Chapter Twenty – Nightfall

Kaiba stifled a yawn as he stretched his limbs and blinked a few times, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight streaming in the window of Serena's bedroom. He smirked as he looked at her sleeping figure beside him, peaceful and serene. Like a calm before a storm.

~*~*~*~*~

"You need to sleep Serena, tomorrow is the duel. You too Kaiba," Yugi said almost commandingly, the moment the two walked in the door to the apartment.

Serena laughed and smiled at her close friend. "I know Yugi," she said simply, walking past him and heading for her room. "Going to sleep right now. Goodnight Yugi, Téa."

Kaiba smirked and followed her to her room. "She's lucky to have friends who care," he said quietly, before closing the door behind him, leaving Yugi and Téa looking at each other with wonder.

"Seto," he heard his name being called out once he had finally settled himself beside Serena on her bed.

"Hmm?" he questioned, turning his body to face hers, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight flowing in through the window.

"I umm…I just wanted you to know that…I had a wonderful time at dinner. And umm…well, I think you should know that…I think I lo—"

A loud crash interrupted Serena and startled her, causing her to jump slightly. 'What was that?' both she and Kaiba asked in the silence of their minds.

"It's okay, everything is under control!" they heard Téa yell from kitchen. "Just a broken glass!"

'How can I tell him what I was about to tell him? I know he's fighting for my life tomorrow and that I have to let him and trust in him but…what if he really only cares about me to a minimum and is just confused…' Serena's thoughts trailed off, tears threatening to spill from the wells hidden within her eyes.

"Serena?" Kaiba's voice was deep and husky and he looked deep into her soul, his eyes searching for the source of the stray tear descending down her face.

"It's nothing…just something in my eye," she lied, brushing it away.

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm…not."

"I've dealt with people long enough to know when I'm being lied to or not. So just tell me the truth." Kaiba voice was strong and cold, but his heart ached when he realized he may be the source for that tear.

"Do you think you could ever…love someone?"

Kaiba blinked. 'I was not expecting that.' He swallowed hard and looked away. 'Why is she asking me this?'

"Forget it."

"No…I mean, I love my brother. But if you mean…what I know you mean…then…I…" his voice trailed off, unsure how to finish it. But the look on Serena's face told him she already understood.

"Goodnight Seto," she whispered, turning around and closing her eyes, hearing a mumble in reply.

Kaiba laid there in the darkness, his mind still contemplating her question. "Do you think you could ever…love someone?" she had asked him, and he still wasn't sure. 'I don't know. The first question to leave me wondering is one of sentiments! Do I love her? I don't know.'

Even though he was so sure he didn't know the answer, deep within his heart, he knew he cared deeply for Serena. Love her? Quite possibly. Able to admit it? Only Kaiba could answer that one.

Slowly, he pulled her close to him and closed his eyes, listening to the rhythmic beating of her heart, playing to him like a mother's lullaby.

~*~*~*~*~

Serena squinted her eyes and closed them again, trying to fall back asleep. He's watching me… Mumbling, she slowly turned over and glared at Kaiba who looked back at her, trying his best to give her the impression of innocence. "A girl can't get beauty sleep when she's being watched," she muttered.

"Who says she isn't beautiful?" Kaiba replied, frowning slightly.

"The clock," Serena mumbled, pulling her pillow over her head to try and block Kaiba's eyes.

"The clock is wrong," he whispered, kissing her cheek as he pulled the pillow away.

Serena didn't reply or respond. She was too busy remembering what she had almost told him the night before. Slowly, she finally turned over and soon found herself pinned between Kaiba's arms. His eyes held a playful look in them, something Serena had never seen before.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure you don't run," he replied, leaning his face down and planting a gentle kiss on her nose.

"Who says I'm running?" she questioned, slipping her arms around Kaiba's neck and pulling his face down towards hers, submitting herself to his kisses.

~*~*~*~*~

"What do ya think they're doin' in there?" Joey asked, hearing Serena's laughter float through the door to the living room.

"Laughing," Tristan replied.

Téa rolled her eyes and sighed. Serena and Kaiba's laughter had been ongoing for the past seven minutes and everyone's curiosity was rising. What could they be doing? And Kaiba, laughing?

The five of them soon heard a door open and turned their heads, only to see Kaiba walking out of the room with Serena in his arms, giggles escaping her lips.

"What were ya two doin' in there?" Joey blurted out, his brows raised in question.

Serena laughed as Kaiba placed her in a chair, heat rising to her face. I didn't know everyone was here. Well, I suppose we should explain. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kaiba beat her to it.

"Nothing concerning you Wheeler," he said coolly, seating himself beside Serena.

He didn't call me dog, mutt—

"Seto has something he wants to say," Serena said innocently, batting her eyes at Kaiba whose face turned a shade of crimson from embarrassment.

I can't believe I really have to say this. He growled quietly and turned to face Serena's friends.

They'll find out sooner or later Seto, you can't hide it from them forever. And if you don't tell them now, I will tell them how flirtatious you are. Serena smirked at Kaiba, ignoring his glare.

"I just…want to t-t-t-thank," he stuttered, wincing at saying the word to Yugi and his friends, "you all for standing behind me in the duel tonight." He narrowed his eyes and frowned, a taste of disgust in his mouth from saying those words.

The first step to making friends. Give them a chance for once Seto.

"You're fightin' for Serena, 'course we'll stand behind ya!" Joey yelled out, a wide grin spread across his face. She's got him wrapped 'round her finger!

Not that far Joey, Serena chuckled, scooting closer to Kaiba.

"You're welcome Kaiba," Yugi replied, his innocent smile intact.

"Friends always look out for each other Kaiba. Even if you aren't exactly our friend, we still care," Téa replied quietly, her eyes avoiding Kaiba's stony gaze. But as soon as she made eye contact with him, she would have sworn to herself that his eyes were warm and accepting, had it been anyone other than Kaiba.