Pairing: Ryou Bakura x Téa Gardner
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, just my OC's and Kassie-chan owns Vipera.
Someone Like You
Chapter 16
By Kaz
Inside of Seto's plane, Téa couldn't help but shift uncomfortable, after all she was in a situation that she thought she would never be in again. 'Sigh, I can't believe after all this time I am going back to Japan. I mean when you leave a place you don't really expect to go back, but maybe that's where I belong, maybe that's where my heart truly is.'
She felt Ryou stir beside her, looking at the sleeping man a string of doubt and fear raised up again in her heart. 'What if it doesn't work out? I mean what if he suddenly doesn't want to be a dad no more? What if this all a mistake? Am I doing the right thing what if?'
Her question to that was soon answered when she looked at her children's faces. The way they were lit up, such joy and happiness it was indescribable, they looked happy, so why couldn't she be?
'Maybe because I have been alone for so long I just can't trust people into my life. I mean Shi and Chi were...are my life, but to have to share them and have someone back in my life it's hard but then again when was anything ever easy?'
Looking over at Shiro, who was on a stretcher bed bundle and tightly wrapped up, Téa couldn't help laugh silently at the way he was glaring at Chijin, who was making fun of him. It made look like a miniature Bakura the way his eyes were narrowed.
However though, this fear still resided inside of her, true by each passing moment it was growing smaller, a small proportion of it just wouldn't go away and Téa couldn't help but wonder, 'Would it ever?'
As the plane landed down on Kaiba's private sector beside his mansion in Domino, Téa began to shiver slightly, 'I feel so afraid.'
"Téa?"
"Huh? Sorry Seto what was that?"
"I said if you want to, instead of calling your parents, I can offer you take you all to Ryou's house first, where you can meet up with them there."
Téa just stared at Seto, she could not believe it he had changed so much, the once cold-hearted boy had changed into a true friend and someone to rely, in fact, he was not the only one who was different, they had all grown up so much. True at 20 years one tends too, but the worst part was that she hadn't been able to change with them. She had changed, yet instead, while the others had grown closer, she had drifted away, and that thought brought the tears back up.
"Err Téa are you ok? I mean its okay you can call your parents, I don't mind I was just..."
"No Seto, that not it. Its just thank you so much. You have done so much, what with bringing Shiro here and everything." Seto blushed a little, when Téa hugged him and patted her back.
Joey was just looking on and whispered to Mai, "Err why she crying? You reckon she is pregnant again. Or is it dat time of da month?"
Glaring at him, Mai hit him on his head and shook hers, "Men."
Ryou who was currently in the plane, had come out only to witness the hug, while he watched them he could help but feel a twinge of jealously raise in his heart. 'I still love her,' he realised, 'I love her and I want her back no matter what. I have to show her that I want her and not just because of Shiro and Chijin.'
With that realization, he stepped on the plane and cleared his throat. "So um perhaps we should get going," he stated, while narrowing his eyes slightly.
Breaking apart from the hug, Téa turned to look at Ryou and smiled, "Yeah I'll just go and get Chi and Shi," she said, while walking up the stairs, not before turning around and saying, "Oh Seto has offered to drive us to your house."
'Great,' thought Ryou, 'Everyone can do something right except me.'
During the journey to Ryou's house, Téa fell silent as she looked thorough the windows of the limo. As the scenery passed by, Téa saw visions of past memories fly by. Smiling, she saw a familiar shop, 'The ice cream place. That's were we used to hang out,' laughing quietly, she noticed, 'It still looks exactly the same.'
Soon more places flew by, the school, the arcade, the park; smiling again, she remembered how one day after school she and Ryou went there. It was so beautiful, what with Ryou sat on a planter, while she stood under a Sakura tree catching the falling blossoms. Shaking her head, she noticed they were just leaving the town. Sighing, she looked at a certain restaurant near the harbour. 'Where me and Ryou had our first real date.' Smiling, she closed her eyes and let the memories of that day come back full force.
A 15-year-old Téa sighed as she ran around the house, trying desperately to find certain items to go with her outfit. Even though not may people wore them that much especially around this time, Téa had wanted to wear her Kimono. Blushing silently, she thought how Ryou would react. I mean would he think she was too old fashioned. Oh well, I deal with that if it happens,' she thought, while slipping on the pink material. Applying very slight make up she blushed, 'Is this too much? I mean I don't know. Its times like this I wish I paid more attention to what Miho told me about dating. Shaking her head, she brushed her hair and placed a butterfly clip to one side, it matching perfectly with the designs on her gown. Slipping on her shoes, she tied a white satin sash around her waist and breathed deeply. True she was over acting slightly, but this was her first date, excluding that dismal meeting she had with Yami. That brought a smile to her face, 'Well I hope this one goes better, and there's no Johnny Steps or another Battle city.'
As she made some last minute alterations she heard the doorbell go and her mother shout out, "Téa it's for you." Breathing deeply, she silently prayed, 'Please let this go okay,' and exited the room, while grabbing her bag.
As she arrived in the hallway, she could help but let out a surprised gasp, for there stood Ryou, wearing traditional clothes as well, except his was a plain brown and white one. 'He looks so handsome,' she blushed, noticing that he was blushing too.
"Aww you too look so sweet, reminds me of when me and your father were dating," smirked Maria, as she saw the blush on both faces get larger. "Anyway Téa call me when you are coming back and don't be out too late you hear that mister?"
"Err yes, Mrs Gardner."
Bowing he grabbed Téa's hand and they both left her house.
Walking in a slightly uncomfortable silence, Téa noticed that they were still holding hands.
"So um err nice outfit," she supplied weakly.
"Yes about that, I wasn't sure what to wear and then well I thought... I hope you don't think its weird or that too old fashioned?"
Téa laughed, the ice had been broken, "Well if I did then I would be a hypocrite. I hope you don't think I am weird for wearing this."
"No, no, you look really pretty."
Looking up she pushed her hair behind her ears showing her nervousness, this was the first time a male had complemented her.
"Thank you! So do you."
"What I look pretty? Thanks! As if enough people didn't laugh at me." Ryou joked.
"Why, yes, Ryou you do. In fact why don't you use my hair clip and tie up that pretty hair of yours?" she joked back.
Laughing, they both continued to walk, until Ryou turned them around a corner.
"So um where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll see," was the answer.
Sure enough, Téa found herself staring at a sushi restaurant, just a little out of town. Entering, Ryou gave his name and they were soon led to a table.
"Ryou are you sure about this? It looks expensive. I have money, I can pay."
"Don't be silly, of course I am, sure now what do you want to eat?"
Shaking her head, she looked at the menu. Once she had decided, she looked at Ryou and saw that he was deep in concentration looking at his menu. She took this opportunity to give the boy a look over. 'He has such a sweet face,' she mused, glancing at his boyish good looks. 'Such big brown warm eyes and such a nice smile.' Overall, she decided Ryou was cute, very cute. 'Gah what am I doing thinking about my friend like that? I mean this does not mean anything, right? We have only been out this one time. I mean that talk at the park does not count... sigh... I hope he kisses me again.' Eyes widening at that confession, she quickly banished such thoughts from her mind and sipped her drink.
On the other side of the table, Ryou appeared to be in a deep concentration about his food, but his thoughts were actually on the female sitting across from him. 'Wow she looks really stunning.' Ryou thought, trying his best not to blush any more than he already was. He was so surprised when she appeared and nearly fainted on the spot. 'I can't believe someone this beautiful is sat across from me, maybe my life doesn't suck after all. I hope she doesn't think I am being too forward bring her here. Oh my perhaps I should tone it down, I don't want to offend her.'
Shifting from knee to knee, he pondered this thought, until the waiter came to take their order.
With nothing left to stare or glance at, both blushed and looked down, Téa fiddling with her hands and Ryou staring and the table. 'This is so hard why am I blushing so much? He must think I am a right idiot that can't say anything.'
Ryou was having similar thoughts, 'What do I talk about? Do people talk on a date? Is this a date?"
Deciding she had, had enough, she looked up and confessed, "Ryou I am sorry I am so nervous and jumpy. It's just that I have never been out like this before."
"Don't be sorry Téa its okay. In fact I have to say, I am really nervous too."
"Really?"
"Really."
"We are both so silly, we should just enjoy this evening."
Agreeing, they both relaxed and began to talk.
Once the meal had finished, Ryou asked Téa if she wanted to take a walk to which she agreed.
The night had become slightly chilly causing Téa to shiver and cursed herself quietly for not bring a jacket. Ryou saw this and offered her his, putting it around her shoulders, when she began to shake her head. As they walked some more Téa shyly moved her hand and entwined it with Ryou's, smiling silently, he tightened the hold, as she leaned over and rested her head against his shoulder.
Soon they had reached her house and the night was over causing both teens to feel slightly disappointed, as the day had gone so well. Arriving at her doorstep, Téa turned to face Ryou.
"Well thank you for such a wonderful evening Ryou. It was perfect." 'Well almost,' she thought.
"Yes it was good, thank you for agreeing. Well I better be going now but err before I go perhaps you would err well."
"Go out with you again?" she guessed seeing him nod, she declared, "Of course I will."
Smiling, he leaned over and shyly kissed her, to which she also shyly returned. However, actions soon grew bolder and Ryou let his tongue dip into her mouth, hearing her surprised gasp, he was about to stop, when he felt her return his gesture by slipping in her tongue. Her hands moved from the side of his face to entangle themselves in his mane of hair, while he moved his to encircle her waist. Soon the need for air arose and reluctantly the kiss had to broken revealing two blushing but happy teens. Slightly out of breath Téa whispered, "I better go inside."
"Yeah I better go as well. I'll see you tomorrow."
Nodding happily, she went in while thinking.
'Now its' perfect.'
"Téa! Téa come on wake up."
Téa jerked out of her thoughts feeling some one shake her, opening an eye, she saw Ryou hovering over her.
"Huh?"
"Hey come on wake up. We are here."
Yawning and stretching, she got out of the car and saw two familiar faces. "Mama Dad," she cried, while running over to them engulfing them in a hug. "I am so happy to see you."
"I know sweet heart me too," whispered Maria, Téa's mother.
"Now where are my grandchildren? It's been so long since I have last seen them."
"GRANDMA! GRANDDADDY," screamed Chijin running over and jumping into her grandfathers arms.
"Hi gorgeous," her grandfather said.
They all walked to were Shiro was and hugged him too, Maria crying at the sight of him.
"Grandma tis okay me ok."
Looking over at the family once again, Ryou felt a sadness rise in him. He had never had that, he and his father were not that close, and he lost his sister and mother. 'Well I hope Téa will finally let me be a part of hers," he thought as he walked over to them.
TBC