Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Follow the Dragon ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

“Follow the Dragon”

Written and edited by: JoeysGal

Rating: NC17

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Hentai/Romance/Shounen

Type: Continuation

Credits to: Various websites and books on China, Hong Kong and Japan.

 

DISCLAIMER: Anything you read about in this fic, I DO NOT OWN! I merely use real-life things to make the fic more realistic and believable. I also make no money off of writing this… imagine the possibilities if I was…

 

**

 

JoeysGal: Sorry for the delay! Let me just say that I wish you a successful start to 2008! Welcome to the year of the rat, people! ^_^ I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year break and hopefully you enjoy the latest chapter of this story, too!

 

Etsuyo: Thank you for the birthday email ^^ I hope to hear from you again soon! And I also hope to see your next chapter, as well! Much lovey, W. xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twelve

 

**

 

**

 

“No, they just don't fit.”

 

“What doesn't fit about them? They're like… the same person, but from different continents!” Honda debated.

 

“Yeah, so why would they want to get together if they're so alike? Opposites are meant to attract, aren't they?”

 

“I…well…They do have their differences, you know.”

 

Anzu frowned. “Who even says he goes that way? He might be into girls, you never know.”

 

“I don't think so. I'm straight, and I know another straight guy when I see one.”

 

“I know I should never question your expertise,” Anzu said with great sarcasm. “but what makes you think he's gay?”

 

“Well… He's never shown any interest in girls and he kind of just… dresses and talks weird.” Honda said with an affirmative nod.

 

“That's probably because he's from England, Honda.” Anzu replied. “He is kind of effeminate though.”

 

“It's like there's no sign as to whether he's gay or straight - he seems like neither!”

 

“Maybe he's bisexual?” Anzu suggested as she uncurled herself from a somewhat complex-looking yoga position. “He doesn't have to be gay to like other guys, you know.”

 

Currently the young man and woman were residing at their hotel in Hangzhou, a picturesque city known for its historic relics and natural beauty, somewhat south and west of Shanghai. They had arrived the previous evening by air and had spent most of the day sight-seeing. Some of the highlights included visiting the Baochu Pagoda, the “Dreaming of the Tiger” Spring and the enormous Lingyin Temple. Tomorrow would most likely be spent at their own leisure before they took a train to Shanghai in the afternoon.

 

“Hey, Anzu?” Honda asked after a time of quiet thinking.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Have you ever had…” Honda fidgeted as he tried to think of an appropriate way around the question. “Have you ever had someone have a crush on you, but you didn't feel the same way back?”

 

“Um…” Anzu had to think. “I don't think so. Why, have you?”

 

“No!” Honda replied firmly. “I mean… Well… I don't know what I mean.”

 

The brunette raised a quizzical eyebrow at him. “You can confide in me, you know. I won't tell anyone, if you don't want me to.”

 

“Do you promise?”

 

“Sure, what else are friends for?”

 

Honda took a deep breath. “I think Otogi likes me.”

 

She looked baffled for a moment. “What makes you think that?”

 

“A few weeks ago we were talking about what girls we thought were hot,” he said, somewhat embarrassed. “And then he asked me, if I had to choose, which guy I would go for.”

 

Anzu grinned. This wasn't just your everyday piece of gossip. “And?”

 

“And so then I asked him the same question -”

 

“But who did you choose?” Anzu interrupted.

 

He grimaced at her. “That's not important. What is important is that when I asked him, he said, `that's for me to know and you to find out'.”

 

Anzu's blue eyes sparkled with excitement. “Ooooh, sounds like he does have a crush on you!”

 

“So what do I do?” Honda queried, looking most distressed. “I don't like him like that! I like girls! Females! Women! Boobs!”

 

Anzu chuckled. “Oh Honda-san, Otogi knows very well that you're het, so I'm sure he wouldn't try anything on you. If it really bothers you that much then just talk to him about it.”

 

“But it's awkward.” Honda mumbled. “I'm not good at stuff like that. You couldn't talk to him for me, could you?”

 

“Hey,” Anzu said sharply. “I may be your confidant, but I'm not going to do your dirty work for you.”

 

Honda sighed. “You're right; I guess I'll have to talk to him when we get home.”

 

“That's a good idea, he's been spending a lot of his time with Malik lately because of the whole buddy thing.” Anzu said. “What if he likes Malik too?”

 

“They're only spending time together because they're travelling partners, but I dunno. Anyway, it's six o'clock; let's go and meet the others for dinner.”

 

**

 

“In breaking news, a young male tiger cub named Shinto has escaped from the Hangzhou Zoo. Park rangers are currently in pursuit of him and ask citizens not to approach him if found.”

 

Jounouchi switched off the television in his hotel room. His stomach had slowly started protesting being empty since lunch time and now it was chaffing at the bit for something to devour. It could wait no longer.

 

“So has anybody made plans for tonight?” Honda questioned over the table whilst everyone was munching out.

 

“It's still early,” Anzu added. “We could all go and do something - I'm sure Matsuri-sensei wouldn't mind.”

 

“After letting us run riot in Hong Kong by ourselves I don't think she'd mind us doing anything.” Malik said, with a glint in his eye.

 

“I wouldn't mind sampling the local beer,” Bakura said, appearing next to his hikari in mid-air.

 

“I hear their rice wine in this area is good, too.” Marik said, grinning wickedly at the other fiend.

 

“Someone tell me why I've already got a bad feeling about this.” Ryou said apprehensively, already fearing the worst.

 

Yuugi smiled. “Don't worry, Ryou. We can always go and do something else.”

 

Bakura sneered. “Who said anything about you coming?”

 

“I wouldn't mind coming,” Jou spoke up. “That is, if I'm cool enough for you guys.”

 

“Hell no.” Marik said, crossing his arms.

 

“I disagree,” Bakura said. “He comes with us.”

 

“You haven't even decided where you're going yet!” Ryou argued.

 

“How hard is it to find a local bar and get drunk?” Malik asked, puzzled.

 

“Bearing in mind we have to be on the road again by 7.30 tomorrow morning to get to Shanghai.” Anzu frigidly reminded.

 

Bakura shrugged. “It can be done.”

 

“Yeah, because I'll be the one feeling hungover as shit tomorrow, not you, even though you're the one that got as drunk as an ass.” Ryou said, glaring at his yami.

 

“One of the many traits I love about you, my light.” Bakura said, adoringly. “You always take one for the team.”

 

Ryou rolled his eyes.

 

“Well if the night turns out to be any good at all, you'll both be hungover tomorrow, not just one of you.” Malik said, grinning.

 

“So that's me, Ryou, Malik, Marik, Jounouchi, Otogi, Honda, Anzu… Anyone else?” Bakura asked.

 

A tall figure suddenly appeared in the archway of the restaurant. “Count me in.” Kaiba said.

 

**

 

“Don't feel bad, aibou. Drinking and partying isn't for everyone.”

 

“I don't feel bad, yami.” Yuugi replied. “I'm just a little worried. Ryou is my buddy and he's never really been out drinking before… At least not that I know of. He only just turned 17.”

 

“So he's probably taking advantage of the fact that there's no legal drinking age here.” Yami replied. “Let him have his fun - he'll learn his lesson, as we all do.”

 

“I guess you're right. Wanna have a duel?”

 

Yami smiled. “It's been some time since we have dueled each other - sure, why not?”

 

It took some skill to duel someone when you had exactly the same deck, but to Yuugi, the more challenging, the better. More often than not they tied, but there were occasions when one of them surpassed the other. It was only fair to shut off their mindlink while they were dueling, so they couldn't tell what move the other was about to make. Yuugi, however, was looking forward to this match in particular. He had some new cards to try out and couldn't wait to see how well they would play.

 

“Do you think it was weird how Kaiba decided to go with them?” Yuugi asked his dark as they shuffled each others' decks.

 

“I did think it was a bit strange,” Yami said. “But then again, Kaiba can be rather unorthodox, at times.”

 

“I always thought he was an oddball. I wonder what he's got planned?” Yuugi said with a shrug, handing back Yami's deck.

 

“He's probably going to spike Jounouchi's drink or something.”

 

Yuugi sweatdropped, remembering how Yami had learnt the term of `spiking' one's drink when Bakura had spiked his drink. Let's just say that Yami tripping out inside a nightclub with strobe lights flicking around him did not mix.

 

“I hope not,” Yuugi replied. “Anyway, it's your move.”

 

**

 

The entourage of male youths had looked up the local hotspots of Hangzhou before venturing out. A few places they had thought would be particularly awesome turned out to be either seedy and slimy or a little too upmarket and expensive for their liking. Jounouchi was a little put off - and confused - to say the least, that Kaiba had decided to come, but he wasn't going to let that ruin his night. After all, it wasn't every day he got to go night-clubbing in a foreign country with all his good friends.

 

They decided to settle for a small bar that was somewhere between the two categories. The name of it translated loosely to something along the lines of the “Rooster's Perch”, however when Ryou had tried to read the sign upon entering he had mistaken it for the “Cock Tree”, which in turn had the boys in stitches, falling over themselves with laughter.

 

“Why is it that every time I make a joke it is entirely by accident?” he had queried, distressed.

 

“That's what makes it so funny,” Malik said.

 

“Hey, they've got Mahjong here!” Honda said as he noticed a few groups of men clustered around tables playing the infamous Chinese board game.

 

“Oh, I love that game!” Anzu exclaimed. “I got so addicted when Matsuri-sensei showed us how to play.”

 

“Too bad Yuugi didn't come,” Honda said. “I bet he'd love to be able to play this.”

 

“It's probably best he didn't, so that others can have a chance at winning instead of him all the time.” Malik said in a tone of slight distain.

 

Since Mahjong was a game to be played by four people, the group decided to get two boards and sit at a large table to accommodate everyone. Drinks were aplenty and everyone started to relax once the games got into play - everyone except for Jounouchi.

 

The boy was feeling slightly uncomfortable, almost uptight, in the presence of Seto Kaiba. Usually the blond-haired boy would be completely at ease with his drinking buddies, not caring what anyone thought of his antics whilst intoxicated. Jounouchi was a happy drunk, most of the time, usually just making a fool of himself and saying or doing things he wouldn't otherwise have the balls to do if he was sober. Sometimes, however, he was found to be abusive - usually only verbally, but he had been known to get into brawls every now and then. Drinking used to be a common pastime during Jou's younger years when he was feeling particularly down or upset, and often the consequences weren't for the better.

 

Tonight, he wasn't really sure what to expect. He enjoyed playing mahjong and was sure that he was going to end up spectacularly drunk whatever the circumstances may be. A small part of him was saying `don't get drunk and act like a buffoon in front of Kaiba', although he wasn't particularly sure why. Why should he really care what Kaiba thought of him? He never cared beforehand.

 

“I'm going to go and get some fresh air,” Otogi announced after a few games had passed, standing up. “Anyone want to come with?”

 

“I will.” Marik volunteered eagerly, jumping to his feet. “Don't forget your drink,” he said with an evil grin, handing Otogi his glass of rice wine.

 

Together the boys sauntered off outside while Honda made up a new game of mahjong. So far Ryou had won two games with he, Malik, Marik and Bakura playing while Otogi watched, and Honda and Anzu had won one game each with Jounouchi and Kaiba playing as well.

 

Jou wasn't sure how many drinks he had consumed. He wasn't really sure about anything at the moment, he realised. There was a lot that had happened since the trip had begun in Hong Kong. Strange things had started to occur since he had been away, namely revolving around Kaiba; Bakura had practically forced himself on him, Yuugi had been getting into more mischief than usual - although tonight was an exception - and for some reason or other the Ishtars were becoming particularly chummy with Otogi. Perhaps it was just the fact that, given the situation, they were all forced to be spending each waking moment with each other. At home in Japan, they would usually go their separate ways after school, maybe catching up on the weekend. But that still did not explain the odd feelings for Kaiba that were mounting with each passing day.

 

**

 

“Those two have been gone a while, now.” Ryou observed as he and Malik downed the last of their drinks.

 

“I suppose I better go and check on them.” Bakura replied as he stood up. “It's about time for a cigarette now, anyway.”

 

Malik smiled drunkenly over the table at Ryou with half-lidded eyes. “You having fun?”

 

The blanch-haired boy nodded. “Yes, but I think I've had too much to drink.”

 

“I think we're about to go anyway,” Malik said as he got up, stumbling a bit and grabbing onto his chair.

 

“Probably for the best - you can't even stand up straight!” Ryou laughed as they managed to stumble out of the building together.

 

Anzu looked uneasily at them as they disappeared from view. “Honda, we'd better go make sure they don't get hit by a car or something.”

 

“You guys still have to pay for your drinks!” Jou said as they left.

 

“Put me on your I.O.U list!” Honda said as he was towed out the door.

 

Jou deadpanned. “Bastard.”

 

“I'll get the bill.”

 

Jou looked at Kaiba, suddenly aware that they were the only two still sitting at the table. Well, that's convenient. He thought ironically. Now all we need is a candle-lit dinner for two and moonlight overhead. “Thanks. I'll pay you back.”

 

“Don't worry about it.” Kaiba mentioned as he strode up to the bar and handed over some notes. Jou waited awkwardly until he got his change and they both exited the pub, both feeling slightly giddy, and both feeling like they had something to say.

 

Up ahead, Jou could see his group of companions acting like qualified asses. Bakura was triumphing over the fact that he had stolen a mahjong board and tiles for no particular reason at all - it was just something to add to his collection of junk; Honda was endeavoring to climb a tree with Anzu scolding him, saying he should get down before he breaks his neck; Marik and Otogi were behind said tree doing god-knows-what, and Malik was attempting a game of leap-frog with Ryou.

 

“Are your friends always this animalistic while inebriated?” Kaiba asked vigilantly while they walked toward the group.

 

“Usually.” Jou said.

 

“How come you aren't?”

 

Jou felt himself colour. “Uh… I don't know. Just not in the mood for making a dick out of myself tonight, I guess. I didn't drink much, anyway.”

 

“I hope I'm not keeping you from having fun,” Kaiba said.

 

“You're what makes it fun.” Holy shit! Jou suddenly panicked. Where did that come from? Did I really say that?!

 

Kaiba eyed him suspiciously. “Is that the alcohol talking?”

 

Jou sighed uncomfortably. Now he was really stuck in the mud. “I might as well be honest with ya, Kaiba…”

 

All of a sudden, a high-pitched scream came from ahead, and a flash of orange and black stripes followed by the undisputed roar of a wild animal.

 

“Mother of Seth! It's a fucking tiger!” Malik was heard screaming.

 

“What's a tiger doing in the middle of the city, dude?!” Honda shrieked in bewilderment.

 

“Someone call an ambulance!” Anzu said as she clung to Honda in terror.

 

“What's the emergency number in this country?!”

 

Jounouchi sprinted up to the scene, followed quickly by Kaiba. Ryou was currently lying on the ground clutching at his arm. Up the street some way further, a nearly full-grown tiger cub was loping away from the commotion.

 

“It's that tiger that escaped from the zoo today!” Jou exclaimed. “We've got to call them.”

 

“We have to get Ryou some medical attention first, don't you think?!” Malik shrieked as he bent down to the boy who had fallen victim to the big cat.

 

“How bad is it, hikari?” Bakura asked as he pushed the other hikari away.

 

“It hurts… but I don't think it's deep…”

 

“Show me.”

 

Ryou took his hand off of his arm to reveal a sleeve that was torn vertically in four places where the tiger had clawed him. Blood oozed from the gashes, but not at a great pace - no arteries or veins had been torn, at least.

 

“It just came out of nowhere; it pounced on me as I was walking by that alleyway back there.” Ryou said, obviously shaken up and in shock.

 

“We better get him to a hospital. That wound could start festering.” Anzu said with a nod, still clutched to the tall brunet boy.

 

Jounouchi waved down a taxi van and they all piled in. Ryou lay down across Marik and Malik, and had his head on Bakura's lap. The yami stroked his light's forehead gently, trying to soothe him, muttering words of reassurance. The silence was awkward as the rather intoxicated teens rode to the hospital; almost all shocked into sobriety at the seemingly random wild animal attack. Even Kaiba looked a little shaken up, Jounouchi thought, and the idea of putting his arm around him seemed quite appealing. He didn't act upon it though, of course. Jou distantly remembered that he had been about to spill his guts to the CEO before the tiger appeared. That could wait til later, he thought. Now was really not the time.

 

The anxious look Bakura had over his hikari made Malik suddenly realize something: that Bakura was the one who was also after Ryou's love. He felt his heart drop like lead, knowing that Marik was probably right - he was never going to have Ryou in the way he so desired, that Bakura deserved that right more than he did. For Bakura it was love, for Malik it was merely lust. He now realised, with a feeling of absolute dejection, that he would never get the chance to love the pale, innocent boy of his long-awaited yearning.

 

**

 

Ryou was discharged from the hospital with ten stitches and a couple of vaccinations - including a rabies shot, which he had said hurt more than the injury itself - and a small course of antibiotics, to speed up the healing process. The hospital had contacted the zoo and subsequently the tiger had been caught and put to sleep until it arrived back at its enclosure. The manager of the zoo had offered Ryou compensation for the attack, but he had refused, stating that he was on holiday and didn't want or need to get tied up in legal matters, nor did he have the time. Besides, the attack could have been much worse.

 

Telling Matsuri-sensei of the event, however, almost seemed to be a more difficult task than telling one's mother or father that you were expecting a baby at the age of twelve. She flew into a panic, but once Ryou reassured her that he would be fine, she reluctantly let him go back to his hotel room to rest. She wasn't exactly impressed that they had gone out drinking, either - being a mother of teenagers herself, she had the uncanny ability to tell if they were drunk or not - but she was glad that they were all safe.

 

Now that the drama was over, Jounouchi was feeling quite exhausted. And still rather drunk, at that. As soon as he and Kaiba got back to their hotel room, he slumped onto the couch.

 

“Ugh, what a night.”

 

“It doesn't have to be over, yet.” Kaiba said as he cracked open two beers from the mini fridge.

 

Jou raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you serious?”

 

The blue eyed boy shrugged indifferently. “The train to Shanghai is two hours. We can sleep then.”

 

Jou glanced at the time - 1.30am. “Okay then.” And took the beer.

 

Seto took a seat next to Jou on the couch. “So, I'd still like to know why I made your night so `fun' as you put it.”

 

“Well… I feel differently about you, now, I guess.” Jou said, taking a swig. “Like… that hatred I used to have for you has gone. Maybe I just don't care as much as I used to.”

 

“So, in essence, you're saying… you like me?”

 

He shrugged. “Yeah, I like you. I do.” That was almost stupidly easy. “I actually read your journal - by accident, I mean. Not on purpose.”

 

“The journal we're writing for this trip, you mean?”

 

Jou froze. “Uh… yeah.”

 

“What's that got to do with liking me?”

 

“Uh - well -”

 

Kaiba frowned. “You read my personal journal? The one on my laptop? How the hell did you get into that?!”

 

Ah crap, you've done it again, Katsuya. “I'm sorry.”

 

Blue eyes studied him for a long moment. “What did you think of it?”

 

“I liked it.” Jou lied, wondering why he hadn't just told the truth. He was jealous. Jealous about the entry of Kaiba having feelings for someone - someone that probably wasn't him. At the same time, the entry to Seto's personal diary was rather mystifying. It didn't really give away anything. So there's a 50-50 chance that it could be me. Jou thought. But why do I even want to be that person?

 

Kaiba was staring at him a little too gravely for his liking, and his brain and sight alike were swirling from the fresh dose of alcohol supplied by the beer.

 

“And I hope…” Jou continued. “…that you like me, too.”

 

Kaiba looked uncertain about his situation. What sort of a `like' was he referring to? Was he talking about a friendly relationship or something more? The brunet then realised that Jounouchi had probably had more experience in this general area than he had. After all, Kaiba was somewhat socially handicapped, he admitted. He didn't have a lot of interaction with people outside of his company, bar Mokuba, but that didn't really count. He didn't have time for personal relationships; come to think of it, he hadn't had a lot of experience in sexual relationships, either.

 

The question was, did Kaiba like him? Yes. He just wasn't sure what kind of `like'. He decided not to dwell on it; whatever would be, would be.

 

“I do like you.” Seto replied.

 

When the blonde boy smiled, it was like a burst of sunshine on a dark and cloudy day, and suddenly Seto had no doubts in his mind as to which sort of `like' he felt.

 

**

 

JoeysGal: So I hope you all liked that ^^ sorry… there wasn't much scenery and sight-seeing in this chapter, but I figured that I had better start focusing on the relationships between the characters a little bit more. I hope that's okay with you guys? Anyway please stand by, there is more in the works!

 

For more information on the game of Mahjong, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong