Chapter 10 – More Than Salt
9/23/2008
Disclaimer: hoWz I rItE Da hOle sTorI lyKe dis? (gets chased by dragon-sized flames for even thinking about it). Sike. I like the nice reviews too much. In case you didn't know yet, I don't own Yu-gi-oh.
"Daddy," Seto spoke as he plopped onto his bed. "Tell me the story about Momotaro, the Peach Boy."
Seiji sighed. It was eight o'clock, the time for his elder son to sleep. When Laura was alive, she usually put Seto to bed. It used to be her daily ritual to tell bedtime stories to her son. Seiji could not possibly compare to his dead wife in her animated storytelling, but Seto surprisingly enjoyed the Japanese folklore and foreign stories that Seiji grew up on as a child. "I told you that yesterday. Today, I'm going to tell you about the prince who loved his father more than salt."
"Salt?" The boy in green long-sleeved pajamas stared in confusion at his father. Seiji's eyes twinkled as his son thoughtfully placed a finger to his bottom lip. "But we can buy salt at the grocery store easily. How is that a good thing?"
This boy is too precocious, Seiji thought. "Now, salt is very easy to get, but a long time ago salt was very rare," Seiji replied. "People used to have wars over salt."
Placing his arms onto his blue comforter, Seto frowned in disapproval. "That's stupid. Why must people die just for somebody's food to taste good?"
Seiji shrugged his shoulders disinterestedly. "You better ask them. Anyway, you see, there was a king of a small kingdom who was getting old and needed to pass his kingdom onto one of his sons. He had two sons who he loved very much. However, he wanted to give it to the son who loved him the most—"
"Shouldn't the king just give it the smarter son?"
"Sssh. Listen to the story," Seiji playfully scolded as the blue-eyed boy crossed his arms and stared at him impatiently. His wife was a much better at dealing with his son's many questions. Her usual response was to come up with some overly complicated explanation that would amuse the boy and endless peals of laughter due to her favorite tactic. Tickling. "You see, he believed that his son who loved him the most would love the country the most. So he brought them over in a big ceremony in front of the entire court and asked them the question. 'Who loves me more?'"
"Couldn't they just lie?" Seto interrupted again.
"You're getting ahead of the story," Seiji gently insisted as Seto rolled his eyes. He returned his attention to his father who continued with the tale. "Now the older son was a very popular man and known in for his ability to give great speeches that made crowds excited. In front of the entire court, the first prince told his father that he loved him more than the greatest riches. He loved his father more than the most beautiful jewels. From the heavens to his seas. He insisted that his love is greater than anything around."
"Well, it is a lot of talk that he was giving," Seto stated, having newfound interest with the story. "What did the second prince say?"
"Well, the second prince was the opposite of his older brother. He was an extremely simple and quiet man. He lacked his brother's talent for speaking. So in front of the entire court, the second son simply replied that he loved his father more than salt."
Seto raised his eyebrows, puzzled by the second prince's words. "How did the king reply to that?"
"The king became so furious when he heard this. He banished the second son from the kingdom, telling him to never return. Meanwhile, he gave the first son the title as crown prince."
"I don't get it. What's the point of this story?"
"I'm not done yet," Seiji stated, smirking at his son's restlessness. "From the day that the first prince gained power, his true nature came out. He was a cold and ruthless tyrant who treated his subjects badly. He even locked his father in the dirtiest cell in the dungeons."
Seto's eyes widened. "That's horrible!"
Seiji nodded as he continued with his tale. "When the second prince heard about this, he gathered an army and defeated his brother. After kicking the king out of power, he went to the cell and freed his father. His father looked so different from staying in that jail cell that his son barely recognized him. The former king turned to his son and asked him one question. 'Why did you save me?'"
"You know, the king has a point," Seto retorted all-knowingly, nodding his head in agreement with the king's words. "He only loved him more than salt."
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong." Irritation entered Seto's blue eyes at the correction as he gazed at Seiji. It was a rare experience for the seven-year-old to be wrong. "The prince told his father that salt is essential to food. Without salt, food like rice is bland and can't be eaten. It gives it that extra taste. The king realized his foolishness and cried. The second son loved him more, but he just didn't brag about it. So he decided to make that prince the king, and they—"
"—lived happily ever. But I still don't get it," Seto stared at Seiji, looking at his father in puzzlement. He was still baffled by his father's tale. "What's the point?"
Seiji sighed again. Perhaps, he should have told the story about the Peach Boy after all. "The second prince loved his father more, but he just didn't say that in so many big words. His love was simple and pure; it may not have shined like a gem and been noticed by others, but it was greater. Now it's off to bed." The Japanese man leaned forward towards his son as he lay onto the pillow, planting a quick peck onto the boy's chestnut brown bangs. Seto smiled as his father tucked him into the blue comforter and sheets of his twin-sized bed. A sudden idea entered the biracial boy's head as he glanced at his father.
"Daddy, can I look at the VCR tomorrow? I want to play with it."
"No." The brown-haired boy sulked at his father's quick reply as the golden-toned man rose up from the bed. "Now, good night. I got some work to finish up." Walking away from the bed, he turned off the light switch of the room covered in dragon-patterned wallpaper and grabbed the door knob.
After closing the door, Seiji walked through the lit halls of the second floor of his home. Glancing at the door next his elder son's, Seiji headed toward the room. Quietly he turned the silver door knob and peered into darkness. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He scanned the room, eying a small wooden crib. A diaper-changing table and shelf filled with stuffed animals, Mokie's favorite rattle, and assorted baby items surrounded the crib. Nearby a small rocking chair lay, where he would rock and feed his little son with infant formula. As Seiji leaned towards the wooden crib, his little dark-haired boy slept soundly. The boy's hair was so similar to his own with the only difference being the length. His son's hair was decidedly longer than his own cropped hair. Mokie might need a hair cut soon, Seiji thought as he fondly gazed at his son. "Laura would love you so much," the Japanese man whispered. "You have her father's eyes after all."
The baby stirred for a moment. Raising himself up Seiji removed himself from the crib. His elder son's relationship with the baby had not improved. This broke Seiji's heart. Although Seto no longer threw tantrums, realizing that they were futile, the elder son refused to acknowledge his sibling's presence. When Mokie was in the same room, Seto would silently ignore the infant and absorb himself into whatever he was doing. It certainly did not help that Seto stayed at the Jones' home after school. Brian constantly complained about Mokie, reinforcing Seto's dislike for his brother.
Softly closing the door of the nursery room, Seiji headed towards his own room. He had some work to do. As he switched on the light to his room, he headed towards his desk. Grabbing a manila envelope, the man seated himself onto a chair by his wooden table study as he removed papers from it. He placed the papers onto the desk and grabbed a ruler and pen to sketch. The papers had been the blueprint to the park that he had been working on. Every evening Seiji had worked on the plans, after finishing chores and putting his kids to bed. Hopefully, if everything went according to plan, he would be finished with the final touches that night. Before he had crumpled his plans about three years ago, Seiji had nearly been finished with the rough draft.
Ever since Seto found the plans, Seiji felt some purpose within him. When he worked on the blueprints for the park, it separated him from his stress. His worries and fears no longer dominated him in those moments. There was some sense of control. By working until the early hours of the morning, random thoughts could not enter because he absorbed himself into his work and became too tired to think afterwards. As his pen inked further lines, his mind could be free from the fears that dominated him when his mind was unoccupied. Fears such as failing his sons. Fears such as his life amounting to nothing.
After the man added the final touches, he stared at the blueprint. "I'm finished." No one responded to those words, leaving Seiji feeling utterly empty. There was no kiss to congratulate him. No squeezing hug. No over-the-tops squeal of excitement that was typical of his wife. He looked at the desk clock that read two o'clock. It was time for sleep. He got up from his chair, feeling tenseness in the muscles of his back. As Seiji changed into the pajamas that he placed into his chair, he felt a mingled combination of loneliness and worry overwhelm him. He dragged himself to the queen-sized bed and lay down after turning off the light. With the plans for his park finished and the contacts that had been making for the last couple of months, Seiji would have to inform Seto of his decision. He wondered how his elder son and in-laws would take the news that he would announce in a few days.
...
"Could you pass the gravy?" Seiji mumbled awkwardly.
On the left foot of the table, the gray-haired woman looked up at him. Placing her silverware onto her plate, the gray-haired woman picked up a white ceramic sauce boat filled with gravy and passed it towards her son-in-law. She returned to eating the food on her plate as he held onto the handle of the dish. After pouring the thick gravy over his mashed potatoes, he placed the sauce boat onto the middle of the table along with the other dishes of food.
It was Thanksgiving dinner at the Jones' house. Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, the day was a national holiday that supposedly celebrated thanks and gratitude for one's blessings by gathering with family and friends. Unlike the not-so-appetizing barbeque that was typical of the Jones, Thanksgiving was an actual treat. In food there was nothing lacking. A well-seasoned baked turkey was centered by various mouth-watering dishes such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, and corn. However, a dreariness lingered throughout the dinner. It had been the most uncomfortable Thanksgiving that Seiji had ever experienced, including his first one with Laura's parents after he married. Seated to right of him, his elder son chewed onto a small slice of turkey onto his mouth as he stared sadly onto his plate of food. Meanwhile, towards the left of him, his younger son cooed excitedly as he sat onto the baby chair, showing signs of energetic feistiness. He made the only sound of joy and excitement in the entire room.
"So, tell me, what is it that you wanted to announce?" His gray-haired father-in-law stated as his blue-gray eyes bored onto the Japanese man, seated at the right foot of the table.
After eying the American man awkwardly, Seiji spoke. "I don't know if Laura ever mentioned this to you, but it was my dream to build an amusement park."
"Hmph. She might have mentioned something, but it's a good thing that you got your head out of the clouds. Such a silly notion. You need money for that kind of stuff." Frank's blue-gray eyes returned to the plate as he put a slice of turkey into his mouth.
Seiji ignored his father-in-law's jab as he continued. "I need to work more locally to get a possible contract to get that built. I need funding. Although I have some money, I need to find partners."
Chewing the turkey, Frank glanced at him disinterestedly. "What do you mean?" He returned his attention to his plate as he sliced a piece of turkey with his knife.
"I need to relocate to Japan."
Immediately Frank coughed, nearly choking on his piece of meat in his mouth. After a few moments, he spit out the piece of turkey onto his plate. "Ja-Japan?" the elderly man sputtered.
"Yes. Japan." Although his countenance showed no expression, Seiji's voice edged nervousness.
Elizabeth gasped. She had nearly spilled her glass of water when she heard the news. "But what about the kids?"
"I'll take them with me."
"Seiji, their home is America. How do you expect them to deal with the language barrier and cultural differences? Mokie's a baby, so I suppose he's not a problem, but have you even thought about Seto?" Elizabeth asked, staring anxiously at her son-in-law.
"Of course I have," Seiji answered edgily. His mother-in-law was the queen of trying to guilt him. He refused to fall for that trap. "That's why I'm taking them with me."
"He's got school, he's got his life here, and he's got us. At least let the kids stay here. You can visit every once in awhile. We'll raise them, and you can still take on that job. Isn't that right Frank?" The elderly man nodded as she turned towards her husband.
"It's no problem at all," Frank answered as he looked at his wife. "Seto's such a good kid."
"We could give him the guest room."
"Wait—" Seiji started.
"I could get those white dragons that you wanted, like Seto wants, right? You'd like to paint your stuff with dragons, right?" Seto nodded as his grandfather eyed him.
"You're not listening. I'm—"
Frank ignored Seiji as he spoke animatedly to his wife. "It'll be nice to have another kid around the—"
"NO!" Seiji cried as he stood up from seat. They turned to him in shock. He had never been openly loud with them before. Staring at the Americans awkwardly, the Japanese man froze for a moment as everyone's eyes bored onto him. No. He needed to remain strong about this. Taking a deep breath, Seiji paused before he spoke unsteadily. "I will not be separated from my kids. I'm their father, so they'll be with me."
"Are you going to separate us from our grandkids?"
"I'm their father."
"We just lost Laura. How can you do this to us?"
"They're my kids."
"A parent should never bury their kid. Do you realize how much pain that we went through? "
"Do you realize how unreasonable this is?"
Frank's fists tightened. "What can I do to show how stupid you're being?"
"I'm their father. I need them." His almond-shaped eyes defiantly stared onto the elderly man. His voice steadied after those words. "They're staying with me."
...
After he shocked his in-laws with his outburst, Seiji felt that it would be inappropriate if he stayed at the table. Not waiting for desert, he abandoned his seat to find some solitude in the stairwell. He did not feel as if he was being judged there. Seiji couldn't bring himself to care what his in-laws thought; there was no way in hell that his kids would be separated from him. They could bring their supposedly perfect living arrangement and shove it God-knows-where. However, as Seiji seated himself on the carpeted steps of the stairwell, his brother-in-law headed towards the stairwell. Seiji groaned. The last thing that he needed was to deal with Brian. During the course of the dinner, Brian had stated nothing to anyone. He had been oddly civil. The muscular man simply watched as his parents took in the shock of the announcement and added none of his usual sarcastic comments to the conversation.
Grabbing a pair of Doc Martens from the pile of shoes that were scattered by stairwell, the American roughly shoved his foot into them. It seemed that the former football player was going to drop his usual visit to his local bar. Even on a occasion like Thanksgiving, Brian Jones had to have his beer.
"So you're hiding up here?" Brian darkly chuckled as he noticed the annoyed man in khakis that seated himself on the steps. "Dad nearly threw a gasket with what you've done."
"Whether you guys realize it or not, Seto and Mokie are my children," Seiji answered stiffly.
Brian chuckled further as he bent to tie his shoes. "Laura was their favorite kid. She always meant more to the both of them than me. It's only natural that they would be upset if you tried to take her children away from them."
"Frank's mentioned you've been drinking more," Seiji replied warily, attempting to change the subject.
Brian stiffened as he turned to grab a flannel jacket from the coat rack. "Hmph. He must have been desperate to ask you."
"Laura wouldn't approve."
"Do we have to talk about this?"
Ignoring his words, Seiji paused and stood up from the stairwell. "I can't forget those words that she told me. She called herself stupid. But she was with you? Why would she feel that way?"
Brian looked away as he fiddled with the zipper of his jacket. "I dunno what you're talking about." He zipped the plaid flannel jacket. Placing a baseball cap onto shaggy brown hair, he muttered in aggravation. "Listen. I gotta go, so now's not a good time."
Seiji crossed his arms. "I'm not an idiot."
Brian stared at him, bewildered. "Eh-excuse me?"
"I'm not stupid. I know that you're hiding something."
"Hey, listen!" Brian cried angrily. "I told the doctor what happened already. She tripped on the steps. It's not my fault that she came over."
Seiji eyed him disbelievingly. "Well, I just want you to know that you better stop poisoning Seto with your nonsense about Mokie."
"Can you deny that if he'd never been born—"
Seiji's eyes narrowed as he stared at the brown-haired man in disbelief. "He's my son! Why are so you desperate to blame a baby?"
"I loved her more than anyone else."
"Why can't you be honest with yourself that you need help?"
Brian's fists tightened as moved towards the stairwell. "I'm not a bad person."
Seiji snorted. "Keep telling yourself that. While you're on the process, tell yourself that you won a Noble Peace Prize. Even Mother Teresa can't compare to you."
Brian suddenly lunged toward the shorter man. Grabbing his light blue polo shirt by the collar, Brian pulled the Japanese man towards him. He held the collar so tightly that Seiji's neck began to pain. "You never deserved my sister. I should have beat the crap out of when I first met you."
Seiji did not flinch as he looked at him. "If that'll make you feel better, do it you wuss."
"Daddy!" a small sound squeaked. Seiji turned his head around to see Seto staring at them by the stairwell; his blue eyes widened in fear.
Brian let go of his grip from Seiji's collar. "I'm going." The brown-haired man grabbed the door knob and slammed the door.
Seiji weakly chuckled as he rubbed his neck further. "How long have you been there?"
As his lip quivered, Seto's eyes showed fear. "He was talking about...the baby." He spoke the word uncomfortably, as if he had said something disgusting. "Grandma asked me to look for you. She cut the apple pie. Why was Uncle Brian acting like that?"
Seiji laughed weakly, continuing to rub his neck carelessly. "Oh, we're just joking. You know how close we are?" Seto peered at him dubiously as Seiji grinned. "Ignore that. Adults argue. Just like kids. Didn't you argue with Jamal a week ago, but you guys are fine now."
"I dunno," Seto pondered, putting a finger to his lips. Disbelief spread across his face as he deliberated to himself. His father's happy expression was rather odd. As if it was strained.
"Look Seto. Let's forget about it. Okay?" Seto's blue eyes focused on to his father as the Japanese man slowly spoke. "I want to apologize. I know that you want to stay in America. I'm so sorry that you have to move because of me."
"I do want to stay in America," he replied. Seto pensively stared at his father for a moment. Seiji tensed as he felt a small knot in the muscles of his shoulders. He eyed his son impassively, preparing himself for his refusal. "But you're my dad. I want to be with you."
Giving his first true smile in weeks, Seiji beamed widely. "Shall we head home?"
Seto nodded. His porcelain white hands grabbed onto his father's golden-toned ones and held them tightly.
Momotaro is a Japanese story about a boy found in a peach that gets adopted by a childless couple.
The story about salt is based of an Indian story. I modified the version base off what I heard, which had a daughter and a son, to suit this story. There are many versions out there. You guys should be able to find short versions of the both of them online.
Thanksgiving, for anyone who doesn't know, is a national holiday celebrated in America on the fourth Thursday of November. Basically, it is supposed to celebrate the first big dinner between the Native Americans and Pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachussets. Evidently, the colonial people had a difficult winter, and the Native Americans helped them. It's a day that people celebrate with friends and family by eating dinner (traditionally turkey) and other foods. You're suposed to remember what you're thankful on that day.
To Still-Citylights, I'm glad to know that like it. Chapter 9 was sad, but it had a moment of hope at the end. By the way, the quote is such an adorable way to end your reviews.
To loveroffics, I hope I updated soon enough? I know I haven't, but hopefully the next one will come out faster. Glad to know that you like my chapter.
To Kermita, it makes me happy that I could make you think of Laura in such a way with 9 chaps and oneshot. Yeah. It was sad that Seiji slapped Seto, but Seiji was so upset, and Seto was saying those horrible things about Mokuba.
To hatandkill-D, You can sign anonymously if you want. In the beginning, I didn't realize that I was blocking anonymous reviews. Keep enjoying.
To KasumiCho, If I got rid of the sadness, Seto wouldn't Kaiba. Another person, not a reviewer, told me to forget the ending, bring back Laura, and have Seto grow up with Seiji. To finally end up at M.I.T. While I can't do that (b/c I would probably be flamed beyond belief), I promise that the whole story won't be a complete angst fest. Now, that would just be boring. Very glad to know that you loved the last chap.
To The Duelist's Heiress, yup. Let the greatness of this brilliant author ensue. (gets plopped on head for being utterly delusional) In all seriousness away from the craziness that I am, Seto was only repeating what his uncle told him. Even though he's a child prodigy, he's a naïve kid whose reasoning isn't always right.
To Sakura Takanouchi, I honestly didn't realize that I made so many parallels till I saw your review and looked back. Weird but awesome how that happened! As for Seto, my goal is too keep some essence of his character, while keeping him as loveable child.
To ml101, who doesn't want to kill Brian? There ought to be an anti-Brian club for the amount of rage that goes to him, which I completely support. He did love Laura though, so he is suffering emotionally a great deal. But he's too much of a self-proclaimed victim.
To susie25, Hope this chap was worth the wait as well. Seto would be jealous of Mokie b/c he suddenly isn't the only one anymore. It's that whole only-child issue.
To WolfStar713, Seto is a child prodigy, but I wanted to show his intelligence in a non-academic way. Plus, you're absolutely right about Seto helping Seiji. As you saw from this chapter, Seto does save Seiji…and moves the plot along, which is great for me. Just to let you know, Seiji was only neglectful of his son after his wife's death and not before that.
To Noc and NC, Seiji needs many hugs. Thanks for your advice. I appreciate the slow update thing. I was going through a bit of slump…not writer's block as much as when I wrote, it came out weird. Not looking at it for a while helped bring fresh ideas. Also, if you're having a slump, it might help if you know how your story is going to end exactly. Like the exact ending scene. That helped me to have focus with Foreigner and brought less writer's block.
To Demented Insane Spirit, it wasn't that detail-oriented because it focused on emotions more. But I agree with you. When I look back, I see so many things that I should have added. Plus, I was trying to go from young Seto's point-of-view, which is a bit confusing to write. Thanks for everything
To Meconopsis, Thank you for your many wonderful compliments. Made me feel super awesome. Are there a lot of stories about Kaiba's parents? I haven't seen too many.
To Makai-Rahl, you are free to kill Brian, but I need to bring him back afterwards. Plot reasons. I'm going to miss writing Laura though; she said a lot of fun things.
R&R