Finally, eh?

Haha. Oh this chapter was probably the hardest so far to get out. I had so many ideas in my head but I can't seem to get them written on paper. Don't you guys just hate it when that happens? It was going smoothly the first half but then came the dreaded writer's block (NOOOOO!!!). I really am sorry if this chapter doesn't seem to be humorous as the rest before (sniffle).

But still, here we are! The eleventh chapter (maybe a bit crappy, but who am I to judge my work at 3 AM in the morning? Who knows, you might like it :D)

As for whether this fic is going to be yaoi or not…let's discuss that at the end of this chapter, hehe.

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Chapter 11:

Complications

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Seto could only wonder if he was seeing things or not, because what he was witnessing right now was too good to be true (and maybe a little unnerving). Of all the six boys available, it was Bakura that Prince was acting all chummy with. The two started with their very meaningful conversation about their 'nightlife' (wherein poor Ryou had gone red with embarrassment and green with Bakura's very…detailed, though fake, accounts). From then on, the two have proceeded to talk about every sex-related topic they could think about.

Seto was seriously tempted to cut off their audio connection to avoid any pollution of his mind. Pegasus seemed too eager to listen in, much to the said CEO's discomfort.

"My most recent boyfriend was near perfect," Prince was saying. "He knew just where to touch me whenever I was having trouble getting into it whenever we have a 'tumble' among our bed sheets, you know? Ah…" he had a dreamy look in his eyes.

Ryou and Yugi looked disturbed.

"And his body! Oh, he was so fit…" his eyes strayed to Marik, "Kind of like Marik here, actually…"

Marik didn't know whether to be proud or worried.

"And his ass…" Prince sighed, still staring at the Egyptian. Marik shifted uncomfortably and edged closer to Malik (who gave him a suspicious look, not quite forgetting the grope he received earlier), afraid that Prince might be looking at his rear.

"Heh, my Ryou has the perfect ass. Trust me," Bakura said proudly, giving Prince a wink.

Ryou only settled on gritting his teeth while he received this onslaught of embarrassment. Oh, Bakura is so going to pay for this later. He'd make sure of that.

Yugi was feeling very blessed to have the only sensible dark side in the whole lot.

"A real shame he has no fashion sense whatsoever. I mean, I love him and all but seriously…the clothes he wears," Bakura shook his head solemnly.

Ryou murmured, "I'm right here, you know."

Prince laughed at the sour-looking light. "Oh, Ryou. You should actually consider yourself lucky! It's rare to find a partner as honest and sincere as Bakura here. That's the main reason why some relationships just don't last; no one speaks up about these little things," he patted Bakura's shoulder.

Needless to say, Ryou was speechless. The only person who looked almost as flabbergasted as Ryou was Yami. The pharaoh looked downright scandalized. There were just so many things debatable with those few sentences that Prince had spoken.

Oblivious to the other's expressions, Prince looked around and in a curious voice said, "Is Mr. Kaiba joining us soon? Where is he anyways?"

In the control room, Seto immediately opened Yugi's line. "Tell him I'm taking care of some things at Kaiba Corp. and that I'll be back later today, evening probably," he said. He had planned ahead to remain absent from Prince's presence since he can't very well leave Pegasus in-charge of looking over the boys by himself (who knew what the other man would do?). However, if everything turned out alright for a (long) while, then he'd meet Prince personally. After all, it would be quite strange not to mention very impolite, if he didn't.

Yugi dutifully followed Seto's words, "Oh…I'm sorry, erm…Mr. Dream. He has to take care of some stuff at work. He said he'll be back later this evening, and to forgive him that he can't personally meet you at your arrival. That's why he sent us in his place instead."

It was hard not to find Yugi adorable in his endearing politeness. Prince was no different. He smiled warmly at the younger boy and laughed, bringing an arm around Yugi's small shoulders. "No fuss, no fuss. Besides, I'm enjoying myself very much with all of you…I'm sure you can all keep me entertained until our dear Mr. Kaiba arrives."

Yugi gave a strained smile and sagged under the weight of Prince's arm. "Uh…thank you?"

Seeing his partner's discomfort, Yami moved and politely pulled Yugi out of Prince's grasp. "We're very flattered to hear that," he said smoothly, with a smile.

Prince raised an eyebrow as Yami dragged Yugi away and sat the smaller boy beside himself. A moment later, realization dawned in his eyes and he let out a hearty laugh, "Oh, forgive me Yami, I didn't realize. I was acting a bit too 'comfy', I suppose. Quite a protective lover, aren't you?" he said teasingly.

Much to everyone's surprise (irritation, in Marik and Bakura's case), Yami didn't even appear unfazed and only smiled apologetically. "Yes, I'm afraid I am," he said.

Yugi sent his other a look between amazement and gratefulness. Yami only grinned wider. This was almost too easy. He might not be able to indulge himself with the…unsettling acts and conversations that Bakura and Marik are capable of. But at least his 'sweet' and caring attitude towards Yugi came naturally, stemming from true feelings. The others were pure acting, which is possibly the reason why they're having too much difficulty in pretending to be together. Yami was planning to drown them in fluffy goodness.

This way, Yugi wouldn't feel embarrassed at all. Because everything was so close as to how they really act with one another.

"So…what are we going to do until Mr. Kaiba gets here?" Prince asked the others.

"Well…" Yami trailed off.

"You can give him a tour of the mansion, though I don't particularly care what all of you do. Just make sure to keep him entertained," Seto said in a careless fashion.

"You could just ask him what he wants to do, Yami-boy," was Pegasus' input.

Nodding mentally to himself, Yami said, "Well, since you're our guest for today, it would only be appropriate that you decide our activities. Kaiba specifically told us to make sure you enjoy your stay. So basically, you have us to cater to your every need."

"Oh, you make everything sound so formal, Yami," Prince said, though a thoughtful look came upon his face, "But in that case…I would like to wander around for a while. Though I think you should show me to an available guest room before anything."

This statement caught everyone off guard. Seto started stammering, "What the—a guest room? Don't tell me he's sleeping over!" the CEO's voice was getting quite high-pitched.

"Just how long are you staying?" Malik asked suspiciously.

"Well…father said I should stay for the night at least. So the jet could have some time to refuel," he said casually,

This simple answer confirmed the boys' and Seto's worst fear (Pegasus was the only one who looked unperturbed. The white-haired man looked almost pleased at this turn of events). Seto looked close to tears and was actually wondering whether Prince would be offended if he kicked him out of the premises when the day was done.

Yami was trying his best to ignore Seto cursing loudly in his ear (the latter probably forgetting to close his line from earlier). He could also hear Pegasus' attempts to calm the vexed teenager down in the background. "That's…unexpected…" he said slowly.

"It would be very…wonderful…to have you here…" Yugi managed a strained smile. It wasn't that Yugi didn't like Prince's company, in fact, he actually found the other almost enjoyable to be with. It was the whole prospect of having to keep up their act for one whole day (at least until they were allowed to go home) that made him less than enthusiastic about everything.

However, not all were successful in hiding their dismay.

"You mean you're not going to leave in the next hour or so?" Marik asked bluntly.

Hearing this, Seto literally punched the button to open communications with the Egyptian dark. "What the hell are you saying? Apologize to him, damn you!" he shouted hysterically.

Marik winced at hearing Seto's voice seemingly screeching profanities in his head.

"Speak up, damnit!"

"I…uh, I mean…" Marik coughed, "That's…nice…"

Malik felt ashamed with his dark's display of utter stupidity. Bakura looked incredulously at Marik with an expression that said 'oh yes, that was very smooth'. It took everyone by surprise when Prince merely laughed it off, even going as far as to give Marik a fond gaze. "Oh, you really do remind me of my past boyfriend! Always contradicting himself the next second, sometimes I wondered if he was just plain crazy. He always did say the most ridiculous things."

Marik heard Malik snort beside him.

Prince continued talking. "Now…" he stood up, "Why don't you take me to my room so I can get settled, and then we could immerse ourselves with a day's worth of fun!"

A smirk wormed its way on Bakura's face. A rather nervous laugh came from Ryou as he eyed his dark warily, "Oh, yes…fun. Of course…"

-----

With Seto and Pegasus giving them directions around the mansion, the group finally came upon the servant's quarters. Bakura was seriously thinking that Seto was too rich for his own good. He could fully understand a household having a guestroom or two, but a guest wing? And the cold CEO rarely even invited anyone in his home.

"Rich selfish egotistical bastard," he muttered under his breath.

"Bakura," Ryou reprimanded him, "Shush! Kaiba can hear you, you know."

"It's not like he can do anything to me," Bakura shrugs carelessly.

Ryou only sighed in defeat. "Maybe I should've stayed with Malik…"

The blonde Egyptian light had requested that he remain behind since he was feeling sore, most likely from the beating he got from Marik and Bakura the day before.

Prince suddenly cut in with a laugh, "Now, now, don't tell me you'd rather lie around in pain than go on this wonderful tour with the rest of us!" he exclaimed jovially, "I've got to say though, I still can't believe how intense the…" he coughed, "intercourse between Marik and him must have been to make Malik unable to walk. The worst I experienced was limping, and maybe a jolt of pain every now and then. "

The customary mischievous smirk wormed its way on Bakura's face. "They must have been performing some serious 'acrobatics' then, eh Marik?" he snickered looked at said Egyptian.

Marik, hearing this, immediately reddened and spluttered. He turned around to look at Bakura directly, his eyes fiery. "It wasn't my fault!"

Prince gave the one blonde an honestly skeptical look. "Oh?"

"Yeah," Marik said confidently, he glared at Bakura's direction, "It was his fault, but Malik still bitches on me."

Yugi and Yami, who stopped to see what the ruckus was about, were surprised to see Prince narrow his eyes at Marik. Their guest was looking at the blonde suspiciously, kind of similar to how Seto looks at Bakura and Marik all the time, actually. Slowly, Prince said, "Didn't you say earlier that you were the one who caused those injuries before? Because you 'got carried away', to quote?"

Realizing his slip up, Marik could only gawk in response, his mouth opening and closing though no sound came out.

"I…I mean, uh…"

"I think I can see what's going on…" Prince said lowly, looking intensely between Marik and Bakura (both of which were frozen in place). Yami and Yugi fidgeted in the background, thinking the same thing; 'We're screwed'.

Seto was once more panicking in the control room. 'Shit, that idiot's going to give everything away!' he made to snatch the microphone to yell at the Egyptian but he was beaten to it by Pegasus. Seto glared at the older man, "Pegasus! Give me that—"

Pegasus rolled his eyes calmly at him. "Oh get a hold of yourself Kaiba-boy. I'll take care of it…" and with that, he flicked the microphone on.

A pair of suddenly cold brown eyes finally settled on Bakura. "You're having an affair with Malik."

Yugi's already large eyes widened even more. Yami didn't look any better.

A choking sound came from Bakura's direction, "W-What?" he managed to say, eyes bugging out.

"I was wondering why those two were acting so jumpy when I asked them where Malik got his injuries…" Prince mused as he waved a hand at Marik's direction, eyes narrowed. "Now I know why…"

Everyone seemed to have lapsed into a complete standstill. Seto was the only one who wasn't affected by this uncomfortable silence. He turned to Pegasus, "Go! Before those idiots bring everything else out of proportion! Make anything up! ANYTHING!"

Pegasus didn't need to be told twice. "Bakura…" he started.

The thief snapped out of his muddled thoughts upon hearing the man's voice. There was another few seconds of silence before Bakura broke it. "I…" he said, gaining everyone's attention, "I…guess it had to come out sooner or later…" he looked down with shame.

Ryou looked at Bakura as if he had grown a dozen more heads.

He continued, "I didn't really mean it to go this far…Ryou was just being sensitive and I really needed someone to take it out on, you know? It started…a month or so ago, and just yesterday Ryou was being such a sissy so I went to see Malik. I kind of lost control in the middle of…it. Malik did say he liked it rough…ehehe…"

Yami found himself almost believing what Bakura was saying (much to his dismay).

All of them started when Prince suddenly straightened himself out, a hard expression on his face. "Well…this is your business. I hardly think I am qualified to meddle in your affairs. I am, however, concerned about Ryou," he looked at the white-haired boy. "I would fully understand it if you want to cut my tour short so you could speak to your lover."

Ryou blinked for a moment. "Uh…" his eyes darted to Prince and to Bakura, "Well…I don't really think that's necessary…"

Prince looked at him in shock. "You…don't?"

"I…uh…I'm a…very forgiving person…" Ryou said.

Hidden from the others' sight, Seto slapped a palm on his forehead.

------

Bakura and Marik both had very sour faces on as they waited in the hallway with a slightly red-faced Ryou.

The two darks had just been at the receiving end of a very hysterical Seto Kaiba's lecture. Yami and Yugi were spared from this torture because they were with Prince, helping him settle in with the room he chose. Ryou (though Seto was less then impress with his 'I'm a very forgiving person' line), was only told to "for all our sakes, just keep quiet if you can't think of anything to say!" The poor white-haired boy had only blushed and muttered a very soft "Sorry…" whilst staring at the ground.

The almost companionable silence was broken by Marik's slowly increasing snickers.

Ryou stared at the Egyptian in bewilderment while Bakura gave the other dark an irritated look.

"Now what?"

"You…and Malik," Marik said in-between snickers.

Bakura bristled immediately, causing Marik to laugh some more. Ryou, seeing that this could lead to yet another undesirable fight stepped in. "Uh…calm down Bakura," he carefully placed a hand on his other's shoulder. "It could've been worse."

"What's worse than pretending to have a relationship with Malik?" Bakura hissed, "Besides, aren't you, my dear lover, feeling even an inkling of jealousy that I'm supposed to be 'cheating' on you?"

Ryou blushed briefly but managed to hold his ground. "Well…at least it isn't Yami or Yugi…"

Marik nearly collapsed into a fit of laughter. Ryou was silently thinking he should've taken Seto's advice to stay quiet when he was at lost at what to say more seriously.

Bakura honestly appeared to think about this for a moment. That was a worst-case scenario if there ever was one. He almost shivered at the thought. "Damn…it's like a choice between the less disgusting of two evils," he muttered.

----

Yami dragged Prince's suitcase near the closet before turning to the said man, "Uh…do you want us to help you unpack, Mr. Dre—I mean, Prince?"

The other shook his head and smiled. "No, no. I'm fine. I'll just fix my things up later."

Yugi looked at him and said nervously, "Umm…well, do you need anything else? Or should we continue with your tour now?"

"Yes, I suppose we could continue…"

Yami and Yugi made their way to the door when the smaller boy suddenly felt Prince's hand on his shoulder. He looked up at the man questioningly, careful not to show how nervous he was feeling.

Yami stared at the man cautiously. That episode with Marik and Bakura earlier just jogged his guard up a few levels. Prince was clearly not any stupid mindless idiot. They were extremely lucky that he still remained oblivious to what they were really hiding (Prince accusing Bakura of having an affair was the farthest thing from what they expected the black-haired man to do, but nonetheless, they were relieved to have their secret remain safe).

A very composed and stern expression was on Prince's face as he said, "I want you two to be honest with me here…"

Both boys stiffened. Were they wrong in thinking that they've escaped suspicion already?

"Bakura and Ryou…are they getting along fine? With their relationship and sex life, I mean…"

Yugi merely gawked at him. Fortunately, Yami managed to overcome his shock and say (albeit shakily), "I…think so…I mean…yeah…"

"Please," Prince said seriously, "I know you can sense the tension and frigidity between those two as well as I can. It's obvious they're having some problems."

By now, even Yami was at lost as to what to say.

"Tell me…" Prince continued, "And I want the truth…" he paused, and then, "Is Bakura abusing Ryou?"

There was a moment of utter silence.

"What?" Yugi squeaked.

Prince's gaze hardened, "You can't possibly believe anyone could forgive their lover just like that after discovering his infidelity!" he half-shouted, referring to how Ryou seemed to merely wave off the fact that Bakura cheated on him, with a friend nonetheless!

Yugi gulped, "Well…erm, like Ryou said, he's a very forgiving person…"

Prince's brown eyes narrowed into slits. "So if Bakura had sex with you, or maybe even Yami here, Ryou would just shrug it off?"

A choking sound came from the pharaoh. He spluttered, "We are not having any sort of affair with that freak!"

"Freak?" Prince repeated suspiciously.

Yami stopped. "I…I mean—he's a bit rough around the edges…but, uh…he's a good person?" Yami felt like washing his mouth with soap after he spoke that part.

But Prince didn't seem to be paying any attention to him anymore. The older male had a faraway look on his face and his mouth was set in a deep frown. It was as if his personality just took a 180 degree turn all of a sudden. The Prince before them now was very different from how he was earlier; carefree, joyful, and full of laughter. Now he looked so serious and maybe even a bit…murderous?

"Hmph…yes, I probably should've seen what kind of person he was before…I was just too distracted while we were talking about sex…and judging from how he keeps exchanging those suggestive looks with Marik, he's probably screwing him too…" he muttered to himself. He briefly wondered what Malik would say if he found out his own lover is cheating on him as well. The two blondes didn't seem to have a very healthy relationship now that he looked at their situation. And that Bakura…

Prince felt a newly-developed deep loathing for the boy. He was a warm friendly kind of person, don't get him wrong, but if there was one thing he couldn't stand it was anyone who took their relationships and partners as some kind of trivial joke. He would have to change the other's attitude,

This visit might be more interesting than he thought…

----

"Oh dear…" Pegasus said as he, along with Seto, looked on as the conversation between Yugi, Yami, and Prince took a decidedly unexpected turn.

Seto cursed (something fairly common this particular day). If Prince kept hurling accusations left and right, things are going to get really complicated, really fast. Having Bakura pretend to have…feelings for Malik was bad enough. And now, by how things were going, they have to pretend Ryou has an abusive relationship with Bakura as well.

But it wasn't like they had a choice. They had to do anything, make Prince believe anything (no matter how downright ridiculous it may be) to make sure he doesn't manage to get to close to the truth.

Seto seriously doubted any of the boys had the acting potential to handle this. Hell, they were even having trouble pretending to be getting along with the other half of their souls for heaven's sake (Yami and Yugi were the only exception).

But if that was what it took to keep Prince 'blind'…then so be it. It wasn't as if he was the one who had to surrender his dignity by acting queer anyways. Besides, Bakura had it coming to him after that thing about him and Pegasus having children. The white-haired man had been giving him some very unsettling looks since the tomb robber voiced his disturbing thoughts.

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Oh, don't you just love making relationships complicated with all those love triangles/squares/octagons? XD (Even if the 'relationships' are technically not real).

Malik's on a break this chapter, but don't worry, he'll be back on the next one. I couldn't abandon my favorite character now, could I?

Oh why, why, why, do some of you think Marik/ Malik would be hard to do? (refrains self from ranting about the awesomeness of bronzeshipping). This pairing needs some love, people! (cries)

Ahem…anyways…on to the yaoi-or-not subject…

As I look at all of your enthusiastic responses…I've now come upon the final decision to make this (yes, you guessed it), yaoi/shonen-ai. What the reader wants is what they get! (a bit of yaoi-obsessed slaves aren't you all? Heh, but I guess I am as well XD).

I'd want to thank Bakura's Reflection for bestowing upon me this wonderful idea as to how I'd be able to handle our dear bishie's relationships. I am already giggling in anticipation. (Advanced happy birthday btw! Consider this as a present of sorts XD).

As Nemesis Jedi said (thanks for the in-depth review. I always love long reviews XD), this could the opening to a whole new world of laughing-ness (yeah, I know that's not a word).

I'm sorry for anyone who didn't like this fic to have yaoi. But majority rules. I hope you give it a chance even so though, who knows, you might see yaoi in a whole different light! I myself detested yaoi for a while before, just so you know. I even sometimes wonder how I came to love it in the first place.

For the rest of you yaoi freaks (I mean that in a good way!), consider your wishes granted. See you all soon.

And just to tease you all…there's gonna be a kind-of-but-not-really 'BED SCENE' in the next chapter. What the hell do I mean? Hehe, you'll find out soon enough.