Dedications: This one, like the last one, is dedicated to my bessies, Steph, Maria and Stacy, obviously as means as its called friendly reassurance, huh?
Disclaimer: These things suck…im never gonna own bstard Yu-Gi-Oh!
One Door Closes, Another Opens.
Friendly Reassurance.
"Hey, big brother!" Mokuba smiled as he joined Seto in the limo.
"Hello, Mokuba, good day?"
"Umm…" He started tapping his chin sarcastically. "Yeah it was great" He rolled his eyes at his brother. "You are the dumbest smart person ive ever met, you know?"
"Well school doesn't really get much better when you're at high school either kiddo." Seto explained. Then the last thing Mokuba has Said to him registered in his head. "Oh and you're the dumbest dumb person ive ever met" He added, as though the pause was acctually there for his comment.
"Thanks!" Mokuba replied. They talked about the normal stuff (as usual) but these things, most people, wouldn't expect from Seto Kaiba, the cold hearted CEO. (We all love him really!..Sorry got distracted again huh?) He was usually a heartless prick but to his brother he was different. His eyes weren't so icy and he laughed and smiled, usually at the strange, funny and just down right weird things that came from his sibling's mouth. But whatever Mokuba said didn't really register in Seto's mind, and visa versa. They were both thinking about Tèa, but at least Mokuba knew she would be there tonight and maybe, just maybe they could find out what's wrong with her and help, maybe get Seto a girlfriend as they did so, but that was probably pushing his look a bit. Seto on the other hand didn't know any of this, only that she wasn't herself; it didn't take a genius to work that out! I mean come on…even Joey would have noticed if it not for the fact that he actually KNEW why. Questions span round in the younger Kaiba's head. What on earth could disturb the bubbly cheerleader… I mean bubbly Tèa, so much she didn't even speak?
Humph, I don't care anyway. Seto reassured himself. Or do I? NO NO I don't! She's just one of Yugi's silly cheerleaders, one of the 'geek squad'. But she didn't seem to want to talk to anyone, not even them. Ha I told her those stupid speeches of hers would never really help in the long run. I wonder why she's being like this. His thoughts continued in this manor until they reached home and his mind came back to reality and as he did so, so did Mokuba. They gathered their belonging's from the limousines back seats. Mokuba snatched a piece of paper en-titled 'English essay' before Seto could see it. He smiled guiltily at his brother but Seto took no notice at what kind of smile it was and just smiled back.
Phew Mokuba thought. He hated doing homework and would do anything to get out of it. If Seto Kaiba knew his little brother, future heir of Kaiba corp. was not taking his education 'seriously' he would flip. No one else at school did their homework and he found it unfair that he was made to do it. He knew there were worse things in the world but come on, take Math's for example, why the hell will he ever need stupid equations?
The chauffer opened the limo door and they Seto and Mokuba Kaiba stepped out. Seto's strides towards the house were long and fast but Mokuba managed to keep up by running beside him. When they entered the building Seto turned around and looked at his brother.
"Come on then Mokuba, we'll do our homework before we go out"
"I don't have any…" Mokuba lied in response.
"And why don't I believe that?" Seto said jokingly. Mokuba's face strained as, with difficulty, he tried to restrain a smile that was edging its way on to his now burning red face. When he couldn't hold it in anymore he burst out laughing, the smile appearing and then never fading afterwards.
"NOOO!" He yelled, giggling as he ran away from his slyly smiling elder brother. Seto ran after him, after a 1-minute head start, arms in front ready to catch his little brother. Seto Kaiba was extremely tall anyway…6ft1 to be exact…but compared to the tiny Mokuba he was huge! He soon caught up with him and lifting him in the air tickling him as he did do.
"No! No!...He he ha haaaa…N- ha ha haaaa- No!" Mokuba squealed.
"You got any homework?" Seto asked again, enjoying the entertainment of his brother laugh hysterically and wriggle in Seto's grip.
"NO! NO!"
"Have you?" He smiled.
"Okay! Okay! Yeah yeah, I have!" Mokuba pleaded, attempting to hold his hands up in defeat which proved difficult since he was being held over six feet in the air. Seto put him down and Mokuba ran through the hall, grabbed his bag and whizzed upstairs, still giggling.
Seto entered his office and switched on the P.C. As of late, his mind has not been focused enough to do any real work and so decided to get down to his English homework. It was completely pointless of course. Seto Kaiba had been learning the language since he was five which was now over ten years and the homework he received every week was for school students how had not even studied the subject for three years yet.
Even the mutt, wheeler, could do this rubbish he thought.
An hour later, Mokuba came downstairs to his brother in his office.
"Big brother!" He whined "It's meant to be relaxing: Do nothing then go out to eat and enjoy the night! Not work then eat then come back and do more work" He cringed at the last word as though it were a spider or bug of some description which neither of the Kaiba's were too fond of, although Mokuba was a bit more open of his fear than Seto was.
"Yeah, sorry Mokuba" Seto sighed. He closed down the documents and switched off the buzzing computer before they left the office.
…..
Tèa sat on Yugi's bed looking around his newly decorated Egyptian themed room. She assumed it was for the Pharaoh's sake more than anyone else's but it was nice all the same. She waited a few minuets for Yugi to bring up some drinks. The guys had been trying to cheer her up all day and before school Joey had suggested they all go out for a meal tonight and although Joey had felt that Tèa would be even more upset by this, them trying to distract her from the truth that her mother was gone, he needn't have worried. She was grateful for their concern and was happy to say she would go. To be honest she was really looking forward to it now as her stomach was starting to make strange noises, just like the previous evening. She started to think about what had actually happened at school. She didn't really know, her mind was somewhere else all day. All she could think of was Seto Kaiba…not like that! He had not made any snide comments like he usually would, to her or the gang. No 'little' Yugi, no cheerleader, no taking the piss of her 'friendship' speeches, no mutt- oh hang on there was that one mutt joke he said to Joey and even though Joey was one of her best friends she still found it funny when he was teased by Kaiba for being a dog. When she thought about it, it made her smile.
"You look like you've cheered up a bit" Yugi said, tentatively as he walked in, hoping he hadn't jinxed it. But the smile stayed.
"I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have friends like you guys and how much you mean to me" She said. She stood up and hugged Yugi who nearly dropped the drinks. He blushed.
Pharaoh! Pharaoh! He called silently. He was happy of course but scared too. What if he hugged her and got carried away in the moment?
Yugi, just do what you thinks right The spirit reassured him.
Yugi pulled away from her warm embrace.
"You mean the world to us too, Tèa"
"Awww" She mocked and kissed Yugi's cheek. They reddened even more than before and he felt his insides tie in a knot. He turned to stop her seeing his face. The two friends drank their drinks and went to meet Joey and Tristan in the park before going out for their meal.
"Serenity and Duke are meeting us there" Tristan growled Dukes name. Everyone- not just the gang but everyone- knew that Tristan had strong feelings for Serenity and the group of friends laughed at his bitterness.
…..
Seto and Mokuba arrived at the restaurant. Mokuba noticed a reserved sign on a table near the far window. He assumed it was Yugi's, Tèa's and the rest of their group of friends' table. He pulled on Seto's arm and dragged him towards it.
"I wanna sit there…please, please, please!" Mokuba pleaded with Seto whilst pointing at the table next to the reserved one.
"Okaaay" Seto replied. They seated themselves and the waiter took their order.
"One black coffee, no sugar and one orange juice." He snapped. The waiter took a step back but stayed until the Kaiba's had ordered their meals then he swiftly left for the kitchens. Just as the scared-out-of-his-wits-waiter entered the kitchens, Yugi, Tèa, Tristan, Joey, Duke and Serenity walked in, Duke and Serenity holding hands.
"Oh great" Seto hissed.
The large group sat, as Mokuba predicted, the reserved table. Joey was apparently the only one to notice the Kaiba brother's presence and he wasn't happy. He cursed quietly under his breath and had to hold back his comments, for Mokuba's sake.
What are they doing here? Seto asked himself.
He was about to spit a comment at the neighboring table when he was stopped, by no other than Tèa. But it wasn't her. It was her eyes. They were still bloodshot and water could be seen welling up in them every second. She looked tiered too.
She's been…crying
Her eyes were a bright blue and reflected all rays of light due to the water constantly in them. Seto Kaiba shook his head to rid his mind of thoughts of her again.
The same waiter that had took Seto and Mokuba's orders came and served their food, stopping at Yugi's table to collect their orders on his way back to the kitchen.
The Kaiba's finished their meal and due to who they were sitting by, Seto didn't really fancy sticking around long. He paid the bill and left a generous tip as Mokuba went to the toilet. He sat on his own silent and got himself ready for as soon as Mokuba was back when he heard sobbing. He glanced back the 'geek squads' table only to see Teèa Gardener crying.
"Why did she have to go and leave me here…alone?" She cried. "I miss my Mum so much"
"You're not alone, Tèa, you've got us" Yugi comforted her.
"Yeah!" Joey added.
"We'll take care of you. Okay?" Tristan asked her.
"Mm hmm" Tèa managed to mumble. Duke put his arm round her shoulder to join in on the comforting. Serenity leaned on Duke, feeling guilty.
What can I say to her? Ive had a happy life. My Mum and Dad are still alive, separated but alive nonetheless. Mum loves me with all her heart and although Dad is usually drunk I still know that deep down he loves me and Joey too. Their both still here…for us Serenity just couldn't think of any words of comfort but even if she could have it would be to late as Tèa broke down.
"I miss my Dad so much but at least Mom was always there to help. But know she's gone…" She trailed off quietly before running out, crying.
Mokuba had seen the whole scene from where he stood in the toilet doorway. Both he and Seto stared after the upset Tèa and Mokuba walked over to his brother,
"Err…I think we should go now, big brother, we heard a bit too much" He told Seto. The CEO just nodded in agreement and stood up off his seat, his mind buzzing.
Gardener's parents…dead? I knew her dad was but…
Seto was only young when his mother and father had died. He only had memories of the good times with them, but none of the pain he had felt when he lost them.
The only pain I remember is Gozaburo.
But Tea was nearly 18. She would never forget this. Not her Mum, not the tears and not the pain.
Yugi noticed Kaiba staring at the door Tèa had just ran out of.
"Kaiba!" He questioned.
"What?" Seto snapped, sharply, back.
"Err, how long have you been here?"
"Long enough"
Mokuba looked at the two teens and put on his jacket. It really wouldn't help his brother getting into a full blown argument with the spiky haired boy.
"Come on Seto…I think we should go"
"Indeed"
The brothers left the restaurant and saw Tèa, sitting on a bench outside, on her own. Her face was pale and her eyes looked sore. She looked up, her face full of fear and sadness.
"Smile, it'll help" Mokuba told her. He waved goodbye to her and Seto nodded his head. They climbed into the limo that was waiting for them at the end of the restaurants driveway. When they were inside it and defiantly out of the entire geek squads ear shot,
"You knew didn't you?" Seto asked his brother blankly.
"Knew what?" Mokuba asked, innocently.
"Mokuba, ive seen that face so many times it almost writes 'I am lying' on your head. Come on, you knew the geek squad would be there didn't you?"
"Okay okay" He smiled maybe hoping if they messed about Seto would drop this conversation, but it didn't work. Mokuba lowered his head "don't be mad, but yeah I did"
"Then why did you want to go?"
"I dunno, I guess I wanted…I wanted…hoped you'd talk to them, well Tèa." He quietly said, facing away from Seto.
"Gardener? Why?"
"I don't really know. I spose I think she's nice and caring and she just hasn't been herself lately and she deserves someone to talk to who wont react the way they do just because their her friends. I was hoping that if we knew what was upsetting her so much then we-…You could help"
"Me? Why Mokuba?" His voice was stern but interested.
"Well, I think you like her"
"Wha-"
"No please, you asked now listen to me big brother." Mokuba's eyes had a demanding glint in them highly resembling Seto's. "Ever since battle city you have acted differently around her and she's done the same. I think you two like each other and im gonna prove it"
Seto smiled in amusement.
"You do that Mokuba"
Mokuba pouted. He didn't like the fact that his brother felt this was so silly. This meant a lot to the young Kaiba and he would do anything to have Tèa as his big sister and Seto's girlfriend.
When they got home Seto went straight to his office. Mokuba frowned at him but decided just to go in the living room and play on his new video games Seto had recently brought him. After about an hour and completing the game twice he went into his big brothers office.
"Im going out" He stated before turning on his heal to leave when Seto spoke. Mokuba should have known he wouldn't get away that easy.
"Where?" He asked.
"Dunno"
"Who with?" Seto questioned again.
"Dunno, depends on who I meet"
"What time do I expect you home?"
"Dunno, I won't be out long"
"Have you got your phone?"
"Seto! What is this? Twenty one questions? Im nearly twelve, I can take care of myself for god's sake I need some space!" and he stormed out of the mansion.
Seto put his head in his hands.
Is Mokuba right? No! Of course he's not! Although she is different from the rest of that geek squad...Maybe, but she's still one of them. But she is pretty trust worthy and honest…No she's not! No one is, the only person you can trust is yourself! Seto had a mental argument with himself.
…..
A little earlier, when Tèa go home, she saw her front door open, swinging on its hinges. Her head raged and her mind was full of anger but her heart was scared and sad.
Who could it be? She asked herself.
Unknown people stood inside her mother's house with no permission. The rage took over and she stormed in.
"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my mu…" She paused "My house?" Her voice was loud and pierced the silent room.
"Our house" A man in a suit smiled cockily.
"We take it you are Miss Gardener?" Another spoke.
"What do you mean your house?" She asked, ignoring the second mans question.
"Well, correct me if im mistaken Miss Gardener, but you are only seventeen and so are not old enough for the rights of this or any other property and so we, the council, now own your late mothers house" His smile widened turning his face evil.
"You cold, heartless, bastard! Where the hell do you expect me to live?"
"We understand you don't want to leave your home town, your friends, your school, your whole life…so we are going to give you three days, and in that time if you can somehow find somewhere to live then stay there, weather it be with friends or whatever…" His greasy grin made Tèa's skin crawl.
"And what if I don't?" She asked bitterly
"Well then we'll take care of you. You'll be taken to the nearest orphanage" He paused "Shanghai" Tèa's draw dropped.
"But that's hundreds of miles away! I will never be able to come back and visit! I'll have to leave all my friends and everyone I know just to live in some run down orphanage!" She screamed until her lungs ran out of air.
I'll have to leave the last memories of Mum…my friends…school…Mokuba…My god I'll probably even Miss Kaiba!
"But…my…I…where will I go?...Especially tonight…its such short notice…" She tried to hold back the tears. She didn't want this creep to see her cry but she was so scared. What was the point of them giving her three days to find somewhere to live if she couldn't stay at home?
"I don't know but if you do, could you hurry up and go please? I finish in half an hour."
"Oh my god! I-…I can't believe you! You…You…You heartless pig!" Tèa screamed as she ran out of the house. She sat on a park bench, unable to hold back her cries anymore she dropped her head and tears streamed down her face, the salty taste reaching her lips. She thought hard. Where could she go?
Yugi's? No, he's going on holiday tonight, I'll be gone when he gets home.
Joey? Serenity? No, they have enough trouble with their Dad let alone me too.
Tristan? No, it'd be inconvenient, he moves from his Mums home to his Dads every few months…
Ryou? No, he lives in a one bedroom apartment and we would be too overcrowded and under each others feet, not to mention irritable.
Dukes? No, who knows when he'll have to up and leave for all that business crap about his dungen dice monsters… She raked her brain but know one came to mind.
"Tèa? What's the matter?" a kind voice spoke. Tèa vaguely recognized it.
"Mokuba?" She asked, making sure it was him. She saw him nod from the corner of her eye and so continued. "Oh…err…nothing I just…"
"Why aren't you at home?" Mokuba asked.
She sighed and more tears fell down onto and passed her already stained face.
"What home?" Mokuba's face scrunched up in confusion at Tèa's last words.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
With great difficulty, Tèa managed to tell Mokuba the whole story of what had happened to her over the last couple of days and how ill her Mum had been before. The pre-teen sat there listening intently to every word she said, not even trying to interrupt her. He comforted the girl and tried to make her feel better about having to tell him. Tèa realized this and knew that although he may be young if she needed him he would always be there to comfort and listen to her.
"Can't you stay with Yugi?" He asked, concern in his voice.
"No" She shook her head. "Or Joey or Tristan or Ryou or Duke. They all have their own lives and problems with out me adding to them. But I don't want to have to leave…" Tèa trailed off.
"Oh…you could… stay with us…yeah, you can come live with us!" He beamed.
"You? You and…" She paused and thought for a moment.
"Kaiba?"
……….
Teehee, I no its been a while since I updated but ive bin busy what with school n stuff but im back now, lol I hope you guys like this chapter, it will get good soon so please read on and as always… read and reply please!