Title: The Art of Courting (duh)

Summary: Yami goes to school and meets flirty people, weird subjects, greasy cafeteria food, the Tomb Robber and his lover, and of course his rival. Himself—a deep, dark secret—must not be revealed. However, as events unfold, will he be able to limit that secret only to his friends, especially when someone is courting him—the weird way?

Disclaimer: I disclaim.

Beware: No flaming, I tell joo! runs around in circles If you still want to read this then I'm happy8'D and I'll be happier if you add a comment ; But yes, I hate flamers and uh.. I shall, perhaps, chase you with a carrot.

It was a lazy, bleary autumn as the scarlet leaves dashed with orange and yellow fell slowly, peacefully, quietly outside. The ripple of the waters from the town's fountain could be visibly seen from the crude window in a nearby game shop, all too well familiar.

Yami sighed and pouted as he stared into the town's park, mind blank. Stuck in this house for two months since Yugi's vacation, boredom was only overcome when he was visited by his friends or when Yugi challenged him to a duel. He smiled warily and hugged his knees, sitting in the desk next to the window. Tomorrow would be a new day.

"Aibou." The Pharaoh sternly warned his light.

"Iyaa, Yami, you have no choice." The smaller boy blinked his eyes innocently.

"No."

His hikari pouted. "You can't manage ten months locked inside the house!"

"I've also been locked here for the vacation, just in case you forgot." He spoke.

Yugi tilted his head.

The taller one ignored him and stared at the reddish-brown trees from the unsophisticated window of his room.

Yugi bowed his head in depression. "Hounto ni gomenasai, aibou…" he whispered slowly, tears flowing from his shadowed face.

He sighed. "Yoshi, aibou. If that's what you want." He tried to ignore his light as the smaller one jumped up and down and squealed in delight.

"Arigato! Yami, you have no idea how happy we all are!" he squealed, and his dark had to look. Squealing Yugi was a very rare thing, and even if the hikari was cute, he did the squealing rarely. After all, he was a guy. Yami shook his head and digressed. If his aibou was happy, then that would also make him happy. He owed his life to his aibou and he would do anything to protect him, Yugi was a family member to him.

"Wait… we?" Yami spoke of it as a statement rather than a question.

"We," Yugi smiled happily, waving his arms up and down. "Of course. We had this all planned so that you wouldn't die."

If Yami was surprised, it evidently didn't show on his countenance.

"Nande aibou? Is something the matter?" His light asked confusedly.

"Betsuni." Yami shook his head defiantly. "I think I need some rest." He said rather pointedly to Yugi and the smaller one was more than happy to comply.

"Just in case you need me, Jounouchi and Anzu are downstairs, but I'm sure Anzu would be really glad to help you out." Yugi grinned at him like a complete idiot. Yami rolled his eyes. Like, what?

After watching his hikari close the door, he closed his eyes and prayed. "Dear Ra…"

Torture was coming. And fast. If torture was something that was irrevocable, then the 3,000 year-old Pharaoh was sure it came often. Just like when the Nile flooded. Now, Yami didn't think of torture as… torture. But when you're an old spirit locked up for whatnot years and came back into a life form with a whole body then you'd really think of it as torture.

His hikari, apparently, had 'forced' him to join him in Domino High along with his friends and everyone else. Yami wasn't really going to comply, not ever, but his light desperately wanted him to go and he knew that he wasn't going to manage himself in the house and shop for ten straight months. A forced smile appeared. So this was his light and his friends were talking about the other day.

Yugi handled everything: the tuition fee, the books, the uniforms, and the excuse! The excuse why he and Yugi looked dangerously much alike. So he was a student from Egypt who was pale, contrary to his slightly tanned form during his Pharaoh days; and that he was a cousin? Again? Yami raked in his thoughts to remember what Yugi had actually told him. Oh yes, he did remember eventually.

"I'm not tanned!"

"Well," Yugi started, and then trailing off in the process.

How much Yami treated his light as a younger brother, he wasn't just going to do nothing.

"Don't 'well…' me! Aibou!" he flailed his arms desperately. Oh good Ra, he felt his blood pressure rise.

"Umm…" his aibou sighed. Then he put a picture in front of his face. "See?"

Yami narrowed his eyes dangerously that he was close to blinking. The white bushy hair and the black lines under his eyes (which were natural, mind you) gave him away.

"Don't 'but' me!" Yugi frowned slightly, as if annoyed with the situation. Pah, Yami should be the one who's annoyed.

"Aibou!"

"He's going too."

"WHAT?!?" The last thing he wanted was the Tomb Robber being his classmate.

"Yes, and that you are fourth-degree cousins. His father is the cousin of your father's cousin."

"Aibou, that's third-degree."

"Well… whatever. And therefore he's my fifth-degree cousin. He's not tanned, so you wouldn't be suspicious." Yugi's eyes glimmered.

Yami was speechless.

Fine. So Yami was a complete idiot. There was no way in the Ra's name that there existed a 'fourth-degree cousin' as told by Jounouchi when Yugi was out of earshot. But then again, he couldn't trust the blond much. He yawned and then realized that it was already past nine. And didn't Yugi tell him to wake up at five in the morning?

Sighing, the Pharaoh clambered onto his bed and dozed off, hoping that it wasn't going to be bad as it seems.

The tall, lean and agile figure walked agitatedly, stomping and shooting icy glares that would make anyone scarred for the rest of their lives as he waked across the park. One of his employees had the guts to insult him in front of his face, right across his desk! And yes, being the bastard hell of a young and prudent businessman that he is, he drove the ill-fated employee to shame until the poor wretch had no chance to utter a word and was taken to the nearest medical hospital for a case of heart attack. It was his specialty; every week an employee is sent to Domino City Medical Hospital because they just couldn't keep their mouths shut. Poor them.

Add to that was his driver had to be rushed to a hospital due to recklessness. All of his drivers used the alibi to visit the supposedly unfortunate driver of his. It seemed that his drivers were on a secret mission to piss him to the core, and he was going to give them just that. And, all his cars were taken by his insolent drivers too. And do you ask why he couldn't order someone to get a car?

Like, he needed the exercise anyway.

The red leaves cracked under his feet as he stomped continually through the park, vowing that he would get a car after walking—or rather, stomping—for five minutes in the park.

Out of reflex, he gazed to his right and saw the all-too familiar game shop where his rival resided. Would it be a royal pain to enter the shop and challenge him to duel again?

Perhaps not. As far he was concerned he was pretty, very much, that is, that he was going to win.

So, he entered the shop and let the bell tinker as he took big strides forward.

"Kaiba-kun!" Welcomed a surprised Yugi and soon after the other heads turned around to see the rich CEO of KaibaCorp glare back at them.

That's what he did, always.

"What do you want, fine young man—" the old voice of Sugoroku Mutou faded as he remembered the tall lad all too well. He had ripped his only Blue Eyes White Dragon given by his friend, Arthur Hopkins. Then he nodded. "Do you want something?" he asked politely.

Seto Kaiba gave a curt nod. "I just wanted to duel." He looked at Yugi over his shoulder who was currently holding out a school uniform that was two times higher than his. Or something like that.

"Anzu, this was all that the school's got!" Yugi protested as the friendship girl grinned.

"But me! And Honda! We wear the school clothes." Jou said rather pointedly, causing the small boy to fluster.

"I don't know, I said it to them, but they replied that they don't have that size anymore." Yugi said apprehensively that was hard to believe.

Jou rolled his eyes in complete doubt.

"You see, his size does not fit any of those!" Yugi protested, flailing his arms anxiously; Seto snorted, seeing that the small boy have to explain all things. Yugi continued explaining. "…giving me accurate measurements written on a piece of paper! But, there's nothing closer than this one!" he waved the accused blue uniform in front of them.

"Whatever."

Honda just grumbled as Anzu covered her mouth to giggle.

The brunet rolled his eyes and walked to the door.

"Matte!" Yugi called out. "Kaiba-kun, are you going to ask something..?"

"Not at all." And he walked out of the shop, the bell tinkling as it slowly closed to the tall CEO.

As soon as he left the shop he rolled his eyes. Yugi is definitely going blind, he got his sizes wrong, and definitely thought he was getting taller! Yugi needed a medication badly for his eyes; how could he, the great Seto Kaiba, fight someone so stupid as that?

Immediately he hailed a car and the owner, knowing who he was and his reputation, gave it to him easily.

"YAMI!"

Groggily he sat up. "What is it now, aibou?" he recognized that voice instantly as he rubbed his eyes to get a better vision.

"You forgot? This is our first day in school!" his hikari was exceedingly excited as he jumped up and down. "Better not be late!". Eagerly he dragged his friend from the bed and Yami landed on the floor with a dull thud.

"Ow." Yami complained, massaging his head.

Yugi grinned. "Now you're awake."

Grumbling, the Pharaoh hoisted himself, giving his light a warning glare. "How did you open the door?"

"You didn't lock it, you know."

Yami just stared at the door furiously, blaming it for waking him up and causing him to have a headache first thing in the morning.

"Here!" Yugi shoved the uniform in his unwary hands—his uniform. Yami looked at the smaller boy warily. "Do I really have to…?"

"Yes of course! I'll be downstairs if you need me; you should be there after thirty minutes exact! We'll just eat breakfast and we're good to go!"

"Wait—aibou!" Yami called out but Yugi had already closed the door.

Yami gulped nervously as he loosened his neck collar. It was like before, the bracelets and neck collar and the all-too-familiar blue coat. Yes, just like before. But why was he scared?

Probably from the pants. It was leather, mind you; not that he disliked them, in fact that was his favorite getup. But he's going to a school! Are the school's board members insane to actually let the boys wear leather? It just didn't seem…right.

Shrugging, he grabbed his Millennium Puzzle and placed it around his neck. Yugi gave it to him because sadly, it did not duplicate when he got his own body. His aibou knew that it was rightfully his, and he didn't dare say a thing when his hikari glared at him.

-Aibou!- Yami made use of their connected thoughts.

"What is it, Yami?" the smaller boy called from downstairs.

-Use this one, aibou!-

-What is it, Yami?-

-I don't feel like going to school.- Yami sighed.

-NO!-

-Aibou…-

-Yami, if I need to drag you to school then I would!-

-…-

-Yami?-

-…-

-Yami?-

Yami sighed dejectedly. He really, really hoped that this was not a bad idea.

Anzu glanced at her watch. "Where's Yugi?"

"Probably dragging Yami." Jou mumbled. Honda snickered. They both knew Yami hated going out with lots of people. And 'lots of people' was a terrifying understatement.

Domino City was reputed for being the Duel Masters gaming city of the world. After all, Duel Masters has wormed itself in all countries and yes, Pegasus created it on Domino City. But Domino High was different.

Domino High was well-known for technology, latest inventions, and stuff. No, it wasn't that Domino High taught its students about technology; it was that the students were always bringing their top-of-the-model cellphones, iPods, Dungeon Dice Monsters Portables, and many other gizmos mostly created by the influential KaibaCorp.

And besides, KaibaCorp was situated in the very heart of the city, what were they going to expect? Add that the CEO who owned the multi-national company was still a student. And studying at Domino High.

"I think that's them." Jou motioned for Anzu and Honda to run to a small boy running, tagging along a taller, lean figure along him.

"Gomen, we woke at five but…" Yugi started explaining when someone walked past, hitting the person behind him (who was Yami) and nearly tumbled on the ground.

"Great. Seto Kaiba." Jou narrowed his eyes and dared to step forward, but Anzu caught him by the arm and shook he head.

"First day of class and you're itching for trouble? Jounouchi, get a new brain, will you?"

Yami brushed his collar, eyes flaring at the brunet who didn't even look behind. "Yugi, didn't you even tumble? You have your uniform twice your size. Get some glasses, or else you'll lose to me."

Yami brushed his shoulders and removed the creases on his collar. Then he shot the tall figure with a death glare enough to show his Wadjet Eye.

"Let's go." Yugi coughed anxiously hoping that Yami wouldn't send someone into the Shadow Realm this early.

Giggling.

Pointing.

Talking in low voices.

Talking in very low voices.

Talking in very low, giggling voices.

Seto grumbled; when will those girls learn?

He sat in the farthest corner next to the window, reading a book and swore inwardly as he heard his classmates chatter. Yes, he knew they were talking about him again; not that the brunet liked it, but because it was a fact. He never wanted those horrible people stalking him like mad, it was downright infuriating.

As the class bell rang, the door opened and therefore the loud chatting stopped. "Yes? Oh. We have three new students. Are you all—"

"Exchange students, yes." Bakura's yami stepped forward. A handful of girls giggled. Glaring at them, he dragged a tanned Egyptian blonde beside him. "I'm Bakura and this is Malik. Nice to meet you all." He narrowed his eyes warningly at the girl who raised her hand mid-air. "That's all you need to know, now. And, we'd sit here, of course." He pointed to the two front seats which were vacant. "Yes, we will." He stopped the professor as he tried to speak. He then glared at the professor, who gulped. "Anything else you want?"

Malik was staring at the desk.

"Uh, no, not at all." The professor smiled nervously, the corner of his lips twitching a little. "Now we'll just have you, please…?" the professor seemed to be near breakdown.

A few seconds passed.

"Pssst!" Yugi hissed at the new student. Seto rolled his eyes; was it another stupid friend of theirs?

"Please do come in—"

"Uh, thanks." Came the humble reply.

And in stepped Yugi, or at least Seto thought so and everyone else except who knew, and gaped at him.

"Uhm, I'm Yami." He stared at anywhere but the intriguing looks and stares from the class.

If the girls cheered at Bakura and Malik, then this was an explosion.

Loud outbursts of cheers and whistles and shouts gave way and Seto froze numbly at his own book, wondering why there was such a commotion. The girls were giggling to the extent that they shook themselves off and looked like a tomato; some of the outrageous girls, as he would call it, gave cat calls that you wouldn't imagine coming from them; the boys grinned and slapped high-fives to each other, though Seto didn't really know what they were talking about.

Rolling his eyes, Seto was about to read again when the guy in front of him spoke.

"You look exactly like Yugi-kun, except for something…"

Yami was flustered. But he sure wasn't going to show it. "I'm his cousin." He smiled in what he hoped was a friendly smile.

"You can sit now, Yami." Their professor said.

Before Seto could blink his eyes, the new exchange student was already standing beside him, looking at the vacant desk in front. The said student was eyeing the desk accursedly, as if to blame the poor desk for his luck. Shrugging indifferently, the crisp blue-eyed lad went back to reading, confused in his thoughts.

"Yami!" Jou called as he walked over the Pharaoh who seemed to be pouting. Scrutinizing the latter's actions, he asked, "Is there any problem?"

Yami eyed him unfocusedly. "There's no problem."

Honda sprang from behind Jounouchi and placed an arm around the blond. "Yami's just adjusting." Jou made a face.

Suddenly a black-haired girl nudged Jou's back and the latter grinned like mad. "What is it? Do you need my help?" he asked, rubbing his hair, in an effort trying to look cute.

Honda, immediately smitten, shoved Jou away and offered his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Yami tilted his head.

"Umm…" the small girl blushed. Then she took a small step forward. "I'd just like to ask your complete name…" she pointed at the bored tri-colored teen.

"Me?" Yami raised an eyebrow.

Jounouchi deftly kicked Honda and grinned sheepishly again. "His name is Yami Mutou, and I'm his best friend Jounouchi Katsuya!"

Nodding, the girl hurriedly left to the circle of majority of the class who was huddled closely. A fleeting second had passed, then silence, and then bursts of giggles and fangirl screams.

Yami tilted his head 90 degrees, totally baffled.

"Yami!" Yugi ran to Yami's desk as he saw the befuddled expression on his friend's face. "I thought you secretly ducked behind the desks and ran away from the classroom…"

Anzu walked beside him, grumbling.

"What's the matter?" Jou asked, seeing his friend's tomato-red face.

"It's them." She harrumphed and sulkily threw a disgusted look to the cheering girls. "They have been talking ever since Yami's here. And just because they got his surname doesn't mean they can get close to him!" They were positive seeing steam billowing from her ears.

"W…What?" Poor Yami was confused.

His hikari grinned and clapped his hands merrily. "They like you, Yami! Oh, this will be easy, your life at school will be easy… they all like you!"

"Not to mention adore." Honda grinned.

"What?!?" Yami sputtered incredulously looking at his friends' amused faces…except Anzu, that is. "What are you talking about?"

Jounouchi pouted. "They like you." Somehow he didn't know why Yami could attract a plethora of loving fans in a few measly seconds. It was unfair.

Yami shook his head, fearing that his brain would bleed from all these statements. He stood up to go outside when someone shoved him.

"Hn." The famed trademark 'hn' was heard and Yami spun around to face an icy stare.

"Kaiba." Yami spoke, the word carefully sliced.

Raising his eyebrow, Seto turned to look at the lad in front of him who allegedly was Yugi's cousin. Then he looked at the smaller version who seemed to be cowering slightly. The Pharaoh noticed this and stood beside his light, shooting the CEO a fierce gaze.

"Hikari." He mumbled as the word tumbled from his lips. He wasn't going to let anyone make his younger brother cry. Not that the brunet actually wanted to make his light cry, but he was giving him the jitters all the same.

"Don't you dare." Those crimson eyes flared with such intensity that Seto remembered. Those eyes, they taunted him endlessly as he and Yugi dueled.

Seto shot Yugi's friends a withering look before looking at the Pharaoh's eyes again. "I don't believe that you're his cousin."

Yami raised an eyebrow and then laughed mockingly, making the taller guy furious more than ever. "Is that what you think?"

Seto narrowed his eyes.

Yami laughed again as he boldly took a step forward. "I thought you were intelligent." He murmured mockingly. "So what do you think?"

The tall figure was shocked but kept a steady gaze.

"Yami!" the two pairs of crimson and sapphire eyes went to Yugi as he tugged Yami's arm. "Don't, don't…" he pleaded as he stared at the floor, shoulders shivering.

Yami sighed and walked away with his aibou, but not before glaring at the more-confused-than-ever brunet. If someone was going to hurt his friend whom he owed his life, they were going to a one-way ticket to hell also known as the Shadow Realm. He was Yugi's nii-chan and he would do anything for him.

Seto went out after, slamming the door furiously.

He will pay. Yes, indeed, he will.

A.N.: Yes you have to review! T.T; And just go away if you hate the fic wtf ; Anyway...XD