The next day, Serenity was back working again. A smile tugged at her lips when she thought of all the questions Joey had bombarded her with when he got back home from soccer practice. It had been slightly annoying, though she knew he meant well. He always meant well.

A pleasant greeting, pulled her from her thoughts. A boy with dark shaggy hair, the little brother, said, "There's some food in the kitchen if you wanna eat." His eyes strayed to the raised bed of plants. "Hey, that's a neat job. You been working in gardens a long time, huh?"

"Yeah, a bit. I have one back at my own house," she said, surprising herself. "And I am getting a bit hungry."

"Come on, then, and I'll tell Cook to get you a snack." She followed him indoors. "I have lessons soon, though I'd rather play in my room."

"So you're putting it off as long as possible?" She felt an instant kinship with this scraggly kid. He looked sheepish, and she hid a smile.

"Today Seto is away working all day, so I can't have anyone over," he said, looking lonely. To Cook, he said, "She wants a snack." Cook nodded, and left.

"But there's all these maids and butlers around," Serenity said, referring to his earlier comment. She wiped her dirty hands, and tied back loose strands of hair.

"Yeah, but . . . .ever since I got, uh, kidnapped twice, Seto's been sorta overprotective. He wants to keep an eye on me all the time."

Serenity nodded as her food arrived. She knew all about overprotectiveness. Don't eat any anything they offer you, her mother's warning floated in her head.

"Don't worry, Cook washes his hands." Mokuba said, noticing her hesitation.

She giggled nervously. "No, it's not that. My mother and brother-they're a bit protective, too, its they told me over and over not -" she hesitated-"to eat any food offered. No offense or anything."

He smiled a bit, not taking any. "your brother's uh . . .Joey, right?" Just then, the tutor appeared.

"Master Mokuba, best you get ready for your lessons." He eyed Serenity as if she were a bug, bushy brows tugging together in a frown. The boy would have rathered to talk this girl. But he nodded and reluctantly left.

"Bye, uh . . .what's your name again?"

"Serenity."

"Serenity. See ya." As they left, the tutor gave her another look. I probably spoke outside my bounds, she thought. She finished her sandwich, and, unsure what to do with the paper plate (it looked rather costly) until a maid smiled briefly and took it. "I'll take that." Serenity made her way back, this time without getting lost. A foolish spark of triumph for that.

Any garden, to her, was so peaceful, with hum of bees and birds chirping. Except there were no birds here, except the 'caw, caw' of crows. They stared evilly down at her, much like that tutor. It made her feel rather apprehensive, at first. But then the hours passed by quickly, and it was starting to get dark. She shivered. And cold too. The others told her she could wash up there, and pointed to a dark and dingy bathroom. It was very small, but the water worked.

As she washed and dried her hands with a shabby towel hanging on a nail, she looked idyllically out the small window. In the distance, she could clearly see a long black limo, pull up, and a uniformed man hop out. She heard loud voices as the man opened the door for Kaiba. He got home? She thought. From her, she saw the expression on his face: an angry one.

Despite it, he was dressed in a long black suit, maybe a tux. He seemed to be shouting orders as he climbed in the limo, a serenity saw a glimpse of a shaggy haired kid watch sadly after him.

Poor kid. She turned and stepped out. On the ride home, she was still thinking about it, the handsome-looking guy who always left his lonely brother behind with only maids and butlers for company. Handsome? What was she thinking? The guy was a jerk, or so Joey always said. But I don't have a crush on him, or anything. How can I to a guy who has a heart of stone? And there was on doubt of that. but there is a difference, she thought, whether the person makes himself have a stone heart, and on who is born with it.

Something made him that way. A secret determined look crossed her face. And I think I'll find out what!

Later at home

"Tea? what do you know about, uh, Kaiba?"

Tea looked surprised. "Why do you want to know about him?"

"Well, I uh .. . ."Serenity looked sheepish, thinking to thinking of a good excuse. " .. . .I met his brother, and was curious, that's all."

Accepting that, Tea answered, "Well . . . . .let me see. All I know is that he was adopted, and uh-"

"Adopted?" Serenity's eyes rounded. "you mean . . .he isn't blood related?"

"To his brother, I think so." Tea scrunched up her face. "But not to his father. He died a long time ago."

"Even though he's not related to his brother, it's obvious he still thinks of him as one." Serenity mused.

"I didn't say he wasn't related!" Tea said quickly. "But I think so. No one really knows much about them. Kaiba's pretty secretive, when he wants to be, I'm sure." She frowned, getting fired up. "And bullheaded, ruthless robot that parades around looking like a human!"

"Er, okay, okay," Serenity said, trying to calm her friend down. "But why do you think that, if you barely know the guy?"

" 'Cause of what he did." Tea looking searchingly at the young girl. She looked innocent, and pretty, seemingly having no resemblance to her brother. But if she was starting to have a crush, then it was best to squander it, or it'll really mean trouble for all. "Along with other things, Kaiba stole a valuable card, ripped it, and sent Yugi's grampa to the hospital."

Serenity went pale, but she asked seriously, "What other things?"

"Well, this was long ago. And I'm only telling you this, Serenity, cause I think you can hand it-"

"And he tried ta kill us all a million times." Joey appeared slowly at his sis's door, his face grim. Tea looked at him in alarm, because Serenity's face had turned ghastly white. "As well as Mokuba, but he's turned a new leaf since den."

"Joey-" Serenity couldn't believe it. "W-we were just talking-"

"Yeah I know. I over heard."

"Kaiba didn't try to kill us ALL," Tea amended, so not to scare the girl.

"ALL." Joey said firmly.

"I'm pretty tired," Serenity interrupted quickly. "I'll see you later, Tea." She looked pointedly at the door. "I need to be alone."

After a long moment, they shuffled out the door. Joey looked back worriedly, and she smiled in answer. "G'night, sis," he said softly, clicking off the light with a palm.

"Good night," she said back, laying down on the soft pillow. She heard Tea leave, and her mother and brother turn in for the night. But she was still, staring into the night. Could all the rumors be true? Did he try to kill her brother and hurt others? No, Joey had only one way to judge him: as evil. Joey wasn't ever very open minded. Maybe his vision was clouded by hate and resentment. And then again, maybe not. Serenity just couldn't believe that sweet little boy could do horrible things as try to kill someone. She kept thinking off him being left behind while his brother 'paraded around.' How he'd stared sadly after. Well, how could she ever knew the truth? She could always ask tomorrow, but she was sure she'd be fired, or worse.

No I DON'T believe it, she thought, burying her face with her arms. Neither of them would do that! Kaiba's a hero--he gave me my sight back, for heaven's sake. No matter what. The last image she saw before she fell asleep was of Kaiba, getting into the limo in tux, with soft brown hair falling into his eyes .. . . . . No way someone who looks like that would do something so horrible, she thought, sleepily closing her eyes shut. No possible . . .way.