Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Lost & Found ❯ Puppy Love? ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Ryou woke up the next morning groggy and disoriented. He rolled over and felt for Serenity.

She was gone. Ryou shook his head. He looked around and suddenly remembered where he was.

At smelling the scent of bacon, he quickly got washed and dressed, carefully taking the steps one at a time.

Seto looked up at him and grinned. "Morning! Thought you'd never wake up!" Ryou smiled. "Good morning"

He walked down the rest of the stairs. All three boys were up and dressed, while Serenity was at the table, still in her nightgown eating some toast. She looked up at him with a guilty smile.

"Sorry" she said. "I would have waited for you, but I was hungry" Ryou grinned and walked over to her. "It's alright, love" he said. "I really thought you were the one who was going to sleep late."

Serenity giggled and shook her head.

Ryou motioned her to come over. "When you get finished, I want you to go upstairs and find the nanny, Emma. She'll help you get washed and dressed. There's an outfit already on your bed." he whispered in her ear.

Serenity nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Ryou" she whispered, a small blush coming to her face. "You're welcome, love" he smiled back, noticing her blush.

//Ah yes, I believe she feels it for you too lad.// he heard Norin laugh under his breath. /Hush!/ he said flushed. He looked back at Serenity, eating her breakfast. I don't, do I? he thought.

"Is it good, love?" he asked with a smile. Serenity looked up and grinned, nodding her head.

Seto was watching them, and now he cocked his head. "Why do you always call her that?" he asked, skeptically.

"What?" Ryou asked, blushing. "Love" Seto answered, a frown on his face. Ryou shrugged. "I don't know, I guess it's just a habit I had from being around my mum and sister."

"Oh" Seto said, not believing him. "Where is the rest of your family, Ryou?" Ryou hesitated again. It was never easy talking about his family.

"They're in America" he answered.

"Why so far away?" Seto pressed. “Cut it out Seto!” Noah warned. Seto refused to heed his step-brother’s warning.

Ryou fidgeted, uncomfortably. "My parents just don't get along, that's all"

That was mostly true, seeing as Auma Gardner and Daniel Stevens were his biological parents; and they hated each other's guts.

"Ok.. but why....?"

"Seto, that's enough!" said Mr. Kiaba. "If Ryou wishes not to talk about his family, then he doesn't have to, am I clear?"

Seto put his head down. "Yes, sir" he muttered. He growled under his breath at Noah, who was smirking.

He hated being told what to do. Especially when it had to do with something interesting, like this little girl for instance.

She's really pretty! he thought. I hope we can be friends!

Norin watched him, unseen, shaking his head.

Whatever plans this young foolish mortal had, didn't hold Serenity's well being in high standards.

Norin disappeared. He would talk to the boy the very next chance he'd get.....

*

Seto looked out of the window and groaned.

It was raining outside and there was nothing to do.

His step-father had gone to work, and his step-mother was at the store with the maid getting groceries, and doing other errands, and Noah was at school. They wouldn't be back for at least an hour or two.

Emma had put Mokuba down for a nap, and had retired to her bedroom.

Seto looked over to where Ryou was helping Serenity try to read. She was doing pretty well.

Hmmm I wonder what her full name is Seto thought. He went over to them.

"Hey, Serenity?" she looked up. Seto looked down at his feet. "What's your full name?" he asked.

Ryou turned to her. "Yes, you never told me love," he smiled and she giggled a little.

Oh, brother! Seto thought. Serenity looked at Seto shyly. "My full name is Serenity Christine Wheeler" she said.

"Oh," Seto nodded his head. "That's a pretty name." Ryou nodded. "Yes indeed" he grinned.

Serenity looked at Seto. "What's your full name?" she asked. Seto was happy that she had asked him something instead of always talking to Ryou.
"My full name is Seto Erik Kaiba" he said proudly.

"Hmm" Ryou said thoughtfully. Seto turned to him.

"What's your full name, Ryou?" he asked. Ryou hesitated. "My full name is Ryou Josiah Stevens" he said.

"Meow" Serenity said, and then giggled.

Ryou turned to her in confusion. "What's so funny?" he asked.

"Ever heard of Josie and the Pussycats?" Serenity grinned. Ryou thought about it and then groaned. "I am not a pussycat!"

Seto and Serenity giggled.

Ryou turned on Serenity just then, and started to tickle her, which made her laugh even harder.

After a few more minutes, Seto shifted a little. "Hey, you guys wanna watch a movie?" he asked.

Ryou nodded. "Sure, which one?" Seto smiled mischievously. "It's called The Phantom of the Opera"

Ryou cocked his head. "Never heard of it... what's it about?" Seto told him.

Ryou looked at Serenity. "What's it rated?" he asked.

"PG-13" Seto grinned. Ryou shook his head. "No... let's not do that until your parents get back."

Seto frowned. "Aw, come on, Ryou! There's no cursing and stuff like that!" Ryou shook his head again.

"No Seto! I promised her mum I'd take care of her. and that includes what she watches!"

Seto pouted. "Pleeeease? All that's in it is a sword fight and only two kissing scenes!"

Ryou shook his head adamantly. "No! Absolutely not! I'm not even allowed to watch that kind of stuff!"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Emma is here! We can watch it with her!"

Ryou sighed. "Alright, let's go see what she says."

"Yes!" Seto grinned. He ran upstairs, only to come down with a frown on his face and his little brother in tow.

"You two are just the same! Are you sure she isn't your mother?" Ryou grinned and shook his head.

"What did she say?" he asked.

"She said no, and to wait until my parents came home!" Seto looked mad. "She said put something in like Mickey Mouse or Bambi" he made a face.

Ryou covered his mouth to hide his giggle. Norin heard him and smiled. "Young lad not getting his way?" he asked. Ryou shook his head and smiled.

By the end of Robin Hood, Serenity had fallen asleep on the couch.

Ryou had gone upstairs to get a blanket for her.

When he came back down, he saw Seto standing over her, on one side of the couch, brushing her hair out of her face.

Ryou stood stock still as he listened.

"You're really pretty ya know" Seto whispered. "When I get older, I'm gonna find you and take you on a date!"

Ryou gasped. Norin took over as Seto whirled around.

"What are you doing?" Norin asked in a husky voice. He looked mean.

Seto gulped. "N-nothing!" He inched away from the sleeping girl.

Norin nodded. "That's right, come away from the child, nice and easy." his eyes were shadowed.

Seto stopped and looked at him defiantly. "Why should I?" he asked, clenching his fist.

Norin cocked his head. "Ever thought of the possibility that I could tell your parents?" he grinned evilly.

No! Ryou cried. Why not? Norin asked. I don't want him to get in trouble, but if he tries to harm Serenity, I'll kick his butt! Ryou yelled.

My, my aren't we protective! Norin smiled mischievously.

For the last time I am not in love! Ryou screamed. Norin chuckled at his display.

I'm taking over! Ryou said. Norin shrugged and nodded. Ryou took over again.

Seto looked surprised & a little scared. "What the heck was that?" he asked.

Ryou shook his head. "Never mind that Seto. Now you listen here and listen good! If I ever catch you trying to pull a stunt like that again, while she's in my care, I'll kick your little French toast eating butt from here to Kingdom Come!"

Serenity woke up and started to moan. Ryou went to her and picked her up.

Seto started toward them, his fist clenched, and a snarl on his face.

Ryou shifted Serenity to protect her.

"So help me Kaiba, if you take even one step towards me while this girl is in my arms, I will put her down, and pound you 6 feet under!" Ryou had a gleam in his eye.

Seto stepped back, thinking it was Norin. He sat on the couch, a defeated look on his face.

At that, Ryou carried Serenity upstairs to her bedroom for a nap.

*

Noah came home from school around 4:30. Boy, it sure is quiet he thought. “Hello? Anybody home?”

“In here” Seto said from the living room.

“Where is everybody?” Noah asked, putting his backpack on the sofa.

“I’m not sure where Emma is, but Mokuba and Serenity are taking naps”

Noah nodded. “Oh” he said. “Where’s Ryou?” he asked.

“Ryou who?” Seto growled.

“Our other guest” Noah informed him.

“I dunno, who cares?” Seto made a face.

Noah smirked. “Girl trouble?” he guessed.

“None of your business!” Seto yelled.

“Ok, ok…just asking” Noah grinned sheepishly, assuming he’d been right.

“Y’know, she really is pretty” he hinted.

Seto growled at him and ran upstairs to their room, slamming the door.

Yup… Seto’s definitely got a crush on that little girl, but what I can’t figure out is why he’s so mad! Maybe….

Not being able to continue his thoughts, the eldest Kaiba child went upstairs to do his homework before his parents got home.

*
Mr. and Mrs. Kaiba both returned around 7, to see all 4 children watching Pinocchio with Emma in the den. Noah was upstairs doing homework.

Serenity had woken up about 2 hours before.

Seto was sitting on the couch, watching the movie with his arms folded. He was still upset with Ryou from earlier. The boys hadn't talked to each other since Ryou had carried Serenity up for her nap 2 hours earlier.

After the movie was over, Seto went to find his parents.

"Mom? Can we watch a movie?" he asked. Mrs. Kaiba looked at him. "Which one, dear?" she said with a small smile.

"Phantom of the Opera" Seto answered. Mrs. Kaiba looked thoughtful. "I don't see why not," she said. "Why don't you go ask your father?"

Seto nodded and went to find his step-father, who was in the office. He looked up when Seto opened the door.

"Dad?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes?" Mr. Kaiba said with a small smile.

"Do you um...want to watch a movie with us?" Seto asked. Gregory sighed.

"Well, son I don't see why not, considering all of the paperwork" he smiled. "Besides, I've been sitting at my desk all day long, with no distractions" he got up.

Yes! Seto thought.

"Which movie is it?" Mr. Kaiba asked as they walked out the door, toward the den.

"Phantom of the Opera" Seto answered with a grin.

"Hmm" Gregory Kaiba smiled a little under his moustache."I'm not sure Mokuba is old enough for that movie" he said. "And what of that little girl... What was her name?"

"Serenity" Seto answered, a small blush coming to his cheeks.

Gregory gave his step-son a 'What are you up to?' look.

"Nothing!" Seto said, he'd seen that look several times before.

"Mhmm" Gregory nodded his head knowingly. "All right, we'll watch it, on one condition: If you start running around this house scaring that little girl, while singing at the top of your lungs, so help me Seto, you'll be grounded for a month!"

Seto grinned. "What about outside?" he asked.

"You can run outside, but absolutely no scaring her!" Seto nodded.

*

Some time later, Ryou had pulled Seto's step-father aside, to speak with him.

"I think its about time I took charge of taking care of Serenity." he said.

Gregory looked confused. "What exactly do you mean, my boy?" he asked.

Ryou sighed and explained the situation. "I promised her mother I'd take care of her, but the money she gave me is almost gone."

Gregory nodded. "I see. Well, if you are in need of aid..."

Ryou shook his head, adamantly. "No, sir. I think I have a way out of this situation, but I need your advice"

Mr. Kaiba looked bewildered for a second and then listened. "What exactly are you trying to do?" he asked.

"Well," Ryou said. "I am Irish by blood, and I was thinking about performing on the street." he gave a weak smile.

Gregory Kaiba laughed a little. "You can't be serious!" he chuckled.

Ryou looked at him seriously. "I am serious" he said.

This took Gregory by surprise. "Well, if you say so. do you have shoe plates?"

Ryou nodded, and went to get his tap shoes.


When he came back downstairs and outside, he saw Serenity, Noah, and Mokuba on the porch swing, and Gregory by the gate, with a small tape recorder.

"Are you ready?" Gregory asked.

Ryou finished fastening his shoes, stood up, and nodded.

"What's he doing?" Noah asked.

"I'm going to be tap dancing" Ryou answered.

"Yeah!" Serenity clapped and giggled.

"Cut it out!" Seto said. Serenity stopped, looking sad.

Ryou gave Seto a death glare, while Noah, socked his brother in the rib with his elbow. Seto was quiet.

Gregory started the tape, and everyone was quiet.

Ryou took a deep breath in and out.

When he finished the Irish Jig, he stood on one knee, and pointed his arm in the air.

All four children, and Gregory clapped.

"Yeah!" Serenity and Noah yelled.

"Oncore!" Gregory said.Ryou grinned and nodded.

The second time around was even better, but by then, Ryou was exhausted.

"I need...to take... a break!" he panted. Mr. Kaiba nodded and motioned the children inside, but Norin kept Ryou outside.

"I wish to speak with you a moment" he said, watching Seto and Serenity walk inside. "I have a bad feeling about that boy." he said.

Ryou nodded, also watching the two. "I know how you feel, but there's nothing we can do unless he physically harms her."

Norin nodded. "God forbid it comes to that. I just wanted to tell you that, and to be careful. You never know when the time will come."

Ryou nodded.

"By the way," Norin said, smiling a little, "Where'd you learn to dance like that?"

Ryou shrugged. "It's a God given gift, I suppose. My mum also taught me... She's Irish you know." Norin nodded, ruffled the boy's hair, and disappeared.

Ryou smiled and went inside. His darker half may not always like people, but at least he wasn't totally antisocial, or uncaring.

Ryou shut the door and went to find Serenity.

*

Not long after Ryou started street performing, money started to come together.


Mrs. Kaiba gave Ryou an old cookie can to keep the money in. Ryou in turn marked his and Serenity's names on the can and put it someplace no one, not even Seto would even dream to look.

//Are you sure this is a good idea?// Norin asked. Sure it is Ryou said. /It's safe from Seto, and besides, what's a 2,000 year old spirit going to do with a can of mortal money? No offense./

Norin thought about it and smiled. //No offense taken, lad Very clever indeed// Ryou grinned and escaped out of the Millennium Ring.