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Yup, you can keep voting, even if you've already done so. Just no knew stuff. Now onward with more drama!
(Kaiba's perspective, Chapter 23 of the original story)
Seto Kaiba loved challenges. He loved facing a problem, finding a solution and breaking through every barrier in the way to achieve victory. It was how he viewed work. How he viewed acquiring money, especially in the few years he took over his later adopted father's company.
The number of barriers that had stood between him and success had been delicious to plow through. Egos had fallen, companies had eventually bent to his will, and those that had underestimated him learned the hard way never to do so again. He'd crawled to the top by his own power and wits.
And now he was here, at the top, where no one came close to his might.
It was pretty dang boring.
No one challenged his authority any more – not that it ever changed anything - and no one ever pointed out his mistake – not that he made any. His so-called business partners continued to fall over each other, give fake smiles and hold back their tears as he yelled at them. They were all so weak-willed.
Work, which had once been his intellectual playground, had become boring.
Sometimes it became too much. His mood would grow worse. He'd be harsher. Stricter with his employees which would result in one of two things. Someone would quit from distress, or they'd snap and yell at him. Either way, someone lost their job and Kaiba was never satisfied. He needed a challenge. Craved opposition while at the same time fought tooth and nail to bring it down. It was a difficult balance to achieve and most days, work could no longer satisfy that thirst.
Luckily, he did have something else that could.
It was a rare day when Seto Kaiba came to class. Senior year, and his mandatory attendance was only at 2%. He'd met that requirement in the first month, no longer returning except when necessary. And after yesterday's disaster of a party, attendance today was necessary for his heart.
Seto Kaiba set up his laptop thirty minutes early for class. He spent a good ten minutes typing before the next student arrived. They froze when they saw Kaiba, head swiveling left and right before hastily walking back out. Though Kaiba didn't raise his head, he knew this was what had happened. It was what always happened. A ritual that occurred due to his presence. One faceless classmate would arrive then stand guard outside the classroom to alert the others that Kaiba was there. Then they'd all wait outside until enough of them had congregated that they felt brave enough to enter the same room.
Weak willed fools. He was their age. True, he was heads above them in his intelligence, looks, money, and in practically every way, but their true weakness was allowing that to stop them. Hell, Seto hadn't let his birth parents abandoning him and Mokuba stop him from pushing forward.
Eventually, the groups came in, a party of six this time. Two minutes later, his cousin and newly emerged best friend entered as well. Kaiba could tell by Yami's face that he'd enjoyed last night's party about as much as he had - Which to say was not at all.
Yuugi on the other hand, looked obnoxiously cheerful as she noticed him. Unlike the other classmates - who maintained a very defined ten-foot radius around him - Yuugi approached without hesitance.
"Hi Kaiba!" said Yuugi, waving happily at him.
Kaiba paused on his keyboard. He'd just noticed the skirt and pink blazer she wore. His eyes slowly assessed her outfit, taking calculated details of her appearance. Changes in fat distribution, stance and face structure stood out to him. She wasn't fuzzy like everyone else. One of the few people he bothered noticing details about. Mostly because she was one of the few that did the same with him. Anyone that personally got close enough to analyzing him had to have some balls… even if she'd technically lost those.
"So, you really did turn into a girl," said Kaiba, returning to his laptop. "Looks weird on you Mutou."
He'd never thought that Yuugi could look feminine. It was strange.
The newly formed female didn't appear offended, but another voice did.
"Can't ya at least pretend to be polite?"
Kaiba's hand twitched and he had to fight hard not to let his lips to the same. Jounouchi had arrived, instantly riled up and bleeding energy. Unlike Yuugi who'd polity entered Kaiba's space, Jou barreled into it. He pushed with his own presence. Invaded without apology. They were like two invisible forces. Magnets that strained to push the other back.
Kaiba ego stirred.
This… this was what Kaiba thrived on. Pushing head to head against someone.
The blonde wasn't done talking. "Or does having all that money exempt you from acting like a civil human being?"
It was almost too easy, pulling Jou into his pace. Kaiba's face was seriously threatening to break as he kept typing on his computer. If Jounouchi wanted to push, it was only polite for Kiaba to return the favor.
"Mutou," said Kaiba. "Please muzzle your dog."
The simple jab worked. Jounouchi was riled up like a proper dog.
"I have a name yah stupid prick!" said Jou. "Even toddlers know how to call someone by their name."
"I find it ironic that you, Jounouchi, just implied that I'm immature." Kaiba finally gave in to his desire and glanced at Jounouchi. He spotted the perfect ammo, smirking in satisfaction. "I'm not the one with a mustard stain on his shirt."
Jou glanced at his shirt before scowling again. He pushed back. He always pushed back.
"Can it moneybags!" said "We can't all afford personal maids."
"What about vets? Those should be affordable for you peasant folks."
It was childish, he knew. He'd long since acknowledged the fact that tormenting Jounouchi brought out his true age. The one childlike aspect he still had. He'd also acknowledged the fact that this was due to another childish aspect of himself. That he had developed feelings for Jounouchi Katsuya.
Seto knew better than to deny it. He had at first, but eventually his sensible mind had been forced to acknowledge that something insensible had taken over when it came to this enthusiastic youth. Seto had, what was commonly coined, a 'crush'.
Not that it doesn't have its uses, thought Seto to himself. Classes had begun, and he slowly raised his eyes from the computer screen. Stationed in the back, he could see the back of the puppy's blonde head. Notice the individual strands that layered his scalp. A strange longing tugged at his chest at the sight. What that longing was, Kaiba had yet to identify.
Either way, he could still feel the energy. Still feel himself being pushed away from the Jounouchi's presence. What he'd give to feel this alive every day.
Except he could. If he actually came to class.
Kaiba's eyes lowered, refocusing on the screen. That was always the cutoff point. Where Kaiba ceased indulging in those superfluous feelings. Anything that changed his behavior was off limits. He had everything he needed in life. His company, his money, and most importantly, his brother. Anything else was extra, including his relationship with his cousin. One of the other few people that could challenge Kaiba in a satisfactory way.
When the bell rang for lunch, Kaiba was in the middle of project. He'd been speeding through his programming classes online, quickly reaching the current experts in their field. He had just a few more tricks to learn before he'd become the best programmer in the world. Well… he already was, but that didn't mean he should stop once he reached the top. He had to ascend higher than everyone to make sure they never caught up.
In the middle of a sequence, something caught his attention. In the hum of noise, it stood out like a foghorn to Kaiba.
"Nah, I think Natsuki is way hotter. Check out the racks. Much better size!"
Kaiba stopped. His eyes moved against his will as he subtly watched the conversation happening just two across and three up from him. It was Jounouchi with some of the other blurry forms in the room. They were all men, crowded around a magazine like men did, ogling women in skimpy outfits. Kaiba had never understood the appeal.
He also knew that Jounouchi was like most boys his age and had the sex drive like a dog in heat. It was obvious in his constant and blatant obsession with women and their proportions. In the rare occasions Jounouchi kept the thoughts from coming out, his eyes and face did all the talking. Kaiba knew this because he kept an eye on Jounouchi.
Like now, he watched as Jounouchi laughed with the boys discussing women's bodies.
Something shifted in Kaiba. Instead of the usual laughing that occurred, Kaiba saw Jounouchi lightly punching one of his friends, hanging an arm over their neck, falling over one another in laughter... He saw the physical contact. He saw Jounouchi doing that with everyone.
Everyone but him.
The energy shifted.
It no longer pushed him away.
It pulled him.
Kaiba had crossed the room before he realized it. His looming form stopped all laughter as each face turned in shock to his sudden appearance. Their blurred faces held no weight. None except Jounouchi's, who looked more confused than anything else.
Carefully, Seto reached for the discarded magazine laying on top of the desk, casually flicking it open. It was a normal publication, laden with celebrity gossip and advertisements featuring half-naked women. He flicked through a couple of pages in choked silence, everyone watching him.
He finally paused on a photo of a particularly famous woman. One Kaiba knew personally. He passed over the still stunned faces, smirking.
"How pitiful," said Kaiba. "Deluding yourself in a fantasy where you could obtain your greatest desire. As if any of these women would consider any of you as a lover. You have nothing to offer than what she doesn't already have. I'd lower my standards if I were you all."
His words were meant to be advise. Truth given in, well… in irritation but it was truth none the less. They were all ordinary. Unremarkable and most importantly, completely complacent with their positions in life. They didn't have the drive to break away from their socioeconomic standings. They didn't even have the guts to stand up to him.
Except the inevitable puppy.
"Buzz off Kaiba," said Jounouchi. "No one asked you."
"I'm merely stating truth, Mutt."
Kaiba bit his cheek. He'd nearly slipped and called Jounouchi puppy. Nearly gave into that pull that had strengthened in proximity. They were magnates alright, but for some reason, Kaiba's end had switched. He was now drawn to Jounouchi.
It didn't help that he had a valid excuse to stare. Resentment was highlighting the contours of Jounouchi's face, increasing the red and bringing out the fire. It was enticing. He was starting to inch forward.
Then Jounouchi had stood up.
Now they were even closer. That pull even greater.
"Do yah have some sort of problem with dreams, Kaiba? Or do you enjoying being a wet blanket?" said Jounouchi. "Cause it sure as hell isn't going to help yah to get a girl any better den the rest of us."
"Dreams are not the issue," said Kaiba. That pull… He strove to keep talking. "It's the lack of skill or drive to obtain them that I find distasteful. If you wish for something, then you should strive with all your might to obtain it."
That was when it hit him.
Kaiba wanted Jounouchi. He was no longer satisfied with just observing. With just watching the puppy frolic with all the other mutts. He wanted to take this man and detach him from the rest of the world. Hold him in a place where only he, Kaiba, could enjoy his company. There was a fire in Jounouchi that the others couldn't fully appreciate. A fire they never bothered to ignite and see how far it could burn. Kaiba wanted to see it, more than anything.
Which was why he immediately turned, gathered his laptop and left without a word. He ignored the insults thrown at him from Jounouchi. Ignored the imagined ropes attached to his joints, pulling him back, causing his feet to drag with each step. He needed to escape. Needed to regroup his thoughts.
This luxury had finally reached its expiration. It was time to cut Jounouchi from his circle of attention before this 'crush' got out of hand.
Tally of current requests:
Yami's crush starts to develop: 8
Yami's proposal: 8
When Yuugi finds out she's pregnant: 8
Yami/Yuugi friendship developing: 6
Yuugi and Izumi getting closer/working together: 6
More College moments: 6
Yami pissed as Rafael (and others) try to steal Yuugi: 6
Puppyshipping General: 5
Future Puppyshipping: 5
How Bakura's and Yuugi's group got closer: 5
Yami and Yuugi as parents: 5
Yami and Kaiba's relationship develop: 5
Puzzleshipping general: 5
Yami's POV last ball: 4
3Future jobs All: 4
How Yami got his nickname as Pharaoh: 4
How Kaiba took over his father's company: 3
Marik and Bakura's trip to Wendys: 3
Juudai/Yusei first meeting: 3
Everyone's weddings: 3
How Marik joined Yami's Family: 3
How Bakura became a police officer: 2
Bronzeshipping general: 2
Ryou Emerges: 2
Yuugi/Yami wedding day: 2
Yami/Kisara Drama: 2