Act II
Tsukiko's Video Store…
For the movie buffs at heart, this is haven for movies of all kinds. Everyone went to their favorite sections. Yuugi went to the cartoon/anime section, Anzu the romantic comedy, Jou the drama, Honda the horror, Otogi the action, Mokuba the mystery, and Shizuka the classics. Among them, they selected fourteen movies. This would take them through to Sunday. Life was good.
After paying for the movies, the group decided that it would also be a good idea to stop off at the corner store to get some junk food. I mean, what's a movie weekend without adequate junk food?
As they were leaving the store, a strange melody wafted through the air. Jou could pick up the tempo and felt frustration to it. He still hadn't gotten over the fact that he broke into song today and now that he could hear music, it felt as if he was going out of his mind.
He looked for the source. Jou's amber eyes concentrated on a blond woman and a police officer. They were in front of a car that seemed to be situated next to a fire hydrant. The officer was writing something in his pad and the woman seemed to be pleading with him. However, they were so far away that he could barely make out what they were saying. For some reason, the blond boy stopped, feeling compelled to watch.
A voice called out to him. "Jou, why are staring off into space." That voice belonged to one Honda Hirito. Within seconds, the rest of the group ran back to get the blond who was intently staring and some woman and a police officer.
The Parking Ticket (An operatic song that would most likely be sung at the death of an important character, also from the Buffy Musical)
/Woman/
I've been having a bad, bad day
Come on, won't you put that pad away?
I'm asking you please no…
It isn't right. It isn't fair.
There was no parking anywhere.
I think that hydrant wasn't there.
Why can't you let it go? ...
The woman grabs her clothes and rips them to reveal a Broadway black shimmering top with fishnet stockings. An old man was stumbling by on a cane. All of a sudden, the woman grabs the cane from the man, causing him to collapse on the pavement. The tempo picks up to an opening Broadway show-stopping number.
/Woman/
My alarm didn't get me up in the morning
And rush hour traffic was hell
I already so very late
Because of that, I missed the bell.
The woman started row-kicking her way to the officer. She made sure that her fingers ghosted over the officer's chest.
/Woman/
If I can say just one last thing
Your color is definitely blue
So if you want to see … a little more of me…
Then you know what to do
Don't write me up…
The officer just looked at her for a while. He then took out his ticket pad and continued to write upon it. "Not only am I ticketing you for your parking, but also I am also fining you for indecent exposure and obstruction of justice."
The police man ripped out the ticket and handed it to her. She slunk away, trying to avoid further embarrassment.
Honda slammed himself on Jounouchi. "Did you see that chick?" He guffawed.
Jounouchi's eyes widened. Finally, he had proof that someone saw the same thing that he did, a woman singing from out of nowhere and musical accompaniment. "You saw that too, right?
"Yeah." Honda chuckled. "Who would have thought that any women here would have clothes like that?"
The blond grimaced. Apparently, they were talking about two different things. "No, I was talking the singing. She was singing."
The yakuza-looking boy laughed boisterously. "Singing? You're nuts."
"No! How the hell did you not see that?" Jou clenched his fist, as if that would do anything to make him believe. But the blond realized that he was not alone with Honda. His other friends had stopped to see why Jou stopped. "Com'n guys. Honda's being an ass but you guys saw it, right? The lady singing?"
Anzu placed the back of her hand on Jou's forehead. "Are you feeling alright, Jou-kun?"
"So no one saw that?" The blond asked. Everyone shook their heads.
Jou scoffed in frustration and skulked away. But through Yuugi's eyes, the ancient spirit of the Pharaoh stared at the blond. He may not have had seen the singing but there was a faint whisper of power. Perhaps it would be a good idea to investigate this claim.
In his soul room, Yami found an ancient spell book and the Annuls of the Pharaohs to find out if there was something that could be attributed to either singing or the illusion of singing.
The party walked in silence back to the Game Shop, each to their own thoughts. Jou was conflicted between embarrassment and frustration. Why is it that he was the only one that witnessed the woman singing? Could he be going insane or does he just want to see them singing? If so, why is that?
Honda was looking at his best friend, Jounouchi. It didn't make sense that he would see the woman singing. Although, to give the blond credit, the outfit that she was wearing would be something that a Broadway performer would wear, he saw or heard nothing else to corroborate his friend's story.
Even as the party reached the Game Shop, no one made a sound. The silence was broken by Otogi's cell phone. Answering the call quickly and harshly, the dice master closed his phone and hung his head. He looked at his companions. "Sorry, my store just got a shipment and I have to go sign for it and put it away." He started to walk to his store. Turning back, he looked more intently on his crush than any other person. "You guys watch the next movie without me. I'll be back in an hour or so."
Honda saw Otogi looking at him, certain sadness evident in his eyes. There could be only one reason for such a look. Otogi was sad that he was going to miss the movie. But, perhaps with an extra hand, the two of them wouldn't miss much.
"Why don't I go with you and help?" Honda offered. "This way, you'll get done quicker."
Otogi could not believe what he was hearing. Honda Hirito, the object of his affections, was going out of his way to help him with work. It was like a dream come true, or a nightmare; he couldn't decide. It was bad enough that the dice master had this crush and could not express his affection. Every outing with the gang reminded Otogi that Honda was something that he could not have. But now, it just got even worse. Honda, through no fault of his own, was now pitting him in a situation where they would be totally alone. This could be a fantasy, the two of them alone where anything can happen and they could be riding off into the sunset on his motorcycle, or it could be hell, where Otogi would reveal his heart and have it stomped on by his crush's revulsion.
His mind wanted to say no but his heart took control. "Sure, why not. It'll go faster that way."
Honda nodded. "Then it's settled. Wait out here while I go get the helmets from out of Yuugi's closet." The shark-fin head ran inside, leaving the dice-master to his thoughts.
A thought came to Otogi Ryuji's mind. He was going to be riding on Honda's motorcycle, which meant that he was going to be in close contact with his desire and he would have to hold on tightly. One of his fantasies was coming true in a bad way. In his fantasies, Honda and Otogi were an established couple and it would only be natural that he would hold on to his boyfriend, snuggling up close and feeling that hard body against his own. But Honda was only driving him as a favor, as a friend. It almost seemed selfish but he reveled in the thought that he was given an excuse to get closer to him without arousing suspicion.
It was only a minute later that he saw a red spherical object come at his face. Reacting quickly, he caught the helmet thrown at him. "Sorry about that, Otogi." Honda apologized. "I thought you were paying attention."
The dice master shook his head. "It's alright. I spaced out a bit."
Nothing else was said. The two teenage boys headed to the motorcycle and drove off to Otogi's store.
Jou popped in the movie and plopped on the sofa, again taking up all the space on it. Not that anyone else wanted to sit on it. Mokuba and Shizuka were sitting on the love seat together. Anzu was sitting in the recliner and Yuugi, deferring to his guests, took a seat from the kitchen and brought it to the living room. With the volume blasting, the title screen came up "Revenge of the Teenaged Zombie Nerds". Dimming the lights for effect, the gang was ready to be scared out of their wits.
The motorcycle ride was the greatest thing in Otogi's young life. The ride was fast. The wind whipping through his body and hair was amazing, something he wishes he could get used to. Although he hated that he wasn't in a relationship with his riding partner, just the feel of his hard body against his was an aphrodisiac. He unconsciously snuggled up against his crush, just enjoying the moment. Unfortunately, his body also loved this. It was making the dice master's blood fall south and it made him nervous. What if Honda felt it?
On the other side of the coin, Honda could feel his riding partner tightening up during the ride. He would have to apologize later for going too fast. It felt like he was hanging on for dear life. And he could feel a roadie-boner from Otogi as the blood rushing from the ride. Honda wasn't bothered by it at all. In fact, it was a perfectly natural occurrence from motorcycle riders, especially if it's your first time, and a small price to pay to feel a rush like nothing else. He had Yuugi on his bike before and, after the ride, the tri-colored teen was so embarrassed, he didn't stop apologizing for thirty minutes, even after he told Yuugi that it was natural. Just imagining the dice master squirming while he was apologizing filled him with such glee.
It took five minutes with Honda's driving to get from the Game Shop to the Dice Shop. Pulling up to the driveway, Honda placed his feet on the ground to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, allowing Otogi to get off… the vehicle, I mean.
Honda took off his helmet and put it on the bike. He stood at the entrance waiting for Otogi to open the door when he release that the dice master was still on the bike.
"Otogi, I don't have the keys." Honda told him. "Hey man, are you going to open the door?"
The dice master did not move, too embarrassed to get up. On the bright side, he has learnt a new lesson; NEVER WEAR LEATHER PANTS WHILE ON HONDA'S MOTORCYCLE. He was having a hard time trying to think unsexy thoughts. However, his brain, with what little blood flowing through it, decided that it wanted to interpret what Honda was saying in a sexual manner.
The shark-fin teen came to the conclusion that the dice master was embarrassed of the roadie-boner. He walked over to his friend, who seemed to be trying to move away from him.
"Otogi, you don't have to be embarrassed. It's just a roadie-boner." Though it couldn't be seen because of the visor of the helmet, the dice master just gawked at him. How did he know about his b…. problem? And why didn't he have a problem with his problem. The way that Honda just dismissed his problem confused him, on top of the blatantly crude way to talk about it.
"It happens sometime when you ride a motorcycle." Honda continued. "It's nothing really. Guys get them at times. It doesn't make either one of us gay."
Otogi realized that Honda was trying to make feel better about what happened. However, he felt guilty because he let Honda assume the wrong reason to his problem. Nothing he could do about it now.
Otogi's erection was beginning to subside although there was a visible outline in his leather pants. Without taking off his helmet, the dice master opened the door with his keys.
"Hey," Honda called to him. "Aren't you going to take off the helmet?"
There was a bit of hesitation with Otogi and then the helmet came off. A full blush colored his cheeks. After fumbling through his pants pocket, the dice master opened the door with his keys and the two of them went inside. Flipping a light switch flooded the storeroom floor. It was kind of like Yuugi's store as there were glass cases but instead of cards, there were open dice that contained a monster or something. As they moved through the store, Honda and Otogi made their way to the backroom door. From there, there was a staircase that headed up and another hallway that lead to a loading dock. Otogi led Honda to the loading dock where there were dozens of boxes awaited them.
"These are the new dices that need to be sorted. Just bring the boxes to the front and I'll tell you what to do from there." Otogi told his friend, making sure to enunciate every word slowly as cover up his nervousness. Here he was, Honda Hirito, someone who oozed sex appeal, at least to him, alone with him, helping him move heavy boxes. No doubt that he'll become sweaty from the endeavor. Perhaps he would take off his shirt and then he would see those rippling muscles, Otogi was pretty sure Honda had them, in action. All of his mind's wanderings were continuing as the dice master was lifting the boxes.
But, you see, fantasy should not be mixed with manual labor because as soon as his mind went imagining, he forgot about the task at hand. This caused him to drop a semi-heavy box on his leg. Swearing loudly, Otogi dropped to his knees and clutched his knee. Honda put down the box that he was holding and immediately went to his side. "Are you alright?" He asked the hurt teen.
Otogi swore loudly. "Those damn things hurt when you drop them on your knees." It was like an instant to him when his crush was next to him.
"How badly does it hurt?" Honda asked. And then, the biker did something that freaked the dice master out very much. He began gently squeezing Otogi's leg. "Just tell me when it hurts."
Why the hell was this happening to him, Otogi thought. It was like some cosmic author was trying to mess with him and put him in unlikely situations that will only end up bad for him. Now his crush was feeling up his leg. Granted that he was only checking for injuries but still, how could this be happening? The dice master was dumbstruck. Whatever words he would have said before died before he could utter them. Still, he couldn't lie to himself and say that he didn't like Honda's hands on him.
"I think I'm fine." Otogi told him. The dice master tried to get up but falter as pain shot through his leg. It was sharp like tiny pinpricks and his steps were uneasy until the long-haired male was supported by Honda. It was then that Otogi Ryuji really hated that cosmic author. The scent of the other male was permeating his olfactory senses and the alluring body heat of the biker was better than any of his fantasies. The worst part, or the best, he couldn't tell, was that the dice master's tongue was completely tied so he couldn't protest.
Honda helped to the front of the shop and seated in one of the chairs near the counters. "Uh, Honda thanks." Otogi uttered a pronounced blush on his face.
"No problem, Otogi." Honda smirked. "I'd do this for any of my friends: you, Yuugi, Jou, anybody."
Otogi couldn't help but get jealous at that fact. Jounouchi Katsuya, if only he had definitive proof…. For a while now, the dice master was surreptitiously trying to see where the blond's affections lied. Did he like girls or boys? And if he did like boys, was it Honda Hirito that he had eyes for? By careful observation of his mark, he could glean nothing one way or the other. Without blatantly asking him, Otogi could not make a positive. And that's what really bothered him, more than not knowing whether Honda was gay. He could accept that there is a possibility that the biker was straight. After all, he did have a girlfriend before (Miyo was it?) and he did have some interest in Shizuka before Mokuba laid claim to her. He could understand if Honda wasn't gay or bi, but if he did have a soft spot for guys, then most likely, it would be for his best friend. And it wasn't him. That's why it was important to Otogi to find out where Jou's allegiance lied. If he did like the fairer sex, then there was nothing to worry about. But if there was any inclination that Jounouchi has his eyes on some man goodies, then it was imperative to find out whom. Rejection would hurt if Honda didn't like guys but it would hurt even more if he did stand a chance and was rejected anyways.
He was brought back to the present by a wave of his friend's hand. "Are you alright?" Honda asked.
"Yeah, just thinking about something." Otogi was still distant. There was no point in obsessing over it. It would just plague him incessantly. Perhaps it was time to try and find another person to love… someone that was sure to love him back.
The biker, seeing that his friend was in pain, left him to his thoughts to go look for some ice. For some reason, he felt as if Otogi's eyes were on him. Granted that he was the only one in the store, it just made him feel like something weird was happening behind his back.
For some time now, he had been feeling that he was being watched but whenever he turned around, there was Otogi. It never made any sense. Why? Because whenever he started looking, the dice master's attention was on Jou. It was strange. His ebony-haired friend looked like he was taking mental notes for some sort of subject … and the subject was Jounouchi Katsuya. And that was the strangest thing … Why would Otogi study Jou? The only way that that even make sense was if…. Wait! Could it possibly mean that…? Otogi was gay? And in love with Jou?
It was strange to say the least. He had never had someone who was homosexual as a friend. But then again, his circle of friends was very limited. Not that he had a problem with homosexuality… whatever someone did on their own time in their own bedroom was their own business. However, that was only because people who were homosexuals were distant from him. But the possibility of Otogi and Jou being gay raced through his mind. The one question that he had to ask was, "Why hadn't either of them told him that they were like that?" Otogi, he could understand. They just recently started a friendship a while ago. It would make plain sense that he wouldn't trust him with that information… yet. But Jou… that's another story. He and Jou have been friends ever since becoming part of that street gang. They always looked out for each other's back. Honda would like to think that he knew everything about his friend. But if Jou was hiding this secret from him (the key word, of course, being if), then it was something about him that he didn't know. And that hurt him most of all.
Honda couldn't wrap his mind around the thought that two of his friends could be gay, so he stopped thinking about it. Better to deal with it should it come up. He continued carting the boxes to the front.
Otogi, noticing that Honda was doing all the work, decided to get up and help with the boxes. A dull ache shot through his leg but he ignored it.
Mokuba's phone was vibrating. Most likely, it was his brother. He loved his brother with all of his being but sometimes, he could be a mother hen. Ok, so he was kidnapped multiple times, but still, it still was irritating to continually check in when he hasn't done anything noteworthy to report. Seto had good intentions but Mokuba realized early on when he started dating Shizuka that Seto had a problem with letting go. This was bad, coupled with the fact that he was dating the sister of a rival of his brother's. Well, rival is stretching the word too liberally. Rival means that they were on equal ground which they most certainly are not. Mokuba remembers the first time that he introduced his girlfriend to his brother. There was a mix of anger, betrayal, and disdain… dashed with cordiality and restraint. Fortunately, if Shizuka noticed it, she didn't comment on it.
He looked at the girl that was sitting next to him. She was utterly perfect. Perhaps the reason that Seto was always checking up on him is that she's related to Jounouchi Katsuya. Perhaps, he thought that some of the blond's, what his brother would classify as, bad qualities were inherited. He never knew why Seto treated the blond with disrespect but something had to have happened to set him off. His brother, from his personal experiences, doesn't waste his time with lost or pointless causes. So whatever the reason, it had to be a good one.
Mokuba couldn't fathom what that was and Seto sometimes isn't the easiest person with which to have a conversation, especially if it's about feelings. And, as long as it was not destroying him in any way, Mokuba just left it alone.
"Holy …." Jounouchi shouted, disrupting Mokuba's thinking flow. "Did you see that?"
Mokuba, too lost in his contemplation, just missed the part where the protagonist blew a hole into one of the zombie's head. Dammit, no more thinking…..
In twenty minutes, the boxes were moved.
Honda wiped his brow and stretched. "I'm glad that that's done."
Otogi, momentarily distracted by the stretch, agreed. "The next part is easy." The dice master instructed. "Inside the boxes are color-colored bags. They represent the color of the dice. Just match them in the display case and then we're done."
Honda nodded and the two of them worked on clearing out the boxes of its contents. Two hands made the job so much quicker and in ten minutes, they were down to the last box. When the both of them reached for some of the bags in the box, the biker and the dice master's hands touched. They both stopped what they were doing. Otogi pulled back his hands like he was burnt while Honda kept his hand right where they were.
"Are you alright, Otogi?" He asked, noticing the pink stain on his cheek.
"Uh, yeah." The dice master responded quickly. "I just felt a shock. That's all." It wasn't a complete lie. There was no electrical shock but there was one that made his heart flutter. Though the point should have been moot when he cuddled up against him during their ride to the shop, there was something about skin to skin contact that made him hear the Carpenters' Song Close to You. He was acting too much like a giddy schoolgirl next to his crush and it's starting to cause problems. Damn attachment!
Honda looked at his companion and knew that he was hiding something. Perhaps he was right in thinking that Otogi was gay…. Then that would mean….
The biker wasn't prepared for this. It kind of freaked him out. Someone close had a crush on him, him Honda Hirito. He had no idea how to act. Whatever answer he gives would change the nature of his relationship with Otogi.
Honda had always considered himself straight. Beyond the musings of what celebrity he would sleep with if he were gay, the biker never questioned it. This was beyond overload. Right now, he couldn't deal with it.
The last box was finished without any more slipups. Otogi was closing up shop when Honda realized that he would have to drive the dice master back to the Game Shop. That would be bad with this new information bombarding him. However, he didn't want to make it show so that Otogi knows that there is nothing different between them. At least he can pretend now. What happens should he confess later… well, that's a different story.
Honda would have felt his palms sweat if they weren't gloved as he sat on his bike and grabbed the handles. His passenger sat behind him and grabbed on tentatively. There was something different in Honda's behavior but he decided not to question it. Best to let it go.
The drive took longer than the ride coming to Otogi's store. Honda didn't want to excite the dice master just in case there was more to his roadie-boner than just the feel of the motorcycle. Plus, it would probably spook him into crashing and he didn't want to die right now. So he only accelerated enough to keep to the speed limit.
They made it eventually and Honda pulled into the driveway. He just wanted to take off his helmet and get back inside so he didn't have to confront Otogi right now. Movies would take his mind off of the happenings right now. He wasn't ready to deal with this now.
Otogi saw Honda move towards the door when some force compelled him to call out to him. "Honda!" It was kind of a soft whisper with a pleading edge to it. And it caught the attention of the bearer of that name
"Yeah?" The teen with the yakuza style hairdo asked.
Just Look My Way
(A smooth R & B song)
/Ryuji/
Every time I look at you, my heart beats just a little faster
And I don't know why it is but just makes me feel …
And every time you pass by, you make my eye to wander
How do you compete with something like that?
And I just want know that I mean something to you
I just want to know I am on your mind
Let me be the one you come running to
Please, I just want your love
I don't know why I feel this way. It makes no sense
But I know that I don't give this feeling up
You may not feel the same but my heart doesn't understand
Please, give me a favorable answer.
And I just want to know that you feel the same way.
I just want to know that I'm in your heart.
Let me be the one that keeps you safe
Please, I just want your love
Although the action flick was on full blast, Jounouchi could still hear music coming from outside. It's been like this all day. Every once in a while, people would pass by the shop window, singing their conversations. In the hour that passed by, he heard a song about getting ice cream, homework, climbing the corporate ladder, and even a break up song. Now, it seems that someone is proclaiming his love to someone. The voice sounded familiar. Curiosity got the best of him and so, he went to look.
When he did, the blond immediately wish he didn't. He could hear the pleading edge of Otogi Ryuji singing a love confession to his best friend, Honda Hirito. Honda looked dumbstruck, like he couldn't believe what was happening. As much as he didn't want to listen anymore, Jou couldn't move away. Observing on, he watched as the dice master reached his crescendo.
Don't… turn me away….
I want you to stay… with me
It may not be what's natural to everyone
But being without you would kill me inside
And I just want to know that I mean something to you
I just want to know I am on your mind
Will you be the one that I can run to?
Please, I just want….
Otogi moved in closer until his and Honda's noses touched. Looking into brown eyes that seemed transfixed on his face in shock, confusion and what was he hoped was expectancy, the dice master took a quick breath and closed his eyes. Before either of them realized it, the ebony haired teen pressed their lips together.
Honda had no idea what was going on. One minute, Otogi was speaking to him and then he was kissing him. His eyes were transfixed on the head of hair that was attached to the head of the lips that were kissing him. Why him? How did this make him feel?
After what seemed like an eternity, Otogi pulled away and opened his eyes, a crooked and shaky half-smile forming on his lip. Hope shun in his eyes, waiting for a favorable answer. All he got was a stupefied look back. An awkward silence passed between them. Otogi didn't know what to do.
The awkwardness was broken by Jounouchi opening the door. Like the child with his hand caught in the cookie jar, both teens looked at the blond with wide-eyes. No one said anything for a few moments.
"Are the two of you going to come inside?" Jou asked.
Honda nodded and, with a skittish demeanor, walked past the blond, not even acknowledging him. Otogi passed a few seconds after with a downcast countenance. Jou closed the door after him.
Yuugi, after seeing his friends enter the living room, tried to greet them but all he got were silent looks. Honda sat as far away from Otogi as possible, landing him next to Mokuba and Shizuka. The dice master sat by himself on the floor next to the recliner. Jou, however, tapped on the shoulder of his tri-colored hair friend.
"Yuugi, can I speak to you in private?" The blond asked in a voice no more than a whisper.
Yuugi nodded and the two left the living room in favor of the shop.
Anzu watched as Yuugi left. In all honesty, she really wasn't paying attention to the movie as much as she was paying attention to her friend. Her mind said that this was her best friend and she had no right to encroach on uncharted territories. But her heart refused to listen. It was getting so bad that she was mentally measuring Yuugi, studying every dip and angle on his face. If she had any artistic ability, she would draw a very realistic and lifelike picture.
There was no reason to why she felt this way, at least a reason she could figure out. Perhaps it was because he was always around. It doesn't matter really. But then again, there was more than one side to him. She saw it whenever he dueled. It was more than just a boost of confidence. It was as if he had become a different person. Yuugi once said that an ancient pharaoh inhabited his body. An outsider would think that the spiky haired teen was a candidate for the loony bin but, having seen this Yuugi in action on more than one occasion, Anzu was beginning to believe that there was some kernel of truth to what he was saying. This brings us full circle to her dilemma. IF she was in love with Yuugi, was it because of who he is or who he becomes.
Jou did a lot of pacing. He was trying to find a way to convey the idea that there was something strange that only he could see. After realizing that none of his friends could see the woman with the parking ticket singing, the blond came to the conclusion that he was either going insane or that no one else could see it. So he was going for his Hail Mary. Yuugi, ever since Pegasus J. Crawford was able to take his grandfather's soul, has been thrust into a world of magic and monsters. If anyone could figure out if this has something to do with magic, it would be Yuugi. In any case, he might as well be direct about it.
"Yuugi!" He began. "I think that I am either going insane or I am experiencing something supernatural." The blond winced. Good job, Jou. Let him think you're insane.
To his credit, Yuugi did not flinch when Jou said that. In fact, he gave him more of an understanding look. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I am starting to hear people singing."
Now, Yuugi looked confused. Of all the things that Jounouchi Katsuya could have said, hearing people sing was not one of them. It sounded absurd to begin with. But the blond looked serious. "Singing, Jou?"
"Yes, I know it sound weird but I just saw Dice Man singing to Honda and earlier today, I saw a woman singing about her parking ticket. But the weirdest thing was when I broke into song. I just heard music and then, I started singing. It was like a weird urge... like I was actually in a musical. Does that make any sense?"
"Well, are you sure that you weren't dreaming?" Yuugi approached this from a logical angle. Maybe his mind was supplanting a dream for reality. But then again, stranger things have happened to them. Having just left the wake of the Shadow Games with Pegasus, Bakura, and Marik, believing that there was something more than just his friend hallucinating was not a far stretch. But if there was going to be any confirmation that there was something supernatural going on, there would need to be someone to talk to the expert, the spirit of the puzzle who called himself Yami.
Yami! Yuugi began to commune with the spirit, coaxing him to come out and help.
What is it, aibou? The spirit answered back.
Is something magical happening here?
Actually, I have been getting the feeling that there is something going on here. There is a greater concentration of magic than usual around the city. I have felt that when you guys went to the video place. I thought nothing of it at the time.
If this is so, why is Jounouchi the only person who knows this?
I don't know. But he may be tied to this inadvertently.
Is there anything we can do?
I have an idea.
The Millennium puzzle glowed with a faint, ethereal light. When it dissipated, the figure standing before Jounouchi was not that of his friend but that of the former Pharaoh who called himself Yami.
"Hello, Jounouchi." The spirit greeted, a confident smirk on his face.
"You're that spirit that lives inside the Puzzle, right?" Jou asked. When said spirit nodded, the blond visibly seemed relieved.
"I think I can help." The spirit responded. "Get everyone here."
Driving on the freeway, Seto was a bit put off today. There was a huge merger that couldn't be handled by his incompetent subordinates in the conference room. Seriously, how difficult is it to stick to the notes that he writes. But the merging company tried to be slick and confuse his lackeys (which suits them correctly), and it worked. Said lackeys had to call him while he was betaing a new program for his video games. Irritated that he had to break his itinerary, he went to the conference room and settled the merger himself. It cut into his schedule but better to handle it himself than to let someone unreliable work this.
Seto had zero tolerance for unreliable people. It was instilled in him during Gozaburo's tutelage. If you surround yourself with unreliable people, your empire will fall that much faster. Seto worked too hard to let some brain-dead employee ruin this. This was his company now.
On an unrelated note, Seto hadn't heard from his brother today. He tried calling him but Mokuba didn't answer. That could only mean one of three things: the battery was dead, he's not answering for some reason, or he's been captured. The most likely explanation would be the first. If that were so, then there would be nothing to worry about. Replace battery and voila, no more problems. Seto didn't dwell long on the second possibility. The younger Kaiba was very meticulous about phoning in. He didn't think on the final possibility. First off, he has a bodyguard hiding in the wings who is armed to the nines with guns and is trained to shoot if there is the slightest threat to Mokuba. He knew that his brother hasn't left the Game Shop after leaving to go to the video store. Plus, it would seem unlikely that anyone would try anything with so many people with Mokuba.
So with a cell phone battery in hand, Seto drove off to the Game Shop.
The seven teens gathered around an incense bowl burning in the living room. Yami called them to see if he could shed some light on the blond's situation.
"So you are telling me that we were singing and not aware of it?" Honda asked. "I think I would be aware of something like that."
"I have to agree with Honda." Mokuba replied. "I mean, why would we sing and just forget afterwards."
"I'll explain." The spirit answered. "Back in the times of the Pharaohs, there was a traveling minstrel. He was the most excellent of his kind. Many people flocked to hear him strum his lyre and sing. His song was so powerful that even the rocks, rivers, and animals bent to his song. However, all was not what it seemed as people sang with them and danced to his tune. They could not help it. It was like a compulsion. And such a compulsion had an adverse effect. When the body reached its limits, it would give out and the soul would be lost, effectively killing that person. When the people realized that there was foul play, the legend goes that the Pharaoh at the time, Kinak the Discerner, sent his best men to kill the minstrel. However, it was of no consequence to the minstrel. With a pluck of his lyre, the soldiers were under his power. The Pharaoh's best magicians were of no consequence either as their magics were entranced by the same music. In the end, the Pharaoh himself challenged the minstrel to a Shadow Game. The loser would be banished to the Shadow Realm. Needless to say, the Pharaoh won and banished the minstrel. But, he vowed revenge against the Pharaoh and his throne."
"And what does this have to do with us and me hearing singing." Jounouchi asked. "I was never the Pharaoh, was I?"
"I don't know." Yami admitted. "I really don't understand any of this myself. It seems far-fetched, even as shadow magic goes."
The flame in the incense burner began to rise from its bowl. As the flame flickered, it seemed to dance as it moved just like a conductor swinging his baton as the orchestra plays.
See Some Spirits Tonight
An Orchestra Crescendo from an opera
(Yami waves his hands over the flame, commanding it to grow. When it reached an acceptable height, he gathered the ingredients he needed for the first part of the incantation).
/Yami/
A handle of dirt and a sprinkle of water
A robin's red feather to make spirits louder
The oil of olives and cedar from Lebanon
Set loose the spirits who continue to carry on
Calling all Pixies and creatures Faerie and Light….
Let's see some spirits tonight.
(The flame glowed with an ethereal light as it started to permeate through the people sitting around it. As the flames washed over their eyes, they were privy to all things spiritual. They could see the ether that flows through humans, ghosts, and many other things that had no names which were beautiful and horrifying at the same time.)
Yami
Come, ye spirits, oh come
Dance, ye spirits, oh dance
Sing, ye spirits, oh sing
Join in the dance and singing and celebrating
Tonight is the night. Do not be late.
Party till dawn till morning light
Let's see some spirits tonight.
(Yami got up and started walking around the circle.)
Yami
Let now these mortals join in your song
(He plucks a hair from everyone in the circle)
/Anzu/
Ow
/Hirito/
Ow
/Katsuya/
Ow
/Shizuka/
Ow
/Mokuba/
Ow
/Ryuji/
Hey that hurts
/Yami/
Permit us to bask in your mirth.
(After plucking his own hair, Yami throws them into incense burner.)
With these in the fire, our covenant begins
Reveal what is hidden in mischief and sin
I beseech thee spirits, now let us in
To the light…
(At this moment, Seto barges into the shop. His face is one of indifference and bewilderment at the scene. All but Yami, who was concentrating on his incantation, looked at the new face. Seeing an incense burner with an open flame, Seto moves to get his brother away.)
/Yami/
Let's see some spirits tonight.
With the song over, the flame washes over all in the room. When it died, there was an unearthly silence. Now one moved and people barely breathed for fear of what just happened.
"Ok!" Seto roared, breaking the silence. "What the hell was that?"
"Did it work?" Jounouchi asked. "Are we free of singing?"
"I demand an explanation right before I sue all of you for endangering my brother." The CEO was beyond pissed. "An explanation that makes sense, mind you."
From far away, Kinak felt a disturbance in the world of magic. It seems as if the Pharaoh realized what was going on. No matter! The spell was already in place. He smirked
Once More, With Feeling (Part 2)
/Kinak/
Well done, Pharaoh. I expected no less.
My revenge is soon for the sins you've transgressed.
The Blood Moon's coming and you can't beat it.
Just welcome your doom and greet it.
All your life's work will be all….. A mess……
Finally! So let me explain why this was late. April was the last time I posted a fic. That was my Kingdom Hearts fic, Dearly Beloved. In May and June, I was working on my dissertation to get into Grad School. It was a brilliant paper if I say so. But that's not the reason why. In July, I was working in Hollywood as an intern. But in August, I was driving and a car t-boned me. I was out for a good two and a half months. For the rest of October and November, I was going through a painful rehabilitation. I still have pain from the accident but I will recover. In the process, I completely and understandably lost interest and even thought of my fic writing. So, sometime on Thanksgiving weekend, I read my emails and I got a lot of reviews waiting for my return. So I'm back.
This is the order that I will be writing my fics.
(Space for a new story for the Christmas season, maybe)
(A one shot from my perspective as an accident victim, Mokuba/Shizuka, maybe)
Only in My Dreams
Young Hearts, Run Free
Dearly Beloved
So prepare for that.
Thanks for reading
Sparky