I do not own Yu-gi-oh
"I can't, I can't, I can't," Serenity chanted as she stormed in the game shop front door.
Yugi's head snapped up and gave her a look; his customer gave her one too. Serenity stopped in her tracks.
"Sorry, I'll just head to the back," Serenity said as she rushed back.
"Sorry about that," Yugi apologized.
XXX
Serenity paced back and forth until Yugi closed up. Her phone said it was eight, so she thought that game shop would be closed. She was off by a few minutes.
"Where's Tea?" Yugi asked as he came back.
"She went to the restroom."
"I'll go make some tea, and we'll talk once I come back."
"Fine," Serenity sighed as she flopped on the couch.
Serenity found the remote and turned on the TV. She really didn't care what was on. She just wanted something to do. Tea came back and watched with her. Tea sensed the mood, and she knew that Serenity wasn't ready to talk.
Yugi came back in with the tea. He placed the tray down; he kissed Tea before he sat down. Serenity turned off the TV as everyone took a cup. Yugi took a sip.
"What can't you do?"
"I can't live at the Kaiba Mansion anymore."
"Has he done something to you? I knew he would. Yugi we need to report him," Tea gasped as she reached for the phone.
"No he hasn't done anything, because he is never there. I have only seen the 'famous' Seto Kaiba three times in the past two weeks I've been there. It is so awkward, so horrible, and terrible. It's like living with your math teacher."
Tea and Yugi made a face at her comparison.
"I just hate it there. I hate being alone all the time. Can't I please just move in here? Life would be so much easier if I did," Serenity explained as she placed her face in her hands in defeat.
"You know you can't move in here right now," Tea tried, as she gave Yugi a look saying, 'Do something.'
Serenity didn't say anything; she didn't want to be alone anymore. Every time she is alone she feels abandoned all over again. She didn't know how much more she could take. Tea came and wrapped her arms around her friend.
"I'll be right back. I need to make a phone call," Yugi said as he stood, and walked to the kitchen.
"Who is he calling?" Serenity asked.
"I don't know."
"Yugi, Tea!"
"In here Tristan," Tea called.
"Did you hear, someone broke into my apartment," Tristan said as he walked into the living room.
"Was anything stolen? Are you alright?" Serenity asked.
"Serenity," Tristan gulped. "I didn't see you there."
"I came over to talk to Yugi again. You didn't answer my question, are you alright?"
Serenity couldn't see the intense stare that Tea was giving Tristan. Tristan was beginning to sweat under her gaze.
"Did I say break-in? I meant, I accidently left my front door open and dogs and kids came in and messed everything up."
"No you said someone broke in."
"I… um… I'm going to find something to eat. I'll be in the kitchen," Tristan stumbled as he ran into the kitchen.
"What was that all about?" Serenity asked.
"It must be all the stress he is under from work and night classes. I'll go check on him, stay here and have more tea. I'll be right back," Tea explained as she rushed to the kitchen.
Serenity sat there for a moment, she hit the cushion in frustration.
"They are doing it again. They are trying to protect me from something. There is something they aren't telling me. When will they stop treating me like a little child? I am eighteen years old and have had my fair share of horrible things happen to me," Serenity thought.
Serenity stood and made her way to the kitchen. They aren't going to get away with this, this time. They didn't hear her come in, Yugi was off the phone and they were all huddled and talking in hushed voices.
"Please don't let me interrupt," Serenity stated as she walked closer to them.
"Serenity," they all gasped.
"Don't mind me I just came in here for some company. Because when usually when I'm by myself I can't breathe. When I close my eyes the darkness suffocates me. Every time I am alone I feel abandoned all over again. I know it will take time to get over this. This isn't the first time I have felt this way. The first time was when my parents split and my mom took me away from Joey. The second was when I was having my eye surgery; I thought I was going to be in eternal darkness. Joey also didn't show up when he said he was, so I thought he wasn't coming. The third time is when Joey and Mai both disappeared without a trace. What is going on, because I have the right to know," Serenity listed with her voice rising with each point. They all looked guilty.
Yugi glanced at Tea, "I have to tell her something."
"Okay, fine," she said. She looked over at Serenity, "Please understand we did all of this to protect you, because we promised Joey we would, and because we care about you."
"Then stop lying to me," Serenity stated as she looked at each of them in turn.
"Come on Serenity, I'll drive you home," Yugi offered as he led her out the door, to the car.
XXX
They sat in silence as Yugi drove, it was uncomfortable. Yugi kept glancing over at her. She had her arms folded, and her face was unreadable.
"When are you going to tell me what's going on?" She asked in a low voice.
"We really just wanted to protect you Serenity. We do care about you. Tea thought this would be the best way."
"Tea thought," Serenity scoffed, "What do you think?"
"To tell you the truth, I wanted to wait a little bit,"
"To wait, until when? When I'm older," Serenity interrupted.
"Serenity we did what we thought was best."
"I know, but I hate being kept in the dark and being the last to know anything. You all know that and I'm not stupid. I would have figured out you all were hiding something from me eventually."
"I understand, Joey was like that too," Yugi paused. "Well sort of, no not really. He was oblivious to everything."
Serenity smiled sadly, as she held her locket. "Please tell me what is going on?"
"Some bad people are after you."
Serenity's head snapped to Yugi, "What?"
"We stopped them a few years ago. They became good again, or so we thought. One had a compete grudge against Joey."
"No surprise there," Serenity mumbled.
Yugi chuckled dryly, "They went after Mai and Joey, because they believe they have the key."
"But they don't."
"I know that, you know that, and they don't know that."
"When Joey and Mai ran, the bad guys found out about you. They think you might know something."
"I don't know anything,"
"They don't know that."
Serenity sat back, she couldn't believe her life has become like an action movie. Serenity didn't have anything else to say. She glanced out the window, gathering her thoughts. She didn't notice the car stop.
"Serenity," Yugi said getting her attention.
"What?"
"We're here."
"Why did you stop," Serenity asked as she got out.
"I need to talk to Kaiba," Yugi replied as he closed his door. Serenity nodded in understanding.
"Was that you who you called earlier?"
"Yep."
They reached the door, it was late so all the hired help was gone. Serenity was able to actually use her key.
"He's properly in his office," Serenity stated as she headed towards the kitchen.
"You should come too, we are discussing you."
"You go; I'll be there in a little bit. I need something to eat," Serenity replied without turning around.
Yugi watched her go, he smiled. For someone who doesn't like it here, she acts like she's lived here for years. She already knows Kaiba's schedule, not just anybody knows that. Yugi made his way to Kaiba's office.
XXX
"She cannot be alone anymore. I don't think she can handle it right now."
"She is eighteen, right?"
"Yeah,"
"I thought she wanted some independence, like any young adult would want."
"Yes, but she just lost her family again. One can handle so much before they snap." Seto didn't say anything, he understood losing family.
"Not to mention all the break-ins. The one at Duke's shop and the recent break in at Tristan's."
"They're looking for her."
"I'm sure my house and shop is next. I'm actually surprised my house wasn't attacked first. For her safety I think we should send her to an excluded place, for a while. That way they might give up on looking for her."
"Send me where exactly," Serenity stated as she slammed the office door opened.
"Serenity," Yugi exclaimed, he recovered and asked, "How long have you been standing there?" Seto stood and walked over to the window.
"I heard everything. I want to know when you will stop treating me like a little girl. My friends have been in danger. Those same friends have lied to me, for weeks. To top it off you want to send me away."
"It is to protect you," Yugi tried.
"By lying? I understand you were given the task of protecting me, but not like this."
"How can we fix this?" Yugi asked.
"Tell me the truth. What is going on?"
"Mai was part of the Doma group. This group would go around, stealing people's souls. They will duel and the loser would lose their soul. They didn't care whose soul, just as long as they got the soul. Mai wanted to take Joey's soul, because he abandoned her," Seto explained from the window.
He turned around; he lifted an eyebrow at the tears gathering in Serenity's eyes. She fell to the couch. He glanced over at Yugi. Yugi's mouth hung open in disbelief.
"What?"
"You can be so blunt," Yugi stated.
"I have to in my line of work."
"This isn't work."
Seto turned and looked at Serenity, tears were freely falling now. She was trying to stop, but she just couldn't. She had no idea what really happened, because nobody talks about it. Seto walked over slowly, and sat next to her. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Seto whispered so low only she heard him. Serenity stared at him in disbelief. Yugi also couldn't believe this soft side to Seto Kaiba.
"What happened?"
"Yugi lost his soul. Mai lost her soul. I lost my soul, and Joey lost his soul."
Seto's hand moved as Serenity fell back; she didn't know what to think. Everyone lost their soul. No way, that was not possible. Not the four best duelists she knows. There was no way they could lose.
"Why are they coming after me?" Serenity asked in a small voice.
"They think you might have something that still has that power."
"But I don't. I would remember having something powerful."
"They don't care. They will do everything they can to get it back. They are willing to go to the extreme to find the power they lost."
"So why am I here, at the Kaiba Mansion?"
"This is the last place they would look for you. With Duke's house and his shop that were broken into, Tristan's house earlier today. If you stayed at my house it would be only a matter of time when they found you. Joey and Kaiba didn't get along; in fact they hated each other. They would never think to look for you here," Yugi explained.
"If you were to head out of town for a month or two, they would stop looking for you. I have a place a few miles from here and they will never find you there," Seto chimed in.
Serenity sat forward, as she noticed that Seto still sat next to her. All this information was too much to take in.
"I've been acting like a child," Serenity admitted. "I'll go; leaving would be the smartest thing to do, but on one condition."
"What is it?" Yugi asked with a smile.
"That everyone stops lying to me and stops treating me like a child."
"That's two things," Seto pointed out, as he stood and walked back to his desk.
"Yes, but it is in one sentence," Serenity smirked back.
Yugi laughed, "It's a deal. I better head home. Tea isn't going to like this."
"It's the consequence for lying," Serenity countered, as she stood.
Yugi laughed, he has never felt so relieved that Serenity was going to be safe. He patted her shoulder as he walked out the door. Serenity smiled as she watched the door close. She could hear keys typing rapidly.
Serenity began to feel nervous. She was now alone with Seto Kaiba, for the first time since the piano duet. She slowly turned and walked over to his desk.
"Is there anything else?" Seto asked without taking his eyes off the screen.
"Could you come with me?" Serenity whispered so quietly he almost missed it.
He stopped typing and glanced at her, "What?"
"Could you come with me?" She asked louder, but only just.
"I have work."
"I know, but could you take a little break?" Seto folded his arms and gave her a look. "Please? I'm not ready to be somewhere alone and I have never been there, so I don't know the area. You are the only who hasn't lied to me, just think about it."
Serenity stood there, she said her bit. He didn't answer her.
"Good night Kaiba," she mumbled and made her way to the door.
"Alright I'll go, but only for a little bit." Serenity spun around, she smiled at him.
"Thank you so much," she said as she quickly gave him a hug and ran out of his office.
Seto went back to work; he shook his head to get rid of his small smile.
