Departing as Old and Meeting as New,
By Winterwing3000
Walking up to the orphanage that she visited once before, Tea went into find the old lady that was in charge of the children that were living there. She stopped in front of a wooden door on her left and smoothed out her clothing. Tea wore a nicely ironed yellow blouse and a flower-spring skirt. Black platform shoes were on her feet and a white watch was on her left wrist. Composing herself, Tea knocked on the door three times softly. A young girl with black plaited hair and bright green-blue eyes looked through the creak of the door. "How may I help you, miss?" Her voice was very low, somewhere from alto to soprano. But it rang like a melody in the empty halls.
"Um... could I please see the head of the orphanage? I made an appointment earlier today. But if she's not in, then I could come back later." Tea bowed and started to leave, when she heard a stern voice inviting her in. "Please Ms. Gardner, come in. Joyci, could you please check on the children and then make some tea for the both of us?" The girl with the sea green eyes nodded and shut the quietly behind Tea. Gesturing to a wooden seat in front of her office desk, she smiled. All the wrinkles on her face curled up, her worn brown eyes were twinkling with joy. "It's been quite a while Ms. Gardner. I see that you're all grown up from the past four years since you've visited. You were such a sweet little girl back then. And you also helped Mr. Seto Hishuoma open up a little more. So, what brings you to this place on such a nice spring day?"
"Oh, I came to see him. Mr. Seto Hishuoma that is. Is he still around here?" Tea asked eagerly, wanting to see the friend that she made when she came earlier in life. The elder's eyebrows bent in towards her nose and her eyes changed from happy to sad. "I'm afraid that his little brother, Mokuba, and himself are packing. They're waiting to be picked up by the CEO of Kaiba Corp. Mr. Gozabourou Kaiba is a very nice and generous man. He's donated for the orphanage multiple times. But I'm a bit sorry for his son. He didn't make it through an accident, and I supposed that he is raising Seto to be his heir to the company. But you are very lucky because he's still upstairs." A loud clang of metal came from outside the room. Joyci opened the door and pushing in a little cart with a teapot along with some silver cups and platter. She poured the hot liquid and mixed it with some cream and sugar. The worker placed the cups in front of them and left the room quietly.
Tea took a little sip before putting the cup back down. She looked at the matron with interest. "Why is she, Joyci, so quiet?" Tea quickly added, "Not that I meant to pry." Shaking her head, regret and sorrow was written all over her face. "I felt sorry for that young one. Lost her parents when she was just born. She didn't have any relatives to take her in, that poor dear. I watch her grow and kept her well. Now, she's working here to earn some money so she could find her own place to stay when she's finally eighteen. Well, I'm not going to stop you anymore from seeing your friend. Go on." The elder waved her hand and smiled as she drank her tea.
..Remember when I saw you for the first time
I never thought you'd be mine
Then we went ahead and fell in love
Heaven was our common ground
We were never coming down
The two of us we had more than enough ..
Tea walked up the stairs that was leading to the second floor. Above her, a large plane of glass was decorated with various painted flowers. There were messy splats of red, pink, orange and green in the corners of the window. No doubt about it. The little one's must have made it! It's so cute; kids these days are so advanced. Continuing on her search for the dorm of the boys she was looking for, she carefully read the nameplates on the side of the door. "Hishuoma!" Tea knocked on the door softly, trying her best to keep herself from being noticed. When the door opened a little, she saw the same blue eyes that were shown to her before.
..But you and I are not the same
To you love is just a game
Things'll never be the same again ..
"Um... hi! Could I come in? I wanted to see you, Seto." The boy's eyes narrowed, mixed with confusion and suspicion. "Who are you?" His icy voice sent a chill down Tea's spine. The young brunette fumbled with something around her neck and pulled out a worn leather strap with a golden ring on it. "Don't you recognize this? Or me?" The baby sapphire eyes were filled with hurt, afraid that her friend would not remember her. "Where did you get that?! Unless you're..."Seto's voice shrunk as recognition hit him hard in the face. It's her... that girl that played with me at the playground. What was her name? Gardner...TEA! "Is it really you, Tea?" his voice was hoarse and his body started trembling. Nodding her head furiously, Tea stepped into the room as Seto opened the door wider. "Take a seat and Mokuba's sleeping on the top bunk." The boy looked taller and more mature than Tea was. His chocolate hair was a little longer on the back and he was thinner. Also, he still wore that card locket around his neck. "I heard that you're leaving to a good family. So how has it been?" Tea tired stirring up a conversation between themselves.
..So now goodbye
This time I will be gone
Goodbye, I stayed for way too long
We started out with trust
But it isn't just about the good times baby ..
"It's been good and bad. I've beaten the CEO at a game of chess and that's why he decided to take my brother and I in. So what are you doing here?" Seto asked coolly, making Tea flush a little. "I came to visit you. Mother disapproved but I got out anyways. I guess there is such thing as "in the nick of time" because I came here before you left." She gave him a sad smile and looked around the cramped room. Suitcases were at the end of the bed and there were two chairs with a desk. The white curtains were opened, letting the sunlight spill into the small space. "Must've been hard living here for almost your whole childhood, huh? I'm happy for you to finally find a family to take care of you. And when you leave, you and I are still going to be friends, right Seto?"
..Remember all the promises we swore to
Can't say I didn't warn you
How I did adore you way back then
But you broke a solemn vow
You're paying for it now
Wouldn't you expect more from a friend ..
Tea tilted her head to the side when he didn't responded as quickly. He was trying to think of an answer that wouldn't hurt his friend, and he chose his words wisely. "Tea, I'm glad that you are happy for Mokuba and me for finding a family. But from now on, it would be different. I'm not quite sure that we would be able to see each other anymore. Not that I don't want to, but I'm not sure where this man lives. But of course, we would still be friends because this ring you gave me." Seto held up a little golden ring that was on his right hand. Sniffling a bit, Tea looked at the similar ring around her neck. "Yeah, I guess your right. I wish that we could stay friends no matter what happens. Don't you?" her voice was scratchy and tears started to form, but Tea kept them at bay.
..But you and I are not the same
To you love is just a game
Things'll never be the same again ..
"I guess. Things wouldn't be the same once we leave with him. We aren't even sure if we could ever see each other again. But I hope we would because you're my first friend, other than Mokuba." Seto said this looking out the window, not daring to look into the girl's eyes. He was embarrassed enough that he let her in and he didn't want to be ashamed anymore in front of her. The brass doorknob turned and Joyci's head popped into the room. "Seto, Mr. Gozabourou Kaiba is here to pick you up. I came to get your luggage; he's waiting at the front gate. Please don't embarrass mistress or yourself in front of him." She went in and took the bags downstairs. Seto walked over to his brother and shook him to wake up. Letting out a large yawn, the little Hishuoma rubbed his eyes and got off. Tea looked at Seto and gave him a hug when he turned to her. Being caught off guard, Seto slowly returned it.
..So now goodbye
This time I will be gone
Goodbye, I stayed for way too long
We started out with trust
But it isn't just about the good times baby ..
"Bye, hope you have a nice future with your brother and new parents. And don't forget me." Tea whispered in his ear as tears traveled down her face. Feeling him nod on her shoulder, Tea pulled back and ushered them out the room. Seto took his brother's hand and went down to where the old man was waiting. Her tears grew as she watched him leave. Seto looked back to see his friend wave at him and he waved back with his free hand. The two rings shined in the bright lights from the window, one on the carrier's neck and the other on the owner's finger.
..This is why I'm saying goodbye
This time I will be gone
Goodbye, I stayed for way too long
I don't need your lies and
I'm oh so tired of excuses baby ..
Walking to class with her closest friend, Tea talked with him about the math homework and other little things. Tea just turned fifteen and was in the 11th grade with her companion, Yugi Motou. (AN: I'm not really sure with the age system, but I guess I'm around the right one. Right? I'm just using the info that I found on the web! Correct me if I'm wrong!) The class bell rung and students started to take their seats. The class bullies, Tristan and Joey entered the classroom sat in the rear. Most people chose to ignore them as the teacher came in. "Good morning students. Today I have a surprise for all of you. Any guesses?" Many hands rose and Joey was one of them. "Mr. Wheeler?" Grinning like a manic, he said, "You gonna let us trash this place?" Laughter roared in the room, Tristan and Joey high five. Clearing her throat, the teacher said, "Unfortunately, I'm sorry to disappoint you Mr. Wheeler. No, you are not permitted to ruin my classroom. Anyone else that has a more appropriate answer to my question?" The hands that were up fell back down to the desk. Clapping her hands, the door slid open, revealing a very tall masculine outline. "I would like to introduce you to Mr. Seto Kaiba. He is transferred from a boarding school to our Domino High. Please give him the warmest welcomes and Mr. Kaiba would you like to say something?"
"My name is Seto Kaiba, it's a pleasure to be here." Then there was an awkward silence in the room until the teacher directed him to his seat. "Please take the empty seat next to the window near the end." As he walked down the aisle, mostly girls looked dreamily at him, while the guys glared at him for his good looks. Tea didn't really pay attention to his introduction, but when he came in, something clicked. Not knowing what it was, she continued to stare at the new boy. Dark blue eyes, deep brown hair, very tall, lean, arrogant, icy, and... very scary. Sounds all too familiar, but who is this guy? After the announcements were made, class started.
Lunch break came to them quicker than the other days. Outside, Tea sat with Yugi under a sakura tree near the fence. Then their first period teacher came up to Tea and asked, "Could you please show Mr. Kaiba around the campus. I believe that you are our class president, am I not correct?" Nodding slowly, Tea got up from her spot and said sorry to her friend. Walking slowly behind her teacher, Tea thought to herself. Seto Kaiba... Seto Kaiba... Seto Kaiba... where have I heard that name?! Tea half yelled and have scolded herself for having such a bad memory. Without seeing that the teacher stopped, she slammed into him. Turning around, the teacher gave Tea a very irritated stare before introducing the taller person in front of him.
"Mr. Kaiba, this is Ms. Gardner. She's the class president of your class and will be showing you around the school. I hope you would enjoy your stay here at Domino High and I'll let you two get acquainted. Good afternoon." Looking up from the dirt ground, Tea saw that Kaiba didn't pay attention to her, but buried himself in a book. Tapping him on his shoulder, Tea said nervously, "Um... hello?" Looking over the top of his novel, Seto gave her a hard stare before he started following her around. "So, um.... Are you new to Domino City?" She didn't get a reply, but did her job as a tour guide. When she looked closely at him, she saw something around his neck. It was a card tied on top with leather bound. She also saw something very familiar. It was a little ring that twinkled against the rays of sunshine.
AN: I know, I know. I leave things hanging to often, but I just want to give Tea a little hope! And of course, keep Seto in what his character is now! Now that you're done with this, give me your ideas/comments/flames/criticism/anything! And here are the thanks for the first chapter of this! Song's from Kylie Minogue called "so now goodbye" and usual disclaimers for characters apply.
The lady winged Knight S.: thanks! I thank you very very very very much! You are, I think, one of my best and most often reviewer!! I love it when you review!! P.S. I know how your brother feels because my guy friends think the same way.
dragonking: thank you! As you can see, I did write something to it. But this time, I don't think it is as cute as the first one. If it's not, then my sincerest apologies!
Hushpuppy03: I did write more, and I'm trying my best to keep up with it!
Josh: kawaii!!! Is it that cute? For the first time in my life, I actually wrote something that is over kawaii!! Yay! Don't worry; I'm not stopping there! There is defiantly more to come! And you couldn't do anything unpleasant to me unless I do something similar to you! Lol, just kidding!
Nightfall2525: wow! Am I doing that good, seriously??? Thanks for reviewing!
Deena70: you can count on it because I don't let down any of my readers! (Well... at least I try my very best not to!)
R4V3N: does that spell "raven"? Because if it does, then wow. I'm usually lame at this kind of thing, but for once I could actually read it! Thanks for reviewing!
KekeM: thanks for the praise about writing! I rarely get those, not that I'm asking for it. it's just that, I have terrible grammar and tense mix ups. Thanks for the personality about Seto... I think. Wait, is that a good thing or a bad one???
hieiandbotan4ever: thanks!
Malik Fan 03: thank you! Hmm.... About Seto acting like that, I don't really have an answer to it. I'm GUESSING that he might because he was pretty nice till Gozabourou taught him other things and stuff. So sorry, can't help you there! But if you'll like, I could do a little research and tell you if you review!
Just this once: I find this anonymous review name quite odd. So sorry if I hurt someone's feeling! It's just that I don't find people naming themselves that very often. GOMEN!!! But thanks for the comment! Hope you review for this chapter!