Disclaimer: I'd rather have volume 30… why, why, why does it take three months for each volume to come out?! ;_.; I WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!
Fairydust
PM: ^^;; This chapter caused me lots of problems, so I hope it turns out all right… doesn't help that I'm becoming very busy (I have an extremely bad habit of procrastinating. Apparently, it sometimes helps improve my English essays). But anyhow, this chappy takes place on Thursday night and is written in Yami no Yuugi's POV. Why? Cause I can't have Ryou's disembodied voice narrating. *soft sigh* This chapter put me through heaven and hell… seriously. I don't recall when a chapter for this story has given me this much trouble, so I hope it's okay (okay, so chapter 7 gave me a bit of hell as well…). I really like the first part… but… we'll see, I guess.
Ryuuji: You could write more about me… all I did was get myself knocked out in a fairly painful manner! *glares at PM*
PM: It was necessary! (Little voice in mind: Yeah… sure… admit it! You just wanted to see him in pain!)
Ryuuji: I saw that! *points angrily at PM's little thought bubble*
PM: … *glare* I'm ignoring you now. Anyhow, because people were asking (*little angel halo* I will not point out that I said what the word meant in the first chapter… *grin* It's okay, don't worry about it), 'yadonushi' is the pleasant term that Yami no Bakura applies to Ryou (in the manga at least). It more or less mean's 'king's property' or 'king's home'. You get the idea, right? ^_~ Also, in response to the people wondering about exactly where did Ryuuji pull Ryou and himself into… well… if you don't know, I shouldn't corrupt your innocence! *sticks tongue out and ignores the fact that this is a PG fic… hmm*
;_; Thank you everybody for the positive response to the last chapter… I know you all hate me for that cliffy… -_-;; I can't promise that it gets any better after this though! *ducks a variety of rotton vegetables* Eep! But seriously, I melted into a pile of happy goo-i-ness every time I got one of your reviews! ^^;; *word?*Anyhow, the usual excruciatingly long paragraph of people I need to thank!
Many, many thanks to Indigo Tantarian (;_; Gomen… Ryou and Mokuba don't talk this fic, although they do talk next fic! ~ Starting to advertise for sequel… run away while you can!), Sarina Fannel (*innocent look* Leaving you in suspense? Whatever gave you that idea? ^_~), Ruri-chan (I can leave you like that quite easily… actually…), Bronze Eagle (To use Ruri-chan's words… deep breaths, Bronze Eagle. Deep breaths…), Shadowstag (You wouldn't be related to somebody who reviewed a Spirited Away fic, would you? Cause my dear friends are having problems with ice picks too… ^_^), Hanaus (Yami no Bakura DOES show up! Really!), juvi (I don't have problems with chapter ten… I have problems with chapter 11 now!!), crystaldraygon98 (Ryou did indeed slap Seto… and what fun it was for me to write it!), The Evil Laugh (Well, if it makes you feel better, I don't know what got me to write it in the first place), Shamanic Guardian Lena (Penguin-shaped marshmallows… kawaii… Thank YOU for the spelling tip!), *i n c o h e r e n t* (^_^ One of my e-mail buddies actually expected it…), Crystalline Maxwell (Seto *steals shiny car back from Crystalline Maxwell and smacks her on the head* PM: KAIBA!!), ^_^ (*hugs Ryuuji* I'm guessing he's gotten a one week reprieve from being utterly destroyed in the dub… it's okay Ryuuji! I'll introduce the WHOLE WORLD to you! *Ryuuji faints*), Wildwolf (remember what club I'm the secretary of! ^_^), Mayhem's BrainChylde (Yes! Indeed!), rayemars (aww… but we're supposed to laugh when Ryou is suffering… *ducks shoe thrown by a certain cutie*), Aishiteru Tenshi (^^;; I updated! I updated! Please spare my life, I'm quite delicate), Angel-Belle (First a ice pick then my life and now a wet noodle! -_-;; I'm scared!), JediMasterYami, dilanda (Ouch… my poor face… ^_~), Amiasha (don't kill me… or you won't get anymore e-mails from me! Jyou: You haven't replied to her e-mail for a week…), tuulikki (I hope this past week hasn't been TOO bad…), Shinigami (it's not short… it was about 5 pages long! In size 9 arial narrow! If you want short, you should see my friends' chappies… they're less than half a page!), Vampire Huntress D (Yami no Bakura is explained in chapter 10 ^_~), Shan (*steals chloroform from Gammi and uses it on a hysterical Seto who is worried about his koi… *giggle*), Nalan Li (Oy… my neck is aching from all of you breathing down my neck!), Hype-mistress (They're get together… really!), DragonLUPINzero (I, having very bad self-esteem despite my adaments that my self-esteem is perfectly fine, wonder constantly how anybody can like this fic), SMercury (Ryou: See? Everybody is on my side!), Hotaru the Demon Goddess (the link was on chapter 8, I do believe… ^_^), and Risk the Chances (O_o 4 hours?! Don't lose your sleep over my fic please… ;_; I'll feel guilty…). ^_^ Arigatou minna-san!
And as always, a great deal of thanks to Mariel, the most wonderful and truthful beta-reader ever. ^_^ ARIGATOU!
~ The Silence on the Other End ~
Over the several years that I have been conscious in aibou's mind, my soul room has not changed much. It is still a never-ending labyrinth that is highly useful when certain tomb robbers stick their nose in other people's business, and it gives me the chance to scare the crap out of aibou when I sneak up behind him [1]. Of course, I do not do this often… except when he's ignored me for the past couple days and I'm feeling rather sulky, although a pharaoh is certainly above being sulky (so I suppose it isn't really being sulky… rather… I am expressing my inner torment in a less than dignified manner).
Not that I remember much about being pharaoh… After all, I did not exactly figure that out until I went to a museum exhibit set up by Isis Ishtal, who I later discovered set it up for the soul reason of luring me there. Stupid Sennen Tauk that can look into the future… although even I must admit that it is very useful except when Jyounouchi-kun asks me if I can look into the future and find out what the questions on his final exam are going to be. I'm not quite sure, but I think Jyounouchi-kun fails to see the true uses of the Sennen Items… [2]
Getting back to the original topic, although I am really quite sure that my thought process does not need to be so organized, the only real addition to my soul room is a small, white stuffed animal, namely a seal. It is quite simply the most fascinating thing. Although Egypt is fairly close to the ocean, and there really are many odd creatures out there, I find it quite curious that a white animal should exist with flippers and no legs, and not to mention my discovery that it is in no way related to a fish! And even after I was awakened by the Sennen Puzzle, I did not catch a glimpse of any animal similar to this… seal… until I stumbled upon it in mou hitori no ore no kokoro no heya [3]. He later gave it to me as a gift, and I still find it quite adorable.
I ended up naming the seal Yuki, which means snow in Japanese. Seeing that I do not remember a whit of Egyptian, and not to mention that the research I have done on my native land assures me that the weather did not support anything remotely similar to snow, it's likely that no word for it exists in that ancient language.
Yuki is a gift from aibou, who is very precious to me. Because of my desire to stay with him, I have decided to forgo learning about my past, although everyday I am pestered by unexplainable questions and slight maniacal depression. Perhaps I did not realize this when I first sealed my soul in a piece of metal (who knew what I was thinking? If it wasn't for aibou and my affection for him, I would begin a search for a way to travel back in time and give my past pharaoh self a trouncing… even with mou hitori no ore here, I still have to struggle against that urge), but not having memories while possessing quite a few questions is irritating and not at all fun.
Aibou sometimes asks me if I regret my decision, but how can I? Although I still know nothing of my past, I am allowed to remain with him, something that I must be thankful for. Without him, there really would be no point in gaining my memories, would there?
Besides, it is my firm belief that once a decision is made and cannot be changed, there is of little use to dwell upon it until Ra disintegrates.
Not to mention the fact that if I leave, Yuki wouldn't be happy with me.
Jyounouchi-kun sometimes jokes that I have an insane obsession with Yuki. Need I mention that Jyounouchi-kun also has a remarkably large mouth and I have learned the virtues of duct tape since being released into the mortal realm? Honestly, such an invention was definitely necessary since the beginning of time. Anyhow, Jyounouchi-kun will no longer be spreading rumors about me whether or not I am in hearing range, and I am also sure that he will never mention my affair with the Black Magician if he values his life.
I mean, you are allowed to like spirits if they save your life… it's not as if I one day picked up a card and said to myself, 'hmm, this monster is attractive. Why don't I summon him and go on a date with him?'
At least, that is how Jyounouchi-kun put it (before the duct tape thing).
As for me, I cannot claim that I fully understand this concept of a 'date'. Isn't everyday a date? And in that case, what's so special of having a date then?
Mou hitori no ore sometimes laughs when I ask him these questions, which I find completely unfair. He hasn't been locked in a trinket for the past 5,000 years… personally, I say let's switch places for a while and see how he likes it (all right, it's true. I would never do that to him. But when he laughs at me as if I am a pathetic babe in search of enlightenment, I must admit that the idea becomes extremely tempting). After all, I think I should be allowed a little indulgence.
Speaking of indulgence…
Mou hitori no boku! You should watch less TV. Your brain is going to turn to mush, aibou admonishes, sounding very much like a mother hen. I'm tempted to tell him that, but I have a feeling he's not really going to appreciate it. Plus, he's been getting a bit better when it comes to retorts, and he might remind me that I don't remember my own mother, which will probably result in one of us getting a black eye. Humph. Frankly, I don't think he's one to talk, especially when one of my fondest memories of his mother is when she smacked him on top of the head with a ladle [4].
I'm a 5,000 year old spirit. I don't have a brain to turn to… mush, I reply, not quite understanding the mush thing. How exactly does a brain turn to mush? Is that scientifically possible? Is it some black spell?
Anyhow, ignoring aibou's laughter as he probably picks up on my confusion, I go back to what I was doing before he interrupted me.
One of the most fascinating things that I have discovered since being released is most certainly the television. I remember the first time I watched it… well, I wasn't exactly watching it myself, but I was watching from aibou's mind.
Getting back to the subject on hand seeing that aibou has now stopped his derisive laughter. Must resist the urge to imitate mother and smack him.
Do you think that program on dental floss is going to be on? I think idly to aibou, causing him to sweatdrop.
The program was, unfortunately, canceled when Bakura made the headlines with his supposed affair with Kaiba. I personally found the entire thing rather amusing, although judging by how red Bakura's face was, he certainly had a different opinion! And as for Kaiba… that guy has skin like armor. I wonder if he even noticed.
Logic says no, but from my past experiences with the millionaire, logic does not very often apply to that young man. And no, I am not bitter about him constantly trying to use his idiotic new technologies to defeat me, when we all know he doesn't have a hope when it comes to just that!
What is it with older people and dental floss? mou hitori no ore interrupts my thought process.
I raise an eyebrow at aibou's confused question before haughtily replying, You younger generations are spoiled. None of you seem to realize that you are very lucky compared to us. Dental floss is important. I would have given a lot of gold for it back in Egypt.
Okay, well that might not be completely true… I mean, it might be true, but again, I wouldn't know… anyhow, it sounds good.
Unfortunately, aibou catches on a bit quicker than most people do.
Mou hitori no boku, you sound like ji-chan when he's telling me about how everyday he walked ten miles through waist-deep snow to get to school! Besides, are you trying to tell me that you would have given a great deal of gold for a piece of string? Isn't that a bit extreme?
Urusei! I grit back, grumbling softly as aibou giggles softly. I'm tempted to retreat into my soul room to smack him on the head with Yuki, but that wouldn't be extremely nice of me. I mean, who knows what injuries Yuki might sustain from such terrible treatment?
I'll let him go this time… if only for Yuki's sake.
What channel was that program on dental floss supposed to be on?
I repeat… what is it with you older people and dental floss?
I raise an eyebrow and succumb to the need to punish him severely, mentally smacking him on the head, Aibou! I'm not that old! I can practically feel his skepticism… 5,000 years old not old? But for a vast majority of that time I was stuck in a piece of metal… and I'm pretty sure that I wasn't that much older than aibou when my spirit was sealed into the Sennen Puzzle.
Well, who knows? I certainly don't.
My mind wanders slightly… what I would give to know who I am, who I really was. I know nothing except that I was a pharaoh and… according to an extremely drunk Kaiba (a thoroughly disturbing sight which I personally hope to never be witness to again), did not wear a shirt (well, I personally think it makes sense… after all, Egypt is receptive of unusually warm temperatures, is it not?), but that is just a bit off-topic. Yes, I know by now that if I bring together all the Sennen Items, I will be able to retrieve my memories… but with the possibility of being split from aibou, I'm not about to risk it. Also, the fact that the tomb robber is still living a few doors down is strongly influencing my decision to not bring the Sennen Items together. Perhaps it is just me, but to have all seven Sennen Items together when there is a certain red-eyed and white-haired demonic spirit waiting to gain world domination with them in relatively close proximity is just not what I would call a bright idea. Simply put, if that is not asking for trouble, I cannot tell you what is.
Anyhow, such thoughts are depressing, and I feel very much like relinquishing control to aibou in order to play with Yuki… no, wait, you did not hear that… wait, I'm talking to myself. Of course nobody heard that. Unless aibou is prying in my thoughts again, which will make me very unhappy… and since I'm pretty sure he knows that, I'm also pretty sure that he will not be foolish enough to do such actions.
I don't care if he is my sweet and innocent host, I'll hang him by his thumbs if I have to…
~ * ~
"Kaiba?" his sudden appearance is no doubt surprising, but I fight down my astonishment and look at him carefully. I know my people skills aren't exactly my strong suit, but his current state is noticeable even by myself. His face is pale and general expression haggard and tired rather than his usually arrogant glare, something that is very uncharacteristic of him.
Over the years, I have noticed that Kaiba is the type of person who thrives on competition. In a way, he isn't quite that confident… not at all, to be truthful. He is in constant need of reassurance that he is the best, and if he is unable to get that, he works towards defeating his opponent… his rival.
Me.
That's rather arrogant of him, in my opinion, but I always did enjoy a good competition myself. Lately though, he's been so tired and hasn't been able to do that as much.
I've never mentioned this to anybody, and I'm not about to, but I think that in a way, Kaiba needs Bakura. Or somebody, if not specifically him. I personally think that Kaiba and Bakura make an interesting coupling, and I know that if I ever bother to voice my opinion (which I'm not going to), Jyounouchi-kun will be reaching for my throat (if I don't threaten to mind crush him, of course).
Kaiba, simply put, is not emotionally stable. That is why he is so dependent on Mokuba… or was dependent. He needed to know that somebody would always be there, simply as an emotional anchor that keeps him from floating into space. Considering how much 'hot air' is in his head, I wouldn't be surprised to see him floating up there with a balloon for a head. Needless to say, such a sight would be highly amusing, although I have a feeling that aibou will be less than amused at such a thought from his supposedly benevolent pharaoh spirit.
Bakura, on the other hand, is in a certain need for support. And, although it pains me to admit it, I believe that Kaiba can do just that.
Perhaps that is why I was so amused by the reaction to Bakura's 'news'. Cause it really wasn't news for me. I always thought it was just a matter of time.
(Is this another symptom of being a pharaoh? And to think that I always felt that I lacked people skills… due to my inability to communicate with aibou for a number of weeks. He probably thought he was going insane…)
Each side brings a certain thing to the relationship that the other needs. That is what a relationship should be about. And it's about high time that they realized that. Honestly, did everybody think that it was random choice? Oh, sure, maybe Kaiba thought he was doing it randomly, but if we looked deep down inside to what made him ask, what really did make him ask? It couldn't have been just pure luck, a chance coincidence that will never happen again.
He needed him. On some subconscious level that we will never understand, he needed him and his mind responded in that way. Not the physical attraction which results in me getting stared at by both genders, something I find extremely annoying by the way, but the knowledge that happily decides to make us do extremely random and foolish things does have an agenda in mind. I realize that it's extremely annoying and it seems quite improbable, but it's true.
This isn't really the type of thing you learn from reading books, nor watching TV. It's something you realize after a long period of time of standing right next to the person you never bothered to give a second glance to.
Jyounouchi-kun will think I'm mad though, so I'll just keep my thoughts to myself. Otherwise, he'll be kissing duct tape again, and aibou will get mad at me.
I give Kaiba a look, my all-knowing look that has ceased to have much affect when the person you're giving it to looks like he has as much sense as a cucumber, "Where's Bakura?"
He gives me a look… one of his annoyed, angry looks when I've figured out how to defeat his strategies. It's enough to make anybody flinch, but I'm so used to it that he'd be better off dressing up as a giant bunny if he's interested in surprising me enough to react.
Seeing that I'm not about to back off, and perhaps the weight of my words on his mind (or perhaps I'm getting a tad arrogant myself, in which case I'm not going to comment further), he looks away, looking straight ahead. The others are coming out… Jyounouchi-kun, Anzu, Honda-kun… I can sense they're there without seeing them, more of that subconscious theory I suppose. Aibou is also starting to fidget in his soul room, nervously bouncing a rubber ball that makes a constant thump… thump… thump… thump…
Thump…
"Somebody kidnapped them."
Thump… thump… thump…
… silence.
~ * ~
The silence is shattered as easily as a vase is thrown to the ground and broken into a thousand pieces, their individual shards glittering sadly in the faint light by the sound of Jyounouchi-kun hitting Kaiba.
Well, to be more precise, the sound of Jyounouchi-kun punching Kaiba.
There's the silence of shock as the minutes pass by, the thump… thump… thump… nothing more than the beating of my hearts. I can't say I'm that surprised, although I am a little because I've never seen Kaiba fall like this, but the anger in Jyounouchi-kun's eyes make it so that even I would prefer to stay out of his way.
Meanwhile, Kaiba is shakily getting to his feet, a seeming wreck compared to his usual self. I almost feel sorry for him… well, perhaps that will be a little too cold-hearted of me. All right, I admit it. I do feel sorry for him.
"What did you do?!" Jyounouchi-kun is yelling right now, drowning out the silence, "What the hell did you do this time, Kaiba?!"
I suppose that really isn't fair, but nobody looks ready to say anything. Especially Kaiba, who is now standing, this dazed look in his eyes. Extremely uncharacteristic for him, so I decide to intervene.
"That's enough Jyounouchi-kun."
"Wha… Yami! You…"
I don't bother turning to look at him, instead looking slightly sideways before repeating quietly, "That's enough, Jyounouchi-kun."
He falls back, enraged but blissfully silent.
"Kai… Kaiba-kun," Anzu stammers, plucking up her courage, "What are you saying? You don't actually mean…"
There's no answer. He looks at her, a bit of his old spark coming back to him as his eyes turn stony and he doesn't reply. She gasps softly, looking stunned and expectant, as if waiting for a hand to slap her back to reality.
"Bakura-kun…"
"Hold up," Honda-kun interrupts as he gets his act together, "What do you mean by 'they'? Are you saying there's somebody else?"
There's a brief silence as we contemplate that.
Otogi-kun, aibou supplies to me, as he is the first to figure out who else is missing.
You don't know that.
Is there anybody else?
It makes me sad to hear his voice, devoid of his usual optimism and spark. I fixate my eyes on Kaiba, staring into his eyes that are a rather bright shade of turquoise blue. It's odd to be in this situation because usually, we're facing each other down in a duel rather than in real life. Sometimes, in real life, it's as if the other ceases to exist and we're left alone with ourselves and our own problems.
"Otogi," I voice what mou hitori no ore has told me.
I think Honda figured it out too, although he hasn't said anything. But his eyes are a bit dilated and he's a bit paler than usual, a bit like Kaiba. There's a spark of anger in his eyes that makes me wonder if soon we'll have to be holding him back as he attempts to beat up Kaiba, but there's a sense of defeat lingering as well which makes it unlikely.
"Are you going to explain to us what's going on?" I ask.
There's a hint of defiance that makes me want to roll my eyes, but I just stare at him evenly, my gaze never faltering. That's simply the way to deal with Kaiba… well, it's the only way I can use without wanting to mind crush him again. I don't wish to sound a bit bitter, but that guy is in serious need of some calming influences.
There. Another reason why he and Bakura are good for each other. Perhaps he will also be able to deal with that fool of a tomb robber as well, seeing that he has yet to give me a good reason to banish him as I did to that troublesome spirit that caused so much trouble in Battle City. Very, very tempting, but unfortunately not yet plausible.
Well, give it time. I'm sure an opportunity will pop up sooner or later.
He looks at each of us… from Anzu to Honda-kun to Jyounouchi-kun… before his eyes finally rest on me. I have to smirk inwardly. It seems odd that he would choose his supposed rival to take a bit of comfort from, but in a way, we always did understand each other the best.
Maybe it isn't that odd.
"The police called. It's all over the news," he shrugs slightly, although there's a hint of anger and determination in his eyes, "I don't know who did it. They haven't called yet. If they're going to call."
Interesting. The expression seems to voice a sort of protective need. Except this time, the person he cares for isn't being held hostage by a madman with a deck of cards… he's being held by an unknown culprit who could be just about anyone with a grudge against Kaiba. Except for us, of course…
"Daijoubu. They'll find them," Anzu speaks bravely, trying to look convincing. Jyounouchi-kun and Honda-kun exchange skeptical looks, but I suppose that given the circumstances, it's to be expected.
Are we going to do something? mou hitori no ore asks, and I blink mentally.
What can we do?
… I don't know… I just know that I don't want to be doing nothing.
Sometimes we don't have a choice, I reply as I look over at Kaiba again, who looks back at me. He looks lost again, lost like a little child who's hand was dropped by the person he loves and is now on his own as he faces the cruel, harsh woods that now constitutes as his world.
We all have to face the world sometime.
Kaiba has been through a lot, I'll grant him that. Drawing from Yuugi's memories… well, I don't really snoop around in them, so I'll just ignore that slightly guilty feeling I'm getting, but they're there waiting for me to pick up, I swear… and his experiences, Kaiba seems to have had a more difficult lives than many. I'll give him that… his stepfather treated him like a dog, which I guess is where he draws his 'make inu' insults from. And after he recovered from those memories (thanks to a conveniently timed mind crush that helped piece his heart together the way it should have been… must resist urge to be appropriately smug and do an odd variation of a victory dance with Yuki and Black Magician), he needed somebody there for him, as said before.
But by taking away that emotional block that keeps his sanity intact, this is the true Kaiba. It's as if he's absolutely defeated, has no will to keep going.
And in a way, he is defeated. He's lost the things that keep him going. He's facing the world, but he doesn't have that comfort zone that makes him ooze a rather sickening amount of confidence.
I wonder how long it will take him to realize that?
~ * ~
None of us were very surprised when the police showed up, although what they were looking for I could only guess. Maybe they were investigating the possibility that it wasn't because of Kaiba that the kidnapping occurred, but because of Otogi. Which I suppose is odd, but that kid can cause quite a bit of trouble. And no, I'm not just saying that because I'm a bit resentful of his otousan breaking my Sennen Puzzle [5]…
Of course not. Where on earth will you get a thought like that?
It's an unspoken message among us all that such a case is rather farfetched and improbable, but we don't say anything except to smile and nod and assure the investigators that we have not seen any strange behavior lately and no, that is not a millionaire sitting on the sofa looking like he's ready to break down into tears.
Different story.
By the time they left, reality is taking its toll and we've all realized that the slap of benevolent (if rather painful) waking up isn't going to be coming. Cause it's already here.
In fact, we're all so wrapped up in our thoughts, whatever they may be about, that the phone ringing causes both Jyounouchi-kun and Honda-kun to fall off the couch and land on their butts in a rather provocative pile, a sight that would have been pretty funny if the atmosphere wasn't so somber right now.
We all look expectantly at each other, as if waiting for the infernal racket to stop on its own. It's not until Kaiba reaches into his pocket and extracts his cell (PM: Yes, it is indeed that ever-present cell phone that the guy should just MARRY and get on with it!), growling into it.
"Moshi, moshi?" he snarls, somehow managing to sound rather polite at the same time, something that does not fail to intrigue and amaze me.
I shut my eyes and try to will myself away into a fantasy where there's a field of flowers growing with a little Yuki in each clump. Kaiba and that fool tomb robber will be there, dressed as slaves no doubt, and then the Black Magician in that interesting little Playboy bunny suit that aibou sometimes drools over (of course, nobody is supposed to know that little thing, except for aibou… and that oddly suspicious spirit living in his mind, but it'll be a good blackmail tool later).
"Yes, I'm listening."
I open my eyes again, glancing over at Kaiba, who is gripping the cell phone tightly enough that his knuckles are turning white.
What's going on?
I don't know, aibou, I reply, raising my eyebrow as we all look at Kaiba, who's eyes are now narrowed and he looks ready to kill. I'm starting to get a suspicion though…
"Where. Is. He," each word is spoken clearly and not at all passively, his voice cold and angry. A quick look at the others reveals that they also know what's going on… Jyounouchi-kun even looks ready to jump up and wrench the phone out of Kaiba's hands, and I have a feeling that only common sense is holding him back.
The room is at a deathly still, even mou hitori no ore isn't saying anything.
"I don't care about any of that, just tell me what you want," Kaiba hisses as he stands, pacing around the room. I guess that's a sign of how nervous he is, or maybe just how pissed off he is.
"You're working for Big 5," he pauses as he glances over at us. Apparently, he's being kind enough to allow us to know how the conversation is going by repeating everything they have to say, "You still haven't told me what you want."
Big 5? aibou's voice is worried, I thought they had been fired after Kaiba-kun got back. What could they possibly hope to gain by doing this? If they want to be rehired, wouldn't people notice it?
I can't help but sigh mentally. Sometimes, aibou really is too innocent. It's an endearing trait, but it's not very good when it comes to reality.
Revenge, I supply, That's the kind of things people like them would be after..
"They've gotten really low, haven't they? I knew that they were getting desperate, but this is really a new low for them. I'm not going to be their puppet. I'm not going to let them destroy Kaiba Corporation." Pause. "Well, we seem to be at a bit of a stalemate, don't we?"
"Kaiba!" Jyounouchi-kun is positively seething, "I can't believe your nerve! Are you really going to just…"
The glare that Kaiba gives him could melt steel. Jyounouchi-kun looks at us for support, but none of us can really give it right now. Honda-kun is still in his little state of shock, Anzu is practically wilting under the glare, and as for me… well, none of us can really expect Kaiba to give up control, can we? No matter how much he needs Bakura, he wouldn't give up his life's work. Plus, the thought of Kaiba being controlled is enough to give anybody the creeps.
Do you mean that, mou hitori no boku?
I shut my eyes as I allow aibou's question to sink in.
Yes. We are in no position to expect Kaiba to give up something as important as this for Bakura and Otogi.
Aibou doesn't have an answer to that, and the void created by the silence is rather painful. I fight the feelings away and focus on what Kaiba is now saying.
"You don't want that? So what do you want? Money? My brother? Me? Would you like me to go to the tailor and search for a Egyptian slave outfit before delivering myself on your doorstep with a ribbon in my hair?" the edge of his voice is dangerous, even as he says the most ridiculous things. Nobody dares to laugh.
"I'll break the contract."
Shock sweeps through the room. Even I can't believe it. From what Bakura has been telling Jyounouchi, that contract is extremely important to Kaiba. Important enough for him to come up with this idiotic plan of having him pretend to be his boyfriend, at least. And he's just willing to break it? Has he lost it?
That's the question that Jyounouchi-kun seems to be asking as well. His eyes are wide and he is staring at Kaiba openly, no hint of a smirk or triumph in his face. Jyounouchi-kun is just as shell-shocked as the rest of us. Anzu and Honda-kun both have a little more hope in their eyes, although its clear that they are also confused.
I've said it once, and I'll say it once more. Logic simply does not apply to Kaiba.
"But I have a condition," Kaiba continues, looking over at us with an annoyed expression on his face, his eyes clearly asking us if we really had such a low opinion of him before this (which I can only reply with this: did he honestly expect anything more from us? Especially when after we defeated Yami no Kamen and Hikari no Kamen and Malik told us that he had control of Jyounouchi-kun and Anzu, and what did Kaiba do? Get his idiotic little puzzle cards, that's what. Although I must admit that he did surprise me in helping me find the two with the use of his helicopter… not that I'd ever tell him that to his face [6]), "You'll release Ryou and Otogi now."
Is he serious? aibou asks, voicing the silent question that we are all unable to make ourselves. I really don't know how to answer him, so I just stay silent, something that he accepts with relatively little argument.
His expression darkens and he looks absolutely furious as he shakes, "You heard me. I don't want the two of them involved any longer than they already have. You will let the two of them go now."
He cares for Bakura greater than any of us can suspect, even himself, I tell aibou, but from the expression on his face, I think he's still a bit confused. I sigh and shrug it off, realizing that perhaps he will be thinking that I'm on some type of hallucination causing drugs if I try to elaborate on my words.
"I already told you I would break the deal. And I have already told you what I want in return. I'm not going to repeat it.
"You think that they're insurance in case I change my mind?" Kaiba is more or less screeching into the phone now, causing Anzu and Honda-kun and Jyounouchi-kun to shrink back from the fury in his voice.
"When I get my hands on you people, I'm going to make sure there aren't any pieces left for the police to get!"
And with that, Kaiba throws the phone at the wall. You can literally hear it as it sails through the wind, a glint of silver before it impacts the wall, breaking into pieces as it slides to the floor. There's no way it can be repaired… the force that Kaiba used when he threw it must have been great.
We all stare at the phone, with the exception of Kaiba, who is still taking deep breaths and trying to gain control over his emotions.
Kaiba-kun… aibou whispers softly.
He's going to break his deal in order to save Bakura and Otogi. He purposely broke his cell phone… his inseparable cell phone… in order to let out his emotions.
He's willing to give up his work for his love.
I have a feeling that Bakura has changed him a lot more than any of us could possibly have suspected before.
Now I must wonder how long it will take Kaiba to figure that out on his own.
Translations and notes (Very long… no, I'm not trying to make up for last chapter's lack thereof :P):
[1] References to volume 17 and 27. In volume 17, Yami no Bakura used 'mind parasite' to place part of his soul in a piece of the Sennen Puzzle. In volume 27, he dueled Yami no Malik and ended up getting eaten by the shadow monster. Also in volume 27, Yuugi visits Yami no Yuugi in his soul room, and Yami kinda freaks him out by suddenly appearing behind him and asking him what he wants. Yuugi asks him about the maze, and Yami says how he felt somebody in his room so he's trying to confuse him. The manga then pans to Yami no Bakura, who is in Yami's soul room. I don't know what happens after that… the manga books haven't gotten to it and I'm not even sure if weekly Shounen Jump has gotten to it! ^_^ We'll just have to wait.
[2] Volume 17 and 27 as well. Isis sets up the Egyptian exhibit with a tablet of Yami no Yuugi as pharaoh, and in volume 27, she gives the Sennen Tauk to Yuugi.
[3] 'Mou' is other, 'hitori' is 'person', no is a possessive (your, his, Jyou's), and both ore and boku are ways of saying 'I'. Boku is more formal and supposedly cuter sounding, according to Kei-kun, which means that Malik sounds cute. Ryuuji drives me crazy cause he switches between 'ore' and 'boku' in the manga, but uses only 'boku' in the anime. And Yami no Bakura is very egotistical when he says 'ore-sama'. 'Kokoro' is heart/soul, and 'heya' is room. Therefore, mou hitori no ore no kokoro no heya is 'my other self's soul room'. What a mouthful!
[4] Reference to volume 5… his expression was priceless… ^^;;
[5] In the manga (it's different from the anime), Ryuuji-kun's father breaks the Sennen Puzzle (volume 17).
[6] Reference to volume 22. The battle itself took volume 21 and volume 22, but that particular scene is from volume 22.
PM: Anyhow, I was watching the anime, and Yami no Yuugi shows up in his pharaoh garb, and I remember Kei-kun telling me that I'll love what he wears as pharaoh, and the only thing I can reply is that he isn't wearing anything. I've never seen anybody with less clothes than him and could still be termed somewhat decent. The only thing he's wearing is this loin-cloth skirt thingy and cape, and he's bare-chested. Not that I have a problem with that, of course… *grins at Yami*
Yami *glares back, scantily clad in his pharaoh garb… the anime one, not the manga one (he wears a little miniskirt in that one… compared to Seto who wears a dress), which I personally find cuter*: Go away.
PM: *taunting voice* I bet they'll find a way to make you wear a shirt in the dub…
Yami: So about two million people less don't get to see me with no shirt on. Big deal.
PM *cackling as fan girls jump Yami and drag him away like a sacrificial virgin… hmm, been reading too many of DrM's fics*
Pikachumaniac