Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Future of the Past ❯ Two- Gratitude ( Chapter 2 )

The Future of the Past

A Yu-GI-Oh! Fanfiction V2.0

By: Sanjuno Shori

Rating: R

Pairings: Seto/Jounouchi, Yami/Yugi

Warnings: AU, YAOI, slight skewing of minor details, blatant disregard of others, violence, abuse, hints of non-con, PastLife!Everybody

Disclaimers: Not mine so don't sue. Take my fic and die.

AUTHORS NOTES

"I'mmm ba~ack!"

Sanjuno grins as her head pops out of the bunker door, shiny silver crash helmet tilting crazily to one side.

"Yay! You're here! Now we can start the new and improved Part 2!"

She pushes herself out of the door and into the main room, spinning around on her computer chair as she rolls across the hardwood floor. She cracks her knuckles and pauses. Confused expressions on her face as she looks around, tail curving in question.

"Oh. That's what's missing. Well we can start just as soon as Reiai and Shinma get back here with the rest of the characters I'm using in this part."

Then the door opens and Seto walks in, dressed in the sexy, skin bearing outfit he wears as an Egyptian sorcerer-priest. Sanjuno beams at him.

"Seto-kun, you came back all on your own! And in character yet."

He smirks, eyeing the demon-tiger-cat girl who claps her hands together, the squares on the rubix cube orbiting her head flashing in reaction.

"Aa. I couldn't find the puppy anywhere else, so I thought I'd look in here."

"Well, you guessed right! He's hiding in here somewhere."

"Domo."

"Do itashimashite."

Kaiba looks around for a while and finally drags Jounouchi out from behind the potted Japanese maple tree in one of the many corners.

"There you are."

Jounouchi growls at Kaiba then squeaks and clings to him as the door to the hallway crashes open. Shinma, holding the dangling pharaoh by the back of his jacket, carries a resigned Yami in. Reiai leads an incredibly perky looking Yugi into the room by one hand.

"Oh good. You've found them!"

Sanjuno bounces in her chair, rubix cube spinning faster in excitement. Everyone stares at the floating, strobe light cube of squares for a moment before Shinma dares to speak.

"What in fuck is that thing?"

Sanjuno looks blank before pointing up at the cube, it balances on her finger by one point and spins.

"It's the Agapuhrcocaama."

"Eh?"

"The Almighty Great and Powerful Un/Holy (please specify alignment) Rubix Cube of Chaos, Anarchy, and Mild Annoyance."

"Oh."

Not much else to say to that.

"… Are we going to start the fic now?"

"Hmm?"

Sanjuno looks up from where she was absently playing `Catch My Fingers' with Raven. Blinks.

"Eh, toss them in, this part is ready to go."

There's a whoosh of displaced air as the floor opens up and drops the characters into their roles. Shinma and Reiai pop into chibi form and perch atop Sanjuno's head as the click of keys replaces the fading screams of shock.

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Recap:

A thin sigh that ended in a bloody gurgle slid from the mans lips as he toppled over onto the sand, the slightly damaged, but still whole card fluttering to the ground after him. Jounouchi removed his knife from between the dead mans ribs, slicing once across the neck to make certain of death before wiping the knife clean on the thief's cloak.

Standing up with a slight wobble the blond turned gold eyes to where the card lay face up on the loosely packed sand. A presence behind him, the feeling of eyes on his back made him turn around. Slowly, almost against his will, Jounouchi's eyes were drawn to where the great beast crouched.

The sight of the monster filled his vision as he looked up...

And stared deep into the dark blue eyes of the dragon.

Tsuzuku

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The Future of the Past

Chapter 2: Gratitude, Lives Lived by Chance

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`Oh Gods, now what the hell am I going to I do? Stupid to run out like that, but little idiot me can't just let the monster be destroyed.'

The Blue-Eyes rumbled deep in it chest as it lowered its head to look at Jounouchi, cocking its head to one side as if trying to figure the small human out.

Jounouchi squeaked, then cleared his throat and tried again.

"Are you… alright? I mean, are you in any danger or pain from the rip? I would feel very bad if you were. Hurting that is. Do you need to be taken to some sort of special craftsman to have your card repaired or anything? I could do that! Take you to a craftsman I mean, but what sort of craftsmen could repair a monster card? I've never heard about any that could do that. But if you could tell me where to go I'm good at following directions! I could But if I did take you anywhere I'd have to make sure I don't get caught. Because then I'd have to explain what I was doing out here, and where I was going, and..."

Jounouchi clamped his mouth shut to prevent further babbling. Dark visions of the consequences of being caught dancing in macabre glee through his mind. Staring up in trepidation at the shining behemoth that he was aware could reduce him to a Jou-cinder in about three seconds.

Another rumble emitted from the Blue-Eyes as it spoke.

+And… what little human? Tell me what it is you will not say. I am curious.+

Jounouchi flinched, seeming to shrink into himself. Voice harsh with repressed emotion. Anger, sadness, resignation… and fear.

"And… I would likely be killed or beaten so hard I would wish I were dead."

+You are a slave.+

"Yes, is it that obvious?"

Jounouchi asked rhetorically in a cold, dry voice.

A rumble of a different was produced this time, and Jounouchi realized that the dragon was laughing. He grew angry that a monster, a being as much a slave as he was, would find humor in his misery. His gold eyes flashed with suppressed feeling as anger and hurt pride fueled and re-energized his spirit, the blond slave tried again.

"Do you want me to return you to your owner? I think I could find a way to do that much at least."

The white dragon growled, it was a lost, hurting sound. It was strange to hear it coming from so formidable a creature.

+My former master is dead. I was to be sold to some other noble when that worthless lump of flesh stole me.+

The great head motioned to the cooling corpse that Jounouchi was still standing beside. The blond teen made a face and moved away, placing both the knife and card beside the now extinguished torch. Turning back to the Blue-Eyes he asked.

"So you aren't one of the High Priests dragons then."

+No.+

"Well, that explains why you were able to be stolen in the first place, and why you were able to attack the one who summoned you. What did he think he was doing anyway? Everyone knows that the thief who stole them cannot use stolen cards. He would have been better off selling you and then buying you back after a little while. From the look of things he was either really stupid or a foreigner."

+So it would seem.+

The large dragon seemed to have lost some of his amusement at the mention of his theft. Jounouchi felt some of his anger slip away. He could sympathize with the creature; it wasn't much fun to be property with no control over your own destiny.

"So, that means you're the fourth Blue Eyes White Dragon, um... What do you want me to do with you?"

Jounouchi let go of the rest of his hurt feelings, reminded of the large, uncontrolled destructive force he was currently talking with. He started to fiddle with the heavy collar around his neck in a nervous gesture.

+What are those? I do not recall seeing other slaves wearing such things.+

The dragon ignored Jounouchi's question.

"These?"

Jounouchi cast a disgusted look at his restraints, choosing to ignore the deliberate change of subject for now.

"These are to keep me from calling up my monsters."

+You have a deck? I though slaves were forbidden such things.+

The dragon sounded downright surprised at the idea of property having property.

"They, I mean we, aren't."

Jounouchi corrected himself, silently cursing the slip.

"But I wasn't always a slave you know. When I was younger I was free, that's when I got my deck. It isn't really powerful like the nobles, but it's mine."

+I see. What is your name little human?+

It was his turn to be surprised. Jounouchi looked up at the gleaming silver monster.

"My name? It's Jounouchi, but everyone just calls me Jou. It's easier to say."

+Very well then, I shall make you deck more powerful Master Jou.+

Gaping at the Blue-Eyes with complete and utter confusion, it was a while before Jounouchi could gather enough of his scattered wits to speak.

"What? Me? Your Master? Why?!"

The dragon rumbled out its strange laugh again.

+Because you endangered you life to preserve my existence, risking everything on the chance that you might be able to incapacitate the thief on the first blow. You did not assume that because you had won, I automatically belonged to you as spoils. Because I can see, you care. Because I can see your strength, Master Jou, you have earned my ownership.+

Awed and completely humbled the slave scuffed at the dirt.

"I'm not anything great. It just wasn't right to let him destroy you because he was a coward."

He looked up, eyes shimmering suspiciously in the light of the torch.

"Are you sure you want me? I mean, there are stronger people out there to belong to."

+They do not deserve me. They do not need me. You do. They have not earned my loyalty as you have.+

The white dragon curled up on the sand, watching as the shining gold eyes of the slave boy continued to regard him in a daze of shock.

"I, I... alright have it your way."

Jou shook his head in disbelief.

"But don't say that I never gave you a chance to change your mind!"

The Blue-Eyes nodded its large head, glimmers of light dancing playfully along the white scales.

+Very well Master Jou, I shall remember. I am named Cobalt.+

"Cobalt... when I pick up that card again, you'll be forced back to the Shadow Realm... Can I, would you mind if..."

The desire and loneliness were easily read on the blonde's face, and the newly adopted monster heard the echo of his master's thoughts, and the feeling of a raw, painful void, directed towards him from along the forming bond.

Silently the giant wings were rearranged as the dragon shifted, bringing Jounouchi into the center of its loose coil. The teen curled up against the silver scales, feeling the closeness of a bond that had been missing for nearly five years, and he cried.

Under the light of the desert night sky, tucked beneath the wings of a dragon, he sobbed as the great beast crooned, attempting to comfort the young teen. The pain of the past five years spilled from him, and only the great bulk of solid warmth kept him from losing it completely.

When the flow of tears stopped, Jou sniffled and wiped his eyes, hugging the area of the serpentine neck just behind Cobalt's head.

"Thank you."

Jounouchi whispered his words against the great neck as he rested his cheek against the scales.

+It was my pleasure Master Jou.+

Smiling again, for what felt like the first time in decades the blond slave pushed off and slid towards the ground. Looking up at the sky Jounouchi cursed, it was later than he had thought. Bitter disappointment filled him as he quickly did what had to be done.

"Cobalt, could you get rid of the body please? I really need to get back before they find me gone."

+Of course.+

The rush of flame lasted until there was nothing but a scorched mark on the ground, Jounouchi turned back to his new Dragon, his newest friend. Tears pricked his gold eyes, as he hugged the dragon's neck again and dropped a daring kiss between its dark blue eyes.

"Goodbye."

He whispered softly into the lightening dark, and picked up the card. The rush filled the air again, and he did not bother to look at where the dragon had been, instead he ran. With tears blurring his vision, Jounouchi ran the entire way back to his master's home.

It was hard to deal with being alone again, the pain of the void in his life all more the sharp for having been relieved for a few scant hours.

His emotional pain was so distracting, Jounouchi almost welcomed the beating he received for sneaking out.

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Humming quietly to himself Jounouchi wandered around the sleeping city, it was three moons (3 months) since he had saved Cobalt from the thief, and he had managed to mostly escape his new master's notice. It was the busy season right after the floods; everyone was too busy with the planting to care much about one little house slave.

Sighing and stretching his arms out the blond savored the feeling of being without pain, glad for once to have been sold again. As he rounded a corner, he was suddenly made aware of the sound of running feet. Mainly because the owner of said feet had just crashed full-tilt into his chest.

A double `Oof!' and they both landed in a tangle on the street. The person who had just crashed into Jounouchi was smaller than he himself was, and was currently struggling frantically to escape the tangle.

"Hey, hey! Calm down!"

Finally getting loose from each other, the two boys were startled by the sound of more running feet, heavier than their own. A panicked look placed itself firmly on the other boy's face as he registered the sound.

"We have to get out of here! If they catch up to me then we're both as good as dead!"

Jounouchi found his wrist grabbed and without further prompting, they were racing together down the shadowed streets.

Gasping in an attempt to get air into his burning lungs the strange boy continued to pull Jou down the streets. Noticing both the other boys fatigue and the fact that he really did not seem to know where he was going encouraged Jounouchi to take the lead.

"Follow me!"

Once he was certain that they had lost their pursuers Jounouchi ducked into a small alley, through a crack in the wall, and up to the space under the roof of an old storage building. Together they collapsed onto the dusty floor, panting for breath.

Once the spots in front of his eyes had faded Jou sat up and looked at his companion. Large purple eyes, gold bangs, black hair tipped with red, pale skin... a sinking feeling made itself known in the blonds stomach when he saw the delicate ornamental gold slave collar around the other boys neck.

"Hey you, why were we running from those guys?"

Sitting upright and turning to face the other slave the smaller boy answered Jounouchi's question in a slightly shaky voice.

"They stole me from my masters home. I-I don't know what they wanted with me, but if… if they'd caught us I sure they would have killed you just for seeing me."

Relieved not to be caught up in anything more disastrous than a foiled theft Jounouchi sighed.

"So you weren't trying to run away from your owner then."

The already wide violet eyes grew even more in shock at the suggestion.

"No! I'd never dream of leaving Yami!"

Oh wonderful, he's loyal to his master. Hope whoever he is deserves it. Jou chuckled without humor.

"Great to hear that. I really don't feel like getting beaten for attempted theft tonight thank you very much."

The taller boy sighed again and ran a hand through his blond hair.

"So where exactly is your masters place? We should try to get you back there so we can avoid running another marathon."

The smaller slave giggled.

"That sounds like a plan to me! I live at the palace, it should be easy to find."

"The palace?!"

Jounouchi goggled, jaw flapping, totally blind-sided by the revelation made by the delicate slave beside him.

"I was wondering who was important enough for someone to want to steal their slave! Your master must be pretty high up there. Especially if you live in the Palace."

The other slave boy blushed fetchingly.

"Yeah, I suppose you could say that."

"Well, now that we've settled that, we'd better get a move on before I'm missed back at my Masters place. My name's Jounouchi by the way, but everybody who gives a shit calls me Jou."

Blinking a little at the language the other slave clasped Jou's hand firmly. Very firmly for a slightly built personal slave, which he was if Jounouchi was to make a guess.

"I'm Yugi. It's nice to meet you, Jou."

Snorting Jou released Yugi's hand.

"Awful polite for a slave, just how old are you Yugi?"

Violet eyes blinked in a perfect picture of innocence. Jounouchi had to wonder how much of it was real.

"I'm ten and four floods."

Jounouchi fell over rather theatrically in shock.

"No way! You're the same age as I am? You look so much younger!"

Yugi flushed and managed to direct a small glare at the sprawled teen that grinned up at him through disheveled blonde bangs.

"Yes, I know I'm short, but I'm not a child."

Laughing the glare off Jounouchi cautiously eased his head out of their hiding place to take a look around. He looked down at the streets around them and listened carefully. Finally satisfied he turned back to the other slave and waved him over.

"We should be able to get outta here now, just remember to stay quiet. I think that the rooftops are probably our safest bet. Can you handle it?"

Nodding at the other boy to show he understood and wearing a determined expression Yugi climbed out from under the roof after Jounouchi. They were as quick and silent as they could be, keeping an eye out for anybody watching them. They had made it a good distance without incident when Yugi suddenly pulled on the back of Jounouchi's shirt.

Puzzled he turned around, noticing that the other boy was looking away from him.

"Yugi? Is there something wrong?"

Yugi shook his head, then he pointed at a group of palace guards that appeared to be lead by two nobles.

"No, look down there! That's my master!"

Blinking at the smaller teens obvious excitement Jounouchi wondered what it was like to have a master you wanted to come looking for you, and what sort of person Yugi was to be this devoted. Stop that! Jounouchi shook his head; those kinds of thoughts are dangerous. Hope and daydreams can get you killed. He stopped looking at the group walking below them when Yugi started climbing down the side of the building they were standing on.

Following after his new friend Jounouchi finally thought to ask the other boy which one of the nobles was his master.

"The one in red."

Yugi's voice was distracted as he looked for a new handhold.

The shorter of the two nobles was the one wearing red, the other was taller and dressed in blue. Once they had made it to the ground Yugi rushed out of the alley.

"Master Yami!"

Whirling around at the sound of the shout the red clad noble caught Yugi in mid-leap, hanging back Jou stuck to the shadows of the alley. Watching how Yugi's master was fussing over him Jounouchi felt a pang of something like jealousy, and then he noticed the startling resemblance between the two. Yugi's master, Yami, was taller, more muscular, and his slanted eyes were red, but the hair and facial features were the same. As Jou was trying to find more differences and similarities between the two, he noticed the gold gleam coming from between them.

Great Ra... Every living thing in Egypt knew what that was, the Millennium Puzzle, it belonged to the Pharaoh. That meant that Yugi was the Pharaoh's slave. He'd been running around with royal property. Jounouchi laughed at himself. Well, I suppose it's a good thing to have friends in high places, and you don't get much higher than the Pharaoh's bed!

Moving his gaze to the other noble, the one who was wearing blue, Jounouchi felt a shock run through him as he looked into eyes of azure fire. Gold and sapphire met with a frightening intensity, and Jounouchi found himself unable to look away from the tall, brown haired teen.

Amber eyes took in the well-muscled form, the intent, predatory set of his features, and the gold rod that hung from his belt. Fuck, I'm gaping at the High Priest like an idiot! Jounouchi felt like reality had crashed to a screeching halt all around him, as he drowned in blue flame that reached deep inside to bathe his soul.

The Pharaoh said something to the High Priest, who nodded without taking his eyes from Jounouchi's. Then the blue eyed teen took a step forward. Jounouchi could physically feel it as the tension holding him in one place grew tighter, fierce, it scared him with its intensity. So he did the only thing he could think of...

He ran.

At which point things start to get really interesting.

Tsuzuku

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END NOTES

The characters drop heavily into the waiting beanbag chairs as the chapter ends. A red eyed white rabbit dashes through the space between Kaiba and Yami then scurries under the bad. They stare wide-eyed at each other, hair attractively mussed. Yami is the first to speak.

"… The hell?"

Sanjuno grins at him as the Agapuhrcocaama drifts lazily around her head, twinkling merrily.

"The Plot Bunnies breed like anything. Their tunnels are bloody everywhere."

"Oh."

"Yeah, it plays merry hell with the spatial variances and reality conduits. Not to mention the structural integrity of the entire frelling sub-space construct."

Blink.

………

"Um…"

Shinma grinned at Yugi from where he was draped across the love seat.

"What Meijin-sama means is that trying to focus on one idea at a time drives her starkers. Her imagination tends to run a little wild, and she has loads of ideas."

Reiai nodded in agreement. He was sitting cross-legged in mid air above the place where his brother reclined.

"Sanjuno-meijin doesn't focus on any particular series either, which just adds to the problem."

They all looked over at the author. Sanjuno is scribbling madly in a journal with a faux-leather cover. It has `Fanfiction' scrawled across the front in gold glitter glue and loose pieces of notepaper stick out here and there. Raven is playing `Catch the Pencil' while the Aqapuhrcocaama hovers just to the front of the book and projects a rapid fire series of images. Some still shots and others animated. Sanjuno has completely ignored everything that happened after she finished speaking.

"What's that book?"

Reiai looks at Jounouchi.

"It's where she records her idea's. She gets struck by inspiration and puts it down in there."

Jounouchi looks thoughtful, then notices the pieces of a broken sledgehammer with `Inspiration' carved into the side of the metal part lying beside the chair where Sanjuno sits.

Silence.

Sanjuno looks up, eyes refocusing on her surroundings.

"Well, be ready for the new part three, it should be here very, very soon."

"How soon is soon?"

"Soon enough."

Sanjuno grins at the twitches produced by the vague answer. She taps one of the small, curling ram horns that grows from her temple and pulls out a checklist.

"Hmm… Ah, right then. Time for the traditional, ask/beg for response from readers. Okay, so did you people out there in reader-land like the changes? Hate them? Tired of waiting for me to get part six up? First time reading trough and want to tell me how great I am? How much I suck? Please direct all comments, praise, criticism and flames towards their proper destination. Remember that I haven't got a bloody clue as to where you live. Ta luvs."

They wave bye-bye; Sanjuno makes Raven's paw move up and down. The cat looks rather offended.