...hi...dude, I was reviewed and someone laughed at the thought of Tea cutting herself...I know it's not something she'd do, but that is not really funny. It did not insult me, but I was just sorta saying to myself "Um...ok? How is trying to commit suicide funny? Did I miss the joke?" So...yeah. Just wanted to say that. Hmm, well, whatever. So long as ya like the fic I don't really care if you laugh at it. Just stating my opinion. Now, ONWARD!

This chapter is not dramatic, in fact it may actually be humorous, but it will have more of the future Tea/Seto pairing. Yayness, right?


Chapter Nine

I Hate Hormones...

Mokuba sat on Tea's bed. The two were playing a game of B.S. Seto was sitting, just watching them. Tea had been in the hospital for two days, an extra day for cutting her arm one time but stopping herself when she saw the teddy bear Mokuba gave her. The doctors had decided to keep her under closer watch in case something was seriously wrong. (Apparently, they're just really stupid and oblivious to the obvious)

Tea was winning in B.S, but not by much. Mokuba was a good player. She tried to pass off playing a two for a queen

"One queen!"

"B.S!" Mokuba yelled.

"Agh!" Tea exclaimed in frustration as she took the pot. "Darn you, Mokuba. How'd you know I was lying?"

"I have all four queens."

"That explains it."

Seto almost smiled as he watched them. Mokuba really seemed to like Tea. While she had been with them, he had been even more happy and energetic...Mokuba that is.

Well, Seto admitted to himself (Hell if he'll admit it to anyone else) he's been a bit happier since Tea had been with them...excluding the worry she caused with her attacks.

Of course, depression is not something easy to deal with. It took every ounce of his strength as a child to stay strong after his parents died. Sometimes it still took that strength. He always thought of staying strong for Mokuba.

"Mr. Kaiba?" He turned to see the doctor.

"Yes?"

"We think that Ms. Gardener will be able to check out this evening."

"Really? Well, that's good to know." The doctor nodded.

"We just figured you ought to know."

"Thank you." The doctor walked away and Seto looked back at Tea and Mokuba.

"Gardener, did you hear? You get to check out this afternoon."

"Oh? That's good to know." Seto blinked at her use of his previous line. Then shook it off mentally.

"Yeah."

"So Tea, how are Yugi and them?" Mokuba asked.

"Yugi, Joey, and Tristen are out of town to this weird guy camp thing."

"Well, so much for those three."

"Really?" Tea nodded.

"Yeah. They are gonna be gone for at least a few more weeks."

"Huh." Tea sighed and laid back.

"But I'm gonna be gone before they come back." Mokuba blinked.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"I'm gonna have to take all of my money in the bank saved for college to go to Tokyo and live there with my aunt and uncle. Now I will probably never get to train in New York..." Mokuba blinked.

"What? Tokyo?" he repeated in disbelief. "Tea, you can't go."

"I don't have a choice. They're my only living relatives who can afford to care for me. And I'm still too young to live by myself."

"How come you have to pay for the trip yourself?" Mokuba asked, confused.

"They have three kids, there is no way they can afford my trip." She sighed. "I'm going to miss it here." Mokuba hugged Tea.

"I wish you didn't have to go, things won't be the same without you." Tea hugged him back.

"Yeah...I wish I didn't have to go either..." Mokuba pulled away.

"Will you at least stay with us...long enough for me to finish my report?" he asked, remembering the stupid survey he had started. Tea nodded, and fought back the tears that were starting to come.

"Of course. How much longer do you need me?"

"At least a week. My teacher extended the assignment's due date."

"By how much?" Seto asked.

"Three weeks."

"Well, if I have to put up with Gardener in my house for that long, you'd better ace it." Seto walked out of the room. Tea's eyes were wide.

"Did I just imagine it, or did Kaiba just extend my stay with you to three weeks?" she asked Mokuba.

"He extended it!" Mokuba cheered. Tea smiled at him, feeling like she was half in a dream.

That afternoon, Tea finally checked out of the hospitol. Mokuba and Seto had actually gone out and got her two new outfits (this time Mokuba agreed the sales lady had chosen them). Tea put on the baby blue T-shirt and jeans then tied her hair into a ponytail with a scrunchie she had gotten from a nurse to tie her hair back.

She looked very pretty. It was simple but cute on her. At least, that's EXACTLY what Seto thought. Muwahahaha! Ok, sorry. Overreacting for a second. But Seto thinks she looks cute...even though he does not seem to completely realize that...he's a genius, but at the moment he's stupid. COME ON! Haven't you ever dealt with hormones before, Kaiba? ...sorry.

Seto led Mokuba and Tea outside to the limo. They got inside, Mokuba sitting next to Tea and Seto sitting across from them. Guess what Seto did? He got out his laptop...and went on an internet dating service site...nah, he just started working. Just trying to add something funny.

The ride home...ahem, I mean to the mansion was fairly quiet. Mokuba talked lightly to both of them, and they just answered either quickly or quietly. It felt awkward.

Well, the mansion pulled up outside the mansion and they all got out. Tea carried her stuffed bear from Mokuba to her room and put it on the bed, then hung her second new outfit, a spring green tank top and white caprise, in the closet.

The room smelled different than she remembered. Almost like cologne mixed with some of her old perfume that she would spray while she was in the room. It was an intoxicating scent.

Mokuba ran into her room.

"Tea!"

"Yeah?" she asked.

"There's a present here for you." Tea blinked and took a small square wrapped up in silver paper.

"Where did you find this?" she asked.

"On the table in the living room. Seto told me he found it outside on the proch a day ago." (cough cough, a likely story) Tea blinked once more and ripped the paper. Her eyes widened.

"Oh...my...God..."

"What? What is it?"

"E-Evanescence's new CD, 'the Open Door.' I've been wanting it ever since it came out."

"Who gave it to you?" Mokuba asked. Tea looked on the paper. She saw,

To Tea

Written in very tidy handwriting, but no name after from. However, there was a very tiny mark she could not make out.

"It doesn't say." Mokuba frowned a bit.

"Hmm..."


Meanwhile...

Seto was sitting in his office, typing. Mokuba had probably given his present to Tea by now. He had not signed it, but stuck a small print of a Blue Eyes after the from on the paper.

This was getting annoying. He was starting to care that she was happy. He had even spent time looking for a present she would like.

Great, now he couldn't concentrate. He was thinking about HER.

"I hate hormones..." Seto muttered under his breath.


Lol. That was so totally random. I wanted more of Seto liking Tea, since Tea liking Seto is more imaginable. But, yeah. I know y'all are probably going "Why the Hell did Kaiba buy her a CD? That's so OOC."

Well, the reason why is because he was worried when she was in the hospital. So, while waiting for her to recover, he found a little note in her purse that said "Get money for 'the Open Door' CD." and since he's starting to like her, he just sorta absentmindedly got up to go get it. Then, when he did, he was all "Ok, I'm losing it." So...yeah. He only went through with it since he spent his money on a CD that he wasn't gonna listen to, so he gave it to her.

Basically, it was an act at the mercy of the fact that he likes her. The attraction just sorta brainwashed him for a second. I thought it'd be kinda cute to put in there. Random, maybe, but cute.

OK, I'm gonna stop writing before your brains start leaking. If it still doesn't make sense, tell me I'll explain in a chapter. Not sure which one, but one of em.