Key-

Thoughts of a character

Chapter 8
Five Dayz: Brothers

Serenity truly didn't know what was happening to her husband. If she didn't know better she could have said she was blind. Although she almost was. So let's not go there. While trying to stray from the current problem another one arose. For a second she thought she heard some footsteps coming towards the door of the room. Thinking it was her imagination, Seto and Sakura couldn't be back so soon. She ignored it. Before clicking on the next link she had the inspiration of looking up. Feeling compelled to do so, she did. Her honey eyes glanced up and noticed that the door was still closed. But the feeling seemed to grow stronger. It was almost too unbearable to look away. Her eyes became fixed on the two oak doors that sat across the room. It felt like an hour passed before she exhaled. Or blinked. But she still gazed at the door. It was hypnotizing her and there was no way to stop it. Well there was. And that was to look away, but her second conscience was telling her not to.

((Is it even possible to have a second conscience?))

After a minute or two she looked away. The auburn woman was about to click on the next link before the door slammed open. A very angry CEO stood in the door. His eyes flashed a cold warning. Don't-ask, was readable on his face. Serenity gulped. Never in her whole life had she experienced the aura of the steaming young male before. Nope. Never. She took a deep breath before gaining her strength to ask, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk? TALK!" Serenity gulped again.

"The only thing I want to talk about is why the heck aren't you helping!" (Some arm movements) "I had two meetings to go to and then a virus caught Kaiba Corp systems! I had to evacuate every dang employee so I could extinguish the worm before I even had enough time to get into the main frame! And that wasn't even half of it! The hacker has everyone of Kaiba Corporation's passwords!" the male huffed in anger before finishing, "And now the hacker, which was caught and dealing with the police right now, has the codes to all the files of my company." Eyes flashed onto Serenity's panic stricken ones. What could she do? Yes she did help him, but that wasn't part of the contract or agreement to watch for violations in Kaiba Corporation. That was all Mokuba's job.

He continued, but more relaxed from the explosion, "He could have given it to his buddy or something." The male closed his eyes in exasperation.

"Well," the red head started, "what you need or seems like you need, is to have one relaxing massage . . . perhaps a warm bath?" Serenity tried to sound sincere, but the look that Mokuba was giving off was too overwhelming.

Mokuba snapped his yes open, "You're kidding me right?" The male took a deep breath while placing his hand on his hip.

Serenity shook her head, "Nope."

Mokuba threw his head back. It was as if he was laughing but no sound gave off the walls. He was really irritated.

"Mok, maybe you should just take a relaxing walk. That always helped Se-" Serenity stopped. Mokuba's head peered at her direction. He stared at the auburn. As long as he has known the girl sitting in front of him, she had never mentioned Seto Kaiba, her husband, so freely. It was almost like he was alive and never ceased that fateful day.

The younger of the two stared at the other silently. Mokuba was expecting something else. Before Serenity could open her mouth towards the younger Kaiba, the walking-dead ambled through the door himself. Serenity quickly shut her mouth. Her eyes widened. Mokuba had his hands on his hips.

"Serenity, I heard some yel-" Seto cut off. He stood in mid-step while hovering in the doorframe of the room. His eyes locked onto the stranger's back. His eyes narrowed. Kaiba's eyes looked up and down the male. His hair was cut short but held the messy look of a teenager. The shade of the man's hair was black. Almost like-

"Mokuba, maybe you should just lay down……" Serenity looked scared. When she spoke it resembled someone who had seen a ghost.

Seto's eyes broadened. This couldn't be… "No….Seren, please tell me this isn't…"

"Serenity, are you ok?" "Serenity please tell me. It's not him…" "Ren? Answer me." "Serenity, answer me."

"Stop! Please! No more questions." The girl brought her hand to her face. She massaged her eyes and then looked back up at the two gentlemen. Mokuba looked perplexed, while Kaiba looked astonished.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

The little girl smiled at me innocently. How can someone of her taste kindly accept me? I stared at her unblinkingly. Before I could say anything I felt something in my hand. I glanced towards it. I couldn't help but be surprised. This little girl, my daughter, held my hand. I smiled. I couldn't stop it. And I couldn't believe it either. This child was my daughter. And she looked like Serenity in so many ways. But she defiantly held my personality when she became somewhat angry. Maybe it was just me, but she defiantly inherited my blue and intimidating eyes.

I felt a gentle tug towards the door. Before I knew it, she was leading me out the entrance.

Everything was kept the same. Not a thing was touched expect for the occasional picture or two. It was like I never even left the mansion in the first place.

We both left Serenity in the room so she could finish the journals I wrote.

"This is the bathroom…" Sakura showed me a room. It had extravagant countertops of silver and hoary sinks. The tub and toilet were white with silver somehow engraved into it. Like lining. And then the shower was a solid silver with black engraved into it. Everything held the outline of a rose. A single one. "My bathroom to be exact." I tried to smile, but it wouldn't come out. I thought that a girl's bathroom would be filled with the color pink. Or maybe that was just me? After all, Serenity has a pink robe because I said no to the towels that she wanted to buy. (I shuttered). Another tug led me out of the bathroom.

A few feet.

"And this is my room." I noticed it was right across from Mokuba's old one. I looked inside to find an ordinary room. Everything seemed to be blank except for the occasional poster of a Blue Eyes. Strange. What is a Blue Eyes doing in her room?

Sakura seemed to want to answer my question before I spoke it.

"Blue Eyes was my Dad's favorite. I didn't know until a few months ago that he held the same eyes I have. No one told me much about my father," the little girl let go of my hand and continued her story while walking to the middle of the room. What was with the third person . . . I am right here. "But there was always one thing that I knew about him. I knew that he was the only one that could bring my mom to smile through her hardships. And Serenity was the only one that could make him smile." Her back was facing me. She turned around and glanced at me before taking a turn to her left and walking to her oak dresser. "Mom never told me anything about Dad. Only Uncle was brave enough to say little things about him when Mom was never home or around. It was a miracle that he even got away with it." Sakura reached up and grabbed a small card from the desk. She held it to her chest. "There was only one thing that made my dad happy. Besides the fact that he had a wife by his side, he held only five treasures close to his heart." Blue eyes closed before a hesitant inhale was taken into the five-year-old's lungs. They opened and stared at me. I was stunned. I couldn't say anything as she spoke each word. I watched as she took a step towards me. It was uncertain at first but soon she was taking them quicker with each stride. "Five treasures. The first was my mother. The second was his younger brother." Her steps became slower as she came closer to me. "The third was his daughter that wasn't yet born into this world." My eyes became watery.

How could she just stand there and talk as if I never left?

"The fourth was Love." She took a step and stood right before me. She was so tiny and fragile and yet her personality wouldn't let the biggest bolder get through her brick wall she built. She was strong. And here I was breaking down. "And the fifth . . ."Sakura looked down at her hands on her heart. She silently lifted it up to me, "Was his Blue Eyes White Dragon." She had me figured out. I know that in her heart, she knew me. She knew me very well.

Sakura's little hands were filled with three little cards. Each one held the magnificent and portraying dragon that represented myself.

I stared at the cards in aw. I haven't seen one in years. I got down on my knees while the tears were slowly filling up my eyes. I couldn't believe it. They were the old cards that were given to me by my younger brother; Mokuba (1).

Kneeling in front of Sakura I stared at the cards held out to me.

"They are yours Daddy." My eyes widened. I couldn't possibly touch them. After all, I am not really here. I am a deceased man standing in front of my daughter. "I know what you might be thinking….just try anyway. There is no thought in not trying." Maybe I should just . . .

I reached out to touch them.

Noises came from down the hall.

"The hacker has every one of Kaiba Corporations passwords!" I narrowed my eyes. Who the heck is that?

"Sakura stay here." I stood up.

"What? No!"

I put a hand on her shoulder. "Stay."

Her face contorted. She scrunched her face and furrowed her eyebrows. Crossing her arms she replied, "Where you go, I go."

Wisdom, Courage and Stubbornness. Hmmm. "No." Without a second thought, I quickly ran out the room. Where Serenity was now I bet the person was with her. Running down the hall at a sprit, the door came into view. Some voices were audible but I wasn't paying attention to what they were saying. I ran to the doorframe and stopped immediately. Serenity stood at the desk. Right where I left her, but that leaves only one other person in the room. I stared at the male's back. Who the heck is he? And what does he want? It didn't occur to me that this man could be my relative. I noticed that he had black hair and that it was short . . . Shorter than I remember, but it wasn't until Serenity replied, "Mokuba, maybe you should just lay down."

I stared at Mokuba. This wasn't my brother . . . He was smaller, and he was my little brother. Not some lean and over six feet standing CEO of Kaiba Corp. That was supposed to be me.

Serenity's words had to sink in. Wait….Did she just say Mokuba?

My eyes widened. This couldn't be… "No….Seren, please tell me this isn't…"

"Serenity, are you ok?" "Serenity please tell me. It's not him…" "Ren? Answer me." "Serenity, answer me."

"Stop! Please! No more questions." The girl brought her hand to her face. She massaged her eyes and then looked back up at the two gentlemen. Mokuba looked perplexed, while I probably looked astonished.

If truth can be told, I couldn't believemy eyes.

The room went silent. Serenity stood there with her hands on her hips. He can't see him. He can't see him. He-

"Mokuba, really you should-" Serenity cut herself off. Was it her or was something missing? The empty atmosphere was quiet. Not like it usually was. Maybe some music in the background will do later, but now? It was quiet. Too quiet. Something was missing. Or rather, not there at the apparent moment. Honey-eyes widened! "Where the heck is my daughter!" She practically yelled it. Her eyes came in contact with Kaiba's. He was standing in the doorway. Their eyes clashed. Seto wasn't the one to usually fear something. He was usually feared. But at the moment the fire in his wife's eyes were too much for him. He gulped. All he could do was stand in the doorway and pretend that everything was fine. Although he knew that everything was fine, he wasn't showing it. And each passing millisecond that he didn't show it, Serenity began to worry more and more. She couldn't have something else happen to her after what happened to her five years ago.

Was it just him, or was Serenity really staring at the doorway like there was someone standing in it? Mokuba wondered. He didn't know what to do, but his sister was beginning to scare him. She has been staring at the same spot as if expecting someone to appear out of the blue. Or out of thin air. Whichever one works best. He was about to shake his head when Serenity suddenly moved towards him. Mokuba stared at her, "Serenity, I'm sure she is fine."

"No. No Mokuba. I don't think so." She took another step. The auburn broke into a run towards the door. Mokuba seeing the sudden change in her expression moved out in front of her. He stopped and held her by the shoulders.

"What is wrong with you! You have been acting strange every since I got here. From the moment I walked through the door to this very moment! Serenity, what the heck is going on? I deserve to know!" He looked straight into her eyes. "And don't tell me its nothing."

She stared back. Serenity couldn't help but feel sorry for him. And yet in the back of her mind it kept whispering, "No . . . No. . . No . . . . Don't tell him." She focused on his now clear and sharp eyes. They were penetrating hers. As if she'll break any moment and he was waiting for the precise instant. Beads of sweat suddenly appeared on the red head's face. What was she thinking of keeping something like this from him? It's almost going insane. His brother was standing in the doorway. And yet he didn't know that his own flesh and bone was located right behind him. The thought of telling him suddenly crossed her mind. What if he couldn't undergo the pressure? What if he thought she was crazy? What if he turned around and was able to see him? What if he started to not to trust her anymore? What if he took Sakura away from her? What if she was really crazy?

A whole bunch of "What if" came up. And not one of them could be answered until she did the right thing.

And only one choice could make the path of the future.

Could she tell him?

Or let him stay in the dark?

Serenity opened her mouth to speak.

Sakura stared at the doorway. Her father disappeared a minute ago. He really wasn't expecting her to stay here, now did he? What was he, her father?

A grin appeared on the little girls face.

He was her father. Seto Kaiba was her father.

I have a dad.

She actually had someone to talk about now. Instead of holding her mouth shut with her friends when it came to their family, especially dads, she would clamp her lips closed and wouldn't open them.

She didn't know her father. What could she say about him? All but, "He was the CEO of Kaiba Corp. five years ago."

Suddenly Sakura didn't want to stand there anymore. She could never stand still anyways. Glad Seto doesn't know because he'll be seeing his daughter in about a minute or two. The little girl turned towards the door. Well it's either now or never. Although it will be, grounded or not grounded, for not obeying. Oh well, Sakura shrugged her little shoulders and headed towards the door. She reached the doorway in time to hear, "What is wrong with you!" Sakura questioned the voice for a second before heading in the direction of it. It sounded like dad's, but younger. Uncle Moke (2)! A smiled appeared on the child's face. She picked up the pace towards her mother's domain.

An Aroma filled the air.

Sakura turned. Her eyes widened. The little girl squealed, "Ahhhheee!" She ran towards the stairs at the end of the hall. Without noticing a door wide opened with three adults inside. Sakura quickly ran down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Mokuba, I don't know how to tell you thi-" Serenity stopped in mid sentence.

"Ahhhheee!"

"What was that?" Serenity glanced at Seto's questioning face. His voice that could only be heard by her, spilled into her ears.

"Sakura," breathed Serenity. She glanced at Mokuba. "Where is she?" her voice became anxious.

"I don't know. The last time I saw her was yesterday." Mokuba answered a little too matter-of-factly. "Why? Is something wrong?"

Serenity wriggled out of Mokuba's grasp. She ignored Mokuba's question and ran out of the room.

Mokuba huffed. "Why does she always do that? Whenever I ask her a question?" His shoulders sagged and found the chair behind the desk an interesting place to sit. And relax. He strained his neck from side to side. Surely his work hasn't been getting to him that much. Mokuba leaned over the desk and put his elbows on the surface. Digging into his hands he sighed. Work really was getting to him. How can he let it do that? "I need a vacation."

Seto stared at his younger brother. Not moving his eyes trailed up and down his figure. He had let Serenity run out of the room. He knew Sakura was safe. But silently he watched as Mokuba tried to let out all his frustration. The young male walked over to the desk and sat down. He looked so different. Yes his hair was shorter. But he no longer looked like the little boy that he, Seto Kaiba, had partially raised. While staring at Mokuba he noticed that he held bags underneath his grey-sharp and hazy eyes. Kaiba took a step forward. Even though Mokuba wasn't able to see him, it was almost like Seto never died. And they were back to the old ways of just handing out in each other's rooms. Kaiba had to let the thin smile play his lips as he remembered a fourteen year old sprint into this very room.

"BIG BROTHER!" Kaiba had to step back from his desk as he was tackled by the teen. Seto took a few steps back to keep from falling over.

"Hey Moke. What have you been doing?" Kaiba let his hand fall all top of the youngest boy's hair. He threaded his fingers through the silky locks.

"What do you think?" both laughed. Really it was a stupid question for Seto to ask. He knew pretty well what Mokuba was doing. Of course, he had to ground him from it a week ago for not doing his homework. But once he did, it was back to the old same routine again. Come home from school. Do homework. And then beat any new scores on the Xbox, game cube or PS2. Oh and lets not forget the new virtual game system and DDR.

"Ok, Ok, I get it now." Kaiba slowed down to a small chuckle. Mokuba looked up at his older brother. It was nice to actually see a smile on his face. It was just like old times. Before their parents died. The raven-haired kid let go of Seto and looked him in the face while taking a step back.

Mokuba smiled, "Can we hang out today?" he put on his best pouting face.

"Sorry kid. Promised Serenity I'd go out with her after I finish my work here." He motioned to the paperwork on the desk.

"Oh, OK." Mokuba's downcast face made Seto rethink.

"You can stay here until I finish. Maybe have small talk while I finish some paperwork."

"YES!" Mokuba jumped up in the air. Just at that moment, the teen turned towards the bed and belly-flopped it. Kaiba stood wide eyed. That must have hurt. It was a waterbed. Right before Kaiba turned towards the stack of papers he heard a muffled, "Owwwwww."

Mokuba had the weirdest feeling. It was like someone was watching him. And yet, when he looked up, no one was in the room with him. A sudden morbid thought came over him. He was sitting at his older brother's desk. With his old laptop sitting right in front of himself. However, his older brother is nowhere to be found.

Wait . . .

Laptop? That was lost in the crash. "How did-" Mokuba stopped and stared at the screen. A bunch of links were labeled Day I, Day II, and all the way to up to Day VI. What was this? Some kind of journal? Mokuba reached out to the laptop. He used the mouse to click "Day I." The screen changed.

Before he read the page, his eyes widened.

The first sentence held, "- SK Journal -"

Deciding he wasn't intruding on anything, he decided to read what was there.

- SK Journal -

I keep telling myself "It's nothing", but is it really that?

I hadn't realized it until now. My Serenity has finally shown with light and is my angel. Not only will I be a father, but I will have the opportunity of having a child in my care. And as I have said, my past is in my past and will never resurface until now. I haven't looked back at Gozoburo in anticipation of this moment. Occasionally Serenity will bring him up, but I'd usually ignore the comment of what she had to say. It was cold, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her what happened until a couple of days before we got married.

That was almost nine months ago.

Currently, I have put the past behind me. And it will be buried with me until the day I die. But I am not so sure anymore. Recently I have been having dreams. I keep telling myself that I am hallucinating, but every time I wake up it seems like what happened in my dream, happens the next day.

Right now was one of them. I dreamt this moment in time.

Somehow I think this is connected with something I didn't want to remember. My past. The fear of having something ripped from the inner sides of Mokuba and me as children has resurfaced for my own child. For the first time in my life I am having the burden of actually being scared. Not for me. Not for my company. But for my family. I am terrified at having the image of having my child grow up without a father.

I can't explain what might happen or what is happening to me. But I realize that I may no longer have the life I wanted. I feel like it is being taken away from me everyday that is passing.

I can't bear to reason that this has to do with some kind of magic. And I can't bear to reason with the fact that I am having dreams of my future. But what I fear most is that my future doesn't have me in it.

The thought of that is unbearable. Insufferable to almost tell Serenity of my own mishaps. But I can't. I can't bring her down with me with my own burden. I'm afraid that I may never see my sweet wife again. For I know that someone has wanted revenge and is willing at all costs to get it.

As I have spoken before, these dreams are almost like premonitions. But I am not so sure of that also. These dreams or whatever you want to call it have been waking me for almost a fortnight straight. They keep showing how my life might end and what might happen the next day. But as I near my own devastation, the future comes clearer each night that passes.

I have followed my own fate. And it's telling me that I only have five days left from tomorrow. For the fifth, I may be gone.

Sunday, August 11, 1999 – 11:56 P.M.

What the heck? Was this some kind of joke? It was sickening.

Reading about Gozoburo brought back some untainted memories. He almost shuttered at the thought.

Kaiba watched his brother read the link. The brunette stood right behind his younger brother. Kaiba said nothing. It was time that his brother was told some things. He was older now. A small smile played Kaiba's thin lips. He had no clue how old his brother was. Well let's see, he was fourteen five years ago…

"How old are you now?" It was the truth. He really didn't know.

"Nineteen."

Both stood utterly silent.

TBC

I thought it might have been a good place to stop. How about you? Well I know it has been a while pleez don't kill me.

(1) – I know for sure that Mokuba drew Kaiba a BEWD for luck and most of all courage during the hardships of their stepfather. While they were younger they had a bond. I just wanted to put that in there to show that Kaiba is ­not a cold hearted jerk.

(2) - Aw yes…Uncle Moke. You are probably wondering, "What the heck is this!" Well, it's the new nickname. I didn't want to say "Mokie" because that would defiantly bring up some terrible memories for both brothers. And Mokuba wasn't quite what I was looking for. So, I used what was left.

FaViewers:

Princess Yunariana – sorry I didn't get it out sooner

Princess Seren – I hope you still find interest in this story. I know how you wanna know what happens, but I can only go so fast for updating.

kiyoshi-wheeler – Thank you! I feel so honored! I am glad you found my story, now if you could tell others – nah jk! Gotta have a sense of humor! Lol. Well, I hope I made everything in this chapter seeable. Or imaginable at least. If I didn't, please tell me and I will make some changes!

Alannastar – Thank you! I have read a lot of fanfictions out there, and sometimes I don't like the way Kaiba acts. So if you could do me a little favor….would you tell me when Kaiba is out of character. I would appreciate it, because I don't want to make him so nice where it's not him. And I don't want to make him evil either. – Thankies for the review though!

setoxserenity-ever – In your list? Sorry kinda confused there. Oh! Wait are you talking about the list of faviewers….? Kay, call me blonde, but it's the truth! – thanx for reviewing!

pink-strawberries – I hope you found happiness in this chapter. Along with mystery….if I were you…I'd be asking myself "where did Sakura and Serenity go?" ja ne!

Sakura – I hope it tempts you to read and read and read…hahah! Nah jk…but I do hope you keep finding interest in it.

GoldenStar – well this one is DEFINITELY being appreciated! Lol – thankies for the review!

I would gladly accept any new reviews for this chapter, or recent ones! – Thankies!