Seto convinced the cook to make cake for desert for dinner and ice cream for lunch. Then he made his way to the conference room where Yami was impatiently waiting for him.

"Where have you been? I said 2 hours it's been 4." Yami said.

"Sorry, I was showing Mokuba around then I went to talk to Katsuya about being Mokuba guard."

"Well…"

"Well what you already know the answer."

"I told you no one wants the job. If Mokuba were a little older then that'd be different. But most people see it as just babysitting. Our guards only have to stay near us if we leave or we're in conference or near foreign dignitaries. But Mokuba's guard will have to spend a lot more time with him to keep him safe and from getting lost or in trouble."

"Well Ryo agreed to be his guard and I promised I'd make him a knight too."

"Well Ryo loves and cares for him so to him it's no big deal. They know each other so they enjoy each other's company. What's this about making him a knight? Only guards are assigned bodyguard positions. I understand why you want to do this but Seto if we do it once other people will want the same thing."

"I'm aware of that but I still want to do this. Yami he didn't have to take care of me or help me gain Mokuba's trust. When Mokuba was beaten the first night I was there Ryo wanted to treat him and he let me help. By allowing me to help, by holding Mokuba down I was able to start gaining his trust. His being around allowed me to start gaining Mokuba's trust faster. Not to mentioned he cared for me and kept the fact that I was injured a secret."

"Seto did you ever think he was lying about not knowing who you were." Yami asked.

"No, I don't think he was. Besides if he knew why wouldn't he have tried to take advantage of it sooner."

"Well you have a point there. Well we have work to do if you want this weekend off we have to get to it."

"I thought you said we had to work through the weekend."

"I'm entitled to changed my mind. But we have a meeting with the King of Cascadia Monday so if we don't get things settled by then we're in trouble. Not to mention that knighting ceremonies are Tuesday, Wednesday we have royal court."

"Again didn't we just do like a few weeks ago?"

"Seto, you know as well as I do that we have to hold royal court twice a month sometimes more depending on how many people wish an audience with you."

"That still doesn't mean I have to like it; half the time its all long and boring just people paying their respects." Seto said.

"You have to endure it, Seto, its part of being king. There are lots of people that have grievances against us and then there are some that have problems or trouble with each other that you must sort out the truth from the lies. Then you also have to deal with those who just wish to pay their respects."

"Yes, but if you remember the one time some people brought chickens and a pig and we had them running rampant through the castle."

"How could I forget... it all started because someone let in that stray cat."

"And that one woman had her chicken on a leash like it was a pet. Stupidest thing I ever saw. Who would want a pet chicken? Regardless of that when that dumb cat spotted the leashed up chicken and attacked it went crazy causing all the other chickens to go nuts."

"Then the cat ran into the pig and got startled and scratched it on the nose, the pig freaked and got lose from the man who brought it to give to you. Then the people started to panic and were running around everywhere in a frenzy... Maybe some one will be kind enough to give you a puppy this year?"

"What do I need with a mutt? I already have one of those."

"Seto that's not nice." Yami scolded.

"So, Katsuya likes barking at me. He's going to start up again soon to get him out of full duty in the armory and tower."

"Seto full duty? What possessed you?"

"Why not? He disrespects my authority and expects that I'm going to instantly like that fact. I wouldn't have made him Mokuba's guard forever and since Mokuba wants to spend time with Ryo it's not like he'd have had to stay when they were together. He could have had that as free time to do as he pleased." Seto said.

"Did you bother to explain this?"

"Why should I? Besides, all I did was ask him if he'd take the job and he turned me down before I could give any real details on it. Wait you changed the subject. Why would I need a puppy?"

Yami smirked and whispered. "I don't know I just thought that…" he mumbled the rest.

"Thought what?" Seto asked.

"Thought how much Mokuba would crush you in a hug if you were to give him one."

"But you hate dogs." Seto said confused.

"That's why I said you would give it to him."

"You hate dogs but you hope I get one for Mokuba, that makes no sense. Besides we have dogs in the castle."

"Yes, but none that Mokuba can play with. Those are guard and hunting dogs Seto, not dogs for the kid to play with."

"Well if we don't get a puppy then we'll look into getting him one."

"Well now that that's settled lets get back to work."

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

The next day Joey was coming up for air and food on one of his breaks.

"So Joey how's it going in the armory?" Honda asked.

"Did you know it was hot down there?" Joey asked.

"Uh, yeah most of us have spent time down there at one time or another when we were guards." Duke said.

"Yeah but those times were few and far between because all guards take a round or two on duty on both. You only get assigned permanently when you piss the king off like you do." Bakura said.

"So what I should go crawling on my hands and knees and beg him to let me baby-sit that kid of his?"

"Forget it! I got rid of my brother through that job. He's moving out of my room later today! Besides I've heard the kings happier with my brother doing the job." Bakura said.

"What is your problem with your brother? Man if I could get my sister Serenity a job at the castle I'd get to spend more time with her. I'd love that! You don't know how lucky you are there Bakura." Joey said.

"Yeah, well look I'm not exactly into family bonding." Bakura said.

"Yeah well it wouldn't kill ya, you know." Joey said.

"Don't you have to get back to work?" Bakura asked.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going, I'm going."

"You know he's right. I don't have any siblings but if I did, I'd enjoy spending time with them. So, what you and your brother fight a lot when you were kid's?" Duke asked.

"No, I never knew him growing up, I was rarely around when he was little and left home when he was just a little kid." Bakura said.

"Then why don't you try to build a relationship with him now, while you've got the chance?" Honda asked.

"I'll take it under advisement. I have to go I'm on patrol." Bakura said walking off.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Meanwhile Ryo was watching Mokuba run around when he noticed the sundial telling him it was about time for Bakura to go on duty like he'd said he was last night when he told him about moving.

'Well I guess I should get my stuff and move now. Bakura wont be there. He seemed so overjoyed when I told him I was made Mokuba's guard and would be moving into the room next to his. I guess I was dreaming thinking we could actually get along someday.'

"W-What's wrong Ryo?" Mokuba asked.

"What? Oh nothing kiddo, you want to help me pack up and move into the room next door to yours?"

Mokuba smiled and nodded.

"Okay then let's go."

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Ryo and Mokuba walked into the room and were surprised to find Bakura there.

"What are you doing in here?" Ryo asked.

"I forgot my helmet and try not to forget anything." Bakura said walking past them.

Ryo looked down at Mokuba when he felt a tug on his shirt.

"What's up kid?"

Mokuba pulled his shirt a little harder and Ryo had learned a long time ago that meant to bend down. He bent down but before he could question it, he found himself in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Mokuba. But what's this for?"

Mokuba sat up and looked at him. "To m-make you feel better."

"Well it worked thank you."

"Ryo w-will you be my b-big brother too?"

"Are you sure?"

Mokuba smiled and nodded.

"Well are you sure Seto and Yami wont mind. I mean I don't wont to ruin anything between you."

"I w-want you to. B-but I-if you w-want I can ask t-them."

"You do that kiddo and then well see. In the meantime you can help me pack then we'll ask and see if we can go to town to get a couple of other things for us to do."

"Okay." Mokuba said then he thought of something. "R-Ryo, will you t-teach m-me to r-read more w-words?"

"If you'd liked. I think there's a library in town we'll see if they have any learning to read books. If not then we'll find simple ones for you to start with, all right?"

Mokuba hugged him. "T-thanks Ryo."

Ryo hugged back but then another thought struck him. He pulled the boy away then put him on the bed. "Mokuba, why is it Seto and Yami haven't hired someone to help you learn yet?"

Mokuba looked sad. "Y-you d-don't h-have t-to h-help m-me."

Ryo knew when he stuttered more like that he was starting to get upset. "It's all right kiddo. Don't cry. I don't mind but there are people out there better at it than I am. Why haven't they…" Ryo stopped when he saw Mokuba's refusal to look at him. He then lifted the kid's chin to get him to look at him and when he still refused to look at him Ryo realized his answer. "You haven't told them yet, have you?"

Mokuba shook his head no.

"Why, kiddo, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to teach you or hire someone to teach you."

"B-but t-their b-both s-so smart a-and I-I'm not."

"Yes you are, you're very smart."

"N-no I'm n-not."

"Yes, you are. You just haven't really had the chance to prove it to yourself."

"P-please Ryo d-don't t-tell them. I d-don't w-want them to h-hate m-me."

"Mokuba their not going to hate you cause you can't read or cause you didn't tell them." Ryo saw that wasn't going to satisfy him. "Fine, I won't tell them."

Mokuba brightened up and hugged him. "Thank you big brother!"

'Well their going to have to find out. Seto did say he was going to hire a tutor to help with his stuttering. I hope he holds off a little longer. At least till he can actually read more than a few words cause there's no way a tutor wouldn't find out.'