Seto continued having a few dinners off and on with both Natalia and Samantha. Natalia just because he enjoyed her company, Samantha because it gave him someone to discuss Mokuba with, He knew if Yami ever found out, he would scold him. He also knew he'd tell him that he shouldn't really be involved with either one. He also knew that he'd tell him that Mokuba was just an excuse to spend time with Samantha. Seto wasn't really sure which one he liked more. He was far from in love. Which he was sure would insult them if he told them. But he hadn't been avoiding the marriage issue all these years for nothing. He was very thankful his father was gone because he knew he'd have been married at 16, even if it had to be an arranged marriage. He wished he could choose his own bride, commoner or royalty. However, he knew he would be a lot like his grandfather if he did. After his grandmother died his grandfather married a commoner a year or so later. He was then shunned by his father and by most of the pubic. There was a law in place, set centuries ago, that stated you must marry into a royal family and merge the two countries together to produce a royal heir. However, if either party dies and they wish to marry a commoner they must step-down and crown a successor. Even at that for a person of royalty to marry a commoner causes more trouble really than it's worth.

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

Yami meanwhile had been wearing himself thin in his training. With even the slight possibility that Pandora may go after Mokuba, Yami wanted to be prepared. He wanted no harm to come to his little brother!

"Master I know you have been training me hard. But I sense that you are either holding something back or know of a way to reach if not my full power then close to it."

"Your skills have grown if you can sense that. Yes, I do know of a way but I am unsure if you are strong enough to handle it."

"Please Master, I will do everything and more to protect this world and keep my family safe."

"Very well. Krystyn call Koi and have him come here."

"But grandfather."

"Do not argue child. It is for the best."

"Yes, grandfather."

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

Krystyn soon returned with another young man. He appeared to be a few years older than Yami but where as Yami's hair was a reddish-black, his was almost purple. Yami couldn't understand why he wanted his hair to be purple. There were slight hints of brown within the purple. Yami assumed that the brown was his natural color.

"Yami Atemu meet Koi, The Master of Shadows. He like you was once my apprentice. However, your power will someday surpass even his. For now, he can teach you how to control your powers better and help you manipulate the shadows and more. It will not be easy and he will work you even more into the ground and not show the same kind of mercy I have."

Yami's eyes went wide, 'MERCY! The only times, I've even seen him loosen up even a little or stop was due to Krystyn. Now he's saying this guy is worse!'

"Do you accept your fate and wish to learn more?" Koi asked.

"I have no choice. It's what I must do for my family."

"Do you not wish to do this for yourself to learn more about your powers?"

Yami sighed. "It's not that I don't wish to learn it's just...my family is important to me. More important than even this training, if it wasn't for the threat of an eminent attack I wouldn't be here now!"

"You have a strong heart and strong passion and will. I accept you as a student. Not many would forgo learning more on their powers for family. You are a rare person."

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

At the same time in the throne room Seto was meeting up with a new king to discuss a treaty.

"Greeting King Kaiba, I am King Hybrid and this is my daughter, Rebecca."

"It's a pleasure.

"I apologize for bringing my daughter. My wife insisted, she wanted us both out of the house for a while."

"No, problems. If you follow me, we can go somewhere and be much more comfortable to discuss the details."

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

As they entered the room King Hybrid looked over at the window and noticed someone was behind the curtain.

"King Kaiba there is someone behind the curtain." King Hybrid whispered.

Seto narrowed his eyes, Yami had told him about one of the big five members coming into the room and breaking into the safe to get the millennium rod. He wondered if they were trying again. He walked over, pulled the curtain back and was surprised to see Mokuba.

Feeling the curtain moved back Mokuba looked up and was surprised to see his brother's angry face staring down at him. He was afraid he was in trouble for being in the room. He lowered his head to avoid looking at his brother.

Seto seeing it was Mokuba and that the boy thought he was mad at him changed his expression bent down and lifted the boy chin. "What are you doing in here?"

Mokuba didn't answer just bit his lip to keep from crying.

"Its okay, kiddo. You're not in trouble. I don't mind you being in here. I was just wondering."

Mokuba took a deep breath, even though his voice cracked and a couple of tears slipped out, he said. "I h-heard n-noises. I c-came to see what they were, n-no one was in the r-room but t-then I h-heard it again and I came to t-the window and they w-were r-riding with those giant poles and h-hitting t-that t-target."

Seto glanced out the window and then looked back at Mokuba. "It's called Jousting."

"Oh, it l-looked like f-fun. B-but I w-was afraid t-to go out t-there. I w-was afraid I might g-get hurt or you'd b-be mad that I w-was out there alone. I t-thought t-this way I c-could w-watch and n-not get into trouble."

Seto smiled. "Then you were a very good boy."

Mokuba smiled. He loved it when he brother praised him.

"Now," Seto started as he wiped the boy's face down. "Come here I want you to meet someone." Seto said standing up.

Mokuba stood up and took his brother's hand.

"King Hybrid this is my little brother Mokuba."

"Greetings Mokuba, this is Rebecca."

"Hi." Rebecca said.

"H-Hi." Mokuba said.

"Mokuba why not take Rebecca and show her what you were watching."

"Okay, big brother."

Rebecca looked at her father who nodded his approval.

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

An hour later Seto and the king had just finished up with their business. There were a couple of times they had to hush the children because they were talking or laughing too loud.

Seto was secretly very happy. Mokuba had made a new friend and was laughing.

"Let's go Rebecca. See you next week King Kaiba."

"Yes, perhaps I could arrange a jousting match and you and Princess Rebecca might enjoy coming to watch."

"Oh can we father, please?" Rebecca asked.

"Well I'm sure your mother will have a fit when I tell her, but okay we'll come."

"Thank you father." Rebecca said hugging him. Then she ran over to Seto and bowed. "Thank you very much, King Kaiba."

"You are welcome." Seto said bowing.

Then Rebecca walked over to Mokuba. "See you then?"

Mokuba nodded. Rebecca quickly kissed his cheek and ran back to her father with a slight giggle.

Mokuba was stunned he'd never been kissed by a girl before at all. Yeah that potential teacher lady did but she was an adult so she didn't count.

After they left Seto looked down at Mokuba.

"What's wrong, Mokuba?"

"S-she kissed my cheek."

Seto smiled. "Looks like you have a girlfriend."

"What?"

Seto sighed. Times like this was when he really hated how the boy grew up. He couldn't even tease him.

Mokuba also felt bad, he guessed from his brother's answer or no answer that he was teasing him again and was sad that he didn't catch on.

"Come on, it's almost time for lunch." Seto said. But when Mokuba just stood there he was concerned. "What's wrong kiddo?"

"I'm s-sorry."

"For what?"

"Y-you w-were teasing m-me again w-weren't you? I d-didn't k-know w-what I w-was supposed to do."

Seto sighed and sat down and pulled the boy into his lap. "It's okay kiddo, I was a little sad, but it's not your fault. I know better than that. Don't be upset you'll catch on in time."

"Y-you think so?"

"Yes, I do. Now, You ready for lunch?"

Mokuba nodded got up to allow Seto to stand and then took his brother's hand.