Chapter 4: Upcoming Holidays Equals Painful Memories

Leona ran through the hallway sobbing uncontrollably. She ran down the stairs passing Katrina and Blossom. "Leona?" Katrina and Blossom asked as they saw her. They had noticed that she was crying and wondered what could have caused their best friend to be so sad. Then they saw Kaiba at the top of the stairs. "What just happened between the two of you?" Katrina asked. Kaiba just stared at Katrina dumbfounded and still in shock. He wouldn't dare tell Leona's best friends what happened. He wasn't even sure how it happened. It was as though as some mysterious force was pressuring him to hurt Leona. "Hey Kaiba? Did you hear my sister's question? Hello!?" Blossom asked in annoyance as she waved her hand in front of his face.

"Where is she?" Kaiba asked. "Leona just ran downstairs and I think she was crying." Katrina answered. "Did you yell at her or something!?" Blossom asked angrily. "Or something." Kaiba simply answered as he went downstairs. Katrina and Blossom looked at each other confused. (How could I have hurt her like that? I love her. Then why does a part of me want to cause her so much pain?) All these questions raced inside of Kaiba's mind as he went downstairs. He saw Leona lying on her stomach on the sofa. Kaiba walked up to her. "Leona." Kaiba said gently. Leona started to cry even more at the sound of his voice. "Just go away and leave me alone." Leona managed to say as she was crying. Kaiba gently touched his wife's shoulder and said,

"Leona we have to talk. Please just listen to what I have to say." Leona ignored what her husband was saying. "There's nothing to talk about. Seto please leave me alone!" Leona told him angrily. Kaiba looked at Leona and saw how heartbroken she was. Kaiba looked at the grand piano that was in the room. He smiled to himself and sat down on the piano bench. Then he started to do something that he hasn't done ever since his real parents were alive. Soon a sweet, peaceful, and harmonious melody could be heard throughout the room. Leona lifted her head and saw her husband on the piano. Leona instantly recognized the song since it was and still is her favorite love song. 'Broken' is the name of the song. Leona thought that song was the best way to captivate their feelings for the one they love. Leona wiped her tears away and forced a smile on her face. She got up and walked to the piano bench. She sat down on the piano bench as soon as the song ended.

Kaiba looked at Leona and said, "I'm sorry I hurt you. I never meant to." Leona rested her head on his shoulder and smiled. "I'll forgive you, if you forgive me. I'm sorry I slapped you." Leona told him. "No, don't be. I guess I sort of deserved it." Kaiba replied. Leona laughed and said, "It must have hurt." "No…well maybe a little." Kaiba responded as he rubbed his cheek. Kaiba wrapped his arms around his wife and hugged her gently. "You still remember my favorite song. That's so sweet of you Seto." Leona said. Kaiba smiled. "I'll always remember everything and anything about you." Kaiba whispered to her as he gently stroked her hair. Leona laid her head on Kaiba's chest as he wrapped his arms around her protectively. "Seto, how could you do that to me? And after what I've been through. I don't understand. Why?" Leona asked as she looked into Kaiba's calm, but icy blue eyes. "I can't explain it. There's seems to be something contr—(I'd remain silent if I were you. Do not reveal my identity to anyone or else everyone that is close to you will perish.) The voice inside of Kaiba's echoed. "Seto, are you alright?" Leona asked as she suddenly noticed how tense he was. – never mind its noting." Kaiba told her. (I can't let anything happen to her. She's been through enough.) Kaiba thought to himself. "Leona, all I can say is I'm sorry and if there is anything you want from me just name it." Kaiba said to her. Leona thought for a moment and replied, "Well there is something I want from you. Since Christmas Eve is two days away, I though it would be a good idea if we invite Yugi and others for a nice holiday dinner."

Leona saw the annoyed look on her husband's face, but Kaiba did say he would do anything for her and he never broke a promise to anyone that was close to him. "Alright we'll invite them over for dinner." Kaiba replied. (Just great. Now I have to play host for those annoying fools.) Kaiba thought in annoyance. He then looked at Leona who had fallen asleep in his arms. Kaiba smiled and thought (But it's for her. Leona's changed me so much since we first met. I never thought that I would actually fall in love with someone, but she changed my life for the best. And I'm not going to let some ridiculous voice ruin what I have now)

Kaiba got off the piano bench and picked up his wife bridal style. He carried her to their bedroom. Once inside, Kaiba gently placed Leona on the bed. He looked at her and saw how peaceful she looked. (How could I have tormented you like that?) Kaiba though as he looked at his wife. He leaned down and gently kissed Leona on the forehead. (Sleep well my angel.) Kaiba thought as he left the room. He didn't want to chance anything like what had happened earlier so he decided to go to office and work on some random project for Kaiba Corporation. He couldn't really concentrate on his work. He had so many thoughts racing in his mind. (Only a couple of days until Christmas.) Kaiba thought as he was tying away on his keyboard.

Thinking about the approaching holiday would normally bring joy and happiness into a person's heart. Normally the holiday season would start to bring back happy and peaceful memories, but for Kaiba it was the complete opposite. The upcoming holidays started to bring back painful memories, memories that he had suppressed all these years.

Flashback
Christmas morning was every child's real life dream. They would excitedly hurry out of their rooms and run to their Christmas trees to see what jolly old St. Nick brought them as they were sleeping peacefully on the night of Christmas Eve. The sound of cheerful and happy children could be heard throughout the city. Seeing the laughing and playful attitude's on the children's faces would brighten up anyone's day.

"C'mon big brother wake up." Mokuba said as he shook his brother excitedly. "It's Christmas morning." Mokuba said happily. Seto groggily opened his eyes to see his little brother smiling at him. "Merry Christmas Seto." Mokuba said. Seto looked at his little brother confused. "Mokuba? What are you doing up so early?" Seto asked confused. "Early? What are you talking about Seto?" Mokuba asked. "Well ii is four in the morning. You should be back in bed." Seto answered. Mokuba shook his head and replied, "No it's not. It's 9 o' clock." Seto looked at the clock that was hanging on the wall. The clock read nine. "Oh no! I can't believe I overslept! I'm gonna be in so much trouble if I don't get downstairs quick!" Seto said nervously as he jumped out bed, grabbed his books, and hurried out of his room. Seto was about to open the door when he heard his little brother, "But big brother it's Christmas morning." Mokuba told him. Seto turned around and looked at his little brother. He saw the sad look on his face and knew Mokuba wanted to spend time with him, but that was impossible. "I know its Christmas, but I've got to go downstairs into the study room before our step-father finds out I over slept." Seto replied.

With that Seto quickly ran downstairs into the study room. Mokuba stood in his brother's room a little sad. (But we always spent Christmas together.) Mokuba thought. Seto walked into the study room and sighed in relief. His step-father was no was to be seen, at least for now. Seto sat at his desk and started to read a couple of chapters ahead. (I'll just catch up on this morning's readings tonight.) Seto thought as he started to read. Soon footsteps could be heard coming towards the study room. Seto continued reading when he heard, "I see the holiday season hasn't distracted you from your studies." Seto put his book on the desk and looked at the person who was speaking to him. It was Gozaburo. "Good morning sir. I've been up all morning sir." Seto replied. Gozaburo gave his step-son a questioning look. "Really? Well then maybe a pop-quiz is in order." Gozaburo stated. Seto nervously looked at his step-father while Gozaburo took the book that Seto was reading and flipped through the pages. "Summarize chapter 12 for me." Gozaburo ordered. (Oh no! I was supposed to read that chapter this morning. I'm in real trouble now!!) Seto thought nervously.

Mokuba came downstairs with a wrapped up Christmas present. (I know Seto's gonna love my gift. I don't want my brother's deck to be discovered by our step-father so why not give a box that I made for him to keep his deck safe and sound.) Mokuba thought happily. Then he heard a loud crash coming from the study room. Mokuba ran to the study room as fast as his legs could carry him. "If I ever catch you over sleeping again, I'll throw you into the streets!!" Gozaburo yelled at Seto who was on the floor cringing in pain. Seto slowly got up from the floor and held his stomach, but fell on his knees. "I-I'm s-sorry-sir-it-won't-happen-ag-again." Seto stammered as he wiped the blood off his lower lip.

"And you won't get any meals for the rest of the day until you've finished memorizing all of your books!!" Gozaburo commanded. "But it's Christmas morning!" Seto objected. "You don't deserve this holiday! Now unless you want to be thrown into the streets along with your runt of a brother, you'll do as I say!!" Gozaburo yelled sternly. "Yes sir." Seto said quietly. Seto picked up his chair that was knocked down by his step-father's rage. He was about to go back to his readings when he heard, "Big brother are you ok?" Mokuba asked rushing into the room.
Seto was about to respond to little brother's question, but was cut off by Gozaburo saying, "Mokuba, you're not supposed to disturb your brother while he's studying. Maybe it's time I whip you into shape." Mokuba stared blankly at their step-father, shaken and afraid. Seto couldn't bare the thought of what Gozaburo might do to his little brother. "No don't!! It's my fault! I let Mokuba come down here!! Seto yelled. Mokuba looked at his brother in shock and surprise. Their step-father however was even more displeased by his step-son's actions.

"He just wanted to give me my Christmas present, so I told him that he could give it to me here." Seto explained as he looked at the wrapped up present in his little brother's hands. Gozaburo easily snatched the box from Mokuba's hands and opened it. It was an old shoe box decorated with colorful cut out pictures and drawings that were made by a five-year old. Normally this kind of gift would warm a person's heart and make them very happy and proud. "More mindless trash." Gozaburo said and tossed the gift into the fireplace. "NOO!!! My gift!!" Seto yelled as he saw the raging flames engulf his little brother's precious gift.
End of Flashback

Kaiba clenched his fists in anger as he remembered his first Christmas in the mansion. He thought that day would be the happiest day of his life, but instead it turned out to be the most worst. Suddenly Kaiba started to feel that familiar sharp pain in his head again. (Haven't you figured it out yet, you fool. I feed on your anger and pain. The memory you just had made my power stronger. Soon I will be able to walk among your world and finally have my revenge!!) The same mysterious voice echoed in Kaiba's mind as he tried to fight off the pain.

Author's Note: Sry for the long awaited updte, but its finally here. Been too busy. But I guess this chapter is worth the wait huh?? O yea I have to say this since it was my fav character in Yu-Gi-Oh! birthday yesterday (October 25). HAPPY BIRTHDAY SETO!!! I don't mind being ur birthday gift lol. Anywayz I'll update as soon as I can just need more reviews