Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Behind Blue Eyes: Seto's Story ❯ Day Eight: By the Pool ( Chapter 27 )

Behind Blue Eyes: Seto's Story

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Disclaimer: No, I don't own Yugioh and no, I don't make money from this.

Note: So I was about to rewrite this in Seto's point of view, when I noticed a really funny typo. In the original instead of Jou wrapping his ARMS around Seto's body, I put EYES. Oops, haha!

- - -

Recap:

“Jou and I will be your medicine. All you have to do is rely on us.”

Katsuya and Mokuba are my medicine . . . that sounds so poetic, but . . .

. . . I think I like it.

- - -

Normally tears would sting at the backs of my eyes, but not anymore. It didn't matter how many times they fucked me. It didn't matter how many times I was hit. It didn't matter how many times I was bound or forced to do unspeakable, disgusting things. I couldn't cry, not anymore. I think . . . I think that maybe I wanted to cry . . . but I also wanted to laugh. I wanted to laugh at how absolutely helpless I had become. This is . . . the result of my training. I am a Kaiba. Kaiba's don't cry.

“You can cry, you know.”

Saki.

“You can cry.”

I can cry. “No I can't.”

I lifted my head slowly to face those brilliant silver eyes, the eyes of the man that betrayed me, only to see . . .

Brown eyes, blond hair, and gentle hands reaching out to me, a kind smile on soft lips, “You can cry.”

“Wha?”

Mokuba, who was sitting in my bed for some reason, leaned down and hugged me, nuzzling my cheek. Oh yeah, he had come in here last night. It was morning already?

“Good morning, Seto.” Katsuya smiled sweetly, just like in my dream.

“Morning, Katsuya.” I rubbed Mokuba's back, returning his smile as best I could and hoping that my face wasn't tinted pink. “I guess it must have been awkward for you to wake up to a third person in the bed, huh?” I would be quite pissed off if I woke up to another person in the bed. Then again, it is Mokuba. Mokuba is innocent enough that it shouldn't be a big deal.

“Just a little.”

So today is . . . Saturday. Ah, the pool. “Mokuba, why don't you go have the cook make us some breakfast? Jou and I have to get ready for a school assignment.”

Mokuba wriggled out from between us and bounded out of the room in his pajamas, only to peek his head back in a moment later, “Remember Jou, no funny business!” He glared at Katsuya for a second before laughing as he finally left.

I went over and shut the door.

“So you told him?”

Apparently Mokuba and Katsuya had been awake a bit longer than me, “I thought about what you said and decided that you were right. Mokuba is the only family that I have and he's stuck with me through everything. I wasn't the nicest brother during the last year or so before Gozaburo's death, but Mokuba still loved me.” Mokuba always loved me. “No matter how mean I was to him and to others, Mokuba still held on to his memories of how I used to be. Mokuba has faith in me and it's about time I put some faith in him.” I faced Jou, leaning against the door with my eyes closed. I had finally told Mokuba a few things that I had promised myself I would never tell. “I actually felt very relieved when I told him.”

When I opened my eyes, Katsuya was smiling again, “You two are inseparable. It's really good to have someone like that.”

I glanced down at the floor, a smile coming to my own lips. It wasn't too long ago that I felt Mokuba and I were growing very distant, like we would never be as close as we once were. But now . . . now it almost feels like old times again. Everyone should have someone who they . . .

I glanced up quickly at Katsuya, suddenly feeling bad, “Everyone should have someone like that.” I don't think that Katsuya has someone like Mokuba in his life. His mother and sister left him with that bastard when he was young. Sure he has close friends, but they just aren't the same as having a close loved-one.

“Uh, yeah, everyone should.” He sounded confused. Was he really that dense?

“Even you.”

“I have my friends.”

“I wonder if you and your friends will be so close forever.” Sometimes people betray their friends. Friends can become worst enemies in a heartbeat.

“Well it's not like Mokuba is always going to be around you, either. He's going to move out some day and have a family of his own. He won't have nearly as much time for you.” His expression changed instantly, “I'm sor-”

“No no.” I held up a hand, stopping him from apologizing. I wasn't stupid. “I understand what you're trying to say. What I said made you angry, right?” He nodded, “You're right, though; Mokuba won't always be around to keep me company and then I'll be all alone in this enormous house . . .” My chest was starting to feel tight, “and when you and your friends graduate high school and move on to colleges or jobs in distant places, you'll go home alone to your apartment, right?”

“Yeah, I mean it's not like I can afford college, let alone pass the entrance exams.” Okay so I think I'm doing more harm than good at the moment, but I'm trying to get to a point!

“When they leave, the two of us will be utterly alone . . .” I watched his expression carefully, trying to see if perhaps he was catching on to my little hint.

“I'm assuming you're going somewhere with this.” He was sitting on the edge of my bed now with his arms folded across his chest. Well, at least he knew that I was getting to a point, even if he was a little too slow to figure out exactly what that point is.

“Ah, the puppy is learning.” I nodded, laughing a little when he let out a growl characteristic of the animal he had been called, “Don't growl at your master. Bad dog!” I waved a finger at him.

I was slightly startled when he hopped off the bed and stood just inches away from me, “What's that point that you were getting to?” Did he really want to know that badly? I guess I should just say exactly what I mean. That's an easy thing to do, right? Just be completely blunt about it.

I clasped my hands behind my back, “Well, I was just thinking that, well . . . since, you know-”

“Are you actually having a hard time saying something?” He let out a gasp for effect.

I scrunched up my face. Okay, so I couldn't exactly be as blunt as I'd like. It wasn't characteristic of me to ask people to move into my house. In all honesty, I don't really like people, especially people as dimwitted as Jounouchi Katsuya, but . . . I like Jounouchi Katsuya. “Fine! I'll just say exactly what's on my mind!” I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. Perhaps it would be easier if I wasn't looking at him when I made the suggestion, “Since the two of us would be all alone and your father is a fuck-up, why don't you just move in with me?”

He looked shocked. Was he pissed because I called his dad a fuck-up? No, that couldn't be it.

“R-really?”

Would I ask if I didn't mean it? That would be a really mean joke . . . then again, I guess that it's not exactly beyond something that I would do. “I don't think that you should live with that bastard anymore. I believe that you would be much better off living here with Mokuba and I.” I had opened my eyes by this point, but for some reason I still couldn't bring myself to look at him. I was making such an embarrassing request.

Two hands cupped my chin, turning my head until I was facing him before the blond leaned close enough and brought our lips together for only a couple of seconds, “That would be really awesome, but wouldn't that be a burden on you guys?”

It will definitely be a while before I get used to Katsuya kissing me randomly, “I-I don't see how.” Damn stuttering. Oh well, he did it too.

I waited, expecting an excited and hyper reply that was typical of Katsuya. Maybe he would suddenly hug me, or perhaps he would jump up in the air, that happy grin covering his face . . . those were the kinds of things that Katsuya was likely to do, right?

He rubbed his chin, closing his eyes, “I'll think about it.”

My heart sank, “You'll think about it?” If I had asked anyone else in the world other than him, they would have given me the expected reaction. Was he messing with me? So he was now going to say `just kidding!' right?

He opened his eyes, “Yeah, that's what I said.” He folded his arms, smiling and nodding.

What the hell? Was he serious? Did he . . . really not want to move in with me? “Right.” I went away from him and into my closet to choose something to wear. Katsuya didn't follow me. If he didn't want to move in with me, he ought to just say so. My chest was feeling tight again.

“Hey Seto?” I heard him call from out in my room.

“Yeah?”

“Could I use your shower?”

My shower? I guess since we're sharing a bedroom, it's only normal that we'd share a shower. Er, I mean the actual showering area, not taking a shower at the same time . . . “Sure. Just don't make a mess.”

“Thanks.” He called back to me.

I listened until I heard the door shut and I felt a little relieved. It shouldn't bother me that he doesn't want to move in, but I felt that he would definitely say yes. I mean, I guess that he didn't say no . . . but why didn't he say yes? Why did he need time to think about it? His dad is an asshole, he lives in poverty, he isn't doing very well in school, and if I hadn't bought groceries for him during my stay who knows what he would have eaten! He could live with me and eat whatever he wants and sleep in a cozy bed and live a life of luxury . . . with me.

I heard the water come on in the bathroom.

I guess he would be using my soap and shampoo as well. Sharing isn't exactly something that I'm used to. It was just for one week, right? Just for one week. Dammit! I can't let this bug me forever! I pulled a black dress shirt and some khaki pants off of their hangers and changed in my closet. I also found a white t-shirt and a pair of swimming trunks to wear once we arrived at the pool. There was still the problem of my wrists . . .

“Seto?”

I whirled around at the sudden voice, but it was just Mokuba. “What is it, Mokuba?”

“Nothing, really. I'm just bored.”

“You're smart, so perhaps you can help me solve a problem.”

His face lit up and I couldn't help but smile. I guess he really liked the thought of helping me. I'm sure he also appreciated the compliment. “Sure bro! What's the problem?”

“Well, Katsuya and I are going to be at a pool in a little while and I'll be wearing a t-shirt, so I need to cover my wrists.” It felt weird talking to Mokuba so openly about my old scars . . . and new wounds.

“Oh, that's easy! Just wear sweatbands! I have some in my room!” He took off immediately without even giving me the chance to respond.

Sweatbands? Why hadn't I thought of something so simple? My logic has been failing me as of late. I guess that Katsuya can't be totally at fault, though he is something of a distraction . . .

Mokuba returned, two small items in his hands. “Here! See if they're big enough to cover everything.”

I slid one on each wrist and examined them. They were just wide enough that none of my scars could be seen. It might look weird to wear those to a pool, but it's not like my classmates would notice. They'd be too busy staring at my face . . . or other areas that they need not be staring. “This will work. Thank you, Mokuba.” I gave him a smile and he gave me a giant grin in return. Mokuba and Katsuya had a similar grin. They both have the same light-hearted nature. I like that in a person, I suppose.

Without warning Mokuba hugged me, nuzzling my chest. I remember just a few years ago he was so short that I had to practically kneel down just to hug him properly. He's growing so fast.

“Well it's not like Mokuba is always going to be around you, either. He's going to move out some day and have a family of his own. He won't have nearly as much time for you.”

Mokuba . . .

“Seto? You okay?”

“What?” I must have made a face by accident, “Yeah, I'm fine.” I made sure to smile again, “Did you ever ask the cooks to make breakfast like I asked? Katsuya and I have somewhere to be for our project and I don't want to go on an empty stomach.”

He looked skeptical. I guess I was kind of going back on my word by saying I was okay, but it's not like I lied about something major this time. “Alright, alright.” With that, he left.

“He won't have nearly as much time for you.”

Why didn't Katsuya say yes? I need to ask him instead of just wondering forever. I should just ask.

I sat on my bed, staring at the bathroom door as though doing so would make him pick up the pace. I started tapping my foot to an unheard beat, but the water continued running. We're both guys, right? I should just open the door and ask him right now. He can't run away from answering me if he's in the shower.

With great confidence I stood up and went to the bathroom, raising my fist to knock before entering. Yes, I should knock . . . what kind of creep walks in on someone showering without knocking first? I'm not some kind of pervert.

I knocked on the door.

“Is someone there?” Came the muffled response from within.

I took that as permission to enter. I slowly inched the door open, poking my head inside, “I just wanted to ask you if-”

Holy fucking god. He opened the shower door? When did he do that? Why did he do that? And he wasn't even covering up! He was just standing there with his, with his . . . his stuff just all out in the open! Who does that?

“Like what you see?” He struck a pose and that was it for me.

I left quickly, slamming the door shut. I leaned against the wall just outside the bathroom, a shiver running up and down my spine.

“Seto?”

I froze at the sound of Mokuba's voice. Did he see me talking to Katsuya just now?

“Seto, breakfast is ready downstairs.”

“Oh, uh, thanks!” I smiled at him, but I could feel my cheeks burning. Mokuba's own face had a tell-tale smirk on it, but he said nothing. We went downstairs together. I'm sure Katsuya will figure out where we went. Knowing him, he'd just follow the scent of the food.

- - -

Katsuya eventually joined us wearing blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt.

“We're going shopping later.” I informed him, taking a bite of egg from my fork.

Mokuba giggled form his place beside me, “Oooh, can I go too, big brother! I can help pick out the clothes!” He almost seemed a bit too excited about shopping.

“You don't think I'd do a good job?”

“No matter how you look at it, Jou just wouldn't look right in the things that you wear. Everyone has their own style.” Mokuba held up an index finger as he explained his point.

“This is my style.” Katsuya glared, though I don't think he was actually angry.

“Jou,” Mokuba sighed and shook his head, “That's not style! You look like some homeless guy that Seto took in out of charity!”

“Mokuba-”

“No, it's okay Seto.” He held up a hand to stop me, just as I had done to him earlier, “Let's see what this kid can pick out for me later.”

“Alright, but for now you need to sit down and eat because we need to get our things together and head over to meet our class.” I pulled out the chair across from Mokuba, “I'm never late, you know.” Hopefully the two of them were just playing and not actually fighting. Mokuba had gone a bit far, saying that Katsuya looked like a homeless man, but I don't think Mokuba meant it. The two of them had gotten along in the past and there is no reason that they can't get along now.

- - -

We arrived just ten minutes early.

“Oh wonderful!” Ms. Asuka rushed towards the two of us, “Since the two of you have been absent for the past couple of days, I was worried that you wouldn't make an appearance today!” She smiled and neither of us said a word. “You two can change into your swimsuits in that poolhouse right over there!” She pointed to a small building on the other side, “There are changing rooms inside.”

“You go on, ahead, Jou. I need to talk to Ms. Asuka for a moment.” I had decided during our ride over here that I would give the woman a reason that I was wearing the shirt and wouldn't be entering the pool. I hadn't quite decided what I would tell her, but I knew that I needed to give her an explanation. The last thing I needed was for her to bother me about it and cause a scene. This was the best method of preventing that.

“Alright.” Katsuya looked unsure, but left me alone anyhow.

“Yes?” Asuka Ayumi looked just about as nervous as I was. Perhaps she thought I was going to yell at her. The woman was a bit too passive to teach older teens. Perhaps preschool would be more for her.

“I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be wearing my swimming trunks, but I'll also be wearing a white t-shirt. I'm just making sure that you aren't going to count off for that.” I folded my arms, pretending not to really give a damn.

“Well, I suppose that will be fine . . . but may I ask why you'll be wearing one? You don't appear to have a skin condition or anything . . .” Her wandering eyes made me more than uncomfortable.

“No, you may not.” I turned to leave. Well that was far better than having to make up some kind of excuse.

“Does it have something to do with your history?”

I glanced over my shoulder, glaring with full force, “What?” What the fuck could she possibly know about my history?

“In your school record it says-”

“Mind your own goddamn business.” The school record? I knew I should have just told the school that I had been homeschooled my entire life up until Gozaburo died. I never should have had my old records sent over. Fucking stupid.

“Just know that I'm here if you need to talk.” There was that look. That look that had pity written all over it. Don't pity me! I have everything I could possibly want! If anyone should be pitied, it's you!

I left without uttering a word and went to where I knew Jou would be.

As I entered the poolhouse I saw my blond surrounded by his group of friends. I made sure to wipe the frown off my face; knowing Katsuya, he'd notice it instantly and worry about it for the rest of the day. As I approached I could hear the girl talking . . . what was her name? Anzu? I think that's it.

“We were wondering if you were going to show up today.” She informed Jou with a smile.

“Yeah, we're both here.” I announced, breezing past the crowd and into the changing room just behind Katsuya.

As I changed clothes I could hear their conversation just outside.

Yuugi's voice was first, “Is he gonna wear the trunks you picked out for him?”

Was that kid some kind of pervert? I guess it's the small, quiet ones you have to watch out for.

“Nah, he already had his own pair at home. Oh, and don't get all excited, Yami, he's also going to be wearing a shirt.” Katsuya this time.

Are they all perverts?

“Why's that?” Sounded like the quiet white-haired guy.

I came out of the room and leaned against the doorframe, wondering what Katsuya's answer would be. It didn't surprise me much that the only thing to come out of his mouth was “Uhhh . . .”

“Maybe I just don't want my good looks to distract everyone.” I lied, giving the group the best smug expression I could come up with. Jou turned around, his brown eyes lighting up. Lighting up? Yeah right . . . he did look pretty happy though.

“Even so, it looks like Jounouchi is going to be distracted anyway.” The white-haired guy . . . Ryou? Ryou chuckled, eyeing the blond. He was probably right . . .

“Aww man! Kaiba's going to wear a shirt? That's so unfair!” A few of the females from our class whined from several feet away. It was annoying, but if I said something it would only make things worse. I simply rolled my eyes and left the poolhouse . . . though not before catching a glimpse of a relatively irritated Katsuya.

“I guess you won't be getting in huh? Won't you get bored?” Jou asked, eventually catching up to me.

He was worried about me getting bored? “I'll just sit on the side and hang my legs in the water. We can always go swimming back at my house, right?” We could, but I wonder if we will ever actually do that . . . I have a hot tub, after all.

His friends were clumped together right behind us. “You guys are staying at the Kaiba mansion already?” Yuugi asked, hopping into the pool next to where we were standing. His small body barely even made waves. “We're all switching places after this event. Sure must be nice to be able to stay in a mansion, Jou, especially considering what you're used to!”

Considering what he's used to? That sounded a bit cruel. Wasn't that a mean thing to say? Even so, Jou just smiled kindly at his friend.

“Yeah, don't get lost!” Jou's idiotic friend, who I'm relatively sure is named Honda, added, jumping in beside Yuugi and effectively splashing all of the rest of us. Luckily it was only a small splash, so my shirt was safe.

Everyone else jumped into the water while I just made myself comfortable on the edge of the pool. It felt good once I hung my legs inside. It was a little cold at first, but I quickly got used to it.

“Let's go further in!” Anzu called out, floating towards the middle with everyone else cheering and following after her. Everyone, that is, save for Katsuya. He watched them go.

“Why aren't you going with your friends?” Was he growing distant from them because of me?

“There are plenty of them to keep each other company. I'm not going to leave you by yourself.”

“You shouldn't ignore your friends.”

“Exactly, which is why I'm staying here with you.” He grinned and I had to close my eyes as I fought a smile. That's right. We're friends now, aren't we? I sighed lightly before opening my eyes to gaze out over the pool. Everyone was laughing and having fun while Katsuya was stuck sitting with someone like me. But . . . Katsuya probably wasn't bothered by something like that.

It took me a moment to realize that I was being stared at, “Quit staring, Jounouchi.” I glared just a little, trying to look believable in case someone was watching. What did it really matter if someone found out? If they tried to spread rumors about Katsuya and I being an item, I could just deny it and threaten them and everything would stop . . . or maybe I didn't give a shit if people knew. I like Jounouchi Katsuya as more than just a friend, maybe. Maybe I want to be with him forever. Maybe we're a couple now. Maybe . . .

“That's how it's going to be, huh?”

“Yeah; I don't like attracting attention.” I stared down at my feet, watching the tiny waves as I kicked my legs in the water.

“Riiiight. That's why you shut down an entire city for a tournament, or why you hung outside of a mid-air helicopter just to announce that you were having said tournament! Or, better yet, when you had a blimp flying over with a big-ass T.V. on it so you could randomly pop up and make announcements.”

“Yeah, well . . .” He had a pretty damn good point, “I don't like negative attention.”

“You think people were saying positive things about that?” He taunted, smiling.

I lifted one leg out of the water to splash him. I know that people don't think very highly me, but it's not like I really care.

He lifted himself out of the water to sit next to me, “Is this okay?” He seemed so unsure of himself that it was almost sad. Why wouldn't it be okay for him to sit next to me? Oh, because everyone knew that we hated each other. Our peers had no idea that we had suddenly become friends.

“Yeah. Maybe . . . maybe I don't really care if those lunatics figure us out.” Figure us out? I mean, if they knew we were friends, that wasn't a big deal, right? I'm human after all, I deserve to have some friends. If they were to figure out that we've kissed . . . did that matter?

“Maybe?” He asked, but I was too busy looking at my own feet in the water to see what his expression might be.

“Yeah, maybe.” I was certain about most things in my life; this wasn't one of those things.

There was an awkward moment of silence. I started to wonder if maybe I had said something that upset him, or maybe I had said something that pissed him off. I never really knew what kind of answer he was expecting, so I just said exactly what I thought.

“Heh, you're an interesting person, you know that?” He began, finally. “I mean, when it comes to technology and book-smarts, you know just about everything there is to know . . . but when it's about people or even your own feelings, you're clueless.”

“The battlefield is no place for the human heart! A company is run much in the same way!”

“Feelings and emotions lead to hesitation and failure.” Isn't that what I used to believe? Isn't that sort of what I still believe?

“Whose words are those?”

Whose words could they possibly be? Gozaburo had repeated his rules and his mottos again and again until they were engrained into the very fibers of my being. He would make me recite them often and if I was wrong, well . . . I would never forget them ever again.

- - -

It was weird. This whole situation felt so weird, but at the same time . . . I was having a lot of fun. Katsuya and I just sat in that spot the whole time. I only moved to pull my legs out of the water sometimes to avoid that nasty wrinkled look. Other than that, we just talked to each other. We talked about how terrible some of the people looked in their swimsuits and how stupid they were during class. I would often think such things, but I never really talked about them with someone else. It was kind of funny to know that I wasn't alone with my thoughts.

After a few hours, someone had started up a grill and was cooking hot dogs and hamburgers. The smell was enough to make me want to throw up. It reminded me of the time that Katsuya forced me to eat that nasty pile of greasy filth.

“Ah, brings back memories . . .” The blond sighed with nostalgia.

“Horrible memories.” I informed him, sporting the most disgusted face I could make while shivering.

Without any warning whatsoever, there was suddenly a hand on each of my shoulders followed by a slight weight as if someone was leaning on me. I practically had a heart attack.

“Is everything okay?” For fuck's sake, Asuka. “No one is bothering you, right?”

Was she seriously nagging me about this? “I'm fine. The only one that is bothering me right now is you.”

“Everything's cool,” Jou added, apparently finding my answer a little too harsh. He probably wanted to cushion my response a bit, “I am Seto's partner you know.”

Partner? I shot him a glare. Was he trying to give her the wrong idea?

. . . would it really be wrong?

“I just wanted to check . . .” The physical weight on my shoulders disappeared and I saw her reappear over by the grill.

“Awwwwww! She was worried about you, Set-chan!” He leaned into me.

Set-chan? I guess that was his reply to Kat-chan. I reached my arm around his back and shoved him into the water for giving me such a cutesy nickname, “Swim, mutt.” I couldn't help but smirk. The dog analogy always seemed so fitting for him.

“Oh yeah?” He called from the water before dunking his head beneath the surface. He emerged just a moment later and climbed out. What was the point in that?

Then he shook like a dog would, spraying me with water.

I held up my arms, clenching my eyes shut, “What the fuck, Jou?!” Though I tried to sound angry, I really wasn't. It was kind of . . . funny. Katsuya is funny.

“Well, that's what wet dogs do, isn't it?”

I opened my eyes to catch the typical grin stuck to his face, “Ugh, you really are a dog.” In more ways than one. Not only did he act like the animal, but some of the things that he says . . . oh yeah! “Anyways . . . what was up with that?” I couldn't just let his `partner' comment slide!

“With what?”

Oh, so now he was going to play stupid? That wasn't going to work on me! “Don't think I didn't catch on to your use of the word `partner'. You might have thought it was clever, but you'll have to be much better than that for it go to over my head.” I folded my arms.

Katsuya just laughed at me. What was so funny? I swear, he is a confusing person. Speaking of people . . .

I glanced around the pool to make sure I wasn't just seeing things. The area was becoming more and more crowded than it had been when our class first arrived. Many of the people were unfamiliar. “Hey Jou?”

“Yeah?”

“Are those people in our class?” I nodded in the direction of some of the unfamiliar people. Just because I didn't recognize them didn't mean they weren't in our class. It's not like I make an effort to get to know everyone.

He stared at them for a moment, “I don't think so. I guess that the pool isn't closed for our use only. I'm pretty sure that it's open to whoever wants to use it.”

“Oh.” I stood up, dusting off my rear. Great, just great. A bunch of random people are here too? Hopefully none of them would recognize me, or if they did, they would just think `Kaiba Seto? In a place like this? No, that couldn't be him' and then they would leave me alone.

“Where are you going?” Katsuya glanced up at me from his place on the edge of the pool.

“I have to piss.” Well said, Seto, well said. It was a bit unlike me to put that so bluntly, but whatever.

He dared to point at the pool as though to suggest I ought to use it as a giant toilet. If he pees in my pool at home, I'll kill him.

“No fucking way.” I tried to hide my smile. Mokuba probably would have also pointed at the pool. In a way, Jou and Mokuba have similar personalities . . . have I said that before?

I left Katsuya and went to the poolhouse. It was empty, which was a relief. I was actually getting tired of being surrounded by so many noisy people. It's bad enough that I have to deal with these people during school hours, but on a Saturday too? Okay, okay, so I hadn't exactly gone to class in a few days. I guess I shouldn't be whining about it.

I took care of the `business' that I came to attend to and headed for the doorway. As I emerged I bumped into someone that was headed inside. Normally I would get irritated and just snub the person, but I was feeling pretty kind today.

“Excuse me.” I muttered under my breath, glancing at the person's face to see who exactly it was that I ran into. I figured it was a stranger, since the guy was taller than me.

“Running right into my arms, I see.”

“Sa-” I couldn't say it. The name just didn't want to come out of me. Grey eyes burned holes into me as I stood there, unable to move. My legs felt like they were cemented to the ground. What was there to fear? I've been through so much more! He's not important anymore! Besides, he wouldn't do anything in public . . . would he?

“Did I ever tell you that you have the most beautiful legs? And those arms . . .” His hand ran down the length of my arm, effectively giving me chills. “You're so thin and so beautiful.”

“What do you want?” I narrowed my eyes to the point that I could barely even see him anymore.

“Oooh, I love that look in your eyes, Seto-koi” I like `Set-chan' better. “ . . . but the reason I'm here isn't exactly you, today.” His voice feigned sadness but his eyes were laughing.

“Not exactly me?” What the fuck was that supposed to mean?

“Not exactly. Could you tell me where Mr. Jounouchi is?” His grin was creepy enough to make my glare dissipate instantly.

Katsuya? Why did he want him? He wasn't going to try to hurt him, was he? What if he did something to Katsuya? “Leave Katsuya out of this.”

He sighed, “Fine, if you won't take me to him, I'll just find him myself . . . in front of everyone. Won't that be fun?”

I sped past him and towards the pool. I couldn't let him talk to Katsuya! I have already put Katsuya through enough trouble because of my own fucking problems! He didn't need to get mixed up in any more of my issues!

Images flashed through my mind . . . images of Saki standing over a beaten Katsuya . . . or worse yet, a dead Katsuya. Saki could do it; Saki could kill someone. He has the eyes of someone that could kill.

Katsuya . . .

I felt myself fall backwards, only to be caught by Saki himself.

Could I not escape him? Katsuya . . . Katsuya . . . he'll hurt Katsuya, he'll kill Katsuya, unless . . .

. . . unless Saki dies first.

- - -

Weird ending much? Seto's mind is kinda making me crazy, haha! Oh well. Next up will be BBESS 28, which will catch this story up to the original BBE! Excited? No? Well I am, so there! But really . . . I'm very happy to finally catch them up. After that I'll do BBE 29, I swear it!