Hello! I hope you're all well, and have a great Easter! I just thought I'd throw this in as an…easter egg from my plot bunnies!
sirius'sheelah – hey, thanks!
silver-dagger-113 – caffeine wouldn't fix poor Seto's sleep deprivation, and I despise coffee. Dunno why…
Nachzes Black-Rider – Yes, hopefully lemony goodness, but guess who? And Mokuba might be happy about it, if he wasn't going away. He won't get to make use of the time, sadly.
Hakudoshi-chan – sorry, I am so lazy. Is there something wrong with me? Why does everyone but me like coffee?
DARLENEARTIST – yeah, didn't mean to shower it on Mokuba, but I hope this sorta makes up for it.
Shy – man, you're so adorable! I just love it when you review.
Disclaimer: Pff, sif…
Dedication: to my angel, who inspires me to be a better person. Stay strong, and be true to yourself. I'm always here for you.
Chapter three – Warning Signs
The limo came to a slow halt outside the front door of Kaiba mansion. The blackened windows hid the most wanted face in all of domino city, and he was now loathe to the fact. What he wouldn't give to drive his own cars around.
Still weary and extremely tired, the brunette opened the door and stepped out into the sunlight. Shutting the door with a flick of his wrist, Seto Kaiba strode up to the front door, a beautiful gold lined oak wood, and fumbled with the keys (yes these doors have keys) before pulling it open, stepping inside.
The door drifted shut behind him, but seemed to close with the sound of a drum in his ears.
He jumped.
'What the hell is wrong with me?' he thought with a scowl.
"Mokuba?" he called.
There was no reply, an echoing silence being his only response. He stepped forward.
And gasped.
A wave of dizziness and nausea suddenly engulfed him, and his hand feebly reached out for support, finding the wall as he fell against it.
The hall was spinning, it wouldn't stop.
He moaned and shut his eyes, one hand holding his stomach, the other his head. For the first time he wanted to call out for someone to come to his aid, but feared if he opened his mouth, he'd be violently ill.
'Fuck fuck fuck!'
It felt like an eternity, as his body seemingly tortured itself, before it died down. The room stopped spinning slowly, and the intense illness began to subside.
Seto groaned, as he pushed himself upright, bringing his hand to his head, which throbbed painfully. His forehead was beaded with sweat, and scorching hot.
"Aw fuck," he said, openly voicing his thoughts.
Quickly wiping the sweat from his face, he took off down the hall and through the house, till he reached the kitchen, thankful he had not yet encountered the houses other occupants.
Going to the tap, which had eyes… 'shit', he filled a glass of water, and moved to the highest pantry cupboard.
He pulled it open, and his fingers deftly felt for the half empty packet of the strongest drugs he possessed. Popping two from the packet, he threw it back in, and with a mouthful of water, downed them both.
The brunette gently massaged his scalp and temples as he drank the last of the glass, feeling as though his head would implode any minute.
Putting the object down, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Slowly, the intense throbbing subsided, and his vision became clearer, so he only saw three of everything.
He muttered and cursed softly. "Stupid mofo sodding cold."
After determining that his young sibling and not so young boyfriend were not in the house, he walked to the only other place they might be.
Quietly pushing open the door, he entered the 'back yard', though nothing of that size could be considered a yard.
It seemed to stretch on for an exceptionally long time, it's grass lush, soft and green. Gardens and hedges were set about in neat rows or circles, some encircling towering trees and blossoms. Flowers were still making an attempt at life, and added vibrant color to the scene before winter, where as the trees leaves would soon be gone.
Closer to the house was a stone patio that surrounded an exquisite pool, a water fall surrounded by more green ferns emptying into it. Just past the pool was a large wooden table, shielded from the sun.
Here stood what he searched for.
He was torn between smiling and frowning at the sight.
Atop a chair, balancing precariously on his toes, was Mokuba, trying desperately to hang a set of streamers and balloons.
He was, however, alone.
The elder Kaiba walked forward quietly, watching his brother struggle and curse in a very colorful way that he knew must have been from hearing him do it so often. 'Damn it'
Then he over balanced.
The chair tipped back, as Mokuba dropped the decorations and began his fall. He cried out in shock, before landing gently in his brothers arms. Seto set him down.
"You should be more careful Mokuba," he said with a chuckle, as he walked over to seize the streamers, and pin them to their designated spot.
"Seto!" the boy cried in absolute delight, the morning already seeming brighter, "I thought you wouldn't be home till later! This is great!"
Seto smiled. "I got this 'premonition' that you couldn't go away with a broken arm, received in undoubtedly the most ridiculous fashion."
"Har har Nisama," the youth replied happily. "So, you going to help me with the décor?" Mokuba asked hopefully.
Seto continued to grin. "Of course. I could think of nothing better to do. That, and it means we can have a talk about where you learned all those nifty words I heard earlier."
Mokuba glanced up alarmed, and blushed sheepishly. "Aw sod."
With his headache beginning to fade rapidly, Seto ruffled his brothers hair, and smiled at the thought.
Mokuba looked around the pool with unrestrained glee. It all looked perfect, bright and colorful.
With his brothers help, the decorations had gone up much quicker, and they'd had a good forty minutes to get everything else ready and prepare.
The party was set to go at eleven.
Once all the food was out, and the décor up, Mokuba had practically dived into his clothes to go and wait by the side entrance for his friends. Seto had retreated to his room alone, to get changed out of the 'business tycoon and gonna kick your ass' look, and into something comfortable.
Of course, he had asked after Yami too, and much to his disappointment, had learned he would be out and in class the whole day. He could tell it made Mokuba both upset and disappointed, but not nearly as much as it did him.
Slowly, he thumbed through his wardrobe, searching for something both appropriate and water proof. Though he didn't plan on going swimming, hell, in his current state, he'd undoubtedly drown, he knew Joey and Tristan were bound to have a go at him. Thus, something water proof for when he finally lost his mind and leapt in after them to hold them under was a necessity.
At last he withdrew, clutching a loose pair of black jeans, and a soft white top. He pulled the jeans on quickly, then turned his attention to the top.
He lifted the shirt up.
It had been a gift from Mokuba, a short sleeved casual top for when he dragged his older brother out to enjoy the simpler things in life. It buttoned up at the front, and had a beautiful black flame design encircling the bottom.
He pulled it on, and did it up.
With a quiet sigh, the teen sat down gently on the King sized bed, still poorly made from Yami this morning, and lay down.
He felt the faint dizziness as he went from vertical to horizontal, and fought down a fresh bout of nausea.
He began to breathe deeply, and it subsided.
Outside, he could hear the happy voices, as his brothers first guest's arrived. It sounded very much like Joey and Tristan.
Then, the first splash of a teen in his crystalline pool drifted up, followed by a cry of joy. He smiled inwardly at how much this meant to Mokuba.
Nearly a week past, the young teen had come running to him in leaps and bounds, begging and pleading for a party or get together before he went overseas.
Overseas…
The elder Kaiba inwardly grimaced. It was like a physical wrench inside when he though about the distance that would separate them. But his brother had wanted it so much, offering up to sell his own things to pay for the plane tickets.
Seto had instantly refused the prospect of Mokuba selling his possessions, but after agonizing over it, agreed on the trip.
It was a very expensive school excursion of which Kaiba himself had never heard of. His brother and a few of his classmates (those that could comprehend the amount of money needed as well as meeting it) were to travel around the world to a variety of countries, for cultural, social and even economical education and training.
The decision had taken longer than anything else, but once he'd said yes, and seen the look on Mokuba's face, he couldn't imagine saying no.
In two days, he'd be going. Two short days.
And here he was, up in his room. He had to go out there, had to make the most of this time, and do exactly as Alexa had encouraged; have fun.
He swiftly, without thought, pulled himself to his feet. A darkness obscured the edges of his vision, but quickly faded. He brought his hand to his forehead and felt it.
It burned.
'Just the flu,' he thought with a shrug, not bothering to question the fact he had never caught a cold before. 'Just the flu.'
Leaving his feet bare, he padded across the floor, and into the hall.
"Bombsai!"
"Joey!"
Tristan yelped, as he desperately tried to avoid his blonde friends cannonball. He dove through the water hurriedly, but could not escape it, his friend crashing down on his legs, pulling him under.
When they surfaced, it was to bouts of laughter, as Tristan scowled and winced, while Joey grinned like a cheshire cat.
Down the shallow end of the pool, Marik waded, occasionally splashing his light who sat on the edge, casually dangling his feet.
Under the shade at the table sat Mokuba, in his board shorts, chatting animatedly to Serenity, in a soft pink bikini, and Mai, in a blood red one.
The sun took full advantage of the open sky before winter, and scorched the ground, the three in the pool sinking to their shoulders, taking comfort in the waters cool caress.
"Mokuba, get your scrawny little butt in here!" Tristan called out happily.
Mokuba turned and laughed. "Sure guys, give me a minute will you?" he laughed, then gave a joyous smile. "Seto!"
The elder Kaiba strode out from the shadowed doorway he'd been standing in, into the scalding heat of the sun. His feet stayed steady though, despite the ache in his head, and when he reached the shade of the table, worked hard not to collapse onto it.
Instead, he smiled down at his brother.
"Are you going to come swimming Seto?" he asked enthusiastically, bouncing around a bit in his excitement.
"Yeah Kaiba!" Joey called from the pool, "come swimming, I left my rubber ducky at home."
Kaiba gave a faint smirk, but answered his brother instead. "We'll see."
The jubilant smile did not fade. "Ok! Great!"
Seto turned to look at the two girls, who gave him dazzling smiles. Had he not been taken, he would have seriously considered his options right then.
"Hey hon," the attractive Mai said with a wink, flicking her long golden hair over her shoulder.
Kaiba smiled.
"Mai," he greeted with a nod.
"You know hon, you need to get into some boardies or something, maybe even speedos," she winked again, "and let us see your bod."
Seto felt a flush add to his already heated face, despite his gay tendencies.
"You know, I always said it was such a waste you started batting for the other team," she said very conversationally.
"Well, I don't think Yami would agree with that!" Mokuba returned, grinning lightly, before he was interrupted.
There was a loud string of words, undoubtedly violent, that burst forth, and Kaiba would have reprimanded the culprit, had those words not been in Egyptian, and understandable.
Over in the pool, Marik finally lost his patience with Joey and Tristan, who had been incessantly splashing him, and lunged, grabbing the blonde around the neck, and pushing him under.
Kaiba allowed a grin to spread over his face.
Joey flailed around in the water for a little longer, before he thrashed, the realization that Marik wasn't kidding, and enjoying himself, finally kicking in.
Tristan noticed, and yelped, leaping at Marik, tugging at the pointed hair, cursing.
"Mokuba!" he shouted, slightly distressed, "tell him to stop!"
Mokuba frowned, and ran out into the sun, by the pool. "Marik, let him up! Seto threw out the last of the body bags!"
Marik glanced up, and chuckled, releasing the drowning teen. Tristan grabbed his friend, and hauled him to the side, patting his back, as Joey tried to glare at the Egyptian, and empty his lungs.
Mokuba returned to the shade. "Those two," he muttered.
"Well," Mai said, smirking, "I do believe we were discussing Yami, before the interruption." Her violet eyes drifted to the blue that had looked to the ground at the mention of his lovers name. "So," she said softly, "where is our Pharaoh spirit?"
Mokuba went to step up. "He"
"I'm gonna get some drinks," Kaiba muttered, interrupting his brother as he spun round and walked back toward the house.
The quick motion made his head spin, but now he didn't even notice. He thought of Yami, Yami who loved him, but was now away so often. He sighed, as he walked through the house, to the kitchen, and retrieved two bottles of Coke from the fridge.
The fridge door snapped shut as he turned to walk back out.
It wasn't as though Yami had just gone off; no, he had stayed with him, kept close, nearly always by his side.
Not once had he asked to leave, not once going far from him.
But Seto had seen the desire in him to do so, to 'live'.
It had been at his insistence, his determination to see Yami do what he wanted to in his life that had finally convinced the spirit to take up something of importance. Not only that, but Seto wanted to shake off the oppressing memories, to step out again and depend only on himself.
And so both had, but one with much more vigor than the other.
Yami loved it so much, enjoyed the challenges to no end.
And Seto regretted it so much.
Never before had he hated his decision, this decision for Yami. And so he hated himself for that.
Of course, he preferred relying on himself, but he hated his selfish need to have Yami close, keep the spirit to himself. It wasn't fair. Had not Yami helped him enough?
He scowled at himself, as he neared the back door, moving faster as thought he could escape the self hate he felt.
When he stepped through the door, it was into blinding light and blistering heat. But is couldn't have been that hot, could it? …was it?
He walked slowly, back towards Mokuba who sat at the table, laughing with the two pretty girls. They looked so far away…
He walked along the edge of the pool.
Joey splashed him.
He didn't feel it.
Why couldn't he feel it?
'Oh no…'
He dropped the bottles with a thud. Everyone was looking at him, as he stood stock still, his already pale face going snowy white.
"Seto?" his brother called with concern.
The world was spinning dangerously, blurred and black. He tried to move forward, but his steps faltered, and his vision swam.
It was so hot, dizzy. The nausea washed over him, his stomach churning.
The world was still spinning, dipping.
The brunette's eyes widened, before fluttering shut, as he teetered slowly, then fell, the cool sleek water catching him in it's embrace.
"Seto!" his brother screamed.
Mwaha, cliffy.
Poor ickle Kaiba, me making him ill. Aint I nasty?
I hope none of you are finding this too boring, cause I swear, it gets better. I'm just…you know, building everything up right now. Soon, it will take full swing, I promise. And you'll find out everything.
Ok, so please, R&R my angels, am worried about this fic.
