Cerulean Eyes

Disclaimer: We don't own Yugioh!

Appreciation

Absentmindedly, she played with her hair. Her chest was heaving with the exhilaration of her dash. A bewildered look stole across her face. What had she done? She had slapped the older Kaiba-possibly the person who hated her most of all and had run away from the mansion without her own consent!

Shivering, she rubbed her arms and huddled under a tree. She had no idea it was this cold! The frigid wind blew across the deserted park, giving her no signal to go home.

Where was home? Was it back in the mansion? Was it under the doorstep of the office where she had been found in the first place? Or was it in that strange dream she had had of that cozy little hut in the woods with the three girls?

Were they her sisters? Where were they now? Was that dream even true?

Shuddering again, Kiera realized she had almost unconsciously walked past a shop. 'Kame Game Shop' was inscribed on the sign beside the turtle-shaped shop. Smiling gently at the strange shape, Kiera was about to walk on when she spotted a familiar mop of triangular shaped hair.

It was the boy at the park a few days back! And he saw her. His violet eyes widened in some sort of shock and she watched as he rushed to the door and flung it open, dressed in a navy school uniform.

"Kiera?" He asked hesitantly, unsure of the girl standing before him.

"Yugi," She said sadly, recalling the boy's name.

"Why're you here?" He stammered, peering at her anxiously, "Did Kaiba do something? What happened?"

Then, realizing his rudeness, he opened the door wider and let her in.

000

It was…cozy. Unlike the mansion, which always seemed so endless and empty, the shop seemed warm and even slightly cramped. Trading card booster packs lay in lines along the shelves, little jars of lollies were arranged across the counter and miscellaneous items were scattered widely around the room.

"Is that you Yugi?" An old man's voice asked from the door behind the counter.

"Grandpa," Yugi called, "A…a friend of mine is here and can I show her upstairs?"

"Her?" The old man repeated from inside the room, "You mean Tea?"

"No," Yugi shouted back, "Erm…someone from school!"

"Okay," the old man replied from the room.

"Come on Kiera," Yugi said and led her up the stairs, tucked away at the back of the room.

000

Yugi's room was really comfortable. A neat little desk was placed by the window and books, pens and papers were cluttered around the workspace. The bed was arranged beside the desk and wasn't as big as hers in the Kaiba mansion. Although she doubted anything would be better than the items at the mansion anyway.

"So," Yugi said, facing her worriedly, "What happened?"

In a breathless and slightly apprehensive tone, she recounted the confrontation with the older Kaiba brother. She recalled how she had slapped him and how her legs had carried her mysteriously away. All the time, Yugi listened intently, showing no signs of disbelief.

000

"Big brother?" Mokuba's voice echoed throughout the lonely room, "What happened to Kiera?"

He looked up from his frozen position, his cheek still stinging from her slap.

"Nothing Mokuba," He replied sarcastically, his eyes blazing, "She was just a little bit of a freak and I guess her last sane string snapped."

"Don't say that!" Mokuba's angry voice echoed throughout the room, "What did you do to her Seto!"

He glared at his little brother, for the first time in many years. It was that girl's entire fault! Thank to her meddling, his little brother was becoming independent. Too independent. And he didn't like that.

"She acted on her own accord," He snapped, "You saw her-running away like a maniac. She chose to go Mokuba. And there's no way I'm going back for her."

Mokuba was silent, sullenly glaring at his older brother through his large, indigo-coloured eyes.

He smirked, seeing a sign of a won battle.

"Face it Mokuba-she's gone and I'm not surprised. There's no way I'm taking her back."

000

Gulping for some more air, she finished her story. She hadn't realized she'd been crying but suddenly, the tears had given way. Terrible shame and guilt consumed her body, making her feel distraught.

Bowing her head, she felt her hair fall across her face, gently wiping her cheeks. She hadn't realized how long it had grown or how tangled it had gotten from her wild dash out of the house.

"You can stay here," Yugi's gentle-sounding voice shocked her greatly.

"W-what?" She stammered, unsure if she had heard correctly.

"You can stay here," Yugi repeated.

"Forever?" She found herself asking rather stupidly.

"Or at least until Kaiba decides to take you back," He amended, looking at her apologetically, "Seriously-Grandpa won't mind and Tea can lend you some clothes. Besides, Serenity-Joey's little sister, is coming back to town this week and you can meet her!"

She hesitated. It sounded really great-almost like she was walking in a dream-but she wasn't sure about it. What if the same thing happened here and Yugi was the next person she'd slap?

"I-I don't know," She began but was stopped.

"Hey, try staying here tonight. If you don't like it, I'll try and get Kaiba to take you back. Or Joey will force him to take you back if you want to," Yugi said cheerfully.

She smiled in gratitude. "Thank you Yugi."

000

The news spread very quickly. Within the hour, Yugi had his Grandpa agree to let Kiera stay and the rest of 'the gang' had come over to help. She was so grateful no one asked many question other than asking what her shoe size was and what else she needed.

Tea had brought a whole bag of clothes over for her (some of which were very pretty), Joey and Tristan had brought a whole stack of food over and Yugi had organized a place to sleep in the lounge room.

"Well, I chose out two sets of pyjamas for you," Tea said later, finished folding all the outfits, "It should be enough to last you a couple of days if you wear them a few days at a time. I've packed several T-shirts and skirts for you as well as a long dress and my summer dress. But if you're going to stay, I'll bring some more over."

"No need Tea," Joey put in helpfully, "Serenity has heaps of clothes over at my place and she'd be more than happy to lend you some Kiera."

"Thank you," She said for the umpteenth time, still unable to fully express her gratitude. She had barely met them and already, they were acting like long-lost friends.

"So…you wanna hang out at the arcade or somethin'?" Joey asked happily as Kiera put away the outfits and combed her hair.

"Kiera?" Yugi asked her.

"Sure…whatever you want," She replied, smiling happily now.

It seemed all her worries and troubles had vanished with her run from the mansion. A slight tinge of guilt was still there. She hated leaving Mokuba so abruptly but she had no choice. Silently, she followed the gang out of the house and down the streets…

000

Grumpily, he typed away on his computer, analyzing and recording data and other boring things he usually found amusing. No, he couldn't concentrate at all. Something had completely shut his mind off other normal routine-like activities.

The words, painstakingly typed on the computer, seemed like a whole mess of meaningless black pixels. The computer screen looked like a whirl and jumble of white and blue. The keyboard felt as flat as a piece of cardboard. His mind was just too preoccupied.

Seto Kaiba uttered a few profanities unfit for a K+ rated story and stood up in frustration. He had a very strong urge to throw something at the wall to vent his anger. Instead, he settled between a compromise of slamming his mobile down on his desk, shattering the white object.

He didn't care. It was hardly a breath to go and repair it or buy a new one. But it gave him satisfaction to know he had caused some damage. Unfortunately, the smashing sound attracted Mokuba.

"What's wrong Seto?"

He had to fight an urge to shout at his little brother. Resentment and hate built up within him until he could hardly bear it. He was so sick with frustration all he wanted to do was to throw everything he owned at the wall and listen to it shatter.

Mokuba, sensing his brother's sudden change of mood, backed quickly out of the room.

000

She looked dumbfounded at the strange machine-like object before her, an object Tea was eyeing with great interest and rapture.

"The Dance Dance Revolution Two!" The brunette said excitedly, "I couldn't wait!"

She glanced over at Tea and almost saw stars in the other's sapphire eyes. It suddenly occurred to her that Tea's eyes were blue-like hers. But Tea's eyes were a darker tone of blue…with even a bit of green and brown.

She hadn't seen herself in the mirror many times but she was certain her eyes were a different kind of blue.

Pushing those random thoughts aside, she watched as Tea clambered onto the machine and put in some shiny things. What were they again? She tilted her head to one side as she tried to decipher the name of the silvery thing Tea had just lodged into the machine.

She was jolted out of her thoughts via a fright as the machine suddenly blared to life, emitting all types of strange and scary sounds. Lights flashed so brightly that she had to cover her eyes in order not to be blinded. How did Tea like this thing?

"It's time…to DANCE with the DDR 2!" A man's voice blared out from somewhere.

Wait…was it in the machine?

Before she had time to ponder any more thoughts, she was aware Tea had started moving. Her friend's legs thumped onto the machine several times as she twirled and leapt like a ballerina. Kiera looked beside her and was suddenly aware Yugi and the rest of the gang had joined them.

"Tea's good isn't she?" Yugi asked.

"Yeah," She said slowly, still uncomfortable with the noise and the growing crowd.

Then, it happened.

It was for some strange reason that abruptly, everything was blocked. It was as if she had been dunked underwater without any warning. Suddenly, all she could hear was this sucking sound like a whirlpool and then a high-pitched shriek.

"No!"

An image of a little girl with long, blonde hair shot into her mind, blue eyes anguished. Cerulean blue eyes…

No one noticed. She felt a painful sucking sound in her ears, jabbing her with millions of sharp knives. Then, once again, her legs moved on its own accord.

Stop! She desperately commanded herself but to no avail.

She was barely aware of Yugi's shocked face or his alarm as she hurtled out of the arcade. Where was she going?

Her legs took her on a long run, back…to the park! Outside the Kaiba mansion!

With a terrible screeching sound, she stopped, breathless and distraught. What had happened? Why did she return?

Behind her, she was shocked to see a breathless, panting Yugi jogging up to her. Trembling, she felt her tears start again as she cried. Shuddering, she collapsed onto the pavement and buried her face in her hands.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry Yugi," She managed to gasp.

"Come back to the shop Kiera," Yugi said, smiling in a tired but warm manner.

000

He paced grumpily in his study. When and Why he had started pacing made no sense to him. He was happy! He was happy! That manipulative witch had gone! That…stupid girl who had changed Mokuba had left!

On her own accord at that! He should be happy! And yet, he wasn't. He felt more restless than ever now that Kiera was gone. She had been a nuisance! She was so stupid! He was glad to rid the house of her!

And yet…

000

He led her gently to the couch and sat her down. She was still trembling with fright and nervousness. What would happen to her now? There was a long, awkward silence, in which Yugi gazed at her, lost in his own thoughts and she was trying to contain her tears.

"Kiera," Yugi said finally, breaking the silence that had dawned over the small shop, "There's…someone I want you to meet. I think…I think he'll be able to understand and help you."

She nodded but was confused as he stayed where he was, not going to the phone or anything. It was then she noticed a triangular shaped object dangling around Yugi's neck. It was a pyramid! There was a strange eye symbol in the middle of the thing and the whole pyramid glinted with gold.

Before she could look further, the eye exploded with gold light. Jumping back in alarm, she watched in fright as Yugi was enveloped by the light. When the gold faded, she saw Yugi, sitting where he was before.

"Yugi?" She asked the boy hesitantly, "Um…where's your friend?"

"I'm already here," Yugi replied, in a much deeper tone than Yugi usually used, "And my name is Yami."

So I've finally got off my lazy backside and updated! Reviewers cheer Anyway, I'm so happy with the reviewers! So many reviews! We seriously don't deserve it! Sniffs Anyway, sorry about the late update people but Moonlight Mage has laryngitis and I was focusing on my website and Soaring over Nile. Not to mention we were in major writers block.

Anyway, Kaiba is being such a jerk isn't he? Laughs What is he feeling? Not love yet I'm afraid. And no, there will not be any Kiera/Yugi pairings. And I wrote Yami because this story isn't supposed to be Japanese version based Yugioh. So deal with the dub okay?

Mild cliffhanger for all you reviewers. Unfortunately, no more prewritten chapters so it's back from scratch. Expect some later updates. Gomen nasai! Anyway, thank you to the last batch of reviewers!

Rikki K- Thanks for your review and support as always!

ANAYAS-CREATOR- Sydney is alright. We live in the inner suburbs so no snakes yet. Pouts The weather change is not too boring I suppose. I mean, you can get a summer day in the middle of winter and people don't care. But I really want to see snow! Thanks for your review!

Jennifer- I know what you mean! I lose my memory when I eat chocolate! Thanks for your review!

Fjord Cannon- Lol. So it's Kiera 1 and Kaiba 0! Go Kiera! Thanks for reviewing!

xXdarkXflamexX- If we didn't stop, you'd be here all day won't you? Thanks for the review anyway.

Serenity Meowth- Thanks for the boost up! And thanks for your review!

Emma- Thanks for reviewing!

Vic- Wow…you were patient! Hope this meets your expectations!

Aurorablu- Ahh! Cute bunny! And I got Fruits Basket manga at last! Thanks for reviewing Sierra!

Darkblinds- The others are like marionettes without me. Lol. But thanks for the review and sympathy!

RedEyesDarknessDragonLady- Sorry for not updating for so long but we were in a major writers block for this chapter. Not to mention projects, websites and other stuff getting in the way. Sorry but hope you like this chapter! Bows apologetically

Yami-AJ Yu-Yu-InuCaptor- Hey, no problem. Your writing is very good so stop putting yourself down! And glad to see you changed the summary. Don't be so hard on yourself. Come on, lighten up a bit! Thanks for reviewing!

Thanks reviewers and hopefully, we'll have a more recent update soon!

Until next time,

Eternal Phoenix