Published:
26th May 2003
Pairings: Seto x Joey
Disclaimers: Calcium is mine.. I mean.. no it isn't...o.O;; Whoops, I
mean, Yu-Gi-Oh isn't. ^_^;;;
Archive? What? Are you totally serious? Sure! Just tell me first, and
go to the graveyard to see if you're still alive!
Summary: Your usual Seto x Joey fanfic, with more weird twists- 'cause
I can't bear the overused general stuff. ^_^;; (If you wanna ignore my random
rambling, just scroll down to the chapter title, that's where the story begins)
A NOTE: I deeply wish to apologize to anyone who came here and saw a big
mess of notes and HTML. Somehow the file I uploaded got messed up, when I tried
to change it from a different computer and reupload it. I guess I shall have
to be more careful next time. Gomen! I'm very angry at FF.net right now. -_-;;;
I've reposted this like.. seven times after making several changes.
Other notes: Wow! 121 reviews! Gomen for the massively long wait. I got
distracted with my other story.. Tainted Kisses, which is an RP / Story I'm
co-writing with the fantastic Jantra. ^^
Contest Update:
Neko-chan: I finished your oekaki request prize for the contest which
may be viewed at ^_^;;This caused partial delays for this Chapter (and the overall
shortness) when combined with my upcoming Final Exams and working on Tainted
Kisses. ^_^;; Enjoy! And it's viewable for anyone else, if you guys wish
to do so.
Responses to Reviews:
o.O;; 121 reviews! I'm beyond flustered. I really couldn't have done this without
TRI-Link, Jantra, and several other people urging me on, helping me when I had
problems, or just being there for me. A big thanks to:
Mai, Blue Lagoon Loon, maladyrancor,
AnimeGoddess, Draggy, Myaami, Icing Flower, InsaneBakura, Cynthia Chen, Yami
Vixen and Vixen, Neko-Chan, phwee? yami hobo, Kaneda-Shotaro and Yami Tetsuo,
Daughter of Death, Jay Kamiya, aku no hime, Jantra, Jou-pup, Celestial Magician,
Chibi, Echo, YACUMO, Jenniyah, Kitsune Hashiba, Lady Geuna, Shadow Katana, and
Difinity for reviewing.
Difinity:
**blink blink** Wow! Thank-you so much for reviewing so many chapters of this,
and for reviewing Tainted Kisses so quickly. You practically reviewed that last
chapter the second it loaded... I was all like "o.O;; That was one FAST
review!" How do you do it anyway? Arigatou for being such a dedicated reviewer.
^_^;;;
Neko-Chan: Your Oekaki request has been finished. Enjoy! ^_^
Lady Geuna: *Bow* Thank-you for the links, but shitenshi net seems to
be a broken link.. at least, it doesn't load on my computer? And a big o.O;;
@ the war of the roses thing. That's hilarity.
Jenniyah: Wow! nice site you've got there. I sat there for a while lookin'
at all the manga scans.. still not done even half of them. ^_^;;; It's very
generous of you to spend so much time with other people to translate and scan
all that manga!!!
YAMUCO: You do *not* suck. Thanks for the kind words, and no, I definitely
don't plan on any Jou rape in this fanficcie. Nor is there going to be much,
if any Yugi x Jou or Yami x Jou... I doubt I'll even hint at it. -_-;; It is
a bit weird.. though I think Tristan/Honda x Jou is weirder.
Jou-pup: Seto Kaiba? Have a personality problem? Nooooo. ^_^;;; Of course
he has a screwed up personality! That's the whole way he's displayed in the
show- a ruthless bastard that only cares about Mokuba and himself... and then
things change gradually... Sooo.. imagine what it'd be like if he was suddenly
thrust into a situation where he had emotions for someone he thought he hated?
He'd be pretty tormented- and act really weird... ^_^;; Hence we get what happened
in this story.
Yami Vixen and Vixen: Pull wings off butterflies? o.O;; You know that
basically kills them... right? ^_^;;;; And, no, as I said earlier at the beginning
of one of the chapters, iie, Kaiba isn't getting a POV. His POV is displayed
in the poem at the beginning of each chapter- but not in any actual chapters.
You'll have to wait until I finish this story and write another to bug me about
doing a story from the POV of Seto, if you want one that badly. ^_^ I'm sure
I'll do it if I have the time and other people think it is a good idea.
InsaneBakura: Well, now that you've offended all Yogurt lovers... Might
I mention another scary thing that TRI and I were discussing one day? All the
weird spellings of Yogurt. Yohgurt... it goes on. I think there are several.
Aside from that, "Yogurt" comes from the original "Yoghurt"
which is a Turkish word, strangely enough. ^_^;;; Nothing better than being
informed about something you hate, ne? **Evil laughter**
Icing Flower: *Best* fic you've ever read? Uh. You've gotta be kidding
me! **Blushes** I'm Superb? Talented? Wow... Thank-you so much.. **Bow**
Draggy: I'm not saying this is any masterpiece- but I do hope this is
better than most of the Seto Kaiba fics out there- 'cause I've read a lot of
'em, and the majority of them aren't really that good. I'm so glad you're enjoying
the fanfic so far. Hope you continue to with the new chapters. ^_^
AnimeGoddess: Did he mean it? Does he hate Jou? **Dun Dun Dun** Find
out... in the next Episode of DRAGON BALL Z!!!!!!!!!!!!! I uhh.. mean... o.O;;;
(That announcer guy in the DBZ dub is so dang annoying. Had to make fun of him.
^_^;;) Err, the next chapter of this story rather.. which is.. uhh.. this chapter..
^_^;;;;; Enjoy!
Maladyrancor: Arigatou again. Your comments mean so much to me. I'm so
glad nothing sounds improbable or forced... and that you have no problem with
ICness of characters. *Bow* I'm so glad you're okay with Kaiba as a character,
and feel this brings the TV show up to an even higher level. Thank-you for all
your insightful comments so far, and for taking the time to write them.
This chapter has a lame excuse for a title- read the very last sentence or two
and it explains itself. I had wanted to bring that aspect of the chapter in
earlier, but I sort of forget until the last minute. Eh-heh... Oh well. At least
the Poem-part fits the plot *really* well in this chapter. And by the way, it's
a very short chapter, so gomen for that as well, but I've been busy... Gomen
for the long period of time of waiting since I updated last as well.. -_-;;
And, wow, 121 reviews.. Jeez. I still can't get over the fact that so many people
reviewed this... **Bow** Your praise means so much, and I am equally glad for
all criticism. I'm so glad people are honest when reviewing. It's better that
you tell me that this sucks if it does, than lie and sugar-coat everything...
^_^ Thank-you all for being so honest and kind and helpful. I hope you enjoy
this chapter... and hopefully I'll have time to do lots more, and good ones
at that. ^_^
2.2 Strawberries
If another hurt you,
I'd be beside you in an instant.
Your face would still be just as handsome and fragile
As the tears from your face dried on your paling skin
And I would kiss them away- along with your fears.
"Hey, Joey, what happened to your face?" Tea asked the next day at
school when I saw her. She was commenting on the big dark mark under my left
eye. I had never told Tea about my dad- Yugi sort of guessed at what had happened,
and I was pretty sure that Tristan had a sneaking suspicion. I knew it might
break Tea's spirit if she knew what he did to me. I winced at the remembrance.
The night before I had been home really late- and he was so angry. At least
he didn't give it to me too bad. It really was my own fault- I should have known
it was coming. I mean, I had come home so late... and I hadn't even phoned him
or anything. After Kaiba had proceeded to snap what little sanity I had left,
I was too tired and weary to care about what my father did.
"Nothin'." I muttered as she flittered about me trying to get a better look at my face. I opened my locker clumsily, and sloppily shoved a textbook into it. The book fell out, and I bent down to pick it up. Tea stood there the entire time curiously. I realized she wasn't going to give up any time soon because when I had stood back up she was still facing me.
"It isn't just nothing! Friends help each other, Joey. What happened?" Tea asked quietly, catching my hand, and gracefully swivelling my body so that I faced her. She looked at me with those big blue eyes of hers, but I tried to block her gaze. She was so naïve sometimes. Why couldn't she just let well enough alone? Sometimes she could be so nosey! Didn't she see I didn't want to tell her? Thinking fast I replied, knowing that if I didn't give her an answer she would keep badgering me endlessly.
"I got in a fight with Kaiba on the weekend, okay?" I humphed. I felt like crap inwardly for lying to her, but it was best not to get into the truth... especially not in the middle of a school hallway. To tell her the truth would probably crush her. Of course, it crushed Yugi when he figured it out, but he's always been a pretty strong little guy. Okay, it's not like I meant to be sexist or anything. I mean, I bet Mai wouldn't have been troubled too much with the information. But Tea? Who knew what she would do if she found out. It might destroy her to think that one of her friends was in such a situation. Tea was always a bit naïve, even if she had always been incredibly nice. It was like she in her own little world sometimes where nothing inconceivably awful could happen to anybody randomly. Anything bad was deserved. Yeah, well, I tell you, what did I do to deserve the situation I was in? Abusive strict father? Guy who I can't even tell whether he wants me... or wants me dead half the time? And my own brain a mess of confusion- and my heart trying to blaze through the whole situation. Ugh. I felt awful, and I bet I looked like it as well.
"Well, okay." She replied giving me a bit of a funny look. She let the subject drop- just like I had wanted it to. In fact, I hadn't wanted it to come up at all to begin with. I knew I couldn't avoid it forever, but for the time being I was fine with keeping it quiet. Tea had no respect for Kaiba. Only, I hadn't expected her to go tell the world about it. Unfortunately for me, she did.
It wasn't until mid day, near the end of the class before lunch that the rumours spread in whispers around my desk, taunting my ear- assaulting me with my own bitter lie about Kaiba attacking me. It was true that he had attacked me- however the mark on my face had not been derived by the brown haired teen's fist. Letting the truth unveil itself was far more troublesome, even though the boy I was slowly finding myself more and more attracted to take the fall seemed pretty brutal as well. Caught between a lie and a false promise I felt unnerved.
Naturally, the news had reached Tristan's ears via Tea before almost anyone else. The well-meaning girl had gossiped about it in gasps and hushed whispers- and soon the voices were surrounding me in polyphony. Chorusing the song of lies- humming the hymn of truths better left untold. My friends were all affected by the information- and I watched them, one by one, growing progressively furious. I was too weak and pathetic to get in their way- to tell the truth. I knew making up more lies to quell their anger would only lead to questioning of me- and possibly revealing of the truth. More lying would only make me feel worse; telling false truths would only cause more trouble... as if lying once already hadn't caused enough.
I couldn't stand to be near anyone- afraid they would see the lies in my eyes for what they were. Afraid the truth would come out and show itself. Afraid I would be taken away. Just afraid of the unknown, period. The expanse of time was punctuated with the ringing of a bell as I scuffled to my feet, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and hurrying out of the class to avoid as much human contact as I possibly could.
Tears began to form into my eyes as I felt the grass, wet with dissipating morning dew against my feet as I ran to a large, elderly, gnarled tree that sat sleepily on the school grounds. I didn't notice anyone around, but could care less, as I ran to the tree, collapsing at it's base, and sobbed against the tree trunk. It was so hard. Life was so hard. Kaiba- my father- the school work I could never understand- nobody wanting to help- and even being separated from most of my friends; either through their own busy schedules, or my fault due to isolation because I distanced myself every time I lied to them about my life. Oh god, why couldn't I just be honest? Why did I have to be brave, and never let my fears and worries show through? Instead they rested within my stomach, the aching gnawing at my insides like some monstrous beast.
I sobbed as the sun shone down on me, I sobbed as the wind rustled the soft and vividly green grasses that lingered below me, stretching their sturdy bodies up to the sun and open air. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I pulled my legs up against my chest, sliding my hands around my knees, and curling up tightly, leaning against the hard old tree trunk. And that's when I felt a force tugging me up. Brushing away my tears I looked wildly around- unable to see anyone. I quieted immediately. What ghostly force was this? That it could touch me, yet not be seen? Who could stay invisible yet be physical enough to reach out to me? Was my mind playing tricks on me? No! There it was again! My eyes spun wildly, and I caught a flash of skin- hands!
Suddenly they grasped onto my clothing, and began to slowly hoist me up. As I inclined my neck upward as far as it would go, I could see the leering form of Seto Kaiba- up in that tree, his coat trailing down behind him. I gave up trying to struggle the moment I realized he almost had me up completely. There was no use. He had already shown he was physically superior. He would only catch me, or torment me more if I showed weakness by attempting to flee.
"Kaiba..." I started- but he shushed me, putting a finger to his lips.
"Shut-up." He said, silencing me with a dazzling kiss. Emotions soared and raged a furious battle of angels and demons in my mind- darkness overwhelming light, and good conquering evil. Forces intertwining into a seeping mist as I felt his tongue against mine, ours mouths meshing in a furious motion. I grasped at his clothing, feeling the need to express the emotions I was feeling. When we finally broke the kiss we were both breathing heavily, and he wrapped both of his arms around me, embracing me and encircling me with those soft, icy hands of his. I didn't understand- but I didn't think I needed to understand what was going on in Kaiba's head. He, and he alone understood what was going on his mind at the time, and it had been up to him to sort it all out. Perhaps he finally had.
"Who touched you?" He said, referring to the bruise on my face, as he stroked my cheek softly- his caress like a shadow across my heart, causing beautiful shudders of both pleasure and awkward pain throughout my entire being. I shook my head, not wanting to tell him. I wondered if he knew the truth. I figured he must have assumed by then what was going on, just like so many of my friends. Kaiba was far from stupid. Surely he knew? I was aware that he knew of the injustices that mortal men could cause. Look at what Pegasus' evil had performed- or some of the other evil spirits that lurked vengefully- lusting after the Millennium Items. Only, I was too afraid to tell the truth.
Kaiba razed a brazen hand across my chin, turning it ever so slightly, lowering his face to my quickly drying tears- that felt like cool and silvery evaporation against my skin. His breath was ever so light against my cheeks, as he leaned in, placing butterfly kisses across where the tears had been- kissing them away until they were finally gone at last. My soul must have exploded right then- because I felt an epiphany of joy and love as lengthy hours or longing- years of angst and deprived sobbing were yanked away by his fairest touch, his smooth soft skin against mine own.
"It's okay... it doesn't matter anyway." Kaiba said softly; I guess he figured I would tell him when I felt like it. When I was comfortable with telling him. The other youth was more gentle than I had ever thought possible. I knew he was into pain and pleasure- but I didn't know he could make pleasure so kind and soft. Whatever had suddenly changed his attitude back into the caring person I had seen him transform into, I wasn't sure; however I did know that it couldn't be a bad thing if it had caused such miracles.
"Were you lying yesterday?" I whimpered, a pout stealing my upper-lip, a concerned frown stretching my face. I felt the wind caress my hair- but Seto's touch was lighter and more beautiful still. The brown haired boy drew his own face close to mine again for a moment, a smug grin spreading across his face, his eyes shifting from stormy clouded over emotion to a soft- shimmering sort of look... as though he might cry. Seto Kaiba? Cry? How unheard of. My brain repented the thought. Kaiba would never cry, as sure as my name was Joey Wheeler.
"Of course, pup." He closed his eyes momentarily, brushing a hand across them as though preventing the tears that had been forming there. Kaiba didn't want me to see him cry either- and he wasn't about to begin to. I knew that much. I drew him into a powerful kiss- the first time I had taken the initiative upon myself. And I could tell Kaiba didn't mind letting me having the control... for once. His mouth tasted sweet and melodic, like strawberries, and I knew I only wanted more.