Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any related materials. Might be a good thing though, because there hasn't been a single Duel Monsters game in this story yet!

AN: Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers, your thoughts and continued support mean so much to me!

Today's Super Special Awesome Award goes to, millenniumthief, for the best review I've gotten thus far. Hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter XI

Dinning with a Dragon

Ever since Solomon Moto had left, Seto's day had been pretty uneventful. Uneventful, but very productive. As of now, he was completely caught up with everything he had been letting slid due to those unpleasant dreams. He smiled down at his now clear desk. Well I thought this was going to take all night. He glanced over at the clock on the wall, it read four thirty. Hmm, Mokuba will be pleased. I should be home in time to have dinner with him. The CEO reached over to his phone and began to dial his brother's cell.

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"No Kisara. Now it's on backwards," laughed Mokuba.

Kisara sighed. This was the fifth time she had come out of the small cubical Mokuba called a dressing room and she still apparently couldn't put the strange garment on right. She went back in, exasperated. No article of clothing was ever this complicated back in Egypt.

Mokuba laughed again. They had already spent most the day here and had only managed to successfully try on and select about five outfits. She had been getting the hang of it too but then Mokuba had found this amazing silver and blue dress that he imagined would look just gorgeous on her. Unfortunately, it was also extremely complex and Kisara was having a heck of a time getting it on correctly.

The younger Kaiba's phone rang. Still laughing slightly he answered it. "Hello. ..... Oh hi Big Bro! ..... Actually we're still at the store. ..... Yeah I went with them. ..... Well we're almost done here. Hey I've got an idea! Why don't we go out instead? ..... Sweet. Yeah we'll meet you there in about fifteen. ..... Okay, bye."

"I didn't know you talked to yourself."

Mokuba glanced up and smiled. She had the dress on right and boy did she look pretty in it. "I wasn't. I was talking to my brother."

"Seto is here?" she questioned in surprise, glancing hurriedly around the women's department for the man who under no circumstances would ever set foot there.

"No." He held up his cell phone as if that would explain everything.

"Um...alright." Though still confused, she decided to drop it. "Well is it on properly now?" she asked doing a small twirl.

"Yeah! It looks really good on you too."

She blushed slightly at the complement. Kisara had never really considered herself to be pretty, in fact, she'd never really given it much thought.

"Well we better get going. We're meeting my brother for dinner. It's a really fancy place so you can just leave the dress on."

She nodded and the three proceeded to the checkout counter—which Kisara of course, found fascinating—and out to the limo.

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Seto was, by nature, early and was impatiently waiting for the others to arrive. He was beginning to contemplate calling Mokuba again when he heard the sound of the door to his private dining suite opening. About time, he though, glancing over. What he saw nearly caused him to spill the iced tea he had just lifted to his lips all over himself. There in the doorway stood Kisara but it was what she was wearing (or what she wasn't) that was causing him to stare.

His stiff trench coat had been replaced by a stunning sky-blue dress. It had a low V-neck (need I say more) which was decorated with delicate silver stitching. The shinning embroidery continued below the tight bodice adding to the effect that she was glowing and wonderfully complemented her hair. Below this, the fabric fell loosely about her slender waist ending just above her knees.

Seto quickly regained his composure. Standing, he pulled out one of the empty seats for her.

Kisara took a steadying breath and began to walk slowly and carefully to the proffered seat. She was alright with the dress but not with the strange, extremely uncomfortable shoes that made her feel as if she would topple over with each step. Ra, I didn't even wear shoes in Egypt! She managed to nearly make it to the chair without incident but at the last second she tripped and fell full force onto Seto's chest. Both teens froze, a bright red flush spreading across each of their faces.

Kisara quickly regained her footing and began a hurried apology, "I'm sorry! I suppose I haven't gotten used to the...'heels' just yet." She smiled weakly.

Seto nodded briskly and walked hurriedly back to his seat. Did I just...blush! What the hell is wrong with me?

Mokuba, who had not missed the result of Kisara's little slip up, was trying desperately to contain his giggles as he passed his brother the now unneeded coat. Does my brother actually have a crush?!

After everyone was seated, an uncomfortable silence hung about the table that no one seemed willing to break. Thankfully, a waiter came in with the menus at least giving them an excuse to stay silent.

Kisara looked down at the stiff paper and was, for about what seemed the millionth time today, completely lost. She had never heard of any of the things on here. Who is Dr. Pepper and why is he in the drink section? She sighed and turned to Mokuba who was on her right. "Mokuba," she whispered, "could you please order for me? I have no idea what any of these items are."

"Um, sure."

"Thank you."

Shortly after the orders were placed, a server came in carrying a tray of drinks. Now of course, being a kid and having a sweet tooth, Mokuba had ordered a soft drink for both himself and Kisara. This small action seemed harmless enough but as the younger Kaiba was soon to discover, would lead to catastrophe. For as Kisara lifted the glass to her lips the little fizz bubbles popped and tickled her nose. She startled and in her surprise her drink flew from her hands and dumped it's contents allover the man sitting across from her: Seto.

A deathly silence fell over the group as the young CEO gaped down at his now soaking lap and chest.

"Oh my Ra!" she exclaimed throwing her head face down on the table in an attempt to bow to him. "I am so sorry! Please forgive my clumsiness! Believe me, I had no intention of soaking you in this strange bubbling substance!"

Seto looked from the girl laying prostate on the table to his drenched clothes and back again. As much as he tried to hide it, a smile was twitching at the corner of his lips. Finally he couldn't hold it back it anymore and Seto Kaiba broke out in laughter. He, the richest man in Japan, the one person that even the bravest wouldn't dare cross, had just been turned into a human napkin by a charming white haired beauty, and for some strange reason, he wasn't even slightly ticked off. In fact, he found the whole thing to be hysterical.

Kisara lifted her head nervously to look at the still laughing man across from her. He's not mad? Maybe he remembers... She shook her head. No, she could tell that he didn't...not yet anyway. I should just count myself lucky that he didn't have me beheaded because of my clumsiness.

His laughter subsided to chuckles and he shook his head. "I was going to replace this suit anyway." And with that he excused himself to the restroom.

Mokuba sat dumbstruck for several moments, rendered silent by the small miracle that had just occurred. He laughed...and smiled...she...maybe she could... He turned to Kisara who was awkwardly looking down at her clasped hands. "You made him laugh," blurted Mokuba casing her to jump slightly.

"I-I didn't mean to..."

Suddenly she felt herself being suffocated by two, surprisingly strong, small arms that were tightly wrapped around her middle. "Thank you. I don't know what you did but he hasn't laughed like that since forever."

Unsure of what she had done and what exactly Mokuba wanted her to do, she just settled for smiling down at his black messy haired head.

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Seto had given up trying to get the extremely sticky brown substance out, the extra water was just making things look worse. He sighed and picked up his trench coat. I guess it's now my turn to use this to cover up an absence of clothing... He stripped off his shirt and over coat, which were beyond help, and closed the coat over his bare chest. He would have to live with the pants for now. He glanced up at the mirror and glared once he realized he had still been smiling. What is it about this girl? Why does she make me feel...like this. He shook his head and walked off to rejoin the others deciding to unravel these unwanted feeling later.

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The rest of their evening was pretty uneventful compared to what had already happened. Kisara managed to get through it without anymore accidents and though the conversation was a bit sparse, at least it existed.

After dinner, they all rode back to the mansion in Seto's limo. Kisara, who was still fascinated by what she called "the horseless chariot", had her face plastered up against the window for the whole ride, ogling at the weird torches that illuminated the road. Again Seto caught himself smiling and again he was unsure as to why.

As soon as the vehicle came to a halt Seto stepped quickly out and attempted to make a break for his room where he could safely think things over. Unfortunately, he was stopped by his younger brother calling out, "hey Seto! Aren't you going to show her to her room? I think she still finds this place a little confusing." He smiled. " I guess I could do it if you're busy, but I kinda promised Roland that I'd would finish cleaning my room today," he made up quickly. Honestly he just wanted his older brother to get some alone time with her. Maybe she can make him more like his old self. He crossed his fingers hoping Seto would buy his excuse and waited for his brother's answer.

Great, he's backed me into a corner. If I leave now it'll seem rude, or that I don't care about his room being clean which I do—it's a wreck. "Alright," he sighed, "I'll take her."

Mokuba grinned and ran happily past him. "Thanks Big Bro!"

"Yeah, but your room better be clean when Roland checks it this time. I will ask him."

"Okay!" he called back as he ran through the front doors, now worrying about completing the impossible task of excavating the carpet from beneath its concealing layer of clutter before dawn.

Seto shook his head and turned to Kisara. "Well come on, It'll be a good chance to give you a basic tour of the mansion anyway. That way you should be able to find your way around here without Roland's assistance." Speaking of whom, he should have left the tour to Roland or one of his other servants but for some reason he didn't. It was like he wanted to be around her and at the same time, dreaded it. Reasons and excuses aside, Seto began to lead her through the twists and turns of the hallways, explaining where all the various side passages and doors led to.

It was in a particularly long and dim hallway that Kisara's soft and somewhat timid voice stopped him. "Seto—I mean Kaiba."

He turned and looked at her.

"Do you...remember anything from...the past? I mean before all of this." She gestured around her.

He looked at her in a confused manner. "I'm not sure what you mean. Are you referring to my childhood?"

She shook her head. "No, I meant before that...I meant, do you remember anything about..." she hesitated, "...us?"

He froze. The few and far between visions form the Pharaoh's Memory World flashed through his mind. But instead of facing them, admitting that they were in fact real, conceding that everything was not always explainable, and facing the Gordian Knot of feelings inside, he crushed all the hope in her sad blue eyes with one shake of his head.

"No. I don't believe in all that magic garbage involving a past life in Ancient Egypt. Never have, never will." With that he turned and continued down the hallway.

"Oh," was her barely audible reply. She hung her head allowing her long exotic hair to fall over her eyes. Eyes that were watering with sadness and the empty feeling that came from being alone in a strange world and not even being able to turn to the man she loved for help.

The rest of the tour went by in what felt like a haze as she tried to remember all the paths of the large mansion and to where they each would lead her. Finally they were at her door. Seto opened it for her and she slipped inside. She then turned to thank him, but overestimated the distance he was standing from her and ended up face-to-face with him, with only a few inches to spare between their two forms. She immediately tried to back away but it was as if some unseen force was holding her in place, compelling her closer to him instead of away.

Seto's breath caught in his suddenly dry throat. When she had turned her soft hair had brushed against his skin, bringing even more hidden emotions and feelings to the surface and causing more forgotten memories to be remembered. Now he found himself held captive by her light blue eyes and being pulled closer by the same force that had a hold of Kisara.

For a moment it seemed as if they might...no, their faces were mere centimeters apart when suddenly Seto broke free and pulled back. Without a word he turned and quickly walked away, leaving Kisara more alone than she had been in over five thousand years. Her knees gave and she slid down the door frame clutching her arms tightly, tears streaming down her porcelain face.

Seto didn't stop until he was inside his room and had locked the door with his shaking hand. He leaned against its smooth surface and held his head as a cold empty feeling spread through him. He doubted that he would get much sleep tonight.

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AN: Almost! I know, I know. I'm being as cruel to you guys as Seto Kaiba. Making you wait like forever for an update and then they don't even kiss! But trust me it's way cooler like this.

-Asiera