**Yeah! Chapter three!Took me long enough, eh? Well again, thanks for reviews! Ya'll are all so cool! If anyone was wondering, I think this thing is going to have probably at max 7 chapters, but they're all gonna be pretty short so don't worry. I don't like very long chapters anyway..i'd rather fit it in to 20 small chapters that 8 big ones or whatever..but I'm just rambling so let's get on to the disclaimer.**

**Oh btw Tea's mom appears in at least this and the next chapter...so if she doesn't have a mom at all in the original or the dub I'm sorry! Thought I'd just go ahead and let you know!**

Disclaimer Guy- Again, Rina does not own Yu-gi-oh. Please look away from any and all folders entitled Top-secret Plan Number (may vary) to steal Yu-gi-oh ownership rights. Thank you.

WindMageRina- Do you EVER quit?! Wait don't tell me, let's just get on with the story... (under her breath) but one of these days. Muah-ha ha ha ha!


The Real Tea
Chapter Three
When Warnings Go Unheeded
Part 1

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She woke up having no idea how she had fallen asleep. That's when her memory returned. She jerked up on her bed and looked around anxiously for signs of what had happened last night. Was it a dream? She began to think, but looked beside her to see her unfinished homework. She gulped, and crawled to the side of the bed to see if the pile of ashes was still there, but when she looked over the edge, there was nothing.
She stopped, somewhat startled, but also confused. Could I really have dreamed it all? If that's so then I've gotta stop drinking sugar-loaded drinks before I start my homework. But how could it have been a dream? It all seemed so real...the voice, the evil power I felt. If it wasn't a dream and I don't do what it says something terrible could happen. But if I do as it said and it IS a dream, how would I EVER be able to explain? Man! This is too confusing, but what should I do? I guess the only thing I can do is to wait and see..I just hope that it was a dream.
Tea looked at her clock. The time read 7:35. Ack! she thought. I must have overslept! Why didn't mom wake me up? Well at least there's enough time to dress and get a bite to eat.
She quickly dressed, packed away her things for school (she'd have to beg her forgiveness from the teachers for the homework) and went into the kitchen. On the table was a note. Tea picked it up and read it. It was from her mom. It said:

Tea,
I saw that you were still asleep at seven, and thought about getting you up but you looked as if you were sick. I decided that I'd let you sleep and when you woke up you could decide about going to school. I made a plate of eggs and sausage for you for when you woke up, it's in the microwave. I'll be coming home to check on you today as soon as I can. Love you!

Mom

Tea smiled, silently thanking her mom for thinking about that. She finished her breakfast finished rather hurriedly, since she'd have to get to school quickly. She made a decision to not worry abut the letter for now, if it was real or if it was a dream that fact would reveal itself quickly. At least that's what she told her mind, and tried her best to block out the sense of dread in her heart. She put the dishes in the sink, grabbed her bag, and was out the door.

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She had made the bell, but just barely. Unfortunately, as she was hurrying to her seat she didn't see the foot out in the way. The next thing she knew she was on the floor, along with all her stuff. She felt herself go red with anger and humiliation as she heard the snickers from her classmates and whispers of her various nicknames formed from their spite. Friendship speech girl they whispered as they laughed. She looked up, and the boy who had tripped her, named Mark Flint, smiled, but there was laughter there. he said smugly. Didn't see you there.
She felt like cussing them all out but heard someone kneel beside her. Tea? Are you ok? the concerned voice of Yugi Mouto asked. She looked up at him, his violet eyes filled with worry, and nearly choked as she saw the Millennium Puzzle dangling off of his neck. It's wasn't real! Right? She asked herself and smiled weakly, sitting up. Ye-Yeah I'm okay. I just tripped, but I'm fine. she said, still embarrassed. I'm gonna beat up those stupid punks. another voice said and she saw Joey picking up her books. We all know they did it on purpose. Tristan said, coming up behind her, as he'd been picking up pencils and pens from various spots in the room. Tea held back tears of gratitude as Tristan and Yugi helped her up and to her seat, and Joey put her things on her desk. Are you sure you're ok? Yugi asked her. Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks guys. she said, trying hard not to look at the Puzzle, knowing it would get her off thinking about things she wanted to keep from her mind. Yugi nodded, and the three of them went to their seats.

The rest of school was pretty uneventful, and for some reason the teachers allowed her to make up the unfinished homework, well..as long as she did that night's work as well. She wasn't thrilled but it was better than big fat zeros in the grade book. All was not well though. The kids kept snickering when they saw her in the halls. Jerks. she told herself. She had other things to worry about. Like the letter that had appeared last night. It and the evil task it wanted her to complete seemed to drift in her mind as if far away, but it still bothered her. Even though she tried to convince herself it wasn't true, something inside her would not let it go. She decided to skip her dance lesson that day and just go home after school.
As she packed away the books she'd need for homework, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Yugi, Joey and Tristan. Hey guys. she said, trying to sound casual. What's up? she asked. Tristan said, We just wanted to make sure you weren't being bothered. she smiled. No I'm fine. But I'm gonna go on home, mom's coming to check on me. I don't feel so well, but I'll be fine. See you guys later ok? Before they could say anything, she was out the doors and on her way home.

BRRR it's cold out here.
She thought as she turned down her street. I will be SO glad to get home. As she approached saw the house lights on and her mom's car in the driveway. Yeah, mom's already home. she thought, relived. Maybe this really was just some stupid dream. After all, I didn't do what it said and nothing has happened yet.
She went to the door, oblivious to everything but the fact that she wanted to see her mother. she called out as soon as she was inside. In the kitchen, Tea. her mother's voice called back. Tea walked into the kitchen and set down her things. Her mother was at the refrigerator looking at a calendar.
Anyone who saw them together may have wondered if they were sisters, she and her mom looked so much alike, and her mother looked younger than she really was. When Tea's mom heard her daughter come in she looked away from the calendar and smiled. Hey hon, you look tired. I thought you might not be going to dance today so I came home early. How about some soup and crackers for dinner? I'll get that started if you'll make us some tea (WMR-the drink, people). Sounds great mom, I'll start on that.
Tea was cleaning up after dinner as her mom prepared to leave again for work. She was really starting to convince herself that it was all a dream when the phone rang. I'll get it mom. she said loudly and picked up the receiver in the kitchen. she asked. It was Joey's voice, but she could tell something was not right. Did you hear about Tristan? Joey hesitantly asked.
The fear began to well up inside her. she said shakily. What happened to him? He had an accident on his bike, got thrown off and hit his head. Someone found him and called his house, who then let me know, since I walk home close to his street they caught me up. He's doing ok now, he's got a bad headache but that's all. I just wanted to make sure you knew, and I already called Yugi too so he knows. That's awful! Tea said trying to hide the torrent of fear she held. No! No! It's not true! It was a dream! her mind began to shout. Thanks for telling me Joey... she said after a moment. he said. Well I guess I better go, gotta tell dad about it, I just got home and he wants ta know why I'm so late. Me and Yugi are gonna go see Tristan tomorrow after school. You comin'? Of course. Tea said absently. See you later then. Bye Tea. Bye Joey. she said and replaced the receiver, bathed in cold sweat.
Her mother came into the room. Is something wrong, honey? she asked. You look pale. Yeah. Tristan had an accident on his bike. Tea said, but thought No! No! It's a coincidence! It just can't be real! O heavens is he all right? her mother asked. Yeah, he's ok. I'm gonna go with Joey and Yugi tomorrow to see him. Her mother looked relived. Well I'm glad it seems to be nothing serious. I've always thought those bikes were dangerous.... she trailed off, thinking about something, and then came out of her trance. I'm sorry dear, I hate to go but I have to get back to work. I'm so sorry about your friend, tell him hello for me when you go see him. I will mom. Tea answered. They hugged, and her mother went to the door and stopped, looking at the mail she had left on the entry table. Oh! I forgot to tell you. her mom said, turning around. This came for you today.


In her hand was a letter, with no return address, written in scarlet calligraphy, with the name Tea Gardner written elegantly at the top.






** Well whaddya think? That last line gave me cold chills! And I'm the one who wrote it! Well I hope you like it, chapter 4 is part two and the continuation of this chapter, since I noticed that this one was getting a little long. Chapter 4 will start RIGHT AFTER the ending of this chapter, but I haven't yet decided how I want the story to go. Well see you at next update!**