Disclaimer: You see, even though the voices in my head tell me that I do own Yugioh, I know I don't. If I did, there'd be one helluva lot less dueling, and much more characterization and romance. I'd like to see the lawyers get me now. Growl.

A/N: Here I am; my 13th chapter on a fic that started out as nearly nothing. I've been REALLY sick for the past few days, so I'm afraid that might show a little. I only got it done today because I was forced to stay at home and I just can't handle boredom. Oh well. Besides the copious amounts of Beauty and the Beast and Pride and Prejudice that I shoved into my system, writing was the only thing that sustained me. Ok, so no more rambling. Read and Review- I sincerely hope you enjoy thischapter!

On Another Note: Has anyone besides me noticed how the Seto/Anzu writers on this site have all formed one big loop? We all review each other's stories, we have almost the same favorites... I thought that was amusing. And I'm proud to be a small part of it! So... A toast to the best un-canon (is there even any canon in the fandom at all?)YGO couple there is! Huzzah.

--- Important: This is a re-post. I wasn't happy with the original chapter 13, so I fixed it! Actually, I didn't change anything really. I went back and edited mistakes and added a little. Ok.

chapter Thirteen:

Brilliant madness-
It's blinding you.
All the chaotic feelings whirling around in your head
Have deafened you to the pleas of your heart.
Longing.
You care, and that terrifies you.
The warm, unspoken secrets you shared-
They threaten to undo you.
Misery is your only medicine;
Let her go and it's certain...
Your sanity will fail.

The Third Month

(No Time Like... The Present)

The weather that morning was bright and beautiful- filled with a warm, peaceful air in which hope seemed abundant and a promise of happiness lingered even in the darkest of shadows. Téa woke to a delightfully golden sun shining through her window, the day almost daring her not to be in a good mood. She smiled.

Life had been surprisingly pleasant for her as of late- she really had few things she could rightfully complain about. Of course, even if the morning did seem exquisite, she knew that it was silly to expect great things just because the sun was shining. (On the other hand, it was hard for her not to.) Her boundless optimism had been held in check; she was becoming much more of a realist. Seto was, in great part, to thank for that- his eternal cynicism really rubbed off on her. (She only wished she could have the same effect on him.)

Thinking of Seto, she almost frowned. He had been acting very oddly the past few days. They hadn't really talked in a near two day period, and he had taken to avoiding her. Though she was confused, she wasn't really worried. He happened to be unusually prone to spells of sullen solitude and distant unhappiness. She knew that if she gave him enough time, he'd always come around eventually. She prided herself on her acute knowledge of his habits and character; they had been together for maybe four months, and each new day brought with it some new insight.

Slipping into her detested- and required- school uniform, she couldn't help but grin. Thinking back on all the things that had happened to and between them, she could hardly believe that the fractured "relationship" they had was real. She could hardly that there even was a "they"- a bond between two beings who would have once sworn against each other. Who knew that chemistry could produce such amazing results? ...Actually, on second thought, the irony did not escape her. Mixing two unlike substances to get something new was really... well, really the point of it all, wasn't it? Chemistry- the class and that certain quality which added to their searching passions exponentially? To be honest, it seemed almost planned. (A/N: er... I honestly did not, until just now, realize the significance of choosing chemistry for their class together. My muse is even smarter than I am...)

The time to leave for school was rapidly approaching. She would get to see Seto then, and maybe he'd be in a better mood. Or at least in a humor more receptive to hers. The auspicious sun winked at her through the clouds, and she giggled to herself. After all, the day was, in some form or fashion, already guaranteed to be special.

(Repeated Past)

"Seto, what's up with you? You've been even more preoccupied than usual lately."

That seemingly simple question had spawned a veritable ocean of unreasonable and disconcerting thoughts that insisted on dominance in his troubled mind. Mokuba meant well, of course; he was only worried about his big brother. But the question made Seto analyze himself- something he didn't do often. He knew exactly what had taken over his mind. He knew exactly who he woke up thinking about and went to bed dreaming about. She was what kept him constantly preoccupied.

All of his- somewhat limited- free time was spent mulling over his bizarre and impassioned new feelings, and it was all he could do just to function normally. When they were apart, as much as it disgusted him to admit it, he felt empty. When they were together, he felt complete- as though the piece of a timeless song his heart was hiding had finally been finished. She gave him wings; she composed his deepest heart's most glorious symphonies. She even managed to make him smile. The only problem being, of course...

Those "feelings" scared the hell out of him. No, perhaps he wasn't scared exactly (A Kaiba never gave in to fear), but uncomfortable? Confused? Frustrated? Distressingly emotional? Obsessed? Addicted? (Since he never would, I'd even go as far as to say In love?) Yes- he was all of those things a hundredfold and more.

He couldn't, for all his extensive knowledge and access to the most venerable scholars and top-notch research materials, put a name to what she did to him. He couldn't find a way to describe the things she made him feel. He didn't know what to do- he was very nearly lost.

Had he been a more open man, he might have translated his heart's murmurings into a series of literary, indelible triumphs- all detailing her beauty and his devotions. He might, as young lovers are apt when the object of their admiration defies word, have even tried his hand at a more physical creative supplement- a painting in which he used only the colors of her eyes, or a sculpture of the curve of her neck or the bend of her elbow.

But he wasn't open, and he would have scoffed at such things anyway. Who was he to waste his time in such pointless pursuits, when instead he could be gaining more power or crushing some unsuspecting company under his corporate heel? (Though really, he was rarely that callous.) He didn't want to express any sort of foolish emotion. He didn't want to create something to enshrine her eternal shine and grace. He didn't even want to admit she had made an impact on him at all.

But just as in the back of his mind he knew he needed air, he knew- deep, deep down- that without her, he might never be whole. He'd be a broken man. She was the one who could give him wings, and with that power he could finally soar.

She was his- all he never thought he needed.

She blamed it on the bad mood she was in. Of course they argued occasionally- everyone does- but they hadn't ever had a fight as big as that before. (At least not while the were involved.)

"Does everything that comes out of your mouth have to be so rude and insulting? They're my friends- I like them. If you don't- and there is no question about that- then there's no reason for you to mention them. And you shouldn't say mean things about people, anyway!"

He looked bored and indifferent. "They're morons. Why shouldn't I say what I think?"

"They're not morons!" she said shrilly.

"Would unintelligent cretins suit you, instead?"

"Seto, just... Just stop it, Ok? Do you have to be like that all the time? I hate how you make me feel like I have to choose between you or my friends."

He was getting quite annoyed. "I wasn't making you choose anything. If, for whatever reason, you still insist on hanging out with that gaggle of gruesomely stupid lifeforms, that's your own decision. I'm simply stating how I personally view them."

"Right, I know that. But can't you refrain from personally viewing them that way in my presence?"

He rolled his eyes. "I don't know what you want from me, Téa. I'm not going to become this whole new person just because I don't hate you anymore. I'm the same as I ever was, and that's all I know how to be."

She looked down. "There's such a thing as compromise, you know."

He smiled grimly. "I don't believe in compromise."

With a heavy look, she sighed. "Then do you... Do you think that what we're doing is a... a mistake?" Without any other words, he realized that it was a thought that had been on her mind.

But it had never, for one instant, crossed his. In the beginning, he had wondered what had possessed him to find her even the least bit attractive, but he had never thought that what was going on was a mistake. He couldn't believe she had suggested that? Was she saying that he wasn't good enough for her? That their relationship, as unorthodox as it was, was nothing more than a sham?

"A mistake?" he nearly roared. "What the hell do you mean, a mistake? No it wasn't a mistake! Maybe we were lax in our judgement, or careless, or stupid, but-" He stopped and looked to the floor, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "We just pushed things too far. We said all along that their was no commitment- no real attachments or feelings at all. Remember?" He let out a ragged breath. "This... well, talking and just communicating... It was a bad idea. We should have just stuck to screwing each other senseless. Fewer complications."

"I know we said 'no strings attached'," she said angrily, "But is that all I am to you? Just some paltry physical distraction?"

"Oh, don't even pretend that you think of me as anything else. You took just as much advantage as I did."

"No, I..." she shook her head, unable to even have a conversation with the ridiculously difficult man. "You don't know me- not like I thought you did. This... I... I should just go."

"Fine. Leave if you think that's best."

Setting her lips in a firm line, she held back any retorts or cruel comments she might have wished to make. "Goodbye." And she picked up her light jacket that had been lying over the back of a chair, and she was gone.

They hadn't looked at each other all day. Whether it was by accident or some carefully planned scheme he didn't know; but he, with the girl's best interests at heart, had been watching them and he knew with the utmost certainty- they hadn't looked at each other all day.

At that point, Yugi was sorely tempted just to bury his head in his arms and forget all about the twisted teenage troubles of his dearest female friend. But...

'Why do they have to be in a fight now?' he groaned internally. 'And why couldn't Téa just have told us that she was seeing Kaiba? That way, at least, I wouldn't have to be the only one worrying about her. I know Joey would help. Well, he'd definitely try to kill Kaiba for her, if she ever needed that. And I'm sure Tristan would have been more than glad to help as well. But no. The task falls solely to me.' He looked at Kaiba, a decisive plan coming into his head. 'I guess I'll have to talk to him. I only hope Téa doesn't think I'm being too overprotective or anything. Actually, I hope she doesn't find out about this at all.'

At the last bell, Seto Kaiba was eager to get as far away from his designated facility of legalized teenage torture as he was physically able. (Three guesses who has no faith in the school system.) But his plans for departure were momentarily deterred. By a certain shrimpy rival of his, no less.

"Um, Kaiba?" Yugi inquired politely, trying hard to seem as submissive and docile as possible. "Do you think I could... um, talk to you a second please?"

Kaiba rolled his eyes. "Fine, you pathetic fool. But only for a moment; I have a schedule that I intend to keep."

Steeling himself for the blow he knew he was about to give, Yugi looked around quickly to make sure they were alone. What he was about to say could NOT be overheard. Kaiba tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the boy to speak.

With little warning, and in an anxious abnormally fast voice, Yugi said, "I know about you and Téa."

The foot stopped mid-tap.

"What do you mean?" Kaiba asked warily. "There isn't a 'Téa' and I to know about."

Yugi sighed. "Don't play dumb. You're... well, you and her are... together and you know it. I've seen the way you look at her- and I mean to talk to you about that later- and I've heard the way she'll inadvertently mention your name. I wish you wouldn't deny it. I know it's true and we'd both be saved a great deal of trouble if you'd just confess."

Kaiba was absolutely astounded. Yugi... knew? How the bloody hell did he know? How... just... HOW?

"Listen, you vertically challenged piece of biological fault, I have nothing to confess, especially not to you. I would never, in a thousand lifetimes, ever even dream of beginning a relationship with your obnoxiously cheerful little friend. The very notion is absurd. I can hardly stomach the simple thought of such a natural aberration." He looked down for a moment, as though the burden of his mind was too much to bear. "Why in the world would I have any interest in her..."

Things clicked into place in Yugi's perceptive mind. Kaiba had it bad. Sure, he was vehemently denying any connection between the two of them, but the evidence was irrefutable. Yugi was certain- beyond certain even. And the passionate denial, taken along with the fact that they had been obviously steering clear of each other, only added to Yugi's theory. The unwitting players had made the fact abundantly clear; they were crazy about each other.

Yugi smiled at Kaiba sympathetically. "So... You really like her, don't you?" He received only a glare in return. "Admit it. I know it's true, so I wouldn't believe any more of your blustering about it being a lie anyway."

"Fine. I... We are- or at least were- seeing each other. It isn't serious, though. Just a... distraction of sorts." Using her own words against her.

"Did you have a fight?" Yugi asked in concern. "You've been blatantly avoiding each other all day, and it's making me a bit worried. I don't want her to get hurt, Kaiba. I really, really don't."

"Oh? Is this the official group warning then? 'Don't hurt her or we'll hurt you'? How... quaint."

Yugi shook his head. "No, this isn't like that. If she wants you, then I'd want her to have you. Even if I have my own misgivings. But I'm not going to stand by and let you hurt her; I refuse to watch that. So what's going on? Did you have a fight?"

Almost hesitantly, Kaiba nodded. "Yeah, we... we had a disagreement. We still haven't confronted the issue- or each other- since it happened."

"Are you going to? It's obviously bothering her."

"I don't know! Why the hell does it matter whether we make up or not? It isn't like it's going to affect anything, anyway. I feel it was her fault at any rate, and I refuse to apologize for some false crime."

Yugi looked rightly incredulous. "You had nothing to do with the fight?"

Kaiba was silent.

"Just... You don't have to apologize, Kaiba, but at least talk to her. She's one of my best friends, and I'm worried about her. Don't... Don't hurt her. Or I... Well, just don't hurt her." And with one last, sad look, he left the school, headed for his own home.

Muttering curses under his breath, Kaiba headed for his limo that would take him to his office. 'Make up with her indeed. As though I'd ever do that. This fight isn't bothering me. I don't mind being apart from her at all...'

(Line)

Téa, though she was kind and willing to admit her flaws, still had her pride. And she wasn't about to lose it just to patch things up with that imperious, pompous excuse for a human being. No, she wasn't about to patch things up at all. Because as it turned out, it did that on its own.

They accidentally bumped into each other in a crowded hallway. Not a word was spoken; the noise coming from the other students would have probably drowned out any attempt at conversation anyway. But there was a look, and that look paved the road toward reconciliation, as easy- had they not been so stubborn- as that would have been.

They met again, that same day, on the way to lunch. They were alone.

"Téa, I-"

"Seto, I-"

At the exact same time. She laughed, and smiled. "We're pretty ridiculous, aren't we? So... I guess this means it wasn't a mistake."

He scoffed. "Of course not. I could never be a mistake."

Then, it clicked into place. So that was why he had been so defensive. "Oh Seto, I wasn't talking about you when I said that! I just meant the nature of our relationship. I... I don't regret being involved with you at all."

To that, he made no comment. They stood in an awkward silence for a moment before she finally walked up to him and threw her arms around his neck, embracing him in the empty hallway. "You're silly."

He whispered back: "Am not."

She pulled away so she could see his face and then grinned. "So... mutual apology offered and accepted?"

Rolling his eyes, he nodded, hiding the relief he felt at their return to good terms.

"Perfect. Now... I believe we have some making up to do."

He smirked. With that request, he could not help but comply.

End A/N: Does anyone else feel like this was rather forced? As I said, I was so... er, just unhappy with this that I did go back and edit it. This is the second edition. Honestly, I didn't change that much. (smile) Only two chapters are left. I hope they go well!