Title: The Prize At The End Was Worth It
Author: Phoenix87
Rating: PG-13, T
Pairing: Seto/Yami (although it's interchangeable)
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Creative use of shadow powers, Egypt scenes following neither the show nor the doujinishis. (I haven't seen them)
Disclaimers: Yu-gi-oh does not belong to me. Mores the pity.
Summary: A race from a mad man ends up dragging Yami and Seto threw the past, present, and into the future... a future in which they just might end up in each other's arms.
Status: Completed 1/10
(A/N: Before you read my story I want to make a few things clear.
1: This is my first romance fic.
2: This is my first fic with this type of length. This story is about 26,000 words excluding the author notes. In comparison my 2nd longest story was about 9,000.
The point of this? Please be kind in reviewing. I don't mind critique as long as it's polite and helpful. Nasty reviews and reviews complaining that Yami and Seto are out of character will be discarded. Why am I discarding OOC reviews? Because this is Fan Fiction, if you want perfect characterization watch the show. By reading Fan Fiction you open yourself up to the authors perception of the characters. This is how I write. Whiners will not change that.
Finally this is Yaoi, meaning, Boy + Boy relationships. If you don't like it DON'T READ IT! You've been warned. If you continue reading beyond this point you give me the right to laugh at you and call you an idiot if you write me a review about how horrified you were because the boys were kissing. Okay, enough of this: read!)
It was dark in the forest. As they ran, unseen braches and leaves, wet with the night's dew, smacked and attached themselves to their faces, clothes and hair. The moon was non-existent, few stars shown in the depressingly hazy sky. The only star he could pick out clearly was the North Star. Some more light would have been good, as the boy had no idea were he was or where he was going. He was just following the one ahead of him hoping that the other had some type of plan, but from the look of hesitation he sometimes caught when the other came to a direction change, he was beginning to think the blind was leading the blind. Suddenly he realized that the leader in the dash had stopped abruptly; to abruptly for the follower. In trying to stop his momentum he only succeeded in slipping on the mud and slamming into the other. With a yelp of surprise they both tumbled down the hill the first runner had stopped to avoid. Thankfully, there were few rocks. Coming to a stop at the bottom of the hill they blinked a few times, after whipping the coating of mud they received from their eyes. The boy turned to his companion sheepishly.
"It's usually a good idea to stop when I do." The other said his voice laced with the usual sarcasm.
The boy was busy thinking up a comeback when the golden puzzle around his neck began to glow and sent off a mental alarm in his mind. He was close
"Come on hurry!" he said snatching the muddy wrist of his taller companion. "He's catching up."
"How's that possible?" the other exclaimed widening his eyes.
"I don't know." The puzzle wearer replied quickly then proceeded to pull up his cohort and took the lead in their race, hand still clenched tightly around the other's wrist.
Without warning a huge bang came from behind them. Twisting around the two stared in surprise at the new hole in the steady line of trees they had just run threw. Several of the grand oaks were gone – vaporized off the face of the earth. They couldn't even see any smoldering tree trunks.
"We shouldn't linger."
"Right."
The dash continued on. One would fall; the other would help him up, one would get their clothing caught in brush; the other would help him out, all the while the steady explosions were getting closer and closer. Eventually they would be overtaken.
"This is insane!" The taller boy yelled wrenching his wrist from the other, his blue eyes flashing dangerously. "We're getting nowhere! If things keep going like we won't make it out of the forest!"
"Yes we will."
"And how can you be so damn sure?"
"Because I know fate wouldn't let it end like this!"
"Fate," the word was said like a curse. "Haven't you learned by now that I believe we make our own fate?"
No response. In fact- no one was there TO respond. Before Seto Kaiba could even think about that he followed his companion into the deep whole in the earth that had swallowed him up.
Kaiba landed on something soft, and worm…and breathing. He lifted his head up and stared wide-eyed at the crimson eyes of the other boy.
"What an interesting turn of fate huh Kaiba?" he asked innocently.
"Shut up Yami." Came the response. The former pharaoh just grinned as if having the CEO pinning him down happened everyday and wasn't bothering him in the least. Which made the fore mentioned brunet a little ticked off. After all, he spent a lot of good time perfecting his intimidation and it didn't appear to be working right now…it was annoying. He was trying to think of something to say to save his pride when explosion erupted overhead. He felt Yami grab him by his arms and roll them both over to the side. An avalanche of rocks crashed down to were they had been previously located.
"Woh," Kaiba breathed under his breath staring at the rock pile. Only when he turned his head straight did he fully realize his position. When Yami flipped them he had landed on the bottom. Yami's hands were still gripped tightly on his arms preventing any movement. He started up into the red eyes that were only mire inches from his own. They locked there for a moment crystal and crimson. Kaiba could feel a blush coming on and had to look away.
Yami smiled. Turning didn't really help the CEO any. He still saw the slight reddening spread across the brunet's cheeks. That was too cute. But he couldn't spend any more time ogling Kaiba. (As tempting as it was) They had other, more important things to deal with. Deciding he's tortured the other enough Yami released Kaiba's arms and slid away from him. He fought off another grin as Kaiba gave him a glare and pulled himself into a cross-legged sitting position.
"Your filthily." Yami told him bluntly.
Kaiba's glare intensified.
"Well, someone pushed me down a hill."
A pause as the brunet looked down at his mud-splattered clothes, the white coat took the worst beating of course. Yami often wondered just how many of those things Kaiba had.
"You don't look to much better." The CEO brought to light.
The pharaoh only chuckled
"The dry-cleaners are going to love us."
An awkward silence followed in which the two stared at every thing other then each other until finally.
"Can you sense him?" Kaiba asked
Yami shook his head,
"Not since the fall."
"He thinks he lost us."
"And we're hiding beneath his nose." Yami paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I guess it's a good thing we fell in this underground cave isn't it?"
"Not one word about fate Yami."
The pharaoh raised his palms in the air as a surrender gesture. He then pursed his lips together observing the darken sky visible threw the hole above him.
"We should stay here till morning."
"WHAT?"
That reaction was expected.
"You can't be serious!" Kaiba continued, "I have a company to run, I can't sleep in this dirt-hole all night! Besides Mokuba will be a nervous wreck wondering what happened to me!" As he realized this Yami saw some worry fill his eyes. The pharaoh could sympathize; Yugi was probably going nuts right now too.
"Look, we're lost and we can't just keep wondering around in the dark. Falling in a hole could be the least of our problems."
The CEO was silent thinking the words over.
"Alright."
Yami tried not to let the surprise show on his face. That was unexpectedly easy.
Kaiba then proceeded to slip off his coat and fold it into a makeshift pillow. He then set it on the ground and laid down rolling over so his back was to Yami. In return Yami only chuckled under his breath. Out of all of the people he's meet in this new existence, Kaiba was by far the most fascinating. After turning his coat into a similar pillow, Yami settled himself in for the night.
"Good night Kaiba."
He got some vocal grunt in return. The pharaoh rolled over intent on getting some sleep but the strange day was already starting to replay it's self. Now that he had time to think about the day's events they weren't holding back.
Believe it or not, becoming trapped in an underground cave with Seto Kaiba, after being chased by a psycho, was not how Yami had planned to spend his Friday.
Yugi woke him up with the usual to-early-to-be-this-awake energy.
"YAMI!" he had yelled, "Your going to make me late for school…again!"
He blinked his eyes open and promptly groaned. Didn't he just go to sleep?
"You have 10 minutes!" Yugi said thrusting clothes and a package of Pop-Tarts at the former pharaoh. Yami grabbed the Pop-Tarts; clothes fell to the floor forgotten. He heard his Aibou sigh exasperatedly then pick up the discarded fabric.
"If you don't get dressed then I'll nock you down and do it myself!"
Yami almost chocked on the Pop-Tart. He didn't want that to happen- again.
"What's-" he stopped to swallow and grab his pants, "What in the name of Ra is so important about school today?"
Yugi blushed a little, Yami raised an interested eyebrow in return.
"Well…I wanted to ask Tea to be my partner for the chemistry lab this morning before Joey or Tristan show up."
"About time!" Yami smiled. Yugi had been head-over heels for Tea for a looong while now. Only Yami knew, so he hurried up and dressed for Yugi's sake.
Yami couldn't believe it! He felt nervous! Yugi had disappeared with Tea a few minutes ago and Yami was left wondering what was going on. It took all his self-control not to read the other's mind. Soon Yugi emerged from the corner and flashed the pharaoh a thumbs up with a large grin.
"She said 'yes' Yugi? That's fantastic!"
His friend's grin was larger then Yami had ever seen it.
"I can't wait for 5th hour!" he said nearly hopping up and down in his extreme excitement. Then he stopped, his large purple eyes got wide. "I think I'll go walk her to class!"
With that the smaller boy speed off in –presumably- Tea's direction. Yami just smiled and turned to enter the school. Suddenly he realized something: Yugi was always his partner for chemistry…who was he supposed to work with now?
5th Hour-
Yami flashed Yugi and knowing smirk as he entered their chemistry class. There was nothing grand about that classroom. Dull white walls, old black chalkboard (complete with a whole page full of notes for them to copy down), bunches of lab stations and of course the neat and tidy rows of desks place –originally- in front of the teachers large, brown and most unstylish desk. In said seats were about, oh, 15 or so students that aren't important in anyway, Yugi, who sat next to Tea with a slight red tint that only Yami could notice, Joey and Tristan in a heated debate about something or other and in the back of the room, as always, sat the proud-and cramped- Seto Kaiba.
The desks were about a size too small for the tall CEO. His legs always stuck out before him, he often tripped people. Yami thought it was probably the only thing the brunet liked about school. To be honest Yami found it pretty entertaining as well. Whenever an unfortunate and non-observant person tripped over him, Kaiba would give them the famous glare. Blue eyes went as cold as ice; sending shivers threw the unlucky tripper. He made a girl cry once. No gender was sparred, nor was their teacher in fact. Yami believed the dialogue went something like this:
"Now students if I could bring your attention to the periodic table in the back of the – UFF!" down he went. "Mr. Kaiba! Would you please-" glare was activated. Chemistry teacher makes up some new words before "Never mind." Could be distinguished.
But Yami was never fooled by the glare. He'd been around his rival long enough to realize that the CEO's greatest strength could also be his greatest weakness. Those same blue eyes that made their teacher invent words were also the only window to the brunet's emotions. Although, with the exception of Mokuba, Yami was pretty sure he was the only one to figure it out. It came from watching the other intently during their duels looking for any giveaways from the stone face. He was always drawn to the eyes. They soften when the CEO spoke of Mokuba, they brightened when he was pleased, and were cold and frozen when he didn't want to be disturbed, which was most of the time. Actually right now those eyes seemed slightly confused. Just then Yami realized he had been staring openly at Kaiba the hole time he was thinking and the brunet was looking at him in confusion! Yami mentally slapped himself. This one was going to be hard to explain.
'Why was I staring at you Kaiba? Well, would you believe you really really fascinate me to no end?'
Yeah right. So instead, Yami settled for rushing off to the safely of his desk, knocking another one over in the process. The structure slammed to the tiled floor with an ear splitting slam. The noise drew even more attention to him! Yami quickly righted the desk mumbling an apology to their teacher then sat down at his desk and buried his face in his arms. Why did he feel so embarrassed?
Luckily he was saved by a loud-UFF!
Kaiba had taken down another poor soul. The whole scene previously mentioned took place- the glare, the terrified kid.
"That Kaiba." Joey said from behind him. "He's such a jerk. Thinks he can do anything he wants. I just might show him what's what! Why I'd-" he cut off as the CEO's head slowly turned in his direction, locking eyes with the blond. Joey shivered slightly and promptly punched Tristan on the shoulder.
"Wha'da say that for Tristan?"
"Yeah, you would sure show Kaiba." Yugi said rolling his eyes. Tea giggled beside him. Joey proceeded in mumbling a poor comeback.
"Class." Their teacher said in his usual monotone, "please go to your lab stations with your lab partner"
Yugi almost jumped out of his desk, but managed to cover his eagerness quiet easily as he rushed off with Tea. That left four people left at their desks after the mad dash, two random people, Yami and Kaiba.
'Oh no!' Yami thought as their teacher gazed at the remainders thoughtfully. 'Don't!' he pleaded. After the staring and desk thing the last person he wanted to be paired with was Kaiba.
"Okay, lets see," their teacher droned on, "Mr. Moto…I think I'll put you with-"
'Don't do it, don't do it,' Yami thought desperately, "For the love of all that is good, DON'T DO IT!"
"Mr. Kaiba."
'Lower the curtain, and let the fat lady on stage, cause it's over.' Yami thought, swallowing a grown.
"You two will be at station 4." Their teacher continued. "The instructions for the experiment are at the stations. Ask me for help if you have any questions." With that Yami's now least favorite teacher retreated to his desk. Yami watched as Kaiba slowly extracted his tall form from the tiny desk and, with only a few long strides, made it to station 4. Then it slowly dawned on him that Kaiba was staring at him again…why?
"Are you coming or do you want an invitation?" The brunet spat out in his usual sarcasm. Oh yeah, the experiment.
"Sorry I was…uh…just gathering my thoughts." Yami said receiving only an eye-roll in return.
"What ever, lets just get this pointless activity done with." He was tapping the bottom of his pencil on the hard granite top of the table. Yami watched as the pencil went up and down…then up and down…and up again. Then the pencil hit him on the side of the head.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, I just, uh, didn't get a good nights sleep." He rambled out before changing the subject. "So what are we suppose to do here?" Yami snatched up the directions and put them in front of his face.
"Mix this with that and watch as it makes bubbles or some crap."
"Well wasn't that specific?" Yami responded lowering the paper enough to see the other boy's face.
Kaiba gave him a look and was about to respond, no doubt with some snippy comeback, when their teacher interrupted them.
"Mr. Moto, Mr. Kaiba, I do believe this lab calls for eye goggles."
Yami looked at the paper. Yep.
"Sorry sir." Yami said and quickly pulled a pair of goggles over his crimson eyes. The cobalt eyes only rolled around once again.
"You too Mr. Kaiba."
"I'll pass thank you."
The teacher sighed, and took of his glasses looking at the teen with tired eyes.
"Do we really need to go threw this again? The acid your working with can cause damage to your sight if it gets in your eyes."
"Luckily for me I'm not planning on squirting it in my face."
"Mr. Kaiba." Their teacher said sternly, "Just cover your eyes."
Kaiba dug into his pocket, retrieved a pair of blue tinted sunglasses, then slipped them onto his face. Their teacher sighed defeated and waved his hand in a 'fine' gesture. Kaiba smirked. Yami could tell he was adding a tally in his mind.
Kaiba: One
Chemistry Teacher: Zero
"Was torturing him really necessary?" Yami asked Kaiba after the exchange, trying not to notice how the glasses really brought out the perfect frame of his face. Oops to late.
"Not really, but it was fun. And I don't have to look like a dork." He flicked Yami's goggles with his long index finger. This time it was Yami's turn to roll his eyes.
"You're such a jerk."
Another smirk.
"And?"
"Lets just do our assignment."
It actually was a pretty fascinating lab, when the chemicals mixed they sent foam racing skyward and out of the test tube. Yami watched in amusement when Kaiba jumped back a foot as the concoction came dangerously close to spurting all over him and the white coat that always adorned him. He couldn't hold in a laugh, the unwavering Seto Kaiba finally shaken by the threat of a stain.
"What? You don't have stand defender on that thing?"
The CEO opened his mouth, then closed it again-was that a blush spreading over his cheeks before he turned away?
"Shut up." He mumbled
Yami began to reach out hand to grab the others shoulder and drag Kaiba back to their observations when the most unexpected thing happened. Half of the classroom blew up.