Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Chrysalis ❯ Of Fear and Forgiveness ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: Yugi-oh is the property of someone else. I can only humbly worship the artist.

Thank you for the reviews! As soon as I am able to read them I'll respond to each of you.

Sorry this is a bit late. My program ate my plot for the second time. The first was right after chapter seven and now it did it again. Not to worry though, I think I like how this one turned out better than the old plot.

Chrysalis

Chapter Fifteen: Of Fear and Forgiveness

~*~*~*

Jonouchi and Kaiba

~*~*~*

Jonouchi stood in the bedroom of the suite. Kaiba and breakfast were in the other room. Waiting. He didn't know what to do. When he got on the plane to the U.S. he knew this would happen. He would have to be alone with Kaiba. He would have to talk to him. He would have to look him in the eye, listen to him, watch the one he loved best look at him as if he was a cockroach that had slipped onto his dinner plate. And there was no place to hide. He couldn't escape. He wanted to cringe and whine like the mutt that Kaiba had once accused him of being.

He had no illusions. He hurt Kaiba. He betrayed Kaiba. He had looked into Duke's eyes on the night of the party and had made the worst decision that he would probably ever make. He had done it in spite, in anger, with the argument he'd had with Kaiba still raging in his head. He had done it knowing exactly what would happen. He did it thinking that he wouldn't care about the price he would pay, that he wouldn't care that Kaiba would hate him. Too late, when his anger had finally worn off, when his justifications had finally been used up, he had realized the price was too high. Kaiba was the one thing his soul needed to survive and he'd blown it. Kaiba would never forgive him.

Why should he? I can't forgive me.

~*~*

Kaiba sat on the love seat in the living area of the suite. Any moment now Jonouchi would walk out the door and they would have to sit and have breakfast. The urge to stand up, walk out of the suite, leave the breakfast he'd ordered to cool on the small table by the patio and go down to the dining room on the plaza level of the hotel was starting to creep up on him.

Coward.

But isn't that just what he'd been? Hiding behind his pride? Cringing behind a façade of cool control? How many times had he almost walked up to Jonouchi at school and asked if they could try to work things out, only to have his pride freeze him in his steps and lock his voice behind his lips? How many times had he met Jonouchi's eyes accidentally as they passed and seen the hopeless, helpless, defeat in them, that so exactly mirrored his own, just to keep walking as if he hadn't noticed? But in the night when no one was there to watch, when it was only himself, where had his pride and control been? Gone. Smothered by silence, darkness and the cold certainty that he'd lost something irreplaceable.

He couldn't leave, not now. It was too late. It was time to begin.

The door opened and Jonouchi stepped out. Kaiba stood watching as he walked into the living area of the suite. Jonouchi's hair was still damp from his shower and fell in a dark gold tumble into his eyes that looked nervously around the room before settling on him. They stood each staring silently at the other across the distance of the room.

Jonouchi shoved his hands in his pockets and tossed his head back summoning a grin of pure bravado. "Nice to see you up and about and all that."

Kaiba nodded and gestured toward the table. "I ordered breakfast."

Jonouchi nodded back, still not moving. The grin was about as far as he could bluff. He could feel the tension shivering across his shoulders, trembling down his back and curling into his stomach. All he could hope for is to bluff for enough time to get himself together and out the door before he shattered apart. Before Kaiba destroyed what little there was left of him.

Kaiba watched as Jonouchi's eyes darted quickly toward the door. The urge to turn and walk to the table, to give Jonouchi the time he needed to flee out the door, to let the next few moments escape, to hide once again behind his pride and reserve, danced across his mind. He shoved it aside, forcing himself to keep still. Love, I know. You want out that door. And part of me wants to let you go. But not now. Not today. This is too important.

"Jo, we need to talk." Kaiba pushed the words out of his mouth before his mind could stop him. There, it's said.

Jonouchi jerked as if he'd been struck, brown eyes widening in panic, his cocky smile disappearing. "What about?"

Kiaba ignored the question. Jonouchi wasn't a fool, he knew what they needed to talk about. Kiaba waved toward the breakfast again. "Come sit down."

"No. I don't think so." Jonouchi shook his head.

Kiaba felt fear clench around his chest, almost causing him to gasp. He had to get Jonouchi to talk to him, to stay, to deal with their past so maybe they could have something of a future. If Jonouchi got out the door, refused to talk, than it would be over right here. He needed to control this situation, quickly. "All right, than we'll talk standing here. Either way we WILL talk."

Jonouchi could feel himself loosing it. He was running out of stalls, his only bluff a fading memory. His mind scampered around in panic. His choices were limited to retreating back to the bedroom, which might buy a bit of time, but would leave him cornered; he could try for the door, but the look on Kaiba's face indicated he'd have to go through Kaiba to get to it, and he`d just have to return later to face a even more pissed off Kaiba; or he could sit down. He looked at the small breakfast table then around the room. The table was too small, too intimate. He chose the arm chair and managed to fall into it before his trembling legs betrayed him.

"Okay, we`ll talk." Jonouchi sighed feeling defeat wash over him. So this is how it ends. In a hotel room in San Francisco.

Kaiba almost smiled, feeling relief course through him as he sat down across from his lover. He had a chance. They had a chance. "Good."

"Why don't I make this really easy." Jonouchi set the soles of his feet against the edge of the coffee table and pushed himself back into the chair. He stared at his feet, looking at his battered sneakers. They were dirty, fraying around the edges, the soles thinning and worn. He focused on how the sole of his left sneaker had started to peel way from the body of the shoe, refusing to look up at Kaiba. "It's my fault. I'm trash. I'm a slut. Anzu and her bitch pack have nothing on me."

Kiaba frowned. Huh? Trash? Slut? He's comparing himself to Anzu???

"Look, I'll get out of your life as soon as I can." Jonouchi glanced up seeing Kaiba's frown. He dropped his eyes back to the toe of his shoe, his voice faded, "Sorry."

"No, Jo… it's.. you're…" Kiaba stopped, collecting his thoughts. "Jo, I should be the one apologizing, not you."

Jonouchi shook his head and looked back up. "Look, I know what I did. I knew when I did it. I got angry. I wanted to hurt you and I used Duke to do it. My fault. Simple."

"No, not simple." Kiaba leaned forward, resting his forearms across his knees. "This all started because I lost it at breakfast, remember? You were just sitting there eating and I walked in and tried to verbally rip your throat out."

Jonouchi waved it away. "You've done that before. Hell, compared to some of our fights that was pretty small stuff."

"If it was small stuff, Jo, we wouldn't be sitting here talking." Kiaba sighed. "It was my fault. I should have been thanking you for helping me with Mokuba. I should have been telling you just how much I loved you for being there when I needed you. Instead I…" Kaiba stopped, eyes widening, remembering. Oh Ra, I'm the one. I'm the one who all but called him a slut. "Oh, Jo, no. No. I never meant that."

"Meant what?" Jonouchi felt as if he missed part of the conversation.

Kiaba looked into his eyes, "I should never have said that to you. I know you. If all you wanted was food and a place to sleep you would've been over at Yugi's."

"Oh, that…" Jonouchi shrugged. "I'd say you were pretty much on target there. Left you, went to Duke, got fed, got laid. Left Duke, went to Mako, got fed, got laid. If Yugi wasn't so hung up on Yami, I probably would have been all over him too."

"Mako?"

"Brain damaged, fish guy?" Jonouchi grimaced. "It wasn't pretty. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at a squid again."

Kiaba shook his head making a mental note to ask about that in the future, "Jo, look at you. You're sitting in the U.S.. You made a twelve hour international flight, pulled me out of a hospital, and took care of me."

"It was me or your secretary. Not much of a choice." Jonouchi went back to looking at his shoe.

"No there was a choice. If you really were looking after your meal ticket wouldn't you be home playing with fish?"

Jonouchi shrugged, not answering.

"Jo, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things. I should never have yelled at you like that. Can you accept that?" Kaiba rubbed a temple, feeling the headache returning.

"Okay. Apology accepted." Jonouchi looked up at Kiaba, meeting his eyes and holding his gaze for the first time since he'd walked through the door. "I'm sorry about Duke. I knew it'd hurt you and … sorry."

"Apology accepted." Kaiba leaned back on the sofa, still looking into Jonouchi's eyes.

"That simple?" Jonouchi looked confused. "I act like a slut and… and… apology accepted?"

"You aren't a slut, Jo." Kiaba closed his eyes, even the filtered light of the room was starting to bother him.

"Even Honda says I'm a slut." Jonouchi put his feet down and leaned forward, noticing Kaiba was looking paler.

"Remind me to kill Honda when we get home." Kaiba grinned slightly and opened his eyes seeing Jonouchi leaning toward him looking worried.

"Kaiba? Are you feeing sick again?" Jonouchi stood up and walked around the coffee table.

Kiaba reached up and grasped Jonouchi's hand and tugged him down next to him on the sofa. "I missed you Jo. Every minute you were gone."

Jonouchi reached over and touched Kaiba's jaw with his finger tips. "I missed you too."

Kiaba reached over, slipping his hand behind Jonouchi's head pulling him closer, "I love you Jo."

Jonouchi stopped breathing, he felt as if his heart had stopped beating. Okay, now I know he's delirious. He felt soft lips brush against his own. Well, maybe I'm delirious. He pressed closer. Delirious or not, I need this. Oh, Kami, I need this so…He deepened the kiss, pressing, asking for entrance to Kaiba's mouth. His hands slipping around Kaiba's waist, pulling him closer.

Kaiba pulled back, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He ran a finger down the side of Jonouchi's face, his finger lingered around Jonouchi`s beautiful mouth, tracing the now smiling lips.

Jonouchi looked back into warm, summer blue eyes. "I love you Seto."

~*~*~*

Mokuba & Yuai

~*~*~*

Mokuba and Yuai sat on the small, uncomfortable black and chrome sofa in Kaiba's office. Mokuba was curled in Yuai's arms, sleeping. The kid had conked out after a couple of hours of rampaging around in a screaming fury. Yuai had stood back, letting him rant and rage off the extra adrenline in his system. He'd done a impressive job, making even the stoic security personal flee the vicinity. He'd finally collapsed a hour ago after threatening everything except the potted plant in the corner.

Yuai had spent the time reviewing all the promises she'd made to Kami during the attack, and she had decided that most of them were things she could live with. She hoped, however, that he wouldn't hold her to the one about devoting her life to selfless meditation and prayer as a Buddhist nun. The image of the hole blasted in the seat, though , wouldn't leave her mind.

"Ms. Fujimora?" One of the security people walked in the room and stood over her. He was dressed in a black uniform with a Kaiba Corp. badge on his left breast pocket. He looked very tall, competent and official.

She looked up at him, feeling very small and inept, " Yes?"

"We have thoroughly searched the mansion and you and Mr. Kaiba will be transferred there in a few moments." He glanced at his watch. "There will be guards in the mansion as well as on the grounds."

"Okay…uhm…when will we be leaving?" Yuai stroked Mokuba's hair, wondering when she'd have to wake him up.

"We'll be moving in about five minutes." He turned and marched back to the door.

"Uhm… Has anyone contacted Mr. Kaiba?" Yuai asked his retreating back.

"No. We are still collecting evidence. We will be able to contact Mr. Kaiba in a few hours and give him a full report." He growled his answer back over his shoulder and walked out the door.

"That's not a good excuse."

She shook Mokuba, who woke up with a start. "Time to go home now."

He glowered around the office. "What took them so long?"

"They have been searching the mansion." Yuai stood up, "They'll be here in a couple of minutes."

"Have they called big brother?" Mokuba yawned.

"No." Yuai smoothed down her rumpled clothes. "They want to give your brother a complete report."

Mokuba walked over to the phone. "That's a lousy excuse." He picked up the phone and started dialing. The security men walked back into the office just to be waved away with a frown. They milled around uncertainly, got glowered at and then walked back out of the office as Mokuba flopped into his brother's chair.

~*~*~*

Kaiba and Jonouchi

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Jonouchi yawned and rolled over and looked at the phone as it rang. Kaiba had managed to make it through breakfast before landing face down on the table next to his orange juice. Jonouchi had pulled him to his feet and dragged him back to bed, only to be pulled down onto the bed by a grinning Kaiba. He had been curled up against Kaiba's side since them, drowsing, enjoying the feeling of once again being close to the one he loved as Kaiba slipped back into a heavy, exhausted sleep. The phone rang again. Die phone.

He was tempted to lift the receiver and slam it back down. However, it was probably Mokuba wanting to finally talk to his brother. Jonouchi reached over and scooped the phone off the cradle. "Hello?"

"Jonouchi! I need to speak to big brother. NOW!" Mokuba yelled into the phone, making him wince.

Kaiba's hand reached over his shoulder and gently pulled the phone out of his grasp. "Hello, Mokuba."

"Big brother! Are you okay?" Jonouchi could hear the kid yell and watched as Kaiba pull the phone away from his ear.

"I'm doing much better." He leaned back against the pillows smiling. He reached a hand out and tugged Jonouchi back to his side.

Jonouchi settled back down, resting his head against Kaiba's free shoulder closing his eyes in pleasure as Kaiba's hand stroked through his hair.

"Are you sure? We were all so worried about you." Mokuba's voice had fallen to normal levels.

"I'm sure. I'll be home in a couple of days." He caught a few strands of blond hair in his fingers, loving the silky texture, the soft radiance.

"A few days." Mokuba nearly shrieked, "You have to come home now! Mokuba choked on a sob. "Seto, you have to…"

Kaiba tensed, "Mokuba? What's wrong? Where's Yuai?"

"She's right here. Big brother, someone… We were coming home from school and a car started following us. And they…they.." Mokuba started crying. Seto heard another voice in the background, soothing.

"Mokuba?!" Jonouchi looked up sharply at Kaiba's tone, it had become harsh, demanding. "Mokuba, what's wrong? What happened?"

Mokuba was now crying harder, deep sobs choking his breath. "The window…it… and he…the driver…" The phone clattered against a hard surface, a voice in the background making soothing sounds as Mokuba continued to sob.

"Mokuba!" Kaiba sat up, dislodging a now worried Jonouchi.

The phone clattered again as it was lifted and Yuai's soft voice came on the line. "Kaiba?"

"Yuai, what the hell is going on? What's wrong with my brother?" Kaiba demanded, not sounding the least bit like he'd nearly passed out at breakfast.

"He'll be okay. He just needs a minute." Yuai paused, then went on hesitantly, "Someone started shooting at the limo on the way home from school."

"What!" Kaiba jumped out of bed, causing Jonouchi to scramble out of the way. "Is he okay? Was he hurt?"

"Just a few minor cuts and bruises. Mostly, he's just scared." Kaiba could still hear his brother hiccupping softly in the background, trying to get himself back under control.

"Where's security? Did they catch them?"

"They're still investigating the matter." Yuai sounded a bit odd. There was a pause, he could hear Mokuba's voice in the background. "Mokuba wants to talk to you again."

"Please come home Seto. I know Jonouchi said you couldn't come home till Monday, but please, please come home." Mokuba's voice quavered.

"Don't worry little brother. I'm on my way now."

~*~*~*

So what do you think? Did you like the make up scene? I noticed you rarely get those in books, but I wanted to try it out. How did you like it? Would it be better if I just skimmed over it like I did with Honda and Serenity? Or did you like the whole scene laid out? Let me know!!

Review please! I know I'm having problems accessing them, but someday my reviews will come!