Cat kept her distance from Seto in the few days that followed. And if Yugi or any of the others noticed, they didn't say a word. Cat was grateful they didn't bring it up; she didn't want to be reminded that Seto had told her to leave him alone. Seto noticed her sudden quietness around him, only speaking when the occasion called for it. And he knew he was the reason for her silence. He had told her to leave him alone, and she did. And Seto for all his pride didn't take back his words, although he desperately hoped that she would forget what he said and talk to him again. She didn't. Marik, however, was thrilled with the way things were going. With Cat and Seto not speaking, he became a regular at the house. A few days after the fight Cat and Seto were alone in the house. Cat in the living room, Seto in his room. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts as she opened it to reveal a servant from her father.

"Princess Cathryn." The man said bowing as she let him inside. "I have urgent news from your father." Cat looked at the man with a worried expression.

"Yes? What is it?" she asked.

"A raid on the castle was made last night, and your father fears of the crystals safety." The man reported.

"Is everyone alright?" Cat asked. The man nodded. "Yes, but your father asked me to give you this." The man reached inside his coat pocket and drew out a white handkerchief.

"What is this?" Cat asked as the man handed it to her.

"It is the crystal my lady." He said as Cat unwrapped the white cloth to look at it. The crystal glittered in the light, illuminating her face with a myriad of colors.

"Oh." Cat gasped as she stared at it.

"You must protect it. You and the prince." The man said urgently.

"I will." Cat said solemnly as she wrapped the crystal back up. The man nodded in relief as he left and made his way to the castle. Cat turned and headed toward the attic when she saw Seto open his door.

"Who was that?" Seto asked.

"Marik." Cat lied. "But he's gone now." Seto rolled his eyes at the mention of Marik as he went back into his room. Cat made her way up the attic steps. She reached the top of the stairs as she looked around the small room. The only light came from a small circular window that was on the wall. The room was filled with dust as Cat carefully hid the crystal in a drawer. She smiled in satisfaction at a job done as she left the attic and went to her room.

Seto waited until he heard the door to her room close as he headed straight for the attic. He knew she had been lying. He reached the attic as he looked around.

'She must have hid whatever it was up here.'  He thought as he noticed where the dust had been disturbed. He quickly opened the drawer and unwrapped the cloth.

'I've found it!' He thought triumphantly as he held up the crystal. He smiled, now he could go home. A creak on the stairs alerted Seto to someone coming as he quickly hid the crystal again and moved to the opposite end of the room. Cat's face appeared at the top of the stairs as she looked at him in surprise.

"Seto?" she said, question in her voice. "What are you doing up here?"

"I was looking for an extra blanket for my room." Seto made up. He winced inwardly. 'An extra blanket?' he thought. 'What kind of lame excuse is that? Who keeps blankets in the attic!'

"Oh." Cat replied. "Well they are right over there." She said moving to a trunk in the corner. Seto blinked in surprise as he shrugged. Whatever. Cat opened the trunk as she handed him a quilted blanket.

"Here." She said with a small smile. Seto reached for it, his hand touched hers. Their eyes met as they stood there. The blanket between them, his hand covering hers.

Cat was mesmerized by his blue eyes as she stared up at him. "Seto." She whispered. Seto leaned closer.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I'm sorry about what I said. During our fight." She began when Seto cut her off.

"Don't mention it." He said as he leaned in closer. "Cat." He said softly as he leaned in to kiss her.

"CAT? KAIBA?" Joey's voice rang though the house, followed by a door being shut as Seto growled in irritation, the moment broken. Cat shook her head as she took her hand away. "If you need anything else tell me. OK?"

Seto nodded mutely as he followed her down the stairs, swearing to kill the mutt that night.