Disclaimer: Me and Vaz-chan do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters! So don't sew us!
Vaz1201: We do not own anything! Lol
HIDDEN SECRETS
Chapter One
" Oh man………can't I sleep just a little longer?" Groaning, Tea rolled on her side, facing the clock on her nightstand beside the bed.
It was a quarter to twelve, and she'd barely woken from what seemed like the best dream on the planet: Her and Yami on a date, at night, without the guys, without any worries, or evil bad guys out to get Yami's puzzle.
Yawning, Tea rose from her bed, sitting up, thinking back on her wonderful dream with a smile.
Getting up from her bed, she stretched and walked lazily to the bathroom several feet away. Shutting the door behind her, once inside, Tea took a good look at herself in the mirror.
Whoa! She looked like one of those freaky zombies out of a horror movie; hair frizzed and in all directions. She looked like a wreck!
She gave an inward shudder. Thank God none of the guys were around, they'd laugh and make fun of her about this for the rest of her life!
Quickly, remembering where she was supposed to be, she began undressing, before turning on the faucet to the shower where she waited for the hot water to run.
Good enough! She thought, stepping into the bath tub while closing the curtain around the shower
Humming a silent unknown tune, Tea washed and scrubbed her body with a bar of soap and a loofa. She wanted to smell, feel, and look as clean as possible.
After all she was going to see Yugi, which meant, in a way, she was going to see Yami.
No time for daydreams Tea! She scolded herself, You have less than ten minutes to get ready and be at Yugi's!
Grabbing the strawberry scented shampoo, she squeezed a good amount onto her hands before spreading it in her palms, then lathering the pink goop into her hair.
Once she rinsed her hair and body, Tea turned off the faucetthen exited the shower stall, stepping out into the foggy bathroom to snatch a towel from the toilet seat.
Man it's cold, She thought while wrapping the blue towel around herself before stepping out and into her bedroom.
She hurriedly walked to the dresser, opening the first drawer to grab some undergarments. Letting the towel drop to the floor, she pulled on her bra and panties.
Now, what to wear...? She wondered, walking to her closet and opening it to look over the selection of clothes to choose from.
She had to make a good impression after all. Yami would be there, in a way, so she had to look her best!
Hmm, maybe this...and this... She randomly pulled out an outfit and tossed it on her bed behind her. Now for her shoes. She tapped aimlessly at her chin
These will do…. She grabbed the burgundy platforms at the floor of her closet. She turned around with a clap of her hands. Now to actually put them on!
The shoes would be for last, no matter how much she loved how they looked on her, Tea wasn't that desperate to put those 'clonkers' on just yet and kill her feet over.
She grabbed the burgundy plaid skirt up from her bed, examined it with a frown, then an affirmative nod, before she pulled it up her legs.
I guess this matches….. She eyed the multicolored tank top, a mellow burgundy and yellow, with a pattern that reminded her of a zebra. She drew it up and over her head, pulling it on to a snug fit.
There, Thankfully, having short hair, for a girl that is, it took no more than two minutes to blow dry, comb and fix her hair into its natural style.
Oh! Gotta hurry! Not much time left! She didn't want to be late and, knowing Yugi's grandpa, she knew the poor guy was going to be slaving around the shop all weekend.
It's now or never. Hopefully Yugi will say yes. Lastly she slipped on the platforms that had criss-cross straps. And to finish it off…
Perfect! She smiled as she slipped two bracelets on each wrist, a bronze and yellow that suited her outfit well. It was as if they were made just for it.
Oh! Almost forgot! She picked up the black belt from off her bed that went with the skirt and slipped it on.
There, now I'm done! Whew! This was a record; fastest dress-out time for a girl: Eight minutes!
Without another second to waste, Tea dashed out of her room, down the stairs, where she almost tripped but managed to catch herself, then out the door and to Yugi's house.
It wasn't a long walk, but in these shoes, it sure felt it! Tea panted, trying to run to her best ability in three inch platforms. Which didn't turn all out graceful.
She looked like she had knee surgery and she was just recovery and relearning how to walk and run.
I can see the Kame Shop! Tea didn't know when she felt more happier to see the small, quaint game shop. She skidded to a stop right in front of the entrance, only stopping to bend on her knees and catch her breath.
" I think…..I'm going to pass out," She gasped out, sucking in a deep breath afterward.
" Tea?" Low and behold, at the entrance,there Yugi stood, handle in right hand, eyes round in shock and surprise.
" H-Hey Yugi," She managed a meek wave and smile. " Sorry I'm late,"
Yugi sidestepped, giving her room to walk in, before he closed the door and followed after her.
" You're right on time,"He replied, smile wide and bright. She smiled back, relieved.
Well, here goes. " Say...Yugi?"
" Yes, Tea?" He stared up at her.
" Well…I was….sort of wondering if...if I could"
Bring! Bring!
Yugi shifted his eyes toward the kitchen where the phone was hooked up on the wall.
" Umm...I need to take this, hold on just a minute, Tea." Smile in place,he ran to the phone, picking it up quick and answering.
" Hello? Kame shop, how may I help you?"
"Yugi!" Yugi winced gently from the young voice on the other side, knowing who it was.
" Hello Rebecca, may I ask why you're calling again?" All last week she called him after school, or sent him emails through the mail.
It had been three months since Dartz and his gang had been gone, and everyone went their separate ways except for Tristan, Joey, Tea and him.
" Well grandpa said he had some traces to the pharaoh's past and he wanted to bring you and your grandpa along with us on the journey."
Yugi was speechless; could it all be this easy?
" I'll have to check, but I'm sure we'll be able to come along!" He said enthusiastically into the phone, glancing sideways to Tea who was blankly looking around the shop.
Tea sighed, That must be some important call, She noted, absently picking up Yugi's deck that he'd left behind to answer the phone, shuffling through the cards aimlessly with a bored look.
Whoa! The cards were glowing! At least, she thought they were. That or something very weird and creepy was going on. She dropped the cards on instinct, scattering them across the floor.
W-What's going on? She panicked, and who in the right mind wouldn't! What if she'd done something to Yugi's cards?
She shielded her eyes, unable to withstand the blinding light generating from one of the cards. A flash of light spread through the shop, startling Yugi who was ending his phone conversation with Rebecca.
" What just happened...?" Tea breathed, lowering her eyes to stare back at the card that had emitted the light, only to find the name and picture of the identity of the card missing: A blank card.
That can't be good! She thought, biting her lip. Not just that, but in its place, standing a foot affront the fallen cards, was the Obnoxious Celtic Guardian!
This can't be happening! Tea rubbed her eyes fiercely, then looked back at the spot.
Still there! What the heck was going on here? How could he have been summoned without an arena? Without the technological support of Kaiba's invention: the duel disk?
I have to be dreaming! Maybe it was just a really real looking poster on Yugi's wall! Yeah, that had to be it!
Yeah right! Tea thought, What kind of poster moved? Speaking of which, he was coming right for her!
He's going to chop my head off! She dreaded, eyeing the huge blade gripped in his right hand.
He stopped, as if sensing her fear, and stayed still, eyes cool and blank, a sharp green.
" Tea! What's going on over there?" Yugi cried out from the kitchen, covering the mouth piece to the phone.
" Nothing! It was…a umm... light bulb! Yes, a light bulb went out!" She called back from the main room, nervously eyeing the elf standing just a few feetfrom her while doing so.
Hearing an "Okay" from the kitchen, Tea moved her eyes back to the elf, too afraid to move or speak to the mystical creature.
What am I going to do now? Tea thought, rubbing her head gently.
Yugi shrugged, ignoring the weird noises coming from the main room as he removed his hand from the mouth piece and continued to talk with Rebecca on the other line.
" So, what do you think Yugi? I mean, you did say in one of your emails Gold Week(1) is this week and I'm sure it will only take that long to find all the information we need. Besides, I miss you." Yugi blushed lightly, while he could feel his dark side smirk.
" I suppose, but I might have to ask grand-"
" Oh he knows already! He just wanted to know if you wanted to go before he started packing." She chirped in interruption.
Yugi gave a sweatdrop, why doesn't anyone tell him anything anymore?
" Sure then, I'll be happy to come to America and find more artifacts on the pharaoh. Plus, it will give me something to do this week."
" Can't wait to see you then Yugi!" There was a faint " smooch" noise on her end, and Yugi could almost see the thirteen year old girl pressing the tips of her right hand to her lips, before pulling them away and blowing an invisible kiss into the mouth piece.
He let out a nervous laugh; Rebecca was...quite the interesting girl. He put the phone back on the receiver hung on the wall before he made his way toward the main entrance where he left Tea.
" Sorry about that...Te...ahh...?" He stared, bewildered, as Tea seemed to be, or rather struggling, to shove someone out of the shop.
" Y-Yugi!" She whirled around to stare at the short duelist coming back from the kitchen. " B-Back so soon?"
" Tea...who's that?" Yugi asked, looking past her to the rather tall person behind her. Tea let out a loud, nervous laugh, hand behind her head. She almost resembled Joey when he told a lie to cover something up. Something sneaky...
There was something ...odd about her attitude.
" Whose who?" She asked, acting confused as she looked at the area Yugi was staring at, over-looking the elf she knew was very well there.
" I don't see anybody," She added, looking sure of herself.
Yugi blinked. " But...he's right behind you, Tea," Then added in a more suspicious tone, " What's going on here?"
" Nothing! I-I don't see anyone Yugi...you must be...seeing things!" She assured, nodding frantically. Oh please let him believe me!
Before Yugi could repeat himself and point out the young man behind her, Tea had done a back-kick with her right leg, kicking whoever the person was out of the shop and onto the sidewalk outside.
" Tea...what's this all about? Who was that?" Yugi asked, persistent.
" No-one. So, who was on the phone?" She asked, avoiding the subject.
Yugi didn't let his eyes wander from the stranger, as he spoke to Tea half-heartedly, more interested with the person outside.
" It was Rebecca..."
" What did she want?" Tea couldn't help it, she was jealous! And of a girl who was half her age!
" She wanted to take me and Grandpa to America..." He reluctantly tore his eyes away from the stranger, letting them fall on Tea who looked flustered, but not of embarrassment.
Since when did Tea have fangs...? And steam coming out of her ears? He blinked, oblivious to what he thought was some allergy reaction on Tea's behalf.
" AMERICA!" She screeched. She knew that little brat was out to get her! Her right eye gave an unconscious twitch.
She's trying to steal Yugi from me! I just know it! Tea was positive those were Rebecca's intentions.
" What for?" She sputtered, confused and angry all at once.
" Rebecca's grandfather found some new artifacts he thinks might be connected with the Pharaoh," Yugi explained.
Tea could only gape. Why her? Why now! " B-But..." Did she really have a right to tell Yugi he shouldn't go? That it was all a bad idea? Just because she was edgy with the whole idea of him being around Rebecca?
" For how long?" Tea asked, not sure she wanted to know. Please say a day or two!
" A week. But it might be longer, I'm not sure," Yugi said, pondering silently to himself a moment. The color in Tea's face drained.
" A WEEK!" If all hell didn't break loose then, than Yugi didn't know what he was seeing! When did Tea have the ability to glare holes in walls!
Yugi leapt out of the way, fearing that she'd burn a whole through him. " T-That's right...Is something wrong Tea?"
" No," She ground out, whipping her head to the side. How could Yugi sound so carefree about it? Did he really not mind spending a week in America with Rebecca? Sure they wouldn't be alone, accompanied by their grandpa's, but just the thought...
Oh! Someone up there hates me! I just know it! Tea concluded, glaring at the ceiling.
" Tea? Tea?" Yugi eyed her awkwardly; she was acting weird ever since he'd come back from talking to Rebecca on the phone!
" I've...got to go," She hurriedly turned to leave.
" Tea, wait! Wasn't there something"
" No, Yugi. It's not important. Have fun in America," With Rebecca! She added bitterly in thought as she made her way out of the Game Shop with green envy.
Sure she felt foolish, but Yugi, or rather the Pharaoh, was the first guy she had a real solid crush on. And for a thirteen year old to beat her out of her own game, well it wasn't something Tea enjoyed.
" Oomph!" Tea ran face-first into the solid chest of the person she'd completely forgotten about.
Obnoxious Celtic Guardian! I completely forgot about him! Tea thought, while tending to her nose that had collided with the elf's armored chest. Armored! Now that hurt.
She remembered Yugi could easily see them from inside the shop, so, gathering her wits, she grabbed the elf by his sleeve and yanked him down the sidewalk to a more secluded place.
" How-How did this happen?" She asked him, once she found a small alley nearby.
He stared down at her from his towering height that matched Kaiba's. She wouldn't be surprised if he was taller!
She strained to meet his eyes without breaking her neck. When he made no motion to answer, Tea sighed.
This is pointless. I'm talking to a card! She was really losing it. That or today just wasn't her day.
" Do you talk at all?" She asked, irritated, hands on hips. Was he mute? Did he know how to talk? Did cards talk?
Oh, what am I thinking! She threw her hands up in the air. She would have a better conversation talking to herself!
His eyes lowered to her face where they stayed, as if he was studying her in his own way.
Slowly, as if speaking to an illiterate person, she asked, " Do you," She pointed to him, " Know how you got here?"
Nothing. Zip. This guy either didn't know how to talk, or didn't feel like it!
Sounds like Kaiba to me, Tea thought, snorting. She just hoped and prayed this was a stupid dream. How else was this possible?
He wasn't a hologram, so how could he be breathing and living like any other normal human being?
Not counting his weird outfit and that sword he's got…..She was glad he'd put the sword back in the sheath strapped to his upper right backside.
What if someone sees him? And just by looking at him you could tell he wasn't from around here. That or he was going to some anime convention dressed up as a duel monster, but she highly doubted people would assume that at first sight.
Think, come on, think of a plan Tea! Just do it before someone sees him and gets suspicious!
" Come on!" She tugged at his sleeve. " We're going to my house!" At least there she could sort things out and figure how to get the guy back into a card!
No time to lose! I need all the time I've got!
Yugi sighed; well that, in a nut shell, was the strangest thing he'd seen. Tea was acting so suspicious, and who was the huge guy she was trying to get out of the shop?
His eyes fell to the floor. My cards! He knelt down and quickly scooped up the scattered cards in his arms.
" What the...?" Yugi plucked the blank card out from the rest. He turned it over, then flipped it, then proceeded to study it a minute or so more.
" It's blank…" He breathed. Was it one of his? No, he never had a blank card before. He shrugged.
" Must be one of grandpa's," He set it aside on the glass counter beside him, before restacking his deck and tucking them in his pant pocket.
Now to pack…
" Hoe! Of all days why did it have to rain today?' Tea cried, moving her arms around her.
There they were, her and Celtic, standing at an intersection, in the rain, soaking.
Her teeth gave a chatter. Come on! Change already!
Too impatient to wait, Tea dashed quickly to the other side, dragging Celtic with her.
This is what I get for being nice. Why didn't she bring a sweater? Or even an umbrella just in case?
But the news said it was going to be all sun today! Not a drop of rain or snow! Figure the weather channel to be wrong!
She turned sharply when she felt a heavy cloth fall over her head, shoulders and back. She looked up at Celtic to realize he'd discarded his green cape, and was now draping it over her head and shoulders to fend off the rain.
" T-Thanks," She sneezed, then groaned. His expression and eyes remained impassive, narrow at the tips with thick eyelashes that drooped over his green eyes.
She quickly whipped her head around when she'd found herself gawking at him like some freak. She set a slow pace ahead, every so often sneaking a peek or two at him to make sure he didn't get lost or too far away.
His walk was graceful, but there was a strong, prideful stiffness to his neck and shoulders that belied any frailty by mere assumptions based on his delicate features.
No doubt he was as soaked to the bone as her, but he made no complaints or gestures that the rain even existed or bothered him.
She looked back ahead, scolding herself to pay attention up ahead instead of back at him.
You're almost there, just a few more blocks…
Authors' Notes: We hope you like how the first chapter went!
Princessyoukai: This is a first for me. I've never written a fic with another author, but I must say me and Vaz-chan make a great team!
Vaz1201: Hey! I am very happy to read this and here is a note on something in the story! I hope to be able to update on chapter two soon with my best pal here!
Princessyoukai: And remember to read and review, me and Vaz would appreciate it much! lol. We did write this thing together, so we're excited to see what people think!
1) Gold Week aka Spring Break in America