Yami was more than slightly taken back by this. "What do you mean you have to be married or killed?"

Maura sighed. "My father didn't want me to, but my stepmother did."

"Why would they kill you?"

Maura sighed. "In my kingdom if you're not married or engaged by 10, you're killed."

"That's terrible." Yami said. But then it dawned on him, the fancy clothes being in a kingdom where they enforce killing. "Maura, are you a princess?" He was a little hesitant in asking, but it made sense. Few people outside royalty have such rules and stick with them.

Maura sighed and nodded her head. "My sisters were already married when they were my age, but their husbands don't hit them. The man I'm supposed to marry is mean, cruel and ugly. My sisters told me I should learn to live with it but I just couldn't."

"You said your father didn't want you to get married. Have you talked to him about this?"

"Papa died six months ago. I overheard my sisters talking and they were saying they think my stepmother poisoned my father. Papa was ill for a long time; the doctors always said that they didn't know what was wrong with him."

"You should at least try to go back. Perhaps you could get your sisters to help you out, maybe figure a way out. After all, Christmas isn't far off."

Maura shook her head. "They told me I have to learn to deal with it. Christmas won't be any fun without papa. It was one of the few times I've ever felt like a kid. The rest of the time, it's all princess lessons and what will be required of me when I get married. The only reason I'm allowed any type of schooling like reading and writing is because my stepmother feels it's a disgrace not to be able to do such things."

"I see."

'Perhaps this is the reason I had my doubts on going home. I was meant to find her and take her home. That's why she was in my visions. She reminds me so much of Mokuba. Maybe it'd be good for him to have a friend, like her. I'm still surprised Seto let him have so many girls for friends; when Mokuba told me that I nearly fell over, I couldn't believe it.' as Yami looked over he noticed Maura was sound asleep.

The next morning Yami had made up his mind. "Maura."

"Yes?"

"How would you feel about coming home with me?"

"I told you I don't want to marry anyone!"

"No, not like that. I have two brothers and we live in Draglor. I think you'd like it there. My younger brother is about your age. I think you two could be great friends. Plus I think you could help him a lot."

"How can I do that?"

"Well he's shy and quiet. I think you could help bring him out of his shell a lot more."

"I don't know."

"Well would you rather I take you home? I'm not leaving you here. So, you either come home with me or I take you back to your old home."

"Fine. I'll go home with you."

The next day after a little magical help they were riding into the town of Trapani, the town outside the castle in Draglor, normally it would have been a week's ride. But he wanted to get home fast so he created a portal to put them just on the edge of the forest. So, a week's ride was turned into a couple of hours.

As they were riding into town Yami couldn't help thinking how much this reminded him of Mokuba. He realized he was in about the same position he was in with her as he was with Mokuba. So he decided to do the same thing, he stopped at the clothing store.

"Okay Maura I want you to pick out an outfit to change into, then choose several more and we'll have them sent to our castle."

"All right." Maura said, going right to it. Shopping was one of the things she loved to do. This time she got to choose rather than her stepmother.

Yami was surprised. He was slightly afraid at first that she'd be like Mokuba and refuse to make a decision on her own. However after watching her shop he should have realized being a princess alone made her stronger. More strong willed when it came to some things.

Then they went to the toy store. Unlike Mokuba, he figured she would at least look around.

"Sugoroku, it's nice to see you again." Yami said.

"It is good to see you as well, Master Yami. Who's your friend?"

"This is Maura. She's going to be staying with us for a while. How long hasn't been determined yet. I wanted to look in a couple of other shops and hoped it wouldn't be a problem if she stayed here."

"No problem at all. I'm sure Master Mokuba will be happy to have a new friend." Sugoroku said.

"Maura, this is Sugoroku House. I'd like you to stay here and look around. I'll be back soon."

"Okay." Maura said, starting to look around. He smiled a sad smile, how different she was from Mokuba, so strong and independent. Even in the clothing store. With Mokuba, it took him a while to convince the child to pick something he liked; but Maura had no trouble there, she went right at it.

As Yami was leaving the toy store a couple of toys caught his eye. It was a little dog and cat. He didn't know why but something told him that the cat would make an excellent present for Mokuba. He decided to get the dog for Maura. He wanted to go to the antiques store and well he learned his lesson with Mokuba. He got the toys now.

"Sugoroku."

"Oh, is something wrong? The girl is upstairs looking around, though she reminds me of Master Mokuba. She won't touch the toys but seems fascinated in looking."

Yami sighed, "I wish Mokuba could be more like that."

"I'm sure he will someday, you just have to give him time. He's had a hard life; it's not even been a year since he's been fully broken from his old family and life. But I am confident that with you and the king giving him unconditional love, he will eventually come around and grow and change as he gets older."

Yami smiled. "You know what, Sugoroku. You're right. I've been so worried that Mokuba might still hate me that I never thought that if I go back and continue to spend time with him and just love him that I won't have to worry. If he doesn't love me now, he will in time. He said he did, but I don't know I'm still unsure of it. But I won't let it consume me, I will fight to gain his love! Here I want to get these for Mokuba and Maura." Yami said, handing him the toys.

"Very well. Is that all?"

Yami thought for a minute. "See if you can coax Maura into picking out some toys you can charge them to the castle. I'll come back and get these two when I pick up Maura."

"Very well, I'll do my best."

"I'm sure it'll go easier than it did with Mokuba."

"Yes, I'm sure it will."