I don't Blueship, not regularly. I have nothing wrong with it; it's just that, when I think of Seto and Kisara and their relationship, I tend to think of her as something of a guardian angel. Regardless, there's a connection between them, and I don't think there's any use in denying it.

I think, even if Seto never learned anything about duel monsters being real, or having power of their own, he would still recognize Kisara.

.

Yuki was surprised, even though she wasn't sure why she should have been, to see just how much Seto still looked like himself, even in his current state. Even absent his dominant arm, he still carried himself like a warrior ready for war. He stood tall, defiant; his shoulders were pulled back and he gave no indication that he was any less devastating than he'd ever been.

Sotaro bowed before his older counterpart. "Hello, Mister Kaiba," he said. "I'm glad you're better."

Seto offered a smile and bowed his head in turn. "Thank you, Sotaro," he said. "I see you and your family are no worse for wear." He turned his attention to the rest of the group, his raptor's gaze sweeping over the newcomers in particular. "So," he went on, "I understand there is to be a new order of operations here. Would anyone care to elucidate?"

Seto's voice was smooth, calm, and commanding. Just like always. But there was something else, something sharp, in his tone that Yuki would only recognize later: worry. He was acting perfectly fine, just as unflappable as always, but once she was informed of just what he'd been dealing with since waking up, she would realize and understand why he was so . . . on edge.

Yugi stepped forward; the king was still in control.

"If I may," he said. "I took it upon myself to rework our strategy, so as to ensure your continued safety as best I could." He cleared his throat. "While my methods may have been . . . unorthodox, and untoward, as your brother has explained to me . . . I hope that I may be forgiven. I think you will be quite pleased when you understand what it is that we have done."

Seto offered in response a raised eyebrow, and then a curious glance at Mokuba, who came up from behind and took up his place at his brother's side.

Mokuba pretended not to notice Seto looking at him. His eyes were locked on Yugi. "That depends," he said, rather shortly. "How did it go? Were you successful?"

Yugi smiled. "If I may," he said again, stepping to one side. No one could ever accuse this Yugi of lacking in dramatics. "I should like to introduce you both to the newest member of our little strike team. She has agreed to take on the task of ridding us not only of your predecessor, but any agents he has recruited to his cause."

The knights, who had up to now been standing in front of their queen, both stepped aside to allow her passage; they treated the whole affair like a coronation, as though presenting Kisara to the king of another nation. Perhaps, in the ways that mattered, they were. Kisara stepped forward, past the others, and stood before Seto Kaiba for the first time.

There was no need for names. No need for complicated introductions.

Recognition sparked in Seto's eyes immediately.

Irrevocably.

"You've gotten yourself into quite the scrape this time, little prince," Kisara said, stealing a glance at Seto's injured arm. "Yet still I see the fire in you, burning as brightly as ever. Good. You have not been broken." She reached out and brushed the fingers of one hand against Seto's cheek. "I'm proud of you, champion mine. You have weathered this storm well."

"Kisara," Seto whispered.

Kisara flashed a grin. "May we sit?" she asked. "There is much for us to discuss, I think."