A/N: Hi! Has anyone been waiting? Er, if there still are people who are waiting, I wanna apologize deeply for not updating THIS LONG. I think you can all share the same experience wherein your inspirations drain out because of the so many bad things happening around you. Well, a lot of things have been happening to me, causing me to grow depressed and frustrated, but here I am now! Back to make you happy (hopefully) by updating this story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Yu-Gi-Oh. But I own Erika, Rey, and the fragments of the shabby old house that Kaiba destroyed! Haha!

Kaiba: Wasting time… (taps foot impatiently)

Me: Oh, right! Here's the story!

Bills, Conditions, and Arrangements

"Hello, Erika."

A tall, raven-haired figure stepped into Erika's room, causing Erika's eyes to widen. She was not expecting any visitors at all, especially HIM. How would he know that she was here? Did Kaiba tell him? But if Kaiba did tell him, then why? These questions stirred in Erika's mind as she tried to sit up, and succeeded. Her hazel brown eyes met with his teal ones, and a breeze of reassurance seemingly enveloped around her.

"S-Sir Yohiko? H-How did you find out? A-And why did you come?"

Yohiko smiled—he had expected her beforehand to ask that. Of course, it would be a common sense question, since it was practically eight thirty in the evening, and people would be resting at that hour, but here he was, standing by her bedside, smiling warmly at her pale figure.

"Kaiba informed me. It would seem you two are… getting along?"

Erika shook her head, breaking the eye contact she had established with her teacher. Looking down, she noticed that she was trembling. 'It is cold… Or am I just nervous? But if I'm nervous, why? Oh, so many questions… The air conditioner would be the culprit behind this. I mean, I am wearing very thin pieces of clothing…'

"At least he found you. If not, who knows what could happen? Your Uncle would have gotten your brother too… And he seems so young." Yohiko commented, glancing at the figure sleeping beside Erika. Right after Mokuba had left, Rey had fallen asleep beside her. Erika really didn't mind—Rey didn't usually toss around in bed.

"He's thirteen. He just looks young, because he's innocent." Erika lovingly ran a hand through Rey's hair, occasionally running her fingers over his flushed cheeks. It was evident that there was a strong bond between her and Rey; you could see it in the way Erika touched him. She touched him as if he was something delicate; something that would break at the first touch.

"Does he have a place to stay with? I could take him back home with me, while you're here." Yohiko placed a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to look up at him. His eyes were to be trusted, and Erika knew her teacher was a good person; however, she didn't want to bother him. He was a teacher. A teacher had to prepare lesson plans, check papers and create tests. In short, he was a busy person. To add taking care of Rey to his list didn't seem practical.

"You're a busy man, Sir Yohiko. Rey might just burden you and hinder you from work. I don't want that to happen."

Yohiko's hand transferred to Erika's head, and he ruffled her hair slightly. As a student, Erika was always thoughtful; she was what you would call 'almost too good to be true', except for the fact that she had financial problems. If you gave her money and the house to match with, she would be the perfect woman in the world, but sadly, she was poor.

Hopefully that would change.

"Of course not Erika. It would be nice to have a kid around. Rey could help me organize a few files. Besides, I need someone to lighten me up. I'm getting old with my lack of smiling and laughing."

Erika couldn't hide her smile. If that were how her teacher would put it, then why not? Rey and he could get to know each other and be good friends. 'Sir Yohiko is an agreeable person after all… He's been there for me all the time. Rey will enjoy his company, I'm sure.'

"Alright then, Sir Yohiko. But if Rey begins to bother you, just tell me." Yohiko nodded, and Erika took her hand off Rey's forehead. 'At least I can rest, knowing that Rey is in good hands… Thank God for Sir Yohiko.' With her permission, Yohiko took Rey into his arms and carried him like a father would carry his own baby—gently and affectionately.

"Thank you, Sir Yohiko. I'm very thankful to have a teacher like you."

"Well, I'm lucky to have a student like you. So, I guess I have to go. I don't want to drive home late, and I don't want to tire you. Have a good night's sleep, alright? Get well soon." With a soft kiss on Erika's forehead as a night-ender, the gentle teacher left the room. Not expecting any more visitors, Erika adjusted her blankets and lied down, feeling deep slumber pulling on her eyelids.

"Get up Sakiyano."

The raven-haired girl jolt up, immediately turning to face the person that had come in. Though she wanted to speak, Erika found that she couldn't—her jaw just kept opening and closing without a single sound. 'I feel like every time he comes in, my voice seems to fade away… Find your voice Erika! You're looking like a fool!'

"I've come here to set down conditions."

Seto Kaiba sat down on the chair beside Erika's bed, crossing his arms and legs once he was settled. He looked really arrogant, but that was to be expected of a young CEO like him. Kaiba had everything, and he seemingly also had the right to brag about it. People practically threw themselves at his feet, which she really couldn't understand, but Erika felt that that gave him enough right to act arrogant and all mighty.

"You will work as Mokuba's babysitter once you are discharged from the hospital. You will work until you pay off your debt, and then salary comes naturally after you've worked sufficiently to pay your debt. No objections—I decide."

"Y-Yes Kaiba."

Of course, it was apparent to Erika that she had no say in this anymore. Kaiba brought her here, paid for her hospital expenses, and was actually kind enough to let her prove that she could still do the job, so basically, protests had no place in a situation like this.

"Good."

The cold-hearted brunette stood up and was about to leave the room, when suddenly, he remembered something. 'Where is her brother? I remember distinctly well that she is orphaned… A friend must have taken custody of him. Which reminds me, she has no home. If she is discharged, Sakiyano will have no place to stay. She has no money, and she cannot rent an apartment. Argh. Why am I even thinking about her welfare? I don't and I shouldn't care.'

"Thank you, Kaiba, for giving me this chance… and dropping by, of course. Send my regards to Mokuba… Good night."

Kaiba had the strong urge to glance over his shoulder to look at Erika, but a part of him detested the idea, so he stood in place. His hand still fixed upon the knob, Kaiba wondered if he should ask Erika about her home, or lack thereof. Her Uncle's property was closed down since the land wasn't paid fully, so living there wasn't an option. Besides, the shabby old house would be demolished soon—a small store would replace it.

"While you're homeless, you and your brother will reside with us. Your work is doubled; you will have to work around the house and cook the basic meals whenever Mokuba and I are around."

Erika nearly gasped at Kaiba's suggestion, but placed a hand over her mouth, preventing herself from doing so. If anything, being a babysitter for Mokuba KAIBA was prestigious enough, but actually living in his house? 'Why is Kaiba being so nice? He knows I can't pay him back… Is he doing this out of pity, or is there really a kind soul beneath that cold exterior of his?'

"Don't question my actions. Get out of this hospital."

With that statement as a last impression, Kaiba slammed the door shut, causing Erika to cringe a little. 'Now THAT was the Kaiba I knew… I probably should just sleep this off. This might be a good dream that I'll soon snap out of… Although, it would be nice if this were reality… I'd have no problems to deal with for the moment; all I have to worry about is taking care of the Kaiba household…' A smile marked her face as she lied back down on the bed.

'Thank you Kaiba. Don't worry; I won't do anything to disappoint you.'

A/N: So, how was it? Like my change in writing? I know the previous font was terrible, and I apologize for that! Now I know how hard it is to read bold letters. Sorry if Kaiba was a little OOC here. Well, of course he had to explain why she had to sleep in his house! And no, nothing queer is going to happen between them, so no perverted thoughts! Have a clear head, like Ryou here!

Ryou: Hi… (blushes)

Me: Aw, isn't that adorable! Come here, Ryou! Let's tell them to review together!

Ryou and Me: Please review! (laughs right after and then walks out of the room to share a drink or two)