Finally, I am back~! Now on with the fic…
Warning: None, I think.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
O-o-O-o-O
Kaiba stormed out of Yami's office with the offending jacket clenched tightly in his hand. The way he wrenched open the door which separated the staff's resting quarters and the club spoke of his anger as he headed towards Sakaki; equipped with murderous intentions and a glare that bore holes into the other's back.
Unaware of his rival's approach, the oblivious man was still gambling at the Blackjack table. Lacking concentration due to his inability to dismiss the image of the sleeping man from his mind, the inattentive Sakaki Ryuichi was not faring too well at his game. He knew he should have graciously acknowledged defeat and left the table but the need to pass the time until Yami was ready to see him, along with the distraction the game provided, was too great to ignore.
Foolishly, he had sought to preoccupy himself at the expense of his wallet.
Huffing with annoyance, he was about to order another drink when a figure came up behind him, casting a long dark shadow over his form and across the table. Turning slowly around on his seat, Sakaki was met with the fierce glare of one irate Kaiba Seto.
Speechless at the antagonistic presence of the CEO, Sakaki raised a quizzical brow; he wasn't sure if he should be amused, flattered or uneasy for the honour. To Sakaki, it should not come as a surprise to find Kaiba at the club but the fact that he had bothered to confront him was indeed, odd—or so he thought until Kaiba held out his jacket to him.
"I believe this belongs to you," stated the CEO frostily.
Shocked into further silence, Sakaki could only reach out slowly and reclaim the garment.
Yami…?
Trepidation prompted words to form and spill reluctantly from his lips. "How is he?" Sakaki asked when he finally found his voice.
The question annoyed Kaiba. It was obvious the bastard had been with Yami—to not ask for his whereabouts confirmed it. Furthermore, to enquire about Yami's wellbeing only served to incite his wrath more but he dare not show it. With forced composure, Kaiba calmly replied, "Yami is currently indisposed."
Sakaki regarded the man opposite him intently; there was tightness around the mouth that betrayed his indifference. Looking tired and pale, he noted with interest that one side of his face looked a little…rosy?
Sakaki narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"What do you mean Yami is 'indisposed', Kaiba?" he asked warily.
An unidentifiable emotion flitted across Kaiba's face briefly; Sakaki detected it but could not decipher it. His anxiety grew. "Where is he? I want to see him now!" he demanded angrily.
Folding his arms over his chest, Kaiba looked at the man before replying in a slow and deliberate manner. "I don't think Yami is any of your concern," he sneered. "Need I remind you, all social visits should be kept out of working hours."
Sakaki bristled at the rebuke. He knew better than to bother Yami during work but the need to see the latter, outweighed common sense and prudence. Where Yami was concerned, he allowed his heart to rule over his head and that made him reckless. The arrogant smugness Kaiba displayed whilst denying him permission to see Yami had pissed him off to no ends; it triggered a rare show of temper from the easy-going man.
In an instant, he leapt off his chair and lunged forward, grabbing the brunet by the shirt and tie; the acquired jacket lay forgotten on the floor.
"I want to see Yami now!" he ordered, his hand tightening the hold on the garment; creasing it further as he pulled Kaiba towards him. Their faces almost touched. "Call him! Call Yami now!"
A deadly silence ensued; eclipsing the usual din as curious eyes eagerly watched the heated scuffle.
"I don't think you are in any position to make demands or threats, Sakaki!" scoffed Kaiba as he looked at his assailant impassively, his manner unfazed by the sudden attack. With a jerk of his chin, two large men seized Sakaki.
Cold blue eyes filled with contempt looked on in amusement as Sakaki was forced to release his grip. He waited until the captive was subdued and attentive before speaking, "I hope you understand that threats and assaults will not be tolerated here, Sakaki. The consequence of your actions today has revoked your rights of entry to this club through Takaya-sama; you will not be permitted in here anymore. This is a lifetime exclusion."
Sakaki was rendered simultaneously motionless and speechless. He stood stock-still and gaping.
"Ensure my instructions are heeded at all times." commanded Kaiba to Sudo who appeared quietly beside him. "Subsequent failure will be your responsibility and you know what the consequences are, right?"
"Yes, Kaiba-sama," replied Sudo hastily, squirming a little under the infamous death-glare.
"Let me go! I need to see Yami now!" fumed Sakaki as he resumed his struggle once more. His resentment fuelled his stubborn resistance when he realised he had been manipulated in this club…again.
"Remove him from the premises now," ordered Kaiba, his hostile gaze returning to the face of his rival, victory evident in the cruel curl of his lips.
"That won't be necessary, Kaiba-sama."
All eyes turned to the figure of Takaya walking slowly towards Sakaki.
"It appears the young whelp has disgraced himself here," acknowledged the elderly man, disappointment underlying his words. "I sincerely apologise for his regrettable behaviour in this establishment and to you. If I may humbly ask you to grant this old man a favour. Allow me to take my nephew away peacefully and I will guarantee he will not return again."
Grudgingly, Kaiba gave a curt nod to the elderly man. While he wanted to have Sakaki thrown out onto the street, he could not refuse Takaya's request. "As you wish, Takaya-sama," he replied humourlessly, "I trust you will honour your pledge. You may take him away."
"Thank you, Kaiba-sama," Takaya said gratefully, with a bow. "You have my word."
With a slight dip of his head, Kaiba swung around and made his way to the exit, with Sudo obediently following him. "Make sure Sakaki leaves the establishment promptly. I do not want him loitering around and causing more trouble for the club or its patrons," he said as he paused on the threshold of the door. "…And do not disturb Yami unless he asks for you. I charge you with the task of briefing him on the details regarding Sakaki, with emphasis on my specific instructions. Understood?"
"Yes, Kaiba-sama," replied Sudo, bowing so low his face almost touched his knees; the action muffled his answer. The departing figure did not hear it; he didn't need to. He knew his orders would be faithfully carried out.
Leaving the club, Kaiba made his way back to the mansion in order to pick up a few things for his trip to Tokyo—like Sakaki he, also, needed to divert his mind away from a certain crimson-eyed male too.
O-o-O-o-O
Back at the club, Takaya watched Sakaki pick his jacket off the floor; noting his nephew's fluid movements as he bent down to retrieve the dropped garment. Despite his curiosity to know what Sakaki did to earn the ban, Takaya tactfully kept quiet. It was neither the right time nor the right place to ask. Likewise, his nephew did not say a word as he was reluctantly led to the underground car park. Sakaki could not oppose his uncle's order to leave the club, not after he had saved his ass from being thrown out onto the street.
The tension hung thick in the air between the two.
Once both men reached the car, Takaya turned around and confronted Sakaki, his inquisitiveness making him impatient in the process.
"What was all that about, Ryu?" he snapped. "What in heavens made you lose your temper like that? To make such a fuss, cause such a scene by threatening Kaiba Seto of all people?"
"…"
Takaya continued, "I heard 'Yami' being mentioned in the exchange, isn't he the manager of the club?" Even after realising who "Yami" was, he was still baffled why the young pup had lost his temper over him; it wasn't like Sakaki at all…
Unless…
It suddenly dawned on the older man.
Ryu couldn't have…
He didn't hesitate to voice his concern. "Ryu," he said gently. "Surely you haven't fallen for this 'Yami' person, have you?"
Turning his face away, Sakaki remained silent. The reaction confirmed the old man's suspicions.
Takaya looked at the younger man sorrowfully. He and his wife were childless so they treated Sakaki like their own, unconditionally doting on him and spoiling him. Maybe it was the reason for the immense disappointment the older man felt at the silent confession. Yet, despite the disillusionment, the latter had to admit he had never seen Sakaki so keenly concerned about a person before. His previous scandals and torrid love affairs were shrugged off with indifference when he was questioned about them. But this…this was different! Takaya should rejoice to see his nephew so willingly commit himself to a relationship, to feel this way about someone. If only that someone was not another man…and one that was connected with Kaiba Seto too!
He needed to dissuade the boy.
"Ryu, listen to me and reconsider! The best course of action is for you to return to your family in Tokyo. I do not think it is a good idea for you to remain here in Domino City anymore," Takaya advised
Sakaki continued to look away, his eyes focused intently on the ground. His face bore a sulky expression.
The desperate uncle tried a different approach, "How would I face your mother and your father, if you, their pride and joy erred in such a way whilst under my care? I would be eternally shamed—"
"I will deal with my parents—especially Otosan," Sakaki reassured softly, his eyes fixed on his uncle's in an earnest gaze. "I will inform them of my inclinations, so please don't fret for my sake, Ojisan."
Takaya's eyes widened. He didn't expect to hear Ryu so willingly defy his father for a man name Yami! He was rendered speechless with the other's unexpected bravado.
"Ojisan, I need to see Yami, please let me stay!"
Wordlessly, Takaya stared at his nephew and then shook his head in defeat; he could not refuse the boy's plea—irrespective of the unreasonableness of the appeal and against his better judgment. Maybe he was getting soft in his dotage, he thought grimly.
With a small smile of encouragement and an affectionate squeeze on Sakaki's arm, Takaya got into his car and left.
The solitary figure of Sakaki waiting patiently in the empty car park never looked lonelier.
O-o-O-o-O
Alone in the dark office, Yami reached for the box of tissues from the top drawer of his desk, wincing from the sharp pain in his lower body as he stretched over. Pulling out a handful of the paper, he gently applied them to his rear and thighs, wiping away the mixture of the blood and semen before disposing it in the waste paper basket.
Then with great care, Yami pulled the crumpled clothes back onto his cold body and slid off the desk and onto the chair. His backside throbbed painfully when it made contact with the soft padding and in response, Yami swore extensively at Kaiba.
Fumbling through the drawer again, he located the much-needed bottle of painkillers. Emptying out two into the palm of his hand, he dry-swallowed them—grimacing at the bitter taste of the residue dissolving on his tongue. He hurt too much to be able to get up and fetch some water to wash away the taste.
Slowly and carefully inclining into his chair, Yami thought back to the shocking event bought about by one insane lover—or rather ex-lover. It made him angry to think how he was subjected to such degradation and he cursed Kaiba furiously with names and profanities of all sorts for the subsequent humiliation he suffered—the humiliation and shame.
Yet at the same time, Yami was angry with himself—angry at the way his body reacted to Kaiba. He was mortified and disgusted! How could he enjoy the treatment, he asked himself countless of times. The touches were meaningless and cold yet he could not stop the betrayal of his own body and his lewd response. It only confirmed Kaiba's accusations, proving his depravation in the latter's eyes.
"Fuck!" he swore aloud in frustration. What was the man thinking? What was it that pushed him over the edge, made him act without considering the consequences of his words and actions? Just what did Sakaki say to Kaiba to trigger the attack? The "moans" and "whimpers" Kaiba kept referring to, kept repeating constantly, baffled Yami endlessly.
"What did you mean, Seto?" murmured Yami, pinching the bridge of his nose wearily. It troubled him immensely that he was unable to come up with an answer.
Annoyed with the treatment he had received and saddened that their relationship had come to a pitiful state, Yami pounded the desk with his fists. A few sheets of paper dislodged from the top of the neat pile and fluttered gently to the floor.
Yami ignored them.
Stiff and tired, the Game King painfully rose from his chair. Aware that he had to clear out of his current home, Yami thought it best to call it a day and leave work. It was pointless hanging around the office with nothing but the silence and memories for company. It tormented and haunted him.
Picking up the phone, Yami called Sudo. The call was answered on the first ring. Yami smiled at the man's dedication, it was good to see some things remain the same in spite of his recent upheavals. After informing Sudo of his decision to leave, he hung up. Sudo sounded as if he had something he wanted to say but changed his mind the last minute, biding his superior a "Good evening" instead. Whatever it was, it could probably wait.
Readying himself, Yami carefully adjusted his wrinkled clothes with trembling hands, smoothing out the creases in his shirt before tucking it into his pants. When the task was accomplished, he allowed a shaky hand to stray his neck. Curious fingers gingerly press the tender throat, the pain it emitted caused Yami to inhale sharply. It was still very tender. Heaving a sigh, the petit male pulled up the collar of his shirt to hide the injury then reaching for his jacket, he slid into it.
Finally, with a deep inhale of breath and an equally long exhale, Yami made his way out. Self-pity and procrastinating did not achieve a thing nor did it alter his situation. Yami cynically acknowledged the harsh reality. It was sadistic, cruel and obvious…
He had been forsaken.
O-o-O-o-O
The opening of the car park door warned Sakaki of approaching company. He quickly hid in the shadows, praying he would not be discovered as he pressed his body into the wall. The hard concrete felt cold against his back.
How long had he been waiting? He had no idea but his concern for Yami strengthened his resolve and amplified his patience. It made the wait bearable.
Body tensed and his mind alert, Sakaki spied the entrance keenly while feverishly praying the person he wished to see would appear.
His prayers were answered.
A familiar figure emerged into the light accompanied by slow uneven footsteps that clicked through the empty car park, the sound resounding loudly through the vast underground expanse.
Yami!
Sakaki broke into a run at the sight of the Game King, calling out to him in an attempt to detain the departing man; elation and relief at seeing the person, who had been so elusive to him, displayed visibly on his face.
"Yami! Wait!" he yelled, his voice rang out loud and clear across the distance, the words bouncing off the walls from all directions.
Yami froze. He knew that voice all too well despite their brief acquaintance. Right now, Sakaki was the last person he wanted to see and he was sorely tempted to continue walking, disregarding the call…if the need to obtain an explanation had not been greater.
Slowly turning around, he braced himself for the confrontation.
"Yami," repeated Sakaki when he came to a stop, his eyes drinking in his fill of the petit man in front of him. Had it been seven months since their last encounter? Though he lost track of time, he never ceased thinking about the Game King; it drove him insane from want. He craved for Yami like no other; it was heartening and disconcerting at the same time. Never had he felt this way before, not even when he was dating the most desirable and sensuous woman on the planet.
Yami was different. The man was a beautiful mystery.
He held him captive with those mesmerising eyes, those vivid crimson pools, which drowned him in their hypnotic glory. Sakaki was spellbound. Since the first time they crossed paths, Yami had fascinated him and with each passing encounter, the Game King had managed to steal a piece of his heart, crept into is mind and occupied his thoughts.
Yami had him ensnared.
Admittedly, such sentiments were foolish and laughable. How was It possible that he, the infamous playboy, the notorious player behave like a lovesick fool in front of this man? Yet it was refreshing. Never before would anyone dare mock him to his face, defy him and challenge him like this beguiling creature did. Unconsciously he would look forward to each meet with eager anticipation, knowing he was going to be stimulated, tested and provoked.
Yami…
He was here, standing in front of him, an arm's width away. If Sakaki stretched out his arms now, he would be able to reach out to him, to touch him—but he didn't. Looking at the man before him, Sakaki felt the joy of the reunion dissipate in an instant.
Yami looked pale and sickly. Dark circles under his eyes stood out like smudged kohl. The usually vibrant orbs, stared back at him, lifeless, dull and dead?
"Yami?" asked Sakaki anxiously, doubt and concern colouring the manner in which he pronounced the name.
The person in question noticed the change in Sakaki's attitude; he detected the note of astonishment in the voice. It forced slumped shoulders to straighten up and the chin to lift slightly allowing crimson to meet grey—daring them to manifest the pity he heard infused with his name.
It angered the ex-pharaoh.
Sakaki noticed the immediate change, the defiance in the stance and the resentment in the glare. He was perversely happy for the transformation. "How have you been, Yami?" he enquired as casually as he could. "I came back as soon as I could… I have missed you terribly."
Yami stiffened at Sakaki's familiarity and his sentiments; it increased his ire. "I do not remember permitting you to be on such familiar terms with me, Sakaki-sama. May I remind you that our acquaintance is strictly professional and no more, that is how I wish it to remain! Please be mindful of that when speaking with me." Pausing for breath, the Game King continued. "Now, since you are here, I have a question to ask you and I expect you to answer it truthfully…"
Sakaki felt the colour drained from his face. His mouth suddenly felt dry. Unable to tear his eyes from the other's face, he licked his lips and swallowed hard but the action provided no relief to his parched mouth. Sakaki tensed as he waited for Yami to voice the dreaded question.
"What did you say to Kaiba yesterday?"
Sakaki eluded Yami's question with his silence and it infuriated the other male.
"I asked, 'What did you say to Kaiba yesterday?' Sakaki!" repeated Yami, his voice sounded calm but the tautness around his jaw contradicted the effect.
Sakaki remained silent.
Incensed at the man's stubborn refusal to answer the question, Yami pushed Sakaki violently onto the wall with his arm, the sudden aggression triggered a burning sensation to shoot up his lower back.
Fuck you, Kaiba! the smaller man inwardly cursed, mentally rolling his eyes at the parody.
Trying his best to ignore the pain, Yami relentlessly pressed on. "What the fuck did you say to Kaiba yesterday, Sakaki? Answer me now!" Fury seeped into words that were edged with desperation. Yami glowered at the quiet man, his impatience overwhelming him. He had to know what was said because he needed to know if the pain and suffering he had endured was all worth it.
He was owed an explanation.
Surprised with the display of strength from the petit man, Sakaki stared at Yami. He was so close that he could feel the other's body heat emitting through the clothes, he could smell the other's scent, could see the pulse beating frantically in hollow of his throat...
Sakaki narrowed his eyes as he inspected the reddened flesh. It was marked. Marked with what appear to be tapered bruises. Bruises made with fingers wrapped tightly around the slender trunk. His fury flared up immediately, it ripped through his body and tore through his veins.
"Did he do that to you? Did he inflict that injury?" Sakaki avoided the use of that name. They both knew who "he" was.
Yami flushed red upon seeing Sakaki's reaction. The last thing he wanted was to be badgered by the other man about the incident. So he remained tight-lipped.
Unfortunately, Sakaki understood the silence as confirmation to that person's crime and he flew into a rage.
"The bastard!" he snarled. "How dare he—"
"How dare he what, Sakaki?" snarled Yami, pushing his arm against the man's broad chest and pressing the body further into the unyielding concrete behind him. Sakaki had no right reproaching Kaiba, the judgmental attitude gnawed on his frayed nerves. "Whatever he did to me is none of your business! Just tell me what you said to him, damn—"
"I told him that I loved you," stated Sakaki clearly.
"You what?" asked Yami credulously, taken aback by the confession. "Why the hell did you do that for?"
"Because I do!" replied Sakaki stubbornly, discouraged by Yami's reaction. "I have never felt this way for anyone before. Why can't you acknowledge that I am serious about you, Yami? Even Kaiba scoffed at my—"
"So you went and implied that we were having or had a relationship with each other, am I right?" growled Yami, his eyes narrowing as he stared menacingly at Sakaki. Now it made perfect sense…why Kaiba had insisted he was a cheap whore!
"I didn't need to imply anything, if he trusted you he wouldn't be jumping to conclusions. Neither you or he should blame others for his own shortcomings, I—"
A sharp crack was heard when Yami's hand connected with Sakaki's face. The sound reverberated noisily around the car park. It was the second time the Game King had slapped someone that day and on both occasions to obstinate morons who vied for him like some prized trophy.
It pissed him off!
"How dare you criticise him like you know him? How dare you come between us, imposing your petty sentiments onto others! Don't go spewing shit about trust when you know nothing about him or about me! I would trust him with my life!"
Sakaki laughed bitterly at the Game King's reply, the reproof stung his pride. "How could you still care for the person who is capable of hurting you like this," he asked as traced a light finger on the bruised throat. Yami bit back the groan of pain the action evoked. "How could you still trust him after this? Aren't you the one he supposedly loves?" Raising a brow and lowering his voice, Sakaki continued to entreat Yami with words of doubt and persuasion; coaxing the petit male with his passionate admission, "Surely you know that I care for you, Yami? That I would always treasure and cherish you and never mistreat you… Please trust in me and give me a chance. I will make you forget all this—will make you forget him."
Yami clenched his jaw tightly together. He now understood the reason behind Kaiba's change and the subsequent attack. Sakaki's ardour, his envy and his persistence must have triggered the other's darkness to rear its ugly head—and Yami knew why.
"Jealousy is all the fun you think they had." *
In this case, it couldn't have been more accurate. Jealousy brewed mistrust—it synonymously went hand-in-hand with one another. With Kaiba it claimed another victim.
Releasing Sakaki, Yami pushed off the captive and retreated a few steps back, his fiery orbs fixed on the latter's face.
"I have always trusted Kaiba unconditionally and he, in return, slowly learnt to trust in me. You have no idea how much soul searching and heartache he experienced before he could care and trust again. However, you came along and poisoned him against me and against himself. In making him doubt me, you forced him to doubt himself! It is clear to me that what you said to him resulted with this injury. You are too careless, Sakaki! You did not think carefully about the consequences of your words and actions and how it affects others!"
Sakaki was dumbstruck.
"Whatever it is that you feel for me, whether it is true love or a childish self-indulging whim, I can't reciprocate your feelings, Sakaki….and neither I do I wish to see you again. Heed my advice and let this be a lesson to you for the future; curb your recklessness and impulses. Do not behave in such a way that will cause others to pay for your foolishness."
With that said, Yami turned on his heels and began walking away, his slow footsteps echoing in hollow taps.
Unwilling to let the matter rest, Sakaki pursued the retreating figure. "You speak of foolishness, Yami! Whose the bigger fool?" he jeered at the departing figure. "The fool or the fool that follows?"
Yami chose to disregard the jibe; he wasn't going to be lured by his provocation and drawn into another meaningless confrontation. Attempting to ignore the threat of nearing footsteps, Yami strove to appear calm in his stride despite his inner panic. His heart pounded frantically in his chest.
On reaching his car, he slotted the key into the lock and opened the door…
A hand appeared from behind him and slammed it shut.
"Sakaki—" Yami began but strong hands grabbed him by the arms and spun him around. The latter bit back the cry that rose in his throat, his eyes tearing up from the pain as it stared fearfully at the assailant. His body recoiled from the contact.
'Yami?"
Sakaki immediately relinquished his hold on Yami; shocked by the shorter man's reaction as he examined the latter closely. Then it dawned on him: Kaiba's face, Yami's neck and his dishevelled appearance, it all made sense…
Shit! he thought with increasing dread. He couldn't have indirectly done that, could he?
Seizing the opportunity of his captor's confusion and hesitation, Yami hastily got into his car, locking the door when it was firmly shut. Not wasting another minute, Yami started the engine and pulled off in haste, the tyres screeched in protest to the sudden harsh acceleration. Soon the vehicle was out of sight along with it, the sound of the roaring engine receded into distance.
Once again, he was left alone in the car park as silence ensued once more. Stunned and speechless Sakaki stood unmoving, staring at the vacant space where Yami was last seen.
What the fuck did I do? he asked himself...
O-o-O-o-O
The Kaiba residence was dark and empty when he returned. It appeared Kaiba gave the staff time off, seeing he was going to be absent for a few days. Apart from security, it meant only a handful of staff would be required to carry out the household duties and they worked in the mornings.
Slowly making his way up the stairs, Yami frowned. He could smell Kaiba's scent; it lingered on his skin and plagued his senses reminding him of the good times…and the bad. Yami abruptly stopping in mid-step, his frown transformed into a scowl.
He went straight to the shower.
Hot water flowed unhindered down his body. Yami appreciated how it washed away the traces of his ordeal and lessened his agitation. Unfortunately, the bite marks and the bruises remained on his body but that would fade in time. It wasn't the physical injuries that worried him but the psychological wounds that scarred him; the ache that throbbed steadily in his heart, would that fade in time? Would it heal and disappear leaving nothing but remnants of a distant memory…like his ancient past?
Leaning his head and back against the cold wet tiles, Yami bought his arms up and pressed them tightly onto his chest. The action was comforting; it calmed the rapid beating of his heart and soothed his irritation. His earlier need for violence had long dissipated after the encounter with Sakaki.
Undeniably, he was still very angry with the KaibaCorp CEO, but it did not justify him trashing the latter's office or burning down his house in a vengeful rage; he feared the repercussions would only inconvenience others. Of course, having the fool beaten to a pulp would provide a slither of satisfaction but aside that it wouldn't change a thing; it wouldn't undo the things he did or the things he said.
The baka! Yami thought bitterly.
Thinking back, it was clear to Yami that Sakaki's confession had whipped Kaiba into a violent frenzy. The fact the he was unable to defend himself didn't help either.
It was typical! Knowing how Kaiba never did anything half-assed, it made sense that he would resort to extreme measures when expressing his displeasure. Like a petulant child, Kaiba would rather destroy the very thing he cared for than allow others to have it. The time he tore up the fourth Blue-Eyes White Dragon card to prevent another owning it was a prime example of his possessiveness. Yami suspected he didn't stand a chance when faced with Kaiba's crazed jealousy. Judging from the reaction, Kaiba must have cared a lot for him to lose control like that.
Betrayal. It must have been a big blow to his pride.
Nevertheless the idiot should have trusted him, Yami's obstinate mind insisted. He not should have been so willingly to believe others above his lover. He thought they had an understanding, a bond, which had strengthened through the hardship they shared and through the years they had known one another.
Has all come to naught?
"Baka," whispered Yami sadly, his arms instinctively pressed harder onto his chest as if to contain the sorrow from spreading. The pain from his bruised limbs made him wince. He had forgotten it was sore from being bound too tight. Looking at them, a new wave of grief and pain washed over him. He could not understand why he was not angrier with Kaiba, he knew he should be but he wasn't. All he could feel was a profound sense of sadness...
It confused him.
Shaking out of his reverie, Yami quickly washed up and got out. He still had the tedious task of packing to do; he might as well get it over and done with swiftly.
Returning to the bedroom, Yami pulled out his case from the walk-in closet and began to gather his things. Strange, he thought drily, seven months of living with Kaiba and all that he possessed was kept in one room. He didn't have very many belongings when he moved in so packing would be relatively quick and easy. The bulk of his things consisted mostly of clothes, some toiletries and a few personal effects. What he did not take with him he kept stored in his old apartment, which he continued to rent in case Yuugi would want a place of his own when he returns from Egypt. It didn't occur to him that he would be back in it so soon.
Damn Kaiba and damn Sakaki…damn them both!
When he had emptied out his clothes from the closet and had packed them neatly into his case, Yami went over to the nightstand. Opening the drawer, his gaze fell upon the small box of coloured condoms, nestled discreetly in the corner. Reaching out, he gingerly picked up the packet, his eyes staring at it unblinkingly. The scene of they boisterous dispute replayed in his mind and he clutched the box near to his chest.
Closing his eyes, he sighed wearily. "Why, Seto?" he whispered to himself. "Why did you go and act on your own without a thought for others? I trusted you... I..." Yami faltered, he could not finish the sentence.
Carefully packing the item in his case he continued his task. It was pointless to dwell on past now, whether he liked it or not, he had been abandoned. Kaiba had already selfishly decided his own path and his own future—it was one that did not include a former pharaoh in it.
It was just as well, thought Yami sardonically, he couldn't share it with one who showed so little trust in him.
So be it…
Half an hour later, the slamming of the front door announced the departure of its previous resident. As instructed by the owner, no traces of the evicted occupant remained within.
Yami's presence was no more.
~TBC~
O-o-O-o-O
A/N: So… Thoughts anyone? As always, comments are much appreciated.
On a separate note: Any Sakaki sympathizers out there? Anyone who is curious, not afraid or squeamish at the thought of a "Sakaki-Yami-smut" fic? Well, my sweet Tru Mel Meiko Mei Ling has written a "Sakaki x Yami" one-shot based on what could happen in "Misgivings" between Sakaki and Yami. The story is called "Irony."
It is a wonderful and entertaining read and I highly recommend it to you all~! So be sure to check it out, okay?
Thanks for reading~!
O-o-O-o-O
~ Otosan — Father
~ Ojisan — Uncle
~ *Erica Jong, Fear of Flying, 1973.