A/N: Does anyone realize how hard it is to write in first person? I have to erase all my 'she's' and stuff, hope I got them all…so yeah, sometimes the dialogue in this chapter just wanders all over the place, but the story is being told through Serenity (or whoever's POV, I've got to switch it up to make it more interesting to me as well as you people), so even if she's not talking, or thinking, text-wise, it's still basically her voice. I mean, unless she's in a conversation with someone, then it would be their voice. Technically. Yeah.

Also, I was very pleased with the reception of the last chapter; tons of hits came pouring in. Yet, only a few took the time to comment. Please leave constructive criticism, I want to hear what everyone thinks!

Fire and Ice

By Sakura Takanouchi

Chapter 11

Here it was. Proof that Seto Kaiba actually listens to people. I eyed the sunflowers, a smile spreading across my face. Before I could get out of bed to admire the flowers more closely, the double doors swung open, and Seto strode in, closing them behind him.

"Good morning!" I called as he came in. His hair was disheveled and he was still clad in navy blue pajama pants, with a matching robe. Here it was, mid-morning already. And I thought he was a morning person. I eyed him curiously; with almost an unspoken question. 'What are you doing here?'

"This is my room, in case you forgot" was his answer to my puzzled look, quickly moving to the large armoire in the corner of the room. "My clothes are in here."

"Oh! Right," I replied, watching him select clothing from the giant piece of furniture. Noticing his state made me aware of mine. I was still wearing that sundress from yesterday, where it came from I'll never know, and now it was dirty, wrinkled, and definitely unfit for a sick person to be wearing. "Umm…Seto?" He looked at me, annoyed, clothing slung over one arm.

"Could you bring me my schoolbag please?" I asked.

"Get it yourself. You know where it is," came the curt reply.

"What is it you said? 'You're not moving until you feel better,'" I tried in my best Kaiba impersonation.

"You look fine from here."

"Glad you think so," I said, knowing it would aggravate him. Now can you bring me my schoolbag so I can have something else to wear, pleeease?"

Seto growled under his breath. I heard a barely audible "Fine…" and before I knew it, he was out of the room, scaling the steps to get to the bedroom I had used the other day. I sighed. A minute later, the doors opened again and in came Seto, throwing a bag at me. It fell on the bed beside me. I dug through the bag eagerly, pulling out my school uniform, ignoring Seto's remarks of "are you happy now..?" We each took up the clothing in our arms at the same moment. Glancing at each other, we held the same idea in our minds.

"This is my room!"

"Get out!"

"Make me!"

"I need to change!"

"So I don't?"

"If you don't leave I'm just going to start changing right now." He started to tug at his robe, loosening it and revealing a matching navy t-shirt.

"Kaiba! You jerk!" I fumed, sliding from the bed, grabbing my uniform, and heading to the adjoining bathroom. After closing—and locking—the door behind me, I stopped for a moment in awe. This place is bigger than his bedroom! Black marble floors contrasted beautifully with granite countertops and chrome accessories. Did he design it all himself, or did he hire people to do it for him? 'Grrr…, stupid Kaiba.' I angrily pulled on my uniform, carefully hanging the sundress on a wall hook. I barged out of the bathroom, ready to tell him off-

I stopped, speechless, all thoughts of a verbal battle out the proverbial window. Seto looked up at me, apparently forgetting that I had left. He had changed into khaki slacks, and was reaching for a signature white button down. He noticed my gaze, and I felt my cheeks heat up. Damn that fever.

Seto smirked. "Like what you see?" he taunted. "Good thing we didn't auction you off as our culture festival event," I quipped. But in truth, he didn't look half bad. Boy was he toned…he obviously deserved all the attention he got in gym class. His already messy hair fluttered in the gentle breeze that was cascading about the room. He turned around, grabbing the shirt off of the hanger. Oh, now I got to see his back…

"Quit it."

"Quit what?" I asked innocently, moving to the bed to rummage through my schoolbag, if just for something to do.

"Quit staring at me." Argh. I couldn't see the mirror on the inside of the armoire. There must be one there. That was the only explanation.

"I wasn't staring." 'Rummage deeper, rummage deeper…'

"Then what do you call what you were just doing? Staring, at me, with that vacant expression. Well?" He shrugged into the shirt, but leaving it unbuttoned.

'Gah, Serenity, snap out of it!' "I was…I was looking out of the window, or at least trying, but you got in the way." 'Yeah, he'll believe that. Tch, yeah right. I don't believe it and I'm the one saying it.' I saw Seto do a slight double-take. 'I just indirectly called him fat…move, you're blocking my view? How lame is that?' I prepared to look at him defiantly, but he had already turned around, towards the window that he was, em…blocking…

"Oh, that's too bad." I could practically feel the sarcasm that accompanied his words. "Then why don't you just…come closer?"

Huh?

"That's what you wanted, wasn't it?" I could hear it in his voice, egging me on. Well, I sure wasn't going to be the one to back down. Leaving my bag, I walked slowly towards the window, meeting Seto Kaiba's steady gaze with one of my own. He turned, reaching for a pair of socks from the armoire. Where was that mirror? Don't tell me he called my bluff that easily.

"An unobstructed view..?"

'Of you?' Serenity, get your head out of the gutter! I averted my gaze, looking out of the open window. The acreage was beyond belief, sprawling almost as far as the eye could see. Countless places to wander, where one could easily get lost…The curtains fluttered again in the breeze. Against my will, I shivered. Not unnoticed by Kaiba, he had found his moment, and fully intended to take advantage of it.

"You don't want to be chilled," he whispered, and I could feel his breath on the back of my neck, his hands on my shoulders, gently massaging. Shivers became goose bumps too quickly. I thought I detected a faint chuckle; it sounded almost like a purr. "I'll warm you up…"

Good gravy. Where the hell was this coming from? If he came any closer to me, I was going to get pushed out of the window. And he still hadn't buttoned that shirt up! This was maddening… And more, what was the reason behind all this? I was sick; it was common sense that he shouldn't get that close to me. So why was I so concerned…about his concern? This was too confusing! I drummed my fingers on the windowsill, but soon they, too, were covered by Kaiba's larger, stronger hands. The linen cuffs of his shirt were also left unbuttoned, brushing against my fingers, gently obscuring my hand from my own sight.

Come on, Serenity. Are you going to let him control you like this? 'Yes… no! Battle plan…you got yourself into this, you can think yourself out. He started this, but you are more than capable of finishing it…' My, this should be interesting.

Well, two can play at this game. I smiled satisfactorily, phrases already beginning to form in my mind. He may have a hold on me, but he's got no hold over me. "You just won't rest, will you…" I replied, almost as softly as he, wishing I had a camera as the bomb dropped.

"You just won't rest until I'm out of here."

Kaiba was left holding nothing but air. I had lulled him into a false sense of security, and then ducked out of his embrace. Check, Kaiba. It's your move now. He turned around, his reaction a touch delayed. "I knew it: you just can't wait until I'm gone, can you? Trying to speed up my recovery. So eager to have this room to yourself…" I drawled, feeling the cold eyes of the CEO drawn towards my movement.

"I quite agree. You've shaken things up around here." He caught on fast, but not fast enough for this game. He was flustered, or as flustered as he'd ever be, and he had left himself wide open.

"So you agree to take me home after lunch?" I called, slinking out of the room, purposefully leaving my bag lying on Seto's bed. Checkmate.

She didn't know it, but Seto was staring at her retreating figure, baffled. What was that all about? She was playing him the whole time! Well, he couldn't complain, because he had been playing her too…

"So close…I almost had you." He then looked over and saw the satchel. 'Nice move, Wheeler.'

He didn't know it, but as I closed the double doors behind me, I let out a (silent) whoop and punched the air. 'Yeah! I so schooled him…just try and resist me now, Seto Kaiba.' I checked my watch, noting the time. My stomach growled in anticipation.

Mokuba's POV

So, I was officially scared, and lunch had barely even started. It was as if both my brother and Serenity had decided to use every opportunity to verbally assault the other. At first it was funny, watching them match wits over soup and salad. But it got obvious pretty fast that they both knew how to throw punches, as well as take them. The worst part was that all of this was being done with smiles, Seto's his characteristic smirk, and Serenity's a confident grin. They…enjoyed this? Is this what happens when you go to High School? They were interrupting a perfectly good lunch, but I felt like if I got involved, they would both turn on me. But if I heard anything starting with "Your momma so fat-", I was going to lose the lunch I was currently eating. "Huh?"

"Come back to us, Mokuba. I asked you to pass the salt."

I eyed the small pewter accessory. "It's closer to Serenity, ask her to get it."

"Weren't you listening earlier? I asked her to hand it to me five minutes ago."

Now she joined in the fight. "Obviously he wasn't listening; he didn't hear you asking him to pass the salt." Oh joyous.

" Maybe he wasn't listening because you were talking!"

"What do you even need the salt for anyways?"

We all paused, to survey the contents of the meal. I hid a laugh by quickly spooning soup into my mouth. I wished he'd reply. Pepper on salad was defendable, but salt on anything being served here was pointless.

I stared down into an empty bowl. They seemed done eating, too. "Now, are we all done proving our intelligence?"

"Wit," they both replied in unison. I raised an eyebrow.

"The presence of intelligence is obvious, well—in at least one of us," Seto explained.

"Oh, don't exclude yourself," Serenity shot back. She still looked surprised at their unison correction, her eyes opening and closing, slowly.

"So you admit to my intelligence?"

Gosh this was getting out of hand. I've had more than enough of this. My chair squeaked against the floor as I stood up.

"O-kaay," I shrugged. "Well, your, um… wit is practically choking me, so I'm going to finish my homework." I turned back just before crossing the threshold. "Come back soon, okay, Serenity?" 'Like he'd let her stay any longer. They would destroy this house, just to get a rise out of the other. Jeesh. I'll rue the day I ever meet a girl…'

Normal POV

I watched Mokuba's hair swish behind him as he retreated from view. I couldn't resist one last try. I picked up the small metal object. "Here's your salt."

He sat in his chair, momentarily dazed. I heard the squeak of wood on wood, his chair sliding back as he stood up. "Why are you so eager to try my patience?"

We couldn't have an argument on two different levels. I stood up, matching his gaze. I couldn't tell if he were mad, irritated, or amused. Maybe it was all a façade…

"Why did you say wit?" The words escaped my mouth involuntarily. The trademark Kaiba smirk was fixed on me again. He took one step towards me. "I thought it was obvious."

"You didn't answer my question." I returned his gaze defiantly. I felt my body move almost of its own accord.

"You didn't answer mine." The gap had closed between us now. He towered above me, the top of my head just reaching under his chin. I could feel his breath on my ear. I was almost afraid to look up, afraid that if I took one look into his azure eyes, that everything would be gone. I felt strong arms wrap around me, keeping me from…running away? Like hell I was, I wasn't going anywhere until I got some answers.

His breath tickled. If I looked him in the eyes, I was afraid my confusion might betray me. "Why are you doing this? Playing with my emotions like it's a game."

"No matter the game, you know I'll always win." His countenance matched his serious tone. What have I gotten myself into?

My breath caught in my throat. "And what's the prize?"

Seto's POV

"No matter the game, you know I'll always win." I was enjoying this too much. Her eyes were as wide as they'd ever been, capturing all of the light in the room. A lazy smile was beginning to form across my face. My hands found a resting place on the small of her back. I wanted her as close to me as she could stand it.

I could feel her nervousness. We were so close, yet out in the open. I started my advance on her, but she willingly moved towards me. Her face reached to my neck, I could feel her breath hitch before she spoke. "And what's the prize?"

Her voice was so soft, it was maddening. What was I supposed to say? You're the prize…and what? Watch her melt? No, she'd probably slap me and run from the house. I needed a way to slowly draw her in. I wanted her to want me. And to do that, I would have to leave her wanting more.

"Serenity," I breathed, causing her to look up at me, tilting her neck up the required distance. When did my hands move to that neck? I felt the burn of her stare; she watched and waited, expectantly.

"Yes?" Our faces were only inches apart, perhaps less. How tempting it would be to kiss her; I hadn't since that afternoon in our gym teacher's office. But she was expecting it. Hmm. Maybe she would try to kiss me first. That would certainly be interesting. But she wasn't getting one now from me. Not quite yet. My thoughts drifted momentarily to this morning. It's time to turn the tables on you, Serenity. See how you liked it.

"It's time for that ride home you want so desperately," I whispered right into her ear. I released her and walked away, a knowing smirk on my face. Because before I broke away, I saw all that she had been hiding. Her cheeks tinged pink, her mouth trembling, and her eyes…she was disappointed.

Normal POV

Seto Kaiba, I hate you. You can be mean, insulting, and annoying. You can be selfish, confusing and irritating. So then why was I drawn to you like a magnet? When I wanted to run you held me back, when I wanted more (what was I thinking!), then you stopped. I wanted to run after you, if only to yell right in your face, 'What. Is. The. Deal!?'

I left the kitchen in a huff. It wasn't so much as that he was playing me, it was why. I wanted to know why I was so deserving of his interest- like I even wanted it! It just seemed somehow that the Fates have conspired to throw us together as often as possible. Would I mind so much…if he caught me?

I felt like my mind was playing tricks on me. Of course I would mind! I was independent, and keeping it that way. Why would I want to willingly spend time with someone I so clearly despise? Any thoughts I might have had regarding his physical attractiveness went out the window the instant he opened his mouth. Wait one second…I did not just think that. I needed to get out of this place. See what happens when I'm around him? I can't think straight.

My shoes announced my entrance into the foyer, their sounds against the floor echoing in the vastness of the space. I still couldn't get over how grand everything was. I noticed Seto lurking in a corner near the door, watching my approach. "I still can't get over this hall," I called out to him. "It's beautiful…" I didn't gawk, but just allowed my gaze to float to the ceiling, so many stories above us. My voice was magnified along with the sound my feet were making as I walked over to him.

"It's my home. Of course I would like to be surrounded by beauty at all times."

"So that's why you keep me around." He shot me a dark, penetrating look. I shrugged innocently.

"Here's your bag, Serenity. I made sure it was here, ready for your departure." Clever are we?

"Thank you for taking such great care of my…belongings." I faltered, this sounded bad. "And thank you for taking care of me when I was sick, and from rescuing me from that awful place…"

He smirked at me, reaching into my bag and pulling out my jacket. He held it open for me to put on. Was it just me, or did I feel his touch on my back, his hands on my neck, for just awhile longer than necessary?

"Then it seems, Serenity," the word rolling elegantly off of his tongue. I was surprised how well my name sounded coming from him. "You are quite in my debt."

"And how do I repay this debt?" I asked, hoping that he wouldn't make me do anything embarrassing. I couldn't put anything past him.

I heard my bag drop to the ground as Seto Kaiba reached out and pulled me towards him. I had barely a moment to react before he bent his head down and kissed me fiercely. Beyond my momentary surprise there was no struggle, there was no possibility that I would push him away. I closed my eyes and gave in to the kiss. Seto had one hand on my back and the other on my neck, simultaneously pulling me towards him from these two directions. I thought my feet would leave the ground, if but for a moment. My hands found a place running through his chestnut locks. I moaned softly; I didn't want the kiss to end. That was when it hit me- I was falling for him. I was attracted to both his body but also his mind. The thought of this frightened me terribly. Did I want to like him? Maybe not… It just happened. And I knew that I couldn't go back.

I broke the kiss reluctantly. We were both panting slightly. Seto looked at me through half-lidded eyes, returning my faint smile. "That's a start."

A/N:I hope everyone likes? I wrote that chapter basically as a response to all the comments due to the pace of their relationship. I got a lot of 'It's going too fast!' Don't worry; I'll stay the speed limit. I mean, it's taken this long (11chapters!) for Serenity to admit that she likes him. It may be confusing, so here's my take: Serenity is finally going to start admitting it to herself; Seto still thinks of this as a chase/challenge, not thinking at all about what would happen if the same were to happen to him. I feel like each of them has been going through life never being challenged, never having someone to unlock the potential in them. Hence romance! And tension! And awkward moments! It's coming, I swear. I know you people reading are probably like, 'aww, why is she leaving the house so soon?' but I've got to tie up all these loose ends happening in the plot. Then I can have fun re-crafting this story, making it my own again.

Last comment: this is the first chapter I've written that's longer than the first chapter. Is it helpful getting more meat in a chapter, or can I bring across what I'm saying in less words? I can't wait to start on the next chapter!

Sakura Takanouchi