In His Absence...(Open/Seto)

[Mokuba Kaiba]

Mokuba decided to walk to Kaiba Corp HQ in Domino City. He had recently left the park before seeing Yugi for a moment and recieving two messages on his Minitop Computer. As he walked towards the building, the classic KC symbol was engraved on the front of the large glass windowed building along with a large statue of a Blue Eyes White Dragon looking to the sky in the front of the steps. A small water fountain was located around the dragon which trickled out in streams. Mokuba trudged up the steps to the sliding glass doors and passed his badge over the small metallic scanner. The scanner blinked from a red light to a green as the doors slid open with tight gritty sound as metal slided against metal. Mokuba walked in slowly as he heard the welcome voice like always.

Welcome back to Kaiba Corp HQ Mr. Mokuba. Mokuba rolled his eyes as he heard the voice and checked in at the desk with Jessica, who was the Desk Manager at the front. She looked up from her computer and smiled behind her sleek silver glasses.

"Hi there Mr. Mokuba, we already heard of your arrival and prepared your room at the 24th floor." Jessica smiled as her short black hair bounced slightly as she looked at Mokuba. He nodded.

"Thanks Jessica. Did your sister recover yet in the hospital?" Mokuba asked in a concerned voice. Jessica's face brightened when he heard Mokuba ask.

"Oh yes, yes she did. The doctors there said she'll be out in about a week or two. She only had a few broken bones in her legs, but her recovery rate is rather well. Thanks for asking Mr. Mokuba." Jessica smiled as Mokuba walked past towards the glass elevators. He stopped before punching one of the buttons.

"Oh Jessica. Stop saying Mr. Mokuba. It bothers me." Mokuba chuckled a bit before hitting the eleveator button before him and hearing the familiar ding from it as the doors opened. He entered and hit the button 24 as the doors closed. He told Jessica nearly every day not to call him Mr. Mokuba, but perhaps it was habit for her. The whine of the elevator going up was enough to almost make Mokuba fall asleep. It was a smooth ride up in all, however sometimes it seemed to take an eternity to get there. He soon opened his eyes as the elevator came to a swift halt. The doors slowly slid open as he emerged inside a large office with an incredible view of Domino City.

It was his Big Brother's office, but was often where he hung out with him as Seto was always busy. Mokuba looked around to see the place virtually unchanged except it was cleaned up a bit since he was here last. Seto sometimes had papers and files strewn every, however they were all neatly organized on the large wooden desk near the immense back window. Mokuba looked over on the left side of the office where a plasma TV hung along with a black leather couch. Its where he spent a bit of his time while his brother was busy with paper work. He decided to jump on the couch and lay back for a moment. He closed his eyes just trying to relax. He enjoyed being in his brother's office even if he wasn't there, it was almost as if he was there in spirit.

Mokuba opened one eye and looked out of the corner to notice the marble coffee table that sat between the couch and TV. There was a portable phone on it. He thought for a second to call Seto, but quickly dismissed it. He wanted a little time for himself for the moment.

[kaibaseto]

.::Cairo, Egypt::.

The room was slightly humid, moisture hanging in the air from the older Kaiba’s shower, which he had occupied up until only a few minutes ago. The young CEO was now opening his laptop, lounging at the table in his hotel room, Damp hair hung around the teen's face, and the towel he had been using to dry it rested loosely around his neck. Unlike the others that had traveled with him, he was lucky enough not to suffer from jetlag from their impromptu flight from Domino City. Seto hadn't even planned the trip. . . just called his security and Secretary and told them to pack.
One of the many perks of his job, having people at his beck and call.

Taking his eyes off the screen for a moment, the teen eyed the coffee mug next to his laptop with a look one would see when one was sizing up his opponent. It was from past experience that he knew hotel room coffee was one of hit-or-miss quality. . . But every so often, you did get something good, or just a bad taste in your mouth.
Kaiba vs Coffee! Round 42!
Slightly surprised to find out that the stuff was ok, the caffeine-addict decided to go ahead and drink it. Nothing to savor the flavor over, but he needed his fix. With the mug in one hand and the other already clicking away at the computer, the young man was already flying through cyber-space. Talk about multi-tasking. He checked his e-mails, ignoring requests from the press to make a statement on this or that subject and those annoying spam e-mails that even he couldn't seem to get rid of. Once everything useless was filtered out, he still found himself with half a dozen legitimate e-mails, give or take a few. Kaiba scanned through tem quickly, not planning to reply to anything at this moment. A memo asking where he was from a department head, Some stock information. . . Finally he located the two he had been waiting for; A confirmation that Mokuba had received his mail and a short note from the younger’s aide that he had gotten into the office.

Seto frowned slightly at the realization his better hadn't replied back. . . Was he upset with him? It was understandable; he had left without so much as a word after promising to spend some tome with him. Unfortunate as it was, this deal had to be closed very, very soon. The brunette spared a glance at the clock at the bottom of the screen, which was still on Domino time. The E-mail Jessica had sent had come in about twenty minutes ago, so the younger Kaiba should still be there.
Standing up and reaching into his duffle bag, the teen pulled out his cell phone, then hit three on speed dial. The number was a direct line to his office, which only a very few number of people actually had. The phone rang, and rang. . .

[Mokuba Kaiba]

Mokuba's eyes slowly flickered open as the somewhat annoying ring of a phone blaring right in his ear had disturbed him. He hadn't even realized that he fell asleep after lounging on the rather comfortable couch. He felt the familiar sleepies in his eyes and rubbed at them for a moment before his vision cleared a bit more from just waking up. He clasped the phone with his right hand and pressed a distinct green button to answer. He held it up to his ear and yawned slightly away from the reciever and then began to speak.

"Hello, Mokuba Kaiba here, Seto's not here but I can take a message if needed." He began. While speaking his eyes wandered a bit around the room. Mostly outside to the window where Domino had just started to become busy. He hadn't realized he fell asleep at all. One minute he was just relaxing and the next he was awoken by an abrubt phone call. He glanced at a clock position on the wall and noticed it was probably around a half hour or so, give or take a few minutes. Wow he was more tired than he thought and didn't realize he took a nap. Mokuba hoped there weren't any important business descisions during that time as he was asleep. He would've hated to disappoint his big brother.

(Sorry for the short post but its kinda late and I need to wake up for school XD)

[kaibaseto]

The phone continued to ring, three times, four even. By this point, the teen was wondering if his little brother was actually in his office. . . It was pretty much a custom at his business to pick up the phone after the second ring. Something he did, that had been picked up by those who worked under him and trickled down the line until it had become an unwritten rule.
Of the fifth and last ring before the call would of switched over to his secretary (Which would of flipped it elsewhere, seeing as how the woman was currently here in Egypt with him.), someone picked up, taking another moment before actually responding.

"Hello, Mokuba Kaiba here, Seto's not here but I can take a message if needed."

A small smile reached the elder Kaiba's mouth as he paced up and down the hotel room, discarding the towel onto the tile floor of the bathroom as he passed by it.
"No need Mokuba, I was calling to speak with you, after all." There was a bit of amusement in his Brother's voice, automatically inferring three things; (1) He was in a much better mood than when he had arrived in Cairo; (2) He was alone, because Seto never joked around other people, unless it was sarcastically; and (3) He was calling for the sole purpose to talk to Mokuba. No needed files, no work.
Halting his pacing, the brunette lightly touched the card case that hung around his neck before moving on bluntly ahead. "I'm sorry I had to go after saying I would spend time with you." Work was important, staying on top of the industry was important, but his brother ranked above all those things. . . Even though it didn't seem like Seto overly cared most of the time.

[Mokuba Kaiba]

Mokuba had thought it must have been a wrong number until he heard the familiar voice of his older brother break the silence.

"No need Mokuba, I was calling to speak with you, after all."

Mokuba's heart almost skipped a beat as he was elated to hear from his brother. He was still a bit groggy but completly understood what was going on somehow. He popped up from his lying position and sat comfortably on the couch kicking his legs every now and then in slight anxiousness.

As Mokuba was eager to hear from his brother he took the cordless phone and wandered over towards the large window. He looked out observing the busy streets as the day started to pick up. He watched as Kaiba Corp employees wandered all around the building's courtyard. It was typical day at Kaiba Corp from what Mokuba could see.

"I'm sorry I had to go after saying I would spend time with you."

Mokuba listened and knew his brother would apologize. He never really mined it because he knew that he was a busy person. He was the CEO of Kaiba Corp after all and worked way more than he should have to.

"Its ok Seto, I know the company is very important. What was so important though that it couldn't wait?" Mokuba's voice was slightly disappointed at first but perked back to his normal self when he asked Seto what was up with his sudden trip.

[kaibaseto]

It was good to hear that he understood. . . Though, Kaiba had never really doubted the fact that his brother would say no. Sadly, he had done worse than just up and leave Mokuba without prior notice before. The brunette resumed his restless pacing, sort of how like a caged and captive animal would roam about. Usually the teen would be able to go work off this extra energy with physical exercises, but the meeting was only an hour or so away; No point and no time to work out, shower again, change into nice clothing and be late for an important meeting. Time was money, as the saying goes. One might suggest that he go rest up, but Kaiba wasn't wired that way. . . He was one of those people who worked until he dropped, slept it off, and then repeated the process.
Life in the fast lane indeed.

"What was so important though that it couldn't wait?"

"You know that deal that has to close by Thursday? The bigger one? The client was supposed to fly into Domino to sign the papers, but he had some kind of medical scare. His doctor told him to stay put." There was a hint of exasperation in the Elder Kaiba's voice, what a time for things to go wrong. "So the other Benefactors flew into Egypt to get this all wrapped up. . . I should be back early Friday morning though."
And by early, he meant about enough time to get to school that day. The young CEO couldn't afford to miss anymore than wasn't business days. . . And he had a LOT of those. Figure, the great Seto Kaiba constantly on the verge of failing not because he had bad grades, but because of work. Hence why he didn't take Mokuba with him on these mid-week jaunts unless it was absolutely necessary.

"After that, you should have me to yourself for a little while, though."

[Mokuba Kaiba]

Mokuba didn't really know what he wanted to do when his brother came back from his trip. He thought about actually asking him to teach him really how to play duel monsters as he has had little experience next to his brother. He drew a star in mid air to pass time as he listening to Seto explain why he left.

"You know that deal that has to close by Thursday? The bigger one? The client was supposed to fly into Domino to sign the papers, but he had some kind of medical scare. His doctor told him to stay put."

Mokuba thought to himself that was rather stupid, couldn't even do a video conference but some people are just old fashioned he guessed.

So the other Benefactors flew into Egypt to get this all wrapped up. . . I should be back early Friday morning though."

Mokuba's hearted jumped slightly elated by the news. Friday that was...tomorrow? no one more day after. Mokuba had almost completly lost track of time sometimes with such a hectic schedule in life.

"After that, you should have me to yourself for a little while, though."

Mokuba thought about telling Seto that he maybe wanted him to teach him duel monsters but held his tongue back and decided not to.

"Friday? Oh thats great! Not too long then like the last trip you had to make so suddenly!" Mokuba giggled slightly to himself as he remembered it. It was such a mess that last trip. Seto left on his private jet, however for the trip back, they had to make repairs on it because of the weather! It was kind of funny but he knew his brother was irked about it.

[kaibaseto]

(There we go, sorry it's short... I had to rewrite it. <_<)

---

The brunette snorted lightly into the phone at the mention of the last trip. Disaster, that was the only word he could use for it. He had fired people over smaller stuff. . . But private pilots were becoming hard to find these days. Especially ones who would put up with people like him. Not that they didn't get paid well enough for the job. Stopping to glance over at the digital clock on the dresser, he realized that it was getting close to show time. With one hand, the other still holding the phone to his ear, the Kaiba Corp. President deftly unhooked his white trench coat that had been hanging in the closet since his arrival, giving it a quick once-over and making sure that there were no wrinkles or dirt spots on it. . . Or worse, sand.

"At least the weekend; I promise that much time at the very least, Mokuba. If you want to do anything special, plan it for then. The end of the quarter is coming up, and you know how hectic that gets." ."
Ah yes, it came around four times a year, making everyone at Kaiba Corp seem like someone had hit the fast forward button for at least three days. He had tried to keep the younger out of it mostly, but still some of the time they bother were at the building as late as Midnight on a school night. They were, after all, the two most Important people there.

[Mokuba Kaiba]

Black hair swerving, Mokuba glanced back over to the clock located in the office. He hadn't realized how long he'd been on the phone, however quickly dismissed the whole time deal. He loved to talk to his brother. He listened as his brother began to mention the weekend.

"At least the weekend; I promise that much time at the very least, Mokuba. If you want to do anything special, plan it for then. The end of the quarter is coming up, and you know how hectic that gets."

He brought a hand up to his hair smooting it slightly thinking of what to do over the weekend. He certainly knew they probably wouldn't have as much time to do things as he wanted to since being swamped with work was impending. The quarter was always the time for the most paper work. Mokuba never knew the details but could tell that sometimes Seto would just want to pull his hair out by some expressions he got when exiting meetings.

"Well maybe...we could just do something simple you know?" Mokuba fidgeted for a moment with his hands thinking if he should tell his brother.

"Do you think...you could teach me duel monsters big brother?" His voice slightly shaked because he didn't know how his brother would handle it. Either A. he would be pleased and excited to hear that he wanted to learn, or B. he would be a bit discouraging thinking he couldn't live up to the Kaiba name.

[kaibaseto]

"You want to play Duel Monsters?
The elder Kaiba seemed genuinely surprised at this, but at the same time. . . Pleased. Pleased that Mokuba had picked him to learn from than possibly Yuugi, who was the younger's friend and the current world champion. Seto used the term current loosely, because he vied for the title he once held. . . And would one day get it back.

"Of course I will; It's a good idea." And something for him to look forward to. He had never seen Mokuba express any interest in the game except for cheering other's on or acting as an official. A small smile crossed his face as the teen pulled the trenchcoat over his body, straightening any small rumples out of it with a few pulls here and there. When he had finished, the brunette's hand wandered up to touch the necklace that hung in plain sight with his fingertips, the movement light.
"I’m glad you asked me, Mokuba.”

It was easier to be sincere like this on the phone than in person. . . Mostly because in person, Kaiba was being pulled every which-way to get something done; if not by other people than by his own mind. The CEO gave his appearance in the mirror a quick glance, but didn’t bother to dwell on it—he should be fine.