Chapter 11
A/N: Hey everyone who made it this far! I'm so glad you stuck with me! I appreciate the reviews, they really inspire me. I apologize for the inconsistency with the updates, everything has been so crazy. Thank you so much! Enjoy!
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An eerie silence filled the council room.
No movement, no breathing, no sound.
A stabbing pain found its way into my stomach. Was the room spinning?
Did he really just say that?
Warmth flooded my cheeks as all eyes turned slowly to look between Seto and myself.
"Excuse me?!"
"Why?"
My dad and Kisara's father spoke at the same time.
I tried desperately to swallow the lump in my throat as most of the members around the table continued to stare at me. Except Seto. The bastard still wouldn't look at me.
Red hot rage brewed in my stomach as I clenched my fists, ignoring the words my father yelled at Seto across the table.
"Mr. Katsuya, Mr. Himura, after doing more research on the backgrounds of the lycanthropic packs, it became obvious which is the more suitable choice. The Katsuya pack's origin predates the Himura clan by many decades and has been traditionally a stronger military powerhouse. It's quite insulting you'd think I wouldn't notice what you've been hiding from us," Seto stated, crossing his arms and taking a seat calmly.
"More suitable choice?! Since when was this negotiable?!" My father scoffed.
"I beg your pardon Mr. Kaiba, what are you insinuating?" Kai rose from his chair, fury adorning his cold features.
"You all planned this as a failsafe. If we did something to harm the first born of the Himura clan, you could come back at us with one of your strongest forces, the Katsuya clan. But if I marry the Beta of the Katsuya clan, the arrangement would even out the scales as the treaty suggests, wouldn't you say?" A smirk appeared on Seto's lips.
It was… strange to see him like this. He looked so sinister and smug. His words caused some of the council members to stiffen and the vampires to appear quite agitated and murmured amongst themselves as realization began to sink in.
That asshole. Why? What the fuck was he playing at? He didn't talk to me for so long, and now this dickturd turns up and demands me like this? I don't think so. He still didn't even acknowledge my presence.
The gentle touch of Kisara's hand broke me from my trance. I hadn't even noticed how tightly I was clenching my jaw and fists or how hard I was glaring at Seto until she had done so.
"Cousin, are you sure it is wise to call for such a change on the treaty now? The whole point of this treaty is peace. They will have no reason to use their forces against us," Atem growled from beside me. Cousin, huh? If I would've just fuckin' asked Atem when I met him about Seto, we wouldn't be in this fucking mess.
"Of course it is. The whole point of this is diplomatic equality," he dictated.
I rose from my chair, causing the legs to scrape against the floor and make a horrible noise. I was fucking furious.
"The Himura clan may be young, but it has made some of the greatest strides to end the war and the feud. While it might not be the strongest, it is by far one of the smartest, so do not. Ever. Again. Imply Kisara was offered as some sick attempt at not trustin' ya!" My voice boomed louder than I had intended.
The room fell silent again and I became very aware of all the attention on me, but I felt completely naked and disarmed by Seto's gaze finally meeting mine. He glared at me. Those eyes weren't Set's. This Seto's eyes were cold and unruly, demanding, and full of hatred. I swallowed when I realized what I had gotten myself into.
He said nothing for a while. Then he blinked.
Then he started laughing.
Everyone in the room seemed to gape in astonishment, except, of course, Mokuba, who just looked uncomfortable with this whole ordeal.
The sound was deep and baritone, almost genuine.
"Wh…what?" I felt the words leave my mouth. The fuck did I miss here?
"So feisty!" He chuckled, wiping a tear from the corner of his half-moon eyes. Everyone looked horrified.
He was mocking me. The mother fucker was mocking me in front of my clan and my future associates.
"Ya' fuckin' asshole-"I lurched across the table at him, but Atem and Kisara grabbed my arms and prevented me from giving this guy the flogging he deserved. His laughter stopped and his dead stare returned as well as that stupid fucking smirk.
I continued to swear at him, my accent getting so thick, I knew no one could understand my words, but my head was spinning and my vision was fading from color to a shaken up bottle of colored sand to complete darkness and back.
Kisara and Atem were trying to speak to me, but I couldn't hear them. I noticed my father's voice mixed up in the mess of colors and sounds, too. All I could really make out through all my emotions was that I wanted to rip this fuckers head off.
I finally took a deep breath and closed my eyes, feeling dampness on my face. Partially sweat, partially tears.
"Are you alright, Jou?" Atem whispered to me, Kisara gently releasing my arm, the look of concern heavy on both of their faces.
They had managed to get me out of the meeting room and into the hallway, onto a white bench sitting adjacent to the door.
Kisara started pushing my damp hair out of my face and smiling brightly.
"Thank you for standing up for me, Jou. No one has ever done that for me…" she trailed off as her eyes started tearing up and she gave me a huge hug.
I was still trying to catch my bearings and figure out what exactly happened. Once reality caught up to me, a wave of heat flooded my face.
What had I done? Just stirred the pot more.
Universe: 10 billion and one.
Jou: zero.
"Your wolf took over and you tried to attack him," Atem confirmed my suspicion, "It's alright though, you only broke the table and a few chairs. The council… is quite upset."
"That doesn't surprise me one bit…" I held my head in my hands once Kisara released me from her hug.
"I get the feeling you two know each other," Atem observed, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.
I stared at him. He's too fuckin' smart, he's gonna be the one to get me into trouble.
Then he shrugged, "but that's not even possible, he's been out of the country."
I let go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Mokuba and Seto must've been keeping the missing ordeal under wraps even from their extended family.
I kept standing up and pacing and becoming lightheaded, before Atem or Kisara would convince me to sit back down, then get back up, and the process just repeated for the next several minutes.
"Fuck. What have I done?" I whispered to myself.
Now without thinking, I ran into the room in front of me and hollered, "I just want to make it painfully clear that I wanted to attack that man because he is an asshole, not because he is a vampire!"
Everyone in the room, which consisted of my father, Kai Himura, Seto Kaiba, two members of the lycanthropic high council, and an important woman with long black hair and a white robe, stared at me.
"Oh my, I mean- not that I- I didn't mean to- you're obviously- I really didn't think that through… um… your honors," I stammered before finally bowing before the high council. If dying of embarrassment was possible, it would be the easy way out.
"I am so sorry, we tried to keep her siting down but…" Kisara ran in after me and picked me up off the ground. Atem was in the doorway pinching the bridge of his nose.
"She's completely lost it," he mumbled. I punched him in the shoulder as I passed him and he began to shut the door.
"Wait," the woman declared in a soothing tone, "Come here, Miss Katsuya."
I froze in my steps. Please no, I was obviously on the verge of a mental breakdown, if not already there. These people could see right through me.
I took a deep breath and walked up to the circle of supernaturals.
"Yes…ma'am?" I squeaked.
She let out a warm smile and held out her hand. I glanced at my father for reassurance. He nodded his head.
Reaching out, she took my hand in both of hers and closed her eyes.
Magic, am'I'right?
But I didn't feel any crazy magic mumbo jumbo. Maybe it was just her strange way of giving a handshake.
She let my hand go and looked up at me.
"I am Ishizu Ishtar, one of the Grand Assembly for the vampires and one of six authors of this treaty of amity. We have been discussing an altercation, which pertains to you. I'm sure you are already aware of what it is," she informed me, calmly. She reminding me of Ryou oddly.
I clenched my teeth and nodded.
"I will tell you what I told Kisara, if we decided on this option, you are doing this for the good of both our people. So much will come of this, I promise. Were just going to make some votes, once more of the councilmen arrive, and finalize some statements. You can return to your friends and rest up, you've got quite the future ahead of you," she smiled and patted my shoulder. My father looked at me somberly and Kisara.
As I turned around, I noticed Mokuba sitting on a bench against the wall. He stood up and helped me hobble out of the meeting room and back to the comfortable white bench in the hall.
"Why is he doing this Mokuba?" I whispered before Kisara or Atem could dote on me.
He looked at me somberly, "I'll tell you later."
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I stormed down the hallways pissed, loud, hungry, and I needed a goddamn drink. This whole fucking residence if not the entire Katsuya territory would feel my wrath if I'd had my way.
My father informed me that the remaining members of the Vampire Assembly and Werewolf High Council were 'unavoidably detained' until tomorrow. Which meant everyone was welcome to stay at the pack leader's home until it was time for the council of war.
Which means the lovely Seto Kaiba was staying upstairs if he so chose. Which he did according to Mokuba. Actually, everyone decided to stay. Apparently, no one wanted to miss out on this charming ordeal. Whoopty-Doo. Full house at the Katsuya house.
I found myself grunting loudly about how much I hated him as I fumed my way into the kitchen (little Juno happy trailing behind me) which smelled very strongly of…baked goods? Bread maybe?
Ahh…food.
"OH!" someone gasped followed by a loud crash.
I froze in my spot and looked towards the sound.
A sandy blond mane of hair was franticly trying to sweep up hot chocolate cupcake crumbs from the floor and back into the equally as hot pan from which they fell from and failing miserably.
"I told Karim to make sure no one came in here- excuse me! Are you just going to stand and watch or are you going to help me pick this up?!" She said, turning her harsh violet eyes to glare at me.
Raising my eyebrows, I walked over and leaned down to help, Juno already taking it upon herself to eat some of the stray crumbs. "Well, ya could've asked me a bit nicer, but sheesh. Ey, Juno don't eat that, you're gonna get sick!" I growled, and shooed her from the room.
"Well this kitchen is the Katsuya's personal kitchen! The guest kitchen is on the opposite side of the house unless you're waiting for dinner which will be served to you in the dining hall. Since you startled me, you get to help- ouch!" she snapped, sticking one of her fingers into her mouth. She must've burned it on the pan.
"Hey now! I didn't mean ta scare ya," I tried to reason with her, my nerves wearing thin with this wonderful day, "B'sides. I am a Katsuya, Jou, to be exact."
She raised one eyebrow and stared at me, "Uh-huh. Sure."
"Eh? But I am!"
"Whatever, just grab the broom since you know where you're going, 'Katsuya'," she instructed, giving up on the scooping method and moving the empty hot pan to the stove top.
I shuffled over, grabbed the broom from the broom closet, and shuffled back, angrily mumbling the whole way.
"Oh, I… I didn't think, you're for real Jou? I was expecting someone…"
Something snapped inside of me, but I took a deep breath and turned slowly, grinding my teeth "Expecting what?" The tension in the air could be cut like butter.
She looked surprised at me, and started nervously laughing, "Oh did I say that? I mean, um… well, you know. You're really talked up you know? Haha…" she scratched the back of her head anxiously.
"No really. Please tell me. What am I talked up to be? Are you disappointed?" I pressed for answers. I knew the workers talked about us, but I was curious to hear, if not insulted by her tone.
"I'm Malik, since you asked," she stated, disregarding my interrogation and extending a very tan hand.
I for a second contemplated not shaking it, but I knew better. "I've never seen ya here before," I spoke, shaking her hand.
"Yeah, I just started about a week ago. Karim told me you've been staying here and you usually like to eat lots of sweets when you're finished training, so I was picturing someone…taller…" She spoke carefully.
Malik was very blunt and quite sassy, but it was oddly refreshing.
As I dumped all the crumbs into the trash, I felt a smile spread across my face, despite all my rage. Karim noticed my love for sweets, huh? He was so thoughtful. He'd been working for our family as the head butler- but I hate that word for it, he's more relaxed than a fancy butler- since I was a little kid. He could always do these awesome magic tricks that I could never figure out.
"How about a drink to go with those cookies I smell, huh?" I asked, spinning around. Time to do something with all this rage and the aching in my belly. She looked surprised, "Wait, for real?"
"Do you think you can match me shots?" I challenged, straightening my glasses.
A spark gleamed in her eyes, "Game on."
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"Another, milady!" I demanded, after sucking viciously on the lime and slamming my favorite Antonio's tequila shot glass on the table.
Malik opened her mouth up as wide as she could and stuck her tongue out, squeezing her eyes tight.
"So bitter," she growled, but poured another round, getting most of the alcohol on the table. I licked my hand and began shaking the salt, lid coming undone and salt coating the table top and the front of my shirt.
"Awe , fuuuckk man…" I grumbled, Malik unable to stop laughing at my idiotic display.
"You should've seen you're faaace," she laughed.
The nerves in my throat still burning from my first four shots, I downed another. A howl escaped my lips, Malik joining in. I fucking hated tequila.
"Giving up, Katsuya? I win then?" Malik tested, when I stood up. I turned my attention to Juno, who was sleeping in the corner of the room.
"Hear that, Juno?!" I yelled, she perked her head up at the sound of her name, "Malik think's I can't take anymurr than this? Bah. I got this."
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"Maybe…we should shlow down, Katttshuyah," Malik slurred after the next shot, "that's like sheven ergg… eight shots in like fifteen minutes or shumthin'?" She squinted and grabbed her forehead.
"Er ya sayin' I win?" I giggled, dancing back and forth to the music playing on Malik's phone.
"Nahh man… okay, yeah I give, I might geht vomit heeyuh," she grumbled, laying her head on the table, contemplating the meaning of life since she LOST! I AM THE VICTOR!
Dancing around the room, my assault on the sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls Malik had made began. They were so good!
"Malik! These er' so yummy! Let's make more!" I found myself yelling, inhaling the treats.
"Wh…we did that sooo faaayst…" she mumbled, rubbing her stomach.
Rocking back and forth, I finally convinced Malik to dance with me, be it reluctant. I didn't drink as often as I did when I was younger, but I still got it.
A heavy cloud rested over my body that I needed to shake off, so I just kept jumping up and down when Malik wouldn't dance with me.
Spirits I need this.
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"I bet your punch isn't even that strrrong," Malik garbled, waving a bottle of some sort of wine cooler she'd found.
"I bet a hundred doll hairs it isss, Mali'!"
"Fiyne! Punch meh in the face!"
"Nooo! I'm not gonna punch ya in ya face!"
"Jou, iz da only way to know, okay so just doo it!"
"But we just met ya know, I dun wanna hurt'cha!"
"Well you're not gonna if ya keep whining about it- Ooo! Do we hav' wine?"
"I dunno, but 'm not gonna punch ya!"
Malik grabbed my arm, and flailed it back and forth, "How'bout we do it at da same time, kay? We'll know who's really duh strongest!"
"Okay okay okay,"
We both stood in the middle of the kitchen with shaky legs, our fists up, unable to stop laughing, "Ohmigosh we're really doin' this.
"Ready?" I tested, once I finally stopped the room from spinning… temporarily.
"On three, kay? One."
"Two."
"Thr-," we began to say in unison.
"Vell," a voice broke in and Juno barked at the intruder, "Vat are you lovely ladies doing?"
Leaning in the doorway was none other than that…oh lord what was his name? Ziggy? Zigfield? Zigfried? That was right, Zigfried.
"M, about ta kick some ass," Malik informed him confidently, swaying in her stance, and eventually falling over.
I attempted to lift her but found my balance failing me as I almost fell on top on her, when an arm wound around my middle, just under my breasts.
"Whoa, uh… thanks, Zigfried," I tried to regain my footing to no avail. Zigfried simply held me close in his arms and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. That felt…nice. I tried to focus my eyes on Zigfried, but they weren't working like they should. Stupid fucking eyes. Wait, was it really Zigfried? Was that hair pink or brown?
"Whoa, Mr. Feely," Malik stumbled getting all the letters out, "unhand my new sparring buddy, creep!"
"I vink it only appropriate zat I escort you ladies to your rooms, yes?" He stated, pulling Malik up in his other arm. Damn he was strong, just like Seto… bleck… Seto. My room, yeah my bed sounded nice. I hate so much shit to do tomorrow, with Kisara's party and that stupid Council of War, yuck maybe just another drink instead…
"Just don't try anything, Feely," Malik grumbled, wrapping her arm around his neck as he began leading us to Malik's room in the back of the house.
Seto… he was so fucking impossible, and my skin was so hot and sweaty, and Zigfried's arm was so strong and comforting, just like Seto's… no not Seto's. He was an asshole and I deserve better. Maybe Zigfried isn't such a bad idea.
"Wait… Jou, do ya wan' meh ta come witcha?" Malik spoke, resting her head against the door frame.
"I got this, go ta bed Mali, I'll see ya in the mornin'. We'll hav' breakfess' together, okay?"
"That sounds awesssome," She mumbled, shuffling into the darkness of her room.
Zigfried walked me to my room very slowly, and I kept stumbling and falling and moaning, he didn't seem to mind, how sweet.
"Thanks, Zigfried, ya so niiice," I whimpered leaning in close to his ear so he could hear me.
"Here, Fräulein, vet me just carry you like vis," he began, pulling my legs around his waist, like a piggy front ride! Hehehe… so dirty.
"Wait… Wh-at? My room isn't upstairs," I grumbled, my drunken fog.
He chuckled, "Just a detour, love, not much vurther."
That made sense. I snuggled my head into his neck. Flowers, I'm not sure what kind, but it was niiiice. Not like Seto's, but I didn't care about what Seto smelled like. Not anymore.
I groaned as my body was suddenly smashed between Zigfried and a wooden door.
"My apologizes, I just 'ave to get the door 'ere…" he trailed off, enjoying the warmth our bodies shared and taking his sweet time doing so, "I see vy Heir Kaiba es interested en vuch a vondervul voman like you…" he brushed more strands of hair behind my ear.
Wait… did we go back downstairs? Warning bells started to ring in my core. Something wasn't right.
"Zigfried," I began when a stupid smug snotty voice interrupted me.
"What are you doing?"
My vision was blurry but I wasn't stupid. Standing there in all his stupid smugness, was none other than the bane of my existence, Seto fucking Kaiba. His eyes were narrowed and his jaw was clenched, he was livid.
"Ah, Heir Kaiba," Zigfried acknowledged him, going rigid, and releasing his hold on my legs, allowing them to slide down and eventually touch the floor, "I vas just,"
"Don't speak. Jou, come," he snarled.
"Oh, naw, ya don't get to be here," I barked, striding up to him, "Don't fuckin' look at meh like that, I'm a grown ass adult and I do what I want, mom."
He raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Zigfried, who was quite interested in my outburst.
"Nu-uh!" I grabbed his chin and forced him to look down at me, "Spirits, why ya' so tall- you can't be here once ya did what ya did – whoa… why ya always gotta smell so good, huh?
My fists grasped the folds of his fancy jacket and pulled him in to bury my face in the crook of his neck, and get a better whiff. He tensed at how vigorously I threw myself at him. How was it even possible to smell like that? I wanted his scent all over me… hehehe… that was dirtier than I meant it do be. It was hard to not go to that place when he was around.
There was the kisses, the heat, that want-want-waaant….
A part of me recognized the alcohol to blame for the intensity of my remembrance, but I didn't mind the reminder. He was this close, maybe just a little bit more.
"Fräulein…" Zigfried gasped at the display, pulling me from my drunken haze.
Seto pulled away quickly, as if he also just remembered the other's presence.
"Yeah, Richboy, what are ya doin'?!" I tried to play off, pushing him back.
"You came to me, mutt. Looks like you know who your master is," Seto growled, with a smirk on his face.
My fury returned, how dare this guy?! "Bite me, Richboy!" I yelled, causing Seto's eye's to flash and his brows to furrow.
He roughly grabbed my arm and began leading me back down the hallway. My rage quickly turned to fear with the intensity of his strides and his death grip on my arm. Bleating as I looked at Zigfried quickly deciding I didn't want to die yet, "Wait… where are we goin?"
"Yes, Heir Kaiba, let the lady,"
Seto interrupted him again, "I'm taking her to her room. The next time I see you, Zigfried, I can promise you will regret the course of action you chose tonight." I could practically hear Zigfried's swallow as he stumbled into his room. Seto's face looked willing and able to kill, and I did not want to be on the receiving end of it.
Seto's fingers dug deeper into my skin as he harshly dragged me to the stairwell.
"Loooook, Seto, I was super happy wit' Ziggy, there,"
"Oh really?" He turned and looked at me hotly, "He was trying to take you to bed in the pathetic state that you're in. Were you even thinking?"
I fumbled on trying to pull his fingers off my arm as I yelled back, "You don't' a claim on my body, Moneybags! I can do whatever I want with it! Maybe I wanted to sleep with Zigfried, it has nothing to do with you!"
"Really, Mutt? You expect me to believe that you want him? Him?"
I scoffed at him, "Stop. Fuckin'. Callin'. Me. A mutt. Why does it even matta' anyways? Ya gonna be married ta Kisara, so ya can't make me feel all go anymore, 'kay?"
He released my arm and stared into my eyes, choosing his words very carefully with a clenched jaw. I glared back with just as much intensity, flashing my canine teeth.
Then he continued walking down the stairwell.
I stood their dumbfounded for a moment. He just gave up?
"Hey, don't'cha walk away from me!" I hollered, stumbling on the stairs.
He froze and turned around slowly. So this is what it felt like to be on the receiving end of someone who can and would murder me.
Lucky me, my feet decided to stop working and I plummeted down a few steps and into Seto's sturdy chest, which held both of our weight unwavering. Damn that must be nice.
I pulled myself up to a better standing position by using the folds of his jacket and no help from him. He simply stood there radiating fury, nostrils flaring.
Once I was able to stand on my own, an epiphany struck me, "Oh! You're jealous!"
Seto's eyes narrowed, "Stop. Speaking." The sight of his white teeth and his glowing eyes made think of a dragon, but that didn't stop me from provoking him.
"Fine then, Mr. Seto Kaiba, why don't you touch me then? Why don't you do what Zigfried couldn't eh? Go ahead, I'm giving you permission," Standing a single step higher than him, we were almost at the same height. I jutted my chin up towards him, and outstretched my arms.
His eyes were glowing so bright and alive, he had a dangerous glint in them. What did I just say?
"Stop."
"Why, huh? Isn't dis whatcha want, moneybags?"
He grabbed my arm and pulled me the rest of the way down the steps and towards my room. I began bleating and begging and threatening, anything to get him to let go of me, damn that fucking vice grip he had.
"Jou. Enough," he growled. His eye's remained trained on the path to my door. I wasn't ready for this to be over. He made his point, I was willing to admit that at this stage, I was fucking desperate for some damned action at this point. I'd never had any before, why couldn't I indulge for once?! Everybody was teasing me and Seto was right here, and I knew he could easily take care this problem.
I began unbuttoning my shirt.
"C'mon, Seto, I'm right here, why don't'cha just take me…" I whispered.
"Damnit, puppy, would you just…" he turned back to look at me, his mouth hanging open, "…Fuck…"
"Yeah, fuck me," I bleated, pressing myself against his arm.
His jaw clenched tight enough to make his teeth shatter and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't control myself when you say shit like that, pup…" he grumbled.
I shrugged out of my shirt in what I hoped was an enticing, but damn it'd been so long since I'd done a strip tease, I had no idea.
The battle began to keep my shirt on my body, he finally gave up and wrapped his jacket around me. Did he really not want me? No he did, when he was in his rut it was me that he wanted. But that was before his memories returned.
My room was so close, I could make out the door in my blurry vision. He would leave once we got there.
It was killing me.
"Please, Set..oh…" the whimper was so pathetic I could barely believe it came from my mouth. But he stopped in his tracks for the umpteenth time that night.
Then he slammed me up against the wall.
"The teasing… this is your own fault, Jou." Then he kissed me. I take that back, he didn't kiss, he consumed me, biting down on my lower lip to make me open my mouth.
This was different then his first few kisses. Those were soft and passionate, this was fierce and powerful, and… frightening. His touch was demanding, and our bodies fit together perfectly. I couldn't stop my body from shaking, and desperately trying to snuggle closer.
The ferocity made my lips swollen and the taste of metal filled my mouth from him biting so hard on my lips. I made sure to return the favor.
He kept growling, and it was more erotic than anything I could even dream of.
Pulling away for breath was probably the hardest thing I'd had to do in a long time. His eyes open wide and staring intensely at me, no color in his face or irises.
Giggles escaped my lips in between pants and I kissed him again. I liked this a lot, this is what I wanted. All the shit I'd been through these last few months, it'd all been worth it for this very moment.
"Nugh…Seto! Take me please!" I whimpered, arching my hips against him.
Unfastening his tie took so much more effort than my clumsy fingers could manage, and he reached up and stopped me.
"Puppy, stop." He whispered.
Oh spirits.
Not now.
Please don't stop now, not again.
If I just got this stupid fucking tie, maybe he would…
"You're intoxicated. You don't know what you're doing. You might not even remember this. Someone could see us here, too," He whispered, softer.
"No, no, nonononono, please, this is one thing I know that I want right now, don't stop, please Seto…"
My voice cracked.
Damnit.
Every. Fucking. Time.
He pressed his forehead against mine and held both of my hands in his.
"I've got to get you to bed," he whispered, and pulled away to leave me standing unsteady against the wall near my bedroom door.
"Wait, no, Seto," I tried to grab after him.
Cold.
He grabbed the handle to my room and held the door open for me.
A shaky breath filled my lungs, and I bit my already swollen lips with piercing force. His taste still lingered.
Rage boiled in my stomach.
"Don't worry Jou! I'll protect your innocence!" I heard a voice holler from behind me.
I turned in time to see a familiar sandy blonde mop charge and tackle Seto by the stomach.
He didn't get to the floor, but she pushed him back a couple steps, I couldn't even do that.
Damn she really was stronger.
"It's fine, Malik, he's not going to touch me," I stated with a lot more venom than I meant. His eyes narrowed at me.
She released her death grip on Kaiba, to give him a good look. "Ohmigosh! Mr. Kaiba! I didn't, I mean, I-I-I, I um, I am so sorry, I thought you were that pink haired creep. I, um, thanks, again, for this job opportunity, I am so grateful…." She kept bowing her head and apologizing and rambling.
Is this what I usually sound like? Nah.
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My father awoke me by grabbing the end of my mattress and shaking it with such vigor. It was his favorite way to awaken me when it was get shit done around the house days.
"Wake up, Johannah. I heard you had some fun last night," he began, causing me to sit straight up. A little too fast for the horrific headache resting behind my eyebrows. Last night. Ohhhh…fuck. I did what I did best, make things worse.
Wait did he know?
"You and Malik had a bit too much to drink huh? The kitchen is an absolute disaster. Karim is having Malik clean it all up, so you get to start your physical training at 5am, isn't that nice?" He was in a black jogging suit with a whistle around his neck, power standing on the end of my bed.
"You seriously woke me up at five? Dad, I'm gonna murder you!"
"Oh? How about a three mile jog huh? Get up. You're going. Now, Katsuya, let's go!"
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…
The spirits really did hate me.
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It's been decided that purple and blue punching bag closely resembled Kaiba's face.
"FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! ARRRGHH! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU IHATEYOU IHATEYOU MOTHERFUCKING GODDAMN SHIT COCK BALLS SHIT DAMN FUCK FUCK FUCK! NUGH!" The sound of sand spilling against the floor, as my fist when clean through the material.
"Fuck!" I hissed, kicking the fucking bag for breaking, and sitting on the floor, pulling at the roots of my hair.
"Damn, remind me not to piss you off," a voice said from behind me.
"Oh! Malik, I…"
"I'm sure the bag had it coming," She said, taking a seat on the floor next to me, "I heard about your punishment."
"Yeah, sorry you had to clean up the kitchen by yourself," I said, stretching out my shoulders.
"Ha! Karim let me sleep in, you're was so much worse, I'm so sorry," Malik giggled.
"My father has it out to get me. Will you been attending the Council of War with everyone else in this goddamn city?"
"Well, it is history in the making. No one has ever attempted to change a treaty after it's already been written. Kaiba has balls and he's never lost. He fought to get me a job here, through Atem."
"Why would it be so hard to get a job here?"
"I thought it was obvious. I'm a vampire bro." She curled up her upper lip to show off her fangs. "You're kind of daft aren't you?"
I just laughed, "Among other things…"
"How do you feel about this whole thing? It's so much easier to talk about when it's not you in the arranged marriage. What do you want?"
"I…No one's ever asked me that before. I just want to open up a restaurant in a vampire district and for some goddamn peace and a man to sleep with, but no. Nope, Jou can't have that."
"Why not huh?"
"Nothing's that simple."
"I never said it would be simple. But it's totally possible."
I exhaled sharply from my nose… it totally was possible. I could be married to Seto, with a restaurant in the vampire district, our marriage symbolizing a standing peace treaty. Maybe…maybe this wasn't such a bad idea.
For the first time in months, seems finally seemed like they'd be panning out.
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I cracked my neck as Kisara picked out an outfit for our meeting.
"I'm oddly nervous," she whispered.
"It's understandable, it only pertains to our entire future. Hey, what about your party tonight?"
"Huh? Oh! Not to worry, I've got that taken care of, everything is good to go. I was going to head over once were done, would you like to ride with me?"
"Sure," I smiled at her as I stepped into my dress slacks, "What do you want to happen at the Council, Kisara?"
Her gaze was on the floor as she gave me a halfhearted smile. "Well, I want to marry him. I think. He's so handsome, I've been trained since I was 14 for the moment when we are to be wed. I've studying everything I can about ruling vampire districts. I guess, it was odd to feel everything I've been planning for my whole life could be gone you know?"
I didn't even think about that.
Fuck.
"Damn… I'm sorry this happened on the day of your party Kisara."
"It's fine, it's good to know sooner rather than later. Shall we?"
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The council room was hot, and sticky, and completely crammed. I'd never seen this many people here before, it was insane. The whole area was in unrest before the High Council finally stood and called the meeting to attention.
I sat next to my father, one seat away from Kaiba who refused to acknowledge me.
Isis stood and began the discussion, "We have been discussing the suggested amendment to the treaty. We have finally come to a decision. The ruling still stands, Seto Kaiba and Kisara Himura will be wed for the greater good of our people. The wedding will be one the harvest moon. Meeting adjourned."