Chapter 2
Serenity began the annoying task of unpacking. She had quite a few suitcases and a lot of souvenirs to hand out. Tea walked in with Mai and they sat on the bed talking about something close to nothing. Serenity smiled their way, she had missed her friends. She began taking her camera equipment out and the portfolio she had been working on.
"What is this?" Tea asked as she pulled the large book onto her lap.
"It's something that I've been doing for awhile now. I took a few classes on photography in New York and I've been compiling my efforts. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be a famous photographer for Times or Newsweek."
"These are really good Serenity!" Tea flipped through the pictures and was quite amazed at the scenes of the city, the people and different perspectives. Mai moved closer so she could look over Tea's shoulder.
"They are good! You could sell these hon' and make some money." Mai was amazed at the talent Joey's little sister had.
"I did sell a few in New York, I thought maybe I would see if any galleries around here would welcome some new talent. Maybe I could show some of my work and...oh...I don't know...start something." She picked up her camera and smiled, the apparatus had become her third arm and very seldom was she without it.
"We could go around tomorrow and do some inquiries," Tea suggested.
"You would really help me out this way? Do you think I'm that good?"
"You said you sold a few in New York, if you could do it there why not here?" Mai encouraged the girl who never seemed to have enough belief in herself.
Joey appeared in the doorway, "So, what are you girls yapping about in here? Are you getting settled in Sis? Is everything ok?"
"You worry about me too much Joey, I'm doing fine. I've just been showing Tea and Mai the pictures I took while I was in New York."
Joey sat down on the bed next to Mai and began to look at the collection. Quite a few made him smile. "You have quite a talent here Sis."
She blushed and smiled at him, his opinion meant more to her than anyone else's.
"I hate to break this up guys, but I have more to unpack and I'm a bit exhausted. Do you think we could say our goodnights now and meet in the morning?"
They all looked at her and noticed the bags under her eyes. She had been traveling for days now and the jet lag was probably going to be hell on her. She stifled another yawn and put her camera down. Tea and Mai hugged her goodbye and she promised she would call them when she woke up in the morning. It was a Saturday so they both had off from work.
"Goodnight Joey," she smiled at her brother. It was wonderful to be with him again.
"It's nice to have you home. Sleep in late tomorrow, don't drain yourself. We wouldn't want you getting sick now would we?"
She slept like the dead; she didn't even change out of her clothes. When she woke up she realized it was after 11. She quickly showered and dressed. She wanted to get out and see the local galleries, Mai and Tea had put an idea in her head and now she was adamant about putting it into action.
Joey was in the kitchen flipping through his duel monster cards when she came in.
"So, I see you took my advice and slept really late."
"Oh Joey," she admonished, "I practically passed out last night because of all the traveling I did. Of course I was going to sleep late today. Are Mai and Tea coming over soon?" She plopped down across from him and poured herself a bowl of cereal.
"They said to call them when you woke up and they would be right over."
"Maybe I'll go over to Tea's and surprise her there," she suggested.
"Well, if you remember the way to Yugi's you could surprise Tea." Joey smiled.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Tea moved in with Yugi when his grandfather went on a trip to Egypt. He'll be on expedition with his friend for a few months so Tea and Yug took advantage of it."
"Are her parents angry?"
"They think she moved in with Mai."
"Oh," Serenity tried to grasp the situation. "Yugi and Tea live together, are they planning on getting married?"
"Not anytime soon, I don't think."
"What do you think about it?"
"I guess it's ok, they are in love and all. Heck, they've known each other forever so I suppose it's fine." Joey looked at his sister. She had missed quite a bit. He would have to tell her all about his situation with Mai soon, if Mai hadn't already.
"I should get going, it's not getting any earlier!"
She grabbed her camera and her purse and left Joey to figure out a way to explain how he and Mai had become an item. He hadn't told her in his letters because, frankly, he didn't think it would last. Now he knew it would. He had to tell her, or hopefully, Mai would do the explaining for the both of them.
Serenity decided to take the scenic route to the card shop and started going through the park. She took a few pictures here and there, mostly of trees and flowers. It was late spring and so the park had come into full bloom. She sighed when she spotted a lilac bush, her absolute favorite flower. She raced over to them and breathed in their heady fragrance. She walked around the bush and then spied a figure sitting on a nearby bench. She smiled wistfully and started taking pictures.
She could hardly believe Kaiba would be caught dead on a bench in a public park, since when had he become a nature fan? She zoomed in on his face, then pulled back and took a few shots of his entire form. She zoomed in again, he really was magnificent. She blushed at the thought. He was beautiful. His eyes were the most intense shade of blue she had ever seen. She zoomed in on his profile and snapped a few more shots. She couldn't use pictures of such a high profile person in her portfolio and she was by no means a paparazzi, she had no idea why she was taking so many shots of him.
Finally she stopped and looked at her watch. It was now 1pm.
"Great Serenity, by the time you get to Tea's it might be too late to go to the galleries...good going."
She couldn't suppress the urge to pick 2 stalks of lilacs and she was on her way.
"Good morning Kaiba," she called out with glee as she passed his bench without stopping.
"Wheeler's sister...what are you stealing flowers? I hadn't pegged you for a thief."
"I couldn't resist, they are my favorite and they need to be picked anyway to help it grow more next year." She smiled as he glared at her. He noticed the camera around her neck, and wondered what she was taking pictures of.
"Have you become a tourist in your own home town?"
"Hardly," she responded with a giggle. "Photography has become a hobby of mine. I took a few classes in New York when I was there, sold a few prints and even held a job taking pictures." She loved her diversion.
Kaiba's eyes narrowed, he really didn't want to discuss her any further, she was so insignificant. Then again, with Mokuba gone he was looking for something to do. It had really annoyed the mutt when his sister had defended him yesterday, this could be amusing. Aside from that, taking someone as innocent as her and corrupting her thoroughly would be a joyous mind game for him.
"What do you take pictures of?" He asked with a tinge of apathy in his voice.
"Mostly scenery, some subjects and I try my hand at abstract, though I'm not very good at it." She noticed he was hardly paying attention. His eyes, though they were achingly beautiful, were so cold. She wondered if she could change that. She had learned a few things when she was away, a sly smile played on her lips. Maybe she could take up the challenge of thawing Seto Kaiba.
"I'm actually going to a few galleries today to see if they will exhibit my prints."
"Have you ever been 'exhibited' before?" His voice was velvety and she caught his sexual innuendo.
"Yes my work has been in a gallery before." She snipped. His eyes were still hard, though he did seem amused at her comeback.
"Perhaps your work deserves a look Wheeler."
"I never took you as an art lover Kaiba, by the way my name is Serenity."
He looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on her mouth. "I have been to the most prestigious galleries and museums. I have many rare paintings in my home, just no photographs that are 'art'. I never really considered photography an 'art form,' it's more news than it is art. Anyone can pick up a camera, not many can wield a brush or sculpt."
He regarded her expression, trying to decide if he should insult her any further. He didn't want to ruin his chances with her.
"Maybe before you judge my genre you should sample it."
He smirked, "You want me to 'sample' you Wheeler?"
She blushed at his suggestion. "I could show you some of my work, and the name is Serenity." Hell he could aggravate paint off a wall!
"Fine, bring some of your prints to my office Monday at one." He started walking away from her. His motto was, 'always leave them wanting more...'
She was lost in her thoughts for a moment then raced to catch up to him.
"You want me to come to Kaiba Corp's main building?"
"You're bright Wheeler, that is where my office is." He didn't slow his pace, nor did he turn to look at her.
"I'll be there."
He knew she would be, for some reason she was responding to him. A sneer played along his lips; she was falling into his trap.
She smiled as she stopped and watched him continue. She was fascinated with his aloofness. She could hardly wait to see if she could break through his exterior. This could be a fun sideline activity for her.
"Shoot!' She looked at her watch, she was running even later than before. She raced off towards the card shop. She would hook up with Tea and then go to the galleries. She smiled down at her camera; she could hardly wait to develop the film it contained...
A/N: I can't believe the responses I got for this story...as a thanks I'm updating this very quickly. Thank you all so much for your interest! Not much to respond to, so for now I'll just say I'm glad that you all liked the beginning.
Frosty: I'm writing this because a friend of mine asked me to do a Serenity/Seto story. I like OC's myself, but I'm sure I can get into this and do it some justice. I think giving Serenity a backbone is a start. What do you think? Should I ditch that idea and go with how she is portrayed on the show? Let me know...thanks