Chapter Eleven:
Firey Charizard: Not my first, not my last, but my first posted to be sure. Heh. Oh, and just submit your request in your review.
Calico Avengi: Make you cry? No, we wouldn't wanna do thaaat...and no, I don't particularly think mental disorders are cute either. They just...work. And HERE'S the damn link! I hate ! http : www . fanart - central. net / pictures . php ? pid 131097
chittyco: (pats you on the head) There, there. It's okay. Reports don't mean anything. Yaoi is more important. Er, and yeah, I'll do fanart requests. You get the 60 review fanart! Just submit the request in your review.
The Summer Stars: (pokes you) What fanart do you want? Do you even want one? I'm glad you liked Emiko...I just kinda wanted an old lady with a dog...(shrugs) Don't worry, there'll be more Ryou and Bakura. Oh, yes.
Moonlight: Okay, you made me cry. Seriously. I'm glad you liike my style so much! Wah!
mandapandabug: as always, thanks for the suggestions, love. Yes, we'll have an angel/master conflisct soon, don't you worry...Jou angst next chappie...
Nikyo: (blushes) I'm glad the lemon didn't suck. And no, Seto is NOT a whore.
Kumori Sakusha: Thanks so much! You think I'm talented? Yaay!
(Just a note, minna-san...this happens before the last scene with Jou...sorry to keep switching on you, but I didn't want to have to start a whole new day...so it's about eight o'clock when this is happening, and Jou's still out searching for Seto, so...enjoy! It get's a little lemony, but nothin' too graphic...mostly Seto-torture, mentally of course...don't look so disappointed, minna, it's not with Jou!)
"This is an unexpected surprise." Yutou flicked his blonde hair away from his face, lounging against the doorway casually. "Tsuji-san, I haven't seen you since—"
"My husband's funeral; I know." Emiko didn't trust Yutou. There was something vaguely reptilian about the man, as if he were a snake lying in wait. Wait for what, though, that was the question. "I came to return something."
"Something?"
"I found him this evening on Broadway while I was walking Shibu."
"Shibu?"
"My dog." She tugged on Seto's sleeve, pulling him into Yutou's line of sight. "All he's been talking about since I picked him up is you, my dear."
"Kaiba?" This was the first time Seto had ever seen Yutou anything less than composed. "What—how—"
"Master!" Seto launched himself at Yutou. "I waited and waited, 'cause, see, I knew you'd be mad if I went home with someone else, but obaa-san was so nice and she knew you!" He wrapped his arms around Yutou's neck, burying his face in the older man's chest. "I missed you, Master..."
"I haven't been able to get anything else out of him," Emiko shrugged. "Seto-chan, feel free to come over if you ever need anything."
"Arigatou, obaa-san!" Seto said, still clinging to Yutou. As he swung the door shut, Emiko caught the cold smirk on the man's face and she shuddered. She wondered if Seto had any idea what he was getting himself into.
"Am I right in guessing that this is my little dragon I'm talking to?" Seto nuzzled into the hollow of his throat.
"Who else?"
"That other personality of yours can be a bitch sometimes, you know that?"
"Oh, don't be so mean," Seto said. "He's just scared of you."
"And you're not, little dragon?"
Seto smiled shyly as Yutou pushed him down onto the couch. "Of course not."
"Mm...it's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yutou, I—"
"Shut up," Yutou snapped, temper flaring from tranquility to anger in less than a second. "You're forgetting already, aren't you?"
"F-forgetting?"
A sharp slap echoed in the apartment and Seto whimpered, clutching his reddened cheek. Yutou jerked a hand towards him, as if to hit him, and Seto cringed. "That's right," he said, lowering his hand to run it along the ridge of Seto's cheekbone. "That's the face I remember."
"I-I'm sorry..."
Another slap, and Seto couldn't hold back the cry that escaped his lips as he fell back onto the pillows. "No speaking, pet," he hissed. "Or do you need another lesson?" Teeth closed on Seto's ear, biting down hard and Seto threw his head to the side, trying to break away from the hold Yutou had on his ear. "You'd enjoy that, wouldn't you?"
Seto looked away, and at times like this he so resembled his other side that it was sometimes hard to differentiate between the two. The same stubborn set of the jaw, the same glare boring a hole in the back of the couch, the same half-sneer that exposed perfect white teeth. That was the side that intrigued Yutou, but it was so rare that he got to see him now. He'd accustomed himself to this cheery, clingy, younger version of Kaiba. It was the same gorgeous, streamlined body he remembered, the same voice screaming, pleading for release, the same hands sliding along his back, digging in with close-cut fingernails. Everything he loved about Kaiba, if a little more irritating.
"You're so damn sexy," Yutou hissed as he rid Seto of his shirt, and then the thin dress pants he wore. Seto's cobalt eyes transferred their furious glare to him, and he was just so fucking impertinent that Yutou had no choice but to backhand him. The signet ring he wore split Seto's lip, and a thin trickle of blood wound its way down his chin. Yutou leaned over, tongue flicking out to clean up the offending substance and Seto pressed himself further into the cushions, shrinking away from the man kneeling above him.
"Struggling is pointless, you know that. Why bother?"
"Because I-I don't want to. I just wanted to see you, Master, and every time we end up like this..."
"Are you complaining?" There was a warning hand on his throat, pressing just enough that the threat was clearly understood.
"Why do you do this? I just don't understand..."
"Because you're bad, Kaiba. You know that. You're a bad boy, aren't you? A very, very bad boy."
Seto flinched. "No..."
"No? Shall I remind you, then, my little whore?" Yutou spat the last word at him as he flipped Seto over and shoved him roughly into the cushions.
"No!" Seto screamed into the cushions. Not this, not again...
"And bad boys have to be punished, don't they?"
"I'm not bad!"
"You ran away from me, Kaiba! I haven't seen you in seven years!"
"Seven...? I didn't...I mean, I don't remember..."
"Am I not good enough for you?" Yutou hissed. "After I took care of you...protected you from that sick bastard you called a father...I didn't ask much in return, did I?" Rough, insistent fingers sliding inside him, stretching already-sore muscles and reopening a wound he didn't know was there. "Did I?"
"Ahhn!" Seto arched his back, sinking his fingers into the cushion as Yutou seated himself deep inside the familiar body. It hurt more than he remembered; why would that be? If he really had been away from Yutou for seven years, his body would have healed...he wouldn't be used to it anymore...
"Answer my question!" A sharp thrust wrung a pitiful cry from Seto's lips, tears rolling down his cheeks as his body protested the violation.
"N-no!" he gasped. "No, Master, please! You didn't ask too much, just please stop!"
"What's the matter, little dragon, not enjoying yourself? I don't think you've performed well enough to earn any sort of pleasure, have you?"
"I don't want...please...just stop..."
"If you're that insistant." Yutou's fingers wrapped around Seto, the gentle rhythm a sharp contrast to his pounding thrusts and Seto found himself unwillingly seeking his master's touch, even as he clutched the pillows and cried.
"Ahh...hnn...master..." he hissed. His hips bucked involuntarily as Yutou found that spot deep inside him, the spot that sent fire dancing behind his vision, blinding him in a rush of heat. "Master!"
"What is it, little dragon? What do you need?"
He cried and begged and twisted his body into Yutou's touch, the tears spotting the pillow below his face. "I need you! Please, just let me—ahhn!"
Yutou stopped and Seto whimpered in frustration. Cold fingers ghosted over the back of his neck. "What's this?"
"Hnn?"
Fingernails sunk into raw flesh and Seto gasped in pain. "Ow!"
"I asked you what this was."
"I don't know," Seto whispered. "I can't see it."
"It's a bite-mark, Kaiba. Whose?" His tone was light, cordial, and utterly terrifying. His fingers swirled gently across Seto's back, a silent threat, a reminder that he was there.
"I—I don't—I mean—"
"Who have you been fucking?"
"I haven't!" Seto cried. "Not without your permission, Master, I'd never do that!"
"You're lying."
"I'm not! I don't remember, I swear! Maybe it was mou hitori no boku?"
"Do you think I'm stupid? He's too scared of people to do anything." Yutou leaned forward, growling into Seto's ear. "You know I won't tolerate this kind of behaviour, don't you?"
"But—I didn't—!"
"Don't lie to me!" Seto cringed, unable to escape the harsh tone, since the man was still buried deep in his body. It was a compromising position, and Seto was trapped, paralyzed with fear. "You're only making it worse on yourself."
"But I wouldn't!" Furious tears slid down his cheeks. He wanted to explain, he wanted Master to listen to him, because he was telling the truth, he'd never be unfaithful...
"And why's that?" A serpentine hiss, Yutou's hot breath tickling the hairs on the back of Seto's neck as he drew out of him and flipped Seto onto his back, shoving him into the cushions. "Filthy little whore, why should I believe you?"
"Because I'm not lying," Seto whimpered. "I know better. You taught me better."
"I had hoped so," Yutou replied simply. "It seems that in our separation you've forgotten some of the more...vital lessons. Rest assured, they will be taught again. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't pound your ass into the couch for this. I can make it hurt so badly you won't walk for a week, you know that."
No, no, one time through training was enough, he'd hated it the first time... "Please, I didn't—I couldn't—"
"Why?" Yutou's fingers sunk into his shoulders, tearing skin with short-clipped nails that felt like glass. "Why wouldn't you?"
"I—" Seto choked.
"You what?"
Seto flushed and focused his gaze on the back of the couch, obviously embarrassed. He squirmed, uncomfortable under Yutou's critical gaze, and the elder man was bemused by the fact that the blush spread down that tight, tempting body in a rather enticing manner. Ah, but this was no time to be thinking about that. Seto needed to be reminded of whom he belonged to. Yutou smiled. That was it, hmm? He would never be able to leave again.
"You love me, don't you?"
Seto's eyes flicked upwards to meet his for an instant before he realized his mistake a demurely looked downwards again. "I—how did you—"
"You're sick."
Seto flinched. "I—I'm not—"
Yutou leaned forward, resting his weight on hi elbows. "Falling in love with someone who beats you and rapes you until you can't move? The man who took your virginity when you were fourteen? You're more screwed-up than I thought you were. Did you like what I did to you?"
"No, I—"
"I never really had you pegged for the masochistic type." A grin spread lazily across the elder man's handsome face. "And I thought I knew you so well." Seto screwed his eyes shut and turned his face away, pain wrought on his perfect features. "You don't honestly expect me to love you back, do you?" When he was met with silence he brought his hand down sharply on Seto's flank and the boy whimpered at the stinging slap. "Answer me, pet."
"I—I hoped—"
"That I felt the same?"
"You kept me around." Seto's tone was pleading, as if he were trying to convince himself that Yutou was lying, that he did care about him...
"After all the effort I put into training you? Of course I did. You're my slave, Seto." The boy whimpered and cringed, as if Yutou had hit him again. "Does the truth hurt? I own you, and I'm not going to throw you away until you're of no use to me anymore."
"What use am I to you now? If you hate me that much, let me go. I'm sure you could find someone else just like me..."
"You're rather unusual, Kaiba. And I never said I hated you..." Yutou trailed a lazy finger over Seto's chest, toying with his nipples on the way down. "I just don't give a shit about what you feel. Who would? You're no better than a whore."
"I'm not a whore." It was a pitiful, whispered defense, but it was enough to earn another blow.
"You're right. You're my whore."
And that night, as Yutou pounded into him relentlessly, Seto didn't fight. He didn't beg, didn't plead, didn't even bother speaking. He lay unmoving on the couch, staring straight ahead as the tears streamed down his face, his dead, unseeing eyes glazed over with pain, because it hurt. It hurt that the man he'd loved for so long couldn't stand him, it hurt that he'd even found out, and it hurt that he'd laughed at him. But what did it matter? Seto was just a whore.
No one cared.
oooooooOOOOOOOoooooooo
"Jou, I don't know what you should do."
Jou scrubbed at his face, wiping away the tears. "Neither do I, Yuug. I looked everywhere, I can' think of anywhere else t' go. I'm jus' so worried 'bout him. He's lost an' scared out dere, and I can' stand da thought of someone pickin' him up..."
"Jonouchi, I'm sure Kaiba can take care of himself," Yami assured him.
"I dunno...he's been so off lately, 'm worried 'bout him..." Jou flopped dismally onto the bed, ignoring the loud growl of protest his stomach gave. He hadn't eaten all day, hadn't had the time, and he could care less. His next meal would be with Seto, he'd decided, and he'd be damned if he gave in to something as trivial as an empty stomach. "Somethin's wrong, but he won' talk t' me, so dere's not a whole lot I c'n do..."
"Yami, could I talk to Jou for a minute?"
"Of course, aibou." Jou heard a click as Yami set down his extension. "Jou," Yuugi began, then paused.
"Yeah?"
"I was just thinking...you've been beating yourself up a lot lately because of Seto."
"I'm—"
"Don't," Yuugi cut it. "Just hear me out, okay? I think it's great that you want to help him and all, but I just want you to be sure it's worth it. I know you haven't been eating lately, and you're not sleeping enough, and you always seem distracted. I know you're worried, but I'm concerned that you're taking too much on. Not only that, but maybe Seto's becoming too dependent on you?"
"I can' just leave him like dis. You don' know, Yuug, you haven' seen him scared and shiverin' and cryin' and beggin' me not t' do what dose bastard friends a' Gozaborou's did t' him. It's not fair dat someone should hafta go through all dat alone."
"I know," Yuugi said wearily. "I just want you to take care of yourself, too. I know how much you care about him, Jou. I wouldn't dream of asking you to give him up, just don't get so wrapped up in him that you forget about you."
"I won'," Jou assured him. "And, Yuug?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks. Now get some sleep, Jou, isn't it one in the morning over there?"
"Yeah," Jou laughed. "You're righ'. You think he'll come back?"
"Wherever he is, I'm sure he will."
ooooooooOOOOOOOooooooooo
When Seto woke up, he had no idea where he was. He was cold, shivering, curled up under a blanket on a park bench, squinting into blinding sunlight. Passersby cast him venomous glares, and he was sure he looked homeless, sleeping in the middle of a park like that.
Oh, his head hurt. He glanced down at his watch, startled to find that it was nine in the morning. February fourth? But...it had been the second when he slept with Jou, the morning of the third when he ran out...
He was losing it. He was missing a day. Everything from early morning of the third to now...he couldn't remember anything. It was black. Gone. Oh, God, I'm insane.
He stood, wrapping the blanket around himself, and wondered where it had come from. It wasn't from the hotel, it was a soft, simple black fleece, and there was no company crest on it. He'd never seen it before in his life. He took a step and cried out when pain shot up his lower back and legs, nearly causing him to lose his balance. He hadn't been expecting that.
He'd been able to run the morning after he and Jou had...so why did it hurt now? It didn't make any sense; his entire body hurt, and his ass was sore. What on earth ha he been doing this last day?
"Excuse me, are you Seto Kaiba?" Seto whirled around and came face-to-face with a uniformed police officer, brandishing what looked like a photograph of Seto clipped from an American newspaper.
"Yes, yes I am," Seto said in crisp English. "What's the matter, officer...Danials?" he asked, with a quick glance at the cop's nametag.
The cop shrugged. "I don't know, sir. A man called Richard reported you missing. Normally we make them wait 48 hours to file a missing persons report, but we made an exception for you, Mr. Kaiba. We've been looking for you all night."
"Richard?" God bless that limo driver; Seto was going to give him a raise as soon as he got back to the hotel.
"Right this way, sir, we'll drive you back to your room."
"Thank you."
"If you don't mind my asking, where have you been?" The officer opened the passenger seat door for Seto and the brunette climbed in.
"I...don't remember."
"So," Danials said once he'd slid into the driver's seat. "What're you doing in America?"
"Vacation," Seto said curtly, not interested in making polite conversation with the officer.
"My kid's a big fan a' yours," Danials said, unfazed. "You and that Yuugi kid. It'd mean a lot to him if I could get your autograph." He nodded towards a slip of paper sitting on the dashboard. "Pen's in the glove compartment, Mr. Kaiba."
Seto scribbled his name quickly, then glanced down at it and realized the kid didn't read Japanese. "What's his name?"
"Jake," the cop replied proudly. "He's the funniest little thing; makes me and his mother stop whatever we're doing every time you come on TV. He's got tapes of all your duels, he memorizes your strategies, he's even tried to copy your deck. 'Course the re-releases of the White Dragon-things aren't as powerful as the Japanese ones, or so he tells me."
Seto shook his head. Stupid kid. Of all people to idolize..."Does he?"
"Yeah. All he talks about, really. He wants to beat you and Yuugi someday. It's a dream of his, I guess. I don't know." Danials laughed. "When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. Times sure have changed, huh?"
"I suppose."
"Hey," Danials said as he pulled up to the curb and Seto stared up at the hotel with no small measure of relief. "You got any tips I could give Jake? Keeps getting his butt beat by the kids at school."
"Yeah," Seto said, opening the door and handing Danials the signed paper. "Tell him to find a new hero." And he left the poor officer staring after him, quite confused.
ooooooooOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo
Someone was pounding at the door, and it made Jonouchi very, very unhappy. He hadn't gone to sleep until two last night (this morning?), and the jet lag was screwing with him. He dragged himself out of bed and shuffled towards the door once it became evident that whoever was out there was not going to leave him alone.
"Look, the room's not even dirty, come back in a few hours," he mumbled as he twisted the doorknob.
"That's a hell of a way to greet me."
"Seto?" Jou stared, frozen, hand still on the door. They stared at each other for the longest moment, cobalt boring into startled amber, and then Jou launched himself at his koi's chest. "Oh my God, you're okay, I was so worried 'bout you, I looked for ya all day, and...where were you?" He buried his face in Seto's chest, breathing in his scent. "I was afraid somethin' happened to you. Seto, I-I'm so sorry. You have t' believe me, I never meant t' hurt you. I thought you—"
"Can we have this conversation inside, please?"
"Oh, sure, c'mon in." Jou released him and stepped aside. "Are you alrigh'?"
Seto sniffled. "A cold, nothing serious, puppy."
"Good."
Seto sat down in a plush armchair and watched Jou, who stood awkwardly at the entrance to the suite. "Sit down, mutt, you're giving me a neckache."
"Sorry," Jou mumbled, dropping into the chair across from the brunette. "About...yeah," he began, fiddling nervously with the hem o his shirt. "I'm sorry."
"You said that already." God, his voice was so cold, he seemed so angry...
"I-I know it was a stupid thing t' do. I shouldn' have, and I undastand if ya don' wanna see me again—"
"Don't be absurd." Seto stretched out an arm. "Come here, Jou."
Jou. Not 'puppy.' Not 'mutt.' Jou. Never had his name sounded so beautiful. He obeyed, settling himself in Seto's lap with a faint blush. "It's alright."
"What?" He glanced up at Seto, astonished. "But I—you—I took advantage of you, even though I knew—"
"I was afraid this would happen," Seto sighed, burying his face in Jou's hair. "I leave and you manage to convince yourself that everything's your fault. You have a habit of doing that, you know."
"I—"
"Was drunk. So was I. It's alright. I'd just rather we...take things slowly from here on out, yes?"
Jou's golden eyes were brimming with tears and he gave a grateful sob, flinging his arms around Seto's neck. "Alrigh'," he agreed. "Dat's fine wit' me."
And it was. Everything was finally all right. Seto was back, he was safe, Jou was forgiven...Jou's stomach growled loudly and Seto arched a quizzical eyebrow at him. "Don't tell me you haven't eaten since I left?"
Jou grinned sheepishly.
THE END
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No, not really! Just kidding! There's still a ways to go, minna! Gomen, but I couldn't resist! Yes, yes, I'm evil...I know. (laughs)
Seto: You moron.
Jou: (whacks authoress) You made me girly!