Hey people, I am so sorry for the lateness of my update, forgive me! You must have thought I was dead! Won't go into the boring explanations, just get on with the story! I know you hate me, but I really hope you still enjoy this despite the wait you had to face! There is no decent excuse. Anyway, enough of my blabbing! Oh, due to the weary issue that replying to reviews may be an offence, I'll send out the replies through response system. Anonymous reviewers cannot get replies unless they give me their email address, thanks.

Back to the story! This chapter may be a bit shorter than usual ones, just because I wanted to get it out as quick I could for readers. Still I hope it's not too bad.

As for the Chinese, may not be terrible accurate, but I tried my best.

Chapter 12: Strong Will, Frail Form

Time had stopped, as nothing could be done to express the horror and disgust felt by the man as he stared at…he couldn't even describe it. It just didn't seem possible at all. How could someone live through life when they had suffered so much? If those marks were accurate about how serious the wounds were, then Melisanne had lost all sense of self-belief in her being.

She had done it. She had revealed some of the shame and disfigurement she had been inflicted with since her father had died at her hands. Despite the revelation, he fears were still strong, rejection still a consequence, making her grip onto the sleeve of the jacket she had rolled up even tighter.

What she had shown could barely be dignified as an arm, as so little skin could be seen through the torn and shredded streaks and scars of black, blue, yellow and even some green pus that slicked and oozed everywhere, hardening to create a slimy sludge crust over the cuts.

The limb was mutilated beyond belief; scars old and new tattooed permanently on the skin. Deep gashes were crusted over with blackening blood, while the bruises and burns were swollen and enflamed in ghastly shades. Even though there were no clear signs of sprains and broken bones, the arm seemed twisted and bent. It was the price for years of being forced painfully still to endure whatever torment would come next. It looked as if the limb was forever cringing in blinding agony.

In all honesty, Seto Kaiba was not one to be squeamish. He was strong-minded, and he never batted an eye to most things, no matter how horrific. But what he saw of the girl's arm was enough to make him want to be sick. His stomach churned at the sight of the abused flesh, his face screwed up in disgust.

It was only when he saw small tears forming in the other person's eyes he snapped out his thoughts. She obviously misunderstood, and believed he was so repulsed he wanted nothing more to do with him. In guilt, (though he would deny he ever felt it) he sighed, and walked over to her shaking form. This only worsened the situation though, as she took a step back for every inch he came closer.

'Oh God…she thinks I'm going to hit her. Her family must really not want their little secret out, so they're brutal if she ever shows any bit of her scarred skin.' he realised, still seeing upcoming terror in the her eyes.

Cautiously, he walked closer, seeing that the door was on the other side of the room. She would either hit the wall where he would get a hold of her, or if she bolted for the door, he could grab her in mid sprint as she crossed his path. All planned out he walked further across the floor.

It wasn't long before Melisanne had backed into the corner, finally aware she couldn't escape from the male walking closer and closer towards her. Her system had been so used to these events, the reactions were programmed into her body. Even though her mind told her Seto wouldn't hurt her, the animalistic part of her brain, her fears, had taken over, and it clearly signalled there was danger approaching.

With fear consuming her, she screwed her eyes shut, bit her lip and waited for the coming impact which would send her across the room…

It was coming…

Where was it?

Her eyes slowly blinked open again when a light brush of fingers caressed the side of her face. Crystal shards flickered upwards, looking at the tall man staring down at her. Thought his face didn't hold expression, the touches were tender and soft, and his eyes, thought still steely, seemed to show hidden warmth and understanding.

This care, this kindness was something the girl never knew could exist. It had been so long. Without her father around, and the cruel torment on a daily basis, the past thirteen to fourteen years of Melisanne's life had dragged by, were day by day she struggled to find strength to keep going for her younger siblings sakes. Though it was very unlikely Niang would turn on them, she didn't want to take the chance.

The foreign and long lost feelings of being cared for bubbled up inside, and made her quiver from head to toe. She couldn't say anything, but in finally comprehending matters, she collapsed into the man's chest, a new wave a tears falling. Like in the office beforehand, this emotional dam had burst after many years of confinement, making the girl splutter and sob with little control as she clung onto the male's shoulders for support.

Seto just stood, holding her up and allowing her to let it all out. She had been monstrously broken into tiny pieces, and it was rage at this that caused him to grip the weak form even tighter. The assumption he was mad before was not entirely unsound, but it was the perpetrators of this horrible act of abuse that he wanted to unleash his rage upon, not the victim.

What he didn't know, was that the very people responsible were at that moment thinking of him as well, with the same anger in their thoughts.

---

The stepped creaked under the weight of the woman as she climbed the steps. Her feet stung, having just been tightly bandaged again and squeezed into the tiny silk slippers.

Though not many performed such a painful tradition as foot binding anymore, her family prided themselves in not being weak like others, in keeping to old ancestral values, not getting caught up in the new and fickle modern world.

Once she reached the top, the tall thin woman walked down the hall till she came to the very last door. Knocking timidly, she heard muffled reply.

"Jin gui nu" the voice inside replied, and the woman decisively stepped into the room.

She entered a large and luxurious bedroom, with silks and canopies draped everything. All the furniture was wooden and delicately carved, obvious made hundreds of years before. Everything dignified and elegant, yet despite the vibrant colours and vivid displays, the room was eerie, an icy chill in the air.

By the large window, a middle ages woman stood, tall, long and thin, deep toned skin stretched and tight, much like the fine embroidered robe she wore that was help by a tie around the waste, showing her lanky built. Dark hair was tugged and pinned neatly at the back of her head, two chopsticks holding it in place. She turned around to see the other who had entered, her face concealed by many layers of make up.

"They are not back yet," the guest spoke, spiteful English slipping past her lips, the words like poison. "This in unacceptable. She has obviously gone off and disobeyed again. It has become clear she is forgetting her place, ever since those Japanese people have shown up…"

"Zen me?" the woman asked, shock and anger clear in her tone. "Wei shen me wei nan dao?"

The other tensed, hoping she wouldn't be punished for not telling the woman this news sooner. She had seen what she could do, and though she was in little risk of danger, she realised what could happen, if the superior was mad enough.

"Um, I…well I didn't…"

"Wu yi dai!" the sharp response echoed across the room, not interested in the excuses that were being made for the incompetence. She obviously felt superior in speaking the traditional language, and preferred to be the only one in conversation using it, as it defined her as in charge.

The younger woman quivered, looking up as her normally sharp indigo orbs met with a fierce and controlling pair that was the exact same colour, only much more sinister. She wasn't used to being so fearful, as it was normally her sister who was subject to the rage and cruelty of the woman before her. San Mei was of course the disgrace of the family, she deserved it.

Suddenly, the woman turned away and stalked over to her dresser, perching herself on the stool and staring into the mirror. She glared at the reflection, before glancing down at the picture frames on the table. All moments of honour and pride for her, the best of times, the ones that showed her greatness. There were others though she hated to look at…

The woman slid her hand off the wooden surface and pulled open the drawer at the side. From the very bottom she pulled out another picture, only it was crumpled and torn, from the many times she took her frustrations out on the photo, as if by magic, the people in it would also suffer.

It was a man, distinguished and foreign to the lands, smartly dressed and strong willed. Despite his obvious ageing, those diamond shards he had for eyes were lively, defying and mocking her. In his arms was a little child, bright and smiling, so like him in appearance and spirit. He was tormenting her, by making sure a little piece of him was in the soul of the child, so she would live everyday, look at her and see the creature that disrupted her entire life. It was all contained in those shinning crystal orbs.

No more! She couldn't take it! Having to keep the girl on a lead was enough, but now she escaped…she would be like that man, and ruin everything in her life again! The insolent brat had even taken her youngest born. They were pure, could be moulded and used for success. She wouldn't let them be contaminated by that disgrace of the household!

"Luo ye gui gen." the woman muttered angrily, the same phrase that the other younger female, Wang her daughter, had used before.

She would find them, and destroy the one who sought to ruin her, just like she did before. This time, it would all end.