Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

O-o-O-o-O

By the time Yami emerged from his office, it was seven thirty. He had half an hour to get to the meeting place, which should not be a problem if the traffic was minimal.

The day had been thankfully slow, which meant Sudo should be able to handle the night shift on his own without much trouble. However, he had left specific instructions for his assistant to call him if there was a problem. The last thing he wanted was his employer to call him irresponsible along with the others things he had accused him of being.

Waving his goodbye to the staff at the reception, he left the building through the front entrance, deciding it was better to leave the car at work. If his previous "drinking-with-Jou" experiences were anything to go by, he knew he would be in no condition to drive afterwards. Since there were cabs readily available outside the club he would have little trouble getting to the meeting place; it was one of the advantages of working in a high-class establishment.

Stepping out into the street, the chilly air assaulted him and sent a small shiver through his body. He pulled the collar of his jacket up in an attempt to shield his neck from the cold. He had worn a turtleneck jumper to hide the bruises, which were still very visible, but the chill seemed to cut through the fabric and teased his skin. Yami hugged his jacket tighter around his slender frame as he quickly made his way to the awaiting cab parked outside the club. On entering the first cab in the queue, he gave the address to the driver and made himself comfortable.

He did not see the tall figure standing near the exit of the car park nor was he conscious of the keen man approaching hurriedly to another cab as his one drove off.

Throughout the journey, Yami was unaware he was being tailed. Staring listlessly out of the window, his mind had drifted back to the conversation he had with Mokuba. It had been constantly replaying in his head since it happened, making it difficult for him to concentrate on his work. The confession that Mokuba had sprung on him, had taken him by surprise.

"'Although he never said it, I knew Nii-sama loved you, I knew he trusted you with his love!'" Mokuba had declared.

The admission troubled and perplexed him more than he was willing to admit. If only… Yami thought ruefully. If only the baka had listened to him instead of making up his own mind, jumping to conclusions and assuming the worst! Kaiba truly was an idiot; a rash, single-minded and stubborn idiot…and he, Mutou Yami, loved him.

"Who's the bigger fool: the fool or the fool who follows?"

Recalling Sakaki's words, Yami sighed. He and Kaiba were both fools. How could they expect a relationship to survive on unspoken sentiments? They should have learnt to be more honest with one another instead of clinging onto the their pride and remaining silent. Kaiba had always maintained that actions spoke louder than words; his selfish domineering nature, which bordered on possessive obsession, when it came to Yami, indicated his feelings. Yami should have known it was the only way the standoffish man could express his love; he should have said something in return—it could have prevented the misunderstanding to a certain extent.

It was ironic that Yami prided on his ability to read others people's actions and feelings, yet he failed to see what was happening before him until it was too late. The signs were there: Kaiba's withdrawal, his silence and violence had implied their quarrel was more than just a lover's squabble. He should have seen the darkness lurking beneath the surface and he should have pacified it.

He knew it had begun with the appearance of Sakaki, he knew they had a confrontation that day and he knew the other was smarting over it.

He should have tackled the problem when it was still early, instead of allowing him to brood alone. The solitude he had inadvertently provided Kaiba had enabled the hurt and the doubts to infest the suspicious mind. For someone as brilliant and intelligent as Kaiba Seto, he sure was stunted when it came to expressing his feelings. Yami criticised himself for not staying behind to comfort the tortured soul. If coaxing did not work then he should have used other means…force, physical or verbal…it could have been worth a try. Even had the outcome been the same as what it was back at the club's office, he could have said he tried, but now it was too late!

Mokuba was right when he said they complemented each other. Only with Kaiba did he feel complete and contented—a feeling he hadn't had since he separated from Yuugi. With that said, even when he was connected with his aibou, he had not felt this fulfilment, this feeling of intimacy, of completeness that appeased his body and soothed his soul. It made him feel whole again.

But now he was alone and desolate.

Yami wondered if the call he got from Yuugi that morning triggered these sombre thoughts but no, it couldn't have been. The perturbing dream he had last night, probably did that. Settling back into the seat, Yami thought about that aforementioned dream, but was met with a hazy vagueness. He thought it might have had something to with his ancient past, but again, he was unsure. Unable to define the contents and its meaning, Yami cold only dismiss it as vision bought on by anxiety over the recent upheavals in his life, the reason why he remembered it was because Yuugi called straight after that.

Pressing a finger and thumb onto his forehead, Yami thought back to the incident.

He remembered being aroused from his slumber by the persistent ringing of his cell; it was what tore him away from that dream thus enhancing its elusiveness. With an irritated tut, he turned to his nightstand and retrieved the phone, activating it before placing it on his ear.

"Yes?" he asked tiredly.

"Yami!" an excited voice over the receiver greeted him, the static crackling loudly as it protested over the length of distance from where the call was being made.

"Aibou?" Yami asked incredulously, his annoyance temporarily forgotten. "Is that you? Is everything alright with you and Jii-chan?" Glancing at the clock next to his bed, he saw it was 3.03AM, which meant it was 8.03PM in Egypt. If this call wasn't an emergency then Yuugi sucked at calculating the time difference—if he even considered it in the first place! Yami suspected his other half had forgotten he was in a different time zone altogether especially if there were exciting news to be shared.

A chuckle could be heard over the choppy connection, "It couldn't have been better, Yami!" Yuugi cried enthusiastically. "We think we have found the tomb of the nameless Pharaoh… we've finally found your place of rest!"

"What?" an astonished Yami replied. It was all that managed to escape from his lips, his fatigue and sleep fled at the tidings his aibou bore.

"You never guess where it was!" the chirpy voice continued, the smaller Other Me was barely able to contain his exhilaration.

Yami shook his head in response, the fact that his other half could not see it did not occur to him.

"You know your body was never buried in the tomb that was intended for you, instead it became a vault for the Millennium Puzzle," Yuugi gushed. "Well, your body was found in a small obscure tomb not far from a certain Pharaoh. Oh Yami, guess who that Pharaoh was?"

This time Yami found his voice. "Aibou, you know it is past three in the morning here in Domino City, it is far too early for me to be playing Trivial Pursuit on the topic of Ancient Egypt! Have mercy on me for pity's sake!"

Yuugi's laughter could be heard over the lagging link. "I am sorry, Yami. It was silly of me for not remembering to work out the time difference before calling. I guess I kind of got carried away with my eagerness to give you the update."

"So…" Yami prompted, the other's enthusiasm was contagious; it made him curious and impatient to know the answer.

"The other Pharaoh was Set…or rather Seto…"

Yami was rendered speechless for a moment, however scepticism got he better of him and he asked warily, "How did you know it was my tomb, it could have been anyone's, right?"

Yami could practically feel Yuugi's grin as he savoured the knowledge before parting with it.

"You know the gold headband you wore that had the Millennium Eye engraved on it? It was placed neatly on top of your mummified body, as if it were some identification. Actually, your tomb was hard to find, it wasn't visible from the outside."

"Okay, so how did you find it then?" the curious man asked.

"Inside of Pharaoh Seto's tomb, there was a small hidden entrance which had an underground passage that lead to your tomb. We are speculating that Seto had intentionally made it like that so only he knew what it contained and had access to it. I know it may sound bizarre and far-fetched but if you saw how it was designed and built, you would have understood what I meant."

"I see…"

"So, do you want to?"

"Huh?" Yami responded in a stupefied manner. "Want to do what?"

"Want to come and see it? Maybe it will jog your memory and you could tell us why Seto had your body buried in his tomb."

"I will think about it, Aibou."

"Okay then…" Yuugi sounded a little disappointed with the answer and Yami sensed it straight away.

"Listen, I ought to go back to sleep now, I will call and inform you of my decision after I have given it some thought, okay?" Yami wanted to get off the phone before the subject changed from Atem to Yami. Needless to say, there were a lot of things he didn't want to mention just yet. The information regarding the change of address could wait for now.

"Yeah," Yuugi accepted reluctantly. "Well, 'night, Yami! Promise you'll think about it, okay?"

With a small smile, Yami shook his head. "Goodnight, Aibou," he replied.

The smile still lingered on Yami's face as he looked out into the bustling streets of Domino City, it would be gratifying to see his aibou after such a long time. He missed the other's warmth and tenderness; it would have been nice to have him near now so he could have someone to open his heart to. He would be able to salve over the turmoil in his heart bought about by Kaiba, he hadn't said anything to his other half because, it would have spoilt the happy moment; he didn't want to dampen the mood. The news could wait for another time.

As the cab approached his meeting place, Yami still was unaware of being followed. He was oblivious of the pursuit even when he reached his destination and exited the vehicle.

Sakaki was about to near him when a loud boisterous "Yami" stopped him in his tracks, the convivial way the man greeted Yami was obvious they were on friendly terms with each other. It would not do to annoy Yami with his presence in front of his friend; it might be best to catch him when he was alone again. So he retreated back a distance and blended in with the bustling crowd.

Watching the pair closely, he saw them enter the nearby Izakaya*. Slowly walking up to it, he cautiously peered inside. Yami and his companion were seated in front of a long counter, with their backs turned towards the main seating area and the entrance. They were occupied talking amicably with one another; it gave him the opportunity to slip inside unnoticed. He was relieved to see the place was quite busy, for it meant he would be well hidden amongst the patrons.

Heading towards the furthest part of the restaurant, he seated himself in such away that only his profile was visible, yet he could clearly see the two's back. It was too risky for him to be facing directly towards the Game King, in case the other turned around. Ordering a beer and some skewers of grilled chicken to an over-eager waitress; he sat back and began his surreptitious observation.

O-o-O-o-O

"So, how come Kaiba allowed you to come out to play at such short notice? I honestly, thought you would turn me down!" Jonouchi asked after placing an order for a few platters of grilled meat, some side dishes and a large pitcher of beer.

"Then why did you ask me if you thought I would decline the invitation?" Yami returned in a peevish manner.

It was a month into his relationship with Kaiba that Jou had found out about it. He had unintentionally blurted out his secret when his tongue was the loosest—he was totally drunk at that time, and Jou was totally shocked and appalled thereafter. The latter voiced his displeasure for most part of their next meeting, but much to Yami's relief, had grudgingly acknowledged it in the end. Jou was the only friend he had left after Yuugi had gone to Egypt for the excavations, Anzu had gone abroad to follow her dream as a dancer; and Honda…well, he became elusive when he started dating.

Yami would look forward to their fortnightly meetings, subject to Kaiba's whims and ability to incapacitate Yami before them, of course! Yami grinned at the innovative and creative ways the latter would churn out in order to thwart a rendezvous with the "mutt". It usually resulted with him being very sore and sulking for a week!

Nodding his thanks as Jou passed him a glass of the ice-cold beverage, Yami added, "Lucky for you, Kaiba is in Tokyo so I was free tonight." He didn't want to mention about the break-up just yet. It would mean a torrent of questions, he didn't want answered, fired at him—not to mention the "I-told-you-so" speech on top of the gleeful smugness from Jou.

"Well, let's make the most of that jerk's absence and drink to our hearts content without worrying about the possessive bastard's reaction. I still remember how he reacted when he saw you drunk and passed out the first time. It was so amusing!"

"That was because you took a picture of us, cheek-to-cheek, on my cell, sent it to him, and then called him on my cell to inform him that you were going to take me home and make yourself his 'hole buddy' if he didn't collect me in the fifteen minutes! He was almost an hour's journey away for heaven's sake!"

"Yeah, but he still made it, didn't he? It was so funny! I never saw the prick so panicky and dishevelled before!" the blond grinned mischievously.

"…And you got punched in the jaw for it, you moron!"

Jonouchi unconsciously rubbed his jaw at the memory. "Yeah, that punch hurt like hell, but it was well worth it! He ensured there was a chauffeur accompanying you every time we went out to drink after!" Jonouchi snickered. "Mind you, I don't see the usual guy around today. Probably couldn't make it at such notice, huh? Good, maybe I'll wind Kaiba up again!"

"Don't you dare, Jou!" Yami growled, jabbing a finger at the joker. "You can't possibly expect him to collect me since he is in Tokyo at the moment! I can manage fine on my own today, so leave him out of it."

"I am sure you can manage—if you don't pass out again!" the other chuckled as he took a swig of his drink. Yami thumped him hard on the back in response to his comment causing his victim to choke.

"Hey!" Jou spluttered in mock annoyance, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I nearly had that coming out of my nose!"

Yami burst out laughing; the sudden sound surprising his companion and shocking the man spying on him. Jou laughed with him, the ex-spirit's hearty laughter was infectious.

"So, Yami, what's Yuugi doing now?" he ventured after he had calmed down. "Last time he emailed me, he said he was on the search for clues on your past. Any progress?"

Yami shook his head, the action making him a little dizzy since he was drinking on an empty stomach. Nevertheless, it didn't prevent him from taking a large gulp before replying. "He called this morning to say he had stumbled on a find and he suspected it may have something to do with me. He asked if I wanted to take some time off and go to Egypt to assist him."

"And?" Jou prodded. "What was your answer?"

"I don't know yet," Yami replied hesitantly, circling a finger around the rim of the glass, his mind deep in thought. "To say, I am not sorely tempted at the moment is a lie, but…"

"But you can't leave that prick of a boyfriend of yours, am I right?"

Yami did not answer, his mood becoming sombre by the second.

"Ah, whatever…" Jou grunted, refilling Yami's glass and subsequently his own. "Let's drink our fill and be merry! The night is still young and—"

"We have work tomorrow!" reminded Yami with a chuckle, straightening up as their meal brought before them. "Though it is tempting…"

O-o-O-o-O

Jonouchi glanced at his watch with bleary-eyes; the figures 11.43 swam before him. With a sigh, he mumbled for the bill and fished for his wallet. The bill was presented to him and he looked at the total. Taking half of the amount out, he proceeded to poke the unconscious man whose tri-colour head was resting face down on the wooden counter.

"Hey, Y-Yami," he stammered. "Pay up, it's time to go.'

His friend remained unresponsive. With shaky finger, Jonouchi jabbed his companion again, only this time repeatedly and with more vigour. The attempt was futile. With another sigh and a grumble, he reached down to the other's jacket pocket and began rummaging in it. He pulled out a cell phone and a wallet. Setting the cell down on the counter, he took the required payment out of Yami's wallet and placed it on top of his before returning the item back inside the pocket again. Afterwards, his attention turned to the cell phone and he furrowed his brow in concentration. Something about "Tokyo" and "chauffeur" flitted across his alcohol-befuddled mind, but it was too vague for him to recall its significance.

"Bah, whatever!" the drunk dismissed with a wave of his hand and he picked it up and began to scroll through the contacts to find Kaiba. "L-lemme see…K-Kaiba…Kaiba… Ah-ha! Found you! Now…dia—"

"Yami?"

Jonouchi's head steered towards the concerned voice beside his petit companion. He was meet with a tall dark-haired man bending over the unconscious form. Disappointment at having his prank cut short mingled with relief that the jerk had sent someone to collect his intoxicated lover after all.

The prick did care, Jonouchi thought with a sniff.

"Here," he said, handing the cell to the chauffeur. Sakaki took the device; his expression spoke of bewilderment as he gaped in silence. "About time too,' he continued as he pulled his jacket from the back of the chair and shrugged into it. "Make sure you inform your boss to give him plenty of water should he wake up, otherwise he'll have a shitty hangover tomorrow!"

Sakaki nodded his reply.

Then turning towards his drunken buddy, Jonouchi gave the tricolour head an affectionate ruffle and bade the sleeping figure, a "Goodnight and sweet dreams." He staggered off after that, leaving behind a speechless Sakaki.

O-o-O-o-O

Sakaki had a hard time shouldering the petit man to his hotel suite. The sluggish man was not being very co-operative which made him feel twice the weight he was.

Managing to fumble his key card out of his jacket pocket, he slid it through the device; relieved when, with a click, the door was unlocked. Hoisting the drunken King of Games up again as he began sliding down, Sakaki opened the door and stumbled over the threshold.

Switching on the light, he made a beeline towards the bed where he roughly deposited his burden with a grunt before throwing himself, exhausted, next to him. Still panting from the ordeal, he swallowed hard; not quite believing the object of desire was lying docile next to him. Twisting his body around so he faced Yami, Sakaki looked long and hard at his prize.

Lying with his eyes closed; the Game King looked at peacefully asleep. Peering closely at Yami, the curious man committed every little detail to memory; he even counted the long dark lashes that fanned across the eyelids that hid the other's crimson orbs.

He is truly beautiful, Sakaki thought, as he raised a trembling hand to stroke a flushed cheek. The skin beneath his fingers felt velvety and smooth, it was flawlessness even under close inspection. Wanting to touch more than what he originally allowed himself, the daring man trailed his fingers gently down the cheek until it reached the ruby-hued lips. Tracing the soft contours and becoming intrigued with it by each second, the fervent urge to kiss them increased.

Bending his head down, Sakaki gently captured the lips of his enticer. It was warm and soft. Encouraged by the lack of response from his victim combined with his inquisitiveness fast becoming needy, he began to kiss the unconscious man greedily, claiming his lips in a feverish and urgent manner.

Not contented with just the feel, Sakaki wanted to taste him. He gently probed the luscious lips, parting them with his tongue. Aware his desperate actions would definitely wake the sleeping man; he threw caution to the wind and devoured the warm and wet cavern, releasing the pent-up frustration and desire he had suppressed within for so many months.

The exotic man tasted of stale alcohol but that didn't put the eager man off. Oblivious to the stirring figure beneath him, he was heady with being able to do what he had been dreaming to do for such a long time; his hunger exceeded only by the thought how perfect it would be if Yami would be more willing…more accommodating, if only he would moan his name…

"Sakaki…" Yami breathed between the hot kisses.

Sakaki paused for a quick second, unable to believe that he finally got his wish; it encouraged him to redouble his efforts towards the responsive Yami.

"Yami," he replied, his voice thick with desire. "I want y–"

A strangled cry finished off the sentence. Eyes wide in painful astonishment, Sakaki looked down to the source of his discomfort…

Yami had a hand gripped tightly on the bulge in his pants—and he was squeezing it hard!

Looking back at Yami, he was met with unblinking crimson orbs that glared lividly at him. An icy and unfriendly voice supplemented the look. "Unless you want the unpleasant task of informing your father why you are unable to continue the family name, I suggest you not to touch me again!" he warned before releasing its hold on the Sakaki's prized possession.

Muted from the pain, Sakaki rolled away from Yami, his body curled up in a ball with his hand between his legs, nursing his abused organ.

With a smirk, Yami got up from the bed and straightened out his clothes then without another word or glance at his victim, he walked unsteadily to the door and promptly exited.

The man on hearing the slamming of the door, groaned aloud into the ensuing silence.

Shit! Sakaki thought ruefully, Yami's mad at me again…

~TBC~

O-o-O-o-O

A/N: A more light-hearted chapter for a change, don't you think? And yes, I couldn't help adding that bit of Scandalshipping in there~! Sneaky Seto…

Anyho, here's a peek of what's coming up in the next chapter:

Yami immediately looked up, his stare fixed on the picture that appeared on the screen; it depicted the KaibaCorp CEO in the company of a woman, a beautiful and elegant creature with long pale hair, looking exquisite as she smiled sweetly at her companion…a slender hand resting on Kaiba's cheek. The image ignited a feeling inside Yami, an unidentifiable searing pain that rose slowly in his chest and enclosed around his heart; he involuntarily clutched it as the hurt grew with each detail uttered…

Interested? Mheheheheh...

O-o-O-o-O

*Izakaya—Japanese-style pubs