(A/n: Thanks everybody for the wonderful 179 reviews! I so appreciate them. Now onto the reviews:
RoseGoddess874: Here is your update. Sure…I'll read as long as there Seto and Serenity…-smiles- Thanks for reviewing.
Princess Yunariana: Here's your update…
StarWolf4: Die! Die! Die from the suspense! Just kidding. Thanks for reviewing. Here's your update…
Coffee time: Don't die just yet…Here is your update. Thanks for the review.
Cheese: Matt is gonna talk to her but not here. It's not really important but I'm gonna make sure that he does…she is her aunt. And Joey is Joey…cursing like that.
Joey: You made me!
SxS4ever: Cuz that's your attitude.
Joey: No its not!
SxS4ever: So you're saying that you're a shy, innocent, guy with no trace of tough guy attitude?
Joey: "…"
SxS4ever: And that you wouldn't curse in front of your very own son?
Joey: Well…ya see…
SxS4ever: I thought so. Thanks for the review!
DidiHoney: Hang no more. Your update is here…dun…dun…dun dun! Thanks for your review.
Sakura: Me too! Thanks for your review!
Ann: Here is your update.
Amme Moto: Yeah…true. Thanks for your review.
Cindy: Sorry couldn't respond to you earlier. I was busy doing stuff...school stuff. I started and finished this chapter today. Now I gotta work on my other stories. Here's your update. Thanks for updating!
Xoxoanime-matchmakerxoxo: I try to update often…but I'm busy and I have a life. Thanks for reviewing!
Marble Angel: Thanks for loving it! Here is your update.
RiterAnonymous: Yeah I saw your story now. Tea has not vanished…
Unfortunately. Gotta keep her in or else it wouldn't make sense. You will have to find out! Thanks for reviewing. Here is your update!
Golden Star: Hope this was soon enough for you. Thanks for review. Here is your update.
Peach: Well…you will just have to find out. Thanks for reviewing. Here is your update.
Kristen N. M. : Find out…thanks for review!
Hikari Lady: Hey Hikari! I didn't know you were still reading it…-Grins- Thanks for review! Here is your update!
And now onto the story!
Nine Years
Chapter Thirteen: Maturity and Immaturity
The brunette gasped heavily as she sat up on her couch. She grasped her chest as she took deep breaths as if they were the breaths of her life. Closing her eyes she leaned against the couch.
'What...was…that all about?'
Her cobalt eyes held confusion as well as anxiety.
'She's… dead''
She reassured herself. That deathly, pale face haunted her. The eyes, the hazel eyes held no more emotion. She was wearing a black dress, covering every part of her body, except her face and hands. It haunted her. She grasped her chest; the invisible stab of the dagger lingered. She groaned as she closed her eyes, refusing to let the images appear. But it wouldn't go away.
Serenity was in her mind and she was haunting her. She felt…guilty and scared. Images of Serenity chasing her kept repeating in her mind. Then came the image of Serenity stabbing her. She let out a small whimper and buried her head in her hands.
'I…killed her! I know I did! It…it was just a dream...'
But she herself had to admit that dreams might come true. All sorts of weird phenomenons have happened when she was with Yugi and Company. That dream might have been a message. It would either happen or something related to it might have happened. She shuddered at this.
'What could…it mean?'
She gulped hard.
'NO! Weird stuff hadn't happened to me…I'm fine…'
Reassuring herself once more, she dismissed the haunting dream and retreated to the bathroom. She looked at the mirror in front of her; she looked terrible. Her hair was matted and her face was lined and plastered with perspiration. Her clothes stuck to her as well and she smelled horrible. Disgusted, she turned the faucet, letting the cool water run. Making her hands to a cup, she let the water fill her hands, loving the coolness it gave off. Sigh of content left her lips; the dream was gone immediately replaced with relaxation. She turned it off. Deciding it would be best to take a shower; she took of her clothes and stepped into the shower stall.
Once finished, she wiped her self clean and redressed, with fresh clothes that is. A towel was placed on her head, keeping the damp hair out of her face. Once in the living room, she sat down on an armchair. Her surroundings were the same; curtains closed tightly to block the streaming sunlight, a coffee mug with a coffee ring inside and a saucer filled with biscuit crumbs. She looked at the clock on the wall; it read 12:04. So morning must have passed by when I fell asleep, she thought. But she still was confused. It was odd that she was tired already when she had just gotten up. As much as she wanted that horrible dream to go away, it wouldn't.
Domino Hospital…
Mai sat down beside her son who was just lazily slouching on it. Kari was beside him, staring at the table in front of her that was scattered with magazines but her mind was somewhere else.
"Hun…aren't you going to see Auntie Serenity?" Mai asked. He cocked his head to look at her.
"Not yet…" he said slowly. "…people are still trying to get in so why be part of the fuss?" he replied, is eyes drooping slightly. Mai chuckled slightly while he smiled back smugly.
"Good idea…" Mai replied. She cocked her head to meet Kari who was leaning on her arms, still staring at the table. Mai sighed inwardly, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Kari…" Mai started but Kari wasn't really listening. She sighed and sank in her chair, not before getting a magazine to occupy herself.
Serenity's Room…
All occupants in the room were silent, even Joey. He was leaning against the door, eyeing the two, especially Kaiba. Serenity's heard was down, her fingers fidgeting like crazy. And Kaiba… well lets just say he was the most uncomfortable one. His lips were pursed, as if trying to hold back everything that was popping in his mind. He wanted to blurt out so many questions but he didn't.
The tapping of an impatient foot could be heard from Joey. His arms were crossed and those chocolate orbs were burning with annoyance and anger. Kaiba had literally fought him for the door, complaining he had to talk to Serenity. And now…he's finally here…in the room, standing on the floor, staring at her….and what does he have to say? NOTHING! Not once single sound, utter, or even growl!
You can imagine how Joey looks now. Slit, chocolate orbs glaring at him intensely, bottom lip bitten to hold back curses that popped up every minute in his mind, and a vain twitching horribly above the right eyebrow ready to burst out crimson liquid. He growled slowly, gritting his teeth. The tapping went faster and louder. Any minute now, puffs of steam would be coming out of his nose and ears. He closed his eyes, trying to calm down, trying. He counted backwards, starting from ten.
'Happy thoughts now…happy…'
Ten…
Kaiba getting run ova by a train, a car, and an elephant stampede. Hehe
Nine…
Me dancing on his stupid grave…hee hee hee
Eight…
Serenity outta da stupid hospital and back to San Francisco
Seven…
I am da famous architect in da world…
Six…
Me and Mai have another kid? Nah…one is enough…however me an' Mai do get to- ahh! Can't be having dirty thoughts…No…no…!
A small blush crept on his face as his cheeks became hot. His eyes still were closed. He didn't need to count to one because his anger faded, leaving him in a doze. Before he knew it, he fell asleep. His mouth was slightly open and soft snoring could be heard.
Both Serenity and Kaiba perked up when they heard the snore. Kaiba rolled his eyes as did Serenity. Joey slowly slid to the floor, his head hitting the floor roughly.
"Yah! Ouch!" Joey said sitting up on the floor. He rubbed his head while opening his eyes.
"Done snoozing?" Kaiba stated.
Joey quickly jumped up and recovered himself, trying desperately to hide the embarrassment on his face.
"Dun start with me Kaiba…" Joey growled.
"Whatever…"
"Where's all da talk? Eh Kaiba…?" Joey said, allowing a smirk to appear on his face.
"You'll be getting more than talk if you don't leave now" Kaiba retorted.
"And dat's suppose ta be…" Joey challenged. Both men were having an immense staring contest, Joey's eyes burning with detest and hatred. His fingers slowly curled up into a fist. Kaiba's eyes also burned but with a different fire, a calm sensation.
"Joey…" Serenity said, her voice trailing off. Both men turned to look at her. "…um…maybe…you should leave…" she muttered. Joey's anger was gone replaced with confusion.
"Huh…" he said blankly. "Wha…"
"You heard her"
"Watch it...!" Joey said turning to Kaiba.
"Or what"
Another fight…
"Joey! Stop acting so…stupid! Both of you!" Serenity screamed. She was getting beyond irritated with the two acting like kids. Kids acted more mature than both the two. Twice as mature!
"Huh…" both said in unison. It was Serenity's turn to get mad. And that wasn't really a good thing, considering that she was in a hospital bed.
"Joey…get out! You sit!" She barked pointing at the door for Joey and at the chair for Kaiba. They just stood there still confused. She growled when they weren't responding.
"Well!"
Joey huffed and pouted, crossing his arms. "If you think I'm gonna leave HIM in da room with ya-"
"OUT!" Serenity screamed, using all her strength. Joey looked at her and Kaiba before leaving the room entirely. You could see Joey outside the window, his nose pressed against it as well as his hands. Serenity sighed and sank back into her pillows, rolling her eyes. She felt dizzy.
Kaiba was still standing at the same spot he was at, just staring at her. He hesitantly walked over to her sitting on the chair that was near her. He blew the strand of hair near his face; it was bugging him. She cocked her head, meeting his face. She studied it. It was pale and it looked horrible. He had bags under his eyes and they were slowly turning purple. His lips were thin and his hair was out of place.
"How are you feeling?" he said, his voice lacking enthusiasm.
"I'm in a hospital bed and I'm talking with you…How do you think I feel?" She retorted. He didn't let her anger faze him. He rolled his eyes instead.
"Whatever…" he muttered. "…Why did you keep my own child away from me?" he said, really wanting to get to the point.
"How are you certain that she is yours?" she snapped.
"Confrontation is my proof. She confronted me" Kaiba stated simply with ease.
Kaiba won that round.
"You don't deserve to be her father…" she said bitterly. The score was tied. She was right. He hadn't deserved her. But he still wanted to be part of her life. "You wouldn't accept her"
Kaiba's head shot up when she said this. He may have not deserved her but he would accept her.
"And how would you know that?"
She scoffed. "You are predictable in this matter" Serenity shot back. She turned to look at him with blazing eyes.
He frowned at her. It's as if she knew him; body and soul. But she didn't. If she did, she would know that he would accept and not leave her behind, like his relatives did with Mokuba and him. Has it really been that long? He asked inside his mind. Has she really forgotten all the stories we shared about our horrible childhood? Has she really locked the door, blocking out the memories of me and my heart?
"I would accept her…and you know that. At least…I hope you do" he said finally.
She stayed quiet. She knew what he was referring to. Would he really accept her? She thought? She knew about Kaiba's past history very well but she also knew that he wanted so badly to forget it. So now…
She crossed her arms and frowned.
"You're confusing…" she uttered, still considering of what he said about forgetting the past. He looked at her, confused himself.
"What?"
"You said you wanted to forget your past"
"I said forget…not be like them" Kaiba pointed out. I lost score…-.-
Again Serenity was quiet. Her anger slowly started fading.
"You're…hurting her…" he said quietly. "…You're being selfish"
"What are you talking about!" she said the anger returning with confusion. Great Kaiba…she was just loosening up and now you got her fired up again. -.-
"Why else would she come to me and tell me that I'm her father. She must long for a father. And I bet you knew that"
Oh he's good…
"I just…wanted to protect…her" she said tightly, a single tear falling. She may have shed a tear but inside, a fire was burning up. What surprised her was that Kaiba swiped it off with a flick of his index finger. She turned and glared at him, brushing the lingering feeling of his finger off. She looked into his eyes, they were serious and they held a smudged border of…concern and…love.
The looked at each other for a while until Joey's banging's interrupted there silent staring contest.
"Git offa ma' sister…" he said glaring at Kaiba, still pounding at the window. Duke was also beside Joey, also glaring at Kaiba but wasn't acting so reckless.
Kaiba also narrowed his eyes, his being deeper. He stood up and smoothly walked over to the window, closing the curtains.
"Hope you don't mind…" He muttered to Serenity.
"What da…Son of a-" Joey started as the curtain was shut tight. A guard caught his wrist and turned him to face him. The guard was buff and taller than Joey.
"We have received complaints from patients nearby this room…" he said sternly and firmly. "…about livid profanity, shouts, and bangs" he said.
"What…uh….you got the wrong person…" Joey said meekly.
"Uh…yeah wrong person…" Duke said, defending Joey.
"Is that so? Well we also have witnesses…would you care to follow me to reason out this matter?"
"Uh…not really" Joey said, wrenching of his wrist, trying to run off but the guard caught his collar and dragged him towards the exit.
"Hn…" Mai said as she looked at Matt. "What's wrong hun'?"
"Its dad again…" he said, sighing while shaking his head. He merely pointed at the guard who dragged Joey to the exit of the hospital.
"Oh great…"
"Excuse me but all no more visitors are allowed. Ms. Wheeler needs her rest…" the nurse from outside said. She knocked softly and opened the door. Kaiba just looked at Serenity before leaving the room. Serenity stared at the ceiling before drifting off to sleep.
(A/n: I'm done! Yay! I had time to do it since today is no school! I'm gonna finish up Secret of Blue eyes and start on Path towards depression. I have a new story idea…but I still need to come up with events… not sure if I'm gonna do it…please review!)