Disclaimers on everything that I don't own.

I'm Sorry,

By Winterwing3000

"Un." Seto grunted, shaking his head from any blurriness. Peeling open his dark azure eyes, he squinted into the darkness, looking for the small source of light that penetrated his sleep.

To his left, he spotted a few dark shadows and heard some scuttling on the floor. Seto leaned in to have a better look but nearly fell over. Soon a scowl formed on his face when he looked down to his body.

His feet were bind together and his hands were tied behind the chair, and it seemed that the more he moved, the damn rope around his neck gets tighter. Snorting, he thought of how he was going to be getting out of this one. Obviously, there's not going to be a superhero or anyone else.

Carefully, he turned his neck without moving his arms as much. Looking upwards, he saw a skylight, the window showing him the cloudy, starless night. To his right, Seto saw an outline of a person, sitting on top of a wooden crate? Looking over the shadow, he noted that the shadow was a she and her hair was glimmering bronze, face turned away from him.

A few names clicked into his mind.

"Téa?" he said hoarsely.

A dry laugh could be heard. "Is that all you think about, Kaiba? My daughter?"

Anita turned around fully and he could see her holding a .44 caliber, the safety latch unlocked. "Anita…" Seto hissed out, glaring hatefully at her. "Where is Téa!"

"Oh ho, it seems that she is what you always think about! I'll be glad to finally be able to get rid of her. She's been nothing but misery and trouble in my life." The mother told him. "And you won't be able to stop it."

Stop it? Stop what? …

"The ceremony would soon be performed and then, I will get what I needed. And no more Téa."

"Keh, you're a coward, just as I predicted, Gardner." Seto sneered at her. "You run from all your problems, never facing them. You rely on others to do the job for you. You're lower than I thought."

"Why you!" Anita bristled. "You don't know half of this!"

"Don't I? You were using Téa as a tool to get whatever you wanted from those two bastards. Then, you operate under them and would be receiving half the credit once Téa's eliminated. And you stooped so low, to even take my daughter into their foul ploy."

"T-that's not true! I do fight my own battles! I'm a lawyer, goddamnit!" the female brunette growled, jumping off the crate and walked over to Seto, gun parallel to his temple.

"Ah, yes. Of course. A lawyer who only defends for her clients when paid well enough." He scoffed.

"SHUT UP! WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF MY LIFESTYLE! YOU'RE A FILTHY RICH BASTARD WHO CARES FOR NOTHING!" she screeched.

"True, I don't know what a common average person lives through. However, you don't expect me to inherit KaibaCorp. Did you? No, I was pushed over my limits, heightened my IQ just in order to conquer my stepfather and end that merciless torture. And Téa she showed me, and knows that I do care for some things. Some things that even you would never comprehend in a million of years."

"Did you know that she still loved you, even after you kicked her out of her house? Even after all that hell you've put her through? I guess not. You were blind, oblivious to these things. Consumed by your greed." Seto said with a mock laugh.

Anita made no move to reply but he saw her gun lowering. She sighed, and then allowed her arm to drop to her side. "Yes, I did know that. But, so many lies are place before me. I cannot trust myself to act on my emotions, or on what I see."

"Then tell her. She would understand." Seto said, feeling more ridiculous as this conversation continued. Since when did he get so… 'touche'.! Ugh, he must be hanging around those idiots for too long.

"But… I don't know where they're keeping her." Anita shook her head, running a hand through her locks. She fastened the safety lock and slipped the mouth into her pocket.

"Untie me first, then you can think of where she will be!" Seto snapped rather unceremoniously. He felt the rope around his neck tighten. Hell, he's going to suffocate before he even gets to see the outcome of this.

"Right…" Anita shuffled over and fiddled with the knot, quickly freeing his arms and neck. Seto bent down and worked on his feet. As soon as they were done freeing his bindings, he rubbed them gingerly where the ropes bit into his skin, leaving some markings.

"Now, when's the last time you saw them?" he demanded, turning to her.

"Um…" Anita made an effort to check her watch in the dim candle light. "About an hour ago. The knock out power only lasted for three quarters of an hour. And they were heading further down this maze factory."

"Shit…" Seto muttered. If they were in a maze-like factory, then Téa could be kept everywhere. And he didn't have that kind of time to look around everywhere for her. He took great strides towards the metal door and kicked it, swinging it from its rusty and rotting hinges.

Normally, it would be the best to head towards the center of the maze, and always to take right path. But then again, those two… Egyptian freaks would probably take the left route, towards some dead ends. Damn, shouldn't some kind of "guardian angel" or his "conscience" pop out of nowhere and guide him to Téa!

"Seto…" eh? Who was that? Seto looked back at Anita, but seeing her perplexed expression, he decided that it wasn't her.

"Seto…" Just wonderful! He's hallucinating now. The air's talking to him.

"Seto… can't you see me?" wait… this voice, sounds… familiar?

"Silly Seto… it's me… Kisara…" a slight giggle disturb his senses.

Taking a deep breath, Seto squinted, looking harder into the surroundings. After a couple moments of concentration, he gave up. "Hm… I always thought that you were the stubborn one… but that was quite a while now. But, follow my voice.

"You have to find me, Seto Kaiba. You have to find me and my counterpart… Téa."

"Counterpart? What do you mean, counterpart!" he asked the space in front of him, where he heard the voice of Kisara.

"Kaiba? Are you okay?" Anita asked, quirking a brow.

"Yes, I'm fine… just follow me." Seto said, not knowing what else to say.

"Yes, follow me… my voice…" Kisara whispered, floating further and further away from him, leading him deeper into the maze.

"What are you doing to her! Don't touch her!" Téa shouted, struggling against the bonds that tied her down to the stone slab.

She had woken approximately twenty minutes ago, tied and dressed in the same dark robe. There were many candles lit, surrounding her and two large ones on the table, where many scrolls, tablets, and dolls were placed. Her daughter, Trinity was supposed to be next to her; however Chisa had picked her up and went over to a large basin.

Téa watched with fearful eyes as the younger girl unclothed her baby and began to wash her with a piece of cloth. Averting her blue worried eyes from her child to the man who stood behind the table, she saw Youko muttering some things, waving a small knife in the candle fire, heating up the blade.

As soon as her eyes were back on Trinity, Téa noticed that Chisa was wrapping the baby girl in a white cloth, whispering to her with a loving look in her eyes. Téa looked somewhat confused until a thought registered itself in her head.

… Chisa actually cares!

"Chisa, it is time… gather the blood as I perform the ceremony." Youko said, tossing the knife towards the aquamarine haired girl. Chisa immediately placed the baby down into a wicker basket and deftly caught the knife. She nodded and quickly looked back at the child, a small fraction of her eyes softening.

Chisa approached Téa, dagger raised and was poised to strike until…

"Chisa, you don't have to do this! It isn't right! And can't you see? Youko's been using you! Although I don't know what you've been through, I'll always be here for you, to listen to you. Please, I don't want you to regret this afterwards. As a friend, I care about you!" Téa said, tears springing into her eyes.

Chisa's hand wavered and the dagger trembled in her hands. She hung her head and her shoulders slumped. Then she whispered, "No, you don't… all friends say that and they're just lying. Trying to probe deeper into you and manipulate you. Youko showed me the truth…"

"No! He's lying to you! Can't you see that he was only using you to draw me closer to him? Chisa, please… think of Trinity. I know you love her as much as I do… who would raise her, be her mother if this… world becomes evil?" the brunette pleaded once more, knowing that she struck and sensitive spot.

"I… I…" the other girl stuttered, pupils dilated as she thought of the baby, killed.

"Chisa! Do not listen to a word she says! They're merely masks, where the truth of non existent friendship lies!" Youko said sharply. "Now, gather the blood and let our lord rise once more, so that he can avenge for you many wounds!"

"And you! Téa, I've been watching you oh so closely and I see right through you… do not dare to plant such foolishness into Chisa's mind if you know what is best for you!" the man turned towards her, glaring at her. He went from behind the table and laid a hand on Chisa's shoulder.

"Now… gather me her blood… and let the ceremony begin." He whispered, almost hypnotizing like.

"Then… what of Trinity? Will… will she be alive?" she whispered, lowering the knife.

"Yes, yes, of course she will… she always will be." Youko said almost too quickly. "Now, go… bring me the blood."

"No… you, you're lying Youko… why are you lying to me? I thought I…"

Burning inside, Youko let out a meancing growl and slammed his hand into the back of her neck, sending Chisa into an unconscious state. His patience was worn out, and decided to take the matter into his own hands. The black cloaked man dragged his 'girlfriend' towards the sidelines, next to the baby. Her body was limp and was sliding on the floor like a rag doll.

As if sensing distress in the room, Trinity started to cry, wailing uncontrollably. As he pulled her into a sitting position, the knife dropped onto the floor with a clatter but was quickly picked up as it was dropped.

"Now, since that … weakling is disposed of, it is time to begin." Youko muttered. He slowly advanced on Téa, as if a predator stalking its prey. The girl closed her eyes, knowing that now, avoiding the cut was inevitable.

She heard him chanting something in a foreign tongue, somewhat hauntingly. Then she heard the rustling of his cloak, and imagined how his arm was raised to strike her. The only word that she understood was, "Die…"

She held her breath, waiting for some pain dragging through her, but there was nothing. Unless the pain was so horrible that it made her entire body numb. After a little more longer she decided that she would take a small peek, seeing what damage was caused to her body, but what she saw next wasn't what she expected.

"Mom!"

Seto and Anita had been weaving through the maze, following this… queer voice that she heard. After they came to a halt, she was sure that she heard some noises behind the door. Quietly, Kaiba had managed to remove the door and they slipped into the room.

And as they rounded behind a crate, they saw Youko dragging his girlfriend to the other side of room. They also saw the dagger and put two and two together. Seto was about to stealthily approach Youko from behind to disarm him; however, it seemed that Anita had another plan in mind. She darted out rather quickly from the crates, and sprinted towards them, putting herself right in front of her daughter, taking the blow just below her ribcage.

Pain ripped through her lower regions and it soon spread upwards. Blood stained her shirt and a dribble of blood seeped through her mouth. Taking a deep breath to hopefully release the throbbing, Anita tasted the coppery liquid flowing through her mouth. Looking at Téa's stiff face, something in her heart was relieved. But…She didn't know why she did it. Was it maternal instinct?

"Mom!" Téa screamed, eyes wide with fear.

"Téa…" Anita whispered, a faint smile on her lips. "I… I'm glad that you're safe. Your father… is waiting and he is… so p-proud of you."

"What? Mom, no, hang on! MOM!" she heard her daughter shouted in panic as the world turned black.

I was a naïve twenty-three year old woman who was still in law-school when I met him, the first 'love' of my life. Well, more like the first 'true love' of my life. Ryu Gardner was another lawyer and a part time business owner. He had black tousled hair, with brilliant sea-shine eyes. There was an air of arrogance about him, but once I knew him better, he also had a protective and gentle side.

We really hadn't planned on facing each other after a murder case at court, but it seemed that once out of his 'lawyer-mode', he was quite the clumsy one. Accidentally, he tripped in front of my feet just as I was heading into my favorite café down the street from the college. And I guess, after inviting him to a cup of coffee, things just started from there.

Our relationship was somewhat a secret, since he was nearly six years older than I. But the age limit didn't keep us back. I spent most of the time with him at his house, since I can't actually bring him into the dorms with two other girls living there.

I learnt that he was from China but came to Japan to receive a better education. His parents' passed earlier in his life and he had lived with his mother's cousin, until they died in a car accident. Now, his grandfather, from his father's side, was also dead, but Ryu inherited the large house back in his homeland and the money that he was using to sustain himself. The money that he earns from the cases that he received was sent back to China.

And aside from our relationship, I learned other things from him. Like how to be a lawyer, how to set up a case and trap the enemy in a corner, and capturing the jury's attention. I guess, I owe him that much for being there to teach me these things.

However, somehow, our secret relationship wasn't as secretive as we thought it was. The whole school found out and I was then known as "Gardner's little pet". But that experience passed rather quickly. Ryu taught them a lesson and never was I bothered by that again. I was actually glad that things were calmed and I was able to have a relationship in peace.

A couple of years passed soon enough and I was finally a licensed lawyer. I was quickly placed with many cases and I no longer need support from my father. My relationship with Ryu was steady and soon, the day came where he proposed to me… and in front of the public!

My father disagreed immediately and told me that he was no good for me. Two lawyers can't live a life to the fullest and my life would only be filled with unhappiness once I knew the pains of it. Father tried many ways to persuade me about marrying Ryu, but I head on, steadfast. I accepted Ryu, and I foolishly thought that things will work out if we worked together. How wrong I was.

We were happy, and were expecting a child. A boy, who we both named Taro. A baby boy, who died a week after his birth due to his weak lungs. I was devastated. I lost many cases and Ryu started a bad habit of drinking. But… we tried again. Twice, we failed and I was just about to have enough of this and planned on calling the doctor to find out what was wrong.

But the fourth time… I successfully brought my baby girl into the world. Téa. She was a beautiful baby who wanted little and needed little. Never once did she cry or complain. I was so happy and Ryu was as well. Things were getting better, I told myself. And they'll stay that way.

Once more… I was wrong.

As the years past, and Téa grew older, Ryu and I grew apart. He began to move upwards, taking more serious cases for the government, and me, I was still the lower one, working on small local cases. Jealously consumed my heart and I guess that things just weren't meant to be for the both of us.

We would start petty fights, which would soon turn into an all out war. I knew that Téa was watching us, and I regretted every moment of it. She was too much like him. Like Ryu. She held his compassion, his gentleness, his way of resolving things, and his ability to bring horrible things into my life.

When Téa turned twelve, I had enough of the marriage. It obviously was working against me and I just couldn't stand it anymore. This wasn't what I wanted, this wasn't the happy marriage that I thought of, and this wasn't how it was supposed to be. I filed the divorce, and since the both of us were lawyers, we both knew what we had to do. I held custody over Téa, since she would be the only thing left for me. Ryu had another home back in China. So it was only fair.

I tried to change her, I really did. I wanted her to be less like Ryu and more like me so that I could hopefully change her into what I want her to be. Not into another person who could ruin my life, but as someone who I could benefit from. It was hard to raise a child as a single parent. I used to be so close to Téa. But I suppose that we distanced ourselves after Ryu and I started to have troubles with the marriage.

Then, there was that day I pressured her with the choice of staying with me or leaving her childhood home. After she left, things became quiet and there were… these reoccurring dreams of him.

"Anita…" when she heard her name, Anita swirled around, seeing nothing but darkness.

"Anita…" that voice… so soft, so… bone-chilling. Could it be him?

"Anita…" this time, she replied with her own voice. "Ryu!"

A man stepped out of the shadows; tall and lean with a mass of thick messy hair. Anita bit back a gasp as she recognized him. He was dressed in a blue button up and some white slacks, just the way he used to be when they were dating. "Ryu…?"

"Anita… it has been so long… and I would never have expected for you to be like this. I thought that I left you for the good… but your planning for Téa's future must be avoided." He muttered, eyes covered by his ebony bangs.

"I… I don't know what you mean…" she stammered, stepping back as he advanced.

"Téa is created by both of our love… and now, you are willing to discard her for your own selfish greed? Anita… you aren't the woman I married."

"I am! I'm still the same… it is you who changed!" she screeched, pointing accusingly at him.

"No… the real Anita is kind, devoted and determined. You're her splitting image but you're the fake one. The one who is consumed in revenge, malice and greed. You wish to take Téa's life… but can you really do it? To kill your own flesh and blood, to kill our daughter who was brought into the world by our love?" Ryu said, fisting his hands, his knuckles turning white.

"No… I can. You're just weak. I'm the strong one! I… I raised her all by myself and you just disappeared from her life! Didn't you know that she still weeps for you!" the brunette spat back belligerently.

"Of course I do. Do you take me a fool? I watch over every night, watching as she slept with painful nightmares until she was taken from under your wing. And I have been watching you as well. You've been scared… keeping that gun of yours right next to you on your nightstand, as if knowing that one day, I'll be back. However, that is no longer an option." The black-haired man said sadly.

"You… you mean to say that you're…!" Anita asked eyes wide.

"Change back Anita… be who you really are. I'll be waiting…"

It only has been four years, but I have this eerie feeling… and I never thought that it would be possible. He was always so healthy and yet, he died after leaving Japan...

Something inside my heart broke. I didn't really understand until much later, until Téa finally came back to me. It was a sense of lost and sorrow. Of grief and longing.

It seemed that I did love him… through hate. After all, no one can truly love someone without deeply hating them.

And… hopefully, he has forgiven me.

"Mom! Oh gods, MOM! Wake up! Please, wake up!" Téa strained her voice, perspiration forming on her brow.

Youko was smirking at Anita, jerking the blade out of her body and said wickedly, "Heh… was a weakling, wasting her life for another's. She could gotten away with everything she wanted in the end, but she choose to die with nothing at all."

Anita's limp body fell onto her side on the ground, blood pooling around her. Her eyes were shut and her breathing was jagged and shallow. This gave a small assurance to chained brunette, telling her that her mother was still alive.

Trinity was wailing again, loudly this time, drawing Youko's attention. Téa saw a grim sneer on his face and horror was written all over her face as he headed over to the wicker basket. "No! Don't touch her! Don't touch Trinity!" she struggled against the bonds, tears now reforming on her lash line.

The evil man merely snarled at her, backhanding her. "Shut up wench! I'll show that brat not to cry!"

Just as he was about to take another step, he froze in mid-step as he felt something grab onto his right ankle. Looking down, his eyes grew distasteful at the pitiful sight of Anita Gardner gripping tightly onto his foot. She drew a deep breath, huffing as she said every word. "Don't… touch… my… family…b-bastard!"

"And who are you to tell me what to do, bitch!" the blond man slammed his other foot directly at the bleeding stab wound, causing more blood to be choked out. Anita spat out immeasurable about of red liquid from her mouth and her eyes shrunk, turning lifeless by every second.

Téa's mouth was moving voicelessly as her mother looked up at her one last time.

"Goodbye… sweetheart."

Youko watched the scene with much pleasure and then a malicious grin formed on his mouth as he once again turned his attention to Trinity, who was crying louder now that the sense of great sorrow and evil lurked the air.

"Now… for the last one!" he said with an evil purr in his throat.

"Back off from my daughter asshole!" another male's voice snarled and a foot connected with Youko's right side.

"Seto!" Téa cried in happiness.

The fallen villain smirked darkly once more as he picked himself up from the ground. "So… the knight in shining armor finally arrives! Well, you're about to witness the death of your one true love and the rebirth of the father in your Egyptian past!"

"Not if I can help it. Ever since the first day I saw you, I knew that you aren't a ray sunshine! And you've caused enough damage that isn't even worth my time." The brunette man lunged at the blond, knocking them both on the ground.

Youko easily flipped Seto over, but didn't expect to be sent to the table from a kick, which knocked the air out of him. This time, he was angered immensely, and he sought for the knife which was sent flying from him from Seto's first kick.

His hand finally found the wet tip of the blade and then it found the handle. His fingers curled around the hilt and he then charged forward, head first at Seto then raised the dagger, sending glimmering light around the dim room.

There was a strangled cry from Téa and more wailing from Trinity.

Seto quickly went to disarm the man and it resulted in a bloody disbarment. Youko ended up stabbing himself in his abdomen and wounded, he fled the scene.

Seto nearly dropped to the floor in relief, but first he went to check on Trinity and then went to free Téa. As the brunette female dropped onto her knees, she took her daughter and showered her baby girl's face with kisses and wet tears.

Seto crouched down and drew the girls into an awkward but comforting embrace as they sunk down to the ground right in front of the deceased Anita Gardner.

The madness was finally over…

But much was accosted for.

AN: Well, TA DA! That's THE END for FMSK! Seto's really really OOC, I know. And Téa, well, she's a mother now, so she should be nearly hysterical when they told her what Youko and Chisa would be doing to her child. And about Anita's past… thought that I should just add it in there for good measure… so you guys won't think bad of her even after she died. Now for the epilogue before I can say, "really the end".

 Well, TA DA! That's THE END for ! Seto's really really OOC, I know. And Téa, well, she's a mother now, so she should be nearly hysterical when they told her what Youko and Chisa would be doing to her child. And about Anita's past… thought that I should just add it in there for good measure… so you guys won't think bad of her even after she died. Now for the epilogue before I can say, "really the end".

Moonjava: thank you

Zoe334: thank you, but no sequel.

Blueheartz: ahaha, yeah it does shout that, but no, I don't think that there should be one. Sorry.

Veronica: thanks! And I hoped that you enjoyed this chapter.

Lily: hum… I'd be lying if I said no.

Sugarontop1: sorry for the wait, I was looking everywhere for this.

PunkySessha: lol, I wish that I can put more chapters, but this and epilogue will be the last.

Gauri92: yes, I was intending on updating but I was pretty busy over the weeks.

Inuyoukai-san: ha, I failed my ELA and my History. Which are going to be two very important subjects for my next year's course. And I did update. So sorry for the long wait.