When Mokuba slid into the back seat of the limo, he was surprised to find none other than Seto Kaiba himself sitting next to him. The first thing that caught the child's attention was the locket around his neck.
"Hey, you're the, umm, other one. The one that helped me before. I never did thank you…" he trailed off.
"Don't worry about it."
After a few moments of silence, Mokuba looked in his direction again and asked softly, "Why are you helping him? I thought you were different. That you didn't like him either."
"I believe I have to bring the two of you together in order to get back to my world before my tournament starts. And back to my brother."
"Oh," Mokuba replied not really understanding what he meant. "So what do I call you two since you're both living in the same house?"
"He'll want you to address him as Kaiba, at least at first."
"And you?"
The older boy smiled slightly. "I'd prefer it if you called me Seto."
"What did you mean before by 'your world'? Is it the same as here?"
"Many things are similar. But we were never separated all those years ago."
"A lot of weird things have happened since my big brother, er, Yugi got his puzzle but… This is, I never thought I would have to face anything this big without him," Mokuba said and instantly wondered if he shouldn't have when he saw the look on the other boy's face. He did not dare to speak again for the rest of the trip, and they continued on in silence.
~`~`~`~`~`~
Soon, the limo arrived at the Kaiba mansion. Mokuba peered out the window and gaped at the sight before him. He had never imagined that he could stay in a house like this. The driver had to nudge the child after he opened the limo's door to get him to step out.
When he and Seto entered the house, Mokuba caught his first glimpse of Kaiba since he had dueled Yugi. The young CEO looked different somehow, but Mokuba could not have explained exactly what it was. His demeanor didn't feel as inviting as Yugi's, or even Seto's, but his face was softer, kinder. However, he still looked tall and intimidating as he stood before the younger boy. Mokuba's breath caught in his throat when he met Kaiba's steely gaze.
Kaiba merely nodded at them in greeting. "I expect you understand the situation?" he asked Mokuba.
The child nodded back in response.
"Good. Since this will be your home for at least the next month, you may go anywhere you wish in this house. But do not play around with my equipment or any of my paperwork. And don't break anything," Kaiba said as he caught Mokuba reaching to touch a delicate, glass statue to his right. He made sure this had sunk in before continuing. "I'll have a maid show you to your room. She'll give you a tour of the place."
"You should do it," Seto cut in.
"I don't have time right now."
"Then I'll show him around. Come on, Mokuba." They went directly upstairs.
As they climbed up, Mokuba turned to his guide and whispered, "Hey! Could you beat him at Duel Monsters?"
"If I had my deck, I'd wipe the floor with him," the older boy replied without bothering to lower his voice.
The child giggled but didn't dare turn back to see if Kaiba had heard.
Mokuba's room was their first destination. "Wow!" he gasped upon seeing it. "It's so big!" Seto had the room decorated in the same fashion his own brother's was. Everything was in exactly the same place. There was a television, a computer, a phone, several video games, and many other objects to delight the child.
Seto showed him around the entire house and then let him go back to his room after telling him when dinner would be served. Mokuba looked around the huge room. There were so many fun things to do, but he had no interest in any of them if Yugi wasn't there with him.
For a moment he thought of sneaking out of the house and running back home. What would Kaiba do anyway? Get in his fancy limo and give chase? But no, on reasoning the situation through, Mokuba realized that he had to stay. Kaiba would come and get him, or he would be sent back. Either way, it would only cause more problems than it would solve. He glanced at the phone but decided it was too soon to call. Instead, Mokuba took a pen from his desk and went over to the calendar above his bed. He circled the date on which he could go home.
~`~`~`~`~`~
A maid came to get Mokuba for dinner later that night. He cheered up immediately on seeing several of his favorite foods being served. The meal began in silence, but Mokuba could not keep quiet for long. He wanted to say something nice and so started out with, "You were so lucky to get adopted by the person living in this house Kaiba! I bet you can afford anything you want."
At this, Kaiba's face darkened considerably. His eyes became harder than usual, and he remained silent. Seto also looked uncomfortable for a moment but recovered his composure a little quicker than his counterpart.
Mokuba wasn't sure what he had done wrong, but then it came to him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I heard he died, but I didn't remember just then. You must miss him very much."
"No," was all Kaiba managed for a reply. He still looked angry. His right fist was clenched on the table, and he almost shook with fury. Mokuba just bowed his head down towards his plate and started to eat, not daring to say anything more for several minutes.
But the silence made him even more uncomfortable, and he could not keep still for very long. It did not take much time for him to try to make conversation once again. "Do you have some candy here? Or ice cream? Can I have some after dinner?"
Seto, despite what had happened just minute before, almost had to grin. His own tension began to dissolve. Even if this wasn't his brother, there were so many things they had in common. He loved Mokuba's endless energy and was glad to see that even in this world, nothing could keep him down for too long. Seeing his spirits raised so quickly relieved his own. "There are several flavors of ice cream in the freezer. You can have some later. If you finish all of your vegetables."
Mokuba saw his opening with Seto and continued to ask him questions about the house, the company, the virtual stadiums, and anything that crossed his mind. He did, however, try to stay away from the subject of Kaiba's adopted family. Seto answered all of his inquiries patiently. The two continued their conversation through the rest of the meal. All the while, Kaiba sat silently massaging his temples and glaring down at his own food.
To Be Continued