Chapter 2-
"Character speaking"
'Character's thoughts'
A/N: Hey everyone I'm glad to see that you all are liking this fic so far, and as anticipated here's the next chapter, so enjoy!
Serenity had started to head home when it had started to rain, the light breeze blowing her long hair out of her face as her pace slowed down allowing her to enjoy the light drizzle.
"I still don't see what gets Joey so worked up about every time someone mentions Kaiba, I mean I agree with him that he can be a jerk, but that doesn't exactly mean that he's heartless. Maybe that's just him placing his guard up by being mean to perfect strangers?" Serenity thought to herself as she had finally reached the apartment complex where her and Joey lived.
She frowned to herself at seeing that the front door was already unlocked. "I thought that Joey locked it this morning before we left for school, but I guess not." She muttered to herself as she shrugged it off as nothing as she entered the apartment, shutting and locking the front door quietly behind her.
She was about to head towards her room when a strange noise caught her attention, she looked around wondering where the noise was coming from when she heard it again and her eyes landed on a familiar figure leaning against the windowsill on the other side of the room.
The person cleared their throat a few times waiting for Serenity to notice them, though when Serenity had flicked on the lights walking closer towards them she sighed in frustration at seeing that it was Duke.
He smiled warmly at her not noticing that she didn't seem pleased to see him after the day she had. "Hey Serenity I didn't mean to scare you, I saw you walking home earlier by yourself and I figured you might want some company." He explained smiling innocently at this as he sat down on the sofa.
Serenity continued to stand where she was not wanting to give him any ideas. "That's sweet of you Duke, but if you don't mind I have a lot of homework to do and I'd rather be left alone so there's nothing to distract me." Serenity said quickly offering him a fake smile trying desperately not to hurt his feelings.
"Okay but maybe after you're done or if you want a break from it let me know. Maybe we can get together and hang out and go to the arcade for a little bit?" Duke suggested hoping that she'd say yes, though Serenity just stared at the ground.
"Is that why you really came here Duke, you thought that if I had nothing better to do than I'd be desperate enough to go on a date with you even after all the times you've asked me out before and I've said no?" Serenity asked him quietly trying to hide her anger and frustration; he was starting to sound so desperate, just like Tristan.
"I guess nothing can get past you can it Serenity? Yes as you so lightly put it I thought it would be better than letting you stay home alone." Duke muttered sarcastically as Serenity just rolled her eyes at this.
"What's that supposed to mean, I've tried explaining this to you so many times by now it's starting to get on my nerves. I've tried being nice to both you and Tristan about this, yet it still seems as though I'm talking to a brick wall. What do I have to do draw you guys a picture to get the message to you guys that I only like you as friends?" Serenity spat starting to get a headache from it all.
She started to head towards the bathroom to get something for her headache when Duke had abruptly stood up blocking her path as he grabbed her by her shoulders gently. "I'm sorry Serenity I never meant to upset you, it's just I figured that if I was patient and waited long enough than you'd change your mind by now, but I can clearly see that I was wrong." Duke explained quietly though when Serenity didn't say anything to this he took her silence as a sign for him to continue.
"So I completely understand if you hate my guts right now, I mean I was trying to pressure you into something you obviously didn't want." Duke muttered sadly as he headed towards the door when he stopped seeing that there was something Serenity wanted to say to him.
"I don't hate your guts Duke, I'm just glad that we got this all straightened out and no one had to get hurt in the process." Serenity said gently.
"Yeah I know I couldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you because of me and again... I'm sorry. Well I'll leave you alone so you can start on your homework you know where to reach me if you need anything." Duke explained as he left shutting the door shut behind him.
Serenity took in a deep breath waiting a few minutes before letting it out as she leaned her back against the door relieved that Duke hadn't tried to force himself on her and that he had finally left.
She grabbed her bag up from off the floor as she headed into her bedroom dumping her stuff on her bed as she sat down in front of the computer turning it on...
Seto was now seated in his office buried in paperwork as usual as he was trying to distract himself from what he was thinking about earlier, though he was failing miserably at this as he slammed his fist down hard on the desk in frustration.
"How is it that the answer was in my face this whole time, yet I failed to notice it until now?" Seto thought to himself angrily slamming his fist against the desk again feeling his hand chip the wood off of the desk from the force of the impact he had created.
Though his thoughts were soon interrupted by a loud beeping noise from the small intercom that was on his desk. He growled in annoyance as the overly excited blonde secretary's voice filled the room.
"What?!" he snapped at her angrily as he wondered what the ditzy airhead was pestering him about now.
"I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Kaiba, but there are two nice gentlemen out here to see you. They have a meeting with you scheduled to discuss their company." she explained as he pushed the pile of documents aside as he stood up not even saying anything to her to let her know that he had even heard her.
As he was heading towards the conference room where the two gentlemen were waiting for him, Seto couldn't help but sigh to himself in frustration, these meeting always seemed to last longer than they needed to and always seemed like a big waste of time.
"Knowing my luck I'll get to sit through three hours listening to them drown on about how much Kaiba Corp needs their company. So what's the point in even scheduling these pointless meetings when I could care less about what they have to say?" Seto thought to himself miserably as he entered the conference room as the meeting had began…
Serenity had searched through endless web pages and had still ended up empty handed, the bits and pieces of information she had found she already knew from Yugi and Joey. "There has to be something more about him I can find out. Than again I could ask Joey but I know that'll only end up upsetting him." Serenity muttered to herself as her eyes had finally landed on something she had overlooked before as what she thought was an ad.
The article had briefly explained what had happened to Seto while he was living with Gorzaboro. Serenity's eyes widened at this not wanting to believe that what she was reading was the truth. Serenity was so into what she was reading that she hadn't even heard the front door open as Joey had finally came home.
Joey had tried to call out to Serenity wondering if she was home or not when he noticed that her bedroom door was wide open. Smiling at seeing her researching something he snuck up behind her preparing to ask her what she was working on and how her day had went.
Though something flashed up on the screen catching his attention, he leaned forward trying to get a better look at what it was when his hand brushed against her shoulder lightly. Serenity cursed at herself as she quickly flicked the computer off as she spun around to face him smiling innocently up at him.
"Hey sis what ya workin on?" he asked her curiously as he rubbed at the back of his neck seeing that he had taken her by surprise by sneaking up on her.
"Oh hey Joey I was just doing some research for an assignment I have for school, what are you doing back so early I thought you weren't coming home until later on tonight?" she asked him curiously wondering if he had even seen what was on the screen before she had turned it off.
"Yeah I know, but Yug had to leave early and help gramps with da shop so we're going to da movies tomorrow, do ya wanna come with?" Joey asked her curiously hoping she'd agree to go with them.
"Sure it sounds like fun, is Mai going with you guys?" Serenity asked him innocently.
"I dunno I haven't had da chance to ask her yet." Joey muttered as his face flushed lightly before he quickly left the room.
"All I had to do was mention the fact that he might be seated next to Mai in a dark movie theater and he gets all worked up and embarrassed." Serenity thought to herself in amusement as she shut the door before turning the computer back on and had started to go through her email.
"Speaking of Mai, what's this?" Serenity had muttered to herself as she could hear the television in the living room being turned on and the volume being turned up too loud. After skimming over the message Serenity felt touched that Mai was still worried about her and wanted to know if she was alright.
"Aww… how sweet, though I'm sure if it were anyone else she wouldn't care." Serenity muttered to herself as she looked out her window noticing that the sun was about to set as an idea occurred to her.
She smiled in approval to her idea as she stood up turning the lights off in her room before she grabbed her stuff as she headed towards the living room standing in front of Joey, blocking his view of the television. Joey noticed this as well as he looked up wondering what she wanted. "What's up sis?" Joey asked her curiously.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm headed towards the park to meet up with Mai." Serenity lied though she smiled innocently at this as though it was the truth.
Joey had barely looked up from the television once Serenity had walked out of his view and he was able to see it clearly once more. "Okay have fun sis, ya know where to find me if ya need anything." He muttered as Serenity had left shutting the door behind her.
Her smile brightened and she almost skipped down the hallway in glee, amazed that she was able to lie to Joey that easily and yet she didn't feel guilty about doing it either. Once she was outside and away from the apartment complex she started to head towards the park; for what she had told Joey was partially true...
Seto sighed in relief once the two gentlemen had left and he was able to escape back to his office. The meeting had ended up lasting an extra hour because they wouldn't shut up about their stupid company and how much better Kaiba Corp would be working alongside it.
Seto was about to get back to the pile of documents that were scattered all over his desk when his door was slammed open and Mokuba had ran inside the office jumping on Seto's lap.
"Hey big brother what are you up to?" Mokuba asked him excitedly jumping up and down on his lap.
"Mokuba can't you see I have a lot of work to do, we can play later." Seto explained patiently trying to hide his frustration at the day he had so far.
"Big brother you always say that and yet you always end up spending the rest of the day doing nothing but paperwork." Mokuba whined.
Seto sighed wanting the day to just go away along with the headache that was starting to form. He wanted to say no to this, but he knew that if he did say no once again his younger brother would be mad at him.
Mokuba could tell that Seto was starting to give in to him, if he just kept it up a little longer. "So can we go to the park now?" Mokuba asked him quietly hoping that he'd cave in and say yes.
Seto took in a long breath holding it in before he finally said yes as he stood up following Mokuba outside towards the limo that was awaiting them outside.
Seto smiled weakly at seeing how ecstatic Mokuba had become once he had agreed to take him somewhere as they were taking the short ride to the park. "At least one of us can be happy, hopefully this won't make my headache feel even worse." Seto thought to himself bitterly as they had suddenly reached the park.
Seto sighed as Mokuba tugged on his hand dragged him out of the limo as they headed towards the swings. Seto just sighed at this as he sat down on one of the benches to go sit down on as he watched Mokuba laugh happily as Mokuba sat on one of the swings...
Serenity was lost in her own sea of thoughts wondering if what she had found out about Seto was true or just someone trying to gain attention. "Than again if it were true that would explain why he acts so rude towards everyone he meets, he's trying to protect himself from letting other people in on the truth about what happened to him." Serenity thought to herself as she wrapped a strand of her hair around her finger absent-mindedly.
The only thing that was able to snap her out of her thoughts was hearing a familiar person laughing nearby reach her ears. Serenity's head snapped up as she noticed Mokuba running towards the playground that was nearby.
Her eyes looked around as her eyes landed on Seto as he was sitting on a bench a few feet away from her. Serenity just stared at the ground wondering if she should just leave right now or if she should approach Seto.
Seto noticed this as well as he shook his head at this as he stood up and walked over to where Serenity was sitting and towered over her since he could tell that she was staring at the ground and not looking up in his direction.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Seto growled at her as her head snapped up feeling his shadow drape over her.
"I could ask you the same question, but clearly I already have my answer. Maybe if you ask me nice enough I'll tell you the real reason why I came here." Serenity shot back at him as she looked over in Mokuba's direction.
"Wow good for you you're obviously a lot smarter than I give you credit for, though enlighten me, why did you really come here? Did you follow me here or just stake out here until I miraculously showed up?" Seto asked her coldly as she just glared at him not saying anything to this.
Serenity just rolled her eye at this obviously amused by what he had said. "I'm sorry I hadn't realized I had said something so amusing." Seto snapped at her angrily.
"Don't flatter yourself though the thought of me being desperate enough to want to follow you here that was a little funny. I mean I'm sure there has to be something nice about you to make those blonde bimbos throw themselves at you as though you were the last guy on earth." Serenity muttered barely above a whisper but Seto was still leaning over her so he was able to hear what she had just said clearly.
Seto just smiled at this keeping his face emotionless. "It sounds as though you wish you were one of them, or better yet you probably want to keep me all to yourself." Seto whispered as Serenity just glared at this not sure what to say.
"What would make me that desperate, you make it seem as though I'm not good enough for you yet you're wrong. Why should I waste my time trying to get through a selfish prick like yourself? I mean I'm sure you'd miss having all the attention if it were somehow taken away from you in a instant." Serenity said softly as she stood up slamming into him as she tried to brush past him.
Though before he could say anything both of his arms reached out as he grabbed both of her wrists pinning her against him as though he could easily hit her. "You're lucky my little brother is here Wheeler or who knows what I could get away with. Don't worry though you'll get what you deserve for insulating me like that." He whispered in her ear as his breath rubbed against her neck.
Serenity shuddered at the close touch as she watched him head over to where Mokuba was before they got back in the limo and drove away. Once she made sure they were gone she fell to her knees as she wrapped her arms around them bringing her knees up to her chest protectively.
She felt alone and scared yet at the same time she had no intention of leaving from the spot she was at. "That went so well... what was I even thinking that he'd see me by myself again and suddenly the monster I met earlier would disappear?" she thought to herself bitterly not even realizing that a single tear had made its way down her cheek and onto her lap.
She angrily wiped at her eyes trying to will the tears way as she rested her head against the wooden bench, not even realizing that her body had became exhausted from it all as sleep had finally taken over her...
The nightmare that had visited her the night before had returned once more. Though this time when I tried to reach for his hood that covered his face from mine there was nothing to stop me. In the darkness of the night I was only able to see his blue eyes that seemed to illuminate the night sky, penetrating the darkness.
I smiled sadly at this as I try to push him away from me or to remove the gag that was placed inside my mouth suffocating the burning questions that desperately turned to escape my lips, his arms reach out too fast for me to stop him as he holds my wrists gently in his hands high above my head.
I leant my head forward trying to lean my lips towards him as he stares at me hesitatingly as his gently hands reach up to remove the gag from my mouth as I gasp for air, only to feel his soft lips press firmly against mine...
Unknown to Seto and Serenity while they were arguing their was a figure that was hiding not too far in the bushes overhearing their entire conversation. They stayed hidden where they were until they saw Serenity fall asleep.
They smiled sadly at this as they came closer to her laying her head in their lap as they brushed her hair out their face. He leant his head close to her parted lips about to kiss her when he decided not to. He was about to walk away when she reached out to him pressing her lips upon his.
Unknown to Serenity she had awakened to feel someone's lips pressed hungrily upon hers as though that simple kiss was keeping them alive. She cracked one eye open as she pushed them away from her, though no surprise to her they wouldn't move.
Once Serenity had opened both her eyes they widened in horror to see her lips pressed against Duke's. She tried to push him off of her, but his lip grazed her bottom lip biting it harshly causing her to cry out in surprise.
Serenity glared at this as she raised her arms above her and bringing them up to her chest as she shoved Duke away from her knocking him to the ground as she brought her knees up to her chest protectively once more.
Duke stood up as he angrily brushed himself off. "What the hell was that for Serenity, I was only trying to help." Duke snapped at her in anger.
"How can you call that trying to help, I wake up from a nightmare to find your tongue halfway down my throat Damn who knows what else you would of done if I hadn't woken up." Serenity snapped wanting to hit something or throw something at him.
"What's that supposed to mean Serenity, you know I would never hurt you, you seemed as though you were enjoying it." Duke muttered defensively as Serenity just glared at him.
"I don't care if I was begging you for it; you promised me you'd back off and be my friend. Do you want to push me out of your life for good?" Serenity asked him sadly.
"You're right, though is there any chance you'd still be wiling to beg e for it, I mean you weren't fighting me off of you." Duke muttered smirking at this.
Serenity was at a loss for words as her hand reached up slapping him hard across the face leaving a small handprint across his right cheek. "I-I'm sorry..." Serenity stuttered wondering what had possessed her to hit him.
"Serenity it's okay you had every right to hit me, though I wasn't expecting it." Duke said smiling as he rubbed at the spot softly trying to rub away the pain.
Serenity muttered about feeling ashamed for treating him like that and she had taken off running, Duke was tempted to run after her and try to calm her down, but saw it was pointless...
Serenity had ran blindly in no particular direction, not even realizing that she had reached the game shop, but she figured it was closed and that Yugi would be the only one there.
Though she was surprised to see that they were still open, she stared in the doorway seeing that Yugi was about to place the close sign on the door and lock up when he noticed Serenity looking back at him, through the other side of the door.
He could tell that she was upset about something and wondered what was troubling her as he opened the door ushering her in before he locked it. "Hey Serenity you seem upset, is everything alright?" Yugi asked her in concern.
Serenity just stared at the ground shaking her head no to Yugi's question. Yugi placed his hand on her chin lifting her face gently up so that she was staring up at him. "Do you want to talk about whatever is bothering you?" Yugi suggested as he pulled his hand away and her face fell shaking her head no.
"Okay... well did you want to finish what we were talking about earlier at school before the gang interrupted us?" Yugi tried suggesting trying to get Serenity to open up, though to his relief she had nodded her head yes to this.
Yugi smiled at this as he finished wiping down the counter and closing down the shop for the night. "Okay why don't we go up to my room so we can have more privacy?" Yugi suggested as he took her hand gently in his as he led her upstairs to his room.
End of chapter 2 Yay! Anyways hehe what will happen between Yugi and Serenity when she realizes that she can trust him and starts to realize that she has feelings about him? You'd think those around them would support them, but jealously can get the best of you, especially if you want what you can't have. Anyways please read and review!