Disclaimer: "I do not own Yugioh."

"talk"

'thoughts'

...

"You'll have to try harder than that to hit me." Seto said as he dodged another one of Tea's punches. They were in the gym practicing... well maybe not practicing. Seto claimed that Tea had finished her training and was ready. So this was her test. She had to defeat her master to prove her strength. Tea knew she could never beat Seto but she was trying to at least land a hit. All she wanted to do was do a little damage.

She kicked him in the ribs but he grabbed her leg and twisted her ankle. Tea quickly flipped to her left and twisted his elbow. Seto hadn't expect that. He groaned in pain and quickly let go of her ankle. Tea hadn't let go of his elbow so he plunged it in her ribs. She tried not to scream in pain and stepped away. Seto turned to face her and smirked.

Her futile efforts were agitating her. So she decided to do one last and powerful attack. She ran towards him and lifted her leg to kick his face. He blocked it with his arm but that left his stomach vulnerable. Tea punched his guts and he doubled over in pain. Tea kicked his knee, making him fall on his knees. This was her chance. She raised her fist to knock him out but he grabbed her fist and pulled her towards the floor. She landed with a thud and groaned. He flipped and got on her back, her arms twisted behind her.

She struggled to get up, but he pressed her down with his weight. Tea moved her leg to kick his back. She was flexible so she managed to kick him pretty hard. He fell forward and she managed to sit up. But he grabbed her arms once again, making it impossible to use them. He wrapped his legs around her legs making them useless as well. She now sat with her back against his chest, his arms and legs wrapped around her.

"Like I said, you'll have to do better then that." He whispered in her ear. Both teens were tired and were breathing hard. When he spoke, his breath hit her neck and sent shivers up her spine. She stopped her struggling. Seto noticed that and took a deep breath, but didn't loosen his grip.

"You win." She said breathing heavily. "I give up." He rested his forehead in her shoulder and finally let his guard down. They sat like that, trying to catch their breaths.

Seto could feel her flesh pressed against his. She was wearing a loose t-shirt and shorts. He himself was wearing a loose shirt and pants. He took in her scent. Even after sweating so much, she smelled wonderful to him. Her scent mixed with sweat was intoxicating to him somehow. He noticed the position they were in. It would seem like they were lovers but they weren't, right? He knew he felt something for her. He wasn't sure if it was love. He wanted to be with her, to hold her, and feel her body pressed against his. Was that love?

He lowered his head to kiss her shoulder. Her body stiffened, but he didn't stop. He continued kissing her shoulder and up her neck. She sat still, not moving an inch. He sucked on her earlobe and she moaned a bit. This encouraged him and he ran his fingers through her hair to relax her. His other hand pulled her more towards him as he continued kissing and pleasing her.

Tea didn't know what to do. What was Seto doing? Did he even realize that it was her he was kissing? His lips did magic to her body and she found herself moaning and wanting more. She shyly moved her hands to touch his face that was buried in her neck. She closed her eyes and let him continue.

Seto felt her tense body relax and slowly turned her body around to face him. Her yes were closed and there was a smile on her face. He was happy to know he was the one who brought that smile on those rosy lips. Suddenly, he felt the urge to kiss those lips and to feel them pressed against his. He slowly bent forward, lips parting to kiss her.

"Seto… Tea… where are you guys?" Mokuba's voice came from outside, startling the two teens. Tea's eyes snapped open and she was shocked to see Seto so close.

"S… Seto." She whispered. He detected confusion and fear in her eyes. He quickly released her from his lap, moved away and stood up.

"You… you did pretty good. I am proud of you." He said facing away from her under the guise of picking up a towel to dry himself.

"Th… thanks." She said. He sharply turned and left the gym.

How could he have been such a fool? She was scared of him. She was scared to trust him, or anyone for that matter. She was like him, too afraid to trust anyone. Those friends of her did more damage then they intended. His hands balled into fists with rage. He was so close to her, yet he couldn't be close enough. He couldn't tell her he about his desires of feelings towards her. He was just a friend… just a friend.

Tea sat nervously on the couch, fiddling with her skirt. Mokuba came skipping happily.

"Isn't it cool? We get to go back to school today. I was so bored of staying in the house."

"Yeah." Tea forced a smile. Mokuba continued chatting animatedly. He was so excited to see all of his friends again. But Tea couldn't feel his enthusiasm. The truth was that Tea didn't want to go back to school. She was afraid of facing 'them' again. Seto came down and sat beside her.

"What are you thinking?" He asked her, studying her expression.

"I… I don't want to go back to school." she confessed sheepishly.

"Why?" He asked.

"I don't want to face them." She admitted, a blush of shame coloring her face.

"Are you afraid? Because if you are, then you're giving them what they want. They want you to feel this way. But if you face them, this will show them that you're strong. The best way to get rid of a fear is to face it. Besides, I will be there with you." Seto said encouragingly. Tea smiled.

"Yeah. I guess I forgot that." She said smiling.

"Let's go guys. I don't wanna be late on our first day back." Mokuba said. He was holding his bag and was ready to leave. Tea let out a small smile and they walked towards the limo.

"Bye Mokuba. Take care." Tea yelled after Mokuba ran out of the car to meet his friends. The limo drove towards Domino High. And as it moved closer, Tea's heartbeat increased. This was the same school she had spent years in, but it didn't feel so friendly, so comfortable anymore. The limo stopped in front of the school gate and Tea felt her heart stop. Her face went pale. Seto placed an assuring hand on hers and she forced a smile. He was there for her. He always will be. Her heart said so.

Everyone's eyes were on Seto and Tea when they walked out of the limo together. Tea was nervous and glanced around at the whispering faces, but Seto just ignored everyone, occassionally glaring at someone who was in his way. This gave Tea some courage and her nervousness slowly disappeared. It was the same school, she told herself. Yeah, it was the same school.

"I have to go to my locker to get some books." Tea told Seto and he nodded. They walked towards her locker, and just like Tea expected, her old friends were there. After all, they all had gotten lockers side by side, so she expected to run into them. But they weren't talking or doing anything at all. They were just standing there, waiting for Yugi to get his books. Their faces were solemn. Tea wanted to ignore them, but it was hard, especially when her locker was between Joeys and Yugi's. And Joey was leaning against her locker. Lucky for her, they hadn't noticed her yet.

"Excuse me." A familiar voice got the attention of the gang. They quickly turned around to face Tea. Their mouth fell open slightly. They stood there, immobile.

"Didn't you geeks hear what she said?" Seto's rough voice shook them out of their trance.

"Kaiba, what are you doing here?" Tristen asked. He knew Kaiba's locker was not in that hall, if he had bothered with a locker at all.

"That's none of your business. Now move, we're late for class." Seto said roughly and pushed them out of the way. Tea moved forward and got her books. The guys just stood there, watching. After she got her books, she left with Seto. When they disappeared out of sight, Joey managed to say.

"Why was Kaiba with Tea?" No one answered. No one had the answer, except Yugi.

'Because we pushed her away.' He thought sadly as they walked towards their class. Yugi's eyes went to the seat where Tea used to sit. It was empty. He found her sitting in the back with Kaiba. It didn't surprise him, but it still hurt him. He sat in his seat. Joey and the others sat in their usual seats. The teacher came and started taking attendance. When she called Tea's name, she heard her say "here", but couldn't see her in her seat. She scanned the room and saw her sitting with Kaiba.

"Why aren't you in your usual seat Tea?" The teacher asked her, completely surprised. She had seen Kaiba bicker so many times with Yugi's group. And before the two week vacations, Tea was in Yugi's group. Hell, the teacher had seen her verbally fight with the teen billionaire many times. But today, she was sitting with him, and he seemed fine with it too.

"I am not feeling well and need to sit next to the window." Tea lied.

"But you can't change your seat just like that. You-." Seto cut her off.

"She isn't feeling well. If anything happens to her because of your actions, she can sue you and the school." Seto said in his icy tone. The teacher shut up quickly. She didn't want to get Kaiba involved. The teen might just do it to spite the teacher. But why was he getting involved in the first place? This was too confusing. All the kids in the class were now staring at Kaiba and Tea with one question in their minds. Why was Kaiba supporting Tea?

"Oh my God, did you see what happened in the class today?"

"Yeah. Kaiba stood up for Tea."

"She sat with him."

"They came to school together."

"They were in the same limo."

"They went to every class together."

"Tea ditched Yugi and her old friends for Kaiba."

"Tea is Kaiba's girl now."

"I heard they are dating."

"I heard…."

Seto and Tea were the topic of everyone's conversation that day. They were followed by looks and pointing fingers, but they ignored it all. They didn't care what people said about them. But some people did.

"We just have to get Tea to be in our group." A popular girl said to her friends as they sat in the cafeteria.

"What? You have to be kidding me." Spoke none other then Serenity. Yes. She was a 'popular' girl now. After all, she was Joey Wheeler's sister, Yugi Motou's best friend, Duke Devlin's crush, or as she told them so.

"Didn't you see her today? She has been with Kaiba all day, walking and laughing as if they were dating." The first girl said.

"They are dating." Another girl said.

"Any girl who knows Kaiba is cool enough to be in our group. Besides, if we get her to be our friend, we might get to know and be friends with Kaiba too. How cool would that be?" Another girl said and they all agreed, except Serenity of course.

"I know Kaiba too. I was on his blimp during Battle City." Serenity said, and the girls rolled their eyes. Serenity had told them that but they hadn't believed her. They hadn't seen her on TV when the duels were broadcasted. However, they had seen Tea.

"Tea was there. We saw her on TV but we never saw you." The first girl said shrugging her shoulders. Serenity frowned at her tone.

"I was taking care of my friend who got hurt in a duel." Serenity said.

"Sure." The girl said, again in a tone of disbelief.

"Tea would never agree to be in our group." Serenity said, knowing that the girls wouldn't change their minds. "She refused your offer before too." What Serenity said wasn't a lie. The girls had offered Tea their friendship but she had refused, saying that she didn't want to be a part of the group that thought they were superior then others without any merit.

"You're right. But we have to try. Maybe she will agree now and we'll get to talk to Kaiba." A girl said dreamily.

"I can do that." Serenity said confidently.

"Kaiba doesn't even talk to you." A girl said flatly.

"He didn't talk to Tea before either. And I know Tea dand Kaiba. He can't stand her. He is going to leave her in a matter of days." Serenity said confidently to the girls. And she planned to make sure that happened.

"Let's go." Seto said Tea as he picked up her bag. School was over and they were about to go pick up Mokuba.

"I just remembered I left a book in my locker. I'll go get it." Tea suddenly said.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Seto asked her.

"No. It's okay." She smiled at his concern. "I'll be back in a second." She said running off. Seto sighed and walked towards his limo.

Tea got her book and was about to leave the building when some shadowy figures blocked the exit. She stopped dead in her tracks. The figures revealed themselves to be…

...

hahahahahahahaha. a clifhanger. don't hate me. just review please.