NOTE: Standings:

TEA:

Seto: 43

(Yugi: 10)

Noa: 2

SERENITY:

Mokuba: 30

Tristan: 1

Alright…you SetoxTea lovers asked for it….

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 15: Prank Day

July 12

Noa fidgeted on the sofa. He had been sent there to let Mokuba rest out the morning…or whole day if need be, because of the accident yesterday. So, Noa Kaiba was stuck sleeping on the lobby couch for the night.

But he was having the most wonderful of dreams….

Noa opened his eyes. Quite the surprise greeted his eyes. Tea was sitting next to him, leaning over him and stroking his hair. Her eyes gazed back into his own.

"Whoa…when did this happen?" he asked her.

Tea smiled sweetly, "Since forever, Noa-darling."

Noa blushed, "N-Noa, d-darling?"

"Well of course. It's only fitting," she moved her hand down the side of his face. "After all, I love you, don't I?"

"Y-You do?" Noa stuttered.

"Of course. Why else would I do this?" she leaned down, aiming to kiss him. Noa's hand moved up to pull her forewords nonetheless.

Noa was stunned. But he was loving this…. Please don't let me wake up…because I know this has to be a dream…though it does feel oddly real….

Tea's lips touched Noa's.

He woke up.

But for some reason, he still felt a pressure on his lips.

Lord…did I grab a pillow again? He opened his eyes a smidge. His eyes suddenly opened wide and he let go of what he had actually grabbed.

Noa blinked, "Tea…I am so sorry! I had no idea! I was-"

"Dreaming…yeah…I heard…and saw," she smiled, kneeling next to him.

"I'm really sorry," Noa pulled the blanket he had over his head. Underneath it, he blushed so badly, that the color red stayed permanently etched into his face.

"Oh come on," she shook him under the cover, "Don't get so embarrassed! It was an accident! And it's not like anybody saw! Come on! We'll be laughing about it later!" she laughed right then and there.

Noa was silently laughing too. But not for the same reason. In shaking him lightly against his chest, she had found his ticklish spot. He was about to die from laughter and pain.

"Alright, Tea, I give up!" he laughed, pulling the blanket out from over his head. "Alright!"

Tea laughed, "Okay, okay. Say…want to join me for breakfast?"

"Sure," Noa hopped off the couch. They walked over to the dining room, read to get their meals. After ordering, Tea asked him a question.

"So…what were you dreaming about anyway? It sounded interesting."

"Sounded?" he inquired.

"You talk in your sleep. Did you know that?"

"I DO!" he exploded.

"Yes," she laughed.

"What did I say?"

"Hmmm…something like…'When did this happen…'…and you said your name…and 'You do?'. Yeah. That was about it. It was very interesting."

"Oh great…I'm becoming Mokuba."

"He does that too?"

"And much more," Noa sighed.

Tea bit her lip and looked away, seemingly daring herself to ask what was on her mind, "Does…Kaiba do that?"

"Hmm…I dunno," Noa thought, "Might have heard him say something a couple times…but maybe I'm getting confused with Mokuba. Actually…no that I think about, I think he does…. When Mokie and I creep in there sometimes, he has some interesting conversations in his dreams."

"Oh," Tea stopped herself from laughing. It was hard to imagine Seto Kaiba sleep-talking. Then again, he was probably most vulnerable in his sleep.

Serenity snuck down the stairs. She heard Tea and Noa talking in the dining room. This was good. As long as no one caught her, she was home-free.

She snuck behind the register in the lobby and started searching the shelves. Where could they be? They have to be somewhere….

Serenity peered behind tons of objects, searching. Where are they- aha! Serenity smiled as she took out the basket of spare key-cards. She picked out the last number: number ten.

Now…I can visit Mokuba…. I really owe it to him. Serenity stole back up the stairs. She looked up and down the hallway, making sure no one was around and tip-toed down the hall to Mokuba's room. She sighed. I'm surprised I haven't been caught yet…especially not by Kaiba. He would be likely to be guarding Mokuba's room-

She slipped in the card and opened the door. She stopped immediately and froze in the doorway.

Seto Kaiba sat in a chair staring right in her direction.

Serenity's heart froze. She suddenly blinked. Why wasn't he getting up? She squinted. Oh! Seto was asleep in a chair right beside Mokuba's bed. She sighed in relief. That had been close indeed. I guess I'll just have to visit him later. Kaiba will leave eventually…. She backed out and closed the door softly. She turned around and almost yelped, practically jumping out of her skin.

Ryou, however; was the one who had jumped. He clutched his heart and fell back against the frame of the bathroom door.

"Oye…Serenity, I didn't see you there. You gave me quite the fright!"

"Sorry," she muttered.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"Nothing…just coming back from the bathroom," she smiled innocently.

"Oh…very well then," Ryou shrugged and proceeded into the bathroom. Serenity sighed. Another close call. Her face suddenly screwed up tightly. Why was Ryou walking towards the farther bathroom? The other bathroom on the other side of the hall was much closer to his room! Must be the early morning effect.

Serenity began walking back towards the stairs, when she stopped, and decided to go further down the hall. Her brother's door was open a smidge, and she just wanted to see what had become of his room lately.

Serenity reached his door and was about to push it open when she was suddenly grabbed from the collar and dragged into the door next to her. She yelped and had a hand cover her mouth.

"Relax, girl, it's only me!" Mai's voice filled the air.

"Oh, Lord, don't do that! If you wanted my attention, you could have just tapped my shoulder or something!"

"Yeah, whatever. Look, we have to catch Ryou as well when he comes back."

"Why?"

Mai smirked, "I do believe today is the day."

Ryou walked back to his room after his bathroom trip. His eyes narrowed, Strange…why did I take the long way? There was a bathroom right down the hall from my room. Oh well…just going back to sleep anyway. I know it's strange…but I feel absolutely exhausted today. I wonder why…. In the core of his mind, he already had the answer. With a sigh, he brought it out, Bakura?

What, was the irritable reply.

What have you been up to? I'm exhausted.

Nothing concerning you. A little walks here and there never hurt anyone….

What pranks are you pulling on whom?

Look at you! You're a disgrace! What makes you think I'm pulling pranks?

Because you've had the most dull twelve days of your life and you're looking for some excitement.

I'll say though, what you and those two barbaric girls are planning has been quite the entertainment for me!

Ryou mentally slapped himself. He had totally forgotten about that! Well, in that case, maybe the girls had forgotten about it too! This cheered him up slightly. He turned to his door, ready to slip the card-key in.

Four hands suddenly grabbed his shoulders and hurdled him into a room on the opposite side of the hall.

Tristan yawned and opened his door, stepping under the threshold. Something had woken him…a yell?

Something wet suddenly poured down on him from above, and something landed on his head, blinding him.

"AH! Get this thing off!" he yelled, running around like a chicken with out a head. Duke's door flung open.

"What in the name of Sam Hill is going on here-! Hold mushrooms! Dude, watch where you're going- oomph!" Tristan barreled straight into him, knocked the dice master to the floor, and the two landed in a crumpled heap.

"Guys!" Joey's door suddenly burst open, "What da heck are ya doin', wakin' people at dis houa'!" he shouted.

"Oh, you're really helping, Wheeler!" Seto suddenly shouted from the end of the hall.

"Hey, well, so are you!" Joey shouted back. Tea and Noa appeared at the top of the stairs to see what the matter was. Mai, Serenity and their new captive, Ryou, appeared in Mai's doorway.

Duke grunted and tried shoving Tristan off of him, "Dude! Quit eating all of those hamburgers! You weigh a ton! Get off!"

Tristan lifted the bucket off his head, "Dude…somebody pranked me, and I'm gonna get 'em if it's the last thing I do!"

"What was in the bucket?" Duke looked at the stains now clouding his own shirt, due to the residue from Tristan's bucket.

Tristan took the bucket off his head –revealing a sticky, white-coated mess of Tristan Taylor's head, "I dunno…glue?"

Duke felt the stuff, "Um…I don't think this is glue, Tris. I think this is that paper Mache stuff…water and glue."

"Dude! That stuff dries hard!" Tristan jumped up, looking around frantically for the bathroom door. Joey was struggling not to laugh. Seto was laughing wholeheartedly. Serenity bit her lip as Mai snickered. Tea's hands were over her mouth and Noa was trying hard not to laugh as well.

Ryou hid his face behind his hands. Bakura…you baka. Bakura just rolled on the floor of their conjoined minds, laughing his head off.

Just think, my boy! That stuff dries hard, doesn't come off easily and doesn't come off clothes…much! Ha! Ryou could have punched the spirit.

And Yugi, with his Tea-given earplugs…slept through the entire show.

Tristan was in the bathroom for approximately two hours. Duke had only spent an hour in there, trying to get the stuff off of his clothes, and few droplets out of his hair and off his body. The rest returned to their other activities.

Mai sat down with her two companions. "Alright, so, I thought today would be a perfect day to put the plan into action."

"Why?" Ryou inquired.

"Because! Tea can catch Kaiba on the rebound!" Mai retorted.

"Huh?" Serenity cocked her head.

"Look!" Mai pointed out, "Kaiba's going to be really upset today because of what happened yesterday (Serenity shifted nervously), so, we can tell Tea it'll make him happier if she turns on the charm…if you know what I mean," Mai winked.

"Oh, I know all too well, Ryou put his head in his hands, "I was the one who thought of the original plan."

"And what a marvelous plan it was," Mai smiled, putting an arm around his shoulders.

"But how do we get him outside?" Serenity asked.

"We'll work that out later. I just wish we could get this on tape or something…it'll be priceless!"

Serenity suddenly snapped her fingers, "Just a second!" She whizzed out of the room and was back in two minutes. "Got it! Look here! I bought it yesterday!" she held out the small video camera she had bought the day before.

"Oh my flippen God, this is perfect!" Mai shrieked, "You are a genius!" she hugged the girl.

Three pranks in one day, Bakura cried happily from Ryou's mind.

Three? What? There was yours…and ours. What else is there, Ryou narrowed his eyes testily.

Ha! You wish you'd know. I feel so tricky today, that I may decide to throw five pranks! But two will be good enough for me….

I'm not going to let you!

You have no choice in it boy. You just wait….

"Mai…Serenity?"

"Yeah?" they both replied.

"Keep a watch-" Ryou suddenly stopped. He was starting to blank out. "Keep a watch on Kaiba today, just to see when you can send him outside," he suddenly said again.

"Okay…" Mai replied, a little confused. They had already made that plan….

"Ryou? Why does your voice sound deeper?" Serenity asked.

"Dunno," Ryou shrugged. Ahem…Bakura shrugged.

And phase two of "Prank Day" was soon to begin.

Soon after, Joey had gone into the bathroom to take his own shower. Bakura was ready. No one else was around. Once Joey began finishing up, Bakura wet a large bar of soap and slipped it under the compartment door and right where Joey was bound to step.

Bakura had it all worked out.

He had the door unlocked and was ready to push it open when Joey stepped out. The door out of the bathroom was already jammed open.

Bakura was merciless.

The shower turned off. Bakura pushed the door open. He heard a yelp from Joey as the boy not only noticed the two open doors, but had stepped onto the soap as well. Bakura only snickered as Joey (with a towel on, thankfully) came flying through the door (anime style) and over to the entrance to the other door.

By this time, a couple doors down the hall had opened and heads were peeking out. They two started snickering when they saw Joey's body approaching.

And as Joey fell forward and slipped off the soap-

He landed onto a well placed skateboard and rolled down the hallway.

Tea was on the stairs, keeping her eyes covered and just barely peeking over the tops as Joey rushed down the hall. Mai was blinking in utter amazement at what was happening and almost blushing. Bakura was laughing his head off from the bathroom threshold. Duke and Tristan were laughing and urging Joey on. Noa was just blinking and shaking his head in utter disappointment. Seto had stepped out of Mokuba's room to see what all the fuss was about. He had to hold back a laugh as he saw the yelping dog coming down the hallway on his stomach, making sure his towel was staying on.

"I just had to leave my clothes in my room accidentally," Serenity stepped out of the opposite bathroom, holding her wrapped towel around her torso. "Gotta make a run for my room-"

"Ren! Watch it!"

"Joey?" Serenity suddenly looked up from the floor and shrieked. Joey was hurdling towards her on the skateboard.

Mokuba had woken up long ago (with a very painful headache, although he had taken the pills Tea had given to Seto), and he wanted to see what was up. Just as Joey was about to careen into Serenity, he looked out.

And that's when it happened.

Serenity screamed and most everybody winced when Joey collided into his sister. At the end of the hall, there was a heap of towel-clad (just barely) Wheelers.

All Joey could think was, Kaiba is never going to let me live this down.

Serenity however; after pulling herself out form under Joey rather difficultly (she had to hold onto her towel, of course), jumped up and yelled at him, "JOEY! YOU BAKA! WHAT THE FLIP DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING! GOOD LORD!" she screamed running down the hall to her room and frantically trying to push the card into its slot and open the door. After some tries, she finally got it open and rushed inside, slamming the door shut.

Mokuba retreated to his bed. He hadn't been exactly ready to see that much of Serenity yet….

Joey stood up carefully. He glanced around at the many watching eyes and jogged back to his room quickly. Just as he ran into his room and shut the door, everyone noticed the towel come flying off Joey's waist.

"Thank God for doors," Mai commented.

Ryou was back in control now.

And he was utterly ashamed.

Serenity was totally embarrassed. What had Joey been thinking? Of all the days to leave her clothes in her room, it had to be this day!

I can't show my face for the rest of the day…at least.

A knock sounded at her door. Serenity sighed. Spoke too soon. She walked over and opened the door. Mai immediately rushed in and shut it.

"Alright girl, we need to talk-"

"Is it the plan? 'Cause I'm not showing my face today."

"Ryou and I figured you'd say that. So, he's taking Tea outside. I'll somehow lure Kaiba out. All you have to do is make sure you're under the table when I call you. Remember the rest?"

"Yeah," Serenity cocked her head, "But how long will it take you to get Kaiba out there, onto the deck?"

Mai shrugged, "Dunno. Just keep the walkie-talkie close by. I'll beep you when I'm ready."

"Alright…but what do I do in the meantime?" Serenity asked as Mai opened the door.

"Hang low, kid," Mai replied, walking out. Serenity blinked and took out a card-key. She smiled. Time to pay someone a visit….

Yugi walked down the stairs, going towards the kitchen, ready to get a snack. He was devastatingly hungry!

As he was about to step into the dining room, the drink-bar-tender from outside approached him. "Ah, good day to you Mister Muto."

"Hello, Jacques," Yugi replied, smiling.

"Mail came for you today, sir," he held out a letter.

"Oh?" Yugi took it, "Thank you."

"Pleasure," Jacques smiled and walked away. Yugi looked down at the letter. It was addressed from his home. He sighed. Was Rebekah still there? Best see and find out, he thought, opening the letter. He took out the folded piece of paper and read it.

Dearest Yugi,

Hello there! Yugi, I felt to honored and happy when I read your reply! I truth, I didn't know if you would reply at all! You've made me very happy! How is your vacation going? Are you having a relaxing and fun time? I hope so. I've been exploring Domino lately, getting to know the place. You never know…I may move from San Francisco to Domino one day! Well, I hope you enjoy yourself! Later!

Love, Rebekah

PS: Would you please reply again? I really love getting letters from you!

Yugi sighed. Another letter from her? She must really like him…. There goes my peaceful snack…. Now I have to think over writing a letter while eating. And that's never fun. Yugi ran back up to his room, grabbed a piece of paper, a pen and an envelope before returning downstairs and heading into the dining room.

But before he could reach the room, Joey stopped him in the doorway.

"Hey Yug? Whatcha got there?"

"Nothing…just a letter," Yugi replied, blushing slightly, and trying to brush past Joey. Joey, however, snatched up the letter.

"Anoth'a one from Rebekah? Gosh, she really does like you! Haha!" he laughed, reading over it.

"Give it here, Joey!" Yugi reached up to grab it.

"Calm down, Yug," he replied, handing back the letter. "Speaking of likin' people…when are you gonna keep the end of da bargain and tell Tea ya like her?"

"Huh?" Yugi paled, "Well, gee…I dunno…."

"You've gotta tell her within the month…and it's about halfway done," Joey affirmed, "Ya gotta tell her sometime."

"Yeah, okay," Yugi sighed, "Can I jus go have a snack now, and answer my letter in peace?"

Joey narrowed his eyes, "Uh, sure? Why not?" He walked away. Yugi looked at the letter once more.

What am I going to do? I really do want to tell Tea how I fell…but how will she react? Will she feel the same? And what about Rebekah? She obviously cares for me. If Tea loves me as well…then what? What do I tell Rebekah? It will break her heart…assuming my heart isn't broken first.

Serenity crept over to Mokuba's door. She inserted the key quietly and opened the door only slightly. Seto was no where in sight. Mai must have been taking care of him.

Serenity knocked softly, "Mokuba?"

"…Huh? …Who…what?" a groggy voice replied.

"Oh, I'm sorry? Did I wake you?"

"No…I've just got a headache…but it's lessening…. Who's there?"

"It's me," Serenity closed the door, "Serenity."

"Serenity!" Mokuba popped up in bed, even in his poor state.

"Yeah. I came to visit. Is that okay?"

"Yeah! I mean…yeah," Mokuba calmed down a bit. "But can we keep the lights off? Light hurts my eyes right now…."

"Sure! Just have to feel my way around…."

"There's a chair here, near the side of the bed. Say…how did you get in here anyway?"

"I snuck out the spare card-key," Serenity replied, finding the chair."

Mokuba smiled, "I love doing that."

"Yeah. So, how are you feeling? Are you any better?"

"Yeah! Loads…not that I was very "sick" in the first place," Mokuba replied, trying to sound more manly.

Serenity laughed, "Of course."

"Yeah…those pills Tea gave to Seto for me really helped. How did she know?"

Serenity looked away, "Oh…did you not hear?"

"…No."

"She's been in the same state as you are. She was forced into a vodka a few years ago. So, she knows just how you feel."

"Oh…wow. That's even worse than beer," Mokuba looked at where he supposed Serenity was.

"Yeah. Believe me, I've seen the effects of it in people," she huffed, "My father is a living example." Mokuba didn't reply. "So…on a happier note," Serenity started trying to change the subject, "Having fun here at the beach?"

"Of course! Who wouldn't have fun here?"

"Your brother," Serenity replied, holding back a snicker.

"Well…you've sort of got a point there," Mokuba answered, "I've been trying to make him have fun. It's about as successful as Noa and my plan for getting him a girlfriend."

Serenity froze. She had momentarily forgotten about the plan. What was Mai doing anyway?

"So…who have you been trying to get him hooked up with?" she asked slowly.

Mokuba shrugged, "Various people. Corporate people, models, maids; anyone really." Serenity sighed audibly. Mokuba found that strange, "What was that for?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing!" she tried covering up. What was Mai doing? It had been awhile since their talk-

As if to answer her question, a quick and quiet beep came from Serenity's pocket. The room froze.

"Serenity? What was that?" Mokuba inquired.

"Hey Mokuba? Can I come back later? I've got to run somewhere really quickly. I just remembered I have to do something, okay?"

"Uh…sure," Mokuba replied, as he heard Serenity scampering away. He saw the door open and close. Mokuba simply shrugged and collapsed back onto the pillows. Time for another nap….

Serenity grabbed her video camera from her room and dashed out the door downstairs. Fast-walking to the deck, she noticed that Seto was seated at a bench there, looking out over the sea. He had one hand lounged on the rim of the seat. Ryou was sitting near the deck –or rather, below it and against the cement wall- reading a book. He was on watch duty.

She nodded to him and walked up the deck, concealing the camera as best as she could. Seto didn't notice her. No one else was around. Really, they were all a ways away, down on the beach, or inside the beach house.

Mai and Tea were no where to be seen.

It was all working out according to plan. Serenity ducker under one of the nearer, but not nearest, picnic benches by Seto. She got the tape in the recorder ready. Almost everything was set. All they needed were Mai and Tea…..

Still, Serenity couldn't help but to wonder how Mai had gotten Seto out here.

"So…Tea, you enjoying the vacation?" Mai started a bit lamely as she walked with her outside. They were heading towards the deck.

"It's been really great!" Tea sighed, "I've been loving it. You know…this is what I thought I might do after senior year! Actually, I just dreamed about going somewhere like this. I always envied the people who said they would go to the U.S. or Hawaii or something. But being at the beach with all my friends is ten times better!"

"Well, I'm glad you think that way," Mai smiled as they started walking past Ryou.

"Hey Ryou! What are you reading?" Tea stopped and bent down. Ryou didn't answer. Tea scrunched her eyebrows, "Hello? Earth to Ryou? You in there?"

Mai cleared her throat loudly. Ryou suddenly jumped; the book flying into the air. He fumbled with it for a second, but then caught it. "Oh! Why, hello there, Tea. What brings you here?" he glanced at Mai, who looked disapprovingly at the book.

Ryou smiled slightly in a sheepish manner. Perhaps bringing a really good and absorbing book out on watch duty wasn't the best idea….

"I was just asking what you were reading."

"Ah! Shakespeare! Isn't e grand? Yes, well, I suppose you two had best be on your way. I wouldn't want to distract you from whatever you were talking about before I came into the picture," he chuckled hesitantly. "Anywho, cheerio!" he waved, going back to the book.

Tea stood up and cocked her head, "Uh…okay…."

"Come on," Mai rolled her eyes, dragging Tea up he deck. She sighed. Smooth, Ryou…really smooth.

Ryou peeked over the top of his book and looked around. No one else in sight…. He would just keep watch like this for a while.

Mai and Tea walked over to the banister that overlooked the beach and ocean below. They were on the opposite side of the deck from Seto. Mai glanced beneath the table cloths on the farther benches and saw hints of Serenity under one. She smirked. This would be too good…. She just had to get Tea into it. She hoped this would work….

"Yeah," Mai leaned against the rim, "So, it's all be happy for you?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Tea leaned on the railing as well. "Well, parts of yesterday weren't the best, but Mokuba will be better by tomorrow."

"Sure he will!" Mai replied. She looked over at Seto purposely. "Well, Kaiba over there doesn't seem too happy. Mokuba, you reckon?"

"Huh?" Tea looked over. Seto's face was pretty set into a stern look. Then again, there also seemed to be a hint of impatience in it too….

"Yeah…poor guy. I kind of feel sorry for him, you know?" Tea stated. Mai's eyebrows rose. This was too good….

"I understand," Mai was smiling broadly behind Tea's back, "Say, I know what we could probably do to make him lighten up!"

Tea turned around with a slightly confused look on her face, "You do? What?"

"Well," Mai dragged out, looking away from Tea and focusing her attention more on the far north of the beach, "All guys are the same at the core, right? I mean...you know…they're all guys."

"Yeah…?" Tea cocked an eyebrow, "What's that got to do with anything?"

"What I mean is, there are certain things that all guys enjoy. It's pretty universal that they're obsessed with some sort of sport; they all eat like its going out of style and…" Mai turned slowly to face Tea. Tea gestured to her to hurry up. Tea was starting to get curious. "Well," Mai rolled her eyes slowly, "All guys like it when say…girls flirt with them," he eyes landed straight into Tea.

Tea blinked, "What. The. Heck. Are. You. Getting. At!"

Mai set her face and lowered her voice, "I dare you to go over there and flirt with Seto Kaiba."

"No, no and definitely not!" Tea put her hands out in front of her and waved them, "Do you take me for an idiot! I will do no such thing?"

Mai rolled her eyes, "Come on! Don't you want him to lighten up even the slightest?"

"Then why don't you go and flirt with him? I don't think he even likes that sort of thing! He is the one exception to the universal Guy Rules!"

"Oh? Prove it. I dare you…again," Mai smiled.

Tea fought for a come-back. But none came. "No. I refuse."

"Not even for…twenty bucks?" Mai geld out a twenty.

"Why do you want me to even go and flirt with him?"

"I dunno," Mai shrugged, lying through her teeth, "I just want to see how he reacts. Maybe we'll actually learn something about him. Maybe is NORMAL after all," Mai laid it on thickly. Tea still wasn't answering. But she did look like she was pondering it massively.

Mai sighed, "Look, fifty bucks is the highest I'm going," she pulled out a fifty instead. "Just think of being fifty bucks closer to that dance school you want to go to! And all you have to do is lay some simple flirts on one guy! Flirting is what girls do best!"

Tea bit her lip. The offer was beginning to get interesting. She took a deep breath and gave her answer—

"I had better get every cent of those fifty dollars for doing this," she directed towards Mai.

"Consider it yours," Mai replied, "But I'll hold onto it until you actually go through with it all. Just three minutes is all you have to get out of him. That's almost…seventeen dollars a minute!"

"And what exactly am I supposed to say to him!" Tea flipped.

Mai blew a mini raspberry, "I don't know! Just… "compliment" him on something! Say something about his hair – get creative! Just go!" she urged Tea quietly and pushed her slightly.

Tea took a deep breath. She couldn't believe she was doing this! And for money too! Well…and scientific purposes. After all, finding out if Seto Kaiba was a normal person was a scientific adventure, wasn't it? Hmm…she should have used that idea for the Science Fair one year….

Mai had to stop herself from smiling too much or laughing. She could only hope Serenity was having no trouble whatsoever with the camera….

Seto tapped his fingers impatiently on the wood of the bench. What was taking Noa so long? Valentine had said that Noa wanted to meet him out here for something and that he would be along in a minute. But it had been over five minutes! If the kid didn't show soon, he was leaving to go and find him. Unless-

But Seto didn't have time to think of an "unless" statement. He felt the presence of someone near him and felt the bench squeak as the person sat there. Noa? Finally!

He turned his head, ready to ask the boy where he had been when he stopped.

"Gardner? What the heck are you doing here?" he spat out impatiently. Great…the pigeons were starting to flock around him; he had been here so long.

"Oh, nothing," she put some hair behind her ear and seemed to run a hand through it. Was it his imagination, or had she just scooted ever so closer to him on the bench.

Had to be his imagination. He turned his head away to look at the ocean once more. But something was bothering him. Was it the fact that Gardner was sighing really softly? He turned his head back around and was met with two surprises.

One: Tea was really close to him now.

Two: she was looking rather dreamily at him.

"What do you-"

"I'm sorry," she said in a syrupy sweet voice, "But I couldn't help but notice what sleek hair you have….it's very becoming," she suddenly reached a hand up and ran her fingers through the far side of his bangs (though it was the side nearest to her).

Seto gaped at Tea. Had he not been so proper, his mouth probably would have been open too. Was she flirting with him?

She looked up at him, cocking her head coyly. Yet she stared with curiousness in her eyes, "And yours eyes…what a stunning blue! When the sun shines on them like that. I never noticed before…you keep them so dark," she moved some of the bangs covering his eyes aside.

Seto was still in shock. He couldn't believe this! Tea Gardner did not randomly come up and flirt with people!

He quickly glanced over in the direction he supposed she had come from. He had heard her and Mai whispering to each other not long ago.

He saw Mai watching them inconspicuously. And she was trying hard not to smile or laugh.

So that was their game, was it? Seto felt a small smirk tug at the end of his lips. Maybe they weren't aware of it, but he could play games too….

His eyes refocused on Tea, who was now running her hand down the line of his jaw. Now was the perfect chance.

He took her hand from her jaw and held it carefully. Now she was the one who looked stunned. Seto ran his thumb down her knuckle and finger, "You have the softest hands," he stated, bringing her hand up to kiss it-

And so he did.

Tea blinked stupidly. She took her hand back, though it didn't have to travel a far distance. She was right up next to Seto. Of course, she had brought that upon herself.

He took her by the shoulder, softly, and pulled her closer – more if you can imagine so. He pulled her so close, that Tea was sure he could hear her heart beating frantically in her chest cavity. This was more than she had bargained for!

Seto ran a hand through s strange of her hair and down her shoulder, trailing her sleeveless arm.

Tea's attention was greatly distracted on what he was doing to her, "K-Kaiba," she said softly, not noticing her stutter.

She gave a short chuckle, and cupped her chin lightly, "Yes?" he answered. AS he did so, he looked directly into her eyes. And how they gazed back. They shone and sparkled – a true blue. Tea saw his own eyes soften, though for what reason, she didn't know.

Seto was wondering what kind of personality he hadn't seen from Tea. Those beautiful blue eyes couldn't belong to a ditz…a ditzy cheerleader or a rash arguer. No…they belonged to someone deeper…someone familiar….

What Seto did next had not been part of his plan at all.

But it came all the same.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Mai gasped.

Serenity tried hard not to drop the camera.

Tea was in complete shock.

Seto was oblivious. All he knew was that Tea was showing just the faintest of reaction – she was just barely kissing back as well. It was as if she didn't know whether or not to kiss back.

Ryou took his bi-minutely look over the top of his book. No one was approaching-

Wait.

Joey was coming. Right towards the deck. Ryou popped up, dropping his book and walked over to Joey, "Hello, there! What might you be doing right now?"

"Ah, I was jus' lookin' fer Mai. I swear I saw her up der," he pointed up the deck. His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw two people on the bench. One looked like Tea, but he couldn't place the other person, because the face was being blocked by Tea's head.

"Hey Ryou…who's dat?" he pointed at Tea, "Well, 'sides Tea, I mean."

Ryou turned around, starting to worry. He suddenly jumped violently and clutched his heart, "GOOD HEAVENS!" Indeed, he had not as of yet, been acquainted with the sight of Seto Kaiba kissing Tea.

"What's happenin' up der?" Joey tried walking around Ryou. Ryou blocked his way.

"No one, I'm sure. Now, I think I saw Mai pass here and go inside," he turned Joey around and started pushing him towards the door. Ryou looked back over his shoulder. No one else was coming…..

He still couldn't believe how far Tea had gone!

Tea barely knew what was happening. To recap…Seto Kaiba had just kissed her. What next! Of course, the feeling didn't feel as horrible as she thought it might. In fact, it seemed sort of…

Right.

However; Tea was jerked back to her sense when she suddenly felt Seto beginning to run his hands down her side to her waist-

And they weren't to go any further.

Tea raised her hand and gave him the slap of the century.

SMACK!

Seto's head was forced away from Tea's by the impact. Tea heaved slightly, still holding her hand up. And she was completely red in the face.

"How dare-" Tea stopped. Seto was laughing. "What are you laughing at?"

Seto raised his head back up, paying no attention to the red mark on his cheek. Tea started getting the picture. "You cad! You knew what was going on, didn't you! Argh!" she bolted from the bench in great fury and stomped over to Mai, who still had an amused look on her face.

Tea held out her hand. Mai placed the fifty in it, "You deserved it, hun." Tea paid no mind to her. All her mind was set on was getting back into the beach house and going up to her room to start venting out her anger.

Seto had stopped laughing and had now turned his glare upon Mai. He stood up.

Mai whispered to herself, "And this is my cue to run." And thus, she dashed away, leaving Serenity under the table. Mai wasn't really up to facing Seto Kaiba at the moment about lying to him about his brother wanting to see him.

Serenity was so proud of herself! She had caught everything on film! Nothing had gone wrong! It was all perfect! Wait until Ryou saw this! And for Mai, well, it would be better the second time around.

Mai and Serenity were beaming widely at the scene on the camera. Ryou was completely stunned. It was like watching a horror movie for him. He didn't know what the heck would happen next! Everything was a surprise!

Serenity stopped the tape once it ended, and looked at the time on it, "And the best part is: she flirted for seven minutes!"

That night, Serenity watched Seto say goodnight to Mokuba from the boy's doorway. Seto then exited and went into his own room. Noa was spending the night on the couch again, downstairs. He would return to his room the next day, for Mokuba was sure to be better. In fact, Noa and Seto had told the group at dinner that Mokuba was doing much better. Everyone was ecstatic to hear that.

But Serenity had some unfinished business to attend to. Because of that prank they pulled, Serenity had gotten gypped out of her time to talk with Mokuba. Now would be perfect.

She slipped into his room and uttered a greeting. He was up in a heartbeat. Serenity sat on the chair next to his bed once more.

They talked the night away.

Well, there it was! How did you SetoxTea lovers like it? I certainly did! I swear, I was celebrating the minute I wrote that Seto kissed Tea. IT WAS THEIR FIRST KISS THIS STORY! Can you believe it? Usually, in my other stories, they probably would have kissed a ton of times by now! Anywho, please review! (PS: Get voting, because The SERENITY polls close within the next two or three chapters!)