Jupiter's_Magic: Here's the Next Chapter! I personally want to thank Kohakuhime of Konoha for beta-ing this chapter. PLEASE CHECK OUT HER STORIES, ESPECIALLY HER STORY, COME TOGETHER. Ido not own Yu-Gi-Oh, nor do I own KoK (XD). Please Review!
Several weeks after the whole Orichalcos ordeal, the lives of the former bikers went back to normal. Granted, it had not been that normal to begin with, but nonetheless it was a relief that they no longer had to be worried about the world being taken over.
Even though the world had been saved, though, it did nothing to ease the extreme tension in the air between two certain individuals. The remaining members of the house found it difficult and distinctly uncomfortable to be in the same room as the two feuding bikers and generally avoided such a situation.
The only reason this tension had eased was because Raphael had gone to France, after receiving a phone call from his family.
Flashback
"How are things between you and Skye?" Alister asked, walking into the kitchen and passing the elder biker with his cup of coffee. At the glare that he received from the older man, the skinny man sighed. "Shouldn't have asked that, huh?"
"It's alright" Raphael replied wearily. He frowned, noting that the red-haired biker seemed to be secretly pleased about something; he recognized that look, unfortunately. "Do I dare ask what you did to Valon now?" he asked.
The other man shrugged. "Not unless you want to know the answer."
"Alister."
"...Fine. I stuck him in—"
"VALON!" a voice screamed indignantly.
"Skye's closet," he finished with a wicked smirk, and Raphael groaned.
There were a few loud bangs that sounded from the upstairs, followed by a loud scream that came from Valon. A few minutes later, they heard Skye's door slam shut and her footsteps on the stairs; she stormed into view, suitcase in hand.
"Where are you going?" Alister asked.
"Vacation with family."
"Where to?" Raphael asked her.
Skye eyed him for a minute before she replied. "Florida. I'm going to not only be sun-bathing, but I will be helping the AUS"
"Wha's tha'?" Valon asked, coming down the stairs with a hand on his head—it seemed he would need an ice pack.
"Duh, it's the Miami Animal Service Unit. She's going to volunteer at the animal shelter," Ember said, coming out of the chimney with a graceful roll. "They help neglected, abused, mistreated animals get a second chance at life."
"What she said," Skye said brusquely, walking down the front hall and opening the door. "I'll see you guys in a month," she called over her shoulder as she disappeared from view.
"There is one good thing out of this though," Alister said.
"What?" Valon, Raphael, and Ember asked.
"No girls in the house!" he said, raising his hands in the air in celebration.
"What about me?" Ember pointed out.
"You don't count," Alister said dismissively. Ember glared at him but contented herself with smacking his head and stormed off.
Raphael opened his mouth to comment when the sound of the telephone ringing cut him off. Valon reached for the phone and answered it; there was a brief silence before he looked to the blond biker. "Raph, phone's for you. I think i's from your fam'ly."
Raphael's eyes widened in surprise and he went over to the phone, taking the device from the boy. "Hello?" he said into the phone cautiously.
A long silence followed, Valon watching the older man impatiently for a response, before the man growled. "What? Seriously? You disowned me years ago and now you tell me—"
Another pause, and Raphael's jaw tightened. "Fine. When does the plane leave?" he asked. He listened intently for one last moment before nodding to himself and hanging up the phone.
"What was that about?" Alister asked, leaning against the door frame.
Raphael looked at both of the younger bikers with a look neither of them could quite identify."I'm getting married," he said at last, folding his arms over his chest.
The stunned silence that followed would have made a pin falling seem loud.
End Flashback
"Raphael isn't back ye— hey. Why are your suitcases near the door?" Skye asked, coming inside in a bikini (she had just finished tanning outside and was coming in to cool off).
Alister and Valon looked at each other then back to the bikini clad girl.
"Wha' suitcases?" Valon said, trying and failing to play dumb.
Alister sighed and smacked him over the head. "Valon, that was the weakest lie I've ever heard. She has to know."
"Know what?" asked Skye curiously.
Alister exchanged a hesitant look with Valon before returning his gaze back to Skye. "Skyler, we're going to France to join up with Raphael—"
"Oh!" she said, cutting Alister off. "Lemme pack my things and—"
"This isn't for a vacation."
Skye frowned. "Then why are you going?"
Alister ran a hand through his bangs with a sigh and looked away. Valon directed his attention at his feet. "Skyler, Raph is getting married and we're his best men," the Australian stated at last, looking distinctly unhappy.
Skye looked at the two of them, eyes widening in surprise. "W-what?" she stuttered. "Married?"
"I'm sorry, Skye," began Alister quietly, but Skye shook her head and managed a small smile.
"It's okay. I still want to—"
"Raphael told us that he didn't want you there," Alister continued.
Skye felt the bottom of her stomach drop out entirely at the sentence and her mind went completely blank. She found that she could not manage to say anything beyond a soft, "Oh."
The Australian's expression immediately saddened at the stricken expression on the girl's face. "I'm sorry, Skye. You should come—"
"No!" said Skye, just a bit too hastily. "No, it's fine. You two go; I'll be fine. Have fun!"
Alister looked at Skye with an unreadable expression."You sure?" he inquired. "You don't have to stay here just because Raphael's getting married."
"Just go," she said with a slight tremor in her voice, managing to give a smile; this smile, however, only went skin deep. It did nothing to alleviate the ache in her chest.
Alister nodded after a brief pause, saying nothing. Even as he started out the door, however, Skye could see the apology being conveyed in his gray eyes. Valon started to leave, but turned around to look at the girl unhappily.
"I don' wanna do this t' ya, Skye—" he began haltingly.
"It's alright, Valon," she said, fighting the tears that wanted to flow out of her eyes. "Go. Give Raphael my best wishes."
Valon nodded sadly, but jumped when Alister honked the horn to the car. "I'm comin' already!" he screamed, stomping outside and closing the door behind him to leave a devastated Skye in his wake.
France – Raphael's POV
"Raphael, come over here for a moment," called my grandfather.
I sighed and turned to face the man. I noticed that next to him was another man in his late fifties and a girl who looked to be about twenty-one (but that's just my guess). She had blond hair –which I could tell was completely dyed—brown eyes, freckles, and was wearing something that honestly bordered on inappropriate.
"Hello, grandfather," I replied reluctantly, trying to put some excitement in my voice.
"I want you to meet your soon-to-be-wife, Marie Lemarchal and her father André."
"Nice to meet you both," I said in greeting, distracted. "Grandfather, can I talk to you for a moment? Privately?" I added pointedly, watching as the woman across from me deflated (I have no doubt she was going to try and cling to me—I'm certainly not in the mood for it).
My grandfather nodded amicably and we went off to a corner of the room. I waited until I was certain we were out of earshot before I spoke. "Why am I marrying her? I thought arranged marriages were disapproved of in our family."
"They are. But your parents are dead, and I decided that I should change a few of those conceptions," he replied with a smirk. "Now, you will marry this girl and that's final."
"And if I decline?" I asked, annoyed.
"You seem to forget that I am a powerful man, Raphael. I can make your life a tad more difficult; for example, I'm well aware that your young friend Valon is underage. A few raised concerns to the proper authorities and the boy would be taken into their care."
I turned my head around to look at Valon, whom was currently poking Alister (to get his attention I'm guessing). The thought of losing him is unbearable. He plays the role as my little brother—heck, he plays that role for Alister since he lost his younger brother. If my grandfather does go through with his threat…
I felt the anger flaring up within me. I looked at my grandfather, pure hatred in my eyes. "You wouldn't-" I didn't bother to continue that statement, for the grimacing look on his face said it all. He is not going to take "no" for an answer. "So now you're blackmailing me?" I snarled. "You're a sick man."
"Believe me, Raphael. I would," he stated. He just chuckled. "Now, you better go with this, or else your little friends get it."
"They have nothing to do with this," I ground out with clenched teeth.
"Oh, Raphael. You're so naïve. And you better not invite that supposed girl of yours; I deliberately left her off the guest list, since you've had feelings for each other and you're about to get married. If I even think I see her at the wedding, I will destroy her," he said, turning away and walking towards my "future wife."
"Hi Raphael," Marie said in an attempt to be seductive. Her arms snaked around my waist and I froze. I only allowed Skye to hug me like that."Now, let's go get your tux."
"Um…"
"The theme is going to be pretty in pink," she giggled.
"Marie, you're not serious—"
"Of course I am!" she said. "You're going to be wearing a pink tux with a white tie and white shoes and—!"
"I don't think so," I growled, grabbing her arm, preventing her from leaving. "I am not wearing a pink tux."
"It's my wedding, Raphy. And what I say goes!" she said, angrily. "My daddy says that this wedding can be the way that I want."
I flinched at the nickname. Raphy? I am so going to kill my grandfather.
"Come on, Raphael," she said imperatively.
Sighing, I followed her and was in front of my grandfather. It was at that moment when I heard the sounds of grunting men and doors slamming opened. That was a signature trade mark for two specific people, whom entered the door with pride (well, that was just Valon. Alister just walked in calmly). "Crap"
"Raphael, your delinquent friends are going to need a place to be accommodated until the wedding, so do put them up," stated my grandfather with a grimace, clearly not thrilled about seeing my friends in his presence. "I simply can't be bothered to do this myself."
"Oy! Who're you callin' delinquents, you ol' geezer?" Valon exclaimed indignantly, bristling at my grandfather.
"Calm down," Alister muttered, placing a hand on the fuming teen's shoulder to keep him from lunging at the elderly man. "Where's your fiancé, Raphael?" he asked, directing his attention to me.
I repressed a groan. If Alister catches wind of just what the theme of this "wedding" is, I can be certain he will never let me forget it for the rest of my life. "Alister, Valon, this is Marie Lemarchal. Marie, these are my friends and best men."
Marie just looked them up and down and made a face. "Raphael, sweetie, you could've done so much better than these two for your friends."
Alister arched an eyebrow. "And what is that supposed to mean?" he inquired, though I could see the irritated flash in his eyes.
She pointed at Alister first, ignoring his question entirely. "Are you sure that he's a man? He looks more like a woman."
Alister's face darkened and I can tell he's already contemplating murder.
"As for the odd talking one," she continued, pointing at Valon (who understandably looked a bit uneasy). "His hair will ruin the pictures and his fake accent is atrocious."
At the insult Valon leapt at the girl, only to be grabbed by Alister in mid-leap. "Lemme at 'er!" he growled, struggling to get out of the other man's hold. "'m a genuine Aussie, you bludger! If Skye were here she'd kick your sorry arse!"
"Daddy!" Marie squealed as she backed away from the snarling Australian, taking shelter behind her father. Again, how old is she? "He's scaring me," she whimpered.
"Raphael, control that hooligan or I will," my grandfather demanded irritably, and I heard the subtle reminder of his earlier threat in his tone.
"Valon, enough," I told him calmly, though I inject enough of a warning into my voice to make the Australian stop struggling.
"But you 'eard 'er, chum! She's insultin' us 'n' you know as well as I do tha' Skye wouldn' let 'er—"
"Enough!" I snapped, and even Alister looked surprised. I rarely lose my temper, but the mention of Skye is just what I don't need; I don't need to be reminded of who I've left behind at home. Both of my younger friends are looking at me with a mixture of confusion and uneasiness. This is probably a first to them, but I can't tell them why I've suddenly shifted my behavior with my grandfather in the room.
"Alister, let go of Valon," I continue coldly, inwardly wincing at my behavior. My grandfather's definition of "control" means that I have to put on the same aristocratic air that he does. I hate acting like this. I really do.
The red-haired biker willingly cooperated with my request, releasing the teenager and placing the Australian down. Once I determined that neither of them would try to go after Marie, I said firmly, "Go unpack."
Alister looks like he wants to stay right where he is, and that glower on Valon's face echoes the sentiment.
"Now," I almost snarled at them, hating myself even more when I notice my grandfather nod approvingly.
The two jumped in alarm at my voice and, after one more confused glance from Valon and what could be termed as a glare from Alister, they stormed out of the room.
Great. This sucks, I think to myself as I turn to face my future wife and her father.
There ya go. Again, I want to thank KoK and I am forcing you to read her stories. Review this chapter and read her stories, and Raphael, Alister or Valon will give you a hug/kiss and a cookie!
Alister-What? I did not agree to-
Jupiter's_magic:Bye!