State of Mind

PAIRING(S): Seto + Mokuba

ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: Grey-san, Corvin-san, Field-san and the Kravans.

SPOILERS: None really, since the plot is most likely more AU than anything else.

SUMMARY: Mokuba is now 15 years old and has grown into a confident young man. In the years since Secrets that Remain Mokuba has become aware of Seto's game and the brothers have become inseparably close. Yet many secrets still remain. As the eve of Mokuba's 16th birthday nears, a new and unusual tension is in the air.
What lies beneath the surface of happy days and silent nights? When the demons of the past will not die, how does one continue to live? "This ephemeral peace will one day shatter and all shall fall away...”

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yuugiou nor am I making any money from this story. Please give appropriate support toward Yuugiou's mangaka Takahashi Kazuki.

*****WARNINGS: PLEASE NOTE that this story contains direct mention and some description of sexual/mental child abuse between two males. This content is portrayed as a damaging, terrible act of violation toward a child as any type of child abuse is; however, if this subject offends you in ANY way, please do not read.

Contains Yaoi/MalexMale/Homosexual and incestuous situations, mature language, mention of attempted suicide, and various other not nice things.

-Blood.

---Chapter 10---

The path wound gracefully through the low vegetation and twisted, old trees that covered the island. Some 33 yards westward of the beach where the path began the plant life withered abruptly, opening upon a brilliant waxing moon. The orb hung low, three quarters visible, ethereal moonbeams caressing the structure beneath it. Elevated on a gentle slope stood a two story white and tan building. The east front boasted large, bay window-doors leading out onto a flawless deck of vanilla, white wood. The doors stood beneath even larger picture windows, revealing a glimpse of the inner rooms. The deck was accessible by three curved steps. As the pair ascended, it became obvious that the deck further past the bay doors. Here the path narrowed greatly and skirted around the perimeter of the house.

A similar entrance with a single door lay at the opposite side. The second floor sported another lavish, exterior balcony extending out over the north side. This had a set of stairs curving up toward the roof where safety railing was visible.

Seto opened one of the glass doors on the east front for Mokuba, closing it after him. There was no need to lock the door. Shoes were removed and left in the designated area just within. Slippers replaced them. Seto and Mokuba passed through the kitchen with polished wooden floors, past the den with plush carpet and down the hallway to the two guest rooms.

Each room was large and spacious with a full, four poster bed and fully furnished with heavy, beautiful yet practical pieces. These rooms were originally to be for Ira’s children eventually. As fate had other ides, they were now for Roy’s children when they grew a little older. For now, they were serving as the lodging for Ira’s secret extended family-Seto and Mokuba-for the second time.

As Seto said his goodnight and embrace Mokuba, he thought about just what this trip meant. Quietly closing his thick door, he made a silent path to the single window. He was not feeling tired presently; he had slept adequately earlier and was currently refreshed. Seto stood at the window, staring forward into the silver lit woods. Deeper within where the moon’s light could not reach the small movements and random yellow glow of eyes stole his interest shortly.

This was his second time on Ambrosia. He knew somehow that there would not be a third time. Even if Mokuba requested, he would find some way to persuade him otherwise. In this way, he could not impose on Ira again.

Seto released a silent, condemning breath. Retreating from the window, he undressed in the shadows. From habit, he touched his bare chest, tracing and old wound, noticing how the feel of his own cold fingers chilled his soul. One of the largest marks lay just beneath his left breast across his ribs. Seto shivered. At the time, he had feared for his life. That incident occurred one evening when Gozaburo had gone crazy with anger, senselessly lashing out at the young Seto. Seto remembered the man bearing down on him in a torrent of bruising syllables and viscous intent. He was beaten, kicked over and over. The next hard kick to the chest landed at such an angle that as his rib broke, the force of impact pushed the bone through the skin. Seto remembered pain and blinding white as he tried to breathe. The old man had been quite nervous at that time; a doctor had to be brought in. A large scene was made in the mansion only, and even though the doctor and nurses who fixed Seto up saw the scars and bruises-very obvious signs of child abuse-nothing was ever done. Seto was sure they were either paid off or regulars of Gozaburo’s.

That had been one of the more life-threatening situations caused by the old bastard. Seto shook his hand away from his skin, dressing for bed. He returned to the window and reclined upon the window seat with its plush cushions and pillows. After pulling his feet up, Seto let his mind wander further, solemn expression encased in cold moonlight.

Three years prior, Seto and Mokuba visited Ambrosia for Mokuba’s 13th birthday. The trip was enjoyable and exciting and changed the brothers’ relationship irreversibly. Things could never go back once Mokuba became aware of the scars. It would only be so much time before Seto was again asked to explain their origin. After everything that had happened since last time, Seto felt he owed Mokuba some explanation. Just how much he would reveal was the only uncertainty. Would he ever be able to tell the entire story or would his answers be shamefully edited?

Seto pondered over bittersweet nostalgia until his body settled into reluctant sleep around 4:20 am, shoulders firm and lips sealed.

---
By 8:30 am Mokuba felt himself fully, refreshingly awake. Platinum eyes were full of amazement as he stood as close as one dared to the majestic cliff’s edge. He stood within the thin brush, enjoying the favonian breeze playing at his hair. Most of the wind was slowed by the rock facing Mokuba stood on. He glanced at Seto, noting keenly how the wind danced around the brunette and made his profile sway. Mokuba edged forward, bracing himself with feet planted further apart and looked over the rocky ledge down to the superbly violent waves below. Frothy water crested several feet out of the surface before smashing against the rocks. The air pressure was noticeably more intense and the wind whipped suddenly more fervently at his hair.

Mokuba edged smoothly backward, calming his rushing blood.

“It’s so high,” he stated, excitement evident. He turned his eyes to the cliff jutting out from where Seto stood just to Mokuba’s right.

“Close to 400 feet,” Seto replied. “There,” Seto pointed purposefully at the extended ledge, “is where the solar panels are.”

Mokuba was staring intently at the silver reflections scattered across the rocky surface. He glanced at Seto, surprised to see him kneeling and studying what seemed to be a large rock. It was a rather smooth rock with parallel sides.

“What’s that?”

“This,” Seto patted the stone before standing, “is the door to the storage room for the batteries. Ira said it was near here.” Seto sounded pleased. Ira had seemed sure Seto would not be able to find it easily.

Mokuba raised an eyebrow at Seto’s sudden smugness. Deciding to ignore this, Mokuba said, “Right…so are you going to tell me how it works?”

Seto blinked, smirk fading. He nodded slightly, looking again at the panels glinting in the sun.
“Do you know much about Solar Power?”

“Only a little. The sunlight is converted into useable energy, but I haven’t studied it any further.”

Seto nodded again, said, “All right. The basics: Solar Power is one of many renewable resources that humans have not developed to adequate potential, but this is changing slowly. When converting sunlight into energy there are several methods which include the exaggeration of heat in Solar Furnaces, the use of convection through large stones that control room climate, and the different types of panels. The life expectancy of the panels depends on which type you use; Ira has invested in the framed, rigid kind. The panels attract photovoltaic, or photoelectric, cells and through the reaction of photons and electrons. When light hits the panel, some of the photons are absorbed by the layers of silicon there. This causes electrons to be released and eventually collected on the top layer. These collected electrons are routed through to the system connected to it or to the batteries where excess energy is stored."

Seto paused momentarily, adding, "There is more I could tell you, but the information is tedious unless you plan to build one yourself."

Mokuba had been nodding with interest through the explanation; he seemed to understand. He then inquired, “These panels aren’t permanent though, right? How often do they need to be replaced or taken care of?” He was more than a little impressed with the technology, thinking of the great practicality of this type of system.

“Barring damaging weather, this kind of PV panel usually lasts around 20-25 years. They require little maintenance, but do need to be kept clean to produce the most amount of energy. Ira has them checked frequently, I believe at least a few times monthly to keep everything running smoothly and because he has the money to do so. Though maintaining the panels themselves isn’t complicated or costly under normal circumstances; it’s the equipment and installation that keeps solar energy out of the mainstream. It isn’t very practical for most people.”

“I know a lot of people in Japan are using solar water heating now, right?” Mokuba interjected.

“True. Solar water heating is more common now, but not everywhere. It is barely present in countries like America. It’s a matter of supply and demand in different markets; there is a responding market for it in Japan. With demand present, the supply increases and prices go down as the item becomes more common. Solar water heating is much cheaper now in Japan than it was five years ago.”
“Makes sense,” Mokuba agreed. “Shouldn’t we get into the field of…” Mokuba made a suddenly nauseous face and shook his head. Seto appeared perplexed.
“No! Never mind. We will NOT talk about work this week! Forget what I said!” He looked at Seto as if expecting an argument, eyes set rigidly.
Instead of fighting, Seto started laughing; a rich, smooth sort of laugh that was wholly unlike a chuckle.
“W…what is it?” the raven-haired boy asked as a slight pout grew on his nymphish features. When Seto did not answer quickly, Mokuba blushed darkly.

Seto calmed himself, placing his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I’m not laughing at you,” the brunette said, “You’re the one who brought up work Mokuba.”
“I know.” Dark color stayed on Mokuba’s tanned skin, preventing the stubbornly proud boy from looking at Seto.
Seto figured the teen would cool down soon enough. However, he was puzzled; he was not sure why he had laughed. Mokuba was not simply against talking about work; he seemed terrified of the subject. As the majority share-holder and CEO of an international business, Seto had an incredible amount of responsibility to handle daily. This lifestyle often led to his younger brother being neglected. The situation had recently changed, yet not improved. Mokuba’s fear of the intrusion of business discussion was not at all funny. A frown cut into Seto’s expression, hard and forbidding. He turned his face away and out of sight of his brother.
Taunt skin felt tense and unyielding as iron, the deceptively soft blue shirt hiding none of Seto’s strength as Mokuba placed a warm hand on Seto’s arm. Mokuba hated the small tension he felt run through the man before him.
“Nii-sama, I’m not really mad,” he said plainly, slim fingers remaining on Seto’s sleeve.
Seto turned, all traces of his frown effectively covered, “I was just wondering when you were going to stop pouting.”
“I was not pouting…”
Seto raised a dark eyebrow defiantly.
“At least I wasn’t for long. FINE; I was pouting. Hard ass…” he added quietly. When Seto blinked, chiseled features pausing in response, Mokuba had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.
“Let’s get going then!” Mokuba started walking away.
“I heard that,” a deep voice informed.
“So what?” Mokuba’s flight response took over when Seto growled. Grinning in full delight, Mokuba sprinted forward across the clearing and into the cover of trees.
---
“So I’m a ‘hard-ass’ am I?” Seto asked only minutes later, azure eyes staring down at silver delight.
“Who’s pouting now?” Mokuba teased. His escape into the woods had only lasted for about one hundred yards and several minutes, during which Mokuba was the only one running. Seto merely followed after, trying not to lose his cool and give chase. The teen still remained out of distance, watching Seto carefully ready to dart away at any moment. Finally feeling defeated, Mokuba allowed the abnormally passive brunette to catch up to him.
When Seto’s large palm and long fingers clasped securely onto his shoulder, Mokuba realized he had fallen into a trap. Now he was walking just to Seto’s right, caught beneath one strong talon. A brief shiver shook his insides at the idea of being captured by Seto.
“Not I, but you are right, Mokuba.”
“Huh?” The impure thoughts ceased and grey eyes blinked.
“I am most assuredly a hard-ass,” he said, removing his talon and lifting it to Mokuba’s scalp. “You’re stuck on a remote island with such a person. You can’t be having any fun.”
Mokuba could only stare at his brother, taking in the pessimistic statements. Was Seto joking? Every minute with Seto was pure bliss for Mokuba. He searched Seto’s eyes, trying to read his body language. Honestly, sometimes the brunette was dense. Mokuba softened his expression and turned to fully face Seto, staring him right in the eyes. Seto’s own blue pools stared back silently, secretively.
“You are very aware that I ‘am’ having fun, Nii-sama. And, as a matter of fact, I would rather be stuck on an island with you above anyone else.” He smiled and added, “You got that?”
Seto seemed to relax ever so subtly, smiling back, “I was only playing; no need to get so serious.” Despite his words, Seto was certainly happier after the confession. The awkward atmosphere had lifted finally. Mokuba impulsively put his arms around Seto’s torso and squeezed. The taller male continued to smile and draped long arms over his brother’s shoulders.
“We will want to get going if we plan to be back by dark, “ Seto informed.
“Yeah. You’re right,” Mokuba agreed. The pair was soon diverging from the path and making way west across the surprisingly large island.