(Hey every one!!! Well here is the next chapter and there is an addition to
this story. It will now be co-written by myself and a friend of mine called
DarkBlaze17 who is kind of crazy but then again so am I. So we spend most
of our time at school writing for this story while out teachers think we
are taking notes, yeah right! So what else is there to say but R&R
PLEASE!!!)
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH!!! I just wish I did
Quick Thank Yous:
Sorceress Vanessa: Thanks for the review!!! Well here is the second chapter that you asked for!!!
V son sayian: You'll just have to wait and see! I know I am so cruel, but hey thanks for the review!!
Setosangel529: Oh believe me it is going to get pretty interesting! Thanks for the review!!!
Kistune-Yasha: *Waves Back* Hello!!! You should listen to the song!!! And no I don't have a super-spare-time-making-machine thingy it is called what I do when I am board in class, mainly history. Just don't tell Mr. Burg!!! Laters!!!
Crissy Kitty: Thanks for the thumbs up!!! I will try and put some Yami and Tea in it, but there won't be as much as in Shadows.
Kikoken: Hey thanks for the review and yes there is going to be a lot of action coming up so get ready and hold on tight!!! Oh I have read you story 'A Strange Crush' and I love it, it is so funny!!! DarkBlaze17 has been reading it too and she loves it as well!! Keep up the good work!!!
xIchigox: I am glad that you like this story it makes me very happy ^_^!!! With this story I wanted to make Serenity be able to stand on her own two feet which I have done a little with 'Shadows of the Past', but even more in 'Toxic'. I got tired of seeing her as the scared little girl so I did something about it. Anyways here is the chapter you wanted so enjoy!!!!
Hyper-Gurl1: Yep Serenity has blonde highlights *Takes cookie, Alexia likes cookies!!!* When I came up with the storyline I tried to come up with a really good title and it wasn't until I heard Toxic that it all came together so yeah. Well enjoy!!!
Chapter Two: First Day Mayhem
Serenity, Joey and their Grandparents had finally arrived at the Domino Pasta House where the gang was waiting outside for them. This had been one of Serenity's favorite places to eat when she was a little girl and her Grandparent used to take her here all the time for birthday, special occasions or for no reason at all. Every ones was nicely dressed even Mai although her dress was still to short for Serenity's Grandmothers liking but out of respect for Serenity she said nothing.
They walked in together and Grandpa went to speak with one of the waiters who nodded and signaled for them to follow. They were lead to the very back where the larger rooms that were used for meeting and parties were. The room they were lead into was decorated in pink and yellow, their Grandma's favorite colors, with a banner that read 'Welcome Home Serenity!' and a rather large cake that said the same thing. The present Serenity had forgotten to open at home were sitting on a table near the cake.
"So you guys didn't have a business meeting." Said Serenity
"No we did. It just didn't last as long as we let on." Replied Grandpa
"Well this is great, thank you!"
"Okay every one take a seat and lets order." Said Grandpa
Every one sat down at the long table Serenity at the head, as this was her special occasion. They talked as they ate their food, all about dueling, fashion, life in New York and how on earth Serenity had gotten into computers. Serenity was enjoying herself it was great to be back in Domino with her friends and family.
"Oh Yugi I forgot to tell you. Me and Seren were dueling earlier and she kicked my butt a couple of times. I wasn't even letting her win."
"Really Joey?"
"Yeah, I bet if you and your Grandpa gave her a few lessons she could enter the next dueling tournament."
"Would you like that Serenity?"
"I would love it!"
"So you beat Joey a few times?" Asked Mai "I bet after a few lessons he won't be able to win against you."
"I agree."
"Thanks Tristan! You're a real pal!" Every one laughed
"Alright time to have cake and open presents." Said Grandma
Serenity loved her presents, well most of them anyway. There was a beautiful pair of gold dangling earrings from Mai, some rare cards from Yugi and his Grandpa, a CD with some of the best dance music on it from Tea, a signed picture of Duke from Duke, a gold necklace with a golden heart hanging from it with her name engraved on it from Tristan and a card holder with her name engraved on it from Joey. There was one last present that she hadn't opened and it was from her Grandparents.
"Consider this twelve years worth of birthday, Christmas and just for fun gifts." Said Grandma
"Okay."
Serenity opened the tiny box and inside of it was a key chain with the name Mitsubishi on it there was also a piece of paper lying under the key. Serenity unfolded the paper and on it was a picture of a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GTS ST in steel blue pearl. Serenity stared at the picture in amazement.
"This-this is mine."
"Yes, it is all yours." Said Grandpa
"Thank you so much!"
Serenity ran over to her Grandparents and gave them both a big hug. They gang talked for a little while longer then it was time to leave. The girls made plans to go shopping that weekend after Serenity had gotten settled in. Then the group made a whole bunch of other plans. This was going to be a great rest of the summer. Serenity only had three more weeks before school started and she was going to make the most of them.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The last few weeks of summer past rather quickly, Serenity was hardly ever home she was always out with the girls or the whole gang. She spent lots of time at the mall, enhancing her dueling skills and deck, at the arcade challenging Tea and Mai to games of DDR and sometimes she just drove around town in her new car that she totally loved. Serenity loved being back home.
Things weren't going so well for Kaiba though, his business dealings with Graphic Industries were not going as smooth as he had originally hoped. See they believed that he wanted to form a partnership with them, but in reality he was planning on taking over the company and using their place in New York as his headquarters in America. At the moment he was sitting in a very boring meeting that he was sure he didn't need to be at considering they were talking about nonsense.
"Listen I still can't get that program to work and neither has anyone else!" Yelled Jake the young man from the plane
"Jake there is no need to yell. I know that it won't work." Said Mr. Thomson head of Graphic Industries
"There has to be some one who can fix that program." Said Kaiba
"There is one person but I am not sure if she will do it." Said Mr. Thomson
"Who is this 'she'?" asked Kaiba
"You met her, her name is Serenity Wheeler. She is as good with computers as you are Mr. Kaiba."
"I highly doubt that."
"Why?"
"I have my reasons."
"Mr. Thomson maybe you should see if she will work for you."
"I am sure she will be busy with school Jake."
"But she worked for you when she was in school."
"Alright I will track down her number and see what I can do."
"I still say you are wasting your time with her Mr. Thomson."
"We shall see Mr. Kaiba, we shall see."
'Wheeler must be good if they are trusting her with such a big project. I will have to keep a close eye on how this develops.'
"Oh and Jake."
"Yes Mr. Thomson."
"If I do mange to get Serenity to work for me once again you are not to start hitting on her again. Do I make myself clear?"
Jake turned at least five shades of red at this remark well his co-workers laughed at him under their breath.
"Yes Mr. Thomson. I understand."
"Good. Now too more important business; Mr. Kaiba have you had a chance to look over my proposal for the merger?"
"Yes and it is no good."
"What do you mean Mr. Kaiba?"
"What I mean is that control of the company will not be split 50/50. If this merger is going to take place I will maintain control over this company."
"You can't do that!"
"Can't I? I know the survival of your company depends on this. So I suggest Mr. Thomson that we do things my way."
"I think Mr. Kaiba that is meeting is over." A very angry Mr. Thomson stood up "Come everyone we are leaving."
The representatives from Graphic Industries followed a very disgruntled Mr. Thomson out of the meeting room and the building. Kaiba on the other hand stayed in his chair at the head of the table, this wasn't going to be easy. Yet this whole business with the mutt's sister greatly interested him. Joey was very easy to annoy, embarrass and several other thing yet Kaiba had yet to completely break him. Maybe just maybe this Serenity Wheeler could be of some use to him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was the last week before school started and Serenity was in her room getting ready to go shopping with the girls then meet the boy for lunch before heading over to the arcade. Her last few weeks had gone by so fast that she could hardly believe it.
Serenity had just finished changing when a buzz came from the intercom in her room. She walked out of her walk in closet/changing room to see who was paging her, it was her Grandma.
"Yes Grandma."
"There is a call for you on the main line."
"Who is it?"
"A Mr. Thomson from Graphic Industries."
"Oh! Tell him I will be with him in just a minute."
"Okay."
"Thanks Grandma."
Serenity walked across her room into her office, picked up the phone and pressed the button for the mainline. The phone in her office was the only on in her room that was connected to all the lines, her other one was only her privet line.
"Hello this is Serenity Wheeler."
"Hello Ms. Wheeler this is Mr. Thomson."
"How are you Mr. Thomson?"
"Fine thanks you and yourself."
"I am doing just fine thanks. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes actually there is. I was wondering if you might be interested in working for Graphic Industries still. Of course this would not be an internship it would be an actual job with a salary."
"That sounds great, but that would be kind of hard with school and homework."
"I understand that so the hours you work and whether or not you come into the office would be completely up to you."
"That sounds reasonable, but what would I be doing?"
"Basically what you did as an intern. You would be looking over new programs to make sure that all the bugs are worked out as well as having to opportunity to make some of your own programs. Would you be interested?"
"That sounds great! I would love to!"
"Great! This is wonderful! To tell you the truth we have been kind of lost without your help."
"Come on you have several programmers in you company."
"Yes but none with your skill."
"Well I am flattered and like I said before I accept you offer."
"Then it is settled and we will discuss your salary later. Thank you Ms. Wheeler."
"Have a good day Mr. Thomson. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
"Bye."
With that Serenity hung up the phone and finished getting ready.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sound from her alarm clock woke Serenity from her dreams she let her eyes slowly flutter open, but closed them once again when the sunlight from the window hit them. Serenity rolled over onto her side and opened her eyes once again letting them slowly adjust to the light then rolled back over on her other side.
The clock on her end table read 6:00am school didn't start until 8:15 but Mrs. Ukiyo the school's girl's guidance counselor wanted to meet with her at least an hour early to discuss her class schedule. Serenity slowly got out of bed letting the radio continue to play the song 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' and once out of bed she started to dance to the song.
Serenity went into her closet and pulled out her new school uniform, which she didn't really like all that much. The pink jacket with the blue skirt and tie was rather annoying, why couldn't the whole outfit just be blue like the guys? That aside she took uniform into the bathroom and took a shower.
Thirty minutes later Serenity walked out of her room and down to the kitchen for breakfast. The house was quit as she walked through the halls to the elevator. Of course her grandparents had left for work just before she had gotten up and Joey was still asleep. He would more then likely be the one rushing through the halls at school hoping that he wasn't late then falling asleep in class.
Fifteen minutes later Serenity left the house and headed for Domino High. It was a warm morning so she put the hood of her car down and left her hair blow out behind her in the wind. With her sunglasses on and the radio turned up she drove through town.
Serenity pulled into Domino High's student parking lot at the exact same time as a black BMW Z4 Roadster pulled in at the opposite and of the lot and she recognized the driver. The driver of the car was none other then Seto Kaiba who hadn't noticed that Serenity had pulled in at the other end of the lot. He appeared to be talking on his cell phone she was just glad that he hadn't seen her.
Serenity quickly found her assigned parking spot and pulled into it checking her watch, which read 7:05, informing her that she had five minutes to get to Mrs. Ukiyo's office. Luck was not on her side though because just as Serenity was about to get out of the car Kaiba pulled into the parking spot next to hers. As luck would have it though he was still on his cell phone so Serenity simply got out of her car.
The sound of a car door closing caught Kaiba's attention he had been talking on his phone the whole time and hadn't noticed that another student was actually there at this time in the morning. When Kaiba looked to see who it was he found himself looking at an auburn haired girl. The girl turned her back to him not even taking notice that he was there she simply leaned over the back of her car obviously grabbing her backpack. Never the less Kaiba continued to stare at the girl until she turned around and in that moment he realized that he had been staring at Serenity Wheeler.
Serenity stared Kaiba straight in the eye. Taking off her sunglasses she gave him an in your dreams/who the hell do you think you are look swung her backpack over her shoulder, flipped her hair and walked off towards the High School.
Kaiba mentally slapped himself for two reasons: one for ever staring at Serenity Wheeler, who happened to be the mutt's sister, and two for getting caught. Why he had stared at her in the first place he had no idea. She was only a Wheeler it wasn't like there was anything special about her. Kaiba pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind; he didn't have time for them he had work to do.
Back in the high school Serenity sat outside of Ukiyo Sensei's office waiting for her to finish her phone conversation. Ukiyo Sensei came out of her office and told Serenity she could come in.
"Good morning Miss. Wheeler."
"Good morning Ukiyo Sensei."
"Please have a seat. Now the reason I wanted to talk to you about your schedule is because you have signed up for all of the advanced classes. Now you have been accepted into all of them as you are aware of but most of these classes are only taken by seniors."
"Yes, I know that."
"I am just worried that they well be a little um hard for you."
"I am used to a schedule just like this one." Ukiyo Sensei was about to say something but Serenity stopped her, "If you are worried that I won't have any down time I assure you I will. As I have said I have had a schedule just like this before not to mention an internship while still being able to hang out with my friends. I kept my GPA at a 4.0 and still had time to myself. Now my I please see my final schedule?"
Ukiyo Sensei handed Serenity a piece of paper that read:
Period: Class: Advanced Calculus Advanced Literature Language: French 4 P.E.: Dance: Advanced Hip Hop & Pop
Lunch Advanced Business and Economics Advanced Computer Graphic and Web Design Advanced Japanese History
Serenity sighed because what Ukiyo Sensei didn't know was that most of these classes would be a breeze for her.
"You know only three other students have a schedule like yours."
"Who are they?"
"Seniors Tea Garner, Duke Devlin and Seto Kaiba. You have five classes with Miss Garner, four classes with Mr. Devlin and six classes with Mr. Kaiba."
'Great just what I need six classes with the coldhearted CEO.'
"Sounds great."
Ukiyo Sensei took Serenity on a tour of the campus that lasted only a half an hour, which gave the whole meeting a grand total of forty-five minutes leaving Serenity with about twenty minutes to kill. So Serenity made a quick stop at her locker then headed back to her math class.
When she entered the classroom she found it empty except for a bag and laptop sitting on top of a desk in the very back corner of the classroom. Serenity sighed and chose at seat at the front of the class by the window. The classroom overlooked the courtyard where students study, ate lunch and just hung out. The courtyard was known as Sakura Court because it was full of Sakura trees. Serenity sat down took out her laptop and began to work on a project for Graphic Industries.
Kaiba walked back into the building fuming, he had just finished up a business call with the manager of the shipping company Kaiba Corp used. He had called to talk to them about a missing shipment of Dueling Disks a gaming company in Germany had called about earlier that morning. The shipment was supposed to have arrived two days ago but it never did. As it turned out the shipping company had lost the entire order of two hundred Dueling Disks.
Still fuming from his phone conversation Kaiba walked back into the classroom but stopped in the doorway when he saw that some one else was in there. Kaiba smirked and leaned against the doorframe as he watched the girl with auburn hair that covered the side of her face as her fingers typed feverously at the keyboard. Kaiba continued to smirk for the girl was Serenity Wheeler and he had a score to settle with her. This would make his day.
"Well, well, well look who we have here."
Serenity ignored him.
"If it isn't the mutt's little sister and working on a laptop too." Kaiba was mocking her, but still she paid him no attention.
Kaiba made his way over to Serenity who continued to type. Kaiba reached down and tried to turn the laptop around so that he could see what she was working on but Serenity pushed his hands away and closed the program. She then proceeded to open another one of less importance and continued to work.
This greatly irritated Kaiba no one especially a girl ignored him like that. So in one quick motion Kaiba grabbed her laptop and placed it on the ground.
"What do you think you are doing?!?"
"You will listen to me when I talk to you."
"I don't have to if I don't want to. Now give me back my laptop."
"No."
"Fine I will get it myself."
Serenity tried to stand up but Kaiba pushed her back into her seat.
"You know you're a real jerk."
"And you should learn you place."
Kaiba leaned over her desk causing Serenity to lean back. He was attempting to intimidate Serenity, but it wasn't working. This irritated Kaiba even further considering by this point most people, girls in general, would be either crying or already passed out but not Serenity Wheeler. No she just stared him straight in the eye.
"And what would that be?" She asked in her most sarcastic voice
"That you and your mutt of a brother are beneath me."
Serenity leaned forward slightly
"You wish."
Kaiba leaned in even closer so their faces were almost touching, still Serenity didn't flinch. So Kaiba leaned over to the side and whispered in her ear
"I would watch your back if I were you."
"Threatening a girl are we? That must make you feel so powerful." Her words dripped of sarcasm and Kaiba's eyes narrowed as he pulled back.
"You little..."
"GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER KAIBA!!!!"
Joey ran up behind Kaiba and threw him back by his shoulders, but he was unable to throw Kaiba to the ground, as he would have liked too. Tristan had rushed up behind Joey and moved protectively in front of Serenity greatly annoying her while Mai, Tea and Yugi watched from the door.
"This has nothing to do with you mutt."
"Yes it does! You mess with my sister you mess with me!"
"Oh I do, do I?" This was exactly what Kaiba was hoping for
"Stay away from my sister!"
"And you assume that you can tell me what to do? Now that is funny."
"You are not to touch her."
"I will do as I please mutt." Kaiba smirked and looked straight at Serenity, "Besides someone has to teach her her place."
Yugi could see Joey clenching and unclenching his fists ready to fight. Yugi had to find someway to stop this, but how? Just then the five-minute bell sounded, thank god, thought Yugi.
"Joey class is going to start in five minutes! Come on we have to get going!"
"Not till Money Bags says he will stay away from my sister!"
"I will do no such thing."
"Joey come on!" Yelled Mai
"NO!"
"Joey the teacher is coming." Said Tea looking down the hall
"Serenity are you going to be okay." Asked Tristan
"Yeah I'll be fine."
"Alright. Joey lets go."
"I SAID NO!!"
"Is there a problem here boys?"
"No Sugawara Sensei." Every said at the same time except Kaiba
"Good then I suggest you get to your classes before you are late."
Sugawara Sensei glanced back and fourth between Kaiba and Joey before Joey finally left the room. Then he looked to Kaiba for an answer, but all he got was a none-of-your-business-old-man stare.
Students began to come into the classroom so Kaiba went to the back of the room and took his seat and Tea entered the classroom taking a seat up front next to Serenity followed shortly by Duke. The bell rang for class to begin and Sugawara Sensei jumped right into teaching calculus without even bothering with the class summary.
The morning classes went by fairly quickly, but throughout all her classes Serenity had this strange feeling that some one was watching her. Yet every time she turned around there was no one looking. She sighed as she waited for the lunch bell to ring wanting to get the hell out of her dance class where all they were doing was talking.
Finally the bell rang and the girls went to the locker room to change back into their uniforms and go to lunch.
"I can't believe that we didn't even get to dance for a little while!" Yelled Tea
"Yeah I know that was one boring class." Stated Mai
"What did you think Seren?" Asked Tea Serenity didn't answer she seemed to be staring into space. Mai waved her hand in front of Serenity's face.
"You in there girl?"
"Huh? Oh sorry, did you say something Mai?"
"What is with you today Serenity? Don't tell me you let that jerk Kaiba get to you."
"No I was just thinking about this program I am working on. There is a bug in it that is proving hard to get out."
"Good, because you had us worried there for a second." Said Mai
"Well are you two ready to go get lunch?" Asked Tea
"You bet." Said Mai
"Yep." Was all Serenity said
The three girls left the locker room and headed for the cafeteria. After grabbing their lunches they met the rest of the gang up on a small hill over looking Sakura Court. They spent most of the time watching Yugi and Joey duel and Tristan giving Joey a bad time when he made a stupid mistake for the tenth time in a row. All in all it was very entertaining.
The rest of the day passed by with little to no excitement although Serenity still had that lingering feeling that someone was watching her. The feeling bothered her somewhat but she pushed it to the back of her mind.
The first day of school was finally over; Serenity said good-bye to the gang and headed to her car. Serenity was about to leave when a cold voice spoke from behind her.
"So I guess you think you won today huh Wheeler?"
"What do you want Kaiba?"
"Just to say today was interesting."
Serenity whipped around
"I know what you're playing at Kaiba and I won't be a part of it."
"Is that so? I don't think you have..." The ringing from Serenity's cell phone cut off Kaiba
"Hello, this is Serenity Wheeler." Serenity paused for a moment "Oh hi Mr. Thomson." More talking "Yes I got a chance to work on the program, but that bug is being a pain." More talking, "Don't worry I will have it worked out in a day or two." Serenity noticed Kaiba still standing there.
"Do you mind?"
"Yes I do."
"Mr. Thomson could you hold on a minute please, thanks" Serenity placed her hand over the phone, "This is a privet conversation that does not include you."
"It is with Mr. Thomson of Graphic Industries, is it not?"
"Yes."
"Well then it involves me because I am working on a deal with him."
"Good for you but this has nothing to do with your deal. So good-bye."
Serenity got into her car plugged her headset into her phone and drove off leaving Kaiba standing in the dust. This was truly a different Serenity then the one he had meet during the battle city finals. She was no longer the timid little girl who had pleaded with him to help Bakura no she was different.
"Different or not I think I have just found the one thing that will bring the mutt to his knees."
Kaiba gave a little laugh put on his sunglasses got in his car and head for Kaiba Corp.
(Well there you have it the second chapter of Toxic and I hope you liked it. This chapter was written mainly by myself, but the next chapters will be written by the both of us. Oh and by the way if you didn't know both Serenity and Seto's cars are convertibles. So I guess all I can say is go and review!!!!)
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH!!! I just wish I did
Quick Thank Yous:
Sorceress Vanessa: Thanks for the review!!! Well here is the second chapter that you asked for!!!
V son sayian: You'll just have to wait and see! I know I am so cruel, but hey thanks for the review!!
Setosangel529: Oh believe me it is going to get pretty interesting! Thanks for the review!!!
Kistune-Yasha: *Waves Back* Hello!!! You should listen to the song!!! And no I don't have a super-spare-time-making-machine thingy it is called what I do when I am board in class, mainly history. Just don't tell Mr. Burg!!! Laters!!!
Crissy Kitty: Thanks for the thumbs up!!! I will try and put some Yami and Tea in it, but there won't be as much as in Shadows.
Kikoken: Hey thanks for the review and yes there is going to be a lot of action coming up so get ready and hold on tight!!! Oh I have read you story 'A Strange Crush' and I love it, it is so funny!!! DarkBlaze17 has been reading it too and she loves it as well!! Keep up the good work!!!
xIchigox: I am glad that you like this story it makes me very happy ^_^!!! With this story I wanted to make Serenity be able to stand on her own two feet which I have done a little with 'Shadows of the Past', but even more in 'Toxic'. I got tired of seeing her as the scared little girl so I did something about it. Anyways here is the chapter you wanted so enjoy!!!!
Hyper-Gurl1: Yep Serenity has blonde highlights *Takes cookie, Alexia likes cookies!!!* When I came up with the storyline I tried to come up with a really good title and it wasn't until I heard Toxic that it all came together so yeah. Well enjoy!!!
Chapter Two: First Day Mayhem
Serenity, Joey and their Grandparents had finally arrived at the Domino Pasta House where the gang was waiting outside for them. This had been one of Serenity's favorite places to eat when she was a little girl and her Grandparent used to take her here all the time for birthday, special occasions or for no reason at all. Every ones was nicely dressed even Mai although her dress was still to short for Serenity's Grandmothers liking but out of respect for Serenity she said nothing.
They walked in together and Grandpa went to speak with one of the waiters who nodded and signaled for them to follow. They were lead to the very back where the larger rooms that were used for meeting and parties were. The room they were lead into was decorated in pink and yellow, their Grandma's favorite colors, with a banner that read 'Welcome Home Serenity!' and a rather large cake that said the same thing. The present Serenity had forgotten to open at home were sitting on a table near the cake.
"So you guys didn't have a business meeting." Said Serenity
"No we did. It just didn't last as long as we let on." Replied Grandpa
"Well this is great, thank you!"
"Okay every one take a seat and lets order." Said Grandpa
Every one sat down at the long table Serenity at the head, as this was her special occasion. They talked as they ate their food, all about dueling, fashion, life in New York and how on earth Serenity had gotten into computers. Serenity was enjoying herself it was great to be back in Domino with her friends and family.
"Oh Yugi I forgot to tell you. Me and Seren were dueling earlier and she kicked my butt a couple of times. I wasn't even letting her win."
"Really Joey?"
"Yeah, I bet if you and your Grandpa gave her a few lessons she could enter the next dueling tournament."
"Would you like that Serenity?"
"I would love it!"
"So you beat Joey a few times?" Asked Mai "I bet after a few lessons he won't be able to win against you."
"I agree."
"Thanks Tristan! You're a real pal!" Every one laughed
"Alright time to have cake and open presents." Said Grandma
Serenity loved her presents, well most of them anyway. There was a beautiful pair of gold dangling earrings from Mai, some rare cards from Yugi and his Grandpa, a CD with some of the best dance music on it from Tea, a signed picture of Duke from Duke, a gold necklace with a golden heart hanging from it with her name engraved on it from Tristan and a card holder with her name engraved on it from Joey. There was one last present that she hadn't opened and it was from her Grandparents.
"Consider this twelve years worth of birthday, Christmas and just for fun gifts." Said Grandma
"Okay."
Serenity opened the tiny box and inside of it was a key chain with the name Mitsubishi on it there was also a piece of paper lying under the key. Serenity unfolded the paper and on it was a picture of a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GTS ST in steel blue pearl. Serenity stared at the picture in amazement.
"This-this is mine."
"Yes, it is all yours." Said Grandpa
"Thank you so much!"
Serenity ran over to her Grandparents and gave them both a big hug. They gang talked for a little while longer then it was time to leave. The girls made plans to go shopping that weekend after Serenity had gotten settled in. Then the group made a whole bunch of other plans. This was going to be a great rest of the summer. Serenity only had three more weeks before school started and she was going to make the most of them.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The last few weeks of summer past rather quickly, Serenity was hardly ever home she was always out with the girls or the whole gang. She spent lots of time at the mall, enhancing her dueling skills and deck, at the arcade challenging Tea and Mai to games of DDR and sometimes she just drove around town in her new car that she totally loved. Serenity loved being back home.
Things weren't going so well for Kaiba though, his business dealings with Graphic Industries were not going as smooth as he had originally hoped. See they believed that he wanted to form a partnership with them, but in reality he was planning on taking over the company and using their place in New York as his headquarters in America. At the moment he was sitting in a very boring meeting that he was sure he didn't need to be at considering they were talking about nonsense.
"Listen I still can't get that program to work and neither has anyone else!" Yelled Jake the young man from the plane
"Jake there is no need to yell. I know that it won't work." Said Mr. Thomson head of Graphic Industries
"There has to be some one who can fix that program." Said Kaiba
"There is one person but I am not sure if she will do it." Said Mr. Thomson
"Who is this 'she'?" asked Kaiba
"You met her, her name is Serenity Wheeler. She is as good with computers as you are Mr. Kaiba."
"I highly doubt that."
"Why?"
"I have my reasons."
"Mr. Thomson maybe you should see if she will work for you."
"I am sure she will be busy with school Jake."
"But she worked for you when she was in school."
"Alright I will track down her number and see what I can do."
"I still say you are wasting your time with her Mr. Thomson."
"We shall see Mr. Kaiba, we shall see."
'Wheeler must be good if they are trusting her with such a big project. I will have to keep a close eye on how this develops.'
"Oh and Jake."
"Yes Mr. Thomson."
"If I do mange to get Serenity to work for me once again you are not to start hitting on her again. Do I make myself clear?"
Jake turned at least five shades of red at this remark well his co-workers laughed at him under their breath.
"Yes Mr. Thomson. I understand."
"Good. Now too more important business; Mr. Kaiba have you had a chance to look over my proposal for the merger?"
"Yes and it is no good."
"What do you mean Mr. Kaiba?"
"What I mean is that control of the company will not be split 50/50. If this merger is going to take place I will maintain control over this company."
"You can't do that!"
"Can't I? I know the survival of your company depends on this. So I suggest Mr. Thomson that we do things my way."
"I think Mr. Kaiba that is meeting is over." A very angry Mr. Thomson stood up "Come everyone we are leaving."
The representatives from Graphic Industries followed a very disgruntled Mr. Thomson out of the meeting room and the building. Kaiba on the other hand stayed in his chair at the head of the table, this wasn't going to be easy. Yet this whole business with the mutt's sister greatly interested him. Joey was very easy to annoy, embarrass and several other thing yet Kaiba had yet to completely break him. Maybe just maybe this Serenity Wheeler could be of some use to him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was the last week before school started and Serenity was in her room getting ready to go shopping with the girls then meet the boy for lunch before heading over to the arcade. Her last few weeks had gone by so fast that she could hardly believe it.
Serenity had just finished changing when a buzz came from the intercom in her room. She walked out of her walk in closet/changing room to see who was paging her, it was her Grandma.
"Yes Grandma."
"There is a call for you on the main line."
"Who is it?"
"A Mr. Thomson from Graphic Industries."
"Oh! Tell him I will be with him in just a minute."
"Okay."
"Thanks Grandma."
Serenity walked across her room into her office, picked up the phone and pressed the button for the mainline. The phone in her office was the only on in her room that was connected to all the lines, her other one was only her privet line.
"Hello this is Serenity Wheeler."
"Hello Ms. Wheeler this is Mr. Thomson."
"How are you Mr. Thomson?"
"Fine thanks you and yourself."
"I am doing just fine thanks. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes actually there is. I was wondering if you might be interested in working for Graphic Industries still. Of course this would not be an internship it would be an actual job with a salary."
"That sounds great, but that would be kind of hard with school and homework."
"I understand that so the hours you work and whether or not you come into the office would be completely up to you."
"That sounds reasonable, but what would I be doing?"
"Basically what you did as an intern. You would be looking over new programs to make sure that all the bugs are worked out as well as having to opportunity to make some of your own programs. Would you be interested?"
"That sounds great! I would love to!"
"Great! This is wonderful! To tell you the truth we have been kind of lost without your help."
"Come on you have several programmers in you company."
"Yes but none with your skill."
"Well I am flattered and like I said before I accept you offer."
"Then it is settled and we will discuss your salary later. Thank you Ms. Wheeler."
"Have a good day Mr. Thomson. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
"Bye."
With that Serenity hung up the phone and finished getting ready.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sound from her alarm clock woke Serenity from her dreams she let her eyes slowly flutter open, but closed them once again when the sunlight from the window hit them. Serenity rolled over onto her side and opened her eyes once again letting them slowly adjust to the light then rolled back over on her other side.
The clock on her end table read 6:00am school didn't start until 8:15 but Mrs. Ukiyo the school's girl's guidance counselor wanted to meet with her at least an hour early to discuss her class schedule. Serenity slowly got out of bed letting the radio continue to play the song 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' and once out of bed she started to dance to the song.
Serenity went into her closet and pulled out her new school uniform, which she didn't really like all that much. The pink jacket with the blue skirt and tie was rather annoying, why couldn't the whole outfit just be blue like the guys? That aside she took uniform into the bathroom and took a shower.
Thirty minutes later Serenity walked out of her room and down to the kitchen for breakfast. The house was quit as she walked through the halls to the elevator. Of course her grandparents had left for work just before she had gotten up and Joey was still asleep. He would more then likely be the one rushing through the halls at school hoping that he wasn't late then falling asleep in class.
Fifteen minutes later Serenity left the house and headed for Domino High. It was a warm morning so she put the hood of her car down and left her hair blow out behind her in the wind. With her sunglasses on and the radio turned up she drove through town.
Serenity pulled into Domino High's student parking lot at the exact same time as a black BMW Z4 Roadster pulled in at the opposite and of the lot and she recognized the driver. The driver of the car was none other then Seto Kaiba who hadn't noticed that Serenity had pulled in at the other end of the lot. He appeared to be talking on his cell phone she was just glad that he hadn't seen her.
Serenity quickly found her assigned parking spot and pulled into it checking her watch, which read 7:05, informing her that she had five minutes to get to Mrs. Ukiyo's office. Luck was not on her side though because just as Serenity was about to get out of the car Kaiba pulled into the parking spot next to hers. As luck would have it though he was still on his cell phone so Serenity simply got out of her car.
The sound of a car door closing caught Kaiba's attention he had been talking on his phone the whole time and hadn't noticed that another student was actually there at this time in the morning. When Kaiba looked to see who it was he found himself looking at an auburn haired girl. The girl turned her back to him not even taking notice that he was there she simply leaned over the back of her car obviously grabbing her backpack. Never the less Kaiba continued to stare at the girl until she turned around and in that moment he realized that he had been staring at Serenity Wheeler.
Serenity stared Kaiba straight in the eye. Taking off her sunglasses she gave him an in your dreams/who the hell do you think you are look swung her backpack over her shoulder, flipped her hair and walked off towards the High School.
Kaiba mentally slapped himself for two reasons: one for ever staring at Serenity Wheeler, who happened to be the mutt's sister, and two for getting caught. Why he had stared at her in the first place he had no idea. She was only a Wheeler it wasn't like there was anything special about her. Kaiba pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind; he didn't have time for them he had work to do.
Back in the high school Serenity sat outside of Ukiyo Sensei's office waiting for her to finish her phone conversation. Ukiyo Sensei came out of her office and told Serenity she could come in.
"Good morning Miss. Wheeler."
"Good morning Ukiyo Sensei."
"Please have a seat. Now the reason I wanted to talk to you about your schedule is because you have signed up for all of the advanced classes. Now you have been accepted into all of them as you are aware of but most of these classes are only taken by seniors."
"Yes, I know that."
"I am just worried that they well be a little um hard for you."
"I am used to a schedule just like this one." Ukiyo Sensei was about to say something but Serenity stopped her, "If you are worried that I won't have any down time I assure you I will. As I have said I have had a schedule just like this before not to mention an internship while still being able to hang out with my friends. I kept my GPA at a 4.0 and still had time to myself. Now my I please see my final schedule?"
Ukiyo Sensei handed Serenity a piece of paper that read:
Period: Class: Advanced Calculus Advanced Literature Language: French 4 P.E.: Dance: Advanced Hip Hop & Pop
Lunch Advanced Business and Economics Advanced Computer Graphic and Web Design Advanced Japanese History
Serenity sighed because what Ukiyo Sensei didn't know was that most of these classes would be a breeze for her.
"You know only three other students have a schedule like yours."
"Who are they?"
"Seniors Tea Garner, Duke Devlin and Seto Kaiba. You have five classes with Miss Garner, four classes with Mr. Devlin and six classes with Mr. Kaiba."
'Great just what I need six classes with the coldhearted CEO.'
"Sounds great."
Ukiyo Sensei took Serenity on a tour of the campus that lasted only a half an hour, which gave the whole meeting a grand total of forty-five minutes leaving Serenity with about twenty minutes to kill. So Serenity made a quick stop at her locker then headed back to her math class.
When she entered the classroom she found it empty except for a bag and laptop sitting on top of a desk in the very back corner of the classroom. Serenity sighed and chose at seat at the front of the class by the window. The classroom overlooked the courtyard where students study, ate lunch and just hung out. The courtyard was known as Sakura Court because it was full of Sakura trees. Serenity sat down took out her laptop and began to work on a project for Graphic Industries.
Kaiba walked back into the building fuming, he had just finished up a business call with the manager of the shipping company Kaiba Corp used. He had called to talk to them about a missing shipment of Dueling Disks a gaming company in Germany had called about earlier that morning. The shipment was supposed to have arrived two days ago but it never did. As it turned out the shipping company had lost the entire order of two hundred Dueling Disks.
Still fuming from his phone conversation Kaiba walked back into the classroom but stopped in the doorway when he saw that some one else was in there. Kaiba smirked and leaned against the doorframe as he watched the girl with auburn hair that covered the side of her face as her fingers typed feverously at the keyboard. Kaiba continued to smirk for the girl was Serenity Wheeler and he had a score to settle with her. This would make his day.
"Well, well, well look who we have here."
Serenity ignored him.
"If it isn't the mutt's little sister and working on a laptop too." Kaiba was mocking her, but still she paid him no attention.
Kaiba made his way over to Serenity who continued to type. Kaiba reached down and tried to turn the laptop around so that he could see what she was working on but Serenity pushed his hands away and closed the program. She then proceeded to open another one of less importance and continued to work.
This greatly irritated Kaiba no one especially a girl ignored him like that. So in one quick motion Kaiba grabbed her laptop and placed it on the ground.
"What do you think you are doing?!?"
"You will listen to me when I talk to you."
"I don't have to if I don't want to. Now give me back my laptop."
"No."
"Fine I will get it myself."
Serenity tried to stand up but Kaiba pushed her back into her seat.
"You know you're a real jerk."
"And you should learn you place."
Kaiba leaned over her desk causing Serenity to lean back. He was attempting to intimidate Serenity, but it wasn't working. This irritated Kaiba even further considering by this point most people, girls in general, would be either crying or already passed out but not Serenity Wheeler. No she just stared him straight in the eye.
"And what would that be?" She asked in her most sarcastic voice
"That you and your mutt of a brother are beneath me."
Serenity leaned forward slightly
"You wish."
Kaiba leaned in even closer so their faces were almost touching, still Serenity didn't flinch. So Kaiba leaned over to the side and whispered in her ear
"I would watch your back if I were you."
"Threatening a girl are we? That must make you feel so powerful." Her words dripped of sarcasm and Kaiba's eyes narrowed as he pulled back.
"You little..."
"GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER KAIBA!!!!"
Joey ran up behind Kaiba and threw him back by his shoulders, but he was unable to throw Kaiba to the ground, as he would have liked too. Tristan had rushed up behind Joey and moved protectively in front of Serenity greatly annoying her while Mai, Tea and Yugi watched from the door.
"This has nothing to do with you mutt."
"Yes it does! You mess with my sister you mess with me!"
"Oh I do, do I?" This was exactly what Kaiba was hoping for
"Stay away from my sister!"
"And you assume that you can tell me what to do? Now that is funny."
"You are not to touch her."
"I will do as I please mutt." Kaiba smirked and looked straight at Serenity, "Besides someone has to teach her her place."
Yugi could see Joey clenching and unclenching his fists ready to fight. Yugi had to find someway to stop this, but how? Just then the five-minute bell sounded, thank god, thought Yugi.
"Joey class is going to start in five minutes! Come on we have to get going!"
"Not till Money Bags says he will stay away from my sister!"
"I will do no such thing."
"Joey come on!" Yelled Mai
"NO!"
"Joey the teacher is coming." Said Tea looking down the hall
"Serenity are you going to be okay." Asked Tristan
"Yeah I'll be fine."
"Alright. Joey lets go."
"I SAID NO!!"
"Is there a problem here boys?"
"No Sugawara Sensei." Every said at the same time except Kaiba
"Good then I suggest you get to your classes before you are late."
Sugawara Sensei glanced back and fourth between Kaiba and Joey before Joey finally left the room. Then he looked to Kaiba for an answer, but all he got was a none-of-your-business-old-man stare.
Students began to come into the classroom so Kaiba went to the back of the room and took his seat and Tea entered the classroom taking a seat up front next to Serenity followed shortly by Duke. The bell rang for class to begin and Sugawara Sensei jumped right into teaching calculus without even bothering with the class summary.
The morning classes went by fairly quickly, but throughout all her classes Serenity had this strange feeling that some one was watching her. Yet every time she turned around there was no one looking. She sighed as she waited for the lunch bell to ring wanting to get the hell out of her dance class where all they were doing was talking.
Finally the bell rang and the girls went to the locker room to change back into their uniforms and go to lunch.
"I can't believe that we didn't even get to dance for a little while!" Yelled Tea
"Yeah I know that was one boring class." Stated Mai
"What did you think Seren?" Asked Tea Serenity didn't answer she seemed to be staring into space. Mai waved her hand in front of Serenity's face.
"You in there girl?"
"Huh? Oh sorry, did you say something Mai?"
"What is with you today Serenity? Don't tell me you let that jerk Kaiba get to you."
"No I was just thinking about this program I am working on. There is a bug in it that is proving hard to get out."
"Good, because you had us worried there for a second." Said Mai
"Well are you two ready to go get lunch?" Asked Tea
"You bet." Said Mai
"Yep." Was all Serenity said
The three girls left the locker room and headed for the cafeteria. After grabbing their lunches they met the rest of the gang up on a small hill over looking Sakura Court. They spent most of the time watching Yugi and Joey duel and Tristan giving Joey a bad time when he made a stupid mistake for the tenth time in a row. All in all it was very entertaining.
The rest of the day passed by with little to no excitement although Serenity still had that lingering feeling that someone was watching her. The feeling bothered her somewhat but she pushed it to the back of her mind.
The first day of school was finally over; Serenity said good-bye to the gang and headed to her car. Serenity was about to leave when a cold voice spoke from behind her.
"So I guess you think you won today huh Wheeler?"
"What do you want Kaiba?"
"Just to say today was interesting."
Serenity whipped around
"I know what you're playing at Kaiba and I won't be a part of it."
"Is that so? I don't think you have..." The ringing from Serenity's cell phone cut off Kaiba
"Hello, this is Serenity Wheeler." Serenity paused for a moment "Oh hi Mr. Thomson." More talking "Yes I got a chance to work on the program, but that bug is being a pain." More talking, "Don't worry I will have it worked out in a day or two." Serenity noticed Kaiba still standing there.
"Do you mind?"
"Yes I do."
"Mr. Thomson could you hold on a minute please, thanks" Serenity placed her hand over the phone, "This is a privet conversation that does not include you."
"It is with Mr. Thomson of Graphic Industries, is it not?"
"Yes."
"Well then it involves me because I am working on a deal with him."
"Good for you but this has nothing to do with your deal. So good-bye."
Serenity got into her car plugged her headset into her phone and drove off leaving Kaiba standing in the dust. This was truly a different Serenity then the one he had meet during the battle city finals. She was no longer the timid little girl who had pleaded with him to help Bakura no she was different.
"Different or not I think I have just found the one thing that will bring the mutt to his knees."
Kaiba gave a little laugh put on his sunglasses got in his car and head for Kaiba Corp.
(Well there you have it the second chapter of Toxic and I hope you liked it. This chapter was written mainly by myself, but the next chapters will be written by the both of us. Oh and by the way if you didn't know both Serenity and Seto's cars are convertibles. So I guess all I can say is go and review!!!!)
