Disclaimer: I don't own it, plain and simple.

Random note: Woot! Last chapter people! Over a year in the works, and this is what it leads up to! I'm sadly disappointed in all you people that don't review... But, here's your chance to redeem yourselves! So, enjoy!

PS. I have an announcement at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 10

Will to Live

Kaiba woke up in a white room, meaning he was in a hospital, again. He could feel someone holding his hand, tightly. There were voices outside the room, one male and the other female. Their voices were too low for Kaiba to hear, but he recognized the female as Ichigo. Once the voices stopped, Ichigo walked in.

"Oh, Seto-chan, you're finally awake," Ichigo said. "Katsu-kun was awake almost all the time. Moku-chan has been trying to stay awake as long as he can, but I make him sleep. You've been asleep for two weeks now. How are you feeling? And I want an honest answer."

"Like shit, Obaa-san," Kaiba said a little hoarse. "Sorry for the language, but you asked for a honest answer. I'm guessing the plan worked if Mokuba is here."

"You tactless plan did work, and now you suffer the consequences. Your condition has gotten worse. Dr. Hitomi even thinks you might need assistance."

"At least Mokuba is safe. I already know I don't have long to live, so why worry about what would happen to me."

"Well, how would you like to live to an old age? I was just talking to Dr. Hitomi, and he said they just came up with a treatment that might help people with your condition. They just need some test subjects. So, he asked me to ask you if you are willing to try it. How about it?"

"Do you even have to ask, Obaa-san? I'll do it."

Ichigo laughed. "I thought so. That's why I told him to sign you up already."

"How's Mokuba? Has he been taking his medicine?"

"We made sure he has been. And he agreed to go to a psychologist again. But something tells me he's just fine now, only need someone to talk to."

"Why do you think I'm here for?" Noa's voice echoed in the room. Kaiba raised an eyebrow in confusion. There was no sign of the green haired teen.

"Okay, where's the laptop?" Kaiba asked.

"Oh! Sorry about that Noa-kun!" Ichigo said, moving to the side. There, right behind where Ichigo was standing, was a laptop with Noa's face on the screen.

"It's okay, Kudamono-san," Noa said, smiling. "You should have seen Jonouchi while you were sleeping. You two must have been really good friends for him to talk to someone in a coma like he did. He kept forgetting that he wasn't the only one in the room. Most of the time, he ignored everyone and everything. Some days, only eating one meal a day. Sounds like someone we all know."

"Shut up, Noa," Kaiba muttered, glaring said boy. "You're lucky I let you help run the security for Kaiba Corp's main frame."

"But I talk to Mokuba, which helps lessen his tension."

"Whatever. I'm just tired right now."

"Then sleep, Seto-chan. I'll tell Moku-chan and Katsu-kun that you woke up. They may get mad at us for not waking them up, but they'll understand."

"Thanks, obaa-san," Kaiba weakly said right before he fell asleep.

"Did you just call him Seto-chan without getting yelled at?" Noa asked skeptically.

"Should I have been?"

"The fan girls are sure persistent this time," Ryou stated as the rest of Yuugi-tachi managed to get past the large swarm of fans (both male and female) of the Kaiba brothers and reporters. Poor Yuugi was still lost in the sea of bodies due to a reporter recognized the little guy and decided to ask him a few questions. Eventually, there were several reporters surrounding the small teen.

"I feel sorry for leaving Yuugi to those sharks," Anzu said sadly. "Hey, where's Honda?"

"Right here!" Honda appeared from the mob on Anzu left. Right behind him was Yuugi.

"Thank you, Honda-kun," Yuugi said. "It's a good thing the police recognized us from the last time. They really helped Honda get the reporters away from me."

The four teens walked into the always hectic emergency room lobby, making a lot of fan girls upset. Ichigo was talking to one of the doctors, her back facing them. The doctor soon left, and Ichigo turned around. She smiled when she saw Yuugi-tachi and walked up to them.

"Hello, Yuugi-chan, Hiro-kun," Ichigo said to the two boys she met.

"Hello, Obaa-san," Yuugi said. "Oh, this is Mazaki Anzu and Bakura Ryou."

"Nice to meet you both. I'm Kudamono Ichigo, but everyone calls me Obaa-san."

"Nice to meet you, too," Ryou said, bowing.

"Likewise," Anzu said, bowing as well.

"So, how's Kaiba?" Honda asked.

"He woke up this morning while Katsu-kun and Moku-chan where asleep, but went back to sleep after a few minutes. You can figure out how upset those two were when they woke up. But, there is a problem. His condition has gotten worse; the doctor said his body won't be able to support his weight. He won't be able to walk."

"Kaiba-kun…" Yuugi murmured. "Does he know about this? Does Mokuba-kun and Jonouchi-kun know?"

"I found out only a few minutes ago. I didn't get the chance to tell them."

"Some thing tells Kaiba already knows," Honda said sadly.

"Obaa-san! Obaa-san!" Mokuba yelled, running up to the group. "Nii-sama is awake! Oh, hey guys."

"I guess you guys made great timing," Ichigo said. "Moku-chan, why don't you take your friends to see him. I'll go get Dr. Hitomi."

"Great idea. Come on, I'll take you to nii-sama. I'm sure he'll be… um… happy to see you. Let's walk there. Jonouchi said he wanted to talk to nii-sama for awhile."

"Right…" Honda muttered.

Mokuba led Yuugi-tachi to Kaiba's room. They talked about random things. Things like school, duel monsters, kid stuff. When they got to the door, an unfamiliar laugh was coming from the room. It sounded like Kaiba laughing, but not in an evil way. It sounded happy.

"Hey, remember the time Mokuba had that dog whistle?" Jonouchi asked.

"How can I forget that?" Kaiba managed to say through his laughing. "Mokuba thought we were dogs for over a month!"

"You thought those two were dogs?" Anzu asked, trying not to laugh. Ryou and Yuugi also were trying not to laugh, unlike Honda who didn't even try.

"Hey! I was four!" Mokuba yelled, blushing. "Obaa-san said only dogs could hear that whistle!"

"I'm surprised that koinu here actually didn't tell you that," Kaiba said, giving an actual smile.

"Did Kaiba just smile?" Honda asked in shock. "And Jonouchi didn't even get mad about being called a dog. Something's wrong here. Are you sure we're in the right room Mokuba?"

"What? I'm not allowed to smile once in awhile?" Kaiba joked.

"Besides, he used to call me koinu when we were kids," Jonouchi added. "It was a joke because of the dog whistle incident. Also, it didn't help that Kasutera's name was based off mine."

"Wait, didn't Kaiba-kun named Kasutera?" Yuugi asked.

"Yup!" Mokuba said. "Just as Jonouchi named Sato after Nii-sama!"

"How cute!" Anzu screeched.

"Will you shut up, you stupid mortal!" Ryou yelled.

"Not again…" Honda muttered.

"Oh, sorry," Ryou said "but I kinda let my yami take over for a while. I didn't get much sleep last night because of that essay."

"Ah, that explains a lot," Jonouchi said.

"So you are awake," Dr. Hitomi said. "That's good. But there is a problem."

"Let me guess, my body is too weak and I'm dying faster than I was the last time I was here."

"Seto!" Mokuba yelled. "This isn't a joking matter!"

"Mokuba, I think he wasn't joking," Jonouchi said.

"Well, Kaiba-san guessed right. But I have great news!"

"You found a cure?" Jonouchi asked, hope rang in his voice.

"Not quite," Ichigo said as she walked in. "You see, my daughter works here to make a cure for the disease. They just finished developing it, but it needs to be tested out. It's hard to find those who have it because they normally don't want people to know. So, how about it?"

"I don't know what to say, Obaa-san," Kaiba said, gaping. "Of course I'll do it!"

"Are you sure, Kaiba?" Honda said. "Who knows what else could happen with it."

"I'm not about to leave Mokuba behind," Kaiba said. "Besides, I trust Kazeko completely."

"Great! I'll tell her right away!" Dr. Hitomi said.

"I'll go with you. I haven't seen my daughter ever since she took this project. Seto-chan, you should go back to sleep. You're shoulder is still healing, and you must be exhausted."

"I'm fine," Kaiba said. "Jonouchi, why don't you take Mokuba down to the cafeteria to get some food. In fact, why don't the rest of you go with them."

"Are you sure, Nii-sama?" Mokuba asked in concern. "Will you be okay by yourself?"

"Yes, Mokuba, I'll be fine. I have to get some work done. Besides, I have our annoying little stepbrother to keep me entertained."

"Hey! I'm ten minutes older than you!" Noa yelled from the computer on the end table.

"Wait… Both Kaiba and Noa share the same birthday?" Honda asked.

"Yup," Mokuba said. We were just as shocked to find that out as you guys are. Seto and Noa could have been identical twins with only the hair color different. Same size, weight, everything. Oh, and Noa didn't have an illness."

"Ah… Um, why don't we go get something to eat," Honda said.

The left the two blue eyed teens to work. Yuugi caught Jonouchi up with what he missed at school since he has been staying at Kaiba's side constantly. Thankfully, Mokuba managed to pull some strings so he could stay there. It also helped that Mokuba was helping Jonouchi with his homework.

"You don't think that those were the only reason why Kaiba is willing to test out this drug?" Honda asked.

"Of course not," Mokuba said, Jonouchi nodding in agreement.

"I think he finally wants to really live," Jonouchi said.

Owari

Random talk: Woot! Finally finished! I really had to push myself to finish this story. Let's just hope it won't take forever for the sequel. Yes, you heard correct! There is a sequel for this story! Actually, there are two sequels! I decided to make a trilogy for this story! Kami-sama, what did I just put myself into? Oh well… So, keep an eye for Forgotten Trouble. (Of course, I'm sure many of you knew that already from looking at my profile... That is, if you actually looked...)

Until our paths cross again!

Rubi-chan