Fury: I'm baaaack! How long has it been since I last posted? checks calendar Whoa, it has been that long? OO Well, I'm really, really sorry everyone. Blame mind block! (And homeworks, quizzes, projects, reports, deadlines – well, you get the idea XD)

But enough about me. Now I want to give the spotlight to… my lovely reviewers! -moves a very convenient spotlight to the reviewers- I wouldn't have the encouragement to write this chapter if it wasn't for these awesome people:

Mewchoochoo - -falls for gigantic puppy eyes- since you can't wait anymore, here it is!

Gbheart -thanks for being one of my first reviewers. I hope you like this chapter as much as the first!

Blue September - it may seem kinda weird, but I just find young love adorable! -squeals at young Seto and Atem- They just seem so innocent!

Yami Val - I totally agree with you. Prideshipping forever!

cherry fantasy - here's the chapter you've been waiting for!

Nimbirosa - er, sorry for the confusion. I'll be much clearer next time!

AngelicTransmission-Yamira - omg, you're luvin' this story already? I'm so happy!

dragonlady222 - thanks for liking this!

This chapter's for all of you guys! XD

Extra Note: I've noticed that the first chapter got a lot of you confused, especially with the timeline and the ages of the characters (sorry for that!), so I'm going to make this clear: LAOA won't follow the exact canon, I just be getting some general facts (like Seto being CEO of Kaiba Corp.), and the rest would be based purely on my own – often whacked-up – imagination. In short, this story would be an AU, so don't be surprised that some things would be off. Just wanting to make that clear:D

Disclaimer: Yugioh I own not…

Warnings: Beware of plotlessness (is there such a word?) and out-of-character… er, charcters! I had to do this quickly and at the latest of nights, so I'm not really sure how it turned out. You be the judge!

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Chapter 2: All It Takes is a Bump in the Noggin

If there was one subject that I hated the most in the world, it would be History.

I mean, come on, who would want to study about some dead guy who lived in some ancient place no one knows about who did something so 'important' that the world as we know it wouldn't be the same without him?

Well, Yami apparently.

So far in the last thirty minutes, Yami was the only one who was listening to the teacher in front. Everyone else was chatting, sleeping, or doing some thing that I don't even want to describe. I myself only lasted for about ten minutes, before I resigned and finally pulled out my laptop to start working on a report for a meeting later at lunch.

While waiting for some records to be downloaded from the Kaiba mainframe, I took a glance at Yami. Yep, he was still glued to the teacher, his crimson eyes shining with wonder and interest. I got to admit, he looked kinda cute that way, like a child being told a favorite fairy tale of dragons and princesses and magic.

'Cute? CUTE?!' that annoying voice inside my head was back again. 'Seto Kaiba, what are you thinking? You barely know the person for a day and you're already hitting on him? Are you crazy??'

'Maybe I am. Look, why do you care? It's my life after all,' I answered. I could imagine the voice sighing in frustration.

'As much as I hate it, it's still my job to care. If you haven't realized yet, I'm your voice of reason. Your conscience.'

I laughed inwardly. 'I don't have a conscience.'

The voice made a tsk-ing sound. 'Of course you do. Every person has, even the great Kaiba. Now, you better listen when I say that you stop ogling at the guy and focus your attention on your work. See? Your files are all downloaded already. '

'Don't change the subject,' I thought, 'Besides, what makes you think that I would listen to you?'

'Haven't you been listening to anything that I just said?'

'No, not at all.'

'Then let me refresh your memory: I'm your sense of reason. I know what's bad and what's good for you. For example, Yami: bad, stocks: good.' It said the last few lines in an irritatingly slow and mocking voice.

'Oh yeah? Well, I have only one thing to tell you.'

'What?'

'Shut up.'

I was half-expecting a tirade of retorts directed towards me, but surprisingly the voice actually obliged and kept its mouth closed. Well that ended it. I heaved another sigh as I looked at my right. Yami was now busy taking down notes, his head going up occasionally to look at the teacher.

He must have sensed that I was staring at him for the pen he was holding paused in its frantic dance across his notebook. His head slowly turned to my direction, ruby eyes amused.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Seto?" Yami asked in politeness, though he couldn't seem to hide the smirk growing on his lips.

I blinked. "No, of course not. Everything's just…" I hesitated while looking at him all over. Everything's perfect; you're perfect, that was what I wanted to say.

Of course, I would never, ever, say that in front of the whole class, lest I wanted to be humiliated. Humiliation is one option I wouldn't even think of considering. I have a reputation to uphold here, you know.

"Seto?"

"Everything's just fine, Yami."

No. That thought will just have to wait.

0o0o0o0o0

"What do you mean they're canceling it?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Kaiba, sir. The president of Virtual Gaming Inc. called a while ago, sir. He said that your proposal was too high, sir." My secretary on the other line blabbered nervously.

"Too high? They're the fifth most powerful company in Japan, for god's sakes! Surely a couple of billion dollars won't wipe out all their accounts. Besides, don't the idiots realize that by tying up with Kaiba Corp., they'll instantly go up in the market?"

"Mr. Yamada said that if his company gave that amount of money, he'll be practically selling his company to you, sir."

"Well, that was the idea…"

"But Mr. Kaiba, sir –"

"Fine, cancel the damn meeting, as if I care. Just tell him that don't go crawling to my door begging when our stocks go through the roof. I've wasted enough time for him and his stupid company already," I growled at the receiver before ending the conversation with a flip of my phone.

Hiding my phone in the pocket of my school trousers, I was grumbling under my breath about "stupid investors" and "lousy cheapskates" when a strong, sudden force hit me and knocked me to the tiled, concrete floor.

THUD

"Oof!"

"Ow!"

I groaned softly as the back of my head made contact with concrete, brightly colored dots danced in front of my vision as I stared at the white ceiling. The sound of the impact was still ringing in my ears, echoing and quite unnerving. I was feeling the signs of an upcoming migraine when a blurred shadow came into view. I couldn't make out much of it because of the light and my throbbing head except that it was spiky and on top of me.

Warm hands held my face on each side as blood red flooded my vision. The pair of angular orbs showed a mixture of embarrassment and worry as they peered into my unfocused eyes. Their owner seemed to be saying something.

"Oh Ra… so sorry… didn't see… okay?" was all I could make out.

"Who…?"

"It's Yami…"

So it was him. "Yami… What happened?" I asked while trying to sit up.

"I'mreallyreallysorrySetoIwasjustlookingforyoubecauseIwantedtotellyousomethingimportantbutIdidn'tlookwhereIwasgoingsowhenIturnedthecorner – " I held up my hand to cut the onslaught. Yami explaining what happened wasn't a good idea after all. Now the headache just worsened and add to that, a great urge of nausea suddenly came.

"No, stop… getting worse… clinic…" I tried to be sensible enough without throwing up all over Yami. He seemed to get it though, and even helped me on my feet by holding onto my waist and wrapping my left arm over his shoulders. I was mildly surprised that he was able to support my entire weight, being that he was not of the muscular type.

Still, without much effort he was able to drag both of us to the school infirmary, which was a good two corridors away. He was silent the whole time and I was thankful for that. I don't think I would be able to stand any more noise before I break and make a mess out here.

Slowly but surely we were able to reach our destination. Opening out the door, Yami gingerly helped me inside the small room. The infirmary wasn't that big, but it was spacious enough to accommodate a few beds, a desk for the nurse, and cabinets filled with medicines and bandages.

With Yami's help, I was able to lie down on the bed nearest us, the feather pillow providing some comfort to my sore head. He looked at me, his eyes still filled with the same sheepishness as earlier.

"Thank you," I murmured, trying to relive some of the tension he was feeling. I think it worked, for his guilty face broke into a small smile.

"You wait here; I'm going to call for the nurse," he said before promptly vanishing through the sliding door of the nurse's office.

'As if I had any other choice,' I thought grimly, taking the time to rest after a whole sleepless week.

But the silence was short-lived. I opened my eyes at the sound of the door sliding to reveal Yami, with a kind-looking woman close behind. The said persons walked towards the direction of my bed, Yami sitting down on a wooden chair beside me while the woman began fussing over my head.

"My, my, what a big bump you got there," the nurse remarked, handing over a bag of ice. "How did you get that beastie?"

I took the bag and pressed it against the back of my head. Oh god, this feels really good.

"Seto's got nothing to do with it, it was my fault. I wasn't looking to where I was going, that's why I knocked him down," Yami answered before I was able to say anything. His face was downcast so I couldn't see his expression but I could sense the guilt around him.

I shook my head. "Of course it's not your fault, Yami. It was just an accident, that's all."

"But if I wasn't blind enough to watch where I went, I wouldn't have bumped into you and leave you in a state like this, all nauseous and aching." Yami said, waving a hand in my direction to prove his statement.

Although I know that what he meant was good, I couldn't help but be annoyed. Good-looking or not, no one – and I mean no one – has the right to pity Seto Kaiba. In any way. Concern I could stand, but being pitied at was another thing. Try doing that, and you'll get yourself a sure one-way ticket to painsville compliments from me.

Trying not to lose myself, I stood up from the bed and looked down on Yami's still bowed form. "Yami, quit being stupid and listen to me. What happened was inevitable; no one could have foreseen that predicament. I myself wouldn't have predicted that fall from happening, that's why it's called an accident. Besides, it's in the past. No matter how much self-wallowing you put yourself into, it won't change a thing. Understand?"

"What if it got worse? What if you get a concussion? Or you become amnesic? Or a hemorrhage develops and you suddenly die? Or your blood clots and it gets bigger and bigger and bigger until you can't hold it anymore that your head explodes and then you die?" Great, this is just what I needed, Yami getting all sadistic with me. Tell me again how does that supposedly make me feel better?

"First off, it's not going to be worse. I simply fell and bumped my head on the floor, which I do think would not be as fatal as you seem to imagine. Second, thank you for your concern but I assure you that I'm not planning my funeral rites anytime soon. I still have a lot of plans for my company and for my brother that dying isn't one of my priorities yet. And third," I paused to breathe before continuing, "please stop with the self-pity shit. You didn't do anything on purpose but by insisting that you did, you are regretfully getting on my nerves, and believe me when say that you do not want to be on my nerve."

I was still fuming from that sudden outburst when a voice pulled me back to reality. "Um… Yes… well, I'll just get some Paracetamol for that headache of yours, Mr. Kaiba. Please just wait here with your… companion; I'll be back in a minute." And with that she disappeared behind the curtain that separated the clinic and the main pharmacy. Despite what she said though, clearly she had no intention of returning any time soon after that… exchange of heated statements.

After a few seconds of letting out some steam, I sat back down on the edge of the bed. All that yelling and arguing didn't help with my condition as the throbbing came back at full force, almost unbalancing me. But my musings were cut short again as a small, yet distinct, sound broke the silence.

I turned my head every which direction I knew until the sound faded. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I knew I wasn't imagining things and I was definitely sure that there were no ghosts in this room, even if I believed in such things in the first place.

My presumptions were confirmed as I heard the sound again, but this time I discovered its source. I looked at the figure before me, head bowed, same as before. But what was different now what that his shoulders were trembling, his hands grasping the edge of his seat, knuckles turning white with the effort to keep himself steady. Also the occasional sobbing was evident; growing louder and louder as he slowly lost his composure.

I stared wide-eyed at the breaking Yami before me, not really knowing what to do or even what to say. Oh my god, you've really done it this time Kaiba, breaking your old records for both the fastest time and the least effort to meet a person and then make them shatter and cry.

Not knowing what to do whatsoever, I merely crossed my fingers (figuratively, of course) and decided to blurt out the first thing that came to mind.

"Uhh… Yami, are you alright?"

I mentally slapped myself once the words rolled of my tongue. What kind of question was that? Even the mutt could have said something better. It was obvious that he was far from okay, and it was because of me. But what can you expect? I'm a businessman, not a psychiatrist.

So in an effort to console him, I knelt down in front of his chair and said gently, "Look, I'm sorry for what I said a while ago. Forget all that crap; I really wasn't quite myself during that outbreak. The headache must have been acting up on me, and I just… you know… If I could take back all that I said, I would, Yami. Believe me."

I reached out and softly grasped his chin, slowly pulling his head up so I could see his face. The sorrowful sight weighed down my heart even more that I added in utmost sincerity, "Forgive me?"

It was more of a request than a question. I stared hopefully at his eyes, those eyes that still tried to avoid mine as he silently pondered on my remorse. I couldn't do anything anymore; it's all up to him now. If he decides not to forgive me, well, let's just say I just ruined any chances of getting to know Yami more.

But Lady Luck seemed to be at my side that day because a pair of ruby reds finally caught my gaze, tears planned to fall quickly retreating. A hand went up to brush away the tear tracks on flushed cheeks. Another hand rose, but this time, it took hold of my outstretched arm, lithe fingers wrapping themselves around my wrist.

"I'll forgive you anytime, Seto," Yami said with a smile, and I knew he was sincere as well.

"That's great."

"Just promise me you won't shout like that again, unless it's extremely necessary," he added with a smirk, the glint in his eyes turning into playfulness, "Or you'll have to deal with more than tears."

I pretended to gasp in fear. "Oh no, the great Yami has threatened to unleash his fury on poor Seto! What am I supposed to do? Gods help me!"

"Shut up," he laughed, hitting me in the arm. I laughed as well, enjoying this short moment with him.

If anyone had ever entered my office and told me that I would be laughing and joking around in public before all of this happened, I would have gladly yelled at his face and had him thrown out of the room, because that person was truly delusional and needed a life of his own.

But here I was now, laughing my heart's content with a man whom I've met just hours ago, and yet it feels we've known each other even before time itself dawned.

Call me crazy, and I won't give a damn about you. All I know is that, whatever this is, I hope it would never disappear.

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Fury: I hope no one got confused in this one as much as the first chapter, I tried to make this as sensible as I can (though I doubt that would do much XD). This chapter also contained (in my opinion) complete randomness and ooc characters. I hope you guys are okay with that, right?

And in return for sticking to the story even after posting this chapter waaaay behind schedule, I'll give you guys a heads-up to what might be happening next time!

In the Next Chapter (?): Our two soon-to-be lovebirds get closer after a day in the arcade with Mokuba and the gang. But who's this new guy named Ryu and why does Seto feel so strongly for him?

That's it for now! -evil laugh- I bet all of you are now wondering who "Ryu" is and if he'll be a reason for Seto to forget Yami. -more evil laugh- who knows? Well, I do XD, but I won't be saying any more so I'll leave you guys to your own guesses (no matter how wild they may be) until the next chapter – and for that chapter to appear, please review!