Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh!

This is my first fanfic ever, kinda nervous...but here it goes. Please R&R but no flames!

No Anzu bashing!

It was a hot Summer day. Everyone was at the game shop trying to cool down.

"Hey Tea, are you all right?" asked Yugi concernedly. "You've recently seemed out of it."

"What? Oh...yeah, I haven't been getting enough sleep," said Tea with a wan smile. Ever since her parents had died a few months ago, she had been getting these strange dreams. Of course, she had told herself, I won't tell the others (Yugi, Yami, Mai, Joey, Tristan, Ryou, Bakura, Malik, Marik), I don't want them worrying even more.

"Really, I'm fine," she said.

The others exchanged looks.

"Still sorry over your parents deaths?" sneered Marik, speaking up unexpectedly.

"Marik shut up!" everyone exclaimed.

"What," Marik demanded, she's gettin' on my nerves wearin' that glazed look on her face whenever you ask her if she's alright."

Secretly Marik liked Tea but hid it by acting as if she was just another annoying mortal. As the others started arguing with him, Tea thought to herself, I hate it when they talk as if I'm not here. I can fight my own battles. Suddenly everything seemed too much for her, Her inner rage at her parent's deah, the way everyone treated her as if she was stained glass, Marik's cold contempt toward her...it was as if she had asorbed every little thing starting from her parent's death until now, and was about to explode.

"Marik!" she yelled.

Abruptly the din stopped as everyone stared at Tea in surprise. Normally Tea would have been mortified, but she was fed up with Marik's attitude.

"Why don't you shut up for once and give your opinion when someone actually needs it?" she yelled with a red face.

Everyone: 0__o

Marik smiled. "Well, well, well...happy cheerleader actually has a backbone. But don't think you'll ever beat me in an argument. You should pick on someone your own age," he said, widening his smile. Everyone stared apprehensively at Tea and Marik.

"uhh...Tea you sure you're alright?" asked Joey hesitantly.

"Yes I am, and I'm tired of you guys acting as if I'm a depressed little girl who can't take care of herself, who might commit suicide!.......oh my gosh I...I didn't mean it that way," said Tea. "I....I gotta go." With that, she grabbed her purse and started to run out the door.

"Wait! Tea!" everyone shouted (except Bakura and Marik).

"Running away Tea?" yelled Marik mockingly.

Tea skidded to a stop. All of a sudden WHAM! Her purse flew in the air and smacked him full in the nose.

"What the f@%*!" he yelled.

"What's the matter Marik, can't take your own medicine? Tea said with a smirk. The group stared at Tea's sudden change in attitude. I...why did I just do that? Tea thought to herself. It must be my pent up emotions or something..

"Im sorry," she said apologetically to a groaning Marik. "I don't know what came over me...besides I don't think it should hurt that bad."

"Bitch!" Marik said holding his hands over his bloody nose. "Well, why don't you leave you prissed up cheerleader. Leave your cheering for someone who actually needs it," he said through gritted teeth, throwing her words back at her.

"Marik!" gasped Malik, "how could you?"

Tea stood frozen in shock. Suddenly she turned and ran out as tears started to stream down her face. Everyone glared at Marik who was now regretting his harsh words.

************************************************************************

Tea ran sobbing toward her house. Slam! went her bedroom door as she collapsed on her bed, crying helplessly. I'm so weak, she said to herself. To let myself get hurt by a stupid jerk like him. Why should I care about what he says...But is he right?...does Yugi and Joey really need my help? she said softly.

After crying herself out, she fell in to a fitful sleep and started to dream.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tea woke up (in the dream). Where am I, she thought. "Oh great, it's the stupid dream again," she exclaimed.

"What's the matter," said an amused voice. "Don't like the dream?"