"Hello, Turtle Game Shop," Yugi said into the phone.
"Yugi? Hey, it's Joey." Joey's voice came up on the phone.
"Who is it?" Yami mouthed to Yugi across the room, where he was
attempting to dust the cabinets of the game shop. "It's Joey." Yugi mouthed
back. "Oh, hi, Joey. What's up?"
"Yugi, is Téa over at your house?" Joey sounded anxious.
"No, why?" Yugi asked.
"Because I called her house, but her parents said she isn't at home.
Where do you think she could be in this snowstorm? It isn't safe to be
out."
Now Yugi was worried. "No, she isn't at my house," he told Joey. "Do
you think she's over at Tristan's?"
"Probably not, Tristan's here at my house."
"Téa's missing," Yugi informed Yami. "Do you think something happened
to her?" He asked, his brows furrowed with concern. Yami set down the
duster and walked over to Yugi, frowning.
"I don't know, Yug, that's why I called you." Joey sighed. "Listen,
bud, she's probably fine, but I was just wondering."
"What about Ryou's?" Yami told Yugi after thinking. "Ask Joey if he
called Ryou yet."
"Yeah, hey, Joey? Have you called Ryou yet? Maybe Téa's there."
"Are you kidding me, Yug?" Joey sounded like he just scowled. "With
Ryou's crazy Yami running around? I don't think so, unless Téa was
kidnapped there."
"Oh." Yugi racked his brain for somewhere where he thinks Téa would
be. He looked over at Yami, who apparently seems to be thinking. Suddenly,
Yami frowned. "What is it, Yami?" Yugi covered the mouthpiece and
whispered.
"I just have a thought," Yami turned his deep amethysts eyes toward
Yugi. "If Téa isn't at her house or any of our houses, then what if she's
at--" He hesitated. But Yugi persisted.
"At whose?"
"Kaiba's?"
"Maybe," Yugi replied doubtfully. "I'll call and ask later, but I
think it would be better not to mention this to Joey. Hey, Joey?"
"Yeah?"
"I've got to go, I'll call you as soon I hear from Téa, okay?"
"Fine with me, Yug."
"Kaiba? Kaiba?" Kaiba jolted back to reality with a jerk. "What?!" He snapped, turning around from Arielle's bed. Téa stood behind him, holding out a steaming cup. She took a step back from Kaiba's outburst and the cup in her hands tottered. Kaiba's hand shot out, grabbing the mug before it slipped from her fingertips. "You've been sitting there for hours without moving," Téa sounded exasperated. "I just thought you might need a cup of coffee, don't need to react like that, jeez." Thanks to the skills of Téa and the devotion of her helper, Arielle grew easier about one, and all hoped that the worst was over. Téa had made a pot of coffee in the kitchen, for the young billionaire had forgotten to eat and drink since Arielle was ill. "Thanks." Kaiba turned back to the bed and took a long sip. The strong, steaming liquid cleared away the fog in his brain immediately and the fragrance of the coffee alerted his senses. "Were you sleepy?" She asked, coming closer from behind him. "No," He answered shortly, his eyes not leaving Arielle's face. Her face was burning and flaming on the surface, but Kaiba could see how pale it was underneath. "Then, what were you thinking about?" Téa was trying hard to get Kaiba's focus away from Arielle, but he wasn't making this easy. She knew that soon, soon, a sudden change could occur in Arielle's condition. It could get better.or worse. There's a fifty-fifty percent. Kaiba looked over the steaming cup of coffee over to Téa questionably. But he answered flatly, "New KaibaCorp technology. Prototypes. VirtualPods." "What--" She started, but than the deafening sound of the phone rang, making them both jump. "I'll get it," she said pushing Kaiba back down. She hurried down the hallway to the phone. "Hello, Kaiba resident." She said politely into the phone. "Téa?" To her shocking surprise, Yugi's voice came over the phone, sounding even more surprised than she felt. "Yugi? What are you doing, calling at this time of the night?" Téa couldn't hide her surprise. "Trying to find out where you've been and what are you up to." Yugi answered good-naturedly. "Hold on, Yami wants to talk to you." "Okay, put him on." "Téa?" Yami's deep voice came up. "Are you okay?" "Of course I'm okay," Téa replied. "It's a long story, but I'm just here because Arielle's got serious pneumonia and Kaiba called me for instructions." "Oh," she could hear Yami took a deep breath of relief. "You've got us all worried there. We thought something terrible has happened to you and you'd never know, but in this horrible weather, anything could happen." "Well, I'm fine." Téa assured. "But I'm probably going to be here until morning, what time is it now, anyway?" "It's three-quarters past three." He replied. "Yami, I've got to go now. I'll call you if there's any change in Arielle's conditions. But, Yami," she hesitated. "Arielle's not really well off." She finally said softly. She heard Yami sigh. "I could tell. Listen, do you best, Téa. Even though he would never admit it for his life, Kaiba's got a very soft spot for Arielle. Not minding you, I'm sure the rest of us do, too. If Arielle.well, if anything happens to Arielle, then we don't know what Kaiba would do. A person's still got their limits, Téa, no matter how tough and strong Kaiba really is, he could only stand so much." "Okay, Yami, I got you." Téa agreed. "Good-night, Yami." "Night, Téa." "Who was that?" Kaiba asked once Téa got back. "It was Yugi and Yami," Téa waved it off. "Kaiba," She continued in a gentler voice. "Why don't you let me take a turn, you must have a lot of things you need to catch up on, with school, Kaiba Corporation, and all." She bit her lips, hoping that Kaiba wouldn't blow up like last time. "If you insist," Kaiba's voice sounded bored and flat. "You can watch her for a moment, I've got something I have to do." "Okay." She willingly took the seat that Kaiba had just stood up from. She had to say, even though Kaiba was a jerk, he was attending to his duty faithfully. For the past hours, he changed a cold wash cloth every five minutes, nonstop. Though the little patient did not wake and showed no sign of consciousness as he held a cool towel against her forehead, but the lines of pain smoothed themselves away and left her face quiet and peaceful. Téa sat down, looking despondently at the feverish figure. There would be a change soon. "Oh, Arielle," She whispered, stroking the hot little hand. "You can't die. You just can't. I'll miss you, Yami and Yugi would miss you, and so would Tristan, Ryou, Mokuba, and Joey. And.Kaiba. So, you just can't die like this." As if she heard her, Arielle gave a little moan and a little toss. Inspired, Téa continued, "It can't end this way, Arielle, friendship goes beyond this, time goes beyond this, love goes beyond this!" Then Téa, overwhelmed, buried her face in her hands and unconsciously cried the exact same thing Kaiba had said only hours ago. "You can't die, Arielle! I won't let you! I refuse! I will not loose you!" Then, Téa looked up, tears still glistening on her cheeks, her sensitive senses sensing something in the air. She looked toward Arielle. She saw that Arielle's once even breathing had became short and uneven. Téa's heart quickened with Arielle's breath. It's now. The time is here. "Kaiba," she managed to utter out though it was only a whisper. Her throat had gone dry and there was such a huge lump in it that Téa was surprised the words managed to escape her throat. Then, loosing it all, Téa scrambled up, knocking over the chair, and stumbled to the door, collapsing on the doorframe. Working her throat, she finally screamed, grasping the wood frame, "KAIBA!!" Minutes ago, Kaiba was locked in his study, testing out his newest design of the VirtualPod, his long fingers typing away like a blur on the keyboard. He looked up when he thought he heard somebody say his name, but banished the thought as soon as it came up to his mind and continued working. Suddenly, he heard the loud scream of his name echoing through Kaiba Mansion that made his hairs stand up on its end and paralyzed him for a moment. Then, he shoved back his chair and jumped up, crashing out of his studio. His keen blue eyes immediately caught the sight of Téa grasping the doorframe of Arielle's room. He was taken back at the sight of her. Tears were running down her face, her clothes were a wrinkled mess, and her hair was ruffled. But what sent a freezing chill down his spine was Téa's face. Her face was a countenance of total desperation and pure devastation. Her arms reached out to Kaiba as if trying to draw near his confidence and comfort. Her knees were wobbly and she looked like she was about to collapse any second. In two long strides, Kaiba reached Téa's sides. He grabbed her trembling shoulders and shook her, forcing her to gather her acts together instantly. "Téa, look at me." He ordered roughly, demanding her full attention and focus. Téa's blue eyes soon focused on Kaiba. "What's wrong?" Kaiba watched as a still in shocked Téa trying to speak. Her mouth opened and closed, nevertheless no words came from it. However, the problem was soon obvious as a shaking finger pointed to the highly fevered figure lying on the bed. "The time.it's.here," Téa said hoarsely, following Kaiba to the bedside, trying to swallow the baseball sized lump in her throat. She and Kaiba stood silently on each side of the bed, watch Arielle's breathing. Téa was choking back a sob as Arielle's breath became faster and faster, more and more uneven. Kaiba's lips silently mouthed a prayer as he entwined his fingers with Arielle's, his eyes never leaving her face. "Come on, Arielle," he whispered inaudibly. "You can do this, you can pull through." Arielle breathed sharply for another second then.the breathing stopped. Téa gasped. Her voice was barely a whisper as she asked, "Is she.?" Kaiba leaned forward just as Arielle took a deep breath. Then another, and another. His blood was pumping so loud in his ears that he had no doubt Téa had heard it. He felt for Arielle's pulse as her deep breathing became easier and easier. Soon, she was in a heavy, restful sleep. Kaiba and Téa both took a shaky breath. The change had bettered Arielle's conditions, she's going to get better. "No," he murmured, half to himself, forgetting that Téa was in the room with him. "She's alive." Then, as if the news just sank in, he began talking incredulously to himself. "She's alive. She's going to get better. She's going to live." He turned around and the corner of his eyes caught sight of Mokuba standing against the doorway in his pajamas. "Big brother," his little brother's lips trembled. "Is Arielle.is she dead?" He finally blurted out. His expression was confused, shocked, and appropriately terrified. But he's a ten-year-old, he's allowed to be scared, Kaiba reasoned as he walked over to the shivering little figure and laid a hand on his shoulders. "Mokuba!" He chided softly, peering into the younger Kaiba's pale face. "You should be in bed. What are you doing up this time of the night?" Then, switching to a gentler voice, he said, "No, Arielle's going to okay. She's going to get well. You're going to catch a cold, Mokuba. Now, march back to bed right away." Without protesting, Mokuba drowsily followed his big brother back to his room. Kaiba stopped in the hallway to pick Mokuba up, since he noticed his little brother dragging on his feet and looked like he was asleep. "I love you, Seto," Mokuba murmured softly in his sleep as Kaiba laid him on the bed. Kaiba tucked him under the sheets and placed a feathery kiss on Mokuba's forehead. A lump formed in his throat as he straightened up and stared into his little brother's innocent face. "I love you, too. Night, little bro," he whispered benevolently as he left the room, where he little brother was already in the dream realm. "Téa, you should get some sleep as well. I'll take you back home tomorrow." Kaiba said softly but firmly. "I already have the guest room prepared for you." "Thanks, Kaiba." Téa didn't protest either. Kaiba looked at her. They looked like duplicates of each other. Dark circles ringing their eyes, which was misted with unshed tears. Fatigue lined their features and there was no doubt that they would all drop to sleep on their feet. "It's the room across from Mokuba's." Kaiba informed her softly as he crossed over to the bed again. He looked fondly at the little sleeping figure. So destiny had decided not to take her away this time, which was all good. For Seto Kaiba sure didn't mind having the kid around for a little bit longer. Not at all.
Around six in the morning, Kaiba got up quietly. He hadn't had the most peaceful sleep between this two-hour slumber, but it was simply too much to ask for him to stay in bed any longer. As quiet as possible, Kaiba slipped into his clothes and walked into his office, meanwhile checking on his little brother as he passed his room. In his office, he grabbed several softwares and the personal laptop that he had designed for himself. After gathering all the stuff he needs, he strode silently into Arielle's room, where he sat down on the large desk and began to work on a new program after his hologramed Dueling Disk, keeping an eye on Arielle at the same time. It was his life long dream to create the ultimate virtual adventure land. And he had spent years and years perfecting the prototypes. Kaiba worked without a sound under the growing morning light as the sun slowly began to come up. After working intently for about twenty minutes, he began to notice the tosses and turns on the bed behind him. He turned around when he thought he heard soft whispering, only to see Arielle, face heavily pained and strained in her sleep, tossing and turning restlessly. Kaiba got up and walked soundlessly over to the bed and laid a cool hand on the troubled girl's forehead. Perspiration poured off her temples as Kaiba stared knowingly into the anguished expression that he knew could only have came from a suffocating dream. Kaiba was turning around to walk back to his work when he heard Arielle's voice once again. He turned back. "Mommy," he heard the young girl whimper. "Please don't leave me. I promise I'll be good, just please, please don't leave me here. I want to be with you and Daddy. No, Mommy, please!" She tossed back and forth feverishly, though her distress wasn't from a fever. "Arielle," Kaiba whispered as he loomed over the bed and caught hold of one of her little hands, hoping to comfort her. "Kid, I'm right here--" "Seto," he heard her murmur next, though it was obvious that she had no acknowledge that he was right beside her. "Seto, please don't leave me. Please don't leave me like Mommy did. Please! I'll be good, I promise!" Her voice was getting louder and more desperate. Her other hand reached up from her as if to reach something. Probably me in her sleep, Kaiba thought as he caught the hand and brought it down. He tried to calm her down but Arielle was out of control and out of range to sooth in the depth of her dream realm. Her voice and body shook ungovernably as she cried and begged. "I'll be a good girl! Please don't send me away! Please!! I love you and Mokuba so much! Seto--!" Suddenly the angelic pair of sea green eyes popped open and stared deeply into Kaiba's. Then, without a warning, Arielle scampered out of bed and jumped into Kaiba's lap, diving into his embrace, throwing her arms around his neck. "Seto," she whimpered, burying her face in Kaiba's shoulders. Her arms hung on for dear life around his neck. "Are you ever going to leave me?" Without waiting for an answer, she hurried on. "Please, don't leave me. Don't leave me like Mommy and Daddy did. " Kaiba rocked the young soul back and forth as he thought about her question. Never a person to turn back on his words, Kaiba knew that it wasn't part of his plan to keep Arielle. "Kid," he gently chided instead. "You're going to catch a cold this way. You should be under the covers." He got up and attempted to put the little creature back to bed. "Now, Arielle," he said sternly when Arielle stubbornly refused to remove her grasp around Kaiba's neck as he laid her back in bed. "You're going to have to let go of my neck." "You're going to leave me." Arielle returned persistently. "You're going to leave me and you're never going to come back." "Arielle!" He looked at girl hanging off his neck exasperatedly. "I'm not going to leave you. I'm simply going to the kitchen to get you something to eat. You haven't eaten for more than a day! You want yourself to starve?" But inside, Kaiba knew that Arielle's trying to protect herself in her own childish way. She was hurt deeply once, and she's seeing it herself that it doesn't happen again without her doing all she could to prevent it. "I'm not hungry if you're going to leave to get it." The bottom of Arielle's lips stuck out stubbornly as she eyed him suspiciously. Kaiba knew that she knew she was being a nuisance, but that's the only way of protecting herself. "You're going to have to eat and I'm going to have to go get it!" Kaiba snapped. "Everybody else is asleep and we can't wake them." Moving swiftly and smoothly, Kaiba quickly dislodged her arms and covered her with the thick comforter. "Now, stay here. I'll be in the kitchen and I'll be right back." He said breezily as he slipped out of the door. He hoped that she wouldn't scream for him to come back. And she didn't. Kaiba rummaged around the kitchen for something healthy to eat that he could manage to fix by himself. Sure, he can cook and he passed Home Ec. with an A+, but he's just not ready to exhibit this new capability yet. "Hey, Seto." A familiar little voice made him cringe on the inside and whirl around on the outside. "Arielle!" He scolded as quietly as he could at the innocent little angel that was standing barefoot, dressed in thin pajamas, holding the cat, who barely managed to survive through Pneumonia last night, and who had obviously followed him downstairs in fear of him leaving her. "Didn't I tell you to stay in bed and keep warm? You're not quite out of the deep water yet, kid, and I don't want to repeat the same nightmare over for a second time, which next time, we both might not be this lucky!" He sighed, still trying to look austere at the girl lugging the longhaired cat around. "Sit down." He ordered as he hurried into the hallway closet for a blanket. He came back and wrapped the thick wool afghan securely around Arielle's shivering shoulders, despite of the hissing that Sugarcookie was making at his presence. He shook his head. "Since you're so stubborn and so afraid that I would leave you, you can stay here. Just, behave yourself while I fix up something for our breakfast." He instructed as he searched through the refrigerator. "You know," he added thoughtfully, more to himself. "Téa's probably going to be as mad as a scalded cat if she finds out that you're down here this early of the day." "She won't be up for hours." He heard Arielle sniff. "And don't talk about scalded cats in front of Sugarcookie. It upsets her." Kaiba made a face at the milk carton he had been staring at. As if sensing Kaiba's mocking, the cat airily fled from the kitchen. He had made a pot of coffee and was about to start on the eggs and bacon when a Téa bounced into the kitchen. She stopped dead in her tracks when she realized that she was not the first one up. She stared at Kaiba and Arielle. They stared right back, unsure of what to do. Then, she let out the loudest shriek that Kaiba has ever heard. "Seto Kaiba!" She exclaimed as she rushed over to the happily bundled up Arielle. "How can you do this!? How can you stand to wake Arielle up this early and make her sit down here in the cold?! Are you trying to kill her!?" Kaiba looked up from the carton of eggs over to Téa as if she was crazy. "I didn't--" He started, defending for himself, not to mention that he had tried his best to keep Arielle in bed when she was the one who disobeyed his orders and followed him. "And what do you suppose you're doing?" Téa was demanding, ignoring Kaiba's defiance and putting a protective arm around Arielle. "Making coffee." Kaiba responded with an eyebrow raised as if it was obvious, which it was, to him. He shook his head with disbelief. He doesn't know why this vicious little female was so excited over him making coffee at seven in the morning. Was she trying to take over his kitchen? "And breakfast," he added. "You're suppose to be in bed yourself!" Téa crossed her arms. "What are you trying to do to your body, Kaiba? You barely sleep each night, you don't eat, and between you little brother, your company, and your school work, you could be killing yourself! I don't know why you just don't oversleep and stay in bed late for just one day and stop acting like Mr. Tough-Guy- I'm-So-Cool-That-I-Don't-Sleep-Or-Eat. At least, if you aren't thinking about yourself, think about Arielle!" Kaiba blinked. He was left almost speechless from Téa's outburst. He never knew the little cheerleader would have any anger in her at all. His body stiffened at Téa's last accusion. "First of all," he snapped as he regained his position. "I did not wake Arielle up this early and I did not bring her down here. And second of all, this is still my house, my kitchen, and my rules. I can do whatever I want and that includes fixing coffee and breakfast at seven in the morning. And thirdly, why do you care?" "Because you're our friend, Kaiba." Was the soft answer he received. "I don't want to see you torturing yourself and your body this way. It's not healthy." "That part of my life is hardly your concern." Kaiba replied tensely. "Anyway, I'm fixing breakfast now and if you want any you'd better go wash up." He walked across the room to the counter and pressed a button of what seems like a microphone. He flicked several switches until he had adjusted the speaker. "Mokuba," he boomed into the intercom, which he had just modified to Mokuba's room. "Breakfast would be ready in fifteen minutes." "Okay, big brother." He heard Mokuba's sleepy little voice stifle a yawn as he replied through the intercom. Then, as if he was suddenly awake, Mokuba chirped cheerfully, "I'll be ready by the time breakfast is ready." "Okay, Mokuba!" Kaiba said, and to Téa's immense surprise, there was a small but warm smile on his face. She was too shocked to say anything. She'd seen Kaiba smirk, sneer, scowl, and scoff, but never a trace of smile appeared on his well-controlled jaws. "Oh, Téa?" Kaiba called to Téa, who was ready to walk out of the kitchen. "Yeah?" She turned back. "Would you mind bringing Arielle up and help her change?" Kaiba asked, uncomfortably. Favors and requests do not appear and slip easily from his tongue. "Your efforts would be well compensated." He added quickly, fixing her with a steady blue gaze. "Keep your compensation for those who asks for them, Kaiba." Téa replied good-naturally. "Come on, Arielle." "Coming." The little girl slipped off the chair and ran after Téa. Kaiba stared after Téa's disappearing figure and shook his head. He doesn't get her. A billion thoughts were going through his mind at the same time. No one's ever acted this way toward Kaiba before. The kids at school either feared him, respects him, or simply knew him as Seto Kaiba, the CEO of his own corporation. Any way, nobody's ever treated him like Téa and Yugi and their friends. They treated him like they were equal. Like Kaiba was just another kid. Kaiba brushed his silky bangs away from his eyes. He was another kid, yes, but he was a very different kid. Not at all normal like Yugi and his fan club. He sighed and began to fix breakfast, his hesitation about cooking was forgotten for the moment. He did notice, however, Sugarcookie strolling leisurely into the kitchen, took one look at the person standing in front of the stove, then turned around immediately and walked back out where she had just walked in. The cat still treated him the same, that's for sure. Like he was an imposter in his own house while she was the queen. As the bacons and eggs sizzled in the pan and the kitchen was filled with savoring smell of food cooking, Kaiba was deep in thought of his new VirtualPod for KaibaCorp. Now that all of his time was spent on taking care of the kids, he needs to concentrate more on designing his newest software.
"Hey, Seto!" Voices chirped behind him. Kaiba snapped out of his thoughts and ripped off the towel that he had used for an apron. "Morning." Kaiba turned to face Téa, Mokuba, and Arielle. He raised an eyebrow as he looked over the both of them. Mokuba and Arielle were certainly dressed fancy for another day at home. Mokuba had his usual wild mane of black hair combed and Arielle's mahogany hair was plaited into two perky pigtails. "Just what do you two have planned for today that I don't know about?" Téa looked over at Kaiba, who was leaned up against the wall looking at the kids with a stern look on his face. "Kaiba," She began pleasantly. "There's a church service today that I'm going to, I was hoping you and the kids would be able to join me." "I don't think--" He started, before he was interrupted by the phone. He grabbed the cordless and clicked it on. "Hello? Seto Kaiba speaking." He growled into the phone in his sternest voice. He listened for a bit, then hang up. "Sit down and eat your breakfasts." He waved them all over to the table, ignoring the curious stares. Kaiba Corporation had just called informing him that the snow was too deep in some places so if it's okay that the company members all have a day off. Now he had no excuse of not attending something that the kids seem to find fascinating. What is it about church and Christianity that lures people, placing in their hearts love and forgiveness instead of hatred and bitterness? If it can do that to all those other people, could it.could it just possibly unlock him from his own cage and remove the real him from behind his dark mask? Kaiba chewed his breakfast, silently pondering around the questions while flipping through the business page of the newspaper. KaibaCorp was doing well, he noted. He peeked over the paper as he heard the kids laughing heartily at something Téa said. He cleared his throat as he stood up. "Shouldn't it be time we leave?" He pointed out as he folded his papers into a neat stack. "Are you coming along with us, Kaiba?" Téa looked over with an astonished look in her eyes. "Don't trust the kids alone with you." Kaiba muttered an excuse under his breath, avoiding her piercing look. "Might get them lost or something." "Hurray!!" Mokuba and Arielle shouted as they danced dangerously around the kitchen table, grabbing stray silverware and dishes to clean up. Téa jumped up right after them. "Why don't you two go make your beds while I do the dishes and your big brother changes?" She offered quickly before shooing the kids out of the dining room. Kaiba walked up the stairs up to his room to change. Maybe.just maybe, he thought. Maybe this is the thing that would allow me to find myself. My real self from the inside. The true Seto Kaiba.
"Kaiba? Kaiba?" Kaiba jolted back to reality with a jerk. "What?!" He snapped, turning around from Arielle's bed. Téa stood behind him, holding out a steaming cup. She took a step back from Kaiba's outburst and the cup in her hands tottered. Kaiba's hand shot out, grabbing the mug before it slipped from her fingertips. "You've been sitting there for hours without moving," Téa sounded exasperated. "I just thought you might need a cup of coffee, don't need to react like that, jeez." Thanks to the skills of Téa and the devotion of her helper, Arielle grew easier about one, and all hoped that the worst was over. Téa had made a pot of coffee in the kitchen, for the young billionaire had forgotten to eat and drink since Arielle was ill. "Thanks." Kaiba turned back to the bed and took a long sip. The strong, steaming liquid cleared away the fog in his brain immediately and the fragrance of the coffee alerted his senses. "Were you sleepy?" She asked, coming closer from behind him. "No," He answered shortly, his eyes not leaving Arielle's face. Her face was burning and flaming on the surface, but Kaiba could see how pale it was underneath. "Then, what were you thinking about?" Téa was trying hard to get Kaiba's focus away from Arielle, but he wasn't making this easy. She knew that soon, soon, a sudden change could occur in Arielle's condition. It could get better.or worse. There's a fifty-fifty percent. Kaiba looked over the steaming cup of coffee over to Téa questionably. But he answered flatly, "New KaibaCorp technology. Prototypes. VirtualPods." "What--" She started, but than the deafening sound of the phone rang, making them both jump. "I'll get it," she said pushing Kaiba back down. She hurried down the hallway to the phone. "Hello, Kaiba resident." She said politely into the phone. "Téa?" To her shocking surprise, Yugi's voice came over the phone, sounding even more surprised than she felt. "Yugi? What are you doing, calling at this time of the night?" Téa couldn't hide her surprise. "Trying to find out where you've been and what are you up to." Yugi answered good-naturedly. "Hold on, Yami wants to talk to you." "Okay, put him on." "Téa?" Yami's deep voice came up. "Are you okay?" "Of course I'm okay," Téa replied. "It's a long story, but I'm just here because Arielle's got serious pneumonia and Kaiba called me for instructions." "Oh," she could hear Yami took a deep breath of relief. "You've got us all worried there. We thought something terrible has happened to you and you'd never know, but in this horrible weather, anything could happen." "Well, I'm fine." Téa assured. "But I'm probably going to be here until morning, what time is it now, anyway?" "It's three-quarters past three." He replied. "Yami, I've got to go now. I'll call you if there's any change in Arielle's conditions. But, Yami," she hesitated. "Arielle's not really well off." She finally said softly. She heard Yami sigh. "I could tell. Listen, do you best, Téa. Even though he would never admit it for his life, Kaiba's got a very soft spot for Arielle. Not minding you, I'm sure the rest of us do, too. If Arielle.well, if anything happens to Arielle, then we don't know what Kaiba would do. A person's still got their limits, Téa, no matter how tough and strong Kaiba really is, he could only stand so much." "Okay, Yami, I got you." Téa agreed. "Good-night, Yami." "Night, Téa." "Who was that?" Kaiba asked once Téa got back. "It was Yugi and Yami," Téa waved it off. "Kaiba," She continued in a gentler voice. "Why don't you let me take a turn, you must have a lot of things you need to catch up on, with school, Kaiba Corporation, and all." She bit her lips, hoping that Kaiba wouldn't blow up like last time. "If you insist," Kaiba's voice sounded bored and flat. "You can watch her for a moment, I've got something I have to do." "Okay." She willingly took the seat that Kaiba had just stood up from. She had to say, even though Kaiba was a jerk, he was attending to his duty faithfully. For the past hours, he changed a cold wash cloth every five minutes, nonstop. Though the little patient did not wake and showed no sign of consciousness as he held a cool towel against her forehead, but the lines of pain smoothed themselves away and left her face quiet and peaceful. Téa sat down, looking despondently at the feverish figure. There would be a change soon. "Oh, Arielle," She whispered, stroking the hot little hand. "You can't die. You just can't. I'll miss you, Yami and Yugi would miss you, and so would Tristan, Ryou, Mokuba, and Joey. And.Kaiba. So, you just can't die like this." As if she heard her, Arielle gave a little moan and a little toss. Inspired, Téa continued, "It can't end this way, Arielle, friendship goes beyond this, time goes beyond this, love goes beyond this!" Then Téa, overwhelmed, buried her face in her hands and unconsciously cried the exact same thing Kaiba had said only hours ago. "You can't die, Arielle! I won't let you! I refuse! I will not loose you!" Then, Téa looked up, tears still glistening on her cheeks, her sensitive senses sensing something in the air. She looked toward Arielle. She saw that Arielle's once even breathing had became short and uneven. Téa's heart quickened with Arielle's breath. It's now. The time is here. "Kaiba," she managed to utter out though it was only a whisper. Her throat had gone dry and there was such a huge lump in it that Téa was surprised the words managed to escape her throat. Then, loosing it all, Téa scrambled up, knocking over the chair, and stumbled to the door, collapsing on the doorframe. Working her throat, she finally screamed, grasping the wood frame, "KAIBA!!" Minutes ago, Kaiba was locked in his study, testing out his newest design of the VirtualPod, his long fingers typing away like a blur on the keyboard. He looked up when he thought he heard somebody say his name, but banished the thought as soon as it came up to his mind and continued working. Suddenly, he heard the loud scream of his name echoing through Kaiba Mansion that made his hairs stand up on its end and paralyzed him for a moment. Then, he shoved back his chair and jumped up, crashing out of his studio. His keen blue eyes immediately caught the sight of Téa grasping the doorframe of Arielle's room. He was taken back at the sight of her. Tears were running down her face, her clothes were a wrinkled mess, and her hair was ruffled. But what sent a freezing chill down his spine was Téa's face. Her face was a countenance of total desperation and pure devastation. Her arms reached out to Kaiba as if trying to draw near his confidence and comfort. Her knees were wobbly and she looked like she was about to collapse any second. In two long strides, Kaiba reached Téa's sides. He grabbed her trembling shoulders and shook her, forcing her to gather her acts together instantly. "Téa, look at me." He ordered roughly, demanding her full attention and focus. Téa's blue eyes soon focused on Kaiba. "What's wrong?" Kaiba watched as a still in shocked Téa trying to speak. Her mouth opened and closed, nevertheless no words came from it. However, the problem was soon obvious as a shaking finger pointed to the highly fevered figure lying on the bed. "The time.it's.here," Téa said hoarsely, following Kaiba to the bedside, trying to swallow the baseball sized lump in her throat. She and Kaiba stood silently on each side of the bed, watch Arielle's breathing. Téa was choking back a sob as Arielle's breath became faster and faster, more and more uneven. Kaiba's lips silently mouthed a prayer as he entwined his fingers with Arielle's, his eyes never leaving her face. "Come on, Arielle," he whispered inaudibly. "You can do this, you can pull through." Arielle breathed sharply for another second then.the breathing stopped. Téa gasped. Her voice was barely a whisper as she asked, "Is she.?" Kaiba leaned forward just as Arielle took a deep breath. Then another, and another. His blood was pumping so loud in his ears that he had no doubt Téa had heard it. He felt for Arielle's pulse as her deep breathing became easier and easier. Soon, she was in a heavy, restful sleep. Kaiba and Téa both took a shaky breath. The change had bettered Arielle's conditions, she's going to get better. "No," he murmured, half to himself, forgetting that Téa was in the room with him. "She's alive." Then, as if the news just sank in, he began talking incredulously to himself. "She's alive. She's going to get better. She's going to live." He turned around and the corner of his eyes caught sight of Mokuba standing against the doorway in his pajamas. "Big brother," his little brother's lips trembled. "Is Arielle.is she dead?" He finally blurted out. His expression was confused, shocked, and appropriately terrified. But he's a ten-year-old, he's allowed to be scared, Kaiba reasoned as he walked over to the shivering little figure and laid a hand on his shoulders. "Mokuba!" He chided softly, peering into the younger Kaiba's pale face. "You should be in bed. What are you doing up this time of the night?" Then, switching to a gentler voice, he said, "No, Arielle's going to okay. She's going to get well. You're going to catch a cold, Mokuba. Now, march back to bed right away." Without protesting, Mokuba drowsily followed his big brother back to his room. Kaiba stopped in the hallway to pick Mokuba up, since he noticed his little brother dragging on his feet and looked like he was asleep. "I love you, Seto," Mokuba murmured softly in his sleep as Kaiba laid him on the bed. Kaiba tucked him under the sheets and placed a feathery kiss on Mokuba's forehead. A lump formed in his throat as he straightened up and stared into his little brother's innocent face. "I love you, too. Night, little bro," he whispered benevolently as he left the room, where he little brother was already in the dream realm. "Téa, you should get some sleep as well. I'll take you back home tomorrow." Kaiba said softly but firmly. "I already have the guest room prepared for you." "Thanks, Kaiba." Téa didn't protest either. Kaiba looked at her. They looked like duplicates of each other. Dark circles ringing their eyes, which was misted with unshed tears. Fatigue lined their features and there was no doubt that they would all drop to sleep on their feet. "It's the room across from Mokuba's." Kaiba informed her softly as he crossed over to the bed again. He looked fondly at the little sleeping figure. So destiny had decided not to take her away this time, which was all good. For Seto Kaiba sure didn't mind having the kid around for a little bit longer. Not at all.
Around six in the morning, Kaiba got up quietly. He hadn't had the most peaceful sleep between this two-hour slumber, but it was simply too much to ask for him to stay in bed any longer. As quiet as possible, Kaiba slipped into his clothes and walked into his office, meanwhile checking on his little brother as he passed his room. In his office, he grabbed several softwares and the personal laptop that he had designed for himself. After gathering all the stuff he needs, he strode silently into Arielle's room, where he sat down on the large desk and began to work on a new program after his hologramed Dueling Disk, keeping an eye on Arielle at the same time. It was his life long dream to create the ultimate virtual adventure land. And he had spent years and years perfecting the prototypes. Kaiba worked without a sound under the growing morning light as the sun slowly began to come up. After working intently for about twenty minutes, he began to notice the tosses and turns on the bed behind him. He turned around when he thought he heard soft whispering, only to see Arielle, face heavily pained and strained in her sleep, tossing and turning restlessly. Kaiba got up and walked soundlessly over to the bed and laid a cool hand on the troubled girl's forehead. Perspiration poured off her temples as Kaiba stared knowingly into the anguished expression that he knew could only have came from a suffocating dream. Kaiba was turning around to walk back to his work when he heard Arielle's voice once again. He turned back. "Mommy," he heard the young girl whimper. "Please don't leave me. I promise I'll be good, just please, please don't leave me here. I want to be with you and Daddy. No, Mommy, please!" She tossed back and forth feverishly, though her distress wasn't from a fever. "Arielle," Kaiba whispered as he loomed over the bed and caught hold of one of her little hands, hoping to comfort her. "Kid, I'm right here--" "Seto," he heard her murmur next, though it was obvious that she had no acknowledge that he was right beside her. "Seto, please don't leave me. Please don't leave me like Mommy did. Please! I'll be good, I promise!" Her voice was getting louder and more desperate. Her other hand reached up from her as if to reach something. Probably me in her sleep, Kaiba thought as he caught the hand and brought it down. He tried to calm her down but Arielle was out of control and out of range to sooth in the depth of her dream realm. Her voice and body shook ungovernably as she cried and begged. "I'll be a good girl! Please don't send me away! Please!! I love you and Mokuba so much! Seto--!" Suddenly the angelic pair of sea green eyes popped open and stared deeply into Kaiba's. Then, without a warning, Arielle scampered out of bed and jumped into Kaiba's lap, diving into his embrace, throwing her arms around his neck. "Seto," she whimpered, burying her face in Kaiba's shoulders. Her arms hung on for dear life around his neck. "Are you ever going to leave me?" Without waiting for an answer, she hurried on. "Please, don't leave me. Don't leave me like Mommy and Daddy did. " Kaiba rocked the young soul back and forth as he thought about her question. Never a person to turn back on his words, Kaiba knew that it wasn't part of his plan to keep Arielle. "Kid," he gently chided instead. "You're going to catch a cold this way. You should be under the covers." He got up and attempted to put the little creature back to bed. "Now, Arielle," he said sternly when Arielle stubbornly refused to remove her grasp around Kaiba's neck as he laid her back in bed. "You're going to have to let go of my neck." "You're going to leave me." Arielle returned persistently. "You're going to leave me and you're never going to come back." "Arielle!" He looked at girl hanging off his neck exasperatedly. "I'm not going to leave you. I'm simply going to the kitchen to get you something to eat. You haven't eaten for more than a day! You want yourself to starve?" But inside, Kaiba knew that Arielle's trying to protect herself in her own childish way. She was hurt deeply once, and she's seeing it herself that it doesn't happen again without her doing all she could to prevent it. "I'm not hungry if you're going to leave to get it." The bottom of Arielle's lips stuck out stubbornly as she eyed him suspiciously. Kaiba knew that she knew she was being a nuisance, but that's the only way of protecting herself. "You're going to have to eat and I'm going to have to go get it!" Kaiba snapped. "Everybody else is asleep and we can't wake them." Moving swiftly and smoothly, Kaiba quickly dislodged her arms and covered her with the thick comforter. "Now, stay here. I'll be in the kitchen and I'll be right back." He said breezily as he slipped out of the door. He hoped that she wouldn't scream for him to come back. And she didn't. Kaiba rummaged around the kitchen for something healthy to eat that he could manage to fix by himself. Sure, he can cook and he passed Home Ec. with an A+, but he's just not ready to exhibit this new capability yet. "Hey, Seto." A familiar little voice made him cringe on the inside and whirl around on the outside. "Arielle!" He scolded as quietly as he could at the innocent little angel that was standing barefoot, dressed in thin pajamas, holding the cat, who barely managed to survive through Pneumonia last night, and who had obviously followed him downstairs in fear of him leaving her. "Didn't I tell you to stay in bed and keep warm? You're not quite out of the deep water yet, kid, and I don't want to repeat the same nightmare over for a second time, which next time, we both might not be this lucky!" He sighed, still trying to look austere at the girl lugging the longhaired cat around. "Sit down." He ordered as he hurried into the hallway closet for a blanket. He came back and wrapped the thick wool afghan securely around Arielle's shivering shoulders, despite of the hissing that Sugarcookie was making at his presence. He shook his head. "Since you're so stubborn and so afraid that I would leave you, you can stay here. Just, behave yourself while I fix up something for our breakfast." He instructed as he searched through the refrigerator. "You know," he added thoughtfully, more to himself. "Téa's probably going to be as mad as a scalded cat if she finds out that you're down here this early of the day." "She won't be up for hours." He heard Arielle sniff. "And don't talk about scalded cats in front of Sugarcookie. It upsets her." Kaiba made a face at the milk carton he had been staring at. As if sensing Kaiba's mocking, the cat airily fled from the kitchen. He had made a pot of coffee and was about to start on the eggs and bacon when a Téa bounced into the kitchen. She stopped dead in her tracks when she realized that she was not the first one up. She stared at Kaiba and Arielle. They stared right back, unsure of what to do. Then, she let out the loudest shriek that Kaiba has ever heard. "Seto Kaiba!" She exclaimed as she rushed over to the happily bundled up Arielle. "How can you do this!? How can you stand to wake Arielle up this early and make her sit down here in the cold?! Are you trying to kill her!?" Kaiba looked up from the carton of eggs over to Téa as if she was crazy. "I didn't--" He started, defending for himself, not to mention that he had tried his best to keep Arielle in bed when she was the one who disobeyed his orders and followed him. "And what do you suppose you're doing?" Téa was demanding, ignoring Kaiba's defiance and putting a protective arm around Arielle. "Making coffee." Kaiba responded with an eyebrow raised as if it was obvious, which it was, to him. He shook his head with disbelief. He doesn't know why this vicious little female was so excited over him making coffee at seven in the morning. Was she trying to take over his kitchen? "And breakfast," he added. "You're suppose to be in bed yourself!" Téa crossed her arms. "What are you trying to do to your body, Kaiba? You barely sleep each night, you don't eat, and between you little brother, your company, and your school work, you could be killing yourself! I don't know why you just don't oversleep and stay in bed late for just one day and stop acting like Mr. Tough-Guy- I'm-So-Cool-That-I-Don't-Sleep-Or-Eat. At least, if you aren't thinking about yourself, think about Arielle!" Kaiba blinked. He was left almost speechless from Téa's outburst. He never knew the little cheerleader would have any anger in her at all. His body stiffened at Téa's last accusion. "First of all," he snapped as he regained his position. "I did not wake Arielle up this early and I did not bring her down here. And second of all, this is still my house, my kitchen, and my rules. I can do whatever I want and that includes fixing coffee and breakfast at seven in the morning. And thirdly, why do you care?" "Because you're our friend, Kaiba." Was the soft answer he received. "I don't want to see you torturing yourself and your body this way. It's not healthy." "That part of my life is hardly your concern." Kaiba replied tensely. "Anyway, I'm fixing breakfast now and if you want any you'd better go wash up." He walked across the room to the counter and pressed a button of what seems like a microphone. He flicked several switches until he had adjusted the speaker. "Mokuba," he boomed into the intercom, which he had just modified to Mokuba's room. "Breakfast would be ready in fifteen minutes." "Okay, big brother." He heard Mokuba's sleepy little voice stifle a yawn as he replied through the intercom. Then, as if he was suddenly awake, Mokuba chirped cheerfully, "I'll be ready by the time breakfast is ready." "Okay, Mokuba!" Kaiba said, and to Téa's immense surprise, there was a small but warm smile on his face. She was too shocked to say anything. She'd seen Kaiba smirk, sneer, scowl, and scoff, but never a trace of smile appeared on his well-controlled jaws. "Oh, Téa?" Kaiba called to Téa, who was ready to walk out of the kitchen. "Yeah?" She turned back. "Would you mind bringing Arielle up and help her change?" Kaiba asked, uncomfortably. Favors and requests do not appear and slip easily from his tongue. "Your efforts would be well compensated." He added quickly, fixing her with a steady blue gaze. "Keep your compensation for those who asks for them, Kaiba." Téa replied good-naturally. "Come on, Arielle." "Coming." The little girl slipped off the chair and ran after Téa. Kaiba stared after Téa's disappearing figure and shook his head. He doesn't get her. A billion thoughts were going through his mind at the same time. No one's ever acted this way toward Kaiba before. The kids at school either feared him, respects him, or simply knew him as Seto Kaiba, the CEO of his own corporation. Any way, nobody's ever treated him like Téa and Yugi and their friends. They treated him like they were equal. Like Kaiba was just another kid. Kaiba brushed his silky bangs away from his eyes. He was another kid, yes, but he was a very different kid. Not at all normal like Yugi and his fan club. He sighed and began to fix breakfast, his hesitation about cooking was forgotten for the moment. He did notice, however, Sugarcookie strolling leisurely into the kitchen, took one look at the person standing in front of the stove, then turned around immediately and walked back out where she had just walked in. The cat still treated him the same, that's for sure. Like he was an imposter in his own house while she was the queen. As the bacons and eggs sizzled in the pan and the kitchen was filled with savoring smell of food cooking, Kaiba was deep in thought of his new VirtualPod for KaibaCorp. Now that all of his time was spent on taking care of the kids, he needs to concentrate more on designing his newest software.
"Hey, Seto!" Voices chirped behind him. Kaiba snapped out of his thoughts and ripped off the towel that he had used for an apron. "Morning." Kaiba turned to face Téa, Mokuba, and Arielle. He raised an eyebrow as he looked over the both of them. Mokuba and Arielle were certainly dressed fancy for another day at home. Mokuba had his usual wild mane of black hair combed and Arielle's mahogany hair was plaited into two perky pigtails. "Just what do you two have planned for today that I don't know about?" Téa looked over at Kaiba, who was leaned up against the wall looking at the kids with a stern look on his face. "Kaiba," She began pleasantly. "There's a church service today that I'm going to, I was hoping you and the kids would be able to join me." "I don't think--" He started, before he was interrupted by the phone. He grabbed the cordless and clicked it on. "Hello? Seto Kaiba speaking." He growled into the phone in his sternest voice. He listened for a bit, then hang up. "Sit down and eat your breakfasts." He waved them all over to the table, ignoring the curious stares. Kaiba Corporation had just called informing him that the snow was too deep in some places so if it's okay that the company members all have a day off. Now he had no excuse of not attending something that the kids seem to find fascinating. What is it about church and Christianity that lures people, placing in their hearts love and forgiveness instead of hatred and bitterness? If it can do that to all those other people, could it.could it just possibly unlock him from his own cage and remove the real him from behind his dark mask? Kaiba chewed his breakfast, silently pondering around the questions while flipping through the business page of the newspaper. KaibaCorp was doing well, he noted. He peeked over the paper as he heard the kids laughing heartily at something Téa said. He cleared his throat as he stood up. "Shouldn't it be time we leave?" He pointed out as he folded his papers into a neat stack. "Are you coming along with us, Kaiba?" Téa looked over with an astonished look in her eyes. "Don't trust the kids alone with you." Kaiba muttered an excuse under his breath, avoiding her piercing look. "Might get them lost or something." "Hurray!!" Mokuba and Arielle shouted as they danced dangerously around the kitchen table, grabbing stray silverware and dishes to clean up. Téa jumped up right after them. "Why don't you two go make your beds while I do the dishes and your big brother changes?" She offered quickly before shooing the kids out of the dining room. Kaiba walked up the stairs up to his room to change. Maybe.just maybe, he thought. Maybe this is the thing that would allow me to find myself. My real self from the inside. The true Seto Kaiba.