Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Here's the sequel to my story, in which I rudely broke up the main pairing! What's happened since then?

What're you waiting for? Get to reading!

Mitsuko's Story - Set

Chapter 1: Ten Years Later

Set sat with Mokuba as Kaiba announced the opening of the Duel Academy. He leaned his cheek on the heel of his hand, his eyes wandering the students which had applied. He muttered to his stepbrother, "I'm bored, Mokuba."

Mokuba snorted as he listened to his other brother's speech. "You're always bored, Set-nii-sama. Ever since Atem-san left and Mitsuko-san went to college."

"I didn't think he'd be gone gone, just long enough to cool off. And Mitsuko-chan should be back anytime with her doctorate to work at the local observatory with the boys. I want to go see if she's here," the older man whined.

"You still act childish when you're not having fun. Nii-sama's almost done with his speech, then we can fly back to Domino."

Set smirked and his eyes wandered to the other brown-haired, blue-eyed twenty-eight-year-old. He knew that once Mitsuko was back, things would get interesting.

Mitsuko bowed to her new boss and said, "Thank you for your time and for hiring me."

"Of course, Mutou-san. Your résumé is impressive, as well as the hours you can work. I'll be expecting you next week."

She bowed again and walked out, her smile confident as she went to her car, where her sons waited. They waited anxiously as she unlocked the doors and slid into the driver's seat.

"How'd it go, Oka-san?" Mamoru asked, in the passenger seat.

Yuto stood up and leaned over the front seats, his query just as abrupt. "Did you get the job?"

She gave them a thumbs-up.

"Hooray!"

"You did it, Oka-san!"

"Tonight, we'll go see Jii-chan and Yugi-oji-san."

"Yay!"

Mitsuko pulled into a parking spot behind the Kame Game Shop, which had grown as Duel Monsters had. Once she'd turned off the car, her sons jumped out, running for the front door, calling, "Jii-san! Yugi-oji-san! Anzu-oba-san!"

Sugoroku, who's hair was starting to turn white with age, came to the door and laughed as he caught his two great-grandsons. "Yuto-kun! Mamoru-kun! Have you really been away so long you've finally gotten out of diapers?!"

Both boys jumped back as their bottoms were patted and Mamoru cried, "I was out of diapers when I was three!"

Yuto frowned fiercely. "Jii-chan, don't joke like that! You'd really think we'd still in diapers when we're eleven?!"

Sugoroku laughed and mussed their hair. "You're just like your mom when she was your age, Mamoru-kun! And Yuto-kun! You've become a miniature of your father!"

Yuto snorted and crossed his arms. "So Oka-san says. She's never shown us a picture of Otou-san."

He yelped as he was bopped across the back of the head by his mom. "Now you don't pick at me about that, Yuto. Get inside, people are watching."

He nodded and muttered, "Sorry, Oka-san."

She herded her kooky grandpa and sons into the shop and lit up when she spotted two little boys racing down the stairs from the living quarters above the game shop. One looked about three, the other seven, both with spiky hair like Yugi and blue eyes like Anzu.

"Mitsuko-oba-san! Mitsuko-oba-san!"

She squatted and hugged them. "You've gotten so big, Atsushi-kun! I'm surprised you know me, Osamu-kun! I've only seen pictures of you that Anzu and Yu-nii have sent!"

"Mitsu! You're here!"

"Mi-ne!"

She grunted as she was lifted off her feet by her twin from the front and hugged from behind by her best friend. She kissed one cheek each and was given a couple in return. "Anzu! Yu-nii! I'm so glad to be back!"

She was set down and saw her brother had gotten quite a bit more muscular, to the point where he was ripped. Anzu had gained some muscle too, but also some softness in her middle, where she'd carried her sons. Yugi had pulled his hair back in a tail, and it had grown a good amount. Anzu's hair was hanging straight to her waist, which made her look far more mature.

"You two have changed a lot!"

Yugi snorted. "Not as much as you. Where did that rebellious teenager go?"

She rolled her eyes. "Everyone matures when they become a parent…except maybe Jonouchi, but he doesn't count."

"Did somebody say my name?"

Her eyes widened when she took in Jonouchi. Is he wearing…a three-piece suit?! And wow! Mai-san sure became a fashionable mom, even after settling down!

Jonouchi had tamed his hair so it was in a short cut, so he looked more professional instead of a street punk. Mai, who was at his side, was blossoming with child and rocking it, too. She had her hair in a high tail, an apron on, but her makeup was perfect and her figure hadn't suffered from the pregnancy. She smiled and came down at a sedate pace, then enveloped her in a hug.

"Mitsuko-san, it's been forever since your last e-mail. What've you been doing?"

"Why is Jonouchi dressed like a successful businessman?"

"He is."

"Wh-wh-what?!"

Jonouchi grinned. "Yeah, I went through college and got a business degree, since I saw how well I could work the numbers once I got serious about it. And I'm not too shabby at running the company I got hired into."

Her eyebrows pinched together as she grimaced. "You'd better not be in KaibaCorp."

He laughed. "Kaiba'd never hire me! And boy was he sorry about it!"

Mai nodded. "It's true. The company's marketing has shot up so quick that Kaiba's getting nervous about how it's going to affect how his own company is doing, just having opened the new Duel Academy."

Mitsuko nodded vigorously. "I heard about that. The big announcement was only a couple days ago, right? I'm surprised he's not back in Domino yet."

"Neither are Honda and Shizuka," Yugi informed her. "They're still on the road, although they promised to come back as soon as we gave word you were back from college."

"I can't wait for the gang to be back together again. Any word on…you know…"

Sugoroku shook his head. "Ever since Battle City, nothing. It's as if only major tournaments are a draw anymore, and there hasn't been anything like that in almost five years."

By that time, the children had gone upstairs to play, bored with the adult talk. Their shouting was heard as they played something on a gaming console. Mitsuko nodded in acceptance and then turned towards the door when the rumble of motorcycle engines sounded. She grinned and ran out, seeing Honda and Shizuka getting off their Harleys with three others pulling up behind them.

"Honda! Shizuka-san!"

Honda, who's haircut was now a buzz, grinned and caught her in a hug, ruffling her hair. "How're you doing after all this time?! I would've thought for sure you'd have something cool on, but what's all this?"

He gestured to her businesswoman suit, high heels and braid which trailed to her mid-back thrown over her shoulder. She snorted and shook her head. "I was in an interview for a job, I had to wear this."

Shizuka hugged her as well and cried, "I've waited so long to finally meet you, Mitsuko-san! You're as beautiful as Hiroto described!"

Mitsuko's eyes then caught the three men who'd removed their helmets. She blinked and then grinned. "These must be Rafael-san, Amelda-san and Valon-san! Nice to meet you all!"

Rafael nodded and patted her shoulder as he walked past her. Amelda looked her up and down and smirked, but didn't say anything. Valon almost leapt on her as he hugged her. "Wow, you're so cute, Mitsuko-san! How about we go out sometime?"

She pried him off her and laughed. "How about…no? You're way too touchy-feely for me, Valon-san!"

He pouted and put an arm around her shoulders as they walked inside. "Awww, come on! I haven't met a girl who's pretty as you in almost ten years! Just one? I'll treat!"

She shrugged his arm off and shook her head. "Unless you like a woman who's had two kids already, I doubt we'd work out."

His eyes widened. "You have two kids?! With that body?!"

"Yes, two boys who just turned eleven."

"I don't believe it! You've gotta be lying just to shake me off!"

"Nope. Ask any of my close friends, they'll tell you the same thing."

She turned when she heard the roar of what sounded like a jet engine landing and glowed like a Christmas tree when she spotted the Blue-Eyes White Jet touching ground. She made a beeline for it, crying, "KAIBA-KUUUUUUUUN!"

He'd just barely unbuckled when she leapt on him, hugging him tight around the middle. He stiffened a bit before he hugged her back, lugging her out as he jumped out of the cockpit. "Mitsuko-chan, I didn't think I'd get such an…exuberant…welcome from you."

"I haven't heard from or seen you in ten years! After the way I accused you of helping…you-know-who…escape right after graduation, I've had time to think! It wasn't your fault, it was Set-kun! Isn't that right, Set-kun?"

Set grinned sheepishly and then gave her a penitent look. "I'm sorry, but he wanted to escape so bad, I had to help him. I didn't think he'd leave for good. Why didn't you go after him?"

"I had no clue where he'd gone and even when I knew where he was, I knew it was over between us if he never called or wrote me…"

Set hugged her and swung her around. "I'm sooooooo happy to see you again, Mitsuko-chan! Cheer up! After all, we came all this way to see you!"

"Where's Mokuba?"

"He had a ton of paperwork to fill out that he'd put off until now! I mean, it covered the desk!"

Kaiba pulled his stepbrother back by the collar. "Down boy, you're squeezing the breath out of her."

Set smirked and there was a short silence before Kaiba shouted out loud, face red like a tomato, "You know nothing about that! Don't even think about such a thing!"

Mitsuko raised her eyebrows. "Finally figured out Set-kun has a connection with you, Kaiba-kun? What'd he say?"

Kaiba shook his head while Set chuckled evilly. "Oh, he doesn't want to say such shameful things, as he put it," the former high priest teased, his grin devilish as he walked into the game shop.

Mitsuko turned to the pale-skinned brunette, curious as to what was going on. "Kaiba-kun?" What's Set-kun alluding to that embarrasses you so much? You're blushing like a high school girl!

He looked away as his face reddened further, even if he was trying to act nonchalant. "I've been waiting ten years to ask… Will you go on a date with me?"

Her eyes widened as she processed what he'd just asked her. You mean…he's liked me all this time?! Why didn't he call or anything to tell me?! Is it…because he wanted to ask me in person? With how high-tech he is, I'm sure it's more meaningful and heartfelt that he did it this way, now that I think about it. "You mean…you like me, Kaiba-kun?"

He turned to meet her eyes and gave a firm nod. "I've liked you since you went out of your way to become my friend, when everyone else hated me in your group. It made me feel like I was a person, instead of just the unfeeling individual that I portray to everyone else."

She smiled and hugged him again, this time he returned it willingly. "I'll be happy to date you, Kaiba Seto."

He actually smiled and held her close, burying his face in her hair. "Thank you."

The moment was spoiled when Jonouchi slammed the front door open and shouted, "Hey, Kaiba! Are you coming in or what?! Quit hogging the guest of honor!"

Mitsuko giggled and shook her head. "Only Jonouchi."

Kaiba led her inside and then the real party began.

"Wow, you've improved since we dueled in the Paradius Tournament!" Valon praised as he was defeated by Jonouchi.

"Of course I have! Even if I have a job, a wife and a kid on the way, I always strive to become a better duelist!" Jonouchi bragged, only to get his ear yanked by Mai. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"Who was it that bought the newest packs of cards? A whole box? We need to save money for when Junior gets here!"

Amelda snarled as he slammed his hands on the table, scattering his cards all over the floor. "I swear you cheat, Kaiba! How did you defeat me so soundly I hardly touched your life points?!"

Kaiba smirked. "I have to keep my deck current to make sure no one defeats me again. Only one person has ever defeated me, and if we ever duel again, I'm going to give him a defeat that makes yours look insignificant."

Yugi stretched and gave his sister a sympathetic look. "Haven't had much time for dueling, have you?"

"I've been studying and keeping at the top of my classes these last ten years, on top of taking care of the twins. Do you think I've had time for anything else?"

"You sure missed a lot since you went to Tokyo University. You wouldn't believe what's happened! Until just a little bit ago, Anzu and I were in America while she pursued her dancing career, although she had to take breaks when our kids came along. They know better English than I do!"

"I'd believe that. Hey, Atsushi-kun!"

The seven-year-old turned from his game and called, "Yes, Mitsuko-oba-san?"

In English, she asked, "/What's the tallest building in New York?/"

Without missing a beat, he answered in English, "/The Empire State Building! Mom and Dad took me and Osamu to the very top! I could see everything!/"

She smiled and waved to him to continue his game with Yuto. He grinned back and did so. She turned back to her brother and nodded. "I'm impressed."

"How do you know English that well?"

"I took advanced classes so if I ever went overseas, I'd be able to speak the language. English isn't as tricky as French, though."

"You learned French, too?"

"Why so surprised? Astronomy is just one class. I had to take others to make sure I got enough credits to get a doctorate degree."

"I could hardly keep my grades up in high school to get a decent job! I'm thankful Jii-chan's letting me work here, or else I'd probably be working at a supermarket."

"I'm surprised you don't have a better job, being second at Duelist Kingdom, fourth in Battle City, and what, third at Paradius? Why hasn't Kaiba-kun offered you a job as a teacher at the Duel Academy?"

"You forgot third at the KaibaCorp Grand Prix!" Jonouchi piped up. "If not for that Leon kid, you would've dueled him and maybe gotten first!"

Mitsuko turned to Kaiba, who was still gloating over his victory, and put a hand on his shoulder. "Kaiba-kun, why haven't you offered Yu-nii a job at the Duel Academy? He'd be an excellent teacher there."

Kaiba raised his eyebrows, then turned to Yugi. "How about it, Yugi-san? You could be a teacher for Advanced Tactics."

"Really?!" Yugi turned to his wife, who was watching the kids play with Mai. "Anzu, what do you think about us going to the Duel Academy so I can teach classes?"

Her eyes lit up as she smiled. "We sacrificed so much so I could become a professional dancer. I don't object, as long as we come home for holidays and summer and winter breaks, so the kids can play with their cousins."

Kaiba nodded. "Of course, if you don't have to call in sick very often, Yugi-san. Just make sure no one mistakes you for the real King of Games."

Yugi rolled his eyes. "Everyone's seen him on TV or at the tournaments. If they don't know the difference by now, I question their credentials as duelists."

Mitsuko measured her brother up with her eyes and saw that indeed, he looked almost exactly like him, except pale-skinned. Reincarnation will do that to you, just like Kaiba-kun looks almost exactly like Set-kun, and Ryou-san—wait. Where's Ryou-san? "Where's Ryou-san these days?"

At that, everyone grimaced and Set spat in Ancient Egyptian, "I hope Ammit devours the tomb robber in the Underworld."

She shivered and then asked him in the same language, "What happened? What did Bakura do?"

Set sat down next to her and whispered, "A few years after you left, Bakura appeared again, right after news of a serial killer had come to the public's attention. In one hand, he held Ryou-san's head by the hair."

She covered her mouth in horror as she tried not to throw up. How could he do such a thing?! Through Ryou-san he channeled the full potential of the Millennium Ring! I…I feel sorry that Ryou-san was fated to awaken such a terrifying, psychotic murderer. She shook her head and swallowed the bile which had collected in her mouth. "Wh…what happened to Bakura?"

Kaiba crossed his arms and snarled, "He got off far too easy. He's been imprisoned for life."

Set pursed his lips and sighed. "What I wouldn't do to get in there and play a Shadow Game."

She hugged herself and nodded. "Did they confiscate the Millennium Ring?"

Yugi joined into the conversation, having had learned the language himself from his sister. "They called up an old friend of ours, Shadi-san. Remember him?"

"Vaguely. Did he take the Item with him?"

"Yeah, he did, telling us that it would no longer be a problem and Bakura would stay in prison, no matter how he tried to escape."

She let out a sigh of relief. "So innocent people are safe from him. I'm thankful it happened like that. After what happened to me and he escaped…I never felt safe, no matter where I was or who I was with."

Valon asked Amelda in a loud whisper, "What're they talking about?"

Jonouchi snorted and Honda sat down next to his best friend, waving to them. "It's that mystic mumbo jumbo that we always heard Ate—um—he and Set-kun use whenever they were together while we were in high school. It seems Kaiba and Yugi have learned it, too."

Yugi shot them a glare that had his two best friends scooting back. "We were talking about what happened to Ryou-san and Bakura. We don't want the kids to hear such things, do we?"

Everyone nodded in unison, then Valon spoke up again. "Why do you call that guy 'him' all the time? He has a name you know, one that's made him famous all over the world. Damiri Atem."

Mitsuko shook her head. "I would appreciate it if you didn't mention that name in front of me, Valon-san."

Valon cocked his head to the side. "Did you have some connection to him when you were young? I don't mean to pry, though, I'm just curious."

Kaiba snorted and patted her back to try and comfort her. "Let's just say he might as well have left her at the altar."

The other two stared in shock. Rafael crossed his arms and gave Mitsuko a long look. "He abandoned you when you were going to get married? By what I gathered when I met him, he was a noble, self-sacrificing, caring man who would do anything to protect his friends from harm. He even rescued a young boy from being run over by a train once in front of my eyes. How could he have done such a cruel thing as leave you when you were in love?"

Mitsuko gave him a level stare and explained, "He thought that my life was in danger of being extinguished if he stayed close to me. He wanted me to live a long life, so he left me, his destined queen, and his twin heirs—" She nodded to Yuto and Mamoru. "—and didn't so much as do anything for support. He didn't call, write letters, send money for child support or gifts for them. He dropped all responsibility as a fiancé and father, just because he thought one of his enemies would kill me someday."

The room was silent save for the shouts and cries from the children playing.

She gathered up her cards and placed them back in their deck box. "Oh I saw him on TV when he dueled, the famous 'King of Games', champion of Duelist Kingdom, Battle City, Paradius, KaibaCorp Grand Prix. Did he share any of that prize money he won with his abandoned family? I couldn't even text him a congratulations because he blocked my number. Whatever he's done to save the world from destruction because of Millennium Item holders, the Shadow Realm or whatever else, why did he let a moment of weakness drive him away from his true desire: to have a wife and kids?"

She took a deep breath and let out a tired sigh. "I stopped caring the same moment he left me. This is all just so you know what happened in the past, which is all that is will ever be: the past. I don't need him and don't want him."

She crossed her legs and turned to her brother. "So, what could I purchase to improve my deck, Yu-nii?"

Yugi jerked at the change of subject and knew his sister wasn't bitter, she just wanted to make sure Atem stayed gone. She was done with him and wanted to move on. He smiled and knew his sister would always be stronger than him.

The party turned into a sleepover, but Mitsuko wasn't tired. She warmed herself a cup of tea and stood on the balcony which had been added on the east side of the new wing of the house, so one could watch the sunrise. She looked up at the stars, her eyes catching constellations as they wandered the heavens.

This always relaxes me whenever I'm feeling troubled from thinking about him. I'm done with him, but what if… What if he comes back and wants to really get married and become a father to our kids? Will I be so cruel as to not allow him that? What about Kaiba-kun? He's waited for so long for me to come back so we could date, and I didn't even realize he liked me. He was such a gentleman, not troubling me with his feelings when he knew I loved someone else. I suppose even if I had been dating someone else when he had awakened, he would've chased any beau I had away and staked his claim. And everyone thought Kaiba-kun was the evil one.

She was interrupted from her thoughts when she heard footsteps behind her, only for Kaiba to come stand next to her, a cup of tea in his hands as well. He looked down at her and asked, "What're you doing up?"

"I was about to ask the same thing, Kaiba-kun."

He shrugged. "I couldn't sleep."

"I usually sleep during the day while my kids are at school, so these hours are time to look at the stars."

"You don't read?"

"Not unless it's about astronomy while I'm looking through my telescope."

"You came back to apply for a job at the observatory here. Did you get it?"

"Yes. They were impressed by my credentials and I'll start going for the graveyard shift next week."

"So when should we go on our first date?"

"Sometime this week, in the evening."

"How about…tomorrow, at seven? Wear something nice, I'll pick you up."

"You'd better drive and not have your limo pick me up. I don't need your driver to know we're dating before the rest of the world."

He chuckled and put a hand on hers. "I promise, no limos."

"You'd better wear something better than those starched trench coats I've seen you wear during tournaments."

"I only do that when I want attention. I doubt you want the press shadowing our footsteps."

"I can see the headlines now: 'Eternal Bachelor Kaiba Seto Finally Dating?' or 'Kaiba Seto Actually Not Homosexual?'"

He shook his head. "I didn't date because I was waiting for you."

"Me. A woman who's been used and thrown away, with her pride torn from her? How could you want a woman like me?"

"You were beautiful when we first met, but that wasn't what drew me to you."

He tilted her chin up and gazed into her eyes. "It was what shone in your eyes, deep within, behind the meekness you showed to everyone: a fire that could never be quenched. You knew who you were and wouldn't let anyone else say otherwise. A girl who loved to sing karaoke, listen to heavy metal, dress wild, pursued her dreams, loved with all her heart... A girl who'd never allow herself to be broken by forces outside of her control.

"And you know what? I still see that in your eyes."

She smiled. He's more confident in my confidence than I am. Bakura stole what made me attractive as a woman. He got what he wanted: he left me, but not for the reason he wished. Kaiba-kun wants me for my stubbornness, my determination to make things better even if they can't be. I lived on because I had to, for my kids and my dream. If I hadn't had either, I don't know what would've happened to me that night.

"You don't believe what I just said."

She shook her head. "I don't know why you think I'm still the same person I was all those years ago. I've changed, kept myself strong not for me, but for my boys. If I'd broken down and never fixed myself, where would they be now? Where would I be right now? I wouldn't let him break me, even if I loved him more than anything. Now, I'm over it, he has his life, I have mine. I don't want any further reminders of him, I see him enough in Yuto."

"I'm proud of you for moving on instead of letting your heart be broken. You're a strong woman, someone I admire more than anyone else."

Her smile turned genuine and she turned towards the stars again. "Thank you, Kaiba-kun."

"When we're on our date, I'd like you to call me by my first name. I don't call you 'Mutou-san' anymore."

"I'll think about it."

Happy Halloween everyone! I just had to say that.

Did anyone pick up the hints that Kaiba liked Mitsuko in the first one? Well, this didn't come up out of the blue, promise!

Any predictions on whether Atem will return? What Mitsuko's reaction will be if he does?

Please review!