Um… This was a slow chapter to write. I had to push myself to get through this. Still, I hope it doesn't stink. I'm just trying to link where I last left off to my future ideas. It's not terrible… but… OH! Heck with it. Just read. XD
No… I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh… It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi… Hm… but if I owned Kasuki Takahashi…
Oh yeah, I have no copyrights over Kodak or 99 Red Ballons by Goldfinger… Yes… 99 Red Balloons, Spooki… SEE WHAT YOUR TERRIBLY ADDICTING SONG HAS DOWN TO ME!? Meh…
And Neopets Seto is finally a draik! Can I get a hurrah!?
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Chapter 12 - Cookies
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"Blah-blah blaaaah blah blah. Blah, Joey, blah, blah, blah! Blah!"
"Blah blah? Blah-blah-blah blah… Blah blah… Blah."
"Blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah… Blah…"
This was all Seto heard during their way back to Tea's house or rather… the most he wanted to hear from the two incompetents. He could care less about the junk they were conversing about as long as it didn't involve him in any shape or form. Not that he would be able to do much about it anyway, things being as they are now. Nevertheless, in return for ignoring their chatter he received vacant concentration to brainstorm the more important matters on his mind. Like how he was going to get out of this mess with absolutely NO leads.
He could spend a day or two, perhaps even three in the body of a child. Then it would be no more than a little forgotten 'accident' he resolved just like all his other problems. The CEO would even have the pleasure of devising a plan of torture or blackmail to keep Gardner quiet. However, what if things didn't turn out the way he wanted them to? And he ended up staying this way for weeks, months, YEARS! Kaiba Corp would burn itself down to the ground by the time he came back.
That then brought in an even more unsettling feeling on his stomach. What if this was not a problem he could overcome. What if he was stuck like this! Would he grow up all over again under care of the last person he had the incident of devastating? Even worse… what if he was stuck this way forever to be treated like an insignificant child. To be babied, shoved aside, and looked down upon for the rest of his miserable life. He'd lose everything he had worked so hard to achieve! Sadly, with the way things were going now through his pessimistic mind, it seemed to be the most likely ending to his story.
Seto scrunched his eyelids tightly shut along with his fists. No, he couldn't let that be the rest of his life. He REFUSED to let it be the rest of his life. He was better than that. It was too early to judge anyway. He hadn't even gotten started on researching that stone. Kaiba was set on getting back to his company in his glorious normal being or die trying.
"Yukio?" he caught that certain female walking next to him say. Entranced by his previous thoughts it took him a tiny while to register who this Yukio was. But it was only a split second before it to hit him… quite literally.
BAM!
His face had met the smooth steel of your local street light. He stumbled backwards while a pudgy hand instantly slapped over the main victim of the collision, his poor little nose. Right then Seto unleashed all the raw fury that had been building up with a very loud, "DAMMIT!!!" Note to self, keep eyes open when walking.
Tristen, who was not that far from Yukio, flinched a bit at his outburst. Truth be told, he was expecting a little bit more sobbing instead of what the little boy had shown. Still, he put on the big brother personality he used when he was required to look over his own cousin. At least he was doing much more than Tea who at the moment couldn't decide whether she should be concerned or fall to the ground giggling. Really, how many of you would restrain a smirk when that arrogant celebrity who's been insulting you all day does something as klutzy as this?
"Hey, are you okay?" Tristen asked, kneeling down next to set himself eye level with Seto. It then soon was revealed that Tea didn't make a bad choice when she decided not to comfort the little ingrate.
Kaiba had only returned her foolish friend's concern with an menacing (but actually kind of cute) glare and once he removed the hands from his nose he snarled, "Oh gee… does it look like it!?"
"Well, you don't have to get snippy about it," Tristen answered correspondingly. His warm brown eyes then caught sight of a red stream falling from Yukio's left nostril. As a matter of fact the child himself had taken notice to it noticing the red staining his palm.
"Great…" he muttered clasping a hand back on his bloody nose.
"Hey Tea, do you have tissue or something? Seems your cousin got a tiny nosebleed from the collision." To this Tea had to press her hand pretty hard against her mouth to keep it from releasing the endless chortles. Not only did Seto collide with a street light, but he got a nosebleed from it? The girl could only imagine what this would look like if he was still a full-grown teenager. Yet, to keep herself from looking like a total harpy, she dug into her purse for something to soak up the bleeding. A cute pink handkerchief was pulled from the purse.
Taking the piece of cloth Tea held out in hand, Tristen lightly pulled Seto's hand off his nose. He was answered by a sharp, "Hey!" but before the kid could continue Tristen started dabbing up the blood that stained his upper lip. It was a much more difficult task than it seemed since Yukio madly fidgeted, not very much enjoying the thought of somebody else treating his little 'boo-boo'.
Once the job was done Tristen placed the handkerchief in Seto's hand. "You might want to keep that placed on your nose for a while until the bleeding stops…" he instructed. Seto didn't thank him with anything more than his seemingly permanent glare, but like he was told, he did hold it up against his nose. Now the harpoon haired teen had his concern on Tea. He stood up and facing her, started, "You know Tea, I know this is your first time and all but you really should keep a better eye on Yukio."
"I know, I know…" Tea sighed, a smile on her face left from the great Seto Kaiba parading into a street light. Although, in her mind, she already confirmed that Kaiba needed her constant monitoring just about as much as a slug needed salt.
"I can't imagine how you're juggling your make up report with looking after him…" Tristen went on. The phrase made Tea's smile vanish. Now that was true. That one statement was unbearably true. All this time she had been too concerned with miniature Kaiba, that she hadn't spent a dime of seconds on her make up report. Then it hit her how ironic it was that Seto was now slowly and indirectly destroying her second report.
Speaking of the essay murderer, he had peeked up from the pink cloth caressing his nose. Interestingly enough, he was allowing himself to listen to their conversation this time. His eyes glued on Tea.
"I'm sorry for being nosy but how far are you on your report right now? Have you even gotten started?" Tristen interrogated.
"Hm…" Tea frowned and shook her head guiltily. She perked right back up though to try and put in her defense, "But I'm going to get started on it right as soon as I get home."
"And Yukio?"
"He brought plenty of toys and activity books," Tea quickly lied regaining a weak smile, "I'm sure he'll be too busy playing with them to need me…"
"I don't know Tea… Perhaps you should let me look over the tyke. You know where I live and-"
"NO!" Tea abruptly yelped causing Tristen to jump back a bit. Regaining her composure a bit, Tea shakily answered, "I mean… I'm sorry Tristen, but I would prefer he stayed with me."
"Alright, but if you have any problems you should consider giving me or Yugi a call… I'm sure Mr. Mutou wouldn't have a problem babysitting Yukio…" Tristen calmly suggested.
"Thanks… but I'm sure even Mr. Mutou is no match for the Yukio the incredibly cranky," Tea answered, her weak smile becoming a bright and humorous one. "Come on, let's get going again before he starts getting another cramp." She shot a glance down at Seto who turned away before she could look twice and was already on his way. As he walked, he took the cloth from his nose for a second and tested it to see if he was still bleeding. He ended up placing it back on his face.
Tristen started moving alongside Tea. Her last statement dragging on in his mind until eventually he asked, "Speaking of which… Your cousin has been acting a bit… er… bratty… so far…" His voice softened to a whisper upon the word 'bratty' to avoid a potential squabble with the five-year-old. "Don't tell me that's how he always acts…"
Tea sighed, "Well… if he has a good side. He has yet to show it…"
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Before long the trio had reached their destination. Waves and good byes between Tea and Tristen took place while Seto stood outside the door, waiting impatiently. The handkerchief he had used to assist his nosebleed was now uselessly hanging from his hand. Now desecrated with spots of dried blood, the unfortunate cloth was waiting for its fate at the bottom of a trash can. Of course, Seto would have no problems helping its destiny be reached.
Finally, Tea's friend had disappeared down the sidewalk and Seto felt like a boulder had been removed from his shoulders. Now he was free to say and do whatever he pleased without being questioned. The girl that had been wronging him in so many ways this morning was now heading in his direction. It was time to have a little chat with her…
"Now that your friend's gone, would you care explaining to me what the HELL you were thinking?" he let out once Tea had reached the door. The girl rolled her eyes as she pulled out her house keys. She knew this was coming sooner or later but boldly as ever, she fought back.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kaiba," she answered the self-centered brat sarcastically, "I wasn't aware my job now was to bend over for a pint-sized nihilist."
"Don't suspect you can treat me like a baby and get away with it scotch clean, Gardner…" Seto growled dangerously. Unfortunately for him, that statement only left Tea stealing his signature smirk as she jammed a key into the lock.
"Trust me. As long as you're mooching off me for shelter and food, I can… and I will…" she replied feeling the rush of superiority.
"The next time you dare try to-"
FWAM! Seto was left standing silent in incredulity… now missing one Tea Gardner to yell at.
Tea let out a sigh. It felt great to be home. Finally, she could get started on the makeup report that was causing her so much stress. The first step of the stairs creaked under he weight by the time the door had opened again. The silhouette of a certain furious little boy could be made out. It muttered to her, "You have a death wish I take it…" Through some amazement, this time Tea actually managed to ignore him and continue her journey up the stairs.
It could be dubbed a miracle that Seto didn't follow her all the way up there with insults. This was no hardship for Tea though, because once she reached her room she was only able to land herself in a single section of it, the bed. Words couldn't describe how exhausted she was and underneath her battered soul the bed brought heaven to her. Tea's day wasn't over yet though, it was far from it. Her tired eyes grazed the blank computer screen in the corner of her room. How long will it be before she finds her fingers tapping those keys? Then a green twinkle brought her blue orbs over to the shards on her dresser. She scowled.
"Yeah, thanks a lot… Kaiba is so much better as a mentally overgrown brat," she grumbled to them. With nothing more to blame, she hid her face in the depths of a frilled dodger blue pillow.
The tired warrior heard soft thuds in the hallway. They grew louder as they progressed but did not succeed anything more than a whisper. Once the last but loudest thudding was made, she confirmed the one causing them was in her doorframe. Without a single budge her cotton muffled voice said, "They're on the drawer if you forgot. Get them and change yourself back to normal already."
It seemed the day finally took pity on her because this time the only unpleasant noise that answered her was… a grunt. No sharp remarks, no insults, no words of any kind, just an utter that showed his acknowledgement. Or perhaps this was just where he wanted her. On the bed, completely exhausted, with no intentions of carrying on a fight. Darn that Kaiba…
The carpet let out tiny hisses as his footsteps began again, but this time in her room. She heard the wood of her dresser and the shifting of trinkets. After about five seconds it stopped and once again the sounds of rubber soles against carpet started yet again. The noise was becoming quieter and more distant now. Eventually, it had disappeared completely and at last, Tea knew that she was in peaceful silence.
She released her face from the pillow and looked at her open door that Seto had just exited through. She was praying that maybe, just maybe, it would be the last time he bothered her for a couple hours… Nah, that was asking too much. Tea freely sat up and stared at the still blank computer monitor… Well, time to get started.
Being the piece of rubbish her computer was, it took it forever to boot up. There was a good side to this though. As she waited for the computer to load, Tea was reminded of something that she had forgotten this morning. It's a good thing her stomach was on the job. With one growl, the guilt took her over for not only skipping dinner last night but breakfast as well. She stared at the screen ahead of her loading unsure of getting up but it was easily confirmed it wouldn't be going anywhere.
Easy as that, she got up and set off to the kitchen to help herself to the treasury for a snack. She pondered a second what she would have and unfortunately, a sweet tooth got the best of her.
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The tapping of keys was music to his ears. It almost felt like he was back in his office, ignoring everything except the monitor in front of him. Harmony, plain joyous harmony had finally reached him. Sadly, the stress didn't completely leave Seto. His mind was still registered on the reason he was typing what he was in the first place.
After checking his company's stocks and whatnot to make sure everything was okay, he began running searches. Desperate to find something, anything, about the gem shards that now shared the guest bed with him. The personal super-powered Kaiba Corp search engine tried related minerals, fountain of youth legends, science of the aging process, and almost to his own disbelief, cursed gemstones. Every minute that passed added another pint of worry to his mind.
In between searches he experimented with the shards. Amusingly enough, he looked just like a normal little boy doing so. Seto shook them, rubbed them, tried to put them back together but in the end, nothing seemed to arouse the magnificent pieces of stone. Then again, perhaps it was a good thing in case the stone was meant for only one purpose. The CEO shuddered to think about being left so weak and pathetic that he could barely mobilize his pudgy infantile body by crawling around on the carpet.
After several minutes of organized scanning and searching the feeling that had hit Tea returned to take it's effect on Seto. His stomach let out a loud growl. Softly he placed a hand on it to calm it. He thought for a moment but unlike Tea he wasn't so ready to give up on his work. The stubborn boy set his fingers back on the keyboard, typing. This only upset his stomach further and it let out another cry. Seto was fighting a losing battle.
Contrary to what most people believe Kaiba did eat like every other normal person. Sure, he always skipped lunch due to either work or school (seriously… him eating cafeteria food? Get real), and he didn't get much time to scarf down breakfast on weekdays. Still, most of the time when he wasn't over working, his personal chef provided him and Mokuba an excellent gourmet selection for dinner. Yes, it was a fact that he was rather skinny but that didn't mean he starved himself.
Finally giving up, Seto pushed away the laptop and slipped of the bed driven by bother hunger and slight curiosity. He always found the idea of digging through somebody else's personal fridge a bit disturbing but where else was he going to get a normal meal without raising a few brows? May as well, find out what the owner of the house had.
He crept downstairs and into the room he used to find Tea's incredibly bitter coffee. Only this time, he was greeted by a warm, rich, and absolutely wonderful smell. The curious little boy looked around, following his nose, and soon landing himself in front of the oven. On top of it was a tray. A tray that Seto could only gaze upon by standing on his toe tips. The contents were cookies... Obviously left out to cool, the warm, freshly baked, chocolate chip cookies shaped like stars and birds were teasing him. Seto wasn't easily tempted by their baked freshness though, and lost interest despite what his stomach wanted. Time to raid the fridge.
This time Seto was lucky enough to find an untouched roasted chicken still in the plastic container. He relieved it of its position on the shelf and carried it to the table. Once he set it down he thought about what to do with it. He could make a chicken sandwich. That wouldn't be too difficult other than having to scale the counter to be in reach the bread. He headed back to the fridge to grab some mayonnaise.
Like he suspected after grabbing the bread, it wasn't too difficult. He now had his lunch for the day. Seto was to make his depart back to the guestroom when suddenly, that wonderful wisp of a smell started taunting him again. He narrowed his eyes briefly, trying to decide if he should steal a cookie or two. But of course, he couldn't let himself eat something Tea baked. He led himself to the kitchen doorway before stopping again. Okay… Maybe one…
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Progress on her makeup report was going much smoother than Tea expected. The information she needed seemed to fall right into her notes. Not to mention, she had plenty of sources and information at her fingertips. Yep, things were actually starting to look brighter. It wasn't a happy-glorious-day brighter, but it was nicer than what she went through. Plus, she couldn't wait to sink her teeth into her own little reward for putting up with such a bad weekend.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since she pulled the cookies out of the oven. They should have cooled off by now. A smile arose on her face as she jotted down one last note before heading back to the kitchen.
On the way, she passed the door where Seto was working. Interestingly, it was open and she could see his tiny figure inside mesmerized by his laptop screen. If she had actually stared a little longer before walking past though, she would have realized something was in his mouth, being devoured crumb by crumb. Despite this it didn't matter because in the end, she had discovered a partially barren cookie sheet.
"Huh!?" Tea let out in a gasp. The cookies were somewhat cleverly spread out across the sheet to look like there had been no interference. Nonetheless, there was no denying the now gaping spaces between what cookies were leftover. There were plenty enough lying untouched for her but she couldn't help but be a little bit shocked. There was only one possible culprit that could have liberated the pan of her cookies and that was Lil' McRuthless. She smiled in soft amusement. "You have got to be kidding me…"
She walked back upstairs, and to the guestroom, just in time to see Seto pop that last piece of sugary and chocolate chip goodness into his mouth. It was amazing that he looked quite normal doing so except for energetically kicking his left leg over the side of the bed. No doubt, a subconscious result of sugar high.
Tea immediately slipped out of the doorway and back into the hall. Her puzzlement melted away into sheer humor as she walked down it.
"Well, guess you learn something new everyday," Tea said as a conclusive thought and took the first bite out of a chocolate chip cookie in her hand.
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Alas, night had engulfed the Gardner residence once again. The yard was turned into a dark but peaceful sea with the homey two-story house as the ship. Only two windows glowed a cheerful yellow and they were coming from Tea's bedroom.
She couldn't believe it. It had been long and boring but Tea's research was half way done and at the speed she was going, maybe… just maybe… her entire vacation wasn't a goner. It was the most exciting thought she had all weekend. Give it another day or two and she would have it done. Of course, she'd have to work nonstop for those next few days but it would be worth having six or five days of freedom… Well, if she could find a way to get rid of or muzzle Kaiba.
She wondered if he was still on his laptop trying to find a way out of his situation. Maybe he had already changed back to normal. There was only one way to find out. Tea got up and headed down to Seto's bedroom. Upon reaching it the girl was slightly thankful Kaiba had never bothered to shut the door enabling her to peek in with little effort. To her dismay but not to her surprise Seto was still hosting a figure under four feet tail and hugged by baby fat. However, she did not leave the sight unpleased.
It was a hilariously ironic sight to be frank. Seto had dozed off and was lying slightly curled next to his laptop. His arms were sprawled out revealing a hint that he was probably sitting up when he fell asleep. It was silly and cute enough to fool even the smartest of people into thinking he was just a helpless, innocent, kindergartner. Tea had heard that no matter how much of a rotten brat a child was they always looked so peaceful, like little angels, once they fell asleep. But this was Kaiba! The tyrant who made her feel like stabbing herself to death with a screwdriver. There he was, lying before her like a cute little brother. It was that same pinching feeling she had when she carried him to her house.
She shook her head and to keep her head on straight she told his sleeping form, "Kaiba, you are such a faker…"
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Mood:
Odd…
Listening to:
99 Red Balloons by Goldfinger
I'm surprised how much I've been writing down in here lately. Usually I don't have much to say but this week has been a bit… interesting. I've already told you about Kaiba so you should already know about what happened to him.
This morning he made himself out to be an even bigger pain in the butt. Okay… I know I'd probably be upset if I was turned into back into a little girl but I wouldn't put up an attitude about it. I was nice enough to let him into my house and provide him with food until he gets changed back (I do hope he gets changed back. There is no way I want Kaiba mooching off me for who knows how long) and do you know how he thanks me? He goes around like he owns the place all the while 'attempting' to boss and chew on me. HE HAS NOT CHANGED ONE BIT! HE'S THE SAME BRAT, JUST IN A SMALLER PACKAGE!
I'm sorry for using caps but Kaiba really needs to get some morality through that thick skull of his… That or a spanking… LOL! XD Not that 'I' would give it to him but seriously needs one.
Despite this though, I guess it turned out to be a good day, if not a bit funny. I met Tristan at the mall when getting Kaiba some new clothes for his 'petite' body. I also got to play with his head a little (Kaiba's, not Tristan's mind you. XD). And if that wasn't good enough he ran straight into a street lamp! AND GOT A NOSEBLEED FROM IT! XD I also slammed the door on him. I'm sure he wasn't so happy about that.
Still… there is something that bugs me. Crazy as this sounds but I think I might be learning a little bit about Kaiba. Of course, I still hate him. Don't get me wrong but it's so odd though. I got a little bit hungry today after I came home. I had some chocolate chip cookie mix wasting away in my pantry so I decided to grab it. After taking the cookies out of the oven to cool who would come by but little 'Yukio' (That's Kaiba's new name by the way). By the time I came down to grab some he had already gone through half of them! Really, who knew Kaiba liked cookies? Oo
But tonight has probably been the most interesting part. Right now he's sleeping in the guestroom and well… I hate to say it but… He looks kind of cute. Hah hah… If only I could stick his thumb in his mouth and add a teddy bear. It'd be a Kodak moment.
Well, it's getting late so I'll be signing off. Thank you for being my friend when Yugi, Joey, Tristan, and Ryou are absent… Hm… Speaking of which I wonder what happened to Ryou… Oh well… I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
Good night!
With that Tea booted down her computer and got ready for bed. She was prepared for a interesting week.
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Aww… Poor widdle Kaiba. Don't worry, you won't change into a baby… I'm saving that for another fanfiction. -insert maniacal laughter here-
And wow… I'm afraid. This chapter turned out to be more cute than funny. Oh well… You won't believe the conversations I had on this chapter with my best internet friend.
Tea's blog: kaiba iz so lyk WHOA!!!11
AAAAANNNDDDD… I'm too lazy to dig out the Kaiba vs. Streetlight one…
I've also finally managed to gain the courage to send a note to one of my most favorite fanfic writers of all time and DUN DUN DUN! She replied. Although it went along the lines of…
Me: Hi, I'm Keruha!
Shrilanka: Nice to meet you.
Yeah… Did I mention I suck at starting conversation with people?
Anyway, next chapter…
Tea and Seto wish for a peaceful week all alone to get what the want done… Shame that Tea's concerned friends have a different idea in mind. Joey… let me introduce you to your ultimate revenge without even knowing.