Chapter 25

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Finally back in Japan, it felt like a weight was lifted over the entire group. They were back a day early, and had the whole day off. As they exited the plane, Kaiba ran a hand through his hair and sighed. This had been an exceptionally taxing trip on him. He wondered if the trip to France had any side trips for him. He turned quickly, catching Serenity off guard, and gave her a swift kiss.

"I'm leaving before your brother gets here. I'm not quite prepared to put up with him right now." He said. He looked as if he was just waiting for Serenity to nod before taking off completely, and racing away. He really wanted to leave. Serenity gave him the nod, and he turned to leave. Not exactly running, but still obviously fleeing.

Serenity giggled at him and turned to Tea and Yugi, but immediately blushed and looked away. 'When had they gotten so close?' She thought, giving her two kissing friends some space. Tea looked up and noticed Serenity wandering off a bit, blush on her cheeks and smile on her lips.

"Geez, sorry, I thought you two would have had a longer goodbye." She said, trying to put some attention back on Serenity, and off of her. Yugi also wore a giant blush. Now that Yami was separate from him, he was able to see exactly what Tea felt for him. He had always assumed she liked Yami. She always became bashful, and blushed in his presence. So when Tea told him that it was because she felt a little uncomfortable with him popping out in their private conversations, it made him feel... special.

"No, no, it's great. I'm just going to give you... a little time." She said, still blushing and trying to escape.

"Hey... Serenity." Yugi called, before she could escape. "I think... I think Joey deserves to know." Yugi said, Tea nodding behind him.

'Great... Now they're ganging up on me.' Serenity thought worriedly. She did agree, that Joey needed to know. She just wasn't sure she wanted to be the one to tell him. She knew she had to be, but the peace that not telling him brought her seemed too good to pass up. Finally, she had mad a decision. " I'm going to tell him tonight. But I'm going to wait until we're home. Don't want to get in a car accident on the way back." She was joking, but a pang in the back of her mind told her it did have a sliver of truth.

Yugi felt himself agreeing and Tea wore an indiscernible smile. Serenity would have to break the news sometime. She just hoped he wouldn't panic the way he usually does.

"Are you fuckin kiddin me?" Joey hollered. Mai had just left, and now Serenity was alone with him. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, it was just that she was uncomfortable with conflict. She hung her head low and waited for joey to stop yelling. " That son of a bitch! Of all the fuckin people in the whole world Ren, him!" Serenity winced as he raised his voice higher. "What are ya trying ta do to me? What did I do to you? Cause this has to be a punishment. You cant be doing this cause you actually like that asshole, right?" Serenity's chance to speak finally came.

"I do Joey. I really like him... I may even lo-"

"You best not be using the 'L' word, cause I swear I'll disown you now! What did I do Ren? Haven't I been good? Haven't I been doing well? I don't give you a horrible curfew, I don't meddle too much in what you want to do. I'm not pushing you to careers and jobs you don't want, and I thought I was being pretty good takin care of myself so you can focus on what you like to do... Ren, what is it I'm doing that's making you want to do this to me?" Joey pleaded.

"Joey, stop it! It's nothing you're doing. Seto makes me-"

"Seto? SETO! It's Kaiba! It will always be Kaiba. That spoiled bastard. You know what he did! He kidnapped Yugi's grandpa, destroyed something that meant the world to 'im right in front of him. The son of a bitch threatened to commit suicide if Yugi won a freakin duel! He's only ever fought and degraded me! He's a spoiled asshole who doesn't care about anyone other than himself, and if you think that's different with you, you're wrong." Serenity felt heat rush to her face. Tears piled at the edge of her eyes, threatening to spill out. She was so angry with him.

"Joey! It is true, I know it. I know he loves me!"

"Ren, of course he's gonna say that." Joey shook his head, and didn't notice when Serenity froze.

"He... He hasn't exactly said it..." Joey gave a frustrated noise.

"Ren, he's playing you. He doesn't care about you, I do. I don't want you seeing him. I don't want him hurting you. I knew it was a bad idea to let you hang out with him. Look how he's brainwashed you. Ren. I love you more than anything. I don't want you hurt. Think about it." She did. He had always been there. He had always come through. But she knew Kaiba cared. She knew he loved her.

"Joey... I know you care. And that's what I was hoping you'd say. I do love him Joey. I was hoping that would make you change your mind." She said sadly. She was hoping he would take her feelings into consideration, but the admission just re-lit his fire, and he was fuels by anger again.

"Ren, No! It's not ok. You cant see him. And if you sneak around with that monster, I'm done." Serenity didn't know what 'I'm done' meant, but she didn't want to find out. She tried again to convince him to change his mind but he cut her off. "No Ren, I'm not budging. As a matter of fact. You're goin out with Tristan."

"What?" Serenity was deeply confused. She didn't know where this was coming from. Last she thought, Joey didn't want anyone to date her, even Tristan. It was proof how much he detested the idea of his little sister going out with Kaiba.

"If I even hear about you talking to him, well... you might as well be just another room mate to me." Joey got up and stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him and preventing Serenity from being able to answer. Not long later she heard some loud music playing from Joey's room. She didn't know what to do. She felt lost.

Serenity refused to leave her room. Joey made himself food and cleaned p the place, not wanting to talk anyways. Their weekend had started with a fight, and he had won. He wasn't about to open up another fight with his little sister. She just needed to think and figure out that this was best for her.

Saturday came and went with no visits or phone calls. She sat on her bed, staring at her phone. Waiting for someone- for him to call, but nothing came. Many times she picked the thing up to check if it was still on, but it was and she placed it back. She tried to remain hopeful and continued to wait patiently.

When half of Sunday passed she was beginning to waver. Maybe Joey was right. Maybe he didn't actually care. Suddenly her brother was at her door. He didn't seem like he wanted to fight, but he didn't seem happy either. He made his way over to her bed but a vibrating sound made him pause.

Of all the times for a call to come in... Joey looked down at the phone and read the small exterior screen. He immediately glared at her and folded his arms in front of himself.

"It's lova boy." He informed her. He waited to see what she would do, looming over her angrily. Serenity sighed and looked away. She had ignored the call. Joey gave her a slight smile and walked away. She felt awful. Once Joey was out of the room, the phone began buzzing again. She reached her hand over the phone then paused. She couldn't make up her mind, couldn't choose. Boyfriend or brother? She squeezed her eyes shut, and pulled her hand back. She couldn't face him now.

Kaiba stalked down the halls of the high school. He was well refreshed and better adapted now that he had time to rest, take everything in and sort everything out, but he was frustrated. He had waited on Saturday, sure that Serenity would call or visit, but she didn't come. And then when he called on Sunday she didn't answer. She never got back to the messages he'd sent her. It was pissing him off.

He got to class early, and grumbled quietly seeing that she wasn't there yet. He got even more angry as she finally entered the room just as the bell starting class rang. He would have to wait until the break before he could even talk to her.

"What is wrong with you?" He asked not so softly. "You haven't said a word all weekend and you wont even look at me. One would think you've been avoiding me." His voice forced her to finally look at him. She seemed distant and sad, and he began to regret the tone he used. Her eyes wandered around as she searched for words. "Serenity, just tell me whats wrong." He said tired of waiting.

"I told Joey." She sad, unable to keep his gaze. He sighed.

"I take it he didn't exactly respect your right to chose your own boyfriend?" She shook her head.

"He said I'm not allowed to see you." she said sadly. So that was it. The mutt was putting his foot down eh? "I'm not even allowed to talk to you." She said in a mere whisper. His knuckled cracked as he squeezed his fists shut. "Please don't hurt him." She said, looking at his closed hands.

"What? I... I'm not going to hurt him. I guess it's just up to you." Kaiba said. He was taking a risk. He wanted her to chose him. He actually would have preferred not to give a choice at all, but it was too late now.

"I want to choose you..." She started. Kaiba attempted to look her in the eye, but she avoided.

"Then choose me." He said plainly. His heart was beating fast. He wasn't used to being kept at the edge of his seat.

"I... If I do, I lose Joey. My big brother..." She said sadly. This was bull shit. Kaiba could feel his anger rising. How could someone do this to their little sister. "I'm sorry Seto." His heart sank. She was going to reject him. Part of him knew the choice was valid, but that didn't stop how he felt. Angry. Disappointed. Sad. And worst of all... worthless. He attempted to nod, trying to show that he accepted her decision, but ended up only lowering his head. He couldn't change her mind. He wouldn't do that to her. It was better... for her... if he just dropped it. He had always known before that he would be alone for his entire life. That romance and relationships just weren't for him. So why did it hurt so much?

Unable to stand being so close to her any more, he left. He skipped the rest of the class but decided to finish out the day.

Once lunchtime rolled around he felt like he was in control enough to share the same space as her again. He made his way into the cafeteria and spotted her instantly. His blood went cold and he stopped abruptly. Serenity sat with her friends, across from Joey and between Tea and Tristan. And Tristan had his arm around her.

"I cant wait til the winter dance Serenity. Joey told me you said you wanted to go with me." Kaiba's stomach flipped. He shook his head. Why should he feel like this? She wasn't his anymore. Though, some primal part of him screamed out 'Mine!'.

Joey kept a watchful eye on Serenity in their Guitar and Piano class. He wanted to make sure Kaiba didn't try anything funny in his presence now that he knew what they 'were'. Serenity sat up at the full piano, as she usually did and joey sat more towards the front of the classroom, twisting in his chair to see. Kaiba entered the room, earning a glare from Joey. He was just glad the mutt didn't get up and bother him. Serenity was already moved aside for him but he didn't sit.

"I'd rather share with Victoria today." He said coldly. Serenity looked sadly up at him, but moved as he requested. Victoria pushed happily past her and sat herself a little too close to Kaiba, but he decided not to react. Serenity felt a pang of hurt, but reasoned that she had deserved it. She saw as Joey smiled brightly and made her way to the keyboard. She felt so empty inside, but this was the right choice, right?

A shrill squeak pierced her thoughts as everyone's attention was pulled up to Kaiba and his piano mate.

"Of course I'll go with you!" Victoria screamed, much much louder than anyone really needed her to. Joey scooted over to Serenity, who sat frozen behind the electronic instrument.

"I told ya Ren, he's just a playa." Serenity didn't need to take this. She had made a difficult decision and was being punished by both sides for it. She stood and left, in similar method to how Kaiba did that morning, but she decided she didn't want to spend the rest of the day at the school. Now Joey was mad. He knew that bastard would hurt his little sister, he just didn't think he'd be stupid enough to do it in front of him.

"Kaiba!" he called, standing and turning to face him. The cold blue eyes stared across the room, landing on the person he wanted to throttle most. Well, second. For some reason Tristan was at the top of his list today.

"What?" He said venomously.

"Why the hell did ya have to do that in front of her?" Joey shouted, now looking for a fight.

"What do you care?" Kaiba glared at him. Maybe it was a mistake to do that in front of the mutt... and Serenity did look... hurt. That bothered him. But the mutts dilemma? He could care less.

"I don't want my baby sister hurt, ya jackass." Kaiba chuckled a bit. And grabbed him by the collar, dragging him out of the class room then pushing him against a wall.

"If you didn't want her hurt, why did you make her dump me?" He asked in a dangerously low whisper. "If I do recall, the last few time's she's really needed someone, I was there... where were you?" Joeys eyes narrowed. But he had had a point.

"You're gonna tell me that you're gonna be there for her. You're gonna take care of her? Neva hurt her?" Kaiba only nodded. "Then what the hell was that?" Joey pointed to the class room, but Kaiba knew what he meant. "And I don't think roughin me up is gaining you any brownie points." Joey said, struggling against his grip. He couldn't escape his clutches, but he didn't have to as Kaiba suddenly released and jerked back. As stupid as he was, Wheeler had a point. He was someone she cared about, and hurting her brother, though temporarily satisfying, would inevitably cause her pain. Kaiba growled.

"Just keep ya mits off my sister from now on. She doesn't need anymore pain in her life." Joey turned and headed back into the classroom. It was settled. He would leave her alone.

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Trouble in paradise huh? Always when the great Joey Wheelah has something to do with it. Oh if he wasn't so lovable Kaiba would have run him over long ago.

Tell me what you think.

R+R+E~3