~~~~~~~~~~Intoxication~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~AUTHOR'S NOTE~~~~~
Uh, lime-ish warning in this chapter (definite mentioning of mature themes, so get out of here kiddos). ^_^ Erm, also, I wrote this one in a bit of a hurry so there's LOTS of spelling error and stuff cuz I didn't even attempt to edit it ONCE. -_-*
Relatively short chapter (compared to the previous two, I mean) but hopefully this makes up for all u romantic/lemon fans out there! Nothing's based on manga, so you don't have to get all lost and confused and bored again! *cheers* And like always, thanks for all the reviews!
Random comment of the day; Karimu, who seems to be the only High Priest I'm STILL not really familiar with, looks a whole hell of a lot like Celtic Guardian. O_o Same hair shape (only Karimu's is a black wig, while Celtic's is green-ish; but hey, Mahado's hair turned purple and his eyes turned green!) and almost the same eyes. Hmm... See, I haven't really finished the ancient Egypt part of the manga, so I only passed the birth of the Dark Magician and the first (true) appearance of Blue-Eyes (in the form of a GIRL'S Ka; HA!! GIRLS ROCK MAN!!). Everything else I haven't read, so its all possible that maybe Karimu, since we don't see him in the 'future's' plot, could end up dying like Mahado. O_o Oh the possibilities man!
Also, Akunadin reminds me a lot of Dark Sage (Mage?) that's suppose to be this old version of the Dark Magician gone through Time Wizard or something. Don't worry, he's not TOO screwed up looking; he just has a white beard and all this purple silk and all these emeralds over his uniform and his staff is all ancient tree/vine looking. Of course, this is a VERY random guess, cuz MAHADO is the Dark Magician and the Mage doesn't look THAT similar to Akunadin. But then again, though I know who Akunadin is/what he does (someone told me he goes evil with Kaiba; I didn't get to that part yet, but like father like son, eh?), he and Karimu are the only ones that don't show up (unless I missed an episode again O_o) in the future/present show episodes with Ishizu, Shadi, Dark Magician, Exodia (officially belonged to Akunamunkano), Kaiba and 'the Spirit of the Millennium Puzzle'. Hm... I'm just wondering all this, you know. I like to think about all da plot holes in the manga... You guys have any ideas?
The Moulin Rouge song in here is (for those of you that know it) ELEPHANT LOVE MEDLEY. (IGNORE HINTS ABOUT PROSTITUTION HERE, PEOPLE!! -_-*) I edited the song as best as I can without changing it... Enjoy! If you WANNA think about Yami or Kaiba singing (very odd mental image, obviously ^_^) then Kaiba = Voice 1, and Yami = Voice 2 for it to make sense.
~~~~~~
"SETO KAIBA!!"
Kaiba jumped, dazed vision focusing on the rather irritated face of his elderly father.
Akunadin raised an eyebrow. "Did you hear what I said?!"
Kaiba blinked at him, rather confused. "Uh..."
"What was I just saying?"
"...S-something about a valley?"
"Ah, yes; only SEVENTEEN sentences ago!"
Kaiba never thought he'd seen his father so frustrated. He blushed and felt like a little child in trouble. "I'm sorry, Father," he said respectively, trying to ignore his blushing cheeks and the snickering of Karimu off to the side. "I... wasn't focused."
Akunadin nodded, sighing as he glanced at the rest of those present, which included Yami, the other High Priests and Shimon. "I apologize. Anyway, as I was saying... Mahado's remains cannot be recovered, and his Ka is *here*. Obviously, we cannot have a proper funeral without the body and he cannot enter the Afterlife without his soul..." Here Akunadin heaved a heavy sigh, echoed by a sadder one from the Pharaoh. "So thus, we can do nothing there..."
Kaiba glanced out of the side of eyes toward Yami, who sat elegantly at the end of the conference table. The Pharaoh seemed very aware of his gaze, and was trying his hardest to focus on Akunadin, therefore ignoring Kaiba's eyes with a stubborn turn of his head.
Kaiba grinned; this was quite amusing, actually. He had missed the Pharaoh so painfully, just longing to touch him again... It wasn't until these few days of sudden, painful separation that Kaiba realized just how much his world revolved around the young Pharaoh.
Ra, how he missed him.
[Voice 1] (talking)
Love is a many splendid thing, love! Lifts us up where we belong; all you need is love!
[Voice 2] (talking)
Please, don't start that again...
[Voice 1] (singing)
All you need is love!
All you need is love!
All you need is love!
[Voice 2] (singing)
...Love is just a game...
This being a meeting about Mahado, Yami had no choice today but to attend. However, he had been avoiding everyone for the last few days, and for obvious reasons. Mourning deep inside his Chamber, he had chased out everyone --including Shimon-- and had seen neither sunlight nor a human face for days. He ate very little, and spoke even less; needless to say, he wasn't looking his best. His eyes were constantly blood-shot from both crying and sleepless nights. His fair face looked pale, anguished and weary, those emotions doubling ten folds if Mahado was even mentioned within earshot.
Still, Kaiba still thought he was gorgeous.
But of course, the priest --nor anyone else-- had been much better.
First of all, there had been a startling, exponential increase in attacks on villages from wild Shadow Monsters. The High Priests were constantly kept busy and drained of energy for they had to keep sending waves of their own personal monsters from the Temple to distant places all over Egypt. Yami himself, had he joined in the effort, could have taken out all the monsters single-handedly, but he had not shown his face for days. The only help he offered to his tired priests was a single papyrus note --delivered indirectly through servants-- that said something about Bakura rallying all evil and free monsters to start a war. The information wasn't very helpful because it didn't help the situation, but no one dared to demand anything else from Yami. No one seemed to be able to gather enough energy to be angry at him either; after all, his best friend HAD been killed, and he had saved their collective rears more times then the priests could probably count, so no one had anything to complain about. Besides, everyone's nerves were too high-sprung from the thought of a Shadow War, something much deadlier and much different then any of the 'mortal' wars they've had.
And on top of all the Shadow Monster attacks, there were still reacting to Mahado's sudden death. Ishizu didn't look much better then Yami, having cried her blue eyes red, and Akunadin was spending a frighteningly long amount of time locking himself up. Kaiba himself mourned apart of the others; he still refused to admit that he cared too much about Mahado's death, but yet he DID care. Why else would he be practically fighting tears --everyone else lost their own fights already-- almost every time Mahado was mentioned or a not-so-fond memory of him popped up in Kaiba's mind?
However, Yami was on his mind as much as Mahado was. Kaiba was VERY worried about his cousin's condition, but was even more worried by the gut instinct that told him that the Pharaoh had been avoiding *him* more then anyone else. Well, actually, Yami had been shunning Kaiba ever since the two of them returned at the Palace that fateful night, both dripping wet, blushing, muddy and with rather suspiciously bruised lips.
Akunadin had said absolutely nothing about the incident, only showing gratefulness that both of his closest descendants had made it back alive. That was, after he lectured Yami --like the uncle that he was-- about his foolish decisions, and congratulated Kaiba on finding him.
That was all. The other High Priests didn't so much glance at Kaiba after they found that Yami was back home safe and sound.
Kaiba, however, had the oddest feeling that his father knew everything that happened. And, since she blushed and giggled every time she looked at him, Ishizu probably knew it too. And probably Shadi as well, who could put together the evidence rather well.
But Kaiba could care less.
He couldn't say he was a careless freak; no, more like a nervous wreck after worrying about Yami and their little 'incident'. BUT the priest WAS very happy about that kiss, and was dreaming --literally-- about another. Lets just that that his dreams have become more... erotic. Yeah, just a tad. That kiss seemed to have sparked a need within Kaiba that made his emotions MUCH harder to control. Emphasis on MUCH.
As of the moment, no surprise, Yami's lips were exactly what Kaiba was staring at. Even as the funeral meeting went on around him, and even as Kaiba's body unconsciously reacted normally to Akunadin's calls, the priest's fascination was never diverted.
"Seto, are you listening...?"
Kaiba's head instinctively nodded.
Akunadin sighed hopelessly. "Ah, just making sure. As I was saying... Seto, PAY ATTENTION!... Alright? Yes? Okay... Anyway, the Ring... Seto, ME. Look at ME. There, yes. Good. The Ring will no doubt take Bakura's soul in a matter of days, a month at the longe-- Seto, are you listening? No, don't look at *him*, look at *me*. Here! SETO!!"
Kaiba jumped at the sudden bark of his name and looked up, meeting his father's exasperated face. Karimu, as solemn as his heart was, was snickering like mad. Ishizu, Shimon and Shadi looked irritated at Kaiba's lack of attention and respect about Mahado's death, but even they had twinkles of mirth in their eyes. Yami, however, looked rather embarrassed, though he miraculously kept his face straight and placid.
[Voice 1]
I was meant for loving you, baby, and you were meant for loving me!
[Voice 2]
Hmph, the only way of loving me, baby, is to pay a lovely fee!
[Voice 1]
Just one night...
Just one night!
[Voice 2]
There's no way'cause you can't pay!
"Seto, what in the name of RA is WRONG?" demanded Akunadin, standing and staring at his son accusingly in the face. (AN: note, cuz too many people have been reminding me; yes, I KNOW Seto's name is Seto Kaiba, Kaiba as surname, and I KNOW his name is --I think, anyway-- Seth in ancient Egypt, but I like 'High Priest Kaiba' much better. HAPPY NOW?! :-p)
"I... Uh..." stammered Kaiba, mind and heart racing.
He swore he saw Yami smirk.
Fighting the urge to either curse his head off or to jump on Yami, Kaiba gulped. "I... haven't been resting enough, Father," he said quietly. That wasn't stretching the truth TOO much; his nights have been either full of mourning flashbacks of Mahado or rather...vivid... dreams of Yami and that damned kiss of his.
Akunadin's face softened instantly. "But of course, neither of us have been resting well, my son..."
His Millennium Eye flashed, and suddenly his gaze --though not back to its stern expression-- was very suspicious, yet somewhat amused. The remaining gray eye of the elderly man trailed over to Yami --who focused his gaze solemnly in his lap-- and then back at Kaiba, who squirmed with barely-restrained panic.
A sudden understanding, though rather disapproving, smile of mirth graced Akunadin's lips.
Kaiba blushed.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaiba never remembered being so enthralled! He hid it as well as he could, but he could not help but grin like a fool as he exited the Chamber. Yami could not hide now, at least not for a few more days! Which meant that, if he distanced himself carefully, Kaiba could stare and tease and fantasize about the Pharaoh all he wanted.
In the mist of a High Priest's sudden death, practically all of Egypt was either mourning or in shock. People stopped farming for a few days and abandoned work where it was. Gaurds and the Egyptian army --particularly the cavalry-- were kept busy looking for Bakura. Priests ran about preparing what little they could for Mahado to have a good Afterlife, which wasn't possible in the first place because his Ka was stuck in the mortal realm and his remains were to be abandoned forever anyway. High Priests themselves were kept busy trying to keep the every fabric of Egypt intact, partly because their Pharaoh refused to do it.
Needless to say, no one seemed to remember until today that it was almost the annual Birth of Horus, a divine celebration that no one --not even Pharaoh-- was allowed to miss. [1]
There were mixed reactions when this was jolted back into people's brains. Most of the villagers were absolutely delighted; they could revel in joy instead of sulk around about a priest's death. Akunadin and Ishizu had panicked, for they were the ones in charge of overseeing that the deity Horus was well represented and pleased about 'his birthday'. Shadi was put in charge of greeting the governors and other priests as they came from Waset, Philae, and other distance places. (AN: these places didn't really exist until much later, but screw that!) Karimu was put in charge of overseeing the food and prayers made for the deities, particularly Horus. Kaiba himself was suppose to prepare the city for the festivity, but he sent lesser priests and guards to do that, leaving him free to wander around in the Palace while everyone else rushed about on errands and duties. Quite frankly, the priest was content on watching everybody else suffer.
Yami, however, was a totally different story from his carefree admirer. He was not relatively happy, nor relaxed. Because he was Egyptian born and raised, thus unable to even *think* about skipping a worship day, he had no choice but to sulk outside his room. Even if he WAS to think about skipping a holiday such as this, *he* could not for *this* particular day. Why? Because Pharaohs *were* Horus, and thus the 'birth of Horus' was high representative of the Egyptian kings themselves. Therefore, most of the prayer, the food, and the celebration would be offered to *him*, which did not make the attention-hating Yami very content. Now, as much as he liked falcons, there was WAY too many of them around. Everywhere you turned as a statue of Horus, whether as a falcon-headed man or a screeching bird, or the sad, weeping Eye of Horus. Beside them were always painted pictures of some day in Yami's life, and the Pharaoh HATED it when celebrations got personal.
Kaiba did not dare to get close to Yami, as tempting as it was. He would *not* like to explain why he was trailing the Pharaoh inside the Palace while there were duties to perform and people to boss around. Oh, but it was so dreadfully HARD! Kaiba's fingers tingled every time Yami stormed by, and the priest found himself making a habit to lick his lips, remembering the delicious and arousing kiss he had stolen from the Pharaoh.
However, his mind spun madly at the confusion within his situation; he was now much too cautious to admit or do anything, but Kaiba still worried about Yami returning --or not returning-- his affections. Half the time his heart wanted to burst with love and lust, but it would immediately be torn apart by the fact that Yami had not even glanced at him --let alone SPEAK to him-- for more then a moment in these days.
Needless to say, their attraction was very real and very obvious, at least to those that noticed it. Thankfully, Akunadin, Shadi, Shimon and Ishizu were too busy to bug him about it or spread it anymore then it already had. The only problems Kaiba had with that was that was one, he got some rather odd --or maybe jealous-- looks from others, and two, he had no idea how to control his hormones, let alone NOW, after that certain rainy night. And three, maybe the fact that Yami was acting all innocent and ignorant of the whole damn thing.
This was getting on Kaiba's nerves. Besides his fingers twitching and his body betraying him, his eye spasmed too often for the priest's liking. 'Damn him,' thought Kaiba as his eye twitched again, then quickly countered his thoughts with, 'Ra, I didn't meant that! Don't damn him!'
Just then, Yami and Shimon, followed by a forever-present group of gaurds and servants, glided down the hall. The servants carried baskets of food --clearly as an offering-- while Yami carried a sacred royal incense burner, which was basically a long, arm-shaped stick with smoking fingers and decorated with lotus blossoms. Clearly, they were heading toward Horus's Temple to pray.
A deep longing welled up inside Kaiba as he soaked up the handsome features of the exquisite young Pharaoh like a sponge. Before the priest could do anything, his hand out and snagged Yami's arm.
The transformation of the peaceful group was instant. A few servants jumped, not having seen the priest in the shadows. The guards, for a moment, stiffened with their spears extended, before they quickly recognized Kaiba and bowed. Shimon eyed Kaiba warily and stood a little closer to his young charge, sending any doubt that the old man 'knew' about that night out into the Nile.
Yami, being as clairvoyant as he was, did not seem too shocked at Kaiba's sudden appearance. Instead, he gazed coolly at his cousin with an impassive look, as if waiting for his arm to be released. Kaiba caught a flash of expectance and almost joy within those lovely red eyes, but it was gone in an instant and was replaced by passive iciness.
And yet the priest searched desperately for that flash, falling deeper and deeper into the steady gaze of those crimson depth. For a moment, it was simply sapphire eyes locked onto ruby ones, exchanging a silent duel of wills and hearts.
Everyone was quiet.
Kaiba suddenly felt very awkward and pulled himself out of Yami's addictive gaze, focusing on his sandals instead. "Yami, I-I..." he started hesitantly. 'Ra, what do I say to him? I love you? Sorry?... Can I have another kiss?'
The Pharaoh's lips --Kaiba forced down the urge to claim them-- opened as if to answer, but no words came out. Again, there was a brief flash of eager expectance in the young king's eyes, but again, it was gone just as fast as it came.
Kaiba paused and bit his lip, feeling suddenly amused as the unconscious motion drew a sharp intake of breath from Yami.
Again, silence.
Finally, Shimon broke the moment with a small cough. "Excuse me, Priest Kaiba, but His Majesty is needed at the Temples. He must be ready for tonight's festivals."
Kaiba felt as if someone impaled his heart, crushed him under their foot, and laughed in his face, all at the same time. The pain was almost unbearable, but years of habit managed to keep his face blank. "Ah, but of course," he sighed finally, bowing when he realized he didn't do it in the first place. His hand --as hard as it was to-- released Yami's arm. "I... apologize... for keeping your majesty."
The servants and guards were confused at Kaiba's lack of explanation of his actions, but they looked at Yami expectantly.
Kaiba could have imagined it, but did Yami look just as crushed?
However, the young Pharaoh was exceptional in the fact that his purpose in life was practically to show no emotion. Therefore, Yami's face and eyes revealed nothing. "I shall see you at the celebration then, Kaiba." he said quietly at the bowed form of his priest; the comment was a statement, not a question.
Then he was gone in an elegant flick of his cape, leaving Kaiba to only gaze longingly after him.
[Voice 1]
In the name of love!
One night, in the name of love!
[Voice 2]
You crazy fool!
I won't give in to you!
[Voice 1]
Don't... leave me this way!
I can't survivewithout your sweet love, oh baby...
Don't leave me this way...
~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaiba had a heavy heart when he sat down that night. He was dressed in his best --against his will-- for his purple-white attire had been newly adorned with silk and more gold trinkets then normal. The Millennium Rod rested tied to his belt, loosely so it did not spear him through. He heaved a heavy sigh as he sat down at one of the honored chairs lined up with the throne, where the other High Priests --save Mahado-- were already seated.
Akunadin, who sat next to him, patted his shoulder and fondly fixed his son's tall headdress while fixing his own hood, now a silver color of mourning. "Do not look so glum, Seto," he said gently, smiling wearily but in a relieved way, "Now is a time for celebration!"
Kaiba sighed again. "There is nothing to celebrate about," he mumbled. This was true; he was dressed up --oh, the horror--, Mahado was dead, Yami was ignoring him, and everyone else seemed too happy and ignorant of his problems. 'I hate the world.'
Akunadin apparently caught these thoughts and sent him a pitiful gaze. He grabbed two goblets of wine from a passing plate and held one to his son with an expectant raise of his eyebrow.
Kaiba eyed it tiredly. [2] Suddenly, getting dead drunk didn't seem like a bad idea. With a wry smile of thanks, he took the cup and downed it in a few gulps. His throat burned in protest, but a nice, familiar, and warm feeling settled in his stomach right after, making him feel instantly happier.
Akunadin watched him with amusement, sipping his own wine with a tad more refinement. He was quick to motion to a servant girl for his son. Most Egyptian fathers wouldn't like to watch their sons get drunk, but then again, Akunadin was no normal father.
Kaiba, like his father, had an unusually high tolerance of alcohol --even for an Egyptian-- which probably came from his hereditary lineage with the Pharaohs. Of course, as did Yami, who's own 'royal' tolerance was practically legendary; Karimu often verbally marveled at how the young Pharaoh could down practically two dozen shots without looking a tad bit tipsy. (AN: I do not drink. Really. The blasted things taste horrible. Anyway, though I know shots are pretty powerful, I have no idea just HOW powerful. Is two dozen shots enough to get u drunk, or would it kill you? O_o)
Akunadin fondly recalled one rainy night when a bored Kaiba and Yami, both very young at the time, challenged each other to a drinking contest. Yami managed to win --somehow looking as if he didn't have one drink at all-- but ended up being violently ill in the stomach for the next few days. Kaiba, not being nearly as stolid when drunk, kept giggling madly until he collapsed and slept straight through the next day, having the world's worst hangover the next. Akunadin and Akunamunkano were both highly amused even as they rushed their respective sons to the healer's wing. Needless to say, neither youngster dared to drink beyond their limits again.
Kaiba winced as the servant girl refilled his goblet with a pitcher. His stomach, which was originally quite content with the welcomed warmth, now felt rather sick. He should drink slower; he had all the time in the world tonight, anyway.
Just then, in the mist of the laughter and music that echoed within the Throne Chamber, came one singular voice.
"All hail Pharaoh!"
The commotion and the noise in the Chamber fell instantly. Slowly, the large pair of main doors at the end of the Chamber was pulled open.
Everyone, save the High Priests, made a pathway in the center of the room and fell into a deep bow. "All hail mighty Horus, Pharaoh of Egypt!" they echoed as one.
Kaiba quickly settled down his wine before he choked on it. He had completely forgotten the procedure needed for this celebration. Flushing a little, he quickly stood and, despite the heaviness upon his heart, waited eagerly for Yami's presence.
(AN: eh, this little part was random, but I had to put it in SOMEWHERE!)
[Voice 2]
You'd think the people would have enough
of silly love songs!
[Voice 1]
I look around me and I see
it isn't so.
[Voice 2]
Some people want to fill the world...
with silly love songs!
[Voice 1]
Well, what's wrong with that?
I'd like to know.
There was expectant silence in the hall, before a formation of people stepped through the opened doors. First Yami, then Shimon, then a collection of guards.
It was as if Horus himself DID enter the room.
Glittering and sparkling in his full glory, Yami glided forward as if he owned the world, which he practically did, and he knew it, which he did. His brilliant scarlet eyes were exquisitely outlined with dark kohl lines and a glittering shade of both gold and silver. His normal attire was abandoned for the ancient, sacred outfit of Horus. Instead of a tunic, he was now bare-chested, dark skin glistening with fragrant, newly applied oil. He wore a white kilt made of the most silvery silk, showing off his long, slim legs to their fullest. The kilt had a gold film wrapping around the back and layers of colorful flaps in the front, on which laid one of pure gold, engraved with colorful precious stones and ending in a double-headed snake, with one head facing each direction. On Yami's shoulders rested an equally colorful collar-plate that ended in twin falcon heads behind his neck. An elegant, shimmering gold cape branched off from the said necklace and cascaded down his back, tied to the bands upon his wrist almost in a wing-like fashion. On closer inspection, the gold cape had the etched shapes of graceful long feathers upon it, each one catching the light at a slightly different time then the other, bringing beautiful irradiancy to the cloak. The wrist bands they linked on to were of the most gorgeous form of gold, shaped like plumed falcon wings. They matched the simpler ones upon his arms and around his slim ankles; amazingly, he even managed to adorn his Millennium Puzzle with a tiny pair of wings and a small falcon head. Finally, on the Pharaoh's head and hiding all of his vibrant hair from view, was a traditional nemes headdress, along with the animal heads of Nekhbet and Wadjet over his brow. [3] (AN: I was GUNNA leave his bangs out, but that looked ever weirder; yes, I hope you can all imagine Yami with a headdress on, no matter how weird the mental picture)
Kaiba fought the urge to drool and laugh at the same time. Drooling, well, THAT was obvious why, but laughing was a habit that came with that wardrobe. The original 'costume' for this unique celebration included a falcon mask, a PLUMED headdress, and plenty of feathers scattered over the arms to represent a humanoid falcon. Yami, however, threw a hissy fit during his first year of ruling, and therefore made a much more elegant and simple attire according to his own tastes, wrath of the gods be damned.
Kaiba now thought Yami had VERY good taste.
However, Yami didn't look at all pleased with himself, or about anything else, for that matter. In fact, he held a slight droop in his normally proud shoulders, and there was a deep shadow over his eyes. It was pretty obvious that there would be no reveling from him this holiday.
He paused briefly, to compose himself. Then, lifting his head bravely, strolled down the floor toward his throne like the king that he was.
Kaiba met his piercing glance for a second. The brunette willed their gaze-lock to hold as the High Priests stood, as one, and bowed to greet the Pharaoh as he approached the throne. Kaiba held his cousin's gaze purposely, slyly bowing lower then normal with a hand open symbolically over his heart, rather then the respective fist the others had. And he made a great show by casually licking his lips.
Yami blinked rapidly, red irises flashing between his gold eyelids. Then he shyly ducked his chin and quickly turned away.
Kaiba felt smug if not annoyed; there, he made it darn obvious --without full out shouting it-- what he felt. Yami couldn't ignore THAT.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaiba NEVER thought he would forget all that was on his mind. NEVER.
Even as he and the other priests intoned the corrected incantations and blessing and prayers to Horus and Yami, he did not think that his life would lift from the sad, zombie-like days he had been living. Too many times did Kaiba notice the others --Yami, in particular-- glancing at where Mahado used to sit, casually expecting to speak with him before they realized with horror and embarrassment that the priest was no longer there. Kaiba himself half expected to see Mahado's challenging glare staring at him from across the floor, or to see the young priest waltz in and announce that this whole thing was a misunderstanding, and that he was fine, the Ring was fine, and Bakura was gone.
But no. Mahado neither walked through the doors, nor glared at Kaiba, nor presented himself at Yami's side, nor appeared anywhere in the vicinity.
It hit them all like a punch in the stomach this night.
Yami seemed even more depressed, and his anguish quickly caught on with the others. Even Kaiba found himself in stunned disbelief and finally, agonized acceptance.
But that was all before Yami gave the nod to 'okay' the start of the festivals.
And the moment the celebrations started, it seemed like the whole world was just a little better for a split instant. There was laughter, cheering, teasing, flirting, singing and dancing all around. Guards chatted without the slightest worry upon their faces. Servant girls happily refilled goblets while servant boys ran in and out with trays of the freshest foods. Dancers and acrobats twirled gracefully around the Chamber, their bodies and veils swaying to the music performed by a few talented singers and magicians in the corner. And, of course, everyone was getting drunk.
Ishizu seemed to smile for the first time in days. Shadi and Karimu were locked in a heated --most likely pointless-- debate that Shadi would no doubt win. Akunadin and Shimon seemed to be having the grandest time conversing with some elderly gentlemen of which they probably shared some fond moments together. Kaiba was having a fun time drinking and watching other people make a fool of themselves.
No one seemed completely immune to the contagious cheer, and what little immunity was left began to fade as the hours flew by. For the time being, thankfully, Mahado and his death seemed to have vanished from everyone's minds.
Except Yami's. The Pharaoh still sat slumped in his throne, silent, morose, and entirely drained. He looked ready to flee the moment his presence was no longer needed, no doubt to run to his Chamber and sob his heart out over Mahado's sacrifices and memories and what not. Bastet, who had somehow crawled in and nestled herself in Yami's lap, left dully after Yami refused to pet her.
Kaiba debated for a moment what limb or organ he would give up just to see Yami smile, or at least SMIRK. He used to HATE seeing Yami smile, for that would usually mean that he lost some game or the young king had something evil --usually not good for Kaiba's health-- in mind OR Kaiba had just made a fool himself. But Yami's smiles were so RARE and so STUNNING that the love-sick priest found himself treasuring every single one, no matter what the cause behind it was. Surprisingly, when Kaiba glanced worriedly at his cousin, he found that Yami's auburn eyes were already fixed solely on him.
For a moment, they simply eyed each other.
'Ra damn, can someone be DANGEROUSLY sexy and NOT know it?' demanded Kaiba to himself.
Yami, beyond doubt, seemed far too ignorant for someone with such power and control. His 'depression' had caused his body to turn into something not too unlike water, sprawled out casually --and seductively, in Kaiba's opinion-- over his throne, long legs and petit body outlined by his exquisite outfit and topped off by the superb features of his face and the imperial splendor of the names headdress. The young king reminded Kaiba of an Egyptian cobra; beautiful, calm, and always silent, but just as deadly, feared and mysterious. Even a child would not be fooled by the Pharaoh's disheartened state; he still carried the unmistakable grace of royalty, practically radiating with dark wisdom and eternal alertness. The 'living Horus' representation that was so important of tonight suited Yami well; the supernal, unnatural aura about him unarguably commanded respect, and it would be more then enough to make the hair on the back of Kaiba's neck rise had the priest not been used to his cousin's presence.
There was a rather dangerous glint in Yami's eyes that Kaiba found incredibly alluring, it not unknowingly so. Quite purposely breaking their staring contest, the Pharaoh raised his goblet toward the priest as a mocking cheer and, with a quick flick of his head and hand, downed it --possibly his fourth drink-- in record time.
Kaiba blinked. 'What was THAT suppose to mean?' Of course, having Yami simply ACKNOWLEGE him was enough to make his heart sing and soar. He grinned like a fool, a huge weight lifting off his shoulders. 'Yami DOESN'T hate me,' he realized with a warm surge of relief that flooded from his stomach to his knees.
Just then, he realized Yami was licking his lips for the last bit of wine --the priest shivered in delight-- and was raising an elegant, expecting eyebrow at him. For a moment, Kaiba was confused. Yami only smirked faintly and called over a servant girl to refill his goblet, red eyes never leaving Kaiba's blue ones.
The said priest felt suddenly uncharacteristically giddy. VERY giddy. One, Yami was LOOKING at HIM like THAT, and two, the Pharaoh was challenging him to a drinking contest!
Now, had they both been COMPLETELY sober, they might have realized just how stupid that type of challenge was; both having a common previous experience. But, of course, both of them were now already feeling the affects of alcohol. AND it seemed like a good idea at the time; they were both lonely, bored, and, best of all, alone *together*.
With a shrug that could have meant 'ah, what the hell...', Kaiba motioned the same servant girl over to fill HIS goblet. He sent a challenging smirk over at Yami, who merely shrugged somewhat.
The young king seemed to take the old saying "drink away your worries" to heart as he proceeded to drinking himself --and thus, Kaiba-- dead drunk.
[Voice 1]
'Cause here I go...!
Love lifts us up where we belong!
Where eagles fly
over mountains highs!
[Voice 2]
Love makes us act like we are fools;
throw our lives away
for one happy day?!
[Voice 1]
We could be heroes!
Just for one day!
~*~*~*~*~*~
Needless to say, after nearly a few dozen drinks (AN: now I know for a FACT a few dozen drinks could kill ya, but lets just pretend; YGO ancient Egypt, remember? ^_^) both Kaiba and Yami were feeling just a tad tipsy and not at all coordinated. If Hathor, the goddess of love and drunkenness, had stepped in the room to perform her magic, Yami and Kaiba probably wouldn't have known the difference. Incredibly, everyone else seemed so wrapped up in the celebrations and the entertainment that they never noticed their silent contest up on the throne.
Kaiba had long gone giddy, though he was doing miraculously well in hiding his laughter. He blamed it on bad genes; both he and Akunadin --unlike Yami and Akunamunkano, both of whom could hold their wine with amazingly sober minds-- were haunted with a habit to laugh and stagger around when they got TOO drunk, which was rare enough since they had high alcohol tolerance in the first place. STILL, Kaiba's mind functioned enough to laugh at himself and admit that he was drunk. Not drunk enough to dance naked or anything --unless Yami wanted him to-- but definitely drunk enough to not be able to recall exactly what he was doing here or why his headdress kept falling off.
Yami was a tad red in the face, and his cup wasn't too steady, but he seemed much more sober then Kaiba felt. Thus, it was a surprise to the drunk priest when his cousin suddenly stood and motioned for a few servants to clear away his food and wine.
'WHAT?!' screamed Kaiba outraged --and still blurried-- mind. 'He's giving up NOW?' Childhood experience told him --after he had to search a while to find them-- that Yami NEVER gave up. A bit alarmed and confused, Kaiba took a few moments to gather his coordination enough to move out of his seat. He stumbled a moment, before steadying himself and attempting to retrieve his headdress. After failing to successfully do so, Kaiba decided to leave the damned thing there and settled for glaring at the back of Yami's spiky-haired head.
Meanwhile, Yami staggered toward a back exit door and mumbled some excuse to a worried guard that he was just going for a walk to 'wait out his drunkness' or something or other. His words, though still a tad muffled, seemed amazingly stable, and only a slight sway in his steps gave his drunken state away.
Sober enough to realize that he probably shouldn't try speaking complete sentences, Kaiba brushed past the bewildered guards and attempted --tripping over his feet, nevertheless-- to follow Yami.
Kaiba's temper was a dangerous mix with wine, as the said priest was about to discover. Mind reeling in illogical terms, his thoughts struggled dangerously with the frustration that had built up over the last few days. So, it was really no surprise when Kaiba's drunk stumble was suddenly granted a sober run that caught him up to Yami in the darkened, incense-hazy corridor. With fury he could not quite contain in his intoxicated state, Kaiba flung the stunned ruler into the wall, arms cornering Yami's head between them while the priest's cerulean eyes glared with accusation and irritation.
Yami blinked up groggily at him, a flash of stunned pain twisted up his proud face. Dazed scarlet eyes glared up at Kaiba with confusion and curiosity as he rubbed the growing red bruise upon his shoulder with amazingly-contained annoyance. "What the bloody hell, Kaiba...?" he slurred.
Kaiba could stand it no longer. Yami's hard-to-get attitude that had originally made him so frustrated was now making him VERY lustful. Playing hard to get equaled 'punishment' in the priest's drunk mind, who was now fixed solely on the attraction and the raging hormones running through him. Not to mention there wasn't a damn thing Yami could do about any of it right now, save looking absolutely delicious and confused and hurt. Without any actual brain activity, the priest leaned close, warm alcoholic breath against Yami's skin, and gently began to suck on Yami's bruise, careful to catch a few of the Pharaoh's slender digits while he was at it.
Yami stiffened instantly, but when he made no movement to get away, Kaiba continued, peregrinating tongue tasting the sweet oil that added to the luscious natural flavor of the young king's skin.
"K-Kaiba..." moaned Yami quietly, innocent puzzlement and drowsy intoxication within his voice. "I-I...What are you... Kai--Nngh!"
He might as well as tried to reason with a hungry tiger moving in for the kill. The cold man he once knew as 'Kaiba' no longer seemed to exist, replaced by a desire-filled drunkard desperate to claim what was rightfully his.
Kaiba's finger dug into Yami's shoulders, both possessively and painfully, as he forced the young Pharaoh upon his tippy-toes to even out their heights. Then, with gentleness not expected from one as smashed as the High Priest, his flushed lips trailed up Yami's elegant neck, leaving a wet and hot mark wherever it hit. A quick flick of his hand and the Millennium Puzzle that rested between them was pushed off to the side, allowing Kaiba to crush their skin together with little room in between. One hand still gently urging the Pharaoh to stand on the balls of his feet, the priest allowed the other to trail from Yami's ear, down the sharp jaw, down the long neck, and finally playfully scratching fiery trails down the sensitive chest.
In the haze of drowsiness upon his mind, Yami let out an uncharacteristic whimper as the onslaught of battles between both pain and pleasure and reason and madness.
[Voice 1]
We should be lovers!
[Voice 2]
We can't do that...
[Voice 1]
We should be lovers...
and that's a fact.
Kaiba was gorging himself silly with no intention of stopping. Passionately, he engulfed Yami's lips with his own, finding them hesitantly parting under his intrusive tongue. Both pairs of eyes instinctively drifted shut as hungry tongues dueled between them, tasting the slippery and delicious flavors within the other's mouth.
Yami gasped into Kaiba's mouth as his temperature shot to record highs, body trembling under the other's demanding touch. He was drowning, senses overwhelmed and filled to the brink with the exotic scent and taste of his priest and the music of their echoing moans. The Pharaoh's hands drifted upward on their own and tangled in Kaiba's thick hair, playing with the brown strands that rested there. He shuddered when Kaiba's hands released him and drifted downward, fingers drawing flaming designs upon his smooth abdomen muscles. Then, lower still, soon playing with his thighs and growing arousal. He let out a surprised squeak, followed by a husky cry, when a long leg suddenly slid between his own, increasing his passion and skin contact until it was nearly unbearable. The said leg grounded roughly against his centre, nudging the poor young king to respond with hoarse half-screams, muffled by Kaiba's silencing lips.
This was too much, too sudden, too desperate...
Damn, but it felt so GOOD!
Still, a tiny, sober part of Yami was trying to tell him something, and wouldn't go away to leave them alone. There was a bothersome reason against all this... Some reason... If only he could THINK! But being drunk and being used so urgently by a would-be lover was beyond distracting. No, there was something wrong... Something...
"No!" Yami pushed Kaiba away, shivering when he heard the other moan at the sudden lack of warmth. He licked his bruised lips, crimson eyes suddenly alert, even in his smashed state. "No..." he repeated heatedly, words overlapping, "N-not here..."
That seemed to snap some sense back into Kaiba. The sexually-frustrated priest glanced around with blurred vision and found that they were still in a frighteningly close proximity of the Throne Chamber; after all, Yami never got very far on his 'walk'. Growling irritably, Kaiba grabbed a stunned Yami by the wrist and dragged him down the --thankfully empty-- corridor with the hurry of a man that was about to die in a few minutes if he didn't get what he wanted.
[Voice 2]
Though nothing
will keep us together...
[Voice 1]
We could steal time...
[Together]
...just for one day.
We could be heroes!
Forever and ever!
We could be heroes! Forever and ever!
We could be heroes!
Caught a tad off guard by the other's sudden movements, it took Yami's hazy mind a few seconds to realize that Kaiba was trying to reach the closest private room they had; the Royal Chamber. How Kaiba suddenly seemed so damn sober and could walk so damn straight was a mystery; Yami himself was staggering and tripping over his sandals, barely able to see --let alone walk-- in a straight line.
But he was now the helpless --and quite willing, actually-- captive of a deranged madman who was currently shoving away bewildered guards, servants and fellow priests as if they would even DARE to touch *his* Pharaoh. Amused, Yami could only shrug helplessly at their wild eyes, just hoping that Kaiba wouldn't separate his wrist from his arm by the time he was done dragging him around.
Some old man --who grinned knowingly at them-- made a comment that Yami should at least take off his sacred costume. Yami only laughed to himself and made a mental note that it was bound to be taken --or ripped-- off anyway.
The walk...er, stagger... to the Royal Chamber, however normally-short, was still too long for the lustful Kaiba. Almost there, he gave up and abruptly turned on Yami, pushing him against the wall with all-too-familiar need and trailing his hands and lips over the Pharaoh's skin in such an erotic and desperate way that drove the younger man mad with pleasure. A rough hand ripped the nemes headdress from the Pharaoh's head, allowing the priest to sink his hands into the thick, vivid hair of his soon-to-be lover.
Yami made a half-hearted attempt --when a pair of servants stopped to stare-- to shove Kaiba off, but only succeeded in making them BOTH tumble over each other. Thus, they ended up in a rather awkward --and ultimately, suggestive-- position with Yami's cheek dangerously close to nuzzling Kaiba's groin.
They both froze, inhaling sharply.
Barely visible under his now-messy blond bangs, Yami's maroon eyes had flushed deep scarlet with lust and intoxication, but even so, he had enough sense not to do this in the hall. Ra, how close was he to giving head to Kaiba in the hallway?!? Mustering an impressive amount of stomach-twisting control, Yami shakily tore himself away, bravely fighting his own desires and urges. Still, it was so HARD!
Kaiba was a little less rational, hungry and eager cerulean eyes almost hurt when Yami drew away. He didn't care if there were people; hell, he didn't care who in the name of Seth they WERE, either. All he wanted was Yami....who wasn't giving him what he needed, Ra-damnit!
Yami, panting visibly, shoved his discarded headdress in the arms of one of the bewildered servants and hauled his fallen lover upward. Somehow, the young ruler managed to drag Kaiba to the Royal Chamber without any more mishaps, entering the said room with both of them giggling and staggering and with capes and limbs entwined.
"OUT!" barked Yami to the shocked gaurds there, who tripped over themselves in their quick attempt to flee the vicinity as fast as they could.
The last gaurd hadn't even left the room when Kaiba's patience wore out and permitted the priest to thrust Yami up against a pillar, crushing together their bruised lips and ravaging the other's body with desperate, passionate need.
Yami let out a deep, throaty purr as Kaiba's naughty hands wandered to equally naughty places, raking his own nails across Kaiba's strong shoulders and the rippling muscles that lay across the priest's broad chest. The taller man gave a shiver of approval and growled lowly in the other's mouth. As their tongues made mad, passionate love, the sapphire-eyed youth crushed their sensitive arousals together, joining their hips in a provocative, feline dance. Yami arched his elegant body and threw back his head to let out a strangled cry of passion. Their lip-lock broken, the young king let out a silky moan as his trembling knees gave, allowing him to fall in to the other's clutching embrace. Kaiba was more then happy to hold his lithe lover, growling possessively as he continued to grind, nipping at Yami's swan neck and adding to the shudders of pleasure that ran up the said youth's body.
Yami -- dignity be damned-- regained enough feeling of his fingers to tug impatiently at his priest's clothing, all the while letting out another purr as Kaiba continued to attack his sensitive throat. No words were needed to convey his message. Kaiba silently and whole-heartedly agreed that their damned costumes were in the way of his whole plan.
Any rational thought --had there been any left-- soon fled the vicinity as their desperate fingers quickly tugged off tunics and capes, followed quickly by belts and other garments. The trail of discarded clothing and passion-filled whimpers soon led to Yami's bed, where Kaiba very quickly disposed himself and his lover, though taking care not to knock Yami's head against the stone statue of Horus.
[Voice 1]
Just because I
will always love you!
[Voice 2]
And I...
[Together]
can't help loving...
[Voice 1]
...you.
[Voice 2]
How wonderful life is...
[Together]
when you're in love...!
Skin contact never broken, the two desperately entwined themselves upon the bed, bodies covered in sweat and flushed with passion, lips and tongues dueling, hands clutching to each other.
"I want you..." slurred Kaiba, growling possessively as he continued to crush their arousals together, running his hands down the Pharaoh's shuddering petit body.
Yami had no complaints. He deepened their intoxicating kisses, quivering and crying out under the other's erotic grip. He wrapped his long limbs around his once-rival and broke their lip-contact enough to breath a few soft words in Kaiba's ear, nibbling at the ear-lobe in the process. "Then take me..."
~*~*~*~*~*~
[1] - ancient Egyptians were the ones to invent the 24-hour day (they base it off Ra's daily war from dawn to dawn) and the 365-day year. The ancient Egyptians had 360 normal days (they had religious ceremonies almost every three days) and 5 'holidays' where they celebrate the birth of Horus, Isis, Osirius, Seth and Nephthys (the latter four as sisters and brothers, two pairs of married couples, and Horus is the hawk-headed, 'Pharaoh' son of Isis and Osirius). In case you can't do the math, that's 365-days for you.
[2] - Uh, all ancient Egyptians drank was wine/beer. ALL. They usually didn't drink water unless they couldn't make/get/find wine and they were desperate. ^_^* Geez, imagine their liver problems, man! Also, they must have the world's highest tolerance to alcohol. -_-*
[3] - this is not what Horus (usually, nor accurately)wears; he always wears this gold tunic of some sort, and always that Double Crown (I thought that maybe Yami wouldn't look too good in that crown ^_^*) This gorgeous outfit (save the cape and some parts of the jewelry; I made that up ^_^) is actually based off the true clothing of Pharaohs etched in pictures and stuff of real ancient Egypt. There's this one Pharaoh that ALWAYS dressed in this, and his pictures (usually with gods and stuff) are GORGEOUS. I think it was (former General) Horemheb, last Tuthmosid Pharaoh, successor to Ay, who was successor to young Tutankhamun. The nemes headdress is the striped headcloth that most Pharaohs wear in their pictures and stuff; its what's on Tut's mask's head and most of the sphinxes, for those of you that are clueless. As for the oil part, NO I did not merely make that up to make Kaiba even MORE attracted to Yami; actually, in ancient Egypt, they wore these balls of scented fat in their hair so it would melt during the day on to their skin and hair. O_o Heh.
~~~~~AUTHORS NOTE~~~~~
AAAAUUUUGGGHHH!! OOOOHHH THAT SUCKED!! *flees from da flying tomatoes* Don't kill me! The chapter was longer then I thought, so I hope you're happy there!! I'm sorry I ended it so suddenly! You're probably all really pissed... ^_^* I didn't want to cross the NC-17/R border TOO much (which I already did :-p)... *sob* SORRY THAT YAMI ENDED UP ON BOTTOM!! (at least, you can assume that...) -_-* *runs from a huge barrage of tomatoes* I've glanced at a few (very good ^_^) Seto/Yami fics now and most of the time Yami ends up on bottom anyway (or at least for part of the time).
Eh, that song didn't make as much sense as I hoped it would. I seemed like a good idea at the time to stick it in there, but the chapter didn't go smoothly with the lyrics, despite the fact that they match in topics. ^_^*
By the way, for you Ishizu/Malik fans out there, did you know that 'Ishtar' was the ancient Babylonian goddess of love? Pharaoh Amenhotep III, when he was growing old, asked the Babylonians to allow him to worship her, just so he could feel a tad 'younger'. O_o Just a cool fact. ^_^ But then again, Ishtar probably came from some Japanese word, for all I know...
+++Preview For Next Chapter+++: a divine vision for Yami, an awkward morning, and the first part (u guys are gunna kill me for this) in a two-chapter separation.
IMPORTANT: I'm going on vacation for a week so it'll be at least two weeks before the next chapter is up! (It usually takes me a week to write one chapter, if you haven't noticed...) SORRY! I swear, it will be up soon! Thanks for all da support, guys! I'm aiming for 100+ reviews here! (If so, this will be --review/chapter proportionally-- the most popular story I've written!! :-p)