Flower Petals: Another long chapter. Next one is really short, I promise! Please suffer through it. Something actually happens in this chapter. Now finally, the angst, drama, action, adventure, and psychological issues that characterize my lame style of writing can at last be witnessed!
For Sakurelle, thank you for reviewing! I really appreciate your support. Really, REALLY, much. Thanks!
For the pertinent, blunt, reticent, Ry-the Dark/Mystical Elf, thanks for the reviews!
For my sister, thanks sis!
For the newly born Kurama, (whatever!), thank you so very much!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything pertaining to it.
Warning: I don't swear at all. (My favorite word to use when I'm angry, upset, or want to call someone something, is tartersauce). But nasty, foul mouthed Kaiba, does. Just a heads up! Read and enjoy! Well, hopefully. . .
Flower Petals
Infatuations
A few weeks had gone by since the dance, but it was still what everybody at Domino High School was talking about. They'd talk about the music, spread atrocious rumors, and daydream about what they'd wear for next year.
All Taleah's friends talked about, however, was Kaiba. They teased Taleah, for they had all seen her and Kaiba dance together. She, herself, didn't think much of what had happened that night. It was all a fluke, she kept telling herself.
School had been pretty much the same-evil teachers giving Taleah much more work to do then the rest of the students. There wasn't much to look forward to, except being around her friends. She continued to grocery shop on the weekends. But she had never had any company, for Kaiba had been away on a business trip and Mo wasn't allowed to leave the mansion.
It was a Wednesday, the second of the month. Which usually meant one thing-a field trip. Taleah didn't mind the excursions-she enjoyed a break from all the politics of school. This particular field trip was to one of Pegasus's estates. And Taleah was looking forward to it.
She had heard a lot about his, "castle," as it was called. But she had never gotten close enough to even catch a glimpse of it, for there was heavy security all around.
As the school bus approached, the magnificence of the castle could be seen. It was huge-nearly thrice that of the school building and it was all painted luminously white. The sun shone on the paint, making it sparkle.
"I heard dat der's over several bathrooms," Joey said.
Tae rolled her eyes. "Neat. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll get to try one out."
"I refuse da hear da sarcasm in dat."
Yugi waved his hands. "Stop it, you two. Look, we're almost there."
The driver was given clearance to drive up to the foot of the stairs that led to the main door. Once outside, the class divided into three, equal, single file lines and headed up the steps. When all had reached the top, the doors were flung open in greeting.
A man in his early thirties with very severe features and very dark sunglasses stepped out. He was very large and toughly built. And he had an extremely deep, booming voice.
"Welcome," he bellowed, "to one of Pegasus's castles. I am Kemo, one of his guards, and I'll be your guide today. Now, if you'd please stay in your lines, follow me."
"Looks like Kemo der goes to da same salon Tristen does," Joey whispered.
It looked true enough-Kemo had a mohawk that looked just like Tristen's, except for the fact that it was longer and sharper.
"I am not going to take that offensively," Tristen said.
The castle was truly splendid. Everything looked so dignified and majestic, even down to the very floor the students walked on. The doors opened to a vast hallway with decorative benches every few feet. Several cedar doors were placed on either side of the hall, continuing until the next room which was for dining.
Winding stairways were present throughout the whole tour. Each led to a different tower. Kemo only escorted them up one. It turned out to be a balcony overlooking a greenhouse underneath.
The greenhouse seemed to hold every different flower there was. The whole place was alive with color and brilliance, and a pleasant, fresh aroma.
Kemo didn't pause there for long, before he began the tour again. But Taleah wished to stay longer. She had a camera and she wanted a picture.
"Magnificent, isn't it?"
Taleah whirled around to face the one and only, Pegasus. He was a tall, lean man that resonated with power and authority. He had the purest, straightest, shoulder length white hair that strangely, seemed to cover one of his eyes. He was wearing a bright red suit and a wide smile.
"Mr. P-P-Pegasus," Taleah sputtered.
"Please, no need for formality here. Call me Pegasus. I never did like that Mr. Stuff." He had an easy sort of charm that immediately won Taleah over. "Which one is your favorite?"
At first, she didn't know what he was talking about. Favorite what? He must mean the flowers. Taleah didn't have to think for very long. "Those. The purple ones with the pink trim."
"What do you like so much about them?"
"Their color. The way they stand out against all the others."
"You know, Taleah, you can judge what kind of a person somebody is by comparing them to their favorite flower."
Taleah froze. "How did you know my name?"
Pegasus's one visible eye grew dark. "I know because. . .it says so on your name tag."
"Oh, right," Taleah said, as she touched the cold surface of plastic that was pinned to her shirt. Everybody had to wear one incase they got lost. That way someone would know if they were missing. "I feel like such a dork."
"You don't need to, my dear. Do you want to know which flowers I like the best? Yes? The gold ones. Know why? Look how they strive to cover up their fellow companions. See how they look and act so superior, as if they think themselves omnipotent. They are true survivors, my dear. But you most likely aren't interested in any of what I have said. I apologize."
"No, no. I think what you said is fascinating. And I totally agree. There are so many out there, that one has to fight for attention and to stay alive."
Pegasus chuckled. "You are right in more ways then one, my dear. Hmm. I can't help but notice that every so often your hand strays to that pleasant looking bracelet of yours."
"My bracelet? Oh. It's actually rather strange, but it comforts me to know that It's there. Kind of like a reassuring hand. I guess every once in awhile I like to touch It just to make sure It's still there."
"Interesting. However did you get It?"
"I don't know. It seems like I've always had It."
"Very pleasant, indeed. How much do you want for It? I can pay any price that you name."
His charm was gone and Taleah suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"I-I better go, my class-" Taleah began. But then she realized that she was quite alone. Alone, with the exception of Pegasus. Kemo most not realize that I'm gone.
"Listen, think about it. Then meet me here after school and we will discuss this further."
"Think she got lost?" asked Tristen, who was shuddering and hiding behind Joey. "It's so big and scary in here."
Yugi frowned. "I'm starting to get worried. Should we go look for her?"
"I'll go," Tae volunteered. "But I have no sense of direction and I'll probably get lost, then both Taleah and I would be lost, wandering in the castle, (kind of like the first day of school) and we'll never be found and we'll have to eat rats and anything else that crawls by and we'll never see any of you or our families or relatives again. So, oh well."
"That just doesn't sound logical," Bakura said. "I'm sure if we put all our heads together we'd be able to come up with something."
"Don't forget that one of those heads is Joey's," said Tristen. "That would be like subtracting one."
"Hey!"
"You guys don't have to argue over me. I'm here."
"Taleah!"
"I'm glad you're okay!"
"Are you okay?"
"You weren't lost?"
"Where were ya? Did ya come across one of da several bathrooms?"
"Joey!"
"I came across something much more interesting," Taleah said. She explained to them why she had been missing and all about her encounter with Pegasus.
"Dat would have been strange, bumpin' into somebody like Pegasus," Joey thought out loud. "I didn't even know he was here. Wonder why he wants yar bracelet."
"I don't know. But we'll all find out together."
"Sorry, but only Miss Dundigan is allowed in," Kemo said sharply.
It was after school, and the friends were all standing in front of Pegasus's castle's main doors. Kemo was guarding the entry, and he was refusing to let anybody but Taleah in.
"Orders. You can wait outside."
"We're comin' in," Joey claimed. "Even if I have da fight ya."
Kemo stepped in close so that he was only a few inches away from Joey. It was then, Joey realized just how big and tall Kemo was.
"I mean, move out of da way or else Tristen'll fight ya."
"Wha?" cried Tristen. "No way! He's creepy!"
"It's alright guys," Taleah said. "I'll go in alone. Just promise that you'll be out here waiting for me when I return."
Yugi nodded. "Whatever you ask."
Taleah took a deep breath as Kemo opened the doors, and she once again stepped into the mighty fortress. This time she didn't have a guide. But she had directions. The meeting between her and Pegasus was to be held in the Board Room. Walking at a steady pace, she took the third door on the right, climbed the stairwell, made a left at a fork, took a winding path that seemed to lead down, and opened a wooden door that undoubtedly, led to the Board Room.
A bright, red figure stood near one of the many windows overlooking the sea. After all, it was quite a view with the waves crashing ashore and the sun working its magic so that the water glowed in golden radiance. But Taleah couldn't appreciate any of it. She was too nervous.
"Taleah," Pegasus greeted, without even turning around. "I've been expecting you. Kemo been giving you a little bit of trouble? He's just that type I suppose. Now, down to business. Take a seat, if you will."
"I'd rather stand."
"Very well."
"What do you want with my bracelet? It's surely of no importance to you. Money wise, anyway. But It holds value for me. At times, It's my only companion, my motivation. You can't put a price on that."
"It appears that I've clearly underestimated you," Pegasus admitted. "And here I was thinking that you'd just hand the thing over. But you've convinced me now, that no matter what I say, you'll refuse to part with It. You don't know anything about It, do you?"
Taleah shook her head.
"Then you can't possibly know why I want It, except that I do. I am a business man, my dear. Years of negotiating, has hardened me. But today, there will be no compromise."
"Is that a threat?" Taleah asked, boldly.
"Watch, my dear."
With a press of a red button, a screen came down from the center of the room. It was one of the flat screens that they sold now at markets, but this one was changed, manipulated somehow. It hung from the ceiling on two hooks, one on each side, and showed nothing but a black screen. Taleah began to wonder if it was working properly. Is this what he wanted me to see? But then to her horror, the blackness began to slip away to be replaced by a clear and focused image of her parents. They were in their house enjoying a cup of coffee and talking about work.
Taleah gasped. She felt her heart stop. "Is. . .is that now?"
"Yes, my dear. The screen shows what is going on in your house this very second. Fascinating, mmm?"
"You creep! Have you been spying on my family long?"
"No. First time. And it's not called, 'spying.' Rather, watching. If you do not hand over that bracelet, something will happen to your parents."
Taleah didn't believe him. He says that, but does he gave the guts to really do something? And what? He can't hurt my parents; they are safe in their own house. The worst thing he could do is say that he'll watch them some more. I don't get this. How could a supposedly friendly meeting go so horribly wrong? Who knew that Pegasus would turn out to be this way?
"Well, Taleah? No? I guess you'll have to learn the hard way. Croquet?"
There was a fuzzy sound and then the voice of a man. Taleah searched frantically to see where it was coming from. Then she realized, that on the right corner of the screen, there was a small picture of man with greyish hair, and a mustache. He was wearing earphones. And so is Pegasus, Taleah discovered. They're communicating that way. But where is this Croquet man?
"Get on with it."
"Yes, sir."
An astounded Taleah watched as men poured into her living room through windows and doors, startling her parents. She felt like someone kicked her in the stomach, as she helplessly watched her parents being taken away. Coffee was spilled and tables were turned over. It was a rough struggle. Taleah fell to her knees, unable to take her eyes off the screen.
"Mom. . .Dad. . ."
"Now, do you trust in my words? Give It to me!"
Taleah had no voice, she couldn't talk, or scream for help. Not that it would matter-it was Pegasus's castle. Everybody there were guards. They were all on his side. She was alone and helpless. And she couldn't do a thing about it.
Suddenly, her bracelet began to glow. Taleah was blinded by the brilliant color bursting forth. It gave her a new strength. She felt stronger and more capable of being able to handle her problems. A voice spoke to her through her mind, run. Get out of there before it's too late.
Taleah obeyed. The light from her bracelet had temporarily stalled Pegasus, giving her enough time to escape. She ran blindly out of the door and back into the labyrinth. She stumbled, and tripped, once almost knocking a few things over, and bumped into the hard, cold stone wall in her flight. She had long since lost track of where she was going. All she even knew or thought, was that she wanted away.
An alarm went off. It reverberated throughout the castle, so loudly that Taleah nearly lost her footing.
Only one thing kept her going now, and that was a single door that had light pouring out of it, somewhat ahead. A door to the outside. Once I'm out, I have to home. Maybe it's not too late. . .
Seto Kaiba was in a sulky mood indeed. The so called trip had gone horribly wrong right from the beginning. First, the hotel reservations that he had made a month in advance, were missing. When he had found them, the man at the front desk had told him that he wasn't in the computer database. So, as a result, Kaiba had had to stay at a cheap motel, miles away from his destination. Then, he had learned from very disturbing news. Maximilian Pegasus, who had supported KaibaCorp. In the beginning, was now trying to take it over. KaibaCorp. And Industrial Illusions had been rivals for a long time. And now Pegasus planned to merge them. So that's why the Big Five have been acting so bizarre. They have been discussing terms with Pegasus, trying to overthrow me as if they think I'm some kind of pushover. I'll prove them wrong.
The idea of the two companies merging, wasn't at all a bad one. That was, if Kaiba was allowed any control. But he knew what kind of man Pegasus was. He had known him for a long time. He knew what that man was capable of. Go ahead and do your worst, Pegasus. KaibaCorp. is still mine, and I plan on keeping it that way.
Kaiba ran a hand through his hair, drawing it back from his face. (He had long bangs that had a tendency to flop down into his eyes). It's time to confront Pegasus.
Taking three steps at a time, Kaiba soon reached the top of the stairs leading up to the castle, to find that he wasn't alone. Taleah's friends were standing outside, arguing with Kemo, who looked like he was about ready to slap Joey. Kaiba was confused. What are they doing here? I thought I was the only one who knew where Pegasus is staying.
Joey was saying something remarkably vitriolic to Kemo when he spotted Kaiba and stopped in mid-sentence. "Wha are ya doin' here? Don't ya have some fancy company da run?"
"I am here on business. I want a word or two with Pegasus."
"Well you can't, because Taleah's speaking with him right now," Tae explained. "Although, she's been in there a long time."
"We would be in der too," Joey snarled, "if bozo here had let us in."
"A long time?" Kaiba questioned. "That's not good."
"Meaning what?" Bakura sounded worried. "You don't think that something has happened to her, do you?"
Kaiba shrugged. "Never know with Pegasus. He'll do whatever is in his power to get what he wants."
"He wants something from Taleah," Yugi said.
"Uh-uh!" Kemo said as Kaiba tried to get past him. "Only one guest allowed in at one time. Wait your turn."
"Out of my way you overgrown, immature, bastard!" Kaiba snapped.
"Again with the insults? I have no propensity to let you in. Besides, I am not in authority here."
It was then when they all heard the shrill, harsh sound of an alarm, coming from inside the castle.
"Something's wrong," Yugi stated. He turned to ask Kaiba a question, but Kaiba was gone.
He had known something was up when Kemo had refused to let him in. Pegasus had always welcomed visitors. To him, they were just more people to intimidate. What did he want from Taleah? She had nothing to do with his company, and right now, Pegasus only seemed to be fixated on that.
He whipped around a corner. A few more blocks and he'd be there. He just had to keep on running.
Taleah's home was rapidly coming closer. It was a small, two story made of bricks. When he reached it, he couldn't help but notice that the front door was ajar. Entering, he found the place bare, and devoid of everything it had once held. Nothing remained. Save for one, not a single piece of furniture was left. It was a couch. An old, beaten-up couch. Besides that, even the carpet was missing.
He found her in what could have only been what was left of her parents' bedroom. She was in the very center, on her knees, her face in her hands. Weeping.
He stood in the doorway. "I'm sorry Taleah."
Taleah sniffed. "He's taken everybody and everything. It's all gone. Everybody's gone."
"I'm so sorry." This time, he meant it. He wished with all his heart that there was a way he could make it all better. A way to comfort her. Right then, there was only one thing he could do.
He fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He rocked her back and forth as one would a child. All the while muttering, "It's okay, it's okay," over and over. His troubles and worries slipped away. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. Not his business, not even Pegasus. They all seemed so distant, so far away. It felt like time had stopped in that little room.
After awhile, she stopped crying and drew back so she could face him. "Kaiba?"
"Yeah. It's me." Kaiba brushed away her tears. "It's me."
Sounds could be heard coming from the other side of the house.
"Taleah?"
Kaiba stood. "Your friends are here. Good bye now." He fled out an open window.
Joey entered the room a few seconds later, and gripped Taleah by her shoulders. "Are ya okay?"
Tristen, Bakura, Tae, and Yugi all came in. They gathered around her, creating a protective shield. All muttered encouraging words.
"Tell us exactly what happened," Yug said.
Taleah started with telling them about how Pegasus demanded she hand over her bracelet. She told them about how when she had refused, he brought down the screen and made her watch as her parents were kidnaped. Then she explained how she had escaped only to run home and find it empty. She didn't mention Kaiba. For she was still in such a daze, that she wasn't sure if he had truly been there.
Yugi's hand went up to touch the Item he wore around his neck. "If what you said is true, then your bracelet acted the same way my Millennium Puzzle often does."
"Millennium Puzzle?"
"I don't know anything of Their origin. I just know that there are very few Millennium Items. You and I both seem to have one."
Bakura's face changed suddenly. "Millennium Items. I've heard of Them before. Yes. . ."
"Can you walk?" Tae asked. "We've got to get you out of here."
"Yes. I-I think so."
It turned out that Taleah wasn't as strong as she had thought. She could hardly stand, let alone walk. Tristen told her it was because of the trauma she had just gone through, losing her parents. He and Joey carried her out and set her down on the couch. Tae made her a cup of hot chocolate. (Whoever had kidnaped her parents and stolen everything that she had ever owned, contained enough decency to leave the food behind).
"Thank you guys. You all mean so much to me."
Joey patted her on the leg. "We'll do whatever we can, da help ya get yar mamma an' papa back."
"That's right, Joey," Yugi agreed.
There was a knock on the door that startled them all.
"I didn't order a pizza," Taleah said.
Joey and Kury leapt out in front of Taleah, shielding her incase the kidnapers were back. They weren't going to give up their friend without a fight. Tristen hid behind Tae. Yugi, answered the door.
Everyone held their breaths as they waited for Yugi to return. They heard him murmur, "Thank you," then watched as he came back with a large box addressed to Taleah.
Tristen trembled. "You think it's a bomb?"
Taleah sat on the end of the couch and set the box in her lap. She didn't have a choice-she had to open it. It undoubtedly had something to do with her parents. She just didn't know what.
Ripping away the tape and top cover, Taleah found the contents. Surprisingly enough, the box held what looked like two yellow starchips, a red, velvet glove that had gold plates on the knuckles, and an invitation to the dueling tournament on Pegasus's island.
"I'm confused." Joey looked that way indeed. "Pegasus wants ya ter enter da contest? Why?"
"Maybe if I win, he'll give me back my parents," replied Taleah. "Although, he wouldn't get my bracelet. Or maybe that's just it. If I win, I get back my parents. And if I lose, he gets my Millennium Item. I'm confused too. But entering the contest is the only way to get answers."
"Look," pointed out Tristen, who had just now come out from hiding behind the couch, "the invitation states that there will be two winners. First place gets to duel Pegasus. Second, wins the prize money: three million! Finalists get ten thousand each. But wow! Three million is a lot of money."
"Yes," Yugi said, "but who cares about that at a time like this?"
Joey snatched the invitation away from Tristen, his dark eyes quickly scanning over it. "Oh, man. Three mill."
"I guess Joey does," Yugi answered himself.
"Should we call the police?" Bakura proposed. "This was a federal offense."
Taleah shook her head. "No. I have the feeling that Pegasus wouldn't have wanted me to do that. Whatever this is, it's between me and him. Besides, we don't have any proof. I'll bet whoever kidnaped my parents didn't even leave shoe prints behind, let alone any camera."
Tae took Taleah's hands. "You're probably right. Well, no matter what happens, we'll all be here for you. That's what friends are for. We'll support you in anyway we can."
"Thanks. I'm pretty sure what my course of action is now. I'm entering the dueling tournament, and I'm going to win."
Worrying about school seemed so silly to Taleah now. It was of very little importance to her. There were bigger things to fret about.
The ferry that would take everybody away to the Dueling Tournament on Pegasus's island was leaving in a matter of weeks. It had turned out that the big rush for better cards and dueling strategies had been a big waste of time for many people. For Pegasus had forgotten to mention that you had to have an invitation to compete. Only the better duelists were given permission to enter the contest.
Joey, who hadn't gotten an invitation, wrote a letter to the Chief Tournament Liaison, requesting one. A week had gone by without a reply, and he had begun losing hope when at last, on a nice clear day, he too got a box in the mail occupied by a glove, two starchips, and an invitation.
Tae and Tristen had no such attention of becoming apart of the tournament. Bakura, as much as he wanted to go, couldn't, because his parents were due back any day. Yugi hadn't made up his mind.
School days seemed to last forever. Now that it was almost over, the teachers were giving out even more work. But Taleah didn't mind. It kept her busy, so she didn't have to be reminded that her parents were gone.
Because she had nothing left in her home, she stayed with Tae and her family under the false pretense that her parents were out of town because of a family crisis. Tae's parents were nice folk and pleasant to be around, but they were always busy-always doing something or another. Taleah was most often forgotten because they were too caught up in things to notice her.
She found herself spending a lot of time with Mo at the Kaiba mansion. It was a gorgeous place with great stone pillars all around, making it look very antiquated. It sat on six acres of exquisitely landscaped property. Although it wasn't quite as big as Pegasus's castle or as beautiful, it had a certain humbleness about it that made it feel very homey.
There were no shortages of things to do-it had indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, spas, not to mention, basketball courts, exercize rooms, garden areas, and a volleyball/badmitton/pickleball court. Taleah and Mo swam, worked out, planted flowers, and played sports. No matter how many times they did any of those, the fun never seemed to wear out. Kaiba joined them occasionally, but he was usually only there long enough to snap at them to be quiet. Those rare occasions when he did associate himself with them, all three had a great time. Or at least, Mo and Taleah felt so. Kaiba expressed no enjoyment and he never once smiled or laughed. But Mo always assured Taleah that his brother really had had fun, but just didn't like to show it.
One particular day at the Kaiba mansion, Taleah and Mo spent so much of the day swimming that they had lost track of time, and before they knew it, it was late at night. They sat on Mo's bed staring at the clock in disbelief.
"I better go," Taleah said, reluctantly.
Mo sprang onto his oversized beanbag. "No, stay! I want to hear a story."
Taleah laughed. "A story? Aren't you a little old for that? No? Well, okay, but I don't know of any that you would like."
"Make one up." He thought for awhile then added, "One that rhymes!"
Taleah sat down next to Mo on his beanbag and leaned back so that she was almost laying. It was actually quite comfortable.
"Once upon a time," she began, "in a far away land, there were oceans full of water and deserts. . .um, full of sand? Sorry, I'm not too good at rhyming. Anyway, back to the story.
"Over hills and far away, there lived an unhappy princess. She had everything she had always wanted, so why she was unhappy, the townspeople couldn't guess. Only the princess knew, and all she did was sit up in her tower feeling blue."
Mo chuckled.
"So one day her father, the king, pledged, 'I'll pay any amount to whoever makes her happy.' Little did he know that that pledge, would bring a dragon to his door, a dragon named Bahredge.
"At first the king refused, thinking his daughter would be in danger. But he soon realized that this harmless dragon wouldn't even hurt a stranger. He was a kind soul who loved to run and loved to roll. The king, being very desperate indeed, let the dragon in to do his deed.
"The princess didn't care that there was a dragon in her room, or that when he rolled over to her, he knocked over a book and a broom. Although, she did kind of care when he picked her up and flew her out of there. She forgot her sorrow in her fright. She kicked, screamed, and yelled with all her might.
"Bahredge, the dragon, flew her down through the trees and thistles, and then finally to the ground. The princess ran and hid behind a tree asking, 'What is it you want from me?'
"The dragon replied, 'You were unhappy, so I've come to make you glad, that's all. I'm taking you with me on my adventures, you're going to have a ball.'
"The princess said, 'But my father's men will be looking for me.' Um, what rhymes with, 'me'? Oh, yeah! 'Ouch!' said the princess, 'I got stung by a bee!'"
Mo rolled over laughing. "That was good."
"Seeing that she was hurt, Bahredge used his magic dragon powers and cured her of her pain, like any other sensible dragon would have done. The princess thanked him and told him that he reminded her of her Mum.
"The two became fast friends and went out on a lot of adventures. They saved a town from a wild fire, prevented a forest from being cut down, and brought a woman back her dentures. They were known as heros worldwide. And the princess was cured from her sadness-she no longer cried." Taleah paused to take a breath. She was about to resume, when she noticed that Kaiba was standing in the doorway leaning against the door. Her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment. Had he heard?
"Seto!" Mo cried. "Taleah was just telling me a story."
"So I heard."
Taleah winced.
"Do you want to join us?" Mo asked.
Kaiba didn't answer. Instead, he went over and sat on the beanbag on his brother's right, so that Mo was in the middle. "What happens next? Does the princess go home?"
Taleah gulped. "Um, where did I leave off? Oh, right. But after awhile, the princess began to feel homesick. It just wasn't the same sleeping outside on the ground which felt as hard as brick. Um. . .uh. . .maybe I should stop for the night."
"I'll take care of the next few phrases," Kaiba volunteered. "So she told Bahredge one day, 'Thank you for taking me away. You've eased my troubles and taken away my pain. And you've taught me more about life then I ever thought I could gain. But you see, it's time to go back now. You've done all you can do for me, so go ahead, take your bow.' Taleah?"
Taleah nodded and picked up where he left off. "The dragon said with a tear in his eye, "It seems like we've only just met and now it's time to say goodbye.' Sadly , he flew the princess home where her father waited. They let their tears flow, unabated."
Kaiba continued. "When the king met up with his daughter, he reviled her for running away. Then he told her how much he had missed her everyday. He asked the dragon how he had cured her from her sad state. Bahredge said, 'It was easy. She took the bait.' Taleah?"
"Right. The dragon went on to explain, 'You see, your daughter had it all, but yet she had nothing. She had everything she had always wanted, but yet she was missing something. Her life didn't have entertainment so I took her on an adventure. One that I always hope she'll keep close and remember.' Kaiba?"
"So from then on, everybody lived happily ever after. The end. Oh, and the princess was never sad again."
Mo yawned. "Already? And Taleah, 'adventure,' and, 'remember,' don't even rhyme. I'm tired."
Taleah found herself yawning too. She leaned even further back on the beanbag and felt Kaiba do the same on the other side of Mo. It was so late. She was so tired. Maybe if I just close my eyes for a little while, I'll feel more awake and then I can go back to Tae's. That's it. Just close my eyes. . .for a little while. . .
Taleah opened her eyes. She blinked a few times. Then she panicked. She didn't know where she was. The ceiling looked different from that of Tae's bedroom and she sure wasn't sleeping on one of her friend's bunk beds. It was starting to come back to her. I remember telling Mo a silly story. Yes, I remember that. Then I just felt so sleepy. I closed my eyes and then, and then. . .
Taleah bolted straight up. She knew where she was now.
Mo snuggled closer to the beanbag, muttering something in his sleep. Kaiba was lying next to him, just waking up.
I spent the night with the Kaiba's!
Kaiba opened his eyes and smoothed his hair back. When he saw Taleah he didn't look surprised at all. In fact, he looked too okay with the fact that she was still there and it was early in the morning. He motioned her outside.
Taleah carefully stood up, trying not to wake Mo who was now moaning, "Don't eat me!" over and over. She brushed herself off and walked out of his bedroom and into the hall. Kaiba joined her not too much later, and closed the door.
"I'm so sorry!" Taleah blurted as soon as the door was closed. "I had no intention of falling asleep! I'm so sorry. I'll make this up to you. I'll leave right now. I'm so sorry! Oh, how embarrassing. Did I mention to you how sorry I am?"
Kaiba opened a built-into-the-wall cabinet and began digging through it. "It's fine. Really."
"No, it's not," Taleah insisted. "I shouldn't have stayed so late. I should have never told Mo that story! I'm so sorry."
"Here is a fresh towel for your shower. The bathroom is two doors down to your left. And once again, you don't have to apologize."
Taleah was tongue tied. But only for a minute. "I'll go home right now, that way I'm not in your way or in your house. I'll be gone before Mo wakes up. I'm leaving. I'm so sorry!"
Kaiba gripped her by her shoulders, turned her around, and shoved her in the direction of the bathroom. "Two doors down to your left."
After a quick shower, Taleah felt refreshed. And ready to apologize some more. I feel so guilty. I wonder what Kaiba thinks of me now. Oh, it doesn't matter. What happens when he sues my parents? Alright, I've got to stop thinking that. What will Mo say when he wakes up? What if he's already awake? Wow, that's a scary thought. What if Tae finds out? What would she think of me? What if the whole school figures out? What would the teachers think of me? Why do I keep asking myself what other people think of me? I should just go and ask them.
She heard a slight clang in the kitchen. Kaiba must be cooking. The kitchen was on the other side of the hall. It was huge, with more space then Taleah had in her whole house, let alone her kitchen. It had three different islands that had cabinets all the way around and two refridgerators, ovens, stoves, and microwaves. Mo and she loved to hang out there and make up new recipes for their favorite foods. Their, "inventions," they liked to call them. Some turned out to be quite good. But most of their, "inventions," ultimately ended up in the garbage.
"Mokuba is still asleep," Kaiba told her as she walked into the kitchen. "Do you like hashbrowns?"
Taleah nodded and watched as he put on a plain, white apron. She couldn't suppress her laughter.
Kaiba raised his eyebrows in question.
"Sorry. You just don't seem like the apron type."
"Come again?"
Taleah put up a hand. "Never mind. Here, let me help."
She cracked a few eggs into a pan and turned on the stove. Kaiba continued to cook the hashbrowns. They worked in silence for a long time, occasionally passing each other seasonings and cooking utensils. Taleah was just passing Kaiba the pepper shaker when an average height, balding man with pleasant features walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning to you Mr. Kaiba, Miss Dundigan. I've brought the morning mail."
"Morning mail?" Taleah questioned. "Is there the afternoon and night mail too?"
Both the man and Kaiba looked at her in disbelief.
"Mail comes only in the morning for us, Miss Dundigan," the man explained. He set it down on the counter by Taleah, who couldn't help but notice that over half the envelopes addressed to Kaiba were from different colleges.
"Have you been accepted into all those colleges?" she asked.
Kaiba's face grew hard. He snatched the mail off the counter and thrust it all into the garbage can. That sudden motion made Taleah very curious.
"Mr. Kaiba gets accepted into many colleges," the man said. "It's only natural, he's a genius. He could have graduated by the time he was nine years of age. But you see, he just doesn't know what he wants to do or be."
"I never knew," Taleah murmured.
"Oh, yes," the man continued, "he has it all: he's extremely handsome, filthy rich, and as smart as they come. It's a wonder why he isn't happy. He's moody most of the time if you ask me."
"Very irritable," Taleah agreed.
Kaiba pointed a spatula at them. "How dare you two stand there and insult me!"
The man put a hand over his mouth. "Oh dear, we've made it mad."
Taleah giggled. Then seeing her chance, she asked, "What do you want to do with your life?"
"I don't know," Kaiba whispered. He turned his back to them and went back to cooking. Taleah knew him well enough to know that he was in his, don't-talk-to-me-or-I'll-snap-at-you mood. So she didn't question any further.
The man started to leave, but right as he reached the doorway, he turned and said, "As is a friend and your butler, I strongly suggest that you do whatever makes you happy." Then he left.
Taleah stared down at the floor. To have it all, but yet to have nothing. To have everything that you could ever want, but yet to be missing something. It was just like her story that she had made up last night. Only, it seemed Kaiba was missing much more then just an adventure or two. Oh, to have everything and still be unhappy. What is wrong with him?
"I've tried so many times to have that man fired."
Taleah looked up. It appeared Kaiba was out of his don't-talk-to-me-or-I'll-snap-at-you mood. "What makes you happy?"
Kaiba didn't say anything. He started to dish out the skillets he had made, onto plates when a very sleepy Mo waddled into the kitchen. He was still wearing his Indiana Jones pajamas.
When he saw Taleah, his eyes brightened. "She's here for good!"
Taleah handed him his plate. "Shut up and eat, Kid."
If there was ever a time when Kaiba would have laughed, it was then. But it seemed like he had forgotten how.
The doorbell sounded, and a symphony of music rang throughout the house.
Mo shot up out of his chair and skipped to the door shouting, "He's here! He's here!"
"He has a private tutor that comes here every day," Kaiba explained, as he dabbed his face with a napkin. "They'll be in the western wing for approximately three hours."
"Ah, I see." Taleah stood up and put her breakfast in the sink. The skillet had been awesome-Kaiba was a great cook. Extremely handsome, filthy rich, as smart as they come, and an excellent cook. She was about to wash her dish, but Kaiba blocked the faucet with his hand. "I'll do that later."
"Are you sure? Thanks. Thank you for everything. Could you do me a favor? Could you tell Mo that I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to say good bye and that I'll see him later? I have to walk to school."
"I'll drive you to school. And as for the favor, it is inappropriate. I have some business to attend to right after I drop you off. You'll most likely see Mokuba before I do."
"Oh. Well, let's get going then."
Most of the drive was once again, in silence. Although, Taleah was tempted to ask Kaiba if he had a driver's license. She was almost positive that he didn't. Surely he couldn't be that much older then her. Regardless of the fact that if felt that way.
When Kaiba parked the car in front of the school building, Taleah could no longer suppress the statement, "You know, you drive awfully well for somebody who doesn't even have a permit."
Kaiba looked surprised. "I was wondering when you were going to bring that up." He re-started the engine of the car. "Have a nice day at school. I guess I'll be seeing you later."
"Don't sound too disappointed," Taleah joked. She opened her door and was about to step out of the car, when Kaiba grabbed her arm.
"Listen, I just wanted to tell you that I think you're handling your present predicament very well. You've remained unbelievably strong despite all that Pegasus has done to you. I know that you find yourself weak and incapable, but you are wrong. You have been through a lot, but you haven't let that change you. I respect that. That's all I have to say.
Taleah managed a small smile. "I wish I saw what you do. All I see is a failure who cracks under pressure. But thank you for your kind words."
She just wanted to get out of that car and miles away. How could he say those things? They were all lies. All of them. I am not what he says I am. I am not strong. I run away from all my problems. She was sure running right then. Not just to get away from Kaiba, but from everything and everybody; Pegasus, that guy named Croquet, Pegasus's castle and island, her abandoned home, the Kaiba mansion. . .People's faces flooded by, laughing and pointing at her as she ran on. But she didn't care. She just wanted a break. Life had seemed so much simpler hanging out on one of the school's towers with her friends. Now, it was complicated. Too complicated. Why couldn't everything just go away and leave her alone?
Face your problems, said a voice from the back of her mind. They are yours and nobody else's. You must handle them. Just remember that you are not alone. You have friends who love you and who will stay by your side to the very end. Your parents, wherever they are, feel the same. They are counting on you. Everybody is counting on you.
Taleah peered down at her bracelet. It was glowing-a warm radiance against her cold wrist. There was something about It that made her slow down to a walk. She felt better now. It was right, whoever the voice was.
"Taleah!"
Tae came sprinting up to her. "I was worried. I saw you running and I thought there might be something wrong. Are you okay?"
"I am now," Taleah replied.
"Where were you last night? Went to bed early? Must have. Didn't notice that you were gone until this morning. Leave for school early? You sneak. Must have thought that you'd get here on time just to make me look bad. Well, never mind. School is about to start. Fun, huh?"
Taleah was shocked. She hadn't needed to explain anything! Tae had answered herself. Taleah was just glad that she didn't have to tell her friend that she had slept over with the Kaiba's.
~
Flower Petals: Whew! It's over. A big thanks for those brave enough to finish! And for those who didn't, a pox on you! Just, kidding. . .It's about to get really exciting, I promise! Please review if you want to see more.
How about three reviews before I update?
Taleah: You've got it all wrong. You have to be firm.
Flower Petals: Alright, three reviews before the next chapter is posted. Please?
Taleah: Firm I tell you!
Flower Petals: I demand three reviews PLEASE!
Taleah: Firmer!
Flower Petals: Three reviews or else I'll stalk you down and make you review, please?
Taleah: Firmerer!
Flower Petals: That isn't even a word.
Taleah: He, I guess you're right. . .