The original French story Apparences belongs to Melzart, and the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

Chapter 21

A Wasted Effort

Soon he would have to run away, a small child caught in the act.

But his feet stayed nailed to the floor, totally riveted by a gravity doubled in intensity by his own culpability.

Kaiba clenched his fists, head bent; so many things had been escaping him over the past couple of weeks. It really was torture.

The more things that happened, the more they created a labyrinth as much around himself than they did actually effect people in reality. The three of them were trapped souls, whirling about like weather vanes without stabilizing or liberating themselves from the surrounding storm.

It was neither expected, or normal, that Mokuba confess anything to anybody other than himself – especially moments as intimate and precious as that. Memories that would jealously remain the secret thoughts of his younger sibling unless he were to unveil them.

However, wasn't all of that his own fault?

So many things had become clear since the beginning. It was just thus. He had respected the silence of one to appease the other. And the other was Mokuba.

But what was restraining him from walking into that room and talking to him, listening to him, like he used to?

Everything had become so complicated since Naomi arrived. There wasn't room for her alone. And very egotistically Kaiba had desired had even hoped it would happen that way ever since they met. Maybe even before.

He seemed forced to admit now that he by paying the price he had centupled the toll required of his little brother.

And all of that was so unjust.

On the flip side of the coin, Naomi could easily detect Kaiba's presence. But she was a supporting presence for the young man and would not let him be distracted.

The look in his eyes – the one he had had near the front gates – could brighten a thousand suns.

He was happy just thinking about the instant magic of when his lips had met Samantha's.

It was dark outside. But Naomi could see him easily just by the tone of his voice.

Was it identical to the first time, the ultimate moment when Kaiba had placed his lips on hers? The shock and the warmth – did Mokuba feel the same thing?

Yes, she still remembered. Like she remembered how she felt as if her soul had left the earth.

She couldn't help but give him a timid smile at the thought.

If everything could have been so simple.

Yes, but everything was complicated, well against what everyone wished for, including herself.

She did not adventure into other territory, always intimately persuaded that Kaiba was in the hallway; surely he would have had difficulty staying in place.

Yet the storm had passed. Light had suddenly returned.

Mokuba seemed less downhearted. Probably speaking to her had been the most amount of good that she could have done.

Maybe, without realizing it, had she succeeded at putting the spring back in his step?

When she closed the door behind her, and although she was well aware already of his presence, she slammed into Kaiba, who immediately met her eyes as to inquire about the damage he had done there.

He had had the intention of walking into the bedroom but Naomi believed she could sense, somewhere in his dark blue eyes, a doubt, a more apparent lack of courage.

It's okay, don't worry about it, she thought encouragingly, giving him an understanding half-smile.

Then she lowered her head as she drifted away, giving him command of the situation.

Kaiba sighed heavily before announcing his presence with a knock on the door. Then, with a quick glance to check to see if Naomi was a sufficient distance away, he walked in and closed the door behind him.

"I think we have to talk, Mokuba."

Still largely put off by his brother's behavior, Mokuba's head lowered, not knowing quite what to say any longer.

But he was still very pained by the newly adopted attitude.

"If you want," he muttered.

"Can I sit down?" Kaiba asked, pointing to the little chair near Mokuba's bed.

Again, he left a short pause, elbows on his knees as he approached the face of his little brother.

"I'm sorry Mokuba. I'm very sorry."

His face, also, showed chagrin. Worse, it seemed to be trapped in a nightmare

"I owe you a lot of explanations…"

Explanations?

Mokuba squinted. Seto was so serious all of a sudden. He went back on alarm, and he sat there, both worried and strongly interested.

How should I begin? But wait, I can't tell him everything…

Kaiba sighed again.

"Mokuba… first, I want you to promise me that what I will tell you will remain strictly confidential. That nothing will leave this room, and will not leave your lips. You understand?"

"Seto… you're scaring me… what's going on?"

"Promise me," he articulated carefully.

Mokuba stuttered suddenly, uncertain of the content of his brother's future proposition. He knew that it was pretty important given the expression on his face.

"Er… yeah… I… I promise," he ended up saying, shaking his head.

"Naomi… is not going to stay, Mokuba. And I don't think she ever wanted to in the first place."

"What? But… why? What's the – "

"Listen to me, Mokuba. This is important."

The confession repulsed him horribly. Hadn't he admitted himself to be completely powerless, that he had no control over the wills of others?

"That cannot excuse my behavior towards you, Mokuba, and I'm asking you to forgive me for having neglected you these past few weeks," he continued. "But I would like for you to know why I am acting the way I am. And believe me, it's not out of sheer pleasure."

"But tell me… I don't get what you're saying… why does she want to… isn't she happy here with us?"

Kaiba exhaled in a nostalgic sort of half-smirk.

"I think that Naomi can never be happy, wherever she is…"

It was far more difficult than he had imagined to say this.

He was looking for words, confused.

But he hadn't expected how much he would wound himself.

"What I'm trying to say, Mokuba, is very important to keep to yourself."

Again he breathed deeply, looking for a scrap of courage.

"I have been aware of several things for a long time. And these are things that she is not aware that I know of. Memories, moments of her life she would never forgive me for knowing. You see?"

Kaiba was pursuing his mea culpa, with some pain, as Mokuba's throat rolled into a ball of sadness without him being aware of precisely why.

Was Kaiba going to go all the way with his demystification? Did he have the right to?

No.

But to win his brother's forgiveness, and maybe in a secret hope that he could come to be of use, he would allow himself to go as far as he could.

"I'm about to show you just how much I trust you, Mokuba. But nothing, absolutely nothing can be said about this. Not a word, not a sound. Nothing."

Mokuba suddenly regretted having promised to be silent. It was as if he was readying to hold the weight of the world on his shoulders. And the sensation was quite disagreeable.

But he had promised. And as a Kaiba, he couldn't go back on his word. Especially on the day when his brother came to him for help, seeming to need him.

"And… I don't know if I should let her leave anymore… or…"

Kaiba stopped for a moment.

"No!" Mokuba said fervently, scrambling up only to fall before Seto, and there, on his knees, he grabbed his wrists.

"No," he repeated. "Keep her!"

"What?"

Mokuba's reaction had disarmed Kaiba so badly he almost fell over backwards.

"You heard me, Seto. You don't want her to leave, do you?"

Kaiba's astonished look softened slightly, now being partially filled with gratitude.

Was he going to answer yes or no?

Was it even possible to give a reply without betraying himself completely?

But what was he afraid of? Wasn't it his little brother that was in front of him, the only person in the world whom he had ever completely and absolutely trusted?

But he finally swiped his head decisively, yet only barely; a distinct movement which confirmed the negative.

"It's not that simple, Mokuba."

Everything was becoming so dramatic; Mokuba felt uneasy staying in place.

So instead he forced out a snigger.

"Come on, Seto, you're a Kaiba! Nothing's too difficult or impossible for you… I bet you've already thought of tons of solutions, haven't you?

I have the best little brother in the world…

Kaiba didn't stop his relieved, almost amused smile.

"Yeah…. that's true. But I'm not sure what her reaction is going to be. There are… very risky things… and – "

"So risk them!" he interrupted. "No pain, no gain. That has to be the lesson I learned the best. I should have waited for a better moment to tell you, I think…"

He seemed to be openly amused over the entire difficult situation.

"You've changed, Seto."

Kaiba looked his brother in the eye, inquisitive.

"Ever since the day when you went to go race. You remember that bet?"

Well of course he remembered it.

"Well," Mokuba began again, "You haven't stopped changing since then. I see everything she does to you. I even see how you're happy when she's just around. But I can understand that myself now."

Kaiba still felt like he needed to keep a secondary door open, to flee through if he should be discovered.

"Are you sure you aren't mistaking me with your girlfriend?"

Mokuba blushed furiously.

"No… but…er…"

A detail over which they had never before spoken.

But now that Seto had brought up the subject, it was the ideal time to discuss it.

"Oh… you knew."

This time, Kaiba couldn't prevent himself from smiling with delight.

He wanted to know.

"Er…well…"

Unable to stop himself anymore, a flood poured out of Mokuba.

"Oh! Seto! She's so wonderful, and she….and she…"

"Calm down, Moki, you're giving both of us an asthma attack."

Mokuba immediately quieted. In reality, he didn't actually know how to talk about her.

"You're going to introduce me one day, I'm sure."

"Well, duh!"

"I'm sure she's nice."

And now he was back in his shoes as big brother, protector of Mokuba's happiness.

"I… I'm sure you'll like her."

"Hm."

If she makes you happy, Mokuba, then yes, I'll like her.

"Once again, Mokuba, I'm truly sorry. Not just because of the future. But I have a lot of things to do and they will all take me some time."

"Take as long as you need, Seto. But make her stay. That's all that matters, right?"

Kaiba would have liked for him to grow smaller once again, to hold him in his arms and close to his heart. Only now that Mokuba was nearly as tall as he was, it seemed that his affection elan would no longer be permitted in such a fashion.

That was without considering Mokuba's extreme sensibility, who had no problem continuously demonstrating to him the true love that they had always shared.

His arms closed energetically around Seto's neck, who was surprised but did not try to break free from his grasp. On the contrary, Mokuba couldn't see his big brother's sincere smile as he, too, closed his arms around him.

How he loved him.

"Promise me, Moki, that no matter what happens, you'll come see me and tell me… okay?"

"Unh-hunh," he sighed.

Lowering his arms, Mokuba then looked at him, completely serious.

"So let's make a deal."

"A deal?"

"Yeah! – I'll come and tell you everything I know, but you have to promise me that you'll do everything you can to make Naomi stay. Okay?"

He didn't quite grasp the purpose behind such a deal. If Kaiba put one of his plans into execution, he was convinced that at least some harm would come from it.

But Mokuba was encouraging him, no matter what the cost. Which reassured him greatly.

He knew now that he understood, no matter what he did.

"Alright. We can even sign a contract if you want," asked Kaiba, pretending as if Mokuba were temporarily a business partner.

With a dismissive wave Mokuba rejected the idea, exasperated at the mere proposition.

"Oh no, all of your paperwork should stay down in your office."

They then both broke into laughter.

. . . . . . . . .

"May I help you, Marie?"

"Oh no, ma'am! Everything's already ready."

Naomi looked at her, dumbstruck, given the fact that there had just been an electrical outage.

"Oh," Marie began again, "I made everything before the storm hit. But thank you. You are really too kind."

To which Naomi only responded with a vague, evasive sort of smile.

After dinner, profiting on Kaiba's return to the study and thus absence, Naomi and Mokuba found themselves in the living room, where they had both had the idea to watch a movie – Alexander the Great, starring Colin Ferrell.

"Wait," she said before the movie could begin. "You haven't told me about your courses. How're they coming along?"

Mokuba pouted.

"Bah… so-so…I think I'm doing okay enough. Not like you, but…"

He seemed bored.

"But what? Don't you like them?"

Those urchins of classmates probably don't make life easy for him. Guess I should have known.

"…yeah….it's okay."

He didn't end up very convincing.

She could have sworn that something was bothering him.

"So… if I'm right, you don't like them?" she risked asking, prepping the turf.

"Er…the course?... no, it's okay. It's pretty good…actually…"

She wasn't going to push the question further, but decided to anyway.

"Is it difficult? Were you expecting it to be different?"

He hesitated, not wanting to disappoint her.

"It's Hashataya who – "

"Mr. Hashataya," she replied quickly.

He sighed.

"Yeah… sometimes I think he has favorites… I think he's too strict… I dunno," he admitted with embarrassment, thinking about all of those exercises he had been forced to complete as punishments when it had never been his fault.

Naomi gave an amused smile.

"No, he doesn't. And if he seems strict, it's just to help you progress and assimilate to the material as best as he can. He's one of the best tutors out there."

"What?"

"Yes, yes, I assure you. He's only concerned with your overall well-being. Even if it doesn't seem like it. And tell yourself that when he gets on to you, it's because he sees your talent. He's trying to develop it to its maximum. That's why he seems so authoritative, if not inflexible. But he's a really good teacher. Don't underestimate him, Moki."

He's also aware that the other students are picking on you….and for your own good… he's letting your harden your spirit.

But she kept this thought to herself alone.

"Does he think I'm good enough to - ?"

"Yes," she encouraged him.

Maybe Mokuba might have judged him incorrectly after all. What he had just learned made some sense to him. And it was true that the quicker that he learned to manage, the quicker he could rid himself of those imbeciles – Keenu's coterie.

Despite it all, it warmed his heart to gain this knowledge.

Maybe I should make a little trip, then…. go see where things are… besides, I'm beginning to get my strength back, too…

The conversation hadn't been for nothing after all.

It was a nice thing to say, but deep inside, without admitting it, she was trying to confirm her presentiment.

"How do you like him?"

"Hunh? Who?"

"Well. The actor. Ferrell," Mokuba asked, perhaps trying to find out her preferences vis-à-vis his brother.

"Well," she exhaled. "He's sexy, of course. But… he's a really good actor, but… let's face it… he doesn't bring down the house."

Doesn't hold a candle to Seto… I'll admit that.

Mokuba's curiosity was piqued when he saw a smile, and then almost a blush, come over Naomi. What could she be thinking about?

. . . . . . . . .

She seemed to be sleeping peacefully, turned onto her left side – her uninjured side. After several weeks the wounds seemed to be healing well. The pain was minimal. She just had to be careful now.

Kaiba stretched out, facing her.

He stopped himself from brushing away a strand of her hair that had fallen into her face because he feared that he might wake her.

But he lay there thinking, never taking his eyes off of her.

What am I going to do with you? Tell me how, Naomi. Guide me.

. . . . . . . . .

It was four-thirty in the afternoon.

In less than a half an hour, Mokuba would be home from practice, his new norm.

Kaiba still hadn't arrived from the office.

So Naomi had the time to make a few phone calls in order to get her own life back into working order.

As she had proposed the previous day, she thought it was time to add on to her itinerary; she had decided to take a walk around downtown.

She was in the process of putting her coat back on when Kaiba made his entrance.

"Hey," he said, hugging her.

It had been snowing very lightly and his long sweater was dotted with several snowflakes which had managed to find him during his short jump from the limo to the front door.

"Hey," she replied somewhat distantly.

This wasn't the time for her to be distracted. But she still gave him her warm smile.

"Going somewhere?"

Grr… she's going to think I want to stop her from –

"Er…yeah."

Where, exactly?

Kaiba stopped himself from asking the question. He understood full well that it wasn't in his best interest to let her think herself a prisoner where her every moment was closely followed.

"Be careful, it's a bit slippery out there," he said, letting none of his worries slip into his voice.

"Oh, er…" she murmured as a wacky idea came across her mind.

"Say… could you lend me a car?"

Kaiba froze.

"What?"

"Oh, calm down. I'll be careful!" she complained, slightly insulted as if he had been joking about her driving ability.

But he already knew. So what?

Agh, what did I say? he asked himself as he looked at her, vexed.

He chose to try to respond to her as fast as he could.

"Fuck the car."

He stopped suddenly, realizing he had gone farther than he had anticipated.

Which made Naomi smile again as she saw his embarrassment.

"I meant," he said quickly as he cocked his head, "are you sure it wouldn't be wiser to take the limousine? I'll call Roland and – "

"No, I have things to do in town. And I'd really like…"

Kaiba stared at her fixedly. He was waiting for her explanation, but at the same time he was too busy staring to actually hear her response.

At any rate he knew everything was known once it was learned. At worst he would have her followed.

No, not that. She wouldn't leave in one of my cars, that's for sure.

He calmed down, logic coming to his rescue.

"I'd really like… it's been a long time since I've been down there, and most of the things are personal."

Kaiba uncrossed his arms.

He could have found a thousand ways to refute what she had just asked of him. But he respected her choice.

"Alright," he said, barely noticing when they walked down the stairs to the basement.

Upon their arrival Kaiba turned on the light in the room that she had only been to once before, on Christmas. But she had to say that she hadn't paid the rest of room any mind until that precise moment. She had to say, mostly, that she was still partially under the effects of medication when she had went there. Which excused her ignorance vis-à-vis the majority of the downstairs area.

Her racecar was still in the back of the basement. It was the holiday gift Kaiba had given her, claiming that he was 'repairing' the real one. But only now that she looked at it again did it warm her heart.

"Don't forget, I owe you a rematch," he said, trying to stop himself from laughing maniacally.

Of course he had perfectly followed her train of thought.

Then her eyes turned towards the more impressive panoply that was his own collection.

Her face did not show much happiness despite her enthusiasm and almost irresistible will to drive just one of these extremely expensive vehicles.

Kaiba threw her a key-ring, indicating that she was to choose from among her choices upon it.

"Okay, let me see," she said, mockingly pretending to check the time on her watch. "Two BMWs, a Jaguar, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, two Mercedes… and then there are the motorcycles – "

"No!" he snapped, completely against the idea. Besides, it was winter, so it was impractical to use a motorcycle on the snowy, icy roads. But in reality, he was dying with worry.

She sighed slightly, annoyed.

Then her expression lightened as her eyebrows un-furrowed.

"Nothing less flashy?"

Now Kaiba sighed, slightly ticked off at the remark.

No. Seto Kaiba was always flashy. Why wouldn't he be?

"Never mind, I'll call a cab."

Then she went to walk back up the stairs.

"Naomi, that's ridiculous. It's just a fucking car. So choose one and go do what you have to do!"

I'd love to lend you one.

It was perhaps this thought which stopped her halfway up the flight of stairs. Had she heard that, or had she simply dreamed it?

Then again… she had all the rights to her own liberty, even if she were under his roof. Temporarily.

"The Jaguar?"

Kaiba gave her the key without a further word.

Actually, without really knowing why, he felt a particular joy in doing so. A joy which he kept to himself.

But when she went to take the key in hand, he held onto her arm, taking a certain pleasure in holding her against him.

"Thanks," she breathed, visibly affected by the display of affection.

I missed you… today… Kaiba thought as he placed a tender kiss on her lips.

"Be careful," he whispered as he held her even tighter.

He was showing too much of himself again. But Naomi wasn't out to make fun of him for it. Au contraire.

. . . . . . . . .

"It's show time tonight, pea brain," Keenu threatened as he tracked Mokuba's every move as he changed, unaware that he could feel his beady eyes boring into his back.

Ugh… who does he think he is, that jerk? thought Mokuba as, this time, he saw his chances of escaping falling the entire time he was hurrying to get dressed.

Again, he had to push himself to be faster. But with the little space that separated them, he asked himself how exactly he could get around him this time.

His plan was simple – as he ran, he would move into the back alley and hasten to the limousine on the other side of the street. If he had any luck he should make it. And after that… he'd have the happiness of seeing his girlfriend.

Gotta catch me first, airhead!

A thought he kept to himself.

He profited off of the moment when Keenu had turned around towards the back wall of the changing room to race outside, leaving the doors slam in his wake.

He wasn't expecting two more brutes to be waiting outside.

"Hey, pipsqueak, weren't expecting us, were ya?"

And they were full of themselves, too.

Grrr…

Mokuba was flooded by anger at their apparent nonchalance. They still hadn't touched him but their mere presence was enough to make him feel like the walls were stretching away from him. Walls which, if he were to reach, he wouldn't be able to pass through.

Then Keenu, all smiles, walked out of the changing room accompanied by a fourth friend.

He was cornered. He had trapped himself trying to leave the back way again. It was just that he hadn't been expecting them to be waiting for him there.

"So, rich boy… not feeling so tough now, are ya?" Keenu sniggered, pushing him roughly against the wall with a shove.

"What do you want from me?" Mokuba asked, who wanted to, above all, keep playing hardball and show that he was not frightened, although he had to stop himself from shaking.

Of course, the limousine was on the other end of the alley, at the entrance to the gym. And maybe it would have been easy to shout so loud that the driver could have heard him. He kept it as a last resort.

But he tried to keep himself brave, hoping to prove that he could manage.

"Ohh, my, look how brave you are. You always bring your friends with you?" he said, keeping his eye on the four massive boys.

At which they all laughed at him. They evidently found pleasure in 'torturing' their victims first.

Okay… calm down, Moki… think, if he walks up and tries to lay a hand on you, you can dodge it, and then you –

But he had no time to continue fleshing out a strategy when his head once again slammed against the wall. This time, however, Keenu kept his grip on his collar.

Mokuba believed the time had come to make his final prayer as he closed his eyes, ready to take a blow right in his face. His muscles had stiffened.

"Enough!"

A strong, very authoritarian voice stopped Keenu's fist in mid-swing as he froze in place, then jumped a good distance away from Mokuba.

Several seconds later a shadow had flitted between them, shielding Mokuba, whose eyes shot open to see the gang backing away quickly.

If they had had the ability to merge their bodies with the wall, they would have done so. But instead, their heads lowered, reddening darkly with fear and shame.

Even better – Mokuba swore that they were panicking.

"Oh! Sensei!" Keenu said, his fists unclenching and falling away from in front of him.

An action which was quickly imitated by his companions.

They then bowed roughly in respect to the intervening shadow.

What? Sensei?

Mokuba held back his cry of surprise.

Because it was Naomi who was standing before him, armed with her legendary calm, arms crossed.

"Care to explain, Keenu?"

He had the advantage of height – he was a full head taller than Naomi. Besides, wasn't it a given that four was supposedly better than one?

Apparently not, given their reactions.

Sensei! Mokuba thought. She's…a teacher… oh…! Woah!

The comedic situation was becoming more and more hilarious.

But he held back his triumphant laugh.

"Let me refresh your memory, Keenu," she was saying. "You were already warned, I think, to leave others alone, particularly new students, am I correct?"

"Er…" he babbled. "Yes, Sensei."

He had no reason to lie.

"Well, I'm waiting!" she barked in a tone that could chill blood.

"It's…it's just…" he stammered.

"It's because you're a coward who only picks on people smaller than you, isn't it!"

The others seemed to wish to disperse, to high-tail it away their leader.

"Nobody move!" she snapped, without deigning look at them.

It still caused them to remain where they were.

"I am going to tell you once more, Keenu," she began again, walking forward until their faces were inches apart. "If I see you beginning your dirty tricks on anyone, or even if I learn about it, you will have to answer to me. Understand?"

His breathing came with difficulty, and he did not raise his head to look at her.

All of his fortitude had vanished.

"Yes…sensei," he sighed in a forlorn tone. "Can I go now?"

"No!" she shouted. "I'm not finished."

This time she shoved her face so close to his that he could feel her breath, but he still did not dare to look at her.

"Let me inform you that I am going to take Mr. Kaiba under my own tutelage. I am going to train him personally. And I will do so to the point that when we have finished, I will decide when and where he will come to kick your ass."

Keenu's knees buckled, as if he were melting before her stern threats.

"BUT!" she insisted, even graver than before. "As for right now, I'm forbidding you, and your charming little friends, from approaching him or even looking at him. Have I made myself sufficiently clear?"

He didn't seem so tough anymore. Mokuba even believed – as he stood there with a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing – that he had crapped his pants.

"Yes, sensei."

This time, he was shaking as much from anger as from fear. But the respect he held for her was, despite it all, indisputable.

"Alright. Get lost."

They didn't have to be told twice as they all scampered away as fast as they possibly could.

Dumbfounded, Mokuba was still standing there, trying not to laugh.

"Sensei? Why didn't you tell me, Nao?"

She turned towards him, looking worried to find him in such a state.

He hadn't a scratch on him, which made her relax a bit.

"Was it important?"

"Well.. no… but I guess I would have wanted to know," he said, joining her on the walk to the limousine.

"Okay. Well, now you know. Does it change anything?"

"Er….no, of course not…but – "

Without really knowing why, he felt a strange sense of pride.

"Wait a minute, you were serious when you said I was going to kick his ass?"

"Of course!"

"So… let me get this straight… you're going to…teach me?"

Happy. Mokuba felt an almost debilitating sense of excitement as the joy ballooned inside of his chest.

Roland opened the door upon their arrival.

"Why not? You think we could find a room in the mansion?"

Does this mean she is going to stay? Yessssssssss! Seto will be so happy!

He hid his thoughts once more.

But it was so encouraging.

Did Seto know that she was this accomplished in martial arts?

"Oh, yeah!" he responded fervently.

"Cool. I'm gonna stick around, alright? I have some things to get done around here."

Mokuba pleasurably agreed before scrambling into the car.