Mark (discontinued)

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Sorry for posting late...
Please R&R. Thanks again for reading my drabbles :D

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04


~Naya’s POV~


I wake up to find my sheet has been soaked wet from my sweat. I’m panting and half crying. My nightmare turned out worst; it exposed Him lurking and trapping me down the darkness before He finally violated me. Hellish nightmare…

Today is my birthday. While everyone are happy to celebrate the day they have been born, then I’m not. My birthday always reminds me that the day He will come to take me is closer. I have no more time left.

I don’t feel any pain, thank God. Neither my broken bones nor outer injuries are felt. The spiritual healing is successful; I recovered within one and half day; which is impossible for ordinary humans. Thanks to Kaya’s power, I am able to heal myself in fast and perfect shape.

I glance towards the sliding door. Sunlight creep in through the thin material; indicating the day is up outside. What time is it? I look at the alarm beside my bed. Eight in the morning, such late waking up you does, Naya…

I rise from my futon and blanket, proceed to walk to my private bathroom. I’m still trudging, I realize. I stop by the wardrobe beside the bathroom and open its door. I take a simple crème colored kimono and black obi; I used to wear kimono within my house. I also take the under dress and underwear, and fold them neatly on the wooden buffet once I go inside the bathroom.

I undress myself and turn on the hot shower. I do really need this bath! I feel like I’m drowning within puddle of oily mud; so greasy yet sticky!

I wash my body almost vigorously, soaping it using sakura scented soap; I don’t have to worry about the scars because all of them are gone now; leaving my skin flawless and fair as usual. I wash my hair also, and use floral scented shampoo to wipe away the dirt and unpleasant smells.

Once my entire being is clean, I get dressing. I can dress with kimono by my self, thank you, no need for servants to help me out. I comb my hair carefully; the raven hair fall languidly to my small of back. I like my hair a lot; it always reminds me of beautiful black silk, so soft, so dark. Kaya said she also liked my hair; she adored it and liked to spend her time to braid or just comb it.

Even though Kaya and I are identical twins, we don’t seem exactly identical. Kaya has long, slightly curly dark brown hair; while I have long, languidly straight raven colored hair. She is sweet and innocent faced, while I have more mature and sharp feature on my cold beautiful face, though I’m the youngest. She is slightly shorter than me, with graceful and frail appearance. I on the other hand have cool, rather cold elegance and strong feature. We are so different, yet we are so much alike. Strange, huh?

After I finish dressing, I open the sliding door and walk towards Ojii-sama’s bedroom. The house is so big and old yet empty; the other occupants aside I and Ojii-sama are servants, three for true. Tanaka-san, the driver, lives within small pavilion outside the main house. Other two are being Yukie-san and Momo-chan; they are servants and mother-daughter, live within same roof with us.

I spot Momo-chan sweeping on the corridor. I march towards her and hug her from behind. She startles and eeps then turns around just to find me wide grin her for hugging her. She wide eyes me with her childish like doe eyes, and squeals.

“Ojou-sama, you’re well!”

I scowl playfully. “Have I told you for not call me Ojou-sama? Just call me by name.”

“I can’t do that, Ojou-sama…” she trails off when I glare to her.

“Naya-chan.” I say firmly.

“Eh… o—okay, Naya-sama.”

I’m humphed. “Well, I think I can accept that.”

She smiled cutely and nodded.

I look around and ask, “Where’s Ojii-sama?”

“Oh, Danna-sama is having a guest now.”

I raise my brows questioningly. “Oh. Who?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know, Naya-sama. But he is young and tall and handsome with brown hair; and his eyes must be the bluest I’ve ever seen.”

I stare at her, gaping. Isn’t that Kaiba?! The descriptions are definitely resemblance him.

“Oh, he wears black shirt and pants and long white trench coat with funny ornament on the collar; it seems like…” she frowns, trying to recall her memory, “…letters or symbol or something…”

“…KC…?”

She jumped cheerfully. “Right! Symbol KC on his collar!”

Ah, that’s definitely Kaiba…

“Do you know him, Naya-sama?”

I nodded slowly. “He is my classmate.”

She raises one of her brows and looked at me with somewhat mischievous eyes.

“…What?”

“Oh, no, nothing, Naya-sama. I presume you will join Danna-sama in the living room. I will prepare your tea.”

“Yes, I will. Thank you, Momo-chan.”

She leaps away. I just shake my head at her antics and begin to step towards the living room. When I get closer, I could hear their conversations. I feel a bit surprised that they are talking about me right now.

“Tendou-san, yesterday I came to house and had your servant said that you shouldn’t be disturbed. I complied. And now I come to meet you; I have something to tell you.” Kaiba’s deep baritone voice smoothly flows.

He has come yesterday?! I admit I’m surprised.

“And now you have met me face to face, so just say it straight, Kaiba-san.”

“I had phone call yesterday morning. I’ve barely slept within two hours when my cell phone rang. I picked it up and the voice greeting me sounded… weird.”

“…Weird?”

“It didn’t voice for first time but then after seconds, it said that he has found me and that I have to stay away from her. I presume her is Naya. And the one who called me is the culprit.”

I can hear Ojii-sama’s gasp along with mine. My gasp is kind of audible since Ojii-sama instantly has the sliding door opened, right in front of my face.

“Naya?! You’re awake…” he trails off; he looks at me worriedly.

I see Kaiba’s face is plastered with surprise seeing me. He’s gaping; what a rare sight that the great Seto Kaiba is gaping like an idiot. He must be really shocked seeing me fully recovered and fine.

“Kaiba-san.” I politely greet, slightly bow to him. He returns the gesture awkwardly, still gaping. “I hear you said that you were being terrorized by stranger via phone call.”

He frowns. “Not being terrorized, just being warned, once. And I’m sure he is the culprit behind your predicament.”

I glance at Ojii-sama who gives me an understanding look. I nodded and turn my attention back at Kaiba. “I suppose so.”

“Then, let’s proceed to the police then. I can convince them to issue an investigation to track down this bastard.”

“I believe you can, Kaiba-san.” I winked at Ojii-sama. “Ojii-sama, can you leave us for a while?”

He only nods curtly and leaves us alone.

I drop my sight to my lap, feeling suddenly nervous being left alone with Kaiba. I mean, I always have self esteem to face any kind of person who approaches me, but with Kaiba, I feel I’m shrinking. For right now, when he gives you his infamous half scrutinizing and half demanding looks.

“Well…”

“Well, let’s get to the authority. Or you have anything to explain then? Other than your rapid recovery; I’m surprised you manage to rise up and walk around considering your injuries.”

“They just look so bad outside…”

“You have several broken ribs and bones, countless scratches and slices, innards wounds, and what-the-hell-ever injuries other than those! How possibly you can say they just look so bad outside?!”

I inwardly cringe upon his words. That bad, huh? Hell yeah, they are. They hurt so bad I couldn’t move nor even breathe properly first time I awoke.

I remain silent. This will be difficult.

“Well?!” he glares at me. I don’t see but I can feel his eyes bore at me intently.

“Well…” I lick my lips nervously. “There is explanation about the circumstances. Something the police mustn’t know.”

“And what is that?!” he demands.

“The assailant isn’t human. He is a demon.”

I swallow hard and lift my gaze at Kaiba. He stares at me as if I have grown second head.

He snorts. “That’s impossible. Ghost and demon don’t exist.”

“That’s the truth; whether you want to believe it or not.”

He folds his arms across his chest and growls. “Prove it.”

I narrow my eyes, gazing at him. How I can prove it? Oh, well, I sigh. I will just have to show him. Great, and after that, he’ll back away from me and consider that I’m freaking crazy wench!

“Kaiba-san, may I sit next to you?”

“What?”

“May I sit next to you? For better explanation; if you want the proof, I’ll show you one.”

Kaiba seems to ponder the question for a while before nods and gestures me to sit next to him. I rise up and then sit next to him, close enough to him that if he wants, he can pull me right onto his lap…

What the hell am I thinking?! I mentally scold myself for thinking such twisted thought like that… not that I am displeased with it… Stop it, Naya! You’re just being over carried with the situation; that’s all.

I gulp several times pushing the dirty thought aside and raise my head to meet eye-an-eye with him. I instantly regret the act. His intense blue eyes immediately trap me inside, and I practically gaze at his orbs. They are so blue, so deep, so intense…

I snap out from my day dreaming and hesitantly lift both my hands to cup his cheeks gently. I feel he twitches a bit and gasps, but he makes no movement when my holds become slightly firm and go further until my hands cup both side of his head. I keep my gaze through his dazzling blue orbs and simply state; for my own dismay, my voice is heard rather husky and breathy.

“I want you to relax, Kaiba-san. I’ll show you everything you want to know for two conditions: don’t you ever, ever interrupt me while I’m doing this at you and never let out a single argument about whatever things you will see. Am I clear?”

He only nods tightly.

I sigh and close my eyes; beginning to gain focus and concentrate to scry his mind. Yes, scrying is also one of my abilities. This is purely mine; since Kaya just owns her healing ability. Oh, note that we also share the ability to see spirits.

My head starts to heave and my breaths are slightly panting as I’m trying to recall my memories and transfer them to Kaiba’s mind, so he can witness all my deep, scarred wounds.


---


~Seto’s POV~


I am really, I mean REALLY, surprised to see her fully recovered, fine and sound. Humans don’t suppose to be healed that fast, do they? Still, there she is; stands proud and quite healthy, facing her grandfather and me who are used to have little conversation before she is in.

God, she is stunning! The simple light colored kimono tied with black obi she wears looks good and suits her well form. She has nice body, I admit; enough ‘big-small-big’ on her three sizes, she is tall enough and slim. She has mature look and strong yet still feminine feature, while normally girls on her age usually still has girlish look and frail, delicate feature. It’s not that I say she isn’t delicate, though; she is rather elegant than delicate to be said.

Her hair is amazingly straight and they are as black as night sky, flowing languidly reaching her back. It seems soft to be touched. I wonder if it really soft when my hands caress it…

Seto, you shit brain! What the hell are you thinking right now?! I mentally kick my ass for letting my thoughts wander dangerously about her. It’s not right, Seto; you usually don’t act like this; you’re the great Seto Kaiba; you used to think with logical, rational thought. But to think about her like that… it seems logical…

Go to hell, Seto!

She sits not so far from me; her feature is calm and graceful. I feel my heart beats skip when I see her. Just what’s wrong with me? Am I falling for her?

Nah, that’s impossible. I barely know her. We just talked once. Our desk aren’t close each other. So how possible that I fall for her?

I talk to her and her grandfather to bring this case to police. They will precede an investigation to find the assailant. Off course, I can pull some ‘strings’ to quicken the search. That is easy for me; no matter the money needed for it, I will bring it out.

But to my dismay, she rejects the suggestion. She even codes to Tendou senior to go outside so she can talk with me alone. Alone! I wonder what things she wants to talk to me.

After we’re alone, I precede to get her problem to the authority. She retorts with her previous answer: she doesn’t want polices to interfere.

I sarcastically remark about her wounds which miraculously healed after a day and half. It’s impossible for ordinary humans to recover so quickly! Isn’t she human? Nonsense, Seto! Of course she is human. How possible that she isn’t human?!

She seems nervous and unconsciously licks her lips. My eyes practically follow her tongue’s movement; and I begin to wonder how her tongue feels like when it licks me…

Snap it out, Seto! Just what the hell is happened with you?! Letting yourself be controlled by your own hormones is definitely bad, you twig!

She states that she has secret polices mustn’t be told about. Secret about her predicament, specifically her assailant, I guess. I demand her to tell me her secret. I know I push her rather harsh, but well, I’m dead curious and angered right now. I want to beat that bastard senseless, for what he has done to Naya.

She finally tells me that the assailant isn’t human; that he is a demon. I stare at her for a while before I snort. Please! How is it possible?! Demons don’t exist in this real world; neither do magic, spirit nor everything unreal! I believe only in materialistic things, which can be touched, be seen, and be smelt! There’s no such ghost or demon in this world! I don’t believe it. Or more that I pretend to.

Yes, I don’t believe her words. So I fold my arms across my chest loftily and challenge her to prove it.

She narrows her eyes, agitated, and stares intensely at me with her crystalline purple eyes—so beautiful, so intense… Quit it, you fool Seto!—and sighs. She seems doubtful about something. After brief moments of silence, she finally asks. And her question really catches me off guard.

“Kaiba-san, may I sit next to you?”

I inwardly gape; though my impassive façade covers all proof of surprised feeling and my skipped heart beat. She wants to …what? Sit next to me?!

“What?” I manage to choke out a retort. Fortunately, my voice doesn’t betray me; it sounds quite normal, I think.

“May I sit next to you? For better explanation; if you want the proof, I’ll show you one.” She calmly replies. Well, she seems calm…

…while I’m not! I’m panicked though I cleverly cover it with my perfect cold mask; and I wonder what and how she will show ‘the proof’ to me. It’s not important anymore better than my thundering heart. Just what’s happened to me?!

Unable to voice my agreement, I only nod, tightly, and gesture her to sit next to me. She rises up and sits gracefully right next to me. I automatically face her; and we are practically facing each other; though she lowers her gaze to her lap, not looking at me. My damn heart doesn’t stop pounding within my chest yet; and I start to pant just by looking at her. So beautiful yet so strong; she is rare specimen. By the way, she seems ignorant with the effect she causes to me…

And then she raises her head and looks at me with her violet eyes. Her gaze locks my blue orbs and… God! Her eyes are astounding! I sit still, flabbergasted. She keeps her gaze to me, seeming drowned in the same condition as myself. Maybe, I think.

She blinks and our locking stares are cut. I barely regain my breaths which unconsciously I hold while I locked eyes with her; when her hands raise and cup my face. My body twitches in surprise and I involuntarily gasp, but remain still. Her hands are so soft, cupping my cheeks gently. She locks her gaze with mine again; and I’m practically drowning within her violet deepness.

Her hands then move further to get hold to both sides of my head, her grips are firm yet still gentle. We still keep our locking gazes and when she speaks, her voice is simply whisper and, I swear she sounds rather husky and breathy.

“I want you to relax, Kaiba-san. I’ll show you everything you want to know for two conditions: don’t you ever, ever interrupt me while I’m doing this at you and never let out a single argument about whatever things you will see. Am I clear?”

I begin to get all uncomfortable. Her voice… it’s so seductive and husky; oh and also her touches; feeling of her soft hands hold my cheeks and now my head is overwhelming; those successfully arouse me! I feel my pants tightened, more than previously. Shit! The last thing I need is getting aroused in this time, in her house, in front of her, for goddamn sake! I will embarrass myself if she finds out about my arousal right now!

Not believing my own voice for not being all throaty and husky, I only nod curtly to let her know that I understand her words. She sighs and closes her eyes; I wonder if she wants me to do same thing. Well, trying won’t kill me, right? So I close my eyes… and frown when I feel something slips in my head.

I hear her breaths become ragged and panted, making me worried. Her grips on my head also tighten; and something that slipping in my mind early becomes more and more forceful it hurts. I try to open my eyes to see her and to break free from this uncomfortable state when I realize I can’t open my eyes or simply gain control over my body anymore. What’s happened?!

While I’m still confused about the current situation, the ‘forceful things’ start to ravage my mind…


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~Normal POV~


Seto opened his eyes to find him standing on some kind of playground. His surrounding was blurry yet still clear to be seen. Everything was in sepia colors, like an old photograph. Seto frowned, confused. Just where and why I am here, he thought.

He noticed three figures playing on the sand field. Three little girls, around ten to twelve years old were building a sand castle. They were humming, sometimes singing out loud some unknown children songs; Seto didn’t ever hear the songs before; while playing and laughing at each other. Seto noted that two of them were definitely twins; they had identical features except for their hair colors; one of them had black, languid hair while the other had dark brown, wavy hair. The other one, he supposed her to be the oldest one, had black, unruly-shaggy hair. All of them could be categorized as pretty girls.

Seto then noticed their eyes’ colors and gasped in surprise. They all had deep purple orbs, like Naya. He realized that he might be inside her memory or something; whether he wanted to deny it or not, he was truly inside. Seto walked closer, slowly; he didn’t want to disturb them. But it looked like they didn’t see him or even know him here beside them.

“Naya-chan!” the wavy haired girl shouted to her twin. Seto raised his brows hearing it. So it was true; he was inside her memory after all. Well, seeing her childhood will be quite interesting, he mused.

Little Naya turned to face her sibling. “What, Kaya nee-chan?”

“Ne, tonight Otou-sama and Okaa-sama will go abroad, right?” Little Kaya smiled sweetly.

Naya smiled back. “Aa, Nee-chan. We will be alone with Arashi nee-sama and Yukie-san. Ne, Arashi nee-sama?”

The older girl with shaggy hair only smiled and nodded.

“Where will they go, Arashi nee-sama?” Kaya chirped.

Arashi retorted simply. “America.”

“Is it far?”

“Uh huh.”

“When will they come back?”

“Next two weeks, Kaya.”

“I already miss them.” She pouted childishly.

Both Arashi and Naya laughed. It looked like as if Kaya was the youngest amongst them. Her mannerism and behavior made her like one.

Seto observed them with amusement. He didn’t remember Naya mentioning about her another older sister. He only remembered Naya told him about her twin, Kaya, who died about three years ago.

“Arashi nee-sama left from main residence a year before Kaya died.”

Seto almost jumped when he heard Naya’ soft voice. He turned around and found Naya standing beside him; her previous kimono changed into some priestess white kimono and black hakama. She looks like some priestess or miko from Shinto shrine, he thought, frowning.

“Why was she out?”

Naya still focused her eyes on the girls; her gazes looked somewhat sad and longing.

“Ojii-sama demanded her to. There was …problem.”

Seto didn’t push her for more answers and only studied her feature. Naya stood still, her appearance seemed faded when the sun set. She seemed somewhat …regal and elegant, and Seto found himself amazed, again, by her beauty.

“Why do you dress like that?” he cleared his throat and pointed her hakama.

Naya smiled faintly. “Well, this is our family trademark so…”

“You’re a priestess? A miko?”

“Yes and no.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Yes, I have miko bloodline; and no, I’m not one; at least not a legal one. My oldest sister is the one; still she seems reluctant to perform her tasks.”

“I see…” Seto turned his eyes again to the girls still playing on the sand field.

Naya wide eyed him. “You won’t argue me?”

He glanced at her. “For what reason?”

“Well, I heard the great Seto Kaiba is one of most logical; if we should say, stubborn; harsh, and fierce person in Domino, if not in Japan.” She snickered while Seto scowled. “No offence. And I heard you don’t believe this kind of spiritual thingy, do you?”

Seto nodded, still scowled. “But I have seen much in my life to bury those disbelief thoughts within my mind.”

Naya raised one of her delicate brow. “How much you’ve seen? And what?”

Seto tipped his chin thoughtfully, which rarely he did in the past. “Well, I’m still unable to trust myself to believe that I’m truly a reincarnation of a priest from Ancient Egypt. Or that Shadow Game and Shadow Realm which were happened to exist during Battle City Tournament are truly real. If I’m not convinced and if I don’t see the game by myself, I won’t believe them, until now.”

Somehow Seto could manage a long explanation. He frowned; confused that he could talk more than one or two sharp sentence. Being with her brought many changes for him; but still he didn’t exactly aware about his own feelings. Seto Kaiba now felt confused, more than when he faced many duels against many strong opponents, including Yugi/Atem.

Naya smiled and nodded her understanding. “You’re reincarnation of High Priest Seth, I know. And yes, Shadow Game and Shadow Realm are truly, really existed.”

Seto wide eyed her. “How do you know about that?”

She shrugged. “Isis told me.”

“Oh.” That was his only reply, before he asked in low voice. “What did Isis tell you all about?”

“She told me about you, Millenium Items, the Yamis and Hikaris, and the Lost Pharaoh, the King of Games, Atem. She told me everything.”

“The King of Games is Yugi Mutou, not him.”

“Literally, yes. Well, he is the previous King of Games, before Yugi beats him and regains his title.” Her lips twitched upward, forming a thin smile. “You consider yourself the best duelist ever, don’t you?”

Seto let out his Seto-Kaiba-infamous-smirk and retorted loftily, “Yes, I do and still I am one of the best duelists on the world.”

Naya laughed softly, successfully making Seto stunned in spot.

“Yes, you are, I have to admit that.”

Seto blushed by her compliment, but quickly turned away from her so she couldn’t see his redness.

Suddenly the scene before them changed. It wasn’t the playground anymore; it was corridor of Japanese old house. Seto recognized it for Naya’s residence.

“It was that time.”

Seto looked at her quizzically. “What time?”

Naya didn’t answer; she only pointed out by her index finger at the corridor. Seto turned his eyes to see what she was pointing about and gaped in horror.

Blood, so much blood trailed on the wooden floor. It looked like the trail started from one room and lined to the outside of the house, to the small woods behind the residence. Naya walked forward and stood in front of the room’s door which was ajar.

“This is my room.” She plainly stated.

Seto followed her and stood beside her. He stilled in horror; there was so much blood; blood puddle on the floor, splatters on the wall and the door; blood tainted everywhere. The room had turned out to be some kind of gory, sick-scene butchery.

“…What was happened?” he choked.

Naya didn’t answer and only turned around. She gestured him to follow her and he complied. She walked to the woods, tracking the blood trail. Somewhere within the woods, she stopped.

“This is the night. The night a year after Arashi nee-sama left the house and night when Kaya died.” She waved her hand to show the scene before her.

Seto stood, horrified. He stilled in horror seeing, no, witnessing the scene in front of him.

The thick darkness engulfed the woods; surrounded two figures who slumped on the ground. They were two girls, in their fifteen; one had straight and long raven hair, and the other had wavy, dark brown hair. Kaya looked like she was about to collapse while Naya hugged her tightly; her tears streamed rapidly down her pale cheeks. Blood was everywhere; and Seto was aware that the blood was coming from Kaya, who was wounded on her chest.

“Why?! Why, Kaya?! Why?!” Naya cried as Kaya’s body slowly grew cold and rigid.

Kaya, barely breathed, smiled weakly and whispered, “…I …want …you …to live …a little …longer …Naya-chan…”

“…No… not without you, Kaya, no, please…”

“He …has promised me …he will …not …touch …you …until your …twenty… Naya-chan… there’s still …hope…”

Naya shook her head violently. “No hope left, Kaya! He is too powerful, his darkness is too strong! There’s no hope for me, Kaya, no hope anymore…”

“…Don’t …be …fool…” Kaya scolded; her breaths became more and more ragged and heavy. “…Hope …always …there…”

Naya watched in horror as her twin’s body somehow convulsing and her wound was suddenly torn open, as if she was being slaughtered from inside. Blood sprayed and spurted out rapidly, half covered Naya and their surrounding on instant. Kaya let out a strangled cry and her body jerked before finally she went limp and still. She was died.

Naya screamed, thrashed, and cried over her dead body. She screamed and howled and cried and cussed, in rage, in agony, in sorrow, in pain. This was her twin, her other half and she died in front of her eyes while she was doing nothing. Kaya died protecting her and she was much worthless to be helped.

Naya clutched and cradled her dead twin; bloodied and slain; her body was torn right on the chest; she was almost got split onto two parts of limb. Her face was blank with her dull purple eyes open half lidded. Blood pooled around them, forming a large puddle.

“That—that how—?!” Seto stuttered, losing the steadiness in his voice. His feet were visibly trembling now; witnessing such gory and horrible sight in front of him. Fuck, he was strong-willed and brave for his own good, but never had he prepared himself to see something like this; not in his life off course. He looked at Naya, present Naya, who stood stiff beside him; her expression was grim and deeply sad.

“Kaya got killed because of me…” she whispered dryly. “She died because of me. All because of me.”

Seto stared at her; sudden sadness and pain stabbed him right in his heart. Never had he heard such desolated, desperate, and sorrowful voice, yet her expression was so deep in misery and guilt. Yes, Seto had experienced sadness, misery, and despair, even sorrow; but what he had was something different. He was an orphan as long as he remembered, along with Mokuba; and the only source of misery in his life was Gozaburo Kaiba. And the fact that the same man was the one who gave him and his brother chance to live such well-to-do life was definitely clear. He became who he was thanks to that old bastard. Of course, that included his becoming-lack of feeling and compassionate.

But he had friends, even though sometimes he didn’t disapprove them. Yugi, Katsuya, and the others changed him. He, the great Seto Kaiba, who usually acted cold, stoic, kind-of-heartless person was melted by their companionship; even briefly. They often annoyed him, but slowly they also made him less inhuman. Because of them, Seto regained his humanity, his feeling. Almost all of things he regained were caused by his main rival, Yami Yugi or Atem. For that, Kaiba was thankful for him.

Naya was different; she had no friends. As long as Seto knew her; she hadn’t befriended with anyone in school. Or maybe she had few friends outside school; but he doubted she did. She was lonely, not as void as him before he met the gang, but still lonely. Fortunately she still had grandfather and an older sibling to support her all along.

Seto suddenly shivered in fear when he imagined himself losing Mokuba in same way Naya losing her twin. Oh, he couldn’t stand it; he wouldn’t! He might likely grab a knife and stabbed his chest, killing himself on the way. He couldn’t stand living without his beloved younger brother. Mokuba was the only living family he had in his life.

“The demon killed her right in front of my eyes… Kaya was trying to help me. She sacrificed herself to save me, to prolong my life…” Naya’ sad and soft voice brought him back to his current situation.

Seto eyed her, confused. “What do you mean by ‘prolong’?”

Naya yanked the front of her kimono, revealing her upper chest. Involuntarily, Seto blushed and immediately turned his eyes away from the view.

“Look at this mark, Kaiba-san.” She commanded. Seto slowly turned his gaze back at her and heavily stared at her red, rose-shaped mark. The mark was still the same like he had seen earlier, red and angry, tainting her fair skin. Inwardly, Seto winced; he cursed whoever or whatever did mark her for sure.

“This rose is a mark; mark from the demon who wants to claim me. He wants to own me, both my body and soul; he wants to take me to his twisted darkness. I was marked when I was fifteen; he actually intended to take me right away, but somehow Kaya managed to deal with him… and sacrificed her life to prolong my turn until next five years.”

“Five years?! You mean—?!” he yelled in shock. Five years… and it had been three years past after Kaya’s death; which meaning… Seto stiffened in realization and horror.

Naya nodded solemnly. “Until my twentieth birthday, I am safe. After that…” she shrugged, “…I will be doomed.”

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