School's starting again. sigh My updates are lagging, but I've been so busy, what with grades and studies, you see,…blech I don't own Yu-gi-Oh!

Edit: I said "grades"! Not guys!
Chapter Seven—Stolen

Serenity walked slowly and purposefully towards the door, fixing herself and making sure that no trace of her earlier behavior left a print on her.

An hour ago, she had decided to pack her bags and ultimately, leave. A mere half and an hour pass, Tea came charging into her room and threatened her not to. Or else. And then, Isis came and told her she wouldn't interfere with this decision, however, she would sorely miss her. Then, Bakura himself came when she was halfway exiting the castle and ordered her not to.

Now, she was tired and angry.

She opened the door, finding a footman dressed impeccably, smiling through white teeth.

"Yes?" She asked politely, her smile faltering at the corners.

"Miss Serenity Wheeler. We are happy to inform you that you passed the second round. All Princess Candidates are requested to stay at their respective rooms until further notice and details of the third round." He announced.

A moment of silence persisted. If the man expected her to dance in joy or cry in happiness, he was in for a disappointment. Instead, she slammed the door at his face.

She passed? Yes, she passed.

Was she glad? Yes, she was glad.

Did she want to kill Seto? Yes, she wanted to rip his insides and hang his body on a crucifix in the city square.

She sighed. Just then, there was another, louder knock.

She groaned, and opened the door again.

Her eyes narrowed when she saw a young man at her doorstep, holding a plate of freshly-baked cookies in one hand. He was short and had long, raven hair that was tied at his nape. Somehow, he looked familiar.

He grinned at her and pushed through. Serenity was forced to stand back.

Rude. Definitely rude.

The young man helped himself to her couch, spilling crumbs all over. He watched her as he ate.

Serenity cleared her throat, annoyed. "Whoever you are, do get out of my room this second, please."

The boy ignored her. "Want a cookie? It's chocolate chip."

"A cookie? Sure, why no—Wait a minute, you're changing the topic! I told you, I'm too tired to deal with whoever you are." Serenity turned her back on him, facing the open windows. "There's a door over there. Use it."

"You really don't know me?" He laughed.

Serenity tapped her foot impatiently, turning back around. "No, I don't—Should I?"

He grinned at her again, through chocolate smudged lips. "I'm sorry. Where are my manners? I am Mokuba."

Oh, him. No wonder he was familiar. Serenity rolled her eyes. Prince Mokuba, huh? Well, whatever. A day ago, she might've cared. Royalty or no, he wasn't welcome here.

"Well, nice to meet you. I'm Serenity and I want you out. Manners indicate I don't allow strangers into my room." Serenity said in one breath, crossing her arms.

Mokuba grinned. "Stranger? For all you know, I could be your future brother-in-law."

Serenity sighed. "But at present, you're but a stranger. If you don't want to get out, then would you at least tell me what you're doing here?"

Mokuba left the cookie plate on her coffee table, stood up and walked about her room. "I snuck inside the kitchen to get a handful of these cookies. The chef is probably chasing me now." He chirped, as if it happened everyday.

"You failed to mention why you're here." Serenity said gruffly, leaning her back to the wall.

"Duh. I'm hiding here." Mokuba replied in a matter-of-fact voice, grabbing a cookie as he passed the table.

"Why hide? Why even steal?" Steal. It seemed there were a lot of thieves here. "When you could ask? You're Prince afterall."

"Seto won't let me eat cookies before dinner. I had my afternoon snack almost two hours ago. I'm hungry. Don't tell Seto, 'kay?"

"Like hell I'll ever talk to him again." She snapped. "Better drop of those calories anyway. Cookies are unhealthy, and chocolate too." Serenity told him.

"We just met and you're being so disagreeable already. Is it me, or are you having a bad hair day?" Mokuba said.

"How 'bout both? I haven't the time, nor the patience, to talk to just about anyone."

Mokuba laughed. "Then make me an exception."

"That's it. Look, I don't care if you want to spend your whole life in this room anymore, as long as you don't touch any of my things. I'm outta here." Serenity pushed herself from the wall, snatching a small box then marching to the door and beyond.

Why won't everybody simply leave her alone? She just wanted to grab the damned ring and get out of here.

Hmm…Maybe she could hire Mokuba to do it for her. NOT. They were brothers, afterall.

Mokuba smiled behind her. "…Fine, but I'll see you again, Serenity."

Serenity didn't stop to listen, but said in a whisper, "Wanna bet?"

H

She quietly turned the golden doorknob, and the door swung silently on oiled hinges.

Nothing much happened after that little episode with Mokuba Kaiba. She had spent the rest of the day mulling and ranting over anything and everything, and in that course, managed to turn her second meeting with Isis into a war of wills, and also managed to avoid any meeting with any Princess Candidate, with Mokuba, or his brother.

It was shortly after midnight, so it came as no surprise that the room was dark. But the moonlight flooded through the transparent windows, and she could make out the outline of the giant canopy bed, as well as the desks, cabinets, and everything else.

She was here. Right in Kaiba's footstep. She'd never been in here before, but was not about to get distracted touring the large suite.

She was here for one reason, and one alone.

Ever since she landed in the palace, she never doubted that the prince would be wearing the ring when he slept. If it meant as much to him as it probably did, being the symbol for power and authority, then he wouldn't take it off…

Serenity froze suddenly. How much DID it mean to him?

She knew the signet ring was passed on from father to oldest son. It was tradition. A relic, you can say. But she knew firsthand Seto Kaiba held no love for his father. Did she commit a grave error in assuming?

…Well, she'd find out soon.

She then trod as close as she could to the bed without touching it.

It came as a relief that she couldn't see the Prince clearly at all. The canopy blocked the moonlight. However, Seto's smooth white hand lay on the covers, and there it was.

The signet ring. Jackpot.

Smiling to herself, she reached for it. Slowly…slowly…

And there! She was leaning, touching it slightly. She held one of its crystal rubies between her middle finger and her thumb. And she reached for her boots, and her other hand came out with a small bottle and her knife.

Ah, tools of the thief trade. Bakura brought it for her on the Valentine Celebration, when they were following Tea around and ended up in one nice shop that sold nice perfumes.

Deadly perfumes.

She brought it with her as she exited her room(when Mokuba was on it).

She unscrewed the lid, careful not to smell it accidentally. Beneath the lid was a small spraying button for the one and a half inches-long bottle.

She grabbed the hem of her white shirt and slashed a part with her knife, then using the strip of cloth to cover her mouth. She then held her breath and pressed the button.

Knock-out gas-perfume spread through the air. Seto didn't move an inch, and wouldn't for the next six hours, but that was none of her concern.

For a while, she hesitated, fear tying her stomach in knots. What if the gas didn't work?

She was suddenly unsure. What were the consequences if she went through with this? Consequences—what was happening to her, she didn't even stop to think about them!

But she was here. She might never have this chance again.

Holding her breath, she slipped the ring from his finger and was relieved that it slid effortlessly.

Serenity backed away hurriedly, slipping the magnificent ring to her own finger and fled to the door. She paused there and took one last glance at Seto Kaiba, Prince of Domino, and the most confusing man she ever met.

"I—I…I'm sorry, Seto. I'm supposed to say I hate you…but I don't know if that's true anymore, so…Goodbye." And she was gone.

H

Seto woke that morning, at exactly 6:30, and felt like he slept for a century.

Blinking groggily, he sat straight up, wondering what time it was, that he woke up pretty early, yet felt insanely tired.

It was around a little after dawn, but he slid to his footwear and arose. There was something wrong. He felt it. He knew it.

It was his instinct, buzzing off so loudly it almost defeaned him. It was this instinct that helped him predict huge storms and abnormalities of weather, thieves and burglars, aided him in seeing dishonesty, disloyalty, and it was this instinct that he most believed on.

Seto ran a slender hand through his soft dark hair, then cursed. His eyes were narrowed as he marched to the intercom beside his bed. He pressed the fifth button.

"Lionel, report on status." He voiced.

Seto could hear an incoherent grumbling at the other end of the intercom, which he knew was on the security room.

Then he heard Lionel issue commands on some 40 lower employees to check the castle, an SOP whenever Prince Seto called for it.

Immediately, 40 lower employees were dashing around to their respective rooms and checking everything. (1)

"Your Highness, everything appears to be normal on the West Wing, in the Kitchen, in the Gallery…"

Seto was relieved, but his face didn't show it. Maybe his instincts were wrong…there had to be a first time that happened.

"…in the Sitting room, check. Stables, check. Everything seems to be in order." But he hadn't checked the Princess Lounge, or any private rooms, for that matter. Seto respected the right for personal space. Which was why Lionel didn't know Serenity was gone.

"Over and out."

So he was wrong, Seto thought, but with relief. For a while there, he thought…

Shaking his head, he walked to the door, thinking about some breakfast.

The knob turned easily, and Seto felt the first of many spouts of suspicion surfacing rapidly beneath his skin.

His door was unlocked. Which meant only one thing: Someone had broken in. Someone had picked the lock.

It must've been an outside robber…

For whatever purpose, he would find out later on. Only one thought persisted on his mind.

Whoever stole anything from him would pay. Stealing from the palace was punishable by death.

He stared at his hand on the unlocked doorknob, and that was when he saw something. Or more precisely, that he didn't see something he should've. He didn't see the signet ring. It was missing.

H

A/N: I seem to have a knack for far-fetched stories, but I'm trying to make it as real it can be with the kind of theme it has. I just realized, hey, I put such a big fuss over a ring. It's just a ring. So here's some progression. Finally, Serenity is outta the palace. As for the rounds, don't worry, they will continue.

Note: (1) I was going to use Security Cameras for that part, then I remembered they didn't have those. Lol, just a random note…

Well, I'd really appreciate it if you tell me what you think, and hmm…I'll try my best to email you a reply, if I cant post them in the chapters. Promise. Sankyou.

Flowerperson: Haha, you're the first reviewer again. I thank you from the bottom of myheart. I also a hopeless romantic! Hehe. Marik-chan? Hmm…I dunno, actually. Do you want him in there? I could insert him, if you want v

ANAYAS-CREATOR: The kiss is supposed to be threatening…but I'm no good writer, so it turned out all weird and stuff…

Sakurelle: Haha, Kaiba is a natural meanie. Hmm…slap, huh? I dunno about that. At least 'Ren finally does something in this chapter. 'Course great minds think alike. It's natural. Lol. BTW, I read your fic, the one with the technology-thing. Haha, it was great.

Aliccia: Hey, thanks so much. My update is here, hope you can read it, and sorry for making you guys wait for so long…

Mistyshadows23: Here's the update! I dunno if you're still reading, or is still interested in this fic. I know I update late. Sorry. But I hope you like this chapter.