Duelist Café
Author: Chaos Valkyrie
First Conceptualized: December 2004
Posted Chapter 02: March 19, 2005
Updated: December 22, 2005

Author's Note: O.O() Well, so far I've had more reviews on this one chapter that I put out on a whim than I have gotten on, say, four or five chapters total on some of my other fics… hmm. Well, since the masses seem to like this one, here's another chapter, much sooner than anticipated.

Chapter Two: Pizza and Growth Spurts

Téa slowly staggered into the entrance hall of her school, her eyes blinking rapidly so that she could stay awake.

"Unless you are dying, Gardner, would you please get out of my way," a deep voice said behind her. She made a face before turning to look up at none other than Seto Kaiba.

"I would ask if you got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, Kaiba, but I assume you must do that everyday," she replied before stumbling over to her locker to change shoes.

"That would be supposing I slept," Kaiba added dryly before walking past her into the hallway.

Téa blinked once, her eyes wide. "I must be asleep. That sounded like Seto Kaiba actually made a joke... of sorts." She yawned, then shut the locker door on her sneakers. She turned, bumping into someone in the process.

"Morning, Téa, worked late on the paper?" Yugi asked, catching her arm.

"Y-h-h-h-es," Téa yawned, causing Yugi to grin.

"Bet still on?" he asked casually. Téa looked at him suspiciously.

"Yes. Why?" she asked, dread settling upon her.

"No reason. Let's get to homeroom," he said, a grin playing about his lips. Téa grimaced and followed him.

Before they even entered the classroom, a loud voice, complete with Brooklin accent, exclaimed, "Aww man! I'll never gets this finished!"

Only to hear in reply, "Then you should have done it last night, Mutt!"

Téa glared through narrowed eyes at Yugi, who was smiling widely.

"Remember, just because there are two of you in there, you still only get two slices of pizza, not four," she grumbled before walking into the classroom. Yugi, unperturbed, went to prevent Joey from killing Kaiba.

"Class, attention please. All frantic attempts to finish your assignment must come to a halt," Ms. Kamiya requested, her eyes twinkling as she watched Joey's face turn crimson. "We have a new student today, so please welcome Mr. Marik Ishtar to our class!" The door slid open and Marik, in school uniform, walked into the room.

Téa wanted to scream, but thought the better of it. She looked over at the others – they too looked stunned. Marik smirked as he bowed to the class.

"Mr. Ishtar, please take a seat by…" Ms. Kamiya trailed off as she scanned the room, "Ms. Gardner, if you will. Ms. Gardner, please raise your hand."

"No need," Marik interrupted. "I know Ms. Gardner quite well." He smirked as he walked over and sat down on Téa's left side. She gulped and kept her eyes forward.

"Now class, if you will please hand in your history papers – complete or otherwise, "Ms. Kamiya again looked at Joey, "We will begin today's lesson. Open your textbooks to page 487…"

Téa felt a nudge on her shoulder as Duke handed his paper forward. Téa grabbed it and felt a meticulously folded note fall into her lap. She passed the stack of papers forward and, eyeing their teacher, carefully opened the small note in her lap.

'What is that creep doing here?' was all it said.

Téa shrugged minutely, still eyeing Ms. Kamiya, then opened her notebook to begin taking notes on the Meiji government.

Lunch time rolled around quickly, and the gang seated themselves at their favorite table outside. Téa grudgingly carried a tray out to the triumphant Yugi, smacking his two slices of pizza in front of him.

"Aww, Téa, that's nice of you. Why don't you buy pizza for the rest of us?" Joey managed to mumble around his burger.

Téa sighed. "It was only to pay back a bet, Joey."

"What was the bet?" Tristan asked. Both Téa and Yugi sweatdropped.

"That's not important," Téa said, changing the subject quickly. "What is important is –"

"Finding out what I'm doing here," Marik smoothly interrupted, plonking his tray down next to Joey. Joey nearly choked, spewing food across his tray.

"Eww, Joey!" Téa exclaimed, pulling her tray away from his.

"What're you doin', Ishtar?" Joey exclaimed, his hands balling into fists. Marik held his hands up peaceably.

"I'm not here to cause any trouble. My sister," he said this with a bit of resigned affection, "Thought it would be best if I attended a school outside our sheltered tomb-keeper's community, and learned some 'self-control' at the same time."

"'Self control'?" Yugi repeated, and Téa noticed belatedly that he looked like he was two inches taller. She blushed, looking over at the pharaoh.

"Yes, Yugi," Marik emphasized to let them know he was aware of the change, "My dear sister was hoping you and the tomb robber might set a better example for me." Ryou glared, his hair standing on end.

"I refuse to be included in anything with that baka pharaoh," he sneered, and Téa sighed. Great, Ryou's yami was coming out to play as well.

Yugi seemed to be having an internal debate. His eyes softened, and Téa felt a little disappointed as the pharaoh gave into his lighter half.

"Well, Marik, I hope that we can help you," Yugi chirped, then looked over at Bakura. "Right, Ryou?"

Bakura grimaced. "I don't think –" Ryou took control again – "that'll be any problem!" he finished quickly. Marik smirked, while Duke shook his head wearily.

"I'll never get used to all this spirit stuff," he said, finishing his sandwich. The others noted the time, finishing their own lunches quickly.

"So, what do you people do for fun around here?" Marik asked as they returned their trays inside and walked back to class.

"Well…" Téa trailed off. What did they do that a tomb-keeper would find entertaining?

Yugi answered for her. "Hey, why don't we all go out this weekend, and we'll show you the mall!" he exclaimed. Téa smiled as Joey looked fit to be tied.

"Cool," Marik agreed as they walked back into class. "Then I'll meet you guys after class on Saturday, and we can head out from there."

Téa felt like she should've crawled back home after school, her backpack was so heavy. She sighed, plonking the massive stack of books down next to her computer. She booted it, then ran downstairs to grab a soda. She noticed a note on the fridge.

'Téa dear, your father and I will be a bit late, so we'll have dinner at seven. I'll make your favorite. Try to get your homework finished early. Love, Mom.'

Téa smiled, popping her soda open. At least one thing seemed to be going right today, with all the surprises she'd had. She walked back into the hallway towards her room. Climbing the stairs, she heard the familiar tones of her Instant Messenger.

'Who's IM-ing me now? I just left everybody a few minutes ago…' she pondered. She walked over to her computer and opened the message.

boygenius18: Is your can opener broken, or are you just yellow?

She glared at the screen, a smirk forming about her lips. She typed a reply quickly.

SonicMaid: Nope, it was just one rrreeeaaallly BIG can.

boygenius18: Ha ha. Just for that, I'm not going to show you any mercy in our cyber duel.

SonicMaid: And since when did I ever agree to duel you?

boygenius18: What, you're not chickening out, are you?

SonicMaid: Never!

boygenius18: Good, then meet you in the cyber arena in 5 minutes.

Téa stared at the screen, then looked at her waiting pile of homework.

"Damn it!" she exclaimed, banging her head on the keyboard. First the bet, then Marik, and now this! She looked up at the computer in resignation, then her eyes widened.

'Oh. Crap. That posted.' The messenger beeped one last time.

boygenius18: Quit trying to knock yourself out on the keyboard and get in the arena, coward!

"I. Hate. You." Téa gritted, before logging into the virtual arena.

End Notes: Yes, I borrowed Kaoru from Rurouni Kenshin for the teacher. Hence, why they're studying the Meiji era… ha. Anyway, I'll have Téa's duel next time! Ciao!