Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Falling From Grace ❯ Chapter 27 ( Chapter 27 )

YUGIOH

Falling From Grace

 

 

Warning: Non-Tea character angst!

 

Chapter 27.

Since Kaiba had won the duel, Joey gladly accepted going home with him alone, away from the others. He spent the night with Kaiba, never feeling more content.

 

It was the next morning when he left, heading out early to get to Yugi's place before school, and feeling like the happiest guy alive. 'Man, what the hell was wrong with me?', Joey wondered, as he looked back at how much he resisted being with Kaiba in the beginning. Kaiba was everything he wanted, and now all the times when he was ashamed of his feelings towards Kaiba seemed so childish. 'I don't know how he put up with it as long as he had. I feel like such an idiot.....'

 

"Hey, uh.....Joey!"

 

Joey turned, not expecting to hear that voice behind him. It was Tea, running to catch up. Joey backed away, with his hands protectively up. "What the hell are you doing out and running around? I thought they sent you to jail, after yesterday!"

 

Tea stopped short of him. She looked down at her feet, muttering, "Since the box-cutter was found at Kaiba Land, the lawyer claimed Kaiba Corp was liable for what happened. I still have to go in once a week for therapy, now."

 

"What the hell do you want?", Joey snapped. "You aint here ta try and kill me again, are ya?"

 

Tea shook her head. "I'm sorry, Joey. I know what I did was absolutely terrible. You couldn't understand what I went through. It's like there was a mad person in my head taking me over or something. It wasn't me, at all. I just feel so terrible."

 

Her hand slowly came up, and offered Joey a bottle of water. "I know it's not much. But, it's just about all the peace-offering I could find. I just want to say I'm sorry for what I did. Maybe......maybe you could put a good word in to Yugi for me. I know he'll probably never want to be friends, or talk to me again. I'm just hoping that atleast Yugi could maybe someday find it in himself to forgive me......."

 

Joey looked at the water and took it, looking down at Tea. "You know, you did some pretty crappy things, lately....."

 

She nodded, sadly.

 

Joey opened the bottle, waving it some more, saying, "And hiring monsters to kill people, then threatening Mokuba's life like that, is a real tough call for anyone to forgive.....even me. I can't guarantee anyone can convince him, Tea......Yugi's pretty upset over what you did."

 

She nodded some more, looking almost tearful.

 

"But, if you're sincere, then........well, who knows? Maybe you can go play Mother Teresa for a couple years or something, to try to make up for what you done. I mean, you 'were' kinda acting weird....that potion you drank probably did some strange things to you."

 

He took a swig, and turned around...dwelling more on it. "And you did originally give Kaiba that potion just to be cruel, though I admit maybe that turned out for the better. I mean......look at him and me, now. Who woulda thought? I'm happy.....you believe that? I'm really happy....."

 

Joey then shook his head, feeling a dizzy spell come on. "Woah....must still be tired. It 'is' pretty early out."

 

"Joey.......turn around", Tea calmly said, after glaring daggers at him. 'Bastard! You're happy? Well, not for long. If I can't have Kaiba, then neither can you!'

 

Joey turned when Tea asked him to, looking down at her. He then blinked, and blinked again. He never noticed it before......she was the most beautiful thing he ever saw. How did he not see it, until now? How could he not forgive her?

 

His hand dropped the bottle, that splattered on the ground.

 

With an evil smirk, Tea picked up the bottle and dumped the rest into the ground. If there was anything Tea knew she could count on, it was Joey's stupidity. Only he would forget the water bottle incident that happened to him before, and accept a drink from a person that attempted to kill him. "You're going to do me a favor today, Joey. As soon as you go to school, I want you to dump Kaiba. And don't do it lightly, either. Tell him you hate him, that he disgusts you, and you never want to see him again."

 

Joey's eyes widened. "What? But, but.....that would be......cruel!"

 

Tea looked genuinely sad about that. "I don't want to, Joey. I can't bare the thought of hurting that man. But it's the only way for him to get the picture across. Please, Joey! If you love me, you'll do this for me!"

 

"I'll......okay, I'll do it", Joey said, sadly looking down. And Kaiba had been so nice to him. He was going to hate to have to do this. But for Tea.....he had to. He wanted to make sure he earned Tea's love. 'Sorry, Kaiba.....but I gotta do this. And maybe she's right......maybe it's the only way to get it in your head, especially after all we've been through. It's better to let you down fast then slow.....right?'

 

Tea left, only sad to know that Kaiba would feel pain from this. But she also felt it had to be done. Maybe once Joey harshly rejected him, Kaiba would hate Joey or wallow in enough self-pity so much that he'd gladly accept another person to be with........someone like her, to offer him support. Then he'd feel so much pain from Joey's love, that he wouldn't mind her finding a way to kill him. And with Joey in love with her, maybe she could simply ask him to jump off a cliff or something.....and he'd do it, for her love.

 

But instead of going to school with everyone else, Tea went back home.....feeling strangely tired. She told her parents she was sick, then flopped into bed and stayed there the rest of the day, as the last of the potion she drank from Saggi finally began to drain out of her.....

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

"Hi, Joey!", Yugi exclaimed, happily. Both Yugi and Tristan were anxiously waiting for Joey's arrival, so that they could hear what happened last night.

 

Tristan immediately put his hands up, saying, "Now, listen......there's some rules, here. Us men got some real sensitive ears. So, if anything you got to say has 'sex' and 'Kaiba' in the same sentence.....just don't say it."

 

Yugi giggled at that, saying, "But, otherwise.....we're all ears, so go ahead!"

 

There was a strange look on Joey's face as they talked to him, that they were just starting to notice now. He didn't face them, and his bangs covered his eyes.....as if he was hiding shame or guilt. He turned away, saying, "Uh.....listen. I don't think we should talk about that, right now. Why don't we save it until later at school?"

 

"But we've all ready waited since yesterday!", Tristan pouted.

 

Yugi looked concerned, and asked, "Joey.....is something wrong?"

 

"Naw......everything's fine", Joey muttered, not sounding convincing, while he was still not looking at them. "Come on, we gotta get going."

 

"Okay", Yugi said, continuing to carefully watch Joey.

 

The whole walk was uncomfortably quiet. Tristan could also sense the odd tension in the air, and wondered what was wrong. But Joey didn't seem interested in talking, as he quietly kept heading towards the school.

 

Finally, Tristan had enough and jumped in front of Joey, snapping, "What's with you, man? Did Kaiba do something to you? If he hurt you, I swear I'm gonna....."

 

"He didn't do nutt'n! Will you lay off of him, all ready?", Joey snapped back.

 

"Then, what is your problem??"

 

"Joey.....", Yugi said in that reassuring manner. "If there's something wrong, you know we'd be happy to help. Just let us know. We're all friends here......and friends help each other, right?"

 

Joey blinked, listening to Yugi. How many times did he remember Tea saying almost those exact words...

 

'Friends help each other.' 'This circle of friendship is a symbol of our bond' 'We'll be friends forever' 'I'm not talking to you! You don't even deserve his affection!'

 

Okay.......he didn't need to remember that last part. But no matter what she had done, good or bad, she just wouldn't escape his mind. It's what convinced him to do something he knew he was going to regret.

 

The idea of hurting Kaiba was ripping him up from the inside. But Tea knew what she was talking about. And if he didn't break it off with Kaiba, he'd never have a chance to be with Tea. After all, you can't go out with one person, when you're all ready dating another.

 

And how could he never see how beautiful she was before? Her beauty could make Mai look like nothing. He would prove to her his feelings were true, as soon as he broke up with Kaiba the way she asked him to. He could not let his conscious get in the way.

 

Joey looked down, muttering, "Listen, guys.....I know you all mean well. But I just can't tell you, right now. There's something really important I gotta do, first. Sometimes......a man gotta do what a man gotta do. And this is one of them times."

 

"What the hell are you talking about??", Tristan asked.

 

"Don't worry about it", Joey said, still refusing to look at anyone. "Let's just get in the school. I'll talk to you guys later about it, then."

 

They were all finally at the school, and were heading up to the main entranceway. As they began to walk up the stairs, they suddenly stopped hearing someone call out, "Joey!"

 

It sounded like Kaiba....but he never called Joey by his first name. But, as they turned around to confirm, sure enough.....it was him. And him calling Joey the way he did was enough to make Yugi smile all over again, reminding him of a new friendship they would now have, now that Joey and Kaiba were together.

 

He walked up casually to them, giving Tristan and Yugi a polite nod, saying, "Yugi...."

 

"Hi, Kaiba!", Yugi waved almost over-enthusiastically, seeing this working out just fine, under the circumstances. Maybe they really 'would' be getting closer together, now. It made him almost forget about Joey's strange behavior.

 

"I got something to say to you, Kaiba", Joey said suddenly, sounding a lot colder than expected. That made sure to remind Yugi, as he turned to see why Joey was sounding equally strange towards his new boyfriend.

 

Kaiba raised an eyebrow, but patiently waited.

 

"I just want you to know......we're through. Got it? No more. I aint doing this again", Joey said to him.

 

Kaiba blinked, not seeming to understand.

 

Tristan turned to his friend, asking, "Joey?" He wanted to say something, but didn't know what was going on, or who's fault it was. And getting in the way of someone's love quarrel was never a good thing.

 

"Joey, that's not any way to talk to Kaiba", Yugi added, not understanding, either. Maybe Kaiba did say something to him last night, that they weren't aware of. But, if that was the case, then why did Kaiba seem so surprised?

 

"Listen......I played nice yesterday, cuz it was the agreement for you winning", Joey said, ignoring what Yugi tried to say to him. "But don't think I'm doing that anymore, now. I aint no freak'n fag, you got that?? Payment's done, now it's over....."

 

Both Yugi and Tristan's jaw dropped on the ground from Joey's almost cruel words. And Yugi also thought he noticed something from his friend. Joey physically twitched as he said that, as if it almost pained him to say what he did to Kaiba. What was going on??

 

Whatever the problem was, Kaiba didn't seem to notice the same thing Yugi did. There was clear shock in his eyes with maybe a momentary flash of pain in them. But it was gone as quickly as it came. Kaiba hardened up instantly, and answered tightly, "Fine....whatever."

 

Kaiba didn't say another word to him. But his features were so rigid, he couldn't possible be any more wound up than he looked just then. Yugi could tell he was clearly hurt by those words.....but Kaiba being Kaiba refused to show one bit of it.

 

Joey especially knew Kaiba was hurt from his words, no matter how he tried to act. 'I'm sorry', he thought. Before he felt anymore like shit, Joey abruptly turned and ran into the school. It was his only chance to have Tea.....and for her he couldn't blow it. Plus, she said it would be the only way for Kaiba to get over it, and he trusted Tea.....he loved her.

 

Yugi was still at a loss for words. He thought everything was great. So, why did Joey do that? None of it made sense. If Joey truly felt that way, he would have never given Kaiba his Red Eyes card. Something was terribly wrong.

 

Tristan was now the first to speak, as he blurted, "What the hell did you do to Joey, Kaiba? He was acting weird all morning after seeing you! I swear, if you hurt him.....!"

 

"Stop it, Tristan! It's not Kaiba's fault!", Yugi said, defending him. He then turned to Kaiba, saying, "Kaiba, I don't know why Joey's acting this way. He refused to say anything to us this morning about it. I....I'm so sorry....."

 

Kaiba glared hatefully down at Yugi. It was bad enough to have Joey throw him away like that, and after all he had done to win him over. But, now to have his rival 'pity' him! That was just too much.

 

The hateful glare instantly turned into a smug grin as Kaiba looked away like nothing mattered. "Idiot", Kaiba muttered. "Take it from you Yugi, to blindly trust everyone around you. You're friend Taylor's right. The mutt simply realized that I've been playing him all along.....and he means nothing to me. I guess he isn't taking it very well. Hmph.....you didn't think I'd honestly waste my time with such a pathetic nobody, did you?"

 

"You bastard!!", Tristan snapped and rushed Kaiba.

 

Kaiba was more than eager to accept the attack, as he grabbed Tristan by the wrist and instantly dropped the guy to his knees in an arm lock. He then hissed cruelly at him, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't break you....."

 

"Cuz it'll hurt Joey", Yugi said calmly, refusing to believe one bit of Kaiba's speech.

 

"I don't care!!", Kaiba snapped at Yugi, who didn't say another word.

 

But Kaiba let him go anyway, as he angrily tossed Tristan back down on the ground. Then without another word, he snatched up his briefcase and walk away......from everything, including the school.

 

Now it was just the two of them, as Tristan pealed himself up, looking over at Yugi. "You mean.....that whole thing Kaiba just said was a lie?"

 

Yugi sadly nodded.

 

"I'm sorry, I didn't know.....", Tristan began to say, but Yugi waved it off.

 

"Don't worry about it, Tristan.....that's the way Kaiba is. I just feel bad. I wish I knew what happened."

 

"Yeah....", Tristan agreed. "Well, this really sucked. And here I thought this was going to be a good day."

 

"We'll just have to talk to Joey during lunch and see what happened", Yugi said, as Tristan nodded in agreement.

 

But during school, Joey was only in the first few classes. Once he noticed Tea never showed, he ended up skipping out for the rest of the day. As for Kaiba, he was not seen at all since that morning he first showed up. So once again, it was just Tristan and Yugi, both confused and miserable to see their friends suffering.....and helpless to do anything about it.

 

Yugi hoped that Joey would atleast show up after school to visit, as he usually did. But Joey didn't even show up there.

 

"I'm gonna go, Yugi", Tristan said, deciding to leave the game shop early. "I'm gonna see if I can find that jerk and knock some sense into him." Yugi nodded and he left.

 

Once Tristan was gone, Yugi traded places and became Yami. He stared darkly outside the shop, deciding that he had enough. It was time to face the person behind all this.....it was time to see Marik.

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

Yami headed to the museum, where he first ran into Ishizu.

 

"My, Pharaoh......I should have known you would come", she said, sadly.

 

Yami said coldly to her, "I'd like to have a word with your brother, Ishizu."

 

"Of course", she bowed and directed him downstairs.

 

Yami went down, where Marik was meditating. Odion saw Yami and immediately jumped infront to protect Marik. "It's all right, Odion......let the Pharaoh approach."

 

"Yes, Master Marik", Odion said, and stepped aside.

 

Yami came forward, stating, "I've heard you've been quite active, lately......most of which revolving around Tea. So, what did you have her do, 'now'??"

 

Marik turned to Yami, saying, "Tea came to me for help. She was consumed with hate and jealousy towards Seto Kaiba. I understood the feeling she was going through. And like myself, she would also be needing a stringent lesson of what happens when darkness consumes. When I was consumed in hate, I lost my father. I nearly lost Odion, and I would have killed my sister, if given the possibility......"

 

"And this is 'your' way of helping.....by wrecking lives and destroying others??!" Yami asked in rage. "I think you're still not cured of your problem, Marik. You've caused enough pain to last a lifetime of suffering!", Yami snapped.

 

"Your over-dramatics are really unnecessary, Pharaoh. So, then......what did Tea do 'this' time?", Marik asked, bored.

 

"Besides threatening both Mokuba's and Joey's life......Joey's now acting strangely. I'm sure she must have had something to do with it. Him and Kaiba were both happy together. Now, suddenly Joey is pushing him away without reason, and I want answers!", Yami insisted.

 

Marik tried to keep a straight face......but he couldn't. "You realize how humorous that sounds. I mean, that mongrel Joey Wheeler matched up with your High Priest.....it's quite comical."

 

"I'm waiting, Marik", Yami said, obviously not amused.

 

Marik sighed. "Tea probably used the other love potion, that she had me make a few days ago for your friend Joey. Even though the Priest was under the affects of the potion, Joey obviously wasn't. I couldn't say who he's attracted to now......but if he isn't acting the same, then obviously his desires are no longer directed towards Seto Kaiba."

 

"And why did you make her a second potion? Haven't you done enough damage??", Yami asked.

 

Marik replied, "She was under the affects of something, due to the Shadow Pact she made. For all I know, it might have been a curse. If I didn't give her the potion, the duel monster she made an arrangement with might have caused her to suffer forever. I was doing her a favor."

 

"I think you've done enough favors for people!", Yami snapped. "This potion isn't reversible either......is it?"

 

"I'm afraid not. If you had your memories, you would know this. Your friend Joey Wheeler may still have a chance at happiness, depending on who he now likes. As for the Kaiba......I'm afraid he's doomed to live a hollow loveless life", Marik said. Then with an added smirk, Marik added, "Then again.....you could always kill Joey Wheeler, and free him."

 

"I've heard enough!", Yami yelled. "I want to know......is there anymore 'items' that you gave to Tea, to cause anymore trouble??"

 

"No......that is all. And don't worry, Pharaoh.....I have no intention on giving her anymore. It was amusing at first, but her constant visits have become annoying. She's just going to have to deal with her problems now on her own", Marik said.

 

He now turned back towards Yami, asking, "So, now what? Are you going to seek revenge for what I did? Banish me to the Shadow Realm? Go ahead, and prove to everyone that you're no better than I or Tea is, when it comes to your anger and rage......"

 

"If I ever hear about anymore trouble regarding you 'helping' anymore people, I will be back here, Marik. And the judgment I'll place on you will not be for revenge, but to protect everyone else from your madness!" Yami then abruptly turned and left the museum.

 

------------------------------------

 

Special Note: Well, people.....we're finally coming towards the home stretch. This story ends with an epilogue at Chapter 30. And since the final chapter is rather short, I'll undoubtedly be combining both 29 and 30 and sending them out on the same day. That means we only have two more weeks of this. It's been a great ride, and I'll be back again sometime with some more to come.

 

Another note: I also assume there's probably going to be a lot of angry Kaiba/Joey people wanting to kill me after this chapter. Sorry, but just because we're at the final stretch, it doesn't mean I'm not going to keep trying to still leave you all at the edge of your seats. So, now you're going to still have to see what happens all the way till the very end (I know, I'm mean.....please don't be mad).

 

Narr: Can it be true? Joey's now in love with and taking orders from Tea?? Is Joey doomed to love a crazy evil woman forever?? And what will become of the fate for Kaiba? Did Tea finally get her revenge and succeed in making Kaiba miserable??

 

Next week: Face-off! Tea vs. Yugi's group, Tea vs. Kaiba! The good guys and bad...girl collide!

 

We have another guessing award that's come in for this chapter!

 

Congratulations to both Lady Psychic and Growing Pain (both from Chapter 24)! They had both guessed that not only did the water bottle have the final love potion added to it, but that Tea had intended on using it on Joey to keep him from Kaiba. Unfortunately, she actually succeeded in one of her plans.....now we have to see what happens next.

 

Otaku Sage of Llamas (): Oh, I know what you're talking about. Yeah, I don't mind a couple occasionaly 'pity me' fics where Joey's being beat up and being saved, but Jesus.....they way overdo it. And I personally believe even though the idea might be considered romantic, it's ooc for Kaiba. Kaiba was also from a harsh childhood, but he fought his way to become the person he is. I don't see him taking pity on people. Kaiba doesn't believe in pity, he's insulted if anyone dares look at him that way, so why would he 'insult' Joey by pitying him, if he likes him. If anything, he'd probably insult him more, in his way trying to get Joey to stand up for himself and stop acting like such a 'beaten dog' (ha). I didn't want the romance to rule the fic, either....I guess that's why I kinda squeazed it in. The Tea idea was infact the first idea. The Kaiba/Joey thing actually became an after thought, after starting this fic. But I wanted to have kind of a Tea bashing fic, but at the same time try and keep her as IC as possible. It's kinda how I see her. No way can a person be that happy and bubbly, and not be hiding something. Hmm.....so is an ending Tea/Marik matchup your educated guess? We'll have to see. If you're right, you can be on the guessing awards. ;)

 

Rubisora: Yep.....you hit it on the button. How could I resist a good ol' fashioned Mokuba kidnapping. They should make it a holiday! Dagger? No....she never took the dagger. Marik and Odion kept offering it to her, but she wouldn't take it. Probably the only thing she did right. I've actually found some Millennium Items sold on Ebay that look like really decent quality jewelry. I had to buy the 4 pack they offered, I couldn't resist. You get the puzzle, ring, key, and necklace. I thought the black bands around them kinda sucked and were small....but a simple replacement for another band of leather or a chain, and you got a decent Yugioh necklace. But they did a real decent job on them. The pictures infact make them look worst than they are (heh....yeah, I know. I'm a real Yugioh nut, aren't I?). ;)

 

Lady Psychic: Well, you get to see her next move this chapter, and it isn't pretty. Sadly enough, Tea finally succeeds in one of her attempts. And even more sadly, another one of your premonitions came to pass. This chapter was a lot more on a darker note (thus the warning on non-Tea angst at the top). So, here it is....I hope you don't hate me too much for it. ;)

 

Yume Ishimaru: Yeah.....she is. Glad you liked it.

 

Growing Pain: Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Hope you like this one, too.

 

Dimples91: It did seem like the story ended. It's funny.....the chapter just ended up that way. I didn't even plan on it, originally. By the way.....the 'dot' work, they didn't block it. ;p

 

Animeheart: I'm glad you enjoyed it, so far. But, 'was'? It's not over, yet. I just made it look like it's over. You still have a few chapters to go. Yeah.....Tea's phony. Too many friendship speaches can do that to a person (heh).