Alright first before I forget the scene reference in the last chapter is from Episode 52 Japanese version.

Also so sorry for taking so long to update. College and other stuff has gotten in the way and I don't know when the next chapter will be up. You don't want to know how many times I rewrote the flash back scene because it seamed like I was making Seth to nice. Still think he is but I finally said enough and went with this.

SHOUT OUT TIME.

First off Mecan you know already how I appreciate this and hopefully we can hange out again sometime soon. Second is mewstar0013 sorry for not updating in a while but here it is and I will finish this.

DE\ISCLAIMER: I own nothing Yugioh related.

Chapter 3: Stubborn Cousins and Painful Burdens.

It was late at around ten o'clock at night as they slipped into the Kaiba mansion. Kanika had to keep Justin with her at all times in this place. Unlike Pegasus's place, Seto Kaiba was not a pushover. He had guards constantly patrolling the grounds and buildings to the point that they checked every bathroom stall and broom closet. That meant that she couldn't just leave him in a convenient place until she was done with her business. He would also have to stay out in the hall or something when she found Seto since they had class together and she wasn't about to risk her friends life with her hot headed reincarnated cousin. She wished that part of him didn't get reincarnated but grudgingly agreed with herself that he wouldn't be himself if he wasn't like that.

"Kanika are you sure that he's the only one who can use it? Isn't there someone else you could give it to?" Justine asked worriedly from behind her. They had just nearly been caught for the third time that night and he didn't feel like finding out what the punishment was for those who trespassed here was. Kanika assured him that they were safe and weren't even close to being caught but he disagreed.

Glancing back Kanika ushered Justine up to her side so she could whisper to him. "There is someone else but I don't know where he is anymore. I was hoping that he had decided to stay and go to school with the others but he was no where in sight. So that leaves use with Seto as the only one to take up the Rod. If we didn't need someone to wield the rod or if we could use someone else I would take that option over dealing with egotistical bastards, but we cant, we have to use the people who represent or carry the people who were involved in the original conflict."

Justine thought about this for a minute until everything she said sunk in. Something Kanika said disturbed him and it wasn't the part about the past or Seto. "Kanika have you been using my computer to keep track of these people?"

She just looked away from Justine as they continued down the hall. "Maybe."

Justine looked shocked, all those times she had been up late working on the computer stating she was doing important work she was just stalking people, prying into their lives learning who knows what about them. "Kanika that's wrong. I'm not sure about your time but you can't go stalking people in this one."

"Oh lighten up Justin. It's not like I did it for myself. I did it because of the stupid things me and others did in the past put the world in danger and I knew someday it would have to be resolved or the world would either be constantly imbalanced as it is know or it would drop into darkness. Do you want either or to happen?"

Justin stayed silent at that, satisfied that she got her point across she moved quickly down the hall with him right behind her. After about ten minutes they came to a door that was open lightly. She quickly motioned for Justin to hide behind the statue by the door. When he got settled and she was satisfied that he couldn't be seen she pushed the door open.

Seto just continued working on his computer as she sat on the couch behind him. He thought it was his brother Mokuba, which wasn't uncommon as his brother would wait until he was done with whatever he was working on before he spoke up. So he continued working. Kanika just smiled as she relaxed on the couch watching him. He looked almost identical to her cousin from the past and acted so much like him. He was still a stubborn, prideful, workaholic. Thinking back she remembered when she first met him.

She was moping again in her corner as the door opened and someone came in with that nights moon blessed food. She didn't care anymore, even if Toknar called the guards in to help him she was not going to eat another moon plum. That man was deft to her words and no matter how many time she said she hated the plums he kept bringing only them insisting that they were her favorite. Like she didn't know what she liked and didn't like.

Hearing him walk closer she did her best impression of a cat hissing and pulled the blanket tighter around herself. He stopped about a foot in front of her and just stood there. After a few moments of nothing happening she got curious, usually by now the blanket would be ripped from her and she would be dragged over to the table to be forced feed those awful plums. As she contemplated what to do he spoke up.

"Your highness you might want to come out and eat your dinner before it gets cold. Your brother and father would be very displeased with me if you were uncomfortable for even a moment."

That shocked her, this person didn't sound like Toknar, and did he mention something about food getting cold. Curiously, she peeked an eye out to see who was there while maintaining the glare she always gave Toknar. The boy standing before her was not Toknar, for one he was much younger then the old geezer, probable only a year or two older then her and her brother. He also didn't have that lecherous grin that the other man had.

Looking down he raised an eyebrow at her and held out a hand to her to help her up. She didn't realize this and hissed again at him thinking he wanted her blanket. His frown deepened at that as he continued to look down at her. "I'm sorry if you don't like what I brought for you to eat. Your previous diet was unbalanced and unsuitable for you. I understand that you love plums but you can't eat those all the time."

That got to her. Standing up with the blanket still clutched around her she stuck her hand out from between the folds and poked him in the chest. "You listen here and you listen good you over glorified lecher. I've told your boss and I'll tell you this now. I HATE plums and I would rather STARVE then eat another one so you can just go to hell for all I care."

The boy just looked shocked at her little outburst, she guessed that the others hadn't told him of her defiant attitude. Then he shocked her by what he said next.

"I apologize for getting my information wrong on you, the notes form Toknar, your previous caretaker, stated that you liked moon plums and wouldn't eat anything else."

She was surprised when she realized that he was telling her the truth. Giving him a wary look she inched around him to see her dinner steaming slightly on the table.*In place of the moon plums and plum juice there was a plate of steamed vegetables with some chesses and some sort of meat, there was even a glass of milk. She looked on in delight as she sat down to eat dropping the blanket from her form. She hadn't had anything like this since before she found out she was a daughter of the moon. She disregarded the boy as she ate forgetting that her blanket was on the floor leaving her defenseless.

After she had finished her meal within ten minutes flat she sat back with a contented sigh before she noticed he was staring at her in an odd way. "What, do i have something on my face?" She asked as she grabbed the napkin to scrub her face.

Snapping out of it the boy shook his head as he came over to her and removed the napkin from her hands. "No, that wasn't it. I just have never seen someone eat their food quiet like you did. You must have really enjoyed it." He said as he started collecting utensils.

She blinked up at him owlishly before laughing and rubbing the back of her head a little sheepishly. "Yeah well I've wanted a meal like that for a while now." She stated then got up and started helping him clean up. In no time they had the table cleared and clean of food. "So what is your name? You're obviously new to the palace right." She asked as he hefted up the plates.

He looked towards her as he started for the door. "Seth and yes I'm new. I will be seeing you tomorrow night as well. Until then good night." He said as he headed for the door. Realizing that he was leaving she became a little anxious and she looked for anything that would stop him. He was nice unlike everyone else she had come in contact with in this room.

Coming upon an ideal she ran to him and grabbed his sleeve. "Wait. When you come back tomorrow could you bring me a book from the library?" She asked when he looked back at her and then down at her hand, her face flushed with embarrassment and she dropped her hold on him. "It doesn't have to be anything specific its just I haven't read anything in a while and it gets boring in here."

Realization settled in as Seth stared at her. None of her care takers had ever listened to her really and she was practically a prisoner down here with nothing to do. Seth gave her a gentle smile and nodded. "I'll bring a couple of book for you if that's alright princess."

She looked up and beamed at him, quite a difference from when he first walked in here with her hissing at him like a cat. He left her after that and she waited patiently for the next day to come.

Kanika remembered the next day when he returned with five books for her. She tried reading them and then asked him if he could get her some easier books to read. When he asked what the problem was and she told him she couldn't understand any of it, the look of shock on his face was priceless. Apparently her caretakers were supposed to be teaching her but since she was never going to be apart of real society they figured they would just leave her be. Seth fixed that and even got permission to let her out at night eventually. It was funny how at first he would stay with her in the early hours of the night studying and helping her when she needed it. She told him all the time the he worked too much and should relax once in a while. In response he would just send her a withering look. It was probably three years after she first meat him that she found out he was her cousin but she never told anyone.

She picked up a book from the table while looking at him as he worked away into the late hours of the night. Smiling to her self she realized it was just like old times as she stuck her nose in the book reading about different computer programming. She started to doze as she listened to him typing away rapidly on his keyboard.

She didn't hear him stop or turn around, but she did hear him when he spotted her. "Who the hell are you?" Snapping awake she looked up to see him staring at her from his computer desk. She grinned as she stood up and walked to him. Stopping in front of him she gave a flourished bow before straightening up to address him.

"Hello Seth, who I am is of no importance. You don't remember me but I remember you and I know you don't believe in reincarnation but you have a pivotal role to play in an upcoming war." At this point she reached into her bag and pulls out the Millennium Rod. She holds it out to him waiting for him to take it. "Will you take your rightful place and fight in the war to save the world from the darkness once again?"

He stared at her as he leaned back in his chair, his face completely blank. She thought for a moment that he was seriously considering it until he turned his head to the side and scoffed at her. She looked at him shocked; he scoffed at her, HER, his cousin. Then her mouth dropped open at what he said next. "Look woman I don't know who you are but I can tell you you're outdated. I already had some one try that on me and it didn't work then, it sure as hell isn't going to work now. I don't know what you're trying to sell but if you don't get out now I will call my guards on you."

As he started talking in his cocky condescending way the shock slowly wore off and anger started to replace the feeling. Kanika couldn't believe her cousin was this bad, she couldn't remember him being this stubborn in her life. She stared to shake and her grip on the rod tightened until her knuckles were white.

Finally her temper snapped. She raised her hand with the rod in it and hit him over the head with it. "You are so full of yourself thinking you know everything, but you don't." Thwack. "Do you always have to be so serious and suspicious, live a little and take a chance." Thwack. Thwack. "You have not changed one bit in 5000 years you stubborn pig mule." Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. "You know what I don't need you. I've got someone better in mind that can take you place YA BIG PANSY." Thwack. After her yelling and hitting rant she tuned on her heal stalking out of the room and leaving an unconscious Seto Kiba behind.

()

Justin grumbled as he shifted where he was hiding as another guard walked by. What was taking Kanika so long in there? Looking down at his watch it read one o'clock AM meaning she had been in there for three hours already. The most frustrating thing was he couldn't hear anything they were saying. Wait he took that back, he could hear murmuring threw the door now. He still couldn't hear exactly what was being said but if they were finally talking it meant that they could get out of here soon. He jumped at the first shout getting ready to run in and help his heart sister when he realized that it was her shouting and she did not sound happy.

After a few minute the doors flung open and Justin jumped again as Kanika stormed out. Seeing her leave down the hall he scrambled to catch up. "That bad?" He asked when he caught up to her. She shot him a glare before taking a breath and sighing.

There was no reason to take out her anger on Justin. He didn't do anything wrong and he was just concerned for her. "Yes that bad. He wouldn't even take the thing the stubborn pig headed fool. I mean I knew he was stubborn but he's gotten worse since I knew him." She stated as they climbed into a window that one of the maids left open. Justin held off saying anything else until they were across the yard and out on the street threw the hedge.

"So he didn't take it…what now?" he asked as they walked to the hotel they were staying in until they found an apartment. It was pretty seedy but anything of worth that he had was always on him and they wanted to save their money for more important things.

"We look for Malik Ishtar and deal with a crazy blond psychotic mercenary." She said as they walked into the motel and headed for the stairs. They learned the first day that that the elevator was fritzy the hard way.

Justin ran to catch up with her after he stopped at what she said. When he caught up he grabbed her arm to stop her right in front of their door. "What do you mean crazy psychotic mercenary?" he demanded in a shrill whisper.

She looked around for a moment then sighed. Looking at Justin she shook her head and looked away. "Not out here, I'll tell you when we get inside." Wondering what got her so on edge he looked around and noticed barely cracked doors of their neighbors eavesdropping. Scowling he reached into his pocket for his keys and grumbled as he shoved them into the lock. Seriously didn't people have better things to do with their lives then to stick their noses into others?

After the door was open and they were in their room he turned to her and raised an eyebrow at her. "Well?" he asked. She waved at him to hold on a minute and then waved again sending the whole place into darkness before it lit up again. "Kanika you're avoiding the subject. You could have easily told me in my head without people knowing."

Kanika sighed again as she sat down on the bed looking at the floor. "Yes I know but…" She paused for a moment then she then looked up at him patting the spot next to him indicating for him to sit also. When he settled down next to her she continued with another sigh. "This is kinda hard to bring up for me Justin and has to do with Yugi also." She plopped back laying on the bed and sighed again. Justin realized that this was hard for her. She wasn't some sensitive girl to sigh at every little thing and that was like the third or fourth sigh since she started and he knew she was just beginning.

She looked over to him and pulled him down to lay beside her before she continued again. "Well you already know that we are trying to find the incarnations of the old wielders of the millennium items. Well that's not entirely true. You see in some of the items spirits reside in them like I do the choker. But the vessels they inhabit are reincarnations of people who they were close with that were involved in the whole incident back then. They were….they were killed in brutal ways but they don't remember that. In fact they don't remember anything about their time back then, and the spirits…they don't remember anything either. Well that's not true now but they still don't know the whole truth. They don't remember their hikaris and they don't remember each other in any good light. Luzige used his millennium items power to repeatedly break their memories until they were such a jumbled mess that even my powers can't fix them. They can only heal naturally now and once someone thinks they remember something they don't try to analyze it deeper." Kanika looked up at the ceiling remembering when she tried to help them before they all got sucked into the items. She had been repelled so hard that she was pulled into her item to escape injury herself.

She turned to look at Justin and smiled as she remembered the crazy blond mercenary. "Then there was Marik. He never had a stable mind to begin with because of his past but Luzige decided not to destroy his mind. He was sent into his item as he was and I'm sure all those centuries locked up in there with no one to talk to drove him so mad he doesn't remember anything. Much the way Luzige wanted it to turn out." Now that she thought back on what really happened on that day all those years ago it could explain why her cousin is like he is today. "But that's what I meant by crazy blond mercenary, he's not all there. It's sad for me because I remember them all but they don't remember me and we were all so close." She closes her eyes and feels the tears she has been trying to hold back for years finally break free. But then she feels two arms surround her and pull her in for a hug.

Justin seeing the tears fall down her face wraps his arms around her and pulls her in for a hug. "It's alright. You can cry now. It's alright." He whispers and it's like those words broke some spell or something because she starts bawling her eyes out for what she's worth. It then hits Justin that she has always been the strong one, always keeping her problems to herself so she can help others. She had helped him and his sister more times then he could count while all theses years she had no one. She had even told them that past vessels thought that they were going mad and ended up in mental ward because of her. After that she had stayed quiet observing the events of the world silently through the eyes of her host. That is until she and Justin met, but that had been an accident on her account. Even having him and his sister she kept everything bottles up so she wouldn't upset them. It was then that he swore that he would do everything in his power to help her from now on even if it was just being a shoulder she could cry on.

After a few moments he realized that she had stopped crying. Looking down he saw her breathing slow and evenly with her eyes closed, she had fallen asleep. Smiling he picked her up and got her settled in her own bed then kissed her fore head. He got up and stretched before looking at the clock, 3 AM. Well looked like he wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. School tomorrow was going to be a bitch. Yawning he got into his bed and thought about his two sisters and how he was going to everything he could from now on to save and protect them before he drifted off to dream land. He had some weird dreams that night.

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Elsewhere across town a young girl with scraggily waist length pig tails was crying. She was dirty and unkept as she hid in an ally way drenched in blood. Around her lay the drained bodies of three thugs. She couldn't remember anything, not how she got there, not where she was, nor how those people got the way they were. Last thing she remembered was her birthday party with everyone there to celebrate with her.

"Justin, Kanika where are you?" She cried even harder into her knees as malicious laughter filled her head.

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Note* time.

Fist and only this chapter is about the food. I don't really know what they would eat and for once I'm too lazy to look it up.

See you next time.