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Chapter 14

       Kaiba shuffled a few papers on his desk, moving them to several places before dropping them with a sigh.  He was stalling.

       Tonight was the performance at the Children’s Center.  He had to be there, it was his organization after all.   But that would mean seeing Tea, and Bakura - together.  Something he had managed to avoid since that day in the park. 

       Berating himself for his foolishness he moved the papers one final time and stood to leave the office.  As he did so his eye fell on an envelope half hidden beneath his keyboard.  Sitting once more he reached for it.  The postmark read Egypt.  He turned it over, studying it, as though in would somehow reveal itself to him if he only stared long enough, hard enough.

       There was no return address, only a name.  Prof. D. E. B.  He searched his memories for the name.  Professor  Burbandy, if he wasn’t mistaken.  The renowned Egyptian scholar had been one of the first people he had contacted when Yami and Bakurai had approached him. But that had been nearly two months ago.  Why would the professor be writing him now?

       Turning the envelope over he carefully opened it, withdrawing two sheets of paper covered in sprawling script.

 

Esteemed Mr. Kaiba,

             

       Many apologies for the late reply to your inquiry; I have been the field and thus only just received your correspondence.  I regret to say that I know very little of the artifact in question, except that it is a rarity in the thread of Egyptian history.  However, concerning the other matter about which you inquired, this priest, I believe I do have some information regarding this.

       In my most recent dig we found what we believe was the ancient Egyptian equivalent to a city hall, or records department.  It was a vast chamber filled with rows of stone tablets, walls that did not connect with any other walls.  Here, we believe, was kept a detailed history of the Nile kingdom.  I will spare you the details in the interest of time, but within this room we found a series of censuses, a record of kings, nobility, and priests.

       The more prominent historical figures, those who lived in times of great progress or upheaval were also included in the more detailed accounts.

       Among these records I found a carving much like the one you described in your letter.  Much of the tablet was broken and worn and I could make out very little of it.  However, my translator and assistant is also a talented scholar in Egypt.  Seeing my interest in that particular figure he offered me a story, passed down from generation to generation.

       Legend has it that this priest was high priest during the Shadow dynasty, friend to the Pharaoh of light.  Odd that the pharaoh of light should rule the shadow era, but I digress.  This man was unlike other priest for he would walk among the common people, and did not shun them.  Nor did he use others for selfish gain.  He was quiet, and restrained, just, but not prone to socialization or mirth. 

       His path crossed that of a woman, feared by most because of her unusual appearance and strong aura.  He fell deeply in love with her and for a time they were together and he was happy.  But the woman was killed and his heart was shattered.  The ache in his heart grew to bitterness and others used this to manipulate him, turning him from all he had once held dear, and causing his heart to harden.  Blinded by his rage he allowed his mind to be poisoned by deceitful and wicked men.  He turned against his people, and even against his Pharaoh.

       He challenged the Pharaoh and a great contest began.  The priest defeated the Pharaoh’s servants and called down the Pharaoh himself…

       And that, apparently, is where the legend ends.  No one knows the outcome of the contest.  But many people believe that the two destroyed one another, while others believe the Pharaoh must have won else chaos would have ruled destroying humanity.  Whatever the case, it appears the priest could not be redeemed, though a few hold to the belief that a greater evil arose and he was able to shake off his bitterness. 

       And that, I’m afraid, is all I have for you.  Again, apologies for the tardiness of my reply, I hope I may be of service in the future.

                                  Professor D. E. Burbandy    

       Kaiba read the letter several times.  The story lined up with what Ishizu had shown him years ago, at least the last part did.  But all of that, all those things… caused by a woman?  It was a frightening thought.  How could one person become so important that their death shattered another?  True, Tea was important to him, but…

       How many times had he heard the phrase “there are other fish in the sea”?

       And yet, he could never bring his heart to believe it.  Had he dealt with those feelings or simply pushed them aside?  He knew the answer.  He was still avoiding them both.

       Was he destined to the same fate?  To the fate of the ancient priest?

       Ishizu believed that their souls were bonded to those of the past.  That history repeated itself over and over again.  She would say that it was his destiny to follow the path of the priest. 

       Would the pain he had ignored become a bitterness he could not contain?  Become hate?  He had walked that road once before and had no desire to travel it again.  Had he forgotten all Carl had taught him?  That road was filled with nothing but pain.

       But destiny…

       He shook his head.  When had Seto Kaiba ever succumbed to destiny?  This was his life and he did as he chose.  Only he could shape his destiny, it was not decided by ancestry or history.  Hadn’t he proven that over and over again?  When he had taken Kaiba corp. from his step father, when he had defeated Ishizu at Battle City overturning the future she had foreseen?

       Fate was nothing.

       It was in that moment of epiphany that Seto made a decision.

       Perhaps he would never be with Tea as he desired, but he would not allow that to ruin his life and he would not lose her friendship – or Bakura’s.  He would put this behind him tonight.

***

       Tea was rushing around like a madwoman.  There was just so much to be done.  So many last minute preparations. In a way she was glad, for it gave her no time to focus on the fact that Seto would be there soon.  For a moment she wondered if the clinging socialite would accompany him.  She was sure she would.

       Biting her lip and scolding herself for the dampness she felt in her eyes she went back to work.  The set had still not been fully assembled.

       “Ms. Tea?”  It was a young woman, one of the youngest children’s mother who addressed her.  Tea guessed her only a little older than herself.  She was helping with the set.

       “Yes?” Tea inquired politely.

       “I think we’re missing the third flat for the second number.”

       Tea stopped short, “What?” she asked, disbelief etched on her face.

       The young mother nodded.  “We’ve checked the prop room, backstage storage, the cage, even the green room, and the dance room, we can’t find it.”

       “Did you try the upstairs storage?  In the loft?” she couldn’t imagine why it would be there, but it was the only place left.

       The woman nodded, “Yes, Robert went up there a few minutes ago – nothing.”

       Tea worried her lower lip, trying to decide what to do.  As she thought one of the boys came racing out.

       “Mrs. Madison!  Ms. Tea!” he addressed the mother and Tea, “Duncan says he saw the flat yesterday. But it had bright orange paint spilled all over it.  Mr. Long, the janitor, threw it away.”

       A lump formed in Tea’s throat.  <Threw it away!> not that it would have been any good with bright orange paint spilled all over it anyway.  Thinking quickly she turned to Mrs. Madison, placing a hand gently on her arm.

       “Run to the costume room and see if you can find those huge pastel scarves we were going to use in the sixth routine.  Maybe we can hang them between the other two flats.  You know, kind of drape them.  It is a ballroom scene after all.”

       Mrs. Madison nodded, then grabbed Duncan by the hand and ran off to do as Tea suggested.

       Tea watched them go and then remembered her original intent in coming out here.  Someone had said that the programs still hadn’t arrived.  She needed to check the office and see if they had been delivered there.  If not, she would have to call the company.

       She nearly ran in that direction and almost knocked someone over.  They reached out a hand to steady her.

       “Whoa, Tea, slow down.” The familiar New York accent drew her gaze up.

       “Sorry Joey. I’m kind of in a hurry right now.”  She kept walking.

       Joey exchanged a worried glance with Tristan and they hurried after her.

       “Tea, what’s wrong?”

       “I don’t know where the programs are.  I have to go check the office.”

       “Where’s the office?” Tristan asked.

       “Right here.” They stopped at the door and Tea pulled out her key.  Stepping inside she looked around.  One look at her face told the boys she didn’t see what she wanted to.  She groaned, running a hand over her face.

       “What is it?”

       “They aren’t here.  They were supposed to arrive two days ago!” she said in frustration.

       “Why don’t you call the place?  What’s the name of the company?” Tristan already had the phone in one hand and a phone book in the other.

       “Lorenzo Print house. Their number should be posted on the board.” She said wearily.

       “Got it!” Joey called.  He read the number to Tristan, who dialed.

       “Hi.” Tristan said politely, “I’m calling on behalf of the Domino Children’s Center concerning an order for programs that was supposed to be delivered to the center two days ago.”

       For several moments he listened to the voice on the other end of the line.  Tea sank against a desk wearily, staring at the ground.  She heard some shuffling.

       “Uh, huh… yes… order number 45B879J6… yes… really?” his pitch rose in interest.

       Joey mouthed a question at him ‘what is it?’

       ‘They said they left a message’ he mouthed back.

       Joey quirked a brow and began searching the desk and surrounding area for a note or some kind.  His eyes fell on the boxes on the wall and he hurried over finding Tea’s box.  He pulled out a sheet of paper.

       “Found it!”

       Tristan and Tea both looked up at him.

       “Tea when’s the last time you were here?”

       “In the office?” she asked, “Umm… I guess a few days ago.  Why?”

       “That explains why you didn’t get this note.  It’s from yesterday.  It says your order was delayed.”  He read it over once more.  “But it still should have arrived by three this afternoon.”

       “Yes,” Tristan told the person on the phone, “We did receive that message.  But we were told the order would arrive today by three, and it isn’t here yet.” He listened a moment more, “Yes… I understand… I realize that… but it is five now and our program starts in an hour… yes…could you?  That would be wonderful.”  He turned to the others, “They’re placing a call to the driver.

       Tea shifted nervously, waiting for the response.

       “Yes.  I see.  He’s where?  Thank you.”  He hung up.  Tea and Joey looked at him expectantly.  Tristan sighed.  “Their driver ran out of gas on Brahtts Street.  H just got towed to a station, but it’ll be a while.”

       Tea’s face fell.  “But the parents are already arriving.”

       Joey stood up, “That’s okay.  Brahtts’ is only a few blocks.  Tristan and I will go get your programs.”

       “Right!” Tristan agreed.  “Where’s the order confirmation so they’ll give it to us.”

       “Um... it should be right here.” Tea found it and handed it to him.  “Thanks guys.”

       Joey winked, “No prob Tea, just be sure to tell Mai and Serenity where we are.  They should be arriving with Duke any minute now.”

       Tea arched a brow at Tristan, “You trust Duke with your girlfriend?” 

       Tristan shrugged, “Not necessarily, but I trust my girlfriend with Duke.”

       Despite her frazzled nerves Tea smiled.

       “Gotta run!”

       And the two men hurried off to find the missing programs.

***   

       Kaiba was a bit later than he had intended to be, but that turned out to be fortunate for it saved him the trouble of having to search for Bakura.  The two white haired archeologists pulled in to the parking lot just behind him.  Gathering his courage he approached them.

       “Hello gentlemen.”

       Bakura responded warmly, Bakurai with a grunt of acknowledgement.

       “Bakura, may I have a word with you?”

       Bakura looked surprised.  He exchanged glances with Bakurai who gave a curt nod and strolled off, hands in his pockets.

       “Shall we?” Bakura gestured for Kaiba to lead the way and they walked toward the far end of the parking lot where there was a small grassy area.

       As they walked Kaiba made a last effort to plan his speech, but finally decided just to go for it.

       “I just wanted to apologize.” He began, “for being… distant recently. I know it must seem as though I’ve been avoiding you.”  He had been, but that was really beside the point.

       Bakura looked a little surprised, unsure where this was coming from, but he smiled in understanding, “It’s alright.  You’ve been busy, had a lot on your mind.”

       “Yes.” Seto agreed absently, he was framing his next sentence, “oh, and I – I just wanted you to know that, that I’m okay with-” he paused, finding it difficult to swallow around the lump in his throat.  This was so much harder to say than he had imagined. Hadn’t it been only an hour ago he had decided he needed to do this. He had thought he had dealt with these feelings.  “I’m okay with you and - and Tea… together.”

       Bakura blinked in rapid succession his mouth falling open.  “Together?” he echoed dumbly.

       Seto nodded, “I was upset at first, but I realize now that I had my chance and I missed it, and-”

       Bakura interrupted him, “You think Tea and I are involved?” he asked incredulously, “romantically?”

       Seto shifted uncomfortably, the man’s voice was rapidly increasing in volume.  He looked around but fortunately saw no one within hearing distance. He had decided to let it go, that didn’t mean he wanted the whole world to know about it. “Well… yes.”

       Bakura shook his head in disbelief.

       Misinterpreting the action Seto hastened to assure the other man, “And I’m okay with it now.” He repeated, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt.

       Bakura looked back up at him, “Kaiba, what are you talking about?”

       Seto drew back, “Well, I saw the two of you and you were hugging and I thought-”

       “When?” Bakura interrupted.

       Seto shrugged uncertainly, rubbing the back of his neck in a rare gesture of uncertainly, “Umm, I don’t know, I guess it was a few days after the opening of your exhibit at the museum.”

       “Ah…” Bakura nodded, “Alright, I see…” he thought for a moment and when he spoke it was gently, as though speaking to a distraught child, “Seto – have you seen Tea and I hug since then?   I mean, aside from greeting and goodbye hugs that she gives everyone?”

       Kaiba thought for a moment, “No, I guess not.”

       Bakura smiled slightly, “Has she been spending an inordinate amount of time with me recently?  Has she been talking about me more?”

       Kaiba honestly couldn’t say.  He had been avoiding them both after all.

       Bakura rested a hand lightly on his shoulder.  “Tea and I aren’t together, Seto.  We’re just friends.”  He debated telling Kaiba why he had been hugging Tea, or more accurately, why Tea had been hugging him, but decided that the specifics of the conversation were not his to reveal.  If Tea wanted Seto to know, she would tell him.  “As for the hug… Tea was confused about some things.  She needed someone and I was there.  The hug was a sort of thank you, that was all.”

       “Oh.” Seto was a bit overwhelmed as he tried to process all this.

       Bakura studied him for a moment, “Am I correct in assuming that you aren’t seeing any one then?”

       “Of course not!”

       “I thought not.”

       Kaiba wasn’t really listening, he was wrapped up in the fact that Tea wasn’t seeing Bakura, “Now what?” he asked no one in particular.

       Bakura grinned wryly, “Maybe you should talk to Tea.” He prompted.  Then he turned and walked away, off to find Yugi and grab a seat for the performance.  He still hadn’t gotten to see Tea dance…

***

       Tea had just rescued the curtain from certain destruction – a tale we’ll not get into in the interest of time, let’s just say it involved a prop that happened to be a lamp and a very careless stagehand – when one of the girls ran up to her.

       “Naratu locked herself in the greenroom and she won’t come out!  We can’t get in to get ready!”

       Tea sighed and went to find the key to the greenroom.