An Old Memory,
By Winterwing3000
The car stopped in front of an old orphanage. Getting out, a little girl with the biggest sky blue eyes and braided chocolate brown hair stared at the place with curiosity. Little Tea Gardner, at age 7, is visiting orphanages with her father. Ryu Gardner held out his hand and the girl clung onto it. She was wearing her favorite straw hat with a blue sash tied around it. "Daddy, why is this place so quiet?" Tea piped up when she saw no one outside in the playground.
"Hm... I don't know. Do you want to find out my little princess?" Smiling up at her father, Ryu and her walked into the gates of the orphanage. Inside, they found the matrons that were taking care of the children. "Hello sir, how may I help you today?" Gesturing for him to sit, the matron shooed the kids into the other room. Putting Tea into his lap, he said, "My little girl wants to know why it was so quiet outside."
"Oh... well, what's your name little one?" Lifting her head up proudly, she replies, "I'm Tea Gardner! I'm 7 years old and I love to dance!" Laughing, Ryu put his daughter down as he and the matron discuss about something. Deciding that it was so boring, Tea left the room and wandered to where there was a group of kids.
"Hi! What are you doing?" They all looked at her with disbelief. Tilting her head, she said, "What's wrong?" Then without warning, they all burst out laughing. With her feelings hurt, she went to a different place to be alone. Sitting at the bottom of the stairs, she sobbed to herself in her hands. She heard someone coming down, but ignored them. "Hey, what are you doing here? I've never seen you before, are you here to live in the orphanage?" Tea could tell it was a boy's from the deepness of the tone. But she just ignored his question. "Hey, I'm talking to you... are you deaf?" This time, she felt him grasp her shoulder. Knocking it away, she continued to cry, but a little louder than before.
"Why ware ywou crwywin?" Looking up, she saw a little boy with dark black hair and dark purple eyes. He was about 4 or 5 years younger than her. Smiling hesitantly, she said through the hiccups. "It's nothing. I'm just crying because I feel sad..." Then someone spoke up behind her. "Hmph, little girls like you always cry..." Angrily, Tea turned around, her hands balled into fists. When she saw him, her hands lessened and her face turned all dreamy.
.. My life
meant nothing to me
then a guy like you came along ..
A boy about her age stood one step above her. He was much taller than she was, but only by 2-3 inches. He had a lighter shade of brown than hers. His eyes, however, were darker. He was wearing a blue vest on top of a yellow collar shirt, with a matching pair of midnight blue pants. "You look kawaii...." Then clamping her hands over her mouth, she was equally as shocked as the older boy was. What did I just say??? Blushing, she looked down, shuffling her feet.
..Everything
is moving so fast,
I gotta get my feet on the ground ..
"Um.... I'm Tea Gardner, nice to meet you." Sticking out her hand, the boy took it and they shook. "Seto Hishuoma. This is my brother, Mokuba Hishuoma." Curiously, she asked, "Why does your name mean turmoil?" Glaring at her, she took a step back and gulped hard. "I was named that way, so do you got a problem with that??" Seto spat back at her. Looking down, she whispers, "I'm sorry, I was just curious... that's all..." Her tears came rolling down her cheeks once more.
..Unhappy days are over 'cause I can
always be with you ..
Rolling his eyes, he mumbled, "Girls are such big cry babies..." He got in front of her and wiped her face with his handkerchief. "Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you. So can you stop crying now?" Nodding, she wiped off the rest of her tears. Then pointing out into the playground, Tea said, "Why aren't you out there playing with the other boys?" Sticking his face in the air, Seto said nothing.
..Lying in your arms day by day,
makes me feel Ohh... so brand new ..
Taking the silence as a hesitation, Tea took his hand and Mokuba's. Mokuba followed like a little pony, while Seto squirmed in her grasp. "Come on, it would be fun! We could play on the slides and swings!" Grumbling something ungrateful, he reluctantly followed. Stopping at the swings, Tea placed Mokuba on the swing and started pushing him. His eyes shone as he went higher, his laughter rang like bells in the empty estate.
.. Can't stop fallin' in love
Tell me you will be true (forever baby)
I just can't stop dreaming of you
everyday (every way) ..
When Mokuba went off to play with other little kids, Tea jumped into a swing and started swinging herself up. Seto just stood there with his arms crossed in front of his chest, not daring to look into her eyes. The laughter coming from Tea, echoed like chimes in his heart, giving him a feeling that was gone for so long. The wind blew merrily against her summer dress, and the cerulean eyes gleamed with happiness. Suddenly, she jumped off and dragged Seto to sit on the swing.
.. Say you love me baby
Say you will always be mine
You'll never break my heart ..
"Hold on!" Turning his head, Seto shouted, "What do you--!" Then an impact of air came from in front of him. Tea was in the back, pushing him slowly. When she was tired, she climbed on the other one and just sat there looking at the boy next to her. He looks pretty cute for a guy my age... I wish he and I could be friends... Settling down, Seto glared at Tea saying, "Don't you ever do that again! If you dare, then you won't see the light of day in two minutes."
.. I just can't stop fallin' in love
Baby you became
Makin' love with you
is all I wanna do, (wanna do) ..
Looking up into the blue sky, she said, "Don't worry, I won't be doing it anymore. I'm only here to visit with my daddy..." "Well, good for you, I don't even have a father anymore with me..." Seto said bitterly. With a concerned face, Tea went over and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry.... I didn't know that.... I hope you feel better..." Stiffly, he hugged back. He always wanted this kind of comfort from his parents, but they never gave it to him since Mokuba was born. "Seto, can you and I be friends? I just want to remember you, since I won't be seeing you anymore..."
.. Can't stop fallin' in love
Give your heart and soul
Stay with me this time
and we'll make history, (you and me) ..
"Uh.... Sure..." Squealing with joy, she clapped her hands on something around her neck. Unclipping one of the rings around her necklace, Tea placed it in his hands. "This is called a friendship ring, I have one around my neck. And now, you have one too! It means that we would be friends forever... no matter what happens to us!" Smiling, she went to find her dad inside the office. Seto stood there, smiling, and put on the ring on his middle finger. "Don't worry Tea, we would be friends forever, if we are to never meet each other again...."
But something smiled above them, changing their fates and destiny. Because somehow, their sayings of "never seeing each other again", never really came true, after meeting each other in 8 years and not remembering that day anymore...
AN: Review! Song's by Naoki call "Can't Stop Fallin' In Love". Usual disclaimer on characters apply.