Thank you Phantombrat, for your continued support and interest in my story. Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up, everyone. I hope you continue to enjoy this crazy idea of a story.

I do not own The Inheritance Cycle, Yu-Gi-Oh, How to Train Your Dragon, Rangers Apprentice, Howl's Moving Castle, or Rurouni Kenshin.

Seto knew for a fact that Noa liked to watch when he was being beaten. Life was never pleasant when your main occupation in life was to be a whipping boy for somebody else. It was especially hard when that somebody else just happened to be the demonic spawn from hell. Seto held back another cry as the lash fell across his back again, and again. This was the third beating today and Seto was in very poor spirits. At least they weren't making Mokuba watch this time. He caught Noa's eyes and poured all his rage into that single look. Noa faltered for an instance before smiling smugly back. That's right. Noa was untouchable. If he tried anything, he and his brother would find themselves out in the street, dead, or worse.

Lord Gozaburo Kaiba was as strict as he was greedy when it came to the brothers he'd adopted. He had always been like that. Kaiba had known from the start that Gozaburo had only adopted him and Mokuba because Noa had been born so sickly. Lady Kaiba had died in childbirth, and Noa barely survived, but his health had been broken from the beginning. Fearing for his line, Lord Gozaburo had jumped to adopt his two nephews when his brother and his brother's wife died. Noa was confined to bed for most of his childhood until a traveling elf took pity on him and healed him with magic. With Noa gaining in strength every day the lives of the brothers had taken a sharp down hill turn. Lord Kaiba was very protective of his only child and would have no hand raised against him, no matter how much he deserved it, so Seto had the honor of being the whipping boy.

The lash was about to fall again when somebody spoke up, "I believe that is enough now, that it is."

Everyone turned to look at the odd new comer. He had striking red hair that was bound in a long pony tail at the nape of his neck. There was a cross shaped scar on his left cheek. He was also tiny. Seto was sure if they stood side by side, he'd already be at the man's shoulder, despite only being fourteen.

The servant stared at him slightly aghast. "But the standard lashing is-."

"It would not matter how many times you struck that poor innocent boy," the stranger said sadly. "The guilty party is unmoved by all this I think."

The servant hesitated, and Seto glanced up in surprise. Noa came forward looking angry. "Who are you to interfere with the business of young master Kaiba?" he demanded.

"I'm merely a wanderer," he said. "A wanderer who can't stand foolish and unnecessary cruelty, that I cannot."

The servant lowered his rod, looking very much like he wanted to be quit of this whole affair. Seto didn't blame him.

The stranger came forward and carefully pulled the shirt down over his sore back and gave him a hand up. He didn't let go at first and Seto almost pulled away, but stopped when a wave of dizziness crashed over him. That's right, this was the third beating today.

"Easy there young man," the stranger murmured just loud enough for Seto to hear. Once Seto was standing on his own, he moved off and faced the indignant master Noa.

"As pleasant as this all has been," the man started. "I wonder if I could have an audience with Lord Gozaburo himself. I have a-."

"You think you can just waltz in here and demand things of me?" Noa spat. "And you want an audience with my father? How dare you be so-!"

"Well I guess the matter is already settled then, that it is," the wanderer said, turning to walk away. "I was going to speak to your father about giving his sons a chance to become dragon riders, but I guess I can't now that you've forbidden me to see him."

"Wait what?!" Noa shouted.

Seto felt a thrill of excitement go through him, the stranger had said the sons, plural, as in Noa, but himself and Mokuba too. No, it was too good to be true. He stomped down on the rising hopes. Gozaburo would never agree to this. Noa always came first.

"You're from New Vroengard?!" Noa was saying. "Why didn't you say so? You're a dragon rider aren't you!"

"I didn't think I'd need to say anything to earn common civility from another human," the stranger said lightly. "It seems the tyrant's influence will take even more time to fade then I thought. But yes, I am a dragon rider, and I am here to represent New Vroengard on a matter of importance."

The look on Noa's face was priceless at the gently given harsh reprisal. But his selfishness won out over his pride. "You shall see my father at once."

"Not before this young man's injuries are treated," the man said. "We can spare the time that we can."

"I appreciate your offer, sir" Seto said quietly. "But I am fine on my own."

"I apologize," the man said at once and it was strangely genuine. "It seems I have underestimated you, and I will not make that mistake again. Let me start over. I am Kenshin Himura, that I am."

Seto glanced distrustfully at the hand offered to him. It was a small hand, but the callouses on his palm were unmistakeable. This man was a swordsman. Seto took his hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Seto Kaiba," he murmured quietly.

"Nice to meet you, master Seto," Kenshin said. "Now if you'd like, we can look to your injuries before we go talk to Lord Gozaburo. But if you insist that you are fine, I will not disrespect you further by asking again."

Seto almost smiled. This man was playing a dangerous game. It all hinged on his offer of a dragon. Noa didn't dare do anything to drive Kenshin off, and at the same time the dragon rider was neglecting to give the boy the full amount of respect the brat was so certain he deserved. That and for once he himself was being treated civily.

Seto squared his shoulders (ow) and looked this strange man in the eye. "Thank you Kenshin Himura, I am fine."

Kenshin gave him a slightly knowing smile but did not press any further. "I suppose then, it's time to speak to your Lord father, Noa."

"Uh, yes," Noa said stiffly.

Seto smiled, the other boy was absolutely livid, and couldn't do a thing about it. Noa lead them from the small courtyard towards the main hall of the castle. His father was indeed holding a public audience at this very moment and would probably like the change of pace that this Dragon Rider brought.

"Just go through those doors," Noa told him. "I'll see to it that our herald usher's you to the front of the line."

Noa ran off before Kenshin could protest.

"But I don't need this kind of favoritism," he whined, looking embarrassed.

"Don't be too flattered," Seto said sourly. "He's only 'helping' you because you have something he wants."

"I know his type, that I do," Kenshin said grimly. "And no doubt, his father is just like him."

"Then why are you even here?" Seto asked. "If you're looking for dragon riders than you're in the wrong place."

Kenshin stopped and looked him in the eye again, and Seto noticed with a start that his eyes were actually a light violet.

"Seto Kaiba," he said. "Answer me this question. Are you happy where you are now? Is this where you want to be?"

Seto frowned. "Of course not."

Kenshin smiled and put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Then I am right where I need to be," the dragon rider said. "That I am."