MythCreatorWriter: Yeah, the anime is a little weird. In the anime, Lector says that Seto deliberately leaked the information to Gozaburo, making Gozaburo think that it was Mokuba, so that Gozaburo would let Seto buy up forty-nine percent of the company, confident that he would have Mokuba's two percent on his side… yeah. I don't know if that goes along with how I did it, but it's too confusing to even figure it out. So I did my own thing and worked out just as good, fortunately:) I think the scene I added, the one where he was all hurt and starving, was a good one to have. It helps to justify the behavior and probably helps fans to not hate him as much. I liked writing that one a lot. Sorry I don't have much to say… I mean, this is it. This is the chapter. Kinda freaky, huh? Well thanks for the review!

Ash Kaiba: Thank you! I do love bridging gaps. I think that's the whole reason I even wrote this story, isn't it? Hahaha, I should know why I'm writing this story, but yeah, it's basically to fill in the holes with something a little bit of my own. Glad you enjoyed it!

WhiteAsukalover: Thank you so much for the review! I'm really happy you liked the chapter! Well, prepare to be wordless again!

Twenty-One

The decision had been made. The battle was over. Gozaburo had been defeated. The old man didn't take failure well, however, and was trying to break free from the guards' grip as they tried to pull him out of the room.

"SETO! YOU BASTARD! I TAUGHT YOU EVERYTHING YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" Gozaburo yelled, throwing himself forward as the guards were moving past Seto and Mokuba. One of Gozaburo's arms broke free and reached out for Mokuba. Seto quickly reacted and pulled Mokuba away, hiding his brother behind his back until the guards regained control. When they constricted both of Gozaburo's arms behind his back, they were able to push him out of the room with ease.

"Oh, and Gozaburo…" Seto said, just before the guards had gotten him out the door, "Make sure you grab the classified section on your way out, because it looks like you're out of a job." Gozaburo's face was fuming and he began yelling again, even as the guards got him down the hall.

Seto and Mokuba stood completely still until they could no longer hear Gozaburo's angry shouts. Then both brothers turned back towards one another. Mokuba smiled again.

"You did it, Nii-sama. You beat Gozaburo." Seto shook his head, placing his hand on Mokuba's shoulder.

"No, we did it." Mokuba nodded. Seto placed his other hand on Mokuba's other shoulder. "Thank you…" Seto said quietly, knowing his plan would've failed without Mokuba's part. In the most honest sense, they had beaten Gozaburo, together, the both of them. It couldn't have been possible any other way. But it worked… and suddenly, for the first time, their future seemed a bit more promising.

"WE DID IT!" The Big Five cheered in unison from the back ground, after breaking out of their state of shock. "I can't believe it… we actually did it!" All of them began shaking each other's hands and patting each other on the back. There were still remains of some sweat on their faces to be seen; neither of them had really believed that they would do it. Each of them congratulated Seto on his success before pooling out of the room. The dawning of a new era was coming, and everyone could feel it. For now, they were going to celebrate with a night out at the pub.

Seto and Mokuba remained in the room, still. Mokuba had his head sticking out of the doorway and looking down the hall in the direction the Big Five left in.

"Can you believe those guys?" Mokuba asked, looking back at his brother. "They act as if this was all made possible because of them. If they actually thought about it, they would realize this only worked the way it did because of you. All of them have been working here for years now but never one took a stance until you came along and led the way." As Mokuba spoke, he and Seto walked out of the room and down the hall.

"…Everyone played a part in this; I needed everyone to do what they had to. That was the only reason Gozaburo's plan was ruined." Seto's voice was low and hushed.

"Yeah, but still…" Mokuba stopped when he realized his brother was no longer walking by his side. Mokuba turned around and saw that Seto was standing completely still in the middle of the hallway. Mokuba walked back to where his brother stood. "Hey, Nii-sama… you okay? What's wrong?" Seto's head was still titled down, his bangs darkening his face.

Mokuba stood there staring at him until he remembered what had been bothering him earlier that day before the meeting. Mokuba took up his fist and punched Seto in the arm. Seto shifted a bit but other than that, didn't appear to be affected by Mokuba's punch. Mokuba got even more ticked off by this.

"Oh yeah, and never do that again! Next time you have a plan, you gotta tell me about it! I mean, I really thought you were mad at me when you beat me up! You have no idea how depressed I got after that… well, I'm sure you do since it would take a lot for any person to get depressed enough to run to Gozaburo, but still! It took me a while to figure out your plan, before that I actually believed you hated me. So in the future, can you let me know before I'm forced to run off and make a fool of myself?" Mokuba said out of annoyance, not hatred. There was no hatred to be found in Mokuba's voice, none at all. Mokuba was peeved, but he still loved Seto.

Mokuba still loved him after all he had done.

"Are you listening to me?" Mokuba asked, tapping his foot. Without saying anything, Seto fell forward and brought Mokuba into his arms, hugging him tightly. This was something Mokuba hadn't been expecting. "Nii-sama?" Now Mokuba was just plain confused. Seto buried his face into Mokuba's hair.

"I'm… so… sorry…" Seto said softly, holding Mokuba close to him. Mokuba got over his confusion and wrapped his arms around Seto, hugging his brother back in acceptance. "I can't forgive myself for what I did… I promise to make it up to you though… I told you I was going to give you the life you deserved and I will… with Gozaburo gone, I can finally take care of you… I'll be the parent you need. I'll always be there for you, I will…"

Mokuba didn't know what to say. While he had understood Seto's actions, it had become clear how Seto had felt about them. Seto didn't take what he did lightly; all of this affected him deeply, painfully. His brother had cared. Mokuba felt bad thinking he hadn't. Even as he held his brother now, Mokuba was able to understand the burden Seto felt through his weak and depleted body. Seto was barely able to stand on his own two feet.

"It's okay Nii-sama…" Mokuba said as he pulled away from his brother, "I understand. You had to do what you did. I will always stand by you and follow whatever path you take… I'll always be there for you, as you will, for me." Seto nodded slowly.

With his brother by his side, anything was possible, nothing was out of reach. And although it didn't seem fair, and sometimes it didn't seem right, Mokuba didn't care. Seto knew that Mokuba meant what he said. Through better or worse, they would fight every battle… together.

There was only one more thing Seto had to do on his own.

It was raining, still, harder now then it ever was for the week. Seto had learned at a young age that rain was nothing to really be afraid of; storms only became dangerous when the crackle of thunder could be heard. But there was no thunder and Seto was far from feeling afraid. Seto opened the door to Gozaburo's door without even knocking; he saw what he expected to see standing by his desk.

"What are you doing here?" Gozaburo asked in a low voice which was hard to hear over the rain. His back was turned towards Seto; he was hunched over his desk, looking down. Seto smirked.

"I think you know why I'm here. The real question is what are you still doing here… and why hasn't your stuff been packed up and moved out?" Gozaburo used his arms to throw off everything that was on his desk onto the floor before twisted around. There was a wide smile that slithered up the side of his face. His eyes were opened wide as he stared at Seto. Gozaburo's arms were crossed behind his back.

"There. Is that clean enough for you, Son?" Gozaburo asked, again in a low voice that would've made any other person tremble. Seto narrowed his eyes, wiping the smirk off his face. He wasn't a fan of joking around.

"You know what I meant when I said to pack your things and leave. After all, you should know, considering how many people you have fired over the course of your presidency at Kaiba Corp." Gozaburo chuckled quietly; then it got louder and louder until it became an echoing laughter that filled the room. Seto became even more annoyed. Gozaburo looked at Seto's face and immediately stopped.

"Oh. I get it…" Gozaburo said, unfolding the arms behind his back and bringing them forward. He placed both his hands on the desk behind him, Seto caught eye of a black pistol clutched in one of Gozaburo's hands. "Now I know why you came here… you came here to declare your victory… you just want to gloat." Gozaburo got up from leaning on the desk, swinging his arms back and forth, aimlessly wandering around the room. Seto took a step back, his eye remaining on the gun only.

"Gozaburo, don't be a sore loser. Do you really plan on shooting me just because you can't deal with the fact that I'm better than you?" Seto said in a very controlled manner, the pistol always remaining in the corner of his eye as he watched Gozaburo's movement around the room. Gozaburo stopped his wandering when he reached the giant window on the other end of the room. He turned back around towards Seto. Seto had walked forward enough that now there were only a couple feet between the two.

"You think you're better than me? Ha. Is that what you really think?" Seto took a step closer to him, as if he were trying to show that he didn't fear Gozaburo or his weapon.

"I don't think it. I know it." Gozaburo smiled menacingly.

"You're not better than me, Seto… oh no, not at all. In fact… you're just like me." Seto was beginning to lose control now. He growled.

"I am NOTHING like you."

"Oh, but you're everything like me. The way you planned the take over, the way you handled it… even to the point where you beat your brother to get him to do what you needed done." Seto shook his head.

"No… no, I'm not like you at all. Shut up! Accept your defeat." Gozaburo held up his gun and pointed it in Seto's direction. Seto's body froze without command.

"I haven't lost Seto… no, I've done all I needed to do. Don't you see? I wanted an heir to my company and I got one... One that turned out better, crueler, and more deceptive than I could've ever imagined." Seto continued to shake his head furiously. It wasn't true, it couldn't be. Seto was better than Gozaburo, a better person overall, this wasn't how it was supposed to happen.

"So you're going to shoot me? Is that it? You coward…" Seto said, gritting his teeth. Seto didn't know whether he was angry or afraid with Gozaburo putting him at gun point.

Gozaburo smiled again, bringing his gun back towards him and pointing it upward towards his own head. Gozaburo clicked it. Seto's eyes widened.

"You haven't won this game yet, Seto. You haven't won at all. You may have gained control of my company but you have lost what made you human in the process." Seto took another step closer, raising his arm towards him in caution.

"Stop it Gozaburo. This isn't a game, this is your life. Put the gun down."

"Look at the mighty Seto Kaiba, preaching to me that this isn't a game after having his fun with my company. Kaiba Corporation WAS my life, Seto, and you played with it like it was just another stupid game. And I cannot blame you… for that dates back to one of the very first things I ever taught you… doesn't it?"

"Gozaburo, stop this!"

"-After all, life is a game, and one must do what they can to remain on top. When I die, the news will sweep the nation and people will assume you took over by default." Seto's clenched his hands into fists. Gozaburo was crazy.

"But that's not how it happened! You and I both know that. Don't tell me you're actually going to cheat your way out of this by killing yourself."

"That's a funny thing to hear coming from you."

"What's that supposed to mean? I have always found cheating to be dishonorable."

"Really now? Because I seem to recall you cheating during the very first game we played together on the day I adopted you." Seto's fists dropped to his sides. He remembered that day very clearly… and he remembered the way he cheated. Seto needed to win so badly, he knew he would have no other options otherwise. He had been so clever and so subtle… but somehow Gozaburo had known it from the very beginning.

"Why didn't you say anything? Why hadn't you stopped me if you knew?" Seto asked.

"You weren't just any cheater… you were the best. It proved to me that you were just what I was looking for… a boy whom had the capability to be trained… one who could become just like me. I didn't say anything because you were just what I wanted. And look at you now… I was right all along." Seto was speechless. He couldn't breathe. Gozaburo's words… Seto didn't want it to end like this. It wasn't supposed to be like this! This wasn't how he wanted to win.

Gozaburo changed the position of the gun, this time bringing it up to his face. Seto was motionless, standing in front of Gozaburo, not knowing what else he could do. Gozaburo was right. It was true. Seto had become something he never wanted to be… the company hardly seemed worth it now. And Gozaburo could tell… because he knew. Seto's eyes widened. He had always known… he had known everything!

"I guess this is goodbye my son… oh yes, and congratulations on your success. I'm sure you'll make one fine president of Kaiba Corporation." Gozaburo placed the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Flesh and bone exploded behind his head, creating a sound that echoed through-out the entire Kaiba Mansion. Blood splattered everywhere. Giant droplets landed on Seto's pale face and his clothes. The glass behind Gozaburo had shattered after the bullet had exited the skull, making an opening for the corpse to fall backwards and land on the sidewalk below.

There was a scream and one scream alone that could be heard from within the room at the time of the death. Then there was silence; silence and… running.

Mokuba was happily sitting in the back of the limo, clutching the sparkling cider in his hand, imagining the incredible night he and his brother would spend together celebrating. Mokuba had gone out about an hour ago to pick up the cider and some other treats to go with it. He felt it was appropriate considering all they went through, a victory like that had deserved some sort of party afterward.

"We're almost home, Master Mokuba," The chauffeur said over the news that was currently being broadcast. Mokuba had allowed him to listen to the news on the way back since the chauffeur had asked and Mokuba saw no harm in learning about current events.

"Okay, thanks," Mokuba said, leaning back and staring out the window.

"…And in other news, the infamous CEO of Kaiba Corporation has been reported dead." Mokuba's head turned forward, his eyes staring at the radio up in the front.

"What?" Mokuba's heart started beating faster and faster. "Turn that up."

"Gozaburo Kaiba, age 72, has just been found dead in front of his home, a broken window seen from his office. Investigators say they still need to look into the matter more closely before releasing anymore information to the public including how he was killed, but the only other information they have released is that Seto Kaiba, Gozaburo's eldest, adoptive son has gone missing and is currently considered the prime suspect for the death of Gozaburo Kaiba until further investigation."

"No…" Mokuba whispered to himself. Mokuba looked back out the window just as the limo pulled into their neighborhood. There were cop cars that were surrounding the Kaiba Mansion, and one or two ambulances that were present. Flashing blue and red lights could be seen, complimentary with sirens. "Please no…"

The limo pulled up to a curb on the other side of the street. Mokuba got out and looked at all the police officers and paramedics that were crowded the front entrance of the Kaiba Mansion. Mokuba was filled with horror and disbelief.

"NII-SAMA!"

A/N: There. It's been done. The death of Gozaburo Kaiba JUST happened. Oh yeah, whatcha gonna do about it now? I'm really pleased with this chapter. Although I wrote it under some annoying conditions(my brothers being loud, one of them continuously whistling for the past hour), and although editing it was a difficult task under pretty much the same conditions, I feel like it still came out well all the same. But this isn't done yet. Oh no, believe me, there's more to this story than Gozaburo dying, a whole lot more goodies coming up soon. I hope you've enjoyed the death you've been anticipating! Oh yes, and with the whole 'Seto cheating during the chess game' that actually did happen… in the manga. It actually is in the manga, thought it would come in handy for this scene:] Thanks for reading!

P.S: Totally random, but I love the chapter number this event fell under. I don't usually have the ability to plan what chapter which event will fall under, but I'm glad this fell under the number 21. It makes me think of the movie, 21, which was a pretty epic movie, and kinda relates back to the game itself which the movie was based upon.

The stacks are high, it's a game of chance, some people play it safe, but I prefer playing dangerously. It's great if you win, but… if you bust, you can lose everything, including the confidence you gained taking risks.