J: Ah, the beautiful number three! As in, I got three reviews this time and they've made me ever so happy! I'm glad interest is slightly picking up, and I understand why the delay. I also wish to let you guys know, if you didn't already figure it out, that this fanfiction will be updated slower due to it being written and typed rather simultaneously.

THANKS TO: L'archangel(you shall be twisted in more ways than you'd ever imagine! Mwahahaha!) Digibear(I'm happy to hear so seeing as I've read a little of yours and thought likewise :3) and last but not least the-writing-vampire(I understand, I've kicked myself over the odd loss of reviewing awesomeness myself. And I'm happy to arouse your curiosity once more :3)

Disclaimer: ME NO OWNEE!

Chapter Two – Challenged In More Than One Way

"Whatever you do, don't let that conceited jerk get his way!"

"Yea, but don't forget to do that in a way that shows you're still a polite girl."

Mai Valentine and Serenity Wheeler were the last people she heard before going to bed at 2 in the morning. Mai with her assertive attitude and Serenity with her calm demeanor were both her voices of reason in situations where she needed a pep talk. Such as the situation where she needed reassurance that she was going to win against Kaiba and she wasn't going to go missing over the next few days. (Mai had full out laughed at that suggestion.) "I'm not going to be kidnapped, killed, or tortured. That's Pegasus and The Big Five. Okay, I'm going to be fine, I'll be just fine on my own for the next few days if mom and dad decide to leave me alone." Having chanted that over five times Tea felt relaxed enough to go to bed.

-At the Kaiba Mansion-

Seto Kaiba stood wide awake and alert in front of his large office window that looked out upon the city of Domino. It wasn't possible for him to sleep when an issue such as this wouldn't leave his overwhelmed mind alone. He just couldn't see a way to win, not without losing what he could only assume would be a large amount of profits. 'Her parents must have good connections if they managed to get it copy righted so quickly. I bet they had a judge on standby for her as well. Damn this sucks. When was the last time I had a problem like this?...Right, Pegasus kidnapped Mokuba to get a hold of my company. We only managed to get out of that problem by Yugi beating Pegasus at…That's it! You're going to regret crossing me Tea Gardener.' More than eagerly Seto Kaiba left his office and got ready for bed, the moment he woke up he would be busy making preparation for the next few days.

-The Next Day-

'Dear Tea, we talked it over last night and came to the conclusion that you are more than capable of handling any situation that may occur over the next few days. However we will still give you a call to make sure everything is alright. And don't forget about the panic button, your father always has good men on standby for emergencies. Take care of yourself and the house. Love, mom.'

The kitchen was empty of all living presence, the only indication that people had come into the kitchen was Tea's packed bento, the note, and a half full pot of coffee. Smiling to herself Tea announced to the empty house," Guess it's just me running the place a while. Which mean I can have some fun!" Running about getting ready for school Tea could only think of one thing. 'Sleep over Party! Sleep Over Party!'

Bag and lunch in hand she flew out the door and off to school, her attention totally focused on what she needed for the next night rather than pay attention to the men that lurked behind her.

One of the men in a black suit and sunglasses dialed a number and quietly inquired," Target in sight, how shall we proceed?"

"Check out the house, if either of her parents is home give my name and a full explanation. If not then grab her things and report back to base until I instruct otherwise." The voice finished and the other line cut off, Both suits shrugged and returned to their earlier train of thought, 'If he wanted to go out with her couldn't he just ask her out on a date?' They would never out right question orders, but when they met up with their fellow suits this would no doubt be the topic of discussion.

Tea arrived at school ten minutes earlier than she usually did, and that meant she wouldn't see the guys for at least 20 minutes. 'Excellent, I can actually get some personal reading done.' Practically skipping to her classroom Tea felt happier than she had in years. Upon entering the classroom her high of good energy diminished. What she hadn't counted on was Seto Kaiba being an early student as well. What bothered her even more was that he was reading the exact same book she'd planned on reading.

Tea knew that Kaiba knew she was there, how could he not know when the classroom door made enough noise that Joey and Tristen were always caught entering the class late. If she left she would look like a scared and intimidated opponent. She refused to be seen as that person when trapped in the Oblivion Zone by her soul sister Anzu. Holding her head up just as had the previous night Tea marched over to her desk and sat down to pull out her book and begin reading like the CEO didn't even exist.

Seto Kaiba had indeed been aware of Tea's presence the second she opened the door, he had expected her to either comment or to leave. By coming in the room and not saying anything he felt the absolute compulsion to say something. Glancing from the corner of his eye he found the perfect opening to be victorious that morning," Chapter ten her best friend dies."

"I think I just heard a donkey bray. If the jack ass opens it's mouth again I think I might giving his younger brother mani and pedicures." Tea's come back caused Seto's eye to twitch. He'd started with a book, and she'd killed it with his brother. 'Damn girl needs to leave my brother out of things.'

"Thought you should know that my brother's prohibited from your property for the next two months, maybe longer. Depends on how well this arrangement goes over." Seto was satisfied to hear a loud 'clop' from Tea snapping her book shut, followed by the grating of her chair against the floor. Seto kept his attention on the words in front of him even when Tea stomped over to him and sat down backwards in the chair in front of him.

Tea knew what game he was playing, and she could play it too," If your brother hadn't told me now, instead of when you actually tried to launch MY idea nation wide, we wouldn't have an arrangement at all! I would just have sued your ass for all right to profits and shut down the production all together. So be grateful to your brother you stuck up twit."

"If I recall correctly, the last person that used twit as an insult was your deranged twin, and what else happened that night? Oh, that's right you-" Before Seto could finish Tea actually had enough guts to flick him on the ear, thus effectively cutting him off as well as putting him on his feet with the expression of a killer.

Tea stood unfazed by his aura and expression and faced him with her own. The stare down was twice as intense as the one from the other day, it was so intense that the teacher felt like he was walking into a wall when opening the door and entering the classroom. It was the sound of the opening door that made the two tyrants break eye contact. Going back to her seat Tea grumbled," I should have gotten the Blue Eyes to bite your head off." Seto rolled his eyes at the childish quip but went back to his book. From the corner of his eye he saw the teacher give them a suspicious look that spoke clearly of his thoughts.

Tea didn't miss the teacher's look either, to seem absolutely innocent she said sweetly," Thanks for the practice Kaiba-kun, my dad didn't think I was assertive enough to be his daughter." The teacher, having gotten an earful from General Gardener not too long ago, seemed to accept this on the spot story. Seto cast her a look that told her he wasn't going to play along if the teacher addressed him.

-At lunch period-

"So tell your sister she can come over tonight if possible, kay Joey?" Tea could barely contain the enthusiasm leaking from her voice. It had been forever since she'd had a girls night. The last few sleepovers had been with guys most of the time. A fart free, cozy, pillow fight filled night was just what she needed after being around the guys for so long.

Joey acknowledged this request with a nod since his mouth was jammed with food. Tristen's face was flushed from ear to ear from the thoughts of a girls night, Yugi's gaze was in a total different direction and his eyes were glazed over in thought. Tea snapped her fingers in front of Yugi's face to bring him back to earth," You okay? You've been drifting in and out of reality since school started."

"Oh, I'm fine. I've just been thinking about Ryou." The name of their number one on the danger list drew all their attention to Yugi.

"What about Ryou Yug?"

"I was just wondering when he's going to show up. I managed to get a look at the attendance and his name is still registered, so he's still going to be coming to school. It's just a matter of when." Joey, Tristen and Tea had listened intently and they nodded in agreement to this observation. If Ryou is still registered for class then he was bound to show up sooner or later, and when he did they would be ready for him. (Meaning they were planning to do a full body search for the millennium ring before Bakura switched.)

"Do you guys think it's safe at my house to have a sleepover? I mean, what if Bakura shows up and goes ballistic on Mai and Serenity just because they're there." Tea was staring down at her rice ball with deep concern, she had totally forgotten about Bakura and how much of a threat he was.

She was momentarily confused when Joey broke out into laughter, wiping away tears he explained," When I told Serenity and Mai what had happened with you and him in the summer they both swore to castrate the guy if he ever tried to even talk to ya again. The guy would be nuts to go into your house with two tough chicks like them." This brought a smile to Tea's face, she couldn't argue with that. She'd taught Serenity self defense not too long ago, and Mai had taught her the proper method to verbally kill a male's ego. Feeling better she pulled a Joey and shoved her onigiri into her mouth.

-After School-

"What is she doing now?" The suit and sunglasses man with long blonde dreads had the cell phone and got to listen to Mr. Kaiba ask the same thing every 10 minutes.

Putting the binoculars to his eyes the blonde suit replied," She's still cleaning sir, but now she's cleaning the pool…Want me to take pictures sir?"

"…You're fired. Give your phone to the other man and get out of the car." Utterly speechless the blonde gave the cell to the confused black and red streaked hair ex-yakuza member. The blonde waved and got out of the car, only to run right into Tea who looked anything but intimidated by his full height of six feet and five inches.

Clearing his throat the blonde asked," C-can I help you miss?"

"Yea, you can tell your partner to tell your boss he better not send men digging again or else I'll file a law suit. Get it? Got it? Good. Now leave before I call the authorities!" Tea wasn't stupid when it came to opponents that had an ego. She'd learned how to spot a surveillance operative two years ago thanks to the Death Dancers and their issue with the word 'no.' Plus the knowledge of Seto's personality allowed her to make the correct assumption about the bastard.

Caught between a pissed chick and a guy that could take away his entire future the suit with blonde dreads opened the car door and made the appropriate hand signals to say they were compromised. His now ex-partner hadn't hung up the phone yet so was able to tell his boss," Sir, I'm afraid we've been compromised, and it seems the subject in question wishes to speak to you…immediately."

"Damn. Fine, give her the phone, and you're fired as well. I hired you to be stealthy, not big obvious idiots." The dyed black and red suit didn't hesitate in handing his companion the cell, and he felt no compulsion to wait in handing the phone to Tea.

Tea had a whole list of things to bitch at Kaiba for, but she was intercepted by him rather snarkily saying," I had my reasons oh fierce and mighty cheerleader, tamer of the Blue Eyes White Dragon. See you later." 'Click.'

Mouth a gap in quiet fury Tea immediately threw the cell phone to the ground and crushed it into pieces with the heel of her shoe. To the now quite meek suits she hissed," Leave this property or die." Not waiting another minute blonde dreads jumped back into the car to speed off back to headquarters where he would gladly hand over his suit and sunglasses.

"Tea dear, is something the matter?" An elderly woman with horrible arthritis and poor eye sight stepped out of the house that Tea cleaned for a school approved part time job.

Composing herself Tea turned to the elderly woman to reply in her once more calm demeanor," Nothing's wrong Mrs. Mazaki, I was simply stretching out my muscles to reach better. I'll have your pool cleaned in no time!"

"Oh don't worry about the pool, you should head home and do your homework. I know how much you want to graduate with good grades for Julliard." Mrs. Mazaki, though poor in sight and physical health was a perfect embodiment for the saying that elephants never forget. You could tell her five events in your life without mentioning the date and she'd still figure out the order the events proceeded in.

Tea loved Mrs. Mazaki; when she'd been younger she would stay with her when her parents would leave for work. Mrs. Mazaki would spoil tea with cookies and stories from when her parents first moved into the neighborhood with their one year old daughter, and neither of them wanted to leave their beautiful baby girl alone. When Tea got old enough to stay home alone she would still spend most days with Mrs. Mazaki and tell her stories about her and Anzu, what her dreams were about and who her latest crush was. Mrs. Mazaki even knew Yugi, Joey, and Tristen since she would spend almost all summer there keeping the yard clean and trimmed, the guys helped out with fixing the roof and other such things. In return they were allowed to use Mrs. Mazaki's pool whenever they needed it.

Smiling full heartedly at the woman she considered to be her grandmother Tea lightly giggled," I'm glad you're concerned, but that pool has a week of built up scum that needs to be cleaned out. As soon as I'm done I promise to go home and study to the best of my abilities, okay?"

Mrs. Mazaki laughed in return and turned to go back in the house, half way through the door she called over her shoulder," Do as much as you can sweetie, don't tire yourself out. Oh! And tell your white haired friend that he is welcome to come inside and wait until you are done. It would be awful if his white skin got burnt." At the same time Mrs. Mazaki closed the door Tea's heart stopped mid beat and the hair on the back of her neck stood as straight as sewing needles.

"What a very considerate woman she is. Maybe I'll take her up on her offer and join her inside, though I can't promise she would be there once you're done cleaning." She didn't need to turn around, she didn't need to physically see him. She knew he was there. She knew who he was. What she didn't know was what he wanted.