Home

Chapter 6

       Seto had had a difficult time concentrating at work recently.  He stared down at his desk in disgust and then stood and grabbed his coat.  He wasn’t getting any work done anyway.

       It was very near sunset when Seto Kaiba emerged from his office.  He considered going home, and then vetoed the idea in favor of a quiet walk along the harbor.  Perhaps that would clear his mind.  When he reached the pier the first tinges of pink were coming into the clouds.  The color was reflected by the waves.  He leaned against the railing staring out at the sea.  He was glad that Kaiba Corp. headquarters was so near the pier. He loved the water at sunset.

       Did Tea love the water at sunset?

       She seemed like the kind who would.  Maybe he’d ask her to join him sometime.     

       He sighed.   Hadn’t he come here to get away from those thoughts? It seemed all he thought about recently was that woman.  It was getting harder to ignore, especially when he saw her at least twice a week at the center.  He smiled as he thought about her teaching the elementary girls ballet.

       He loved the excitement in her eyes when she danced, or talked about the children.  The way she smiled, how her eyes danced when she laughed.  He loved her gentle patience with the children as they learned, her firmness when they acted inappropriately.  He loved her laugh and the way her hair fell in her eyes all the time.  He loved everything about her.

       Yes, he loved her.

       It had taken Kaiba a long time to sort out his feelings for Tea Gardner.  But once he had, he realized that they went back almost to the first time he had seen her.  She had been so sweet and loyal, yet spunky.  Not afraid to speak her mind, even to him.  Always willing to protect her friends and willing to give anything for them.  Even for him.  Even when he gave her the cold shoulder.

       He had never realized how special she was.  Not until she was half a world away in New York City.

       He wished the charade were over – that he could just tell her.  That’s what he should have done in the beginning, when she had first come back from New York.  Now he would have to admit to the farce as well as his feelings.  It was just too difficult.

       He heard footsteps behind him and shifted slightly.  Listening.  Prepared.  Then he relaxed.

       He knew those steps.

       Yugi came up beside him and leaned his back against the railing, facing the city.  For several long moments the two men stood in silence.  Kaiba was thinking, Yugi was waiting patiently, not rushing him.

       “What do I do Yugi?” Seto asked quietly.

       Yugi shifted slightly to look back at him, “About what?”

       Seto sighed and hung his head, “Tea,” he whispered.

       Yugi smiled, he wasn’t blind, he had known this was coming.  Even as teenagers it was clear there was something between Kaiba and Tea.  “You’re asking me?  I’ve never even had a girlfriend.” He chuckled.

       Seto shook his head and looked up, “But you know Tea.”

       Yugi smiled sadly, “She was my best friend, the only crush I ever had.”

       Seto’s eyes met his, “Do you love her?” he asked solemnly.

       “Yes.” Yugi’s eyes were soft and Kaiba looked away, but Yugi’s hand on his arm stopped him, “But not like that – not anymore.”

       Kaiba studied him, as if assessing the sincerity of the statement.

       “She’s not seeing anyone.” Yugi said, “and I know she respects you, likes you,” he gave a small laugh, “she even liked you before.  That’s just how she is.  She won’t shoot you down without giving you a chance.  And she won’t stop being your friend just because things don’t work out.”

       Kaiba drew in a deep breath, turning to face the city like Yugi, “So you’re saying I should go for it?”

       Yugi looked at him, “I’m saying you’ve got nothing to lose.”

***

       Tea sighed and stood, arching her back and entwining her fingers high above her head as she stretched.  She glanced down at the clock.  Six o’clock.  That wasn’t too late.  Maybe she’d take a stroll around the park.

       Grabbing her coat she headed for the door.  It would be good to clear her head.  It had been three days since the museum; three days since her conversation, if it could be called that, with Analisa.  She hadn’t seen Seto at all.  It bothered her that that bothered her. 

       She stepped outside and pulled her coat a little closer, it was a bit cool this evening.

       Heading down the street toward the park she forced herself to focus on the scenery.  As she approached her favorite spot, a low grassy hill with a huge shade tree, she saw a figure there.  She started to turn away but then saw the familiar mop of whitish hair.

       <Bakura> she smiled at the thought, <or Bakurai> that was not an unpleasant prospect either.

       “Hey!” she called in greeting before she got too close.  If it was Bakurai she didn’t want to startle him.

       The man turned and she saw Bakura’s warm brown eyes.  “Hello Tea.” His soft British lilt always made her smile.  He was such a sweet man.  “Care to join me?” he inquired politely.

       She nodded coming up beside him.  For a few minutes they stood in comfortable silence, watching the clouds above them.

       “The sky is such a beautiful thing.” Tea said softly.

       “Yes.” Bakura agreed.  He turned toward her, studying her thoughtfully, “Tea, I don’t mean to pry but… why are you here?”

       Tea turned in surprise; did he feel she was intruding?  She hadn’t meant to.  “Well, you asked me if I wanted to join you. I can leave if you-” he shook his head taking her hand as she started to turn. 

       “No, that isn’t what I meant at all.  It’s just,” he paused, choosing his words, “you seem thoughtful.  I was wondering what was occupying your thoughts that you came out here to get away from them.  That’s all.”

       “Oh.” Tea looked down and he released her hand.  She had hoped some company would keep her mind off Seto, not force her to talk about it.

       Bakura stuck his hands in his pockets, turning back toward the sky. “You don’t have to tell me.” He said kindly, “but sometimes, it makes things easier, you know.”

       She nodded, but made no move to tell him.

       Bakura watched her from the corner of his eye.  Talking would make her feel better, he knew it would, she was that kind of person, but he didn’t want her to feel pressured.  He decided to try another angle of approach. Maybe if he got her to talk about something else…

       “You’ve been working at Kaiba’s after school club haven’t you?  How’s that going?”

       <Kaiba> she blushed, “Um, fine.” She was glad he was still facing the sky instead of her. 

       Bakura noticed her flustered tone and turned slightly, seeing her flushed cheeks.  <Ah, so that’s it> he had suspected something along those lines.

       “You and Kaiba didn’t get to see much of each other the other night.” He said casually.

       He heard her breath catch before she responded in an almost normal tone, “Yes, well, he was a little preoccupied.”

       “Yes, he certainly had his hands full.” Bakura chuckled.

       “You noticed that too?” she asked slyly. He chuckled once more, then he fell quiet.

       “That wasn’t the reason though, was it.” He said quietly.

       Tea stopped.  She turned to study him, and then decided it would be nice to talk to someone.  Bakura wouldn’t betray her confidence, and he just might understand.  It would be nice just to say her confused thoughts aloud.  And she couldn’t tell Yugi or Yami, they were too close to Seto.  She wouldn’t put them in that position.

       “No.” she admitted.

       Bakura nodded understandingly, but didn’t press her; he waited patiently for her to sort her thoughts.

       “It’s just, well…” she laughed lightly, “it sounds silly, but one of the kids at the center said something.  About Set- err, Kaiba and I,” she caught herself.  Bakura raised a brow but did not comment, “She said he loved me – and that I loved him too.” She flushed hotly as she repeated the child’s words.  Then she shrugged, turning away from him once more to hide the blush.  “And I couldn’t get it out of my head all that day, and then at the museum, when I saw him… I wasn’t sure how to act.  It just felt different.  And I still keep thinking about it.” She moved her hands in exasperation, “I mean, she’s just a kid, but I can’t get it out of my head.”

       Bakura nodded, he had turned toward her as she spoke but now he looked back out over Domino Park, “so it bothers you, what she said?”

       Tea sighed, “I guess.”

       Though she wasn’t looking at him he nodded. Then he turned back to look at her once more.   When he spoke it was gently, politely, as though wanting to assure her he was not trying to intrude, but only concerned for her happiness.

       “Is that because you aren’t entirely certain she wasn’t correct?”

       Tea’s startled gaze came to rest on him, and for several long moments she just stared at him, searching his gaze  He smiled and reached for her hand.

       “It’s just something to think about Tea.”

       Tea considered this and realized he was correct.  She would never sort this out if she kept trying to push the thoughts away.  She had to deal with this or she would lose Kaiba as a friend, and, though she wasn’t quite sure what she did want, she didn’t want that.

       She smiled and stood on tiptoe to hug him.  “Thank you.” She whispered in his ear.  “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”  She pulled back but slid her hands down to his.  They smiled at one another.  A thought struck her.

       “So what were you doing out here anyway?”

       Bakura shrugged, “I’m not sure, I just had a feeling.”

       “Maybe you were here for me.” She suggested.

       He grinned, “Maybe I was.” He paused, “Tea?” he reached out and brushed her cheek lightly, letting his hand rest there gently, she met his gaze and was surprised by the seriousness she saw there, “don’t let something you want get away because it seems uncomfortable at first.”

       Tea nodded and reached up, taking his hand.  He squeezed it and then pulled her into a one arm hug.  They turned and stood like that, his arm looped over her shoulder, as they watched the sun sink into the clouds.

***

       Seto wasn’t sure why he took the path through the park that evening.  He wasn’t even conscious he was headed there until he looked up to find himself beside the fountain.  He was thinking about his conversation with Yugi yesterday.  Yugi was right, he had to talk to Tea.

       Tea’s house was near the park.

       He nodded determinedly and turned around, he would do it today.  No time like the present after all. 

       Headed across the park he noticed two figures standing under the large shade tree.  He smiled slightly.  Lovers no doubt, out for an evening stroll.  Maybe one day that would be Tea and himself.  He started to veer away to give them some privacy when he realized that he recognized the man.

       Bakura was seeing someone?  Who knew?  He hadn’t heard anything, and it really wasn’t like Bakura to keep secrets.  Out of curiosity he found himself moving closer, even as he berated himself that it was none of his concern.

       Now the woman reached up and hugged him, tightly.  Her face was covered by his hair, but Kaiba thought he recognized her.

       She pulled back and slid her hand down to his, her face down and shadowed by the setting sun.  Then he reached for her face and her head lifted as he caressed her cheek.

       Seto’s breath was knocked from him and he felt as though his heart had stopped beating.

       <TEA!?> his mind screamed and he drew in a tortured breath.  No, it couldn’t be.  Yugi had said she wasn’t seeing anyone.  And yet… here she was.  Here they were.  It was undeniable.  Yugi must not have known.  Shaking his head he turned and nearly ran away. When he reached the edge of the park he slowed his pace to nearly a crawl.  Slowly he walked home, in a daze.  His mind couldn’t seem to grasp the facts of what he had just seen.

       <Tea>

       He hadn’t known such anguish was possible.  Not even when Mokuba had been taken from him had he felt like this.  A numbness set in as he continued to walk, as if his heart could no longer bear the pain of loss.  

       Kaiba entered the mansion and let the door bang slightly.  He wasn’t mad really, he just didn’t care enough to stop the door.

       “Hey, Seto!  Did you have a nice walk?”  Mokuba approached cheerfully only to stop short at the sight of his older brother’s face.  His brow furrowed, and he slowed his approach, “What’s wrong?”

       “Nothing.” Seto’s voice was emotionless, and that worried Mokuba, but he didn’t want to press.

       “Um, okay.”  He followed Seto as the older man dropped his briefcase on an end table and shrugged out of his coat.  He dropped it carelessly on the couch and headed toward his office.

       Mokuba’s frown deepened as he grabbed the coat and hung it in the closet.  The maid could have done it later, but that wasn’t the point.  Seto always hung his coat.  Closing the closet door Mokuba hurried after his brother.

       “Yami called you – twice.” He said, “it seemed important.”

       Seto nodded absently and entered his office shutting the door behind him.  Mokuba stopped and blinked in surprise.  It had been a very long time since his brother had shut him out.  With a last glance at the door he headed to the kitchen to bother the cook.   Evidently his big brother needed some time alone, and he was going to make sure he got it.

       Back in the office Seto sank into his chair and buried his face in his hands, leaning his elbows on the desk.  The scene he had just witnessed played over and over in his mind and he couldn’t stop it.

       That had been Tea.

       Tea hugging Bakura. 

       Tea holding his hand.

       Tea who’s face he had been caressing.

       “Tea.” He whispered hoarsely.

       He was too late.  Her heart was taken.  He should have known. 

       Little things came to his memory, things that had seemed inconsequential at the time.  In the museum when she had left him with Cynthia.  What had she said?  She needed to see Bakura.

       He had assumed she meant she wanted to see both Bakuras, Bakura and Bakurai, to compliment them on the exhibit.  But she had already been there an hour, she had probably already… and she had only said Bakura.  He groaned, remembering the way he had looked at her, what he had said to her.

       Poor Tea.  No wonder she had been so uncomfortable. 

       Had she suspected he had feelings for her and just not known how to tell him?  Was she uneasy because she knew her heart was already taken?

       Well, he’d make it easy for her.  He’d just stay away from them both.

       He crossed his arms and rested them on the desk, lowering his head to rest on them.  He drew in a shuddering breath and squeezed his eyes closed tightly.

       He would not cry.

       Bakura was infinitely more suited for Tea than he.  They were so similar in so many ways.  Both sweet, concerned, putting others above themselves. They were friendly with ready smiles and a manner that instantly put one at ease.  Bakura was understanding, gently, patient, soft spoken… so many things he had to work so hard at came naturally to the quiet British man.

       Of course Tea would love Bakura.  Why hadn’t he seen it before?

       But all that reasoning couldn’t erase the longing from his soul.  It wouldn’t heal his broken heart.  Deep down he knew he would always love Tea, forever.  He would love her until the day he died, even if he could never tell her.

       But how could he see her everyday and not want her?  Not yearn for her?  How could he hide it from her when his soul was shattering each moment?

       Yes, it would be easier for them all if he just stayed away.

       But how?

       There would have to be some explanation, they did work together after all.

       His hand brushed against something on the desk and he raised his head.  There were two notes partly under the phone. 

       Had someone called? 

       Mokuba had said something… hadn’t he?

       Kaiba hadn’t really been listening.  He closed his eyes, searching his aching and fuzzy head for the information he knew was there.

       Mokuba had said that Yami had called.

       Twice.

       It was important.

       Snatching up the notes he quickly perused them.

       Yami wanted to meet him, tomorrow.  Could he come to his office at around 2 pm.

       Kaiba picked up the phone, if they could make it four that would be perfect.  At least tomorrow he’d have an excuse to avoid the Children’s Center.  He dialed the Motos’ number.