A Change of Heart
By: In Fair Verona/Sibby
Summary: Bakura and Tea have had a serious and steady relationship for 1 year, and suddenly Bakura wants to call it off. How will he end the relationship without hurting her? Maybe his favourite card can help.
Rating: PG (Rating Will Elevate)
Shipper: Bakura x Tea
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, cards, settings, or basicly anything else from Yu-Gi-Oh!
A/N: Yeah baby, this chapter is going to be so much fun to write! All the characters have a part in this, but I'm not even going to say much more because I really want to get to it! So Happy Valentines day, and here we go!
Reveiwers: Special thanks to... lili, R Amethyst, Peppermint-Angel, Anime Lover Girl, xxxjoeysgirlxxx, Lynderia, ^_^, Anzu Mazaki, Tasha, K-Chan, redroseprincess678, Blue Kool-Aid, and Liita. Normally I'd answer questions and type special things but I know you guys want to read the story and not my boring thankies!
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It was February 14th, 3:00 PM. The school bell had rung only seconds ago, releasing the students from their boring unpassionate classes. Everyone was heading to one place or another, the mall to buy last minute gifts and something to wear for the dance, a salon to get their hair done, or over to a friend's to prepare. There wasn't anyone in Domino High who wasn't going to the Valentine's Dance that night.
"I'll pick you up at 7:55 sweet-cheeks!" Joey said as he leaned in and kissed Mai passionately. Mai playfully pushed him away.
"Don't call me sweet-cheeks!" Mai giggled, pushing him teasingly. "I'll see you at 7:55 then, lover-boy." She gave him a wink and walked off with Rikku. Rikku turned to her enthusiastically.
"You two are so cute!" She commented, giving Mai a thumbs-up.
"I never would've imagined myself with Joey, but I never feel so secure and loved, happy, and at home then when I'm with him." Mai admitted with a smile.
"Feh. What a pointless holiday." Kaiba commented from behind them, crossing his arms. Both girls turned and narrowed their eyes. "I guess you and Joey make the perfect example of puppy love."
"Kaiba, you should watch what you say!" Rikku said defensively.
"Rikku." Mai interrupted her, stepping forward. "You're funny Kaiba. Real funny. No matter how much of a jack-ass you're being, you always know how to turn a phrase."
"I try." Kaiba said, shrugging carelessly.
"Well, Rikku has a point. You might want to choose your words more carefully Kaiba. I don't see you with a date tonight. Why are you even going to the dance?"
"As class leader and future valedictorian, it's a duty." Kaiba said blankly.
"I'm sure." Mai winked. "C'mon Rikku." The two girls walked away and Kaiba turned in the other direction before walking off. He had still yet to rent a tux.
"Don't make me do this." Ryou said softly, staring at himself in the mirror. The tuxedo was slightly wide, although length-wise it fit perfectly. For a fleeting moment he had a humerous thought of Yugi trying to find a tuxedo in his size.
"Stop complaining. You're going to the dance whether you want to or not. You realize everyone will be there, and if you don't show up then everyone is going to know that something's wrong." Bakura said, crossing his arms.
"Maybe because something is wrong. Maybe because Tristan loves Tea and Tea loves Tristan, maybe because I suck?" Ryou chanted while straightening his bow-tie. He felt pressure at his sides and looked down as his form began to fill into the tuxedo. "What did you do!?" Ryou exclaimed, looking at Bakura.
"I just made it fit you better. I didn't make you fatter, don't worry. If you ate 10 horses you wouldn't get fat. Oh, don't forget to buy two- I have to look good for the big night too."
"If you think you're going to get the Millenium Puzzle tonight then you're wrong." Ryou said, narrowing his eyes at his Yami.
"We'll see. Just buy the damn tux's." Bakura commented, using some of his mental power to give Ryou a shove in the cashier's direction. Ryou paid for the tux rentals and then took his shopping bag, walking outside the store and then stopping in his tracks. At the store right next door, the jewelry store, he saw Tristan standing there looking in one of the display cases. Ryou turned on his feet, slamming into Bakura who stood in his way and then cursed aloud. Bakura simply smirked and Tristan looked up. Ryou turned around sheepishly and the two stared at each other in silence.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Not again anyway." Tristan said simply. Ryou looked at him questioningly. "I'm not going to hurt you because it would make Tea angry. Although, I do wonder who could've told Tea." He cast a dark glance in Ryou's direction. Ryou gulped down the saliva building in his throat and then stepped forward, looking in the display case. He followed Tristan's eyes to a heart necklace, on a silver chain with a ring of diamonds inside of the heart. "Tea really liked that necklace." Tristan commented. There was a moment of silence and then Tristan looked up at him. "You should just buy it for her."
"What?" Ryou's eyes grew wide and he looked at Tristan like he had grown another head. Tristan shrugged.
"I don't know why she still cares so much about you."
"I know I don't deserve her Tristan. I know she's not mine. Beleive me, I know." Ryou said, staring at the floor.
"I want her to have the necklace. Buy it for her." With that, Tristan turned around and took off, leaving Ryou standing there.
"You heard the man. Go buy it for her." Bakura said, walking up to the window. That young man, Tristan, had just given Bakura a very good idea indeed...
"Something's up." Ryou said, narrowing his eyes. Why would the two people who don't want him and Tea together the most in the world want him to buy her a necklace? It was too coincidental and it just didn't make any sense."
"Buy it!" Bakura gave Ryou a shove into the store and Ryou lost control of his hands and feet as they led him over to the cashier and he made another Valentines purchase. Ryou shook his head in defeat as the cashier handed him the box with the necklace and he placed it inside his shopping bag.
"WELCOME BOYS AND GIRLS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SINGLES AND LOVERS TO DOMINO HIGH'S VALENTINE EXTRAVAGANZA!" The announcer boomed into the microphone.
"I thought it was just a dance." Seto muttered, leaning on one of the loud speakers.
"NOW FOR ADMITTANCE TO THE GYM, LADIES GO TO YOUR RIGHT AND GENTLEMEN TO YOUR LEFT. YOU WILL EACH RECEIVE A SPECIFIC COLORED FLOWER AND WHEN THE TIME COMES, I'LL TELL YOU GO FIND YOUR PARTNER WITH THE MATCHING FLOWER!"
"Another one of the school's attempts to make no one feel left out." Seto added.
"OH I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT YOU SETO, YOU ALSO HAVE TO GO GET A FLOWER!"
"Hey! I will not be walking around holding a damned daisy in my hand!" Seto said, his hands curling up into fists as he glared up at the announcer.
"HERE YOU GO AN INDIGO IRIS!" The announcer said, shoving a flower into Seto's hands.
"Get away from me!" Kaiba said, taking the flower and smacking his hand away. "Fine, I'll play your stupid game."
"LADIES, LADIES, LISTEN-UP. I KNOW YOU ALL WANT TO DANCE WITH MR. KAIBA, SO LOOK OUT FOR AN INDIGO IRIS! AN INDIGO IRIS!"
"What did he say?" Rikku asked, yelling over the announcer's loud voice.
"I think he said a pink rose!" Mai yelled back, followed by a shrug. Mai grabbed a purple rose and then rushed inside, looking for Joey. "Joey!" She ran over to her boyfriend, who held up a yellow tulip. "WHAT!? Oh great, then who got the-"
"Hello Mai!" Rex Raptor held up a purple rose, waving it infront of her. Mai jumped back.
"There must be a mistake!"
"Yeah I'm not letting this prehistoric pervert touch my girl!" Joey said, standing inbetween Mai and Rex.
"RULES ARE RULES, IT'S ONLY ONE DANCE!" The announcer grinned.
"C'mon Joey, let's go find a bathroom to make-out in. I'm not dancing with Rex." Mai said, taking his hand and walking away.
Yugi stood there holding a red rose, looking back and forth between the crowd for a matching flower. Maybe if he was lucky, Rikku would also have a red rose or something...
"Hello Ryou." Yugi said, looking up at the white haired boy. He held a black rose in his hand and simply shrugged. "I didn't think you were going to come. But it's good that you did. I'm sure you'll have fun."
"I don't know about that Yugi." Ryou said solemnly.
"So, you haven't found your flower match either?" Yugi chuckled.
"They aren't done handing them all out."
"Well. Do you want to talk?" Yugi asked.
"What?" Ryou raised an eyebrow, looking at him oddly.
"You know just talk, if there's anything you need to say." Yugi smiled. Ryou smiled back and nodded and they walked off towards the snack bar.
"Tea, is that you?" Rikku said excitedly, running over. Rikku herself was clad in a little black dress with black ribbons and sashes hanging off the sleeves and had her hair in a half bun so that the rest of her long green, blonde, and black hair ran down her back. Tea had left her short auburn hair down, but her long dark crimson dress was a sight to see. She wore matching red gloves and had a touch of sparkle and glitter across her skin.
"Hi Rikku." Tea said, slightly surprised that Rikku still talked to her in such a friendly tone. "Shouldn't Ryou be with you?"
"Why would Ryou be with me?" Rikku asked, tilting her head.
"Listen Rikku, you don't have to lie and play games with me." Tea said, narrowing her eyes. "I know you like Ryou, and I over-heard you saying that you were coming here together and that you were going to make sure he 'had a good time'" Tea said, crossing her arms. "Not that I care or anything but-"
"No!" Rikku's eyes were wide and she shook her head at Tea. "Oh my gods, no." She placed her hand on her forehead faintly at then looked at Tea. "Is that really what you thought?"
"What do you mean 'what i thought'?" Tea repeated, arching an eyebrow.
"Tea, you've got it all wrong. I don't... I don't like Ryou. Okay, I admit, I might've had a slight crush on him at first, I mean he's such a gentleman, but Tea his heart totally belongs to you." Rikku laughed. "On my first day here, I saw Ryou talking to Seto Kaiba. I recognized Seto off the bat, and I thought that they were probably friends. So... because of my potent anger towards Kaiba..."
"You became Ryou's friend to bother him... to take him away from Seto!" Tea concluded. "You, you weren't trying to take him away from me after all?"
"Gods, no." Rikku said, shaking her head. "Of course, then I find out that Seto has no friends so there goes my master plan." Rikku shrugged. "Ridiculous, isn't it? Gosh... so... that's why whenever I tried to talk to you, you shrugged me off! You thought I was trying to take Ryou from you..."
"Yeah." Tea admitted, an odd feeling of relief flooded through her. "But... you said you were going to show him a good time..."
"That's why I was looking for you." Rikku said, crossing her arms. "Ryou's not going to have a good time unless you're here! So, let's go find him and you two can dance together!"
"Oh, no, no. I don't think he'll be happy to see me anymore." Tea said, shaking her head.
"So... thanks Yugi." Ryou said, taking a sip of his punch. "For not telling Tea about Bakura."
"It was for her own good." Yugi said with a sigh.
"Right. She's already got Yami, I don't think she wants to have any more spirit counter-parts to spend time with... especially one like Bakura." Ryou added.
"But you've got him under control now... right? I mean... you said Bakura was the reason you and Tea broke up, so now that you're not together, he's calmed down... right?"
"Um. Well... He's content for now." Ryou said with a nervous smile. "Don't worry about me Yugi, I've got everything under control. I hope."
"I'm not worried about you Ryou." Yugi said with a chuckle. Suddenly something caught his eye and Yugi's face became quickly alarmed.
"What is it Yugi?" Ryou asked, taking another sip of his punch.
"It's Rikku! She has... she doesn't have a red rose." Yugi said with a heavy sigh, leaning against the wall. Ryou looked at him curiously, arching an eyebrow and then chuckling.
"I see."
"What?" Yugi asked, crossing his arms. "There's nothing to see!"
"You have a crush on Rikku." Ryou said, trying to hold back a grin. How long had it been since he was joking around and having fun like this? Too long. "I'm not going to tell anyone. I think it's nice. Rikku's a nice girl." Ryou said, giving Yugi a pat on the back that caused the smaller boy to spit out some of his drink. Or, so Ryou thought. What had really made Yugi spit out his drink was the rather short, yet adorably cute girl standing infront of them. She sported a long silky mint green dress and had long flowing auburn hair.
"S-serenity!?" Yugi exclaimed, looking at the flower in her hand and trying to suppress a smile.
"Hi Yugi." She said shyly, holding up her flower. "I guess this means you owe me a dance, huh?"
"Yeah. Of course!" Yugi said, standing up and then taking her hand. He turned around. "It was nice talking to you again Ryou."
"You too. Have fun." Ryou said with a soft smile. He scanned the dance floor and took another sip of his punch. Some fun this was going to be. If Bakura hadn't even taken that chance to get the Millenium puzzle, (which he was smart enough not to, with all the people around) then there must've been some other reason Ryou was sitting here other than Bakura wanting him to be bored to death.
"HEY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! IF YOU HAVEN'T FOUND YOUR FLOWER MATCH YET, HURRY UP BECAUSE HERE'S YOUR SONG! THIS GOES OUT TO EVERYONE OUT THERE, SINGLE, IN LOVE, OR JUST DREAMING..."
You've got your ball, you've got your chain. Tied to me, tie, tie me up again. Who's got their claws in your my friend? Into your heart, I'll beat again.
"Lame. Keep reminding yourself that, Seto. Lame." Kaiba muttered under his breath and then turned and strode across the dance floor. He'd just slip by easily, un-noticed, be out the door and back at the manor in no time at all. He just had to be stealthy and-
"Eeeek!" Rikku slapped her hands over her mouth, staring at Kaiba wide-eyed. Tea looked over Rikku's shoulder.
"What's wrong?" Tea asked curiously, thankful that she had found a diversion to Rikku's endless search for Ryou. At least she wouldn't have to see him now. She'd just go find whoever had her flower, and dance with them, like a normal girl. "...Rikku?"
"It's HIM!" Rikku shrieked, pointing at Kaiba, or more so the Iris in his hand. Rikku held her own Iris tightly in her hand and Tea feared for the flower's well being because it looked as if Rikku was strangling it then and there.
Sweet like candy to my soul... Sweet you rock and sweet you roll. Lost for you, I'm so lost for you. Ahh, when you come crash... into me... I come into you, I come into you.
"DON'T DELAY!" The announcer grabbed Rikku and Seto by the hands, practically pushing them together. "IT'S JUST ONE DANCE!" He grinned. Rikku looked helplessly at Tea over her shoulder.
"Find Ryou! Dance with him!" She called. Tea quickly dispersed into the crowd, pretending like she hadn't heard. She couldn't help but smirk at how humerous it was though, that two bickering enemies ended up having to dance together. She wove her way through the crowd and thankfully spotted the punch bowl. She rapidly rushed over and grabbed a paper cup, beginning to scoop the punch into it.
"Show-time." Bakura muttered under his breath, quietly creeping up behind Ryou and then taking over him. His eyes narrowed with a mischevious glint as he made his way towards her, placing a hand softly on her back that caused her to jump up in alarm.
"Ryou!" Tea exclaimed, clasping her hands over her heart. "You um, you scared me..."
"I apologize, it's just that you looked so beautiful... the way the light falls softly on your skin." He took a step forward, looking down at her.
"Ryou... stop." Tea said, looking away, anywhere. She just didn't want to meet his eye.
"I'm serious." Bakura said, leaning in even closer and touching her cheek lightly. Tea's eyes snapped up in alarm and she gritted her teeth, pushing him off of her.
"So am I." Tea said angrily, crossing her arms. Bakura shrugged it off. He expected her to act this way. Slowly, he opened his tuxedo jacket and pulled out his black rose, holding it out before her. Tea stared at the rose in fascination, reaching into her purse timidly and pulling out the matching flower. Her expression sunk and emotions flickered across her face... like fear, disappointment, denial...
In a boy's dream, in a boy's dream, oh yeah. Touch your lips just so I know, all in your eyes, love it glows. So I'm bareboned and crazy for you. Ahh when you come crash... into me yeah... Baby come into you. In a boy's dream, in a boy's dream, oh yeah.
"You owe me a dance, Tea. Just one dance." Bakura said simply. Before Tea even got a chance to respond she felt herself beign pushed forward through the air... and found herself being caught in Ryou's arms. They both looked up, seeing that greasy haired freak and his beloved microphone.
"YOU KIDS HAVE FUN NOW!" The announcer said before running off into the crowd. Bakura gently helped Tea up to a standing position and then took one of her hands in his and placing the other on her waist. Tea bit her bottom lip, but found herself at a point where she couldn't exactly refuse. One dance wouldn't hurt... it couldn't hurt... she closed her eyes and decided to comply. Placing her hand tentatively on his shoulder.
Oh now I've gone overboard and I'm begging you to forgive me lord, in my haste, when I'm holding you so girl ahh close to me... and you come crash... into me yeah... baby come into you.
"I wanted to give you something. I saw it and I instantly thought of you." Bakura said, slipping his hand once again inside his tuxedo jacket pocket. Tea let out an exasperated sigh.
"Ryou... I don't want your gifts." She said simply yet while watching his hand closely as he pulled out a medium size velvet box and dropped his hand from her for just a moment to open the box and reveal the secret treasure hiding inside. He lifted the lid and raised it just a little, just enough to tease her, before pulling the lid all the way back and holding it our towards her. Tea felt her breath get caught in her throat as she glanced down and saw what she couldn't beleive she was seeing. It was the necklace she had seen in the mall with Tristan... the heart encrusted with a ring of little diamonds... symbolizing the bond of love. "I... can't beleive... I can't take this from you." She added in a hoarse whisper.
"It's a gift. Take it." Bakura pulled the necklace out of the box the chain and then snapped it shut, placing it back in his jacket. He looked up at her with an anticipating grin and then leaned forward, wrapping the necklace around her neck and then hooking it together and smoothing it out before stepping backwards to admire. "It looks beautiful on you." He commented, glad to see her blush. "Now, I don't want to waste anymore time of our dance." Bakura said, taking her hand and pulling her back into his arms. Tea looked up at him, keeping her eyes on his the entire time and melting in his arms all at once. It was so weird... how many times Ryou could surprise her with his ever changing personalities. She knew Ryou was romantic... how could she forget... but was this suave suitor really Ryou? His eyes... they were so clouded tonight. She used to be able to read Ryou from his eyes... warm deep opening brown. But tonight... she couldn't see anything... and so she relied blindly on her heart.
Ooh hike up your skirt a little more and show it all to me baby yeah. Show your world to me in this boy's dream. I watch you there through the window in I stare and you wear nothing but you wear it so well. Tied up and twisted the way I like to be, for you, for me, come crash into me, oh yeah. Come crash into baby yeah... crash into me... crash into me... crash into me...
"What are you doing to me?" Tea said involuntarily, stepping away from him as she realized that she had just said that aloud. She clasped her hand over her forehead for a second and then looked up. "E-excuse me... I really need to... ladies' room." She spun on her heels and took out through the crowd, leaving Ryou standing there bewildered.
I'm the king of the castle, you're the dirty rascal, crash into me. Oh say you crash into me baby 'cause I am swimming in your seas and in your ocean. I can see the waves come and crash into me. Oh yes I feel the wave come crash into me. Crash into me... crash into me... crash into me... ahh when you come crash into me, yeah.
They had barely noticed the song had ended until many faces of a gathered audience crowded around them. Rikku quickly dropped her arm away from Seto and the two parted quickly. It wasn't like they had gotten comfortable or anything. Oh no, certainly not. Rikku rubbed her hands together and looked up at him.
"Well... I'll be going. I've... got to check on Ryou and Tea." She said, loud enough for their audience to here.
"Well you go do that then." Seto replied, casting a glance at the people hovering around them. They quickly dispersed and when he turned around Rikku was already gone.
"Ryou! Ryou!" Rikku scurried up to him, looking around. "How was the dance? Where's Tea?" Ryou furrowed his brow and looked down at her quizzically.
"What dance? What are you talking about? Tea's here?" He said, cocking his head to the side. Rikku crossed her arms.
"I looked over in this direction and I saw you two dancing. You know, with these things!" She stuck out the Iris into his face. Ryou once again pulled the black rose from his pocket and stared at it intently. Both of their gazes fell to the matching rose on the floor by Ryou's feet.
"But... I don't remember... I didn't dance with Tea... where could she be now?"
Tea splashed the luke-warm water against her face before grabbing a paper towel and splotching her face dry. She turned off the faucet and stared at her reflection in the ladies' room bathroom mirror. The corner of her lips turned upwards into a smirk as her eyes narrowed and a soft golden light emitted from the ring of diamonds in her necklace.
"It's about time this party got stared."
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Score! I got it updated just in time! One more thanks to reveiwers and have a happy Valentines day! Also, listen to The All-American Rejects song "Swing Swing" because parts of it remind me of this fic lol. Oh, and now some added disclaimers:
"You're funny Kaiba. Real funny. No matter how much of a jack-ass you're being, you always know how to turn a phrase." - Is really "You're funny Kyle. Real funny. No matter how much of a jack-ass you're being, you always know how to turn a phrase." A quote taken off of the "Blind Date" episode of Roswell.
"Crash Into Me" - Is a Dave Matthews Band song played at the end of the "Pilot" episode of Roswell.
Me? Obsessed? Naw... Just kidding. Okay now the goodies! I made fic-banners that you can use if you have a web-site and want to link to me because you're super cool or just eye candy for you to look at because you are also super cool or extremely bored!