My special thanks goes to: True Mel Meiko Mei Ling, Candy world, Ame-chan, CandyassGoth, XLightningX and Starlight2005. Your lovely thoughts and kind words were very encouraging and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

O-o-O-o-O

"What?" Mokuba cried in astonishment. "Nii-sama, did what?"

"He rejected the advertising proposal," Kaneko replied tiredly; she wasn't in the mood to re-enact the scene she just had with Kaiba. An hour she had spent remonstrating with the CEO to reconsider his decision, only to be met with a cold flat refusal. What frustrated her most was the excuse he came out with, the reason he threw out the proposal was because he didn't like the idea!

It was up to her inform Mokuba of his decision.

"What faults did he find with it?" the furious teen asked. He knew his brother could be fussy about certain things, but to scrap it at the eleventh hour when everything had been settled and agreed on was callous. He and Kaneko had spent weeks on end to find the right advertising campaign to promote the product. They had seen, shifted and studied dozens upon dozens of proposals until jingles and slogans were coming out of their ears! In the end they both agreed that Sakaki's submission was the closest to being perfect for the job…

And Seto rejected it!

Kaneko sighed. Two confrontations in one day were a little too excessive for her liking, especially coming from two very obstinate Kaibas. "He didn't like it," she replied flatly, mentally herself for the outburst that was sure to follow.

"He WHAT?"

The venom in her younger companion's reaction made Kaneko inspect him closely. The usual gentle grey eyes had darkened to an almost black hue, the nostrils flared out wide and the lips pressed firmly together forming a grim line. The kid's rage was frightening and she was sure it would have made his brother proud had the tantrum not been directed at him.

"Well, he said there were some points he didn't like and refused to approve it. He's asked for new proposals from other agencies to be re-submitted. The negotiation process for the advertisement has begun again."

Mokuba was speechless. Pushing his back his bangs with shaky fingers, he gripped them in a fist and stared at Kaneko; his mind absorbing the information it was fed. When realisation eventually sunk in, he released his locks and his arms dropped to his side like dead weights. "Fuck!" he spat, shoving his hands in his pockets and began pacing the room restlessly. He looked wild in his agitated state, as he walked back and forth all the while muttering, "I can't believe this" under his breath.

Finally, aware he wasn't being productive by sulking in his office and taking it out on his assistant, Mokuba stopped. Slowly turning towards Kaneko, his face pinched with hurt and betrayal, Mokuba asked, "Where is he, Kaneko-san? Where is Nii-sama?"

O-o-O-o-O

Kaiba was on the phone when Mokuba burst into the room. The angry expression on the latter's face informed Kaiba his message had been successfully relayed; that the teen had been enlightened with the latest development in his project.

"Fine, keep me informed of any progress," the CEO instructed down the receiver before hanging up. Then lounging back into his chair in a leisurely fashion with his legs crossed and elbows resting on the armrests of his chair; he laced his fingers together and glared at the intruder. "I would appreciate you knocking next time, Mokuba. Such unseemly behaviour is unfitting of the Vice President of KaibaCorp," he snapped, sparing a scowl at the petit woman who entered the room. "I gather from your behaviour, Kaneko has informed you of my decision."

"Your decision?" Mokuba hissed angrily as he approached the desk. "Since when was this project subject to your interference that you could make this decision, Nii-sama?"

"Since I am the CEO of this company and your superior, Mokuba," the CEO retorted brusquely. "And it would do you good to remember that!"

Mokuba snorted a response. Placing his hands on the table in front of him, he leant forward; the stiffness in his body spoke volumes of his tension. "I remember you saying I had free rein in this project—that you would not interfere in my choices nor question my decisions. You promised I could do as I see fit therefore you had no business in rejecting the advertising proposal I have chosen!"

Mokuba's look of indignation did not go unnoticed by the elder.

"I make it my business to supervise everything that goes on in KaibaCorp, Mokuba, including your project." Kaiba countered sternly. "If I felt your choice was wrong or your decision flawed in any way, I will step in and interfere."

"Then tell me what was so dire about Sakaki's proposal that you rejected it without notifying me first?"

Kaiba flinched at the mention of "Sakaki," his brother's cry of frustration was temporarily lost on him. If Mokuba had been a lesser employee, Kaiba would have fired him as soon as he entered, he certainly would not be tolerating the infuriating display of insubordination that the runt was exhibiting. Without a doubt, Mokuba's hissy fits, though rare, were tiresome.

The kid's attitude and tactlessness left much to be desired, Kaiba thought dryly.

However, with that said, he would have been kinder to his sibling were it not for him! Unfortunately for the latter, the fact that Sakaki was involved with KaibaCorp and chosen for Mokuba's project was a bitter pill for him to swallow. The arrogant prick had already fucked up his life where Yami was concerned and now he was worming his way into his company through Mokuba. Kaiba inwardly snorted at the audacity of it. Hell would freeze over first before he would allow that to happen! He would not consent to having that jerk in his presence ever again—even were it at the expense of Mobuka's project.

The bastard struck him where it hurt most, so now it was his turn to return the favour. He would do whatever it takes to keep Sakaki out of KaibaCorp and out of his life!

"It did not promote the product to its full potential, neither did it reach far enough to the age groups that it should or could have," the CEO expounded in a formal and concise manner, his reclined pose unchanged. "In other words, its audience targeting range was too narrow. As a businessman, you need to maximise the selling potential of your product; to do that you have to ensure it appeals to all. You should have given it better thought, Mokuba."

The furious look on Mokuba's face informed Kaiba he wasn't too happy with the explanation.

"That was the most thought out proposal we came across so don't go assuming this was a rash decision, Nii-sama!" maintained the younger, his irritation evident in his voice as he stared pointedly at his brother. "Both Kaneko and I agreed that there was none other, which appealed to us as much as this one did. The supervising representative, Sakaki Ryuichi, had done some extensive market research with regards to the possible buyers and age groups, and he tailored this campaign specifically towards it."

"Regardless, I believe it did not attain the best results hence I have instructed for negotiations to begin again," the stubborn man cruelly insisted, his reply filled with bile at the repeated mention of his adversary.

"You can't do that, Nii-sama," the hurt was clear in Mokuba's voice. "You can't just march in here and tinker with something I worked so hard for!"

'I can and I will, Mokuba," Kaiba replied coldly; the look in his eyes matched the tone in his voice. "I do not wish to discuss or hear anymore on this matter. This conversation is now closed. Are we clear?"

Unfortunately for the CEO, the irate youth was unwilling to back down. The dismissive way he was treated by his brother vexed him and it fuelled the refusal to submit meekly to the order. Directing a simmering glower at the seated man, he was proving to be just as obstinate.

"Why are you doing this, Nii-sama?" the teen pressed. "Why did you, without warning, show up in Tokyo? Surely, it couldn't be for work? Was it because of your fight with Yami?"

"Mokuba!" Eyes narrowed dangerously as Kaiba inclined menacingly towards the aforementioned. "Watch what you are saying!" he growled in a low voice.

"Why should I? Did you consider my feelings when you came and screwed with my project?" Mokuba shot back angrily, "What? Did I strike a nerve with Yami, Nii-sama?

The forgotten Kaneko looked from one brother to another. It seemed the latter was steadfast with his decision and it upset the younger immensely. Mokuba had a pained look on his face, whilst tension stretched tautly across Kaiba's. Furthermore, to say her interest hadn't pique when "Yami" was mentioned was a lie and Kaiba's reaction only served to increase it. The name was vaguely familiar as she searched in her mind for information on the related person.

It was intriguing…

"LEAVE!" bellowed Kaiba, the command reverberating loudly around the room and it jolted Kaneko out of her thoughts. Looking up at her employer, she saw vivid blue eyes glaring at her.

The order was directed at her.

With a slight nod of the head, Kaneko made a swift exit. Rarely, did she see them fight so intensely and rarer still, was she ordered to leave the room. Whatever it was they were fighting about now had nothing to do with Mokuba's project, that much she was sure of. As she made her way back to her office, she could safely assume their present discussion had a lot to do with Yami.

Back inside the CEO's office, the tension was so thick; it was stifling. As cold blue eyes clashed with steely grey, the brothers glared heatedly at each other across the table.

"So Nii-sama, are you going to tell me the real reason you are here, or are you still planning on avoiding it?" Mokuba's enquiry was laced heavily with sarcasm.

"Do I need a reason to visit my company or to see you, Mokuba?" returned Kaiba frostily. "Besides, I do not need to explain to anyone for my actions or my whereabouts, do I make myself clear, Junior?

Mokuba bristled from the reproach. It was typical of his brother to evade the question with more questions and it served to infuriate him more. "So, you are going to dodge around my questions then?" the younger snorted. "Fine, I'll ask Yami directly!"

"Don't you fucking dare!" Kaiba snarled, leaping to his feet and pounding a fist on the table. "Call him and I will trash your project completely!"

"What?" Mokuba gasped, eyes wide from the weight of the threat and the maliciousness of those words. "You wouldn't…"

"Try me," the elder challenged, his tone uncompromising, his stare unwavering.

Mokuba dropped his gaze, his anger curbed. Gone were days he could wheedle his way out of trouble or coax his brother with a puppy-dog eyes expression. Seto was not one he could trifle with when his fury level hit max and rising, and judging from the violent reaction he was shown; he knew he would need to tread very carefully. Opposing head-on was suicidal especially if Seto had effective leverage against his opponent. Using the project against him was a dirty yet efficient way of gaining the upper hand in this quarrel and Mokuba knew he was bested. A pout formed on his lips as a result. It revealed the immature teen that Mokuba usually kept suppressed.

Slumping into the chair behind him, Mokuba drew a long weary breath. "Why?" he asked resignedly. "What happened with Yami, Nii-sama?"

Kaiba looked away from the sprawled figure before him and turned to face the view outside the window, silently debating on how much information he was willing to volunteer. Perhaps, it would be better to disclose the news of the break-up and ensure the subject would not be accidentally mentioned again.

"As of two days ago, we are no longer together. He and I are no longer in a relationship," Kaiba's attention focused on the world outside the window as opposed to his only kin inside the room.

"What?" the teen asked, disbelief tinting his words. "You guys are…what?"

"You heard me so I'd appreciate if you stop repeating the same question, Mokuba," Kaiba snapped, still facing away from the youth.

"B-but, that's not possible, the both of you seemed so happy together—you seemed happy, Nii-sama," the younger insisted, unwilling to accept the shocking news. He shook his head as if physically denying it would refute the claim.

"Mokuba, just drop it," Kaiba gritted. "Nothing is ever as it seems, so forget about the matter and do not ever mention it again."

"But why, Nii-sama? Surely, Yami—"

Whipping around, Kaiba slammed a palm on the desk and leant towards the younger male. "Enough, Mokuba!" he snapped. "I do not wish to discuss this subject now or ever again. Do I make myself clear?" His intimidating pose and the dangerous gleam in those livid eyes dared the other to contradict him.

The cold hostility his brother displayed and the sudden action startled Mokuba. Peeved that the elder was still able to make him inwardly cower from a single glare, action or word made him resentful and raised his hackles. Again, his immaturity resurfaced inciting his reckless outspokenness. "You can't dismiss it as if nothing happened neither can you simply avoid the matter forever!" Mokuba seethed, his hands gripping the armrest of the chair tensely and carelessly baiting his brother despite knowing it was perilous for his project. "Are you going to keep running away from Yami as well?"

"There is no 'running away', Mokuba," Kaiba replied tartly. "Yami is still an employee of KaibaCorp so we will inevitably run into each other, that can't be avoided! However, we are not a living together nor are we romantically involved in any way."

"Why, Nii-sama?" persisted the teen, a note of frustration replacing the anger in his timbre. "It seems such a shame, such a waste. It is irreparable? Can it not be fixed?"

Kaiba did not reply, he did not know how to. To admit he was the one who ended the relationship would only bring about more questions, questions he was tired of asking himself. What was the best way to respond to this emotional brat of a brother? He knew Mokuba would not be too judgemental if he told him the truth, but the thought of having to disclose it to another, made him very reluctant. He could picture Mokuba looking at him with those mournful eyes and he shudder at the thought. He didn't need the latter's pity nor did he want it. He could imagine Mokuba wanting to repair the relationship if he thought it could be salvage; it was in his generous nature to meddle in his brother's affairs of the heart.

More's the reason not to reveal the truth, Kaiba thought gravely.

"Just let it be, Mokuba. I have my reasons," was all Kaiba could say. The statement sounded lame even to his ears and he knew it didn't convince his brother either.

Mokuba remained silent; his focus was on the reservations that marred his thoughts. If Seto said he had his reasons, could it mean he was the one who instigated the break-up? It meant Yami might not have agreed to it…

"I have a proposition for you," Kaiba's voice broke through the other's reverie. "Do not pursue this subject further and I will reconsider your chosen proposal if the flaws I have pointed out are rectified."

It was a bribe and the both knew it. It exposed the unsightly importance of having the issue swept under the mat and ignored. It made Mokuba greedy for the truth.

"Fine," Mokuba consented grudgingly as he got up, his brain on overdrive as it searched for a loophole in the conditions set. Nii-sama might have said not to pursue the matter; it didn't mean he couldn't call up an old friend in Domino City to see how he was, right?

Reaching the door with his hand resting on the handle, Mokuba paused for a moment. Turning his head slightly so his profile was visible to his brother, the younger uttered sombrely, "I hope you know what you are doing, Nii-sama. I seriously do."

With that said, he wrenched open the door and promptly departed.

O-o-O-o-O

Upon entering his office, Mokuba made a beeline for his desk. Throwing himself into his chair, he retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and proceeded to search for Yami's name amongst the contacts. Once he located the number, he tapped it to activate the call. The calling tone was loud above the hammering of the heartbeat in his ear. Patiently he waited as the ringing dragged on forever, he swivelled impatiently in his chair hoping the call would be answer soon.

Finally, to Mokuba's relief, the ringing stopped and Yami's voice cut in.

"Hello, you are through to Motou Yami's voice mail. Sorry I am unable to answer your call right now, but if you leave your name, number and message after the tone, I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank—"

The vexed Mokuba hung up before the recording tone came on…

O-o-O-o-O

Yami stared at his cell, relieved that Mokuba decided not to leave a message. He did not want to confront the latter right now; he suspected the teen wanted to discuss about the sudden appearance of his brother in Tokyo, along with the latest development on their relationship. Knowing the elder Kaiba, he had probably refused to discuss the subject with Mokuba and forbade the younger to call him, leaving the wary teen to randomise with his own theories…or the lack of. Undoubtedly, contacting Yami was the last resort to his mounting curiosity and it made Yami smile to think the rebellious Mokuba acting against his brother's wish. It meant the youth was not convinced with the reason he was given.

However, such actions put immense pressure on Yami; the ex-spirit did not want to explain the reason for the break-up simply because he didn't know how to broach it without causing damage to Kaiba's credibility in the younger one's eyes. He knew Mokuba looked up to his nii-sama; it would be cruel to detail the event and cause a rift between the two.

With a sigh, Yami pinched the bridge. He was tired. Most of his free time yesterday was spent settling back into his apartment; even without much to unpack, the uninhabited place required a good sweep and a clean. Being spoilt by the constant presence of servants in the Kaiba residence made him unaccustomed to the domestic chores and he was dog-tired by the time he had finished.

He, also, hadn't managed to inform Yuugi of his change of abode yet. Along with eluding Mokuba, it was another dreaded task he wanted to avoid with fervour.

The ringing of his cell roused the Game King from his thoughts. Cautiously peering at the screen, he was relieved to see Jonouchi's name displayed on it. Pressing the "Receive" button, he placed the phone on his ear.

"Hello, Jou," he greeted. "What's up?"

"Hey, Yami," Jonouchi's jovial voice chirped back at him. "It's payday today. Wanna go out for a drink tonight after work?"

Yami thought about it briefly. Last night he was busy with settling in, but tonight he had no such distraction. It might be a good idea to take up Jou's offer. "Okay, what time and where?" he asked keenly, now that he accepted the invitation, he was looking forward to it.

Jonouchi whooped with joy at the outcome of having a drinking partner for the evening, his happy excitement was not hard for the ex-spirit to detect. "Eight o'clock, at the usual place? How does that sound to you?" the ecstatic male gushed excitedly.

Yami chortled at the other's infectious enthusiasm. "It's fine, I'll see you then…unless there was something else?"

"Nope," Jou replied happily. "I'll see you then. Laters, Yami!"

"Bye," Yami grinned before hanging up. He was thankful Jonouchi had invited him out; the company would do him good since he did not want to be alone. His companion's chatter would provide a temporary respite to the bleak thoughts that plagued him in his solitude. The loneliness was depressing.

The sound of Jonouchi calling back jolted him out of his brooding.

"What did you forget this time, J—"

"Yami?" a hesitant voice, filled with uncertainty, addressed him.

Shit, Yami thought, as he mentally berated himself. In his haste to answer the call, he forgot to check the caller display…

It was Mokuba.

"Mokuba," he responded reluctantly. "How are you?"

It sounded foolish to be uttering pleasantries; it was an awkward moment and they both knew it. But Yami did not know what else to say. His previous dilemma came flooding back to him.

"I am fine, and you?" Mokuba promptly returned.

Yami's eyes widened slightly. He was surprised the other hadn't demanded to know what happened to him and his brother yet. The usually direct teen looked to be forcibly suppressing what was really on his mind and it puzzled Yami.

"Erm, as well as can be, Mokuba," Yami responded, his bafflement obvious in his voice.

"As well as can be?" Mokuba repeated. "Meaning?"

"Meaning as well as can be, given the circumstances…" Yami clipped brusquely, Mokuba's abstract approach was beginning to nettle him.

"Oh?"

"Yes, oh…!" Yami parroted rudely. He really did not want to be having this conversation and his terseness reflected it. He knew his reluctance made him a stubborn man.

The reply did not satisfy Mokuba, so he began again. "Yami, I am worried for you. Talk to me, please!"

Finally, with his patience giving out, Yami decided to tackle the matter straightforwardly. "Your brother forbade you to talk about the subject on us, am I right?" the ex-spirit asked peevishly. He sensed the other's restraint despite his desperation to learn the truth and he was grateful for it. At least, it provided a check on the onslaught of questions that would have drowned him, had the curtailment not be in force.

The silence confirmed his hunch.

"I see," Yami sighed. "Then you should respect your brother's wish and leave the subject well alone, Mokuba. Nothing will be achieved by discovering more than what Se—Kaiba would wish you to know. It will not change our present situation."

"He won't tell me the reason why, Yami!" Mokuba exclaimed, his promise forgotten. "He said he had his reasons but won't tell. I could see he was uncomfortable with the decision, but he won't reconsider! I knew the two of you had a lover's spat, but after the talk he and I had, he seemed more positive; it felt he was ready to make-up... So what happened between then and now, Yami? How did that fight get blown so out of proportion that it ended like this?"

Yami paled at the fretful outburst and his heart went out to troubled youth. "It was his call, Mokuba," Yami ventured gently. "I had no say in the matter."

'But why?" Mokuba insisted. "What drove him to such extreme, he was happy with you, I was sure of it! The bond you had with each other appeared steady and strong—it appeared unbreakable. Okay, you both bickered and competed with each other over trivial things, but that was the beauty of the relationship. You had been doing that since you've known it each other and it never done any harm before, in fact it was perversely healthy for the both of you. It was obvious, you both complemented one another other and everything progressed from there. Although he never said it, I knew Nii-sama loved you, I knew he trusted you with his love!"

The declaration made Yami wince. Was their feeling towards one another so apparent, he wonder? This newly acquired knowledge was now a burden to his fraught mind and pained him deeply. "Nothing is as it seems, Mokuba," Yami countered, regret heavily accentuating the words.

A bitter laugh was heard over the phone. "Ironically, he said exact same thing!" Mokuba said resentfully. "Let me ask you this, Yami… Did you do something to warrant his displeasure?"

Crimson orbs tapered to dangerous slits at the accusations, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Let me ask you this, Mokuba—do you think I did something to warrant his displeasure?" an icy voice replied. "You speak of how he entrusted me with his love when he himself could not trust himself to love. I thought we had a bond that grew stronger with time—one that could withstand everything we threw at it; but sadly, even that had its limits. Our sad state of affairs only demonstrated how naïve we were concerning such sentiments. We were too inexperienced when it came to 'love' and now we are paying for our foolishness. Your brother was not ready to love, if he was, he would never have acted the way he did; he would have never been so ready to reject the connection we had."

Mokuba remained silent; Yami knew he was trying to process what was being said.

"Maybe it was for the best, Mokuba. Better to end it now than later; it is less painful like this."

"I can't believe you would concede defeat and think it will hurt less because it ended sooner. That is bullshit, Yami! You care too much for Nii-sama for it to be less painful." Mokuba protested angrily.

The Game King was taken aback with the insight behind those words; the kid had an uncanny awareness to other people's feeling, it irked and amused him at the same time. "I wish your brother had that much faith in me, Mokuba," Yami said through a sad smile. "It would not have gotten to this pitiful state, if he had your optimism and your confidence."

"Do you still love my brother, Yami?"

"…"

"Can it not be mended? Can we not persuade him to reconsider his decision?" the teen entreated. "Come and see me in Tokyo, Yami. Perhaps, we can work something out…"

"I cannot,' Yami intervened, he did not want the other to get carried away with trying to achieve the impossible nor did he want Mokuba to harbour false hopes, such deception would be cruel. The memory of Kaiba's treatment towards him was still fresh in his mind, the hurt and humiliation was still very painful. The meeting would accomplish nothing. "We both have to move on now. Things were said and done that I cannot forgive…"

"Did Nii-sama hurt you, Yami?" the younger Kaiba asked quietly. Yami could sense the tension behind the words as he fearfully waited for the answer.

"In more ways than one, Mokuba."

Mokuba was quiet. He, of all people, knew what his brother was capable of; it explained Seto's refusal to talk about it and the subsequent bribe for his silence. Guilt could be a powerful inhibitor and in Mokuba's mind, Seto's offer confirmed it. Disappointment overwhelmed the teenager, his hopes dashed. It was apparent the relationship could not be repaired. Where someone as important as Yami was concerned, his nii-sama would never act heedlessly or take matters lightly. Whatever the cause, he was certain Seto had his reasons; it saddened Mokuba that such dynamic relationship ended on such an obscure note.

"I am sorry, Yami," Mokuba uttered mournfully, the sincerity coloured each and every word.

Yami paused for a moment before answering. "So am I, Mokuba," Yami answered sadly. "So am I…"

O-o-O-o-O

After hanging up, Yami rested his head on his clenched hands and massaged his temple with his knuckles. The confrontation with Mokuba had completely drained him and he was exhausted.

Exhaling deeply, he closed his eyes as if to shut out unwanted thoughts. He could seriously do with a drink about now…

~TBC~

O-o-O-o-O

A/N: Sorry for the tardy update. The mammoth task of having to write two confrontations caused me to procrastinate more than I should. It was a difficult chapter to write with the thoughts and emotions of three characters to take into consideration, I dearly hope it managed to do them justice. So please let me know how you found it.

As always, thoughts and comments are much appreciated, they are the greatest gift you can give a writer, so please give generously.