After making sure Mokuba was all right, Seto went up to check on Yami and assign shifts to the maids. He was going to make sure at least one person was with him at all times. He wasn't going to take any chances. Yugi said Yami would be fine, but he wanted to be sure of it.
Ryo gathered up Mokuba's things, and they headed out. He made sure Mokuba's cloak was tight around him as they rode off.
As they headed into town, Ryo was going at a normal pace since Mokuba was asleep against him.
Shizuka, seeing Ryo, ran out to him. "Ryo!"
Ryo sighed and stopped. He knew he should have taken the back way, but he'd hoped that Shizuka wouldn't see him.
"I don't have time to talk, Shizuka. I need to get home. My parents are expecting me. The only reason I was going slow is because I didn't want to disturb Mokuba."
"Oh, so your parents are still in town?"
"Yes, they are. I'm not sure for how long."
"Well, as long as they're still here, then there's still time for me to meet them."
"I told you before, Shizuka. I don't want you to meet them yet. I don't want them getting the wrong idea."
"What kind of idea?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Why are you being so cold towards me, Ryo?"
Ryo sighed. "Look Shizuka, I…" He couldn't tell her that he was seriously thinking of breaking up with her. She'd want him to stay and discuss it. He really didn't want to do that now. "I'm sorry, I've just got a lot on my mind."
Shizuka knew he wanted to say something more, but for some reason was reluctant to say it. "I still don't understand why you're letting them meet that brat instead of me! Why is he more important?"
"I told you. I told them about Mokuba and they wanted to meet him."
"I know that's what you said, but you never told me why you didn't tell them about us!"
"Look, I just didn't," Ryo said, tired of arguing. Then Mokuba started to stir. "I'm sorry, Shizuka. I have to go," Ryo said and started to ride off.
This shocked Shizuka. She couldn't believe he was so cold towards her. Did she miss something? When did they break up? She couldn't remember anything that might have made Ryo mad enough to break up with her. She couldn't think of any other reason for Ryo being so cold towards her. Then she glared off in the direction he had just left. "It's that brat's fault! He's the reason Ryo's breaking up with me! You'll pay brat, mark my words!" Shizuka exclaimed and stormed back into the store. She would have to make something with those potions in it after all.
x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x
Ryo was glad to finally get home. He knew Shizuka was mad, but he just wasn't in the mood to deal with her today. He knew she wouldn't take the break up well.
"Where have you been? Mom was worried something happened to you."
Ryo looked over to see Bakura standing there with his arms crossed. "Sorry. We had a small problem with Mokuba, and then I ran into Shizuka."
Bakura wanted to ask what kind of trouble, but quickly decided he wasn't interested. He walked over to him. "Here, hand him to me so you can get down."
Ryo nodded. "Mokuba, come on kiddo. Time to get up."
Mokuba sat up and yawned, then stretched out his back.
"Come on, kiddo. Go to Bakura so he can help you down."
Mokuba nodded and leaned over enough for Bakura to grab him and set him on the ground.
Ryo climbed down and took Mokuba's hand. They walked into the house where his parents were sitting at the kitchen table talking.
"Mom, Dad, this is Mokuba."
His mom got up and walked over to them. "I was worried that you might have gotten lost in the snow or something."
"No, Mokuba was hard to get ready. Being Christmas and all yesterday, he didn't get much sleep." Ryo said.
Bakura glared at him. He knew by the tone of his voice that he was lying, especially since he'd stated earlier that there had been trouble. Still, he didn't say anything because their parents always went crazy when they heard the word 'trouble'. Bakura had a feeling magic was involved. He wasn't sure how they felt about it, but he knew he didn't care for magic. Besides, he knew it would probably take a lot more of an explanation than he'd want to sit through, so he kept his mouth shut.
"Mom, would you mind putting him in my room? He's still a little on the sleepy side."
"Of course."
Ryo bent down next to the boy. "Mokuba, this is my mom, Zoey."
Mokuba, despite being extremely sleepy, smiled shyly. "H-hi, n-n-nice t-t-to m-m-m-meet y-y-you."
"It's nice to meet you, too little one." Zoey said.
"He doesn't normally stutter quite so much. He's just tired, and the more tired he is, the more he stutters."
"Oh, I see," Zoey said and held out her hand. "Come on, I'll tuck you in, and you can take a nice long nap."
However, Mokuba just shied away and leaned back into Ryo more.
Ryo sighed and hugged him. "Its okay, kiddo. She won't hurt you, I promise. Please, will you go with her? I'll check in on you later. I'm right here, and so is Uncle Bakura. If you need us, we'll be here for you."
Mokuba turned around and hugged him. Ryo smiled and hugged back. Their mother was a little surprised by this. She knew Ryo said the boy was shy and had been abused, but she didn't really think it was quite this bad.
Mokuba then turned and took her hand. Zoey snapped out of her trance and squeezed the boy's hand and led him to Ryo's room and tucked him in.
Their dad Jake looked at them. "Bakura, is there a reason why the boy thinks of Ryo as his brother, but you as his uncle?"
Bakura shrugged. "It seemed like the thing to do at the time."
"It's okay, Dad. I mean it makes Mokuba feel closer to him this way. Mokuba knows he can trust Bakura now, and that means a lot to him and me."
Before their father could ask any more questions, Bakura popped up and said, "Excuse us Dad, but we have something to discuss." Then he dragged Ryo out of the house before he could protest.
"Okay, so now what?" Ryo asked.
"I've heard some wild rumors, and most of them concern you marrying Shizuka!"
Ryo's eyes went wide. "WHAT?"