Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Author's note: Again, thanks for all of the reviewers! The reviews meant a lot to me, and they motivated me to keep writing. Thanks!

We got some very smart people here! A lot of you were right about Sapphirina's eyes color and her name, but I won't say it now. Kaiba won't see Sapphrina's eyes color for a while though… And I just thought I it's time to reveal something about Joey in this chapter.

I hope you will enjoy this chapter…

The Pain of Letting Go

Chapter 4

Unbearable Remorse

Kaiba had returned into his room on his private airplane. He was still fuming and annoyed about the noisy sound of cries from that little girl, Serenity's daughter. Kaiba walked slowly towards the bed, with a frown on his face. 'That little girl! So noisy! And why didn't she wake up yet? It was just a small accident; she wasn't even hurt.' Kaiba thought furiously. He was a bit worried about Serenity, but he would never admit that now.

He stopped at the side of the bed, looking down at Serenity. The crying suddenly stopped, and the frown on Kaiba's face was alleviated a little. 'Hump. The two imbeciles had finally shut that girl up. Too bad I won't be firing them, for now.' Kaiba thought with a satisfied smirk. Without the crying noises to distract him, he focused his cold cerulean eyes on the beautiful woman in front of him.

Her eyes were still closed tightly. Her long eyelashes were still thick and curly, just as he remembered. Her auburn hair seemed so smooth and shinny, especially when the sun shined brightly through the window, illuminating the room. Kaiba's icy blue eyes started to change. His eyes became softer, but he didn't realize that. Kaiba's hand started moving towards Serenity's face, desired to caress her smooth skin. However, just when he was about to touch her skin, he abruptly jerked his hand back, as if he was shocked by lightning or burned by fire. The softened blue eyes immediately returned to its icy state.

'What am I doing? How can this… feeling… still exists inside me? No! I shouldn't, and I won't feel this way anymore! My love for her vanished long ago when she left with Pegasus! She betrayed me, and I won't tolerate a traitor!' Kaiba thought of her betrayal as a way to control and perhaps suppress his feelings.

Instead of caressing her face, Kaiba lowered his head. He whispered cruelly into Serenity's ears, with a temperatureless smirk. His coldness in his eyes seemed to be able to freeze the whole world in just a few seconds. "Hahahaha… you're mine, for me to get my revenge… Hiding behind Pegasus won't keep you save… hahaha… Want to know a secret? I have your daughter… hahaha… it's time you suffer… and pay for what you did…" He whispered gently yet dangerously.

He turned emotionless away from Serenity and went back to the seat he was sitting in. No traces of love or caring left in his now icy sapphire eyes. All that was left in his eyes were hatred, anger, and the lust for revenge!

Serenity was still walking in the dark. Everything around her was silent, and she couldn't help but felt very helpless. She was walking in one direction slowly, but it appeared to her that there might not be an end to this scary place. The silence and darkness scared her.

Suddenly, a familiar voice started laughing wildly in the air. However, Serenity couldn't really recognize that voice, but she had a dreadful feeling about that voice. 'Who is laughing? Why can't I remember who this voice belonged to?' Serenity thought fearfully. There was something that she desperately didn't want to remember about this voice, but she didn't remember what that something might be. All she knew was her heart started to hurt when that voice continued to laugh loudly. She had this instinct that the voice revealed something deeper, like sadness or disappointment, not just hatred and evil like it sounded.

'I can't take this anymore! Stop laughing!' Serenity mentally thought. The excruciating pain in her heart was making breathing hard for her. But she didn't even know why her heart was hurting so much. Serenity took her hands and covered her ears, trying to block out the voice. However, a message caught her ears. She lowered her hands, and heard the voice mumbled something about… 'I have your daughter… Hahaha… It's time you suffer… and pay for what you did? The message kept on repeating and repeating. Serenity's eyes widened in fear. Tears started forming in her eyes.

"No… who is that? What does he mean? What did I ever do to him? No… not my daughter..." Serenity whispered. She couldn't remember the owner of that voice, and she couldn't remember what she had done to that particular person, who sounded so angry and hateful. "Give Sapphirina back to me!" Serenity yelled into the air, but to no avail. The voice just kept on saying the same thing over and over. All she could hear was the terrifying message.

… I have your daughter…

… … It's time you suffer… …

…and pay for what you did…

… … Hahaha… … Hahaha… …Hahahaha… …

Joey Wheeler, the man with blonde hair and brown eyes. He was sitting on the floor in the corner of his apartment. Several empty bottles of bear were lying messily on the white tile floor. Two cans of bottle were crushed, one can was standing, and the other cans were rolling on the floor. The room was very dark, for the windows were tightly shut, and no lights were on.

Joey had been sitting on the floor for hours, with his head lowered, and his messy blonde hair covering his eyes. He sat there the whole night, without going to bed. This was how he lived for the past three years. He no longer had the motivation to do anything. He just sat on the floor in the dark corner of the living room. Bottles of bear could always be seen around him. Drinking was the only way for him to forget the mistakes he made, and the regret he now has. All those guilty and regret feelings were driving him nuts, so he needed alcohol to relieve his pains. But no matter how much he drinks, his mind was still as clear as the water. It seemed like his body had adapted to the level of alcohol he drank, and he couldn't get drunk now.

'I shouldn't have done that… It was my fault…' Joey thought sullenly. That was the same phrases he had been repeating over and over again for the millionth time. Three years… three years was not a long time, but it wasn't a short time either. A lot of things had happened in these three years. Everything changed for him, and for everyone around him. Many mistakes were made, many regrets, and many pains. Not just for Joey, but for most of the people he knew.

Silently, tears rolled down his cheek. A grown man should never drop a tear, that was the unspoken rule of the society. However, Joey couldn't hold back his tears. It was the first time in three years that he shed tears. It was too painful to be conscious and live in the reality. He'd rather stay in a fantasy world where everything was back to the old-happy-and-peaceful days. The images of Yugi, Tea, Tristan, Duke, Rebecca, even Kaiba and Mokuba, and of course his beloved sister Serenity, and the woman he loved deeply, Mai, appeared together in front of Joey's eyes. They were all smiling at him.

Joey looked towards the sofa in the living room. This apartment used to be nice, clean, and bright, but that was three years ago. He could still see Yugi and Tea sitting there on the sofa playing chess. Serenity would be in her room reading, but Tristan and Duke would be bothering her. They had a crush on her, he knew, and so did everyone else. Joey himself would then start a fight with Tristan and Duke for bothering his little sister, and Mai would step in. Everything was so perfect back then, but it was back then, not now.

"Sorry sis… I should have been more considerate… I shouldn't have pushed you away… only because you liked Kaiba… I'm a fool…" Joey mumbled. He wished Serenity could still be here with him. He regretted not thinking clearly when he pushed her away…

(flashback)

"You have two choices, Ren. One, stay away from Kaiba. Or, two, never come back again." He said firmly. He had a serious look on his face. Serenity frowned, and looked puzzled. She was silent for a long time, as if she didn't want to choose between Joey or Kaiba. Serenity lowered her head, averting eye contacts with Joey. "Listen, Ren, you have to choose. You know how much I dislike Kaiba, and why do you have to be with him? You should consider how I feel." Joey continued.

"I…" Serenity said meekly. She looked like she was on the verge of crying. "I… but… Joey… I… I don't want to… choose… I love you both…" Serenity said, looking at Joey with big watery eyes that almost everyone couldn't resist but to give in. But this time, Joey stood firmly on his decision.

"So I'm not the most important person to you, huh?" Joey said, a little disappointed. But he quickly got back to the subject. "Choose, Serenity. I can't stand Kaiba. Not just that, but Kaiba could never be trusted! I can't believe you! Is it that hard to choose me and support me? " As Joey said, he got more and more angry, until he slammed his hand on the table. Serenity jumped at the sudden loud noise.

After a few minutes of silence, Serenity stood up and walked towards him. She gave him a big, tight hug. Just when Joey's mood lighten up a little and a smile started appearing on his face for the thought that Serenity chose him over Kaiba, Serenity answered, her voice was almost gone. "I want you to know, big brother, that I will always love you and support you. I'm sorry, but… but I choose… I choose… Kaiba… Just remember I'll always be there for you, Joey." Her voice was trembling and getting lower and lower until it was only a whisper.

After Serenity finished her sentence, she let go of Joey and ran back to her room, with hands covering her eyes, leaving the shocked Joey in the living room.

(end of flashback)

Serenity left after packing her stuff, and that was the last time Joey saw her. That particular memory throbbed Joey's heart deeply. He didn't expect Serenity to choose Kaiba. He didn't mean to really want to kick her out of the apartment. He was in a bad mood when he learned about Kaiba and Serenity together. The problems that existed between Mai and him made him really depressed and degraded that period of time. For some crazy reason that he didn't even know, he felt that Kaiba took Serenity away from him, and he desperately needed her support so that he could endure and solve the problems between Mai and him. He wasn't thinking clearly that time. His judgments were clouded by his own problems. That was why he said those things to Serenity that day. He regretted every word he said that day, and felt guilty ever since.

"Ren should be able to choose who she likes… that's her rights… I have no right to butt in… I should have seen that three years ago…" Joey mumbled more. He wanted to make it up to her, but he didn't know how, and his problems with Mai grew larger, occupying most of his time and thoughts. It was until one night that he received Serenity's call that he could have apologized to her, but the news she told him shocked him, making him unable to say anything…

(flashback)

"Hi Joey… It's me, Serenity…"

"… Hey Ren…" Joey was shocked to receive the phone call from his sister. He wanted to apologize to Serenity, and he wanted her to come home.

"Joey… I have something to tell you…"

"… Uh… what is it…" Joey's throat tightened, waiting to ask for the forgiveness of his sister.

"I'm… leaving tonight… I'm going back to New York…"

"… Why?" He asked, shocked. 'Why is she leaving? Her wedding with Kaiba is only a few days later… I thought she loved him deeply…' Joey thought confusedly.

"… I… have my reasons… please don't ask, Joey…"

"Is 'he' not treating you well?" Joey shouted angrily.

"… no… it's not that… I have to go, Joey. I'll be fine… I'll take care of myself…"

"Wait Ren! I-" Joey was about to apologized, but Serenity had to go.

"Bye bye, big brother… I'll miss you… very much." With that, she hung up the phone.

"Hung" the phone sounded after Serenity hung up. Joey was still holding the phone, unable to absorb what just happened…

(end of flashback)

That was the last call he got from Serenity. She said she's going back to New York, where she grew up. After she left, her wedding with Kaiba was canceled. She left so suddenly and seemed to be in a hurry. Joey wanted to call her, but he had lost touch with his mother, so there was no way to contact Serenity. She didn't make a single call or send a single email to him ever since she left. There were so many questions he wanted to ask her, and so many things he wanted to say to her.

Because he pushed Serenity away, and his reactions towards the problems that existed between Mai and him, his friends started looking at him with unforgivable looks. They gradually left him, and now he was alone. The loneliness also made him more miserable. If he didn't make her choose that day, Serenity would still be here with him. He would have known what happened to her, and probably wouldn't go back to America.

"I don't deserve to be forgiven…" Joey mumbled. His mind wondered to the past memories he shared with Mai… All those wonderful moments became a sad memory, and all those arguments they had during that unhappy time became regrets.

"Mai…" Joey whispered…

Serenity's eyelashes started moving a little. Sweats soaked her forehead, and she seemed to be about to wake up. Kaiba smirked, observing Serenity's every expression on her face. 'It's about time she wakes up. It takes her long enough!' He thought a bit impatiently.

"Don't take her away! Don't take her away from me!" Serenity started mumbling. She shook her head lightly, as if she was in a nightmare. Kaiba didn't react to this; he just smirked. He had no intentions of calming her down. If it was in the past, he would rush to her side immediately and calm her down, telling her it was only a nightmare, but not anymore, not anymore.

"Leave us alone!" Serenity shouted. She sat up on the bed, eyes wide open, and panting a little from the nightmare she just had, where Sapphirina was taken away from her. Everything was silent around her, so all she could hear was her own panting. After two minutes, Serenity started reviewing what had happened, and where she was supposed to be. But she didn't know where she should be, the last time she remembered was car accident, and she hugged tightly to Sapphirina, trying to make sure that her daughter won't get hurt.

'Sapphirina!' Serenity's eyes widened in fear. Why isn't she with her? She started fumbling around on the bed. 'Please, don't take her away. Where is she?' Serenity started to panic. Kaiba frowned at Serenity's reaction. Even though he didn't make any noise, but shouldn't she look around the room when she first wake up? After all, wouldn't that be the first thing everyone does, to look around to see where you are?

'What the hell is she doing? What is she trying to find? Why didn't she observe where she is? Is she too scared? Or did she bumped her head and hurt her brain or something?' Kaiba thought while frowned at what he saw. He decided to go nearer to Serenity.

"Miss Wheeler, or should I say Mrs. Pegasus? Welcome back." Kaiba said, teasing her evilly. His voice was very gentle, but it sounded dangerous, and it was definitely no temperature in his voice, as if everything around them would freeze in the next second.

Serenity froze at once. She stopped fumbling around the bed. Her hazel eyes showed a sign of surprised, a little of pain, and a little of fear. 'That voice… Seto…' Serenity recognized that voice, but his voice was also different from what she had remembered. It was much colder, and much crueler. A shiver went down her spine when she realized why would Kaiba be here? And where exactly is she? But her thought was interrupted with another shocking idea that suddenly popped into her head. 'What does Seto want? Where is Sapphirina?'

"I… I didn't marry Maximillion Pegasus…" that was the first sentence Serenity managed to say. But that wasn't what she wanted to say. She didn't need to explain anything to Kaiba. All she needed to do now was to ask him about Sapphirina, and she hoped that he wouldn't hurt her. Serenity didn't look at Kaiba, she just sat back on the bed and stared at the floor.

"Hmph. I don't need to know." Seto said icily. However, there was this small part in his heart that felt more relieve to find out that Serenity didn't marry Pegasus. There was absolutely no data that he could get about her relationship with Pegasus. All he could find out was her schedule of eating lunch with Pegasus. He didn't even know she had a daughter! Because all the time he was watching them, he only saw her and Pegasus going in and out of the limo and the Industrial Illusion building, and that was why he knew about her schedule.

There was a long silence. No one said anything, and Serenity started to fidget. She wanted to ask him about her daughter, but she was afraid that he saw Sapphirina's eyes color, then he would know that Sapphirina was… That wasn't the secret she wanted to conceal from him, but once he knows, what would he think or do with them both? She felt so hard to breathe when she thought of the sarcasm and hatred in his voice.

'Yes… I want Seto to hate me than to miss me… I couldn't burden him with my own problem… I thought he would forget me soon… and he would heal from the pain I might have caused him… but apparently I was wrong… his hate is too strong… I don't want him to be so unhappy…' Serenity thought guiltily. She had her own reasons to leave, but she didn't know her departure would make Kaiba hates her so much…

Suddenly, footsteps announced that Seto was walking towards Serenity. Serenity froze again, hazel eyes puzzled and a little frightened, knowing that Kaiba was walking closer and closer to her with his every step...

Author's notes: Hee hee, I'm evil! Leaving this cliffie here… (Dodge under table) "Don't throw stuff at me! Please…?" Maybe I'll stop doing the cliffie thing… Sometimes I don't like cliffie, for I really want to know what happens in the story next, but sometimes the cliffie is good, for it keeps me wanting to read more about the story…

Anyway, I just want to make it clear that all those flashbacks are not in order. I mean it is in order when one person thought about his or her memory, but different people thought of different part of their memories. Make sense? I don't know if I explain it correctly… Anyway, if you don't understand what I'm saying here, don't worry about it. I wrote the story so that the past seemed a bit mysterious. But I assure you all that what happened three years ago will be explained in the future. So please bear with me.

I think that's about what I want to say for now… Oh, and other important characters in Yu-Gi-Oh will come out later. So, I would be very happy to receive reviews, and thank you.