Hey there!

This story in a side fic to Chasing the Light. It kind of gives an insight in how things go within Shadow Realm after Yami signed the record deal and how it affects Seto. I hope you enjoy it!

Edit January 18th, 2012: I have completely edited this story for remaining spelling errors, grammar mistakes and typos. So from now on there shouldn't be any left! I'm doing a clean up on all of my stories. More information about this can be found on my profile and on my website!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

A far away Shine

Chapter 1

"Hey… It's me. Call me back when you hear this. I don't care about the time difference. I… I need to hear your voice."

* click *

Seto's voice had sounded… anguished? I hid the button to listen to his message on my answering machine again. How odd. And Seto never bothered with sentiments like 'I need to hear your voice.' I got lucky if he told me he missed me.

I picked up the phone and dialed his number. It got picked up after two rings.

"Hello?" The anguish was still there.

"Seto, it's me," I said. "What's the matter?"

I heard him sigh. "Yami kicked Meca out of the band," Seto said.

"He did WHAT?" I exclaimed in surprise. "Why? Did they have a fight?"

"He needed money and he signed a record deal that didn't include her. He's an idiot."

Yami sure was if he had done that.

"I could have lent him money," Seto continued. "Anything! But he goes and kicks his girlfriend out."

I heard him slam a glass down on what I thought sounded like… wood. Probably his desk. "Seto, have you been drinking?"

"Yes," he growled.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Go to sleep. Sleep it off. Call me tomorrow, okay?"

I didn't like talking to him if he was drunk and in a state like this. He didn't have control over his anger and I didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.

"Fine," he sighed. "Sorry."

"I love you," I said.

"I know. Talk to you tomorrow."

He hung up. I bit my lip and dialed another number.

"Hi, Kisara-chan!" He was still awake. Good. I smiled at Mokuba's voice.

"Hey! How's it going?"

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm fine. Listen, can you make sure that Seto goes to sleep?"

"I'm on my way home and I'll tuck him in."

I giggled as I pictured the scene in my head. Mokuba tucking Seto in. Seto wouldn't let him. "Thanks. Sorry to bother you with this."

"It's okay," Mokuba said cheerfully. "Talk to you soon."

"Bye." I hung up, feeling more at ease.

I was still worried though. The last couple of months, before I left for my study abroad and my internship in the USA, I had already noticed that Seto had started drinking regularly. And beside the band he still had a company to run. This wasn't good.

I sighed and sat door at the table in my apartment to do some homework. The thing was that trying to make Seto feel guilty about drinking didn't work. I had already tried it a couple of times. Whenever I said anything about it he seemed to pull up a wall around him that I was unable to breech. Or he would manipulate the conversation until I felt guilty. The best thing to do seemed to be walking away from him or hanging up the phone. But of course, those things didn't solve anything.

Maybe I should talk to Yami. His mother had had a drinking problem too. But… I didn't have his number and right now I didn't feel like talking to him. How could he do what he did? Kick his own girlfriend out of the band for money! Some men are really stupid idiots!

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The next day I was having lunch with my friend Kathy in the school cafeteria when my phone rang. I checked the caller's ID and smiled. It was Seto.

"I have to take this," I said to Kathy while standing up. I went outside where it was quieter and picked up.

"Seto?"

"Hey," he said. He sounded tired, but the anguish was gone. "Sorry about last night."

I sighed. "You know how much I hate it when you drink, right?"

He sighed too. "I know. But I'm a responsible person. You don't have to worry about me."

"I can't help it," I said. "Are you… is everything alright after yesterday?"

"Not really. None of us feel like talking to Yami anytime soon," Seto said. He was calm, but I could hear the underlying anger in his tone. "Jou tried to call Meca, but she is not answering her phone."

"Poor girl. I really feel sorry for her."

"Yeah… Bakura was so pissed off. He tried to beat Yami up."

My eyes widened in shock. "Oh God…"

"Don't worry. Otogi and Marik stopped him in time." I could imagine him smirking.

"And what were you doing?"

"Silently cheering him on."

"Seto!"

"What?" He chuckled. "Yami deserved it."

I had to agree with him. I liked Meca. She was such a nice girl and on the occasion we teamed up to get a rise out of Seto. Like that time when I had first met her. I had given her a tip on doing her hair and Seto had told me not to put too many ideas into her head. Meca had said I was right and to see Seto glare at her like that had been priceless.

"You know… I've been thinking," Seto said.

"Hmm?"

"How would you like I if I came over for the weekend?"

I resisted the urge to shout in excitement. "Seto, you know I'd love to see you again."

And it was not like he couldn't afford it.

"Alright. I'll arrange a flight from Atlanta to Chicago for you."

"Chicago?"

"Yeah. Something wrong with that?"

"No. You know it doesn't matter as long as I am with you."

"Good." He was smirking again. I could hear it in his voice. He loved being smug. "I'll email you the ticket and the details. I'll be at the airport."

"Alright. I have to go. My next class starts in five," I said while glancing at my watch. "I love you and thanks for coming over."

"You're welcome."

"Seto?"

"Yes?"

"Say it please?" I asked him sweetly.

I heard him sigh but when he spoke there was a warm undertone in his voice. "I love you."

I smiled. "Bye."

I hung up and jumped into the air. "WOOHOO!"

Students eyed me like I was some lunatic, but I didn't care. Seto had just made my day. I hurried back inside and gathered my stuff.

"I think he just did something to make you very happy," Kathy said with a grin.

I nodded, smiling brightly. "He's coming over this weekend."

"I'm happy for you," Kathy said. "It must be hard not to have him here with you."

It was. Harder then I had imagined it before coming here. I had been here three months and after this semester I still had to do another one and a six months internship. Already after the first week I had called Seto up in tears because I had missed him. Seto had been in a meeting at that time and I had stressed him out completely. Along with that he didn't know how to handle a crying woman. Looking back on it, it had been quite comical to hear him stutter.

Kathy and I made our way towards class. "He's arranging a flight to Chicago for me."

"Oh, that's awesome!" Kathy said. "You haven't been there yet, right?"

"No." I had been to other cities, but I had yet to visit Chicago.

"That's so romantic."

"Er…" I blushed. "Seto has zero feeling for romance."

"Nonsense," Kathy protested, "I think it's very romantic that he asked you to meet him there."

I smiled. "Maybe you're right."

She giggled. "I always am."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

After school I checked if I needed groceries. I had to buy a new tube of toothpaste and a new bottle of shampoo wouldn't hurt either.

When I came back I packed a small suitcase. I had to work on Thursday so then I wouldn't have time to pack for the trip after school. I was so exited!

I got an email from Seto with my E-ticket. I sighed when I saw he had booked a first class ticket for me. I grabbed my cell phone and started pushing buttons.

'You didn't have to book a first class ticket for me. I'd be happy to fly economy class ;) xx'

I printed the ticket out anyway. Seto knew I felt uncomfortable when he bought me expensive gifts, but he kept on doing it. It was the same with the ticket. I didn't want him to spend huge amounts of money on me. My phone beeped, signaling I had gotten a text message. Was he still awake?

'You know I love to spoil you.'

I rolled my eyes. Typically Seto to give me such an answer. I decided to tease him a little bit.

'In exchange for what?'

I put the ticket and my passport in a hand bag, along with a book to read on the plane and my camera. My phone beeped again.

'You know what ;)'

I blushed and texted back. I could imagine him laughing at himself.

'You have a dirty mind.'

After a while I got another message.

'You love me anyway.'

I had to agree with him on that.

- End chapter 1 -

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