Hey to all readers! Sorry again for lateness but with school it cannot be helped. I have homework every night. What a nightmare! Oh well, if I get some nice reviews it will cheer me up. By the way, if you wish, check on my profile once you're done, as I've added a few things on to it. I'd appreciate some nice words on it. Sorry, but I have a slightly tired aura, so this may be short and pointless. I apologise, but didn't want to keep you hanging. Nice reviews might get me motivated again, so I would appreciate it. Now on to the replies, thank you all so much!
Subaru the Jaguar: Do you really? Trust me, this may not be quite what you expected, as there is more than one secret in the character of the Chinese girl. Glad you are enjoying it though, and you are on the right track with thought on our favourite CEO.
Freakster: Actually it's her secrets, there is more than one hidden. Thanks for the support, and I know Melisanne does have a lot to worry over. More revealed in the chapter, so hope it satisfies you. Probably not, but hopefully a tiny bit, as I cannot tell too much.
Blue Dragon99: Thanks, nice to know I'm meeting standards for readers. Don't fret, more on Melisannes past will appear in each chapter, and I'm not sure if it's what anyone would expect.
Secluded Sapphire: Someone who is trouble, trust me. Pleased you like it and more secrets are sure to come. I doubt I'm very good though when it comes to suspense or mystery of the fic though.
Minor Arcana: I appreciate you thinking that, all I can do is my best on it. I can't help it, setting scenes is habit for me and makes things clearer when I write. As for your questions, you will have to wait and read to find out.
Also, a note to Amanda0 if she's reading: Thank you for reading my previous story, nice to know it's still appreciated.
Thanks to all readers, now here's the next chapter. Hope you like it. Love SGCred xxx
Chapter 4: Sibling CrueltyThe frightening figure sent an icy stare from the doorway, face devoured in shadow for the moment, creating a more menacing appearance. Melisanne trembled, fearing what was to come. She had only to close her eyes to picture such nightmares, or even just slip up to cause this sort of outburst. Why was she so stupid? She knew better, aware of the consequences, but she allowed herself to escort these people into her home, if it could be called that. Yet, that was not the matter. They weren't just anybody, but some of the very few to treat her as...a person. Someone alive, with feelings, and equal, which was something, she hadn't felt in years. Shrewd cackling brought her back to reality, as the tear threatened to flow from her crystal orbs.
"San Mei! What is the meaning of this?! How dare you bring strangers into the house without permission. Oh, you'll be in so much trouble..."
"Please, I beg you, I did not mean harm. I would never do something so rash Wang, but they are nice, they saved Jun-Ling and Zi-Lin in the streets a short time ago, I owed them something..."
"I don't want to hear it! You've caused more disgrace to us than before, why we keep you in the house is beyond me." the figure snapped, making the girl's breath quiver as she stepped back from the form in terror.
The Japanese boys watched it play, confused as to what in the world was going on. Both couldn't grasp why this person was bullying the innocent girl when she didn't actually do anything wrong. Was it a sin to invite someone to your house out of kindness? Mokuba sat there with utter complication on why such a nice person was being screamed at for no apparent reason. Kaiba was also pondering this, but at the same time he felt some bubbling emotion within him at the sight of Melisanne's scared face, her lip shaking as if expecting some true nightmare to consume her. He couldn't stand it.
"Look, I don't know what your problem is, but she was nice enough to invite us in returning a favour. It's not an act for execution, so why don't you back off!" he yelled, gaining the total attention of the others in the room.
"Seto, are you sure you should have done that? Maybe you were a little hasty." the teen muttered to his older brother, seeing the slits now focused on them. Slowly, the figure walked towards them, revealing itself.
It turned out to be a young woman in her early twenties, yet she was tall and towering over the Chinese girl, just about Kaiba's height. Her deep black hair was highlighted with magenta-red, sharp eyes like burning indigo flames. She wore very expensive fine traditional dress, a deep crimson gown, which was sleeveless, halted at her ankles and looked tight around her lean body. It was stitched with gold thread, along with depicting a Chinese dragon coiling around her frame, emerald scales and midnight fringe proud and powerful. The outfit had a silk red drape over the shoulders and strapped sandals to accessorise it. Her face was heavily layered with white powder, black eyeliner, purple eye shadow and red lip paint. The dark locks were pinned in a high knotted bun, two chopsticks holding it in place.
Most Chinese men found it attractive, but to Seto it was slightly intimidating. Anyone who wore that much make-up must have something to hide, and she seemed to be very coarse and rough not the least pleasing of an oriental beauty. Also she appeared to hide much more inside her mind, for instance the stern discipline for the younger girl. Narrowing crimson fireballs, she shot a look at the young man.
"I'm afraid you don't understand what you are dealing with." the woman bellowed. "This is not any of your concern, but then again you must forgive me. It is not your fault she is a troublesome child, so pay no attention to her. Let me show you the door..."
"Look lady, I want an explanation for all of this, as I don't see someone like you being the head of the household. You're too young, so who's in charge?" the CEO retorted.
"Oh you flatter me, but I am in command since my mother is not here," she replied sweetly, before shooting a stabbing look at Melisanne. "San Mei! You don't even have the manners to introduce this man to me. Ultimate dishonour for you! Now make formal introductions, or I'll see it to it mother hears of you bringing people into our home!"
The girl mumbled in defeat before raising her gaze. Mokuba felt so trodden on seeing her brushing back tears. Why put up with that kind of verbal abuse? Why wouldn't she fight back?
"Yes, I apologise Jie Jie, I am a disgrace."
'Jie Jie? Isn't that the term she used before? The one her siblings called her? That means...' Kaiba realised.
"This is Seto and Mokuba Kaiba. Boys, my older sister, Wang Jie-xiang, who is head of the house when Niang, our mother, is absent. She is meeting her friends today..."
"And you thought you could just slip them in here without anyone being the wiser? Ha! You should know better Melisanne." her sister spat.
"Yes, I beg forgiveness sister."
"As you should," the young woman retorted, walking away from the group, heading for the stairs. As she passed her younger sibling, she whispered to her, but Kaiba picked up on what was said.
"I'm going to the matchmakers today, so I have to finish perfecting myself. I expect them gone in ten minutes. Once they've left come up to my room. We'll discuss how sorry you really are. I also plan to talk to mother when she returns. Also, those boys are Japanese aren't they? Well, I suppose it's natural for you to cling to them. After all, 'luo ye gui gen'." she hissed, before disappearing up the staircase to her room.
There was a great silence for a while, no one sure of what to say or do. Both Kaiba's were startled to say the least, as the girl looked down, trying miserably to hide the pain in her eyes. Somehow she managed to look them in the eye, sustaining control over her overflowing emotions once more. It seemed a quick recovery, especially as Seto had heard all the cruel taunts that her sister said. The reactions almost came naturally, as if programmed previously. She allowed it to roll over her, let it shift out of her system, which made both boys think. Was this sort of arguments so common she knew to act this way on instinct? To simply allow it to crash on top of her, then let it blow over as she recovered?
Once Melisanne seemed gathered together, she looked up at them, strong, but with shame at being discovered. At least they didn't know the whole truth, and she didn't plan on telling them.
"I...am sorry...you had to see that. It's just a busy day my sister has little tolerance, especially when she plans to go out to see Miss Chie, her matchmaker. She is rushed to get ready and doesn't have the time or patience to deal with things..."
"Why is that lady, I mean the matchmaker Miss Chie so important? What does she do?" Mokuba asked, curious to change the subject and ease some of the tension.
"She is hired to prepare my sister for marriage. Wang is to be arranged come her next birthday, but she will only attract a suitor if she is able to look and act like a proper Chinese bride. Miss Chie looks after many young daughters on course of marriage my sister is only one of them. She is the best matchmaker in China and is guaranteed to find Wang a husband, and train to behave appropriately."
"Seems kind of old fashioned. This is the twenty-first century after all; women have power too and can live their lives independently. Can't she fins someone to wed on her own?"
"You have to understand Mokuba, my family is very traditional and carries out these old customs still. Other do also, this land being so ancient. We keep traditions with pride to bring our families honour." she explained.
"Do you have to be arranged like her when you're older?" the teen inquired, but noticed the girl flinch slightly.
"It difficult, you see..."
"Enough!"
Both turned in shock to see Kaiba react to abruptly. Frankly he was just plain sick of all the meaningless patter. There was no use in it. They were not taking care of this mess by avoiding and ignoring it, which made him become even more infuriated. Normally he didn't want anything to do with other peoples business; he would simply walk away and forget about it. This time however, he just couldn't put it out of his mind. He came to the house for answers and all he got was more confusing riddles. Now he was more confused than before, as more questions pushed into his mind to alter his train of thought. It was making hi mind numb, simply intolerable.
"I've had it with you, and your bizarre family life!" he shouted, stabbing his finger towards Melisanne, rage boiling within him. "I can no longer stand here, and get caught up in your tangled web of deceit and lies. You have done nothing but cover up your history and heritage from the start, and I'm sick of it! Now, explain yourself this instant!"
A blank stare was given form the girl, who seemed to not have took into the fact he was screaming at her at the top of his lungs. The CEO couldn't grasp what was going on in her mind. Was she deaf? His fierce tone hadn't effected her whatsoever. This was the voice that made all his employees in Japan cower like insects crawling on the ground, yet she showed no sign of shock, not even surprise. Cobalt eyes met crystal, and she replied in a calm manner.
"I must say, I am sorry for all this. You should never have come, and it's my fault. It's best you leave, and don't return. It will only cause misfortune to you if I'm involved in your lives. I'll show you out."
She shuffled to the door, opening it, and gesturing them out firmly, but compassionately. The teen was too confused for words, so he just went with his intuition and hugged the girl around the waist, sobbing a little.
"Melisanne, I'm sorry too. If I hadn't persuade you, none of this would have happened. I don't want to not see you anymore though. Please, say we'll see you again, I don't want to loose a friend." he whimpered, while she stroked his hair.
"It's okay, I wish it was possible, but trust me, it's better this way. And it doesn't truly matter; we will be friends, always, even if we don't see each other. Don't cry, you'll make it through." she comforted, and squeezed him tightly.
Seto had never seen his brother act like this. He was used to him being so happy and upbeat, but this he didn't expect in the least. He would talk to him later, as it was beginning to sink in how little he knew about his sibling, being so caught up in work for many years. Hard to believe it had all being brought out by some he apparently couldn't stand, yet in another sense, over the first week or so of meeting her, she had grown on both of the brothers, despite only a few chance appearances.
'I have no clue if our meeting was chance, fate or not. It seems insignificant now, too late to change matters; she's already altered things in my life so suddenly. For the better, that I'm not sure of, but definitely quite dramatically. Normally the matters of importance to me would range with my company, but she took it deeper, to my little brother, where my heart lies. Whoever she may be, I still refuse to let her get away with trying to fool me with these strange stories, or unusual way of life.'
"Big brother," Mokuba interrupted his thoughts. "Maybe we should think of going now. It's late and stuff." he mumbled quietly smiling again after Melisanne's reassurance.
"Whatever." he growled watching his sibling stand out on the porch waiting for him. He planned to just strut past without a word, but the look he received from her was messing with his head. He stopped in front of her as two distant shades of the sky clashed once more. Thinking carefully, he decided to take care of his point the best way that he knew how; showing aggression and complete distaste towards her.
"This is not over by a long shot. I will not be defeated in you trying to keep matters from me. I don't care who you are, but you are hiding something, that I will not take. This matter goes deeper than that bitch of a sister you have, and I plan to keep an eye on you, whether you like it or not." he snarled, but was surprised to see her smile.
"Thank you. You may not admit it, but you do this not just for curiosity, but because...you care..."
"I most certainly do not! I don't give a damn about you, I just cannot stand anyone keeping secrets from me, is that clear?"
"You doubt yourself, and your true intentions, you will learn though, soon enough." she replied kindly, before moving a little closer. "But for now, I can try to clear things a bit..."
"What in the world are you talking about?! Look, I don't..."
Kaiba never had the chance to finish, as Melisanne had leant up put her lips to his. The kiss was tender, yet chilling, making him shudder. Whether it was from shock or enjoyment, he wasn't sure, possibly a mixture of both. Anyway, Seto didn't know how to react at all; he merely just stood there feeling the Chinese girl caress his mouth sweetly, which was causing new emotions to wash over him in a tidal wave. As soon as it had begun, the lip lock ended, as Melisanne pulled away from him.
She looked slightly flushed against her porcelain skin, but hid a tiny grin, and her eyes sparkled. What she done wasn't lusting or alluring, but meaningful and sincere, which made the older teen reconsider matters. Was it possible she could be right, and was moved so deeply?
"Goodbye Seto, we'll see what destiny has for us when the time comes." she whispered, turning away and closing the door, leaving the young man stunned on the landing outside. Touching his lips briefly, he couldn't help but wonder...was is possible to be effected this way by a stranger? Better yet...was she something more?