Disclaimer: I don't sadly own Salior Moon or Yu-Gi-Oh, but it would be awesome if I did.
Chapter 2
Usagi told him everything that had happened, sparing no detail. Kunzite listened intently, not interrupting as she spoke about the events of the evening. The way trouble found this girl, it was a wonder she had survived this long. They had grown up together as best friends, and when she needed a place to stay after what happened back in Tokyo he thought nothing of them sharing an apartment together in Domino City. It helped that she never once made fun of him for his reasons for moving, they were almost as similar as her own.
To be fair, they both knew why their parents had freaked out when they realized the true reasons for their decision to move. Kunzite had tried to go the logical route of needing a fresh start, preparing for college, that sort of thing, which were all technically true if you pushed the truth hard enough. Usagi had been unable to lie to her parents and had blabbed everything. Dreams, they were both moving to Domino because of constant reoccurring dreams. She really was a terrible liar, but it was one of the things that he loved about her. It had delayed their trip by a year, as her parents took her to the doctors for a battery of tests. The dreams never stopped, and when the things she told them began to come true, they were left with no other choice but to let her go.
The conditions were ones that they had already agreed to amongst themselves, so it was no trouble to agree to them for her parents. Usagi would live with him, until she was legal to live on her own. She would call home as often as she could, and she would no longer use Family Money for the things that she needed. To that end, Usagi had skillfully acquired several independent artist contracts with Kaiba Corp. She was a talented artist, and because Kunzite was working to become a lawyer one day, her contracts were iron clad.
"I'm telling you, it was the strangest thing ever. Thugs, false policeman, kidnappings, secret hidings, instinct fights, and a prince at the end! A kiss and my night would have been complete, I could die happy." She said laughing.
"Keep that up, it might happen for you tomorrow." He replied suggestively.
"I haven't told you the craziest part yet. The Prince at the end, the older brother of the kid I saved, I know his name!" She squealed, swinging her legs in delight.
"Finally, we get to the juicy part." Kunzite laughed. "Do tell."
"Seto Kaiba." She blurted out, and then quickly put her hands over her mouth. She could swear that her friend's eyes grew to the size of saucers.
"You aren't serious." He finally said, after weighing it in his mind. "Usagi...He's...difficult is the nicest way to put it I suppose. Do you think he's connected to your dreams?"
"I'm not sure. Everything happened so quickly last night I wasn't looking for that. Honestly, I think we have a better chance of finding your dream first." She admitted.
That night Seto dreamed of a girl with long golden hair, flowing away from her like streamers. She was wearing a white dress with golden circles along the breast of it, short poof sleeves, just off the shoulder. He pulled his gaze away from her shoulder to her eyes, only to discover he was drowning in an ocean of blue. It was only then that he realized they had been dancing together the whole time. The look on her face...he'd never had any woman look at him that way. Everyone wanted something, and this woman was no exception, but it seemed she did not want what they did.
"Princess..." Someone said, and he realized it was him.
"Seto." She sighed happily. "You can call me by my name, you know. We will be married soon...if you still wish it."
"More than anything, Serenity"
He woke up with a start. What the hell was that? He was use to those stupid dreams of Egypt, much as he hated them. This was something else, somewhere else. Even the dreams of that former life had not included a face like hers. She looked too much like that girl that had rescued Mokuba. It seemed too much of a coincidence for him to dismiss it, and that made him angry. Was Fate once again trying to force itself on him when it was not wanted? There was no time for women, friends, or love with a multi billion dollar business to run. He had decided. They would take her out to dinner that night, and that was it. Mokuba could maintain a friendship with her if he wanted, but Seto was resolved to stay away from her as much as possible. Should be easy considering the workload he had.
Yet six o'clock came, and he found himself already at her doorstep with Mokuba. She was surprised to see him there so soon, figuring 6:30, and was not yet ready. She let them wait in the living room while she finished getting ready. Seto could not help but take the opportunity to look about the room, anything that could give him a clue about this girl. The room was loosely organized, but he suspected it was the room mate fighting a losing battle to keep order. There was a distinct smell coming from a room off to the side, and he could not help but follow it. Oddly pleasant, he discovered that it was her painting studio room.
"I wouldn't if I were you." Came a voice from behind him. "She treats that room like it's its own entity. You'll have to ask it for permission before you enter, otherwise it will attack you."
"That's preposterous." Seto grunted, and stepped into the room...only to be assaulted by falling stretcher bars.
A slight chuckle. "I did try to warn you. It does not appreciate uninvited guests."
Gathering up the thin wooden beams, Seto grumbled. "Know this from personal experience then?"
"Yes he did. The studio seems to like you a bit better. It didn't draw blood when you entered without asking." Seto whipped around to see Usagi trying to help him pick up several of the beams.
"You don't really believe the room is its own entity do you?" Seto asked incredulously.
She simply smiled, and said. "It's an artist thing." Gesturing from one man to the other, she continued. "Seto Kaiba, this is my room mate Kunzite. Kunzite, this is Seto. Mokuba should be in the living room still...I hope."
"Be careful going out tonight, I have a bad feeling. You know how you are, Usagi, trouble follows you." Kunzite advised, shushing them out of the apartment.
"Any last suggestions, Mom?" Usagi teased.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do?" Kunzite offered suggestively. "Oh, and if you find my Venus, send her to me would you?"
"Sure thing, Kunzi."
It wasn't until they were driving that Seto casually asked. "So...what did he mean by find his Venus?"
"Oh that. It's part of the reason we both teamed up to move here. I did mention something about helping him find the love of his life in my ramblings yesterday right?" She replied. "It's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it all?"
"Maybe just the major important bits." Seto answered, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"We are chasing the people from our reoccurring dreams. We know they are in Domino City. Whatever is going on, we will find the answers here. How was that for a sum up?" Usagi said thoughtfully, trying to sum up everything to just the important bits like Seto asked. "I've already met one of them."
"Really?" Mokuba asked, excitedly. "Who was it?"
"You, Mokuba." She answered. They had arrived at the restaurant, and were making their way to the entrance. "I think maybe Seto too, but he's always too fuzzy to really tell. There's usually a lot of arguing against fate, planning their own destiny, and something about 'Shut it Wheeler'. Kunzite and I do not have the same exact list of people to find either. We share many, but there are some that are more important to one than the other. Kunzite is trying to find his faster, by focusing on one at a time, starting with the one he views most important to him."
"And you?" Seto asked, his voiced strained. This is the person who saved his brother, some crazy person?
"My only plan was to move here and see what happened." She replied, almost tired, as if she knew he was skeptical. Of course she did, she had described him to a Tee whether she knew it or not. (They were being guided to a table by this point.) "I had never been one for talks of destiny and fate, too complicated a weave to follow. If I can find these people, maybe I can figure out what fate or destiny has planned, and then decide if I want it or not."
That surprised him. He had thought her one of those wishy-washy types, and in truth she did seem very childlike. However, her skepticism meant that she had been trying other means of research, and this truly was her last option. Dreams of fate and destiny hit a little too close to home for Seto, and he endeavored to put as much distance between himself and anything involving them. He almost lost it at the mention of 'Shut it Wheeler' , a favorite phrase of his when dealing with the Mutt.
"Did you try seeing a dream therapist? I know it's a bit flimsy as far as it goes, but-" Seto began, but Usagi cut him off.
"Yes, I tried. One of the first things actually. The others...you don't want to know. I started ignoring them, thinking it would make the Doctors go away, but all it ended up doing was putting my little brother in danger. After seeing this, my parents finally let me move here with Kunzite, with conditions of course. No use of the family money, move out on my own when I can, and check in a bit." She looked from side to side, fidgeting nervously. "Well, I'm feeling a bit exposed. Revealing secrets and all that. I'm not even sure why I'm telling you all this. I can't seem to shut up around you even though I know I should. This is embarrassing. Please just shoot me."
He chuckled a bit, she was nervous again. "Actually I'm no stranger to reoccurring dreams. Though last night was a new one. If it continues, do you mind if I talk with you about it, compare notes maybe?"
She seemed surprised to hear him say that, but answered. "Of-Of course, Seto."
Strangely, he found himself telling her all about the 'Egypt Shit' as he liked to call it. She could see why he didn't want to be dragged into anymore destiny business. He'd already spent the last few years denying everything. To accept it now, to have more to deal with...Based on her description of the fuzzy persona she mentioned, he knew he was one of the people she was searching for, though he loathed to admit receiving help from the fates in this way. He just wished he were someone important to her. Where had that come from? You've known this woman for all of a day! Get a hold of yourself, and your crazy hormones.
The rest of the meal passed by in relative ease. She brought Mokuba further into the conversation, something Seto appreciated. The two had a love for games, including the popular Sailor V game. They talked about her art, and Seto made a mental note to check on her work within Kaiba Corp. He hadn't been able to see anything in the studio, but he was still intrigued. He noticed that she began to relax more when he and Mokuba asked about her art. Mokuba already loved her, sensing that she was a kid at heart like him. Seto found himself laughing more than he had in a long time. Oh well, there went his plan to ignore her forever. Just then, he saw her look up and freeze. However, when he looked in the direction that had caught her, he found nothing there.
"Usagi, what's wrong?" Seto asked, concerned. He sensed apprehension from her.
"Nothing.." She tried to say, but she saw his face and stopped. "I'm afraid I'm being followed, by someone I left in Tokyo."
"Is he dangerous to you?" Seto asked, without thinking. Why am I concerned about this?
"I don't think so...but then I didn't think he'd follow me here either." Usagi stated, a bit uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't burden you two with this. Let's...Let's focus on dessert!"
Mokuba was all about this plan, dessert being one of his favorite things in the world, but he wasn't blind to the fact that she was using it to avoid a serious problem. Granted, he was pretty sure that was a primary function of dessert, but even so, this type of problem seemed too big for dessert alone to handle, a blasphemous thought if there was one. She didn't mention the stalker throughout the rest of the meal, and Seto was not foolish enough to press her on it. Mokuba gave her his number, offering a friend in case she ever needed one, and Seto found that he was doing the same. There was this nagging feeling that he should be here, and he hated it but did not want to stop it.
The three of the continued talking on the trip back to her apartment. She did not appear uneasy again. There was an easiness that came with talking to them, something she had not expected. It was nice to have made so easily new friends. There were so many others to find, and so many questions that went with them. It wasn't something she wanted to think about, instead enjoying the conversation as they made their way back to her place. When they made it, she absentmindedly opened the door and got out of the car.
"Mokuba, I want you to stay here while I walk her to her door." Seto stated, and left before Mokuba had a chance to tease him for it.
"You didn't have to do that you know." Usagi said, though she appreciated the gesture.
"Nonsense, kidnappers, crazy stalkers, teenage CEO billionaires...your roommate was right. Trouble follows you. The least I could do is make sure it didn't follow you home." He teased.
"If you're one of the troubles, I may not want you to walk me to my door. I...thank you, Seto." She looked up at him, uncertainty playing in her eyes, and before he knew it she had kissed his cheek. His eyes wide with shock, both of them blushing as she looked down at her hands.
"That was nice. Why did I do that?" She said, absentmindedly, and so low he realized she was talking to herself more than to him.
"Goodnight, Usagi." Seto said, glad he had found his voice again.
"G-Goodnight, Seto." She replied, still blushing as she closed the door behind her.
Unfortunately for Seto, Mokuba had seen the whole thing. He had seen the kiss, the blushing, his brother putting a hand up to his face after Usagi was safely inside her apartment, the absentminded look in his eyes as he walked back to the car. This was not a Seto he was use to seeing, showing his emotions so easily, as if he no longer had the ability to hide them anymore. However, Mokuba knew that if he mentioned it at all, the cold wall his brother had built around himself over the years would be so easily put up again as if it had never left. In all honesty, he probably didn't even realize it was down at the moment.
"Let's get you home, Mokuba. We have school soon, and there are some things I will need to check at Kaiba Corp tomorrow." Seto said, once in the car.
"You promise you won't stay there all day? I agreed to meet some friends tomorrow, and I want us to hang out some more." Mokuba asked, trying to hold back the questions he had of Usagi, but one slipped. "Do you think she will be ok, Seto, with that stalker guy around?"
"I don't know." Seto sighed. "but I know she has our numbers just in case. That will have to be enough for now." It wasn't until that moment that he realized she had never once called him Kaiba. She had always called him Seto.
