Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Contrast: Blue ❯ Hard Battle ( Chapter 6 )

CHAPTER SIX: Hard Battle

5: 53 pm. Men in business suits walked to their homes or their karaoke bars while teenagers, freed from the clutches of school, hung outside of Seven-Elevens and music stores and young children gathered around capsule machines in hopes of earning rare toys and trinkets at the expense of their allowances.

In the basketball court adjacent to the Seven-Eleven, Jounouchi practiced his movements as he waited for his opponent. His fists moved swiftly, jabbing and upper-cutting the unseen opponent as he shuffled around on his feet.

Despite his youth, Jounouchi was considered to be a very formidable fighter. He was introduced to street fighting by his colleagues five years ago, but his dedication allowed his ability to mature within a matter or months. Most noted that his strength and stamina were his strongest points, however; he lacked discipline and patience and these weaknesses prevented him from becoming a nearly unstoppable fighter.

*That lack o' discipline and shit musta been how Seto managed to take advantage of me.* Jounouchi reflected as he continued his practice routine. *I wish I were a patient man. Just don't have time these days; don't have time at all.*

Left-right jab…

*Maybe it's `cause I'm so damn worried `bout everythin'.*

Uppercut…

*Worried about "dad" making payment on that bill. Hell; worried about "dad" not gettin' alcohol poisoning again…worried about being able to stay in school...worried about Shi-*

"Wouldn't it be best for you to _save_ your energy?"

Jounouchi immediately stopped mid-jab. His eyelids lowered as he cocked a smirk and slowly turned around.

A large metal briefcase slammed into the ground as Seto stood across from the dirty blond, his arms folded. He was wearing the leather outfit as Jounouchi requested-albeit jokingly-though the blond noticed some newer details with the outfit. He noticed there were leather chaps strapped to a pair of black jeans; the belt, which originally bore a generic buckle, was now replaced by the familiar "Bad Guy" buckle that Seto was famous for.

It was noted that he was not wearing a platinum-blond wig, nor was he wearing sunglasses.

Jounouchi whistles. "You know; when I said to wear that leather number, it was to let you know that I was onto you, _not_ to let you know that I really wanted you to wear it…though I must say, it looks good on a girly-boy like you."

Seto did not appear amused. "I am wearing this because I find it most comfortable for when I'm fighting."

"Leather? COMFORTABLE?! You are out of your damn mind."

"Let's just get this over with."

"Hold on, hold on. There's no hurry. Why not have a warm-up session? Get yourself ready for the fight and all."

"I did not need to `warm up' the last three times I fought you," Seto scoffed as he looked away for a moment. "I see no reason to do so now."

Jounouchi laughed. "Man, I was holding back all those times. You think I'm giving a hundred percent when I'm fighting? I don't even need to go above seventy when I beat down those punks on the weekends. But you…you're the first in a long time. I just hope I ain't rusty…" He threw out a three-punch combination.

Seto raised a brow. "If you're still as reckless as I remember, I have nothing to worry about."

Once again, Jounouchi stopped punching. "All I need is two hits. Then you're down and out." He paused to look over Seto, and noticed that hanging from his neck was a small pendant.

"Nice pendant. I thought only girls wore `em."

Seto's head tilted scantly, with errant tendrils of his bronze hair falling over the right side of his face. "That is the second time you have labeled me as being effeminate." He put on a coy smile. "Is this because I keep making dog references to you, puppy?"

"Maybe; maybe not," Jounouchi sneered.

Seto's arms fell to his side. "Unlike you, insults don't affect me in the least. Now then, are we through with words?"

Jounouchi shrugged, and assumed his fighting stance. "Sure. Just don't be too upset when I beat ya."

"There you go with that overconfidence again," Seto noted as he took on his aikido stance. "But hey. So long as it remains your greatest disadvantage, defeating you will be as simple as breathing."

"Whatever ya say!" Jounouchi slowly approached the brunet with careful steps, but as he was getting closer his pace quickened, until he was roughly five feet in front of his opponent-he then lunged towards Seto and thrust his fist forward. Seto stepped to the side and counter-attacked with a side chop aimed at Jounouchi's torso. However, the dirty blond managed to dash backwards, narrowly escaping Seto's oncoming strike. Seto appeared to be a little surprised, but quickly regained his concentration as he kept a careful watch of Jounouchi's movements.

Jounouchi shuffled on his feet for a moment before dashing towards Seto once again. He noticed Seto's azure eyes watching him, and smirked. As soon as he was directly in front of the brunet he swayed backwards, barely dodging a palm strike in the process. Seto could not hide the surprised look on his face this time and Jounouchi immediately took advantage of that as he lunged forward and successfully drove his right fist into the brunet's gut.

The impact was immense; Seto doubled over in submission to the pain, his shaking arms clutching tightly to his torso as he fell onto his knees.

"Not even five minutes into the match, and already you seem to be down and out." Jounouchi paused for a moment to spit. "Y'know, I'm rather disappointed…I didn't get to show ya my full repertoire of moves…"

"Not done yet…" Seto wheezed.

Jounouchi appeared as though he was struck by a surprise attack. "Say what? Dude, I just struck you right in the gut! As skinny as you are, you should be ready to surrender or somethin'!"

Seto managed a weak smile as he tried to stand on his feet. He wobbled, and even nearly fell backwards, but he managed to maintain his footing. "You're not…the only one full…of surprises," he rasped.

"Yer either real persistent or you got some stamina. Can't be stamina, though." Jounouchi raised his fists. "The next hit should put you down and out."

"You're welcome to try and land another blow on me."

"You asked for it." Jounouchi threw out two quick jabs, both of which Seto parried with surprising ease. Jounouchi then spun around and tried to use the momentum to perform a turn knuckle attack, but Seto easily managed to dodge the attack--but the damage that was earlier dealt to him caused him to momentarily lose his footing. Jounouchi saw this, and without giving it a second thought, he leapt towards the brunet. Seto barely managed to regain his balance when he saw Jounouchi jumping towards him. He tried to think up an effective counterattack but he was too late; Jounouchi had rammed into him, and to ensure that the brunet would not try to roll away upon falling, he wrapped his arms around Seto's waist. The force of the tackle sent the two teens to the ground, Seto landing on his back with Jounouchi landing on top of him. Jounouchi immediately used his knees to pin Seto's wrists to the ground and his hands to keep the brunet's shoulders pinned as well.

"Now I _know_ there's no way for you to escape defeat. Just admit that I've won, and I'll let you go." Jounouchi grinned.

"Says you," Seto jeered as he struggled in vain. "I'm still conscious…I can still turn this around."

"Ya nearly fell when ya dodged my attack," Jounouchi stated matter-of-factly. "And you think you c'n turn this around. Are you some kinda masochist?"

"I-" Seto started, but suddenly the strained look on his features was replaced by a more horrified expression.

"Now what is it?" Jounouchi was puzzled. "First you insist you can still fight, now ya look like ya got yer period and forgot yer tampon or somethin'!"

"Get off," Seto whispered.

Jounouchi stifled a laugh. "Hey now; I ain't fallin' for that. I know the instant I let you go, I'm gonna wind up in some kinda arm lock, and then yer gonna laugh and-"

"I said OFF!!" Seto bent his right leg and land landed the knee onto the small of Jounouchi's back. The blow wasn't very strong, but it was enough for Jounouchi to roll off to the side, thus releasing his hold on the leather-clad brunet.

"Ow…Christ; what the hell is wrong with you?" Jounouchi demanded as he glowered at Seto.

Seto had his back turned to the dirty blond. "I…I need a five-minute time out."

Jounouchi sat up. "Request denied! You can't take any time-outs just `cause yer getting' yer ass kicked!"

"That's not why I want a time-out!" Seto insisted as he glanced down. His cheeks immediately became rosy with an embarrassing blush.

Jounouchi snorted. "Then what's your reason for the request, huh? Lost a contact lens, blue-eyes?"

Seto gnashed his teeth; he really didn't need this. "I just need a time-out! I can't explain why!"

"Fuck you! You ain't got a reason to take a time-out, so turn your ass around so we can finish this." Jounouchi spit once again. "'sides, no problem you have could be enough to make you act like that, unless…"

Seto shut his eyes. *I hope he doesn't realize…*

Jounouchi narrowed his eyes at Seto and cocked his head to the side. Slowly, his head straightened, and his eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.

"Oh my God…"

Seto bit his lower lip--

"OH, MY GOD!! Oh Jesus! You…you had a hard-on, didn't you?! When I was on top of you? Is that why ya have yer back facin' to me? Ohhh Jesus! I got boned!"

--and he winced.

Jounouchi continued to rant about the situation. "You…yer a guy…another guy! I got boned by another guy! Oh shit…I don't know what to think…I don't know how to think…I need to sit down-"

A sharp slap immediately interrupted Jounouchi's raving state. Jounouchi held a hand to his cheek as he glared at Seto, who appeared to be equally frustrated.

"Will you calm down? It was an accident," Seto said in a surprisingly calm tone. "I'm sure _you_ have accidentally got a hard-on whenever an attractive woman passed you by."

Jounouchi still looked horrified. "A…an ACCIDENT? You don't accidentally bone another _man_! You just don't!"

"It was a fucking accident," Seto growled. "Will you just calm down, or do I need to beat you senseless?"

The threat appeared to calm Jounouchi down, for he stopped raving and finally silenced. He took deep breaths in an attempt to calm down, his half-opened amber eyes wandering downwards towards the brunet's crotch.

"No staring, PLEASE." Seto's response was anything but polite as he looked away, holding a hand to the side of his face as he tried to hide his blushing cheeks.

Jounouchi looked away. "…I think I'm more focused now…we can continue if you've, er, calmed down."

"You are sure?" Seto turned around.

Jounouchi's eyes wandered downwards for a moment before they met with Seto's narrowed azure eyes. "Yeah. I'm definitely good to go."

Seto reassumed his aikido stance. "Then let's finish this."

Jounouchi raised his fists. "Yeah, let's just wrap this up. I think things have dragged out for long enough." His amber eyes narrowed, though scantly. *He looks as though he never took that heavy blow-gah! That heavy _punch_ I gave him. Does he have some freakish recovering ability that I don't know about?*

Seto frowned. "Why are you hesitating?"

Jounouchi didn't hear him. His fists became a trifle lower. *That wouldn't make any sense…when I saw him last night he looked like he was ready to pass out at any minute. This is just confusing…*

"You wanted the fight to continue, and now you appear to be out of it. If you won't attack me-"

*He's become a lot more frustrated and impatient. This must have been how I appeared to him the first few times we fought…but with him, it seems almost…frightening.*

"-then I will simply have to persuade you to continue!" Seto raced towards the oblivious Jounouchi, his arms held at his sides and his eyes locked on the dirty blond. He saw the sudden alertness come upon Jounouchi's expression, and smiled.

"Man; what the hell are ya thinkin', tryin' to rush me?" Jounouchi's fists rose once again, "I'm just gonna pummel ya again! And this time I'll make sure ya don't get up!"

Seto's smiled remained as he threw out a knife-hand strike-Jounouchi responded in kind by throwing out a strike of his own, in the form of an uppercut.

Jounouchi realized too little too late that Seto was merely using a feint in order to force Jounouchi to attack. Seto took immediate advantage of Jounouchi's mistake by gripping the vulnerable teen's left shoulder. Seto put enough strength and weight onto his hand so he could easily jump over to his opponent's backside, but mid-jump he placed his left leg over Jounouchi's shoulder and wrapped his right around the dirty blond's chest.

"What--?" Before Jounouchi could get an idea as to what was going on, Seto rolled himself towards the ground, flipping Jounouchi downwards in the process. As soon as Jounouchi landed on the ground, Seto grasped Jounouchi's right arm as his legs wrapped around Jounouchi's waist.

"You bastard…you were totally fakin' it!" Jounouchi growled. "Ya really weren't pissed off at me, were ya?"

Seto smirked. "Actually, I was. But unlike you, I actually know how to channel that frustration in such a way that I can use it to work for me and not against me. However, I must thank you for actually taking the time to think. If it weren't for your complete lack of attention, I don't think I would have been very successful."

"Yeah; I sure chose a good time to think," Jounouchi sneered as he tried to wriggle out of Seto's hold.

"You put up a better fight than last night, but once again I have bested you," Seto declared. "There's no way you can get out of my hold either, so you may as well concede now."

Jounouchi grinned. "Well, before I do that, I have a confession to make."

Jounouchi's unusual mood dampened Seto's victorious fervor. "What do you mean?"

"I took something from you as you were throwing me."

Seto frowned. "You took something? What could you have possibly-" He glanced down at his own chest. "…taken…?"

Jounouchi's left hand held up the pendant that was previously around Seto's neck. "Lookie-lookie; I got yer pendant!"

"You son of a bitch; hand that over!" Seto released his hold on Jounouchi's arms; the dirty blond could feel Seto's legs loosening its hold on his waist. Pendant still tightly clutched in his grip, Jounouchi swung his fist downwards at Seto's right ankle with success. Seto gasped as he felt the sudden impact on his ankle and completely unwrapped his legs from Jounouchi's waist, thus freeing the dirty blond from the hold. Jounouchi rolled to the side and sprung to his feet. He turned around, grinning at Seto as he spun the pendant around his index finger.

Seto tried to scramble to his feet but the blow on his ankle was just enough to prevent him from successfully doing so without feeling the sharp pain in his ankle. This forced him to put his weight onto his left foot, though the grimace on his face was a tell-tale sign that there was no avoiding the intense pain.

"Seto! I'm gonna let you in on a secret," Jounouchi declared, the grin remaining. "It didn't take me long to figure out that ya didn't think of me as being a very smart person. I know I don't speak with a lotta big words or nothin', and my grades in school are shitty…but I make up fer that in bein' real clever. You may think yer so smart and clever, and I'll definitely give ya smart, but clever? I got ya beat there."

"Great. Congratulations. You're cleverer than I," Seto snarled between wheezing. "I want that pendant back."

"Oh, this thing?" Jounouchi stopped twirling the pendant long enough to get a good look. It rested comfortably in the center of the palm of Jounouchi's hand. The rectangular pendant was crafted in gold with a loop on the very top, strung through with a black thread with metallic fasteners. Jounouchi noticed that on the left side of the pendant were tiny hinges.

"That is a personal treasure of mine, and I _will_ have it back!" Seto held out a shaking right hand, his hateful gaze remaining upon the other teen.

"A personal treasure?" Jounouchi snorted as he looked down at the locket. "Only girls keep lockets as treasures, man. Just what's inside that's so important, anyway?" Jounouchi proceeded to open the outer casing of the locket, until he looked over at Seto. His smile vanished as quickly as the brunet had fallen.

"Shit!" Jounouchi quickly pocketed the locket as he rushed to Seto's side, kneeling down and helping Seto sit up. The brunet's eyes were tightly shut, his breathing slightly ragged and his skin unusually clammy.

"This better not be a fuckin' attempt at a trick, `cause this ain't funny," Jounouchi threatened as he gently tapped the side of Seto's face. "Wake up, Hirano, come on…Oh damn; yer really out, aren't ya?"

Jounouchi's thick brows knitted in worry as he watched Seto's face in hopes of seeing his eyelids recede and give way to those crystal blue eyes.

"Oh man…yer not wakin' up, but yer breathin'. Okay…probably over did it, right? It's nothin' serious…I just gotta get you somewhere safe…"

He placed his left arm beneath the bends of Seto's lengthy legs, and his right on the small of the brunet's back, and slowly stood, carrying the other teen. He managed a small smile; he was glad that Seto was a lightweight. He glanced over and noticed the briefcase.

Jounouchi bit his lower lip as he sheepishly glanced down at Seto. "Shit. Even when yer out of it, ya still know how to make things harder fer me…"

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