Disclaimer: I do not own any copyrights, trademarks or registry in Yu-Gi-Oh. Wish I did!
2
/I know this is not right./ Gozaburo was not supposed to be alive. His abusive adoptive father was not a part of their lives anymore. Then why was he at the house when they got back?
"What's that look on your face, Seto? You look especially fearful this afternoon." Gozaburo, while actually shorter than Seto, seemed to tower over the older boy. "Let's talk about what is troubling you, son." His voice was filled with sweet venom. He directed Seto to stand in the middle of the room and then sat himself in a comfortable leather chair. He then drilled Seto for an hour as to the progress on his current project.
"So, you went back to research more on that power system that you already have failed to make work, is that it?" Gozaburo sneered at Seto. "You have wasted both your time and mine."
"It will work! I just haven't figured out the right …" Seto's voice trailed off as Gozaburo's eyes flickered to the goons he had positioned around the room.
"Take the brat out of here."
Mokuba was painfully grabbed by the arms and drug to his room. It was evident that Seto was in for a beating. Mokuba fought them, frantically trying to get to his brother, but only succeeded in making the men hurt him more. His arms and shoulders ached, but he was sure his pain was slight compared to what Seto was about to experience. /It's not fair. Seto took care of Gozaburo long time ago./ Mokuba thought as he banged on the locked door. Mokuba didn't understand what was going on.
Though the door, Mokuba could hear Seto's voice pleading with his father; hear the calm words that ordered Seto beaten; and hear Seto's body being hit repeatedly and occasionally hitting a wall or the floor as his father's goons did his bidding. Mokuba slid down the door sobbing his defiance at Gozaburo's existence.
--
It was late-afternoon when Mokuba was brought out of his dozing as the lock on his door clicked. He had been lost in a dim world of strange noises and moving shadows. Still groggy, Mokuba slowly got up and opened the door. The hallway was empty. He quietly went down the hallway to his brother's room. Seto was sprawled across his bed as if he had been just thrown there. He was pale and unconscious, but breathing. His little brother leaned over him and lightly kissed his forehead.
"You are my hero, Seto. I will do everything I can to find a way out of this, I swear." Mokuba whispered into Seto's ear.
He snuck back to his room. He now had a purpose. He needed to save his brother. /but how/ Money – he needed money. Mokuba tore through his room for hours, looking – in the closet, under the bed, in the desk, under the mattress. He felt every inch of the walls, the baseboards, and the floor. Maybe, just maybe, he had a secret hiding place.
After looking under his pillow for the third time, he threw it across the room in anger and winced as the pillow knocked over a lamp. Thankfully, the lamp didn't break or make too much noise as it hit the floor. Mokuba sat down hard on the bed and put his face in his hands. /No crying … I can't help my brother if I just sit here and cry/ Taking several deep calming breaths, Mokuba walked over to the lamp and picked it up. He heard two soft thumps on the carpeting as he put the lamp upright on the table. A smile split his face as he reached down and picked up the two bundles of cash that had been hidden in the base. The amount that had been hidden in the lamp base was easily $2,000. Mokuba quickly stuffed the money back into its hiding place. /Now what do I do/ Mokuba spent the rest of the night trying to figure out just that.
--
Sunday morning, Mokuba awoke in pain. He had fallen asleep at his desk, on his pencil, which was now jabbing him in the cheek. Stupid! he thought as he rubbed the welt out of his face. /First things first, check on Seto./ He went to his brother's room and peeked in. Seto was up and at his desk, frantically scribbling information down from the internet, checking his notes and typing information into his computer. "Morning, Seto." Mokuba said as he came in. "You want to go into the city with me today?"
Without looking up at him, Seto mumbled, "Stupid question, Moki. I can barely move."
"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Need some pain medicine or something?" Mokuba asked concerned.
Seto's voice was trembling. "What I need is to be left alone, so maybe I can figure out another way to make this thing work. Please, just go away."
"I'm sorry, Seto. Sorry, I couldn't help you yesterday."
"Just go," he whispered
Mokuba backed out of the room, watching his brother work. /There has got to be something I can do./ He headed down the stairs and met Gozaburo halfway. "Sir?"
"What do you want, brat?" Gozaburo sneered at him.
"Ummm, I just wanted to let you know I would be in the city most of the day."
"I have told you before – I don't care where you go, or if you even come back. I have no use for you. You are the baggage that came with Seto. So, don't bother me again." As Gozaburo turned and continued on his way to the second floor, Mokuba felt as if he looked death in the eyes. Mokuba had to steady himself as he was shaking. He had forgotten how it had felt to be the focus of his adopted father's attention. With a deep breath, he collected himself and left the mansion.