Jonouchi/Katsu's gender issues continue to cause concern for everyone. They all want to be supportive but are caught between their own loyalties to their friend and who 'she' now is! As much as they try to be open minded and supportive, they struggle to cope with their own prejudices and perceptions of sexuality that society has taught them. Please don't be put off - Jonouchi will still continue to dislike Kaiba even if Katsu finds him attractive! There will also be some comedy moments and some darker, self awareness struggles in future chapters.
House Party.
Flowers.
Apart from the embarrassment of being fitted for a bra, Katsu found the whole experience much more enjoyable than she thought she would. After bumping into Kaiba, there were no more incidents, and armed with several bags of clothing and matching accessories, they all made their way back to Anzu's house.
"Well, I would call that a success!" Anzu beamed. She always enjoyed a good shopping trip.
Katsu heaved a sigh of relief. She was just thankful that moneybags had not realised who she really was.
In the sanctuary of Anzu's sitting room, the teens sat down to drink tea and eat some of Mrs. Mazaki's home made apple cake.
"Maybe the next month won't be as bad as we think," said Yugi, trying to be upbeat about the whole situation. In truth, he was still totally freaked out by it, but he was sure he could get used to his best friend now being Katsu. Both he and his other Self vowed to try and support their friend, no matter what the next month threw at them.
Anzu did not like to admit it, but she kind of liked having a female friend within their little group because it evened things out a bit. But she still missed Jonouchi; with his silly wisecracks and sometimes idiotic behaviour. The next month would be a challenge, but one she was oddly looking forward to.
It was Honda that brought them back to the harsh realities that were still facing them. "Yeah, but we're back at school tomorrow. What are you going to do? People are bound to wonder what's going on when you show up and take Jonouchi's place."
"I'm afraid Honda's right," Anzu sighed. This was the one thing she had been putting off and was dreading. "We need to come up with a really good explanation."
"I'm not going. Simple as that!" Katsu was adamant and the others knew that they would not change her mind easily. However, that did not stop Yugi from trying.
"But you can't just bunk off school for a whole month Jonouchi! You're already bottom of the class and we have the end of term exams coming up soon!" He did not even realise he had slipped up and called her Jonouchi. Katsu chose not to pick him up on it as she was more upset at being reminded of Jonouchi's lack of academic ability.
She scowled at him. "Thanks for reminding me I'm thick Yuge."
"Sorry," Yugi's shoulders sagged, as he tried to smile apologetically. "I didn't mean it like that, but..."
"Yeah... man, you are thick!" Honda interrupted, "That's why you can't afford to take time off."
"Well, I can't go in like this!" Katsu shrieked. "Not when Yugi keeps calling me Jonouchi and your call me man or dude!"
Yugi suddenly found the optimism he had felt a few minutes ago, going from the first floor, back down to the basement. This was not going to be as easy as he had begun to hope it might be. "I'm sorry... Katsu. I will try not to call you Jonouchi," he mumbled, sheepishly.
Katsu sighed. "It's not your fault Yuge. I know it's tough for you, but try to imagine yourself in my shoes. How can I even think of going to school? I'm terrified that one of you will call me Jonouchi in front of the whole class."
"You can't just bunk off school, you idiot!" Honda scolded.
"Well, you come up with a solution then!" Katsu snapped back. When Honda did not respond, she became impatient. "Come on? I'm waiting, smart-ass!"
Worried they were going to start fighting, Anzu stepped in. "Guys... please?! Arguing isn't helping!"
They both stopped and looked at her.
"Have you got a solution Anzu?" Yugi quickly interjected, before Katsu and Honda started bickering again. Anzu nodded.
"This is what I suggest we do," she said. "We enrol Katsu in school as Katsu Kawaii, and explain that because of problems at home she has come to stay with her cousin, Jonouchi, until things settle down at home again. When people ask where Jonouchi has gone, we will say that it was not the best timing, but he received a phone call from his mother over the weekend to say that his sister has been rushed into hospital and he has had to go and stay with them. Jonouchi did not want to leave Katsu alone with his drunken, abusive father, so I offered to let her stay with me. What do you think?"
Since it was Anzu's suggestion, Yugi nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I think that might work," he said, agreeably. "What do you guys think?" He looked between Honda and Katsu.
Honda rubbed his chin and hummed thoughtfully as he weighed up any potential problems. He could think of one. "What if they ring Jonouchi's mother to check up on his story?"
"Then I will give them my phone number. If they call I can pretend to be Jonouchi's mother." Anzu quickly offered.
"It's okay Anzu, the school don't have my mother's number anyway," Katsu informed her. "They only have my Dad's and most of the time he doesn't care where I am anyway."
Another potential problem suddenly occurred to Yugi. "What if they try to ring Katsu's fictional parents?"
"Then I give them my mobile number," Katsu decided. "I haven't had it long and the school don't have any record of it."
"You might get away with that, but who's gonna do the paperwork? They will want a parent to sign the entrance forms." Honda added.
"Are the forms online?" Yugi asked. "We might be able to download them and forge your parents signatures." His friends all looked at him in astonishment, making him blush. "What?" He flinched under the scrutiny.
Katsu broke into a grin. "Awesome idea Yugi!" She was impressed that he would think of doing something that was against the rules.
Honda raised an intrigued eyebrow at him. "I can't believe that of all of us you would be the one to suggest forgery Yugi!"
Yugi's jaw flapped for a moment while he came up with a reason for his dishonest suggestion. "Forgery is not something I think is a good thing to do, but desperate times mean desperate measures. I only suggested it so we can protect Jonouchi!" He was not about to admit that he had often forged his own parents handwriting to escape having to attend after school activities, because a couple of the kids there had bullied him. But he had been desperate then, and they were desperate now.
"Yugi is right." Anzu agreeing with him made him feel a bit better. "We have already started the ball rolling by lying to my parents about Katsu being an exchange student. They will expect you to go to school with me each day. If you don't, they will query it. I hate to admit it, but forging the document is our only choice."
Everyone nodded their agreement. Apart from admitting that Jonouchi had turned into a female overnight – which no one would be able to understand, but which would lead to much ridicule anyway – there was no other alternative.
::::::::::::
Back at the mansion, Seto retired to his study to contemplate on today's encounter. There was no getting over the fact that he was smitten with this girl.
Although he was never one to go to sleep early, he usually slept fitfully when he did finally go to bed. But, tonight sleep was eluding him. Who would have thought that thinking about a woman would have kept Seto Kaiba awake?! There was only one solution.
Firing up his laptop, he ordered a bouquet of flowers to be sent to Katsu at Anzu's address. He spent quite a bit of time trying to think of what to put on the card that would be attached to the flowers – he did not want to sound too cheesy.
In the end, he decided on: Dear Katsu. Following our brief encounter at the mall, I would like to request your company at dinner tomorrow evening. I will arrive at seven pm sharp, to take you to a restaurant that is a favourite of mine. The dress code is smart-formal. Please let me know if you have a problem with this. Unless I hear from you, I will see you at seven tomorrow evening.
Seto Kaiba.
He placed his order and was finally able to get some sleep.
::::::::::::
The following morning, Katsu woke up in a cold sweat. Last night, she had downloaded the two forms. One for Jonouchi to request one month compassionate leave from Domino, and the other form to enrol Katsu at Domino as a visiting student.
Although they had talked it all through last night, she was suddenly feeling terrified. There was absolutely no way she could bring herself to face their classmates and pretend that she was not Jonouchi.
No amount of coaxing by Anzu could change her mind, so instead of their elaborate plan, Anzu was forced to ring the school to say that she was Jonouchi's mother, and that due to family problems, he would staying with her for the foreseeable future. The school advised her to scan the form that they had already filled in to request compassionate leave, and to e-mail it to the school.
Anzu thanked them and asked if they could e-mail any course work and assignments to Jonouchi's e-mail address for him, so that he would not fall behind with his work. They agreed.
With a huge sigh of relief, Anzu ended the call. That was one more obstacle negotiated.
She said goodbye to Katsu and went to school.
::::::::::::
As the day wore on, Katsu was starting to get angry at herself over her decision to stay home.
With her friends at school and Anzu's parents out at work, the house was eerily quiet.
She tried to work on some of Jonouchi's backlogged assignments. But just like her male self, Katsu had virtually no attention span whatsoever and found it hard to concentrate when left to work alone.
Being a naturally active person, meant that staying indoors was not something she was used to. She could not stop fidgeting but did not have the confidence to venture out on her own.
With little else to do, she pottered around in the kitchen, picking at food and then sat down to play one of the video games Yugi had given her.
At around one in the afternoon, she grew bored of the video game and went to find some more food to eat.
When it came to over eating, Jonouchi never suffered from food guilt. But as Katsu, she suddenly found herself being conscious of her own figure.
Putting down the bowl of instant ramen – her second of the day – she rushed to the mirror to examine her belly. Why did she feel so bloated after eating only two bowls? Ugh, she looked like a Sumo Wrestler!
It was no more than Jonouchi would normally eat! So, why? It dawned on her that Jonouchi was thin because he was always exercising. She had been dossing around all day and had probably not burned enough calories, plus... didn't Anzu say something about hormones?
Oh well! Taking a deep breath, she decided to be brave and take a walk down to the river and along the canal path.
She was just putting on her trainers when the doorbell rang. Who could that be?
Peering out of the window, she noticed the van from the local greengrocer and florist parked outside. She should probably answer the door, but... shit, shit, shit! She knew the owner of the store, Sanpei.
Running downstairs, she half hide herself behind the door as she opened it. Luckily, it was not Sanpei, but his nephew - who Jonouchi did not know very well - doing the deliveries.
"I have a delivery for a Miss Katsu at this address." The young man looked confused. He had made deliveries to the Mazaki household before and was unaware of anyone called Katsu living there.
"Yes, that's me, thank you." Still hiding half her body behind the door, Katsu blushed.
The man gave her a cheeky smile. "They are lovely flowers." He bowed as he handed them too her.
Katsu took them. "Yes, they are," she muttered feebly, her face flushed. Who on earth could have sent her these?!
Shoving the door closed, she rushed to the kitchen to find a vase to dump them in. Unable to find one, she put them in the washing up bowl. Sod the flowers, she was desperate to know who they were from.
Rummaging through the cellophane wrapping, she found a small envelope sellotaped to the base of the wrapper. Inside was a card. "Geez... fuck!" She yelled out when she read the message.
Looking over at the flowers, something nauseating coiled in her gut. She did not know what she should do - Seto Kaiba fancied the knickers off her.
When Anzu returned home from school, with Yugi for company, they found her curled up on the sofa hugging a cushion, deep in thought.
When Katsu told them about the flowers, they were caught between utter disbelief that Kaiba could even find someone other than himself attractive, and concern about what they should do about it.
"You can't possibly accept!" Anzu reasoned.
"But Kaiba's paying! How can I turn down the offer of a free meal at the poshest place in Domino?" Katsu argued. Yugi could not believe what he was hearing.
"But you're Jonouchi!" He desperately pleaded. "You can't go! What if he wants..." his face turned red, "something in return?"
"Then I will tell him I'm not that sort of girl," Katsu pouted. "I will tell him I like to get to know a guy first." There was a hint of disgust in her voice, but there was also something that Anzu found worrying.
Gasping, her hands flew to her mouth. "God! You really are serious about going, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I am. I been thinking about it all afternoon. What harm can it do? He has no idea who I am. And when else would someone like me ever get the chance do dine on Matsusaka Wagyu?"
Yugi and Anzu gazed at her with concerned expressions. Yugi shook his head. "Is there nothing we can say to convince you not to go?"
"Nope! Rest easy guys. I can assure you I will be in complete control the whole time. Ain't nothing gonna happen. And I will be smiling inside that Scrooge is spending a ton of his money on me."
"You're bound to slip up though Jo... I mean Katsu," Yugi fretted. "What if you come out with the sort of insult Jonouchi would make?"
"I won't because Anzu here is gonna give me lessons on how to behave like a lady!"
"I am?!" Anzu looked at Katsu in horror. "But I thought you didn't want to be feminine!"
"I don't, but I'm stuck like this for a whole month. So, if I'm to avoid anyone getting suspicious, I might as well learn to embrace it and have a laugh at Kaiba's expense."
"I have a really bad feeling about this." Yugi sighed and tried again. "I really don't think you should go," he said, desperation in his voice.
"C'mon Yuge? Lighten up a bit," Katsu tried to tease, but actually pleading for her decision to be accepted. "What does the other Yugi think I should do?"
"He doesn't think you should either. If it helps, you can talk to him." Before Katsu had chance to respond, or the other Yugi protest, he retreated to his soul room, forcing his other Self to take over.
"Huh! Yugi?!" Anzu flushed as Yugi's body sagged for a moment before Yami Yugi realised that he was in control.
Yami Yugi bristled awkwardly and scratched the side of his head. "Aibou! This isn't a duel! You know I'm not very good at this sort of thing!" He complained, through their link.
"Jonouchi won't listen to me, but he might listen to you. Please tell him not to go on a date with Kaiba?"
"But Yugi!"
"Please... Other Me? I'm feeling angry and I don't want to say anything bad to Jonouchi."
"Other Yugi?!" Katsu gasped, eyeing him cautiously. What was Yugi playing at?
"Very well. I Will try." Yami Yugi cleared his throat. Seeing Jonouchi in this condition freaked him out. It was something that was out of his control and he felt powerless. "Jonouchi... I.." He scratched the side of his head again. "I mean Katsu. This is kaiba we're talking about. Do you really want to mess with him? It may lead to disaster."
Katsu's expression became serious. "I appreciate your concern, but stop worrying Yuge. I have thought about this carefully and I know what I'm doing. I didn't ask to be like this. But I'm a girl now and..." she took a breath. "This ain't easy to admit, but I'm starting to feel more like a girl than a boy. It's like I'm changing internally too, and I can't stop it."
Yami Yugi looked horrified. "You mean...?!" He glanced at Anzu. It was only a theory, but did he dare frighten his friends by telling them he believed that Jonouchi's mind might be fragmenting and vanishing into the shadows, allowing more of Katsu to take over.
Anzu chewed her bottom lip. "It is probably the hormonal changes you are experiencing that is making you feel more feminine!"
Katsu gave them both a forlorn look. "That's what I think too. I have been fighting it but it's not enough to stop it happening. When I got the stupid flowers, I actually felt flattered. I tried to chuck em in the rubbish, but something stopped me! It was like they made me feel good about myself. I know I should be feeling repulsed and tell Kaiba where to go, but I can't."
"Well, that certainly changes a few things," Yami Yugi growled, in that deep, commanding voice he usually used to intimidate people. His voice made Katsu quiver inside – something that she found worryingly disturbing.
Dismissing it, she rounded on him defensively. "I just wish you would all stop acting like you know what's best for me!" Her outburst surprised them. Calming down a little, she continued. "I might be a girl now, but I can still take care of myself. I will have dinner with Kaiba and then politely tell him to fuck off, he ain't my type."
Anzu and Yami Yugi were both dumbstruck. Their friend seemed to be fluctuating between Jonouchi and Katsu.
Eventually, it was Anzu who managed to speak first. "Well... then. I guess if we can't persuade you not to go, then I had better hurry up and give you those lessons on how to behave like a lady."
Yami Yugi felt bit nauseas at the thought of his friend wanting to be a lady in order to date Kaiba. He never shied away from any challenge, but this was one twisted challenge that he could not stomach. Yugi was better at this stuff than him so he retreated into the Puzzle to brood and probably punch a few walls.
Neither Katsu or Anzu had noticed that normal Yugi was now back in control until he spoke. "Well, I guess I should leave you to your lessons." He could feel the tension coming from his other Self, resonating in his own soul. It mirrored the dismay he was feeling right now. He could not handle it and he had to get out of here.
"Yugi?!" Katsu gave him an apologetic look. "You don't have to go."
"Yeah, I do. Grandpa will be expecting me home." He tried to give his friend a sympathetic smile but found it difficult.
Sensing there was something deeply troubling him, Anzu got up to see him out. But, keen to allay her best friend's concerns, Katsu told Anzu that she would see him out. Anzu nodded her understanding and let her follow him to the front door.
Katsu fidgeted awkwardly as she watched him bend down to put on his shoes. He was ignoring her. "Hey! Yugi?" She touched his shoulder. It saddened her when she felt him tense. "Please don't be angry with me Yugi?"
"I'm not," Yugi shrugged, not looking Katsu in the eye and focussing on his shoes. "I just... I don't understand what's happening to you. I thought that even though you had a female body you would still be the same Jonouchi. It kind of freaks me out that you could like Kaiba in that way. Especially since you two can't even be in the same room without threatening to kill each other! "
"If it's any help, I don't get it either. To be honest, I'm terrified Yuge! I accepted I might have to stay like this for a month, but I didn't know I would have to deal with hormonal changes and stuff. Honda's already avoiding me cuz he's freaked out. Don't you bail on me too!"
Yugi looked up at her and smiled. "I won't, I'm just scared for you. I wish you wouldn't go on that date with Kaiba."
"It's just dinner and a bit of chat, then home – on my own."
"I dunno.." Yugi sighed. "If you're sure, then I guess it's okay," he muttered, still sounding uncertain. "I'll see you tomorrow, before you go on your date." He turned and scurried away, leaving Katsu on the doorstep, watching him as he rounded the corner and out of view.
Katsu felt bad for him. He was really trying to be supportive and understanding of what she was going through, but was floundering. Whether it was mourning the temporary loss of his best friend and having to deal with him being a her, or whether it was because he thought that Kaiba asking her out unnerving, she was unsure. Maybe it was a bit of both.
::::::::::::
The night of the date came around so quickly that Katsu was worried she still had not had enough time to learn how to act like a sophisticated woman.
"Don't worry about it." Anzu still had her concerns, but did not want to show them and end up with Katsu panicking. If there was one thing she had learned over the last couple of days, it was that Katsu had a tendency to fuss and panic about things that she was unsure about. "Look, just remember no swearing, no belching, no talking with your mouth full or insulting Kaiba and you will be fine."
"You mean I can't wind him up?"
"Definitely no winding up. If he compliments you, don't say anything negative. Just say 'thank you.'"
Katsu let out a sigh. "I'll try." She ran her hands through her golden locks. Maybe this was not such a good idea after all. Maybe she should just ring Kaiba and cancel the date. She really was getting nervous.
"Sit still so I can do your make-up," Anzu told her, wielding what looked like a brown crayon.
"What's that?"
Anzu explained that it was eye liner and that she would use very subtle make-up to highlight her lovely brown eyes. Katsu frowned at her in doubt. Jonouchi would freak at the thought of wearing make-up.
Ten minutes later, Anzu stood up and gestured for Katsu to stand as well so that she could admire her handiwork. She had to admit, Katsu looked elegant in her dark blue silky dress.
Katsu stood and looked down at herself and then glanced sideways into the mirror. "Are you sure this dress doesn't make me look fat? I haven't even eaten yet and you know how much I can eat."
"Don't be silly! You look perfect. You're just used to having a boys narrow hips and small bottom. It's normal for girls to be slightly more rounded."
"If you say so." Katsu felt herself shiver a little with nerves. She held up her hand to see it trembling. Anzu was quick to notice.
"Are you okay? Just relax." Careful to avoid her neatly applied make-up, she reached out and gave her friend a hug. Katsu gave her a nervous cuddle.
Anzu released her and laughed. "It feels almost normal for you to be female now. I could never imagine hugging Jonouchi like that!"
Katsu giggled. "He would probably think his luck had changed. But I can promise you that whatever he's done to annoy you in the past, he regrets. These days, he sees you as a really great friend and respects you. Besides, he knows how much Yugi likes you. He would never take his best friend's girl," she winked.
Anzu blushed furiously. "Yugi and I are just friends!"
"Come on... admit it! You like him, don't you?" Jonouchi had often had his suspicions about the pair of them, but although he had teased Yugi about it, he had never dare confront Anzu. But now that she was indulging in 'girl talk' it felt like a natural thing to ask.
Anzu was flushed. "I admit I do like him... a lot," she looked love struck and dreamy for a moment, and then sighed and became more serious again. "But I don't want to get too involved with him, only to then leave to study dance in New York. It would not be fair on either of us."
"Wanna know something? Me, Yugi and Honda are really impressed with your passion for dancing. I really hope you get to follow your dreams. But don't miss out on your chance with Yugi because of them."
"Thank you. I won't. I know it won't be easy leaving my friends, especially Yugi, but it won't be forever and we can keep in touch via Skype."
"Yeah, you bet we will!" She glanced at the clock and let out a groan "Kaiba will be here soon."
"Let's wait downstairs." The pair went down to the sitting room, where Anzu's parents were sitting watching television and drinking tea.
They looked up in amazement when they saw that Katsu was all dolled up but their daughter was not. Anzu quickly responded to their questioning glances.
"Doesn't Katsu look lovely? Seto kaiba has asked her to go on a date with him!"
Anzu's father nearly choked on his tea. "You mean that selfish tyrant that always gives you and your friends a hard time?!"
"Dad!" Anzu whined, "He's not that bad! Alright, maybe I did say he was horrible, but everyone deserves a chance. Maybe with the right person, he will show that he is actually human."
"Oh well! Good luck Katsu, you might need it." Anzu's father chuckled.
Anzu's mother rolled her eyes at her husband. "Don't listen to him my dear, I'm sure Seto Kaiba is a perfect gentleman."
Katsu was just about to snort and say 'dis is Kaiba we're talking about here' when she remembered Anzu's training. "Thank you Mrs Mazaki. I hope he will be too." She wanted to gag as she said it.
They heard the doorbell ring and Anzu suddenly felt nervous for her friend. "That must be him!" She pushed a frozen ridged Katsu towards the front door.
"Doh... I don't think I can do this! Is it too late to back out?" She was on the verge of blubbering and running to her room to hide.
"You can't back out now. Just remember what I taught you." Anzu did her best to try and sound reassuring.
"Well here goes," Katsu mouthed. Her hand shook as she opened the door to find Seto Kaiba standing on the doorstep, wearing a dark grey suit, pale blue shirt and a navy and silver tie. He was actually smiling nicely – which for some reason, Katsu found disturbing.
"Erm... hello!" She almost giggled like some stupid fan girl but managed to stop herself.
"Good evening Katsu. Are you ready?" He turned to the side and offered her his arm.
WTF am I supposed to do with that?! Was the first thought that went through Katsu's mind. Link my arm through his, I think. She gulped and almost pulled a sick face at Anzu as she looped her arm through the crook of his elbow.
Kaiba noticed the worried look on Anzu's face. "Don't worry Mazaki, I will bring your friend back safely. I'm not the monster you and your friends all think I am." He pivoted on the ball of his foot and marched towards his limousine.
Tottering along in her high heels, Katsu struggled to keep up and was almost dragged along. Fucking stilettos! How the hell did women wear these things all day? They were crippling her feet already.
Isono was waiting at the car and opened the passenger doors for them so that they could get in.
Biting her nails, Anzu watched as the limo drove away. She closed the door and immediately grabbed her phone to tell Yugi that Kaiba had just picked Katsu up for their date.
::::::::::::
Hearing his phone beep, Yugi checked the message he had received from Anzu. He could not believe that his best friend, who hated Kaiba, had actually gone through with it.
Sensing his anxiety, Yami Yugi tried to send him calming thoughts, but all Yugi sensed from his other Self was a wave of concern that was equal to his own.
So there you have it. Jonouchi's soul is slowly being taken by the Darkness/Shadow Realm. He is fighting to stay, but will he ultimately lose the battle? At the moment, he still is still fluctuating between his male self and his female one. But the shadows are always hungry for souls.
Please review - reviews make me happy :-)
