Chapter 25

Families and Feuds

Ryo rubbed his eyes as he emerged from the elevator and walked toward his apartment door. Another long night at work. Kaiba had really been pouring on the extra helpings lately, no doubt to keep him keen if not exhausted. Sometimes Ryo thought that Kaiba did things like this just to annoy him. Like he was Kaiba's own personal punching bag. Anytime he felt like taking out his frustrations he did it on Marufuji. And stupidly enough, Ryo took everything that was dished out at him. How could he not? Making Kaiba an enemy was not an option. Nor were these late nights. Bella was progressing in her pregnancy and it wouldn't be long before she would need near constant supervision. She would be too weak. Ryo figured he had another couple of weeks before he would have to cut out the late nights. And about another month before Bella might have to stop working. And they had better have told the Kaiba's about her pregnancy before then, or there would be hell to pay.

Upon entering his apartment he was greeted with the wonderful smell of frying fish. He had phoned Bella and informed her he was coming home and she offered to make them a nice dinner. He was starving and the smell of the delicious meal pleased him greatly.

He made his way around a couple of boxes in the living room that contained some of the things they had brought over from Bella's apartment. They had yet to be unpacked due to their busy schedules, but it was encouraging to Ryo that she had made the effort. One of his dreams had finally come true, Bella had moved in with him.

Flicking on the light in his office he was reminded of what a shamble it was. He had spent the last week trying to clear it out so that they could make way for the nursery. Subsequently all of his files and equipment were packed in boxes and his computer was lodged on a small table after his desk had been removed. That was the main reason he had been spending so much time at the office lately. He hadn't the equipment readily available in his home.

He placed his briefcase on the floor beside the small table and headed for the kitchen. It was rude of him to have been in the apartment for so long without greeting Bella. He was a bit surprised that she didn't come to meet him. If anything she had excellent hearing and was normally alerted to his presence before he walked through the door. Entering the kitchen he found nothing but hot frying pans with food that had the faint look of being burned. Quickly he turned down the burners and dealt with any suspect sustenance and then went off to find Bella. She would not have left food burning on the stove if something weren't wrong.

The light from the hall bathroom was the one clue he was looking for. Gently he pushed open the door and found Bella sitting on the floor with her head hung over the toilet, she had obviously been vomiting. Without Panic, Ryo walked over to the linen cabinet and removed a washcloth which he ran under cold water to dampen. Then crouching behind her he pulled her pale and trembling form back onto him and applied the wet cloth to her face and forehead.

"This was the part I was dreading." He said softly to her.

His only response was her raspy breathing and her hand clutching his arm.

"We're going to have to tell them. Your father will notice your sick and it won't be long before you start showing. There is no way we can keep this hidden for much longer."

Bella's shaky head nodded.

The screeching of wheels and the rev of a motor could be heard echoing through the parking garage under KSI Headquarters. A pristine looking white Lamborghini came around the corner and promptly pulled into a reserved parking space. The engine cut off and the drivers side door opened. Out stepped Seto Kaiba. He circled the car to the other side and opened the passenger door and there emerged a pair of high heels followed by the shapely long legs of his wife.

"Hold on." Seto said quietly as he placed one hand on her side to prevent her from walking away. "We missed one." He gestured to the button on her shirt which was undone and revealing her black lacey bra.

"I don't know why I bothered to put it back on." Anna whispered as she adjusted the button. "You're just going to take it off again when we get upstairs."

"That's half the fun." He growled as he kissed the sweet spot on her neck he knew drove her crazy. He couldn't help but smile when she let out a purr, but he instantly pulled away and put on a stern face when he heard the bell for the elevator ring. He couldn't risk have an employee spot him making out with his wife. That might ruin his reputation as hard-nosed and evil.

They both had straighten themselves and began rounding the car when the elevator doors open to reveal that the strangers in the elevator were not strangers. Out walked Isabella and unexpectedly Simon. Isabella gave her parents a smile and a hello and Simon respectfully greeted them. Unlike Ryo, Simon was not intimidated by the Kaibas, he was at complete ease around them. So much so that he forgot all protocol as he clamored exuberantly about the car the Kaibas had just disembarked from.

"Wow! Now that's a classic." Simon said with enthusiasm. "What is she an '85?"

Kaiba walked away from his wife and stood beside Simon. "Close she's an '83." Kaiba seemed very pleased to discuss his favorite vehicle.

"Not many of these come up for auction and in such great shape. Where did you get her?" Simon asked as he ran his hand along the frame.

"It was a wedding gift from my wife." Kaiba explained as he followed Simon around the vehicle and starting explaining it's finer details.

"What is it with men and cars?" Isabella asked as she joined her mother. "Ryo is exactly the same way. He's mesmerized by them."

"Cars have their benefits." Anna said slyly as she recalled the memorable drive she just had with her husband.

"I don't think I'll ever understand it." Isabella huffed.

"I thought you and Ryo were attending that charity event tonight, why are you with Simon?"

"While we were leaving Ryo got called to fix a mess some guy made in Distribution. It was only going to take a couple of minutes but I didn't really want to stick around and watch , so when I ran into Simon he was kind enough to escort me down."

"Without your guard?" Anna asked wearily.

"It's okay, Daddy said I didn't need one as long as I was with Ryo or Simon."

"Simon also?" Her mother eyed her.

Isabella nodded, unaware of her mother's discord.

The elevator bell rang again and out stepped Ryo wearing a fine silk suit with the jacket removed and laying over his bent arm.

"Are you all done then?" Isabella asked.

"That department is a nightmare, we have to do something about it." Ryo huffed in frustration.

"I believe that's my concern not yours." Kaiba snapped as he glared at Ryo.

"Of course sir," Ryo replied directly. "It was just a suggestion."

Kaiba left Simon near the Lamborghini and approached his wife. That's when he finally directed his attention toward Isabella.

"You look pale." He commented as he gently lifted her face so he could get a better look at her. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm just a little tired." She gave him a weak smile.

"Don't push yourself." He suggested. "If you don't feel up to it, you can skip the event tonight."

"It's okay, I'll show up for a little while. Besides…"

"They don't really care if you stay as long as you drop off the check." Isabella and her father spoke in unison like it was a well rehearsed play.

"Alright, but get some sleep." He gave his daughter a friendly pat on the arm and glared at Ryo one more time before offering his wife his arm and they walked toward the elevator.

"Now that you're here," Simon popped up next to Ryo. "Looks like my guard duty is over. Have a good night." Simon gave a half-wave as he walked away.

Ryo and Isabella walked toward his car in the nearby reserved space.

As Kaiba punched the number for the appropriate floor he noted that his wife was staring mesmerized into the parking garage. A tiny grin formed on her face.

"What's that look for?" He asked.

"I just realized how much Simon reminds me of Mokuba."

Kaiba shifted his eyes and caught a quick glimpse of Simon right before the doors closed.

Kaiba's obsession with his daughter's seemingly ill health did not stop in the parking garage. He spent the next week finding elaborate ways of accidentally bumping into her while she was roving the building or making up excuses to visit her in her office, just so he could inspect her condition. And each time he saw her he was less encouraged by his findings. She was definitely not well. Her face was pale and she appeared as though walking long distances was a burden to her. She even had trouble getting out of her desk chair one afternoon. All of which were not good signs. Her health was fragile to begin with and if she had caught a cold or injured herself she could be at a great risk.

With this in mind, Kaiba made his way to Marufuji's office. It was late the building was mostly deserted save for the cleaning crews and odd staff that remained behind to finish work. Marufuji was one of those that remained behind, as was his habit. Kaiba walked into Marufuji's office without knocking and startled the young man so much that he barely had a chance to stand up and bow in respect before Kaiba began to speak.

"My daughter looks ill." He said gruffly.

"She hasn't been sleeping well lately." Technically, Ryo wasn't lying to Kaiba. Isabella had been having trouble sleeping, especially with the morning sickness she was experiencing with her pregnancy.

"Maybe if there wasn't another body in the bed beside her she would be able to sleep more soundly." Kaiba jabbed at him.

Ryo took the insult with no physical reaction, although his mind was furiously cursing at Kaiba.

"I don't think that's what's wrong with her." Kaiba continued with his normal haughtiness. "I think it's more than that." Kaiba waited for his response.

Ryo held his breath? Had Kaiba figured it out, did he know she was pregnant? If he did or did not know, should Ryo come out and tell Kaiba now. It would give Kaiba the answer he wanted, the reason his daughter was ill, and it would finally relieve Ryo and Isabella of their secret burden.

"I didn't expect you to tell me." Kaiba huffed. If he was looking for a straight answer he didn't get one. "I don't believe Isabella will either, she's been very defiant lately. But I do expect you to do your job and if you can't do that then other arrangements will have to be made."

"I am doing my 'job'." Ryo placed great emphasis on the last word.

"No, you're not!" Kaiba raised his voice at him. "If you were my daughter wouldn't look like that."

"I can't control everything that…"

"If you can't do it then I'll find someone else." Kaiba cut him off. "You can always be replaced."

Ryo's eyes narrowed in anger. "You can't do that, we had a deal."

"The way I see it, you're not keeping up your end of the bargain, so I have every right to dispose of you and our deal."

Ryo's fists clenched in anger. He wanted nothing more than to punch Kaiba's lights out. But that was exactly the one thing he couldn't do. It would give Kaiba all the cause he needed to fire him and have him alienated from Isabella. And Ryo wouldn't give Kaiba that kind of satisfaction. He unclenched his fists and spoke calmly. "I'll ask Isabella to take some time off so she can rest. She'll listen to me. She'll do it for me."

"I better see some results, if not I can't guarantee your position here." Kaiba said snidely as he turned and walked out of the office.

Ryo tightly gripped the edge of his desk. He was furious. How dare Kaiba tell him he wasn't doing his 'job'! It was an insult for Kaiba to say that he didn't care about Isabella's health. In fact it was the utmost thing on his mind, especially now. If Kaiba had known the truth, if Ryo had just come out and said that Isabella was pregnant then that scene would have been much different. Kaiba would have understood why Isabella was so pale and weak and wouldn't have blamed Ryo for it. But he would have also condemned Ryo for causing the situation in the first place. Maybe even separating him and Isabella. He couldn't have that. And if Kaiba thought after this little scene that Ryo was going to tell him about the baby, he could forget it. Ryo wasn't about to tell that man anything.

The chatter from outside his office caught Ryo's attention and he peered through the large plate window into the huge entryway that lay opposite. Kaiba was there and he was talking to someone Ryo couldn't see correctly until he stepped a little more into the light. It was Simon Mouto. Ryo stared in some amazement for the few minutes they talked. He had seen Kaiba talking to Simon a few times and in each instance Kaiba seemed friendly and almost pleased to see Simon. Ryo had a hard time believing that Kaiba would even be civil toward Yugi Mouto's son, but he was. He almost appeared, especially at this moment, to be happy to see him, like he approved of him. Why is that Kaiba could approve of Simon Mouto, a boy how had no grand ambitions, no special skills, nothing to make him stand out except the fact that his father was Duel Monster Champion, but not himself? Ryo had tried everything in his power since the age of seven to make Kaiba proud of him, to make Kaiba treat him like a son and accept him, but no matter what he did he couldn't sway Kaiba. Yet all Simon had to do was walk through the door and Kaiba treated him special. Was this another of Kaiba's elaborate plots, or was there something else going on?

Ryo stood quietly hoping to catch a few words of their conversation.

"You did well on that presentation Monday. I believe that new advertising campaign will help win us a few more customers." Kaiba said plainly but in an encouraging tone.

"I can't take all the credit." Simon added humbly. "It was a team effort."

Kaiba smirked. "The first rule in business is that when someone offers you a compliment, even if you weren't responsible, always take credit."

"But I'm not a businessman, sir." Simon interjected politely. "I'm an artist."

Kaiba was amused by this comment. "I suppose you are." He took a step toward the elevators. "Don't forget about Thursday." He added.

"Yes sir, I'll be there."

Once Simon and Kaiba had finished talking, Kaiba walked toward the elevator and much to Ryo's dismay, Simon headed straight for his office. Ryo sat down in his chair, he was not happy to have to deal with Simon. At any other time he might have been nicer to him, but not now, not after he had just been abused by Kaiba.

"Hey!" Said Simon unceremoniously as he gave Ryo a smile and a quick rap on the door.

"If you're looking for Isabella she went home hours ago." Ryo said as he tried going back to his computer and work.

"I came to see you."

Ryo raised an eyebrow at this. What could Simon want?

"Isabella tells me you're a huge auto enthusiast." Simon said cheerfully. "And I just scored some tickets to the Annual Classic and Collectibles Auto Show at the convention center…I may not be an expert on the subject, or good company for that matter, but if you were interested…"

"Why are you even bothering." Ryo interrupted.

"I don't understand." Simon said plainly although he had a good idea of what Ryo was talking about.

"Why bother trying to befriend me?" During the entire time he and Simon spoke Ryo's eyes never left his computer screen.

"Why not?"

"I'm not an idiot." Ryo glared at him now. "I know you're in love with Isabella."

Simon's heart stopped and his breath caught in his throat.

"And right now the only thing that stands between you and her is me. So why bother trying to befriend me when all you really want to do is get me out of the way?"

Simon had no answer for him.

"That is unless this is some trick." Ryo continued. He couldn't degrade Kaiba like this, but he had no qualms about doing it to Simon. "Trying to get on my good side, hoping to find out information that you could use to turn Isabella against me. Well it won't work. I'm won't let Kaiba take her from me and I sure as hell won't let you."

Ryo went back to typing on his computer like nothing had happened, although he did feel better now that he had gotten to vent a little frustration.

"You're right." Simon said softly as he stared down at Ryo's desk. "I am in love with Isabella. I have been all my life." Simon redirected his gaze toward Ryo who was barely looking at him out of the corner of his eye. "But she wants you. And no matter how much it kills me to see her with someone else, I have to accept that you're the one that makes her happy. It's your baby and I'm not going to interfere."

The mention of the baby made Ryo's eyes flash toward him. He couldn't believe Isabella had told Simon but not her own father.

"But Isabella is also my friend." Simon spoke more strongly now. "You're important to her, and I wouldn't be a very good friend if I didn't try being your friend as well." There was a level of disbelief on Ryo's face. "There's no trick," Simon spoke in honesty. "Trust me or don't trust me, that's your decision. Just do what's best for Isabella."

Simon slowly turned, hoping that Ryo would say something but not getting anything he walked out. To say Ryo was put out would be an understatement. In a matter of thirty minutes, two different men had walked into his office and insisted on lecturing him on how he should be handling his relationship with Isabella. Like he wasn't trying to make sure she was safe or happy.

Being too tired and frustrated, Ryo shut off his computer and gathered some paperwork. He was going home. If anything seeing Isabella would make him feel better.

Without any attempt to be quiet, Ryo noisily entered his apartment and started putting his things away before he noticed Isabella. She was in the living room chair with a laptop open on knees, her hands lazily placed upon it, and her eyes closed, she was fast asleep. With a little more tack, Ryo quietly finished discarding his coat and accessories, then went to Bella's side. As he gently cleared the computer from her lap he smiled at her choice of nighttime attire. She was wearing a pair of his pajamas. They were hideously oversized on her slender form, so much that the sleeves came down over her hands and the pant legs dragged the floor, but she didn't care. She said she liked wearing them because they were comfortable. Ryo loved when she wore them because it always gave him a great excuse to take them off of her in bed. Besides being an unusual tool for foreplay, they served to her as a reminder of him. She wore them whenever he was out of town or working late because they had his scent on them, something uniquely his that she could hold on to while he was gone. And it was a reminder to him too, that she was thinking about him.

Bella gave off only a slight moan as Ryo picked her up and carried her to the bed. Tucking her in securely he went about putting on another set of his pajamas and then joined her in the soft confines of the bed. He stared at her for a long while although the only details he could make out in the dim light coming through the window was her profile. He wondered silently how it had come to this. He had been so careful, everything planed and plotted. But the one thing he couldn't predict or control was her. Yes, she had been part of the plan, a means to an end, but it became more than that. She was a way to get to Kaiba. That's why he befriended her at the Duel Academy, so he could be closer to Kaiba. But it backfired. He left there with more information about Kaiba, but he also left with a hollow feeling, it was something he couldn't explain at the time. He understood it years later when just looking at her, even from a distance caused his heart to ache. It all went wrong. How could it all go so terribly wrong? At the age of seven, when he had devised his plan, he didn't expect to fall in love with her. He never thought he could need her this much. But the real question was whether or not he was ready to give up everything he had worked so hard to accomplish just to have her by his side? To call her wife? To gain her love in return?

Slowly he slide his hand across the small lump that was forming in her stomach.

'This little one,' Ryo thought to himself. 'This child will decide my life. Either it will help me in my plans or it will crush them utterly. But no matter what, I must stay, I will never leave them. Bella and my child, they are my family. They are all I have.'

In a short time sleep finally caught up with him and he dreamt of a perfect little house with a bright green yard and flowers in the front. Bella was there too, smiling and laughing as their children played merrily on the grass. It was only a dream, but it was pleasant. And when he awoke, he would remember it.

Simon felt the breath knocked out of him as he hit the matted floor face first. He grunted a little as he turned over to face his attacker.

"You leaned in too far, it threw you off balance." Said the gruff voice of Seto Kaiba. "You've understand the technique, you're just trying too hard. You have to learn when to hold back." He held his hand out and helped Simon to his feet. "That's enough for tonight. You've made good progress."

Kaiba walked over to a bench and picked up a towel and dabbed his sweaty forehead with it. Simon, who was wearing a matching white martial arts practice outfit, approached the bench as well and began putting his things in his bag.

"I do appreciate this, sir." Simon spoke honestly. "You didn't have to take time out of your own schedule to teach me martial arts."

"By the nature of who she is, my daughter doesn't have many friends. And none she would fight me to keep. If she's so determined to have your friendship then it's my job to make sure you're able to protect her."

'Protect her.' Simon thought to himself. "Sir," Simon said almost tentatively. "This man…this Bakura…You really think he's going to hurt Isabella?"

"I'm certain he will. Bakura knows that the best way to get to me is through her." Kaiba headed for the door to leave.

"I don't understand, sir." Simon looked puzzled as he watched Kaiba walk away. "Why is he after you?"

Kaiba paused, it was if the question hit him on the back of the head with a brick. He didn't turn, but he spoke in a troubled voice. "Because I was the one who killed him."

Simon stood there dumbfounded, not understanding how Kaiba could have killed a man who wasn't dead. Kaiba didn't give any more explanation, he left without saying another word.

When Kaiba arrived back at the apartment he went straight for the shower. His body was sweaty and hot, but his mind and heart felt dirtier. There was no way that Simon could have understood the question he asked, or the reaction it would cause within Kaiba. As the water from the shower poured over his head and face, Kaiba couldn't help but lean on the wall and close his eyes. But closing his eyes was the worst thing he could do with the thoughts of Bakura lingering in his mind. The water dripping from his face felt frighteningly familiar. The darkness he saw when his eyes were closed turned from black to red. Red like the blood that was splattered across his face. In his mind he could hear the laughter mixed screams of the man as he stabbed him. The golden blade with jewel encrusted handle gleaming in the sun. Again and again he thrust the blade into the white haired thief. His eyes burned with the sting of blood and rage.

"Stop, it's over!" Came the female voice from behind him, but he didn't stop.

"Please stop!" It cried again, this time her voice cracking with tears.

He continued digging the blade into the man's flesh, his teeth grinding together in anger.

"I command you to stop!" Came a booming voice. Kaiba barely registered that it was there. His hand slowed then stopped. He could focus again, see the man that lie beneath him. He threw down the knife into the dark colored sand and rose. His knees felt weak and his body ached. Staring down at himself he could see that his normally blue and gold robes were stained crimson and his hands slippery with blood.

"High Priest." Came the voice again, but this time less commanding and more sympathetic. But he gave no answer to Pharaoh, he walked instead. It was only a few minutes before his feet touched water and slowly he immersed himself the cool liquid. The Nile had become his baptismal, it would clean him of the blood and his sins. When he arose from the waters he felt cold and numb, it was best that he didn't feel anymore, that he didn't care so much for her. For it was his love for her that he had committed this offense. It was the rage that he felt toward that man, the thief who tortured and raped the Queen, that brought him to this point. He swore that he would never hurt her again, and he was going to make sure of it. He killed for her, for the one woman he couldn't have and the only woman he ever wanted.

His steps were heavy and his direction aimless, all he knew was that he couldn't stay there, not with the stench of death in the air. Wandering he found a destination, the only place he felt happy, with her. It took him all afternoon and into the evening to make his way back to the palace. He didn't bother with the horse that brought him to the bandit's death scene. It felt better to walk. Ignoring the stares and whispers of the people he passed he came to the door to the Queen's chambers and stopped. He placed his hand on the door as if testing it, but didn't open it. How could he? He was a murderer and a butcher, his robes still stained. He was not presentable to her like this, he could not enter. Finding the wall he slumped down beside the door and found a place to rest on the floor. No guards were there to see him do this, none at all. He was uncertain about their lack of presence, but that would be for another day's trouble. He had had all he could stand on this day, besides he was there in case she needed him. He would always be there for her. In life or death.

Time was immeasurable, he sat there with his knees pulled up to his chest for he know not how long. His mind was blank, he didn't want to think or he might recall what he had done. There was a shuffling from inside the room, but he didn't hear it. It was only when the door creaked open that he registered the Queen's movement. She looked down on him in sadness and pity. He supposed that his appearance must have been terrible, his sullen face, tired expression, and red-shot eyes.

"Would you come inside and sit with me?" She asked softly. "Just for a little while?"

Without any disagreeable thoughts about his stained attire or his tired features, he walked in behind her. And he stayed by her side the rest of the night.

"Seto?"

Her voice made his eyes shoot open with a startle.

"Are you alright?" Anna asked from the other side of the shower door.

"Fine." Was Seto's plain answer as he turned off the faucet, shook some excess water out of his hair and grabbed a towel.

"I was just wondering. You have been in there for forty-five minutes."

'Has it been that long?' Seto asked mentally as he dried himself. Apparently he had been so absorbed in his thoughts to realize the time he had spent in the shower. That was the way it worked with some of the more powerful images the High Priest had left in his mind. The Priest only inhabited Seto's body for a few moments, but what remained were all of his memories and experiences, many of which Seto wished he couldn't see. This was one of them. The High Priest lost all control and butchered the man that hurt the woman he loved. But Seto could not blame him, he himself had done no less to the modern Bakura when he attacked Anna. The only difference is that the modern Bakura managed somehow to survive. A regrettable mistake that Seto was determined to correct.

Seto sat on the side of the bed and let Anna dry his hair with a towel. He placed his hands on her hips and drew her in close enough that he could nuzzle his face into her tender stomach.

"Did everything go alright tonight?" She asked with concern.

He had never been able to tell her about what the High priest had done. He didn't want to plague her with the same images he had. And he was too ashamed to tell her what he had done to their version of Bakura all those years ago. Although he was certain she wouldn't think ill of him for doing it, he did think it would disturb her and she should not have to worry about such things.

"It went well." Seto said as he pulled back from her. "Simon is learning quickly."

"He always was smart." Anna said casually as she went back into the bathroom to hang up the towel. When she re-entered the bedroom she found Seto still distracted by his own thoughts. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Of course, it's the only way to get close to him."

"I'm just afraid it's going to backfire on you in the end."

"I'll take my chances."

"He may hate you for trying to manipulate his life."

"What I'm doing to Simon is no different than what you're doing to Marufuji." Seto scowled at her insinuation.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Anna said innocently as she brushed his hair with her fingers.

"Come off it, I know who you hired."

"So I hired some maintenance staff. How is that harming Marufuji?"

Seto glared up at her and she smiled back.

"It will be a good lesson for him I think." She said coyly as she leaned down and kissed her husband. He in turn pulled her down onto the bed.

Ryo rubbed his eyes as he sat at his desk. Another late night, but this would be his last for a while. He had promised Kaiba that he would make sure Isabella took some time off, but what he neglected to mention was that he would be taking the week off with her. Finally some time they could spend alone together, without work and without Kaiba. He was anxious for it to start, yet he had work to finish up before then. He glanced up at the clock, almost time. Isabella said she would be in her office until ten and then she would come to get him and they would leave together.

As he sat there pondering the issues in front of him he was unaware of the grey-blue eyes that watched him through his office windows. The pre-maturely grey haired lady stared at him in awe, as if unable to believe her eyes. Certainly it could not be him after all this time? And here of all places? The ring of the elevator made her jump and she diverted her eyes to see who was approaching. It was a pretty black-haired young woman wearing a nice suit and carrying a bag. She didn't notice the grey-haired woman as she walked straight for the young man's office.

"Are you ready?" Said the young woman happily.

"Sure." Said the man in response.

It only took moments for the young man to put everything away and turn off the lights. As they walked he placed his arm around her waist and seemed very happy. They disappeared into the elevator.

"That young man…" The grey-haired lady asked of the woman standing near her. "who was just here."

"Oh you mean Mr. Marufuji? He's an Executive Officer" Responded the lady as she swept the dirt out of a corner. "You'll probably see him a lot, he tends to work late."

"And that young lady with him?"

"Boy you are new around here aren't you?" Laughed the other lady. "That's Isabella Kaiba, the boss's daughter."

"Kaiba?" The grey-haired lady whispered to herself.

"They've been seeing each other for a couple of years." Explained the lady as she leaned on her broom. "It's only a matter of time before they get engaged. The mail room's got a pool running on when the Kaiba's will announce it. It's only a hundred Yen to get in on it and I hear the pot's pretty high now. Personally, I've got July 1st. Cho who cleans three floors down doesn't think it'll be until next year, and there is some guy in the hanger bay who's betting they'll elope. Fat chance for that considering how Kaiba runs the show."

"Oh," the grey-haired woman was barely audible.

"You better stop worrying about other people's social lives and start working. You don't want to lose your job on the first day."

With one more quick look back at the now darkened office, the lady with the grey-blue eyes went back to work.

The week Ryo and Isabella spent together was blissful. They took every opportunity to do as they pleased which started every morning with sleeping late. Both were quite accustomed to early mornings but since Isabella had been on and off sick, they had both been losing sleep at night. So a few hours extra in the morning was heavenly. The rest of their days consisted of lounging around the apartment doing nothing in particular. And when Isabella felt well enough they ventured out into the city where they did mostly shopping. Of course they had to disguise their trips into the baby stores as expeditions to find presents for a friend who was expecting a child, so as not to tip off the store employees or any prying ears. On a journey to the book store Ryo picked up a couple of books on parenting and child rearing, he thought it best to be informed on what to expect. Isabella couldn't help but think it funny to find him sitting in bed reading Dr. Spock. She laughed at him for it, and he playfully scolded her saying that he was better prepared than she was and he wasn't the one actually having the baby. That's when he forced her to lay down while he read an interesting chapter to her. She nodded off very quickly and left him reading to himself.

Over all the week was wonderful, Ryo felt that this was what it would be like if they were married. A prospect that was getting nearer and appearing much more possible. That is until Kaiba found out about Isabella's pregnancy. Then Kaiba would either force them together or force them apart. Ryo was still uncertain of that outcome. But he knew two things for sure. One that he was not going to leave Isabella and his baby. And two, that this honeymoon had to end and he had to go back to work.

She was alone on the office floor for the first time since she started working at KSI headquarters, since that first night she saw him. She couldn't believe it at first. She hadn't seen him since he was sixteen, when he stopped coming home from the Duel Academy. But she knew him instantly, he looked just like his father. Something she was sure he would never admit or acknowledge. Cautiously, making sure that no one could see her, she crept into his office. If anyone did find her in there she could claim that she was just cleaning or removing the trash, no one would suspect anything from a lowly house cleaner. His secret would be safe. She walked around the large office for a few minutes, inspecting the surroundings. It was clean and well organized, but then he had always been a meticulous child, perhaps that's what you get when your mother is a maid. He was predisposition to it, he liked order and control, exactly why he would come to work here. She noted that there was nothing personal in his office. No potted plant, no jar of mints, no novelty pen, nor wall art, it was stale and colorless. The only thing that was uniquely his was a framed photo on the desk. She picked it up to inspect it. It was of him and that young lady from the other night. They had their arms around each other as they smiled. She wondered if he was happy with this woman. He certainly looked happy, but she knew how deceiving that could be. She pretended for many years that she was happy in her marriage, although she wasn't. He could be doing the same, pretending to be happy just to be closer to achieving his goals. And his goal had always been Kaiba. He admired the man, modeled himself after him, wanted to be him. Thus it came as no big surprise to her that Ryo would chose to date Kaiba's daughter. She might be just one more step. But she wished that wasn't true, her son needed someone to make him happy.

"What are you doing in here?"

The grey-haired lady turned in a near state of terror. The voice was demanding, forceful and so frighteningly familiar.

Ryo had no idea that when he made a quick stop to pick up some paperwork, that he would find someone rummaging through his office. And he was definitely not expecting to find that woman standing there. His eyes went wide with horror and surprise.

"Hello, Ryo." The woman said cautiously.

"What are you doing here?" This time his question was directed at not her presence in his office, but more of her presence in his life.

"I work here now."

"If you work here then you should know about the rules concerning maintenance staff rifling through office materials." He looked down and spotted the frame she held. Anger was bubbling up in him as he snatched the frame from her hands. "And someone's personal items." Quickly he walked over to the desk and hid the frame in a drawer.

"She's very pretty."

"She's none of your concern." He said defensively.

As he picked out paperwork and placed them in his briefcase she tried to think of something else to say before he left. "You look well." She hoped that a positive note might make him more susceptible to talking, but when he didn't respond she pushed a little more. "Sho has been keeping track of your Dueling career. He says you're the best in your generation." He didn't give her a second glance. "You're brother got a good job teaching. He didn't think it would suit him well at first, but now he loves it." It appeared to her that Ryo was nearer the end for his search of paperwork, he was certainly working fast so he didn't have to stay long. "Sho's been a great help to me after…well…I divorced your father a couple of years ago."

"Good for you." He said roughly as he closed his briefcase. "I don't want to see you here again." Ryo hastened his pace out of the office, like being seen with her would ruin him instantly.

The woman watched him walk away as tears started to form in her grey-blue eyes. It was as she feared, he couldn't forgive or forget. It was too late, she had lost her son a long time ago.

Ryo returned to work the next day in a bad mood, not only was his blissful week with Anna over, but he had also had a very uncomfortable if not unwanted encounter with his mother the night before. That he figured was as good as any excuse to be cross with anyone in his path, unfortunately his secretary took the brunt of the attacks. After an hour of dealing with a very disagreeable Mr. Marufuji, his secretary decided it best to hibernate at her desk and stay out of his way. Ryo knew that is was unwise to direct his anger at the poor girl who brought him his coffee and kept his files straight, but he was too disturb to worry about that. Although later he would politely apologize to her for it. The only relief he found in going back to work was knowing that the maintenance staff only worked at night, thus he would be safe from his mother's appearances during the day. That's also when he decided to stop working nights and be with Isabella instead.

"Mr. Marufuji, Personnel on line one for you Sir." Came the cautiously nice voice on the intercom.

'Finally!' Ryo thought to himself. 'I called them over an hour ago.' He picked up the phone.

"Good Morning, sir. What can we do for you?" The woman on the other end seemed very perky.

"There was a woman cleaning the fifteenth floor offices last night. Do you have a file on her?"

The woman could be heard typing and only spoke when she found what she was looking for. "Ms. Kodaki, yes Sir."

Ryo thought it interesting that his mother was using her maiden name again. All the better for him, then it would be harder for people to connect them.

"I caught her going through things in my office. I want her fired."

The woman could be heard clicking a few times on her mouse. "I'm sorry Sir, she was a special hire, she can't be terminated without authorization."

"Who's authorization?"

"CEO Kaiba, Sir."

"Then reassign her to a different area."

"I'm sorry Sir, I can't…" The woman didn't get to finish her sentence because Ryo slammed the phone down.

"Damn that Kaiba! What the hell is he playing at?" Ryo felt like smashing something, but he paused and took a deep breath. He wouldn't act like that, he couldn't. That was something his father would do. Too many times Ryo was witness and victim to one of his father's drunken rages, and he swore he would never be like that. That he would have control and calm in his life. That's why he had to disassociate himself from him, from that life. He never wanted to be dragged into that world of hate and pain again. So Ryo breathed deeply and with his hands rubbed the frustration out of his face. He had to find something peaceful, something to make him happy. He got up from his chair and informing his secretary he was taking a break, went upstairs.

Isabella's office door was cracked, so he quietly pushed it open. She didn't see him at first, her back was to the door and a low stereo was playing. He couldn't help but smile as he watched her typing and singing to the song 'Bennie and the Jets.' He was pretty certain she was singing the lyrics wrong, but then again he never quite understood the words, so she could have been correct. He tapped on the door to get her attention. She turned in her chair and seeing him smiled.

"Hello there. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?" She beamed as she spoke. The time off had done wonders for her health and morale.

"How do you feel about getting some lunch?"

"That sounds great. Just give me a minute to save my work."

Ryo lingered, leaning in the doorway, waiting.

Hari sat on the bench. It was a nice day, only a few wispy clouds trailed across the blue sky. The traffic whizzed by and people hurried past, but he didn't see any of it. Hari just sat there, numb and unaware of anything.

"Excuse me mister!" Came a sweet voice from behind him. "Could you throw us back our ball?"

Hari looked down and that's when he first acknowledged the red ball that had bounced toward him and stopped at his feet. He picked it up and walking to the gate of the schoolyard tossed it over.

"Thanks mister!" Called a few appreciative children as they ran back to their game.

But one remained behind. She wasn't at all afraid or disturbed by the ragged looking young man in front of her. She found him more of a curiosity. "You look like my daddy." She said casually, as if the observation was nothing extraordinary.

"Really?" He was still half in a daze.

"Brianna come play with us! Brianna!" The cries of the other children distracted her and she left the strange man to play with her friends.

Hari stared through the wrought iron bars of the gate and watched the happy little girl run and jump. He wished there was another way.

"Cute kid." A hallow and vicious voice spoke in his ear. He didn't have to turn to know it was Bakura. "So how many times were you going to come here before you let me in on it?" Bakura chuckled with a menacing laugh. "She looks like her mother, what a hot piece of ass she is. But oh, that's right…" Bakura's voice trailed off like he was sympathetic, but he was far from it. "You had a thing for Machi, didn't you? A crush on a schoolmate, or was it love? Thought you'd ask her out, maybe go steady? Might have worked too, that is if you had confessed everything to your dear older brother. He was always good with the ladies. What did you think he might help you? Give you some tips? He may not have helped you, but he sure helped himself. And what a nice gift he gave you." Bakura switched positions so that he was now in front of Hari. He deliberately stood out of his line of sight, he didn't want Hari to loose tract of Brianna. "Tell me, how did it make you feel when you watched that tape and saw your brother fucking her brains out?" A devil smile formed on Bakura's face, but Hari's remained stone. He was numb, he wished he could feel something, but he couldn't. "And there's the result." Bakura glanced over at Brianna through the gate. "You're brother's bastard child. Of course he denied it, what kind of guy like him wouldn't? Good thing that tape mysteriously appeared when it did, otherwise he might have gotten away with it. But you didn't know what you had done when you turned him, did you? Sentencing poor Machi to a marriage she can't get out of, stuck with a man that hates her. Not exactly what you planned." Smugly satisfied with his little lecture, Bakura took a few steps away.

Hari watched for a few moments before he spoke. "If you want to hurt the old man…" He turned and started walking away. "Hurt her."

Bakura turned his attention toward the little girl and with a smirk licked his lips.