Guardians

Note: Here's the next chappie everyone… you're all reviewing, right? I love hearing from all of you and try to put up a chapter only when I've seen reviews from most of the people who usually review for me. New reviewers are always really appreciated! The more opinions the better! Love you all! Okay, I'll cut the sappy stuff and get to (drum roll) chapter 36!

Chapter Thirty-Six: A Late Night for Both of Us

Seto Kaiba folded his hands and let his head drop onto them. Today, he had seen Karmina again, and something had really popped inside him. He hadn't wanted her to think she'd managed to break his defenses like this… he had wanted, almost, to see her startled, sad expression. But that hadn't made it much more bearable when it did come.

Her eyes had gone wide and teary, and she'd stared at him as if seeing him in a whole new light. Somehow, he didn't think it was a very good new way of seeing him. He couldn't help it; the feeling that he needed someone was killing him inside. He couldn't bear to be without her, and he hated it. He was the Seto Kaiba, Japan's most wanted bachelor, and the longest standing single rich guy in history. Why throw all of that away for her?

Because I love her. He took a deep swing of coffee and rubbed his temples. He didn't want to love her anymore. He wanted to be free again. And the more he tried to forget her, the more he dreamed of holding her in his arms.

I have got to lay off the caffeine.

With a sigh he turned his laptop off. It wasn't like having it on made it anymore likely that he'd actually get some work done. The other day, he'd almost left the house without his coveted trench coat because he'd been so lost in misery. Mokuba was really taking notice, as were the servants, but they pointed out no errors in the mighty Seto Kaiba. Surely nothing was wrong with him. No human emotion to trouble him. Ha. At one time, it had nearly been true. At one time, the only thing he'd cared about besides his company and himself had been his little brother. But now, there was Karmina, and the way she regarded his iciness as the worst thing on earth. Surely how he behaved towards her didn't matter that much.

He heaved a deep, angry sigh. He really, really loathed that girl and her sweet smile right now. He loathed her shiny hair, her bright eyes, and the way her emotions showed through even though she was too shy to really tell many people how she felt. It was a lot in her eyebrows, really, now that he thought about it. The way they arched if she was astonished or skeptical, the way they hung limp above her eyes when she was sad, and the way they were perfectly arched when she smiled.

Now I'm analyzing her eyebrows. That is incredibly pathetic.

He walked over to the window and looked down at the spot where she sang her sad songs. It was right under his window… it had always been, probably for most of his time there. And he'd only recently realized. What had been wrong with him? Oh, that was right, he was busy running a company and making sure his brother had a good childhood. A lot of people said he was selfish, but somehow he couldn't find himself in agreement. If he was selfish, shouldn't he at least have the things he wanted? Shouldn't he be happy?

Somehow he knew he'd never be happy without his Karmina.

Karmina had circled a few ads, and called the numbers. She had three job interviews this afternoon. Surely she'd get one of them.

She straightened her skirt and her blouse nervously. Maybe she was a little overdressed for an interview at the Pizza Palace. Maybe she should go home and cha-

"Hello, hello! You must be Karmina! I'm Betty, the manager of Pizza Palace."

"Um… hi… Betty."

"Don't be nervous, doll. We're all friends here at the Palace. Lovely skirt, by the way!"

Betty looked to be about nineteen or twenty years old, but she acted very strange. Her nails were long and painted pink, and her hair was in a small beehive. She looked like the kind of person who was usually chewing gum, but it must be banned for the Palace workers.

"Now, you say you're sixteen?"

Karmina nodded, then said "Yes, ma'am."

Betty cackled. "Come on, doll, there's no reason for that type of talk. Anyhow, we're looking for some younger employees anyway, to attract more of the teen crowd. Just not too much flirting when you're on duty, 'kay? Now, tell me, why do you want this job?"

"Um… well, you see… I was just, er, evicted from the foster h- place I formerly lived, and I was… l-looking for, well… I need extra money so I can stop b-being a burden to my friend… you know?"

Betty nodded sympatheticly. "We sort of need our employees to be customer friendly, dear… could you do away with the pauses and the ums. And is that a speech impediment, or-"

"N-nerves… when meeting new p-people. I'm trying to work on it, though." She smiled when her last sentence didn't falter. She was still scared to death, but learning to hide it better. Another bit of Seto rubbing off on her, no doubt.

"Well, doll, I'll need to think it over. We were looking for more of a people person… we might give you a trial day and see how it works out. I'll give you a ring, then."

Karmina nodded, smiled, and shook Betty's long nailed hand. "Thank you very much for this opportunity," she said, steadying her nerves so that her words didn't waver.

The next stop was a movie rental place. She held her breath and walked in through the door. "H-hello, I'm here for the-"

"Interview. You're thirty five and a half second late."

"S-sorry, sir."

His expression did not grow any kinder. She was sadly reminded of Seto, and her face fell even further.

"Now, what is your experience in the movie rental business?"

She gaped for a second before shutting her mouth quickly. "I r-really don't have much experience… it wasn't mentioned in the ad… but I am a quick learner, sir."

"I see. What makes you think you've got what it takes to work here?"

"Um, sir… I think that I have the, er, devotion and attention, as well as the conviction to do well at whatever I apply myself to," she said, hoping it sounded professional and inspiring.

"Hmm… I'll think it over, and I'll give you a call if you're the best we can scrounge up."

She nearly ran out of there, hoping she never had to return. Finally she was at the last one… hopefully this was nothing like the horrible movie rental guy.

"Hello and welcome to Latte House! How can we be of service to you today?"

This lady was certainly perky. "Um… I'm Karmina, here for the-"

"Job interview! Wonderful! Step into my office, please!"

Yes, very perky.

"My name is Katie, and I'm thrilled to see that you're interested in working at the Latte House! Now, do you have any experience in this field?"

She shook her head, and then remembered to speak for good impressions. "No, ma'am, but I'd love to learn." No stutters this time. Maybe the perkiness had scared the stutters right out of her.

"Well, everyone has to start somewhere! Why don't you come back tomorrow for a trial run? Won't that be fun? Then we'll see if you fit in with everyone, and if you can handle the job! What do you say?"

Karmina gave a fake smile. "That sounds great," she said with a lot less enthusiasm than Katie.

It was 7:30 and Karmina was very tired. But her mind was on Seto and the mean movie rental guy who sort of reminded her of him.

Why does he hate me? I mean… I was a little mean, but not enough to inspire such… hatred… he started it, after all. And now I sound like a two year old.

She stared at the starry sky with a slim smile. Maybe she'd take a little walk through the park. Even though Seto was all she thought of while she was there, her thoughts of him were generally more peaceful when she was surrounded by trees and plants than not.

She sat against a tree and listened to the crickets' songs. They were calling out to each other, maybe… happy and content in their little world, not knowing that the girl above them was suffering from a broken heart.

"Oh, Seto… why is it that suddenly, all I see is you?"

And it was true. In the cricket song she heard his cold laughs and that uncomfortable silence that always led to her saying something stupid. In the trees she saw his dream-self smiling and declaring his love to her. And in the cold air she felt his empty stare, the indifference he now regarded her with.

The stars formed broken hears in the sky… they twinkled like the light of his office window, the only light in a sea of dark.

She leaned back and stared at them sadly. They were up there, so indifferent, like her Seto. Wait… mine? Whoever said he was mine?

End note: It's so sad… They love each other so much! Review, everyone!