Disclaimer: I own nothing involved in this story unless I invented it myself. This is written for fun, not for profit. All forms of feedback eagerly accepted. Concrit is loved the most, but everything is welcome.
Fandoms: Yu-Gi-Oh GX
Title: Frozen Follies
Characters: Shou, Ryou
Word Count: chapter: 500||story: 3,500
Genre: Family, Drama||Rated: PG-13
Challenge: Written for the Diversity Writing Challenge, section G1, a drabble novel; Written for the Halloween Trick of Treat (Advent), Day #14, write a drabble novel; Written for the Dice Gods Challenge, write for a random character (Shou) ; One Sibling Boot Camp, prompt #47, learn
Notes: This takes place in the world where Ryou was the one abducted by Kagemaru and Daitokuji instead of Fubuki, became one of the Seven Stars, and gained power over ice, cold, and snow. This takes place at a point post-canon, but contains few spoilers for those unfamiliar with the storyline aside from what I just stated.
Summary: Those who think Hell Kaiser of Ice has gone soft are about to find out how hard the ice can be.

Dark Grepher turned Chain Slasher's favorite chain weapon over in his hands. This will make a lovely addition to my collection. Of course, the collection only extended to two items with this addition but a beginning was a beginning. He could not have been happier.

"I find I am quite pleased with you, Hell Kaiser. I never had the chance to get a performance review from your previous masters, but I'm certain they would agree you are very effective." Dark Grepher looked toward Hell Kaiser. "Therefore, I will do as I promised and you may have one hour to spend with your brother. Under strict supervision, of course."

"Of course." Hell Kaiser didn't twitch so much as a hair. That pleased Dark Grepher so much. The man had been born to serve others and it was about time he understood it. Such strength could only be leashed by those far more powerful than Hell Kaiser, and Dark Grepher counted himself among those.

He gestured to one of his servants to escort the human to where his brother remained in prison. He'd remembered to feed the brat – eventually – and this would satisfy both of them for some time. Or at least it should. Dark Grepher had too much that he wanted to do for them to prance around in the snowfields forever.

Hell Kaiser did not reveal a single thought going through his mind by so much as a flicker of an eyebrow. He'd learned such impassivity through hard effort over the years.

He wasn't surprised that once again one of Dark Grepher's minions stood behind Shou with a knife to his brother's throat. For all of Dark Grepher's words of praise, he didn't trust Ryou. Nor well he shouldn't.

Of course, that wasn't going to stop Ryou from setting up his plan, nor had it. He couldn't say it would work perfectly, but he'd at least set it in motion.

And he knew better than to breathe a word of it here, either.

"Their cook can't hold a candle to Tome-san or Kabayama-sensei," Shou said, fiddling with his fingers. Neither one of them were much for small talk, but Shou tried. He darted a quick look toward his brother. "See anyone interesting out there?"

"No one who is still around," Ryou replied. He didn't lie. Lying could be detected by magic. It was also too entertaining to speak the truth and know that it didn't give all of the information.

Shou ducked his head, disappointed, then flinched away from the blade caressing the back of his neck. "Oh. Too bad."

Ryou said nothing else. But just as the allotted time of their visit ended and the door swung open, cries of shock and fear cascaded into the cell. Ryou glanced toward Shou, the side of his mouth quirking upward.

"What is that?" Shou wanted to know, inching forward what little bit he was allowed. Ryou shrugged fluidly.

"I'll go find out." He though he knew. But best to make certain.

To Be Continued

Note: Thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know what you thought of it if at all possible.