Nadina woke to the sun shining in her face and the birds chirping outside her window. She groaned and sat up, rubbing her head.

"Wha—" She looked around her surrounding and realized that she was back in her room at Kaiba Mansion. "My gosh, I had the strangest dream. And a splitting headache." She shook her head to clear her brain. "Wait, isn't today a school day? Why didn't Kaiba wake me? Why didn't I wake up?"

Groaning from the huge weight on her head, she stepped away from her bed and head for her bathroom before walking downstairs and entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Nadina," Kaiba was already seated at the dining table, sipping a cup of coffee. Though it was a school day, Kaiba seemed to be at ease. The white business shirt he's wearing was opened at the throat, leaving the first three buttons unbuttoned as he typed one-handedly on his laptop. Nadina lifted up a hand as greeting, too drained to return his greeting properly.

Kaiba's eyes followed her closely as he carefully folded his newspaper. Nadina opened every cupboard and pulled out every drawer, apparently looking for something. Kaiba watched her wordlessly, before drawling out,

"Are you looking for something?"

Nadina stumbled back out, "Yes, I was looking for—"

"Water. Aspirin." Kaiba motioned to the glass of water and the single tablet that was already set out on the table for her. She stared at the table, then collapsing down, looking tired.

"Oh my gosh, I'm having the worst headache in history." She moaned, after taking her pill and tilting her head backward.

Kaiba watched her, "You should be, after what you've been through last night."

"What happened last night?" She asked, setting down the glass of water that she had been gulping. Kaiba coughed and decided to shut off and close his laptop.

"Nothing much," he said sarcastically, facing Nadina. "After my lecture, you disappeared and it just so happens that six hours later I got a message from that dog Wheeler saying you were down at the bar, forcing that toxic pollution into your body." He stopped at the gasp and horrifying look on Nadina's face.

"You're kidding." She protested, leaning over and staring at Kaiba. "You're kidding." She repeated herself. Kaiba sighed.

"No, I'm not kidding. And after I got there, you have worked yourself into a rampage of tears and giggles at the same time. It was hard to drag you away without you screaming insanity."

"Oh my gosh…" She looked shocked. "You're not kidding." She said simply, as if realizing for the first time that Kaiba wasn't kidding. "Is that why you didn't wake me for school?"

"Partially." Kaiba nodded. "But the other part is that I have a meeting and a conference at KaibaCorp today and since I've been up most of the night because you were sick, I'm tired and I need to prepare."

"I'm so sorry…" she said softly, burying her face into the palms of her hand, looking truly ashamed of herself.

"Do you remember last night?"

"Vaguely." She looked up. "Did you pick me up last night?"

Kaiba sighed again. "Yes." A funny expression all of a sudden took over his face.

"Thanks for picking me up—what's wrong?" Nadina hoped it wasn't more bad news. The thought that she was drinking and actually got drunk, keeping Kaiba up most of the night was already terrorizing her.

Kaiba coughed and turned his face away, making a weird gesture with his fingers and avoiding her eyes.

"Kaiba?" The heiress leaned closer. "I'm not understanding you…"

"Your dress…" He coughed again and turned away, color slowing rising up to his face. Nadina looked down and gasped, before also twisting away, her face flushing pink. She had not realized that wisteria green ribbons that pulled her bodice together in a crisscrossed position was undone from Kaiba's doing last night. She jerked the ribbons together before turning back, blushing madly.

"I think I'll just…go make my bed." She muttered.

"Yeah, I need to prepare for my conference…" Kaiba avoided her gaze and stared at his laptop, biting his lips. For some hilarious reason—or it could be from Kaiba's expression—Nadina started giggling. The CEO's head snapped up and he looked at her sharply, but that only made Nadina laugh louder. Soon, Kaiba cracked a smile and began laughing along with her. Then they were laughing until tears were almost running down their faces.

"I-I think I-I'll just head o-over to m-m-my room." Nadina was still laughing.

"And before you go, I thought you might want to know that I'm going to be gone for a few days."

The news sobered Nadina down immediately. Her brain instantly was reminded of all the months that Marik had been gone. "Why?"

Kaiba shrugged. "Business."

That's exactly what Marik always say…

"—it'll only be a few days and I expect you to act your age and keep Mokuba on task." He smirked. "Fifteen now, huh?"

Nadina moaned, "Did I tell you that, too?"

"What's so bad about telling me?"

"Nothing." She sighed. "Good luck on your trip."

Good luck, huh? Kaiba thought thoughtfully. Well, I will need it, I'm sure…After all, seeing Marik again won't be tea party. Hey…speaking of party…

Thinking about that, Kaiba took out his cell phone and stared at it, pondering over whom to call. This was a little idea he had to keep Nadina busy while he took his little trip. His mind rotated upon all the different people in the group. Not any of the guys, they would have no idea on how to handle it, since he doesn't know better himself. Finally, his mind made up.

He cleared his throat as he dialed her number. The phone rang twice then a girl's cheerful voice picked up.

"Hello?" The feminine voice lined with politeness. "Gardner resident."

"I need a favor from you." Kaiba went straight to the point.

"Who is this?" Téa sounded confused. Mentally, she went through her mind all of her friends. This voice sounded nothing like neither Joey nor Yugi's. It slightly resembled Tristan's but was definitely not him. Duke? Maybe. Bakura? No. She decided that it was probably Duke, with a cold or going through voice change.

"Duke, is that—"

"This is Seto Kaiba." Kaiba's impatience was thinly hidden.

"Kaiba?" Téa's voice echoed from the phone.

"Yes."

"What can I do for you?" Téa's warm voice a minute ago cooled.

"I'm going to be gone for a few days. And it is to my understanding that you were present when Wheeler spotted Nadina in the bar."

"Yes, I was there."

"It was her birthday yesterday."

"Oh!"

Kaiba went on, "I hoped that you would do me the favor of hosting a party for Nadina on my behalf. Of course, everything well be paid for by me and you will also be well compensated."

"Save your compensation for those who asks for them." Téa said good-naturally. "Of course I'll host a party for Nadina. I will need some help with getting the supplies, though."

"Count that as done."

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning. I was hoping the party could be in the afternoon. Anything to take her mind off my being gone."

"I might be able to work that out."

"Oh yeah, don't forget to invite those geek friends of yours."

"You want them at the party?"

"I don't. But Nadina thinks highly of them and I want anything that makes Nadina happy to be there."

"You two are fond of each other, aren't you?"

"I'll have someone drop off the key to my house by this evening." Kaiba ignored her question. "And Nadina will be conveniently out of the way tomorrow morning to that you may do your planning."

"Alright, but I must warn you, Kaiba. The boys aren't very rich." She didn't add "like you." But she thought he should know. "Their idea of a good present might not be what you are expecting."

"If they want to get something that they think is worthwhile or that Nadina would really like, put it on my bill."

"Geez, this really means a lot to you, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'll try my best."

"Thank you." He hung up without anymore words. Can't expect too much, don't expect too much, Kaiba. He silently warned himself.

"Good luck on your trip." Téa said to the dial tone of the phone.

"Nadina…" Kaiba opened the door to Nadina's room without knocking. "You know I'm going to be gone tomorrow so… Nadina?"

Kaiba looked at Nadina's figure, slumped over the desk.

"She's asleep?" Kaiba cautiously walked forward, peering from behind her shoulders. He saw a thin sheet of scented paper filled with writing on it.

"She's been writing, huh?" It wasn't cold, so Kaiba saw no harm in leaving her the way she was at the moment as he turned to walk away. But the words on the piece of paper caught his eyes as he stood stationed to the ground, fighting the urge to read what she had written. Finally, curiosity took over and he gently slid the paper from under her elbows.

"Poetry…?"

My love,

My breath.

My life,

My death.

My life,

In your hands.

Love me,

And amend.

Life slowly,

Drain out of me.

Because I love you,

You could not see.

Our parting,

Was harsh.

Our emotions,

Were large.

Home,

So far away.

Home,

Impossible place.

My brother,

How I miss you.

How I love you.

How I need you.

To look into,

Your lavender eyes again.

To feel you hair,

To hold your hand.

My highest wish,

My deepest dream,

Is to go home and see you,

Amend and redeem.

Life,

So cruel.

Partings,

So harsh.

Fate,

So true.

Destiny,

Can't dodge.

The love of my life,

The kiss of my heart,

The touch of my lips,

The tears on my part.

The ache,

The pain,

The sorrow,

The rain.

What can I do

To go home with you?

Kaiba felt the large lump in his throat. No hesitation now, Kaiba. He told himself silently. Nadina saved your life, now, the least you can do is to fulfill her deepest dream and highest wish. If she wants to go home that much, it's your job to help her succeed.

He slipped the paper back to where it belonged before sneaking off. He was just about to close the door softly behind him when he heard a fatigued voice call from the room.

"Kaiba…?"

Kaiba opened and door and walked in, pasting his usual smirk on his face. Nadina was turned around in her chair as she stretched. Kaiba noted that she had slipped the piece of paper away before calling out to him.

"Yeah…?"

"Were you in my room, earlier?" She yawned. "I was asleep and dreamed that you were in my room."

"Yeah, I was in your room." Kaiba admitted it grudgingly. "I needed to give you something."

"Oh, really?"

"Since I'm going to be gone tomorrow, I thought I'd just give you this today." He handed her a flat box.

"What is it?" Kaiba sighed.

"Why do girls always ask that? Would you find out faster if you just open the box?"

Nadina lowered her eyelids and a sprinkle a blush showered across her nose becomingly. Slowly, she lifted the top of the box off.

"Oh, Kaiba…" She breathed.

Inside the box, lying on a bed of soft tissue was a silver plated round mirror, small enough to fit onto the palm of her hand. Around the mirror was silver intricately fashioned into garlands of rosebuds and roses full in bloom.

"It's so pretty." He was watching her closely, locks of his chocolate chestnut hair falling neatly over his ocean-blue eyes. Perhaps he kept it that way on purpose, to make his intimidating expression more difficult to read. Before Nadina realized it, she was shaking her head slowly.

"Look into it." Was Kaiba's command, his eyes serious, his tone hard. Nadina looked at him queerly before lifting the hand mirror up and stared into her reflection. A small, strangled gasp escaped her lips. Then she closed her eyes painfully and turned away, her hands lowering.

"Feh," Kaiba crossed his arms and turned his nose up. "I knew it. You still couldn't bear to look yourself in the mirror, can you? Your past is still shadowing over you and you just allow it to."

"Why…?" Nadina managed to say. "Why are you doing this?"

"This is what I want you to do while I'm gone," Kaiba ignored her and ordered in his usual imperious voice. "I want you to practice looking in this mirror until you can see yourself without flinching."

"I…can't…" Nadina said between clenched teeth. "Don't make me!"

"You can and you will." Kaiba turned to leave. "Oh, and by the way. Keep this when I'm gone. I…don't want to loose it." He tossed a tiny object at her. It landed on her lap. She picked it up and saw that it was her earring.

"But…you always keeps it with you."

"Not this time, I won't need it."

"Oh…"

Nadina watched sadly as Kaiba's stern figure left her room and closed the door. Then, with a sadness that the wind outside felt, she slowly set the mirror down into her drawer and pushed it close.

Marik wondered around the house idly. The house seemed so…empty. It's almost Christmas and Nadina was still not at home. Curt, the Black twins, and the rest of the house staff was already worrying heavily about Christmas this year. Without the Little Lady, they didn't know what kind of Christmas it would be. Marik, though he was the master of the whole house, he wasn't the one directing Christmas decorations and preparations. That was Nadina's job. She likes it and does a good job of it.

He opened the door to Nadina's room and walked in, closing the door behind him. Once he was alone, he breathed in the sweet smelling scent of his sister, and wonder if she's ever going to appear in his life again.

The doorbell broke through his thoughts as he opened the door and walked down the steps. Both Clark and Edward were busy and Curt was making a trip down to the stables. And since he was slightly bored and curious, he went and opened the door. Not many people visit Ishtar Estate and those who does was usually reporters or the wrong address.

"Yes?" He opened the door.

"Marik darling!" Marik blinked.

"Nanna?!" His shocked voice was heard by the rest of the house.

"Oh, Marik," the white-haired elderly woman beamed as she stood on her tiptoes and kissed Marik on both side of his face. "My dear boy, how you have grown!"

"Nanna?" Edward and Clark poked their heads from the backroom and exchanged gazes, then snickered.

"Nanna," Marik swallowed as he led the shorter woman into the living room. "Here, let me take your hat."

"Such a good boy." She untied the ribbon and handed Marik the hat.

"What are you doing here, Nanna?" Marik set the hat in the closet. "I thought you were in Egypt. The last letter we received, you said you loved it there. Is there something wrong?" His brow furrowed concernedly. Nanna beamed again and pinched Marik's cheeks. The Black twins almost laughed out loud.

"Just like my darling little boy to worry about me. No, everything was fine, dearie. I just thought it would be nice to spent this Christmas with you and Nadina."

"If you have wrote to me before you came, I would have sent for my plane and picked you up myself. It's dangerous to travel alone at your age, Nanna."

Nanna waved him off as she frowned. "But speaking of Nadina, where's my other darling? Where's Nadina?"

Marik gave a nervous laugh and quickly made up a lie that his nanny would believe. Even though Marik works for the Black Market and had done things worse than anyone could imagine, he still loves and adores the elderly woman who had brought him up. And on the other hand, even though Nanna was old, she was still sharp and cunning. Marik secretly admires and respects—and maybe even a little bit scared—of the nanny for keeping to her road of justice and righteous. She would not hesitate to scold him if she knew what had happened between him and Nadina.

"Uh…she's off visiting her girlfriend for a few days in London." He managed to lie, avoiding her piercing gaze. Luckily, Nanna seemed to believe him, because a huge smile lit up on her kind-looking face.

"Really?" She seemed delighted. "That's wonderful! I've always thought young girls should spent more time with friends." She wagged a finger at "her little boy," who was towering over her. "You're a good boy, Marik, but your sister is still young and needs to go out more. Which friend is she visiting with, darling?"

"Mimi!" He blurted out without thinking. He cringed under Nanna's critical, scathing gaze. She stared at him for a good while.

"Mimi?" She finally said. "I don't believe I've met her."

"No, Nanna," he coughed, relieved that she had believed him. "You haven't." He gestured over to the Black twins, who feigned innocence in front of their master. "She's the cousin of my bodyguards."

"Oh, how delightful!" The Blacks looked properly horrified.

"Now, Nanna," Marik nodded at her luggage and played the combination part of a considerate grandson and the authoritative master of the house. "Would you like Clark to carry your baggage and show you to your room?"

"I'd be grateful." She's already beaming at Clark, who flashed her a charming smile before he and his brother began picking up her stuff.

It looks like Nanna's going to stay for a while.

But Marik couldn't ponder for too long, for in a minute, a shout of alarm caught his attention. And a second later, a guard came huffing up to the mansion steps.

"Seto Kaiba's coming, sir!"