Hello, hello, my lovely reviewers! This chapter's probably going to be incredibly short because of the incredibly last-minute-ness of it. But seeing as it's December 18th where I am, I decided I couldn't let this date slip past me. Wondering what day it is? You'll just have to read and find out~!
But first: Thanks for much to all my reviewers!
ShadowedPupeteer: Thank you for your sympathies. They're greatly appreciated. :) Actually, supposedly, Mokuba's b-day was July 7th, 1985! That would make him 25 years old as of now! Can you believe it? I can't. Lolz. I like him better as a child, though, since we really never see him age much throughout the series. Actually, I've never seen the Avatar: Airbender movie, but I want to, since I liked the animated series. Oh my god, I love Tim McGraw too! Amazing songs! Teehee, I'm so glad you like the story. Yeah, I figured Mokuba's been kidnapped enough times not to let on that it's freaked him out a lot. You know, kids at that age... Thanks so much for your review!
DaAmazingMeepers: Lolz, I know, right? Thanks so much for your review!
MewMewRadish: Awww, thank you so much! I'm so glad I could make Leena's emotions relatable, thus more realistic. That's one of my major goals when writing this story. And I'm so happy you like the way I write Kaiba; I keep thinking I'm making him out-of-character at some points. *sigh* But everybody loves this story, so I guess I'm doing something right. Teehee! ^w^ Thanks so much for your review!
BleedingAutumn: Dun dun dun! The epic long review! Let's see here... Awww, well, I'm glad you finally did get a chance to get on and review, because I seriously live for your reviews. They make me smile and get all warm and fuzzy... Or maybe that's my bathrobe... Lolz! Aww, it's the least I could do, seeing as I'm still trying to make that epic list of scenes from Am I Lovesick? for you to draw. ^^ You do mention my awesomeness a lot, so I figured it's only right I do the same, because it's so true! Lovin' your art! I keep switching between them on my desktop and phone backgrounds because they are EPIC AS HELL! You have no idea how happy it makes me to know that so many people can relate Leena's emotions to real life and say that she's an awesome character! I keep thinking, "What would I be feeling in such a situation?" And I know exactly what you mean. There are some scenes that I just can't write because Leena just isn't there for them to happen, so I have to really make up for it with scenes to describe what's going on as best I can in a person's point of view who really has no idea what's going on while the real action takes place. I find it kinda builds suspense, when I really want to shout out what's going on. Like there are times when I want to switch to Kaiba's view to show what he's thinking about Leena's actions, but I know I can't, because that would totally break up the flow of the story. I'm actually thinking of having Kaiba do just that, teach his brother (or pay for lessons XD) for him to take a self-defense class. It seems logical. (You're right, I can see Mokuba as a punky kid. XD) Thanks so much for your reviews and your art, because it inspires me for the future! I'm still working on that dang list (I was copying and pasting your story into a word document for me to look back on when I need to, sicne I really don't have internet, but having opened so many tabs basically crashed my computer. _ *sigh* But I'm still working on it. I'll have to send you little pieces from the beginning, since I think I have until like chapter 23 or something...) Thanks so much for your uber-long review! XD
The Karma Chameleon: ^^; Uh oh, fangirl mode... Better watch out! You better not cry! You better not pout, I'm telling you why! Kar-ma Chameleon is in town! Lolz. Huzzah for Christmas! Thanks so much for your review, and I know people can't wait for the epic-spoilerness to finally show itself. ^^ (I actually can't remember what I'm spoiling... Hm...) Thanks for your review!
Seto Kaiba 4 eva: You're welcome! ^^ I'm so glad you love the story! I'm trying hard to keep Kaiba in character, but I'm glad everyone thinks I'm doing a good job! Thanks so much for your review! :)
iCraft: Teehee, thanks so much for your review! Glad to have another reviewer on board! Thanks again!
RaisedOnRadio: Yay! Another new reviewer! Thank you so much! I'm glad you think so! Thanks for your review!
Now, on to the story! Thanks again, guys! You make this story awesome! *gives out flavored candy canes* Disclaimer time!
Disclaimer: And now for some Kaiba-OOC-ness...
Kaiba: *clenches Leena to him* Screw the rules, I have Leena!
Chapter 11
A week passed before I felt comfortable with Mokuba's return, even though I saw every day that he was safe when he bounded into my office. I wondered how he could act as though nothing happened, like his kidnapping had been a joke or a trick he himself had played on his brother, or maybe they'd played it on me, to gauge my reaction. Did they feel joy in giving me a heart attack? But guessing my Mr. Kaiba's exhaustion that night when he returned with Mokuba safely in tow, it was a real emergency, one that had been taken care of effectively. Still, it took all my control not to rush to the boy and check him over for any injuries; I had to clench my hands on the arms of my seat and hold myself in place to keep from getting up.
As I sat up in bed that morning, I passed a hand over my face. Today was a special day, a day I'd both anticipated and dreaded, one I'd marked on my calendar and counted down the days to. Finally, it was here. December 18th.
I was finally 20.
I shifted my blue curtain out of my way to gaze out the window at the falling snow. The fluffy white flakes had started sometime yesterday and had continued into the night. Now there was a good two feet of snow. And oh, look, there was my dad, shovelling the walk. I smiled and got dressed, figuring I'd go down and make a nice hot pot of coffee for the poor guy.
Just as I plucked the steaming pot off the maker, he stormed into the room, stomping his snow-encrusted boots on the linoleum floor and unzipping his heavy jacket. His face, puckered from the cold, melted and softened at the sight of me and he came over and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Hey, Leelee. Happy birthday, baby girl," he smiled.
I shivered at the contact of his frozen lips on my once-warm skin. "You're freezing, Dad," I said, pouring him some coffee, "Take off that wet coat before you get sick."
He guffawed and did as I told him. "Thought I was supposed to be the one treating you. You're too good to this old man." I took the coat from him and hung it up in the laundry room to dry as best a snow-soaked coat could. I guess "thaw" would be a more appropriate word to use...
"That's because I love this 'old man'," I rolled my eyes. I put his coffee cup in front of him and went to grab a mug for myself. He took the time to look over my outfit.
"You're going in to work?"
"Uh, yeah." I took a tentative sip and stared at him. "I'm scheduled today. It's kinda what I do. Go in to work..."
He stared at me, exasperated. "Leena, it's your birthday."
"That doesn't mean I take the day off just because I'm another year older," I laughed. I watched him reach for the phone and my smile because a confused frown as my eyebrows furrowed. "What are you doing?"
"What's it look like?" He smiled, "I'm calling that boss of yours and telling him you ain't going in." He started to dial and I lunged for the phone. When I was younger and smaller, he would always win this battle, but for once, I successfully pried it out of his grip and hung it up before the second ring.
"Dad, don't do that! You'll get me fired!" I scolded.
"Leelee," he reasoned, "You work so hard all the damn time. When was the last time you got the day off? When you were sick, that's when. Besides, that boss of yours seems nice enough to you; I'm sure he'll let it slide." He gave me those eyes that used to get to my mom all the time, but I wouldn't budge. "C'mon, hon', I didn't get to spoil you last year."
I smiled, softly. "You spoil me all the time, Dad," I told him. While it was true he was once a battle-hardened Marine, he still had a soft spot for his daughter. No matter how stubborn and crotchety he ever got, I knew I would always be Daddy's girl.
I glanced down and watched him rub his leg and became concerned. "Dad, I don't think you should be shovelling the snow anymore. Not with your leg."
Stubborn as ever, he gave me that stare that told me he was trying to mask the pain and be a man. "It's just achy, Leena. It's nothing."
"Still, I'm concerned for you."
"Bah! Don't be. Ain't nothin' gonna bring this tank down." He winked at me and I smiled in return, but I still wasn't convinced. He'd been wounded in battle and came home with a permanent limp. Sometimes, when he went in to work at the Domino City Junkyard, he would come back with pain in his leg. Once, his leg gave out while he was cutting something and he ended up with a good slice in his hand, and when I'd told him to stop doing such rigorous work, he'd blamed it on the rain giving him a cramp. Mom and I worried about him all the time, but he would always tell us that nothing could ever bring him down when he had his two favorite girls to protect back at home.
It made me scared thinking about it; now that Mom was gone, was he getting weaker? He couldn't be, he was still young at 53...
I shook my head to clear those thoughts from my mind. I didn't need to be thinking about mortality today. Today was my birthday, and I was determined to have a good day, regardless of work or not. "We can celebrate when I get home, Dad, but right now, I have to get going." I checked my watch and made for the door.
He lifted his arms. "Hey, you're going to leave an old man hanging like that? Ungrateful daughter... doesn't love her 'Pa..." he grumbled, sarcastically. I bounded back over and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, telling him I'd be back around four or five depending on how busy it was. Grabbing my keys from the hook by the door, I started out to my Nissan and carefully made my way to Kaiba Corp.
~*K.C.*~
Nami greeted me in the lobby with a bright smile and some birthday well-wishes. I was so glad that Mokuba had convinced his brother to give her back her job. She was a face I never got tired to seeing every day. Thanking her and Keisuke, the Kaiba Corp. security guard, who always had a bright smile upon seeing me every day, I made my way up my to office.
However, when I got up there, my chair was swivelled around with its back facing me. That was really strange, seeing as I always left it scooted in under the desk, and when I would come in, I'd pull it back and sit down as I started my work. I silently creeped up to it and reached out to turn it around when it swivelled around so fast, scaring the crap out of me so bad that I jumped.
"Happy birthday, Leena!" Mokuba cheered, slumped in my seat with a big grin on his face. I put my hand over my heart to show him just how badly I'd jumped and gave a shaky laugh.
"Kid, you just took ten years off my life," I said, but his grin never faded. Resting my hands on my hips, I stared at the younger Kaiba with a raised eyebrow. "How'd you know it was my birthday today? Who told you?"
The dark-haired boy tapped his noggin' with his finger and said, "I have the memory of an elephant." His grin became toothy and he squinted his eyes shut as he added, "Plus, Nami made sure to tell everybody who came in."
I sighed. No wonder all the people I passed by today gave me well-wishes. Nami was Kaiba Corp's notorious gossip, and always made sure if someone's business was utterly important, everyone would know by the end of the day. I reached over and pushed the swivel chair around and around while the young boy clung to it, laughing, thus making me erupt into laughter at his joy. When he was thoroughly spun and dizzy, I stopped it and he hopped off, tottering for a second before he made his way to his brother's office.
I was just sitting down when Mr. Kaiba came out and leaned against the doorframe with an aloof expression. "What are you doing here, Leena?"
I paused, looking at my desk, then back at him. "Working?" It came out as a question more than an answer. Why did I have a sinking feeling in my stomach? Why did he have to know it was my birthday today? Why couldn't I just have a normal day at work, content to be close to him for the day?
He shook his head. "Not today."
"But I'm scheduled..."
"I'm giving you a holiday off."
I bit my lip, my mind racing. This was Dad's fault. I was sure of it. I narrowed my eyes at him. "My Dad bribed you, didn't he?"
Smirking, he came closer and leaned across my desk, getting right into my face. "Is it so hard to believe I'm nice enough to give you your birthday off?"
"Yes."
His smirk deepened. "My reputation precedes me yet again." Opening his eyes, he straightened and made for the coffee pot. "Go home, Leena. Take the day off."
Sighing, I whined softly. "Why?" I flapped my arms at my sides. "I'm already here. I'm already clocked in. Do I have to go home?"
My boss raised an eyebrow at me. Sure, I was acting immature, but if I really thought about it, I could technically make the excuse that I just wasted gas on coming here, thus giving me reason to stay at work. "You don't want a day off? Any other employee would kill to be in your shoes right now, Leena."
"You wouldn't give any other employee this sort of treatment, if I may be so bold as to say, sir," I pointed out.
He pursed his lips in thought. "I suppose not. Then again," he smirked, "None of the others make me coffee every morning to help me get through my day. Consider it a bonus for helping me in that sense." He sighed. "Really, Leena. Today's going to be slow anyway. Go home and enjoy some time with your family. I'll see you bright and early for work tomorrow." He strolled back to his office before I could respond.
From the doorway, Mokuba's grin just widened more and more. "Can't ignore an order from the boss, Leena!"
I exhaled a puff of air that stirred a few strands of hair and gave a soft, wry smile. "I guess not. Darn you brothers and your authority." Standing, I grabbed my stuff and made my way to the office door, peeking in and seeing Mr. Kaiba already browsing through his laptop. I cleared my throat and he looked up. "Thank you, Mr. Kaiba. I'll see you tomorrow."
With a nod, he went back to his work. I turned and went to leave when I heard a soft "Have a nice birthday, Leena." It made me pause and turn to look back at him, but he was bent to his task. I glanced at Mokuba, who shrugged and escorted me to the elevator.
Well, I thought, at least Dad would be happy to know I got the day off in the end.
Ugh, this was the suckiest chapter that ever did suck... I feel like this was the epic OOC-Kaibaness that was bound to happen... But, I digress... Happy birthday, Leena! Please review and let me know what you think. ^^; I want to cry... this was so bad...