Chapter Six- First Date

Atem applied the gloss and nodded in approval. It was Tuesday night and Kaiba was on his way to pick her up. On Sunday, when the gang had finished lunch, Tea insisted on treating Atem to another shopping trip. "I think you need more dresses if you're dating," she had said.

Atem didn't argue as she did enjoy shopping. Tea led her to a different store and found skirts and blouses that she really liked as well as dresses. She was wearing one of them now: A green off-the-shoulder one that complemented her eyes. She left the locket off, reasoning that only Bakura and Yugi should see it. She scooped up her purse and headed downstairs.

"Whoa, that's a nice dress," Yugi commented when he saw it.

"Thanks. I just hope Kaiba likes it, too."

"Kaiba? Not calling him Seto yet?"

"Of course not. It's only our first date." She sat on the couch, fiddling with her purse strap a little. Yugi smiled slightly at this. Atem had spent three days adjusting to being female and embracing all that came with it. Now, she was about to have her first real date and she was nervous. He put a hand on her shoulder and she looked up. "It'll be fine. You know Kaiba, there's no reason to be nervous. If anything, Kaiba should be nervous."

Atem laughed. "Kaiba? Nervous? I don't think so. But you are right. I know him, it's just that we never dated before."

"Oh. Right." Yugi felt bad. He had meant to calm Atem and all he did was send her back to being nervous.

Atem read Yugi's expression and put a hand on the one still on her shoulder. "I appreciate your comfort, Yugi. It will be fine." The doorbell rang then and Atem stood, giving Yugi a kiss on the cheek as she left and missing the dreamy smile on the boy's face.

Kaiba blinked and then smiled as he offered his arm to her. "You are very pretty tonight," he said.

"Thank you," she answered as she accepted the arm. "Although," she added as they headed to the limo. "I detected a bit of surprise in your eyes."

"I guess I'm not used to seeing you as a girl." He opened the door.

She nodded as she got in. "As this is my body, I've grown used to it as have Yugi and Grandpa."

"That makes sense," Kaiba said as he got in. Atem noticed that he was wearing a classic suit: Black slacks, a white shirt, and a black jacket. The only color was his tie that matched his eyes. Gods, he looks great in that suit.

"Kaiba, I like your suit, especially the tie."

"What? This old suit?" At first, Kaiba looked at it with a bored expression before a brief grin flitted across his face. "I realized that I didn't have a traditional suit and I wanted to give you a traditional, if old-fashioned, date."

"So far, you have. You offered your arm and opened the door for me."

"Oh, there's more. For one thing, we're going to a fancy restaurant."

Atem felt very flattered. Kaiba was determined to make their first date romantic and unforgettable. Who knew Kaiba had such class? He learned the skills to run a business, so perhaps his boardroom skills are being applied here. Either way, he's being quite the gentleman and I love it.

Kaiba felt this date was off to a good start. He had treated Atem like a lady and he intended to keep doing so. Atem seems to appreciate it. This may seem foolish, but I want to beat Yugi and Bakura in winning Atem's love. I'd like to be her only boyfriend, but it's likely that I'll keep sharing her. Anyway, this date will prove how much I love her.

Atem inwardly gulped at the prices. She had thought she had prepared herself for the expensive experience but it would seem she was wrong. She had no doubt that everything was of the best quality and she felt a bit overwhelmed by it. She ran her fingers along the edge of her menu. How can I choose when everything's so expensive?

Kaiba, having made his choice, watched her. He couldn't see her face, but the way she moved her fingers seem to indicate indecision. "Having trouble deciding?" he asked.

She lowered her menu. "You could say that." She waved her hand at the menu. "Everything is expensive and I don't know what to choose."

Kaiba smiled gently. "I see. I apologize for not considering that. Atem, just choose what you want, don't worry about the price."

Atem returned to her menu, feeling a little better that she didn't have to worry about price. That didn't stop her from looking for the cheapest item she liked. She told Kaiba her choice so he could place it with the waiter when he came to take their orders.

"I assume you told Mokuba about tonight?" Atem asked once the waiter had left.

"I have. He was just as surprised as I was when I told him you were a girl and happy for me when I said I had a date with you." Kaiba sipped his water before saying, "Have you seen Bakura since your change?"

"Right after you asked me out. He also was taken by my looks. He admitted that the formula is irreversible." She gave a shrug. "I obviously don't mind. I told him about my visit with you and admitted to the date when he asked if you had asked me."

"I assuming he asked you out at that point?"

Atem nodded. "Dinner Friday night."

"And Yugi?"

"He had asked me the night before I changed. It was supposed to be just getting a school bag and uniforms. Obviously it became more than that. After shopping, we had lunch and a walk in the park. It was a bit uncomfortable and I'm giving him another chance as my change was unexpected and wasn't fair to either of us."

Kaiba nodded. "Of course. You had just become a girl and were adjusting to it just as Yugi was adjusting to you being a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend."

Atem was just amazed by how understanding Kaiba was being. Then again, he did say he didn't care if I dated others as long as we're dating. The rest of dinner passed in the same romantic fashion it had started in and soon they were riding back to Atem's house.

"Atem, I have something for you. I know you'll appreciate it." Kaiba reached down and came up with a large square box. Curious, she accepted the box and lifted off the lid. Inside was what looked like a hand sander. "Look on the bottom," Kaiba said.

She did so and saw razor heads like those on a man's electric razor. It then clicked what she was holding. "An electric razor for shaving my legs."

"It's rechargeable," Kaiba said, pointing inside the box at a cord and AC adapter. "And I've included instructions on how to use it and care for it as well as a replacement head. This came from my R and D team as I've been thinking of starting a health and beauty aid division. Break into a new market, you know."

Atem put the device back into the box and closed it. "You're right. I do appreciate it. This seems to be a painless way to shave."

"That's the idea. Let me know how it does as that's a prototype."

"And a very nice looking one." The limo pulled up to the house and both teens got out, Kaiba escorting her to the door. "I had a real good time," she said.

"So did I," Kaiba admitted. He gently brushed a few bangs to one side before leaning down and giving her the second kiss in a week. The difference this time was that Atem didn't push away. The perfect end to a romantic date, Kaiba thought.