Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Identity ❯ Parting of Family ( Chapter 8 )

Identity

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO

Summary: Secrets are dangerous things, especially if you're dealing with a false identity. All has gone well for Bakura Ryou, until Kaiba Seto comes into his life. A sort of medieval/Chinese setting. Slash warning Seto/Ryou, a little Yami/Ryou.

Pairings: Seto/Ryou, Anzu/Honda, Jou/Mai, Shizuka/Yugi

Chapter Title: Parting of Family

Author's Notes: MORE REVIEWS! Arigatou gozaimasu minna! I love you all! Sorry for the late update!

If you will, please enter my Seto/Ryou challenge. I think I put the details up in a separate story/fic whatever. It's there, though! Please enter it! It's for the good of the whole of ff.net and all the SetoRyou readers/writers out there!

Oh yeah, I will be using Japanese honorifics from now on, partly because I want to and they sound better than `lord' and `lady' blah, blah. And Ryou will continued to be addressed in male terms until the secret is made public (in the story).

ENJOY!

---- Parting of Family ----

It was well past sunset when Mokuba crept out of his room and towards Ryou's. He knew there was something fishy about the young lord, but he just couldn't put a finger on it. He was just too feminine to be male, even if Kaiba had punished him severely for speaking differently. Being altogether curious and eager to solve a mystery, Mokuba had to know.

The window to Ryou's room was closed, as was his door. The good thing about those windows was that only a thin fabric covered them, nothing he couldn't get past easily. He took out a sharp rock he had picked up from the ground a few days ago and punctured the taut fabric. Praying to any divine power above that Ryou didn't notice, Mokuba peered inside.

Ryou was sitting at his desk, reading from a small piece of paper, while absentmindedly petting the head of a white dove perched on a stand. The dove was called Yuki, or so Mokuba had been told by some servants, for its pure white feathers. It was Ryou's prized possession, beside his sword and he was very protective of it.

Yuki cooed and Ryou turned to it, smiling gently.

"You must be tired, Yuki," he said. "Rest awhile."

The dove seemed to actually understand his words because it flew outside the opposite window to wherever its nest was. Ryou watched it go and turned back to his letter. Several minutes later, as Mokuba felt his leg cramp up, Ryou got up and made for bed. He shed his light blue robe and revealed a bolt of cloth wrapped around his torso. This he turned around to remove, before replacing the silk robe he had been wearing. Mokuba stifled a gasp, blushing.

He was right! Upon removing that cloth, Ryou's figure showed through as he replaced the robe. There was no mistaking it!

"Who's there?"

Mokuba scurried away at the sound of Kaiba's voice. He couldn't let his sword master see him breaking a code of chivalry so soon into his tuition. Instead, he hid around the corner, watching as Kaiba came into view, holding his sword.

"Bakura-sama?" he asked, knocking on the door. "Are you in?"

"I have made for bed already, Kaiba-kun," Ryou's voice answered, slightly startled. "What is the matter?"

"May I come in?"

There was a tense pause wherein Mokuba waited for his reply. Finally, Ryou consented reluctantly and Kaiba opened the door. The same door closed upon his entry. There was no other audible sounds coming from that room and Mokuba dared not push it any further. He hurried away, pondering his revelations that night.

--------

"Bakura-sama?"

"Y-Yes Kaiba-kun?"

Kaiba looked at him oddly. Ryou was sitting on the edge of the bed with his quilt wrapped securely around him. He looked rather surprised, not at all the usual, composed Ryou. He was also flustered. He made to stand, hoping to regain some of his dignity, but he slipped and almost fell, if it weren't for Kaiba.

"Are you all right, Bakura-sama?"

"Fine."

"Bakura-sama, I -"

A tingle went through his arms as he helped his employer to stand. He felt a heat rise in the back of his neck, startling him. Had he felt this before? Ryou didn't seem like his employer right now. Ryou shifted so that he was standing properly again, the quilt dropped unceremoniously back on the bed.

"Yes?"

"I - there was a sound around here," Kaiba said, regaining his voice. "But it's nothing. Never mind."

"Really?" Ryou looked uncomfortable as well. "Was there anything else?"

"Ah, yes . . . Kana-sama sent a messenger with this letter."

Ryou took it quickly, dread filling the pit of his stomach. His kaasama never sent him letters while he was on a business trip unless it was something very important. Kaiba had turned to go when he told him to stay, not bothering to look up from the letter. Finally, he fought the urge to swear loudly and settled for slamming his hand against the tabletop, hurting himself in the process. Kaiba walked over worriedly.

"Bakura-sama?"

"It seems I have prolonged my stay here in Tomoeda," Ryou said, voice edged with a fury Kaiba had never heard before. "I had thought things would be well for just a week, but it seems that the three of them can never get into enough trouble."

Kaiba didn't have to think to know that Ryou was talking about his three brothers-in-law. They were trouble and both of them knew it. It was amazing how long Ryou had put up with them - about seven years or so. They knew nothing about business, managing affairs, taking up responsibilities or even basic self-control. His older sisters were no better.

"Malik Ishtar . . . I knew he would try and cause trouble." Ryou turned to Kaiba. "Kaiba-kun, I need you to ride back to Domino immediately. Take Mokuba with you and leave him in the care of Anzu and Honda. I'll write up a letter to kaasama with my orders as to how to act."

In almost no time at all, Ryou had written up two pages, folded them and put them in an envelope, imprinting it with his seal and addressed it to his kaasama. This he gave to Kaiba, with strict orders that no one was to read it except for her. For good measure, he gave him his jade pendant, a signature piece of jewellery he was known for carrying.

"Just present this to the night guards," he said, pressing it into his hands. "They'll let you through immediately. No one dares defy an order I pass. Not even Malik Ishtar. After kaasama reads the letter, do whatever she tells you to. If anyone dares disobey my direct commands, make sure they are punished."

"Yes, Bakura-sama."

"Be careful. Ride swiftly and safely. Come back as soon as possible."

His words were filled with a quiet concern both of them did not fail to notice. They had almost forgotten Ryou was dressed only in his night robe, a flimsy thing that was way too light to be wearing around on a chilly night. He didn't say anything, however. Kaiba noticed a slight difference to his employer, but he couldn't picture what. It was something about his - he caught himself before he could finish the improper thought.

"Mokuba should be ready by now," he said, to fill the uncomfortable silence. "I should be going. Don't worry about a thing, Bakura-sama. I won't let anyone defy your orders."

Ryou half-smiled.

"Of course I believe you."

--------

Mokuba clung onto Kaiba for dear life as they galloped off into the night. From the window, Ryou watched them, gripping the windowsill tightly. For those few moments, he had been in his real identity around Kaiba. He had been so afraid that Kaiba would notice, but he didn't say anything. Maybe it was a sign that he had done so well in his masquerade that, even when he wasn't disguising himself, it didn't seem very different to before.

/ I am a swordsman at heart, Bakura-sama. As are you, I'm sure /

His secret hadn't come so close to being found out since he had taken a walk in the forest, getting used to women's clothing. Kana held hopes that he would one day regain his proper identity as a woman and so told him to acquaint himself with women's clothing. Those he kept hidden in his room back in his Domino residence.

/ You are a mystery I intend to solve my lady /

/ I assure you, Yami-sama, I cannot be solved so easily /

/ I wish to know your name and residence /

/ My residence is near these woods. My name, however, remains a secret /

Prince Regent Yami had been around eighteen then, while Ryou himself - herself - had been fourteen. He was the first male outside his family Ryou had encountered since his birth. No doubt, Yami was extremely attractive and Ryou couldn't help but think that for a few years. That was, until he matured and got to know Yami on a more professional basis. Their relationship remained strictly Platonic and both parties were more than happy with it.

If his and Kaiba's relationship would be like his and Yami's, then he wouldn't have anything to worry about. As long as they were just friends, he would know to keep his distance. He closed his eyes, leaning against the framework in exhaustion.

He didn't want to.

--------

"Kana-sama, I bring orders from Bakura-sama."

"Come in quickly, Kaiba-san."

Bakura Kana ushered the man in hurriedly through the front doors, taking Mokuba's hand and pulling him inside the house. A servant led Senkou to the stables and Kaiba took Ryou's letter from his tunic, handing it to Kana. The lady took it with hurried thanks, motioning for Kaiba to follow her inside the house.

They went into the main hall, where the guests were usually received. Servants were scarce at around this time of night, so they were pretty much alone. Kana scanned the letter briefly, a frown marring her lovely features. Wordlessly, she handed him the letter.

`Kaasama,

I have received your letter regarding the predicament my three brothers-in-law have managed to get themselves into.

Firstly, keep the Ishtars away for as long as possible. Keep the three inside the house, don't let them walk outside or talk to anyone besides direct family members. We cannot afford to risk them coming into contact with the Ishtars or anyone connected to them. Unfortunately, we also have to restrict the use of the household expenditures. During this time, do not allow the three to go near the money.

I have given orders to Kaiba and he will perform any order you give him. Should the three harm you in anyway, he will be there to protect you. Do not let my sisters coax you into giving them money. Six hundred thousand pieces of gold is too large an amount to uselessly give away. Don't give them any money, don't let my sisters get their hands on the money and make sure the Ishtars do not come.'

The rest of the letter talked about Mokuba and stressed upon the already mentioned facts. Kaiba handed it back to Kana, who looked worried. Miyuki, Mika and Minako came into the hall in a flurry of skirts and perfume. They glanced briefly at Kaiba, sniffing disdainfully, before turning to their mother.

"Mother, we heard that brother sent a messenger with a letter." Miyuki, the eldest, said in a whiny, nasal voice. "What does it say?"

"Do we have the money?" Mika chipped in, earning a glare from Miyuki and Minako.

"What does it say, mother?"

Kana and Kaiba exchanged looks, the latter folding the letter up again and setting it on the table in front of the lady. She sighed and turned to look at each of her daughters in turn. Miyuki, the eldest, had her black hair and almond eyes. Mika had also the black hair, though it was more of a brownish shade than pure black and her eyes were large and hazel, like Kana's mother. Minako, the second eldest, was much like her older sister, dark and commanding, ruthlessly hard eyes.

"None of you will be getting any financial support from the family," Kana said firmly. "You are not allowed to leave the house and/or contact the Ishtars in any way. Guards will be placed at your doors to prevent any escape on your husbands' parts. These restrictions will continue until your brother comes back from Tomoeda."

"Mother, you can't do that!"

"It's outrageous! A prisoner in our own homes?"

"You are being unfair, mother," Miyuki said harshly. "Ryou is not your own flesh and blood, like we are. He is only the son of that whore of a concubine. You can't expect us to obey such ridiculous orders."

"Ryou is as close to me as flesh and blood," Kana bit back, sounding angry. "He is the head of this household because Yaten-sama chose him to be. So far, he has done a wonderful job at handling affairs, up until now, when those husbands of yours decided to gamble recklessly. You will obey these orders."

"He is nothing but a bastard child!" Miyuki screeched. "Why do you keep taking his side?"

In a flash, Kana had jumped to her feet. Kaiba himself saw red and unsheathed the top part of his sword, eyes flashing. He had never willingly or knowingly struck a woman before, and he certainly did not hope to start now, but they were pushing things too far. If protecting Ryou's honour meant he had to injure his elder half-sister, he would do so.

"How dare you say that about your own mother and brother?" Kana murmured. Her voice was colder than ice itself. "If you persist in disobeying orders sent by the head of the house, you will be disgraced and disowned. You know the rules set down by your ancestors."

"If you insist on supporting that spawn . . ." Miyuki grumbled, trailing off. She glared at Kaiba, who glared back, feeling hatred seethe through him. "Come on, let's go."

--------

Mokuba watched as Anzu bustled around the servants' quarters, muttering to herself and pulling out random bits and pieces of cloth, blankets and pillows. He had been put into their care as soon as Kana-sama had taken him by the hand. Anzu and Honda had been roused beforehand and he was dragged off to their sleeping quarters.

"Anzu-san?" he ventured.

"Just call me Anzu, Mokuba."

"All right, Anzu?" he paused as she looked at him questioningly. "You know Bakura-sama very well don't you?"

"I grew up with Honda and Bakura-sama," she replied with a smile. "Why?"

"Did you know he's a girl?"

She froze, eyes going wide. Mokuba wondered if he'd said something wrong again. Why did everyone seem so touchy about this subject? Kaiba told him off big time about it, when he brought it up the first time. But Bakura-sama hadn't been so affected by the question, even going as far as laughing it off. So then, it shouldn't be that touchy of a subject, right?

"Don't tell such jokes, Mokuba," Anzu said finally. "It isn't true."

"But I swear . . . I saw!" Mokuba protested. "It's true, I swear! He's a she in disguise! I saw it with my own eyes!"

"You can't be serious Mokuba."

"I am!"

Anzu set down her things with a sigh and came over to the boy. Putting a hand on either of his shoulders, she looked him sternly in the eyes. He gulped, blinking back.

"This is not something you should be joking about," she told him seriously. "It's not a subject to be broached by anyone. Don't say this to anyone else, all right?"

He nodded, but she wasn't convinced. After he swore an oath over his family's graves, she let him go. She returned to her work in setting up his makeshift sleeping place, just for that night only. He would get a proper one in the morning. Nevertheless, he went quietly to sleep, having unknowingly disturbed Anzu more than ever.

"But I swear I saw it . . ." he said, voice muffled by his pillows.

"Sh . . . get some rest Mokuba," Anzu's voice said soothingly. "Go to sleep."

--------

Outside the room, a dark figure chuckled. When the voices stopped, he quietly slipped back into the shadows, jumping onto the rooftop and disappearing over the back walls. The hilt of the dagger in his belt glinted gold in the moonlight.

Ishtar.

--------

Miho threw herself onto her bed, in tears.

"I don't want to marry him!" she yelled at her mother. "I don't love him!"

"It's for your father, Miho-chan. You know he has a gambling problem. If you don't marry Marik Ishtar, your father will be murdered by the debtors."

The young woman buried her face into the pillows stubbornly, refusing to believe that her parents had made this decision without consulting her first. It was inhumane and she hated it. Since she was young, her grandmother had always told her to choose her own life and marry someone she loved, or at least someone who loved her. Now her father had a huge debt they couldn't bear and so decided to solve it by marrying her off to a rich heir.

"We could pay the debt," she mumbled. "I'll work out some way."

"It's impossible."

"I'll find a way." Miho raised tear-streaked eyes. "I'll ask Honda."

--------

Kaiba's mind was obviously far away when Anzu approached him. In his hand, he was holding the pendant Ryou had given him, running his thumb over the intricate carving absentmindedly. Lost in thought, he was almost surprised when Anzu called his name softly.

"Good evening Anzu," he greeted.

"You should get some sleep, Kaiba," she told him. "I've organised Mokuba to stay in the room next to yours, the small one? He's asleep now. I know you're used to staying up all night, but it's not healthy."

"I'm not tired."

She saw the pendant in his hand. The way he was holding onto it gave people the impression that he was thinking of a lover. Not seeing exactly what the pendant was, she decided to humour him.

"A lover's token?" she teased. Kaiba blinked.

"No," he replied slowly. He held it up. "It's Bakura-sama's."

At mention of Ryou's name, she tensed, her mind recalling what Mokuba had said. It was really starting to bother her. Ryou couldn't be a girl. There was no way she, his childhood companion and close servant, could have been hidden from this fact for almost twenty years. Someone must have noticed during this time. Unless someone else was in on the secret and had been helping him hide that fact.

"Why - why do you have Bakura-sama's pendant?" she asked, finding her voice. "I mean, he never lets it go. He's too attached to it to let anyone he doesn't trust take it."

"He said it was to show the night guards."

"But they know your face," she pointed out. "They wouldn't need this to let you through."

There was something in her sentence that implied a deeper meaning behind Ryou's giving Kaiba his trademark pendant. They both caught it, Anzu had said it unknowingly, and turned away in embarrassment. It got him thinking. Would there be another reason as to why Ryou had given him his family heirloom?

"What are you trying to say, Anzu?"

"You - you like Bakura-sama, don't you?"

"My fate has already been prophesised," he replied quietly. "I'm merely searching for the one I am destined to be with. The one who is in the prophecy."

"So you're not going to even try?"

"We're both male, Anzu. What is there to try?"

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but thought better of it. No, if Mokuba's assumption turned out to be wrong, then it would cause Kaiba more pain. She would keep the secret between herself and Mokuba for the moment, until it could be made final. Mokuba seemed pretty sure about it, though.

"You're right, perhaps," she said heavily. "There isn't much point in trying. Good luck though, in finding your other half."

Bakura-sama really likes you though. Can't you see how much he respects you? Honda and I, we've served him for years and we haven't been able to gain as much respect from him and you have. You're special to him, Kaiba. I know he's special to you too.

If only there was a way to confirm Bakura-sama's identity. Then you and he can be together. You two were made for each other, I can tell. I can see how much you care about him and he - well, the pendant is proof enough that he feels the same.

---- End of Chapter Eight ----