I warn you...this chapter has...well...the beating of Téa...ALRIGHT! -cheers- I hate that wench...-stabs- Well, anyway, enjoi!

And, I wish I did, but, I don't down Yu-Gi-Oh...yet....-evil laughter-

Yami: Then, you'll own me...

ALRIGHT!!!

Chap. 7

A black and blue bruise covered most of her right cheek. She looked up at the man who had done this, a grin across his face.

"What have I told you about him?" He towered over her, his fist raised to the sky once again.

"I'm, I'm sorry." She pleaded.

"No, sorry isn't good enough this time." He struck her down with a thunderous blow. She fell at the mercy of him.

"How many times must I go through this, Tea?" Dragging her up by her hair, he held her firmly against the wall of his quaint home.

"Tristan, I only wanted to say hi. What's the harm in that?" She started down the man she grew to love.

"Excuse me?" He glared at her. "I told you NEVER to speak to him, and you disobeyed me..." He struck her again, this time, slapping her across her tear stricken face.

She fell to the unwelcoming floor, a bit of blood dripping from the lips that kissed him, the lips that spoke the words to him. "Tristan..."

He pointed an angry finger at the front door. "Out...before I do something I'll regret."

She fled, fearing for her life. She ran down the front steps, around the block and into the small park that surrounded the neighborhood. Under the sheltering arms of a motherly tree, she sobbed, hugging her knees tightly against her body.

"T-tea?" A voice soothed her. She turned to see Yugi, looking a bit worried.

"Oh, hey, Yugi." She faked a smile.

"Tea? What happened to your..." He reached out his hand to touch the discoloration on her face. He gently ran his fingertips over it.

"It's nothing, Yugi, really."

"Did Tristan do this?"

"What business is it of yours?" Tristan stood beside Tea, arms cross his chest. "So, as usual, Yugi comes to save the day."

"Why did you do this to her?" Fire built up in his eyes.

"Yugi..." Tea began.

"Shut up!" Tristan shouted in her direction as he stared Yugi down. "Where's Joseph?" He hadn't spoken to Joey in a while, and the dynamic duo had parted ways.

"Joey is with his sister. Why do you care?" Yugi grunted.

"I was just wondering why the dog wasn't following his master." He smiled to himself.

"What's gotten into you, Tristan?"

"Why, all of a sudden, is it your business?" His voice, shaking with anger.

Yugi stood silent, stepping in front of Tea. "Tea, go to the hospital, find Joey, and stay there."

"But..."

"Go!" And Tea went, never looking back. She dare not question Yugi. She saw a look in his eyes that surprised her, a forceful look of rage.

As he watched her leave, Tristan growled at the confidently standing Yugi.

"Why is it you who always ruins what I have going?"

"What did you have going? Taking advantage of her and hitting her?"
"Why is it your concern? Why does it matter what happens to her?"

Yugi paused, looking into the eyes of the crazed man before him. "She's my friend and I care for her."

"But, do you love her?"

Pausing again, Yugi bowed his head, a bit confused. "Why do you ask?"

"Don't be an idiot, Yugi! You know Tea is crazy about you! You know she loves you more then life itself. But, you ignore her feelings and chased her away, you and your other you." Tristan shouted through clenched teeth. "You don't know how many times I've seen her staring at you, admiring you from afar, never telling you the truth. Are you really that thick headed, Yugi, are you?! Face the facts, Yugi, this is YOUR fault. I'm sick of this. I'm sick of seeing Tea cry over you. I'm trying to snap her out of this,"

"How? By beating her?" Joey appeared beside Yugi, Serenity and Tea behind him.

"Awwww...now, it's Joey's turn to save the day." Tristan snickered demonically.

"Can it, Tristan. I'm sick of hearin' your voice." Joey's eyes never left him.

After a short pause, Tristan shrugged and grinned. "Well, looks like I'm outnumbered..."

"Listen, you even lay one finger on Tea ever again, I swear to God, I will rip you apart." Joey balled up his fists in rage.

"Such empty threats, Joseph."

"Try me."

The showdown between forgotten friends seemed to freeze, time preserving itself. The air, growing more tense as each moment passed.

"Joey, come on, let's go." Joey's younger sister, Serenity, yanked at his shirt sleeve. "Please, don't start anything." Serenity pleaded.

With a final glare, Joey turned his back to Tristan and walked away, Yugi on his left, Serenity at his right, with Tea trailing behind.

"Tea..." Tristan whispered. She turned to see a demonic glimmer in his eyes. He mouthed two final words to Tea as she looked on in fear.

"You're dead..."