Heart of the Blue-Eyes

by Azure Eyes Silver Dragon

When tragedy strikes at KaibaCorp, Téa and the gang rush to the aid of an old acquaintance. Set approximately three to four years after the events of Dark Side of Dimensions. .36.

***** DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO YU-GI-OH. ALTHOUGH THERE IS SOME ACTUAL 4KIDS DIALOGUE IN THIS STORY AND BUILDS OFF THE PRIOR PRINT AND MEDIA WORKS OF KAZUKI TAKAHASHI, THIS IS NOT A REAL CONTINUATION OF THE STORY. IT IS A WORK OF FAN FICTION. *****

Azureshipping

When tragedy strikes at KaibaCorp, Téa and the gang rush to the aid of an old acquaintance. (Set approximately three to four years after the events of Dark Side of Dimensions.)

---

Téa walked through the door of the Game Shop, shaking the raindrops off of her umbrella outside before leaning it against a corner. "Good evening, Mr. Muto." she said to Yugi's grandpa, who was writing up price tags for Duel Monsters cards behind the counter.

"Good to see you, Téa!" Solomon Muto replied cordially as she slipped by him to the large living space beyond the door.

She entered the room to see the guys sprawled out on the floor around the coffee table, ramune bottles covering its surface, particularly on Joey's end of the table. He up-ended the last contents of his latest one and burped loudly. "Man, da weather is da pits today, innit?" he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The television was currently showing the weather report, a line of thunderstorms barreling through Domino City on the radar while the meteorologist narrated.

"Good to see you too, Joey." said Téa as she settled on the couch next to a bored-looking Tristan, whose long legs stretched out before him as he balanced his ramune on his knee, watching the little glass ball roll around in the neck of the bottle.

"This does put a damper on our plans to go out to the beach, doesn't it?" said Tristan, catching his bottle as it almost tipped off his knee.

"A little rain never stopped us from having fun." replied Yugi cheerfully from the floor opposite Joey. "We could always go to the arcade. Or hang out at Burger Palooza."

"Ugh, sorry Yugi, but if I have to look at another burger this week, I'm gonna be sick." said Téa with a wrinkle of her nose as Yugi nodded understandably. Burgers were his favorite food, and Téa was grateful that Yugi wouldn't push them on his childhood friend until she shunned them for life. "Can't we get sushi or something? I've been craving a good miso soup." she added.

"I'm a little strapped fer sushi cash at da moment." Joey said sullenly, popping open another ramune. "Serenity's comin' inta town soon an' I promised her I'd take her around. Ey, dat reminds me, do ya guys think she could come wit' us on our campin' trip dis year?"

Tristan jumped up from the couch, forgetting about the empty ramune bottle that flew off his knee and onto the floor, suddenly far more energetic than he was a moment ago, and exclaimed, "Serenity? Come with us?! Of course she can! The more the merrier, right guys? This is gonna be so awesome!" Tristan's grin was practically lighting up the room.

Joey looked mildly annoyed, saying, "Alright already! Don't look so excited! It's my sista, fer Pete's sake! An' don't get any funny ideas about sharin' a tent wit' her, eitha!"

"Why are we talking about sharing a tent with your sister?" came a soft voice with an accent, and everyone turned to see Bakura walk through the door, pulling a rain hood off his white hair, which sprung back to life after being released from its restraint.

"Oh hey, Bakura!" said Joey. "I was just tellin' Tristan he betta stick to his own tent if Serenity wants ta come wit' us on our campin' trip dis year."

"Serenity will be in town?" asked Bakura, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "How jolly! We'll have good fun this time around!"

"I'm counting on it!" said Tristan, and Joey growled at him.

"Watch it, pal! Dat's my sista yer talkin' about!" the Brooklyn blond snapped.

"What? I just said I'm counting on all of us having fun!" said Tristan. "Nothing by it!"

"Oh boy, this sounds like it's gonna be quite the trip this year." Yugi said quietly to Téa as the guys continued to bicker in the background.

She giggled, replying, "But it will be nice to have more girls on the trip. Say, do you think Mai would want to go with us? I hear she's back in town again, too!"

"Mai?" said Yugi, blinking owlishly. "I dunno. She doesn't seem to be the camping type. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask, though."

"Aw, she's camped out before!" Téa reminded him. "Remember Duelist Kingdom? She's the reason we had a proper campsite with food and a shower."

"Oh yeah, you're right. Okay, let's see if Mai will join in on the fun!" said Yugi excitedly.

Joey stopped bickering to Tristan and wheeled his head around at the mention of Mai's name. "Eh, what's dis about Mai?" he asked.

"We were gonna see if Mai wanted to go camping with us, too." said Téa, pulling out her cell phone. "I certainly wouldn't mind more female companionship." she added as her fingers flew across the keyboard.

"Yeah, I'm sure Joey wouldn't mind more female companionship, either!" snickered Tristan, and Joey wheeled back around and grabbed him by the shirt collar.

"Wha'dju say, pal!?" Joey spat at him, and Tristan threw his arm around Joey's neck and put him in a headlock, speaking loudly into Joey's ear so there was no misunderstanding this time.

"I said you'd probably love nothing more than to have Mai Valentine cozy up against you in front of a roaring campfire while you stuff your fat face with s'mores and ramune!" Tristan yelled.

"Why don'tchya say dat to my fat face, huh?!" said Joey through gritted teeth as he struggled to break the headlock, but Tristan had grown even stronger than he had already been after years of working in his dad's factory and held Joey down with minimal effort.

"We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news!" said the reporter on the television suddenly. "This just in: representatives from KaibaCorp have informed us that Mokuba Kaiba, vice-president and second heir to the international gaming conglomerate, has died this morning."

Joey and Tristan stopped horse-playing. Téa's phone dropped from her hands and slid down her lap onto the floor. Yugi and Bakura could only stare in complete and utter disbelief at the TV.

"The young Mokuba Kaiba, just 16 years old, was struggling with complications from a brutal bout of pneumonia." continued the news anchor. "A representative of KaibaCorp had this information to give to us:

The camera flipped over to a podium in front of KaibaCorp's main entrance, surrounded by flashing press cameras, microphones, and personal cell phones being held forth to the rep. "It saddens us this day to announce the tragic departure of KaibaCorp's young vice-president." he said. "Doctors at KaibaCorp confirmed that Mr. Mokuba Kaiba, who had been ill for a month with pneumonitis, suddenly passed overnight from complications resulting in pulmonary distress. For the time being our president and CEO, Mr. Seto Kaiba, wishes for his privacy to be respected during this understandably difficult time."

The camera flipped back over to the news anchor, who said, "More on this story coming up at six tonight. And now, the afternoon traffic report..."

Everyone stared at the TV, unable to process what they just heard. The room was so quiet they could hear Yugi's grandpa flipping through cards in the other room with the door closed.

Finally Téa broke the silence. "Mokuba..." she whispered, her hand on her heart, and the first wave of tears began to spring to her eyes. "...it can't be..."

"He's gone..." said Bakura weakly, supporting himself with both hands on the back of the couch as he stared at the TV. "Just like that..."

"I don't believe it!" cried Tristan, his clenched fists shaking as he fought to hold back his tears. "We just saw him not even a month ago walking around Kaiba Land healthy and happy as ever!"

"How could dis happen?!" exclaimed Joey. "I thought Kaiba had da best doctors on dis end o' da globe, not to mention all da fancy high-tech stuff dey roll out wit' all da time at KaibaCorp! Dey gotta have all da best medical gear!"

"I guess it wasn't enough." said Yugi, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at nothing, as if still processing the news. "Maybe Fate had a different plan for Mokuba..."

Téa felt a heaviness in her heart the likes of which she had never felt before as the tears dripped from her face and onto her lap. All at once, the memories of the sweet little boy with messy black hair and mischievous steel-blue eyes came rushing back to her. Mokuba had welcomed all of them with open arms since their first encounter at Duelist Kingdom, and even when he had accepted his role as full-time VP of KaibaCorp, he had still treated them all as his best friends. He had always been there for the group and had even asked for their help on a few occasions. After all these years and all their memories together, Téa felt the sensation of her heart tearing out that piece where Mokuba had held a special place within it...

...and if this was how she felt...

Téa suddenly stood up, and Yugi startled out of his trance and looked up at her, asking, "Téa?"

Without a word, Téa snatched her phone from the floor, pivoted on her heel and ran back out.

"Hey, where're ya goin'?!" asked Joey as she flew by him, startling Solomon. "Téa?!"

"Téa!" cried Yugi, chasing after her and grabbing his raincoat from the hook on the way by. Joey sprinted after him.

"Hey wait! Don't leave us behind!" cried Bakura as he darted after them with Tristan in tow.

Téa burst out of the Game Shop door and flew across the intersection, where cars screeched to a halt and laid on their horns, some of them shouting angrily after her. Had she stopped to think, she could have just called a cab to take her where she was headed, but Téa's mind was only on one thing as she darted off towards the glass skyscraper with the KC logo on it.

"Téa, wait! You forgot your umbrella!" cried Yugi again as he watched her sprint ahead of all the guys in the pouring rain. She was surprisingly fast and agile even in platform heels. The perks of being a dancer. The guys watched as Téa turned down the road that led straight to KaibaCorp, and her intentions became clear at last.

"What does Téa think she's doing?!" huffed Bakura, holding his rain hood over his head as he and Tristan caught up with Joey, who splashed through puddles with no regard for his clothes getting soaked. "The representative said Kaiba doesn't want to see anyone!"

"I don't know what she's thinking, Bakura." said Tristan as he held his black leather jacket over his head to protect his meticulously shaped spike of hair. "Even if Kaiba did want to see anyone, what makes her think he'd want to see us of all people!?"

The stormy grey skies were ominous as Téa approached the intersection where KaibaCorp loomed up ahead, and already she could see news reporters and paparazzi flocked around the front gate, snapping pictures and shouting questions at the two KaibaCorp guards securing the gate. "Guess nobody got the message to respect his privacy." noted Tristan, and Téa turned and ran around the building to the emergency exit on the side of the building that was surprisingly unknown to many others. There were still guards at that entrance, and Téa ran up to see a familiar face walking through the open gate.

"Roland!" she cried, and Kaiba's right-hand man startled and looked up at her approach.

"Miss Téa, now is really not the time for visits." said Roland, keeping his professional air.

"Then it's true?" asked Téa, looking up at the graying guard. "About Mokuba?"

"I'm afraid so, miss." said Roland, his opaque shades hiding his eyes, but his voice somber. The guys caught up to Téa, bending over and bracing themselves on their knees as they gasped for breath. The muggy air didn't help with the process.

Yugi looked up at Roland and said, "How is he? Kaiba, I mean."

"Yugi Muto, good to see you again." said Roland. "Mr. Kaiba is understandably saddened by the recent events. And...he is also not in the best of tempers."

Téa knew that tone, and was all too aware of Kaiba's infamous short fuse. "Oh no, what did he do?" she asked, though she had a feeling she already knew the answer.

"Mr. Kaiba has suspended the pay of all the medical staff." said Roland. "He hasn't fired any of them because then they would be released from their oaths of privacy and NDA contracts to ignore the press..." He glanced over towards the front gate, where the masses still congregated demanding answers. "...but at the present, the only benefit they're getting is to stay under KaibaCorp's roof for the time being while he figures out what he wishes to do with them all."

"Dat's crazy! He can't fire every single one o' dem!" exclaimed Joey, finally catching his breath.

"I'm afraid he can if he sees fit, Mr. Wheeler." said Roland to Joey.

Téa looked up towards the top of the KaibaCorp building, where she knew Kaiba likely was. Without saying a word, she barreled past Roland and through the open gate, and the two guards on either side of it made grunts of surprise and jumped to life. Roland threw out a hand towards Téa, as if trying to retroactively stop her, and cried, "Miss Téa, come back!"

"Téa!" the guys cried in unison, but she had already disappeared into the building.

"You two stay here and guard this entrance!" Roland commanded the two guards, who looked as though they were going to spring after Téa, and Roland did so instead. The guys tried to follow, but the two guards turned and grabbed Joey and Tristan by the arms and shoulders, holding them back. Bakura tried to push through from behind, but the other two were in the way. Yugi ducked undetected underneath everyone and ran after Téa, for once thanking Fate that he was so much shorter than the rest of them.

"Yugi, wait!" cried Bakura, and the two guards looked over their shoulders, once again shocked that another one had slipped by them. Tristan and Joey took that moment to tag-team their strengths and plow through the guards, knocking them to the ground before taking off after Yugi.

"Sorry!" said Bakura meekly as he ran past the guards, who lay groaning on the pavement.

Téa sprinted at full speed towards the elevator as Roland busted through the side entrance, calling, "Miss Téa, stop! You can't be in here!" His yell caught the attention of the receptionist at the front desk, who looked over just in time to see Téa enter the elevator, a look of shock painted over her face. Téa mashed the top floor button followed quickly by the door close button, holding both of them down. Roland ran after her, trying to reach out to stop the elevator doors from closing, but he was shy of the doors by just an inch before they slid shut on him.

The elevator started shooting towards the top, skipping the other floors due to Téa's little trick she learned, and she released both buttons and stared up at the floor counter above her head. Starting at L for lobby, the counter shot up to the 25th floor, Téa's ears popping from the rapid accent. A loud ding resounded over her head, and she didn't even let the doors slide all the way open before sprinting out of them towards the office door at the end of the hall. Téa hadn't even made it there when another familiar figure came charging out of a side hallway, catching her with a strong arm before she could reach the doorknob.

"Miss Téa, what do you think you're doing?!" said Fuguta, Kaiba's other personal guard.

"Please, Fuguta! I need to see Kaiba!" said Téa.

"Mr. Kaiba made it abundantly clear that he does not wish to see anyone at this time." said the guard firmly. "And besides, you're not allowed up here except by appointment, all of which Mr. Kaiba has cleared for the next week, so you're trespassing!"

"But-...!"

"I'm afraid this is not up for discussion, Miss Téa." said Fuguta. "Now you must go before-..."

BANG!

Both Téa and Fuguta jumped at the sound of a heavy object being thrown, followed by the sounds of smashing glass. The guard turned to look towards the office door and winced as a second crashing noise followed, then another.

"Kaiba!" cried Téa, ducking under Fuguta's arm.

"Miss Téa, come back here!" cried Fuguta, but Téa barged through the door. As she did, she stopped abruptly, surveying the scene before her.

The glass coffee table was smashed to pieces, crushed underneath a metal filing cabinet, which had busted open and strewn papers and folders everywhere. A bookcase was tipped over and laid lopsided over the pile of heavy leather-bound books that were thrown from its shelves, some laying open spine-up, others forced open to various pages. Everything that had been on Kaiba's desk: his phone, his laptop, and various papers and pens, were thrown onto the floor, the desk flipped on its side, the chair upended with a wheel still spinning. And there in the midst of it all, with a loud noise of anger and frustration as he was about to hurl a gigantic potted tree at the wall of glass behind him, was Seto Kaiba.

"Kaiba, STOP!" cried Téa as she lunged forward and grabbed him by the crook of his elbow, pulling him backwards. The potted tree dropped from Kaiba's hands, smashing on the floor at his feet and strewing dirt everywhere.

Kaiba wheeled around, and his hard blue gaze locked onto Téa's own frightened blue eyes. His hair was unkempt, as if he had run his hands through it angrily, making his appearance look all the more wild. "What are you doing here!?" Kaiba growled at Téa.

Téa steeled her resolve and planted her feet apart, taking the familiar stance she had used before to stand up to Kaiba. "Apparently stopping you from making a bigger mess than you already have!" she snapped back at him, her blue eyes suddenly scolding.

"Miss Téa!" cried Fuguta from the doorway, his face the portrait of stunned disbelief. "I beg of you, come away this minute!"

"How could you, Kaiba!?" exclaimed Téa, ignoring the guard. "Look at this mess! The maids are going to have to clean all this up, you know!"

Kaiba growled angrily at her, but at that moment, Roland skidded to a halt outside the door, panting. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kaiba!" he said hurriedly. "She slipped out of my grasp!"

"Téa!" came the collective cry of the guys before Yugi, Joey, Tristan and Bakura all appeared, staring in shock at the mess before them. The color drained from Roland and Fuguta's faces.

"EVERYONE GET OUT!" shouted Kaiba, making Roland and Fuguta cower, and they started to comply by ushering the guys away. But Téa stood her ground.

"Look at yourself!" she yelled. "What would Mokuba say if he could see you right now!?"

"OUT!" Kaiba bellowed, pointing at the door.

"No!" said Téa, hearing the unanimous noise of surprise from Roland and Fuguta at her defiance. "Not until you calm down! You're scaring everyone, Kaiba!"

"I'll show you how scary I can be!" he snapped, and Kaiba suddenly grabbed her by the collar, his fist raising behind him.

"Mr. Kaiba!" cried Roland and Fuguta simultaneously.

"Téa!" cried the guys in unison, and they all started into the room after the two guards, who ran forward to defend Téa as well. But to their shock, Téa held her hand out behind her, stopping them all in their tracks. Her other hand had gone to Kaiba's fist that had hold of her collar, but Téa didn't bother trying to pull out of his strong grip. The others stared; Kaiba hadn't budged another inch. His fist had frozen in the air behind him, his blue eyes locked onto Téa's.

"Do it!" she challenged the young CEO, looking him dead in the eye. "I dare you!"

"Miss Téa!" cried Roland, a bead of sweat on his face as he watched Kaiba carefully, knowing all too well that Seto Kaiba never backed down from a challenge.

"Well, what are you waiting for?!" Téa demanded, her hard blue eyes never leaving Kaiba's as she stared him down. "You need consent so I can't file a lawsuit? Go ahead, Kaiba, hit me! Break my pretty face, if that's what you think will make you feel better!"

Kaiba snarled, his hand that held her collar shaking from the anger he was trying desperately to regain control over. Roland and Fuguta watched, stunned into silence. Joey and Tristan had fists clenched themselves, ready to jump at Kaiba, while Yugi and Bakura could only stare in awe of Téa. Kaiba's hard blue eyes glared down at Téa's, and she glared right back up at him, holding his gaze with unwavering blue eyes of her own. She didn't dare back down from Kaiba's wrath.

Kaiba's fist dipped for a moment before he lowered it slowly back to his side, and he finally released Téa's collar. The guys relaxed, breathing a collective sigh of relief. Roland and Fuguta could only gape in complete and utter shock, their mouths hanging open as they stared at Téa.

Kaiba jerked his hand out of Téa's, using that as an excuse to turn his face away and finally break their staring contest before pivoting on his heel, striding towards the door on the side wall to his living quarters. To everyone's disbelief, Téa ran right in front of Kaiba, blocking his way as she demanded, "Where do you think you're going!?"

A vein ticked in Kaiba's neck. "If you'd get out of my way, to my room...where I might get a little privacy." he spat.

"Don't you dare break anything else!" Téa warned.

"I won't." he said through gritted teeth. "Now move!"

Téa gave him a hard look, saying, "You promise?"

Kaiba closed his eyes, taking a deep breath in through his nose to calm his smoldering temper. "Téa, please." he said, sounding defeated. "Please leave me alone."

Téa's eyes widened, her mouth popping open momentarily before her face took on a solemn expression. "You're not alone, Kaiba." she said softly, taking his hand in hers again, her voice gentler this time. "You never have been."

"Save it! I neither need nor want your pity!" snapped Kaiba as he jerked his hand out of Téa's once again. "And as I've told you time and again, ad nauseum, ad infinitum, I most certainly don't need friends, especially in the likes of you geeks!"

Téa stood unfazed, saying, "We're still here for you, whether you like it or not."

Kaiba glared at her, remaining silent. He wasn't going to waste his breath on repeating himself. Téa side-stepped out of his way, and Kaiba strode into his room, slamming the door behind him.

"Dat's right, he betta hide!" said Joey suddenly, shaking a fist at the door. "We come all dis way in da pourin' rain, an' dat's da thanks we get?! Da nerve o' him!"

"Shut up, Joey!" shot Téa, her angry blue eyes now on him, and Joey cringed away from her, grunting in confusion. "He's hurt! He just lost his brother!" Téa yelled at Joey, trying to hold back her tears as her voice cracked. "How would you feel if it was Serenity!?"

"I'd be devastated! But I still wouldn't break da whole room! An' I'd most certainly be a little more grateful for da sympathy!" said Joey, raising his voice into a shout and directing his non-too-subtle emphasis towards the closed door of Kaiba's quarters.

"And if you were in Kaiba's shoes!?" Téa demanded. "If you had everything he had and it still wasn't enough to save your sister, how do you think you'd react?!"

Joey stared at her, shocked into silence. Of course he couldn't imagine being in Kaiba's position. "I guess..." he said slowly, looking around at the mess. "I guess I could unda'stand his reaction."

"Hmph! Next time try thinking before you open your big mouth, nimrod!" Téa snapped at him before striding militantly out of the room, Roland and Fuguta staring after her in awe. The guys glanced at each other uneasily, then followed her out of the room. Roland finally snapped out of his trance enough to press a call light on the wall, and a group of maids hurried out from a side hallway. They set to work with brooms, dustpans, a vacuum cleaner and their own two hands as they righted all the furniture, picked up the papers and folders, and swept and vacuumed up the mess of broken glass, dirt and pottery.

From behind the closed door, Kaiba had sunk to the ground, his head leaned back against the door as he listened to the sound of the maids clearing away the mess he had left for them. He was grateful that the noise of the vacuum drowned out the angry scream he muffled into his shirt, his teeth sinking into his forearm. He slammed a fist down on his shin repeatedly, cursing himself for allowing his emotions to get the better of him. Kaiba rested his elbows on his knees and lowered his head between his arms, his fingers twisting into his hair as his shoulders sagged. Thunder boomed loudly outside, emphasizing the crippling pain that ripped its way through his heart, the relentless storm reflecting the darkness within him. For the first time since he was a small child, Seto Kaiba sobbed uncontrollably, his chest heaving with each new wave of tears that poured from his eyes and onto the floor as he sat there, a broken man.

---

A few days passed, and the group sat around the table at Yugi's house eating a dinner of rice, soup and grilled fish that Solomon had prepared for them. Yugi's grandpa lowered his soup bowl and dabbed his grey beard with a napkin, asking, "So Duke, how is your game shop doing?"

"Oh, it's doing great, Mr. Muto!" said Duke Devlin, who had joined them for dinner. "Dungeon Dice Monsters really took off after Industrial Illusions gave me that contract to go international. It basically runs itself now."

"That's wonderful news." said Solomon with a cheerful smile. "And I do thank you for running advertisements for my Game Shop in your local store. You certainly didn't need to do that."

"Aw, it's the least I could do after all you and Yugi have done for me!" said Duke with a grin and a nervous rub of his nose. "Besides, your shop offers all the cool retro stuff that mine doesn't! What better way to mix the old with the new? Everyone loves a good nostalgia trip!"

"Ohoho! Well, I'm happy to hear you kids can still appreciate the originals." chortled Solomon.

"Of course, grandpa! The classics will never go out of style!" said Yugi with a wink.

Téa sat quietly, not really paying attention to the conversation. Solomon watched her rearrange her plate with her chopsticks for a while before asking, "Are you alright, Téa? You've barely touched your food. I didn't burn your fish, did I?"

"Oh no, it's fine!" said Téa quickly. "It's just...I'm not really hungry."

"She's been like that for the past two days." said Yugi with a solemn glance at Téa. "Ever since the news came out about Mokuba."

"Aw man, I heard about that." said Duke, his shoulders sagging as he became sullen. "I just can't believe Mokuba Kaiba is gone. I'm gonna miss that little guy."

"Me too, Duke." agreed Bakura, refilling his tea cup. "He was such a jolly little fellow...always had that big smile for everyone."

"It was good of you to go check on Kaiba, even if it wasn't met with the response you were hoping for." nodded Solomon, patting Téa's slender hand with his callused and gnarled one. "That poor man...I can't imagine what he's going through right now."

"Yeah, you're right, grandpa. Mokuba was the last of Kaiba's family, both real and adopted." said Yugi, swirling his soup with his spoon. "It's just him now. He must be really lonely."

"Eh, Kaiba's always been a loner." said Joey through a mouthful of fish.

"Wow Joe, could you be any more sympathetic?" asked Tristan, his voice dripping sarcasm.

"Hey, I'm just reiterating what Kaiba's always said himself!" said Joey before attacking his rice.

"He's got a point, Tristan." said Duke. "If I had a dime for every time Seto Kaiba said friendship is for the weak, I'd be as rich as he is."

"Thank you!" said Joey, indicating to Duke. "Finally someone agrees wit' me!"

"Just because Kaiba always says that doesn't necessarily mean it's what he actually believes." said Bakura. "We've known Kaiba long enough to know he never shows his true emotions."

"That's probably because he thinks emotions are for the weak, too." Duke pointed out. "It's the typical macho man act, pretend nothing ever hurts them."

"No one is completely immune to pain, even Seto Kaiba." said Solomon. "If he were, I'm sure he wouldn't have bothered cancelling all his public events for the next two weeks. He'll likely need some time to grieve. It's not easy losing someone you love."

"Tell me about it." said Tristan, smothering a burp with his fist. "When my mom died, it was like the life was sucked out of dad, and he's the definition of hulking tough-guy after years of being a work-horse in his factory. That's when I started slipping at school and going down the wrong path. The only good thing that came out of that time in my life was meeting Joey."

"Yeah, an' it's a good thing Yuge came along an' straightened us out, or who knows where we'd've been today." said Joey, nodding agreement. "Ya know how dead-beat my pops became afta da divorce. I coulda skipped school foreva an' he wouldn'a cared one bit."

"It's like I always say: Fate always brings people together when they need it the most." said Solomon, crossing his arms and closing his eyes as he nodded affirmatively.

"You said it, grandpa!" agreed Yugi cheerfully.

At that moment, there came a knock on the Game Shop door, and Solomon peeked open an eye and stared over at it, saying, "Hm? I wonder who that could be."

"Obviously someone who didn't read da "Closed" sign." said Joey as Yugi jumped up to answer the door. "Everyone knows da Game Shop is neva open on da weekends!"

Yugi peeked through the eyehole and let out a noise of surprise.

"Who is it, Yugi?" asked Solomon.

"It's Roland!" said Yugi, unlocking the bolts.

"Roland?" repeated Bakura, and Téa let out a noise of surprise of her own and looked up from her plate. "Kaiba's right-hand man? What could he want?"

Everyone turned to look as Yugi opened the door. Sure enough, there was Roland, standing on the threshold in his sharp, double-breasted black suit with his dark shades covering his eyes. "Good evening, Yugi." said Roland, glancing up and noticing everyone seated around the table. "I hope I'm not imposing."

"Not at all! Come in, please!" said Yugi, standing aside and indicating towards the dining room with his hand, and Roland entered the shop.

"Hey Roland! Good to see you again!" said Tristan, still sounding surprised.

"Likewise, Tristan." replied Roland before bowing to Solomon. "I beg your pardon for intruding on your evening meal, sir."

"There's no intrusion at all." insisted Solomon. "Please, join us. Have some tea at least."

"You're very kind, Mr. Muto." said Roland, straightening again. "But I'm afraid I can't stay for too long."

"What, Kaiba can't go wit'out one o' his body guards fer a few minutes?" asked Joey.

"I am actually more than just personal security these days." said Roland. "Mr. Kaiba has recently promoted me to chief director of security. I am head of all security operations at KaibaCorp now, as well as Mr. Kaiba's personal guard and advisor."

"Oh wow! Congratulations!" said Yugi as he took his spot on the floor again, and Roland nodded his thanks. "So what brings you all the way out here?"

"I wanted to thank you all for coming to Mr. Kaiba's aid the other day." said Roland. "And I'm sorry you had to see him in such a light. I'm sure you understand he wasn't in the best mood."

"Dat's puttin' it mildly." muttered Joey.

"Joey!" said Téa, giving him a look.

"No, he's right, Miss Téa." said Roland, and Joey once again looked affirmed of his convictions. "To say that Mr. Kaiba was out of his usual self is an understatement. When I broke the news to him about his brother, Mr. Kaiba almost did real harm to a few members of the medical staff, so I was forced to sedate him." The group let out a collective noise of surprise, their eyes wide with shock, before Roland continued. "What you witnessed was when he woke up from sedation and realized it wasn't just a bad dream, so I am directly responsible for what occurred the other day."

"Whoa, you actually had to sedate Seto Kaiba?!" repeated Duke, his green eyes huge. "And he still kept you employed and promoted you after that?! That's respect, man!"

"I am very honored to have earned such esteem from him." agreed Roland. "Mr. Kaiba can be quite...volatile...with his staff. That he has tolerated me for all these years is a mark of his high regard. Quite a rarity from Mr. Kaiba."

"We know he demands only the best and doesn't settle for mediocrity, so it says a lot about how Kaiba thinks about you." said Téa with a warm smile at the security chief.

"You're too kind, Miss Téa." said Roland, inclining his head at the compliment.

"So how are the medical staff?" asked Tristan. "I hope Kaiba didn't hurt anyone too badly."

"Dr. Rianski, the chief physician, took the brunt of Mr. Kaiba's temper." said Roland. "Perhaps you remember him from Battle City. He's the one who took charge of Joey, Bakura, Miss Valentine and Odion on the blimp."

"Oh yes, I remember him. Good chap." said Bakura with a nod.

"Yeah, he was alright." said Joey. "I hope Kaiba didn't give da doc too much of a beatin'."

"Nothing debilitating, but his office was not the only place Mr. Kaiba nearly destroyed in his rage, which is why I had to take the measures I did..." said Roland. "...and I apologize again for the repercussions it caused." He glanced as his watch, saying, "Excuse me, but I'm afraid I must be getting back to KaibaCorp. Thank you, Mr. Muto, for your hospitality."

"Of course, Roland!" said Solomon as the security chief bowed to him again before leaving.

Téa watched Roland go for a moment before setting her tea cup on the table and standing. Yugi looked up her, saying, "What's wrong, Téa?"

"Oh nothing. I'll be right back." said Téa before leaving the room. The others stared after her, making a collective noise of confusion.

"Roland!" called Téa as she exited the Game Shop and closed the door behind her. Roland halted before a black car and looked back, his shades hiding his reaction.

"Yes, Miss Téa?" he asked.

Téa halted before the security chief, who was a good head taller than her. "How is he?" she asked, her hand held to her heart.

If Roland was surprised at her inquiry, he didn't show it. "Reclusive, but well." he answered, and Téa watched as Roland suddenly bowed to her, saying, "I must apologize especially to you, Miss Téa, both for how Mr. Kaiba and Fuguta and myself treated you."

"Oh no, please, you don't have to do that!" said Téa, now shocked. "You two were only doing your jobs. I had no right to be there at all."

"Well, I'm glad that you were." said Roland, straightening again. "You saved the maids a bigger mess to clean up, not to mention the architects of the building." Téa offered a weak smile at the light-hearted remark, and Roland regarded her for a moment before saying, "...and it was kind of you for wanting to check on Mr. Kaiba, both then and now. I do hope his behavior towards you didn't put you off from him, Miss Téa."

"No, of course not." said Téa, surprised. "Kaiba's been like that for as long as I've known him. He's always been insulting and temperamental. It was just...amplified. I know he was probably in shock about Mokuba and that just fueled it even more."

"Unfortunately so." said Roland, nodding agreement. "If I may speak candidly, I am pleased that you offered to be there for him, Miss Téa. Mr. Mokuba was the last of Mr. Kaiba's family. He may not have said it or shown it at the time, but I'm sure Mr. Kaiba appreciates that there are people outside of KaibaCorp who still care about him."

Téa lowered her eyes, suddenly solemn. "I know Kaiba would have done anything for Mokuba, even die for him." she said, recalling the time Kaiba had stood up on the battlement at Pegasus' castle and was willing to plummet to his death if Yugi didn't concede the duel. "That's why I was worried about him, and if I'm being totally honest, I still am." She grabbed Roland's hand suddenly and looked up into his face, saying, "Please look after him, Roland."

"I will, Miss Téa." assured Roland, patting her hand. "Fuguta and I both shall. We have been keeping a sharper eye on him, both for his health and security. I can assure you Mr. Kaiba is in good hands. You needn't worry about him." Roland glanced at his watch before looking up at her, saying, "Forgive me, but I really must be going. It was good to see you again, Miss Téa."

"You too, Roland." Téa replied before releasing the security chief's hand, allowing Roland to enter the car. The chauffeur drove off back towards KaibaCorp, Téa waving as the car drove out of sight before returning back inside the Game Shop.

---

Kaiba stood before the floor-to-ceiling glass wall in his office, staring off into nothing. The sky was grey and overcast, reflecting the darkness in his heart, the emptiness like a lead weight in his chest. His maid shadowed him in the huge office, pretending to dust and polish every surface for the umpteenth time, but Kaiba knew all too well that Roland had tasked her with helping to keep an eye on him. He had managed to slip away from KaibaCorp in the dark of the night the prior evening, and though Kaiba insisted he didn't need to be watched like a hawk at all minutes of the day, he couldn't convince his staff to leave him be after that.

He knew why, of course. Their previous CEO, Gozaburo Kaiba, had taken it upon himself to upload his mind into a computer mainframe before disposing of his real-world body after his own devastating loss. To his step-father, to lose was to die, and that's exactly what he did after losing his company to Seto Kaiba. But Kaiba refused to stoop to the level of his step-father, who had so easily caved to his absolute failure. Though he felt as if all meaning in his life was gone, Kaiba was far stronger than that pitiful excuse for an old man had ever been, and he was fully determined to prove it. After all, Mokuba had asked him to, and Kaiba would not allow himself to fail his little brother again.

The door to his office opened, and Kaiba heard Roland ask the maid to exit the room before his security chief addressed him. "My apologies for bothering you, Mr. Kaiba." said Roland. "Were you able to do what you needed to?"

He was careful to avoid mentioning specifics, but still Kaiba knew what Roland was referring to. "Yes." said Kaiba, keeping his gaze out the glass.

"...and what is your decision, sir?" asked Roland cautiously.

Kaiba was careful to keep his voice steady so it wouldn't betray his inner anguish as he said, "He's to be laid to rest."

"Understood. I will make sure everything is arranged accordingly." said Roland, and Kaiba thought the security chief sounded somber. There was silence for a moment, and Kaiba realized that Roland still hadn't left the room.

"What is it?" asked Kaiba curtly, knowing Roland was waiting for permission to speak freely.

"I wanted to apologize, sir." said Roland, stepping forward. "Both you and Mr. Mokuba have been my charges for a decade, and I failed him as well as you. I know it is not my place to say that I share in your suffering, Mr. Kaiba, but I shall miss your brother dearly. He, too, has always been nothing but good to me. I am sorry for putting you through this turmoil, sir."

Kaiba inclined his head, silently grateful for his security chief's condolences. "You're not the one that killed my brother, Roland." he said. "That would be the fault of whichever medical personnel is too cowardly to come forward and admit it."

"Yes, sir." said Roland, remaining in place.

"Was there something else?" asked Kaiba, not unkindly this time.

"Your pardon, sir, but I visited Yugi Muto and his friends before I came here..." started Roland.

"I'm aware." said Kaiba, who knew everything that went on in Domino City.

"...and Miss Téa in particular expressed her concern for you." said Roland carefully. "I thought you may want to know that she harbors no hard feelings for what happened the other day." He waited a moment, but Kaiba didn't respond. "Perhaps you might consider permitting her and the others to pay their respects to your brother? He was always quite close to all of them."

"Fine. It shall be granted only to them." said Kaiba finally.

"Understood, sir." said Roland, bowing deeply. "I'll take my leave now."

He turned and exited the room, leaving Kaiba to continue staring out the glass.

Kaiba allowed himself to release a sigh and entered the side door that led to his private rooms. He had his own mansion off the KaibaCorp property, but Kaiba was at work more often than he was home, and had basically just made his office into his full-time living space. Now especially, Kaiba couldn't bring himself to go back to the empty household. The only occupants of it were the maids that kept it tidy and a few of the security staff.

Kaiba opened another door that led to his bedchambers and walked over to a large armchair in the corner of the room, lowering himself into it and putting his long legs up on the ottoman. He leaned his elbow on the arm-rest and put his head in his hand, closing his dark blue eyes as his mind swirled with the events of the past few days.

As he had been for the past three to four years, Kaiba had been pre-occupied with reclaiming his former glory as the number one Duelist in the world. He had been working tirelessly day and night in the space station to merge the dimensional powers of the Plana Cube with his Crystal Cloud Network, determined to get his eternal rematches with the pharaoh. He knew Mokuba had been coming down with a cold, but he and his brother had always been able to shake off illness easily enough, so Kaiba had given little attention to it. It wasn't until he had returned to earth a few days ago that Roland had informed him about complications during treatment, and told Kaiba that his brother had left this world.

Kaiba had dealt with death before. When he was only five years old, their mother had died in childbirth with Mokuba, and their father followed only a few years later when the three of them were in a car accident. Kaiba remembered that moment all too well, being ten years old at the time, but Mokuba had only just turned four and had no memory of losing either parent. Two years after the accident, their dead-beat aunt had squandered what was left of her brother's inheritance and abandoned Kaiba and Mokuba at the orphanage. Needless to say, Kaiba was quite used to abandonment and loneliness.

But when Roland had broken the news to him that Mokuba had died, Kaiba felt that all-too familiar sensation of his heart ripping itself from his chest, except this time the pain was unlike anything he had felt before. Kaiba had refused to accept that the last of his family was taken from him, and had stormed into the medical ward to see his brother's lifeless body himself. He remembered trying to shake Mokuba awake, as if he were simply just in a deep slumber and couldn't awake from a dream. When he lifted his brother's pale body from the bed and saw his head and limbs droop like a rag-doll, Kaiba felt as though it was himself who was trapped in the nightmare. He remembered turning on Dr. Rianski and grabbing him by the coat collar, lifting the chief physician into the air and demanding to know what happened, and throwing him into a crash cart when the doctor could only stammer out some garbled excuse. Kaiba recalled lashing out at a few members of the medical staff that sprang into action, trying to pull him away from Mokuba as a nurse covered his lifeless body with a sheet. That was the last thing he had seen before his vision had gone black, and Kaiba had awoken in his living chambers a few hours later to learn that Roland had sedated him and that it hadn't been just a bad dream. That was when he took his rage out on his living space and office before by some bizarre twist of (though Kaiba despised Yugi's favorite word) Fate, Téa Gardner had barged into his office, followed by the rest of the dork squad, and stopped him from doing any further damage.

He hadn't given much thought to it before, but now as he recalled the events of what transpired in his office, Kaiba had no idea what possessed him to freeze before his fist connected with Téa's (as she so aptly put it) pretty face. He told himself it was because he would never stoop so low as to hit a girl, which was true, but he had been in such a blinding rage at that moment that he had almost done so without a passing thought. All Kaiba knew was that his mind had gone from a whirlwind of fury and anguish to a strange quietness the moment his blue eyes met Téa's, and all of a sudden he could think straight again and became aware of his actions. That was how Kaiba was able to clear his head enough to do what he did afterwards.

He would not accept his brother's death so easily. Kaiba had commanded Roland, Fuguta and the medical staff to do nothing with Mokuba's body until he returned from the space station, which was where he had taken off to the other night. He had been using the dimensional power of the Plana Cube to visit the pharaoh in the afterlife for their forever-waging Duel, but now Kaiba had a far more important reason for going back to it. He would find his brother and bring him back, determined to make things right again. But when Kaiba had found Mokuba in the afterlife dimension, his brother had shattered all hopes he had of reviving him.

They stood within a dimensional rendering of Kaiba Land, the lights, music, and even the smells of the food surrounding them as children laughed and enjoyed themselves in the amusement park they had built together. It was a poor contrast to the conversation that ensued.

"Big bro!" Mokuba had exclaimed upon seeing Kaiba. "What are you doing here?"

"Bringing you back where you belong." said Kaiba, his body lit up with blue power lines from the dimensional armor he had constructed to keep his living body intact in the afterlife.

"No, Seto!" said Mokuba, pulling out of his brother's grip. "I belong here now. My time is up in your world and there's nothing you can do about it."

"There's plenty I can do and you know that!" snapped Kaiba, who could hardly believe what he was hearing. "I can construct you a new body. I can interface your consciousness with the Crystal Cloud Network. I can make it to where you can go anywhere you want in Domino City."

"I don't want a new body, Seto!" cried Mokuba. "And I don't want to be stuck in some virtual world knock-off like Noah!"

"You won't be stuck." insisted Kaiba. "If you don't want a new body, I can figure out how to make yours functional again. Just give me some time, I'll make it work-..."

"Seto, listen to me!" yelled Mokuba. "I'm dead, okay? You have to let me go."

"What are you saying?!" cried Kaiba, his eyes wide and disbelieving. "You can't just leave me, Mokuba! It's always been you and me. What am I supposed to do without you?"

"You'll probably just work, like you always do!" Mokuba snapped suddenly. Kaiba looked taken aback, his blue eyes wide and his mouth dropping open. "You never did anything else if it didn't have something to do with Duel Monsters! You didn't once come with me to Kaiba Land after we worked so hard to make our dream a reality! Even after I gave up being a kid and took on the full responsibility of VP, I still never saw you! You never took the time just to be with me, Seto! Why should I believe it'll be any different if you bring me back?!"

Kaiba stood there, stunned into silence, until his knees gave out on him and he fell to the ground, looking defeated. "I'm sorry, Mokuba..." he said, hanging his head in shame. "You're right, and I'll make it up to you here and now."

Mokuba watched, his eyes wide, as Kaiba started to work the locks on his dimensional armor. "What are you doing?!" he cried.

"If you don't want to come back to the our world..." said Kaiba, the blue power lines dimming as he removed a gauntlet. "...then I'll join you in this one."

"Seto, no!" shouted Mokuba, running forward and snapping the gauntlet back in place, lighting up the power lines again. "You think killing yourself will make me feel better?! What about the company? What about Kaiba Land? Think about everything we did to make this world a better place! You're just gonna throw that all away because I'm not there anymore?!"

"What's the point of me going on?" asked Kaiba sullenly, and Mokuba blinked in surprise at his brother's sudden morbid change in mood. "Everything I did was for you, Mokuba. I got us out of that orphanage we were dumped in and then took over KaibaCorp so we could escape from the tyranny of our step-father. I worked all those years to give us a better life and now you're no longer a part of it. Even if I were to keep going on, I'll never play Duel Monsters ever again. You died because I was too busy chasing the past and trying to reclaim some stupid title."

"Seto, it's not your fault!" said Mokuba, kneeling before the defeated Kaiba. "You can't blame yourself for what happened to me!"

"I could have saved you." said Kaiba, his fist clenching on the ground as the tears threatened to fall from his eyes. "I would never have let you die, Mokuba, and even if there was nothing I could do about it, at the very least I should have been a better brother..."

"Stop it!" cried Mokuba, grabbing Kaiba's hands. "Seto, please don't beat yourself up like this! You always blame yourself for everything that doesn't go your way. Just let go, already! You can't control everything that happens and you can't stop what's meant to be."

"You're telling me that I'm just to accept that my little brother is gone?!" asked Kaiba angrily.

"Yes." said Mokuba calmly, and Kaiba blinked at him. "And just because I'm gone doesn't mean your life is meaningless, Seto. Find a new meaning if you have to, but don't just give up. You never gave up on anything no matter how tough things got. That's what I always admired the most about you, big brother. Our step-father might have thrown his life away so easily, but I know you'd never follow in his footsteps!"

That was what had hit home for Kaiba, and his little brother's words steeled his resolve. Kaiba laid his hand over Mokuba's and nodded affirmatively, saying, "You're right, little brother. I won't stoop to his level. I refuse to be anything like Gozaburo. If you want me to keep going on even without you, then that's what I'll do. I'll carry on our legacy for you, Mokuba."

Mokuba's steel-blue eyes widened, a delighted smile lighting up his face before he threw his arms around Kaiba and exclaimed, "Thank you, big bro! I know you can do it!"

Kaiba's half-smile flashed momentarily before he wrapped his arms around Mokuba, resting his head on Mokuba's half-tamed mess of black hair. They stayed that way for a long while before Mokuba opened his eyes and blinked, realizing his brother still hadn't released him. "Seto?" he asked quietly when Kaiba didn't move.

"I said I would keep going, Mokuba." said Kaiba softly, and Mokuba was shocked to hear a waver in his older brother's voice. "I never said it wouldn't be hard for me to let you go."

Mokuba pulled away and looked up at Kaiba, and he was shocked to see tears streaming down his face. He had never seen his older brother cry before. "Seto..." said Mokuba weakly, laying a tiny hand over his brother's larger one. "I'm sorry..."

"I'm the one who should be sorry, Mokuba." said Kaiba, turning his face away and brushing a hand across it. "You're the only person who ever meant everything to me, the only thing that ever mattered in life, and I did a poor job of showing it. I'm sorry I was never there when you wanted me to be. I'd do anything to make it up to you, little brother."

Mokuba was quiet for a moment, thinking. "In that case..." he said, glancing up at his brother. "...will you promise me something, Seto?"

Kaiba looked over at him wordlessly, his eyes glassy.

"I know you never make promises..." said Mokuba. "...but if you really want to make it up to me, then tell me you'll do just one thing for me, Seto."

"Anything." said Kaiba.

Mokuba's face became serious as he said, "I want you to actually enjoy your life, Seto. Try new things, be bold, go have fun. Maybe even crack a real smile for once. Do everything you didn't get to do while growing up because you were obligated to my life. I'm actually content with how I lived my life, even if it was short. Please don't keep wasting yours away with work and other mundane stuff." Mokuba squeezed Kaiba's hand. "Promise me, big bro."

Kaiba met Mokuba's dark-blue eyes with his own and laid his other hand over Mokuba's, holding his one hand in both of his, and said, "I promise."

Mokuba smiled, finally looking content, and hugged his brother again. "Thank you, Seto." he said. "I love you, big brother."

Kaiba let out a sigh of relief, the tears coming in a wave again as he embraced his little brother for the last time. "I love you, too, little brother." he whispered, closing his eyes.

After a long pause, he heard footsteps and felt two other presences. Kaiba opened his eyes and looked up, and Mokuba turned to see what his brother saw. His eyes were huge as he looked at what appeared to be a carbon copy of Kaiba and a woman with long black hair and dark eyes.

"Are they...?" asked Mokuba, looking back at Kaiba, who nodded wordlessly as he looked upon their parents. He felt a strange feeling of relief at the sight of them, knowing that Mokuba wouldn't be alone, and it gave him the strength to rise again.

"Go on, Mokuba." he said, gently nudging his brother towards them. "Mom and dad will take care of you."

Mokuba grinned, running towards their parents and diving into his mother's arms. Kaiba heard the beautiful laugh that was an echo in his own memory as his mother finally got to embrace the son she had never met, watching as his father ruffled Mokuba's hair. They looked up at Kaiba and gave him a warm smile, and though Kaiba's heart ached to join them, he willed himself to simply raise a hand in farewell before turning and walking through the flash of light that brought him back to the living world. Kaiba had returned to the space station, leaving Mokuba to stay in the dimension of the after-life with their parents.

Kaiba opened his tear-brimmed blue eyes as he sat alone in the armchair in his bedchambers. In the privacy of his quarters where no one could see him so weak and vulnerable, he allowed the tears to fall from his eyes one last time.

---

Téa hummed to herself as she washed the dishes in her kitchen. She had just finished stacking the last of them on the drying rack when there was a knock on her door.

"Coming!" she called, running to her door and unlocking the bolts before opening it. There was Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Bakura and Duke, all dressed up in their nicest black slacks and collared shirts. "Well, hello there!" said Téa, blinking at their attire. She was the only one out of the group who ever took such care in her appearance. "To what do I owe such a fancy greeting?"

"Sorry this was so short notice..." said Yugi, looking over his shoulder, and Téa followed his gaze to see a familiar black car. "...but Roland invited us to go pay our respects to Mokuba."

Téa's eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her mouth.

"Yeah, surprised us, too." said Duke, noting her reaction.

"Especially after what happened the other day." added Tristan, nodding his agreement. "I didn't think Kaiba would allow us at KaibaCorp ever again after that."

"I guess he knew Mokuba was pretty close to all of us." said Bakura, looking solemn. "We've all been through so much together."

"Yeah, so hurry an' get all gussied up an' gorgeous before Kaiba changes his mind." said Joey, glancing over his shoulder at the chauffeur, who was waiting patiently for them.

"I'll be right out!" said Téa, closing the door and hurrying up the stairs to her bedroom. She quickly stripped out of her clothes and flipped through her closet for an appropriate outfit. She pulled out a little black dress with a sheer scarf, grabbing a pair of black Oxfords and pulling a pair of leotards out of her lingerie drawer. She slipped into all of it with the speed of a practiced fashionista and dancer, stuffing her phone and wallet into a black clutch purse and grabbing her keys before returning to her front door.

"Dang, you weren't kidding. You clean up fast." said Duke as Téa locked her door behind her.

"She's a girl, wha'dja expect?" said Joey as they all entered the black car, which drove off towards KaibaCorp.

The guards at the entrance admitted them through the gate, and the car pulled around the giant Blue-Eyes White Dragon statue and stopped at the foot of the stairway, where Fuguta was waiting for them. "Thank you all for coming this evening." he said as they all approached. "If you'll follow me, I will lead you to the chapel room."

Fuguta led them through the main lobby and down several halls before they finally came upon a set of double doors, which he opened before stepping aside and bowing as all of them entered the chapel. Téa looked up as they walked down the aisle, empty rows of pews on either side of them, and saw the altar up ahead. There were a few stands of flowers from various KaibaCorp employees and other well-wishers, and in the center of it all, Mokuba's small body was laid upon the padded altar, dressed in his white tux and blue tie and covered completely by a black veil. His only other adornments was his card locket, held to his chest with both his hands.

"I'll give you a few minutes." said Fuguta before exiting the room.

The quietness was deafening as the six of them laid eyes upon their friend, and the weight of reality finally seemed to set in. Téa felt the tears spring to her eyes, and Bakura offered her his handkerchief from his suit pocket, with which she dabbed her eyes. Yugi was the first one to approach the altar, kneeling on the cushioned pew and bowing his head as he murmured softly to Mokuba. He rose and moved out of the way for Bakura to step forward next, crossing himself before lowering and offering his own quiet good-byes. Joey sniffed loudly and hid his face with his mess of dirty-blonde hair as he dropped to the pew and hung his head in silence, and Téa could see him pressing his lips together as he bit the insides of his mouth, trying desperately not to let the tears fall. Tristan patted him gently on the shoulder as Joey rose and let him take his turn, and when he was finished, Duke took his place.

Téa was the last to approach. She knelt before Mokuba and bowed low, her hair sweeping the carpeted stairs before she finally raised herself and looked up at the little boy laying on the altar. She stood slowly, dabbing her eyes with Bakura's handkerchief again as she walked back to the guys. They stood together for a moment, gazing at Mokuba.

"I'm gonna miss that little guy." said Tristan softly, breaking the silence.

"Me too. I wish it really was just a bad dream." agreed Téa with a solemn look.

"I'm still hoping this is all just a really bad trick and he's gonna pop his head up and scare the crap out of us." said Duke, and the others offered weak noises of amusement.

"Dat is sumthin' only Mokuba Kaiba would try to pull." agreed Joey, trying to lighten the mood with Duke. "Wouldn't put it past him fer a minute."

"I like to think he's hanging out with Atem." said Yugi with a soft smile. "Maybe catching him up on how we're all doing and letting him know how much we miss him."

"That's a lovely thought, Yugi." said Bakura. "I'm sure that's exactly what he'd do, and Atem will most certainly look after Mokuba for us."

The others nodded agreement.

"Wha'dya say, guys?" asked Joey suddenly. "Shall we have ourselves a toast in Mokuba's honor tonight? I think I still gotta bottle o' schnapps at my place."

"Hear hear." said Tristan.

"I'm in." said Duke.

"You know I'll join!" said Yugi.

"And so will I." said Bakura.

"Mm-hm." nodded Téa.

"Den it's settled. Let's have a prop'ah celebration o' life fer da li'l guy." said Joey.

At that moment the door opened, and Fuguta walked back in, saying, "I'm afraid that's all the time that's been allotted for you to visit. Mr. Kaiba will be here soon to keep vigil with his brother this night, and he wishes to be alone during that time."

"We understand." said Yugi, nodding solemnly. "We've had all the time we need."

"Could you thank Kaiba for allowing us to come pay our respects?" asked Téa.

"And give him our condolences." added Bakura.

"I'll tell him you said so." said Fuguta, inclining his head. "Allow me to guide you back to the entrance. The chauffeur will take you all home."

"Actually if he could jus' drop us all at my house, dat'll be good." said Joey, leading the group out of the chapel.

"As you wish, Mr. Wheeler." said Fuguta.

"C'mon, Fuguta! Ya've known me long enough to call me Joey!" grinned the blond.

"Very well, sir." replied Fuguta.

"Nono, don't ya "sir" me!" said Joey. "An' no Joseph, eith'ah! Only my mom calls me dat!"

Téa paused at the door of the chapel, letting the guys walk a few paces ahead before turning to look at Mokuba one last time. "Goodbye, Mokuba." she whispered quietly to him, her hand over her heart as the tears sprang to her eyes one last time. "I'll miss you so much."

Her voice cracking was her undoing, and Téa felt the tears finally pour from her eyes. She let out a sob and brushed her hand across either side of her face to clear away the rivulets, turning to leave. Téa hadn't taken but a single step before she froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Kaiba had appeared from the opposite corridor, dressed in an all-black three-piece suit. His ever so slightly widened eyes betrayed a hint of surprise as he stared at Téa's tear-stained face, her own wide blue eyes shimmering and glassy. They stood rooted to their spots for a moment, and Kaiba's lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. Téa bit her lip and ducked her head, letting her hair hide her face as she slipped past Kaiba and hurried after the guys. Kaiba turned and watched her go before he finally closed his mouth again, exhaling softly through his nose to release the breath he had been holding. He turned again and walked forward, entering the chapel and closing the door behind him. He ascended the altar slowly and lowered himself into the lone chair by Mokuba's side, sitting in silence. After a while, Kaiba finally spoke, his quiet voice echoing in the stillness of the chapel.

"Goodbye, Mokuba." he said softly. "I'll miss you so much, little brother."

---

"Thank you all for coming by." said Fuguta as the group returned to the lobby.

"Of course! We're glad Kaiba allowed us to visit." replied Yugi.

"Roland suggested it to Mr. Kaiba, seeing as you were all so close." said Fuguta.

"In that case, thank Roland, too!" said Bakura. "It's nice that he thought of us."

"You may thank him yourself, he's right here." said Fuguta, indicating towards the entrance, where Roland was waiting for them.

"Hey Roland! Good to see ya again, chief!" said Joey, throwing him a salute.

"The same to you, Joey." replied Roland, inclining his head. "It was good of you all to visit."

"It was good of you to invite us!" said Tristan gratefully.

"And thanks for sending the chauffeur. That was a nice touch." added Duke.

"You're very welcome, Mr. Devlin." said Roland.

"Duke, please!" said the Dungeon Dice owner.

"Perhaps I can send another one for you in the coming weeks?" asked Roland suddenly.

"Huh? What for?" asked Téa, blinking in confusion.

"KaibaCorp is holding its annual charity ball for the under-privileged children the Saturday after next." explained Roland. "It will be the first event Mr. Kaiba will be attending after his two-week hiatus. Perhaps you would all attend? There's no minimum obligation or entrance fee. I'm sure Mr. Kaiba would be most pleased at your attendance."

The group let out a collective noise of surprise. They had never been to a ball before, and certainly nothing as exquisite as KaibaCorp most likely hosted.

"What do you say, everyone?" asked Yugi, looking around. "I'll certainly go!"

"I dunno, sounds pretty fancy." said Tristan, glancing nervously down at his faded slacks. "I'd have to find something better than this get-up. Not much need for tuxedos in a factory."

"Don't worry about that, man, I can give you the hook-up." assured Duke.

"I'll take ya up on dat offa, too, if ya don't mind." said Joey, raising an arm and making a face at the pit-stains in his old school uniform shirt.

"No problem!" responded Duke.

"I'm in!" said Bakura cheerfully.

"Me too!" said Téa excitedly. "That gives me a perfect excuse to go shopping!"

"Then it's settled." said Roland. "I'll send a car to pick you all up and take you back when the evening is over."

"Thanks Roland!" said Yugi with a smile.

"No, thank you." said Roland, bowing slightly. "I will see you all the following Saturday evening at 7 pm."

"See you then, chief. Don't work too hard, you two!" said Tristan, raising a hand in farewell to Roland and Fuguta as they all exited the building.

When everyone was settled in the car, Joey leaned over the seat to the chauffeur, saying, "Yo bud, we'll make it easy on ya dis time, jus' drop us all off at my place, would'jya?"

"Yes, Mr. Wheeler." said the chauffeur before taking off.

"Thank you, sir." said Téa politely.

"Yes, ma'am." said the chauffeur, sounding surprised at the formality.

The car pulled up to Joey's house, and everyone exited, Téa thanking the driver once again before he drove off. Duke whistled, saying, "Wow, nice pad, Joe!"

"Yeah, it's a lot better than his dad's dump." said Tristan.

"Yer tellin' me." grumbled Joey as he patted down the pockets on his pants and jacket. "Now where'd I put my key...? Aha! Here it is!" He pulled a single key out of his pocket and fumbled with the lock for a minute before opening the door and leading the others into his house.

"Wow, Joey, you really furnished this place up!" said Yugi, looking around. "I guess that prize money from all your tournaments really paid off!"

"I had some point'ahs from Serenity." said Joey as he opened his fridge and rummaged through it for the schnapps. Téa noticed the dirty dishes piled up on the counter and made sure there were clean glasses for everyone.

"So, is she coming to visit anytime soon by any chance?" asked Duke innocently, receiving a withering glare from Tristan.

"When school's out, yeah." said Joey, his head still in the fridge. "Man, dat bottle'a schnapps is hidin' real good. I know I saw it in here de otha day..."

"It's probably buried." said Téa. "You've got enough cold cuts to feed a small armada in there."

"And rotisserie chicken and rice balls and burritos and hot dogs and pizza..." rambled Tristan.

"Hey, a man's gotta eat, alright? Gimme a break. Ah, dere it is!" said Joey, pulling out the bottle of alcohol and grabbing at the avalanche of food that fell from where he dislodged it.

They settled around the large sectional sofa, Téa pouring out the schnapps for everyone. She lowered herself onto the sofa between Yugi and Tristan, and everyone sat silently for a moment.

"I still remember the last time we saw him." said Téa, breaking the silence. "Just a month or so ago at Kaiba Land. He was playing at the skeeball station, and he was so happy when he finally got the ball to roll into the 1,000,000 point Blue Eyes mouth. Such a tiny thing, and his smile lit up that whole amusement park. He even gave me the stuffed Kuribohrn doll he got at the prize booth." She bit her lip, adding, "I still have it on my bed. I'll never get rid of it."

"Little man always knew how to appreciate the small things in life." agreed Tristan, patting her shoulder gently as Téa sniffed and wiped her eyes. "Most of his life was pretty rough there in the beginning, but he always had that big goofy smile on his face."

"I'll never forget the first time we met him." said Yugi. "He challenged me to a duel when he had no idea how to play, hoping to beat me so Kaiba would come back from his first defeat. He was always there for his big brother, and Kaiba for him. The two of them were inseparable. I can't imagine what Kaiba's going through now..."

"Yeah, an' den Mokuba came to us fer help when da Big Five goons almost ousted Kaiba da first go 'round in deir virtual world." said Joey. "Even if Kaiba wasn't grateful fer it at da time, I always appreciated Mokuba havin' dat faith in us. It helped fuel me to become a betta Duelist."

"And I'll never forget how he was still so kind to me, even after the spirit of the Ring did such horrible things to him." said Bakura. "I know Kaiba always thought the Millennium Items were nonsense, so I was relieved when Mokuba was completely understanding of my horrid situation. He did so much for all of us. He'll be in our hearts and memories forever."

"You said it, man." said Duke. "Let's toast. You wanna do the honors, Yugi?"

"Sure." he said, and he waited until everyone raised their glasses. "To Mokuba...the best little brother to Kaiba, and the best friend to the rest of us."

"Rest peacefully, little man." added Tristan as everyone clinked their glasses together and drank to the memory of the little boy with mischievous dark eyes and the huge troublemaker grin.

---

Kaiba straightened his tie, then lowered his hands to his sides and inspected himself in the floor-length mirror before him. He wore a double-breasted black suit, fit to perfection by his tailor, his cuffs folded upwards and pinned with black titanium KC cufflinks. Kaiba was hopeful it would be a good enough indication to his guests that he was still in mourning over his brother and not anywhere near in the mood for socializing. The charity ball was tonight, and although he wished to be anywhere else in the world, he was obligated to attend, being the host and all. And it was for the children in the orphanages. It was one of the major wishes of Mokuba, that they would raise money every year to upgrade the living conditions of the underprivileged children. Kaiba still remembered what it was like, sleeping in dingy bunk beds and eating the pig-slop excuses for oatmeal and soup with the rocky hunk of bread and a single piece of mealy fruit. To this day, he still felt a twinge of guilt any time he ate a sirloin steak or lobster, a delicacy that was unheard of in such places. That's why Kaiba opened his doors one night a year and allowed the children free reign of the buffet tables, give or take with the assistance of the caterers and wait staff so they didn't clamor all over them like starving kittens.

As if summoning the staff with his thoughts, there was a knock on his door. "Enter." called Kaiba stiffly.

The door opened and in walked Fuguta. "Everything and everyone is in place and ready for tonight, Mr. Kaiba." said the guard. "We await your word to start admitting the guests."

Kaiba expelled a quiet sigh from his nose before pressing the hidden receiver in his lapel.

Yes, Mr. Kaiba? came Roland's voice.

"Open the gates." said Kaiba curtly.

Yes, sir. said Roland, and Kaiba removed his hand from the receiver.

"Will you be alright tonight, sir?" asked Fuguta suddenly. It was the closest the normally stern-browed guard had ever come to expressing anything even remotely close to concern.

"I have to be, don't I?" was the reply from the young CEO.

Fuguta inclined his head, becoming serious again as he said, "If at any time you feel the need to remove yourself from the crowds, we'll make sure your exit is discreet, sir."

"I don't need an escape plan." said Kaiba as he moved away from the mirror and towards the door. "I just need people to keep their distance as much as possible."

"We'll be sure of that, Mr. Kaiba. After the opening dance, of course." said Fuguta.

Kaiba's jaw flexed slightly as he gritted his teeth; he loathed with a seething passion the opening dance. Ever since he turned eighteen a few years back and became "Domino City's most eligible bachelor", formal events KaibaCorp hosted always started with "one lucky lady" (as his master of ceremonies put it) opening the night with a waltz with him. And it was almost always a ditzy, doe-eyed, drooling fangirl, usually spoiled by daddy's money. Normally Seto Kaiba would never have allowed such headache-inducing social interactions at his events, especially now, but it was a tradition that Gozaburo's grandfather had started when he had become of age and Gozaburo and his father had maintained during their bachelor years, and so it was too ingrained in KaibaCorp's history to remove. And Kaiba had to put on a good face for these rich brats so they would actually donate for the children. "And besides, that's the most interaction you ever allow with a girl. Wouldn't want the tabloids to get the wrong idea about you, now would you?" Mokuba had once told him with a sly wink. Kaiba clenched a fist. He never had even a passing thought about wasting his precious time, attention, or resources on a relationship in his entire life, but still Kaiba would put the tabloids into the ground with litigation if they ever dared to slander his image by suggesting he was interested in anything other than the female gender.

Kaiba pushed the button to the elevator as Fuguta waited behind him. He would be taking the service elevator to lead the security staff along with Roland, seeing as he was the second-in-command after the security chief. "I'll see you in the banquet hall, then, Mr. Kaiba." said Fuguta as Kaiba entered the elevator and mashed the button to the proper floor. "...and I hope you find your company tonight to be to your satisfaction."

Kaiba let out a "hmph" before the elevator doors closed between them. Even if he cared about such a thing, he highly doubted whichever rich brat danced with him would be to his satisfaction.

---

The driver opened the door and held out his hand to Téa, who took it and stepped carefully out of the car that Roland had sent for her and the guys. She clutched her long white coat around her, the evening air surprisingly chilly for summer, as she and the guys were guided into KaibaCorp's lobby by the driver.

"If it please you, ma'am, I can take your coat and hold on to it for you until the evening is over." said the driver, holding out an arm.

"Oh, thank you." said Téa, and she shrugged off her coat.

The guys made a collective noise of astonishment, their eyes wide, and Bakura said, "Wow, Téa! You look absolutely radiant!"

Téa colored at the compliment. She was adorned in a shimmering sapphire blue dress, with gossamer sleeves flowing from a Queen Anne shoulder cut and a heart-shaped neckline. The A-line dress sculpted her waist beautifully while the skirt of the dress fell to just above her knees. She wore matching strappy heels, and her hair was pulled back out of her face and secured on one side with a glittering blue flower hair comb. Standing next to the guys in their rented black suits, she easily outshone them as she sparkled like starlight in the bright ambiance of the glass KaibaCorp building.

Yugi straightened his white bow-tie and said, "Everyone ready?"

"Ready!" said Bakura excitedly.

"Ready as we'll ever be!" said Duke, buttoning his suit jacket.

"Yeaaah, ready fer some good grub!" Joey said, rubbing his hands together gleefully, his mouth drooling at the thought of the delicacies KaibaCorp would be serving. His black suit jacket was unbuttoned and his regular white T-shirt showed underneath, no neck tie in sight.

Tristan adjusted his black tie and buttoned his matching shirt collar, saying, "It's always the food with you, Joe."

"Hey! A man's gotta eat!" said Joey as they walked into the banquet hall. "An' Kaiba just so happens to serve da best food around! Aaawyeah, look at d'ose buffet tables! Joey's gonna feast tonight, baby!"

Chains of long tables stretched the length of the banquet hall on three sides, with a more than generous assortment of hors d'oeuvres, dinner entrees, drinks and desserts. Giant crystal-cut punch bowls were placed between trays and tiered towers of food, looking all the more like huge flowers blossoming out of the tables. Caterers were stationed every three feet, ready to dish out food to the eager children that flocked around them. The children were the only ones outside of dress code, wearing their best of what they had, which ranged anywhere from shorts and T-shirts, hooded sweaters and jeans, and casual play dresses and rompers. Joey led the group towards the buffet tables to get their food, and they seated themselves at one of the many smaller round tables scattered throughout the ballroom. Téa tried not to watch as Joey balanced several heaping plates of food on his elbows, shoulders, and head, his bent arms held outwards making him look comically like a chicken. He also held two glasses of punch in each hand, a plate set carefully on top of each one.

"Geez Joey, you know you can always go back for more." said Yugi, watching him and ready to grab at a plate if it fell.

"Yeah, but dey might run outta sumthin' before I get to it!" said Joey as he managed to carefully slide all the plates onto the table in a half-ring around his seat, taking the one from his head. "Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Dis is gonna be da best meal o' my lifetime!"

Joey immediately dove into the food, stuffing his mouth with several charcuterie board appetizers at once, chugging down bowls of different soups to wash it down before inhaling the next volley of finger sandwiches. Téa turned her eyes to her own plate of salmon, mixed vegetables and roasted potatoes so she wouldn't get sick just watching him.

"Dang, where does he put it all?!" asked Duke, blinking as he watched Joey attack a plate of sushi and sashimi next.

"I've been friends with him for years and I still haven't figured that out." said Tristan, Yugi and Téa nodding their agreement.

"Weeeeell, look who's here!" came a familiar female voice.

Joey choked on his food, sputtering as Mai Valentine glided over to the table, donned in a hip-hugging dark violet ball gown with layers of sheer satin under a lace corset bodice complete with opera-length matching gloves. "Fancy seeing you lot amongst the wealthy elite." she said.

"Hello Mai! Good to see you!" said Bakura cheerfully. "You look lovely!"

"Thanks hun. You look quite dashing yourself." Mai replied with her signature broad wink. She turned her violet gaze to Joey, who was beating on his chest trying to recover from choking. "What's the matter, Joey? Wrong pipe?"

Joey swallowed and chuckled nervously, saying, "Happens all da time."

"You haven't changed a bit." was Mai's reply as she seated herself into the empty chair between Joey and Téa. "So what brings you all to such an upscale gathering?"

"Roland invited us." said Tristan. "Trust me, this isn't the kind of party we'd normally attend."

"Wow, a personal invite by Kaiba's right-hand man? He must miss the good ol' days." said Mai. "Well, I'm always down for an extravagant evening such as this one. Lots of single, handsome, wealthy men to bat my eyelashes at. You know what I mean, Téa?"

Téa swallowed her small bite of salmon and nervously replied, "Sure, Mai." She knew Mai had also come from a wealthy family, so the blonde beauty was probably more than accustomed to such atmospheres. Téa, on the other hand, couldn't bring herself to approach even the women for social conversation, as most of the people here looked like they would judge her for breathing wrong near them.

A vein ticked in Joey's forehead as he made a noise of frustration, and Mai glanced over at him, saying, "You seem upset, Joey. Penny for your thoughts?"

"Aaagh, it's nuthin'...nuthin' really." said Joey, picking up a leg of lamb and cleaning the bone in one bite to distract himself.

"Sure it is." said Duke with a knowing grin as he stood. "I'm going to get dessert. Mai, you want some punch or anything?"

"Perhaps a flute of champagne to celebrate our little reunion?" suggested Mai with another broad wink at the Dungeon Dice master.

"Hear hear!" said Duke before walking back to the buffet tables.

"Honestly, I'm surprised Kaiba's having this party so soon, or even holding it in the first place." said Mai, picking up where she left off. "I would have thought he'd need more time to grieve."

"You heard about Mokuba, too, huh?" asked Tristan.

"Oh gosh, I was devastated when I heard the news." said Mai, holding a hand to her heart. "I was driving down the freeway and it came on over the radio. I actually slammed on my brakes and had to pull over, I was bawling my eyes out. I never thought I'd ever feel bad for Seto Kaiba, but my heart broke for him that day. His brother was such a sweet little boy."

"Yeah, he was." agreed Téa, looking solemn again as she picked at her food.

Mai seemed to pick up on her somber turn of mood, and she cleared her throat softly and said, "So about the camping trip...where exactly is it? Not some run-down campground where the kiddies congregate, I hope."

"Not at all!" Yugi piped in, leaning forward. "We start at Domino Pier and take a bus up to the mountains. Then we hike up the rest of the way and through some woods to our super secret spot on a private beach!"

"Really! Sounds interesting." said Mai, blinking in surprise. "A private beach...this I gotta see! And Serenity's coming, too?" she asked Joey, who nodded while slurping down an upended bowl of stew. "Fantastic! The girls can have a tent all to ourselves so we can gossip and giggle about the boys behind closed tent-flaps. Isn't that right, Téa?"

Téa giggled at the guys' looks towards Mai, playing along by replying, "But of course!"

"So does this mean you're staying in town for a while, Mai?" asked Bakura.

"Yeah, I thought I'd take a break from the Dueling tournaments for the summer...maybe share some of the glory." said Mai, winking at Joey. "I heard someone made a name for himself in the locals and regionals."

"Heheh, you know it!" said Joey, beaming proudly over his glass of punch. "We'll hafta have a re-match soon, you an' I. An' o' course Yuge, too, right buddy?"

"Right!" said Yugi, nodding. "You really have come a long way, Joey! I'm proud of you!"

"Thanks, Yuge!" said Joey with a grateful grin at his buddy.

Duke returned at that moment with Mai's champagne in one hand and a large dessert sampler platter in the other, saying, "I brought enough for everyone! Help yourselves!"

"Oh boy, cheesecake!" said Joey, snatching up a slice and stuffing the whole thing in his mouth.

Mai sighed as she accepted her champagne flute from Duke, but raised it and said, "To the good ol' days." before raising the glass to her ruby-painted lips.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may I have your attention please!" came the microphoned voice of the master of ceremonies, and everyone turned their attention to the gigantic marble staircase, where the MC stood off to one side three steps up so everyone could see. "Welcome to KaibaCorp's bicentennial charity ball! As you know, tonight's proceeds benefit the Domino City orphanages and underprivileged children. Located under your placemats, you will find an anonymous envelope, in which you may place your cash or check donations, which will be collected and counted at the end of the night. Mr. Kaiba vows to double the total amount of all donations. We hope your generosity will help us to break our record of 14.8 million from last year! And as always, we would like to remind everyone that there are collection bins to donate gently used clothing, shoes, toys, and other necessities for the children."

Téa reached under the mat and pulled out the blank envelope, embossed with the KC logo in the bottom right corner. She slipped a crisp bill into the envelope and licked it to seal it shut. Yugi placed his donations, both from him and grandpa, into his own envelope and sealed it. Tristan stuffed a wad of bills in his and folded the envelope in half neatly while Joey emptied his pockets of several crumpled bills and a handful of coins. Mai sighed and stuffed her donation into the envelope with Joey. Duke and Bakura scribbled out their checks and tucked them neatly into their envelopes.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce our host tonight! Please put your hands together for the president and CEO of KaibaCorp, Mr. Seto Kaiba!"

Applause and cheers from several cooing girls rang out as the MC gestured with a flourish up to the top of the stairs, and Téa watched as Kaiba slowly descended the stairs with his clenched fists held stiffly by his sides. He looked like a man walking to the guillotine, and Téa had a feeling Kaiba would rather be anywhere else in the world but here right now. He kept his gaze fixed ahead of him, and Téa noticed even the usual hard glint had disappeared from his dark blue eyes. If he didn't have such an ingrained perpetual look of stoicism, Téa could swear Kaiba's eyes betrayed his well-hidden depression. His all-black suit was a stark contrast to the white studded coat he usually wore with the platinum KC belt, the long coat-tail the only thing reminiscent of his usual attire. He paused at the bottom of the stairwell, standing to attention and looking all the more like a shadow in the brightly lit hall.

"As always, KaibaCorp has a tradition of opening the night with a dance." continued the MC. "All the non-betrothed ladies of age, would you take to the floor this moment? One lucky lady will have the opportunity to share a dance with Mr. Kaiba!"

Several girls ranging in ages between 18 and 25, garbed in various shades of gem colors and pastels, flocked like a gaggle of giggling schoolgirls to the center of the ballroom. Mai grabbed Téa by the wrist and said, "Come on, hun! We're non-betrothed ladies of age!"

"Wait, but Mai, I-..." Téa started, but couldn't finish her sentence as Mai yanked her out of her seat and towards the group of waving, screaming girls. Yugi and Bakura waved apologetically after Téa as Joey, Tristan and Duke snickered.

"And now, Mr. Kaiba will personally select the lady he wishes to dance with!" said the MC, and the group of girls' shrills got louder as they begged for themselves to be picked, waving and jumping up and down to try and catch the attention of the young CEO. Kaiba looked around at them all, sighing inwardly. It was like picking through an assortment of bitter candies, none of which were a flavor that he could tolerate.

Téa and Mai were sucked into the crowd, pushed together by girls who crowded towards the front trying to get in direct line of sight. "Hey! Back off, will you?! People need to breathe, you know!" Mai shouted into the crowd, but her protests were drowned out by the shrills of the other girls. Téa struggled to get out from between three different girls, pinned as she was from several different directions and trying her best not to step on dress trains and fancy shoes.

"Mai, help! I'm stuck!" she called towards her blonde friend, but Mai was also too busy trying to extricate herself from the crowd. Out of nowhere, a heavy-set girl tried to barrel herself through to the front of the crowd, which worked quite well, except that Téa was directly in the path of the onslaught. She screamed as she was thrust forward, and suddenly went from being pinned on all sides to falling through thin air. Téa landed square on her bottom, yelping aloud as a sharp pain shot up her spine from the hard marble floor.

The break in the crowd caught Kaiba's attention, and he turned his head to see a familiar lob hairstyle that swept delicate shoulders, but this time with her hair pulled out of her face. A blue flower comb revealed the face of Téa Gardner from behind the sweeping curtain of brown hair. Kaiba blinked, his mouth parting slightly before he caught himself.

Téa pulled her slender legs away from the stampeding crowd, wincing as her bottom smarted. She turned to put her hands on the floor, about to right herself, when an outstretched hand appeared before her face. Téa blinked and looked up into the dark blue eyes of Seto Kaiba.

Oh great. Way to make an entrance, Téa. she thought to herself. Not that she had much of a choice in the matter. She placed her hand in his, and a small gasp escaped Téa's lips as Kaiba effortlessly pulled her upright to her feet with one hand.

"Thanks." she said sheepishly to him before starting to walk back into the crowd. She had barely moved an inch when she felt Kaiba's firm grip on her hand tighten, and Téa looked up at him, shock etched across her wide blue eyes. Kaiba's own blue eyes were locked onto hers, and Téa thought they almost looked pleading.

"It looks like Mr. Kaiba has chosen his dance partner!" cried out the MC suddenly, cutting across Téa's thoughts.

From their table, all the guys' mouths dropped open simultaneously.

The crowd of girls gasped and glared at Téa, and she could hear some snide remarks from a handful of them here and there, commenting on her out-of-style dress and her plain-Jane haircut. One girl's voice in particular stuck out, saying, "Are you kidding me?! She's not even that pretty!" Téa chanced a glance back into the crowd of angry faces and saw Mai's encouraging wink. Kaiba kept his eyes on Téa, seeming to ignore the childish protests of the crowd behind them, and backed slowly onto the ballroom floor, pulling her along. Téa looked back at him as he led her forward, and she heard the tapping sound of a maestro's baton on a music stand, and then the live orchestra played a smooth, easy waltz. Kaiba raised their still-clasped hands to shoulder height and placed a surprisingly gentle hand in the curve of Téa's waist, his long fingers resting on the small of her back. Téa suppressed a shudder, a strange fluttering sensation in her stomach as she was pulled closer, her face inches away from Kaiba's broad chest and shoulders, one of which she rested her other hand on. They began to dance slowly in a circle.

"Thanks for rescuing me." murmured Kaiba suddenly, his lips barely moving, though he was now faced away from the crowd. Téa blinked out of her mulled thoughts and looked up at him, and Kaiba kept his face straight as his eyes lowered to meet hers. Even in heels, she still only came up to his collarbone. Téa couldn't believe she never realized how tall Kaiba was, especially since she had stood in his way more than a few times before. She supposed she had been too preoccupied trying to stare him down on those occasions, trying not to tremble before Kaiba's intense gaze. That same gaze now held hers, but it seemed strangely gentler than usual, and Téa pondered the deeper meaning behind his words as she recalled Roland extending his own words of thanks to her for coming to Kaiba's aid.

"Oh! Um, you're welcome." Téa whispered back. She was quiet for a moment, but the silence felt awkward in such close proximity. "Dancing with strangers not your thing?" she asked him.

"Specifically screeching, spoiled harpies, but yes." replied Kaiba, practically imitating a ventriloquist now, his Adam's apple the only thing giving away that he was talking.

Téa had a feeling there were press cameras fixed on them, and they probably employed professional lip-readers so they wouldn't miss a word from Kaiba or his dance partner. She turned her face away from the crowd, following his lead, before speaking.

"Oh come now, don't insult Mai's favorite Duel Monster." she joked, and she was rewarded with a slight lift of one side of his mouth before Kaiba's face immediately resumed its normal stoic facade. Téa felt strangely relieved to see Kaiba even sort of smiling after the recent events, and she continued the conversation, hoping to distract him from any inner negative thoughts. "So why even have an opening dance if it's such a nuisance to you?"

"It's been a KaibaCorp tradition for fifty years." said Kaiba simply.

"I didn't know you were so traditional with your so-called step-father's customs." quipped Téa. She knew all too well Seto Kaiba's great disdain for Gozaburo Kaiba.

"I had already caused enough of an uproar amongst the consumers and shareholders when I changed KaibaCorp from a military supplier to a gaming technology producer." explained Kaiba, suppressing a smirk at her comment. "As much as I wanted to uproot other company norms, I wasn't going to push my luck."

"I see." said Téa. "So you do this at all your social gatherings?"

"Far too many to count since I was eighteen." was the quiet reply. It had been a few years since graduation, and Téa knew Kaiba was almost a year older than her, so he had to be close to twenty-three years old, as Téa herself would be twenty-two by the end of the summer.

"I guess I should have been paying more attention to social events. I would have come rescued you sooner." said Téa, ducking behind his shoulder as she saw a camera flash in the distance.

"Would you, now?" said Kaiba flatly, and Téa had a feeling he sincerely doubted her words.

"As a matter of fact, I actually enjoy dancing." said Téa. "It is my profession, after all."

"Is it?" said Kaiba, and Téa thought she heard the slightest hint of surprise in his voice. "Well, I suppose I lucked out this time around."

"What, the esteemed ladies of the upper class don't know how to waltz properly?" asked Téa, glancing over at the flocks of girls who glared at her over their hand-held fans.

"You have no idea." murmured Kaiba, his dark blue eyes narrowing in annoyance. "Most of these esteemed ladies can't dance without standing on my feet like a child."

"Can't or don't want to?" asked Téa with a knowing smile, and she saw Kaiba's jaw flex slightly. "The perks of being Domino City's most eligible bachelor, huh? Ladies just throwing themselves at you left and right." she teased him, suppressing a giggle as Kaiba's hard blue eyes lowered to hers again.

"You're one to talk." he countered.

"Hey, I was shoved, thank you very much!" Téa shot back, pinching his shoulder discreetly. "Quite roughly, I might add. Your fangirls are a bit over-zealous."

Kaiba made a soft noise of amusement in his throat, and Téa felt a strange blush creep into her cheeks at the sound of his deep rumble. She ducked her head, hiding her words behind his shoulder, and said, "Besides, I thought you were happy I came to your rescue."

She thought Kaiba wasn't going to respond, but after a long pause, he finally replied, "I am."

The final note from the orchestra echoed around the hall, and she felt Kaiba's fingers push gently on her back, and Téa knew the dancer's secret lingo to twirl under his arm. The skirt of her dress billowed out, lightly brushing against Kaiba's knee, and twisted around her hips and legs when Téa came to a halt, accentuating her figure for a split second before the shimmering fabric spun back into place. Applause broke out, and Kaiba held her gaze for a moment before he finally said, "Thank you, Miss Gardner."

Téa smiled at the formality, and she grabbed the hem of her dress with her free hand and curtsied gracefully, replying, "Thank you, Mr. Kaiba."

She straightened and paused for only a second before slipping her hand out of Kaiba's, their fingers brushing along each others before they finally separated. Téa spun around and hurried back to their table, her face growing hot as she still felt Kaiba's intense blue gaze on her.

Téa made her way back to the table, where Mai had rejoined the guys. "Well, lucky lady, how was your rendez-vous with the great Seto Kaiba?" asked Duke, a sly glint in his green eyes as he echoed the MC's choice of words.

"Okay, I guess." said Téa, seating herself slowly, her stomach still fluttering strangely.

"Okay, you guess?" asked Mai incredulously as Téa looked back to where Kaiba had been, but he had somehow disappeared. She looked around the ballroom, trying to see where he went.

"Well, it is Kaiba, afta all." Joey cut in, burping loudly amidst his pile of empty plates. "If I were a girl, I wouldn't wanna dance wit' him eitha, dat's fer dang sure!"

"I didn't mind dancing with him." said Téa defensively. "He was actually glad I was in the crowd, as a matter of fact."

"Is that right?" asked Tristan, cocking an intrigued eyebrow at her.

"As it turns out, he doesn't like dancing with strangers." Téa replied, and suddenly she could feel the angry glares of the other girls on her again.

"I don't blame him one bit." said Bakura, looking around at the girls, some of whose eyes were riveted on Téa as they continued to survey her like circling hawks to a kill. "I'd probably be too nervous to ask for a dance with anyone here, too."

"I don't think he's nervous." said Téa quickly. "Just...displeased with the selection."

"Yeah, that sounds like Kaiba, alright." agreed Yugi. "I bet he hates gatherings like this."

"I bet you're right." replied Téa, looking around as the rest of the guests took to the ballroom floor now that the opening dance was over with.

"Alright, it's our turn now." said Mai suddenly, standing and holding out her hand to Joey. "Téa isn't the only one who gets to dance tonight."

"Uuuuuh..." droned Joey, glancing nervously at Mai's out-stretched hand. Tristan let out a laugh.

"You'll have to teach him how first!" he chuckled. "Joey didn't even go to prom in high school!"

"Really?! You've never danced before at all, Joey?!" asked Mai, blinking in surprise, and Joey lowered his eyes and shook his head, his mess of blond locks swaying to and fro. "Well, it's never too late to learn! Come on, professional dancer, let's show him how it's done."

"Okay!" said Téa excitedly. "Who wants to be my partner?"

"Sure, I'll go up there with you guys." said Tristan, standing and buttoning his suit jacket. "Let's do this, Joe."

"Oh, alright." said Joey, taking Mai's hand and letting her pull him onto the dance floor. The others watched as Téa showed Joey the proper hand positions, feet movement, and the rocking sway to the beat of the music, demonstrating the entire package as she danced with Tristan. She even showed him how to hold his hand and arm overhead to allow Mai to spin under his arm.

"So where did you learn how to dance, Tristan?" asked Mai as she swirled past him with Joey.

"I've got an older sister, and dad was adamant that I learn how to dance at her wedding." said Tristan as he twirled Téa under his arm. "I think I was fourteen at the time."

"I'd like to see that picture." giggled Téa.

"Trust me, you don't." grumbled Tristan. "That was before I started styling my hair the way I do now to keep it out of my face so it wouldn't get oily. The acne was bad back then."

"Gross." said Mai as she did a slow turn of her own under Joey's arm.

"Mind if I cut in?" asked Duke, who had walked up behind Tristan and tapped him on the arm.

"Be my guest." said Tristan, giving Téa an exaggerated, flourishing bow before passing her hand to Duke, who took it and led Téa in a swift circle.

"Time to let the other guys share me, too." said Mai with a wink at Joey. "How about it, Yugi?"

"Oh! Alright." said Yugi, rising from the table and taking Joey's place. He and Tristan sat back down at the table, and Bakura also took a turn dancing with Téa after Duke had his fill. A few ladies recognized Duke Devlin and cooed after him for dances, and he happily obliged.

"Some things never change." said Tristan as he watched three different girls fight over who got to dance with Duke first.

"At least he didn't bring da cheer squad dis time." added Joey, and Téa giggled at the memory.

"Could be worse. Bakura's fan club could have followed him." said Yugi with a wink at Bakura, who sighed and put his face in his hand, his cheeks red in embarrassment.

Téa looked around, scouring the ballroom. "What are you looking for, Téa?" asked Mai, cutting across her thoughts.

"Kaiba...where did he go?" replied Téa, still looking around.

"He's entertaining his guests of honor." said Mai, indicating with her champagne flute.

Téa looked over to where Mai gestured, and a look of surprise crossed her features. Kaiba was sitting on the bottom steps of the grand staircase, where he was flocked on all sides by the orphaned children. No wonder she hadn't noticed him; when he wasn't standing to full height or wearing any flashy garments, Kaiba blended right in with a crowd. He had his Duel Monsters deck out and was showing his three Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards to the awe-struck children, who begged to see more of his infamous cards, shouting out their names.

"Wow, I've never seen Kaiba around kids before." said Tristan, echoing Téa's thoughts. "I think Mokuba's the youngest I've ever seen anywhere near him."

"Yer tellin' me." said Joey as he watched Kaiba show off his Vorse Raider next, followed by the purple Fusion card of XYZ Dragon Cannon. "I didn't even think Kaiba'd allow anyone else to be dat close to him, especially little kids."

"Sure he would, Joey." said Yugi. "You forget Kaiba was an orphan at one point, too. That's why he lets them into Kaiba Land free of charge."

"Ya gotta point d'ere, Yuge, but just look at 'em all!" said Joey, watching as a woman who appeared to be a caretaker scolded a few kids who tried climbing up Kaiba's legs. "Seems really unlike Kaiba ta allow people ta invade his personal bubble like dat, even if dey're just li'l kids dat don't know any betta!"

"The kids are probably helping to lighten his mood, considering what he just went through with his brother." said Bakura, his face solemn.

Téa giggled as a tiny child that couldn't be much older than three years old popped his head over Kaiba's shoulder and cried "boo!", Kaiba pretending to startle before looking over and flashing a half-smile. The caregiver immediately took the child down from his shoulders and apologized profusely, but Kaiba shrugged it off, his half-smile flashing again as the child waved at him with a huge gap-toothed smile.

"Aw, what a sweetheart." said Mai endearingly. "I didn't know Seto Kaiba had it in him."

"Yeah..." said Téa, watching the caregiver shoo away the kids so they weren't crowding Kaiba as much, allowing him to get to his feet again. Téa watched Kaiba say something to Roland before the security chief nodded, and Kaiba disappeared around the staircase and out of sight.

"Where do you think he's going now?" asked Yugi.

"Probably hiding himself away to avoid the giggling girl scouts." said Tristan, glancing over at the group of pastel-gowned girls that had eyed Kaiba expectantly.

"Nah, he's probably just goin' to da John." said Joey. "He can't hide from his own party."

"I imagine Seto Kaiba can do whatever he pleases under his own roof." said Duke.

Téa sighed and lowered her gaze to her plate, shifting the rest of her veggies around, and Mai cocked her head to look at Téa's face. Suddenly she stood up, saying, "Would you excuse us, boys? Call of nature. Come on, Téa, let's go find the ladies room together." Téa was about to protest again, but in a fantastic bout of déjà vu, Mai grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her out of her chair again. She was surprisingly strong.

They made their way across the ballroom and asked one of the attending maids where the restroom was, and they were graciously guided to it. The ladies room was huge, with at least 50 stalls, complete with wing-back chairs and vanity tables. There were several girls touching up their make-up in front of the full-length mirrors and gossiping in the corners. Téa slipped into a stall before she could be spotted, Mai taking up the one two stalls down.

"...and I heard he finished his high school years in a public school!" Téa overheard one girl saying. "A public school! Can you believe it? Gozaburo Kaiba gives him private tutoring at home and he decides to get his diploma outside of a private institution! Whatever would make him want to attend a stinking cesspool like that?"

Téa realized they were talking about Kaiba, and listened in from her stall.

"Probably trying to mingle with the lower-class. Gozaburo did publicity stunts like that all the time. That's how he ended up adopting him and his runt brother in the first place."

Téa bristled at the derogatory mention of Mokuba, and clenched her fists in her lap to stop herself from shouting at them through the stall.

"Speaking of which, how do you suppose he actually died? Seto Kaiba has all the top-notch doctors around and gets first hands on the state-of-the-art medical technology. I have a difficult time believing even a wimp like his brother went belly-up just because of a little cold."

"I hear there's another traitor in the midst. We all know about the Big Five and the debacle with Maximillion Pegasus. They probably offed his brother to force his hand."

"I doubt it. That ugly duckling was always the bargaining chip. That's why he was always a target for kidnappers. Seto Kaiba would bend over backwards for his precious baby brother."

"Too bad he doesn't do that for a lady or he might actually have an heir by now." Giggles erupted at the subliminal joke.

"But you know he'll have to now!" came a serious voice through the giggles. "The KaibaCorp by-laws say only a Kaiba heir can inherit the company! And with his brother gone, now Seto Kaiba will have no choice but to take a wife and get busy real soon!"

"I read the latest that this whole party was for him to pick an heir to adopt, just like Gozaburo Kaiba did with him!"

"All a bunch of hogwash, I say! He'd never adopt so soon after his brother's passing!"

"I personally think he won't do either of those! He can just change the by-laws, can't he?"

"And who do you suppose he'll just hand over KaibaCorp to, hmmm?"

"The biggest shareholder, I would imagine."

"Rubbish! Seto Kaiba would never throw away his life's work to some random shareholder! Especially after he had to give the boot to the Big Five!"

"Well, it's not like he can hand it over to a child either, whether it's his or not! Someone will have to take over the company if something happens to him."

Téa finished her business and exited the stall. She tried to ignore the group of gossiping girls, focusing on washing her hands.

"Hey! Aren't you the girl who danced with Seto Kaiba?"

Téa froze from shaking the excess water off her hands, and she glanced over in the mirror to see that all eyes were now on her. "Um...y-yes." said Téa, reaching for a paper towel.

One of the girls, donned in an elaborate crystal-studded gown of pastel green satin and holding a matching fan, looked Téa up and down, the fan held pensively under her chin. "You look oddly familiar. Have we met before?"

"I know who she is! She's one of Yugi Muto's friends!" said another girl.

"The King of Games!?" said another. "Battle City AND Duelist Kingdom's Grand Champion? The one who beat Seto Kaiba when he was just a nobody out of Domino High School?"

"Really now?" said the green-clad girl, peering at Téa. "Seto Kaiba went to Domino High. Were you and Yugi Muto in classes with him?"

"Uh...a few." said Téa, tossing out the towel.

"Did he ever date anyone there?" prodded one of the girls, leaning forward anxiously.

"Kaiba? No, of course not. He was just focused on getting his diploma." she said, and the green-clad girl squinted her eyes at Téa.

"Yes, you're probably right. He'd never waste his time on a girl from a public school." she said.

"What's wrong with public school?" Téa fired at the girl, her fist clenching again.

"Oh nothing really, just that some of us socialites are given higher standards for life." said the girl, her nose raising into the air.

Higher standards?! thought Téa as her eye ticked, trying not to lose her temper. "I think you're forgetting that Seto Kaiba came from humble roots himself." she said carefully.

"Yes, but he didn't stay there for very long, now did he?" said the girl, waving the fan towards her face. "And given the choice, he'd never go back to the slums, of course."

"Well, you were just talking about how he chose to go to our slummy high school instead of a private school." Téa slipped, and the girl bristled.

"Okay little ladies, playtime's over." Mai snuck up behind Téa and linked an arm in hers. "Let's go, Téa. The boys will be missing us."

"Yes, I'm sure they are." Téa heard the girl whisper to her friends. "She probably sleeps with the whole lot of them."

Mai yanked Téa out the door as she shot an angry glare over her shoulder at the girl. She steered them two corners away from the bathroom and into a private hallway, where a long cushioned bench nestled between two large potted trees. Mai gently pushed Téa down onto the bench to cool her growing temper, saying, "Don't pay them any attention, Téa. Snot-nosed spoiled brats like them thrive off of dirty rumors and cat-fight talk. Best not to stoop to their level."

"What ill-mannered, despicable brats!" said Téa, still seething from their comments. "I can't believe they had the gall to call Mokuba a runt, a wimp, and an ugly duckling when he's not even cold in his grave yet. They never even used his name! How do they not know who Mokuba Kaiba was?! It was all over the news!"

"You're more concerned about them poking fun at Mokuba than you are about that green girl implying you were a slut?" asked Mai, taking a jab at both the girl's fashion sense and her obvious jealousy of Téa. "I thought you were gonna knock the stuffing out of her after that one."

Téa huffed, saying, "I wouldn't waste my energy on some spoiled rich brat who can just as easily drop a lawsuit for me daring to breathe the wrong way near her!"

"You know it." agreed Mai with knowing nod. "...and it's not that those girls didn't know who Mokuba Kaiba was, it's that they didn't care. The only things that concern them are Seto Kaiba and his deep pockets. They wouldn't have given Mokuba the time of day, much less a passing glance. I know their type. All they care about is a pretty face and whether or not their material needs can be more than satisfied, and Mokuba was still far too young for that."

"And they said they're the ones with the higher standards." muttered Téa.

"These little girls wouldn't know standards if it slapped them in the face." retorted Mai.

Téa made a noise of aggravation, flailing her fists in front of her as if she was fighting an invisible enemy, before slamming her fists down on the cushion. "I can't believe how vain they are! How can anyone care about something as shallow as money!? And they called public school the slums like we were the poorly raised ones! It's not like we were in the bad part of town!"

Mai cocked an eyebrow at her, saying incredulously, "I get the public school thing, but you're telling me a cute guy with money doesn't interest you in the slightest?"

"I don't care how fat their wallets are! They'd better have a comparably amiable personality to go with it or I'm not interested!" snapped Téa, looking with disbelief up at the blonde beauty. "Especially if the men are anything like those pretentious prissies!"

"Hmmm, well, you got a point there." said Mai thoughtfully. "I didn't even stop to think that the rich boys might be as poorly behaved as their female counterparts. Wealth certainly has a way to spoil the fruit, so to speak. It certainly explains Kaiba's radiant personality."

"Kaiba's nothing like those stuck-up prudes!" said Téa. "The whole reason for this ball is to raise money for impoverished children! I doubt anyone else is so generous with their precious riches without making it a sheer publicity stunt, as those jerks called it!"

"Maybe..." said Mai. "But Kaiba's got a public image to upkeep, too."

"He's been there, Mai!" cried Téa. "He helps orphans because he was one, and he knows their living conditions. He could just as easily cozy up to special interests and big business, but he chooses to do this instead. Unlike the rest of these people with diamond-encrusted spoons stuck up their butts, Kaiba actually has a heart!"

"I guess you're right. There are other ways to get tax breaks." shrugged Mai. Téa sighed, and Mai watched her carefully, adding, "So where did all that come from?"

"Where did all what come from?" asked Téa, sounding irritated.

"The whole Kaiba having a heart thing." said Mai, peering at Téa suspiciously. "I thought you always said he was a big jerk? What changed?"

Téa looked Mai straight in the eyes, saying, "He did, Mai. Kaiba was a big jerk. I thought for the longest time all he cared about was himself. But after all those years of Mokuba being a target, I realized he cared about his family, too. And after hearing the garbage that spewed out of those hussies' mouths, now I realize he cares about the less fortunate, too. Even now when his brother is gone. He didn't have to keep doing what Mokuba wanted, but he still does. And..." Téa held a hand to her heart, as if it would hold back her tears. "...and I'm glad he is. I'm glad Kaiba's honoring Mokuba like this. I'm glad he still has a purpose for his life. I just hope it's enough to keep him going." She felt the tears well up in her eyes and looked away quickly.

"Wow, Téa! I had no idea you cared so much about Seto Kaiba!" said Mai, sincerely shocked.

"He's still a human being, Mai." said Téa, sniffing and rubbing a hand across her eyes. "Far more human than most of the uppity folk attending this party."

Mai sighed, saying, "You're probably not wrong." She reached into a hidden pocket in the crease between her lace bodice and the satin layers of her gown and procured a clean handkerchief for Téa to wipe her eyes, adding, "Alright, enough with the tears already, hun. Let's get you cleaned up and head back to the guys before they start to think we drowned in the toilets."

"Yeah." said Téa, accepting the handkerchief and dabbing her eyes carefully with it, seeing some of her eyeliner come off on the clean white fabric. Téa took a deep breath to calm her nerves and rose slowly from the bench, and she followed Mai back out to the ballroom. They had barely stepped back into the bright hall when a screeching voice pierced their eardrums.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, I'M EVICTED?! THIS IS A PUBLIC EVENT! YOU CAN'T JUST THROW ME OUT INTO THE STREETS!"

Téa and Mai blinked in unison at the green-clad girl and her entourage, who had been gossiping in the ladies room. The girl was waving her fan menacingly in Roland's face. "As a matter of fact, KaibaCorp is still private property and I can indeed throw you out, Miss Heather." said Roland, moving the fan aside with a finger. "...and under orders from Seto Kaiba himself."

"FOR WHAT!? MY MONEY NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIS STUPID CHARITY!?" the girl shrieked, receiving gasps from many people watching, especially the orphaned children. She was clearly being as loud as possible to attract attention, but it wasn't going in her favor. "MAYBE I SHOULD TAKE IT ALL BACK THEN!"

"I'm afraid there are no refunds or returns on charitable donations, ma'am." said Roland, with heavy emphasis. "Now if you'd come with me..."

"DON'T TOUCH ME! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH THIS DRESS COSTS?!" Heather jerked her arm out of Roland's grasp, turning away from him. As she did, she caught sight of Téa and Mai. "YOU!" she said, and Téa jumped at the sudden attention brought to her. "YOU WENT MOUTHING OFF TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL BUDDY ABOUT OUR CONVERSATION IN THE BATHROOM, DIDN'T YOU!? EITHER THAT OR SETO KAIBA KEEPS CAMERAS IN THE LADIES ROOM! AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, I'M SUEING! ALL OF US WILL BE!"

"Well, I thank you for verifying our information, Miss Heather." said Roland, snapping his fingers loudly, and two large guards appeared. "I'll ask you one more time to come quietly..."

"SCREW YOU!" Heather yelled at Roland. She grabbed a glass of punch from the nearby buffet table and turned back to Téa, shouting, "AND AS FOR YOU, YOU HAVE SOME NERVE, SLUT!" She threw the punch into Téa's face and smashed the glass on the floor at her feet, receiving startled gasps and looks from the onlookers. Téa flinched and sputtered as she was drenched with the sticky fresh-fruit drink, now dripping from her hair and down into her dress.

"That does it! Remove this girl at once!" commanded Roland.

"Yes sir!" said the guards in unison.

Téa wiped a hand down her face as Mai grabbed a cloth napkin from the table, glaring daggers at Heather, who was now being lifted by both arms and carried between the two guards, screaming all the way to the door. "PUT ME DOWN, YOU OAFS! MY DADDY WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS! HE'LL HAVE YOU ALL FIRED WITHOUT PENSION OR UNEMPLOYMENT AND MAKE SURE NONE OF YOU WILL EVER HAVE A JOB FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES! GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME! YOU'RE GONNA LEAVE BRUISES ON MY SKIN! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD I WORK DAY AND NIGHT TO MAINTAIN THIS FLAWLESS COMPLEXION?! THIS IS HARASSMENT! PUT. ME. DOWN!"

"Miss Téa, I'm terribly sorry! Are you alright?" asked Roland, gesturing a nearby group of maids forward.

"I-I'm fine." said Téa, her voice shaking a bit as the cluster of maids and caterers gathered around her and Mai, a handful carrying brooms and dustpans to clean up the broken glass.

"Bring Miss Téa to another room and clean her up." Roland ordered the maids.

"Yes sir!" chorused the maids, bowing before leading them away from the staring crowds and into a private room off to the side. They produced more cloth napkins and helped squeeze the punch out of Téa's hair into empty glasses, dabbing her shoulders and chest gently to dry her as they chattered about her like mother hens.

"Oh you poor dear! Don't you worry, we'll have you looking good as new!"

"That was completely unlady-like of that girl!"

"Such atrocious behavior! I do hope she's punished!"

"Good on Mr. Kaiba for evicting her! She deserves worse!"

"Téa!" She heard the chorus of the guys as they suddenly barged into the room.

"Are you okay, Téa!?" asked Yugi, halting in front of her, and Téa nodded wordlessly.

"Dat was nuts!" said Joey, standing protectively over his friends.

"What happened?" asked Tristan, flanking her opposite side. "Were they talking smack in the girls' room?"

"They sure were!" said Mai, pulling the flower comb out of Téa's hair as the maids washed out the punch with spray-bottles of perfumed water. "About Mokuba, of all people!"

"You're kidding!" said Bakura, his eyes wide as Téa shook her head. "What nerve!"

"That explains why Kaiba had them evicted." said Duke with an equally shocked expression.

"Yeah, but that doesn't explain how he knew." said Mai, looking questioningly at the maids as they started spot-cleaning Tea's dress with a stain-removing fabric cleaner. "Now I have to ask, does Kaiba keep cameras in the bathrooms?"

"No, ma'am, absolutely not!" replied an elderly maid, who appeared to be directing the others. "That would be completely improper! Mr. Kaiba would have human eyes and ears in such places for security purposes."

"Ah, that makes sense. Have one of his hench-ladies camp out." said Mai understandably.

"Yes ma'am."

Téa pondered to herself as the maids started spraying a leave-in conditioner in her hair and combing it out gently. She didn't remember seeing anyone like a guard or a spy in the bathroom. But she did recall being quite a ways down the hall, and there was still more hallways and winding corridors beyond that. Anyone could have easily been around the corner, listening in on her and Mai's conversation, which had relayed much of what was said in the bathroom. She remembered Roland's words to Heather...under orders from Seto Kaiba himself...

"Is Kaiba's receiver connected to his entire security staff?" asked Téa.

The maids stopped what they were doing and stared at Téa, their eyes wide.

"He's used it in front of all of us before, so we already know about it." said Tristan quickly, recalling the time Kaiba had called an auto-piloted helicopter to save Téa from the crate being dropped on her head by one of Marik's Rare Hunters. The others nodded agreement, assuring the maids that they weren't breaking operational security.

"No, Miss Téa, just to Mr. Roland." replied the elderly lead maid at last. "The chief of security has the comms to all the security staff. He simply relays intel to Mr. Kaiba."

Roland couldn't possibly have heard the entire conversation and circumnavigated the halls back to the ballroom that fast. Téa thought as the maids started blow-drying her hair and the damp parts of her dress. And if there was a guard in the bathroom, surely they couldn't have relayed everything that was said in there to Roland, who would have had to relay all of that to Kaiba for him to make such a swift decision...

...which means...

---

Téa walked out of the side room, surrounded by the guys and Mai. The maids had completely cleaned and dried her hair and dress, and even touched up her makeup and reset her hair comb. She was good as new, as if nothing had ever happened. The broken glass and punch puddle had been cleared away, and the caterers were back to serving food at the buffet tables. A few eyes turned to look at her, and Téa felt her face coloring. "I hope the press didn't catch any of that." she said, her embarassment finally settling in.

"We saw everyone with a camera being ushered out right before Roland and the gang confronted that girl." Bakura assured her.

"Yeah, I bet Kaiba has stuff like this happen all the time at his events and knows when to evict the tabloids." said Duke. "I'm forced to do it at my game shop sometimes, too. Take it from me: bad publicity is bad for business."

That further strengthened Téa's convictions, and she took a deep breath, saying, "I'll be right back. I think I left something in the bathroom stall..."

"Want me to go with you in case there's more crazy girls with flying punch glasses?" Mai asked.

"No, I think I'll be fine after all that." said Téa, waving her away. "I won't be long!"

Mai watched as Téa hurried off, her brows knitted together.

Téa made her way back to the ladies' room, but instead of going into it, she turned the two corners and returned to the bench between the potted trees, where she and Mai had been talking. She walked slowly, cautiously, further down the corridor, which was only lit by dim sconces overhead. Her heart was beating fast as she turned another dark corner, and she immediately felt a draft. She finally noticed a pair of double doors open to a courtyard a few more feet down the hall to the right. Téa walked through the doors into the courtyard and was greeted with a flowing fountain fashioned into the Water Omotics Duel Monster, water flowing from her jar tipped over her shoulder. Téa admired the fountain for a moment, thinking it very fitting, before walking farther into the courtyard, her heels clicking on the smooth cobblestone. She walked through a stone archway and looked beyond into the grassy area, and her thoughts were confirmed.

There was Kaiba, sitting on a lone stone monument in the center of the grassy knoll, his long legs stretched out before him and his head bowed. It was impossible to see if his eyes were open or closed under the bangs that framed his eyes. Téa walked closer, and in doing so noticed that the stone monument Kaiba sat on was engraved with a single name in large lettering:

MOKUBA.

Téa paused, realizing she was on sacred ground. She approached carefully and knelt on the ground before the monument, her hands in her lap, and bowed until her hair swept the ground. When she righted herself, she noticed Kaiba's eyes on her from under his hair, but he hadn't moved an inch. Téa stood and pulled her blue flower comb from her hair, laying it on the monument under Mokuba's name. She rested her hand on the gravestone, her fingers tracing down the body of the K, and leaned her forehead against it, eyes closed. For a moment, Téa thought she could feel Mokuba's spirit leaning his own forehead against hers and his hand pressed against hers, with his big childish grin on his face as he peered his mischievous dark eyes into her shining blue ones. Téa took her head away, her hand sliding down the cool stone, and realized Kaiba was looking over at her now, but he still hadn't said a word. She walked around to his opposite side and sat next to Kaiba as his gaze lowered to her hair comb, the jewels of the blue flower glittering like the stars overhead.

They sat in silence for a long moment, the night wind blowing Téa's now loose hair softly, tickling her shoulders. Normally a stillness like this between her and Seto Kaiba would have been fraught with tension, but this was different.

Finally Téa spoke, saying, "I bet he didn't like parties, either."

Kaiba was silent, still regarding her hair comb. At first Téa thought he wasn't going to respond, that Kaiba would just ignore her until she left him alone. But to Téa's surprise, after a long pause, he finally said, "He hated them. I couldn't even get him to wear a full suit until recently."

Téa smiled, recalling Mokuba's previous outfit. She missed that cute little yellow vest of his. "I was shocked that you got him to cut his hair, too." she said.

Kaiba made a rumble of amusement and finally turned his gaze away from the hair comb. "Only because the barber convinced him he could easily donate three wigs with it." he replied.

Téa laughed out loud, stifling the noise with her hand. She hummed softly, rubbing her hand along the monument. "That's just like Mokuba to give of himself to help others." she said.

Kaiba was silent again, absent-mindedly twisting his cufflinks as he stared at the ground. Téa watched him for a moment, then nudged him gently with her shoulder, saying, "Kind of like you're doing tonight with this party, and every year since."

Kaiba blinked at the sudden gesture, but made no comment about it. "It was his idea..." he said simply at her remark.

"You didn't have to continue it." Téa pointed out.

"Yes I did." replied Kaiba. "I wouldn't be honoring him if I didn't."

Téa blinked as she heard her own words, and her wide-eyed expression softened into a warm smile. "So it was you." she said. "You heard Mai and me talking."

Kaiba said nothing.

Téa sighed and leaned against Mokuba's monument, turning her head so the cool stone chilled her face. She knew Kaiba would often refuse to confirm or deny his intentions if it looked like anything too close to caring about others. Which is why Téa was surprised when he suddenly asked, "Were the maids sufficient in putting you back together?"

Téa blinked and turned her head to look at Kaiba. "Roland told you about Heather's stunt in the ballroom, huh?" she asked.

Kaiba didn't answer that either, and Téa knew his unspoken inner dialogue was most likely a snarky response somewhere along the lines of, "What else would I be talking about?"

Téa turned her face away from him and pressed it against the stone again, saying, "Your maids were very courteous and professional, and did a fantastic job."

"Good." came Kaiba's curt reply.

"I hope you treat them well, especially after tonight." Téa said. "They worked their butts off, as they probably do every day."

"I treat all my staff more than well." said Kaiba, sounding defensive.

Téa gave Kaiba a sideways glance, saying, "And you never, ever lose your cool with them?"

"Only the ones who deserve it." he retorted.

"I see..." said Téa as she looked away again, but she had a feeling Kaiba had set the bar rather low for who was worthy of his temper.

They were quiet for a while.

"I noticed you and your entourage arrived in one of my cars." said Kaiba suddenly.

Téa smiled. "Courtesy of Roland." she replied. "He extended the invitation and said you might be quite pleased at our attendance."

"Did he now?" said Kaiba, looking off to the side as if thought his security chief was watching them at that very moment.

Téa chanced a glance over at Kaiba. "Are you pleased to see us?" she asked.

"I'm always grateful to anyone who attends my charity events." was Kaiba's neutral response.

"And you were happy for me to save you from dancing with one of your fangirls." Téa reminded him with an amused smile and another gentle nudge of their shoulders.

Kaiba inclined his head in silent acknowledgement. If he was getting annoyed at Téa's playful banter and touches, he didn't show it. Perhaps he was actually trying to be civil for once, or maybe he was just getting better at holding back his irritation. It was really hard for Téa to gauge Kaiba's emotions to anything at all. His stoic facade was ingrained into his existential foundation, but now that she thought about it, Téa figured it may be because Kaiba was the type to bury his emotions until his temper boiled over. She had never really given much thought as to why Kaiba was the way he was.

Mr. Kaiba. came Roland's voice with slight feedback, and Téa startled a bit before she realized it was the receiver in Kaiba's lapel. It's 21:30, sir. Shall I have the MC declare it a night and release the guests?

Kaiba lifted his hand and pinched his lapel, replying, "Yes. See that everyone's out at 22:00 sharp." He let his hand drop back onto his knee.

Yes sir. replied Roland, and the receiver went quiet again.

"I guess I should get back to the others, then." said Téa. "They're probably wondering where I am." She stood and walked around to the front of Mokuba's monument and bowed again, this time standing. Téa straightened, saying, "Thanks for having us. We had a great time! And..." she held her hand to her heart, suddenly somber as her eyes fell on Mokuba's name again. "...and I still mean what I said the other week. Mokuba was our friend, and I know he'd want us to look after his big brother for him and make sure you're alright. Even if you don't care, I do."

Kaiba said nothing. He seemed to be off in his own little world, his eyes riveted to the ground as he continued to twist his cufflinks absent-mindedly. Téa watched him for a moment before letting out a sigh, certain that Kaiba wouldn't respond. She turned to leave.

"Téa..."

She froze at the mention of her name on Kaiba's lips. Téa steeled herself, bracing for what he might say, and looked back at Kaiba. He was still staring at the ground; he seemed to be looking for the right words to carefully convey what he wanted to ask.

"What you said to Mai..." he said, finally looking up from the ground and meeting Téa's blue eyes with his. "...did you mean that?"

Téa relaxed, realizing she had been tensing herself. She stepped towards him again, and Kaiba watched as she reached forward to take hold of his hand and squeeze it gently. "Every word." Téa replied softly.

Kaiba's eyes raised to meet hers again. His normally intense gaze was strangely gentle. "Thank you." he said quietly.

Téa gave him a warm smile. Then, without really thinking, she leaned over and planted a soft kiss on the underside of Kaiba's jaw. She felt him stiffen, and suddenly Téa realized what she was doing. She pulled away quickly, but Kaiba merely sat there, stunned into silence. Téa swallowed quickly to ease her suddenly dry throat before saying, "Goodnight, Kaiba."

She turned and hurried back to the ballroom before Kaiba had a chance to respond, her hand slipping out of his. The movement seemed to jar Kaiba out of his trance, and he looked up and stared after Téa, his hand still hovering in mid-air. She was already past the stone archway and out of sight before he was finally able to softly call back, "Goodnight, Téa."

---

"Where were you!?" demanded Mai as Téa approached their table. "I went looking for you in the bathroom after a while and you were nowhere to be seen!"

"Oh, I'm sorry." said Téa. "I had stepped outside for some fresh air." It wasn't a total lie.

"I don't blame you after all that." Bakura said, and Téa smiled at him.

"Yeah, dat was enough excitement fer one night." said Joey, patting his stomach. "I dunno about you guys, but I'm stuffed like a bear ready fer winta!"

"I share the hibernation sentiment. I'm beat!" said Tristan, and Duke nodded agreement as he stretched his arms over his head and yawned loudly.

"What a night!" agreed Yugi as they all made their way back to the lobby, where their driver was waiting for them. He held out Téa's white coat for her, and she slipped into it with a quiet thanks to him. They walked outside into the crisp summer air, and the driver held the car door open while everyone piled in. They waved to Mai as she drove off in her violet convertible, beeping as she drove by. Joey, Tristan and Duke were already leaned back in their seats snoring away, Joey drooling from his open mouth. Bakura gazed out the window at the night sky, resting his chin in his hand. Yugi was nodding off, trying his best to stay awake until the chauffeur dropped him off at the Game Shop. Téa was brought to her apartment next, and she bid goodnight to the guys. Joey, Tristan and Duke hummed sleepily in response whilst Bakura bid her goodnight with a cheerful wave.

The driver opened the door for Téa and helped her out of the car. "Thank you, sir." she said to the driver, whom she recognized from a few weeks ago. "What was your name?"

"Eric, ma'am." said the driver, sounding surprised at being called by such a formality and even more shocked that Téa cared to know his name.

"Eric, thank you for driving us tonight." said Téa.

"The pleasure was all mine, Miss Téa." replied Eric, bowing to her.

"Have a good night." she said before turning and walking up the steps to her door.

"Goodnight, Miss Téa."

Téa waved as the car drove off before entering her apartment, closing the door and locking it behind her before making her way upstairs to her bedroom. She threw her keys and clutch purse on her dresser and shrugged off her coat, hanging it neatly on the back of her door. A yawn finally escaped Téa's mouth, and she balanced on each foot as she took off her strappy heels, setting them into her shoe organizer. She slipped out of her dress and let it fall to the floor before crawling into her bed in her undergarments. She rolled over onto her side, pulling the covers with her to cover her partially naked body, and immediately fell into a restful slumber.