Ichigo- oh yay! Yes thanks for the reviews!
Kaiba- Impressive…
Ichigo- why do you say so? ^_^
Kaiba- Because I thought that you would only get 1 review for that chippie…
Ichigo- HEY!
Bakura- *eating cake* hello…
Ichigo- *slaps head* whatever..anyways…thanks and please review! On with the freakin chippie!
Metling A Heart Of Ice Chapt. 2- Shock
~Flashback~
"Hello," Tea answered the ring to her cell phone.
"Ms. Gardener," the man's voice spoke on the other line. Tea raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Yes," Tea asked.
"It's about your parents," the man spoke again. Tea stood there and she stood up straight. Something was wrong. The way the man spoke on the other line, it was…strange. Tea did not say a word, letting the person start to talk again. " Your parents are dead. As you already know, they were leaving after their vacation ended. But there was a slight problem with the plane that they took. For some odd reason, the pilot could not stir the plane and the plane went downhill, crashing about 200 meters from the ground. Luckily, most of the passengers were not dead, but severely injured. That being your parents too. The bad news is, both of they were not able to live throughout the whole drive to the hospital." Tea stopped listening the man on the other line, trying to consume the words he was speaking. Her face went pale with terror as she dropped the phone.
~End of Flashback~
Tea sat frozen on the floor of Kaiba's mansion. She wrapped her arms around herself and Kaiba gently rocked back and forth. He noticed the phone on the ground and realized that Tea did not hang up yet. Kaiba grabbed the cell and placed it on his ear. All he heard was the dial tone.
That idiot hung up. Kaiba shook his head and looked at the pale stricken Tea. Kaiba cleared his throat. He didn't know what to say. Everything was so sudden. Just like the last time he lost someone. He didn't know what to do then, he didn't know what to do now. Tea sat quietly, tears forming in her eyes.
"Tea," Kaiba began, but suddenly got cut off but Tea's hand rising up. She wanted silence. She turned her opened hand into a fist and clenched it near her heart.
She felt sick. Dizzy. Her head spun around in circle as she tried to understand everything. Certainly it wasn't her parents. Maybe the person had mistaken their bodies for someone's else. Maybe…But how did he find out her name? It was true. They were gone. Forever. Tea stood up and slowly walked out the door of Kaiba's mansion. She stumbled into the bright sunshine that greeted her. She raised her hand in front of her eyes to cover the sunrays coming her way.
She walked home. She was going to spend the rest of her Christmas break all alone…She was going to spend the rest of her life like this. Without someone who cared. Who loved her. She quickened her pace and opened the door to her house. She looked around. Everything was different now. It felt so different.
Tea slowly walked in, peering though the rooms. She went into the living room where she found a picture frame of her parents and her after a ballet recital. Her parents' smile glimmering back at her. She noticed that young proud girl in the picture, smiling triumphantly. Tea closed her eyes as memories started to flow back.
Honey, you did great. You should be proud of yourself. Tea imagined her mom saying that to her back at the recital. We could have never been prouder. We love you. A tear streamed down her face as she gripped the frame and threw it at the wall, making a little dent in it. Tea closed her eyes as she began to sob. She pressed her back to the wall as she slowly sat on the floor with her knees to her chest. Her eyes were red and puffy as she slowly opened them. Everything was a blur until she wiped her tears away.
She sat up and went upstairs to her room to lay on her bed for some moment of peace.
~~~~~~~~~~
Kaiba sat on one of the hospital seats, holding the hand of Mokuba. His little brother lay in the bed, unconscious. His face went to the side, letting the sun beam on it through the window. Kaiba brush the strands of hair off of his brother's face to look at it. He still didn't forgive himself. He should have been looking after him. He knew his was growing to happen. He never forgot that day where he saw that wood punctured into the side of Mokuba. He never forgot the day when the doctor told him that the major head injury caused by the car crash would give him a coma. And now Kaiba waited for Mokuba to wake up. Kaiba rubbed his face with his hands and sighed. It's only a matter of time.
Kaiba got up and paced around the room. What happened earlier was crazy. He had never seen Tea all shocked and disturbed as much as today. He would never have believed that happy, perky Tea fell to her knees crying in pain. Kaiba's heart twisted as his stomach gave a turn. He remembered that feeling when he stood there, seeing his mother die in the hospital bed. Not even remembering how his dad died in that car accident. In some sort of way, Kaiba was almost relieved. He found someone. He actually found someone that could relate to his problems. No. Not really. Tea didn't see her parents die. She didn't go even half of what he went through his whole life. His life was totally different from hers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ring! Ring! Joey held the phone into his ear, trying to listen for a voice. The gang sat around the Turtle Shop, talking. Suddenly, Joey heard the other line pick up, but to his dismay, the person hung up. Joey frowned.
Tea lay in her bed, looking at the ceiling. She heard another ring coming from her home phone. She closed her eyes and picked it up before slamming it back onto the receiver.
Joey raised his eyebrow and looked at the gang.
"That's funny," Joey started, "Tea isn't answering the phone." Kikyo and Yami stopped talking together and looked at Joey curiously.
"But Tea always answers her phone," Yami said. Kikyo bit her lip. Maybe something was wrong. But…how could it be. Just yesterday, everything was picture perfect. Nothing could just suddenly go worse. Can it? Kikyo shook his head slightly and forced a smile on her face as Yami looked her and smiled comfortably. Yami pulled back her hair behind her ears and looked at her.
"I'm sure its nothing," Yami reassured Kikyo. Kikyo nodded quickly.
"I know," Kikyo said. "I just think…we should be more, well, serious about it." Kikyo said. Yami nodded and jumped off the counter where the register stood next to him. Joey looked at some duel monster cards on the shelves. He took one and started to look at many, by taking a handful of them.
"That's $20.50," Yami said gleefully. Yami looked up from the cash register and smiled at Joey whose jaw dropped down.
"Oh come on, Yami," Joey whined, "Cut a pal some slack." Yami brought his hand out.
"Give me the money or the cards," Yami said, smiling. Joey sighed and handed the pack of cards he was holding. Yami just held his hand out longer. Joey whined and put the rest of the packs that he had into his hands. Yami smiled.
"Thank you for shopping at the Turtle Shop," Yami said. Joey laughed sarcastically as the whole gang smiled. Tristan smiled at Joey and slouched down into his chair.
"Why won't you get a job or something," Tristan started. Joey turned around.
"I hardly have time finishing my homework and you expect me to get a job," Joey asked. Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"You hardly have time? What do you do then," Tristan smirked, "Don't tell me you're still going out with that cake of yours." Joey threw a pack of cards at Tristan's forehead.
"Haha," Joey said sarcastically, "But I just can't get those math problems and ela questions, and science experiments and everything! Ya know?" Tristan shook his head.
"Sorry bud, but nope," Tristan said. Joey shrugged.
"Guess I was born dumb," Joey said, "Well, I guess you can get everything you want. I got the good looks, but the smarts is another thing." The gang laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Tea laid on her bed with her hands behind her head. She moved to the side and looked at the window. Something was ringing was inside her purse as Tea watched the trees. Tea just ignored it until it got to her nerves. She sat up and flipped the cover of it open. She placed it on her ear and began to lie down again.
"Hello," Tea's voice said softly.
"Ms. Gardener," the familiar responded on the other line. "It seemed that you hung up on our last call." Tea closed her eyes and then slowly opened that, thinking that all of this was just a dream. It wasn't. Tea cleared her throat.
"It seemed so," Tea's said steadily. She didn't want to speak to anybody and the man on the other line was the least one she wanted to talk to.
"Well, I think we should continue where we left off," the man said. Tea turned red as she got up and sat on her bed.
"Maybe we shouldn't," Tea said irritably, "Who are you, really? Is this some kind of sadistic joke you and your friends like pulling? Cuz' if it is, then you can just cut it out because I had enough of it." Tea waited for an answer.
"Ms. Gardener," the guy spoke again, very sincere and deep. Tea's face relaxed as her eyes drooped. It wasn't a joke. It was for real. "My name is Squal. No, this isn't a joke. I am just calling to get matters done." Tea sighed.
"Go ahead," Tea said.
"We will need you to come to the police office today so you can come with us to identify your parents' bodies."
"But you already know it is theirs," Tea said, "Why do you need me?"
"To make sure," Squal replied, "Also, we have some paper work for you to fill in. Do you have any relatives living in your area?" Tea raised a eyebrow. Suddenly her eyes widened. They were going to take her away. Take her away from her home and her friends. She can't depart from them. They were the ones that kept her in that happy mood of hers. They supported each other and this was one of the times she wanted to reach out to them. Tea shook her head.
"No," Tea replied. There was a pause.
"Is there any adult supervisor of some sort?"
"No," Tea said again.
"Okay, well, be at the station at 6 tonight," Squal said slowly. Tea nodded her head.
"O-okay," Tea pressed the end button and shoved it into her purse. She got outside and went to the driveway. Tea pouted at the empty driveway as she remembered that she took it to the shop for repair. Great. That's just fine and dandy. Just to her luck though, a black corvette drove at the side of the road and parked in front of her house. Tea cocked her head to the left as she watched the car move. The door opened and out came Seto Kaiba.
Kaiba turned around and saw Tea looking at him. He faked a smile at her and walked toward her.
Tea stood up straight and looked at Kaiba walking her way. Kaiba looked down as he kept his hands behind his back. His eyes looked up and he stood in front of Tea.
"Kinda missed ya there when you ran out like that," Kaiba awkwardly. He didn't know what to say. Tea forced a smile and cocked her head.
"Yea," Tea said. Silence fell upon them, but Tea finally spoke up. "Um, will you bring me to the police station?" Kaiba looked up and raised a eyebrow.
"Why do you need to go," Kaiba asked.
"Paperwork and stuff," Tea said. "for…well, you know already." Tea looked away as she wiped a tear away. She cleared her throat and looked at him. "So, will you?"
Kaiba shrugged.
"Sure," Kaiba said. He walked Tea into his car and opened the door for her. Tea slowly walked in and stared across the road. They drove around to the police station where they got out and walked toward the two glass doors. They watched as men and women in black and blue walked quickly across the room. Suddenly a tall, skinny yet muscular man that looked to be in his early 20's walked toward them. He was holding a stack of papers and gestured them to follow him.
They followed him into an office. A coat rack stood in the corner holding a jacket while a wooden desk stood in the middle with papers scattered everywhere.
"I assume you must be tea Gardener," the officer began, "May I see your id please?" Tea reached into her purse and opened her wallet. She showed him the id as the man nodded in approval. Squal looked over to Seto Kaiba who immediately stared back.
"Yes?" Kaiba said coldly, "Is there some reason why you are staring at me?" Squal raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, in a matter a fact," Squal said, "Who might you be?" Kaiba looked at him weirdly.
"Seto Kaiba," Kaiba sneered. He rolled his eyes and walked to the back of the room, "I'm just her ride." Squal nodded and turned to go out of the door.
"Follow me," he said. He led them in a car and opened the back door as Kaiba and Tea went in. He closed in and went to the driver's side. He sat and started the engine.
Tea fumbled with her hands and as she sast quietly in the compacted car. Squal look in the mirror and laid his eyes on Tea. Another kid with no parents. Gotta be the hardest thing for that girl…Squal turned his head and looked beyond the street. Welcome to the club, Tea. Tea bit her lip. She stared at the building that they were just entering. Her face turned pale as she was walking toward the door. She got in with Kaiba's hand holding hers. She gripped his harder as Squal entered a room with silver looking cabinets. She watched as he searched the titles of each one. He stopped at one and looked at Tea to come over. She looked at Kaiba and Kaiba nodded back.
Kaiba shook his head. He remembered this place. He didn't want to be here. He looked at Tea, who was slowly walking towards the cabinets, her arms wrapped around herself. He sighed deeply. Tea…be strong… In all his life, he never noticed anyone as strong as she. Emotionally strong. Tea was always the first one to stand up for her friends. She could handle anything that was put in front of her. She can withstand any obstacle. But…what about this one?
Tea gripped the handle and opened it slightly. She opened it wider, not wanting to see what was inside. She breathed and peeked in, only to immediately shut the door. She placed her back towards the wall and stared at Squal and Kaiba. She shook her head as tears welled up.
"I-I don't want to see it," tea said repeatedly. "I can't." Squal placed a shoulder on Tea.
"I'm sorry," Squal began, "But you have to identify your parents." Tea turned around and stared at the door. She again gripped the handle and opened it widely. A table slid out with plastic covering the body. It was stilled dressed in clothes, but the skin was pale. Tea stepped back and covered her mouth. It was her father. Her father, who used to be so caring and strong, was now…something that she didn't want to see. She stared at the pale-wrinkled body that represented her father. She suddenly slid the table back and shut the door.
Squal looked down. He had done this thousand of times. But why wasn't he used to it by now? He shook his head. He pointed at the cabinet above it. Tea opened that one too, slowly, very slowly. Another table slid out. Tea stared at it. Her eyes widened. She shook her head.
"No," Tea said repeatedly, shaking her head, "nonononononono." Tea trembled as she shut the door and pressed her hands toward the door. Kaiba immediately took Tea in his arms as she buried her face in his chest, still saying "no."
Squal looked at her and he stepped forward. He cleared his throat and placed her hands behind his back."I know this is upsetting to you, Ms. Gardener. To see your parents again." Tea looked at him and then at Kaiba. She let go of Kaiba's grasp and face them both. She shook her head as tears formed in her eyes.
"No," Tea said softly, "That…that woman in there." Tea looked down and then stared at the cabinet that she just saw. Kaiba and Squal were filled with confusion.
"Yea," Kaiba said. Tea looked at them with pain in her eyes.
"That woman," Tea said a little softer, "She's not my mother."
Ichigo- MUAHAHAHA! Never thought that didja?!?!!
Kaiba- I did…
Ichigo- well..uh..shut up!
Bakura- anyways, please review guys!
Ichigo- see! It's longer than the 1st chippie! Yay! *eats ice cream*
Bakura- hey! That's mine!
Ichigo- You don't see it in your hands, do you?
Bakura- no, but-
Ichigo- HA! So it isn't yours!
Kaiba- *shakes head* weirdo….anyways, review! No flames!
Ichigo- cuz they kill forests!
Kaiba and Bakura- O.o