A/N: Howdy! Did you enjoy the angst from last chapter? I bet you did! Onward to the next chapter! WHEEEE!
Jenn120: See? I updated!
KeraJeir: I'm glad last chapter helped out your terrible mood. (Huggles back)
seto'swifey: The last chapter's title actually came from a friend of mines in Modern Literature Honors class during one discussion. I was in the middle of thinking up the last chapter's new title when he spoke. He meant to say, 'Get Rich or Die Trying' but he got it mixed up and said, 'Get Rich or Try Dying', and everyone thought it was hilarious. In the middle of laughing did I realize that it would be the perfect title for the chapter I was working on because it matched perfectly with the chapter's plot! Go figure!
Dragonlady222: I won't say anything about the Kireki Reports for now. It would be an important factor in the future chapter/showdown, though. Yeah, Kisara does know that Seto doesn't love her. For once I'm trying not to make her the bad guy. I don't know, I guess I feel sorry for her, I mean, what would you do if you were in her position?
Yugiohfreak: Hello! Yes, everyone is after Seto and Jou's happiness, especially us Seto/Jou authors! (Lolz) I promise not to make Seto too much in distress, promise!
Amyrose300: (laughs) I'll do my best! (Loves being called 'Boss')
LP-lova210: Aww, thank you! Your praising is making me blush! Don't be ashamed, I cried too when I wrote it! I'm telling you, I'm not the ultimate of writers! I'm just a normal writer who wants to let her daydreams out and show it to the world----yummy! Snickerdoodle! (eats at snickerdoodle)
Kuro-Konton: I promise to save them, after all, I am the author! (Shifty eyes)
ilovekyo: Thank you, I was a little worried though. I wasn't sure if I put ENOUGH emotion into the chapter. I wanted Seto to mean it when he told Jou to get out, but at the same time telling him not to go. And I wanted Jou to take it with an extreme amount of heartbreak, but at the same time taking it like a man. But I'm glad I did it right for once. It's hard for me to write a sad scene if I'm not in the room for feeling like it.
Medoriko: I'm glad I made you sad? Well, anywayz thanks!
Rapturous Voice: I updated!
Fireiegurl: Don't worry about Jou killing himself. He's not stupid enough to commit suicide! (Laughs)
Slushie Blu: (grins) What are you talking about? I'm VERY evil! I know, Seto is so foolish! I am angry at him as we speak!
Koolmint26: Everyone is writing sad stories? My God! I didn't know that! Why didn't anyone tell me? I could have waited til' much later to write a sad chapter! WAHH! (Hates being a follower) A lot of reviewers want them back together, but the question is will I grant their wishes...? (shifty eyes) And yes, Kisara's mom should go to Hell...
bleedingchaos: You're such a good fortuneteller! Or are you? (Shifty eyes) I've been doing that a lot lately, I hope it's not contagious!
Aki Hotaru: Are you slamming your head on the keyboard, or are you so shocked you're fingers are splayed out on it?
Bluerosety: I'm glad I moved the bashing from Kisara to her mother...people hate them soooo much!
Firewielder: It takes YEARS of practice for Seto to be so mean! I love the puppy! He's so clueless and adorable! I have a new word too! It's called 'GELATTO!'
Growing Pain: She is smart. Maybe I'll get her to help them...maybe not...(shifty eyes)...I gotta stop doing that...
Hey! Look down! I got a line! That grey line down there!
Chapter 14: Do You Belong To Me?- Seto's Doubts and Jou's Thoughts!
Seto Kaiba had locked himself in his room the next day, his heart felt like someone ripped it out of him and stomped it continuously by their foot. He never shed tears so much like this before. It felt weak, felt degrading for his standards. Only weak fools cried...
...and he knew he was definitely a weak fool now.
Gripping on the thought on how stupid he must look crying on top of what was once Jou's pillow, he took it and threw it across the room. Very soon, he began throwing all sorts of items all over the place, venting out his anger directed on himself solely. Letting out a frustrated groan, he furiously wiped his tears and threw things like a man in pain is supposed to do. He was damned to be weeping like a damsel separated from her knight and shredding the last piece on what was once an over boastful, infinite amount of dignity over a blond boy.
It was his choice and his alone! He chose this way! He was doing the right thing. If he didn't comply, he'll lose everything he had worked so hard for and Jou would have been sent to jail! This WAS the right thing to do.
Wasn't it?
Seto would keep his company and Jou can start over with a clean slate and find someone else more worthy for his attention. It was the perfect plan, how can he doubt it?
But the thought of seeing Jou in the arms of someone else made his blood boil to it's gushing point and he made sure to throw something else to vent out the jealously that peeked it's head out from under the covers.
He remembered telling Mokuba that Jou left. He also remembered Mokuba threatening to throw the Playstation 2 at his head if he didn't bring him back. He remembered Mokuba's tears and screams, the throwing of gaming equipment, the 'I hate you' yells.
Now, not only did Jou hate him but Mokuba hates him as well. He lost more loved ones in one night than he did in a lifetime, and trust him, he rarely loved anybody.
Mokuba locked himself in his room as well...
He wasn't surprised by the outrageous look on Kisara's face when her mother told them about the marriage engagements. He knew the poor girl didn't want to get married to him under obligation and kept her sapphire hair down during the conversation. He didn't know whether to feel more sorry for her than himself. After all, she had her mother her whole life. Gozaburo was only a temporary virus compared. He listened blankly to the wedding plans, his cold calculating visage took in everything while he drifted away to numbness. He had never felt so shitty in his entire life.
"I am sorry." He had heard Kisara say once her mother was gone. "I did not want this to happen the way it is now..."
Do you?
"And if it's any consolation, I'm sure Jounouchi had put up a well fight for you to change your mind."
Jou, he's gone.
"While I'm not disappointed of marrying you, I feel as if this is the wrong turnabout. You must think of me as a demented person."
No, not really.
"We can't help it. Jounouchi and I love you very much."
I know. That's why all three of us are going straight to Hell.
"I hope it helps that we've known each other since ancient times, right Seto? Do you remember what happened between us 5000 years ago?"
Yeah, I remember. You were once keeper of the Blue Eyes White Dragon. My most prized and favorite monster. I was always fond of it, but I would have gladly give all three of them up with no hesitation to make Jou mine.
"It had hurt me at first, when Mokuba told me years ago that you hated my entire being and wanted me to leave Japan."
Wait. What?
"I was angry and hurt. But I just couldn't stop the fact that thinking of you brought a smile to my face."
Is that how Jou's feeling right now? Except Mokuba had told her to go away indirectly from me, and I directly told him I hated him.
"And now, I don't know what to think of this anymore. I know you're being forced to marry me and I admit it hurts to know."
I'm sorry, Kisara.
"But...if you're willing to go through with this, I promise I'll try to make you happy. I know you don't love me, but I'll try to make it easier on you."
She's an amazing young woman. Maybe if this predicament had never happened, she would be happy with someone who will appreciate her.
She had such a defiant face which spoke volumes on what she had to do. He admired her strength and reminded himself to do the same.
Even if he didn't love her that way. He may have once before, if the stupid hocus pocus of him being Yami's damn servant was true.
But now...he didn't feel it anymore.
He felt himself drifting while he stood, as if the world he was in would not exist. That he would wake up beside his beloved and he would give the brunet the most sunny smile. No, he shouldn't think of such fanciful things. Because he was going to be married. Because Jou was gone, and the pounding reminder took over the last bits of rationalism in his head.
The wedding would be in three days...
Two days...
Tomorrow...
The wedding would be tomorrow...
Jou's beautiful voice kept ringing in his head, he reminisced the sound of song flowing out of his pup's lips while his dark brown strands of hair was being stroked on top of Jou's lap after an all nighter of working nonstop.
Seto flopped himself on the bed, imagining the pup's soothing voice whispering in ear, the caressing of his hands. The strong pitter patter of rain pounding against the closed window acting as a sedate to Seto's exhausted body. He can almost imagine his love's golden strands caressing his face, a moment before a soft kiss would be administered.
But it never came.
It never came.
Jou slumped against the wall of a back alley, his only companions were the trash cans placed beside him nearly hiding the blond teen. He looked up into the sky as the rain came down heavily, but gently pattered his entire body and hair as if consoling him. He felt so wet and tired, but his dignity was spared since no one can differentiate the rain from his tears.
Why? Why? Those words played back over and over in his mind, he was so numb from the loss. He felt like a kicked puppy obeying his master's orders by staying away. He didn't know what to do now.
He didn't love him anymore. He wasn't worthy enough for Seto's attention anymore. Jou kept his head looking to the sky, but his honey eyes were blank as if his mind was under control like it was a while ago when Marik Ishtar forced him to battle against Yugi. His thoughts had turned to his friends. How would they feel if they saw the once proud Katsuya Jounouchi sprawled in a dirty back alley looking dead to the world? Is his life with them over as well?
He remembered the fond looks Yami and Yugi would give each other, and the way Marik kept Malik in line out of love. He was jealous of them. He was even jealous at the one-sided love between Bakura and Ryou. At least Bakura had the chance of being around Ryou.
How is it that they were all perfect for each other while Seto and his relationship was always on the rocks? Was it because they weren't right for each other like dark to light? Yami to Hikari?
They all had pasts together, he even saw Seto in ancient Egypt in the Dawn of the Duel. He was proud and devoted to the Pharaoh. Why wasn't he the same in the present?
Was Seto and Kisara perfect for each other because they had a mutual relationship 5000 years ago? No matter how hard Jou looked, he never saw his past self there. Seto in the past had never known Jou back then. Maybe if he never became friends with Yugi, Seto might not had bothered with him at all. And where would he be now?
So many questions...but no answers.
"Jou?"
Who was calling him? He couldn't remember the voice...
"Jou. It's not over."
Seto? Is it Seto? You're wrong, Seto. It is over...Seto...?
His eyes were slowly forced to come to focus to recognize the voice and through his hazy gaze did he see a figure kneeling over him. Like a messiah ready to take him to purgatory for loving another man...
"Jou. Get up."
The voice is female. It's not Seto. Jou was about to close his eyes again, not caring who the woman was and just wanted to sleep forever.
"Joey, if you go back to sleep, I'll smack you silly!" The voice whispered harshly.
Jou groaned. He wanted to tell her to leave him alone, so he forced his vision to focus and yell at the intruder. It was Monique.
"What do you want?" Jou weakly growled back.
"To put you back together, you dolt." The words were sharp, but her tone was gentle. "I may just be a normal secretary, but it doesn't mean I can't help you Joey."
"What?" Jou didn't understand. Why would she say she was just a normal secretary? She's more than that. She's one of his best friends! She means a lot to him. He always appreciated her friendship and help. She always helped him out of tight spots when Yugi and the others had moved on with their lives like he and Seto did. And then he realized. Did it matter if he wasn't in the past with Seto? After all, the past is past. He may not be linked to ancient Egyptian importance or folklore, but he was a great help to Pharaoh Yami and his quest to save the world!
Monique was holding a navy blue umbrella over their heads to shield them both from the rain. She kept her patience with Jou. He was torn, broken. It required compassion and sense to bring him back. "Joey," she continued. "Are you just going to give up on him?"
"He told me to leave." Jou pointed out softly. "He wants me to give up on him."
"Does he?" Monique inquired with a raise of her brow. "He never gave up on you."
Jou turned his head away. "You weren't there when he told me to get out. He was sure about it. I was nothing more than a passing cloud to him."
Monique looked at him with a blank expression. "Do you really think so? Because if you do, I feel sorry for you."
He looked at her in mild surprise. She continued, "From what I had heard, you didn't even stay long enough to demand why! Why didn't you ask him what he was hiding in that big ass head of his! That would be exactly what the real Jou would say! What happened to the obnoxious Jou who was clueless about nearly everything, but when it got important he was stubborn enough to demand some answers! Why aren't you over there right now picking a fight with Kisara's mother or anybody and stand by your man! Why are you giving up on Seto so easily! Answer me, Katsuya Jounouchi!"
Jou gritted his teeth as he was bashed badly by the American woman, his unnecessary anger rising.
"If it's too much for your small brain to sink that all in, let me summarize it all for you: Why are you giving up! Why are you giving up, ya damn mutt!" Monique bellowed, her patience now gone.
"Stop calling me a damn mutt, Seto! I'm not a mutt! And I don't quit!" Jou yelled out of nowhere and slapped his head when he yelled Seto's name instead of Monique's.
"What did you say?" Monique egged on.
"I said I'm not giving up! Seto is not winning the battle this time! Not by a long shot!" Jou replied, the gleam in his eyes returning and his spirit soared. "He can't throw me away easily! I'm not giving up!"
Monique nodded in triumph. Finally we're getting somewhere. "Let's go, Jou. You going back to my place to dry off, then tomorrow we're going to crash that wedding!" She stretched out her hand to him.
Jou took it without hesitation and was pulled to his feet with Monique's surprising strength. He gave her the thumbs up. She smiled back. "Don't give up."
"Right. I won't give up."
As they drove away in Monique's Subaru, Jou made a mental note to call Yugi and the others.
After all, he needed them to help stall the wedding...
TBC...
A/N: Is anybody ready for the next chapter? Then please review like a thousand times and you might get it! J/K! One would be okay, but I hope I get a lot!
The more you push the purple button down there, the faster the next chapter will appear! Toodles!