Hello all. Sorry I've taken so long to update, but my old computer broke, or was broken /coughs and glares at Xachro/ , but now I have a completely new computer, with a great internet connection, so I hunkered down over two days to type this chapter up, and now, here it is.
It's a bit... different from the haha stuff, sadly, but I've just pointed the fic along this path, and its taken off on its own in my head. Please remember it is endig on a high note, and the sequel to this will be more haha.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Sod off.
Chapter Ten
Bad Things Come in Threes
---
Setos pov
---
The car swerved. Hit.
Spinning.
I dropped the cutch.
Crashed.
The world spun in my eyes.
My head, it hurt.
Pain.
I closed my eyes.
And it stopped.
Everything.
Stopped.
---
The world leapt to life in a haze and blur of pain, my eyes snapping open to reveal a clouded starry sky.
I took a strangled breath of air, my back arching and my limbs twisting in pain.
My head throbbed with blinding intensity, my vision a slowly seeping black, as I tried to cling to consciousness.
I heard Yamis voice, distant but pleading, filled with relief but anxiety.
My chest was burning, my lungs craving air I couldn't seem to give them. I tried to cry out and whimper, but the sounds couldn't be made in my throat.
Then a new voice met my ears, though it was hard to distinguish between my own pleading sounds of hurt.
---
Yamis pov
---
His body twitched and he gasped.
My eyes shot open.
He lay on the ground, his body writhing and jerking, and his eyes wide but apparently unseeing.
His cuts and wounds were still there, still bleeding, and his head wound ran rivulets of blood across his face.
I had brought him back, but now, my power spent; I could take it no further.
Oh Ra, I had never considered, never thought. I was about to watch him die again.
I panicked.
"Seto!"
His head jerked slightly, and his eyes, wide and stricken, gazed up at me, imploringly.
I seized his hand tightly in my own.
"Please, Seto, hold on!"
A shock reverberated through my clenched fist, and my mind was sent into a blur as an agonized voice riddled itself through my head.
'Please, make it stop!'
My mouth went dry.
"Seto..."
"Yami!"
My head whipped up, startled.
"Bakura!"
The albino Egyptian skidded to the ground on his knees, coming up beside the pained CEO.
"Heal him!"
"Duh!"
Bakuras placed his hands atop Setos head, and they glowed a brilliant gold. A new light source shone onto the brunettes head, and I glanced up to see the Sennen Eye illuminated in the dark upon the pale skin.
Mariks arrival was barely noted, until he knocked aside the millennium puzzle, and laid his hands atop the teen's violently trembling form, his item shining as brightly as his forehead.
The gashes and cuts knitted themselves together, and the bruises faded away. The crimson that flowed from beneath brown bangs slowed and stopped.
Now, he lay still, breathing breaths of given life.
I looked from the pale face of Seto, to Bakura and Marik, both panting slightly, their lithe forms trembling slightly from the great use of power. They both looked at me, each with reassuring looks in their eyes, and I prayed my own conveyed my gratitude, as I couldn't even open my mouth to form a sound.
It took me a moment to realize, I too was shaking with exhaustion.
As one, our gazes left one another to glance down at Seto. His breath was coming evenly, and his eyes snapped open, revealing shining blue orbs or perfect cerulean. Those eyes narrowed, before he sat bolt right up, new energy and life fueling his actions.
The blue orbs searched and scanned the area like a spot light, before they rested on my own.
They seem to ask me a question, demand an answer. They were burning with unrefined power, yet bore a sad and sympathetic light.
"I'm so sorry."
Sorry? For... Ra.
Something in me snapped. A word, a moment, the sick realization.
Yugi.
My eyes widened before shutting off, an utter feeling of despair and defeat stirring inside me.
I had no energy, no power, no magick. I was useless. How could I find him?
How could I save him?
Seto seemed to see the thoughts worming their way in and out of my mind, and leapt to his feet, that passion behind the eyes seeping from him and into my hand, as he seized it and wrenched me to my feet. He turned around and pulled the others after me.
"I owe you all my life, as well as a thank you, but you all look like deaths doing to you what it just did to me."
Bakura, surprisingly, and being the sick psycho he is, found the humor in the brunettes words and gave a weary grin.
"I will thank you, but right now we need to move. Where are the others?"
Bakura's exhausted grin continued, as he spoke. "Being the horny Egyptian I am, there is only one way you could thank 'me.' But now, clearly, would be an inconvenient spot. The others are at your place. Well, at least that's where I sent them."
The executive nodded, as he seized all of their hands in a tight grip, leading them away from the small cleared area. "Then let's move."
---
Normal pov
---
The Kaiba mansion was extremely large. This one sentence might be considered quite possibly the biggest understatement in the span of a century. Yet right now, Ryou was far from admiring the paint job, furniture décor, or immense size.
It wouldn't have mattered to him even if he could see a meter in front of himself.
He sat on a velvet soft couch, wishing he could pace but terrified of standing up only to fall into consuming darkness.
His head throbbed painfully, his vision blurred around the edges bar for a point straight in front of him.
Malik stood behind him, holding an ice pack to the swollen lump that had risen on the albinos head. He shifted the ice, the wary silence broken by an uncharacteristic 'fuck' from the blonde's patient.
Ryou bit down on his lip hard, as everyone spared him a worried glance. He didn't want any attention for himself, not with Yugi missing, and his dark running off into the night, scared for the safety of a Pharaoh he once tried to kill, and an executive he'd love to fire.
And now his link had faded, leaving him feeling vulnerable and calling to nothingness. He had initially panicked at the awkward loss, the fear of his darks death suddenly giving him cause for terror to grip him, and worry.
Now, however, all that filtered through to him was a slow calm.
Until the door burst open.
Everyone leapt to their feet in an instant.
Ryou leapt up only to be forcibly tackled to the ground by a wave of nausea, darkness following as a quarter back.
As the others moved forward, Malik dropped to his knees and hoisted the albino into his arms, before gently laying him on the couch again.
Lightly, he eased the ice pack back on to his head. Ryou parted his lip in a low hiss.
He looked into watery brown eyes.
"I'll bring him to you."
Malik looked up to see Kaiba, striding through the hall, with the Yami's entow, being lead by the firm grip he had on their hands.
The whole group surged toward them, but Kaiba raised a bloody hand at them, and with commanding tone, ordered a halt.
Everyone stared, first at his hand, then further back, tracing their eyes over his body.
His shirt was gone, revealing a tanned, smooth chest. Yet is stirred panic, as it was smeared with blood.
So was his temple, his hair matted in dry tangles, and his pitch black pants couldn't hide the darker stains of crimson.
Yet when he spoke, it was in a clam and controlled manner, issuing authority and power. Malik saw, in his eyes, the kindling fire that made him a powerful and determined business man.
Kaiba turned, pointed at Malik, and beckoned him forward.
Malik glided listlessly across the floor, until he stood before the brunette. Here, Kaiba seized his hand and deposited three new ones into it, one tanned and familiar.
The familiar sight of his Yami proved little reassurance though, as the normally proud face looked drawn, tired and paled.
Malik looked from his dark to the CEO, his eyes holding a thousand questions, none of which could or would be answered.
"Take care of them. I'll be back."
He cast his lover a final, weary glance, before he turned and strode swiftly down the corridor, then disappeared up a flight of stairs.
The reaction to this was a low murmur; the group casting angry glances up after the executive, before shuffling forward. Marik let out a low simpering sort of whimper, before clawing for the rod in his lights belt.
"Ra, let me rest."
Malik lifted it to him, but Marik reached out and touched it, before he could dissolve in to the ancient object.
The hikari let out a low gasp.
Heads turned, as scared voices echoed as one. "What?!"
"He had to touch the rod, he's never..., he's so weak..." Malik garbled, the explanation offered no further in sight, and the others clutched tighter to the other darks.
"Bakura?"
The plaintive note of Ryou's soft voice broke the silence.
Malik seized Bakuras' hand in a tighter grip.
He pointed to the fluffiest couch he could see. "Guys, put Yami there."
They complied, leading the Pharaoh to the couch as Malik lead Bakura to Ryou.
The albinos reached for one another, and Ryou allowed Bakura to gently stroke his hair, as the Tomb Robber crouched painfully by his side.
He leant in close, whispering gently in his ear.
"Let me in, let me lead."
Ryou couldn't even nod, but gave a small sigh in agreeance. Bakura reached out a shaky hand and seized the ring, before he dissolved into it.
After a moment, Ryou's posture changed, his eyes sharpened, and his height changed. His hair sharpened into points, though they drooped slightly.
The albino reached up and removed the melting ice pack, as he sat up.
Malik sensed his own dark wishing to do the same, and so relinquished himself to him. As Marik took control, he walked as quickly as possible to the side of the Pharaoh, who's drawn and tired body sat limply, as he gazed into emptiness.
As the blonde took a seat on his armchair, the others crowded around, eager to hear what had happened, and eager to hear about the plan of Yugis rescue.
---
Setos pov
---
It took all my self control not to break loose and tear up the stairs three at a time.
Though once I was certain I was out of their sight, I did it anyway.
Racing down the hall, I tore into my bedroom, and seized a fistful of clothes from the pile. My feet carried me swiftly back out into the hall, and as I reached the next flight of stairs, I took those four at a time.
The third floor was the one in which all my work was stored. Computers, satellite systems, tracking and duel monster technology of all sorts.
At the top of the stairs, I practically flew down the left hallway, and through the first door. Or more, straight into it.
In my own home, bizarrely, I had forgotten that I was indeed Seto Kaiba, paranoid and secretive teenage billionaire.
A pane in the left wall slid open, revealing a pass word grid and finger pad.
I pushed my hand against the pad, before screening my brain for the password. My right hand slammed against the door.
What the hell was it?
'Ok, calm down Seto.'
I took several long, deep breaths, before at last trying again. The door beeped, before sliding open. A mechanical voice greeted me.
"Welcome Seto."
"Computer, activate satellite and computer id search engine."
"System activated."
I wasn't even through the door yet, but I stood there, rigid, as I frantically racked my memory.
I could see the car; see the headlights, but the number plate...
HRHT: 1-
If possible, I concentrated harder, focusing every nerve on those final three numbers.
'Dammit Kaiba!' I practically screamed at myself. Eight simple figures and I just couldn't seem to remember!
I froze.
Eight. To; two.
Ten.
Double ten!
HRHT: 1010
"Search license plate HRHT: 1010, location and owner."
"Searching."
I spun round and strode back down the corridor, toward the third floor bathroom. It wouldn't take long. I'd find Yugi.
---
Yamis pov
---
I stared listlessly at the white carpet, as Ryou Bakura quickly retold the account of Seto Kaibas death, and the reason for our lack of power.
I only remember hearing half of it, hearing bits and pieces. All I could think of was Yugi, that terrified look on his face and the last feeling I'd grasped from him through the link.
It had been fear, cold, primal, gripping.
My last memory of him.
And now he was gone. His brilliant smile, vibrant violet eyes, stolen away from me.
It was my fault.
I was meant to protect him, watch out for him, care for him.
Guilt welled up inside me. I'd lost him.
I wanted to cry, to break down, but the energy to do even that evaded me.
Somewhere, I heard Jou snort.
"The pain in the ass he's bein', I woulda left 'im dead."
I felt several eyes fix on me, but I didn't react. The only thing that matched my level of worry, was exhaustion.
"So, how we gonna find Yugi?"
I blinked. Marik responded.
"However we can. Pharaoh," he tapped me lightly on the shoulder, "what if we pooled what's left of our magick?"
Bakura replied.
"Alright, we find him. So how do we get him back? With what strengths do we save him with?"
Jou, Honda, the group, leapt up.
"We're here!" Honda responded angrily.
Bakura snarled. "Hell of a lot of use you'd all be against, say, a gun?"
Jou and Otogi glared. "Its better than nothing! At least we're willing!"
"You wont be as willing if you're dead!"
I leapt to my fee. "Enough!"
Everyone stopped and stared, before I fell back into the chair.
It was all too much. Their bickering now, Setos death, Yugis abduction.
I curled in on myself on the couch, shrinking to a small human ball.
Guilt consumed me, a deep pit in the depths of my mind that was gradually swallowing me. I wanted to curl up, to die, to be rid of this feeling, this emotional pain that almost felt physical.
But more than anything, I wanted Yugi.
Tears began to fill my eyes, my body finally allowing me the small form of expression.
They fled silently down my cheeks.
I felt a soft hand on my shoulder, and looked up to sad brown eyes.
"We'll find him Yami," Serenity whispered, though she clearly fought the urge to cry herself.
I found myself nodding, despite he void in my heart, tears still streaming down my cheeks.
"Pharaoh..."
I looked up at Ryou Bakura, who's face told me that the two conversed together where our ears could not listen.
I felt a guilty, jealous, and angry pang of hurt.
"Mmm?"
He looked... calculating. "Ryous says," he paused, as though considering his words carefully, or deciding on whether or not he wanted to say it at all.
"He says that, the guys who took Yugi, they said, after knocking him out..."
"For Ra's sake Bakura, as long as you don't take your time!" Marik exploded.
"He says they said, and I quote, 'Heh, the guys boyfriend is easier to grab than his brother.'"
Everyone drew in breath.
I stared at him. The words had washed over me, as I struggled to absorb them. At last, the words sank in.
They had been after me. After... Setos 'boyfriend.' They got Yugi, my mind thought, because of me. Because, of Kaiba.
---
Setos pov
---
When I stepped back into the room, the screen was flashing. I swept forward, into my seat, and read the highlighted information.
'Licensed car HRHT:1010, belonging to Driver Service of Master Hirohito.'
My mind processed this rather quickly, the number plate making instant sense.
'Current location; shipping bay, dock 23.'
Dock 23?
My vague recollection of the Harbor drew up a grid line that showed the place a few hundred meters from the water.
It was mostly used for storage, but nowadays, the place went unused and abandoned. It was something like a warehouse.
I soaked it all up.
Hirohito.
My fist actually slammed up against something this time.
That bastard perverted impotent wanka.
I screwed my eyes tightly shut, to prevent angry tears filling them.
Hirohito was as big a dime as I was. He was rich, successful, his own company, somewhat of a business rival.
He was in his late 40's, with more than enough to retire, but none of this was what bothered, nor mattered to me.
He and I had never seen eye to eye. He was underhanded, back stabbing, and both of us had done more than our fare share to piss one another off.
I hated and loathed him with an instinctive passion that held unbridled fury.
Hirohito was notoriously rumored, in the business world, to have interests in boys. I shook my head. That one rumor alone had fired up my initial repulsion.
Fear settled in my stomach, tying itself into tight knots. What would he do to Yugi?
I rose from the desk and turned to dart out the door. It explained a lot.
Hirohito would have been at the restaurant. He would've seen me and Yami. My stomach flipped.
The kiss.
That would have sealed it for him.
When he came to get Yami, they mistook him to be Yugi. Everything chinked together to form a rather ugly picture. I had to get the others.
I cleared the last six stairs of the first floor landing with a leap, and strode off swiftly to the living room.
Mariks perspective view-ish area
He watched, as realization flew and etched itself to Yamis face as though with prisma color markers.
Watched as the guilt that had been devouring him turned into bitter anger.
His eyes flashed, and all of a sudden he stood.
"Where's Kaiba?" he growled, a cold strength echoing in his hollow voice.
'Kaiba?' That couldn't be good.
Jou stuttered to respond . "H'he, when he arrived wiv ya, he went upstairs, dunna where he went."
Whether or not Kaiba was psychically intoned with Yamis new emotion, or if he was just extremely unlucky, it didn't matter, as right then, he made an appearance.
Every pair of eyes snapped onto him in an instant, and then one pair, crimson flame, narrowed in accusation.
Kaiba was dressed, the blood gone from his head, the bloody chest undoubtedly clean beneath the black top. His features bore a determined like manner, but at the corner of his eyes, Marik distinctly saw the shimmer of fading tears, that no other person saw through their anger.
"Kaiba," Yami spoke coldly. Kaibas eyes instantly narrowed, a look of confusion and question in his eyes.
"What?"
"You had a shower?"
It seemed the most bizarre question to ask.
"You had a shower, when we should be looking for Yugi!"
The Pharaoh shouted out the last part, his face contorting to show mixed anger and hatred.
"Its all your fault!" He screamed, at which point Kaiba took a step away, a step back, clearly taken aback.
"In the restaurant! Then they came, and, and, they wanted me! Because of you!"
The words seemed to be strung together by invisible chords of despise that now hung between them.
Yamis eyes glowed a hell red, and it took all of Mariks self control not to yell for Kaiba to pray. Or run.
Hi voice returned to a normal, cold, even tone.
"Fuck off Kaiba.We can find Yugi, and the help you've been giving so far, has done jack all."
Marik whipped his eyes back to Kaibas, to see a brief flicker of hurt pass behind those blue spheres, before he put on the mask of ice.
"But..."
"No butts Kaiba," Yami snapped, his anger and guilt fueling his actions, "just sod off."
The Egyptian knew Yami meant only half of what he said, knew the only reason he said those things was because he needed a release. Marik new, no matter what he said, Yami still loved him.
Seto gazed at Yami for another five seconds, tops, before he spun, and swept out of the room.
Yami glared after him.
"Good riddance. Now," he cast furtive looks at the other spirits and the group, "lets conjure some magick. Lets find Yugi."
---
Setos pov
---
That look. That angry, cold, hate filled look. It was the way you looked at someone who killed your friend, a family member. It was the look you gave the people in life you loathe, like Hirohito.
But then, just then, it was the look I got from Yami.
I broke my stride, as one hand flew up to catch the wall, the other gripped my chest, as pain unlike anything I'd ever felt seared through my body.
God it hurt.
My heart pounded in my chest, his words rebounding around my head.
I gasped as I felt angry and betrayed tears rise. How could he say that? Say those things?
'all your fault'
'because of you'
A tear fell.
'I didn't mean it! I didn't mean it! I didn't mean for any of it to happen, for anyone to get hurt!'
I shook my head, limp tendrils of damp hair falling before my eyes. Whenever someone gets close to me, they get hurt. I'm a danger.
I took several deep breaths, steadying myself against the solid surface, before standing tall again.
Glancing back down the hall, I saw none had followed me.
Good.
I broke into a run, towards the further reaches of my home. I flew down different corridors a normal person would have easily become lost in, until I reached another flight of stairs I quickly descended. At the bottom was a metal door, to which I entered another code. The door slid open, and I stepped inside, a new determination and fire kindling behind my eyes.
I knew I could get Yugi back. I knew it would be me. It wasn't a righteous feeling, nor an assertive point, it was just a part of me, that knew.
The door shut itself behind me, and the lights flicked on to reveal... my garage, for lack of a better word, and my impressive collection of cars and bikes.
My feet carried me to a sleek black convertible. It wasn't exactly style I was going for, more speed, but basically, all of the vehicles had a certain style.
I opened the door, and slipped into the driver seat, slamming it shut as my fingers found the keys in the ignition.
Turning the key, the car came to life with a purr.
I spun the wheel and headed for the door, that disappeared into the roof as it opened, and I vanished into the night.
---
Bakuras pov
---
It didn't matter how loudly he screamed, the silence that followed his calls remained exactly that, silent.
He searched practically all of the mansion, along with the group, and none of them had turned up lucky.
None could find Kaiba.
He scowled, before heading back to the living room. It wasn't that he didn't understand where Kaiba was coming from, or why he'd do this.
He understood that if he had gone off at Ryou as Yami had done Kaiba, Ryou was completely in his right to get angry and move to Djibouti.
This didn't explain Kaiba's disappearance though, unless, of course, he thought as Bakura did, and had indeed moved to Djibouti.
Somehow, he doubted that.
When he reached the living room, everyone was waiting for him anxiously.
"Anything?" Yami asked, clearly struggling to keep the worried look of his face and out of his voice.
"Nothing. A few coded doors, dead ends, and mazes, but no Kaiba."
"Geeze," Jou snapped, "if its not one missing Kaiba, its another."
"Well, he can't of gone far, now can he, not without is hearing him leave, right?" Mai asked nervously.
Honda shrugged. "Its Kaibas house, he could throw a martigra celebration in the next room, and we wouldn't know a thing about it even when we were draped with leis."
Marik punched the wall, leaving a significant indent. "Dammit!" he growled. "He's the one with all the magick right now!"
He chanced a glance at Yami.
The Pharaoh looked about ready to break. His body had been pushed beyond all its limits, and he was still pushing it.
He was denying himself the rest he sorely needed, that Marik and Bakura were receiving from being in the millennium items and their hikaris.
His hair didn't seem so sharp, his face looked pale, dark circles were under his eyes, and his eyes were a washed out red, as though a faded water color.
He looked miserable and defeated, not at all the powerful ruler he once was.
"Hey guys..." Bakura turned to look at who had spoken, and was greeted with an impassive emerald green gaze, before those eyes scanned over every person standing there.
"Yeah?" The Tomb Robber replied wearily.
"I know Kaiba isn't the most sensitive of guys, hell, I think the devil shows more emotion than he does, but he's not stupid. He only does things for a reason, and for him the reasons have to be good. I say we trust him on this one, wherever he's gone. If he is the cause of Yugis disappearance, he wont stop until he gets him back. You know him, it's the principle of the thing."
Bakura paused before nodding his head in agreeance. Otogi was right.
Yami stared at the raven haired teen, before he too nodded his acceptance of the words, with a sigh.
"So where has he gone?"
---
Setos pov
---
The salty air of the sea drifted through the darkness toward me, and filled me with a rather uncomfortable sense of foreboding.
I spotted the sleek black car, pulled up beside the dark and towering warehouse. Its tail bar bore the signs of the chase, where I had rammed the silver ford into it.
My eyes grazed the car, for any signs of life, before moving on to the structure infront of me.
A low string of curse words escaped my lips, as I realized the windows were boarded shut, keeping any light from escaping. A large 'abandoned' sign was across the door, but I could see along the edges where it had been torn free.
Many times.
Basically, the best I could do, was knock.
Oh yeah, that'd work great, just go up, knock, wait till they answer, then say sorry, I know you clearly kidnapped the teen duelist for a reason, undoubtedly sexual, but would it be too much trouble for me to have him back? He's sending my boyfriend spare."
I grunted. Yep, that'd work. And tomorrow, the final plans for my wedding to Jounouchi were being finalized.
Taking a deep breath, I swiftly made my way to the door, bringing up my cloaked arm to bang against the freezing steel.
I'd been lucky enough to have had a coat in the back seat, as it was pissing cold.
I waited for an apparent eternity, about ready to practice my side kicks, until the door shuddered, and creaked open.
My eyes narrowed, before I stepped into the black abyss.
It was damp. And dark.
As I moved away from the door, I heard the faint scuffle of shoes, before the door slid shut again with a sickening bang, that echoed off the walls and in my mind.
My ears pricked slightly, but I kept moving forward.
I was in between stacks of boxes, and kept glimpsing flashes and slivers of light. I became frantic , throwing and heaving objects out my path.
I pushed aside a final box.
In the middle of the room was a bed. It was covered in clothes, sheets, some stained with more than blood. About it were chains, bindings, illuminated in the faint glow of a dim light.
From the ceiling hung a chain, with a hook and clasp at the end, suspended above the bed.
From the clasp, hung Yugi.
I froze. My breath caught, my heart missing several painful beats. I finally choked out a gasp, then called, my throat dry.
"Yugi?"
"So that's his name then." I shivered, before raking my eyes over every shadow till found him.
Hirohito.
"He wouldn't tell me his name, silly boy, or how he knew you, or met you for that matter. Mind you, that fiery attitude I saw in the restaurant has certainly fled him now." The man gave a cold and despicable smirk. "And he wouldn't even give me a kiss..."
My whole body was tense and rigid, I wanted nothing more than to tear this man limb from perverted limb with my bare hands.
Hatred fueled me.
"It didn't take you long Kaiba."
I glared at him.
He smirked wider, as he strode across the short distance between himself and Yugi. When he reached him, he seized a small black device off the bed.
He pointed it at the iron chain.
It descended enough for the teen to sit on the bed, before he stopped it. He tossed the remote aside again.
Yugis hands were bound above his head, attached to the iron hook. His chest was bare and bloody, and his pants were cut and torn.
"Wake up young one," the executive purred, "wake."
Hirohitos hands traced gentle circles over Yugis chest and face, and I growled within my throat.
Yugi stirred.
When he felt the mans hands upon him, he whimpered, causing the gray haired man to chuckle deep within his throat.
"There there, it would seem your savior has arrived."
Yugis head shot up, allowing me to see widened eyes that filled with relief, above cheeks that were streaked with tear stains.
"Seto!" he choked.
I did my best to remain impassive, but inside my heart was beating frantically, and all my body was tense, ready to spring and strike with vicious accuracy.
Turning back to the business man, I sensed the other figures that surrounded us. My mind grappled for an idea that wouldn't involve both of us getting shot.
How could I get Yugi out?
"Have you touched him?" I struggled not to let my voice waver, but a single disjointed note crept into my voice, and made the man before me smirk.
"I managed to restrain myself so far," he ran his hands across Yugis pale cheek, "but I have plans for tonight. Plans that need a partner. I refuse to be stood up."
My eyes narrowed into slits. "You can't."
He smiled viciously. "Why not? I have more than a dozen men here, each armed, that could remove you from the premises, and should you sue me, it will just be high priced lawyers against high priced lawyers, leaving shame and misery before your young friend here." He worked a malicious glint into his eyes. "Either way, it doesn't stop this one from feeling my touch."
---
Hirohitos pov
---
I watched the teen executive pale, realization, determination, and then even fear passing behind those gorgeous azure eyes.
I smiled inwardly to himself.
'Yes, Seto, take the bait.'
I knew the course of action the beautiful teen would take, should he truly love and care for this boy. I had planned it, guaranteed it.
Since first beholding the brunette, I had wanted him, craved him, needed to feel the boys flesh beneath my own. It had become a physical desire so intense, it was all I thought of when I saw him. The fiery spirit and flame behind those ice eyes only lured me further.
I imagined, nearly everyday, what it would feel like, to caress his ivory skin, to draw my hands through the chocolate brown bangs that dangled over those blue eyes.
I longed to feel the soft, smooth, pink skin of his lips against my own, in a ravaging and desperate kiss.
I wanted to feel that fiery spirit, and more importantly, I wanted to break it.
Seto Kaiba would indeed fight against me, should I claim his friend, but should I claim the brunette himself, I would win.
I knew, Kaiba would rather die than suffer the humiliation of press, or anyone, know of what happened to him.
His pride, his dignity, would not allow it. He would suffer to himself.
He watched those perfect lips part, in the words he had longed to hear.
"Trade me."
---
Setos pov
---
The words fell from my lips as though shards of ice, leaving a dead sense within my chest.
I knew I had to do it, knew it was the only way, the right thing. Ra help me.
I saw the pleased and almost expected reaction in his face, the perverted glint in his eyes.
Inside, I trembled. He had cut me at a quick, unaware, and now I was at his mercy. I just had to play my cards as best I could.
Briefly, I wished I had never left my house, without them. Briefly, I wished I hadn't left, without my Pharaoh. My insides trembled.
On the outside, I put on my gaming face, the cold, emotionless features returning to me.
"Is that so? Well, 'what' should I want? 'What' will you trade me?"
I spoke calmly, clearly, as though speaking to the idiot mutt. The thought sent a shooting pain through me, as I longed for it to really be Jou.
My calm was surprising though, yet unbreakable. "Exactly what I said. I trade 'me.'"
"And the terms for your friend?" he purred.
I took my time, carefully considering my words, as any slip up would be sorely punished.
"I trade myself, for Yugi. He is to be returned to my mansion, tonight, unharmed, alive, and clothed. You are not to touch him, nor harm him, in any way. This, and you have me."
My stomach clenched, and my heart skipped a few more beats. Hirohito smirked.
"Then we have an arrangement. Your friend here will not be hurt. You on the other hand," he raked his eyes over my body, "I will make no promises."
I went cold. I mages of a shattered childhood flashed in my mind.
Yugi began to shake, and his big violet eyes filled with tears.
"No Seto!" he choked out, hurt and devastation ringing clear. Yet the one thing that shone through, with cold, cruel light, was the layer after layer of fear.
Fear, for me.
He didn't get to finish, as men appeared out of the shadows, and Hirohito interrupted him.
"Gents, escort Mr Kaibas young friend back to the Kaiba mansion. May be best if they take your car too. I know you are prone to being able to get out of rather difficult situations just like that."
My eyes slitted. He was leaving me no option of escape.
"Make this easy on yourself," he whispered, as the men advanced around me, and I struggled to maintain a grip on myself, to hold my ground and not fight back.
I looked away from them, instead focusing on Yugi.
His face was dirty and tear streaked, as he shook his head at me eyes pleading.
I offered him a watery smile, small and pitiful.
He couldn't take it. Yugi was just too small, too young, too innocent, to feel and bare such cruel intentions.
I felt them behind me, and I tensed. It would be like last time, I tried to assure myself, yet a feeling of grief compounded inside me.
Yugis eyes widened, his mouth opening to call my name, before something hard and blunt struck my head, and I collapsed into oblivion.
---
Mmm, well, what did you think of that? Too much? Oh well, I have already written up the fic, I just have to type it up, so no changes unless they help what I've started.
If you thought it was ok, I'd really appreciate a review to boost my spirits, cause I'm not sure about the alley I've dragged this fic into.
Sorry about any spelling mistakes, but I typed it up so fast cause I just wanted to post it.
Also, if you haven't already checked it out, please spare my new fic, Capabilities, a moment or two. Please... - plugplug
And all of you bare in mind, I am just starting the sequel.
Okies, so, R&R pwease!