HIDDEN SECRETS

Whirling around, Tea stared wide eyed at Joey who stood in the doorway with a disbelieving expression, as if he didn't understand what he was looking at.

" T-Teya...is dat..." He pointed to Celtic with the index finger of his right hand, which was visibly shaking. In fact, his whole body was trembling in fright.

Oh no! What am I going to do? There's no way I can get out of this one! Tea took in a deep breath, while her brain frantically tried to think of an excuse, anything to make Joey not run off and tell the others.

What if he tells Yugi? What am I saying, of course he'll tell Yugi! I have to think of something...but what? Come on you baka, think, think! But nothing came out of her mouth. Not one word.

Stupid, stupid! " I, ah, Joey...you shouldn't be up, you're still injured." Ugh, you idiot!

" What da hell is goin'on Teya!" He demanded, completely ignoring her last statement as he stared at Celtic who remained standing behind her in an almost protective manner.

" Joey it's not what you think..." She stuttered, trying to calm him down; he looked about ready to hyperventilate. Boy, do I know what that feels like!

" I had to bring him here. He had no place to go!" She explained. "I was the only one who understood him! Yugi just left to America...and you and Tristan...you two wouldn't have even given him a chance. You two would've probably beaten him up!"

" Hold up, slow down Teya!" Joey said, trying to fully understand what she was saying without totally freaking out. " Just how da hell is da Celtic Guardian standin'dere...and not be a hologram?"

Tea glanced at the elf from the corner of her eye briefly. " I-I'm not sure myself. It was the weirdest thing. The cards were glowing, and I accidentally dropped them, and when I went to pick them up he was standing right in front of me, flesh and all!"

" Let me get dis straight," Joey stuttered out. " He's real?"

She gave a hesitant nod.

" Holy." Joey's eyes grew to the size of saucers. " Dis is...dis is da coolest thing on da planet!" He shouted, laughing afterward.

" W-what?" She sputtered. Then he's not going to tell Yugi? She voiced her worries. " So then you'll keep this a secret? Just between you and me?"

Joey gave her a strange look. " Dere's no way we can keep dis a secret Teya! Don't ya see! We have ta tell da guys! Especially Yug!"

" NO!" She shouted, surprising both herself and Joey. She bit her lip, somewhat embarrassed by her outburst.

" Whadya mean no? We gotta tell Yug dat one of his cards is livin'and breathin'!"

" Look, just hear me out." She said, flustered. " If we tell Yugi about Celtic what good will that do? He's all the way in America! We can't just go ruining his vacation. Especially when it's got to do with the Pharaoh."

Joey's look was pensive. " But we gotta tell 'em sometime."

"Just," Tea sighed. " Just wait till he gets back. Okay? Can you do that for me?"

" Why you so desperate not ta tell Yug?" His expression became suspicious.

" You hiding somethin' else from me?" He gave her room a thorough look, as if whatever else she was hiding would pop out right in front of him.

She rolled her eyes. " I'm not 'hiding' anything else, so stop giving me that look."

Joey frowned, glancing between her and Celtic who remained quiet throughout the entire thing, standing as still as a statue. " Can ya blame me, Teya? You've been hiding elf boy ova' dere for kami knows how long. Whadya expect from me?"

" I know but I felt it was the right thing to do."

" Right thing?" He repeated. " So den lying to ya friends is okay?"

" No! It's nothing like that Joey, and you know it." She sent him an angry glare. He knew she would never keep something from them unless it was for hers and their own good.

" Man, I gotta say though, you really fooled me all dose otha'times. Sayin'it was ya 'friend'." He grinned. " Looks like you been hangin'round me and Tristan too much."

Moving her hand behind her back, Tea grabbed one of Celtic's hands in hers, squeezing it for reassurance. Sure the guy was as talkative as a brick wall, but this silence was different, and she didn't like it one bit.

" So, uh," Joey's grin faded. " How long ya been keepin'him locked up in ya room?"

Tea sighed exasperatedly. " About two days."

" TWO!" He hollered.

" Yes two." She drawled. Two long days.

" What kinda stuff does he eat? An'does he eva, ya know, go to da bathroom?"

" JOEY!" She couldn't believe him! What kind of questions were those?

Sighing with a cross of her arms, she gave the blonde an annoyed look. She really didn't want to be on this subject anymore, especially with the topic of it currently standing behind her.

" Yes he eats, and yes he goes to the bathroom, now stop asking dumb questions and go back to bed!" She ordered, pointing him toward the door.

He made a whining noise. " Aw, but Teya! I still gotta lot of quest---"

" Out! NOW!" She screamed, pushing him out.

Before he was completely out of the room he turned to her one last time, a wide grin on his face. " So two whole days wit him, eh? Whadya guys do all dat time?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

" Ohhhh, Joey! I mean it! Out! NOW! Or else you'll be sleeping outside!" With that she slammed the door in his face, muffling his laughter from the other side as he retreated downstairs to the family room.

Ohh he gets me so mad sometimes! How could he even think..! She bristled with anger before slowly calming down, remembering Celtic was still in the room.

Slowly, with a bead of sweat running down the side of her head, she turned to face the quiet elf.

" Sorry about that. Joey can be really un-smart sometimes." She gave a small laugh before it died down at the serious look on his face. He looked like he was ready to fight someone. Sheesh, couldn't the guy loosen up for just a second?

" You okay?" She asked, coming up beside him and resting a hand on his shoulder. Mistaking his sudden silence for Joey's earlier words, she quickly assured him aloud in a caring tone, " Don't listen to Joey. He talks like that to everyone. So don't let what he says get to you."

His eyes met hers, and in that instant she knew her assumptions were wrong, and he was not acting this way because of Joey.

" Celtic I..." She blushed, trying to hold herself together. " Do you really enjoy staying here with me? All I've done is hide you like some...some freak, when you're nothing like that."

She squinted her eyes, wondering why they were suddenly so moist. " I don't want you to think you have to stay here because I want you to. Or you think you owe it to me because I'm the one who took you in." While saying this, she kept her eyes on his, wishing she really was psychic-- like Joey had so readily accused her of the other day-- then she could read his thoughts and find out what he really felt about her. What he felt for her.

What am I saying? This is too weird. I shouldn't even be thinking like this. Okay Tea, take it easy. Now remember, you're supposed to be thinking about Yugi, not Celtic!

She let out a deep breath. The only reason you keep thinking about Celtic is because he's right in front of you, baka. That's all. Nothing more.

She felt a small smile tug at her lips. Finally. Now that she'd actually convinced herself the reason she always had her mind on Celtic these days wasn't because she liked him--because that was just plain ridiculous and crazy, seeing as she didn't even know him more than two days--

She nearly jumped up when she heard Joey shouting from downstairs. Stomping over and opening the door she shouted, " WHAT?" I swear, Joey has the worst timing!

" I'm starvin'Teya! And dere ain't nothin in da fridge!" He hollered.

Tea felt her jaw hit the ground. That's impossible! I just went grocery shopping a few days ago! How can there be nothing...Suddenly it dawned on her.

" JOEY YOU FAT PIG! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ATE ALL THE FOOD IN MY HOUSE!" She screeched.

Joey laughed innocently from downstairs, and she could've sworn she heard him snicker out a " Oops, my bad."

Tea cried inwardly. What did I do to deserve all this? This has to be some sick nightmare! But no such luck, Celtic was still in the room, and Joey was still laughing his head off downstairs--because apparently he thought her running out of food all thanks to him was just plain hilarious.

Ohhh Joey, just you wait! She shook a fist in the air, ready to clobber him.

She stopped thinking of ways to kill Joey when she felt Celtics presence near her, his chest almost brushing her back.

She instantly blushed, wondering what he was doing. She quickly turned around. " Uhm, listen Celtic, I have to go down to the grocery store to buy some food, okay? So do you think you can behave yourself and not do anything to Joey?" She asked, almost pleading with him.

As usual, he said nothing--not even blinking an eye-- as mute as a wall and as stiff as a board. She sighed loudly.

" I'll take that as a yes." She started walking out the room to her own to put on some warm clothes. " I'll be back in awhile okay?" She gave him a stern look. " I'm trusting you not to do anything, okay?"

Again, nothing. Tea sighed. I wish he'd talk more. It's so awkward talking to him with him not saying anything back.

Celtic watched her silently through his eyes. He'd heard her every word, although he wasn't quite sure what a 'grocery store' was, but he assumed it was a place to sell, trade and purchase food products.

He narrowed his eyes. He wasn't pleased at the idea of her going out somewhere by herself. What if she was attacked? He would not be at her side, as always, and she would not know how to properly defend herself. His lips thinned out in a straight line. It was decided, he would accompany her, whether she liked it or not.

Just as he had made his decision, she came out of her room wearing a blue sweater with a white stripe down the side of each sleeve, matching her blue sweatpants that also had a white stripe running the side of each pant leg.

His eyes shamelessly roamed over her, a slow up and down motion. He rather preferred her other attire. The one that every girl her age seemed to wear. The one that didn't cover so much.

" Well, I'm off." She announced, walking up to him with a wide smile. " I won't be long. Think you can manage without me?" She teased.

He said nothing but kept his eyes on her. Tea shivered under the hard look, before she cleared her throat to clear away some of the tension between them.

" Don't do anything I wouldn't do, and if you want to go downstairs that's fine. Now that Joey knows you're here, you don't have to stay locked up in my parents room." Her smile faded a bit. " I'm really sorry I had to do that to you."

There she went again, blaming herself. Celtic knew very well she was merely worried for his welfare, and for that he was grateful. Besides, he rather preferred the solitude. He did not delight in large crowds. He liked being by himself. It was just something he had grown used to while being a card. You worked alone, fought alone, traveled alone, and died alone.

His eyes drifted back to Tea. He could not deny that he enjoyed her company. There was a pleasant aura about her that made him feel safe and secure, like nothing could touch him so long as she was around. He felt wanted and accepted around her. Everything he'd never felt as a card. It was truly something he wished to continue feeling, but not something he would so outwardly express or admit.

He stirred from his deep thoughts at the loud slamming of a door. Kuso. She had left without him.

Joey let out a loud yawn. Man, sitting around with nothing to do sure was tiring. He jumped up in his seat when he head the slamming of the door. Man, Teya was really mad about the food thing. He patted his stomach.

" Ah, just a couple of minutes an'I'll be stuffin my face wit food." Boy, he couldn't wait. He jumped when he heard the slamming of the door again.

" What da heck?" He muttered, looking at the door. But Teya had already left...

He gave a careless shrug of his shoulders while grabbing the remote and turning on the T.V., absently flicking through the channels.

" Musta'been my imagination." He mumbled, before he stopped the channel when something interesting caught his eye. " All right! Iron Chef is on! I love dis show!" He cheered, almost drooling.

Wrapping her arms tighter around herself, Tea picked up her pace, almost jogging down the sidewalk in her hurry to get to and back from the supermarket in less than half an hour. She didn't want to keep Joey waiting, and she was already starting to worry about Celtic and what he was doing right now.

I just hope Joey doesn't give him a hard time. She felt the corner of her mouth twitch in irritation. If Joey so much as lays one hand on him I'll---

"EEP!" On impulse she leapt away from the hand that landed on her shoulder, not making it more than two feet when the same hand pulled her back with ease. This person was obviously strong, and obviously a man.

Swallowing hard, suddenly wishing she'd at least asked Joey to come with her--or even Celtic--she turned around to face her attacker, only to gasp.

" Celtic! You scared me half to death! Don't do that!" She cried, shaking her head wildly. She was so glad it wasn't some psychopathic killer.

When she finally calmed down, she looked up at him with a suspicious eye. " Hey wait a minute, why are you following me? I thought I told you to stay home?" She scolded softly.

Even though she didn't know him more than a few days, she could already read his thoughts by looking at his eyes.

She smiled cheekily. " You were worried about me?" She figured. It felt oddly nice to know that he had gone out of his way to follow her just to keep her company, and make sure she made it back alive and in one piece.

She huffed, her cheeks puffing out. Not even Joey would do that for me! And he's been my friend for years! Hmpth, some friend. I can count on Celtic more than I can count on him.

" Well, alright, you can come." She wagged her finger at him. " As long as you don't start any fights." She was glad that sword of his was back at her house, and not with him.

She grabbed his hand, squeezing it softly. It felt nice to have his hand back in hers. She felt like a missing part of her had come back. Weird, I've never felt like that about Yugi.

Shaking her head, she started walking again, comforted by Celtic's presence beside her. She secretly glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She'd been so busy the whole day with Joey and trying to hide Celtic from him that she hadn't really appreciated how good the elf looked in his new clothes.

Without all his armor his build no longer looked bulky but lean. It suited him, she knew that much. Not only was he tall, with a perfect build for his height, but his skin was flawless, like porcelain. She was envious, that was for sure. She had to work hard to keep her skin looking this good, while he...well he was probably naturally born with it.

Guys suck. Why do they all have perfect skin and fast metabolisms? That's totally unfair! She felt her eyes moving back to Celtic. And perfect hair too! I mean just look at his hair, no split-ends, naturally straight, what I'd give to have hair like that!

Tea gripped his hand tighter when the supermarket came into view. " Stay close okay? I don't want you getting lost on me." In all honestly, she didn't want those 'boyfriend stealing' looking older women--the ones that always seemed to swarm around these sorts of places--to get their grubby hands on him.

Woah, wait a minute, am I really getting jealous? What's wrong with me! I only get like this around Yugi! Before she knew it they were both walking into the bright lit market, and all eyes were on them, or rather on Celtic.

He stood out, with his handsome appearance and tall lanky figure. All the women in the store, even the ones with their boyfriends and husbands, suddenly became drooling school girls at the sight of the elf, their eyes glued to him like a moth to a flame.

Thankfully his chin-length hair managed to cover his pointy ears, making him look perfectly normal and human. Other than that, he was a total sight for sore eyes. Eye-candy indeed.

Unable to control her jealous nature, Tea glared at them all, and pulled Celtic closer to her side. But the women didn't seem to care, or notice, their attention too focused on the blonde elf to care what she was doing.

Tea frowned, suddenly regretting letting him come with her. It was a dumb stupid thing to do. Now she'd never get her shopping done with all these women gawking at him. And why did all the people working here have to be women too? Argh!

" Don't you know it's rude to stare!" Tea snapped at one of the women who was currently blocking her path, and staring at Celtic like she'd never seen a man in all her life. Tea sighed to herself. She should've known better, especially after their incident with those middle school girls. She knew better than to bring Celtic with her to a place practically infested with women.

The woman in question gave a haughty'hmpth', before she moved aside and let Tea and Celtic pass. Of course, not without giving the elf a flirtatious wink.

Tea felt steam come out of her ears, her face red in anger and jealously. She yanked at Celtic's hand. "Come on." She grumbled, her happy mood long gone.

" Oh my, now that is one hunk of a man." A woman in their isle giggled to her friend who was also captured by Celtic's beauty.

Okay Tea, just breathe. Don't forget that you're here for food, and Joey is back at home waiting for you. Now where's the stupid noodles?

She let go of his hand for an instant to reach up to grab the package of instant noodles--that just happened to be on the top shelf-- and instantly regretted it when a pack of women crowded around Celtic.

She felt her mouth fall open in shock. I can't believe this! They're acting like a bunch of crazy animals!

" What's your name cutie?"

" I don't think I've seen you around?"

" Would you like to join me for some coffee tomorrow, handsome?"

" What's your number? I'd like to give you a call sometime."

" Are you a model?"

" Are you single? Do you have a girlfriend?"

Finally, it was just too much for Tea to handle and she exploded. " ARGH! JUST BACK OFF YOU OLD HAGS! HE'S TAKEN!" She blushed afterwards. D-Did I just say that?

The women all stared at her in shock, before they all started scanning her up and down, wondering what she had that they didn't.

"Oh really?" A stunning blonde haired women drawled, her lips full and red, her eyes a rare shade of hazel.

" Like a girl like you could get a guy like him?" Another pointed out in a laughing voice, clearly disbelieving.

Tea felt a vein in her forehead throb.

" But you're so scrawny. What would he see in a little girl like you?" Another beautiful woman added in.

" What he needs is a real woman." A dark haired woman piped in, her eyes a dark green, veiled under thick long lashes. " Not some little high school cheerleader." The women shared a light laugh.

Tea gritted her teeth. Just keep your mouth shut Tea, the last thing you want to do is make a scene or get into a fight.

Still, she couldn't help but notice that Celtic hadn't said one word. Not one. Why wasn't he defending her? Did he actually agree with these women? If he didn't then why was he still standing there, like nothing was happening?

Angry, hurt, and offended, she stormed off, not caring that she'd left Celtic behind. He can stay with them for all I care! She quickly rushed into another isle, an empty one with no-one around. Sniffling, she wiped at her eyes, trying to get rid of the tears. Stupid, stupid. Why are you crying? It's not like you like him. And besides, he would obviously never go for you. You're too ordinary. Too plain...

She felt her eyes tear up more. That woman was right. What he needs is a real woman, not some little girl with no experience.

" They're all right." She mumbled, bowing her head and leaning against the stack of foods. How did such a nice day go so wrong? Why did she get so jealous? Why did she say all those things?

She wiped the rest of her tears away, not bothering to move from her spot despite how much she wanted to get out of there. Her eyes were red and puffy and her cheeks were wet from tears. She looked like a total fool and she didn't want those women, especially Celtic, to see her like this.

Tea.

Tea's eyes snapped open. " Celtic!" Oh just great, he was probably looking for her right now wondering where the heck she'd run off to like a little baby.

Leave me alone! She shot back in her mind, knowing he'd hear it. Go with those women for all I care!

You obviously don't need me anymore, and I'm obviously too scrawny and little to take care of you. She bitterly added.

Don't talk like that. His voice was stern and serious, and yet there was a comforting, caring edge to it that made her regret her outburst.

Easy for you to say. All you did was stand there and watch. So thanks for defending me and saying something. She replied sarcastically.

She squeaked in surprise when he was suddenly standing in front of her. " I-I thought I told you to leave me alone." She mumbled, turning her head down and to the side, hoping he wouldn't see her face.

She quickly sidestepped out of his reach when he tried to grab her chin. " I--we should hurry up and get the food. Joey's waiting at the house." She said, then hurriedly walked off. She didn't get far though as Celtic reached out and grabbed her by her arm, restraining her. His grip was not hard or forceful, but it was enough to keep her from going anywhere.

" Celtic--" She started, only to get cut off when she felt him press his lips against hers, catching her completely off guard that she almost fell back had he not been holding her.

Her eyes rounded. He's...She couldn't believe it. Was Celtic really kissing her? She felt her eyes involuntarily shut just as the familiar, pleasant tingle passed from his lips to hers. She sighed into his mouth while her arms moved to rest around his neck. Now this was a kiss. Nothing like the last one. She knew for a fact that the other kiss had been nothing, and he had done just because well...she still wasn't sure why but she knew it wasn't because he'd felt something for her.

And now, with all these feelings rushing through their kiss--both from him and her--she was sure he had to feel something for her.

"Celtic," She breathed, pulling back just as he did, both reluctant. Blushing furiously, she looked to the floor. What should I say? This is so...weird. I don't know what to do. I'm still so confused. First Yugi goes to America, and now I'm starting to like being around Celtic more than I ever did around Yugi. Is it wrong for me to be saying this so fast? What if I don't know what I'm talking about?

When Celtic's lips covered hers again, nothing else mattered, only the feeling of his mouth on hers, and the rapid, loud beating of her heart.

This can't be wrong, because it feels too right.

After several minutes they broke away again with Tea panting loudly, trying to catch her breath, while Celtic, apparently more experienced, looked on indifferently.

Licking her lips, tasting him on her mouth--a sweet flavor of berries and mint--she shyly looked up at him, wondering what he'd say or do.

"Celtic, what do you---" Before she could even finish asking her question, the herd of women from before came rushing into their isle.

"There he is!" One cried happily.

"Oh I just have to know his name! He's the hottest guy I've ever seen!"

With a squeak, Tea felt the women crowd around them, before they rushed off with Celtic in the center of their little circle, unable to break away.

" Celtic!" She cried. Ohh, and just when I had the courage to ask him what he felt about me! Argh!

" Today totally bites." She grumbled, and despite the fact that Celtic had practically been dragged off to Kami knows where by those insane women, she couldn't help smile happily and touch her lips.

He's a great kisser too...She thought with a blush.

Tea groaned. Where'd they go? I can't believe I lost them! She sighed. A whole hour doing nothing but walking around the whole supermarket looking for Celtic. She felt like a total dork, walking up the same isles more than ten times.

What if they weren't even here anymore and they'd kidnapped Celtic and taken him to some old warehouse to brainwash him?

No, no, no. I'm just being paranoid. They've gotta be around here somewhere...

"OOF!"

" S-Sorry," She sputtered, embarrassed. She hadn't even been paying attention to where she was going!

"That's alright. It's not everyday I have the luck of bumping into a lovely lady like yourself," The voice was definitely masculine, with a soft, purring quality to it that tempted her to look up to see its owner.

Her eyes went wide. This guy was a total hunk! But what was he doing in a place like this? Didn't hot guys like him have better places to be than a supermarket shopping around for food?

Tea stopped gawking when she realized she'd turned into one of those women who'd stolen Celtic...

ARGH! Celtic! I forgot all about him!

The young man, no older than eighteen, noticed her look of horror. " Is something the matter?"

Tea bit her lip. "Actually I'm looking for someone."

His face seemed to dull. "Oh? Who?"

" Well, he's..." Ugh, don't tell him! He's a total stranger! Besides, who'd believe a story like " My guy friend's been kidnapped by ten horny older women. Oh and they could be dangerous..."

GET REAL! He'd look at her like a total nut case.

Tea caught a glimpse of blonde hair. "Oh, wait, I think I see him." She rushed past him, yelling out the elf's name.

The guy blinked and watched her rush off. "Strange girl. But I've gotta admit." His smile turned into a grin. "She's the first girl to actually run off on me without giving me her number or asking for mine."

Completely forgetting about the food, Tea rushed out into the parking lot where she'd seen the Celtic-look-alike go.

" CELTIC!" She yelled worriedly. I'm such an idiot! I'm supposed to be watching over him and I just let those women run off with him! ARGH! She could kick herself right now.

Celtic had managed to get away from those women long enough to go back to the market, hopingTea hadn't given up on him and gone back home. Just when he'd finally understood how deep his feelings were for Tea, those women had to drag him away.

Celtic stopped looking for the brunette when he'd spotted her talking with a boy around her age, if not older. While he easily noticed Tea's lack of interest for the boy, he was still infuriated with the scene, a stinging mix of both jealousy and protectiveness darkening his green eyes.

So caught up in watching Tea and the boy talk, he didn't notice the women approaching him from behind before it was too late and they were dragging him back outside.

Being an elf of honor and value, he did not fight them back, under no circumstances would he hurt a woman.

He didn'tkmow how far the women had taken him from the market, but it wasn't enough, and he could clearly hear Tea's cries for him.

Even with the distance between them he could feel her pain and anguish, her fear and desperation, all caused by his disappearance.

He quickly called out to her through telepathy. Tea.

Just him simply calling out her name made all her worries stop, and he could sense her relief.

Tea sighed in relief when she heard Celtic contact her through telepathy. Thank kami...he's okay.

She was about to reply back to Celtic, and ask him where he was and if he was alright, but the words seemed to catch in her throat when she saw a car speeding her way, the headlights blinding her and causing her to freeze in place, even when the driver honked frantically and shouted for her to get out of the way.

Tea knew in that instant her fate. I-I'm going to die... She shut her eyes and waited for the hit.

Celtic froze in horror when he caught Tea's message and instantly broke free from the women and ran with incredible speed back to the parking lot. That's when he heard it...

"AHHHH!"

CRASH!

NO! TEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAA!

A/N: Go ahead. Say it. lol. You all HATE ME! Hehe, I'm sorry about the long wait folks. When it came to writing this chappy it was almost as bad as pulling teeth. BUT DON'T WORRY! Tea's gonna be alright. >.> or is she? And what's gonna happen to Celtic? The gang? Yugi?

FIND OUT NEXT CHAPTER!

So if ya want Tea to live REVIEW REIVEW, AND REVIEW! XP