Nine Years
Chapter Twenty-Two: Limited Compromising
Afternoon…
Serenity grumbled as she rolled over to her side, muttering incoherent things in her sleep. Huffing, she lifted the covers off her hastily, not being able to take the heat. It was just too darn hot! The afternoon turned into a humid one, making her feel nauseous and very dizzy. In other words, she wouldn't be able to sleep.
She sat up, the covers on the floor now, reaching for the television remote.
The medicine she took earlier was working but not enough. Her fever had gone down slightly and her sore throat was gone. Slumping against her pillow, she turned on the T.V. flipping through random channels. Nothing interesting was on.
Turning of the T.V. she stood up, wobbling to the bathroom, seeking cool water. Once done, she headed out of her room with a robe on, feeling the urge to walk about to shake off the heaviness that tied her down.
Her honey brown eyes were wide with alert and amazement. The mansion was so…quiet. Outdoor noises could be heard, but everything else, absolute silence. She remembered Joey coming into her room, Mokuba trudging along behind him, caring for her by giving her food and medicine. She also remembered Joey muttering something about going out, Mai, Matt and Shaila coming along with him. Mokuba mumbled something about going out with Kari and Rebecca. Then there was Kaiba…she hadn't heard anything from him and she liked it like that.
"Serenity"
'Spoke to soon'She turned around slowly, seeing Kaiba dressed casually. "Hmm…?"
"You should be in bed"
Serenity mumbled incoherent words before walking ahead, going down towards the kitchen. Kaiba followed behind quietly. His eyes were set on her as she sat down on the breakfast bar, slouching immediately. He studied her; her eyes were puffy and red, being glazed and dazed, moaning in silent cry, her cheeks red, her nose following suit. A smile suddenly fitted across his lips; in a way, she looked like a pouting child.
"What"
His eyes snapped out of his observation, darting towards the refrigerator, looking for an excuse. "Are you hungry?"
Serenity shrugged nonchalantly. "No…just bored"
"You should be in bed," he urged again while Serenity shook her head.
"I'm tired of being in bed" she replied grumpily. She glared at him. He came over to her and immediately slapped a hand on her forehead. She held a gasp and was about to retort something in reply but stopped when he spoke.
"Your fevers down…" he confirmed while she rolled her eyes.
"Everyone knows that already. It morphed into a horrible cold now" Her head dropped back down to the cool counter.
"Did you take any medicine?"
"Yes" she replied grudgingly. He was starting to become a pain. They stayed silent for many minutes, neither of them wanting to break the silence.
She stared at him from the curtains of her hair, dropping her eyes at a necessary level. He came near her and sat down opposite of her, eating his lunch quietly, his eyes looking out the window.
"It's funny to see you eat lunch an hour later" she commented, smirking. "You always did your day routinely"
He glanced at her and gulped his food down before replying, "I was working earlier. Must have lost track of time…"
She rolled her eyes and turned away. "Of course you were," she muttered in exasperation.
He quirked an eyebrow. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"Ever since I knew you it was always work, work, work…"
"Doesn't make a difference now…"
She sat up straight to her full height, glaring at him. "Yes it does!"
He looked at her skeptically, startled at her jolt of expression. Calmly he replied with, "In what way?"
"Kari is happy now but as soon as we leave, will you contact her, tend to her, see her?"
"Of course I would!" he yelled in reply, glaring at her.
"We live in two different countries Kaiba! That's impossible to do!"
"We could—"
"NO! I don't want to pass her on every six months a year or Christmas time or anything! That'll be even worse!"
Kaiba bit his tongue, she was right. He was considering the thought but he in knew, in truth, he would never allow himself to do such a thing.
"Then live here" he stated coldly.
She narrowed her eyes into slits before letting out a cold laugh. "You must think I'm an idiot… to think that I would make the same mistake I did 9 years—"
"Then I'll move" he quickly intervened, not wanting to her another one of her rants. He loved her but damn the red head was stubborn and impossible at times, a mirror of him but in a female body with twists and turns of his personality.
Her eyes widened for a moment before resuming their original position, scoffing afterwards. "You wouldn't," she stated.
"I would" He stared at her long and hard, his eyes never leaving her or that shimmer of seriousness that was boring her. Biting her lip, she stood up, wobbling at the sudden impact of doing so. Feeling dizzy due to her medication, she felt herself falling towards the ground. She felt herself secured in his arms.
"You okay?"
He wrapped his arms around her tightly; one arm draped around her stomach protectively the other holding her knees. She was against his chest. In a way, she was in a sitting position in his arms. She blinked and looked at him with dazed eyes, groaning when a sudden headache suddenly overcame her head. With no question, he scooped her up into his arms, heading for the stairs. She blinked at him.
"Thanks for catching me…" she muttered with reluctance. She frowned, disliking her current position. First they had an argument and now he was carrying her. She rolled her eyes downward.
'What a screwed up world I live in…'
"…Put me down" she stated a while later when they were less than midway up. "I don't like being carried up the stairs" she stated nervously.
He ignored her and continued up. "Kaiba…Kaiba!" she yelled. She struggled in his arms but failed, his arms failing to budge. Instead, a smirk dawned across his mouth hauntingly. Growling, she socked him in the arm, resulting in nothing but halt. She gaped at him uneasily, regretting it, seeing she was more than half way up now. She looked 'below', uneasiness overcoming her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you…" He taunted, seeing her expression. A smirk was plastered on his mouth, a deathly glare in her eyes. Shifting her perilously, he made her gasp in fear while making her clasp onto his shoulders in a death grip. When he decided he scared her enough, he let off a daunting smirk of glee, making Serenity glare once again.
"I hate you," She hissed in his ear.
"Hmm…" he replied nonchalantly. When they arrived to her room, Kaiba plopped her onto her bed and left as if nothing happened, her eyes trailing behind him.
'That pompous jerk'With an aggravated growl, she pulled the covers over her hastily.
"We're home!" Mokuba yelled rather loudly to no one in particular. His voice echoed around the wide halls vividly. Rebecca and Kari were with him, rolling their eyes. Mokuba started walking few distances ahead, leaving Kari and Rebecca watching from behind. "…HELLO?"
"Mokuba stop yelling! They're probably upstairs" Rebecca scolded.
"Are you sure you want to live with him?" Kari questioned. Rebecca giggled.
"He may be a knucklehead sometimes but yeah…I want to live with him. I love him" she replied, blushing moments later.
Kari grinned at her. "I think I'll go see how my mom is doing" Kari replied while darting up the stairs.
Kari's smile faded quickly as soon as her back was to the soon to be merry couple. Love was…in the air. Joey and Mai were always going to be a symbol of a long lasting commitment, even if there were some arguments here and there (it didn't last more than a week however). Mokuba was starting a commitment with Rebecca. Shaila had her love life forming. Kari was too young and didn't really want a love life yet either, Matt falling into the same category. So where did that leave her father? And her mother? They were…horrible examples of a love life, a couple, or a long lasting commitment.
When did her mother have a love life? She stopped midway in the hall and pondered, crossing her arms, looking at her feet, her index finger propped against her chin. She never saw her mother going out with a man, even when Mai pushed her to do so, setting her up at times but stopped nowadays, seeing the end result being same; "no". She never saw her mother taking on the phone for hours (Shaila) or hugging or kissing a man after he came home (Mai). Didn't women and men need a love life? She was sure they did after seeing Shaila and her boyfriend and Mai and Joey, and now Rebecca and Mokuba.
'What's wrong with my mom? Did dad have a love life after mom and dad broke up? '
"Something wrong?"
Kari looked up and shook her head at her father. "No" she replied. "I was just thinking…" she trailed off. She smiled at him.
"Well what were you thinking about?" Kaiba ventured.
"Oh…nothing" Kari obviously lied. She headed for her room. He looked back at her and followed soon after.
"Kari…I'm curious. What were you thinking about?"
"Well…" she trailed off innocently, wanting to ask him desperately. She hopped onto her bed and kicked her legs. "Did you ever have a girlfriend…after you and mom?" She looked at him amusingly.
"Well…" he sat down on her bed and sighed, rubbing his neck the while. He shrugged his shoulders soon after. "No…not really"
"Oh okay…just wondering"
"Why?"
"No reason!" she grinned at him.
"You're up to something"
"No I'm not! I promise"
He looked at her with suspicion. "You're following your uncle Mokuba's steps"
Kari's grin faded left with a curious frown. "What do you mean?"
Kaiba laid down on the bed and looked at the ceiling, his arms folded behind his head. "Mokuba was a mischievous boy around you age. Actually, I think that's when it begun…"
"When what began?" Kari asked, lying on her stomach, her arms propped up against her chin.
"The pranks, the canceled business meetings…the blackmails…" he bit the last one out with grit. Kari giggled in response.
"But…I'm not doing anything like that…not now at least…" Kari replied, caking Kaiba with her best sugary voice ever. Kaiba let out a throaty chuckle before rubbing her hair.
"But in seriousness, I'm not doing anything. I was just thinking" Kari stated with seriousness.
"And why were you thinking of me and my love life?"
Kari let her arms down and sank her head onto the mattress of the bed. Kaiba pursed his lips, impatient slightly because she was avoiding the point. "Alright then…don't tell me. BUT…I will find out later" He stood up and took his leave.
'Good…then maybe you'll get some sense and make a move on mom before it's too late!'
Serenity woke up from her sleep, a frown crossing her pale features. "When did I fall asleep?" she thought aloud, drowsily. She looked about her, seeing her covers on the floor, pillows accompanying it. She looked at the window, seeing a full moon accompanied with a deep blue sky. A bed sheet was secured around her naked form.
"When was I…naked?"
She gasped as she felt the presence of someone in bed with her now. Their head nuzzled against her bare neck. Tensely, she turned her head, seeing Kaiba's matted hair against her back; his eyes closed looking peaceful, a smile of content and triumphant confirming that, arms around her protectively, legs locked with hers. Her eyes went wide with shock and fear as she let out a shrill, ear-piercing scream.
3:00 p.m. …
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Serenity sat up with a jolt, still screaming her red head off to no one in particular. She stopped and opened her eyes slowly, afraid to open them. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes, snapping her head left and right, back and forth. She threw the covers up vigorously, taking them off her. Examining the room and herself she let out a sigh of relief when seeing nothing out of the sort; it was still daylight, her pajamas was on her, her pillows in place…she looked at the covers and blushed sheepishly, and best of all…no KAIBA.
She shuddered violently. "What's going on…?"
"SERENITY!"
She snapped her head at the voices, seeing about everyone she knew in the mansion trying to get into her room; Joey, Mai, Mokuba, Rebecca, Shaila, Matt, Kari, security guards, maids, Kaiba…
"Are you okay ma'am?"
"What happened?"
"Are you okay?"
"Serenity!"
The last word was a panicked yell from Joey. She looked at them skeptically, her mouth hanging open.
"I…I…" Serenity stuttered. She looked at them sheepishly, embarrassed horribly.
"The covers and pillows are all over the place," Joey stated. Everyone filed in her room except Kaiba, choosing to lean against the doorway instead. He looked at her with puzzlement and concern, yet struggled to hold it back. "Who did this?" Joey demanded.
"I…um...I…." she took a deep breath before crossing her legs. She looked at her lap. "It was nothing. I just had a nightmare…a horrible one" she muttered the last part to herself.
She glanced at them briefly, seeing them ease down with a breath of relief. Serenity smiled awkwardly at them. It was nice to know they cared about her so deeply, even Kaiba. She stared at him briefly, seeing him doing the same before walking away. She was sure she was blushing in that moment because the dream's events came, flashing vivid and unforgettable images repeatedly throughout her mind. Sighing she too eased, not before shuddering once again. The way he stared at her was one she was hadn't seen in a while; a cold stare. His mood changed drastically. She bit her lip; as much as she loathed Kaiba, she didn't want him to be cold now, especially around Kari.
"Thank goodness" Mai breathed.
"You can say that again" Mokuba commented. "We're glad it's not something or someone even worse"
"Yeah" Joey agreed. "Are you going to be alright sis?"
Serenity nodded.
"Okay, get some rest then. Come on, you need to give her privacy now" One by one, they said there goodbyes before filing out to leave. Kari looked at her before racing up to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"You sure you're okay?" Kari ventured. Serenity smiled and wanted to hug her but couldn't, not wanting to pass on her flu.
"Yes sweetie. Now go on otherwise you'll get sick"
"Okay…hey can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"What was so terrible of the nightmare that made you scream?"
Immediately a blush raced across Serenity's cheeks. She shook her head and rid herself of her dream's disgusting events.
"Oh something...stupid and unrealistic" she waved her hands dismissively.
"Come on mom! Tell me!"
Serenity hesitated vividly before replying with a sharp reply of "When you're older" She turned so her back was to the inquiring child.
"Mom! Tell me! Tell me!" Kari whined. She appeared in front of Serenity's face with a pout. Serenity opened an eye, groaning afterwards. She was persistent, very persistent…Kaiba-like in a way. She shuddered and Kari took notice. "What is it?"
Serenity shook her head. "Nothing"
"TELL ME PLEASE!" Kari was now pleading with all her might. Her mother was making it so that made her curious beyond her normal curiosity. Something about her mother's tone made it irresistible just to walk away without knowing the knowledge her mother's dream held.
At this point, the irritated red head looked at her daughter, frowning. She was becoming too persistent and now annoying.
Sitting up she turned and faced Kari. 'Kari…I'll tell you, on one condition"
"What!"
"I'll tell you on your birthday…when you become a teenager"
Kari frowned. "Mom…"
"Either that or I won't tell you ever" Serenity cocked her head and closed her eyes, lying back down while Kari huffed. Her mother was so cagey at times. What was so bad about the dream that made her hide it like it was such a bad thing? From experience, it seemed that ALL grownups were cagey. Either that or that they just didn't trust her. Shaking her head, Kari jumped down from the bed and left. She would find out, one way or the other.
Next Day…
Serenity awoke to the sounds of birds chirping outside her window. She sat up feeling much better. Her strength returned to her bit by bit and from judging from the many naps she took yesterday, she was just about ready to face anything. Looking at her nightstand, eyes seeking for the clock, she stood up stretching. It was 6:00 in the morning and she wasn't surprised at how early she woke up. Sleep was deprived off of her.
Her flu was gone by now, bits still in her but not so much that she would be in bed all day. Her flu would probably go away in just a few hours. Right now she wanted to get up and do something. Knowing that she was better, she would have to attend Kaiba's party as promised. She waved that off, thinking of what to do for Kari's birthday party. It wasn't too far away from her. It was drawing near rapidly. The court hearing was also drawing near.
She frowned, so many events, little time. She was grateful that Mokuba's and Rebecca's wedding wasn't for another few months, knowing that she had promised Mokuba that she would help in any way possible. She remembered Mokuba's expression ease with relief after she offered her services.
She looked across the room and smiled triumphantly, seeing the annoying cane leaning against the wall. She found out that after a few hours of using it, she could walk just fine. Her walks were stiff but she would get over it soon. She didn't need that bothering cane. Tomorrow she would prove that to the doctor.
Washing up and getting herself ready for the day, she went out of her room, heading towards the kitchen. The sun didn't make its appearance yet; instead cloudy, gray clouds. She didn't expect anyone to be up by now. The kitchen gave of a very bare and quiet vibe when she entered it. Flicking on the lights, she let the room glow.
"I should surprise everyone with breakfast," she thought aloud. Nodding at the thought, she went over to the refrigerator and took out necessary ingredients for everyone's individual breakfast. Knowing that everyone would get up at about eight, her time was set to an hour and a half. That would be plenty. Unlike Joey, she had inherited her mother excellent and efficient cooking skills.
Getting to work, she started with the flour, which would soon evolve into plain pancakes, one of Kari's and Matt's favorites.
Half an hour past and she was done with about quarter of the breakfasts.
"What are you doing?" A grumpy voice from behind stated.
She jumped and turned around, dusting her hands. "You scared me," Serenity stammered, why?…she unfortunately knew. She took a deep breath, trying to ease herself, turning back around soon after. She couldn't face Kaiba without those vile images flashing across her mind.
Frowning, Kaiba made his way over to her workplace, eyeing her preparations for breakfast skeptically.
"We have a cook," he stated coldly.
"I know" she replied, daring not to look up at him. "I thought it would be nice to just make breakfast for everyone, even you" Judging from his cold and grumpy behavior, he still wasn't over yesterday's events. She admitted maybe she was going too far with that topic and now she wanted to make a peace offering; breakfast. She wanted to salvage of what Kari and Kaiba had, not be the source of what got rid of it. "I want to apologize for yesterday"
Kaiba grunted dismissively and grabbed a cup of coffee, signaling he was going to leave.
"If it makes you feel better…I don't hate you! Well…not as much as I did before" Serenity cried out in an attempt to make him stay.
"Is that a fact?" he said, sarcasm lacing his voice smoothly. He continued walking.
She growled. "Just eat your breakfast. It's your favorite!"
He stopped. The thought that she might have still remembered was reassuring. He frowned, trying to think of what she was up to.
"Blueberry pancakes and coffee?"
"Yup!"
He sat down at the breakfast bar and watched her continue to make everyone else's breakfast.
"Why?"
She looked up at him and shrugged. "I feel generous today"
"It's strange how you feel so generous after we had an argument yesterday"
"Don't ruin it Kaiba," she growled while setting his plate down. "I'm in a good mood so far and I'll be damned if you ruin it"
He smirked while she smiled. His behavior was going back to his arrogant usual self; in a way, she wanted that. It was better than meeting with his cold behavior. She was getting used to him.
"Just for the record, I will move to America to live near Kari…if I have to" Kaiba stated nonchalantly as he took a bite of his breakfast. It was delicious.
She shrugged and waved it off dismissively. She knew he would, seeing his tight bond with Kari, he would do everything at cost to be with her. She admired that quality of his. In a way, she was adjusting to him all over again. She sighed, hoping past events wouldn't occur.
He said with words and did with actions that he would do anything to be around her when it was his last week of his business trip nine years ago. He wanted her to live with him for a while, to experiment, if she hated it, they would go back, him living around her. She liked living in Japan with him and stayed with him, witnessing how he drastically changed. The smile was gone as a grave expression fell into place with her face. Hopefully he wouldn't do that to Kari. She would lose it if he did. Kaiba would always get what he wanted but would he get tired of it? Experience confirmed that. Biting her lip she continued to make breakfast.
"I know what you're thinking"
Gasping slightly she looked at him, eyes filled with surprise and wonder. She looked at his plate; it was empty. By now he was in front of her, his eyes staring at her with seriousness. He was dangerously close to her.
"No…"
"Yes…just so you know I've changed," he whispered in a low voice.
She scoffed before turning around and continuing her breakfast. "When have I heard that before?" she muttered.
He sighed. "I love Kari and I want to be around her"
"And I'm doing anything to stop that" she said dismissively.
Kaiba huffed. How could he prove that he was actually willing to change just for her and Kari? He knew just the idea of it was hard enough. He wanted to just grab her and hold her close, whispering in her ear that he loved her. That would be absurd and he knew he wouldn't follow through with that. His pride stopped him from doing so and it just wasn't him. He would, in time, tell her but now it seemed too soon. After all, it has been about just a week or half she'd been staying with him. She would be probably scared out of her wits and angry. However, he knew in his mind that she could see the changes he had so far. Would it be enough? No…he needed to prove to her that he had changed and he would stay that way. But how? Damn, this was just too frustrating for him.
"Kaiba"
Her stern yet concerned voice snapped him out of his frustrating thoughts. His eyes snapped to her questioning face before settling on her lips. Shaking his head mentally, he ordered himself to look at her eyes.
"You okay?"
"Fine…speaking of okay, how are you holding up?" he took a step backward and leaned against he breakfast bar. She sighed in relief mentally; grateful he had taken a step backward. It looked as if he were about to kiss her. She would slap him if he did so.
"Better" she replied before getting back to work. She had taken too many halts while making this breakfast.
"I've noticed that you don't have your cane anymore"
"I don't need it. I'm fine without it"
"Then you'll be coming to the thank you party?"
With their conversation and all, she had forgotten about it even if she remembered for a brief moment in the morning. Hesitating at first, she nodded.
"You don't have to come"
She turned around. "I want to come…Kaiba"
He smirked. "Then I'll be going now"
Heading towards the kitchen exit, he said his final farewells and left. It was now eight and everyone was tumbling down the stairs groggily, each smelling their own individual breakfast.
A/N: WHEEEEEEEEE I'M DONE! WOW…I haven't updated this story in FOREVER! Like six months! I deeply apologize for that! I just don't find time anymore, with school and my dad watching me like a hawk whenever I get on the computer. T-T Anyway, I want to thank you all for continuing to read this story. It's nice to know that you still like it even after I take forever to update. Please review!