A/N: I still don't own Yu-gi-oh..

Sorry it took me awhile to get this up. I was experiencing writer's block on how to arrange everything to make my plot work. Maddening. Anyway. I'm back on track and the next chapter should be up within 2 weeks or so...no more long waits. You all know I'm good at updating...hopefully that will be the last of the dry spell-I hope...

Chapter 15

Shedding New Light

Iolite wandered the halls. This was usually her favorite time of day, just before the sunrise, when the skies started lightening ever so softly. This morning the sun would bring her no happiness. It would, instead, bring her husband's absence—with his absence she was vulnerable. Why were her hands shaking, and her mouth—it was always dry. A twinge of pain skittered down her arm, a small price to pay to keep Seto alive. He would leave, he didn't tell her why, she didn't question. Why didn't she question? That was so unlike her.

"You're up early…" Conner approached her as he entered the library. "I thought you would sleep in with all you've been through."

"I never was much of a sleeper." Was that her voice? It sounded artificial. Her eyes failed to meet his, he sneered at that fact. She was lovely, and so fragile. So different from the woman he had first met.

"The way he reacts whenever anyone comes near you—I'm shocked he lets you out of his sight. Tell me Princess, is he still sleeping?" His eyes slid up and down her form.

She blinked a few times, trying to understand what he was saying. Was he being crude? How come she couldn't figure it out? A part of her screamed to hit him—slap the smug look off his face. However, that voice was small and fading. She shook her head, trying to clear it, but to no avail.

"He'll wake up soon. Then he'll look for me." Her voice sounded strange to her, almost mechanic, no emotion. She didn't really care if he did look for her, did it matter?

"There you are dear…" Gertrude approached her. "I poured you a glass of juice and breakfast will be ready soon. Here you go…drink up." Her aunt stayed and waited as she drank the orange liquid. It was so early, why was her aunt awake? Why was Conner awake? None of this made sense, something on the edge of reason told her that something was so wrong here. But she couldn't hold that thought long enough to dissect it. "Maybe if you listen well enough today you may be able to impress your husband—in the slightest."

Iolite nodded and followed Gertrude, clutching her juice glass in her shaking hand.

"I don't care Raine—I want that witch out of this place. I don't know what's going on with Iolite, but I know it isn't good." Kaiba was seething, he had to leave his wife here and there was no way he would allow her to cry the whole time. He came up short with that thought. His wife never cried, and now she cried constantly. That made no sense.

"You know that saying to keep your friends close and your enemies closer? We have to know what Gertrude is up to. The best way to do that is to keep her here." Raine was not backing down on this one. "What better way to make sure she doesn't do any harm to your wife? If we make her leave she might do Iolite more harm. I don't want that. I know you don't want that. Please, let's just leave her here and simply make sure she has no contact."

Seto ran a hand through his hair, his bangs slipped back into place slowly. Last night he had tried to explain things to Iolite, it scared the hell out of him when she acted like an empty shell. She would nod and then stare at him so blankly, as if she didn't comprehend anything at all. He tried to touch her, and for the first time ever—she flinched. Not in pain, but possibly fear or—dare he think it—loathing? If it weren't for her father, they would be back in Domino trying to put the pieces back together. What had gone so terribly wrong? He had no idea…

"Ryan will come and stay with her while we're gone, and Yugi and Tea will be arriving soon as well." Raine turned away, knowing Kaiba would be angry. His daughter came before the CEO's wrath. Besides, the worst he could do was terminate his employment. It would be a small price to pay for her safety.

"Yugi and Tea?" Kaiba mumbled. Just great, exactly what he didn't need. The one reminder of how he had failed. Having never beaten Yugi in a duel, and now asking the same man to be a nanny to his wife? This was humiliating. Thankfully, he hadn't done the asking.

"So they'll be here as well as Ryan…" Raine had made all of the arrangements to help keep Iolite safe. If her friends surrounded her, it might make a difference. That was his hope.

Kaiba needed a moment to kill the anger that threatened to boil over. He didn't need this help. He needed to stay here, with Iolite. Hiring babysitters was…infuriating. How stupid was Edward managing to get himself kidnapped with a house full of people? Someone should have seen something…right? Obviously not—not in this insane household.

"Make sure they all know that Iolite is not to be left alone. And those…relatives…and I use the term loosely…are not to be allowed anywhere near her." Kaiba turned and left the room. He would be leaving soon and he wanted to see Iolite before he left. Mokuba was off with Roland, and the bodyguard had strict instructions not to let Mokuba out of his sight.

Iolite was sitting in Edward's room when Kaiba found her. She was staring out the window, looking down at the grounds below her. She knew Edward had been avoiding her, she hadn't seen him since yesterday. Was it yesterday? She vaguely remembered an argument, but couldn't figure out the why or what.

"We're going to find him," Kaiba's voice barely registered.

"Is he gone?" She asked in a confused voice. "I just figured he was angry with me, so I decided to wait here for him."

He walked over to her and tilted her chin up. Eyes that had once been so blue, with hints of purple, were now clouded and uncomprehending. Something was very wrong.

"I was waiting for you." She mumbled. "You were supposed to find me, I told him you would." She was almost speaking through him.

"Who is he?" Kaiba asked, frowning.

"Where is my father? It took you awhile to find me, how long will it take you to find him?" She looked out the window and ran her fingers down the glass. Why couldn't she think straight? It had to be the pain from her shoulder; it wouldn't let her concentrate on anything else. Funny, she didn't think it hurt that much anymore. In fact, if it weren't for the bandage she would have forgotten she was actually hurt.

"I knew you were in the house, just a matter of figuring out which room. I also know where your Father is. It is just a matter of going to get him and bring him home." He shrugged. "Ryan will be coming, and Tea and Yugi will be here, soon, too. They'll keep you company when I'm gone." It was really killing him to have to be somewhat civil about a bunch of idiots he held in such low regard.

"I have to go away for a night, but you'll be taken care of." He tried to sound sure, but her attitude was completely wrong. It was as if a shell remained where fire once burned. Putting a name to the problem was slipping past him.

"He follows me a lot, I don't understand why. Do you think he's waiting for me to slip up? I think I may soon, it's harder to think straight." She held a shaking hand out to show him how unsteady she was. "I don't remember when that started."

Kaiba's eyes narrowed. He took her hand and could feel the tremors race through her. This wasn't normal. "When did they start?"

"Do you think my Father is so mad that he hates me now?" She pulled her hand away from Seto as if he were hurting her. "I tried to be a good daughter, but sometimes it's so hard. He does things that make me so mad. I didn't want a party." Her attention turned towards the gardens again.

"I want you to stay with Ryan at all times, is that clear?" He asked, lifting her chin and forcing her gaze back on him again. "Do you think he'll find me? I don't like when he does…"

"You're going back to the hospital, I think something is wrong." Kaiba whispered against the top of her head, as his arms slipped under her.

She nodded, something was wrong.

He carried her out of the room and started down the hall when Ryan appeared at the other end. He raced towards the couple.

"What's going on?" He demanded.

"She's going back to the hospital," Kaiba offered no explanation.

"Why?"

"Because I can't find him," She looked at Ryan through sleepy eyes. "If I could I wouldn't need to. Have you seen my Father? I think he's angry. I'm sorry I left Mokuba in the tree, I panicked—I didn't know where to hide him. Maybe if I had this wouldn't have happened." She rested her head on Kaiba's shoulder.

"What the hell is she going on about?" Ryan stood in front of Kaiba, not allowing him to get to the stairs.

"Move," it was a simple, flat, demand.

"She seems wrong…" Ryan whispered.

"No kidding—that's why she's going to the hospital," Kaiba growled.

"She can't…not like this. If she's seen like this word will spread like wild fire. You have no idea what they would do to her in the press, or what it will spur her brothers to do." Ryan locked eyes with the CEO.

Blue eyes turned murderous. "She obviously needs help. You expect me to just let my wife stay like this—suffering? I know we hardly see eye-to-eye but clearly you think I'm more sadistic than I am." If she wasn't nestled in his arms, Kaiba would have tossed Ryan down the stairs—with hopes of him breaking his worthless neck.

"Imagine what her brothers will think if she goes some place public, half out of her mind!" Ryan bit back. "When did she get this way? Think!"

Kaiba's glare didn't waiver. "The other night after dinner, no wait, the other afternoon she was crying…"

"She doesn't cry…" Ryan's eyes narrowed. "What the hell did you do to her? You said if I helped you get her back you would protect her…how the hell is upsetting her keeping her safe?" His accusing tones were really annoying Kaiba.

Kaiba turned and stalked down the hall with her in his arms. Their room was at the end of the hall and he planned on taking her there—by himself. Unfortunately, Ryan was on his heels and Raine was already there. Great, just what he needed—an audience.

"What did you do or say to her?" Ryan was still accusing him, and in two seconds he would taste Kaiba's fist. "She's hardly aware—hell, she's hardly awake!"

Gently he laid her on the bed and she smiled at him, "I really don't want to go to the archery contest—I hate those things…I asked him not to throw the stupid party, but no one listens to me."

"What the hell kind of medicine do you have her doped up on?" Ryan demanded.

Kaiba picked up the bottle of painkillers and tossed them to Ryan, "She took it three times and then decided she didn't need them," he explained simply.

Ryan read the label. "It shouldn't have this effect on her—it's rather mild."

"Didn't you think I knew that?" Kaiba lashed out. "I would never let her take something to harm her or get her hooked. Who the hell do you think you are anyway?"

Raine took the pills from Ryan's hands. He quickly counted out the remaining tablets. "We can rule these out, there are 27 pills here. Something else is getting to her."

"Poisoned arrow?" Ryan suggested.

"No," Kaiba growled. "It was aimed for my heart—it would have killed me instantly, why dip it in poison?"

"Someone is drugging her out of her mind—no other rational explanation for this." Raine offered. Iolite had curled up and was sleeping like a child.

"No one feeds her anything." Kaiba growled. "Only sealed items. If it's tampered with in any way it gets tossed out."

"I can't believe you let her get this far out of it…" Ryan chastised.

"Go to hell," Kaiba had had enough.

"Both of you stop fighting over her like she's a toy…the main thing is to bring her around." Raine reminded. He then looked at Kaiba, "We have to go…if we stay here any longer we might miss Edward's captors." Kaiba gave the man a fierce look—Iolite was clearly more important than Edward to him. "Ryan is more than capable and Yugi and Tea will be here soon. You also have guards we can place around her. No one will get near her—we know."

He looked at her, curled on the bed, and felt himself being torn apart. If he stayed he could be sure she was safe, but Edward would die. If Edward died, because of him staying away his wife would kill him. Her sanity would no longer be a problem. He shook his head.

"Make sure she recovers," he growled at Ryan. "Also, Mokuba, make sure he's okay too."

Ryan tilted his head, "do you think for one minute that I would let anyone hurt either of them? Your guards are all around and whatever psycho is doing this will have to get through them, my men, and me first. They're safe—go…"

Kaiba looked at Iolite one more time, noticing she was still shaking a bit and looked utterly pale. "This won't take long," he promised as he and Raine left the room.

She checked her watch again, realizing that it was almost the set time to meet him. Where the hell was this 'husband' that was supposed to be so amazing? So far, he was falling far below expectations. What a joke. Iolite could have done so much better. Then again, from all she read, no one was more powerful or better looking. A thin smile curved her lips. She shook her head, Iolite wasn't shallow—never had been.

The only explanation would be that he trapped her. If this was the case it was time to cut the ties that bound her to this man. As powerful and handsome as he was—he was also labeled ruthless…hadn't he killed his stepfather? She watched from a bluff as a car pulled up. She waited, in slow anticipation, as the doors opened and two men stepped out. She smirked, Raine…

They looked around apprehensively. "We're like sitting ducks in this open space." Kaiba noted looking around at the bluffs and lack of trees for covering.

Raine nodded, "unfortunately, those were the instructions."

Movement captured Kaiba's attention. A man was slowly approaching them, a gun in his hand—though it wasn't aimed at them. A cloak was around him covering his head and, thereby obscuring his face. What the hell was this?

Raine walked around the car and stood next to Seto. "What is the meaning of this? What do you want and were is Edward?"

A soft giggle erupted from her as her hand pulled off the hood to reveal blonde hair and dark blue eyes. Kaiba's eyes narrowed. It looked like Iolite—except older.

"Who are you?" He growled.

"She's Marguerite, Iolite's real Aunt…her mother's sister." Raine looked her and smiled. "You look amazingly well for a kidnapper, now where the hell is Edward?"

She shook her head, "I'm hardly a kidnapper, and you of all people should know that. I had to get Edward out of this country—Simon and Aron were circling. They knew Iolite would do anything to save him—that was their plot. Take Edward and twist Iolite around their fingers. Who's moronic idea was it to bring her here?" Blue eyes blazed at Seto Kaiba.

"Your niece doesn't listen to me, I never wanted to come to this God forsaken place. But, I couldn't let her come here alone either." His eyes narrowed on the woman.

"This would be your new nephew-in-law, Seto Kaiba." Raine chuckled as he made the introduction.

"Where the hell is Edward?" Kaiba asked through clenched teeth, "I don't enjoy being toyed with."

"He's in Egypt. I flew him out, under cover, the day of that stupid party. He's safe there. He has lots of friends from his more adventurous days." She trained her eyes back on Kaiba. "So, how did you trick my niece into marrying you? I'm curious…"

"I don't have time for this, if Edward is safe I have no use for you." Kaiba growled and started back to the car. The click of the gun stopped him in his tracks. He slowly turned to see it aimed at him.

"I'm deadly accurate, try me Mr. Kaiba. I have no love for you and will have no remorse triggering this gun."

"Megs—what the hell are you up to?" Raine's features darkened.

"Why are you with her…or should I ask, how the hell did you get her to agree to marry you? I always thought she wanted to be with Ryan." She tilted her head. "Explain…"

"Shoot me…I have no intention on telling you about my wife. I don't like questions." He moved towards the car.

"Why drag us out here? You could have told us about Edward on the phone or by coming to the cottage. I don't understand." Raine approached her and forced the gun down. He knew she wouldn't shoot Kaiba, but didn't understand the bluff.

She looked into his indigo eyes and smiled. "You have no idea what's going on do you? She should have never been brought back here; I would have never come back myself if it wasn't to protect her. This is a dangerous place. I have staked out men in the castle and there is talk. If I came to the cottage my cover would have been blown, and the men I brought with me would have been in danger." She slowly pulled the cloak off over her head. "The cottage is bugged, heavily. There is a spy in there along with Gertrude…why the hell is Gertrude there?" She looked at Raine to find him staring at her.

"Am I speaking a different language?" She hissed.

He shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. "You look so much like her…it's really uncanny."

"Alexandra?" She questioned as her eyebrow arched.

"No, Iolite. It's amazing…the family resemblance." Raine smiled at her and she found herself smiling back.

"I have more years on me." She admonished.

"They don't look bad on you…" Raine admitted.

"Flattery still won't get you anywhere," She slapped his arm.

"Hey, you can't fault a man for trying…"

"Are you two done yet? Iolite is in that hell hole and I would like to get back there." Kaiba growled.

"First you have to know what they're planning."

"We already know she's being drugged." Raine explained.

"That's a small part…Seto Kaiba is who they want dead, not her. She managed to take the arrow the first time. Next time you may not be saved. I suggest you make sure your affairs are in order." She smirked at him and folded her arms across her chest.

"You think you're amusing?" Kaiba managed.

"I'm being deadly serious. They're coming after you." She sized him up.

"My concern right now is for Iolite and Mokuba. I want to get back to them." He hated the fact that Ryan was alone with her. It would be hours before he could be with her, and in that time… He ran a hand through his hair.

"The ring…" Marguerite smiled. "So, she does love you. Seeing as she does, I guess I'll have to try to help." She slipped into the back seat of the car.

Kaiba's eyes opened wide, "where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Back to the cottage with the two of you, naturally. Someone intelligent has to be in this mix and my niece needs me right now." She shrugged.

"Why did you make us come all the way out here and leave her?" Kaiba felt like dragging her out by her hair.

"Well, it's simple…I didn't want Edward's location blabbed to the terror brothers." She smirked at him, "oh, and if I found you lacking…it would be easier to hide your body out here. Now, are we going?"

Kaiba looked like her wanted to kill her, while Raine laughed out loud.

A/N: I am sorry this took me forever to get out. I had to figure out what I needed in this chapter to get my story lines straight and for some reason I kept hitting blocks. The next chapter should come out a lot quicker. Again, I'm sorry—you all know me and this was very uncharacteristic…Thank you all for reviewing...you guys are great, esp. if you're all still there