Acceptance
By GRose522
Chapter Four
Ringo's POV"Why are you worried about Kaiba?" Mom asked Mokuzai. I had to admit, I was curious too. Mokuzai only worried about something when it was major. If he was worried about Seto Kaiba, something big had to be up.
"Well, I don't think he took Dad's death too well."
"Well of course he wouldn't. Mokuzai, your uncle risked his life for your father on more than one occasion. Then to hear that he died in something that even the great Seto Kaiba couldn't have prevented would tear him up inside."
I listened to mom's speech and agreed with every word. I didn't know Mr. Kaiba that well, but I knew that he cared deeply for those important to him.
"It's not like he's crying for dad or anything, but, it's like he's gotten colder. You know, going into a shell or whatever."
"I wouldn't worry. Kaiba won't go back into his shell."
"Why not?"
"Because he has you to worry about."
"What's so significant about that?"
"When he has someone to worry about, he comes out of his shell."
"Whatever you say auntie."
Jonouchi's POV, the next nightI am proud to say that I have owned the bar 'Naughty Neko' for about ten years now. I started as the bar tender, and when the previous owner of the bar died, he left it to me. I had modified it over the years, but it still had that cozy feel that Mr. Honshu had wanted.
I looked up as another person entered the bar. It was a Tuesday, so it was relatively slow. There were only a few people dotted here and there around the building, and most of them were regulars. Imagine my surprise when in walks Ryuji Otogi, one of the many friends I had acquired as a youth.
"What's up Jonouchi?" He asked as he approached the bar.
"Nothing much. How about you?"
"Just tired. Business has been hard, and Anzu's worried about Mokuzai again, and that in turn makes me worried."
"Why's she worried about Zai? He can hold up on his own, even with Mokie gone."
"She's worried, because it seems like Kaiba has become an icicle again."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Because you know Kaiba."
"That was a rhetorical question dimwit."
"Whatever. Could ya fix me up a screw driver?"
"Sure thing."
Seto's POV, The next dayI watched the trembling woman with disgust. Who was she to think that she could sleep her way up the ladder and not do any work? Just a dirty whore. I glared at her with renewed vigor when she started inching towards the door. I was surprised to say the least when I heard the mutt's voice. Jonouchi didn't show his face around me much, and it was shocking to say the least.
"You are fired and dismissed." I said to the now ex-employee.
She went out in tears. As she opened and closed the door, I could hear clearly what the mutt was saying to my secretary. Let's just say that she was offended and be done with it. I pressed a button on my desk and spoke into the speaker.
"Let him in Ms. Niangua."
"Yes Mr. Kaiba." Came the sullen reply. Yuki Niangua was a good employee and an excellent secretary, but she had a few faults, the main one being her reluctance to let anyone who didn't have an appointment in my office.
"Hey moneybags."
"What are you doing here mutt."
"My concern for the welfare of you and your nephew Kaiba."
"And why would you be concerned?"
"Because Otogi says that Anzu's worried." I felt my eyebrows knit together at this. When the female Otogi worried about Mokuzai, something had to be wrong.
"What were his exact words?"
"Oh, what was it? Uh, oh yeah, 'She's worried, because it seems like Kaiba has become an icicle again.' Care to explain?" I sighed. I was curling into the shell I had made as a youth without even realizing it.
"I guess Mokuba's death effected me more than I thought." I gave in reply to the mutt's question. He and I had grown a bit closer over the years, so I knew I could trust him.
"It's nothing to feel bad about. I mean, we all were shook by Mokie's death." I thought about what he said for a minute.
"I suppose you're right for once, but that is no reason for me to go cold again. It took me nearly two years to get of my shell the first time." Jonouchi smirked.
"I know what you mean, moneybags, and I think I know something that will keep you from freezing up again." For some reason I didn't trust that smirk on his face.