A/N: Warning there is some mild cursing in this chapter so if that stuff bothers you stop reading here.

Also thanks to all that have reviewed, added this to favorites or alerts. You all are awesome! To my old Quizilla fans who have found me on here again thanks for giving this story another read and I promise you that it will be finished this time. Again, this is un-beta'd so all mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: Also do not own the Yugi bunch so please don't sue me. The only things I lay claim to in this story are my own original creations


Chapter One

*Lily's POV*

I was standing in front of my closet staring at myself in the mirror, I was wearing my brand new Domino high girls uniform...Pink jacket, blue skirt, knee socks, white shirt and the most awful blue tie I had ever seen. I honestly wasn't sure which was worse.....The poofy blue bow tied around my neck or the powder pink jacket. I was trying to figure out what to do with my hair when I hear a knock at my bedroom door.
"What insane blind monkey designed this thing? And why did I let you talk me into this, Devlin?" I ask as the door opens and Duke leans against the doorway.
"Because you've always secretly wanted to wear a goofy uniform?"
Grey eyes meet green ones in the mirror "At least you don't have to wear pink."
"Ready for your first day at Domino High?" He asks as I pass him and stand up on my toes to kiss his cheek.
"Ready as I'll ever be."

We both head down to Dukes car and about 20 minutes later he was parking in the student parking lot.
I turn to look at him "You realize that starting school a month before summer break is insane, right?"
"You're still going, Lil."
I sigh before getting out of the car, "It was worth a shot." Duke just shakes his head and walks me to the school entrance where the rest of the gang is waiting. I wave hi to them all before unfolding my class schedule to look at it.
Joey comes over "So, Lily what's your schedule like?"
"Quite boring" I say handing it to him and watch his smile get bigger and bigger as he reads it.
"This is great!" He yells.
"What is it, Joey?" Tea asked coming over as I can't help but look at Joey oddly.
"Lily's got classes with all of us!"
I lean over toward Duke to whisper "Joey gets excited awfully easy, doesn't he?"
Duke chuckles whispering back "I think he likes you, Lil."
I look at Duke about to say something when Tristan says to me "Why are you blushing, Lily?"
I was saved from having to answer Tristan by the first bell. Grabbing my schedule off of Joey I ask, "Who's got math class with me?"
"Duke and I do." Joey answers grinning from ear to ear.

*The End Of The Day*

Standing in front of my locker taking out the books that I needed for homework I lean my head against the cool metal shelf, I was so wiped it wasn't funny . . . It had been such a long and tiring day, I couldn't wait to get home kick off my shoes, change from this stupid uniform into a comfy pair of a sweats and just zone out on my computer or sketchbook for a bit. This was my first free moment to myself all day and all I wanted to was just enjoy it. Joey wasn't kidding when he said I had classes with the whole gang at one point or another and they all went out of their way to make sure that I wasn't alone even for a second. I had even tried hiding out in the girls room during free period but Tea found me and dragged me out to the courtyard to hang out with everybody, I really wasn't used to having a lot of friends, I was a bit of a loner so the gang's hyper- friendliness was a bit over whelming for me.

Putting my books in my bag I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a few moments before having to deal with everybody again. I stay that way just enjoying the peace and quiet when after a while of blessed silence I feel a light tap on my shoulder and without thinking snap:
"Damn it guys, is five minutes to myself too much to ask for??"
I open my eyes expecting to see one of the gang and end up staring right into the most amazing pair of cobalt blue eyes that I had ever seen. Looking into those eyes made me feel like I had just been struck by lighting, looking into those eyes was like looking into his very soul and it spoke to me in a way nothing else had for a very long time.

*Seto's POV*

Today had been awful.

Totally and completely awful. First the artist I was supposed to interview for the new card design division didn't show up and from then on things just went from bad to worse. There was a major bug in the new holo-dueling system that caused it to crash every time someone played a trap card so that took up a good portion of my day trying to fix, then I remembered that a book I needed for a history report was still in my locker at school so I had to run there quickly before getting back to Kaiba Cop to spend yet another night working late. And all that brought me to this very moment in time staring into the most amazing pair of grey eyes that I had ever seen, in an instant any remark I was about to make died on my lips as I found myself sinking deeper into them.

"Get away from her, Kaiba!"
I look up to see that dog Wheeler running towards the two of us. "This doesn't concern you Wheeler, now go away before you give me fleas." Smirking I turn my gaze back to the girl whose eyes were now sparking with anger.
"Seto Kaiba? The President of Kaiba Corp.?"
"The one and the same." At this point the rest of Wheelers loser friends had caught up with him and were holding him back. "And who are you?"
"Lilith Tao." She replied softly.
I feel my own anger start to rise, that was the name of the artist that didn't show up for the interview today. "Did you by any chance have an appointment today?"
"I would have if it hadn't been canceled with the lame ass excuse that you had left on emergency business the other night and would be gone for at least two months."
Placing my hands on her shoulders I move her out of the way so I can get to my locker, "Excuse me, Miss. Tao but I never canceled our interview but perhaps it's for the best that you didn't show, after all I need an artist....." grabbing my book I shot a glance at Wheeler and Devlin who had come up beside Lilith. I smirk at her pretending not to notice the anger flaring up in her eyes or the fact that Devlin was holding onto her hands very tightly "not a dog catcher. If you ever get better taste in companions call me and maybe we'll talk."
"You arrogant bastard." I hear her hiss softly as I spin on my heels and walk away.

*Lily's POV*

If Duke hadn't been holding on to my hands as tightly as he was I would have smacked Kaiba. The nerve of him! How dare he talk to me like that! And to accuse me of bailing on my interview, if I saw him anytime soon he was going to get a hell of a piece of my mind. I tilt my head towards Duke as I watch Kaiba leave, "You can let go now, you know. I'm not going to do anything stupid."
"That's not what worries me Lil, I know you won't do anything....At least nothing that YOU think is stupid."
By this time Yu-Gi, Tea and Tristan had caught up to us. Yu-Gi saw the look on everyones faces and turned to me, "Kaiba's like that with everybody, Lily. It's nothing personal really, he just act's like a jerk sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Joey interrupts "Try all the time, if that guy ever stopped acting like an asshole I think his whole world would fall apart."
"Yeah, I mean he has no friends and the only person who can stand to be around him is his little brother." Tea comments.
"That....guy has a little brother who can stand him? I feel sorry for the kid."
"Mokuba is a great kid, it's tough to believe that they are related." Tristan commented as he shrugged out of his uniform jacket.
Duke slides his arm around my shoulders and holds me close for a second, "We're gonna all hit the arcade for a bit, wanna join us, Lil? I'll kick your ass in Air Hockey."
I chuckle softly as I duck out from under his arm to grab my stuff and close my locker. "You wish, Devlin but I'm gonna have to pass today. I've got a ton of homework to do plus I still have to hit the art store for some stuff."
"You need a lift?" he asked as I lean up to kiss him on the check .
"I'm good." I say waving goodbye to the gang and walking to the door, pausing for a moment I look over my shoulder and see the crestfallen look on Joey's face. "Hey, guys," I call out quickly before losing my nerve "How about we all hang out at the mall tomorrow?"

A few hours later I wander out of the art supply shop carrying 3 bags, all filled with assorted paints, pencils, sketchbooks, watercolors, brushes and the like. I grumble to myself about the cost of everything, "No wonder artist's are starving with what you have to pay for a tube of paint nowadays."
I noticed how late it was getting and I did still have a ton of homework to do before Monday so I decided to try and take a shortcut through the park that the clerk at the store had told me about to get back to Duke's place. While walking I take a deep breath of the sakura blossom scented air and as I do I can feel the constant knot of tension that was always between my shoulders start to loosen a little. The only thing that would make this perfect would be if Adam and Evie were here with me, sighing softly to myself a single tear runs down my cheek; "I miss you both so much."

While passing the swings I notice a little boy with the most adorable mussed head of hair I had ever seen swinging slowly by himself. He was dragging his toe in the dirt in a way that reminded me so much of my little sister that my eyes glistened with unshed tears for a moment. He looked to be about 10 or 12 and he looked so lonely that before I knew it I had tossed your bags on a nearby bench along with my uniform jacket and silly blue tie. I crossed the area to sit in the swing next to him and as I start to swing slowly I smile and introduce myself, "My names Lily. What's yours?"
"Mokuba." He answers quietly.
"Nice to meet you, Mokuba. Kinda boring out here by yourself, huh?"
He nodded slowly while tracing circles in the dirt with the tip of his sneaker.
"I just moved here from LA so that's why I'm here by myself. What about you?"
"I'm waiting for my big brother, he was supposed to be here a while ago but he probably got held up at work."
"Aren't your parents worried about you being here by yourself?"
Mokuba shook his head, "They died when we were really little, so it's just me and my big brother."
I look over at him and smile a soft sad smile, "My mom died when I was really little and I never really knew my real dad so for a while there it was just my brother, my sister and myself against the world as we used to say. In fact I think my little sister is about your age,12 right?"
He nods and smiles "Did your sister or brother move here with you?"
"No, my sister still lives in LA with our Uncle but I'm saving up the money for her to come here and my brother is well....kinda sick right now."
"Is he gonna get better?"
"I hope so."
"Lily, when your sister moves here do you think I can play with her?"
I can't help but laugh at his natural enthusiasm and nod my head, "I'm sure Evie would love that."
The two of us just sat there in silence for a bit until Mokuba jumped off the swing and started running over to a tall figure in the distance yelling, "Big brother!"

I hop off the swing and head back over to the bench where my stuff was as I heard Mokuba chattering away to his brother, "And her name is Lily and she has a sister about my age and she said I can play with her when she moves here and–"
"Breathe, Mokuba." I hear a deep voice say, in those two words I could hear how much he loved his brother the warmth and caring in the guys voice was evident. I have my back to them as I slide my pink blazer back on to give them a moment of privacy, I was about to grab my backpack and bags from the art store when I feel someone come up behind me and take them from me. A voice by my right ear softly speaks. "Let me."
I whip your head around startled at how close his voice sounds only to have my lips accidentally brush his.

*Seto's POV*

Heaven tasted like cherries I thought as the girls lips brushed past mine. I knew it was an accidental brushing of lips as she turned her head but it felt wonderful, kind of like getting hit by train, a piece of homemade chocolate cake, winning a duel and writing a new computer program all rolled into one. She quickly pulled away and I found myself looking into the same pair grey eyes that I had stared into only a few hours before, only this time her pale skin was shaded pink by a blush.

"Seto, this is Lily, Lily this is my big brother Seto." Mokuba cheerfully introduced the two of us, oblivious as to what just happened.
I watched Lily quickly turn around to look at my brother and saw the smile she bestowed upon him, it was beautiful. "I already met your brother at school today."
"You guys go to the same school?"
I slowly nod my head at him, "Miss. Tao and I met when I had to go back to the school today for a book I needed."
"Wow, hey Seto?"
"Yes, Mokuba?"
"Can Lily join us for dinner tonight? I like her. She's really nice."
I was saved from answering by a soft chuckle from Lily, "Thank you, kiddo but I really have to get home. I've got a ton of homework due for Monday and I still have to finish unpacking. Plus," she motions to the bags I was holding, "I got to get to work on a couple of projects."
"Are you sure, Lily?" Mokuba looked at her giving her a sad look, it was the same look he used on the employees at the house and it usually got him everything he wanted. This should be interesting I thought watching the interaction between the two.
Lily knelt down, leans her head close and whispers something in Mokuba ear that made him laugh. She stands up and ruffles his hair, "I'm sure kiddo but we'll get together and do something another time."
She looked at me as she dug in her book bag for something "You have a wonderful little brother, Mr. Kaiba." She pulled out a pen and piece of paper, quickly wrote down something and handed it to Mokuba. He nodded his head and grabbed the paper before running over to the swings to play for a bit.
"I know." I say as I watch her come closer to me.
She stood right in front of me and tilted her head up to look me in the eyes, "May I please have my bags, Mr. Kaiba?"
"What did you say to my brother?" I say handing her the bags I just realized I was still holding.
She smiled slightly and looked over to Mokuba before replying, " I told him that my sister and I perfected that look years ago and that you should never try to con a con-artist. Goodbye Mr. Kaiba."
Watching her start to walk away I decide to ask a question that had been bugging me all day, "Miss. Tao, why didn't you show up for your interview?"
Lily stops and turns towards me again, "Because a few days ago I got a call from someone at Kaiba Corp. telling me that you had to go out of town on emergency business and would be gone for at least two months. I was also informed that I would be contacted on your return to schedule another interview."
"What was this persons name?"
"Ichiro Ulan."
I growl lightly in my throat, "Miss. Ulan was dismissed last week for reasons I would prefer not to disclose. I believe Miss. Tao that we have both been tricked, your interview was never canceled."

*Lily's POV*

My eyes widen as Kaiba's words register in my brain, "My interview wasn't canceled?"
Kaiba folds his arms, "I never had any emergency business that called me out of town, Miss. Tao."
"Mr. Kaiba, I'm so sor–" I start to say but was interrupted by my ringing cell phone, "Excuse me please."
"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!?!?!?!?!" The voice yells on the other end as soon as I answer, "DO YOU HAVE ANY CLUE AS TO HOW WORRIED I WAS WHEN I GOT HOME AND YOU WEREN'T HERE?!?!?"
Great, I think to myself when I see the amused smirk on Kaiba's face, the perfect end to the perfect day. I turn my back to him so I can talk in relative privacy.
"Calm down, please."
"CALM DOWN?!?!?!?! YOU ARE IN A NEW CITY AND DON'T KNOW WHERE THE HELL ANYTHING IS AND YOU TELL ME TO CALM DOWN????"
"Duke Devlin, I swear if the next words out of your mouth are 'You could have been laying dead in a ditch' I swear I will be on the next plane out of here." I finally lose it and snap into the phone. "I am 17 years old and have been out on my own longer then you so I think I can take care of myself!"
"Like you took care of yourself 3 years ago?" at my sharp intake of breath Duke realized what he said, "Lily, I'm so sorry...I didn't mea-----"
Very slowly and calmly I snap your phone closed and turn it off slipping it into my blazer pocket before turning to Kaiba expecting to see him smirking at what he just heard. I wasn't prepared for the look of concern in his cobalt eyes. "Is everything alright, Miss. Tao?"
I manage to keep your voice calm and level even though I was fighting anger and tears inside, Duke knew how painful those memories were for me, damn him! I thought to myself before speaking. "Everything's fine, Mr. Kaiba, thank you for asking. Now if you'll excuse me, I really do have to go."
Mokuba comes running up to me as I start walking away, "Do you need a lift anywhere, Lily? Seto and I could give you a ride."
"I'm fine, kiddo. Thanks for the offer though."
Kaiba had come up silently behind me, "It's getting late, we're giving you a ride."
"No, you aren't."
He grabs my bags from me, "I owe you for your kindness to my brother, I don't like owing people. We're giving you a ride home."

I was about to argue more when Mokuba slipped his hand in mine and started dragging me towards the parking lot chattering excitedly the entire way. I can't help but start laughing "Ok, ok...I give up!"
Mokuba and I reach the limo before Kaiba and Mokuba turns to me smiling a huge smile,"Good because no one says no to my big brother."
I reach out and run my hand over his hair in an attempt to smooth it "If I remember Mr. Mokuba I said no just fine to him, you on the other hand are another story."

*Seto's POV*

I walk up to the trunk of the limo just in time to see Mokuba hug Lily and to hear her giggle. There was something about her that I just couldn't put your finger on, she was beautiful but acted like she didn't know it. She had a bit of a temper and was fiercely loyal to those that she cared about, she was confident in herself but I saw the way she had reacted when I told her that her interview hadn't been canceled she looked like she was going to faint. That kiss was amazing and I wanted to stare into her eyes for as long as I could. All I knew was that there was part of me that wanted to get to know her better and the other part just wanted to get away as soon as possible. I was confused by Lilith Tao and I didn't like it one bit. I tossed her things into the trunk and slid into the back of the limo across from Mokuba and Lily, "You're staying with Devlin, right?"
A troubled look comes across her face, "For the moment I am."
I give the driver the address and spent the rest of the drive watching how Mokuba interacted with Lily, even though he was asking a bunch of question about her brother and sister she patiently answered most of them. Except the ones about her brother, whenever one of those was asked she quickly change the subject to something else. That was interesting I thought to myself. It was something defiantly worth checking out in further detail, it made no sense that she was so open with stuff about her sister but so closed off with stuff about her brother.

*Lily's POV*

I throughly enjoyed talking to Mokuba during the drive, he was a bit persistent with some of his questions about Adam but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I also noticed that Kaiba kept watching me as I talked with his brother, it was a little un-nerving having those blue eyes focused on me for so long but I managed to not let him see how flustered it made me. All too soon the limo pulled up in front of Dukes place and it was time to get out, I step out of the limo and take a deep breath before having to go inside to deal with Duke. I had to admit that I was still a little angry with the way he had treated me on the phone but the last thing I wanted right now was a fight with him. I watch as the driver gets my bags out of the trunk and turn around to face Kaiba and Mokuba, "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Kaiba and thank you as well Mr. Mokuba."

Seto just nods at me as he gets back into the limo but Mokuba gives me a big hug before saying goodnight and getting in beside his brother. I watch the limo pull away before picking up my bags and going inside the house. Dropping my bags on the floor I take off my shoes and head to the kitchen, the house was dark and quiet so I wasn't that surprised when I saw the note on the fridge from Duke:

Lil,
Sorry about before. Went out with Tristan and Joey won't be back until late.
Love,
Duke
P.S. I really am sorry, Angel.
I sigh as I read Dukes note and smile slightly at the use of his old nickname for me. The two of us really did have to talk better about things sometime soon I thought to myself as I grabbed something quick for dinner before heading upstairs to work on my homework before it got too late.

*The Next Morning*

I was awoken by the smell of coffee and the feel of someone sitting on the foot of my bed "Wake up sleepyhead."
"No." I pull the covers up over my head.
"Yes," I feel the covers being pulled from my head. "And I brought you a cup of coffee."
"Coffee?" I sit up and push my hair out of my eyes "There's coffee?"
"Uh uh."
I take the steaming mug from Duke and take a sip, "Mmm....coffee. Good."
Duke chuckles as he watches me, "It's already going for 10, Lil and in case you forgot we're meeting everybody at the mall in a couple of hours."
I take another sip of coffee and look at Duke, "It won't take me long to get ready. I'll grab a shower after my coffee and from there I'll be ready in about 20."
Those green eyes look at me full of love and concern, "About last night...I'm sorry, Lil. I just got so scared and worried when I got here and you weren't home that I just didn't think about what was coming out of my mouth. I know it's no excuse but it's all I got. Forgive me?"
Putting my coffee down I take his face in my hands, "Duke, I am a grown woman and can take care of myself. A lot has happened to me since that duel, it's changed a big part of who I am. I am no longer that naive girl who trusts people right away anymore, I grew up quick and hard Duke. Plus, don't forget the lifetime's worth of martial arts practice," I grin and lightly kiss him on the forehead, "now get out of my room so I can starting getting ready for a day with you and your friends."
He stands up and smiles at me, "They'll be your friends to if you let them, Angel."

"I know."
Dukes pauses at my door, "Never forget I love you, ok?"
"No matter what?"
"No matter what."

*A Few Hours Later At The Mall*

I collapse on the floor of the arcade laughing and gasping for breath, "Ok, ok...I give up! You are the queen of DDR, Tea. I bow before your superior skills."
"Don't tell her that Lily, her head will get even more swelled then it already is." Tristan comments as the guys came up by the DDR machine carrying drinks.
"I do not have a swelled head! I just love the dance!" Tea says as she does a pirouette on the pad. "Any of you guys have the guts to challenge me?"
Joey plops down next to me and hands me one of the cups he was carrying, "How bad she beat ya?"
I take a sip of the soda before answering, "Five games in a row."
"Ouch"
"Yeah, I know but I should have known better than to accept a DDR challenge, never been my game. I'm not much for dancing games like this. Now air hockey or Street fighter those are different."
Joey's eyes lit up, "You like video games?"
"Love 'em. I get some great idea's for artwork from them."
"Wanna go against each other in Street Fighter Alpha?"
"Sure, Joey sounds like a blast but I better warn you...I'm good."
"So am I but I'll take it easy on you."
I laugh and jump up, "You better not, Wheeler."

Joey and I were tied 4-4 at Street Fighter Alpha when the two of us decided to quit for the day and find the rest of the group to see if they wanted to go hit the food court for a bite to eat. Everybody was all for the idea and soon we were all on our way to the food court. Duke and Joey walked together involved in some deep conversation, Tristan and Yu-Gi were walking behind me and Tea. The two of us were discussing one of my favorite musicals, Chicago, it turns out Tea loved it too. The two of us had quite a few things in common and I had to admit that it kinda shocked me. I was always so busy trying to be the best at everything at my Uncles insistence that I never really had time to make a lot of friends. Duke had been the exception to that all those years ago and look how that turned out. I chuckle and shake my head Maybe moving here really was the best thing I could have done. I couldn't help but think to myself.
"What's up?" Tea asked at my chuckle.
"Just thinking how weird things can be sometimes."
"Oh?"

I was about to say something when a black haired streak slams into me giving me a great big hug, "Lily!!!!! What are you doing here????"
I laugh at the expressions on everybody's faces as I hug Mokuba back, "Just hanging out. What are you doing here?"
There was a round of "Hi's" and "what's up?" from everybody before Yu-Gi asks "Your brothers here at the mall?"
"Uh huh, he's over there in the electronics store."
I look over towards the store and see one very pissed Seto Kaiba storming out of it, "Mokuba, did you happen to tell your brother where you were headed?"
He blushes slightly, "Not really, I saw you through the window and wanted to catch up with you before you got to far away."
"Guys, why don't I meet you all at the food court in a few minutes?" I ask turning to the gang while placing my hands on Mokuba's shoulders. I see 5 heads all shake no at the exact same time I was about to laugh when a hand gripped my shoulder and spun me around. "What the hell are you doing with my brother, Miss. Tao?!?!"

Out of the corner of my eye I see Duke holding Joey back and Tea pull Mokuba away from his brother and myself, my grey eyes darken to the color of a stormy sky as I very softly and slowly say, "Mr. Kaiba, unless you remove your hand right this moment I'm afraid I might have to break your arm."
His fingers dig in deeper into my shoulder starting to cause me pain, "I asked you what the hell you were doing with my brother and I don't take kindly to empty threats, Miss. Tao!"
"One, if you would remove your hand I will tell you what I was doing with Mokuba and two I don't make empty threats, Kaiba." I focus my eyes on his and softly say, "I've been studying various martial art forms since I was old enough to stand so unless you want to be humiliated in front of everyone here and now by having me kick your ass I suggest you let go...now!"
His fingers grip even tighter as his ice-cold eyes stare into my own storming grey ones, my shoulder was in absolute agony but I refused to let him know it. The two of us must have stood there for at least 5 minutes before he suddenly let go and turned to leave, he barked out before walking away. "Mokuba, come."
"Talk to you later, Lily and I'm sorry about this." Mokuba called out as he ran off after his brother.

I watch the retreating back of Seto Kaiba and take a deep breath trying to calm myself down as the gang crowd around me.
"Wow, I've never Kaiba back down like that before." Tea sounded shocked and surprised.
"I've never seen Kaiba quite like that before, I wonder why he was acting like that?" Yu-Gi wondered aloud as he also watched Kaiba's retreating back.
Tristan pats me on the shoulder, "Way to stand up to him , Lily."
"Thanks, Tristan." I say hoping nobody noticed that I winced in pain when he touched my shoulder.
"You ok, Lil?" Duke asked. "That was pretty intense. And how do you know Kaiba and Mokuba anyway?"
"Long story short; met them at the park yesterday and they gave me a lift home."
"WHAT???" Joey yells
"It was nothing big, ok guys? It was getting late and Mokuba insisted. He's a really sweet kid." By this point in time my shoulder was in burning pain, at the very least I knew I was going to get a nice bruise out of this. "Why don't you guys go snag us a table at the food court, I need a couple to calm down, ok?"

After a couple of minutes the guys agree and go on ahead, when it was all clear I sit on a near-by bench and put my head in my hands, "I can't believe I said that, never in my life have I threatened to use what I know to hurt someone."
Someone sits next to me and gently place their arm around my waist. I look up to see a very concerned pair of warm brown eyes staring down at me, "You ok?"
I smile a small smile, "I thought you went with the others."
"I saw the look on your face when Tristan touched your shoulder and thought you might need some help." With that Joey moves his hand from my waist and starts trying to gently remove my jacket so he could get a better look at my shoulder.
I pull away from him a bit, "I'm fine, Joey but thanks for your concern."
"You're really fine?"
"Yes, I am."
"Duke said you were stubborn." He said before he placed his hand on my injured shoulder.
I wasn't prepared for the shock wave of pain that went through me at his light touch so I wasn't able to control my gasp of pain.
"Really feeling alright, huh?" Joey asked as his gentle brown eyes looked into mine.

"Well maybe it hurts, but only a little." I concede slightly.
"Take off your jacket and let me look at it, I was a lifeguard last summer so I know a bit about first aid."
"It's just a bruise, Joey. I'll be fine."
"Humor me, ok?"
"You're not gonna let up on this are you?"
"Nope and if I have to I'll just go tell Duke about this and he'll probably have you to the hospital in record time."

I sigh deeply, Joey was right, if Duke knew about this not only would I be sitting in the ER but he'd also end up being my constant shadow for the rest of my time here. I start slowly taking off my jacket and turn my back towards Joey so he can take a look at my shoulder. I feel his fingers gently touch the area around the bruise and hear him mutter something softly under his breath.
"Put your jacket back on, Lily." Joey says softly as he pulls his cell phone out of his pocket. I slide my jacket on and listen as Joey talks on the phone.
"Duke, it's Joey. Slight change of plans, Lily and I are gonna go catch a movie, ok? Yeah...Do you mind giving the others a lift home? Thanks......Uh huh.....I will.....Don't worry, I'll have her home at a decent time.......Ok...Tell the others....Thanks Duke, Later."
"A movie?" I ask raising my right eyebrow slightly as I watch him put away his cell.
"Would you have preferred it I told him we were going to my place so I can do something about your shoulder?"
"Well, since we aren't I don't see a problem."
"It's either that or the hospital where there are going to be very interested in how you got a purple and red hand-shaped mark on your shoulder."
"It's no big deal, Joey. I've had worse, believe me."
Joey stands in front of me and places his hand under my chin forcing me to look into his eyes, "Lily, I've seen how protective Duke is of you, if he finds out about your shoulder what do you think he's going to do?"
I sigh softly because I knew exactly what he would do, he'd go after Kaiba and then only goddess knows then what would happen. I take a couple of steps away from Joey. "Where are you parked?"

*Later At Joey's*

I had been staring at the poster on Joey's wall for the past hour and a half and it was starting to annoy me. I was lying on your stomach on his bed as Joey alternated hot and cold packs on my shoulder to help minimize the bruising and swelling. The two of us had spent most of the time in an oddly comfortable silence, a silence that I now broke; "Doesn't it bother you?"
"What?
"That poster says that the T-Bird is candy apple red but it is clearly fire engine red."
"It just looks red to me." He said as he placed another warm cloth on my shoulder.
I turn my head so I can look at him "That would be like saying your eyes are just brown when in actuality they are milk chocolate colored."
He blushed slightly and stammered, "I'll be right back."
He comes back in a few minutes with a jar of ointment, "I'm gonna rub this on your shoulder, it's gonna hurt and I'm sorry but it has to be done."
"Hand me my purse and wait a little bit." I tell him as I push myself into a sitting position.
He hands me my purse and watches me take out a prescription bottle, "What are you taking?"
"A vicaden," I say as I open the bottle take out a pill and dry swallow it.
Joey stands up and gets me a glass of water I gratefully take a drink and look at him. "And before you ask why I have them, it's because I get severe migraines and the medication I take for them knocks me out. So I keep the vicaden with me in case I get one when I'm out, it usually dulls the pain enough so I can get home and take something else."

Joey just nods and the two of us make small talk for a little bit before I lie back down so he can finish working on my shoulder. At some point I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew my cell phone was ringing, I was about to open my eyes to find it to answer it when I hear a male voice speak, "Lily's phone."

*Seto's POV*

I sit at my desk reading the file that the private investigator had dropped off a few minutes ago. I just couldn't get my mind off of Lilith Tao since our encounter at the mall. Not many people stood up to me like that, especially not a woman, and it intrigued me. I wanted to know all that I could find out about Miss. Tao and I wasn't going to stop until I knew everything. There were some interesting things in the file that I wanted to discuss with her so I pick up the phone and dial the number that was on the back of one of the sample sketches that she had submitted. The phone was picked up after 3 rings and a familiar sounding male voice greeted me with, "Lily's phone."
"Since when do dogs know how to answer phones?"
"What do you want?"
"You really are an idiot, Wheeler if you have to ask that. I called Miss. Tao's phone to speak with her, why are you answering her phone?"
"She's sleeping, you really do have a lot of nerve, ya know."
"For calling a possible future employee? I think your flea collar is cutting off the circulation to your brain, Wheeler. Now, put her on the phone."
"As I said, Rich Boy she's sleeping. And the nerve is calling after what you did to her today. I always knew you were a complete jerk but after what you did to her shoul.......You know what? Never mind, just stay the hell away from her."
"Or what? You'll bark at me?"
"Go to hell, Kaiba." Was the last thing I heard before the dial tone started to sound in my ear.
I place the phone down and stare at it for a few moments. Wheeler, always opened his mouth before thinking I thought to myself. From what I had seen Lilith was a smart woman, why would she waste her time with such a collection of losers? I would just have to talk to her at school on Monday, just let Wheeler try his white knight act in person.

*Lily's POV*

I listen to Joey's side of the conversation with a small smile of amusement on my lips as I pushed myself up into a sitting position. "Is it safe to assume that was Seto Kaiba on the phone?"
Joey turns beet red when he looks at me, "Sorry about that, Lily but he just makes me so mad. He thinks just because he's rich he can get anyone or anything he wants."
"That's a common misconception of the rich. They think that since they have money the word no doesn't apply to them."
"You sound like you're talking from personal experience."
"My Uncles a rich snobbish asshole who thinks that the rules of decent society don't apply to him."
"Lily, can I ask you something?"
I tilt my head and look at him, "Sure, Joey."
"Kaiba said some about calling a possible future employee of his when he called. What's that about?"

I think quietly for a moment wondering if I should tell him, after all the only other person who knew I was here for a job was Duke and even he didn't know who the job was for or the real reason I needed it. Standing I walk over to my bag where I keep my ever-present sketch book. I take it out and flip open the front cover before handing it to Joey. Inside the front cover is a well worn photo that was a few years old of me with my arms around a blonde haired little girl with my grey eyes and next to us is a brown haired boy with tawny gold eyes. "The girl is my baby sister, Evie and the guy is my older brother Adam."
Joey takes the book and looks at the photo. "Why didn't they move here with you?"
"Adam is...sick and currently hospitalized. Evie is attending a school for the gifted which she absolutely hates, she wanted to move here with me but our Uncle wouldn't allow it. He said I was too...immature and have no sense of responsibility."
I wrap my arms around myself and sit back down on his bed before continuing. "My Uncle gave me until my 18th birthday to "make something of myself" and if I succeed he will sign over full guardianship of Evie to me."
Joey sat beside me his arm slides around me as he does and I lean my head against his shoulder, "And if you don't succeed?"
"She gets sent to a very exclusive boarding school for the gifted where she will have no contact with me until she turns 18."
"How old is she?"
"Twelve."
"You wouldn't be able to see or talk to her for 6 years?!?"
I slowly nod, "A few months ago I heard a buzz that Kaiba Corp. was looking for an artist for some new top secret project so I sent in my sketch's and I got an interview. But there was some sort of mess up and I was told my interview was canceled when it really wasn't."
"Wow, that's pretty intense."
"I know."
"Duke doesn't know any of this does he?"
"Only that I had a job interview that got canceled."
Joey was quiet for a few minutes before lightly kissing my head, "Thank you."
I raise my head and look at him, "For what?"
"Duke, told me that you have a hard time trusting people. So thank you for trusting me enough to tell me all of this."
I blush lightly, "No big."
He tilts my head up by my chin to look into my eyes, "It is to me." He says in a husky tone of voice right before his lips lightly touch mine.