Dancing Butterflies

Chapter 4

" Kaiba, ya left your brother and your company stranded in Domino while ya come here for a vacation. What's gotten into ya?" Jou demanded.

Seto didn't answer for a long time. He just held his brother close while eyeing Jou as if he couldn't recognize him. The wind rustled the trees, causing some to fall. Seto looked down at Mokuba.

Dear Mom, Dad,

The doctors say I have a distraught heart. They had the right idea about someone I know dying. They told me to go somewhere peaceful where I can rest my soul...

" Come inside." Seto said quietly. " I'll make us some tea."

The cabin was clean and well kept, rather big but cozy. Seto was the only person there. Yami wasn't sure if the cabin was even his, but most likely it was.

Seto led them to the living room and told them to make themselves comfortable. He was surprisingly hospitable, but there was a kind of impassiveness about the way he talked and gestured. There was an ethereal aura about him, and as he passed out the tea, no one spoke. There was a spell about the silence, to listen to the birds singing outside, the cry of birds of prey, the running waters of a creek somewhere beyond the trees.

Outside the sky was a clear blue, and the clouds sailed high above the ground. There were insects and cicadas calling from the treetops, and the trees moved with the wind as if dancing. Seto sat near the window a little stiffly, drinking his tea. The others did also, and even Jounouchi was quiet. The silence was like music, and Seto could hear the concerto playing in the background, seemingly, though it was only in his head. The beginning of the piece played the scene, with pine trees and oak, maples and cherry trees, with a stream nearby and a garden of flowers. The grave was shaded by the leaves and branches during the spring, summer, and fall, and during the winter it would be covered with snow like a white shroud. Always, there are two butterflies, no more, no less, fluttering near the grave. During the winter, the butterflies will disappear, but in the spring they will come back again, exactly the same as before.

" Kaiba, we have to talk." Yami began.
" My name is not Kaiba." Seto interrupted.

There was a stunned silence.

" What do ya mean your name is not Kaiba?" Jou demanded.

In Seto's mind the concerto had moved to a faster pace, with a slight bounce to it, as if two children were playing, watching the birds, trying to catch dragonflies and cicadas, bouncing after the rabbits and chasing and teasing each other. They ran around in a circle, tumbling in the grass, as the teachers called and looked for them to come back to class. The children hid behind bushes, snickering as the teacher went right past them without noticing them. As soon as the teacher gave up, they ran out of the bushes, laughing with delight, the teacher scolded them, but they didn't care. They had each other.

" Kaiba is Gozaburo's name."

There was a silence.

In Seto's mind, the concerto had slowed down. Zhu had gone home, and learned that she will marry another man just when she wanted to tell her father about Liang. Close to tears, she begs her father to call it off, but her father turns around and leaves her without another word.

She thought of Liang, and how she told him to meet her ' sister' here, and finally breaks into tears, knowing at last that she will never be with her love and will be confined to her betrothed, who she didn't even know. She will spend the rest of her life serving that betrothed, while her love would leave her.

Liang comes to the house, and he saw that his friend's sister was Zhu. At first he was dumbstruck. Then, joy took over him, until he saw her crying, and a tense worry took over him. Zhu tearfully told him that she can never be with him, because she was already betrothed to another. The worry turned into great pain, and all the surprise, the shock, the anguish was too much for him, and he doubles over, choking up blood. Zhu looks horrified, and rushes about him, crying in horror, wiping the blood from his lips. Liang chokes yet again, and she wept, stroking his hair.

" Ni-sama?"

But Seto was absorbed in his concerto. The drums had sounded. Zhu tells Liang to go home, and Liang asks her if he'll ever see her again. Zhu tells Liang that they will figure a way, and tells him that she will always love him. But the two of them knew that they will probably never see each other again, so Liang stays, trying to spend as much time with her as he possibly could. The time together was filled with sorrow and pain, and Seto heard the duet between the cello and violin, far far away, past the mountains, past the sea and ocean, drifting in the wind and coloring the trees with a shower of leaves and petals.

" Seto! Seto!"

Seto snapped out of his daydream, a little annoyed. Yami was holding him by the shoulders.

I have distraught heart.
After so many years, I still miss them.

" Seto, what's wrong with you?"

Seto stared at Yami.

" The doctors say I need to find peace." He answered. " They wanted me to find a psychic to contact my parents."

There was a pause.

" Why look for spirits when you have butterflies?" Seto looked at the window. Yami followed his gaze, but there were no butterflies at all. Of all the creatures that may live in this area, the butterflies were the only ones that do not fly here. The truth dawned on everyone like a splash of cold water. Seto continued to gaze out the window, his face oddly content, his eyes distant, as if caught in some memory, though in his head Liang rises from his deathbed with a cry, before collapsing, his spirit leaving his body like the butterfly leaves its cocoon.



" One thing's for sure, it sure is peaceful here." Anzu looked around. " Quite odd that we found Seto so quickly. I thought we would have to drive around a little and knock each door of ever cabin."
" I guess we were just lucky." Jou shrugged. " These things happen."
" Or maybe it was because of Mokuba." Yugi answered. " Mokuba seemed really sure that Seto would be in this cabin."
" The butterfly thing was spooky." Honda shivered. " Why's he so interested in butterflies? That's not the Seto Kaiba I know."
" The Butterfly Lovers." Ryou said softly. " It's some kind of Chinese story, I think. I'm not really sure what it's about, but there's a famous concerto written for it, and it was claimed that the Butterfly Lovers Concerto was one of the most beautiful concertos ever written."
" So what is it about?" Jou asked. " People who like butterflies?"
" Two butterflies who love each other?" Honda asked.
" I remember hearing something about the Butterfly Lovers." Anzu turned to everyone. " Something about a guy and a girl who love each other but can't be together."
" Sounds like Romeo and Juliet."
" Then what does it have to do with butterflies?" Jou asked.
" I don't know."
" It's odd. Kaiba wants so much to have butterflies around, but there aren't any butterflies here." Yugi looked around. " I see cicadas, dragonflies, beetles, but no butterflies. Why would Kaiba chose a place where there are no butterflies if he thinks they're so important?"
" More importantly," Honda snorted, " Why would he chose such a place in the first place? Doesn't he care about Kaiba Corps?"
" Where's Mokuba?" Ryou suddenly asked.
" Inside with his brother." Yugi answered.



Dear Mom, Dad,

I chose this place for you because it is far away from the city. Here you can be in touch with nature without a care for others around you. Here I'll leave you to rest in peace.



" Lost them too early." Seto said to himself. " I wasn't ready. But I wonder if they were here, would they be proud?"



It's very hard to live without parents when you're a child. All the troubles in the world, and when you have parents you don't want to talk to them, even if they keep telling you you can trust them. When you have all the problems in the world and your parents are there, you take them for granted, because you think they'll always be there to listen and you don't want them to. When they're finally gone, and you must bear the troubles alone, when the only people willing to listen to your problems are finally gone and no one else will pause to listen or care enough to give you advice, all you can do is write letters to them without expecting answers, and tell them all your troubles without expecting advice, to go through all that trouble or writing it down or saying without expecting them to hear. Because you don't know where they are. You just know they're no longer there.



" You're coming back?" Yami asked Seto. " You mean, you're coming back to Domino?"
" Hai." Seto smiled. " I can't bother them forever, you know."
" Bother who?"

Seto just smiled.

" After all, I have a company to run." He said. " I have a responsibility."



The weeks afterwards were wonderful for the workers of Kaiba Corps. For some reason Seto Kaiba was in a good mood, and although he didn't look quite as sick as before, he was fairly mild tempered. No one really knew what to make of this change, while all prayed it would last until they at least retire.

But there was definetely something wrong with the CEO's mind, because he was always saying there were two butterflies hovering over the desk, or on the wall, or on the ceiling, but the butterflies don't exist. At first Seto wanted to let them see the two mystical butterflies, but afterwards gave up, letting the vision stay within him.



Summer came swiftly. Seto bought a gift and so did Mokuba. This time Yugi and the others did not question their motives. One weekend the two brothers disappeared. The following Monday they returned. No one questioned where they went.

But Yami was getting really really scared. Because he was having dreams of Ancient Egypt. And as he looked at Seto now, he felt as if he were living his entire life all over again, and he was afraid of the end it might come to.



Dear Dad,

Happy Birthday! Did you like that Swiss Army Knife I gave you? I doubt you'll need it, but hey, you always wanted one. I chose the best. It's light, yet there are many tools in it, other than scissors, which I think are just ridiculous. Anyways, happy 43 years!

Love
Seto



Yami thought about how life was back in Egypt as he walked with Yugi and his friends. He remembered how he got Seto. Seto was a gift from a country far to the north. He was a prince that time, and Seto was a twelve-year-old boy. He had messy brown hair from struggling with the guards, whitish skin, thin, trembling frame and wild blue eyes. His father had been disinterested in him, but Yami thought he was the most beautiful thing in the world.

" Your Highness," The ambassador from the other country began, " We bring to you as an emblem of our peace, a rather unusual gift."

Yami looked up at his father, whose face was expressionless.

" Bring it here." His father said. Yami snickered to himself. What could Egypt possibly want? They had everything. Those fools don't know who they're dealing with.

There was a muffled cry, something that sounded like a sob, and a rather disheveled looking boy was thrown to his knees in front of the King. Yami sucked in his breath. He thought that an immortal was thrust in his grasp, a being more lovely than a flower, brighter than the sun. The child had fair skin, brown hair that had fallen out of place with his struggles, and deep, frightened blue eyes. His arms were tied tightly behind his back with thick ropes, as were his ankles, and his mouth was gagged. The child writhed on the soft carpet, then went still, but Yami could see him trembling.

" This boy we bring as your slave," The ambassador continued. " He is the most beautiful creature our lands have to offer. We hope you accept this gift."
" I have wish to accept any gift you may offer," Yami's father said slowly, " however, I have enough slaves as it is. I do not know what to do with this child."
" Father." Yami suddenly spoke, as softly as he could. His father turned to him.
" Yes?"
" I want to have him." Yami kept his eyes glued to the boy, who was staring at him. " I want to keep him."

His father blinked in surprise, but Yami did not notice. He only saw the boy, still writhing a little, making frightened yet angry noises like that of a caged animal. His father and mother spoke in quiet voices before his father nodded.

" We shall accept your gift, Ambassador." He told the man. He snapped his fingers, and servants stepped up. " Bring this child to my son's quarters."

Yami was elated. He watched as the young child squeaked as he was lifted suddenly, and the boy turned his eyes to Yami, fixing him the coldest glare he could. Yami did not really care. This beauty was his. The most beautiful thing in the world was his. He was his...



When Yami rang the doorbell, Seto was the one who answered, and Yami had to stifle a gasp. Seto looked like a flower blooming in full health-never had he looked more fair. Seto gave him a bright smile.

" Konnichiwa Yami." He smiled. " Do come in and make yourself comfortable. I'll make us some tea. Mokuba is out."

The change of manner surprised Yami a little, he was still unuse to this Seto, for Seto was never this warm. He did make himself comfortable, and Seto brought the tea, steaming hot, up in a tray. Seto took a cup and Yami did too, and they drank for a while in silence.

Finally, Yami couldn't take it any longer.

" Seto, do you remember anything?"
" Remember what, Yami?"
" Egypt."

Seto nodded. " Isis once showed me. She said I was an evil priest back then. I do remember dueling you."
" Do you believe that? The fact that...you're evil once?" Yami asked.
" I don't know." Seto shrugged. " My parents don't seem to agree."
" Your..." Yami blinked. He frowned. " Parents?"

Seto held out a finger. Yami turned back. There was nothing there. Seto was staring at his finger.

" No one else can see them, but they're here. Mom's on my finger."

Yami looked closely, and then he looked back at Seto. Seto was still looking at his finger.

" Your...mother's on your finger."
" She's a butterfly." Seto's face broke into a beautiful smile. " So is Dad."

Yami paled.



" You're saying that Seto Kaiba is seeing butterflies that aren't really there."
" And he's claiming they're his parents."
" That's just crazy, Yami."
" I'm certain that my High Priest is going mad."
" Your High Priest?"

Sighing, Yami began to tell Yugi everything.

After a while, Yugi finally spoke.

" You know, there's a very easy way to solve this problem." He said.
" How?"
" Be his Dad."
" Nani?!"
" I don't mean be his father. Think about it. What does a father do? Or a mother? What do parents act as? And what does Seto really want?"

Yami hesitated. " He wants someone to...take care of him?"
" That's one."
" You mean there are more?"
" Well, maybe I should say it this way. I have ji-chan, but there are times when I feel so distant from him, because he's so old and I'm so young." Yugi looked at him. " And I know what parents are like, because there are some things Ji-chan can't offer me. I mean, maybe he can take care of me when I'm sick, and things like that, but there are times like when I'm bullied by other people, and I come home and I realize I don't want to burden him with childish nonsense because he's too old and he's too busy. Seto's the oldest person left in his family."
" So you're saying that he wants someone to listen to his problems, to confide his true feelings."
" That too."
" Then what are you saying?" Yami asked, desperate.
" Look, he's writing letters to his parents. What do you think he's trying to accomplish by doing that?"

Yami had no idea what Yugi was trying to say.

" Love, Yami." Yugi finally told him directly. " For now, Seto loves his parents. But what he really wants is to be loved."



The following day for some reason or other, Kaiba became his natural self again. Natural, meaning cold, aloof, impassive, all those words defining bastardism. However, his temper seemed very strictly controlled, and he never once raised his voice, only showing his annoyance at everyone.

But this time Yami noticed a sense of insecurity about the child, a sense of fear and lack of confidence. For a while he remained to himself without involving in Seto's matters, but one day, he finally gave Seto his hand.

Seto was really surprised.

" Seto, if you ever need to talk, you can talk to me. You know that, right?"
" Why are you doing this?"
" Because," Yami hesitated, " For the sake of our relationship in the past."

Seto hesitated for a long moment. " I thought our relationship wasn't that great."
" It didn't end that great." Yami answered. " But all the more reason to start over. You might not remember anything Seto, and even if you did you might not know, but I was deeply fond of you back then, and afterwards when I learned you missed your parents I deeply regretted what I did. This time I see you like this and I want to do things right. I know you want to be loved, Seto. I don't know if I can give you that, but at least let me give you support."

Seto was at loss. He was reluctant to suddenly trust the dark spirit, yet his heart longed to be comforted by gentle hands. There was a long silence. Then he put his face in his hands.

" I'm going mad Yami." He sobbed. " But I can't seem to stop. I miss them so much."

Yami wrapped his arms around Seto silently, and at that moment he felt the old fondness return to him. Perhaps he could love Seto. Perhaps he could.