Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I OWN NOTHING!
Sorry this update was slower!!
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Part Four: Okane-sae areba
Okane-sae areba translates as "if only I had money". Two lovers are struggling to have proper living conditions. Soon, they'll struggle through the hardest trial of their love.
"I don't know what to do." Yuugi sighed into the receiver. "Maybe I should just sell my body. I hear people can make good money that way."
Jounouchi chuckled lightly. "I don't think you need to go that far. I know times are hard, but you can't let it get you down. Keep your head up and don't look back."
Yuugi smiled. "Thanks, Jounouchi-kun. I'll keep that in mind."
The other had to go to work so Yuugi said goodbye and hung up the phone. He looked into the kitchen and stared at it for a while.
When Yuugi and his boyfriend, Yami, went out one night, their gas line sprang a leak. There was a spark in the electrical wiring just beside it, which set it off.
The kitchen was quickly engulfed in flames. Firefighters put it out without too much trouble, but it wasn't in time to save it. Neither had known about the bad wiring so they couldn't have fixed the problem. It was inevitable.
On top of that, someone had slammed into their parked car and drove off without any witnesses. They had to pay for all the damages to their car and the kitchen. With bills on top of that, it took up most of both their pay leaving little to clothes or food.
Yami worked overnight shifts every chance he got at the Dokeshi Game Shop and Yuugi asked to take anyone's shift at the hospital. Yami worked as a clerk at a fairly successful game shop but his pay wasn't always the best. He was always on the look out for a second job. At Domino City General, Yuugi was a receptionist.
Both were undoubtedly the best and hardest workers at their careers, but hard work doesn't increase pay. Long hours are what counted.
Over the last two weeks, both Yuugi and Yami were too exhausted and too busy to see each other. Yuugi would get home first but wouldn't see Yami until two in the morning, sometimes. They couldn't keep their eyes open long enough to even say hello.
Yami missed his partner dearly. He was so in love with Yuugi. He planned on asking the other to marry him soon. But without money to supply a ring or a proper wedding, the proposal would have to wait.
Yuugi was stressed from not seeing his lover. Sometimes his job would give him headaches when there was a terrible accident or a difficult patient to deal with. He couldn't imagine how the doctors survived.
Yuugi remembered a time when, at the end of the day when Yami would come home, he would relax completely in his lover's arms and be content. He wouldn't care about the stress of his job. He would be happy.
But they hadn't seen each other in over fourteen days. Yuugi was getting desperate and Yami was getting annoyed very quickly. It was the worst fortnight of their lives.
Yuugi sat down in the living room and sighed. No one would give him another day shift and all the night shift workers wouldn't let him fill in so he had to come home. It wasn't even noon yet. He felt ashamed. How was he going to help pay for the repairs at this rate?
--
"Thank you very much." Yami bowed to the customer as they left. The store usually had a lunch rush of students who would sneak away from school and splurge on games or food.
Yami hated dealing with these customers the most. They were all stuck up or annoying in their own way. He growled once they left the store. "I can't believe I spent almost an entire hour telling those brats about that dumb board game and they didn't even buy it!"
His boss chuckled. "Relax, Yami-kun. They're just kids."
Yami continued to grumble as he swept the floor. No one was in the store aside from the employees. He gripped the broom so tightly; it looked like it might snap.
Otogi smiled. "Yami-kun, do me a favor."
"Kill those kids?" Yami asked. "I'm way ahead of you."
He shook his head. "Go home and get laid."
Yami stared at him. "Otogi! Don't say that so casually!"
"Why not?" Otogi shrugged. "You've worked over night every day this week. I know you haven't gotten any since the fire and the car accident. You need sex!"
He blushed. "Don't say that!"
"Oh, come on. You know it's true." He sighed. "Besides, who knows how sexually deprived Yuugi-kun is right now."
Yami froze. He missed Yuugi so much. Even the thought of his lover all alone made him sad. He hated his life when he couldn't be with Yuugi.
Otogi smiled, as it seemed he struck a nerve. He walked over to Yami and wrapped his arms around his waist. "After all, how could he not miss your soft skin and strong stomach?"
He sneaked his hand under Yami's shirt and gently caressed his skin. Yami pushed him away and glared. "Don't start tonight, Otogi. I'm no where near the mood for it."
"And why not?" Otogi advanced on him trapping him against a wall. "I know you haven't gotten it from anyone in a long time. It's not fair to you. Your body needs a lot of attention and you haven't gotten it."
Yami kicked Otogi's shin to escape his trap. "I would never cheat on Yuugi. I love him and only him. My body is for him alone."
Luckily, a group of customers walked into the store. Yami greeted them and asked if he could help them with anything.
XxX
"Thanks so much for this, Jounuchi-kun." Yuugi raised his glass in his best friends honor. "You're too kind."
He chuckled. "Hardly. I know you're struggling with money right now so I knew you couldn't be eating much. I wish I could give you more help-"
"Oh, no. Please, this is more then enough." Yuugi smiled. "I'll thank you on Yami's behalf, too. I'll bet he can't wait to eat this for supper tomorrow." He motioned to the boxed meal that was made especially for Yami.
Jounuchi nodded. "It's not a problem. And I don't want you to even try to pay me back. You have enough money problems and I don't want to be added to the list."
Yuugi sighed. "All right. I feel guilty, though."
"Don't, already! Take a nice gesture when you get it." Jounouchi stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me for a second. I have to use the bathroom."
Yuugi nodded. "Go right ahead."
He took a sip of his wine as Jounouchi left. Yuugi let out a satisfied sigh. He hadn't eaten so well in two weeks.
A strange man suddenly sat in Jounuchi's seat. He had dark hair pulled into a ponytail, leaving long bangs to frame his face. He had a dark smile to contrast his bright green eyes. Yuugi admitted he was handsome, but he was more confused by why he was sitting there. "Can I help you?"
His smiled toned down to a smirk. "No, not really. But maybe I can help you."
Yuugi blinked. "What?"
"I'm Yami's boss, Ryuuji Otogi." He said. "I think I have a way of solving your money problems."
Yuugi couldn't say he wasn't intrigued. He was desperate to find an answer to their crisis and nothing seemed to be helping. "What is it?"
A few moments later, Jounouchi returned from the bathroom. He saw Yuugi retrieving his jacket and jogged over to him. "Hey, Yuugi-kun what's wrong?"
He sighed. "I'm sorry, Jounouchi-kun. I was called into the hospital. They need me."
"Oh. Then don't worry about it." He smiled. "I'll drop off the food at your place and leave a message for Yami so he doesn't worry about you."
Yuugi forced a smile. "Thank you, Jounouchi-kun."
He quickly turned away and ran out of the restaurant. Otogi's red convertible pulled up in front of him once he stepped out of the door. Yuugi hesitated to open the passenger side door. He looked into the window and saw Otogi smiling at him. He sighed and got into the car.
They were silent on the drive to Otogi's apartment. Yuugi was too ashamed to say anything. He couldn't believe he was doing this. But with the 'wages' that Otogi offered, Yuugi felt he couldn't say no.
He pulled into the garage and led Yuugi into his bedroom. He threw the younger onto the bed and pounced on him. Otogi smirked. "You're not quite Yami, but I think you'll do."
The instant their lips crushed together, Yuugi's tears spilled over.
XxX
Yami couldn't believe it. With Yuugi suddenly working at nights, they were quickly assembling the funds to pay for their bills and the repairs on the car.
It had only taken a little over two weeks to pay for everything. Their kitchen would be completely fixed in a few days, the car was almost ready and they were up to speed in their bills. Things seemed to be going back to normal.
There was only one thing that concerned Yami. Yuugi was acting differently anytime they saw each other. He would be wide-awake even when it was three in the morning. Sometimes he wouldn't be able to walk right and simply say that he was too tired. Something was wrong with him.
Yami decided talk to Yuugi tomorrow. This would be his last overnight so finally; they could spend some time together. Otogi locked the doors. "Yami-kun, let's get out early tonight. I have a date at ten o'clock."
"Oh?" Yami smiled. "Have fun. And thanks."
Otogi smirked. "Oh, I will."
He dropped Yami off at home and drove away. Yami smiled. 'Maybe Otogi isn't all that bad. He didn't fire me for kicking him, after all.'
As he entered the almost finished kitchen, Yami sighed a breath of relief. He was so happy everything had been settled. He decided that because Yuugi was working so hard, he should do something nice for him.
--
Yuugi cried out in pain, which Otogi confused as pleasure. He pounded harder into Yuugi, soon finding release. Otogi panted as he retracted from Yuugi's body.
Yuugi quickly wiped away his tears. "Th-that's it, Otogi. We don't have…" He was having difficulty breathing and his throat was sore from screaming. He coughed a few times before continuing. "We don't have money problems any more. I'm done with you."
Otogi chuckled darkly. "But I'm not done with you, Yuugi-chan."
"No, that's it." Yuugi was exhausted. He struggled to escape from under Otogi. "I won't let you use me anymore."
Otogi pinned him down and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "If I can't have you, then I'll just go after Yami."
Yuugi stopped struggling. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Tears formed in his eyes again.
"I wanted him originally, but he said that his body was exclusively for Yuugi." He looked Yuugi in the eye. "But you didn't decline my offer. Now, if I can't have you, who says Yami will want you? Trust me, Yuugi-chan. Our little agreement benefits us both."
Yuugi looked away from him and sobbed. "No. Leave us alone!"
Otogi laughed as he stood up from the bed. "Not after I've had a taste of you. Now who says I won't go after Yami if you left me?"
Yuugi sobbed. "Please! I can't do this anymore! Just leave us alone!" He sat up and looked at Otogi. "Please-"
The first punch was thrown at the side of his head. He grabbed the bat he kept by his bed incase of thieves and slammed it a few times on Yuugi's back. "Maybe next time, we need to use a little discipline in bed. Now get dressed!"
--
Yami smiled. It had taken a while, but he made the perfect present for his boyfriend. He collected a bunch of photos of the two together or just their friends and put it all in one small photo album.
On the inside cover, he wrote, "Take us with you wherever you go."
Well, maybe it wasn't the most perfect present. But in the amount of time he had, it wasn't too bad.
He heard a car pulling into the driveway and figured Yuugi had gotten a ride from someone at work. He put the present on the bed, knowing Yuugi would be tired since it was three thirty in the morning.
The front door opened. Yami called out, "Welcome back, Yuugi."
Yuugi walked very slowly into the new kitchen. He leaned against the entrance to it and panted heavily.
Yami gasped. Yuugi's face was bruised and covered with sweat. "Yuugi, what happened?"
Tears fell from his eyes. "I'm-I'm so sorry, Yami. I'm so sorry…" Yuugi couldn't support his own weight any more. He started to fall forward, but Yami caught him in his arms. Several money bills spilled out of Yuugi's pocket and fluttered onto the floor.
"Yuugi! Yuugi!" He gently shook the other, trying to wake him up. What was wrong with him?
--
Jounouchi raced into the hospital. He ran over to the receptionist desk. "Where is Motou Yuugi-kun?"
"Jounouchi-kun." Yami called to him from the waiting room.
The blonde sat beside him. "Is Yuugi-kun all right? What happened?"
He sighed. "Someone beat him up. Really badly. I don't know all the details yet. He's still with the doctors and no one's told me anything."
Jounouchi cursed silently. He was worried about his friend. But he couldn't begin to imagine what Yami was going through. He put an arm around his shoulders. "Yuugi-kun will be ok. Don't worry."
He nodded silently. He never doubted once that Yuugi would be all right. He was stronger then he looked, after all. Yami couldn't understand why this had to happen. 'We've had enough troubles. Just when it was looking up…'
Yami sighed. He could only hope things would get better.
XxX
The doctor sighed and removed his glasses. "I'm sorry to have had to tell you this. I assure you that physically, he's fine. Motou-san has some bruising and a few broken ribs, but they'll heal very nicely. There won't be any permanent damages to his body. However, I do suggest he see a psychologist for his emotional and mental injuries."
"Did you identify who did this to him?" Yami asked desperately.
He nodded. "Through the semen left on Motou-san's body, we did a DNA test. Do you know someone name Ryuuji Otogi?"
Yami gasped. He couldn't believe it. He nodded. "Yes, he's my boss at the Dokeshi Game Shop. D-did he really do all this?"
"The rape was confirmed by the DNA and Motou-san told me personally that it was also Ryuuji-san who beat him." The doctor said. "The police have been sent to arrest him."
Yami slouched in his chair. He couldn't believe it. He never thought Otogi's passes meant anything. Jounouchi would joke around like that with Yuugi sometimes but he knew it never meant anything. He sighed. "Thank you very much, doctor. When can I see him?"
Yami was led into Yuugi's room and told he had half an hour. Visiting hours weren't over yet but Yuugi needed as much dormancy as was possible to recuperate.
Yami stepped into the room and closed the door. He saw Yuugi lying in a bed on his right side, back facing him. He figured it was so no pressure was placed on the broken ribs in his left side.
He sighed and walked over to the other side so Yuugi could see him. He had a breathing tube up his nose and a bandage on his face for the bruise.
Yami sat down in the chair and gently put his hand on top of Yuugi's. The other woke up at the touch and smiled at Yami.
Yami smiled back. "Are you in pain?"
"No." He whispered. "Yami, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done it."
His brow wrinkled. "What do you mean, Yuugi? This wasn't your fault."
"Yes, it was." His eyes welled up with tears. "Otogi paid me to have sex with him. I-I was so desperate to help with our problems that I said yes. The money he paid me was so much, I was sure that we would be able to pay everything off quickly and get back to our lives.
And then tonight, I said that I was done with him. But he threatened to go after you if I didn't sleep with him. That's when he beat me. I'm so sorry, Yami. I-"
Sobs interrupted him, which also irritated his ribs. Yami held his hand and put the other on his uninjured cheek. "Yuugi, please, stop. You're hurting yourself. Just breathe slowly and calm down."
Yuugi took a few shaky breaths as deep as he could to clam down. Yami wiped away his tears and smiled. "Yuugi, I could never hate you. I could never be angry with you. I appreciate that you did what you could to help out. Don't start blaming yourself for this."
Yuugi looked him in the eyes. "You're not angry?" He was truly surprised at this.
"Of course not. Otogi tricked you." His thumb slowly stroked Yuugi's cheek. "He used you to get what he wanted. It wasn't your fault. I promise."
He gently kissed Yuugi's hand, which he still held. "Everything's all right. I promised to always love you. And I still do."
Tears fell from his eyes, but these were tears of joy. "I love you, too. I'm sorry I did it. I should have known better."
"Stop saying you're sorry." Yami kissed his forehead. "You have no reason to be. Everything's fine, Yuugi. We'll be all right. I promise you."
They smiled at each other and shared a short kiss. Yami told Yuugi to get some sleep and promised to see him tomorrow. Once he drifted off, Yami thanked the doctors and got into his car. He quickly grabbed his cell phone and dialed Jounouchi's number.
"Moshi moshi?!" The blonde didn't even let the phone complete one ring when he answered. He was clearly worried about Yuugi.
Yami smiled. "Jounouchi-kun, tomorrow you and I are going ring shopping."
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And now, to take a moment to thank my two Anonymous reviewers!
Andrea, Thanks so much for the review! I'm glad you liked it. Email me back, damn it! I MISS YOU!! (cries) Hope to talk to you soon!
Sakura, thanks you also for your review. I'm glad that you liked it! And I hope to see you in future chapters!