So I'm going to try to post this one final time....please, if anyone has an issue or problem with my story, please, please email me and tell me. Please don't report it and have it taken down again. I know a lot of people are enjoying this, and it's not fair to have it removed.

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Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh...NOT MINE!

Chapter 4

Seto stared out at the snow that fluttered down in the deepening night, the dark, storm-laden sky matching his mood.

It looks so cold, he thought, trailing his fingers down the icy glass of the windowpane, the cold counteracting the raging storm of emotions that swirled within him. So frozen and forbidding. So…empty.

A soft and hesitant tap at the door penetrated his consciousness, causing him to lift his head and turn. Mokuba slowly entered the room, his eyes downcast and his shoulders slumped as though the weight of the entire world was cast upon him. Seto felt his heart wrench as he watched his little brother cross the room to stand before him, looking up at him with red-rimmed eyes that were still shimmering with tears.

"He's – he's gone, Seto," Mokuba whispered, his chin trembling.

Seto's heart thumped wildly in his chest. He really did leave, he thought sadly. I was hoping…

He forced his face into his customary scowl as he knelt down to face his brother. "Good. He was an unnecessary distraction, Mokuba," he muttered. "It'll be better off without him – you'll see. Life can get back to normal around here without that mutt hanging around."

The lie tasted bitter in his mouth, but he willed himself to become the emotionless Seto Kaiba once again. It's the only way to help Mokuba move on, he thought. And maybe it's the only way I can move on myself.

Mokuba stared in amazement at his brother. Is he serious? He thought angrily. With a wild shriek, he launched himself at Seto and began pounding his little fists on his brother's chest. Seto stared at him in amazement, too stunned to even react.

"You stupid fool!" Mokuba shouted angrily. "You dumb, idiot, baka fool! How could you? Don't you even get it? Don't you even care? You ruined both yours and Jou's life…and you ruined mine too! I loved Jou too, you jerk! He was a brother to me, just as much as you were! How could you! I hate you, Seto, I hate you!" Sobbing wildly, he spun on his heel and flew out of the room. The slamming of a door seconds later was the only sound to punctuate the silence.

Seto stood motionless, his face twisting in anguish. God, it's not enough that I lose Jou – but I've lost my brother as well. There's nothing left for me – nothing.

He slumped to the floor, his face in his hands. I am frozen. I am ice. I am – alone. His emotions – anger, rage, and despair - all welled up inside of him, building like a wall in his chest, before ripping out of his mouth in an anguish-filled scream. He howled like a banshee, his fingers tugging wildly at his hair, his muscles tense and trembling as he rocked back and forth on his knees. As his final defenses crumbled, one thought crossed his mind before the darkness came to claim him.

I will be damned if I let him go. I will get him back; I swear it by all the gods!

As the door to the study crashed open and Mokuba rushed in, Seto allowed the blissful oblivion of unconsciousness to wash over his tortured mind. He saw and knew no more.

--

The doctor turned from the side of the bed to face the young boy who stood motionless by his side.

"He will be fine, young Mr. Kaiba," he said. "He just needs rest – time and rest. Your brother was overwhelmed, little one. His mind was unable to take the strain, and something had to give. But he will recover fully."

Mokuba nodded his head, half-hearing what the doctor was telling him. His hands were clenched in trembling fists as he stared at the unmoving form of his brother stretched out on the bed.

This is all my fault, he thought sadly. If I hadn't gotten so mad at him – how could I say such mean things to him?

He creased his brow. "How long will it take, doctor?" he asked worriedly. "He hasn't moved in a long time!"

The doctor smiled at him as he packed his bag. "I've given him a sedative, young sir," he said. "He needs to sleep. But he should come around in a few hours. Do not allow him to leave this bed. He needs a great deal of rest. I will take my leave of you now." He bowed low and turned to leave.

Mokuba nodded his thanks, barely noticing when the door closed with a soft click. With a sigh, he crawled onto the bed next to Seto's motionless form. Wrapping his arms around his brother, he curled into a ball next to him.

"I don't know if you can hear me right now, but I don't hate you, Seto," he whispered into his brother's ear. "I love you, nii-san. You are everything to me. Please forgive me – come back strong, Seto. I love you, big brother."

Seto stirred lightly, mumbling something in his drug-induced sleep. Mokuba hugged him tightly, and placing a gentle kiss on his brother's cheek, he closed his eyes and was soon asleep.

--

Seto was on a quest.

He raced down the never-ending hallway, unsure of what it was he was searching for. His feet flew down the stone path, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He felt his heart beating wildly, sweat beading on his face, as he was seized by a terror he had never before known. He stopped suddenly and spun on his heel.

There, standing behind him, were Jounouchi and Mokuba, their faces pale and emotionless. Seto clutched a trembling hand to his chest as he willed his breathing and heartbeat to slow. Jou slowly approached him, hands held out in front of him.

"I gave all I had to you, Seto Kaiba," he said in a voice as cold as ice. "I gave everything to you and you threw it away. You destroyed me, you bastard. You killed me." Jou turned his hands over, and Seto gasped. Gaping cuts appeared on Jou's outstretched arms, and blood began to drip down, pooling on the floor.

"This is all your fault," Jou accused, the blood pouring faster out of the wounds. "It is your fault. You have destroyed me. You have lost me forever."

Mokuba stepped forward to stand next to Jounouchi. "You are nothing to me," he said, his mouth twisting as he spat at Seto. "I disown you, Seto Kaiba. You are nothing to me."

He dipped his finger into the blood that had pooled on the floor, and pointed the red-tinged digit at Seto accusingly. "You have killed my only brother, Kaiba," Mokuba growled. "You have killed him. It is all your fault. I hate you, you monster, I hate you."

As Seto stood rooted to the spot, the two figures moved toward him, their features clouded with pure rage. A pair of hands, he was unsure of whose, wrapped around his throat and began to squeeze…

"NO!" Seto sat upright with a scream, his heart pounding wildly. Mokuba jumped up like a shot, startled out of sleep. He placed a hand on Seto's arm, trying to calm him.

"Seto, please!" he cried. "Calm down, onii-chan! Please Seto, relax!"

Seto twisted away from him, throwing back the covers and scrambling from the bed. "Keep away from me!" he snarled, backing away from his startled brother into a corner of the room. "Don't touch me! It's not my fault, it isn't!"

His back pressed hard against the wall, and he held his hands out in front of him like a cornered animal. "I didn't mean it Jou! Please, forgive me, I didn't mean it, I love you, please come back to me, I need you so much! Mokuba, please don't leave me, oh god, I'm sorry, don't leave me little brother!"

He dropped to his knees, covering his face with his hands. "I didn't mean it, please, I didn't mean it. Not my fault, forgive me." He swayed wearily, his strength sapped by the sedative coursing through his bloodstream.

"Not my…fault," he whispered.

Mokuba crossed the room and threw his arms around his brother, holding him tightly. "Seto, I won't leave you," he said tearfully. "I'm here, nii-san, I won't let you go. I love you, Seto." He gathered his brother into his arms, rocking him gently back and forth. "I'm here, Seto. I won't leave you alone, I promise."

Setoheld tight to his younger brother, clutching at himlike a raft in a storm. "Mokuba, oh god Mokie, I thought I lost you forever," he whispered, his voice slurring with exhaustion. "I'm so sorry, Mokie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your life, I'm so sorry, Mokuba. I love you, little brother, please, forgive me."

Mokuba kissed the top of Seto's head. "I forgive you, big brother," he said softly. "You haven't ruined my life. I love you, Seto."

Seto nodded his head gently as his remaining strength left him. His vision blurred and his body fell limp. "I'm going to make it right, Mokie," he mumbled. "I'm going to get him back, I promise." He closed his eyes, his body falling back into a much-needed slumber.

Mokuba sighed as he lay his brother down. He went over to the bed and, grabbing several pillows and blankets, made a makeshift bed for the two of them on the floor, placing a pillow under Seto's head before covering them both with the blankets. He sighed again, curling into a ball next to his brother, wrapping his arms around Seto's peacefully sleeping form.

I hope you do make it right, Seto, he thought, closing his own eyes, a serene smile crossing his face. For all of our sake. Get Jou back – make us all whole once again, big brother. I know you can do it…you have to.

A/N: Well, another angsty chapter Lol. Poor Seto. I hope it didn't stink too much! Geez, have I made Mokuba a tough little squirt head, or what? The next chapter is going to be much happier – promise. Please read and review…thanks!!! 