NOTE: After much consideration…and numerous requests to update…I have decided to give the people what they want. Kinda like democracy…in a way. Oh well. Here's what you've been waiting for! Get reading! Oh, PS: if you haven't noticed already, this is a SERIOUSLY LONG chapter! I mean TOTALLY LONG! It's the longest chapter I've EVER written for one of these fics. I had been thinking about breaking it up into two chapters, Parts I and II, but you'd read it at the same time anyway, and I decided, hey, why not give your minds something REALLY LONG for once? Okies? Besides, if I had done this in two parts, on chapter would probably be boring, and the next one really exciting! So, what are you waiting for? Quit reading THIS LONG note, and get reading THIS LONG STORY!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! (I don't own the song, "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey that was originally in this chapter.)

Chapter 14: A Time to Grow

Tea's eyes fluttered open. The clock beside her read 7:21. She smiled to herself. Even after staying up until midnight, she still woke up pretty early. Her audition wasn't until noon, so that was a good thing.

Tea snuggled into the bed more. It was quite comfortable…and so warm. Her back felt totally relaxed…and had a nice temperate feeling to it. It was much more comfortable than the floor would have been….

She popped up, and turned around, remembering that she had been in the same bed with Kaiba. Her eyes softened and she smiled warmly when she saw him sleeping so comfortably…and…most handsome. She looked back to see the two inches of space she had had before she reached the end of the bed. Peering over Kaiba, she saw he had about a foot extra.

She would have laughed, but kept quiet for his sake. Seem as if he was used to sleeping alone…and taking up the whole bed. No wonder her back had felt so relaxed…for a good portion of the night, they had slept back to back.

Tea good out of the bed, quietly, as to not wake him. She walked over to her suitcase, and took out her clothes for the day. She stood up, and went to take her shower.


Twenty minutes later, she came out. Seto was still sleeping, peacefully. She walked over to the desk, and wrote something down on a slip of paper there. She tore off the paper, and laid it on the nightstand next to Seto.

After laying it down, she stopped and just gazed at him. Some of his hair had fallen down into his eyes. She smiled and brushed them away. She really did love him. How couldn't she? After all he had done for her…all that she had seen from him…there was no way possible that she couldn't love the guy.

Her fingers accidentally brushed some of his skin. She took her hand away suddenly. In his sleep, Seto smiled slightly, dug his head deeper into the pillow. Tea walked over to grab her cellphone when she heard him murmuring.

She turned back around, and walked over to him, hearing a soft, "Give that back…my chocolate donut…."

Tea began shaking, trying to contain her laughter. It was too funny. She would never have imagined that the great Seto Kaiba dreamed about chocolate donuts. She swore, sometimes, despite their hate for one another, he and Joey could be totally the same. Her face lit up: Joey.

She was just about to leave the room to go down to the Continental Breakfast, when she stopped, and scribbled something more on the sheet of paper she had left on his nightstand. Then, she exited the room.


Seto opened his eyes, and then shut them, due to the amount of light entering the room. He sat up, put his head in his hand for a second, trying to adjust to the light, without killing his eyes.

He finally opened them, and looked around the room. Something wasn't right. He looked down beside him. Tea wasn't there. He hopped out of bed. No one was in the bathroom. His car keys were still with him. Where had she gone?

Then, he noticed a white slip of paper on the nightstand. He picked it up, and read it:

You finally awake? Obviously….

I took a trip down to the Buffet Breakfast around…7:50. Join me if you want…if you ever get up and ready.

Tea

PS: I'm sure they even have donuts of some sort down there…maybe chocolate ones?

Seto's eyes narrowed at the last sentence. What did that mean? Sure…he had a good sweet tooth for those…but she didn't know that. Sure…he might have had another dream about fighting with Wheeler over a box of donuts…but she didn't know that…unless…. His face fell.

"Aw man…" he let the note fall, and slumped back onto the bed. His brothers had told him that he talked in his sleep…. Had she heard anything about that? That was the only possible explanation….

He sighed and looked at the time: 8:04. He wasn't that long behind her. If he got ready fast, he could meet her down there.

Ten minutes later, a fully dressed, and gosh–darn good-looking Seto Kaiba, exited the room.


Tea sat at a same table on the patio outside the breakfast room. Other couples and families were scattered inside, or out on the deck. She sat, munching on a waffle. Lo and behold, out of the blue, came Seto Kaiba. He walked directly toward her table.

He sat down across from her.

"Finally decided to show, eh?" Tea took another bite of waffle.

Seto smirked, "What? No 'good morning?' But yeah, I'm here, aren't I?"

"Seems that way," Tea took a sip of milk. She had a cup of simmering coffee next to her.

"Milk and coffee?" Seto replied, looking at the two cups.

"Hmm? Oh, no! This one's yours," she slid the coffee over to him. He looked at her, inquisitive.

"Best I'd go get something to eat then," Seto began standing.

"Oh, no need. As your cook, I was fully prepared," she slid a plate out from her lap, with a couple pancakes, and some scrambled eggs on them, and put them down in his place. He sat back down.

"How'd you even know I was coming?" Seto retorted.

"Didn't matter. If you didn't show before I finished my plate, I would have eaten it," Tea answered back, smirking. Seto was quite surprised at the comment. If she ate as much as she said…where did she put it all?

As if reading his mind, Tea answered, "Dancing. Works it off."

"I see," Seto replied.

"Oh, almost forgot," she took out another plate from her lap, and slid it across the small table. Seto looked at the contents: a chocolate donut. He sweat-dropped.

Tea laughed, "Now, I can finally laugh about that, without waking you up!"

"I…uh…talked in my sleep again…didn't I?" Seto replied, looking uncertainly at her.

"You bet. You know, you're more like Joey than you think," Tea replied.

"Who?" Seto looked up. Then, he answered, "Oh, you mean the mutt." Tea looked at him disapprovingly. Seto sighed, "Wheeler."

"That's better," Tea replied, relaxing against the back of her chair. It was a gorgeous day outside.

"So…when's that audition of yours," Seto questioned, out of the blue.

"Oh, it's at twelve."

"Ends at?"

"One."

"I see…" he sighed. How was this going to work out?

"Why?" Tea sat up, suddenly.

"My meeting's at 11:30…and ends around three," he replied, stirring his fork around in the eggs, trying to think.

"Oh…why not just let me drive? This way, you get to your meeting, I get to my audition, and then I don't have to wait for to hours afterwards. I'll just…come and pick you up, I guess," Tea thought it over, aloud. Seto looked at her, like she was insane.

"What? What's wrong?" Tea inquired.

"You…drive my car? I don't think so," Seto sat back, with that certain smirk on his face.

"Oh come on! I have a license! I'm not going to kill your car! I just…couldn't afford to buy one…" Tea looked around, sheepishly.

"Sure, you won't kill it. I'll come back and see my front jammed up, and the bumper hanging off in the back," Seto laughed lightly.

"Hey! I'm not that bad a driver! Besides…you ought to take a break from driving…since you drove all of yesterday, refusing to let me even touch the wheel."

Seto looked up at her with a studying gaze, "Fine. But if anything happens to it, you pay for the repairs."

"Done," Tea nodded.

"Remember…I'm holding you to your word," Seto replied, taking a bite of his donut, and smiling slightly at the taste.

Tea laughed, "Yeah…not a scratch. I promise." After a minute, she added, "Well, if there's nothing else, I'm going back up."

"I'll be there in a couple minutes," Seto relied.

"K," Tea said, walking back inside. She walked over to the elevator, and pushed the "up" button, and began waiting.

"Excuse me! You, at the elevator!" someone behind her called. Tea turned around, to see a blonde teenage girl, running towards her.

"Me?" Tea inquired.

"Yes," the girl reached the elevator, breathing slightly harder. "My name's Anya."

"…I'm Tea," she replied, looking confused.

"I'm sorry for the confusion. I'm just wondering, do you remember me?" Anya smiled slightly, standing straight. The elevator opened, and the two walked in. Tea peered up and down her. Slowly, bits of memory formed…but where she had seen the girl before was beyond her.

"You sure I know you? I swear I've seen you somewhere, I' just can't remember where…" Tea faded off.

"Oh, well…this might jog your memory," the girl smile suddenly turned straight, and her face became slightly rigid, "First, you seem like you're dating Noa Kaiba…and now you're with his brother? -" Tea's eyes widened. Crap. It was that girl from the park, where she had been with Noa and Mokuba, those many months ago.

"It's…you," Tea replied.

"Yes, it's me. What's with you? Why don't you give other girls a chance at the Kaiba's? What are you, a pro-"

"Please shut up! I am not dating any of them! I've never dated any of them! I just said that to Noa so that you'd get off his back! I was helping a friend! And now, you think I'm with Se-Kaiba? Please! That is the most absurd thing I've ever heard-"

"Then why are you here with him?"

"I'm here, because I happen to have a dance audition, he's got a business meeting, and I'm a…friend…under his employ! Got it?" The doors to the elevator opened. Then step out into the hallway. Anya wasn't finished yet.

"Sure! Like I'll believe that story!" she yapped, quietly. After all, this was a hotel hallway, where people could still be sleeping, "A relationship with one Kaiba after the next, that's-"

"I don't have a relationship with any of them!" Tea sighed, exasperated, "I told you, I have-"

"I know what you told me, and I don't care! It's not true! You're just lying to help cover it all up! I know you and he-"

"He who?" someone came up behind them. Anya and Tea turned, and stared into the face of Seto Kaiba himself.

"S-S-Seto K-K-Kaiba…" Anya could have fainted on the spot.

Tea sighed, "I'm through here," and she walked back towards the room. Seto sidestepped Anya and followed her.

"Having trouble getting along with girls? No wonder, since you hang around all those boy friends of yours back home-" Tea stopped, cutting him off, and looked back at Anya. Anya was looking at her, disgustedly, and with a look of pure shock on her face.

Tea's eyes widened in horror, and she pointed at Seto, "He didn't mean it like that!" and she stomped off back towards the room, trying to fit the card key in quickly, to escape from this hallway of doom.

A hand landed on her, and held hers down, a few seconds, with the card in the slot, then pulled it back up, showing the green light flashing on the lock. Seto opened the door.

"You have to keep it down in there longer than a nanosecond," he scoffed.

"Haha, very funny," Tea replied, sarcastically. She threw herself down on the bed. However…his hand had felt very warm on hers….

Seto closed the door, "What was that all about?"

Tea sighed, "It's a long story."

"We have time," Seto sat down at the chair at the desk.

"You're really expecting me to tell you, right?" Tea inquired.

"Precisely," Seto leaned back in the chair.

Tea sighed, and thought: If I don't get a look of shock from him, or get fired…heck, I must be blessed.

"Fine. A couple days before I came to work for you, I met Mokuba in the park-"

"The park? What was he doing there? I don't remember him telling me he was going to the park-"

"Relax. He said you were still…in bed. Anyway…we were talking, and then we heard Noa a little ways down the path, giving this girl a good talk-"

"Girl? What girl? Why does no one tell me things anymore?" Seto threw out.

"Are you going to let me finish?" Tea retorted, in the space between his last sentence, and the next one he was going to throw out. Seto stopped, then after a minute, simply nodded.

"Now…he was trying to shove her off, you know? So…I kinda saw that he wasn't getting anywhere…and walked over…pretending to be…his girlfriend or something…" Tea looked sheepishly over at Seto. At first, he had an eyebrow raised in question. Soon, though, he got an amused look on his face.

"Carry on. I have a feeling I know where this is going," Seto chuckled slightly.

"Yes…well," Tea stuttered, "being that you and I are here together…she kinda thought…I suddenly…became your, uh…" Ta found herself fading off miserably.

Seto folded his arms, amused, "My girlfriend?"

"Yeah…and it didn't exactly help the situation when you talked about my "boy friends…." It didn't sound right to her…because she wouldn't buy the fact that I was only here for an audition, and I'm under your employment," Tea explained.

"So, all in all, she's a bit…angered at me because she thinks…well…I think you understand…seeing as how it's…girls…your family…."

"I understand," Seto chuckled again, "It's quite amusing though, how you got yourself into this mess."

"I didn't get myself into it! She's just a thick-headed moron!" Tea retorted, folding her arms, moodily.

"I know. I just like seeing you angry. It's an attractive look for you," Seto laughed. And by laugh, I don't mean "laughing manically," I mean, his regular, happy laugh! Had he not laughed, Tea would have been paying more attention to the fact that he had just given her quite the compliment.

She sat up, "You're…you're laughing. I mean…you laugh a lot…but not like that!"

Seto stopped laughing, and looked at her, smirking, "I guess I just haven't found anything in years that was that kind of humor. There's the "hurtful" humor (such as if Wheeler fell off a pier or something, Seto thought), and the maniacal laughing."

"Yeah…you're right," Tea smiled at him. Seto met her gaze. For a few minutes, they just stared into each other's orbs of blue. Until the moment was broken by each one's cell phone ringing. They snapped out of their gazes, and fished around for their phones. Seto and Tea whipped them out and answered them.

"Joey!" Tea exclaimed.

"Ah, it's you. What a surprise," Seto drawled out. Tea walked over, near the door, and Seto stayed in the chair, which happened to be on the other side of the room.

"Hey, Joe! What's up?"

"Nuttin much, Tea. I'm just wonderin' how you're doin'. You weren't at our chat meeting last night."

"Oh, Joey, I totally forgot to tell you guys! I'm sorry! Turns out I'm…out of town this weekend."

"Ah, I see. So, anything new-" Joey stopped when he heard:

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T SELL THE SOFTWARE TO THEM? YOU IDIOT, WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR ARE YOU? THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SELL OF THE SEASON!" Seto Kaiba yelled through the phone. On the other line, the so called "advisor" had been…a little short on ready, and only after Seto had yelled the first sentence, did he hold the phone away at arm's length. Only then was he able to be heard at "normal" tones. And he was still shouting….

"Tea? Who's dat?" Joey inquired, "Sounds like…Kaiba? You don't happen to be hangin' around with Kaiba, now, right?"

"Joey, of course not! I'm…on the sidewalk, and some guy just yelled on his cellphone, okay Joey? Relax! I'm nowhere near Kaiba!" Tea fibbed. She hated the feeling that arose in her stomach.

Seto stopped listening to the advisor, and turned to look at Tea, hearing what she had just said. So…she had been flat out lying to her friends this whole time? Even until now? He was sure she would have told them a while ago….

"Well, I'll talk to you later, Joey, okay?" Tea smiled toothily. Of course she was going to talk to him soon….

"Hey Tea! Wait! Your home phone line says it's dis-"

"Bye!" and she clicked off her cellphone.

Back in his dorm, Joey heard the tone come on, and looked at the phone uncertainly. Tea had been acting very strange lately….

"Alright. Fine. In an hour. Very well. Later," Kaiba turned off his own phone, rubbing his temples. "Stupid executives…can't do anything right."

"You okay?" Tea's voice suddenly broke through his thoughts.

"Hmm?" Seto shot up. "Oh, yeah…just some stupid board directors…can't sell things-"

"I heard," Tea smirked.

Seto sweat-dropped, "Yeah…." Then, he regained posture, and declared, "So, you haven't told your friends yet?"

"Huh?" Tea looked up at him. "About what?"

Seto rolled his eyes, "About your job. Your…home." He had actually called it her home as well….

Tea didn't notice that all too much, though, "Well…I told Duke…but the others…no." Tea's head hung down a tad, "I just…can't tell them…yet."

"Why not? You told Duke, and he didn't say anything about it, did he?"

Tea looked up at him, "No, but…. Well…I don't know…it's just…well, think about what Joey would say…or do."

"Nothing."

"What?"

"He wouldn't do anything. He's your friend; he'll understand. He won't care. As long as it's for your welfare, he'll be fine with it," Seto explained.

Tea looked at him queerly, with her eyes slightly narrowed, and finally said, "Since when did you become an expert on friends?"

"I-…" Seto stopped, and looked down to the side. Since when had he become an expert at friendship? That was Tea's area…. That was for people with friends. The silence surrounded them for a moment.

"I'm sorry," Tea suddenly said.

Seto looked up, "What? Why?"

"I…I shouldn't have said that…about you. It was…wrong," Tea admitted.

"Yes, well…I ought to apologize…for…prodding into your life," Seto replied. Oh, you can come into my life any time, Tea thought, excitedly. However, she didn't dare voice these thoughts aloud.


Half and hour later, then loaded themselves into Seto's car, and drove off. First, they had to go to the Takya Inc. building downtown. Really, they hadn't needed to leave forty-five minutes before the meeting, however, due to the heavy traffic, as it was lunchtime, they did so. And, being that they were sometimes stuck in heavy Tokyo gridlock, they had lunch on the way as well. Courtesy of the nearest Burger World….

Of course, this decision had been quite controversial.

"What about lunch?" Tea inquired, feeling quite hungry, also knowing she couldn't dance on an empty stomach.

"Where do you suppose we stop?" Seto gestured out to the gridlock, honking his horn for effect. Immediately, at least ten horns replied.

"Well…there are fast food places around here," Tea said, looking at the several restaurants lining the street.

Seto looked at her strangely, "Fast food?"

Tea returned his look, "Tell you've had fast food before. Tell me you haven't been deprived these, what, twenty-two years of your life."

"I've…only had "fast food…"if that's what you can call it, twice in my life. Both before…I was…adopted," Seto didn't feel anything refrain him from telling her this usually private information.

Tea's eyes widened, "Oh my gosh, you poor deprived person! I don't know how you live without that stuff!"

Seto's eyebrows arched, "Let's just say that work usually takes up my life."

"My point exactly!" Tea declared, "And look at what it's made you!" she gestured at him. He looked very amused at this. She reddened a little, and added, "Well…you just…um…never mind. Just pick a place to run through."

Seto sighed, and relaxed against the back of the chair. They weren't going anywhere for a little bit. He looked around at the ten restaurants lining the street. His eyes finally stopped on one.

"Well, that certainly brings back somewhat good thoughts," Seto replied, sincerely.

"Which one?" Tea inquired.

"Burger World." Tea's face fell.

"Must we go to that one?"

Seto smirked at her, "Driver's privilege. Why?"

"Well, unlike you, I don't have very good memories of that place," Tea retorted, falling back into the seat and crossing her arms.

"The job?"

She bolted up, "How did you-"

"Never mind," Seto replied, now grabbing the wheel and turning in between cars to get to the exit into Burger World.

Now, Burger World had two Drive-Thru's, one on each side of the restaurant. They happened to drive up to the window that allowed the passenger to give the order. This being Tea. Of course, she had sworn never to associate with anyone relating to Burger World again, however, she had to this time.

The window opened, "Welcome to Burger World. Your order's coming- Tea Gardner, is that you? I don't believe it!"

"Kimi Lana…what a pleasant surprise…" Tea's face fell, recognizing one of the people she used to work with back at the Domino Burger World. Since when had she been transferred to Tokyo? What were the chances?

"Someone you know, Gardner?" Seto smirked in the seat next to her.

"You, shut it," Tea turned to face him.

"Who's that, Tea?" Kimi tried peering into the car.

Tea whipped around, "No one in particular," she replied hastily. That had to be the understatement of the century. Saying that Seto Kaiba was "no one in particular."

"Oh, well, here's your order's coming. That'll be…$6.95," Kimi replied.

"Okay," Tea dug for her wallet. Seto flopped out a ten.

"Here."

"No!" Seto looked taken aback at her. "I mean…no…you've done enough already. I'm paying this time. If you're not gonna let me do anything else," Tea mumbled. She herself plucked out a ten from her wallet.

"Take it, Gardner."

"No, I'm not!" Tea put her hand out the window with her ten in it. Seto grabbed her hand before Kimi could take the money.

"Kai-"

"I'm stubborn, and you know it," Seto replied, still holding her arm.

"Boy troubles, Tea?" Kimi giggled. Both their eyes widened, and Seto's grip slipped. Tea was starting to get really…embarrassed when people mentioned her and Seto being a couple. Before he could re-grab her wrist though, she forced her ten into Kimi's hand. Kimi closed the window and went to the register, and Tea turned, slightly sticking her tongue out at Seto.

"You've been hanging around Mokuba and Noa too long," Seto smirked and put the ten back in his wallet.

"Here you go!" Kimi's voice suddenly rang through. Tea grabbed the lunches and handed Seto his. Kimi made sure no one was behind their car, and then decided to have a small talk with Tea. "So, Tea, sup?" Seto had just been about to drive away, when he stopped, and let his head fall into his hand, which was propped up on the windowsill on his side. Women….

"Nothing much…" Tea responded.

"What kinda job you got?" Kimi inquired.

"Don't you have work to do?" Tea interrogated.

"No one's behind ya!" Kimi replied, "Now, about that job-"

"Yes, I've got a job…in the food service again," Tea replied.

"Oh. What as? Which restaurant?"

"No restaurant," Tea laughed at thinking of Kaiba's place as a restaurant, "I'm a personal cook."

"Who for?"

"Uh…oh look, isn't that another customer?" Tea pointed. Kimi looked.

"Where?" Tea jabbed Seto, and he immediately went off.

"Tea? Tea, wait!" Kimi yelled out.

Back on the road, while eating, Tea said, "I knew I never liked her." She took a bite of her burger.

"It's not her fault she's talkative," Seto replied. Tea looked at him strangely. What had happened to him? "It's a fault in all women," he smirked. Okay, the old Kaiba was back.

"Oh, gee, thanks!" Tea responded, taking another bite.


Ten minutes before the meeting was to officially begin, they arrived, somehow having made it through all that traffic. Seto turned off the ignition regretfully. He stared at the dashboard, and ran a hand slowly over it.

"What the heck are you doing?" Tea inquired.

"Saying goodbye to it. I'm sure this is the last I'll ever see of it in its condition," Seto smiled, looking over at her.

"Oh come on!" Tea hit him playfully. Then, she opened the door to her side, ready to switch her seat. Seto took his briefcase and exited his door. They met on that side.

Seto was very inclined to lay a swift kiss on her, but refused the notion at the last moment. So, instead he made his way off, reminding Tea that the meeting ended at three.

Tea got into the drivers seat and waited until Seto was inside the building. Then, she brought the engine to life, put her hands on the wheel, and softly, laughed manically…for the humor of it.


Tea drove smoothly to the Tokyo Civic Center. She actually was surprised at herself. She hadn't driven a car in quite a while, having not owned one for a few years. It also felt quite neat sitting in the driver's seat of quite the car. She felt…like Seto Kaiba, in a way, looking down on all the "little people."


Inside, she answered a small survey about herself, and then danced a routine. The first routine was with a bunch of other tryouts. Her next dance sequence was alone, to a random song that the company had picked out. She danced her heart out, feeling happier and more carefree than she had in months.

And by the looks of it, the company was pretty impressed. However, doubt still lingered in Tea's mind. The other judges of other companies had always looked somewhat impressed with her, but in the end, it was always the same: rejection. The judges for the company had also inspected her, in terms of flexibility and the sorts.


At 1:00, her audition ended. She'd have to come back for the second part of the audition tomorrow, near noon.

She ran out to Seto's car. She had two hours with the car. Then, she had to return it to Kaiba. She still hadn't figure out the details of her plan, yet, but she would over time.

So, she exited the parking lot, and made her way to where she intended to go.

Eventually, the building was in sight. Dead ahead. All she had to do was cross and intersection….

She had the red light. Soon, it would turn green. The other side had yellow on. A green Honda was nearing the intersection, coming the right, adjacent way from Tea. The light turned green. She pressed on the pedal. Slightly inside the intersection, the green car whizzed in front of Tea, whom had immediately pressed down the brake, barely missing the car. It turned sharply, in her direction and sped next to her, so close to the bumper. Tea watched with wide eyes, hoping, hoping that it didn't touch the car. Kaiba would kill her….


Tea scooted into the parking lot, and turned off the ignition. She looked up at the buildings around her, and sighed. So this is what a college is like….

She got out of the car, and quickly went to the front, inspecting the bumper. Not a scratch. She sighed in relief, locked the car up, and walked inside Tokyo University.

Tea approached the front desk of the main building on the college campus.

The receptionist looked at her, "What can I do for you, hun?"

"Do I have to get room numbers, or can I have some people called down here?"

"We can call them in you please," the receptionist answered.

"Great! Could you call down Joey Wheeler and Duke Devlin?"


Five minutes later, Tea walked the hallway path that the receptionist had pointed her down. Joey and Duke happened to be roommates, and she said they would be over soon. Tea entered the lobby, and her eyes widened.

There were so many people…and the lobby was huge! She could never imagine what a college looked like, seeing that she would never go to one. Her parents had planned on it, of course, however, after they passed away, the idea was out of the question.

She looked around at the entrances to the lobby, watching for certain blonde and ebony haired boys. And then, she spotted them. They were on the far left of the lobby. Tea began running…well…slower, since she didn't wish to get in trouble with the administration for running in the building.


"What'd ya think Ms. Kritch wanted us here for?" Joey asked his roommate. They walked into the lobby.

"I don't know. She said someone was here to see us. I wonder who that could be…."

Suddenly, the two heard their names called out, "Joey! Duke! Guys!" The two looked around frantically, looking for the person that had called them. They hadn't right then, exactly deciphered the voice. It was only until Tea was a few yards away did they see her.

"NO WAY! TEA!" Joey projected his voice, and ran to meet her. Duke followed. Joey ran, and swept her into a hug. He had missed his friend SO much. He hadn't seen her since the beginning of June (before she had come to work for Kaiba). (Oh, and I'm going to say that Japanese colleges get off May-mid July. Okay? I have my reasons….) Afterwards, before he had to come back, he and Serenity had gone on their annual vacation together.

"Tea! I can't believe it's you!" Joey said, releasing her from the hug. Duke came up.

"Hey, long time no see," he winked, giving a high-five to his friend.

"It's been a month, right?" Tea inquired.

Joey looked between them, confused, "What'd ya mean, a month?"

"Remember when I had to go back to Domino for the weekend a bit ago? For that business party?"

"Yeah…."

"I saw Tea…" Duke looked over at her. She shook her head slightly, as to indicate not to tell Joey that she had been there. "Later. I called and old her I was in town."

"Oh. Wait! That reminds me, Tea. What happened to your phone line at home? They say it's been disconnected or somthin'," Joey inquired.

"Oh, that…. I decided to save some money for a while, and just use a cell phone instead of a regular line. But, I'm hoping that after this audition, I won't need to do that anymore!" Tea smiled.

"How long's it been like dat? Cause you get online all the time to talk to us," Joey replied. Tea sweat-dropped. She was getting tangled up in her own lies….

"I uh…got wireless! Yeah! Wireless!"

"Oh…you actually paid da money for dat?" Joey interrogated.

"Yeah. So, Joey, how are you and Mai doing?" Tea asked slyly, trying to get off subject.

"WHAT? Where'd you get an idea like dat?" Joey retorted.

"Joe, everyone knows," Duke replied.

"Oh…" Joey replied. So, the threesome walked around the campus for a good hour, talking and catching up on many things. It was a great time.

Then, Tea checked her watch revealing the time, 2:34. She panicked. She had to go and return Seto's car in about twenty-five minutes.

"Hey, guys. How about we go somewhere? You guys could…show me the great places of Tokyo! That is…if you guys aren't too busy…." Tea suddenly said.

"Sure!" Joey replied.

"That'll be fun!" Duke added.

"You got transportation?" Joey interrogated Tea.

"Actually…" Tea thought up something, so that she wouldn't have to explain switching out Seto's car, "I…came by cab. Yeah…I came by flight to Tokyo, you know, since I don't have a car. Can I just ride with one of you guys?"

"Sure thing!" Joey smiled, "I'll take-"

"You can ride with me, Tea," Duke replied.

"Okay, thanks!" Tea answered.

"Wait…why don't we all just go in one car?" Joey thought over.

"Well, I have to go and pick something up really quick, at the electronics store, for my laptop," Duke replied, "So I'll take my own car."

"Oh, that works out! 'Cause I need to go get something in that department too!" Tea smiled.

Joey looked at them strangely, "Okay…why don't I just come with you?"

"No!" Tea replied. Joey's eyes widened, "By that, I mean…you can save us spots at…the Ice Cream Parlor or something, you know?"

"Yeah…okay!" Joey's face lit up at the thought of food. "I'll go get my keys! Comin' Duke?"

"Be there in a sec!" Duke replied. Joey ran off.

Duke turned to Tea, "Do you really need a ride?"

"Well…for part of the trip. I need to go give Kaiba his car back-"

"Wait. Kaiba's here too?" Duke looked at her questionably.

"Long story. I'll tell you when we leave the Takya Inc. building-"

"So that's where we're going," Duke answered.

"Wait…did you really need to go to the electronics store?" Tea questioned.

"Nope. It was a story, just so I could talk to you about some things in private. I was sure you'd get yourself a story, seeing as how you've pulled it off pretty good so far," Duke looked at her, slightly disapprovingly. Tea flushed a little, ashamed.

"Look…I just can't tell everyone…let alone Joey, yet. You know?" Tea declared.

"Not really…but I'll respect your desires. I know you're just trying to make your life easier, ever since…then," Duke put a hand on Tea's shoulder, comforting her on the fact of her parent's death.

"Why did they have to die? I wouldn't be in this mess if they hadn't!" Tea suddenly exclaimed.

"Calm down. We can talk it over in the car," Duke replied, "Now, you get a head start. I'll tell Joey that you're waiting for me…somewhere. Somewhere he won't go. Okay? Meet you at Takya Inc.!" Duke ran off.


Tea pulled up to the Takya Inc. skyscraper exactly two minutes before three o' clock. She was sure Kaiba would be out right on time. Duke was still somewhere behind her, still on the streets, but he knew where he was going. Joey had gone off to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, to wait for them. Tea got out of the car, taking the keys with her. She had parked right in the front, at the bottom of the large stone staircase in front. She walked to the other side of the car, and waited, looking up at the doors.

Finally, Kaiba showed. He walked down the steps slowly, looking very corporal indeed. He reached the bottom, and set down his briefcase. Tea held out his keys, but he didn't take them. Slowly, he circled around the car, like a vulture. He kicked his tires, lightly, and inspected every surface.

Tea was getting worried. What if she had missed something? And he found a scrape? She'd never hear the end of it…and her job would probably be flushed down the drain too….

"Seems as if everything's in fine order," Seto suddenly declared, and walked back to her. Tea relaxed, slightly, so that he wouldn't see. Too bad he did.

"Were we close to some sort of accident?" Seto smirked.

"W-Why would you ask that?" Tea stuttered.

"Please. You're stuttering. And I saw you relax," Seto replied, still smirking.

"Well, at least I avoided it!" Tea retorted.

"Ah, a confession," Seto smiled one of his triumphant smiles. Tea scowled at the ground. Seto took the keys from her hand, and lifted her chin up, "Like you said, you did avoid the collision." Tea's eyes quivered. Seto's heart beat rapidly. This was it. He had to kiss her…now. Seto slowly moved his head towards hers, and Tea's eyes relaxed….

"Kaiba?" Seto stood straight, and spun around. Tea peered from behind him.

"Devlin? What are you-"

"So, you finally made it!" Tea walked out from behind Seto, and walked over to him, "I'm kinda spending the afternoon with Duke and Joey," Tea explained to a confused looking Seto.

"I see. Just make sure you're back by six," Seto replied, walking around his car to the driver's side.

"Will do!" Tea replied, and walked with Duke back to his car.

Seto pulled the door shut, and jammed the keys into the ignition. Of course. He should have expected at least one of her many friends to be in Tokyo, at its college. At least it had been Duke, whom she had told about the certain circumstances. Otherwise…it would have been a very questionable position.

However…he could have killed Duke at that minute…interrupting his and Tea's moment. She had even seemed…willing to be kissed. He wondered….


Duke and Tea drove to the ice cream parlor.

"So, what was all that about?" Duke inquired.

"What? I had to give his car back-"

"Not that. The closeness stuff. Are you two-"

"NO! He was just taking back his key, that's all! I SWEAR!" Tea replied. Of course…she didn't know if that's all he was about to do. Somehow, she had had the feeling that he was going to…kiss her.

"Uh huh," Duke replied, uncertainly.


The rest of the day was spent together. It was with heavy hearts when 5:30 rolled around, and Tea had to get back to the hotel. Joey offered to drive her. She had no problem with this. She said good-bye to Duke, and gave him a hug. They left, saying they'd see each other again soon. Then, Joey drove her back to the hotel. Tea got out, and Joey too hopped out.

He gave her a hug, "Bye. And remember, keep goin' strong. Anything you need…we're all here for you," Joey said, tearing up at his own words.

"Thank you, Joey. That means so much," Tea replied. They pulled away.

"We'll all be back in Domino soon. You know what? I'll make sure we all come for Spring Break or somethin'. All of us. And it'll be just like old times, eh?"

"Yeah," Tea wiped away a tear, "You do that. I can't wait. See you soon," and she gave Joey one last hug before disappearing inside. Joey watched her go inside, and let a tear run down. He missed her throughout the year. They all missed her. And they all cared and worried for her. So what if she was an adult. She had spent to of her teen years without parents. And no matter how old you are, being parentless could leave a strong mark.

So it was with a heavy heart, yet hope to see her again, that Joey got back in his car, and drove back to the college. (You know, I actually got teary-eyed writing this small scene! Wipes away tear.)


Tea walked quite quickly up the stairs, and down the hall to the room. She unlocked the door and rushed inside. Seto had turned the desk chair around and was watching a football game (I don't know if they have football in Japan or not, but heck, who cares?), and like most males in the world, wasn't giving a thought or second notion to any other living thing in the world.

Tea sighed. She should have known that something about him would be normal. How typical that it happened to be a football game. Seto was still dressed in his normal wear, so Tea took this time as an opportunity for her to go get dressed.

She brought out the semi-formal dress that Seto had told her to pack, due to the dinner they were having tonight.

Going into the bathroom, Tea wondered, again, why he had made dinner reservations for the two. She easily found the answer. It had been pushed in front her of this very afternoon. Seto Kaiba wasn't exactly one for fast food. As seen, he had now only had it three times in his life.

So, naturally, seeing that she was accompanying him on this small trip, and seeing that he was used to only the best. That's the conclusion she came to, as she then turned to look at herself in the mirror. She was very presentable, however something just had to be done with her hair. Straight as a stick was not the way to go. So, she did something similar to how she had dressed her hair for the Party.

She left her two longest strands of hair down, in front, and pulled back the rest of it into a half-bun (it wasn't a complete bun, because some of the tips of her hair where placed against the back of her head, and curved back in an upward motion.

She didn't use any make-up…in accordance that she hadn't brought any…and once, months ago, Seto had told her she didn't need any. She didn't know if that notion had changed, however, it was enough to satisfy her. Anything he wanted from her (well…most things, she reconsidered) he could get.

She opened the door to the bathroom, and found everything strangely quiet. She turned the corner, and there stood a fully (nicely dressed) Seto Kaiba….with the television off. She was surprised. Either he had noticed the time, or he had acknowledged her presence. She looked sort of stunned, actually…that he had gotten dressed, and wasn't watching TV.

He seemed to know what was going on through her mind, "I'm not that interested in football," he smirked. She then stepped out fully from behind the corner. Seto's brain did a complete 180. So simple…yet it left such complex feelings in his head.

Tea was dressed in a red spaghetti-strapped (that was fairly high in terms of collar length) dress, the flowed down to her knees. She also wore a white necklace that reflected the light, with it's studded diamonds. Seto wondered where she had gotten such an expensive necklace.

"You look…quite stunning this evening," Seto complimented, trying to keep his "regal" sounding air.

"Thanks…you…you do too," Tea replied.

"That's…a very nice necklace. Where'd you get it?" Seto inquired, still curious.

"Oh, this," Tea looked down and fingered it, "Well…it's sort of a family heirloom. It belonged first, to my great-grandmother. It's been passed down to the first or only girl born in the family every generation. Of course…really, it's supposed to be given by the parents to the daughter as a…er…wedding present (here, Seto raised an eyebrow here), but," Tea continued, "seeing as my parents are…dead," she wavered, saying this, "and I'm not sure if I'll ever get married," she took a nanosecond to glance at Seto, "I decided I just ought to take it from my house when I moved in to your place." She ended her explanation.

Seto had listened to the tale with interest, especially when she brought up…marriage. She wasn't sure if she would ever get married…. How Seto would love to marry her. However…he still wasn't sure if she still had those feelings for him, which he had read in her journal; or if they had passed. For after that day, she hadn't really tried to avoid him…she looked quite at ease around him, like he was a brother or something.

"Well, we'd best leave…I've blabbed enough," Tea smiled sweetly, and turned to the door, "Coming?" she asked, since Seto was still standing there.

Seto snapped out of his reverie, "Yes, yes."


Supposedly, the restaurant was just a couple blocks down the road. So, Tea, saying that it was a waste of fuel, and money, and that they needed the exercise, proposed they walk there. So, they walked down the sidewalk, pretty much, side by side.

People watched them walk down the way, but the two paid no mind to them. Soon enough, they had reached the diner. After seeing that they were there, the hosts sat them at a table for two.

The diner was quite exquisite: crystal chandeliers, soft music playing in the back round, and other sorts of fancy decorations.

Being the fancy place that it was, the first thing that the waiter asked was if they would have some wine.

Seto nodded, used to this sort of thing, and Tea looked a bit uncertainly at the wine glass set before her. Slowly, she nodded, but asked for only a little bit: half a glass at most. Seto looked over at her. Maybe she hadn't put on any make-up, but it didn't mean she hadn't put on a tad of perfume….

Seto raised his glass, "To…"

Tea raised hers, smiling, "The future. May all our dr-…desires come true."

To that, they drank.

Later on, the two sat quietly, eating dinner. Not much was said or done between the two, that is, until Tea reached for the saltshaker, and Seto did the same. At the same moment, their hands touched, sending sparks and shivers up each other's arms. Tea pulled back immediately, looking down; away from Seto, trying to hide her reddening cheeks. Seto's hand had only pulled back slightly.

He pulled his hand back slowly. He sure had felt that. He wondered if she had too, or if she had pulled back because she had touched his hand….

"Are you…going to use that?" Seto sort of mumbled out.

"Huh?" Tea looked up, her cheeks still slightly pink, "Oh, yes, but, uh, you may use it first."

"That's alright, you can," Seto replied.

"No, that's quite alright, you will," Tea forced down the last word.

Seto sighed, thinking, Why is it that I always lose these arguments with her, "Fine!" and he took the salt first. It was a pointless argument, but it had them talking nonetheless.

Tea suddenly felt a powerful urge to tell Seto her feelings, "Kaiba!"

Seto looked up, "Yes?"

"…Please pass the salt."


About forty-five minutes later, the two had exited the restaurant and were now walking down the sidewalk. People were watching them again, seeing that it was Seto Kaiba walking along with some girl….

Tea noticed a sign up ahead, the was across the street. How she hadn't noticed it before was beyond her.

"Hey Kaiba, why not get a little more exercise and take a walk through Tokyo Park? What else do we have to do? That is…unless…you don't want to," Tea replied, looking up at him. Seto looked over at the entrance to the park, across the street. True, they didn't have anything else to do, but he wasn't usually one for walking in the park.

However, he did need to relax his nerves…and it might be a good chance to really get to know Tea….

"Fine," Seto replied, walking across the street, with her tailing behind.

"Is that all you ever answer? 'Fine?'" Tea inquired, upon reaching the entrance of the park.

"Maybe," Seto smirked.

"Can you talk using more than one word?" Tea inquired, playing this time, only trying to get him to say something else.

"Maybe," Seto replied, still smirking.

"Can you say anything else?"

Seto pretended to think for a minute, "…Maybe."

Tea sighed. It was hopeless. He won that battle. They had now stopped in front of the park's exquisitely beautiful lake. Tea stood near its edge, watching the water sparkle in the moonlight, and letting the breeze run through her hair. Seto walked up beside her. He watched the breeze finger through her hair.

He wanted to tell her. He wanted more than anything to be hers; to love her; caress her; console her. Anything for her. And now would be the time. It had to be the perfect time….

Tea took a side-glance look at Seto. She swore she saw his head snap to the direction of the lake. Maybe it was just a notion of hers. She looked back at the water. It seemed then, to reflect her past: under shade, it was dark and dim, as had been these past three years for her. Even the waves reflected how bumpy the ride had been for her. But then, there was the light: it made the water sparkle with delight. And for her, that light was Seto Kaiba…..

People watched the two standing together. Half the women present were wishing ill of the girl who stood beside Seto Kaiba, and wishing to be in her place. And they watched suddenly as the two each turned to face each other, ready to speak what had been on their minds:

"Kaiba-"

"Gardner-"

"Are you thinking…what I'm thinking?" Tea inquired, looking away slightly.

Seto turned her head back to face him, "That all depends on what's on your mind…."

"I-" Tea started. She wondered if she had enough courage to tell him…finally…after all these months of waiting….

"Yes?" Seto looked at her intently. His eyes seemed to be searching hers for what she wanted to say….

"I…I think…we…should head back," Tea stammered, ripping out of his touch, and taking a couple steps back.

"That's…exactly what I thought," Seto replied. So, they walked back in silence to the hotel….


Tea crawled into the bed. She heard the springs creak as Seto got in next to her. The light turned off, and the room went into total darkness. Not a word had been said between them since the trip to the park. Tea couldn't comprehend the fact at why, TWICE she hadn't been able to tell him her feelings. Maybe…maybe it was just that ever-growing doubt that lingered within her, that said Seto Kaiba loved nobody…but his brothers.


Seto couldn't tell her now. At any time. It was obvious: she had grown over those small feelings he had read about in that journal of hers. She may have only reacted in such ways to his touch, because she was embarrassed by it. Otherwise, if she had indeed loved him, she would have told him by now….

But he desperately wanted to feel her lips again…for real this time. Not a selfish desire to know what thoughts went on behind those sapphire jewels of hers, but for a real taste at love. And that's when something Seto Kaiba didn't believe in, intervened. That something was called:

FATE.

Seto turned over in bed, being that he faced the inside of it. And, as revealed earlier, he was one not used to sharing a bed at close proximity with someone. This meant that he had moved further in toward the middle…or more on Tea's side, to put it in better terms.

And Tea, wanting to get more comfortable in the bed, and forgetting her "terms" from last night, too turned over in bed. Guess what met? Desiring lips….


Seto felt something…or someone touch his mouth. And he didn't believe his own mind when it registered that it was Tea's lips….

Tea would have gasped when she realized what was happening, had her mouth not already been busy….

However, neither one, deep down, no matter what was going on in the outer layer of their minds, wanted to stop. So, Seto, being the guy that he was, took her by the waist, and brought her closer, deepening the kiss.

Tea didn't give a second notion as to why Seto had just pulled her closer, by the waist. It only inclined her further to wrap her hands around his neck, and finger through his hair.

Of course, as one might imagine (though I wouldn't know), it was sort of difficult/uncomfortable to be lying on your side and kissing someone. Seeing this, Seto slowly rose, bringing her up with him. They continued they "session" sitting upright.

Of course, each one's desire for the other only powered them to kiss harder and further. They barely took in any breath between lip-locks.

However, now that the question was tugging at the back of Tea's mind, during one small break, tea started, "Why-?" But before she could finish, Seto's lips were on hers again. And she had no objections. The time for questions was later. The time for unknown love (and making out) was now.

Tea gave him all she had, just to show how much she cared: how much she loved. Seto wouldn't give anything less than his all. And when the challenge was set before them, to see whom could put their "all" into the kiss more, they both went up to meet the goal.

It was quite the session. Neither lover wanted to cease. After all, neither of them knew if they would ever have another chance like this…. (After all, they don't know what plans I have in store for them….)

However, it was soon growing late, and no matter how much each person wanted to admit it, they were growing tired. So, this is where Seto put in his true "all." For their last kiss of the night, Seto cupped her head in his hands, and kissed her extra hard, taking the breath out of her, no matter how she tried to kiss back. When they broke away, Tea slowly fell into his arms.

Where she belongs, his last thought was, as he too, collapsed back onto the bed, still holding softly onto Tea, who lay against his chest….

Thus ended the third kiss….

(Okay, so it was more like a huge session of kisses, but it still counts as one!)


Tea's eyes fluttered open. She was lying against something quite warm…like the previous morning….

Her mind shot open, remembering all of last night's events. The make out session came flooding back to her. Oh how pleasant and soothing it had felt…she had felt completely happy, forgetting all of her unpleasant problems and past. She would have hopped out of the bed immediately, however, Seto was still partially holding her.

As to not wake him (he didn't have to do anything today, for it was her with the audition, as his meeting finished yesterday) she slowly lifted his arms, and slid out from under them. She left to go get ready.

And, like yesterday, he was still asleep after she had come out of the shower. She was going to go down to breakfast again, but before she did that….

She bent down, and quickly gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.


Tea came back into the room after breakfast, and found Seto up and about, moving around, and packing up his things. Tea just stood near the doorway.

"You…didn't have to get up, you know. You don't have anything to do today. I'm the one with the audition, remember?" Tea said, suddenly.

"I know," Seto replied, "But, I thought, why not just get the checking out over and done with. I'll drop you off, and do some of that…sightseeing, I guess…or do some work. Whatever."

"Oh, okay," Tea replied. She walked around, picking up her belongings as well.


She was almost done. She had gone over to her nightstand, and grabbed her book off of it. She packed it into her suitcase and zipped it up. Then, she lugged it over near the door. It suddenly became lighter in her hands, and she looked up to see Seto holding onto the handle.

"Need a hand?" he smirked.

"Yes, actually," Tea smiled. Seto took the suitcase from her, and put it outside the room, with his suitcase.

"Well, I think that's it," Tea replied, scanning the room, quickly. She was then about to walk out the door, and bumped into Seto, as he. She stepped back a couple steps.

"Oh, sorry, Seto," Tea apologized. Seto was about to close the door, when he stopped.

"W-What did you call me?" Seto turned around.

"Huh? Oh! I'm so, sorry, Seto! I mean- Oh, I did it again, I'm really sorry Set-" but before she could finish, Seto had put a finger on her lips. She stopped.

"Seto is just fine," he whispered. Then, he removed his finger…and replaced it with his lips. Tea's eyes closed on contact. Here they went again…. Why was he doing this though? Maybe…could he possibly…have the same feelings for her?

Tea's arms snaked up and around his neck, as his hands slid down to her waist.

The fourth kiss.


They continued this way for a few minutes, only pausing for nanoseconds at a time for breath, just like the previous night. Each one wanted more and was enjoying every second….

"Eh, hem," someone cleared their throat outside the doorway, in the hall. That pulled them out of their daze, and Tea let go immediately, backing up a little. She turned to see whom had interrupted her joy, and found that it was none other than:

Anya.

"Tea, was it? May I speak with you for a moment, in private?" Anya stressed the last two words. Tea was about to answer no, when Seto pushed her along, saying:

"You go one. I have one last thing to check on. He went further into the room. Tea walked with Anya a little further down the hall. Finally, the irritated girl (and I mean Anya, this time) stopped, and turned around.

"So…you don't have any sort of relationship with him, eh? What do you call making out with him in public!" Anya whispered in rage. She didn't want to disturb the other occupants of the hotel.

"I…it was…an accident-"

"Oh, screw that. That was no accident! You two are-"

"Look! I'm not the one who went in for the kiss! He came down on me for some reason!" Tea blurted out. Her eyes widened. Anya's did as well.

"He…kissed…you?" Anya inquired, obviously stunned. She hadn't expected him to lay down the moves…. "I see…. Well, I need to leave now," Anya replied, and walked off, leaving behind a confused Tea. She was tapped on the shoulder thirty seconds later. Tea looked behind her, to see Seto.

"Let's get going."

"Yes…let's," Tea replied. More so, in her mind, she implied.


Tea ran off into the Civic Center. Seto sat in the car, with his laptop open. It had only been used to convince Tea that he was going to work while she had her audition. Ten minutes after she left, he left for the Center as well.


Seto walked around the halls, looking for any sign. And finally, he reached a door that read, "Dance Auditions."

Seto pushed open the door quietly, and slipped inside. He stood against the back wall, of a dark room, with only the stage lit up. And it seemed he had come just in time too. Tea was up.

Seto watched as she danced her heart out for the judges. Her moves were spectacular. They flowed gracefully from each position to the next. She danced as if on clouds, and not on a hard, marble floor.

Seto wouldn't understand if they had rejected her. He would have taken her in any day. However…. He knew that if she was accepted, that she would have to leave…and he night never see her again. Seto couldn't bear the thought of it…especially when he had been so close to telling her these past couple of days. Maybe he'd tell her…soon.

But then, guilt took its toll. He couldn't separate her from her life-long dream. If she was indeed chosen, he'd just have to let her go. Seto scowled. He had known this from the beginning, before he had even met Tea. It was back in the time of Gozaburo. He had taught him that love never turns out. Eventually, you will be hurt, and left to suffer. That's when Gozaburo had manipulated Seto's heart into a block of ice. That's when he had never opened up to anyone but his brother. That is…until Tea came.

And he couldn't help falling in love with her. Sure, he knew that the risks of rejection, or loss were high, but he would take that risk, if it meant he still had a chance with her. He'd take the risk any day. Long ago, he had pushed aside all of Gozaburo's teachings. He had taught himself new ones….

After Tea had finished her act, Seto slipped outside again, and waiting in the car.

Tea came out about forty minutes later, and ran to the car. Seto opened it up, and let her inside. She sighed and leaned back on the seat.

"So, how did it go?" Seto inquired, turning the engine on.

"I thought it went well. The judges seemed pretty impressed. However…they always look that way before they…reject me," Tea looked a little forlorn. Seto felt himself going on that guilt trip again….

"But, they said in a few weeks, they'll have reviewed everything, and call me with an answer, with er a yes, or no," Tea explained.

"That's good," Seto replied. At least he still had a few weeks before he had to worry about her leaving….

The rest of the way back to the Kaiba Mansion was silent. Tea's thoughts had roamed back to her earlier ones. What if Seto did have feelings for her? Is that why he had gone along kissing her? She was going to find out soon….


WHEW! THAT WAS SERIOUSLY ONE HECK OF A LONG CHAPTER! I am SO taking a small break! However, with school coming, I can't take that much of a break, if I want to get in another update. Oh well. I don't know when you can expect one. But expect one within the month! Sorry it's a bit of a broad span of time, but , hey, that's all I can offer. I have no idea what school's going to bring…. So, I hope you enjoyed this extra long chapter, because it might be all you're getting for a while. I can't tell. See ya later!