It'd been two weeks since Seto and Kisara had it out. And as much as she hated doing things the slow way she had at least partially started doing as Seto asked and focusing only on what the kid needed right now. Though she'd still throw in some harder, more complicated things and only got angry when he failed to get it right. But she did enough to satisfy Seto for the moment. So, she was allowed to keep her job for the time being.

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

Seto happened to be walking past the gardens when he saw Mokuba sitting on the small brick wall facing the gardens. He carefully walked out and kissed the back of his head.

"Hi Seto."

Seto sat down next to him. "How did you know it was me? It could have been Ryo."

Mokuba scooted closer and snuggled into him. "I c-could hear your coat. It s-sometimes makes a noise when you walk."

"Oh, so what are you doing out here? Why aren't you playing with your new friends?"

Mokuba sighed. "They s-said they didn't want to play next to the castle."

"Okay, so why didn't you get Varon to take you over there then?"

Mokuba looked up. "B-but you said that you'd rather us p-play here. T-That you'd be worried about me."

Seto wrapped his arms around him. "Look kiddo, I would rather you played here. But Varon told me you were a very good boy and stayed close. As much as I'd like too, I can't keep you locked in the castle forever. As long as you remember the rules you can go to your friend's house."

"T-Thanks Seto."

'He's scared about me going out there but is still willing to let me go. He's the best big brother there is.' Mokuba thought, snuggling in more.

"Master Mokuba?" Mai called from the door.

Reluctantly he moved back and turned to look at her. He wanted to stay in the warmth and safety of Seto's arms a little longer.

"There are some people here to see you."

Mokuba was confused. "S-see me?"

Just then, Mai turned and motioned for someone. Mokuba was surprised when Muran appeared, then slowly seven girls appeared followed by a young woman.

"Can I help you?" Seto asked.

"My name is Natalia. Muran and the girls wanted to come play here with their new friend. I was chosen to represent their parents to be certain that there would be no problems."

"S-Seto these are my friends."

Seto was surprised. 'All girls, I would have thought Mokuba's friend would have a few guys for friends.'

"It's a pleasure to meet you Natalia."

"Call me Natalie. And you are?"

"Seto Kaiba."

"As in King Seto Kaiba?"

"That's right. This is my little brother Mokuba."

"It's a great honor to meet you, my king." Natalie said bowing as she curtsied.

"Mokuba, why don't you introduce me to your friends." Seto said.

"Sure." Mokuba said, taking his brother's hand. "Y-You know Muran, this is his s-sister Sarah."

"It's a real honor." Sarah said doing a curtsy.

Seto nodded. 'Well at least it seems Muran's sister has the same kind of manners he has.'

"T-This is Becky, Jen, Angela, Kat, Steffi and V-Veronica." Mokuba said.

The girls all curtsied. Telling Seto it was an honor.

Then Jen looked at Seto. "Would your guards really shoot us?"

"Excuse me?" Seto asked, totally confused as to why she'd think the guards would shoot them.

"Jen, what are you doing?" Kat asked.

"What? I was only asking a question." Jen said.

"No, you're trying to get us all in trouble." Becky said.

"Yeah, my sister Natalie took time away from her job to be here and bring us." Steffi said.

"Now, girls."

"Might I ask why there aren't any boy's in this group?" Seto asked Muran.

"Oh, um well they started out as just Sarah's friends. Then V and I started talking and soon we all became friends. They all live not too far from me, so we can play together a lot. Shimon is the only guy friend I have but he can't come over much and since I met Mokuba I've had to break off my friendship with him."

"Why?" Seto asked.

Mokuba remembered why all too well. He tugged on Seto's jacket. Seto looked down when Mokuba said "H-he's friends with Noah."

"What! You're friends with Noah!"

"No, no my friend Shimon is his best friend. I lied when I said I'd never met him. I wanted us to be friends and when it seemed that you didn't like Noah, I thought it best not to tell you I knew him. I mean he goes to my school. It's hard not to know who he is, but I have hung out with him and Shimon a few times. I don't like to though. That Noah guy gives me the creeps for some reason."

'Well for a moment there I was going to forbid Mokuba to continue to play with him. But seeing as how he doesn't like Noah, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. However I'll make certain Varon understands that this kid does know Noah and to be extra cautious.'

"C-can they stay and play Seto?" Mokuba asked, breaking through his thoughts.

"Yeah you go ahead. Natalie and I will talk. Varon."

"Yes, my king."

"Round up Katsuya, Otogi, Honda and a few others to form a perimeter barrier around the edges of the maze and the forest to watch and keep an eye on the kids to make sure they don't get hurt or lost. Be sure they understand this is not a request, it's an order and anyone found disobeying this order. Well there's always full guard duty and a few other things."

"Yes, my king." Varon said leaving.

"Please have a seat." Seto said to Natalie.

"Thank you. It is very kind of you to allow the children to come here and play."

"Mokuba needs playmates and I'd rather him and his friends play here, rather than over at their place. It makes me feel much better to know he's where I know he's safe from danger."

"You're very overprotective of him."

"I just want to do what's best for him. I wish I could keep him locked away in the castle forever knowing he was safe but I know I can't do that. As nice as that would be, I know I can't."

"I can tell he means the world to you."

"He does, he really does." Seto said, glancing back at Mokuba before returning his attention to Natalie. "Natalia, that's an interesting name."

"Yes, it's a family name."

Seto was about to ask another question when another woman walked over to him.

"Excuse me, sire."

"Yes, can I help you?"

"I'm Talana, I'm Varon's sister. This is my daughter Sami."

"It's an honor sir." 8-year old Sami said.

'Wow he has the most gorgeous blue eyes. You could just melt away in them.' Sami thought.

"Varon told me you needed a tutor for your brother's stuttering. I was hoping I could convince you to allow Varon or someone to watch Sami for a couple of hours a day and I could work with him."

'Please say you'll watch me!' Sami thought, looking at Seto and making him nervous.

"Of course please sit down, let's talk." Seto said.

Much to Sami's disappointment, her mother kept a tight grip on her waist to keep her from leaving her side.

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

At the same time, Joey was just coming off duty, when he was informed that he had babysitting duty with Mokuba and his friends. When he heard it was an order not a request he grumbled but did as he was told, not wanting to risk getting into trouble. As he was walking, he accidentally ran into Mai who had been carrying drinks out to the kids.

"Oh, I'm sorry, let me help you with that." Joey said.

"Thank you. Now I have to go back and start again, then bring out the chilidogs."

"Hey look no problem, I'll help you do both. I'll even carry the food."

"From what I heard I'm not sure I should trust you with the food."

"I am not a dog!"

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

Just then Jen came back to ask for a drink. When she saw Mai and Joey talking, she suddenly got a burning urge to kill her!

'Wow he is so gorgeous! But who is the witch he's talking to? She may have seen him first but she can't have him; he's going to be mine! Die wench, you must die!' 11-year-old Jen thought staring at them.