When The Angels Cry

Chapter 09:

Through The Motions

Kaiba and the surgeon discussed the details and from what the guys could gather it wasn't good at all. Yugi sighed and continued to twiddle his thumbs in his seat. "What do you think they're saying?" He whispered, hoarse from crying. He shook his head and shifted his eyes to the ground.

"It'll work out just fine." Honda chimed in. "They're most likely discussing what to do. They probably have to do surgery, since he fell from such a high place." Honda added further. "But these people know what they're doing so-"

"Yeah you're right." Jounouchi agreed. 'I hope.' Yugi took a deep breath and shut his eyes. A while later the two returned.

"Do what needs to be done."

"Of course."

Kaiba watched the other disappear before turning back to face his 'company'. He stared momentarily, examining their postures. He wanted to roll his eyes but he just couldn't muster up the energy. Honda was slumped in his hospital chair and Yugi was asleep curled up with his legs to his chest. He came to Jounouchi finally whom was leaning forward, elbows digging into his legs and his hands in front of his face almost as if he were praying, complete with closed eyes. They sure were a motley crew. He thought afterwards.

He approached and sat in the chair across from them. With his hand to his forehead as he tried to accumulate all that was happening; the words that were said and what truths were ahead, the thought that Mokuba was in a perplexing situation with him on one side and death on the other came to him horribly clear. So what does he do now? Wait. The one thing he could not stand the most.

"Hey, Kaiba."

His momentum was plunged into light at the voice. That dark dismal uncertainty was shaken and destroyed temporarily with the calling of his name from a member of the 'Dream Team' as he had taken to calling them. He blinked in stirred confusion and stared at them with annoyance.

Honda straightened and swallowed, "What did they say?"

Kaiba studied the simple question for a while. What was there to say? He didn't want to share what he had to brave and be told. "He's having surgery right now. It'll be several hours at best before they're through." He replied finally but it was too easy to see the many things not said. There was a lot more words shared and denied. But no one was in the mood to try breaking the barriers of Seto Kaiba.

Kaiba was better than earlier. He was in control of his emotions again. It wasn't time to break down and act dumb. He couldn't allow himself to be weak and cry; just a while ago it came so close. He felt the tears near the edge of his eyelids. But it wasn't about to happen again. He shut his eyes and sighed.

Jounouchi stood and excused himself to the men's room. He took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. He wanted to get away from this frustrating situation. 'I can't take anymore of this horrible place. Things have to be okay.' He whispered in his head. His body ached too now that his mind wasn't on Mokuba. His mind was swirling with the tension and suspense. He wasn't good in these predicaments where anything can happen. He felt like he was drowning in pain, fear and panic. He got down on his knees and winced as his back made it good timing to further hurt him.

He woke up to white florescent lights. He glanced around and found Yugi and Honda staring down at him. He groaned and tried to talk but his words came slurred and low. His eyes closed again and it was hard getting them to stay open.

"Everything'll be fine Jounouchi." Yugi called.

"You jerk. I told you it was a big deal. But you had to act all tough and stuff. So now you just need to rest and relax." Honda called out.

Jounouchi tried lifting his arms but everything felt so heavy. He thought for a moment, which was hard to do in his groggy state. He fell in the bathroom and then… Then that was it. He must've blacked out. He frowned. It dawned on him now. He was on a stretcher or maybe a bed and was drugged. "Get some sleep."
Jounouchi was making it there just fine without Yugi's advice. But they weren't at the hospital for him. 'Mokuba. Where are they? What's happened?' The blond kept trying to ask but mumbles plagued his opening mouth. "Shh."

He groaned again. "Kaiba… Mokuba?" He managed finally.

"Sulking around somewhere and still in surgery. Now go to sleep." Honda replied and to the blonde's dismay the anesthesia kicked in and he was out.

Yugi frowned. "Why didn't he just tell us he was in so much pain?" Yugi asked staring at his friend's form.

The other shook his head. "While Mokuba was in that condition? You know how proud he is. He doesn't want to admit when he's feeling less than hundred percent, besides with Mokuba the way he is it's no time to be complaining. He also might've been to focused on the kid's well-being to be affected by it anyway."

Yugi frowned. "I suppose. I wish we could speak to Anzu and Grandpa to see how there are holding up." Honda nodded.

Kaiba had long since left the waiting area and returned outdoors. He watched with an impassive set of eyes as the snow fell. He'd heard about Jounouchi being unconscious in the restroom and it was that moment he had to get away. He found the opportune time to break from their depressed and worried gazes. He couldn't handle them all night, reflecting the misery he was feeling inside.

"What am I going to do? I can't sit here and wait all night for the results." He frowned as he thought on what he was trying desperately to forget.


Mr. Kaiba, I know how hard this is going to be for you. I want you to know we are going to do everything in our power to make this a success." Dr. Shizui vowed.

"Don't patronize me. Just get to the point." He insisted not at all liking the stall.

"Yes. Your brother has a concussion and he's been going into convulsions while we've examined him." He paused and sighed. "Also we've found some bruising of the brain meaning there is some bleeding that unfortunately has caused some severe swelling. Also…"

Kaiba shook his head and tried to erase the conversation from his mind. 'In all truth, it doesn't look good.' The words played in his mind. 'We'll do what we can but there's a very high chance he won't survive by morning.' He tried but the words kept coming back to him. But it couldn't be true. And he'd prove it to all of them. 'Even if he manages to get better he won't be able to move his body efficiently and there's no telling what his mental state will be. I'm sorry we cannot elaborate on this. He could be just fine but then his brain may…' Kaiba ran his hands down his face.

"Doctor. Was it the right thing to bring him here with his spinal injury or should we have kept him still?"

Kaiba hadn't known why he asked it. He dreaded the answer but he wanted to know if this was indeed his fault. "It's best that you brought him here. He would have eventually bled internally to death. However it did injure his spine moving him from there to here but as I said, at least he has a small chance of living. Mr. Kaiba, I know how badly you want to see him alive and well, but I think it'd be best to start thinking a bit more on the alternative." He advised grimly.

Kaiba thought someone had just shot him straight in the chest. He stayed composed and took his attention to the wall behind the doctor. "I'll do what I think is right. Do what needs to be done."

Dr. Shizui nodded. "Of course."

Kaiba didn't remember coming back inside but then he was bombarded by his own fears and apprehension to recall anything. Nevertheless the nurse Liea awakened him as she put her finger to her lips as to signal silence. "Come with me." She whispered softly.

He stood to his feet and glanced around to confirm he was indeed back in the waiting room. He sighed and followed after as commanded. She led him through the doors and passed several rooms. He knew he was somewhere he shouldn't be but the way she carried on, he knew she must have done this other times for other families. They stopped before door number four hundred and twelve.

She turned to face him and she frowned. "He's still in bad shape Mr. Kaiba. We've done a lot of work to him but as to the extent of recovery…" She stopped and well, she didn't need to speak any other words. Kaiba knew how to read people. No. There didn't have to be a word more. She stared at him and put her hand on the handle. "I'm letting you see him now despite the doctor's wishes. He's been given anesthesia and other shots to help him-"

"I don't care to know what drugs have been given to him."

Liea nodded. "He's stable right now but I warn that it can change at any moment." She was near to tears. "Mr. Kaiba, I am really sorry about all of this. Mokuba is a sweet adorable young man."

Kaiba didn't like the way she spoke, but he refrained from shouting at her. She'd always been there for Mokuba back when she was a counselor at his school. Mokuba was always there after school to help her file paperwork and other things around the office, it didn't help he had a crush on her. But Liea always wanted to be in the medical field and had no money to get training until Kaiba got the job at this hospital for her. And here they were reunited again, only there were talks of old times and the warmth was being chilled by a premature despair. Kaiba knew exactly what this was, why he was standing before the door marked four-twelve.

This is his final moment with Mokuba before he passes away. He allowed his eyes to weaken, to close, to picture the lifeless body on the bed. He took a few deep breaths and stared at her downcast face. "Well open the door already." He mumbled.

She glanced at him and turned the handle. She leaned back against the door and let him in. Liea stared at the sleeping form, "He may slip in and out of consciousness, maybe. But we don't know if he'll be coherent or if he's brain dead." She choked out and left. He heard the break down in her voice as the door closed.

Kaiba stood there staring. He heard the humming and buzzing of the machines attached to his little brother. He approached but stopped once more at the foot of the bed. Everything in him was pounding, his head was killing him with pressure. "Mok-" He choked on his own words in nervousness. He cleared his throat and swallowed, which was so hard to do now. "Mokuba." He whispered.

Kaiba walked over to the side and sat in the chair next to his bed. He pulled closer and lifted his brother's hand. "You look so helpless right now you know. I wish I knew what you were doing up there on that roof. Mokuba, I told you it was dangerous." Kaiba wrapped his hands around Mokuba's hand. "I'm sorry. I did this to you." He frowned and he could feel the tears rolling down his cheeks. He didn't know what to say. All that came to him was his young brother's last breath. "Mokuba I wish I could change this scenario. Part of me didn't want you going over to their house. I should've made you stay home with me where I knew it was safe." Kaiba's breathing started to shallow. "I keep thinking, if I hadn't come to you, you wouldn't have been out on that roof. But I had to come didn't I?" He put his head to Mokuba's hand and shut his eyes. "I love you so much. I love you so much Mokuba." He shook his head. "You can't just leave me." His voice was nothing but a mere whisper.

An hour was passing by and there was no apparent change. He sat there staring at his whole world. "You don't deserve this." He muttered after a long while. "Why do I always hurt you? I always end up making you suffer." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "And this is too big of a mistake to forgive. I am so sorry." He frowned. He nuzzled into their enclosed hands and suddenly Mokuba's fingers tightened around his. The grip was gentle but it was the only thing Kaiba had.

Another hour passed. A nurse came in and checked things out and quickly left again. He caught glimpse of the clock it was a little after six a.m. Kaiba had his eyes closed as he heard the rhythm of Mokuba's heart monitor begin to panic. He felt the young one's hand jerk, he put the hand down onto the bed and watched as he began to twitch and violently shake. "Mokuba!"

The nurses and Shizui came running in to stop whatever was happening. And then suddenly he stopped moving. His heart was back to normal. Dr. Shizui sighed and spoke to the nurses in doctor code. He stared silently at Kaiba and then the nurses left the room. He took began to leave but stopped before the brunet, "I'm sorry. The time is coming." He stated and left.

Kaiba sat down beside him again and nodded. He composed himself and smiled faintly. "It won't be the same without you. I better give this gift to you now since you won't be with me to hear it on Christmas morning." He mentally screamed. There were only three days left of Christmas. Just three. "We were going to America and spend a month doing nothing but what we wanted. I know you've wanted to go there and visit San Francisco, to Florida, and New York and all the other states that you claim are your favorites. You know they can't be favorites if you want to see them all." He whispered with a smile. But it faded with the realization it wasn't to be. "But it's okay. I don't know if you can hear me. But knowing you, you'd blame yourself for all of this. But Mokuba it isn't your fault. I don't know why life has to be so cruel to us. But I failed in taking care of you. I promised everyone – myself that I would always keep you safe." He shook his head and kept his stern and emotionless mask on. "I'm sorry. I love you Mokuba. I hope you always knew that, then and now. Even when I didn't give you the attention you deserved and needed, when I was stuck at Kaiba Corp and running around the globe, I love you."

He stood and leaned over his twitching form. He kissed his bandaged forehead. He could see from the corner of his eye, another attack was coming. Kaiba let a few tears slip before he composed himself again. He pressed the 'call nurse' button as the monitors began to blur. And he heard Mokuba growl, grumble and gasp. "Se-Se" He stopped and watched him carefully, his eyes were wide open and searching the room but he couldn't see him.

"Mokuba!"

"I… Ll- Love… too.."

Kaiba was pushed aside as they attempted to calm the young one again but this time it was longer. It was worse than before and Kaiba knew it was perilous. It was a waste of energy to try now. He shut his eyes and awaited the final dead buzzing of the heart monitor. It was over. Mokuba's body was still now. Dr. Shizui put his hands in front of him and told everyone to stop. He glanced at the older Kaiba and nodded. "All right people, it's enough. It's over. He's gone."