Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or any of their characters.

IMPORTANT which is why it is in caps, underlined, AND in bold.

I'm holding a valentines contest! The winner will get a one-shot of whatever they want written by me! Go here: http:/elementgirls(dot)blogspot(dot)com/ to get more information!

I also got my 100th review! Thank you EVERYONE who has reviewed! You guys are AMAZING with a capital AMAZING XP I love you all and this story wouldn't be possible without you! Love!

Then he took her to his Kingdom, where he was received with great joy, and there they lived long and happy.

~Rapunzel

"Good morning."

"Oh, hi, Ryou."

"How are you feeling this morning?"

"The same…" Mir paused to sniff the air. "What is that smell?" she asked as Ryou opened the breakfast he had prepared for the brunet.

"An omelet."

Mir sighed. "You need to stop treating me like a baby, I'm FINE! Besides, don't you need to get to school?"

Ryou laughed as he started to cut up the omelet. "I have a few minutes. Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"NO! I mean… No, I just don't want you to break that perfect streak you have."

"I'll be fine."

"You know," Mir said as Ryou placed the food in front of her, handing her a fork, "you really don't have to do all this for me." Ryou sighed; they had been over this several times over the past few days that he had come to visit her. She would fight him as he tried to help her. The battles would always start with "you know…" Well, he wasn't about to let her win this time. Gently, as if she would break, Ryou helped Mir sit up. He fluffed her pillow and straightened her blankets. "I'm not a baby, just because I can't…" Ryou placed his hand softly over the babbling girl's mouth, then leaned forward, kissing Mir on the forehead.

"I do it because I care about you," the white-haired boy whispered, "and I'm not the only one who cares about you. So you have to try and let us take care of you." Mir coughed indignantly, trying–and failing—to cover up her embarrassment. She really wished he would stop doing that; it always rendered her speechless, giving him an unfair advantage in their arguments.

"Morning, Mir, Ryou, you're here early."

"Good morning, Emiko, I wanted to stop by before school to bring Mir some breakfast since Satra said the food here was 'worse than the seventh ring of hell.'" Emi chuckled and Mir could feel her sister's laughing eyes on her. Pouting slightly, Mir bowed her head.

"What?"

"Nothing." Emi's eyes fell on a few books that sat harmlessly on the small table next to Mir's hospital bed. "Have you been helping my little sister with her homework, Ryou?"

The white-haired boy, laughing, shoved his hands into his pockets, slightly embarrassed. "I don't want her to fall too far behind."

"And she lets you?"

"Just shut up."

"Yes, madam."

"I don't need to take this abuse! I'm already in the hospital!" Mir whined. Both Ryou and Emi laughed as Mir sat there, her arms folded over her chest.

"I should go or I'll be late for school," Ryou said, still smiling. "I'll see you both later."

"You really don't have to come," Mir mumbled under her breath. Ryou just smiled at her, not that she could see it.

"I know."

With that he left. Once he was gone, Emi turned to Mir. The hospitalized girl could FEEL Emi's laughing eyes on her. She could almost SEE that smirk on her older sister's face. "Wipe that smile off your face."

"Heh, how do you know I'm smiling?"

"I can HEAR it!"

"Aww, but you guys are SOOO cute."

"Psht, whatever, what is with him anyway? How am I going to get better if he treats me like a baby? But I can't say no! It's driving me crazy!" Mir grumbled, trying to hide the blush that was growing across her face.

"Love makes us do stupid things, not that I'd know firsthand since I'm always doing stupid things."

"I agree, oh, the stupid part anyway."

"And we both know deep down you agree with me about the love part."

"Are you here to comfort me or make me feel even more miserable?"

"Maybe a little of both."

"Oh ok, good to know."

On Emi's way back to Kaiba Corp, she was met by Seto's limo. Seto opened the door from the inside, then sat back down on his leather seat, waiting for Emi to come in. When she did the car started up again.

"We have one more meeting on site for Kaibaland before the opening. I already dropped Gwyn off for her drama practice. Mokuba went with her since he doesn't have classes anymore for a while."

"Fired the tutor?"

"Mokuba didn't like him, I didn't push it."

Emi couldn't help laughing, remembering those first days when she had started teaching Mokuba. "Did you ever think about letting him go to school?"

"No, all the schools are inadequate."

"If I remember correctly you went to one of those inadequate schools."

"Only because I had to."

"And you didn't turn out so bad."

"That's because I am a genius."

"And modest, too." Shaking her head, Emi brushed away strand of her blonde hair. "Well, Mokuba is a lot more social than you are–and I'm sure were— I bet he'd love to go to the school Gwyn attends."

"Hmm, whatever."

Emi couldn't help but smile. Whatever meant he would think about it but act like it was his own idea. Letting out a sigh, the blonde turned to look out the window, watching the buildings around them race by.

"How is your other sister?"

Emi turned, slightly surprised by the question. Sure, everyone had been asking her that, but Seto wasn't one to act caring. "Better, the doctors say she will probably be able to come home soon."

"Good." His eyes went back to his computer as he looked over the files he would need for their meeting with the amusement park.

"Seto?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you doing this for me?"

Seto let out an annoyed growl; he hated to have his motives questioned. Shutting his laptop, he turned to look her right in the eye. "You never asked him why. In fact, you never seem to ask that to anyone but me!"

"But that's because he made sense. In fact most of the things in my life do"–ok that was a lie but he didn't need to know that—"but this… you… it doesn't."

"I know that."

"Then why?"

"I don't know. These things just seem to happen."

Emi chuckled; he was right. With Tito it made perfect sense; he was the type of guy she would fall for. Someone simple, someone who would make her happy and she would make happy. Emi looked into Seto's eyes. He made her happy, too—well, sometimes— and in a lot of ways she was seeing him change as well. In fact now that she thought about it, he didn't make her happy the way Tito did. He… Seto always seemed to challenge her to change and grow. In a lot of ways he was like her sisters. Always there, battling her wits, challenging her to grow and not settle for less than the best. He had just slipped into her life without her–or him— even knowing it.

Sighing for moment, Emi shrugged. "My mom once told me that true love isn't all those feelings–even if they are important— and it isn't about some choice. True love is the fact that you are suddenly part of someone's life and you can't imagine living without them. The idea of never seeing them doesn't seem right." Her crystal eyes met his, then she turned away. "Listen to me, babbling about love, but in a lot of ways, Seto–whether you like it or not— you're a big part of my life now."

Seto didn't say anything for a moment and Emi suddenly felt like a complete idiot. How could she say something like that to him! Sure they had kissed once, but how much of that was just emotional stress? The brunet across from her seemed to be the LAST person in the world she EVER thought she would talk about love with. He probably thought she was a babbling idiot.

"I guess we are, aren't we."

"Huh?"

"Part of each other's lives, stay focused."

Emi laughed, embarrassed, brushing away a strand of hair from her face. "Oh, haha, yeah, I guess."

The car pulled to a crawl and Seto turn to look outside. "We're here. Are you ready?"

"Always."

"That's such a lie."

"I know it just sounded good."

The next few days of recovery for Mir were strange ones. Manon had visited the hospital with the press hot on her trail. Emi wanted to scream every time she saw Mir's picture in the paper. The whole ordeal was driving her crazy. However, Manon's use of the press did have one upside. On one of their visits, one of the reporters found out that Gwyn was going to be acting at the local comedy theater. The fact that the step-daughter of the ex-star was following in her step-mother's footsteps caught on the papers even faster than Mir's attack.

The days before the performance were like a whirlwind for all three of the girls. Gwyn went straight from school to practice then home to bed. Emi dropped Gwyn off at school then rushed to work then to the hospital to home. And Mir, well, she had test after test with the daily visits by her classmates (mostly Ryou and Satra).

With the press having a field day on the story of "Manon's, the ex-theater star, step-daughter following in her step-mother's shoes while her older sister is recovering from injuries," it didn't seem like their lives could get anymore crazy. At some points, Gwyn wasn't sure she would be able to make it to opening night alive.

But she did.

Gwyn peeked out from behind the backstage curtain, her nerves dancing around in her stomach. The theater was packed to the brim. The press had done their job and completely sold out of all the performances the theater had planned on showing. The director had even gotten the theater to hold several extra performances. It seemed as if the whole world was there to see Manon's step-daughter and cheer for her.

However, because of all the publicity, there was a lot riding on Gwyn's performance, and the young girl was definitely feeling it. She could deliver on the audience's expectations. But according to Chiharu, "Nothing has changed; you are still going to perform what you were going to do before you were famous. The only thing your fame did was sell more tickets. Don't worry about impressing anyone but yourself." So here she was, looking out at the audience from behind the curtain, wondering if she could deliver what she needed to make this play a success.

"You're up," Cam whispered from behind her. Taking a deep breath, Gwyn slowly walked across the dark stage. The main curtain was closed so the audience couldn't see her yet. Kneeling down in front of a fake grave, Gwyn mentally prepared herself for her role. The small blonde was playing a young orphan girl whose mother had just died. The young girl didn't know didn't know who her father was, which meant that she was completely alone in the world. As the curtains started to open up, Gwyn bent down and started to cry the way the director had told her. Behind her, she could hear Chiharu's footsteps.

"Why are you crying?"

Gwyn looked up, wiping away a few pretend tears. "My mother is dead…."

Chiharu (who was playing was a rich girl who had run away from her mean mistress to try to find her father) knelt down next to her. "I'm sorry, do you have a father?"

"No, I don't know whether he is alive or dead."

"Why don't you write an ad for him?"

"I can't write."

"Hmmm, that would help," Chiharu said, putting her hands in her baggy pockets. "Hey, I know! You tell me what to say and I'll write it!"

"Really? You'd do that for a stranger?"

"Of course."

Gwyn stood, slowly smiling, "Ok…" Gracefully, the young girl walked toward Chiharu in time with the music that had started to play.

The young blonde had been having trouble getting the right emotion for this song. Chiharu and Cam had been helping her.

"I try to put all my energy into one emotion when I act," Cam had told her. "Since it's a sad song, try to use the same energy you use when you do that dance routine into being sad." Gwyn just stood there, having no idea what the hyper girl was talking about. Laughing, Chiharu shook her head.

"I don't think anyone can copy Cam's style, it's pretty much her own thing. However, don't worry about it, Gwyn. Acting is a lot like make-believe. You just need to really know your character. I mean, she is all alone when she sings this song. Her mother, the only person in her life, just died. And now she only has one strand of hope, a letter to a man who she has never met. If you read the lyrics really closely, it's a sad song. She's begging this man to help her because she's alone and scared in the world. She misses her mother like crazy and wants to know if this man even cares. Maybe try to think about something in your life or someone close to that might have the same emotions. Maybe not on the scale but something like it."

As Gwyn started to sing, she could feel the audience's eyes on her. But there were only two people she was singing to.

Emi and Mir.

In the play her mother had died, but in reality Gwyn thought about the death of her father. How she had wanted to be there for her sisters and how she had wished she had been more mature back then. Even though it had only been a little over a year ago, Gwyn felt like she had grown up so much. Those memories of that painful week were still fresh in her mind. Gwyn remembered how lost Emi had looked at the realization that she was now going to have to take care of her two sisters. How there was no father to protect them from Manon's wrath. How the wellbeing of her sisters was now on the eldest's shoulders.

Gwyn thought about how broken Mir was. How angry she had been. The memories of how Mir had broken down rung in her ears as if it had been yesterday.

"What do you think! Our father, the last chance we had at a normal life is GONE! He just leaves us! And the worst part is that… I don't even care! He was never with us anyway! It's like he isn't even dead!"

Gwyn remembered how scared she had been. The memories were painful and they still haunted her. She wanted to redo it all; she wanted to be there for her sisters. Why couldn't she be more mature? Why did she always have to be the crybaby that her sisters wanted to protect?

Gwyn didn't know the answer to her questions so she sang. She sang out all her frustrations. She sang for her sisters who never cried for their father. She sang for everyone who ever felt hurt and alone in a world without hope or love. Gwyn sang with all the energy in her body pulling every emotion she felt into each word.

When the last note played, she stood in front of the masses only to be met by silence. Total and utter silence. Gwyn could hardly breathe and didn't know what to do.

Suddenly a single cheer went up from the large group of people.

"GO, GWYN! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Mir's cheer suddenly broke the awestruck crowd who burst into cheering and clapping. Peeking from the side of her eye, Gwyn noticed everyone standing up, cheering loudly. Next to her, Chiharu smiled giving her a quick wink.

"You were amazing, I think you blew them away," she whispered as they both waited for the audience to finish cheering so Chiharu could deliver her last line.

"I'm so fullllll," Mir sighed contently as she lay on Emi's bed. The blonde smiled down at her sister.

"That was really nice of Seto to take us to that restaurant."

Gwyn nodded, her faced flushed from the past week's events. Everything had been so crazy with the play. While the whole experience was a lot of fun, but Gwyn had to admit that nothing was a nice as when she was with her sisters alone and just talking. "Sooooo, do I hear wedding bells any time soon? Do we get to eat in style like that forever?"

"Well, we might not need to worry about funds from KaibaCorp if Gwyn's popularity keeps growing the way it has."

Mir nodded, thinking this remark over. Then, turning slightly toward where she guessed Gwyn was, she smiled. "You'll be more popular than Manon was at the age of fourteen…."

"I doubt that," Gwyn whispered. "But everything had been a lot of fun."

"Just don't let it get to your head."

Emi laughed at Mir's comment. "I'm not even sure that's possible," she said, hugging Gwyn. "She's too perfect to get a big head." Gwyn just giggled, blushing at the compliment.

"But we're detouring from the topic at hand…. You told me you wouldn't keep anything back anymore, sooooo…"

"So Seto kissed me."

Both sisters sat in silence shocked at how easily Emi had just said that and not quite regretting what she had just said.

"HE KISSED YOU!"

"Yes, but he was kind of drunk when it happened."

Gwyn wrinkled her nose. "Ewwww."

"What was it like?" Mir pressed, ignoring Gwyn's comment.

"I hardly remember."

"I guess Mir's right; you really are going to marry Seto."

"I'M GOING TO BE RICH!" Mir yelled, giggling and rolling around the bed, very pleased with herself. Emi just laughed until Mir rolled off the bed, falling face first onto the floor.

"MIR! ARE YOU OK!"

Both Gwyn and Emi were at their sister's side in a flash, helping their blind sister get up. Mir just grunted, waving them away.

"Please, you guys are acting like Ryou. Really, I'm fine. In fact, if the operation doesn't work out, I'm almost certain I could get a handle on this whole blind thing."

Gwyn's eyes grew wide and her voice cracked with worry as she spoke. "Don't say that!"

Emi squeezed Gwyn's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, I'm sure the operation will go fine."

A few weeks ago, Seto had found a doctor that specialized in Mir's case. The CEO had promptly made an appointment for the brunette to meet with him. Tomorrow, Mir was going to talk to the doctor and see if there was a possible cure for her eyes. Even thought the brunette didn't say anything, both of her sisters knew she was very nervous.

"Speaking of your white-haired angel…" Emi said, trying to break the tension that had suddenly grown in the room, "Ryou's been around here quite a lot." Mir gave out an embarrassed groan.

"He just seems to think that I can't even breathe without someone holding my hand," she grumbled. Annoyance laced her voice, but the blush on her cheeks told a different story.

"He can't leave you alone, he's just too hopelessly devoted to you." Emi snickered. Next to her Gwyn laughed.

"But she likes it."

"WHAT, YOU TOO? Waaaa my sisters are so mean to me! Even in my crippled state!"

"Oh, you just said yourself that you were fine."

Mir sniffed dramatically. "That was just a front, inside I'm dying."

"For Ryou's love."

"AHHH!" Mir yelled, trying–and failing— to hit Emi. "Where did you learn to be so mean?"

"I had a good teacher," Emi said, laughing as she grabbing the pillow from Mir.

"I'm going to kill you someday; it's going to be long and painful."

"But then how are you going to get rich if Sissy is dead?" Gwyn asked, giggling.

"You know I think our little Gwyn has grown up, she can even keep up with you now," Emi said, winking to the youngest.

"I will kill Emi AFTER she marries Seto and signs off all her possessions and money to me."

"Who says I'm going to send off all my money to you, what if I give it all to Gwyn or Mokuba?"

"Oh you will, I know it."

"Get over here, you!" Emi yelled, grabbing Mir as she started to tickle her. The brunette let out a shriek, trying desperately trying to get away. Gwyn sat by, laughing along with her sisters. So much had happened to these girls, but on nights like this it was as if time stood still. They were just a bunch of young girls giggling and playing together. It was at times like this that they knew that no matter what life threw at them they would be together and that they could get through the obstacles in their way.

Because of their love for each other, no matter what happened in the future, as long as they were together everything would be ok.

Just the three of them, together in their Tall Tower.

Yeah I know the ending is kind of lame but you have a whole new story to look forward to! Not to mention lots of little things from the blog! Stay tuned for the next story. I'll be uploading a preview of it in this story so you all know it's been uploaded! Can't wait to see you all there!

ALSO make sure to do the contest! We have some great prizes lined up!

And for the last time in this story… my reviewers!

DaAmazingMeepers
ohhh I had a dream about a army of assassin penguin who were trying to close our school. I shall try to fit in some Ryou/Mir fluff in the next story as well. I think this story was defiantly lacking in the fluff department. The next story will defiantly NOT be. This is swear

starwefter
Thanks! I am having a hard time balancing work and fun… but someday I'll work it all out.

Lightest'Ink

Awww don't CRY! We still have one more story to go! I'm pretty sure it would take a lot more to take away those girl's happiness.

Reiko The Awesome
Yeah what shall we do! I'm not sure yet what's going to happen yet I think it would be kind of interesting if she was blind… you know for character building. Oh Seto and his awkwardness is adorable!

Ultimate Ending
Yeah we'll just have to see what happens with the story. I'm not 100% sure what's going to happen yet but I'm sure what ever does it'll be interesting :D maybe I should have a poll on who things she should be blind –laughs-

DarkestInk
WOW REALLY! I don't know what to say –blush- OMG I LOVE THAT PART! I think I re-round it like a TRILLION times! I totally LOVE Mokuba's face at that part! It's right up there when he slides on pavement to catch those kids who are telling their brother what cards Yigi had.

xxxwillsangelxxx

MY 100th REVIEWER! –glomps you- haha I LOVET Kaiba! –heart- he's just to adorable! We'll have to seeeeee. Thanks so much!

Mistrelia of the Ice
Yeah no kidding! We'll just have to have them kiss later –evil laughter-

starwefter
Hahah sorry it took so long to start posting! Really it's no biggie that you review late. As long as you're reviewing! WOW SWEET! I'm glad I could surprise you! That makes me happy.

Wow that's a good idea! I'll try to implement that idea into the next story. Ryou helping Mir get over her fear of the dark… I LIKE IT!

kisaraxseto forever
WOW thank you so much! You're too kind!

Wow I can't thank you all enough! You all make my life!

-Liz (aka Element girls)