A/N: This is where my updating-all-at-once comes to an end. I highly doubt I'll make a regular habit out of updating my posts, but at least there's comfort in knowing this isn't a dead story (: Savor it.

Chapter 10: Brothers

Mokuba, who had just recently left the hanger in an attempt to find his brother, soon found his worst fear lying motionless in the sun. His mind was too clouded with astonishment and confusion to hear the "Oh shit"s and "Oh no, Mokuba, don't look"s. He dropped all previous thoughts of hurrying to leave the island for what was before him. His brother.. crumpled.. crumpled into a lifeless gaze. There was a god out there – pissing, pointing, and laughing at Mokuba. No. It can't be!

"NOOOOOO! SETO! NO!" The boy shrieked as he ran up to his brother. He immediately fell into the body and clasped his hands around him. "Seto..Seto.. Seto." He shooked, buried, nudged, even beat his head against Kaiba's chest. "Wake up, Seto.. Seto." He paused, looking up with snot dribbling down his chin into Seto Kaiba's glazed eyes. "WAKE UP!" He screamed, again.

They felt sorry for him. The poor boy was too concerned with his brother to not even care about his own physical well-being. The skin on his elbows were bleeding – the first layers of skin raw from the scrapes of concrete. Salty tears and snot glued his soft, black hair to face. If it wasn't for that, he still wouldn't be able to see past the wet spell of tears. No comfort could be brought to him.

For what seemed like hours, were only minutes. They watched him, soaking it in for their own gain to accept the passing of a childhood rival. What was just considered silly games was now turned into weapons and murder. How? Weren't these just innocent games? Who the fuck invited Shadow Games?

=== *** === *** ===

Once things calmed down, in their own way, they regrouped and discussed the next plan of action. Mokuba would leave, as Kaiba would have wanted him to and the body would be placed on board. While he was at it, Mokuba would send for help from the police. It would be disclosed to them as a break-in; a robber with a gun and did not like resistance. No one would believe a "Shadow Game" killed a bunch of adolescents.

A thought rushed at him; a simple thought that concerned his sister. "Shizuka," he began, "I want you to go with Mokuba."

"Whaaat?! Onii-chan, how could you even consider that? You know I would never leave you!"

"That's.. why I want you to go. You have to understand – I love you. I don't want you to be around me anymore. If anything happened to you.."

"I understand how you feel. But that's exactly why I need to be with you! Don't you see? I am safe when I'm with you.. you're my big brother!"

He stood in silence with his head hung low. Defeat. He felt defeated. He was more familiar to reality than his sister. He knew his physical capabilities and that he couldn't protect her from the monsters. God forbid he slips up once. God forbid that day would be today.

"I can't let you. You are going to have to leave with Mokuba."

"But I trust you!"

"Yeah? Well I don't. There; I said it."

"Jounouchi…"

"It's for the best, Shizuka. I know it may sound cruel to you; but it's for your health. You're brother knows what's best for you."

"Pharaoh.. Brother.. how could you.. how could you decide that for me..?"

At least, they understood. In the end, she would, too. Her cooperation was not completely necessary, but she was more of a liability at this point. Not to mention her safety was Jounouchi's top priority. "I'm sorry. But-"

"I'll go." Her tone was troubled and yet strangely obedient. The sadness overwhelmed her, and the thought that she might not see her big brother again was uprooting every emotion she could muster. She hid it well, though. She wanted to be tough for him – wanted to be strong. It was the least she could do.

Mokuba, on the other hand, couldn't give a damn if she came with him or not. In fact, he was more upset about the situation than anyone else. At least she gets a say in it.

"C'mon, we don't have all day." Snotty. Rude. Sour. Let down. His guard was up and once again: he was alone. "We don't have much time."

"Go", he said, but she was already walking towards the new CEO of Kaiba Corp. He watched her; every step she took was another nail beaten into his heart. He wasn't for sure of his fate –or anyone else, for that matter- but it felt like their last goodbye.

She turned back only once; once to see the forced smiles on her friends' faces. There was a slight glimpse of optimism knowing that Shizuka would be safe. Out of all of them, they felt that she didn't belong in this dark hour. She doesn't deserve this horror. None of them did, but maybe there was still a chance to make a difference.

"Hey… I love you."

"'Love you, too, Sis. Hang in there. "

She smiled, "You, too."

With that, the pair left through doubled doors and were out of sight. The gang knew where they were going – they knew that the short distance would be uninterrupted.