Forbidden Fruit
by: Wareta Shooki
I don't own the song "Just Like You" by Three Days Grace.
If you're looking for the Disclaimer. Read the prologue.
Forbidden Fruit
Chapter 1
Beginnings
Kaiba stared up at Jounouchi, wondering why it was he hadn't kicked the puppy off him. Some idiot had knocked into the blonde who in turn had fallen on him. As he stared into those honey-brown eyes that had haunted his dreams for a month now, he realized the distance between them wasn't as great as it should have been. No, it was quite small, a mere few inches.
And when the puppy had whispered "Shit." that distance was made all the noticeable. Then, like invisible hands were pushing them gently, that few inches grew smaller and smaller. Kaiba wondered vaguely as Jounouchi's lips got closer and closer why he hadn't kicked the blonde off him or done something. And then he wondered, a little more vaguely than the first thought, why Jounouchi was still leaning in closer.
When their lips were almost touching the bell rang, causing Jounouchi to jump off Kaiba and stare down at him in a mixture of confusion, horror, and something else. He'd never seen utter, true fear in the puppy's eyes when looking at him before. The wind picked up, blowing those unruly blonde tresses into the eyes he'd been constantly haunted by. Sitting up on his elbows, still on the dirty cement, he matched Jou's stare with one more than equal.
"Come on, Jou!" Came the voice of Yuugi Mutou like a fog horn far in the distance. "We're gonna be late for Shinichi-sama's class! Get moving!"
Jounouchi looked briefly at his friends and nodded, flagging them on. He'd catch up. Kaiba watched, almost horrified, as the blonde moved closer again. But when the puppy held out a hand for him, he blinked then begrudgingly took it. The shorter teen was stronger than he looked. When he helped him stand, Kaiba noticed a bruise disappearing beneath the cuff of his blue uniform jacket-shirt. He wondered what it was from.
Honey-brown eyes sparkled before he mumbled, "Sorry, Kaiba." And ran off down the halls, luckily having already changed into his indoor shoes earlier before the whole incident with Kaiba and that damned bully. Kaiba simply watched the other go then remembered he, too, had class and gracefully picked uphis briefcase that had been knocked from his hand when Jounouchi had ploughed into him, and walked down the halls.
Apparently he'd have a better time with confronting the blonde than he'd originally thought.
I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you
Jounouchi sauntered slowly into Ainoko-sama's classroom, his eyes heavy and wishing more than anything he could go home after lunch. But he couldn't. He had to sit through Ainoko-sama's class, which was Japanese History, then go through Trigonometry, English Comprehension (his language arts class) and finally end the day off with Physical Education. Damn, not a good schedule, but he'd deal.
As he sank slowly into his seat in the second to last room of the class room, he noticed that Kaiba was later than usual. Usually, the tall brunette was sitting in his seat to the right of Jou's own and reading some book or working on the equations for their math class. He was forced to have his last four classes with the CEO and lately, for the first time in almost three years, they weren't fighting. It was almost scary.
I could be fake
I could be stupid
You know I could be just like you
Pulling out the homework he'd actually done for once, and like he'd been doing for the whole year so far, it was only September, he looked to the door. As expected, Kaiba sauntered in with the air of royalty about him. But something was off. Like Jounouchi, his eyes were heavy, and gave him a half-awake look. His rich brown hair was messed up, making it looked as though he'd spiked it purposely all over his head. His icy midnight eyes were dulled, but still sharper than most people's. Even Yami didn't have as sharp witted eyes as Kaiba.
But when the taller teen sank into his desk and laid his head on his arms instantly, Jou knew something was up. What the hell! He was the one that normally slept in Ainoko-sama's class, not Kaiba. Hell, he paid more attention than Yami who was in love with Japanese history, and Yuugi. But that was another thing entirely.
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
Poking the brunette gently in the shoulder, he paused, waiting for the biting anger to lash out at him. It didn't come. Poking the brunette again, once more not receiving an answer, Jounouchi felt something akin to fearful worry engulf him. Staring at Kaiba for a moment and looking to the digital clock attached to the wall above the black-board, Jou got out of his seat and came to kneel beside Kaiba's.
"Kaiba, dude, wake up, man." Those icy midnight eyes opened slowly, but only half-way, eyeing him critically as if summing him up. For all the blonde knew, he was. "Are you alright, Kaiba?" He asked.
"Go away, Jounouchi." Kaiba mumbled and closed his eyes again.
This time that fear took root and stayed there. Looking at Yami's back, the teacher not due to arrive in foranother fifteen minutes, he hissed, "Yami!" Familiar crimson orbs returned his gaze with a single, dark eyebrow raised. It was almost uncanny how the ancient pharaoh of the Sen'nen Puzzle looked exactly like Yuugi. Except he'd died his hair completely black with dark ruby highlights and golden-tipped bangs. He looked so odd with that hair down to his shoulders and pulled back in a low pony-tail.
But hey, who was he to argue with what Yuugi considered "amazingly sexy"? No one, exactly. He motioned with his hand for the Egyptian to 'come here' and waited somewhat impatiently as the boy did so. Yami knelt beside him and raised that eyebrow again. Closer up, you could see the kohl lines on his eyes that accented his already foreign look. Sighing deeply, he answered the unspoken question.
"Kaiba came into class, sat down and went right to sleep. I tried waking him, and got him to open his eyes." He paused here, wondering how Yami would take his next words. Apparently the ancient pharaoh took the silence as Jounouchi being done explaining why he'd called him over.
"And why did you call me over here? Surely, Katsuya, that isn't all." That deep alto voice was flowing and never failed to make Jounouchi shiver. Yami was the only one in their group of friends that called him by his given name. It just seemed opaque to call him by a name his father had chosen, and he didn't like it very much. But he couldn't do anything about it, so he was stuck with being called "Jounouchi" or "Jou." The latter more than the former in most cases.
"No, Yami, dat isn't all. He said 'Go away, Jounouchi.' Dude, he used my name, not puppy or mutt. My name, I'm afraid, Yami. I really am." Jounouchi finished, his honey-brown eyes looking back to the sleeping Kaiba.
Yami pondered this a moment, rocking back on his heals as he looked from Jou to Kaiba. Genuine worry echoed in Jou's eyes and genuine tiredness echoed on Kaiba's half-peaceful features. He stared at the CEO a moment and watched as the taller teen's lips formed one name, one name that was unmistakable.
'Jounouchi. . . .'
His own fear worked its way into his belly, kicking him hard in his gut moments afterward. Sighing deeply, he simply shook his head and stood up. Walking behind Kaiba, he poised his right index finger over the teen's exposed neck and turned to Jou.
"When I touch his neck, whisper his name, but with enough tone to it so he hears you." The Egyptian murmured, sure to keep his voice to just above a whisper. They had ten minutes to wake Kaiba, not get their asses kicked, and get back in their seats before Ainoko came. Good, this plan he had, and the back up one, wouldn't take nearly that long.
"Okay." Jou replied, his eyes still staring at Kaiba.
Yami touched Kaiba's neck, and without even looking up, Jounouchi whispered, "Seto!"
The brunette CEO jerked and opened his eyes. Seeing Jou kneeling there, his eyes locked dead onto Kaiba's he jumped in his seat, clearly frightened from just waking up and seeing a pair of rather large, worried-looking eyes staring right at him. Come on, anyone would be scared after that.
Yami manoeuvred around him, almost getting hit in the nose by Kaiba's head, and stood behind Jounouchi who was still kneeling on the floor. One, slender, thin-fingered hand touched Jou's shoulder, squeezed, and the quiet Egyptian was moving like liquid-silk back to his desk at the front of the room. Kaiba turned his gaze back to Jou and the sharpness returned swiftly to his eyes, like the gathering of electricity in a thunderstorm.
You could feel it in the air, but see it in the clouds. The calm before the storm had come and gone, and Jou was wishing more than anything he'd let the damned bastard sleep. What good could he have done waking him up. How little our dear Jounouchi really knew. How so very little.
"Why did you wake me?" Kaiba snapped.
Worriment flashed in those eyes long and clear enough so that Kaiba caught it before hurt and anger replaced it. Those honey-brown eyes flashed dangerously before Jounouchi sighed, pushing a golden lock of unruly hair from his face, tucking it behind one ear.
"Didn't want you to get in trouble for sleeping." Jounouchi said, hating himself that he had lied just then. Why didn't he say because he was worried? Oh, that's right, because he'd be sent to a mental institution faster than he could say 'aach!' and the men-in-the-white-coats didn't really like him all that much. Had he ever met them, no, but he had when his father had been taken away for awhile. Fun 'field trips' those had been.
"I didn't ask for you to keep me out of trouble." Kaiba snapped, his icy eyes darker than normal.
Jounouchi's eyes flashed with hurt and something else as he stood swiftly, and glared at Kaiba, his anger dancing around him, splitting the air currents like firewood. Kaiba could almost see the static heat coming from the other boy.
"Well next time I'll let you sleep, you ungrateful bastard." He snapped in return, his voice low and dark, before moving back to his desk and taking out his history book and flipping to the right chapter, beginning to check his homework.
Kaiba just stared incredulously at the blonde. Did he just speak properly? Did his voice just get deeper? And did he miss something important when he'd been sleeping? Apparently, because he was lost, and more than a little unnerved. Sighing, he took out his homework and history book, and began mimicking Jounouchi's idea of checking his work.
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
When Ainoko-sama walked in, Kaiba was more than feeling guilty. And though all his answers were right, he'd make an 'A' on his work from the night before, he wondered why he kept sneaking glances at Jounouchi, the blonde never once looking at him. Usually by this time they were fighting or throwing small paper-triangles at each other. But no, not today, not lately. They'd left each other the hell alone, scaring not only themselves, but the teachers and principle as well.
Hell, if you can't scare them one at a time, go for the masses. It worked in business why not in school life? Because it wasn't supposed to.
"Okay, class, you can pack up your things. I have a special reading I want you all to hear today before we end the class and break for lunch." Ainoko-sama said softly, her voice flowing and gentle. A melody in the coming-of-spring breeze. If one listened close enough, they could hear the singing voice that lay hidden oh-so-well. Crystalline-blue eyes stared around at her class, watching as they all packed away their things before getting a book from her bag and showing them the cover.
Japanese characters were seen engraved in silver into the ebony, leather-bound cover. She smiled when Yami's eyes lit up briefly. Shaking her head and laughing sweetly along with the class she held up a hand, settling them into silence instantly.
"This is a story I read to my students every year. It's simply titled 'Saving Innocence.' and is written by Jacquelyn Ahkentahept. She is an Egyptian author who came to Japan when she was twelve years old and wrote a book based on Japanese historical events. However, the people are based off those of Egyptian mythology." Ainoko-sama said, watching as Jounouchi's honey-brown eyes looked up at her when she mentioned the author's Egyptian name.
And to her utter amazement, though it didn't show, Seto Kaiba's eyes were trained fixedly on her as well. They both wanted to hear the story? Why weren't they fighting silently like usual? Shaking the thoughts from her head, she opened to the first page and smiled at her class, they all waited somewhat impatiently to hear what the story was and wanting her to hurry so that lunch could begin.
Not that it would matter. The bell rang the same time everyday. No earlier, no later.
I could be cold
I could be ruthless
You know I could be just like you
I could be weak
I could be senseless
You know I could be just like you
By the time she was done reading the first chapter the bell rang and she smiled, telling the class their homework assignment before dismissing them. She exited the room before the halls became to crowded. Jounouchi stayed at his desk, his eyes staring at a piece of paper that lay on the fine wood. On it was a note scribbled in neat, flowing penmanship. Yami had already slipped out of the classroom and Kaiba was moving towards the door, soon to be the last to leave besides himself.
Looking up he panicked and called after the brunette, "Kaiba!"
Icy midnight eyes snapped to him, an eyebrow raised. "I - Can I talk ta' ya for a few minutes?" Jounouchi asked, staring evenly at those eyes that unnerved so many of his friends. Kaiba seemed to think it over before nodding. Closing the door, he locked it without really thinking and looked at Jounouchi, watching as the blonde moved to the window, staring out at the school yard. Sunlight danced over his unruly golden locks making them shine as if covered in diamonds.
"I should apologize. I'm the one that woke you up. Gods only know how tired you really were." Jounouchi started softly. There it was again! That change of tone in his voice, making it deeper and Jounouchi was speaking properly. Kaiba blinked realizing the blonde teen was talking about the note he'd given him. Sighing deeply, he set his briefcase on a desk and moved a few steps closer to Jounouchi. He stopped, slipping his hands into his pockets in a rare sign of nervousness.
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
"No." He said softly, Jounouchi didn't even hear him. Probably best he hadn't.
When he looked up again, hefound himself gettinglost in honey-brown eyes that sparkled with the backdrop of the afternoon sun. The scene itself was almost too much like his dreams. Except the roles were reversed. He was standing by the window and Jounouchi was standing in front of the door. Shaking his head slowly, he took a few steps closer.
Those honey-brown eyes looked at him oddly before he continued, his voice echoing and distant. "I'm sorry, alright, Kaiba? For being such an ass these last two and a half years. I'm sorry for dissing on you all those times, not knowing that you came from a childhood home like mine, just you made it better for yourself. . . . I'm still digging myself out of the hellhole." He paused, shaking his head and chuckling, the sound bitter and angry on some levels.
"Jounouchi, shut up for a minute." Kaiba said, his voice deeper than normal as well, his eyes having lost some of their icy indifference. He walked forward, closing the space between them, leaving only about two feet to keep them separated. His tone was serious when he spoke next. "Don't you apologize for things you can't explain. If you don't, than I won't either. Agreed?"
The blonde could only nod, amazed he'd said all he had. That he'd actually apologized to Kaiba. The Seto Kaiba, CEO of KaibaCorp. Sighing deeply, he ran a hand through his unruly golden hair, messing it up all the more and looked sheepishly up at Kaiba, his honey-brown eyes holding a hesitation that the CEO could have sworn he'd seen before.
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
Unintentionally, he closed the distance once again, but Jounouchi moved forward as well, his eyes half-closed. Reaching out, Kaiba trailed his fingertips down the shorter teen's cheek, feeling how soft it was and wondering how that could be. His hand trailed down Jounouchi's neck, over his shoulder and down his arm finally finding his hand. That hand itself was smooth but calloused enough to indicate a job that required heavy lifting, or a workload that was hard on the hands.
Jounouchi shivered at the contact from the other and stepped closer to the warmth emitting from Kaiba, wanting to drown in it and knowing that if he did he wouldn't regret never coming up for oxygen. He'd die happy in that warmth and never regret it. Sighing shakily, he lifted his gaze to Kaiba's and once more found himself within only a few inches of the other's lips. Twice in one day. . . This was bound to mean something. But when Kaiba's hand gently squeezed his own, all thought ceased and he moved closer.
On my own, cause I can't take liven with you
I'm alone, so I won't turn out like you
Want me to
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
"Jounouchi. . ." Kaiba's voice was husky and low, deep and smooth. It flowed over him like silk and he never wanted the feeling to leave him. His body craved and begged for more. Was this another dream? Was it possible it was real? Neither question had an answer, and he didn't really think he wanted to find one.
"Y-yes?" He asked, his voice hesitant, that word alone stammered from the heat that was already beginning to become intoxicating along with the scent of cinnamon that wafted from the tall brunette in front of him. It had to be a dream. . . It just had to be.
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
"Do you hate me?" Kaiba asked, his lips mere inches from Jou's own.
The blonde teen shivered and thought of the answer. A few weeks ago, he would have kicked the other for being so close, screamed 'Of course I hate ya, ya dumb ass!' and run off screaming in pure fright. But now, standing here like this, half embraced by the young CEO of KaibaCorp, he realized; no, he didn't hate Seto Kaiba. What was there to really hate? Nothing.
"No." He replied.
Kaiba let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding afterhearing that answer. Without thinking, he gently brushed his lips over Jounouchi's before pulling back, his other hand came up and ran through Jounouchi's hair before falling to cradle the side of his face gently. The touch itself was tender, and the look that echoed deep in those icy midnight eyes would have scared the hell out of anyone else. But to Jounouchi, he'd never seen someone more beautiful than Seto Kaiba in that one moment.
I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you
"I'll see you later. . . . puppy." He whispered, saying his age-old nickname for the blonde duellist like a pet name. Without another word or gesture, he walked swiftly towards the door, grabbing his briefcase without a second thought. And, after unlocking the door, sparing the stunned Jounouchi one last glance, he exited the room.
The silence echoed thickly, and Jounouchi finally snapped from his reverie to glance over at his desk where the note Kaiba had given him lay. The very note that had just gotten him kissed by Seto Kaiba himself. And for the first time in his life, Jounouchi felt like tomorrow might actually bring something better than storm clouds waiting to burst over his head, dropping the Gods only knew what.
And that simple note read, scribbled in Seto's neat, flowing handwriting:
I'm sorry.
End Chapter 1 of Forbidden Fruit
Anyway, thanks to those that reviewed, and I hope to see you in the next chapter. That's all for now, minna-san.
-Wareta Shooki
Last edited 2 / 15 / 05
