(runs away from pitchfork-weilding reviewers)
...THANK YOU FOR THE HELP, SONJA-SAN!
(runs farther)
Settling In
Terra POV
I gaped as we walked up to the mansion from where Kaiba had parked the convertible. "Holy heck. This place looks even bigger than it does on TV!"
"We get that a lot," Mokuba laughed.
Kaiba unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Get in here, you two. I don't want you guys freezing or anything."
"It's the middle of summer!" Mokuba protested as the two of us stepped inside.
I stared around, shock plastered across my face. "…Whoa…I'll be lucky if I manage to find my way to a bathroom without getting lost!"
Mokuba laughed. "I can give you a tour, if you want."
"…That would be greatly appreciated."
"Then c'mon!"
And so, I was dragged all over the house (but I did enjoy every second of it). What would become my bedroom was all hung in blues. It was a few doors to the left of Kaiba's and the right of Mokuba's. I was also showed around the foyer, the living room (which had a huge TV and just about every game system ever made hooked up to it), the dining room, and, Mokuba's self-titled 'Favorite Room', the rec room. Once again, they had just about every game imaginable. Including—
"Karaoke Revolution! Cool! Let's play!"
And so we did—almost every single game in there, we played. And it wasn't until about the fifth round of Capsule Monster Coliseum that I realized something.
"Hey…where did Kaiba go?"
Mokuba shrugged. "I have no idea…do you think we should look for him?"
I sighed. "Yeah, actually, I think that would be a very good idea."
We exited the rec room, and the two of us split up. Mokuba headed downstairs, and I searched around upstairs.
One of the last places I looked was Kaiba's room. And that, of course, was where he was.
I knocked on the door, and pushed it open after hearing a half-hearted, "Enter." He was staring out his window, arms crossed.
"…Kaiba? You all right?"
Kaiba glanced over his shoulder, and then looked back out the window. "Maybe…"
I rolled my eyes. Same old Kaiba. "What're you thinking about?"
"Things. None of which concern you."
I stomped up to him and grabbed his arm. "You'd better tell me!"
Kaiba turned. Cobalt eyes deathglared me from eight inches above my head. "Or what, Cooper?"
He was trying to look intimidating, and it probably would have worked on anyone except me. My immediate response was to turn on my version of Mokuba's "puppy-eyes of doom" look.
After a minute or two, Kaiba caved. "I was just thinking about myself. That's all." He turned to look out his window again.
I laughed. "And that's new?"
If looks could kill, I'd probably be a fine red mist right about now. "Not like that. I was just thinking how…odd…this is."
I raised an eyebrow. "Odd?"
Kaiba smiled a little. "Odd. Odd that I, who have prided myself in brushing off any suitor as if she was dust, am faced with a girl—woman—who isn't even from my dimension, who both frustrates and completes me, and who I couldn't bear to leave…"
"…I don't think I've ever heard you say anything that deep," I said softly.
I didn't realize how close I was until my head was practically resting against Kaiba's chest. Casually, I took a step back. "And of course it feels odd. You're a cold bastard more than half the time, and you were trained to be in love with your computer instead of a female."
Kaiba growled. "Take that back."
I smirked. "Make me."
Whoops. Not the smartest thing to say. I ended up running around the room, Kaiba hot on my heels.
I jumped up onto the chair by his computer, and he skidded to a halt. "Get down from there!" he snapped. "You'll get it dirty!"
I laughed. "I'm only wearing socks, agoraphobic!"
"That's not the point!" he snapped. I laughed, and jumped a little on the chair.
Once again, not a good idea. The chair was one of those wheeled ones. Therefore, it rolled sideways…
…I fell forward…
…Right into Kaiba…
…And as I grappled at him so as not to hit the floor, our lips met…
…Just as Mokuba walked in.
Mokuba stared at us—and then let out a whoop. "Finally!"
This would have been a very romantic moment, if it weren't for the fact that both Kaiba and I were completely surprised. I had grabbed Kaiba around the neck to prevent myself from falling, and he'd grabbed my waist in an attempt to keep me from slamming into him. His trench coat was, as usual with its ever-present resistance to gravity, flared out—but in front of him instead of behind, obscuring view up to our waists.
At Mokuba's exclamation, we both let go. I tumbled to the ground with a yelp. "Hey! That hurt!"
Kaiba was staring at Mokuba, who was grinning cheekily. "So when is it?" the younger boy asked.
"When is what?" I asked crossly, rising to my feet. Kaiba glared suspiciously at his little brother.
Mokuba's grin widened. "The wedding! When is it?"
I felt myself blushing. Kaiba was, too.
Mokuba laughed. "I was just kidding! Come on, it's really late—we oughtta go to bed."
"Agreed," I said quickly. "G'night, boys." I left the room as quickly as possible.
WHATTHEHELLJUSTHAPPENED?
That was definitely the most awkward moment in my entire life…
Ryou POV
I pushed open the door of the apartment I shared with Bakura. "It's nowhere near as nice as Miriku's—or as big. But there's enough room for the four of us…"
Mikey smiled a little. "I like it. It's cozy."
Sam grinned, flopping down on the couch. "Sweet pad, dude!"
Bakura glowered at her. "Hey, that's my spot! Move it or lose it, eco-freak!"
Sam stuck her tongue out at him; obviously pleased at the fact Bakura remembered his affectionate (if quite derogative) nickname. "Make me, psycho!"
Bakura grabbed her waist and tried to pry her off the couch. She collapsed into laughter. "Quit it! I'm ticklish!"
Bakura grinned. "Oh, really?" He immediately set to with his fingers.
I grinned, touching Mikey's wrist. "Come on—I'll show you around a little."
We ended up in my room. I glanced nervously at her. "So…how do you like my home?"
"I love it," was her immediate response.
"Really? It's not too low-class or anything?"
Mikey shot a fake glare at me. "Do I look like Kaiba to you?" She looked around again. "This place is almost exactly how I imagined it…" She began to move across the room—and tripped over a chest sticking halfway from under my bed.
I caught her before she fell too far. She blushed a little, standing up again. "What's in this chest?" she asked curiously.
I shrugged. "Those are my old games, from when I first moved here…"
Mikey opened the chest, and pulled out a box. She studied the lid, before pulling it off and holding one of the lead figurines up to the light.
"I can show you how to play, if you'd like," I offered. "I don't think Bakura will do anything this time…"
Mikey grinned. "Sure!"
And so we spent the rest of the night having a good time, playing one of my favorite games…
Anzu's POV
I waved absently around the living room. "This is my place. My parents are out of town, and will be for the next few weeks. Just don't break anything…"
The blond girl, Sonja, whistled. "This place is too cool! Too bad they never showed it on TV!"
I grinned at her. Finally, I had a girl my age to talk to. Sure, Mai was nice and all, but we didn't really have much in common. And Shizuka…we talk, but she doesn't really understand some of the things I enjoy, like singing and dancing. But from what Yuugi told me, Sonja owned her own karaoke bar. I'd assume she's very knowledgeable about the performing arts.
And her brother…
Damien was sitting on my couch, looking around. When Yugi had told me he looked almost exactly like Kaiba, he wasn't kidding. Same height, same hair, same eyes…it's almost like I'm looking at his reflection come to life. But something told me that Damien isn't quite like him…
"Hey, are you going to stare at the wall all day, or what?"
My attention snapped back to Sonja, and I grinned sheepishly. "Gomen, Sonja…" I showed her around the house. She was going to sleep in my old room, which was now one of the guest rooms. Damien would get the other room.
"Hope you don't mind if I raid your wardrobe," Sonja laughed, sitting on the bed. "I mean, it isn't like I packed to come here—one minute I'm cleaning Shining Starr, and the next, I'm here!"
I nodded. "Sure thing!" …And a thought occurred to me. "What about Damien?"
Sonja blinked. "Hunh. Never thought of that… Ah, we'll deal with it tomorrow. It's getting late."
"Good point. I'll get Damien. G'night!"
"G'night, Anzu!"
Erica POV
Jonouchi shut the door. "Well, dis is my little slice a' home. Hope ya don't mind da mess…"
I looked around. The apartment was small, but rather than making it seem crowed, the clutter gave it a homey, comfortable feel. "No, I don't mind the mess. My home isn't exactly neat, either."
Jonouchi grinned. "Dat's a relief."
I peered down the hall. There was a bathroom off to the left, and a room at the end of the hall and to my right.
"Da one at da end of da hall is mine," Jonouchi called from the kitchen area.
I nodded to myself, and entered the side room. There was a twin bed back against the wall, a wood desk/bookshelf, and a tall wardrobe. Both desk drawers and the wardrobe were empty.
Uh-oh…I wonder what I'm going to wear…
Oh well. Too late for that—it was almost nine o'clock.
I wandered back into the living room. "What've you got to eat?" I asked curiously. "I'm starving…"
Jonouchi grinned, gesturing at the fridge. "Lots 'a stuff—help yerself."
I nodded. "Thanks!"
Marik POV
I looked around, eyes slowly widening. "Whoa! This is your house?"
Malik shrugged. "What did you expect? My big sister is, after all, one of the leading archaeologists of the world…"
"What about me, Malik?"
I blinked, and looked around. Ishizu had appeared from the door to the living room.
Malik grinned. "There you are, Ishizu. I'd like you to meet someone."
Ishizu delicately raised an eyebrow.
Malik's grin widened. "This is Marik Rama. The one you said I made up as an excuse for disappearing." He looked at me. "Now, would it be possible for you to let go of me long enough to properly greet my sister?"
I let go of his arm to wave at Ishizu.
"Bye!" Malik zipped off.
I growled. "Malik Ishtar, get your butt back here!" I started chasing him.
I heard Ishizu laughing quietly as I ran past, and skidded to a halt. "What's so funny?"
Ishizu shook her head. "I have never seen my brother this happy. That is all…"
I laughed. "Well, if you like him like this, then get used to it—'cause I don't think I'm leaving any time soon!" I darted off again. "Oh, Maaaaaliiiiik…"
(giggles madly) Malik is in trouble...
...
(runs away again, throwing cookies over shoulder) DON'T HURT MEEE!
