Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters from the anime. I own the plot, Wellingshire Manor, the titles, a few OCs, and Yami's female persona.

A/N: Holy crap, I am just bowling right through this story. Anyway, just wanted to take a moment and acknowledge and thank all of those readers who took time to review this story. I really love to hear what you all have to say about this story, and I appreciate your criticisms and critiques. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. Now, on with the story.

Warning: There is blatant degradation of a human body in this chapter. If this is something that you don't like, then skip over the first section of this chapter.


Chapter Six

Athena was awake and dressed just as the gray light of the pre-dawn began to slowly trickle across London, a prelude to the dawn of a new day. She dressed in a tunic, trousers, and boots and went to her wardrobe. She swung the double doors open to reveal a small artillery within. There were several pistols, swords of all sorts, knives, a long coiled chain with a curved scythe head attached to one end, a mace, and even an ax.

She considered her knives for the moment, which had been bolted to the sides of the wardrobe, picking out a long, thin bladed dagger. She tested the edge of the blade by pressing it lightly against her thumb, and she smiled as she saw the trickle of blood just after she barely made contact. She slid the dagger into its accompanying sheath and strapped it around her slim waist, wincing a little as she jarred her broken arm a little in the process. She continued to look through the knives before taking a small, thin knife not even the length of Athena's hand and pushed that into the waistband of her trousers. She shut the doors of the wardrobe and fastened her cloak around her shoulders. Should anyone be awake at this hour, it would look damning for Athena to be running around in men's clothing with a dagger plainly strapped to her body. This way, with the cloak, it would appear that Athena was simply going on an early morning errand.

She went outside the manor and made her way around to the back. She found the cluster of bushes she had deposited Agnes' body the night before and located the corpse easily.

Agnes' body had begun to decompose, but not grotesquely so. There were maggots all over her and her skin was beginning to take on a yellowish-hue, and patches of flesh was beginning to peel. She smelled awful, but Athena simply started breathing through her mouth as she leaned over, brushed the maggots away, and wrapped her uninjured arm around the woman's torso under her arms and started to drag her towards the lining of the forest about twenty meters away. This way, if the gardener or lawn maintenance workers came over on this side of the house while Athena was in the process of disposing of the body, they would be less likely to spot her if she was concealed by the trees.

After she pulled Agnes' body far enough to suit Athena's liking, she dropped the body onto the ground and unfastened her cloak before draping it over a low-hanging branch of a sycamore tree nearest to her. She crouched down beside the body and pulled the smaller knife out of her waistband and cut Agnes' hair off until she was completely bald. She then went and dug the tip of the blade into the body's eye sockets and gouged her eyes out before she took them in her hand and threw them with all her might out further into the forest. She then repeated the action, slicing off Agnes' ears, nose, tongue, and even dislodged the woman's lower jaw. She threw the ears, nose, and tongue in all different directions but set the detached mandible on the ground beside the body as though she were saving that for later.

Once that was finished, Athena wiped the blood on her knife off on Agnes' already blood-soaked gown and replaced it in her waistband. She then unsheathed the dagger and sliced open the woman's torso, from navel to nose, decapitated the head, sliced off the corpse's arms at her shoulders, and then she broke off each one of Agnes' ribs like they were twigs. She made a large pile of broken bones, a head, and a dismembered jaw.

As she worked on the corpse's ribs, her ears caught the sound of an ominous howling coming from deeper in the forest, coming closer. She smiled in satisfaction as she sliced off the corpse's legs at her hips, her hands and feet, and then she cleaned off the blade of her dagger and sheathed it, rose from the ground and left the clearing, grabbing her cloak and wrapping it around herself. Even as she broke through the lining of the trees, she could hear the snapping of bone and animalistic snarling as a large pack of wolves finished Athena's job for her.


When she came back inside the mansion, she made her way to the kitchens where Serenity was busy preparing to start breakfast for the family.

"Good morning, Serenity." Athena greeted lightly, a smile gracing her features as the older woman turned and smiled brightly at Athena.

"Why, good morning, Athena. You are awake rather early." She commented.

"Yes, well I did not have a pleasant night last night. My mind has been plagued with rather shocking night terrors. If it isn't too much trouble, would you mind drawing me a bath?" She asked politely.

"Oh yes, of course." Serenity replied, her expression showing her concern in regards to Athena's supposed nightmares. "It will be ready in about ten minutes."

"Thank you, Serenity." Athena turned and left the kitchen.


Yugi sat at the island counter in the kitchens in a tall stool as Serenity set a plate of ripe, juicy grapes, sliced apples, and pitted apricots in front of him to munch on before dinner. He was dressed in a white, unlaced tunic, and beige trousers as his feet swung and he happily ate the fruit as he yammered on and on about nothing in particular.

Serenity was preparing a rabbit stew with vegetables and fresh baked bread, listening intently at Yugi's long explanation about what had happened to his parents. To Yugi, it had seemed so long ago that he had been told by their family physician, Sir Alex Brisbane, that his parents had passed away. Yes, it still made the boy ache and he still grieved for them from time to time, but everyone at Wellingshire Manor has been so incredibly nice to him, and he had Athena here with him, the pain was fleeting and only happened on occasion. He could finally talk about it without breaking down into tears.

"I arrived home after school and our butler had pulled open the front door with a very serious look on his face. Not that he didn't already have a serious expression all the time but this time it was different. It was like whenever I have a stomachache, but a little different than that. Anyway, so he put his hand on my shoulder and said that Doctor Brisbane was in attendance in the house and that mama and papa were in a bad way. So Solomon took me to my papa's study to play a game of chess. I am really good at chess. You should see me sometime. I can beat anybody at chess. Well, everyone except Athena. Now she is one tough opponent to beat.

"So as Solomon and I are playing chess, I was winning, Doctor Brisbane came into the study with that same troubled expression that Solomon had worn on his face. He then said that my papa and mama were dead, but not how they died."

"Oh, you poor dear." Serenity cooed as she saw moisture swimming in Yugi's eyes.

"But it is all right now. I mean, I am sad that papa and mama are not alive anymore, but I am here with so many nice people. You give me fruit and pastries if I get hungry in between meals, and Isis takes me on walks in the gardens everyday to see the dogs. Uncle Mahado likes to go riding with me, and Mokuba – he said it was okay for me to call him Mokuba – has been teaching me archery. Lord Wellingshire, he's given me this big wooden chess board, and he'll play with me sometimes when he's not busy."

Athena entered the kitchens in time to hear Yugi's continued rambling and she smiled warmly at the boy, watching as he paused to munch on an apple slice. She frowned that Yugi was snacking when dinner would be served in less than a half an hour, but she knew that should she say anything, Yugi would give her those big puppy eyes and that pouting frown and she would cave in seconds.

Yugi caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and followed it to find Athena standing in the doorway. He launched himself off of the stool and gave Athena an enthusiastic hug. The boy always greeted her as though he hadn't seen her in years, and although it usually warmed her that she would garner so much open affection, but today when he wrapped his arms around her, she had to mentally check herself before she let on at how badly Yugi had jarred her broken arm.

"Hello to you too, little one." Athena replied, wrapping her uninjured arm around Yugi's shoulders to return the hug.

Serenity turned at the sound of Athena's voice and she noted the carefully concealed pain she was trying to hide.

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

"Uh, no. I'm all right." Athena stammered. She did not like to be given sympathy or pity if she was wounded. It was something she had never grown accustomed to, after being raised in her homeland where emotion seemed to be outlawed and pain was an everyday occurrence.

Serenity was not buying Athena's pathetic excuse for a denial. She tsked before she gave Athena a slow once-over to see if she could spot the problem, and she gasped at seeing her arm.

"What happened?" She demanded.

Athena averted her eyes from Serenity's, not wanting her to see her instinctual reaction to her genuine concern. "It's not important, Serenity. Please let it go? My arm will mend soon."

Yugi's eyes immediately fastened onto Athena's broken forearm and he quickly let Athena go before saying, "I'm so sorry, Athena. Did I hurt you when I hugged you?"

"Not at all." Athena said with rather impressive conviction, "You'd best not look so concerned, little one. It's a minor break and will heal in no time at all."

Yugi frowned, one eyebrow rising in contemplation before he nodded, "All right, if you are certain."

"I am. Now, you should finish your snack that Serenity was so kind to prepare for you. And be careful not to spoil your dinner." Athena cautioned.

"I will." Yugi said before he returned to his stool and popped a few grapes into his mouth.

Serenity continued to gaze at Athena, looking like she wanted to say something but thought better than to bring it up again. She sensed that the matter behind the broken arm was a cause of embarrassment of some sort for her and that was why she did not want to talk about it.

"You look much better than you did this morning." She settled on.

"A long bath, a nice ride, and a nap will do wonders." Athena replied with a slight smile. "Dinner smells wonderful."

"Thank you."

A few minutes later, Athena helped Serenity carry the food out to the dining room, much to Serenity's dislike. Athena insisted though, and Serenity learned fast that Athena was solid when she put her foot down about something.

Dinner was full of conversation as Mokuba and Yugi talked about how to improve Yugi's form in archery. Raphael was speaking to Mahado and Isis about making preparations for this season's formal events. Seto joined the family, much to everyone's surprise, and he ate in silence at his end of the table while he observed everyone else as they went about continuing their conversations.

The only ones not in conversation was Athena, Seto, and Rebecca, Mokuba's fiancée, who seemed a bit lonely. Athena pulled her into conversation.

"Where are you from, Rebecca?" She began, and the young blonde-haired, blue-eyed maiden looked up in surprise at Athena.

"What was that you said?" She asked in a quiet, almost shy voice. Athena smiled at her, making the young girl feel more relaxed.

"I was asking where you are from? As long as I have been here, I don't believe I have ever asked you yet." She repeated patiently.

"Here in London. My grandfather is a great physician here, Doctor Arthur Hopkins." Rebecca replied, her voice growing in intensity as she continued. Something about Athena made a person more comfortable.

"Ah, a physician; a fine profession. What of your parents?"

"My mama is a midwife, and my father works as a blacksmith."

Athena nodded, "What do you like to do for fun, Rebecca? Do you like to read or do you ride?" She wondered.

Rebecca looked horrified, "Of course not. I-I don't know how."

"Ah, how about I teach you? Neither one is really too difficult to pick up." Athena offered.

Rebecca looked hopeful, "So, you know how to read?"

"That's right. I had a rather extensive education back at home. I know how to read, write, and do figures as well as a other things."

Rebecca's eyes lit up in joy, "I would love to." She replied excitedly.

Athena chuckled lightly at the young girl's enthusiasm. "We can start after dinner, if you'd like."

"Yes, absolutely."

Athena's smile grew and Rebecca went about hurrying through her dinner as quickly but as properly as she could.

Athena glanced up and saw Seto studying her with an impressive frown on his face. She gave him a frown as well before ignoring him and moved to finish her own meal.


Once they were finished and the table was cleared, Athena was in her bedchamber when she heard a knock at her door. Actually, it was more like somebody was pounding on the door in an attempt to make the wood into mulch. She swung it open, "What could you possibly want?" She demanded as she came face-to-face with Seto.

"I want answers, and you will give them to me."

"I have no reason to give you anything, Lord Henderson, so I suggest you return to your quarters and leave-be."

"I will not. You have been running me in circles, and if I am going to help you, then we are going to have to come to an understanding."

Athena glared darkly at the man, "Has it ever occurred to you that I do not need your help at all, Lord Henderson?"

"Has it occurred to you that I witnessed you kill a person last night? What could possibly happen to you if someone were to find out that you are a murderer?" Seto countered.

Athena looked properly appalled. "I saved your pathetic life last night. You cannot seriously be trying to hold what I did against me just because I won't be pressed to quench your curiosity."

"Oh, but I will."

"You unimaginable bastard." Athena hissed at him, "You have no proof."

"It is my word against yours. Which one of us do you believe my uncle will listen to about something like this? Face it, at the end of the day, I still have his ear and you are simply a temporary hand in his home until heaven knows for how long."

If looks could kill, Seto would be a bad, distant memory.

After a long moment of charged hatred coursing between them, Athena saw that he had backed her into a corner. Oh, how she loathed this man right then.

"Fine then. I will answer your questions after I help Rebecca. Does that satisfy you, your highness?"

Never before had so much venom been forced into such a simple word.

"That'll do fine." Seto relented. "As long as I get them."

Athena felt the almost overwhelming urge to slam her fist into his face to erase that damnable smug expression on his face. Instead, she stepped back and slammed the door in his face. She felt a twinge of satisfaction at hearing the muffled grunt of pain as the door literally hit Seto in the face. She intensely hoped that he had broken his nose.