Thank you to all those that take their time and read the story.
Chapter 3 has been revised, mainly because I didn't feel very happy with it. I wrote it between exams, and I guess half my brain was with physics and the other half with the fic. Hope you like the revised version and enjoy the new chapter.
Chapter 4: A Broken Promise
…ever again…
"WHAT?"
"Y-you've got to be kidding. What do you mean?" Ryou unconsciously tightened his grip on Jou's shoulder. "Where is he?"
"He j-just said that and h-hang the phone. I don't know anything more" Jou winced.
"B-but…"
"This is getting us nowhere! I'm going to Kaiba Corp to track down Yuugi's movements. We may get to him in time. Jou come with me. Ryou, visit Malik's sister and ask if she knows anything. Both of you," Kaiba pointed to Honda and Otogi "go to that stupid magazine quarters and get all the information you can."
With that, Kaiba dragged a teary-eyed Jou to the door and into the car outside. Two minutes later, the engine roared as the car rushed down Domino streets, at the same time that Otogi and Honda sped to the local newspaper.
Ryou was still kneeling on the floor, hands clutched in white fists. His body trembling with suppressed rage as pained tears slid down his cheeks.
"We knew something was up… we felt it…and now Y-Yuugi…"
"Don't blame yourself Ryou. It's neither yours nor my fault. We need to find Yuugi and talk some sense into him."
"We'll never find him"
"There's still hope. Come on, let's go", Malik said, extending his hand to help Ryou up.
"Wait…Mr. Mutou…"
But the old man was nowhere in sight. Somewhere between Jou's confession and Kaiba's outburst, the owner of the game shop had disappeared. With a dejected sigh, both lights left the Game Shop. If they were feeling horrible… surely Mr. Mutou was broken.
Said man was upstairs, in his grandson's bedroom. His grandson's empty bedroom. A forlorn look in his eyes; a crumpled magazine in his hands.
-()-()-()-
Yuugi hang the phone, releasing the breath he had been holding. He felt bad, very bad. His hands were shaking, and his knees almost gave away beneath him. He needed to think, to get things straight before guilt consumed his soul and he regretted his actions. It was difficult to ignore the uneasy feeling with that dreadful conversation playing itself over and over in his head.
"Hello?"
"Jou? It's me, Yuugi."
"Hey man!…glad to hear from ya at last! I'd thought I'd be stuck here all day. How was that convention thingy?"
"It was great, there were lots of things. It really gave me a new perspective. But I didn't call you for that. How is Grandpa?"
"He's okay. Everyone's okay, especially Kaiba…" Yuugi could almost see the smirk on Jou's face, "I moved in with him, but that's a story I'll tell ya tonight durin' dinner. So then, tell me when ya arrive."
"………"
"Yuug'?"
"………"
"YUUGI?"
"L-listen Jou" Yuugi inhaled deeply, "I can't go back."
"You mean today? Is there some kind of problem at the airport? 'Cause I'm sure Seto can send his private plane to pick you up, and…"
"NO! That's not it…what I mean is that I'm not going back to Domino. I don't want to."
"………"
"Jou?"
"You better stop joking, Yuugi. This isn't funny."
"I'm not. Believe it or not, it's the truth. I've had enough…"
"A-Are you NUTS? How? W-When? You planned this all along, didn't you? You…you tricked us!" Jou was starting to lose his temper.
"No, listen to me…", Yuugi begged.
"This is about HIM, isn't it? You can't stand being where he was…"
"DON'T you dare mention him! Yami has no place in my decision and you want to know WHY? Because he is NO longer here. I just called to say goodbye. I know you'll deliver my message to the others. Take care of Grandpa, and thanks for everything you've done for me."
"Y-Yuugi! Wait! You can't do this!"
"I'm sorry. Bye Jou."
Sorry. Was he really sorry? No, not really. Not anymore. Planned? Yes, it was planned since the day that magazine fell in his hands. It was an opportunity…a chance to escape and start all over again. With no background, no titles, and not prejudices. The contest proved to be the perfect gateway. He worked really hard to get all the answers right and in the end, his efforts were rewarded. Yuugi found himself with a ticket to freedom.
From there, everything went as expected. And the last week only encouraged his decision. He liked to own his life. To not know what was going to happen the next day.
Yuugi smirked. Predictable. His friends were so predictable that he could almost imagine their reactions. And above all, Kaiba's reaction. The CEO would try to track him down, but the short teen had been very careful about that. Kaiba wouldn't beat Yuugi at his own game.
"… please proceed to board the plane on gate 25-B. We repeat: Passengers of flight 4792, to… "
The tricolour-haired boy looked down at his boarding card. Yes, indeed, it read: 'Flight 4792'. Just as planned. Once more Yuugi handed the card to the flight attendant, and once more he was lead to a seat near the window. Once more, said teen felt into a light slumber.
But this time 'Flight 4792' took off from Zurich Airport to a destination only Yuugi knew.
-()-()-()-
Night fell over Domino City, laying out its navy blue coverlet and bringing sleep to the people below. The sky was full of dark clouds and the few stars that could make it through the black mass, twinkled faintly.
A pair of honey eyes stared out the window Jou was laying on a couch in Kaiba's mansion, arms under his head and legs crossed over at the ankles. He was getting cold, but didn't feel like moving. It was incredible how five minutes had changed his entire mood. He could hardly remember what happened after his conversation with Yuugi. Everything was a blur; a mix of noises, people, phone calls and his lover's soothing words.
Jou turned on his side closing his eyes. Think like Yuugi would. That's what Seto said when they arrived at Kaiba Corp. They had made thousands of phone calls that only confirmed what they already knew. That one Yuugi Mutou had arrived at Switzerland Airport last Saturday, gone to the convention every day of the following week, and left the hotel early that morning. Frustration and anger had gripped Jou's heart and he had nearly collapsed in sorrow on the office's floor. Due to that, Seto had decided to send him home.
And as if it hadn't been enough, when he arrived at the mansion he met Mokuba's questioning gaze. The younger Kaiba had been expecting Yuugi to come over for dinner. Jou watched as the colour drained from the raven-haired boy's face when he told him the news. The boy turned around like a robot, ran to his room and slammed the door in the process. He had refused to come out.
"Damn Yuugi, why? Why?"
Jou stood up from the couch when he heard someone opening the front door. A quite dishevelled Kaiba entered the living room, stumbling over the couch and placing his head between his hands. A couple of minutes passed and Kaiba still hadn't looked up. Jou watched him expectantly, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"Nothing", Kaiba whispered.
"What?", Jou's eyes narrowed.
"Nothing. There's no clue to where he could have gone"
"Rubbish! You the almighty CEO, owner of a worldwide company, you the one that broke through Pegasus computer system at Duel Kingdom, YOU who organized Battle City and built Kaiba Land, couldn't track down a simple teenager? I DON'T believe it!"
Seto said nothing to his lover sudden outburst.
"What about the others?" Jou started to pace back and force, his voice a low growl "Did ya talk to them?"
"According to "Dice-Boy" and "Monkey-Boy" The magazine editor washed his hands. They said they aren't responsible for what could have happen to Yuugi. Their only obligation was to hand the ticket over to the winner, and well… that's what they did. Needless to say Mr. Mutou cancelled his subscription."
"That's NOT the point! What 'bout Malik and Ryou?"
"Ishizu couldn't help them, though she believes Yuugi will come back someday."
Jou stared at his boyfriend with a look of disapproval on his features. All of a sudden he headed towards the closet and took out his jacket. Startled, Seto jumped from the couch and grabbed the blond's wrist forcefully; jerking the teen around to face him.
"What do you think you're doing?", the CEO asked through clenched teeth.
"I'm going to look for Yuug', and I'll find him."
"No, you're not going anywhere..", tightening the hold on the wrist, Kaiba forced Jou back into the living room, pushing him down onto the coach and grabbing his shoulders to stop him from running away. "…things are bad enough as they are to have you running around clueless. What we really need are facts."
"But Yuugi could be almost anywhere…"
"Then it's his fault." Kaiba placed two fingers on Jou's lips to silence the upcoming protest, "No wonder, he was the light of that arrogant spirit of the Puzzle. They have the same selfish and stubborn attitude. Look what his departure had done to you. You're broken. But don't worry; I'm here to hold you. I don't know what I'd do if you disappeared from my life…"
Kaiba kissed Jou slowly; placing his arms under the other's back, bringing him close to his body. Time passed, both of them ignoring the need to breath as their hands caressed each other's face. Nipping at Jou's lower lip, the taller boy broke the kiss slowly while the blond buried his head in his lover's chest."
"I broke a promise I made to him." Jou's voice came out muffled.
"To Yuugi? What kind of promise?", the CEO asked, pulling back from the embrace and looking right into his lover's brown eyes.
The blond shook his head, tears falling from his eyes. "Not to Yuugi. To Yami…It was the night before the Ceremonial Battle…"
-----
Gentle ripples of water pooled around the ferry as it sailed swiftly across the Nile River. The slight breeze, smelling of dessert and sun, played with Jou's hair as the teen looked at the endless blue before him. He'd been out on the deck for a while now, wondering about everything and anything. His train of thought was suddenly interrupted when he felt a hand over his shoulder.
"Hello Jou", the visitor said.
Turning around and looking down at his friend, Jou smiled, "Hi there, Yami."
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" the former Pharaoh asked.
"Uh…y-yeah, but I had a lot of my mind, and I thought some fresh air could help me a little."
The red tinge that appeared on the blond's cheeks didn't go unnoticed by the spirit. Smirking knowingly, he let the subject drop and leaned against the rail. Closing his eyes, the former pharaoh let the air caressed his face as he listened to the sounds of the night. A comfortable silence fell upon the two friends.
"So you're really leaving…I never thought that day would arrive", the taller boy finally said.
"To be honest, I never believed it either." A sigh escaped from Yami's lips as he turned to look at his friend. "That's why I'm here. I need you to do me a favour."
Jou's head snapped to look at the Pharaoh. The look in those crimson eyes spoke silent volumes about the pain he was going through.
"Sure, pal. Anything you wish."
"I want you to take care of my little angel. It's the only thing I'm asking for. I once thought I'd always be by Yuugi's side. That I would protect his pure light for eternity. But now, I'm on a journey with no return, and I need someone to look after him. He's going to need all of you when I'm gone. Please, take care of him. Help him move on."
"Move on?" Jou was astonished.
"Yes, I don't want him crying over me all his life. Knowing him, that's what he'd do. I want him to be happy…and if his happiness is bound to be in somebody else's arms, then so be it." Yami replied, clutching the railing tightly. The mere thought of someone else touching his love was enough to make his blood boil possessively.
"We won't leave him alone Yami. I promise that no matter what, I'll always look after Yuug'."
"Thanks Jou, you know how much aibou means to me. Thanks for your promise."
"It's nothing pal", the blond hair grinned sheepishly while shaking the spirit's hand.
"I'll leave now. I want to be with Yuugi."
Yami smirked at the look that crossed Jou's features. As if he didn't know better.
"One more thing, Jou."
"Yeah?"
"Tell your blue eyes CEO dragon that you love him or I'll put a beautiful Egyptian curse on both of you."
Jou's eyes widened, the red tinge returning at full force, while the ancient pharaoh retreated back to his light's cabin between chuckles.
-----
Kaiba, who had been quiet through the entire revelation, felt something stinging in his eyes. Was it sorrow? Despair? Shame?
"He asked me to look after Yuugi, and now…" Jou sobbed into his lover's chest, pouring all the tension of the day through his tears.
The CEO sighed, "Let's call it a night. Tomorrow morning, we'll be able to think better."
He helped Jou up and together made their way to the bedroom. Minutes later, they were both asleep in each other arms.
Any comments, suggestions, and/or critics will be welcomed.
(Flames will be used to burn a certain magazine)
Review Responses:
KNT: Don't worry! I won't make Yuugi suffer...too much (whistles innocently)