Disclaimer: We all should know by now, that I do not, repeat, DO NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh! (I also don't own the song "I Can Still Feel You" by: Colin Ray that originally was in this chapter.)
Chapter 7- A Forgotten Past?
Seto Kaiba was almost there…he was almost in Heaven. (Hard to believe, huh?) Maybe his brothers' blackmail was a good idea. He got to dance with Tea, and for him, that was a good thing. Tea's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Kaiba…Kaiba…KAIBA!"
Kaiba snapped out of it, "Yes?"
"Sorry, I just wanted to ask you something. Why did you ask me to dance? Usually you go around calling me and my friends, geeks."
"Well, you looked…er…." That was impossible. It was a sign that the Apocalypse was coming. THE Seto Kaiba was stuttering. It wasn't too surprising that he had a crush on Tea, but actually not hearing him answer a sentence fully…that was a sure sign of the end of the world. And believe me, the existing one will end soon, only to be replaced…never mind. Anywho, Kaiba was stuttering. That was the whole point of the paragraph.
"Is something wrong?" Tea inquired.
"No. I was just thinking, that's all. Anyway, to answer your question, you just…looked kind of…sad, standing there in the shadows." He was doomed. He couldn't tell her that he liked her…again…yet. He knew she wasn't going to buy that phony statement. And he didn't even need the Millennium Necklace….
"Since when have you cared for other people's feelings, save your brothers?" she replied, looking at him strangely.
"It's been awhile," he muttered, under his breath.
"Excuse me?" Tea asked.
"Nothing," he replied, trying to keep cool. This, my dear readers, is not the real Seto Kaiba at all. This is…a lovesick one.
"So…."Tea started, wanting some conversation. It was eerily quiet up hear, though they could still hear the music drifting in. Hmmm, Kaiba thought, these walls will need to be soundproofed. "So, you mentioned…" did she dare say it? It seemed like so long ago, yet, not so long. She just needed to know, "you mentioned twelve years ago. Do you…do you still remember that time?" How could he not? This was back before Yugi had come to the school. Tea was the new kid town. Joey and Tristan were, well, they didn't notice anything yet. They especially paid no attention whatsoever to their future friend….
Tea had moved from the United States (preferably, California) to Japan, where her aunt and uncle lived. She was sent to live with them. Her parents stayed in the States, due to their well paying jobs and the way they felt about their home. They were so accustomed to it that they themselves did not want to leave. Talk about selfish. But, this was not brought up ever. Tea was sent away because of the rapid wildfires, riots and other unhappy things going on there at the time. They felt that their six year old didn't need to be exposed to such things, and they wanted her to be safe.
The only relatives she had were…yes, the childless aunt and uncle. So, this would be a very different affair for them, but they accepted wholeheartedly. So, she moved, and was sent to Domino Elementary School. On her first day (of Kindergarten, mind you), nobody paid attention to her…at first.
The seat that she was assigned was next to… can you guess? (Tick tock, tick tock, tick…times up!) Seto. (His name was not Kaiba at the time, because he wasn't adopted for another six years.) On account of that they sat next to each other, they got fairly acquainted. Of course, Seto also thought that she was very pretty (Common little kids' meaningless crushes. However…why does that word always pop up? this would turn very serious soon enough….) So, Tea had her first friend in Japan.
Over the next six years, their friendship deepened, and soon, in their later years (ages 10-12) some true crushes started developing. Joey and Tristan knew nothing of this, because, as I said before, they paid no attention to her, until she was about 13….
The couple would visit each other's houses all the time and spend lunch and recess together. That's how lonely they were. Yes, Seto was not as cold-hearted and hot back then, so girls didn't flock to him. But, he still hadn't found a friend in anyone else, partially because they thought he was a nerd for being such a genius.
Tea even got acquainted with Mokuba, from his baby years to when he was about six. Yet, he knew nothing of their relationship. All he knew was that they were very, very, VERY good friends. Heck, he was only six and younger. What can you expect from the kid? But, he later finds out about his brother's feelings, as we well know….
Anyway, after Seto and Mokuba's parents died, they left the school and were sent to the orphanage. Tea was as lonely as ever. She would pass the orphanage everyday after school. She thought it was the end of their relationship. But, one day, she saw Seto outside…all alone, just like before he was with her. She called his name, and he looked up. He was so overjoyed to see her that he ran to the gates, and momentarily forgot that they were there, causing him to smack headlong into those iron prison bars. She couldn't help him up, but sympathized with him. They caught up on everything that had happened in the past few weeks. It was then that Seto told her to meet him there everyday.
So she did. Day after day, she met him at the gates. They talked and talked, wishing that Seto was out of that prison. Mokuba had spied on them plenty of times. He was beginning to develop the knowledge of what a crush was. He had heard the older orphans talking about them.
But one day, he wasn't the only kid spying. He peered from behind the slide on the playground. As usually, Tea and Seto were talking through the iron bars. They were really close to each other…. Then, Mokuba saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head and saw a small threesome of boys peeping at Seto from the corner of the building. They smirked and glanced at Mokuba. Mokuba jumped slightly. The three laughed quietly, then they ran off. Mokuba knew what was going to happen. They were going to tell the headmistress. Mokuba ran over to his brother.
"Tea," Seto began.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"I just wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"You've made my life less miserable by coming to visit everyday. I now have something to look forward to everyday. This place is heck."
Tea blushed, "You really mean that?"
"Why wouldn't I?" their heads moved just a little closer to the iron bars. Mokuba came running up to his brother and began tugging on his shirt.
"Seto, Seto, you've got to come!" he tried telling his brother. Seto totally ignored him.
"I wish I knew how I could repay you for you're kindness…." Seto slurred off.
"It wasn't all kindness, Seto, it was more…." Their heads moved even closer, a little too close for Mokuba. He covered his eyes. You know how little boys are, they can't stand lovey-dovey junk. The two's lips almost met…until a hand landed on Seto's shoulder. The two looked up suddenly, and Seto turned around. He stared into the stern eyes of the headmistress.
"Excuse me, young man," she said, "You know that there is no associating with visitors unless they have an appointment or are adults. Now say goodbye," she pushed him away from the gate. Seto saw behind the corner of the building the three boys. He glared at them one of his icy death glares-his first death glare, to be precise. Those three were going to pay dearly…yet he never got a chance to punch their faces in.
The headmistress turned her head around and spoke to Tea, "I'm sorry, but you must go home now. There will be no more of this private chatting from no on." Then, she gestured sharply for Mokuba to also come along. He followed miserably behind. Tea's eyes welled up with tears and she ran home crying.
The next day, as she was coming near the orphanage, she noticed a large limousine in the front of it. She saw Gozaburo Kaiba (whom she'd seen on the news often, while her aunt and uncle watched) walking back toward it. Following him were none other than Seto and Mokuba. She started running toward it shouting Seto's name. Just when Seto was about to get in the limo, he noticed her. He started clambering back out to wave, but was pulled back in quickly. The door was shut, and the limo drove away. Tea slowed to a stop on the sidewalk. Sure, she was going to be miserable and friendless the rest of her life, but Seto had a family again. She was happy for him. Even in the midst of her gloom, she still felt happiness for others.
Her gladness for Seto was rewarded the next day, when a letter from Seto Kaiba (now, we can call him Kaiba) arrived, telling her about his new home, and his telephone number, so that they could still keep in touch. He still considered her his best friend.
Day after day she called, but the servants at the Kaiba mansion would not allow her to talk with Seto. Finally, after a while, she gave up. Not to much later, another letter from Seto came through the mail (he had no time to talk on the phone). It told Tea that she could visit at any time during the week. Seto had personally granted her permission. So, the very next day, she waltzed up to the gates at the Kaiba household. She presented herself to security and was let in. Mokuba was the first person she saw inside the house.
"Hey!" Mokuba ran over to her, "Long time no see!"
"Indeed," Tea replied, "Hey, Mokuba, do you know where your brother is?"
"Yeah," Mokuba replied, "He should be up in his room. It's up the stairs, and to the right."
"Thanks," she said, and hurried up. She approached the oak door. She was just a tad scared of seeing Seto again. What if he wasn't the same? What if he didn't care anymore? She shook her head and knocked on the door. That's silly, she thought, he mailed the letter not two days ago. How could he change in those two days?
The door opened. Seto Kaiba's face was completely surprised. Tea smiled at him.
"Hi," she said simply.
"Hey, come in. Take a seat," he opened the door wider and let her in. After she walked in, he shut the door and walked back to his desk, which was loaded with paperwork. She sat herself lightly on his bed and looked around.
"Nice place you've got here," she started.
"Uh-huh," Seto replied, back into his work.
"So…" Tea began, a little nervous this time. He didn't seem to be paying attention to her, "What's up?"
"Nothing really. I've just got a lot of work to do," he replied simply. Tea swore she heard a hint of iciness in his voice.
"Oh. So, how's life here?"
"Okay, I guess. It's nothing special," he replied, still concentrating on his paperwork.
Tea noticed something wrong with him. He wasn't his usual warm self. It almost seemed like he was ignoring her, like he didn't care anymore. Where her suspicions right? Then she heard Seto erase something rapidly on one of his million papers.
"Is something wrong?" she inquired hesitantly.
"No. I just messed something up that usually I wouldn't," he replied a little coldly.
"Oh…so…." Tea couldn't think of anything to say. She heard Seto's eraser again.
"Well, what…." Tea began, but Seto cut her off by pounding his fists on the desk.
"LOOK! I'M TRYING TO GET SOME WORK DONE HERE! SO, IF YOU DON'T MIND, COULD YOU PLEASE KEEP YOUR TRAP SHUT?" He breathed heavily after the outburst. Tea looked at him, horrified. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"So, that's the way you feel, huh? Well…" Seto cut her off again.
"WHAT DID I JUST--"
"NO! No! You listen this time!" Tea retorted. Seto spun around in his chair and glared at her. "You've changed, Seto, you've changed a whole lot! If you care more about your stupid paperwork then fine! I just won't see you anymore! If you're going to be so cold-hearted and selfish, then you'll get your wish. GoodBYE!" she stressed the last syllable as she stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her. Seto turned back to his work, seemingly having not been phased at all.
Tea ran down the stairs crying hysterically. She ran out the door and forgot to close it in her rush. Mokuba saw her and went to close the door, wondering what in the world had happened. Then, he ran upstairs and stuck his head through Kaiba's door.
"Seto, what happened?"
"NOTHING!" he retorted angrily.
"What do you mean nothing? Tea just ran out of the house crying. What did you do to her?"
"I DID NOTHING! DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME BEFORE?"
Mokuba, now frightened by his brother's emotion ran off.
About six years later, after Seto had overthrown his stepfather, and didn't have anyone to continue his home schooling, was, by law (mind you, he didn't want, or feel the need to go) to high school. Over those six years, many things had happened that he was unaware of. Yugi Muto had come to Domino, Japan. Tea was a now friend with him, Tristan Taylor and Joey Wheeler. She also was now associating with more girls, but not quite friends with them. She stuck to the three in her gang.
On Kaiba's first day, he walked through the hall to his classroom, with his silver briefcase and his uniform, buttoned up to the collar. Just as he was about to walk into the classroom, three girls came around the corner from the other end of the hall. Two of them saw him and ran madly for him. The other continued walking at her regular pace, seeming not to have noticed him.
"Oh my gosh!" one of them cried, "It's Seto Kaiba! He's in our class? I don't believe it!"
"Come on!" the other girl gestured to the walking one, "Aren't you coming?" Seto was now blocked entry by the two girls. The shorthaired brunette, whose bangs covered her eyes momentarily in shadow, was about to walk into the room, when she stopped by the two.
"No."
"Why ever not?" one of the girls cried. It was something to see, a girl not overcome by Seto Kaiba. Seto, too was interested in the happening. Not to interested, mind you, but he was a tad curious.
The girl turned and faced them, "Why should he care about how many girls surround him? He hasn't for quite a while. I don't. I stopped caring years ago," Tea glared. Kaiba was just a little shocked. He had never seen Tea look so…so angry. Suddenly, the memory of six years ago, and a great amount of guilt rushed up on him. Now, ladies and gentlemen, this didn't usually happen to our Kaiba. But with that one glance, a surge of blame came over him.
Tea walked into the classroom.
The bell rang a minute later, and the two other girls rushed in the classroom. Kaiba followed. Immediately, the girls who hadn't seen him cooed and whispered to each other. Tea sat in a corner with Joey in front of her, Tristan beside her and Yugi sitting diagonally from her.
Joey turned around to face her and jokingly said, "Hey Tea, why aren't you gushing over this guy?" The three had no idea of Tea's past with Kaiba. Tea didn't answer though.
"Hello, earth to Tea? I asked you a question," Joey continued.
"Shut up, you moron," Tea answered sharply, yet quiet enough for only those four to hear. Joey jumped.
"Hey, what was the call for that?"
Yugi leaned over, "Calm down, Joey. Tea just looks like she's in a bad mood. Don't press her on."
"No kidding," Tristan murmured. He really shouldn't have, because Tea still heard him. She stepped quite hard on his foot that was sticking out in the aisle.
"Ow!" Tristan yanked his foot back, "What the heck was that for?"
"Guys, I wasn't kidding," Yugi said, "Just leave her alone." Joey didn't need telling twice. He turned around. Tristan faced forward, still wincing. That had really hurt…. Yugi looked back at Tea, who now had her face hidden in her arms on the desk. He pitied her, for whatever reason. Kaiba had been looking over at them the whole time from his new corner in the very back row….
Thinking about that time, Tea asked, "Do you remember that past?"
"Some things are hard to forget," Kaiba replied.
Both of them had indeed been thinking about their past experience. They relayed some ideas verbally. They talked over some things. They didn't really mention what had gone on the day that Tea had visited Seto in his new home.
Then, Kaiba spoke up, remembering his last day at the orphanage; the day that he had been ratted out on, "I think I still owe you something."
Tea looked up, wondering, "What?" Slowly, Seto Kaiba lowered his head nearer to Tea's….
Ah! A cliffhanger! Y'all are gonna kill me if you like my story at all…. Maybe I'll just torture you and keep you in suspense for another day…. Or, maybe I'll be nice and give you the next chapter now…. Decisions, decisions…. (Also, hoped y'all liked the song input! I felt it sort of relayed to the experience. It might not have been put in at the right sections in the story, but if you read the words, it really does relay. But boy, adding the song made that story a long one!) Anyway… decisions, decisions!
