Before Zoey could go into a rage over what Ryo said, Seto spoke up. "I can't believe you're this stupid. Why did you even choose to be a parent anyway, if you had no intention of caring for them?"

"I think she was pissed we both were boy's and couldn't have a girl." Bakura said.

"That's not true. I was happy with both of my boy's."

"Really, then why is it you never raised us? I was always with the nannies and Ryo lived with Aunt Jane."

"Sounds to me like Bakura's right. You don't care about them. I suppose if you'd seen what those bastards did to Mokuba you still would think that using a whip normally used for cows and things would be just punishment just for having toys on the bed in the wrong order!" Yami practically yelled.

"Well I don't know about the method of punishment, but I often punished Bakura for the same offense. I'd have my things in a specific place and order and he'd do it wrong and be punished and forced to do it again till he got it right."

That angered Seto. "So, you think beating a child for something like that or even dropping plates of food and then tying them to trees and beating them severally and leaving them tied to said tree in a hot sun for hours is appropriate punishment?! Perhaps I should just go get him and show you what they did to him and then when you see that let's just see how you explain all that and if you truly believe that all of that is appropriate punishment for a little kid!" he yelled standing up.

Yami grabbed his arm, "You're wasting your breath Seto. I don't think it matters to her. Besides Mokuba's probably still asleep, let the kid sleep. I'm with Seto on that one, people like you and Mokuba's stepmother shouldn't have children!"

"We always wanted a child and were both very happy when Bakura was born."

"Huh, so what are you saying that you never wanted a girl? It sure felt like it all those years you kept dressing me up and priming me with fancy clothes."

"I wont say I wasn't slightly disappointed that I wasn't able to have a girl, but that doesn't mean that we didn't love you just the same."

"Then why didn't you want me?" Ryo asked. "What did I do to not deserve to be raised by you?"

"Ryo I…" Zoey started unable to explain.

Ryo glared at her, then turned and said sadly, "Bakura was right. You never wanted either of us." Then standing up he said, "I'm sorry Seto. I'll take responsibility for this and any punishment you wish. I won't go near Mokuba again." He started to head for the door when Seto stood up and stopped him.

"No, I told you I can't and I won't blame you for her mistake. Mokuba would be crushed if he learned he couldn't be with you anymore. Did you want that to happen to Mokuba?"

Ryo's eyes flared with anger, "NO, never! I love him too much to allow something like that."

"Then stop blaming yourself for that bitch of a woman."

Bakura stood and walked over to him and put his hand on Ryo's shoulder. "He's right, you shouldn't have to worry about those people. We're orphans. We don't have parents."

Ryo blinked, "Bakura…"

Bakura shook his head, "Which would you rather be an orphan with no family or tell people that those bastard children haters are your parents?"

"You're right. I never knew my father, he was never around and my mother is dead." Then he turned to Seto, "Do what you may with those people."

Their parents got up but Yami quickly put up an invisible soundproof barrier and just in time too as they started yelling and screaming.

Seto thought he heard something and looked back. "Yami what did you do?"

Ryo and Bakura looked and everyone could clearly see their parents yelling and turning red.

Yami shrugged, "I didn't think anyone would really be interested in what they'd have to say. So I put a soundproof barrier around them."

Bakura smirked, "That's probably the best way I've ever heard them. I'll send the guards to town to get a dozen or more of everything and anything else. My suggestion is to just assign some guards to take them back to their wing and make sure they stay there. Master Atemu, can you make the barrier permanent, or at least till they leave the castle and only when they have something important to say will it allow anyone to hear what they are saying?" Bakura may not like magic but he had to admit that this time he approved of its use.

Yami smiled, "That's a brilliant idea, Bakura. I shall do just that."

"Bakura, would you mind assigning people to stay with your parents?"

Bakura bowed, "Certainly." Then with a smile, "I know just who to assign."

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Bakura hadn't yet learned of Honda or Otogi's Christmas gifts to Mokuba and Maura, but he was about to.

Seeing Bakura, Connor and Eagan both ran to him.

"Is there a problem? I left the two of you in charge while I was away."

"Well we know sir, but we had a problem and well till now we didn't know what to do about it." Eagan said.

"Well what is it?"

They then told about Honda's presents to Seto and Yami then his looks and presents to both Mokuba and Maura.

"I don't understand Honda anymore. He used to be one of the finest knights in this kingdom! He was so well respected too. He was being prepped to take over as head of knights when I joined. I was only a guard and he was only a medium level guard. But Jonathan was the head knight and always said that Honda could go far. I know that even the late Master King said he had potential and he rarely commented on anything! The current King never changed the head of knights or guards as they were doing their jobs. But for some strange reason ever since the current King took over Honda's had an attitude problem. The king never did anything about it because it seemed the problem was all internal with the other knights and guards. Not to mention at the time he hadn't really gotten so bad as to disobey orders or be drunk on duty as he has several times. It's only gotten worse since Master Mokuba moved in."

"So, what are you going to do?" Connor asked.

"Sorry, Conner but he's your problem now."

"WHAT?! What do you mean by 'my problem'?"

"Well you are the head of the guards and he's now one of your underlings."

"So, he's being demoted that far?"

"Yes." Then he signed, "If it gets too much worse or he causes that much more trouble I'll have to talk to the king about firing him. I have the power to demote him and recommend he be fired but sadly I can't fire him. But my ex-parents, as I've officially disowned them, need guards. Place Honda there on full duty!"

"What about Duke?" Eagan asked.

"Place him there as well, a normal shift though."

"Why? Honda clearly stated that it was Duke's idea as well." Connor said.

"Well that may or may not be true. However Duke didn't take responsibility for it by helping to deliver it. Knowing Duke he probably caught him between women and asked his advice and that's what he gave. Assign regular shifts with other guards and knights that aren't signed up to the playroom demolition."

"I've been meaning to ask, why are we doing the remolding instead of professionals?" Eagan asked.

"My understanding is it's not a remodel. Remodel would mean it's going to be remade with new walls or something. My understanding is it's being made into two giant play areas. So other than knocking down some walls and making sure the place doesn't fall on our heads professionals will come in later and make it look nicer. As for why we're being told to do it? I can only assume cheap labor. Besides, it's not like we're being forced to do it. It's all voluntary, well for most of us it is. Didn't the king promise to pay you for your overtime you put into the room?"

"Well yeah…" Eagan said.

"Then what's the problem?"

"No, problems, I guess." Connor said.

"Good, now go work on scheduling and I'll confront Honda."

"What if he refuses the assignment?" Eagan asked.

"Yeah, especially after learning of his demotion." Connor said.

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, I guess." Bakura said walking off.