A/N: So…I have a guessing game for all of you readers. Who doesn't own Yu-gi-oh? I'll give you one guess…

Chapter 7

Centrifugal Motion

None other than Mr. Kaiba himself assisted Serenity back into the sleigh. She didn't think she would mind the closeness of him on the way back, seeing as how the turn of events in the snow had humanized him. Well, not completely, but he was less of a frigid glacier than before. It was progress.

Mokuba jumped into the passenger seat up front with glee.

She had enjoyed the snowball fight, not that she had dished out enough punishment to Seto Kaiba to satisfy her urge to pummel him. Mokuba hadn't even helped really. She frowned. The snow was still falling as Kaiba slid in beside her, his leg touching hers no longer made her itch to throw herself out into a snow drift. Maybe there was a consession on her end too.

Kaiba pulled the blanket up around their waists, and then rested his hands in his lap. There was disappointment evident on her face. She had hoped he would hold her hand again. What was she thinking? Was she going insane by slow steps or head first! Wanting Seto Kaiba to hold her hand was a clear indication of dementia setting in. She sighed and turned her attention towards the trees, falling snow and the stars.

"You can throw a pretty mean snowball," Kaiba broke the silence as he leaned in to whisper against her ear.

"Thanks," she turned her head slightly and smiled at him, "and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you in the face, I was aiming for your back." She turned her body a bit towards him. The blanket slipped and Kaiba quickly pulled it back up around her.

"I didn't hurt you did I?" He asked. His icy eyes were in stark contrast to the question.

"No," she smiled. It had been the gentlest snowball she had ever felt. He hadn't packed it well and a part of her wondered if it was done purposely. He could have nailed her with an ice ball if he had the desire to hurt. This was great packing snow and could do damage in malicious hands. She remembered the way he held her hand, it had been far from malevolent. It was warm and gentle.She would never give in to her urge, she rubbed her hands together, partly from the temperature, which was now getting to her thanks to the snowball making, and more so to rid her thoughts of his hand holding.

"Are you cold?" He asked, as he scrutinized her.

"Just a bit. I think being wet and the cold are getting to me." She blushed as she lowered her head. There was shifting and then a scarf was around her neck, followed by warm hands wrapping around hers. Too stunned to say anything they sat in silence for the remainder of the ride, quietly holding hands.

The sleigh reached the origination point too soon for all of them. Mokuba hated that his sleigh ride was over, Seto wanted more time to learn about Serenity, she had been too quiet. Then there was Serenity who (despite her better judgment) wanted to continue holding hands.

The door to the limo was held open and the three of them climbed in. Mokuba sat in the back; he didn't want to be too obvious. He hardly wanted them to realize he was playing match maker…he had been so cool and smooth until now and he had to keep it that way or else they might get suspicious.

"So now we get to eat cookies and drink hot chocolate!" Mokuba announced to them both.

"I think I have to decline," Serenity choked out. "I have an early day tomorrow and I still have to get home and make cupcakes for my children and a few other snacks. We're having a Christmas party in class."

"You can't leave now!" Mokuba whined. "Seto tell her she can't! It's part of the tradition! Hot chocolate and dessert is the best part of the evening and…"

"Enough Mokuba," Kaiba chastised, using a stern voice. "She has to go home, don't pester her. Learn your place." With his scathing remark he turned his attention to the driver. "Please take us to the school."

"But big brother…this is the only tradition we have. It would be nice for her to see…" Mokuba tried with a voice that was cracking.

"She said no and no means no. You have to learn that sometimes your begging and crying just won't work." He was almost harsh.

"You shouldn't yell at him like that." Serenity turned her attention to the large child next to her. How could he treat little Mokuba like this? It was hateful. Poor little guy just wanted to share his traditions, no harm in that. "It means a lot to him. It only stands to reason that he would want to show someone the full experience." Serenity shook her head; amazed at the insensitivity Kaiba was exhibiting. Poor Mokuba…He just sat there looking pathetic and dejected…her heart was breaking.

"Driver, forget the school I'll be joining Mokuba for hot chocolate and dessert." She turned her nose up at Kaiba and focused her attention on Mokuba. "Maybe we could stop at a store and I could buy some supplies for the class party tomorrow, that way I won't have to panic when I get home. I could buy some store made cupcakes and things like that."

"Why don't we make some at our house?" Mokuba chirped, picturing his big brother in an apron. Kaiba rolled his eyes, unnoticed. "We have a huge kitchen and tons of supplies and we even have cooks and all that other stuff. It would be so much fun Serenity!"

She sighed heavily, not sure how a child would be, once dosed up on sugar, with helping. "I don't know Mokuba. It's an awful lot of work and…"

"Please…come on Serenity! I want to help. It can become part of the tradition! We'll make desserts as well as eat them! I love cooking and Seto said that if I had adult supervision I can cook!"

What had she gotten herself into? If Mokuba was going to help, help being the key word, it would take forever to get everything accomplished. Seeing it in her mind's eye hardly made it better. Mokuba would be covered in flour, eggs and heaven knew what else, she would be patiently trying to accept his assistance, graciously, and Seto Kaiba would be…would be…where exactly would he be? There in the kitchen? Watching? Directing? Yelling? What would his role in this effort become? He didn't seem like the Mr. Mom type so him finding his way around a kitchen would be another problem to contend with.

Great – just perfect, two incompetent males and though she was good in the kitchen, she was no Emeril… Resigning herself to the fact that she would be serving charcoal briquettes with gray icing (she was going to try for red and green, but considering her help gray would be the outcome) and cookies that would likely be inedible – she agreed.

Kaiba smirked to himself. He would never ask her to come on his own, but having her stumble into saying yes was a real plus. Sneaking a peek at Mokuba he noticed the mile wide grin on his face. The boy had plans and that was a bit scary. Hopefully Serenity knew how to cook because Mokuba could be a handful in the kitchen. A snide thought crossed in his mind, he might just be a 'handful' himself.

They arrived at the mansion and due to her gawking, she was caught between awe and belief of decadence, she nearly tripped exiting the limo. Seto caught her quickly around the waist and put her back on her feet. She quickly straightened out her clothing, and wondered if Kaiba hadn't held her for just a bit longer than was necessary. It wasn't a horrible thing, just unexpected. He had nice hands. He turned from her and started to walk up the steps, he also had a nice…biting her tongue she stifled the thought in her mind.

Honestly the man had no sense of humor and laughing at his gift, whatever it was, would never happen. She started climbing the stone steps up to the entrance. Tristan could be funny and Duke, a riot, but Seto Kaiba was like a statue most times and giggling would be beyond hope for him to expect from her. She needed a man who could make her smile and laugh and he could do neither.

Besides, she had decided that none of them would win this game. It was a way of attaining freedom for a weary girl who wanted a break. She would fall in love when she was damn well good and ready and she was far from ready, in fact, she was losing faith in men by the minute. Tristan killed the thought of romance. What the hell was that move he pulled the other night? Did he honestly think she'd do anything like that? With him?

Her thoughts had her so preoccupied that she walked right into Kaiba's back. He turned and looked down at her, she looked up at him. Why did her breath catch when they made eye contact? Quickly she averted her attention to Mokuba.

"Mr. Kaiba, the warm drinks and cookies are ready in the great room. Sir." A maid announced to Seto. "Can I please take your coats?"

Serenity reluctantly shrugged hers off. Kaiba looked her up and down with appreciation. Her dark green sweater was form fitting and her a-line skirt was quite flattering. Amusing, he hadn't noticed what she was wearing before now. It was quite becoming on her. The hair near her left ear was still damp thanks to the snowball he threw. Quickly he turned before his eyes were caught devouring her.

Kaiba thanked the maid and off he went with Serenity trailing behind him and Mokuba yapping her ear off with ideas for desserts they could make.

The mansion was even grander than she had imagined. It felt like the Ritz Carlton not a home. Decorations for Christmas were evident in each room and the more she looked the more she wanted to see. If someone had asked her if she thought they celebrated Christmas she would have scoffed at the idea. Seto Kaiba decorating his home with ribbons, bows and fairy lights seemed ridiculous, if not ludicrous. Yet, here she was in a home richly adorned with lights, angels, fake snow, holly and wreaths. It was warm and cozy not drab and cold like one would expect. There was a central tree in the room they entered and her smiled widened as she took in all of the ornaments upon it. One was more fantastic and complex then the next. There were blown glass bells, ornaments that had dancing girls, flickering lights and the scent of pine filled the air and her senses. It was like a Christmas wonderland.

She chose to sit on the loveseat, leaving the couch wide open for the brothers to sit down together. Funny how the best laid plans fail and leave their creators in misery. Mokuba dove onto the couch and sprawled out taking up the center with most of his body, his feet took up the end part and his head the top. Kaiba stood there, he had been about to sit down, but now was looking quite uncomfortable. He folded his arms across his chest and took up his dueling stance.

"Why don't you sit down big brother?" Mokuba asked sheepishly as he tucked a pillow behind his head, thus taking up yet more space.

Kaiba wanted to sit, but squeezing himself next to Mokuba would look ridiculous and be so awkward. However, just walking over and sitting next to Serenity would be worse, well, it wouldn't feel worse it would just look worse. She would know she had the upper hand, that he liked her. Kaiba could not allow that.

Serenity wanted to strangle Mokuba. She knew the only seat left was the one next to her, well, that wasn't entirely true. There was plenty of room on the couch, but Mokuba had hogged it all. Well, now the question hung in the air. Allow him to sit next to her or make him stand. She swallowed hard and then shifted, moving as close to the arm of the loveseat as possible.

"Please sit down," she could have sworn her voice wavered with her request. Asking twice wasn't necessary. He sat beside her, looking a bit nervous. His hands were balled fists resting on his thighs, his back as straight as a lance, and he faced straight ahead. If Serenity wasn't sure he was real she would have thought him to be a statue. If only there were a pigeon in here... She nearly laughed at loud at his stance. Could the broomstick be shoved up any further? She then giggled.

"What is it?" Kaiba asked, not moving. He didn't even turn to look at her.

"Nothing, don't worry about it." How could she explain that she wanted to laugh out loud because he was so damn uptight? She rolled her eyes and then picked up her mug of hot chocolate, Mokuba had begun pouring shortly after Kaiba sat down. Frowning at the small boy's scheming ability she took a sip and smiled. It was delicious. She could almost forgive the black-haired child who was becoming the bane of her existence.

"Oh! I have to show you something." Mokuba jumped up and started to race out of the room. He paused in the doorway to tell them he would be right back.

Kaiba seemed to relax a bit. Serenity tensed up. Alone with him again was not a desired thing.

"I really love how your home is decorated for the holidays. I didn't think that you would be the type to go all out for a holiday." The plan was to make lots of small talk to keep them busy until Mokuba returned.

"I sell games and childrens' things so Christmas is big business for Kaiba Corp.." He shrugged.

"So you get no joy out of the season at all? You only enjoy it due to the profit margin?" He turned to face her, their knees brushed. "I find it hard to believe this pomp and circumstance is due to the bottom line Kaiba." She motioned at the tree.

He smirked, "Call me Seto. It isn't just for the profit margin. I also do it to please Mokuba." He picked up his hot chocolate and took a sip.

She reached down and picked up a cookie with a cherry nestled in it.

"You have to enjoy some of it Kaiba," she smirked, no way in hell would she call him Seto-it sounded far too intimate. "No one would go this all out if they didn't like it, if even just a bit."

He couldn't stop staring at her lips. "Perhaps."

"Why are you staring at me?" The harsh, in his face, approach was her best bet.

"Because I'm remembering the night you decided to kiss me."

That wasn't the answer she was expecting. You have cookie on yournose or the hot chocolate is dribbling down your chin, those were the things she was anticipating. Remembrance of the kiss was not.

"I didn't decide to kiss you…you asked to kiss me." She turned away from him, what a jerk!

"I asked you to prove a point. If memory serves me correctly, and it always does, you begged me to join your little contest. I just asked you to prove that your intentions of wanting me in it were…honorable." He smirked at his own choice of words. What a clever man he thought himself to be.

Serenity thought back to the reasons why she wanted him in it. To infuriate her brother, prove that she was a grown up and humiliate everyone involved. Well, so far, Joey didn't know, she felt like a 14 year old around him (even now her tummy was in knots), and the only one being humiliated washer, thanks to Mokuba throwing them together at every opportunity. Talk about backfire, this was like a volcanic eruption of pure humiliation!

"I also asked you to back out of my challenge." She explained through clenched teeth.

"I never back down from a challenge, if you knew me, even just a little you would know that." He moved closer, she couldn't retreat.

"I won't kiss you again Seto Kaiba." She threatened.

"That's all right," he sneered, "This time I'll initiate…"

A/N: So, how was it? I must give a major thank you to all of you who are reading and reviewing! Feedback is very appreciated. All of you lurkers...I hope you enjoy it as well...