Nadina bent over the papers that she was writing. She was sitting at the large table in the furthest corner of the Domino Library. Kaiba had dropped her off there just before he left for his trip and she had been there ever since then.
The library was quiet and people's voices were no louder than whispered in the air. Besides that, Nadina was concentrating so hard on the report that Kaiba had her writing that she never heard the curious remarks about the lovely young lady with the apple-blossom chiffon dress and the hunter-green velvet cloak. Her hair was down today, lying about in thick golden waves past her shoulders.
But she didn't hear any of the whispers.
Kaiba…she thought to herself sadly. Kaiba, where have you gone? Why have you left me so alone? Without you here, what is my purpose? Who am I waiting for? You said you were going to call me…why haven't you called yet?
I'm standing at the bridge…
I'm waiting in the dark…
I thought that you'd be here…
…by now.
So alone…so alone without you. Nadina gathered up her book. She had been at the library for a whole day now and Mokuba's still home alone. She checked her watch. Five-thirty. The sky was already dark and soft rain began to fall as Nadina hurried down the marble steps of the library.
There's nothing but the rain…
No footsteps on the ground…
I'm listening but there's no sound…
She pulled her cloak tighter around herself, as the slight breeze threatened to creep up to her bare skin. She looked around herself and the lonely darkness that surrounded her as she walked down the street that would take her back to Kaiba Mansion. She couldn't control the tear that rolled softly down her cheek.
Isn't anyone trying to find me…
Won't somebody come take me home…
"Oh, no," Nadina looked around her, a dash of anxiety darted across her face. I think I'm lost… "I knew I should have called Mokuba to send the limo for me…what am I going to do now?" She looked behind her to see if she could return back to the library. But all around her, there were only trees and more trees.
Oh, Kaiba, where are you…?
It's a damn, cold night.
Trying to figure out this life…
Won't you,
Take me by the hand, take me somewhere new…
I don't know who you are…but I…
…I'm with you…
"Maybe I should try this way," Nadina murmured softly to herself as she continued walking, her books in her arms. "Maybe I'll recognize something on the way and try to find my way from there. Or even better, maybe I'll run into someone on the way…"
I'm looking for a place…
I'm searching for a face…
Is there anybody here…
…I know…?
Nadina sighed. There obviously isn't anybody around here. She's just going to have to make it back home somehow, on her own. Kaiba…where is Kaiba?
I need him so…
'Cause nothing's going right…
And everything's a mess…
And no one likes to be alone…
Nadina shivered and bit her lips. Somehow, the sky seems really dark. And the rain was coming down a bit harder. She looked up at the sky and saw tiny white snowflakes began to float down.
Isn't anyone trying to find me…
Won't somebody come take me home…
Home…I want to go home…
It's a damn, cold night.
Trying to figure out this life…
Won't you,
Take me by the hand, take me somewhere new…
I don't know who you are…but I…
…I'm with you…
A thin layer of sleet covered Nadina's hair, making them look frosted, and she brushed the snow off her cloak before they melt. The last thing she needed was a wet cloak.
She remembered back when she was younger. It would be around Christmas and there would always be snow. She could still see it as if it was yesterday. Her, running around in the fluffy snow, with snow on her hair, her eyelashes, her clothes, everywhere. And it was always Marik who chased after her with her coat and wrestled her snow boots and gloves on. Except he'd always have to chase her first, chase after his bright-eyed, laughing sister who enjoyed tormenting him as much as the snow. As soon as he caught up with her, he wouldn't turn her loose until he had wrestled the very last item of clothing onto her, no matter how hard she would whine.
Only Marik would do something like that.
Only Marik cared.
It was Marik who bought her a new doll when her old one was lost. It was Marik who had rescued her when she had fallen into a part of the creek that was over her head—before deciding that she had to learn how to swim as well as any boy. It was Marik who was there with her when she first entered the world of womanhood. And it was Marik whom she told her every secret thought, her dreams, her sorrows, he who shared her joys and triumphs.
And it was Marik whom she loved.
Marik…do you know that it's you whom I love…?
Why is everything so confusing…?
Maybe I'm just out of my mind…
Yeah…yeah…yeah…yeah…yeah…
"Nadina…!" She swirled around at the sound of the voice calling her. It was Mokuba, running towards her.
"Mokuba!" Nadina was so happy to see someone she knew that she hurried over to him without noticing that her skirt was dragging in the mud.
"What are you doing here?" The young Kaiba panted. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I thought you were at the library."
It's a damn, cold night.
Trying to figure out this life…
Won't you,
Take me by the hand, take me somewhere new…
I don't know who you are…but I…
…I'm with you…
"I was just leaving for Kaiba Mansion, but got lost." She admitted.
"Oh, well, now that I found you, can we go home now?" Mokuba complained. "It's so cold out here. Aren't you cold?"
"Yes." She agreed as he led her over to the limo.
…I'm with you…
"Let's go home." Mokuba looked up at her and gave her an innocent big smile, before taking her icy hands in his own. That tiny gestured warmed Nadina to her toes. The feeling of being well-liked and needed.
…I'm with you.
"You know, Marik, now that this is all settled, there is just one other problem." Kaiba turned back. "It seems that like brother, like sister. Nadina seems to have the same thought as you, not believing that you'll ever take her back."
"She'll come back." Marik was confident, as if there was finally a light stream of hope in his life.
"What if she just doesn't believe you love her just as you didn't believe her?" Marik thought a while, before remembering something and reached into his pocket.
"Give her this." He handed Kaiba the small black velvet box, which Kaiba flipped open without permission. It was a perfect, round pearl with a lovely pinkish cast.
"She'll know how much I love her and she'll return."
"It's late." Tristan checked his watch and frowned. Joey yawned and stretched on the Kaiba Mansion living room couch.
"Nah…it's only six."
"But it looks so much later." Téa looked out the window. "Guys! It's snowing!"
As if she had just said a magic word, all the males immediately stopped what they were doing and raced to the window.
"Hey, it is!" Duke grinned as he watched the tiny flakes.
"Cool, dude, let's go out there and make some snowmen!!" Joey shouted, already running for the door. "Bet a million bucks that I'll make the best one!"
"Oh, come on, Joey." Bakura pointed out. "I thought we were worried about Nadina and Mokuba."
"We were, but Mokuba's a smart kid, he can take care of it." Joey was in the middle of wrapping his scarf on so his voice was muffled. He finally reached for the doorknob, only to have it turned. He gave a gawk as the door flew open and hit him smack in the face.
"Hey, guys!" Mokuba walked in. "I found Nadina!" Then, looking at everyone's expressions, he looked behind the door. "Joey? What are you doing behind the door?"
"Oww…I think you broke my nose, kid."
"Oh, so sorry."
"Hey," Nadina greeted as she walked in behind Mokuba and looked around. "What's going on in here, guys? This place looks like it's ready for a party."
"Oh, yeah," Joey hurried to straighten up and plastered a grin on his face. "Happy birthday, Nadina!!"
That was the beginning of a friendship that won't be broken again.
Kaiba looked around Nadina's room and breathed in its sweet scent. It was a feminine room, making him wonder if the room that he had given her back in Kaiba Mansion was suitable for her needs.
Oh, whoa… He thought to himself as he looked deeper into his surroundings. Something about this fragrance is familiar…something memorable, something bittersweet…strange…what is this smell…why does it smell so familiar? Then he realized.
The essence of Bluebells…
"I don't know why we have to do this." Marik was grumbling. "I haven't been in here for days."
"I told you," Kaiba insisted. "Nadina is just as stubborn as you are, being an Ishtar and all. She wouldn't believe that it was you who is giving her the pearls. She'll think that I bought them to fool her into thinking you want her home." He stopped for a moment. "…I think I got that right."
Marik held his head, "My head hurts." Then giving a wave of his arms. "Fine, then take something that will prove to her that you've been here." He was just about to close the door when Nanna's voice said brightly behind them.
"Would you boys like to have some cookies?" She beamed as they turned around, surprised. "They're fresh out of the oven, Marik dear, they're your favorite—double fudge chocolate with regular and white chocolate chips and nuts."
"Weakness for chocolate?" Kaiba questioned under his breath as he politely declined the cookie while wondering what relationship this elderly woman has with Marik. She seemed too nice to be in the same household as Marik.
"Shut up." Marik whispered back darkly, covering it up by a cough. "Um…Nanna, this is Seto Kaiba. He's a…business acquaintance. Kaiba, this is my nanny."
Kaiba cordially shook hands with the old woman, while laughing hysterically inside at the thought of Marik having a nanny. Heck, he had one too, before he went to the orphanage, and the thought of Marik having one was just funny. His face was emotionless, but somehow, Marik could sense that he was laughing and the CEO of KaibaCorp received a dark look as well as a stomp on his foot. He gave Marik a sour glower.
"I'll kill you when she's gone." He heard Marik hiss under his breath. All of this was done discreetly, in fear of Nanna seeing or hearing them. The "good little boy smile" was still plastered on their face as they continued their silent battle.
"Are you sure you don't' want a cookie, lovey?" Nanna was looking at Kaiba concernedly. It took Kaiba a while to realize that Nanna was talking to him, due to the fact that no one's ever called him "lovey" before.
"Uh…pardon me?"
"You look like you could use some fattening up." she made a little tsk sound with her tongue. "All bone and skin is not healthy. The girls might think it's admirable trait, but it is definitely otherwise."
Skin and bone! Doing it for the girls! Kaiba wasn't sure what sort of expression he had on his face, but it was either one that reflected his stupefaction or one that reflected total comical dim-wittedness. He could see Marik's shoulders shaking with laughter beside him.
"Second thought…" Kaiba shifted his briefcase to the other hand. "I'll take the offer of having a cookie after all."
"That's a good boy." Nanna smiled brightly. "Now, lovey, don't worry about girls not falling over you if you gain a few pounds. You look perfectly admirable."
"Thank you." Kaiba cocked a smile and gave Marik a sideways glance.
"Nanna, what about me?" He heard Marik's lips stuck out beside him.
"Why, darling," Nanna looked surprised. "You said you didn't want a cookie."
Was that a teasing twinkle in the older lady's eyes? Kaiba wanted to laugh, but kept silent and chewed his cookie, finally understanding why Mokuba was so addicted to sweets. This cookie is good.
"Well…yeah, but Kaiba said he didn't want one either." Marik protested, folding his arms and giving a pout. What a cute little kid he must have been. Kaiba couldn't help a snicker.
"Yes, love, but Kaiba is guest."
"And I'm the master of the house."
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you, dearie, if you boys want, there is milk downstairs." She gave the whole plate of cookies to Marik, who hugged on to them protectively, and gave him a peck on his cheek. She turned back before she left. The two "little boys" could see the mist of tears in Nanna's eyes.
"My little boys, all grown up." She sniffled and pulled a handkerchief out of the apron pocket. "I could still remember you, Marik, when you were small. It seems like only yesterday. Now, the master of Ishtar Estate!"
"Now, Nanna…" Marik was quick to shove the plate of cookies at Kaiba and moved in to comfort his childhood caretaker.
"I'm sure your nanny would say the same about you, Kaiba." Nanna looked up at Kaiba, who was towering over her.
"Yes, ma'am, I'm sure she would." Kaiba agreed, thinking about his own nanny before he was sent to the orphanage.
"You boys would never know how we nannies feel, bringing up you boys. Now, both of you have grown into spectacular young men."
Marik coughed and grated out between his gritted teeth. "At least one of us."
"I still remember the days when Marik was only as tall as my knee." She patted Marik's head fondly. "Now, you're a wonderful young man."
Now, it was Kaiba's turn to cough and hide a smile. Clearly, Nanna thought the world of Marik Ishtar. What a sweet, old lady, though ignorant to what her boy was doing as an occupation.
"Nanna," Marik coaxed, forcing out a lie. "I think I smell something burning." Nanna's hand flew to her mouth.
"Oh dear, the apple pie!" As sudden as she appeared, Nanna disappeared.
"These are really good cookies!" Kaiba called after her as he munched on his second one. Marik turned around finally noticed Kaiba with his plate of cookies. He scowled and marched over, yanking the plate from Kaiba.
"Hey." The billionaire complained.
"My cookies, my Nanna," Marik hissed. "You…stay…away!" Kaiba did start laughing then.
"Of course, Marik!" He said between howling laughter. "I won't get near them if it makes you feel better. Of course, it's kind of insulting for you to think that I'm trying to take away your cookies and your nanny." A etch of smile curled on his lips. "I never knew you were so protective of your nanny."
"I don't know why I take all of these insolence from a jackass like you. I should kick you out of my house right now if I weren't doing this for Nadina."
"Just try and kick me out of your house." Kaiba daunted, licking the last smudge of chocolate from his fingertip while thanking God that no one was here to see the great Seto Kaiba fight for cookies with Marik and licking his finger.
"Don't try me."
"Anyway, I think I'll leave anyway." The brunette looked around thoughtfully. "If you'll just lead me to her jewelry box. I'm afraid I'm not very experienced with the feminine world, considering I've never had a sister."
"Why would you want to see her jewelry box?"
"I'll pick something up from there. I'm sure all of her jewelry are unique enough so that she wouldn't think I bought them."
"Well, she has several boxes, so do you have a specific piece you're looking for?" Marik started rummaging around the vanity and pulling out delicate boxes. "Necklaces, rings, bracelets—"
"I'm looking for a specific earring that you bought for her back from France." Marik looked back up at him, contemplating.
"Which pair?" He finally asked. "I've brought her back many pairs of earrings from all my trips from France."
"Never mind, give me her earring box." Kaiba held out his hand and the bleached blonde placed an intricately carved silver box in his hands.
"Real silver?" Kaiba asked after a while of weighing the box in his palm. Marik nodded.
"Turkish silver, from Istanbul."
"Rich brother, spoiled sister." Kaiba remarked.
"She's not spoiled!" Marik snapped. "Just pick out the earring, and you better not loose it or else."
"Sounds like a threat to me." Kaiba rifled through the box and finally held up the cluster of French golden bells with the pearl tipped tongue.
"Thanks, I'll just take this." He tossed the box back to Marik.
"Don't you want to bring back the whole pair? That way, Nadina could actually wear it after you've convinced her." Marik reasoned. "That's her favorite pair of earrings." He opened the box and began searching for the earring's partner.
"Looking for this?" The Ishtar looked up in time to see Kaiba holding up another earring that he had just pulled from his trenchcoat.
"You have it?" He frowned.
"Yep, Nadina gave it to me." Marik's expression was one of hurt and a dash of jealousy.
"Well, now that you have want you were looking for, you can go now. I don't have all day to waste with you."
