Title: These Are The Days We Will Remember

Author: Knights-Honour

Summary:

Tea attends her Year 12 Formal with a certain once-Pharaoh.

Disclaimer:

"Yu-Gi-Oh" and related characters © Kazuki Takahashi

Author's Note:

I was inspired to write this story after I saw a beautiful piece of fanart on DeviantArt by Yamigirl21 of Yami and Tea in evening wear.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the story...

Chapter 1 – As Days Go By

"All right class. Settle down, settle down," Mr Hiro called to his English students.

The majority of the rowdy group of teens did as instructed, but two bickering voices could still be heard in the classroom.

"I am not!"

"Ya are so, you big doofus!"

"I am-"

"That applies to you too, Mr Taylor and Mr Wheeler. Or do I need to put you two in detention this afternoon?" Mr Hiro queried the two bickering boys.

"No, sir," The two teens quickly replied as they settled in for the lesson.

From her place, two seats up from where her bickering friends sat, a seventeen year old Tea Gardner rolled her eyes at her friends' antics.

'Leave it to Joey and Tristan to make a scene in the last class of the day,' she thought wryly.

That was very reason was why she'd chosen her current seating arrangement; so that she could pay attention to the lesson without being distracted.

But while that was a blessing in one form, it was a curse in another. Because now she was seated away from her other two friends, Atem and Yugi Motou.

'And speaking of the Pharaoh.'

Glancing back to the seats where here four friends were sitting, her azure eyes met Atem's deep-amethyst ones as he nodded his head in greeting to her. She, in turn, smiled broadly at him before returning her head to the blackboard and her undivided attention to Mr Hiro.

But even as she copied down the notes, Tea couldn't keep the cloud of euphoria that had taken over her system at bay. But she wasn't the only one, many of her fellow female students were fidgety and restless in their seats, more than ready for the day's teachings to be over.

'The Formals really gotten into everyone's systems,' Tea mused, 'even the guys are looking forward to tomorrow night.'

There had even been a few rumours flying around that some of the boys had been taking professional dance lessons so that they wouldn't disappoint their respective dates.

She would be going with a certain Egyptian.

'We've really been through a lot these past couple of years,' she mused again.

She couldn't help but remember the day Atem had returned to their number, on the very day they'd thought he'd left them forever.

The Ceremonial Battle was over, Yugi had won.

And Atem was now walking away from them, towards the gate to the Afterlife.

Tea watched him go, tears brimming in her eyes.

She wanted to call out to him, to tell him not to go, to stay with them, with her. But every time she opened her mouth to speak, the words choked in her throat.

Then a bright light blinded the group as the gate closed shut.

He was gone.

Tea stood, staring at the gate, tears running down her face, as she processed that reality.

Then the tomb began to rumble.

"We gotta get out of here!" Yugi called to his friends.

"Lead the way, Yug'."

But Tea remained frozen in place.

"Tea, let's go!" Tristan called to her as he came up behind her and forced her to get moving.

She remembered how the pain of the loss had ripped through her as her heart had shattered. Of how she'd mourned the fact that the brave Pharaoh would never know how much she cared about him...

...not knowing that on the other side of the gate, he was feeling the same away about them.

Atem paused, looking back at the closed gate, as he felt his own heart ache.

He had been raised in the ancient world, but he realised that his home was in the modern one with Yugi and all of his friends.

"Osiris," he called out to the Egyptian God of the dead.

"Yes, my Pharaoh?"

"I beseech thee; Can I return to the land of the living?"

"If you wish it."

"I do. I realise now, my place, my home is with them."

"As you wish, my Pharaoh."

As the gang had fled from the tomb, Tea had fallen behind.

Then, all of a sudden, the ground had lurched violently beneath her feet causing her to lose her footing as the ceiling had begun to collapse, with her directly beneath it.

Tea cringed, tucking herself in to a ball, her life flashing before her eyes as she braced herself for the impact.

There was no way she could survive this.

And then, from out of nowhere, two strong arms scooped her up and carried her safely out of the danger zone.

When she dared to open her eyes moments after hearing the deafening smash, she could scarcely believe what she saw.

It was him.

"A-Atem?"

"Are you alright?" he queried, his eyes full of concern for her as he gently put her back on her feet.

"Y-yes. But... how? We all saw y-"

"I'll explain it all later. Right now, we need to get out of here."

He'd guided her safely out of the tomb just before it had collapsed.

When the dust had settled, the entire group could do nothing but stare at the Pharaoh, dumbstruck and speechless at his presence among them. On the helicopter ride home, courtesy of Kaiba, he'd told them of his decision, and had found himself in the middle of an emotion-filled group hug when he'd finished speaking.

Atem had adapted to his new life in the modern world with the help of the gang, including enrolling in Domino High School to update his education, surprisingly well.

But in the midst of all of the excitement, Tea hadn't failed to notice that Atem had shown no inclination of affection towards her beyond friendship. So, unwilling to lose that morsel of his attention, she had squashed her romantic feelings for him out of her mind.

But all that had changed last Christmas.

On a suggestion from Yugi, Atem had come over to her house in order to learn more about the modern celebration.

Upon arrival, he'd spotted a sprig of mistletoe hanging in the entry doorframe. Intrigued by the plant, he'd queried her about it, and, thinking nothing of it, Tea had explained its traditions to him.

The rest of the day had been spent baking her renowned Christmas cookies and decorating the house.

All too soon, their time together had come to an end.

They were just saying their good-byes at the front door when it had happened.

She had been standing right under the mistletoe, without even realising it.

When he'd pointed that fact out to her, she'd stumbled over her words as she'd told him that she didn't expect him to actually fulfil the tradition.

But then he'd silenced her with a finger on her lips, his eyes revealing the extent of his feelings for her before he'd spoken.

"I am Pharaoh, the son of Ra. My upbringing was steeped in tradition," he told her softly, "So… who am I to be the one to break it?"

Tea's eyes widened in wonder as she felt her face being tilted upward, his strong fingers curling under her chin and into her hair as he drew closer to her, ever-so-close, until she felt his breath upon her lips, and finally the heady press of warm, soft flesh against them.

She'd simply melted into his arms. Couldn't help herself to do anything else but.

His kiss had been so tender, so gentle; his lips were like soft velvet as they'd caressed her mouth for long, slow moments.

And so, shortly after Christmas, Atem, after seeking her mother's blessing, had started to court her. Now Tea was hard pressed to remember a time when she'd felt more complete then she did right at this moment.

Then, two months ago, when the details about Formal had been finalized, both had immediately known who their respective partner would be.

"Miss Gardner?"

Tea snapped back into reality, and found Mr Hiro looking at her expectantly.

"Yes, sir?"

"Care to answer the question?"

Tea flinched, "I-I'm afraid I didn't hear it, sir."

"Indeed," the English teacher replied, his disappointment toward her lack of focus evident in his voice.

The entire class just gaped at her; it was a very rare thing for Tea to let her mind drift during a lesson.

Mr Hiro's attention shifted to someone behind her, "Yes, Mr Motou?"

"I believe the answer would be; a hyperbole," came Atem's voice.

"Correct. Now..."

After that, Tea kept her mind on the firmly on the lesson.

She couldn't afford to let her grades slip, she reminded herself. Not when a dance scholarship to a top class dance school in New York was at stake.

When class had finished, Tea wrote down the weekend's homework before packing her gear into her backpack and shouldering it as she headed out into the hallway.

"Tea!"

She stopped and looked back as Atem caught up to her, his concern for her evident in his eyes.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course."

"Then what was that..." he nodded his head in the direction of the classroom that they'd just left, referring to what had occurred during the lesson, "...all about?"

"I was just thinking... remembering..."

Atem smiled warmly as he caught the drift of what her thoughts had been about and he understood completely. His life had been a literal whirlwind since he'd returned to the modern world, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

"You are sure that you're alright?" he queried again.

"Positive."

"Very well," he relented as they continued on, side by side, through the corridors.

"How were your classes today?" she queried him.

"Good. Yours?"

"Ditto."

"It's hard to believe that our final exams are only a month away."

"I know. Then it's 'Hello big wide world, here we come!'"

Atem chuckled at Tea's enthusiasm as Yugi, Joey and Tristan caught up with the couple as they exited the school building.

"Please don't talk 'bout the exams, Tea. I already got a headache!" Joey grumbled, "What kinda teacher would set homework on the weekend of the Formal?"

"One that's trying to make sure that we pass them?" Yugi questioned in a helpful voice.

Joey turned to look at the younger of the two Motou brothers.

"Not you too Yug'?!" the dirty blonde haired teen admonished his best friend.

"Sorry, Joey" Yugi replied with a guilty grin.

'Yugi has really changed over the past few years,' Tea mused to herself.

The most noticeable, of course, was his height, though he still wasn't as tall as Atem, who stood just a slight taller than her.

The girls had really started swoon over him during the past few months.

But their attention seeking around him was all in vain because Yugi and Rebecca Hawkins had started dating.

The five friends had reached the main gate when Yugi suddenly remembered something and spoke up.

"I almost forgot to tell you, Tea. We're having a duelling tournament tomorrow, just the five of us, for fun. You interested?" the tri-colour haired youth queried her.

Tea brightened and she responded automatically, "I'd love to Yugi!"

In the peaceful years that had past, Atem had been helping her hone her duelling skills. Though she wasn't tournament level, she was now more than happy to compete against her friends in such competitions, which included Mai and the two Kaiba brothers from time to time.

Tea's disposition fell however, when she remembered that she already had a commitment tomorrow, "But, I can't. I've got work tomorrow."

"Oh... well, that's okay. Maybe another time?"

"You can count on it," she assured him as she turned to head for home, but paused when she heard Atem call out;

"Wait a moment, Tea, I wish to speak with you. Yugi, you go on, I'll see you at home"

"Alright. Bye Tea, see you tomorrow night."

"Yeah, see ya Tea"

"Bye, Tea"

"Bye, guys. Looking forward to seeing you all handsome-like in your Formal wear" she grinningly called after the three boys.

"Tea!"

Tea laughed at the boy's reactions to her comment as she turned her attention back to Atem.

"Yes, my Pharaoh?" she murmured his title with an endearing tone as he drew closer, pulling her into his embrace and nuzzling the sensitive skin below her ear, drawing a shuddering breath from her before he claimed her lips in a slow, savouring kiss.

When they parted, she breathed out shakily, "Not that I'm complaining or anything, but what was that all about?"

"I just realised that I haven't kissed you today," he replied, matter-of-factly.

Tea just laughed as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Trust Atem.

"Still no hint as to what you're wearing tomorrow night?" he questioned.

Smiling against his shoulder, Tea raised her head to look at him. For weeks now he'd been trying to pry the details about her Formal dress out of her. But she'd remained adamant in her decision to only reveal it to him on the night.

Until now, at least.

She knew that she'd have to relent and give her beau some information so that he could pick out a corset for her.

"It's red," she stated.

Atem's eyes gleamed with his victory, nuzzling her neck again as he spoke, "See, that wasn't too hard, now, was it?" he purred into her ear, rewarding her with another passionate kiss.

Tea felt her arousal beginning to pool in her core, and she closed her eyes as he began to stroke her back, adding to the sensations he had already caused.

They had not yet taken that step in their relationship, but Tea knew, without a doubt, that when it did happen, it would be a special and memorable night.

Returning her thoughts to the present, she found Atem gently cradling her in his arms, "Back with me?"

"Mmmhmm."

As Atem let go of her, Tea stepped back and smiled up at him before taking his hand in hers as they began to walk home.

"What time do you want me to pick you up?" Atem queried Tea as they drew level with her house.

"The best time, I think, would be around seven," Tea replied as they stopped at her front gate.

"Very well, I shall see you then," he replied as he gave her a fleeting kiss on the cheek before he continued on his way to the Kame Game shop.

"Good luck tomorrow!" she called out after him on an afterthought.

Glancing back over his shoulder, Atem gave her a thumbs-up in return.

—o—o—o—o—o—o—

The next day...

"Mom, I'm home!" Tea called out as she shut the front door behind her.

"How was work?"

Tea let out a huffed breath in answer.

"Rough shift?"

"The shift was just fine. But Derek didn't turn up to take over, so I couldn't leave when I was supposed to!"

Normally, she wouldn't complain at the extra work, as all the pay she earned from work went into her dancing fund so that she could get set up when she landed in New York. She was well known in her workplace for being honest, reliable and hard-working when she was on the clock.

A thing that she had learned from her mother's example.

But knowing that the Formal fell on one of her work days, she had asked her boss weeks ago if she could finish up early that particular day so that she would have plenty of time to go home and get ready for the dance, and he had happily agreed, arranging for someone to do the rest of her shift.

But today, just as she had been packing up to go, the call of Derek's non-appearance had come through to her, and, reminding herself through the fury that had been boiling through her body, that she needed the money, she'd agreed to stay on and finish the rest of the shift.

Which meant that she now had barely an hour to get ready before Atem arrived to pick her up.

Dianna Gardner approached her daughter as she kicked off her boots, "Don't worry, we'll have you ready in time. You hit the shower, and I'll have everything ready for you when you get out."

Tea smiled appreciatively at her mother as she wrapped her in a hug, "Thanks, Mom."

Dianna returned the hug for a moment before drawing back and nudging her only child in the direction of the bathroom, "Shoo, or that young man of yours will be here!"

"I'm going! I'm going!" Tea laughed and disappeared into the bathroom.

Dianna turned and headed up the stairs and into Tea's room to locate and set up the makeup that she would need for this evening and placed them out on the dressing room table. Turning to the wardrobe, Dianna opened the door, sliding her child's clothes along the rack until she had located the dress. Dianna carefully pulled the frock from the rack before laying the red dress on her daughter's bed.

Tea had found it whist out on a shopping trip with Mai Valentine.

Although Dianna hadn't said anything to her daughter prior to her going out that day, she'd been a little apprehensive about what Tea would pick whilst under the guidance of the elder girl.

Dianna liked Mai, without a doubt, but the way the blonde dressed herself at times often caused the mother to raise her eyebrows.

However, her trust in her daughter had paid off when she'd returned home at the end of the day not only with the beautiful dress that was laid out before her, but a few accessories to go with it as well.

Dianna was extremely proud of the responsible, caring and independent young woman that Tea had become.

Being a single mother in those early years had been a difficult task, she had often had to sacrifice things in her own life so that Tea could attend pre-school and primary school. But once Tea had been old enough to get a job of her own she had done so, albeit sometimes under deception, and had started splitting her pay; half went towards helping her mother with the running of the house and the other half for herself. Then, of course, when her dream of being a dancer had been born, Tea had often sacrificed her portion of her money, putting it towards the fulfilment of that dream.

"Mom, can you bring me my strapless bra and a pair of underpants?" Tea called from the bathroom as she stepped out of the shower, unknowingly snapping her mother out of her trip down memory lane.

"Coming," Dianna called back, grabbing the said items as well as Tea's dressing gown, before heading down the stairs and into the bathroom.

Tea was finishing drying off when Dianna entered the room.

"Thank you," she stated as she hung the damp towel back on the rack and accepted her clothes from her mother. She dressed quickly and followed her mother back to her bedroom, taking a seat on the offered chair so that Dianna could do her makeup.

At that point, with just half an hour to go before seven, Tea could feel the excitement zipping through her body, making her constantly fidget and shift on the seat, which only served to agitate her mother.

"Sit still, Tea!" Dianna scolded her daughter for the hundredth time.

"Sorry."

Dianna paused as Tea's apology stirred a memory to life within her mind and she suddenly chuckled.

Tea looked to her mother, a curious look on her features, "What?" she queried.

"You just sounded exactly like I did to my mother when I was your age preparing for my Formal."

"Like mother, like daughter," Tea quipped, and the two girls laughed.

"Indeed," Dianna replied when they'd calmed down, "I'm almost done, just blusher and lipstick to do now. Can you raise your a little head for me?" Tea complied, "Perfect. Now hold still!"

Once done, Dianna retrieved the blow-dryer and attended to Tea's hair.

"There we go, all finished," Dianna declared as she stepped back minutes later after securing an ornate hairclip into Tea's locks.

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again; you're an angel in disguise, Mom."

"As are you, Tea, as are you," Dianna smiled at her baby girl, "Do you need a hand to get in to your dress?"

"No, I can manage the rest on my own. Can you keep an eye out for Atem for me?" Tea glanced at the clock on her bedside table; 6:50, before adding "He'll probably be here in the next five minutes or so."

"Of course, darling," Dianna stated as she turned and left the room.

Tea fondly watched her mother as she went down the staircase, before she turned her attention back to her dress.

On a secondary thought, she turned on the radio. A man's crooning voice filtered into her room as she slowly and carefully eased the dress over her face so that her makeup didn't rub off.

~These are the days we will remember

And these are the times that won't come again

The highest of flames becomes an ember

And you've got to live it while you can~

At the bottom of the stairs, Dianna stopped and listened to the music coming from upstairs before knocking on the front door caught her attention.

Opening it, Dianna met the respectful gaze of Atem Motou.

"Good evening, Mrs Gardner," the young man greeted her.

"Good evening, Atem. Come in," she stepped aside for him to do so, "Tea won't be long."

"Thank-you."

The elder Gardner woman smiled as she watched Atem take a seat on the sofa to wait for his date.

Over the months that had passed since he'd introduced himself to her and asked for her permission to start courting Tea, Dianna had become quite fond of Atem.

She'd learned from a smitten Tea that he'd always shown nothing but the deepest respect towards the younger Gardner; championing, protecting and defending her from harm's way throughout their many adventures.

Dianna also knew, without a doubt, that she couldn't have asked for anything better in a partner for her baby girl then Atem Motou.

A door closing upstairs drew Dianna from her thoughts. And she and Atem both turned their attention to the stairwell as Tea appeared at the top.

TBC...

Song's Used:

"These Are The Days" by Keith Urban

Author's Note's

Well? What do you think?