Since I haven't done anything remotely productive this week, here's chapter 4
Disclaimer: Do I seem like I own it? No? Good answer.
Chapter 4
The limousine was spritely in reaching the lake.
"Sir, we've arrived." The chauffeur said over the intercom as the car cruised to a halt. Through the darkened windows, Shizuka caught glimpses of something flashing from all around. The door swung open and Kaiba stepped out, offering a strong hand to the girl. She took it and was gracefully pulled to her feet.
Suddenly, Shizuka and Seto was bathed in a sea of flashing lights. About two hundred paparazzi were shouting questions and straining to get a microphone near the pair. Shizuka looked about her, completely awestruck. Seto offered her an arm, which she gladly took and clung to for dear life as they were led and sheltered by some men in dark suits and sunglasses to a clean white rowboat tethered to a small dock.
Seto helped the redhead into the boat, climbed in himself, and pushed off with the paddles. The two faced tone another, Kaiba on the bow with the oars and Shizuka across from him, twiddling her fingers. Almost immediately, the crowd swarmed to the nearest shore, pictures still flashing in the setting sun.
Kaiba's strong arms rowed the small boat into the middle of the lake, his muscles flexing with every movement. He looked down at the shy girl and found himself highly amused. She was fretfully looking back at the flashing shore with a bright blush adorning her pale white cheeks.
"Don't be embarrassed. It's not everyday that I go out on a date." Seto said with a small laugh.
Shizuka's gaze shot up to him,
"Oh! I just-- well, I'm not a star or anything... it's just very strange to be photographed by so many people. It's just..." she trailed off and tucked a strand of hair behind her hair as a cool breeze picked up.
"Why wouldn't they want to photograph you?" Kaiba asked softly as the boat glided across the lake, "You're very beautiful, after all." Shizuka's gaze met his, an awkward smile on his lips. As he caught her eyes, his hands stopped rowing momentarily and he seemed spellbound. She blushed harder and smiled happily.
She really was beautiful.
"I... thank you..." she said after a short silence as she continued to smile but shyly broke the gaze. Kaiba resumed rowing and the sun began to slip down on the horizon. The sky shone purple above them to a golden orange glow on in the West.
Jo jumped out of the cab, shoved some money in the driver's hand, and tore towards the crowed shore of the private lake. News reporters holding microphones with large channel numbers were giving a short recount of the past half hour or so to their live viewers.
Jonouchi shoved through the crowd, women with thick makeup crying out as he pushed them aside. He made his way through to a ban guarding the dock. He wildly pointed at the small boat and waved his arms around panicked.
The man raised his eyebrow,
"Sorry, sir." he said, "No other boats are allowed on the lake at this time." With that, the man turned to a reporter and began speaking to her.
Jo growled fiercely as steam poured out of his empty cranium. He stomped off a little ways from the main cluster of photographers and plopped down angrily on the shore.
"Mommy, Mommy! Look!" Jo glanced off a little farther down the shore where a family were spending the evening at the beach. A little boy was splashing about in the shallows on a rubber floaty duck.
That gave Jonouchi an idea.
Out on the lake, everything was fairly quiet. Waves lapped against the side of the boat and a bird chirped from overhead.
"I..." Shizuka couldn't think of anything to say, she was too delirious.
The wind swept across the lake, sweeping her hair off of her shoulders up around her and ruffling her delicate dress slightly. She wore a large blush still and was biting her lip nervously. He felt a heat in his cheeks as he gaze swept down her thin neck to her gauzy dress. Her pale hands were set on her bare knees.
He had no clue why, but suddenly he found a sudden urge to take her hands in his. Seto's stomach knotted up
Her large eyes stared widely up at him as his longish brown locks swayed in the wind and the collar of one of his signature black coats waved slightly. All she could think about was how handsome he was.
The sunset played on her bright hair, one lock blowing lightly across her face in the breeze. Seto slowly set the paddles in their rings and reached hesitantly toward her. Her breath caught in her throat as he gently brushed her hair back and tucked the strand behind her ear.
His heart was beating wildly-- throbbing in his throat, even. What was it that he was feeling!? Was he... did he...
Before his mind could register what was happening, his fingers settled on her thin jaw. She stared up at him in disbelief as he leaned closer. Tears began to fill her eyes and her lips drifted apart as he began to lean closer. Their eyes locked and Seto's breath became heavy.
He slowly tipped his head to the right slightly and drew closer to the redhead. Her eyes drifted closed and Seto took a deep breath and dipped forward...
Only to be interrupted at the last possible moment by a large splash near the boat. The two tore apart, blushing profusely and brought there attention to an enraged blonde teenage boy soaking wet on a floaty rubber duck.
Jonouchi growled and swam as quickly as he could toward the boat, kicking and flailing with all of his strength. He swung his arms toward the side, trying to grab a hold, but Seto quickly grabbed the oars and with a few strokes the boat slid a few meters further away in the water.
Jo waved his arms furiously and splashed about as he desperately swam toward the boat again in vain. With a satisfyed smirk, Seto hauled at the oars and the boat swiftly departed, leaving Jo alone in the middle of the lake.
Jonouchi growled and thrashed about in the water.
POP! Jonouchi looked down in horror, realizing that the duck was deflating.
Shizuka's fingers went to her lips and her face, trying to hide her flushed cheeks. Seto sighed to himself. What had he almost done? Was he going to... to kiss her? He looked up at Shizuka. She was silently shrinking back, embarrassed. She looked so sweet, anxiously thumbing through her hair. He chuckled to himself.
"I... I'm sorry about my brother..." she said quietly, "He tends to be... well..."
"That's alright... it was a first, anyway." He said with a smile. She looked up at him,
"What?" she asked, wide-eyed.
"I've never been assaulted by a man on a rubber duck before." Seto said.
Shizuka burst into laugh and Seto found himself following. He noticed something... when he was around her, he wasn't having to force himself to be kind or smile anymore... it was beginning to feel... nice.
Things were definately not going how he had planned.
Jo slumped to the front door. Not only was he soaking wet, but exhausted. Of course, by the time he had gotten back to shore, all the reporters were leaving-- by cab, leaving no transportation but his own feet left for him.
So there he was, deflated duck in hand. He looked like a drowned rat-- shoes sloshing with every step, hair drooping and skin dripping. He unlocked the door and headed upstairs. He peeked in on his sister and found her asleep.
Well, at least she was home and not still out with that-- that thing.He shook his head and decided to go to bed. If he was going to last at least until Friday without saying a word, he was going to need his sleep.
Meantime, in the Kaiba Mansion, Mokuba was practically bounding off the walls,
"So, what happened!? What'd you say!? What'd you do!? Didja kiss her!?"
Seto loosened his tie,
"We went on a boat ride, and no. I... I did not kiss her."
"Wow." Mokuba said, shaking his head, "I think you need some dating advice."
Seto turned and raised his eyebrow,
"What are you talking about?"
"You know how there's the Duelist's Banquet on Friday?" Mokuba asked.
"Yes... so?" Seto said slowly.
"Well, the paper said the winner of the bet would be officially announced there. So, why don't you take Kawaii-chan as your date, after all, we both know you are going to win!"
"Mokuba, that's ridiculous-- actually..." Seto thought for a moment. If Jonouchi wouldn't talk, taking his sister as Seto's date might just send him over the edge, "That's not a bad idea."
Well, how was it? I really liked writing this chapter, although it was hard to start after such a long day. Anyhoo, PLEASE leave a review! I'll be sure to post more soon! Thanks!
This chapter kind of reminded me of the Little Mermaid... just a little bit. Hehehe
Next chapter: "Isn't that... mean?"
Mysteria Pearl