Chapter 14- ….Are Ever Turning
"Damn, Hinata was right about us actually being related. She's never gonna let me live this down".
Youko doesn't know what to do. Doesn't know what she should do. If she even can do anything.
After showing the news report to her grandfather and remarking on the uncanny resemblance the boys have to her mother, their home had been a flurry of movement well into the evening.
She isn't cut off from the process exactly, but… she's not quite a part of it, either. It feels a bit like disassociating - she's there, kind of, but not really. Mostly she just sits quietly in her room with Joey, Hinata and the little ones, working on the puzzle. Yugi is in her lap, Hinata is reading to Ryou and Joey is in the middle of a heated pokémon battle with Serenity. (From the sound of it, Joey is losing, too).
A small hand grabs her wrist when she picks up a piece of the puzzle. She looks down and meets Yugi's eyes. (They're so big and purple and he is so cute, she loves him).
"Are you mad, Nee-chan?" He asks her, worry colouring his voice.
"No, I'm not mad my Little Star, just….worried." She says in a soothing voice as she runs her fingers through his hair.
He leans back against her chest and reaches up to pat her cheek. "'Bout what? Money? Those boys? The magical spirit?"
"All of those things. Mainly the boys." She murmurs while going back to the puzzle. "The man that they are with, he's not a nice or good man Yugi. So I'm worried that he's hurting them."
"Like Joey and Renny's papa hurt their mama?" The question gets the attention of the other little kids in the room, momentarily interrupting the bonding moments for a much more serious discussion.
"Somewhat Little Star. You know people can hurt others with their words just like they can with their hands. I'm worried that he's hurting them that way, words are the strongest and most painful weapons out there."
"Like the bad teacher they fired last month for bullying Benkei-kun!" Ryou adds in, a furious expression on his face.
"Yes Little Mage. Just like that." Hinata says with tight voice. The girls don't let show how they felt about the situation. (Though they do share a look, a promise not to tell how they and Mahad dealt with the teacher. Amazing what nightmares can do to a person.)
"Well we'll help them then, right Ko?" Joey asks as he and Serenity move to join her and Yugi. They each grab a piece of the puzzle and polish it before handing them to Youko to try and fit together.
Hinata and Ryou both join them as well moments later and they also take a piece to polish and caress.
"The one our age has really nice long hair like me, but black!" Ryou chirps happily, then. "You think he'd let me play with it? I've gotten really good at braids!"
"Maybe not at once, Ryou-chan," Hinata says. "He might not be as comfortable with people touching his hair as you. Remember to always ask permission and that…?"
"No means no. It's their body, they get the final say," all three younger siblings chorus.
"Very good!" Youko says happily. All three blush and smile proudly, and the afternoon passes swiftly. Especially when Tea and Tristan end up joining them, when Anzu and Suzuki arrive with a late lunch for the men running themselves ragged in the living room.
The children all share looks before pouncing on the adults, being affectionate and loving. They do their best to help the adults relax.
Later, before bedtime, Grandpa tells her, Hinata and Joey that he's doing everything he can to contact whoever handled the boys' case.
"We're going to get them home, I promise".
Solomon has never felt more his actual age then he has in the past two weeks. And that's coming from someone who has cheated death more than he'd care to admit. (He calls himself an archaeologist, others would call him a tomb raider and a fortune hunter).
He's lost his wife and daughter in law. His son abandoned him and his grandchildren. His adopted daughter is killed in an accident with his oldest granddaughter. His adopted son goes crazy and leaves his other grandchildren. His two granddaughters are somehow involved with dark magic and are fated to be in danger and to play a game the gods have made for them.
And despite all of that heartache and hardship, none of that has settled so deep into his bones and made him feel weary than the whole situation with his grandsons. (He doesn't care that there is no blood between him and them. They are his grandchildren. Cousins to his little sun and star. Children of his beloved daughter's twin. They. Are. His.)
*Kurashi Seto and Kurashi Mokuba. Now bearing the name of that sleazy weapons manufacturer.
Kaiba.
Even in his young days, that name left a bitter taste in his mouth. Seeing Kaiba Gozaburo named as one of the biggest names in both gaming and business year after year after year just never sat right with him.
Lies and deceit, murder and exploitation, that's what that name means.
(And the weasel isn't even that good at games, only chess. Chess! Anyone with a decent sense for strategy and a good game-face can master that game. It's no more difficult than a children's card game or something!)
He would rather sell his soul to the demons then let those boys stay with that man, direct blood-relation or not. These children who Yume would have adored with all of her heart, who deserve so much more.
A hand lands on his shoulder, and he looks up to meet the gaze of the lawyer Adam had recommended to him (to avoid a biased view on the case). Her smile is confident and reassuring, and Solomon feels grateful that she would come all the way from Bunkyo to Domino City, on the opposite side of Tokyo.
"We'll get them home, Mutou-san, don't worry. It'll be difficult, but I am nothing if not tenacious," she says, doing a "V" sign with her free hand. "We can do this - I won't give up until those boys are with their proper family".
Solomon smiles back. He likes the sound of that.
They're getting their boys home.
Fact number 1: Seto has no idea what's going on.
Fact number 2: every time he hasn't know what's been going on, his life has taken a turn for the worse.
Fact number 3: whatever is happening has had Gozaburo even more angry than usual, but somehow less abusive - at least physically. Instead, he has switched to upping the verbal beatings.
Conclusion: something bad is going to happen, and soon. If his suspicions are correct, they are most likely related to himself and Mokuba, based on the tense atmosphere whenever he sits in on a meeting (so every meeting for the past month, maybe a month and a half).
And now here they are, in a meeting room in Domino City's district court, accompanied only by Roland, an officer and a lawyer who hasn't explained much beyond someone having requested to meet with them, waiting for said person to arrive.
Mokuba's hand is small and cold in his, gripping him so hard his knuckles turn white, but all Seto does is squeeze him back just as tightly, because it's been weeks since they last saw each other properly and without the burning gaze of their "father" or one of their tutors monitoring their every move, and he's missed him so much.
He never wanted for this to happen.
He just wanted Mokuba safe and protected. For his baby brother to be loved like he deserves.
The door opens and a woman in business attire enters. She smiles at them and bows politely, before holding her hand out for a handshake. "Kaiba Seto and Kaiba Mokuba? I'm *Fujioka Kotoko. I'm here on behalf of my client Mutou Solomon and will be handling all legal affairs between him and the Kaiba Corporation".
Seto keeps himself from gaping (he can't afford to show any emotion, can't afford to act in any other way than professional. Not with Roland and the lawyer right behind him). Everyone who has ever been in the system, no, even before that, knows of the many cases concerning the Mutou, Bakura and Wheeler-families. Near horror-stories of death, abuse, abandonment and the kindness of the elderly shop-owner who took in four children not related to him, on top of caring for his biological grandchildren.
He feels Mokuba jump in shock, but aside from that he keeps still and quiet, too.
"Can you tell me what is going on? Why does Mutou-San want to meet my brother and I?" Seto asks faintly, shock still going through his system.
Fujioka smiles at them and nods to the door, prompting the man himself to enter the room, before they both take a seat. "We'll get to that in a moment. Let's see…" she grabs a heavy folder from her bag and opens it on the table in front of them. "Kurashi Seto and Kurashi Mokuba. Born as the only children of Kurashi Kaname and Kurashi Shizukana. After their death, you were placed under the care of your paternal uncle and aunt due to your mother having no living relatives found after a… let's call it a less than stellar search, who then later gave you over to Domino City Municipal Orphanage. Is any of this information incorrect, young Kaiba-kun?"
"No Fujioka-san, that all sounds correct." He replies with a frown. Why were they asking for all of this? What was going on?
Seto dares not to let the small bit of hope he feels grow.
Fujioka's expression turns from cheerful and friendly to professional in the mere blink of an eye as she closes the folder and presents them with another. "Well, it turns out that your case-worker was partaking in a few monetary donations that he shouldn't have at the time, and it greatly affected how your case was run. In reality, you do have a few biological relatives left on your mother's side".
That stubborn bit of hope flares to life in his chest. Family. They have family.
Seto bites back tears and squashes the hope. It's all too good to be true.
"How do we know that your family? What proof do you have? Why did you suddenly come forward only now?" He demands, why weren't you there for us sooner, is left unsaid but somehow heard.
Solomon Mutou's eyes turn sad at his questions, hands folding on the table. And finally the man speaks.
"I have no words for how sorry I am, young Seto and Mokuba, that I haven't been able to find you sooner," he says, looking at them calmly. "But make no mistake - I, we, have been searching for you since before your aunt Yume, my daughter-in-law, died 5 years ago".
Aunt. Daughter-in-law. Dead.
So there is no blood relation between them and this man. Not directly.
"Then how are you sure we're family? We have no blood between us." Mokuba asks softly, speaking for the first time since they arrived.
Mutou smiles at them and reaches down to pick up a small folder full of photos. He ruffles through them for a moment, before showing them a particular photo. "Because your mama and our Yume were identical twins, and you bear a striking resemblance to the both of them, Seto-kun".
He holds back a gasp at the sight of the women, teenagers really, in the photo. The one of the right is, undeniable, his mother. Young, healthy and happy in a way he never saw her with their own family.
It's all in the hair, the shape and colour of the eyes, the face… it's a little like looking into a mirror. His hand, the one not clinging to Mokuba, shakes as he lifts the photo.
The other woman, while identical to his mother, also has some small features that are easy for him to spot and tell them apart.
Another picture is pushed towards them. "And these two are your biological cousins, little Youko and Yugi. She's a year younger than you, Seto-kun, and Mokuba-kun and Yugi-chan should be about the same age".
"She looks like the sun!" Mokuba exclaims when he catches sight of them.
Somehow she does, Seto mentally agrees.
The girl is tiny with bright, golden bangs framing her face and big, purple eyes brimming with happiness and mischief.
"Look at their pretty eyes Seto! And look! They're playing a puzzle game!"
Solomon chuckles, "They both do love to play games. And both are exceptionally good at them. A good thing we live in a game shop, won't you say?"
"Game shop?" Seto thinks to himself, unable to keep the small smile spreading across his face as he remembers. Yes, the Mutou-family own a game shop. If they really are related… would they help him achieve his dream?
"It was Youko, who in fact got us into looking for you, she even was the one who found you both after several years of searching." The old man sighs tiredly, but maintains his friendly smile. "Imagine my shock, after 5 years of searching and calling and sending letters to all the people we could think of, you just appear on the morning news".
Mokuba is the next who speaks. "5 years? He wonders, looking up in awe. "That's as long as I've been alive, Nii-sama!"
It feels a little hard to breathe. 5 years. They have family and their family has been searching for them for 5 whole years. And if he knows his old family right (them and their greedy, holier-than-thou attitude), that wasn't just a coincidence, but a very deliberate action to keep them (and their inheritance) in the main family's hands.
"Youko and Yugi were both disappointed that they couldn't meet you today. But if you're willing, next time we meet I can bring them."
He can barely breathe.
Mokuba is already chatting away at half a mile a minute, but he… he needs a moment.
He needs to get back some damn control of the situation.
"So what happens now?"
Mutou looks away from Mokuba and regards him with a serious expression - like he isn't just a child, but an equal. A few moments pass, then…
"If it is something you wish… we go to court for custody over you and Mokuba," he says calmly.
Seto narrows his eyes. "While this is a pleasant little chat, all that seems a little too good to be true. What's the catch?"
An eyebrow is raised at him from across the table. "Why would there be a catch, Seto-kun?"
"There's always a catch," he hisses. "Nobody ever does anything out of the kindness of their hearts. Not when it comes to us, anyways. So what do you hope to gain from this, Mutou-san? Fortune? Fame? Blackmail?"
The man looks almost amused at him, and really, why wouldn't he? Seto knows he's still small, still a child. It doesn't matter to these people that he's got a certificate that confirms he is smarter than them and always will be, doesn't matter that he is already well on his way to be a patented inventor and businessman. He is a child. Someone to ignore and pass around like a pawn, a disposable little piece in a much bigger game.
"I have all the fame and fortune I need in the world Seto-kun, and blackmail is such a nasty thing. Even if it is useful. No, the catch is that you're my grandsons. You're family. And I love and care for my family, even if they're not related to me by blood directly. I make sure they are happy and healthy and have good lives. That is the catch, that's what I want for and from you both. To be happy and loved."
"He wants my money is what he wants!" A loud, angry voice booms as the door slams open and the enemy enters the room, followed by a couple of very frantic guards. "Don't believe his hippie nonsense of care - I know his type, I've read the case," Gozaburo growls. "Greedy, dirty, little commoners who think they have the right to demand anything from their betters".
He feels his hackles rise and grits his teeth in anger, but doesn't let it show. He doesn't even know why he wants to defend this man, this stranger who claims to be family. But then, something amazing happens.
"So as I was saying," Mutou continues calmly. "There is no bigger catch to this than my wanting to offer you to return to your proper family, where you belong. Not in the cold halls of an office building - really, that is no place for children to grow up, you can't flourish there".
"No catch my ass you old hippie, as I said, you want my money!"
Mutou again ignores Gozaburo. Seto is in awe and slight fear. Gozaburo's power and influence is great, he could easily hurt the man and his family for any slight.
"We are obligated to give you our contact information in case you wish to discuss the case further with us," Fujioka adds in, just as calm and ignoring the fuming business tycoon, and hands him a business card printed with both her and Mutou's information. "But to make it clear, the case will move forward, whether you wish to cooperate with us or not, young Kaiba-kun".
"What about me? Do I get a say?" Mokuba asks meekly, having gone tense and quiet at Gozuboro's loud entrance.
The old man goes from serious to kind the second his eyes land on Mokuba and calmly says: "Of course you to, Mokuba-kun. But we would prefer to not separate the two of you. Family shouldn't be torn apart".
The look he gives the both of them, then, settles something in Seto.
The words sound like a threat. Control being ripped from him once again, leaving him defenseless. But, he realizes, upon looking, studying Fujioka and Mutou closely… they're not taking control from him.
They're giving it to him.
In this one moment, all the cards are in his hands. No… (he looks down at Mokuba) they're in their hands.
"Nii-san, I….I wanna go with him." Mokuba whispered very softly, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "I don't wanna stay with him anymore."
Resolve solidifies. He nods just once.
(In all honesty, there wasn't even a choice to be made. Anything would be better than staying with Kaiba, Gozaburo.)
"Before our biological father died, I heard much about the kind-hearted old man who took in four children in need," he says as calmly as possible. "If what you claim is true… would there even be space for two more in that tiny house?"
He refuses to react to the relieved shine in Mutou's eyes at his words.
"Oh trust me, there is plenty of room. The children, especially Youko will make sure of it. It will be a little cramped, but there is still space enough."
Seto nods again. He can work with cramped. It's better than the coldness of Gozaburo's house. "Then we would like to accept your offer. Mokuba and I will cooperate during this case".
Gozaburo seethes in the background, Seto can practically feel the flames he's spitting.
"It will be over my dead body," he growls, striding forwards towards the table. "If you think for one moment that you can win this I'll-"
"Oh, but I do think we can win this, Kaiba-san," Mutou finally interrupts, standing and blocking the path towards him and Mokuba. "Need I remind you that I am a specialist in games, son? Make no mistake" he stands taller, appears much larger than he actually is in that moment "while you were busy making money off of other people's lives and studying something as simple as chess - no, long before that - I unraveled the secrets of the ancient games, long forgotten by modern society. I have written enough papers on the subject to fill books and made them public for free, because I believe knowledge should belong to everyone. What have you ever done out of the goodness of your heart, Kaiba-sama?"
Seto freezes. Mokuba gives a barely audible little whimper.
Gozaburo is turning blue in the face.
He doesn't know if he should be afraid, shocked or on an insurmountable amount of sheer awe.
They are forcefully ushered from the meeting room shortly after that. Fujioka-san calls after them that they will all be in touch. Gozaburo says nothing to them, just rips the business card from his hand and tears it into tiny pieces, his glare promising him hell later on.
"Little does the man know that he keeps his eyes on the wrong brother," Seto thinks to himself much, much later that night, when Mokuba has snuck into his room, whispering the numbers he carefully memorised, and showing him a few smuggled photos that Fujioka-san had discreetly given to him during the exchange between Mutou-san and Gozaburo. One is of their mother and aunt, the other is a group photo of the Mutou-household as it is in present time.
They look at them until they can barely keep away, clinging to the hope that these flimsy pieces of paper offer.
Family is out there.
For once, in what feels like years, Seto dreams of warmth and comfort, and it doesn't feel so out of reach anymore.
*Kurashi means "living". As in "livelihood". Nordic originally wanted the name to be a mix of arashi - storm, and kuro - black, but turns out kurashi is actually a word in Japanese, so we just went with it ^^;
*yes. That Fujioka. Another subtle crossover reference. Let's see if you can figure out from where and what the first one is. (Hint: it's in previous chapters.) (Also, we're messing around with the ages and who dies, so she's alive in this, still).
-We claim no accurate or full knowledge of the legal system or affairs like this situation. The US, Denmark, or Japan. This is our rough guess and limited knowledge. (Taken from tv shows mainly).
A/N: Ladies, Gentlemen and anyone who don't follow the gender binary. Welcome back to yet another chapter of Caught in the Game! This chapter marks the beginning of the case of Mutou vs. Kaiba - the Battle for the Brothers! XD
Silliness aside, I've been looking forward to this chapter and to finally introducing Seto and Mokuba to the story. We all have our favorite characters - the Kaiba brothers are mine. (A massive step-up from the embarrassment that was liking WEEVIL of all things when I was a kid. Don't ask, I was a weird child and really way too young to understand anything in the show).
So we've got a lot of firsts in this chapter! Yugi speaks properly, for one, and we show a lot more of the younger ones' personality ^_^ We're also hinting at something with one of the kids, can you guess what?
We've given Seto and Mokuba a surname, since no canon name has been given. So yeah, their original family name in CitG is Kurashi. Like explained above, it was supposed to be a random mash-up of words, but then it turned out to be an actual word, and it fit them with the elitism of their father's family.
And, finally, the grand finale, Seto's POV! It was a little difficult to get into his head, but I think we did okay. We wanted him to be suspicious, but still have some hint of hope left. His POV happens a couple of months after being adopted by Gozaburo, so he's been through a few things already. Not as bad as it gets, yet, but getting there. Grandpa suddenly showing up with claims of being family gives him a frail hope, but he hasn't really had the best track record with family so far. But it's a hope he'll cling on to for now.
There really isn't much more to this chapter. A lot happens, but it's subtle. Mokuba is sneaky and excited for the chance of a new family. A better family. And for learning more of a part of the family they didn't even know existed.
As usual, thanks to all of the reviews, comment, follows and favorites :) Each and every one of them matter so much to us, and we really appreciate it. A reminder to those who might be a little reluctant that we're more than happy to respond to any questions you might have and just fangirl about the series in general!
Another reminder that we've got a tumblr, too! Come yell at us on .com!
That's it from me for this time. I'll see you guys next chapter for more Caught in the Game!
NordicTwin
A/N:
Hello my ducklings! Hope you had a Happy New Years! Welcome back to Caught in the Game!
Unfortunately, updates will be slow from now on for a while. Nordic and Moirei both start uni back up again next week. So we will have very limited time to write until or edit stuff until their next break or so.
This chapter not too much happens, which sometimes is a good thing. We get to see Ryou and Yugi talk (and aren't they just the most previously adorable babies ever!?). We also hint at several things about the world and characaters. Can you guess what though? ;)
We feel at this point, Seto would be wary, suspicious, but not as cold and brash as he is in canon. It's only been a few months (2 or so) for him and Mokuba, not the many years that their canon counterparts went through.
More will definitely happen next chapter and things will And are picking up. We're getting closer to canon duckies! Just hang in a little longer!
Shoutout to all of the people who viewed and all of our current followers and faves and our new followers and favorites (L Lynx22, SasuSakuLover1619, nya mayaha nya, And DocHorrible64) And thanks to everyone who left Kudos!
And EXTRA thank yous and love to The Otaku Lady Priya, ren7720, Flaremage, and Waves for the reviews/comments!
Please, PLEASE leave us comments and reviews, especially if you have any questions or are confused! We love them so very much! We get so motivated to write when we get reviews!
Thanks again to the amazingly talented and lovely Moirei for Beta-ing for us, as always :)
Also! Our side story, Beyond the Game, is up! So any missing scenes or the like will be posted there! And don't forget to check out the CitG tumblr blog (caughtinthegame dot tumblr dot com) as well, we post links to the chapters and if we remember, we post chapter progress. We will also post other little things now and then when we can.
One final thing is our other SI story called "Judgement of Our Sins" for the Seven Deadly Sins/Nanatsu no Taizai series! Please check it out! All three of us are super excited for it and to share it!
Anyways, that's all for this chapter. Stay safe and have a good rest of your day, week, or month(s). Until next time my duckies!
C. S. Stars
Edited/Beta by Moirei
Finished January 3, 2018
Published January 4, 2018