Ryo was able to get the shirt off with little resistance. "If you have some scissors it'll be easier to take the olds ones off."

"Of course." Dr. Solomon said.

Suddenly the scissors appeared in Ryo's hand. Ryo and Yami blinked in surprise. Mokuba just stared at the ground.

Dr. Solomon looked at Yugi.

"I've been practicing." Yugi said.

"Okay kid, sit up and let me cut them off."

'I'll admit they do need to be changed. I wouldn't mind getting them changed if getting treated didn't always go with it.' Mokuba thought.

Ryo finished cutting them off when he looked at Yami. "Are you sure you want to see this? It's not a pretty site."

"I think I can handle it." 'Despite what Seto thinks I can't believe it's bad enough for the salve. I know Mokuba said he was beaten but I find it hard to believe it's really that bad.'

Ryo cut the bandages down each side. Then he carefully removed it from his chest. But after he removed it, Mokuba buried his head into Ryo's chest and clutched his shirt. No, they hadn't started yet and it wasn't that Mokuba was in pain, it was just from everything he'd heard and the way everyone was talking about this stuff, it sounded a lot like this was going to be ten times worse than normal and he was frightened.

"It's going to be okay." Ryo said to try to reassure him. "Maybe you can give him something for the pain."

"I'm afraid not. You see for some reason any medication given reacts with the salve and well we're still working on the why. But it does one of two things. One, it causes a major rash or some other kind of reaction or two, the salve doesn't work at all. We've experimented with it more than once so it's a proven fact." Dr. Solomon said, then turned to Yami. "Master Atemu the king has given the final decision on whether or not to use the salve to you. He said if you felt it wasn't necessary then not to do it."

"I see very well then."

"Doctor, can you get the back bandages off? It's kind of hard to do it carefully with his head buried in my chest." Ryo said lightly rubbing the back of the boy's head.

"I'll get it." Yami said.

"Are you sure?" Dr. Solomon asked.

"Yes, I can handle it, how bad can it be." Yami said reaching out and taking hold of it but was stopped by Ryo's hand. Yami looked up at him in surprise.

"If you don't even have a clue and don't want to believe it can be that bad then I don't think you should do this."

That surprised Yami seeing the serious look on Ryo's face and seeing how Mokuba was trembling. He was beginning to wonder if it really was that bad. He gently and carefully started to remove the bandages. After he got them off, he dropped them in shock over what he was seeing. His eyes widened and he couldn't believe it. He knew from the way everyone was talking it was probably bad but this was far beyond anything Yami ever imagined. He shakily reached out to touch it almost like he didn't believe it was real. He touched one causing Mokuba to arch in his back and cry out then wrapping his arms all the way around Ryo's waist. He buried his head that much more into Ryo's chest.

"I-I knew from the way you and Seto and even Mokuba talked it had to be bad, but I never imagined. I never believed. I'm sorry little one I should have believed you. How-How could they do this? Some of these look like they never got the chance to heal. I can't, I can't believe this. Why, what could he have ever done…"

"You haven't heard any of his stories?" Ryo asked.

"Well yeah but I never truly believed that it was true, that they could do this."

"So what do you think Mokuba was just lying to get sympathy?" Ryo asked angrily.

"N-No I-I didn't say that."

'I knew it! He does hate me!' Mokuba thought practically crushing Ryo with his grip crying.

"Then what exactly did you say?" Ryo asked, furious that Yami was implying Mokuba had lied about what happened to him.

Yami sighed he'd not only upset Ryo but he could tell he'd upset Mokuba that much more.

"Master Atemu, shall we wrap him with the normal ointments?" Dr. Solomon asked.

Yami looked with sad eyes to the little one knowing what kind of pain this would cause, but he also knew it was the best thing. "No, use the salve. Then wrap him." He turned to leave.

"Just where do you think you're going?" Ryo asked.

"I-I think it's for the best if I wait outside. I'll show you to his room when it's done."

"I'm sorry, kiddo but I have to ask." Ryo whispered and though Mokuba wasn't totally sure what he meant he had an idea. "So it's true then." Ryo asked Yami, as he was half way out the door.

"What?" Yami stopped and faced Ryo. "Is what true?"

"Mokuba thinks you hate him or at least don't like him very much. Does this mean it's true?"

Yami was shocked to hear that Mokuba thought he hated him. He thought he'd gained enough trust that he'd know. "No of-of course I don't!"

'He don't?' Mokuba wondered.

"Then why are you walking away from him?" Ryo asked. "Didn't you promise him you wouldn't leave him?"

"Well yes, but…"

"But what do you like going around lying to people?"

"No! Of course not! I avoid lying as often as possible!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you did. You just wait outside." Ryo said.

"May we start now?" Dr. Solomon asked as Yami went just outside the door.

"Well look Seto's been giving him a sleeping pill before treatments. How about just giving him that?"

"That's a nice idea but I'd prefer not to give any kind of medication on the off chance there's a reaction or it doesn't work." Dr. Solomon said.

"I see. I'm sorry kiddo, I tried." Ryo said, rubbing the kid's head as he nodded crying.

"Well here we go." Dr. Solomon said starting to apply the medicine. "I'm sorry but the more it hurts the more effective it is."

Yami cringed hearing the kid in pain. It'd been a long time since he'd had anything serious enough for the stuff. But he remembered all too well the pain and seeing the marks on the kid's back he could only imagine it was like feeling the pain of them all over again. He remembered the one and only time he'd actually heard the kid laugh. He sighed realizing that that was probably one of the few times in his life he ever got to do that without getting into trouble. As he was trying to remember seeing the kid smile, he felt ready to break down and cry hearing him in so much pain. Finally, he couldn't handle it anymore! He did promise and if he never went in then for sure the kid would believe he hated him. He walked in but seeing how tight a hold Ryo had on him, he wasn't sure there was room for him. But he felt he should at least try. He walked over and bent down so that Mokuba could see him. By now, his screams and cries were more just loud whimpers as the stuff was applied heavily to his back. Yami reached up and lightly stroked his cheek. Mokuba sniffed and looked up.

"It's alright kiddo, you're perfectly safe. I know that stuff hurts but I promise it gets better. You be good and I'll read you a book when it's all done, would you like that?"

Mokuba sniffed and nodded but still practically caving in Ryo's ribs with the force of his grip around his waist as the next strip came down.

Yami lightly rubbed his arms trying to say anything that might distract him.

"There it's done. I'm sorry but the wounds are too deep and massive. It's going to require daily treatment." Dr. Solomon said.

"You mean he has to do this everyday?" Ryo asked.

"I am sorry but that's the way it is. Once they start getting better once a week and then eventually once a month will be all that's required." Dr. Solomon said.

"I see."

Ryo decided now would be a good time to let Yami and Mokuba bond. He bent his head down enough that Mokuba could hear him. "Why don't you let Yami hold you while the doctor wraps you up?"

Mokuba nodded.

"Master Atemu, why don't you hold him while the doctor wraps him up."

"I don't know." Yami said not sure.

"Well you don't have to." Ryo said, pushing Mokuba back enough that the doctor could start wrapping him. Mokuba shakily reached for Yami's hand while the other gripped Ryo's arm.

Yami smiled seeing that he was trying to reach out. He stood and took the boy's hand and lightly brushed the side of his hair with the other.

"There all finished. I'll need to do it again about this time tomorrow." Dr. Solomon said.

"Very well. I'll be sure he's here." Yami said.

While Ryo was putting his shirt back on, Mokuba thought about what Ryo had said earlier about trying harder to bond more with Yami. So, he looked at Ryo then at Yami and then held his arms out to Yami.

'Good he's going to try to bond with him more.' Ryo thought. "I believe he wants you to carry him." Ryo told Yami.

Yami wasn't so sure but then remembered he'd promised Mokuba he would read to him. So, he picked him up. He thought the kid would be heavier than he was. He figured or hoped that would change after feeding him more. Now he had even more hatred and contempt for the people that had been raising him. Now there was no chance that he would ever let any of them near him again! Though after meeting Noah and seeing his determination despite the cost he inwardly feared that they may not have seen the last of him. He took Mokuba to his room, pulled back the covers and laid him down. Then he realized it was getting late and after what happened, he'd probably end up going to sleep.

"Okay kiddo, stay here. I promise to be right back okay?"

Mokuba nodded but didn't much believe him.

Yami went across the hall to Seto's room and started to go through one of his drawers.

"What do you think you're doing?" Seto asked.

Yami stood with a tee shirt that had been Seto's favorite but never wore it anymore.

"Let me guess you need a rag?" Seto asked.

"No, Mokuba needs something to sleep in. I thought he'd like something of yours."

"Oh, well that's fine but why not give him one of yours?"

"We still need time to adjust, Seto. Besides I think he'd much rather have one of yours. Not only that, I don't have all that many left." Yami said.

"So, how is it going?" Seto asked.

"Slowly, but I think we'll get there."

"Good, I really want you two to get along."

"Don't worry Seto, it may take time but it'll happen." Yami said going back into the room and finding Mokuba sitting in a window seat looking out.

"Why don't you put this on? Seto said you could have it."

Just like Yami thought if it had to do with Seto the kid was all for it.

"Well while you put that on I'll look for a book." Yami said looking around the room, they had gotten several different types over the years hoping each year would be different. Yami wasn't mad at Seto for giving up their brother's room. No Mokuba needed to feel closer to Seto, this was the best way to do that.

Yami wrinkled his nose up at all the books in question. 'The kid's too old for all of these. Besides, he's probably read them all anyway.'

'I hope he doesn't want me to pick one out. The days of the week, danger, town and laundry are the only words I can read. Those I only know thanks to Ryo. I probably should tell them that I can't read but they both seem so smart. They'd only think less of me for not being able to. Maybe Ryo can learn more and teach me.'

Finally, Yami sighed and gave up. He started back towards Mokuba.

'Great he's probably like Seto and wont do it. Even though he'd promised he would.' Mokuba thought, getting mad.

Yami sat down on the edge of the bed. "Sorry kiddo I couldn't find anything good, how about I tell you one instead."

Mokuba nodded, he liked that idea too.

Yami settled in and started to tell him the story. Mokuba wanted to cuddle up but was a little reluctant to do so. Yami noticed Mokuba was just sitting there staring, he wasn't sure if he was listening. Then he pulled the boy close and Mokuba decided to snuggle in. It wasn't long till Yami had put him to sleep. After a few minutes of stroking his hair watching him sleep, he gently laid him down and covered him up.