Woo! Sorry for the lack of updates! here's the next chappie!
As usual, Yu-gi-oh is not mine, just solely for my amusment!
Warnings: A teeeeensy bit of swearing, and some angst ahead!
Mako stood by the window watching the rain drizzle down the glass. His mood had been foul when he had returned to the ship to find Ronan loading their suitcases onto the hotel's cart.
Ronan had asked his brother why he was so upset, but Mako had growled about being tired and wanting to turn in early. Ronan was noticeably uneasy by his brother's uncharacteristic moodiness.
Dinner had been quiet, while Mako brooded and afterwards Ronan had kept to his side of the room, cautiously peeking out at Mako from behind the latest duel monster strategy guide he had purchased.
Now, Mako glanced over at his brother's sleeping form. Resting peacefully beneath the light covers with the book clutched loosely in his hands. Mako crossed the room and stood by Ronan's bed side. He studied the sleeping boys face, and features.
"You can't be him." Mako whispered as he tucked a stray sable lock of hair from Ronan's face.
"You might have similar features, but someone as gentle and kind as you are can not be him."
Ronan shifted in his sleep, "Nii-san," he said pulling the sheets closer to his shoulders. "Go to sleep, just staring at your source inspiration won't guarantee you the win tomorrow."
Mako chuckled, his bad mood dissipating some, "You're my mascot now, remember?"
Ronan sleepily nodded "yes".
"But," Mako smirked as he headed to his own bed, "I might name you 'head-slave driver' as well."
Ronan snored in response.
"I'll take that as a "yes" then." Mako smiled and turned out the light.
You're not him Mako thought as he began to drift to sleep You're too good to be that heartless bastard.
Ronan opened one eye and waited. Mako snored once. Then twice, and then once more. Good, Ronan thought, he's asleep. Quietly Ronan slipped from his bed, and toed-on his sandals. Taking the door key with him, he silently closed the door after him.
Ronan wandered the floral patterned hallways as he reflected on the evenings past events. He couldn't remember Mako ever acting this way. His brother was jolly, although intense at times when it came to things Mako was passionate about.
He's never been this way. What upset him? I bet it had something to do with those two duelists we met in the lobby. Ronan recalled how upon his and Mako's return back to the lobby, Rex and Weevil had an ashen appearance and were quick to get out of Mako's way.
What had nii-san said to them? Ronan wondered as he quietly strolled down the hallway. His mind raced as he tried to come up with plausible reasons to his brother's attitude. Ronan sighed frustrated and rubbed his temples after minutes of reflection caused his head to ache.
He was so lost in thought that he failed to notice the other person in the hall, and proceeded to all but crash into them.
"I am so sorry." Ronan said somewhat automatically as he bent to help the poor person to their feet. The person made a startled gasp, batted the offered hand away At his feet sat Weevil. Was hastily trying to vacate the area that he and Ronan were now occupying while muttering a series of apologies to "Mako's precious little brother". Unfortunately, Weevil kept stumbling on the long robe he wore, and fell a total of three times in his attempts to scurry away.
"Here." Ronan said, offering his hand again, but this time not bothering for Weevil to accept him. He promptly grabbed Weevil by the arm and hauled him to his feet.
"ThankyouMr.tsunamiIdidnotseeyoustandingtheremyapologiespleasedon'ttellyourbrother." poured from Weevil mouth, as the shorter duelist frantically shook Ronan's hand, as Weevil attempted again to hurry away.
Ronan grabbed Weevil by the shirt collar. "Stop it. I bumped into you, so I should be the one apologizing." He said in an annoyed tone.
"And, I won't tell Mako anything." Weevil's body visibly relaxed.
"In fact." Ronan said with a friendly smirk , "He doesn't even know I'm out here."
"Running away?" Weevil said in an all too hopeful voice.
"Hardly." Ronan deadpanned. He gripped Weevil harder, "But, I would like to know why you and Rex looked about ready to shit yourselves, when you saw my brother and I come back to the lobby."
Weevil smirked, "My what a harsh tongue you have. From the way Mako droned on and on about you, Rex and I thought you were such an innocent thing. What's gotten into 'Mako's good brother.'."
Ronan snorted angrily and shook Weevil to make a point. "Its 2 am and nii-san and I have had a long day. All I know is," Ronan's voice dropped into an intimidating growl, "is that my brother was quite unhappy this evening, and I want to know what you and that other punk duelist did to MY brother."
Ronan could not believe the words that just come from his mouth. The rudeness and dangerous arrogant tone that seemed to bubble forth. It scared Ronan, but for some reason it felt ….natural. And for a split moment, in a perverse way, his intimidating tone felt good.
And it had achieved the desired effect, Weevil was now trembling in his grasp. "Y-you're him. I know it. You just sounded like him."
"Who?" Ronan questioned, as feeling of anxiousness began to rise in his stomach.
"I knew it," Weevil continued to ramble, "I mean, your hair, your eyes, height, build (although you're more muscular now), your voice just now. It can't be a coincidence…"
"What are you talking about?"
Weevil smirked, "You thought you could just get up and disappear, didn't you? Was it that bad loosing?"
Ronan stared the boy straight in the eyes, "What?"
"Battle City. You got pissed that Yugi beat you, so you just up and left. Everything, your company, your family.."
Ronan released his grip on Weevil as if he had be holding a poisonous insect. "What are you saying?"
"Stop playing Kaiba." Weevil snapped. Ronan felt like someone had dumped tank of ice water on him.
Weevil smirked, "Wow. Wait until I tell the media that I found Seto Kaiba, hiding like a dog with its tail between its legs with Mako Tsunami. Heh, I bet Yugi won't even ask you for a re-match like he said he would whenever you came back."
"I am not him." Ronan said shakily. "I am not that boy, whom everyone seems to hold in contempt."
Weevil's smile seemed to grow wider, " You should be held in contempt. The day after you left, you fired everyone employed to Kaiba Corporation, and shut down your gaming empire." Weevil stopped to catch his breath and to relish in the dazed look upon Ronan's face.
"But that's not the worst thing you did. No, people have been outspoken about the last thing you did before you left. And do you know what that was, Kaiba?"
Ronan shook his head, trying to articulate something, but felt like he was drowning. "I. am. Not…"
Weevil's voice dropped to a malicious hiss, "You disowned and abandoned your brother."
Ronan stood dumbstruck in front of Weevil, he opened his mouth several times to try to speak, but Weevil continued,
"That's why everyone hates you. I mean they hated your before, and rejoiced when Yugi took your titles, but your actions appalled even those who were once your most loyal fans, as you had a ten year old child tossed out onto the streets with no name or inheritance."
Ronan felt his body go numb.
"Hell, You probably didn't even give the kid a ride to the orphanage." Weevil said evilly.
Ronan felt his heart wrench at the last statement. " No." he whispered.
"If you were truly Mako's biological brother you wouldn't be reacting this way."
Weevil watched as the taller figure sank to the floor hugging his arms to his chest.
"I'm not him." Ronan repeated. "I am Ronan Tsun-"
"Sure you are." Weevil snorted at the trembling figure.
Weevil closed the space between him and Ronan, leaning his jeering face as close as possible to Ronan's. "Heh. Your 'brother', had us scared earlier, He threatened to do all sorts of things to Rex and I if we were to speak to you or tell him again how much you resembled Seto Kaiba. But since you really are him, as it seems to me, that the whole world, and Mako hates you."
As Weevil spoke the last three words, Ronan felt a searing pain rip through his heart, and then his stomach. If he really were who Weevil said he was, then Mako hated him.
"No." he whispered again.
Weevil laughed haughtily, "I have got to tell this to Rex. This is excellent. We don't have to worry about Mako, now that I know who you truly are. I can't wait to see Fish-head's reaction!" And the insect duelist strode away leaving the shaking boy in the middle of the hallway, "Good Night, 'Ronan Tsunami'. Tell your 'nii-san' 'good luck' tomorrow!"
Ronan watched the departing figure through blurred eyes as he fought to force back his tears.
Was he really Seto Kaiba?
If he were that meant he had done other horrible acts. And if had, that meant people hated him.
Which would mean, wondered Ronan as he thought back to all the times how Mako had reacted to the name, "Seto Kaiba." He reacted with such anger towards Kaiba.
Ronan cringed.
Mako hated Kaiba. And if what Weevil said was true, Mako would hate him.
Ronan held his head and his hands and let the tears come.
TBC! Hehehe sorry for the lack of updates, the internet has been rather spotty! Please R and R! I might be re-doing a couple chapters though so please tell me what you think thus far! Is the story moving too fast, too slow or just right! See ya!