Title: Sow and Reap

Author: Serena J

Rating: R for use of the f-word and some sexual content

Genre(s): Romance, Angst

Pairing(s): Primary Seto/Joey/Atemu

Spoilers: none

Beta: Mishiko

Disclaimer: Just the words, not the folks.

Summary: When Seto takes an impromptu vacation, he turns everyone's life upside down.

Chapter 28: Some Things Old, Some Things New

Chapter 28

The rest of the evening was pleasantly uneventful and the next day Mokuba and I went back to the condo – which I remembered with surprising clarity. The Arab woman was there, waiting for us. "Welcome home, Mokuba-san, Seto-san. I had them send a few of your things down from the house, but I thought you might prefer to buy anything else."

"Oh." She was only vaguely familiar, which I was beginning to realize was how I saw people I only paid cursory attention to. "Thank you." I remembered where my room was and went there. There wasn't much in it – a bed, a few clothes, some school things.

I went to Mokuba's room. "I think I would like to buy a few clothes. Let's go to the Mall. I worked there for a while, didn't I?"

"Unless you quit last week, you still do, technically," he replied. "Hang on a second." He returned to sending his message. "I'm tweeting where we're going, so some of the guys might meet us there, ok?"

Really, I didn't care. I was only interested in meeting the girl I suddenly remembered while looking in my closet. Mokuba told me who the Arab woman was and I greeted Ishtaaru more politely as we left.

At the mall, several of Mokuba's friends met us. I gathered I'd never met them before since he took the time to introduce me to each of them. He chatted for a while then I got impatient and left him to find the store on my own. I passed several boys my age who waved or yelled to me that they'd see me later. Precious few looked more than vaguely familiar.

"SeSe-kun!" A pretty young woman snagged my arm just as I passed a make-up store. "What, don't I even rate a 'hi' anymore?"

The name was ghastly, but for some reason, made me smile. The woman, too, was...special.

"Oh My God! What happened to your neck?"

I touched it; I had forgotten the bruises were so visible. "I was," I hesitated to find the right word, "attacked." My voice was loud enough to be heard finally, but was still very gruff.

"Oh My God! You poor thing! Was it that new boyfriend?"

"No."

"You don't want to discuss it, do you? Come in. You have to meet my new crew." She looped her arm in mine and pulled me into the store. "They'll never believe I know you." She kissed my cheek.

I was introduced formally – which seemed strange at the moment – to two women and a man.

"Oh come on!" man scoffed. "The real Kaiba family wouldn't even pass through this dump, Kimura!"

"Actually, my brother and I both go to school here. It's much less distracting than, say, Tokyo or Paris." I thought a moment. "Do you think you could get the other girls together this afternoon?"

"Sure!" Kimura said. "I see Miko-chan and Chou-Chou all the time."

"Good. I'll send a car for you around four. We're having a reception and I'd like you to be there." I looked at the group looking at us skeptically. "You may bring this lot if you'd like." I looked my watch. "I have a few errands to complete, Kim-chan, I need to be on my way."

"Kim-chan!" she pouted. "I'm not KimKim any more?"

I kissed her cheek. "You've grown up since I saw you last. And you have authority now; I should show you more respect." I had known she had a pet name but for the life of me, I could not remember it until she said it.

She beamed. Then she threw her arms around my neck. "It's so good to see you, SeSe-kun!"

"If you're really Kaiba Seto," one of her associates asked, "why aren't you in Tokyo? Didn't your father just die?"

"Yes, he did," Mokuba snapped from behind me. "Say it with respect. He was far more important than you'll ever be." He noticed the girl around my neck. "Hey KimKim."

"Mitaku, God!" KimKim gasped and turned on the woman. "I was trying not to bring that up!" She turned back to my brother and I. "Hi, Moke-kun. We were all really sorry to hear about your father."

"Thank you." I kissed her cheek again and gently pulled her off me. "I really must go. I will see you around four. Do not be late."

Mokuba and I moved on. "You invited her?" he asked me.

"And told her to bring Miko-chan and Chou-Chou. I told her to bring those others if she'd like as well."

"Great," he muttered.

He led the way to a store that suddenly looked very familiar. I remembered the proper way to fold a shirt, and where the spare pricing gun was stored, and a dozen now unnecessary details related to store operations. I headed to the back office, ignoring the cashier telling me that I wasn't allowed in there.

Miko-chan and Chou-Chou were both tagging stock – which really meant that they had an open box of clothing and at least thirty minutes worth of popcorn.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," I said, grinning.

"SeSe-kun!" Miko-chan shouted as Chou-Chou said, "Moke-kun!"

They both got up, hugged us and began peppering us with questions faster than either of us could answer. Chou-Chou was still everyone's little sister. Miko-chan's soft hair brushed my arm and suddenly I knew the mistake I'd made with Otogi. It was a nice memory, on reflection, and although what I remembered of sleeping with her was pleasant, I found no desire to repeat the experience.

Finally, I had to laugh. "Enough! We will talk tonight. Go find Kimura at four o'clock; she'll explain everything. In the meantime, I need a few shirts, two pairs of pants and I think Mokuba can probably use a few things as well."

"I have a really awesome set in your locker for you. When are you coming back?" Miko-chan asked, looking hopeful.

"I'm afraid I must resign." I actually found myself feeling a bit of regret. Coming in to the store had brought back nothing but good memories.

"Aw," she pouted for a moment then brightened. "Ok. Clock in."

"Now?"

"Yeah. You can ring up one sale now and one sale before you leave. Then we can say today was your last day and use your employee discount for whatever you buy."

I laughed. "I hardly need a discount now." She pointed at the time clock and I complied, shaking my head.

I did surprise both of them by simply trying on all of their suggestions on to verify the fit and then purchasing everything. After a few test fittings to gauge his size and style, Miko-chan and Chou-Chou had as much fun dressing Mokuba as they did me. Between us, we spent several thousand yen – far more than I'd ever spent in the store before.

We left, reminding them to be on time, and receiving a flurry of hugs and kisses.

The trip home was uneventful and we had time to change into our new clothes while a banquet staff cooked and decorated. Guests began arriving and raved – many of them had become friends of mine apparently after my 'fall from grace' and had never seen the condo. Some of them I remembered on sight. Others I pretended to remember. The girls from the store arrived, dressed to impress most of my classmates – which they did quite charmingly well – and KimKim's co-workers were properly awed into apologizing for their earlier rudeness.

I heard a familiar voice behind me. "So you had to do this the night I came home."

I turned around and recognized the boy as a flood of memories fleshed out the photos Ryou had shown me.

"It hardly would have been worth the effort if it didn't inconvenience you, Honda." I tried to keep a straight face but I couldn't stop the smile.

He grinned back. "It's good to see you, dude." He hugged me and as much as I wanted to deny it, it was welcome affection.

"And you."

"And us!" Mutou piped up from behind him. "What happened to your voice?"

"You had to bring the motor mouth?" I teased, ignoring the question.

"His car," Honda said with a shrug.

"My car," a woman I recognized as Mai corrected him.

I looked over again, intent on saying something clever, but the thought died. Behind Mutou stood Mai. And Pharaoh. Mutou Yami.

Or, more properly: Horus Mighty Bull, Luck of Thoth, He of the Two Ladies, Wisest of the Divine, Horus of Gold Victor Over All Opponents, Celestial of Appearance, He of the Sedge and Bee Most Prized of Atem, Son of Ra, Atemu the First, Twelfth Pharaoh of the Third Dynasty, King of Upper and Lower Egypt.

He did favor his 'brother', but to say they look alike was to say diamonds look like crystals. The quality of one far exceeded the other. Suddenly, I remembered everything – from our first meeting to our last.

It was just a bit depressing. I pushed those feelings aside.

"It's good to see you all," I said, forcing a smile. "Honda, Mutou, I'd like to speak with you in the study for just a moment." I led the two of them back and secured the room. "As I'm sure you've heard things did not go as anticipated with Gozaburo."

"Yeah." Mutou nodded. "We're all real sorry about your Dad."

"You ok about that?" Honda asked. His expression looked more curious than sympathetic.

"Yes. Yes, I think I am. My brother is grieving; you may wish to share your condolences with him." I sighed. "I have another issue. Gozaburo...injured me before he died." I rubbed my neck, thinking of the bruises again.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you were going to mention that." Honda frowned. "Was it an accident?"

"...no."

"Then how did he...?" Mutou started, but Honda stopped him with a shake of his head.

I almost answered the question anyway, but I suspected that Honda could guess what happened and Mutou would be unreasonably distressed by the information. Instead, I cleared my throat and went on. "An unfortunate side affect was some memory loss – especially of people. I have re-constructed some of it –" I paused and smiled. "Sadly, I remember you two," I teased. "But I have no idea who most of the people here today are."

"So you want us to introduce you to everyone?" Mutou perked up.

"Certainly not. I would rather they not know about this short-term issue. What I would like is for you to greet people by name when I am near them. In most cases, seeing their face and hearing their name at the same time has been enough to trigger functional memories."

"Ok. I'll tell Mai and Yami..."

"You most certainly will not." I sighed; the boy wore down my patience simply breathing. "I would have told them myself if I had wished them to know."

"But..." I glared at him and he frowned. "She's gonna ask me. I'm gonna have to tell her sooner or later."

"Really!" I snapped. "Find a spine."

"You don't get it," he lamented. "She's my wife; she'll drive me crazy until I tell her."

"Fine. You may tell her." I paused to smile slightly. "After tomorrow's graduation."

Mutou moaned and I opened the study door. He left with all the drama of a reluctant ten-year-old. Honda left snickering.

"He'll never make it," he said quietly as he passed me.

"I know. But hopefully he'll try."

The only other interesting thing occurred later in the afternoon when a boy all but accosted me in the hallway as I was seeing another guest out.

"So, um, how you been?" he asked me.

Thanks to Honda, I knew the boy's name was Kajiki and we had been on the Cheering squad together, but it was clear from how uncomfortable he was that there was more to our relationship than Honda had mentioned. He wasn't particularly attractive – especially after seeing Ryou, Joey and Pharaoh – so I doubted we were lovers. But he was vaguely familiar. A study partner, perhaps.

"It has been an unusual week, to say the least."

"Yeah, me too. My sister blabbed to Mako." He looked miserable. "She heard us Friday night."

Lovers after all. "I see. So where does that leave us?"

His eyes flew open. "US?! But...but you said... I thought you didn't want, you know, 'us'! I told Mako –"

"I don't want an 'us'," I said quickly, giving silent thanks. "But I didn't want to be wholly ignorant of your feelings on the matter."

"Oh." He looked at me then looked away. "I think you're, like, the hottest guy I've ever met. I mean, anybody would want to be with you."

"Except you," I guessed.

He looked at me, startled. "Oh no! I mean, sure I want to be with you!" He looked away again. "It's just that, well..."

"I'll be in Domino as of tomorrow," I said, giving him a way to save face. "I will have little time for anyone. A personal relationship would become something of a burden, frankly."

"Well I don't want to be in the way." He shrugged. "And I kinda told Mako that I wouldn't mess around with you any more."

I nodded. "That was wise." I had an image of him calling me something related to chemistry. "I should return to my guests."

"Oh yeah. I'm gonna cut out now." I nodded. "See you tomorrow, right?"

"Of course."

He paused then stepped closer to me. He kissed me like it was the last time – which it undoubtedly was – and quickly left.

I returned to the living room, and the party, wondering how many lovers I entertained.

Early the next morning, my phone rang. "Dude, what did you get on that paper?" Honda asked me urgently.

"On what paper?" I asked.

"On the one I thought Headmaster was bullshitting about! I didn't know for sure, but we had a slow day on the boat, so Dad made me write it and e-mail it in just in case. I just got my grade and attached to it was the confirmation that I'm actually graduating today!"

I thought about it, but I didn't remember receiving such a document. "Just a moment." I turned on my computer, somewhat aware that I had not used it in several months. I opened my e-mail account, but found nothing. "Look through my things. Do you see a blue pocket calendar?"

"The one you keep all your assignments in? Yeah, I got it right here. Everything's checked off except that paper. That's kind of what made me call."

That made me pause. "What made you go through my things?"

"Sorry about that. Last night, you said you didn't remember some people, but I noticed there were little things that you didn't remember, too. Mostly dumb stuff like Ito getting caught smoking in the bathroom, but some real stuff too. So when I saw the book, I knew you always wrote homework in it, so I checked."

"And it was not checked off."

"That and your finals, but I figured you took those last week."

I dropped the phone. I did not take my final exams last week. I picked it up again to the sound of Honda calling my name. "I'm here. I – I need to make a phone call. I will see you at the ceremony." I hung up with him and scrolled through my phonebook, hoping to find the Headmaster's number. It was there.

"Kaiba-san, good morning," he said calmly, expectantly. "I was hoping I would hear from you. I'm sorry about your father."

"Thank you. I believe I may have a small issue, sir."

"Yes. You owe me a paper."

I hesitated a moment; I would not have considered that the most pressing concern. "Yes; that was brought to my attention this morning."

"I offer you two solutions. You may submit a paper to me with in the next four hours. Or, you may say a few words to your classmates during graduation." Humor underlay his voice.

I hated public speaking. I had done enough of it and was quite capable of it; that wasn't the problem. I disliked being the sole focus of attention in that manner. I felt like I was being judged by the entire room. "How many words?"

"Not many. Three to five minutes or so. We just need someone to introduce the salutatorian."

A four-minute speech would take less time to write than a full paper, which made it the lesser of two evils at the moment. "Very well. Now, about my exams, I'm afraid…."

"Don't concern yourself with those, Kaiba-san." The humor left his voice and he softened. "Your class work was high enough for your teachers to pass you even without the exam scores. I know the last week has been hard. Even for a young man as strong as you are."

"Thank you, sir." The words meant more to me than was logical. "What should my topic be?"

"The same as the paper should do nicely."

"I'm afraid I do not have access to my notes."

He chuckled. "Just tell me going to school was worth the time and effort you put in. And speaking of time and effort, did Honda-san share his paper with you?"

"Not as yet, no."

"You should read it. I found it enlightening." He sighed. "You'll excuse me, Kaiba-san, I'm afraid I have a less pleasant student on the other line."

"Of course, sir. I will see you later today."

I considered what to say to my classmates. With the media in attendance, this was a priceless opportunity to show my 'human' side. And falling the day before Gozaburo's cremation, gave this graduation a heightened sense of closure. Attending high school had been worth my time in ways I could never have guessed – and in ways I would never admit to my classmates.

I jotted down notes about things I did want to mention, a few teachers I wished to single out – most notably the Headmaster himself – and a few classmates deserving acknowledgement.

Then I speed-read through almost two years of school-related e-mails to help fill lingering memory gaps. By the time Mokuba banged on my door, complaining that I was delaying breakfast, I had as much information as I could amass from my current sources.

We ate, dressed, and went to the school. Kaiba Security and local authorities mixed to provide a crowded but orderly entrance to the grounds. Before we got out of the car, Mokuba stopped me. "Here." He handed me a wrapped box. "It's not much, but, well, I just wanted to give you something to say I'm really proud of you and I'm really proud to be your brother."

I felt my face flush as I was washed over by sudden emotion. "You honor me more than I deserve," I said looking at the box.

We both sat in emotion-filled silence before his impatience won out.

"Are you gonna open it?"

"Of course," I chuckled.

Inside the professional wrapping was a red velvet pen box. Inside that was a set of battered gold Cross pens. I knew what I was seeing.

They were Gozaburo's. He had used them for years, always in his left hand breast pocket. He signed contracts and terminations, grants and executions. The first time I saw them was when he used them at the orphanage to sign the 'Intent to Adopt' documents.

I remembered – suddenly, clearly – the moment I got the call about Mokuba's kidnapping. Gozaburo asked Anzu for a notepad. And a pen.

I looked at my brother not even sure what to ask.

"Kogoro told me where they were. When you enrolled in school, Dad put them in the safe. He said if you actually finished, he'd give them to you." He wiped his eyes and sniffed. "Look at them."

"I remember them," I said, holding back my own tears. Why would he give them to me?

"No. Look." He picked up one and showed it to me.

The simple line engraving felt cool under my fingers as I turned the pen around.

There was a new engraving.

'Always Us' it said with the kanji's for my name and Mokuba's.

I did cry then. I hugged my brother, kissed him, and told him how proud of him I was.

Eventually, we pulled ourselves together and I was able to clean my face and put on my cap and gown. We got out of the car to find almost everyone I cared to see waiting for us. Honda and Mutou were both dressed as I was in cap and gown.

"We going to send the car back for you," Honda-sama laughed.

I glanced at the vehicle. "It's my car. Why would you have sent it back for me?"

"We figured he must have forgot you, you took so long."

I had to smile. "Well, I'm glad to see the shark didn't get your sense of humor."

"It wouldn't want it," Mutou-sama commented to the group's laughter.

"Seto? Hiroto?" A woman's voice called out. I turned to see a couple and a teen-age girl hurrying over to us. "Yugi!"

Kawai Shizuka, Joey's mother, virtually my mother. She stayed by my side while I was hospitalized. She was an excellent choice to be my guardian. The girl was her daughter Serenity. The man was my wolf, Yamada.

"Congratulations!" She said throwing her arms around Honda and then Mutou. "Oh, you're all so grown! I'm going to cry all my make-up off." She let go of Mutou and gave me similar treatment. "Oh my God, Seto! What happened to you?"

"It's nothing," I said, not wanting to spoil the day.

"Of course it's not nothing!" She grabbed my chin firmly and lifted it up. "Oh my God! Seto!"

"Who is she?" I heard Mokuba ask behind me.

"Joey's mom," someone informed him.

"And ours," I added, pulling myself away firmly. "Kawai-san, please allow me to introduce my younger brother, Mokuba. Mokuba, this is our new guardian."

"Hey," he said standoff-ishly.

"Hello dear, I've heard so much about you, I feel like I know you already."

"I haven't heard a thing about you," he replied.

"Mokuba!" I snapped.

"It's alright. I understand; this is not the way we should meet, really." She smiled gently. "Although, we have met before. At the hospital when Seto was sick."

"Oh," he said with more consideration. "Right. Thank you for taking care of him."

"You're welcome." She gestured behind herself. "This is someone you haven't met. This is my daughter, Serenity."

"Nobody calls me that anymore, Mom!" The girl rolled her eyes. "I'm Sera."

"Mokuba," he said with an off-handed wave.

"Was I that obnoxious at that age?" I asked no one in particular; no one there would know. I held back a cough; already my voice was breaking.

"You all were," Mutou-sama laughed.

"At least," Honda-sama agreed. "I wanted to bring the shark home!"

"Oh I know!" Kawai-san laughed as well. "And Joey was just as bad! You all knew everything about everything."

"Except how to do the dishes or take out the trash," Mutou-sama added.

"Hey! I did my chores!" Mutou protested.

"After I reminded you a dozen times!"

"Hey! You not so bad, son – I only remind you half dozen!" The parents seem to enjoy themselves laughing.

I glanced over and saw Mokuba's distressed expression. I imagined he was thinking that Gozaburo should be with them. Gozaburo, however, would have lorded over the conversation and done his best to imply that the other parents were inferior.

But that was not the truth; Gozaburo was the inferior one.

"Excuse me," I said, breaking up the laughter, "I do have to go. I need to find out where I'll be sitting."

"Don't you remember, Kaiba?" Mutou asked. "Between Jomoto and Kimura."

"Forgot how to spell, did you?" Honda added. "I thought you were the smart one."

"I am. As a point of fact, I've been asked to say a few words of wisdom to my fellow graduates."

"Oh God!" Mai moaned. "We'll be here all day."

"On the contrary, I can really think of only one thing my classmates need to know."

"Yeah? What?" Honda had a suspicious grin.

"Always be sure to ask the customer if they want fries with their order." I walked away to both laughter and jeers.