Author's note: Hi, everyone! I can't believe I'm updating sooner than usual! There must be something wrong with me.
Bakura: Yeah, you're red all over! LOL!!!
Shelly: Just the tops of my feet, but they burn all the same. I went fishing with my dad and didn't catch a thing.
Bakura: *choking down laughter*
Shelly: *glares at Bakura* How about I tie you up outside for a few hours in the burning sun? If it wasn't for Ryou...
Bakura: Don't let that stop you. *suddenly gets tied up outside with nothing on but a pair of shorts* Umm...
Shelly: ^____^ That's better! O_O Oh...I'd better not let Schala see this.
Bakura: Nooo, please don't!!!
Shelly: *considers* I can't promise you anything, Bakura. Now I hope all of you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!!!
The Heart of Eternity by Shelly
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kaiba raised a single dark eyebrow. "A favor? What kind?" he asked suspiciously.
Yugi took a deep breath. "Have you heard of the fire last night?"
His eyes narrowed a little. "I have. What does that have to do with me?"
"Well, there was this survivor that was rescued from the fire, and she...um...needs a place to stay," he finished quickly, an embarrassed blush creeping up into his cheeks. Oh, how he hoped this worked!
To say that Kaiba was surprised was an understatement. He was downright dumbfounded. "Why are you asking me? Doesn't she have family that can take care of her?"
Abashed, the smaller boy stepped back a little. "That's just it, she doesn't. She was adopted, and I'm afraid that her home life wasn't exactly the best. She's in the hospital and might be released today so she'll need somewhere to go."
"If she was adopted, then the orphanage can take care of her," he replied coldly. "I don't have time to babysit another when I already have Mokuba to take care of."
"Kaiba, please, there's another reason why I'm asking you this," Yugi pleaded. "I think she may have someone stalking her who intends to kill her, and she needs somewhere to stay where she can be afforded a little security."
"Then notify the police," he offered.
"The police won't be able to help her," he defended.
"Then what makes you think I can?" he asked. "Yugi, if she's in this much danger, do you think I would want Mokuba exposed to that? I have to think of my little brother, too."
Yugi sighed, obviously having tried everything and coming up short. He understood where Kaiba was coming from, and he couldn't blame him for wanting to protect Mokuba. After all, he hadn't thought of the danger that would be posed to the younger Kaiba if Shari moved in. "You're right. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Kaiba." He walked away, head hanging in defeat as he wondered what would happen to her now. She could always move in with him, but there was little enough room as it was for him and his grandfather, much less one more. But he was determined to help her, even if it meant making a few sacrifices on his behalf.
Seto sat there watching Yugi's retreating back thoughtfully, his own memories of when he and his young brother were taken to an orphanage before they were adopted. He wished that upon no one, to have to live in an existance where one was dependant upon the mercy of others. That was why he strived to be all that he could be, so that Mokuba would never have to do without someone to look after him that loved him. He felt the young girl's pain, whoever she was, but he didn't want to welcome in danger that could threaten them all, not when things had calmed down for them.
He glanced down at the newspaper he had been reading earlier, the financial pages being of most interest to him, and looked at the front page, where he saw the article that pertained to the deadly blaze from the night before. Both adults had died, and the preliminary investigation showed that the fire had been started by a cigarette, leaving her blameless for the time being until an in-depth inquiry could be done.
There was a picture to accompany the article, and it was a heartbreaking photo of her soot-stained face, traced deeply with tear tracks from her sad eyes. She appeared to be speaking with someone, but he couldn't tell from the photo.
He laid the paper back down, looking away and closing his eyes against the cheerful sunlight that danced through the windows and onto the floor. He couldn't...no, wouldn't...put Mokuba in danger if what Yugi said was true. He wouldn't. But then he remembered the day when he found out his father had died in a car crash, and remembered as well the day when his mother had died giving birth to Mokuba. How in one second everything can change forever, sometimes for the best, other times for the worst.
But could he? Could he give that to her? Her situation seemed so much like his own, only she didn't have a sibling to keep her feet on the ground. That and the luxury of wealth that he had fought for so fiercely. There had been so many times in the past when he had wished that he could leave everything behind, abandon every responsibility, and just be able to enjoy life like a teenager should. He had always been older and more intelligent for his age, and because of that he was always alone, never finding any friends in others his age as he always thought them less than he was.
For a time he hadn't cared what happened to him, as long as he possessed all the power in the world of Duel Monsters, and he had for a time...until he met Yugi Motou. That day had changed him, and now he was aware of many things that he wasn't before. His loneliness, his pain...the only things keeping him going were his little brother and his company. But what if he could find a little happiness by giving some to someone else...someone that needed what he could give them? Simple things such as food and shelter. That shouldn't be so hard, should it?
Sighing deeply, he picked up his cellphone and dialed home, waiting for someone to pick up. After the third ring, a voice sounded on the other end. "This is Kaiba. Have a room prepared by this afternoon for a guest who will be staying with us for awhile." Then he hung up, glancing over at the paper and taking note of the girl's name before calling the hospital and inquiring whether she would be released yet. Upon finding out it would be this afternoon, he called back home and ordered that a limo be brought to the hospital where it would wait there to pick her up. Then he went back to perusing the business section, wondering if he was doing the right thing...for him and for Mokuba.
Shari was excited that she would be released from the hospital this afternoon, but wondered where she would find any clothes to wear since everything she had had been destroyed in the fire. She didn't even know where she was going to live now. Would she be turned over to another orphanage, only to be fostered in another home where the same thing might happen again? It seemed an endless cycle, one she longed to be rid of, and soon.
Hearing the chatter of voices outside, she stepped to the door and opened it wider to see Yugi and all his friends standing there, Tea with something that looked like a large bag in her arms. Shari invited them all inside, and Tea walked in to sit the bag down on the bed.
"I realized you wouldn't have any clothes, so I went through my closet and found some that might fit you," she said, digging through it and pulling out various outfits.
Touched, Shari didn't know what to say. She saw Yugi standing nearby with Joey, troubled expressions on both their faces. "Yugi, Joey...what's wrong?" she asked.
Yugi appeared the most troubled, and she crouched down in front of him to better look him in the eye. "I tried today to find you somewhere to live so you wouldn't have to go back into an orphanage. But I failed."
She was speechless as she had never had friends that would do this much for her, much less friends at all. "Yugi, you didn't have to do that," she told him.
A small smile appeared on his face. "Joey and I both were concerned about you and wanted to find somewhere where you would be happy."
"Hmph. As if anybody could be happy wit' him," Joey scoffed.
"Anyway," Yugi continued with his eyes raised towards Joey as if knowing what he would say, "I spoke with my grandfather and he's agreed to let you stay with us for awhile. That is, if you want to," he added uncertainly.
Tears filled her eyes, and she caught Yugi in a tight embrace. "That's so sweet of you, Yugi," she whispered. "But I hate to impose on you like that."
"Tink nothin' of it," Joey replied. "I tink it'll be a lotta fun, if ya ask me. You'll get ta see Yug everyday, and we'll come ovah and visit. We'll even teach ya how to play Duel Monsters!"
She rose to her feet and poked at Joey's chest with a stiff finger. "Well, who asked you, Joey? It's not your hospitality I'm having to impose upon," she argued with him teasingly.
He put a hand behind his head and smiled. "Yea, well, I woulda but dere's dis little problem I have with my father."
Just then the doctor arrived, letting her know that he was releasing her a little earlier since her ride was here to pick her up. She glanced questioningly at both Yugi and Joey, surprised to see a smile light up the boy's face and wondering what he was up to. Joey didn't look too happy, and she was curious about that as well.
"Come on, you guys," Tea said. "Let's all leave so she can get dressed."
Shari smiled at the girl as they all left. "Thanks, Tea, for everything." Tea smiled and closed the door behind her, leaving Shari to wonder who was picking her up.
*****************
Finally! Shari gets to meet her new roommate! But will it be war or peace between the both of them? Or maybe a little of both? Thanks for reading! C-ya!
Bakura: Yeah, you're red all over! LOL!!!
Shelly: Just the tops of my feet, but they burn all the same. I went fishing with my dad and didn't catch a thing.
Bakura: *choking down laughter*
Shelly: *glares at Bakura* How about I tie you up outside for a few hours in the burning sun? If it wasn't for Ryou...
Bakura: Don't let that stop you. *suddenly gets tied up outside with nothing on but a pair of shorts* Umm...
Shelly: ^____^ That's better! O_O Oh...I'd better not let Schala see this.
Bakura: Nooo, please don't!!!
Shelly: *considers* I can't promise you anything, Bakura. Now I hope all of you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!!!
The Heart of Eternity by Shelly
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kaiba raised a single dark eyebrow. "A favor? What kind?" he asked suspiciously.
Yugi took a deep breath. "Have you heard of the fire last night?"
His eyes narrowed a little. "I have. What does that have to do with me?"
"Well, there was this survivor that was rescued from the fire, and she...um...needs a place to stay," he finished quickly, an embarrassed blush creeping up into his cheeks. Oh, how he hoped this worked!
To say that Kaiba was surprised was an understatement. He was downright dumbfounded. "Why are you asking me? Doesn't she have family that can take care of her?"
Abashed, the smaller boy stepped back a little. "That's just it, she doesn't. She was adopted, and I'm afraid that her home life wasn't exactly the best. She's in the hospital and might be released today so she'll need somewhere to go."
"If she was adopted, then the orphanage can take care of her," he replied coldly. "I don't have time to babysit another when I already have Mokuba to take care of."
"Kaiba, please, there's another reason why I'm asking you this," Yugi pleaded. "I think she may have someone stalking her who intends to kill her, and she needs somewhere to stay where she can be afforded a little security."
"Then notify the police," he offered.
"The police won't be able to help her," he defended.
"Then what makes you think I can?" he asked. "Yugi, if she's in this much danger, do you think I would want Mokuba exposed to that? I have to think of my little brother, too."
Yugi sighed, obviously having tried everything and coming up short. He understood where Kaiba was coming from, and he couldn't blame him for wanting to protect Mokuba. After all, he hadn't thought of the danger that would be posed to the younger Kaiba if Shari moved in. "You're right. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Kaiba." He walked away, head hanging in defeat as he wondered what would happen to her now. She could always move in with him, but there was little enough room as it was for him and his grandfather, much less one more. But he was determined to help her, even if it meant making a few sacrifices on his behalf.
Seto sat there watching Yugi's retreating back thoughtfully, his own memories of when he and his young brother were taken to an orphanage before they were adopted. He wished that upon no one, to have to live in an existance where one was dependant upon the mercy of others. That was why he strived to be all that he could be, so that Mokuba would never have to do without someone to look after him that loved him. He felt the young girl's pain, whoever she was, but he didn't want to welcome in danger that could threaten them all, not when things had calmed down for them.
He glanced down at the newspaper he had been reading earlier, the financial pages being of most interest to him, and looked at the front page, where he saw the article that pertained to the deadly blaze from the night before. Both adults had died, and the preliminary investigation showed that the fire had been started by a cigarette, leaving her blameless for the time being until an in-depth inquiry could be done.
There was a picture to accompany the article, and it was a heartbreaking photo of her soot-stained face, traced deeply with tear tracks from her sad eyes. She appeared to be speaking with someone, but he couldn't tell from the photo.
He laid the paper back down, looking away and closing his eyes against the cheerful sunlight that danced through the windows and onto the floor. He couldn't...no, wouldn't...put Mokuba in danger if what Yugi said was true. He wouldn't. But then he remembered the day when he found out his father had died in a car crash, and remembered as well the day when his mother had died giving birth to Mokuba. How in one second everything can change forever, sometimes for the best, other times for the worst.
But could he? Could he give that to her? Her situation seemed so much like his own, only she didn't have a sibling to keep her feet on the ground. That and the luxury of wealth that he had fought for so fiercely. There had been so many times in the past when he had wished that he could leave everything behind, abandon every responsibility, and just be able to enjoy life like a teenager should. He had always been older and more intelligent for his age, and because of that he was always alone, never finding any friends in others his age as he always thought them less than he was.
For a time he hadn't cared what happened to him, as long as he possessed all the power in the world of Duel Monsters, and he had for a time...until he met Yugi Motou. That day had changed him, and now he was aware of many things that he wasn't before. His loneliness, his pain...the only things keeping him going were his little brother and his company. But what if he could find a little happiness by giving some to someone else...someone that needed what he could give them? Simple things such as food and shelter. That shouldn't be so hard, should it?
Sighing deeply, he picked up his cellphone and dialed home, waiting for someone to pick up. After the third ring, a voice sounded on the other end. "This is Kaiba. Have a room prepared by this afternoon for a guest who will be staying with us for awhile." Then he hung up, glancing over at the paper and taking note of the girl's name before calling the hospital and inquiring whether she would be released yet. Upon finding out it would be this afternoon, he called back home and ordered that a limo be brought to the hospital where it would wait there to pick her up. Then he went back to perusing the business section, wondering if he was doing the right thing...for him and for Mokuba.
Shari was excited that she would be released from the hospital this afternoon, but wondered where she would find any clothes to wear since everything she had had been destroyed in the fire. She didn't even know where she was going to live now. Would she be turned over to another orphanage, only to be fostered in another home where the same thing might happen again? It seemed an endless cycle, one she longed to be rid of, and soon.
Hearing the chatter of voices outside, she stepped to the door and opened it wider to see Yugi and all his friends standing there, Tea with something that looked like a large bag in her arms. Shari invited them all inside, and Tea walked in to sit the bag down on the bed.
"I realized you wouldn't have any clothes, so I went through my closet and found some that might fit you," she said, digging through it and pulling out various outfits.
Touched, Shari didn't know what to say. She saw Yugi standing nearby with Joey, troubled expressions on both their faces. "Yugi, Joey...what's wrong?" she asked.
Yugi appeared the most troubled, and she crouched down in front of him to better look him in the eye. "I tried today to find you somewhere to live so you wouldn't have to go back into an orphanage. But I failed."
She was speechless as she had never had friends that would do this much for her, much less friends at all. "Yugi, you didn't have to do that," she told him.
A small smile appeared on his face. "Joey and I both were concerned about you and wanted to find somewhere where you would be happy."
"Hmph. As if anybody could be happy wit' him," Joey scoffed.
"Anyway," Yugi continued with his eyes raised towards Joey as if knowing what he would say, "I spoke with my grandfather and he's agreed to let you stay with us for awhile. That is, if you want to," he added uncertainly.
Tears filled her eyes, and she caught Yugi in a tight embrace. "That's so sweet of you, Yugi," she whispered. "But I hate to impose on you like that."
"Tink nothin' of it," Joey replied. "I tink it'll be a lotta fun, if ya ask me. You'll get ta see Yug everyday, and we'll come ovah and visit. We'll even teach ya how to play Duel Monsters!"
She rose to her feet and poked at Joey's chest with a stiff finger. "Well, who asked you, Joey? It's not your hospitality I'm having to impose upon," she argued with him teasingly.
He put a hand behind his head and smiled. "Yea, well, I woulda but dere's dis little problem I have with my father."
Just then the doctor arrived, letting her know that he was releasing her a little earlier since her ride was here to pick her up. She glanced questioningly at both Yugi and Joey, surprised to see a smile light up the boy's face and wondering what he was up to. Joey didn't look too happy, and she was curious about that as well.
"Come on, you guys," Tea said. "Let's all leave so she can get dressed."
Shari smiled at the girl as they all left. "Thanks, Tea, for everything." Tea smiled and closed the door behind her, leaving Shari to wonder who was picking her up.
*****************
Finally! Shari gets to meet her new roommate! But will it be war or peace between the both of them? Or maybe a little of both? Thanks for reading! C-ya!