AmePiper: I didn't know you weren't American! Where are you from? Wow, that's so exciting! I have an international reader! Yes, I'm American, but I feel as though I'm one of those "cool" Americans, if that makes any sense. But anyways, I'm glad your reading this, because I definitely have a lot of underlying themes for this story and one of them is American life and immigration. My Mom is an immigrant, so it's sort of a view of life in America and how it's culturally and ethnically different from other countries. But anyways, thanks so much for the review and sorry for the late update!

Mystical Sand: Oh yes, the confrontation with Pegasus shall prove to be quite eventful. I'm sorry this chapter was so short, but believe me, it's going to get much better. Thanks for the review!

Afiong Bassey: Sorry I updated so late!! I hope you'll forgive me and enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 8

Who You Are

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Seto wandered slowly toward the children that were standing in a circle.

"You think you're so smart, don't you? Just because you're supposed to be two grades below us, you think you're better than the rest of us!" John growled.

"Yeah!" another boy sneered. As Seto got closer and closer, he starting figuring out what was going on. A boy held both Mokuba's hands behind his back and a moment later he shoved him into another boy who did the same thing. "Come on Japan, aren't you going to defend yourself?"

"Yeah, didn't you learn how to be a samurai or something back in your old school?"

"If you're so tough, why don't you stand up for yourself?" The last boy that held Mokuba shoved him onto the ground. Mokuba staggered as he tried to recover from his dizziness. John stepped in front of Mokuba and into the circle staring at down at him. He had an evil grin on his face.

"So what's it going to be?" Mokuba slowly stood to his feet, turning his hands into fists as he stared John right in the eyes. He brought his fists up in fighting position, as did John. The crowd went silent as both opponents stepped forward. They were ready to launch at one another when a strong hand gripped John on the shoulder. "Hey, what the-" John turned around to find Seto hovering over him.

"Don't even think about hurting my little brother." John's face went from fear to amusement after he got a good look at Seto. He burst into laughter immediately.

"His brother's a freak too!" Suddenly the whole crowd was laughing along with him.

"Look at his clothes!"

"What kind of haircut is that?"

"Do all Japanese people dress weird?"

"I was actually scared of that guy for a moment!" All sorts of mean comments exploded from everyone as the kids continued to laugh. Seto was baffled. He had gone from complete control of the situation to the laughing stock of a bunch of middle school kids in only a matter of seconds and he wasn't even sure of what he had done that had been funny.

Mokuba, on the other hand, was utterly embarrassed. He quickly made his way past the crowd and to the car, and even then he could still hear them. "Mokuba! Wait up!" His brother called after him, but he didn't stop until he had reached the car.

"Mokuba, I-"

"Just open the door."

"But I just wanted…"

"I said open the door NOW." Seto unlocked the door and they both sat in the seats of the car silently. Mokuba violently threw his backpack into the back of the car and threw on his seat belt. "Let's go already." Seto started the car and began to drive.

"I hate being Japanese." Mokuba announced coldly after a few minutes of silence between both brothers. Seto looked over at his brother.

"What? Why do you hate being Japanese? You are Japanese. You can't hate who you are."

"Oh yes I can. I hate my name, I hate my accent, and I hate Japan."

"Come on Mokuba, it's you're first day of school. How can you go from being a Japanese citizen to self loathing in one day?" Mokuba crossed his arms and staring sternly out the window.

"All the kids made fun of me. I could barely keep up with half the English they were speaking, but I knew they were making fun of me. What kind of name is Mokuba anyway?"

"Mokuba is a great name. Since when have you ever had a problem with your name?"

"My name means 'wooden horse'. Who names their child after a wooden horse? I don't know what Mom was thinking when she named me that."

"Don't insult your mother."

"Why? She's dead anyways, so who cares?" Seto pulled the car over and stopped it on a random street. He turned his whole body around and the most serious face Mokuba had ever seen.

"Don't you dare say ANYTHING bad about your mother. I don't care how much you decide to hate being Japanese, don't bring Mom into this." Seto started up the car again and they didn't say another word to each other. When they stopped in front of their new home, Mokuba looked over at his brother.

"I'm sorry Nii-sama." Mokuba said quietly. Seto put his arm around Mokuba's neck and brought him closer as he gave him a kiss on the head.

"It's fine Mokuba." They entered what seemed as though a stranger's house. But they were both aware that this was their new home. The Kaiba mansion was already starting to seem like a distant memory to them. "So how was your first day of school?"

"I think you have an idea of how that went. How was your first day of trying to build up another company?"

"Maybe even worse than your day at school."

"Really? What happened?" Seto sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"I don't really want to talk about it. Let's just leave at, it was bad." Seto and Mokuba walked through the living room and to the kitchen where Steven was running about trying to make dinner. "Steven, what are you doing?"

"Making dinner, Sir, like you asked." Mokuba and Seto stood in the room, just watching him for a moment as he was boiling water, cutting vegetables, and stirring soups all at the same time.

"I feel kind of bad for him, Nii-sama." Seto placed his hand on Mokuba's head in silence before retiring to his room. As he slowly made his way up the gloomy steps, he felt a wave of anxiety as he remembered the day he had just had. Seto had never been talked to in such a way in his life, talked to like he was less than. Only when he was under Gozaburo's custody did he ever feel he was lower class, but otherwise, Seto was seen as a powerful man in the eyes of Japan. Would Seto be able to make it in Japan? Could Kaiba Corp. strive in America as it did in Japan? Seto wasn't quite sure what his plan was anymore; the day had thrown him off a bit. But, as he always did, he would manage and survive.

"Nii-sama?" Mokuba poked his head into his brother's room. He was surprised to see Seto lying in his bed with reading glasses on and a thick novel in his hand. This must've been the first he had ever seen his brother not on a computer or working away the night hours. Seto looked up from his book.

"Mokuba, what are you doing up? It's late." At first, Mokuba was quiet. He felt ashamed and guilty for ruining his brother's first moment of peace in his life. He had wanted time with his brother, but the idea now seemed like a crime after seeing his brother enjoying his time alone. Tears began to well up in Mokuba's eyes. Seto stared at him with concern.

"Mokuba?" He placed the book down and removed his glasses, "Are you alright? What's wrong?"

"I-I'm sorry Nii-sama!" Mokuba yelled, "I didn't mean to ruin your reading time!"

"Mokuba, you haven't ruined anything. Come here and lay down with me." Seto moved over and pulled open the covers. Mokuba quickly scurried over to the bed and climbed in, curling up right next to his brother as he placed his head on Seto's chest. A smile appeared on Mokuba's face, his brother's presence always gave him security. Seto put his arm around Mokuba.

"Are you sure I didn't ruin anything for you?" Mokuba asked with a whisper as he closed his eyes.

"I'm positive." Seto replied. He pulled his brother close smiling tenderly as Mokuba drifted to sleep. If only Mokuba knew what strength he gave Seto. Seto didn't think Mokuba really knew a lot that went on in his mind half the time. How Mokuba hadn't ruined his moment at all, how he had actually been waiting and wishing for Mokuba to appear in his doorway like old times just so he could have Mokuba close to him.

In that moment, Seto knew. He knew how hard this transition was going to be, that there were going to be a lot of ups and downs as well as challenges and difficulties in the next several months. But he had to stick by his own ideas and values and he had to succeed. Seto Kaiba was not one to give up easily. Seto had to make it, no matter what happened. He needed to strive and survive.

A/N:Hey guys! I'm really REALLY sorry I updated so late! I had so much intention on updating much more quickly, but I got a little lost with school and what not. I assure you there's more to come and I've been planning out some REALLY great ideas for this story. You have no idea, I'm planning on this story being the longest and most eventful yet. And there are lots more twists and turns along the way. I'm sorry this chapter was kind of short, but I promise you I'm starting on chapter 9 right after I post this so stay tuned and please keep reading!