A/N: I'm running out of things to say here, so I'll just leave an author note whenever it's relevant.

Cheer up, Mr. Kaiba!

-By Alena S. Anigor-

Chapter VII: Broken bond

"I'm home!" Serenity exclaimed when she finally reached the doors of her house, entered inside and closed them behind her with a sigh. Her greeting was void of its usual cheerfulness and sounded tired and worn up instead. Her mother greeted her back and smiled politely at her, asking her how her day was. Serenity forced a smile on her lips.

"Fine!" She replied with faked enthusiasm and sat down on the chair behind the kitchen table. Her mother, a gentle and soft - spoken looking woman placed a plate in front of her. Serenity was observing the food on the plate with a mixture of sadness and sullenness, making her mother think she disliked the meal she prepared for her.

"You don't like it? I can fix you something else if you want," she said, glancing at her daughter worriedly. Her own expression mirrored the one of her daughter but that didn't last for long when Serenity snapped out of her daze and looked at her with a soft smile.

"No, no, that's all right," she replied quickly, "I'm just not hungry."

Her mother gave her a suspicious look then removed the plate to put it on the cupboard next to the kitchen sink.

"All right, but if you get hungry, it'll wait for you here. You can warm it up later if you want..." her mother ventured, slipping on her purse and fixing her hair in the mirror in the hall. Serenity was watching her almost solemnly while she was putting on her shoes and coat on.

"I'm off to work, sweetheart, take care!" She added and opening the doors, stepped out and closed them softly behind. Serenity could still see the faint outline of her retreating figure through the glass door before she vanished completely.

Leaning in her chair, she let out a heavy sigh and redirected her troubled stare at the kitchen table. What was she supposed to do now? The older Kaiba went home, or that's at least what she hoped he did, and the younger one...

"Oh, Mokuba..." she whispered dejectedly and sank lower in the chair. She felt completely lost, like a traitor, because she was about to betray the person she made a promise to. And that was making her heart clench. Mokuba was such a spirited, young boy who wanted nothing more than to make his brother happy, to see him smiled and relaxed...

Serenity leaned forward, resting her hands on the table and hiding her face behind them. She knew this was going to happen, she just knew it! How foolish of her to think she could actually help Mokuba, help the older Kaiba brother realize that not everything was in money making and corporate suits that made the life go round. And how foolish of her to make a promise she would now have to break...

"I'm sorry, Mokuba..." she whispered solemnly, burying her head deeper between her hands. Brownish bangs fell around her face and onto the table softly and she choked on a sob, trying to swallow it with all her might.

It was just in vain; no matter what she said, did, suggested or planned, everything was looked upon with a frown from him. She couldn't even make him smile, let alone laugh. That boy simply lost the ability to smile and feel happy. The only person who could still reach him was probably Mokuba, but since he had to ask her of all people for help, she doubted even he could melt his icy and cold demeanor. As much as she hated to admit it, there was no hope for Seto Kaiba. And she realized that she never felt so hopeless and helpless in her life herself like right now.

She raised her head slowly, staring at her hands for a moment before she leaned back slightly and got up from the chair. Turning around, she spotted the phone, hanging on the wall firmly, and she stared at it for a long moment, as if contemplating if the thing could bite her if she reached for it. Shaking her head resolutely, she stepped forward and grabbed the handle gently. Picking it up, she was gazing at the handle mutely, hearing the faint and dull sound indicating that the line was free. Tentatively, she raised her other hand and pressed a few numbers. Everything she did seemed like it was passing in slow motion and she took a deep breath, waiting for Mokuba to answer the phone. The dull, ringing sound made her slightly edgy and nervous; she still didn't know what to say to him and how to say it.

When Mokuba finally answered the phone, she had the sudden urge to hang up and run away somewhere, preferably to her room, flop down on her bed and hug her teddy bear. When Mokuba's voice became wary and slightly annoyed, she quickly opened her mouth and said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Mokuba, hey," she said in a rushed manner and Mokuba's voice was filled with momentary confusion before she could detect the usual cheerfulness in it again. Oh, she thought, this was going to be harder than I thought.

Mokuba was in the middle of trying to balance a stack of books and his lunch in both of his hands when his cell phone rang. He managed to place the books on his left knee somehow, still holding the lunch in other hand as he pressed the cell phone between his shoulder and his ear. When he heard silence on the other line, he became slightly agitated, already thinking how someone had nothing better to do than to pull prank calls on him. But, when he heard Serenity's voice, he relaxed and greeted her happily.

His good mood vanished slowly when he heard how sad she sounded and when she told him on top of it all that she had to talk to him, his expression turned into a serious one. Glancing at his watch, he noticed that those two hours she had to spend with his brother were over, and the first thought that struck him was: Something's up.

"Okay, what did he do?" He asked her tiredly and sat on the floor in the middle of the lobby, not bothering to look for a chair to sit on. Books and lunch could wait until later, as well.

In the next few minutes, Serenity told him everything that happened between his brother and her, how he acted towards her, how he didn't seem happy at all, and in the end, how she hated to say it, but...

"I can't help you, Mokuba, I'm sorry, I..." she half-whispered and Mokuba's eyes fell down to stare at his reflection in the marble floor, "I can't keep my promise."

Silence followed after that in which both of them stared numbly at their feet, Serenity standing in her kitchen, facing the wall and Mokuba sitting in the middle of the mansion's lobby, glaring at the marble tiles. Serenity exhaled slowly and deeply, making it sound like someone blew into the phone on the other side.

When Mokuba made no sign of wanting to say anything, she sighed again and lowered her head in defeat.

"Mokuba?" She asked quietly, already afraid he had hung up, but the line was still whizzing softly although she couldn't hear a thing from him. After a few moments spent in staring at the floor firmly, Mokuba let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding all this time.

"It's okay," he replied stoically, which surprised her. Slowly and almost regretfully, he got up from the floor, wishing he could stay there forever, for some odd reason. He could hear her voice on the other side, apologetic and weak, but he realized after a while that she was right. What was the point of wasting his brother's precious time with inane things like making him realize how to get a life?

Mokuba's eyes flashed with hurt but he tried to smother it and control it. He just couldn't believe that all his efforts were in vain; nothing could be done anymore. Not even Serenity could make him smile or make him feel better.

"Mokuba?" She asked curiously after he hadn't said anything for a while. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he replied quickly, trying to mask his hurt with half-hearted reply, "don't you worry."

He could hear her sigh again and did his best not to run upstairs and hide inside his room. Something heavy settled in his throat, a lump he tried to swallow desperately, but he couldn't. His eyes narrowed in anger and helplessness, something intense clenching around his heart and he tried to smother it again before his eyes started shimmering slightly.

"Gotta go now, bye!" He said quickly and barely had the time to hear her say goodbye before he hung up hastily, threw the cell phone down to the floor and not bothering to pick up his books and his lunch, ran up the carpeted stairs and towards his room. The doors opened and closed with a loud thud, making one bypassing maid look at him worriedly. She shook her head dolefully; the boy was becoming bitter and resentful like his brother by every passing day. When she came down to the lobby, her face saddened even more; the boy didn't even bother to pick up his things from the floor...

Serenity put the phone handle back to its place and sighed heavily. She stared at the floor briefly and then raised her head to glance at her hand, still clutching the handle tightly.

She felt so confused right now; she was glad that it was over and she wouldn't have to meet the CEO anymore, but on the other hand, she felt guilty for making Mokuba sad. She really started to like the younger Kaiba sibling and now he was left on his own to deal with his brother. If there only was a way to make Seto Kaiba realize the really important things in his life...unfortunately, she thought bitterly, maybe he had already lost that.

When Kaiba entered the lobby of the mansion, everything seemed quiet. Usually, Mokuba would run to him by now, asking him how his day was and laugh at his tired face. The lights were on, illuminating the spacious lobby perfectly, but everything was just so...disturbingly quiet.

Kaiba let out a soft breath, heading for his study. The briefcase he was holding in his hand shone slightly under the lights of the giant chandelier. Opening the doors to his study, he turned the lights on and put the briefcase on the desk lightly. Immediately, he did what became his daily ritual after coming home – he turned his laptop on and the bluish light of the monitor flickered, greeting him happily.

He glanced at the maid who brought him dinner faintly then sat down behind the desk, fingers already on the briefcase, rummaging through the papers and eager to start typing.

He almost forgot about his plans that involved him, Mokuba and a serious conversation for a moment and managed to stop the maid before she walked away.

"Where is Mokuba?"

The maid stopped abruptly and turned around, clasping her hands in front of her calmly.

"I believe the young master is in his room," the maid replied gradually, waiting for his next move. Kaiba frowned; it wasn't like him to stay in his room for so long without coming downstairs to watch him working on his laptop. It was a habit of his, asking questions about Duel Monsters and observing his brother while he was making the newest versions of Duel Disk system until he'd become tired and fall asleep on the sofa.

"Get him," he replied in a demanding tone, his eyes glued to the screen, "I need to talk to him."

The maid nodded and bowed on her way out. "Right away, sir."

Kaiba spent the next few minutes typing on the laptop, various schemes and models appearing. He'd dismissed a few of his ideas already, not satisfied with the results. Now, he was about to add a few elements he thought would improve the new system when the doors opened and Mokuba stepped in. Kaiba barely registered his serious, almost grim expression, since he was still occupied with the laptop screen. He acknowledged his presence, however and started to speak.

"I need to talk to you, Mokuba."

The younger boy, whose hair was slightly tousled, showed no signs of changing his facial expression.

"So I've heard," he replied quietly, this time making Kaiba glance at him somewhat curiously. When he noticed how stern and intense his eyes and face looked like, he stopped typing for a moment to look at him thoroughly. Mokuba's head was slightly lowered, his eyes looking at him from beneath a pair of furrowed brows and a mop of dark hair. Kaiba blinked at him once, observing him with slight puzzlement. When Mokuba made no attempt to say anything else, Kaiba decided to put his odd behavior aside and concentrate on the real matter.

"Sit down," he said slowly, his eyes traveling between the laptop screen and his brother. Mokuba moved hesitantly, lazily walking towards the chair that was settled in front of the desk.

When he sat down, gazing at his older brother gravely, Kaiba diverted his eyes from the screen to look at him. He pressed a key and the schemes for the new Duel Disk system vanished, replaced by the clear, blue screen again.

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk and supporting his chin on his intertwined fingers. Mokuba didn't glance away even for a second, his gaze was firmly fixated on his brother. He already had a few theories what the conversation could be about and realized he was right when Kaiba started talking.

"Mokuba," he said soberly, "this whole thing with you and Wheeler trying to cheer me up is really not worki-"

"Her name is Serenity," Mokuba cut in, interrupting him firmly. Kaiba raised one questioning eyebrow then closed his eyes.

"Whatever," he replied in the same tone, "the point is – it's completely ridiculous!"

Mokuba said nothing for a good few moments, making Kaiba look at him almost incredulously. After a brief pause, Mokuba lowered his head and crossed his hands.

"Why?" He asked, his voice now becoming cold and harsh like Kaiba's.

The CEO blinked again but quickly snapped out of his stupor. Still, he didn't understand what happened to his little brother. It was like aliens abducted him and placed another, faux Mokuba instead to sit there in front of him. But, he would say what he intended to say. This whole circus would have to stop, tonight.

"Because it's pointless and it's wasting my time, Mokuba," he replied, his voice rising just faintly. Mokuba raised his head again to look at him grimly. Just as he thought – everything that didn't involve beating Yuugi in a duel, everything that didn't revolve around Kaiba Corporation, business meetings, metallic briefcases and paperwork was pointless, useless and a complete waste of time to him. Figures...what else could he expect...

Mokuba's eyes narrowed slightly, making Kaiba's widen a bit. He had never seen Mokuba like this and it frightened him. Mokuba, however, already gave up on trying to convince him to see other things in life besides work. It was just like he stated – pointless, a waste of time. Kaiba, though, was one stubborn individual.

"And further more, I think you should concentrate more on learning how to lead business and stop wasting your time socializing with wimps and losers like that Wheel-"

"Her name is Serenity!"

Kaiba stared blankly at the standing and angry figure of his brother now. His whole body was tense and rigid, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His eyes narrowed and flashed with such intensity that Kaiba had to stop in mid-sentence and gape at him.

"Mokuba..."

"No!" Echoed through the study room. Outside the room, maids stared at the door, their hands clasped over their lips. "No! No, and no!" Mokuba screamed in fury, eyes now filled with angry tears. Kaiba stared, perplexed and confused.

"Mokuba, what is goi-"

"Stop it! I don't want to hear it anymore!" The younger Kaiba screamed again, turning his head sideways, not being able to look at his own brother anymore. It was just too much...talking and discussing was one thing, but ordering and commanding him around what to do and with whom to hang out with...no, that was simply too much.

Kaiba was starting to feel annoyed and irritated by the whole thing. He tried to put some reasoning in his brother and he just flipped out. He would have to try to work this out in a more subtle way.

"Mokuba, please sit and calm down," he started but Mokuba only backed away from him further. Kaiba stood up now, on the verge of snapping at him. What got into that boy? He wasn't usually like this.

Mokuba glared at his brother, his whole body shaking.

"You tell me I have to learn how to manage businesses! Why?"

Kaiba took a deep breath, trying to calm down himself. "Because that will be necessary for you to know once you take over Kaiba Corporation!"

Just what he expected him to say...

"Wrong!" Mokuba retorted, making Kaiba gawk at him again. "Who said I even wanted to take over Kaiba Corporation? How do you know what I want?!" He yelled, his voice now shrill with anger and excitement. Kaiba's eyebrows furrowed in anger and confusion.

"You always want to control everything! I can't take this anymore!" He ventured, all the pent up anger and fury now practically flowing out of him. "You can't tell me what to do and with whom to socialize!"

Kaiba was speechless now, not being able to do anything other than to stare at his little brother who used to admire him so much. He just didn't understand. Who else could take over Kaiba Corporation once he's retired and not able to work anymore? Someone like Pegasus or the Big Five? That was something he didn't even want to dream about!

"Mokuba, be quiet!" He finally snapped, making the younger one stop and breathe heavily in front of him, his whole demeanor still taut and tense. A few tears escaped his violet eyes from all the anger and despair he vented out during his yelling.

"Now, sit down and listen to me!" Kaiba yelled as well, for the first time angry with him and ready to punish him if he went too far. Mokuba thought otherwise.

"You can't make me!" He retorted angrily, backing away again towards the doors. "And you won't order me around! Not when you don't even care!"

"What?" It was Kaiba's turn to yell at him now, his face turning slightly red. Mokuba's eyes flashed again. Like he didn't know!

"That's right! You don't care!" Mokuba screamed back, leaning forward a bit to try and emphasize his words. "All you ever think about is your precious company and those stupid papers and business meetings! You don't even care how I feel anymore! Can't you see what I'm trying to do?" He asked him and Kaiba stared at him, angry but curious at the same time. "I'm trying to turn you into the person you were before! But I've realized it's too late! You'll never be the Seto I knew, the Seto who smiled and laughed before! You just don't care!"

Kaiba lowered his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. This was getting nowhere...

"Mokuba, you know very well I care about you more than anything in this world," he said slowly, again trying to compose himself. Mokuba snorted angrily.

"Yeah, I can see that all right!"

Kaiba's eyes narrowed again. "What's that suppose to mean?"

Mokuba took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "I wanted to drag you out of that office and make you see that there are other things out there besides that! But you didn't even try, Seto! You just don't care if I'm happy or not!"

Kaiba's blood started to boil now. He couldn't believe this. "What are you saying? You've got everything every kid could wish for!" He yelled at him again, forgetting all about concentration and composure. Mokuba's lips parted and he gritted his teeth, choking on a sob. No use...he thought, it was just no use. Tears rolled down his cheeks slowly while his head was lowered. He clenched his fists again, not being able to convince him for the last time how wrong he was...he wanted to escape; he wanted to run away from him. As if on cue, his instincts and impulses took over and he raised his head suddenly, wide eyes watching the blurry image of his brother leaning on the desk and staring at him intently.

"I don't want those things! I want YOU!"

And with that, he stormed out of the room and down the lobby; ignoring the shocked looks the maids gave him. He didn't care where he was going; he had to get away from here as fast as possible. Spotting the double doors of the mansion, he almost bumped into them but managed to open then with such force he made them slam against the wall. He could hear the maids yell after him but he didn't care. All he cared for right now was to run.

The sound of his footsteps became lighter and softer when he started running across the green garden and then disappeared completely into the warm, summer night.

Kaiba was still leaned on the desk in his study, staring blankly ahead, where Mokuba was just a few minutes ago. Now, all he could see were the doors, still swaying slightly from the force they were opened with. He stood like that for a few more seconds then sat down limply on the chair that squeaked slightly from the pressure. One of the maids came to the room to inform him that young master went out into the night all by himself but he didn't let her speak.

"Leave!" He ordered and the maid was cut off before she tried to explain to him that Mokuba went outside, not to his room, but when Kaiba roared at her to get lost, she let out one startled yelp and quickly ran out of the room, crying on her way out.

Kaiba was left in the study, with only the lights on and his laptop, whizzing softly and illuminating his expressionless face.

He didn't see his brother run out of the mansion; he thought he went to his room, and therefore, decided to leave him until he cooled down a bit. He would talk to him in the morning. Little did he know, that Mokuba was currently running down the streets of Domino city...