Hello, my lovelies! A huuuuge thank you to all of you who reviewed, it really makes me squee inside :) (Especially to JollyBigSis, and Candy world, who have stuck by me throughout this story's lilfe of four chapters...LOL
Oh, and JollyBigSis, all the confusion will be cleared up in this chapter :) You were meant to be confused, it's alright, haha.

On a happier note, did any of you go and see the new Yu-Gi-Oh! movie Bonds Beyond Time?
It had a screening in NY Times Square (which is pretty close to where I live), so I went, and it was PREEEETTTTY COOL :D
Oh, and the Malefic Red Eyes Black Dragon card wasn't a bad bonus either ^-^
What I need is the Malefic Cyber end dragon *swoons*

There's going to be another screening sometime in March, the 5th to the 6th?
SO IF YOU HAVEN'T GONE, GO.
IT IS TOTALLY WORTH IT.

OKAY, soooooo onword with the story!


Chapter 4: Than Hidden Love

Staring bewilderedly down at the message in front of him, Yami searched it for any kind of signature. But it was all in vain. There was no form of identification, and that only served to make Yami more confused. Sighing with exasperation, the red-eyed teen turned to question the messenger, just in time to see him blend in with the students heading away from him.

Frowning in displeasure, he read and reread the message before him, Yami's brow furrowed in concentration. Lightly tracing the lettering, he started on the way to his next class.

Better is open rebuke.

The same four words circled his thoughts, and teased at the stray tendrils of his conscience. It seemed to him that something was missing. What exactly was open rebuke better than? Walking slowly with his mind working in overdrive, Yami idly toyed with the metal chain at his neck, thinking deeply about the puzzle.

But who had he rebuked recently? No one. That is…no one but Seto Kaiba. He snorted, even that couldn't be counted as rebuke. If anything, I was the one that was snubbed. It was definitely embarrassing how easily Yami allowed himself to be manipulated.

Well, he was pretty hot.

That's no reason.

Well, it's been a long time!

was that your reason?

"Shut up!" Yami exclaimed aloud, earning him a few puzzled glances from students passing by him. Smiling sheepishly in their direction, Yami continued on his way. After a lot of pushing and shoving…and albeit a lot of guessing, he finally arrived at his destination. Effectively distracted from his musings, he quickly stepped out of the throng of students to move into the classroom.

Instinctively scanning the room for any familiar faces, his red gaze collided with a piercing blue. A familiar tug on his navel was only testament to what he knew already.

Oh fuck. It was him. Yami sucked in a breath. Just my luck. The bastard's in my class.

Due to his relative lateness, the spiky-haired teen observed, with growing dread, that the only available seat was the one next to Kaiba. So much for having Yugi and his friends in this class…they seemed pleasant enough.

Mentally preparing himself for the ordeal that was sure to come, Yami gracefully slid into the seat next to the CEO and stoically faced forward, refusing to acknowledge the other's presence.

He could only sit still and feign disinterest for so long. Desperate for something to do, Yami looked again at his timetable and discovered that he was in American Literature. That was fine with him. Yami had an affinity for languages, and English happened to be exceptionally easy. Then, with a start, he realized that he had not acquired course books for any of his subjects. Then, stealing a quick glance at Kaiba's schedule, he was horrified that he had every, single afternoon class with the other. Huffing in frustration, Yami at last gave in to the impulse to bang his head on the table. If I have to see him all day, every day, I think I'm going to kill myself.

Resting his forehead against the cool wood of the desk, Yami began muttering a colorful string of profanities under his breath, completely oblivious to the amused glances Kaiba kept sending his way.

At this point, Seto was unabashedly staring at Yami, who had ceased beating his head against the furniture. Unable to resist a war of words, Seto said teasingly, "What happened? Bad hair day?"

"Ha ha, you're bloody, fucking hilarious." Yami replied sarcastically, shooting the brunet an angry glare. "Don't look so smug. You know you had a hand in ruining my day."

Looking undeniably self-satisfied, but also slightly affronted, Kaiba sniffed disdainfully before saying, "Well, I can't help that everyone in this school just loves this face. I mean, honestly, what did you expect? A virgin with a body like mine? Don't be naïve." Suavely flicking a few strands of hair away from his face, Kaiba continued, "So what do you want? An apology? Well I sure as hell won—"

Yami interrupted him, "Save it, rich boy. Relax. I don't want anything from the likes of you. Just know that what you did was unacceptable, and I have every intention of making you suffer for the way you humiliated me in front of that blonde bimbo." His fiery gaze commanded respect, and despite the cocky CEO's cool exterior, Seto felt a tremor of apprehension run down his spine.

Smirking, the blue-eyed man retaliated. "Rich boy? Hypocrite. You're also rolling in millions every month. Actually, I think you might be the only person in Japan who could match me in both looks and money. Don't look at me like that. Yes, I just complimented you , and yes, I looked into your background, but I won't be surprised if you had done the same."

Touché, Yami thought. He had indeed asked the head of his research department to try and dig up some dirt on the young, enigmatic CEO. Smiling, Yami said, "guilty," and offered a pleasant smile in response to the jibe.

Just like that, Yami's hostile mood transformed into a pleasant friendly manner. This abrupt change both intrigued and unsettled Kaiba. If it came to a game of wits, both were masters, both were proud, and each battle would be more intense than the last.

As the teacher walked in, both fell silent and studiously began paying attention to the material being taught…that is, until Kaiba decided to be distracting.

Copying notes furiously from the board, Yami started when he felt a large hand creep up his thigh. Rolling his eyes, and promptly shoving the brunet's hand off his leg, Yami commenced taking notes. Again, the same hand clamped down on the soft flesh of his thigh, and lazily drew upwards.

Flustered, and annoyed at the same time, Yami slapped at Kaiba's hand, and snorted at the brunet's forwardness. Fifteen minutes passed, and Kaiba had successfully lulled Yami into a false sense of security. Swiftly aiming a jab at Yami's ribs, he was rewarded with a loud "ow!" that turned several heads.

"Mr. Kaiba, Mr. Mutou, is something the matter?" sensei took inventory of Yami's flushed cheeks, and Kaiba's customary innocent face. "Now boys, is it really so much to ask that you keep your…erm…activities, until after school ends?" Turning slightly red, himself, the teacher then threw himself into the lesson, intent on ignoring the events that were bound to happen anyway.

By this time, Yami's face was flaming, and Kaiba looked as cool as ever. Sniggers could be heard throughout the room, and Seto even allowed himself a small smile.

Successfully and thoroughly humiliated, Yami was determined to fend off any advances the man next to him would make for the duration of the class. I only have to hold out for ten more minutes. Ten excruciating minutes, until I can get as far away from that self-centered idiot as possible.

Seconds later, Kaiba smoothly slid a slip of paper under his hand. Heaving an annoyed sigh, Yami read the note, mouth gaped in shock, reread it, and almost burst out laughing.

Look at sensei's face. If only he were perspiring more…then it would really resemble a baboon's ass.

Scrawling a quick reply, Yami slid the paper towards Kaiba, and struggled to focus his attention on the hyperactive teacher's antics.

Well, he wouldn't if you didn't cause it in the first place.

Arching a slim eyebrow, Kaiba's hand moved once again over the slip of paper.

I did nothing. It was your traitorous face that gave it away.

Lightly smacking the other on the arm, Yami scoffed, and tried to maintain as much dignity as possible. Refusing to be distracted any longer, Yami simply crumpled up the paper, and when sensei's back was turned, chucked it straight at the CEO, smirking at the disgruntled look he got in return.

Almost as an afterthought, Yami whispered, "you know, if you weren't such an incorrigible player, I might actually consider being friends with you."

"Almost consider? Ouch. You know you want to be friends with me." That smug, self-satisfied look was back on his face.

Yawning, and lazily waving him off, Yami retorted, "see? That's exactly what I'm talking about. If you keep your mouth shut, no one would be able to resist you. But then, after a gander at your monstrous ego, people start running away." He paused, "I wonder why?"

Kaiba contemplated that for awhile, then said, "That's why being a player suits me. You never fall in love. I guess you could say that it's a way to protect myself."

Eureka.

In that instant, Yami had figured it out. "It was you!" his bout of excitedness was contagious.

"What marvelous thing have I done this time?" Kaiba nonchalantly leaned back in his chair.

"'Better is open rebuke—'"

"'…than hidden love.' Yes, Yami. Congratulations, you've figured out my philosophy. I knew I liked you for a reason." This time, Seto's smile was fleeting, and in that instant as the bell rang, the brunet was out the door in three quick strides.

Well, that was interesting. It seemed that there was more to Seto Kaiba than Yami first gave him credit for.

Better is open rebuke, than hidden love.

Yami smiled. I suppose that's the closest thing to an apology I'm going to get from him. Too bad an apology wasn't going to save him. The crimson eyed teen's smile looked positively evil.


(A/N): So Yami's not a complete pushover then, huh?
You know the drill, if you loved it, liked it, or HATED it, PLEASE review and let me knew :)

Hope you enjoyed!
Valkyria