Me wa Yori oi ni Deau-More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter 1

Rating: R

Author: Moonchild DJ

E-Mail: moonchilddj@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: Yugioh, sadly, dun belong to me. It belongs to all the lovely people, companies, etc that own it, lock, stock and barrel. I'm just a lowly fangirl that writes waaaaay too much fanfiction! ^^;; However, I do own this story and its plot, so please don't take, ne?

Author's Notes: Kon'wa, minna-chan! Moonchild DJ back with a brand-new story for you all, and I hope you like it. This one..will be a little bit different for me. Besides being R--my first R-rated story!--it has a way- different form of storyline and plot, so I'm a bit nervous. This will also be the first of a lot of things, but you'll have to see what, that'll be a surprise. You'll just have to guess. :P Yes, the main pairing is Seto/Jou, like that's no surprise from me. ^_~ There's nothing R-rated about it, yet, but I'm just giving warning, I'm sure it'll be R-rated soon. ^^; Please let me know what you think, comments are always welcome for something that's been floating around my head for the last few months. And enjoy!

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He still couldn't believe it. Seto Kaiba..the greatest duelist, the champion of Duel Monsters--beaten down by that silver-haired freak, Pegasus J. Crawford. Of course, Pegasus had that weird eye-thing that looked like Yugi's Sennen Puzzle, that had stolen Seto's sould upon his loss to him-- but the older man had cheated, he knew that. And now he was trapped the very same way as his younger brother, Mokuba, in the Shadow Realm.

Katsuya Jounouchi shook his head as he ambled through the halls of Pegasus' castle, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. He felt sorry for Seto, he'd fought so hard against Pegasus, and lost. When he'd watched his soul get taken away, his body fall like a rag doll and get dragged away by Pegasus' goons, he felt like crying. It wasn't fair..he wished he could help him, he would do anything to reunite the two brothers.

He knew Yugi would wonder at his thoughts, since he was supposed to "hate" Seto Kaiba. But he didn't hate him, could never hate him. He saw too much about the guy, besides being rich and CEO of KaibaCorp, that reminded him of himself. That was part of the reason why he'd developed a crush on him..even for all the words and dog comments..he couldn't find it in himself to hate him, even if Seto would never feel the same.

And now Seto's soul was in the Shadow Realm and the final duels were to be happening the next day..he, Yugi, Mai and Bandit Keith were to be dueling each other, then the winner would duel Pegasus. He fisted his hands. He wished it was him dueling the warped silver-haired man, he'd find some way to make him pay for all the people he'd hurt. But then, he'd probably end up in the Shadow Realm, himself.

'Well..at least I'd be with Seto..' Jou shook his head again, sighing. He really had to stop thinking like this, it wasn't going to happen. Seto would never care for him like that. So why was he tormenting himself like this? Why was he thinking of things that could never be?

''Cause I really AM a puppy, always begging for whatever scrap of attention I can get.' he thought to himself bitterly as he moved deeper into the castle. He heard voices and frowned, dragging himself out of his thoughts. He wasn't even sure where he was..

"Are you ever going to let him go?"

Jou froze in surprise, eyes widening. That was Seto's voice! But..his soul had been sent to the Shadow Realm! He sucked in a soft breath at the answering voice.

"Of course I am, Kaiba-boy. I'm not a total monster."

Pegasus. What the..? He tiptoed closer, holding his breath as he slid into a dark corner and peeked into a room..and nearly fell over at the sight. His heart slammed to a stop. Seto...and Pegasus..together in a bed...naked. Oh gods..

Seto snorted as he rested his head against the silver-haired man's chest. "You could have fooled me. The things you've done.."

Pegasus smiled, running long fingers through the thick auburn hair of the younger man. "I know, I'm horrible, aren't I? Desperate times call for desperate measures, Kaiba-boy. You know that."

"Yes. All too well. But Mokuba's innocent."

"He'll not be harmed. His soul is only in the Shadow Realm, and will stay there until all is completed."

"....I hate you. Hell, I hate myself. Why am I in this position, with YOU of all people?" Seto hissed angrily, not seeing the saddened look cross the older man's features--save one shocked blond.

"Because you have no choice. And..I hate you, too."

"Good. Then we're equal, then."

"Yes..."

Jou's jaw dropped. Seto and Pegasus..were lovers..and going by the look on Pegasus' face..he was in love with Seto. But Seto didn't feel the same, he could tell that much, and he could sympathize with Pegasus, even for his evil. He certainly understood unrequited love, since he loved Seto and Seto hated him.

"Why do you do this to me, Pegasus? Let me out of the Shadow Realm to have your way with me, and then put me back? Why either just keep me in the Shadow Realm or not? Why both?" Seto growled angrily in a bitter tone, not feeling the silver-haired man flinch.

"...Some things are better left unsaid, Kaiba-boy."

"Tell me, damn you. I'm tired of your games, Pegasus."

"Oh? And what do you call this?" Jou saw him motion to the bedroom and their state of undress, saw the man's face lighten with some kind of..hope.

"More of your tricks and games to get whatever you want."

The silver-haired man's face fell, his lips falling into a scowl. "A game, hm? Then maybe I should up the game a notch." He clutched the brunette's face in hurting fingers and swooped his head down to claim his lips in a punishing kiss.

Jou winced and glanced away. Pegasus did love Seto..and like he did with him, words hurt. But at least he could be with Seto, at least know *something* of Seto Kaiba. He would die for just that chance, but he would never have it. He closed his eyes and stepped back to slide back into the shadows and leave, while his heart was still intact.

Pegasus felt a tingle of thought that matched his and glanced up, away from the glaring brunette. He frowned and focused.

--Tournament-Seto-dueling-Seto-money-Seto-Shizuka-Seto-dueling-Seto-friends- Seto-Seto-Seto-Seto--

He smirked. So someone else was stuck on Seto Kaiba. "It appears we have company, Kaiba-boy. Where do you think you're going, Jounouchi-boy?"

Seto froze, eyes widening. Jounouchi? He knew the mutt was hanging around for the tournament, but for him to see him like this..he hissed in disapproval and tried to shrink away from Pegasus, but the older man held him fast. He growled, tempted to dive under the covers, but the blond would just get on his case more. He wouldn't hide before the puppy.

Jou blinked, paling. How did he..? It must be that damn Eye. He growled under his breath and ground out loud enough for them to hear, his back still turned, "I didn't see anything, I was just leaving."

"Ah, but Jounouchi-boy, you did see. And hear, as well. You know I can't let you leave."

Jou's jaw clenched. "And if I leave?"

"You know very well what I can do. And what use would you be to your sister, then?"

Seto blinked at the words, then glared at Pegasus. Why was he bringing the mutt into this, this was embarrassing enough without his rival in on it!

Jou fisted his hands. "Bakayaro." he hissed. "What do you want?"

Pegasus smirked. "You know very well I can't let you leave without some sort of guarentee that you won't leave here and ruin all my lovely plans." He watched the blond's back stiffen. "But then, you're the honorable sort, so it shouldn't take much. Your sister's welfare, perhaps?"

Seto's eyes widened. What was Pegasus doing? He sounded like he was blackmailing the mutt to keep quiet about this with his own sibling..like with Mokuba.

"How dare you. Isn't Mokuba enough in your games that you have to threaten an innocent girl who's not even involved?" Jou snarled out fiercely, glaring over his shoulder at the silver-haired man. His eyes narrowed as Pegasus smirked again.

"So don't say anything, and all shall be fine, Jounouchi-boy. Simple as that." At the curt nod from the blond, the smile grew wider. "Excellent. Then we shall forget this indiscretion, hmm?"

"Whatever." Jou growled. It was bad enough he had to watch a common enemy have what he wanted so much, but to also have his sister threatened..he glared at Pegasus, flinching slightly as the other drew Seto closer to him, a mocking grin settling on his face as he lay a hand on the brunette's back. 'Just gotta rub it in, don't you, Pegasus?' he thought to himself sourly.

"Run along then, Jounouchi-boy. Back to your friends, and tell no one."

Jou gave another curt nod, glaring daggers at the silver-haired man before stalking away. It was only after he'd turned the corner he let the tears come and raced swiftly back the way he'd come. He'd never have a chance, now. Pegasus looked possessive of Seto, and Seto hated him..he'd never get his attention, ever. He dashed a hand across his eyes. He couldn't let the others see him upset, they'd wonder why he was crying, and there was no way on earth he was going to tell them. One, because they had no clue as to his feelings, and two, never, because of Pegasus' veiled threat against Shizuka. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place, with no way out.

He had no other possibility but to focus on the tournament, and try to put everything else out of his mind. Easier said than done. His mind kept replaying back the sight of the brunette's pale, soft-looking skin, the curve of his back..and Pegasus' hand laying against it possessively. 'Mine', the touch screamed, and his heart listened and believed. No matter that Pegasus had Seto against his will, or that Pegasus had Seto's brother..he had *him*, and that was all his heart could seem to focus on.

"Stupid heart.." he muttered. "Why did you have to go and fall for Seto Kaiba, of all people?" He shook his head in disgust at himself. "I really am a pathetic mutt."

******

"Much as I hate to say it..was that really necessary?" Seto sighed, resting against Pegasus reluctantly. "Like he was really going to tell. The mutt could care less about what happens to me, we're not exactly friends, and he doesn't care about you, either, you egomaniac. All that matters is his sister, and the tournament, not your little games."

Pegasus smirked faintly. 'How little you know, Kaiba-boy. If you had any idea what little Jounouchi-boy's thoughts are full of..' he thought to himself. "It was completely necessary, I assure you. I have to cover all my bases. One little slip-up from Jounouchi-boy, and where would I be?"

"In a padded cell, hopefully." Seto growled.

"Ouch. You wound me, Kaiba-boy."

"Not good enough for my tastes."

"Hmph. Aren't we grouchy."

"Gee, I wonder why." Seto drawled out sarcastically.

Pegasus winced quietly. "No, really, Kaiba-boy, don't hold back. Tell me how you really feel." He knew Seto hated him, for taking his brother and trying to take his business, but there was so much involved to it, and he wouldn't understand..even *he* didn't understand it, and couldn't keep track of what he wanted..his thoughts seemed so confused, sometimes, but still..it hurt to hear those scathing words from the brunette's lips.

Seto smirked and rolled away from him, turning his back to him. "Now that you've finished humiliating the mutt and me, do however you like. Put me back in the card, whatever. I don't care."

The silver-haired man sighed, glancing away. He didn't stand a chance. Just like Jounouchi-boy. Maybe Kaiba-boy couldn't love anyone. "As you wish, Kaiba-boy. You don't know what you're missing." A simple flash from the Eye, and the spirited soul of Seto Kaiba was once again placed in the Shadow Realm. He shook his head at the slumping form, cradling it tenderly against him. "I just can't win."

******

"Jou! There you are! Where'd you run off to?"

The blond head jerked up at his name, startled out of his thoughts as he glimpsed one of his best friends coming toward him. He couldn't let Honda see how shaken he was, there was no way to explain what he'd seen. Not without getting Seto, much less his sister, in trouble. 'What to say, what to say..' he thought to himself desperately.

An easy-going smile was forced upon his lips, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Ah, sorry, man, I got kinda turned around when looking for the little boys' room." Jou cracked, falling back into that safe zone of cracking a joke, being the comedian, instead of worrying his friend, as he was often forced to do.

The brunette smirked and thwapped him on the back, shaking his head. "You'd lose your head if it wasn't attached, Jou."

"I know, I know. But I'm okay, now. Where're the others?"

"They've already gone to bed, Yugi especially, with the duels starting up tomorrow. So what about you?"

Jou faked a yawn and smiled at his taller friend. "I think I'm gonna hit the sack, too. I've gotta be in this tournament, too, and you know what a horrible morning person I am."

Honda laughed. "That's for sure. You think you can find your room by yourself, or do you need a map?"

The blond's features pulled into a playful scowl. "Ha ha ha. Real funny." he replied as he punched the brunette's arm. "See ya in the morning."

"Night, Jou."

"Night.." Jou sighed mentally, walking back to his room and inside with a pensive look. As he went through the motions of getting ready for bed, his mind was stupid enough to bring up images of Pegasus and Seto..together..the longer fingers of the older man smoothing over the other's flesh and holding him close..much like he wanted to do, but the silver-haired freak beat him to it.

He growled and tossed his coat angrily, his hands fisting. "It's not fair.." he muttered. He cared for Seto..more than he could say, and way more than Seto knew. And there was nothing he could do to change the fact that he'd lost even before he'd known it. Pegasus had the upper hand, and he knew it. And he was forced to go along with it.

Jou flopped into bed, punching at the pillow in frustration. "I hate you, Pegasus." he whispered fiercely as he closed his eyes. "You took my one secret hope, threatened my sister, and made me keep your dirty little secret. And worse, I don't know what to do, now.."

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~End Chapter 1~

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A/N: Well? Whatcha think? Told you this was way different than my usual..and it'll get more different with upcoming chapters. ^_~ Please tell me what you thought, comments and reviews are the best. Hope you liked!