Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, just the words in the story.
Hey just a little tribute to the Olympics of 2008 with the cast of Joey and friends. For Seto and Tea fans there's a little side story of their own.
Joey: "What's with this Tea and Seto stuff? I think Sherabo has lost her touch."
Yugi: "Tea needs a boyfriend too, Joey!!"
Joey: "But Kaiba, ah man that's really gross!!"
Ryou: "I think they look cute together,"
Joey: "You're sick too."
Yugi: "Here she comes!!" The gang decides to put duck tape over Joey's mouth, drag him out back and tie him to a tree, till he grows up."
Guys, thanks for the support and reviews, it just makes me blush worst than Tea, if that's possible. Ok, let's go!
Oooooooo
Chapter Seven: "Golden Arrow, Part Two"
Seto's hands, now fist of iron would have shed blood if he could have grabbed them any tighter. His knuckles were white and the veins shone brightly through the ghostly white skin. 'Gardener is in trouble and I am powerless to help. I will not sit here and watch her cry! He thought. Seto's eyes were now dangerous slits as he watched Mokuba and Tea and the drama started to unfold. All his senses were on red alert.
Silver tears streamed down Tea's cheeks as she shouldered the responsibility she felt for someone else's inability to handle problems. 'I guess we are more alike that I thought,' Seto chuckled inwardly. 'I've got to get to know this girl better . . . . Ok, Kaiba just listen . . . don't blow this . . . . It's Mokuba's friend. . . With your tact she'll be running out of the door.' Kaiba's pulse raced as he watched Mokuba place a damp cloth on Tea's head.
"Roland, bring Tea some of that white tea with a little honey, it's her favorite," Mokuba demanded as he wiped the tears from her face with his shirt tail and the chestnut hair beauty seem perfectly at ease with the gesture. Tea began to breathe deeply, his words held strength born from long hours of sharing problems together.
"I can't understand you if you keep on crying." Mokuba whispered his gray eyes filled with concern.
"I don't want any tea. . ." She sniffed . . . I just want you to help me find Tristan . . ." A second sniff rose from her. Tea's words were muffled in grief and a running nose.
Seto moved a step forward, but not before Roland crossed in front of him with a fresh cup of white tea. The strain of watching was killing him inch by inch. Yet he had to marvel at the tact Mokuba displayed. 'There was so much about little Mokuba I don't understand. Mokuba's ties to this rag-tail group are a lot stronger than I'd ever imagine. My little brother has true friends. Am I jealous that one of them is this girl?' He thought.
"Here Gardener, this is my special blend, it will help you to focus," Roland's mustache inched up and tickled the sides of his cheek. He sort of reminded the group of a nice father winter.
"Thank you." She smiled. Mokuba helped steady Tea's hand and she drank the warm liquid. For a moment peace surround the four people locked in her misery.
Mokuba settled next to his friend on the chair and held her shaking hands. Blue eyes and silver grays locked and a bond formed that only comrades would understand. Tea knew at that moment they would do whatever was necessary to help Tristan; they were five rings and one heart. Mokuba had the key that bonded them together in trust. Maybe it was because aside from Seto they were his family, Tea understood his connection.
"Mokuba, today I found out the Golden Arrow Completion has been set and you must registrar today. When I told Tristan about it he turned away and said he would not compete anymore. He's dropped out of the games also. I watched him run into a pawn shop and underneath his arm he carried a box which was hidden in his back pack." Tea could not stop the sniffling.
Tea glanced over at Kaiba and nervously started to twist her fingers and tap a tune with her feet, nerves. Mokuba knew the signs that signified Tea was afraid; she tapped a tune, similarly to her ringtone, 'The Point of No Return' or worst 'Angel of Music', fear. The boys always teased Tea when she went into her dream world of becoming the lover of Michael Crawford. Mai used the Play to steady the diver's nerves and Tea could easily soar through the air, perform a graceful swan dive on the song 'All I Ask of You' filling her mind with thoughts of love. Today she was scared, freighted, and worried. Mokuba had never seen his friend so upset.
"Tea, it's ok, you can talk in front of Nii-sama. I trust him with my life." Mokuba followed her gaze.
Kaiba moaned, 'Woman, say something, damn it I've got a business to take care of!'
"Tristan's mother called me on my cell phone just before I decided to come to you. She said someone broke into the house a few days ago. They stolen money and a few personal belongings; Tristan was tied up when the police arrived, during the robbery. He didn't see anything so he was of little help. I could hardly understand his mother's words, but she said something about his father missing. Sometimes he's gone for days, but this time Tristan told her
not to worry that he would find him and get her personal items back. Mokuba they took the Golden Arrow."
Tea scanned Mokuba's face for answers and prayed he could sift through this mess.
"She thinks he's missing, but I saw him just a little while ago. Mokuba he wouldn't talk and he looked like a hunted animal. I think he's been on the streets looking for his father." Tea covered her face. "Mokuba, I don't think anyone broke in the house." Tea's voice was barely above a whisper. "Tristan stole his mother's Golden Arrow. I saw the box. It fell out of his back pack. That's when he pushed me down and tried to hide it."
"Do you mean the arrow above the mantel that his mother won as a young woman," Mokuba's voice choked on the words.
"Something has happened Mokuba; he treasures that more than anything else in the world. The thought of someday competing is all he ever talks about. Why would he take it to a pawn shop to sell?"
Kaiba knew exactly what happened, it was clear as the writing on the wall, but Mokuba and Tea were just too innocent to see it. "You said his father disappears for days, is he a drunk, or is he a gambler?"
"Nii-sama/ Kaiba!" both screamed together.
"Why would you ask that?" Mokuba lashed out at his brother.
"Don't jump on me; I'm not the one missing. It's just an observation, nothing more." Seto glared at Mokuba and avoided the stare from Tea. He knew if he voiced his true opinions the girl would hate him. 'Well it was damn well too late to start changing my way of taking care of business.' Whatever Tristan's family's troubles were, it was clear to Seto danger lurked. 'I won't let my brother get hurt.' He thought.
"Kaiba I know you don't like any one of us, but you don't have to be so insensitive." Tea's heart thumped wildly in her chest, but not with desire. 'I will just have to teach him how to love.' She thought.
This was a serious game and Kaiba did not want his brother involved. "Listen, maybe you should just listen to the boy and stay out of his business." Seto walked over to the computer console and flipped on the power.
"So that's your answer, Kaiba!" Tea was on fire. "Well we don't desert friends." Tea stood up and placed hands on her hips, the tapping on the rug was over. "Listen to me you self-righteous, arrogant, pig-headed, monster. . . . I told my friend you were nice, but I must have been drugged, or dreaming. You're just like everyone else believes, heartless!!"
"Tea, please," Mokuba watched his brothers back, he flinched. The words hurt. "Tea you don't mean that, it's not what you think, really." Mokuba knew his brother had a plan. He always pushed people away to protect them.
Kaiba silently faced the monitor; he did not want Tea to see the flash of pain on his face. 'So she thought I was nice, yeah!! I think you're intelligent, but so vulnerable and innocent. I don't want you to lose that just yet. Well I guess we will have to see if you can find a corner in your heart for me once this mess is over, because it's for you I sacrifice my feelings.' Seto sighed and asked the next question, with an attitude of complete indifference. "Where's the shop and what part of the alley or town did you last see the idiot?"
"Nii-sama, you won't get any answers like that." Mokuba stood between the two who would soon face off as adversaries. This situation was excelling into a war.
Tea bit her bottom lip and walked toward the CEO. She stood about ten paces from his back and started to wind up her arm for that famous one two punch that usually sent foes running. 'How dare he talk about my friend like that . . . why he dismissed me . . . I'll show him a thing or two,' she thought.
Mokuba gasped, 'Is she going to wallop my big brother?'Mokuba was too shocked to speak out loud or send a warning.
Kaiba turned around and lashed out, "Don't even think about it." 'Darn she was hot, and on fire. Look at those eyes blazing at me.' The CEO's heart flipped over in his chest. He'd never been this excited about anything or anyone in his life before. 'That woman has guts; Joey was the only one foolish enough to challenge me, and that's because he's so stupid. '
Tea growled, "Ok, I give you the address. Sixty –six street off the corner of Bradford Place, it's called Snatch It, Grab It. So what is cooking in that Doctor Spock, Star Track mind of yours anyway?" She smirked. Tea had become a tiger protecting her clubs.
Seto bore into Tea's soul with his eyes. All traces of nervousness was gone, he was in his element. Scheming, calculating, planning, and taking control of a situation, it was great.
'Why does he have to look so darn sexy, I just want to bite him . . . Mai help . . . I think I love him . . . but I hate him too. . . Not know . . . no sinking into the floor . . . Legs stop shaking . . . stop it!!' Too little angels battled for dominance in her mind. One wanted Seto anyway they could get him. The other just wanted out. "Arr . . . . He's infuriating," Tea screamed. All traces of tears gone. "Mokuba how did you get such a jerk for a brother?! I don't care what you say. Mokuba we have got to find Tristan are you with me?!"
Mokuba looked at his brother, then back at Tea, then back at Seto, and finally back to Tea again. "Tea I know Nii-sama has a plan we just have to listen." Mokuba spoke. He had lost all control of the situation. "Just give him a chance, Tea."
Tea continued to glare at Kaiba with an intensity that stimulated his mind immensely. A small, well super small smile parted his thin lips. It was more like a crack, or bend in his jaws. Kaiba quickly turned back to the monitor and typed in some information concerning the owner of the pawn shop. That name was very familiar to him.
Tea jumped, 'Did Kaiba smile at me? I saw it right there on the side of his face' . . . She smiled inwardly and back away, just a little of her shyness returning.
"Tea, what's wrong with you. Your face is purple," Mokuba looked concerned.
"Zip it Mokuba, I'm fine." Tea watched Seto's back and prayed he had some answers. She did not have time to be mad at him anyway.
Without speaking Seto walked to the door and asked Roland to have his sports car brought around to the front. Within minutes he'd jumped into the driver's seat and glanced at the two looking at him with confusion. "Well if you want to come move it, I don't have all night." Seto smirked and opened the doors electronically.
Oooooo Downtown Oooooo
Seto leaned over the counter top and asked a question of the sleazy shop owner. "You took an item this afternoon, a box with a golden arrow in it. I want to know who picked it up shortly afterwards."
"I take lots of stuff in all day, what's another box, don't remember." His voice lazy with a slight southern drawl, common among those from the country; but his character lay in the snaky expression on his face. This guy was a crook and very dangerous.
"Ok, I'll ask again, mister." Seto opened his laptop and set it on top of the glass counter. After two minutes he turned the monitor around so the sleaze-ball could have a clear view. "I'm sure you recognize your wife, perhaps I could make it so that the world enjoys her many delights." Seto smirked.
The guy slumped down behind the counter. Seto placed an envelope with money and a disc on the counter next to the scarred hands of the owner. "Now that we understand each other, I want to know who you work for and where is that BOX?! Also I know you recognize this man." It was a picture of Tristan's father. "I want to know who has him and why?"
"Look mister, I could get killed if I talk to you," Nervous and very stupid, the man started to reach for a gun under the counter. Before he could move a sharp blade poked at his lower spine. "Oh Kaiba, can I stab him . . . . . please . . . . . I wonder what color his blood is? Long bushy white hair fell in front of the shop owner, and with his free hand he placed another blade at the guy's throat. Bakura laughed as he watched a small puddle form at the man's feet. "Oww . . .
Kaiba-chan, he pissed all over my white leather boots . . ." The psycho chuckled. "Just a small prick . . . ." Bakura drew blood and the man screamed.
"Bakura quit playing around. I need information." Seto was amused he could always count on Bakura for dirty work. 'I only hope Mokuba and Tea stay in the car.' He thought.
Bakura withdrew the blades but made sure the man knew he was within reach. Seto asked the questions and Bakura licked his blades. One exited the shop undetected thought the back, the other tall and arrogant through the front door. The sleazy shop owner took the money, closed shop, turned over the deed to Kaiba of Kaiba Corp and left town.
"Mokuba, I can't just sit here. What is Kaiba doing in there anyway?" Frustrated Tea could not be still.
"Tea, don't fight my brother on this. You don't want to go in that shop." Mokuba's voice rose in volume. Mokuba knew that look; it's the same one he used to take down corporate heads who tried to misuse him because he was a teen. Unfortunately that was a big mistake. "Tea, I think Tristan's father is in with a bad crowd, but we can't involve the police. Seto knows that, because it might involve Tristan as well. Seto won't hurt anyone, just leave this to him." Mokuba whispered the last words. Inwardly his stomach twisted; the acid rose and he felt as though he would lose it. 'Nii-sama please be careful.' he cried silently.
Tea turned towards the shop and waited, 'Seto please hurry.' She bit her bottom lip. 'I said some cruel things earlier, but they were true . . . So I won't take it back, but . . . ahh . . . he's so frustrating.' Tea watched and gained a reward when that man with the swimmers legs, clad in skinny jeans walk out onto the sidewalk. Seto made the Calvin Klein models look like rank amateurs
"Nii-sama what's next?" Mokuba beamed with pride.
Kaiba pulled his slick car out into the traffic and barked commands to Sakura through the speaker in his ear. The next stop was Tea's house. Without a word spoken he opened the door and gestured for the girl to exit the car. "Tea, Mokuba this is where it ends for you two. I've some more research and I promise answers by tomorrow."
"Mokuba," Tea huffed at the CEO. 'Just who do you think you are?'
"Tea come on I'll wait with you, for a moment," Mokuba fumbled for words, Tea acted so strange around Seto.
"Listen, if you can think of all the places Tristan might go and forward the information to my laptop that would be a helpful." Seto was edgy, he needed to go. Leaving Bakura alone was not a good idea.
Oooooo Docks Oooooooo
"Hey boss, I think I got your man," voiced Bakura. He handed Seto a pair of binoculars, and a folder filled with information. "You guessed right. The boy's father owes lots of money to Mr. T. I read somewhere his son plays archery and dad is trying to knock out the competition. I guess your boy is the best." Bakura chuckled. "Yeah my kind of low-life, wants his son to win, so he's cheating. As for that arrow in the box Mr. T lost to the boy's mother years ago, never lived the disgrace down." Bakura spit out the words. "Hey, I got principles, don't hurt the ladies."
Seto took the binoculars and flinched at the sight through the window. He needed more than Bakura to pull this off. "OK, call in the boys . . . tonight midnight . . . be here."
Midnight never came for the boys because after reading though the documents Kaiba plunged right on ahead. About three hours later Bakura met Kaiba's representative at the entrance to the ware house with a boy blindfolded and handcuffed. The deal was very simple. Kaiba paid off the gambling debt and T. moved his operation out of Kaiba's town. This was actually his second warning and confrontation with Kaiba. Kaiba made it clear this would be his last. The man sold Kaiba faulty game material which almost cost Kaiba Corp to lose a very important contract. This guy was lucky to be alive.
Kaiba traded Tristan father's life for the life of T's son. One walked in the warehouse and two walked out. Well two walked out because Tristan was also a captive. It appears he had found the location of his father a few hours back. These were not the smartest of criminals. Kaiba sat in his office and watched the exchange. He had a stipulation of his own. Tristan's father had to get treatment for his gambling.
'Tea you may never understand but this is for you.' He leaned back in his chair and listened to Bakura wrap up the situation. "Bakura make sure Tristan understands his father has to leave right now for treatment." Seto closed the laptop and sighed, 'Tea.'
Oooooo Tristan's House Oooooo
"Tristan I am so proud of you. It's the greatest gift you could have ever given me." His mother's voice filled with tears. Tea, Joey, Tristan, Mokuba, and Yugi all sat in a circle on the floor of Tristan's home. His mother had just finish serving the gang red bean rice balls and sweet tea. All eyes moved to the mantel on which Tristan's mother's Golden Arrow had been returned to its resting place. But the real price rested a little higher and slightly to the right of the Arrow; it was the second Arrow. Tristan won the competition and now his Golden Arrow glowed with his mother's. Tristan finally felt he gave his mother something to be proud of. His archery was at least in the same class as his mothers. 'One day I will be a master and our name would be restored in the archery world. This is my goal, but first the Olympics.' He thought.
Tristan walked over and gave his mother a big hug. Yes, he was happy.
Hope this tickles your hearts. Thanks for reading and reviewing this story, you're the greatest!!
Sherabo