Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Weeks went by, and Aina worked day and night at the mansion. She barely got any rest, because she would wake up at 5:00 a.m. and sleep at 12:00 p.m. She had to wear the gray eyed contacts so people wouldn't recognize her.
Seto was ruthless, yelling at anything, even if she didn't do it. The beat-ups increased daily. Seto would get madder and madder.
Aina was cleaning the fireplace when Seto came in. "What are you doing in my room!" He yelled. Aina wiped her face from the black dust. "I-I was cleaning the f-fire place, sir," she said, not looking at Seto.
Then she felt a sharp pain, Seto had kicked her stomach. "You're supposed to be cleaning the kitchen!", "I-I finished that already," she stuttered. "The finals are a day after tomorrow, I better see this mansion as clean as ice when I get back. If I don't, then you're not going!" He yelled, and left the room.
Aina winced, he kicked her on her last bruise. Her powers wouldn't heal simple bruises or scratches. Her whole body felt shaky. She sighed when she saw the black dust all over the floor again. She cleaned the fireplace, and scrubbed the floors again.
Then she went to Mokuba's room. She folded the laundry, put his toys away, and organized his books. After that she went to the kitchen.
Today Seto was hosting a big fancy party. He was inviting many companies and other workers to celebrate the opening of the tournament. So it meant the day was going to be full of work.
"Hello Aina!" Said the head cook. "Hi!" She replied. "Could you get me all the strawberries and blueberries from the garden? Mr. Kaiba is having lots guests over tonight," he explained.
Aina nodded, took a big basket, and headed out to the garden. The head cook was the nicest to her. Everyone else hated her. The way Seto treated her, was an example set for them.
Aina stepped outside. The cool breeze went through her straight hair. It felt nice having some fresh air after working hard.
The garden was amazing. It had green grasses, rows of fruits and vegetables, and a fountain in the end. Next to the foundation were pots of beautiful flowers, ones that were really rare. Aina dreamed of smelling them, but Seto said she wasn't allowed to.
Aina skipped over to the rows of strawberries. They were bright and red, sometimes the cook would sneek her a strawberry or two without anyone noticing. Aina picked all the strawberries she could find, and continued on to the blueberries.
Aina heard footsteps and looked over. It was Aimi. Aimi was the meanest to her. Even though she was new, didn't mean she was innocent. When she got the chance, she was just like Seto. And all her wrong doings were blamed on Aina.
For example, the week before, Aimi broke an expensive glass vase, and blamed it on Aina. Seto hit her hard at that time. Or the time the living room rug wasn't vacuumed, it was originally Aimi's chore, but she blamed it on Aina.
"Look here, pretending to be all innocent," she said. Aina picked the basket up, and looked at Aimi. "I was only getting strawberries and blueberries for the cook," Aina replied.
Aimi grinned. An evil grin. She flipped the basket, all the strawberries and blueberries from her hand, and pushed Aina onto the ground. Then she stepped on her hand. Aimi laughed.
"Your pathetic," she said, flipped her hair, and left. Aina winced, her heel went right onto her bone. Aina sat up and picked up the strawberries, and put them in the basket.
When she was finished, she heard familiar voices. She looked over to the back gate to see Joey, Teà, Tristan, Serenity, Duke, and Yugi. She looked around to make sure nobody was there, and quickly skipped over.
She walked over, cleaning her hand from the dirt. "What are you guys doing here?" She whisper shouted. Duke was starring at her.
"The question is are you okay? I wish I could beat some common sense into that girl!" Teà said.
"I thought we were here to see Aina," Duke said to Teà. Teà sweat dropped.
"Duke, that is Aina," Serenity said. Duke looked back at Aina who smiled. "I know I know, you cant tell it's me because of the contacts and hair," She lifted up her wrist, to reveal the charm bracelet. "Thanks," she said. "N-no problem, do you like it?" He asked. She blushed and nodded.
"So how've you been?" Yugi asked. Aina's smile disappeared. "Despite my burning hand now, I'm fine" she muttered. Teà and Serenity bit their lips. "Why don't you tell your bro?"Joey asked.
"If I tell him, he'll break it, and say I deserve it," she said sarcastically.
"Aina! Where are you! The guests are going to be here in three hours!" The cook yelled. "I have to go, Seto's hosting this big fancy party tonight, I'll talk to you later," she said looking at Duke. She picked up her basket and ran back to the mansion.
Duke started blushing, then Joey stood behind him. "Someone's in love," he said. Duke didn't answer. "I think he has they case of the Love Shockers," Tristan teased.
Aina walked back inside, and set the basket on the table. "Where were you?" The cook asked. "I... uh..", "Well, don't do it again," he said.
Aina helped mix the ingredients, to make muffins. Then she helped cook the fish and meat. After she was done, she went to the ball room. She had to do all the dusting and cleaning. She started out with the windows. Then she dusted the vases and glass. After she was done, she scrubbed the tile floors with a bucket and sponge. Then cleaned the stage.
She thought of going to rest, but Seto would get mad. When she was done, her favorite part came. Decorating! She took the clipboard off a table in the ballroom, and followed the requirements.
She placed white tablecloths on the long tables for refreshments and food. Placed the cups, the blue and gold ones with roses to exact. Then the rest of he clutery. She finished in 3 hours, and it was perfect timing.
Later the guests arrived. And they were all the contestants in the tournament. Which included her friends. Unfortunately, she wasn't allowed to join the party.
She served drinks and food. Seto would glare at her every now and then, but she didn't mind. She already knew he was going to beat her up later.
She carried a tray of biscuits when she bumped into someone and dropped them onto the floor. "Honey, you've got to watch were you're going, here, let me help, by the way I'm Mai," said a girl. She had blond hair, braclets, blue eyes, etc. She was the example of a beauty. "I-I'm so sorry Mai," Aina said.
"Hey Aina! Over here!" Duke whisper shouted. Aina and Mai turned to him and the gang. "H-hey Duke," , "Are you okay?" He asked. She nodded. "Hey you guys!" Mai said happily. Aina saw her brother telling her to come to him. "Duke, I've got work to do, I'll try to talk to you later," she said, and quickly left. "Aina..." Duke whispered.
"Y-yes Mr.Kaiba?" , "This is an order, you know how to sing, right?" , "Y-yeah" , "Go to your room, get dressed with the new clothes on the bed, fix yourself up, and come back here in 30 minutes, take your friends with your if it makes you go faster," he said, and pushed her torwards the crowd.
Aina walked over to Teà, Serenity, and Mai. "T-Teà? Could you guys come to my room?" She asked. They followed. She explained what was going on along the way.
When they entered the room, Aina's chin dropped open. There was a beautiful white crop top, and a knee length navy blue skirt. The shirt had a navy blue floral pattern across the neck. There were also white pumps, some makeup, and jewelry. Teà and Serenity were all dressed up, so was the gang, it was a formal party.
"So? How do I look?" Aina asked. Mai, Serenity and Teà had their mouths hanging open. They turned her around. Aina gasped. Was that really her? "I-I... I don't how to repay you guys. YOUR AMAZING FRIENDS!" She said and hugged them all. They quickly rushed upstairs.
When Seto saw her, his eyes widened, but she didn't notice. The gang rushed to her. They were all speechless. Seto pulled her aside. "Get up on that stage, abd sing a song, a calm good song. Hurry up!" He said. She nodded. She told the DJ what she was going to sing, the room darkened, and the tune started. She was really nervous, but when she say her friends she calmed down. Teà waited backstage.
Important Note: I don't own the following song. It is "Starlight" by Star Darlings.
"Come with me,
Chasing dreams, making history,
We'll find a way and a place to be,
Far away, making new memories...
Everyone's attention was on Aina. The gang couldn't believe what they were hearing. Her voice was amazing. When the song was over, everyone was clapping. She smiled, and left the stage.
The gang ran backstage to see Aina, she wasn't there, neither was Teà. There was a note.
'If you want your friends back, duel me tomorrow, at the docks. Bring Seto Kaiba if he wants to see Mokuba again.
-Marik