Kaiba tapped his fingers impatiently on the top of the long board room table in the windowless room. The other men and women there glanced around uneasily as he again checked the time on his computer screen. His vice president was late, and not for the first time, though being an entire half hour late was extremely unusual even for Mokuba. There would be no explanation or apology; his tardiness was entirely out of spite. His younger brother would saunter in, flash that smile, which every one of the room's occupants besides him would return. And then all the greetings would ensue – the useless yet inevitable conversations that resulted as Mokuba insisted on asking every single person about their families. But not today.

After his brother finally showed up and took his seat, Kaiba cleared his throat to get back the attention of the room.

"First order of business – suspension of the Kaiba Land project." And the uneasy silence was back. Mokuba raised his hand.

"I vote no."

"The last time I checked, this company was not a democracy, his brother responded unnecessarily. "We can't swing building costs with this year's deficits. Our resources will be much better used for more profitable ventures for now." The tension that seemed unavoidable at these meetings was exponentially heightened by his statement. It was common knowledge that Kaiba always got his way – except when his younger brother wanted something different. But Mokuba had not before openly challenged him on anything in a board meeting like this. And everyone in the room, including Kaiba himself, knew that the younger brother would be less than happy with the CEO's decision.

"And what about the Coventry House . . ?" he asked in challenge, his violet eyes smoldering. Seto gritted his teeth. His brother always managed to make his look even more like a cold-hearted jerk more quickly than anyone else. Coventry House was Mokuba's original idea, a home for needy people, mainly orphaned children, that would be connected to the KaibaLand there in Cleveland.

"It was part of the KaibaLand Cleveland Plan, wasn't it?" Mokuba leaned back in his chair, folding his arms and frowning deeply. "The KaibaLand Cleveland Project will be suspended until further notice. Assuming there aren't any other questions or objections . . . ."

"I've got one," Mokuba offered, and continued before Kaiba had a chance to interrupt. "How about Kaiba Corp getting back to the things that are important?"

A short time later, the younger Kaiba followed his brother through the front door into Kaiba mansion. "Any chance that we can talk about this?"

"I think you made your point very clear," Seto replied in a forced calm.

"So that's it? No discussion, no other options?"

"Ah, he does know how to pay attention."

"Look Seto, sorry I embarrassed you in front of your little workers, but we both know that they don't matter."

"Granted. But not the point."

"Again, I apologize. For my timing, not for what I said. Maybe if you have told me about the suspension before the meeting . . ."

"My mistake. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive my lack of consideration. It wouldn't have changed anything," Seto quipped.

"Just one question – can you tell me what happened to my brother? The one who cared about people, the one just wanted to do something for kids like us who don't have anything?" His older brother didn't respond. Instead, he slipped past Mokuba carrying his cup of coffee and a file folder from work. His younger brother followed him up the stairs and down the hall to his study. "I, um, made some sandwiches, ya want one?" Seto made a sound something like a snort in response and Mokuba wandered further down the hall and to his own room. I don't think I can take much more of Seto like this. I don't think I can handle living like this anymore. I have to get my brother back somehow . . .

Well, that's it. Something very important happens between this chapter and the next, which will be called "Without a Trace". So review and tell me if you can what you think it is that happens.