Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Rivaled Love ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

Lots and lots of thanks to Blue September for betaing this chapter. It would probably have taken me ages to try and sift through it myself, yet she did it in a couple of hours! Wow!

Thanx to everyone who reviewed. They *really* help. If I know that people actually *want* to read, then it makes me want to write.

~Shi-koi~

~*~*~

Chapter Five

Honda stopped running long enough to catch his breath. He rested his hands on his knees, his long frame bent to steady himself. Honda heard footsteps reach up to him and his arm shot out to grab the startled student. Honda stood and looked down at her. "Have you seen Jounouchi Katsuya??" He gasped out.

She shook her head. "Gomen." She pursed her lips for a moment. "You could try the library."

"Eh?" Jounouchi and a library??

"Well Niki, my best friend, kinda likes him. She said something about seeing him near there." She shrugged. "Didn't see him myself but…"

"Arigato." Honda was off before she could finish the sentence. He tore down the halls, skidding to a halt outside the double wooden doors. Sticking his head inside the darkly lit room Honda's sharp hazel eyes scanned the tables for his friend. Not seeing him, Honda stepped inside.

There was no sign of the school librarian. Honda took a risk. This was important enough to risk detention. "Jounouchi? Jou? Buddy? Are you in here? JOU?" Honda waited and listened. He heard a rustling sound. "Jou?"

A tousled honey-blonde head stuck out from behind one of the far end of shelves. "Honda? Whaddaya doin' here?" Jou tried to push his hair back into some semblance of order.

"I was trying to find you." Honda muttered dryly. He saw a flash of movement behind his best friend. "Who's that??"

"Uh...." Jounouchi's eyes darted back and forth from the figure behind him to Honda, waiting patiently, his arms crossed. Finally, Jounouchi expelled a large resigned breath and raised questioning brows to the shadowed figure. He received a tentative nod in return. Jou glanced at Honda, trying to gage his possible reaction to what he was about to reveal. He cleared his throat. "Uh, Honda. Buddy. We've been pals fer a long time, ain't we?" He went on, not waiting for a reply, twisting his suddenly clammy fingers. C'mon. This is Honda we're talkin' about. He's been like my best bud fer years. My bro. "So you ain't gonna freak out or nuthin' are ya?"

Honda frowned. "Stop speaking in riddles. If you've got something to say then just say it."

Before Jounouchi could answer there was a flash of white light and a pissed of Bakura stood between the two facing boys. The platinum-haired spirit glared at Honda, then Jounouchi, his arms akimbo, chocolate eyes dark with annoyance and fury. "What the baka here was trying so hard not to tell you was that he was making out with my hikari." Yami Bakura gave a satisfied smirk at the blush which filled Jounouchi's face.

"Yami!" Three heads swivelled at the mortified gasp. Ryou stepped out from the shadows created by over-large book filled shelving. "How could you? Can't you be nice for once?"

Bakura scowled at his light. "No. Why should I?" He asked petulantly.

Ryou went to Jounouchi's side, relaxing into the arm the blond wrapped around his waist. Ryou leant his head on the taller boy's shoulder.

Honda let out an exasperated breath. "Baka!! This is what you were so worried about telling me? That you and Ryou are together?" He shook his head at Jounouchi. "Idiot. You've known me for what....since we were in kindergarten, almost thirteen years. And you really think I'd freak out about this?"

Jounouchi gave Honda a sheepish smile. "Well, we only decided a few minutes ago. So it's all kinda new."

Bakura snorted. "Ra-damned lovebirds. All this mushiness is sickening."

Jou rolled his eyes and pulled Bakura into a hug with his free arm. "Silly tomb-robber."

Yami Bakura froze at the contact then disappeared with a flash back into his soul room.

\Bakura? Are you okay?\

\\Ra-damned baka! Leave me be. I have no time for weaklings.\\

Ryou sighed at his yami's tone. It wasn't unusual for Bakura to shun contact. He made a note to talk to his dark when he got home that night.

"Ryou?"

Ryou looked up into worried caramel eyes.

"Did...did I do something wrong?"

"No." Ryou gave Jounouchi's arm a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay. He just gets like that sometimes."

Jounouchi held Ryou closer. "He's not going to try anything later is he? You are going to be okay aren't you?" Jounouchi frowned, remembering Bakura's treatment of Ryou during the Duellist's Kingdom fiasco. Bakura had a tendency to be quite vicious and violent. He had no morals and could kill happily with no remorse. As a friend of Yugi's Jounouchi knew that Ryou had some protection since Yami Yugi would probably go ballistic if anything happened to one of his little light's friends. But then again, Yugi would have to find out first.

Ryou gave him a smile. "Don't worry. He's not like he used to be. I'll be fine."

Honda cleared his throat. "If you're done...?"

Both boys nodded.

"Yeah. What did you want us for?" Jounouchi asked.

Honda frowned. "There was a big commotion in the halls a short while ago. Some of the students are talking about Yugi having an older brother." Honda rubbed his neck. "Apparently there was a bit of a confrontation between him and Kaiba."

"Kaiba?"

"Yeah. Exactly. Only there's no sign of Yugi."

It was Jounouchi's turn to scowl. He didn't like the sound of that. Kaiba usually meant trouble. Yami hadn't looked so good last night either. "C'mon." He pulled Ryou forward past Honda. "We've got to find Yugi." He marched out the double doors, Ryou and Honda a bare second behind, so it was lucky that both boys had quick reflexes when Jounouchi suddenly stopped.

"Eh?"

"Ack!"

"Nimrod! Why'd you stop?" Honda stuck out his arm to stop himself from barging into Ryou's back.

Jounouchi gave them a sheepish smile. "Uh...forgot my bag." He backed around them into the dark library, emerging a few moments later with his backpack. "I'll drop it of at my locker. That way it won't be in the way when we look fer Yugi."

They set off towards Jounouchi's locker, Ryou trying his best to keep up with their longer legs. It only took them five minutes to reach the main hall where the lockers were located, but it seemed to take an eternity for them to push past the mass of students chattering wildly, their voices shrill and excited.

"Did you see them?"

"Yeah, I almost had a heart attack. Who'd've thought. Kaiba....wow!"

"Did you see that other guy. Kawaii!"

"Ooooh. Someone's got a crush."

"Have not! Mmmn. He was cute though, ne?"

"He looked like that little Yugi boy. Y'know, the one who won that Duel Monsters Tournament."

"No! Really?"

"Uh-huh. And Kenji was standing close enough to overhear what they were saying."

"You're kidding! What were they talking about?"

Someone snickered.

"I don't think they planned on doing much talking."

"Oh you hentai!"

"Yea. He said that Yugi was in the nurse's office."

A short laugh.

"They probably wore him out."

"Mmmn. Wish I had those two to wear me out."

"Dream on Saku."

Jounouchi nudged Honda. "What're they talking about?" He whispered.

"Told you. There was a big commotion with Yami and Kaiba." He turned so Ryou could hear as well. "C'mon. They said someone overheard Yugi was with the nurses."

Jounouchi dumped his bag in his locker, flicking it shut and twisting the combination lock. "Well. Whaddya waitin' fer. Let's go already." He elbowed an unfortunate teen out the way in his haste to find Yugi. "Oops. Gomen," he threw over his shoulder, striding through the crowd.

Honda shook his head in resignation. Jounouchi had a good heart, but he did tend to forget about his surroundings when his friends were in trouble.

"I hope he's okay." Ryou bit his lip. Yugi had become a very good friend since Duellist's Kingdom, almost like the brother he'd always wanted but never had.

Jounouchi pulled him close, twining his hand through his koi's. "I'm sure he will be. If he isn't....well."

Ryou nodded. He knew exactly what Jounouchi meant.

They reached the office. Honda went in first, quickly spotting the trademark tri-coloured hair of Yugi's yami. "He's in there. Ack!"

Jounouchi pushed past him, sticking his head in the door. He stopped, suppressing the urge to giggle. Kaiba and Yami looked extremely peeved, while Masani-san and Yugi had huge grins plastered across their faces. Yugi's eyes twinkled with mischief and.....huh? Blood!! Jou frowned when he noticed Yugi's split lip and the trail of dried blood on his cheek and top. Oh man, poor little guy. What the hell happened to him? He put on his best puppy-dog face, the one which always made Yugi cheer up and called out to his best bud.

"Hey guys! Mind if I join the party?" He held in his grin at the _expression on Kaiba's face when he realised who it was. They were enemies even at the best of times, most of it due to how the young billionaire had treated Yugi and his grampa. Before Yugi and Yami had beaten him in a Duel and shown him that there was more to life and gaming than power and money, teaching him about the 'Heart of the Cards'. But Jounouchi had never quite forgiven Kaiba's mistreatment of his friends, even if Yugi was apparently willing to forgive and forget.

"What are you doing here puppy? Shouldn't you be out somewhere chasing the birds?" Kaiba delivered the statement with his usual contemptuous sneer. "Or is that beyond your limited capabilities too?"

"Don't start wit' me, Kaiba." Jounouchi snarled at the taller youth. He looked questioningly at Yugi. "What's he doin' here anyways?" Jou stepped towards the teen on the bed, noting with some confusion that Kaiba seemed to take an instinctive step towards Yugi. Is he trying to protect him? Man, this is gettin' weird. He saw Ryou and Honda step into the small room from the corner of his eyes.

Yugi shot a tender smile towards Kaiba, before leaning back against Yami. "He's here because Yami brought him." He offered softly. Kaiba held out his hand to the violet-eyed boy, returning the gentle gaze. "He was worried about me when I didn't turn up on time."

Jounouchi snorted. "So that's why you were in such a foul mood during class." He turned to Yugi appraisingly. "You shoulda seen 'im Yug. I swear if he'd had a tail it'd've been twitching back 'n forth like a damn cat's." Jounouchi saw Yugi's eyes widen.

"Seto?" Yugi raised startled eyes to Kaiba who reddened almost imperceptivity. "Koi?"

Kaiba raised Yugi's small hand to his mouth, brushing his lips lightly over Yugi's soft skin. "I was worried." He explained, stroking his other hand down Yugi's uninjured cheek. "And with good reason too, it seems."

Yugi flushed.

"So Yug. What happened then? How come you're all bloody?"

Yugi glared at his best friend. "Jounouchi!" He hissed ineffectually. Jounouchi's question had brought the subject back up firmly into everyone's minds. He felt Yami's arms tighten slightly and noticed Kaiba's deceptively solid frame set rigidly.

"The puppy is right Yugi. What happened?" Kaiba directed his penetrating gaze back on the small teen.

Yugi felt his resistance crumbling. He dropped his eyes to the sterile white sheets, picking at a bit of stretched fabric. He knew he was only delaying the inevitable but he really didn't want Kaiba to feel responsible, or for Yami to feel guilty and get overprotective. Yugi knew that Jounouchi and Honda would follow Yami's example and Ryou and Anzu would worry. I'm lucky Anzu isn't here. I'd probably end up with my ears shrieked off. Yugi knew it wasn't the nicest thing to think about his friend, but while Anzu was very loyal and a wonderful pal she could sometimes....well, grate on a person's nerves. And she really can't abide Seto. Then there was Bakura. Oy! Yugi grimaced at the thought of how Ryou's yami would react.

Yugi started at the firm grip which suddenly squeezed his shoulder. He glanced up to see Kaiba frowning at him in worry, belatedly realising that they'd mistaken the cause for his grimace.

"Yugi?"

Yugi sighed at the soft whisper in his ear. "Sorry Yami. It's just...I can't..." Yugi paled. "JIICHAN!!"

"Nani??"

Yugi tried to extract himself from Yami's embrace. "Jiichan.....they're going to hurt grampa!!"

Yami pulled Yugi back, giving Kaiba a sharp look. The brunette teen was already pulling out the phone he'd retrieved from his locker.

"Hey buddy. It'll be okay, you'll see." Jounouchi came to stand beside Yugi and his yami.

"Get a team down to the Turtle Game Shop. Target is Mutou Sugoroku. Protect him. At all costs. Good. Also, have someone send my regular car. I want it here yesterday. Arigato."

Yugi, Yami, Jounouchi Honda and Ryou waited until Kaiba hung up.

Kaiba gave them a level stare before turning to his koi. "He'll be safe until we get there." He glanced around the small room which had become even more cramped with the addition of Yugi's friends. "We need to find somewhere we can talk." Kaiba gave Yugi a pointed glare. "I want to know everything that's happened since I left you last night."

"Whoa! What? Yugi??"

"Kaiba?? Whatcha doin' at Yugi's at night." Jounouchi blinked. Huh, maybe that's why Yami was so upset last night. Does that mean he and Yugi and....Kaiba? Nah, Yami'd never agree to that. But then again, I never thought I'd fall in love with Ryou and his psycho yami. So maybe....hmmn.

Yugi rolled his eyes at the chorus of shocked cries. He stood up and swayed slightly. Then Yugi yelped as Kaiba swept him up into his arms.

"Sorry chibi ichi. But you're not walking."

"But.....Seto....." Yugi moaned, embarrassed. He could feel his face flaming crimson. "Yami?? Do something."

Yami shook his head at his hikari in wry amusement. No-one ever told Kaiba to do something. They could suggest it, but the youth was ultimately the only one who could decide.

"Sorry koi. Just enjoy the ride."

Yugi glared at him. "Humph."

Yami snickered.

Something occurred to Kaiba. He frowned. "Yugi?"

"Hmmmn?" Yugi lifted his head from where he'd tucked it against Kaiba's broad shoulder.

"You said 'they'. You said ' they're going to hurt grampa'. Not him, or her...they." He scowled at the thought this led him to. "How many were there Yugi?"

In a very small voice, Yugi answered. "Six. There were six of them. All male. Four in this uniform, two in street clothes." Yugi pulled Kaiba closer, hiding his head back against Kaiba's shoulder. He couldn't help the shakes which made him tremble as he remembered the look in the youth's pale blue eyes.

Yami heard. His fists clenched. "Bastards. They'll pay." The dark spirit barely managed to grind the words out through gritted teeth. He was so angry it felt like his jaw was wired shut.

Kaiba's eyes darkened in fury. He felt a sudden calmness descend on him. "Jounouchi, Honda, Ryou. Return to class. I'm taking Yugi home. Call my number later."

"But..."

"Hey wise guy! How can we ring if we don't have your number?"

"Get a pen."

Honda pulled out a small biro, his eyes cast out for a piece of paper.

"Uh, here." Jounouchi passed him a crumpled slip.

Honda stared at it suspiciously for a moment after noticing Ryou's sudden blush. Jounouchi scowled at him. With a dismissive shrug Honda smoothed out the thankfully blank paper. "Okay, okay, this'll do." He nodded his head at the brunette to signal he was ready. He wrote the number Kaiba fired at him and tucked pen and paper into his pocket. "Done."

"Will you be okay buddy?" Jounouchi asked Yugi uncertainly, flicking an equally worried glance to Yami.

Yugi gave him a warm smile. "I'm sure. Jou-chan." His gaze passed over to Ryou. Yugi grinned at the longing look Ryou was wearing while looking at Jounouchi. He leant close to Jounouchi, making Kaiba bend slightly. "Look after Ryou-chan, eh? Jounouchi." He whispered just loud enough for Jounouchi and Kaiba to hear.

"Eh?" Kaiba shot an assessing gaze to the snow-haired boy, catching the look of need, want, hope and anticipation that Ryou wore on his face before suppressing a grin. He turned back to Yugi and Jounouchi before letting out a small smirk at the red which suffused the blonde's face and neck. "Looks like the puppy has someone to hold his leash."

The blonde's head spun up to glare at the taller brunette. He snarled, teeth bared threateningly when, a soft voice stopped him from doing anything else.

"Jounouchi?"

Jou turned to Ryou. "Yeah?"

"Is...is everything okay?"

Jounouchi ran a hand through his shaggy mane, pushing the long strands away from his face. "Yeah, we're cool."

"Yugi? Are you really alright. We'll all come over later."

"It's okay Ryou."

"If you're sure..." Hovering with indecision Ryou sent pleading eyes towards his small friend.

Yugi nodded. "I'll be fine."

Giving a little sigh Ryou glanced over towards Yami and Kaiba. Both men were hovering protectively around Yugi. Ryou smiled, worries temporarily assuaged, before walking over to Jounouchi.

"C'mon guys. Jou, Ryou, we'll be late if we don't hustle." Honda pointed over his shoulder to the hall. True to his word, the trio had barely left the nurses office when the shrill ring of the bell went off.

Yami slid gracefully off the firm white-sheeted bed. He came to stand next to Kaiba and Yugi. Leaning up towards Kaiba, Yami placed a gentle kiss on Yugi's brow before giving Kaiba a sharp look. To the youth's credit, he seemed to understand Yami's concerns, giving the small Pharaoh a respectful nod in return.

Yami turned to the door and held it open for Kaiba.

Becka hid a grin at the sight of the powerful teen cradling Yugi against him. 'Bout time that kid found someone. Yugi'll be good for him from what I've heard.

Masani nudged Becka's arm and handed her a small white paper bag. "For the little one. Paracetamal, salve and signed prescription for bandages." Masani whispered to Becka.

Becka nodded to her mentor and intercepted the three teens before they could leave.

Kaiba scowled at the delay. "What now?"

A white bag was suddenly held up in front of his face, obscuring his vision.

"Stuff for Yugi."

"What kind of 'Stuff'." Yami asked politely, politely but still suspicious.

Becka rolled her eyes at the wary teen. "Salve for the bruises, paracetamal for the pains he'll be getting when the paracetemal he's taken has worn off and a prescription for bandages to go around his ribs." Becka frowned. "If his ribs feel any worse take him to a hospital. They're not broken but it doesn't hurt to be extra safe."

"Hai."

"Domo arigato." Yugi whispered to Becka.

Becka's eyes softened. "Take care Yugi." Her eyes flicked up to Kaiba. She giggled. "I think you're safe now though."

Yugi followed her gaze and joined in with Becka's giggles. "H-hai. I think you're right."

Kaiba scowled at the two who were whispering and giggling.

"Can we go now?" Kaiba asked impatiently.

Masani nodded her assent at Becka. "Hai! Off you go then." The young nurse told them with a smile.

Not wasting another second, Kaiba followed Yami out the office and out into the large empty courtyard.

The three teens stood in an uncomfortable silence now that they were alone again.

Finally Kaiba spoke. "We'll make sure your Grampa is safe then go to my house."

Yami frowned. "What about the shop?"

"I'll have my staff take care of it." Kaiba said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"What if...?"

/Stop worrying Yami. Kaiba will take care of it./

Yugi felt him sigh in resignation.

//Sorry aibou. I just...//

/Feel guilty. Don't. It wasn't your fault./

//But...//

/No./

Yami gave up. //Okay aibou. You win.//

Yugi smiled. /Arigato Yami./

A car pulled up.

~*~*~

"Do you really think that Yugi's okay?" Ryou asked when they got settled back down in class.

Jounouchi frowned. "Well, Yugi's never lied to us, so yeah, I s'pose he's okay now.'Sides, he's got Yami an' Kaiba lookin' out fer him."

"I guess you're right." Ryou whispered. He picked up his pencil and tried to focus on his work.

"Jou-chan?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"S'okay. Now get back to work 'fore the teacher decides I'm corrupting your work." Jounouchi grinned.

Ryou gave him a smile, his face lighting up, before tucking an errant strand of silver hair behind his ear and turning back to his work.

~*~*~

"Jiichan!!"

"Yugi." Sugoroku enfolded his grandson into a tight hug. "Oh my poor boy."

"Daijoubu?"

"Hai." Sugoroku looked up towards Kaiba. He blinked when his eyes rested on Yami. Looking back between the two taller boys he turned back to Yugi. "When did he find out?" Sugoroku asked curiously.

"Yesterday, actually."

"And he didn't freak?"

"Uh, not really."

"Good." Sugoroku replied firmly. He opened the shop door. "Coming in boys?" He called, Yugi trailing behind him.

Yami and Kaiba shrugged.

"Wait here." Kaiba instructed his driver.

"Yes Sir."

"C'mon." Grasping Yami's arm, Kaiba pulled the spirit with him into the bright game shop.

Yami glared at the brunette, yanking his arm away. "I'm quite capable of following my hikari into the place we both live." He said icily.

Stepping back gracefully, Kaiba allowed Yami to precede him into the small shop.

There were six men in casual clothes standing inside. Yugi was watching them curiously as his grampa tried to check over Yugi's bruises.

"I'm okay Jiichan. Honest."

"How could this have happened? Why did those thugs do this?" Sugoroku moaned.

Hanging his head, Yugi came to a decision. "Someone saw me kissing Seto at school. They wanted to make sure they had some way of proving they were serious." He whispered. "They want Seto to pay them off."

"Does Kaiba know?" Sugoroku asked Yugi, just as quietly.

"I promised to tell Seto and Yami later. We were planning to go back with Seto to his house."

Sugoroku frowned. "I can't leave the shop."

Yugi shook his head, slowly because of his aches. "Seto's going to have some of his staff take core of it." He informed his grampa. "Seto'll make sure nothing goes wrong.

Sugoroku sighed. "He's changed, hasn't he?"

Yugi gave him a wry smile. "Yes. I would never have believed it possible, but yes. He's changed. For the better."

Nodding his head firmly, Sugoroku replied. "Alright. I'll trust Kaiba to take care of the shop. But," he waggled a finger warningly at Yugi, "any funny business and he'll regret it."

Yugi beamed. "You won't regret it Jiichan." He cried, hugging the older man.

"Owowowowow." Yugi jumped back, grinning in embarrassment. Drawing Yami's and Kaiba's concerned glances from where they'd been glaring at each other.

"Let's go." Yugi chirped walking up to his two loves.

~*~*~

Tbc...

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