BLACKMAIL
(changing POV)

Tea gasped, which made Yugi wince. "Oh, Yugi," she giggled. "That's cute. That was a good one. Great joke."

Yugi looked at her threateningly. "I wasn't joking." He didn't notice his link had unblocked when he winced. "You'll see. I'll make him see, too."

//Make who see what?// Atem asked.

Yugi paled. /Nothing. It's nothing./

"Yuig? You OK? I'm sorry I laughed. I didn't know you truely love-."

"Tea, I'm sorry. I have to go," Yugi interrupted. He ran to the game shop and left Tea standing stunned.

//Yugi, calm down and tell me who Tea was talking about.//

Yugi ran up the stairs. /No. No. I can't. It's a curse. I'll be teased by you./ Yugi leaned against his far bedroom wall and slid down it with his knees to his chest.

//Slow down. Calmly tell me what you are mumbling about.//

/Tea asked me out,/ Yugi blurted. There was no answer from Atem. /I'm sorry. Yami? You still there?/

//Yes. I hope you two are happy together-.//

/I said no./ There was a stunned silence. /I'm...in love with.../ He couldn't believe he was going to tell him; couldn't believe he was saying it.

"Yugi?" His grandfather stood in the doorway. "You okay?" Yugi nodded. "Good. I need your help." Yugi nodded again, and Solomon left.

"You're in love with who?" Yugi didn't look at Atem, who had suddenly appeared. "Yugi, please." But Yugi got up and ran after his grandfather. Atem sighed.

The phone rang. "Hello. Mutou residence," Atem answered.

"Yugi?" He sighed, this time with relief; it was Tea.

"No. Yugi's busy."

"Oh." There was a small uncomfortable pause.

"Maybe you can help me. I couldn't get it out of Yugi-."

"If it's Yugi's busness, he's the only one to tell you; not me."

"I thought you might say that," Atem chuckled. "He told me you asked him out." He tried to get his answer a different way.

"Yeah, I did. He said no."

"Do you know why?"

"Yes, but I can't tell you." She hesitated. "Unless you answer my question correctly." He could hear the smirk in Tea's voice.

"That's blackmail." Tea giggled. "Okay. I'll play along. Ask away." He smiled.

"What is Yugi to you?" There was no hesitation this time.

The smile faded. "He's my best friend."

"I hear a 'but' there," Tea teased. "If there is, you may get your answer."

"There is. I want him to be more. I just do not think...What if he is not...you know...that way?"

"So you love him?" Tea asked softly.

"Very much. But I do not have a chance."

"I have good news and...well, better news." She waited. When there was no answer she continued. "The good news is, you answered my question right. I'm sorry to also inform you that you are quite blind."

"Are you trying to tease me? That's the better news-?"

"No, no, no. That was still just the good news. The better news is Yugi said no to me because he loves someone else."

"Tea," Atem warned.

"Okay, okay. Jeez. Are you so blind as to not see? I mean, it's obvious isn't it? He's in love with you!"