Another chappie...wow I'm publishing three in the same day! I've gotta admit, this is pretty fun {Yes, I know, I'm lame} *avoids getting hit by tomatoes* ^^ I don't know how the story's been going so far 'cause I've only gotten reviews from Vampiric Dragonwriter [thanx by the way!], but I hope everyone else likes it as well! :) If it's choppily written, well... that's what I need REVIEWS for! XD

Anyways, the disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh and all related characters, settings, objects and ideas belong completely to Mr. Takahashi.

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Kaiba awoke to the light chirping of crickets. He hadn't seen Bella ever since the meeting a few days before, though he knew she was there -her energy made it clear as always. Every night he had either caught a glance of, or heard, someone peer into his room and had no doubt about whom it was. Although he didn't admit it, he had taken the advice -or more like slight scolding- Bella had given him and began to make it a habit of sleeping earlier. It had helped his mood, his work production, and even his business dealings. In fact, even his employees were begin to whisper about in shock about Mr. Kaiba's new, cheerful-in-a-way, aura.

Getting ready, he made his way downstairs for breakfast. Since Bella had not been awake for breakfast yesterday, the day before, and the day before that, he had discovered she was a late sleeper. He smirked. What a hypocrite. She'll make sure everyone's alright and asleep, and while doing so miss out on her own beauty sleep. ...not that she needs it. The mental smack he'd usually give himself for thinking idiotic thoughts like that had stopped. Lately, he'd just smile at himself and forget that it was completely unlike him to behave this way.

Mokuba had been watching his brother reading the newspaper. Out of nowhere, a smile had appeared on Seto's lips and he never smiled. His brother had been behaving strangely for a few days now, and Mokuba couldn't hold it in any longer. "Are you sick big brother?" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Kaiba looked at him confused. "No … I'm actually feeling fine Mokuba," he gave Mokuba a smile that was reserved only for him, though today Kaiba absolutely glowed as it appeared on his face.

"Ummm...okay," Mokuba began to play with his cereal, thinking about his brother's odd mood. What could make big brother so happy? If he made a new invention or breakthrough or got a great deal, I would've known about it. ...The only difference between the past few days and before that is... Bella's been here! Ooooooh! I wonder if big brother and Bella like each other? That would be soooo great! Then Bella could stay with us forever! Mokuba began giggling to himself ecstatically. Kaiba himself felt so full of energy, he didn't pay much attention. I should help! Mokuba continued thinking. They probably don't even know they like each other, Mokuba smacked himself on the head. Older people could be so dumb sometimes. Seeing Roland waiting to take him to school, Mokuba got up. "Well, see ya big bro!" Mokuba waved as he exited the room.

"Bye Mokie!" Kaiba called out behind him. Mokie? Mokuba was definitely ecstatic now. Seto hadn't called him that since Gozoboro adopted them. Things are definitely turning around after all, he smiled to himself.

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Bella ran down the staircase. "Oh shoot! I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!" she mumbled to herself, not noticing she was being loud.

"Late for what?" Kaiba asked curiously.

"Oh – ummmm... nothing. I-I just -I sh-should be going," she mumbled turning towards the door. Lately she had been stuttering more and more towards Seto. She just didn't know why. Bella was never going to be able to help him find his heart if she could barely speak to the guy. She threw her hand behind her in means of a light wave and ran off.

Sitting in the KC limo, Bella finally realized it. Seto wasn't being cold, she thought, surprised. It wasn't going to be that hard after all. She knew Kaiba had had it in him all along! She mentally cheered, not noticing her arms were going up and down in joy.

The chauffeur glanced in the rear view mirror. "Are you having a seizure, ma'am?" he asked worriedly.

Bella gave a laugh. She probably looked quite odd right now. "Oh no! I'm fine, thanks!" she exclaimed, giggling at her own ridiculousness. The chauffeur stopped the limo by the game shop, this time not even bothering to attempt to get out and open the door for the girl. She was just probably going to ran out anyways. He wasn't surprised to see her running off, waving. "Bye! I'll let you know when to pick me up!"

The man smiled to herself. The girl was unlike anyone he'd ever seen. He only hoped she could help Mr. Kaiba become more of the kid he was rather than the cold, cruel 50 year old man he behaved like all the time.

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Inside the game shop, Bella called out. "Hey Yugi! I'm here!"

Mr. Muto popped his head out from behind the counter. "Bella," he said warmly. "Nice to see you again. Yugi's out back with the others," he gestured towards the door in the back.

"Thanks Mr. Muto," she said as she walked towards said door.

She found Yugi sitting in the same couch he had sat in when they had talked for the first time. There was a blond haired young man on one side of him, and a brown haired one with a pointed tip to his hair on the other (side). A brunette girl was sitting in the couch across. The three appeared to be the same age as Bella and Yugi. Bella sat down in the seat next to the girl.

"Hey Bella!" Yugi greeted her. "This is Joey and Tristan," he introduced, gesturing towards the boys sitting on either side of him. "And-"

The brunette girl with medium length straight hair sitting beside Bella interrupted. "I'm Tea," she said kindly. She had a friendly tone to her. "Yugi decided that since you'll be spending time in Domino, you needed a girl friend to hang out with. After all, you must get tired cooped up with Kaiba all day," she laughed.

Bella squirmed slightly. As friendly as the girl seemed, Bella disliked anyone saying anything bad about Seto -even if it had been meant only as a joke. She attempted to ignore the remark. "Hi Tea, Joey, Tristan," she nodded towards the two boys and shook Tea's offered hand. "Well that was awful kind of you Yugi, to go to all this for me," Bella said, still surprised at how kind the boy was. She remembered feeling worried a few days ago that the closest people Kaiba had besides Mokuba -and what he also claimed her to be- was his arch rival, however it made sense now. The boy was the friendliest and most sincere she'd ever met in her life.

"Thanks Bella," Yugi mumbled, turning red at the compliment. Bella glanced at him. He also appeared to be very shy towards compliments and attention.

Beep beep! A watch interrupted the quick silence in the room. Tea glanced at her watch which was to blame. "Oh no!" she exclaimed. "Yugi, todays the day of the Dark Magician Girl Broadway musical! We're going to miss it if we don't hurry." However glancing at the two boys beside Yugi who were staring at Bella practically drooling, Tea decided it would be alright if they missed it. I can't possibly leave her here to these two hounds, she thought to herself amused at her friends' antics. "On second thought, how about we show Bella around here instead," she said.

Bella gasped. These people were kind enough towards her already, and she could see sparks between Tea and Yugi. She didn't want to disturb them from their plans. "No it's really alright," she said. "I've already toured Domino and I'm sure I'll find something to do." She avoided the gaze of the brown haired boy, who was staring at her with his mouth wide open.

The blond haired one -Joey, spoke up. "Yeah, it's alright Te [pronounced Tay -ya know, as in a nickname for Tea?]. You and Yug go ahead. Me and Tristan will show Bells around."

After much persuasion from them, Tea and Yugi decided to go ahead to the musical. Bella stood beside them, slightly uncomfortable, as they watched Tea and Yugi leave in a red Honda.

"Well," the blonde haired boy began. "So Bells, where'd ya like ta go?" he asked in a friendly tone. Bella's tensed shoulders softened. These guys were Yugi's friends, they were probably too nice to try anything. "Well..." she began. "Are there any good arcades around?"

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After 3 hours, Bella had defeated defeated the two boys at every single game the arcade had -from racing to air hockey to DDR to Attack of the Aliens- and they were awed. "Ya gotta teach us how ya did dat Bells!" Joey exclaimed.

Bella had learned that Joey was quite friendly and quite the talker. However Tristan didn't speak as much. When he did though he made funny remarks, though most of the time around Bella he'd been too red to speak.

"Umm.." she glanced at her watch. "I think I should go – I wanna go pick up Mokuba but next time 'kay!" she flashed the two a friendly smile and ran off. For the past week -ever since Mokuba had been in that incident, Bella had been going to the school extra early to pick him up -even though she learned that there was no need, seeing Seto Kaiba stalk in the school everyday five minutes before it closed to get Mokuba.

Finally arriving at the school, Bella checked the time. School was in session for another 15 or so minutes. She sat down under a large oak – the same one she had been at the day when Mokuba had been so ecstatic to see her and had gotten bullied – and closed her eyes. She had had fun today -not unlike every other day she'd been here. The city of Domino was a friendly one and she was surprised that Kaiba was so interpersonal around them. The day was chilly, and she shivered, having forgotten her sweater at the game shop. Nevertheless, she remained seating, waiting.

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Seto Kaiba was watching Bella from the limousine's tinted window. The girl was so odd – had he really been like her at one point? So happy, and caring and loving and... he realized what all those qualities reflected on. She had a good heart. But then – had he been the one to change so much after they had parted so very long ago. He grimaced. He knew the answer. Gozoboro had made him like this. But there wasn't much he could do about it. He had become who he was. It had made him successful and powerful and he wasn't disappointed with himself...

...was he?

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The chauffeur reminded Kaiba the time. "Mr. Kaiba, the school shall be ending in five minutes." Kaiba got up and out of the limo, glancing at the girl beneath the large oak as he left.

Bella walked towards the school just as the bell rang. She had only just realized what day it was! October 25th! Seto's birthday! She skipped to the school, plotting and making sure she'd get Mokuba in on the plan.

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Oooooh! Seto's birthday! Waddya think? [By the way, that is his real birthday!]

Bella's getting through to Kaiba! [Don't worry! This isn't going to become so cheesy that Kaiba becomes good and all la-dee-da. Bella just wants him to find a part of his old self that he's seemed to lost. Teehee, I cannot wait for the plot twist. To bad I have to go through all this first!

I know, I know, maybe I'm rushing, but I promise you! This weekend I'll go back and smoothen everything out!

So what did you think! Leave a review!

Sincerely,

Your Devoted Writer,

Mana Noor Akil