Chapter 1

He had been trying to get Seto to give him more responsibility around the company, but his brother stubbornly refused. Seto kept saying he wasn't ready, that Mokuba needed more time to learn the ins and outs of the company before he could let him take on that kind of responsibility. That led to a rather large argument, which led to a yelling match, which led to the current situation Mokuba was now in. He had threatened to sell of his share of the stocks, and give away any rights he had to the company if Seto didn't back off. Seto had presented him with a challenge after that.

If he could take the sum of money Seto gave him, and turn it into a profit by the end of the year, Seto would consider his request to take on more responsibility in the company like he wanted. It seemed like an ironic proposal, considering that Seto had won that challenge with Gozaburo. What made him think that Mokuba couldn't do the same? Though he had to admit, he was feeling a bit frustrated at the moment. He'd been walking around for hours now, and hadn't found a company to invest in.

"You take that back, Joey!" Serenity shouted, angrily.

Oh she'd had it. Ever since the operation, Joey acted like her parent, telling her what to do, where to go, who she could be with. He had actually tried to hook her up with Tristan just because he knew that Tristan would keep an eye on her like Joey wanted! Now he had the audacity to tell her what to do with her chosen profession. Mai hadn't been able to talk any sense into him, and when he got like this, that wasn't really much of a surprise.

So, Serenity squared off with Joey like it was the final show down. She had tried to be reasonable, maybe even make some kind of compromise, but the second she had stated an objection, Joey tried to practically steamroll her into what he wanted. She'd never been one for confrontations, so she was nervous, scared as hell, shaking from head to toe. Serenity knew though, that if she didn't stand up for herself now, he'd never stop treating her like this. He was not a parent, and she was not his kid…damn it!

"Serenity, I know what's best for ya's." Joey argued. "I'm da oldest. I've been supportn us alright. Ya's don't have ta do dis. Artists don't make money anyway."

"Oh, you did not just say that." Mai groaned, knowing he'd just dug his own grave. Serenity looked like she'd had all the fight kicked out of her, and then it roared back with a vengeance.

"You really think I couldn't support myself with my art?" She asked, with a quiet anger. "Or is it that you don't want me doing artwork anymore, because Kaiba said one of my sketches was nice?"

Joey winced, meaning it struck a nerve, and Serenity realized on some level that that was exactly why Joey didn't want her doing this.

"It's not dat. It's just dat…Serenity, tha world is cruel, an I don't want ya's ta get hurt." Joey stated, gently. "I'm supposed ta protect ya's."

"Bullshit." She growled, drawing Joey up short. That was the first time she'd ever cussed in front of him. "You just want me under your heel, so you can always tell me what to do. I can't wear sexy clothes, but Mai and Anzu can. I can't go out and get a job, but Mai and Anzu can. I can't date, but you can try and fuck Mai while I'm in the other room. You know what? I can't do this anymore."

She held no bad feelings towards Mai. In fact, she'd gone to her for advice on how to handle this mess. Granted, it hadn't worked out like either of them had hoped, but still. Serenity and Mai shared a knowing look, and Mai watched as Joey floundered for what to say next. Serenity on the other hand, decided that she was going to her room, and locking the door.

If she was going to do this, she was going to have to do it now before she lost her nerve. She took out the large 2 piece travel suitcase set Mai and Anzu had gotten for her, like they had somehow known that it was always going to come down to this, and began to methodically pack her things. She didn't have a lot, so it was easy for her to fit everything in the two suitcases. When she calmly walked out of the room, she found Mai still trying to talk Joey down from his anger and confusion. Serenity felt she had to be on some kind of anger high, sadistically smirking as she was, knowing that what she was about to do next was not going to help matters.

Fuck it.

"What are ya doin?" Joey asked, with a gulp, showing the first signs of fear in this.

"I thought the suitcases made that obvious." Serenity retorted. "I'm leaving."

"Where are ya goin ta go?" He asked, worried now. "Dey're are dangerous people out dere. Ya's don't know how ta defend yaself. Ya's never held a job before."

"And who was suppose to teach me those things?" Serenity asked, turning his points back onto him. "That's right. You! You were suppose to teach me those things, because you took up the mantle of parent instead of brother. But you didn't teach me those things, so that I'd remain helpless, so that I'd always depend on you for everything, so that I'd never leave you. Well, buddy-boy, watch me walk my happy ass out that door!"

Mai looked at her like proud mamma sending her baby out into the world. Serenity just gave her a nod, and went on her way. Joey stood there looking all kinds of confused, angry, and hurt. He probably hadn't meant half the shit he'd said, but that didn't excuse it. He would either learn to watch his temper, or deal with the consequences.

Somehow, he ended up at Yugi's game shop. Things always seemed to make sense when he was there, and maybe Yugi would have a few ideas to bounce off of him. What he found was Serenity bawling her eyes out, yelling about Joey. She'd walked out with her bags packed and nowhere to go, anything to get away from the brother who didn't believe in her.

"You got one of those too?" He asked, looking over at her.

"Seto loves you, Mokuba." Serenity insisted, even as tears fell down her face.

"I know that, but he doesn't think I can handle responsibility." Mokuba countered, and something in her face caught him up short. "What did Joey say to you?"

"I didn't need a job, that artists don't make money anyway." Serenity replied. "What did yours say?"

"Oh? Mine said that if I could turn a profit by the end of a year, he'd give me more responsibility, but only after I threatened to sell off my share of the company." Mokuba answered, deep in thought.

"At least there's that. He believes in you, Mokuba. He's giving you this chance to prove your words." Serenity replied, trying to encourage him.

"That's it!" Yugi exclaimed, happily. The two just looked at him clueless of where his mind had gone. "Serenity, you want to prove you can support yourself. Mokuba, you want your brother to trust you with more responsibility. Don't you see? This is your chance!"

"Does he make sense to you when he gets like this?" Serenity mumbles to Mokuba.

"No, but if we give him a minute, he'll come down and start making sense again." Mokuba replied, whispering conspiratorially.

"You two are each others solutions." Yugi tried to explain. "Serenity, you're already an artist. You want to be an artist that makes money. Mokuba, you need a company to invest in. (He stood beside Serenity, and put his hands on her upper arms) She's your company to invest in."

"I what?" Serenity asked, confused. "Huh?"

"Yeah…" Mokuba said, thoughtfully. "Serenity. Let's go, we've got things to do, dinner to eat, ass to kick, things like that."

"Don't worry. You two were never here." Yugi said, knowingly.

"You think we can do this?" Serenity asked, not even sure what 'this' was yet.

"I think we are about to create the greatest mystery artist Japan has never seen." Mokuba replied, and the two walked out the door.

The two went to dinner to discuss things more in depth. The plan was bold in its simplicity, but it had been done before. They would have to work out the mistakes the others had made, and plan around them. By the time that they'd gotten everything roughly worked out, it was well into the evening. They'd start apartment hunting the next day, and then they'd take on the world. Yugi didn't mind housing them for the night, and he got to hear how far they'd gotten in their plans. Joey had already been there looking for Serenity, and wouldn't be making the rounds again till tomorrow.

Meanwhile, earlier that day…

"Kaiba! Ya'z have ta help me!" Joey shouted, barging into Seto's office.

"Well this ought to be rich." Seto groaned. "What is it now, Mutt?"

"Serenity is missin!" Joey shouted, frantic. "She's not been home all day, an no one knows where she is, an she's ma only baby sista!"

Seto straightened up slightly at that. He may hate Joey, but Serenity was a different matter. He still had trouble believing she was related to the mutt. She spoke with a quiet grace, she'd always been kind to him, and he found that he enjoyed conversing with her. Hell, Seto actually found himself trying not to insult Joey whenever he was around her. No one other than Mokuba could get him to do things like that.

"I can have my people search for her, cover more ground that way, Wheeler." Seto said, seriously. He'd do anything if Mokuba went missing like that. "They'll need a detailed description, what she was wearing, anything to help. Last place she was seen, things like that."

"I-I just…She's just gone. I dunno what happened. She could be anywhere!" Joey said, pacing. "Everyth'n was fine till today!"

"Now, Joseph Wheeler, you tell him the truth. Right now, or we're over." Mia hissed, as she walked into the office.

"Ya'z think he'd agree ta help me if he knew she'd stormed out on her own, bags packed, an' her yelln at me?" Joe asked, causing Seto to look up in mild shock.

"You'd lie to my face to get your sister to come back home?" Seto asked, slightly amused. "You're right. I won't help you. I'm glad she finally stood up for herself where you're concerned, and you can get the hell out of my office right now."

On the phone, later that night…

"So, how's the search going?" Seto asked, curious.

"I found something. It's a small operation, but I think with the right motivation the company could go places." Mokuba replied, unable to hide his excitement.

"I'm glad, Mokuba, really." Seto admitted, fondly. "I know you'll do well."

"Thanks, Seto. That means a lot." Mokuba replied, surprised.

"Have you heard about Serenity yet?" Seto asked, bringing up other news.

"What about her?" Mokuba asked, feigning ignorance.

"The Mutt stormed into my office, demanding I find her. He actually lied to me saying she was missing first, in order to get me to send out a search team. I almost did it too, till Valentine stormed in and demanded he tell the truth." Seto informed him. "Apparently, she finally snapped and told him off. I may hate that mutt, but Serenity's never done anything to me."

"If I see her, I'll tell her to at least call home so he doesn't worry." Mokuba vowed. "So, why did he think she was with you?"

"We're not having that discussion right now, Mokuba." Seto growled, before hanging up.

"Hey, Serenity!" Mokuba called out. "You might want to call Joey or something, let him know you're not living as a hobo for the night."

"Oh my God, Mokuba!" Serenity said, giggling. "Why? What did your brother say?"

"Joey stormed the office, lied to Seto to get him to send out a search team, and then he was made to tell the truth later." Mokuba replied.

"He's always like that whenever I don't listen to him." Serenity replied, saddened now. "Don't worry, I'll call. Just hope it helps."

On the phone…

"Hey, Mai." Serenity said, quietly. "How's he doing?"

"Freaking out, but I think I have him calmed down for the moment." Mai replied. "You coming home soon?"

"Not this time, Mai." Serenity stated, determined.

"Good." Mai said, surprising her. "You prove to him that you can do this, Hun. You prove to yourself that you can do this. I'll be here for you if you need me."

"Things are already picking up for me. I've just found a sponsor to start me out." Serenity stated, not wanting to give out too many details.

"Oh, I'm so happy for you!" Mai squealed. Is that Serenity? Is she okay?

"Put him on the phone for me, would you, Mai?" Serenity said, hesitantly.

…

"Serenity, are ya alright?" Joey asked, sounding frantic.

"I'm fine, Joey, really." Serenity replied, worried for her brother now. Maybe she should go home, she thought, he sounded so worried.

"Ya'z ready ta come home, an stop all dis nonsense?" He asked, sounding patronizing. You were doing so well too

"Tell Mai that I appreciate her believing in me." Serenity stated, before hanging up the phone.

Serenity couldn't believe how fast everything had changed. Mokuba was like a shark when he went after something, and by the next afternoon, the two of them had their own apartments. She had the one above his, that way he could field anyone who happened to make it that far. The place seemed a bit empty, but she had the creative bug already. Figuring she could always shop for things when Mokuba got back, she got to work on trying to figure out how to paint without leaving any kind of DNA on anything.

"Akagi, tell me you have a minute to talk." Mokuba half ordered/ half pleaded.

"It's always good to see you, Mokuba." The older man said, respectfully.

"Listen, I have an idea to pitch to you." Mokuba started. "What would you say to hosting an anonymous artist? One who's identity can't be found?"

"Considering it's a Kaiba telling me these things? I'd say you have my attention, at the very least." The older man replied, curious. "Tell me more about this mystery artist of yours."