Isis protect my lazy ass? I did not mean to let this fic sit for so long but Thoth took all my Muses away for this one. Anyway they are back now and so I give you chapter three hopefully it will entertain you if not yell at me. If you want this fic to keep coming back you need to review otherwise it will go back to that cold dark place where dead fics go. I have too many fics to work on and not enough time so…plus my Beta has a life so she can't dedicate her every waking moment to my fics, if she did I'd be a little scared I saw that Steven King movie with the crazy otaku on'na. Now that's fuckin' scary right there fuck demons and virus on steroids or zombie pets that scars me the rest are amusing. OK lost myself there back to the ficcy please enjoy the love hate relationship we all know and love form the show.
WarNinGs: Same old same old. Add On's: More Jounouchi angst and the new character form chapter two are still in it a lot so get use to them both.
Not Betaed so if you want to beta it just ask otherwise…don't make me hate you by telling me I need one. Keke.
Aishi Say
"Blondes do not always have more fun." This would be me I'm a brunette myself.
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3Jounouchi smiled at Kayiki the dark youth was very friendly he turned out to be a merchant's son and had plenty of stories to tell. Honda was talking to Otogi as they passed them, "You two come and sit!" Jounouchi glanced at Kayiki when he waved after calling out the blonde was still pretty shy since he did not know many people but he smiled at the other two as they sat.
"I see you've meet Kayiki thank you for keeping him out of trouble, " Honda said with a smile.
"Not at all your friend needed you he's been no trouble at all," Kayiki assured him with a grin.
Otogi turned to face Jounouchi who was sitting across from him, "Jounouchi I…"
Jounouchi held up a hand cutting him off, "It's alright so forget about it we're all friends now right big guy?"
Kayiki nodded, "Yes we are, you are very good you will make a fine Medjai."
"He's right Keith already likes you and the Pharaoh was there," Otogi agreed.
"Yeah Atem is really nice but Seto thinks I'm a joke," Jounouchi sighed thinking back to those few moments he and Seto had been laughing then how he had just walked away as if he was angry about something.
Otogi shook his head, "Forget making friends with that guy he hates everyone."
"No he doesn't he just…" Jounouchi started in defense of the absent priest only to trail off when he realized what he was doing.
"He just what Jounouchi?" Isis asked as she walked up to them.
"Lady Isis," The three Medjai greeted bowing their heads.
Isis nodded, "So you like to think everyone has a gentle side do you?"
"Well yeah his little brother is really nice," Jounouchi admitted feeling nervous.
"He let you near Mokuba!" Honda demanded, as Otogi, Kayiki, and Isis all just looked him for an answer.
"Yeah before Kayiki called me over I was looking around and ran into them. What?" Jounouchi asked feeling very self-conscious now.
"Jou you really are a lucky bastard," Honda informed him shaking his head.
"Well he really didn't have much of a choice you know?" Jounouchi muttered not sure why he was so annoyed he had guessed only a chosen few could be friendly with Mokuba but it's not like Seto had been excepting them to meet.
"Aye I am the seer of the future so Jounouchi how are you enjoying your first day?" Isis asked smiling on the inside she did rather like the blonde.
"Not bad really considering, why do you see something?" Jounouchi questioned frowning at the priestess.
"No, but I have not asked. I have been watching you off and on today with the Pharaoh you are spirited this will serve you well," Isis smiled she enjoyed being cryptic. "You boys should be getting back soon should you not?"
"I guess so time to show off again eh Jounouchi?" Honda teased his friend.
"Oh shut up," Jounouchi ordered with a mock growl. 'What's the point if Seto's not there?'
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3Seto sighed cheek on his fist, "And what are you so pensive about my friend?" A soft voice asked from his right.
"To be honest Mahado many things," Seto answered turning dark eyes to his fellow priest and friend, "Why?"
"Isis told me about that new recruit's performance you may just lose your bet," Mahado answered golden horns flashing as he turned his head, "You do not seem upset by this?"
"No I do not do I? I really do not care if I win or lose," Seto admitted closing his eyes in thought.
"I think you actually like the young man," Mahado informed him with a knowing grin.
Seto sat up straight, "Excuse me?"
Mahado chuckled, "Come now you know you are only so hard on him because you know he needs a goal to reach his full potential a goal such as proving you wrong." The white and gold clad priest chuckled again, "That is something I would enjoy seeing." Seto frowned at him with a warning glare. "You do that all the time so save me your serpent stare for someone else I know you too well," Mahado reminded him with a teasing grin.
Seto snorted at him, "You've been out in the sun too long my friend the blonde is nothing more the a loud mouthed hot head if Atem wants to place his life in those hands it's his life may Isis protect him."
"Bite your tongue that is terrible! Come now Seto he cannot be all bad now can he?" Mahado asked folding his arms on the arm of the throne.
"Perhaps he has some potential but it will take a lot of work to make anything of it," Seto answered tone absent.
Mahado shook his head, "Oh Seto sometimes you can be so harsh in your assessments did he anger you?"
Seto frowned, "Why ask that?"
Mahado smiled, "We all know you can be most unforgiving tell me what did he do?"
"He did not do anything Mahado what do you think he did anyway?" Seto demanded if Mahado kept this up he was going to smacked with the Rod.
"Why I do think he did the absolutely unthinkable and tried to make friends," Mahado answered before shying away when Seto growled at him, "I am correct am I not? Seto must you be so distant and cold to everyone not chosen by the Items?"
"What I want to know is why it is any concern of yours whether I am nice to this young man or not? How I treat him is my affair no one else's," Seto snapped cuffs clicking off of stone as he slammed his fists onto cold stone.
Mahado frowned he had not meant to upset his younger friend, "Peace Seto I only meant…" He placed a gently hand on Seto's shoulder blinking when it was smacked away, "Seto?"
"Do not touch me Mahado my affair's are my own stay out of them!" Seto ordered standing eyes narrow.
"Is something the matter Seto?" Akunadin asked walking up to the two younger priests face the very mask of worried concern.
Seto turned to snap at him but only shook his head, "No Akunadin please take over for me I have things I must attend to."
Akunadin bowed his head as Seto marched past him, "Of course." The old man sneered inside as he turned to watch his son. 'I wonder what he is so angry about? It is not really all that important he is easier to manipulate when he is blinded by rage.' "Would you like to tell me Mahado?" Akunadin asked sitting down in the throne feeling very satisfied with himself.
Dark brown eyes turned to the eldest priest, "We were arguing about the new recruit I did not expect to set him off like that," Mahado answered head down.
'So the blonde is the reason hm?' "Do not blame yourself so much he has been moody these last few days he always is around this time of the year," Akunadin reminded him.
Mahado frowned before blinking, "Gods protect me I completely forgot! I should go apologize."
"Mahado let him be before you end up bleeding when night comes go to him and apologize," Akunadin cautioned. 'Ah my lovely Shar'ra so much of you lives in our son how fortunate for me.'
Mahado nodded, "You have a point I will leave you to your thoughts now."
"Very well," Akunadin smiled leaning back 'Very soon I will have all I need to begin.'
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3Seto growled slamming his fist into the wall trembling, "Seto?" Atem asked walking up to him, "Seto what is wrong?"
"Nothing you can change Atem," Seto answered turning to face his friend.
"Oh I see…Seto I wish I could bring her back along with so many others but only gods should be able to raise the dead and I do not feel like a god," Atem sighed, "I am here if you have need of me."
Seto nodded, "I know and I thank you Atem but I will be alright I always am. Mahado kept pressing me about Jounouchi and I am afraid I lashed out."
"Oh Seto he will understand after all he knows I am sure he was only teasing," Atem placed his hands on Seto's shoulders, "I have never known you to falter save from too much feeling you cannot keep everyone else away forever."
Seto pulled Atem close, "I know but I cannot afford to be weak not now or ever.
Atem held him tightly, "Letting those who care close is not a sign of weakness trust your instincts about people they have yet to fail you. Promise me you will take it easy I do not want you to stress yourself anymore then you already have?"
Seto sighed, "Is that a request or and order my Pharaoh?"
"Which ever you will listen to right now," Atem answered.
"You worry too much Tem," Seto reminded him softly.
Atem smiled, "I know go take your mind off of those who have passed if you would like you can accompany me to the training fields perhaps watching people hit each other will cheer you up?"
Seto chuckled at the other's excited tone, "You know me too well."
Atem released his friend, "I should hope come you have mocking to do." Seto laughed falling in beside him sometimes Atem really was hopeless.
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark23issBark3Jounouchi locked blades with Kayiki smiling knives and short swords where more his things and fighting with a friend took a lot of pressure off, "So what are those things?"
"They are called sai they look mini tritons so I like them," Kayiki answered tri bladed weapons holding Jounouchi's twin blades at bay as they circled slowly taking.
Jounouchi smiled, "They suit you buddy…" The blonde trailed off eyes wide.
Kayiki blinked confused by his opponent's sudden shocked expression, "What is it?"
He asked concerned but not turning.
"Atem and Seto," Jounouchi answered watching the two young men converse with Keith. 'He's here!'
Kayiki grinned, "Well then my friend shall we give them a show worthy of their time?"
Jounouchi grinned back, "You mean show off like there is no tomorrow?" Kayiki nodded but said nothing. "Sounds like fun win or lose this will be fun."
Kayiki nodded, "I guarantee it," He whispered before jumping back falling into a defensive pose.
Jounouchi twirled his blades as he fell into one as well, "Good," He smirked before charging.
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark23issBark3Seto sighed folding his arms as he absently watched Jounouchi and Kayiki slash at each other. Mahado's earlier words kept creeping back into his mind was it grief or fear that caused him to be so cold to the blonde? The blue-eyed priest was not the most outgoing of people he never had been but Jounouchi hand offered him the hand of friendship and he had smacked it away fangs bared. 'I wonder what he truly thinks of me now? Probably the same thing everyone else does I was such a fool but what done is done.' Dark eyes turned back to the arena and meet Jounouchi's golden gaze and just stared those soft eyes held his searching for something. Seto winced when Kayiki slammed the side of his three-pronged weapon into Jounouchi's cheek dropping him. Jounouchi looked up at the blue haired youth stunned before accepting his offered hand and was pulled up to his feet the other trainees cheering.
"Ok ladies hand-to-hand is now over since you have all been on the ball today your final two classes are canceled enjoy your night." Keith announced turning from Atem with a grin getting cheers form the trainees. "Dismissed!"
"They are fight fighters Keith," Atem praised hand on his friend's shoulder.
Keith bowed, "You flatter me my Pharaoh they are good men they will serve you well."
Atem smiled, "Oh of that I have no doubt please go enjoy your night as well."
"My Pharaoh, Priest Seto," Keith bowed to each of them before heading off with the bulk of his men a few stayed to help the wounded or return the equipment.
"So Seto feeling any better?" Atem asked taking his arm, "If not I am unsure how to cheer you up."
Seto smiled at his shorter friend, "I am alright Tem I was only thinking."
"Well then that is alright then. I am going to leave you now I have nobles to deal with tomorrow so I will need my sleep, I will be counting on you to see to the everyday issues." Atem sighed softly cheek on Seto's arm his father had been netter at this sort of thing.
"Tem why not leave Akunadin in charge he does out rank me?" Seto asked looking down at him.
"For Seto he is wise but you are my closest friend there is no one I trust above you I will have to remedy the rank issue." Atem smiled up at him, "No one will think I am favoring you the others all know you and they follow you in my absence."
Seto bowed his head, "As you wish."
Atem lifted his chin and gently kissed his cheek, "I do you have earned this rest well my dear friend."
"To you as well," Seto whispered watching his friend walk away with a sigh this would tip the balance of power and that was never a good thing.
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3
"Hey good shot Kayiki," Jounouchi commented hand on his shoulder, "I should have been playing attention."
"I thought you were only playing I am still sorry," Kayiki bowed his head before looking back up smiling, "Still it was quite a fight!"
Jounouchi smiled, "Yes it was you go ahead I'll be along after I have this looked at."
"As you wish Honda and Otogi are likely waiting for us I will fill them in until next we meet," Kayiki smiled before walking off.
'Friendly guy glad we meet now where…' Jounouchi frowned Atem was hugging Seto's arm as he talked getting a smile he knew they were close he had seen them together and heard their friendly banter. He looked away when Atem lifted Seto's face he could not blame him who would want a street rat when they could have a Pharaoh? Rejection stung like a blade he had been confused when Seto had pushed him away know he knew why. 'Gods I am a fool to have not seen it I am nothing how can I compete with a living god? What could I offer him that Atem could not?' A sudden soft warmth along his injured cheek caught his attention and he looked up golden orbs opening only to blink, "You?" Jounouchi whispered just staring.
Seto nodded watching the crimson liquid trial down soft skin, "I am sorry."
Jounouchi blinked not sure what he was apologizing for he had been an ass to him a few times, "For what exactly?"
"Your wound I was the one who distracted you," Seto answered not looking him in the eye.
Jounouchi touched the wound blinking at his bloodied hand. 'How did I not notice I had blood streaming down my face?' "Yeah well it's alright I've had way worst it's my own fault really for not giving Kayiki my full attention."
Seto nodded, "I am also sorry for earlier you are skilled."
"Thanks…um Seto are you ok?" Jounouchi asked humble was not a trait he had seen from the priest not even in front of Atem. 'I guess this means he's really sorry he should be.'
"I am all right do not concern yourself," Seto answered softly glancing at the still warm blood on his fingertips.
Jounouchi frowned following the other's dark gaze. 'My blood? He's acting like he actually cares I wonder if he really does?' "Whatever you want your Worship I have to get this looked at now I have friends waiting for me." The blonde turned on his heal he was still hurt and could stand the hope that show of concern had brought him. Seto blinked watching him go before turning with a sigh walking off he needed to think.
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3
"You look angry may I ask why?" Otogi questioned falling in beside the blonde.
"Hey Otogi yeah I am and yeah you can," Jounouchi answered with a heavy sigh. "It was Seto again." 'Most likely unattainable to all but Atem well guess what Honda you were right.'
"Oh and what did that venoms priest say to you this time? He can be most unforgiving you should not let it get to you that is what he wants." Otogi sighed flicking his long bangs, "That man is not happy unless he makes someone else miserable his name is close to Set's for a good reason."
Jounouchi frowned Set was an evil creature he knew Seto was incapable of hurting his brother but other then that he was tempted to agree. "Maybe, he likes to play with me and it is getting real old real fast."
Otogi shook his head, "He is good at what he does but still you would think he could be a little nicer to everyone. Atem lets him be too bold."
'Of course he does he'd hardly deny his lover.' "Atem seems to forgive a lot I guess that is why I like him," Jounouchi admitted looking down.
Otogi tapped his chin as they walked for a moment before shrugging, "Actually he does now that I think of it. It seems to work for him and everyone else at any rate."
Jounouchi nodded, "So where are the others?"
"They are in the gardens I volunteered to fetch you when you were later then we assumed you would be," Otogi smiled, "Honda figured you would not know where they were."
Jounouchi shook his head, "No Atem showed me I was just lost in thought so there is food right?"
Otogi laughed, "Food, wine, and lovely young flowers to sever you."
Jounouchi never really did like servants but he figured Atem would not stand for the mistreatment of his so he decided to let the issue go before it started. "Sounds fun I'm starved!" He smiled when Otogi laughed again he had to forget all about the beautiful sapphire serpent and focus on his friends new and old.
HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3HissBark3
Ok the end of chapter three remember to review or this may just slip back into the shadows. Feel free to speculate and suggest I love getting feed back! For a quick KaiJou gallery go to my LJ link in my bio ja and review!
13