Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Kazuki Takahashi does. I'm just a very sad person writing a fanfic about it because it inspired me… Go awesome mind crush Yami! (Although he is being a bit of an arse in this chapter…) Still, the whole thing's still awesome if you forget about the cards.
Warnings: Some language people might find offensive. It's all a characterisation, so don't shoot me down. Slightly graphic opening scene (nothing too exciting I'm afraid, that's for later!) Long length chapter (again!). Woohoo! If you don't get bored that is…
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has left me a lovely review or added me to their alerts or favourites. It really encourages me to keep going. Feel free to make any suggestions for improvements and things, and I'll try to fit them in maybe. No promises though!
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Yuugi let out a low moan as he lay across his bed in a lethargic haze. He was attempting to squint past the bright beams of sunlight slanting in through the curtains, but his view of the outdoors was obstructed by the backlit figure of a man. It seemed, with the sun's rays as they were, that the shadow was illuminated by some sort of divine aura, and that he, Yuugi, was destined to serve this shadow into eternity and beyond.
'Yami…' his breath sighed out through parched, thirsty lips, for he knew without a doubt that it was he who stood before him.
The shadow moved forwards towards Yuugi in a relaxed way, swinging his supple hips loosely, and then he leant in, close enough for Yuugi to discern the knowing smile, the hungry eyes that were undressing him with an intensity which made him shiver inside. He can see inside my mind… Yuugi was certain in that moment.
'Yuugi,' he replied. His voice was rich and sonorous, flavoured with a little irony. It was the voice of someone who possessed, conquered, owned. 'Is there something that you want from me?'
Yuugi's chest heaved, and he felt vulnerable in his position, yet at the same time, utterly unable to move. The bed held him captive, a slave to the Spirit's will. Slowly, as if possessed, Yuugi felt his treacherous eyes travel up the outline of Yami's body; he could make out the suggestion of slender, well defined legs, all too exposed by the clingy trousers, despite the fact that his vision was still impaired by the light shining directly at him. Something about the sensuality of the being before him made his own pyjama bottoms shrink to an uncomfortable fit in the area around his crotch. There was something he wanted, yes, the voice in his head cried out, betraying him, as he heard his lips sound the distinct and stubborn word, 'No.'
Yami let out a low chuckle. 'You seem conflicted.' Placing one knee on the edge of Yuugi's bedspread, he leant in further forwards still, so that Yuugi was engulfed in the smell of unknown spices and sweet desert tang, then he proceeded to whisper in his ear, lips so close that they tickled the sensitive lobe bellow, 'If you want something, you have to ask. If you do not ask, I cannot give it to you.' And he released the rest of his breath along Yuugi's earlobe slowly, deliberately, so that the boy shivered with the sensation. It made the insides of Yuugi's wrists tingle and his head feel strangely light. He also felt, linked to the earlier discomfort there, an answering movement around his groin.
Sitting up on his elbows awkwardly, Yuugi for once did not shy away from the closeness that the Spirit was offering to him. Yami was still leaning over the bed, one hand resting on it for support, so that their eyes were level, and Yuugi took the opportunity to gaze deeply into the dark purple depths of his irises, seemingly black in the shadow Yami cast over the light of the early morning. Yuugi was trying to capture the strange crimson glint of feeling that could be seen lingering there every so often.
'Nothing,' he sighed, but now their faces were inches apart, and his gaze kept flickering from the centre of Yami's unreadable eyes to his strong sensuous lips and back again. He felt his own lips part reflexively as he leant in further, following Yami's example, barely breathing.
'Unfathomable,' he murmured, as his eyelids fluttered closed. Then his lips met Yami's, causing the world to rush past in a mad flurry of colour, sensation and spiralling emotions. A deeper sense of Yami's scent and flavour enveloped him as strong arms encircled Yuugi's small form, pulling him close, prolonging the contact. Yuugi reacted passionately, surging forward into the lengthening kiss, unable to resist his urges any longer.
Yami's lips were surprisingly soft, and they answered Yuugi's desperate need with an unexpected tenderness, applying a little pressure, then releasing, before pushing back with more force, compelling the boy's already open lips to part further, enough for him to flick his tongue behind and over the top of Yuugi's inexperienced one, stroking it slowly, then tickling the sides with a learned adeptness. Yami knew how to make a lover moan, as Yuugi had known all along that he would. That gaze spoke of the wonders of the world and a knowledge of yielded treasure.
Yuugi let out a deep groan of protest as Yami drew back, but that quickly changed to small mewls of pleasure as Yami continued his journey over Yuugi's body, gently drawing a path of kisses down his exposed neck, moving towards the buttons of his pyjama top. Yuugi lay back in abandon. A firm hand was supporting him in the small niche of his back, forcing him to remain semi-upright, and he gave over to that hand, he gave over to the pleasure caused by the mouth at his throat. At the same time he felt dexterous fingers setting to work undoing the buttons of his top, one by one, with a practiced speed and skill.
It wasn't long before it came off, and Yuugi's entire chest was exposed to Yami's unashamed eyes. The Spirit lifted his head up slightly, giving Yuugi the direct eye contact that he so feared. It made him colour instantly a rich crimson, newly terrified at his undressed state, his vulnerability beneath Yami's merciless experience.
'Why have you been hiding from me for so long, little one?' Yami's question cut like a razor. Yuugi's breathing was ragged, his chest heaving more violently than ever; he knew he couldn't answer, even if he wanted to, and his torso had become cold where Yami had removed not only the comfort of Yuugi's pyjamas but also the warmth generated by his lithe body when leaning over to deploy the kisses. It was making Yuugi's nipples stand erect, goose pimples forming on the exposed flesh. The Spirit seemed to like that.
'Please.' Yuugi pleaded. This was some kind of twisted torture. Yami raised an eyebrow at him.
'Would you like me to tell you what I am going to do to you, Yuugi?' He purred seductively, seemingly wishing to draw out Yuugi's torment.
'Aah!'
'Is that a yes?'
'Ahh I… don't know I-'
Yuugi's agonised voice trailed off as Yami came closer once more, his face plastered with a disturbing smirk as he inclined his head towards Yuugi's ear once again.
'I'm going to…' Yuugi's eyes grew wide and his pyjama trousers became tighter still (something Yuugi hadn't previously thought possible), as Yami spoke explicitly and without shame.
'First I'll place a special kind of kiss, here.' And Yami did, lowering his head and kissing Yuugi passionately in the hollow at the bottom of his throat, where his pulse was beating wildly, closest to the surface. It was a long lingering kiss, and Yami sucked lightly on the skin, biting at it with his teeth a little, sending Yuugi's fair porcelain complexion a vivid scarlet. Yuugi knew the Spirit could feel every thump of his erratic heartbeat. He hated his body for giving him away so fully.
'Then, I'll move across slowly, slowly, until I reach your left nipple.' Here, Yami paused, eyes gleaming wickedly, 'what do you suppose I'm going to do to your nipple, Yuugi? Tell me!'
'I-I- I don't know,' Yuugi gasped.
'It was not a request, Yuugi, tell me what I am going to do to you. Let's see if you can guess.'
'I-I-I AAAH!' Yami had tricked him, not waiting for Yuugi to finish formulating a reply, he had seized the nipple hard in his mouth, sucking with a vigour that had not come before. Yami had got rough. It made Yuugi cry out in shock, pain… and pleasure. It seemed that Yami knew just what had to be done to send Yuugi over the edge, the perfect mix of pleasure and pain; it was driving him insane. He was growing hard… too hard, and he wasn't going to be able to hold it.
Yami was moving over to the other nipple now, but he wasn't going fast enough. Yuugi seemed to be waiting forever for the satisfaction to come. And when it did, it seemed like torture, Yami repeating whatever he had been doing with his tongue, the cavern of his mouth somehow hotter than ever, making what should have been ordinary, extraordinary. Tears gathered in Yuugi's eyes from the strain of an intense feeling he had never felt before; his manhood was on fire.
Damn! It felt so good! So very good… And Yami hadn't even gone anywhere near down below yet…
'Yami!' his words were ragged, hardly his anymore.
'Mmm…?' Yami's mouth was full.
'I, think, I think, I'm gonna… AAAAHHH!'
Yuugi spilled all over the bed sheets as his alarm went off with an ear splitting:
DDDDDDDRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGG!
'AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!' Yuugi sat bolt upright, his eyes snapping open in shock. The seemingly solid image of Yami had disintegrated into nothing but a haunting memory, as soon as he had been awoken. Yuugi's top was still tightly buttoned, although it was twisted as though Yuugi had been straining to get it off in his sleep; his trousers were suspiciously wet.
'Oh Ye Gods… I DID NOT… oh fuck!' His face, he was sure, could not possibly go a brighter shade of red without the danger of spontaneously combusting.
'Oh no…' Mortified, Yuugi staggered to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his heated face hurriedly, then getting some tissue to clear up the mess he'd made. He changed in a complete daze, his mind reliving the all too realistic dream and the strange feelings it had evoked over and over, again and again. Yuugi had NEVER had a dream like that, ever. It made him want answers.
What was that? I mean, what the fuck was that?!
Well, I suppose you're buggered then, Yuugi. You're officially crushing on a psycho spirit… oh yeah, and he's male.
Then that means I'm officially gay?! I can't be, no way, I was so sure it was all just a phase. Please don't make me not have to admit this, please, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not…
Yes, you are, you baka, come on admit it. Admit it to yourself for crying out loud. I mean, way to go, Yuugi, way to go, you're acting like a girl.
Oh just shut up and leave me alone!
You can't abandon your own mind Yuugi, so stop being the petulant child for once and accept that this is how you are! I think the real question to worry about is, did Yami, see, or did he not? Because that's going to make a big difference to things one way or another…
'Did I see what?'
'WHHHAAAT!'
'No need to shout!'
'You're a voice inside my head. You're a voice inside my head and you're not mine! Yami's voice is inside my head! AGGGHHH!'
'Relax, I've been waiting for the opportune moment to use our mental connection. I was under the impression that today you were ready for it… Perhaps I made a slight miscalculation…'
'No, no… It's ok… You just nearly gave me a heart-attack, is all.' Yuugi's heart was still thundering a mile a minute, but at least he was able to give over the impression of being calmer.
He doesn't know! He can't know, of thank-you, thank-you sweet Amaterasu. Thank you merciful Goddess…
'I don't know what?' Yami had now materialised, an extremely suspicious look on his face, 'What are you hiding from me, Yuugi?'
Yuugi knew his face was more than giving him away, still tomato-red and wearing the most guilty expression. He had to think of something quick…
'Oh, nothing…' He fidgeted, shuffling his feet uncomfortably under the intense scrutiny, admiring his navy school socks, 'I've gotta get to school in a minute you know…' Yami developed a very malicious looking scowl, and stubbornly crossed his arms, barring the exit. It was hard for Yuugi to believe that he had been dreaming about wanting sex with him. Yami was totally killing the mood.
'You are not getting out of here until you tell me what you are trying to hide from me. You don't have a fever do you? You're terribly flushed. I do not like this secrecy, not from you Yuugi.'
'WHAT! Why?! You don't own me, if I want to have secrets I will do.' Yuugi glared upwards stubbornly, feeling strangely irked that Yami was acting like some kind of excessively paternal father… or an overly possessive boyfriend. He knew his own reactions had been out of character, possibly hysterical, so he lowered the tone, trying to rectify the damage by conceding, 'It's not life threatening,' Well not if he doesn't find out…
'Yuugi… You cannot hide your thoughts from me… now stop this nonsense. When I first arrived you were not nearly so troublesome.'
'When you arrived I was a loser, I had no friends,' Yuugi shot-back quickly. Then he realised what he had said and the implications of it. His face fell.
Did Yami have something to do with me getting in with Jonouchi and everyone?
Hang on a minute, if he can read my mind, which he obviously can do, why didn't he see my… ah! La la la, not thinking, not thinking… Damn it….
Yami brushed a chunk of his fringe back out of his eyes, frustrated, but it simply flopped back down in open rebellion. 'Yuugi, you were and are not a loser, and I will not tolerate such language from you again when you choose to describe yourself.'
Yuugi's mouth was hanging open. Yami was still being completely dogmatic and overbearing. He couldn't even comfort without giving commands, for crying out loud.
'Now tell me what it is that you are trying to cover up. You are able to tell me anything, I can assure you, and I think that it is imperative that I know everything, so that I can look after your well-being effectively.' If that was an attempt at creating in Yuugi a mood of contrition it only served to backfire. Yuugi's already fragile temper was further enflamed at Yami's inflexible attitude.
Was this what he thought he was doing, all this time, looking after 'my well-being?' What a tosser.
In that moment, despite how very attracted to him he was, Yuugi hated Yami. Hated him for his power and his arrogance. Hated him for the way he expected things and then got them immediately. Hated him for being everything that he himself was not.
'Yami,' he began, deciding that as he had gone this far, he might as well grow a backbone, 'I-'
'Yuugi,' Sugoroku Mutou popped his head around the bathroom door looking concerned, 'who are you talking to?' Yuugi started and Yami vanished, looking thoroughly vengeful.
'This is not the end of this discussion,' he made clear as he disapparated. Yuugi shuddered.
'Oh, no-one, Jiichan,' he said, 'I was just looking for my sock, and yelling at it, because it's disappeared and I haven't been able to find it.'
'Yuugi, you're already wearing a decent pair, and your face is all sweaty, as if you've been running. Are you sure you're not coming down with something?' Yuugi felt the cage closing in. If his Grandfather forced him to stay at home, he was going to have to finish talking to a Yami in a very bad mood.
'NO! No Jiichan, I'm fine - well… I mean, this is a pair that have been missing for a while, and I was just-' His Grandfather raised his eyebrows disbelievingly.
'Yuugi,' he sighed, not waiting for a full explanation, 'get downstairs, you're going to be late for school.' Then he meandered out of the bathroom and disappeared. Yuugi went and found his trainers and bag hurriedly, before following his Grandfather in relief.
He was definitely not looking forward to his next confrontation with Yami. That dream still had him hot under the collar, and he knew there was no way - over his dead body – in which he wanted Yami to find out about it.
He had completely forgotten about his plan to ask Anzu out, but he was brought back to earth with a heavy bump when an enthusiastic Otogi strolled into the building. It appeared there was nothing the Duke Devlin liked better than a challenging project, especially if it concerned a love match.
'Right Yuugi,' he launched in straight away, 'this is how it is: Jonouchi's preparing her, and when we think she's ready, we're going to get you to perform an act of chivalrous daring.'
'A what?' Yuugi asked feeling unsettled. He didn't think he could take much more excitement in one day.
'Well, it's the weekend tomorrow, so we probably won't get it sorted this week, but you never know, she already likes you in a friendly way, so we've just got to convince her you're her knight in shining armour. It's not going to be too big a leap. I'm confident that we'll win her over.'
Yuugi relaxed slightly, but he was definitely starting to have misgivings. Then again, he kept thinking of Yami's arrogant, demanding face, and the way he'd felt humiliated about the dream. Dating Anzu would show Yami that Yuugi was an independent and free individual, not some child to be smothered. Plus, Yami was a psycho who had come out of a puzzle. He looked up at Otogi's happy, excited face. Otogi was real and genuine.
'I trust you, Otogi. You and Jonouchi can talk me though it when you've got it all ready.' Otogi's smile broadened in response.
The small moment of confidence was broken as Jonouchi came bounding up the corridor, looking very groggy.
'Oh, hey Yuug, Otogi,' he said, reaching for the wrong locker.
'Um… Jonouchi, it's that one.' Yuugi said, pointing out the locker a couple of doors down.
'Ah, thanks, I don't know what I ever did without you.' He then proceeded to fumble with the key until he eventually got it to open with a reluctant click. 'Blasted piece of metal,' he swore. He seemed very out of it.
'Erm… Jonouchi, have you been up watching videos all night or something?'
'Yeah, actually, I-'
'You watched THAT video?' Yuugi gasped, looking up at Jonouchi expectantly.
'Yup. But y'know… I watched it like this.' Jonouchi screwed his eyes up and squinted as if he was trying to penetrate through the very foundations of the metal wall of lockers before him. 'But I still couldn't make out the censored bits!' He sounded cheated. Yuugi grimaced sympathetically.
'ALL THE GOOD STUFF WAS DIGITISED OUT! DAMN THING…' Jonouchi slammed his fist into the wall of lockers, making a large dent. He obviously wasn't taking his disappointment well.
'Er, What's it about, exactly,' Yuugi ventured, 'I mean, what do they do?'
'You've gotta be kidding me, Yuug,' Otogi yelled from his locker across the corridor.
'Oh no he's not…' Jonouchi laughed, while Devlin shook his head. Jonouchi turned back to Yuugi, 'Hey, I'll lend it to you sometime, alright? You pervert!'
'Really?!' Yuugi asked excitedly. Maybe this was what he was missing out on, the reason why he wasn't a 'real man,' as Jonouchi had called it. He thought he heard a very distinct snort sound somewhere inside his head, but then he became sure he'd imagined it. 'Y-Yes, Jonouchi, I'd like that very much.'
'Ya know, you really should learn to be less polite when talkin' about porn, Yuug.' Jonouchi said at the top of his voice.
A pretty group of passing girls tittered loudly and Yuugi felt his rouge complexion return with a vengeance. He hid his head in shame, mumbling, 'Jonouchi, you're just so embarrassing…'
Their classroom was round the other end of the school, so Jonouchi and Yuugi decided to walk their usual route around the outside of the building, as that was quicker than passing though the crowds in the hall. Otogi had said that he had to go and talk to someone quickly before the bell went, so they left him in the corridor, slightly smothered by a few obsessed girls that he claimed he 'could handle.'
As Jonouchi and Yuugi wandered around the side of the building near the car park, they caught sight of a strange van parked innocently in one of the normally empty slots.
'Huh! Hey, look Yuug, A TV van in front of the school!'
'You're right,' Yuugi agreed.
'But why?'
'M…Maybe someone famous goes to school!' Yuugi suggested, always having a had a thing for the dramatic. He expected Jonouchi to laugh, but instead he looked inspired. Yuugi felt an ominous feeling awake in the pit of his stomach.
'Whoa! That's a scoop! Think Yuug… a star at our school!'
'Yup,' Yuugi nevertheless encouraged, enjoying Jonouchi's newly awakened state, 'I think I'm gonna take a peek, wanna see with me?'
Jonouchi decided against it, seemingly still mindful of what had happened the last time he was too relaxed about school rules. The grazes on his face were still there as a painful reminder whenever he looked in the mirror.
'Hey, Yuugi! Is there a star inside?'
'Guh… I can't see ANYTHING, it's a one way mirror…'
A greasy looking man with a square beard and long black ponytail was sitting in the van, munching on an old take-away. He was momentarily startled by Yuugi's eager face pressed up against the glass, but he was not irked for long though, as one might have expected - it gave him an idea…
'This is perfect! He is the face! The perfect face! The star of our next project! Excellent…' He snapped a quick picture. Never go unprepared when you work for the media, was his motto, and it held him in good stead.
He turned around and got out of a sliding door as the bell rang and the children, Yuugi and Jonouchi included, drifted into class. Then he stood watching with a smug grin on his face as his pretty blonde presenter finished reporting on 'School Violence, caught on camera.' The cameraman had got the shot just when the bell rang… now that was skill. His reports were always class. He gestured for the cameraman to get a good close up of her cleavage. She carried on smiling vapidly at the camera, as directed, ignoring the obvious focus on her body. She was used to it.
'Bullying is a serious problem at this school. Our undercover agents have discovered the violence these students face everyday!'
'Cut cut,' the greasy man shouted, 'that should be a wrap, I've just gotta check… mmm…aaaah…ahuh… good…yes, nice shot. Perhaps a little lacking in skirt, but, otherwise good, good, yes. I'm satisfied.'
He then turned to address the rest of his small ensemble of crew.
'Okay! We'll fill in the rest with some shots of the kids getting beaten up. You can go home now, reporter!' He smiled lasciviously at her as she walked past, eying up the swinging of her well-rounded derrière in the close fitting pencil skirt he had selected. As she came close to him he squeezed her arse, muttering intimately, 'Meet me at the usual time, eh, sweet-cheeks?' She gave a terse nod and a tight-lipped smile, before carrying on walking, trying to control her shudder. Her job was worth this, it was, and she had to keep telling herself that…
The other members of the crew tried to ignore the very obvious exchange. The greasy man frowned slightly at the averted faces. He was the director; he could do what he wanted.
'Anyway, good work! Now, where's my assistant director (A.D.)? I've got a special job for him.'
A large ginger boy sporting dreadlocks, buckteeth and freckles hurried up clumsily. He wore a nervous expression.
'Yes sir?'
'Here…' The director handed over a freshly printed digital photo. It showed Yuugi's face squashed up against the glass of the van, his eyebrows raised in an inquisitive look of wide-eyed wonder.
'This is one of the students. Find him and bring him to me.'
'Um… Okay,' the A.D. said, then he got a good look at the photo, 'wow, what a wimp. He really seems the type to get beat up. He's the prefect 'actor' for this show. You always know how to choose 'em boss.'
'Don't I just,' the director concurred, leaning back in his big 'director's chair.' It was almost as big as his ego, which is to say, er, large. And we're not talking about downstairs either; downstairs was tiny in comparison.
'If we catch him getting beat up on camera, then it's perfect!' The director slapped his sunhat on backwards, getting into the role of playing teacher of the trade with his second in command. He moved his hands in big, expressive gestures as he spoke.
'The public wants reality TV… You've got a documentary element, plus the added bonus of the sexy female presenter, and you have to admit, she is seriously sexy, and you've got violence! It's perfect! If we can get this on TV, we'll raise our ratings for sure! It's a winning combo!'
'Uh, yeah, sure, I agree with all that an' all, but how can we get footage of him getting beat up?' The ginger boy asked, looking worried. No one pointed out flaws in the big guy's plans, not if they wanted to keep their job.
'Tch! You don't get it, do you? How long have you been in this business, boy?'
'Er… only six months, actually… well…' he cringed; sweat visibly collecting around his temples and forming dark patches on his ultra-white t-shirt. He didn't cope well under pressure. His boss was like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It did nothing for his eczema problem.
'Right. This is how we do it in the biz… Go fetch a school jacket that fits you!' The boy looked confused as the Director grinned and flapped his hands at him, as if intimating that he should get lost.
'A jacket?' The director's smarmy grin froze over faster than the polar ice caps. The boy cringed.
'Yes, a fuckin' jacket, how many times do I have to say? I mean, what are you, fuckin' retarded?'
'N-n-no, sir.'
'Hmm, good. Now, here's your chance to be on camera! You're going to play the part of the bully! Now go get that jacket and I'll tell you what to do.'
'I think… I think I need the bathroom…I'll, I'll, be right back.'
'Remember to bring the jacket, ya retard!' The director hollered after him, settling back in his chair to enjoy an iced cold coca-cola and his favourite porno magazine, 'nothing like the business…' he sighed contentedly.
'Whaaat! A star?' Anzu wrinkled her nose dubiously.
'Yup! And to prove it, there's a TV van parked in front of the school, right Yuug?' Jonouchi looked to Yuugi for back up. He nodded smiling. 'There really is a van, Anzu-chan!' It was a bold way to speak, and Yuugi flushed at the familiarity the 'chan' added to his words. Otogi had encouraged him to do it whenever he was around Anzu.
She gave him a slight look, but was distracted by the mystery of the TV squad. Yuugi felt himself let out the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. That hadn't been too bad…
'Oh, I saw that, but… I haven't heard anything about a star. I mean, they could be here for numerous reasons…' Anzu was muttering.
'Moron!' Jonouchi declared, Anzu looked displeased, 'they're coming to school in disguise! But, it is really a major movie star! I know it.'
'J…Jonouchi… W-We don't know that…' Yuugi laughed nervously.
This rumour is so getting blown out of proportion… I never knew Jonouchi had such an active imagination…
'C'mon Yuug! I'm gonna make a bundle sellin' pictures!' Jonouchi schemed, looking delighted.
'That's illegal!' Anzu snapped, her eyes narrowing, 'What's more, there is no "star" going to this school, get that into your thick skull, Jonouchi!'
'Oh yeah? You wanna bet on it? Huh, huh?' Jonouchi scowled back. Yuugi drifted off, ignoring the bickering. He sat back, leaning on a desk, his elbows hooked back behind his head contentedly.
But I do wonder about that TV van…
'What, yeah, I know that dude, he's Yuugi, from class 1B!'
'T…Thank you very much, you have no idea…'
'Yeah, whatevs ginge. Smell ya later maybe.' The older student sauntered off, not bothering to listen to the A.D.'s angry muttering about discrimination against those less fortunate than everyone else.
'Hmm, Yuugi… from class B…I have to call this Yuugi, get him out behind the gym, get him in front of the cameras, and beat him up, or the Director will fire me! Think tough! Yeah! Oh my… what the fuck am I doing?'
He trudged off down the corridor, continuing to mutter incoherently. It attracted a few sidelong looks from those let out to break early.
'Damn. All the crap jobs fall to the A.D. Stupid mother fuckin'…'
That was when he encountered Jonouchi and Yuugi coming down the corridor, heatedly debating the 'Star.' The A.D. recognised Yuugi from the photograph he was holding. He might not have done if the hair hadn't been so unusual, because Yuugi's face had been completely distorted by the way it had been pressed up against the glass, but with that tri-coloured crown of spikes he was impossible to miss.
'Alright, as it's break, now we have to find that star Yuug!'
'Erm… Jonouchi, I've been thinking… what if, what if there's some other reason why the TV van was parked outside? I mean, Anzu…'
'Oh Yuugi! Not you too?! Anzu's twisted you with her feminine whiles. I knew: I saw it coming. This is why no one takes you seriously man!'
'J-Jonouchi?'
'You're hopeless,' Jonouchi looked really hurt, 'I thought at least you'd believe me, I mean, you'd believe near on anything! Fine! I'll find the star on my own then! I don't need you. Hmpf!' Jonouchi stormed off in a huff. Yuugi had to feel thankful that at least he hadn't decided to hit him this time. But he guessed friends didn't do that. It was a marked improvement in Yuugi's way of life, but it just made him feel bad about the way he had acted.
Maybe I shouldn't' have said that…
'Yuugi!' Yuugi looked round startled. A strange, overgrown ginger boy was beckoning him. He wore a tatty Rastafarian bandana around his untidy dreadlocks. Yuugi was sure it wasn't school regulations. He felt certain the guy was going to get busted at some point or other. He hoped he wouldn't be with him when that happened.
'Erm… hey,' Yuugi said, 'Do I know you?'
'I'm Fujita,' the A.D. began confidently, but inside his gut was churning. He couldn't believe what he was about to have to do.
'Listen… I heard you talking to that blonde kid, and, I know the star that goes to this school. You want to know who it is, right?'
'What, there's really a star here!' Yuugi exclaimed, perking up from the down mood his row with Jonouchi had caused.
'Of course!' Inside the A.D. was thinking something very different -Of course not, you idiot. Damn, you really are the retarded one. If the director could see you now…
'So, I think you'd get along with her, Yuugi. She likes quiet guys. I'll introduce you - we're good friends.'
'Really!'
I wonder who she is?
'Behind the gym during lunch break then, okay? You've gotta come alone!'
'Okay!' Yuugi agreed. He couldn't wait…
'Are you sure he's going to come?' The crew was getting restless.
'Y-yeah.'
'He's late!' One of the cameramen hissed from the bushes. Fujita scowled back, then a familiar figure emerged from the far corner, saving him from anymore bother, 'Aha! Here he is,' he yelled.
'Alright,' the director declared, 'Roll camera!'
When Yuugi approached all he could see was Fujita, standing there looking unnervingly solemn. 'So, you've come.'
'Huh…?! I don't understand, where's the star, Fujita…?!'
'The truth is… Come closer…' Yuugi leaned in expectantly.
Fujita lashed out using all his strength, and with a resounding 'CRACK!' his fist connected with Yuugi's face, causing the boy to topple over. He then grabbed Yuugi by the ear and held him suspended above the ground in the most excruciating manner possible.
'Ngh… I -' Yuugi couldn't see straight, couldn't think straight…
The director was crowing, his face contorted with glee at the amazing shot he'd got of the action.
'Ha ha! Good! Now, hit the runt harder! Make for some good TV!'
Yuugi remained limp, his eyes streaming, his blood beginning to flow freely from his nose where Fujita had hit it.
'I…Don't…Understand…' He choked out.
'STUPID! There's no star! IT WAS A LIE!' The words screamed were deafening, several decibels higher than any normal human could stand. Fujita pulled his fist back, and dealt Yuugi another blow to the face. Only this time, it was on the opposite side.
'That oughta even ya out…' Came Fujita's sadistic chuckling, 'or should I make ya odd? Coz you are a bit of an odd person, aren't ya, Mutou?' Fujita prepared for another punch, but he was interrupted.
'STOP RIGHT THERE!' Jonouchi was sprinting at Fujita like a man possessed, 'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?' He ran up and smashed the A.D. in the face, reaching out to catch the whimpering Yuugi as he slid to the floor.
'Yuugi, Yuugi, are you alright?'
He lowered Yuugi down gently then lunged around and grabbed Fujita by the scruff of his shirt, his eyes glowing with bestial fury.
'You! What the hell are you doing to my mate?! I'm gonna kill you!'
'I-I really didn't want to… my job, the director…' the ginger menace stuttered.
'DIRECTOR?!' Jonouchi squinted at him, his mouth pursed up suspiciously.
'Cut, cut!' A smug, collected voice interrupted them, 'Very good! You can go now Fujita.' The director emerged from behind one of the bushes he and the crew had settled behind. He didn't seem penitent.
'So you're the sod who put Yuugi through this?!' Jonouchi's voice was guttural with rage, wanting to commit murder in that very instant. He decided Yuugi was more important. He could kill later.
'Yuugi, are you alright?' Jonouchi asked again, turning his back on the greasy haired man, kneeling down beside his fallen friend.
'I'm sorry, Jonouchi,' Yuugi coughed, 'There isn't a star after all…'
Jonouchi grit his teeth, holding back his temper. Yuugi was so damned naïve, even now. Even after all this.
'It wasn't your fault! These here jerks lied to you!'
'Stop the cameras!' The director yelled to his crew, 'these two are friends… It's just a waste of tape.' He turned to face Jonouchi and Yuugi, 'Look, it was just bad luck you got picked for the victim shorty… Just coincidence, honestly. About the same odds as rolling the die and getting a one…heh…heh… Besides, you're a star Yuugi, the star of our program, ok, maybe not in the way that you might have hoped, but because of that, we've taped a good show. The viewers will sympathise with you. They'll send in letters by the dozen. Trust me, I know.'
Jonouchi simply glared, his fists clenching.
'Are you asking to DIE?' He ran forward and seized the director's shirt, his thin veneer of control finally shattering.
'Go ahead, hit me then… just remember, I'm recording the whole thing!' Jonouchi let out a strangled gasp.
'You bastard…' he ground out, relinquishing the shirt with a strangled hiss, as if burned.
'Heh, heh, Stop the cameras!' (This was probably about the third time he had said that to his excited cameramen, who were all leaping about in a state of hyperactivity). When he had been assured that the cameras were off, he lost no time in kneeing Jonouchi between the legs, causing the boy to double over and slide to the floor, seeing stars.
'JONOUCHI!' Yuugi yelled, but it was no use. The director was laughing, revelling in their ineffectual resistance.
'Don't you get it? You can't fight the power of the media! If I want, I can make you the laughing stock of the entire world.'
And he was already walking away, continuing to yell back over his shoulder negligently, 'But don't worry, I'll hide your face with a digital mosaic, Yuugi. At least no-one will know it's you.'
Yuugi could hear the sadistic cackling fading away as he struggled to get to his feet, making his way towards Jonouchi, but his head was spinning, threatening to descend into a familiar blackness. He passed out.
It was Yami who got up and turned to face the retreating back of the director, the third eye glowing portentously on his forehead. It was Yami who followed him to ZTV Broadcasting two evenings later, after two evenings of silence between him and Yuugi, eyeing the director up with a hateful vengeance.
Partly, the Spirit was annoyed at himself for being too angry about Yuugi's earlier defiant refusal to relinquish his secrets to realise soon enough to do anything to prevent the entire episode in the first place, but there was also a much bigger part of him that was devoted to seeking retribution for Yuugi's soul. Scum like this inflated ego had to be punished. It was necessary to restore the balance.
Yami slipped silently into the underground multi-story parking lot, where the director was preparing to get into his car and leave for the night. Yami was waiting for the right moment to make his move. Another man in a grey trench coat walked past the director, congratulating him on the airing of the bullying episode. It appeared it had been a success. That only served to fuel Yami's anger further.
So you profit from the abuse of others as well, do you? Not for long now…
The director was laughing quietly to himself as he slid his keys into the lock on his car door, thinking no one was around to hear him.
'Eh, maybe next time I'll kill someone in front of the cameras…' That was when he caught sight of Yami in his front wing-mirror. It made him jump, because he hadn't heard any approaching footsteps.
'AH…!'
'I've been waiting for you, director.' Yami twisted the word director in the contemptuous fashion only he could manage.
'Y-You're that brat, Yuugi…' The director didn't sound so very sure of himself alone in a deserted car lot and subject to Yami's malevolent stare. Then again, it was a stare that could freeze the blood of an Inuit.
'What are you doing here?! Come to get paid?'
'You have trespassed in my soul.' Yami's voice was disdainful, quiet. It didn't need to be loud or brash to command attention. It was a voice used to respect, used to complete obedience and so completely out of character for a small schoolboy that it sent shivers down the director's spine. Yuugi hadn't spoken like this before…
'For that, you must play a game with me.'
'A game?' The director snorted uncertainly. What madness was this?
'It's nothing to be afraid of…' Yami withdrew a single die from the pocket of Yuugi's blue school blazer, '…just a simple game of dice! People have been staking their fate on dice since ancient Egypt. Although… back then we used "astragali" - the uneven heel bones of calves and sheep. This game possesses a much fairer chance, wouldn't you say, director? A fair chance of rolling a one?'
The director was peering apprehensively from beneath his hat, one corner of his mouth turned up in the façade of disgust. Yami continued on regardless, although aware his prey was edgy. He had to play this carefully.
'Now, let me explain the rules of this game of fate… They are quite simple. We both roll the die. I roll first. Whoever rolls the lowest number wins. I'll even let you win in the case of a tie! Sound good?'
Yami paused once again, pulling a strange, humourless smile using Yuugi's pale features. It made him seem almost vampiric.
'However, if I win, then you have to play a penalty game as punishment. Have you got that?'
'Ridiculous! Why do I have to play around with you!?' The director spluttered, but he wasn't walking away. Yami ignored the contempt. He got that all the time.
'Game start.' The Spirit threw his arm high into the air, sending the die spinning away from his outstretched fingers with all the flair of a well-practiced magician.
'C'mon, give me a break,' the director muttered despite himself as the die sailed past him.
It landed with a series of small clacks. Two pairs of eyes watched its progress intently as it came to rest…
'SIX!…hahha, it's a six! A six! No matter what number comes up, I win! I don't even need to roll your stupid die.'
Yami gave the director a look of rebuke, 'The odds are in your favour… but the game's not over until you roll.' Then he lowered his head so that Yuugi's bangs obscured his face. It hid the smirk.
'Damn, don't you ever fucking shut up?' the director snarled, not bothering to check out Yami's behaviour, 'I'll do what you want, if it'll make you happy! And put a hole in your head at the same time!' He snatched the die up from where it lay and threw it violently upwards, as Yami watched impassively.
The die spun high in the air where the director had flung it. Yami watched it fall, but he did not move. The director hadn't bothered to watch the progress of the die, confident in his victory. As it came down it was only Yami who watched as the worn out shell of the die split inexplicably, unable to cope with the bone-shattering contact with the tarmac. The two pieces spiralled madly, spinning on their axes, before coming to land in two separate pieces by his feet. The director let out a cackle of triumph, catching sight of only one of the fallen pieces.
'Ha… It's a one! I win!' The director made off towards his car. The Spirit's voice stopped him in his tracks.
'No…' Yami sounded almost regretful, 'you have to play a penalty game.'
'Wha..' the director spun back round in disbelief, suddenly realising what had happened, 'What the…. Th-the die split in two?! A SEVEN?! But, that's freakin' impossible.'
'PENALTY GAME! Mosaic illusion!' Yami cried, not bothering to waste time on explanations. Pointing his index finger at the infuriated director, he sent the image of the Eye of Horus towards him, carrying its justice on swift wings.
'Ah.. Ah…Wha? W…What?! That brat's face is covered by mosaic…?! Everything is turning to mosaic! Why is my vision all pixelated out?! Hey brat, you cheated, that's the only way you, you rigged the die… No way could a die split like that. It's not possible! I can't see! Stop it! Stop it, whatever it is you're doing to me, because it's not funny! Brat, brat! My eyes, my eyes! Why is everything all mosaicked out? Help! AGGGGHH!'
Yami looked back from the entrance of the car park, the tails of Yuugi's blazer flapping around him like snakes in the breeze. He was wearing a contented smile. The first contented smile he had worn since his fight with Yuugi.
'Director, for bending the truth in front of the cameras… all you shall see will be censored!' Yami let out a wry laugh, pleased with his own wit.
'Hmmm now Yuugi, to find out what it is that you are hiding from me…' He sauntered back towards the game shop, for the first time that day feeling fully in control. There was just something about Yuugi made him lose it, but he'd sort that problem out…
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There will be more action between Yuugi and Anzu, as well as Yuugi's search for a way to get into the black door next chapter, if you're wondering what happened to it. I just couldn't resist adding this section.
Please review and tell me what you like and what I could improve on and thank you very much if you are still reading!
Japanese words:
Chan is a term of endearment added on to female names in Japan if you know that person well.
Jiichan: Grandfather.
Baka: Idiot.