Author's Note: I've decided to re-post this whole story because a) I wasn't happy with the format from before, it looked really amatuerish, andb) I felt like it! XD
I hope no one minds this change (and I hope it turns out this time!) ;D
This is my first time at writing a Seto/Téa romance, so don't hesitate to leave a comment/ review and tell me how I'm doing! I don't bite...XD Please, no flames, they're not helpful, by any means!
Disclaimer: I'll only say this only once, Yu-Gi-Oh! is the creation/ property of the wonderful Kazuki Takahashi! ;)
Nota Bene: This story is AUish (Alternate Universe, sort of) and takes place following Noah's Virtual Reality World. Guess, that's all you need to know...for now.
Try
Chapter One
It was supposed that time would heal all wounds, rewrite all wrongs, and bury past regrets.
Perhaps only the latter of the three rung true, and that was what he was sincerely hoping for.
It had been six months since the events at Battle City, six months that he managed to keep the past behind him, where it belonged, and now he stood in one of the busiest cities in the world, New York, in his respective building complex, watching as the rain continued to pelt his office window.
The place, the view itself wasn't remarkably captivating, though his younger brother thought otherwise, and was fascinated by the sights around town: Broadway, Central Park, and Yankee Stadium…just to name a few.
He had wedged a great physical distance between himself and the place of his birth, Domino City; he was on a different continent altogether, further separated by the sprawling expanse of the Pacific.
And it had been done on purpose.
Not just because he had plans, which were already underway, he had designs for Kaiba Land and was anxious to get those up and running as soon as he could. He saw this as the next natural progression for Kaiba Corp, and the immense popularity of Duel Monsters in the United States coincided in time to implement his childhood ambitions.
This sudden business engagement may have been seen by others as an attempt to escape the bitter reality of his crushing defeat at the hands of his long-time rival, Yugi Motou, and that may have partly made some sense, but he did NOT run away from anything…
No matter. As long as he didn't let his thoughts stray to a particular incident aboard the Kaiba Kraft 3, as long as he kept himself busy, he reasoned, everything would be fine.
He had all that he needed, and for once, there were no 'Egyptian fairytales' attached to his newfound sense of calm.
Glancing over at the phone on his desk, he debated with himself for a few minutes on whether to make a phone call, but in the end, he refrained himself from taking such a desperate course of action.
He was fine. But inwardly, he felt as though he were trapped, enclosed by four imposing walls with no way out…
Stupid girl.How was it that she, of all people, was able to break through every mental barrier he put up, pervading effortlessly in his thoughts? It was not like him to become easily distracted…but he was, and it was all because of her.
He knew that he should be angry--should being the key word--but in some absurd way, he found her even more intriguing…mysterious, even.
Why couldn't he just push her out of his mind?
In truth, it was an inevitable consequence he should have foreseen after such an abrupt expression of his inner turmoil…
Six months earlier…
It was clear by the stunned expression painted on her face that she had not expected his arrival, not in the slightest. He stood expectantly at the door; his manners reminding him not to saunter into her quarters without given consent.
Such a consideration for her needs seemed pointless and inane because technically, this was his ship, which meant that this was his room as it was an extension of his property…and since it belonged to him, he could do whatever he well pleased, without giving a damn.
But he didn't.
Was it possible that he was getting soft? He quickly came to the conclusion that her geeky friends were at fault, somehow.
A couple of wordless minutes elapsed, each of them staring at the other, one with masked impatience, the other…with open shock and disbelief.
Why would Seto Kaiba the richest, most egotistical jerk in the world, be standing on the brink of her doorway?
And the way he was looking at her…his eyes were so level and direct, as if trying to imply that he was hiding nothing from her, but there was something else to his penetrating stare...
It wouldn't be wrong of her to say that he wasn't looking like himself at all.
Whatever that something was, it made her feel strange. If that was a good strange or a bad strange, she couldn't tell, but she knew that it wasn't…normal.
He hardly looked at her like that, if at all.
It was just her luck that the boys were up in Joey's room, helping him build full-proof strategies for the semi-finals that were just on the horizon.
He was unwavering in his belief that he'd get Mai back, especially now.
Yugi was there of course, along with his other self, no doubt passing along wise words to their golden-haired companion.
That left her completely alone with the forbidding CEO, as Serenity was in the infirmary, determined to keep a vigil on a person she considered to be a role model, an older sister, in the hopes that she would somehow wake from her mental prison in the Shadow Realm.
Oh, what she wouldn't give to trade places with any one of them right now…!
"Well, what?" she asked finally, her voice holding a note of exasperation as she folded her arms over her chest.
"We need to talk."
She gave him an incredulous look, not understanding where he was coming from. They weren't close friends, and one would think the instances that they were forced to endure in each other's company would've forged some kind of bond, but no! Seto Kaiba hated anything to do with friendship, and she was sure that he'd prefer a horrible death than to actually admit that he was a part of their group.
From her perspective, it just didn't make any sort of sense. There was nothing to say.
"It's about Mokuba," he interrupted, his voice softening just a little at the mention of his brother's name.
It was strange really, to hear such a dramatic (well, to her it was dramatic) change in the normally stern, even pitch of his deep voice. There were times she hardly believed the two were blood-related, being the opposite of each other as brothers could possibly get, but the little boy had endeared himself to her, ever since they first met back at Duelist Kingdom.
Kaiba must have something important on his mind. She bid him inside, switching on the light.
He refused her polite offer to sit down, and not wanting to be dwarfed completely by his imposing height in a sitting position, she too decided it best to just stand.
"Is he okay?" Deep blue eyes locked momentarily with her concerned gaze, the manner in which she demonstrated her regard for his younger sibling disconcerted him…it was an indescribable feeling.
He was first and foremost Mokuba's sole protector, as his guardian and as his older brother, he was the one entitled to making sure that he was out of harm's way, that's how it had always been… that's how it was supposed to be, though in recent years, it was much more of an undertaking to keep that silent promise…
Memories of what had happened during Duelist Kingdom drifted to the forefront of his mind, and more recently, the events right before the Battle City finals with that freak Marik, followed by the whole Noah Virtual Reality experience…
He abhorred how people used his little brother to get to him. It was a sign of cowardice.
"Yes, it's just…"
This was a hell of a lot more difficult than he had imagined because he never made it a habit to apologize, let alone thank someone. And this 'someone' happened to be the most unlikeliest person he'd ever consider owing his gratitude: Téa.
Yugi's personal cheerleader.
But then again, better her than the flea-infested dog...
He cleared his throat.
"It has occurred to me that I haven't thanked you properly for helping my brother escape from the Rare Hunters. Thank you."
This was beyond weird for the brunette, had she heard right? Was Kaiba actually giving her an apology?
He sounded and looked sincere, it was clear that he meant it, and a part of her suspected that this must've been a struggle of wills for his over-inflated ego and his, dare she think it, heart…?
Kaiba wasn't physically heartless, or else he obviously wouldn't be talking to her at all, but he sure acted like he was most of the time, and everyone thought at one time or another that he was more machine than human, but...for just a fraction of a second, she saw a clear glimpse of the real Kaiba…the self-sacrificing parental figure who'd go to any lengths, even working himself over to impossible limits to shield a brother from any form of physical or emotional harm--Mokuba was his constant motivation for whatever he did or chose to do.
It was sweet, really. But that didn't change the fact that he was still arrogant and conceited—he'd remain the cold and glacial Kaiba that everyone, including herself, knew him to be.
"I did what I had to," she looked down at the space between them, it wasn't very far, but she felt that they were infinite miles apart, too far away to ever understand each other. It was almost regrettable...
She didn't know why she felt that way in the first place.
It was only Kaiba after all…he distanced himself as far as possible from almost every soul he encountered.
Carefully meeting his gaze once again, she continued on. "I think that anybody in my situation would've done the same thing. Even though you weren't there through our ordeal, I felt totally responsible for Mokuba, I didn't want to see him hurt…and it lifted a weight off my shoulders to know that he'd be okay, to know that Marik wouldn't have the upper hand…"
For the first time since he came in the room, he redirected his sharp gaze away from her and to the window instead.
Téa was silently thankful for the distraction.
Seto had been prepared for that kind of response all along, there was nothing that prompted him to expect otherwise…so why was he going out of his mind trying to figure out a deeper meaning, if one simple answer should suffice?
He didn't understand himself, or his reasoning…
What was he hoping for? He accomplished what he set out to do…
Noticing her wary gaze settle upon him, he straightened his slackened posture a little, gave her his customary nod of acknowledgement before heading in the direction of the door.
Unfortunately for him, she was quicker, managing to impair his way through the narrow passage that lead to the means of his escape; her arms were fixed on either side of the wall, a human barrier he could easily push away, if he wanted.
He dismissed the impulsive need to chuckle—because he wasn't that amused.
"Gardner, I would advise you step away before I do something I regret later on …"
She tossed him a disbelieving look, her small frame standing firm in its purpose.
"You wouldn't dare touch me, even though you may possibly be the biggest jerk alive, you're still a gentleman…"
He laughed.
And it was anything but friendly.
"Your thoughts are truly misguided…and let me tell you, being sorely misinformed can lead to trouble."
"I'm not letting you slip away until you answer me why you came here—we both know that Mokuba was just a pretence for you to…umm…to--" she faltered in her words, not knowing what kind of hidden motive she was alluding to, but she knew that there was a hidden motive all the same.
Unless she got a definitive answer straight from his lips, she decided to remain firm in her resolve.
Kaiba looked unimpressed. "You see? You don't even realize what you're trying to insinuate because you don't have anything concrete to base it upon. I have enough on my plate as it is without having to listen to your frivolous fantasies…now, let me pass, or I shall have to make a way through."
Maybe she was getting a little over her head…
Maybe she had underestimated his surprising display of patience…and maybe, she was slightly trembling.
But it was not out of fear. Certainly not.
She still held her ground even as he advanced upon her, an unreadable spark glinting in his midnight blue eyes.
That look kept her frozen to the spot.
The sensation of his hands planting themselves securely on her shoulders snapped her out of her dream-like state and she instinctively began to push back…until he reciprocated the gesture with a little more force, shoving her back flush against the adjacent wall, pinning her arms above her head single-handedly, the self-same smug, victorious smirk she had seen many times before introducing itself to her eyes.
She inwardly cursed him and his drop dead gorgeous good looks.
His beautiful face inched closer to hers as he bent down a little to accommodate her smaller stature.
"It seems like I've won our little contest, with surprisingly little effort on your part…I suggest that you don't cross my path again, an annoying habit which you happen to be practicing with increasing frequency—at least, for your benefit, you should stay away."
It didn't matter how much she wriggled or writhed; his steely grip permitted little to no movement of her hands, leaving her only able to contemplate over her fate for being as foolish as she was to cross an invisible line so impetuously.
But if she aimed right and true, he'd be the one regretting his current position.
Somehow catching the quick glance she ventured down below, he pressed himself against her, rendering her completely immobile for the most part--there was no way he would let her inflict any kind of bodily harm on his person.
Especially, there…
"I just don't understand you, Gardner. You keep on testing my patience time and time again…" his breathing became slow and shallow, and she realized that hers had as well…funny reaction for a guy she had no feelings for whatsoever…
What on earth was happening here?
Though her mind was processing warning signs and urging her to do something about her compromising situation, she couldn't find the will to do anything but stare at his lips which were hovering perilously close to her own.
She just watched them move, completely fascinated by their hypnotic movements as he uttered each and every fell syllable.
"…you meddle too much for your own good, and that almost got you killed on several occasions…you're reckless, defiant, and a thorn in my side." He blew an errant lock of brown hair away from his eyes, enabling her to peer deeply into indefinable depths of azure. "But I must admit Téa, you've worn away your welcome and your safety..."
Before she could react, his lips crushed down on hers.
This re-uploaded story is dedicated to all the lovely reviewers who've taken the time to leave me kind words of inspiration and encouragement (in order of who reviewed first):
reader, Demidevi, Avataria, Gryphaena, AmberEyezBright, selenity, Ms.Flowers, Gekkou Hana, WishList, hakubaikou-chan, Starian Princess, Rain5101, QueenofHearts4u !
You've honoured me very much :sniffle: thank you ;D
Review, si vous plait? . ; Thanks for reading!
Ciao!