Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ I Guess It was in the Cards ❯ Chapter 1: The Party ( Chapter 1 )

CHAPTER 1: THE PARTY

SETO KAIBA'S NARRATIVE

I should have learned by now not to make any more promises to Mokuba. But it seems that I just can't help myself. I should have expected disaster when I joined them at the pool for an evening swim. Or came as close to joining them as I ever did: I sat at a table near the water, working on my lap top. My only concession to the party atmosphere and the heat was that my trench coat was neatly folded beside me. I was in my usual long sleeve shirt, collar-less this time, and pants.

They say a pebble can cause an avalanche. Or in this case, a volleyball. The mutt was the catalyst of course. I had been so quiet they had almost forgotten I was there. Certainly Jounouchi had, for once. Until he was reminded of my presence when he crashed into me, knocking me flying. In slow motion I saw my arm fly out, the thin silk of the sleeve ripping as it caught on the edge of the table.

Inevitably, they came running over to help. That's what they do best. Of course they noticed the scar. It ran the length of my forearm, from my inner wrist to where it disappeared into the torn sleeve. A burn so deep it looked and felt like silk, not skin. "What's that?" the mutt had yelped, as if it wasn't obvious.

"In case you can't figure it out on your own, it's a burn," I sneered. I resisted the urge to pull down the sleeve as I walked to the house. There was a moment's pause, then I could hear them returning to their game as I waved Mokuba back to the pool. No one else followed.

A reputation for being moody and unapproachable has its advantages.

The next morning I realized that a reputation for being evil is even better. Especially when they saw the marks of my fist on Mokuba's cheek. Jounouchi jumped up, as I knew he would. "What the hell happened?" he yelled.

Good. I only needed to add a little more fuel to this fire. "What does it look like, mutt?"

I had forgotten how hard he could hit. And my smiling only made him swing harder. I don't know if he was fighting me or his father, but that was fine. I do that myself, every time I pick up my deck. Besides, the pain was a relief. Until Mokuba ruined it, as he always does. "Nisama, you promised." Ironically it was as I turned towards him that I heard the crack, as Jounouchi's fist found my ribs. As I whirled to leave the room, I could hear Mokuba yelling, "It was an accident. He was having a nightmare. He forgot to lock his room. I went to wake him up, and he hit me before he knew what he was doing."

Great.

Idly I wonder why I would rather have a roomful of people think that I'm a monster who deliberately beats his brother, than know I have nightmares. But it doesn't matter. Accidentally or deliberately, once again I have hurt my brother.