A/N: Hello, hello, hello! Yes, I'm back! Muahahaha… Anyway, the story continues, if you want, with another angsty adventure – you decide. For now, I'll try my best in romance, friendship and humor. And also, for those who read – check on my profile page. There are summaries of stories I have half-written but not posted. If you're interested in anyone, message me and I'll post it. Now to our stuff:
Chapter 12: Return to BasicsIrma groaned, as she was trying to get up from the cold floor of the Kaiba Mansion. She grabbed her waist – man was she feeling so sore! Who knows how long they had been there… She rubbed her head and yawned, all these was like a dream… A really bad, but interesting dream. She looked around; everyone was grumbling and trying to recover, always into their masquerade attires. Gozaburo had probably changed their attires in the virtual world… yeah, it would have been rather ridiculous to run and fight around, especially her, being half-dressed as she was.
"Your wings are falling, Lair." She heard the mischievous deep voice. Oh yes, Seto Kaiba. Wasn't this the man all these had been about?
"Like to steady them for me?" Oh, wouldn't she show him! But her 'fairy' sea-green wings were indeed falling from her back. She turned her back towards him, and then lifted her hair, looking at him from the corner of her eye.
Gods, that sexy, knowing, arrogant smirk again…
"My pleasure." Was her idea, or did he give special emphasis to the word 'pleasure'? When touched her back to tie harder the wings, she literally fought back a gasp and a shiver.
Joey groaned. "Get a room, you two! I can't believe that after all these, you are into flirting! Kaiba you're insensitive!"
"I'm not flirting, I'm stating facts." Seto played along, while Irma was blushing. Joey was right, but she was…
"Then the next time you'll be 'stating facts', don't state them to me, please!"
"You're a mutt, and that's a fact."
"Oh, so you couldn't resist!"
Seto's eyebrow was raised in a very dangerous way, saying: I'll-cut-you-neck-if-you-utter-even-a-single-word-further, while Mai and the others had started giggling. Joey realized how exactly had sounded what he said, though he had meant Seto's urge to offend him, and in no time he was hidden behind Tristan. "Now of course that I think better about it…"
"Are you a masochist, and you consider the word 'mutt' flirting?" Seto smirked. He had to have the last word.
"What?? Hell no!! I didn't say… Hell Kaiba!" Joey jumped forwards again, totally infuriated, his fist raised. Rich boy could tell whatever he wanted, but not in front of his sister, and most importantly, Mai! Who couldn't stop giggling!
Yugi sighed. "Come on, you guys. This was undoubtedly a really unusual masquerade party. Why don't we just go and take desert, and then go to sleep? We need some rest." And he yawned.
They all agreed and followed Mokuba, who was showing them the way. But not Seto. He remained watching the dark sky of the night, outside the wide window of the room they were in.
"Kaiba? Are you coming?" Duke asked him.
"No. You go." Seto responded, and threw a decorative ball, which landed exactly at Joey's head. "Your toy, mutt."
"Asshole!" Joey barked back, while all of the others were shaking their heads – no matter what would happen, those two would never change. Well, that was also payback for before.
Seto remained silent there, letting his thoughts wonder along the stars, which were decorating the sky. He looked up – there was a full moon. How suitable…
Something was bugging him. Really, really bugging him. Gozaburo had stopped when he saw the one and only tear Seto hadn't been able to suppress. He had gotten off him, and he had asked him when was the last time he had cried. Seto didn't remember then, but now he did: He had cried mere minutes ago, when Joey had told him he pitied him. And he hadn't only let tears fall, he had sobbed, he had hiccupped, he had whimpered desperately, begging for some nonexistent mercy. Yes, he remembered well now. It was when Irma was winning the duel, almost right before Gozaburo slashed her. They had stopped their duel, and Gozaburo had said that it was a miracle Seto had lasted so long! Seto was also crying desperately above Irma's dying form…
Then, why had he gotten off him? Why had he said that he was waiting for Seto to break, he had already done it! Where was the catch? Could Gozaburo possibly know what was his real breaking point? That one tear might have meant a lot more than a fit of sobs and hiccups? When was the numbness of the upcoming loss, when was the relishing opening of his soul to friends, and when was the heart broken? There was a possibility; he could read their thoughts.
But not our emotions. Seto mused again. Could Gozaburo possibly know something? Anything, about Seto? Could something of what he was saying about… love, be true?
Seto shot a glance at his laptop. His face, it hardened, no; that bastard only pain had brought upon him! He couldn't love! Devil cannot love! As much as it disgusted him, Seto thought that it was possibly… the first. Lust.
But still! Why had he gotten off him in the first place? Why on Earth was this happening! Seto knew they were far from done with Gozaburo. It scared him, though he would never admit it. If only he knew, if he figured out what was happening with Gozaburo, he could easily destroy him! Seto narrowed his eyes: He wouldn't stop thinking till he figured it out that was for sure, he'd never forgive himself if put his body on the line again!
"Hey…" Irma's sudden sweet voice broke his train of thoughts. He turned and looked at her, her smile, her loving eyes, her silky hair, her smooth skin… Involuntarily, he smiled. What a beautiful girl she was… couldn't he have the opportunity to have a normal girlfriend, like her? With his life, that was out of the question. His smile faltered.
Then he noticed the plate in her hands. "Uh… I brought you some cake… chocolate!" She laughed a little. "Mokuba chose it. But I think you already guessed that!"
"Don't tell me, I'm socked." He replied. He allowed himself a little laugh, as well, and then took the plate. Then he turned to look outside the window again. To his great surprise, Irma came next to him, to look outside as well.
They remained silent for a while, watching the stars, and the only sound heard was Seto's spoon. Suddenly, Irma spoke: "You know what I think?"
"No, but I think I'll…" Seto stopped himself from telling 'regret that.' That would have been a lie.
Irma laughed, nonetheless. Then she turned and looked at him, her eyes glistening with quiet emotion. "Things will go better from now on, Seto."
SXIXSXIXSXIXSXI
"Damn it, mutt, catch the fucking ball!!"
"I'm running, I'm running, if only you'd shut the hell up… yeah, GOT IT!!"
"Oh, and I thought you weren't good at multi-tasking… you know, like running, defending and talking…"
"Shut the fuck up and score!"
And so Seto did. The ball passed over the seine with the speed of a lightning and landed on Tristan's poor head, to end up right after at the sand, which constituted their 'battle field'. Duke ran, but there was no way he could make it.
"SCORE!!" Seto and Joey yelled enthusiastically and hugged each other. And…
"What the fuck!!" In unison, as they were launching themselves as far away as they could. Duke and Tristan were pouting from their loss, but also snickering inside. Seeing Seto and Joey together, in addiction now, they were somewhat friends… well, it was just hilarious sometimes. Especially when Mai would appear and make a comment. (Making sure they hadn't heard her.)
But for now, she was so busy sunbathing in her purple bikini, that she simply preferred not to give a damn. And she could also distract the boys easily, but she was too tired for this. Well, the whole team decided to spend the day at the beach, since it was summer and all… how many months had passed since Gozaburo's little visit? Mai wouldn't bother herself to count. She was all too used to this.
She looked around. Yugi and Tea were playing happily by throwing water at each other in the sea. Irma had disappeared from sight; she was in her element. Mai found that a little peculiar, Irma had dived since they had arrived at the beach, without waiting a single second. And she had gone straight to deep. She still wouldn't come out. They had yelled at her, but they had crossed lines with her only when they got as far away as she had. Mai smiled; she remembered that Kaiba had gone and said something to her, and then she threw too much water in his face. When he returned, though without her and coughing a little, he seemed satisfied with himself, as always.
Now he was playing with the other three, Joey, Tristan and Duke, beach volleyball. They had chosen teams leaving it in fortune, which apparently wanted Joey and Seto together. Mai snickered; their expressions when they learned that were priceless.
But still, not quite surprisingly, they made a rather good team. Well, Kaiba's competitiveness had taken over him as well, so if Duke and Tristan wouldn't cherish their lives, (which they did) they could try to win, underlined the word try. Mai smirked mischievously. Kaiba in trunks, oh my! That was one of the main reasons, along with her sunbathing, that she had agreed coming along. She could swear, if the guy ever decided to quit Kaiba Corp, he could make a career with equal money as a sex… er, photo model. Gods, what a body he had! That was almost illegal. She giggled; she was sure that Irma and Tea hadn't dared to peek a look, much unlike her, who had given him a rather scanning look over, making him fight back a blush.
Mai smiled again. Well, she had to confess: She wanted to see Joey in trunks as well. And he had seen her in the bikini – tomato would be a good word to describe his face. After their date in 'Romantic Idol', no much had happened, except for the occasional flirting. Yes, Kaiba could be a sex symbol; but he lacked something Joey had: Sweetness and goodie-ness. Joey had that adorable goofy smile, something Kaiba would never give to anyone. Joey would play the dumb, look as a maniac for food… Joey was just a happy kid at heart, and he would always be. And Kaiba would always be the arrogant one. In Mai's heart, Joey would always win everybody in this matter.
But well, Kaiba had made progress. Now he would hang out with them, even if Mokuba weren't around, like now. The kid, who wasn't just a kid anymore, he was almost sixteen, had started to play it more independent. That didn't worried Kaiba, instead it made him happy. Mokuba was taking his own route, having his own friends and ways. Mai was sure that Seto was proud of him. Apparently, he was doing well.
She sighed. It was really very lonely now that Serenity had gone in France again. She didn't have anyone to consult.
Suddenly, Duke came and threw himself beside her. She smirked. "Kaiba sucked the hell out of your spirits?" She asked, when Tristan joined him.
"They are worse than Bakura and Marik together! We just asked if we could go home without the ball's 'print' in our face!" Tristan whined.
"You succeeded?" Mai asked. Tristan growled and showed her his reddened cheek. "What? Another chick slapped you again? You definitely need to get better in flirting!" She laughed.
"Yeah, 'Beach Volleyball' was written in her forehead!" Tristan tried to joke. Duke laughed.
"I never imagined they could cooperate so well." Duke said, while he was watching Seto and Joey play rackets. "It nearly scares me."
"Nah." Said Tristan. "I always believed Kaiba would come in our side eventually. He was always there, after all. And he hasn't changed, that would scare me. He's just here. And that's not bad." Tristan shook his head, admitting.
"So, I was right all along, admit it." They heard Yugi saying, while he was walking towards them. "I told you he was good."
"And I was saying that friendship…" Tea never got a chance to complete her sentence. They all groaned loudly.
"Come on, you guys!" She insisted. "My speeches are not that bad!" But she was laughing.
"Tea girl, you speeches are so lame as when Kaiba talks about power." Mai commented.
"I heard that, Valentine!" Kaiba approached them smirking, with Joey following at his heels. "Did you ever really heard yours about how sad, lonely and miserable your life is? Please, it's time to get over it! Really, how old did you tell you are?" Oh oh, Kaiba was in the mood of nasty teasing…
But so was Mai, who counterattacked before Joey could protest. "Tch, tch. Never ask a lady how old she is, Kaiba, that's the rule number one of being a real gentleman."
Seto raised an eyebrow. "Your point?"
"It will take you a reeeeally long time to find a girlfriend."
"Really. Now you really touched the depths of my sensitive soul."
"Don't bother to answer, Mai." They all heard a voice they had to hear since they came to the beach. Irma walked gracefully towards them in her blue bikini. She had just come out the sea. "That's just what he wants, so he can continue playing. Sorry, Kaiba, we've learned how your devious mind works by now."
"Where were you?" Seto chuckled. "Were you talking at your relatives, the fish, the whole time? About what, predators?"
"Yes. And they told me two things: A) How dangerous sharks that walk can be, and B) not biting their baits. You know my family takes care of me." Irma grabbed her towel and started scrubbing her body. Gosh was she frozen!
"Sharks don't walk, Lair." He reminded her amusingly.
"Oh believe me, I know some they do."
"Can you introduce us?"
"Just look at the mirror."
"You just hit."
"What?"
"Well, since you were at the same rate as fish, I'm way ahead of you in the food chain."
"And that means…"
"Asta la vista." He grinned evilly. Irma pouted, with an expression saying: I-knew-it-I-just-knew-it-damn-it!
"Guys! What do you say: Tomorrow night, we go clubbing in 'The Scenery.'" Duke interrupted Kaiba's another victory. They looked at him strangely and snickering, but nonetheless:
"Yeah, why not?" Joey agreed. Tristan nodded, so did Mai and Irma.
Tea sighed pleasantly. "I can't wait to dance again…" She said dreamingly. Yugi, on the other hand, looked uneasy.
"Uh… I haven't gone clubbing before…" He explained.
"Like we don't know." Tristan underlined.
"Come on, hon. I'll give you the first dance." Mai winked. Yugi blushed, and nodded.
Then, they all looked at Kaiba.
"What?" Was the only thing Seto could say. If they wanted go clubbing, that didn't mean they wanted him with them. Well, it was true they had hung out without Mokuba sometimes, but Seto was sure they were doing it for Mokuba… not that he would accept pity or charities like that, of course! It disgusted him! But they didn't seem to be annoyed by his presence or his style. Perhaps they wouldn't show it, but… so good actors? Seto didn't have the time to wonder how and why he was there with them now. He had a good time, but did they, really? It seemed so, but how could anyone put up with…
"Dude, you're coming, right?" Was Joey's voice a little concerned, or did Seto just want it to be?
Just play neutral, "I had some work to do in the office…"
They all groaned, Irma louder. "Get a life!" She almost yelled at him.
Joey passed his arm around Seto's shoulders. "Well, listen how this is going to work: You screw your employees, you let them do their job alone for once, just to grow up. Then you come with us to 'The Scenery', and we drink, flirt and dance with chicks! Isn't that the perfect future?" Joey raised his other arm and gazed at the sky dreamingly, not noticing Mai fuming.
Seto shot him a You-really-really-worry-me look. "What more can I tell, you made me shiver." He said flatly. All the others burst in laughing, and Joey looked at him pouting.
"Come on now!" He insisted. "You need to get out! It's summer, people have fun! They eat, they drink, they play, they dance, they're having sex… Really, how much time has really passed since you had the last part?" Joey chuckled, his last comment eliciting an 'Oooooh!' from their audience.
But Seto smirked. "I'm not discussing my sex life with someone who's not a part of it. So unless you want to be one…"
"What the hell!" Joey took his arm off Seto's shoulders like Seto's skin had burned him. In the meanwhile, their friends were rolling on the sand, not being able to stop laughing. Seto's own urge to laugh was almost unbearable.
"Yeah, continue laughing all of you!" Joey pretended the hurt one, but inside he was laughing as well.
"Well, if you want me, I'll come." Seto couldn't suppress the words that escaped his mouth. Why, why, why did he have to say the 'if you want me' part?
They just stared at him for a while. Then Joey turned to the others: "You see! It cost my dignity to persuade him come! The next time, some of you pay!"
"I'm sorry Joey, your what?" Tristan held his ear. "I think I didn't hear well."
As Joey was wrestling with Tristan, right the next moment, Yugi approached Seto, and told him, without the others hearing. "So that was the problem, Seto? You're afraid we don't want you?"
"I don't need you." Seto shot him a glare that despite the summer warmth could send someone chills, so cold it was.
"Well you still have us." Yugi reassured him, and then went to split his friends up. No one noticed Seto's small smile that crept on his lips right after.
SXIXSXIXSXIXSXI
"Everybody dance now…"
"Joe, that's not the song!" Tristan interrupted him.
"Anyways!" Joey grabbed Mai's waist and leaded her to the dance floor. 'The Scenery' was an open-air bar, thing that meant they were dancing with the stars above their heads. The lights were low, and the place was indeed very crowded. The music was sounding loud from the loudspeakers (obviously) and the bartender couldn't have a rest between preparing two drinks. The gang had sat in a corner near the sea and away the microphones and the bar, combining three tables to have everyone a sit. As expected, Joey and Mai didn't lose a chance. Duke and Tristan were also dancing, with two unknown girls, a blond named Clover and a raven-haired one, named Alex. So now there were only four sitting.
"Kaiba, let's go dance!" Irma almost ordered him, while she was standing up.
He looked her up from his mohito. "And what makes you think I'll come?"
"You can't even dance?! And here I thought the only thing you couldn't do was beating Yugi!"
After this, Yugi was burying his head into his hands, and Seto was shooting up from his chair, dragging Irma along towards the dance floor. Furious, of course.
Tea smiled. "You think she can soften him?" She asked Yugi.
"No. But they're at least having fun with each other." He chuckled. And indeed:
"You still insist I can't dance?" Seto asked Irma ironically, and she had to swallow any nasty comment, because it would simply hadn't been true. He danced amazing, just the ideal partner. And she loved to place her hands on his broad shoulders, occasionally his firm chest, tugging the buttons of his black shirt. Oh, was she having fun… Just like he did, with his arms at her slim but strong waist.
She leaned forwards, whispering: "No. I don't. Instead, I think you dance amazing." She voiced her previous thought with a purr.
Seto almost fell back from surprise; that was certainly not what he had expected. "Really." He just said.
"Yes. Damn it." They both laughed. Seto felt the urge that he should say something similar, but… that would have been too out of character for him. Hell, he hated it when Joey was right: He had indeed minimum experience with women.
Suddenly, the music rhythm got louder and faster. Things heated up, their bodies just obeyed to the music. Seto closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed it. Enjoyed the moment he was alive, for once, the electric sensation, the freedom and the rebelling, the smile… music had indeed magic sometimes.
"Gorgeous…" He heard a lot whispering. But he didn't really listened to them. He was seeing only his sea-green eyed beauty; her eyes were drowning him. His own sapphires were glistening, and he dared an unusual move. He heard a lot of gasps, this time, and Irma made her body moving, synchronized with his. This was heaven…
They continued like this for a while, but then they slowed their rhythm to regain stamina. They saw Mai and Joey, Joey lifted his thumb and winked towards them. Tea was dancing with Duke, and the glance she shot at Seto was both admiring and veracious. Seto would have to dance with the professional dancer of the group soon, he mused amusingly. They also spotted Yugi dancing with a redhead girl with green eyes.
After half an hour, they were all tumbled in their sits, sweated.
"Oh my!" Joey said. "I haven't dance that much in my whole life!"
"Me definitely neither." Yugi added. "Well guys, I'm sorry, I'm going to meet Sam!"
"Sam? The redhead?" Duke chuckled approvingly.
"Yes, full name, Samantha Di Callisto. Well, if you'd excuse me…" Yugi had disappeared in a few seconds. Tea didn't know if she should fume or not.
"Joey, I'm thirsty!" Mai whined. "And too tired to go to the bar…"
"You know I'll go, Mai." He told her, and he stood up.
Irma, who had sat herself onto Seto's lap, whispered in his ear: "What do you think of doing me the same favor? Margarita, please."
"Do I get a prize?" He asked evilly.
"No."
"Too bad then."
"Please? I'm so thirsty!"
"Nuh-uh-uh." He shook his head smirking.
Irma frowned. I'll show you! "Come on! I'll shut up, I'll carry your briefcase for a month… if needed, I'll sleep with you!" At this comment, Seto choked with his mohito.
"What a sacrifice!" Mai and Tea commented in unison, ignoring the 'Mai!' from Joey.
"Fine, I'll go! And the last part: not needed!" Seto gave up and stood as well. He and Joey made way towards the bar, with Joey snickering the whole way.
"Shut up, mutt!"
"A) It's time to cut the nickname, Money-bags, B) What prize did you expect exactly? Like you don't know her! And C) Is the only way for someone to win you in an argument mentioning sex?"
"I thought I told you to shut up! Oh, by the way: Your girlfriend didn't seem very annoyed to the idea."
Joey blushed gloriously. "Mai isn't my girlfriend!"
"What is she, then?" Seto asked seriously. Joey averted his eyes from his friend's.
"I… I really don't know. I mean, I like her, but… She's my friend, and… I guess I don't want to risk that." Joey rubbed the back of his head.
"Gee, you're even stupider that I thought!" Seto mocked. And before Joey could protest: "How can you be so blind? Even I, that I didn't know much, understood that she joined Orichalkos because you didn't pay attention to her charms!"
Joey was seriously dumbfounded. "What? I thought that was it because she was alone!" Seto shot him a glance saying 'Duh!' "I thought she wanted us to leave her alone!"
"Whenever one person says or shows that, then you should know they mean and want exactly the opposite." Ooooops…
"Seto, did you understand what you said right now?" Joey looked at him wide-eyed. Seto swore through gritted teeth, but, fortunately for him, the bartender interrupted them.
"What should I prepare for you, guys?" He asked them hectically, a shaker in his right hand.
"Two martinis, one margarita and a mohito." Seto ordered quickly. Then he turned to Joey: "My case is completely…"
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" They both heard a hoarse voice behind them. They turned, to come face to face with a well-preserved middle-aged man, and two almost giant bodyguards of his. Joey took a defensive pose, while Seto shot them one of his infamous glares, but said nothing.
"Pardon me, gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself: I'm George Bagster, and I own this club." The middle-aged man said, his black eyes going from Seto to Joey and reverse. "I have to say, I'm very honored that two so pretty young men visited my humble club. We'd like to see you there more often."
"Too bad we can't say the same." Seto took his usual arrogant pose, which send his opponents scampering away. But Bagster seemed to be ready for this:
"You see, my beauty, that doesn't matter." Seto's eyes widened at the call. "The only thing that matters here is my word." Bagster smirked.
"Is he fucking insane? And how can it be, no one hears us?" Joey whispered into Seto's ear. Seto was infuriated.
One of the bodyguards proceeded towards them, and grabbed Joey from the collar. "I bet you and the brunette are fucking each other well. We'd like to watch you." Bagster said. Joey was too shocked to these words to say anything.
Seto didn't lose time. He walked towards Bagster and towered above him, his fierce sapphire glare making the other swallow hard, and lose his despotic aura. "Listen to me well, you sick mother-fucker! If you ever, ever again dare to touch a single hair of my friend, or talk to me like that again, I'll make sure you'll be praying to die soon enough. Did you hear me? For your sake, I hope you did." Seto's cold tone made Bagster fight back a trembling. What was with this boy? He had power… hum, well, he had enough guts to take both of them out of there. That, Bagster knew. And he was familiar…
Behind them, sounded a small cry. Joey had grabbed the bodyguard's hand and he was crushing it in his fistful, no matter how bigger it may seem. He had also a wild look in his eyes. "Get the fuck away from me, or I'll crush it completely. And you're lucky, I usually don't warn." He knew that the bodyguard could crash him instead, but he also knew that the last thing Bagster would want was a scene in his club. Seto smirked, smart puppy.
"Fine, leave them alone." Bagster gave up, and his bodyguard left Joey. Then he turned to Seto: "You're losing a lot. Have you any idea what I can do to you?"
To his great surprise, Seto laughed. And oh, so evilly. "You? Can do to us? You don't have a single idea who I am, really. Well, the next time inform yourself before you try to 'shop bodies' from your pathetic hole. Come on, Joey." They took their drinks and disappeared in the crowd, leaving Bagster startled.
Joey sighed from relief. "That was close. I… can't believe they thought… that!"
"They didn't. They just wanted to see it. I'll burn the place tomorrow. Too bad, it had a nice view." Seto clarified, and Joey laughed, now with lighter the heart. They approached their table.
"Where have you been?" Tea asked worryingly, while Mai and Irma were tapping their feet disapprovingly. When Irma saw their faces, she stopped. They may seem careless, but something had happened, she knew. She knew Seto's face.
"Is everything okay?" She asked, while Mai shot a look at Joey and her eyes darkened, but she said nothing.
"Yup. Just a little inconvenience." Seto said as carelessly as he looked. "Here's your margarita, my mistress."
Irma's eyebrows disappeared under the locks of her forehead at the double meaning. "You…you…"
"Seto, let's go dance!" Tea interrupted the upcoming fight. There was just a tango on.
A/N: I'm cutting it here, lame I know. I just didn't come up with good ideas, and I write Geometry tomorrow, God Help Me! But come on people, review me! Even with negative comments! (Yes, I'm that desperate!) Sayonara!
