Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Gi Oh

Chapter 6. Snakes in the Grass

Mokuba awoke several hours later to find himself alone in an unfamiliar room.

Mokuba woke with a slight start and cautiously surveyed his new surroundings. It was utterly apparent he was no longer at that strange airport. Gone were the cots and ragged carpet. The bedroom to which he had been relocated was, in sharp contrast, nothing short of opulent. Judging by the damask duvet draped on his four-poster bed, stately armoire that took up a large part of one wall, and elegant chaise lounge strategically placed under the window, the room was obviously intended for an adult. Then there were other items in the room that seemed very much out of place: a hand held game player, stacks of cd's, trading cards – possibly Duel Monsters cards though Mokuba couldn't tell from his vantage point – as well as various other things a pre-teen boy might like all added as if they had been a rushed afterthought. This abrupt and dramatic change of location was confusing. Mokuba felt a bit like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz especially since he wasn't sure how he got to be in his new room. Trying to figure out what had happened, however, was going to have to be postponed until later. His stomach was a little queasy, and he felt very tired. Snuggling down deeper between the soft sheets and closing his eyes Mokuba comforted himself with the thought that his big brother would come before long and explain things to him.

Elsewhere in the mansion, Madeline Ohhira was in her office having a heated discussion with someone over the telephone.

"I still think that you revealed too much." The man's voice was skeptical.

"Nonsense," Madeline spat out defiantly. "I know what I'm doing."

"I'm just saying you don't know the Kaiba brothers the way I do."

"And I'm saying you seem to have forgotten your place. Who hired whom exactly? Don't make me regret my decision." She paused and took a breath. They were at a crucial juncture in their plans. Right now was anything but an opportune time for them to start arguing and distrusting each other. "Where are you?" she asked in a much calmer tone. "You left here about…"

"Yes. I'm almost there."

"Good. Things are proceeding well."

"Hmm." The man at the other end of the line did not seem to share her optimism. "I should go. I'm getting another call."

"It can wait. Now listen to me. There is nothing to worry about, " Madeline stated reassuringly. "I promise you. Kaiba is no longer in any condition to be much of a threat…." A knock at the door interrupted her train of thought. "I have to go. We'll talk later," she added brusquely and hung up. Madeline cleared her throat as she put away her cell phone.

"Yes. Come in," she said pleasantly. An elderly gentleman in a white coat entered the room.

"Mrs. Ohhira?" he asked. His question was polite but was one that implied he had something important to discuss regardless of whether or not he was interrupting anything.

"Oh, Dr. Hutchinson!" Madeline exclaimed as she stepped quickly to meet him. She was wringing her hands. "I'm glad you are back already. I've been very anxious. How is our little patient doing?"

"Much better. Yes, much better." Hutchinson sighed as he readjusted the stethoscope hanging from his neck. "What a terrible thing. No one his age should have been exposed to that much sleeping agent of any kind." Madeline feigned shock.

"Oh my!" The doctor nodded solemnly.

"While I don't know much about the Kaibas, I just can't imagine what could have triggered his older brother to snap like that. To drug his…" Doctor Hutchinson shook his head to remove the thought. "Well, anyway, the little one is very lucky you found him when you did. You are a courageous woman to become involved."

"I do so hate to see anyone in harm's way." Madeline placed her hand to her heart. "What kind of monster would I be to ignore the poor boy's plight?" Inwardly, she was gagging on her words. Outwardly, however, her performance was carried off flawlessly. Dr. Hutchinson smiled gently.

"Normally, in a situation such as this, I believe a child would be removed to foster care. But considering the high profile nature and complexity of this particular case, not to mention all the upheaval the boy has gone through, I will support your wish and make the recommendation that he stay with you. I have known you for many years and had known your former husband for great many more. There is not a doubt in my mind that you will take good care of him."

"Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me," she stated in a most humble and grateful fashion.

"Speaking of our patient," the doctor added in a more upbeat fashion, "he was regaining consciousness when I left. Would you like see him?"

"Yes, very much," replied Madeline. She took Dr. Hutchinson's arm, and together they walked down the long hallway.

Mokuba sat up in bed when he heard the door to his room open. In walked an older man who could be nothing other than a doctor followed by a younger woman with blonde hair – perhaps his assistant?

"Glad to see you are up, young man," greeted the doctor cheerfully. "That is a very good sign. A very good sign indeed." He pulled out a pen and notepad from his white coat. "Alright. Let's see here…I need you to do something for me. I want to see if you can tell me your name."

"Kaiba. Mokuba, sir." He looked at his guests curiously. The whole situation seemed strange to him. Who were these people, why were they here, and where was Seto?

"Mokuba," repeated the doctor. "Excellent." He began scribbling in the notepad. "Now I don't suppose you remember this lady here." The blonde woman wore an expression that was nothing short of maternal affection as she sat down at the foot of the bed. Mokuba looked wary and uncertain. He didn't say anything. She seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on her identity. "This is Madeline Ohhira. I'm Dr. Albert Hutchinson. And you, Mokuba, were rather ill. No need for concern, though. You are well on your way to recovery." The doctor smiled kindly as he checked Mokuba's pulse. The boy hardly noticed what was happening; he was busy studying that Ohhira lady.

Hutchinson spoke again. "I'm sure you are feeling a little confused, maybe a little scared." Mokuba turned his gazed back to the doctor who took the opportunity to check the dilation of his pupils. "Don't worry. Okay, now the other one. You are in good hands. You are safe now."

Safe, thought Mokuba. Safe. Was coming here part of their mission? "But where is Se.."

"Shhh, now," said Madeline Ohhira softly. She leaned forward and brushed his hair out of his face. "Everything is alright."

"I think we need to let our patient rest some more." Dr. Hutchinson jotted down some final notes. "I don't want you getting overly excited young man," he said to Mokuba. Madeline rose off the bed and walked to the door. She blew her charge a little kiss as she departed. "I'll be back tomorrow to check on you," Hutchinson continued. Mokuba nodded slightly in confirmation.

The door shut and he was once again left alone in the big, unfamiliar room. "Tomorrow," Mokuba murmured. The word stuck in his head. Something was supposed to happen on a 'tomorrow,' but when was that supposed to be? He had no idea what time it was, what day it was, and not even the slightest inclination of where he was. Everything, all his memories were foggy.

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Seto opened his eyes to see the old model airplanes of the main room gently swaying above him. Despite repeating his mantra to stay awake, he had succumbed to the drugs effects. Whoever remained in the room after Madeline left had untied him and placed him on the battered couch. "How thoughtful," he muttered bitterly. Seto slowly stood up and walked outside. Alone on the tarmac, he braced himself slightly against the wind that had begun to pick up and looked around. All that was left was his airplane – the one with damaged landing strut. The other one – the one carrying the precious cargo of his brother – was long gone to places unknown.

Seto glanced at his watch. What he saw surprised him. He hadn't been asleep for nearly as long as he had expected. Apparently Madeline gave him enough of the drug to knock him out quickly but not enough that would make him sleep for a very long period of time. According to his watch, he couldn't have been asleep for much more than few hours. That meant Madeline didn't have too much of a head start.

He knew that he would have to think of a plan quickly. There might be time enough to do some damage control. Seto went back inside to the kitchen. He picked up the phone off of the receiver, dialed one of the few numbers he knew he could trust, and waited for someone to pick up. Being the type of person who liked others to be prompt, especially his own employees, Seto was already getting impatient at ring number two. Ring three. Nothing. Ring four. Still nothing. Is he talking to someone else? What's the use of including call waiting on all company cell phones? he thought with growing frustration. Ring five…

"Yes?"

"Isona!" barked Seto.

"Kaiba-sama!" Seto could just visualize Isona scrambling, trying to recover himself. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting sir." However, his boss wasn't in the mood for apologies.

"Where are you?"

"I'm…near the office."

Near the office? "Whatever. I want you to come pick me up."

"And….Mokuba-sama?" Isona asked cautiously. Seto paused.

"Just come pick me up," he said losing the gruff edge to his voice and gave Isona his location. After hanging up, Seto took to pacing. He was fully aware that getting Mokuba back was not going to be easy. Not easy, but not impossible. While Madeline's accusations had, as much as he hated to admit it, shaken him, he was not broken. Seto was still willing to fight tooth and nail for Mokuba.

Maybe he hadn't always been the best brother, but he knew in heart Mokuba didn't belong under anyone's care other than his. He believed it, Mokuba, he was pretty sure, believed it. The question then was whether he could convince others of that fact. That, however, could prove to be a great challenge considering Madeline's knowledge of their affairs and her talent of twisting things around. How did she get all of that information? he wondered. It almost seemed like she had an insider working for her. It doesn't matter, thought Seto. I will find a way to stop you.

"You may have won this round Madeline Ohhira," he said out loud to the empty room, "but the game is still on."

Whew! A new chapter - finally. Sorry for the long delays between updates. Classes have been keeping me pretty busy. Thank you for your patience. A great big thanks to those who reviewed too! Your feedback is wonderful, helpful, and very much appreciated.