Kara

"Does it still hurt?"

I stopped by the door to listen to Mokuba and Seto talk. I knew that the door was closed for a reason, and wanted to know even more why they needed to hide behind a door.

"Not really."

I heard the rasp in Seto's voice. I brought Griggle over to heal his neck after the Magician nearly killed him, but he didn't sound normal anymore. I hardly recognized his voice, the few times that he had spoken since the Magician left.

"You shouldn't talk if it really bothers you, I guess."

"It's fine. I'm fine."

"Are you still going to the mansion?"

"I have to."

"He'll know where you are if Yami goes."

"Then I'll just go alone."

I frowned and pressed in closer. I couldn't remember Seto ever mentioning a mansion, but he hadn't told us about the work building either. I didn't want him using our lack of knowledge to escape again. I knew he said he wouldn't; Seto said a lot of things.

"That's a bad idea."

I stopped breathing when Seto laughed. I hadn't heard him laugh before, and although it was very soft, more breathing than laughing, Seto laughed.

"We have a deadline coming up."

"Think they're all still there?"

"Locked away. I doubt monsters figured out a scanner."

I wasn't a fan of him calling us monsters so casually. I should have been more offended than I was, but we had always known how Seto really felt.

I spotted Krin walking in the living room and waved him over. My gesture told him to be quiet as well, but having and ear pressed against a door must have caught his interest, because he walked over, despite the strange look. I made space for him to slide next to me.

"Kisara already made plans for your birthday," Mokuba said. "And I hoped we could do something as well."

"It's the only day I can leave. I made a deal with Krin."

"It can't wait? The deal was only for two weeks."

"And the compromise was until the end of the year."

I met Krin's gaze. I hadn't realized that Seto knew the timeline was moving forward, which also meant that the government was moving ahead as well. I needed to finish making the plans to move to the mountains, or somewhere else entirely. My siblings couldn't agree on the best plan.

"I'm up for suggestions."

"Maybe he will let you leave Thursday. Or Joey could go."

"That would be more dangerous. He doesn't know the house like I do."

I, and I could tell Krin as well, was ready to pull open the door and confront Seto about whatever he and Mokuba were plotting. My fingers twitched to grab the knob, but I kept steady. I knew how much Seto lied, even though he knew we knew.

"It's dangerous anyway. There's got to be a better way."

"I'll find a gun first," Seto said.

My eyes widened. I didn't know a lot about human things, but we had learned about guns quickly enough. I lost several cousins because of the weapons, and been shot at multiple times.

"You know how to shoot a gun?" Mokuba asked. My reaction was as shocked as his tone.

"Of course. The heir to KaibaCorp would be a disgrace if he couldn't fire a gun."

I heard Mokuba's quiet snort. "Is this really worth it?" he asked.

"There's no other option. This is the path to normalcy."

I waited out the long pause, trying to guess how Mokuba would answer. I counted my breaths and the energy circling around me, but he said nothing.

I jumped back when the door knob turned. I met Seto's eyes first and tried not to look surprised when he scrutinized me.

"Are you planning to kill us?" I asked.

I waited on Seto's answer while Mokuba looked to Seto, waiting on an answer, and while Seto's lips parted to answer, but no sound came out. I could see that Seto was waiting to see what his answer would be. I saw the conflict flash across his eyes and knew the answer without him needing to say it.

"I don't know," he said, and I felt the truth weighing him down.

"You don't know?" Krin said. "So you're thinking about it."

"We let you have him," I said, pointing a finger at Mokuba. "We let you live in this house. We let you leave when you want to. We let you see your friends and work in the healing place. We let you do what you want. What more do you want from us?"

"To not have to wait for you to let me do something. To not worry that you will kill my brother if I'm half an hour late to a curfew that you invented. If the situation were reversed-"

"If it was reversed, you would want us," Krin finished.

I watched Seto look away and down at Mokuba, who seemed as though he was ready to run from the room. I met Krin's gaze while Seto couldn't see, but he couldn't hold it very long. My heart felt heavy after Krin's unexpected reply, which I had never really experienced before. I never would have thought that Krin would have said something like that.

"You don't want me," Seto said, looking back up. "You want the relief I give you from the pain."

"You don't believe I love you?"

I turned along with everyone to see Kisara, who stood at the other end of the hallway. I didn't think too much about how long she had been there. I would have had to fill her in on the conversation later, so I hoped she had heard to save me the trouble.

I expected Seto to answer, but he didn't.

"I'm not saying you have to love me back, but you think that the only reason I'm here is to stop the pain?"

"Yes."

I watched my sister force back tears and felt her energy fade. I knew from experience that when she became upset, the energy increased. I didn't think that she had it in her to be so calm when Seto was hurting her.

"You look at Mokuba when you are nervous," Kisara said. "You stretch your fingers when you are trying to hide an emotion. You like earning things because you think proving yourself shows people how strong you are. You are really smart, probably more that I can ever know because I'm not human enough. You love Mokuba so much that I'm sure it hurts you too. But that pain doesn't affect your love."

"Kisara, you only came after me because your soul-"

I looked back at Seto and saw his eyes close. I could practically feel Mokuba's eyes grow larger because something in what Seto said sat wrong.

"I don't care what the reason is. So I came here because of whatever secret you're keeping. I'm staying for you."

"I'd like to know what secret you're keeping," Krin said.

I caught Seto's glance at Mokuba before he answered.

"You have a week of my time. That's it. I owe you no explanations."

My breath caught, expecting Krin to lash out, but instead, he nodded.

"And as part of our arrangement, you have to do as I say."

"I can't answer that question."

"I wasn't going to push it, but you will spend the rest of the day in your room."

I saw Seto's jaw clench and again, he said nothing. I had to step back so that he could walk by me to get to the bedroom we shared.

I looked to Mokuba, whose shoulders were raised defensively.

"Can I go with him?" he asked.

"No," Krin said.

"Okay," Mokuba said, keeping his shoulders raised while leaving his spot in the doorway to get to his bedroom. My first thought once both doors were closed was to address the largest concern.

"We have to leave whether we are ready or not," I said, moving out of the hallway and out of earshot of either human. I knew that Seto had only agreed so easily because he didn't want to continue the conversation and understood that saying anything else might put himself in more trouble. I didn't want to allow any chance of Seto or Mokuba overhearing us.

"It'll be too cold to take them to the mountains," Krin said, following.

"We can make fires," I said. I leaned against the front door while Krin settled against the wall beside me and Kisara on the couch.

"They will freeze. It just won't work."

"Then we find somewhere else."

"We could go home," Kisara said.

I sighed and shook my head at Kisara. "No. We definitely can't try that."

"Sorry," Kisara said. "I know it's a bad idea."

"Well, now that the bad ideas are eliminated, let's be realistic."

I kept my eyes facing the hallway to make sure Seto and Mokuba stayed in their rooms. I cracked my knuckles and wanted to grab Seto in that moment and take him as far away from everything as possible. I could fly him halfway across the tiny world the humans claimed and hide him where no one would ever find him and hurt him, and Seto would never be able to cause trouble again.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. I didn't even know where Kray's group had chosen to make camp, how many there were, if they were all in the city, and even more, once we left the city, the war continued against the dark. I was strong, and so was Krin, and Kisara was, at least when it came to fighting. I had seen Seto hurt too many times to think we could prevent it from happening again.

"If we leave, we give up the portal," Krin said. "Can we all agree to that?"

I watched as Kisara nodded and Krin looked to me for approval.

"We gave up on going home a long time ago," I said.

"So we leave," Krin said.

"To go where?" Kisara asked.

"We have cousins to the south. It won't be as cold that way, or so Seto says."

"Horus's clan is there. We don't know about Kray's group either," I said. "I doubt they all came here just because Kray has more than I've counted."

"Where does that leave us?" Kisara asked.

"I'm going to go see Kray," I said. I stepped away from the door to be able to open it, but Kisara stopped me.

"He'll talk to me. I can go."

I scoffed and paused long enough to say, "I'm going. You'd never come back."

I raised a hand to catch the energy Kisara shot at me in an angry burst. I stood a little taller when she got to her feet.

"I chose you two! When will you stop punishing me for a decision I never made?"

"When you stop trying to make Kray seem like he is still a part of us."

"He's our brother. You can't pretend he isn't, even if he is a little messed up after what happened."

"Nothing happened. He's just not-" I paused, unable to think of the appropriate word to convey my exact hatred.

"He's not what you want him to be," Kisara finished.

"You're staying here," I said. I didn't give her a chance to answer before storming out of the house and jumping into the air.

I had seen Kray last near one of the bonfires that they set up toward the edge of the city. I knew Seto had mentioned him having a house somewhere, but I never bothered asking where it was. My focus had been on keeping away from anything related to Kray. I now flew toward him, needing his help to avoid him.

I drifted over the city, able to cover much more distance than I could have in my human form. I almost felt bad for the humans, being permanently in such weak bodies. I hated that staying in Seto's world meant limited time like this, strong and powerful, able to fly. I had to accept that choosing Seto meant giving up everything I valued.

My wings moved lazily since I was in no hurry to see Kray. I saw the whole city laid out below me, which seemed so small compared to crossing it on the ground. I had seen some cars - Mokuba called them all cars; Seto gave them all different names - but they were very rare. I only saw the government people using them, but at least they could move faster in those.

I smelled the lingering traces of fire before I saw the stacks of burned wood. I picked out other smells as well, darker and like death. I shouldn't have been so surprised knowing what I did of Kray. My gaze scanned across the ground, not finding anyone, but sensing Kray somewhere nearby. I was tired of looking for Kray after only a few minutes of searching, and the thought of needing him for information added to the preexhaustion.

I felt him more strongly the closer I got to a particularly tall building. I found it outside of the main part of the city, by the ocean and pretty far from the smells of the bonfires. I was glad I wouldn't have to spend my whole conversation with Kray smelling burning flesh. My goal was to get in and out as soon as possible with as few distractions as I could manage.

I landed on the ground as close to the building as I could. I saw a few figures moving around, but they were too far away or too quick to see clearly. I didn't know if they were human or Kray's group. I felt Kray inside the building and switched to a human form to fit inside.

My bones ached from switching so quickly, and because I was separated from Seto. I wanted to get back to put an end to the pain, but for probably the only time, Kray came first. I hoped that he would tell me without much resistance. I knew he would want to rub my request for information back into my scales, or at least drag it out as long as possible before telling me what I came to learn. I tried not to think about the fact that he might not tell me at all, either out of spite or loyalty to his group of traitors. I also thought he might refuse because if we left, that included Kisara. I wouldn't invite him to come along, and Kray wouldn't want to anyway.

I found the door standing open and walked inside to see rows of cages running from one end of the room to the other, and several stacked on top of other ones. I moved down the rows, trying to avoid looking at the humans who filled nearly all of them. I ignored their pleas to be released while I sped up. I counted over a hundred of them and realized that if this many people were being taken, the human government wouldn't give Seto peace, since this absolutely ruined our compromise.

"What do you want?" someone asked. I killed him and kept walking. I didn't know how long it would take to find Kray, but maybe that would get some attention. I got noticed by the caged humans, who began screaming and pleading to someone I had never heard of and couldn't have been anyone around.

I walked into a connected room that didn't have any cages, but did have hundreds of Kray's group surrounding an indoor bonfire that thankfully didn't have anyone over it yet.

I drew stares and gained whispers while I crossed the room, staying away from the center and the fire. I could still feel Kray, but when I got so close, it became hard to pinpoint an exact location. I knew they knew who I was, and hoped word would reach Kray before too long so I didn't have to wander in search of him.

I left the room to avoid being present when someone from the cages was strung up. I wanted to leave the building before it happened because the smell would stick to me like it had done to Mokuba.

I spotted Kray in the next room, sitting with about a dozen others, in a circle of couches they had pushed together. I caught Kray's gaze immediately, so I saw his smirk, but more importantly, the confusion he was trying to hide behind it.

I stayed where I stood as he said something to those on either side of him and got to his feet. I examined the small room I had ended up in, unimpressed with the collection of items scattered on most of the floor space. I kicked a broken bottle into a pile of shredded clothing.

"Kara," Kray said, his smirking remaining in place. "You're here for what reason?"

"To talk," I said, adding, "In private."

"I don't suppose I'll like the topic of this discussion."

"I don't really care what you think of it."

"And if I don't feel like talking to you?"

"Then I'll leave," I said. I leaned my head to the side and tried to appear like I didn't mind if he ignored me.

"All right. I'm interested. Let's step outside."

I followed Kray out a side door that lead to the ocean. I took in a deep breath of untainted air that smelled like salt and fish and made me want to get back to the house which was far enough away that I never had to smell the bitter scent of the sea.

"So little sister, what brings you here?"

I turned so my back was to the water and I could face the building to make sure no one followed us out. I was glad he had chosen to talk outside, giving me an easy escape should anything happen, or should I grow tired of talking with Kray.

"I need to know if this-" I said with a large gesture to the building behind him. "-is all of your group."

I frowned when Kray actually started laughing, messing up his ridiculously stained hair with a hand while glancing back over his shoulder at the building. I didn't say anything else while he laughed because he had already pushed me to the point where I wanted to fly away just in anger and if I said anything else I would snap.

"I clearly can't answer that."

"I just have to know where you aren't."

"Why? Planning a vacation?"

I raised my eyebrows and waited as the realization dawned on his features. I smirked this time now that his smugness had worn into panic.

"You're leaving?"

"And we'd rather avoid any run-ins with your traitors."

"You can't take Kisara," he said.

"I won't be taking Kisara anywhere. She'll do what she wants to."

"If you take her pet, she is going to follow. I looked for her long enough."

"Seto is my pet, not Kisara's. Are you going to answer me?"

"I'm not going to let you take Kisara. Our way home is here," he said, frantic.

I flinched when he grabbed my shoulders and leaned into my face. "Kara, seriously, you can't go anywhere."

I flicked off his hands and stepped back to keep him from touching me again, which I could see him itching to do.

"We're not going home."

"You're giving up our home for him? He's not worth it. Nothing is worth it."

"That's not your call," I said. I was just about convinced that he was not going to tell me anything and that staying any longer would be a waste of time. "But if you tell us where you all are not, then you'll know where to find Kisara."

My impatience grew as Kray rolled his eyes toward the sky, stalling for time or thinking it over. I didn't really care either way so long as it led to the answer I wanted. I knew he couldn't do anything to stop us from leaving. I was equally as strong as Kray, not to mention that I had Krin and Kara on my side, and even if he wanted to get some of his group to help him, they wouldn't leave Seto and Mokuba alive, so Kisara would never forgive him.

"Toward the sun," Kray said, lifting his chin in the direction of the sunset. "If you go far enough, you'll find places we haven't moved to."

"Thank you," I said, although I really didn't want to say it. I turned to leave, but Kray stopped me again.

"I know you don't owe me anything and you hate me and I'm so awful and I'm sure a bunch of other insults that are much more clever, but please, don't leave before I can see Kisara."

I glared until he got the point and moved.

"It's not my decision."

"Kara. Just give me a day to get there."

"I'm leaving. Now."

I burst into the air, not caring if Kray stood too close. I couldn't really hurt him anyway.

I looked to the sun as I flew, wondering how honest Kray really was, and if we really would leave that way. I had always been glad that Seto lived so close to home so we could escape home if need be. I lost my home if we followed the sun.

I understood that leaving was the best option, but I couldn't accept leaving yet, and if Seto told the truth about the bombing, we might lose home even if we remained close. My home or my pet, my escape or my life - I knew the right decision, but that didn't make it any easier.

I landed in front of the house and felt Kisara's energy shooting through. I didn't feel anything wrong with Seto, although I knew her extreme emotion had to be related to him. I had only seen Kisara get upset over two things in all the time since we had gotten here - Seto and Kray. I changed out of my strength and into the weak one I spent too much time in.

I walked in the house and didn't see Kisara or Krin, or Seto or Mokuba. I assumed Seto and Mokuba were still confined to their rooms, or they had run away since Krin and Kisara weren't keeping an eye on them. I would have to talk to them about it later on.

I heard Kisara before I saw her. I stopped by the backdoor, which seemed to have become the getaway spot for everyone who needed to get to a private place without actually going anywhere. I could always hear everything that was said out there anyway.

"-you always say! But patience isn't working! He doesn't love me! He doesn't love us! Why can't he just love us?"

I had been about to open the door to see what was important enough to keep them separate from Seto and Mokuba, but I stopped just before my fingers reached the knob. I backed up a step and hoped she hadn't heard me.

"We can't change Seto," Krin said calmly.

"Mokuba is liking us more! And Seto isn't trying to run away, but he just won't-"

"You're right. He won't."

I closed my eyes when Kisara began sobbing.

"He doesn't love me when I'm myself and he doesn't love me when I try to act like he wants me to act and why won't he at least like me a little?"

I stalled a few seconds to hear Krin's reply, but the only sounds coming through the door were Kisara's crying and failed attempts to stop.

I looked at the closed door to our room on the other side of the hallway. I was right in the middle of Kisara's energy and Seto's, and both were so high right now that it almost hurt. I had had enough of all the fighting and tears and talk about Seto's drama.

I opened the bedroom door and saw Seto lying on the bed, holding a book that covered most of his face. I expected him to lower it when I walked in, but he didn't, which irritated me. I stormed the few steps over and ripped it from his hands so that he had no choice but to acknowledge it.

"Kara-" he started.

"Get up."

I saw the confusion flicker on his face, but he didn't stand, only moved to sit. I disliked the lack of obedience, and grabbed his arm and jerked him to his feet, making him stumble forward.

"You will listen to me very carefully," I said, tossing the book to the floor. I cornered Seto so he couldn't slip past me or see past my eyes, and my eyes focused entirely on him.

"You hate us. Fine. As long as you're here, I don't care what you think of us. But I'm done with your attitude. You can't be mad at us for needing you around, or for not liking the fact that we don't want you to kill us. So start playing nice, even if it means lying."

"I'm-"

"Going to do exactly what I just said. We are trying and you're not, and I'm not going to let that happen anymore."

I didn't move away or give Seto space to end the conversation. I lingered because I could tell that it made him uncomfortable, further making my point that I was done dealing with him acting like one of the dark.

"You're planning to take me away and keep me hidden somewhere I can't escape from. I'm not okay with that."

"We weren't okay moving here, or creating peace with the Magician, or bringing your brother in, or the compromise, or giving up our way home. Sometimes we do things because they have to be done, not because we want to."

"Kara, I-"

"Seto, I am just going to stop you there. Mostly because I don't care what you're about to say. You are going to behave."

I began to walk away to finally get outside to check on Kisara, but turned around to add one final comment.

"I don't care if it causes me more pain. If you make my sister cry again, I will hurt you."

Seto stretched his fingers.

Check out my blog for thoughts on this chapter and review responses from Chapter Thirty-Four.

Preview: Happy birthday to Seto.