Alright here it is ;)
Kaiba Family Secrets
~~~Yami's P.O.V
Where do I even begin? Well me, Yugi, Téa and Joey are in Kaiba's Mansion, or being escorted to the front door should I say. I suppose you could argue that this is a normal thing but trust me when I say that everything about these circumstances are anything but normal. One reason being we're not being chased out by Kaiba's hounds or hefty security, no luckily it's just Roland and he's not even chasing us but leading us. And the second reason being we didn't even put up a fight for being kicked out, which in case you don't know is very, very unusual especially for Joey. As we're led through the maze of corridors to get to the front entrance of Kaiba Manor I can't help but feel this may be the last time I get to come here or at least attempt to sneak in with my friends and Mokuba's help. You're probably think that I'm overreacting or something and that in a few weeks everything will blow over and be back to normal, and too be honest I wish that was the case.
However this is real life I'm talking about and in real life things can happen that can change your way of living, the way you see things and the way you continue forward. And it just so happens that one of these life-changing moments happened only a few moments ago. And too be honest I don't think I'll be able to face Kaiba again, not after what I've seen, I can try to forget but there's always something to remind you, something that keeps life from continuing normally. I've learnt a lot about Seto Kaiba today, and most of it was probably best left untouched never to resurface again. And I may have found out a lot but that still doesn't mean I understand any of it, like you've got pieces to a puzzle but you don't know where they go.
When we we're snooping through Kaiba's room, through his memories we found out unbelievable things like he had a girlfriend; Kisara she was beautiful to say the least, and that she had a baby, Kaiba's baby. We even discovered he was abused by his own Step-father. When Kaiba finally caught up with us he blow his top off, like years of suppressed emotions and feelings had been set free in that one rant. I will admit it was scary, it was then that we also discovered another deep secrete to the Kaiba family. After years of being hidden it was revealed that Mokuba Kaiba wasn't the little brother to Seto Kaiba, no, he was Mokuba Kaiba, Seto Kaiba's one and only son.
And by learning that as well as all the other memories to Kaiba's past is what I fear will be the reason I and all my friends shall never step foot in this Mansion again.
Suddenly I stop dead in my tracks and in doing so I nearly smash into the back of Joey; however I stop myself just in time. Coming out of my thoughts I realise that Roland has reached the front door to the Kaiba Mansion and is holding the door open for us. So all of us gloomily walk past Roland and exit the Mansion, however just as we're about to descend the front marble steps I hear Roland's voice calling out to us.
"Wait!" Roland calls in which everyone stops and whips around to face Roland including me, "Before you go I need to ask you something." Roland continued.
"Sure go ahead." Yugi answered for all of us.
"In the near future I may need your help with something." Roland said with deep concern.
"Help? What for?" Téa asked.
"It won't be me needing the help it will be Mr Kaiba, I just need to know if you'll be willing to, if not than I'm not sure I could do it by myself." Roland stated, hmm I don't like the sound of this.
"Kaiba? Please you heard him we only cause him pain, we shouldn't be the ones to help him we'll only make it worst besides he said we aren't even allowed on his property again." Joey said sarcastically.
"Joey don't be like that in Kaiba's defence we were the ones in the wrong, we were the ones that meddled where we shouldn't have, at least let Roland explain what kind of help Kaiba may need," I paused as I turned towards Joey, "After all it may be because of us that Kaiba should need help."
"Argh, fine." Joey sighed.
"Well I'm worried you see, that room we were in earlier Mr Kaiba hasn't step foot in it for many years now, and that vision or whatever it was that showed Mr Kaiba Miss Kisara, I could see it tore him apart it brought back a lot of painful memories." Roland explained
"And I fear with these resurfaced memories Mr Kaiba may go into a state like he was in before, when Miss Kisara left him." Roland finished.
"Wait, wait, wait" Joey said, "What actually happened to Kisara and what do you mean Kaiba may go into a state like before?" Joey asked for all of us.
"Let me explain by telling you what happened one night;"
~~~Flashback- Kaiba Mansion~~~
When Miss Kisara left Mr Kaiba he was left alone again only this time he had to take care of his baby Master Mokuba. I knew he couldn't do it on his own and since I had experience in raising Jason my son, I made sure to help Mr Kaiba raise his and so Jason and I moved into the Kaiba Mansion to offer guidance, help out and keep an eye on Mr Kaiba as well
"Wait keep an eye on Kaiba? Why?"
"Joey don't interrupt, let Roland explain."
"Right sorry go ahead."
As I was saying I had to also keep an eye on Mr Kaiba and look out for him, you see when Mr Kaiba was left alone to care of Master Mokuba as I said he was still recovering from the shock of Miss Kisara and so that led to many problems for him. At first Mr Kaiba acted completely normal as though it hadn't affected him and he went on with life as normal. However I knew something was up. Eventually he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, meaning that he couldn't sleep and when he did he would have disturbing dreams of past events which led to panic attacks when he awoke. Even during the day there were occasions where Mr Kaiba would randomly relive memories and have anxiety attacks in which Jason and I would have to calm him down. And very soon he developed a drinking addiction that did nothing to help his problems, in fact it made it even worse so far as Mr Kaiba eventually began suicidal which leads me to tell you what happened this one night…
We were all at Kaiba mansion one night, Mr Kaiba had fallen asleep on one of his study's sofas I was watching him in case he woke up and Jason was trying to put Mokuba asleep in another room. I should have never left him alone not in his condition and I still can't forgive myself for what happened.
"Hey Dad can you help me get Mokuba asleep? Over." Jason's hushed voice sounded over my walkie-talkie
At the sound of his voice I carefully and quietly picked up my walkie-talkie that was strapped to my belt before answering, "I can't right know Jason, what if Mr Kaiba wakes up? Over."
"It'll only take a few seconds please. Over." Jason begged, I sighed and ran a hand through my hair and looked over at Mr Kaiba asleep on the sofa.
"Alright, I'll be there in a minute. Over." I sighed again before silently getting up and headed out the door of Mr Kaiba's Study/bedroom but not before taking one last concerned look over my shoulder back at Mr Kaiba.
As I walked along the almost pitch-black corridors my mind kept telling me to go back to keep watching Mr Kaiba, I shook my head to try and get rid of the feeling of something bad happening and quicken my pace and power walked to Mokuba's bedroom. Thankfully for practical reasons such as this I suppose Mokuba's bedroom was only two doors down from Mr Kaiba's room so it wasn't long before I arrived outside the bedroom door. I pushed open the door only to reveal my son trying his best to rock Mokuba to sleep which was proving to be very unsuccessful.
"I just hope to god you never have a kid Jason." I sighed as I shook my head in amusement at the sight; Jason was trying to hold Mokuba in his arms and rock him while Mokuba kept wriggling free and climbing around Jason. Right now he was trying to climb onto his head.
"Pass him here before you drop him." I said light-heartedly.
"Alright, Come on little man Uncle Roland wants to hold you, yes he does." Jason chuckled while he carefully lifted baby Mokuba off his head and gently passed him over into my arms, Mokuba giggling all the way. He was only about thirteen months old and had a little tuff of black hair sprouting from his head and was wearing a pyjama suit with little yellow ducks on it.
"Ahhhhhh, ha ha!"Mokuba giggled as I held him, and that's when we heard a loud crashing noise echo through the walls of Kaiba Mansion. My eyes widened in fear and so did Jason's as we looked at each other. I immediately but gently passed Mokuba back to Jason and fled out the room at lightning pace and back down the corridor, I could tell Jason was following as I heard Mokuba giggle from behind. I ran back through the mansion retracing my steps back to Mr Kaiba's room and abruptly halted outside the door while Jason jogged to catch up with me as he held Mokuba. I sub-consciously gulped and swallowed the lump in my throat before slowly glancing at the door handle and turning it open. I gently pushed open the door only to see that Mr Kaiba had left his previous spot on the sofa and had left a trail of destruction. There was a dent in the wall with shards of glass embedded in it and beer running down it to the floor where the rest of the broken bottle was. Mr Kaiba's coffee table was turned over and the glass top was smashed as well as the sofa he was on that was turned over too.
"No, no, no! I told you I shouldn't have left him; I was gone for what a minute? And look what's happened!" I almost screamed but stopped myself so I didn't scare Mokuba who was looking curiously around the room.
"I know I know I'm sorry." Jason replied desperately.
"Where Dadda?" Mokuba asked with great confusion as he continued looking around the room.
We heard another crash that seemed to answer Mokuba's question, it came from the bedroom part of the room, "Jason keep Mokuba back I don't want you or him getting hurt who knows what's going through Mr Kaiba's mind at the moment." I state authority while taking a slow step towards the archway that connects the bedroom and study.
"No Dad I should go you hold Mokuba." Jason says from behind me I stop before turning round and facing the two boys.
"No son, you stay here I shouldn't have left Mr Kaiba in the first place it's my responsibility." And before he can say another word I've already walked into the bedroom.
The room is just as dark as the corridors however I can still see where I'm going. Aside from the odd beer bottle scattered about the state of the room isn't too bad. What I want to know is how Mr Kaiba got a hold of any alcohol, I'm sure Jason and I disposed of it all, unless Mr Kaiba has a secret stash somewhere. The room's illuminated by a single beam of light that's trickled through the window's curtains, Oh no. I quickly rush towards the light as I realise its source, it's the light of the moon that's managed to come through the curtains that lead to the balcony! I stop dead in my tracks at what I see and my mind seems to shut down as I try and fail to think of what to do.
Mr Kaiba is out on the balcony, scratch that he's bloody standing on the balcony's rails! Oh no what's worst he's swaying slightly as I look closer I can see a beer bottle clenched in his hand hanging loosely at his side. No he's drunk! Mr Kaiba must have panicked when he woke up and realized he was alone oh no, no, no! What am I going to do? How am I going to calm him down? He hasn't noticed me yet that's good, but I have no idea what he plans to do!
"Mr…Mr Kaiba please come back inside." Please work, don't jump!
He turned around and hazily looked at me as if he was searching for something but didn't know what before he slurred a sentence out. "Rol-…Roland?" He somehow managed to get out.
"Yes Sir, It's me Roland I'm here why don't you come inside?" I said nervously.
"No! No, no!" Mr Kaiba spat back, this isn't good!
"No? We need to get you inside its good inside," I was sweating I could feel it one wrong step and Mr Kaiba could…No! I won't think like that,
"No! You're not really-…you're not really here! As soon-…as soon as I come inside you'll go! I'll be alone again!" Mr Kaiba yelled, I've got to calm him down but how?
"Mr Kaiba I promise I won't leave you alone you're not thinking straight, just please come inside." I tried again as I took a small step forward.
"That's what she promised! She promised she wouldn't leave me alone! But she lied she was taken from me! She left me alone!" Mr Kaiba yelled, I opened my mouth to speak however Mr Kaiba beat me to it and cut me off.
"I loved her Roland! I loved her! She said she loved me! But she left me alone! She lied!" Mr Kaiba ranted, and just when I was beginning to lose all hope I got an idea, it was extremely risky but…
"No she didn't sir." I stated as firmly as I could.
"What?"
"She didn't love you sir, she never did." Oh my god please work,
"What did you say!"
"Miss Kisara loved Seto Kaiba, the man she knew since she was a kid, the man she helped through his Step-father's abuse, the man who was the father of her child. Not this alcoholic Seto Kaiba has become, not this shadow of her former love, and you need to know that sir. You also need to know she didn't leave you alone, Miss Kisara would never break a promise to you, yes she may be gone but she left behind a piece of her to remind you she will always be with you. She left you your son, Mokuba and I think it's time you be the father he needs." Once I've finished speaking I looked over to Mr Kaiba and smile before reaching out my hand to him.
"Now come on let's get you inside, what do you say?" I ask gently as Mr Kaiba looks back at me, he silently nods before taking my hand in a firm grip and carefully got down he then glanced at the bottle in his other hand and leaves it on one of the tables on the balcony. He's not quite fully sober as he's swaying slightly when he walks however his sentences has lost their slur to them and hopefully he's back to his normal mind set. I'm walking a few steps behind Mr Kaiba just in case he falls or something else happens and as we walk back inside he keeps looking behind his shoulder as if to check that I'm still there it's rather sad really. Once inside Mr Kaiba's bedroom he started to panic slightly and began looking around the room frantically before turning back to me.
"Where's Mokuba?" He said at last turning his full attention to me.
"Calm down sir, Mokuba's in the study with Jason just around that corner," I said calmly while laying a hand on Mr Kaiba's shoulder, it seemed to quiet him down a bit and he almost immediately walked into the study part of his room with me closely behind.
"Ahhhhhh, ha, ha ha Dadda!" Mokuba giggled as he wriggled in Jason's hold and held out his hands to Mr Kaiba.
"Hey kiddo I'm here now," Mr Kaiba almost whispered while he gently took Mokuba for Jason and held him in his arms, it's like he's completely changed from when he was out on the balcony. He was quiet for a moment as if contemplating on what to say.
"I know I haven't been there for you like I should have been so I'm sorry, I'm sorry I've neglected you, I'm sorry I haven't been the father you need and deserve." As he continued talking it was like he had forgotten Jason and I were in the room.
"But I can change that, I know I've already failed as a father but maybe I can be something else, something better and have a fresh start. I can be your big brother Seto, the brother that comforts you when you cry, the brother that feeds you when you're hungry, the brother that protects you from the monsters in your closet or under the bed, the brother that helps you to grow strong, the brother that guides when you get lost, the bother that loves you and will do anything to keep you safe and happy. I can do all those things, all those things that I failed at as a father, and I will I promise Mokuba." I don't know what Mr Kaiba was thinking when he said all those things but I didn't interrupt because maybe this would be good for him, it would help him get over Miss Kisara, and because maybe a fresh start is exactly what Mr Kaiba needs.
"Big Bwwudda?"
"That's right I'm your big brother Seto."
"But where Dadda?"
"Dadda's gone"
"Da…Dadda gone?" Mokuba didn't seem to like the idea that his 'Dadda' was gone and looked expectantly up at Mr Kaiba with teary eyes that were just about to spill as if looking for an explanation as to where 'Dadda' had gone to, "But shhh don't cry, your big brother Seto's here, he's going to take care of you Mokuba, your big brother is better than Dadda." Mr Kaiba shushed Mokuba by gently placing his index finger on Mokuba's lips and prevented any possible tantrums.
As Mokuba snivelled slightly his big innocent eyes looked up straight into Mr Kaiba's blue eyes and I don't know if he saw reassurance or anything else but he seemed to calm down completely and any signs of premature tears soon vanished from his eyes. "Se…Set…Seto my big Bwwudda." And as Mokuba said these simply words I watched as wrapped his small chubby fist around Mr Kaiba's finger that was previously calming him down and simply watched as his cute little face brightened up as a smile spread across it.
"And don't forget it kid," And for the first time since Miss Kisara left I saw Mr Kaiba let a small smile appear across his face.
"Things changed that night, but they were for the better. Jason and I helped Mr Kaiba through his alcohol addiction, and he saw a therapist for his mental condition. He did improve and through time he was able to sleep properly and he stopped having panic attacks. Mr Kaiba told us that from now on we were to refer to Mokuba as his little brother and to never reveal Mokuba was his son and under no circumstances were we to mention Miss Kisara or anything about her. From that night Mokuba's parents became Mr Kaiba's deceased parents and that they were dropped at the local orphanage when their parents died. And also that he and Mr Kaiba were adopted by Gozaburo Kaiba and were raised by him. However we were also never meant to tell of the tales of abuse that Gozaburo forced on Mr Kaiba." When Roland finished explaining the whole story all we could do was stand frozen still while everything sank in.
"Shit, Kaiba…Kaiba really went that bad, almost as far to kill himself?" Joey asked in pure shock, in which Roland simply nodded.
We were silent again with Roland looking hopefully at us.
"I don't care what Kaiba said to us, I'm not going to let him go back to the way he was like in those dark times." I stated confidently in which Roland smiled gratefully.
"Me too, he may not know it but he needs friends to support him." Yugi agreed stepping forward also.
"You can count on us Roland." Téa smiled.
"Well I guess I'm not gonna sit this one out after all it will be helping Mokuba too." Joey said a little reluctantly.
"Thank you, you have my deepest gratitude, well I don't mean to be rude but I must report back to Mr Kaiba…and make sure he's alright." Roland said before bowing and turning to leave.
"Wait Roland, please can you just tell us what happened to Kisara why did she leave Kaiba?" Yugi asked before Roland shut the front door.
Roland stopped with his back to us and let out a deep sigh before speaking once more, "Leave? Miss Kisara didn't leave Mr Kaiba…she simply died." Roland said solemnly. "Now I really must go."
"What? Wait! Roland please explain! What do you mean she died? Wha…-I mean…-how, how did she die?" Téa literally pleaded.
"I don't know what happened myself I wasn't there, Mr Kaiba was the only one there and he's never spoken to a soul about it since that fateful day." Sighing again Roland turned to re-enter the Kaiba Mansion but not before saying one last thing, "I'm sorry I can't help but maybe that little Diary can, good day." And with that Roland disappear back into the Kaiba Manor leaving us to stand idly at the front door.
"The Diary! Of course, how could I forget? Yami you must have forgotten to give it back, this is great!" Joey exclaimed suddenly.
"Joey you can't be serious Kaiba's already mad at us enough as it is, do we need to make him madder?" Yugi said as he slightly frowned at Joey while we all started to walk down Kaiba's driveway and out the front gates.
"Yugi's right its Kaiba's personal thing, we should return it." Téa reminded.
"Yeah and we will after we read it." Joey said with a smirk, "Oh lighten up, be rebellious and keep it awhile longer, come on you want to read it just as much as I do."
"Alright, alright we'll read it tonight, but only the bit about what happened to Kisara, okay? And then we return it." I say.
"Wooo! I guess that means we're having a sleep over at Yugi's!" Joey whooped as he skipped down the pavement rejoicing.
"Argh when will this day end!" Téa sighed in which I and I assume Yugi silently agreed with.
~~~Kaiba's P.O.V~~~
I now stood alone in my former bedroom or what remained of it I should say and slowly looked around in despair. When I stormed in here earlier I didn't even steal a glance at my surroundings due to my blind rage, but now…now all I can do is cast my slow gaze around the room. Everything, every last object in this room holds so many memories. I remember on this desk I was forced to work hours upon hours on end to work without so much as a five minute break, and the way that bastard used to stand behind me with his watchful condescending gaze just waiting, waiting for the smallest mistake I would make. And I remember when Roland and Jason would find me sprawled across the floor slipping in and out of consciousness after one of Gozaburo's 'lessons', those two were always there to help me up when I fell, always.
And so was she.
I remember her, I remember her all so well. I never did forget her, no just simply tried to lock her away in my mind. It never did work though, no matter how I tried to distract myself with Mokuba or the company I always found myself thinking of her…Sometimes during all-nighters at Kaiba Corp I would just look over Domino city and reminisce about her, I still do. I can still see her perfect smile and those beautiful eyes, which shined like little blue crystals every time I saw her. And her laugh that was the most wonderful sound I've ever heard that always made me smile. She always knew what to say to calm me down whenever Gozaburo said or did something, and whenever I had a bad day she was always there, always there even to just listen. And I remember the feel of her soft silky hair when I ran my fingers through it, and her perfectly shaped body that moved with such elegance as though it was sculpted by angels themselves. And those tender rosy lips that held such passion and tasted like heaven, if there was such a place.
But as I keep saying these are all just mere memories, only images and moments imbedded in my mind. And no matter how much I wish and hope I can't bring Kisara back, I can't hold her in my arms and whisper sweet nothings in her ear. And it…it hurts so much.
Stopping myself from going any further, I shake my head and open my eyes to sweep the room. I then reach for the cord around my neck and gently pull out my card-shaped locket from underneath my shirt. For a moment I just hold in my hand, before I slowly and carefully open it to reveal a picture. It's of Mokuba, when he was a lot younger of course, I told him it was taken at the orphanage with me years ago, just one of my many lies. I suppose that's one of the other reasons I made sure Mokuba refer to me and believed me to be his brother and not his father. That way when he was older he wouldn't ask about his mother and I wouldn't have to feel all the pain come back by remembering her. It was a coward's way out and I regret each and everyday. All those years I've spent lying to him, making him believe he's my brother. It must be true what everyone says; I am a cold-hearted selfish bastard. To lie to my own family just so I wouldn't have to face the questions that Mokuba may have asked about his mother is shameful. And now…I can't even imagine how Mokuba is feeling at the moment, it must be so confusing to find out your brother's your father. I'm still fuming about the whole thing; I didn't want Mokuba to find out this way, in few more years I would have told him. Explained everything from start to finish. But I can't face him; I can't go through with the whole explanation and relive it, not now, not yet. He must hate me, the trust that we've built up through the years must have gone up in flames just because I wasn't brave enough.
As I stared at the picture I couldn't help but allow a small smile tug at the corners of my lips. I then tipped the side of the locket with Mokuba's picture in it and flipped it over like turning a page in a book. When Mokuba gave me this locket I installed this almost secrete compartment in it. And now instead of a picture of Mokuba looking back at me, it was a picture of Kisara. It was taken during the summer a few years before Mokuba was born; Kisara is sitting under cherry blossom tree with pink blossom around her. It was one of her favourite places; we would sit there for hours on end just with each other looking out across the beautiful scenery of Domino Park.
Suddenly I can't look at the picture anymore and so I snap the locket shut and let it fall against my chest. I don't really know what's happening, what I'm feeling. I glance down at my hands and notice that their both firmly clamped in a fist and their…shaking. And before I can stop myself I've dropped to my knees and it's like a thousand emotions that I've suppressed and bottled up are spilling over. I see something drip down on the floor just in front of me and I can feel moisture on my cheek. So with one shaking hand I wipe my cheek of any thing and hold it out before my eyes.
And I realise what it was. For the first time in years, I Seto Kaiba the so-called invincible ice block has started to cry.
And the thing is I don't care. For all the years I've tried to show no weakness, to show no emotion to be seen as the ruthless cold-hearted C.E.O of Kaiba Corporation, suddenly I don't care who sees me now or what they think. So letting the tears roll freely I just sit there hunched over on the floor allowing my emotions to spill over.
All because it hurts so, so much. And all because I love her so, so much.
I don't know how long I sat there like a child crying my eyes out perhaps half an hour or maybe even an hour but I knew Roland would be the first one to come to me. For a moment all he did was stand at the door as if he was contemplating on what to do, I heard him sigh then the sound of his footsteps walking over to me. I momentarily looked up to my side when I saw his polished shoes stop next to me. The first thing I saw was his extended arm with a handkerchief in it which I silently and gratefully accepted. I tried to pull myself together and shakily rose to my feet which Roland helped pull me up as though he thought I would fall back down. But as I stood and tried to wipe my eyes the tears wouldn't stop pouring out it was like they had a mind of their own. I finally managed to dry my eyes and handed the handkerchief back to Roland which he returned to inside his chest pocket. We both just stood there with me just staring intensely at the floor as if it would give me the answers to everything and Roland looking at me with deep concern and understanding.
"Seto, I think it would be best if you retired for the night." Roland spoke quietly and dropping the 'Sir' or 'Master' in his speech and using my first name while he gently laid a hand on my shoulder.
I didn't reply I just solemnly nodded and straightened myself up a little bit before I turned to exit this accursed place with Roland following close behind. We tracked back in silence, I had now tried my best to put my emotionless façade back on, however it was ruined by the fact that my eyes were red and puffy from where I'd be crying. Thankfully, as we exited the West-wing and headed back to my room, none of the house staff were still working and so the halls were deserted apart from the odd member of security, however they were silent as we past by probably due to Roland shushing them from behind me. Once we reached my bedroom door Roland halted outside it while I proceeded to enter my room, however just as my hand reached the well polished golden door handle Roland spoke.
"Seto?" Roland asked, again dropping the 'Sir' or 'Master' in his speech but I didn't care.
I halted from turning the handle and turned to look back over to Roland.
"Mokuba needs you right now just like you need him, please don't neglect him. He has a right to now everything, I can't imagine how painful it must be for you, but Mokuba needs to know everything and once he does he'll be able to help you to if only you let him." Roland spoke his voice no louder than a whisper.
I didn't reply to that statement either, what could I say anyway? So for the third time that night I simply nodded in acknowledgement and entered my room closing the door behind me. I didn't know what to do with myself, usually when there's a problem I just work hours on end but I had no motivation to do so this time, instead I just looked around my room. As I scanned the area from ever inch to dark corner my mind kept wondering back to the conversation I had with Yugi and his group of followers. I then felt an emotion that I'm all too familiar with boil up inside of me; anger. I wasn't thinking during my next few movements, it was like I was on autopilot, like I knew what I was doing and watching from my mind but I couldn't stop or control myself. And so when I suddenly swung around and slammed my fist into the nearest wall, I didn't feel any pain. With my breathing increased due to my anger out burst, I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself down slightly and retracted my hand from the wall which had left a nasty dent in it where the plaster had crumbled slightly. With my adrenaline leaving my body and my sudden anger calming down I almost dragged my body across the floor and ended up in my bedroom area.
I sighed again and turned my light on illuminating the whole room and lazily looked around. My gaze fell upon my walk-in closet and so I soon found myself opening it's oak door and staring into it's darkness. I flicked on the light switch on the left wall by the door and entered inside; I completely ignored the many outfits from trench coats to business suits and proceeded forward to the very back of the closet. I passed my casual wear and ended up staring at the far wall lined with all sorts of shoes, dress shirts and all sorts of other things. I scanned the shoe's section of the wall and looked for the right pair and once I spotted it I immediately reached forward and pulled the shoes out from it's space. The shoes were a part of a smart businessmen attire but that's not what I'm looking for. I placed the shoes down on the floor beside me and reached my hand into the shelf that they came from until I felt a small rope cord tucked away. With the cord clasped firmly in my grip I yanked it out and removed the shelf's backing to reveal a small hidden compartment that had a single object in it: a book.
I wasted no time in grabbing the book and put the shoes back while trekking back towards the closet's exit and left while turning the light out. With the heavy possession in my hand I took a moment to study it and blow the dust of it, it's been awhile since I've even held the damn thing. With a simple glance it looks like an ordinary, old scrapbook with it's tattered appearance and brown leather cover but in fact it's one of my most prized possessions. A photo album full of the…happy times I guess. I took the book back through my room and turned my bedroom light off and then entered my study and lazily slumped down on the two seat sofa. I turned a lamp on that was perched on a table next to the sofa and opened the book and began my trip down memory lane.
~~~Mokuba's P.O.V~~~
I'm so lost, so confused I just don't know what to think. Seto, my own bro-…my own family lied to me all these years. Why didn't he just tell me, we didn't he just sit me down one day and tell me face to face instead of letting me find out this way. I know I shouldn't have gone to the West-wing and I wish I hadn't, I wish I never found out. Everything's so complicated now, I mean Seto's probably as mad as hell at me he has every right to be. I disobeyed a direct instruction and look what happened, why couldn't I have just listened. But still I can't believe it, I mean this morning I woke up as a parentless child but now, but now I have a father, and it's Seto. It's gonna be hard getting used to calling him 'Dad' or 'Father' that is if he even wants me to, I wouldn't blame him if he didn't. I've been such a bad bro- I mean son. Still that doesn't excuse his years of lying to me he should have told me end of story!
But I can't stay mad, not at Seto, after all maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, I didn't once think about it through his eyes before. Perhaps it was just too painful for Seto to be truthful and after the things I've seen today, how happy he was with this Kisara girl my Mum and then to have her leave him that must be heartbreaking. And Maybe Seto was just protecting me, so I wouldn't feel what ever he's going through, that's just like him though always looking out for me and never himself. I can't go talk to him, I can't face him not after today he must hate me I completely abused his trust after all these years he's sacrificed for me I go and pull a stunt like this.
When I left that room or when Jason took me to my room I should say, when I looked back at Seto I've never seen him so…so distraught and all because of me. It was my fault he ended up chasing after me into that room and when Yami's puzzle showed him that vision it just tore him apart. I feel so guilty, I even dragged the rest of the gang into this whole mess, and they saw everything all of Seto's secretes all because of me. Why was I even born? I'm probably the reason Kisara left my brother because she didn't want me, I'm just a big nuisance to everybody Seto probably puts up with me because he has to. If I wasn't born I wouldn't have caused all of this grief. As I sit here on my bed with my back slumped against the wall I can't help but start to cry. I'm so pathetic if Seto saw me now he'd probably hate me even more I'm an embarrassment as well as a nuisance and painful reminder to him. I gently tug at the cord around my neck and pull out my card-shaped locket identical to Seto's and slowly open the trinket. And staring back at me is Seto smiling happily at me from when he was a kid its always cheered me up this picture it's always reminded me that no matter what Seto and I would always be brothers but now…now it's just a reminder of how much of irritant little boy I am. I snap the locket shut quickly and conceal it under my shirt just as fast as my tears roll freely down my face while I don't even try to stop them.
"Master Mokuba please…please don't cry." Its Jason I forgot he was still in the room with me I wish he wasn't I wish he'd just leave me alone.
"Why not? Seto hates me now! I find out that I'm his son after all these years of being told I'm his brother all those lies I was told because I was and still am such a nuisance! Kisara didn't want me so she left Seto so that's probably yet another reason to add to the list of many as to why Seto hates me! So why shouldn't I cry Jason why? Why?" I almost scream dropping my head while I cry into my arms that are being supported by my knees.
"Oh Master Mokuba you've got the wrong idea completely, Come here." Jason says comfortingly as I cry into his chest.
"Wha…what do yo…you mean Jason?" I whimpered as I looked up at him.
" I know for a fact Miss Kisara loved you very much as Mr Kaiba still does, I remember they were both so happy to have you, although the pregnancy was unexpected you most certainly weren't unloved." Jason replied calming me down almost completely and as I looked back up at him he continued, "Miss Kisara didn't leave Mr Kaiba because of you either"
"She, she didn't?" I asked rubbing my eyes
"No, she didn't even leave, instead she was taken from Mr Kaiba, she passed away when you were only a baby." Jason said very softly.
"Wha…what? How, how did she die?" I stuttered.
"I don't know only Mr Kaiba knows and he hasn't and probably won't tell anyone," I simply nodded as Jason spoke as realization began to slowly sink in, that's probably why Seto didn't tell me so…so he wouldn't have to explain anything about Kisara. How could I have been so stupid? I sat back down on the bed in deep thought before I was brought back to the present by Jason's voice speaking again.
"You should go and see him, Mr Kaiba that is, set things straight with each other I know he probably doesn't say it much but he does love you sir all the world. And I know he would never say it but he doesn't have to for me to be able to see he's hurting, go and talk to him." Jason bowed with that last thought and left the room while saying 'Good night Master Mokuba' and leaving me alone in my room. I know Jason was right and thanks to him I think I may be able to face Seto, and maybe if he will forgive me even a little bit, maybe he'll talk as well. So I hopped off my bed with new energy and life as my hopes were re-ignited and I wasted no time in running out the door. I even past Jason on the way and nearly knocked him down and in no time I was outside Seto's bedroom door. I stopped dead in my tracks and let myself catch my breath and brace myself before I entered. Over a minute or two of heavy breathing and five failed attempts to try and knock on Seto's door I found myself ready. For the sixth time I slowly raised my fist and paused it in mid air just a mere inch away from Seto's wooden oak door, but unlike the last five attempts instead of wimping out I puffed out my chest and manned-up and gave two sharp knocks on the door and waited. I waited for a few more seconds which felt like centuries and finally got a response. I was expecting something cold and curt like usual or maybe an angry shout as Seto was probably fuming but what I got made me think that it wasn't Seto who answered. It was kinda like a quiet almost…how can I describe it? Like a quiet response that lacked the usual harshness that Seto usual has in his voice. Anyway I snapped out of my daydream so I didn't keep Seto waiting any longer (wouldn't want to annoy him any more) and slowly creaked the door open.
I sheepishly shuffled inside and closed the door behind me while I took in my surroundings. The room was quite dark except for a dimmed down light and a lamp turned on, so you could see where you were going but it wasn't the usual brightness. With the force of habit I nearly turned the room light on but luckily I stopped myself, however it was only when my hand skimmed over a large dent and plaster cave in on the wall near the light switch. I quickly withdrew my hand and gulped when I imagined Seto doing that to the wall, and subconsciously shivered when I pictured him in such an angry state. And then my mind went back to Seto's old bedroom in the West-wing and the destroyed state that was in and how Seto could have done that in blind rage, its pretty scary. I shook my head of these thoughts and brought myself back to my present task: talking to Seto. He hadn't even looked up from his position from one of his Study's sofas; he was reading or looking at some book. His body was facing me but as I said he hadn't looked up to see me.
"Se…Seto?" It seemed to grab his attention and catch him a little bit by surprise (even though he called me in) as his head whipped up immediately and his eyes stared directly at me.
"Mokuba…what are you doing here?" I wasn't sure if he meant it harshly or if he really didn't know sometimes it's hard to tell with Seto.
"I…I came to talk to you, to sit with you." I stuttered out what am I thinking? Seto doesn't want me here.
I don't know if Seto heard me right but he seemed a little bit confused however he soon recovered. "I guess it's the least in what you deserve, take a seat I'll tell you want you want to know." As Seto gestured towards a sofa adjacent from him and returned to his original seat I tried my best to hide my confused expression of course Seto notices everything and asked me immediately, "What's wrong?"
I sat down and fiddled with the bottom of my shirt before pulling my gaze over to Seto, "I thought that you would be mad, that you would just kick me out." I said truthfully, now it was his turn to be confused again.
"Why would I be mad? I would have thought you would be the one mad at me, you have every right to be,"
"I can promise you I'm not mad at all, I'm just, just a little bit confused that's all." I said after some deep thought.
"Understandable, so please let me clear things up for you. What do you need to know?
"Well, why, why keep everything from me, why tell me I'm your brother and keep…keep Kis-her a secrete." I managed to stop myself from saying Kisara I wouldn't want to set Seto off.
"I was being selfish and a coward. I didn't want to have to explain to you anything about Kisara, I just wanted to try and forget and move on. And as for telling you you're my brother well, I had already failed as a father I just thought I could start again as a brother. He sighed and leaned back in his chair while I took everything in.
"What, what was she like? Kisara I mean." I know it was a delicate subject but he did say I could ask anything.
Seto looked over to me and smiled slightly as if picturing her right now, "She was perfect. And so beautiful like a goddess I do regret not telling you about her, I wish, I wish you could have remembered her if only a bit." Seto looked back down and picked up that book he was looking at when I came in and held it in his hands before looking back up to me again.
"Come, sit here I want to show you something Mokuba." As he gestured towards the seat next to him I smiled happily and wasted no time in getting over there, once in my seat I looked up expectantly at Seto and waited for him to continue.
"You see this book Mokuba? It's one of my most prized possessions and believe it or not it means more to me than my Blue Eyes all put together. I've kept it safe for years." Whoa even more important than his Dragon cards? Wow, this book is special I wonder what's in it.
"Really? What's in it?" I can't help myself but ask, it's like I'm a little kid sitting on Santa's knee staring intensely at a wrapped present I've been given.
"I'll show." Was all Seto said and I felt myself shuffling closer to him and the book while he opened it so carefully as if it were made by gold or something.
My eyes widened like saucers as their gaze fell upon the pages of the book. It was a photo album filled with hundreds of photos on each page.
"This is me when I was a kid, younger than you are now." Seto said as he traced his finger from one photo to the next. He was about the same age as he was in my locket picture maybe a bit younger and he looked so happy. In one picture he was standing with a group of two other boys who were smiling up at the camera like him. Seto had his arms around their shoulders. The boy on the right was the same height as Seto and had ruffled black hair with bangs hanging loosely over his brown eyes. He was wearing a simple brownish top with an army cameo jacket and green mossy coloured shorts. While the boy on the left of Seto had blonde short hair that was sort of spiked up at the front revealing his emerald green eyes. The boy was also wearing shorts except they were baggy and had army cameo on them while his top was black and had a picture of a toy shoulder on it. And as I looked at Seto I also noticed that he was wearing army cameo as well.
"That's Mickey on the left with the blonde hair. He was the funny one always making jokes and knowing how to make us laugh. And on the right is Alex with the long ruffled hair. He'd do anything just for the fun of it the things we got up to as kids was unbelievable."
"How come your all wearing army gear?" I asked I have to admit it does look cool but I'm still wondering why.
"When we were kids we all lived on the same street and almost everyday after school or on school break or weekends we would change into that same army gear and go up to the local woods. The woods was pretty big especially since we were so small so we explored it learning every shortcut and hiding place there was. We used to make basses up their out of leaves, sticks, all sorts of things we could find. We even made our own weapons out of sticks and stones to make spears and stuff. We made a practice dummy as well out of old spare tires we found. During summer breaks we used to camp up there almost everyday." Seto explained I would have never thought Seto would have got up to that sort of stuff when he was a kid.
"No way? That's so cool you really did that stuff when you were a kid?" I couldn't help but exclaim as I kinda jumped out my seat.
"Yep were known as 'The Army' every kid on our street knew about us, those were good times. Here's a map of the woods we made up." Seto then gently pulled back a photo and took out a folded piece of paper from behind it and handed it to me. I heard Seto chuckle as I gasped at it when I folded it all out, it was awesome! It was an A3 piece of paper and every part of it was filled with different land marks of the woods, there were three different bases each with a drawing of them and then they were trails in red leading to all the other places of the map. One area was marked 'Training Grounds' and had a drawing of the tire dummy Seto mentioned and then a path showed different shortcuts (these were marked in blue) and then different hiding or camping spots (these were marked in green). Then there were little notes written on it highlighting were to get the best wood to build with and were to find tires and stuff.
"Seto this is…this is just amazing it sounds just so cool!" I neatly folded the paper map and gave it back to Seto where he put it back in it's place behind a photo.
"It was fun, the three of us did everything together here we are on a fishing trip all our Dad's took us on, and over here we're on a school trip to this chocolate factory. Our group was so boring though so we snuck off, we ended up at the gift shop which was supposed to be at the end of the tour and ate all the chocolate gifts. Our teacher Miss Ram was furious she had to pay for it all we got detention for the next week but she make the mistake of putting us in it together. So we used to rearrange the classroom and when she next walked in she'd be so confused and I'm pretty sure she nearly had a break down because of us." Seto chuckled as he turned the page and pointed to each picture as he explained what it was.
"Really? What did you do?" I asked.
"We used to have this classroom pet a hamster called Jeffery, anyway one day in detention Miss Ram left her purse in the classroom behind, two words: big mistake. We rummaged through her bag and found some dark red lipstick and put it on Jeffery as well as all sorts of other make up, then we found some red paint and painted ourselves with it to look like blood. When she next walked in we were all lying on the floor covered in red paint and Jeffery sitting next to us. She freaked out big time and ran out the room screaming it was hilarious. We didn't see her for the next two weeks, everyone else in our class threw a party for us because of it; no one liked the old hag." Seto chuckled as he turned the page over.
"You were worse than me at school I'm surprised you didn't get expelled!" I joked while Seto chuckled lightly and ruffled my hair, his gaze turned slightly sadder as he looked at the next page of pictures.
"These were my parents; I guessed they'd be your Grandma and Granddad." He almost whispered. "You would have liked them they were simple kind of people; they didn't dwell on what was sad they just looked at how to make things better. Hmm, my mother Jenifer was her name, she used to always say 'that whenever you're sad all you have to do is smile as the world smiles with you'. I can only really remember small things like that about them.
"They look just like you, you know, the same hair as your mother and the same eyes as your father." I said which was true his Mum had long wavy chocolate brown hair and brown eyes to match, while Seto's Dad had short black hair and piecing blue eyes."
"You got your black hair from my father, your Grandfather." Seto said as he turned the page this time it was Seto just on his own without Mickey or Alex or either of his parents I didn't have to ask to know that this was taken at the orphanage so I carefully reached over the book and skipped ahead I think Seto didn't mind but a little grateful. Now the pictures were of Seto after he was adopted he was still young but older than he was before, there was also a girl next to him with blue eyes and silvery blue hair, I didn't have to ask to know that this was Kisara either.
"This was when your mother and I were about twelve or thirteen I'd been living at the Kaiba Mansion for a few years now. Gozaburo used to allow her to visit me once a week, her father was a businessmen working with Gozaburo. I never really understood why Gozaburo let her visit he was probably up to something but I never really thought anything of it I was just glad to be able to see her each week." Seto said as we looked over each picture.
"She's pretty, what did you and Kisara do when she came round?" I asked carefully.
"We used to draw a lot you know duel monsters, we would talk too about our dreams and life goals, sometimes we would play chess that was always fun. Once she was allowed to stay a little longer so while her father and Gozaburo were in a meeting we snuck out to the gardens at the back of the estate. I'll always remember that we played hide and seek in the maze of bushes and flowers. When we got back and Kisara had to go home Gozaburo was waiting for me, I was a fool to think that we could get away with it; I forgot that Gozaburo always has one of his goons watching. He was furious to say the least; I wasn't allowed to see Kisara for the next few months but Gozaburo underestimated her. He thought she was a simple minded girl, but he was wrong she was strong willed like me and on more than one occasion she snuck into my room at night. Of course Gozaburo still did business with her father and so eventually Kisara's weekly visits returned." Seto explained as he pointed at each picture all of them of him and Kisara either sitting or smiling together.
"How did you…you know become a couple?" I asked.
"We had known each other since we were ten, and I guess we kinda got closer and closer through the years. We were twelve when we first kissed, it was during one of her visits I was talking to her and I just couldn't stop myself and well just leaned in and kissed her and it felt right you know?" I nodded as Seto continued, "Gozaburo didn't find out for a while but I knew he was suspicious eventually he had one of his butlers walk in on us, Hobson was his name I always hated him so did Jason and Roland I fired as soon as I took over. Anyway once Kisara's father died he wanted her out of my life. I think he only put up with so far was because how helpful her father was but with him gone she was a mere nuisance to him." Seto's voice seemed to get angrier with each word he spoke about Gozaburo so I tried to change the conversation.
"When did Kisara get pregnant with me?" I asked turning the photo album page and with a mere coincident it was pictures of Kisara and Seto together however I could notice a small baby bump on Kisara.
"You promise you won't judge me?" Seto asked before he told me he seemed to have calmed down from earlier.
"Nope I promise I won't." I said but Seto looked at me a bit sceptically, so sighing I added, "Cross my heart, alright?" Seto nodded and began speaking again.
"Alright I believe you, Kisara found out she was pregnant with you when we had both just turned fifteen."
Fifteen? Seriously Seto? That means you were probably getting jiggy-with-it when you were at the end of fourteen!" I exclaimed.
"You said you wouldn't judge me." Seto argued as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm not, but still fifteen?" I asked while Seto simply nodded.
"I know we were young, young people are stupid sometimes." I admitted.
"Why did you keep me then? I mean Gozaburo must have been completely against it when he found out and he already didn't want you with Kisara." I asked as I looked down at my hands, I know it was a stupid question but I couldn't help myself.
"Because Mokuba we loved you, just because we were a little too young doesn't mean we didn't want you. We didn't even consider abortion or adoption because you were our little boy." Seto said in his low tone that I've only heard him use for me and Kisara I looked and smiled while Seto did the same.
"Do you have a pictures of me when I was small?"
"Of course we have a whole section of you as a baby in this book."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh, just take a look." And as he said this Seto flicked over a couple of pages and as he said opened the book to pages and pages full of me when I was a baby, some with me on my own, some with Kisara and some with all of us in.
"We were very, very lucky when you were born, Gozaburo was watching us so closely when Kisara came into her ninth month of pregnancy he wanted to be there when you were born and oversee everything that would happen. Luckily however he was called over to Europe with Kaiba Corp for one of his most important deals and missed everything with your birth." Seto said.
"Where were you when Kisara went into labour?"
"Whenever Gozaburo went away on business trips which he did quite often I would be free to see Kisara whenever, she was in the Kaiba Mansion when it happened. I was with Roland talking to the members of the 'Big Five' through video chat when Kisara went into labour. I had left Kisara with Jason in my room so she wasn't alone while I conducted the meeting and she came out the toilet telling Jason that her water had just broke. Of course he immediately panicked while she started having her contractions on the sofa. He finally got a hold of himself and phoned Dr Peterson you know the family Doctor so it wasn't long before he arrived. While Kisara was moved to the bed she must have literally screamed at Jason to go and get me so just as the 'Big Five' and I ended the video chat he comes rushing in yelling about Kisara and how she's in labour."
"Jason never was one to be good at situation with pressure like that, was he?" I commented playfully in which Seto smirked,
"It also doesn't help that he is pretty thick when it comes to these things as well." Seto added in which we both laughed at, "Anyway Roland and I immediately sprang into action and bolt from the room and sprinted around the Mansion for my room while Jason followed. I was at Kisara's side in an instant as soon as I saw her breathing heavily on the bed and Dr Peterson getting ready for the birth. He ordered Roland and Jason to get blanks and a wet soft cloth for Kisara and you. Kisara was only in labour with your for a few hours you were a surprisingly quick birth."
"Is this a picture of me when I was born?" I said as I pointed to a picture of Kisara holding me in her arms and Seto looking down on me at her side.
"Yep, this was taken by Roland an hour after you were born you were sound asleep." Seto said as he looked at the picture too.
"What made you call me Mokuba?"
"It was Kisara's father's name, we both liked it, it suited you and plus it was kinda in memory of him." Seto replied, huh I never knew that.
"When you were born Kisara was resting asleep on the bed and I was alone with you asleep in my arms, and I remember you waking up for the first time and you stared directly at me with your big blue eyes and do you know what you did?" Seto said as he gestured to a picture of him holding me.
"No what?"
"You saw one of my finger's resting on you and you grabbed it so tight with your little fist."
"I did?"
"Uh-huh you used to always do that when I held you liked you remember who I was ever since you were born." Seto whispered turning the page I noticed a picture where I'm still a baby but a little bit older and I'm with Seto and Kisara she was holding me while I'm holding one of Seto's fingers and we're all smiling.
"That picture was taken when you were about five months old, here take it." Seto said as he peeled back the protective covering and handed me the photo.
"Oh no Seto I can't do that, I don't want to loose it." I said.
"No you won't just put it in your locket that way you can look at it whenever you need to." Seto insisted as he pulled my locket out and opened it he then removed the picture of himself as a kid at the orphanage and replaced it with the picture of Me, Kisara and him. As we turned our attention back to the album I turned the page but I noticed something. Kisara began to disappear from the pictures and it was either just me on my own or just Seto and I. I think Seto forgot about this bit and quickly shut the book and got to his feet while I did the same.
"What happened to her Seto?" I asked determined to get an answer.
"I think it's time you get to bed Mokuba." Seto stated completely ignoring my question and turning his back to me.
"Not until you tell me what happened to her." I retorted standing firm.
"It doesn't matter just go to bed," Seto repeated.
"It doesn't matter? How can you say that? You loved her didn't you? She's my Mum for God's sakes! Of course it matters!" I yelled I couldn't help myself I just lost it.
"Mokuba go to bed now, please!" Seto almost begged as he spun around and faced me I've never heard him speak like that before it was like he was pleading with me.
"Please Mokuba, just leave it I'd rather not talk about it now, I'm sorry." Seto said
I sighed calmed down, "No I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled, it's just been a weird day I mean I've out you're my Dad after years of thinking you're my and it's just so confusing." I admitted calming down completely now as I approached the door to leave.
"I know, you can continue calling me Seto and big brother if you want, I know it'll be hard to get used to calling me 'Dad'." Seto said as I passed him on the way the way to the door, I nodded and opened the door but stopped in the doorway.
"But if I am gonna get used to it I might as well start now so good night…Dad." I said finally while just about to go leaving Seto alone in his room and retuning to my own room, however before I went Seto said one last thing.
"Good night…son." And with that I left with a smile and returned back to my room where I simply flopped onto my bed and fell asleep after a long and tiring event filled day.
Author's Notes;
Right a lot longer chapter to the ones I normally do but I think you all deserve it after the long wait I've made you sit through for the next update.
Anyway as usual don't forget to review! ;)
