Good morrow to ye, fine lords, ladies, and gentlemen! And honey badgers, probably. We return on this fine day to the Kaiba Estate, to check on the nature of things. But first, an announcement. I apologize for anyone who's heard this before (twice now, for some of you), but I beg patience.

I've re-launched my YouTube channel, "Story Time with Iced Blood." It's a Let's Play channel, because I'm cool like that, and edgy. Anyway, as I type this, 16 episodes of my first project (Resident Evil 4) are available, and the 17th will go up at midnight. My channel is in its infancy, so any and all support and interest will be instrumental in its success. You all have been wonderful, supporting my stories and letting me know when you enjoy them, or when they might need some improvement. Well, this YouTube channel is another huge project for me, and one that could very well turn into a career if it takes off.

So if you're at all interested in hanging out with me while I play videogames and say a bunch of funny words, and supporting my financial independence at the same time, check the link in my profile or head on down to YouTube and look for my name.

Now then. Shall we continue?


"I want you to understand, honey, that we made a mistake. Mokuba-kun was right. It was stupid of us to talk about these things in front of you."

There was something about the way Yuki spoke to her son that was different than anyone might have expected. Perhaps it was the slow confidence in her tone. Perhaps it was the sheer calmness of her violet eyes. Perhaps it was the somber attention Sotaro was leveling on her as she spoke. Whatever it was, there was no indication whatsoever that this woman was speaking to a child. Someone who was, in other words, inferior to her.

Yuki was speaking to an equal. At least, mostly.

"I understand what you were talking about," Sotaro said. "Father was scared that Mokuba-kun's brother was bad. He wanted to make sure. He's trying to protect us."

Yuki smiled, but it disappeared quickly. "Yes. I know that, darling, but that's not the point. We're dealing with someone very dangerous. Do you understand? You understand that your daddy is worried about us, so maybe you understand why. This man, Gozaburo Kaiba. If he gets what he wants, if he's able to do what he's trying to do, then . . . then we, your daddy and I, are probably going to die. And he'll hurt you." Knelt down in front of Sotaro, Yuki was eye-level with him. She reached up and cradled her son's head in both hands. "He'll hurt you, my precious baby. We can't let that happen. That's our jobs."

"You don't have to worry," Sotaro said. "I understand these things."

"I know you do." She swept hair away from the boy's forehead and kissed him. "You're my little miracle. You're the smartest boy in the world. But that's not why we shouldn't have talked about those things in front of you. You're the one he wants. And you, brave boy, if you keep hearing about all this dangerous stuff we're doing, you're going to want to help. But Mommy and Daddy are selfish. We can't have that. We need you to stay with Mokuba-kun. That will be the biggest help you can be."

"I'll help by doing nothing." Sotaro looked suspicious.

"You'll help by staying a step ahead of him. Like a ninja. Or a spy. And Mokuba-kun will help you."

Seto came walking past the doorway of the Yagamis' room, where Kohaku sat on the bed, and Yuki knelt on the floor with her son. His hands were in his pockets. "The first thing you need to do is acclimate yourself to this place." He looked over at Sotaro and raised an eyebrow, slowly. "You know what that word means."

Sotaro's back straightened. "It means I have to get used to . . . here."

"My brother will help you with that. He already has. Hasn't he?"

Sotaro nodded slowly.

"There may be a different role for you, once you've finished with that." Seto scowled. "But until you finish that, don't think about anything else. That will teach you patience, if nothing else. If you can't learn that . . . I have no use for you."

Sotaro actually smiled. "I'm patient."

Seto's lips twitched. "We'll see." He turned his eyes away, down the hall in the direction of his brother's bedroom. ". . . I don't appreciate it, when other adults presume authority over Mokuba. You may have caught onto this. I must apologize for committing that trespass with your son. However, as you've intimated, this is a dangerous situation, even if it has yet to seem like one. If I am to keep your family safe, there must be control."

"We understand," Yuki said softly, standing up and pulling Sotaro into a one-armed hug in the same motion. She looked over at her husband, then down at Sotaro. "Honey? Could you go check on Mokuba-kun? I need to talk to Daddy for a moment."

"About dangerous stuff." Sotaro flashed a cheeky little grin.

Yuki smiled back, ruffled Sotaro's hair, and kissed his forehead again. "That's right. Go on, now."

He did.

The smile left the young woman's face, and she looked at Seto. ". . . How likely is it? How much danger is my son actually in? You've faced this man before."

Seto's face twitched. "Physically, very little. He's valuable. He won't be killed, or injured. If . . . that man put this much time, effort, and money into this project, the last thing he'll do is invalidate it. The people in danger are the obstacles. Those keeping him from my predecessor. As to how much danger you face, that depends on how well you manage to prepare. Stay vigilant. Stay loose. Take your fear, and anger, and stress. Hone it. Sharpen it. Make it a weapon. If you can do that, then you will be as safe as anyone can be in a situation like this."

He paused, and eyed the two of them.

"Do not expect me to assure you that you will be safe, and that no one will be hurt. I'm not in the business of lying. Understand as well, the both of you, that I have given you my word to protect you. However, my chief concern is my brother. If he is brought into danger, I will protect him. Above you, above your son. I do not say this out of malice. This is not about what I think of you."

Yuki drew in a deep breath and nodded. "You're protecting your boy. Just like us."

Seto's expression turned disarmingly pleasant. "Exactly." Then his face changed. "Do not expect me to be so forthcoming in the future."

"Oh, of course not."

Kohaku clenched his teeth. ". . . That's rich, you know? You expect us to do as you say, and you've just as much outright admitted that you aren't going to do your part if—"

"Don't you talk to me about doing my part!"

Kohaku stumbled back a step; so did Yuki.

Seto, finger pointed at the man who should have been his father, stared. His throat worked; his eyes flashed.

Then he closed them.

"This is not a discussion, Kohaku Yagami. You've come to me for protection against a man who traded death and war for a living. He's good at it. Better than you. Better than everyone, except me. If you don't like that, then leave. Go out and try to survive on your own. But if you're going to be in my city, asking for my help, then you're going to understand the rules: Mokuba's safety is not negotiable. It is not optional."

He opened his eyes again.

"You think what Mutou has told you is the irreparable truth. You think that you are in your own future. You think that you are my family. You think I owe allegiance to you. I do not. He is my family. He is my responsibility. Everything I do is contingent upon his welfare. If I have to break a promise to keep him alive, then I'll do it. My brother's life means more to me than pride, honesty, integrity, and certainly more than either of you." His eyes lingered on Yuki for a moment as he said this. "If your son was in direct danger, and you had to let either, or both, of us die in order to ensure his safety, then you would damn well do it. So don't get high and mighty with me."

He lowered his hand and stepped away, staring at Kohaku again. He looked ready to chew glass . . . or to cry.

"Even if by some rosary-and-candlelight miracle you are who you seem to think you are . . . you lost the right to pass judgment on me a long, long time ago."