More than a Confused Moment

Kiri- Hey Fala? Fala- Yup? Kiri- Remember those times when we would get totally confused and forget things almost instantly? Or pass them off as a prank? Fala- Yeah like Dory off Finding Nemo! Ah, those were the days.

Kiri- Yeah.*Both look wonderingly at the ceiling* Hey. Fala?

Fala- Yeah?

Kiri- What were we talking about again? *Look at each other in confusion* Fala- Um. guys? Kiri- Yeah! That's it! Fala- Sounds about right! *Both smile pathetically and unknowingly*

**Serenity**

Before they knew it the sun was high overhead and beating down on the group with great force. Or, so it seamed. Each member of the group noted this and made it a point to drop small hints that they would each have to go and do something soon. Serenity stood up and walked over to the railing. *It's so beautiful. The waves the sand. They seem to be made of each other. * She thought looking dreamily over the edge. "Here's your chance prince charming." Seto whispered harshly to Marik and shoved him towards Serenity.

"Don't forget about your half of the deal Romeo." Marik whispered back. Seto glared. Slowly, Marik made his way to stand next to Serenity. He leaned over the railing himself and gazed at the shifting waves and white foam floating from water to sand. He sucked in a breath and breathed out slowly. What was he going to say to her? After everything that's happened between all of them, what could he say? He became totally enveloped in thought. Enough so that he didn't notice Serenity look up from the railing. *He doesn't look as if he could be evil. He looks like a good person. Cute too. Ugh, no! I'll let my guard down, but not that far. I still can't forget what he did to Mai. I wonder if Joey still distrusts him? Oh well. I'm gonna go with my gut feeling and trust him. No matter what. * As she thought, Seto was carrying out his part of the bargain.

"Um, Ishizu?" Seto said in a somewhat wavering voice.

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba?" Ishizu said in an interested and amused tone, trying to stop a spreading grin. That set Seto in the right state of mind. No one would laugh at him.

"May I talk to you alone for a moment?" He asked seriously. Her smile faded. She looked out the corner of her eye and saw her brother deep in thought of the waves. She sighed.

"Sure." She said finally. He took a stride forward and looked back over his shoulder to make sure that she was willing to follow. She stood in his shadow ready and impatient. He grinned and continued walking forward into the woods. Marik turned and saw his sister and Seto disappear into the forest. He knew what he had to do next and the thought sent chills up his spine. Fortunately everyone seemed too far into conversation to notice. Everyone except Serenity anyway. *Poor guy. He's shaking. I wonder why? Wait! Why do I care? * She looked at Marik who now was turned back to the waves. She sighed half out of exhaustion and half out of frustration. Frustration about her thoughts. *I just can't help notice these things about him. But why?! * Suddenly, a voice took her off guard.

"Uh, Serenity?" Marik said quietly, not daring enough to look up from the safety of the waves.

"Yes," she said quietly back. *Why am I so shy around him? * She noticed. Slowly he forced himself to look at her. His breath caught in his throat and tried to strangle him. Every muscle in his body tensed as if trying to stop him from asking his inevitable question. His adrenaline surged and his heart pounded, so loud he could hear it in his ears. Still he tried to maintain a somewhat cool and collected look upon his face.

"Serenity I just wanted to ask you if."

"Hey Serenity! Are you ready to go?" Joey yelled. She looked back at her brother and smiled. Everyone was splitting up and ready to go home. Seizing the opportunity, Duke ran to Serenity's side.

"Come on Serenity. If you want, I could take you on a tour of my game shop." Duke said taking a hold of her hand. *Not now Duke. * She pleaded silently. Joey looked angrily at Duke.

"No way she's going with you all alone ya knuckle head!" Joey yelled to him. Yugi and Tea said goodbye and left. Mai grabbed Joey by the ear.

"Now Joey, don't you think that your sister's got enough common sense to know how to deal with Duke on her own?" She said. Serenity looked back to Marik, who stood still with a slight look of disappointment on his face.

"Um, Marik. What were you going to say?" She asked him sweetly. *Why am I being so sweet to him? *

"It's nothing.really." He said slowly turning away from her and looking out at the waves. A slow breeze blew through and seemed to push Serenity in Marik's direction. She looked at him and watched the wind blow his silver white hair from his tanned face and purple eyes. *Why is it that I notice everything about him? Joey would kill me if he knew what I saw and think about Marik. * She smiled slowly.

"So Serenity are you coming?" Joey yelled again.

She thought a moment and then replied, "No, it's okay! You guys go ahead. I'll meet you at home." Everyone (Which means Tristan, Mai, Joey, Duke, and Marik) was shocked.

"But sis." Joey somewhat pleaded with her. She just smiled though and gently took Duke's hand off of hers as he stood there stunned.

"Really. I'll be fine. I just want to finish talking to Marik. Don't worry." She said confidently. *Somehow, I know that I'll be safe with Marik. * Joey nodded. Tristan took the hint. He gave Joey a number to call and left. Mai stood waiting for Joey.

"I'll stay here in case she needs me." Duke said defiantly.

"Oh no you don't!" Joey said and grabbed Duke by the arm and dragged him away.

"But what if she needs me!!??" she could hear him yelling in the distance. Now they were all alone Marik and Serenity, and were acutely aware of each other's presence.

"So." Serenity said slowly, looking at Marik. "What did you want to say?"

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