Okay, so this is the penultimate chapter. It flips between Katsu and Jonouchi's POV quite a lot, which I hope is not too confusing.
So, here we go! Be warned for some bad language.
Also, I still don't own Yugioh. If I did, Yugi and Anu would have kissed at the end of DSOD.
Chapter 24
Breakout.
The baseball bat was covered in small dents and splits, and still the door handle would not budge: it was like the door was made of solid concrete and the door handle of wrought iron.
Jonouchi needed something better able to break through the door. He thought for a moment. Could he maybe, imagine up an axe?!
He went back over to his bed and sat down with his elbows resting on his knees and concentrated on the splintered bat in his hand. "I really need you to be an axe right now!" He pleaded.
Nothing happened immediately, but after a few minutes of concentrating, the baseball bat slowly disintegrated into a pile of sawdust on the threadbare carpet. "No! No! No!" He cried, placing his head in his hands. Now he had nothing at all to use against the door.
But when he opened his eyes again, there on the floor was a brand new axe; it's sharp, gleaming blade, reflective in the light of the lamp on the ceiling, glinted up at him.
Sitting up straight, he grinned. "Yay! Now we're in business. Come to papa, baby." He bent forward and picked up his new toy.
::::::::::::
Seeing Katsu yelp and drop her wine, made Seto startle. He put down his own glass and started to stand. His napkin slid from his lap onto the floor but he ignored it.
"Are you okay?"
Out of the blue, Katsu had suddenly hunched forward, clutching her head, and was oblivious to the fact that she had her arms resting in the red wine that was now soaking into the tablecloth. Wine had also splashed onto her dress and into her lap.
"Get the fuck outta my head! Gimme back my body!" She yelled.
As far as Seto was concerned, she was making no sense at all. "W..wha... what's wrong? D..do you need a doctor?" Great! Now he was stuttering like Muto used to when Seto glowered down at him, intent on intimidating the weed.
Katsu groaned and sat up straight, shaking her head. She was very flushed. "Ow! That really hurt," she complained. "It was like someone hitting the inside of my skull with an axe!"
Seto frowned at her. That did not sound good at all. He remembered one of the children at the orphanage being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The boy had suffered severe migraines and sudden episodes of blacking out. After he had started fitting, they had taken him to hospital for a scan, which had revealed the bad news.
"I have access to the best doctors in Japan. I can arrange for you to see a specialist. Don't worry about the cost."
She looked up at him. "It's okay Seto! I'm fine now. It was nothing." But in truth, she felt weird. Perhaps she should ask to go home. She looked down at the spilled red wine, vivid against the crisp white tablecloth. "Oh! I've ruined it, haven't I?"
Seto waved it off dismissively. "It's just a tablecloth. Do you want to continue with dinner? If so, I will get the maid to change it."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm actually starving hungry." The pain in her head had receded, and more weirdly, she felt like she hadn't eaten in days! She also felt like she had been swinging weights about, or something. She hoped he would not notice as she wiped away the tiny beads of sweat that had formed on her temple.
::::::::::::
Jonouchi stood back and admired his handy work. He had hit the door several times and the wood was beginning to splinter.
But all this vigorous exercise was making him hungry. How long had he been in here? He could not be sure, but he could not remember eating anything since becoming trapped.
He wiped away the beads of sweat from his brow and decided to take a break from the door, to see if he could imagine up a beef bowl and a can of iced coffee.
::::::::::::
Seto raised his brow in amusement as he watched Katsu wolfing down the spiced, braised pork and dumplings.
"Have you not had time to eat today?" He teased.
Katsu looked up with her mouth full and blushed. Oh, crap! She was eating like Jonouchi. Shaking her head, she hurriedly chewed and swallowed. "I forgot my packed lunch and we had a gym class today. This stew is also really good!"
He smiled at her. "Cook's secret family recipe. She marinates the pork for twenty four hours, before cooking it slowly in a pot, with the vegetables and herbs. The dumplings go in last and are steamed until light and fluffy."
They finished their food without further incident, but Katsu was starting to feel a little bit strange again: it was the sort of feeling one might get before doing something they were afraid of – nerves!
She put it down to the possibility that she and Seto might share some intimacy tonight.
"Shall we take coffee in the games room?" He suggested. "And I will let you choose the game we play."
"Can we play on that old Atari I spotted on the shelf? I haven't played ping pong in years!"
Seto started laughing. How quaint that she liked the retro games. "If you wish."
Getting up from the table, they wandered into the games room. Katsu sat down to sip her coffee, while Seto set up the old Atari consul.
"What do you want to play first?"
"Tennis," she stated, definitively.
"I should warn you, I never lose," he replied, with more arrogance than Katsu thought appropriate. He had lost twice to Yugi, and used underhand tactics to make Yugi concede the game on the tower of Pegasus' castle. So, to say he never lost a game was bullshit!
"Except to Yugi!" She blurted, without thinking. As soon as she spoke, she regretted it. She had not intended to voice her thoughts so curtly, but something, or someone, deep inside her subconscious had bled through into her mind.
The look Seto shot her could have curdled fresh milk. "He cheated!" Seto spat, nastily. "I don't know how he does it, but I know it has something to do with that pendant he wears. He changes from a weak boy, into some sort of gaming genius. Whoever he is, I will defeat and humiliate him."
Katsu cringed. Seto thought that Yugi beat him by cheating? That was outrageous. Even without the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi was pretty much unbeatable at games. It was only really his shyness that prevented him from believing in his own ability. The Puzzle gave Yugi his missing confidence.
The other Yugi, who for some reason resided inside the Puzzle, had also been a great motivator for Jonouchi. Just having him there had fuelled Jonouchi's desire to win, and it had given him the self belief that he could be something more than a hired thug. The spirit had been good for Yugi and good for Jonouchi, but Katsu would not call it cheating. "I'm sorry that what I said upset you. But I'm also upset that you would accuse Yugi of cheating. I haven't known him long, but my cousin thinks the world of the little guy. He says Yugi is the most genuine, honest guy he has ever met. His grandfather gave him the Millennium Puzzle and it's his... lucky charm."
Seto huffed. "Lucky charm eh! Well, sooner or later his luck will run out, because I will not rest until I have beaten him."
"You really don't like losing, do you?"
For some unexplained reason, her words jabbed at his heart. She sounded genuinely saddened by his attitude, and it worried him that she might find that part of his nature offensive. "Bitter experiences have taught me that losers are swept aside and trampled on. I intend for Mokuba and I to never be in that position again."
This conversation was becoming too personal. Jonouchi knew full well how bad it felt to be a loser in life. And, while Seto had used his brain to fight his way out of the gutter, Jonouchi had used his fists. Katsu did not really want to confront Seto over it again, so she did not pursue it. "It's sad that you lost your love of having fun. To me, playing games should be fun! Come on, fire up the game and I will teach you to enjoy yourself," she grinned.
Seto gave her a doubtful glare. "It will only be fun if I win," he pouted, and started the game.
The little white dot pinged off his bat and she just about managed to ping it back. She nudged him with her shoulder and his bat missed the little white dot.
"Hey!" He scowled. She responded by poking her tongue out at him.
"Fifteen love to me!" She gloated. He failed to see the funny side of it and restarted the game.
"Fifteen all!" He gloated, winning the next point, and mimicking her by poking his tongue out at her.
Katsu giggled when she lost the game. "That was fun. But I think I need to practice."
He nodded his agreement. "You were completely hopeless," he teased, studying her laughing. The way her nose wrinkled and the dimples in cheeks creased, made his heart jump.
He gently took the controller from her hand and placed it on the table. He then reached for her hand and gently massaged it with his fingertips.
She stopped laughing and looked at him more seriously. Was he about to kiss her?
He leaned in and planted his lips, gently against hers. The kiss lingered for only a few seconds but it still made Katsu feel breathless.
Now he was gazing at her with lust in his eyes. His intentions were clear and it made her so nervous, she did not know what to do.
Part of her wanted him, but part of her was telling her that to allow this to continue was so very wrong. Maybe if she just let him kiss her and then...
Before she had time to finish her thoughts, his arms were around her and his body was pressed against hers. He raised one hand and brushed his fingers through her thick, dark blonde hair. He wondered if it was natural, or if she dyed it.
Maybe he would ask. But first, he wanted to kiss her sweet lips again.
::::::::::::
Jonouchi had been trying to summon his beef bowl for some time now. The canned coffee had materialised in a matter of seconds, but the food was seemingly impossible to create.
Damn! He thought he had it all worked out, but it seemed this soul room magic shit was more difficult to fathom than he had thought.
Pulling the tab on his canned coffee, he took a swig. Strange, that even without eating, he was suddenly feeling reasonably full. Did that mean Katsu had just eaten? He had not really noticed her moods and feelings since being locked away in his soul room, but something definitely felt... off. Maybe it meant that the spell was starting to wear off and that soon he would be free.
However, that might still take time to happen, so he should get back to work on the door.
He looked at it, and was sure the wall and the door were no longer as dark as they had been. In his quest to find the way out, he had been forced to confront many of his darkest memories, and they no longer taunted him or terrified him like they once had. Some of them had now faded completely, and although the wall still contained the dark side of his nature, he could just about see the door, shimmering amongst the shadows.
Picking up his axe, he went back to the door. If he could just get two or three good hits in the same place, the handle might break free from the wood.
::::::::::::
Seto stood from the two seater on which they were sitting and pulled her to her feet. She had responded favourably to his kisses. Maybe now was the right moment to take a chance.
"Shall we go to my private rooms?"
As she opened her mouth to answer, she felt her knees trembling. Should she say yes, or should she decline. Either way, she was almost too afraid to answer.
The decision was taken from her when the sharp pain in her head returned.
Letting out a blood curdling scream, she clutched her head and fell to her knees.
Gasping, Seto jumped backwards in fear. What the heck was going on with her? He had not felt this afraid since Gozaburo had first beaten him with his cane for getting an advanced mathematics question wrong.
Standing here gawking at her like some sort of useless idiot was not much help either.
Kneeling down beside her, he placed his hand on the middle of her back and tried to sooth her by rubbing gently in small circles. "Can you speak? What can I do to help?" He pleaded. Her back felt hot and clammy and the silky material of her dress was damp with sweat.
Unable to speak, she let out a pained groan and started to writhe on the floor in agony.
Oh My God! Seto fretted. She had started fitting. His mind was going blank, but it did occur to him that he should make sure her head did not hit anything. There was no furniture in the way but the floor was hardwood, so he took off his shirt and placed it under her head.
Gently holding her head, he waited to see if the seizure would pass. As soon as it eased, he would go and get the phone, and call for a doctor.
::::::::::::
Katsu felt herself being pulled and squeezed and crushed. Her insides were moving and changing and reshaping. Her bones were cracking and changing shape. The agony was almost too much to bear. She tried to scream but her voice had deserted her, leaving her cries soundless.
At first, she could feel and hear Seto, gently holding her and talking to her. But a dark red and purple fog was now surrounding her and the distance was growing between them. Something was pulling her in and there was nothing she could do to stop the underworld from re-claiming her only recently born soul.
May the Gods have mercy on her!
::::::::::::
One good hit the axe, and the door started to splinter. Jonouchi lowered the axe and reached out to try the door handle.
But what happened next was completely unexpected and Jonouchi was taken by surprise. Instead of the wood splitting around the handle, enabling him to give it one good tug to break the lock and open it, the door began to crack outwards, away from the handle, like a pane of glass cracking during a mild earthquake.
A brilliant while light was seeping in through the cracks, forcing him to shield his eyes.
Taking a step back from the door, Jonouchi stumbled over his dropped axe and landed painfully on his backside.
The bright light was becoming even brighter, as gradually, the doorway disintegrated, allowing Jonouchi to be bathed in a light so blinding, he thought he might be about to die.
Don't get sucked into the light! He told himself.
But the light was invading the room and filling it with such brightness that it was impossible to even open his eyes.
His reaction was to remain curled up on the floor with his arms around his head to protect himself.
Slowly, the light started to dissipate and Jonouchi chanced a glance at his surroundings.
The first thing he saw was the inside of someone else's thigh and crotch. Whoever it was, was wearing pale blue slacks and navy blue socks, and... Blue Eyes White dragon slippers!
His head was resting on a white shirt and Gentle hands were stroking his head. The shirt smelled of a cologne that he thought he recognised.
Oh... shit! He was looking at Seto Kaiba's crotch!
::::::::::::
Letting out an expletive, Seto dropped the head he was holding and recoiled from the person on the floor in horror. "You!" He spat, venomously. "What have you done with Katsu?" He was completely confused. Was this one of Muto's, and his stupid band of dorks, ideas of a joke?!
"Kaiba?!" Jonouchi shrieked, still laying on the floor. He had yet to look down at his attire, but the look of disgust on Kaiba's face told him that he was very out of place, and was extremely unwelcome.
"Ugh!" Kaiba suddenly spat on the floor and started wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. What the heck just happened? Had he just been kissing the Mutt?
Jonouchi's eyes widened in realisation. His lips tingled and felt slightly puffy. They were still moist, and he could taste someone else on them. It was a mild taste of cologne and coffee. It was at that moment he chose to look down at himself and saw the navy blue dress he was wearing. Without breasts, it sagged down at the front and showed off the lacy blue bra he was wearing underneath.
"Arrghhh!" He let out a shriek. "What the fuck am I wearing?"
Suddenly, Kaiba's hands were around his throat. "You've got some explaining to do Mutt!"
Jonouchi made a choking sound and tried to prise the hands away from his throat.
Realising that Jonouchi was going blue and unable to answer, he released his grip enough that Jonouchi could breathe.
Jonouchi responded by placing a hand on Seto's bare chest and shoving him away. "Get the fuck away from me! And put your fucking shirt on!" He picked up the shirt that he was sitting on and threw it at Seto.
Snarling, Seto hurriedly put his shirt back on: the last person he wanted seeing his toned, bare chest was the Mutt. "What sort of stupid trick is this?! How the hell did you get in here?" He snapped, doing the buttons up so hastily, he was fastening them all wrong.
"How the hell should I know!" Jonouchi yelled back at him. "One minute I was in my soul room, trying to find a way out. Next minute there was this blinding light and I was laying on your floor, with you groping me!"
"How dare you...! I was not groping you," Seto snarled. "An if you ever utter a word of this, I will sue you. Is that clear?"
"Do you honestly think I want anyone to know you tried to seduce me?! Fucking pervert!"
"Get out of my house, you cross dressing freak!" Seto went over to the patio doors and slid them open, pointing outside. It was dark, so hopefully no one would see.
Jonouchi gasped. "What?!" He yelled. "You can't just chuck me out looking like this! What if someone sees me? They'll think you and me have got a thing going!" He grimaced at the thought.
Seto growled. The Mutt had a point. "Follow me." He slammed the patio door closed and turned on his heel towards the door of the games room.
Opening it a crack, he peered out. Good, the coast was clear. Thankfully, apart from the kitchen staff and two security guards, the rest of the staff had been given the evening off, so there was no one about. Mokuba was not back yet either. If they were quick, he could get Jonouchi out of here without him being spotted.
Jonouchi felt very self conscious in his ladies undies, silk stockings and slinky blue dress. He tried to ignore the sensation of lace tickling his male bits. It was embarrassing, but there was something about ladies panties that was actually a turn on. He wondered how wearing a dress and ladies knickers could possibly be making him horny! Especially in the situation he found himself in!
"In here," Seto growled, opening the door to his bedroom. He turned to sneer at Jonouchi, who was standing awkwardly in his dress, and for some reason had his hands cupped over his groin area, self-consciously. "You look like a complete idiot."
Jonouchi's lip curled into a snarl. "Yeah, one you tried to snog."
Seto gave him a derisive snort and opened the door to his huge walk-in wardrobe. He pulled out a pair of trousers and a shirt that he no longer wore. "Here. Change into these." He threw them at Jonouchi and walked out of the bedroom.
Shrugging himself out of the dress, bra and stockings, he decided to leave the panties on – he told himself that he did not want the crotch of Kaiba's old trousers touching his nob.
The trousers were too long in the leg and the shirt was too long in the arms. But it was better than the dress, so would have to suffice.
Kaiba's head appeared round the edge of the door. "Have you finished yet?" When he spotted Jonouchi standing in his old clothes, he laughed. "You look ridiculous."
"Yeah, well you should know; these are your clothes. What about shoes? I can't go in bare feet."
"Can't you wear your stiletto heels?" Seto sneered, mockingly.
"Don't be a jerk, Money Bags. Find me some socks and trainers, or I will blab that you've got a thing for transvestites and paid me to dress up."
Seto growled. He would not dare... "What size shoes are you? I doubt any of mine will fit you."
"Size eight!" It turned out that Seto's feet were two sizes bigger, but after rummaging in the back of the wardrobe, Seto found an old pair of tennis shoes that he had hardly worn but had grown out of a couple of years ago.
"Try these." He threw them at Jonouchi with some force. Luckily, Jonouchi had quick reactions and swatted them aside.
Thankfully, they fitted well enough that Jonouchi could at least get home in them, but they did rub a bit. Seto decided to make him suffer, by refusing to give him socks.
"Now, get out! And take your dress with you," Seto snarled, shoving Jonouchi out of his bedroom.
"I'm goin! I'm goin!" He swung his elbow at Seto's chest, but Seto got out of the way and he missed.
As soon as they were downstairs, Jonouchi turned to go back into the games room, but Seto blocked him.
"I need to get my bag first, ya moron. It's got my keys and phone in," Jonouchi snapped, angrily. Grunting, Seto went and got it for him.
"Now get lost. And if you ever say anything about any of this, I will kill you."
"You think I wanna mention this?!" Jonouchi snapped, gathering his belongings in his arms. He looked down at his attire. "What do you want me to do with your clothes after I've finished with them?"
"Burn them." And with those final words, Seto slammed the door, leaving Jonouchi stood on the front porch, hugging his ladies clothing and shoulder bag. Luckily, he was able to fit the bra and stockings in the bag, but had to carry the dress and stilettos.
Huffing to himself, Jonouchi stomped down the driveway, towards the gates. He was not surprised when, as soon as he reached them, they opened – Seto was probably watching on the cameras, to make sure he left quietly.
Without enough money for the bus, Jonouchi was forced to walk. The shoes slipped a bit and rubbed on his heels and big toe.
Where should he go? He did not want to go home to his own flat, because of his father's possible reaction, and he was not sure if he could go back to Anzu's now he was a man again. The only place he could think of was Honda or Yugi – Yugi lived closer.
By the time he got to Kame Game, his heels were rubbed raw and his big toenail hurt.
Jonouchi is back! I had thought about them making it as far as the bed before he returned, but I'm not that cruel.
I hope you will all stay with me for next weekend's conclusion.
