Author's Note:

Sorry again for my extended absence! I'm currently working on the next few chapters.
I was sorta writing them out of order... I'm trying to fix a few things, and add in a couple other things that were looked over from my previous chapters.

I know it's short, and it's bee a long wait, but please enjoy this chapter! More to come very soon!

As far as my current conditions: I have made a full recovery and am now the proud mother of a little girl!
She will grow up to love Yu-Gi-Oh just as much as I do!

I have to wonder… What would life had been like if I had met you under different circumstances?

As kids? I still wouldn't have been able to see you, even if I had wanted to. Gozubora already made it hard enough for me to see my own brother… There's no way I could have seen some girl. Especially another orphan.

Perhaps in middle school, or even high school after Gozubora's death? Maybe if I had met you back then, you wouldn't have dropped out. We could have seen each other before and after school. We could have spent weekends together, doing what ever it was that friends do… or maybe I'd even have the courage to ask you to join me on a date every once in a while.

Then again… I wouldn't have known about you existing while I was in school. I had already completed college early in life before my trip to Egypt, where the dreams of you began.

So… Even if we had met before that time… I wouldn't have acknowledged you… You'd be a stranger to me. And one who I couldn't be bothered to give even a moment of my time, just like everyone else. I would have looked down on you. I would have treated you as dirt, like I did everyone who wasn't Mokuba… And by the time I'd hallucinate of our history together, you'd have long hated who I was. There never would have stood a chance for us…

I'd like to believe that you could have changed me. That even if I treated you so poorly, you would have still tried to stand by my side. Maybe you could have brought some light to the darkness in my life… Like you have for me now.

I open my eyes, day light washing away the visions of what could have been. A few blinks, and my vision is restored from the blurry haze. In bed we lay, close enough to feel each others heat, but not close enough to touch her skin.

I pull myself up, staring to you as you still stir in your sleep. Small breaths escape your lips, your chest rising and falling with each one. You look as though you've already washed your face, and you tied your hair back up. Your flushed cheeks can't hide the fact you were flustered.

"I hope..." I don't know what to say. "I hope you still don't regret me..."

It's easier to say my feelings aloud, rather than to act upon my feelings. Even easier to say while unsure if she could hear me.

That's when there was a knock at the door. I stare at the entrance to my bedroom, not responding to the few quiet knocks.

"Go away..." I think aloud, my tone but a whisper.

But the knocks came back, this time louder and followed by a muffled voice. "Seto?! You up?!"

It was loud enough to wake Kisara, startling her to sit up right. My shirt that she wore hung low, with her shoulder hanging out. Her eyes opened wide as she quickly realized where she was and what attire she wore. Turning to me, I could see the panic clear on her face.

"It's Mokuba!" She whispered, ecstatic at me.

I rose a finger to my lips, trying to shush her, in hopes Mokuba would give up. Kisara covered her mouth, like she was trying to hide her breathing. She nodded before I stood from the bed, reaching for my pajama pants that were tossed away last night.

"Seto?!" He called again, knocking even louder. "I'm coming in, 'kay?"

As I pulled up my pajamas, I looked over to Kisara who was now fleeing from the bed and onto the floor with a thump. I smiled, wanting to laugh. I figured that it wouldn't do much good just hiding on one side of the bed. From where I stood, I couldn't see her on the floor, but at the angle of the bedroom door, I wasn't so sure she'd be hidden.

And with that, Mokuba let himself in. "You okay? What was that?"

"I hit my foot on the bed frame." It happened often enough that it was a natural response in the morning for me. "I was rushing to get pants on."

Mokuba gave me a confused stare. "Shouldn't you be ready? You need to get back to sign-ups."

I shrugged. "They can start without me. It's not like they need my supervision on every little thing they should be properly trained to do anyway."

"Shit, did you already bust your stitches?" He was quick to changing the subject as he walked over and pulled up my hand by the wrist.

The bandages were splotched with red stains. I hadn't been paying any attention to my wound as my instincts were driving me last night. "Oh. I hadn't even noticed..."

Mokuba gave me that odd, confused stare again. "Right… Come on."

He let go of my wrist and starting walking to the bathroom. I guess I was expected to follow. I took one more look to the bed, wondering how Kisara was holding up on the other side. I snickered and lagged behind my brother. As I entered, I began undoing the now bloody bandages. Mokuba opened up a drawer, pulling out a wash cloth and gauze.

As he was running water on the wash cloth, he spoke with a hushed tone. "Next time, maybe not keep her clothes on the dresser if you're trying to hide the fact she's still in here?"

I felt my cheeks flare up. "She borrowed my pajamas. The plan was to just talk until she got tired, but she fell asleep in here..."

At least the part about her borrowing my pajamas was true. And she did fall asleep in here. But Mokuba can typically tell when I'm lying. This was no exception. He rolled his eyes as he held out his hand, waiting for me to reach forward so he could clean off my bloody hand.

"What ever story helps you feel better, I'll buy it. Just know, I don't care what happened, as long as you two have finally come to your senses." He started to gently blot the wet cloth on my hand. "It seems like the only ones who were oblivious about how you two felt were the both of you."

I tried not to flinch, but couldn't help wincing at the small stings. There were definitely a few stitches that were busted open. I guess the adrenalin rush from last night really blocked out the pain. And it always seemed that Mokuba had his head on straight when it came to me. He was always blunt as well. Like me, in a way.

"I'll head over to the hospital and get them restitched before I head to work. But..." I stopped short, thinking if I really wanted to ask Mokuba to help me out more than he already has.

Atop of that… I still had to apologize to him for last night's incident.

"What?" He asked calmly, not taking his focus off of my hand.

I looked back over my shoulder to check and see how Kisara was holding up. I still couldn't see her from this side of the room though. I assumed she was still curled up and hiding.

"Could you… Do me a favor today?" I looked forward once more.

Mokuba's eyes met my own. "And that might be?"

I cleared my throat and slightly kicked the bathroom door to shut. It remained slightly cracked open though. "Well… I'm horrible at hiding things from you… So yes… Kisara is here still… And..."

"Uh huh?" He nodded, trying not to chuckle at my state of embarrassment.

"Will you… go with her to get her things?" I scratched the back of my head with the hand that wasn't preoccupied.

Mokuba's eyes widened. "You work fast big brother."

He laughed as I ground my teeth together. "She's leaving Fujiyama, and I told her to stay here… with me… At least, I think she was serious to saying yes to my proposal..."

"You proposed already?!" I think at this point he was just trying to make me more flustered.

"No! Idiot!" I looked away quickly, closed my eyes and collected my thoughts. "I proposed that she stays here, at the mansion… I remember the conversation, but I don't remember if she actually accepted or if she just left it as an open offer..."

He chuckled some more. "You should find out before I accompany her then. I was actually on my way out to go check on my exam scores before I got a message that you hadn't shown up to work yet."

"My bad..." I looked away again. "And… Sorry about last night as well..."

Mokuba smiled. "It's alright. Just… talk to me next time. Cool?" He finished up with the wash cloth and started to wrap my hand with the gauze. "There. That should hold up long enough for you to get back to the doctor and get restitched."

Awkwardly, I pulled Mokuba in for a side hug. "Thanks for everything Mokey."

He gave me an odd look, his cheeks a little pink. "You haven't called me that since I was a kid."

"Yeah. I know." I then pushed him away, messing up his hair.

He rolled his eyes, and started heading towards the bathroom door to leave, "Just let me know if I'm escorting her to get her things later. I'm running late."

"I will." I followed him out, then watched as he exited the room.

For a moment I stood in silence, waiting to see if Kisara would stop hiding on her own. But it was apparent that she was far too surprised, and most likely too embarrassed to rise to her feet. After another minute of waiting, I walked over to the bed, taking in a deep breath.

"You alright?" I climbed onto the bed, debating on crawling to the other side so I could look down at where she sat on the floor. When she didn't reply, I leaned closer, calling out to her, "Kisara?"

"I… I'm alright." She finally expressed before whispering to herself, "I think..."

I stopped leaning over and sat straight on the bed. It was silent again for a few minutes before she finally stood and climbed onto the bed. She pulled her knees to her breast as some hair fell from the bun she had tied back at some point. It must have been while I was still sleeping.

For some reason, it felt rude that I was starting at her. With a deep breath, I looked down at my hand and started fidgeting with the gauze that were just put on. My head was filled with questions of what I should say at this point. Kisara was the only person I ever found myself nervous around… I never stumbled with my thoughts as much as I do when I'm with her.

"I'm sorry…" I spoke without thought.

Kisara seemed surprised at my apology and turned her gaze to me at last. "Huh? Wait… why?"

"I… Uh… A couple of things, I guess..." I scratched the back of my head, trying to collect the words before I stuttered like an idiot. "I… made you uncomfortable, and also… I finished things early… I should have focused more on you. I'm sorry for making things awkward..."

With wide eyes, Kisara jumped forward at me. "What? No! Seto, I'm not uncomfortable! I'm just… It's weird, you know? I… I'm not a virgin anymore… It's just a lot to take in… I'm just adjusting, I guess."

I looked at her, seeing the mood change on her face from concern to confusion, and ending with a mixture of the two. "Did I… satisfy you?"

Her cheeks flared up, flushed with embarrassment. Retreating back a bit, she turned away from me, placing her hands on her cheeks. "I—I—Uhm..." She paused, searching her own thoughts. "I felt… really good… An—and enjoyed it… So y—yeah. You did. My… My stomach feels a little weird though."

She blinked a few times, looking at me through the corner of her eye and then quickly away. I guess I didn't understand what it was like to be on her end. I hadn't been a virgin for a long time. And let's be honest, I never truly had feelings for the first woman I slept with. Or any of those women as a matter of fact.

How could I hope to understand what's going through her head at the moment? Her first time was with someone, and its someone who's known to be a sleazebag… She must be doubting everything I've told her. Every feeling I've confessed…

"I want to always please you..." I tried to be confident in my words, but I could feel my voice shake as I spoke. "I want to give you all the happiness that the world had stolen from you..."

A time ago, I would have thought Fujiyama and I to be alike… Taking advantage of women who would throw themselves at us. But for him to propose to a woman and become unfaithful makes the difference in us clear. I could never do something so repulsive. That's why I would never have considered giving my life to someone. That's why I'd never love someone. Except her...

Kisara didn't look at me, but the tint of pink still flourished her cheeks. I could tell that she didn't know what to say. Who could blame her in a situation like this though?

But just as I thought she wouldn't reply, she quietly asked, "Is this really okay? The way things are?"

Please don't regret me now… "I… I don't know a proper answer for that…"

I looked away from her, and stared down at my good hand. I traced the lines of my palm with my eyes. Every part of me knew that this was how I wanted things to be. All of my entirety wanted to be with Kisara. But… We completely ignored all morality… Is that really okay?

"All I know…" I started again, "Is that I want to be with you, Kisara. Even if things should have gone differently… Even though we are under circumstances that should prevent us from being together… Here I am, falling for you."

I could feel the bed shake as she jumped, startled by the answer I gave. "Seto..."

"And I promise you that no matter what happens from this moment on, I won't stop chasing after you." It was a promise I intended on keeping this time around. "I will do what ever it takes to show you that I cherish you. I will love and protect you—"

"L—love?" I didn't stop as she stared at me with wide eyes, as if she hadn't let the thought cross her mind.

"I'll give you my all. I'd give you the whole world if that's what it took. There's no limit to what I'd do if it meant that you would be here with me, Kisara." And without another thought, I pushed myself forward, pressing my lips to hers.

A sizable rant, but one I meant every word of. This time around, I truly will do anything to make her stay. I won't lose her to someone else who might hurt her.

Slowly, the kiss ended as I slowly pulled away. She stared up at me with unwavering eyes. It was as if she was in a trance, fixed on my gaze. Kisara looked beautiful in every way. Her chest rose as she took in a deep breath, exhaling with a long sigh.

"You know… I was fighting with myself over this..." She sighed once more, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them and staring back at me. "I thought that maybe I had… Just put myself on level with Kojiro… That I just proved myself to be less of the person I thought I was… But… I told you that I wouldn't regret it if I had slept with you. I recall that. And I don't feel that I could regret this still."

She was much more calm, speaking as though she had been practicing this speech for months. I felt my own heart calming, yet warming at the same time.

"I'm going to ask you again..." I rested my good hand on her cheek, caressing her soft skin with my thumb. "Will you come stay with me? Live here with me? I know… It's not easy to just leave someone for someone else… But I'll give you your own room. We don't have to do anything you don't want. But… I'd feel better knowing Fujiyama cannot hurt you any longer."

Her eyes sparkled. "Are you… really alright with it?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "I wouldn't ask if I weren't serious. I am Seto Kaiba after all. Have you ever known me not to be forward?"

"You have a good point." She smiled. "Well… As long as I won't be a burden… I don't mind staying. But I don't want the maids to take care of me! I'll clean up after myself and cook for myself as well. And… When I can afford it, I'll still move out on my own."

I was a little upset to hear she still wanted to move out on her own, but I wouldn't stop her from doing what she wants. In fact… I'd sooner help her achieve what she wanted.

"Then I'm giving you the day off." I already had thought things through, and with Mokuba's help, she would be moved in here at no time. "Mokuba can help you get your things and we'll give you a room here at the mansion. Is there a particular room you'd like?"

She looked as though she hadn't expected me to already have a plan laid out. "That's… rather quick."

"Take your time… But…" Another thing I already had thought about. "It may be easier to move your things out while Fujiyama is still at work. And then… You can confront him at your convenience without the worry of him throwing your things out."

"Have you..." Kisara squinted her eyes, tilting her head to the side, "Have you thought about all of this before?"

"You learn a thing or two from your brother's break ups." That was an interesting truth. "He actually had a few relationships that meant a lot to him. He kept a lot of clothes and what not at the girl's places when he'd stay over. One of the girls threw out all of his things to the curb when he broke up with her. He never cheated or anything that I'm aware of, but just felt things fell apart between the two of them."

"Mokuba seems more like someone who would..." She thought of the right words to use, "He might be more attached to a woman. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who would simply lose interest in a girl."

"I'm sure there was more to it that he didn't want to talk about. I'm not exactly the best person to talk to about romance..." It felt weird to say that now that I was smitten.

Kisara's lips curved to a smirk. "You're romantic in your own way."

Another chuckle left my lips as I closed my eyes. I leaned forward, gently pulling Kisara closer to me. I pressed my forehead to hers, just pressing our minds together. She understands this part of me that I don't understand myself. She makes my heart feed my mind, pushing away a genius to make me a fool of a man… I can love because she has her hands wrapped around my heart, sheathing it from the ice that was aged for years. I've never felt so warm.

"I love you Kisara." I whisper to her. "So I'll ask again… Will you stay with me, here at the mansion?"

I slowly opened my eyes to look at her face. Kisara's eyes were closed, and she reached her hands forward, resting them on my cheeks. Gently, she nods and pulls her chin forward, our lips meeting as our foreheads part. I was getting more comfortable with each kiss. It felt more natural at this point. As much as I wanted to continue kissing her, I knew that there were things we needed to do.

I smiled through the kiss before slowly pulling away. "So it's settled?"

Kisara opened her eyes and nodded once more. "Yeah. It's settled."

"I'll let Mokuba know that he'll be helping you move in then." I chuckled, sitting back.

"Did Mokuba… See me?" It was easy to see that she became flustered.

I stared at the ceiling. "No. But… he saw your clothes on the dresser."

I looked back down at her and she was peaking behind me to see the pile of clothes on the dresser. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. I'm sure she was thinking something along the lines of 'how could I have forgot that?' Which is understandable with the mix of emotions she's feeling.

"He's known that I fell for you a long time ago..." I don't know why I was telling her this. "He helped to keep my head on straight, at least to the best extent he could."

She looked back up at me with all the curiosity in the world. "How long has that been?"

I could infer what she was actually asking. Not how long has Mokuba known, but she was truly wondering how long I had been in love with her. And it was that doubt in her mind that wanted the answers. Clarity to justify sleeping with me. At least, I think so.

"I honestly don't know when it started..." I couldn't tell if that was the truth, or if I had known all along. "But Mokuba knew it before I did. When ever you popped in my head, I'd get frustrated since you were all I could think of. But then there were times I'd catch myself thinking about you and I'd smile. But… There were times I'd think of you and your engagement, and then suddenly everything would feel like it was collapsing around me. With all the money and influence that I have, I somehow knew that you were the one thing I couldn't grasp. But… somehow I find myself here with you."

I keep avoiding the simplest questions and giving the most complicated answers.

"I don't know when I fell in love with you, but I promise that I will never lose you." Never again.

Kisara smiled gently. "I guess we're the same on that front."

I smiled and kissed her forehead. "Perhaps we are."

"I… We should probably get ready." She changed the subject. "I've got a lot of packing to do."

"And I need to get my stitches fixed up." I held up my hand and smirked.

She hadn't even noticed, but was now shocked. "Oh! Seto! I'm so sorry!"

"It's not your fault!" I laughed, feeling the mood lighten up. "It just stings a little bit. I've been through worse than a cut up hand."

"Sounds like I've got a lot more stories to hear from you." Kisara made a point.

"Yeah." Not necessarily a good thing though… "I'll tell you more about my past sometime. But for now—I'm gonna hop in the shower."

Her cheeks flared up again. "Oh… Alright."

She bit her bottom lip. Was she… thinking about me that way now? She couldn't look me in the eye.

Or maybe she wanted to shower too. "Did you… want to shower first?"

"T—that's okay!" She chuckled awkwardly.

"I don't mind." I should have offered it to her first to begin with. "Unless you…"

I wanted to tease her, but I wasn't sure if I should. Kisara looked up at me, completely embarrassed that I put the idea of us showering together in her head. If that's even what she guessed I was implying. At least, that's what I was thinking at this point.

"N—not yet..." she covered her face with her hands.

I smiled and stood up from the bed. "Understandable. You go shower. I'll go to the next bedroom over and shower in there."

"I could do that." She was muffled as she spoke through her hands. "It's your room after all."

"The other maids might see you." I reminded her.

She was silent for a moment. "Right. I wasn't thinking..."

I chuckled. "It's okay. You're going through some odd feelings, I think. Take your time. I'll text Mokuba the plan for today. You can text him when you're done getting ready too. I'll be back in after I shower. I'll wait with you until he gets back from checking his exam scores."

She nodded, lowering her hands bashfully. "Alright."

And she smiled before we collected our clothes. She took to my bathroom as I exited to the nearest guest room, thoughts of her occupying my head the whole time. A couple doors down and I was at the guest room. I opened the door slowly, peeking in to make sure there was no one inside. With the room being clear, I entered, making my way into the guest bathroom to get my shower.

And my mind began to wonder. Thinking of the night we shared. Thinking of how everything started and ended. But… What really was stuck in my head at that moment was her birthmark. I traced it with my fingers. Kisara said it was ugly like a scar… I felt like a scar.

In the bathroom, I opened up the shower door, reaching in to turn on the water. I pulled the faucet towards me, and turned it to the left to increase the heat. As I let the water warm up, I started to undress. I tossed the clothes to the floor, both the clean and dirty.

All I could think about was that mark on her body. She called it a flaw… But It wasn't anything like that. It's a scar… From her past life.

I entered into the shower, the scalding water raining onto my skin. Steam filled the air around me. I inhaled before pushing my head under the water, it cascading down my face. My hair fell flat as it soaked in. I closed my eyes, visions of the make-believe past playing like an old movie in my head.

How clearly I could see it—her death replaying over and over. The dark energy the burst into her chest. The blood that poured from her body. The weight of her falling into my arms, limp and lifeless. The warmth leaving her as rigamortis settled in. I could still hear the first and last words she had spoke to me from back then.

All I could dream of last night was losing her. Over, and over again. The nightmare wouldn't end. And Finally waking up with her by my side—I vow to never let that happen to her again.