A Long Ways Back
002
The planes roar overhead as she walked the narrow hallway covered in glass window that glanced over to wide and busy runway. Clutching the cartouche with a single name written upon it, Tea felt a bit nervous being back in her hometown of Domino City after three years. She laughed, three years have certainly changed her. No longer the standby cheerleader, she took hold of her future and shaped a life for herself.
Returning, though, brought painful memories of what was lost. The thought of being back always reminded her of him. Even being away for a few years didn't help with the pain or the memories. Just as she was asleep on the plane, memories of that night upon the bed when he confessed his feelings rolled through her mind.
Tea stepped out into the bright sun, pulling her sunglasses on. The breeze felt good against her warm skin. While she was unsure about returning to Domino, it felt good to be where the sun was warm compared to New York City. Even that morning when she boarded the plane, it was cold and dreary.
Waving her hand, Tea stopped a cab. She loaded her bags in the back and climbed in. As the cab drove through the city, Tea recalled memories that both brought happiness and pain. She was no longer this young schoolgirl whose life was always in danger due to something dark and dangerous regarding a certain Millennium Item. Instead, she was just a normal college woman who worked at a small café in New York and was returning home to visit friends and family.
Tea smiled as she glanced out the window. Yes, she would put the past behind her and enjoy the two months of being in her hometown.
.%.
Yugi closed his phone, a chuckle escaping his lips as he finished the conversation with his girlfriend making sure everything was ready for tonight. His childhood friend was returning back for the summer with a certain surprise that even she wouldn't except. He recalled the conversation he had with Tea when she explained about her break between classes. She agreed to return and that is when everything was decided. Even Seto Kaiba was going to join in on the fun which is a shock for everyone.
Yugi smiled as he walked down the stairs back to the business side of the Game Shop. Since graduation, he had stayed working with his grandpa enjoying some of the small tournaments that were held within the city. Even though his relationship with Tea ended, he was still friends with the young dancer and was happy with his new relationship. Everything seemed like it was going surprisingly well.
Yugi chuckled once more as he took a seat behind the counter. The previous day certainly brought a shock to him. Only a few knew what had happened and knew that after tonight, things were never going to be the same:
"Is she arriving tomorrow," asked Yugi's girlfriend, her head resting upon her arms as the sheet laid draped over her nude form.
Yugi walked out of the bathroom in only a pair of boxer shorts. He walked over to Rebecca and sat upon the bed dragging one finger down the bare back of the woman before him. "Yeah, I talked to her making sure I had the right date."
Knock. Knock.
"Who could that be?" asked Rebecca as she sat up, wrapping the sheet tighter around her body.
Yugi shrugged. Grabbing his pants, He quickly pulled them on before walking out of the bedroom and down the stairs. He opened the door, his eyes going wide when he noticed Ishizu and Marik Ishtar were standing in front of him. However, they were not alone. Seto Kaiba was also standing behind them along with someone else.
"Hello Yugi. We need to speak to you regarding something quite important," spoke Ishizu softly. Yugi could only nod his head as he stepped to the side allowing everyone into his home.
As Yugi shook his head from the memory, a smiled danced across his face. Yes, tonight was going to be interesting, and the young duelist could not wait for it to happen.
.%.
Tea stood before her tall mirror, looking over the clothing she picked out tonight. Over three years, things have changed with her. She had blossomed into a young adult with an inspiring career. Her hair fell way past her shoulders in waves. With her dancing and also with all the exercises, her body quite toned.
Tea smiled as she looked herself over once more. The boys were going to flip upon seeing her. She chose an outfit that showed of all the right curves and the right amount of cleavage. Dressed in a tight black skirt, brown knee-high boots, and red flowy shirt, she was ready to party the night away
Tea glanced down at her watch. She was supposed to meet the boys at the club around ten o clock. Tea had called Mai Valentine if she would be willing to pick her up. She heard the horn honking as she glanced down at her watch. Grabbing her jacket and small handbag, she quickly ran out of the house to see Mai parked outside waiting for her.
"Damn girl, you are looking fine tonight," whistled the blonde woman within the purple convertible.
Tea laughed as she hopped into the passenger seat, "I will take that as a good sign. Good to see you, Mai."
Mai smiled before driving upon the road towards the club everyone was meeting at. Yugi had once told Tea that Joey finally got the courage to ask Mai out, but their relationship only lasted for a few months before both decided it was best for them to remain as close friends. Out of the Wheeler family, it was Serenity that was in a relationship. Nobody knew who it was, though. Even Joey wasn't saying.
The women pulled up to the club ten minutes later. The club was situated in an old warehouse. Lights shined through the building, and the sound of music blasted through some of the broken windows. Tea followed Mai through the double metal doors into the huge, echoing room. The DJ sat on the edge of a huge dance floor while bar-like tables with round booths and chairs wrapped around either within a corner or along the side. Mai pulled the young dancer down a set of stairs over to one of the bars where Yugi, Joey, and Tristan were talking and already drinking.
"Mai!" yelled Joey Wheeler. He stood standing beside Yugi and Rebecca. Tea followed Mai over to the boys and watched the reaction Joey gave her. "Tea, is that you?"
"Who else would it be," questioned the young woman. She stood leaning upon one of her legs, hand placed upon her hip. "Its nice to see you Joey."
"Tea, you made it!" yelled Yugi as he sat his drink down. He ran over to the dancer and wrapped her in a hug. "Ready to have fun?"
"As always," replied the young dancer as she looked around the small group. Everyone was here including Kaiba.
"Wanna do some shots?" asked Tristan as he raised two fingers up at the bartender. The young gentleman poured two small shot glasses before sliding them down the table.
Tea smiled as she walked over to the bar and took a seat next to Tristan, "Already?"
"Why not?" laughed Tristan as he handed a shot glass to the young dancer. "This night is about having fun especially since you made it back to town."
Tea took a seat and accepted the small glass. On the count of three, both her and Tristan swallowed the contents. After three shots, though, she was ready to settle down within one of the round booths and watch as her friends all had fun. Ordering one more drink, she followed her friends and took a seat.
Yugi had already disappeared to the dance floor with Rebecca while Joey and Mia sat across her within the booth. Even Tristan found someone to dance with. Occasionally, someone would come up and ask her to dance, but she would shake her head and continue to finish her drink.
.%.
After a couple of songs, Yugi followed Rebecca back to the small booth. Rebecca slipped in, grabbing one of the waters while Yugi walked to find Kaiba. The young CEO sat near them upon the small high-top table. Seto eyed him with narrowed eyes as Yugi stopped before him.
"Do me a favor. Pull Tea out to the dance floor. She is a dancer, so she shouldn't be sitting around," spoke Yugi as he took a sit, drinking the small cup he carried with him.
Seto looked over at the young dancer before glancing back at the young duelist. "Didn't you say he came with you to the club?"
Yugi nodded before shrugging, "He did, but I have no idea where he went. I am sure he will make an appearance when he wants."
"Ah, whatever," replied the stoic CEO. "I will dance with the dancer, but just once."
"Thanks! She definitely needs this," replied Yugi. He ran back over to his girlfriend and pulled her towards the dance floor once more when a new song started.
Tea had moved from the booth and started rocking herself against the beat of the music. Kaiba approached and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the dance floor.
"Kaiba, let go. I am not dancing." She cried out as he brought her to middle of the floor.
Kaiba glanced over his shoulder. "Just dance with me one time and then you can return." Kaiba watched as the young dancer rolled her eyes before placing her hands upon his shoulders and beginning to move towards the beat.
.%.
Tea danced with the CEO of Kaiba Corporation. The music's beat caused her to move her body against the stoic man. Kaiba first pushed her out causing her to spin. The music intoxicating caused her to rotate her head along with her hips to the beat of the song.
Kaiba's hands traced over her shoulders to rest upon her hip. Seto pulled her flushed against him as he rotated with her, grinding against her lower body. Tea let her head fall back, resting it against his shoulder. There was a strange desire coursing through her body. It made her heart race and her body to quiver with a strange sensation.
The young dancer's mind was cloudy with the feeling of the music as Kaiba rolled her left then right. As he dipped her backwards, she glanced over at the booth everyone was hanging out at. Once, twice she blinked her eyes. Spiky hair, multiple colors, piercing violet eyes. She had to be seeing things. Shaking her head, she looked once more. No, it was just Yugi standing beside Rebecca talking. He gave her one of his cheerful smiles and a thumbs up.
The music switched to a much faster beat. Kaiba turned her in his arms so that she faced towards him. His hands dropped to her waist and started to move her back and forth. Surprisingly enough, she was shocked at how well the stoic CEO duelist danced. She didn't expect him to know any of the dance moves especially ones that were not exactly clean.
Once more, Tea was rocked back and forth before being dipped low. She rolled her head to the side and flickered her eyes out into the crowd shadow by the lights. Once more, multi color, spiky hair stood staring at her. Violet eyes full of conflicting emotions confused her as she stood and spun in the arms of the CEO duelist. She turned looking for that person, but there was no one there. What was going on? Why was Tea thinking of the pharaoh suddenly?
When the music began to wind down, Kaiba stepped back with both of their arms stretched. He pulled her quickly towards him and dipped her down upon his arm, her back arching. Their breathing rapid as Tea stared warm sapphire into cold azure. Blinking quickly, Tea watched as Kaiba stood up and offered his hand, leading the young dancer back to the booth.
"Wow. Your dancing sure is something," spoke the small duelist as he took a seat in the booth. Tea joined him by taking a seat upon one of the stools at the front of the table. She reached over for her water, gulping it quickly in one swallow.
Tea shook her head and laughed, "Club dancing is no different than contemporary dancing. I just didn't think Kaiba would dance like that."
"He certainly can surprise you. Much has changed," spoke Mai as she slid into the booth. Joey followed with two more glasses of water. Tristan also stopped by at the edge of the table. Even Kaiba came to stand by the booth, or at least that is who she thought was standing behind her.
Tea watched as an arm, wrapped in dark maroon shirt, reached over her shoulder for a glass with amber liquid. She blinked a couple of times upon seeing a certain ring upon one finger. It was an Egyptian Ring, signaling someone of great power. Tea looked over at Yugi. His eyes locked with hers for only a second before he turned back towards his girlfriend.
Turning slowly upon the stool, Tea's sapphire eyes widen as she swallowed a hard lump within her throat. Dressed in a dark maroon dressed shirt and dark jeans stood before her the once nameless pharaoh who disappeared through the door to the afterlife almost three years ago.
"Hello Tea," spoke the pharaoh, his deep voice rolling over her as she stared up into amethyst eyes that she thought she would never see again.
Tea nervously glanced over her shoulder towards Yugi. He was no longer talking with Rebecca but staring at her. "When did he arrive?" she asked cautiously. There was some bite to the question especially with this type of surprise.
"Yesterday," replied Yugi as he sighed deeply. "He arrived with Ishizu and Marik."
"It was a gift from Ra," commented Atem as he dragged a stool over and took a seat beside the young dancer.
"There is more to it, but we will explain it later. Right now, let's just enjoy the rest of the night," explained Yugi as he quickly took a sip of his drink before slipping out of the booth with Rebecca's hand clasped between his own.
"Yugi!," yelled the young dancer. She heaved a deep sigh as she brought her elbows onto the table and dropped her head within her hands. This was not something she was suspecting. How could Yugi keep this secret away from her. He could have called her or even sent a text message.
Everyone took that as a clue to leave the table. Mai dragged Joey and Tristan away while Kaiba disappeared to who knows where. Tea swallowed hard as she realized what was going on. She glanced to her side to see the pharaoh leaning against his elbows, his head resting upon folded hands.
"I didn't think I would see you again," spoke the young dancer as she dropped her hands to her lap.
Atem nodded, "The same with me," The young man grabbed his drink and took a sip before glancing violet eyes towards the young dancer. "I could not stop thinking about everything that I left when I departed for the afterlife."
Tea picked up a glass one of the waitresses dropped by and quickly drank the liquid. She turned within the stool staring out into the dark room, the music bouncing against the wall. "Three years forced a lot of us to move on," spoke the young woman as she side-glanced the pharaoh.
Atem returned the look, "I never expected you to stop living your life. I prayed to Ra that you found happiness."
"I found happiness in my career, but that was it," she returned, her eyes narrowing.
Turning in his chair, Atem slid his hand tentatively towards the young woman's hand. "Is there still a chance that happiness can come from me."
Tea glanced to the extended hand. Her heart clenched with what he was offering. Memories of that night when she confessed plagued her thoughts. "Honestly, I don't know what to think," spoke the young woman as she stood. "This is all a bit too much. I just need time to think."
"Tea." His voice was gentle as he reached out towards the young dancer.
Shaking her head, she started to walk away. "Don't take this the wrong way, Atem. I just need some space. I'll be back."
Tea grabbed both her jacket and bag before walking away. She wrapped her arms around her waist as she disappeared out the door.
Unknown to both, someone was watching from a dark corner within the warehouse and had smiled maliciously upon seeing the once nameless pharaoh speaking with the young brunette woman. The dark hooded being pushed from the wall and followed the dancer as she pushed the double metal doors open, disappearing into the night.