Yami walked down the street to the antiques store.
"Master Yami, it's great to see you!" Yuranzo the antiques store owner said.
"It's nice to see you too. Anything of any real interest?"
"Well… that depends. I heard a rumor that you're caring for a boy about 10, long black hair."
"Mokuba, why is something wrong?"
"No, no follow me."
Yami followed, though confused as to what this had to do with Mokuba. They stopped in front of what appeared to be a covered painting.
"Yuranzo, what does this have to do with Mokuba?"
"Well a child as I described came in a few weeks ago and well when he saw this, it was as if he was in a trance." Yuranzo said lifting up the cloth to show the same picture Mokuba had fallen in love with.
Yami's eyes went wide. "I can see why he liked it so much. Did he ever ask to get it?"
"No, I think he was afraid to ask."
"Really? I find it hard to believe Seto would deny him, especially if he saw this picture."
"No, the child called him… what was it… I don't remember the child stuttered it, but I think it started with a V."
"Varon?"
"Yes, I believe that was it. But the child never actually asked to get it. One thing I thought was strange though."
"What was that?"
"Well, as he was about to touch it, he pulled away as if he had been struck."
"Varon hit him?" Yami asked not believing it.
"No, the painting was on a high shelf and the boy asked to be closer but I was watching and the child pulled back on his own, no one touched him."
Yami was relieved; he would have found it hard to believe if Varon had hit him.
"After seeing how much the boy loved it, I pulled in from the shelf and stored it here. I have a part time assistant, I'm guessing he must have been the one to put this painting out. I would not have, I would have saved it till you returned. I know you would want it."
"Yes, I would. Thank you." Yami said getting the painting and having looked around found, for once only a few other items. Normally it'd be a wagon or more full. He paid for the items and asked they be delivered to the castle. Then he started to glance at other shop windows.
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Rishid the jewelry store owner was sweeping when Yami walked up. "Greetings."
Yami smiled, "Hello."
It was then that Rishid noticed his necklace. "You know the boy?" Rishid asked.
Yami was confused.
"I apologize, your necklace. I sold it to a young boy. I also made him a ring of charms that all connect. He bought almost all of them."
"Why didn't he get the other?" Yami asked.
"Well the young man that was with him said he didn't need them, but the boy begged and he caved."
"I see." Yami said assuming there were only four charms to begin with and that Mokuba only got one for Seto and Ryo.
"Would you like to see the other charms?" Rishid asked.
Yami wasn't really up for it but said, "Yes, please."
As they went inside Rishid pulled out the other two charms.
"I had a dream in which the child came to me and requested something new. So I made five charms."
That got Yami's attention. "Five charms?"
"Yes, I'm not sure why but I just had a feeling that there should be five charms."
"And Mokuba bought three?"
"Yes."
Yami wasn't sure what to make of it. There were five but the two left behind were of a dog and a cat. He went ahead and got the last two charms, though he wasn't sure who they were supposed to belong to he'd keep them and wait and see.
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He returned to the shop where Sugoroku was telling Maura a story.
"Hello, Maura. Did you have a nice time?" Yami asked.
Maura stood up and much to Yami's surprise did a curtsy bow and said, "Yes, I had a very nice time, Master Yami."
"You don't have to be so formal, Maura. I want us to be friends. Please unless we're in a public form…" Yami was about to explain since it'd taken time to explain to Mokuba, who he knew would disregard it. However he forgot she was a princess and already knew the ends and out of the system.
"I understand what you mean, I have had princess lessons all my life."
"Yes, of course, I should have realized. Seto was the same way. Please just call me Yami."
"Very well."
"So, did you find some toys you liked?"
"Yes, but what for?"
"They're for you to have a play with."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, Maura. I want you to be happy here." Yami took the little dog toy from the counter. "This is yours as a start."
Maura smiled, "Thank you."
'Well she's definitely different. It took me longer than that to convince Mokuba to take the baby dragon. It's not that I don't believe Mokuba would share his toys, but after getting punished for playing with other people's toys, it'll take him time to adjust to knowing he can share with Maura and not get into trouble for it. I'd also be afraid that he'd just give them to her not understanding the true meaning of sharing. He has come a long way from the scared little thing Seto first brought home. But at the same time he hasn't changed that much.'
"You're very welcome. Now, it's getting late, we best get going."
"How far are we going?"
"We live in the castle."
"The castle? No, I can't, the king will send me home for sure! I can't go!" Maura said, dropping the toy and running out.