/Text/ Spirit to Host

/Text/ Host to Spirit

Chapter 21: Conversation

Domino City

"Do you think this is enough?" asked Mokuba, pushing another chair from the kitchen into the Muto's already crammed living room.

"Well," said Grandpa Muto, and he began to tally along his fingers. "There's you and me, and then Joey, Tristan and Téa, Miss Ishtar, and…" he glanced behind him back towards the front door where Roland was pacing the entryway, speaking quietly on his cell phone. "Roland, if he wishes to join us."

"I imagine he will. He's been taking everything so seriously lately," said Mokuba. "You know, he stopped at Domino First Bank the other day on his lunch hour? Before then, in the morning, he was fine. When he came back to Kaiba Corp, his mood had dropped. Like, it plummeted, as if he heard news that someone died. He won't tell me what's up either."

"He's taken on a very important position," said Grandpa, "It can't be easy to fill into your brother's shoes."

Mokuba shrugged. "He's handled all that stuff before while keeping an eye on me. This is different. He knows something the rest of us don't."

Grandpa put a reassuring hand on Mokuba's shoulder. "The world is a bit different now though. Even with Yugi gone, I can sense unease in the air, and usually that would radiate from Yugi's puzzle when they were in the middle of a crisis. But the battle they've fallen into isn't anywhere near here, which is why everyone is so troubled."

Mokuba looked around at all of the empty chairs in the room. "When is everyone going to show up?"

Grandpa looked at the clock on the wall over the television. "Soon, I hope."

"I know Fuguta went to pick up Ishizu," said Mokuba, "Part of me wants to get this done and over with, because the anticipation is making me nervous. But…"

Grandpa gave him a small, understanding smile. "You're worried about just what the news is. I know. I am as well."

The sound of an engine cutting off outside grabbed the younger Kaiba's attention and he rushed to the window. "Oh! The car is back!"

"Oh good," said Grandpa, "Now it's just up to Joey and the others."

Mokuba pouted. "How much do you want to bet Joey is going to be late?"

"Tristan is giving him a ride, so I imagine he would be here on time," said Grandpa. He got up and joined him at the window. "Well. I best not be a rude host and let them inside."

Roland stepped away from the front door, pocketing his phone as Ishizu was let inside.

"Mr. Muto," said Ishizu, bowing slightly in greeting. "Thank you for allowing me to come. I'm sorry we are intruding on your home like this."

"Think nothing of it. It'll be a little tight in the living room, but we'll be able to manage."

"They're ready on their end," said Roland, "The call will be set up once the others arrive."

Ishizu nodded. "Alright. If I may ask, who else are we expecting?"

"Joey, Tristan, and Téa," said Grandpa, "That's all. Would you like something to drink before we begin?"

"Tea would be lovely, thank you," said Ishizu. She walked into the living room. "Hello, Mokuba."

"Hi, Ishizu."

"I trust you are well, despite your brother's long absences?"

Mokuba shrugged. "Doing well enough. It's hard when he's home because I know it's only for a few days. Saying goodbye again is always tough."

"Then his upcoming return is always something to look forward to," said Ishizu, "And then you cherish the moments you have together." With Marik and Odion back in Egypt, she felt the same way about her own brothers. They got online to video chat a couple of times a week, but it just wasn't the same as being in the same room.

They sat in silence for the next minute, when Grandpa returned to the room with a steaming mug in his hands. Mokuba clutched at the fabric of his jeans. He really didn't know what to say to Ishizu. It wasn't as if he had spent a whole lot of time with her. All of their previous interactions were at the Battle City tournament, and even that wasn't saying too much. She was absent for most of the duels on the blimp, and only watched the true final match between Yugi and Marik.

At first, he had thought the tournament was Seto's idea as a comeback from his defeat against Yugi, and in response to Duelist Kingdom. He had been shocked to find out that wasn't the case at all, and that Ishizu had orchestrated the entire event, even giving Seto one of the most powerful cards in existence – all to settle a family feud. It just so happened that in the process, everyone else got put in danger of either being brainwashed or comatose.

Mokuba frowned. The quiet was awkward. Ishizu didn't look in his direction at all, just sat on the other side of the room. He wasn't sure if Seto still held some sort of grudge for the Ishtars' upstaging of his tournament, but he didn't. Ishizu was just trying to save her brother, however extreme her go-about was. Would he do any less for Seto if their roles were reversed? He already knew Seto would burn the world down twice over if he was in trouble.

Perhaps Ishizu was uncomfortable being around almost everyone from Battle City, considering what her brother had done to them all at the time. Well, it was time to put that to rest.

Mokuba left his seat and hopped up next to Ishizu on the opposite couch. "So…" he began, conversationally, "How is Marik doing?"

Ishizu blinked, taken back. "H-he is well. Odion is with him in Egypt. They sometimes help out in the museum there, but mostly spend their time near the Valley of the Kings, helping with restoration work." She paused. "I didn't think you were interested in what happened to Marik after…well…"

Mokuba shrugged. "You were just trying to save your brother. I don't have any hard feelings from Battle City, Ishizu."

Ishizu raised an eyebrow. "Marik had you kidnapped to force your brother into a duel to win back Obelisk the Tormentor. Your brother claims we upstaged his tournament, and in a way, we did."

Mokuba scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah…I know. But Marik was sort of corrupted already at that point, wasn't he? I mean, his freaky evil side wasn't out full force, but he believed Yugi was to blame for everything bad that happened to him, right? He wasn't in a good place. We've all been through something like that before. Marik's was just…really crazy. And…well…it wouldn't be the first time I've gotten kidnapped to get something from my big brother." He looked up at her, smiling, "I'm not mad at you. Really."

Ishizu let out a breath she didn't even realize was being held in. "I had been…concerned that I would be met with some hostility today. Yugi I know has put my family's past actions to rest, but I cannot say the same for your friends. And I wasn't too sure how close you might mirror your brother."

Mokuba shook his head as he heard new voices from the entryway. Joey and the others had arrived. "Seto holds the grudges. Not me."

"Perhaps not for Battle City," said Ishizu, slowly, "But what about more recently?"

Mokuba tilted his head quizzically. "What do you mean?"

Ishizu clutched her tea tightly. "Your brother couldn't have been pleased to be presented the Millennium Rod."

Mokuba's smile faltered slightly. "Oh. That." He shrugged. "Honestly, everything that happened that day, or more like that week was such a rush that I didn't have time to think too much into it. I think…if Priest Set wasn't in the Millennium Rod, then there would have been a lot more outrage over it. Seto took it all rather well, now that I think about it."

Ishizu froze. "There was a spirit in the Millennium Rod?" That was certainly news to her - Yugi didn't mention anything of the sort in his letters.

"Yeah...a priest from the Pharaoh's court or something like that. I think he was part of what got Seto to finally accept the whole magic thing."

Ishizu nodded thoughtfully. "He was quite adverse to anything magical from what I recall." News of a spirit inside the Rod was new to her, but it suddenly made sense considering the Item's actions during the Battle City tournament. Everyone saw how just after it activated, Kaiba had changed his dueling strategy, as if the Millennium Rod had pointed him in the right direction to win his match. And it had activated once again during Kaiba's duel with Yugi atop the Duel Tower, showing them a glimpse of the past as the Egyptian Gods clashed.

Mokuba nodded. "Yeah. That same day triggered all of the other magic with that letter Professor Dumbledore sent us. But my brother finally got down like the rest of us and came to grips that magic was in front of his face the entire time, even though you'll never hear him openly admit it."

"Hey, Mokuba," said Téa, "Hi Ishizu." Joey and Tristan followed into the living room after her.

Ishizu smiled, nodding to them. "Hello Téa."

"Looks like we were the last ones," said Joey, "I said you should have driven faster."

Tristan rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Joey."

"Well, let's gather around and get this started," said Grandpa, taking a seat in one of the kitchen chairs.

"Are we going to see Yugi? Will this be a face chat?" asked Téa.

Grandpa shook his head. "I'm afraid my computer may be too old to keep a good connection for something like that."

"It's okay, Mr. Muto. It might be too hard to get everyone within the camera window anyway. We can try that another time with my computer," said Mokuba, "It might be easier to connect to Seto's laptop that way because he doesn't use traditional video chatting programs."

Roland stepped away from his spot along the wall and moved into the middle of the room, connecting his phone to the charger as he dialed. After speaking a few words into it, he placed the phone onto the external speaker on the table. "Mr. Kaiba, you're on speaker now."

"Hi Seto!" said Mokuba excitedly, before anyone else in the room could get a word in.

"Hey, kid."

"Hey, Rich Boy – we're not just stuck with you all night, right?" said Joey, snickering. "Who else is there with you?"

There was a laugh on the other end of the phone. "Relax, Joey," said Yugi, "Bakura and I are here too…and then some."

"And then some?" asked Téa.

"I'm here as well," said Yami, and then after a pause he spoke again, quieter, as if he had turned away from the phone to talk more or less just to those in the room with him. "Do you think they heard that?"

"Pharaoh?" said Joey, looking at his friends, puzzled. "Are you swappin' with Yug'?" Things were going to get mighty confusing if Yugi and the Pharaoh kept jumping back and forth the entire time. How were they supposed to know who they were talking to?

"Not quite," said Ryou, "The magic in the school allows the Spirits to come out of the Millennium Items so we can talk and interact with them without them having to take control. So…my counterpart is here too."

"How is everything there?" asked Yami, "It's good to hear your voices."

"Goin' okay here," said Joey, "School's boring as all getups, and it's weird having no world to save for once."

Yugi laughed. "I bet. Let me tell you, there is more than enough excitement going on here."

"The Spirit of the Ring isn't giving you a hard time, is he?"

"Why must everyone assume when something happens, I am the cause?" Bakura snapped.

"Because that's what they're used to," said Ryou. It wasn't as if he gave them anything else to believe.

"So… what are you actually learning over there?" asked Tristan, changing the subject. Hearing their friend Bakura speak to the other Bakura so calmly was weird, since they always remembered the Spirit forcing control most of the time ."How to pull rabbits out of hats?"

Joey was certain Kaiba eye-rolled at that, but it was Ryou who spoke. "No. Actual magic. There are no fancy card tricks here. We were introduced to a dark creature the other week and had to fight it off. We've also learned some more common spells and how to brew potions. It's all quite interesting! We'll have to show you some of our books when we come home."

"When will that be?" asked Grandpa, "Sometime before Christmas, I hope."

"From what we've been told, it looks like students only leave for Christmas and Easter holidays," said Yugi, "But maybe we can swing a ride back with Kaiba on one of his next visits home."

"Hn."

"We're allowed out to visit the village next to the school though," said Ryou, "Our first trip out is this weekend. We'll have to send something home. I've heard the chocolate shop is excellent!"

"Mm, wizard chocolate. I can get down for some of that," said Joey.

Téa rolled her eyes. "Of course you can, because the first thing in your head is always food."

Joey pulled a face at her as he heard a noise through the phone. "Hey is this connection good? Sounds like static in the background."

"Oh," said Yami, "That's Kaiba. The phone is connected into his computer, and he's working while on the call."

"Seriously? We all got together for this chat and you're gonna sit there and do that? Your company can wait for five minutes," said Joey.

"It's called multitasking, Wheeler. I realize the word is more than two-syllables so you may not have heard of it before. Besides, it's not like you are really going on about anything important."

Mokuba snickered.

"So…um, are we waiting on Ishizu?" asked Yugi, "Or is everyone there?"

"I am here," said Ishizu, "But you were catching up with your friends, and I didn't want to intrude."

"Sorry, Ishizu, we didn't mean to put you out," said Yugi, "How are things at the museum?"

"The museum is doing well. Marik and I are starting to make arrangements for the Pharaoh's tablet to be moved back to Egypt. This will of course not be for some time, but we have to get everything in order with the museum here and my contacts in Egypt to assure its safe journey."

"Why is it leaving?" asked Tristan.

"I cycle all of the Egyptian artifacts on loan here," said Ishizu, "The Pharaoh's tablet and the accompanying stone depicting Duel Monsters have served their purposes here, and, having remained far longer than any of the other antiques in the collection, it is time they returned home. They will also be much more secure there."

"Despite the attacks?" asked Ryou.

"Yes. The final home of these tablets is quite secure."

"Speaking of attacks…" said Seto, "You have information for us."

"Yes." Ishizu took a deep breath. "Are you able to be overheard?"

"No," said Yugi, "We're in an empty room in a secluded part of the castle, and Kaiba put some charm on the door so no one can barge in on us."

Ishizu nodded and began. "The information you requested took quite some digging. Long before Marik originally was tempted by darkness, the tomb keepers bearing the secrets of the Pharaoh and the Millennium Items kept in contact with each other, in case a proper owner for the Items was found. After one of the keepers was murdered years ago, they all decided to keep to themselves, to help protect the others.

"Suffice to say, there are very few individuals outside of the tomb keepers who know of the Nameless Pharaoh and the Millennium Items, and I believe they are government officials. You heard of the attack because of the wizard involvement, but most of the news was kept a secret."

"Wait," said Tristan, "I don't remember hearing about an attack in Egypt."

Ishizu nodded. "My point exactly. The Egyptians kept the story as close as possible, but the same cannot be said for the British wizards that were involved."

"So what happened exactly?" asked Téa.

"An excavation site was attacked," said Ishizu, "By cloaked men in masks. A few workers were killed, and one of the tomb keepers disappeared. The local authorities believe it was the work of tomb robbers, but Marik and Odion have confirmed that there are still many artifacts of value left at the tomb that could have easily been stolen. We believe the men came for the tomb guardian." She sighed. "He was one of the keepers of the Millennium Items. His clan had been trusted with protecting the Millennium Ring and the Eye."

"…But the tomb keepers don't have those items," said Bakura.

"And Pegasus was given the Millennium Eye," said Yugi, "What could they possibly gain from taking someone who doesn't have the Millennium Items anymore?"

"As guardians of the Items and keepers of the Pharaoh's secrets, it is our sworn duty to protect that information at all cost," said Ishizu. "To reveal anything, even under duress, is considered a betrayal of the highest order. It has been passed down that if any of the guardians were to be captured; death is always the preferred alternative to revealing anything, and is attempted as soon as possible if there are no means of escape." She sighed. "It was also part of the reason why we lived in such seclusion."

"Was the tomb keeper that was murdered your father?" asked Téa.

Ishizu shook her head. "No, that incident took place well before Marik's first turn to the darkness. The guardian that was killed was from a different clan."

"So…the bad wizards captured someone who doesn't have any Millennium Items. What does that mean for us?" asked Grandpa.

Ishizu leaned forward and set her mug onto the table. "The tomb guardian may no longer have the Items themselves, but if he would turn on his clan and the rest of us, his knowledge could help locate any of the others."

"Not only that, but if he had the Millennium Eye, he was probably present when it was given to Pegasus," said Yami, "And if they go looking for Pegasus, that could lead them right to all of us."

Roland stiffened from his spot at the wall near the doorway.

"But Pegasus doesn't have the Eye anymore," said Téa, "So he would be safe, wouldn't he?"

"Pegasus interacted with everyone present at one point or another with that Eye in his head," said Seto bitterly, "If they manage to extract information from this tomb keeper that leads them straight to Pegasus, what makes you think they'll stop there? Everyone on this call is in danger just by association with him, and he's not even a player in this war."

"So what are you suggesting – that we're all in even more danger?" asked Téa. "Those wizards that hang around here put up some sort of protection to keep us safe. Wouldn't that stop an attack even if the tomb keeper talked?"

"It should," said Grandpa, stealing a quick glance to Mokuba's bodyguard, but the man was stone-faced.

"What can we do?" asked Joey.

"There isn't a lot you can do," Ryou sighed. "As it stands, you all are protected by the wizards in Domino. I think that a leak from the tomb keeper or anyone else would lead the Death Eaters more to us than anyone. It's not like you guys have any of the Millennium Items. And we're safe while at Hogwarts, just like you are there. We just need to be more careful."

They could hear Seto say something quietly on the other end, away from the phone, before Yugi's voice came out clear again. "Ugh. I hate to cut this short, everyone, but we have a class soon. We're going to have to get off so we can return to the dorm and grab our books."

"Ooh, which one?" asked Mokuba.

"Herbology," said Seto, "And then Potions after the lunch hour."

"We have an exam on Snargaluff pods today," said Yugi, "And I have no idea what we'll be doing in Potions. Hopefully not testing the work of the underclassmen again."

"Well, good luck on your examination," said Grandpa, "And do try to keep in touch. We all miss you here."

"Yugi's phone is working now, so it'll be easier for him to stay in contact with you," said Seto, "Until he sends you a copy of his schedule, do not call him. At least one of the professors here is looking for any excuse to confiscate our technology, so don't go giving them any openings. Wait for him to contact you."

"Okay," said Téa, nodding.

"And please remember that you're about eight hours ahead of us," said Ryou, "If you try to call us in the morning, it'll still be the middle of the night here. And while it may be night time there right now, we're still in the middle of the day attending class."

"Gotcha," said Joey.

"I'll send you guys a text when we get our lunch break," said Yugi, "Grandpa – will you give Ishizu my contact number in case she needs it?"

Grandpa nodded. "Sure."

"Are you still gonna video chat on your lunch break, Seto?" Mokuba asked hopefully.

"Of course."

"We have to head off now. Bye everyone!" said Yugi.

After a chorus of farewells from around the living room, the phone disconnected with a loud click.

Téa rubbed at her arms. "I'm so worried for them."

"We all are, Téa," said Joey, "But we gotta be strong for 'em."

"I've just had such a bad feeling lately, like something bad is going to happen," said Téa. "Maybe it's just from being around all of the Shadow Realm magic and always in danger all the time, but I'm just…scared."

"The news I've shared I'm sure didn't help that at all," said Ishizu, "But we are affected by the attack in Egypt just as much as they are. The more we know of what is going on in this strange war, the better prepared we are in case it arrives in Domino."

"But we can we do, really, if someone came after us? How are we going to be expected to fight people with magic?" said Tristan.

"You aren't expected to fight anyone," said Roland, as most of the room's occupants turned to face him. "That role falls to Mr. Kaiba and the others. You just need to stay out of the line of fire."

"But we're already doin' that," said Joey.

"Yes, and we're all aware that's through wizard involvement. But their protection may or may not have been compromised."

Téa paled.

"What d'you mean, compromised?" said Tristan.

Roland pushed himself off of the wall and took the only abandoned seat in the room. "Did you not already have an instance where you worried someone broke into Mr. Bakura's home?"

Joey nodded. "Yeah…but we figured it was his landlord. The one time it happened after we told you about it, there was a letter from the apartment company on the table. Trist' and I figured we just missed the letter the last time."

"…and there was the time I thought someone had been snooping through Yugi's room when I was down in the shop," said Grandpa.

Mokuba sank back into the couch and drew his knees closer again. "What about the time you dropped me off here in the middle of the night…"

Roland nodded. "We traced a breach on Mr. Kaiba's personal and financial data to the United Kingdom, and on that same day, wizards had been found on the grounds of one of his other properties. It was not a location that Mr. Kaiba escorted Professor Dumbledore or any of the three wizards stationed here to protect."

"So what, were they just wanderin' around?" asked Joey.

"We don't know. Mr. Kaiba believes it was a test to see how we would react if our own security was compromised. You can't be any more certain it was a landlord or a figment of your imagination on those other occurrences than it being a wizard."

Ishizu frowned thoughtfully. "Although…it was my understanding that some of the protections placed on your homes would prevent someone from just appearing and disappearing at will."

"How do you know that?" asked Mokuba.

"There is a wizard with me at the museum as well," said Ishizu, "One who has spent time in Egypt. He assists me with my work while acting as a guard for both myself and the artifacts in my charge."

"That's mighty convenient," said Tristan, "Since some of your artifacts have to do with Yugi and Kaiba – and that's what got them into this mess in the first place."

"Who stationed him there?" asked Roland.

"Professor Dumbledore," said Ishizu, "He came to pay me a visit just before the end of the summer. He claimed that Yugi was worried that my family's knowledge of the Millennium Items and the Pharaoh's tablet would put us in danger."

"He staged the others here as well," said Grandpa.

"Okay, so back up a second," said Joey, turning to Roland, "Why does that mean things might be compromised here?"

"Mr. Kaiba is under the impression that these wizards are not to be trusted, and to be honest, I am inclined to agree. The wards they claim to have placed on your homes? You can't see them. We have taken Professor Dumbledore's word that they have been set, but we have no way of knowing that. On the other hand, perhaps they have – but we have no way of knowing when they may get taken down. Despite how they may appear around us, we don't know them, or Professor Dumbledore. And for a school that is supposed to be teaching Mr. Kaiba and the others proper defensive magic to fight in this war, they are learning quite little of it."

"So Kaiba doesn't trust Dumbledore. Okay," said Tristan, "You'll forgive us for taking that with a grain of salt, since he doesn't trust anyone."

"Very well." Roland reached for the briefcase he left on the table beside their external speaker. "Let's try this instead." He pulled out a thick file folder. "Mr. Kaiba was not the only one to have his personal information compromised in a security breach." He dropped the folder unceremoniously onto the table and gestured for them to open it.

Joey gave it a funny look before reaching for it. Téa and Tristan peered over his shoulder as he flipped through the contents. "What the –"

Téa gasped. "There's information on all of us in here."

"How did you find all of this?" asked Tristan.

"We used the same method to track Mr. Kaiba's breach and broadened our search. All of those checks originated in Britain."

"This is stupid thorough," Joey said, his eyes scanning down the page with his own name on it. "H-how did these people know my dad's been out o' work for so long? Or that I own a bicycle? That's not on any public record…unless…"

"…Unless we were being watched," said Grandpa gravely. "And there's no way of knowing who is behind it."

"It does seem too good that this all originated in Britain and that's where those wizard guys are from though," said Tristan.

"I agree. I'm not so certain we can trust these people to have our backs, no matter how friendly they appear," said Grandpa.

"Then what are we gonna do?" asked Mokuba quietly. This entire conversation was starting to freak him out. Emmeline Vance was staying in the mansion – was she spying on him and Roland while Seto was away? What if she was snooping through the house at this moment? And if they were ever attacked, would she fight to help keep them safe from the Death Eaters he heard Dumbledore mention, or would she stand aside and let them get hurt? He didn't want to think about that – Emmeline had been so nice thus far. And that went for Hestia and Sturgis as well. They all seemed like pretty cool people, at least to him.

Roland cleared his throat. "This is, of course, a worst-case scenario, but in the case of an attack here in Domino, we need to have a plan in place that does not involve the wizards."

"Like what?" asked Téa, "If what you guys think is true, and that we're being watched, how can we do anything in secret?"

Roland held up a hand. "Let me worry about that."

Mokuba looked at him quizzically.

Joey snorted. "You want us to believe that Kaiba of all people is gonna look out for us? He hates us." A thought came to his mind and he crossed his arms. "You said that Kaiba's life story was busted into, just like the rest of us. And let's face it – everything he's got has his name plastered all over it. How're you gonna do anything for that jerk without bein' noticed?"

Mokuba straightened in his seat. "Seto left something behind, didn't he? That's why you were so moody when you got back from the bank that day."

"Huh? What's at the bank?" asked Joey.

Roland removed his dark glasses and leveled his grey eyes onto Yugi's friends. "A contingency plan. Shortly after Duelist Kingdom, Mr. Kaiba began a plan to make an escape with Mokuba, if a crisis ever became so extreme that they would need to disappear to survive." He ignored Mokuba's jaw-dropped look. "It is by no means a completed plan, just a collection of resources. I have been given blank check access to those funds to do absolutely anything necessary to ensure Mokuba's protection…and yours as well."

Joey, Tristan, and Téa exchanged bewildered looks.

"Okay, now I know you've been chuggin' the Kaiba Corp coffee for too long," said Tristan. "We all know Kaiba doesn't care what happens to us."

Roland glared at him. "He may not, but Yugi Muto does, and so long as you are in harm's way, you are a liability. If something were to happen to Yugi Muto, and he had to make a choice to either save his friends or stubbornly hold onto whatever items or information the other side wanted, what do you honestly think he would choose? Mr. Kaiba recognizes you are just as much leverage to Yugi as Mokuba is to him."

Grandpa shifted in his seat. "So…what is the escape plan?"

Roland sighed. "There isn't one in place yet. I am still considering details. Like all of you, my affairs have also been under scrutiny, so each move must be made with extreme caution." He cast his eyes around the room again. "What would help is to know just how many people I need to include in this. I will not force anything from any of you. If you choose not to be a part of this contingency plan, that is fine, but the knowledge of this conversation cannot leave this room."

The room was silent for a few minutes. Mokuba looked around at Yugi's friends, and could practically see the gears turning in Joey's head before the blond nodded. "Alright. If it helps keep Yug' safe too, then I'm in."

"Me too," said Téa. "After all we've been through, how can we not?"

"You're right," said Tristan, "I just can't get over that Kaiba's helping us out."

"It was his idea, not mine," said Roland.

"What about you, Ishizu?" asked Mokuba.

"I will, but only while I stay here in Domino. Once transportation for the Pharaoh's tablet has been arranged and we return to Egypt, I will go to ground with my brothers."

"Very well," Roland nodded. "Mr. Muto has already agreed prior to your arrival this evening. I will contact you all once there are more details in place."

Téa rubbed at her arms. "Is there anything we can do in the meantime?"

"Prepare a go bag in case you need to leave on short notice, and continue to act as if nothing we've spoken of tonight has happened. Let them think nothing is wrong."

They all said their goodbyes not long after. The drive back to the Kaiba mansion was in silence. Every few minutes Roland's eyes would flit up to the rearview mirror. Mokuba was scrolling through something on his phone, but worry was evident on his face. The younger Kaiba was not nearly as skilled at hiding his emotions as his brother.

Roland sighed. It wasn't his intention to scare Mokuba this evening, but he was bound to find out something was wrong eventually.

Before the meeting at the Muto house that evening, he had tried to come up with several different means of escape, but kept falling back on blanks. The ridiculous sum of cash that Mr. Kaiba had in the deposit box may not be able to be traced back to anything related to the Kaiba name, but anyone he would have paid for any service in this escapade would know his face. He may not be as incredibly recognizable as either of the Kaiba brothers, or even Yugi Muto, but he had appeared on television before during company-sponsored Duel Monster tournaments. However small the chance, it could still lead back to the Kaiba brothers and that was what he needed to avoid.

"What about Pegasus?" said Mokuba quietly, wrenching his driver out of his thoughts.

"Sir?"

"He'll be in danger too, right, cuz of the Millennium Eye?"

Roland turned onto the main road heading to the northern end of Domino. "Possibly. More than likely."

"Were you gonna include him in your plan?"

Roland scowled at the steering wheel. He really didn't want to include Pegasus in anything. Quite frankly, the only reason no one decided to retaliate against Pegasus for his role in kidnapping, torture, and corporate espionage was because the Big 5 immediately tried to off Mr. Kaiba the moment he returned home. He had just as many good feelings about the head of Industrial Illusions as his boss, and he hadn't even been involved in the Duelist Kingdom fiasco.

"I would rather not."

Mokuba frowned. "Is that because you don't like him? He's not the same person he was back then, you know."

"Mr. Pegasus has the means to take a step back and disappear from the public eye if need be. Yugi's friends do not have that luxury."

"Well, yeah, but at least we all know what's going on. He doesn't. And…I'm pretty sure letting those Death Eater guys get to him just because he once had the Millennium Eye isn't really fair. We should at least warn him."

Roland eyed Mokuba again through the mirror. "When did you become such a champion for Maximillion Pegasus?"

Mokuba rubbed at his arms and looked out the window again. "Because it all comes back to the Millennium Items, doesn't it? And I don't think anyone who was touched by one of those things got them because they actually wanted it."