NOTE: I was just struck with a much greater inspiration for the ENDING of the story! Yes! It's much better than my original idea! However, that ending won't be for a few more chapters…. And I got great inspiration for the next two or three chapters! Yeah! Read!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 13: Symptoms

Tea had kept herself to her things the rest of that day. After catching Seto snooping through her belongings, she wasn't about to trust him so soon.

Of course, she also could have been going paranoid. Seto wasn't even in the room. And she was still guarding her belonging like a hawk.

Speaking of Seto, he was down a few halls, standing against one of the wall-windows.

In his hands was that crumpled picture that Tea had drawn absentmindedly. It was the picture he had "stolen" from her pack, and kept…for blackmail of course.

Still, this picture was doing something to his emotions. He was starting to experience feelings he had never felt before. It was all very strange. He ran his finger down the drawn cheek of Tea's. He smirked to himself. The course paper felt nothing like Tea's soft and smooth skin-

Seto blinked. He had to stop doing that. He had been going into these transitions lately, today.

I don't LIKE her, he argued with himself. That's just impossible. I've only been stuck with her for about two days! That's not nearly enough time to start…LIKING her…. The very idea is absurd. No. I am positively against it. Anyway…it's not like she could ever love me. The very idea!

Seto crumpled the paper to its original state. Something wouldn't bring him, however, to throw it down on the ground and grind it there. Stupid emotions…stupid conscience…stupid picture….

He suddenly leaned against the nearby wall, holding his forehead. He had also started getting headaches today. This wasn't unusual. Generally, he received headaches from the office, or staring at a computer too much. Yet, he hadn't been near either one in over a day. And headaches never came "naturally" to him. He also rolled up his blazer sleeves and unbuttoned the jacket itself, so that he had more of Joey's fashion, than his own. He didn't roll the sleeves up to much, much to his dismay, but he had to do so. There were some things not meant for eyes other than those of a Kaiba.

Was it just him, or was it beginning to get warm in here?

Tea sighed and leaned back in her chair, placing Seto's book down on the desk. She had taken it from its place and began reading, out of sheer boredom. It was surprising what men like Seto read. But it was a mighty good book…even though she had only read the first chapter.

Tea looked up at the clock. It was five forty-five PM. It was nearing dinnertime. She smiled slightly. Only about two more days with Seto Kaiba in the school. Then, they were home free…after Tuesday's school day, of course.

Then again, she was beginning to get used to his untimely presence here. She wondered ever slightly, if she would miss the feeling when she was back home.

She wondered what her uncle would say…or do when she returned home. Aunt Rika was sure to be worried sick. Her cousins were probably worried, but didn't care quite as much. God only knew what her uncle was thinking.

She picked up the book once more and continued to read. She was buried into the context of it when she heard footsteps entering the room. They seemed a bit staggered. The steps stopped.

Tea didn't look up. She was too absorbed in the book. She didn't even hear Seto clearing his throat.

"Gardner," Seto stated. Nothing. "Gardner?" Still no answer. "GARDNER, are you going to answer me or not!"

Tea suddenly looked up at him, "Oh…sorry. Your book is really good."

Seto scowled, "What right have you to use my things without permission?"

Tea rolled her eyes, "First of all: what harm is there in reading your precious little book? Second: why should you be talking about using other people's property? Weren't you just snooping through my things?" Seto had no answer to that. Tea sighed, nonetheless, putting the book down on the desk rather harshly. "Fine. There's your book. It's getting close to dinner. You want something?" she stood difficulty, due to her bandages.

"I'm not hungry," Seto replied, walking over to the desk and snatching up the book.

Tea rolled her eyes, "Seriously! Are you going to let some stupid little argument race away your appetite?"

"I'm not hungry," Seto said tensely, turning his head only slightly to look at her.

"Kaiba-"

"I SAID I'M NOT HUNGRY!" Seto whirled on her, practically in her face. His blue eyes were stone-hard and shook with anger.

Tea blinked astonished, and slowly backed away, "A-Alright. I-I get it." She bit her lip. After a moment, she dared to ask, "I-Is something t-the m-matter?"

Why is she stuttering, Seto wondered. But in a hasty reply, he answered, "No. Nothing's wrong. Just go get yourself something to eat."

"Okay…" she replied, walking past him. However, she looked back at him as she walked. His head collapsed onto his arm on the desk. He seemed exhausted. Tea furrowed her brows, "Kaiba, seriously: what's wrong?"

"Nothing," came the tense and muffled reply. "Just go eat if you really have to."

It was completely against Tea's judgment to leave, but maybe he would act better upon her return. Heck, it was one less meal to prepare.

As Seto heard her footsteps walk away, he asked himself, What is wrong with me?

Tea returned about twenty minutes later. Seto still had his head on the desk. He must be dozing, she thought. His book was left unattended. She smirked and picked it up, beginning where she left off.

She read until about eight forty-five. The book was just too good. Seto had still not moved from his position. Tea looked up at the clock. She was beginning to get worried. What Seto was doing couldn't possibly be right for him.

She set the book down. Tea stood and walked over to Seto. She didn't want to disturb him if he was sleeping, but she had to know if e was alright.

"Kaiba?" she shook his shoulder slightly and whispered his name. He didn't stir. "Kaiba?" No answer. "Seto?" she began to panic.

A low groan emitted from the male. He picked his head up lazily and looked at the clock.

"Eight fifty? Why did you wake me up, T-Tea?" he replied groggily, trying to bring out some amount of venom in his voice. It just wasn't working.

"Come on: you can't hide it anymore. What's the matter?"

"I swear: I'm fine!" he held his head between his thumb and middle finger. Tea set her face and suddenly brushed back his bangs, feeling his forehead with the back of her hand. Seto sat up immediately and Tea yanked her hand back.

"Kaiba! You're burning up! Why didn't you say you had a fever!"

"I don't get sick," he muttered to her, "Just leave me alone. It'll pass in the morning."

"No it won't. Not unless you are comfortable and have adequate rest. This classroom really won't do," she looked around.

"I'm not sick, Gardner," he sat up straighter, but held his head once more.

"You can't even sit up without getting dizzy! I'm going to go try to pick the lock to the nurse's office. You stay here and rest yourself. Please," she pleaded. Tea then ran off.

Seto stared after her. Why was she so concerned about him getting better? In his chest, he felt a slight twinge of gratitude towards her. Perhaps even something more.

Tea ran off to the nurse's office. She skidded in front of it and examined the lock on the door. It was simple enough: a regular key lock, with a regular key-hole. A bobby pin would work nicely on it. But where to get one….

Mai's locker! Tea smiled and ran off to the locker again. Thank you so much Mai…for being you. Tea was seriously going to be in debt to her after this whole fiasco.

As Tea turned the lock and opened the door, she could only hope that Seto's condition wasn't too serious. Otherwise, they were in a lot of trouble.

It isn't Friday the thirteenth anymore. Please…please, Lord, please! Let some luck shine upon me…and Seto for once. Please!

Tea ran back to the door with a whole handful of bobby pins. She took one and trying fitting it through the lock. In its bent form, it was useless. So, she took it and bent it in the opposite direction. Now, it was a long piece of metal: thin as a wire.

Tea poked around in the keyhole, hoping for a spark of luck.

The spark happened to be a click. Tea beamed and rejoiced. She opened the door and saw the room, with its large floor to ceiling window on the opposite side.

She could only hope that Seto wasn't too tired or sick to walk. Otherwise, they were in trouble.

She ran back to Mr. Kamiah's room, with the good news. "Kaiba!" she proclaimed, running in. His head was, yet again, on the desk.

"What?"

"I got the nurse's office open! Come on! Can you walk?" she began walking over towards him.

"Who says I'm even going?"

Tea stomped her foot indignantly, "I do!"

"Oh? Who says Ill listen to you?"

"Kaiba, please! Please get up! I want you to be alright, okay? Please, just get up! I'll stop badgering you about! Please! …For me?"

Seto seemed to consider it for a moment. For her? Ack, whatever. To make her shut up, I'll go. Besides, the place at least has a cot. Tea began walking towards him.

"Say back, Gardner. I'm not that weak," Seto stood up and sighed, tiredly. He began walking towards the door. Tea led him to the office.

Once there, he sat himself on the cot next to the window, and put his head in his hands.

"Come on, Kaiba, lay down," she urged, placing the flashlight she had brought with her on the counter.

"I'll sit, thank you."

"Lay down…or else-" Tea stopped. Or else what?

Seto seemed to be thinking the same thing. "Or else what?" he inquired.

Tea bit her lip, and sighed, "Just lay down. Otherwise, I'll push you down and keep you there."

"How do you propose doing that?"

Tea squatted down to eye-level with him and glared at him intently, "I'll sit on you if necessary."

Seto blinked, "I'll lay myself down, thank you very much," he replied. And so he did. He turned on his side and looked out the window. He had only turned this way so he wouldn't have to face her.

"I'll be right back. Just get some rest," Tea commanded lightly, turning to go out the door. Seto was left alone. He didn't mind it. He was still have trouble grasping the fact the he, Seto Kaiba was ill! Since when did such things happen? He hadn't been sick since his parents had passed away six years ago! Gozaburo made sure he had all vaccinations and antidotes for every possible illness.

But was only a fever, right? It would pass. Yet Tea was still making him lay down like some sickly fool. He shuddered. He couldn't believe he was just lying here like this. He shuddered again. It made him so revolted, thinking about it, that he was actually shivering!

Or maybe he was just getting the chills.

But what would Seto Kaiba know about symptoms of fevers? He hasn't been sick lately….

Tea returned momentarily with her backpack…and Seto's book. She had brought that for both of their conveniences. He could read it while just lying there and she could read it while her rested.

She just hoped he wasn't too sick. He was still in the same position as she had left him. Tea then knelt beside him and quickly felt his forehead once more.

Seto's head turned sharply to face her as her hand retreated, "Will you stop doing that!"

"I just want to know exactly how sick you are!" she retorted hotly. "I'm going to find a thermometer," she took the flashlight and started searching through cabinets.

"That won't be necessary," Seto replied, a quick shiver running up his spine again.

"Yes it is, so keep your trap shut," Tea demanded. Seto sneered behind her back and gazed out the window once more. Maybe she wouldn't find the stupid thermometer.

"Found it!" Tea held up the electrical device. Seto sighed. "Kaiba, you are in no condition to be rebuking this. You need care right now, and I'm the only one who can give it to you. So just live with it! I know you aren't used to being ill, but live with it! Everyone gets sick once in their life! Okay!" Tea explained. Seto didn't answer her.

She sighed, "Alright. This is one of those thermometers that you stick in your ear. It's electrical. Do you want to do it yourself, because you're too almighty to have anyone else do it for you?" she inquired, finding some wipes and wiping the ear piece just in case someone else's germs had not been cleaned from it.

"Give it here: if it'll make you shut up," Seto replied, feeling the energy draining out of him every second. He really didn't feel like taking his temperature, but he certainly wasn't going to have Tea doing it for him! He was just going to sleep the night away afterwards. He would be better by morning. He guaranteed it.

Tea knelt down next to him, again, and he took the thermometer. He sat up, swinging his legs off the cot so that his back was to her. He really did not feel pleasant at the moment. He wanted to get back into that comfortable lying position. Sitting up brought a sense of nausea to him.

He took his temperature: sticking the thermometer in his ear, clicking it and waiting ten seconds. He pulled it out and examined the numbers written on it. Tea leaned in to see the number:

One-hundred point nine.

Tea said softly, "I told you, you were sick," she took the thermometer away from him, "Now lay down," she gently pushed on his shoulder until he was reclined again. How good that felt to him, to be lying down once more.

She was about to turn, when she saw him shiver. "And the chills, too? I'll find you a blanket." Tea put the thermometer away and began searching the cupboards.

The chills? Seto then noticed himself shivering at points in time. So wait…. If he was shivering from chills early, then he wasn't shuddering from the thought of her caring for him like this? Ah well: it was still an unpleasant thought.

Or was it?

He couldn't deny that this side of Tea was quite nice. She was actually acting like she cared about him. It was like she cared about his health, surprisingly. It was as if she wanted him well again. And she was acting "kind" (in some sense of the word) towards him in this state. Maybe he wouldn't totally mind being sick.

Seto dozed off shortly afterwards. It was nearing nine-thirty by that time. Tea picked up Seto's book and began reading. She needed to stay up all night…or as long as she could, in case something happened to Seto later. He obviously didn't' know how to care for himself in these situations.

As much as he was of a genius, he lacked certain common sense.

Tea smiled. That was where she came in. It always felt good to help people. She felt especially good, for some reason, helping out Seto. There was just something about him….

Something about him that Tea felt she needed to protect; something she needed to care for.

Hey! An update! Hope that wasn't too, too short for you! It did get to the minimum of five pages! Anywho, I hope you liked it! Believe me, the sickness chapters DO NOT end here! More to come on Seto's illness in the next few chapters! Yeah! I wasn't really sure where to end this, because I had so many ideas, but I figured the bridge between Sat. and Sun. was good. PLEASE REVIEW! Better chapters to come!