I'd like to make one thing clear: I did not, at any time this chapter was at work, have dream sex with Kaiba.
Kaiba: Seto Kaiba only has dream sex with himself!
Sage:….Forever alone.
Indeed. I don't own Yugioh. I am only borrowing the characters and I plan to return them with only mild to moderate emotional scarring. XD
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Yugi had his dueling deck tucked securely inside his jean pocket. He patted it, feeling a sense of warmth and nostalgia run through him. Today was the day of the tournament, and though he doubted he would actually win any duels, it would be nice just to spend the day with Yami. Yugi put on his blue coat, thankful that it covered his pockets. He didn't need Joey seeing the rather large obstruction in his pocket and start asking questions.
Speaking of Joey…Yugi opened his bedroom door quietly, wincing as the door creaked. Joey was still in the living room, wearing his bellhop uniform. He would be leaving for work momentarily, and once he was gone, Yugi would feel safe enough to leave the apartment and met Yami down the block.
It was a large nuisance having to run around his friends' backs. He hated having to go to such lengths to meet Yami. Yugi hated having to lie to them, even though it was becoming almost a daily occurrence now. But he sighed. He knew his friends wouldn't understand if he was honest with them. They were blinded by their devotion, and they would rationalize that they were doing the right thing by trying to keep the two boys separate.
Besides, they still thought Yami was in jail, even though neither one of them had mentioned the older man since the incident with the police and the diner. Yugi figured that they thought he had forgotten everything to do with the man. It was a possible, after all, even though it was far from the truth. But, what his friends didn't know, wouldn't hurt them. Yugi couldn't keep lying to them forever. He knew that eventually he would have to come clean, he just hoped it wouldn't be anytime soon.
He had to wait until a time when Joey and Anzu were more lenient, where they could trust the people around him better. Yugi understood that they did what they did only out of love, but the constant smothering was annoying.
The only other option was to wait until he was eighteen, and Joey was no longer his legal guardian. Honestly, it wouldn't give Yugi much more freedom. He'd still have to share an apartment with Joey. Yugi was a realist. He knew that with his current job there was no way he could manage to live on his own. But maybe being considered an adult by society and the law would open the eyes of his friends and make them see that he was old enough to make certain decisions by himself.
Yugi sighed and closed his eyes. He was going to try and clear his mind of his worries. Today was supposed to be a fun day. He wasn't going to let his mind wander over things he probably didn't have to worry about. Yugi peered out the door again and saw that Joey was no longer there. He had left for work during the time that Yugi was stuck in his thoughts.
Smiling to himself, Yugi left his bedroom and ran out the front door. The metal stairs of his apartment clanged underneath his feet. He let his hand run down the railing, not paying mind to his footing. He had walked down this staircase hundreds of time and had each step memorized. Once Yugi finally reached the end, he jumped down and began to walk down the street.
It wasn't very busy for a Sunday morning. Most people would be sleeping in still, or maybe they were at church, even though Japan wasn't a religious country. Yugi walked at a regular pace, looking for his companion. He and Yami never planned on a certain meeting point, but Yugi knew that he was around here somewhere.
Yugi passed by an old alleyway between two buildings. He wasn't paying any mind and almost had walked by it without a second thought had he not heard someone call his name.
Yugi stopped and turned around, retracing his steps. He passed by the alley again, this time looking into it. He saw Yami standing there, wearing his classic smirk. Seeing the sight of the older man brought a smile to his face. He ran over to Yami, ready to start the day.
"I was afraid you had forgotten about me." Yami teased, which earned an annoyed eye roll from Yugi.
"I couldn't forget about you. Despite what my friends think, you are very much etched into my memory."
Yami smiled. "Do you have your deck?"
Yugi nodded, patting his pocket that held his cards. "They're in here."
"Perfect. Let's get started." Yami began to walk away and Yugi followed him out of the alley and into the street. "The hotel where Seto is holding the tournament is only a few blocks from here. I figure we could walk. It'd give us more time together anyway."
Yugi nodded, happy with anything. He wasn't that uptight about things like that. He walked most everywhere anyways, so it was only the natural thing for him to do. He never really liked cars that much recently anyways. He had a habit of becoming claustrophobic in a small, confined space like a car recently.
He had only taken Yami's offer on a ride home the last few times because the older man had either been so persistent it got irritating, or it was raining and Yugi had no interest in walking the several blocks.
This time, it was relaxing to walk with Yami. The sun was shining brightly, warming up Yugi's skin. The warmth felt good on Yugi's skin. It reminded him of the summer days he would spend in the park with his grandfather, or his friends.
It was just a nostalgic feeling he had. Like one a person will have when they see an old show they used to watch as a child.
"Is something on your mind?" Yami suddenly said, bringing Yugi out of his thoughts. "You seem distracted."
Yugi's eyes widened before he shook his head. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking."
"About what?" Yami asked, the curiosity in his voice was evident.
"Nothing really. Just the sun."
Yami looked up to see the bright star in the sky. It's rays were an array of reds, yellows, and oranges. Every now and then Yami would even catch a hint of blue, but that could have been due to the fact that he was staring at the sun. It was a pretty sight; the way the sun rose up high in the crystal blue sky. He could see why it would be relaxing to look at for a little bit.
"We're here." Yami said, smiling as he stretched out his arm to the hotel where they would be spending their afternoon.
Yugi looked up a large smile on his face. His eyes went to where Yami was pointing at. It all happened in an instant. Yami watched as the smile on his face disappeared, and the look of happiness in Yugi's eyes was replaced by a look of intense.
Yami felt panicked. Was Yugi having another mood swing on him?
"We can't go in here." He whispered. His voice was soft and raspy and Yami could see him visibly trembling.
Yami looked over his shoulder back at the building. Nothing looked odd about it. It had a red brick exterior with several windows on the front side. It didn't have a descriptive name. On the front in large letters it simply read 'Motel'. It was a modest little building. It didn't seem like the kind of place where a large tournament would be held, but then again, Kaiba never was one to follow the rule book.
But why was Yugi afraid to go in there?
"We can't go in there." Yugi repeated, gritting his teeth.
Yami sighed. Yugi was probably just overreacting. Maybe he was just scared of having to duel against other people after so long. Yami reached out and grabbed Yugi's wrist, and he walked slowly to the front doors, feeling Yugi's resistance behind him.
"Yami, listen to me!" Yugi pleaded, trying to pry Yami's grip off of him. It didn't hurt, but he didn't want to get any closer to the all too familiar building.
"What is so wrong with this place that you can't go inside it?" Yami demanded, annoyed. He turned back to look at Yugi, slightly angry at the boy's irrational fear. He regretted it at once though when he saw tears forming at the corners of Yugi's eyes.
"Joey works here." Yugi muttered, but Yami was able to hear it. He swallowed a lump in his throat as he turned to look back at the building.
Joey was Yugi's friend, but he was too scared for the well-being of the smaller teen to think straight. What would happen if Joey saw them together? He hadn't been too nice during their first encounter, and now thanks to the arrest, Yami didn't think things would magically go over smoothly. He gritted his own teeth, angry at himself for not having dug into Joey's history. Knowing something like where the kid worked would be helpful.
But, Joey and Yugi were roommates. Yami thought that Joey should have told Yugi about the tournament. Yugi should have already had knowledge about this.
"Did Joey not tell you?" Yami said, trying his best to be compassionate.
Yugi shook his head and bit his lip. "I-I don't think so….I mean, I don't remember."
Yami mentally cursed. Yugi had another memory lapse. He had a few during the weeks he and Yami had been dating. But, none of them had consequences like this. What would Joey do, or say, when he saw the two of them together? Yami didn't want to push Yugi out of his comfort zone, but he also wanted to spend the day with the young teen. Frankly, he was getting sick and annoyed of Yugi allowing his friends to control his life. It was something that needed to be stopped, and now.
"Well," Yami said, trying his best to give Yugi a reassuring smile, "I guess now's the time when we reveal ourselves to your friends."
Yugi shook his head vigorously. They couldn't reveal themselves to Joey! Joey would find out that Yugi had been lying to him for weeks now. How would the blonde feel when the truth was revealed to him? He wouldn't trust Yugi ever again. And Yugi couldn't forgive himself for betraying the friendship he shared with Joey.
But, Yami still tugged on his arm and Yugi found himself following the older man. He didn't want too. He didn't want to go to this tournament anymore, not if it meant having to explain everything to Joey. He wasn't ready yet. He couldn't do it.
"It'll be okay, Yugi." Yami tried his best to comfort. "If they are truly your friends, then they will understand."
Yugi wanted to believe Yami, but he knew that it was a useless dream. Joey's anger and overprotectiveness would blind him. Yugi knew that whatever happened in there would not be something good.
They entered the building and found it to be extremely crowded. There were dozens of tables lined up with people already fighting against each other. They would call out each attack, each summon, and many of them were laughing.
Yugi smiled. These people were having fun, playing with friends. They weren't treating this like a tournament, but instead like school ground game between friends. Yugi placed his hand over his pocket and could feel the energy coming from his deck. He had spent many hours putting it together when he was younger. Each card sentimental value to him, even if nobody else could see their power. He wanted to show off what love and care for your cards could do. He wanted to show people the true importance of having a duelist's heart.
"Who is this?"
Yugi turned around to face the direction the voice had been coming from. He was surprised to see Seto Kaiba standing only a few feet in front of him, his arms crossed against his chest.
Yugi smiled, feeling a little star struck. Seto Kaiba was his idol. He never imagined that he would get to meet the dueling champion.
"This is my friend, Yugi." Yami said wearily. Yugi looked up and could see anger in Yami's eyes as he stared at his cousin. It was obvious there was some tension between the two, and Yugi wondered where it came from. They were family, weren't they? Family was supposed to be kind to one another, to care for each other. The looks the cousins were giving each other showed that somehow they managed to severe that family tie. It looked like they wanted absolutely nothing to do with each other.
Seto snorted. "Is this the kid that landed you in jail, Sennen?" He closed his eyes and smirked. "It looks like you two really belong together. Two losers, the world is in balance."
Yami growled, and Yugi found himself hurt by Kaiba's words. Why would the CEO say something so rude when he didn't even know him? What right did he have to insult a stranger, and his own cousin?
"Kaiba," Yami said, his tone darkening, "I did not come here to listen to you insult me. I get paid for that."
Kaiba's eyes darkened at the statement.
"I do not care what you say to me, but you will not talk that way to Yugi. We came here to participate in the tournament. Nothing more, nothing less. All we ask is that you leave us alone."
"Yugi?" Came another voice, an all too familiar voice. Yugi swallowed a lump in his throat and turned to face Joey, who was running towards him.
"Yugi, what are you doing here?" Joey's eyes looked away from Yugi for a moment and they landed on Yami. The anger that flashed inside the blonde's eyes for that spilt second sent shivers down Yugi's spine. "And why the hell are you with this bastard?"
"Joey…this is Yami." Yugi said, trying to keep his voice calm and steady. But he couldn't help but wince at the sound of his own voice failing him, cracking and stuttering.
"What the hell are you doing with him?"
"Please, Joey, let me explain!" Yugi tried to calm down his friend, but deep down he knew it was useless. He had seen that look in Joey's eyes before, and it was never a good sign.
"Allow me." Yami said, stepping in. If anyone was going to have to deal with Joey, it was only fair that it be him. He was the one who had wanted to meet Yugi. He was the one who was going to take the anger of the friends.
"You bastard." Joey growled through his teeth as his fists clenched. "I told you to stay away from him!" He brought up a fist and was throwing it towards when at the last moment it was caught. Joey looked up to see Kaiba holding his fists firmly in the palm of his hand, frowning.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Kaiba warned, sneering. "Assaulting one of my employees will get your ass shipped to jail faster than you can bark, dog."
Yami felt something in his heart. Kaiba did care about him. He wouldn't have stopped that punch if he didn't. Yami smiled slightly, despite the situation.
"Dog? Who are you calling a dog?" Joey yelled, attracting attention.
"You're nothing but a simple, disposable, bell hop." Kaiba smiled sadistically. "You're as low as they come."
"Some of us actually have to work for a living, rich boy! Not all of us have the pleasure of being born into a world of money!"
Yami silently gasped at that statement. He knew the truth about Seto's childhood, about his adoptive father. Yami remembered that Seto and Mokuba were sent to an orphanage after his parents died because no one in the family could take both of the brothers, and Seto refused for them to be separated.
Kaiba had been adopted, but by a cruel man who had abused him daily. Kaiba had taken over the company of that man after he died, and that's how he came into the money. Kaiba had been born into a family of normal social status.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, mutt. Just go back to attending your fleas." Kaiba shoved Joey to the ground and started to walk away, but he was surprised to see Yugi standing in front of him, his arms outstretched.
"You're not going anywhere." The smaller teen said through his teeth.
Seto smirked, finding this amusing. This kid thought he stood a chance against someone twice his height? "And why is that?" He said, deciding to play along. If this kid wanted to get his butt handed to him on a silver platter, Kaiba would gladly volunteer.
"Nobody hurts my friends." Yugi said, glaring. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his dueling deck. He held it out in front of him for Kaiba to see. "For Joey's honor. I challenge you to a duel."
Yami's eyes widened. Had Yugi gone insane? Kaiba was the world champion! Nobody had ever beaten him before, not even the country champions from around the world! How was Yugi, a kid from the ghetto, supposed to stand a chance?
Yami was about to intervene when he saw something in Yugi's eyes. He had never seen it before, and it looked foreign in the eyes that almost always showed fear and insecurity. His eyes showed determination. Pure determination. He really wanted to duel Kaiba.
Yami took a step back. He couldn't interfere. Yugi had come to this tournament to duel, and that was exactly what he was going to do.
"You want to duel me?" Kaiba said, and then he laughed. "Do you have any idea what you're up against, kid? I could destroy you in one move."
"Then you have nothing to be afraid of."
Joey stood to his feet, holding a now bloody nose. He growled. "Kick his ass, Yugi! Show him what you got!"
Yami found himself impressed with Joey's support. For the moment it seemed that the blonde had completely forgotten about him. Right then, Joey's eyes looked over in his direction. They still showed anger and hate, but he said nothing.
Yami swallowed a lump in his throat. He was going to have to deal with Joey later, he realized that. But for now, he would have to see his friend get destroyed in a game of duel monsters by his cousin. There was no way Yugi could win, not with the cards Kaiba had in his deck. Not even Yami had even beaten Kaiba before.
"Alright, kid." Kaiba said. "Prepare for the worst beating of your life."
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Oh poop. Now I have to write a duel. Oh well.
On another note, I have up to chapter 13 written and about half of chapter 14 written. So the hiatus shouldn't last too long.
Thanks for your understanding.