Light of Fallen Darkness: Hey guys! I'm back! Okay, the thing is I'm using one of the comps of an internet cafe at a recreational centre (Unfortunately, my aunt took her computer along with her when she remarried and moved out of my grandpa's apartment. Since my family's staying there while we're at Hong Kong, I have absolutely no internet access unless I come here.) so if the spaces between words are too far, then I apologize. That's sort of how it works the Chinese way, with the apostrophes and all. Still, enjoy!
The arcade was loud, very loud. I winced at the sound of an alarm somewhere near the back. Some lucky kid must've hit a jackpot and the like. "Now that looks like an awesome game." Honda smirked, dragging Jonouchi and I over to three empty car seats.
"Don't tell me you guys are going to race all day!" Anzu groaned from behind.
"Relax! It'll just be a couple of rounds." Jonouchi assured her while slipping in a token. The blue eyed brunette sighed and stood behind us, patiently waiting for us to finally choose our cars.
Well, it is safe to say that Honda won. "Damn it! No fair! I want a rematch!" Jonouchi protested. I had surprisingly come in second place.
"Uh guys? Where's Anzu?" I asked, looking around frantically and distracting Jonouchi and Honda from their would-be fist fight.
"Over here!" The former object of my affection waved us to a corner that seemed to be drawing in a crowd. I could see why.
Seto Kaiba was currently playing a game, but not just any game. It was the latest DDR, Dance Dance Revolution. So far, he hasn't missed a single arrow. "Wow, who knew that rich boy could dance?" Jonouchi whistled impressively.
A thud echoed in the Millennium Puzzle.
"Aibou, switch places with me, now."
The song stopped and applause erupted in the crowd. Kaiba didn't pay attention and wiped away the sweat trickling down the side of his face. With the light flashing from the screen, it looked as if his skin was glowing.
"Mind if I try?" Yami asked in his deep voice. Kaiba whirled around and smirked, then gestured for Yami to go on the right platform.
"Of course not, just try to keep up with me." Kaiba inserted a few tokens into the machine and set the game to 'Double' mode.
"I'll do better than that."
"Beat the crap out of him Yami!" Jonouchi cheered from behind. Kaiba just gave him the finger to silence him.
A song was chosen and immediately music was blaring from the speakers. The arrows flashed quickly on the screen but both Yami and Kaiba somehow found a way to keep up with the steps. Gasps echoed in the large-and still growing-crowd they had gathered but that didn't mean the cheers were any quieter.
Neither duelist made a mistake no matter how fast their feet went. They were in sync, moving together like one…
Suddenly, I realized that they weren't rivals anymore. The peaceful atmosphere that always settled whenever both of them were in the same room was-as Anzu puts it-the power of friendship. I know that sounds corny, but it's true.
I think that Kaiba and Yami stopped being wary of each other long before now but this was the first time I really noticed the change.
They were both similar yet completely different at the same time. Sure their dueling skills are equal but I think they also share some kind of loneliness. I once told Yami to take Anzu out, as much as I didn't want him to, because she had been depressed lately.
Yami asked, "Why?" I answered by saying that she liked him a lot and the least he could do was go out with her on a nice date. What he said next plagued my mind for days, "Aibou, I'm flattered that Anzu would care about me like that but I could never return her feelings. You say all of your friends are mine too but in the end, it's just stupid hero-worship. Anzu has nothing but a silly crush." He paused, "I would give anything for someone to love me not because I'm the King of Games, but because I am Yami."
In a way, it is the same for Kaiba. Obviously Mokuba loves his older brother more than anyone else but one could tell he also looks up to him the same way Jonouchi, Honda and Anzu look up to Yami. From the moment Kaiba and Yami first met, I think they saw a reflection of themselves. Though they never did make any sort of pact, I know that they have at least some kind of understanding.
What do they call it when two people make that kind of connection?
Oh yeah, frisson.
"Seto!" The familiar voice of a young boy shouted as the song slowed to a stop. Mokuba rushed up to Kaiba and panted. "I've been looking all over for you! Come on, I need you to help carry my prize! Oh, hey guys. How's it going?" He asked politely.
"Great." Anzu answered, smiling back at the boy.
Kaiba got off the platform, receiving a large groan from the crowd that begged him to at least do one more song. Yami followed in pursuit and two boys jumped onto the platform to play the last two songs, obviously not wanting those tokens to go to waste.
"I'll see you around Yami, you too mutt." Kaiba smirked before going after his brother. Jonouchi scowled at him.
"Bye! Don't forget to drop by our place later Yami!" Mokuba yelled cheerfully over his shoulder.
Three pairs of eyes stared at Yami in curiosity.
"Oh shit…" We thought in unison. Luckily, the DDR game was stationed near the exit…
Again, Yami was forced to stay at the Kaiba Mansion for dinner since he arrived around four o'clock. Not that he minded though. However, by the time dinner was finished-Kaiba cooked again, he made spaghetti and meatballs-it was already late. To make things worse, it was pouring.
"You are not going out there." Kaiba demanded as he slammed the door shut when Yami started to open it.
"But, I can't stay here for the night! I mean, Grandpa would be worried about us and-"
"Whoever said you couldn't stay?" Kaiba asked. Yami blushed.
One phone call later, Yami was dressed in one of Kaiba's old pajamas and getting ready for bed after a quick shower in the guestroom.
"This is weird."
"What is?"
"I mean, I've never slept outside of the Puzzle before. Maybe we should change places…" He trailed off, hesitant.
I shook my head, "Don't worry, we can switch places again in the morning. For now, just go to sleep." My assurances didn't work, because at that moment lightning crackled in the dark night sky with thunder following seconds later.
Apparently, Yami had a phobia of lightning. He yelped and buried his face in the pillow and pulled the blanket above his head, leaving a bit of his wild burgundy hair sticking out.
The door swung wide open and a tall, shadowed figure hurried in. "Yami? What's wrong?" Kaiba asked in concern, slowly pulling down the blanket.
"Kaiba?" Another crack of lightning cut through the clouds. Yami squeaked and tackled Kaiba's waist, burying his head in the latter's chest.
"What's wrong?" Kaiba repeated as he gently rubbed Yami's back to calm him down, his other hand smoothing Yami's spiky hair.
"I-I-it's just that…" Yami blushed and raised his head to meet Kaiba's soft blue eyes. Wait, since when did they…
"Scared of lightning, huh?" Kaiba observed. He carefully lowered Yami back on the bed and sat on the edge, "And to think that a three thousand year old pharaoh like you was the only person capable of saving the world from destruction."
Yami blushed, "Egypt didn't have storms like these." He flinched at the sound of thunder in the distance.
Kaiba wrapped his arms around Yami's shoulder, "If it makes you feel better, I'll stay with you for the night." Yami's eyes widened.
"Wha-what?" Before he could protest anymore, Kaiba scooted closer to him and lay down on the bed.
"Goodnight."
Yami blinked once, twice, then rolled over so now his and Kaiba's backs were nearly touching. His face had turned into an extremely deep shade of red. "Kaiba," He whispered, "Why are you doing this?"
"Because…my mother used to sleep with me at night whenever there was a storm."
Whoever said one learns something new everyday was right.
"Really?" Yami questioned, rolling over again so that he could face Kaiba, or his back at least.
Kaiba shrugged, "I used to be scared of lightning and thunder. My mother would come into my room and lay on my bed beside me. She'd help me go to sleep by telling me a story. It helps." He sighed.
A long, awkward silence passed before Yami grinned and tapped the brunet's shoulder, "Do you want to hear a story?"
Kaiba rolled over and a small smile tugged on his lips. He nodded.
"Once upon a time, a merchant lived in a kingdom with his two grandsons…"
Light of Fallen Darkness: I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Now it's finally here! Anyway please review! Constructive criticisms are welcomed and flames will used to burn marshmallows!