CHAPTER 2: TEARS OF MELANCHOLY, DEGREES OF COLD

Authors note: This isn't Mokuba bashing, really it isn't. It's just that it's necessary to do this. There is a big purpose for this and in the next chapter you'll get it. It's really sad so…grab some tissues.sob…hic…sob

The month of December was peaceful. Mokuba's health was deteriorating but it seemed that he had enough life left to smile and laugh like the old days. He didn't have the strength to walk on his own anymore so he was confined to his wheelchair. Kaiba didn't mind pushing him though, if it meant that he would make his brother happy then what mattered? It was cold out but the boys coped with wearing thick jackets with gloves and hats and scarves. They made snowmen, threw snowballs and even bought a Siamese kitten, that Mokuba named Blue. The kitten never left Mokuba's sight and even went out when the brothers paraded out in the snow. At nights to warm up they went into the den and made a nice fire where Seto would read, sometimes work, but always he would make his specialty of oatmeal cookies and hot chocolate for them both. Then Christmas came and to Seto's dismay and Mokuba's delight, they would set up their own tree this year. It was an embarrassing task to Seto but he never wavered. If it made Mokuba smile then it was well worth it. The cold months went by so quickly, and then it was summer again. They had stayed a whole year in their grandmothers' home, making warm memories. Seto had even forgotten about Mokuba's words that he would soon die, until it reached July, the month that a part of Seto Kaiba would die.

"You sure are a heavy sleeper. Wake up! We're going to the lake remember?" Kaiba said as he shook his brother awake. Mokuba awoke to his brothers' blue eyes staring into his own. Kaiba was wearing his pajama's still and was smiling brightly, something that he hadn't gotten used to quite yet. However today he wasn't in the frame of mind to question his brothers' mood. He wasn't feeling well, in fact, he felt horrible.

"Se-to…" He stuttered. "I don't think…" He took a heavy breath. "That I can…go anywhere t-t-today." His words became whispers. Blue climbed the bed and curled into a ball next to Mokuba's head. Kaiba held his brothers hand, tears forming in his eyes. He shook his head in disbelief.

"What are you saying? Not today? Then we'll go tomorrow."

Mokuba shook his head.

"I can't ever go." He sighed. "It's time for me to see mom and dad." His eyes were barely opened as he looked at his brother.

"You can't go now. Not yet, you're too…" He couldn't finish his sentence.

Mokuba lifted his free hand and touched his brothers' face. It was so cold.

"Don't be scared…I'm going to be okay, mom and dad are going to be with me." He smiled wearily. "Don't be scared, I'm not scared. Be strong big brother…don't sell this house…take care of it and when the times c-comes, have a f-family here." His eyes shut. "I love you Seto."

"I love you to…Moki."

There was a long silence in the bright room where Mokuba Kaiba had been sleeping moments ago. Seto Kaiba lifted Mokuba's body and held him until he died approximately several seconds later. When Mokuba gave his last breath Seto felt himself shatter. Holding his little brother's lifeless body in his arms, Seto began to weep.