"Usagi's family is away on a trip. We'd decided to have a dinner party tonight to keep her company," Makoto began, "you should join us."
"We need to get back home, but thank you for your offer," Kaiba finished, noting the disappointed look in the girl's eyes.
"I'd love to stick around, dinner sounds great!" Jounouchi exclaimed, "loosen up Kaiba, we'll get back soon enough."
"We need to get back to business-, " Kaiba began.
"Come on, let them treat us," Jounouchi continued, already salivating.
"Fine mutt, but after dinner, we're out of here," Kaiba responded, crossing his arms, dissatisfied. "I guess can't very well leave you here for these poor girls to deal with."
Usagi was giggling now. "You sound like Mamoru and I when we first met," she said, eyes dreamy at the thought of her beloved. "He'll be coming tonight!"
And sure enough, Mamoru did show up, along with Setsuna, and was filled in by an unhappy Usagi and an embarrassed Chibiusa on the day's events.
"Hi!" Mamoru greeted both Jounouchi and Kaiba, "nice to meet you both, and thank you for looking out for Chibiusa."
"Nice to meet you, it was our pleasure," Jounouchi said happily, speaking for both of them. Kaiba sufficed with a nod.
It at least gave them a chance to meet a wheelchair-bound Hotaru, the girl Chibiusa spoke so fondly of. She was as sweet and intelligent as the little girl had gushed, and even Kaiba relented a smile when greeted by her.
She was shy and reserved, but Kaiba and her were bonding over their shared love of games already. Jounouchi, joking around with Makoto looked on, pleased at their unexpected bond.
When the time came to eat, Jounouchi dug in. A simple soup and vegetable curry. And Kaiba allowed himself to be served a plateful. As the eating wound down, Minako put on some music in the background, something that made Jounouchi tap his feet and even Kaiba drum his fingers.
"Let's dance!" Chibiusa exclaimed, rising from her seat, and the girls followed suit. Taking to the rhythm and beat. Cheers and applause started up as they formed a circle and danced, first around Ami and then took turns switching.
Breaking free of the circle, Chibiusa came over to Jounouchi and Kaiba. They looked on as she took hold of their hands and commanded, they come and dance.
Both unsure of how to decline, rose to their feet and began to dance where they stood with Chibiusa, swaying and clapping slightly at first. But then Kaiba, throwing caution to the wind, lifted a surprised Chibiusa and twirled her around, much like he'd seen Mamoru do earlier.
Chibiusa laughed, happily, enjoying the attention. Drawn in and not wanting to be left out, Hotaru wheeled over, and began to sway to the music alongside Jounouchi, giggling at his silly dance moves, that he exaggerated, likely for her entertainment. Chibiusa joined in the laughter and Kaiba too, at his antics.
The girls cheered, noting the fun the four of them were having.
As the girls went to prepare for dessert, the two of them were left alone.
"I know you probably did it for the kids, but it was fun to see you loosen up," Jounouchi said, smiling openly.
Kaiba, with is arms crossed again, simply averted his gaze, but his eyes still shone with the same joy he'd displayed when dancing with the girls.
After a time, Kaiba whispered from the corner of his mouth, "maybe you should dance with Makoto next."
"Eh?" Jounouchi retorted, embarrassment tinging his cheeks. "Maybe you should dance with Ami."
"Perhaps," Kaiba laughed, "but she just wouldn't have your flair."
They were interrupted then by Usagi, approaching with a pan of what appeared to be bunny and heart shaped cookies covered in chocolate.
"I made them especially for you, as a thank you," she said, proudly.
"Sometimes Usagi's cooking isn't the best," Rei said, reaching for one and taking a bite "but, these taste okay!" she finished, munching on the second half.
"Thank you for announcing that to everybody, Rei!" Usagi huffed.
"Just being honest," Rei chided. The two proceeded to glare at one another.
"Let's take dessert outside you guys!" Makoto suggested, "it's such a beautiful night."
Jounouchi and Kaiba followed suit, taking a seat next to each other on the porch while the girls stood around a small fountain, talking and laughing at something Usagi was trying to convey. It was endearing.
"I wish for such peace," Kaiba began, looking around at the moonlit scene.
"Yes, and, we're living it right now," Jounouchi responded, folding his arms behind his head. He lowered them then back into his lap. Chuckling.
"The moonlight suits you, Kaiba," Jounouchi said.
Kaiba looked at him then, questioning and curious.
Gazing out at the girls, quieter now, Jounouchi continued, almost if he'd never said anything, "their love, it reminds me of one of Shizuka's stories."
"In their world, it seems love transcends," Kaiba mused.
"Not unlike our own," Jounouchi responded, pointedly, referring to Kaiba's long reluctance to allow peace between them.
"Maybe we're cursed to see each other again too then," Kaiba said "if what they say is true."
"I appreciate we're here now," Jounouchi reflected. And I don't mind your pushing Kaiba. It truly makes me stronger. But you could take it easy on the insults."
"Perhaps there's truth in children's innocence," Kaiba said in answer, taking a heart-shaped cookie from the tray before them and breaking it in half, offering a piece to Jounouchi.
Jounouchi, though somewhat surprised, accepted it.
Kaiba's gaze lingered for a moment on Hotaru and Chibiusa, "at least she won't die alone," he said.
They both noticed Rei watching them then, thoughtfully. She approached slowly.
"This is like my vision… two dark figures. I thought it was ominous, but now I understand why. We were worried about Chibiusa," she explained, partly to herself.
"Yes, I had a dream about you, but couldn't place it until I saw your bond," Michiru said, coming to stand beside Rei. "It stretched across time."
Jounouchi and Kaiba peered at one another, and merely blinked in confusion at the two, "Yes…" Jounouchi tried. Michiru and Rei simply smiled in return.
Setsuna came forward then, "I think it's time for us to show our guests home," she said.
Kaiba nodded and stood, and Jounouchi did the same.
Once inside, the girls stood and watched as Setsuna readied to transport them back to their dimension.
"I wondered why the Key took Chibiusa to you," she pondered aloud, "but it has its own wisdom."
Jounouchi and Kaiba exchanged wondering looks, as did the girls.
"I wish you well, Hotaru," Kaiba said. "And Ami, you were an honorable opponent."
Hotaru nodded, smiling. And Ami beamed.
While waving good-bye, Jounouchi paused to nod in Makoto's direction, "take care, everyone!" he called.
Setsuna raised her Garnet Rod. And brought it down, filling the room with light.
Hand in hand, Jounouchi and Kaiba were then flooded by darkness as far as the eye could see, and suddenly, they were falling, the treetops of Domino coming into view, they were headed back to the park. And sure enough, they landed with a thud, near the bench they'd departed from.
Rising with a long heaving sigh, Jounouchi took a seat on the bench. "Those women are powerful," he said, slumping forward. "It's a relief to be back in one piece."
"They made quite a group," Kaiba responded, making his way to stand on the path near Jounouchi.
Kaiba then turned and began to make his way down the path.
"Kaiba!" Jounouchi called.
"Are you coming?" Kaiba called in return, "unless you don't want a ride this time of night."
Jounouchi knew better than to argue that logic and rushed to follow.
XXX
"Big brother! Thank goodness!" Mokuba cried, in relief upon seeing Kaiba, "I'll go tell the others."
And the two were left alone again. Both stood for a time in silence.
"It was nice," Kaiba said, "how kind you were to those girls." He pulled his hands out of his pockets and produced another heart shaped cookie.
"You as well!" Jounouchi exclaimed, happily taking the compliment from Kaiba.
Kaiba offered another half of his cookie.
Surprised at the sweets still remaining and the offer again, Jounouchi accepted, munching excitedly.
Once done chewing, the blonde laughed kindly, "you were even sweeter, dancing with Chibiusa and Hotaru."
Jounouchi then began to dance to a pace similar to the music Minako had played, and Kaiba looked on. Jounouchi moved closer and stopped, coming to stand in front of Kaiba, quiet for a moment.
"You really do look good in the moonlight," Jounouchi said, "it brings out your eyes."
Kaiba held his gaze and stepped closer then, "maybe you could stay longer."
"Couldn't hurt," Jounouchi responded, bringing his face up to Kaiba's.
And when their lips finally met it was gentle, but firm. Kaiba wrapped his arms around Jounouchi's waist leaning down to deepen the kiss, and Jounouchi reciprocated.
"Just keep the ridiculous moves to a minimum," Kaiba, said, once they'd broken apart.
"Can't promise," Jounouchi beamed, and leaned in to bring their mouths together in another kiss, more urgent this time.
