A/N: I'm sorry I didn't post this last night. My Italian Final is tonight and I stayed up studying for it instead. Everything's beginning to wrap up but characters will be characters and they're insisting on being difficult.

Okay, so I wrote 300 words for his and then this frickin' website crashing deleting everything so I had to rewrite it. T_T

Chapter 58 summary: In which Kaiba copes with a perceived betrayal and Mokuba finds something that should never be left behind.

Betrayal and Abandonment

"I have to admit, I've never attended this many Court sessions is so short a time," Ishizu said, lifting an eyebrow mildly at her Regent.

Kaiba refuses to rise to the bait, instead choosing to stand silently and wait for the King and the Pharaoh to join them. Ishizu studied her Regent closely and noticed how tensely the young man held himself. Kaiba's muscles were tight and there were shadows under his eyes belying the exhaustion, drain, and stress he had been subjected to over the past week. But there was more to it then that.

Ishizu narrowed her midnight blue eyes and noticed worry lines at the corners of Kaiba's eyes. The basic khol design lining Kaiba's eyes set off his crystalline irises and served to give him a darker appearance. His posture was also not straight and proud like she was used to. His shoulders were slumped and his back hunched forward ever so slightly as if he was fighting against the urge to curl in on himself. Something important was bothering him and Ishizu guessed this was why he had called a formal Court session.

Formal Court sessions differed from the more common informal sssons because, instead of each Triad meeting alone and perhaps mingling together near the end, all the Triads gathered together at the same time. More importantly, the Egyptian gods, the divine heads of each Triad, attended a formal Court. Formal Court sessions were rarely called unless the Triads or one of the monarchs needed the gods' advice or input.

Finally, Yuugi and his Triad appeared followed closely by the Pharaoh and his Triad. Immediately, their surroundings morphed into a large plaza lined with stone columns. A clear blue sky soared above them and the gods themselves materialized and approached. Ra landed on the stone ground behind Yuugi, settling on his belly and folding his wings in a position that resembled the famous Sphinx. Osiris wrapped his serpentine body around several columns before settling on his short forearms and folding his own wings. He flicked his tail and grumbled deep in his throat next to Yami's head. Obelisk knelt behind Kaiba and waved to Mokuba who also appeared next to his older brother.

Mokuba waved back before moving to stand close to Kaiba. He rarely joined Court sessions unless they were formal. Then he was required to be present to channel or summon Ra-Horakhty should she be needed. He could tell Helios's revelation had been weighing on his big brother's mind all day. Mokuba wanted his brother to know that he would support him no matter what, that he was not alone. But Kaiba had not spoken a word to him since he woke up from his nap.

"We're all here now, Kaiba," Yami said, interrupting Mokuba's thoughts. "Why did you want a formal Court? What is so important that you couldn't tell us in person or in an informal Court?"

Kaiba lowered his eyes as he gathered his thoughts, struggling to control his emotions. Obelisk kneeling behind him rumbled a query and Kaiba tensed, digging his nails into his arms as he struggled with his temper. When he lifted his eyes, they glinted with fury.

"i suggest you say goodbye to everyone you care about who's not a membe of this Court," he said darkly.

"Ni-sama," Mokuba murmured softly.

"Kaiba, why would you say such a thing?" Anzu gasped, confusion and anger in her voice.

"because after a few years, you won't see them anymore," Kaiba replied.

"You're not making sense," Honda said, fisting a hand in worry.

"Yes," Bakura added. "You're skirting the subject. Just spit it out already

"As hesitant as I am to agree with anything he says," Mai grumbled, "for once the Thief's right."

"Of course I'm right, wench," Bakura snapped.

"You have learned something," Ishizu said, feeling her intuition flicker within her. Kaiba's eyes glanced at her and Ishizu held their gaze steadily. "You are afraid," she whispered, brows furrowing in confusion. "What could be so terrible? The Traitor is dead and gone. There is nothing lt of him." She stepped closer to Kaiba, eyes never breaking contact with her Regent's. "So what burdens your mind?"

Kaiba's jaw clenched before he turned away. After several moments of silence, he took a deep breath and spoke. "Helios told me something interesting," he said, his voice tightly controlled with the hint of a threat underlying them. He glared at the Egyptian gods hatefully. "Would you sick bastards mind telling me why in hell the Titan said I and everyone in this goddamn Court are gods?" he snapped ignoring the exclamations from the others in the Court.

Osiris hissed and Kaiba snarled. "Don't give me that! I bet you were fully aware of this. You're gods yourselves. Or are you telling me a Greek knows more than you do?"

"Kaiba, what are saying?" Yuugi begged.

"Control yourself. Have some respect!" Yami cried.

"Why?" Kaiba demanded, turning his heated glare on the Pharaoh. "Why should I? They knew. They knew we had become gods and they said nothing!"

"Gods?!" Anzu gasped.

"Whaddya mean gods?" Jounouchi exclaimed in shock.

"Yes," Bakura demanded, crimson eyes burning with suspicion. "Care to share with the class?"

Kaiba visibly shook with fury. "Apparently, we've become gods."

"Says who?" Mai demanded.

"The Greek," Kaiba hissed. "He has no reason to lie."

"The Greek?" Honda said in confusion. "You mean that white haired guy from the Judgment Game?"

"Yes," Mokuba said. "He said we're all gods. He said we're immortal too."

"In other words," Kaiba said, "we're done aging. We'll never grow old. The only way we can ever die is if we get sick or we're killed. In short, when we go, it'll be unpleasant."

Everyone began talking over one another. Kaiba just stood there fuming, making no move to stop or calm the madness. He turned to face Obelisk directly and narrowed his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded. "You knew and you kept me in the dark. Why?" Obelisk tilted his head down grumbling in his chest. "Don't give me that. Tell me!" Obelisk said nothing and Kaiba felt his temper snap. "Damn you, tell me!"

The Court fell silent, caught off guard by Kaiba's unusual loss of control. Obelisk made no sound, his cold blue eyes burning into his Regent's silently. He moved slowly, lifting a huge hand and gently brushing his Regent's cheek just under Kaiba's blue eye. Kaiba froze, eyes growing wide, and began shaking like a shriveled leaf in the wind.

Kaiba grit his teeth and slapped Obelisk's hand away with his bandaged hand, wincing when his burns stung on impact. He cursed the fact his injury had to be on his primary hand. Yanking his pulsing hand to his chest protectively, he stepped back, glaring furiously at the god of his Triad.

"You lied to me," he said. "You promised you would never betray me. You promised you would support me when I needed you. You promised you would never hurt me." He hissed and his body shook with his fury, his eyes were cold and unforgiving. "You betrayed me."

Obelisk reached out with his hand again only for Kaiba to step back avoiding the offer of comfort. Kaiba snarled at the god. "Fuck you," he said and vanished.

The silence that followed was deafening. No one dared to move until Obelisk lifted his hand and gazed at something on his hand. Ra crooned softly leaning his beaked head forward to nudge Obelisk worriedly. Osiris lifted his great head, making deep soothing sounds and lifted one of his great wings over Obelisk's enormous body.

Shaadi stood stunned with wide eyes next to Ishizu who was resting a hand over her clavicle where her Millennium Tauk used to rest. Mai blinking, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Marik reached out and caught his sister's hand, feeling very much like the little brother craving his big sister's comforting presence. Bakura placed a hand his shaking Yadonoushi's shoulder, squeezing it. Anzu covered her mouth with her hands and Honda pulled her to his chest. Jounouchi's mouth had dropped open and did not know what to do.

Yuugi stood unmoving, uncomprehending, and terrified. He felt Yami rest a hand on his back, settling at the nape of his neck. The young King hugged himself and tried to hold back tears. He did not want to be a god. He did not want to be immortal. He wanted to live a long and healthy life, but he did not fear dying eventually. Now that rest had been taken from him without his knowledge and he no longer knew what to do.

He felt Yami seething with anger and fear mingling with the deep sadness and loss they both felt. Then, when Kaiba vanished, they felt him cut himself off from the Shadows like he had before when Akhenadin had first contacted him. Yuugi felt the Shadows flail without their Balance and frantically grasp for the closest base they could, the Light and the Dark catching the two monarchs off guard.

Ra's golden glow increased and Osiris's scales glinted sharply as the Shadows that should have been Kaiba's and Obelisk's rushed to them and ther representatives while Obelisk's brilliant cobalt blue coloring began to fade. Obelisk's two sapphire eyes continued to stare at his hand as his color and power faded. Before the eyes of the entire Shadow Court, Obelisk wilted, lowered his hand, and made a sound they had never heard before and never wanted to hear agin. It broke their hearts and shook their souls. Obelisk was weeping.

Mokuba was quivering where he stood at the heartwrenching sound. He raised his hand habitually to grab his brother's sleeve but remembered Kaiba had gone, leaving him behind, and tears pooling in his eyes. Obelisk lowered his hand and something on it reflected the light from the sunless sky, catching the little Keeper's attention. Mokuba stepped forward and gently pulled the hand of the god of his big brother's Triad down so he could get a better look. For a moment, he was confused by the traces of water on a single large, blue finger. Then it dawned on him. Kaiba had been crying and no one had even noticed except Obelisk.

"Ni-sama," he whispered. He had to wake up. He had to find his brother. If Oblisk was suffering like this, then Mokuba could only imagine what Kaiba was experiencing.

Kaiba snapped abruptly out of the trance disorientated, dizzy, and with an ache in his chest. It felt like his heart was being stabbed and he could feel his soul straining to hold itself together after Kaiba severed his connection with the Shadows almost entirely. He had no desire to feel the Shadows or anything even remotely reminding him of Obelisk and the god's betrayal. He had no desire to be a god.

"Kaiba-sama?"

Blinking dizzily, the young CEO raised his eyes to see one of his bodyguards, Roland, was leaning close to Kaiba with one knee on the bed and a hand on Kaiba's shoulder. Kaiba blinked in confusion, disliking the way his mind took so long to respond. His mind felt fuzzy like it was stuffed with cotton. After a moment, he spoke.

"Take me to the Verdant," he said simply. "I need a drink."

Roland began shaking his head uncertainly. "I'm not sure that's a good ide-"

"Do it Isono," Kaiba said, using his loyal bodyguard and friend's surname instead.

He was too befuddled to notice the surprise and hurt flash across the older man's face. But he did notice when Roland helped him off of his bed and to his feet. He staggered against a wave of vertigo and felt another set of arms catch him.

"Kaiba-sama, please," Fuguta said. "You must rest."

No, no rest. He had rested before the Court session, working up the courage to do what he did. He did not want to rest right now. Rest meant dreams which wouldplay on his doubts and uncertainties. Kaiba shook his head, regretting it immediately when he felt nauseous. He took a long, slow deep breath and forced himself to stand up straight. He turned and picked up his Deck, stuffing it into the holster on his belt. His hand hovered over the Tormentor, God of Obelisk card for a split second before Kaiba's eyes narrowed and he deliberately withdrew his hand and turned away leaving th card on the bed untouched.

He made his way towards the hotel suite door, ignoring Helios who had been halfway to the bedroom door when Kaiba emerged. Kaiba avoided the Titan's gaze, walking past him and the other members of the Shadow Court sprawled out across the common room, still locked in the Court session. Kaiba felt a brief moment of regret for leaving his Triad and little brother alone in Court, but he knew Yuugi and Yami would help them back to wakefulness.

He paused long enough to look back at Mokuba still sitting on the bed next to where Kaiba had sat only seconds ago. Forcing himself to look away, he continued through the common room and out the hotel suite door. He never saw the horrified expression on the Titan's face as he passed or the way Helios clutched his heart and stared at him as if only just seeing him. All Kaiba was aware of was the constant rhythm of his feet as they made their way out of the hotel to the car.

Fuguta guided him to the car and drove them to the club. But Kaiba did not watch the city lights lighting up the night outside the windows. He was too busy burying his face in his hands and focusing all of his attention, strength, and determination on not ordering the bodyguard to take him back to the hotel so he could grab Obelisk's card and cry and plead for forgiveness. The pain and rejection in his chest was intense and growing the farther away he got from the god card.

When they arrived at the Verdant, Kaiba lifted his head and looked around stupidly before allowing Fuguta to help him out of the car. He stuffed his injured hand into his pocket and staggered towards the building. However, he had just enough sense to notice the security cameras as well as the huge line of people outside the club. It was enough to make him pause. He did not want to be seen in the state he was in.

Kaiba scanned the sidewalk lining the Verdant blearily. He vaguely remembered J'onn and Flash entering the Verdant from an ally behind the club. Deciding to go that way, he forced his feet into motion. Fuguta followed closely by his side, ready to catch him if and when he fell. His chest hurt and his head was pulsing to the beat of his heart. It was a struggle to keep his mind focused on the task at hand, but he managed.

He had been able to cast a Trap against Dartz when the bastard had finally defeated him and stolen his soul using the three ringed Seal of Orichalcos. If Kaiba could do that on the dge of death then he could make it to the back door. Or so he told himself.

Suddenly, Kaiba's sight began to tunnel and the fuzzy, top-heavy feeling returned causing him to topple forward into Fuguta's waiting arms. He vaguely heard the faint sounds of Fuguta dialing a number on his phone and flung out his injured hand, catching it on something solid. He winced at the pain but fought past it to speak.

"No," he said groggily. "Don't call." He swallowed on his dry mouth and continued, ignoring Fuguta's protests. "Get Oliver."

"But Kaiba-sama," the bodyguard cried.

"Please Fuguta," he begged. "I need..." Another wave of dizziness struck him and he lost consciousness.

Mokuba somehow found the strength to break free of the Court and wake up. Roland was there, pacing back and foth worriedly. When he noticed Mokuba awake, he all but dove toward to boy and hugged him.

"Thank god you're awake," he gasped. "What happened?"

Mokuba blinked in confusion and looked around for his brother. "Where's Ni-sama?" he asked.

Roland's eyes grew shadowed. "He left for the Verdant."

"But..." Mokuba paused when he noticed something peculier on the bed where his big brother had been sitting earlier. He leaned down and picked it up, paling when he recognized it. It Obelisk's card. Kaiba never, ever let this card out of his sight. It was his connection to the Court and what gave him his powers as Regent. He never let anyone even look at the card unless he felt it was required.

Mokuba hesitantly reached out and touched the god card, stunned when he felt no power from it. It felt like just another Duel Monsters card. Terrified, Mokuba snatched the card and jumped off the bed. "Take me to my brother," he commanded Roland.

Instead of looking surprised, Roland sighed in relief and hurried out of the bedroom with Mokuba only to be stopped by Helios. The Greek stared at Mokuba with wide eyes before relaxing.

"Good, you're still alright," he murmured.

"What do you mean 'still alright?'" Mokuba demanded, ignoring the others in the room who were beginning to stir.

Helios tensed. "You don't feel weak," he said.

"Weak how?" Ryou asked when he came to.

"You don't feel like a ghost," Helios clarified.

"Who feels like a ghost?" Jounouchi asked.

"Your Regent," Helios said.

"Kaiba?" Yami gasped helping Yuugi to his feet. "What happened to him? Where is he?"

"He went to the Verdant," Roland said. "I was about to take Mokuba-sama there now."

The Titan shook his head. "I'm afraid Kaiba took the car."

Roland paled and his shoulders sagged. "Then," he turned to the Pharaoh and the King and bowed deeply. "Please take us to Kaiba-sama."

Yuugi flailed and his face turned a bright red. "Of course! Don't bow! We'll do it. You didn't even have to ask."

"I don't think that'd be a good idea," Mai said, speaking up. She lifted her head from her knees, still curled in a tight ball. "You two aren't what he needs right now."

"What do you mean?" Yami exclaimed. "We're his friends!"

"Yes, but you're also Dark," she said, pushing herself up to her feet. "He needs to be Balanced right now. That's probably why he went to the Verdant. He's looking for Arrow."

"But Arrow isn't trained yet," Ryou said curiously.

"Even better," Mai replied. "He'll be more open to new ideas and and less likely to call you for help. He probably wants somene unaffiliated with the Court to clear his mind and calm down. I felt him when he left," she said quietly, shivering. "He left us in the Court and I never felt so..." She pressed her lips together. "He's hurting. I want t help him."

"So do we, Mai," Yuugi said gently. "But I understand what you mean." He hugged himself and turned to Yami. "We'll stay here."

"There's something else," Mokuba said, pulling out a Duel Monsters card from his pocket. "He left Obelisk's card here."

Everyone stilled, grasping the significance of such an act. But only Yami and Yuugi paled.

"He can't be separated from that card," Yuugi breathed. "They're too connected."

"That's why Obelisk was growing so weak so fast," Yami said in shocked understanding. "His Regent abandoned him."

"Kaiba was abandoned first," Mai said sharply. "Or so he thinks. He probably felt he was returning the favor."

"But without Obelisk's support he'll-"

"I know," Mai cut off Yuugi's exclamation. "I know," she said again softer. "I'll take Mokuba and make sure the idiot gets it back."

"With all due respect," Roland said, "I would like to go with you."

Mai studied him carefully. "So long as you don't wiggle around to much," she said thoughtfully, "you should fit. Alright you two," she held out a hand for Mokuba. "Let's go talk some sense into Mr. Rich Boy."

Mokuba smiled and took Mai's hand and Roland allowed himself to feel hope.

""I suggest you hurry," Helios said. "I do not know how your power works, but I know what I felt. Your Regent is very unwell."

Mai sniffed. "Don't worry," she said. "His ego's too big to let him die outside of battle."

She grabbed her purse and hurried out the door. When they reached the parking lot, she led her two followers to her Harpie. "Mokuba, you'll sit in front of me. Mr. Roland, you'll sit behind me," she said, handing the two their helmets. "I'm sorry if your helmet is a bit small," she said to the bodyguard who was struggling slightly with the helmet he had been given. "It was made to fit Kaiba's head."

After manhandling the protective gear on, Roland mounted to motorcycle behind Mai who helped Mokuba up in front of her. "Hold on," she said. "I'm not one for following the speed limits exactly."

"Normally I would lecture you on such a failure," Roland said. "But in this case, I suggest you do whatever is necessary."

"Naturally," Mai chirped and revved her engine.