I'm so sorry for the long update, guys! Somehow my account settings got reset and I didn't get any updates of reviews or story alerts or anything! I just checked my account today because I was worried and saw all these wonderful reviews! Okay, so now, let's start this chapter off with some responses!

ShadowedPuppeteer: Wow, that's a very convenient way to review! I like it! I usually do all my reviewing and such from my phone, so I don't get to really look back at the fic as I write. Maybe I should start using my computer more. Teehee. Let's see... Cake as fanservice? Uh, sure, we'll go with that, though I originally intended for the "sexy Seto mental images" to be the fanservice, but hey, whatever floats your boat. :) And I'm glad you like Leena's little monologue. I don't think I've ever done one worthy of being called "kickass", so that's a definite plus in my book. I'm glad you liked it. And yeah, I guess the almost-being-raped thing was kinda cliché... I was going to redo the end of the chapter to change it, but it didn't come out right, and since you said it didn't matter, I figured, screw it, I'm keeping it. Lolz. I'd give you a Seto, but uh... *looks at Seto glaring at me from his chair* He won't let me near him at the moment... But here's a plushie! *throws plushie and accidentally hits reviewers in the head with them* Oops, bad aim. At least they're soft! *cuddles plushies* Thanks for reviewing!

Smash41KMF: Glad you liked it! Hope to see your name appear here more. :)

BleedingAutumn: Sent you a message about the disabled PM thingy. Sorry about that. On to your review... Lmao! Yep, that's what I figure! Thank you so much for your compliments. I'm glad to have a dedicated reviewer like you! Awww, see that, Leena? You're perfect for Kaiba! *nudges Leena, who blushes* If only SOMEONE would admit it. *glares at Kaiba* Anyway, glad you liked the chapter, and hope to hear from you again soon!

DaAmazingMeepers: Lolz, yeah they were creepy! But your name rocks! *gives you a cookie for having an awesome penname* Lolz, I'm glad so many people like Leena's dreamer-antics. I'm doing my job, then! Thanks for your review!

codeblueeyes987: Teehee, thanks for your review! Glad you like it!

shadow182angel: Now THAT would be weird. I could picture it now... *Leena: Mr. Kaiba does NOT sparkle! *throws shoe at the vampire* Uh oh, I kid, I kid! Don't kill me!* Hmmm, well... Maybe not. Lmao. And I'm glad I've got you wondering about Mr. Kuchizuke! You'll just have to see as the story progresses what role he plays in Leena and Kaiba's lives. Teehee! Thanks for reviewing!

Seto Kaiba 4 eva: Awww, thanks so much! I'm so glad you're into this story! I do apologize for the long wait! This should come out soon... I hope...

ColonKellyHigginsGoil304: Lolz. For a second, I thought you actually meant there was a problem with the chapter, like it didn't fully load or something, but then I'm like, "Oh, they made a funny! LMAO!" Awwww, I admit, when I first started writing YuGiOh! stories, I intended him to be completely an antagonist (see: Love Like Winter), but after I read some Kaiba fics, I started to fall for the guy, too. (But only the ones that keep him in character. Who wants a mushy Kaiba?) Teehee, I think we're all waiting for him to just do it now, but the story must continue to progress! Thanks so much for your review!

The Karma Chameleon OO: Famous? My story? *looks around* Really? Aww, I'm glad you like it! (Who's calling it famous?) Cool beans! I attracted a Kaiba fangir with my awesome Kaiba-writing skills! I'll write as quick as I can to get this story out for you guys! And I don't mind the eccentricity; makes things much more interesting. :) Thanks for your review!

Wow... So many reviews... Yay! I'm so happy! Now, on to the story! Disclaimer time!

Disclaimer:

Mysterious voice: Who stole the rights to YuGiOh! NJPickleFiend stole the rights to YuGiOh!

Me: Who, me?

Mysterious voice: Yes! You!

Me: Couldn't be!

Mysterious voice: Then who?

Chapter 9

We sat together in total silence as the limo sped off down the road towards my home. I glanced every so often at the other occupant sitting across from me, but his eyes remained fixed on the passing buildings. Resisting the urge to bite my nails in nervousness, I scrounged for anything to break this unbearable silence, any sort of conversation, but could find none.

"What went on at the banquet?" my companion finally spoke. I turned to face him and took a breath. The next five minutes were spent on me giving a detailed play-by-play of the conversations I did and didn't engage in with the other businessmen, the things I noted, the persistent ones eager to make a deal and the others who, like me, had let the conversations flow while listening intently to every word.

After a moment, Mr. Kaiba chuckled and I turned a questioning look his way. When he opened his eyes, they seemed to laugh at me as those blue orbs pierced my brown eyes. "And you doubted your ability to divert conversation."

"Sir?"

"Let's just say you've lived up to my expectations, Leena," he stated, his eyes gleaming with some emotion I couldn't name. "Good work."

I averted my eyes and stammered out my 'thank you', unsure whether or not the swelling in my chest was from pride or perhaps disappointment. Had he merely said that because I'm an asset to him, or did he really have confidence in my abilities? I wanted to be optimistic, but after the events that had just transpired, I was feeling down. I hated it; I hardly ever felt like this. My attack had brought me crashing back down to reality instead of where I usually sat, on a fluffy, bright cloud high above the heavens.

Somberly, I stared out the window until I noticed a familiar sight passing by. "Mr. Kaiba, we're passing my house?"

"You think you're well enough to shrug this off, Leena?" he sneered, "This could have been a very serious attack, and you want to just get up and walk away, and pretend like it didn't happen? I don't. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"You said it was just a sprain," I tried to reason, but the burning anger in his eyes stopped me. Why was he mad, though? It was such a swift change from the overconfident businessman to this vehement person, right before my eyes. It seemed as though the very thought of my previous skirmish upset him greatly, or perhaps he thought me unable to care for myself?

I'd seen him angered before, but it was never anything a good cup of spiced coffee and some gentle coercing couldn't fix. This, though, I was involved in. But he was only my boss; why should he feel the need to personally escort me to the medical center?

"Glad to see your memory still serves you," he near-spat, and I almost flinched at the bitterness of his tone. "I did say it was just a sprain, but you'd rather trust my word than that of a professional?"

I trust you, I wanted so bad to say. In truth, if he told me I could suddenly breathe water, I'd probably believe him and risk drowning. I couldn't place my trust in anybody else other than this man; he wouldn't lie to me and I couldn't doubt him.

I was so captivated by him in this state, almost like I didn't recognize him. Physically, he looked the same, but he struggled with some inner turmoil. It was behind those stormy eyes, in the set of his jaw, the way his hand unconsciously gripped his knee in a vice.

"It's not necessary, sir," I murmured, but again, those dazzling blue eyes stopped me. He suddenly looked as weary as he had the week before when I'd been ill and he'd had to work so many hours to cover the work I couldn't get to.

"Don't argue with me on this, Leena," he said, turning back to the window, "You need medical attention, even if it isn't a serious injury. Take your emotional and mental health into consideration."

I sighed as I pressed my back against the seat and tried to become invisible. Any other time, it would probably have worked, but I could feel his eyes on me when I stared out the window, and felt them leave when mine slid to him. Maybe he was right and I was being too stubborn, but I had to consider my father, too. After all, he expected me home, and-

I nearly jumped in panicas I reached for my purse and swiped my phone out from its place. I hit a number on speed dial and waited for the ring, my heart thumping so loud in my chest that I was almost positive the other occupant of the limo could hear it. As it was, he was now staring at me with confusion in his eyes, but I didn't care. I had a call to make.

"Leena?" As always, the sound of my father's voice gave me comfort and I sagged back into the seat. How was I going to explain this to him?

"Hey, Dad," I did my best to keep my voice even. Do NOT mention the attack, do NOT mention the attack, I chanted in my head, my own silent mantra, in an effort to stay calm. Dad would definitely flip if I told him about the incident, and would probably never let me go out by myself ever again. He was like that. "I just wanted to let you know I got a ride."

"Really? From who?" There was suspicion in his voice. I didn't blame him, considering I didn't have very many friends who weren't working at this time.

"Long story." My eyes slid to Mr. Kaiba, and we locked gazes for the briefest of moments before I blushed and jumped my eyes away as though I'd been burned. In fact, I was certainI had been burned by the coldest fire that dwelled in his eyes. Why was he acting like this? "Mr. Kaiba offered to give me a ride back from the restaurant."

There was a pause as my words sunk in. "Oh," he grumbled, obviously torn between protective mode and admiration mode. His defenses were up and his ears pricked for any alert that I was in danger; I knew my dad well enough. "What time you think you'll be home, then?"

"Uhhhh," I groaned, knowing this was going to come up, "Mr. Kaiba's... not taking me home directly. We're making a quick pit stop," I threw in quickly. The last thing I needed was for my dad to think my own boss had spirited me away for dark reasons. I let out a small breath, anticipating my father's next word. "We're stopping by the medical center real quick."

"Medical center? Leena, what happened?" he near-exploded and I cringed, knowing this wouldn't be an easy battle.

"Nothing, Dad, nothing," I winced. "I was just walking home and ended up twisting my ankle. Mr. Kaiba was kind enough to stop and take me to get it wrapped quickly. Then I swear, I'll come right home."

Dad blew out a breath, and I could picture him wiping his hand across his face in thought. "Leena, I just paid the guy the last of this week's money to look at the truck. I don't get paid 'til next week."

"Tell him I'm covering the charges," Mr. Kaiba interjected quickly. I put my hand over the receiver and whispered to him,

"No, no, it's not necessary."

He held out his hand for my phone and I shook my head quickly, holding my phone close to me like he was trying to steal it. "Lee..." he said, and my eyes nearly bugged out. Did he just call me 'Lee'? Did he just give me a nickname? What was going on with him tonight?

So stunned was I that I didn't even stop him when he plucked my cell phone out of my hand and assured my father that I was in good hands. When he was done, he held the phone out for me to take, but I was still dazed, my mind running a million miles a minute. I vaguely wondered if he was coming down with something and lifted my hand. My goal to reach his forehead to check if he was the one with the fever this time was short-lived. My hand plopped down and grabbed my phone from his outstretched hand and I turned my face down to hide the blush creeping along my cheeks.

"Mr. Kaiba..."

"We're outside of work, Leena. Just Kaiba is fine," he noted, then turned to me with a smirk. "How would you like being called "Miss Marr" all day long?"

I shook my head and grumbled, "I honestly don't mind," under my breath. I lifted my head and stared out the window again before a thought crossed my mind. "So, what were you doing out and about, anyway? It's your night off."

He looked at me and twitched his foot. Resting on the floor of the car by his legs was a paper bag with some sort of tissue paper inside. A present? I looked back at him to find the answer. "Mokuba's birthday," he mumbled, softly, turning away, but I still caught the gleam of love and affection in his eyes that he tried to hide from me. I didn't know why he tried; it was obvious to everyone that Seto Kaiba looked out for his younger brother more often than himself.

A swelling started in my chest and made my lips twitch in a smile. I shifted a bit before asking, "What'd you get him?"

"Just a game he's been wanting," my boss said, like it was no big thing. But in my eyes, it was. Seto Kaiba had everything money could buy, and he didn't need to go directly to a game shop to grab something he could have just ordered from Ebay. It was a special gift to be picked up in person, not simply bought to have delivered straight to the home; a gift bought with thought and love.

Another thought occured to me, one that nearly made me burst with enthusiasm, and I leaned forward in my seat. "What flavor of cake does Mokuba like most?"

Those azure eyes shifted back to me, almost coldly. "That's not necessary, Leena," he told me, "This is a very late birthday present. Mokuba's birthday was in July."

I deflated like a popped balloon, sagging in the seat dejectedly. "Oh..." Well, I thought, at least it was a nice thought. I felt Mr. Kaiba's eyes on me then, felt the hiss of warm breath escape his lips in a sigh, and turned back to him. His eyes were closed as though in thought.

"Chocolate," he finally answered, one eye opening to gauge my reaction.

I laughed aloud, thanking whatever higher power there with me that I wouldn't have to go out and buy more cake mix; I had plenty of chocolate at the house. "You think he'd mind just a cupcake?"

"No, that would be fine," he sighed, closing his eyes once more. I did a mental victory dance and smiled at him. He would not squash my belated birthday wishes to Mokuba. In the back of my mind, I wondered where I was the week of Mokuba's birthday; it was most likely the beginning of July, as I vaguely recalled having been away for a relative's funeral. And no one had told me? Not even Mokuba himself had mentioned anything to me about it. Well, I'd fix his wagon.

"Thank you, Mr. Kaiba," I said, completely disregarding his earlier statement. He groaned softly and looked back at me, a teasing light in his eyes.

"You are just that stubborn."

I grinned. "Yes, sir."

Sorry this took so long. Hope you guys liked it!

On a separate note, please vote in my poll on my bio. I'm planning on making some nice fluffy holiday one-shots featuring Seto and Leena. I just want to make sure you guys want it. *wink*

Please review, and let me know what you thought of this chapter! *tosses cookies*