Chapter 21

Shooting Star

Anna woke with a startle. Not from a nightmare or dream but from instinct. One of those nagging pricks in the back of your mind that tells you something is not right. When she opened her eyes she knew what it was, the bed was empty. She slid her hand across the sheets to where Seto normally lay. It was cold; he had been missing for a while. A faint light under the door gave her an indication of where he had gone. Getting out of bed she threw on her robe and went to see what had gotten him out of bed so late at night.

When Anna and Seto first knew each other neither of them could sleep, insomniacs both. He through conditioning and her through nerves. But as time passed she found it easier to rest. Seto, she claimed, had a calming effect on her. When he was around she had this great sense of security and peace. And she must have had some effect on him as well for he was known to nod off occasionally when she was near. It wasn't until they shared a bed that they realized how quieting and comforting the experience could be. Sleep, the thing that eluded them for most of their lives suddenly became easy and wanted. And it could only be accomplished when they were together, their bodies pressed into one being and warmth shared. To the point that if they were not beside each other they could not sleep, neither of them. That was something they discovered the first time Seto left on a business trip and Anna had to remain at the apartment. Terrible long sleepless nights, torturous to them both. After that they never stayed away from each other again. Anna and Seto went everywhere together. They shared everything.

It was rare for Seto to get out of bed in the middle of the night. He had once said that it was his favorite time and place. It was the only occasion that he had Anna all to himself with no deadlines or commitments to worry about. So for him to leave meant that there must be a terrible burden on his mind. Anna had noticed he was a bit restless over the last few days. Ever since Isabella and Ryo came to dinner. They had inadvertently stirred up some old memories, some Seto wished he could forget all together. But he couldn't, that's why he was restless. And it was exactly the reason he was wide-awake at two-thirty in the morning.

Seto stood in the living room; he worked silently hoping not to wake Anna. In his hands he held a photo, one that Anna had taken of him and Mokuba on their first trip to Italy. That was many years and many European escapades ago. Somehow the time they spent together seemed surreal, almost as though it didn't happen. It almost didn't, not if Anna hadn't intervened. She insisted that he and Mokuba spend time together doing something fun. 'He'll grow up fast' she told him. She was right. Before he knew what hit him Mokuba was no longer a little kid, he was independent, as tall as Seto, and had a mind of his own. And in an instant he was gone. That's what Seto hated most, that he didn't get to see Mokuba everyday. It was a selfish really. He knew that his brother had to find his own path, but it didn't mean he had to like it. If Seto could have any wish fulfilled he would ask to return to that time when it was just the four of them, him, Anna, Mokuba, and little Isabella all living under the same roof. When his family was together and happy.

Seto placed the framed photo on the shelf he stood in front of and continued to empty the box on the table. He picked up a wrapped object. It's weight immediately signifying what it was. He carefully undid the packaging and revealed the golden statuette. It had become slightly tarnished over the years but it still held all it's previous glory. As Seto held it he thought back to the day Mokuba gave it to him for safe keeping.

Seto scratched his well-trimmed beard as he shuffled through some paperwork. When Anna left the office he told her he would follow in a few minutes. That was three phone calls and an hour and a half ago. But that couldn't be helped. It was one of the few times he didn't have Anna near him and if he wanted any of his anniversary plans to be a surprise he had to wait until they were separated to put them into motion. But it did intrigue him that she didn't call up or seek him out after he had been gone for a while. She must have found some distraction, most likely Isabella. Their daughter was not yet two, but already she was bright and bubbly and the center of their lives. And although she was normally a neat and orderly child, there were exceptions. Or so Seto was reminded as he tripped over a toy in the living room. Pushing the offending obstacle out of the way with his foot he noted the mass of playthings strewn about the room.

'We've been invaded.' Seto thought to himself. Invaded, not by space aliens or mutant zombies, but by a freewheeling and still child-like little brother.

"I thought I heard you come in." the cheery voice rang down the hall. Seto shifted his eyes toward the voice and spied the suspected visitor. "We were wondering if you'd ever come down. I told Anna we should send a search party." Mokuba gave him a quirky smile, but Seto remained stone faced. "You really should try to spend more time with your family. It's not good for you to be pinned up in that office all day and night."

"Now that you've gotten taller you think you can order me around?" Seto's expression never changed, but Mokuba knew his brother well enough to know when he was joking.

"Call it brotherly advice."

"What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn't you be getting ready? You leave on tour tomorrow."

"Yeah, but I had to come and see Izzy before I left. She's my biggest fan, ya know." Mokuba knew how much Seto hated when he called Isabella 'Izzy' but he did it anyways.

"Heaven forbid 'Unca Mo-ki-boo' leave without saying good-bye. She'd never forgive you." Seto mocked him by using Isabella's kiddy pronunciation of his name. It was revenge for calling his daughter 'Izzy.'

The name jests only make Mokuba smile bigger. "She's a great kid Seto. You've done a fantastic job with her."

"It's mostly Anna's doing." Seto waved off the compliment as he sat down in the only chair in the living room not occupied by toys. He gave a quick hand gesture to the couch. Mokuba understood that to mean he should have a seat.

"I think you have more of an influence on her than you think." Mokuba cleared a spot and sat. "You two still planning on having more kids?"

"We've been talking about it." Seto tossed his papers onto the side table before rubbing his beard and resting his chin on his fist. "I'm not sure she's ready. It's been two years and Anna still hasn't recovered completely. I fear what would happen to her if we pushed things."

"I wouldn't worry about that." Mokuba brushed off Seto's concern. "You know Anna, she'll bounce back, she always does."

After a momentary silence Seto spoke in a more upbeat tone. "Are you all packed?" He was anxious to change the subject.

"Mostly." Mokuba stretched a little. "The roadies take care of the big stuff like the props and lights and costumes. All I have to worry about is my personal stuff, which isn't much. Hikari on the other hand..." Mokuba smiled devilishly. "We might need a separate plane for all the bags she's packing."

"You're taking Hikari along?"

By Hikari Seto was referring to Mokuba's girlfriend Hikari Daeron. They met while at school in Kyoto and they had been inseparable ever since. It had been Seto's long time suspicion that his little brother was in love with his wife, but it wasn't until he met Hikari that he was certain of it. The girl was high spirited, smart and fun loving. To say she was pretty was an understatement. Black hair and dark piercing eyes. Like Seto, Mokuba had an eye for beautiful women. Although he was sure Mokuba would have fallen in love with her even if she weren't attractive. Seto marveled at how alike Hikari and Anna were, their personalities, their quirks, even Anna's occasional bossiness, all matched. But where Anna's mind was keen for business, Hikari's was suited for more abstract subjects like music and art. Making her an excellent match for Mokuba. She was creative like him, but sound enough to know the technical aspects of their occupations. She grounded him when he flew too high. And most of all, she made Mokuba happy.

"I can't leave her behind. She's the one that got me this far; I couldn't have made it without her."

Hikari was literally the driving force behind Mokuba's successful career. She encouraged him to excel and inspired him to create. Seto lost track of all the songs Mokuba wrote about her. Hikari was Mokuba's manager, his muse, his inspiration, his lover and his best friend.

"Did you know that Hikari has never been out of Japan?" Mokuba pointed out. "This will be the first time she's ever been to another country."

"When you're done with her she'll have seen half of Europe."

"Twenty-four countries in six months, with that kind of schedule I'm not sure were going to see anything that can't be viewed out the window of the plane."

"And you think I'm a workaholic."

Mokuba shrugged. "At least we'll be back before the holidays. That will give us a little time to rest before I start on the next album." Mokuba's eyes perked up as he remembered something he had been meaning to ask his brother. "If it's all right with you, I wanted to fly her parents in from Honshu so they could spend Christmas with us."

"You want me to meet her parents?" Seto raised an eyebrow at him. "Is there something you want to tell me? Something you're planning on doing?"

Mokuba smiled nervously and nodded. "I've been thinking about it a lot. She's just so great!" Mokuba's excitement over the prospect was dimmed as he saw his brother shaking his head in disappointment. "But...You've never said a bad thing about her...I thought you liked her."

"I have nothing against her, and I'm glad you feel so strongly for her." Seto spoke plainly. "But I don't think you should be going down that road just yet. You're too young."

"You weren't much older than me when you got married."

"Those circumstances were different and you know it."

Mokuba fidgeted in his seat defiantly. He considered himself a grown up but still acted like a little kid at times. "She's the one, Seto. I know it."

"I'm not disagreeing with you." Seto raised his voice slightly, but as soon as he was sure he had Mokuba's full attention he lowered it. "All I'm saying is I don't think you should rush things. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Take some time; enjoy being together before you take on the burdens of marriage." He sighed. "All I'm asking is that you wait a little longer. And if in a couple of years you want to get married I will support you, but right now...Right now you need to concentrate on other things."

Mokuba plopped his head down against the back of the couch. He wasn't happy with Seto's logic, but he had to admit that it was logical. He and Hikari were both still teenagers, but something deep down in Mokuba's gut told him that she was the right one and that this was the right time. He couldn't ignore his brother's warnings, but he couldn't truly abide by them either. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop himself, most likely he'd blurt out a proposal without even thinking about it. That's just the way he was. And that might cause some trouble between him and Seto, but his brother would just have to deal with it. Not like other things hadn't cut rifts between them lately.

"Besides..." Seto added as he tried to lighten the mood. "If you get married you'll alienate all those fan girls."

"Oh god, the fan girls." Mokuba half chocked as he chuckled. "I wouldn't mind losing a few of them."

"What's the matter, I thought all you Rock and Roll Gods loved groupies."

"I don't have groupies, I have super-fanatic-crazy-need-to-be-institutionalized groupies. They're completely nuts! And it's more than the propositions and the room keys. That I could handle. These women are stalkers. I can't walk down the street without being mobbed. And the photos. And the tabloids."

"Sorry but that comes with the territory." Seto seemed to have little sympathy for his rock star brother's girl problems.

"Did I tell you they broke into my apartment? Even after I had the security increased. The front desk catches most of them before they get upstairs, but some keep getting through. They think they might be disguised as maids or maintenance staff. Hikari was home the last time they broke in. It scared the shit out of her. She wouldn't stay there alone after that. And the worst part is they don't take anything expensive. The walk right past the stereo system and the flat screen and head straight for my underwear drawer. I have no underwear! They've taken it all! It seems like I'm buying new underwear every week, that is if I can even go to a store without a hundred girls attacking me. Hikari has to buy them for me. It's gotten so bad she told me I should just go without, then they'd have nothing to steal. But I can't do that. Those concert pants chafe." Mokuba squirmed a little at the thought. "You're laughing at me." He suddenly realized that Seto was trying to hide his grin and snickering behind his hand. "It's not funny. It's embarrassing to have you're girlfriend buy your underwear for you. I bet Anna doesn't buy your underwear."

Seto couldn't help himself anymore as he broke out into a full laugh.

"Okay, maybe it's a little funny." Mokuba said as he smiled and chuckled.

"Apparently they didn't teach you about underwear stealing groupies and chafing pants in that fancy art school."

"I must have slept though that class."

The roaring laughter caught the attention of another household member. "Now that's a sound I love to hear." Anna said as she emerged from the hallway leading to the bedrooms. "And I don't hear it nearly enough."

"I know, I know, you've already given me this lecture." Mokuba mocked. "I should visit more often."

Smiling Anna redirected her attention to her husband. "I just put Isabella to bed, but she refuses to sleep until you come to say good night."

Seto lifted himself out of the chair and walked past Anna and Mokuba who were finally starting to retrieve the toys that were scattered everywhere. Just as he turned the corner he heard Anna say, "She's such a daddy's girl. Isabella loves him more than anything in the world." It was obvious to him that Anna had not intended for him to hear her, but he was glad he did. He slowly swung the door open to Isabella's room. By the glow of the nightlight he could make her out in her bed. She had the covers pulled up to her nose and she spied over them like a tiger waiting to pounce. And once he was within range she pushed the covers down and sprang up in bed.

"Daddy!"

"There's my princess!" Seto smiled as he walked over and sat on the edge of her toddler bed.

"Where have you been?" Isabella said as sternly as she could as she placed her hands on her hips defiantly.

"I'm sorry, Daddy had something important to do."

"What?" The little girl's face was scrunched in a fake anger. Even at two years old it was clear she was a Kaiba.

"I was working on a special surprise for mommy." Seto looked around the room pretending to see if the coast was clear. "Can you keep a secret?"

Her eyes glowed as she nodded. Seto leaned in and whispered his plan to her. Isabella reacted by giggling happily.

"Do you think she'll like it?"

The toddler answered by bobbing her head up and down and smiling.

"Remember it's a secret, so no telling." He placed his finger to his lips indicating that the code of silence was initiated.

"I want to help."

"You want to help, huh?" Seto's scheming mind conceived an idea. "Okay, the first thing you need to do is lay down and get under the covers." Isabella followed his instructions. "Now close your eyes." She closed her eyes. "And go to sleep." Her eyes immediately popped open. She wasn't about to fall for that. Even at such a young age she could see right through her daddy's tricks. Unfortunately for her, as she got older her daddy's tricks grew more complicated and manipulative and she wasn't able to see them as easily.

"You caught me." Seto confessed. "What do I have to do to get you to go to sleep?"

She scrunched her face in thought for a second before announcing, "Elton."

"Elton?"

The little girl nodded with excitement.

"Elton." Seto sighed as he stood up and walked across the room. Opening a panel he revealed a small CD player and some CDs. He selected 'Elton John's Greatest Hits' and pressed play. Turning back he saw the twinkle in her eyes as they peeked out over the sheets she had pulled up to her face. And although he couldn't see her mouth, he was sure there was a huge smile hidden under those covers. She did love Elton John. He wondered where she got such a strange fixation. At least it wasn't 'Judas Priest' or 'The Sex Pistols'. He was glad for that.

Walking back to her bed he tucked her in while mouthing the words to the song.

Hold me closer Tiny Dancer

Count the headlights on the Highway

Lay me down in sheets of linen

You had a busy day today

With a kiss to her forehead and a lecture about getting some sleep, Seto left his daughter to mellow with Elton.

From down the hall he could see Mokuba and Anna standing near the front entryway talking. There were times Seto forgot how tall Mokuba had gotten. He had sprung up almost overnight. Eighteen inches in three months. Anna had to buy him new shoes and pants every week; he was growing out of them so fast. One good thing that came from such a dramatic growth spurt was that he could no longer wear those same old clothes the he lived in day in and day out. He was forced to dress better. Nothing like what Seto would have hoped, but it was an improvement. Yet he still refused to get his hair cut. It was even longer now, thankfully he kept it well shampooed, combed, and drawn back into a ponytail. It was the rock star image, and at this point Seto had no say in his sense of style. It was something he was forced to accept.

Watching Mokuba throw a backpack around his shoulder, he realized what was going on. "Are you leaving already?"

"It's getting late and I've still got a few things to do before tomorrow."

"You can't stay just a little while longer?"

Mokuba shook his head. "You still planning on making it to the Albert Hall show?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

"Great! I've already arranged for the three of you to get backstage. I'll have the passes delivered to your hotel and Hikari said she'd meet you at the stage door. And be sure to call my cell when you get to England, maybe we can sneak away for a few hours and show Hikari the sights."

"Not much luck in that with all of your stalker fans." Seto jested.

Mokuba smiled and scratched the back of his head. How true. His eyes got round as he remembered something. "I almost forgot." Flinging his backpack around in front of him he searched through it and produced a CD in a plain jewel case. "Considering I'm going to miss your anniversary, I hope you don't mind if I give you your gift early." He presented Anna with the disc.

"Oooooo." Anna acted like Homer Simpson ogling a donut.

"It's not much." Mokuba explained. "But they are all yours."

"Thank you!" Anna said as she hugged him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Mokuba blushed a little. "Well, I better get going."

Anna gave him a comforting smile as she took his hand. "Have fun and tell Hikari we said hello." She disconnected from him and strolled away. That was Seto's cue. Anna knew how much he hated mushy scenes, so she gave him some space to say good-bye.

With a slight head gesture Mokuba lured his brother into the entryway near the front door. There was one more thing he had to do and he felt that it was best to do it away from Anna.

"Sorry about the name change thing." Mokuba spoke with downcast eyes.

"Why should that bother me?"

"Its just...I know how proud you are of what you've accomplished. I didn't want you to think I was disrespecting you."

"It's not even our real name." Seto didn't appear to be angry at all. "It's the name of that bastard who adopted us. If you want to use a stage name I no objections."

"Are you sure?"

Seto crossed his arms and shrugged loosely. He didn't seem to care one way or the other or so he said.

"Oh good." Mokuba was relieved. "I thought it was best to change it. Look at all the trouble I'm having with the fan girls, can you imagine what they'd do if they found out you were my brother. They'd be camped out around the building and sneaking into the offices. You'd never get any work done."

"At least then I would have had an excuse to buy those guard dogs I wanted."

Mokuba smiled. "Can you do me one more favor?"

Seto rolled his eyes like 'can't this boy do anything on his own.'

Reaching into his backpack Mokuba retrieved a small bundle and handed it to his brother. "Can you keep an eye on that for me? I'd hate for it to disappear while I'm gone." Not giving him a chance to unravel the package, Mokuba gave Seto a playful jab to the arm. "See ya. And don't work too hard."

"Mokuba." Seto's call caught him before he walked out the door. "Take care of yourself."

"Don't worry about me." Mokuba flashed a grin at him. "My big brother taught me everything I need to know."

With a wave he was gone.

Seto let out a deep sigh he had been holding in then directed his attention to the package. He undid the loose covering and exposed a golden grahamaphone shaped statue. He shook his head in disbelief. 'How typical of Mokuba to drive all the way across town on a motorcycle with a 'Grammy' in his backpack.' Taking the precious item into the living room he placed it on a shelf next to the picture Anna had taken of them.

"I feel like we just sent our child off into the world." Anna commented as she walked up behind him.

"I hope he can handle it."

"Sure he can. You two have fought off virtual monsters and saved the world from ancient evils. I think he can handle some fan girls and a senses-numbing world tour."

Seto did not accept Anna's attempt at levity.

"I worried." Seto's face turned pensive. "He's in such a hurry."

"He's young."

"He didn't even finish school before he signed that record contract. The whirlwind promotion of his first album, now a world tour. He's even thinking about marrying Hikari when they get back. It's all too fast." He shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's successful. I'm just afraid that he's shining too bright too soon. If he's not careful he's going to burn out. And then where would he be? Where would he go?"

"He has his own path to walk. Sure he'll stumble along the way, but haven't we all." Anna stretched her arms around her husband's torso. "And if for some reason it doesn't work out, he can always come home. We'll always take him back."

Seto held her tightly and buried his face in her hair trying to suppress his concerns in his wife's loving embrace. Anna too found the exchange to be peaceful and it didn't take her long to find contentment in resting her head on his broad shoulder. That was until a noise caught her attention.

"Is that Elton John?"

Running his fingers over the statue one last time, Seto gave up his memory and placed the object on the shelf. It was displayed predominately amongst the other awards and trinkets bestowed upon his brother.

"You've been busy."

Anna's appearance didn't surprise him; he had heard her coming.

"I should have never taken them down." He said penitently.

"You were angry." Anna reminded him.

"I was wrong."

Anna pressed her body against his back and resting her head on his shoulder, wrapped her arms around him.

"I just want him to know how proud I am of him." Seto said as he stared at the picture.

"He knows, he's always known."

Seto ran his course hand across her soft ones.

"It's been a while since we went to see him." Anna gripped his hand as it slid across hers. "Would you like that?"

Seto didn't answer. He hated that place. He hated it more than anything in the world.

Anna knew he wouldn't respond now, he would need time to think about it. Glancing into the box she saw something familiar. "You forgot one." She reached in and snared the CD from the bottom of the box. Holding it up to him she said, "Play it for me."

Seto gently took hold of the case and walked to the stereo system as Anna sat on the couch. He set the disc to play and then joined his wife on the couch. He embraced her as she nuzzled into his chest. Neither spoke as they listened to the hauntingly beautifully songs. Songs that only they would ever hear. Songs that were meant for only them.