Disclaimer: I don't own YGO. Did I say that for the previous chappys? Roll the fic, quick!
%%%%%%%%%Seto's POV%%%%%%%%%
I got back to Gardener's house as quick as I could, figuring to throw her shoe she left at the doorstep so I wouldn't be late for my brother's after school thing. I guess I should leave a note.... I wasn't in any hurry to get to him, not really, because it was sure to be boring. I was figuring what to say when I heard voices from inside the house.
Gardener's voice and Yami's voice. I paused.
"Tea, I know Kaiba well. He'll hurt you and not give it a second thought, if you're not careful."
Silence. I waited, listening. I wasn't sure she was going to say anything, and then: "Like you did...?"
Ooh.....If someone passed by, they would wonder what the hell the CEO of one the most international corporation was doing, eavesdropping on an old painted door. But I really didn't care. Much.
I really wanted to see--actually hear, of course-- what Yami would have to say to THAT. Then, I'd hightail it out of there, and no one would be the wiser.
That would've been a great plan, but I didn't even get to hightail it out of there, because the door opened. Before I could disappear, I found myself looking at Yami's both stern face, smiling smugly. Triumphantly, like after one of our duels. Oh, how I hated his guts.
I straightened, flicked my gaze over Gardener, who was standing a little way behind him, mouth open with shock. A long silence fell; I supposed they were waiting for me to say why I was obviously eavesdropping. I guess anyone else would've been embarrassed, but I wasn't anybody else. Maybe they would've made a run for it, but I'd go to my grave before I'd do that.
For the life of me, I couldn't understand why anybody would do that; that's bad strategy. The best defense is a good offense. I let the shoe drop with an ominous CLUNK. "So…..tattling on me, are you?" I said to him, my eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.
His grin suddenly widened, and I realized too late that what I just said was just the same as admitting it. I scowled and then went on mockingly, "I'd never thought you'd stoop to THAT." His own eyes narrowed, and he bared his teeth.
"Guys……" Tea said, and then I was taken aback. At first, I had forgotten she was there; then by the hint of laughter in her voice?
I saw her trying to keep a straight face as she said, "Yami, thank you very much for walking me home, but I'd like to talk to Kaiba alone……" She tried to sound ominous, but hid her face and turned away quickly. I could tell she was laughing, though I had no idea why. Yami, on the other hand, was looking at her in concern, probably thinking she'd turned her face away in pain. Idiot.
"Okay, I'll see you later, Tea. At the senior trip." He sauntered out, and I fought to slam the door behind him. I think he knew what I was thinking of doing, and gave me a look as he passed by that said, If you do anything to hurt her, I'll kill you.
"Feh. You can try; better have tried, amateur." I muttered under my breath. If there was one thing I couldn't stand, it was a snievling tattletale. I don't like a lot of things, to be sure, but that ranks up high in my hate hierarchy.
Over the years, I've taught myself to expect anything, but that was the last thing I'd expected. To be ready for anything, but I wasn't……. "And you. What's so funny?!" I wanted to know. The words came out more harsh sounding than I'd meant, but I was angry about being taken off guard. And I certainly wasn't going to repeat myself. Hah!
"N-nothing…..it's just that ……" She was really trying not to snicker. "w-when Yami…..opened the d-door……a-and you were just standing there…. Like, ' Oh! I was just in the neighborhood…..' " she broke off and couldn't talk anymore.
I felt my temper start to boil as I watched her laughing. The only thing that kept me from physically harming her was the fact that she was desperately trying to hide it. I couldn't help cracking a tiny smile.
Not that what I did was funny, but the way she was making little snorting sounds in the effort and her face was turning deep maroon color from trying to catch her breath again.
I glanced over my shoulder at the front door. I didn't think Yami was eavesdropping; he wasn't the sort to do that, but then again, I've never thought of him as much of a blabbermouth. I took her to another room, one further in the house.
It was completely at random, but I noticed that this was probably her room…..funny, it wasn't as girly as I'd thought it would be. "Are you finished?" I said sarcastically, since she'd already stopped and got a grip.
"Um……you do know where we are….don't you?" she said, more uncertain than nervous in her tight fitting jeans and cotton blouse, after school clothes. I hadn't had time to change out of mine yet.
"Yes, I know perfectly well this is your room. Right?" I stated casually, and watched a rose bloom slowly over her perfectly peachy colored cheeks. Laughing at me, eh?
The thought crawled through my mind as I inched closer by a bit and her face got redder by a lot. Not waiting for an answer, I went on, "You know, I'm a little surprised that you of all people would have a petty thing such as a crush. I'd thought you more reasonable than that." I waited for her answer to that, patiently studying her. She had a strange, determined expression as she looked away in silence.
Our eyes are the same shade on the color scale called 'blue', but hers were very expressive, much more than mine. Of course, it was advantageous for me not to show my feelings like she always did, rather violently. Right now, she looked calm and sort of …..sad.
"I thought I was too!" she agreed wholeheartily, in a voice that sounded so unlike her. She must've thought so too, because she looked down for moment, then said, angrily, "You're not supposed to say that to me! What's the deal, calling me 'unreasonable'?!"
Now THAT sounds like her. I said nothing, but was amused at the way her eyes were blazing at me now, and her face was red with anger all the sudden. Hmph. Still fighting her feelings, eh? You wish. That I hadn't expected either.
I think my silence must've infuriated her even more, but she shouted, "I'm not crazy! You think I'm crazy?!?!?!!"
"No." My smile widened at the irony of her shouting like a hysteric. I half expected Yami to come to the rescue, and when he didn't, I knew we were alone. "But why are you shouting?" I said calmly.
"Because----!" She groped around for an excuse, backing away. "You're making me angry! Why do you make me so ANGRY?! "
"Because I feel like it." I stated coolly, taking a slow step towards her again.
"And why are you standing so close to ME?!"
"Because I feel like it." I felt my temper start to rise again, despite my efforts to remain aloof and nonchalant.
"And why did you save me that night?"
"Because I--" I hesitated, annoyed at nearly being taken off guard again. At least she stopped ranting and I got a hold of my nerves again. I was about to say, Because I felt like it, which was sort of the truth, but she was looking at me so hopefully, wanting a different answer.
Feh! I didn't have to answer her if I didn't want to. I could just turn and walk right out of this sad, sorry looking house and leave her wondering all her sorry little life for all I cared. A heartbeat passed, then two, then more.
Serves her right. I thought of all she did that annoyed me so, first making fun of me---another pet peeve of mine----in the restaurant, in public of all places. That last guy that did that, I remembered him with satisfaction, last committed suicide in prison.
For some reason, I didn't feel quite the same old satisfaction. I felt some satisfaction, but not ALL of it. I realized, with a start, that I was feeling….. guilt.
Out of all things.
Not just for the man, oh no, he deserved it. But for Gardener, for using her to pass the 12th grade, for getting involved with her like this…… she didn't deserve…. I sighed, not letting myself finish that thought. I realized I'd been standing there for a while, because I saw a sandwich that wasn't there before in her hand. Did she go and get a snack or what?! [a/n: she didn't he's just feelin' paranoid lol] Anger rushed over me, a familiar feeling, followed by frustration, another familiar feeling. Then something else followed, except……a feeling was not all that familiar.
"Because……" I pulled her dangerously close, holding her tightly against me. She looked shocked and turned pale; we both heard the sandwich drop from her hand with a thump. She blushed, then, I guessed because of it, though I was through with guessing. "---of this." I whispered it knowingly, since our faces were very close and it didn't make any sense to shout. What was I talking about....none of this made any sense!
My crazy rantings in my mind showed nothing on the outside, though I noticed that she was breathing rather quickly in tiny, short, barely perceptible pants, which I wouldn't have noticed if we weren't so close. A film of dewy perspiration started on her upper lip. Not really thinking about it, since my head was filled with all sorts of nonsense, I reached up and slowly wiped it off with a thumb. You would have thought I'd kissed her or something; she closed her eyes against it and breathed a shaky-sounding sigh/gulp.
I'll admit, I was thinking about it now, just to see her reaction. Just to see what those perfectly shaped, never-been-kissed rosy mouth felt; just out of pure curiosity. But I don't think she would've liked it, because I've probably would've devoured her. Of that I'm certain now. And I don't think she would've liked that very much.Being such a delicate…… sharp tongued female……
That drove me up the wall…..all the time. I waited until our gazes met.Kiss me first, I thought mentally, daring her to. She tensed away, but I only pulled her closer. "Do it…….unless you're afraid?"
"Y-you're the o-one who's too cowardly…." She half-stammered half-muttered out, fixing her gaze absorbedly on my collar, looking very nervous and self-conscious. "I w-would, but……." There was another bit of a pause.
"You don't want to." I released my her but she didn't move.
"No, I….." she let out a strange, shaky laugh. I gave her a stony look, and she went on quickly, "I-I have to think about some things first……" She put her hand on my arm. I barely felt it. "I ……..don't want to be hurt again; you can understand that, can't you…..?"
"So you are afraid. I'm disappointed; I thought you for the brave type, the kind that takes the initiative. Let me tell you something," I said clearly. "I am not your 'friend' Yami; I actually keep my word when I give it." I was about to add, 'and I would never hurt you, ' but instead turned away and said over my shoulder, "You left your shoe in my vehicle; it's on your front porch."
"Wait! What? I didn't leave anything. I have my shoes. See?" she took a pair out of her closet, nearly identical to the other one I had. "And how can you call me that after you just admitted to using me for your grade?!"
She had a point. "….Whatever. Never mind, then." I hurried towards the door and left.
"Waaaait…who's shoe is that, then?" she called, running after me suspiciously. "Hey! I'm talking to you." I informed her that I was done talking to her, and she said, "See? Coward."
We were outside now, and I stiffened and glared at her. "Why, are you jealous?" I countered finally, keeping my voice low so the neighbors wouldn't hear.
"No, I'd just like to know." She raised her chin haughtily. I smirked; even though she was on the top step of the porch and I was on the bottom, she still had to look up at me. Gazing into those crystal clear eyes, I sensed a hint of vulnerability in them. So she was jealous…..
But like me, she'd never admit it.
Ah, the possibilities using this--
She suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Don't even THINK about it."
I was struck speechless. All the way back home.
A/n: lol looks like Tea's got some mind reading powers too! Lol. Well, yay they had an 'almost'! isn't that so cute! (pets their heads)
Tea: (blush blush blush) I never knew…..= ' - '= (blush blush blush)
Kaiba: - -;;;;
Me: Aw, he's blushing on the inside. Really. Anyhoo R&Rs, pleases!