The next day Seto met up with Samantha in the hall.

"So, is everything all right? I heard there was a small problem with Mokuba last night. I only stepped into the kitchen to get a glass of milk and some bread. I would have been more than happy to have helped you look for him." Samantha said.

"I appreciate the offer, he's fine."

"What was he doing outside in the barn?"

"Oh, um…" Seto started. "Well he thought I was home so he went out to the barn to look for me."

"But that's not what Varon said."

"I know but he was mistaken. I talked to Mokuba; he didn't realize it was Varon holding him, that's why he was fighting him. Then when he came in the storm spooked him and he just got lost. It's not that hard to do around here."

It wasn't that Seto didn't trust Samantha he did. It was just that he didn't feel the need to tell everyone about Mokuba's old life. He felt that there were only certain people that he felt truly needed to know more details than just the basics, he was adopted from an abused home. Of course, he's never told anyone that he basically kidnapped him. Though he was sure it was well known throughout the castle since Yami accused him of it the day he returned from Mokuba's place. He hadn't heard all the rumors. He'd give everyone basic details to stop at least most of the rumors. He was sure there were more that he hadn't heard yet.

"So, um Seto you think maybe we could have a picnic together, unless you have plans with her."

"Actually I was planning to spend the day with…"

Samantha closed her eyes dreading hearing the other woman's name. She wanted to kill her to get her out of Seto's life! But she knew that wouldn't get her what she wanted.

"I'm spending the day with Mokuba." Seto finished.

Samantha sighed. "Then how about that picnic? I'll make enough for three unless you plan to invite your body guards."

"What?" Seto asked, confused.

Samantha wrapped her arms around Seto's. "I said I'd make it for three. Bring Mokuba with you. I'd prefer you all to myself but I know you want more time with him and he might enjoy a picnic by the lake. I just wanted to know if you were planning to bring Alister and Varon."

"Well I don't like leaving the castle without them. I'm sorry but I really would feel better if they were with me."

"That's okay, then are we on for lunch then?"

"All right, I'm taking Mokuba shopping so about 2."

"That's great." Samantha said till they heard a boom of thunder. "Still I thought it had cleared up."

"So, did I."

"I guess this cancels the picnic." Samantha said sadly.

"It's better this way."

"How?"

"Meet us in town about noon and we'll go to mine and Yami's favorite restaurant. Mokuba's only eaten there once. I'm sure he'd enjoy eating there again."

"Great, then it's settled. I'll meet you there." Samantha said leaving.

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

Even though it was still storming it was starting to get colder. Seto and Yami had bought a couple of coats for Mokuba; they didn't really get all that many winter items. There weren't that many out at the time and not all that many that Seto and Yami both agreed on. Sometimes it was still hard for them to get Mokuba to make decisions like that. Especially with Seto and Yami arguing.

Seto and Mokuba went to town and went to the same clothing store he and Yami went to. Alister and Varon stood near the door talking.

Seto picked up a couple of outfits for him and for Mokuba to try on. "All right kiddo, take this, go in there and if they fit tell me. If you're not sure, what I mean is if it fits but then it's loose or too short or too long and you're not sure if you like it or if a little tight things like that. Then leave it on, wait and let me see it and I'll decide then."

"Okay big brother."

After Mokuba had finished changing and choosing what he wanted he laid the clothes down and glanced around just a little, not going more than a few feet. Then he spotted a shirt he thought would look great on Seto. He walked over to get it when he ran into someone. "S-sorry."

"It's alright JJ, no harm done."

Mokuba froze praying he'd never hear that name again. He looked up and was only slightly relieved to see it was just Asana.

"Asana, how much longer?" Noah called out.

Mokuba started to shake, fearing Asana would tell him.

"Just a few more things I want to get." Asana called back much to Mokuba's surprise.

"Well hurry up, I don't want to be here all day." Noah called.

Asana looked at Mokuba. "Are you okay?"

"W-why?" Was all Mokuba could think of to ask.

"I-I…" Asana started. "I guess it's just that well you know I did what I could, when I could to keep mother from hurting you."

Mokuba only nodded and he couldn't deny the fact that at least ninety percent of the time she tried to protect him.

"I know that at times I got out of hand. I realize that now. I shouldn't have tried to please mother, Noah or even Marine so much. There were times well like your last time on the whipping tree, I felt you needed to be punished but I didn't want to go that far. I cried after doing it. But you know as well as I do if I hadn't mother and Noah would have turned on me! Noah already has for the most part. He thinks I helped you escape the last time you came home. Truth be told I was going to, but Noah got there first."

Mokuba couldn't believe it. She sounded sincere and he knew she was telling the truth on some things. Cause she had always been the one to take him down from the tree. Then Mokuba decided to ask her a few things that had bothered him in the past.

"C-can I ask you something?"

"Sure JJ."

"I-it's Mokuba now."

"Well Mokuba I can see you're a lot better off and you know I wish we had taken better care of you. Mother was wrong to blame you for father's death. Father had been planning to give up farming long before you came along. Mother just wouldn't accept it. Now what was it you wanted to know?"

"T-There w-were times I u-used to find f-fruit in m-my room b-but I d-didn't put it there."

It had always been too dangerous to try to snatch fruit. Though those times were few and far between he had often wondered who put them there. Now he was wondering if maybe she did.

"You want to know if I put it there."

Mokuba nodded.

"Yes, I did. I know Noah would kill me if he ever found out. I was also the one usually to convince mother to feed you when she'd sometimes refused to for more than one day at a time."

Then another thought struck him about Anzu. "I f-found a doll. S-she w-was a b-bit torn. B-but you c-could have f-fixed her or h-had m-me to."

"It was just one I found on sale at a flea market. It was okay a bit worn out. I helped it along after Marine threw such a fit over your fixing up her doll. She was always too overprotective of that thing. As for mine I never minded your playing with them, I just preferred them in a certain order. Though I didn't tell mother there were in the wrong order. I only told Noah and he told me he caught you playing with his. You knew better than to mess with his. You knew you'd really get it if you were ever caught!"

Mokuba only nodded. Yeah he knew Asana didn't complain about his playing a little with them as long as they were in the right order cause she had caught him before. But Noah was strictly against it. He remembered that incident too well Noah had been the one to tell about them in the wrong order and about his playing with his.

Just then, they heard. "Asana, I told you I don't want to be here all day!" Noah said, walking towards her.

Asana quickly pushed Mokuba into a clothes rack and pretended to be looking through them. Then found the ugliest shirt she could find. She turned to face Noah.

"What are you hiding?"

"Nothing."

"Oh really." Noah asked.

Asana wasn't all that hot a liar so Mokuba was a touch afraid he'd be caught.