Chapter 31

His Funeral, His Confession

The tropical rain continued to fall in Japan and even on Seto Kaiba's funeral, Mother Nature did not care.

Kaiba's wake was held in a gargantuan ballroom located in the back of his house. The walls were covered in 18 foot windows that revealed the depressive conditions outside.

Ishizu stood at the doorway greeting people and receiving some of their apologizes for her lose.Mokuba stood beside her following the same duties only in a more sensitive manner.

The guests consisted of friends, co-workers and simple city-dwellers. Many wept, many sobbed however, surprisingly, some just glared at Isis in suspicion.

It was now 4:52 and the ceremony was already in session.Mokuba and Isis sat outside the recently closed doors on the marble floor listening to the preacher speak.

"We were supposed to get married in a couple of weeks." Ishizu murmured.

Mokuba only stare at his feet wondering how to get over such an event. He didn't weep. His brother had taught him that crying never solved anything. But how are you supposed to act after your brother is murdered?

"Mokuba, you are to take over the family business." Ishizu voice startled him.

"What?"

"Take over the family business. Pick up where Seto left off."

"What? Why so soon?"

Ishizu closed her eyes. "Because Seto would have wanted it that way." And with that, the Egyptian Goddess stood and ghostly disappeared down the hallway.

Mokuba watched her vanish and went back to leaning against the wall pondering on what she had just said. Could he actually pull this off?

Suddenly, the ballroom doors flung open and two of Kaiba Corp's guards rushed out.

"Young Kaiba, Sir, you should really come see this!"

Marik's heart began to pound wildly in his chest as his car drove silently trough the rain.Keket sat in the passenger's seat quickly thinking to herself.

The road seemed nearly vacant and it formed a sort of eerie feeling. The traffic lights reflected off of the shiny wet concrete as it was continually pelted with rainwater.

The radio inside the car was turned off as well as the air. Suspense and worriment were in the atmosphere. Turning down the street were the police department lay, Marik pulled over near a closed bakery ad parked the car.

Keket sat up attentively. "Marik, what's wrong?"

"I can't do this." He gripped the steering wheel and rested his forehead on it. "I just can't do this."

Keket felt helpless.Marik appeared before her weak and afraid (of course he would never admit to that) and she could do nothing about it. His shuddering and inaudible curses explained it all.

"Marik-"An abrupt knock on her window caused them both to look up. It was Bakura soaked from the rain. His white shirt, now see through, stuck to his body and his matching hair was now shattered across his face.

"Bakura!" Keket reached back unlocking and opening the side door for him.

Bakura slid inside quickly closing the door behind him. He was breathing heavily as if he had been running.

Keket turned around completely in her seat observing the boy's state.

"My goodness, Bakura, what were you running from!"

"It's a pleasure to see you again too, Keket."

"What were you doing out there?"

"Oh you know, thought I might catch up on my daily exercise- I was attending a wake."

"A wake?" Keket questioned considerably.

"Yes, your sister's fiancé's to be exact." Bakura nodded at Marik who violet eyes widened automatically.

"My sister fiancé! Seto Kaiba?" Marik asked overwhelmed.

"Yes."

"Seto Kaiba is dead?" Keket covered her mouth.

"Yes, he died only a few hours ago. I'm surprised they wanted to bury him so fast."

"Possibly because of the money involved." Added Marik, forehead pressed against the steering again.

Keket placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Oh Marik."

Bakura raised an eyebrow questionably. "Um, may I ask why he's so depressed?"

"Bakura…the reason Seto died was because-"

"I killed him." Marik finished. "I shot him and he…" He trailed off looking out the window and sighing profoundly.

Bakura revealed a fake smile in disbelief of what he just heard. "Marik, you didn't. I knew you hated the guy but…you shot him?"

"He was hurting my sister! He harassed her! I wasn't going to left him get away with it!"

"But you shot at him? Marik you could of handle the situation better."

"He had a gun as well."

"Okay, maybe Marik made a mistake but he's innocent right. This was an act of self-defense. He was protecting Ishizu and himself."

"How do you know that?"

"She was there."

"You were apart of this Keket!"

"I didn't have a gun, I just wanted to make sure Ishizu was okay!"

Bakura forcefully leaned back in his seat, sighed, and sat up again.

"You could get in trouble for this as well!"

"What! How? I didn't do anything!"

"Perhaps, but the way the justice system is-"

"Perhaps? What do you mean when you say 'perhaps'? I wasn't involved in the shooting?"

"Well I don't know that."

Keket chuckled with skepticism. "Are you calling me a lier, Bakura?"

Bakura searched for words after realizing what he had just said to his best friend.

Marik had heard enough and turned in his seat. "You know what; I don't even see why this concerns you."

"Marik, I was only-"

"I don't care! I'm in the middle of a crisis right now and the last thing I need is another heavy burden."

"I'm not trying to be a burden Marik.It just this is all very shocking."

The verbal conflict went on and on with Keket no longer saying a word. She plainly watched the rain continue to pour down the windshield that the wipers momentarily cleaned away.

"This is ridiculous."

Marik had heard her and stopped arguing with Bakura to listen to her.

"What did you say, Keket?"

"I said, this is ridiculous, pointless."

"Well-"

"Turn yourself in."

"What?"

"Turn yourself in! Marik, I want you to turn yourself in." She was now facing him completely.

"Keket-"

"I know this is risky and scary. I know you're scared, so am I. But the more you try to postpone this the bigger this problem will grow. So just do the right thing, please."

Marik's eyes shifted from Bakura and back to his girlfriend. "Is that what you want?"

She nodded. "Yes."

Marik inaudibly cleared his throat, put the car in drive and descended down the road. He squeezed Keket hand feeling it brush over his. Faith was still at his side.

As they pulled up to the building, Keket gave him a quick kiss and smiled calmly.

Marik eyes softened. "I love you."

"I know you do."

"What? What's the matter!" Mokuba shouted in worriment.

The crowd departed like the Red Sea as Mokuba continued his rushing pace to the homemade alter were his beloved brother lay.

The coffin was a shiny obsidian color and swam in blue rose petals.Mokuba quivering hands slowly lifted the coffin's cover.

Outside the weather was starting to look on the positive side. The birds were returning and the sky was slowly turning a light orange cream color. Sunrays reflected the small puddles in the Kaiba garden and made the flowers sparkle.

Ishizu sat on the cement bench and watched in silence. Her Amazon green eyes altered slightly seeing a shadow come over her.

"Rain always has a funny smell to it, doesn't it?"