A/N: less of the living world, and more of the Spirit World in this chapter. and yes, we do see Atem. he is, after all, practically a representative of the Spirit World.

hope you guys like this chapter as much as the previous ones!

keep those reviews coming yea! it'll feel great to have a few for a chapter. hehe.

MythCreatorWriter: yups, Marik had the phone on loudspeaker mode, hence the rustling in the background. sorry if it wasn't clear ya (:


Mokuba kept close to Pharaoh Seto's blue robes, taking in the sight of the royal palace. The way the walls glimmered made him wonder if the entire palace was too made of gold. He peered up at the pharaoh. The latter seemed contented to be able to walk alongside him, once in a while pausing to let Mokuba marvel at the palace grounds.

"Seto," a familiar voice acknowledged the pharaoh sans his title.

Pharaoh Seto turned around and smiled warmly as he bowed slightly. "Atem, my king."

Mokuba's eyes widened. Standing before him was the other Yugi, the taller one. He could not believe he could meet him again, especially not after his sending off in Egypt.

Atem sighed. "Seto, there's no need for such formalities in this place, you know that. Here, we are nothing more than cousins and friends."

Pharaoh Seto chuckled. "Atem," he gestured to Mokuba. "I understand you must recognize him, yes?"

"Indeed I do!" Atem exclaimed, his eyes widening at the sight of Mokuba. Then those same eyes narrowed in Pharaoh Seto's direction. "Seto, what is he doing here?"

"Apparently, he… seemed to have accidentally stepped into our world. His body is lying unconscious somewhere. I'm trying to help him return. But for the time being, I thought it'd be better if he calmed down first."

Atem knelt down and patted Mokuba's hair. "We'll get you back. Kaiba must be out of his mind worrying about you."

"He is?" Mokuba asked disappointedly.

Pharaoh Seto glared at Atem. Then he too knelt beside Mokuba and reassured him in a soothing voice, "Your brother is trying everything he can. His faith is building up." He held Mokuba's pendant up. "See? You'll go back. The time will come soon."

Mokuba looked like as if he believed every word Pharaoh Seto said. Leaving Mokuba to wander off on the nearby palace grounds on his own, Pharaoh Seto decided to take a walk with his cousin.

"I'm surprised you were so… fatherly to a stranger," Atem remarked thoughtfully. "Usually you're civil but not so warm."

Pharaoh Seto looked straight at his former king. "Regardless of the time frame, he is still my son. I can't help it."

This time round, it was Atem's turn to chuckle. "Now I see where Kaiba got his stubbornness from."

"Oh really? Maybe you could tell me how I am as Kaiba."

Atem was only too pleased to oblige. Unlike Yugi and Kaiba, his relationship with Seto was built first on loyalty, then on friendship. The former's relationship was initially built on rivalry, which somehow evolved into an unacknowledged friendship. He listed Kaiba's traits, both the positive and the negative ones. By the end of the walk, Pharaoh Seto had to admit, they were very much alike.

"But at least you're more expressive with your emotions and humbler than Kaiba," Atem added on ruefully. "Those are some traits that Kaiba has yet to develop." Then he caught sight of Mokuba looking up expectantly at them. Atem changed his tone. "Mokuba! You're done touring the grounds?"

Mokuba laughed as he nodded. "Yeah! I never knew it was so huge!" He cast a long look at each of them and sighed. "I wish Big Brother could be as nice to Yugi as you guys are to each other."

Atem and Pharaoh Seto exchanged looks. Pharaoh Seto shrugged, an indication that it was up to Atem to say whatever he wanted. After all, Atem was the one who knew Kaiba well.

"Well," Atem started. "Kaiba's a nice person. He just doesn't show it as much to pe –"

He was cut short by a blinding flash of light emanating from the entrance of the palace. Pharaoh Seto shielded Mokuba with his robe. What the heck is that?

XO XO XO XO

Joey handed back the phone to Tristan, peeved and confused. He had just contacted Tea, and despite it already being 10am, she had grouchily told him to call later and said that she was still too tired to talk cos she was up all night. That was precisely what he was telling Yugi and Tristan now.

"And when I asked her what she was doing, she just grumbled and told me to ask Kaiba," Joey story tell in disbelief. Then his eyes widened as something clicked in his mind. "Kaiba must have done something! I bet he did!"

Just then, the ward's door swung open and in strode Seto Kaiba in all his arrogance and superiority. He had on his black attire and purple studded coat, with his silver briefcase in hand. Without so much of a greeting to the three guys, he set his briefcase beside Mokuba's bed. He was just about to bend down to kiss his brother's forehead when Joey grabbed his collar.

"What have you done to Tea?" Joey demanded, tightening his grip on Seto's coat.

"Let go, Wheeler," he gripped Joey's clutch and twisted his wrist with just enough pressure for the blond to let go. Of course, the ease was increased thanks to Yugi's and Tristan's restraining effort. Seto dusted his coat's shoulder and straightened out himself. "Besides, you should have been honoured to have such an efficient friend."

"WHAT?! She consented?!"

Seto stared at him, confused. "She offered, I just obliged."

The trio exchanged horrified looks. Yugi was the most taken aback. Joey, meanwhile, had lurched forward, preparing to punch the indifferent CEO. Seto caught his arm easily and sent him tumbling back to where he was standing thirty seconds before. This time round, Seto was pissed, "What the fuck is wrong with you, Wheeler? Gardner just helped me settle three files for my case in one night. That's all."

"Oh." Joey uttered, rubbing the side of his head. "Heheh. Misunderstanding much?"

Seto ignored him. "I'll be staying here for the next few days. All of you can go back if you like. And if not, do me a favour: stop annoying me." He glared at Joey for good measure.

XO XO XO XO

With the trio gone, Seto could finally relax and ease back into his big brother mode. He seated himself beside his brother, staring intently at Mokuba's unconscious figure. He remained still for a while, before suddenly, but smoothly, leaning in forward to cradle Mokuba in his arms. It had only been one night, and he missed him so. He placed Mokuba back on the bed and shifted himself so that he could reach out to open his briefcase.

"Morning Mokie," Seto greeted. He imagined the scenario to be the usual morning scene at home before they were orphaned. He tried to inject as much cheeriness into his words, despite the fact that he found the whole deal awkward to him. How long had he abandoned this routine? "Come on, bro. We gotta see the sun high up in the sky. You like the sun, don't you? It's out there, waiting for you." But instead of moving to throw the covers aside, Seto pulled the covers up to Mokuba's chest. "But I guess you wanna hear a story first, huh?"

I can't believe I'm doing this, he chastised himself as he pulled out a thin book from his briefcase. But never mind. All of this is for Mokuba.

"Alright, bro," Seto flipped to the first page of the book. It was some random fairytale that he recalled Mokuba used to have being read to when he was younger. In fact, he recalled having to resort to reading it to get Mokuba to wake up early in the morning without throwing a tantrum. " 'Once upon a time, there was a woodcutter…"

XO XO XO XO

"I can go back?" Mokuba exclaimed excitedly. He was unsure who the newly-arrived woman was, but she had just explained that she was sent from the present living world to lead Mokuba back to where he belonged.

Atem squinted at her, scrutinizing her jet-black hair and her olive skin. No doubt, she was an Egyptian. He decided to check. "Are you sent by the Ishtars?"

The woman smiled as she nodded. "Yes I am, pharaoh. Ishizu has filled me in about the situation, and of course told me a lot about you, great pharaoh."

Atem smiled amidst Pharaoh Seto's puzzled expression. "Ishizu. It's been so long. Send my regards to her, will you? But Mokuba. How is he to return to his body?"

The woman was quick to comfort him. "Don't worry, my king. He'll get back to his body safely, I promise."

Pharaoh Seto placed a hand on Mokuba's shoulder and squeezed it. "I'll send him off as well."

The woman looked surprised. "But Pharaoh Seto…"

"No buts," Pharaoh Seto said firmly. "He's my son. I'll send him off. Let's go."

XO XO XO XO

" 'And so, the woodcutter and his son learnt their lesson: never be too greedy, and just be thankful with what you have'," Seto finished off the story and closed the book. He placed it underneath Mokuba's pillow. He lay his head beside his brother's and spoke softly, "Tell me, Mokie. What can I do to get you to wake up? I miss you, Mokie. I haven't seen your smile, heard your laugh, got scolded by you for days. You know how empty my life has been without you, lil bro? But I'm never giving up on you. You hear that? Never."

He closed his eyes and hummed a tune,

"Let me look after this feeling

Protect all the love that you've given me

If you leave I'll stay

If you go away I won't be far from you

Because in truth I am still placing my hopes on you. "

XO XO XO XO

Mokuba halted in his steps. Pharaoh Seto, who had been holding him by the hand, glanced down at him. Even the astral projection of Ishizu's friend seemed puzzled.

"I hear Big Brother," Mokuba said haltingly. "He's… humming something."

"Huh?" the reaction from Pharaoh Seto and the woman was synchronised. They paused to listen to the still air. "We don't hear anything."

"I heard him!" Mokuba insisted. He strained his ears and listened hard. "He is humming something! Big Brother wants me back!" He whirled around, trying hard to find an opening for him to jump back into his body. "Where's the exit?"

The woman placed a hand on his shoulder, signalling him to calm down. Pharaoh Seto just looked uncomfortable. Mokuba's shoulders drooped as he realised that it would not be as easy as that.

"Mokuba, listen to me," the woman's voice was kind, but stern just like Ishizu. "Just follow me. We'll have to find back and reconnect your astral cord, and only then can we send you back. After that, your body will still need time to readjust to your soul being back in it."

"You mean, I won't wake up immediately?"

The woman shook her head. "Your astral cord was broken for some time, Mokuba. It takes time to heal it."

Pharaoh Seto held Mokuba close to him. Mokuba fought back tears. The king's embrace was so reminiscent of Seto's. Pharaoh Seto spoke into his hair, "What do I always tell you, Mokuba?"

Mokuba replied without realising that the one talking to him was not Seto, "If you fail, try and try again until you succeed at what you're doing. Giving in makes you a failure."

Pharaoh Seto gave a small smile. "My descendant does give sound advice for someone as egoistic as himself. Have faith, little one. Have faith, and you'll reach your dreams."

Mokuba grinned. Wait up, Big Brother! I'm coming back! And the first thing I wanna see is your smile, and the first thing I wanna do is hug you. I miss you, Seto.


A/N P2: the bolded words are lyrics (i love the fact that music relates so well to life) from the song Menjaga Hati (Taking Care of the Heart) by Yovie & The Nuno.