"What are you doing here, Shizuka?"
"Joey came and told me what happened."
"Why did he do that?"
"You mean you didn't send for me?"
"No, I didn't."
"Oh, I'm, sorry. I guess I was hoping that you'd forgiven me. I honestly didn't cheat on you Ryo."
"So why did you come here? Come to beg for forgiveness? A little late for apologies, don't you think?"
"That's not what I came here for!" She cried out in grief. "I told you before, I didn't cheat on you!"
"So you came here to lie to tell me, I didn't see what I did? If that's all you came to say, then don't, I'm not in the mood for it."
"Damn it, Ryo listen! You refused to listen to me four months ago. You walked away from me. I tried to explain but you wouldn't listen! Well this time you're going to listen to me, since you can't walk away from me." Shizuka spat sitting down on the bed next to him. "I was waiting for you, then he showed up. Without a word, he came up and before I realized what was happening he had me thrown down on the bench and was on top of me kissing me! When he started grouping me, I was shocked, then I was brought to my senses, I bit his tongue and pushed him away! I told him I was in a relationship with you. He didn't care. He asked what you had that he didn't. I told him you had qualities he didn't honor and respect. I had never spent any true time with him, I never understood why he thought I'd care about him like that but he was drunk! But no matter what I said, he just wouldn't listen. The last thing I wanted was for him to touch me!"
"Really, I saw your hands on his chest and grabbing his shirt as he groped at you. Why is it you sat there a few minutes letting him put his hands all over you, and not do anything about it? You claim shock but you had to have enjoyed something for that long. I wasn't going to stand there all night and watch someone I thought cared about me let some guy paw her and show no signs of fighting back. We've been through all of this before Shizuka. I don't see how any thing has changed in the four months since I left."
Shizuka began to cry again, though trying not to. "I was shocked, stunned really. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I couldn't believe it was happening then. My mind was racing as to what to do. You have to know I never enjoyed it, I wanted you there, Ryo. I love you. I told you this then and I'll tell you again! I never cheated! If I had wanted to be with Duke rather than with you, do you think, I'd have asked you there? If I had wanted to break up with you or make you jealous wouldn't it have been better to wait till you showed up. I never knew you had even showed up till, I found the flowers."
"I…I don't know Shizuka. I really want to believe you."
"I've missed you. You know why I came here. I came here because I heard you were hurt and I wanted to see if I could make you feel better."
"You did?"
"Yes, I did." Shizuka whispered leaning down and kissing him.
Ryo started crying and broke the kiss.
Shizuka sighed. "You still don't believe me?"
"I'm sorry...it's not that I don't believe you. Actually for the first time I think I actually do."
"Then what's wrong?"
"While I was gone I met someone her name was Nosaka."
"I see. So, you can't forgive me so you just go out and get together with the first woman you met?"
"No, actually I had no interest in dating anyone after I broke up with you. She was Mokuba's teacher that's all. Then after about a month she asked me out. I was nervous I wasn't sure I really wanted to risk dating again. But I decided to chance it. It was one date…."
"One date and you call that a relationship?"
"No, actually we spent time together with Mokuba at a carnival. That's what brought us closer. We both cared for Mokuba. We started dating more steadily for the next few months."
"Then why, why did you return? I mean it's obvious she didn't make a mistake like I did, by trusting that you cared about me."
"I did care about you Shizuka! I still do. It's just that you were the first person I'd ever really dated. My aunt always told me not to bother with dating or girls there'd plenty of time for that in the future. I just never had the chance to meet or date anyone before you."
"I never really dated either before you. I'd been on a date or two but nothing serious." She said and kissed him again.
"I…I can't Shizuka not now."
"You still want her don't you? Why did you come back there then?"
"Shizuka, you don't understand."
"I understand you'd rather that new bitch over me!" Shizuka said getting up and starting towards the door.
Ryo sighed. "Shizuka, Nosaka's dead."
Shizuka stopped and turned around with a horrified look on her face. "What…did…you…say?" she asked slowly.
"A man tried to kill Mokuba. Poor kid, it seems for some reason lots of people want him dead."
"But how, how did she die?"
"Are you sure you want to know?"
Shizuka thought about it. "Yes, I do."
"Nosaka wanted to protect Mokuba, from what Mokuba's told me, when the man threatened to kill him she agreed to do what he wanted in exchange for the boy's life."
"Wow, she was so brave. I'm sorry about what I said."
"It's all right Shizuka, I understand."
"So, um what exactly happened any idea?"
"From what I've been able to get out of the boy the man raped her and threatened to rape the boy."
"Why, what could he have done to him?"
"Nothing just the way it was I suppose. From what I've heard he had been tied up outside the entire time."
"Poor kid."
"Yes, Nosaka confronted the man for wanting to do that."
"Was she nuts!"
"Perhaps, but it did cost her. He raped her again then slit her throat."
"Poor kid, to have to hear all of that."
"Not just him. Her brother was the one who found her after."
"I…I don't have any siblings but that must have been horrible."
"It was and for me when I learned, Shizuka do you think, at least for now we can take things slowly? I'm not sure I could handle being in a relationship right now."
Shizuka kissed him. "I'm sorry, we can go as slow or as fast as you want."
"Thank you." Ryo said and kissed her back.
x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x
Seto and Yami discussed what Ryo had said and decided to go with Ryo's suggestion and help Mokuba work through his problems. They soon had everything packed and ready to go. They went the long way around, which doing that cost you another half a days ride, to get to the next country. It normally takes two days of straight riding and only a few minutes of rest here and there. There was a small village that welcomed travelers who journeyed off the beaten path to stay in a hotel. If you didn't go the long way then you had to sleep either on the ground or in nearby caves. There were no villages and few houses along the way. Seto and Yami didn't feel like spending the night outside so felt it best just to take the extra time to stay in the near by village where they could also hopefully get directions to the trail that led to the mountain trail. Since few ever went there.
The next morning they were heading off again but as they got to the fork in the road they'd been told to look for when asking directions, they found one blocked off. There was a sign that said simply due to recent rains the mud made carriage travel nearly impossible. Any that wished to go to the mountain would have to go by horseback.
Soon they arrived into town and after a bit of asking around they found the house, they were looking for.
"Varon, you and Alister stay out here. Varon would you mind keeping an eye on Mokuba. I'm not exactly sure what all we're going to be discussing in there but I think it's best if he waits out here.
"Not at all, sir it'd be my pleasure." Varon said.
Seto bent down next to Mokuba. "Mokuba I'm not sure what Yami's father's like but just for safety reasons I'd like you to play out here with your baby dragon. Varon will stay close by in case you need anything. Be careful not to lose your baby dragon."
"I won't I promise big brother."
Seto stood up and ruffled his hair. "Good boy."
x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x
Yami knocked not sure what to expect.
"Yes, can I help you?" The man who answered the door asked.
"Are you Ross Atemu?"
"Yes, who are you?"
"My name is Yami Atemu. My mother was Jennifer Atemu."
"Jennie now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. Please come in have a seat. Now what is it I can do for you?"
"Well you see I…I'm not real sure what to ask. I came here looking for my father."
"So, your little Yami all grown up, I guess I didn't register that when you told me your name. But you look a lot like you mother. How is she?"
"She disappeared when I was 2. One day she was there the next she said goodbye and was never seen again."
"You lie!" Ross said standing over Yami.
"Hey, now wait just a second! My brother doesn't lie!" Seto said defending Yami.
"Easy Seto, it's all right."
"I wasn't aware Jennie had another child after we split." Ross said sitting back down.
Yami got Seto settled down. "She didn't, Seto is the son of the late queen."
"So, she finally had a kid after all. What makes you think he's your brother?"
"My mother always told me we were. I never truly knew why. All I knew was Yami was to be and is my personal advisor." Seto said.
"Well then I guess I was right." Ross said.
"Right about what?" Yami asked.
"Your mother was top maid in that castle till after you were born, then suddenly she's second to the lady-in-waiting. When your mother came to me and told me she was pregnant I believed her and believed it was mine."
"Why wouldn't it be?" Seto asked.
"You didn't know? She was having a love affair with your father. The late Master King Gozaburo Kaiba."
"What?" Seto and Yami asked stunned.
"Yes, your mother didn't think I knew. But the whole town practically knew, though no one would admit it."
"So what are you saying?" Yami asked.
"Quite simple really, after you were born I got to thinking about the time you would have been conceived and things just didn't add up."
Seto swallowed nervously. "What kind of things."
"Well, around that time I was home very little I was performing top secret mission. I was told to never discuss it not even now. So I've often wondered if you were even mine to begin with."