A/N: zomg, finally done. And here I thought this was going to be a small chapter. Until I looked through my notebook and realized just how MUCH of the "small" chapter I had written. :p
Also on a humorous note, I just love when characters take on a life of their own. Between the first and second draft of the chapter, Kisara suddenly decided to change her personality on me. Don't get me wrong, I love my sweet little darling even more now, it just surprised me!
(Gets glomped from behind.)
Kisara: I've been merged with a dragon for three thousand years! You had me way to shy.
Jenivi: O.O Apparently.
(Wanders off with the cute little dragon girl under her arm to go celebrate completion of the hard chapter.)
Kisara: (Looks back and waves.) Enjoy! I won't let her take so long next time!
Atemu was easy to find something for. Though he was slightly taller than Yugi, his build was just as slender so Yugi had just grabbed a few clothing items that fit him large anyways and got out the boxes of clothing from the closet that his mother kept there for when she stayed between business trips. It was odd how she insisted that Solomon keep the third room a guest room instead of taking it for her own. Yugi felt the familiar pang of loneliness, wishing his mother was around more. Oh well, he had much more important things to think about than old hurts.
He and Mokuba riffled through the boxes, tossing clothing articles carelessly about Yugi's room and realized that they had a problem. Ashita Mutou was petite. Kisara was not. Well, that meant pants were right out, they were bound to come halfway up Kisara's shins. Skirts and shorts were also out as neither of them had gotten a look at her waist size. That also meant tops were out so they focused on the dresses. Short dresses certainly wouldn't work either and the boys shared a sly look before discarding them. Kisara in a mini dress would be very nice but even Mokuba wouldn't be immune from Seto wrath if they tried that one. They continued rummaging.
"This one." Mokuba said suddenly, holding up his find.
Yugi looked over and shook his head in disbelief. He didn't even know his mother owned that dress. He certainly had never seen her wear it. It was short sleeved and longer, made to fit loosely with the fabric gathered in the back by two ribbons attached to the side. Not only should it fit Kisara comfortably, but the it was a pretty pale blue, almost the exact color of her hair with white ribbons trimming the neckline and waist.
"I think you're right." They grinned at each other then hastily threw the scattered items back in the boxes, hurrying to rejoin their sleepy companions.
Yugi entered the living room and stopped short.
Atemu had woken during their absence and was currently sitting forward in his chair, studying his hands in amazement. It was one thing to know what they were doing was giving his dark a body but quite another to suddenly see Atemu sitting in his living room.
Moving . . . breathing . . . real.
Atemu looked up and his face lit at the site of Yugi.
"Atemu." Yugi breathed softly using his dark's true name instead of the nickname he had always applied to the spirit in his head. It just seemed appropriate now. He wanted badly to run his hands over every inch of that deliciously dark skin and affirm for himself that Atemu really was there but remembered Mokuba behind him. Then he realized just how much skin Atemu was showing. The blanket had carelessly fallen into his lap and just barely covered enough of him to still be decent. Yugi felt his face heat up and hurried to deliver the more concealing attire he carried.
Atemu noticed his light's odd coloration and the way he avoided looking at him. Highly amused, he wrapped the blanket more modestly around himself and reached to take the proffered items. Also aware of the current company, but overcome with the desire to touch his light, he let his hand brush Yugi's as he accepted the bundle. The contact was electrifying and both boys shivered slightly.
Mokuba politely pretended not to see the exchange and Atemu left the room to dress.
Yugi busied himself setting the dress for Kisara where she or Seto would find it when they woke and, finally managing to cool his face, and tried to remember how to be a good host.
"Thirsty?" He asked, heading to the kitchen with Mokuba trailing behind, grinning widely.
Seto stirred, finally awakening to a quiet room. He looked around, unsure for a moment of where he was until his eyes fell on Kisara.
She was here.
She was real.
He reached up to brush back the lock of hair that fell across her face. As his fingertips ghosted along her forehead, she breathed a contented sigh and opened her eyes. Seto forgot how to breath.
They sat staring at each other for a moment then her hand reached up to his, still frozen hovering just above her face and their fingers intertwined involuntarily.
She smiled shyly at him and he grinned back. Grinned. Not smirked, not smiled, grinned.
'I must look like an idiot.' Seto berated himself. Since when did he grin.
He was lost once again in her shining blue eyes. The one he'd loved three thousand years ago and had continued to long for ever since was finally here, real, and smiling at him.
'Since I just got everything I didn't know I wanted.'
He tried to speak but couldn't find his voice as she brought the back of his hand to her cheek and nuzzled it lightly. Another soft sigh escaped her lips.
He tried again. "Hey there, Blue Eyes."
She blushed prettily at the nickname and offered a similarly warm greeting in Egyptian. Seto gave her an amused look. Her blush darkened as she realized they weren't exactly in Egypt anymore.
"I mean . . ." She paused as she searched her inherited knowledge of Japanese for a suitable translation but couldn't find one she liked, "hi."
He was unable to stop the grin from widening. Even her accented Japanese was cute.
His eyes fell on her bare shoulders and he fought down a blush of his own, quickly looking away and fortunately, spotting the dress beside him. He offered silent thanks to whoever left it there and handed it to the barely covered girl beside him.
She accepted it, a smile of amusement lighting her face now as she watched her love fidget uncomfortably and turn away from her. She quickly pulled the dress on, standing to smooth it down. Three thousand years merged with the dragon that was her kaa had done much to cure her shyness.
Seto peered back to see her already dressed and looking at the side ribbons as if unsure of what to do with them.
"Here, turn around." He said, gently sweeping her hair aside and expertly tying a bow just below her shoulder blades. She twirled lightly to face him, hair and dress swirling and encasing her in a cloud of light blue. Seto couldn't help himself, this time he did blush ever so lightly.
"Very pretty." He leaned close to whisper to her.
Kisara was pleased with the effect she was having on the normally stoic boy. She reached out to take his hand again and swayed a step closer but a gentle laugh drift in from another room, stopping her. Her eyes went wide and her face lit when she recognized the voice. She whirled, charging toward the sound and dragging Seto behind her as she still held his hand tightly in hers.
"Gah! Atemu! Stop!" Yugi gasped through bouts of giggles.
As they entered the room, Atemu stopped the merciless onslaught of tickles and, at a questioning look from Seto, hid his hands behind his back and feigned innocence.
Seto snorted. The mischievous grin was too much like that of the young princeling of Egypt that had caused him so much trouble in the past. Still, a small smile played on his lips, nearly causing Mokuba to choke on his soda. His brother was in the company of other people and looked happy? That was a first.
Yugi recovered quickly, and just in time as Kisara, who had let go of Seto upon entering the kitchen, hadn't stopped her mad dash. It finally ended only when she had her rescuer, the little creature of light, folded in a tight embrace. He squeaked slightly at the tightness of her hold and at suddenly finding himself encased in blue but returned the hug warmly.
"Thank you." She said softly.
"You're welcome."
She released him after another small squeeze, and, suddenly realizing that she was the focus of everyone in the room, shyly moved closer to Seto. Perhaps merging with her dragon hadn't erased all of the shyness after all.
Kisara's return to his side did much to sooth the slight jealousy that threatened to ruin Seto's good mood. He placed a hand possessively on her shoulder.
"Atemu, Yugi, Mokuba. This is Kisara, keeper of the Blue Eyes White Dragon."
Ryou crept quietly down the hall and stairs, eyes wide, checking corners and shadows carefully along the way to make sure nothing was waiting to get him.
He followed the voices into the kitchen and froze at what he saw there.
Yugi.
And someone who could only be . . .
His face contorted with anger and his yells took everyone gathered by surprise.
"Why?! Not fair not fair not fair! Why do you get yours back!"
He strode forward and struck Yugi across the cheek with an open hand.
Kisara was the first to react. Low dragon like growls shook the walls and floor as she dashed forward, grabbing Ryou's arm and twisting it behind his back. He surprised her though, by not trying to struggle or resist. Instead, he slumped bonelessly against her, sobbing and muttering incoherently. The growls ceased and her expression of ferocity turned to one of confusion as she found herself holding the boy awkwardly to keep him from sliding to the floor.
She looked questioningly to Seto but found only confusion to mirror her own. They both turned to look at Yugi.
Yugi stared rather wide eyed at Ryou looking shocked and hurt while he lightly fingered the growing red mark on his face. He finally noticed that he was the center of attention and looked away, unable to face his guests.
Atemu wrapped an arm around Yugi's shoulder and his light looked up, grateful for the support, finding the strength to tell Ryou's story for the second time that day.
When he finished the story, he felt another hand on his arm. He looked up, surprised to see Seto looking at him with understanding and . . . respect?
"You did the right thing Yugi." His eyes flickered to Kisara and they exchanged a brief look. He wondered if he would have done much better had something happened to her.
"Let me take Ryou back with us. I can have professionals see to him and make him comfortable. Besides," he said, pride evident in his voice, "he seems to have taken a liking to Kisara."
Yugi finally brought himself to look over to where Kisara and Ryou stood and the reason for Seto's pride became obvious. Kisara held the boy gently, smoothing his hair and whispering soothingly in her native tongue. Her eyes glowed softly and the air around her emanated a feeling of peace and protection. It contained unspoken promises that nothing, nothing could harm those within her protection. The effect it had on Ryou was immense. He snuggled into her arms and was truly quiet and still for the first time since Yugi had brought him to the game shop. Yugi felt a great burden lifted from his shoulders. Kaiba could provide better care for him, the kind he needed, and with Kisara there he might even begin to get well again.
Yugi looked back to Seto and nodded his consent, not quite trusting himself to speak yet.
Seto removed his hand and began to gather his charges.
"Kaiba . . ." Yugi hesitated as blue eyes met his questioningly. "Thanks."
Seto gave a slight nod and glanced toward Kisara.
"Thank you as well." He stuck out his hand which Yugi looked at in surprise before shaking.
Seto then turned to Atemu and they clasped forearms. Kisara and Mokuba offered parting hugs all around and then were gone.
Yugi stared at the closed door with a slightly dazed look. Atemu, who's arm never had left Yugi's shoulder, gave him a concerned squeeze.
"Is something wrong, hikari?"
Yugi quickly shook his head. "No. Just . . . the weirdness of what happened today hit me suddenly. . . I mean, was Kaiba really just here and civil? Did I really just help him bring his old girlfriend back from Egypt? Did he really just make a body for you and her in my living room?"
Instead of answering, Atemu stepped behind Yugi, wrapping both arms around him and dropped teasing kisses on his light's neck.
"Mmm, good answer."
"So how is the new body?" Yugi asked as his dark's hands began to wander distractingly.
"It's wonderful." Atemu murmured huskily in his ear, one hand finding it's way under Yugi's shirt seeking more skin to touch. "When I shared yours there was always some kind of wall or barrier. Something to kept me from getting too comfortable I guess."
He turned Yugi to face him and captured his light's mouth in a deep, exploring kiss.
"Grandpa will be closing the shop in an hour." Yugi said when their lips parted, his hands starting to do their own wandering.
"That's time enough."