Nine Years

Chapter twenty one: Mokuba's haywire plan

Few moments ago…

"What?" Matt inquired. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"You heard me. I want your fever kid" Mokuba elaborated.

"This is getting freaky- DAD-" Matt called out but Mokuba immediately clasped a hand to his mouth. With his free hand, he gestured him to be quiet.

"SHH!" Mokuba removed his hand and wiped it, a disgusted look on his face. He shook it off. "Listen I want to get Kari sick"

"Why?" Matt frowned, disliking Mokuba at the moment. He seemed very strange to the younger boy.

"To bring there parents closer, duh! Come on don't you want Kari to be happy?"

Matt raised his eyebrows. "How's that gonna work?"

"It will…trust me"

"…but I don't want to get her sick"

"It'll be worth it"

Matt sighed. "Alright… but I want ten bucks for it"

Mokuba rolled his eyes and fetched his wallet, throwing the bill on his lap. He then snatched a pillow and instructed him to cough all over it.

"I don't think this'll work"

"Yeah it will" Mokuba grinned devilishly while Matt smiled nervously. Mokuba was giving off a good impression of being creepy. "Thanks for your help kid" Mokuba said as he ruffled his hair.

He opened the door, peeking to make sure the hallways were empty. He huffed when it wasn't; Serenity and Kaiba occupied it with all their bickering and ranting, most of it coming from Serenity's part. He sighed in relief when they entered Kaiba's room but was left with confusion also.

'Interesting…'

Taking the chance, he darted across the hallway with the contaminated pillow. He stopped his tracks when hearing a voice coming from the stairs.

'CRAP!'

He rushed to Kari's door but frowned when seeing it locked. He couldn't' knock, they would hear. Cocking his head from side to side, he rushed into Serenity's room closing it silently when entered.

He let out a breath of relief.

"Serenity!" Shaila called out from outside. Mokuba stiffened up when seeing the door knob jiggle. He ran quickly but silently to the first thing he could find; a closet. The door opened and Shaila entered the room. "Hello?"

Shaila didn't care if she was being rude; Serenity herself was being rude in her view point. A deep frown creased her forehead.

'Now where is she? She promised she was gonna go shopping with me!'

Sighing heavily in frustration, she left the room, slamming the door behind her.

Mokuba sighed in relief and stepped away from the closet, touching the pillow vaguely. Last thing he wanted was to get sick himself.

He entered Kari's room through the shared door Serenity and she had. He awed quietly when seeing she was sleeping peacefully. He would hate to see her get sick but…it was well worth it if she wanted her mom and dad back together. Plus, he wanted to get Serenity and Kaiba back together too! It would be nice to have more people in the mansion other than him, soon to be his wife Rebecca and Kaiba.

Kaiba was alone anyway. He really needed a love life.

'I'm acting like a spoiled kid…again…hah'

With the plan in mind, he placed the pillow between her arms. Smiling at his accomplished work, he left the room.

He let out a breath of relief when outside. He saw Serenity coming out of Kaiba's room, blushing furiously. He raised his eyebrows.

"Something wrong Serenity?" Mokuba asked nonchalantly, looking at her peculiarly, suspicions jumping across his mind. He ignored them for the time being.

"N-No…" Serenity stuttered. "What were you doing in Kari's room?" she inquired, changing the subject.

"Oh just talking with her…" he trailed off, lying obviously.

She frowned quizzically before asking, "What are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be in Kaiba Corp.?"

"Finished work" he said shrugging. He gave her a nervous smile. "See ya" he hastily said before waving her off and proceeding to his room.

She arched an eyebrow. Both brothers were acting peculiar. Shrugging it off, she went to Kari's room, smiling when she saw her asleep. Closing the door, she went downstairs.

Shaila immediately greeted her, the frown still intact. She glared at Serenity, irritably filling the depths of her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"You promised me we were going to go shopping!" Shaila said, pouting, frown and glare suddenly disappearing replaced with childish disappointment and whiney. Serenity rolled her eyes and sighed. Shaila was like another daughter to her except much brattier.

"Yeah I know. Let's go. We can grab some lunch on the way"

"How about this one?" Mai asked. Serenity wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"No I don't want to look like a whore!" Serenity exclaimed.

Mai decided to tag along with the two when hearing they were going shopping. The blonde was utterly bored at the mansion and Joey didn't really do anything to keep her company except watch ESPN on Kaiba's big screen T.V. She rolled her eyes.

It was good to get out with the girls, but even better when going shopping with them.

Mai grinned at Serenity's response. "Ah…trying to be a good girl so you won't get knocked up again. I understand"

Serenity glared at her and smacked her in the arm while Shaila giggled, Mai joining in.

"Shut up and help me find a dress" Serenity snapped at the two. They blinked and rolled their eyes.

"Lighten up 'Ren" Shaila said, as she began rummaging through the racks of dresses. The three were looking for a dress for Serenity for Kaiba's little acknowledgement (being tomorrow in fact), Shaila and Mai done rummaging in moments, leaving Serenity to look at them puzzled. It was truly amazing to her how fast Mai picked out a dress. It was a record!

"Hey how about this red one?" Shaila asked.

"Too…appealing" Serenity said as she waved the dress off. Shaila rolled her eyes. "I want something simple"

Serenity rummaged through the rack in front of her and saw something that caught her eye. She pulled out and studied it, smiling when done. It was a black dress that flared down to her knees. The middle had a red satin tie wrapping the waist and spaghetti straps held up the dress.

"How about this one?" she said as she held it up to the two. Both grimaced.

"It's so…childish" both said in unison.

"Childish?" Serenity questioned.

Shaila and Mai shook their head.

Rolling her honey brown eyes, she placed it back on the rack and began sorting through the clothes again.

Kaiba Mansion…

The brunette groaned in her sleep, clutching her pillow for some comfort. She sighed heavily, eyebrows scrunching together as if in discomfort. She rolled over to her stomach, seeking comfortably. Growling, she sat up, smacking her pillow in frustration.

'I wanna go to sleep but I can't sleep! Argh'!

Throwing her legs onto the ground, she headed towards the bathroom, washing her face with cold water. For some reason she felt hot, lightheaded.

'Don't tell me I'm sick too…'

Dismissing the thoughts, she resumed washing her face. After finishing with all her bathroom necessities, she walked out, feeling hungry suddenly.

She headed down the hallway, feeling uncomfortable suddenly. The mansion was so, quiet. Only stray birds chirped at her but everything else…nothing.

"Heeeeeeeeeeellooooooooooo?" Kari called out. She looked at her side, seeking someone to open their doors, seeking any sort of sound. She wondered how Mokuba survived in all the eerie silence of this mansion in his younger years.

"Yes?"

She squeaked, jumping up at the same time. Whipping around, she met with Kaiba, an amused and slightly perplexed expression on his face. She clutched her chest, breathing softly.

"Y-You…scared me!" She screeched. Kaiba did nothing but laugh.

Fuming, she turned on her heel, very much annoyed now. She hated the smug, amused, expression on her fathers face.

"Kari?"

"What?" she snapped. Kaiba took a few strides to catch up to her. He looked down at her, the amused smile still lingering on his lips. She cocked her head and continued walking.

"A bit grumpy now I see…" he commented softly.

She growled vehemently; she didn't like being annoyed, especially since she just woke up and was feeling very hot for some reason. She groaned, her face relaxing, hating this feeling of lightheadedness and heat.

Kaiba crinkled his eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

She regained her composure and immediately put the frown on her face again. "Nothing!" she snapped again, crossing her arms.

It was Kaiba's turn to frown. He stood in front of her so fast that she bumped into him. Upon impact, she fell while he stared down at her. He bent down to her level, frown still creasing his features.

"What's wrong? I don't like dealing with attitude" he said, his voice at edge, some concern trailing it.

She hugged her knees and rested her head down on them. "I don't feel good…"

Kaiba arched an eyebrow.

"She's usually all grumpy when she ain't feelin' good" Joey elaborated from behind. Kaiba didn't bother to look up at him but instead picked Kari up, getting her on her feet again. He felt her forehead; it was slightly warm.

"I think the fevers spreading…"

"Eh…?" Joey inquired, eyes narrowing. "Matt's been in his room all day" Joey retorted matter-of-factly.

"Well he found a way to get to Kari" Kaiba said, gritting his teeth. As much as he wanted to get Joey all riled up with fury he couldn't, especially since Kari was around and who knows what Joey would spew out of his mouth.

And there's the matter of Serenity.

"Feh…must be the weather of somethin'" Joey replied coolly, crossing his arms, turning away from Kaiba. He also didn't want to start fighting.

"Believe what you want…" Kaiba muttered. He ushered Kari back to her room, Kari not caring for the moment.

"I'm hungry" she muttered whiningly.

"I'll get some food for you. I think soups best for you now"

Kari groaned in disapproval but one look made her nod obligingly. "Okay…" she muttered. "You're like mom…" she added, muttering quietly.

Kaiba arched an eyebrow, hearing her shrewd comment. "Really…is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Uh…" she trailed off.

Kaiba merely chuckled. "I'll be right back"

Cell number 321…

Tea blew a puff of air towards her ruffled bangs, rolling her eyes when it ceased to move. She groaned.

'Back in this hellhole again and it hasn't even been a month…'

She sighed, many regrets coming to mind. Meeting and making a deal with Pegasus and trying to kill Serenity. She should've just let them be. It was too late now.

She heard soft clicks of footsteps walking towards her and then past her.

'Morimoto…' She hissed quietly in her mind. She hated the sneering attitude this officer had. Morimoto saw Tea's glaring gaze and scoffed quietly continuing on to her destination.

She arrived at Morris's office, leaning against the doorframe, seeing he was currently talking on the phone. Morris raised his eyes but proceeded with his conversation. Soon after he hung up and Morimoto entered the room fully.

"Have you called Wheeler yet?"

"Yes I was just with her. She says she's around here and will come"

Kaiba Mansion…

"Feel a bit better?" Kaiba asked after she devoured the bowl of soup in a flash. He was surprised but didn't comment on it. Kari nodded, smiling brightly.

"Medicine" he said, taking a chew tablet out of a bottle. She popped it into her mouth.

"Strawberry!" she commented, smiling brightly.

"Let's hope you can kill the fever before it really spreads through your body"

She nodded.

"I'll check up on you later" He stood up to take his leave.

"Where's mom?" she suddenly asked.

Kaiba stopped, cocking his head halfway. "Honestly…I don't know"

"Well…she must've told someone where she was going…" Kari said, now sitting up. She firmly crossed her arms, pondering.

The elder brunette sighed, raking through his hair. "Lay down Kari" he ordered.

She pouted and was about to leap off the bed when he firmly stopped her. She narrowed her eyes, strangely in a Kaiba like way but Kaiba didn't flinch. He too glared and quickly she huffed, lying back down. He smirked quietly; you can never beat the original.

"Can I at least call her?" Kari started once again. "Please?" she added, pleading with her might, a Mokuba original.

"You really don't want to go to bed now do you?"

She stared down. "No…not really. I'm worried about my mom…" she muttered quietly.

He stared at her, knowing that look. The look of concern. He'd seen it on Mokuba's face numerous times.

He sat on her bed. "She's fine" he stated firmly. "Its daylight. She's got your aunt and her friend with her…" Kaiba trailed off in a tone that was meant to reassure her but was sure it didn't. It surely didn't assure him. The last accident happened during the daytime…

Kari looked up at him. "Now can we call her?"

He gave a faint smile. "Sure"

He grabbed the cordless phone on the nightstand but was startled when it started ringing. He looked at it quizzically before picking it up.

"Kari honey?"

Kaiba smirked at the familiar voice. "Kaiba actually…honey"

A curse was soon followed, coming from Serenity's part.

Kari giggled softly, hearing her mother's voice clearly. Either the phone was loud or her mother was.

Kaiba frowned; guess all Wheeler's were full of curses.

Serenity frowned, growling softly. Oh she could just imagine that snide smirk on his face. She dismissed it for the time being. "I thought I should call to let Kari know that I'm going to come home a bit late"

"Why?" he automatically asked.

"Cause they found the person who rammed into me…"

"Who is it?"

He could hear her sigh softly. "It's Tea"

"How…interesting" Kaiba commented.

"I want to talk to my mom" Kari spoke, interrupting them. Kaiba rested his eyes on her before reluctantly handing the receiver over.

She smiled brightly and held it up to her ear. "Mom?"

"Hey sweetie." Serenity said brightly, changing her tone.

"When are you going to get home?" Kari immediately said, getting to the point.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing too serious honey…" Serenity tried to explain. "I'll come home soon"

"What's going on?" Kari repeated.

Serenity sighed. "I'll tell you when I come home—"

"Ms. Wheeler" Morris stated, appearing beside her. Serenity quickly said her goodbyes and hung up. She turned towards him and smiled. "If you may please follow me…you just need to fill out quick paperwork"

"Sure" she said nervously.

Next Day…

Serenity yawned tiredly as she stretched herself while on the bed, blinking several times to regain her vision. She sat up and heaved herself of the bed, stretching some more. Sighing, she flopped back down, feeling unenergetic today. She felt as if she was drowned in tiredness, physically and emotionally. She pulled the covers up to her neck and closed her eyes.

Yesterday was…

She saw déjà vu yesterday. She went through the same process nine, ten years ago. Paperwork, seeing Tea with that murderous gaze, getting a slip that said she had to be present for a court session.

It was unbelievable the first time but even more unbelievable the second time. Of all the people, it had to be her! What happened to Ms. Friendship?

'People change…I just wish I knew how'

She herself has changed. No longer was she so dependent of others and acted so cherubic. She had a slight bitterness growing inside her, that she would admit. She knew how that came to be.

One person was all it took.

She rolled over to her side, letting her current thoughts vanish. She felt…sick. A sore throat was forming, she was sure of. Sighing, she forced herself to get up.

'Might as well take a shower'

When she arrived downstairs, no 0ne was in her sight. The breakfast table was empty. She could hear separate chatters coming from different places of the mansion. She sat down at the breakfast bar, letting her flushed cheeks droop down to the cold surface. She closed her eyes.

"Mom?"

Serenity's eyes drowsily opened, a smile following suit. She forced herself to raise her head.

"Hey! You look a lot better than yesterday!" Serenity greeted as she picked her up with effort. Other times she would have done so effortlessly. Her strength just wasn't with her today.

"Thanks…must have been a twenty-four hour cold or something" Kari replied. "You don't look well though"

Kari scrunched her eyes. She put up her hand against Serenity's forehead, frowning when doing so. "I think you're getting sick mom"

"I'm fine, really" Serenity assured.

"You go straight to bed" Kari said, pointing at the stairs.

Serenity frowned. "Who's the mother here?"

"Me at the moment!" Kari said giggling as Serenity tickled her.

Serenity sighed. The idea didn't sound so bad. She could sleep away her emotions. Smiling softly, she nodded.

Afternoon…

Serenity breathed heavily. She felt even worse than before.

Mokuba was at her side suddenly, surprising her.

"Open wide" he ordered.

Serenity was about to question him but did so anyway. Her eyes opened wide when feeling the sudden coldness of the thermometer touch under her tongue. Moments later, it beeped signaling the temperature.

She gazed at the younger Kaiba ponderingly, waiting for his response. "Hundred one" he informed her.

Kari crawled towards her, sulking.

"I'm sorry sweetie" Serenity murmured, reading her face.

Kari looked up at her. "Oh no mom…its okay! Really it is!" Kari replied. "You should rest"

Serenity closed her eyes and Kari went out the door, covering her disappointment.

"Uh…what was that about?" Mokuba questioned.

"Kari wanted to go to that thank you acknowledgment with me" she muttered.

"Oh…I see" He paused before saying, "I'll go buy you some medicine"

"Thanks"

He left her room, closing the door behind him. His plan was going haywire.

'Kari was supposed to be in bed like that, not running around feeling better!' He thought while pouting.

He thought back to how Serenity might've gotten sick and how Kari got better so quickly. He sighed, racking his hair.

His eyes shot wide open when coming to realization. "THE CLOSET!" he blurted out in the open. He clasped his mouth and shook his head. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid!' It HAD to be the closet that was the only place he was in with the pillow. He would have to see to it that her clothes were washed.

As for Kari…he had absolutely no clue.

'Maybe it'll work out'

He sighed and started walking downstairs.

A/n: Thank you ALL for sticking to this story and for the WONDERFUL reviews! Really appreciate them. I really do. The encourage me to go on. So sorry that I haven't been updating as fast as I did in the summer. High school's a burden. I'm sure some of you know.

Thank you for sticking to this story and for the reviews! Really appreciate them. I really do. The encourage me to go on. So sorry that I haven't been updating as fast as I did in the summer. High school's a burden. I'm sure some of you know.