am. He's here, but he's acting really strange. Eating too much, he's not at work yet, and I see no signs of him drinking excessive amounts of coffee. Not that the last is bad for him, but..." he trailed off.
Yugi intook his breath sharply. "Ah," he replied. "I don't know. Jou had a dream, but beyond that I have no idea. It could honestly have just been a dream," Yugi said, not sounding convinced.
"Tell me what is going on with my brother," Mokuba demanded.
Yugi laughed sheepishly. "Well, if he is right there, Jou's dream can't have been right. In his dream, Seto had been turned into a dog."
Mokuba scoffed. "I can see him with my own eyes. He might be weird, but he is definitely not a dog."
Yugi nodded. "I thought so. In that case, I have no information for you. Maybe he is just trying to change some bad habits?" Yugi suggested.
Mokuba opened his eyes. His brother hadn't mentioned anything about it, but that seemed reasonable. Except why was his brother so reserved about it? Didn't he know he could share anything with Mokuba? Unless that was a bad habit he was trying to break too. Mokuba felt tears prickling in his eyes. Didn't his brother trust him?
"Thanks Yugi," he replied glumly, hanging up the phone without waiting for an answer. Yugi didn't need to see his weakness.
