Right, thanks for the reviews, particular those of you who took the time to e-mail because ff.net was acting up. Again. Thanks guys! I got nitpicked too which was unpleasant. Please note that I have seen a sum total of 12 episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh so I do not know all the little details and am relying on other fanfiction for information so my ignorance is not entirely my fault! Eye of Horus, Eye of Ra, you all know what I mean so let's leave it!!! Soz, respond badly to nitpicks... Will take note and not make the mistake again in future though so I give a grudging thanks...
Well, here's the next chapter from this evidently unstable author so review and send suggestions! I'm juggling 3 fictions in 3 different fandoms so my brain is unable to come up with fantastic ideas constantly. (This was my stupid 'challenge' idea to stop me getting bored now that I have a whole summer with naff-all to do. I am beginning to hate myself for it..) It's one of my longer chapters so appreciate my effort for you people!
I'll let you read this now before I scare you further....
Chapter 5 : Curse
YVO
//Something is terribly wrong with me. I am finding Joey attractive. I am blaming this on Seto, which works fine for him because I don't think he is extremely desirous to see me either.
In the last appointment a new question was added to the usual series, one that, thankfully, explains my sudden attraction to just about anyone; 'are you finding yourself with more sexual drive?'. Even worded so strangely I understood the question, and an immense feeling of relief came over me when he explained that it was normal and the pregnancy's fault.
The doctor asked me that in a private session so I don't think anyone else knows what is going through my head most of the time. I think Yugi can sense it though, no matter how hard I try and block it, because he smirks at me knowingly every time I start fidgeting.
Mai, who is very quickly becoming a very close friend, came round to the shop with a magazine the other day that depicted the stages of a child's development, something that I found quite interesting. Right now, it is almost fully developed and simply growing, which is a relief as it means that it will no longer look like a peanut, which admittedly frightened me.
I have decided to stay quiet about the identity of the father should anyone ask. Seto has made a fair few enemies in his rise to commercial success and I could be used against him if someone discovered the situation. I do not want this child to come to harm.
On the bright side, I should be able to start feeling the child's movements at the end of this month, something that I am quite looking forward to. Yugi is excited as well, verging on hyperactivity about it. I'm not sure what the relationship between him and the child will be because of our less-than-usual bond. Uncle? Son? Admittedly the whole thing gives me a headache.//
****
It was the middle of the night when Yugi came down into the kitchen, a violent cough he had recently developed meaning his throat was raw, particularly at night, leaving him with the damn-near constant need for a glass of water.
He jumped when he saw a figure silhouetted in the dark that flinched at the suddenly offensive lights that Yugi had slapped on in panic. Yami glared at him lightly from beneath a hand raised against the light, crimson eyes sparkling with wry amusement at his ruffled and alarmed state.
"Morning," she said dryly before driving the spoon back into the bowl between her elbows.
Frowning, Yugi approached the table and looked into the bowl, pulling a face when he saw that the contents consisted of triple chocolate ice-cream covered with grated cheese. Huffing in amusement as he watched Yami put another spoonful of the concoction into her mouth, he moved to the sink and poured himself a glass of water.
"Yami, that is probably the most disgusting thing I have ever seen anyone eat," he croaked, gulping down some water after he spoke to sooth the pain.
Scowling at the sound, Yami shoved the bowl away and lent her weight on her folded arms. "I don't know why you won't let me take care of that."
Yugi stared at her in exasperation. "It's just a sore throat! And besides, we still don't know what using your magic will do to you both."
"I promise I will stop if I sense anything is wrong. I can't stand seeing you in pain," she replied softly, eyes growing large.
His expression turned incredulous. He knew her emotions were volatile to say the least but he hadn't expected her to get so worked up over something like a cough. Thinking carefully, he decided that letting her try would be the best course of action as Yami would certainly stop if something seemed even the slightest bit amiss.
Dragging a chair to sit beside her, he waited swinging his legs over the edge until she had shifted into a comfortable position facing him. Rubbing a thumb over his cheek, she inhaled slowly before moving her hand to his throat, closing her eyes in concentration.
When Yami began chanting softly, Yugi felt a tingling sensation begin just beneath his skin, increasing in intensity until the flesh was fairly humming. Swallowing experimentally, he found the action smooth and painless, the chanting ceasing as he opened his eyes immediately after.
"Told you," she said simply, a smug grin forming on her face as she leant back. Her face contorted as she moved, a low hiss escaping clenched teeth. Yugi put a hand on her knee questioningly, waiting for her to open her eyes again.
Leaning back in the chair, Yami placed a hand lightly over her stomach and smiled at him in reassurance. "I'm alright, Aibou. Ra help me in four and a half months though."
"Your back again?"
"Not so much that time. I've got an ache in my chest, but it's probably normal. Every other ache and pain I've had over the last 3 months has been."
Yugi frowned in confusion at that, making a mental note to ask Mai if that was in fact normal in the morning. Thanking his guardian for healing him, he retreated from the kitchen and back to his bed. Yami had decided to move into the living room when she first became female knowing that to stay in the same bad with Yugi like before would be quite awkward for him.
Seto had made a grudging offer for her to move in with him because of the lack of space, an offer that Yami had not shared with anyone else, wanting to actually consider it before speaking. Finishing her snack and retreating to the pillow-swathed foldable bed, she seriously began considering taking him up on it.
****
The entire group had decided to come over for late breakfast that morning, Yugi's Grandpa on a trip out of the country for the next week meaning they liked to come round often to keep the pair company. Joey was at the frying pan making eggs and Honda was cooking bacon whilst the others sat about the table patiently.
Yami had just eased out of bed and padded into the room to discern what the smell's drifting out were, dressed in a pair of shorts and a large t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up into a lose pony-tail that slapped against her shoulders as she dropped into a chair, scrubbing a hand across her eyes before looking about the room.
"Morning. Cooking?" she asked simply waving a hand indistinctly to indicate the activities in the room.
Yugi smiled slightly before turning to Mai. "She only speaks in single word sentences until she's eaten now," he explained with a laugh.
"Hey, your voice sounds better," Tea noted sounding pleased.
"Oh yeah. Yami fixed it last night."
"That wasn't a good idea you know," Mai scolded picking at her toast, eyes moving to relay the point to Yami who rolled her eyes.
"It was fine. It felt like it always does when I heal him, and it took almost no effort so there is no need to be concerned," she said slowly and clearly. Reaching over and snatching a piece of toast from the pile in the middle of the table, she took a bite out of the corner and smiled in contentment.
"What about that ache you got in your chest? You looked like you were in pain," Yugi protested causing everyone else to turn their eyes to the accused young woman.
Looking directly at Yugi now, Yami explained in a reasonable tone, hand moving to emphasis her point. "Yugi, understand this now. I am fine. Stop worrying. Using my magic to help you did not cause that pain."
"So you've had it before?"
Instead of getting into what looked to be quite an argument infront of everyone, Yami delved into their link, choosing to communicate privately with his light.
'Yes, I've felt it before. Do not be concerned for me, please.'
'It's getting worse though, isn't it? I can feel you're lying to me.'
'I'm not lying to you my light. I am just tired of everyone fussing and if I did inform you of every twinge you'd never leave me alone. I am not used to all this attention.'
'Just answer my question. Is it getting worse?'
'Yes. But I am being careful in monitoring it. Please do not worry.'
'Alright. I trust you. But if it doesn't go away will you tell me?'
'Of course little light.'
'Um, guys? I hate to interrupt such a deep thing here, but eggs are ready," Joey said as he began scraping the greasy foods onto each plate.
Yugi felt a familiar twitch in his link with Yami and had to stifle a laugh as she squirmed when he leaned over her shoulder to dump an egg onto her plate.
Just as he had sat down the phone began ringing, Yami standing instantly to answer it, grateful for the distraction. Nodding and making a few noises of confirmation, she hung up a few minutes later.
"Grandpa is going to be staying on his trip for a little longer than expected. Aka, we need to get food and look after the house for another week."
Yugi nodded slightly and turned back to his breakfast, Yami returning to the table also. He looked up when he sensed Joey's eyes on him though, meeting the amused stare with a questioning one.
"What?"
"Oh nothin'. It's just that now you're going to have to deal with a five-thousand-year old pregnant woman pretty much on your own for another week," he grinned back, dodging the piece of toast that came flying at his head.
"Shut up Joey, or I will kill you."
"You know Yami, I think you're one of only a few people I know who would make good on that."
****
Seto Kaiba, usually calm, cool and holding an arrogant confidence like a cloak about himself was currently pacing up and down his spacious office in a state of near-panic. Today's work was scattered about his desk and the computer screen was dark from being ignored for so long, neither of concern to the CEO today.
The virus, thankfully only lasting a day in at its worst which unfortunately forced him off work, had also raised a more pressing issue that currently had his brain tied up in knots.
Questions concerning Yami had driven him to distraction ever since she had come over such as 'why' and 'does she actually care?'. It was easy when he thought of her as the enemy and thought her opinion to be similar, but after that display of affection he was beginning to wonder what she did actually feel. Had he been too cold-hearted to her? She was only trying to help, but it was a knee-jerk reaction to having an opposing duelist in close quarters to him so she should have understood. Would she have known that he didn't mean it? Did he mean it?
Growling in frustration and running a hand through his hair again, Seto dropped into his chair and brought his fists up to his chin. Why did things have to be so damned complicated? They used to hate each other but now he wasn't sure what Yami felt although he was fairly confident that his feelings hadn't changed. She was carrying his child after a drunken, one-night chance event that would never have happened if he had been clear minded, so did the moral obligation still stand? Cold as he could be, Seto still had a sense of honor and rightness
Grudgingly acknowledging that he would not get anything done today until he sorted out the entire situation, however that could be done, Seto stalked out of his office and called on his car.
****
Yami and Joey were working their way through their third breakfast when Yugi came back in from the shop, his face appearing worried as he approached the table. Yami sensed something was up through their link, dropping he fork and waiting for him to speak.
"Uh, Yami. Seto just pulled up outside and he's asking for you. Says he wants to talk."
Nodding slightly, she left to change into clothes that she could go out in public in before striding through the shop and standing in the entrance in her standard pose, slightly suspicious as to why Seto had left work, actually left the office in the day, to see her. Taking and releasing a breathe slowly as the uniformed man stepped out of the car and opened the door, she strode forward radiating more calm than she felt and slid inside now sitting opposite the original passenger.
"Kaiba," she greeted quietly, shifting on the seat a little until she was comfortable, something that was beginning to become more and more of a struggle as the hours passed.
Seto nodded his head slightly in acknowledgement before leaning forward a little in the seat as the car began moving away from the shop. "We need to discuss a few things," he stated flatly.
Smirking a little at his business-like tone, Yami nodded and waved hand as an indication for him to continue. Narrowing his eyes slightly at her for her seemingly blase attitude to something that he was actually losing sleep over, Seto began speaking.
"I am aware that this period has probably been trying for you and, as I have an equal hand in blame for your discomfort, I will make you an offer. I am willing to offer funding for anything you and the child may need for the next few months as well as for as long as you want it after that."
Staring incredulously at him Yami didn't even give him the chance to continue, her anger flaring enormously. "Blame?! Funding?! I am not some damned-charity case that you have caused to come into existence! I don't need 'funding' and I can't believe that your supposed duties extend only through your wallet. You either have nothing to do with either of us and leave it at that or you take an active role. It's your choice because I'm tired of caring."
Yami was fairly glaring daggers and spewing fire at this point but getting that angry had its toll; raised blood pressure that consequently led to light-headedness, but she'd be damned to show that infront of Seto. Instead she settled for leaning back in the soft seat whilst maintaining her stare.
Seto had stared at those eyes whilst dueling so the fury that shone through them wasn't going to make him drop his gaze first. His temper had begun to rise at that outburst but snapping at her before hadn't gotten him anywhere. Dropping his eyes minutely, he took a calming breath before explaining in a remarkably rational tone.
"I only wish to assist you in any way that I can. I offered you a place at my house, an offer that you have obviously declined, as I have heard no word from you about it. I've taken that to mean that you want nothing to do with me in terms of the child but I am still morally obligated-no, not obligated. I *want* to help you still so I am offering you something which you will not have to see or speak to me for. I take my family very seriously. I work hard because I do not want Mokuba to have less than the best. I want my own child to have the same."
It took a moment for Yami to absorb what he had just said fully so her own response was delayed. "I didn't ask about living with you because I thought you didn't really want me there and that it was simply an obligation that you had extended on your part. If you wanted to be around more, when you're not working obviously if there is such a time, I'd be happy to have your company."
Choosing to ignore the comment that implied he was always working, which is what everyone saw aside from Mokuba, Seto sat back in the seat mildly confused at how this conversation was going. Certainly has hadn't planned on it turning into anything sentimental!
"What could I do though?"
Yami smiled a little at that. Although he had looked after Mokuba since he was young, he was still very new at the earliest stages of parenthood. "Well, it needn't be anything big you know. It's the little things that mean a lot. Like how Yugi rubs my back when it aches or how Honda brings me strawberries all the time. Mai entertains any topic of conversation for as long as I need and Joey is constantly fussing that I don't lift anything heavy. Tea held back my hair when I was sick and Grandpa used to make herbal teas to settle my stomach. Something like that would be fine."
Seto was silent in thought still wanting to make some kind of gesture to show that he wanted to participate in his child's life, a show of affection or something. Then it clicked.
"Where will the baby be staying after it's born?"
Frowning a little at the slight change in topic, Yami answered slightly curiously. "In our room. Yugi doesn't mind and I'd prefer it to be near me."
"Do you have anything for it yet? A crib? Toys?"
"No of course not. It's bad luck to keep anything like that in the house until it's born."
Nodding, once again thoughtful as his eyes turned distant, he snapped his gaze back to Yami. "Can I make you another offer?"
"Depends on what it is. If it's something as impersonal as money again I don't want to know," Yami replied sternly, eyes narrowing at the prospect at what she had thought of as progress being undone in his next sentence.
"It's more of a choice. I have multiple spare rooms in my home; most of them are just storage for old prototypes of hardware I designed. I could convert one into a nursery and one into your own room. That way there would be plenty of space and Yugi wouldn't be woken up all the time for midnight feedings. I'm sure Mokuba wouldn't mind some company and I would certainly be happy knowing that you're all close and safe."
Despite being touched by this, particularly the last part of that speech, Yami shook her head slightly. "I couldn't; Yugi and Grandpa-"
"Or," Seto interrupted with a raised hand staring at her intently now. "I could arrange to have an extension built onto the Game Shop to make the living area a bit bigger so you'd have room for a nursery and anything else you wanted there. There's plenty of room to develop and I won't have a problem getting planning permission so it could be built and ready before the baby comes. I could get a crib specially carved and have a designer come up with a mural for the walls..."
Yami smiled broadly as he continued listing everything he'd put in that room and more. It was warming to see him getting so excited about it and his tone of voice was becoming more animated as he spoke, his hands moving to in broad gestures to accompany his words. He wasn't giving a straightforward offer out of necessity in a bored tone as if he were talking to an employee now; he was really excited by the prospect of helping.
She was abruptly brought out of these musing when the ache that had been growing and fading over time suddenly flared abruptly to life. Actually gasping at the severe pain, silencing Seto as she did, she pressed a hand down over that spot in a futile effort to stop it.
Seto was next to her on the seat faster than she could blink, his hand moving over to her smaller one and clutching her wrist. "What is it?" he asked urgently sounding alarmed, the tone alien to his own ears.
Leaning into him as she tried to focus, Yami muttered a response through clenched teeth. "I don't know."
She suddenly jerked and shouted in agony, eyes clamping shut and a hand moving to her stomach. Seto had to gasp at what happened then.
Her entire form abruptly expanded, he features seeming to blur before settling again leaving the young man Yami had been before his unplanned dive into the fountain. His stomach was still swollen in this form, a feature that looked painful now that his hips were a lot narrower. It only lasted a few seconds before the body shifted again into its female stature.
Yami opened her eyes again briefly before they rolled and with a sigh she collapsed back against him. Wide eyed at what had just occurred, Seto quickly pulled out his phone and punched in the number for the Turtle Game Shop.
"Turtle Game Shop. Yugi Motou spe-"
"Yugi! I'm taking Yami to the Nyannichuan fountain."
"Seto? What-why?"
Seto looked down at the prone figure in his lap before replying grimly. "I think the curse is wearing off."
TBC
Ha ha! My first real cliffhanger! I am so proud! Well review me and make me a very happy lil' writer! Or I may do something nasty in the next chapter... (ominous cackling here)