That night Mokuba made chili. His personal favorite was chilidogs. He was afraid that he wouldn't get anything since Noah was in such a foul mood. But despite that, his stepmother allowed him to have some. Mokuba knew that the only food he'd get tonight was what he could get testing. Not that he regretted feeding Seto, he liked him; he needed food to help him get better faster. There again the longer he stays the happier Mokuba is. After the family dismissed him, he took the food down to Seto.

"H-here, I m-made chili."

Seto smiled. 'His stuttering is not as bad, Ryo did say that once he's more comfortable with me he'd stutter less.' However, he was concerned when he heard the kid's stomach rumble, like it did at breakfast. He stroked the kid's hair. "Are you okay, are you eating okay?" 'The kid is awfully skinny. Does he get enough to eat? I can guarantee that will change when I get him home!'

Mokuba sighed. 'Not this again! Ryo asks the same thing all the time.' He decided to tell him the same thing he always tells Ryo. "I-I'm fine."

Seto didn't much believe it but didn't argue. "Mokuba, could you do me a favor?"

"S-sure."

"When you get the chance I need a piece of paper and a pen."

"Okay."

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

After everyone had finished dinner and gone to bed Mokuba finished cleaning the kitchen, he figured Seto was probably also bored and looked through the books till he found what he was looking for. It was a beat up worn out book he'd seen Noah read several times. He figured it must be good. But since he hadn't touched it in months hoped he wouldn't miss it. He was certain he had the right one, it was the right color and about the same place, he remembered it being before. He also hoped Seto would like it. So, he took it, then a pen and several pieces of paper to Seto. He handed the three items to him.

"Thank you kiddo. I appreciate your help."

"W-what does ap-apr…aprec…" Mokuba sighed in frustration cause he couldn't say it.

"It's ok, Mokuba, just take it slower next time. It means I'm happy for your help."

"Oh." Mokuba yawned and crawled over to a spot a few feet away from Seto.

Seto started to think about what to write. He put down several ideas then he heard whimpering. Seto then noticed that the kid was sleeping on the hard ground with no blanket, pillow or anything. He then realized that he must be taking the kid's bed; that thought didn't sit well with Seto. He set the book and things to the side. He was able to lean over enough to shake the kid awake. Mokuba sat up rubbing his eyes.

Seto then raised up the blanket, "Come over here."

Mokuba shook his head no. "I-I'm f-fine."

"You don't look it, now come here, you're obviously cold and that hard floor doesn't look comfortable."

"N-no, it's okay."

Seto, still holding the covers up, patted the space next to him even scooting over a little. "Come on, I insist."

Mokuba wasn't sure but he was cold and he liked sitting next to Seto. So, he crawled closer and laid down next to him, his back to Seto. Seto covered him up and rubbed his arm till he was sure the boy was asleep. Then he decided to focus on the letter.

{Dear Magician,

I know you're probably out of your mind with worry, but I'm okay. I'll be home soon, I promise! I had an accident and I'm being well cared for. One of the people caring for me is a baby dragon and if at all possible, I plan on bringing him home. He needs us. He's so mistreated here I want to give him what we could never give to our brother. Trust me I hope to be home in a few days, hold down the fort till then.

Love Always,

Dragon.}

He could only hope Yami would remember the nicknames they used to use with each other. They always wrote in code so that neither his father nor his slime advisors would be able to understand what was said. His father intercepted a letter once and he later found it in the trash and since neither he nor Yami got into trouble he figured it meant his father never understood the letter and just threw it out.

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

The next morning Mokuba woke up and found it was actually one of the most restful nights he had in a while. He never knew anyone but Ryo could make him feel like that. He got up and quickly made breakfast and after he finished his stepmother listed all the things he had to do for the day. Clean the barn out spotless, clean out the chickens cage and weed the flower and vegetable garden. Mokuba had hoped for light work, he wanted to try to see if Seto would read to him from that book. Now he'd be lucky to get it all through by the end of the day. He figured the best way was to take breakfast to Seto and then do the dishes. He'd be able to get the barn done before lunch and then just a few minutes to spend with Ryo. After breakfast, he took the tray downstairs and saw Seto was still asleep. So, he pulled a bench over and put the food on it making sure the food was covered well with the towel. He didn't want to wake him but then his coffee would get cold. So, he whispered in his ear, "S-Seto, y-your breakfast is r-ready."

He smiled when he heard a faint: "Thanks Mokuba."

He refilled the bucket of water like he did everyday so the water was fresh, then he went back upstairs and did the dishes. Seto sat up and was disappointed that Mokuba wasn't there. He wondered why, what happened to make him not want to stay?

Mokuba barely finished the barn and cleaning out the chicken's cage before it was time for lunch. He made macaroni and beef. It wasn't his specialty but it was at least edible. He was awfully tired as he came downstairs and set the tray on the table to rest before meeting Ryo and going back to work.

"Hi, S-Seto."

Seto looked up from the book as Mokuba sat the tray down, walked around, sat down on the other side of Seto and laid his head on his shoulder.

"You okay kid? You don't look so good. I missed you at breakfast."

Mokuba sighed and closed his eyes. "S-sorry I h-had a lot of work to do today and wanted to get started early." Mokuba said, avoiding the first question.

"Oh." Seto said he was very concerned the kid's face was red. He put his hand on his forehead and other than being hot and a little sweaty; he didn't appear to have a fever. He wrung a piece of cloth out, placed it on the kid's forehead and put the kid's hand up. "Here hold this there."

Mokuba wasn't used to this kind of attention but didn't argue and settled in for a short nap. After all, if he went back to work or off to meet Ryo they'd realize he wasn't eating. Not that they'd care mind you, it's just they'd feel he was wasting the food he was being given. Seto wished the kid didn't have to work so hard. When he finished eating, he noticed the kid was sound asleep.

"Poor thing he's exhausted. I hate to wake him, he looks so peaceful." Seto said lightly, running the cloth over the kid's face.

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

A few minutes later Ryo appeared.

"Oh hello Seto I'm glad to see you're feeling better."

"Me too, but I'm worried about him though."

"Oh my he doesn't look good at all does he? Speaking of which you were going to name him; what did he say?"

"Well it took time but I chose to name him after my little brother, Mokuba."

"That's a good name for him. He looks so peaceful."

"Yeah I thought so too. Oh I wanted to ask you if you'd give this to your brother and tell him to give it to Yami and he'd be able to get it to my family."

"Oh, sure no problem, happy to help. Well I can't stay long it seems Master Pegasus is preparing everyone who he feels is ready for the final test this week. I was one of the chosen ones so I'll be graduating from there soon. I only came by for a few minutes because I promised him I'd meet him everyday about this time. He was late and I wanted to check in on you anyway so I just came here. How long are you going to let him sleep?"

"Well he said something about a lot of work so sadly I'll have to wake him soon."

'I wish I thought to stop by my place and fix up another picnic basket, the kid doesn't look like he's eaten at all lately.'

"Is something on your mind?"

"Oh well I was just concerned, you see the family sometimes has a habit of refusing to feed him. I usually bring food to our meetings so that I can be certain he's eating at least once a day, sometimes twice if I pack enough food."

Then a violent thought struck Seto. 'Wait then when I heard his stomach grumbling that means…that must mean he's been giving me his dinner. Oh I wish he had told me!'

"What's wrong with you?" Ryo asked.

"Oh well you see I had noticed that he never ate with me but once and I'd hear his stomach growl but I figured he'd go back upstairs and get something to eat. I never imagined that he'd just give me all his food. I wish he had told me."

"I don't think he would have. For such a little kid he has a lot of pride."

"Yeah I guess so."

"Well you'll be sure he eats something from now on right?"

"Yes, I will."

"Good." Ryo leaded over and kissed Mokuba's forehead, accidentally waking him in the process.

"Hi R-Ryo."

"Hey kid. How are you feeling?"

"B-Better now."

"Good, glad to hear it. Look, can I call you Mokuba?"

"S-sure."

"Great, now listen I'm going to be super busy this week."

"So w-we c-can't meet?"

"No, I'll still make time for you. It just won't be for as long as normal. I'm sorry but it's a tight schedule now."

"I-It's okay Ryo, I un-under s-stand."

Ryo ruffled his hair. "Well you be good and take care of Seto."

"I w-will I p-promise."

"Well I best be going. Goodbye."

"Bye R-Ryo."

After Ryo left, Mokuba got up and started to head out before Seto could stop him.

"Where do you think you're going? You're in no condition to be going back to work."

"I c-can't. I h-have too. If I d-don't the b-beating w-will be w-worse than n-normal o-ones." Mokuba said leaving.

"Mokuba wait!" Seto called out. He didn't care if anyone heard or not he'd protect him! He didn't want him to get sick by going back out there! Though he figured he was telling the truth about the beatings, it didn't change anything, he still didn't want him out in that heat!