Valkyria : Hello again! It's almost Friday where I am and I decided to post this before I went to bed for the night.
Griever : We really enjoyed the responses we received in Chapter Nine, from sad to compassionate. They are truly a joy to read.
Valkyria : Indeed they are. Here's the next installment of Caged. Hope you enjoy reading.
Disclaimer : We claim no ownership to Yu-gi-oh nor any of it's characters!
Chapter Ten : One Step Forward and One Step Backwards.
"Sir? You wanted to see me?"
Atemu's lips twitched when he saw Otogi timidly peak into his office, he would definitely enjoy making Otogi sweat bullets over this matter.
"Yes, please, come in Otogi and don't call me 'Sir' we've known each other for years."
"Yeah, I know." Otogi laughed sheepishly, "Just don't want to give the other employees the wrong idea is all."
"Wrong idea?" Atemu asked with mock curiosity. "Some of these employees have been here for years Otogi, and they know we are on first name basis. So, just relax."
"I'm relaxed." Otogi snapped out, the game developer sighed heavily. "I-I'm sorry d-did Yugi tell you anything today?"
"He's my assistant." Atemu said deciding to play dumb for the time being. "He tells me many things, would you mind being more specific?"
"Did he tell you anything about our lunch date?" Otogi elaborated firmly. "How he felt about me? Anything?"
"No, not really, it's not my business who Yugi decides to go out with." Atemu lied. "Did something happen?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing." Atemu mused softly tapping his finger against his polished desk. "You're awfully nervous for nothing to have happened Otogi."
"I did something I regret, can we leave it at that?" Otogi begged suddenly his face had grown from confident to weary.
"I couldn't do that Otogi and you know it." Atemu bit out harshly. "Do you have any idea what would have happened if you had sexually harassed anyone else besides Yugi?"
"Atemu-"
"No, if you had done and said what you did to Yugi to any other woman or man, they could have sued us for sexual harassment and my companies name could have gotten dragged through the mud!"
"It's not as if you two are together!" Otogi argued feebly. "He's not going to run off and tell or anything!"
"You don't know that you damned idiot! That's exactly why you keep your dick in your pants while working, just because you're the head of the Game Division gives you no right go around and force your way into anyone's pants."
"I-I'm sorry Atemu. It won't happen again."
"You're right. It won't. Ryuuji Otogi you're suspended until further notice, this incident will be looked over by the me and the Board of Directors and it will ultimately decided whether you keep your job or not."
"Y-you can't suspend me!" Otogi spluttered, "Do you know how many projects my division has going right now!"
"I'm well aware of how many projects you have going on, seeing as how I give the go ahead for every single one of them. And, it's not your division any longer."
Otogi's mouth suddenly lifted into a sly smirked that made Atemu wary. "Very well, I'll go and I'll apologize to Yugi on the way out."
"There's no need to do that." Atemu cut in quickly. He didn't want Otogi's slimy hands anywhere near Yugi. "I'll make sure to pass your apology along."
He doubt Yugi would give a damn about said apology though.
"Thanks." sliding out of the chair, Otogi gave a Atemu a mock salute before striding out of the door.
"What the hell was that about…?"
Yugi cursed under his breath when he saw Otogi coming out of Atemu's office as he was making his back to his desk.
"Afternoon, Motou-san."
"Ryuuji-san."
"I was told not to talk to you by Ishigami-san." Otogi remarked softly. "But, since I've been suspended for my earlier actions towards you. I figured it really doesn't matter."
"If it doesn't matter, then please, say you have to say and leave me in peace."
"Okay," Otogi leaned forward across the desk and looked directly into Yugi's eyes. "I may be suspended but, I promise that I will be seeing you again."
"Is that a threat Ryuuji-san?"
"Of course not Motou-san." Otogi chuckled smoothly, pulling back he gave Yugi a sly smirk. "Like I said before, it's merely a simple promise. You're not going to run off to Ishigami-san again are you? I don't need anymore stain marks on my record here."
"Oh no." Yugi replied coldly, finally sliding into his seat. "I merely told Atemu before because I decided it was he who should handle one of his egotistic employees. But don't you worry Ryuuji-san, I am more than capable of taking care of persistent bugs such as yourself."
"You little….!"
"Ryuuji-san!"
Yugi turned in his chair to see a curvy blonde woman striding towards him, he mentally thanked the woman and whatever god was up there watching.
"Kujaku-san! Good afternoon."
"Not for you apparently." Mai purred. "Heard you got suspended and Atemu put all of your projects on me. What did the hell did you do?"
"None of your business!" Otogi hissed hatefully glaring at the blonde. "Just make sure that all of my projects are completed on time-"
"They will be delayed if you don't ask a little more nicely than that." Mai cut in sharply. "I think you got a little too big for your britches kid."
Yugi slapped his hand over his mouth to prevent the laughter from escaping. Kujaku Mai was exactly what Atemu told him she would be like.
That was a good thing considering his current problem.
"Whatever." Otogi muttered, light flush across his tan cheeks. "I'm out of here, the Board of Directors will probably call me in three days…"
"Thank you Kujaku-san." Yugi said once Otogi was out of earshot. "I'm-"
"I know who are sweetheart." Mai said with a sincere smile. "Atemu told me all about you, said something about the two of you getting along better now."
Yugi felt the blood rush to his face at that response, the previous day had been indeed heart-wrenching and Yugi promised himself that he would ease up on the insults and on top of that show Atemu that life was worth living.
It hadn't been a very successful night.
Trying to invite a cynical man out to the movies or to the park for a late night stroll was one hell of a challenge.
Especially when said man wanted something in return.
I don't go out to and not come home empty-handed, what's the point in that?
I'm not a child Yugi, why can't we have dinner like mature adults and have a little fun after?
Movies aren't very exciting to me anymore Yugi, well, unless there is a beautiful man or woman snuggled against me. Want to be that man?
Yugi was getting a headache just thinking of the previous night. Nothing went according to plan and the night ended in flames.
Literally.
As a last resort, Yugi had forced Atemu to help him cook in the newly cleaned kitchen and they had actually engaged in a civil conversation. Until they both saw smoke coming out of the oven and stove on fire.
Grandpa was most likely ignoring his heart-felt prayers.
"You..you could say that." Yugi said hesitantly. "Anyway, what can I do for you Kujaku-san."
Mai waved the papers in her hands. "I need to see Atemu about some reports, including the extra work Ryuuji-san left behind. He's not in a meeting?"
"No, I don't believe so. Please, go ahead in."
"Thanks sweetheart."
Yugi watched as Mai opened the door and peaked her head in. "Atemu! Wake up!"
"Ugh." he heard Atemu groan. "Who is it…? Oh lord! It's the nightmare! Yugi! Why did you let her in?"
I would say that I'm sorry, but it would be such an insincere apology. I'll have to thank him about handling Otogi though…
"Kujaku-san has some reports for you!" he said through the open door. "Please be attentive towards her Atemu-san!"
"I'll make sure of it Yugi-kun."
Yugi chuckled and watched the door click shut and yelling ensued soon after. At least one more person here could keep Atemu in check.
Now all he had to worry about was Otogi, how was he going to deal with that man? He didn't want Atemu to know, the other had enough on his plate as it was.
We're always here for you Yugi, no matter what you need.
Remembering those words, Yugi reached over and picked up the phone and dialed an familiar number.
It was time for some back-up.
A/N : A short fun-filled chapter that I thought all of you might enjoy. Next update will definitely be on April 6th
Have a good weekend!