Disclaimer: (grumble grumble) Yugioh isn't my property, my creation, or in any way affiliated with me at all. You want more... read the other eight I put on this story.
A/N: Whew. I'm happy with some parts of this chapter, but other parts I thought could use some more work. I'm only posting this now because I said I would. I hope you like it! Heh... I owe inspiration to All-American Rejects for their song "Dirty Little Secret"-the very line I discreetly stole, Alkaline Trio for their song "Clavicle" and two dudes in my chemistry class last year- the whole Tristan thing was what they said every single lab we had. Don't expect another update too soon, I have SO much homework. (grumble)Which I should prolly be doing now. Heh. Oh well. ENJOY! (big grin)
chapter Nine:
This is it.
What you've been waiting for.
The moment- finally decided.
The point of no return.
You wouldn't dream of looking back now,
would you?
Because with one foolish action,
you could ruin it all.
Destroy the life that you treasure,
all by yourself.
Don't be scared.
Don't ever doubt.
Because if you do,
your world will crumble down
all around you.
Things, it was safe to say, had most definitely changed.
Yugi was the first of the friends to notice Tea's new attitude. Or perhaps attitude was the wrong word. She seemed... different certainly, but Yugi couldn't figure out why. She seemed preoccupied and distant- not depressed, because she was as cheerful as always, but like there was something sort of heavy on her mind. Yugi, through all his intelligence and years of being friends with the girl, just didn't know what to make of it.
Did Joey and Tristan need to know? Would Tea mind the interference? Yugi just didn't know. He only wanted the best for his friends, but this situation was too delicate for him to handle on his own. The only thing he could do, he decided, was talk to Tea. After all, if she couldn't tell him what was wrong with her, who could?
Tea had been so busy with her chemistry project, and he understood that. But after it was finished, and she had told him that she didn't have any other important school projects to take care of, shouldn't she have more time to spend with them instead of less?
'Oh well,' Yugi thought. 'She probably is busy with something important and just forgot to tell us. As long as she's well and happy, that's all that matters to me.'
Tea felt horrible; she had nearly abandoned her friends, and for the stupidest, most selfish reason. She was too embarrassed to face them. She was too embarrassed about the secret she was keeping from them- the huge, enormous, unbelievable, impossible, potentially friendship-altering secret. Her flimsy excuses were, at best, questionable, and at worst, lies that even a child could see through. But Yugi trusted her- and Joey and Tristan were too dense to really notice- so she got away with it time and time again. The guilt was beginning to overwhelm her.
She wasn't exactly ashamed of her actions, but... but... She didn't know how to feel about it! Things were still muddled; her mind was reeling every time she even thought about him. One thing she did know- she didn't want a relationship with him. There was no way such a thing could be healthy; he was not exactly relationship savvy in any respect. But on the other hand, she also knew that her perception of him had changed. He was not the same- and somehow this appellation kept returning- "soulless duel-monster consuming black hole" she had always thought him to be. And she was very nearly sure that the pure desire he made her feel would not be so easily abated. Two conflicting viewpoints, both credible and both of equal weight. But she still had no idea what to do- or how she felt!
The only solution she could think of was to see him and talk to him. She had already told him that she didn't have the inclination to begin a formal relationship during a conversation they had after an accidental run-in at school. Things probably would have led to something more than just conversation if that damn teacher hadn't been coming down the hallway. She wasn't sure if she was glad they were interrupted or not. However, she had discovered that he felt the same way; neither wanted to really be "involved".
But... after what had happened, wasn't that the proper thing to do? Tea truly didn't know, and hadn't ever had to think about things like that before. She could only hope that the issue was resolved soon, and resolved in a way that was best for everyone involved.
Liking her plan of a talk, she decided to use Mokuba's anytime invitation to come play to her advantage. She called the Kaiba mansion, and anxiously asked for the younger.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mokuba!" she said happily, "It's Tea; what's up?"
"Oh hey Tea! Nothing, I was only bugging Seto, but I can do that anytime."
They both laughed and Tea said, "I'm pretty bored, myself. I was wondering if um, maybe you wanted to hang out or something. I know that-"
But she was interrupted by a loud whoop from the other end of the conversation. "YAH!" Mokuba shouted joyfully, and she suddenly felt absolutely horrible for getting him so excited when she had such devious ulterior motives.
Just then, a voice clicked on Mokuba's line. (And just guess who it was...)
"Mokuba," he said tersely, "Why is there a need for such excessive noise? Who are you talking to?"
"I'm talking to Tea!" the boy said happily. "She wants to hang out with me; she's my friend, Seto! What did you want to do Tea, can I come over and hang out at your house? Ooh, is everyone else going to be there too?"
There was a brief moment of silence. "If you're going to do anything with her," Seto said in a voice that was most inappropriate for a conversation that included his younger brother, "then she's going to have to come over here. I'm incredibly busy, and I want you where I can watch you. Both of you."
He clicked off, leaving the two others to consider his words. "Well, does that sound okay?" Mokuba asked tentatively. "If it isn't a problem for you..."
A wave of guilt so intense that she almost considered declining rose up in her gut. But being able to hear the boy's excitement, she sighed and said in a cheery voice, "It's no problem at all. I'll be there soon, Ok?"
After two and a half hours, there had still been no sign of the elder Kaiba. Tea had a wonderful time hanging out with Mokuba, and after about the first fifteen minutes didn't give his brother a single thought. They had played video games, eaten snacks of the unhealthiest variety, and laughed until their sides hurt. It was an afternoon well spent indeed, and she was extremely pleased that she taken him up on his invitation. All good things have to come to an end, however, and with promises of later play-dates, she headed off, leaving Mokuba still with a controller in his hands.
She got no farther than the kitchen.
"So... have a good time?" a deep voice said from out of nowhere.
She couldn't help but grin as a smirking Seto Kaiba stepped into view. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned carelessly against the counter top.
"It was so nice of you to take time out of your schedule to visit with Mokuba. So selfless. I'm sure there weren't any... other motives involved."
She looked down and blushed a little. "Well... I..."
"Surely you didn't take advantage of Mokuba's kindness just so you could come over and accidentally bump into someone else?"
The happiness his appearance had brought was rapidly fading. "I wouldn't ever intentionally take advantage of him."
"But you admit that whatever we've started had some pull in your decision? You really can't resist me, can you?"
"Don't be so full of yourself." She rolled her eyes. "Ha, like resisting you is really that hard."
"Oh?" he said, straightening up and beginning to saunter towards her. "So you're saying that you'd have no trouble at all turning down any of my... shall we say, romantic overtures?"
She snorted in scorn of his words. "Yeah, I'll have trouble turning you down when you actually manage to be romantic." She laughed mockingly. "You? Romantic? That's funny."
Mentally cringing, but not wanting to lose their little game, he walked up to her until he was definitely invading her personal space. "You don't think I can be romantic?" he asked quietly, doing the Kaiba equivalent to a pout.
Tea hesitantly shook her head.
He had to suppress a smirk. He gently reached out and caressed her cheek with his thumb, hand holding gently to her neck right under her ear. "I'm afraid that you're mistaken." With his other hand, he carefully laced her fingers with his, bringing up her arm to kiss the back of her hand. "I could get lost in your eyes," he whispered almost reverently, laying it on as thick as he could. "They're the most beautiful shade of blue I've ever seen- soft and warm and so inviting."
He gently stroked her cheek again, while she instinctively leaned further into his touch. He let go of her hand and hooked an arm around her waist. He pulled her close to him, into an all-encompassing embrace.
"And your lips- softer than the petals of a rose, and lovelier to look at, as well. Even your scent is heavenly; you've ensnared me, and I am more intoxicated than you could possible believe."
He kissed her softly, and she sighed in contentment.
And your... your... Oh, how can I possibly go on when words do you no justice? You exceed the boundaries of language, and even I am at a loss for the proper thing to say." He pulled away slightly so he could look her in the eyes. "You truly are exquisite. I want to hold you forever- kiss every inch of your body, and leave you gasping in pleasure at my fevered touches. I don't know how I've ever survived without you."
Slowly- oh so slowly- he leaned in and kissed her, soft and slow and long, until she was afraid she would melt right in her arms.
He pulled away, and extracted himself from her grasp. When she finally opened her eyes, his arms were crossed and an unmistakable "I-told-you-so-smirk" was on his face.
"You... I..." She glowered, and had to stop herself from growling at him. "I hate you. Soo much."
"Don't ever underestimate me. I can do anything."
"That was really rotten of you, though." Her face was bright red because of how easily she fell for his ploy, and her annoyance level was steadily rising. "I'm not just some toy you can manipulate whenever the mood strikes you."
"Sure." His smirk widened. "But I told you- you can't resist me. You want me- you need me."
'Can anyone have a bigger ego?' she thought to herself. "I don't even know you! How can I go along with this, as you said, 'whatever' we have going if I don't even know who you are?"
"I thought you said you don't want a relationship."
"I don't." The 'not with you at least' went unspoken.
He raised an eyebrow. "Well then, what's the problem?"
She looked at him pleadingly, begging him to understand. The situation was unique anyway, and she was only doing what she felt was best.
He sighed, making no effort to hide his own annoyance. He couldn't believe they were even having that conversation. He didn't care about getting to know her, or even really want to get to know her. All he wanted was-
"So, can you at least agree to that tiny, little request?" her voice interrupted, cutting into his thoughts. He frowned, and probably would have said something more hurtful than helpful, but she continued, "And that's the only way you're getting any, so you might as well comply."
Now that caught him off guard. "I have to give you credit for that one," Seto said with another smirk. "Very... sneaky." She blushed a little at the compliment. "And since I happen to employ rather sneaky tactics myself on occasion, I am one to appreciate them. Very well Gar-" He stopped himself, surveyed her for a moment, and then started again. "Tea, we have a deal." He extended a hand.
With a bright, broad smile, she took it, expecting, of course, a handshake. Instead, he gave a sharp tug, and puller her up next to his body, wrapping his arms around her so she couldn't get away. Not, of course, that she was trying.
"Why, that deal was just a clever ruse," she said softly, in mock surprise and outrage.
He kissed the corner of her mouth. "But of course," he purred in reply.
"All this, and just to trick me. I'll have to give you credit; you, Seto Kaiba, are sneaky indeed."
A deliciously, dangerous smirk crossed his face. "Yes. Yes I am."
And then he kissed her, all previous thoughts forgotten.
'Later,' Tea thought, swept up in the intensity she would always know him by, her decision finally made. 'We can get to know each other later. For now... this is just fine.'
"Alright," the harried teacher said, eager to get her students occupied. "Why don't you just get together with you partner from last time, and we'll get started on the experiment."
Joey and Tristan clapped their hands together in a high-five. "Oh yeah!"
To keep up appearances (for she was actually ecstatic), Tea glared at them. "Ooh," Joey said with a wince, "I'm awful sorry Tea. Maybe... um... Ah! How 'bout I give you one of my cookies at lunch today? That'll make you feel better, right?"
"Joey- you're an idiot."
Choosing that moment to interrupt his bickering friends and the- so he assumed- tense atmosphere enveloping them, Yugi looked up from rummaging in his backpack and said, "Aww. Guys, I forgot my gloves. Do any of you have an extra pair?"
Tristan grinned rather roguishly. "Yugi, you can't forget your rubbers! How are you supposed to do the experiment without any protection?" He pulled out his own pair. "See dude? You have to remember your rubbers."
Joey laughed along with Tristan, earning him a smack from Tea. "Hey," he whined, "what was that for?"
She crossed her arms and looked away from him. "I had a legitimate reason- you laughing at that tasteless joke- , though when it comes to you, I don't think I really need one." Yugi and Tristan laughed, and Joey pouted. Then she turned to Yugi. "Yes, I have an extra pair of gloves. Here you go."
He opened his mouth to thank her, but the teacher cut him off. "Ok class," she said, "Let's get started!"
Joey, Tristan, and Yugi went over to their own work station, and Tea headed over to the table Kaiba was sulking at. Suppressing a happy smirk, she sat her books and papers down next to him and took a seat. Looking over at him, she saw a dark scowl holding possession over his face. With a mental grin, she decided that she'd just have to cheer him up.
"I'm sure you're absolutely destroyed at the prospect of working with me," she said, "but really, I don't think it's too much to ask to show a little more enthusiasm."
That got his attention. He turned towards her and graced her with a half-hearted glare.
Tea grinned again. "And you are going to help me this time, right?"
He rolled his eyes. "This is ridiculously simple. You shouldn't even need my help."
"I never said I needed it, but I do expect it anyway. I'm just a poor, helpless thing; are you really going to make me do all that work myself?"
He looked at her incredulously. "Please. Spare me the teasing."
She nodded, acting serious. "Right, right. Time to behave! There'll be opportunities for teasing later."
He raised an eyebrow. "Well aren't we in a playful mood today."
She smiled at him broadly. "Why yes we are."
If anyone had bothered to observe them, they would have been shocked. There was no hostility, no unnecessary tension, and no death threats or barely restrained rage. In fact, it almost looked like the two were, though it seemed impossible, actually getting along. Could such a thing even happen?
Tea smiled as she sat back down at the table, the class over and the students waiting for the bell to dismiss them. The lab they had done was simple, and though throughout the whole period she got a whole slew of sympathetic looks, she herself couldn't have been happier.
"You know," Seto whispered discreetly, "that grin looks absolutely ridiculous. If you don't act more sullen and unhappy, someone is going to suspect that you actually enjoy my company." His hand snuck unto her knee, not-so-innocently resting there under the table.
She raised an eyebrow and gave him a sideways smirk out of the corner of her eye. "Now why ever would anyone think that?" She turned to him and smiled broadly, unable to keep the laughter at bay. "And even if I do, what's so wrong with that? Who wouldn't love an uncommunicative, arrogant, obsessive, callous, workaholic-"
"Any more compliments and my head will start to swell."
"Sorry," she said smiling sheepishly. "I guess you're right. I wouldn't want anyone else to know that you're actually human under that big, heavy trench coat. You're all mine."
He raised an eyebrow, careful not to look too amused. "Oh?"
"Yes," she said emphatically, "I have the privilege of being your only friend."
He lightly groaned. "Oh God, don't tell me I've joined your menagerie. That's a little too cruel and unusual."
She rolled her eyes. "Well... I suppose we don't have to be 'friends'. But..." She left him to fill in the blank.
"Hmm... Not exactly pals, no. But I suppose that I couldn't completely reject friend- though I would like to- as long as that label came with a few extra... benefits."
"Why, Mr. Kaiba, what exactly are you suggesting?"
The bell rang before he could answer. As they picked up their books and the class herded out the door, he whispered, "Skip lunch with me and maybe you'll find out."
She watched him walk off, having definitely excited her curiosity. She raised an eyebrow in anticipation and thought, 'Now that is an interesting prospect.'
Their after-chemistry rendezvous quickly became routine. Sometimes it was just for a moment and a secret smile, and sometimes they wasted their whole lunch period away. That day, she was sure he wouldn't let her leave.
He looked around again, just to make absolutely sure that they were alone. Of course no one else was around- he had dragged her into a supply closet- and with a completely devilish smirk he swiftly kissed her.
"How much longer do you think this can go on without us getting caught?" she whispered, her mouth freed as he moved his attentions to the side of her neck.
"Mmm..." he mumbled rather incoherently, "I-" and this was said with all the pompousness and assurance she had learned to expect- "do not get caught." He nipped rather fiercely at the juncture of her jaw and neck, slowly exploring the crease with his tongue, hoping- and succeeding- to fluster her enough to give in to his whims. "Besides," he said softly, rolling the words out with the practiced ease of one well-versed in seduction, "I... enjoy you. You, after all, are my dirty little secret."
Tea couldn't help the slight moan that escaped as he kissed her again, long, elegant fingers caressing her cheek. "I don't know if I should be more flattered or insulted," she responded starkly to his admission, leaning against his chest and wondering again how he got to be so damn tall.
"Take it however you please."
He could have very well said take me however you please because of that heated, desperately sexy tone he used. He nuzzled his cheek into the top of her head, smelling her hair rather indiscreetly, and then making a soft purring sound in the back of his throat.
The only thing she could possibly do after that was laugh. He was as content as a cat curled in the sun; his arms sneakily wrapped themselves around her and drew her even closer, their bodies pressed together as tightly and as intimately as was possible. And it was those kind of times that she allowed herself to bask in the illusion, to think and hope that what they had could be more than selfish gratification or shameless, shallow lust. When he held her so close, all was right in the world, and she honestly, honestly wanted things to stay that way.
Almost as though he were inherently equipped with something that could sense her less than lovely new moods, he kissed her again, this time on her forehead. His hand stroked her back gently, and he whispered, "Why the abrupt attitude change my dear? You can't tell me you're feeling guilty again, hmm?"
She huffed out a breath of a laugh. He really did know her better than he gave himself credit for- he always said the right thing. "I've felt guilty for long enough. I think I'm well into the 'gratuitous satiation' stage now. The deed doesn't really seem quite so dreadful anymore."
The conversation was threatening to overflow with seriousness, and all he really wanted to think about was how to push things further without incurring her legendary wrath. He sighed, and resigned himself to a "talk". Tilting up her face with a finger, he caught her gaze for one unbearably intense moment, then leaned as slowly as was possible to towards her lips to give her one unbelievable, incredibly unraveling kiss. Pulling back he murmured "Losing morals now, are we?"
"Of course not. I'm just beginning to doubt I ever had them."
He chuckled appreciatively, and thought subconsciously, "That's my girl."
Looking up at him, she said almost curiously, "You know, if we aren't careful, we're going to become ridiculously like those heroes of the cheesy romance novel."
He raised an eyebrow- a command for explanation.
"You know, where everyone's character is flat and under-developed and they're only interested in going at it chapter after chapter? With names like Reginald and Delilah. The girl would simper and sigh in his arms, breathing out 'Oh take me now,' and the muscular, suspiciously well-endowed man would gaze at her intently and say 'I promise to be gentle, my darling,'. Devoid of any real, discernible substance and nauseatingly full of perfect, amazing sex." She shook her head at the thought, and he could easily imagine her engaged in the childish action of sticking out her tongue and pointing disgustedly down her throat.
Leaning down next to her ear he whispered, "You certainly are a harsh critic." She shivered in his arms and he was thoroughly pleased at eliciting the desired reaction. "And I assure you, there is no need to be suspicious about how well-endowed I happen to be."
She snorted in genuine amusement, and then proceeded to roll her eyes at him and rather harshly clap a hand onto his cheek. "Of course not. Your enormous brain is a true, inborn gift. Who am I to question your genius?"
Seto glared half-heartedly at her, an action which earned him a cheeky grin. She kissed him in apology. "No need to get upset," she said. "After all, I respect you for more than just your intelligence. I'm kind of fond of that hot bod of yours, too."
He rolled his eyes. "Oh please. 'Hot bod'?"
Tea laughed. "Yeah! You're a real babe; didn't you know?" He rolled his eyes again- an activity growing ever more common when he was around her- and she couldn't help but giggle again.
"Time's almost up," he said seriously, interrupting her teasing. "How about one last kiss?"
She put her arms around his neck and with half-lidded eyes grinned up at him. "Hmm... I don't know. Do you think I should humor you?"
Drawing her closer, he said, "Do you think I'm going to let you leave if you don't?"
She smiled, and with one last gasping inhale, let him kiss her roughly, knowing good and well that he was becoming far too addicting. He was like a drug- sensual, intoxicating, and absolutely illegal. The possible repercussions only made it all the more enticing, and she was finding it harder and harder to find a reason to stay away.
Her guilt was pushed aside; her inhibitions were pushed aside. If she wanted to make-out with Seto Kaiba in the middle of school- in some weird janitor's closet no less- instead of spending the period with her friends eating her good, wholesome lunch, then she damn well would. Things were spinning out of control quickly, and she was unable to find the will to slow the new 'relationship' down. It was abrasive and needy, and neither of them had the power to break away.
The chains were already there; they were tied up by the very thing they had tried to avoid. The walls had started closing in, and before long there would be no other choices than to flee...
Or to let all those heavy, formidable walls come crashing down in a pile of dusty, destroyed rubble, leaving them standing in the broken, pathetic remains of what was once their simple, structured reality.
The craving...
The dependence...
It was getting harder... and increasingly harder... to find the will to care that it was wrong.
End A/N: Ok! That was it- the ninth chapter. I hope it was good; as the reader, you'd know better than I would. Please review- it's called feedback because it FEEDS me... I hunger for your responses. Heh.
Oh, and I REALLY wanna write another story with the same pairing, but I can't think of an idea that hasn't been done to death! This wholeazureshipper field is littered with cliches! Don't get me wrong- there are lots of GREAT stories with rather un-originalplots (could this one count?) butI want to write something new. If anyone has an idea they're not using, please let me know in your review! I'dlove to use any idea you're kind enough to let me borrow.My brain has exhaused all possibilities, and I still come up wanting.
Signing off...
-I.L.B.