Disclaimers: Yugioh the series was not mine yesterday, it is not mine today and will not be mine forever after.

Chapter Seven – Unanswered Question

"Master Kaiba," reported the helicopter pilot, "We are approaching district F section five three six two."

He nodded subtly, preoccupied. He had been preoccupied ever since the end of the last duel against two despicable masked men. "The power of friendship" and "the power of teams" the two terms rang endlessly in his mind, like irritating bees buzzing beside his ears.

Then there was the unanswered question.

Fighting has always been a mean to protect something important to mankind every since prehistoric time. Human beings fought for food, for shelters, and happiness, and for their life. That was why he asked the question, a question that had been floating in his head ever since he met Yugi.

"I have a question," he said softly, in a very uncharacteristic manner. "What if the friends you are trying to protect attack you?" he asked, "What if there comes a point where you know you cannot go forward if you do not defeat them?" His voice came to almost a whisper when he asked the third question, "Would you end up stepping on their corpses to walk forward?"

Yugi could not answer the questions back on the roof top.

"Big brother, you already got the six puzzle pieces, why are we trying to find Joey instead of going straight to the finals?" his little brother asked curiously, finding his brother's silence slightly unnerving.

A smirk slowly appeared on Seto's face. "Because the 'answer' is there."

"The answer?" his brother repeated timidly.

Seto said nothing. Instead, he glanced at his rival who was staring anxiously out the window. Unmistakably, Yugi was worried, worried about his friends.

Friends… such an unfamiliar word, the word did not emerge from his mind for a long time. It was strange that he should contemplate on the word at all, and it was absolutely unthinkable that he wished to seek answers about aspects of friendship from Yugi, his arc rival.

The sky must be falling.

The circumstance was odd in itself. He had never dreamed in a million years that he would work together with Yugi in a duel. His heart had been set on defeating him, not cooperating with him. Perhaps the strangest fact of all was how he invited Yugi onto his helicopter without any evil plots or malevolent intentions. He was actually helping Yugi to find his friends, for once, willingly, without any begging from Mokuba.

Hell must have frozen over.

"Or not," he mused silently, slightly amused by his own thoughts. He remembered the true another reason why he invited Yugi Motou onto his helicopter – He wanted to prove his pessimistic view on friendship correct, and shatter the dreaded doubts which had built up ever since he met his rival.

"Yugi," he commented coldly, "The leader of that underground organization… his name is Malik Ishtar isn't it?" He did not wait for the answer and continued in a soft voice, "I suppose, he is also my enemy… how much do you know about him, the one with the God of Ra card?"

"I never saw him before with my own eyes," Yugi replied without turning his head. "I only know that he has a millennium item… just like me…"

"Millennium item?" Seto snorted. "Those superstitions?"

Yugi ignored his comment and continued, "His millennium rod is extremely powerful."

Seto instantly knew the power Yugi was worried about – he had heard the most ridiculous and outrageous reports from his men. He replied sceptically, "The power to brainwash people?" A smirk appeared on his face as he thought of a new way to aggravate Yugi. "But, I guess if he does have the power as you said he does… He would probably brainwash Joey Wheeler, and set him against you, what will you do?" Seto laughed disdainfully. He could feel Yugi's temper rising beside him, but just to make sure he would say something indignantly Seto added, "Interesting, I will see what sort of amusement he would create this time."

"Kaiba!" Yugi raged, "No matter what happens, I will save Joey, even if it means sacrificing myself!"

"Yugi, I understand perfectly," Seto said with a smirk, "You could not answer my questions because you have contradicting feelings on the matter yourself."

Yugi seemed shock.

Seto continued, "You told me all about the 'power of teams' when we were fighting against the masked men." Seto paused and sneered. "Unfortunately, in this situation… you must fight Joey Wheeler in a battle." He laughed scornfully. "Isn't the 'power of teams' or the 'power of friendship' forces that are working against you now?"

Yugi didn't answer. Seto continued his taunts, "Let me tell you the truth… Why do you think human beings fight? Why do they want to win? It is all because they want to preserve themselves!" He laughed again, this time bitterly. "I want to hear your 'answer' now. But first I suppose I should allow you to finish your little battle against friendship…"

"That was the most spectacular debate I have ever went to!" the principle exclaimed, as he walked towards his school's representatives in the busy hallway. "Mr. Kaiba, your rebuttal to the opposing teams was beautiful."

The two teenagers exchanged secretive glances and laughed.

"Mr. Furuhashi, it was nothing. If it was not for Kazuhiro's quick thinking I would not have made any rebuts," Seto replied with a smile.

"What are you talking about Seto, you elaborated so much on my original rebuts that I could hardly recognize them," Kazuhiro quickly replied.

"I am proud of you son," a grinning Mr. Hashimoto joined in, "That was a brilliant come back. For a moment there I thought there was no hope."

Seto noticed a slight change of colour on his friend's face as he hastily cried, "Father you are making me embarrassed!"

Seto laughed silently. Whenever Mr. Hashimoto talked about his son there was certain warmth – the same warmth he could vaguely remember from his past… He closed his eyes.

Life was not fair.

He could hardly remember his parent's faces now, especially his mother's, he realized. Only their voices, they sometimes rang in his head like a broken record. Only their voices… He bit his lips and pushed the bitter thoughts out of his mind. No, he would not be envious of Kazuhiro's family. He would not feel sorry for himself.

"Seto are you alright?" Kazuhiro concerned voice cut through the air.

Seto opened his eyes promptly and nodded. "I am just a bit tired," Seto replied with a sheepish smile. Deciding with confedience that he should not be jealous of Kazuhiro, after all, he is a good friend.

Gozaburo looked through the file in his hand slowly, in an unhurried manner. Unquestionably, he was aware of the fact his adopted son had been standing in front of him for the last half an hour, waiting to be dismissed, but simply knowing meant nothing. He did not smile, but he was smiling inwardly. Work well done translated directly to money, he knew. The boy's brain was surely one of his best qualities.

He took a glance at Seto standing across from him. The boy looked rather bored but did not act on his boredom except for his occasional glances at the door. Gozaburo smiled again. Another good quality - he was patient.

Finally, Gozaburo threw the folder onto her desk. He looked at the teenager with unreadable eyes. Eventually he began his speech, "I looked over the project, Seto, and I must say it was," he paused before he added with some deliberation, "Good."

"Thank you," Seto replied stiffly. Gozaburo laughed inwardly a third time.

The boy was definitely interesting, definitely worthy to be his successor.

Mr. Gozaburo continued, "Mr. Saitou praised you to no ends. He said you are talented and he begged me to let you have a time at the lab… He said you are ready."

Seto said nothing. Gozaburo noted another point in his mental list: he is humble, before continuing, "Mr. Furugori is highly against the idea, but seeing that you did help complete the equation ahead of schedule I will make an exception to the rules and I will let your next project be done in the lab. You will be under the guidance of Mr. Saitou, of course, but you will be given authority over a group of lab technicians."

"Thank you, father," Seto replied quietly.

"With that's said let's talk about the next project…" but seeing Seto was distracted, he paused. "What do you want to ask?"

"Father," Seto said, choosing his words with care as he continued, "Can I please have a rest before I start with the next project?"

Gozaburo frowned slightly.

Disobedient… that was certainly something new. But now he thought about it, recently his son had been harder to control. It all began when Seto started associating with that kid… what was his name again? Kazume? Kazuhiru? Just a few days ago he had disobeyed him by arriving home late. He seriously regretted introducing the kid to Hashimoto…

Especially now when Hashimoto had ended its partnership with Kaiba Corporation.

"No, Seto, you must start your next project now," Gozaburo replied smoothly, leaving no place for argument.

"I have so much homework today; I think the teachers just want to kill me or something… I think that…" Kazuhiro complained.

"Yeah I am sure they are," Seto replied softly before he drifted off and yawned.

"Eleventh times," Kazuhiro commented casually.

"What?" Seto asked as he massaged his eyes tenderly.

Kazuhiro sighed deeply then explained, "That was the eleventh times you yawned in the break," he frowned a little, "are you sick?"

Seto yawned again before replying wearily,"Nope. Just slept a bit late yesterday night, I was finishing a project."

"Just a bit late?" Kazuhiro replied with a quick roll of eyes, he was definitely not convinced. "You are seriously going to kill yourself one of these days with those secret projects you work on."

Seto chuckled bitterly. "I am alright…" It was not like he wanted to do those projects. No. If he had a choice he would not do anything. He looked at Kazuhiro, who seemed so perfectly rested. Once again he found himself jealous and began to find the teenager beside him annoying…

"Anyway, as I was saying, I have an essay due tomorrow and three tests! I don't know how I will survive…"

Especially his complains. After all, Kazuhiro should have no rights to complain! He was the one who was forced to do extra projects. He was the one who was always under stress… He was the one… "Shut up about your complaining already," Seto snapped.

Kazuhiro became quiet. He looked at Seto for a moment. He understood. Quickly his expression turned into one of guilt. "I… I am sorry… I don't have any rights to complain do I…"

Seto looked at his friend and suddenly he felt ashamed of himself. Kazuhiro did not force him to do the extra works - Gozaburo did, he was angry at the wrong person. His face softened. "I am sorry for snapping, I am just really tired today," Seto said with a weary smile, "I just need more sleep."

"Your first lab work, Seto, you should be honour, normally Mr. Gozaburo would not let anyone without a doctoral degree in the lab room, but he approve on the appointment," said the teacher elastically, "We will be starting our work next week. In the mean time we will be going over the project."

"Oh what are we going to do?" Seto asked sarcastically, "Improve the design of nuclear missiles? Or are we going to work on the formulas to maximize the distance of guided missiles?"

"You know better Mr. Kaiba! Kaiba corporation does not produces nuclear missiles," Mr. Saitou scowled solemnly, "As for guided missiles, we have already tried working out a part of the formula a few weeks before along with the scientist..." he paused when he noticed Seto was no longer in his seat and instead next to the window. "Are you listening Seto?"

"Yes, Mr. Saitou. And I also know that we finished the last project three weeks before expected date. Mr. Kaiba is extremely satisfied by that, given our formula improved the efficiency of the missiles by at least twenty percent. This is why he is allowing me to have this wonderful opportunity," Seto replied coldly as he sat back down on his chair.

The old scientist flushed. He said when he was once again composed, "Young man, we have a problem." Seto said nothing. Mr. Saitou finally continued after a full minute of silence, "Our problem is that you give no respect for me or any one else we worked with ever since your first project when you demonstrated your potential." He paused and was about to say more when he saw the slanted smile on his pupil's face.

"Mr. Saitou," Seto replied, his crocked smile still on his face, "You are largely mistaken. I do have high respect for you or any other great scientists," Seto stood up and walked toward the tall windows again. He laughed darkly. "But I am the one I have no respect for. My conscience and moral screams but I all I do is act like I never heard them…" He snorted disdainfully. "I have sold my soul to the devil."

"Did you see that game everyone is playing these days?"

Seto glanced at a small group of boys on his left. He raised his eyebrow. "You mean that card game?"

Kazuhiro nodded. "What do you think about it?"

"A bit tedious?" Seto replied with a smirk, "So simple and straight forward…"

"You think so too? I am glad I am not the only one. Then I guess I will not waste my money on it…" he paused when he passed by yet another group of duellist. He turned away and quickly added, "I head they are way overpriced. It is such a waste of money."

"And neither am…" Seto replied, but he was also distracted with yet another pair of card players. He turned back to Kazuhiro, and added feebly, "No. Of course I am not going to get anything."

Seto walked into his home. He looked at his watch – it was almost seven – he was three hours later than normal. It was all because of that new RPG Kazuhiro bought – Dreams of Immortal it was called. The game was extremely addictive and the graphic was brilliant – almost good enough to be from a movie. To exceed those graphic would be almost impossible unless a company decided to explore another media. Perhaps…

"Ah there you are, Seto! Mr. Gozaburo has been searching for you for the last hour!" Sho cried anxiously when he saw his young master return. "He is waiting for you at his office."

Seto looked at the house keeper in a start. "What?"

"He is waiting for you at his office," Sho repeated.

Seto winced. He was three hours late. He was not suppose to be three hours late. With faked composure he walked up the long winding marble stairs. Wondering inwardly what will happen, a lecture? A new project? Or perhaps – punishments – Seto stopped the train of thought and snorted. "It was not like Gozaburo could do anything about it," he thought rebelliously. He needed to rest so he took it. There was nothing Gozaburo could do about that. He boldly pushed the tall mahogany office door open.

Gozaburo looked up from his work. "You are finally here," Gozaburo commented coldly. "I am here to talk about your next project… It will start tomorrow… The Japanese government has placed an order for an antidote to this poison. They promised a generous reward if… we can make it before they discover the antidote themselves."

Seto snorted. Gozaburo would be willing to do anything – even jumping off a bridge – if he knew he would not die – for money. "How much are they offering?"

Gozaburo chuckled. "Are you worried about your own reward? Don't worry, I am a fair businessman. I will give you bonus allowance every week, if you work well… Is three thousand US every two weeks for the next five months enough?"

"No, you are mistaken. I-"

"Fine. Five thousand, last offer, for next five months. And then I will give you a few more thousands more if you are successful," Gozaburo smiled slyly, "Remember though, Seto, you choose this path yourselves. I didn't have to adopt your brother."

Seto opened his mouth, but closed it on second thought. He wondered why he could not say anything, could not reject anything. His mind begged him to say something, yet his mouth would not obey, it stayed shut.

"I knew you would accept…" Gozaburo said with a smirk as he turned his attention back to his work. "Oh yes, Seto you are three hours late. You were at Kazuhiro Hashimoto's home, I assume?" Gozaburo commented as Seto began to retreat out of the office.

Seto abruptly turn around. "What if I am?" Seto asked coolly.

"I heard from Mr. Furugori, you guys are good friends… I hope you understand Hashimoto Corporation is no longer a partner of Kaiba Corporations…" Gozaburo narrowed his eyes. "His father is now doing all he can to take our businesses. I advice you to stay away from that boy… I am warning you." He said no more.

Returning to his room. Seto laughed resentfully. Enemy? No, Kazuhiro was defiantly not his enemy. He was the first person who ever understood him perfectly, his feelings, his thoughts, who he was. He was someone he respects, his first friend… his only friend.

For the first time in his life he did not have to amuse himself by sitting at the corner observing idiots.

Gozaburo was always so cruel, so greedy, so immoral, so cold, but he could not control him. Gozaburo would not do anything to his brother and him even if he refused to listen to him, after all Gozaburo needed him; he was making money for the company. As for Kazuhiro… what was the worst that Gozaburo could do? Glare at him? Snort at him? Seto shook his head silently, and chuckled. No. Gozaburo has no power to stop him what so ever.

Seto took a quick peak from the corner of the skyscraper he stood behind, on the other side, just forty five degree left of where he was standing and just across the alley stood a small, dingy shop. On top of the door was a sign with words stating: "Miko Game Boutique: video games, computer games, board games, cards and more!"

He could not believe himself. He was actually going to get the card game he had, just a few weeks ago, claimed he would get spend money on. The card game was, as he said before, extremely tedious, but something, he does not know what, in the game drew his attention. The feeling nagged at him for a good three weeks until finally he gave in.

So there he was in front of the game shop.

He wondered why he felt so much like a thief, when he had every intension to pay for the cards. In fact, in his wallet was enough yen to probably buy the whole store. After all, he was Gozaburo's adopted son. Gozaburo may have only adopted him because he was smart, but Gozaburo was by no way a man who enjoyed depriving anyone capable. He was not the most loving and kind man in the world, but he was a good business man, and he knew little incentives could go a long way in keeping men on his side. He would much rather have the most intelligent people working for him instead of against.

Seto took a deep breath, then as stealth as a cat preying on a mouse, he walked across the alley and to the shop front door. He took a deep breath, once again checked his money was still in his pocket and prepared to pull the glass door open…

There standing at the other side of the door was Kazuhiro. Seto gasped. "Kazuhiro!"

"Seto… why are you here?" the surprised teenager asked.

Seto took note of the box in his friend's hand and smirked. "I would like to ask you the exact same question… didn't you say you weren't going to spend a penny on this game?"

"I…" Kazuhiro stuttered, for the first time for many months actually lost in word. His face flushed red. Then shaking his head he retorted, "Well, what are you doing here?"

"Getting the game for my dear brother," Seto lied with a perfectly straight face. Kazuhiro pouted in disappointment. Seto laughed. "I was just kidding. I am not here for my brother. I just gave into temptation."

He stepped into the marble hallway and was preparing to go to the kitchen for a light snack before starting on his homework when he noticed Mokuba being led away up the stares by a stern man. Seto shrugged. He must be his new tutor. Gozaburo had been saying something about getting tutors for Mokuba a few weeks ago… then he heard small sobs. He looked at his brother again. His eyes looked swollen. His shoulder seemed to be shaking uncontrollably.

"What is happening?" he asked Mokuba's favourite maid, Mary, if he remembered correctly. The young woman stood at the foot of the stairs, looking at the two ascending figures silently.

"He ripped master's favourite picture," Mary replied quietly.

Seto raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" asked Seto.

"He was playing soccer in the house because it's raining outside today," said the maid.

"But that picture is in a picture from in father's study! Mokuba is not even supposed to be there!" Seto almost cried out loud as he hit his forehead with his hand.

"Well I have no idea why he went there or how he ripped the picture but that's what happened," replied the maid, her voice became urgent.

Seto grumbled. His little brother is an idiot sometimes. But warnings just wouldn't stop a rebellious eight year old from getting in to trouble. He told him again and again not to go into the room, he told him not to kick balls inside the house just yesterday afternoon… but what did he do?

And now he accidentally ripped Gozaburo's favourite picture. It must the portrait on his desk, the picture of his deceased son and wife. Well, at least that was what he heard from Sho. He never saw the picture himself, all he saw was the back of the frame. Gozaburo was extremely protective of the picture. He swore inwardly. "Where are they leading him?"

"His office," said the maid, there was fear in her voice, "He was really mad, young master. I don't think I have ever seen him this angry before. I thought he would explode before he ordered Mokuba to his office."

Seto groaned again and without another thought he walked toward the stairs.

"Young master, where are you going?" cried the maid,

"Up to his office! What do you think?" snapped Seto without looking back.

"But…"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Shut up," Seto countered coldly. While getting hit was certainly not on his wish list or on his priority list he must find see what was happening. After all he was his little brother. He walked up to the office door where a few servants gathered, whispering to each other. "What is happening?" Seto asked quietly.

The servants looked at each other silently and didn't answer. "What is happening?" Seto asked again this time in a more forceful tone.

No one answered.

His eyes hardened. "I asked you to answer me. So answer me!"

Finally, one of the servants answered, "Master took young Mokuba in the office."

"And? What is he doing to him?"

The servants all shook their heads silently.

Seto snorted. "Incompetents," he muttered as he carefully opened the door and quietly stepped inside.

A frame lay broken on the floor. The picture of a beautiful woman and a little boy with aqua hair riped in half. There were two manservant holding Mokuba down while his father held his staff threateningly.

"You brat!" cried Gozaburo. His face was beet red in anger. "How can you do that to that picture?" he cried furiously as he brought the staff down on Mokuba's leg angrily. Seto winced as his little brother shrieked.

"Stop! Please stop!" Mokuba cried hysterically as tears streamed down his face.

"How many times did I tell you not to go into my office? How many times did I tell you that this place is off limit?" asked the adoptive father as he bought the staff down on the child again, this time on his arm. The black haired child cried louder.

Seto watched in despair. He wanted to run away. His head hurt. A part of him, begged him to help his little brother but his other part, his darker side, said his brother deserved the punishment – after all he just warned him about playing soccer inside the house yesterday. He warned him with utmost seriousness.

Then, of course, there was his bitterness about his little brother getting the better end of his deal with Gozaburo. Mokuba was always the one to sleep peacefully. Mokuba was the one to truly enjoy the wealth. Mokuba was the one to get all the chocolate puddings.

While Seto was forced to do the hard work.

His angelic side argued Gozaburo was wrong in hitting his brother… but no sooner did his good side give the argument did his wicked side give an counter argument – It was Mokuba's own recklessness that got him in trouble in the first place. There were no reasons for him to get involve and be disciplined himself when he did nothing wrong.

The furious and coarse voice of his adoptive father echoed through out the room like thunder. His little brother screamed again. "Stop! Please! I know I am wrong," cried Mokuba. A slap on the face. "I promise I won't do this again!" The crying grew louder. "Help Seto!" screamed his little brother. The sharp cry pierced through the air. "I promise I won't be bad anymore…no, never again…Seto! Why aren't you stopping him? I promise! I will do what you said from now on! Seto! Please make him stop!" pleaded the broken voice.

Seto closed his eyes in dismay. He turned to leave but his brother's eyes suddenly caught him. Those pleading large eyes stared at him, hoping, begging him to do something. He could not quite bring himself to move.

Then suddenly a ghostly voice rang in his mind. "This is your brother, Mokuba Seto…"

He sighed deeply, tiredly as his darkness gave in to his virtue. Just one more time… This was the last time he was going to help his brother because he was idiotic enough to do something stupid.

Just one last time…

In a moment of frenzy Seto suddenly found himself in front of his little brother. The wooden staff missed its original victim and hit his arm instead. A sharp pain shot through his body. He bit his lips, hard. His adoptive father stared at him in shock. In truth, he was surprised himself. He gulped inwardly. He would regret his actions later.

"What are you doing Seto?" asked Gozaburo.

"Don't hit Mokuba anymore," Seto pleaded, his voice surprisingly calm.

Gozaburo raised his hand, but he held back.

Kazuhiro scanned his side of his field, before looking at Seto's empty field. "You are in a bad situation aren't you?" he said with exceeding solemnity. Seto rolled his eyes but made no comments. "Now… what should I use to end this duel?"

"Stop rubbing it in," Seto said threateningly.

Kazuhiro laughed. "Well then…" he said rather mischievously when he finally decided on a move, "I will first attack your summon skull with my super shadow ghoul. Your summon skull dies because I have eleven monsters in my graveyard…"

"Then you are going to attack me directly with everything you got?" Seto interrupted grumpily.

"No, then I will use Jiden Bakudan and bring your life point down to zero, making this the most humiliating lost of the day," Kazuhiro replied with a mocking wide grin.

Seto narrowed his eyes and pout. "That is cheap."

"But you still lost. And this also prove that your offensive deck is not superior over my defensive deck," Kazuhiro said cheerily. "By the way our score is 25-25."

"I think we should call it a day." Seto commented wearily. His friend nodded in agreement. A sharp knock at the door startled the two. A thin black haired man walked in. Seto frowned slightly at the sight of the visitor. It was Gozaburo's right hand man, a man he never liked much. There was just something in the man's air that was forbidding, almost threatening, though Seto was really not sure what. Seto greeted with cold civility, "Mr. Furugori, what brought you here?"

"Sho had to run some chores so I offered to take these drinks to you," the man said with a smile, showing off his flawless teeth.

Seto crocked his head and stared at the man for a moment. He never knew Mr. Furugori and Sho were friends… but perhaps he was thinking too much. He shrugged and accepted the drinks. The right hand man turned and promptly left.

"Here, you wanted a hot chocolate with whip cream right?" Seto offered his friend a large mug.

"Thanks," Kazuhiro reached for the drink and after a sip he inquired. "That was an odd man, who is he?"

"He is my father's right hand man," Seto grunted. Taking a sip out of his mug of coffee he promptly changed the topic, "You know what that game you showed me last time, Dreams of Immortal needs, Kazuhiro?"

Kazuhiro snorted. "More levels?"

"Well that too," Seto waved his hand impatiently, "but my question was supposed to be rhetorical and what I meant was that it needs more graphics."

Kazuhiro raised his eyebrow. "I don't know, I think that game's graphic is pretty brilliant."

Seto shook his head and laughed when he realized how horrible he was at saying what he meant, "The graphic is decent but I think it is too limited by the 2-D medias."

"Well improving the graphic cards would definitely help I suppose…"

"No, what I am getting at is holographic technology – the future of all video games," Seto explained, animated, his eyes eager.

"Holograms… well I suppose that would be the next step. I will talk to my father about this tonight…" Kazuhiro whispered in deep thoughts, completely oblivious to the effect those words had on his friend, "Father is extremely good at these things. I am sure he would be happy to develop this idea if it is possible. Father is…"

Seto unconsciously bit his lips as his fingers instinctively tightened around his mug. It was as if a great fog came over him, embracing him, suffocating him. He listened to his friend's innocent talk in his usual quiet and silent manner, but as hard as he tried, he could hear no comprehendible sentences, only occasional words. "Yesterday father… I just wish father would… father did… You should have seen what my mom did to my room… mother is so annoying… my mom can't cook." He was not sure why, but like fire in the dry autumn days, jealousy spread through his body spreading through his veins, unbearable, blinding his visions. His mood darkened and every word his friend said did nothing more than to irritate, to aggravate…

"You are lucky, Seto. Mr. Gozaburo gives you freedom. My parents are always telling me to do this and do that –"

"Be quiet!" Seto cried in a burst of bitterness.

The dam wall cracked.

Then crumbled.

"You are always complaining! You don't understand! You are always getting everything…" The word rush out like raging water, uncontrollable, "All you talk about is your father this and your father that! You never stop! You are always complaining… Just… just…" His breath ragged, his voice was quiet, "Why is life so…" He looked up and was met by the guilt ridden expression on his friend.

"I…" Kazuhiro began but Seto cut him off.

"Just go," Seto muttered, suddenly weary, "Just go. I don't feel well. I want to be alone…" He closed his eyes and leaned back heavily on his chair. As the door softly closed behind his friend a memory resurfaced in his mind.

It was sunny.

It was warm.

On the comfortable laps of a faceless woman he sat. He knew who she was because of her melodic voice – his mother, it had to be her, it must be her. "God has given us a baby brother, Seto, now when he comes out, father and I will have to spend more time with him than you because..."

"Because he is a baby and he can't do anything. I know, I know, you said so many times before already. I will have to be nice to him, I won't be jealous," the four year old Seto said.

His mother smiled and hugged him. "Now where did you learn the word jealousy?"

"Newspaper. Someone died because of jealousy. It was so horrible," Seto replied with a little frown. His face was shining with innocence.

Once again his mother smiled. "People are not always smart when they are jealous. That's why, Seto, you should never ever be jealous…"

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

Neither talked as they wasted away their break time walking in endless circles around the school building, both were occupied in deep thoughts. With their meeting the day before still fresh in their minds neither knew what to say.

Perhaps it was the guilt he felt, or perhaps it was the shame he felt after yesterday. In any case, he found himself overwhelmed in apprehension, as if something horrible would happen… He caught his thoughts and shook his head. When did he become a believer of intuition? He was just tired. Maybe he should just say something. Maybe he should just apologize. He should, but he could not, his pride would not allow him. Instead, he kept his eyes perfectly straight, never making eye contact with the boy beside him, just on the path in front.

"Seto, about yesterday…" Kazuhiro sliced through the silence.

He could feel his friend's anxious eyes looking at him expectantly. He wanted to look at his friend, he wanted to hug him, he wanted to reply, but once again his pride intervene and he continue looking forward.

"I… I am sorry."

He wanted to say sorry back, but what came out was, "I was tired."

"I was complaining too much wasn't I?" There was a soft coughed before his friend continued faintly, his voice begging for Seto's forgiveness. "Seto… I…"

Something about in his friend's voice caught his attention, a suddenly wave of dread swept through him. He found himself scared as he turned and found in much relief that Kazuhiro was still standing next time to him staring at him guiltily. He let out his breath and laughed silently. "For a moment there I thought..." That was when he noticed something odd.

Something was definitely wrong.

There in the bush a dark figure holding a pistol. Somehow he managed to speak, "Hey…hey who is that?" Kazuhiro turned his head toward the gunman. A shot rang in the air. Time slowed. Fear… for the second time in the last minute he was scared. His mind told him to move, but his legs turned into stone. The bullet traveled, closer, closer, closer –

"Seto!" Kazuhiro cried, his voice frantic. He stepped forward, he pushed his friend back. His wide eyes met Seto's, fill with nothing but concern. For a moment his face froze before it contorted. He fell forward. Time resumed its normal speed.

"Kazuhiro!" Seto screamed as he caught his friend. No reply. "Kazuhiro!"

For the final time the feeling of apprehension deepened. "Help!" Did he just step in and save him? "Help!" Was he shot because of him? "Someone help!" Will he die because of him?

In an instant a thick hysterical crowd formed around him. In another, the panicking principle and teachers arrived. Somehow Seto found himself between a couple of sobbing girls being pushed backward by a frantic teacher to give space for the paramedics who had seemingly appear in thin air.

He looked at the happy duo, both soaked by the water as Joey gave back the millennium puzzle to his friend. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could guess quite easily. Oddly enough, although they must have been cold, a strange warmth surrounded them. Then came a sharp and emotional shout, "Brother!" A girl of perhaps thirteen with bandage around her eyes ran toward her brother with Mai Valentine by her side.

Seto watched silently as the siblings were reunited. He snorted. He turned to his own brother and saw the sparks of innocence in his eyes. He smiled inwardly. It seemed his brother had already forgotten how just a few moments before he was held hostage by two idiots. The idiots were promptly taken care of by Seto with the skills he acquired at the orphanage.

The orphanage… he liked that place – even when kids used to laugh at him for being brainy, even when bullies picked on him after school. Sometimes, he actually wanted to thank those people for teaching him lessons so essential for his life – especially these days when he had made more enemies than friends. He smiled again. Fighting bullies never acquired true strength; it required more quick thinking, good aim and good defence. His brother never knew, but had been stopped by bullies after school when they were at the orphanage. At first, he acquired huge bruises that would not fade for weeks on his shin and he would hide them with long pants but in half a year no bullies dared to touch him, nor did rest of the orphans. They were scared of him.

He had learned to fight back, and everyone realized he could fight back well.

He was untouchable.

But he was alsoalone.

Perhaps that was the answer to the unanswered question – everything came with a price. If you are kind then you may be hurt by the insecured. If you are generous, you may be tricked by the sly. If are you are smart, you may be hated by the jealous. If you have friends and enjoy the joy of companions you are prone to betrayal, prone to guilt when you betray them yourself.

Yugi had chosen friendship.

But for himself he had chosen solitude because for him the risk of betrayal wassimply too great.

Not the end.

Well… that was long wasn't it? Next chapter will be the last one. Now, between chapter seven and eight there will be a gap. My one shot called Vision of the Moon fills this gap.