Constrained
By:
Setalina Muro
Summary: Things should have been normal, but they weren't. Not for her. She loved Kaiba Seto. They went to the new tournament on D.K. together. And there was someone else there. He could offer her something even Kaiba couldn't. Or so she thought. Now she has to make a choice…SxSxP
A/N: I'm getting this written as fast as I can. I'll be having issues getting chapters typed due to the beginning of track season everyday for eight weeks. (sweatdrops) this is going to suck ass….anyway. One again I pushed back the chapter for some extra scenes. I hope you like, even though I really can't wait for the sixth and seventh chapters! They are soooo cute! My favorite: fluff. I'm having issues with the filler chapters and I still have to get Seto out of the way.
Pegasus's plan sets into motion this chapter. You'll see why.
To the Reviewers:
Yamiko Yakou Hee. You won't find you won't find out until at least chapter six or seven. (I keep adding chapters…I need shot….)lol.
Stormrose Dewleaf I know wasn't it? Yes Anzu is a banshee. I almost didn't have her wake up! Lol. Loved your story! OMG I can't believe you got banned! I'm soo sorry. Whoever did that was just cruel. Damn them. I noticed some self-insertion (which was probably what you got banned for) but it was funny!
nkitty29 Thanks for the review!
missmanga90 Thanks for the reviews, but I must correct you. As I'm sure you noticed I'm using the Japanese name (Shizuka, Joucnouchi, Anzu, ect.). The Japanese spelling of our American show "Yu-Gi-Oh" is "Yuugiou" and our little "Yugi" is named "Yuugitachi" or "Yuugi" for short. That concludes today's lesson. Thanks:-p
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any places, people and/or other things you are familiar with from the show or anything else. The idea for this fiction was from Yamiko Yakou. Blame her if you have a problem.
A Note on the Story:
Pegasus never lost the Millennium Eye, so he can still read minds and takes souls and stuff (hey, you never said he couldn't!)
Seto is OOC in this chapter. Sorry.
Just a few notes on my other stories:
To Capture Her Spirit has been taken out of the hot seat for the moment. I really want to get this done. I'd hate to be the one to prolong this contest anymore than is necessary.
The last chapter of Positive is finished. There is also a sequel pending for it.
Also, a long awaited report: THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL TO Shadows of the Night! (squeals!) Yeah, I was waiting for it to come and its almost all here. Expect it later this month mid-Aprilish when I get it written.
Holes in the Floor of Heaven is also on the backburner. Major writer's block.
That Summer was a new one-shot I put up a few weeks ago. I think it's really sweet. Check it out if you get a chance.
When this story is finished, there will be a sequel. I had a thought while I was on the way to church a week ago. Total twist from the climax of this story in chapter six (its looking like a different chapter number at the moment, though.)
Anywhoo….
Ch 4
Everything remained silent as the rescue boat flowed through the water, bounding on the surf. Duelist Kingdom was growing larger on the distant horizon.
Shizuka stood on the top level looking out over the sea. It was past six o' clock now, and the sun was dipping into clouds of pink, magenta, purple, and finally to the deep azure blue of night. She was reminded strongly of Seto.
She smiled softly into the breeze as a pair of warm arms found their way around her waist. She put her hands over his and leaned back onto Seto's chest.
He smirked lightly and buried his face in her hair.
Her voice was soft and quiet. "Thank you for what you did earlier, Seto."
"How could I have done anything else?" he asked, the low, warm tone of his voice striking deep and causing a shiver to scamper down Shizuka's spine.
Seto chuckled, but after that they remained silent, their eyes locked on the sun set and their minds on each other.
As they stood there the first twinkling star appeared and Shizuka closed her eyes, praying that the moment would never end….
Pity her wishes rarely came true.
"Well, isn't this sweet," a voice to their right suddenly drawled.
They both recognized it instantly. Seto looked at the staircase with a cold glare.
"Get lost," he said pulling Shizuka closer.
"Aww…but Kaiba-boy, I think I'd much rather make sure that you and Jounouchi-kun's little sister don't' do anything illegal on my ship." He wiggled his eyebrows.
Seto rolled his eyes as Pegasus stepped out of the shadows and continued toward them.
Shizuka felt her heartbeat quicken as her mind went flying to the previous night on the roof of the other ship. She shivered and turned to hide her face in Seto's shirt. She clutched the cashmere fabric in her hands.
Laughing slightly, Pegasus stopped several feet from them. He noticed Shizuka shaking slightly and smiled viscously. Seto found it strange. She had to be damn scared of Pegasus.
And in all truth, she wasn't really. She was frightened of what had happened; what he had and the fact that she just let him do it. She loved Kaiba Seto! And yet…
Pegasus chuckled again as the confusion, her confusion, echoed through his mind. 'That's right, my dear,' he thought. 'How could you honestly love him?'
He reached forward toward her head, wanting to caress her long, fire-red locks. Seto wasn't about tot let that happen. He spun her behind him and put himself defiantly between her and Pegasus.
"Oh, come now, Kaiba-Boy, share the love." Pegasus's hand withdrew to his side. The disappointment was obvious in his eye.
"I won't let you touch her," Seto whispered.
"You can't protect her forever, Kaiba-Boy," Pegasus suddenly snarled. "Blink at the wrong time and she'll be gone. Breath and she'll be mine." He bared his teeth in a sadistic smile. After a mock bow, her turned on his heel and threw his head up in the air laughing manically as he walked down the stairs.
"Until we meet again…"
Shizuka shivered as he stalked down the stairs. Seto felt this as she clutched the back of his jacket in her hands and he turned to her, taking her quivering for and holding her close. He blew softly into her ear until she giggled and pulled away.
"Honestly!" she said indignantly, rubbing her ear.
"There it is," Seto smiled as her eyes filled with light again. It was as if a cloud had been lifted from their presence. (Au1) "There's that smile I love."
She laughed and moved back toward the railing at the side of the deck, but he pulled her back, a grave expression on his face. "Shizuka, I want you to stay away from Pegasus at all costs."
Looking at him curiously, she opened her mouth to say something. He placed a hand over her mouth, stopping her words. "Shizuka, please, for my sanity, I need to know you're safe."
Shizuka nodded. "But what am I supposed to do?"
"Stay with Anzu, Yuugi, or your brother, but you must never be alone with Pegasus." He paused and turned from her, moving toward the stairs. Shizuka sensed his self-doubt.
She followed him. "Seto-kun…it'll be alright. I'll be careful, I promise. You don't have to worry. I love you." She put a hand on his shoulder.
He tuned back to her and took her hands in his own. "I know you do, but I have to worry. It's just that I…I won't be around to protect you forever…"
Shizuka opened her mouth to say something when they both heard footsteps from the stairs. Their hands quickly fled to their sides as Yuugi came up.
He looked at them curious, brow raised. "Am I…uh…interrupting something?" he asked, shifting his weight nervously.
"No," Seto said, moving away from Shizuka, his cold demeanor returning. "I was just warning Shizuka-chan to stay away from Pegasus."
Yuugi's brow furrowed. "What is that, Kaiba-san?"
"Because Pegasus has adopted an obsession for Shizuka and I wouldn't trust Pegasus as far as I can throw him."
"Not quite an obsession, but perhaps a shining for charming, little Shizuka-chan." (Au2)
Seto's face contorted into rage. "WHY WON'T YOU GO AWAY!" he yelled down the stairs at a gleeful Pegasus, who was making a pretend check on a pretend 'To Do' list.
"Make Kaiba-Boy blow a fuse," he said, swiping his hand across the air. "Check and priceless." He walked away laughing as Seto stood shaking with anger.
"Remember what I told you," he said over his shoulder as he went down the stairs. (Au3)
Shizuka sighed heavily and leaned against the railing. Yuugi leaned down next to her. "Shizuka-chan, what's going on between you and Kaiba-san?"
"It's…nothing, Yuugi-kun," she replied, staring absently into the sky.
Yuugi sighed. "If you want to tell me anything, I promise I won't tell your brother."
She felt her heart wrench in her chest and a single tear slide down her face.
"I love him."
Yuugi was slightly confused. "I know that."
"No," Shizuka shook her head. "You misunderstand me. I –I love another."
"You love…Kaiba-san?" Yuugi tiled his head curiously as Shizuka nodded.
"I do."
Yuugi sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that…"
"I'm sorry, Yuugi-san," she whispered. "He was kind to me…he protected me…he loved me…"
"I understand but…you'll have to tell your brother eventually, you know."
She nodded. "But…"
"You can't. Shizuka-chan, I'm sure he'll understand."
"Perhaps…you're right…"
"Your brother sent us to find you. He wanted you with him before the ship docked."
Shizuka nodded. "Alright, lead the way."
The ship was entering a small inlet by the time Yuugi and Shizuka found Jounouchi and the gang. There were in the dining room.
Jounouchi and a woman were sitting in a corner talking loudly. Her hand went up to flip her golden hair about every five seconds.
Shizuka found it funny. 'She is soo over there hitting on Onii-chan,' she thought.
Anzu looked up and waved them over. "Pegasus decided to feed us on the ship," she said. "After how Jounouchi ate last time I couldn't blame him." She shuddered with disgust.
Shizuka laughed as Yuugi sat down next to her. "How long have they been in the corner?" she asked nodding toward her brother and Kajaku Mai.
"I lost count," Anzu said. "But she's touched her head like twenty times in the last minute."
Shizuka laughed as a loud voice suddenly blared over the speakers, sending the hairs on the back of her neck on end.
Pegasus's voice echoed around the room.
"Good evening ladies, and gentlemen, and Kaiba-boy. I would like to drew your attention to the time. It is now 9:54 and 23 seconds. The ship will arrive in my bay at exactly 10:05. Please make your way up to the main deck where rooms will be assigned so that you may go straight to bed and prepare for the opening ceremonies tomorrow afternoon. Sweet dreams."
The buzzer clicked off and a slight murmur enveloped the room as the eight people moved toward the entrance way that would lead to the deck.
Shizuka watched the floor as they moved an uncomfortable feeling squirming through her gut. It wasn't the first time.
She was shuffled a bit to the side as something bumped into her. She looked up into Seto's blue eyes.
"Hey!" Jounouchi exclaimed. "Watch where you're goin', Kaiba." He wrapped and arm protectively around her shoulder, guiding her quickly past the tall brunette. She heard Yuugi sigh as they moved by him. He had noticed the note now clamped tightly in Shizuka's hand…
After the boat had docked it took ten minutes for the group to travel up to Pegasus's castled. The tall building looked to be falling into disarray. Ivy hung heavily on the stone walls.
"My apologies," Pegasus said, flailing out his arm in a hopeless stance as he led the way up the stairs. "I rarely visit this place. My men will be pruning tomorrow."
Kaiba made a slight noise of annoyance, causing Shizuka to fight the urge to giggle at him. She glanced back and watched him as he narrowed his eyes playfully and grinned, noticing the laughter in her amber eyes.
Pegasus led them through the massive gates into a vast hallway. He gave them what he called a grand tour. Yuugi and the others moved awkwardly through the hallways. Shizuka could tell that there were some not-so-nice memories floating around.
After Pegasus showed them the hallway to the guest room, they scattered trying to locate where they'd be staying.
Shizuka moved down the hall, looking for her room number. She found it at the end of the block and fitted the key into the lock. It clicked and the door swung open.
The sight within the room took her breath. The entire room was draped in a dark burgundy. Dark curtains hung over a large window. A soft breeze accompanied the pale moonlight through the open frames. The desk and several vanities were made of a rich, dark redwood. The king-sized bed frame was also redwood. The bed curtains and sheets were also a deep burgundy.
The weighted door swung shut behind her, but she didn't notice. A mischievous grin spread over her and she ran toward the bed and jumped onto it, sinking into it. She sighed contentedly and sat up leaning against the bed frame. She carefully unfolded the paper Seto had slipped her. A soft smile lit up her face.
'I take it I'll settle without you tonight.
Seto'
Shizuka crawled under the covers and pressed the paper to her nose, breathing in the sweet scent of his cologne and the slightest hint of tobacco before drifting off to sleep…
The sun dawned early the next morning, pouring through the bay window and over her sleeping form.
Shizuka groaned as she rolled over, blocking her eyes from the glare. Squinting slightly, she stretched and looked at her watch. She vaguely remembered Pegasus saying something about how breakfast was going to be around nine. Her eyes widened as she looked at her watch, observing the time to 10:05.
"Damn," she hissed, grabbing her shoes and pulling them on as she stumbled toward the door. She pulled it open and Joucnouchi fell inside.
"Onii-chan!" she exclaimed. "Gomen! Gomen! Are you hurt?"
"Nah," Jounouchi replied, standing up from his recent face-plant. "I jus' wanted ta see if ya were comin' down fer breakfast."
She noticed that Jounouchi smelled like pancakes.
"Of course," she said, smoothing down her hair. Jounouchi yawned widely. "You look tired, onii-chan," she commented, stepping out of the room and pulling the door closed.
"Eh, Pegasus assigned me a broom closet."
Shizuka giggled and Jounouchi cracked a smile at his misfortune. They walked into the dining room where seven people sat in awkward silence.
"Ah, they live I see!" Pegasus said, standing up and bowing.
Kaiba growled softly, causing Anzu to look at him oddly. He smirked. "Having trouble moping up your face, Mutt? And here was I thinking that Pegasus had given you all the proper tools."
Jounouchi growled as well before plopping into a seat next to Mai.
"Well, now that we're all here, I guess I'll explain how the opening sequence for the tournament," Pegasus said, grabbing for a glass of wine. "The boat for Duelist Kingdom left at 7:00 this morning. The duelists will arrive at 1:20. Ceremonies will begin at two."
"And we had to be here because?" Seto said.
"I didn't want to make my finalists ride with commoners," Pegasus replied shrugging. Then a mischievous glint hit his eye. "And you and Yuugi-boy will be opening with a duel." He grinned widely.
"WHAT!" Seto exclaimed, standing suddenly and causing his chair to go flying. "I refuse to play 'Dueling Midgets'!"
Yuugi frowned heavily. "Pegasus-san, what would be the point of forcing Kaiba-san and myself into another duel?" he asked calmly.
"What better then to reenact the duel of the century for an opening? You have two hours to prepare your decks." With that, he stood and excused himself from the room.
"Damn it," Seto said, slamming his fist on the table.
Shizuka's mouth formed a thin line as Seto stood, shaking with anger before turning, kicking the chair he had sent sprawling earlier, and storming out of the room, opposite the door Pegasus had left.
She stood from her chair and sprinted out the door. "Pegasus-san, wait!"
The retreating form stopped as she ran up behind him. He turned and looked at her quizzically through his remaining eye. The glint from the other made her shudder slightly, but she stood her ground.
"Please," she said, pleadingly. "Please don't force Seto-kun into a duel with Yuugi."
"Ah," he replied with a sadistic grin. "You have Kaiba-boy's best interests at heart, I take it?"
"It's been a year and a half since Seto's last challenge to Yuugi. He hasn't touched his Duel Monsters deck since he lost."
"You don't think he's capable?"
She shook her head. "I don't think he's ready. He's still having nightmares about the Penalty Game."
Pegasus nodded sympathetically and put a hand on her shoulder. She recoiled slightly. "I see," he said. Then he smiled. "But I must protect what will be in my best interests." He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Shizuka gaping in his wake.
She pursed her lips. "Jerk," she murmured. Then, she moved off in the directions of the rooms. She walked past several doors and stopped at the one she had watched Set go in the night before.
Shizuka ran a hand over the door (habit of her old blindness) before knocking and to her surprise it swung open. She slide through and shut the door quietly behind her. The room was pitch black with the exception of the light that found its way through the cracks by the curtains.
She could make out the vague form of her lover sitting on the bed. His shoulders were slouched and he hung his head in doubt and shame.
After a collective breath, Shizuka took a tentative step into the room. Seto didn't move and his eyes remained locked on the floor.
"Seto?" she whispered, being close enough to the bed to crawl onto it and move toward him on her knees. She wrapped her arms around him and leaned on his shoulder. "Wanna talk about it?"
His head moved slowly back and forth.
"I tried, but Pegasus won't reconsider."
Seto still didn't move. Shizuka slid around and kneeled on the floor in front of him, her hands resting on his knees. "Seto…"
"I can't beat him," he whispered.
"It doesn't matter-"
"It does," He interrupted vehemently.
"Seto," she said, shaking her head. She put a hand on his chin and brought his head up so that she was gazing into his piercing blue eyes. "What do you care about more than anything else?"
He blinked. "Mokuba," he answered instantly.
"What else?"
"Kaiba Corporations."
She nodded. "Mokuba will never think anything less of you for loosing. As long as you try your best. And you will always be President of Kaiba Corp. It doesn't matter how many duels you win or lose. Yuugi can never take your brother's love or your company away from you.
His hand moved to her face and brushed back her hair. He looked like something had just struck him in the head. He slide down onto the floor and stared at her.
He ran his hand down the side of her face, the realization that she was the third this that Yuugi couldn't take away. He wouldn't let him.
Hugging her down the length of his body, he struggled with the words. Shizuka wondered at his haggard breathing as he held her.
There was a sudden knock at the door and they both jumped and gave it a 'deer-in-the-headlights' look. He kissed her quickly before standing up and moving toward the door. Shizuka snuck quietly to the closet.
She held her breath when the door opened and her brother's voice drifted through.
"What do you want, Mutt?" Seto asked coldly.
"I was wonderin' if ya'd seen my sista," Jounouchi said.
"I left and I came straight in here. I did not see your sister in the hallway." Shizuka smiled. It wasn't a complete lie.
"Oh," Jounouchi said softly. "Tanks anyway, Kaiba."
Shizuka slide out of the closet when she heard the door close. She walked toward him and paused.
"I guess I'd better go," she said slowly.
"Okay…"His blue eyes were rather forlorn as he ran a hand down her cheek. He kissed her softly and led her to the door. After checking for Jounouchi he let her walked through, holding onto her hand until the last possible moment. She trailed down the hallway as he gently shut the door.
Turning around, he leaned against it, staring vacantly at the ceiling.
"Why can't I just tell her how I feel…" he whispered. "Why can't I tell her that I love her?"
A/N: Yeah, I'm building dramatic irony. Sorry this took so long to update! Please R&R!
Au 1: In all honesty, this has to be the most over-used simile in the world…
Au 2: This sentence first read: "Not quite an obsession, but perhaps a fetish for charming little Shizuka-chan." Then I looked 'fetish' up and it meant the exact same thing…sigh
Au 3: The following scene was not meant as a hint as any YuugixShizuka, so don't take it that way. Yuugi's just being nice. And that would be against the rules clearly laid down by Yamiko Yakou, so NO! And its really, really, really, pathetic….