When they reached Kaiba's home, Tea called Yugi. She had left some clothing over at his house almost a year ago at a sleepover with the guys. The clothing was a little snug, but it would be less noticeable to return home in that than in a hospital gown or bloody clothing.

….

Every day after her trip to the hospital, Kaiba woke up extra early to walk to Tea's home, so she wouldn't have to walk to school alone. Tea didn't say anything about Kaiba's new habit, but she was extremely appreciative. Kaiba immediately started saving to buy a new car and worked long hours at the neighbor's home to be able to get one.

For the next week, Tea was quiet…too quiet. She was jumpy and refused to make eye contact with anyone. Yugi and her friend were suspicious that something had happened, but they didn't dare ask her what. Whatever it was they knew she wanted to keep it private and they respected her privacy from afar…

But that didn't stop them from pestering Kaiba about her. He continually said, "If she wanted you to know, she would have told you." That angered the group into thinking she told him something but didn't want them to know. She didn't come over much to Kaiba's house that week, but she insisted it was because her mother was preparing for the big thanksgiving get-together. Dark circles were forming underneath her eyes, telling him that she wasn't getting much sleep. He was growing more and more concerned about her as the week progressed.

….

The neighbor liked to talk to him while he worked. He mainly liked to talk about his wife. While she was alive, he adored his wife. Eventually they had a son together. On their son's 16th birthday, they bought him a car. Unfortunately, on his way a party his friends were throwing that night, he died in a car crash.

After a few days of working with the old man, Kaiba began to become more comfortable and started to talk about his younger brother Mokuba. He talked about the things they used to do together and all the wonderful places he visited after his stepfather died. He eventually explained, "Mokuba is the only family I have left. He was kidnapped and I don't know if I will ever see him again."

The older man listened intently and asked, "What about that pretty girl I see coming over to your house all the time?"

Unknowingly Kaiba smiled, "Tea is just a friend. After I lost Kaiba Corp, she helped me get back on my feet."

The elderly gentleman said, "She looked like more than a friend to me. Mr. Kaiba, take it from me, if you don't go out and snatch an opportunity when it is handed to you, it will be taken away faster than your eye can blink. You better talk to that girl, and fast. I have seen the way she looks at you and the genuine care she gives to all the animals on your ranch. A woman that can be bought, isn't worth anything. However, a girl like Tea, who has stuck with you when you lost everything, is more precious than any diamond."

….

Thanksgiving Day arrived and Kaiba had been thinking about what the elderly gentleman said. He had come to the conclusion that he was right. He was going to tell her how he felt about her after dinner with her parents. Kaiba knocked on the door and was surprised to find Tea's mom opened the door. "Hello Mr. Kaiba," she greeted as she stepped aside to let him in. She continued, "Tea is feeling a bit under the weather, she will be down soon though. The boys are in the living room playing video games."

Suddenly Kaiba heard a lurching sound, Mrs. Gardener cringed and screamed, "I am coming Tea."

Instead of going to the living room, he followed Mrs. Gardener until he saw Tea sitting on her knees in the bathroom with her head resting on the seat of the toilet. She looked pale and sweaty. Mrs. Gardener was about to assist her to her room, but Kaiba put his hand on her shoulder and said, "I will take care of Tea, you just go finish whatever you need to do."

Kaiba tried to pick her up, but she waved no to him. She was scared to move away from the toilet at the moment. Instead of trying to move Tea, Kaiba sat next to her for the next few minutes and rubbed circles on her back until she felt confident enough to move without vomiting. Tea then brushed her teeth and walked with Kaiba down the stairs to join Thanksgiving dinner.

Ralph Gardener kept his eyes on Kaiba like a hawk. He was ready to kill his wife for letting the serpent into his household. The cooking was delicious, but Kaiba found it hard to enjoy with almost everyone staring at him like he did something. What made Kaiba more concerned though, was how little Tea ate. She mainly pushed the food around with her fork. She must have been afraid she would get sick again.

Suddenly, Kaiba's phone rang. Annoyed, he pushed himself from the table and walked outside to take the call.

"What is it?" He asked.

A voice on the other side of the phone said, "Mr. Kaiba, this is Domino Police station. We think we found your brother…"

Kaiba interrupted the cop before he could finish the sentence, "I will be right there."

Kaiba ran inside and said, "Yugi, I need your keys."

Yugi looked up in surprise and said, "Umm sure, I guess."

Tea immediately stood up. She wasn't sure what was going on but she knew it was big. She followed Kaiba out the door and hopped into the passenger side of the truck. The guys must have sensed something important was happening too because they followed the truck in another car.

Kaiba was driving so fast, Tea was certain she was going to vomit before the trip was over. The minute the truck stopped in front of the police station, Tea opened the door and puked outside the truck. Kaiba ran into the police station and excitedly asked, "Where is he?"

The secretary pointed to a room and said, "Officer Donald will bring him in there in a moment. Be seated and we will notify you when he is ready."

At that point Tea and the rest of the gang walked in. Tea sat next to Kaiba and placed her head on his shoulder. He could feel through his shirt that she had a fever. The officer walked in and bid us to follow. Once outside the door the cop turned around and said, "Mr. Kaiba I want you to brace yourself. He isn't going to look like you remember him."

Annoyed, Kaiba said, "Move aside. I want to see my little brother."

The cop stepped to the side and thought, 'Why does he look so happy? I hope he realizes he is here to identify…' Before the cop could finish his train of thought the door swung open and he instantly realized Kaiba was misinformed.

Kaiba opened the door and a stench hit his nose he stepped in and saw the decapitated corpse of a kid wearing Mokuba's clothes. Kaiba's heart stopped and he saw the necklace. His hands shook as he opened it…

Tea walked in after Kaiba and immediately lurched up her dinner into a garbage can by the door. The stench of death was so strong, but she had to push through it. She looked over at the table and saw Kaiba opening the locket. Once she realized who the child was and immediately vomited again. She walked over to Kaiba and who had just seen the photo inside of the locket and collapsed. He was sobbing over the body of his deceased brother. He had no one left.

Tea knelt down wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her closer as he cried into his shoulder. Still queasy, she tried not to move too much but still managed to softly stroke his back. Tears rolled down her eyes too as she comforted Seto.

Eventually the scene was too much for her to take. "Kaiba,"she whispered, "I am about to be sick." He nodded and let her go. Yugi helped her outside the door and into a chair. While Joey and Tristan tried to drag Kaiba out of the room.

…

Mokuba watched his brother crumble in horror. "How could you do this to him Marik?!" he screamed to the man sitting in a computer chair. Marik was watching the whole scene in satisfaction. Marik ignored him and continued to watch with a creepy smile across his face. Mokuba realized that yelling wasn't getting him anywhere. Finally Mokuba let out a sigh and begged, "Please, please leave my brother alone. It is done…you have broken him beyond repair. Please just let him be. Do with me what you wish, but let my brother go."

Marik finally turned around and replied, "As touching as that is, I won't stop until he is dead. I want him to grieve himself to death."

"Essentially, you want him to kill himself?" Mokuba asked. Marik nodded and Mokuba continued "News Flash Marik! Seto and I lost both of our parents. The rest of our family didn't want us so they sent us to an orphanage, when they finished squandering away our trust fund. He was mentally and physically abused by our step-father. Then, he raised me when he was only a child himself. After, I was kidnapped he lost everything he worked so hard to create for himself trying to find me. Now he found the woman he loves nearly beaten to death, and is under the impression that his little brother is dead. If none of that has made him kill himself, what else do you think you can do?"

Marik replied, "The night is young Mokuba. You don't actually think he would kill himself in front of all those people, do you?"

Mokuba's eyes widened in realization. 'Please Seto, don't let Marik be right.' He thought to himself.

…

Tea went home with Kaiba that night. She was paranoid he was going to hurt himself. She had hardly ever seen Kaiba show his emotions. Seeing him breakdown in public, she knew it was too dangerous for him to be alone. When Kaiba entered the house behind her, he told her, "The bedroom is yours."

Nervously Tea whispered, "Come to bed." Kaiba looked up in surprise and she repeated, "Come to bed Kaiba. I appreciate your gesture, but there is no use in you sleeping on the couch when there is a perfectly nice bed to sleep in. After all, it's not like it is the first time we slept together."

"Are you sure?" he asked, "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

Tea nodded and explained, "At some point I will have to learn to get close to people again. I rather it be with someone I trust, like you."

With that Kaiba followed her into the bedroom and they fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.