Roses in Full Bloom

"I had so much fun Daddy!" Seto's eyes drifted toward the closed door where the soft voice sounded from his gaze straying to long from his book.

Instantly regretting it as the heavy weight of the rod came down on his left hand sending a horrible pain up his arm. Tears formed at once but shaking them off he return to his studies. How he envied the little princess of the house, his little sister, allowed to enjoy the freedoms and comfort that were provided throughout the house. Luxuries lost upon him as he spent his time in the studies withering away with useless knowledge and to suffer from cruel heartless tutors.

"Now Master Kaiba explain the economic Law of Demand." the heavy German accented tutor asked gravely his hand wrapped tightly around the wooden rod.

A panic look crossed Seto's face as his gaze scanned all the open books fear setting in as he searched vainly for the answer.

"Sir, I haven't-what I mean is that we haven't covered-" he whimpered at the rapid attack fell on his back.

Seto withered in pain his vision blurred as each stroke fell harder then its predecessor. There would be no mercy no taking it easy he knew very well what his father orders were and they would be followed thoroughly.

"Daddy, I love you so much." the soft bell like voice sounded through the doorway once more. The squealing laughter was worse then any blow he received.

A tidal wave of resentment filled him as he focused his anger and bitterness to the voice behind the door. The precious little angel of Gozaburo, the apple of his eyes, spoiled privileged brat Anzu Mazaki. He had been awake during her arrival; brought at night when Mokuba and himself were expected to be in bed. He recalled the sweet and almost charming smile of Gozaburo from the front steps gazing at her with loving and fatherly pride. A look so foreign to him. After all this man, his adoptive father, only showed contempt and displeasure to him and his brother Mokuba.

Yet this mousy timid looking girl received his calm tone of voice, touch, and words never once having to bare the brunt force or harsh words of Gozaburo never having to sacrifice her every waking minute to studies and work. No, his precious Anzu was spoiled taken out to eat, purchase toys and clothes, given anything her heart desire with no fear of contempt from Gozaburo. Seto seethed in anger it should be his brother and him enjoying the tender love of their adopted father and yet they were spurned shunned and despised by him. Angry and determined even more Seto knew he would have his revenge someday he just had to bide his time.

The dark shadow seem to loom over him at once as the blows ceased at once. The hatred from above reached the young chestnut haired brunette as he tried to hold onto consciousness. The hate filled eyes of his adopted father seem to bore right through his skull.

"What he do wrong this time?" his words were hateful and full of disgust.

"He did not know the basics" his instructor said quickly.

Gozaburo's and his instructor's conversation seem fuzzy and distant he wanted to hold he wanted to fight the wave of comforting rest that beckoned him but he would not lose.

"Daddy?" Anzu's soft whisper voice sounded somewhere in the room.

Seto at once cringed in pain as he was lifted up and tossed somewhere abandon and forgotten once more for Anzu. Once more the girl had made a seemingly painful situation a lot more horrible from him. Hatred for the usurping princess of the manor filled him keeping him conscious for a bit. The shuffling sound of his instructor's shoes and of his adopted floor screeched against the wooden floors as they exited the room leaving him alone unconcerned for the beaten child. Abandon and alone he no longer could hold out from the calling abyss of unconsciousness yet the hatred followed him into the dark shadows of his mind.

"Seto?" the worried voice of Mokuba brought the young brunette back to his senses.

"M-Mokuba?", Seto's hoarse voice sounded weak as he slowly rose from where he was tossed, "What did I tell you about coming in here. If dad finds out he'll-"

"He went away for the time to take care of some business. Can you move?" his concern brought tears to Seto his lower lip trembling.

"I'm fine just a bit sore is all." he gazed up at Mokuba noticing the small bruise on his cheek, "what happen there?"

Mokuba flinched as Seto's finger skimmed by the sensitive discolored bruise at once his eyes dropped to his lap hoping to discourage his brother from the conversation yet Seto would not let it go.

"Mokuba, what happen to you there?" his voice was stern and harder then he meant but his anger was getting the best of him.

Mokuba remained silent for a bit before whispering softly, "Gozaburo, h-he got mad c-cause I m-ma-made Anzu cry. He just smacked me a little is all. It didn't hurt that much honest."

The pain that flashed behind Mokuba's eyes told Seto the real truth despite Mokuba's bravado. Even in this glorious castle Seto and his little brother suffered under the tyrant rule of Gozaburo. He would make Gozaburo pay he would make him pay and all those who listened to him would also pay for the misery they caused on Mokuba and himself. They all would pay!

The two turned toward the door where the soft knock came from standing in the doorway was Anzu her azure eyes scanning the two brothers with pain in her eyes as she juggled a icepack and paper towels. Moving slowly and cautiously in before being frozen by the cold look in Seto's eyes. The cold greeting from her adopted brother sent a chill down her spine as she tried not to drop the icepack.

"May I come in?" she squeaked in fear as she fumbled with the items in her hand.

"Yes."

"No! Get the hell out of here!" Kaiba's bark startled the young brunette, "No one wants you in here! Get out!"

Her azure eyes gazed into the angry cerulean eyes of her adopted brother his hate apparent and his disgust at the sight of her existence. Defeated and close to tears she rushed from his sight as her heartache from the dismissal and rejection of her adopted brother. Fleeing from the study she moved down the hall, evading her panicked nanny and the help, she moved up the staircase to her bedroom slamming the door shut as she crumpled to the floor in tears. It didn't matter how much she did for them and how much she cared for them they would always hate her like her adopted father said they would.

'How could you ever be loved by them' she thought vehemently as hot tears trailed down her round face. How she long to be loved by them when she first met them as she had practically hugged them to death in both joy and love. The prospective thought of having friends at last overwhelmed her but it did not last long Seto had hated her instantly over no fault of her own and Mokuba begrudgingly followed his brother's cold attitude toward her. The only one who she could count on loving her was her adopted father, Gozaburo Kaiba. A kind-hearted loving man who took her in when her own relatives wouldn't have anything to do with her. A tender man who spared no expense for her happiness.

It was a lonely thought of being alone and yet have so much. 'You're my daughter now Anzu. You'll never be alone ever again' those soft words he had spoken to her at the orphanage after she had been abandoned by her uncle and aunt. Pulling her knees to her chest she rested her face on her knees allowing the rippling sob to break free. 'Will I ever be truly loved?' she thought to herself as she felt herself drift into a sadden sleep.

Authoress: Yay! One chapter done hopefully its done well enough again its a work in progress! So enjoy and review!