YUGIOH

Blast in the Past

Chapter 12.

Kaiba's mother suddenly turned from what she was doing, to notice her son dragging a basket full of dirty laundry down the hall. She came out, saying, "Seto....what are you doing?"

"These are dirty. I'm taking them to the laundry room. We....have a laundry room, right?" He suddenly asked, not certain.

She laughed. "Of course we do, honey. I guess that goes to show you just how much work you've done in this house....until now."

"Well, let me do this, and I'll be right back." Kaiba said, continuing down the hall.

The mother walked out of the kitchen, curious to see what her son was up to, and heard water running. She went down the hall, and found Mokuba in the bathroom, taking a....shower?? Still in shock from what she saw, she continued further down the hall, trying to find where the laundry came from, and reached their bedrooms. At that moment, she almost fainted....both kid's rooms were spotless. She had to do a double-take to make sure she was seeing this right. Finally, she backed up, and turned running right into her oldest son, bringing the basket back.

"Sorry." He said, for running into her. "I thought you should know, I wasn't sure where to put the clothes down there. It's starting to pile up, I'm afraid."

"I can't believe what a great job you did." She said in shock. "You even got Mokuba to do his room. How did you do it?"

"I let him have my walkman." He smiled.

"Seto, I....I don't know what to say. You did a wonderful job." She said, hugging her son. Seto gladly embraced her. It felt so good to have his mother close to him, after her being gone for so long. He didn't really want to let go, just continue to hug her in order to be sure she was really there. But he refrained from going overboard, since he didn't want to worry her. But she released him first, and smiled, saying, "All right....you convinced me. I'll let you go, and pay your way for that concert. But you have to clean this whole house, and I want to see this place as pristine as your two rooms. You do that, and I'll give you the money you need to go there, okay?"

Kaiba smiled, "Deal."

She paused and put her hand up, touching his face. "You know Seto....there's been something different about you. I don't know what it is....I can't put my finger on it. I don't think our little lecture would affect you that much. Maybe you still have a fever." She said, touching his foresight.

"I'm all right, Mom." Kaiba said, taking her hand. A thought then suddenly clicked, "Mokuba....I gotta check on him. I got him taking his shower." He said, immediately putting the basket down, and rushing to the bathroom.

She could hear from where she was, of her son lecturing his brother: "What are you doing?" "I'm taking a shower, Seto!" "Nooo....you're getting water everywhere." "But it's fun!" "But I have to clean this after you're done. Don't make a mess, just take a shower and get out." "Awww....but Seto!" The mother just shook her head, not knowing what's got into her oldest son. It was like he was trying to play the father role with his brother.

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Kaiba's father came home, saying, "Honey, I'm home....what's for dinner?"

She came over to him, kissing him, and said, "We're going out tonight."

"We are?" He asked.

The mother smiled, "That's right. You, me, and Mokuba are all going out to eat, and then we're going to the park."

"Well, what about Seto....doesn't he want to go?" He asked.

"He's the reason we're going." She smiled. "While we're gone, he agreed to clean the whole house."

The father suddenly panicked, and said quietly, "You can't leave this house with Seto....he'll turn this place into a disaster!"

But the mother just smiled, and gently pulled on her husband over to the bedrooms, and said, "Look." The father looked into both bedrooms, and couldn't believe his eyes....they were so clean!

"He cleaned his whole room, got Mokuba up and had him clean his room. Seto's homework is done, and helped his brother with his. He also had his brother take a shower, then he came to me and asked me how to use the washing machine, so he could do the laundry for me. He's down there right now with his brother, getting him to help out." The mother beamed.

"My god....is he all right?" The father asked, worried.

"He's doing this as a task for $100 to pay for concert tickets. He says it's $20 each, he has himself and two other people he's trying to pay for, and that gives him enough cash left over to pay for snacks and drinks." The mother said. Kaiba's dad was still speechless, since it still didn't make sense. Seto never lifted a finger. Every time a concert came up, he mysteriously came up with the cash, insisting his friends or girlfriend was paying for it. Why the big change? The mother was still smiling, and said, "You know that girl Mai he's been going out with?" She then whispered, "I think he's in love!"

"In love?" The father asked her.

"Why else would he be doing this? He's obviously trying to impress her, and show her he can take care of himself. He's been acting very strange lately, and I think that's why." She stated.

The father nodded, saying, "Our son is growing up." And held his wife close with pride.