Chapter 7: Mac the Knife, Part Two

Téa awoke the next morning to sounds of feet shuffling down the hall. "Kaiba?" she croaked to herself, her voice clogged with sleep.

Téa stumbled out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans, and a small, white shirt.

On her way down the stairs, Téa hit her leg on a small hope chest sitting abandoned in the hallway.

"Ow!" she yelped, hobbling her way towards the beginning of the staircase.

Seto had heard Téa cry out. He stepped out of the bathroom, a toothbrush in one hand, and a comb in the other. "Are you alright?" he asked Téa.

Téa turned around and was met with Seto wearing an open shirt. "Um, yeah. I'm fine. Erm, just a little accident."

Seto nodded. "I see." he said, then stepped back into the bathroom.

Téa grumbled something and walked down the stairs, into the kitchen. She went to the fridge and poured herself a glass of orange juice. She then took a seat on one of the stools that surrounded the small 'island' countertop.

"Kaiba, hurry up. I don't like being alone in big open spaces. Being in your house doesn't exactly help, either," said Téa out loud.

She stared off into space, until she felt two hands cover her eyes. "Guess who?" said a voice. You could tell Seto was smirking without even looking at him.

"Gee, I wonder," said Téa in a sarcastic tone. "Like, really, Kaiba. We're the only ones here," Téa finished, giggling.

"Exactly," Seto said mysteriously, taking his hands away, and sitting next to her.

"How did you sleep last night, after I left your room?" asked Téa, eyeing the dark circles under Seto's eyes.

"Fine," Seto lied.

Téa just shook her head and took a sip of her orange juice.

Seto just let out a heavy sigh. First, he looked at his wounded arm, then, he looked where the knives were sitting.

Téa followed his gaze, and then punched him in his good arm. "Don't even think it," she growled.

"Think what?" Seto asked all too innocently.

"You know what I'm talking about," replied Téa. "Now, listen. I'm going out for a couple of hours, and I trust you not to do anything stupid."

Seto just looked at Téa and asked, "Where are you going?"

"To hang out with Joey for awhile," said Téa.

"Joey? Why can't he just hang out with his other friends? And what about me? Why wasn't I invited?" demanded Seto, firing questions at Téa.

Téa just looked at Seto and smiled. "For one, Yugi, Tristan and Bakura are busy. And, you weren't invited because Joey says he needs to talk to me alone. So, even the others weren't busy, he'd probably still ask me. Got that?"

Seto looked back at Téa, a small pout forming on his handsome face. "Fine. I'll stay here all by myself."

Téa laughed. "Mokuba should be back in a few hours."

"Mokuba? Who's Mokuba?" said Seto jokingly.

Téa leaned over and gave Seto a small peck on the cheek. "See you later, baby cakes!" said Téa winking at him.

"Yeah, see you," said Seto watching her walk to the front door. Then, he remembered something. "How are you getting there?" he called to her.

Téa called back, "I'm walking. That's how I got here, isn't it?" then she set foot out the front door.

Seto let out another heavy sigh. "Alone again," he thought.

He looked up at the ceiling. "Do you like to put me through slow torture?" he yelled.

Of course, there was no reply.

*Flashback*

"Gozaburo, you have no right to touch me." Ten-year-old Seto narrowed his eyes angrily. "Leave me alone."

"Touch you? Why my dear Seto. I own you." Gozaburo looked at Seto, a pleased smile on his face.

"You do not!" Seto cried.

"I do. It's all on paper. And, stop mouthing me off, you wicked child," Gozaburo said.

"What if I don't?" Seto said, challenging Gozaburo.

"You'll wish that you were never born," was the cold reply.

"I already wish that," said Seto, glaring at Gozaburo, as if daring him to make a move.

Gozaburo calmly pulled out a small pocketknife from his pants, not saying a word.

Seto's eyes widened to an exceptionally large size. He was shaking inside, but he couldn't let Gozaburo see that. "Bring it on," said Seto nastily. "You put me through some kind of pain everyday. I guess I haven't had my daily helping."

Gozaburo walked up to Seto, and pressed the knife blade softly against his throat. "I could kill you now, and get away with it," he said to Seto.

"Right. Like you'd kill me. I'm the reason your stupid company is succeeding."

Gozaburo laughed. "You only wish, you little brat." He pulled the blade away from Seto's throat, and put it to his cheek.

Seto mentally tried to calm himself down. 'I hate him. I hate him with a passion,' Seto thought to himself.

Gozaburo smirked and made a small cut on Seto's cheek. Blood dripped down slowly. "Do you know who's in charge now?" Gozaburo questioned.

Seto nodded slightly. God, he hated giving in. It made him feel weak, and being weak was for wimps.

Gozaburo tucked the knife away safely, back in to it's belonging place. "Just remember that knives are our friends, and everything will be fine," said Gozaburo, turning on his heel, and leaving.

Seto nodded again, this time to no one in particular. Then, he reluctantly trudged back to his room, prepared for hour after hour of grueling computer work.

*End Flashback*

The Seto in the present slowly lifted his gaze to the kitchen knives. "Knives are our friends," he said softly.

Seto walked to the knives and gawked at them. "Mac the knife," the muttered. Then, he shook his head violently. "Mac the God damn knife!" he screamed, slamming his fist down on the Formica countertop.

"What the hell is wrong with me?!" Seto screamed to the heavens. "Why do I want to kill myself so bad?!"

Then, the answer struck him like a lightning bolt.

"I know why," Seto continued bitterly. "Oh, I know why, alright. It's all because of Gozaburo. All because of him and his ways of torture. It's enough to make a person go crazy."

Seto stared for a moment then yelled, "Well, you know what?! It worked! Are you happy?! You've made me insane!"

Seto looked at his still bandaged arm. He had almost forgotten it was there.

He wanted to pick up the knife and slash it through his flesh. He wanted to feel his own blood drip from his arm. He wanted to see someone drag his lifeless body out of his own house. He wanted to watch someone carve his gravestone.

"No! Stop! Leave me alone!" Seto yelled. "Just leave me alone!"

Seto dropped down to his knees. "I have to." he started. "I have to think straight. I have to clear my mind," he said, still shaken.

Seto closed his eyes and tried to rid the negative thoughts. "I'm okay," he said to himself. "Nobody can hurt me except myself. Nobody."

He slowly rose to his feet, his heart pounding loudly. Feeling dizzy, Seto grabbed the counter for support.

He then looked at the knives that were so close to him. Seto couldn't decide whether to take the risk and cut himself again, or to try and ignore the pain that was once again eating away at his heart.

Tears stung the corners of Seto's eyes. No, he couldn't let himself to that. Crying was for the weak. Seto bit his lip, trying to hold back the salty substance.

Then, all hell broke loose. A small tear rolled down Seto's cheek.

"Mom? Dad? I'm sorry for being so weak. I'm just scared and I don't know what to do. Something's wrong with me." Seto sniffed lightly and wiped his eyes on the back of his sleeve.

Seto didn't know how long he stood there, staring at the ceiling. But, his train of thoughts was interrupted when a happy cry rang throughout the large house.

"Big brother! I'm home!" cried Mokuba, bounding into the kitchen.

"Hey, kid," said Seto in a monotone.

"Seto, is something wrong?" asked Mokuba, studying Seto's red eyes.

"No, I'm fine," said Seto, beginning to space out.

"Okay, if you say so," said Mokuba uncertainly.

"Did you have fun at Andrew's?" asked Seto flatly.

"Yes!" exclaimed Mokuba. "We had loads. And, um, Seto?" he continued.

"Yeah?" said Seto, looking at Mokuba.

"Well, Andrew's family invited me to go camping. Well, not exactly camping. His family invited me out to their cabin for the remainder of the weekend. Remember that my school doesn't have classes on Monday?" Mokuba said all in one big breath.

Seto kept his gaze fixed on Mokuba. "Yeah, I remember. If I were to let you go with them, when would they bring you back?"

"Monday afternoon," replied Mokuba. "You could pick me up after your school lets out."

Seto was a little bit unsure of his answer. He hesitated slightly before saying, "Okay, Mokuba. You may go. But, first, I would like to talk to Andrew's parents."

Mokuba gave Seto Andrew's number, and Seto called the parents. "All, right. Goodbye," Seto said, hanging up the phone.

"Andrew will be here in a few minutes to pick you up, Mokuba. Are you ready?" asked Seto.

"Yes. And, thank-you, big brother! You really are the best!" Mokuba gave Seto a hug.

"No problem," said Seto, just as the doorbell rang.

"Bye, Seto! Love you!" said Mokuba as he grabbed his bag, and ran to the front door.

Seto followed him. "Bye, Mokuba. I love you, too," he said as he watched his younger brother run out the door, and into the car with Andrew.

Seto shut the door and sighed. He was starting to feel a little normal again.

Feeling extremely exhausted, Seto walked into the living room, and collapsed on the couch. He fell asleep almost immediately.

******

Seto awoke almost six hours later. It was 6:00 PM.

"Huh? What?" Seto looked around the living room. Then, the realization of reality hit him. Where was Téa?

Seto sat up. "Téa?" he called, still feeling a bit groggy. "Damn it! She should have been back hours ago."

Seto began to feel a little nervous. He decided to call Joey's house.

Walking over to the phone, Seto punched in Joey's number. He let it ring ten times. No answer.

"Oh, God. Please let Téa be okay. If Joey did anything to her." said Seto, grabbing the keys to his car.

Seto drove down the streets and into Joey's quiet neighborhood. Parking his car in front of Joey's house, Seto got out and ran up the front steps. He rang the doorbell.

Joey answered the door, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts. "Yeah, what do ya-" he stopped in mid-sentence when he saw who it was. "Kaiba? What are you doing here?"

"Where's Téa?" Seto growled.

"Téa? She's in the living room sleeping," replied Joey.

Seto's eyes widened. This was looking really bad for Joey.

"Hey, don't look at me like that, man! Whatever ya happen to be thinking, stop thinking it! I was supposed to call ya to let ya know that Téa would be late. Guess I forgot. Sorry," said Joey sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Seto glared at Joey. "How come you didn't answer when I phoned?"

"I was in the shower," said Joey, gesturing to his wet hair.

"How come Téa said she would be late?" demanded Seto.

Joey looked a little embarrassed. "'Cause she was still helping me with something, and after she just kinda crashed. I didn't want to wake her. I really am sorry that I forgot to call ya earlier," finished Joey.

"It's okay," said Seto. "But, could you please wake her up now?"

"Sure," replied Joey. He woke up Téa, and walked her to the front door where Seto was standing.

"Bye, Téa. Thanks," said Joey.

"Bye, and good luck," said Téa as she and Seto walked away.

Once in the car, Seto didn't say a word to Téa. She couldn't tell if he was angry, or lost in thought.

The drive back to Seto's house was filled with complete silence.

Disclaimer: I do not own, "Yu-Gi-Oh!" although I wish I did. ^_^ Kazuki Takahashi does. ^_^

A/N: Haha! Another chapter done! Oh, my God! It took me FOREVER to type this one. I think my fingers are going to fall off. LOL! ^_^ Hehe.If only you guys knew what I have in store for this young couple. O_o Whoa. It's amazing what orange juice can actually do to you! Lol. ^_^ So, what did you think? ^_^ Thank-you to all of my reviewers, once again. -huggles them all!- ^_~ Love ya guys.

Well, I g2g. Please R&R! ^_^ No flames, please and thank-you! ^_^ See you all later and in the next chapter! ^_^

~Blue-Kool-Aid~