Stephan: Ehh…I feel so laaaazy. I might get a job at Red Lobster's…Lobster…yuuuuuum. I need to wake uuuup. Must.Write.More.Must.Start.Working.Must.Keep.Rping….I love Rping….And writing…I'm actually I little afraid of this chapter, eh heh heh, if it's not good I can definitely change it. But it's a step out of their comfort zone that's for sure.

Part 10: Secrets

It's been two weeks since Tea left for New York. We've been writing back and forth by mail and she's doing great. She's been begging me to get a computer so we can e-mail and a cell phone so we can text. I keep telling her I don't have the money yet; but I did get a TV set, not a big one, but at least I have one now. It's the end of June and the rain has been pouring as if there were no end. Today is Saturday, and on Monday Mokuba's teacher is coming for a home visit. I don't understand why they insist on keeping this tradition; most schools have dropped the idea. Not only that, but Sunday is father's day.

The door to Kaiba's office opened and out walked the CEO, dressed in black slacks and a white button up shirt and socks. His shirt was tucked in and a belt was put in place to keep it that way. "Mokuba," Kaiba called, standing at the entrance of the hall, his glasses perched neatly at the top of his nose. Mokuba looked up from the coffee table where he was doing his homework.

"Yes Seto?" Mokuba replied, still in his blue cotton pajamas that consisted of a shirt and pants.

"Where is Miss Ushimato?" Kaiba asked, a stone look in his eyes as he stood with his arms crossed.

"I think she's doing laundry." Mokuba answered. "Do you need something, Seto?"

"I have some questions for her is all." Kaiba stated as he turned back around and walked down to the second door on the right. As he opened the door to the laundry room he was suddenly put in an awkward situation.

"Whose are these?" Kariana asked in a hushed voice as she thrust a pair or pink lacy panties in Kaiba's face. Kaiba stepped back in reflex when they were shoved in front of his face and fell back onto the door, closing it. He had a disgruntled look on his face and swatted her hand away.

"Get those out of my face." He snarled.

"A-answer my question!" Kariana snapped quietly. She looked angry but her cheeks were flushed. From what Kaiba could tell, she was embarrassed to find them but she was even more furious. What he didn't know was that her heart was racing and that she was nervous like she had never been before.

FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLIER

As Kariana pulled the clothes out of the dryer into a basket her hands picked up a pair of pink lacy panties. Her face paled as she stood there in disbelief as she held them out in front of herself. Her hands twitched a few times before her face turned three shades of red and she dropped them on the ground, eyes wide.

She had spent at least ten minutes rehearsing how she would confront Kaiba about it but knew she would still need to work up the courage to do it. Even as she stood there before him now she still felt hopeless and weak.

"Feh. I don't have to answer to you." Kaiba snorted, turning around and gripping the door knob.

"W-wait!" Kariana reached out and grabbed his arm. "You can't do this. You can't keep running, Kaiba! Think about Mokuba." Kariana pleaded, still in a hushed tone, and looked up at him, her green eyes filled with worry. Kaiba stopped, his bangs falling over his eyes but his hand still on the door knob. "If Mokuba had found this…what would he think…what would that do to him?" she said shakily. "Is this how you want him to see you? Do you want him to-"

"Don't." Kaiba growled, "Don't tell me how to live my life." He turned his face to her and locked his sharp cruel blue eyes onto hers. His icy glare sent chills up her back and she found herself speechless as he yanked his arm away, opening the door and walking out. Moments later the door to Kaiba's office opened and slammed closed.

"Kari?" Mokuba called as he stood up. "Kari, are you alright?"

'What do I do?' Kariana thought, frozen in place, her eyes filled with fear and confusion. 'What do I do? What do I do?' She panicked as she could hear Mokuba walking over and in haste shoved the underwear deep into her right pocket.

"Kari?" Mokuba said again as he came down the hall. Just as he reached the door Kariana came out with a linen basket in her arms.

"Sorry, Mokuba!" she said as she blew a piece of her auburn hair out of her face. She grunted as she readjusted the basket in her arms. "I was just getting the rest of this. Do you need something?" she asked, cheerful and bright. Mokuba was quiet for a moment as if he was trying to figure something out.

"No. I'm fine." He replied.

"That's good. I'm gonna go put this up, okay?" she said as she headed to Kaiba's bedroom door.

"Kari…What did Seto ask you?" Mokuba asked. Kariana hesitated.

"Nothing much. Don't worry about." She reassured him, opening the door to Kaiba's room and entered without giving Mokuba a chance to reply. As she walked towards the far left part of the room she could hear Mokuba walking away and she sighed. 'I'm sorry Mokuba, I just don't want you to get hurt.' She thought as she came upon Kaiba's dresser. 'I wonder what he was going to ask me?' she sighed, pausing in front of the dresser and staring at her reflection in the TV (it sits on top of the dresser). 'I know he's famous and all, but I never thought that he would...' she blushed at the thought 'Not that I care or anything. It is his life, he can do who he wants...er…what…he wants.' her mind trailed off as her eyes fixated on the bed in the reflection of the TV. Suddenly she felt very angry again and seeing the bed caused her feelings to stir. Her hands gripped tightly on the basket and her eyebrows crossed in frustration. She turned around and held out Kaiba's basket of clothes and dumped them onto his bed. Normally she would fold them and put them away; but not today, especially not when she had decided to work on her day off for him.

"Stupid…dirty…sleazy-" she growled out and threw down the basket.

"What are you doing?" Kaiba snapped, standing in front of the doorway. Kariana's head shot up. She looked at the pile back to Kaiba and attempted to speak but nothing came out. Now she felt horrible about it; she had never gotten mad at someone like that…except for her father. Kaiba groaned and shut the door behind him before walking in further. It was clear he was irritated and frustrated; probably just as much as Kariana but he just didn't show it.

"Look," he said with an aggravated tone. "I needed to ask you some things earlier, before you brought that up." His eyes glanced down at her pocket where a part of the panties were sticking out. Her eyes followed and she blushed, shoving them back down; they had come out when she had had her burst of anger. "I have to work at the office tonight and tomorrow so you need to be here." he said, hands shoved deep into his pockets. "Also, Mokuba's teacher is coming for a home visit on Monday and I won't be able to be here."

"So you need me to go in your place?" Kariana said distastefully after what seemed a world of silence. "Why do you do this to him? I don't understand." She asked, looking at him for an answer.

"I don't expect you to." Was all Kaiba said before he turned and walked to the door, opening it and leaving to go back into his office.

--SUNDAY--

"Hey, Kari?" Mokuba said from the kitchen as he pulled a bottle of Ramune out of the fridge. "Did you know that today is Father's Day?"

"Yes." Kariana replied without taking her attention away from cleaning the coffee table.

Mokuba took the top off of the Ramune and without looking down pushed the marble down into the neck of the bottle before discarding of the plastic top. "Are you going to do something with your dad?" he asked, taking a sip, the marble clinking against the glass of the bottle.

"No…I need to be here until tonight." She said with content in her voice, but Mokuba could see her sad face in the reflection of the big screen TV.

"I'm sorry…I don't know why Seto is making you do this…You could be with your dad if it weren't for-"

"Mokuba…there's no need to talk like that." Kariana set the rag down and turned to smile at him. "My father is busy today anyways."

"So you got to talk to him?" Mokuba asked, holding his drink in both hands in front of his chest.

Kariana nodded, "Yes. I called this morning; everything is fine so you don't have to worry about it. Let's just enjoy this wonderful day-"

There was a loud crack of thunder as a lightening bolt ran across the sky, causing both Mokuba and Kariana to jump in surprise.

"…Inside anyways." Kariana said with weak smile as Mokuba laughed lightly.

It was late into night, early into the morning; the clock on the DVD player read 4:29 am. The rain was still falling in a steady but slower shower as it had been for hours. As the clock turned to 4:30 the lock on the Kaiba apartment door clicked and Seto Kaiba walked into the apartment, wet but no where near drenched. He looked over at the couch as he slipped off his shoes and set his umbrella down against the wall near the door. Kariana was sitting up on the couch with the TV on but with the sound off and subtitles on- her attempt of not waking up Mokuba. Her eyes were closed and her head tucked down, her chin barely touching her collarbone. However, once Kaiba had closed the door her head jolted up. She let out a groan as she rolled her shoulders back and rubbed her neck before looking up and realizing Kaiba was back. She stared at him a while, distracted at how the rain had given his hair a glossy look and his bangs seemed to be just a bit longer due to them being damp. He seemed to be looking right through her, but with his bangs low over his blue eyes it was hard to tell. She turned her face away once she realized how long she had stared at him without saying anything.

"The limo is outside; you can go home now." Kaiba spoke as he walked into the living room and toward the hall. Kariana stood up and turned the TV off, the lampposts outside serving as the only light.

"Mokuba…He wants you there tomorrow." She said into the dark not even knowing if Kaiba was still in hearing range. It was silent, a bolt of lightening going across the sky, lightening up Kariana's downcast face for a spilt second.

"There's no point." Came Kaiba's deep stoic voice, "You're with him more than I am. It only makes sense that you'd be here instead of me. Good night Miss Ushimato," he paused, "And I hope we can forget about the past events that have occurred; they are no longer a problem."

'No longer a problem?' she thought, biting down on her lip, "Goodnight…Mr. Kaiba."

Within seconds Kaiba's door had closed, whether it was to his office or his bedroom Kariana couldn't tell. 'Forget…No longer a problem?' she thought as she crossed the living room to the front door. 'Does he mean…? I guess...What I said…actually got through to him…' she couldn't help but smile, even though it was a sad smile, as she opened the door and left the apartment.

MONDAY-SOMETIME AROUND NOON

"This is ridiculous," Kariana said as she set a tray of snacks - various forms of small sandwiches - on the table. She rose up with her hands on her hips and sighed, her long dark green skirt flowing out as she did.

"Seto did say you're with me more than he is. So it only makes sense you're here." Mokuba said a little gloomily, sitting on the couch still in his black school uniform but without the jacket.

"Mokuba," Kariana said in surprise, looking over at him, "You heard that last night?" Mokuba nodded, "I'm so sorry. That's…that's not what I meant. I just want to get this visit over with; I'm glad to be here." She attempted to smile, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Besides, he only said that so I'd feel more comfortable to do this for him." She tried to reassure him as a knock came from the door. She looked up and sighed, "Great. Well, here we go." She straightened her white blouse as she walked over to the door.

"Good after noon." Kariana said cheerfully as she opened the door but was surprised to see who it was. "M-Ms. Yamakoto?" she stuttered as the principle walked in.

"Close your mouth Miss Ushimato, it's rude for a lady to gape." Ms. Yamakoto snapped, dressed in a horrible cranberry colored pant suit with her brown- grey hair plastered up in a bun. Kariana closed her mouth and shut the door. The older lady looked around the apartment as if trying to analyze every minuet detail.

"I don't mean to be rude," Kariana said as she tried to hold back the anger that was starting to grow inside her, "But isn't Mokuba's home room teacher supposed to be here?"

"Mrs. Katayami is out sick today so I am visiting her students in her place." She replied, hands folded behind her back as she walked over to Mokuba.

'Sick my ass.' Kariana thought, glaring at the woman's back.

'But she was there earlier…' Mokuba had thought.

"So how are you this after noon, Mokuba?" Ms. Yamakoto asked with what was an obvious fake smile.

"Fine, Ms. Yamakoto." Mokuba replied with no real emotion.

"Good." She replied flatly before taking a seat on the couch.

"Would you like a finger sandwich, Ms. Yamakoto?" Kariana asked, gesturing with her hand to the tray on the table.

"Heavens no! Do you not realize the calories one of those might contain? It would ruin my dinner for this evening." She snarled, her cheeks puffing out as she said it.

'Yeah, like you know anything about calories.' Kariana twitched. "I suppose not," she replied, trying to smile but it came out crooked. "Umm, I guess we should get this visit going?"

"Yes. I have many other students to get to and I simply can not waste time."

FORTY FIVE MINUTES LATER

'Why do I get the feeling she's spending all her time here?' Kariana grimaced, as the woman continued to talk non stop about the new programs opening in the school. Kariana sighed, leaning back against the couch. Ms. Yamakoto stopped, glaring over at Kariana.

"Is there a problem Miss Ushimato?" she asked smugly.

"No none at all," Kariana half smiled, 'Except that you're wasting my time and ate nearly all of the sandwiches.' She thought, glancing down at the near empty tray. 'So much for calories.'

"My goodness!" Ms. Yamakoto gasped as she looked down at her watch, "Look at the time. I can't believe you didn't tell me how long it had been!" she exclaimed, standing up. "I absolutely must get going." Kariana stood up as Ms. Yamakoto turned to Mokuba, who had just woken up when she said my goodness. "It was…a pleasure…seeing you again, Mokuba. Stay out of trouble." She attempted to joke but failed miserably as she followed Kariana to the door.

Kariana turned the handle and held the door open for Ms. Yamakoto. "I hope you're a better actress in front of Mr. Kaiba. Because I must say your act for me today was horrible. Good day, Miss Ushimato." She said as she walked out and Kariana closed the door.

"That stupid fat cow!" Kariana growled, stomping back into the living, "Ooh! She really gets under my skin. I can't stand her!" Kariana marched around in circles as Mokuba watched in slight amusement. "Close your mouth…don't gape…Calories this, programs that! Ugh!" she groaned, finally plopping down onto the couch.

"Do you want something to drink?" Mokuba asked as he stood up.

"That would be great." Kariana said, her head leaning back on the couch and her arms out to the sides. Mokuba smiled and walked by her and into the kitchen. '…I need to ask him something tonight when he gets home…' she thought with her eyes closed. 'I'm just afraid if I keep pushing I'll wind up pushing too hard.' She sighed.

"Here." Mokuba said as her handed her a glass of water.

"Thanks Mokuba," she sighed, sitting up and taking the glass. "Let's see what's on."

"Okay." Mokuba said, picking up the remote and turning on the TV.

'I wonder what kind of women Kaiba likes.' She thought, taking a sip of water, 'Models and actresses no doubt.' She frowned, remembering what Ms. Yamakoto had said about her acting. 'Stupid witch…' she snorted, taking a fairly large gulp of water. 'Can't believe she said those things to me! And the 'don't get into trouble' bit she said to Mokuba for totally uncalled for; I wonder if I should tell Kaiba? ...Probably not; I've already upset him enough as it is.' she sighed.

"You alright Kari?" Mokuba asked, looking up when he heard her sigh.

"Huh? Oh, no, I'm alright." she smiled and Mokuba went back to watching something on the TV. 'I guess I kind of overreacted Saturday...I deffinately need to talk to him about it.' a slight pink came to her cheeks as an image of the frilly lace came into her mind. 'What's wrong with me?!' she thought, mentaly slapping herself. 'Why can't I get this out of my head?' she raised the glass up to her lips, taking slow sips and trying to distract herself by watching what Mokuba had changed the channel to.

Stephan: If I can mange to keep the computer away from my sisters tonight I'll be able to put out another chapter. I really hope I can and if I do it'll be really late. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!!