Normally at this time of the year I'd be announcing my hiatus and apologizing for making everyone wait a a few months before I update. This year that is not the case as I was laid off from my day job and now only have my two from home jobs. While this is kinda bad news for me, it's good news for you. I'll be updating all of my ongoing stories as well as a couple of new oneshots.

If you're a fan of Avatar check out Tigerswan, At the Jasmine Dragon and it's side series A Jasmine Dragon Short. If you like Inuyasha, then I recommend reading HugglesxKitten's story Untitled as well as the rest of her "Un" series.

Edit: My good friend Iesnoth drew a picture for this chapter, the link is on my profile. I tweaked the chapter a bit to fit her beautiful work.

"So, your daughter's graduation is coming up," I commented as Kaiya entered my office. "Any special plans?"

"Well the graduation ceremony itself is on a Sunday so there isn't much to do, but she does have this dinner and dance event with her school's mentoring program happening later in the week." I nodded, I knew Kaiya would never ask for the day off. In all the time she'd worked for me I don't think she had ever requested a day off. I knew it would make Serenity happy though, to spend a day with her mother.

"Why not take that day off," I told her taking the stack of papers in her arms and beginning the tedious process of reading them over. "Spend the day together, get your nails done or whatever it is women do." I used the usual gruff, bordering on condescending tone that I always used and my eyes were focused on the reports she had brought so I didn't see her reaction. I did, however, hear the smile in her voice as she thanked me and I couldn't help but smile myself as I watched her leave. It was strange that such a simple act would make Serenity's day.

The day of the formal was mostly normal. I went to work, did my paperwork and all the other things I do nearly everyday. The only difference was I couldn't focus. My eyes wandered to the clock repeatedly and I tried to think of what her reaction would be, what I could say to her.

I had so many questions and all too few answers, I do not like it when that happens.

Three forty-two, a little over three hours before the dinner portion of the formal started, and closer to four until the dance portion. Fuck.

Finally seven o'clock rolled around. I had decided not to attend the dinner, me being who I am would have drawn all too much attention to myself and that was not an option. Making a subtle entrance after the dinner and just into the dance portion was best. I would slip in unnoticed and trust that Serenity would find me eventually.

When I arrived at the hall it was being held at the music was already playing and people were dancing. I didn't look for Serenity or any one else that I may know. I was only there to meet Serenity and I would only do so if she found me first.

I poured myself a glass of water at one of the empty tables, I wanted something stronger, but I'd get carded so I took what I could get and made my way to an empty balcony to wait. I shrugged off my black suit jacket and settled down, trusting the her natural curiosity would lead to me eventually.

I'm not sure how much time passed, no more than an hour I'm sure. I was fiddling with my empty glass and watching the traffic pass by below me when I heard the voice that was so familiar to me now.

"Excuse me, but is that a blue iris?" I heard her take a few hesitant steps closer, I didn't say anything. "Seth?"

"Hello Kisa," I said, taking a deep breath and steeling myself. I turned to face her and watched as her eyes shifted from joy, to recognition and then to confusion and anger.

"I-I don't understand, what are you doing here?"

"I'm Seth," I told her simply. Any plans I had for this had been forgotten, all I knew was that maybe I was better off not letting her ever see me, never letting her know the truth.

"No... You couldn't be, it's impossible. You're joking."

"You make chocolates for your friends on Valentine's day, you bought me a Shobaihanjo at New Year's, you want to go to the Tokyo University of the Arts," I recited small things that I was sure would prove it was me who she had been talking to. As I did so I took her in, what I saw was eerily familiar. Her hair had grown a little longer since I had last seen her, her bangs hung slightly in her face now while the rest was pulled back. Again she wore white and blue, throwing my mind back to another time. 'You're him, but not him' a voice echoed in my mind and for a moment I was at a loss for words. "And- and you got that dress in Kyoto at the store I suggested, Kuradia Co." I watched her nervously touch her dress, and I noticed how different her hands looked. Small and delicate, no hint of the artist underneath.

"No. No, it can't be you. It just can't be," she shook her head, she knew I was telling the truth, she just didn't want to believe it. Could I blame her? "You could never be Seth, he's kind and thoughtful and he cares about people. Y-you're selfish and arrogant and- and mean. All you care about is money and being the best duelist. Y-you've walked all over people to get what you want and never cared, Seth wouldn't do that!" Her words hurt, but I didn't try to argue the truth of them as she turned away.

"Kisa, Kisa wait." I sighed inwardly, I hadn't wanted her to find out the whole truth, but I had no choice now. "Serenity."

"Y-you know my name?"

"Serenity, I'm sorry." God, did I hate saying that word. "You were expecting to see someone you trusted and met the enemy instead. The fault is mine."

"A-all this time you've known who I was?" She turned to look at me, searching my face for something. Whatever she was looking for I suppose she found.

"Yes," I admitted with a sigh of relief. She was handling this much better now.

"I'm so stupid! It was so obvious." I wanted to tell her that yes, it was a little obvious, but her mood swings were giving me whiplash. "You were always working late, my paint set and this dress... The way whenever I had a complaint about my mom working suddenly she-" Serenity gasped and switched tracks again. Someone needed to get this girl a mood ring, there was absolutely no keeping up with her. "I-I said awful, awful things about you... Why did you keep talking to me after that?"

"My being part of the mentoring program was mandatory. While my grades were more than sufficient to pass I was lacking in 'participation'. The head master of the school gave me strict instructions to be a faithful participant in the program and so I emailed you every night and listened to you talk about your problems and what was going on in your life." I spilled everything, reciting the facts and hoping she would understand. "I even went so far as to tell you a few things about my own life. Perhaps it was the anonymity I had, knowing that you didn't know who I was and would talk without any biases clouding your judgment, but over time I found a friend in you and I grew to look forward to our talks."

"I-I know what you mean. I think we grew to depend on each other along the way... And you still accepted me for who I was, despite your relationship with my family." Serenity smiled and I knew in that moment we'd be okay.

What if I told you
It was all meant to be
Would you believe me,
Would you agree
It's almost that feelin'
That we've met before

"D-did you want to dance?"

"If you do," I told her as I slipped my jacket back on. She nodded, a little timidly in my opinion, and we took the brave step out on to the dance floor. I took one of her small hands in mine and place the other on her waist. As she reached up to lay her free hand on my shoulder I realized that she was very short. Without her heels on I'd guess she was no more than 5'2". Nearly a whole foot shorter than my own 6'1"

"I'm not very good at dancing," she confessed.

"I will lead, all you have to do is follow."

So tell me that you don't think I'm crazy
When I tell you love has come and now

"You want to know something?"

"Hmm?"

"I spent all day with my mother, getting our nails done and laughing and all I could think was..."

"That you finally got the mother/daughter relationship you desired?" I was glad to hear they'd spent a good day together.

"No, all I could think all afternoon was I couldn't wait to tell you that I got the scholarship."

"What?"

"Mhm. I got the letter this afternoon and it hit me; you're my first call. Ever since this program started you've been the person I wanted to share my news with first. There were times when I felt like things hadn't even happened yet until I told you. I know I'm probably not making much sense and right now I'm all excited about it so I'm not even making sense to me anymore," she laughed and looked down, watching her feet as we moved. "But I just wanted you to know."

"Well, if I'm your 'first call', then who are you going to tell first about this?" I asked as I hugged her. I was never much for friends, something I'm sure she knew. Kaiya would likely be happy; she had wanted me to associate with people more, though I doubted she had meant her daughter.

Some people search a lifetime for a moment like this.
Some people search forever for that one special kiss.
I cant believe its happening to me.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.

"Congratulations, you worked very hard for that. I would like to still be your- your friend after you've gone to Tokyo."

"I don't need to tell anyone, they'll see for themselves." I assumed she meant that it wouldn't be a secret and if people found out then they found out and it didn't matter. "You still want to be my friend, does that mean we'll still talk while I'm at Tokyo?"

"If you want to."

"Well, do you want to?" She was being stubborn, I liked that. She used to be so passive, it was nice to see her standing up for something she wanted.

"I would like that." The song had long since ended and a faster number started up. I noticed her corsage slipping and tried to get the fucking little ribbon to tie. I can work on tiny pieces of complex machinery, but being able to tie a goddamn bow escaped me. I finally got it; it wasn't pretty, I think I knotted it more than anything else, but it sure as hell wasn't going to slip again.

"Thank you," Serenity smiled before pulling away. "Want to go sit down?"

"Alright. I'm going to get a drink first, did you want something?" While the hard part of the evening was over I still felt I needed a stiff drink.

"Um, Sprite?" I nodded and watched her make her way to the tables while I headed to the bar. I placed my order and was waiting when someone came up next to me.

"What's your game Kaiba?" I held back a groan, I'd recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about, Wheeler."

"Serenity," was all he said, glaring daggers at me. I glanced over at him and noticed Yugi at his side, a hand on the mutt's arm. I nodded to my rival, I respected him as a duelist, but his choice in friends left much to be desired.

"I don't think that's any of your business, Mutt." I knew I was egging him on, but I didn't really care nor did I understand what he had to do with her. Was he a jealous ex perhaps? If that was the case I'd be more than happy to torment him.

"It damn well is my business what you do to my sister." I froze, did I hear him correctly?

"What?"

"You mean you didn't know?" Yugi asked.

"Her last name is Kawai," I said suddenly, sure that this was some sort of childish ruse.

"That's where you're wrong. My mother's maiden name is Kawai. After her and my dad split she went back to it, but Serenity still has the Wheeler last name."

"Why do you seemed so shocked?" Yugi asked while I was still trying to put the pieces together. "You've met her before."

"What?" It appeared as though my vocabulary had dwindled down to that one word.

"Yeah, she was there at the Battle City finals and was in Noa's virtual world with us. She even talked to you." I wracked my brain, was that why she had seemed familiar? I got the drinks and left the two standing there. I found Serenity easily, looking at her I couldn't see any resemblance between the two of them.

I decided Wheeler and Yugi were playing some stupid prank, there was no way the quiet, creative and intelligent girl could possibly share any of his DNA.

"Here's your drink," I said setting the glass next to her and taking a seat. "So, did you want to introduce me to your friends?" I didn't relish the thought of meeting anyone at the moment, but if she wanted me to I would.

"No, it's okay. They don't really like you." I smirked, fair enough. A lot of Domino didn't like me, and Serenity herself hadn't. Instead, we spent the remainder of the evening talking about her portfolio for school and she even asked me a few questions about work now that she knew what it was I did.

I think she was quite happy to learn that I don't actually fire people on a regular basis.

I offered her a ride home, but she declined, saying that her friends would want to all go home together.

We said our goodbyes, I chose to leave a little before the night was officially supposed to end. As I was leaving I heard her call after me.

"Kaiba, wait!" I paused on the stairs and turned. She caught up and smiled at me.

"A promise is a promise," she announced before pulling me into a tight hug. In my shock I failed to return the gesture on time and was just about to wrap my arms around her when she pulled away.

"What was that for?"

"I said I'd give you the biggest hug in the world, so I did." I let the corner of my mouth twitch up, I had assumed our hug earlier had been what she was talking about.

"Does this mean you're not mad?"

"I am mad, but if you could be mostly honest with me and kind knowing who I was I should do the same for you." She smiled at me again. "Good night, Kaiba. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow."

And now we have officially pulled ahead of the events in Three Guys, worry not the story is far from over. The only difference is the story will no longer takes place as a month by month timeline, but more by season. The next chapter will be the events of their first summer together. (I promise, there will be no obligatory beach trips. This summer...)