Disclaimer: Me? No own.

Stalkers Notes: Hello everyone. This is the introduction of the sequel to Mentality! This chapter is basically showing Ryou insecurities in parenthood. There will be alot of twist and turns in this story so I hope you all likes it!


Prologue

What Matters

Ryou was nervous. He was beyond nervous. He clenched his hand tightly while he looked at the innocent blue and white building in front of him.

"Mama, what are you waiting for? They're waiting."

Ryou snapped from his thoughts before looking down only to stare into light brown eyes somewhat similar to his own.

"I'm sorry Asa; let's get going."

Asa smiled brightly before running ahead of Ryou only to stop and chat excitedly to the woman that stood nearby.

Ryou couldn't help but smile while watching his daughter jump and down as she talked. Today would be her first day of school. While the five year old had been ecstatic to be around other children around her age, Ryou had been anxious.

What if the children didn't like Asa?

What if she was bullied because the color of her hair?

"Ah, you must be Mr. Sato. I'm Ai Shiza. I will be your daughter's teacher this year."

A pinch broke him from his thoughts and Ryou smiled and bowed at the young woman.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Shiza-Sensei. Please, take care of my Asa."

Ai laughed lightly as she waved her hand. "Please. No need to be so formal. It is a complete honor to have your child at our school. You can be sure that she will have the best learning experience here." Ai said and rubbed Asa's head gently.

Ryou bit his lip as he watched Asa giggle and lean into Ai's gentle touch. Before he could stop himself, he pushed Ai's hand away, making the woman gasp in surprise.

"O-oh I'm sorry. I just don't want her hair messed up on the first day of class. I hope you can understand."

Ai smiled. "Of course. Please excuse me. But, it's almost time for class to start. Come along Asa. Goodbye, Mr. Sato."

"Bye Mama!" Asa called as she followed Ai down the long walkway towards the school.

"Bye..." Ryou whispered.


"Come on. Say it Mashiro. Say Daddy."

Mashiro stared at his father and only blinked once before nibbling on his knuckles.

Bakura sighed before laying flatly on the wooden floor besides his two year old son.

His young version of himself had just turned two last month and still hasn't uttered a single word yet. Both Jou and Ishizu had assured both Ryou and himself that would speak on his own time.

Bakura eyes narrowed. "He's a spoiled brat that's what he is."

"Who's a spoiled brat?"

Mashiro immediately jumped up when he heard his mother's voice and ran towards the door. He smiled when Ryou had picked him up and carefully placed him on his hip before looking at his husband on the floor.

"And why are you laying on the floor?"

"I was trying to convince Mashiro to talk already." Bakura muttered as he stood up from the floor, stretching while doing so.

"You can't bribe your son to talk, Bakura."

"I am not bribing him to do anything. Yami's kid is only one and he's chatting in another language already!"

"Every kid is different." Ryou replied automatically.

Bakura snorted. "So, did Asa seem like she was going to enjoy school?"

Ryou placed Mashiro in his chair and sighed. "It went okay I guess. I wish I could pick her up already."

Bakura smiled. "First school day parent jitters. It happens to parents all around the world."

Ryou giggled. "So, you have the jitters too I'm guessing?"

"Fuck yeah." Bakura replied, sitting at the kitchen stool while Ryou prepared for lunch. "I just have a way better way of hiding it."

Rolling his eyes, Ryou leaned over to place a small kiss on his husband's lips.

"Of course. You're so macho."

Bakura grinned. "Damn right I am."

"So I'm guessing that macho men such as yourself cries while watching the ending the ending of Beauty and Beast..." Ryou muttered and grinned when the producer paled and snarled. "That was a touching moment damn it!"

Ryou only laughed.


Three Hours Later

Ryou was the first parent to pull up in the front of the school and waited patiently for the school bell to ring. Ten minutes later, the bell did ring and the door automatically opened, kids rushing out to their parents.

The author smiled brightly when he saw Asa coming out of the building but it then faded when he noticed Asa was holding Ai's hand and was chatting happily with the woman as she was earlier.

"Mr. Sato, good afternoon." Ai greeted, that same smile Ryou was growing to dislike.

"Good afternoon, Shiza-Sensei. So, how was Asa's first day?"

"It was awesome Mama!" Asa chirped while jumping up and down. "I can't wait to come back tomorrow and play with Shiza-Sensei again!"

This made Ryou frown.

On the way back home, Ryou listened as Asa continued to talk about her new teacher. It made him feel somewhat jealous. He didn't know why, but he was. Shaking his head, Ryou pulled into the driveway of his house and lead his daughter inside.

"Yo! Ryou and my butterfly!"

Ryou smiled when he saw Panya standing in the foyer, holding her nephew's hand.

"Aunt Panya!" Asa yelled, dropping her bookbag while rushing for the raven haired woman.

"Hey my little butterfly. How was school?"

"It was amazing!" Asa chirped. "I can't wait to tell you all about it!"

"Ah, ah." Ryou tsked. "You have to eat lunch and take your nap first."

Asa pouted before turning to Panya who only shrugged. "You heard your mother."

It wasn't long before Ryou had served his children and Panya lunch and putting them down for their midday nap.

Panya watched as Ryou cover Mashiro with his favorite blanket.

"So, how's motherhood treating you?"

Ryou shrugged. "It's been the same way for the past five years."

Panya smirked. "You could sound more excited than that. Something is bothering you. Tell me what's up."

Ryou sighed. "It's about Asa."

The publicist raised an brow. "Asa? What about her?"

"Well," Ryou began nervously. "I don't know if I'm reading too much into this but... Asa is getting older. I think she might start asking about your sister and why she doesn't have a mother who looks like Shiza-Sensei... I don't know if I can handle that." he admitted softly.

Panya sighed. "Ryou. You have nothing to worry about. As far as I'm concerned, you are Asa's mother. Yes, she might ask questions later on in life but I know you can deal with it. And if you need help, you have me and everyone else."

Ryou smiled slightly. "Thanks, Panya."

"Anytime Ryou. And remember, don't compare yourself with any woman. Though you don't have the tit-tats and Vajay; You're the best mother I've seen in a long time that works in the public industry."

"Really?"

Panya grinned before rubbing her friend's head affectionately.

"Of course."


Eh. Think this as the prolouge.