Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

Croquet hated violence, and rarely fought, so he couldn't know for sure if he really felt like he had just been punched in stomach or not, but the metaphor fit. He stared at his master's mutilated figure mutely, barely aware of other men, including Kemo, moving forward to help the man. Even as his master was lifted from the floor and carried to safely, Croquet didn't pay attention to anything, trailing after the others, ignoring Yugi Mutou's worried voice demanding answers.

All he could think about was the bright splash of blood on his master's face, wondering why it didn't mar his shirt as well, because the brutal stab behind it had damaged Croquet as well.

"Croquet?"

It was concern on Kemo's face that finally alerted him back to reality. He scolded himself for allowing his distraction to show so clearly from his face, then snapped: "Yes?" Until that he hadn't noticed that Kemo's hand was on his shoulder, halting him. He wanted to shrug it off, to rush after his fallen master, but it would only alarm Kemo more and Croquet really didn't afford to lose any more of his authority. As he glared at Kemo expectantly, the other man hastily spoke:

"Didn't Mr. Crawford have some kind of special prize for that kid? A card?"

Croquet noticed with slight fascination that he could literally see the sweat forming on Kemo's forehead as he stared at the other man, his mouth curling with dismay. Their master had just been severely wounded. He was barely conscious, and who know, he might be on the brink of death! And Kemo dared to think about business?

"I believe it's stated in your contract that our master's well-being is your priority." he hissed, his teeth aching as he gritted them together. However his anger quickly subsided as Kemo lost his composure and became fearful, voice crackling as he answered:

"O-of course!" Croquet didn't try to avoid the hand that shot out for him, grabbing him from the collar. "How can you even...? Look, as long as those little bastards are around, I can't guarantee that I won't go and make sure that they sure as hell won't leave this place alive!" When Croquet remained stoic and unmoving, Kemo released his coat, taking a step backwards. "And as long as they don't have everything that they were promised, they won't leave. Fuck.." Kemo quickly whirled away from him, stomping off.

Croquet stood there still for some time, snorting before he finally broke into walk. So Kemo did care for his master.. of course it was good to know that you had allies, but what about other men? Were they already plotting against his master? If that was the case, Croquet would have to eliminate him.

Although it would never make up for his greatest failure.

He scratched his chest over the heart and wondered if his pain ever faded.