Chapter 3

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The next few days were boring as all hell. Kaiba sat, locked up with no phone or computer, in his room staring at the wall. Serenity had brought him books and cards to try to keep him entertained, but it wasn't cutting it. He wasn't used to just lying around and doing nothing. He was used to the fast paced life of a business man with a thousand and one things on his mind, and not enough hours in the day to deal with them. That's how he liked it.

He couldn't even research those who wanted him dead. It wasn't just the lack of computer, but any investigative searches into the happenings of his life might set off a red flag from anyone monitoring for such occurrences and he couldn't trust that the internet connection at the Wheeler's residence was secure enough to protect from IP address identification. It was too easy to be tracked, and then he would be out of yet another safe house... let alone placing the Wheelers in the same danger he was in.

If they were willing to kill not just him, but Mokuba and an innocent unconcerned maid as well, they weren't going to spare the Wheelers. He couldn't let that happen. Not because of his carelessness. He was still indebted to them.

He stepped out of his room on the last day of the first week living with them. He had indulged in several squabbles with Joey, but nothing major. He was holding back, and he figured Joey had been doing the same. Serenity was rather quiet once she got into a routine. He enjoyed her reliability. It was a tiny bit of structure in his falling apart world. She had offered him her laptop to entertain himself, but he turned down the offer, assured that given the chance, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from seeking out his assassins. The temptation was too great.

"We're having roasted stuffed chicken tonight. Is there anything you want for a side?" Serenity asked, noting his appearance. He shrugged, leaving it up to her. She had made good decisions in the past with the food and he hadn't been disappointed yet. He was never very picky with what he ate. He might have been used to a higher quality, but food was food. She smiled, moving the rice cooker from the shelf. He stepped around her, opening the cabinet and removing the heavy bag of rice they she had just bought to day before.

He remembered it being to much for her when she brought it in, even though the day before she had lifted a heavier bucket of water. Maybe she pulled something lifting it... He moved back a few inches, giving himself clearance to place the bag on the counter, and accidentally bumping into her along the way. She flinched at the touch, moving and turning to face him.

"Uh, my back really hurts, sorry." She said, stumbling over the words and bowing politely. He narrowed his eyes, taking a step towards her and getting ready to say something, but a loud cuss yanked at his attention. Kaiba glanced over at Joey, who had apparently just lost on his video game, then back at her. He stepped back again, knowing if Joey happened to glance their way, his posture over the Wheeler's little sister would prompt another spat. He gave her a look that said 'We're talking later' and moved from the kitchen to the armchair next to the couch Joey was on.

When dinner was ready, they boys moved to the table and ate somewhat quietly. Joey scarfed food, not pausing to breath and choking from time to time. Roasted chicken and lemon rice were his favorite. Kaiba on the other hand, ate quietly, staring at Serenity as he did. She smiled nervously and took a sip of her drink, but his ever present gaze was completely unnerving. After they were done, Joey offered to clean up the dishes, which meant he collected them and dumped them in the sink for Serenity to deal with later.

"Hey Ren, I'm going out with Tristan. We're hitting the bar." Joey said, pulling the fold of twenties out of his pocket and waving them happily. It was a long standing tradition that the first check from a job would go to a reward of the recipient's choice. It had been near forever since the last time Joey and Tristan got some "man" time together, so he was extra excited. Serenity, on the other hand, was not as excited about being left alone with Kaiba this night.

The second Joey slipped out the door, her anxiety proved appropriate.

"I'm going to give you two options." Kaiba said from behind her. She nearly jumped out of her skin, not realizing he had gotten so close, but couldn't bring herself to turn. "You can either tell me the truth about those bruises last week and your back now, or, I can find out the hard way." Serenity slowly turned her head to see him a few inches behind her, staring down at her. He was so close she could feel his breath on her shoulder.

"Kaiba, I hurt my back. Simple as that. If you'll excuse me, I've got some cleaning to do." She said, trying to end the conversation as quickly as possible. She moved towards the sink, but he grabbed hold of her arm, blocking her retreat. Before she had been better about hiding herself, but now she was panicking. She couldn't keep it up for much longer.

"Last chance." He offered, not wanting to accidentally injure her should she struggle. "Or I'll show your brother what I find out." That made her tense immediately.

"...I... I have to..." His brow furrowed as he waited for her to elaborate. " It's ok." She said, turning back to face him and slipping her arm from his grip. " It's the only way... I cant let Joey go back to the streets." Now he was completely confused.

"What are you talking about?" He demanded. Her eyes fell to the ground and she took a deep breath.

"I made a deal." She admitted. The pieces fell together. She was allowing herself to be hurt to keep Joey off the streets. He moved up to her, backing her against a cabinet until there was barely an inch between them.

"There is no reason for anyone to be hurting like this." He said sternly, yet somehow softly. His fingers grazed her shirt and she closed the gap between them, allowing him to see as he lifted the hem of her it and exposed her back. A large ugly bruise spread over the entire right half while a nasty set of scratches grazed across her in a horizontal diagonal. It was disgusting.

His entire childhood came rushing back like a blow to the gut. He felt sick. He glanced at her face, trying to see the logic behind allowing herself to be beaten like this, but her gaze was averted. She was completely submissive to him. He hated it. He raised his hand, letting the shirt fall back into place, and moved to turn her face to his, but on contact she flinched violently away, cringing and preparing for the blow. How many times had he done the same... he couldn't count, but watching it happen to her made something twist and ball in his stomach. Both hands moved swiftly to capture her face and pull it to his. She cried out in fright, but he was gentle enough that it didn't injure her.

"You don't have to fear me." He said more desperately than he realized. The terror in her eyes was unbearable. "Please, don't fear me." he said, letting his grip fall, yet still keeping her close. Everything in him wanted to shield her. To block the pain and assaults he knew she had suffered, just as he had. "Don't do this anymore. Don't let them hurt you." He pleaded. She looked up at him for a moment, then back to the floor and shook her head.

"I have to. I cant let Joey get hurt, or hurt people anymore. It's my choice. My decision."

"I beg to differ." He said, finally stepping back. His voice was regaining his even tone and he was getting a hold of his emotions as the distance between them grew. "I'm pretty sure, even though you're the one to make the deal, Joey has a say in this too." Her eyes shot back to him. She wasn't used to hearing him say her brother's name.

"Don't... don't tell him." Her words were barely a whisper.

"You throw your own feelings and humanity away just to save him. You think it's worthwhile. I say it's stupid, and I think it would be one of the few things he and I would agree on." Serenity hated that she knew it was true, but she was determined to walk this path. Jake loved making girls scream and cry. Over the week she had only gone to him four times, but each time, he had found some way to destroy her. She wasn't sure how much more she could take, but Joey loved his new job. The money was great, and it gave him a sense of achievement. It kept him from crime and made him confident and proud. As far as she was concerned it was worth the price she paid.

"This is my life. I get to decide these things. If I want to suffer quietly, why cant you let me? It's not like I'm hurting you." She blurted out. He froze, not expecting her to react that way. She had no idea how just knowing what she was allowing to happen was doing to him. His guard hardened to her and he became cold as he looked her over and glared. Something knotted up in his throat as he stared at her. She had been nothing but kind, and here she was suffering in front of him and he couldn't do anything about it. He hated it. He hated the entire situation.

The hits on him, almost losing Mokuba, and now one of the only people able to help him was suffering as well. He was powerless to do anything about any of it and it drove him insane.

"You... You make me sick." He finally said after an eternity of silence. He couldn't look at her anymore. He moved into his room, debating just telling Joey up front. 'She doesn't want your help. She doesn't want anyone's help. She wants to be hurt. Let her.' his mind chanted over and over. His pride had been stung, and it wasn't something he was used to, or something he dealt with very well. She wanted to be hurt... who was he to stop her?

In the morning, Kaiba was content with making breakfast as awkward for her as he could. Still sore from her assault on his pride and her stubbornness when arguing with him, when he made eye contact, he made it a point to glance over her back then back to her. Joey didn't catch onto any of the tension or upset in the air. He finished his breakfast/dinner and went to bed, only having gotten back from his night shift around a half hour before. Serenity wordlessly cleared the table and started on the dishes while Kaiba was left to find something to entertain himself. He needed to get his mind off her. Needed it desperately.

He moved to the bathroom, splashed some water in his face and checked his hair, making sure it looked nothing like the great Seto Kaiba was supposed to. It was weird looking in the mirror and seeing such a different person, but he knew it was necessary. One final comb through his hair and he was done. He didn't like the idea of leaving the house, but he needed to put some space between himself and Serenity.

Unfortunately the walk didn't distract him in the least. The only thing that soared through his mind now was how someone could bring themselves to hurt her. She didn't do anything to anyone. All she's ever done was try to help and show kindness. They would have to be a monster to hurt such a sweet person. He shook his head, rounding the block. Thoughts of Mokuba found their ways into his head and his gait slowed.

He wondered if he arrived safely. If Mokuba was happy and healthy. He knew how to get in touch with him, but he wasn't about to risk his little brother any time soon. No, he had to find those responsible first. He had to remove the threat. He didn't know if it was the warmth from the sun or the fresh breeze, but something prompted an idea. He turned on the spot and a new destination was now formed as he walked.

The cyber cafe was a small one that he had never been to before but close to Kaiba corp in location. He paid to use the computers with the little cash he had had in his pocket when he left and sat himself in an empty seat. He knew he only had a limited time to do what he needed to, so he started fast. Hacking into the Kaiba corp database, he was able to monitor the happenings of his business. He was surprised to see only a slight depression in stock value and productivity. Everything else was as if he was on vacation. It didn't make any sense. He was gone for a whole week already, they should have made their move by now.

Unless... If they were the patient sort, he might have to wait months or even years before they made their move on him. He didn't have that luxury. He was already hating what living with the Wheelers was doing to him. He was constantly on edge worrying about Mokuba and his life, let alone bickering with Joey all day and night, and now with Serenity's chosen lifestyle... It was getting to be too much. He paused as his mind swirled back to Serenity. He just couldn't wrap his mind around someone wanting to hurt her.

He tried desperately to get his mind off the kind redhead the entire walk back, but she just filled his thoughts. Everything about her was soft, her eyes, her smile, her warmth... well, almost everything. She had a strong, stubborn love for her brother and friends. Something she's shown that she'd fight for no matter what. He wondered if he had actually become friends with them what would she have given for him as he opened the door to the house.

"Kaiba!" Serenity called, rushing to the him. Before he could figure out what was wrong she latched onto him, hugging him. "What were you thinking?" She cried, breaking away and fixing him with a glare. "I thought you were just stepping out for some air. It's been over an hour and I was... I was afraid something... someone..." She trailed off. He felt warm all of the sudden. A smiled tugged at his lips and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm fine." He said, pulling away and moving to his room. Maybe he had made a friend after all.

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Woot. Another chapter down. Hows it doing so far? Don't forget to let me know. I love the reviews!

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