Chapter 3
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It was Saturday evening and Seto Kaiba was dressing himself. In about half an hour Serenity would arrive and they'd go to cinema. He was tidy and neat and now picking the final clothes. He had dressed in dark navy trousers and a simple blue and white sweater. It was good after all. It wasn't a date.
His brother Mokuba entered the room quietly and watched his brother straightening his clothes.
"Where are you going?"
"Cinema." Seto replied and sat down on his bed putting on his sneakers. They'd do as well.
"Uhu… alone?" The little raven-haired boy wondered.
"No, with Serenity Wheeler, do you want to come along?"
"Me? No. I don't want to disturb your date and anyway, a friend of mine will come over later."
"It's not a date! We're just friends!" Seto said watching his figure once more in the mirror.
"How do you call it then when you meet someone to go out! It's a date." Mokuba smirked. He had grown smart as well Seto thought. "Since when are you a friend of Serenity Wheeler?"
"Long story. But I guess we're now friends. Nothing more. Am I okay that way?" He presented himself to his little brother who snickered at his brother's behavior. The little guy was in the age when anything and everything was funny somehow.
"Neat." Mokuba said. "It'll do for a friend. Strange, I always thought you couldn't stand Wheelers."
Seto snorted. "I can't stand that mutt of a brother Serenity has, you know… Wheeler isn't Wheeler, just like Kaiba isn't Kaiba." He ruffled the younger brother's hair and smirked.
"Hey, stop doing that!" He shrieked. "What do you mean with Kaiba isn't Kaiba?"
"I mean, would you like it if anyone couldn't stand you because they just don't like me?"
"I got it, but… isn't it the usual way? I'm used to nobody liking me because of you!" Mokuba stuck out his tongue and ran out of the room leaving his brother shaking his head.
It didn't take much time until Serenity arrived at the Kaiba's. Seto had opened the door and they made their way outside. He would drive them or rather they got driven in his limousine.
"Wow!" Serenity couldn't hold back. "A weekend cottage on wheels."
"Yes. Unfortunately the real car's out of order, that's why we go by cottage tonight." Seto couldn't resist teasing her with sarcasm.
She laughed and within minutes they arrived their destination. Kaiba's door got opened by his driver and after he had climbed out Serenity followed. The place was full with people, even outside, and they were looking who approached in such an expensive car. They probably all knew Seto but his company? Serenity got strange looks and she felt slightly uneasy.
"What's wrong?" Seto noticed the change in the young girl.
"The people here." Her eyes carefully watched their surroundings.
"Oh, sorry, I'm used to this by now." Seto motioned with his head to go inside. "It's all about the car, they won't even see us once we'll be inside. I'm incognito." Again a joke. Serenity wondered if it was really possible that someone can change that much.
Seto bought the tickets and the two of them were standing behind the counter for some drinks and snacks.
"Do you like popcorn?" She asked casually.
"Just a coke." He answered. Their both sentences weren't long but said enough. Comfort.
She ordered popcorn, coke and juice and together they were making their way inside their cinema. He was carrying the drinks while Serenity held her popcorn. He knew a few people around here but choose to ignore them. He wanted to spent that evening in nice company and a rather quiet one. They should think of him, or even her, what they wanted.
Entering their cinema they looked for their seats.
"Double ones." She stated and sat down on it.
"They always got sold to pairs of two visitors." He said and sat down next to her.
"Did you come here often so far?"
"Sometimes. With company, yeah." He smiled and waited for the movie to start.
Serenity's heartbeat quickened. The movie really was scary but she wouldn't want to admit. No blood or anything but pure excitement. A child was walking down a dark corridor and looking for their parents but instead there was something else waiting for her. You couldn't see what it was but feel. Then a door opened!
She gasped loudly and turned grasping Seto's arm. Her eyelids she held tightly shut until she felt his hand upon hers. He squeezed it softly and when she looked up he smiled.
"Watch. Nothing happened." He said in a quite soothing voice.
She turned back to the movie but held on tight on her friend's hand. It felt warm and gentle cause his thumb was moving across her skin there a few times. It didn't seem like he was doing that on purpose. His hand controlled itself.
The movie came to an end and still they held their hands. Then Seto looked at her and stood up pulling her up with him. Just then his grip let go of her. They were walking back outside where the counters had been.
"Woah, it was quite scary though."
Seto laughed at her remark. "I've noticed this. But it was good though, wasn't it? Don't deny it."
This time she had to laugh. "Yeah, it was a really good movie. But I've got scared as hell. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight. If not I'd have to crawl to Joey and that's not a nice point of view."
"You are really something else." He shook his head at her.
"Serenity?" A well-known voice broke their conversation and when the two of them turned they saw Téa.
"Téa. Hi." Serenity stuttered surprised.
"Hi Serenity, Kaiba." Téa greeted them with a questioning glance at the tall dark haired man anyone knew so well.
"I'll leave you girls to yourself for a minute." Seto said mostly to his small company and headed off in the gent's direction.
"Well, have you been watching anything?" Serenity tried to make small talk.
"Yes and it seems you as well. Were you with Kaiba in cinema?" Téa asked unbelievingly.
"Um… yeah. Please Téa, don't tell anyone. No one knows he's with me here. They won't understand it. Joey and Tristan would go mad." The younger girl pleaded.
"Well, erm… Serenity. If you're dating Kaiba, then you should at least be honest," Téa scolded as usual.
"No, no, it's not a date. We're just friends! Really. And that's exactly the point Joey and Tristan wouldn't understand. Please don't tell them."
Téa sighed. "You know, I'm not a friend of lying! I'll do it this time but next time it's not my problem. You really should talk to the two of them."
"Thanks Téa, I'll make it up to you, promise." Serenity gave a shiny smile. "Who are you here with anyway?" She noticed Kaiba coming back and wanted to change the subject.
"Oh… erm… hehe…" Téa got obviously nervous. "It's… ah… Yugi." Her head sank.
"We didn't expect anyone else." The hazel-eyed girl said. "Okay Téa, we gotta go now. Thank you anyway." She said and went pulling Kaiba along with her while the older girl waved at them.
"Why did you thank her?" He asked.
"For the small talk." She replied lying.
"Would you like going for a drink? The 'After Cinema Bar' is still opened." He suggested.
"Uh… no. It's late, my mom would go mad. Sorry Kaiba, next time maybe!" She was rather sad about the fact she couldn't do what she wanted but Seto had to stand back there. Of course, she'd rather go for a drink with him.
"A pity." He stated. "I'll call the limo." Picking out his mobile he was about to speed dial but Serenity stopped him.
"What about we go walking?"
He raised his eyebrows.
"I know it's cold but it isn't that far from mine and from there you could always call your limo."
Seto shrugged and put his mobile back inside his pocket. If she was really that ashamed of getting picked up from a limousine she should have her way. He didn't care if he had to walk.
Serenity knew if they would go by limo at home they'd stop in front of their house and then maybe Joey or someone else would see them. It was better they walked.
Through the streets of Domino together with Seto she wasn't even scared like she would have been alone or with anyone else. She felt save instead.
It was cold but Seto enjoyed the night breeze. In silence he could walk with Serenity cause most of the time she was just quiet and not like so many girls who wanted to talk all the time.
"You know Kaiba, I really had a nice evening. I enjoyed this very much tonight."
"Mmh. Me too." He said with a pleased glance.
"It's been quite long since I was in cinema the last time. Guess that was with my mom when I was nine or ten." She chuckled at the memory. "Then my eyesight started to become blurry and we started visiting doctors but never any cinema. You've made me a really nice present today, do you realize that?"
"Not until now." He replied with a smile. "You're welcome Serenity. It was nice going out, I've missed that."
She smiled and stopped. "I live there." She pointed to an apartment building a few hundred feet away from them. "I'll better go alone from here. Joey will probably glue to the window and I'll spare you the embarrassing moments." If he knew she was with Kaiba her brother would probably do even more than glue to the window.
"Yeah, okay." Seto nodded and looked in her amazingly big hazel eyes.
Serenity put herself on her toes and tried to give her friend a kiss on his cheek but Seto couldn't resist. He turned his head in the right moment to meet her lips. She was surprised when she met his lips instead of his cheek and blushed trying to avoid his gaze but she couldn't turn away when he cupped her chin in his warm hands. He smiled at her and for the first time his eyes really looked lovely. He pulled her closer until their noses were inches apart from one another and they stared deeply in each other's eyes. He could do whatever he wanted. She melted in his hands. Their lips met once more then. Slow. Soft. Gentle. Not very long. Just a bit longer than before. Then Seto pulled back slowly.
"I'll watch till you're in the house." He whispered and took her hand for a moment.
She nodded. "Okay."
"Would you like seeing me tomorrow?" He asked letting go of her hand.
"Sure." She smiled at him.
"Good." He even grinned happily. "Good night Serenity."
"Night Seto." With that she turned and walked along the street till she got to her house. Then she watched back at the still waiting Kaiba. With a smile playing on her lips she entered the house.
Just when Serenity disappeared inside the house Seto sighed. He smiled to himself still staring at her home until he finally turned and started to walk. He knew the way home was long but he couldn't be assed to call his limo. He would walk!
Serenity hadn't slept much last night. She couldn't stop thinking about Seto and their kiss. Was he her boyfriend now? Her heart was racing even thinking about him. Was that love?
It was early afternoon when she were sitting at home with her mother and Joey and watching TV. She had thought about calling Seto but decided to go over to his place later. Then suddenly the doorbell rang.
"Who might this be?" Mrs. Wheeler spoke her thoughts out loud.
"I'll go." Joey said and jumped off the sofa. When he opened the door he was surprised to find Seto Kaiba. "You?"
"Yes. Is Serenity here? I'd like to see her." Kaiba said as friendly as he was able to when Joey Wheeler was around.
Joey raised a suspicious eyebrow at Kaiba before he turned to call for his sister. "SERENITY!" While calling for her he didn't notice that the door was open for Kaiba to step inside with no further questioning.
The brown-eyed girl looked from the living room into the corridor and was surprised when she found Seto standing there with a gentle smile on his lips.
"You've got a visitor." Joey said after he had closed the door and with a glare at the tall dark haired man. He passed by his sister and gave a weird look.
Seto came closer to Serenity and before she knew what was happening he was standing right in front of her. He noticed her mother looking quite surprised.
"Good afternoon. I suppose you must be Serenity's mother. Excuse my intrusion but I'd like to ask your daughter to go with me to the park." With that he turned to the girl. "Hope you'll like going there. I've heard there are Duel Monsters junior battles. My brother will be there as well."
She couldn't turn him down smiling like that, nor would she like to. But what would her mother say? And Joey! But she hadn't expected the reaction of her mother.
"I'm fine with that." She smiled at Kaiba pleased with his manners. "As long as she will be back by dinner time at 7."
"Sure." Seto gave a questioning glance at Serenity who began to smile.
"Yeah, course I'd like to." She grabbed her coat and put on some shoes. "Thanks mom, bye." She yelled across the corridor and pulled Seto along outside.
"You let them go?" Joey asked sharply.
"What bad should it do? I know he's not called very nice but she must know better than us." His mother sighed.
"I just don't trust him." Joey hmphed. Nevertheless he wondered. He had never seen Kaiba smiling like that before. Except for when he was with Ishizu. He had seen them a few times going out and though they didn't take much notice of others Joey could see that his biggest rival was having a great time smiling like a love sick puppy. He had never known that Kaiba was able to smile like that at all. If Kaiba was smiling it never meant any good. Then Ishizu came. Strange enough he wondered why the hell he was suddenly smiling at Serenity. Whether he liked her or he had evil in his mind. No option was quite acceptable for Joey. He decided to go out watching junior battles as well.
"Where do we find Mokuba?" Serenity ask walking through the crows with Kaiba.
"I don't know exactly. Anywhere near a battle I guess." He shrugged and straightened to his toes, then being taller then anyone else at all. "There he is." He pointed to a crowd near a little water.
The two of them headed straight to where the younger Kaiba brother was dueling himself with a girl named Anna. Anna was a red haired crazy looking girl but quite good as it seemed.
Mokuba noticed his brother with the brown haired girl approach and felt happy. He had hoped Seto, his idol, would see him dueling. But he didn't came here to smile!
"Anna, this is your last chance, take it or leave it. I will only need one more move and you're gonna be out!" Mokuba said self-confident. It reminded Serenity of Seto when he was dueling. She watched the older Kaiba for a moment. He was following the duel match of his brother like no one else. His inner excitement was showing and Serenity had to smile before she turned back to the children.
"Don't get to big headed Mokuba, your mouth's faster than your moves!" She shouted back and called another monster. The little boy seemed shocked. Then grinned.
"I think you've had a fair chance." Then he called a Blue-Eyes White Dragon and within seconds Anna's life points shrank to zero. Again Serenity was reminded of Seto. Had he given his beloved BEWD to his little brother? That was too sweet. But Mokuba was a better winner as it seemed. He went over to Anna and shook her hand. "Great match Anna, you were a hard rival."
"Thank you Mokuba and congratulations. You're gonna be a real champion." She smiled before she headed off. Like in times of Battle City Mokuba got a card for his victory. He had to get three of them to get into the final.
"Hey Seto, look, I've already got three cards!" He shouted when he came running over to the pair.
"Great Mokuba, I'm really proud of you." Seto smiled at his brother.
"Thank you for your Blue-Eyes. Now I don't have to duel anymore today. Next week are the finals." He stated. "I'm gonna go to the ice café now and meet with some other duelists. What are you up to?" The little guy asked the two of them.
"Maybe we'll watch a few more duels or maybe do something else, who knows." Seto grinned at his brother and Serenity who smiled.
The boy rushed off leaving Seto and Serenity all alone in the park.
Joey was walking through the crowds but couldn't see his sister nor Seto Kaiba anywhere until a certain raved haired boy ran into him.
"Ouch. Damn you!" The boy shouted rubbing his head before he recognized Joey. "Oh Joey, it's you. Well I didn't see you."
"Arg, yeah, no probs dude." Joey grimaced. "Have ya seen ma sista anywhere 'round?"
"Erm... yes, she's somewhere around here with Seto. Why are you looking for her?" Mokuba wondered why Joey would look for Serenity. Didn't he know she was with his brother?
Joey shrugged. "Nah, just asking. Thank ya man." Then he headed off with a wave of his hand.
Tristan picked up his mobile and speed dialed Joey's but when his mother answered and told him that the Wheeler siblings were both at the junior battles he was quick as lighting on his bike and drove to the park. Unfortunately Mrs. Wheeler forgot to tell him that Serenity was with Seto while Joey was on his own.
Tristan had parked his bike and was walking through the park. Then he saw a crowd where a duel was going on and he joined them watching for a few moments.
Serenity pulled Seto along through the park. She was brave enough to take his hand.
"Your brother reminds me of you a lot. I bet he'll be a champion soon! Did you give him your bewd?" She asked.
"Mmh." The tall blue-eyed man smiled. "He's really good. He had a good teacher!"
"Ah and I suppose that was you?"
Seto grinned.
"You're still as big headed as ever." Her mouth spoke before she had even thought about it.
Seto's blue piercing cobalt eyes widened, then he slowly grinned. "What did you just say?" Raising his eyebrows he laughed. This was just fun and the girl nearly sighed a breath of relief.
"Big head, that's what I've said."
"I'm so gonna get you." He threatened and this time Serenity's two big hazel eyes widened. She hadn't much time and started to run down the park with Seto chasing after her. Course it didn't take him long to run up to her. Trying to stop her after he had got in front he suddenly turned and the small girl crashed into him. He didn't see that coming and fell on his back. But with the girl on top of him. The two of them were laughing.
Never since Ishizu he had felt so good. Happy even and carefree. There was nothing else existing other than Serenity. He couldn't be bothered with anything else. Brushing through the long light brown strands of her hair his hand came to an halt at her neck. Staring with his sapphire blue eyes deeply into her clear big brown ones, filled with innocence, he slowly pulled her down to a gentle kiss.
Serenity saw this coming. She had fallen on top of Seto and was staring into his eyes. His gaze soon fastened on her lips when she was pulled down a gentle kiss was waiting for her. Carefully their lips met and he massaged her bottom lip softly before his tongue was looking for entry. It was her first kiss that way and her heartbeat was racing but she opened her mouth for her boyfriend. It tasted strange at first, having him exploring her mouth with his tongue, but soon she found interest in his actions and returned them.
Coming up for breath she grinned down at him. Then she kissed him once more. But he started to struggle underneath and lifted the two of them up.
"The grass is wet." He laughed and Serenity looked down at her knees, which were green.
"Shit. My mom's gonna kill me. Grass green marks on the jeans. Oops." She giggled and Seto helped her up.
"Bad?" He didn't know what to say. He didn't want Serenity to get in any trouble. But she shook her head.
"Nah, my mom's used to me falling every now and then." She laughed and pulled Seto along to walk again. He snaked his arm around her slim shoulders and smiled down at her whilst walking.
Tristan was watching the duel when suddenly his gaze drifted to a pair running down the park. Then he recognized the small grown teen girl and wondered what she was doing here and who was with her. Tall. Dark haired. Slim. Fuck. Seto Kaiba. The penny dropped and his eyes even widened when suddenly the girl fell on top of the boy.
It felt like his heart was stopping when they suddenly kissed. Kissed and kissed and kissed. He felt the urge to throw up! Just when the pair was standing up again he turned heading straight through the crowds to his bike. He had had enough today! But easier said than done as he was crashing into someone!
"Oh no, not again. Ouch!" The young man cursed and Tristan recognized the voice.
"Joey?"
"Hey Tristan, what are you doing here?"
"I called you at home but your mother said that you and Serenity..." He sighed. "...were here, so I was looking for you." His head sank.
"What's wrong man?" Joey had a slight glue but didn't know what to think.
"I've just seen your sister with damn Seto Kaiba!" He growled angrily clenching his fist.
"Yeah, well?" Joey didn't get it. Was that making Tristan so furious?
"They were kissing man, your sister kisses another man." The dark haired boy suddenly whined.
"WHAT?" The blond teen shouted and was getting furious.
"Okay, here we are." Kaiba said and let go of Serenity's hand. They were outside her house and it was almost dinnertime. "Will I see you tomorrow?"
"I'd like to." She smiled and got a peck on her cheek from her new boyfriend.
"Bye." He waved and walked down the street. She watched him go for a few minutes, then slowly entered the house. She didn't even notice the glare she got from her brother when she was entering the living room with her dreamy smile.
"What are you doing Serenity?" He asked concerned and she furrowed her brows.
"What are you talking about?"
"Kaiba." He simply stated and crossed his arms.
She sighed. "I still don't know what you want from me."
"You. Kaiba. Snogging in the park. Got that now?" His patience grew shorter.
Now she got slightly angry. "Are you spying on me or what?"
"No, it wasn't me who's seen that!" He hissed.
"Who was it then?" She didn't get what had happened. Confusion grew in her mind.
"Tristan." Joey replied sadly.
"Oh..."
"Oh? Just an oh? Damn! Serenity, you can't do that! Tristan loves you and you know that. And he'd certainly be better for you than Kaiba. He's an asshole who thinks about nothing but his money! Do you really think he likes you?" Joey went furious.
Tears stung behind her eyes. "You're not deciding what I will do with my life. I'm not your property and I will do what I want." She nearly cried.
"Don't be so stubborn. Kaiba isn't right for you and you know that. He was with Ishizu for a long time and probably needs replacement. And you're too young to be the replacement of a twenty-year-old woman. Do you realize that he might be used to things you don't even think about yet! Please Seren, come to your senses."
Now her tears were making their way down her cheeks. "You're mean Joey. Leave me alone. I hate you!" She said slightly disgusted by her brother and ran into her room. Letting herself fall on her bed she cried into her pillow. Kaiba likes her, right? Joey was lying.
Her brother meanwhile went up and down the living room. Sure, he wasn't to decide what she would do with her life but he just wanted to protect her.
Hours passed by but Serenity would not come out of her room. Just once when her mother was back with dinner. She sat at the table with Joey ignoring him. Then she went straight back into her room. She was almost ready to go to bed when her brother softly knocked on her door and entered. His sister groaned and turned away but Joey sat down next to her.
"You know, I've been talking to Yugi and Téa earlier and I've been thinking. Maybe I was wrong." Stating that his sister slowly turned and looked at him. "I won't rule your life and I'm not telling you who to date. Just promise me to take care, please." He said quietly. "I just don't want you to get hurt. I'm sorry for being mean to you."
Serenity's tears were running down again but she hugged her brother tightly and cried into his shoulder. Then she looked up at him.
"Did you say anything to mom?"
Joey shook his head. "That's not my business. I'm not telling you what to do but... what about telling the truth at least? You might talk to mom and Tristan." He suggested.
"Mmh. You're right." She smiled at him weakly. "I didn't mean to hurt Tristan. We were just having fun and I didn't think about anyone else. How is he?"
"Angry. Sad."
"I will talk to him tomorrow. I promise." She smiled and hugged Joey again. "I love you."
He laughed lightly. "I thought you'd hate me!" She laughed too and her brother tickled her, so she had to laugh even more. When he stopped he was looking like in thoughts.
"You know, maybe you should look for a girlfriend yourself. I could ask a few of my friends." Serenity suggested but Joey grinned nervously.
"No, no... hehe... no need to."
"Oh I know. There's already someone." She smiled at him widely.
"No, not really. Sadly. I'm just not a girl's type like Devlin. Your friends would probably just laugh at my attempt to send my sister getting me a girlfriend. I doubt there's a woman, anywhere, who wants to be with me. It's okay." He said it rather funny but his sister sensed that it wasn't okay.
"But Joey, you're talking absolutely bullshit. There is someone who wants you. You're just too blind to see sometimes. Open your eyes brother."
"Huh? And who might this be then?" He was totally taken by surprise.
"Mai."
"Mai? Ha! Forget it, she doesn't give a shit about me. Look at her, she's really hot... well beautiful I mean and she's older than me and probably she gets a hundred proposes a day. What the hell would she want with me!"
"She's got a thing for you Joey, I tell you. She stares at you when you're not noticing. Then she'll quickly turn away, so that you don't see that she's into you. And whenever you're in danger she worries her head off. She would fight for you. And she'll always be there whenever you need her, right? Maybe she doesn't want someone at her age. Maybe she just wants someone like you."
"And what do you think I should do now?"
"Ask her out. For a date or something like that. The cinema would be great. Or go with Yugi and Téa, then asked her to come along because four will be better than three. Or let Téa invite her. No, better do it yourself. She'll like you calling her."
"Stop, you match maker. You know quite a lot about things like that..." He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm a girl, we know such things." She grinned.
"Uh sure." Grinning back he stood up. "I will call Mai, okay? And you will talk to Tristan. Deal?"
"Deal." She smiled at him. "Night Joey."
"Night Serenity."
