Thanks for the reviews Christina, Shaami and QHII (and thanks for the pixie stix ^_^)
~-~
I see Nub tense when I confirm the ritual, which confuses me; it's good news, isn't it? He's been pushing us to do this and even got Kaiba to help us, which includes paying for everything, so why does he look so horrified?
"Nub? O-genki desu ka?"
"I'm fine. If you're sure that's it, then we'd better go back to the hotel and prepare."
If I didn't know niisan as well as I do, I might have believed him, but I know something is wrong. The fact that Kaiba had a similar reaction means that the two know something about this that we don't. I wonder, is it possible that Nef can't come back? I heard Nub ask Sah if it was the case when I was on the phone, I wonder if she is dead, so we're still not going to have her around, even if we do this.
Also, Malik and Nub were discussing something that Malik seemed very confused and concerned over, I wonder if he's beginning to remember his past as Merenra, it would explain why he keeps looking at me, not that I mind his attention. Still, I wonder what he remembers, and why he went to Nub to talk? I know they were friends, but he never spoke about himself and would never confide in us, not even when I was involved with him would he ever tell me anything, so why go to niisan?
I notice a hand waving in front of my face and finally realise that it belongs to Malik, he laughs slightly at my startled reaction and I regretfully blush slightly.
"Come on Ryou, we'll get left behind otherwise."
"No, they need our help for the ritual."
I try to be as blunt and serious as possible to escape the close proximity, I don't want to do anything stupid, like kiss him. I quickly head towards the others, probably leaving Malik very confused. Nub rolls his eyes at me before taking a seat next to Kaiba in one of the two jeeps, I see Kaiba smirk slightly, but not for long, as the two start conversing. As I move to get in, Kaiba grins and stops me, as Nub starts moving things around.
"You and Malik will have to wait, we need to change the layout." Kaiba states.
Both him and Nub are smirking and I don't like it one bit, what ever it is they're planning is not going to be pleasant. They're done a few minutes later, and upon inspection, I find that the room left for Malik and I to sit in is greatly reduced, in fact, we will be touching each other for the entire trip. I glare hard at both of them, but neither of them care, they're having far too much fun for that.
"Come on you two, get in already so we can go." Bakura orders mockingly.
Malik looks as unsure about the lack of space as I did and looks over at me, then he shrugs and gets into the vehicle. Nub immediately turns round and whispers something, to which Malik shakes his head. Nub grins maliciously and says something else, leaving Malik worried and confused. Hesitantly I enter the jeep as well and we head back to the hotel, though it certainly won't be an enjoyable ride.
Well, that was longest fifteen minutes of my life. We kept accidentally brushing against each other and then blushed horrendously whilst apologising. All the while, Nub and Kaiba were snickering, which wasn't helping. I can't believe niisan would do something like this to me, or that Kaiba would help him. I'll grant that this methodology isn't all that dissimilar from how Nef got us together originally, but she knew what she was doing, Malik doesn't even recall being Merenra, so why they're putting me through this trauma I do not know.
"Have a nice trip An?" Kaiba asks snidely.
Normally I would have retorted, but the fact that he called me An, and not Ryou, left me too startled to comment, at least before he had walked away smirking. I turn to ask Nub about it, but find him talking with Malik. I don't understand why niisan is suddenly talking to Malik and Kaiba so much, or even how he convinced Kaiba to help us, considering Kaiba doesn't believe in any of this.
"Stop thinking so much An."
Nub orders suddenly, making me jump. I glare at him, only to realise that Malik has vanished, I tilt my head slightly in confusion, which just makes Nub grin. I'm about to ask where he is, when I feel a pair of arms wrap around me, I jump slightly at the sudden presence, but soon relax. I know the feeling well enough to know that it's Merenra and am thrilled by that knowledge. I smile at Nub, who is grinning like an idiot and silently thank him, he then nods and walks inside the hotel.
"Been a long time An, ne?" Merenra says softly.
I turn to face him and nod slightly. He smiles in response and runs a hand down the side of my face. I lean into the touch, only now realising just how much I've missed it. He chuckles slightly and takes my hand.
"Time to go inside An, the others will be waiting."
I nod and allow him to lead me inside. Though I feel disappointed that we could spend more time alone, I know that he's right, we're here for Nef, the two of us can 'catch-up' any time.
~
I watch An and Merenra enter the room, and grin when I notice An's disappointment, I guess Merenra would let the two of them make out while we have work to do. Though I'm somewhat worried that my ototo is thinking like that, he's meant to be the pure one after all.
Once everyone has been assigned various tasks, I pull Merenra aside. Now that I know he remembers and that the situation with An is resolved, I want to ask him why Nef would have taken him to Perensheps and when. Although, if he's as difficult and avoidant as he used to be, I won't be getting any answers.
"What is it Nub?" He asks irritably, which means he knows what I'm going to ask.
"Why were you in Perensheps Merenra, and when?"
"Neither is your business."
"Enough! This may be important information, don't hold back on us."
"My work was always off-limits for discussion thief and still is."
He turns to walk out, but I grab him and slam him against the wall, An's lover or not, he is going to answer me. I note his gaze harden briefly, before being returned to the emotionless mask it was a few moments earlier. It seems like he's had some of the training the highest-ranking guards and soldiers received, which is strange.
"Just what exactly was your job Merenra? Because your apparent training against this kind of treatment makes it seem like you were far more than we thought."
"I won't answer your questions."
He's infuriating me, so I grab him by the throat and pull him towards me, unfortunately, An chooses that moment to walk in.
"Nub! What are you doing?"
"He's hiding information I want. I want to know why Nef would have taken him to Perensheps and showed him where the ritual was, I want to know when she did this and I want to know what his job was, since he's had the same training those idiot top-ranks had."
"The elites? Are you sure Nub? Are you an elite Merenra?"
I notice An's tone raise and the clear fear and panic present. Why would some stupid possible title bother him so much? I turn my attention back to Merenra, who still remains callous and adamant. Still, regardless of any training he may have received, I will get the information I want and I won't allow him to ignore ototo either.
~-~
Well, there we go, another chapter down. I wonder how much further I can stretch this fic? And Shaami, I'm not trying to kill you and you still have Merwahen to read, so quit complaining so much :-P Anyway, please review as always and hope you all enjoyed this rather odd chapter. Ja!
~-~
I see Nub tense when I confirm the ritual, which confuses me; it's good news, isn't it? He's been pushing us to do this and even got Kaiba to help us, which includes paying for everything, so why does he look so horrified?
"Nub? O-genki desu ka?"
"I'm fine. If you're sure that's it, then we'd better go back to the hotel and prepare."
If I didn't know niisan as well as I do, I might have believed him, but I know something is wrong. The fact that Kaiba had a similar reaction means that the two know something about this that we don't. I wonder, is it possible that Nef can't come back? I heard Nub ask Sah if it was the case when I was on the phone, I wonder if she is dead, so we're still not going to have her around, even if we do this.
Also, Malik and Nub were discussing something that Malik seemed very confused and concerned over, I wonder if he's beginning to remember his past as Merenra, it would explain why he keeps looking at me, not that I mind his attention. Still, I wonder what he remembers, and why he went to Nub to talk? I know they were friends, but he never spoke about himself and would never confide in us, not even when I was involved with him would he ever tell me anything, so why go to niisan?
I notice a hand waving in front of my face and finally realise that it belongs to Malik, he laughs slightly at my startled reaction and I regretfully blush slightly.
"Come on Ryou, we'll get left behind otherwise."
"No, they need our help for the ritual."
I try to be as blunt and serious as possible to escape the close proximity, I don't want to do anything stupid, like kiss him. I quickly head towards the others, probably leaving Malik very confused. Nub rolls his eyes at me before taking a seat next to Kaiba in one of the two jeeps, I see Kaiba smirk slightly, but not for long, as the two start conversing. As I move to get in, Kaiba grins and stops me, as Nub starts moving things around.
"You and Malik will have to wait, we need to change the layout." Kaiba states.
Both him and Nub are smirking and I don't like it one bit, what ever it is they're planning is not going to be pleasant. They're done a few minutes later, and upon inspection, I find that the room left for Malik and I to sit in is greatly reduced, in fact, we will be touching each other for the entire trip. I glare hard at both of them, but neither of them care, they're having far too much fun for that.
"Come on you two, get in already so we can go." Bakura orders mockingly.
Malik looks as unsure about the lack of space as I did and looks over at me, then he shrugs and gets into the vehicle. Nub immediately turns round and whispers something, to which Malik shakes his head. Nub grins maliciously and says something else, leaving Malik worried and confused. Hesitantly I enter the jeep as well and we head back to the hotel, though it certainly won't be an enjoyable ride.
Well, that was longest fifteen minutes of my life. We kept accidentally brushing against each other and then blushed horrendously whilst apologising. All the while, Nub and Kaiba were snickering, which wasn't helping. I can't believe niisan would do something like this to me, or that Kaiba would help him. I'll grant that this methodology isn't all that dissimilar from how Nef got us together originally, but she knew what she was doing, Malik doesn't even recall being Merenra, so why they're putting me through this trauma I do not know.
"Have a nice trip An?" Kaiba asks snidely.
Normally I would have retorted, but the fact that he called me An, and not Ryou, left me too startled to comment, at least before he had walked away smirking. I turn to ask Nub about it, but find him talking with Malik. I don't understand why niisan is suddenly talking to Malik and Kaiba so much, or even how he convinced Kaiba to help us, considering Kaiba doesn't believe in any of this.
"Stop thinking so much An."
Nub orders suddenly, making me jump. I glare at him, only to realise that Malik has vanished, I tilt my head slightly in confusion, which just makes Nub grin. I'm about to ask where he is, when I feel a pair of arms wrap around me, I jump slightly at the sudden presence, but soon relax. I know the feeling well enough to know that it's Merenra and am thrilled by that knowledge. I smile at Nub, who is grinning like an idiot and silently thank him, he then nods and walks inside the hotel.
"Been a long time An, ne?" Merenra says softly.
I turn to face him and nod slightly. He smiles in response and runs a hand down the side of my face. I lean into the touch, only now realising just how much I've missed it. He chuckles slightly and takes my hand.
"Time to go inside An, the others will be waiting."
I nod and allow him to lead me inside. Though I feel disappointed that we could spend more time alone, I know that he's right, we're here for Nef, the two of us can 'catch-up' any time.
~
I watch An and Merenra enter the room, and grin when I notice An's disappointment, I guess Merenra would let the two of them make out while we have work to do. Though I'm somewhat worried that my ototo is thinking like that, he's meant to be the pure one after all.
Once everyone has been assigned various tasks, I pull Merenra aside. Now that I know he remembers and that the situation with An is resolved, I want to ask him why Nef would have taken him to Perensheps and when. Although, if he's as difficult and avoidant as he used to be, I won't be getting any answers.
"What is it Nub?" He asks irritably, which means he knows what I'm going to ask.
"Why were you in Perensheps Merenra, and when?"
"Neither is your business."
"Enough! This may be important information, don't hold back on us."
"My work was always off-limits for discussion thief and still is."
He turns to walk out, but I grab him and slam him against the wall, An's lover or not, he is going to answer me. I note his gaze harden briefly, before being returned to the emotionless mask it was a few moments earlier. It seems like he's had some of the training the highest-ranking guards and soldiers received, which is strange.
"Just what exactly was your job Merenra? Because your apparent training against this kind of treatment makes it seem like you were far more than we thought."
"I won't answer your questions."
He's infuriating me, so I grab him by the throat and pull him towards me, unfortunately, An chooses that moment to walk in.
"Nub! What are you doing?"
"He's hiding information I want. I want to know why Nef would have taken him to Perensheps and showed him where the ritual was, I want to know when she did this and I want to know what his job was, since he's had the same training those idiot top-ranks had."
"The elites? Are you sure Nub? Are you an elite Merenra?"
I notice An's tone raise and the clear fear and panic present. Why would some stupid possible title bother him so much? I turn my attention back to Merenra, who still remains callous and adamant. Still, regardless of any training he may have received, I will get the information I want and I won't allow him to ignore ototo either.
~-~
Well, there we go, another chapter down. I wonder how much further I can stretch this fic? And Shaami, I'm not trying to kill you and you still have Merwahen to read, so quit complaining so much :-P Anyway, please review as always and hope you all enjoyed this rather odd chapter. Ja!