Icey's note: Sorry if this chapter is rushed, I admit it is, and Writer's block is the one to blame!!! Oh and up the reviews please, they motivate me!! n.n

Chapter 13: Reminiscence

"I am really pissed off!!" Tea said, folding her arms huffily.

"As am I!!" Ryou agreed.

"How could you have been so cold Joey?" Yugi chimed in. Joey sat on a couch in his home. Bakura had just recently transported them all home from the Shadow Realm. Joey put on a brave smile.

Icey sat down beside him. "Guys, give the guy break," She said.

Ryou laughed, "Just messing around. We're all just glad you all made it out ok!" His expression dimmed, "Even if it was without Tristan..."

Serenity stepped up to Icey, "I believe we have never met," She held out her hand, "My name is Serenity. Joey's sister."

Icey slowly took it, "I'm Icey. Icey Kamishiro, pleased to meet you Serenity." She smiled warmly.

The small girl smiled back towards her, her green eyes shone. "I could say the same!"

Joey then stood up silently, "I'm kinda tired now, so I'm gonna go pack it in for the night arite? Night guys..." Was all he said as he slowly made his way up the stairs.

Icey stared sadly after him. "Poor thing." She said softly.

Kaiba something inside him. As if he actually felt bad for Joey. Losing his best friend, and at his own hand too. Kaiba closed his blue eyes. "Icey," He said softly. "Let's get going,"

Icey rested her head against Kaiba's shoulder, "...Ok..." Was all that could be heard from her as she waved a goodbye.

Kaiba nodded his head at the group, "Keep Joey in shape for me," "Sure thing Kaiba," Yami replied. Knowing exactly what he meant, it wouldn't be long before Joey snapped, and that was something they couldn't risk.

Halfway back to the Mansion, Icey spoke up, "Seto, what's going to happen?" She asked, fear was traced back to her tone of voice.

"It's not possible to know Icey. But as long as we stay together, we'll win." He gently replied. Realizing that he really did care for the people inside that house. They all showed him so much more. They were always there and willing to help him, despite his attitude towards them. Even in Duelist Kingdom, when he had to get Mokuba back. In Battle City, when he...

Flashback

Kaiba stood on the dueling platform, about to duel Pegasus for his brother's soul.

"Kaiba!!" A voice called. Kaiba directed his blue eyes to the source of the voice. And there stood Yugi. Yugi knew that he would never be able to get over it if didn't attempt to help Kaiba. They were, after all, on the same level.

"I don't need your help Yugi!!" Kaiba yelled, ignoring the small boy who was close to tears.

End flashback

Yes, they all cared for him, for each other. It had always been something he thought he could never experience, but now.... He knew for sure, they were his friends. He held Icey even tighter, feeling care-free. With a new approach to the situation, Kaiba swore, to never let any harm befall them.

The next day at, take a guess....JOEY'S place

Joey seemed back to normal, "Hey you guys!! You're all over here early!! Whassup with that? I need my sleep yea?"

Kaiba smiled ever so slightly. Whatever Yami had done to get him through, had obviously worked. "Ok, Icey, I've kept up my end of the bargain. I've come and checked on Joey, now I'm leaving for work!!" He snapped and left without another word.

Icey grinned, "Now that he's gone, I can finally discuss a very important issue!!"

Joey sat down on the couch, "Man, if you didn't want Kaiba in on it, it MUST be important!" He remarked, feeling excited.

Tea sat down beside Icey as she continued to speak, "Ok, now, I want all of you to be present at Seto's birthday in a few days. There's still a lot of preparation to be done like food and whatnot..."

"Kaiba's BIRTHDAY???!!!!" Joey exploded. "That's gotta be the funniest thing I've ever heard, Icey." He looked over at Icey who was giving him an evil look, "...Oh, you were being serious..." Joey roughly cleared his throat and silenced.

Ryou laughed softly, "Go on, Icey,"

"Now, as I was saying, his birthday. Mokie has already made his present for him, it's a little Blue Eyes model, you should see it, it's really nice. But anyway, today is Wednesday and his birthday is on Sunday. That leaves us with a lot of time to spare!!" Icey explained.

(A/N: Sorry everyone, I'm too lazy to write what happened in between, so I'll skip straight to Seto's Birthday!)

Inside the mansion, Mokuba was making final preparations. Straightening the banner, making sure the model was fully concealed by the piece of white material placed over it. Feeling a sudden gust of wind, Mokuba turned around his wide smile faded, shock replaced the happiness in his eyes....

"C'mon Seto!!" Icey urged, pushing him from behind up to the front door.

"I know what you idiots are up to and-" Kaiba was cut off when Joey spoke.

"Stop being such an ass Kaiba, it's your birthday!!!"

"It is," Ryou added, "Now go on, open the door!!"

Kaiba turned back to his friends, "I'm onto you. I was from the beginning! You all know that right?"

Malik grinned, "Of course we did, and to piss you off even further, we all pitched in!! Now just open the Ra-damned door!!"

Shaking his head, Kaiba placed a hand on the handle and twisted it, pushing open the door. It was dark inside the mansion, and all Kaiba could do was stare, different emotions flashed over his eyes...

Icey's note: Read and Review I say!!!! Please Review, even a flame would be good, if it helps me improve that is. If it doesn't, I'll just use it to burn Tea and we can eat Tea-on-a-stick for dinner.

Seto: What a lame threat!!

Icey: Just shut up, sweetie

Seto: STOP CALLING ME THAT!!!!!