Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Come True ❯ Chapter Twenty Two: Enter some sap, some anger, a fluffy bunny rabbit, and a whole lotta walkin' ( Chapter 22 )

Chapter Twenty Two: Enter some sap, a fluffy bunny rabbit, and a whole lot of walking.

"I'm okay, don't need to cuddle me," Mina grumpily muttered, and Seto gave a sigh.

"First you complain about not being cuddled enough and now you want me to get away?"

"I'm supposed to be mad at you, you aren't helping."

"I'm sorry, then."

With that, he turned her head and kissed her. Melting a bit around the edges, Mina relaxed, leaning on his shoulder slightly, looking at particularly fluffy rabbit that had just bounced into the clearing.

"Why can't I go with you? I'll be a cheerleader, come on, please?"

"Not safe," he stated bluntly, shaking his head.

"What do you mean?"

"Look, Mina. Didn't you hear? Your dad has people following your every move. If you're seen with me, you might get in serious shit. No, I'm not letting you come. End of story, no more discussion."

Mina pouted. She sniffled. She glared. Nope-he wasn't going to give in this time.

"Whatever." She said bitterly, standing. "Let's go."

Seto rolled his eyes and stood as well, picking up her knapsack and handing it to her. He was sorry, but he wasn't about to let her fall into a danger zone because of his needs. He gave a shrug and followed her, his long strides kept in check to match her short, terse, brisk ones.

Mina was peeved. Who did he think she was, some little kid? She could take care of herself!

But, she thought guiltily, you were really scared back there. What would have happened to you if Seto hadn't come along? What if he hadn't found your communicator? What if he had never fallen in love with you?

And this little question-this `What if?'-was the very beginning of the deeply widening chasm between them.

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"-So I was wondering if I could come with ya'll?" Mina finished, shifting her weight nervously. Seto had decided not to come with her, he knew it would start something and his time was too limited to bicker.

Tea grinned and nodded.

"Sure, why not? It's okay with you guys?"

The boys voiced their agreement, and Mina looked relieved.

"Oh, thanks! I'll try not to get in ya'll's way!" Happily, she brushed her hair out of her eyes, and the group noticed the glove on her hand.

"Hey, you're a duelist?" Joey asked excitedly, forgetting he was supposed to be angry with her.

"Um, yes, well, not really-" Mina stuttered, eyes wide as she looked for an answer. She couldn't feed them the one she fed Seto, then she would have to duel one of them and they would recognize her cards from her father's old deck. (He had updated it since.) "Just something I picked up," she concluded. Joey looked disappointed.

"Ah well.." He trailed off, hand vaguely behind his head. Then he remembered. "How's Seto dearest? Did you bat your eyelashes at him?"

Mina wanted to smack him; you could almost imagine the universal thought bubble over Bakura, Tea, Tristan, and Yugi's heads. Here we go again, it stated flatly.

"No, I didn't `flutter my eyelashes' at him, you oaf. I haven't fluttered my eyelashes at anyone recently, and if you cared enough to take the time to learn more about people you like, then maybe you wouldn't have such noticeable girl problems!!" She snorted, glaring out at him from under her bangs. No one had ever mocked her like that, she thought. And he better not do it again. She didn't have to put up with this!

"You know what?" Joey stepped up to her, looking her in the eyes, their noses were almost touching.

She didn't back down. (Though how she wanted to!)

"What?" She spat back, eyes unsure. This was unlike Joey. She had always known him as the friendly brotherly figure, and the anger she saw in his eyes scared her. With Seto…well, with him the harsher emotions weren't half as surprising.

"You've changed, Mina, he's changed you. And I don't like you this way."

"I'm just the same! Don't bring Seto into this, this is about your obvious lack of commitment!!!" But still, his words struck home. She had noticed it too, she was quieter, even moody sometimes. Just the way she had rubbed off on Seto-he smiled more now, he was kinder in some ways, although his annoying aloofness was ever present-he had rubbed off on her. Did she mind it? Not really. But it bothered some of her friends.

He merely gave her a knowing smile and turned to walk away, everyone else looking uncomfortably at the ground.

Don't walk away from me, Joey Wheeler!

Giving a little sigh of displeasure, she followed the group after Joey.

I hope this isn't a very long competition…

And she fingered the ring on the chain, wondering what would happen if she tried it again. Just this once.

Her own way.