The limo pulled up to the game shop that Yugi called home. This was probably the fifth time that the Kaiba brothers entered as guests in the past two years. It felt odd for Kaiba to think that he was welcome in someone's home.

'Hmph, these dweebs are like friendship leeches…' he thought dryly.

"Come on Big Bro!" Mokuba called from the front door.

Sighing through his nose, Kaiba followed his brother into the shop. Inside it was warm and smelled like it was recently cleaned. Yugi's Grandpa was standing at the front desk of the shop and smiled as the brothers walked in.

"Hello boys! Everyone is upstairs if you would like to join them."

"Thanks Mr. Muto!" Mokuba grinned, while Kaiba gave a short nod.

It still felt wrong to be welcomed by Solomon Muto after what he did to the old man's beloved card. Although Mr. Muto forgave the eldest brother over a year ago for what he did, Kaiba still felt like he needed to repay him.

'But the stubborn fool won't accept anything!' Kaiba thought in frustration.

As they headed upstairs, noises could be heard from the television room. It was surprising how large the rooms were in the game shop, despite its small exterior. Both brothers walked into the room where the party was being held and Kaiba saw that most of the Nerd Herd was there. Tristan and Duke were blowing up balloons on the couch, Bakura and Yugi were setting out snacks and drinks, and Joey struggled with hanging a banner that crudely read 'Welcome Home Téa!'

Ever since Téa went to study abroad two years ago she began to make a name for herself as a professional dancer. It was only recently that she was able to take a break from studying and make it home to visit. Kaiba himself hadn't heard much about the girl except from her friends on his rare visits with Mokuba.

While he never socialized with her much, there were a few instances that stood out to him during their adventures. His first memory of her was in Duelist Kingdom when he had tricked Yugi into losing their duel…

"He spared you! Kaiba, he showed you compassion. Which is more than you deserve!" Her baby blue eyes blazed with anger as she looked at the young man before her.

He had scoffed, "He lost the game."

"The game?! Yugi may have lost one lousy duel monsters game, but at least he hasn't lost his heart! Not like you Seto Kaiba! You've spent so much time with your machines that you've forgot what being human is about!"

The words struck a nerve and Kaiba found himself unable to deny that truth. Laying a hand over her chest she continued in a softer tone.

"Yugi has a heart Kaiba. Yugi has us; friends that will stand with him till the end, no matter whether he wins or loses some lousy game. And what do you have Seto Kaiba? What do you have at the end of the day? Tell me. Tell me!"

Gritting his teeth, he yelled back at her angrily, "I have all that I need!"

Snapping out of his memories Kaiba took another look around the room and shook his head. His life has changed greatly ever since he met Yugi and his friends. At first he felt such hatred for them that he would rather die than spend his time around them. And now he's here, helping set up a welcome-home party for the dweebette.

He sighed, 'How the mighty have fallen'

"Hey Rich Boy! Get off your pampered butt and help us, will ya?!"

Feeling his eye twitch, Kaiba walked over to where the blond haired man was still struggling with the banner. With his height he easily grabbed one end and pinned it above the doorframe.

Kaiba smirked when he saw the aggravated look on Joey's face,

"Maybe if you weren't a short little Chihuahua you could have done it yourself."

"Why you-!"

Yugi interrupted by running into the room from downstairs, smiling from ear to ear.

"Guys! Her taxi just pulled up, she's here!"

Everyone's faces lit up, Kaiba being the exception, and ran to hide in the room. Joey and Yugi scrambled behind the couch while Tristan and Bakura inched behind bookcases. Duke turned the lights off before he ducked under the table in the corner of the room.

"Seto! You gotta hide!" Mokuba whispered from his spot underneath the desk. Rolling his eyes Kaiba took a step towards his brother when the door opened and light pooled in. Being the only one in the open Kaiba was exposed immediately.

Squinting while his eyes adjusted, he was able to make out a silhouette of a woman in the doorway.

"Kaiba?"

She flicked the lights on and the room was visible once more. Once the lights came on everyone jumped from their hiding spot.

"SURPRISE!"

Téa smiled wide as she saw all of her friends. They all began to gather around to welcome her back. Kaiba took this moment to step away and quietly observe the young lady in front of him.

He remembered what she had looked like during his previous duel with Yugi. But now it seemed as though she grew up more since then. Her white teeth practically gleamed and it made her smile blinding. Although she kept the same short hairstyle as before, the brown locks seemed more shinny and soft. But what drew the most attention were her eyes. They were framed in thick eyelashes and sparkled with pure happiness.

'Had they always been that blue?'

"Did we scare you Téa?" Mokuba chirped, drawing Kaiba out of his observations.

'Ugh. Get a grip.' Kaiba thought, cringing at the fact that he was so absorbed with her appearance.

Téa laughed and gave the younger Kaiba a hug, "Just a little bit. Although I must say, I was surprised to see your brother first."

She glanced at the elder brother and winked, "Does that make you my surprise?"

Mokuba's eyes widened and his jaw dropped a little.

Not knowing how to answer and feeling very uncomfortable, Kaiba cleared his throat and broke eye contact.

Everyone seemed shocked at such a bold statement from their friend. Duke scratched his cheek, Tristan seemed frozen, Joey looked ready to faint, Bakura smiled uncertainly, and Mokuba began to grin.

Yugi chuckled, "Téa, did you just flirt with Kaiba?"

Hearing the word 'flirt' sent heat to Kaiba's face. His body stiffened up and he was about to lash out in defense. It wasn't until he heard Téa laugh that he turned to glare at the woman.

"My bad guys, I think I became a little too comfortable in America. These things are not taken as seriously there. I didn't mean to make things weird!"

Joey sighed with relief, "Aw man, that scared me for a second. I thought you were putting the moves on Rich Boy. How scary would that be? But I might have to steal that line, it was pretty smooth!"

Téa shook her head and grinned, "Whatever you say Joey."

While the group chatted and ate Kaiba managed to find him a spot on the wall to lean on. No matter how many times Mokuba dragged him here to hang out with these dweebs he always felt out of place.

Kaiba crossed his arms, 'It didn't help that Gardner basically threw herself at me.'

Ok, maybe that was an exaggeration. But it still made him feel uneasy about the whole conversation. It was true that he had 'mellowed out' over the years, according to Mokuba. But that didn't mean he was comfortable with the friendly banter. It also seemed that Téa gained quite a bit of confidence since she'd been gone.

He frowned and looked over at the girl in question. She was busy talking with most of her friends. Kaiba wondered if she knew of his gradual shift in attitude and how he had changed since they met last.

'Probably,' he thought simply, "She wouldn't have had the guts to say that to me before.'

"Hey Bro." Mokuba walked up and handed his brother a drink, "Having fun brooding in the corner?"

"Better than playing Pictionary."

Grinning, Mokuba took a sip from his cup. "Thanks for coming Seto. I'm glad we came to welcome Téa back home."

Kaiba hummed and took a sip as well.

"By the way…" Mokuba looked up at his brother, "That thing with Téa earlier...What was that all about?"

Glancing at her quickly, Kaiba shrugged, "You're guess is as good as mine. Maybe all that dancing shook her brain around."

"Don't be mean." Mokuba smirked, "Just because you were embarrassed…"

Kaiba scoffed, "As if. She was just making me uncomfortable."

Mokuba perked up at his words, "Oh yeah? How so?"

Kaiba felt himself wince at his own honesty; he didn't mean to share his true thoughts. He turned away from his brother's prying eyes he muttered, "Never mind, forget it."

As much as Mokuba wanted to pry he knew that his brother would shut himself off if he kept digging. Instead, he looked at Téa as she poured herself some more punch.

"She's pretty." He said simply.

Kaiba turned to look at the woman as well. He took in her face and noticed the small details that hid there. Her body was sculpted through dancing but her shoulders were too broad for her slim frame. She also had dimples in her cheeks when she smiled and her skin was not as free of blemishes as one would hope.

"She is, " Kaiba finally stated, "but she is not without imperfections."

Mokuba smiled at his brother, "I get a feeling that you don't mean it as an insult."

"No, I'm just being truthful. However, some of her imperfections can be rather…charming. Annoying, but charming to some degree."

"Backhanded compliment. Nice."

Kaiba smirked, "But a compliment nonetheless."

A female voice chimed in, "I'll take what I can get."

Both brothers spun their heads to see Téa approaching with a smile.

Mokuba smiled back but he could sense his brother's walls go back up. It seemed that Téa noticed as well because her smile faded slightly. Scratching her cheek nervously, she tried to start up some conversation.

"Um, so I don't believe that I officially said hello to you Kaiba. I was honestly surprised to hear about you willingly attending the party."

Kaiba didn't meet her gaze and replied stiffly, "Mokuba wanted to come."

"I…I see. Well, I'm glad you came too."

It was very silent for a few moments. Mokuba began to fidget uncomfortably and it got to the point were he needed to intervene. Hopefully it would be a safe topic.

"Have you heard of the new technology that Yugi and my brother are coming up with?"

Téa seemed happy for a topic change because she smiled at the younger brother.

"I've heard a little from Yugi. It's a new virtual system, right?"

"Not quite." Kaiba suddenly spoke up.

Mokuba silently cheered when Téa turned her attention to his brother. He was also happy that Seto was taking the lead in the conversation. It wasn't long before the three were politely discussing the breakthroughs that Kaiba Corp was discovering. However, Mokuba made an effort to resist talking too much. His brother didn't seem to mind much as he proudly explained the projects currently in progress.

Téa was honestly shocked at how much Kaiba was contributing to their discussion. Looking back on how she remembered him, he wasn't very keen on socializing with her or her friends. She had heard from Yugi that Kaiba was making a change for the better, but looking at him now she knew that Yugi was wrong.

'He's not changing,' She smiled, ' he's learning how to be himself'.