Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, otherwise I will be traveling around the world…

Author's note: I'm so sorry for updating so late. I was busy with the finals and especially the U.S. History Regents. Thank God everything is over now, phew… Okay, so I hope you'll enjoy this chapter! And thank you to all of my reviewers! You guys are the best :)

The Spirit of the Sword

Chapter 13

The Incident in the Garden

From the window from the library, a pair of icy blue eyes was watching the four people in the garden. The person in the shadow was indeed Seto Kaiba. He was very unhappy to see the mutt and his two idiotic friends hanging out with Serenity. What do they think they are doing? She needs some rest in her own room right now! Why are they out in the garden?!? Seto was furious seeing them in the garden. He frowned and combed his dark brown hair with his right hand.

Suddenly, Seto noticed Serenity was holding something in her hands. He glared at the object in Serenity's hand. It was a pink rose! Seto's eyes immediately flared up and turned red. He tightened his fists at his sides and gritted his teeth. Who gave her the pink rose?!? The only person allowed to give her roses around here is ME!!! How dare she accept the rose from other men? The rose must be from one of those two idiots down there. What were their names again? Oh yeah, Duke Devlin and Tristan Taylor. They will be out of my castle this afternoon!!! Then, his cerulean eyes went back act watching those four people in the garden.

He saw Serenity was smiling happily at Joey after he said something. Joey was holding Serenity by her arm so that she wouldn't faint. She still seemed a little pale to be walking around in the garden. It seemed like she might faint if no one was around to support her. Suddenly, Seto saw a maid running towards the four of them. She had a worried look on her face. She almost fell to the ground because of rushing too fast. The maid said something to Joey, then Joey's face turned all white. No trace of blood was left on his face. Hmph! Now what? Why is the mutt so scared? Seto smirked at Joey's expression on his face.

Then, Joey suddenly yelled out something. Tristan and Duke rushed to his side and held on to Serenity's arms. Joey rushed off without the maid. The maid was trailing behind Joey, trying to catch up to him. They both disappeared into the castle, which Seto was no longer able to see. Seto turned his gaze back to Serenity. She was on the verge of crying. She tried to follow Joey, but Tristan and Duke pulled her back. Then it seemed like Tristan and Duke were trying to make her laugh. Tristan also seized the chance and picked two red roses from Seto's garden and presented the roses to Serenity. Serenity seemed a little distracted and she stared at the roses blankly. Then, she hesitated about taking Tristan's roses. Seto saw all of this. He tightened his fists more, so his knuckles turned white and made the crackling sounds. Those two idiots better let go of Serenity's arms. If she dare take the roses from Tristan, she's going to pay for her action!!!

When Seto saw that Tristan took Serenity's hands and tucked the roses into her hands, Seto punched the wall of the library with his right fist. He cursed at Tristan and gritted his teeth. Seto's veins popping on his forehead, which showed how furious he was. He shot a death glare to the three people in the garden, then rushed out of the library. Those two idiots are not staying in my castle any longer!!!

Seto pushed open the door to the library violently. Then, he banged the door very loudly, waking up the two guards outside of the library. He then rushed down the hallway while cursing loudly in his mind. He didn't even realize why he was so angry with Duke and Tristan. He was too angry right now to think with his brain. All he knew was he must kick those two people out of his castle so they won't be able to fly around Serenity like two butterflies trying to attract Serenity's attention. He could tell clearly that those two had some kind of crush on Serenity. No body is going to humiliate me by taking Serenity's heart away! She belonged to me! Seto Kaiba! The King of Domino Kingdom! She is the Queen now, so everything she owned now belonged to me! I won't allow the shame of a runaway queen to humiliate me in the world!

Joey held onto Serenity's right arm and carefully led her into the garden. Tristan and Duke were trailing behind them. Serenity's eyes brightened when she saw the beautiful garden in front of her. She took a breath and loved the fresh air she smelt. "Joey! It's so beautiful out here! It's much better than lying on the bed all day!" Serenity smiled happily at Joey. Her hazel eyes wondered around the garden and loved the beauty of it. For some reason, he felt that the garden was very similar to another garden, but it's somewhat different. In her mind, she seemed to remember going to one beautiful garden one day to cry, but she didn't quite remember the rest of that day. She forgot what happened after she cried in the garden. But one thing is for sure, that garden was different from this one. Besides, there was simply now way for a child to wonder into the garden of Domino Castle.

"Sis, if ya like the garden, I could tell Yami to build a similar garden in his castle, ya know? So that when ya come visit me and all ya friends, ya can be happy too in the garden!" Joey said to Serenity. He loved her so much that he was willing to do anything to make her happy.

"Hee hee…" Serenity giggled at what his brother had said. She looked at his brother. He was now smiling lovingly at her, with his somewhat messy blonde hair and his brown eyes. It was great to have a big brother! Serenity smiled with satisfaction. "It's okay, Joey. You don't have to build a garden just for me. All I needed is you. Thanks for always being there for me, Joey!" Serenity hugged Joey and Joey gave her a big bear hug too.

The scene almost made Duke and Tristan jealous. Tristan was glaring at Joey with jealousy. Even though Joey was Serenity's big brother, but Tristan was jealous that Joey had the chance to hug Serenity. Why can't I hug Serenity? Tristan whined.

Duke was also glaring at Joey with his green eyes. He twirled his hair out of frustration. I want to hug Serenity too! Duke whined too. Just when they were about to approach Joey and Serenity to try to break up the embrace that made them jealous, the footsteps of someone approaching them were heard. The person seemed to be in a hurry.

Tristan and Duke turned their head around, toward the direction of the door that leads to the garden. Joey also let go of Serenity and held her arm again. He turned around and saw a maid running towards them. She seemed to be in a hurry. She also seemed to be on the verge of crying.

"Ah…" The maid let out of small scream of fear when she almost fell because of rushing too fast towards Joey. The maid faltered a bit, but luckily she gained her balance. She let out a sighed of relieve and continue running toward Joey.

The maid had short black hair, with a pair of gray eyes. She finally got to Joey. "Mr. Wheeler, something… s-something is w-wrong with Ms. V-Valentine…" the maid stuttered because of fear. She started crying before she could continue. "Her face was… was v-very p-pale… She keeps on saying your name…" The maid sobbed. She had never been so scared before. It was her first month working in Domino Castle, because the king needed more maids and servants for his new guests. Now, she might get fired because she couldn't even take care of one of the guest, Ms. Valentine. She needed the job, for she needed to take money back to her grandparents living in Domino Kingdom.

"What did ya just say?!?" Joey yelled at the poor maid. The maid trembled a bit. "What's wrong with Mai?" Joey questioned the maid.

"I… I… I don't k-know…" The maid continued to cry. "I'm so sorry… Please forgive me…"

"Whateva!" Joey looked angry at the maid. "Tristan and Duke, take care of Seren. I'm gonna go check on Mai." Joey yelled at Tristan and Duke. He let them held onto Serenity's arms and was about to run off to see Mai.

"Wait Joey! I want to go too!" Serenity tried to go towards Joey, but Tristan and Duke pulled her back. Just when Serenity was about to shove both of the hands of Duke and Tristan, Joey replied.

"No sis. Ya stay here and enjoy the fresh air. Mai's gonna be fine. I'll go check on her. Don't worry sis. Ya really need some rest and some relaxation." Joey said in a calm voice. He didn't want to worry Serenity anymore. She just recovered from a terrible wound. She needed to be happy right now so that her wound would heal faster. Only Joey knew that he was worried sick in his heart about Mai, but he couldn't let Serenity find out about this. Joey pushed aside the maid, who was standing in front of him with her watery eyes. He started rushing into the castle. What's wrong, Mai? Wait, I'm coming! I hope ya're going to be fine.

Serenity was on the verge of crying. She knew that Joey must be worried sick about Mai. She could tell that Joey loved Mai, even when she first got back to Yami Kingdom. She knew that Mai liked Joey too from the way she was always looking at Joey. She tried to follow Joey, but Duke and Tristan pulled her back again.

"Guys! I'm going to go see Mai! Stop pulling on my arms!" Serenity was angry now. She didn't need two guys preventing her from going to see Mai. Mai had always been like a big sister to her. "Let me go!"

"No, no, Serenity. Joey said you should enjoy the fresh air and relax! You need to be happy so you will heal faster, isn't that what the doctor said?" Duke put on a seductive smile. He finally had the chance to be with Serenity, without Joey or Kaiba glaring at him. But there was still one big problem—Tristan. If I could get Tristan to go somewhere, then I can be with Serenity alone. Duke smirked. He started brainstorming on what he could do to get Tristan out of his sight.

"But, I'm worried about Mai! How can I enjoy the view of the garden when something is wrong with Mai? Now let go of my hands!" Serenity started to struggle to get her arms free.

Suddenly, two red roses popped in front of her eyes. Serenity almost screamed because she thought it was some kind of bugs jumping in front of her. She stepped back and her eyes widened with fear. "What is this?!?" Serenity shrieked. The roses were too close to her eyes that she couldn't tell what the red stuff was.

"Relax, Serenity." Tristan said. He pulled the red roses away from Serenity's face. He saw that since Joey left, and Duke was obviously thinking about something evil, according to his evil smirk on the face, Tristan decided to seize the rare chance and picked off two red roses from Kaiba's garden. He was still angry about this morning when Duke gave one pink rose to Serenity. Hee hee, now I'll be able to give Serenity TWO roses! They are RED roses, representing LOVE! Ah-hah! Beat that, Duke! Tristan was smirking in his mind. He was going to give Serenity TWO RED ROSES, not one pink rose! Surely Serenity would thank him more than thanking Duke, because he will be the one to give her MORE roses. "Serenity, please accept my red roses. You know what RED roses represent, right? Unlike someone's pink rose, which doesn't represent love." Tristan was smirking at Duke in his triumph of victory. He even emphasized the word red to tease Duke.

"Huh? What?" Serenity stared at the roses in front of her blankly. She was distracted from her thought of following Joey to Mai's guest room. Did I just hear Tristan said red roses mean love? Then that means… Serenity's eyes widened at the hint that Tristan was giving her. Oh my god! Why is Tristan saying this? I know both Tristan and Duke have a crush on me, but I'm married now… What is Seto… I mean Kaiba going to react when he finds out? Serenity suddenly got a chill and shiver down her spine, as if someone was glaring at her angrily. She looked around the garden, but no one else was there. She finally snapped back to reality and hesitated from taking the roses. "But Tristan… You know that I'm…" She was cut off by Tristan's hurtful voice.

"Aww, Serenity! I'm hurt! If you take the pink rose from Duke this morning, why don't you accept my red roses?" Tristan whined. He was looking at Serenity with sad eyes.

"I didn't accept the pink rose from Duke, he tucked the rose into my hands…" Serenity explained.

"Serenity! How can you say that! I'm hurt too!" Duke protested. He glared at Tristan. It was all Tristan's fault! Why did he have to give Serenity roses too?

"I… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hurt you guys… but I'm mar-" Serenity tried to say that she couldn't love them back, and besides, she's married now. But this time, Tristan grabbed her hand and tucked the two red roses into her hands. "Tristan! I say…" Just when Serenity was about to protest, a shadow suddenly covered her. Someone was standing behind her. Serenity trembled a bit. For some reason, she knew that the person standing behind her wasn't friendly at all. Then, the red roses and the pink rose in her hands were snatched away from her. She saw that the roses were thrown onto the grass. A pair of black shoes stepped on the roses and smudged the roses into separate petals. The roses were killed instantly and turned grayish.

"What the…?" Tristan yelled. But his voice died down when he saw who was behind Serenity.

"Why you do that for…" Duke was also yelling angrily at the person who stepped on the rose he gave Serenity. But when he raised his green eyes to see who did that, he became silenced at once.

Serenity didn't even have the courage to turn around. From the faces of Duke and Tristan, which were as pale as a piece of blank white paper, she could guess who was behind her. Serenity sensed a death glare shooting towards her back. She shivered and lowered her head. By now, Tristan and Duke had let go of their hands on her arms. "Um… I'm… I'm going to… t-to see what's wrong with… um… what's wrong with Mai…" Serenity stuttered. She turned around with her head still lowered, so she could ignore the person behind her and speed to the entrance into the castle.

"You're not going anywhere." A cold and temperatureless voice sounded next to her. A strong hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a strong shoulder. "I'll deal with you later."

Serenity recognized that cold voice. She trembled a bit because the voice sounded calm, yet it also sounded furious. Her guess was right, the person behind her was indeed Seto Kaiba. Serenity looked up into Seto's ocean color eyes, but she quickly lowered her hazel eyes when she spotted death glares that were shooting towards Duke and Tristan. Oh no, Tristan and Duke are in deep trouble… But why would Seto threw the roses onto the ground and smashed them with his foot? Why is he so angry?

"You two are not welcome in my castle. Go back to Yami Kingdom right now." Seto ordered Tristan and Duke to leave his castle at once. His cold eyes were still staring at them.

Tristan and Duke gulped. They wanted to protest. They wanted to stay here with Serenity. But when they looked into Kaiba's icy blue eyes and his death glares, they started to tremble in fear. They suddenly realized that Serenity was now the queen of Domino Kingdom. It seemed like they could never get their hands on her anymore. They couldn't even stand up to Kaiba's death glare. His glare was too merciless, too cruel. His glares seemed to be saying that if they don't leave right now, they will suffer under the hands of Seto Kaiba!

"… Fine, I'll leave… But can't you give me a reason why you must kick us out?" Tristan wanted to know why they were being kicked out while Joey, Mai, Yami, and Tea were able to stay with Serenity. He was given another death glare for asking that stupid question.

Duke was a little more keen. From his observation about Kaiba stepping on the roses and now holding Serenity in a possessive manner, he realized why they were being kicked out. "Shut up, Duke! Let's go, I'll tell you why we are being kicked out later…" Duke pushed Tristan towards the entrance into the castle to pack their stuff.

"Stop pushing me, Duke! Tell me why!" Tristan tried to shove off Duke's hands and demanded for an answer right now.

"You idiot! Kaiba wasn't happy about we giving Serenity roses! Remember the wedding? Duh?" Duke whispered to Tristan angrily. The two quickly ran off back into the castle.

"Looks like Duke is smarter. Hmph!" Seto smirked at the two people escaping from him. He could tell that they feared him a lot, and he enjoyed being feared by others. "Guards! Escort both Mr. Devlin and Mr. Taylor out of my castle." Seto ordered four guards to follow Duke and Tristan.

"Yes sir!" The guards went chasing after Duke and Tristan.

Now, only Seto and Serenity was left in the big garden. Serenity was still looking down at the green grass, trying to avert eye contact with Seto. She was still somewhat afraid of him. She didn't really know him that well. She had only seen him several times, and he never had a friendly expression when she saw him. He was always cold and he seemed heartless, although Serenity wasn't willing to admit that Seto might be heartless and cruel. Right now, she could sense that Seto was furious about something. Did I do something wrong? Serenity was a bit confused.

Seto started dragging Serenity back into the castle without saying a word to her. Her face seemed very pale. Seto wanted to get Serenity back into her room first, then he wanted to discuss her action of taking other men's roses with her. Maybe even punish her for taking other men's roses.

"Seto..." Serenity said hesitantly. Seeing that Seto didn't get angry because she called his first name, instead of my king, my lord, or King Kaiba, she continued to talk. "Where are you going? I want to go see Joey and Mai. Mai's sick…"

"Hmph! You are going back to your own room. Forget about the mutt and her girlfriend." Seto growled angrily. He was still very angry that he found those three roses in her hands. Seto grabbed Serenity's wrist with a little more force and dragged her up the stairs back to her room. They passed through the entrance into the castle and continued to walk toward the second floor. They then walked down the long hallway passed the library and towards Serenity's room.

"But I want to see how Mai's doing!" Serenity protested. She wasn't too happy about Seto's cold face. She could make her own decisions of where to go. "Let go of me, Seto!" Serenity started to twirl her wrist to get rid of Seto's grip, but that only earned her some pain in the wrist as Seto grabbed her wrist tighter. "Ouch… that hurts, Seto…" Serenity managed to make a whisper.

The guards behind them guarding the door to the library looked at their king and queen strangely. Seto sensed the whispering of the guards. His mood was even darker now, since he didn't need the guards to be passing on rumors about the disobedience of his queen.

"Keep your mouth shut! You will do as I tell you to." Seto glared at Serenity. He loosened his grip on her wrist a bit, but he made sure that she wouldn't be able to take her wrist out of his grip and run away. "You will go back to your room and rest. If Mai's sick, there will be doctors around."

Serenity's eyes swelled up with tears. She didn't understand why Seto was being so harsh with her. Whenever she saw him, he was always so cold towards her. There was no love in his eyes, only hatred and aversion, as if the whole world owed him something or the whole world was to blame for his own problems. Serenity stop struggling anymore, she just lowered her head and stared at the floor. Seto continued to drag her back to her room.

The long silence was unbearable to Serenity. The silence was also unbearable to Seto Kaiba. He didn't mean to be so mean to Serenity, but he was angry at her. Why was I so angry back in the garden and just now? So what if I treat her badly? I don't care… or do I? Seto was pondering his own mind. He was confused by his own actions. Although the answer to his weird behaviors was right in front of him, and he could have easily find out, but he refused to look into his own heart. Forget it! I should be thinking about swords now, not her! Seto thought, frustrated.

Finally, they got back to Serenity's room, which was also Seto's room. He threw her back onto the bed, not gentle at all. Then, he turned and walked toward the table in the room. There were food on the table. Seto took the bowl of congee towards Serenity. This was supposed to be her breakfast, but she went out into the garden with his brother and her two secret admirers. Seto stopped at the side of the bed and frowned. Serenity was still lying on her stomach, which was the position she was thrown onto the bed. She didn't move after Seto threw her onto the bed. Seto saw that her shoulders were moving up and down. Her face was buried in the pillow. Her auburn hair had covered her face, so that Seto couldn't see her expression. However, from the movements of her shoulders, he guessed that she was crying.

Serenity was indeed crying and sobbing. She felt so lonely in this castle. Seto always treated her meanly, with his cold attitudes, icy stares, and icy tone. Was this the first time he threw her onto the bed so roughly? No, he had done this before when he first caught her hiding in the village at the beach. Why is he doing this to me? Serenity sobbed.

A hand touched her shoulder lightly and gently. Serenity knew it was Seto, but she didn't move an inch. Then, the hand was removed from her shoulder. Seto walked back to the table and put down the bowl of congee. He was now feeling bad because Serenity was crying. He felt a little guilty for making her cry. He walked back to the bed and sat down. Seto didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say. After all, he had never been in a situation where he needed to comfort a girl. But he was still a little angry at himself. Why do I even care? Let her cry, who cares? Seto scolded himself.

But I made her cry. I was mean to her. Therefore I should comfort her a little. Besides, don't make her angry and hate me, I still need her to save Mokuba… Seto thought of an excuse. He then silenced his thoughts and leaned down towards Serenity's back. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into his chest. Serenity's body stiffened a bit; she was shocked that Seto would do that. Then she struggled a bit to stay away from Seto. However, he held her tighter and she couldn't get out of his grip.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" Serenity whispered.

Seto raised his right hand and slid down Serenity's smooth, silky auburn hair. Her hair was so smooth and so soft, just as he imagined. Her body was so soft and warm too. "Shh… I'm sorry for being so mean to you. But I was in a bad mood…" Seto whispered back.

"Huh?... What are you talking about?" Serenity stopped crying. She was shocked that the Seto Kaiba who seemed to be a big iceberg would even apologize to her. Her face began to turn pink because of blushing. She also stopped struggling to get away from Seto. It feels so good to be able to rest on his chest… It feels so good to be able to depend on him… Stop Serenity, what are you thinking? Serenity blushed harder at her own thought. Serenity! You don't know him that well! A voice scolded herself.

Meanwhile, Seto was quiet too. What did you just say, Seto Kaiba? THE Seto Kaiba never apologize to anyone, let alone she is the mutt's sister! She is a Wheeler! Seto scolded himself, but he just couldn't control himself at that moment. Now let go of her and go back to the library or the sword-making underground room! The voice yelled again.

Seto tried to let go of Serenity, but he couldn't. Finally, he found the strength to let go of her when he spotted the food on the table. Seto let go of Serenity, went to the table, picked up the bowl of delicious congee, and walked back to the side of the bed. He sat down on the bed and gave Serenity the bowl of congee. He then wiped out the tears on her face with his thumbs. Serenity was staring at Seto with her big hazel eyes. She had never seen Seto so gentle before.

"Now, eat the congee, it was supposed to be your breakfast. You need food to heal better." Seto said. He tried to go back to his original heartless self, but his voice was no longer as cold as he it used to be. There was some form of gentleness in his voice. Seto frowned a little at his tone. "I have other things to do. Stay here and rest. I'll send some doctors to see Mai. I'll come back later." Seto said, then he turned around and left Serenity in the room alone. I have to get out of the room for now… Seto thought. He needed some time alone to calm down. He didn't want to act so strange anymore. THE Seto Kaiba was not supposed to be so gentle and kind. He was supposed to be cruel and heartless. What the hell is wrong with me?!? I need to stay away from Serenity…

After Seto left, Serenity stared at the bowl of congee in her hands. She smiled gently and started eating. It is so delicious! Serenity thought. She felt so warm in her heart. She felt that Seto did care about her, otherwise he wouldn't comfort her and hugged her. He could have just locked her up in the room and left. He also said he will be back later to see her. Serenity blushed at the thought of the handsome Seto Kaiba. Then, she continued to eat her breakfast. She had forgotten about Joey and Mai for the moment. All she could think of was Seto and what happened in the room…

Okay, this is it. Seto is so sweet, isn't he? Well, you'll find out more about what's happening to Mai in the next chapter. I hope you enjoy reading this chapter. Now that finals and regents are over, I'll be updating the story faster. Please, reviews are appreciated. Thanks!