Chapter 2

It had been nearly a week, and no sign of her. He'd searched everywhere, talked to all of his friends, even yelled at that moneybags Kaiba again, but there was no sign of Serenity. Mai would get calls from her every day, but whenever Joey tried to talk to her it was like he lost his mind. He'd start spouting crazy nonsense, demanding that she come home. She never yelled at him again, never got mad, just wished them a good night before hanging up again.

The others insisted that he give her time. She'd come back eventually, or at least the two would become closer as siblings again, but he was worried. She'd never been out on her own like this. She'd never gotten a job, because he'd insisted that he could take care of them just fine. She'd never learned to defend herself, because he'd said he'd always be there to protect her.

Hell, she'd been right about everything she'd said to him. Why couldn't he have just admitted that to her face? Maybe let her start looking for a job at one of the local stores or something? Why'd he have to go and say that about her art? Joey knew she was fiercely proud of how far she'd come in her craft, considering her recent blindness.

He shook his head, and sighed. This hadn't been how he'd wanted the conversation to go, and every day that she was gone was a night that he sat up with worry. Mai insisted that she was fine, with the progress calls she kept getting, that she was even starting to bring in money for her art. They just needed time to cool their heads, and try again. Maybe, they could get back to being close again like they were before.

He'd seen the new anonymous artist's work around town, and figured that they'd find out who it was within a week or two. However, months went by with no news that the artist had been found, and now it seemed that this mystery person was all Japan could talk about. Seto grew curious about the artist, eventually making his way to see an art exhibit that showcased their newest pieces. The artwork was amazing, ranging from striking landscapes to detailed portraits, but the artist was not there. The curator couldn't tell him a single thing about them, just that he was contacted by a third party supporter of the artist and couldn't resist the curiosity of it.

Moreover, he was pleasantly surprised to see that Mokuba was making good on his promise. He'd already paid back every bit of the money Seto had lent to him. Whatever it was that he had invested in had paid off big time, but Seto couldn't seem to find whatever it was. The boy would always say that the small company was doing well, and that he would have another payment again soon, but that was when he had to pay back money. Now he just talked about how well the company was doing, and how he couldn't wait to help Seto with Kaiba Corp.

That was another thing, he'd never been over to see Mokuba's new place either. The boy would come to visit him, or they would meet up somewhere. Seto'd not thought a thing about it till now. Why was Mokuba being so secretive? What was he investing in? Seto really wanted to meet this artist person, also really wanted to see what Mokuba was doing.

He'd never done anything like this before, but Seto decided that if he was going to do this then he was going to do it right. So, he wrote a letter to the artist. He hoped it would get him clues about who the artist was. At the next gallery showing, he waited until he was almost the last one out, and then asked to speak with the curator. Akagi was always a patient man, and more than willing to talk to Kaiba.

"Akagi, thank you for meeting with me." Seto stated, politely. "I'll get to the point. I understand that you don't know who the artist is, but you know their handler. If you would, give this to them for me, please."

Akagi blinked rapidly for a second, possibly because that was the first time he'd ever heard Seto say the word please, and replied with a smile. "Of course, Sir. They have several messages today, more than likely threats or spam, but you have always been a man of substance. I'm sure your message will be too."

"Thank you, Akagi." Seto said, kindly.

As he was about to take his leave, he saw a painting that made him stop short. He hadn't paid much attention to it before, but now that there were fewer people in the way, it pulled at his attention. It was his portrait. He had to admit, whoever this was made him look like he could actually cut quite the dashing figure, standing there prepared to draw a card from the dueling disk, the wind causing his signature white trench coat to billow out, his ultimate blue eyes white dragon almost like a threateningly formidable ghost in the background. Other duelists had been portrayed in other paintings in the gallery, but this one was his.
"Akagi, has anyone bought this particular painting yet?" Seto asked, looking at it. "I want it for my office."

"I'm sure the artist would be pleased to know that." Akagi replied. "We can fill out the paperwork over here if you like."

"You've got to be kidding me." Mokuba declared, his mind blown.

"Nope." Akagi replied, his eyes shining with mirth. "Here's the letter, and he even bought the portrait the artist did of him and the ultimate blue eyes."

"They're going to love this." Mokuba stated, unable to hold back from laughing a little.

"No hints on the identity then? I had bets on it being you, you know." Akagi said, good-naturedly.

"Nope, not me. I have the artistic license of a tomato." Mokuba said, with a grin. "I don't know that they're ready to reveal themselves yet. Maybe soon."

"Wouldn't that be the some debut? The revealing of Japan's most popular mystery artist?" Akagi mused. "Ah, I almost forgot. These are the other letters. I doubt they're savory, but you should still look at them."

"Thanks, Akagi." Mokuba replied, taking the stack before he left.

"Serenity? You're not going to believe this!" Mokuba shouted, when he got home. She came bounding downstairs, still wearing her over coat, gloves, goggles, and hairnet.

"What is it?" She asked, happily. Mokuba stopped short, chuckling at how much she looked like a mad scientist.

"Seto bought the piece you painted of him." He announced, excited. "Not only that, he dropped off a letter to the artist. You going to tell him?"

"You think I should?" She asked, nervous.

"He's always kind of liked you, Serenity. Trust me, a brother knows these things…Come to think of it, that might explain why Joey's been bugging him asking where you are." Mokuba rambled, chuckling at the end.

"The guy barely knows me, you trouble maker." Serenity giggled, sticking her tongue out at him. "Now give me that letter!"

"Oh no, I'm going to be totally embarrassing and read it out loud to you." Mokuba smirked, before running throughout the place, not really trying to read the letter. "Oh my dearest sweet Serenity, I totally know that you're the artist, and dream of making adorable little Serenity and Seto Kaiba babies with you. Hopefully, they will have your temperament, as I come off as a cold-hearted bastard. Your shnukums."

"Give me that!" Serenity squealed, grabbing it out of his hand and racing back upstairs.

"Have fun with your love letter!" Mokuba shouted up after her.

Anonymous,

It's strange, writing to someone I do not know. I have to say you are the most successful anonymous artist so far at actually keeping your identity secret, and I say that with certainty, because I tried to find out who you are for myself. You must have someone helping you cover your tracks, which is smart. I'm not sure if I want you to give me a hint as to who you are, or keep things the way they are so that I can try to figure out the mystery on my own. If you would like to keep the lines of communication open, we can use Akagi as our drop off messenger.

Seto Kaiba

Serenity smiled, and began writing her own letter. Maybe it was too bold of her, but Seto Kaiba wanted to play cat and mouse, so why not? She'd show the letter to Mokuba before she sent it. He'd love this anyway. Plus, it was always fun to tease a Kaiba.

She handed Mokuba the letter some time later, and asked. "So, what do you think?"

"You sure about this?" Mokuba asked, curious. "Once you start giving hints, it's only a matter of time before you're discovered. This can't last forever, the secret identity thing, but you should control how it gets revealed."

"You say he likes me, don't you?" Serenity asked, with a big grin. "It would be nice for him to know then, before I tell the rest of Japan, yeah?"

"Alright, but your next question is what are you going to do about Joey when he figures it out?" Mokuba teased.

"He already knows I do well with my art, that I live on my own, but he still thinks I can't take care of myself." Serenity grumbled, shaking her head. "Take that to Akagi tomorrow, would you?"

"Sure thing, Sis." Mokuba said, with a cheeky grin.

None of his employees know what to do. Seto Kaiba is grinning. It's something they've never seen before, only having seen the constant scowl that he was famous for. He secretly enjoyed watching them squirm, and he couldn't bring himself to stop grinning. With the delivery of the painting to his office, there was an additional item with it.

A single letter to be delivered with the painting, Akagi stated, had been left with the painting to be delivered to Seto. The artist had reached out to him, something he hadn't actually thought would happen. There was something to this chase, a kind of thrill. Once the painting had been hung on the wall, and everyone was gone from his office, Seto opened the letter. His grin got even bigger.

Seto,

Technically, we've met before, but I'm not sure you'd remember me. We didn't talk much, and it's been forever ago. In truth, I don't really stand out all that much. I'm a bit of a wallflower that way. Maybe that's why I'm pretty successful at this being anonymous thing.

My handler person deals with all the technical bits of hiding who I am, but after a brief run around, we both decided maybe I should eventually reveal that bit of information. You get first hints, since your letter was by far the nicest one sent to me. I've never even met Akagi, but I'm sure he would love to facilitate a reveal of this kind. Enclosed is your hint. You like riddles, right?

Good luck

It's true I bring Serenity,

And hang around the stars,

But yet I live in misery,

You'll find me behind bars.

With thieves and villains I consort,

In prison I'll be found,

But I would never go to court,

Unless there's more than one.

Seto stared at the riddle for a while. Such a curious way to give a hint, the person was definitely intelligent, and said that he knew them already. That narrowed down the list to business associates, acquaintances, classmates, and maybe Mokuba's friends. Someone who thought that they didn't stand out, would have a sort of quiet grace about them, and not many fit that bill. Who in that group loved art, and reading?

On the phone…

"When am I going to get to visit your place, Mokuba?" Seto asked, about a week later. "It's been months, and I've never even seen the place."

He was more than a little annoyed. At first, the riddle seemed like a life line to the artist. Now it just seemed like a taunt. How the hell could a CEO of a gaming company not be able to solve this? He was the most brilliant of his generation, and yet he was stumped by a simple riddle.

"Wow. You sound tense." Mokuba noticed. "Is everything okay?"

"Joey checks my house every other day for Serenity. No, I'm not okay." Seto growled. "God, I mention one time that she's nice, and he goes ape-shit. I can see why she's hiding wherever it is that she lives from him."

"It's not like she doesn't hang out with the gang or anything. They see her all the time, but you wouldn't believe the hoops she jumps through to make sure she isn't followed home." Mokuba remarked, and then kicked himself mentally.

"And you do?" Seto asked, suspicious.

"She tells me stuff." Mokuba replied, hesitantly, hoping that he bought it. It was technically true after all.

"How's she doing, anyway? We haven't had the chance to talk in a while, and I think I should get some kind of compensation for having to deal with house inspections from her brother every other day." Seto remarked. Mokuba already knew he liked her, so Seto didn't see the point in denying it anymore really.

"She's doing well. I don't really know what she's working on, but she seems happier now that she's out on her own." Mokuba replied.

"Does she happen to know why he's inspecting my house so much, and could she get him to stop?" Seto asked, wondering if Joey would even listen to her.

"She says she doesn't know, and Joey never listens to her…eeep!" Mokuba was cut off by some sort of high pitched squeal.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The boy hissed. "How the hell was I suppose to know you didn't want me to tell him right now?"

"She's with you, right now?!" Seto asked, shocked. "What the fuck, Mokuba?"

"She's sort of…my neighbor." Mokuba relented. "It's one of the reasons why I won't let you visit. Joey would follow you here, and then she'd never have any peace."

"Maybe she could hide with this artist I'm trying to find." Seto grumbled, in understanding, now suddenly jealous of his little brother. "Whoever it is is practically a ghost."

"You're looking for them? The anonymous artist?" Mokuba asked, trying to sound shocked.

"Your acting skills are still shit, you know. Of course, I'm looking for them. Everyone in Japan is. This riddle they gave me as a hint is driving me nuts, and I can't figure it out." Seto huffed.

"You're over thinking it. Riddles aren't always complicated. Maybe it's something simple." Mokuba suggested.

"If I figure out the riddle, do I get to visit?" Seto asked, bargaining now.

"Me, or Serenity?" Mokuba teased.

"I never said." Seto said, with a smirk.