Author's Rant: Thank you, so, so, so very much for your participation guys. Please excuse mistakes until I correct them later. Enjoy the next chapter.
Introductions
"Why would you wait weeks after it's happened to tell me?"
Vivian was livid. It took a while for her to believe what Joey was trying to say in the subtlest way he could about Yugi's death. He was still trying to tell her everything, but Vivian being Vivian just refused to listen to reason. She's always been a stubborn one to handle. Yugi would often comment on it and earn a proper smack to the head for ever implying how thick headed she was. This had been one of those moments when she'd arrived to Kaiba's mansion after being picked up from the airport by Joey.
She was in the states on leave for the next two months. Her first mission had been to get all her friends together and celebrate her homecoming. However, this was anything but a joyous occasion. Instead of being greeted with the warm, cozy and hospitably atmosphere that'd been her second home since leaving Japan, she was welcomed with despair, anguish and a dark fact that she would deny until the day she died.
"He's not dead, Yugi can't be dead! I just spoke to him before I left for South America!" she shouted and continued to shout incoherently as large tears broke from her eyes.
"It wasn't easy for any of us to come to grips with it either, Viv'." Joey tried once again to be the reasoning one since Seto was lost in his own mourning. "We're still hurting. We can't even give him a proper funeral—"
"Don't say that," she snapped viciously, gripping the front of her chest. "Don't talk like you know he's dead. Do we have a body? No. Did the police confirm it? No. So quit implying all this shit about him being dead, and funerals and fucking being hurt, because it's pointless!"
"Get a fuckin' grip, Vivian!" Joey snapped back. "You think we wanna sit here and keep saying he's gone? Face reality for what it is! I don't wanna go around sayin' my bud's gone for good, but we gotta accept it!"
Vivian would burst hell wide open before she admitted to her heart's developing fears. Her emotions were fluctuating from one end of the spectrum and into the next. This wasn't normal. People don't die, not the ones she cared for. That kind of stuff happened to other people. For it to happen to Yugi, her overachieving apprentice, was beyond plausible. She'd watched Yugi grow since he was in high school, always the inquisitive type, asking questions about medicine, demanding to be tutored in his weakest subjects and never giving up when hope looked bleak for his future.
The red and grey short sleeve t-shirt she wore was soaked around the collar with tears; tears for an imaginary nightmare that would never exist. Dead, of course he wasn't. Yugi was her shining star; he'd been the first friend to welcome her into the states, when few others hadn't wanted to assist a foreigner. She had no money, no liable resources, a poor family and very little to her name. That hadn't mattered to him. Yugi gave her the clothes off his back and more and she repaid him with the only he ever asked for.
Friendship.
If that was the only thing he wanted, why would he die and leave her with so much of it left over?
Her eyes glared venomously as she chewed on her bottom lip until it burnished a deep red. "He was as much as my friend as yours, Seto!" she stalked over to the silently brooding CEO, where he sat quiet on the couch, face buried his hands, never having met her face since she arrived. Her slender shadow hovered over him like a void. "You think this is something I wanted to hear after being gone for half the fucking year?" she stomped her foot on the ground over and over. "You should've told me sooner. Damn it, you should've told me!"
Joey raised his hands. "Hey lay off him, will ya? It was hardest on him more than any of us."
"You," Vivian whipped her head around to the other occupant responsible for inflicting this emotional pain, "you're no better than he is! So selfish! Yugi meant as much to me as he did you and now . . . now. . ." This pain was too consuming, decaying her soul. Vivian's body started to tremble, her hands shook and the world became a hazy mix of colors. Yet, she felt anything but the meaning behind those colors because her true world was dull and grey.
"Oh God, Joey. . ." Vivian sat on the cough, struggling to breathe with her mind going numb. "I can't believe you're telling me this! Yugi isn't dead! He isn't dead! He isn't fucking dead!" Then why wasn't he coming down the hall to scream surprise? Why hadn't he been the one to greet her with Joey at the airport? Where was he now that was more important than being here for the reunion? If he was dead . . . that could explain everything.
"No," she wailed, knees fidgeting under her elbows. "Joey, no, no, no. Why would he—Yugi can't be dead. He told me he'd see me when I got back. He told me, he promised, he promised me, Joey!" The damaging agony left her heart wide open and raw to the cold truth. There was no way, no way her spirit could ever recover from this.
Joey propped down on the center of the couch and draped his arm around her shoulder. Seto leaned back against the couch cushion, draping his arm over his eyes. Joey saw the deep, heart wrenching effects Yugi's death was causing his friends. He closed his eyes and swallowed thickly at the sour lump in his throat. It was hard, being as strong as he could to help them through this, when in secret all he wanted to do was curl up in a corner and cry too.
"Why. . ."
Joey glanced over at Seto. The wet streaks escaping from beneath his eyes could melt the coldest hearts.
"Why does it hurt this much?" was Seto's husky whisper. "Is this what friendship does when it's stolen away? Cause this much agony?"
Joey stared distantly at the floor, the lavished décor of the Kaiba mansion and all the magnificent of the universe it possessed within its walls. He didn't realize he'd been looking for an answer until he heard a speck on his lap and looked down to see several droplets dissolving into his jeans.
Tears, tears from his own eyes. Joey touched the wet sadness and sighed. "I wish I knew," he said from between his friends. This wound cut too deep for them all.
"Yugi!" Vivian screamed like a tormented slave to her emotions, insides twisted and churned in knots. "It hurts," she sobbed and hiccupped. "Ow, it hurts so much Joey. I need him—I need him here!"
"Shhh," Joey coaxed her head onto his lap and stroked her black hair buns. Seto bumped Joey's arm as he eased up to his feet, white blazer jacket flapping open to his tear-drenched shirt. The brunet said no words, letting his department be his silent request to be left alone.
Joey cupped his hand over his eyes and dragged it down to his mouth. He tasted salt and the drip of his tears. Being strong was so hard. He wondered just how long it would take for all of them to move on from this. Could time was going to be their one true healer, if it could truly heal a wound that would forever bleed.
'He doesn't look quite as welcoming as the others.' Neo grimly confirmed to himself.
Perhaps it would've been a better idea to stay inside the Jeep until someone volunteered to take him back to the hospital. Anything was better than having to stick around someone who openly displayed his or her dislike for you. Just look at him, lithe as a warrior with legs as long as beanpoles. The way he held himself spoke volumes of his imposing authority.
Sweat was building in the center of his clenched fists. Neo wasn't so sure this was a good idea after all.
Yami squeezed his shoulder. "Be brave, Neo."
"Easier said than done," Neo mumbled to himself.
Heba gave him a great pat on his back. His face was close, and his voice praising in Neo's ear. "Don't let my brother scare you, my friend. He always wears that face, even at parties."
A slow smile formed over his lips and subtly brightened his face. "Thanks, I needed that." Neo surveyed his surroundings against beneath the sun's relentlessly flare. It was another chance Neo had to really see that many of them had totally stopped what they were doing to give him the same scrutinizing expression.
"Don't mind them, they'll grow used to you," said Heba. "They always act this way towards strangers."
"And they should."
Neo couldn't help it. He stared like a complete idiot. This Atem's voice vibrated in Neo's stomach like a struck bong beneath the ocean, shockwaves bouncing off the walls and collecting in the center. It was deeper than Yami's, way deeper, more gruff and commanding. If there was even the tiniest doubt in Neo's mind about Atem's power, there was no question about it now. He didn't only look the part of leader, he defined it.
"Anyone unfamiliar to these parts aren't welcomed with open arms," Atem continued crisply. "You won't be the exception."
Unfortunately, there wasn't a thing wrong with his English. He spoke it just as fluently as Heba, maybe better. Neo's nails dug small grooves into his fist. Frustration promised to give his head migraines if he caved in. He wet his bottom lip and looked off to the side.
"Now, that we've happily established you as the bastard of the family," Heba responded lowly, "let me introduce the rest of the family." Heba kept his eyes directed at Atem, the whole time he urged Neo—and Yami who hadn't lifted his fingers from Neo's shoulder—toward the rest of the family.
Neo cut his eyes away from Atem with enough sharpness to slice wet paper. If that's how the man wanted to play it, that's fine. As far as Neo was concerned respect should be received before it's given. He wouldn't waste his breath trying to offer his until the other party did so in return.
Heba bumped Neo's shoulder to get his attention. "You remember my mother."
Desta came forward with her arms spread and welcoming, "Karibu, Neo. (Welcome, Neo)" Neo took her outstretched arms and let himself be pulled into her warm bosom. She laid his head there and rocked back him like an infant. Two kisses were placed on his cheek and one on his brow. She cupped his face with a smile as lovely as violets. "Nina furaha wewe ni vizuri (I'm so glad you're well)."
Neo melted on the inside, chest so full with care for this woman. He didn't have to have anyone translate her tenderness for him. It was written all over her face.
"Asante, Bi Desta (Thank you, Ms. Desta)" he said.
Desta gasped pleasantly and giggled. With one more kiss to his cheeks, she allowed him to move down the line to the rest of the family.
The next person made Neo do a double take because of how balantly unique she looked from the rest. Not as bronze skinned or pale, but more in between in an almost light cream. She was thickly built, curving all around in hills and bounds of weight that suited her frame wonderfully. Her eyes rivaled a cornflower, but with a slanted gleam that said she wasn't the kind of person to mess around with. Her full lips were curled up on one side and she had a lazy hand perched on her hip when neo was placed before her.
She sucked her teeth, shaking her head. "Maskini mmoja, mdogo, nilifikiri ilikuwa ugonjwa kwamba alifanya naye hivyo pale, lakini hakuna, yeye tu inaonekana karibu kufa. (Poor little one, I'd thought it was the sickness that made him so pale, but he just looks near death."
"Shangazi, kuwa nzuri, (Auntie, be nice)," Heba sneered.
Neo looked between them, at Heba's pouty face and the woman's less then interested expression. The only side of her face turned as charmingly bright as the other half. She cast a look at her sister-in-law.
"Wewe walikuwa sahihi, dada. Yeye ni adorable (You were right, sister. He is adorable)." The women shared giggles.
That last word was easy to recognize. Neo grinned sheepishly as a blush painted his cheeks.
"This is my Auntie, Charlize Bello, the mother of my cousins, Anzu and Seth."
Neo bowed at the waist. "Pleased, to meet you."
Heba translated. Charlize gave her consented nod and smirked. "Na uso kwamba, yeye ni amefungwa kuwa na mengi ya wasichana hawa wanaojitokeza kwa mbegu zake. (With that face, he's bound to have these girls lining up for his seed)." Desta covered her fist over her mouth to stifled the burst of laughter that came after that comment. The woman down the way did the same, but the men all wore disgusted glares and annoyance.
"Mwanaharamu mwanamke, (Bastard woman)," one of the elderly men grounched earning some smirks and chuckles from the men.
Charlize shot a dark look down the line which the man ignored without a proble.
"What did she say?" Neo asked.
"A-ny-ways, moving on," Heba ushered to the next character of the family. That would the thing Heba hoped Yugi never learned. Yami met Heba's eyes with an equally disturbed grimaced.
The next person in line was the tallest of them all, with very distinct lines and high cheekbones on his angular face. He was wearing a black vest, dark grey jeans and a white sleeveless t-shirt. His eyes looked remarkably similar to Ms. Charlize. Neo wouldn't have to take ten guesses as to who this slim fellow was.
"This is Seth, my eldest cousin," Heba introduced. "He handles the financial bulk of a lot that goes around here, like stock purchases and trades."
Seth gazed peculiarly at Neo for the longest before he nodded and looked away. This one wasn't going to be as inviting either, Neo figured when he retracted the hand he'd held out to be shaken.
Next was a very pregnant woman and a grin worthy of reflective off jewels, it was so bright. Her hair was braided in countless plaits, wrapped a hundred times on top of her head like a crown. She was wearing a yellow tube dress that flowed like water over her ample bosom and hips and protruding belly. Her smile was crafty; yes, Neo could imagine her as a trickster. Her eyes were the same as Seth and Charlize, so that left her as the final cousin. There was a man standing next to her with an equally cocky arrogance about him too. He was wearing a crimson and gold trimmed robe, a sort of greyish loincloth and tan sandals.
"We've told you about Anzu and her husband Akefia. They're Bakura's parents."
"Ambaye si kusimamishwa kuzungumza kuhusu wewe lakini, (Who hasn't stopped talking about you yet)," Anzu said in a rush of cheery words that flew right over Neo's head. She held out her delicate hand. "Umefanya Enchanted kijana wangu. Mimi naona kwa nini, wewe ni kiasi cuter hadi karibu. Mimi nina Anzu, uganga kukutana na wewe! (You've enchanted my boy and I can see why. You're so much cuter up close. I'm Anzu, charmed to meet you)."
Neo smiled and took it, bowing. "Nice to meet you."
Akefia stuck out his bottom lip. "Cute ni yeye? (He's cute?)"
"Cute sana. (Very cute)."
Akefia unrolled his arm from around her waist to fold it across his chest. Anzu shrugged her shoulders and offer Neo a charming smile. Whatever she said must've not been agreeable with Akefia. Neo receieved a dull glare and an eyeroll from Akefia before he went down the line to the next person.
Neo knew them a upon sight. Desta and Heba and Yami had told him about the founders of Zambia Rancher, the two men who were strong and willful despite their age. Neo could see the strength in their eyes, the amount of heart it must've taken for them to create this place.
It was impossible not to admire their will. Two young boys who'd moved the world until it flourished and created this magnificent valley of life. Neo stationed himself between the first Bellos men and dipped down in a perfect half bow. These two, the original origin of Zambia Ranch; Aknadin and Aknancanon were the very people who deserved his respect.
"I'm very much honored to meet you both, Mr. Aknancanon and Aknadin. I've heard so much about you. Thank you for allowing me on your land."
When Neo cocked back up he was met with astoundishment and curiousity from the two men. They simutaneously nodded to Heba who relayed every word. After the final syllable was said, it was Aknancanon, the eldest surviving Bello to approach Neo and clapped his monstrous hand on top of the young lad's head.
"Kuwa na uhakika si kwa tamaa mke wangu, mtoto. (Be sure not to disappoint my wife, child)."
Neo nodded. Heba swelled with enough pride to rival a peacock.
Yami gave his shoulder a tender squeeze. "You're doing well, Neo."
"Thanks," Neo peered over his shoulder, gaze softening at his friend. "I wouldn't have been able to stomach doing this alone."
Yami patted his back. Heba blinked, thinking. A subtle suspicion arose in his head, but before he could ponder it, a nasty snort erupted his train of thought. Heba tried not to snarl back. No sense in both of the youngest Bellos acting like a couple of animals.
Heba plowed his fingers through his brown hair and resisted the urge to overlook his brother. And it was really tempting just to get Neo settled in without the drama that was assuredly going to happen. At least Yami was hear to help along with this. Heba wasn't sure he'd be able to maintain his proper host status when dealing with Atem's temper.
"I'll deal with him," Yami murmured.
Heba was too surprised to deny the request. "Pfft, have at it. Make sure you come back with your fingers and toes."
Yami retracted the flinch that almost revealed his anxiety. It'd been weeks since he and Atem truly shared more than a couple of sentences. Their home was vacant of any laughter, free of those special touches and glances they used to share. There was only room for the tension that lodged itself inside and grew thickest when they were in each other's presence.
He would see his finacee head on this time. For Neo's sake at least, Yami will try to be civil. He guided his little friend over and cleared his throat. This was a speech he'd been working on in english for several weeks. There was going to be a time when he'd have to introduce Neo to the Zambia's future leader anyway, so he practiced.
"Neo, this is Atem Bello, Zambia Ranch's future chief—"
"And his betrothed." Atem added with a nastiness that was intended to put a damper in this disturbing bond.
Yami's lips tightened. "Yes, my supposed betrothed."
Atem frowned at Yami, and the frown and his eyes both held a sharp kind of disgruntled contempt. Neo couldn't blame him for looking put off. Yami spoke those words in a tone in the poison voice that said he would've rather kept it secret—though it made Neo queasy to learn that his friend was the fiancée of this man.
Atem approached where he stood in a hasty motion, devouring the space between him and them in three long strides. Neo swallowed. Yami braced himself, muscles tensing and fingers clutching the ball of Neo's shoulder.
Atem's arm wrapped firmly around Yami's waist, almost crushing the breath out of him and he leaned towards his ear to hiss, "Whatever has you bitter towards, I suggest you deal with it. I won't have you disrespecting me in front of my family!"
"So it's perfectly fine, when you make a fool out of me in front of everyone, is it?" Yami hissed back.
"Bite your tongue; I've done no such thing."
Yami stared at him with his mouth open for a moment, astounded. "You can't be serious. It's all you ever do!"
"Is that what you think?"
"I know it is."
Atem chuckled bitterly. "We aren't going to do this here," he shoved Neo away. "You're coming with me." He grabbed a slender arm and roughly pulled the younger male with him. The action caused the unsuspecting Yami to stagger and lose his balance.
"Have you lost your mind? Unhand me now!" Yami bellowed angrily. "Let me go, let me go, Atem!"
"Yami!" Neo latched onto Yami's flailing arm. "Leave him alone!" He snarled at Atem, countering the stronger man's weight with his own. "You're hurting him!"
Atem stopped and turned to glare at the unwanted stranger. "How dare you," he loosened his grip on Yami enough to whirl around and cuff Neo by his collar. "Despite whatever attachment you may have to this man, make no mistake that it is because he belongs to. Me! I staked claim to him and it is I who'll come to when the sun sets and it is I he shall see at first light!"
"I don't care about any of that!" Neo winched as his collar curled into his windpipe. "He's my friend. I'm not trying to take him away from you, but I won't stand here and let you hurt him either!"
Yami wedged himself between them. "Let him go, Atem! Do it now!"
Atem squeezed a moment longer before slinging the lightweight to the side. Neo coughed and rubbed at the raw whip along his neck. His eyes were squint tight, barring off the pain in his chest and the ache in his legs.
"Neo," Yami kneeled by his side, and cupped his shoulders. Neo forced air to his lungs, coughing hoarsely. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm OK—Yami!" By the time Neo worked his eyes open, Yami was recaptured and dragged away toward the house on the edge of the village.
Being incredibly stubborn, Yami dug his heels in the ground and pulled in the opposite direction. It got him nowhere. Atem being the more muscular and the taller of the two was able to counter the force and watch, with bitter amusement, as lover's childish attempts to escape.
"Act your age you disrespectful ingrate," Atem snapped, as he hauled Yami onward. The uncooperative younger man continued his fruitless struggles. He was literally sliding on the sole of his sandals. "Walk Yami!"
"No, unhand me this minute, damn you!"Yami snapped back. He saw the hardening of Atem's jaw and inwardly celebrated at causing a stir in his lover. It didn't win Yami the opportunity he'd hoped for of Atem releasing him. "Stop manhandling me Atem—Heba, Seth, someone help me!"
Atem paused. He raised his arm higher, getting Yami to the tip of his toes, snatched Yami forward and advanced on. Yami lost his stance repeatedly, having no other options, but to follow or fall. His protests went unanswered from there. He twisted and pulled at his arm. Atem was going too fast—he'd stretched his stride wider on purpose. It was impossible for Yami to keep up. He wound up stumbling forward into Atem's back.
After catching his breath, Neo clumsily climbed to his feet and started after them.
Heba held him back. "No, let them go."
"Please, Heba, won't you do something? He'll hurt him!"
Heba shook his head. "My brother's many things, but never violent towards Yami. He'd cut his right hand off before he lashes out at him."
Neo mourned the idea and wasn't too convinced. He pleadingly looked to the other family members, noting how none of them made a move to go after Atem. Yami fought with him the whole way, digging his heels into the ground, pounding his fist against Atem's back and even kicking the back of his legs. Atem shouted a slew of words before he ducked down, grabbed Yami around his waist, and slung him over his shoulder. They disappeared inside the hut, Yami's shrieks as loud as banshee screams.
Neo made a tormented sound. "You promise he'll be OK, Heba?"
"Yes," Heba steered Neo in the other direction. "It's not our place to interfere with how a man or woman treats their significant other anyway. Come on, we need to get you cleaned up and settled in."
Neo was reluctant to move from his spot. The staggering footsteps were still implanted in the gritty dirt, some kicked up pits here and there created from Yami's thrashing. With a little urging from Desta as well, Neo made his way to the hut he'd share with Heba, his mind tossing back and forth, with what's happened today.