Disclaimer: I do not own any of there songs! They belong to the artist in which I list! I do not own the characters either! The Yu-Gi-Oh! characters belong to their designer and company.

Song: "Life is like a Boat" by Rie Fu

Nobody knows who I really am
I never felt this empty before
And if I ever need someone to come along,
Who's gonna comfort me, and keep me strong?

-+-+-

What has changed in the world since I was born? People still steal, do drugs, take lives... People even take their own lives...

When I was young, my parents saw me as singer potential. I loved music. Even now, I can't deny that part of me. I could hold a note for many measures. My voice was even and I enjoyed it. I liked playing music more than singing, but I was shy when it came to people I didn't know too well. Nevertheless, by the age of twelve, my dad was ready to promote his daughter into the music industry.

Hanashi and I debuted as Nina and Emi Utaru. Our father didn't like the idea of having his daughter's actual names as singers, so we have the screwed up secret identities act.

Nina was the loud, stylish sister; while Emi, a.k.a. me, was the emotional artist. I sometimes get confused with who I really am. Am I Ishoshi, Haru: daughter of the CEO of Ishoshi Productions, a self conserved, quiet nerd? Or Utaru Emi: national singer, outgoing, happy, and one that really believes in the happiness of life...? I always end up with one or the other.

Of course, I always smile for my father. I figured, it's part of life to be confused. It's part of life to hate, to be sad, to be... depressed...?

-+-+-

We are all rowing the boat of faith
The waves keep on coming and we can't escape
But if we ever get lost on our way
The waves would guide you through another day

-+-+-

Levi opened the door for Hanashi and I. We tried to be punctual, and come early, but the delay in traffic caused us to be five minutes late. Hanashi was too ecstatic about seeing Kyomi again to think about such a petty thing as punctuality. I, on the other hand, who usually always had a mind set about being early to things, would have rather have had to car catch on fire than to be on time.

There are many things, people in this world that I can loath, but 'Dear Mother'Kyomi was one of those people that you can just shoot on the spot once you first meet. She was our father's fourth and first wife; Hanashi's mother. Not mine! I would have rather been born a blind, retarded sheep, than the daughter of a snake that ate everything and anything that came her way. At least then I might fit into the heard, or still be the black sheep of the Earth...

I clutched my black purse as Hanashi and I were led to our table in the V.I.P. section. It was there that I spotted someone leaving. Covered by a small group of business men was the towering form of Seto Kaiba. He held a hard look in his eyes. He was observant of the world around him, yet he was bored with it all. His attitude didn't seem to change from when I least left his office.

Mokuba was at Seto's side, urging his older brother to leave as soon as possible. He enjoyed his time with his brother, every second of it, but going to a business dinner with his brother was hardly entertaining.

I watched the Kaiba brothers as they approached. We were being led to the table adjacent to their empty one, while they were making their way out. It was still hard to get over the fact that Seto seemed so different in the business environment compared to that of his school environment. He was always a bit on the colder side, but he was mostly alone at school.... Of course, who am I to be talking... Regardless, here he was, the center of every mans attention.

His group was only paces from my group. Mokuba caught my sight, he was looking at me. There wasn't anything to his stare, maybe curiosity, but he couldn't have recognized me. I may not have had my glasses on, but my hair was pulled up, it was black, and in a different style. So why did I keep his gaze?

I still kept a constant step size behind Hanashi, as she was led by the host.

Seto filtered out the useless drabble the company representative was talking about. He glanced at his brother, finding him looking at the approaching group. In the back, there was a familiar, yet hazy face.

I looked at Kaiba with a child like stare. I was thinking, but not cohesively. It was blank, like I was just looking without seeing. But I was seeing... I saw his recollection. Whether he remembered me as the school girl that sits next to him in class, or another speck of unimportance that just happened to go to the same school as him; it mattered not. I turned forward, cutting the gaze as we passed one another.

I was Mr. Ishoshi's second daughter to Kaiba. She was insignificant and not really worth noticing in his eyes; then, why did he allow himself to let him loose himself and even start to get unfocused? Seto disregarded it, it wasn't worth thinking about.

-+-+-

Well, Kyomi was late... Could my wish had come true and she fell into hell?

Apparently not, because a half hour later she showed up. 'Fashionably late'..... Kyomi greeted Hanashi with open arms. I didn't bother to move, nor spare a glance at the older woman. The action was mutual.

I bet hell spit her right back out. Not even they could stand someone that frightens the devil.

Kyomi briefed Hanashi on how Tokyo was. I didn't bother to pay any attention to the story; tearing apart my bread crust was much more interesting. I would just listen to my dad when he got back. I was set on remaining silent through the dinner, but by the time the main course came, Kyomi just had to grace me with her words.

"Why would someone chew in such a barbaric nature?"

Of course it was directed towards me. So the vegetables were chewy. It's not like I was chewing open mouthed or anything. I ignored it.

"No one slouches in their chair like that too. Where are your manners? Your father didn't teach you like that."

I eyed the knife near my hand, the silver gleamed with contempt.

"You can never really change one's origins I suppose. Aiko was proof of that..."

For a moment, I saw in red...

"Okaa-San..." Hanashi breathed. Now the knife looked really nice right now.

"Don't talk about her like that!"

I stood from my seat, resting my palms on the table, millimeters from the glowing utensils. Kyomi stared back at me with a stern look. Hanashi hushed quietly to not make a scene.

"Sit," she stated as if she were talking to a mutt, but I wasn't about to obey. By now the people in the room were glancing towards our table.

"You're not my mother." An unbecoming sneer crossed Kyomi's features. "And who in their right mind would want a dog for a daughter! No wonder you were orphaned. It takes a real loon to take a pathetic mutt in."

She hit it...

'Fine...!'

"I was willing to keep quiet all night, but that really can't happen.... Have a nice life!"

I snatched my purse from the table, storming out of the restaurant, dozens of glances trailed after me.

-+-+-

Far away, I'm breathing, as if I were transparent
It would seem I was in the dark, but I was only blindfolded

-+-+-

I was an orphan... My parents left me, or they got killed.... I was never told the truth, but it didn't matter. I don't know them... I was at an orphanage since I was five. Nearly four years later I was adopted by Ishoshi Aiko, my adopted father's second wife. I could still remember the first time I saw her, she was the vision of Heaven and Earth. The years of the orphanage were left behind as she embraced me. There was no resistance in calling her my mother. But she was sick with a disease; cancer. Because of it she had to give up her career of being a dancer and eventually went into a depression for a while.

Aiko was from a poor family, but that never stopped her from pursing her goal of becoming a dancer. She met my dad, Ishoshi Sachiro, than her name started to appear in shows. Of course, she refused to fall into his arms willingly and told him that she wanted to earn her career off her own talent, but she couldn't turn down his guidance.

I'm still wondering if I am ashamed of being orphaned when I was too young to remember my own name, but it only led to more questions that I couldn't answer for myself.

-+-+-

I give a prayer as I wait for the new day
Shining vividly up to the edge of that sea

-+-+-

The clouds threatened to let loose their load of rain. Why? Who knew.... I don't even know why I decided to walk home when I could have called Levi. I'm not even walking the right direction, but did I care? No, who did...

I stepped into a coffee shop. I had enough walking and the results of not finishing my soup were starting to effect me. I didn't eat much, but I do need to eat. I don't eat meat, with the occasional exception of chicken.

I took a seat next to the window, the clouds gathered around the city. It would surely rain within the hour. I took a glance out upon the dark city. It hasn't changed...

-+-+-

After the uneventful dinner, Seto promised Mokuba that after he ran to the office to pick up some paperwork, they would go home. Apparently, it took longer than expected, leaving time for Mokuba to drift to sleep in the limo.

Mokuba's i-pod was still playing beside him. Seto picked it up with the intent to shut it off, but took a glance at the artist.

'Emi Utaru'

Seto took a glance at his little brother, ever since Mokuba had met her at his office he became interested in her music. He couldn't say that he was happy about it, but at least it wasn't some trashy American singer.

The limo pulled away from the curb and headed in the direction of the Kaiba's home. It had started to rain and the bombardment of water only grew. The gutter already filled and was being drained into the vast ocean.

A problem with Seto Kaiba was not his attitude, but his way of thinking that influences his attitude. He didn't trust many people. He had a reason, but why share with others that will just judge?

The limo halted at a stop light on a corner containing a coffee shop. The small shop had large glass windows out looking the surrounding street. The lights inside shone bright against the dark night.

A woman sat in the coffee shop, her eyes seemed far away. Seto stared at her, she seemed... familiar.

-+-+-

Nobody knows who I really am
Maybe they just don't give a damn
But if I ever need someone to come along
I know you would follow me, and keep me strong

-+-+-

I watched as the rain hit the windows of the coffee shop. You could call Nature an artist. Her water attacked the window, before falling down, collecting other droplets with it. It wouldn't go down alone; or at least, not without a fight.

The lights of a passing vehicle took me out of my daze. The sleek limo was stopped by a traffic light at the corner. The windows were tinted black, there was no hope of seeing inside. Staring off into my own world, I found myself thinking about the person in the vehicle.

Part of me might have hoped that they would somehow be telepathic and roll it down. However, it was just a thought that was stomped out. It was raining, windy, and cold... Why would anybody want to roll their window down when it was more than likely warm inside with the way things were. Why would they want to change?

Was it really fare that they could see you, but you couldn't see them through the dark windows?

The light turned green, and the vehicle began to drive off. I found myself looking through the back of the limo's window, where it wasn't tinted.

There was a man sitting in the back seat. It was only for an instant, but he turned his head behind and I caught a glimpse of his blue eyes as the limo disappeared from site, down the road.

I stared off, the rain still attacked the windows and the forgotten coffee shop noise was still present.

'Was that Kaiba...?'

It was an empty thought. I didn't have much time to linger on it before my cell phone went of, playing the first chord of a base guitar.

I shoved most of the contents of my purse aside, before revealing my cell phone. I spared a quick glance at the caller ID before answering.

"Hey Levi-San."

"Where are you!!!"

I held the phone away from my ear slightly, before answering with the same tone as before.

"I'm at a coffee shop between Yonmichi and Jurokiru street."

Hearing a long sigh from the other end, "Okay, I'll be there in five minutes. Just... don't go anywhere and you're in for an ear-full."

I nod silently to myself, accompanied with a small smile; it was to be expected. "I'm on my way."

After a short 'click' the line went dead.

Levi may only be a bodyguard, but he seems more of an older sibling than anything: over protective, strong, immature (at some point in the day), annoying, and slightly on the lazy side... But over all, caring...

"Because someone has to..."

-+-+-

People's hearts change and sneak away from them
The moon in its new cycle leads the boats again

-+-+-

Another limo pulled up, strong under the grey skies. It had stopped raining turrets only a few minutes ago, but still lightly sprinkled.

'Did he have to bring the limo?'

An extraneous honk omitted from outside. With a sigh, I made my way out of the coffee shop before I received any odd stares from the people inside. Levi's faded red hair popped out form the driver's side of the limo. He still seemed annoyed.

"Gomen ne," I gave him half a sympathetic look. He just stared down at me, "We'll talk later. You're in for a surprise."

What was he talking about? I knotted my brows together. He shrugged, opening the back seat door for me. At least, I thought it was for me...

Someone stepped out of the back seat wearing a simple, yet still expensive, black suit. I thought my eyes betrayed me as I stared at the man.

"Dad..."

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And every time I see your face
The ocean heaves up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars, and soon
I can see the shore

-+-+-

The man gave a grin as he opened his arms out to me. After a few more seconds of being awe struck, I gained my senses and threw myself into his awaiting arms.

"Dad!"

He held me close; I could smell his cologne. Nothing could stop my eyes from watering up, "It's been too long."

All those past actions... I almost forgot about them. I hadn't seen my dad in a month. I hadn't smelled his breath or talked to him close enough to see the wrinkles of his skin.

It was pure bliss. I thought... I was in the happiest moment of the day, of the month.

But, I forgot about those blue eyes...

-+-+-

We are rowing the boat of fate, but the waves keep attacking us
But isn't that still a wonderful journey? Aren't any of them a wonderful journey?

Thank you for reading; I really hope you enjoyed this realllyyyyy long chapter. Also, a special thank you to Jade the Grey, Elaine, and Aryaine. I really appreciated your reviews in the last chapter. It really motivated me to do an extra long chapter.... ^^

The song, that does not belong to me, really fits the series in my opinion. Just wanted to say that, and to please review! I would love to hear anything you have to say.

-Sin