Disclaimer: Contrary to popular belief... I DO own Yu-Gi-Oh! Ha! Now... what do you plan to do about it? (note to readers: this author prone to wild, compulsive lying)

A/N: Wow. Guess I finished this chapter sooner than I expected. Much sooner, as my schedule said the deadline for the mere outline was Oct. 2. Aren't boring classes fun? Heh. Speaking of school, I might actually be telling the truth when I say I won't have time to update. Nine weeks tests are, I do believe, next week. Great... I hate to say this, but doing my english vocabulary words inspired this. The word list was "willingness and unwillingness", and my filthy mind had a field day. Just imagine looking up "accomodating" or "compliance" or even "adamant". Ha, 'twas such fun. All I could imagine was Kaiba leaning in whispering about how unyielding he was... (sigh) Anyway, here's the chapter. Please read... and enjoy!

chapter Ten:

It came as a shock.
Nobody believed, and so
Everyone was wide-eyed in wonder.
You want to hide.
You want to run.
So vulnerable... you can hardly bear it.
Will comfort come?
Will that which has consumed you be your savior?
The answers
Lie hidden-
Hidden in the depths of those endless blue eyes.

XXX

Seto liked to keep things simple. He and Tea weren't "involved", they were two individuals who periodically engaged in what could be termed self-serving indulgences. (Seto liked things simple, but that didn't mean he didn't occasionally enjoy totally deludinghimself.) There was no emotional attachment; there was no lasting relationship in the works. What there was- and of this there were copious amounts- between them was intense, excessive, and unrestrained sexual desire. He didn't have a particularly high opinion of her as a person, he hated her friends, and he had nothing invested in the situation other than the fulfillment of his hormone-driven body's needs. And she did that with incredible, undeniable skill- with that luscious, luscious body of her own...

He shook his head, almost a bit ashamed of letting his mind to be taken over by such inappropriate daydreams. 'Hn. Seems I have lust well-accounted for,' he thought to himself. 'I suppose I can deal with that. I'll start to suspect something's amiss if I begin to feel unusually avaricious.'

Deciding to spare the unknowing dancer another thought (or two... or four...), he cautiously glanced over at her. Nothing unusual about that- a casual look of a classmate couldn't possibly be construed as anything other than passing curiosity. She, as always, was with her three stooges- oh wait, he meant friends. Seto scoffed at the close-knit group, their dependence on each other absolutely laughable. He couldn't understand why she would willingly keep such bad company.

Yugi suddenly leaned over- he was in the seat beside hers- and gave Tea a warm hug. Seto was- discreetly of course- still staring. The very gesture, as friendly as it was, made stomach turn and his blood boil. Why did they always have to act so foolishly? Yugi and his gang of cheerleaders and duelist wannabes were, by the Kaiba standard, not even worth the organic matter they were made of. Thinking it was alright to show affection, and in public no less. Seto mentally shook his head. How utterly childish and stupid. What right did Yugi have to touch her anyway?

'Oh God,' he thought furiously. 'I am not jealous.' He seethed for a moment before turning his fury on her. It was her fault for invading his mind and inundating him with her very essence. He wrenched his eyes away, and swore to think of her no more. ...Well, at least not until the next time they needed a quick taste of each other.

What a hopeless case, he reflected. To be bound to the very thing he so despised.

Mokuba just didn't know what to make of it. His brother had never been what others called "normal", but Mokuba knew his routine well enough to know that something was off. Seto was a disciplined, orderly individual, and he made it a point to follow his regular schedule. In other words- predictable. And this new behavior was decidedly odd- decidedly unregular. Mokuba was confused, and at the same time, really rather intrigued.

All innocent inquiries to his brother had been flattened just as soon as they had been spoken. Seto didn't particularly like questions, and he didn't mind letting people know that. The only helpful information Mokuba had managed to garner after a near-hour of interviewing was the fact that Seto had seemed- for an instant- surprised that Mokuba had even noticed a difference in his behavior.

And that made Mokuba even more suspicious.

Obviously nothing was really wrong, or Seto would have noticed- and probably said- something. Could that mean... was Seto happy? Did something good happen? Mokuba scoffed at that thought. It was very unlikely. Seto repelled happiness; it was certainly unlikely that something would have happened that would please him. Had he dueled anyone lately? Mokuba would have gloat- or if it had been Yugi, assert his superiority even in defeat- if that had been the case. And Seto hadn't mentioned anything going on at work or at school. There had been that project, though. Maybe he had made a really good grade on it.

Actually, Mokuba realized with a frown, the odd behavior Seto was exhibiting had started around the time he was working on that... well, the whatever project it was. The work had taken Seto away even more, but Mokuba was happy he had gotten to hang out with Tea.

Hang out... with Tea...

Mokuba was sure he had stumbled onto something, but the significance escaped him.

Tea...

Tea was a really nice girl; he liked her a lot.

Wait... It couldn't be that. Tea was attractive enough, sure, but... There was just no way.

It couldn't be that... Did Seto... Seto and Tea?

"Holy crap!" Mokuba shouted suddenly, the realization hitting him with all the force of a Blue Eyes' attack.

Though he could have picked a more appropriate moment for his outburst, as he happened to be sitting in the middle of math class when the new knowledge assailed him.

"Mr. Kaiba," his teacher said sternly as the other students snickered to themselves. "Is there something on your mind of such great importance that you had felt you had to interrupt me? Perhaps you'd like to share it with the class..."

He shook his head and sank low in his desk, incredibly embarrassed. He grinned sheepishly to himself, feeling silly for yelling out like that. But he was sure he was on to something. It couldn't be coincidence that the odd behavior of his brother had begun almost exactly when Tea had come over to work on the school project. The events coincided too perfectly to result in any other logical conclusion- Seto finally had a friend. Or, as Mokuba's devious mind was hoping, maybe he had found something even more than that.

With a smirk that would have made Seto proud- if he didn't knew the reasons behind it of course-, Mokuba filed away his new-found information for later schemes and plots. He'd have to confront his brother soon, but being such an innocent, sweet child, Seto's guard would be down and he could find out exactly what he wanted to know. 'I can't believe it,' he thought. 'Of all people... he ended up falling for her. I can tease him about this for weeks...'

After that burst of something earlier- it wasn't jealousy, it wasn't jealousy, it WASN'T jealousy- Seto had spent the rest of the day diligently ignoring the girl. As soon as school was finished he went to the company for an hour or two- he didn't really pay attention to the time- then finally he was able to go home. Mokuba was there, his homework finished, playing video games in the living room.

"Hey Seto!" he called happily. "How was your day?"

The elder Kaiba rolled his eyes, obviously annoyed at the question. "School was less than satisfactory."

Mokuba laughed. "I hope that doesn't surprise you, big brother. School, by definition, is just legalized mental torture."

Seto threw himself down on the couch and snorted in laughter. "I'll agree with that."

"There's no need to be so grumpy though," Mokuba continued. "You're so cynical and... well, unhappy all the time. Do you like being miserable?"

"Don't be an idiot, kid. This is just how I am."

Mokuba looked thoughtfully at the TV for a moment, and then said, turning over his shoulder to grin at his brother, "You know Seto, maybe you'd be happier if you had a girlfriend."

Groaning, Seto said sarcastically, "Oh yes, that will solve all my problems." He chuckled. "A woman's just more trouble than I'm willing to deal with, Mokuba. Besides, there are a lot more important things in life than just a great ass." To himself he muttered, "Stupid, stupid girl."

Mokuba paused his game and turned his body all the way around to smirk at his older brother. "Oh really? Thinking of any 'great ass' in particular?"

"Don't say ass," Seto snapped automatically. Then realizing what he had been asked, he glared at his brother. "And no- I'm NOT thinking of anyone in particular. I'm fine on my own." He stood up and stalked into the kitchen, leaving a less-curious and quite a bit more deviously happy Mokuba behind.

'I knew it!' Mokuba thought to himself. 'So he's finally interested in somebody. I knew he really was human. Now, all I have to do is see if she feels the same way about him...'

Her friends really couldn't be put to the side any longer. Tea knew that, she really did. Yugi had talked to her a few days earlier, wondering if she was sick or in trouble or something, and she had been so touched by his concern that she simply couldn't let her mixed feelings interfere any longer. After all, her love-life (or mysterious lack of one as far as their knowledge went) was her business, and if there was a boyfriend- or hot pseudo-friend she could make-out with, no strings attached- then it was completely at her discretion whether she revealed that or not.

And she wasn't going to tell.

But Yugi, Joey, and Tristan, being the great guys they were, didn't deserve to be ignored. So, at her request, they had made arrangements to spend a day together hanging out at the arcade at the mall, playing games and messing around. She really was genuinely looking forward to it, and swore to herself that any thoughts about Kaiba would be banished from her mind. She was with her friends, and that's where her attention would stay.

"Dude! That's the third time you've been beaten! Just give up already!" Tristan laughed at his stubborn friend as Joey prepared to engage in his third air hockey game with Tea, and no doubt, be once again defeated.

"Hey!" Joey protested. "I'm gonna win this time; I know I am."

"Of course Joey," Yugi said kindly. "Just like you knew we wouldn't get caught when we tried to sneak into the movies last weekend?"

Joey's gaped as Tristan laughed and said, "Yeah, and just like you knew those watches that guy on the street corner was selling weren't fake?"

Tea smirked at him, and joined the others in their teasing. "And just like you knew you'd beat me the other three times, right?"

The others laughed as Joey pouted. "Man, I hate it when you guys gang up on me. It's not like I can help it or anything."

Yugi grinned and said, "Sorry Joey. I shouldn't have started teasing you."

Joey shook his head. "No problem, Yug. You're the best friend a guy could ask for. Guess I gotta let you cut loose sometimes."

Everybody laughed happily, glad to be hanging out together again. Joey and Tristan began arguing about the best place to eat at the food court, the game of air hockey already forgotten. Yugi was gently goading each of them on in turn, amused at his silly friends' antics. Tea didn't say anything, just half listening, taking a moment to enjoy just being around her favorite guys again. They always had so much fun together, and she felt horrible for pushing them away for such selfish reasons.

"You know what," Yugi said finally, getting even Tea's attention. "Why don't we continue this argument later. Like when we're actually at the food court- all this talk of eating is making me a little hungry."

They moved on to another game, still laughing and bickering jokingly. Everything was going great, and they were all having a wonderful time. Until...

Tea couldn't believe her eyes. Could things get anymore ironic? Seto Kaiba had just walked in, his little brother a few paces ahead of him. She stopped cold. Why did he have to be there- right then, when they were all together? She closed her eyes and tried to wish him away. After a moment, she looked again. No luck, he was still there. Oh, and did he look absolutely gorgeous, too.

He was wearing a black trench coat- and Amazing! It actually obeyed the laws of gravity- over a thin, white, button-up shirt. The top few buttons were undone, his collar falling over his clavicle, leaving a scandalous view of the top of his rather deliciously well-made chest. Oh, she wished he had some sort of excuse to take off his coat and shirt. Of course, she laughed to herself, he was so hot he'd probably set off the sprinkler system. Then she could watch the water trail down that perfect chest, taking the same paths her fingers would have if they had happened to be alone. And she couldn't help but admire those rather tight pants- were they leather? She couldn't tell from where she was- that showed off his long legs and slender hips marvelously.

"Tea?" a voice called amusedly, trying to recapture her attention. "You're staring off into space with the same expression Joey has when he looks at food. Don't start drooling on us now, OK?"

Pulling herself out of a simply exquisite daydream of Seto stripping- she wondered if he was really as talented as he was in her mind, she recognized Tristan's voice. Hmm, he seemed to be talking... Oh! To her! Blushing quite profusely, she said, "I just, um... spaced out for a moment. Sorry guys." She laughed a little, then smiled sheepishly.

Just then, Joey noticed who had joined them. "Kaiba!" he growled, drawing the other boys' attention to their tall classmate. "Man, I can't believe we had to run into him here." He crossed his arms over his chest and tried to hide the pout on his face. "I hate Kaiba; he always shows up to ruin the fun."

Tea looked around nervously. No, there were no possible routes of escape. There was no way she'd get out of a confrontation unscathed. If they happened to run into them, or he ran into them, then-

"Well look who's here," a voice sneered. She recognized that voice. As cold and condescending as it was, there could be no mistaking who it belonged to. "It's the little group of dueling rejects. What a misfortune to run into you." She couldn't see him, so obviously he hadn't spotted her. After that customary insult, he had turned to leave, not even bothering to offer a parting sneer.

Of course, Joey, as aggressive as he was, would never be content to just leave it at that. "Come back here, ya rich jerk!" he called. "Why don't you insult me and my friends again and see what happens? Or maybe that one was already planned, since you don't have a life, and probably use your free time just thinking of ways to make our lives miserable."

Kaiba narrowed his eyes in approaching anger. He turned back to face the group with a whirl of his trench goat, glaring darkly. Joey and Tristan both took a step toward him, fists clenched at their sides.

"Come on guys," Yugi said softly. "There's no need to fight."

Kaiba took a step closer to them, as though in defiance of Yugi's words. That's when he saw her. She knew, the way his eyes locked on her for a moment that she definitely hadn't escaped his notice anymore than he had escaped hers.

"You know what Yugi," Tristan said, "you're right. We've let Kaiba get to us before. But not now. We're better than you; we don't need to insult you or belittle you. So just get the hell away from us, we don't want you here anyway."

"Hmm. As if your opinion really matters to me."

Joey, trying his hardest to listen to Tristan and Yugi, had to suppress a snarl. Tristan, sensing his friend's feelings, went on. "And you know what? I bet you're just scared. You know that you're a sad, scared person, and you know that you're not worth our time. You go out of your way to insult us because you know that deep down you're just a big loser. I bet if you ever tried to get to know us, you'd LIKE us. And that just scares the hell out of you!"

Kaiba glared briefly and then rolled his eyes. "Yes, you're so right. Your inanity entrances me. I only wish I was brave enough to join your group of brainless wretches."

"Cut out the sarcasm!" Joey snapped. "We don't need ya here so why don't you just leave? Come on guys, back me up!" He looked around at the others, finally locking his gaze on Tea. "What about you, Tea?" he asked. "I'm surprised you haven't said something already! Go on, tell him off."

Tea opened her mouth, but couldn't speak. Damn it, what was she supposed to do? Luckily, she was spared the trouble of thinking of something.

"Go ahead," Kaiba said, "I'd love to see what you've got."

Was that permission? Was he saying that he wouldn't be angry if she played along with her friends? Did he want her to yell at him? Truthfully, the bastard was probably embarrassed of his association with her and wouldn't want her friends to know anymore than she would.

Taking a breath and steeling herself, she said, "Leave my friends alone. You came over here and insulted them first, if you bother remembering. Just go, you... you duel-monster consuming black hole!" At that he coughed, and she winced sheepishly when she realized that he did it so they wouldn't hear him laugh. "Go on; shoo!"

"I certainly wouldn't want to spend any time with you vermin; I might catch whatever disease has sucked away what little intelligence you have."

Secretly admiring his penchant for nastiness and scathing retorts, she mustered up a glare. "Just because we might not be as bright as you is no reason to be so rude! I don't care if you don't like us, you could at least be civil. Or do you not know how to do even that? At least Yugi's nice!"

"I don't really give a damn if he's the most selfless, altruistic being on the planet. I'll never like you- any of you. I more than dislike you. I hate you."

Oh God, why did he have to say it like that. In that voice... that voice that made her want to do things she really wasn't allowed to do in public. Feeling a small swelling of shame for such incessant physical desires, she swallowed, and prepared to stand up to him. "Yeah well... Maybe we hate you too!"

"No, I assure you, I hate you more than you could ever even begin to loathe me. I hate you with an unmatched passion- with an intensity you could only imagine."

She wanted to just jump into his eyes- that blue that swam around, so beautiful that the sight threatened to cause her pain. He was lovely, even when professing his hatred- which she knew was just an act. One side of his mouth twitched, an obvious indication he was trying not to smirk. Since the guys couldn't see her, she winked at him, and bit her bottom lip enticingly. The look in his eyes deepened, and after a quick grin, she quickly switched back to her angry face.

Unconsciously, they had both moved a little closer during the argument, and were then standing about a foot away from each other. Joey and Tristan exchanged confused glances, knowing that something bigger was going on that they just weren't understanding. Yugi's eyes were locked on Kaiba. Why was he looking at Tea that way? That wasn't loathing; his stare was full of warmth and... and something that made Yugi more than just a little uneasy. If he really hated her as much as he claimed to- because it was obvious that the three others were being ignored- then he would never be looking at her like that. Yugi may have been rather innocent and unassuming, but he knew a look of undisguised- or poorly disguised as the case in question happened to be- heated longing.

Suddenly, a bright bouncy person loudly announced his presence. "Seto!" the voice, obviously Mokuba's called. "I saw this game and I need another person and-" All of a sudden he noticed Tea and the rest of them. "Oh, hi guys! I dragged Seto here so I could check out the new games they had. I didn't know you guys would be here, though. Maybe we could hang out later, huh?"

"No Mokuba, we're leaving," his brother announced, turning away from the group and preparing to stalk away.

"Oh well," Mokuba said shrugging. "Bye guys!" He waved, and then followed his brother away to another part of the arcade.

Joey and Tristan began their usual round of after-Kaiba-encounter bashing, leaving Tea and Yugi in silence. Sneaking a glance over at the girl, Yugi was shocked at what he saw. She wore a dreamy smile, a glazed stare focused in the direction that...

'Damn,' Yugi thought to himself, 'She's looking at him the same way!' Taking a deep breath, and then flushing and mentally berating himself for cursing, he tried to calm down. 'What's going on?' he though, his curiosity raised. 'Could they be... together? A couple? Wha- I..." He looked over at Tea again, who seemed to have regained her composure and was currently talking to Joey and Tristan. 'Is this why she has been acting strangely? Because of Kaiba? We really, REALLY need to have a talk. I... I'm sure that she'll have a reasonable explanation for me. It's Tea, of course she will.'

Well! Not too long, but not too short. I'm uneasy about Mokuba in this chapter. Sometimes he seems too young, and sometimes he seems too old. And about Tea... Well, I figure with her newly budding relationship, most of her thoughts really WOULD be centered on him. If I made her seem too obsessed with him physically, well... he's an attractive male and she's a teenager. I figure hormones play a part. Hee... I hope this chapter was good! It was fun to write. My favorite line is "Your inanity entrances me." (intoxicated by her own brilliance) I've been saying that to people who annoy me lately. Get weird looks, but... (big grin)

Thank you for your reviews, everyone kind enough to leave a response to chapter nine. I appreciate the encouragement SO much. I updated as soon as I could. I hope to have chapter eleven up very soon! We'll just have to see. Thanks again!

signing off...
ILB