NOTE: I don't know when Tea's actual birthday is, like I didn't remember Seto's (though I know it's Oct. 25th now), though I think Tea's is somewhere between June and Aug. or something…but anyway, it's going to be in April in this fic, okay? Also…sorry the update is kind of late. I had to get the ones that I hadn't updated for a long time up first. But you don't know how long I have wanted to write this chapter! Yeah! Let's get to it!
PS: I'm just going to mention this now, because I don't know if it is greatly specified in the last chapter: the "Spring Break" ran into early April, okay? Good.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or the song "Come Sail Away" by: Styx that was originally in here.
Chapter 21: Sail Away
April (3)
Tea slammed her alarm clock off. Today was the day. She looked at the clock. Four-thirty…just as she had planned. Some birthday… she sighed. Then again…I am giving myself the ultimate birthday present this afternoon. Yes…the ultimate one.
Tea hopped out of bed. So her ride out of here was not due to leave until noon. That didn't matter. The sooner she was out of this mansion (unnoticed, of course), the better. She had to drop by her old house first anyway. Then, she would meander around town or something to pass the time.
My old home… she looked down. How long ago it seemed that she had actually been in that place. It had almost been a year…. Two more months…and it would have been a year record. How surprising! She had put up with Seto Kaiba for almost a whole year!
She walked over, grabbed her ready clothes and headed for the shower down the hall, quietly.
After taking her shower, she crept back into her room and packed up the rest of her things. She silently brought her things downstairs and set them by the front doors. It was a good thing that she didn't have many things to bring!
There was just one last thing to do. There was no doubt that Mokuba and Noa would miss her, and be confused about her sudden leave. As a little token of saying goodbye, she made one last breakfast for the family, while snacking down a couple Nutri-Grain bars for her own breakfast. She wasn't very hungry after all….
She found a slip of paper and wrote something down on it and set it on the table. The breakfast she set in the oven so that it would stay warm until the family decided to awaken.
She looked around the kitchen one last time. Her past year had been spent here. It was so hard to believe that she was leaving….
It's what they say: first love never lasts. With that, she shut off the lights, and exited towards the front hall.
Checking to see if anyone was up and watching her, Tea quickly stole through the hall and over to her bags. She had called a taxi to park just about a block's length down the road, so that she could go where she pleased. She didn't have a car after all. The cab service hadn't sounded all too awake or pleased to be called so early; however; Tea had very influential green paper….
As she had done in the kitchen, Tea stopped and turned to look around the house, from what she could see of it from the front door.
Here it all lie…her past year…a memory forever etched into her mind….
Two tears rolled down her cheeks. It would be difficult, but she had to forgive and forget.
With that, Tea Gardner picked up her bags –with some difficulty- and sauntered out of the Kaiba Mansion for good.
Mokuba heard a small slam of a door, but thought nothing of it in his drowsy state. Probably just Tea…or Seto…it is six-thirty after all… he dozed back off to sleep, forgetting the rules of the weekend.
Seto never woke early on Sundays.
Tea opened the door to her old house. Her eyes scanned over the whole inside. Everything was dusty, but that didn't matter. If all went well, she would be selling it in a matter of months.
Walking inside, Tea shut the door, and brought in a few unnecessary things for her leave. In turn she decided to have one last walk around the house. This house full of sad memories….
Tea walked through the family room. No…living room, she reminded herself. I have no family…. Everything was just as she had left it. The remote was in the exact same place as it had been when she set it down as the doorbell rang, signaling Seto's arrival.
Tea bit her lip. No more memories should be resurfaced. She reached out to touch the dusty remote. But her hand shook as she was within reach. It felt so wrong to move…time. It was a signaling reminder….
But a reminder of something leading to great pain. Nevertheless, Tea left it as it was, not noticing the tear that dropped onto the remote, clearing away the smallest area of dust.
She continued to walk around. Upstairs, she explored her room. The bed was still made in that same, half-raced way she had made it that last day.
Tea left her room.
She stopped before her parent's old door. Tea shut her eyes and pushed open the door. It creaked as it opened. She stepped in and opened her eyes. Immediately, she fell to the ground, sobbing. How she missed her parents! But…Seto doesn't have parents anymore either…. Tea wiped the thought away. Why did everything remind her of Seto?
She looked up through her tears. Her parent's bed…her mother's bureau…her father's old dresser…their separate nightstands…everything.
She stood up and walked through it. She had barely touched anything in their room since their death almost four years ago. Occasionally, she had come in here and sat on the floor, just to soak up the memories and feelings of her parents.
Upon walking near the late Mrs. Gardner's bureau, Tea started running a finger through the pile of dust on the top.
Her fingers, unconsciously, traced the words:
I miss you…. I love you….
Tea ran out of the room before tears could overtake her once more.
Her last excursion-
Was to the kitchen.
Tea wasn't even sure whether she should go into this room. She couldn't help this time, but to remember her break down in front of Seto here. Her life had changed in this very room.
Tea peeked inside. She could just see those past forms of them talking and walking around through the room. She whipped her head out of the room.
Too overwhelming….
"Well…I've seen my house…said my goodbyes…there's nothing left for me here. I'll tell the others that I've moved once I'm settled down." And with that, Tea walked out of her house once more, locked the door and proceeded into the waiting taxi.
It was seven o' clock by the time Tea arrived at her departing destination. Five more hours… she sighed. She walked up to a counter for help and ticket confirmation.
"Hi, um, I'm here because I had a last-minute ticket reserved for today's departure," Tea told the lady behind the counter.
The lady looked up and then proceeded to her computer. "You Tea Gardner?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Alrighty…you had your reservations, but I'll need those two hundred dollars for actually buying the ticket."
"That's fine," Tea took out her wallet. She had gotten her share of money working for Seto.
"I'll also need some ID, just as confirmation," the register lady stated. Tea took out her ID and placed it on the counter along with her credit card. (It was unwise, after all, to have over two hundred dollars floating around in one's wallet.)
The woman looked over the ID, took the credit card, ran it though he machine, came out with a receipt and ticket, and handed it to Tea.
"Hey you are, Miss Gardner. Departure is strictly at noon today, but be here half an hour early to load up and get on board."
"Yes, thank you," Tea smiled and walked away. Half an hour early…all the better to get away from this city of pain.
Tea had her plans. She had called the dance company (albeit, late) last night, seeing if they still had a position for her. The company had greatly accepted.
She was on her way. She would be traveling all over the world! America; France; England; China; Italy! It would be great! Currently, the company was in Hawaii.
Tea stopped along the boardwalk and looked out over the harbor and sea. She was taking a boat to Hawaii.
More of a cruise though, if you will.
Well...I have four and a half hours to spend meandering around town. Guess I should say "goodbye" to everything…. Domino was my home after all.
Her first stop was the Turtle Game Shop. How many memories were locking inside of this place? It really was the beginning of many adventures – Duelist Kingdom; the Virtual World experience (number one, of course); the Great Leviathan experience: it was all here.
She pushed open the door and the bells atop jingled.
Tea walked down to the counter. Grandpa's back was to the door, but as he heard the bells, he turned around.
"Tea!" he exclaimed, "Why, what a surprise! It's not too often that you come around here, especially when Yugi is away," he stated.
"I know. But…I came here for a very important reason today," Tea replied, walking up to the counter. "I'm…leaving Domino today. Probably for good. I'm joining a dance company, finally!" she smiled slightly, but the tears were in her eyes. "I just wanted to say goodbye to you…. The others will have to wait a bit, but I will call them."
"You're leaving? Oh, but Tea, it's wonderful that you've finally found the job of your dreams!" Grandpa came out from behind the counter and hugged her. Tea hugged back. He was the closest thing she had to a father nowadays.
"I'm very happy for you. But I will miss you dearly. After all, the others were all counting on coming back here this year, remember? It's their last year of college. My, they have been so anxious to see you!"
"I know…but I had to leave for…some reasons," Tea looked away.
"Would you like to stay for a while?"
"Sure…just a while though. I'd like to make my rounds around Domino before my ship leaves."
"Ah, where might you be going to?" he inquired, leading her into the back of the shop.
"Well, the company is currently in Hawaii, so the administrator told me to meet up with them there."
"Hawaii? Well, you certainly have it all cut out for you, don't you?"
"Yes indeed."
Mokuba rubbed his eyes as he walked out into the hallway. It was about ten o' clock. Talk about sleeping in…. He was suddenly slammed into and fell back to the ground. Blearily, he looked up at what had hit him.
"Noa? What the blazes are you doing?" he asked.
"Look at this!" he shouted, shoving a piece of paper into Mokuba's hands. Mokuba blinked and read the recognizable writing:
Dear Mokuba, Noa and Seto,
It pains me very much to say this, but I have chosen to leave the household. I'm afraid I will not be your cook anymore (however, there is one last breakfast from me to you in the oven). I left early this morning. I couldn't bear to say goodbye to you in person. And, if you are wondering why I left…well, I had my reasons. I will be joining that dance company though…. I will miss you guys.
Yours,
Tea Gardner
"WHAT! SHE LEFT!" Mokuba's mouth dropped open. "Why did she leave? I thought she was happy here!"
"So did I!" Noa retorted. He took the note back up and scanned over it. His eyes suddenly narrowed. "Wait just a second…why is Seto's name last?"
"Why does it matter? She was writing down names in a hurry-"
"No…I don't think that's it." Noa looked down at his brother. "This mess," he waved the note, "has Seto written all over it. Come on." Noa dragged his brother to Seto's bedroom.
When they opened the door, no one was there. They then checked his office.
There Seto sat: his head in his hands with his elbows upon his desk. He looked disheveled, tired and somewhat miserable.
"Seto?" Mokuba piped up. "Seto, are you up?"
"W-What?" Seto jumped slightly and looked up. "Oh…it's you two. What's up? Have you had breakfast already?"
The two narrowed their eyes, "No. It's there, but we haven't touched it."
"Why not? Tea's a great cook…" he faded off, looking away.
"Then it's very unfortunate that we lost her," Noa responded.
"What?" Seto turned his head slowly back over to them. "What do you mean "lost her"?"
Noa slammed the note down in front of him. Seto took his time to pick it up and read it. "Hurry it up already!" Mokuba stomped his foot impatiently, "We don't have all day!"
"Don't have all day for what?" he said, while reading the note; dread growing ever more in his stomach.
"To find Tea!" Noa shouted.
Seto finished reading the note. He was speechless. Tea had left them….
Then again, it really didn't surprise him. The way he had acted last night….
"What did you do?" Mokuba asked testily.
"Why do you think this is my fault?" Seto snapped.
"Because you're not as down as you should be, Tea left with no explanation and you were here in your office the whole night acting bum!" Noa threw out the reasons.
"…Alright, so maybe it was my fault," Seto admitted, softly.
"What did-?"
"I just told her something…that she took badly, okay? That's all! But this whole thing isn't my fault! Really, it's hers!" he pounded the desk.
The two other brothers blinked. "What did she do?" Noa asked.
"I don't know…I'm so confused…for once. Last night…she acted like she loved me…but I couldn't be sure."
"Why? Of course she loves you! And you love her!" Mokuba retorted.
"Oh? Then what was all that going on between you and her that one night after Tea and I got back from the restaurant?" he pointed a finger at Noa.
Noa blinked, "Going on with us…?" he thought for a moment. It suddenly hit him.
"You heard all that?"
"Saw it too," Seto narrowed his eyes.
"What did you do?" Mokuba looked over at Noa.
"I calmed her after what you did to her!" Noa turned on Mokuba.
"Calmed her?" Seto squinted, "Was that all it was? You looked a lot more inti-"
"Intimate, yeah, I know. I won't deny it to you anymore, Seto, but I had a crush on her while you were her girlfriend, so I got a bit jealous, you know? That as the whole fiasco that night as well. Mokuba had been onto me about that. And then…well, because she looked pretty stunned and a bit traumatized at something that had just happened, I decided: hey, here's my chance. Okay? You get it? That was all!"
Mokuba was starting to put two and two together, "Was that…the reason you were avoiding her all this time?"
Seto mumbled out, "Yeah…. Because of what he was doing…and what he said. I couldn't believe it…but I was seeing it. I never thought…Tea would cheat on me…but it was all right there before my eyes."
"Then you also heard that someone kissed her, right?" Noa cocked an eyebrow at Seto, while looking over at Mokuba, who was beginning to panic.
"Yes…and that was the second reason I thought she was-"
"I did it! Okay? It was me! I didn't mean to! I swear! I'm sorry Seto! But…she was being all…seductive…just so I would tell her what was wrong with Noa because I wouldn't tell her because I didn't want her to know and-" he collapsed onto the desk.
"Hey, whoa there, slow down," Seto rubbed his head. "So that was you?"
"Yes…" Mokuba spoke in a muffled voice. He suddenly popped up. "Well! I feel much better now! Weeks of gilt off my chest."
"Alright, so we've all fessed up," Noa stated. "We had better head out…right, Seto?"
Seto didn't answer. "But do we really know that she hasn't found anyone else?" he muttered to himself.
The two others looked at each other. "We'll be getting dressed," Mokuba stated, walking out. Noa looked down at his hand.
"Hurry up, Seto. I know…you really love her, and that's all that matters. I've learned my lesson. Just…make the choice your heart wants, okay?" Noa placed something on Seto's desk and left.
Seto continued to stare emptily at his hands for a moment after the two left. He looked up at what Noa had left him.
They were Seto's car keys.
Seto took them up and looked at them. He stood up.
Wait up, Tea. He ran and took the speediest of all showers, grabbed a coat and one more thing from his dresser that he had bought weeks ago. Then, he was off with his brothers.
The three Kaiba brothers sat in the car impatiently. "Where are we going first, Seto?" Mokuba inquired.
"I'm checking her old house. If she's not there, we'll have to check all possible exits to this city." Mokuba had a slightly confused look on his face.
"He means: the airport, the newly made train station, the harbor-"
"Oh," Mokuba nodded, "But what if she took a car? There's always rental, you know."
"That's why I have to check where this dance company is. What was it called again…?" It seemed so long since their weekend in Tokyo. Seto bit his lip. That had been one of his most favorite business trips ever. "The…Japanese Dance Company. How original that sounds…."
Seto stopped his Rolls-Royce outside Tea's old home. Seto stuffed the laptop into his brother's hands, directing them to continue looking for the current location of the company (he had been driving and looking at the same time. Talk about not safe…). Seto, meanwhile, ran outside to her doorstep.
He rang the doorbell and knocked several times on the door.
No one was answering. Drat….
"'Eh you. You lookin' for Miss Gardner?" Seto spun around. On the porch of the next house stood a man looking over at him, holding a newspaper.
"Yes…where is she? Do you know?"
"She left here around six thirty…. She went dat way, I think," he pointed down the street towards the way they were heading.
"Thanks," Seto nodded and ran off.
"Anytime."
Seto climbed back into the car, "You find them yet?"
"Not yet…but we're getting there. Any luck for you?" Noa stated.
"I got a tip that she went that way," he pointed straight ahead and started driving that way.
"Seto, that leads to both the airport and the harbor."
"She'll probably have gone to the airport. The boats at the dock don't leave as much as the planes do. Should we go there first?" Mokuba asked. Seto wasn't listening. Mokuba noticed. "Seto?"
"She's at the dock. I know it. I remember reading about some special cruises or something that were going on today. She's got to be there!"
"But Seto, we don't know! She could be gone for all we know!" Noa replied.
"That's why we're looking for that dance company! If she's there, I'll find her," Seto ground his teeth. Come on Tea…wait up. We're coming….
"Seto…we can't find-"
"Give it here," Seto suddenly grabbed the laptop with one hand and propped it onto his lap. His stared hard. His brothers had found the site for the company, however, it was undergoing changes and only the last place the company had been stood on the screen: Tokyo. I'll just have to go and hack in, he smirked. Hacking was one of his favorite pastimes.
"Seto wait. Before you get us all into an accident –using the computer while driving, how about letting one of us drive?"
"What!" Seto snapped.
"I have my license," Noa smirked at Mokuba, who in turn pouted. (I thought the Japanese might get permits later in life because they get licenses later. Otherwise, Mokuba would have had a permit as he is fifteen…or sixteen….)
"Fine…at the next light, we'll switch seats," Seto replied. Sure enough, at the next red light, Seto and Noa hoped out of the car, switching seats. "Just be careful-"
"I know!" Noa proclaimed. "Now," he muttered, "Let's see what this thing can do…."
Noa practically floored the car once the light hit green. Mokuba held onto the seat for dear life. Seto barely noticed. It was a good thing they had the whole road to themselves…for a little while at least.
Tea looked out over the crowds of people on the docks. There were some families splitting up: mothers and fathers giving hugs and kisses to their children who were staying with grandparents; couples who waltzed up the platform together; singles that were looking around for suitable bachelors or bachelorettes while on this cruise.
Tea sighed. Stupid couples…. A head of red hair suddenly caught the corner of her eye. She watched a man –with this prominent red hair- saunter through the crowds to a booth. He had on a black trench-coat and had that short red-hair. Tea couldn't see anymore of him. His back was turned on her.
I swear I've seen him before…. Tea racked her brains for the image. She suddenly took in a sharp intake of breath. That was it! She had seen him disappear into an alley after she left the Muto's. She had seen him almost everywhere else she had been at. She was willing to bet he had seen her when she first came to the dock this morning.
Crap…is he stalking me? I really hope he won't be on the boat! This cruise is a week long! I can't have a stalker on me for a week in an enclosed area…. I wish Seto were here….
She stopped. She wished Seto was here? "Must be a spur of the moment…purely out of tradition…yes, that's it. Better get on board before they close me off…and before I lose the rest of my mind." Tea picked up her bags. She stopped at the platform and looked out over the sea.
Gentle waves rolled over it and the sun sparkled down from on high. Oh how it would be great to cross! Then again…. She looked back towards the city of Domino, in the other direction. Then again…she would miss her home very much.
Oh no, Tea…now you're getting second thoughts! Just…get on now!
Oh…what do I do now? Now I'm not even sure if I want to leave! What is keeping me here? There's nothing left for me here! Tea felt her legs moving again. She was walking up the platform, while others walked around her. Keep on moving, she told herself. Just keep moving…. There's nothing left for you out in Domino. No parents…no friends…no home…no Se-
"TEA! Tea, wait! Stop, Tea!" Tea froze. Was that who she thought it was? S-Seto? Could it be?
She turned her head ever so slightly to catch Seto Kaiba running and pushing through the heavy crowd to get nearer to the platform. He wasn't having much luck, but he was pushing them away. Wait a sec, Tea thought, Why should I wait? He's the one who practically wanted me out of his sight! He's ignored me for weeks! Why should I listen to him? What would he want with me? Does he just need a cook? Well, too bad! He can just learn to cook for himself…or find someone else! I'm through with him!
Tea continued to walk up the platform.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand. She stopped briefly and turned her head.
"Tea, please! Stop!" It was Seto. "Tea, it was a huge misunderstanding! I'm…I'm really…really…s-sorry," he had trouble getting out. "This was a-all my fault…. I became confused. I really do-"
"You just want some cook for you and your brothers, don't you?" Tea yanked her hand out of his, "Well, forget it. I'm finally going where I should have gone months ago," she walked faster up the stairs.
"Tea! No! Its' nothing like that! Please! Let me explain! Tea, you know…Tea! You know I love you!"
She froze. He had actually said it? After he couldn't last night? Then maybe…he did have a reason.
"Y-You can say you love me now…and you couldn't last night?" she voiced aloud her thoughts.
Seto walked up the platform slower, "I'm so sorry about that, Tea. I never meant it. It was a huge misunderstanding. Everything was! Why I avoided you, why I said that-"
"Why you kissed Serenity?" Tea looked down and away and barely let the words slip.
"Kissed Se-?" Seto stopped. He blinked. "Oh, Tea…I didn't do that. She…she went up and kissed me."
Tea turned her head around, "She did?" She paused for a moment. "…I don't believe it…she wouldn't…I don't believe you!" She turned and continued up.
"Wait!" he grabbed her hand.
"No! Let go!" she shouted turning for a brief instant just to smack him across the face. Seto winced when she hit him. She really did have a sting in her slaps.
People around them were starting to watch.
Seto bit his lip, "I deserved that. I did…." He said more to himself, than to Tea. Tea took in a deep breath. Now to continue her journey-
"Alright…I understand Tea. I know how stubborn you can be. I've been with you long enough to know that…and many other things. Like I should have known that you weren't the cheating type…which got us both into this mess. Somewhere…deep down I knew that you wouldn't do something like that…but I myself am just too stubborn. You've made up your mind…and because I love you…I will let you do what you want. I will…let you go," Seto ended, leaning over the rope rail of the platform.
He stood there for a second, closing his eyes, and taking in some steadying breaths to calm himself.
Tea stood there, shocked. That was it? He had thought she was cheating on him? But why? That doesn't matter though…. He's apologized…and that must really mean he cares. I've never really seen him do that…. She was even more amazed when she swore she saw a tear fall from his eyes as he turned away to walk down the platform.
Tea just stood there, frozen to the spot. People rushed up past her.
Two different ideas were going through her mind. Run, you fool, run! He just poured out his heart to you, and you're just going to stand here like an idiot? Run after him!
Another idea said, He said you can go. Besides…why would he think such a thing about you? Cheating? Ha! As if! He deserves to be alone!
Tea cocked her head slightly, Then again…thinking and making mistakes is all part of the process of love and dating. It's all part of the process….
Tea suddenly dropped her bags and sprang after him.
Tea suddenly came up behind him and threw herself against his back, "Oh, Seto, I'm sorry too! I really am! Please…forgive me! I really do love you too!" she sobbed.
Seto slowly turned around and took her into his arms. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Seto took his thumb and began wiping the tears away.
"It…was all a misunderstanding? All of…the ignoring and everything?" she asked, sniffling.
"Yes. All of it," he smiled softly to her.
"And…you really do love me?"
"Well," he started. Tea scrunched her eyebrows together. What was this? I thought-! "I'm not sure if this is the exact right time to do this…but I can't think of any better one right now. Tea…if I didn't love you, would I-" he took something out of his pocket and held it up in front of her, opening it, "would I be asking you to marry me?"
Tea blinked, staring at the ring sitting in the velvet box, completely dumbfounded. "W-What?" she asked softly, flabbergasted.
Seto smiled and laughed gently, "Tea…will you marry me?"
"Oh my God…oh, yes Seto!" she cried wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. He spun her around from the impact, but kissed her right back.
Upon breaking away, Tea added, "Of course I'll marry you!"
Seto continued to smile as he took the ring out of the case and slipped it onto her right ring finger.
Tea watched the whole scene unfold in amazement. She really couldn't believe it. This had to be the best day of her life!
Of course, many days were easy to make "the best" with all of her bad luck. But this: this was wonderful.
Tea came up and kissed him again just for the moment. Seto happily complied. He hadn't had this good a kiss for weeks…and he was determined to make up for all of the missed ones.
Noa and Mokuba were leaning out of the car windows, watching the whole fiasco. It was like a soap opera: the drama was all there. While the two were on the platform, they had been quite scared at the possible outcome. They winced when Seto had been slapped. But when they saw Seto taking out a box –they had had no idea that he had planned this- they too were amazed and completely happy.
Mokuba sniffed, "Good Lord…even I'm getting teary eyed from this!" he sniffed again. "I can't wait to see Mister Emotional over here-" he turned his head and stopped. This here was a little scary….
"G-God…it's s-s-so h-happy!" Noa sobbed, trying to wipe away the constant flow of tears. Mokuba raised his eyes up to heaven and looked away. I am so not even step-related to him at the moment…. Must have inherited the waterworks from his mother. Gozaburo would never have done that….
They hopped back into the car once they saw Seto and Tea walking back –Seto carrying most of the luggage- but still having an arm for Tea to hold and lean against.
Seto packed her luggage back into the trunk and Tea got into the passenger seat of the Rolls-Royce. Seto started to get in when Tea remembered something.
"Oh! Wait…" she dug out her ticket to the cruise, "Umm…Seto? What am I going to do with this? The ticket isn't exactly refundable…." Seto squinted and took it up, looking it over. A small smile spread across his face.
"I can arrange something…. Just hold on one moment." He left the car. Seto came back many moments later looking pleased with himself. "Done," he said, handing the ticket back to Tea."
"What did you do?" Tea inquired as he started the car.
"I asked how frequently these cruises go on."
"And?" Tea wanted him to continue.
"I asked if the tickets could be used at other times."
"Yes?" Tea urged him on.
"She didn't exactly say yes…until I pulled out a fifty, which seemed to change her mind. Then she said she could make an exception. I thought we might go some other time, you know?" he put forth the dangling offer.
Tea smiled, "Of course." They drove away from the harbor.
Back behind a warehouse on the docks, stood a man bathed in shadow. He had on a long black trench-coat and wore shades over his eyes. His hair was a dark red.
"Why did you do that Tea? Why…? He hurt you…you shouldn't have accepted his proposal. You're just making things harder on yourself…." He stopped. A small smirk tugged his lips. "On the other hand…it will make things all the more painful for Kaiba when I come after him." He laughed softly, "Just you wait Kaiba. Everything you own…everyone you love…will soon be mine. And that means my Tea…." He backed up into the shadows. "No one ever said I hated challenges. And love is a challenge I'm willing to go to my limits for."
Tea eyed the ring on her finger in the car on the way back home. It was beautiful. In the center was a sizable diamond. On the golden band that formed the ring itself, little studded jewels were implanted into it; small amethysts and rubies.
It certainly didn't look too extravagant! On the contrary: it looked quite simple, with just a little pizzazz and a bit of money behind it.
To herself she whispered, "This is the best gift anyone could have given me."
Something rang in Mokuba's head that instant upon eavesdropping on the words, "Hey Tea…isn't today your birthday?"
"Uh mmm," Tea nodded, still looking at the ring. Seto practically froze. He smacked himself mentally. He had totally forgotten today was her birthday! The ring was a great gift: of course it was! However…he felt he should do something more. Teak her out for dinner or a nice evening or something! After all, she had done all she could to make his birthday great. He ought to return the favor.
They still had a few minutes before they hit home. He would think….
And think he did. By the time they had walked through the door, Seto had the perfect evening planned out. Heck, he was a genius. It wasn't that difficult. The only thing that remained was the reservations….
"Tea, why don't you go settle back in while I check up on a few things that I have to take care of…quickly," he added. Tea looked at him strangely.
"Alright…" she started walking off towards the stairs.
"Oh, wait just a second," he walked after her and whispered into her ear, "Were you going back to your room?"
"…Yes," Tea answered slowly.
"Why are you going there…when our room is going to be over there?" he jerked a finger up towards his room. Tea lifted her eyebrows.
"Are you serious?" she asked softly.
"How else are we going to get used to each other?" he inquired placing a small kiss on her lips.
"True…but I thought we already did that in Tokyo," she replied slyly.
"That was then…but this is now," he took her hands in his and twisted the ring on her finger. She smiled and pecked him once more, before returning on her journey.
Mokuba and Noa sighed upon seeing all the exchanged glances, talks, and kisses.
"I'll start looking through On Demand ® on TV," Mokuba turned to go to the living room.
"Yeah…gotta keep our eyes on something less gushy than those two," Noa shook his head following his brother.
"Reckon they'll get together soon?" Mokuba asked.
"Beats me. Why?"
"For some reason…months of staring nonstop at the TV doesn't sound as appealing as it should be."
"You have a point," Noa nodded.
Seto and Tea returned later that night to the mansion in quite a happy mood. Tea was ecstatic about the night. Seto had taken her out to a dance show that was playing at the civic center. Then, he had taken her out to dinner at one of the most expensive and fancy restaurants in town (this one happening to border the boardwalk, which looked out over the beach and horizon, allowing them to see the sunset, which was most romantic indeed).
Afterwards, he had taken her for a simple, yet beautiful walk through Domino Park.
And now, they were back home.
They walked up the stairs -Mokuba and Noa were already asleep, exhausted from the day- and Seto led Tea into their room.
It had been one of the happiest days in Tea (and Seto's) lifetime.
Aww! See! That's why I couldn't wait to write this chapter! I loved it! Did you? Wee! It's done! The chapter that is, not the story. Still have about…oh, two chapters to go. I hope you liked it! I certainly did and loved writing it! PLEASE REVIEW!
(PS: The guy with red-hair does have a purpose…but it is not fulfilled until the sequel. Yes, there SHOULD BE (key word: should) a sequel! Still have to sort out ideas though.)
