Canterville

Chapter 3

(A/N Sorry for not updating very quickly, and thank you for all the reviews! I'm an extremely slow writer, and I've been very busy lately, but I'll do my best to keep updating!)

Several days passed, and Yami had not reappeared since the night when Mokuba had first arrived. Seto hadn't gotten any work done since then, how could he? Every time he tried to concentrate one business, he was distracted by the thought that he might never be able to see Yami again. Seto had lost interest in everything he had once taken pleasure in. He hadn't tried to fix his laptop once since Mokuba had arrived, which shocked Mokuba. Seto had taken to spending long periods of time alone in his room, and wouldn't talk to anyone. Occasionally, he would leave his room, only to shut himself into the library for hours.

Once, Mokuba had even challenged his older brother to a game of dual monsters, which Seto had declined. Mokuba didn't know what to do with his brother's condition. He hardly spoke, and he refused to eat anything. The Umnys had suggested taking him to a doctor, but Seto had refused to leave the house. They managed to get the doctor to come to Canterville Hall, which took a great deal of effort, all the town's people seemed to believe that if they went anywhere near the manor, they would go insane. When the doctor arrived, Seto promptly locked himself in his room and didn't come out for a full day.

Rumors spread throughout the town that the newest renter of the Hall had finally cracked, and the winners of the bet, who had said he wouldn't last the month, collected their fees. It was commonly believed that Seto would soon be carted off to an asylum, just as the previous renter had been, and the one before him, and the one before him.

With each passing day, Seto's condition grew worse, and Mokuba began to believe what the town's folk had been saying all along; anyone who stays at Canterville Hall will eventually go mad, or die a painful death at the hands of the malevolent Ghost. Mokuba had come to the conclusion that the only way to save his brother's sanity was to take him back to Japan as quickly as possible. He began the long journey up the stairs to his brother's room. Mr. Umny had given Mokuba the key, which he carefully inserted into the keyhole of his brother's locked door. He slowly pushed the door open, and was met by the cold gaze of his brother who sat across the room and his bed.

"What do you want?" Seto asked sharply.

"Seto…I think something is wrong with you… You haven't been your self lately…" Mokuba walked across the room and sat down next to his older brother.

"What of it?" Seto snapped and stood up. Mokuba shivered. He hated it when his brother got mad, especially at him. Under normal circumstances, Mokuba would have left Seto alone until he felt better, but this had gone on for far too long, and Mokuba was deeply concerned about his brother.

"I don't think we should stay here any longer… I've already bought the train tickets, and the Umnys agree that we should probably leave-"

"The Umnys agree?" Seto interrupted. "Of course the Umnys agree! They want us to leave so that they can continue to trick this entire town that something is wrong with this house! Of course they would tell you that we should leave!" Seto was shouting now, and Mokuba shrank back. He hadn't seen Seto so angry since before Gozaburo died.

"I will not leave until I have gotten to the bottom of the mess. I refuse to be beaten by the scheme of two old people!" Even as he shouted this, Seto knew that there was more to it then being beaten. Something had happen between him and the ghost before he had first come to the mansion, and he had to find out what it was. Seto turned back to Mokuba. "You may leave if you wish, but I am going to stay here for the remainder of the summer, any questions?" Seto walked briskly to the door and did not wait for Mokuba's answer. Seto had been waiting for Yami to come to him for long enough. It was time to pay Yami a little visit.

Seto walked quickly down the hall to the library, and Mokuba didn't follow. Something had changed, and as a result, Seto had retuned to his normal state. As Seto hurried past Mrs. Umny, even she could tell that new a determination had come over him. Instead of dragging his feet and walking slowly down to the library; lost in his thoughts, he was refreshed.

Seto reached the door to the library and pulled the skeleton key out of his pocket. Even in his previous state of madness, he had always been careful to lock the door, though he no longer believed it to be the Umnys. Seto open the door, stepped in, and carefully locked it behind him. He did not want to be interrupted during his next confrontation with the ghost.

Seto walked over to the mantel, and reached up to press the rhinestone heart that was the key to the secret dungeon. The door scraped open, and Seto made his way through the cobwebs to Yami's cell. This time Yami was not speaking; but instead, Seto could here the sound of muffled sobs. He reached the door to the cell, and threw it open. Yami was stretched out on the disintegrating cot, and was clutching what appeared to be a letter. Tears were streaming down his face, but when he caught sight of Seto he quickly stood up and wiped his face.

"I need to talk to you." Seto stated plainly taking a step into Yami's room. Gabriel, the crow, cawed indignantly from his perch.

"No! You have no right to be here!" Yami exclaimed, flinging the letter down onto the cot.

"And you have no right to drive me insane. I don't know what you did to me, but I can't stop thinking about you. I must be mad to even be talking to you, ghosts aren't real… but something won't let me just ignore you. I have to know, who you are!?!"

"You are brave to visit me here. I am indeed a ghost, and I have haunted this manor for four hundred years. And never has my sacred spot been befouled before you had the impudence to-"

"What is that spot, are you the one who keeps repainting it?"

"That concerns you not."

"Yes, it does. Every time I see it, something happens to me…I feel as though it's my own blood that stains the mantle…"

"You speak lies…it is impossible…" Yami's voice trailed off. He couldn't stop himself from starring at Seto, who was under the same spell. Neither of them spoke for a moment, and that moment seemed to last an eternity. A single tear rolled down Seto's face and he turned away.

"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have come here…I should have known that you wouldn't have the answers." Seto turned to leave, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Something strange had come over Yami and he moved like he was possessed.

"No, please stay…I haven't spoken to anyone in such a long time…the only thing I had to keep me from going as crazy as those I tortured were the plays that I often recite to myself. Would you do me the honor of being Prince Hamlet?" Seto turned and stared at Yami blankly.

"What?" Seto blinked.

"I'm sorry…perhaps you should leave… it was foolish of me to think you'd want to stay with me…" Yami turned and sat back down on his cot.

"No. I would like to stay." Seto said simply. He didn't know why he had agreed, but he longed to spend more time in the presence of the ghost.

"Would you?" Yami stood up. "I-I…we shale start from where Hamlet first meets his father's ghost! To that part I have always been partial… I will be the ghost, and you must be Hamlet!" Yami sprang to his feet and pulled out black velvet cloak with elaborate blue embroidery. "You will wear a cloak!" He spread it over Seto's shoulders and continued. "For myself, my armor will suffice…" he paused to stare at Seto. "A perfect fit…of course it would be…" Yami trailed off, and tore his eyes away from Seto. He walked over to the crow's perch and held out an arm. The crow flitted over to him and landed gracefully. "Gabriel will provide the stage effects, and we will perform in the banquet hall!" Yami was getting more and more excited, and Seto couldn't believe what he had just heard. Perform? Him? He was no actor… he hadn't even read Hamlet before…

Seto opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. Yami was so happy; Seto could not bring himself to interrupt…but why? Why should he care whether or not the ghost was happy? But somehow, he couldn't help but be just as excited as Yami was…Yami's happiness seemed to spill over to him and he soon got just as excited about the idea as Yami was.

"We must have an audience…" Yami was saying now. "The Umnys will surely come, and you brother… We can invite Yugi as well…" Seto hadn't said anything for awhile. He was content to just listen to Yami's voice. It made him feel safe and warm… As Seto contemplated this odd sensation, Yami noticed his silence. "If this does not suit you, perhaps… you would like to select a different play? I know them all…" Yami took a step closer to him and looked up into Seto's face. This was the first time Seto had noticed how short Yami was. He had always seemed taller and more frightening before now. Yami continued to look into Seto's eyes, and Seto began to feel uneasy. Yami perceived the slight change in Seto's face and turned away. "I am loosing my power… for you confront me, without fear… you must leave, before I succumb to my insanity. To ask the living to stay with me here was a foolish request." Yami walked to his cot and sat with his head in his hands.

Seto found himself speaking a thought he would not normally voice. "I think you're very good. I wouldn't say you're loosing your power." Seto mentally slapped himself for sounding so stupid. Yami lifted his head from his hand, his back straightened and he stood.

"Truly?" he asked carefully.

"Yes. The first time you appeared, I was terrified." Seto was again astounded by his own words. Normally, he would never reveal such a weakness. "I fell out of my chair when I saw you." Seto couldn't believe how stupid this was sounding, and wished that he hadn't spoken at all. Somehow, he also felt glad that he was helping Yami to feel better.

"Yes. That was a most gratifying reaction." Yami noticeably shivered and Seto again felt uncomfortable. Yami's deep maroon eyes fell onto Seto's face again and Seto squirmed under his gaze. Unsure of what else to do, Seto took a step forward, and Yami straightened to his full height, though it hardly made a difference, Seto was still much taller then Yami. Yami stepped forward and brought himself up onto his tip toes, and Seto leaned forward slightly. They were barely inches away from each other now, and neither seemed to have complete control of their bodies, or emotions. Seto brought his face closer to Yami's, and he could feel the hot breath on his face. Yami's eyes closed slowly, and Seto couldn't believe what was happening. They were closer now, and Seto could almost feel Yami's soft lips against his own, but before he cloud move the final centimeter closer, a distant voice called to him from outside the library.

"Big Brother, where are you?" Mokuba's voice was muffled, but they both heard it, and it pulled them from their dream like state. Seto gasped and pulled back.

Yami turned his head and said flatly, "You need to go now."

"Yes." Seto tried to act as if nothing had happened, and indeed, he couldn't understand what had almost happened between them. "Until tomorrow, then?" Seto realized how late it was, and how long he had spent in the cell with Yami. Yami said nothing; he simply turned to face the back of the cell as Seto stepped out and shut the door softly behind him. Seto made his way out of the gloomy dungeon, and thought about how many times Yami must have walked this same path out of the dungeon that he was confined to.

Seto came to the door out, and was relieved to find that it was still open. He shut it tightly behind him and fell into a sofa. Seto placed his head in his hands, as Yami had done, and tried to sort out his thoughts and emotions. Something was definitely wrong with him, and he struggled to keep thoughts of Yami out of his head. 'There is no way that I could possibly be at all attracted to him…' but as he thought this, he realized that it could be the only logical explanation for his strange behavior. 'Although, human attraction is hardly logical.' Seto decided that this, like any other emotion could be conquered, and that he could hold it back. Seto would ignore his feelings, even if the ghost was too weak to do the same.

After Seto left, Yami fell backwards onto his cot, silent tears were streaming down his face again, and he turned to Gabriel. "Oh Gabriel, I scarcely dare to think it, might he have come at last? No, it is too much to hope for, and yet, he is unparalleled by any other… If only I could remember Seth's face…"

Seto spread his fingers, and allowed himself to glance around the room through them. His eyes fell across the book that he was looking for. Seto stood, and walked over to it where it had been neatly placed in the shelf. "Hamlet." He said quietly to himself as he opened the book to the first page. His eyes had barely found the first line before he was interrupted by a loud knocking on the door to the library.

"Big Brother! Please come out, you've been in there all day, and I'm really worried about you!" Mokuba said anxiously from behind the thick wooden door.

Seto quickly shut the book and coughed on the large cloud of dust that it emitted. He walked to the door, opened it a crack, and peered out. Mokuba looked up at him and sighed with relief.

"I was so worried that something had happened to you. I've been calling to you fro hours, and you wouldn't respond. What were you doing?" Tears were poring out of Mokuba's eyes, and as Seto opened the door the rest of the way, Mokuba wrapped himself around his brother.

"I'm sorry, Mokuba." Seto managed to say. "I got lost in a book." Seto held up the book that he was still holding. Mokuba looked up at the book and released Seto from his grip.

"I didn't know that you read fiction." Mokuba tilted his head to ad emphasis.

"I don't. This is an exception. It was recommended to me by someone."

"Who?" Mokuba asked excitedly, but as he looked his older brother over, he noticed something strange. "What are you wearing?" Mokuba gestured to the cloak that Seto still had draped over his shoulders. Seto blushed, but he managed to cover it up by quickly ripping the soft material off of his back and flinging it on to a near by couch. Seto then pushed Mokuba out of the way and headed down the hall to the dinning room. Mokuba dismissed his brother's odd behavior, and followed him. Seto struggled to keep himself from looking at the portrait of Yami as he passed it. Mokuba skipped behind him to keep up, and spoke excitedly.

"I'm so glad that you're feeling better. I was getting so worried that you'd never be the same again, I was really worried. I think it must be almost time for dinner, are you going to eat tonight?" Mokuba asked hopefully. Seto was sick of the food here, and he longed for something Japanese, but his stomach demanded that he eat whatever was served.

"Yes." Seto said simply, and turned into the dinning room. Sure enough, Mrs. Umny had prepared her usual English feast.

"Mr. Kaiba, will you be eating tonight?" Mr. Umny stepped out of the adjacent kitchen and seemed genuinely surprised to see him.

"Yes." Seto replied the same way that he had to his little brother, but he glared at Mr. Umny as he took his seat.

"Very good, sir." Mr. Umny bowed, and strode quickly out of the room. As he left, Mrs. Umny entered the room holding a large platter of food, which she almost dropped when she saw Seto.

"Oh thank heavens!" She exclaimed as she set down the platter, and rushed around the table to stand next to where he sat. "I was so frightened that he had taken you…to see you safe makes me very happy."

"I'm sure." Seto said coldly, he did not look at her. Mrs. Umny cleared her throat, and straitened up.

"Please, Mr. Kaiba, eat before it gets cold." She turned and left the room the same way Mr. Umny had.

"I'm so hungry, aren't you Seto?" Mokuba exclaimed as he helped himself to the chicken.

"Yes, but I'd much rather have rice or yakitori, or some Japanese food." Seto said disinterestedly as he let the mashed potatoes slide off the serving spoon onto his plate.

"You should tell Mrs. Umny, maybe she'll make that for us tomorrow." Mokuba said through a large bit of chicken. "She's very nice, if you'd just give her a chance." Seto ignored his brother and finished his dinner quickly. After he had finished eating, Seto wished Mokuba a good night sleep and shut himself in his room so he could read Hamlet. Seto wanted to know what it was he would be reading with Yami the next day.

Seto propped himself up with pillows and slid under the thick blankets of his bed. It was a cold night, and Seto could see his breath. He shivered uncontrollably, as he struggled to concentrate on the play. It was hard for him to understand the complex way that it was written in, he usually thought himself to be an expert at English. When he spoke hardly anyone ever detected his accent. The style of the play was unlike anything he'd ever seen before, and he was grateful that he decided to read it through, so he wouldn't make a fool of himself when he read it with Yami. When he thought of Yami, Seto realized that Yami too spoke in this strange "dialect", but he had never noticed it before now. It was a strange thought, but he dismissed it as being irrelevant, and continued to read.

Seto had nearly finished the play when the clock finished the twelfth stroke, announcing midnight. He had become wrapped up in the complex speech, and now fully understood it, in fact occasionally he found himself thinking in the "dialect". He also was becoming more and more involved in the plot and characters, and he desperately wanted to find out how the story would end. As he continued to read, he suddenly became aware of a presence in his room. He desperately wanted to look up; he knew that Yami had just entered, but he forced himself to keep his eyes on the page. Seto felt, rather then herd Yami take a step closer to where he sat, but Seto still did not look up. As Yami sat down at the foot of Seto's bed, Seto unconsciously let his leg slid and touch Yami, but to his dismay, he went through Yami's body as if he had not been there. Seto quickly moved his leg to the other side of the bed and looked up. Yami smiled when he noticed the book Seto was reading.

"This is your first time reading it, is it not?" Yami gestured to the book, which Seto closed, and set on the bedside table.

"Yes." Seto met Yami's gaze and they stared at each other for a moment, then Seto turned his head and cleared his throat. "Your "curse" seems similar to the curse on Hamlets father…"

"Indeed. I gave William my thoughts on that part when he did visit here in 1599, shortly after my untimely demise." Yami looked away, and quickly changed the subject. "How does thou like the part of Hamlet?" Yami smiled again, and Seto was determined to make sure that he did not upset Yami in any way.

"He is an interesting character." Seto said simply, he was studying Yami's clothes for the first time. Yami wore the complete 16th century getup, complete with tights, and shorts that puffed out at the hips. He had a sword at his belt and he wore a pressed white blouse. As Seto looked him over, he couldn't help but imagine what Yami would look like in modern clothes. 'Tight leather, a trench coat perhaps?' Seto shook his head to clear the mental image. Despite his efforts, Seto noticed again how attracted to Yami he was; his slender, effeminate body and deep maroon eyes were captivating, and Seto couldn't help but stare. Yami shifted his weight uncomfortably and spoke again.

"The part suits you." Yami leaned back on his hands and pretended to ignore Seto's staring. The attention made him uncomfortable, but he was secretly pleased that Seto was as attracted to him as he was to Seto.

"What?" In the midst of trying to convince himself that he would not let himself be attracted to men, Seto had lost track of what they had been talking about.

"The roll of Hamlet can be played by no other. I'm quite sure that you will be an exquisite actor." Yami leaned forward as he spoke, and his loose blouse hung forward, allowing Seto to see more of Yami's slender frame and well developed chest. As Seto considered this, he would have slapped himself had he not been so worried about embarrassing himself in front of Yami. Seto squirmed and tried to distract himself from Yami, who smirked and blinked seductively.

"Why…" Seto began, but he realized that he would be unable to speak if he continued to look at Yami, so he looked over at the book that still lay where he had left it. "Why did you come here?" He finally managed to say.

"To pay you a visit. I have not left my cell since the night you brother came." Yami sat back, and Seto felt it was again safe to look at him. The clock chimed one, and Seto was shocked to realize how long he had spent with Yami. "I imagine that you would like to sleep now, is that correct?" Yami looked away sadly, and then spoke again. "Do not feel obligated to entertain me; I have a new plan to scare the Umnys, and that should be quite amusing." Yami smiled again, and turned to face Seto. Seto was again struck by Yami's elegance, and whished that Yami would stay longer, but at the same time he realized that he was very tired, and need to sleep. Yami stood up, and walked halfway through the door, the turned. "You will visit me again in the daylight hours, won't you?" Yami's voice was almost pleading, and Seto almost laughed at how unnatural it sounded.

"Yes." Seto said in a flat voice, and Yami flashed a smile, before he turned to leave. After Yami was a good distance away, Seto finished the play and blew out the oil lamp. He hadn't concentrated on the last part of the story, and he had already forgotten how it ended. Every time he tried to concentrate on something, thoughts of Yami kept interrupting, and Seto couldn't focus on anything other then the ghost.

When Seto finally managed to fall asleep, he found his dreams even more disturbing; every dream had been about Yami, and Seto realized now that he wasn't just attracted to Yami, he was infatuated with him. Despite his efforts, Seto did not sleep very well, and when he was sure the Yami had returned to his confinement, Seto got up and immediately took a shower. He desperately wanted to see Yami, but at the same time he was frightened that if he saw Yami he might have to admit the way he felt, and he feared rejection. Nothing would hurt Seto's pride more then being turned down by the ghost. 'Although,' Seto thought, 'I don't know how much pride I have left to loose…' he was ashamed of himself for allowing himself to feel theses emotions…towards another man especially.

Instead of going directly to the library, as he had originally planed, Seto decided to explore the grounds further; a quick walk in the cold morning would help to clear his senses. Mokuba was not up yet, so Seto went directly down stairs. He ignored Mrs. Umny's greeting, as usual, but he couldn't help but wonder if Yami's plan to scare the Umnys had worked. Seto left the mansion through the double doors that led out to the front lawn, and noticed an unfamiliar car in the driveway. Mr. Umny had apparently heard the car pull up, and was opining the door for the driver.

"Good morning, my Lord." Mr. Umny greeted Yugi in his usual fashion, and Yugi, upon noticing Seto, ignored him.

"Mr. Kaiba, you're up early." Yugi waved and smiled at Seto as he walked over to him. Seto was struck by how similar Yugi and Yami looked, but there was something much more mysterious about Yami. Yugi seemed open and kind, unlike Yami, who was sinister and brooding. "I heard that you were unwell, I take it that you have recovered?" Yugi asked cheerfully when Seto did not reply.

"Yes." Seto said in his usual manner. He walked past Yugi and down the steps onto the drive way. Seto noticed Mr. Umny bristle indignantly at how rudely Seto was treating the current lord of the Canterville, but Seto didn't care. He heard Yugi jog up to walk beside him, but Seto didn't turn to face him.

"Are you going out for a stroll?" Yugi asked. Seto did not reply and Yugi continued. "Would you mind terribly if I came joined you?" Yugi continued. Under normal circumstances, Seto would have minded, but there were a few questions that he wanted to ask the Lord.

"Go ahead." Seto looked down at the shorter man, and Yugi smiled up at him.

"Where were you planning to go?" Yugi asked.

"I don't know. I haven't been outside much since I got here."

"Well, have you been to the Canterville Chapel?"

"No." Seto was not in the mood to talk, but he was anxious to ask Yugi some questions.

"Would you like to see it?" Yugi inquired carefully.

"Why not." Seto said simply as he followed Yugi around to the other side of the house. Yugi lead him to a small graveyard, and then stopped.

"This is the Canterville family plot; it goes all the way back to the 15th centaury." Yugi explained. Seto was not interested, but then a question popped into his head.

"Are Sir Yami and Sir Seth buried here?" Seto asked, remembering what Yugi had said during his first visit. Yugi seemed to become rather uncomfortable at the mention of the ghost's name.

"No. No one knows where they're buried…" Yugi hesitated for a moment then changed the subject. "Up ahead is the chapel," He gestured, "the bell is cracked and it doesn't ring any more but-" Seto was listening. He had remembered the Prophecy that he read during one of his first visits to the library.

"The silent chapel bell…" Seto said aloud with out meaning to.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing." Seto said, not wanting to explain his discovery. "How are you related to the ghost?" He changed the subject.

"Ah! The ghost, do you believe now?" Yugi grinned slyly.

"Answer the question." Seto didn't want to explain that either. Yugi was taken aback by Seto's rudeness, but he did as he was requested.

"Sir Yami de Canterville was not married, he had a secret lover that few people knew about, and he did not have any children." Seto had no idea why, but he somehow felt relieved.

"And his lover what Sir Seth Edmonton, right?" Seto asked, careful not to sound anything more then a little curious.

"Yes." Seto couldn't help but feel a little jealous, and he grew angry at himself for thinking about it. "Yami had a younger brother, and he was married, but he wasn't the Lord of the mansion until Yami mysteriously disappeared after Seth's death. Yami's brother is my direct ancestor."

"I see." Seto had a thousand other questions that he wanted to ask Yugi, but this new information pushed everything else out of Seto's head, and he became impatient to see Yami again. "I need to go." Seto said shortly.

"Don't you want to see inside?" Yugi asked, again surprised at how rude Seto was.

"Perhaps another time. I need to go." Seto said again, but this time he did not wait for Yugi to say any more. He turned and walked briskly up to the house. After Seto was back inside, Mr. Umny, who had followed Yugi and Seto, approached Yugi.

"I'm so sorry for his behavior, my Lord." Mr. Umny bowed low to Yugi, then straitened.

"Oh, no it's quit alright…Mr. Umny, I have not met Mr. Kaiba's younger brother yet, do you think he would join me for tea?" Yugi asked, turning to look at Mr. Umny.

"I believe so, Lord. The younger Kaiba, Mokuba, is much more polite then his older brother." The old man glanced at Yugi and wondered what he was up to.

"That would be wonderful, Mr. Umny." Yugi smiled, and turned back to the house.

Seto threw open the doors, and didn't bother to close them behind him. He sped up his pace to the point where he was almost jogging, and turned down the hall in the direction of the library. He pulled the key out of his pocket before he even reached the door, but stopped in front of it. Seto remembered that he hadn't locked the door after leaving the night earlier, but he figured that it didn't really matter any more; Seto was almost positive that Yami was the culprit, and if this was true, a locked door wouldn't stop him. Seto opened the door, stepped inside, and locked it behind himself, not wanting to be disturbed during his visit with Yami. He made his way across the room, and reached up to touch the rhinestone heart. The secret door opened, but Seto paused before going inside. He looked up at the prophecy to double check his theory.

'When a gentile man can win, prayer from out the lips of sin…when a child gives up tears, and the barren almond bares…when the silent chapel bell sounds the ghostly sinner's knell, then shall all the house be still, and peace shall come to Canterville.' Seto read it over and over again, and he was convinced that the prophecy was referring to the cracked chapel bell that he had just learned of, but he couldn't decipher the rest of it. Then he remembered the dead tree that Mr. Umny had been pruning, and realized that it was indeed an almond tree. The rest of the prophecy he still had yet to decode, but he was impatient to see Yami, and he decided that he had a good enough start. Seto stepped away from the mantel, and entered the hidden dungeon.