Thank you again to those who reviewed. It keeps me on this story. A few
things I should mention: One, first-person writing is always from Kaiba's
point of view. He is the main character, after all. Second, to Saiyan Jedi,
you'll be happy to know that I have decided to put Yami into the story.
However, I like the portrayal of Yami as a gambler (as he is first shown in
the manga), so that's how I've based him. He'll show up around Chapter 5.
Third, the poem at the end of the chapter is my own. I wrote it
specifically for the story.
On a final note, I'd like to ask those of you who are following this story
to take a look at "Soldiers of Fate," my fantasy novel, which is a much
older project than this story. I need feedback. Granted, it may not be your
type of story, but if you wouldn't mind...
***
Yugi rang the front bell and shifted his weight nervously as he waited for an answer. A short, elderly man dressed in a suit answered the door a moment later. "Yes? Oh, it's you, Master Motou. May I help you?"
"Hi, Hobson," Yugi said. He'd met the butler on the few occasions Mokuba had invited him over to play videogames. "Uh...we were thinking maybe we could talk to Kaiba?"
"Master Kaiba is not in right now...Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Well, we just saw in the newspaper," Yugi produced the paper and handed it to Hobson, "that Mokuba's gone missing? We were wondering if there was anything we could do to help."
Hobson frowned at the article. "I wonder how this got out..." he muttered to himself. He looked up at Yugi and Joey. "Listen, boys...I shouldn't be telling you this...but you were Master Mokuba's friends, and...and I won't torture you by lying..."
Yugi frowned. "What do you mean?"
Hobson sighed, handing the paper back to Yugi.
"Master Mokuba is dead."
***
Tuesday, October 12th, started out as normally as any other day.
I woke up at five, took a shower, got dressed, and sat down to do paperwork. When six-thirty came around, I walked over to Mokuba's room to wake him up. I opened the door and looked in at him.
I smiled.
He looked so small, elfin, in his huge bed. His long, unruly black hair was spread out on the pillow. Sunlight poured in from the window onto his back; he was facing the wall. I walked over and gently shook him.
"Mokuba. Wake up, little brother."
Mokuba groaned and turned over, his eyes opening. He looked up at me. "Is it morning already, Seto?" he asked sleepily.
"Yes. Now come on, get up. I'll make some breakfast."
He smiled. "Pancakes?" he asked eagerly.
"Sure."
"Chocolate chip pancakes?"
"Hmmm...well...okay. Fine."
"Yay!" he crowed as he jumped out of bed. I chuckled, left the room to let him get dressed. I walked down the hallway, down the stairs to the bottom floor, and into the kitchen, where I set about making the pancakes. Mokuba came down about seven minutes later, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt (he didn't know how lucky he was to not have a school uniform).
He sat down in the front parlor and played videogames until breakfast was ready. I set down two plates of chocolate-chip pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon onto the kitchen table. Mokuba immediately began shoveling food into his mouth, while I chewed on a strip of bacon and read the morning paper.
By the time he was done, Mokuba had cleared off his own plate and stolen most of mine. I set the paper down, rinsed off both plates in the sink, and told him to get his things for school.
In the car, halfway to his school, Mokuba asked me if he could walk to a friend's house after school. I feel incredibly stupid for having agreed to that now. But at the time I was thinking about the conference I had that afternoon. I told him it was fine.
I went to school, went through the day, then drove to the Kaiba-Corp building, dreading the conference. Those stupid things always lasted two hours longer than they were supposed to, and most of the people there wouldn't know a good idea if one bit them in the ass.
After the conference, I went home.
Mokuba wasn't home yet, but I didn't worry. He probably wouldn't call for a ride until at least six. So, I sat down to watch the news. It was about five-thirty when the doorbell rang.
I answered the door myself (I'd given Hobson the day off), and was surprised to find two police officers standing there. One flashed his badge and said "Seto Kaiba?"
"Yes."
"You're Mokuba Kaiba's legal guardian?"
"Yes...what's this about? Has something happened?"
"I'm afraid so, sir...Mokuba was struck by a passing motorist. He...died before we could get him to a hospital."
My mouth dropped open, my eyes went wide as saucers. For a minute I was too shocked to breathe. When I could finally speak, I said "Who...who hit him...?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Kaiba, we don't know. He left the scene before anyone could get a good look at him, and the vehicle he was driving was newly purchased; there were no license plates."
"Did he even stop?!" I demanded, my anger rising.
"Yes, for a moment, long enough to say 'I can't wait around here, I have more important things to do.' Witnesses said he was wearing a business suit, but that was all they noticed."
"Have you found him?"
"No, Mr. Kaiba."
"Why not!"
"Mr. Kaiba, we're trying our best."
"If you were trying your best you'd have found him already!" I snarled, grabbing the officer by the shirt. "If you want to keep your job you had damned well better find that prick, and fast! Do I make myself clear!!"
"Mr. Kaiba, calm down. Like I said, we're trying our best. But it will be nearly impossible to locate him. The witnesses only know that he went north. Other than that..."
I scowled. "How many people know about this?"
"It happened in a remote area. Only four or so people know about the accident. The department knows, and the hospital...and the driver of the car...but no one else."
"Good. I want you to keep it that way." I pulled a stack of bills from my coat and handed it to him. "I trust you will ensure the cooperation of those who know about this. I want this kept quiet."
"Might I ask why, Mr. Kaiba?"
My scowl deepened. "I don't want their sympathy."
The officer nodded. "I understand."
"Then do it. Go. Now."
The officers nodded, and left.
My anger evaporated.
The realization hit me like a bullet train. Mokuba was gone...My sweet little Mokuba was dead...I'd never hear another cheerful cry of 'Seto!' when I walked through the door...I'd never again stay up late, keeping the nightmares away...I'd never spend another day at the arcade, listening to the bleeps and clicks of the machines...
"You promised..." I whispered. "We promised...nothing would ever separate us...Why...? Why...?"
I fell unconscious leaning against the front door.
No one answered me.
***
Yugi's eyes went wide with shock. "D-Dead?! But..."
"Master Kaiba wanted it kept silent. He didn't want people flocking to the mansion to offer sympathy. He didn't want people asking him about it, or crying at a public funeral. He wanted everything kept private."
"Oh...Oh, my god..."
Joey's eyes sank to the porch. "Whoa...he's...d-dead, huh...? Well...how'd it happen?"
"Last Tuesday, Master Mokuba was walking to a friend's house after school. He was...struck by a passing driver. He was dead before the paramedics arrived."
"Oh, damn..." Joey said softly. "Poor kid..."
"Can you imagine how Kaiba must feel right now?" Yugi asked his friend. "Mokuba was all he had...and now he's gone..."
"Master Kaiba has been in a daze since the accident. After school, he spends the rest of the day at Master Mokuba's grave...he only speaks when spoken to, and even then only rarely. When Master Mokuba died...so did Master Kaiba's will to live..."
Yugi was shocked. It was bad enough when he thought Mokuba was just missing. Then, though, there had been hope. Now...there was none. Mokuba was gone forever...
"Would you like to pay your respects?" Hobson asked.
"Y-Yes...please..." Yugi whispered brokenly. He strained to fight back tears. This was too much...too much.
Hobson nodded slowly and led them through the mansion and into a large courtyard behind it. A stone walkway led to a circular path, from which three other paths branched off to make a cross. In the center of the circle was Mokuba's memorial. It was a large, life-sized statue of a kneeling angel in a flowing robe. Her head was down, hair flowing down over her shoulders, her wings spread. About the angel's neck lay a locket identical to the one Yugi had in his pocket.
A golden plaque on the base of the statue proclaimed his resting place.
*
Here lies Mokuba Kaiba
July 7, 1995 – October 12, 2004
Devoted friend, beloved brother, he will be missed.
*
Hobson let them be.
Just in front of the statue were a white rose and a folded piece of paper. Ever-curious, even now, Yugi picked up the paper and unfolded it. He recognized Kaiba's precise, flowing handwriting.
"It's a poem..." he said softly to Joey.
"Huh? A poem?"
"Yeah..."
He read the poem aloud:
If only tears could bring you back to me,
You'd be back a thousand times by now.
If just my love could bring you back to me,
You might be by my side right now.
Memories flood into my mind,
As I hang my head to cry.
You holding my hand, guiding me on,
Telling me to touch the sky.
*
Many times I felt like giving up.
Life seemed a game I couldn't win.
But then I'd see your trusting face,
And rise to fight again.
But now that you aren't here with me,
Now that I'm left behind,
What reason is there for me to go on?
What left is there to find?
*
It may be too late; I've never told you before,
But I'm grateful for all that you've done for me.
Without your hand to guide me on,
I'd have been adrift in a sea of misery.
It may be too late, my dear beacon of light,
But I feel I have to say:
I love you with all my heart and soul.
If only that could make you stay.
***
Yugi rang the front bell and shifted his weight nervously as he waited for an answer. A short, elderly man dressed in a suit answered the door a moment later. "Yes? Oh, it's you, Master Motou. May I help you?"
"Hi, Hobson," Yugi said. He'd met the butler on the few occasions Mokuba had invited him over to play videogames. "Uh...we were thinking maybe we could talk to Kaiba?"
"Master Kaiba is not in right now...Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Well, we just saw in the newspaper," Yugi produced the paper and handed it to Hobson, "that Mokuba's gone missing? We were wondering if there was anything we could do to help."
Hobson frowned at the article. "I wonder how this got out..." he muttered to himself. He looked up at Yugi and Joey. "Listen, boys...I shouldn't be telling you this...but you were Master Mokuba's friends, and...and I won't torture you by lying..."
Yugi frowned. "What do you mean?"
Hobson sighed, handing the paper back to Yugi.
"Master Mokuba is dead."
***
Tuesday, October 12th, started out as normally as any other day.
I woke up at five, took a shower, got dressed, and sat down to do paperwork. When six-thirty came around, I walked over to Mokuba's room to wake him up. I opened the door and looked in at him.
I smiled.
He looked so small, elfin, in his huge bed. His long, unruly black hair was spread out on the pillow. Sunlight poured in from the window onto his back; he was facing the wall. I walked over and gently shook him.
"Mokuba. Wake up, little brother."
Mokuba groaned and turned over, his eyes opening. He looked up at me. "Is it morning already, Seto?" he asked sleepily.
"Yes. Now come on, get up. I'll make some breakfast."
He smiled. "Pancakes?" he asked eagerly.
"Sure."
"Chocolate chip pancakes?"
"Hmmm...well...okay. Fine."
"Yay!" he crowed as he jumped out of bed. I chuckled, left the room to let him get dressed. I walked down the hallway, down the stairs to the bottom floor, and into the kitchen, where I set about making the pancakes. Mokuba came down about seven minutes later, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt (he didn't know how lucky he was to not have a school uniform).
He sat down in the front parlor and played videogames until breakfast was ready. I set down two plates of chocolate-chip pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon onto the kitchen table. Mokuba immediately began shoveling food into his mouth, while I chewed on a strip of bacon and read the morning paper.
By the time he was done, Mokuba had cleared off his own plate and stolen most of mine. I set the paper down, rinsed off both plates in the sink, and told him to get his things for school.
In the car, halfway to his school, Mokuba asked me if he could walk to a friend's house after school. I feel incredibly stupid for having agreed to that now. But at the time I was thinking about the conference I had that afternoon. I told him it was fine.
I went to school, went through the day, then drove to the Kaiba-Corp building, dreading the conference. Those stupid things always lasted two hours longer than they were supposed to, and most of the people there wouldn't know a good idea if one bit them in the ass.
After the conference, I went home.
Mokuba wasn't home yet, but I didn't worry. He probably wouldn't call for a ride until at least six. So, I sat down to watch the news. It was about five-thirty when the doorbell rang.
I answered the door myself (I'd given Hobson the day off), and was surprised to find two police officers standing there. One flashed his badge and said "Seto Kaiba?"
"Yes."
"You're Mokuba Kaiba's legal guardian?"
"Yes...what's this about? Has something happened?"
"I'm afraid so, sir...Mokuba was struck by a passing motorist. He...died before we could get him to a hospital."
My mouth dropped open, my eyes went wide as saucers. For a minute I was too shocked to breathe. When I could finally speak, I said "Who...who hit him...?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Kaiba, we don't know. He left the scene before anyone could get a good look at him, and the vehicle he was driving was newly purchased; there were no license plates."
"Did he even stop?!" I demanded, my anger rising.
"Yes, for a moment, long enough to say 'I can't wait around here, I have more important things to do.' Witnesses said he was wearing a business suit, but that was all they noticed."
"Have you found him?"
"No, Mr. Kaiba."
"Why not!"
"Mr. Kaiba, we're trying our best."
"If you were trying your best you'd have found him already!" I snarled, grabbing the officer by the shirt. "If you want to keep your job you had damned well better find that prick, and fast! Do I make myself clear!!"
"Mr. Kaiba, calm down. Like I said, we're trying our best. But it will be nearly impossible to locate him. The witnesses only know that he went north. Other than that..."
I scowled. "How many people know about this?"
"It happened in a remote area. Only four or so people know about the accident. The department knows, and the hospital...and the driver of the car...but no one else."
"Good. I want you to keep it that way." I pulled a stack of bills from my coat and handed it to him. "I trust you will ensure the cooperation of those who know about this. I want this kept quiet."
"Might I ask why, Mr. Kaiba?"
My scowl deepened. "I don't want their sympathy."
The officer nodded. "I understand."
"Then do it. Go. Now."
The officers nodded, and left.
My anger evaporated.
The realization hit me like a bullet train. Mokuba was gone...My sweet little Mokuba was dead...I'd never hear another cheerful cry of 'Seto!' when I walked through the door...I'd never again stay up late, keeping the nightmares away...I'd never spend another day at the arcade, listening to the bleeps and clicks of the machines...
"You promised..." I whispered. "We promised...nothing would ever separate us...Why...? Why...?"
I fell unconscious leaning against the front door.
No one answered me.
***
Yugi's eyes went wide with shock. "D-Dead?! But..."
"Master Kaiba wanted it kept silent. He didn't want people flocking to the mansion to offer sympathy. He didn't want people asking him about it, or crying at a public funeral. He wanted everything kept private."
"Oh...Oh, my god..."
Joey's eyes sank to the porch. "Whoa...he's...d-dead, huh...? Well...how'd it happen?"
"Last Tuesday, Master Mokuba was walking to a friend's house after school. He was...struck by a passing driver. He was dead before the paramedics arrived."
"Oh, damn..." Joey said softly. "Poor kid..."
"Can you imagine how Kaiba must feel right now?" Yugi asked his friend. "Mokuba was all he had...and now he's gone..."
"Master Kaiba has been in a daze since the accident. After school, he spends the rest of the day at Master Mokuba's grave...he only speaks when spoken to, and even then only rarely. When Master Mokuba died...so did Master Kaiba's will to live..."
Yugi was shocked. It was bad enough when he thought Mokuba was just missing. Then, though, there had been hope. Now...there was none. Mokuba was gone forever...
"Would you like to pay your respects?" Hobson asked.
"Y-Yes...please..." Yugi whispered brokenly. He strained to fight back tears. This was too much...too much.
Hobson nodded slowly and led them through the mansion and into a large courtyard behind it. A stone walkway led to a circular path, from which three other paths branched off to make a cross. In the center of the circle was Mokuba's memorial. It was a large, life-sized statue of a kneeling angel in a flowing robe. Her head was down, hair flowing down over her shoulders, her wings spread. About the angel's neck lay a locket identical to the one Yugi had in his pocket.
A golden plaque on the base of the statue proclaimed his resting place.
*
Here lies Mokuba Kaiba
July 7, 1995 – October 12, 2004
Devoted friend, beloved brother, he will be missed.
*
Hobson let them be.
Just in front of the statue were a white rose and a folded piece of paper. Ever-curious, even now, Yugi picked up the paper and unfolded it. He recognized Kaiba's precise, flowing handwriting.
"It's a poem..." he said softly to Joey.
"Huh? A poem?"
"Yeah..."
He read the poem aloud:
If only tears could bring you back to me,
You'd be back a thousand times by now.
If just my love could bring you back to me,
You might be by my side right now.
Memories flood into my mind,
As I hang my head to cry.
You holding my hand, guiding me on,
Telling me to touch the sky.
*
Many times I felt like giving up.
Life seemed a game I couldn't win.
But then I'd see your trusting face,
And rise to fight again.
But now that you aren't here with me,
Now that I'm left behind,
What reason is there for me to go on?
What left is there to find?
*
It may be too late; I've never told you before,
But I'm grateful for all that you've done for me.
Without your hand to guide me on,
I'd have been adrift in a sea of misery.
It may be too late, my dear beacon of light,
But I feel I have to say:
I love you with all my heart and soul.
If only that could make you stay.