I would like to wish everyone a happy 2013! I hope this year will bring much happiness and love. To kick-start 2013, I give you an uber-long chapter on Voices. I was so touched by the overwhelming response on chapter 12 that I decided to update Voices at the expense of Enslaved. For those patiently waiting for some KaiYami action, I hope this chapter will make you happy.
So, without further ado, please enjoy…
Warnings: Lots of cussing and potty mouths, hentai Marik and his wandering hands, possible typos and errors that will be eventually amended, and another long-arsed Author's Note.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
O-o-O-o-O
The car journey to the office didn't last too long. Since the hotel was situated in Domino City Central, the prestigious part of the city. It was inevitable that KaibaCorp's headquarters was only a stone's throw away...figuratively, of course.
All through the journey Yami remained silent. He did not intrude on the Kaiba cousins' conversation and they did not attempt to include him in it either. After their eyes met for a second time, he and Kaiba were determined to prevent a repetition of it happening again. The violent blush that bloomed on Yami's face had just about subsided, leaving a hint of colour across his stony features.
Yami sighed into his hand and continue to stare out of the window. They were approaching the corporate part of the city where skyscrapers, standing tall beside one another, reached for the heavens. Amidst it all, stood the HQ of KaibaCorp Communications or The Tower as it was called. The building stood tall and proud with a large courtyard isolating it from its lofty counterparts—it was a magnificent sight to behold. Taking in the building's imposing grandeur, Yami's eyes widened like saucers; it was hard to believe the man in front of him practically owned it. So what the hell was the guy doing in voice acting?
The car smoothly slid to stop at the front of the building where a man in a dark suit and sunglasses was patiently waiting. Kaiba and Noa unbuckled their seat belts and got out of the car. Yami, on cue, followed suit. The engine was left running.
"Kaiba-sama," the man greeted his CEO with a deep bow before turning to the younger Kaiba. "Noa-sama."
"Isono," the two Kaiba replied with Noa adding his acknowledgement with a curt dip of his head.
"When you're done parking the car, return to my office. I have a few tasks for you to carry out," instructed the elder Kaiba.
"Yes, sir," came the reply. Heeding his employer's order, Isono quickly disappeared into the car and drove off.
"Come." Kaiba motioned to Yami to follow him. Turning on his heels, he made his way toward the building with Noa following closely behind him.
Yami stuffed his hands in his pockets and followed, trailing a short distance behind the two cousins.
Once inside the reception, Yami's eyes grew wide. The vast room was decorated with simple hues of white, silver and blue. Metal tables and countertops flawlessly complemented the plush white and pale blue couches and armchairs. Large windows and soft lighting provided ample illumination, replacing the harsh glare of modern day florescent lights A large KCC in brushed silver was proudly displayed on the wall behind a long reception desk.
The place reeked of power and influence.
Curious heads turned when the striking figure of the CEO walked in, most sent lingering looks on the tall man, whilst others were plain ogling. Yami suspected a part of the reaction was due to the latter not wearing his usual his attire—assuming Kaiba wore suits to the office that is. The dark and sinfully low and tight pants along with the shimmering silver shirt drew attention to his lean body. Glancing quickly around him, Yami could see Kaiba had the occupants of the room captivated. The women were blushing and the men were either teeming with envy or appraising the handsome man with an appreciative eye. The petit actor inwardly snorted, it was ironic how the man was an idol within his own company. He wondered what it was like to be worshipped to that extent.
Stopping abruptly, Kaiba turned to face Yami. The latter, too engrossed in his thoughts, crashed into the toned chest.
Waiting for his embarrassed guest to compose himself, Kaiba's thoughts drifted astray. Tempting, as it was to have Yami's company for the duration of his visit, he had pressing matters to attend to. The oppositions to Osiris needed to be crushed and it was inappropriate to have the subject present when he's doing it. He didn't think Yami would appreciate his efforts anyway, the "I could have handled them myself," remark still echoed in his mind and Kaiba suppressed the desire to tut and roll his eyes.
"S-sorry," the stuttered apology broke through Kaiba's contemplations and forced him to look at the speaker. Yami's head was downcast and his face was stained red, the CEO could feel the heat radiating off it.
"Its fine," Kaiba assured him coolly. Not wanting to prolong his discomfort, he pointed to Noa and he said, "Noa will show you to the cafeteria where you can wait comfortably for an hour or so. Once I am done I will meet you there."
Yami looked up and nodded.
"Is there anything you need? I can get someone to provide you with some magazines or newspaper if you want."
For a brief second, Yami contemplated the offer. "If it not too much trouble... I wouldn't mind a newspaper to pass time with."
"I'll arrange it," Kaiba replied and turned his attention to his cousin. "Noa, I heard uncle is in his office so you may want to pay him a visit. Show Mutou to the cafeteria on the way. I will call you when I am done."
Noa bit back the protest of having to see his father and having to be an usher. Instead, he nodded. "Yes, Seto-nii," he said meekly, watching his relative give a departing glance at the upstart before turning to march off.
"Oh, and Noa..." Kaiba stopped, his face half turned towards the teal-haired teen.
"Yes, Seto-nii?" The voice sounded hopeful, as it's owner stared at the fine chiselled profile.
"Be nice!"
The hope faded. "Yes, Seto-nii."
An eerie silence settled around the lobby as its occupants watched Kaiba leave. No one made a sound until the CEO disappeared inside the elevator. Then normalcy returned and a burst of excited chatter filled the room, even Yami released his breath with a long puff. He hadn't realised he was holding it.
How could one person hold such power over people, he thought?
He knew Kaiba Seto was capable of enticing people with his voice alone, but he'd never believe he could captivate an audience with his mere presence. He thought it was just him who fell under his spell, but after witnessing a whole foyer of people, male and female, entranced, he knew Kaiba was more powerful than he thought possible.
How insignificant it made him feel…did Amelda feel it too? How could one ever feel good enough to be by his side when he could command one's attention with a single look or a word?
His voice was not his only asset—that much was certain.
"Follow me," Noa snapped impatiently and began moving towards the elevators, it shook Yami out of his reverie and forced him to follow. Luckily, one of the six elevators was available on the ground floor so they did not have to wait.
Yami was thankful for that.
The silence that existed between them was awkward, to say the least, especially with Noa's rather sulky countenance. Much to Yami's relief, Noa hit the button for the second floor when they got in, out of the fifty floors available; it meant their ascent was going to be very brief. It made him wonder they didn't just take the stairs instead.
Stopping at the designated floor, the doors slid open and Noa exited. He walked down a large corridor until he reached a pair of glass doors. Through them, Yami could see a large dining room with wooden tables and chairs lined in neat rows. They've reached their destination.
"Wait here and don't wander around. The floors from thirtieth onwards are restricted for KCC personnel only and the last five floors are accessible for those with special clearance," he pulled out a key card from his back pocket and waved it at Yami. "The CEO and the Vice President's office are located on those floors, which is why security is extremely tight. Bear that in mind before you start pressing randomly on buttons, I wouldn't want your ignorance to be the cause of your removal by the security guards. Seto-nii will call you via phone or send someone should he need contact you."
Having accomplished the set task, Noa threw Yami a look of contempt before turning to go.
"W-wait!"
Noa slowly turned to face the speaker, a teal brow arched in a delicate curve. "Yes?" he asked dryly.
"I...erm... I..." Yami shifted uncomfortably from side to side, his eyes skittered around the floor as he skittered around the question.
"Yes?" The tone was now strained and tenuous. Noa glared darkly at Yami as he stood with his arms folded tightly across his chest and one finger tapping impatiently on it. "So..."
Yami snapped his head up and open his mouth. The question came out in a hurried rush, "I was wondering what Amelda-san was to Kaiba-san."
Noa was taken by surprise by the bold question, it was written all over his face as he gaped wide-eyed at the speaker; his mind grappling with how much information he wanted to divulge—if any at all.
Another awkward silence ensued.
"Uhm...sorry... I shouldn't have asked," Yami admitted sheepishly, forcing a laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's obviously none of my business and I was too forward, please forget I aske—."
A small hand rose to stop Yami's apology. With a sigh, Noa walked passed Yami and into the cafeteria. Yami followed him. The large room was almost empty save for a few people sitting at the tables scattered about. Noa headed for the carpeted area housing several armchairs, tables and couches. He chose to seat himself on the armchairs as opposed to larger roomier pieces.
Yami silently settled opposite him, the sound of leather creaking as his butt sunk into to it. He stared at the teen opposite him, noticing how Noa was fraught with tension. The boy sat with his legs crossed, his elbows resting on the armrest of the chair and his fingers laced together. His eyes were pinned onto him, hostility seeping through the gaze.
Not daring to look away, Yami shifted nervously in his seat and cleared his throat. It was to break the silence rather than from necessity.
Finally, Noa spoke. "The information I am about to reveal may not be a secret within the industry, it is however, not known outside of it. It'll do you good to remember that. Whatever is said between us remains between us, do you understand?"
"Perfectly," Yami replied, watching Noa unlock his limbs and lean forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He, too, inclined forward, conscious of how conspiratorial they looked to a passing observer.
"How much do you know about Amelda?" Noa asked gravely.
Yami thought for a moment before replying, "Only that he shot to fame after winning the "Newcomer of the Year" award a while back. He played a few supporting and main roles before that, but nothing major like the roles he's offered after gaining that title. He is currently voicing, Gorlag, one of the three protagonists in the anime, The Orichalcos Legend." A memory caused Yami to grimace before continuing. "He has a huge fan base and I have recently learnt he was rather close to Kaiba-sensei."
The glower Noa levelled at him, revealed how distasteful he found the ending remark. It stirred Yami's curiosity.
"The facts you've mentioned about Amelda are more or less correct," Noa informed Yami. "But it was Seto-nii who noticed Amelda's talent, it was him who nurtured that raw talent and it was through him that bastard was acknowledged. You, yourself, should know how hard it is to be recognised. Talent means nothing when it can be easily drowned out in the vast ocean of voices that also seeks recognition. What good is it to you if you cannot ride above it and surpass the others?"
Yami did not...or rather could not answer and it irked the teen.
"Tell me, how did someone like you, a lowly voice actor, manage to attract Seto-nii's attention. Was it your really voice or was it, perhaps, your pretty eyes?" Noa laughed at the dark brow that rose in response to his comment. "Oh yes, Seto-nii noticed you alright, he even requested your attendance to the Broken Bonds audition. How else would you've gotten that lifetime opportunity if he hadn't intervened...and at such short notice too?"
"But I only met him once before the audition!" Yami defended weakly, the revelation disturbing him immensely. "And that meeting was less than favourable! I got the impression he was displeased with my rudeness after he called me a 'nobody'."
Noa gave a sniff of disdain. "I agree with Seto-nii calling you a 'nobody', but I can't say I understand why he decided to assist that same 'nobody'. After the Amelda disaster, one would think he'd be more wary about helping strays. I was sure he wasn't going to make the same mistake again, yet you've managed to break his resolve and..." the sentence trailed off into silence. The speaker seemed lost in his own thoughts.
"What exactly did Amelda do?" Yami prodded. "Was their relationship simply senpai and kouhai or was there more to—" Startled by the look of scorn Noa threw him, Yami immediately reined in the rest of the question.
If looks could kill...
"What did Amelda do, you ask?" Noa lowered his voice to a venomous hiss, his hands balled into tight fists and his posture stiffened. "After everything Seto-nii did, the bastard betrayed him! At the first sniff of interest from others, Amelda spread his legs like a bitch in heat and offered himself in return for certain favours. None could resist him. Directors, producers, sponsors and fellow actors all fell for his wiles. As long it was beneficial for him, he did not discriminate. However, I have to hand it to him, the bastard was, at least, discreet. You didn't get to hear about his conquests unless he wanted them known. The scheming bastard...no, the slut was manipulative and clever."
"As for relationship between Seto-nii and the slut," Noa shrugged and released a bitter chortle, "no one really knows. On the surface they looked like senpai and kouhai, but Seto-nii's expression would soften when he's talking with or about the slut. Emotions no one thought he capable of showing, he displayed them. It was beautiful and maddening to witness..." Just like it is now, he finished silently.
The thought remained unspoken in Noa's mind. It was hard to deny his cousin's attraction to this upstart when it mirrored those very same emotions from another time, with another person. It pained Noa then and it pained him now.
Closely observing Seto-nii and Amelda, Noa caught the lingering glances, the fleeting touches, the small smiles...and even a heated stolen kiss. Seto-nii loved that cursed man and the way he's behaving now; it was obvious he cared for this upstart too. Whether he will acknowledge it and pursue him is uncertain. One would think he'd wise up after that disastrous affair.
Amelda gave it his all to win the Newcomer Award, but was it worth it in the end? Was it really worth losing someone like Kaiba Seto for an award that would be meaningless the year after? Noa never understood why the man risked it; the memory of how Seto-nii hurt after he discovered the betrayal made Noa more possessive and protective than ever. Seto-nii never quite recovered from the ordeal, ignoring all newbies and refraining from showing interest in them—until now. Still, in Noa's opinion, there was little to be desired from his current choice.
What did Seto-nii see in this guy?
Noa mentally sighed and looked at his rival. At least, Amelda, beneath the deceit, was compliant; this one here was fiery and short-tempered. If anything, the latter was more crass than the predecessor. Like a live grenade, Mutou's destructive and unpredictable; the damage he could inflict would be irrecoverable. Noa needed the man away from Seto-nii should he detonate.
Smirking, Noa leaned closer to his companion. "Tell me, Mutou," he asked with feigned casualness, "are you going to be another Amelda? Are you going to use Seto-nii and ride his coattail to fame as well?"
Yami pulled away from Noa, the callous words wounding him...angering him. It stung.
"Please refrain from tarnishing me with the same crap you apply Amelda with. I refuse to betray those who have shown their trust and faith in me and I certainly will not cheapen myself to gain recognition! I suggest you to remember that, Noa-kun."
Noa snorted a response. Proud as Lucifer, he thought churlishly, watching the other bristle. The man might actually be disinclined to use Seto as a stepping-stone to stardom if the indignation at the accusations was anything to go by. If Mutou Yami had his mind set on succeeding without assistance then it was enough to placate him for the time being and nothing more would be said on the matter.
With a sigh, Noa got up. "Well, it's time for me to pay my father a visit. I'll catch you later, Mutou." Without waiting for a reply, Noa weaved around his seat and stood beside Yami.
A hand landed on Yami's shoulder earning a small yelp from him. The surprised man looked up to see the teen scowling at him.
"Keep your distance from Seto-nii," Noa warned, his voice was tight with menace and the hand on the shoulder digging ever so slightly into the flesh. "I will not forgive those who dare hurt him." Then, with a gentle pat, the pressure was gone and Noa walked away.
Yami watch the teen exit the room, his mouth gaping in disbelief.
Did Noa think I could get close enough to Kaiba to hurt him? Did he see me as a threat?
The notion was absurd, not to mention far-fetched! Shaking his head, Yami pulled out his phone to check the time. After shoving it back into his pocket, he delved into his thoughts again. He still had an hour and ten minutes to kill.
Sagging into a boneless heap on the chair, Yami rubbed his face tiredly and sighed. Why did everyone lump him, Amelda and Kaiba in the same sentence? He couldn't for the life of him see the connection other than Kaiba being charitable to a couple of newbies. It made Yami wonder what Kaiba saw in him. Surely out of all the hopefuls the veteran came across, there were others worthy of his time and attention? With the exception of Shizuka-san, Amelda was the only other person he had taken an interest to and that was because the man had talent and a face that had people swooning at his feet.
Yami paused.
Did that person melt the Ice Prince's heart? Did Kaiba love Amelda?
Yami's thoughts clouded with traces of envy as he wandered back to Obelisk's confession in Kaiba's voice. Did Kaiba's confession to Amelda contain the same tenderness...the same wealth of love that was so desperately, yet, humbly conveyed? Oh, how he fell in love with that confession! How those words still haunt him!
He wished someone could have spoken them to him. How he wished someone took care of him like he took care of Yuugi. Maybe it what drew Anzu to him? Maybe it her motherliness that made him fall in love with her? He had been taking care of Yuugi for as long as he remembered—providing his sibling the mental, physical and financial support—acting as a father figure and a friend. It hadn't been easy, but it was rewarding, it had been worth it even if it came at a price.
He was alone.
What he wouldn't give to have someone share the burden with him, to aid him with the decision making, to be there at the end of a hard day for him...to love him wholly...body and soul.
He knew Yuugi loved him, but not in the way he craved.
"I will be always be here for you... I will protect you forever, so never fear, my sweet love. Just trust in me and I will ensure you will never regret it," Yami murmured those lines, caressed those words with longing in his voice. "It's all wishful thinking," he added wistfully. "Such sentiments belong in fairy-tales, it could never happen to me."
With a regretful sigh, he sunk back into his gloomy thoughts.
Not far behind him, the CEO of KaibaCorp Communications slipped out as silently as he slipped in—leaving the brooding man none the wiser and without the newspaper he was promised.
O-o-O-o-O
At six o'clock, Yami found himself inside The Black Crown.
Initially, he was shocked that there was a high-class establishment despite the narrow and dimly lit entrance. No menu adorned its walls, which added to its inconspicuousness. It might explain why Kaiba valued it so much. The latter had gone to park the car, leaving him and Noa to rendezvous with the rest of the cast. After being led into a private room by an elegant woman in a violet kimono, Yami was surprised to see everyone, except Marik and Kaiba, present.
The room they were in was spacious and traditional Japanese style. Tatami mats covered the floor, and shoji screen covered the walls and doors. In the middle of the room was a very large and low lacquered wood table with cushions scattered around it and a beautiful floral arrangement adorning the centre of it. The bright vibrant hue accented starkly against the neutral colours of it's surrounding.
Not long after, Yami sat cross-legged on a cushion, half listening to his boisterous colleagues whilst taking in the décor with awe. Rebecca and Shizuka, having arrived half an hour early, had taken advantage of the Karaoke in the concealed soundproof room to the side. Jounouchi and Honda, who turned up ten minutes after them, joined them. According to Honda, they had already managed to butcher four songs in the process. It gets better after dinner and a few drinks.
Pegasus and Ota-san, each equipped with a flask of sake, were too engrossed in conversation to heed the others around them.
Eventually, the doors slid open to reveal Kaiba entering with a tall and lanky man beside him. The said man wore a dark blue samue* with a matching bandanna that covered the top of his dark head. Piercing green eyes scanned the room and the faces of its occupants before alighting on Yami. The raven-head half-turned to Kaiba and said something to him; those emerald orbs never leaving his face.
Yami watched Kaiba's reaction, hoping he might decipher what was being said, but with little luck. Aside the infuriating smirk, Kaiba was unreadable as ever.
The sound of a cell phone ringing interrupted them; the CEO apologised and slipped away to take the call. It gave his abandoned companion the opportunity to approach the table. There, he was greeted warmly.
So this is Otogi, thought Yami, eyeing the owner.
The younger men clapped Otogi on the back and demanded he have a drink with them whilst the girls giggled and watched the noisy interaction.
"Hey, Otogi-kun!" Ota-san placed the cup he was holding on the table and clapped his hands together, rubbing them greedily. "Have you created anything new for me to try out?"
Otogi returned the question with a few tap on his nose. "It's for me to know, and you to find out, Ota-san," he chuckled and winked. "But remind me when you're placing your order. Ask for the Dragon's Experiment*."
Ota-san laughed. "I sure will though just try not to off me, okay? I have the future of these younglings in my hands, I don't think they, Kaiba-kun or Pegasus-san would be pleased if I got killed before I finished Broken Bonds."
Everyone laughed, the men adding a few crude suggestions on ways to "off" the greedy director. Yami watched with faint amusement, a small smile tugged at the lips as he basked in the carefree atmosphere.
"Hey..." Yami looked up to see green eyes staring at him. "You're new to this motley bunch, aren't you?"
A few cries of protests from the members of the "motley bunch" were heard, evoking a snicker from Yami. "I am Mutou Yami and it's a pleasure to meet you, Otogi-san."
"I can assure you the pleasure's all mine and call me Ryuji. Likewise, I'll call you Yami since we don't stand for formalities here."
Yami nodded and watched him settle between Rebecca and Shizuka, looking ready to flirt.
"Oh, and if there's anything you fancy on or off the menu, give me a shout. I am sure I can arrange something to suit your taste," he ended the statement with a suggestive wink.
Rebecca smacked him upside on the head with the menu, eliciting a bout of guffaws from the males and a giggle from the other female.
"Ow, Rebecca-chan!" Otogi wailed, rubbing his head and giving the girl a fierce mock glare. "No desserts for you now!"
Rebecca turned away from him and pouted dramatically. Otogi began pulling her hair to attract her attention again.
All eyes steered to the door when it slid open to reveal the missing member of the cast.
Marik entered looking a little sheepish.
"You're late!" Kaiba had finished his phone call and was looking at the latecomer reproachfully.
"Fashionably late," Marik corrected cheerfully, making his way to Kaiba. The others laughed and returned their attention to whatever they were doing prior the interruption. Yami watched Otogi trying to placate Rebecca. The girl was demanding for an impossible dessert. The ingredients had Yami's mind boggling. What in heaven's name is a "Til-la-mish-shu"*?
Marik watched the crowd with a somber expression. "By the way," he murmured lowly so only Kaiba could hear him, "I met with Amelda just now... He's most displeased with the choice of Osiris."
Kaiba showed his indifference with a slight lifted his shoulders. The fresh smell of soap on the Egyptian gave him the impression the meeting did not merely involve discussing Osiris.
"Like I give a shit!" he drawled.
"He has also expressed an interest in Yami."
Another shrug. "He should mind his business if he knows what's good for him."
Marik pulled away and sighed, "You know as a well as I do, when Amelda is interested in something or someone there's no stopping him. Not to mention he feels cheated that you chose, in his words, 'an audio porn star' as a lead."
Kaiba gave a contemptuous snort and began to move towards the group. "He can go and fuck himself for all I care, but I think you've taken care of that already."
Marik grimaced, but surprisingly said nothing.
"Hey Marik!" Jounouchi's voice rang out. "Where d'ya sneak off to?"
Grinning, Marik pinched his lips together with a finger and thumb and shook his head. The gesture told the enquirer he wasn't going to spill. Instead, he turned to Kaiba and said, "Speaking of sneaky, you sponsoring Broken Bonds was a sneaky move. If I realised it would have Yami-chan indebted to me, I would have done it earlier."
Irritated with the lewd implications of the comment, Kaiba lashed out angrily, "A sponsorship is for investment purposes and not for your perverse amusement, moron!"
The Egyptian rolled his eyes and chuckled, "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Kaiba, and you might just believe it!" He didn't know if he was pleased or displeased that he managed to get a response out of the frigid man. Yami's name had succeeded to provoke a response from Kaiba, where Amelda had failed. It was disconcerting.
Kaiba, choosing to ignore the remark and Marik altogether, sat on the left side of Yami where the Egyptian, after ousting Noa to the end of the table, sat on the right.
"I'll have my usual please, Otogi." Kaiba lost no time in placing his order to the owner.
"Drink?"
"Usual."
"Next!"
Yami took a gulp of his soda and studied the menu intently. The prices were unbelievably expensive; he was busy searching for the cheapest item when Marik interrupted his thoughts.
"What you're having, Yami-chan?"
"Something that I don't require a loan for," came the distracted reply.
"You know, if you don't have enough on you, I can always pay for your share and you can pay me back later," Marik offered.
Yami nodded absently to the suggestion.
"With your body!"
Yami choked on his drink and began coughing uncontrollably. Marik rubbed his back and in an attempt to soothe the spluttering male. The latter was grateful for the care...until a hand began trailing southwards and was palming his butt!
Yami's eye's widened and his body went rigid. The hentai's copping a feel, he thought incredulously. Giving Marik a watery glare, he reached behind him and pinched the meddlesome hand—not a big meaty pinch—but a small nip that dug mostly into the skin than flesh. It hurt a whole lot more!
Marik yelped and removed his wounded hand; waving it around to disperse the pain.
Kaiba glowered at the pair then jerking a chin at Yami, he said, "Oi, you stop spreading your pheromones around…and you," diverting his glare to Marik who slung an arm around Yami's shoulders, "stop letting your fucking testosterones saturate your brain and control your mouth. And keep your hands to yourself!"
Marik reluctantly removed his arm and scowled at Kaiba. "At least, he has pheromones and I have testosterones! Together we make a formidable combination. What have you got to offer, oh mighty Ice Prince? Frost-bite?"
"Better that than to have a sperm bank for a brain!" Kaiba replied tartly. "Besides, this meal is paid by KaibaCorp so stop misleading the gullible into believing he has to pay through his nose by whoring out his body to you for the rest of his miserable life!"
Yami shot him a withering glare. "I am not gullible, nor a whore or miserable," he stated coldly, watching the annoying man next to him stretch out with grace and fluidity.
Kaiba snorted derisively.
O-o-O-o-O
Once everyone had placed their order and received more drinks, conversation began to flow noisily in the group. Since everyone was curious about Yami, the subject of Boy Love, by default, cropped up.
"What, you've never done BL before?" Yami asked incredulously, staring at the blond man.
"Nope, not interested," replied Jounouchi.
"More like no one's interested in him," scoffed Marik.
Jounouchi's eyes thinned menacingly. "What do you mean?" he asked crossly.
"I mean no one would pay to listen to someone howling their climax, now would they?"
"Y-yeah, well why haven't you done it then?"
"That's because I want to reserve my sexy voice exclusively for my lovers!" Marik announced proudly.
"Which means half the female and male population of Japan has heard it for free," Pegasus retorted dryly. "Honestly Marik-kun, if you're going use your talent, at least let the Company make some money from it!"
Marik sent him a poisonous glare. "Shut it, Oyaji" he growled. "The company makes more than enough from what I do, I am not interested in gasping and panting into a microphone pretending to make love if I can doing it for real! However, with that said, if Yami-chan promise to partner with me, I'd be more than willing to comply." He waggled his eyebrows provocatively at Yami.
Pegasus immediately perked up. "I am sure that could be arranged, right, Yami-kun?"
Kaiba glared at Pegasus for daring to suggest it. The thick-skinned man, immune to the effects, laughed it off, "Of course, if they are others willing to add to the cause, the Company would be more than happy to oblige. Prominent voice actors, especially virgin ones that are new to the Boy Love business are more than welcomed! I think you should think about it Kaiba-kun, you could have any partner if you agree to it."
The girls' eyes lit up at the prospect of their stoic senpai doing yaoi. They awaited the answer with abated breath.
"Not interested."
No one noticed the deflated sighs and the light of hope die out from the previously excited females.
"You sure?" Pegasus persisted. "There might be someone tempting enough to lure you away from your decision. Perhaps, we can have Ota-san to direct it. Now that would be epic!"
Ota-san clapped Pegasus on the back and laughed, "Pegasus-san, implausible as it sounds, if Kaiba-kun is willing to venture into the world of Boy Love, I would gladly assist him. He will not be alone with his debut in unchartered waters. I suggest Marik-kun to participate too. I am sure the results would be very interesting."
"No way!" Two voices simultaneously voiced their disgust. "Never!"
Ota-san put up his hand in mock fear. "Whoa, I don't mean having the two of you as a pairing, in my opinion, that will never work. Can't ever see either of you being submissive. No, we have to find a suitable 'uke' that is compatible with the both of you to make it work. Think about it and never say 'never'."
Fortunately, the arrival of the appetisers ended the subject, steering it away from Boy Love and into more neutral matters. Yami was relieved when the discussion ended, he could help but feel that as if all eyes were on him when "uke" was mentioned. It didn't help that half the occupants in the room had witnessed that performance he gave Kaiba on the day of the audition. The memory made him burn with shame.
Beside him, Kaiba and Marik smirked at the recollection.
O-o-O-o-O
Three courses later, the cast were ready for some fun! Rebecca and Shizuka went off to sing Karaoke in the adjoining room, leaving the boys to participate in the evening's entertainment: Kiku no Hana.
"Huh, what's Kiku no Hana?" Yami's bewildered reaction told the others he had no idea what it was, let alone understand why they were getting excited about it.
Jounouchi had got up from his seat and was poring over the flower arrangement that had been removed to a corner of the room during the course of the night. He returned with the head of a small yellow flower.
"Kiku no Hana is a drinking game," Honda explained, taking the flower from Jounouchi and holding it out in the palm of his hand for Yami to see. "It is best played with a group of people—the larger the group—the better. Each player will place a sake cup upside down on a on a tray like this."
He demonstrated by turning a cup over on a small wooden tray. The others, with the exception of Noa, placed theirs too.
"The game starts with one person secretly hiding the chrysanthemum flower under a cup, like this..." he placed the flower under an upside down cup and shuffles it. "Then he passes the tray to the person beside him who has to pick a cup without the chrysanthemum inside."
Lifting up a cup to reveal nothing underneath it, he places the cup back on the tray, upturned, and continues explaining.
"If he is successful and the chrysanthemum is not found, then the tray gets passed on the next person. It will continue until someone finds the chrysanthemum and he, the finder, will have to drink as many cups of sake that have been turned up. However, if the tray returns to the person who hid the chrysanthemum without it being found, the hider will have to drink all the cups that are on the tray." This time Honda lifts up the cup to reveal the chrysanthemum under it and grins.
"Basically, the idea of the game is not to find the chrysanthemum... and oh, one thing more, whilst a player is choosing the cup, we chant: Kiku no hana, kiku no hana, akete tanoshii, kiku no hana*. The chooser is required to have selected a cup by the time we finish chanting. This ensures the chooser doesn't take his sweet time and it's hilarious trying to chant those lines after ten bottles of sake. The more rounds we play, the faster the chanting gets. It mostly requires luck, but that's where the fun's to be had. Do you follow?"
Yami felt the trickle of trepidation bleed through his body. Due to his stinginess he rarely drank. Alcohol never really appealed to him anyway. "I'm not much of a drinker, I'm afraid," Yami confessed. Next to him, he heard Marik snicker evilly.
"Don't worry, Yami," Jounouchi assured. "We'll go easy on you. So let's get this party started! Our new boss," a flick of his wrist to Kaiba, "should do the honours, I think."
Kaiba suddenly found the tray, containing seven cups and a chrysanthemum, shoved in front of him. With a defeated sigh, he placed a cup over the flower, turned the remaining cups upside down and discreetly shuffled the cups under the table, keeping tabs on the booby-trapped one. Then, he presented to the tray to the person on his left who happened to be Ota-san.
"Kiku no hana, kiku no hana, akete tanoshii, kiku no hana."
Yami watched the tray make its way around the table. Ota-san, Pegasus-san, Honda and Jounouchi had so far been fortunate and hadn't come across the 'prize'. It left Marik, him and Kaiba.
Now it was Marik's turn.
"Kiku no hana, kiku no hana, akete tanoshii, kiku no hana."
Marik picked up a cup... and it was empty! He laughed gleefully and passed the tray to Yami. Yami wanted to punch his smug face!
Taking a deep breath, Yami stared at the two remaining cups. At least, the group was considerate enough to chant slowly for his sake.
"Kiku no hana..."
He was about to reach for the cup on his left, when something nudged his left side. He stilled his hands momentarily, thought for a heartbeat, dismissed the thought, and was about to reach for the same cup again.
"kiku no hana..."
The nudge again! In fact, he was sure it was an elbow to the ribs. He glared at the poker-face man sitting next to him and he chose the cup on the right...
"akete tanoshii..."
And turned it over.
"kiku no hana."
No flower!
Yami almost cried with relief! The group whooped for joy, almost raising the roof off the establishment with their elation. They were happy for Yami's lucky escape and were delighted with Kaiba misfortunes. Yami watched with morbid fascination as Ota-san filled seven cups full to the brim with sake and Kaiba knocking them back as if it were water.
Crimson eyes rounded comically.
"Kaiba has a high tolerance for alcohol," Marik told him. "He's seasoned drinker and a disciplined one too. All these years I've known him, I've seen him drunk only a few times."
Yami looked at Kaiba with newfound awe and then the realisation hit him. Did Kaiba save him from choosing the wrong cup? Were those subtle nudges, warnings?
Kaiba, drawn by the weight of that crimson stare, turned and smirked briefly at Yami before returning his attention to the game again.
"Kiku no hana, kiku no hana, akete tanoshii, kiku no hana."
O-o-O-o-O
After a dozen rounds later, a listless Yami sat slumped with his head on the table. His face was flushed; his eyes were glazed and his mouth agape. He was completely smashed. Marik had taken advantage of his incapacitation and threaded a red rose in his hair, saying it matched the colour of his eyes. Yami, who was too pissed to remonstrate, allowed it, knowing how positively ridiculous he must have looked. He had to remember to remove it before he left the place.
The game stopped when majority of the participants couldn't chant coherently. Completely drunk out of their minds, the group had gotten rowdy by the minute and everything they spewed, or rather slurred, had them rolling around in a fit of uncontrollable laughter! Eventually, Kaiba ended it and the girls returned to the table where they chatted happily with Otogi.
The said man had joined in the drinking game after Pegasus left and proved to be a lively player, a heavyweight drinker and an outrageous flirt. The sexual banter between him and Marik had Kaiba scowling with displeasure...and Yami and Noa's faces flaming with mortification, which only encouraged them more.
A large fruit basket, a perk that was exclusive to Kaiba's group, was brought out along with some very strong coffee. The beverage had been appreciated since it countered some of the alcohol. Almost everyone had recovered from being extremely drunk to just drunk or mildly drunk. To Yami's chagrin, Kaiba seemed completely unaffected.
Otogi picked up an apple from the basket and proceeded to make apple rabbits with it. Rebecca and Shizuka squealed with delight at finished product. Yami, submerged in a blissful state, smiled indulgently at the girls' joy. He felt oddly contented.
Marik, on the other hand, was itching to cause mischief. He grabbed an orange from the basket and tossed it from hand to hand, his face sporting a demonic grin as he stared the blond sitting opposite him. Once he got Jounouchi's attention, he hurled the orange into a corner, and watched it bounce of the wall and roll across the tatami mats.
"Fetch!" he ordered excitedly.
Jounouchi glared at the Egyptian and flipped him the middle finger. Fuck you, he mouthed.
The indignant response caused Marik to laugh aloud. At times like this, getting Jounouchi riled up was an amusing diversion.
Yami turned his observation elsewhere and landed on Noa. The teen had managed to get Ota-san's seat and was diligently peeling an apple. Once it was done he quartered it and offered it to his beloved cousin. Kaiba took a piece and passed the rest to Yami.
"Eat," he commanded, pointing to the fruit.
Yami groaned and pulled a face, his stomach rebelling at the very thought of food. Through hooded eyes, Yami watch Noa glare at him.
The brat's perfected the infamous death-glare...or as well as he ever could, he thought idly. Though it could never measure up to Kaiba's. Where Noa's glare looks sullen, Kaiba's fearsome, sultry and sexy.
Sighing, he looked at the others and noticed they were all gaping at him...all except one. Kaiba was smirking widely.
Yami paled.
Shit, I didn't say that aloud, did I?
The silent heads nodded simultaneously. He buried his head in his hands.
Shit! What the fuck was I thinking? Kaiba? Sexy? Wait! I am still thinking aloud, aren't I?
Again, nods.
Yami groaned and butted the table with his head. "I swear I am never drinking again!"
The room erupted with laughter!
"There, there, Yami-chan," Marik soothed, patting the alcoholic lightweight gently on the head, "It's okay to make a fool of yourself under the influence of alcohol. You should see what Jounouchi did when he's plastered! He—"
"Hey, arse-crack, it was agreed that the incident was never to be spoken of again! Don't make me remind you with my fists!" He shook a fist to support his threat. "Like to see you still function after consuming enough alcohol to float a boat!"
"You know I am quite capable, mutt!"
Jounouchi snorted. "Like to support that claim and put your money where your mouth is, asshole?"
Marik snickered, "What do you propose?"
"A drinking match."
"Not interested."
"Grow some balls, man!"
"I can assure you my balls has nothing to do with it. They are perfectly healthy, thank you very much! Wanna see?"
"Fuck you, Marik!"
"Jou!" Otogi chided. "There are ladies present, you know!"
"Sorry, Zu-Zu!"
"Hey!" A protest was wrung out of Rebecca.
Marik chuckled and then sobered slightly. "Yami-chan?"
Yami with his head on the table turned and looked at Marik drowsily. "Hmmm?"
"Did I hear wrong or did you find Kaiba's glare sexy?"
"..."
"I resent that! I want you to think me sexy too. What part of me do you find sexy?"
"..."
"You're so mean!"
Kaiba sat with a wide smirk across his face and inwardly gloated.
O-o-O-o-O
"Hey Yami-chan, wake up..."
Yami dragged his bleary mind from the edge of oblivion. Someone was gently patting his cheeks and calling him.
"Wakey-wakey now..."
Yami cracked a sleepy eye at the speaker and grunted a reply. He closed his eyes again.
"Let's get his shoes on." Another voice slipped into his consciousness, Yami smiled. He liked that voice.
Someone gathered him up and was carrying him. Afterwards, he was placed on the floor. Another person replaced the one who carried him and was propping him in a sitting position. It was then he felt hands on his feet, gently guiding them into his ankle boots. At first, Yami resisted, but the firm tug on his feet and a faint growl stopped him.
Still dozy, Yami tried to rub the vestiges of sleep away...on someone's chest. He paused for a second and took in a deep breath.
The scent's all wrong, his befuddle mind told him.
Still with his eyes closed, he turned from the body that was holding and sought out the one doing up his boots. Guided by his nose, his head dropped onto a satiny shoulder and he inhaled. The familiar zesty scent with its woody undertones brought a smile to his face.
Ahhh, better, his mind purred, his face almost nuzzling the warm neck it encountered.
He felt a soft rumble of laughter vibrate from the one beneath his cheeks.
"Hey Yami-chan, you can always nuzzle me if you want, but let Kaiba finish tying your boots first or Otogi can't lock up."
Alertness flooded back to Yami and he immediately pulled away. The effects of the sudden movement made him wince. He let out a whimper and grasped his head.
"C'mon, let's get you home," Kaiba said.
Yami looked up and peered around the room. Rebecca, Shizuka and Noa had gone. "Where's the rest?"
"I had my assistant take them home. Do you want to go the restroom and wash your face? It will refresh you."
Yami nodded and staggered away.
"I can take Yami-chan home," Marik said brightly, his eyes following Yami.
Kaiba tensed and glared at him.
"Trying to run from our drinking match, Marik?" Jounouchi snickered. "Too afraid to compete in case you lose?" He winked at Kaiba.
Marik looked torn.
"Peanut balls!" Jounouchi taunted. "And peanut dick!"
"That's it!" Marik growled. "If you put it that way, I'll accept your challenge! Nobody mock my package and gets away with it, be prepared to regret those words!"
"Yeah, yeah," Jounouchi flapped his hands dismissively in front of Marik's face. "Bring it on, lover boy!"
Otogi shook his head and laughed at the warring males. "You guys are incorrigible! Did you not learn from your lesson the last time you got drunk, Jou?"
Jounouchi glowered sulkily and pouted. "This time it's for a good cause!" He jerked his chin in the direction of the restrooms.
Marik grinned. "Say, want to join us, Ryu?"
Otogi looked at Marik, Jounouchi and Honda, and shrugged. "Since I don't have to come in until late afternoon, yeah, count me in."
Marik's grin widened as he turned to the director. "Ota-san, coming? The more the merrier, you know!"
Ota-san shook his head. "I think I'll pass and leave you young ones to enjoy yourselves. Since we get a day off tomorrow, I'd rather not spend it nursing a hangover."
The men were laughing heartily when Yami returned. Looking as though he had scrubbed his face with cold water, his cheeks now held a rosy glow to it. His gait, however, was still a little disjointed.
"Ready?" Kaiba asked. Yami nodded and promptly was led out with the other's following.
O-o-O-o-O
The chill of the night hit them when they exited the restaurant, sobering one slight inebriate male.
After saying their goodnights, the men went their separate ways. Ota-san hailed a cab and was whisked off. The drinking party, still trading insults, merrily marched off to the nearest bar.
Yami and Kaiba watched them go, their voices fading into the night as did the sight of them.
"Where do you live?"
Yami told him in an unsteady voice.
"I think it's best we walk off your drunken state for a bit," informed Kaiba, eyeing his companion with concern. "The thought of you throwing up in the car on the way home and me having to put up with it, is not very appealing. Besides, the fresh air will do you good."
Yami bobbed an agreement, but found the action made his head spin and his vision reel. "Crap, I feel as if everything's moving in slow motion!" he groaned, shutting his eyes. "Like I'm underwater."
"You really are a lightweight, aren't you?"
Yami opened his eyes and shot Kaiba a reproachful glare. "I did tell you, didn't I?" he snapped, annoyed at the man for pointing out the obvious. It wasn't his fault he'd been forced to drink so much. It would have been more if they hadn't decided to end the game. He didn't think he could endure another round without passing out, or worse, doing something he'd regret—as if he hadn't already. That death-glare admission was embarrassing enough and he shuddered to think it could be worse...like how much he was obsessed over those lines he loved so much. Undoubtedly, all he needed was a bit more sake and he'd be begging Kaiba to enact it with him!
"Huh?" Kaiba stared at Yami in confusion.
Oh fuck!
"So what's with Jou? What's the deed-that-shall-not-be mentioned?" Yami asked, trying to sound as casual as possible. A change of subject was needed. Desperately needed.
Kaiba sighed. "Let's say, it's a very bad idea when one is piss-drunk around Marik!"
'Oh, and why's that?"
"For a start, you get goaded into doing things you wouldn't normally if you were sober! And in Katsuya's case, its inviting trouble and humiliation!"
"Oh?"
Kaiba cocked a brow in a sardonic manner at his companion. "If you thought your stunt was bad, then Katsuya's one was spectacular!"
Yami tilted his head to one side, his interest piqued. "Really? Worse than mine? What happened?"
Kaiba was thoughtful for a moment. "Let's say, what happened is the reason he will never touch yaoi. Marik's mouth is not only good at goading."
"Ah..."
There was a lengthy pause after that.
"Uhm... Did they—"
"Not telling. Ask Katsuya if you want to know, it is up to him if he wants to recall his most humiliating moment in detail again."
Yami pouted and staggered off ahead of Kaiba. "Tease," he huffed under his breath.
His companion observed the velvet clad back and sighed, "Takes one to know one."
"Would you do it?" Yami asked cautiously.
"Would I do what exactly?"
Yami stopped in his tracks and remained with his back towards Kaiba. "Would you consider doing yaoi?"
Kaiba gave the question some thought before replying. "Maybe... It depends," he said noncommittally. He was fast closing in on Yami...just a few more steps...
On hearing the reply, Yami spun around and stared at Kaiba. "Depends on what?" he demanded breathlessly.
"Depends on who my partner is."
One more step...
"Any preferences?" Yami asked, letting out a soft gasp when Kaiba stopped a few inches in front of him. The proximity was too close for comfort and yet...
"Perhaps..." Kaiba murmured as he leant down.
Gentle lips brushed against each other. The hesitancy was to gauge a reaction, but it soon fused into something more meaningful... more deeper than what they initially intended. It satisfied the longing of the one who silently suffered under the guise of indifference—and it stirred the longing of another who didn't know he was yearning.
Eyes slid shut as they both deepened the kiss, savouring the heat that spread from the point of contact to the rest of their bodies. Tongues met and entwined, swirling and plundering the depth of the other's mouth, heightening their desires and pulling their bodies together until they melded as one. A moan escaped into the chilled air.
Tell me, Mutou, are you going to be another Amelda? Are you going to use Seto-nii and ride his coattail to fame as well?
Yami pulled way, his swollen lips gasping for breath as those words sunk into him. Panic-stricken, he gave Kaiba a wide-eyed look of horror before drooping his head down, his bangs partially covering the face that was flushed from the exchange.
Noa's accusation pierced him with guilt and dismay.
"I-I- I-it w-was—" He stumbled and choked on those words; his voice, still tainted with the remnants of lust, sounded husky and hoarse. Eventually, he gave up causing an awkward silence to envelope them. It wasn't as if he could justify his actions anyway.
Amused, Kaiba watched the other squirm in discomfort. Had Yami dared study closely enough, he would have noticed the fire behind those vivid blue eyes. Finally taking pity on the struggling man, he threw him a lifeline. "I guess we're more drunk than we realised," he said ruefully.
Y-yes," Yami agreed readily, looking up and giving Kaiba a weak smile.
Kaiba smirked at the relief so blatantly displayed. "Do you want to walk more or are you ready to go home?"
Yami dropped his gaze. "I'd rather head home if you don't mind."
Kaiba hummed and, without another word, led the way to his car.
O-o-O-o-O
The journey home was a quiet affair. For most part, the pair was contented to sit and listen to the music that wafted softly through the speakers. In fact, each was lost in their thoughts and only ventured to break the silence out of politeness. Neither ventured to discuss anything too personal, the memory of the kiss still lingered on their lips and in each of their minds, creeping stealthily into their thoughts whenever conversation stilled.
Awkwardness was best way to describe the journey, but it was a companionable sort of unease that neither minded. By the time the car had reached its destination, both felt the trace of regret though neither party would ever freely admit it.
Yami was about to unbuckle his seat belt when the sound of Kaiba undoing his stopped him. He cocked a slender brow at the other's action, the unspoken "what are you doing?" hung heavily in the air.
"I am escorting you to your door."
"What for? I am perfectly capable of—"
"We can't have our new star falling flat on his face from his drunken stupor and injuring himself, right?" The sternness in his tone warned the other he brooked no opposition.
"Fine," Yami mumbled. After undoing his seat belt and getting out of the car, he led the wealthy man towards the shabby apartment and up the rickety stairwell to the second floor. Walking across the open corridor, he stopped outside the third door and turned to face his escort.
"Thank you for taking me home," he hesitated and flushed slightly, "...and for everything."
Unwilling to leave just yet, Kaiba quirked a brow and smirked, "For 'everything'?"
Yami redden furiously at the other's teasing. The bastard's not making it easy for him, was he? "Yes," he managed to spit out. "For helping me through the press conference, for keeping an eye out for me and for your concern throughout. I really appreciated..."
Blue and crimson locked onto one another, sending tension soaring into the surrounding stillness and saturating the very air around them. It pulsed with undefined emotions.
The longer the silence stretched on, the more fearful Yami became. Kaiba's presence was beginning to overwhelm him. He could feel the heat radiating off the lean body, he could smell the other's scent—it was suffocating him—paralysing him.
Think of Anzu, his mind was frantically telling him. Anzu looking pretty in her light blue dress, her eyes sparkling with excitement and her voice filled with enthusiasm...
Try as he might, he could not conjure the image of the girl he was in love with. Kaiba's closeness, his scent, his piercing gaze and the warm breath that ghosted over his face... overcame all efforts
He was drowning.
"Mutou... Ya—"
"I should go now!" Yami's hand dug deep into his pocket and retrieved his keys. Without waiting for an answer, he spun around and jammed the key into the lock, yanking the door open as soon as he unlocked it. "Goodnight, Kaiba-san," he mumbled as he fled into the welcoming darkness and slamming the door behind him. Within the safety of his home, he stood with his back pressed against the door. All the while, he willed his pounding heart to calm down.
Similarly, on the other side, Kaiba pressed his forehead and splayed hands against the barrier that separated them.
"If you want it enough, Yami, it can happen in real life and not only fairy-tales."
Words, whispered so lovingly, were lost in the expanse of the night. Who was it intended for? Himself? Yami? Kaiba wasn't even sure. With great effort, he pushed himself away and marched off. The sound of his footsteps echoing into the distance until it was no more.
The man behind the door exhaled his relief when he felt the other's presence fade. Without that intense force which held him spellbound, he slowly slid to the ground. Limp, like a puppet without its puppeteer, he sat without moving. His heart and mind were thrown into turmoil from the events that transpired so unexpectedly. The kiss made his body ache. Made him yearn for something he could not... should not have. It was impossible.
If you want it enough, Yami, it can happen in real life and not only fairy-tales.
It sounded so sincere... so real when in reality he knew it was nothing more than figments of his intoxicated and starved mind...a whisper of the craving in his heart.
Closing his eyes, he swallowed his disappointment.
"Shit! I'm never drinking again," he vowed.
O-o-O-o-O
Kaiba walked to his car in an unhurried fashion. As foolish as it may sound, the desire to remain in Yami's vicinity for as long as possible had prolonged his walk. He took his time. When he reached his car, he glanced up at Yami's apartment one last time before getting in. Placing the key into the ignition, he was about to turn it on when his phone rang. Checking the display, he saw a number he did not recognise. Deciding to take the call, he pressed the phone to his ear.
"Kaiba."
A tinkle of laughter preceded a honeyed voice that floated through the handset.
"So, you've finally found your Osiris, Seto. Congratulations..."
~TBC~
O-o-O-o-O
Author's Note: Wow, another long chapter for my wonderful readers. I hoped you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. The party scene came to me not long after I started the fic and I have been dying to write it ever since. I think you've heard me squee about it enough times, right? LOL~! It was fun to imagine and illustrate. I hope I've managed to capture the antics and atmosphere, and conveyed them effectively. If you can envisage the characters in the throes of merriment, then my work is done. Did you enjoy that scene?
To be honest, the chapter didn't quite come out as I expected. Yes, there was supposed to be some Prideshipping fluff (about time too, I hear some of you grumble) but the chapter kinda ran off with Kaiba and Yami sharing more than what I intended. It's amazing how the characters are able to dictate the direction of a story and these wonderful characters in Voices do, more oft than not, much to my dismay. Still, I can't complain, I think you all enjoyed the unexpected turn of events. I just hope it was worth the wait.
So, another chapter done! At over 10,000 words, I hope it will tie you over until I get the time to work on the next one. I plan to cut down on the length in the future chapters because the length does impede updates. I can provide long chapters, but it will mean waiting longer for it. If I produce shorter chappies, hopefully, it won't take forever to write, proof and stuff. What do you think?
On a separate note, my New Year's Resolution is to complete all on-going projects. This means I will be taking time out to work on Borrowed Existence, Confessions, Recalling Mischief, so don't be alarmed when you see updates on one of the other fics. I still plan to work on Voices and Enslaved, but the schedule will be tight until I've managed to clear some of the on-going stuff. Please be patient with me. (Mel, I know I still owe you that Berserk smut-shot. I will do that as soon as I can. *hugs*) My next update will be Enslaved, I thought I'll give those following it a heads-up.
Finally, I would like to thank all those who made my day: M (guest), Caithdean, my sweet Candy, YamiToMangaka, Christmascarolling, XLightningX, Arlownay1991, Princess!Mom, JBubbles,Crimsonsrawberry17, Ariana, CarzyNinja, Ayaseth, Ma-chan cutey, Yami E, rininlightblue, my sweet MEL! and my lovely Chibi~! I LOVE EACH AND ONE OF YOU for your wonderful support and lovely thoughts. I treasure each and every one of them. Nothing beats the feeling of receiving a review to inspire and motivate me. You guys are truly AWESOME~! Once again, thank you so much~.
Jolly x
O-o-O-o-O
Replies to anonymous reviewers:
M: Thank you for your kind words, it's comforting to know that you've been following my work and I am delighted that you are enjoying this fic. There will be more hilarity and twists to come, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
As for Broken Bonds, you have no idea how much I love writing it. The characters have me mesmerised and I love them as much as the rowdy cast themselves. Its good to know you have no problem following it. I did worry that it might be confusing for the readers, but was relieved to know it wasn't the case.
The surname thing is a little bewildering, but the Japanese, like the Chinese, put their surnames before their first names, so I've kept it like that. Hopefully, there won't be too many instances where I have to use a character's full name and throw off again. I would like apologise in advance if it happens again, but please continue to bear with me.
Hahahahaha, thank you for pointing out the error, it was much appreciated. I guess that one slipped my detection when I was proofing it for the millionth time. *Thumbs up*
Once again, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Ariana: You have no idea how happy you make me when you leave a review. I truly appreciate the support you've shown for Voices. Thank you so much and I hope you did well in your finals~!
Yay! Glad you liked the Anzu scene. There's something about a bouncy and over-excited Anzu that I find adorable. I can't help but think she'll be an ardent fangirl of the yaoi kind, much to Yami's chagrin! She can be his biggest fan and even start a fan club for him, what do think? LOL~!
Lil' Yuugi is so cute and I enjoyed writing him. Methinks, he's such a mother hen so Marik and his wandering hands had better watch out! There will be more of him in the future, so keep your eyes peeled for him.
As for things heating up, I hope this chapter did not disappoint. Initially, I hadn't anticipated things to go as far as it did, but the characters practically write themselves and before I know it, one thing leads to another, and that happens. Not that I am complaining, there's nothing more exciting than reading a couple's first kiss 13 chapters later! It was slow in coming, that's what makes it rewarding. I hope it made your day. *Hugs*
Yami E: Thank you for your support on this fic as well as Misgivings. I can't express how happy it makes me to have a reader tell me they've enjoyed what they've read—it makes writing and sharing, more special.
My interest in voicing acting stems from my love for voices... Yes, I am a voice whore and I stalk voice actors on the Internet in my spare time, which is why I know a bit about it! It's good to know I have put this unhealthy obsession to good use, right? Once again, thank you for your words of encouragement—it is well appreciated.
Rinlightblue: *Glomps* It's good to hear from you~! Right first off, the expression "a stick up the ass" means that person (with the stick up his ass) is being annoyingly uptight, stiff and NO FUN AT ALL~! It can also mean he finds fault with others, making him unpleasant to be around. If you look back to the first chapter, Marik said Kaiba had a pair of chopsticks residing in his butt as he was mean and miserable. I hope that helps.
A jealous Kaiba is definitely a HOT Kaiba. One can say he was jealous in the way he was looming behind Yami when Anzu was approaching them for the introductions. His presence and his stance screamed possessiveness. There'll be enough cute jealous/possessive Kaiba in the next chapter to make you a very happy person. *Wink*
I am glad you enjoyed the Yami/Yuugi exchange. I think they make awesome brothers.
Bwahahahahahaha, yes, I wondered how Kaiba ended up with stalking tendencies...and he did again...in this chapter too. *face palm* I should really do something about that. Although with that said, Kaiba is not the one to openly show his concern, so he deals with them in a hidden way. It ends up with him discreetly watching Yami or shadowing him. Mind you, with Marik about, he can't afford to be too lax, right? Tee-hee!
Yes! The WTF twist! It may also explain why Amelda is not seen in a favourable light where Kaiba and gang are concerned. You are right, it is a cruel fate for Marik and Kaiba to rival each other again in love. However, had Yami fallen for Marik's advance then Kaiba would have lost interest and given up the pursuit thus eliminating the complication. He wasn't interested in another 'loose' lover.
You know what? I don't notice trivial things like grammar in a review. It's what you write and not how you write it and that means the world to me. I know English is not your main language; the fact that you are willing to write down your thoughts makes me very happy. I admire your courage and treasure every word you write.
This goes for all those who review, I can't thank you all enough for your support and love you've shown me~. It keeps me writing.
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*Samue – A two-piece outfit made of cotton or linen that was originally worn by Buddhist monks. It is also common to wear it as work clothes or casual wear.
*"Kiku no hana, kiku no hana, akete tanoshii, kiku no hana" roughly translates to: Chrysanthemum flower, chrysanthemum flower, its fun to see what's underneath, chrysanthemum flower. All credit goes to: Zachary Piper at the Incredible Talking Monkey for the information.
*The Dragon's Experiment – Since Otogi's first name is Ryuji, which means Dragon, I thought it amusing to call his experimental creations thus.
* Til-la-mish-shu – Yami's understanding of Tiramisu, LOL~