PICKING UP THE PIECES Chapter 2

The limo drove up a long driveway and stopped in front of a huge mansion.

I looked up at it in awe. "You live here?"

"Yep! C'mon, let's get inside!" He opened the door and grabbed my bag before running to the front door with me close behind.

I followed him inside, looking around at the massive entrance hall.

"I'll give you the 'grand tour' as soon as we change out of these wet clothes. C'mon upstairs and you can pick out which bedroom you want." He said, leading me up a spiral staircase. "That's my brother's room." He pointed to the first door on the left. "My room's down at the end of the hall on the right. You can choose from this one…." He opened a door right next to his brother's, then walked a little further opening another door. "Or this one."

"This one will be fine." I said, walking into the second room. I would be too uncomfortable in the other one since it was so close to his brother's room.

"Great! That door there is your bathroom. I'm gonna go change and I'll meet you back here, ok?"

He was so adorable, I couldn't help but smile. "Ok."

He started to leave, but turned back. "Um…how long do you think you'll need? You know, to change or whatever?"

I giggled. "Um…not long. Maybe 20 minutes?"

"Ok, I'll be back then!" he said and ran out of the room.

I took my bag into the bathroom and peeled off my wet clothes and hung them over the tub.

After drying off, I put on a clean pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a pair of sock. I only had one pair of shoes, and since they were drenched I didn't want to put them back on.

I brushed out my hair and put it into a ponytail, then returned to the bedroom and sat down on the bed.

Even though Mokuba was obviously very kind, I couldn't help but wonder what his brother was like. What would he say about having a total stranger in his house?

I was startled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door.

"Naia? Are you ready?"

FF30 MINUTES LATER

After showing me around every part of the mansion, Mokuba and I collapsed in the 'TV/Game room'.

"So, what do you think?" he asked.

"I can't believe only you and your brother live here. This place is so BIG."

He chuckled and looked over at me. "What would you like to do? Dinner's not for another hour or so."

"I don't know."

"Are you good at math?"

"Yeah, why?" Math is my favorite subject!

He blushed slightly. "Well…I….um…kinda have some schoolwork to finish, and I…well, let's just say math isn't my best subject." He explained with a nervous chuckle.

"I'd be happy to help you, Mokuba."

FFLATER THAT NIGHT

After a delicious meal, Mokuba and I picked out a movie to watch and settled down in the TV room to enjoy it.

"Mokuba! I'm home!"

I immediately tensed up at the sound of the voice.

"I'm in here, Seto!" Mokuba called back.

Within seconds, a tall guy with brown hair appeared in the doorway. He glanced my way. His icy-blue eyes caught my gaze. He was incredibly handsome.

"Who is SHE?" he asked, his tone cold.

"This is Naia. I invited her to spend the night here." Mokuba said, sitting down beside me.

"Oh you did, did you?"

"Yeah Seto. She needed a place to stay."

"What's the matter with HER house?" he asked.

I just sat there, watching the two of them discuss me as if I wasn't in the same room.

"She ran away from home, Seto. She was walking in the rain and I…."

The older brother cut him off. "She's a RUNAWAY? What were you thinking, Mokuba? She can't stay HERE!"

"Please Seto! At least for one night?"

"Fine!" He turned to me. "I will allow you to stay here tonight ONLY, because it is what my brother wishes. However, tomorrow, I will be returning you to your rightful home. Do you understand?"

I nodded, feeling hot tears well up in the corners of my eyes.

He turned back to Mokuba. "I take it you have already given her a room to use?"

Mokuba nodded. "Yes, Seto."

"Very well. I will talk to BOTH of you in the morning. Good night!" With that he left the room.

Mokuba looked up at me, sadness evident in his eyes. "Oh Naia, I'm sorry."

"It's ok, Mokuba. It…it's not your fault. I guess we should just go to bed."

[SETO'S POV]

I couldn't believe Mokuba had actually brought a runaway into our home! What was he thinking? Not only was he jeopardizing my reputation by bringing HER into MY house, but now I'd have to waste time tomorrow taking her home, wherever THAT may be.

I heard footsteps going past my bedroom door. That would be Mokuba and the girl, going to their rooms. I removed my trenchcoat and hung it in the closet, then put on my pajamas and climbed into bed.

After laying there in the darkness for a while, I closed my eyes and started to doze off. However, that didn't last long as a shrill scream cut into my slumber.

I jumped out of bed and ran out into the hall, trying to establish where the shouts were coming from. I threw open the door of one the very rarely used guest rooms only to find the girl fighting something in her sleep. She was kicking and swinging her arms.

"No! Daddy, please don't! It hurts, daddy! Noooo!" She sat straight up and screamed.

"Seto! What's wrong with her?" Mokuba asked with concern, coming up behind me.

"She's having a nightmare."

"Can't you help her?"

I sighed and approached the bed, where she was now shaking uncontrollably.

"Daddy….PLEASE DON'T…" she sobbed.

A shocking realization hit me. This girl….her father had abused her.

I sat down beside her and reached out to her. "It's ok."

She looked at me with terror. "Daddy, please…."

She was still asleep, locked in her nightmares. I turned to Mokuba. "What's her name?"

"Naia. Her name is Naia."

I turned back to her. "Naia, you have to wake up." I placed my hands on her shoulders gently. "Naia. Wake up!"

"NOOOO!" she screamed as she started to punch my chest.

I put my arms around her and held her tightly against me. She struggled with all her might as I continued to try and calm her down. "Naia! Naia, wake up!"

She stopped suddenly and looked up at me. "W-what happened…?" she asked, her voice shaking.

I released her. "You had a bad dream. Are you alright?"

She nodded, but I saw the tears in her eyes. She was truly a beautiful girl.

I stood up, feeling uncomfortable. "I think we all need to get some rest. Mokuba, go back to your room."

Mokuba nodded, throwing a glance at Naia before doing what he was told. I headed for the door.

"Mr. Kaiba?"

I stopped, looking back at her.

"T-thank you."

I nodded and returned to my room.

I couldn't take her back to an abusive home, if that WAS the case. I had to find out tomorrow.