Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Rivaled Love ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

Well, I'm finally updating. I've lost most everything, so this has been done without the chapter outlines. I'm going to have to re-write them as well. So if anyone has anything they'd particularly like to see happen, let me know, and if it feels like it suits the fic I may just write it in.

I just thought I'd put a little warning in here.

Thanks for everyone for reading this, and being patient about how long it's taken me to write up. I've been absolutely plagued with bad luck. My glasses snapping, which is very bad, 'cos I'm virtually blind without them and they're special prescription, six time-release viruses on my computer, moving, catching the 'flu and the computer with my stories on it crashing and disconnecting from my network. (Actually there are three computers on my network. 'Mennolly' is the first, with all my fics, pics etc... then 'Singer' with my main OS and programs and lastly 'Meiran' which is my emergency link-up system. Kudos to anyone who recognises the names.) Since Mennolly was off-line I couldn't pick up where I left off and up-load. And I didn't want to have to re-type the half chapters I had stuck away in them. Then when I though everything was going alright, the frickin' hard drive blew! So I've been a bit too depressed to write. *whimper* All that work, gone. *sigh* But, I'm going to try and pick up the pieces and go on.

Thanks for waiting so long.

~Shi-koi~

Notes: Sometimes I forget to put the Japanese/English translations in. Sorry about that. I have a terrible memory. So here are a few for this chapter.

Kuso : (An expletive) Shit, Damn etc...

Tachi : Friend

Konban wa : Good evening

Chan : Normally added on the end to things like children, puppies, kittens, anything cute or adorable. Also used as a term of endearment when added onto names. Normally added onto girls names if a boy is friends with them. But only added to the end of a boy's name if the other person is *really* good friends with them or extremely close.

Hai : Has numerous meanings. Can mean Yes, okay, sure etc... You get the picture.

Arigato : Thanks. (Full meaning from Domo arigato, meaning Thank you.)

Sama : Added onto the end of a person's name. Usually the highest term of respect. It means Sir, Master etc...

San : Japanese people are extremely polite. So almost everyone older than you, or with higher status is called -san.

Aibou : I'm sure everyone knows by now what this means. Partner. As simple as that.

Hikari : Again, you probably all know this one too. Means Light.

Nani? : What?

Damare : Shut up

Baka : Idiot, fool, moron etc... (For those of you who read/watch Gundam Wing, I'm sure you understand they way it's also used as a term of endearment. Yay! Go 1x2x1 and 5x2x5 and especially 1x2x5! *drool*. Anyhoo, enough on them. I'm writing 'bout our lovely Yu-Gi-Oh! Bishies)

*snicker* Another word (or two, or three) for you.

Bishonen : Literally means Pretty Boy. Used to describe a beautiful male. Most bishonen (but not all) are young, slightly effeminate in some cases, and are *always* gorgeous. (Also, to complete the set. Bishoujo : Literally means Pretty Girl.)

And on another note. . . .Shonen-ai : Shonen = boy and ai = love. So shonen-ai = boy love. As a literal translation. *grin* Used to describe a loving, but not explicit boy x boy relationship. May have kissing, hand-holding etc, but that's about all you see.

I think that's all of them. If anyone wants to let me know about any words from previous chapters let me know. If I've got anything wrong, please correct me. Sometimes the Japanese grammar stumps me.

Sorry if this chapter seems a bit shorter. And please excuse mistakes. I haven't had this beta'd yet. I'll probably get around to having it done at some point in the future, so please go easy on me. Thanks.

Chapter Six

The next few days seemed to drift by. A pair of temps provided by Seto replaced Sugoroku's presence at the Turtle Game Shop. Yami and Kaiba had decided to give Yugi a few days breathing space from school. Much to Yugi's joy, Ryou and Jounouchi seemed to be getting closer during the times Yugi saw them, usually when they were bring Yugi's homework and assignments to him.

Four days later, things came to a head.

~*~*~

The small figure in the hall stopped at the loud voices echoing from the lounge room.

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because....it's ridiculous."

"How is it ridiculous?"

"Because you're not even human!"

Deathly silence.

"Fine."

Kaiba watched as Yami stormed out of the lounge room they had been arguing in. Kuso! How the hell do I fix this? He pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly, the beginnings of a headache starting to stir behind his eyes.

Damn it! Yugi's going to be furious. Kaiba walked over to a nearby soft couch and dropped bonelessly into it. Shit! I only meant that he hadn't had any experience being our age in this world. I wasn't trying to belittle him.

"Se-chan?"

Kaiba lifted his head wearily. "Hai, Yugi?"

Yugi stepped carefully into the large room. He stopped about a foot from Kaiba's chair.

"Are you okay?"

Kaiba snorted. "I would have thought you'd be screaming and shouting at me by now for what I said to Yami. Not coming to see if I was alright."

Yugi gave a small shrug, his hands tucked into the sides of his trousers. "If you had meant to be nasty, then I would probably be doing just that. But I know you Seto. What did you really mean to tell him?" Yugi asked softly.

Kaiba held out his arms, glad when Yugi simply crawled atop his lap and curled his arms around Kaiba's chest.

"I didn't mean to hurt him. He just doesn't understand how different things are now. Oh, I'll admit he has an extremely quick mind, but he also has an equally quick temper. He'd get thrown out if he carried on the way he normally does."

"I know love. But he's been a Pharaoh all his life. He doesn't know how to be anything, or anyone else. He only wants to protect me."

Kaiba gave in with a small sigh. "If it means that much to you, I'll think about it."

Yugi beamed. "Arigato, Se-chan."

The older teen held Yugi close, a trill of nervous anticipation running through him.

Dear Gods above. What have we let ourselves in for? Yami....at school??

~*~*~

I am not a freak. I am not. Yami clenched his fists as he made his way to the highest point in Kaiba's mansion. His almost perfect memory recalling the route from the tour Kaiba's staff had so thoughtfully provided.

The diminutive Pharaoh stalked down the almost endless corridors. I am not some miscreant child. I ruled a whole nation. And I was good at it. I have not acted foolishly, or without care. Yet he will not even give me a single chance to prove myself.

Reaching the end of the corridor he'd walked down, Yami snapped open the lock, and half the handle. He glared at the piece of metal left in his hands before dropping it to the floor in disdain. Cannot even metalwork correctly. And they say I'm a barbarian. Yami pushed open the door and climbed up the narrow staircase behind it. Reaching the top he opened the door carefully, mindful of the handle....and his temper.

The door opened up to the first roof-top level. There was a small balcony around him which had obviously seen better days. The staff had pointed out the door during their tour, mainly as a warning not to go up here, so Yami hadn't had the chance to enjoy the view.

There was a wrought iron railing, plain, with no embellishments, around the edge, overgrown rotted wooden pots were placed around. The plants they held were overgrown, tangling in the metal and trailing leaves and roots in wisps and curls over the the roof edge.

After making a cursory sweep of the first level, Yami decided to climb up one of the set of stairs which continued up to the attic roof of the Kaiba mansion. It was here that he got his first surprise.

Unlike the lower level, this large area had obviously been taken care of with a lot of work. In the sixty by eighty foot area there were small flowerpots and shrubberys, mini trees and exotic foliage scattered everywhere, blooms of all colours were placed haphazardly around the roof.

Ceramic pots, iron, wood, anything which could hold some soil had been planted in. But that wasn't all. There were candles scattered throughout the plants, in between blossoms, leaves and pots. Multi-coloured outdoors candles, some as high as his chest were in large, obviously expensive, beautifully carved, heavy holders.

In fact, if they were ever lit, the only thing stopping people from seeing them was the fact that the angle of the roof meant that you would be unable to see anything from the public side of the house. If you came in from the woods or the cliff side of the Kaiba property you would probably be able to see the glow, but no-one else would be able to see them.

With great care, and not a little awe, Yami walked through this miniature secret garden. Almost looking like a tamed jungle.

Upon closer inspection Yami noticed that there was a quite a bit more than first met the eye. After side-stepping around a cute little cherry-blossom tree in a deep old iron pot, the spirit found a very solid low wooden table and two equally solid low-slung wooden chairs.

The table was carved with a delightful variety of Duel Monsters. There were three dragons looking eerily like Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragons curling around three of the legs, their heads and wings encircling the edges and part of the top of the table. They looked so real that Yami felt as if they had been caught in the act of climbing atop the dark, gleaming surface.

Smaller creatures danced over the flat surface. Dark, Light, Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, it didn't matter. All had been lovingly carved over three-quarters of the surface. There was even a small Kuriboh hidden amongst them. A few of the creatures were only half finished, their outlines traced shallowly in the wood. Yami ran a hand over them gently. "Beautiful." He whispered.

The chairs had been carved to resemble the surrounding area. On one chair were carved trees, thick foliage and delicate leaves around the top, with little woodland creatures hiding in the fauna and flora, while gnarled roots twisted and clung down the seat and legs.

On the other chair a storm brewed. Lightning flashed at the topmost tip, and raging waves crashed across the backrest, softening down to calmly wash over the seat. Huge rocks were carved in granite-like detail over the legs with small sea creatures clinging to them.

They were works of art.

Yami sat down in the closest chair, tracing his hand over the crashing waves adorning the wood. The quiet and serenity of the rooftop garden washing over him in a wave of peace.

~*~*~

Kaiba glanced down at the small form snoring softly in his lap. Since his ordeal four days previously Yugi had taken to falling asleep for brief naps at the oddest times. The Kaiba personal physician had stated that this was normal, since Yugi's body was trying to recuperate. Naturally being smaller than his peers hadn't helped, since he had less reserves to call upon.

A tiny grin ghosted across Kaiba's lips as he cradled Yugi close to his chest. So delicate. He should be pampered......not abused. Discarding that train of thought, Kaiba stood, graceful even with his precious burden. He walked slowly to the room Yugi and his yami had been using. Kaiba scowled.

Yami.

The dark spirit seemed to be able to get under his skin effortlessly. The wary gazes, pointed comments about his hikari, the ever present hover he seemed to have developed all made the Kaiba heir extremely frustrated. Since bringing the Mutou family into his home he hadn't had but a few scant minutes alone with his love.

Reaching the large suite he bent his knees slightly and used his elbows to nudge the handle down and push the door open. The soft cream, gold and midnight blue tones of the room seemed to reach out and welcome him.

Kaiba carefully made his way to the kingsize bed which took up a good sized portion of the room and laid Yugi on the covers. Kaiba brushed a soft golden bang away from Yugi's peaceful face and pulled the covers from the other side of the bed over, covering Yugi gently.

Yugi turned and cuddled into the sleek silk, nuzzling against his pillow. Completely oblivious as he slept.

Kaiba sat down beside Yugi. Watching him as he slept. The tension which had come to be present recently drained from him. As he finally gave into the urge and laid down next to Yugi, propped up on one arm, a thought came to him. Where on earth is Yami?

~*~*~

It was getting dark.

Yami watched absently as dusk started to settle. The sky above the cliffs giving him a clear and brilliant view of the setting sun. Rosy pinks, vivid orange and dusky blues shimmered above the ocean, the seat he was sitting in perfectly placed for the full effect.

I should go find Yugi. Yami didn't want to use the link, not wanting to flood Yugi with his worries and frustrations. So he only opened it enough to check where Yugi was. He quickly retreated when he realised that Yugi was asleep.

Standing, Yami backtracked around the miniature jungle, finding his way back perfectly. He jumped down the stairs and made his way across the derelict balcony and back into the mansion. The narrow and extremely dark stairs only seeming to emphasize how trapped he felt in this whole situation. Even though he knew he was here as Kaiba's guest because of the youth's feeling towards his aibou did nothing to assuage the uncomfortable feeling that he was becoming indebted to Kaiba.

When he got into the main part of the mansion, Yami sped up. The faint twang of excitement uncurling in his belly as he neared his love.

Yami stopped when he reached the rooms he shared with Yugi.

The door was open and a handful of staff had crowded around the opening.

Yami stilled and listened.

"Do you think we should wake them?" One girl asked. Yami frowned. Them?

"Hush girl. Kaiba-sama hasn't been sleeping easily. I say we leave them." One of the older male staff members glared at her.

Another voice piped up. "But he has that meeting he has to go to tonight."

The man scowled at him. "Kaiba-sama has been working too hard. He's still just a boy. Ring his secretary and get her to re-schedule. It can't be that important if he hasn't been in the office all day."

"So do we leave them?" The girl asked again.

This time it was an older woman. She had known the Kaiba boys since they had been brought home by Gozaburo Kaiba. "Leave them. Those two boys have done wonders since they've been here. I haven't seen Seto-san this happy for years. We'll let them be."

She stared meaningfully at each of the other members, including those who hadn't spoken. "I don't want to hear anything more. Back to work."

There were a few sighs as they broke up. Soon only the four who had spoken were left.

The girl giggled. "They do look cute like that, don't they?"

The two men rolled their eyes.

"Women."

After that they walked off.

Once they were out of sight, Yami crept up to the door. Opening it as quietly as he was able Yami stepped inside.

The lights had been turned off and a few small lamps were switched on instead, bathing the room with a soft glow. Cautiously, Yami stepped up to the bed and froze.

Yami's mind blanked.

He looked again.

Still the same.

Yami blinked and stalked over to the bed. The two figures tangled up in the bedsheets and each other's arms didn't move. He noted with a kind of detached relief that both Kaiba and Yugi were still dressed, but still....seeing Yugi wrapped in Kaiba's arms was still unsettling.

Yami walked over to Yugi's side of the bed and pulled off the boy's sneakers, dropping them on the floor with a muted thud. Glancing at his rival, Yami shrugged and did the same for him. Yami was relieved, and slightly disappointed that the only response he got was Kaiba groaning slightly and pulling Yugi tighter towards him.

Leaving Kaiba's shoes on the floor by the bed, Yami sat down beside his aibou and took off his own boots before sliding up next to Yugi.

Within moments he was asleep.

~*~*~

Yugi was the first one to wake up. Sitting up slightly he pushed off the arms holding him close. Yugi blinked. Arms?

He looked down.

Four sets of arms were cradled in his lap, slipped down from where he sat up. Yugi looked to his left. Seto? He glanced quickly to the body on the right. Yami? Yugi grinned. Not a small grin. This one was so large it threatened to split his face. Covering his mouth he let out a long string of gasping giggles.

Crawling off the bed he watched in amusement as both Kaiba and Yami gravitated to the center of the mattress and wound their arms around each other, still deeply asleep.

Oh my. I have got to get a picture of this. Creeping out the room, Yugi made his way down the hallway. He stopped one of the ever-present staff and requested a camera. He received a lifted brow from the man he'd stopped before following him to a study where the man rooted around in a large cupboard before handing him a compact digital camera. Yugi smiled and thanked him before making his way back rapidly to the bedroom.

Please be asleep. Please, please still be sleeping. Yugi repeated to himself like a mantra. He sighed in relief when he neared the room and heard no shouting or accusations. Entering silently he switched the camera on, glad that he knew how to use one since helping his grampa catalogue their stock the previous autumn for their online store.

A few clicks, beeps and minutes later the camera was ready.

Yugi carefully recorded everything, getting a few close-ups and some good pictures before setting it up on a nearby coffee table near the bed. Checking the angle and view.

This'll catch everything when they wake up. Yugi bounced lightly with glee. He rubbed his hands together excitedly before leaving. This'll be better if I'm not in the room.

Making his way to the kitchen, Yugi thought about his two loves. He shook his head. If I could just get them to see that they don't hate each other. Yugi frowned. Stubborn bakas.

Yugi pushed open the tall cream door to the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"Konban wa Yugi."

Yugi looked up. "Konban wa Tameo-tachi." Yugi yawned.

The chef shook his head at the youth. "Sleeping all day and still tired?" He asked with a smile.

"Yeah. I'm not quite awake yet."

Tameo snorted. "Want some hot chocolate?"

Yugi perked up. "With those little marshmallows?" He asked hopefully.

"If you like."

Yugi nodded rapidly. "Hai. Definitely."

Tameo pulled out a large high cup from a cupboard and started to heat up some milk. "So where's Kaiba-sama?"

Yugi smirked. "In bed. With Yami."

Tameo gaped. "Nani?? They'd kill each other first."

Yugi shook his head. "Not if they fell asleep with me in the middle first." Yugi stated dryly.

"You mean...." Tameo trailed off as he realised what must have happened. "Oh man. I have got to see this."

"I'm recording it. I'll make you a copy if you like."

Tameo snickered. "Yeah, except that Kaiba-sama would kill us." He thought for a second. "Well, maybe not you. But he'd kill me."

A gleam entered Yugi's violet eyes, making them shine mischeviously. "Only if he finds out."

Tameo's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean what I think you mean?"

Yugi waggled his brows. "Yup."

"Okay."

Yugi smirked.

"Done." Tameo whisked the milk up with some chocolate and poured it into the cup, dropping a few pink and white marshmallows on the top before passing it to Yugi.

Yugi took a sip and sighed with pleasure. "You have got to teach me how to make these."

Tameo rolled his eyes. "You know perfectly well how to make them."

"But yours taste better." He whined, hiding his grin.

Shaking his head at the youth Tameo poured himself a tall glass of orange and sat opposite Yugi. "Anything you want to talk about?" He asked.

Yugi glanced up to the wall clock. 11:32pm. Yugi shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of his drink.

"Have you ever wanted to just bang a few heads together, if only to knock some sense into them?" Yugi asked Tameo finally.

Tameo gave Yugi a knowing look. "Aa."

"Exactly! They're like two little kids sometimes. They fight so much that they can't see how attracted they are to each other."

Tameo didn't pretend not to understand. He gave a small sigh. "Maybe they just need some time? They are both Alpha males, so giving in to the other is going to be a very difficult choice for them to make."

"But they don't have to give anything up." Yugi said. "They both want me. I want both of them. They are attracted to each other." He paused, drooping his head. "I don't see what the problem is. Neither one of them would lose anything. They'd gain a lot, but they won't even try."

"I don't really know how to help Yugi-chan." Tameo said helplessly.

"It's okay. I'm glad I could just talk."

"Finding it hard to talk to your friends?"

Yugi nodded again. "Yeah. They have their own problems, and Jounouchi, Honda and Anzu aren't all that keen on Seto. They don't trust him. I can't really blame them though. Seto does like to bait Jou. So Honda and Anzu feel like they have to stick up for him."

"Aa. Yes, I can imagine."

"I's pretty funny sometimes. Especially now that Ryou has been seeing Jounouchi. All it takes is a look or a word from Ryou and Jou melts." Yugi smiled. "They're cute together." Although I sometimes wonder how Bakura takes all this.

They sat for a little while drinking their drinks. After about half an hour or so there was an almighty crash from upstairs the the muted sounds of shouting could be heard faintly.

Yugi and Tameo exchanged glances and Yugi rolled his eyes. "Here we go." He stated.

Tameo snorted and stood. He rinsed his cup out and put in the dishdrainer. "I'll see you in the morning." He drawled. "If you're still alive."

Yugi snickered. "Wish me luck."

"Luck."

Yugi was still grinning when Tameo left. He took another sip of his cooling chocolate and waited for the inevitable confrontation. It wasn't long in coming.

"YUGI!!"

"AIBOU!!"

Yugi gave a little forlorn sigh as he looked at his drink. He pushed it away and stood, making his way back to the door. "IN HERE!!" He yelled.

Two sets of footsteps were heard marching down the corridor to the kitchen. Yugi sat on the table, crosslegged (for the extra height) and waited.

Kaiba slammed the door open first, Yami a few seconds behind him.

I guess Seto made good use of those longer legs of his.

When Yugi had finished looking at those long legs his gaze led upwards. Right into beautiful deep blue.....er, furious, eyes. Yugi gulped.

"Er...."

"Damare!!" Kaiba spat at him.

"Kaiba!!" Yami barked out.

Kaiba glared at them.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" He growled at Yugi.

Yami turned, waiting for Yugi's answer.

"Er...."

"I'm waiting."

Yugi looked to Yami for reprieve. Seeing the sparks in his dark half's eyes Yugi blushed and ducked his head.

Yugi started rubbing the wood grain on the table, avoiding looking at both Kaiba and Yami. "I didn't mean to upset you both. You just seemed so er, kawaii like that. And you were both so tired, so I figured you wouldn't mind the extra sleep."

"We are not cute." Yami ground out.

Kaiba glanced at Yami. When Yami caught his glance Kaiba's cheeks pinked slightly.

"What?" Yami asked.

"Er..."

Yugi giggled. Kaiba seemed to be lacking words.

"Aaargh!" Yami threw his hands up in defeat and stalked out of the kitchen. "I'll be in the lounge if anyone wants to talk." He added, giving Yugi a pointed look before leaving.

Yugi hid a smirk. When Yami had left Kaiba spoke up.

"Why did you leave us like that?" He asked.

Yugi opened up his link with Yami before answering.

"Because I know that you happen to like Yami almost as much as you like me. And don't scowl like that Se-chan," Yugi added as he saw the look on Kaiba's face, "you know perfectly well that you can't fool me. I've seen the looks you've given him."

Kaiba glared at him. "I. Do. Not. Like. Yami."

"Yes you do. Maybe not so much as a friend, but that's because you haven't given him a chance. But I do know that you like him physically. Try and deny it Seto."

Kaiba ran a hand through his hair, barely making a difference in the sleep-mussed mass. "I....I can't." Kaiba pulled out a chair and spun it around before sitting. He rested his arms on the backrest.

"So why don't you tell him?" Yugi asked gently. He could feel the tension strumming down the link.

"Because he hates me." Kaiba looked at the floor. "And it's not right to you."

Yugi let out a huff. "Honestly Seto. Don't you ever listen to anything I say. I told you before that I don't mind. I prefer it actually. Yami and I are two halves of the same soul. So If you love me I can also see you loving him. Maybe not now, but one day. But only if you give him the chance."

I highly doubt Yami would hang around long enough to give me that chance." Kaiba stated bitterly.

Yugi thought for a moment.

"Yami is scared of something. Something which happened a long time ago." Yugi could feel the shock and horror filter down the bond. "I don't know quite what happened, but I know it has something to do with the way he feels for you. I know he's attracted to you. I can feel it thrum through my bones. But there's not much I can do. He needs to talk to you."

Kaiba snorted. "Yeah right. He'd probably tell me to shut up. Or run away. I can't figure out which yet."

Yugi clenched his fists in frustration. This is getting nowhere.

Letting everything out with a sigh, Yugi sent a pulse of reassurance down the bond to Yami and shut the link. "I'm going back to bed." He glanced up to the clock. The numbers were on 1:47am. "I'm tired again."

Kaiba jumped up, concern written across his face. "Do you want any help?" He asked.

"No, thank you. I'll be fine." Yugi cast a quick look over the table. "Would you wash out that cup for me Seto?" Yugi asked tiredly.

Kaiba nodded. "Sure." He picked up the cup."

"'Night Se-chan.""

Kaiba turned. His eyes softened. "Goodnight Yugi."

Yugi left quietly, shutting the door behind him. He wasn't surprised to find Yami waiting for him, sitting on the edge of the still unmade bed.

"Yami."

Yami tilted his head slightly and gave Yugi an unreadable look.

Yugi sighed and made his way to the bathroom, stripping and getting into the shower gratefully. He let the steam and warm water soothe him.

When he got out, wrapped in a towel so large it swamped him, Yami was still sitting on the bed. He hadn't moved. Yugi dried himself off and remade the bed, sliding under the sheets. He felt the bed move as Yami stood up.

"Are you getting in?" Yugi asked, not looking at Yami.

There was a rustle of clothing and Yugi felt the spirit slide in next to him, still wearing his boxers.

Yugi cuddled up to Yami, glad when Yami pulled him close and wrapped his arms around Yugi's chest.

They fell asleep.

~*~*~

Tbc...

~*~*~

Please read and review. I need the encouragement.

~Shi-koi~