Chapter Five

"Getting Started"

Kaiba slowly opened his eyes...

It was early in the morning and despite how tired his body was his mind was far from it. He sat up, his fierce eyes going to the large windows. The sky hadn't even begun to turn a light blue.

He sighed and let his mind wander...

Perhaps he'd been too harsh with her...

He shook his head and stood, tossing the silk sheets off of him and stood only in his boxers. Crossing to his closet he pulled on a pair of simple sweatpants and shoving his hair out of his face left the room. The mansion was quiet as he walked the halls, his destination the office.

Pushing open the door he crossed the room and slid into the comfortable chair, clicking the computer on. Unanswered emails immediately flooded the screen but he ignored them and clicked on the awaiting file.

His eyes scanned the screen...

Then he went to work...

VVVV

Tea loved taking showers...

Especially in the Kaiba Mansion...

There were so many different buttons and settings that she had to try a new one every morning and right now she needed a hot shower. Letting it bathe her she sighed and raised her face to the spray, her mind wandering.

It wandered to her friends and her heart ached from loneliness. She wished that there was something that she could do but she knew that this was Kaiba's department.

Kaiba...

A tall, dark angry teenage boy flashed before her eyes and she shook her head, hating how her stomach twisted painfully at the thought of him. She shut the water off and stepped out, grabbing the towel and drying off her body, careful not to rub too harshly against her sore ribs. They were healing considerably and her bruises had all but faded. She stepped in front of the large mirror and picked up the brush. She ran it through her short hair, noting that she was going to have to get a hair cut soon and tossing her slightly than usually longer bangs out of her face she stepped out of the bathroom.

Her room was elegant with soft blues and whites with a large bed. She glanced at is as she walked by. It wasn't as big as Kaiba's, or as comfortable. She blinked at her thoughts and shook her head once more, berating herself.

What on earth was wrong with her?

She gave an irritated grunt while pulling open one of the dresser drawers. She didn't know why, and found that she didn't particularly want to think about it either, but Kaiba had sent some of his maids to her house, picking up a few of her things. Picking out a light gray sweater and black shorts she pulled them on. Leaving her feet bare she flipped her hair out of her face and exited her room.

The halls were quiet, as they always seemed to be and she made her way down to the kitchen. The maids hadn't shown up yet and Tea found that she quite liked the silence. She went to the cupboard, reaching up to pluck a box of dry cereal from the shelf when her stomach growled in protest. She halted, her eyes lingering on the box before and idea popped into her head.

She smiled...

Placing the box back in the cupboard her grin grew and she paced over to the fridge. Sticking her head in she grabbed the eggs and milk. Placing them on the counter she walked back over to the large, spacious pantry and started digging around. When she finally found it she giggled, feeling suddenly giddy and pulling out some bowls and measuring cups started.

As she blended the ingredients she started to hum, a song drifting in through her brain. Her mother always used to hum when she cooked and Tea would always start dancing. Maybe that was why she loved to dance.

It always made her feel complete...

Her humming grew louder as the notes grew inside her head. She closed her eyes, slowly moving her hips back and forth as she tilted her head, imagining herself on an empty dance floor. She tapped her foot, turning to head over to the other counter and as she did so she slid, tilting her head farther back. She halted in front of the counter, bringing her head forward as she poured the ingredients in. she grasped the whisk and plucking up the bowl she held in close to her, as if the bowl were her other dance partner and smiling to herself she closed her eyes and as she stirred...

She danced...

The melody sprang inside her, pouring throughout her body and she tilted and turned, swaying about the kitchen as her humming grew louder, matching the frenzied notes that pounded in her head. Finally when she reached the climax of her song she opened her eyes and came to a jerking stop, nearly dropping the waffle batter.

Kaiba...

He stood in the doorway, the morning light barely passing through the large windows to play over his disheveled hair and toned body. Tea's throat ran dry, her heavy breathing catching until she had to force herself to breathe. He stood only in sweatpants, his fierce eyes trained on her and she felt her legs grow weak. Her arms were shaking and she blinked, her cheeks flushing crimson and she suddenly wanted to bolt, to hide.

"What are you doing?" Tea snapped, her embarrassment causing her to be angry. Kaiba's fierce gaze seemed to clear and he straightened, narrowing his eyes at her.

"I was about to ask you the same thing," he raised a critical brow at her. "What are you making?" He asked while stepping into the kitchen. Tea took a step back, not liking how she suddenly wanted to reach out and touch his chest, his hair. She swallowed, opening her mouth to yell at him when her foot slipped.

She yelped, prepared to fall when strong hands grasped her arm and pulled her forward. She straightened, looking up into irritated blue eyes and she thanked god that the batter bowl was between herself and him.

Though it still didn't help that he was shirtless...

"Don't you own a shirt?" Tea snapped while pulling herself away from him and he blinked, staring at her.

"A thank you would have been nice," he replied and she fidgeted, quickly turning away from him to place the bowl on the counter.

"What are you doing here?" She asked again, desperately trying to have him leave and he narrowed his eyes at her, sizing her up and she straightened, raising her chin as she looked evenly back at him.

"I heard someone in the kitchen and I wanted to see, considering none of the maids sing while they cook." A small smile drifted across his lips, "Or dance for that matter," his small smile grew, "Did you enjoy your dance partner?" Kaiba asked while stepping up to look down at the bowl. Her cheeks flushed from embarrassment and she glared at him.

"He would have been better than you!" Tea shot back and Kaiba raised his brows at her.

"I assure you, Garnder," Kaiba leaned forward, causing Tea's eyes to widen slightly, "I would have been better than your bowl of waffle batter." His eyes darkened and Tea felt her stomach quiver. She stepped away, crossing her arms and forcing herself to look him in the eye, not at his chest or wonderfully toned arms.

"Prove it," she declared and silently berated herself.

Why couldn't she keep her mouth shut?!

Kaiba only smiled, gazing at her until she was thoroughly uncomfortable before he shook his head.

"Later, but since you're up I have something to show you." He tilted his head and his eyes drifted back to the batter. "Unless you would like to ask the waffle batter to dance again?" He smiled at her and Tea had been prepared to hit him, but halted at the smile that spread across his face.

It was beautiful...

"No," she managed to murmur and Kaiba nodded. He straightened and turned away from her, heading out of the kitchen.

"Then come on," he called over his shoulder and Tea quickly followed after him. They headed out of the kitchen and up the marble stairs. As they walked the hallways Tea glanced out at the breathtaking scenery that lay before them.

"It's so beautiful," Tea whispered and Kaiba nodded.

"It is," he glanced at it but returned walking and Tea followed.

"Where are we going?" Tea asked as Kaiba came to the end of the hallway. He halted in front of an imposing door and Tea realized it was to his office. He opened it and stepped inside, holding the door for her. She stepped in and looked around.

She'd peeked her head in before but now that was actually in Seto Kaiba's own personal office made her want to smile. It felt as if she had just crossed into a new world or had accomplished a great feat.

She smiled...

"I found it," Kaiba's voice knocked her out of her little dream as he crossed the sleek and elegant office to his imposing desk. Computer screens flashed and Tea frowned, the smile fading.

"Found what?" She asked as he halted in front of the desk and his eyes flicked up to hers, the light from the computer screens catching his high cheek bones and firm, sensual lips.

"The link," he gestured with his hand and Tea scrambled across the empty space to stand beside him, her heart accelerating inside her chest.

"You mean you found a way to get into the virtual world?" Tea asked and Kaiba nodded. Raising his hand he pointed to a set of codes. They spread across the screen in long lines and Tea blinked.

She didn't understand any of it...

"You see this will allow me to link in with Stone's own game coding, for the issue it coming within the game itself. If I can link to his game I can transport myself inside and stop it." He looked at her and she blinked, trying to process what he was saying.

"What do you mean by 'you'?" She asked, "I'm coming to," she replied and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"No you're not," his tone was firm but it only made Tea's eyes flare with anger.

"Yes, I am. They're my friends and I want to help them!" She burst out and glared at him. "All I've been doing is sitting, waiting around for something to happen and now it has and I'm not going to just let it pass me by. I'm going, whether you like it or not Seto Kaiba." Her heated words were firm and Kaiba returned her heated glare. He opened his mouth to reply when the TV flipped on. He halted, his eyes flicking to the screen as they fastened on the broad words that raced across the bottom.

"Breaking news, there's been another incident in the Stone Gaming Stadium. Fifteen year old Josh Krisling was unplugged from the game and showed signs of not breathing. He was rushed to the local hospital but was sadly declared dead ten minutes later. Isaac Stone later told the press..." the news broadcaster started rambling on and Tea stared at the screen.

"That could have been Yugi," she murmured, terrible images flashing before her eyes and she suddenly felt weak but steeled herself, "or Joey, or Justin." She turned and looked at Kaiba, "or even Mokuba, but that doesn't matter. That was a boy who had his whole life ahead of him, had a family that cared about him, loved him." She turned to look back at the TV screen. "That's why I have to help, no matter what." She murmured and felt him shift beside her.

VVVV

She was so bloody stubborn...

He saw her pained expression, saw her haunted eyes and couldn't help but want to reach out and take her in his arms like he would do to Mokuba when he was sad or frightened.

But this wasn't Mokuba...

It was Tea...

He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, effectively stopping himself from doing something stupid.

"Alright," he murmured and Tea looked at him, her once shadowed blue eyes lighting up.

"Really?" She squeaked and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Are you deaf now, too Gardner?" He replied but despite his irritated tone she squealed and leapt at him, her arms coming around his neck as she hugged him tightly. He blinked, surprised and had to take a step back to steady them.

"Gardner—" he tried to protest but her thrilled laugh filled his ears.

He halted...

It was so beautiful...

So musical...

It made his heart warm...

"I really thought that we were going to have to split your head open in order for me to come along," she laughed in his ear. He snorted and turned his head, thinking that he really was going to have to get hearing aids.

"No, perhaps not that drastic," he replied and Tea pulled back so that she could look at him. She quirked a brow at him, a slight smile playing about her lips.

"We are talking about you, Kaiba," she replied and he snorted.

"So what are you insinuating?" He asked and she grinned.

"That you're as pigheaded as a mule." She replied and tried stepping away but his own lips spread in a dark grin and he tightened his arms around her, stepping in closer to the desk and pinning her against it.

He saw her eyes widen...

Saw her cheeks flush...

"Hmm," he murmured, his eyes roaming over her creamy flesh, "I wonder who that reminds me of." His eyes darkened and he felt his body tighten.

She was so soft...

"Kaiba—" she breathed and he suddenly felt irritated at her using his last name.

"Seto," he corrected and inwardly flinched.

What on earth?

No one besides Mokuba called him that...

No one...

And he'd just given Tea permission...

"Wh-what?" She breathed and he straightened, fully realizing what he was doing and was about to pull back when the door to his office opened.

"Seto?" Came a sleepy voice and Kaiba's eyes snapped to the doorway. Mokuba filled it and Kaiba abruptly pulled away from Tea and the sudden urge to yell at his little brother for interrupting filled him.

He blinked...

Feeling suddenly shaken he stepped farther away from Tea and towards him. He was still in his pajamas and rubbing at his eyes.

"What is it, Mokuba?" He halted in front of him, reaching out to ruffle his hair, "Did you have another nightmare?" He asked but Mokuba shook his head.

"No, I think there's something burning in the kitchen," Mokuba replied and Kaiba heard a surprised gasp sound behind him.

"The waffles!" Tea squeaked and went streaking past. Kaiba blinked after her and Mokuba frowned in confusion.

"Waffles?" He asked but Kaiba shook his head.

"It's nothing, Gardner was making breakfast but now it looks like we'll be eating burnt waffles." He replied and Mokuba nodded while still rubbing at his eyes.

"Hey, Seto?" He asked as Kaiba turned around to walk back to his desk.

"Yes?" Kaiba replied as he started copying the needed data. Mokuba padded over to him and glanced at the screen before looking up at his older brother.

"I want to go out with friends today, it's Yuki's birthday." He looked up at Kaiba with hopeful eyes and Kaiba glanced at him.

"Why didn't I hear about this earlier?" He questioned and Mokuba shrugged a shoulder.

"He told me about it yesterday while he was here, it's over at the park." He offered and Kaiba narrowed his eyes.

"Do his parents know that you are going?" He questioned and Mokuba shrugged his shoulders once more.

"I don't know, can I go?" He asked and Kaiba straightened.

"You should have told me yesterday." His tone was firm and Mokuba glowered up at him, for he knew where this was going. "Perhaps you can invite them over tomorrow," he went to stride past but Mokuba crossed his arms.

"But I want to go today, he's one of my few friends and I don't want to let him down," he replied and Kaiba sighed.

"I said no Mokuba," he turned and looked evenly at Mokuba. Mokuba glared at him before heading out of the office. Kaiba watched him go but after a moment followed after him. He was farther down the hallway and seemed to be heading to the kitchens. Kaiba watched him go, watched the angry set of his shoulders and couldn't help but smile.

For he'd walked that way many a times before...

But always he'd been reprimanded for it...

His mind flashed back to a hard fist and stiff leather belt. Old wounds flared in pain and he inwardly shuddered and cast the thoughts aside. Turning he headed towards his bedroom. Opening the door he went to the bathroom and washed his face. As he patted it dry he looked at himself in the mirror. His skin was a light bronze but if he looked hard enough he could still make out the faint scars. Reaching up he lightly touched them, swallowing when he remembered a dark room, cold tile and blood. He closed his eyes and felt the fear tighten around his heart.

It left him shaking...

He forced himself to calm, to breathe and when he opened his eyes they were clear again. He lowered his head and stepping from the bathroom he headed for his closet. Picking up a simple dark blue button up shirt and black jeans he got dressed. Putting on his gray wool socks he left his shoes in his closet, for he didn't plan on going out today and was about to leave when there was a light, quick knock on the door.

He frowned...

It wasn't Tea...

Her knock was always somehow annoying yet cheerful at the same time. He growled when he thought that, not particularly dwelling on how he knew her knock and cleared his throat.

"Who is it." It wasn't a question and there came a faint answer from the other side.

"It's Amelia," came the answer and Kaiba frowned. He crossed to the door and opened it. It revealed a well built blonde with flashing green eyes and Kaiba inwardly sighed.

"What do you want." Again this was not a question and he saw the girl look away, obviously shy though he knew it was a ruse.

"I heard that you came home late last night, you must be tired. Is work at the company stressful for you, Master?" She batted her eyes at him and he simply looked at her. She was dressed in the typical maid uniform, though he was more modest with them than other men of high standing were. She leaned forward, having the two top buttons undone to reveal the slight swell of her breasts and she tilted her head invitingly.

"Is there anything that I could help you with, Master?" She purred the last word and Kaiba's eyes narrowed in disgust.

"Address me as such again, Miss Amelia, and you will find yourself unemployed." His tone was cold and harsh, splitting the air like daggers and made her blink, "Now do your job before I decide otherwise, understood?" He moved past her and she stared after him, her eyes wide.

"Y-Yes, sir." She squeaked after him as he strode away. As he descended the marble stairs towards the kitchen he heard laughter coming from inside.

It was Mokuba's and Tea's...

He halted at the threshold, his eyes taking in the scene before him. Tea must have been able to salvage some of the waffles and was busy serving them up as Mokuba readily ate them, lathering on the syrup and giggling at something she'd said. An older woman, her name escaping him at the moment was at the stove, cooking eggs and joining in on their personal joke.

It was so warm...

In all his years living here...

It actually felt like a home...

Mokuba spotted him and the laughter disappeared from his face as he glanced swiftly back to his plate. Tea noticed his behavior and followed his gaze. She halted as well when she saw him. He saw her eyes darken before she quickly looked away and headed back over to the stove.

"Ah, Master Kaiba, breakfast will be ready in a moment," the older woman called and Kaiba blinked, suddenly feeling like a stranger in his own home.

"No, I won't be eating. I'm going out." He glanced at Tea, saw her puzzled look but turned around and headed for the door. Originally he hadn't planned on it, but he found that he needed fresh air. Slipping on his boots he opened the door, prepared to leave when a bouncy brunette in a kitchen apron and oven mitt came into his line of vision.

"Where are you going?" Tea asked and he halted, looking at her.

Why did she care? Why did she want to know? No one else did, so why did she?

And why...

Did he want to tell her?

"Out," he replied and stepped through the door and out onto the steps. He heard Tea scrambling after him but he clamped his jaw, shoving his hands into his pockets and refusing to look back at her.

"Kaiba wait, what's going on? What's wrong—" she started but he glanced sharply over his shoulder at her, cutting her off with his icy glare.

"It's none of your business," he snapped and Tea stared at him before her striking blue eyes lit in anger.

"None of my business?" Tea thundered and flicked her bangs out of her eyes as she came down the steps.

Her hair was longer than usual...

He blinked and inwardly shook himself...

Since when did he pay attention to her hair?!

"You pigheaded jerk!" She shouted and took off the oven mitt and threw it at him. It connected with his chest and he blinked, staring at her as she glared at him while descending the steps. "Why do you have to be so cruel? So cold?! You have people who care about you and all you do is push them away! Then you blame them for your loneliness, your pain!" She halted in front of him and glared up into his eyes, "I don't know what went on between you and Mokuba but whatever it is, it's silly! Your brothers! And as for myself," she crossed her arms and her eyes flamed even more, "don't you dare tell me it's none of my business when I ask you what's wrong. We're friends and when your friend asks you what's wrong you better well tell them! Do you understand?" Tea asked her tone utterly firm and unyielding and Kaiba could only stare at her.

Finally he managed to nod...

"Good, now either you can come back inside and make up with Mokuba and eat some waffles, or you can go and act like a little kid and sulk." She turned and headed back up the steps, bending over to retrieve her oven mitt as she did so. "And remember who said who was acting like the child." She bit the last word off as she went back into the mansion and Kaiba stared after her retreating back.

"What just happened?" He asked himself quietly to the still morning air. He shook his head and raised his face to the sky, letting it bathe him in its early warmth.

He smirked...

She was right...

Tea Gardner, a klutz, a scatterbrained brunette had stripped him bare of his armor and exposed him, crushing him yet healing him all at once.

How odd...

"Stupid," he murmured and entered the house. As he went back to the kitchen he realized that he hadn't been angry at Mokuba, or Tea for that matter.

Who he'd been angry at was himself...

He'd been angry because of what his childhood had been like, and that despite his efforts he hadn't been able to give Mokuba what Tea had given them.

The feeling of being home...

Of being a family...

Of course Mokuba and he would always be a family, but there had always been something missing, an important part of the puzzle that he'd never been able to find or fill.

And Tea had...

He halted at the threshold once more and couldn't help but smile when he saw them all in the kitchen. Tea had removed her apron and was sitting at the small table with Mokuba, teasing him about something as they ate but halted when she saw Kaiba. Mokuba looked over hesitantly and Kaiba sighed. He stepped farther into the kitchen and halted beside them. Reaching out he clasped Mokuba on the shoulder and avoided Tea's slightly smug gaze.

"I'm sorry, Mokuba, I know you would like to go and play with your friends. Have Fredrick drop you off but make sure you're back here by six, understand?" Kaiba asked and Mokuba's eyes widened and he scrambled up onto the chair to throw his arms around Kaiba's neck.

"Thank you, big brother!" He shouted in his ear and Kaiba winced but patted his back. "Thank you, thank you!" He shouted while releasing Kabia's neck and leaping off of the chair. Before Kaiba could protest further Mokuba was out of the room in a flash and Kaiba shook his head. As he took the now vacant chair opposite Tea he saw her smug smile and narrowed his eyes at her.

"Don't be so smug, Gardner," he replied and Tea snorted while shrugging her shoulders innocently.

"Me, smug? I would never," Tea replied while standing and moving over to the counter to grab a bowl of fruit to stir but Kaiba saw her pink lips spread in another smile. He grunted a reply, which only made her grin even more, before reaching over for a clean plate. He picked up a slightly charred waffle but before he could say anything Tea wagged a wooden spoon at him from her place beside the counter.

"It's perfectly fine, and it wouldn't have been burnt had you not distracted me." She replied and he felt himself want to grin but resisted the urge.

"I'll keep that in mind then," he bit into the waffle after putting some syrup on it and found that despite the slightly burned edges it was quite good.

"See, told you so." Tea murmured as she took her seat across from him while placing the fruit on the table. She reached out and grabbed her glass filled with orange juice and took a sip while absent mindedly reaching for another waffle to fill her plate.

He blinked...

This was the first time he'd ate breakfast with anyone besides Mokuba...

It was nice...

"What?" Tea asked as she took another drink from her glass and Kaiba shook himself.

This was becoming too comfortable...

"I have to go finish up some of the coding," Kaiba quickly replied while standing, his food forgotten on his plate and Tea frowned.

"That can wait, you should eat that way you have energy," Tea gestured with her head but Kaiba shook his own.

"No, it can't wait," he quickly exited the kitchen before she could say more. He scaled the marble stairs and quickly escaped to his office. Closing the door behind him he took in a steadying breath, silently lecturing himself for his behavior.

He'd faced power hungry, greedy business men along with unimaginable threats from the other world and had regained his composure.

Had never been scared...

But now...

He was...

And what scared him was none of those things...

No...

It was a blue eyed brunette...

VVVV

Tea looked after Kaiba's retreating form and frowned. What was wrong with him now? She shrugged her shoulders and stood, picking up the plates and heading back over to the sink. As she did so a form filled the doorway.

"Oh dear, you don't have to do that," Gretchen said while wiping her hands on her apron. Tea snorted and shook her head.

"I'm the one who dirtied them, so I'll be the one who cleans them up." She started the water and added the soap. "Plus it keeps me busy," she added and smiled over her shoulder at the older woman. "Besides I'm sure you have a million and one other things that you have to do besides do the dishes that I dirtied." Gretchen chuckled at her words and rested her hand on her hip.

"You sure are a complex little thing," she murmured and Tea was the one to chuckle.

"I'll take that as a compliment then," he replied and Gretchen nodded her head.

"Alright then, thank you I really do appreciate it. If you should need any help I'll be up on the second story cleaning the drapes." Gretchen said as she left the kitchen and Tea nodded as she went back to doing them.

As she finished drying the last dish she heard someone enter the kitchen once more and she looked over her shoulder, expecting to see Gretchen but jolted at the sight before her. Amelia, her usually perfect blonde hair was ruffled and her eyes, always a fetching green were bright with anger and pain as tears smeared her mascara.

"Amelia?" Tea asked while putting the plate on the counter and wiping her hands on the towel, "What's wrong? Are you alright?" Tea went to reach out to touch her arm but Amelia's lip curled and she yanked her arm back.

"Don't act as if you care!" Amelia shrieked at her and Tea's eyes widened in surprise. "How could you?!" She shouted and took a threatening step towards her, "You knew I liked him but you still did as you wanted and ignored my feelings! You only care about yourself!" She shoved a pointy finger into Tea's ribs, causing her to wince in pain for they weren't completely healed yet.

"What are you talking about Amelia?" Tea asked while stepping back but the blonde only stepped closer to her.

"You know exactly what!" She shouted and her bottom lip quivered in anger. "He rejected me because he likes you! And you took advantage of that! How could you?! I'll never forgive you for this!" She whirled but halted at the threshold to the kitchen, "You'll regret it, I swear!" With that she left and Tea heard the front door slam. She poked her head out and watched Amelia stride down the stone path to the gates and once through them down the street.

What on Earth?

"Tea, Tea are you alright?" This time it was Gretchen as she appeared at the top of the marble steps, a light vacuum in her hand. "I heard screaming." She glanced at the door before looking back at Tea.

Tea nodded before she answered, "Yes, I'm fine." She murmured and frowned, confused. Suddenly, she didn't want to talk about what had just happened and shook her head, trying to rid it of what had occurred in the kitchen. "It was nothing," she murmured over her shoulder while heading back into the kitchen.

She went back to doing the dishes, her mind playing over and over what Amelia had just said.

She'd said that 'he liked her', well what had she meant by 'he'? Did she mean Kaiba? The idea made her jolt and nearly drop the knife she'd been drying off. She placed it on the counter and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. No, that couldn't be right, not in a million years would Kaiba like her. They were barely even friends so they couldn't be any more than that.

Could they?

She shook her head again and finished the dishes, forcing herself to think of anything other than that unsettling idea, but inevitably she did and was surprised when she found herself wanting to smile, found her heart wanting to beat faster inside her chest at the idea.

What was wrong with her?

Feeling like she needed fresh air she finished the last dish and leaving the towel on the kitchen counter went out to the gardens that surrounded the house. She raised her face to the sky, loving how the sun warmed her and took in a deep breath. She rolled her sleeves up and walked barefoot across the stones to a flower bed, kneeling down she touched the soft soil and let it fall through her fingers.

Finding a slightly bare patch she stretched out in it, the flowers surrounding her and closed her eyes. The gentle smells filled her nostrils and she sighed, her mind clearing and her body relaxing.

Now this...

Was heaven...

VVVV

Where on Earth could she be?

He stormed through the house, gnashing his teeth and running a hand through his hair. He'd been looking for her for hours and had searched the mansion from top to bottom but there was still no sign of her.

Did she go out? Was she hiding from him?

Ideas buzzed about inside his head as he entered the kitchen and looked about. It was late in the afternoon and Mokuba would soon be returning. He needed to find her so that they could get to work. Stepping out through the door he looked around and was about to turn to head back inside when he caught a glimpse of pale, creamy flesh.

He halted...

Froze...

His heart nearly stopped beating...

"Tea? Tea!" Kaiba shouted as he leapt across the few feet that separated them and landed in the flower bed. She jolted and sat up with a start, her limbs failing and Kaiba cursed as he avoided her kicking legs. "What do you think you're doing!" He thundered while seizing her about the shoulders and shaking her slightly, "You scared me to death!" He snapped and glared down at her, his heartbeat thumping madly in his ears. She blinked and stared up at him.

"What did I do?" She asked and he snorted.

"Who takes a nap in a flower bed?" He demanded and shook his head, grasping her about her shoulders and lifting her up and out of it. "I've been looking for you for hours and here I find you in the dirt," he shook his head as he carried her inside, "I swear you're such a pain!" He snapped while climbing the stairs and heading down the hall. "I am not going to let you get into the game smelling like compost, so wash up and do it quick." He instructed while pushing open the door to his bathroom and dumping her inside. "I'll have one of the maids get you fresh clothes," he eyed her surprised face and shook his head, "hurry it up," he snapped again and slammed the door.

He walked swiftly down the hall, halting when he saw the maid Gretchen watching him with wide eyes but he ignored it and straightened.

"She's going to need some fresh clothes," he instructed and Gretchen nodded while shuffling past him.

"Yes, Master Kaiba," she was gone a moment later and Kaiba shook his head, forcing himself to calm as he descended the hallways to the marble stairs. He halted when he saw Mokuba come bouncing in and scramble up them to stand beside him.

"Hey, big brother, I'm home just before six like you asked." He said and Kaiba nodded.

"Did you have fun?" she asked and Mokuba nodded.

"Yeah, thanks again for letting me go. I know you didn't want me to," he murmured and Kaiba glanced at him before looking down the hallway when he heard the shower being turned on.

"No, I didn't, but Gardner convinced me otherwise," he turned his eyes back to his little brother. "But no matter, I wanted you home because I need someone here that I can trust to look after things while we're gone. Can you do that?" Kaiba asked and watched as Mokuba's chest swelled as he straightened.

"Of course I can!" He said confidently and Kaiba smiled at him, ruffling his hair.

"Good, then once Tea get's done showering bring her down to the lab, will you?" He asked while turning and heading down the hallway to his office.

Mokuba nodded after him, "Will do!" He shouted while giving him a salute and Kaiba grinned, shaking his head. When he reached his office door he went to his computer and switching it on, copied the needed files and set the lock. Mokuba was the only one who knew the pass code and if things went well, he wouldn't need to use his computer after all.

That is...

If things went well...

He shut the computer off and grabbing his gaming disk and keypad left the office. As he headed down the hallway he halted when he saw Tea standing in a pair of practical jeans, boots and a shirt. Her hair was still wet and she was brushing it out of her eyes as Mokuba led her down the hallway towards him.

"Perfect," he turned and waved at them to follow after him. "Follow me," he lead them farther down the hallway to a small door. Pressing the keypad he plugged in the needed code and glanced over his shoulder to see Tea's brows furrow in confusion.

"What's with the secret door?" Tea asked as they stepped into a steel elevator and Kaiba smirked at her as he reached out and hit the only button. The doors slid close and they began to descend before he replied.

"I remember all too well what happened the last time I entered a virtual world where we were trapped there. I won't make the same mistake of people knowing where it is while we're in there." He looked down at Mokuba and winked. "That's why we're going to have the best security possible," he murmured and Mokuba chuckled while playfully swatting at Kaiba's arm.

"Definitely," he said with a smile and beamed up at Tea. "Don't' worry, I'll look after you guys while you're in the game." Tea nodded but glanced at Kaiba as the doors opened. He didn't look at her but stepped forward into the steel enforced lab. Large monitoring screens lined the far wall and three dome shaped pods filled the room. Control panels surrounded them and Kaiba heard Tea and Mokuba following after him as he walked, his shoes thudding against the steel.

"Wow," was all Tea could manage to say and Kaiba smiled, glad that she'd been knocked speechless, however temporary it might be.

"Come here, Mokuba," Kaiba said while gesturing to his brother and they halted in front of the larger monitoring screens. He handed him the disk drive and bent his head. "This will tell you everything you need to know, alright?" Kaiba watched as Mokuba nodded and he dipped his head in return. Straightening he crossed over to one of the pods and gestured with his head to the one beside him. "Get in," he commanded and Tea frowned, but slowly stepped forward to look at the pod.

"At least it looks comfortable," she murmured and Kaiba snorted as he climbed inside.

"Of course it would be comfortable," he lowered himself inside it and started plugging in the needed data. Tea eyed him but did the same as he. The top of the pod hissed and closed over them and Kaiba finished plugging in the needed data.

"Once Mokuba flips that switch, we'll be plugged into the game, understand?" Kaiba said to Tea over the intercom and she nodded while adjusting herself in the seat.

"Alright, ready." She nodded her head and Kaiba returned it before giving a thumbs up to Mokuba. Mokuba returned it and smiled.

"Good luck, guys!" He said to them and flipped the switch.

And the world erupted in light...

VVVV

AUTHOR NOTE: Chapter Five! Thanks for all the reviews and followers, please keep on reviewing! I love reading them and hearing about what you guys think!