The CEO of LDS folded his hands in front of him, staring down at the ninja standing in front of his desk. It made Tsukikage feel a bit uncomfortable, but he was not about to complain to the person that hired him.

"As a Lancer, you know the risks, yes?" Akaba Reiji's voice cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter.

The ninja tensed a bit, remembering all too well what had happened just a few days ago. "Yes." He heard the young CEO get up from his chair and move but he kept his head down.

Reiji stopped behind him, adjusting his glasses. "I'm going to give you a new mission on top of that, Tsukikage. Watch my brother for me."

At this, the ninja snapped his head up in alarm. "Sir? Surely you wouldn't…"

He was smiling. "Reira is perfectly capable of handling himself, but.." he snapped his fingers and the child in question walked in. Reira Akaba looked scared, his arms choking the teddy bear he held in his arms and Tsukikage's eyes immediately softened. "I feel like you should assist him." Giving Reira's head a final pat on the head, he turned to leave. "I'll let you two get acquainted."

As soon as the door closed behind him, Reira visibly relaxed, letting his hands drop to the side. "Um…Nii-san told me you had a brother too. What is he like?"

The question was innocent enough, but Tsukikage felt like he'd just taken a blow from the Obelisk Force. Eyes crinkling in a manner that he hoped seemed friendly, he answered. "Hikage was…is…uh…he can be a bit abrasive at times, but he means well. He's strict but also very kind and…" Tsukikage had to blink several times to stop the tears forming in his eyes. "and I can't wait to Duel him again." He felt a hand tugging at his scarf tail and he looked down.

Reira was staring at him intensely and after a second, held up his teddy bear to him. Tsukikage took it from him and stared at the thing in mild confusion.

In a voice that sounded a lot older than he was, Reira said, "I'll lend him to you for now, so you won't miss your brother as much. Think of it as a placeholder until our job is done."