Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Differences Don't Matter ❯ Meeting at City Hall ( Chapter 16 )

“Those filthy urchins think they can do whatever they want,” the senior Motou's voice bellowed throughout the house.

 

Yami startled awake at the voice, his arm clutching instinctively around Yugi before relaxing and looking tiredly behind. He didn't care that the book he'd been reading before falling asleep fell unceremoniously to the floor, but only that the sound of his obnoxious father didn't disrupt the dozing elf in his lap.

 

I wonder what's got his fit started this time Yami thought as he watched his father storm by the library for the third time before his form could be heard clunking up the stairs, Tea undoubtedly following him and trying to reason with him like always.

 

“Yami!” The shout came from down the hall. The teen wouldn't have gone to his father even if the dozing elf wasn't in his lap. Loud footfalls were heard pounding up the stair, a pause, and they were suddenly coming back down and getting closer to the library.

 

Stupid maids Yami grumbled, narrowing his crimson eyes with annoyance and glaring at the bookshelves like it was their fault.

 

The door squeaked open and a few more steps before his father appeared from behind the chair to come to a stop in front of him. His expression at the sight of the pointed-eared, sleeping elf occupying his son's lap was the only thing that could've gotten Yami into a good mood when faced with his father. The older man's face was scrunched up like there was a horrid stench in the air and his ears were steadily turning pink almost as if an invisible someone was pinched the ends of them mercilessly. Fists were curled at his sides and Yami could only imagine how deep the half-moon shaped nail marks in his pals would be.

 

He's such a fish with his mouth opening and closing like that. Yami would've snorted at the thought if he believed it wouldn't disturb Yugi.

 

“What's the meaning of this,” his father grumbled in a rough voice.

 

With a raised eyebrow, Yami responded, “I didn't know you were so thick as to not recognize a person sleeping.”

 

The man's teeth clenched and he ground out, “Elves are not people. They are things that are to be used by higher beings to make our lives easier.”

 

Yami's anger began to rise, but he tried to keep it in check lest he wake Yugi. This was one conversation he didn't want his new found love to hear. “Tell me, father,” he spat the word; “how can we possibly be the higher beings when we're treating elves like slaves? They can use magic to help things grow and all we do is boss them around and treat them like they're lower then dirt. They have done nothing except do what we say and take it without a fight when it's clear that they could take us down without breaking a sweat.”

 

If it were possible, Yami was sure he would've seen steam blowing hotly from the older Motou's ears they were so red. Instead, the man took a long breath and turned from his son. “Another meeting's been called at the town hall and you're coming with me.”

 

“And what if I don't feel like it,” Yami retorted with a heated glare.

 

There was a pause and Yami began to think his father would rather punch him in the face rather than answer him. To his surprise the man replied. “I don't care what you feel.” He walked away and Yami wanted to throw a book at the back of his head.

 

Bastard Yami grumbled, absently petting Yugi's hair and finding it amazingly calming. He watched violet eyes blink open and focus on his face.

 

“Good afternoon, sleepy,” Yami smiled gently.

 

Yugi looked around for a minute, disoriented. Suddenly his breath hitched and he glanced up at Yami through lidded eyes. “I'm sorry,” he squeaked, “I didn't mean to…”

 

“It's fine; you were tired.” Yami kissed his temple gentle and continued stroking a hand through his soft strands.

 

The older teen's thoughts wandered back to the meeting he would be attending. Due to his father's attitudes Yami knew it was safe to assume that it was about the elves still in the forest. That was only thing that could get his father ticked off so easily these days and that's only because things weren't going perfect and orderly the way he'd like them to.

 

All the more amusing for me Yami chuckled silently.

 

Then another thought entered his head and he toyed with it for a while. He didn't know if this new idea would be helpful or harmful and he certainly didn't want harmful in a bad way. If it was harmful in a way that it ruined someone's plans for the human-elfin war than by all means he should go through with it. However, if it was harmful in a way that it hurt Yugi then Yami didn't think he could forgive himself.

 

Yugi shifted in Yami's lap, resting his head on the teen's chest once more and absently drawing random designs on the loose shirt. Both of them rested in silence, just enjoying being near each other.

 

“Yami,” the younger said in a quiet voice. Crimson eyes glanced down at the elf and the owner made a noncommittal sound. “Can I…have…” His cheeks pinked and he couldn't look Yami in the face.

 

The older smirked. He found it entertaining how he seemed to be able to know what Yugi wanted most of the time even when the elf was too embarrassed or shy to be able to fully form the question. Tilting Yugi's face towards him he closed his eyes and pressed his lips gently to the other's soft ones. His ears strained intensely as a reflex from their first two kisses and he was relieved that no one interrupted them.

 

“Thank you,” Yugi whispered and closed his eyes upon feeling Yami's hand running through his hair again. “Feels nice…”

 

Yami's previous idea popped back to the surface of his thoughts. He played with it and finally decided. “Yugi, what do you think about coming with me somewhere?”

 

“Where, Yami.” The elf looked up curiously.

 

“My father just told me about another meeting with the mayor that I'm being forced to attend. Would you like to come with me or would you like to stay here?”

 

Yugi clutched at Yami's arm. “You've never left me alone before.”

 

“That's why I'm giving you a choice.” Yami smiled down at the elf and rubbed soothingly along his arms. “What do you think?”

 

“I-I want to come,” Yugi stated. Yami thought it was cute how the elf could sound firm even with a stutter.

 

Is that even possible… Yami shook off that thought and nodded at Yugi. “Very well then; we should get cleaned up. No doubt my dad will escort me to the town hall himself since he knows if he leaves me to fend for myself I'll take my time and arrive just as the thing's ending.”

 

Yugi giggled, placed a chaste kiss on Yami's cheek, and pushed himself off the chair and hurried out the door. Yami listened to the speedy footsteps as they elevated up the stairs and faded around the corner. He waited a few minutes longer, having afterthoughts about what would go on during the meeting and what could possibly be important enough that his father felt the need to bring him along.

 

Trudging up the stairs Yami made sure to take his time in case Yugi was still getting ready and wasn't decent. He arrived in his room just as his elf was pulling on a dark blue shirt, the end of one of his pointed ears getting caught on the collar on the turtle neck. He squeaked when he tugged too hard and Yami rushed over to help him. Yugi was pouting cutely at him while the older teen straightened out his collar.

 

“What's the matter, Yugi,” Yami asked, though he was sure he knew the elf was just embarrassed about being caught in such a situation.

 

“That hurt,” the elf sulked, rubbing at his abused ear.

 

Yami leant forward and nipped the pointed ear playfully. “Poor, baby,” he crooned, kissing his cheek. “Finished getting ready?”

 

The elf nodded, wrapping his arms around Yami's chest and inhaling his musky scent. “I like the shampoo you use. It makes you smell like strawberries.”

 

“Well, then, let me go make myself smell like strawberries, get dressed, and then we can go with the evil man of the house to the eviler town hall of the city and have a pointless meaning about things I couldn't care less about.”

 

Yugi nodded and watched the crimson-eyed teen pick up a few clothes and go back outside and down the hall to the bathroom. He stared at the window and racked his brain for even the slightest clue of what the elfin letters in the tome from the castle could mean. Absently scratching at the clothed mark on his wrist, Yugi wondered what the old book could've been talking about with him and the triangular design. When rough hands started to massage at his temple and in between his thoughts were interrupted.

 

“It looks like you're thinking too hard,” Yami scolded mockingly. The elf turned around and watched pleasantly with violet eyes at the image in front of him. Black pants with a white, button-up shirt and a loosely knotted tie to finish it off. Yugi was certain that the informal attire wouldn't bode well with his father since they were going to a meeting the older man seemed to think was very important. However, he knew if he mentioned that thought to Yami the crimson-eyed teen would find it less than interesting. “Ready to go?” With a curt nod they both walked towards the door, Yugi clutching onto one of Yami's sleeves all the way to the main entrance.

 

There was no greeting given or words exchanged at the front door when senior Motou saw them; only a short glare at Yugi and curious stare at his son. Yugi hadn't wanted to get Yami on worse terms with his father so he made sure to have a safe distance between them without his nerves flaring up at once. It would be the first time he actually went out on an “important” errand and he didn't feel safe getting separated from Yami. He knew the older teen would protect him from the people who would try hurting him.

 

During the short walk Yugi felt like all the eyes of the people they passed were staring at him. He wanted to take hold of Yami's hand to let himself be grounded, but he resisted the temptation with great force. He found it in mind to put his thoughts somewhere else to help him ignore the eyes seemingly glued to his form. He focused, instead, on what the symbols in the book could be. Only when they stopped walking did Yugi's eyes go back into focus and he found himself standing in front of the large, white building.

 

It known greatly as the town hall, though it was really just the mayor's house with lots of sitting rooms with badly painted rooms. Yugi found himself thinking that Yami's house was a lot nicer, but he'd only heard rumors and he didn't want to go assuming things. It would only be just like the people who assumed all elves were there for the humans' convenience.

 

Inside the building it was mostly painted white along the walls with a creamy beige color bordering the corners. There were thin tables, five altogether with three on the left and two on the right going down the hallway where the stairs were and each one separated by a door. Each table had a short, fat pot with flowers cluttering each one. Yugi thought it was a little cliché, but he wasn't going to say anything about it.

 

All the doors were open and Yugi looked through each one as they passed by. The first one was a living room looking area, a small fire was seen crackling in the fireplace. In the second room was a library of sorts with books scattered even worse than the neglected one in the rundown castle, if that should've even been possible. In the next room was a kitchen with a few women bustling around with feather dusters sticking out the backs of the aprons and a delicious aroma filtering out from pots on the stove. The room after that the door was closed as well as the fifth door.

 

Yami's father led them quickly up the stairs, ignoring the other people were looked up as they walked by. He squeezed through the snug fitting stairs where three other doors appeared. All three of them were closed, but the older man went to the last door placed right next to the window and knocked confidently on it.

 

“It's me,” he said gruffly. The door opened immediately and a man barely taller than Yami appeared. “Mr. Motou, come in, come in. Lord Yami, so good of you to join us; you will introduce your friend?”

 

The three of them were bustled in and took a seat at the large, rectangular table in the center of the room. There were only three empty seats left, one for the short man and the other two obviously for the Motous. Yami smiled gently at him and ushered him into his own seat, choosing to stand next to the chair and declining the short man's offer to get another chair.

 

I have no plans of sticking around soon anyway Yami told himself. This way it'll be easier for me to take hold of Yugi and get us out of here rather than if I was sitting down and Yugi was forced to stand.

 

Yugi paid close attention as the meeting began. Yami found it trivial from the start, but he could tell his elf was only interested because it was mentioned the elves living in the forest who eluded capture. The crimson-eyed teen felt like a heel for not thinking that Yugi would want to know about those elves and make sure they're okay. It seemed like the most obvious thing to worry about along with the safety of the elves still serving vindictive humans.

 

With a muffled yawn, Yami tuned back into the conversation in and out to catch tidbits that might be important to remember for later dates or to help him understand elves better. So far there was nothing worth listening to. However, there was one part that caused Yugi's form to stiffen beside him and he quickly listened into what was being said.

 

“…then what'll happen,” an aged man questioned with a raised voice. His hair was entirely grey and he had a curly mustache that covered the whole of his mouth.

 

The stout man who first let them into the room placed his hands tensely on the smooth surface of the table. “If the elves attack then we will have to fight. With so few wild ones left their defenses will be minimal. If we must then the elves in the city will be ordered to attack.”

 

Yami's eyes narrowed. “How can you say such a thing,” he shouted, glaring angrily at the men around the table who had nodded in agreement, which was everyone including his father.

 

“Yami, shut up,” he father growled through his teeth, grabbing his son's sleeve roughly.

 

“No!” The teen pulled back his arm and stepped away from the table. He saw Yugi jump up slightly with worry, but settled back down just as easily when he saw Yami wasn't going anywhere. “No, I won't be quiet! How do you expect to force elves to fight their own kind? There's no way you'll be able to do that. Just ask, Yugi.” Yami pointed to the chair in front of him where the only elf in the room flushed with embarrassment.

 

“Yami,” Yugi whispered. One of his hands self-consciously rose up to tug nervously at his ears while his eyes darted around to land on each of the faces of the men around the room.

 

There was a collective gasp around the room and all the men stood and stepped away from the table as though Yugi smelled of something foul. Amethyst eyes looked around worriedly as he heard the whispers about his ears and what Yami was thinking bringing one of them into the mayor's house.

 

How could they possibly have not noticed something so obvious before? Yugi doesn't have anything covering his ears Yami huffed mentally.

 

“You know, if there is a war between the humans and the elves I'll definitely be siding with those of the elves. I can't believe I was born into a species that could treat others with such cruelty.” He grabbed Yugi's hand and toppled the chair to the floor pulling the elf from the seat. “We're leaving, Yugi.”

 

Yami dragged Yugi from the room and down the narrow staircase once more.

 

“Was that really necessary to say such things,” Yugi panted as he tried to keep up with Yami's long strides.

 

The older didn't look back or slow down as he answered. “Completely; I meant ever word I said. They have no right to try forcing such an order down your throats and expect you to obey. Wasn't I right?” At the question Yami stopped and looked back at the elf.

 

Yugi almost walked right into Yami's back, but stopped with a sudden jerk. “Right?”

 

“About it being impossible?”

 

“Well…” Yugi looked at the ground, shuffling his feet in the dirt. “I'm not sure about impossible, but it certainly would be beyond difficult. Elves are very loyal and would have to be beaten close to death,” he finished quietly.

 

“Close to death or not, the people in this city would still make them fight if only to prove they're so-called stronger than the elves. I believe…that the elves are much stronger though. After all, they remembered their promises told in that old tome and were still abiding by them where as humans forgot it entirely. Even the signed contract is no where to be found. I'm sure if you were given the chance you'd find the signed document hung somewhere in your forest in a very important place.”

 

Walking back silently the house seemed to take longer than walked to the mayor's house. No one interrupted them and there was no person who stood in their way. It was somehow clear to everyone that something very big had happened in the town hall concerning the two of them.

 

I don't know if the document is still in the forest or not. All I know is that it was forbidden to leave the forest for reasons unknown Yugi thought, worrying his bottom lip.