A/N: :Suffocates everyone with teary and squishy hugs as she bawls out hysterically: YOU my beloved reviewers are the most wonderful beings in the entire known universe! Even though this fanfic totally sucks beyond everything, you guys cheer up my day.
Arigatou a million times to Sonia (kyaa :wavez like crazy: Howz your vacation?), exquisiteiridescences, xXcrystalangelXx, Finally, Todokanunegai (did I spell that right?), ShadowMcJ, Serenity Miral, saphhiretintedeyes, Gutterangel, mellinde, Pysche, Lomelindi, XXX, and CrimsonEyedDragon!
And special thanks to Pysche, exquisiteiridescences and sapphiretintedeyes for sticking with me all through all 3 chapters.
I will lavish all of you with praise.
Onto Chapter 4, which I had A LOT of fun typing up. I let loose some of my flowery detail writing for mellinde's sake (there's still some there though) and focused more on action and speech. This chapter is basically HUMOR...sortaish...Or my pathetic attempt at it. heh hehh I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I know I did! (but then that's me...so I don't count) Once again, excuse my horrific writing errors...my beta has officially died and I am now beta-less :(
Disclaimer: I can't think of anymore creative disclaimers...so I do not own Yugioh. BLEH.
Inspired by: Simon and Paula from American Idol (They argue so much and yet flirt with each other all the time that they totally reminded me of Seto and Yami...! yes I am very odd)
Chapter 4: Preparation
Memories. They are fleeting and virtually brief, almost too numerous and copious to contain within the spectrum of one's limited mind. For it is a sad and most poignant matter, the fading of lost and forgotten remembrance, those considered far too unimportant and insignificant to preserve within the dusty shelves of one's drenched conscience. But of course within the sequence of one's provisional life, there will be always those few and ever so rare recollections, those worthy of keeping and retaining till the end of time. Those memories that shone with such unrivaled importance that the host will be unable to forget their tantalizing scenes. They will be locked away within the complex folds of the human mind, there until all of eternity, crisp and unmarked to the last fiber.
Their scenes will forever hover within the mentality of the occupants mind. They will bring about remembrance, remorse, and coldness, as well as reminiscence, pleasure and warmth. Such were the power and influence of those memories.
For Seto Kaiba, he will be always reminded of the crimson shower of autumn foliage. He will be unable to forget them; he will lock them away within preservation, intact and untainted for all perpetuity.
Where they will forever probe him of a pivotal moment, of a dazzling day where a slender young boy danced among the scarlet rain of fall's downpour.
Seto Kaiba had made his heart throb.
What in Ra's name…?
Yami, confused and disoriented by the bewildering thought, took a step back. A step back from the reaching hand of lithe and caressing fingers; of auburn colored locks and intensity of bright blueness.
They were so blue.
The former Pharaoh shivered in unknown meaning. The concentration of such flavored color almost frightened him. He had stared deep into those seemingly endless depths, and was struck by the sharp force of life that emanated from the profundity. Did these eyes, these vibrant and luminous eyes really belong to who he thought they did? Those eyes that emitted such a vivid display of raw emotion, of such vivacious colors? Was this really the Seto Kaiba? Yami tried to recall all the times he had encountered the CEO, and not one of his many fleeting memories could he remember when he had seen such a powerful surge of pure feeling. The slender boy sealed his lips in bitter reminder as he recollected the numerous times when the billionaire had sneered and scoffed at him in sleek distaste. He could remember, with noteworthy detail, of how Kaiba's eyes had resembled nothing more than two mere chips of clear-cut ice, chiseled to perfection and yet tainted with chilling indifference.
But wait—there had been one moment—
Dear Ra…his head hurt—
So the crimson-eyed boy had taken a step back, because for the moment it was the only sensible thing that he could think of. And with that simple action, the enchantment of autumn's dance was finally over. Once again, the two were only mere students touring the grounds of Domino High.
"I'm sorry Kaiba," began Yami in a shaky laugh. A toss of golden bangs. "I must have gotten carried away…after of being coped up inside for so long, it was just all so—" He paused. "Overwhelming I suppose…ahhh I'm sorry—I must sound really weird..."
Why was he apologizing so much? And no, it was definitely NOT because he was flustered. He was simply…tired yes, that would explain it. I am not in anyway uncomfortable, Yami told himself firmly.
And this has nothing to with Kaiba. AT. ALL.
That's right. You just keep telling yourself that.
Seto glanced at Yami's state of agitation, a small sense of amusement apparent upon the classical features of the tall billionaire. The former Pharaoh was so sensitive; it was most highly entertaining at the way the tri-colored haired boy could get so easily ruffled. The moment of sweet tenderness had nearly faded at the moment and the CEO was left with a strange sense of loss, as if he had been deprived of some long-sought moment. It was tinged with a distinct feeling of mild confusion.
The brunette frowned, for he had never liked being confused. In fact, he despised confusion. Confusion was an indirect sign of weakness, for it hinted of disorganized thoughts and duplicates of unanswered questions. More importantly, it revealed a certain something about your intelligence. And might it be mentioned that Seto Kaiba took enormous pride in his extraordinary sense of aptitude. As the CEO of his corporation, he had always been accustomed in being superior to the majority of the human species. The world saying goes that to every mind-boggling question there was always an answer; an answer that was most assuredly known by him.
And as arrogant and egotistical as it sounded, the fact was true. Seto Kaiba always knew the answers.
But here he was right now, with a bothersome cloud of confusion lingering within the recesses of his mind.
It dealt a thunderous blow against his unbelievably large ego.
What had gone on between the two of them? What had been that searing yet heart-warming feeling that had enveloped the entire frame of his body?
"Do you ever notice the falling of the autumn leaves?"
Yami—
Seto continued his detailed observation of his fellow rival at hand, staring at the flustered attempts of apology in rapt attention. A shadow of a smile threatened to break though his stolid mask of indifference yet again. Just what was Yami babbling about this time?
Another matter of confusion. How was it that this simple crimson-eyed boy was able to break through his inner walls of defenses, fracture the unyielding forces until they tore away and expose what lay underneath years upon years of apathy and lethargy? How was it that Yami made him feel so….
Human?
It was a complex string of intricate questions that undoubtedly called to be answered at once. It screamed of challenge, confrontation and of resolution. And Seto Kaiba never backed down from a challenge. EVER.
Ice blue eyes narrowed the slightest. What was the best way to approach this dilemma? Azure fixated itself upon the fiery duelist once again. There was only one way to resolve this conflicting issue.
I must…familiarize myself with the cause of the predicament.
"No, it's quite alright," murmured Seto slowly, the low tenor of a voice halting the agitated spirit in his fleet of disorder. Fingers tapped against the curve of his chin as the CEO's mind clicked away in praise worthy rapidness. A plan was being formulated…
The former Pharaoh frowned as he caught the look that had settled upon the face of the tall billionaire. For he did not like the gaze that the CEO was currently directing towards him, he did not like it at all. Let me emphasize the words AT ALL. It totally reeked of a shrewd sense of deviousness that made Yami want to edge away in a slow and deliberate manner.
Scheming, manipulative, conniving…
Seto Kaiba was calculating.
O dear.
Plan #1: Successfully prepared. Now ready for experimenting and observation.
Bring it ON.
A self-satisfied smirk. The brunette rummaged around in the pocket of his trench coat and produced his compatible and ever-so-reliable-platinum Kyocera cellphone. Flipping it open, he smoothly declared:
"Croquette? Summon the limo immediately— Yes and believe me when I mean immediately, it better be here in exactly 2.37 minutes. Is that understood? Not a millisecond before or after. I have a particular rendezvous with a certain duelist I must carry out— No it cannot wait…Are you questioning me by any chance Croquette…?"
3 individual words caught Yami's ear.
Rendezvous? A certain duelist…?
There was no duelist present here at this moment, just what in god's name was Seto Kaiba referring to—?
WHOAH. Backtrack over here. He doesn't mean…
Yami's eyes widened.
Me?
The former pharaoh narrowed his eyes in concealed opposition. If, let the word if be stressed, if what he thought Seto Kaiba was intending to do was true, than he would have only one thing to say to his face.
Go. To. Hell.
Alright then, perhaps that would be a tad harsh. The more reasonable approach to the situation would be a polite gesture of decline. "I am sorry Kaiba-san, but I am afraid that free time is a most rare and valuable object that I, as an unfortunate being, do not possess at this moment. I make my deepest regrets."
Yes, thought Yami positively. That would most certainly do the idea. Clear and eloquent does the trick.
On another thought, let's add a bow towards the end of that statement. You know, exemplify the entire action.
Affirmative. Yami was extremely prepared.
The spirit heard the faint click of a dial tone as the CEO flipped his cell phone shut with timed efficiency. The brunette languidly turned towards him, auburn locks slightly disheveled from the small breeze of the wind and long trench coat rippling at its own accord.
Amazing how that trench coat always seemed to go against the laws of gravity. It did nothing to ease the feeling of discomfort that had wormed its way deep inside Yami's body; in fact it only managed to heighten the sense of superiority that radiated from the billionaire's lean form.
Why did Seto Kaiba have to be so incredibly tall?
Cool eyes held his own crimson-eyes in faint consideration.
"Are you by any chance free this afternoon?"
The sentence seemed more like a statement than an actual question. It was as if the CEO had automatically assumed that the tri-colored haired boy had nothing else better to do. A faint warmth of irritation spurned inside him. Was he trying to imply that he had no social life at all?
Well, Kaiba was about to be sorely disappointed.
Yami lifted his chin in an act of small defiance towards the haughty inquiry, causing Seto to raise a fine eyebrow upon the deed.
"I am sorry Kaiba-san but I am afraid that free time is a most rare and valuable object that I—"
"Excellent. I should've thought so—" interrupted the brunette smoothly without a hint of humiliation.
Yami was about to reply with some stinging retort about how rude it was to purposely interject whilst another person was speaking. However, his insult was cut short by the outcome of the billionaire's reply.
"I have arranged a reservation for the two of us at Lattanzi Ristorante tonight at 8:00 PM sharp—"
WHAT ?
"It is an exceptionally high and upscale establishment that focuses its culinary expertise on Italian dishes—"
Wait!
"Thus, I expect you to don upon yourself in an outfit that fits such a high-quality dining arena—"
Just!
"None of this "casual attire" that I as an unfortunate human being, have been exposed to in this detestable school…"
A damn!
"I am anticipating a highly fashionable apparel from one such as yourself, so do not disappoint me—"
Second!
The striking billionaire tilted his wrist so that the Roman numerals of his Rolex Geneve glinted silver in the gathering sunlight. Without a waste of a breath or of a mere second he continued:
"My limo will arrive at approximately 7:30 sharp in the front of your residence; accordingly you should be ready by at least a quarter after. I am telling you that I will not tolerate, in any form or way, belatedness. Speed and time are a must in today's world."
The former Pharaoh was almost too stupefied to even speak. Somewhere, the distant chatter of released high school students drifted in the air. Cries of joy, liveliness and glee.
He felt a dark, foreboding doom materializing within the pit of his stomach.
What has just happened over here…?
Seto Kaiba admired the completely astonished look splashed across the normally confident face of his rival. Now look who's the one that's confused, he thought with a feeling of complacency.
His acute ears picked up the faint screech of tires. Ah, Croquette has arrived. He turned once again towards his watch. Hm, he came precisely on time, I should congratulate the fool.
Seto raised a brisk hand through the thick locks of his mahogany hair and gave the still momentarily stunned spirit a slight inclination of his head.
"It seems that my ride is here," remarked the satisfied brunette. "I shall be seeing you again at 7:30. Until then."
He made a light sweep with the curve of his hand.
The inducement was smooth, polished and effectively effortless. If Yami had been one of the many rapid fan girls whom worshipped the handsome young man with jaw-dropping diligence, than he would have been absolutely giddy with pure delight. Think about it, an entire evening in the company of Japan's sexiest known bachelor within the country's most sought after restaurant. Top notch, high quality and wholly perfect. It was a night that many, far too many, would have hoped to die for; a chance that was quite possibly as rare as cultured diamonds.
But of course, Yami was not one of Seto Kaiba's infatuated admirers, thus he viewed the entire situation with utter horror and complete rage. With the ringing tone of Kaiba's "until then," the former pharaoh seemed to have awakened from his frozen trance and was literally incensed beyond all anger. The incompetence. The arrogance. That incredibly over-confident air of superiority and condescension! What gave him the right to just dump this insane affair upon his head?
The brunette, having finished his eloquent speech, was well on his way towards the impressive form of his ebony hued limousine.
Now just hold on a minute!
"Wait…now just wait a moment!" cried Yami as he ran up ahead. He was side by side with the CEO now, who turned upon him with the full intensity of his ice-blue eyes.
A bored expression. "Yes?"
Yami placed two hands upon the side of his hips and directed his own fire-lit eyes towards the cool indifference of his opponent.
Seto Kaiba curled his lips in momentary appreciation. "Well? Out of with it. Or are you trying to impress me with your notable skill at modeling?"
A faint blush had arisen within his face. Ohhh, he was so going to get it.
"First off, even if I did do modeling, I would most certainly not pose for anyonesuch asthe likes of you," gritted out the frustrated spirit. How was it that Kaiba always managed to make him feel so self-conscious?
"Second!" Yami raised a defiant finger upward towards the sky. "When in Ra's name did I ever accept this little invitation of yours? You just rudely interrupted me while I was in the middle of telling you that I was most certainly not free tonight. And then you continue on as if I had said the exact opposite, completely disregarding everything—! And you now expect me to get ready for some…what did you call it…rendezvous tonight at 8 o'clock?"
A mocking smile. "Why yes, that's the gist of it."
How he wanted to wipe that unbelievably smug smirk off that incredibly sarcastic face.
"Well then…" the former crossed his arms in non-cooperation, "I am afraid that I must politely be disinclined to acquiesce with the compliance of your proposal."
An amused look. "Isn't that a frightful dash of vocabulary for such a simple response?"
A heated glare. "The answer is NO Kaiba, I am not going."
"Of course you are."
"No I am not."
"Yes you are."
"No, thank you very much!"
"Yes, and you are quite welcome."
Yami at this particular point was well ready to summon his awe-inspiring powers of his handy-dandy mind-crushing ability. We'll see who gets the last laugh, thought the former Pharaoh in furiousness.
"Who in Ra's name do you think you are Seto Kaiba?" said the frustrated tri-colored haired boy through obvious clenched teeth. "You completely arrogant, self-centered and egotistical bastard!"
The brunette frowned, a slight creasing within the perfect symmetry of his undeniable proportioned lips. Yami, in a sense of perverse glee, hoped that the flaming insult was at last leaving its scorching mark upon the CEO's impossibly over-confident ego. Alas, his little celebration was soon cut short by Seto Kaiba's next declaration.
"I am afraid that you forgot the term handsome and indisputably gorgeous among those adjectives," lightly remarked the billionaire in casual reference, yet at the same time, unquestionably curious of the Ex-Pharaoh's response.
"Yes! You gorgeo—!" A gasp. Yami immediately brought a hand to cover the "accidental" phrase from being heard. But it was too late. The damage had been done.
Don't look at him. Don't look at him. Yami, DO NOT look at Kaiba.
Nevertheless, the crimson-eyed boy could evidently feel the triumphant smirk upon that digustingly self-satisfied, disgustingly brash and disgustingly smug face.
"Well that was, dare I say, entertaining at the very least," said Seto softly, expressing the extent of his mocking approval with each individual syllable at hand. Fascinating how the blue-eyed young man was able to manipulate every single word to play to his greatest advantage. It was an intriguing skill, one that he held with immense self-importance.
And which was a skill that Yami wished he could obliterate with a flick of his finger.
A meticulously uniformed man opened the door of the black limo, neatly bowing towards the coming strides of his master. Seto Kaiba turned around one last time towards the flustered form of his rival.
"Be ready by 7:15," he repeated, sealing his victory with those 4 separate utterances. The brunette settled himself in the plush attire of the limo's extravagant back seats.
Yami shook his head to clear the confusing thoughts assailing his now vulnerable mind. He quickly ran to the car door, a monstrosity of insults and verbal abuses just waiting to be thrown out in a variety of discourteous ways. But the only thing that managed come through the opening mouth of the tri-colored hair boy was…
"But…but…what's the whole point of—I mean—WHY?"
Why? Why would Japan's most delectable bachelor want to arrange something such as this with him?
He refused to even mention the word "date." Mind you, no jumping to conclusions.
Seto Kaiba tilted his head in mock offense, his ever-so bright blue eyes locking with his own red-wine tint. "Why Yami, I would think that it's obvious."
The lean brunette leaned forward.
"I only wish to get to know you better."
The Ex-Pharaoh unintentionally felt himself draw closer to the CEO.
"Is that really too much to ask?"
Seto Kaiba placed a single finger underneath the curve of Yami's chin, just barely grazing the smooth surface of pale skin.
"Adieu."
Before Yami could even blink, the door to the limo had closed and with that, the black form was well on its way down the bustling streets of Domino City.
"Yamiiiiiiiii!"
A cloud of dust had faintly arisen from the leaving of the sleek vehicle.
"Hello?"
He was left there to stare at the dust in complete stupefaction.
"Yami?"
Just...dry and confused dust.
"Where are you Yami?"
The intense silence of lingering stillness.
I don't believe you.
...falling of autumn leaves...?
So why?
Tell me WHY.
"I think that it is a splendid idea!"
"You. Think. What?"
Yami was staring with wide-open disbelief at the smiling form of his light. He must be dreaming…no this has to be a nightmare…it was the only logical reason.
He brought his hand to his ear as if suffering from an unknown hearing infection. "I'm sorry but did I just hear you say that it's a splendid idea? Because I..."
Yugi jumped up and down upon the bed, and with a beaming grin, gave an enthusiastic nod.
Dear Ra NOOO…
"How can you say that it's a splendid idea?" ranted Yami as he circled the bedroom for the umpteenth time. "I mean, did Kaiba even bother to think about all the important matters I have to deal with tonight? I mean seriously—!"
Yugi absentmindedly poked his furry stuffed Kuribo in the stomach. "Yami, that's the whole entire point! You have nothing to do tonight!"
The agitated spirit raised his head in defiance. "What about the loads of homework that I've been assigned?"
"The teachers have all excused you from the work since you're a new transfer student."
"How about any of the chores around the house?"
"I've already done alllll of them."
"What about hanging out with our friends?"
"Honda's currently studying for a huge social studies test.
"Ever think about Anzu?"
"Anzu is preoccupied with dance lessons, don't you remember?"
"And Jou?"
"Jou's shopping around for herbal tea," recited Yugi. The spirit gave him an odd look. The purple-eyed boy raised his hands in a shrug. "Beats me. He seemed to have developed a weird fetish with green-mint tea, I can't stop him!"
Yami slumped down upon the floor in utter defeat. He reached out and clutched a fuzzy white unicorn in solemn loss.
"I can't believe Kaiba forced me into something like this," mumbled the Ex-Pharaoh through the white fuzz of the toy. He buried his head into the animal. "This…this…rendezvous nonsense."
Yugi peeped up from his own Kuribo in perked curiosity. "So it's a date then!"
"NO, it is NOT a date thank you very much!" raved Yami as he squeezed the downy head of the unicorn in anger. Yugi looked in apparent concern at the toy; there was only so much abuse a stuffed animal could endure.
"It's some weird and twisted event that only Kaiba is capable of inventing," shouted the spirit as he banged the stuffed creature against the floor. The stump of the unicorn was bent in an awkward angle, for such was the strength of an angered 5000 year old Ex-Pharaoh. Hey, this was actually sort of fun…
"Ahem ahem!" interjected Yugi as he grabbed the battered plaything from the wrath of his Yami's hand. "I think that is quite enough for today! Honestly Yami, control yourself!"
The stubborn tri-colored hair boy crossed his arms in downright refusal, totally oblivious to the stark injuries he had committed upon the poor unicorn. "I don't care if Kaiba's coming to pick me up at 7:30, I am not going!"
Yugi frowned. "But you're going to look like an absolute idiot if you don't!" replied the shorter of two. He placed the mistreated unicorn along side the brown furriness of his own Kuribo doll. There! Don't they look cute? He turned back against the inflexibility of his headstrong Yami.
"Besides, Kaiba-san has already made reservations for the two of you; I mean imagine the trouble he went to do all of that! From what I've heard Lattanzi Ristorante is an extremely high class restaurant…"
"That's extremely well-established and focuses its culinary expertise on Italian dishes." Yami recited boringly. "Yes, I've already heard from dear Kaiba. Your point?"
Yugi lightly flopped onto the mattress and bounced himself upwards. With a thoughtful expression he said, "My point is that Kaiba-san isn't the type of person to take a day off from work just so he can go eat at some luxurious restaurant. You know how he is! He doesn't do anything unless he has a very valid reason to go with the action! There has to be some special motive for him taking you out…" Yugi dearly hoped that his other-half would catch the drift.
The former Pharaoh unwillingly found himself listening to his light's advice. Hesitantly he murmured, "He said that he wanted to get to "know me better"… or something along those lines.
Yugi's eyes, already impossibly large, widened even more. "Really now?"
He furrowed his eyebrow. "Problem is, I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not," Yami leaned backwards, "Pishh…it was probably some sort of device to mess around with my mind."
The purple-eyed boy however, sensed that the CEO's statement had probably contained a bit more truth than his dense other half believed it to be. Now Yami definitely had to go out, thought Yugi furiously. He would see to it that it would happen, no matter what.
"Come on!" whined Yugi in a last desperate plea to budge his headstrong yami. He sat down next to his other half with a casual flop, staring at him with large violet eyes. "It's only for tonight! I mean honestly…how bad could it really be?"
He was met with a steady glare of barely concealed pessimism, accompanied by narrowed crimson eyes.
Yugi refused to be defeated. Two could play in this game of obduracy. "My goodness Yami, if I didn't know any better, I would think that you were positively frightened of Kaiba-san," commented the shorter boy offhandedly.
There was a sudden stiffening in the body of the former Pharaoh.
The spirit slowly turned around. "What. Did. You. Say?"
Bingo— thought Yugi in a glee of triumphant success. He shrugged nonchalantly, examining the tips of his fingers as if unaware of the spark he had ignited. "From the way that you're acting, I'd say that you were actually scared of Seto Kaiba." A glance of pure innocence. "Am I right?"
There was a stony silence.
BAM!
The violet-haired boy jumped at the unexpected burst of motion. His other half had immediately stood up in rigid straightness and had slammed a fist upon Yugi's desk. Sheets of loose paper fluttered onto the ground, jolted out of place and into the air from the fervent frenzy of the spirit.
His gaze was unwavering; tenacaious and steadfast to its very core.
The response was short and curt in tone.
"Help me get ready by 7:15 sharp."
Yugi's mouth split open into a broad grin. "No sweat."
Satisfaction was a certain something that was hard to obtain in life, for always are people pushed to achieve perfection and precision. However, in the case of Yugi, he was pleased to say that he was satisfied.
He brushed his golden bangs away from tired but contented violet eyes as he admired his handiwork.
Yami, though completely fired up with Yugi's accusation of his existing fear for the tall CEO, had put up quite a fight when the shorter boy attempted to prepare him for the coming evening. Complaints, sulkiness and constant fidgeting nearly drove the young boy to complete failure. Yami on the other hand, could not see what all the fuss was about, and was contented to merely go out in his usual attire of leather belts.
Purple eyes had widened 10 times in size as the shorter boy gaped at his other half's preposition.
"You go out to Lattanzi Ristorante in that outfit? You poor lost soul!" fired Yugi as he chided his other half in mother-like concern. "No way! You're gonna go out there in style my friend!"
The next 3 hours were the most grueling and despicable 180 minutes that he had ever gone through in his entire life.
First, Yami had been shoved into a tub-full of soapy water which suspiciously reeked of L'oreals Burst of Banana-Melon Froth. After nearly drowning from the immense suds of bubbly foam, Yugi had fiercely insisted that he use Herbal Essence's latest shampoo, that had rapidly gained in popularity since its release. The former Pharaoh had gazed in terror at the gaudy pink and yellow letters, shining cheerfully in the brightness of the bathroom lights.
"Passion Fruit?" he screamed in horror as his eyes boggled at the flowing script-like words splayed across the bottle.
Yugi had narrowed his eyes into violet slits as if daring the Ex-Pharaoh to go against him. "Obviously! Don't you know that first impression is everything? And when I mean everything that include not only looks, but smell! You do want to smell good right?"
Yami was severely tempted to throw the petite bottle into the garbage pail but was stopped by the intense glare of his light.
"That may be so, but I do not want to go around smelling like a…like a girl!" managed Yami as he flinched at the appalling thought.
"Oh, nonsense!" reprimanded the shorter boy sternly. He grabbed the bottle, flipped open the cap and squirted a large blob-full of pink gel-like substance into the palm of his hand. And before Yami could edge away, he was vigorously attacking the tri-colored hair mop with hair-gripping strength. The crimson-eyed boy was practically in tears by the time his hair was successfully lathered, rinsed, conditioned and yes, rinsed once again.
Next came the matter of blow-drying. Flipping the switch onto full power at its highest temperature and strength, Yami was mercilessly administered to searing heat as Yugi attempted to blow-dry his hair. And if that was not enough, the determined violet-eyed boy spent another 30 minutes combing, or what more accurately seemed like raking, the wild red, black and gold flare, until every single strand shone with shimmering radiance. Such was the power of Herbal Essence shampoo.
And when Yami thought that it was almost all over, Yugi managed to come up with one final procedure.
"Honestly, Yami! You have absolutely beautiful complexion! It would only be fair if it were to be shone in its full luminosity!"
Yami had stared, yet again, at another pink bottle. "Cherry…blossom?" stuttered the spirit as he shook his head in disbelief. "I swear, where do you get all these things?"
"Actually they aren't mine," lightly stated Yugi as he picked up the tube to examine its interior. "They all belong to Anzu…she bought it at this place called—" He furrowed his eyebrow in momentary thought. "Ah yes! Bath and Body Works!"
Yami wrinkled his nose. "All this is just beastly stuff if you ask me…I do not understand how girls can manage to stand it all!"
"Hey, as long as it attracts guys, it's all fine with them!" innocently replied Yugi. And before the spirit could even open his mouth in indignation, Yugi had covered his face with an entire mass of lumpy pink lotion.
I am an absolute GENIUS.
It's official.
Yugi had to definitely pat himself on the back. An amusing thought of one day specializing in "fashion makeovers" floated around in his head but was half-heartedly dismissed as he stared in happiness at his other half.
I am soo good.
His yami was enveloped in a sleek shine of black satin wrapped around his slender torso, with a single pale shoulder exposed to all who cared to admire the ivory whiteness of the flawless skin. High-side seam slits were splashed across the slim upper body of the former pharaoh, a tantalizing and yet teasing glimpse of what really lay underneath the flowing stream of ebony-like material. A gold glitter haze pattern peppered the stunning outfit, heightening the remarkable affect of sumptuous curves that had been graciously endowed upon the attractive young man. In the meantime, a solitary and elegant scarf was wrapped around a swan-like neck, ending in an eloquent spill that trailed along his arched back.
Velvet gloves encased lithe fingers, fingers which nervously ran through the softening strands of tri-colored hair. Yami glanced agitatedly at his shocking appearance in the clear glow of the mirror, his apprehensive eyes squinting at his entire leather clad lower body. Yugi had scoffed at the swishy dress pants that had accompanied the outfit and had instead demanded that the former-Pharaoh don his own leather denims. Looking at his reflection however, he sincerely wished that his light had done the opposite.
"Oh my god Yami! You look absolutely gorgeous!" squealed Yugi in high-pitched frenzy. "See? Don't you now think that the past 3 hours were totally worth it?"
"Oh…I don't about that," said Yami as he continued to examine his twin reflection. "My head feels like it's been subjected to a 2000 pound hammer after being exposed to UV radiation."
"You're welcome to you too Yami," replied the shorter boy in sarcasm as he rolled his eyes. "But you gotta admit I did a damn fine job! If I should say so myself!"
The spirit smiled at his light's gloating. "Well yes, I must admit, things did turn out quite nicely." Yugi coughed at the word "quite."
But the time of doting and reveling in awesome splendor was cut short by the appearance of the lone form of a silver limo. The glow of the numbers 7:30 was apparent upon the nightstand of Yugi's digital clock.
Yami bit his lip as his stomach churned slightly in immediate dread. Placing a velvet covered hand to his forehead he murmured, "Yugi…I don't think I feel so good."
The shorter of the two gaped in 100 percent obvious incredulity. Of all the times to get nervous! No way! I've worked too hard for all of this to fail!
And with a particularly hard shove, Yugi unmercifully pushed his other half towards the entrance of the door and out into the night.
TO BE CONTINUED….
:cough: What's gonna happen to our beloved golden couple? Stay tuned next time!
No no no! I'm just joking! Lolz! Theres more! Continue on…ho hum:smile:
Alright Yami. Walk to the limo with complete grace and calm. Pretend that you are merely strolling through the park, not as if you're going towards hell itself.
Pish. Easier said than done.
He did not know how he managed to make it to the limo without either tripping or making a fool out of himself, but by some heaven sent grace delivered from whatever divine being from above, he did.
The white door of the limo automatically opened before Yami had even time to reach out his hand towards the polished gold handle.
What emerged from it made the Ex-Pharaoh want to drop his jaw in complete wonder.
Lowering his tinted shades, Seto Kaiba slowly said with an evident smirk, "Right on time love."
Beauty was a term that was rarely used in the daily vocabulary of Seto Kaiba's life. Monuments, landscapes, and thousands of people, he had seen many things that were most certainly considered grand, magnificent or even, might he say, remotely pretty. But no, never beautiful. It was an expression that he felt must be used sparingly, for it was reserved for only those that exceeded beyond the boundaries of ultimate mortal limits.
Never beautiful; no no, never beautiful. At least until now.
He had been talking upon his cell phone, ruthlessly assailing the unfortunate being that had had the nerve to even think of calling him. The CEO had specifically requested that his private phone line should be immediately disconnected from all the recipients within his phonebook, which practically included about half of Japan's population. The only other person that was enabled to reach him was Mokuba, for as cruel and callous as he seemed, Seto Kaiba was nothing short of a good and responsible older brother. He had reluctantly allowed the younger sibling to attend a birthday bash, of course only after stationing about a dozen body guards around the campus, all accountable for the safety and well-being of the growing young boy.
It was the closest thing that Seto Kaiba could ever feel to genuine love.
But of course that would all change.
"I suggest that you summon a highly-qualified lawyer to your defense," coldly retorted the billionaire. He turned his head towards the window. "Otherwise I am afraid—"
His breath hitched as he stopped abruptly in the middle of his tirade.
Will you look at that…
It was a most enlightening and pleasurable experience when the slender form of his rival gracefully strode towards the prompt arrival of the limousine. Of how he had revealed himself to all within the unearthly glow of the shimmering moonlight. Of how he held himself with an air of confidence and righteousness. Of how he just looked so goddamn delicious.
Just where in God's grace did Yami get such a dashing outfit?
"I shall deal with you later," finished the CEO curtly as he flipped his cell phone shut. Oh yes, it turns out this evening was definitely going to be worth it, down to the last millisecond. He was not going to regret this little event. Not at all.
Opening the door of the limo, he stepped out of the vehicle, greeting the arrival of his rival with an approving smile.
The brunette looked in amusement at the widening of crimson eyes.
Lowering his tinted shades, Seto Kaiba slowly said with an evident smirk, "Right on time love."
Dear RA.
When did Kaiba become so…hot?
The CEO had always struck him as good-looking, he had to be a complete fool if he didn't admit that the tall brunette was handsome. But tonight, he seemed totally…magnificent.
For the nightfall, the striking billionaire had endowed upon himself in an attractive black and sleek, single-breast European suit with a notch collar, suave and smooth to every meticulously composed silk fiber within his dark attire. Cufflinks glinted arrogantly in the moonlight, showing off just how unbelievably expensive they were really worth, with their arcs and curves. The brunette's hair seemed somewhat more free, falling dashingly across sapphire-tinted eyes, heightening a sense of urbane enigma. The affect, all in all, was downright gorgeous.
He was one of those dark, mysterious and dangerously handsome young strangers that all teenage girls constantly read about in romance novels. Everything about him just screamed hotness.
His eyes glinted faintly as he observed the former Pharaoh with an air of self-righteousness. Yami had to frown lightly. Kaiba was as arrogant as always.
How typical.
"Yami, Yami, Yami," drawled Seto in a languid tone. "What would the world do without a spectacular being such as yourself?"
The Ex-Pharaoh blushed as the billionaire's charm was at last taking its effect. Wait a second…did I just call Kaiba charming?
It just had to be the Herbal Essence. He must've gotten high while Yugi was dumping the disgusting mess within his hair.
"Thank you Kaiba-san," hesitantly replied the fiery youth in quaint politeness. He fidgeted slightly as he stared at the terribly tall and lean form of his rival. "You umm…look nice too…" he mumbled. Which sounded disturbingly lame to even a 5000 year old spirit such as himself.
Yami did not understand how he would survive the rest of the night with Seto Kaiba.
"Well then…" the brunette tilted his head towards the white form of the waiting limousine. "Shall we?"
A nod of red, black and gold. The former Pharaoh slowly stepped into the luxurious stall of the vehicle.
As Yami passed the CEO, Seto Kaiba detected a curious scent that lingered lesuirely in the air. Though light and almost unnoticeable, the billionaire recognized the delectable waft of freshly mixed fruits. He raised an eyebrow as he settled into the leather backseats of the impressive medium. The aroma was stronger now and the CEO realized with a sense of yearning that the luscious fragrance was coming from none other than the slender form of his rival.
Seto Kaiba leaned back.
"You smell nice you know." A light curve in his lips.
Yami blinked once or twice before turning stony faced.
"It's called shampoo, Kaiba."
Yugi watched the white form of the limo drive away. The minute he knew the duo was gone he immediately ran to his bedside and uncovered the blanket that hid the gap that lay underneath his bed. There was a cough and mutiple fits of wheezing and cursing.
You guessed it. Jou, Honda and Anzu all laid cramped together underneath the suffocating grips of Yugi's bed.
"Awwww man, Yugi, you gotta seriously clean up all that junk from under your bed!" gasped Honda as he attempted to dust the mothballs from his brown hair.
Anzu collapsed onto the floor in a dead faint. "I second that..." she murmured dryly.
Jounouchi merely gave Yugi an odd look. "...shopping for herbal tea? Where the hell didja come up with that, Yugi?"
"Oh, hush up, Jou, I had to make it up on the spur of the moment! The only thing that counts is that he bought it!" chirped Yugi.
The violet-eyed boy than proceeded to face the trio in sudden seriousness. "Alright, you know what we all have to do am I correct?"
Everyone nodded.
"Considering that we failed miserably at keeping under cover during our last incident," began Yugi in fond recollection, "We're gonna all take extra precautions!"
"Here here!" shouted Honda in agreement.
"I totally agree with Yugi over there...mannnn you know those buffed up security guards that kept following us everywhere?" A shudder. "Damn! Those people totally creeped me out!" shivered Jou at the unpleasant memory. "Those guys were like the size of King Kong or somethin'!"
Yugi smiled. "Which is why..." The purple-eyed boy produced a bagful of colorful wigs and various outfits. "We're playing dress-up..."
To be continued...
A/N: Yes, now I am totally telling the truth. Did I fool some of you people over here? (Please say I did! XD)
Okay, there was suppose to be wayyy more to this chapter but I didn't want to overwhelm all you people. So...I just stopped at this part, and decided to leave the rest for some other time. So you guys won't know the outcome of the "date" (yes it is a date, despite Yami's denial :D ) until next time! HAHA!
So yeah. Yami can blame everything on the Herbal Essence :) and Seto Kaiba is an arrogant but extremely hot bastard XD
Next Chapter: What happens when you have Seto Kaiba and Yami in the middle of a really romantic italian restaurant? Just how will Jou, Yugi, Honda and Anzu manage to ruin yet another fluff filled moment? Do you know how awkward it is to be in a limo alllll alone with the person of your dreams? And wait a second...do I sense a nearby...KISS? or maybe its just the delusional thoughts of an insane fanfic writer...hehehhhh STAY TUNED!
REVIEW PLEASE! Be a dear and wonderful person and leave something for me to read other than school work :twitch: Don't be shy :bright smile: I welcome all reviews! (As long as it's not a flame.) Till next time! (whenever that is...just check my profile for updates)