Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Pools of Glass ❯ The Truth Doesn't Always Hurt ( Chapter 17 )

JG-chan: Holy shitburgers! It's been HOW long since I updated this remorseful piece of crap that you people love so much? XD Kidding… Well, it was rather a coincidence that I was updating this, when I got a review! It couldn't have been timed better, really. So now, onto the reviewer responses!

 

JoeyWheeler2004: You'll find out soon enough what happens. Sadly it's not in this chapter, but undoubtedly will be next! This is the calm before the storm, so look out for some serious yaoi action on the way! ^_^

 

Sugar Shinimegami: Since you are so nice and reviewed, I will grant a request from you! Would you like anything in particular for Otogi and Honda to do? ^_~ I'll put something special in for yah. Hope you have fun with this chapter!

 

DISCLAIMER: I own nunya!

 

WARNING: Cursing, alcohol usage and hinted Shounen-ai ^_^!

The Truth Doesn't Always Hurt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Jou sighed and walked up the driveway, his overnight bag tucked under his arm. This really isn't a good idea. He kept reminding himself. Mokuba's birthday is doomed for sure, now. But it's not really like I can blame myself for coming… he invited me to come. Even though Jou felt slightly more eased by that thought, feelings of uncertainty still loomed in his mind like a heavy black rain cloud. He was tempted to bash his head against the front doors as soon as he got up there, but didn't. A butler soon came to the door.

 

“May I help you, sir?” he asked, looking at Jou from the feet up.

 

Jou shuffled his feet somewhat. “Uh, yeah… I'm here for Mokuba's `do.”

 

“Come right in.” The butler said, opening the door and letting the flaxen haired youth inside.

 

Jou had no trouble finding the others as he made his way through the mansion. He was so used to this place now that he almost laughed at the thought of when he first came here and became hopelessly lost. He knew almost every room on every floor of the house, including how many cars were in the garage and how many plants, statues and animals were in the back garden.

 

He quickly passed through the dining hall and kitchen, and followed the sounds of familiar laughs and howls through to the main living room. He smiled at seeing his friends all sprawled out on the couches talking, laughing and eating. It wasn't until Anzu realised that Jou had arrived that everyone turned their attention on him.

 

“Jounouchi-kun, I didn't think you were coming!” she cried.

 

“Yeah, Jou-kun!” Yuugi said. “You finally came!”

 

“What the hell took you so long, man?” Honda asked irritably. “We were all waiting on you!”

 

“Sorry guys,” Jou said. “I got held up… you know how it is.” Nearly everyone rolled their eyes at the same time. Jou cringed, knowing they didn't buy his phoniness. He took a seat next to Honda and put his things down. “So… what's happening?”

 

“We're waiting for Mokuba to come back,” Ryou spoke up from his spot next to Bakura. “He's setting up the entertainment theatre for later.”

 

“Ah…” Jou replied uninterestedly. “So I guess the squirt has got a whole itinerary worked out for tonight, right?”

 

“Pretty much,” Yuugi piped up. “I don't think Kaiba will be joining us, though.”

 

Jou inwardly snorted. And I wonder why that is. He thought sarcastically to himself. “Oh well, no skin off my nose.” Jou remarked, stacking his arms behind his head, taking full advantage of the luxurious couch.

 

Everyone knew something was up between Jou and Kaiba, awkwardly exchanging glances between themselves at Jou's snide comment. They wanted to know what had happened but knew better than to ask. Well, Honda was considering it, but knew it was really none of his business. He had Otogi to mind from now on, anyway. Yuugi was a little concerned, but wasn't sure if he'd want to butt in or not. Jou had snapped at him once before for not keeping his nose out of it. He didn't really want to go there again. Seeing the wrong side of Jou wasn't exactly what one would call pleasant. Then again, getting on Kaiba's ugly side couldn't be any better.

 

“Okay! Everything is ready!” Mokuba came bounding down the spiraling marble stairs excitedly. “Hey, Jounou-kun! You made it!”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” Jou said, waving a hand. “What'dya got on the agenda?”

 

“Well, I have about three games lined up, but I'm gonna let you guys vote for which one you wanna play first!” Mokuba squealed.

 

“I thought this was supposed to be your birthday?” Anzu asked skeptically.

 

“It is,” Mokuba said, trying not to deadpan. “Anyway, here are your choices: Twister, hide-and-go-seek or… truth or dare.”

 

The group of teens, settled on the couches, began chattering amongst each other, deciding what would be the most fun to start the night off with. Jou couldn't really care less about what they did. Frankly, he didn't want to be here. Well, part of him didn't want to be here. One side of him was saying he should be here for the sake of doing nothing else tonight, and the other was wishing he could crawl into a hole and stay there until the ordeal was over with so he could go home.

 

“Let's play hide-and-go-seek first! We're bound to have a ball in such a big place.” Ryou chirped.

 

“Alright!” Mokuba said, pleased with the decision. “But I want to lay down some rules first, since most of you don't know the house as well as some of us.” He pointed a knowing look at Jou, sending a queer chill down the blond's spine. “Since the ground floor is the largest, you can only hide in places on the second and third floors. You can use the guest rooms, closets, bathrooms - whatever. Just try to avoid the master bedroom; Seto's working and he's made it rather clear that he doesn't want to be disturbed tonight…”

 

Jou rolled his eyes hard. “Sad bastard…” he muttered. “What did he get you for your birthday?”

 

“I haven't got it yet.” Mokuba said quietly. “But I know he's got me something.”

 

Malik noticed the discomfort and decided to change the subject. “So, who's hiding and who's seeking?”

 

“I wrote all your names on pieces of paper and put them in this hat,” Mokuba said, taking a baseball cap from the coffee table to the side of one of the couches. “Whoever's name I pick out has to find everyone… or try, at least.”

 

“I hope it's not me,” Shizuka giggled. “I want to hide!”

 

Mokuba shoved his hand in the cap and rummaged around before pulling out a folded piece of blue paper. “Otogi,”

 

The green-eyed, raven-haired boy deadpanned in monotony and turned to look at Honda, somewhat pouting. Obviously it had ruined whatever their plans had been to go and `hide'. “How long do I have to count for, then?”

 

“Sixty seconds,” Mokuba replied. “Starting from…now!”

 

Almost immediately, every teen got up from their seats in a mad rush and bolted up the stairs to find a good hiding place. Jou dwindled behind the others, not nearly as excited. They were all going off to hide in pairs, and nobody had asked Jou to come with him. He felt a little dejected to say the least. Well, I might as well go hide somewhere… Jou thought numbly. They'll never find me, though. What's the point? There are tons of rooms in this house…Suppose I could always go and see what Kaiba's doing… No, I can't do that. I can't face him. He doesn't even want me here. He totally blew me off the other day!

 

Abruptly, Jou found himself standing outside the master bedroom's twin mahogany doors. Why am I here? Again? He stood staring at the doors for a time, not really thinking anything; not knowing what to think. Kaiba was behind those doors, he knew. Kaiba, sitting in all his self-righteous glory, hunched over a thick pile of documents and files, his intelligent, deep blue eyes drained of energy from being up since four or five this morning. Why do you do this to yourself, Kaiba? Jou wondered. I guess being a billionaire isn't all it's cracked up to be… Sighing bleakly, Jou shuffled around and began to turn off in the other direction.

 

“Jounouchi…?”

 

Startled in hearing his name come from nowhere, Jou whirled around. There, standing in the doorway, was one exhausted-looking Kaiba Seto. “Uh… I didn't mean to disturb you… How'd you know I was standing here, anyway?”

 

Jou followed Kaiba's gaze, aloft to the ceiling. A small, concealed video camera silently watched them. “Sorry you had to start the show without me,” Kaiba smirked.

 

Jounou resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “They're only playing hide-and-seek.” He replied. The conversation was awkward, and they both knew it. “So I guess I better go hide, then.”

 

Unexpectedly, Kaiba laughed; a true, genuine laugh. Jou realized that this was the first time he had ever seen the CEO smile. “Don't be ridiculous. Come in,”

 

Jou swallowed a hard, strangely nervous lump in his throat and followed Kaiba inside his bedroom. Out of all the rooms in the house, this was one he had never seen before, and he was almost glad he hadn't. Now that he had, he had never been more jealous in his life. This is the most awesome room I've ever seen! Jou exclaimed to himself. Look at the size of that bed! And that TV… It's even got its own en-suite bathroom. This is just…

 

“Incredible…” Jou breathed, not knowing he had even said it out loud.

 

“Hmm?” Kaiba questioned. “What is?”

 

Jou frowned for a second before registering. “Your room! This… it's amazing, really. I've never seen anything like it. This room has gotta be the size of my whole apartment!”

 

A hint of a smile touched Kaiba's lips. “I'm glad you like it.” He said. “Come and sit down. We need to talk…”

 

Jou followed Kaiba to a white leather lounge-suite situated around the home-theatre system, and sat down gingerly upon it, a few spaces across from the chief executive himself. Before the thought even came to his head, he found himself speaking so fast he hardly understood what he was saying.

 

“I'm really sorry about what I said those few days ago - I had no right to say that about Mokuba, or the way you raise him. I guess I just got a bit defensive about Mai, I mean I did go out with her at one stage… and I'm sorry about crying in front of you at the cemetery when we went to see Bell's grave, I don't know what came over me! It just wouldn't stop…I miss her so much and all and I just didn't know how to control myself and-”

 

“Jounouchi,”

 

Jou looked up, realizing that he had just recited all of his troubles and thoughts that had been building up in one go to a young man he hardly knew. “Eh…heh…sorry.”

 

Kaiba shook his head. “It's not about that, although I do apologize for blowing up at you like I did. It's…us I want to talk about it. The relationship we have…confuses me, to some degree.”

 

“I couldn't agree more,” Jou replied with a sardonic chuckle. “As of a couple of months ago, we used to hate each other.”

 

“I wouldn't say we hated each other…you just got on my nerves - a lot.” Kaiba replied, folding his arms neatly.

 

“I could say the same about you.” Jou replied. “But since you've been offering me lessons in math…” Jou suddenly flushed, embarrassed. “Ugh…it doesn't matter.”

 

“No, it does matter.” Kaiba pushed. “Go on, please.”

 

The flaxen-haired boy was starting to feel fidgety under Kaiba's scrutiny. “What is it you're playing at, Kaiba? What do you want from me?”

 

“FOUND YA!!”

 

Jounouchi nearly went into cardiac arrest as Mokuba wheeled around the door, screeching his victory so the whole neighbourhood would get a share of it. Kaiba, having been used to this for the past seven to eight years, was barely fazed at his younger sibling's vulgar entrance. A couple more familiar faces stuck their necks around the door, but just as quickly disappeared, intimidated by Kaiba's venomous glare. Mokuba, however, stayed.

 

“When are you guys gonna come down? We're watching movies, next.”

 

Jounouchi and Kaiba exchanged glances.

 

“We'll be down soon, Mokuba. We have a few things to discuss, first.” Kaiba filled in.

 

“We won't be long, kid.” Jou added.

 

Mokuba nodded and left.

 

“Kaiba, can I ask you something?” Jou asked, making sure that Mokuba had definitely left before he asked.

 

“I suppose.”

 

Jou could already feel the blood rising to his cheeks. “You know when…when you came and picked me up after I ran away, and you told me that you were…bisexual?”

 

The blue-eyed boy stayed deathly silent, waiting for Jou to continue.

 

“Yeah, well, how do you know? I mean, like, you know, how did you find out?” Jou finally sputtered out, not knowing at all how to get his words out.

 

Kaiba tried to fight the inevitable colour coming out on his cheeks. “I…I don't know. It just happened, I guess. There was…someone…who made me come to that conclusion…but I'd rather not discuss it.”

 

After Kaiba finished his sentence, Jou knew that this conversation was over.

 

**~***~**

 

Kaiba and Jounouchi had joined the others, after their conversation, to watch some DVDs in the home entertainment theatre. They were watching some science fiction that Mokuba had burned off of the internet that hadn't even been released at the cinemas yet, but still Kaiba seemed tremendously bored. Thankfully after the movie had ended, the horde of humans made their way back down to the living room on the ground floor to discuss the effects of the movie, to prepare for their dinner, and for what was to come next.

 

Everyone was in deep, excited conversation with each other, all except for Jou and Kaiba himself. Jou, in truth, was feeling rather fidgety and flighty ever since he stepped foot into Kaiba's exhilaratingly awesome bedroom. Why do I feel so…weird? He wondered. I never used to feel this way around Kaiba. It feels so familiar though…I used to get like this around Mai, and Bell, before we…Oh no.

 

As if a light bulb went on inside Jou's head, a rush of blood filled his cranium, his breathing became heavy and raspy, and a cold sweat broke out on his brow. Immediately he flew to his feet and ran through the lobby of the mansion and flung himself outside into the cool air. He ran, puffing deep breaths of icy night air through his mouth, until he reached the Blue Eyes White Dragon fountain in the middle of the limestone circle in the driveway. He stood, clutching at his hair, hyperventilating and walking in slow circles.

 

What the hell is wrong with me?! Why am I feeling this way toward… Kaiba?! I'm crazy! I've gone fucking crazy!

 

“Jou? Jou!”

 

Jou vaguely acknowledged the tall figure racing toward him, through the haze of his undulating confusion. Tears - he didn't even know why he was crying - blurred his sight, and his lungs felt like they were being forced closed by a vice, when his knees finally gave out on him, his body surrendering to the cold hard ground.

 

**~***~**

 

Jou awoke to a hazy, unfamiliar room. He was lying down, he knew that much, but he couldn't figure out where he was, or whom he was in the room with - if anyone at all. The smell was oddly familiar and something in his brain triggered a reaction in smelling it. Only the Kaiba house could emit that smell. Jou closed his eyes, sighing in a frustrated manner. He dimly wondered what time it was, and where everyone else was, or what they were doing.

 

The door was partially open, light seeping through. Shakily, the blond sat up in his bed and tried to throw his legs over the edge, summoning all his might in doing so, yet failing miserably. Whatever had happened had drained the most part of his energy. He looked down at himself and gaped, aghast at his attire. He was horrified to see he was not in his own clothes, but in a spotless, plain white t-shirt and a pair of dark navy flannelette pyjama bottoms, smelling faintly of lavender. He paled as he noticed his boxers weren't even his own.

 

These clothes definitely weren't his.

 

What the hell happened to me…? Jou wondered. Who put me in these clothes? And why do I smell like lavender all over? He went to scratch his hair, noticing it was slightly damp, and his skin felt as though he had just dried himself after a shower. Someone had also bathed him at some point.

 

As Jounouchi became aware of his surroundings, he realized now how groggy he was feeling. He almost felt as if he were - or had previously been - drugged. His eyes were puffy and swollen, for what reasons he did not know, and his head was throbbing something terrible. Whatever had happened must have been serious, and he was desperate to find out what.

 

A shadow blocking the light filtering through the door caught his attention. The next moment, a lean figure slid through said door and Jou could tell by the way he moved that it was, unmistakably, Kaiba Seto. Jou watched with curious amber eyes as Kaiba moved into the room, closing the door soundlessly behind him. He flicked a switch on the wall near the door and the room was instantly light - dim, but lighter nonetheless.

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

Jou blinked. “I'll be better when I'm informed on what the hell happened to me.”

 

“You had a severe anxiety attack.” Kaiba stated bluntly, still standing close by the door. “You blacked out, woke up again, and started screaming. That is when I called my medical team. They sedated you - that's probably why you are feeling dazed and irritable right now. Honda Hiroto carried you inside after you passed out.”

 

“Come again?” Jou asked, bewildered with himself. “I had a what?”

 

Kaiba folded his arms and closed his eyes for a few moments. “An anxiety attack.” He repeated. “You passed out from lack of oxygen, and were hysterical when you woke up -hence why my paramedics had to tranquilize you. You fell into a drug-induced sleep.”

 

Jounouchi scratched his tender head, suddenly embarrassed. He remembered now why he had lost the plot, and turned his gaze back to the unmoving Kaiba, face serious. “Do they know why it happened?”

 

“No.”

 

“Do you know why it happened?”

 

“No.”

 

Relief overcame him, knowing that he hadn't blurted out anything ridiculous to anyone, but he felt intolerably awkward just as quickly. “What time is it?”

 

“Eleven thirty-five. Your friends have all gone home.”

 

“Why didn't they stay?”

 

Kaiba took a step forward, and then another, and then another, until he was sitting at the foot of the bed, eyes on Jou who was sitting up against the headboard. “The paramedics suggested they leave. Everybody was panicking over what happened to you.”

 

Jou hung his head, embarrassed and ashamed. “I'm really sorry I ruined Mokuba's birthday…”

 

“It doesn't matter. He tired himself out a couple of hours ago, anyway.” Kaiba muttered. “What matters is that you're alright.”

 

Jou's pale cheeks coloured. “I feel like I've been hit by a train…and I don't remember jack shit about anything.”

 

Kaiba smiled very briefly. “Maybe you should try and get some sleep.”

 

“I'm not tired, anymore.”

 

**~***~**

 

Jounouchi and Kaiba made their way downstairs, poured a cup of tea each and went down to the living room, sipping quietly on their green tea. Besides the sounds of the crackling fire, the room was silent. Jou was thankful for that, and his headache was easing. Closing his eyes was bliss and the smell of green tea mixed with the general smell of the Kaiba Estate was intoxicating, comforting. A thought abruptly came to his mind that made a twisted grin spread onto his face.

 

“Kaiba?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Since it's just the two of us, what's say we celebrate Mokuba's birthday in our own little way?” Jou grinned forebodingly.

 

“What do you suggest?” Kaiba asked, placing his empty teacup daintily down onto the saucer.

 

Jou shrugged. “I don't know…card games, drinking games…Duel Monsters…?”

 

Kaiba snapped his head toward the flaxen-haired youth sitting at the other end of the couch, smirking shrewdly. Jounouchi knew he wouldn't be able to resist. “How about all?”

 

“Sounds good to me.” Jou said, smiling. “Uh, but, I don't have my deck with me…”

 

Kaiba nearly laughed. “I have nearly every kind of duel monster card that exists, Jounouchi. We'll choose our own decks, and play the old fashioned way.”

 

“What do you mean the `old fashioned way'?” Jou asked, frowning in bemusement.

 

Kaiba got up and took his and Jou's cups to the kitchen. “It's much easier to take shots over a table than it is over a dueling arena, Jounouchi.” He replied with an infernal smirk.

 

“Now you're speaking my language, Kaiba!”

 

**~***~**

 

Kaiba opened the liqueur cabinet in his bedroom, crystalline blue eyes scanning the desired bottles of alcohol. He picked out four different bottles of spirits - Kristoph Russian Vodka, Bacardi White Rum, Bailey's, and a bottle of melon flavoured Midori*, and a bottle champagne. He took out his set of shot glasses and a wine glass for them each, and strolled across the room, past his bed and over to the table by the window, where Jou was sitting. Placing the alcoholic beverages on the table, Kaiba sat down and asked:

 

“Have you finished choosing your deck, yet?”

 

“Yeah, I think so.” Jou replied. “We're leaving the Blue Eyes White Dragons out of this game, though, right?”

 

“Yes, but only because you suck.” Kaiba retorted, pouring their glasses of wine.

 

Jou laughed - he didn't care anymore. Kaiba was better at him than dueling and always would be. He was only going along with it for the hell of it, and so he could take great pleasure in watching Kaiba get drunk. “Yeah, yeah. So, what's the rules, then?”

 

“The way I see it,” Kaiba began. “Is if one of us makes a losing move, we have to skull our wine, and once that bottle is finished,” - he pointed to the bottle of wine resting on the table between them - “we start the vodka, and so on and so forth. Would you like to add anything to that?”

 

“Didn't think you were much of a drinker, Seto.” Jounouchi chided, daring to call him by his first name.

 

Kaiba blushed and frowned at the same time, making Jou burst into giggles. “I'm not. Now shut up and let's start. Ladies first.”

 

Jou smirked and handed Kaiba his deck to shuffle. This was a night about to become unforgettable, and they both knew it.

 

**~***~**

 

*= Midori: Midori is a liqueur here that tastes like melon, and you can have it straight in shots or mixed with lemonade. YUUUMMY! The word “Midori” also means “green” in Japanese. ^_^

 

JG-chan: W00T! Inspiration heaven! I can't wait to start the next chapter. This is about to get interesting… Post your comments, lovely readers! ^_^ Ja!

*African cave-dwelling spiders = Got it off - you guessed it - Fear Factor. It was the worst episode I think I've ever seen. I had to change the channel ><

JG-chan: Attention people! That might have been a rather boring chapter, but the excitement is yet to come! And I am working on it right now, so it should be out in a couple of days, depending on what I'm doing… Maybe even tonight, if I work really fast!

Nyoko: *sweat drop* Fat chance *cough* Anyway, if you have any ideas for this fic then we'd be happy to use them =^_^= Credit will be given to all!