In The End

Chapter 8: Development

Kaiba watched her a little longer, watching as the rain drops in her hair glistened because of the fires flames. He immediately kicked himself mentally when she looked up at him and she caught him looking at her. He could see her cheeks go red as she started blushing; she looked down again, avoiding his eyes.

Serenity cleared her throat.

"It's going to take me forever to rewrite this essay, and I can hardly make out what is written... the ink has run..." Serenity was looking sadly down at her ruined essay that she was holding in her hands.

"Well" Kaiba said, wheeling over to his laptop "why don't you read it out and I will type it for you. It will go a lot faster that way."

Serenity looked up at him and he could see she was shocked.

"Um, I feel like I'm intruding... are you sure? I'm not even supposed to be here... "

"Why not." Kaiba shrugged. Serenity gave him a light thankful smile and he almost smiled back.

And so they began rewriting her essay, they worked consistently for an hour, only stopping every now and then so Serenity could decipher what was written in the smudged ink. When they finished Kaiba analyzed the situation.

Serenity was lying on her stomach next to the fire, the essay lying in front of her and the blanket lightly draped over her bottom half. He had taken off his trench coat and thrown it over a nearby couch and rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt.

She looked up at him smiling.

"Thank you Kaiba for helping me."

It felt so strange to be thanked by someone other than his brother, but then again he hadn't really helped anyone else in his lifetime.

"Do you want to join me for dinner?" He said it without thinking.

Serenity hesitated, making him feel uneasy. She then seemed to get over whatever was bothering her and replied.

"Yes please."

They made their way down to the huge dining room; two places had been set at the table. A place at the head of the table and another place on the top right hand side. Kaiba took the head and Serenity then took her seat. She was scared this was going to be uncomfortable but strangely it didn't turn out that way. They had their silences in between speaking but it wasn't the uncomfortable kind. What amazed her is she actually felt comfortable in the presence of Kaiba. He mainly asked her questions about herself. She talked about her dancing and school, they also talked about Mokuba. Not once did Kaiba really talk about himself.

They finished eating round about the same time and then just looked at each other.

"I want to know more about you, Kaiba." Serenity said leaning forward, not breaking his eye contact.

"There isn't really much to tell." He smirked. "Besides, just go read a newspaper or go to a website dedicated to me and you will find something about me."

"I'm not that kind of person... and I don't think the journalists or fans of your money really know the real you anyway." He smiled at her "fans of your money remark". It was true though. Who would really want to go out with or love a cripple?

Serenity suddenly noticed a change in Kaiba, he became darker and angry.

"Are you okay?" She whispered.

"I'm just fine." He rolled away from the table and towards the room exit. "I'm going to go print your essay." He added. She followed him and they rode the elevator up in silence. She wanted to start up a conversation, but when she looked at him, she drew back.

After the essay was printed he handed it to her.

"Make sure you don't drop your bag this time." He said flatly. She just smiled unsure of what to do or how to reply. His mood had changed so quickly.

"Thank you for everything Kaiba, I owe you." She laughed gently. She really meant it. He looked up at her and he seemed confused.

"I guess I will go now."

"I'll walk you down to the front door. Well, not walk..." He said bitterly, leaving the sentence hanging.

Once again it was silence and when they reached the front door, she quickly lent down and kissed him on the cheek.

"Bye Kaiba and thank you." She quickly rushed out; she didn't want him to see how red her cheeks were. What she had done was really daring, but considering she had held his hand and he had been on top of her, it was that big of a deal right? Then why was she blushing...

Kaiba was left at the front door completely blown away; he was surprised that she had had the guts to do what she had done. It was normal, giving someone a kiss on the cheek as a thank you, why did it feel so different though...

It was the next day when she received a phone call from Kaiba. She had just finished a dance session.

"Hey Kaiba." She said over the phone.

"Serenity can you come over now?"

"What for?"

"Just be here."

He then hung up; she looked at the phone in confusion before putting it away and getting a taxi to his mansion. The guards let her in without question and when she reached the front door, a maid told her to go wait in his study.

She went over to his desk lightly leaning against it as she waited. She was a little nervous because she didn't know what he wanted. It was just her luck when she knocked a few papers off his desk. She mentally slapped herself and bent to pick them up.

One of the papers caught her eye. It was from the hospital; before she could stop herself she began reading.

Kaiba, I am sad to hear that you have rejected the operation to try and get you to walk again. Remember what I said about never giving up hope, but it is entirely your choice. If you do decide to change your mind, please, contact me immediately.

It was from Kaiba's doctor. Why would he not want to get an operation if there was a chance he might walk again?

"What do you think you are doing?" A voice coldly rang out from the doorway. Serenity jumped.

"I'm sorry..." Kaiba cut her off.

"Give me that." She handed him the piece of paper without a word. He looked down at the paper and then back up at her.

"I didn't mean to..." He cut her off once again.

"Get out."

"Please Kaiba let me explain." She felt really guilty for having done what she did.

"GET OUT." His voice boomed around the room.

She could feel tears build up and she ran out, not turning back.

Kaiba was left in the room. The paper he was holding dropped to the floor. What had he done?