A Nutcracker Production by Prime's Little One
Audition- Part II

(AxY)

Yugi's racing heart settled at the bottom of his stomach as he and Shu walked over to the left side of the stage. The hand on Yugi's shoulder squeezed gently, and Yugi tried to smile at Shu, grateful for his attempt at comforting Yugi. Ishizu turned to those on the right, and told them to come back next year. The looks on their faces- that minutes ago had various expressions of happiness, excitement, and/or smugness- mirrored the shock Yugi felt.

"Those on the left either danced the Pas de Deux correctly, or nearly correctly. They were much more accurate than you all, though one or two of them show more enthusiasm and promise than skill at this point." Shaadi spoke deeply. The young men and women dismissed left, some grumbling, some crying, and some just quietly dejected. Shu's arms came around Yugi's shoulders in a hug. "We did it." He whispered in Yugi's ear. Yugi nodded happily, amethyst eyes sparkling in joy.

Isis stepped forward and again commanded attention from the eight people left from the thirty-five that had started out. "There is one more test, and then we will give more instructions. Pay attention. Your task is to dance a scene from your favorite version of The Nutcracker. If you don't have one, I suggest you make one up." And she stepped back to watch each person dance. Shu's hand rose as he stepped forward.

Isis nodded. "Yes, Niwa-san?" Shu lowered his hand and asked, "Can we have a partner? Or do we have to do solos?" "If your favorite scene has two people, and it is your partner's favorite scene as well, I don't see why you can't have one." Isis answered. Shu thanked her and stepped back. "You have five minutes to think of your scene."

Shu turned to Yugi and asked what his favorite part was. Blushing, Yugi replied, "After the Mouse King is defeated, when Claire and the Nutcracker Prince are dancing." Shu grinned and asked, "Why Yugi-kun, are you a romantic?" He chuckled as Yugi turned redder, and said, "We'll go with that, since I don't have a favorite scene." Yugi nodded and they spent the rest of the five minutes discussing the steps and moves they had to perform.

"Attention!" Isis called out, and everyone went silent, watching her like a hawk. "I will assign you each a number, one through eight-" Shu raised a hand again and Isis stopped. "Yes?" Shu shrugged apologetically, laying a hand on Yugi's shoulder. "Seven." Isis nodded, continuing with, "Seven then. You will perform your piece when your number is called." She pointed at each person and gave them a number. Shu and Yugi were to be the fifth to go.

They watched as each person danced. Some were amazing, and others, not so much. When it came to be Yugi and Shu's turn, Yugi's stomach was knotted, his breathing was fast and shallow, and his heart was racing. Taking their places, Yugi sent Shu a panicked look, and Shu sent back a slightly nervous smile. Shu made the opening move, and Yugi responded. Soon, they were so caught up in the dance, Yugi paid no attention to his nerves.

When it was over, Yugi found himself rather startled as they stepped back to watch the last two people dance. As the last one finished, Ishizu stepped up. "Well done. But you four," and she pointed to three girls and a boy. "I apologize, but try again next year." Two of the girls broke into tears, and the third looked like she would join them any second. The boy lead all three girls out.

Ishizu looked at the remaining four people. "Leave us the number you can be reached at. We will hold another audition tomorrow, but do not come. There will be four or less people at the end, and from you eight, we will pick the parts of Claire, the tin soldier, and the last snow fairy. If you are selected, we will call you to let you know. However, even if you do get a part, it may not be the one you want. Either accept this, or tell us immediately so we can go to the next qualified person."

Shaadi set a piece of paper and a pen on the table, and each of the four people selected went up and signed their name with their phone number and the best times to reach them. Yugi gave his grandpa's house phone as he didn't have a cell phone. Isis quickly stopped them all from leaving. "If you don't get a call from us in four to five days, you were not given a part. Please don't be discouraged. Try again next year." They all left, Shu and Yugi walking out to the lobby and out the main doors together.

They walked along, talking quietly until Shu had to turn down a different street. Shu turned to Yugi and held out a hand. "I hope you get the part you want." He said as he shook Yugi's hand. The younger boy smiled sincerely at the elder one and replied, "Thanks. I hope you get yours, too." They smiled and parted ways, Yugi practically skipping home.

As he walked in the door, Yugi was blindsided by his grandfather. "Well?" The old man asked. "How did it go? You didn't come home immediately, so I take it that it went well? Did you-" Yugi laughed. "Gramps!" He called out. Solomon blinked before looking sheepishly at his grandson. "Sorry. But how did it go?" He asked. Yugi smiled as he bent to take off his sneakers.

"It went well." He said. The elder remained quiet while he waited for Yugi to continue. Yugi, however, straightened and walked into the kitchen, a small smile on his face. "Yugi!" Solomon cried out, frustrated and yet amused. "Yes, Gramps?" Yugi called from the kitchen. Solomon walked in to find Yugi fixing himself something to eat. Since he'd only had a piece of toast since lunch, and that was about two hours ago, he was understandably hungry.

"What happened?" Yugi's grandfather asked. Yugi giggled. "I'm one of four finalists from today's audition. Tomorrow's audition will have no more than four finalists, and from us eight, the directors will choose the people to play Claire, the tin soldier, and a snow fairy. If I don't get a call in four to five days, then I wasn't picked. Oh, I gave them the house phone number." He explained. "Yugi, that's great!" Solomon exclaimed.

Yugi smiled. "Yep! Oh! Guess who I saw there?" The elder Mutou smiled at Yugi's excited face. "Who?" He asked. "Shu-sempai!" Yugi exclaimed. "Really? Was he auditioning too?" Yugi nodded. "Mhm. The last two parts of the audition, we partnered up for a dance." Solomon smiled teasingly. "And?" He asked. Yugi blushed. "And what?" Solomon chuckled. "You know what." He admonished. The young teenager huffed. "Fine! It was… nice." He mumbled, his cheeks red. Yugi had had a crush on Shu since he had met him three years ago, when Shu had first moved to Domino and started dancing at the Domino Dance Studio.

Solomon smiled again. He had no problem with Yugi's orientation, as he thought that love should be felt regardless of social barriers. "I'm glad. Now, eat your dinner, then wash the dishes. I'm going back to the shop. When you're done, can you come move some boxes for me?" He asked his grandson. Yugi nodded. "Of course, Gramps!" He called after his retreating grandfather.

Later that evening, after eating, washing the dishes, moving a few boxes, sweeping and mopping the floors, and doing his homework, Yugi laid in bed thinking over his tryouts, trying to decide if he could have done better. After thinking for an hour or two, Yugi finally decided that he could only have done better if he hadn't been nervous. Upon reaching that conclusion, Yugi spent hours hoping and wishing he would get picked for some part. Maybe not the one he really wanted, but for the snow fairy, or even the tin soldier.

Around three in the morning, Yugi finally got to sleep, his dreams filled with ballet and giant nutcrackers. When Yugi's alarm went off at six the next morning, Yugi cursed his lack of sleep. He wanted to stay home but knew gramps would be worried, so he got up and hit the shower, hoping that the hot water would wake him up. Finished washing, Yugi walked to his room and got dressed before going downstairs to put on a pot of coffee and make breakfast.

Yugi didn't drink coffee-gramps did- but after a night like his, Yugi thought he might have to start. As the bacon fried, Yugi grabbed a Pepsi from the fridge and popped the tab. Drinking half of it, Yugi set to work making scrambled eggs and toast. Halfway through making breakfast, Solomon woke up and came downstairs.

Yugi handed a cup of coffee to his grandfather before making himself one, filled with cream and sugar. "Thought you hated the stuff, Yugi?" Gramps mumbled, eyeing Yugi's cup warily. "Mn." Yugi so wasn't a morning person. Taking a deep breath, Yugi chugged the cup of tarry sludge and gagged. "Didn't sleep but two or three hours." He muttered as he finished off his Pepsi. Gramps nodded understandingly, wisely not saying a word.

Yugi finished making breakfast and served it, eating quickly before dashing off to get ready for school. It was seven o'clock, and school started at seven-twenty-four since it was a Tuesday. Before leaving, Yugi swung by the kitchen to hug his grandpa and grab another Pepsi. "Have a good day, Yugi." Solomon called out. "Bah humbug! You have one for me!" and out the door he went.

School was torture for Yugi because halfway to lunch he started to crash from his caffeine high. He fought to keep his eyes open and his mind on his work, but it was a lesson in futility. The teachers noticed he was having an off day and took it easy on him because it rarely happened. Once school let out, Yugi had every intention of going home and crashing for a couple of hours before doing homework and fixing dinner. Which is exactly what he did.

The next three days were simultaneously better and worse than Tuesday. While Yugi got more sleep than that first night, the closer the deadline for a call came, the more on edge he became. By Saturday morning, he was cleaning the house top to bottom, and by that evening, he couldn't sit still for a second. At seven-thirty pm, the phone rang and Yugi hollered, "I'll get it!" as had been his habit all day. Solomon chuckled and inwardly prayed it was from the Ishtar Theater Troupe.

"Hello? Mutou residence, Yugi Mutou speaking." Yugi answered, a little breathless. "Ah. Yugi-san?" A light female voice asked. "Yes?" "This is Ishizu Ishtar, from Ishtar Theater Troupe? I'm calling about your audition on Monday." Yugi crossed his fingers as he replied, "Okay…?" There was light laughter from the other end of the line. "Yugi-san… We'd like you to play Claire."

(AxY)

A/N: Dun dun DUN! Well, not really, as it was stated in the summary, but… You get my point.
Yami: When do I come in? And why does Ore no Aibou have a crush on some deadbeat?
A/N: Soon. And because it's integral to the plot.
Yugi: I thought you said he was some random guy?
A/N: He was.
Yami: Then what plot is he integral to?
A/N: The one I just made up on the spot. ^.^
Yugi/Yami: *sweat drops*
A/N: Quick question. Should I have Yami be an arrogant jerk that changes with Yugi's influence, or do you want a nice, gentle Yami? I had planned for the latter, but can make this story work with either personality. I have plot twists and turns for both ideas, and both are good- I think. So, I get ten votes for either one, and that's the one I'll go with. R&R, everyone! And remember: If I owned Yu-Gi-Oh, there would be Yaoi, and no 'Yami leaves Yugi for the afterlife' ending!
Yugi: *whimpers and clutches Yami*
Yami: Shh! I'm not leaving, Ore no Chibi Aibou.
A/N: Aww! Cute!
Yami: *glares at PLO*
A/N: Meep! *runs away*
Yami/Yugi: *cuddles together*