Chapter Six- The Invite

Mokuba had thought Kaiba's suggestion of Darien living with them was a bit sudden and he pointed that out the next morning.

"It does seem that way," Kaiba admitted. "But when you mentioned him moving from town to town I realized that he could be a companion for you so you won't be lonely when and if I duel the pharaoh again. You can spend today looking for him before nightfall and then look for him until you find him or you've concluded that he's moved on."

"And if he has left?"

Kaiba smiled. "Then I won't duel the pharaoh until the day I die. I came to the realization that I had essentially abandoned you in my obsession to beat the pharaoh."

"Seto, I knew how important that duel was to you."

Kaiba shook his head. "Nothing is more important than you. I promise I will not abandon you like that again." Mokuba fiddled with his raw hamburger and felt touched by his brother's love and concern for him. He's willing to give up dueling the pharaoh for me. Now seems like a good time to put together the dream deck I've written down.

Mokuba rode a non-descript car into town and to the game shop. He planned to work with Yugi and his grandpa to put together the deck of his dreams as best he could. The car pulled up to the shop, Mokuba got out, and entered the shop, the bell by the doorframe jingling.

Solomon looked up from his paper and his eyes widened in surprise. "Mokuba, how nice to see you."

"Hi, Mr. Moto. I was wondering if you could help me with something. Oh, and Yugi can help too."

"Certainly," Solomon said as Yugi walked in having heard Mokuba's voice and his name spoken. "So, taking the day off from work?"

"Oh, right! Seto came back a couple of days ago."

"Then, he defeated Atem?" Yugi asked.

Mokuba nodded. "The irony was that Seto intended to leave whether he won or lost. He realized that by letting his obsession control him, he had practically abandoned me. He promised that he won't do that again. I figured that now's the time to have my own deck." He produced the list he had written weeks ago.

Solomon's eyes twinkled at the thought of a new deck. "Let's take a look and I'll see what I can do."

Darien casually walked through town, deep in thought. His thoughts dwelled on the Kaiba brothers and why he was still in town. By all rights, he should have left after telling Kaiba about werewolves, but he had found a lovely secluded spot and had elected that once tonight's full moon was over, he would then move on.

It's kind of a shame as I like Mokuba. He's a cool kid and very accepting of the world around him. But, he understands. I'm a lone wolf and lone wolves move from place to place. He glanced into a store window and stopped. There, in a small shop, was Mokuba. He was speaking to an old man and a teen who looked as if he was related to the man. Those two humans stared back which made Mokuba turn. His eyes widened with joy. He spoke quickly to the humans before rushing out the door.

"Darien! I'm glad you're still here," Mokuba said.

"I found a lovely spot in the park and have chosen to stay until tomorrow. Then, I will leave."

"Please, don't. Seto is willing to let you stay with us."

"Stay? Have a real home? After all these decades?"

"Yeah. Please, Darien? If Seto goes away again, then I won't be lonely." He gave Darien the famous puppy-dog eyes which was ironic as he was a werewolf.

Darien, like most people, could not resist the look. "All right," he said with a slight laugh. "I'll stay."

"Great." Mokuba gave him a hug. He then stepped back and gestured to the car. "If you want to wait in the car, I just need to finish my business."

"I think I will and you might want to tell them as this scene must seem strange to them." He tilted his head at the store before getting in the car.

Mokuba returned to the shop and took in Solomon and Yugi. "I know that probably looked weird," he said.

Yugi nodded. "You're not prone to talking to strangers or hugging them."

"There's…a reason for it. A few days ago as I was leaving the office, he cornered me and made me drink a formula that he said would change me into a…werewolf with the next full moon."

"A werewolf?" Yugi repeated. "You're a werewolf and that man is too?"

Mokuba nodded. "I must change during the full moon but outside of that, I can change whenever I like. Darien," he nodded at the car. "He went to see me at work the day after Seto came back and told him everything. He then confronted me last night as I didn't tell him. I was afraid he wouldn't believe me and then be angry with me or afraid of me.

"I am fully aware of myself and can still talk and think as myself. Seto and I had a long talk last night about what I can and can't do and about Darien. Seto admitted possibly dueling the pharaoh another time but doesn't want me to be lonely. Darien is a wanderer with no home and Seto suggested he stay with us. As you saw, he's accepted."

"So neither of you are dangerous?" Solomon asked.

"Well, if I become angry, I'll changed into a vicious but simply wolf. I would think only as a wolf until the anger is spent. After that, I'll be self-aware but can't change until the following morning. As I'm still going through my first full moon cycle, it's not active yet."

"What is active then?" Yugi asked.

"Speed, strength, and senses are enhanced and my weaknesses are active. Pure silver and Wolfsbane," he said, adding the last statement anticipating the next question.

There was a brief silence before Solomon said, "Well, if you intend to be home before dark, let's finish your shopping."

"What were you up to?" asked Darien as they rode back.

"I had decided to have my own Duel Monsters deck so I can duel Seto. I had written down cards I wanted two months ago."

"Is your brother good?"

"One of the best."

"He's probably gotten better since dueling his rival."

Mokuba was silent for a moment. "Seto's dueling trip was an unusual one."

"Unusual how?"

"It's complicated. I'll try to explain." Mokuba then told Darien about Atem, the Millennium Items, the events that led to Atem's sacrifice, Yugi putting the Puzzle together which resulted in sharing his body with Atem's spirit, the adventures the two went through, and the duel that led to Atem's loss and allowing him to move on. He then spoke of Kaiba desiring a duel with Atem and events of the desire.

"He came up with a way to go to the afterlife without dying?" Darien shook his head in amazement. "No wonder he was gone for so long. No sense of time in the afterlife."

"True and I know Seto's skills are as sharp as ever and I would like his opinion of my deck and help me test it."

"A good idea and I intend to thank him for letting me live with you."