Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Two weeks flew by in no time as Tea and Kaya practiced together in their room gifted by Miss Gutierrez. It was a rocky start to say the least, as both dancers were competing heavily next to each other, always commenting harshly on whatever they were doing wrong. Although Tea, who was normally open to criticism, couldn't take it from Kaya since her way of conveying her thoughts often times came out rude and humiliating. Tea lashed out herself a few times at the red head who brazenly walked out on a couple of practices fuming while sending various threats toward the brunette as she left the room. Those days always left Tea exhausted and in a terrible mood. She was grateful Miss Gutierrez had yet to visit any of their practices which surprised Tea considering the ballet was coming up at the end of the month. They had another two weeks left to perfect their parts and Tea was far from ready.

Her feet were planted firmly on the ground, staring the red head down who sat with a scowl at the other end of the room.

"Kaya come on Miss G said you have to convey the black swan as sensual and dangerous. Although your dancing is beautiful it's not." Tea paused thinking for a word. "Threatening or daunting. Remember you're trying to seduce the prince and inevitably rescind me."

Kaya laughed mockingly at Tea's last statement.

"Oh please Tea, had I gotten to be the white swan I would have ruined you months ago."

Tea glowered at her not understanding why she couldn't heed to her words and take her advice. She was only trying to help her.

"Well you didn't and you're not making any of this better for the both of us by sitting like a baby sulking at the fact that you're a terrible dancer." Tea's words came out polar and she was a bit stunned at the harshness in her voice. She quickly shook away the small amount of sympathy she held for Kaya and continued her stare down.

Kaya had hastily gotten up as Tea's words were said and charged toward the brunette with a deep grimace etched on her flushed lips.

"What did you say?" she hissed quietly, her grey eyes never leaving Tea's blue.

"You're a terrible dancer, face it that's why Professor Hans gave me the part and not you. Everyone knew how much you wanted it and we all knew you practiced for weeks on end before the auditions and yet here we are." Tea conveyed to herself and then waved her arms towards Kaya in a mocking gesture.

Kaya looked as though she was about to explode, her pale face glowing red.

"You bitch; you don't deserve this part. You probably slept with Professor Hans to get the part or at least sucked his dick to get a leg up from the rest of us. You're a pitiful dancer, everyone knows you couldn't have gotten this on your own." She shoved Tea back hard before leaving the room with a slam.

Tea quickly grabbed the nearby practice bar to keep herself from falling completely, stunned at Kaya's words and actions. Kaya had never physically touched Tea before and so this left her quite shocked. She slowly lowered herself down, her hand never leaving the bar before closing her eyes, taking in a deep breath. How was she supposed to prepare for her part when she couldn't practice with her partner? Frustration filled her weary body and all she could do to keep herself from crying out in irritation was to pick herself up and start practicing on her own. She started in first position taking in a deep breath before playing the music.

She danced, she danced away the hindrance weighing down her body from Kaya's words and insults. She danced away the loneliness she felt in this big city. She danced away the grief she felt for not visiting her home, her friends, her parents in two years. She hadn't realized the sorrow that weighed her heart since her schedule kept her so busy. She never gave herself a chance to breathe, to accept what had happened with Atem and to accept the fact that he was in her city. Everything had been so fast paced since her arrival in New York and she never once gave herself a chance to think and to perhaps let go of him.

Maybe it just wasn't something she was ready to do, maybe she never would truly do it. But all she could do now was dance away the feelings that haunted her for so long. The angst that bit at her toes and the solitude consuming her tired being. It was all becoming too much.

Atem sat in his advanced ancient Egyptian culture and history class barely paying attention to the professor speaking about the process of mummification. He smirked at the thought of her ever finding out his actual body was once mummified, the look on her face would certainly be priceless. He twirled the pencil around in his hand, his mind far engrossed in its own thoughts rather than her words. He hadn't spoken to Tea since their dinner and small feud and the sapphire jewelry loomed in the back of his mind. He wondered when he could possibly give her such a lavish gift. Perhaps it was too much and he internally groaned but quickly let that thought escape him, of course he would give her the jewelry it was just when. He felt a pang of lust enter him at the thought of sapphires laying delicately against Tea's soft skin, but quickly shot the feelings away. They confused him beyond belief and he decided it was just because it had been so long since he saw her and the small connection they once had was sparking into feelings unbeknownst to him. He figured they would go away eventually.

His mind moved on to the conversation he had with Kiya last night. She seemed to be missing him much more than he thought as the words they exchanged would have led to something much more if he was back at home. The thought made him smile and he suddenly felt himself miss her with a fondness only found with someone so familiar and safe. He loved her, something he would never have thought could happen from their first encounter. It felt so long ago.

Atem smiled at Yugi who was busy shuffling his cards into a deck. He looked so engrossed in his endeavor that Atem decided to leave for a walk. A smile arose on his lips as he left the room, grabbing his black leather jacket on his way out of Yugi's grandfathers game shop. The old man was kind enough to let Atem stay with him and his grandson after his return from the afterlife. It felt so strange for Atem to be able to walk wherever he desired without having to ask Yugi to let him take over, which led to Atem taking several trips outside to clear his head or observe the modern world. Today would be no different as he headed on his familiar path through the streets of Domino City. It was autumn now and the air was cool leaving a gentle breeze to caress Atem's cold face. He smiled closing his eyes for a moment to breathe in the scent of cypress leaves and the various coffee shops that littered the sidewalks. Without warning, he felt himself hit something and promptly opened his eyes to see a knocked over figure on the floor.

"Hey watch it!" she exclaimed wiping the dirt from her jeans.

She stood up ignoring the extended hand Atem had given.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you." He replied looking at her curiously.

"Clearly, you had your eyes closed." She retorted with annoyed expression. "Why are you walking around with your eyes closed in a busy street anyway? Are you drunk?"

Atem chuckled lightly, she was amusing. He noted the dark black hair that shone under the clouded sun. Her skin was lightly tanned giving her a glow, but what caught his eye the most were her eyes. They were the lightest blue he had ever seen, it almost felt as though he was swimming in a clear bay while gazing into them.

"Hello? Are you okay?" she asked waving her arms in front of his face.

"What, oh sorry, I uh I'm sorry I knocked you over. I'll be going."

He shook his head walking away. What was that. The unknown women watched him leave with a small smile. What a strange man, she thought.

Atem's thoughts were interrupted by a small tap on his shoulder. He looked to his right to see a blonde girl pointing towards the front of the room.

Atem looked to see it was his professor looking very annoyed at his lack of presence in the classroom.

"I'm sure Mr. Mutou was so entranced by the process of mummification he became lost within the many rules and rituals." She stated with a pinched expression.

Atem could feel the blush creeping on his face and fought to keep it away.

"I'm sorry Professor." He stated, his baritone voice echoing off the walls of the quiet classroom.

With a sigh, he stretched his head out attempting to focus on the lecture his professor had resumed. Time was going by far too slowly for his liking.

Brisk Manhattan air blew in Atem's face as he headed toward the subway to reach his home. The trains were thankfully not too bad and Atem couldn't help but hope he might run into Tea. They had ended on a rough note and he did hope to patch things up or at least make it so she didn't hold a grudge against him. He wasn't sure if she even held grudges and it was then he realized just how little he knew of Tea. Although they were old friends, it seemed as though they were strangers now. His eye darted around his train curiously before giving up. His thoughts were silly, what would be the odds of him running into her again in such a big city. Very slim indeed, and he closed his eyes willing for the train to go faster so he could sleep in his warm bed.

Exhausted and somewhat still annoyed Tea walked out of her dance room with her duffle bag slung around her body. Kaya did not show up for the rest of her practice and Tea just thought good riddance to her. She was sure Miss Gutierrez was wrong about whatever magic she thought Tea and Kaya could make together because so far they just created more tension. She made her way toward the elevators and patiently waited for the silver doors to open.

"Tea." She heard the familiar voice and sighed inwardly.

"James, hey." She stated tiredly.

He looked at her curiously. "Just finished practice?"

"Yes and I'm exhausted." Her lips turned into a lazy smile. He grinned at her.

"Same here, but I'm excited the show is getting so close."

Tea nodded agreeing, but it only made her tense not excited.

James was playing the evil sorcerer that would turn her into the white swan and she knew he would pull the role off well. Dance came enviably easy to James and Tea wished she knew his secret. She had pestered him before about it but he only said it was the passion that led him to perfect his steps. That statement, although valid, always made her role her eyes. She needed a routine not just inspiring words.

"Anyway about that date, I'm sorry I haven't taken you out yet but you know how busy everyone is with the ballet so close."

"Yeah don't worry about it James." She smiled a little forcibly. Truth be told Tea had deluded thoughts that James perhaps forgot about their date, but clearly her hopes were shunned right now.

"No I feel really bad considering I asked you out two weeks ago." He ran a hand through his hair before continuing. "This Saturday I made sure my schedule would be free after seven, I'm hoping yours is too?" Tea thought for a moment, she had work and she could use that as an excuse but decided might as well get this over with.

"Yeah, I have work until seven so you can meet me in the lobby of our dormitory at 8:30. I should be somewhat presentable by then."

James smirked her way, "Trust me you always look presentable."

He then swooped in to kiss her cheek leaving her completely stunned before walking away. Tea stood, the elevator doors finally opening, before slowly walking inside.

She touched where his lips had connected to her cheek, feeling the blush creep toward the soft skin. What the hell was that.