Kaiba had been sitting by Serena's side for the past four days in the ICU unit of Pegasus' duelist hospital. There was no reason to move her as the best doctors had been hired by Industrial Illusions for any injuries or medical attention.
The doctors had discovered a stress ulcer and stated that Serena should recover in a few days. Regardless, Kaiba and Pegasus acted as a watch guard over her stats and heart rate.
He had been waiting quietly on the chair when he noticed a slight movement in her hand. "Serena?" he gasped as he rushed to her bed. Her eyes began to open when he felt a eery feeling of deja vu. Something had been tucked away in his memory from the past and he was unsure of whether is was an odd dream or an actual event...
Flashback
Seto Kaiba was extremely bored yet content. It was rare that he was given time from his studies, but Seto knew of Gozaburo's ulterior motive. Yes, while his adoptive father was harsh and cruel towards his young charge, he was never one to shy away from parading his accomplishments in front of others and high profile business parties were the perfect venues to do so.
Industrial Illusions was launching a new series of trap cards to their duel monsters games and all the prominent business men and women of Domino had been invited along with their children to enjoy the festivities. Dancers twisted into contortions while others created balloon animals for the young children as their parents talked of stock prices, mergers and vacation destinations.
Twelve year old Seto took in the scene with mild interest while his younger brother joined the others on the ferris wheel. After two years of Gozaburo's strict regime, Seto found he was no longer amused by childish frivolities. He wandered down the deserted halls of Pegasus' castle hoping to catch a peek of new duel monsters creations when he heard a small voice.
"Nanny! Please can't I just stay for five more minutes? People have just stopped arriving and I haven't even seen Daddy yet! It's been four years since I've seen him and I think he'll be really happy to see me! I even made it to the duel monsters finals this year! Can't I just stay long enough to tell him?"
" . I'm sure he's very proud of your accomplishments. I understand your request, but Mr. Pegasus is… he's just not ready to see you yet." A matronly voice answered in quiet tones.
Seto glanced around the corner to see a figure struggling to ascend the back staircase. Curious, he began to follow the pair. A small girl, around ten, dressed in a lacy pastel pink dress was being carried by her caretaker. He couldn't see her face, but noticed a trail of blonde curls cascading down her shoulders.
" Nanny! I'll be good. Please just let me see him? I don't even have to go on the ferris wheel!" she whined as her voice grew louder. Seto watched in confusion. It was only seven; why was this little girl being sent away from the festivities?
"Shhhh! , don't do this. You're a big girl and if you don't stop, you'll only make it harder for yourself" the woman answered pleadingly. Suddenly, footsteps were heard down the hall and Seto quickly hid behind the corner.
"Mr. Croquet, I can get her to sleep. Don't be rash, she's just a child. She'll tire eventually." The woman explained as she tried to muffle the girl's cries.
"Mr. Pegasus was very clear in his directions. His daughter could enjoy one hour of the festivities. But he is still in no condition to see or … even hear her. If he does, he will be delayed in completing his plan." A man said curtly before turning to the girl.
"Now, Serena. This won't hurt at all and you want to please your father don't you? You want to make him proud? " the man asked in a softer voice. The little girl nodded unsurely. He smiled sadly at her. "Okay then, the doctor is just going to give you something to help you become sleepy and it'll make your daddy very happy if you go to bed right now."
Seto watched in confusion as the doctor gently placed a mask over her face. The girl softly closed her eyes after a few seconds and drifted to sleep on the hallway floor.
The caretaker looked on in horror. "Is this really necessary? She's barely ten years old and hasn't seen her father in years! It's natural that she wanted to see him. How could he go to such drastic measures to make sure he doesn't see her?" she cried.
"It's only a sedative." the man answered as he carried the little girl to her bed and hooked the medication to the stand " He can't see her. Too many memories and too much guilt. It should wear off in 24 hours which will give him enough time to depart for Cairo without interference. It's better this way and little Serena can enjoy her holiday at home decorating with staff."
The two shared a sorrowful expression before departing the room. When the adults had left, Seto quickly made his way towards the room. At twelve, he wasn't trying to be brave or chivalrous. Simply said, it pained him to see another child in distress.
Quickly, he opened the girl's closed door. When he entered, Seto let out a quiet laugh as he took in his surroundings. The room was drenched in a pastel pink complete with a "princess theme" that was typical of most little girls. He moved towards the large canopy bed and fiddled with the mask until he could take it off properly.
'Finally, his extended studies class on medicine was paying off.' he thought as he switched off the anesthetic machine. After checking her pulse, he quickly turned to return to the party when a small hand graced his.
He looked to see a pair of large blue eyes staring at him. "Who are you?" she asked curiously. Seto was taken aback. He had planned to leave and allow her to wake on her own and the girl was a little strange. Most children would have been frightened by the unfamiliar intrusion even if he was another child.
"I'm Seto" he replied-gesturing to the machinery beside her "I just wanted help out. I didn't think it was fair those grownups put you to bed so early. The little girl stared at the mask in mild confusion before choosing to ignore it.
"I'm Serena" she smiled. Her grin was infectious as Seto couldn't help a small turn of his lips.
"So, do you want to go out to the party? It's still early." he asked as he made his way to the door.
Serena's face changed from hopeful to sad as she remembered something. "I-I can't. Daddy wouldn't be happy and neither would Nanny or Mr. Croquet. They said one hour only and I don't want to make daddy upset…" she stated.
Seto didn't understand this girl's attachment to her father especially after tonight. He pushed the thought aside. It wasn't his business to snoop around.
"Do you want me to stay with you?" Seto offered. After all, he had been bored with the childish festivities and the girl had a look of such sorrow that reminded him of Mokuba when they had lost everything.
"I don't want you to have to give up having a good time for me." she said sincerely "you should go and have fun. Don't worry about me. I can always go to the library or watch a movie…"
"No, I'll stay." he said as he sat down on a small cushioned chair. He was mildly intrigued by the little stranger and didn't want to have to mingle with the obliviously happy children.
"Really?" she smiled joyfully as she rushed to sit across from him. She didn't have many friends and was surprised by Seto's response. After the girls at her school had heard she was the daughter of a wealthy businessman, many became jealous of the presents and notes that came from her father's staff and refused to play with her.
"Yeah, what do you want to do?" he asked.
"Ever heard of duel monsters?" she questioned with a childish grin. Seto's eyes gleamed with excitement. The two children played for hours. Both were evenly matched until Serena drew her blue eyes white dragon and ended the game. However, Seto didn't mind. This had been the first time he had fun in years.
"You have a blue eyes white dragon!" he exclaimed after the duel "that's the best card ever made!" Serena nodded in agreement.
"If you want to see something really cool," she whispered "follow me!" Serena opened a small hidden child-sized door behind the settee. "Daddy built this for me when I was little" she explained "it connects to his study. I used to play there a lot because I liked to watch him paint."
They climbed through the hidden corridor before Serena pushed open a hidden entrance. Seto's eyes widened when looking around the expansive office. Despite the rich Georgian decor, he was mesmerized by what was hidden behind the glass shelves. "Are these new duel monsters cards?" he questioned staring at the cards as if they were glimmering gems.
She nodded excitedly. "They aren't even set to be released until next year!" she shared as the two wandered around the great room. It seemed that every card imaginable was in that one room. Immediately, Seto began to create new strategies and situations. 'One day he would get these cards for himself.' he thought.
"Well Croquet, I don't know how you and Ms. Henderson have managed to lose my daughter, but I will say I am not pleased." said a musical voice outside the double french doors "Lucky for you, I'm always three steps ahead." There was a pause as the other man was unsure of how to answer. " There's no need to send for a search party as she's still in the house. Let her have her fun, but I'll be in my study for the rest of the evening."
Serena froze at the sound of her father's voice. Kaiba looked towards the turning door handle before pulling the frozen girl through the hidden corridor. He swiftly closed the door and stood in front of her protectively and listened at the wall.
Pegasus knew exactly where his daughter was and was happy that she had found herself a companion to keep her company. It had been a while since he had seen his daughter, but it was better this way. He needed to focus on his plan in order to reunite their family. His millennium eye glittered as he brushed his hair off his shoulder.
He couldn't believe his team actually thought it was permittable to sedate his daughter. Nonetheless, he made sure Serena and anyone who saw her that night would forget the entire event. Yes, the power of his eye was great and he wondered of the great journey that still lied ahead for him and his quest for the other items. He smiled at the small door Cecelia had built for their daughter and took a calculated sip of his wine.
"I think we're safe." Seto sighed in relief. Serena let out a small smile and relaxed.
"Thanks" she said as she led the two back towards her room. Seto wondered if her father would have actually gotten mad at her if he had found out she had left her room. He seemed like a nice man at the party and after living with Gozaburo, Seto felt he could distinguish the difference.
Serena over the banister and noticed the party was beginning to quiet. She looked over to Seto as he also examined the scene. Their fun was over and Seto knew he and Mokuba would need to return to Gozaburo.
"Do you think we'll ever see each other again?" Serena whispered sadly. He was the only one who was willing to be her friend and a part of her was crushed that he had to leave. As much as Seto wanted to tell her the truth that good things never last for long, he couldn't destroy her hope.
"Of course we will. We have to since our father's are in the same social circles." he said matter of factly.
"Seto!" he heard Mokuba calling for him. Seto gave her a rare smile and turned to leave.
"Wait!" she said as she fished through her pocket. "I want you to have this."
Seto turned the card over. "Your blue eyes white dragon? Serena, I can't take this from you."
"Yes, you can. This way I know we'll meet again. We have a duel to play after all and maybe next time you'll beat me!" she smirked before running down the hall."Bye Seto Kaiba!"
"Not bye, just see you later" Seto whispered before heading down the grand staircase.
…
Seto blinked in confusion. What had he just seen? Was his mind playing tricks on him or had he actually uncovered a hidden memory. He looked over to Serena who was starting to wake. Could it be that he had met her before?
