Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return of the Demon ❯ Cuts and Bruises ( Chapter 5 )

Solitaire: Hello and thanks to everyone for their wonderful reviews! I'm doing the author's notes alone this time, because Xpyne can't be here today. I guess I could technically wait until tomorrow, but...screw Xpyne!

Yugi: ::frowns:: That's not very nice...

Solitaire: Hey, I wrote almost this entire chapter. I think I'm justified. ...Right?

Yugi: Whatever. I'm not the one who has to live with her.

Solitaire: ::sweatdrops:: Anyway, the unthinkable has happened--we've caught up with ourselves! ::horrified gasps from all around:: I know. We have a few more loose ends to tie up before we can consider the next chapter finished, but after that, nothing's written. Oh, we know what we're going to do (and it's damn hilarious in my opinion), it's just not written yet. And with my school having started this week, and Xpyne's starting Tuesday, that puts a serious damper on things. We'll still try our hardest to post every Friday, but chapter length might suffer.

Seto: When do I get my freakin' lemon?!

Solitaire: Calm down! Not in this chapter, uh, or the next, but the one after that...I think. That would be Chapter 7.

Seto: What?! Yami got his in the third chapter!

Solitaire: Yeah, and he obviously gets some again in the 7th chapter. ::grins evilly:: But it sort of evens out. I did the tally, and you've gotten off, like, four times so far. That's twice as much as Yugi and Yami put together!

Seto: .........

Solitaire: Damn straight. Now then, as you can probably guess from the title, this is the chapter where practically everyone gets their asses kicked. Xpyne has a bit of a violent streak sometimes. ::snickers::

Yami: Oh Ra. Ryou already has a black eye, Honda was punched in the gut, Joey got his head banged into a wall, and I got kicked in the ribs. How much further are you two going to go??

Solitaire: ::smirks:: You'll see...

Seto: ::glares at Yami:: Don't forget--you also punched me in the face.

Solitaire: Seto, since you're so talkative today, you get to do the disclaimers.

Seto: But I thought I was your favorite!

Solitaire: You are! ::glomps Seto:: But you still have to do them.

Seto: ::grumbling:: Xpyne and Solitaire do not own Yu Gi Oh. They don't own Rolex. They don't own Playstation 2, or Grand Tourismo, or Street Fighter. And they still don't own Advil.

Solitaire: ::sarcastically:: Gee, Seto, try not to sound so excited. One last thing. Yes, I'm aware koi, or koibito, means 'lover' and they technically aren't, yet, but I thought it was really cute, so if you don't like it, too bad. ::sticks out her tongue::

Yugi: Boy, she sure rambles a lot when Xpyne isn't here to stop her...

____________________________________

Chapter 5 - Cuts and Bruises

Yami paced back and forth in his soul room with a scowl on his face. What the hell was Seto's problem? All Yugi wanted was to be his friend, and then he had to go and scream at him like that? There was no call for behavior like that from Seto. It hurt Yami to think that he and Yugi were just starting to hope they could have more with the brunette... He sighed and dropped down onto his bed.

He didn't know why Kaiba had gotten to him so badly; it wasn't like he'd never been a jerk to Yugi before. But to hear him refer to their love making in such vulgar, demeaning terms-- Yami was plagued by conflicting memories, pieces of his life back in Egypt. He could remember those same cobalt eyes, the same husky voice, those hands that whispered over bare flesh, leaving the skin enflamed... It pierced his heart, his very soul, to think that Seto obviously had no such similar memories, and was destined to hate him in this life, denying Yami the second chance fate had given them.

He had promised himself that his days of violence were far behind him, as much so as the kingdom he used to rule, but something in him had just snapped. He found himself lunging at Kaiba, hands around his throat before he knew what he was doing. Even if he could not have Seto's love, he was still blessed with his hikari. Yugi was such a loving, caring person, and he would not have Seto making his light ashamed of his loving nature.

When he first tackled Kaiba, he'd felt betrayed; he thought the other boy had changed, that he truly cared for Yugi, for them. Then he felt his arousal under him and everything suddenly made sense--why Kaiba had bolted from the room last night, why he had lashed out at Yugi, why he was in such a foul mood in general--he wanted them. Badly, apparently. The realization should have thrilled Yami, but he was still extremely angry at Seto. Sexual frustration or not, he should have never raised his voice to Yugi like that.

Discovering Seto's...'situation', Yami had fully intended to let him suffer as punishment. Of course, that had been until the taller boy bucked his hips. Yami didn't think Seto had even realized that he'd done it...until he did it again. The former pharaoh's eyes slid shut as he remembered how intimately the other's arousal was pressed against him, only two thin layers of clothing separating them... That was when he lost it and knew he needed to feel his gorgeous rival lose control beneath him. As he felt him tense his body to thrust again, Yami had thrust downward, hard, and sent Seto over the edge with a scream. Yami's cock twitched at the memory. He sighed again, running a hand over his face.

\\ <So Seto wants us...now what?> \\ His thoughts were interrupted by Yugi contacting him.

\ Are you alright, Yami? You've been awfully quiet since this morning. \

\\ I'm fine, aibou, just thinking. \\

\ ...I called the guys. They'll be over in about half an hour. \

\\ Hmm. \\ Yami was silent a moment. He wasn't sure how much to tell Yugi. He was a little naive, but he wasn't stupid. He'd eventually figure out what happened; it was probably better he hear it from him first.

\\ Aibou? I'm sorry about this morning. \\ He could feel Yugi smile.

\ I forgive you, Yami. I know you were just protecting me. I really wish you hadn't hurt Seto, though. If he doesn't want to be our friend, there's nothing we can do about it. \

Yami fidgeted. \\ I didn't hurt him, Yugi. But you're right about one thing: Seto does not want to be our friend. \\

Yugi sighed sadly. \ But he's so nice to Mokuba! I had really hoped-- \

\\ I think he wants to be our lover, aibou. \\

\ ........ \

\\ Yugi? \\

\ What makes you think that? \

\\ That's why he's been in such a bad mood since last night--I think he's jealous. \\

\ ...Wha?? Of me? Because I have you? \

\\ Of both of us. \\ Yami corrected. \\ He already had an erection this morning well before I showed up. I just...helped him out. \\

\ What?! \ Yugi was shocked. \ You mean 'helped him OFF'! Oh my god, Yami, that's what happened today?!? So- so he wasn't making those noises because you were choking him-- \

\\ --But because I was riding him. \\

Yugi could tell Yami was smirking. He shook his head in amazement. <No fair.> \ Wh-well what are we going to do?? \

\\ I don't know, exactly. And I still heard that. \\ Yugi blushed slightly. \\ We need to talk to Seto when he gets home. \\

\ What if you're wrong, and we just make him mad and he starts yelling again? \

His darker half narrowed his eyes. \\ Then he will learn how bad a yami can truly be... \\

\ I thought we wanted to discourage him from yelling at me. \ Yugi ribbed.

Yami snorted. \\ Go talk to Mokuba. \\

Yugi giggled.

=Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q=

Bakura shifted Ryou's weight over his shoulder again as he walked, taking the time to glare at yet another gawking passer-by.

\\ You'd think no one ever saw someone walk down the street with a boy slung over their shoulder before. \\

Ryou had been embarrassed enough when his Yami had finally split from him and he found that they were standing in front of the Domino City Free Clinic. The mortification only worsened when Bakura forced him inside. Ryou had expected his darker half to come up with some convincing lie; he was good at that type of thing. Instead, he had told the admitting nurse, with a perfectly straight face, that he had "fucked him a little too hard last night." Ryou had wanted to crawl into a hole and die, but the nurse was unfazed and told them to take a seat. Bakura had seemed slightly disappointed at the woman's lack of reaction.

Now, four stitches and five blocks later, they were almost to Kaiba's mansion where they were supposed to meet up with the rest of those losers. Bakura had been carrying his light almost the entire distance because 100 feet from the clinic, the boy had started walking slower and slower until he had eventually stopped altogether. No amount of cajoling, swearing, or name calling could induce him to take one more step, so the tomb robber had hefted him over his shoulder and continued to the mansion. Hell if he was going to experience that pain again. Ryou had been particularly quiet the whole trip, as he was too busy dying of embarrassment to say much of anything.

Finally arriving at Kaiba's house, Bakura ignored the stares he was getting from the help as he marched through the front door.

=Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q=

Yugi and Mokuba were playing Grand Tourismo when the doorbell rang. "That must be your friends, Yugi," Mokuba remarked, his eyes remaining glued to the tv screen.

"Yeah," Yugi answered distractedly. To tell the truth, he wasn't as preoccupied with the game as he seemed to be. He was more concerned with what his friends would think when they found out about Yami. <What if they like him better than me?> During their duel in the Shadow Realm with Yami Bakura, Joey had called Yami the "cool Yugi", and him the "puny one." \ <What if they'd rather be his friends than mine?> \

\\ Don't be ridiculous, aibou; you know that's not true. \\

Yami's voice surprised him, and Yugi frowned. \ Are you listening to my private thoughts, Yami? \

Yami sighed. \\ No, but your anxiety is causing you to unconsciously transmit your thoughts through our link. You shouldn't worry. You know how much your friends care for you. \\

\ I know... \ Yugi admitted, feeling a little better.

Anything else Yami might have said was pre-empted by the sound of one of the servants leading the gang in .

"Look at the size of this place!" Tea exclaimed in awe.

"I'll bet it has walk-in closets to die for," remarked Mai.

"Cool!" said Honda, "A Playstation 2!"

"I call winner," Joey announced.

Mokuba shook his head, his eyes never leaving the screen. "Sorry, Joey. Yami already called winner."

"Huh?? Who?"

By this time Yugi had lost to Mokuba, just barely. He set down his controller and turned to face the group. He glanced at each of them before taking a deep breath and starting.

"Remember how I told you guys that sometimes, when I duel, I feel like I'm being guided by some ancient, powerful force?" He received several nods, and a clueless look from Mai. Yugi swallowed. "Well...this, uh, other presence inside me? He can come out." He scanned his friends' faces, anxious of what their reactions might be.

There was silence, and then Joey scratched his head. "Uh, we already knew that--we've seen you duel." [A/N, Sol: I'm pretending they're not TOTAL retards. Even though they've never seemed to notice in the cartoon...]

Sighing, Yugi shook his head. "No, I mean OUT, out."

Pausing his game, Mokuba went to the kitchen for a soda. Yugi had explained the whole thing to him an hour ago, and just the thought of hearing it again gave him a headache. He figured that who or whatever Yami was, if he was okay by Yugi, then he was okay by him. What he didn't get was why Yami and his brother had been fighting this morning. Yugi had shrugged and said it was some "rival thing". Of course, that didn't explain why Yugi had turned bright red when he asked.

Mokuba saw the phone on the wall and decided he should try calling Seto to see if he could convince him to come home and spend some time with him. His brother had disappeared for all that time, and then as soon as they were reunited, he went and took off to KaibaCorp. Mokuba didn't think Seto was being fair, and planned to tell him so if he tried to make excuses.

Dialing his brother's office on a private line that only Mokuba knew the number for, he heard the phone ring three times. Four times. Five times. On the sixth ring, Seto picked up, answering wearily, "What is it, Mokuba?"

Mokuba played with the pop tab of his soda can. "I wanted to see if you could come home and, you know, we could do something together or something."

Seto felt guilt wash over him. "I have a ton of work to do..." he started, not convincing either of them.

"But Seto! You've been gone forever! Now you're finally back, and you won't even stick around to spend a Saturday with me!"

Kaiba cursed himself mentally. Mokuba was right. What kind of big brother was he being? "You're right, Mokuba, I'm sorry. I just have a few quick things to do, first. I'll try to be there in about an hour, okay?"

The black haired boy sighed. "Okay--" He was interrupted by a crash from the living room.

"What was that?" demanded Seto.

"Don't worry; I'm okay!" he heard Joey yell in the background. Then, more quietly, "Uh, that stuff glues right back together, doesn't it?"

"That's just Joey," Mokuba informed his brother, trying not to laugh at the face he knew Seto had to be making.

There was the sound of breaking glass, and then Tea remarking, "Now that is a different matter..."

Seto swore. "And what was that?!"

Mokuba peeked out into the living room, noticing Yami had come out of the puzzle. "Uh, nothing." Well, it was nothing now, anyway.

"Honda, you're such a klutz," Mai chided.

Seto scrubbed a hand over his face. "You know what, make that half an hour."

There was a loud thud, and another crash. "Shit. ...Well, he's a billionaire, right?"

Seto jumped up from his desk. "That's it, I'm coming home, right now!" He slammed down the phone.

Mokuba smirked as he hung up the cordless, grabbing a six-pack of orange soda from the refrigerator and a bag of chips, and returning to the living room just in time to hear Mai complaining.

"Wait a minute! You cheater, you mean you've got two minds in one head?! No wonder you always win at Duel Monsters! You help each other out! That's so--mmph!!!" Joey had his hand clamped over her mouth.

"Ehh, can it already! Like you're one to talk about fair, Miss Perfume!"

Mai could only squeal unintelligibly against Joey as he dragged her away from Yami, whom she'd been trying to attack. One arm around her waist and his other sealing her lips, she was outraged and furious.

<How dare he rob me of my dignity, restraining me like this! He's messing up my lipstick! If he wasn't so damn cute, I'd kick him in the--> Mai stopped struggling and blinked. <...Did I just think Joey was cute?? Oh god--> She pried his palm from her face.

"That's enough, Joseph," she said coolly, taking on a high handed air to cover her internal embarrassment. "I'm over trying to hurt 'Yami'? Is that what we call you?" She craned her neck, as Joey was still holding her captive. Yami nodded. "Hmm," she continued, "But you, Joey, are another matter!! Let go, right now!" she yelled, smacking him on top of the head until he ran away to hide behind Tea.

"Ready for our game, Yami?" Mokuba called as he settled on the floor, tossing the soda and chips on the couch.

"Food!" Joey and Honda cried, diving for the bag. As they wrestled each other for it, breaking all the chips into confetti-sized pieces in the process, Yami sat down cross legged near Mokuba, frowning down at the piece of plastic in his hand.

"So the little 'X' makes the car go?"

"Yeah," Mokuba told him, "and the square is to stop--"

"I thought it was a racing game. Why would I want to stop?"

"Well, if you take a turn too fast, you'll crash into the wall and lose time. The circle button shows you a rear view--"

"Why do I need to see behind me if I'm going forward?"

Giggling, Yugi watched Yami and Mokuba argue over car types and colors. He knew Yami was the King of Games, but he didn't think it extended to the latest video games. Yami couldn't understand why he couldn't just push 'start' to start a game, "right now!", while Mokuba probably did nothing but play video games all day long. Yugi felt bad for Mokuba--he rarely saw his brother because he was so absorbed in his work. He'd told Yugi when Seto had left that morning that it was pretty common for his brother to go in to the office on Saturdays, sometimes even Sundays. Yugi felt bad for Yami, too; he was about to get his ass kicked at Grand Tourismo.

"What the hell is 'GTE'??"

Glancing around at his friends, Yugi noticed someone was missing. "Hey," he asked with concern, "Where's Ryou?" Joey and Honda stopped stuffing their faces long enough to give each other a look.

"Uh..." Mai glanced down, suddenly finding her nails very interesting. "Bakura said something about taking him on an errand. He separated from Ryou, like you guys did, on the boat," she explained.

"He hasn't been hurting him, has he?" Yami asked from his position on the floor, his scowl deepening as two more cars passed his.

Joey started choking on his chips and Honda spit out his soda. Lucky for Kaiba's suede couch (and probably Honda's life), it landed in his lap. Mai glanced at Tea uncomfortably.

"Uh, yes and no."

Yugi stared at the blonde girl blankly. He blinked. "Guys, is there something you're not telling us?"

Tea's eyes flicked to Mokuba nervously. "I don't know if Mokuba's old enough to hear this..."

"Hey!" he asserted defensively. "I go to public school."

Everyone looked expectantly at Tea, video games and soda forgotten. She blushed and covered her face. "I can't say it! I didn't even hear it. I was asleep! One of you guys tell them--"

"Ryou and Bakura had sex last night," Honda blurted.

The room was silent as Yugi, Yami, and Mokuba gaped at him. It was several moments before Yugi found his voice.

"Wha--?"

Mokuba's brow furrowed. "But I thought you guys said Bakura's yami hated his guts?"

Yami stood suddenly, eyes flashing. "He raped Ryou?!"

Seeing the murderous look on his face, the other four quickly assured him this wasn't the case. "No no no!" Joey jumped up from the sofa with his hands out, as if he could stop the former pharaoh if he tried. "It was, eh, consensual, believe me." He shook his head disgustedly. "And I'll probably be havin' nightmares for the rest of my life, now, thank you very much."

Honda snickered. "Yeah, Joey was right on the other side of the wall."

Yami crossed his arms and glared at the two boys. "Well, if it was consensual, then I really see no problem with it, do you?" He shot them both evil looks and they shrunk back into the couch.

"No, ah, not a problem," Joey agreed nervously.

"No problem here," repeated Honda quickly.

"Good. Now I don't think Ryou would appreciate all of you discussing his private affairs, so I strongly suggest you find something else to talk about."

Mai turned to Tea. "So. Where ever did you get those lovely boots?"

Nodding in approval, Yami sat in a plush armchair while Joey took his place playing against Mokuba. Yugi came and sat on the floor by Yami's feet, looking up at him with wide amethyst eyes.

\ Yami? \ he ventured hesitantly. \ I don't think we should let them know about 'us' just yet. \

\\ Hmm. Judging by their reaction to Ryou and Bakura's relationship, I think you may be right, aibou. \\ He frowned. \\ But I don't like the idea of concealing our feelings from them. I would like to be able to show my affection for you openly. \\

Yugi smiled up at him. \ We can still do that. \ Standing, he climbed onto Yami's lap, wrapping his arms around his neck and resting his head on his chest. \ Better? \

\\ Mmm. Much. \\ He pressed his lips to Yugi's forehead and settled back into the chair more comfortably.

\ I love you, Yami. \

\\ I love you too, Yugi. \\

Just then, Bakura walked into the room with Ryou slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "I swear, Ryou, you are the biggest baby--" He paused in front of Yugi and Yami to dump Ryou unceremoniously onto the sofa. "Hello Yami," he spat, not even fazed by the fact that he now had his own body as well. "I see you and your little hikari are getting along quite well..." His lip curled as he surveyed their position. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Ryou, by this time, had managed to push himself up into a sitting position. Yugi gasped as he saw his black eye. "Ryou, what happened?!" The platinum haired boy glanced apprehensively at his other.

Bakura answered for him. "We had a little...'disagreement' on the boat, as if it were any concern of yours," he told him snidely. "But that's behind us now, isn't it, Ryou?" He sat down next to his light, grabbing his chin with a hand and forcing his head up as he leaned in and claimed his mouth ruthlessly. As he pulled away, Ryou was flushed and panting slightly. Bakura turned back to the other two in the armchair. "So mind your own damn business!" With a flash of light, he disappeared into the ring. There was an audible sigh of relief from the others in the room after he had left.

Joey glanced from the tv screen where he'd just lost to Mokuba, again, back to the sofa. "Not for nothin', Ryou, but I gotta ask: whadda'ya see in that guy?"

Ryou blushed, shrugging. "He's my other half, my dark. I think he's the way he is because he must have had a hard life, even before he was sealed in the ring. But deep down, even though he won't admit it, I think he can be quite caring."

Joey just stared at him for a few seconds. "...Whatever you say," he remarked, turning his attention back to the game.

\\ Hunh. I am not caring, Ryou! I should beat you just for saying that! \\

\ Oh hush. If you don't want to hear me say nice things about you, then lock yourself in your soul room. \

Ryou came to himself to see Yugi smiling at him. He blushed under the knowing look and smiled back.

"Does he make you happy?" asked Yugi. Ryou nodded. "Then that's all that matters. You shouldn't worry about what other people think."

\\ Maybe you should take your own advice, aibou. \\

He glanced up at Yami. \ Maybe. \ was all he said.

They sat quietly for a while, watching Joey and Honda play Street Fighter. Mokuba had decided to give his thumbs a rest and get some more food from the kitchen, seeing as the aforementioned teens had destroyed that last bag, getting crumbs all over the floor and half the couch.

Mokuba came back and stood near the sofa, back a little, to watch the match. Yugi and Ryou watched with mild interest, while the girls rolled their eyes and started a conversation about how lame guys were for playing games where the sole purpose was to beat the crap out of the other guy. Yami was really getting into it.

"The face, Joey! Kick him in the face!" He was getting so worked up, in fact, that Yugi slipped out of his lap to go sit next to Ryou. He moved a little stiffly. The medicine was definately helping, but he still felt a twinge of pain.

Ryou regarded him silently for a moment, before hesitantly asking, "Yugi, ...are you--are you and your Yami--" he seemed to be searching for the right word. "Close? I mean, uh, out of the puzzle, uh--"

"Yes," Yugi interrupted, meaningfully, "but...we'd prefer to keep it somewhat quiet for right now."

Ryou nodded. With a brief quirk of a smile that threatened to become a snicker, he embellished, "I understand perfectly."

Yugi didn't say anything else as Mokuba came over and sat with them. When the two lights occupying the sofa scooted over to make room, Yugi noticed Ryou wince.

"Are you okay?" he asked with concern. The other boy nodded quickly, blushing a little.

"I just--I mean, my Yami--"

"I think Advil will help," Yugi offered quietly. Ryou, crimson with embarrassment, nodded gratefully. Yugi got up to find the bottle, and Mokuba stared after him thoughtfully.

<Yugi got the same look on his face when Seto threw him the Advil... I don't get it. What's with Advil today?>

When Yugi came back with the pills and a glass of water, the pieces clicked. Wide eyed, Mokuba's gaze darted from Yugi to Yami and back again. <No way!> As he watched, Yugi walked around Yami's chair to return to the couch. When Yugi passed him, Yami snared him with an arm absentmindedly and kissed the side of his neck before releasing him, absorbed in the fight the whole time.

"No, Honda, kick him off his feet, then kick him into the air!"

Mokuba blinked. <Way. I guess...I guess they don't wanna tell everyone or they would've.> He decided he'd keep quiet about it.

"I win! I win!" Joey shouted gleefully, doing a happy dance from his seat, waving the controller about.

"Oh get off it. I was goin' easy on you!" Honda sulked.

"Yeah, right. Do I need ta school you again, or do ya think you learned from dat beatin'?!"

"How 'bout I give you a real beating, right here, right now? Or is little Joey only good at fighting games?" Honda raised his fists.

"Oh yeah?" Joey jumped up, fists cocked as well. Honda stood, too, playing his height advantage.

"Guys, I don't think this is really necessary," Yami voiced sternly.

"Yeah, too much testosterone!" Mai admonished.

"Joey!" Tea scolded. "Honda! Stop fighting!" She turned to Honda. "Say you're sorry. You know Joey is good at fighting games. And Joey! Only vicious puppy dogs growl and bite at every opportunity!" That got him. Joey still looked ready to punch something. Honda untensed and threw his arm over the blonde's shoulders.

"Hey man, I'm sorry!" Joey grinned and relaxed.

"Aww, it's oka--"

"Sorry you can only win at fighting games!" Honda headlocked Joey with the arm that had already been conveniently positioned around his neck.

"You creep!" They struggled, punching and kicking, locked together.

"Guys!" Tea shrieked.

"Take 'im, Joey!" Mai cheered, throwing a fist into the air until she caught Tea's glare. "Uh--heh," she sweatdropped, "I mean--" She didn't have to finish, as the two violent teens fell over onto the coffee table, distracting Tea. Yugi curled his legs up to his chest, trying to avoid the flailing limbs of Honda and Joey, and Ryou whimpered. Yugi jumped to his feet.

<Ow. Note to self: get up slower.> "Cut it out, right now!" Yugi tried to sound stern. He grabbed Joey's shoulders and attempted to yank his friends apart.

\\ Yugi, that is not a good idea. \\

"Grrr! Stay outta dis, Yuge!" Joey growled.

"Yeah!" Honda grunted. Yugi didn't relent.

\\ Aibou, stop it. \\

"No!" He gave Joey a hard shove as the boy leaned back, straddling Honda's hips, arm raised to punch. The push threw Joey off balance and off of Honda, and Yugi fell right over the space his blonde friend had been occupying, and straight into the blow that had been intended for Joey.

"Ahh!" Yugi cried out, eyes widening in pain as he caught the blow flush in his gut. He doubled over and fell back on top of Ryou.

"Oh my God! Yugi!" Honda gaped.

"Yugi!" Tea and Mai gasped.

"Yugi!" Joey and Mokuba exclaimed.

"Ohh!" Ryou cried, who'd been smacked in the face by Yugi's stunned body, which then rolled off of him and crumpled on the couch. Yami strode over to Honda and Joey, who were on the floor next to each other looking horrified. The dark one grasped their heads and smacked them together. Then he rushed to Yugi's side.

"Aibou, are you alright?" he asked with a tenderness that wasn't lost on Mokuba.

"Uh--huh!" he nodded between gasps. Leaning over the small teen, Yami didn't even notice the pale fiend behind him until he shoved him out of the way and grabbed Yugi by his collar.

"You hurt Ryou, you little squirt! Nobody gets to do that but me!" He shook the petite boy roughly.

"Yami! I'm okay!" Ryou protested, holding his injured head. Bakura only shook the wheezing Yugi harder. He raised a hand and was about to slap him when an iron grip seized his offending wrist and twisted it behind his back. A cold voice spoke into his ear.

"Don't. Touch. My. Light."

Bakura tossed Yugi back down on the couch and whirled around to lock arms with Yami. They struggled.

"He hurt my light!"

"That was an accident."

"I don't care!"

"You will pay for attempting to slap him." Yami's voice was ice.

"Yami, NO!" Yugi and Ryou cried out in unison. Honda and Joey, holding onto the matching knots on their heads, took the opportunity to escape more of Yami Muto's wrath and scurried behind the girls. The dark ones fought, beating and throwing each other around. Bakura took to flinging things at Yami. As a lamp sailed past his head, Mokuba called out uneasily,

"Guys? Can you stop breaking things? I don't want my big brother to get mad!"

Bakura paused, but because he had run out of heavy objects, not because of Mokuba's plea. Yami took the opportunity to lunge at him. He tackled him to the ground and pinned the psycho. Then he slapped him.

::WHAP!::

"Do not--"

::SMACK!:: (backhand)

"EVER!"

::WHAP!:: (front slap)

"Try that--"

::SMACK!::

"Agai--"

"What the HELL is going on!?!?!"

Yami paused and looked up at Seto Kaiba, surprised. Bakura took advantage of Yami's momentary distraction and punched him hard in the face. The force sent him toppling off into the sofa. Yugi jumped into Yami, fighting him for bodily control, and Seto seized the rabid tomb raider, pinning his arms to his sides and lifting the shorter, white haired boy so his vicious legs were kicking air (and Seto's shins). Yugi and Yami traded forms rapidly and he jerked about, trying to go after Bakura and sit down at the same time.

\ Yami, I don't like violence, and if you don't stop fighting, I won't like you either! \

Yami figured it was a bluff, but he quit struggling anyway. Just in case. Yugi, now in control of his one, small body, sighed relief and wiped the sweatbeads from his brow. Ryou spoke up timidly.

"Yami?"

"What?!" he snapped, struggling futilely against Seto. Ryou frowned.

"G-Get in your soul room now and stay there!" he yelled. Everyone stopped and stared at him. "I mean it!" Bakura shrugged.

"Your first show of spine, and you yell at me," Bakura grumbled before disappearing into the ring. Ryou was amazed, speaking softly once more.

"I can't believe he listened to me!"

\\ Yugi, can I come out now? That jerk is back in his ring... \\

Yugi glanced up at a confused Seto, who was rubbing his shins.

\ Yes. But just calm down, okay? \

\\ Fine. \\ He materialized. Seto scowled at him warily.

"I repeat: What the hell is going on in here?" He surveyed the mess. Spilled soda, chips ground into the carpet, a broken lamp or three, overturned tables... He sighed, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Nevermind. I don't think I want to know."

He picked up the phone and dialed the in-house number to have some servants come and clean up the room. Hanging up, he turned to his little brother. "Mokuba, take Yugi's friends out onto the grounds where there's less for them to destroy, will you?" He shot Joey and Honda a pointed glare. Seeing Mokuba's crestfallen expression, he added, "I'll be out in a minute. I need to talk to Yugi and Yami alone, first." Bending down, he held open his arms, which Mokuba happily launched himself into.

"Sure thing, big brother!" Disentangling himself from his brother's hug, Mokuba grinned at the rest of the group. "Come on, guys--there's a holographic dueling arena out back!" The younger Kaiba ran from the room, the others following.

Yami perked up. \\ Dueling arena? \\ Yugi gave him a stern look.

\ Don't you think you've had enough excitement for one day? \

\\ Hmph. \\

Seto's eyes shifted suspiciously between the two multi colored hair boys before he shook his head. "Well, come on," he told them tersely, leading them into the kitchen. They followed Seto warily and he motioned for them to sit at the kitchen island.

"What is this about, Kaiba?" Yami inquired curiously. "If it's in regard to the fight--" Seto cut him off with a shake of his head as he opened the refrigerator.

"No, it has nothing to do with that." Closing the fridge door he turned around and handed Yami an ice pack. The former pharaoh glanced down at it, then back up at Seto blankly. "It's for your eye," he elaborated. Nodding, Yami placed the cold block over his swollen eye and held it there gingerly.

Kaiba looked at the two of them, Yami frowning slightly with his one good eye and Yugi watching him expectantly. The brunette sighed, supporting his weight with his hands on the countertop, hanging his head. "I--" <I can't do it. God help me, I can't. Why would either of them ever want me when they have each other?> He knew he was setting himself up for double the rejection. It would break his heart if one of them refused him; he thought it might kill him if both did.

"Seto?" Yugi questioned hesitantly, a hopeful expression on his face.

Seto took a deep breath, then blew it out, raising his head to meet Yugi's gaze. Yami thought the taller boy's eyes looked strangely cold.

"I wanted to apologize again for this morning."

Yugi's face fell. "Oh."

"I shouldn't have yelled at you. If--if you and Yami--" He gestured awkwardly, refusing to look in Yami's direction. He shrugged, pretending it was no big deal. "It's your business. Everyone deserves to be happy." <Everyone except me...>

Yami watched as Kaiba unconsciously fisted his hands. "What about you, Seto?" he asked softly, as if reading the other boy's thoughts. "What would make you happy?"

Just the tone of voice with which Yami spoke those words made his heart constrict painfully. Seto avoided the dark one's eyes, staring down at the marble surface of the counter.

<You.> "I am happy," he lied. <I'm miserable, thanks for asking.>

Yami snorted.

"I have my little brother back and control of my company again. What more could I want?" Seto wasn't even convincing himself, and knew he sounded defensive. <...Love, maybe?> He felt the back of his eyes start to itch and clenched his jaw. It was still sore from when Yami had hit him, but he welcomed the pain; it gave him something else to concentrate on.

"But enough about me." His voice was hoarse and he cleared his throat, trying again. "I still owe you for keeping my deck for me and rescuing Mokuba."

Yugi looked at Yami, then worriedly back at the young billionaire. "And you," Yugi added significantly.

Seto swallowed past the lump forming in his throat. "And me," he echoed. <Though maybe it would have been better if you hadn't...>

Yugi was really worried now. The look on Kaiba's face was so...resigned.

The brunette shook his head to rid himself of such morbid thoughts. "As you've probably guessed by now, I'm not very good at the whole 'friend' thing. You-- You don't want to be my friend, anyway. Anything you want, anything at all, just name it. An extension for your grandfather's shop? Your own Duel Monsters arena?" He was running out of ideas. "A car?"

Yami frowned. He was about to open his mouth when Yugi beat him to it.

"Yesterday I said I wanted your friendship, and you gave it to me! You can't just take it back!" the smaller teen shouted, furious. "I'm not something you can just throw money at to make it go away!!"

Seto blinked rapidly, stunned. "No, I didn't mean--" What was happening? Five minutes ago he'd been ready to confess his feelings for the other two, and now Yugi was yelling at him.

"Why?!" Yugi demanded. "Why are you nice to me one minute, then trying to push me away the next??"

Seto stammered. "Because--" <I love you so much, it hurts.> "I can't--" <stand to see your angelic face and know I can't have you.>

Yugi shook his head sadly. "Then I guess we have nothing more to say to each other, Kaiba. I'll get my friends and tell them it's time to go." He hopped down from his stool and started from the kitchen. Yami set his ice pack down and followed his light, casting one last wistful glance at the young billionaire.

\\ <You are a coward, Seto Kaiba.> \\

Seto watched Yugi and Yami walking away from him and most likely out of his life, forever, immobilized by shock. <No. Don't go...> It wasn't supposed to be this way! What was worse: having the two in his life, knowing they could never love him? or never seeing them again, and being tortured for the rest of his life by the thought that, maybe, there had been the smallest chance... He heard a voice in his head that he could've sworn was Yami's call him a coward. That was the last straw.

"I--I love you."

It was spoken so quietly, Yugi hadn't been sure he'd really heard it. He stopped in his tracks and turned around, regarding the other boy curiously.

"What did you say?"

Seto was shaking, eyes still on the floor. At last he met Yugi's gaze, and the smaller boy almost gasped aloud at the amount of pain and love he saw there.

"I love you," he repeated in almost a whisper. His eyes flicked to the pharaoh. "Yami, too." Seto was wound so tightly that he jumped when Yami threw his hands into the air and shouted.

"Finally! Thank Ra."

Yugi ran over to Seto, ignoring the slight pain, and threw his arms around his waist, knocking the other boy off his feet. From his position, sitting against the door of the refrigerator, Seto's eyes darted back and forth between the two in disbelief. "Y-You knew?"

Smiling, Yugi straddled his lap. "Yami claims to have, at least. He thinks he knows everything. But I wasn't so sure." Seto looked down at the boy in his arms in amazement.

"Then--you don't hate me for all the horrible things I said earlier?"

Yugi looked up at him with large eyes. "You already apologized--twice. I forgive you. I love you. We both do."

Fighting against tears, Seto met Yami's gaze. "Really?" No one had ever loved him before, and now he had two people to love him back? The dark one nodded, smiling.

"Seto?" The brunette returned his attention to Yugi.

"What is it, koi?" he asked gently.

"Can I--" Seto loved the way his cheeks tinged pink. "Can I kiss you?" The corner of Seto's mouth turned up.

"I wish you would," he answered, afraid to do so himself. Afraid to say another word, afraid to move, afraid to do anything that might wake him from this dream. Yugi pressed his lips eagerly to the brunette's, and suddenly all fear disappeared. The smaller boy's mouth was soft and firm, and the kiss seemed innocent, yet so significant. Seto realized that all his life, all he had really wanted was to be accepted, to be wanted and needed, and especially, loved. <And now I am.>

He wrapped his arms tightly around Yugi and deepened the kiss. His tongue traced the inside of the multi color haired teen's mouth, tasting him, experiencing him. He moaned into Yugi. Kissing more fervently, his hands roamed rapidly over the smaller one's back and rear. Yugi's little hands were buried in Seto's brown locks as he pulled back to breathe. Kaiba seemed to have to physically remember to do that a lot in Yugi and Yami's presence; breathe, that is. Holding the younger boy tightly against him, Seto sighed.

"As much as I want you right now, Mokuba is waiting for me." Yugi nodded.

"I know." He climbed off of Kaiba and stepped back, giving him room to get to his feet once more. Yami still stood a distance away in the kitchen. Kaiba approached him. They locked eyes, fiery red ones burning into ice blue orbs. Kaiba finally couldn't take his intense stare any longer.

"Yami...about this morning--"

"Seto," Yami interrupted, "Don't make me ask, like my light had to."

Not needing any further invitation, Kaiba crushed his mouth to the former pharaoh's, sucking hungrily on his tongue and clutching his slender body to his own. Their tongues dueled, both seeking domination. Yami hooked a leg around Seto's waist. This caused Yugi to crack up.

\ And you act like I'm the girl. \

Yami groaned, rubbing himself against Kaiba.

\\ Very funny. \\

\ ::mental smirk:: \

Seto broke the kiss and buried his face in Yami's neck, panting.

"Okay, guys, uh, I'm not going to be able to see my little brother for a few minutes, thanks," he complained. Yami laughed. <What a beautiful sound.> Kaiba thought. The dark one disentangled himself from the tall boy and smirked. <What is he smirking about?>

"Ah-hh!!" Kaiba cried out as Yami pressed the ice pack to his hot loins.

"We'll go join the group now," Yami suggested. The two gorgeous boys turned to leave.

"Uh, wait!" Kaiba wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to say. "How will we-- I mean when can I see you two-- Do you have to go home tonight?" <Urgh, how can they act so controlled?! I'm so turned on-->

"I have to see my grandpa as soon as possible--"

"And he needs time to, ah, recover from last night before, you know," Yami cut in. Yugi blushed.

"Ya-mi! Don't make me wait to be with Seto!" he begged. "I'm fine!" His large violet eyes were wide and shiny as he pleaded. Seto was extremely glad it was Yami those adorable puppy eyes were fixed on, because he didn't know if he had the willpower to resist them, even for Yugi's own good.

"Just a little while, aibou. And we can--do other things until then."

Seto liked the sound of that. The ice pack had done its work, and he removed it.

"Oh no..." Yami and Yugi looked over at Seto and tried not to laugh. The ice pack had left a wet spot on his crotch. Giggling, Yugi went over to him and buttoned his trench coat for him."

"There."

Kaiba leaned down and gave Yugi a quick peck on the lips. "Thank you." He paused. "I, um, would prefer that we don't tell your friends about us until perhaps they've adjusted to my being your friend, first."

Yami nodded. Yugi slipped his hand into his dark half's, and the three went outside.

=Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q=

Yami could tell Yugi was anxious, if not from their link, by the way he was fidgeting on their walk to the Kaiba grounds behind the mansion.

\\ What is it, aibou? \\

\ Grandpa. I wish I'd been conscious when he awoke; he must be so worried! \

\\ Hmm. \\ Yami looked up at Seto, who'd been walking silently beside him and Yugi. It gave him great pleasure when he noticed a slight smile playing on the serious boy's lips.

"Seto? Is the hospital open to visitors now? Yugi would like to check out his grandpa." Seto glanced at his Rolex.

"Yes. I'll call for a car right now. We can go as soon as you like."

"No, you two should stay here," Yugi declared. "Seto, you need to spend time with Mokuba; and Yami, you might be a bit much for Grandpa to understand right now." They reluctantly agreed.

By now the trio had reached Yami and Yugi's friends, who noticed the two spikey haired boys holding hands.

"Are they--?" Tea didn't know quite how to word it.

"Looks like it!" Honda concluded. Joey just stared.

"Must be a yami/hikari thing," Mai remarked dryly, smirking. Yugi blushed a little as he felt everyone's eyes on him. Seto hung up his cell phone and turned to Yugi.

"A car is waiting for you in front to take you to your grandpa. I'll walk you to it."

The petite boy nodded, and well aware his friends were watching, hugged Yami goodbye. The dark one kissed him on the cheek, and Yugi left with Seto. There was a moment of awkward silence, until finally, Joey spoke up.

"Yugi's one of my best friends, which makes you one, too, Yami. I'm real glad two people I care so much about are happy wit each other." Yami grinned. He was extremely relieved the friend whose opinion mattered most to Yugi accepted them.

"Ditto!" joined in Honda.

"I think it's cute!" Mai informed everyone. Yami made a face at that.

"Sheesh, it was so obvious!" Mokuba announced. The pharaoh noticed Tea and Ryou said nothing, but Ryou had the oblivious, glazed look in his eyes that Yami knew so well as his excuse.

"Hey, as long as we're out here, let's have a duel!" Tea said cheerfully out of the blue. Was she trying to change the subject?

"Sure!" Joey agreed. They began to duel as the others cheered them on.

Yami wasn't sure how Tea was taking this. She seemed fine...but Yami had been able to tell she liked Yugi long ago. The small one had no clue. <He does not realize how truly desirable he is.>

Meanwhile, Seto and Yugi arrived at the front of the driveway where a luxury car was waiting. Before he slipped into the back seat, Yugi gave Seto one last passionate kiss and slipped him some tongue. When he pulled away and jumped into the vehicle, Kaiba was flushed and looking slightly needy.

"Do you have to go now?" Seto inquired hopefully. Peeking out the window, Yugi nodded. He blinked his large violet eyes.

"I'll come back with Grandpa." As the car pulled away, Yugi called out one last thing. "Take care of Yami while I'm gone!"

Seto waved. <Oh, don't worry. I will.>

=Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q= =Q=

Yami: What the hell! How am I supposed to seduce Kaiba with this?! ::points to his black eye::

Solitaire: ::defensively:: What? I don't think it diminishes your sexiness.

Seto: OBVIOUSLY, it doesn't bother me, either! ::throws the ice pack at Solitaire:: Jeez, you guys make me way too easily aroused!

Solitaire: Oh, look who finally decided to show up...

Xpyne: ::snickering:: You're just sexually frustrated-- Excuse me if I have a life outside fanfic! ~_~`

Solitaire: ::gapes indignantly:: You did NOT just say that!!!

Xpyne: ::cough::did::cough:: Anyway........ >.< evil school is in THREE days.. and um yeah, it sucks. I.... ::hangs head in shame:: have nothing to say... Bring in a character!!

Bakura: ::walks in:: Why don't I ever get to be in the author's notes? And I was barely in this chapter!

Solitaire: First of all, you hardly ever have anything worthwhile to say, and secondly, this IS a Yami/Yugi/Seto centric story. But you have a bigger part in the next chapter.

Bakura: ::sarcastically:: Oh, do tell!

Solitaire: ::ignoring him:: Sure! Grandpa joins the group--

Xpyne: Yay! He's my favorite character, I just love how he makes it friggin' impossible to have great make out scences, prys Yugi away from his new-found loves, is retarded--

Solitaire: And ugly. Are you being factitious??

Honda: ^_^`

Xpyne: Where does Yugi get his stunning good looks?? Not Solomon...

Seto: Obviously.

Xpyne: Mmkay..........o____o Ooh, and Bakura, ::shakes head sadly::

Solitaire: Your meanie-ness catches up with you--karma bites you in the ass!

Bakura: What the hell is that supposed to mean?! ::eyes Solitaire nervously::

Solitaire: ::smirks:: Well if I told you, it wouldn't be a secret, now would it? You're lucky you're getting any face time--Xpyne has no interest in writing about your relationship with Ryou, so I have to do ALL the Bakura/Ryou stuff. ...Except the, you know, lemon. ::blushes:: So you're entirely at the mercy of how lazy I decide to be. Bwahahahaha!

Xpyne: Hey! I write their lemon...that's something.

Bakura: Psh. You two don't scare me. I know how lazy you are.

Solitaire: ::grins evilly:: That's what you think.

Xpyne: -_-` <He's right about me.>