This story is property of Melzart, and Yu-Gi-oh! is copyrighted to Kazuki Takahashi.
Told you I'd have more time - this chapter was really long but I managed to pull it off in day! Maybe I'll find a life sometime... yeah.
Chapter 14
The Happy Campers
Mokuba had taken over; this, also, Kaiba never would have normally allowed. But his little brother, who would soon be as tall as he was, didn't cause him any grief. He knew that if he got the chance he would look after Naomi with as much zeal as he could himself muster. Seeing as these weren't quite normal times, he certainly couldn't go head to head with her as Kaiba ordinarily would have persisted. Naomi wasn't the type of girl to let herself get caged in and obey her captor's every word.
But what he took from the joyous duo was an animated satisfaction which surpassed his expectations.
First, the two became a trio including himself. The new situation would not be without bringing healthy new perspectives on the future of the Kaibas. On the contrary, to his greatest joy, many doors were now opening for them.
Thus the grin that had stuck to his lips upon leaving the kitchen was not due to the more or less comical scene but to the teamwork between the two beings he loved most in the world alone.
Like him, since the first day, Mokuba felt strangely connected to Naomi, animated by a adoration of her limitless sincerity. Kaiba understood it well; Mokuba held her in high esteem and had great respect for her, which he personally believed more difficult to win from himself. However, even Seto Kaiba had immediately taken to her, practically uncontrollably. It was terribly painful to admit. And deep inside, though he fought to deny it, he would not entirely allow it, preferring first to admit that everything was working more well than his wildest dreams could have imagined.
From the beginning, she had fought him unreservedly and without fear. She was so intrepid, so voluntary, she let nobody impose themselves upon her. It was true, that fact had immeasurably seduced him.
So now Mokuba was responding exactly as Kaiba would have; he accepted that right away. Not like some future, forced sister-in-law. No. Like a friend, a guardian. Even an accomplice, maybe.
Yes, Kaiba was dreaming: she was becoming the cornerstone of their powerful triangle, the three protecting the others with an almost unconquerable ferocity, looking after their union and covering each other's backs.
Yes, he already saw the three of them taking over a world which could not resist them.
There was nothing left than for Naomi to conquer her personal demons.
And he was going to help her at all costs.
"Say, Mokuba…"
The food continued to cook over a soft fire in their respective pans. So Naomi believed it was time to move on to more serious matters.
"Can I ask you a question?"
She had purposefully lowered her voice, preparing the terrain in case it ended up glittering more than the young boy's personal life.
"Er, yeah, of course," he said with spontaneity, too busy taking in the odors of all of the food.
"Okay, I'm going to say it," she said again. "But you don't have to answer."
Oh. This sounds bad, he thought to himself quickly. Totally inexperienced with women, he didn't know quite what to expect.
"Er… oh…kay," he hesitated, letting his syllables drag out. But not because he was looking to avoid her.
She easily took notice of his malaise, which gave her a certainty gaiety. She felt it without really wanting it, looking first to help him.
"Don't you have a girlfriend?" she asked, disarmingly calm.
A pretty rose tint immediately flew over Mokuba's face, who instantly began to sputter, breathing completely unintelligible syllables.
"Bwah… waho… na… er…. grr..."
As much charmed as profoundly amused by his candor, she took the pleasure to gently mock him.
"You don't know how to say it. I see… So, I'll try to…"
Mokuba reddened even further, placing a hopeless hand on the nape of his neck.
"Mah… na… but… byah…" he wished to defend himself, but no coherent word came to the service of his whirlwind of thoughts.
"… is she a frog? No?" she said loudly, on the verge of laughter. "No. A goose? A magpie? Hm. This isn't easy. Okay. Let me help you. Give me a consonant… then a vowel… then another consonant… then-"
"Agh!" he interrupted lively as he realized just how well she was turning him around in circles. "No! Okay!"
"Well! That's better. What's her name?"
Naomi continued despite his complete lack of ease.
He seemed as thunderstruck as he was secretly disappointed.
"No!" he shouted again.
But he soon realized that it was impossible to escape from her even though the urge to save himself and run away was turning out to be quite loquacious.
Before the combination of her silence and the need to respond, he managed to finally calm himself down and reassemble the thoughts flying about in his head.
"I… I don't have one. What would make you think that?"
He blushed far before the truth was spoken.
"Really? But that can't be true, Mokuba. There's not even one girl that you like?"
The tender and evasive smile on the young boy's lips as he remembered the pretty face of a blonde somebody could not evade Naomi's detection.
He had never talked about it with Seto. He had never spoken about it with anyone.
It was thus that an almost insane idea interrupted his train of thought. Maybe he could, with her.
After all, she was a female person; surely she could be a judicious counsel. She appeared to be quite delicate in the field.
He thus chose to give up.
"Er… there's someone I really like, I guess," he confided quietly.
"Oh, I'm glad. Really."
Naomi's eyes seemed suddenly ready to radiate with joy.
"And?"
"Er… I dunno. I like her I lot, I guess, but… I don't know about her… really."
"Mokuba!" she cut in immediately. "Do you know her or not?"
"Er… no."
His expression had changed to that of shame. He simply didn't know. But he was thinking about it.
Why not?
"Well… she's in most of my classes…" he began under Naomi's attentive ear, not daring to look at her in case things could destabilize if she grew too curious on him.
Although he started off reticent, although he now showed interest in this young blonde girl he met at random with one of the guards a little bit before he met Naomi and found himself in that hangar.
He confided in her with alacrity the moments that he had spent with Samantha when, sometimes, profiting from a brief lack of vigilance on the part of one of his bodyguards, he had risked walking with her or bringing her back to her house. It was one of his first truly sentimental experiences.
"Hmm… she seems nice," Naomi muttered about Mokuba's description.
"Oh yes! She is!" he replied in a heartbeat.
"Ah. And so you had to have made her a little Christmas gift, right?"
Mokuba's shoulders slacked discouragingly. Visibly, he hadn't quite put that plan into motion.
"I… wanted to. I really did. But I didn't know what… besides, I don't even know if she likes me back or not."
"But what's stopping you from asking? How will you ever know otherwise?"
She could confirm in him that everything was transitory in his eyes. Often, one is happy or sad just as it happens. Even though it was also true that, sometimes, things are more difficult than they appear. Especially if she were to refer to her relationship with Seto.
But Mokuba still did not respond, lost in his memories.
"Well… what's more, you don't need to be head over heels in love to make her a present and show that you really like her, you know? Whether she shares your feelings or not, she'll really enjoy it, I'm sure of it."
"Well…yeah…you're right," he admitted, a tad annoyed. "But I think it's too late for this time. I messed everything up."
He seemed quite torn by his remorse.
"Maybe not," she responded, beaming.
As if hope had suddenly been struck back into him, he kept his eyes trained on her, his expression almost mendicant-like.
What was she insinuating with that?
"It's true! Maybe Santa Claus hasn't forgotten you. Who knows?"
Everything was ready for breakfast. So she turned off all the flames on the stove as Mokuba stood there, visibly shaken by her words.
"Listen, Mokuba. I'm going to tell you a secret. You can do what you want with it."
As if she suddenly feared Seto's return, or that he was leaning against the wall and was in the middle of spying on them, she lowered her voice before continuing.
"At the foot of the tree, on the silver box with the blue ribbon – one of your gifts – there's another really small one. It's red and velvet. It's not marked in any way. Really easy to pick out, you see?"
It seemed as if Mokuba could salivate, as his eyes widened and his jaw slackened.
"Well, it's for you. Make good use of it," she murmured as she tenderly placed her fingers on his cheek.
Unable to resist the intrigue any longer, he readied himself to run into the living room.
"May I?"
She nodded.
"But!"
The spry young boy stopped in his tracks.
"Come back to help me with the plates, please."
"Don't bother," Kaiba responded as he returned into the kitchen. "I'll deal with it."
He didn't know what all of the general commotion was about, but he arrived just in time to catch its tail end. Naomi wasn't too displeased as he came to attach himself to her side.
Her sides were beginning to hurt her and she began to feel the effort that she had placed into her work; now she was certain that she was definitely not in shape. But she was proud to have accomplished so much. Without any help, either.
"Mokuba?" he asked, looking at her.
"Oh, I think he probably forgot something or something like that, I don't know," she lied gently.
But Seto's attention had once again fallen to focus just upon her person.
"You're making a big deal out of it, Naomi. It's really not necessary."
His cold tone hadn't fooled anybody. He was still worried about her.
"Shouldn't you rest another moment or two?" he mocked, a part of him still regretting the fact that she had left his arms so soon.
Nothing made you go… I would have loved for you to stay…
A light shiver slinked through Naomi's body as he persisted to approach even closer to her.
She was convinced he was doing it on purpose.
Even Kaiba's expression had softened as his thoughts returned to sweet memories.
Again, despite the fact he could easily sense that he was troubling her, he didn't stop himself.
"Looks safe… you sure there's no risk? Should I ask for a taste?"
Naomi allowed herself to stare down at him, acting insulted.
Apparently he was feeling especially cuddly… his hands wrapped around Naomi's hips as he closed in.
She was still trembling. But Kaiba understood also that her efforts had drained her more than she had previous believed.
What if we went back upstairs… I know you're tired… we could… no… let you rest…
A new desire ripped through his entire being. Yet although the thought certainly was encouraging and he was coming off as a complete blockhead, as he could tell from her expression, the will to see her truly at rest pulled its own weight in the balance of things.
Without really realizing it, she had shut her eyes, prey to fall into his arms, or to the same ardent feelings.
It's Christmas, after all. I'd really like to get the most out of my present… he thought as he pulled her closer.
Grr… stop, Seto!
If she hadn't played the prideful so often, she would have let her head fall into his shoulder, ceasing to fight the inevitable.
Once more, her arms lowered.
"Wow! Thanks, Naomi!" Mokuba yelled, interrupting the scene and also causing, to Naomi's relief, the separation of their bodies.
GRRR! Mokuba! I hate it when he does that! I've really got to speak to him.
Seto, greatly irritated, immediately jumped back into the guise of making conversation.
"Thanks? For what?"
Mokuba looked as if he could start blabbering again. How could he explain it to his brother, who knew nothing about his private life, far away from him and KaibaCorp?
"Oh, it's nothing, Mokuba, I told you that. And thanks to you for helping me with breakfast. You really pulled it off."
Kaiba, perspicacious, right away felt something between them and was suspicious of some sort of secret between them. But he purposefully chose to not let his curiosity insist. He chose, moreover, to not get himself into what seemed to be their own business.
Now Naomi seemed more calm, now that she was focused on something other than her own troubles. He was strongly satisfied to recognize that it would only last for a short period of time – she was already winning.
Exhausted, Naomi couldn't withstand the pain of her leg muscle flexing on her way to the table, which almost caused her to fall. But like quicksilver Kaiba's arms had made a protective barrier. He didn't like the momentary weakness at all, which could have been entirely avoided if she hadn't so stubbornly insisted upon making all of this food.
"I'm fine," she said as she straightened, holding on to her sides.
"No, you're not," he reproached.
"Naomi!" Mokuba shouted as he speeded towards her to aid her just as his brother had already done. "I thought you listened to Seto and went to go get some more rest."
"No," she quipped simply in response, already feeling better. "I didn't do all of this for nothing. Let's just eat, okay?"
Mokuba easily saw the worry and anger in his brother's eyes. He immediately tried to find rapid and effective ways of appeasing the two of them.
"Okay," he responded. "So now just relax. Just sit down and we'll do the rest, right, Seto?"
He felt it. Kaiba was on the verge of exploding, of letting every devil and god face his wrath. But he acquiesced to Mokuba's solution: she had to manage.
Although she despised how she was being led into the dining room, she had no choice but to bend to Kaiba's will, who led her to the closest chair.
In his boundless enthusiasm in carrying the plates from the kitchen to the dining room, Mokuba quite suddenly stopped halfway at the sight of them; a tender scene offered itself to him, the evidence insurmountable.
His brother, normally so cold, now anything but rigid and firm, was managing to show so much care as he helped her into her chair. However, he understood: Seto was irrevocably the man most pained in accomplishing the task. Perhaps without even realizing it, he was almost chivalrous, even if no sound left his lips. Even if nothing helped him to notice it, the emotion was plainly painted across his face.
Did he know his little brother was spying on him, and had thus affirmed his wishes for her to stay and relax so imperatively? Or had nothing changed in his behavior once he was alone with Naomi, holding back even the slightest moment of flexibility?
If so, how could she appreciate the misplaced stolidity which pretended to be a sentimental relationship? As for her, though she looked far more human, she still wouldn't throw herself senselessly at his feet. She was also prideful by nature, exceptional examples sparse.
But the scene was touching. Profoundly so. He wasn't naïve enough to not feel the electric current crackling between the two.
How could he, Mokuba, behave in a romantic relationship if he only followed the model he saw before his eyes?
"Mokuba!" Kaiba shouted.
Maybe he had noticed the moment of distraction. But he was now speeding up the process, based on Naomi's fatigue.
"Er… yeah, I'm coming," he responded as he hurried to deliver the last two remaining plates, which he placed upon the table.
Seto was seated on the opposite end of the table, now not seeming too concerned about his guest, as if he had already had enough.
Mokuba was about to sit down when he suddenly bounded right back up.
"Oh snap! The coffee!"
As if he were somewhat irritated, Seto got up smoothly.
"It's fine. I'll do it."
He then returned dolefully to the kitchen.
He's so strange sometimes, Mokuba thought as he watched him walk away.
Naomi still hadn't said anything. She seemed happy despite the paleness of her face, thus showing she had just about reached her limit.
But she was watching him, nevertheless refusing to speak.
"Thanks a lot, Nao…" he nearly whispered. "Are you sure that…?"
"Yes. Absolutely," she responded to the question he had little time to ask. "Do what you have to, Moki."
Moki?
He started.
"Oh, sorry," she corrected at his reaction. "Mokuba."
He didn't quite know why. But something told him that she only meant to be affectionate. So he happily insisted upon the nickname.
"No… no, that's okay. I like it."
It was upon their mutual exchange of smiles that Kaiba came back to the table, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
Strangely, the two of them bowed their heads, not wanting to respond to his curiosity.
Strange things are going on here… I need to look after them more closely.
On this thought, he sat down, highly valuing what appeared to be Naomi kiddingly making fun of him.
"Mokuba!" he ordered. "Eat!"
The two congealed in their chairs; Mokuba because he hadn't been expecting quite that tone and Naomi because she had the sudden desire to stand up and slap him, make him take back his words.
She didn't have the time, though, to respond before Mokuba reacted violently to his brother's impoliteness, throwing him a strong, reproachful glance.
"Seto!"
It was true that he was just as affected by the direct offensive, demonstrating great zeal in protecting himself in front of Naomi. This fundamentally pleased Kaiba - his judgment had been exact: the triangle had been formed without any effort on his part.
Now he held the same authoritative glare, the one which would accept no reprimand, wanting to see just how far Mokuba would instinctively go.
He resisted, to his great surprise.
"That's awful. Aren't you ashamed?" he continued to spit.
What? Mokuba? You know full well who you're talking to! I hope you haven't forgotten!
Naomi disliked being the focus of this charming exchange. She chose wisely to let them settle it out for themselves, sincerely convinced that Seto would eventually back off. Why, she couldn't say. But there was now no animosity in the tone of his voice.
From the beginning, he had only wanted to tease her, nothing more. As he had done in the kitchen.
It was also true that she liked how the young man threw himself to her defense, although the gesture could have been better planned.
Mokuba soon realized Kaiba's mockery as his lips peeled back in a more or less amused grin.
Oh, you've got to be kidding me. He got me there, he thought, averting his eyes.
If he hadn't had such respect for the meal he made with Naomi, he would have thrown it in his brother's face, which would have been funny also, ready to have a food fight with breakfast. But he stopped himself.
He would have his revenge.
Kaiba was the first to place a fork to his mouth. Of course he hadn't doubted Naomi's culinary talents. The omelet truly was tasty.
"Mmm," Mokuba sighed as he appeared to devour instead of chew. "Where'd you learn to do that?"
"Oh, seriously, Moki, it's just an omelet," she laughed.
MOKI! What the -! Since when!
Seto sat there, stupefied. He had apparently missed some very large steps they had taken.
But the teamwork between them left him with an evident satisfaction. He was happy now. Maybe he had even found in Mokuba the best way to keep Naomi alongside him.
Kaiba couldn't say whether it was due to the fatigue or simply because she was enjoying the morning, but she began to unwind.
"But you know… it was normal for me to be in hotel kitchens… I always loved to walk downstairs in the morning and make something for myself. And rubbing elbows with the chefs has its advantages," she admitted, as if recounting happy memories.
"Aren't you used to your room by now?"
She sighed gently, mockingly.
"You mean like you two are?"
Kaiba's head shot up but he declined to comment. Yes. He used it and he wasn't ashamed of it.
Mokuba seemed less comfortable with their opulence. He knew that in the real world not everybody was as rich as they were. And he also knew that what they hadn't wasn't absolutely necessary, either.
"I find no pleasure in making others do things. I like to do things myself. That way I'm always happier with what I do," she admitted, noticing Kaiba's reaction as being that of growing anger. "Plus, it's fun to cook from time to time…"
This time, she was setting him off on purpose.
"At least that way you know what's inside it and you don't ask so many questions when it's time to eat it."
Woah! One-zip for Naomi! Mokuba thought as Kaiba's head whipped around to glare at her.
A flash of amusement had even crossed his eyes.
He was, in fact, far from being angry.
Don't play with me, Naomi. At least until you're feeling better.
Strangely, and although they had shared but a single glance, Mokuba could plainly see Naomi blush furiously. One could have said that they shared a secret thought at the same moment, or that they had spoken without moving their lips. From what Kaiba saw, he couldn't imagine what.
Then she just as mysteriously turned away to bore her eyes into the center of her plate.
Very odd.
Like a king on his throne, Kaiba's glare soon bifurcated onto his brother. It was obvious they were doing something right underneath his nose.
"So, Mokuba… you have things planned for today?"
Grr… he suspects something, Mokuba realized. Not good.
He sputtered slightly despite his attempt to keep his countenance and not betray himself.
"Oh! Er… I have to… go to a friend's house today…"
"A friend?" Kaiba pressed him.
"On Christmas?"
Naomi found a real sense of sympathy for Mokuba in his embarrassment. But she couldn't keep interfering between the two brothers. Moreover she supposed that coming to his aid at this stage would do nothing than pique Seto's suspicions even higher. She could never underestimate him.
"Do I know him?" Kaiba continued, his left eyebrow arched high, an interrogator who believed no word that his little brother was saying.
Phew… at least he thinks it's a guy.
"Er…. no! He's a school friend. You don't know him. I promised I'd go over today because he's got a cool video game collection and- "
Kaiba detected the lie from a million miles away. Further, even. It was obvious that Mokuba was intentionally hiding something from him and, he knew it, Naomi was well aware of the mystery. This reassured him because it meant no danger if she had agreed to it. Only, he simultaneously realized that he was not in charge of this situation, especially in the eyes of his younger brother. Maybe he had neglected him too much with all of the recent events shaking up their lives.
He believed it more prudent to give up: sooner or later, he knew.
"Fine," he approved, pretending to not be too worried about it.
"What?" Mokuba yelled, barely believing his ears. "Er, yeah, thanks. I'll be back for dinner, I promise."
Although she had eaten little off of her plate, Kaiba was satisfied to see her eat. Mokuba was working on the last remaining morsels of his second plate, which told Kaiba that he was either very hungry or very nervous.
As for himself, he had also eaten little; but he was obligated to fill his stomach. First to make her happy, but also because it was delicious and it was Christmas. He could loosen his grip a little.
"Mokuba," she asked as she attempted to rise. "Could you please help me clean up?"
"Don't," Kaiba said dryly. "Marie will do it when – "
"NO!" Naomi promptly interrupted.
The hairs on Kaiba's body bristled.
Grr… just stop! When are you going to realize that they're paid to do that?
"I don't give a damn," she replied to the following silence. "You know what I think!"
Mokuba flinched. He thought he heard nothing leave Seto's lips, though, who had provoked Naomi's response in the first place.
The room once more fell silent as they all continued to stare at each other.
More angered than ever, Mokuba to not become involved, avoid an unnecessary quarrel.
He shot up and swept up two plates at random.
"Put those down," Kaiba ordered, not accepting Naomi's reprimanding.
"Thanks, Moki," she said, still trying to stand by placing a hand on the table for support.
Kaiba's hands closed into even tighter fists.
He had also stood in a movement, standing before her like a menacing thunderhead.
Mokuba flinched again even though he pertinently knew that she had nothing to fear from his brother.
"Sit down," Kaiba said, fighting desperately to keep a cold tone free of frustration.
Grrr… what a bull-headed… he groaned silently as he swept towards the kitchen.
A certain sadness passed over Naomi's face, accompanied by the shadow of anger.
She sighed loudly, exasperated. Something was stuck in her throat.
"You're still a little bit fragile, Naomi," Mokuba whispered, who wanted above all to bring back her good mood. "Seto's worried. He doesn't like you taking charge."
"I know, Mokuba. That's exactly what makes me mad. It's a weakness that I hate."
Weakness. Weak. Vulnerable. Miserable.
Those words she loathed most.
"And I can't allow myself…" she hissed between her teeth, more determined than ever to not depend any longer on her own physical state.
Coiling her hands in rage, she stood, ignoring the long swathes of pain which flooded her body.
He was powerless. Like Kaiba, who had returned to hear her final words. He held back, staring at her with an austere look.
What could he do apart from either submitting or completely revolting, exploding and thus poisoning the relationship?
Mokuba rushed to clear the table. Anything to not be stuck in some sort of standoff.
"Naomi."
"Don't say a word, Kaiba. Nothing could – "
"No. I only want you to follow me," he cut in quickly. "I have something to show you."
And don't call me Kaiba.
Calm.
Cunning as a fox, he would prefer a thousand times over to distract her than become bogged down in an interminable discussion.
"You feel up to it?" he asked her.
Up to it? Will you stop worrying about me?
"Yes," she responded, determined to come off as invulnerable.
He wisely decided to wait until she asked for his help, something which didn't happen. But he was ready to do so the entire way there, a path which took them to the basement of the house, during which he took special care to watch her as they went down the stairs.
She wondered just how many floors the house could have. It was true that she was aching horribly throughout her body from the effort; but she showed nothing.
Had he brought her to flaunt his wealth?
"Don't move," he said as he moved to the other side of the room.
Normally, he would have insisted that she follow him and discover for herself the present he had made for her. Yet conscious of her exertion and of her misplaced pride, he decided to instead put himself in charge of the act.
With a swipe of the arm, he pulled back an immense white sheet which was covering the new racecar he was giving to Naomi; it was an identical copy to her own, the one which was still under reparation since the incident she had had with Kaiba on the track.
"What the hell is this?" she asked, stupefied.
He had tried to fix her car and then had even brought it here?
"No," he answered her thoughts. "This is an exact replica of your car. Of course… I allowed myself to make a couple of modifications in handling to allow it to perform better, as well as make it more safe."
What the… ? Why did he do this? But… I'm speechless.
"This truly wasn't necessary," she whispered quietly, still indecisive as to what reaction to adopt. "That's very kind… really… but I can't accept it."
"What?" he yelled, disenchanted.
"I can't, " she insisted.
Seto… I won't be here long enough to make use of it, anyway.
"It's a present, Naomi. You can't just refuse them," he spat, on the verge of being conquered again by his anger.
Especially when said present came from Seto Kaiba.
"You already gave me one at the orphanage. And that one had no price, Seto. That one was more than enough."
No, it wasn't! Naomi, it's a present! It's Christmas!
She knew full well how much she was offending him, though it wasn't her intention. She decided to comply.
"I understand," she began again. "But this is really too much, Seto."
The deception was working. But amongst all possible weapons, he chose the quietest: cunning.
"It's annoying, you see? It's because when you're on foot… I had thought I'd give you a chance to avenge yourself to my victory."
He was playing, and she wasn't stupid. But unwilling to cause him any further harm, her scowl melted away.
"Your victory? Hm. Hm…" she said, trying not to laugh.
"… It's not often that I give people a second chance," he insisted as he drifted towards her.
His good nature had re-sprung.
"Fine… if that's what you want. But don't come crying to me afterwards," she let herself tease.
I know I'm hurting you. Forgive me, Seto. Even if the worst is yet to come.
Forgetting all of the omens, she approached him herself now, tenderly, trying as best as she could to hide the distress buried in her heart.
"Thank you. But it's too much. Far too much," she murmured.
Without pushing her thoughts further, she let herself fall into his arms, into shelter.
I'd like to do so much more… no… I won't, he thought.
This was certainly the best consolation for his heart.
"Okay. But if I accept your present, you have to accept mine. Alright?"
He almost felt like laughing.
Hadn't she already understood that he had already accepted all of her?
"You want to help me back upstairs?"
She said it. She dared to…?
Kaiba was flooded with a sincere joy to see her trust him. Perhaps now the fruits of his labor were finally ripening?
Although helped by Kaiba's solid grip, the trip back to the living room passed by sufficiently horribly. She was more exhausted than ever.
"So can we open the presents?" Mokuba shouted, sitting adjacent to the tree, an impatient child once again.
"Naomi has to rest a little bit, Mokuba."
"No, it's alright," she told Kaiba. "I'll be okay."
The tint of Naomi's face had whitened even further. Mokuba did not protest.
"No, we can wait until later, right, Seto?"
He barely nodded his approval, but was infinitely aware.
"It's true, Nao. You should relax," Mokuba repeated.
She had no more energy left with to fight, especially against two.
"Just one present, Seto… for Mokuba," she begged him.
Of course he was going to object. But faced with such insistence, he allowed his little brother to open his first present.
The box – gold and wrapped in a ribbon the color of well-done steak – was miniscule. It could pass for a jewelry box. Which surprised Kaiba, who had never been the kind to offer things he judged to be useless or superficial, especially to his brother.
But Mokuba was hurrying to rip off the wrapping.
"Wow! Seto! No way! Is this - ?" he stammered, crazy with joy under Kaiba's ever-blank eye.
"Is this really what I think it is? Tell me, big brother!"
It was with great pride that Kaiba finally opened his mouth.
"Why not?"
What the hell is it?
Naomi didn't ask, either, despite her curiosity.
"Where? Tell me where!" Mokuba demanded, jumping up and down.
In no time he was hugging Seto, who lay there confused by the sudden and spontaneous emotional outburst, which was rare.
"In the basement," he breathed, as if annoyed. Which he wasn't at all, really.
He was thrilled to have made his brother this happy.
In his infinite enthusiasm Mokuba launched himself at Naomi whom he squeezed in his arms without thinking for an instant about her condition, to Kaiba's horror as he shot up.
Naomi was badly startled.
"Oh! Sorry! Sorry! I forgot!" he excused himself, saddened for having caused her any pain.
"It's fine," she said as she caught her breath.
"Look!" he told her as he opened the box.
On the inside were two sets of keys. She easily recognized them as car keys.
"Hey Seto, can I, can I?"
Mokuba was stomping around like a kid eager to play with his new toys.
Grr… Mokuba, stop acting like a child.
"Yes," Kaiba responded, who ignored all thought of leaving.
They quickly lost sight of him.
"Your turn," said Naomi.
"No. Later," Kaiba responded dryly, only concerned with bringing her back up to the bedroom.
"No. Right now."
He went to protest but she shut him up before he spoke a single word.
"I am not changing my mind."
Every year, Kaiba received dozens if not hundreds of presents at Christmas as well as at his birthday; they came from, for the most part, people he detested. Serpents which wound themselves around his ankles after having begged at his feet for so long. Those who hoped for his good graces in return. Those who bended before him and his will. Even those who both doubted and feared his power.
He received presents from fans, too; ordinary people whom he didn't know but whom didn't have a single chance of reaching his level. People who, apparently, envied and thought so highly of him that they thought of him at holiday times. It was touching. Troubling, maybe, now that he thought about it. But they were so far away from him that they barely mattered.
Except for Mokuba, nobody else could move him.
So, for the first time ever, a present was offered to him by another person and he liked it; that rare person which neither waited for him or demanded anything else in return. Not a sliver of proof of affection or his respect for her; everything came from him. She certainly wasn't too blind to be unable to see anything and feel something in the presence of this normally polar-cold human being. She had to have understood for a long while the crazy, drunken feeling she stirred in him every single time.
Alas. This present was not normal. Anything for him.
Didn't she know that there was nothing ordinary about her to his eyes? That her sole presence was already priceless, so much so he could barely understand it all himself?
Had he blushed, momentarily, before the immense silver present that she pointed out to him?
Come on, of course he hadn't. It wasn't his normal character to feel embarrassed or touched. They were amongst the futile words in his dictionary.
"So, are you going to open it or not?" she asked him.
Kaiba remained frozen in place. He hadn't realized just how much time had passed between the moment when he had placed his eyes on the package and the one where Naomi's voice brought him back to reality.
Strange…
If Kaiba had learned just one thing, it was to not to drift off uselessly, as he was doing now. For not even a second. However, hadn't he just gotten lost in his thoughts, without knowing exactly what was happening?
Unpardonable. A slight instant of deviation. Minimal. But which in times of war and agitation would have cost him his company and his head.
Was it all of these recent events which had shaken him done so to such a point to crack through his exemplary discipline, almost too zealously, or the simple and so real thought to take something from someone who would have never wanted but to make him happy? Feet dragging away from an international corporation, rich and powerful, just hoping to secure the smallest favor? No. Not this impetuous duelist who had never yet had the humility to submit to his forever rival, Yugi Motou or Yami or whatever his name was but without which he seemed implacable, almost cruel.
Not to this man who was practically a danger to her, despite his wishes, whom he had welcomed and nursed during her long convalescence in the desire to know her. No. Not anymore.
Naomi thought only of others. He was certainly not an exception.
But it was without any doubt that she addressed first and foremost, and always would, the farthest reaches of her own being.
It was like Kaiba went back to school – the one that gives no diploma. In fact, what did he know, what did he understand about life beyond that one which he had erected for himself, with great sacrifices just to be appreciated, greatest master of the most inaccessible mountaintops of miserable mortals. He was entirely above that.
Could it be that he was truly moved, then? To the point that he did not know how to react before the disarming simplicity of a single woman? All of this for a freaking Christmas gift?
Ugh. Touched, Seto Kaiba? Could it be?
Why did he have to fight to stop his fingers from trembling upon receiving the package?
Did he fear that he would dislike what he found within? No. A Kaiba fears nothing. If not, he'd throw it away.
Wasn't it just excitement? Exactly like the young child who hopes until Christmas morning to open his presents to know whether or not he got his electronic toy train or his baseball glove? The child who thanks his parents far in advance for having thought of him in the sole desire to show just how much they loved him? The tiny, happily crazy boy so deep inside of him who demanded nothing but to be reassured, understood, loved?
Seto Kaiba had not asked anything of anyone in a very long time. He bought, he borrowed, he extorted and he ordered anything and everything he wished. Maybe to fill an empty space which had never really considered before until his fingers finally placed themselves on top of that damned silver box.
Curious. His throat was shut so tightly that he could no longer feel any saliva in his mouth; it seemed that she had pioneered a path higher than eye level. Those beautiful blue eyes which interested him so strangely.
Come on, breathe, Kaiba. It's just a stupid present, after all.
Holding on firmly so as to not tear outright through the gold tape, he carefully untied the ribbon and then undid the paper with patience.
Naomi took notice of his hesitation.
"I…" she began, suddenly uncomfortable. "Honestly, I didn't quite know what to get you. You already have everything."
Kaiba flinched despite himself to these seemingly innocent words. They hurt him even more deeply. He could buy anything. Anything.
Except you, Naomi. Except you.
He quickly turned his eyes towards her. But sensing dryness in those same eyes which risked showing some sort of emotion, he reconsidered by turning his head back towards the present, preferring to keep silent so as to hear the rest of what she had to say.
"I… I'll also admit that I was foolish… I… I didn't release at first that… well… you'll understand, I suppose."
The immense box, filled with stuffing of various colors, was easy to open.
And then he saw it. Small, and yet so large, all at once.
It was the magnificent crystal dragon with the bluish tint which had been representative of him since the beginning. His life, his goals, his inspiration of grandeur and power. Everything had tied the breathtaking animal he knew so well to him since childhood.
"I hope you like it…. I wasn't sure at first," she said again, almost ashamedly. "I didn't realize… well… I don't know. It reminded me of you somewhat."
Kaiba stood, attentively listening to her.
"Your eyes, I think…" she breathed, as if she didn't really want him to hear her latest confession.
Naomi… did you… tell me. Did you really…?
She sat there, confused, totally uncertain as to whether the high-price gift had really pleased him or not. Stupid. She had never before felt so entirely stupid.
From his height, Kaiba stood immobile for a long moment, scrutinizing her face without daring to break the halo of warmth and silence that surrounded them.
Ever the more gently, his fingers came to rest upon her cheeks.
"It's superb," he admitted quietly. "And I even know where to put it."
Thank you. Could I kiss you now?
But instead of putting his lips to hers, he brought her closer against him.
It was crazy just how much he craved the warmth of her body. Crazy how nothing could compare to this pure form of happiness. It was so simple – it was the happiness that could not be bought.
"I think it's time to go upstairs now. You need rest," he sighed half-heartedly at the need to separate from her.
. . . . . . . . .
Naomi sound asleep, Kaiba took the time to walk back downstairs to the ground floor and into his office. He had decided to abandon what he considered to be useless emotions as he plunged back into his work.
Even Mokuba had been absent from the house for several hours already. He thus found all the leisure he needed to focus completely on what needed to be done.
Ding dong
The front doorbell rung and Kaiba couldn't decide whether he should deign open it.
Ding dong
Grr… but who could be coming around on Christmas?
Suddenly remembering that nobody was here to open the door, he was obligated to get up.
Ding dong
Grr… hold on, I'm coming… you're going to end up waking up Naomi, you idiots.
Cries of rejoicing and evidence of heated discussion could be heard on the other side of the door.
He went to look through the windowpane and saw that it was the group of undesirables; but one particular one with an enormous head with chesnut-colored hair was amongst them.
"Oh, oh, Kaiba!" he was shouting, almost singing.
Grrr… it just had to be them.
Soon the door opened upon a band of young men joined by a woman.
Yugi, Tristan, Joey, Duke, and Téa were huddling together outside. They were quite alive with the holiday spirit given their beaming, happy faces.
"Merry Christmas, Kaiba!" they all shouted as a chorus.
To be honest, Kaiba was taken aback. He was happy that the thought to visit him had tickled their fancy. But what made him re-think his participation in the ephemeral joy of the occasion was that somebody more important was sleeping on the third floor and he wished for nothing to trouble her.
"What?" he replied, as if it were all a joke.
"Merry Christmas, Kaiba."
In one gesture Yugi gave him a bag filled with delicious little candies. There was true heart behind it. He knew it came from a real desire to be friends.
"Oh," Kaiba said, lightly disoriented. "I'd invite you inside, but I don't have time, and Mokuba isn't here."
"Yeah, that's right, always the charmer, Kaiba," Joey gaily reprimanded him, too used to his discordant mood to take offense.
"Exactly," he repeated, slightly annoyed. "I want no company today. If not, I would have asked for it."
Joey raised a clenched fist.
"Oh, Kaiba. Man, you'll never change."
"Change? Why would I change, mutt?"
"Grr…" Joey growled as Yugi attempted to restrain him. "Well, okay, dude. We only stopped by to say hi and wish you a merry – "
"Very well, your message has been received," Kaiba hissed softly despite the fact that a part of him was quite agreeably surprised, and he was more or less in a joyful mood.
"Kaiba."
A much deeper, more profound voice escaped Yugi's mouth. Apparently the Pharaoh also wished to spread the holiday cheer.
This time he commanded all of Kaiba's attention, as respect, although not admitted, never lied.
"A very merry holiday season to you and to Mokuba. Tell him hello from all of us. We think a lot about the two of you."
Kaiba looked at him, placid.
"Thanks."
Then he finally put in a good word for them all.
"Happy holidays to you, too."
Joey and Duke looked as if they would run away for a short instant. They then had fun in actually doing so, sprinkling the lawn with even more snow as they fled.
The preposterous idea of using Kaiba as target practice suddenly became irresistible. So Joey scooped up a large handful of snow and began to pat it into shape.
"I should go in now," Kaiba said, starting to feel quite chilled.
"Yeah, yeah," Joey yelled at him. "Hey, Kaiba!"
Unable to resist the childish temptation any longer, the snowball hurtled directly into Kaiba's chest, who then grew wide-eyed in astonishment and anger when he saw them scurrying away like neighborhood bandits.
Seto quickly wiped off the snow on his sweater and held back the urge to scream. Maybe he deserved it, seeing how unwelcoming he had been.
. . . . . . . . .
On the third floor, Naomi hadn't missed too much of the occasion.
She was giggling gently. Maybe that's what Seto needed. Friendship. Real friends. Someone with whom to laugh and to live.
They seemed nice. Of course she did not judge herself to be sufficiently presentable in her current state and probably would not have been allowed to poke herself into Kaiba's private life. She knew that it was just a matter of time before she would be forced to leave once again. But this small bit of happiness – she let herself enjoy the moment. Isn't that all that he had to do?