'Imoto, you need to stop pacing…'

Yugi grimaced at the sound of her twin's scolding. She knew the Pharaoh was right. Pacing would solve nothing. It did make her feel like she was doing something though, which was better than the opposite. Especially when Katsuya and his family had gone out to the funeral home to settle everything that needed to be settled for Jonouchi Goro's burial.

She had wanted to go with them to support her boyfriend, but Kawai had frozen her out, saying that only blood family needed to be there, and she would just get in the way. She could see the older woman's point, but it had taken a considerable amount of effort to not point out that Kawai had not been there to support her son through anything else. Only the feel of the Puzzle Spirit's hands on her shoulders and the way Katsuya's shoulders were drooping, suggesting that he really was not in any fit state for an argument right now, had made her back off.

Still, waiting around was nerve wracking and though she had tried to settle down to do things to take her mind off of it, she had been thoroughly unsuccessful. Hence the pacing.

Her phone vibrating made her pause midstride and then dart over to check it, only to grimace when she saw that it was a spam text message, then take a deep breath, realising that she was being ridiculous.

Instead of continuing to make a groove in the floor, she moved over to her laptop, deciding to use the time to check whether she had an offer from Industrial Illusions to counter the one she had received from Kaiba Corp.

She was not honestly expecting them to send one. Not after the fiasco that the meeting with Yakko and the other Crawford boys had become. Still there was a chance and it was only fair to the other company to check.

Opening her inbox revealed nothing from the creators of Duel Monsters. Instead two emails caught her eye. One was from Digital Duelist, who had attended the publicity event, and the other from Paradius.

Just reading the financial company's name was enough for Yugi to reach for her right ring finger, where the serpent ring would have rested if Katsuya had not lost it on the way back from Tokyo. She was secretly a little relieved.

The ring had been a boon for her sister, boosting her magical strength and strengthening her senses, but Yugi had felt weird the moment it had come into their possession. Plus there was no guarantee that he was actually helping. The power boost could have come with strings attached, ones they would not have known about until they had actually worn the piece of jewellery.

Pursing her lips, she decided to read that one second and instead clicked on the one from the Dueling News website. When the email asked her to check the first two attachments before she read the rest of the message, she double clicked on them both.

And then froze.

"Anesan!"

The Spirit of the Puzzle did not hesitate to emerge from her resting place at the slight panic in her twin's tone. She looked around for the threat, paused, confused, when she did not see anything, and then looked at the screen.

'Is that… me?'

"Y…Yeah," Yugi breathed, too stunned by the images to use the mind link. "That's… How did she?"

The first photo was of Meisa and her when they had been sat at the table. Neither of the Mutou twins had thought that anyone could see the Pharaoh drape her arms around Yugi's shoulders in a reassuring hug, but somehow Digital Duelist had managed to get a photo of it.

The other was of the Spirit of the Puzzle standing on her left at the podium, with Katsuya stood to her right.

'What're we doing about this?'

"I…" Yugi swallowed hard and quickly scanned the rest of the email. "To Miss Mutou, I was carefully going through all of my photos of the event before I published the full debriefing on my website when I found these images, which I felt you would like to see. I have decided to suppress these photos, rather than publish them, which I suspect you will be grateful for. I am aware that I am owed no explanation, but I would be pleased if you could respond regarding a possible meeting between us for a private interview regarding the less well-known facets of Duel Monsters. If you decide against it, I completely understand, but if it will help put your mind at ease at all, please open the third image."

Yugi double-clicked the photo, which revealed itself to be a selfie of the founder and sole reporter of Digital Duelist, Ellie Green, and a Dark Magician Girl who was either the monster herself or an extremely good cosplayer.

'Do you think she can summon?'

"Maybe…" Yugi's voice trembled slightly as she continued reading. "As this has not happened on other photos, I assume that either my camera has picked up some of the weirdness that I deal with, or that something about my camera, which was only purchased just under a year ago, is modern enough that it can somehow pick up on the unusual. Either way, I await your reply. Signed Danielle Mavis Green of Digital Duelist. P.S. You can keep the photos if you wish, and I would be willing to take more the next time I'm in your location."

The Queen of Games sat back to think and took a deep breath before saying, "she seems open to friendly discussion at least."

'And she was more polite than the people from 'Game On' but we don't have to answer right away. We have time to think about it. Personally I wouldn't be averse to at least talking. Maybe if we're open about things with her, she'll be an ally when it comes to dealing with the press.'

"True. Might be good to mention this to Mokuba too. If we take the Kaiba Corp sponsorship, of course." Yugi moved the email to the 'Important' folder and then opened the one from Paradius. "Oh… they're offering us a sponsorship."

'Really? What's the deal?'

Yugi did not get a chance to skim it before she heard the back door open and the sounds of Kawai talking to Katsuya in what sounded like a surprisingly civilised tone. She pushed the computer aside and quickly rose to her feet and darted into the kitchen to turn the kettle on, certain that the trio would like a cup of tea and a chance to sit down.

She was not wrong. Kawai simply brushed past her, a folder in hand, and slumped onto the sofa, while Shizuka, who was holding Katsuya's hand, had a posture that just screamed exhausted and unhappy.

"Hey, Yuge." Katsuya's smile was watery but his words made Shizuka attempt to straighten up and hide how she felt.

"Hey. I'm making tea. You both want some?"

"Yes, please." Shizuka sounded relieved at hearing something normal.

"You're a life saver, Yuge," Katsuya breathed, looking relieved. "You mind if I…?"

When he nodded towards the living room, Yugi shook her head. She watched the pair head in and then started making the hot drinks. As it brewed she peeked back in to find that Sakura was reading the screen of her laptop. For a moment irritation surged through the Queen of Games at the invasion of privacy, then she mentally winced. She had left the contract open where Kawai could see it, so she could not get mad about her getting curious. Plus she needed to not get into an argument with her when she was here to help Katsuya settle everything. After all, it was not like she had done anything wrong.

She paused for a moment, then let out an amused huff, realising that she was getting cross because there was someone she did not particularly like, ignoring her and reading her stuff, in the space she considered 'hers'. Something she was going to have to learn to deal with better if Kawai wanted to be a bigger part of her son's life.

Especially considering that Kawai was probably extremely stressed from suddenly having to deal with all of this. Even without the magical aspects, the situation was not exactly conducive to a relaxed atmosphere. So it was probably a good thing that it was the contract that was open, rather than the email from Digital Duelist.

She took the time it took her to gather up the necessary cups and load up the tray with everything to gather herself. By the time she had to carry the tray back into the living room, she was more settled and she gave everyone a gentle smile as she poured the drinks. "How did it go?"

"About as well as I expected." Kawai took a sip of the tea before she spoke, and her entire frame relaxed at the taste. "Funerals are pretty regulated so it's more a matter of filling out paperwork and getting everything paid for at this point. I see you're looking into sponsorships?"

"It's not…"

'Imoto… I think she needs the distraction.'

At her twin's words, Yugi paused to consider the older woman. There was interest there, but also a sadness that suggested that she was not as unaffected by her former husband's passing as she was pretending. Possibly to try and keep her children calm.

"Just got an offer come down from Paradius." She nodded, sending acknowledgement and gratitude down the bond as she did so. "I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I'm already looking at offers from Kaiba Corp and Industrial Illusions, so I don't know if I'll take it."

Katsuya's head snapped up at the name Paradius, his expression darkening, but it was Shizuka who asked, "you haven't made your mind up yet?"

"There's a lot to consider." Yugi shook her head, then remembered that Shizuka's eyes were going to be bandaged for at least another couple of days and winced. "Kaiba Corp made a really good offer, but Industrial Illusions offered to help me with a future event, and I don't know what these guys are offering."

"Want help working it out?" Katsuya asked, as in need of a distraction as his mother.

"If you're sure? I mean, it'll mean going through the contracts, and I didn't want to bother anyone…"

"It's not a bother." The slight edge in Kawai's tone cut her off. "You should probably have adult assistance with this anyway."

"Jii-san's been busy and I didn't want to…" She trailed off, feeling awkward.

"Then let me help. After all you've done for my family, it's the least I can do."

Surprise coursed through Yugi as she realised that Kawai was not just in need of a distraction, she genuinely wanted to help, and the grin that she offered the woman in response was entirely sincere.

"Thank you."

Kawai Sakura let out a sigh as she waited for the elevator to arrive on the fifth floor on Thursday afternoon.

When she had first decided to come to Domino, the decision had seemed so easy. All she had to do was fill in some paperwork, get the legal process started, and leave again.

It was so much more difficult than that.

Her son was not alright. He was trying to be, because he knew she had despised his father, and he did not want to upset Shizuka, but it was obvious. Not just from the way he moved much slower than the last time she had met him, but from the careful way the Mutous were treating him.

Part of her wanted to stick to the plan. Her life and the life of her fiancé was back in Tokyo.

But she could see how much Shizuka had brightened up with her brother in her life, and how just the presence of his sister made Katsuya stronger and more able to face what was going on.

Shizuka would not need to attend Bunkyo, one of the metropolitan schools for the blind in Tokyo, once her bandages came off and her eyes were fully healed. She would have to transfer schools in the new school year anyway.

It would be a big move and she would have to look into a new job, but there was enough left over from the prize money to pay for it.

It was not like she would be intruding on the territory of another woman, and her son was not the only one who needed a parental figure in their life.

Doctor Mutou was doing everything he could to raise his granddaughter, but it was clear just from the time she had spent observing the family that he was overworked, being the sole full-time worker in the shop, and did not have as much time as he would like. Yugi needed another adult in her life that she could go to for assistance and support.

The question was if Yugi and Katsuya would accept her in their lives.

And if she really wanted to be there for children she barely knew.

The ding of the elevator broke through her chain of thoughts and forced her to concentrate on the here and now.

She stepped out and checked the name on the card that Doctor Mutou had provided her against the plaques on the walls. It was not hard to find the one that matched and she was pleased to see that the light was on through the window next to the door.

The man in question was already here, waiting for her.

She knocked and then stepped inside to find a warm office and more than just the gentleman she had been expecting.

"Kawai Sakura, I assume?" the man asked, standing and bowing. "I'm Suzuki Masayoshi."

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." She bowed in return before glancing at the brunette woman stood next to him. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting a meeting."

"No, no. Let me introduce Mazaki Yui. It's been about ten years since I did anything except business law. I've been working on the adoption paperwork for Mutou-Sensei, but Mazaki here has been guiding me, since she still practices family law on the side. She's also the one who organised the Kaiba brothers' guardianship papers and defended them against the counter claims."

"Nice to meet you." The other lawyer smiled brightly and bowed to Kawai, who startled at the name, recognising it from her son's tapes. "I think our children are friends."

"Y…Yes, you're Anzu's Okaasan, right?" she asked as she bowed back quickly, surprise making her a little disrespectful.

"Indeed. She's told me a lot about your Katsuya. He's turning into a good kid. It's why I agreed to come and help out."

"Thank you."

"Not a problem." Mazaki shook her head and picked up a folder from the desk. "Now, I've been going over the details of the case, but I'm hoping you can shed some light on things."

"Certainly, what do you need from me?"

"Well, first of all, I need to know what your plans are regarding your son."

"What do you mean?"

"With his Otousan gone, your son has no legal guardian. You have right of first refusal, but Mutou-Sensei has applied for Shinken," Mazaki explained, flipping to the right paperwork and showing Kawai the application. "He was refused the first time because of his health and because your zenpu refused to sign anything, but if you refuse guardianship, I will be able to get it pushed past the courts. Relatively easily in fact, since they won't want a child to be homeless and have to go into the system when there's a caring home right there."

Sakura opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again.

The matter of legal custody had not occurred to her.

She had given it up almost a decade ago and now she had to make that choice again.

Either she could surrender her son to the Mutous or she could choose to accept responsibility for him.

There were benefits to both options, but what would be best for him?

And for the rest of her family?

"I… don't know…"

"That's almost all of them," Yugi breathed as she slotted Nephthys's name into place in the family shrine, her twin's hands wrapped around hers. The pair of them had been rotating who was in control, so they both were able to say they had paid respect to their ancient family. "How are you two doing?"

"I think… I think we're ready," Katsuya breathed as he examined the small clay tablet with his father's name on.

"I'm glad your Ojiisan is letting us do this. I don't think Okaasan would… She's still so angry." Shizuka's voice trembled as she ran her fingers over the kanji. Yugi's head snapped towards the kitchen as the back door shut, suggesting that Sakura was home from her meeting with the lawyer and they had run out of time.

"You and Katsuya are family to us. Your family are our family," Yugi offered softly as the pair, hands entwined, slipped the clay piece into place, hoping the woman in the kitchen could hear her. "The good and the bad."

"Thank you."

Yugi did not reply; instead she looked down at the last clay tablet in her hand.

'Are you sure you want to put this one in the shrine?' she asked her twin, glancing to her left, where the spirit of the Pharaoh was staring at it too. 'This was your name too…'

'Atem… Atem wasn't my birthname. It's the one I took on, the one I decreed was my name when I took the throne. It's my name in the eyes of the Gods, but I've not received any power bonus from knowing it… so it's not my name. It's the name of my brother. One who deserves as much respect as the rest of my family.'

'Alright.' Yugi stepped back mentally and let Meisa take control.

The Pharaoh stared at the tablet in her hands a moment longer.

Atem.

Her brother.

The one who had protected her with his life and been sacrificed to the darkness by Anubis for it.

The one she would never see again…

She closed her eyes and held it tight, wishing she could hug her brother the same way.

The feel of arms wrapping around her made her eyes snap open, allowing her to behold that Katsuya had caught her up in a bear hug, while Shizuka had latched on to her side. The distraction caused by their actions allowed her to sense the mental equivalent of a hug from her sister.

"Thank you. All of you," she whispered as she closed her eyes tightly, trembling as all the emotions she had been trying to wall off broke through as she realised that those closest to her were not going to judge if she allowed herself a moment of weakness.

Sakura paused in the kitchen as she heard the sounds of someone sobbing and she darted to the door, expecting that her daughter's façade of calm had finally broken down. She was surprised to find that, instead, it was Yugi who was crying.

She bit her lower lip, uncertain if she dared to approach. There was just something about the aura Yugi was giving off that suggested that she would not appreciate it. At the same time something was clearly wrong.

She did not have to make the choice. Before she could act, Yugi let out one last shuddering breath and murmured, "I'm okay now…"

Sakura's children let go and as Yugi rubbed her eyes, the older woman could not help but notice that her eyes were red and her height and hair were slightly different.

"You sure?" Katsuya asked, hand on the girl's shoulder.

"As sure as I ever am." The slightly bitter laugh as the girl put a tablet in the family shrine and closed the doors did not come from Yugi's higher-pitched voice. Once it was settled, all the changes seemed to fade away and the girl that Sakura was used to dealing with was back.

She watched a little longer, noting that this Yugi was also rubbing her eyes, which suggested that the red eyes had possibly been just from crying.

She knocked on the door through to the living room and watched the trio jump. "Sorry, but I was wondering if Yugi could help me find the saucepans. It's my turn to cook."

"S…Sure." Yugi's nod was hesitant but she hurried in to help. "I wouldn't mind cooking again."

At the girl's offer Sakura shook her head. "No, it's only fair if I help out around here. You shouldn't have to cook for us too. I appreciate all you've done though."

"It's not a problem." Yugi tried to give her a reassuring smile but she did not feel it. Meisa's grieving outburst had flooded the bond with negative emotions and she felt drained. Not that she blamed her twin for it. It had been a justified breakdown.

It just meant she was exhausted and more grateful than she probably should be for Kawai's offer to cook.

As they got together everything needed to cook, Sugoroku's voice joined the two in the living room and Yugi relaxed a little, happy that the other two teens seemed to be unwinding as they talked.

'Imoto… can we ask about the gaming space now?' Yugi paused at Meisa's question. 'I know it's weird timing but I want to ask before we forget and I… I need to stop thinking about what we just did.'

'Sure.' Yugi sent another mental hug, ensured that Sakura had everything she needed, and darted up to her room and gathered her notes.

As she approached the living room again, she took a deep breath and braced herself, fully expecting to be turned down, and then stepped in. "Jii-san? Can I ask you something?"

"You alright?"

She let out a soft, amused noise, and shook her head as she offered him the notes. "Yes, I'm just… I have an idea… to help with the space issues…"

Sugoroku nodded as he took them from his granddaughter. With Rebecca coming to stay, having some extra room would not go amiss. He could hear Yugi out and if the plans weren't viable, maybe they could adjust them together.

"Lets have a look."

Yugi had not been expecting a limo to pull up outside the shop at closing time, but she was kind of relieved to not have to walk to Kaiba Corp for her meeting.

She entered the building carrying only one folder, the other two rested on the kitchen counter at home, and she was hurried through by the security team.

'They didn't check our ID,' Meisa pointed out with some amusement as they entered the elevator and headed up to the office where they would meet with the company's CEO.

'We are kind of distinctive.' Yugi chuckled back, running her hand through her black and red hair. 'How do you think he's going to react?'

Meisa could not honestly say. Kaiba Seto was an interesting creature and before this past weekend, she would have laughed if someone had suggested that he would offer what he was offering. However, Katsuya's mother had pointed out something important.

No matter what they thought of him, no matter what he had done, Kaiba WAS a business man and it was entirely beneficial to him to have the world's top two Duelists on Kaiba Corp's payroll. Offering more than Industrial Illusions had reached out with was most likely an act of security for the company rather than anything sinister.

The Spirit of the Puzzle was still trying to work out how much truth was behind his statement that he was looking to protect her twin as well.

She doubted that he had been lying when he had said that they were no use to him dead, but she wondered how much he actually cared about them or whether it was entirely for business purposes.

Considering everything he had done for them in the last few months, she suspected there was more to his offer than what was on the table, but at least by signing the contract they knew what the legal limitations were.

'You want the lead?' Yugi offered, sensing her discomfort.

'If you don't mind.' Her twin did not and allowed her access to the vessel easily as they stopped on the 25th floor and stepped out into the office between the lift and the offices of the two Kaiba brothers.

The secretaries both looked at her, then the one closest to the door labelled 'Kaiba Seto' spotted the folder she was carrying and nodded approvingly. Pressing down on a button on the desk, she spoke into the intercom. "Mutou Yugi to see you, Shachou."

"Let her in."

A different button caused a buzz, and Meisa was gestured towards the door.

Entering revealed that both brothers were there, waiting for them. Kaiba Seto was sat behind his desk, watching her with narrowed eyes, while Kaiba Mokuba sat on said desk and waved merrily at her, his expression brightening when he spotted what she was carrying.

"You've made up your mind then," Seto asked as she took a seat opposite the pair without a bow.

"I have two questions, Kaiba." Meisa nodded. "But yes, I believe we have a decision."

"What are they?" the CEO asked with a raise of his eyebrow.

"One, is Katsuya eligible for a Kaiba Corp sponsorship?"

"Not right now." Mokuba glanced at his brother for permission to speak and then shook his head in response. "I've been looking into it because I figured you'd ask, and his criminal record stops us taking him on. If he truly desired it, there might be a way around it, but he would have to approach us himself and…"

Mokuba trailed off but Meisa understood. Katsuya was proud and had very little like for the Kaibas. It was understandable after everything they had been through. She herself was only letting Imoto go through with this because it was the best way to protect their reputation and ensure their safety from the media in the future. That and the assistance offered in the contract was more than welcome.

"And the second?"

"The monthly stipend, would we need to contact Kaiba Corp every time we wished to purchase something? Or would we be trusted with the full amount?"

"You will be provided with a debit card that will be credited with the money on a monthly basis. Upon your annual review, you will need to provide receipts for purchases from that account to prove that you are using the money correctly." Seto's tone was cold and it frustrated Meisa to find she could not read the emotion beneath it. "Any expenditure you make from that account for educational purposes will be refunded if you send Mokuba the time-stamped receipts."

"I'll be doing your review," Mokuba continued, "since I'm head of PR and Marketing, but I won't go easy on you."

"So if we wanted to use it to put towards making a gaming area in the shop, that would be a no?" Meisa internally grimaced, wondering if they would have to find another way to source what they needed.

"For the business or for personal reasons?" the Vice-CEO asked with a tilt of his head.

"Personal and possibly for the Domino Senshi to occasionally visit. The flat above the shop is a little cramped when we have a lot of people over."

"Provide your plans to Mokuba, and he will decide whether they're eligible or not." The CEO snorted. "Kaiba Corp does not sponsor any individual school's Dueling club, but if it assists your development as a gamer and helps with publicity, it will be considered."

"Good to know." Meisa slid the pale blue folder across the table to the brothers.

Her eyes widened briefly as Seto scanned the documents and his shoulders visibly relaxed when he found the signatures of not just herself, but her legal guardian as well, authorising the process.

"Mokuba, handle the rest of this." The CEO handed the folder to his brother, who looked through it and grinned.

"Yes, Niisama." The younger Kaiba slid from the desk and waved for Meisa to follow him.

She paused in the doorway, then allowed her twin control again.

"Do you have a question?" Seto's tone was just as cold to Yugi as it had been to Meisa, and she just shook her head.

"No, I just… wanted to say thank you."

She got to enjoy a moment of surprise on his face before she turned to leave, shutting the door behind her.

"So," Mokuba started as he headed for his computer, still carrying the folder. "Have you been thinking about your branding at all?"

"I'd like to keep my family's turtle motif at least," Yugi offered, "but I was not sure what else I would require."

"Practise with public speaking for a start." The Vice-CEO and her new handler grimaced. "You were clearly nervous in Tokyo, but it was your first time so that was understandable."

"Anzu's offered to help with that," the girl reassured him with a grin, fishing out a leaflet from her bag and offering it to him.

Reading it revealed that it was a class for stage training, which was meant to help with dealing with crowds.

"She took this class herself when she first started dancing and found she got stage fright," she informed him when she took it back, "so she thought it might help."

"We'll pay for that." Mokuba nodded. "Since that'll benefit your public appearances. Also I have a lot of other ideas I wanted to go over with you. Like possibly an online newsletter or website where you can be you and keep in contact with your fans, but also where your event calendar can go, so people know where you're going to be available so they don't try swarming you."

"I would have no idea how to set something like that up."

"That would be my job. I'd get it set up and have someone filter the comments for anything inappropriate, you'd just update the blog, occasionally upload photos, possibly do some videos in the future… Actually if you can make your gaming space presentable and unique to you, I could probably justify the expenditure as it would be going towards future publicity."

"So, if I set up a photo and recording space, you'd let me use the stipend?"

Mokuba nodded, writing a list of people for her to check out. "Something along these lines. Oh, and you'll need to pick out signature colours for your website. Blue and white sound good?"

"Oh no way." Yugi laughed, taking the list, feeling more confident with someone who actually knew what they were doing supporting her in this and sure that when she brought up the thing with Digital Duelist, he'd know what to do..

"Can't blame me for trying." He gave her a grin of his own and turned the screen around so she could see. "Shall we get started?"

"Sure. Let's do this."

Night had fallen and Sakura had not long welcomed Yugi back from her meeting at Kaiba Corp and started dinner when her phone went off and she almost let it go to voice mail. When she saw that the call was from Mazaki Yui, however, she scrambled to answer it.

"Kawai Sakura speaking, is there a problem?"

"No, no," Yui reassured her. "I just wanted to let you know that all the paperwork has gone into family court. All that's left is to wait for the decision."

"Will it go through?" Sakura asked, watching the trio of children from the doorway and enjoying the sight of them just hanging out and sharing stories.

"I don't see why it won't. He's a child with no assets of his own and currently no legal guardian… Have you made up your mind on that yet?"

"I…" She hesitated a moment longer, then let out a sigh. "I need to speak to my fiancé about it, but I think my family might be making a change of location soon… Can I call when we have our choice made?"

"Of course."