"Whatcha doing?" Kyira turned slightly to see her brother coming out of his room.
"I'm trying to find my guitar pick." Matt chuckled. "What's so funny?" Matt grinned, "Nothing it just seems that we're always losing those." Kyira nodded smiling.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Well I think I can solve your problem though." Kyira's eyebrow rose as she looked at him skeptically.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, check your pocket." Kyira just looked at him thinking he was crazy but decided to check her jean pockets. Stopping, she felt like a complete idiot as she pulled out the pick from her front pocket.
"Don't say a word." She warned him. Matt only shrugged as he walked out of her room towards the kitchen area.
"So why in such a hurry to find the pick?" He asked as he opened the fridge searching for something to eat.
"I promised Mokuba I'd play for him sometime and teach him a few chords." Matt stopped and glanced back at her.
"Mokuba? Like at the Kaiba Mansion?" Kyira nodded not looking at him. Matt just stared at her for a few seconds. "Does that mean everything's cool between you two?" Kyira smiled sadly and simply said no. Matt nodded as he went back to the fridge. "That's going to be pretty awkward then. You ok with that?" Kyira nodded slowly. Matt twisted his mouth slightly knowing she was lying. Perhaps more to herself than to him. "Alright then, if you say so. Wish ya luck there." Kyira sighed going back to her room to get her guitar and then making her way to the door. "See you later then." Matt raised his arm over the fridge door and waved bye to her as she walked out. I just hope I'm as ok with this as I'm saying I am.
Mokuba grinned as he looked at the time. Kyira would be arriving soon. He looked out his bedroom window. It was a nice day. The sky was clear and there was a slight breeze blowing through the trees. It seemed as if summer would last forever. Hopping out of the chair he was sitting in, he headed for the kitchen. He wanted to make sure there were enough snacks prepared.
Kyira stood outside the gate. She felt her chest tighten as her heart raced. She was starting to feel slightly sick. "Perhaps this was a bad idea," she muttered to herself. Taking a deep breath, she tightened the grip on her guitar case. "There's no turning back now. A promise is a promise." Slowly she made her way toward the Kaiba Mansion. She knocked not wanting to ring the doorbell in case Kaiba was home. She would try her hardest to avoid him if she could. She waited a bit and then remembered Mokuba saying he'd leave the front door open so she could just come in. Trying the handle, she pushed the door open and peered inside. No one was there. Walking in, she took her shoes off and called out quietly for Mokuba. She sighed, feeling like an idiot when no one answered. "Obviously, this place is huge. How is anyone going to hear me if I whisper like this." Biting her lip she spotted the sitting room, Mokuba always took her to. Figuring best to just wait there, she walked over leaving the door slightly ajar. Sitting, Kyira sighed, so far so good. Glancing out the window, she spotted the familiar garden. Turning away, she tried to keep her gaze away from the window.
Kaiba walked down the steps. A sour expression plastered on his handsome face. Heading towards his study. Mokuba walked out of the kitchen grinning. Looking up Mokuba spotted his brother. "Hey there big brother." He said happily. Kaiba just nodded. "Kyira's going to be coming over soon." Mokuba continued, completely unaware of his brother's flinch to the name. "She promised she'd show me how to play the guitar. You should join us too, Seto." Mokuba's grinned widened. "Besides, I think she likes you."
Kaiba's face hardened, "Why did you invite her here, Mokuba?" Kaiba asked harshly. "I'm not here to entertain Yu-gi's little friends and this isn't some entertainment center for them to come freely whenever they want."
Mokuba frowned, "She didn't come freely. I asked Kyira to come. Why are you always like that, Seto? Kyira's really nice and you're always so cold to her."
Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "I've more important things on my mind than dealing with Yu-gi's cheerleading squad." Mokuba frowned, growing angry with his older brother.
Kyira's head shot up when she heard a familiar voice. It was so icy; it sent chills down her spine. Getting up she headed for the door and peeked through the small opening. Mokuba and Kaiba were arguing and it seemed to be pretty heavy. "That's not fair big brother. It's my house also. I like Kyira and I want her to come. Why is that such a problem?"
Kaiba seemed to be losing his patience. "I don't know what you see in her, Mokuba. Ishida isn't as nice as you think. She's bold and selfish. All she cares about is herself and it doesn't matter to her what her actions do to others. Why she has an attachment to you I don't know and frankly I'd rather she stay clear of here. She is nothing but an annoyance and one I can be without."
Kaiba's tone was so sharp and full of hate; Kyira felt her heart split in two. Her eyes wide, welling up with tears, she stood there paralyzed. is…is that what he thinks of me? Kyira managed to get herself to move, and opened the door. Stepping out slowly, her eyes never leaving Kaiba's form. Mokuba looked up at the sound of the faint footsteps. "Kyira." He said shocked that she was there. Kaiba's head shot up when he heard her name. There she stood staring at him. He could clearly she the hurt in her eyes. He instantly regretted what he had said.
"All along, that's how you truly felt." She whispered to Kaiba. "All those things you said had said to me. Were they lies?" She asked, but Kaiba said nothing. "Were they?" She squeaked. Again, Kaiba said nothing. He just turned his head unable to look at her. She should be feeling guilty he thought. She was the one who betrayed him. She was the one who had made a fool of him. Mokuba looked from his brother to Kyira in utter confusion. Kyira slowly sucked back her breath feeling her insides screaming in pain. She could no longer hold them back, so one by one tears fell down her cheeks. "I see." She whispered as she headed for the door. Quietly she put her shoes on and headed out. She wanted to run, but her legs felt like lead. Unable to make them go any faster, so Kyira just walked, feeling as if each step ripped another part of her heart out.
Kaiba looked up when he heard the door shut. No matter how angry he was, the guilt still clung to him. Mokuba glared at his brother angrily. "I used to look up to you big brother. But not anymore. I don't ever want to be like you. All you do is push people away." Unable to say anything Kaiba watched his brother run up the stairs and slam his bedroom door. For once Kaiba felt ashamed of how he was. Too proud to admit he was wrong and too distant to let anyone in. Yet she had stood by him. Ever since he first met her back, when Yu-gi had first beat him in a duel. She was always kind to him. No matter what he did or said, she always smiled at him.
Glancing one last time at the shut door, Kaiba turned to his study when he spotted the sitting room's slightly opened door. Pausing, he soon found himself heading towards it. Pushing the door, he looked inside not really sure what he expected to find. Looking around his eyes caught sight of the solitary guitar. It stood propped up against one of the seats. It seemed abandoned in a way. Just waiting for the return of its owner. Kaiba stared at it for a few seconds before shutting the door. Perhaps there was still a chance. Almost as if fate had set it all up. Kaiba paused at the thought. "No, I make my own fate." With that, he headed back into his study.
Takeshi scowled as he walked past Matt. Matt only sighed, as Kyira shot Takeshi one of her famous death glares. "Seriously you two. Can't there be at least one, just one that's all I ask for. One band practice without you two fighting?" Matt got his answer alright, but it wasn't one he wanted. Both Takeshi and Kyira turned to him and shouted no before storming off in different directions. Matt sighed as Hiro and Satoshi came on other side of him, patting him on the back.
"Well look on the bright side, Matt. At least things are back to normal." Hiro said cheerfully.
Satoshi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's like our band's very own tradition."
Matt only sighed again. "I guess, though I wouldn't mind if only it didn't delay practice so much. Those two are just too hotheaded. They'll be the end of us, I know it." Hiro and Satoshi laughed as they went to pick up their instruments. It was obvious to them that practice was done for the day.
Kyira clenched her fists as she paced outside. "Stupid Takeshi. Stupid, stupid! Ahhh, I swear sometimes I'd just like to…" Kyira took a deep breath.
"Like to what?" Kyira turned around only to see Duke looking at her quite amused.
"Oh, Duke. What brings you here?" Kyira asked surprised.
Duke chuckled, "I figured since I was in the area I'd come and hear you guys play."
Kyira nodded, "Oh that's cool, but practice is uh…"
"Over?" Kyira nodded. Duke shrugged, "Oh well, maybe next time."
"Yeah."
"So how come your so angry?"
Kyira blushed slightly. "Oh, that…hehe. Just uh…internal problems."
"Let me guess. Takeshi and you had another of your famous showdowns."
Kyira laughed, "Yeah, you can say that."
"Over what this time?"
Kyira stopped laughing. "Oh…uh well, about my guitar."
Duke looked at her in disbelief. "Your guitar?" Kyira nodded. "What's so wrong about your guitar?"
"Uh, well I don't have it with me…currently."
"Oh? How come? Did you break it or something?" Kyira shook her head, her gaze glued to the sidewalk. "So what's wrong with it?"
Kyira didn't answer right away. She bit her lip a bit, as she dragged her foot across the ground. "It's uh…it's at Kaiba's."
Duke sensed that Kyira didn't want to go further into it so he decided to just drop it. "Oh." was all he said.
Kyira nodded once again. "Yeah, I've been using one of Matt's extras for the meantime. Till I get mine back that is."
Duke nodded, as his fingers began to play with the dice he held. "Well at least you have something to practice with. Takeshi shouldn't complain."
Kyira's head shot up, her eyes narrowed in anger "I know that jerk! He just picks on any little thing to fight with me for."
Duke laughed, "Yeah well, I'm guessing he'd better stand clear of you before you do him in."
Kyira laughed at that. "Yeah,"
Duke shrugged, "Well since you guys aren't practicing anymore I should go."
Kyira nodded, "Alright then, see ya." Duke waved then headed off, still rolling the dice between his fingers. Kyira smiled then sighed when she heard her brother calling her. Turning she sat Matt closing up the van. Blowing a fallen strand of hair from her eyes, she headed over.
Joey stared at his hand deep in thought. He had nothing he could use. This is not good. He thought to himself "Joey, stop thinking so much. You're freaking me out!" Joey glared at Tristan, opened his mouth to say something but then shut it, and went back to staring at his hand. Tristan's lip dropped, astonished at the fact that, Joey Wheeler, had said nothing despite that fact that he had the shortest temper known to man.
Tea sighed in annoyance. "Joey will you just make a move. Do something. You've been sitting there for 10 minutes. This is a duel not a study session!" Joey scowled at her but still said nothing. Tea glanced over at Yu-gi and he only shrugged. This now was starting to freak Tea out.
"Hey Joey, you alright there?" Yu-gi asked his friend. Joey just muttered something.
Tristan jumped up, "Joey come on you seriously freaking us out here. It's not normal for you to be so quiet. Just say something, please!" Joey put his hand down slowly. All three of them just watched him as he stood up and then faced Tristan not looking up at him.
"You want me to say something?" Joey said, his voice steady, but slightly creepy. Tristan's eye twitched slightly. "Alright then, I'll say something." He looked up at Tristan. "Lay off my sister!" Tristan jumped back in surprise.
"What! What are you talking about man? I didn't do anything?"
Joey inched closer to Tristan. "Is that so? I heard from Kyira you went out with my sister. I told you already. Lay off buddy. But noooooo. You went anyways!"
Tristan scowled, "What, she wasn't supposed to tell you that. She promised."
"What! So you admit it you jerk!" Joey yelled.
Tristan slapped himself on his forehead for saying that aloud. "Lay off Joey, it was a harmless date. Serenity can take care of herself you know. Besides that was ages ago. We've gone out way more…" Tristan stopped in mid-sentence realizing what he had started to say." Joey's face was petrified with the most horrified look ever. Tristan started to sweat a little. That's it I'm dead. He thought as Joey started to twitch slightly.
"What!!!"
Tea sighed as she sat in Joey's spot and picked up his hand. Yu-gi sighed as Tristan and Joey kept yelling insults back and forth to one another. Tea made a face as she looked at Joey's hand. "No wonder Joey didn't make a move. He doesn't have a single card he can play here."
Yu-gi looked up at Tea. "What?"
"He's got nothing here. I swear this is the worst hand possible. He might as well have just forfeited." Tea continued.
Joey heard this and his head snapped in Tea's direction as he still clung onto Tristan's shirt. "What! I could have made a move, I just needed to think about it."
"Yeah whatever man. Just admit it. You're a mediocre duelist. You gotta know when to throw in the towel."
Joey glared at Tristan. "Don't even start with me Tristan. Some friend you are! And stay away from my sister!"
Tea and Yu-gi sighed. "There they go again." Tea said as Yu-gi nodded.
"Did I miss something?"
Both of them looked up to see Kyira glancing over at Joey and Tristan hitting each other over the head and insulting each other with the most ridiculous names.
Tea shook her head. "Oh nothing but the usual."
"I see." Kyira was about to head on over when she heard her name."
"Geez it's not like we we're hiding it. Kyira knew all along ya idiot!" Tristan yelled. Kyira froze as she slowly turned around heading for the door. Tristan glanced over and spotted Kyira sneaking away. "Kyira." He said trying to release himself from Joey's grip. Joey in turn looked up to see Kyira grinning at him sheepishly.
"Oh hi there, Joey. Nice day huh? Hehehe…hehe..oh boy."
Joey's eyes narrowed at her. Tea instantly jumped up and grabbed Kyira's arm. "Oh what do you know. It's 3 o'clock. I promised Kyira I'd go shopping with her. Oh well by boys." She finished pushing Kyira out the door. Running out of Yu-gi's room and out of the shop, they heard Joey still ranting upstairs.
"Thanks Tea. I oh you one."
"No problem. I'm sure he'll calm down eventually. This is Joey after all. He's yelling one minute and then busy eating the next. At this both girls starting laughing.
"Good point." Kyira said still laughing.
Tea grinned and then frowned slightly. She had been meaning to ask Kyira for a while now, but wasn't sure how to do go about it. She figured now was as good anything as any. "Hey Kyira, can I ask you something."
Kyira still giggling slightly wiped a fear tears from her eyes. "Huh? Oh yeah what's up?"
Tea cleared her throat a bit taking a deep breath. "Uh…well you see. How should I ask you this?" Kyira looked up at Tea slightly confused. "Well you see I've been wondering for a while. Since the last time when you came to my house and well…uh…" Kyira tilted her head slightly waiting for Tea to go on. "Are you seeing Kaiba?" Tea finally blurted out. Kyira's eyes widened as her mouth dropped out. "Kyira?" Tea looked at her trying her best to read her expression, but all she could get was shock. But from what? The question or that Kyira was and she knew. "Kyira?" Tea asked again. "Are you?"
Kyira looked away "What…what brought this on?" she asked trying to calm her voice.
Tea sighed, "That day, after you fell asleep you said some stuff. You mentioned his name and that you were sorry."
Kyira grimaced Darn it! Why do I have to talk in my sleep? Why? Why! Kyira sighed, "No, I'm not."
Tea nodded looking away, "Oh ok then ne…"
"At least…not anymore."
Tea stopped, turning back to Kyira. "What?"
Kyira sighed again, "There's no point in not telling you. Come on, let's find someplace to sit and I'll explain." Kyira didn't even bother to wait for Tea. She instantly headed forwards to look for a quiet place where they could talk. Tea still in shock from what she head watched Kyira walk away before she began to follow behind her, jogging a bit to catch up.
"Here are the reports you wanted. I had Rolan do a background check on some of the companies that lacked information. Hopefully you'll find something of use."
Kaiba picked up the reports, quickly scanning them before placing them down again. "Thank you, Mokuba." Was all he said before turning around in his seat. It had been 5 days since the fight and they still were on bad terms. The most they had spoken to each other was at Kaiba Corp., though their conversations were usually kept short.
Mokuba nodded, then turned as he headed for the door. Just as he was about to walk out he glanced back at his brother. "Seto, you know I didn't mean what I said." Mokuba stated, almost in an apologetic and pleading tone. He hated the fact that they were fighting like this. Even if it didn't look like it to other people, they were very close. After all, they only had each other.
"I know, Mokuba." Kaiba replied while still staring out his office window. His mind occupied on his thoughts, which seemed to be split in two. Part of it on the company and part reliving that afternoon over and over and over again. A bad episode that wouldn't end. "I know."
Mokuba nodded feeling relieved, now that they were ok again. About to exit once again, he stopped. Another thing was bothering him. "Big brother, do you like her?" Kaiba's fingers stiffened as they ceased there slight tapping. "Do you?" Mokuba asked again, hoping his brother would answer him. He knew his brother would never admit to something like that, but he figured he'd give it a try. "You should talk to her. She seemed really hurt. You should clear things up, or at least try to. I know she'll understand, she always does." Looking at the back of his brother's chair, Mokuba sighed and stepped out of the office. In the end, it would be up to Kaiba.
Kaiba listened as the door shut, his gaze fixed on the window. Kaiba looked at desk drawer from the corner of his eye. Remembering his desk drawer at home, he turned around in his chair. Leaning forward on, he thought to himself. He'd be having an easier time with this if it dealt with a duel or his work, but love. That was a different story. Kaiba paused, love? Is that what he just thought? Was that it? Was he in love with her? Kaiba's eyes widened a bit, as he pondered this. He liked her, he'd admit to that. But love? That was a whole 'nother story there was no way his feelings for her could have progressed to that. They barely spent any time together. They never even went out on a date. How could he possibly be in love with her? Bringing his hands together in front of his face, Kaiba narrowed his eyes. "There's no way I'm in love with her."