Valkyria : Not really much to say this chapter, other than the fact that it flowed really easily this time. I finished on Thursday and decided why not? I'll post it one day early~!
Griever : We wish you guys a happy and safe weekend. All of this written while listening to Luna Love from the cartoon Class of 3000 -a show we miss very much- you should go listen. Enjoy the story.
Disclaimer : We have no rights to Yu-gi-oh nor it's characters!
This Chapter is dedicated to Spindlegal a belated birthday gift. So, Happy Belated Birthday!
Chapter Eight : I'm jealous of you, but damned if I'll admit it!
"I have no ill intention towards Yugi, Katsuya-san, I am merely carrying out his grandfathers last desire."
Atemu wasn't in the least surprised when Jouounchi gave him a skeptical look, he would be bold enough to say that Seto was rubbing off on the blonde.
Unfortunately.
"You mean to tell me, that you have absolutely no other plans for Yugi? No jumping into bed with him? No trying to get him to become your lover? None of your usual antics that Seto told me about."
Atemu had every intention of doing those things, when the time was appropriate this is, but he figured a little white lie to the little ones best friend wasn't going to hurt.
"Contrary to belief I'm not as bad as Seto perceives me to be, I gave my word to Yugi's grandfather to take care of him and get him through college and that's what I intend to do."
"Despite the fact that you're Seto's cousin I don't trust you as far I could throw you Ishigami Atemu."
More amused than insulted, Atemu shrugged his shoulders. "Very well, it's logical not to trust the people that you've only previously met."
"That's not what I meant and you know it!"
Atemu bit the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing at his cousins' lover, he knew that Jou was indeed serious about Yugi's welfare and laughing would only fuel the fire to Jou's anger about the subject.
"Yes, I'm well aware of what you meant Katsuya-san. But, regardless of how you feel towards this matter it's won't change my mind about keeping Yugi here."
"Stubborn as Seto," Jou snorted with a bitter grin. "I can definitely see that you two are related."
"So I've been told." Atemu muttered sarcastically. It was an insult to be compared to that Ice Prince and at times it was a compliment to be told that he was on par with his cousins' intellect.
"You can visit Yugi anytime you like." Atemu said. "I have nothing to hide from you nor anyone else."
In return for his generosity, Jou gave him a look that stated that he would visit Yugi regardless if he had Atemu's permission or not.
Jouounchi was definitely as much as spitfire as Yugi is, maybe that's where his little one got it from besides his grandfather that is. Atemu thoughts were brutally broken by a loud rumbling sound, looking up, he saw Jou's face turn a scarlet red.
It was then that Atemu finally let his laughter go.
"You usually don't eat take-out, has Atemu neglected to feed you?"
Yugi laughed and set his cell-phone aside on the table. "Atemu's kitchen is a disaster, so we've been eating take-out for the last two days."
Seto sighed heavily and sank into the leather couch, that sounded like his cousin alright. "The only rooms that man uses is the bathroom, bedroom and his office."
"True," Yugi confirmed. "Seto, what were you really doing at Ishigami Corp that day?"
"Checking up on you obviously." Seto responded. "You are Jou's best friend as well mine, you could have come and lived with us if you wanted-"
"No," Yugi cut in firmly before the CEO could continue. "I don't want to cause an inconvenience to anyone else."
"You? An inconvenience?" Seto repeated bewildered. "Yugi, you're one of the most hard-working, selfless people I've met and family isn't a inconvenience."
Yugi turned away from Seto's soft and kind gaze before the older man could see his tears, he always knew that Seto and Jou thought of him as a really good friend and vice versa.
But family…
"Would like to come live with us Yugi?" Seto whispered from beside him. "Jou and I along with Mokuba would love to have you and don't need to stay with Atemu anymore."
The offer was very tempting, to live with people who he knew loved him and not put up with Atemu's playboy lifestyle and have a real home to come back to after his classes in college.
But, he couldn't forget the deal he set with Atemu. He had to get his grandfathers shop back and he would put up with anything Atemu threw at him.
"I'm sorry," Yugi spoke up just as softly. "But I can't live you guys, though I would very much like too, you are well aware of the deal I've set up with Atemu yes?"
"Of course." Seto replied. "I can find a loop-hole though, find some way to get your grandfathers shop-"
"He was in debt while he was sick so matter what loop-hole you try to find it isn't going to work. Atemu has the half the deed."
"I'm sorry Yugi, that I can't help you."
Yugi winced at the pity he heard in Seto's voice, he didn't want pity from his friends though he appreciated the helpful hands that they tried to give.
"You can help me with something though Seto." Yugi began curiously. If he couldn't get out of this situation he was in then he might as well buckle down and learn everything he could about Ishigami Atemu.
The good and the bad.
"What is it?"
"You are familiar with Ishtar Ishizu? Kujaku Mai-san's assistant?"
"We've met before if that's what you're asking. I would trade my assistant for Ishizu any day."
Yugi fought the smile from appearing on his face before continuing. "She…briefly mentioned that Atemu was married."
Yugi couldn't find himself to be surprised when Seto's face became blank as soon as he finished his statement. He had a sinking feeling that he wouldn't get any answers out of Seto either, despite Atemu and Seto being rivals in every matter that didn't disturb the fact that they were still cousins.
Family.
"Ishizu-san has a big mouth." Seto said flatly. "Why are you so curious about his previous marriage? From the looks of it you and Atemu aren't exactly buddy-buddy."
"I'm curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat, sound familiar Yugi?"
"But satisfaction brought him back!" Yugi countered cheekily. "Tell me her name at least-"
"Mana." it was spoken so solemnly that the atmosphere of the room became thick and unbearable.
"Mana Ishigami?" Yugi tried out slowly before nodding his head, he knew now that he had pried too far and would not broach the subject again.
For now.
"Thank you Seto and I'm sorry for forcing you to tell me, my curiosity got the best of me."
"Just don't tell Atemu I told you-"
"Don't tell me what?"
Yugi and Seto whirled around to see a curious Jou and a wary Atemu standing in the entryway to the living room, Yugi was relieved to find no bruises or broken bones on either their bodies.
Thank God for small blessings.
"Food not here yet?" Jou asked taking a seat between Yugi and Seto. Atemu snorted and took a spot on the loveseat.
"Did you see the delivery come when we headed in?" Atemu asked sarcastically. "Don't let your stomach become your brain Katsuya-san."
"Too late." Seto coughed out and was rewarded with a hard punch in the arm by Jou.
"What were you talking about?" Atemu asked, his eyes still on his cousin and Jou as their argument began to escalate.
"Nothing." Yugi replied quickly. Atemu raised an eyebrow when Yugi's face became a deep red, he knew he didn't say anything to make the little one embarrassed.
He knew for a fact that what Seto and Yugi were talking about wasn't nothing. Jealously began to creep into Atemu's heart and he fought it back. Yugi and Seto knew each other longer and it was no reason from him to be jealous.
Who the hell was he kidding? It was a definite excuse for him to be! He knew Seto wanted to take Yugi away from him, not as a lover, but because Seto felt like he was going to corrupt Yugi.
If they only knew that Yugi was more than capable of handling himself. The continuous venomous remarks he received on a daily basis were grounds for that.
"Atemu?" Yugi asked quietly. "Do you mind if we talk after Seto and Jou leave?"
Atemu blinked slowly. "About what?"
"Oh ummm." Atemu watched as Yugi fidgeted like a small child who did something terribly wrong and he couldn't help but smile
"Yes?" Atemu goaded on gently.
"About Ma-"
"Food's here!" Jou interrupted loudly bringing three bags of take-out and Atemu caught the scent barbeque.
"Yugi? What did you-" before he could say anything else, Yugi quickly slid off the couch and raced towards Jou and Seto.
"Come on Atemu." Seto called giving him a guarded look. "Come eat, you're skinny enough."
Sighing wearily, Atemu lifted himself off the loveseat and walked towards his guests. He would find out what Yugi wanted to talk about.
Though he had a sinking feeling that he wouldn't like what Yugi wanted.
"I joined Ishigami Corp about five years back when Atemu just starting to run the company without his father's help."
"Hmm."
Yugi poked his chopsticks through ramen and withheld a sigh. As promised, he had allowed Otogi to take him to lunch the next day.
His second day as an assistant flowed a lot better than the first. Yugi wanted to stay holed up Atemu's office but decided against it at the last minute.
He was avoiding conversation with Atemu -more so than usual- if he hadn't pried the name of Atemu's wife out of Seto the previous night then he wouldn't be so nervous and curious around Atemu.
Mana Ishigami. He had the name, now all he had to find out was what happened to her. Thinking about it so much, this was no longer curiosity.
This had turned into full-blown obsession.
What's wrong with me? I shouldn't even care if Atemu was married or not. It's not my business if he was!
"-won a lot of awards for the games I did…" Otogi spoke up cheerfully not knowing Yugi was no longer paying attention.
I'm not jealous…am I? no no impossible. Atemu is nothing but an egotistical, smug, sexy- No! not sexy! Damnit Yugi! Get your thoughts together!
"If you would go out with me later on tonight? Since you're not attached to Atemu."
"…What?" Yugi asked blinking not sure if he heard Otogi right. Did the man just…?
"I asked if you would go out with me." Otogi repeated with darkened emerald eyes. "…you're not attached are you Yugi-san?"
Yugi tensed when he felt Otogi's hand slide proactively up his thigh. He quickly dived under the table and stopped the hand from progressing any higher.
"Is this way you asked me to lunch Ryuuji-san? To have sex with me?"
"Well, yeah." Otogi admitted with no hint of shame. "You're just the sweetest little thing I seen in a long time."
"Didn't know you were gay."
"Bi-sexual." Otogi quickly corrected to which Yugi raised an eyebrow to. "I like my men pretty and willing."
Yugi narrowed his eyes before firmly removing Otogi's hand away from his thigh. "I'm not easy and do the words sexual harassment mean anything to you."
"You're just an assistant and I'm the head of the Gaming Division!" Otogi laughed sadistically. "What makes you think that Atemu nor anyone else is going to take your word for mine?"
"Well aren't you the smug one?" Yugi stood up, grabbed his now cold bowl of ramen and dumped what remained over Otogi's head.
"You…!"
Yugi wasn't one to waste food but he felt that it was worth it.
"You can report that to Atemu as well you perverted bastard!"
Ignoring the shocked looks of other employees, Yugi gathered his things and walked back towards the elevators.
It was time for him and Atemu to have a nice long talk.
A/N : Ugh hate when destroys my breaks in the story...:/ Whew! Chapter's finished! Well? Did you like it? Hate it? Tell me your thoughts. Chapter Nine will be here April 1st
See you then~!