Joy: As promised, here comes ch. 2! By the way, I don't own Kumi - BabyGatomon does. And I don't own YGO! either. Bummer.
Confessions
Marik was still out by the car when Joy came out. He was taken back by her expression. What did that asshole Kaiba do this time? he wondered. "Joy?"
"Don't ask. Let's just go." They got into the car and were off. They drove in silence for several minutes, both in thought.
Joy was sure upset, Marik thought. She still is. I wonder what happened. She seems not to want to talk about it, but I'm worried about her.
How could he do that? I just don't understand! Was it my fault? Was he right about me being too pushy? Or maybe I didn't do enough. Maybe she's better than me...or else I'm not good at all. Joy suddenly pulled over and stopped. She stared at the steering wheel, concern all over her face.
"Joy?" Joy broke out of her thoughts and looked at Marik. "Are you okay? Why did you stop?"
Joy sighed. "I'm sorry if I was rude earlier. I was a bit upset."
"It's okay. Don't worry about it."
"I...I saw Kaiba kissing his secretary..."
Marik froze at her confession. "...NANI!"
"And I yelled at them and she slapped me so I hit her and left. After breaking all the windows in Kaiba's office. At least. I think I did that. I suddenly felt this huge feeling surge through me and it just...happened."
"I can't believe he did that! How could he!" Marik asked in angry disbelief. "He is such an asshole!"
"No, Marik." Marik blinked. "I am. If I had been the girlfriend he needed, he wouldn't have felt the need to cheat on me in the first place. Let alone with someone like her."
"Don't you dare blame yourself for his actions. Do not apologize for the actions of others, Joy. It only makes you feel bad. Besides, if you had been that kind of girl, I never would have -" Marik's eyes grew wide and he stopped before he finished. SHIT! I can't believe that just came out!
Joy blinked. "You would never have what?" she asked.
Marik sighed. Slick, Marik. Now you just have to hope she doesn't despise you! I don't think I could take that. "I...I wouldn't have fallen in love with you."
Joy looked at him with a shocked expression. "You...you're in love with me?" she managed to ask. Marik nodded.
"For months, actually. Since Vargon tried to destroy the world. I didn't want to say anything and risk your happiness with Kaiba. Are you...angry with me?"
"No...just...surprised." I guess I'm not so terrible if someone loves me. And Marik is a decent person. He's sweet and he seems to care for me. And he kept quiet for my sake. Still...
"I am sorry to throw out my feelings to you like that. I know you're still upset about Kaiba and everything." Marik looked down at his feet.
"It's okay, Marik. Maybe we can discuss this later. For now, let's go have some fun at that new place I told you about. Okay?"
"That sounds great!" Marik agreed.
Marik spent the rest of the day trying to keep a smile on Joy's face while Joy spent it pretending to smile and not think about Kaiba. Afternoon faded to evening. Joy invited Marik to stay with her, saying she had plenty of room and it was no trouble at all.
"Can I use your computer?" Marik asked as they entered the enormous house. "I want to talk to an internet friend of mine."
"Sure." Joy agreed. I'm gonna be in my room, okay?"
"That's good. Hey, if you can, could you tell me when it's midnight? I'm supposed to call my sister." Joy agreed and they split up, Marik heading to where Joy told her the office was and Joy heading off to her room. Marik logged onto the instant messanger under his screen name: 'Destiny's Folly'. Soon a familiar name popped up - Starlight. The two were quickly deep in a conversation.
Joy on the other hand, was hard pressed to find such entertainment. All she could think of was Kaiba and that made her emotions clash. Why can't I think of anything else but him? She sighed. This is so frustrating! I wish Katilli were here. I could talk to her through the link, but it seems so weird to talk about this without being face to face with her.
At midnight, Joy came into the office. "Marik, it's midnight."
"Oh. Thanks, Joy. I lost track of time. I gotta call Ishizu. Will you talk to my friend for me for a few minutes? Her penname is Starlight. She's really a great pal. I'll be right back." Joy nodded then sat down in front of her computer.
Gods, what do I say to her?
(A.N.: Just so you know - "Blah, Blah" are Joy's words and 'Blah, Blah' are Starlight's words
"Marik had to go call his sister. He asked me to talk to you for a bit."
'Oh, I see. Okay.'
There was a slight pause while Joy struggled to find the right words to say. Starlight was the one to break the silence, though.
'You must be the amazing girl he'd been going on about.'
"I don't know if amazing is the word I would use, Starlight. I'm really not that special."
'That's not what Marik says.'
"If I was so special then..." Joy paused. Why should I burden a perfect stranger with my personal problems? She quickly erased what she had written and instead wrote: "Well...he's ver sweet for saying so."
'He thinks highly of people overal. Except some guy named Seto Kaiba.'
Joy blinked. "He doesn't like Seto Kaiba? Did he ever say why?" she asked.
'Actually, I only just found out about the guy. Aparently he's a real womanizing jerk. But Marik didn't give any details before he had to go.'
"Oh. I was just curious. Say, what do you think about Marik. I mean, you seem to know him well enough."
'He's a really good person and a friend, though according to him, he wasn't always such a nice person.'
"He told me about that, but the spirit is gone now."
'Hopefully for good.'
Joy yawned, looking over at the clock. One o'clock. There was a knock on the door. I hope someone gets that. "So...is Starlight your real name?"
'Nah. It's Kumi.'
"Hey, Kumi. Joy Houyoku." Suddenly Joy heard yelling and noise from downstairs. "Kumi...I got a problem downstairs. Be right back."
'Oh...okay.'
Joy rushed from the room and down the stairs Seto and Marik were in the living room, engaged in a hefty fight. "What the hell!" Joy yelled. The two men stopped and looked over at her. The living room was a disaster. Broken glass and torn cushion stuffing was everywhere. A few pictures had fallen off the wall. "Look what your fighting has done!" They looked down at the ground sheepishly.
Jeremai, Joy's butler, came into the room. "I shall get the broom, Miss Houyoku."
"No, Jeremai. I'll take care of this mess myself. You can go back to bed." Jeremai bowed and left.
"I can - " Marik began.
"No, Marik. Go talk to your friend in my office," Joy ordered, trying to keep her anger at bay. After Marik left, Joy went into he hall closet and got a broom and dust pan, then went to work on the room, not even giving Kaiba a look. To the CEO, this was worse than if she were yelling at him.
"Joy, I'm sorry. I know that fighting Marik was wrong, but..." He sighed. "There is no reason for my actions. Listen. The real reason I came wasn't to fight, but to explain earlier."
Just as Seto was about to explain, the front door opened and closed. A moment later Katilli and Bakura entered the room. "Good Ra! What the hell happened in here!" Bakura exclaimed. "This is worse than when I had that drinking contest with those guys at the Broken Goblet back in Ancient Egypt."
Katilli was more concerned with the condition of her lighter half. "Joy, are you all right? Why did you not call me?"
"I'm fine," Joy stated simply.
"I had a fight with Marik," Seto explained solemnly.
Bakura smirked. "Who won?" He looked around for any trace of Marik.
"Husband!" Katilli frowned at him, then turned to Joy. "Where is Marik?"
"Upstairs." She paused. "Bakura...are you going home?"
"I suppose," Bakura replied, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
Joy stood. "I think if it is okay with you, I will go with you. I wan to talk to Ryou for a while. Katilli, I invited Marik to stay the night earlier. Can you make sure he doesn't get lost in the house?" Katilli nodded. "I'll finish this later. Just keep everyone out of here because of the glass."
As Joy and Bakura walked to Ryou's house, there was mostly blissful silence. But Bakura's curiosity egged at him until he had to ask. "What were they fighting over?"
"Me, I think."
"Amusing." Bakura smirked.
Joy rolled her eyes. "I guess I really shouldn't be so surprised that it turned into a fight."
"The priest's reincarnation is quitea hothead, is he not?"
"Yeah...You know what drives me nuts about him, Bakura? It really get me mad that he doesn't seem to show any emotion except anger. I really don't feel any feelings coming from him, you know?"
"Hmm...We are here." As soon as they got in, Ryou greeted them. Without a word, Bakura disappeared into the Millennium Ring.
"Hey, Ryou...you don't mind me staying here for the night, do you? I know it's short notice..."
"No, it's okay. Bakura already told me through our link. I'll go set up the guest room - "
Host...
Yes, Bakura?
...I was to use that room tonight. We talked about it already.
"Ryou? What's wrong?" Joy asked.
"I forgot Bakura wanted to use the extra room tonight. He wanted to sleep there, out of the ring, tonight." Ryou looked saddened.
"Relax. It's okay. I'll just sleep down here," Joy reassured him.
"Okay. I'll go get you some blankets and pillows." Ryou was slightly assured by his friend's words and went up for said items.
Hikari, why did you not tell me you and Kaiba broke up? Katilli's voice questioned in her mind. And why did you leave so abruptly?
I just needed to get out of there, Katilli. Did Kaiba tell you or was it Marik?
Kaiba did. We had a chat, Joy. I do believe he is apologetic about what transpired.
I know, Katilli. But I just don't know how sorry he is and what he's sorry for. Is he sorry he kissed that ape, or is he sorry I caught him? I want to believe that it was all her fault...I really do, but then I look back on the last few weeks and wonder. I mean, lately Kaiba and I have been kind of rocky in respect to our relationship.I just feel that he doesn't care for me anymore. I feel like I'm dating a robot, Katilli, and I'm sick of it!
Joy jumped when she fel a very strong hand on her shoulder. Bakura smirked, pleased at such a reation. He pointed to the pillows and blankets. "For you. Ryou is in bed and now I am too." With that, he turned and walked upstairs.
Kaiba still wants to talk to you directly, Joy. He suggests lunch tomorrow.
I suppose so, but right now I'm exhausted.
Good night, aibou.
Good night, Katilli.
Joy: Now you have to wait until next time to find out what happens next. In the next chapter, Bakura gets more involved. Heh, I just love it when he sticks himself into stuff like this. (evil grin) So stay tuned for 'Bakura Steps In'.
Till next time - Review! I need reviews to exist!
