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Winding Road	By : lostintheheartland Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 5139 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or make any profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
Seto was more than missing him. He was snarling and fighting the shadow bonds Atemu had placed around him. “Release me. You saw that thing. It’s a summoning stone. She is going to summon a god. He can’t deal with...”

“I’ve already spoken to my father. He is handling it. We are to stay out of it.” In the brief glimpse they’d had before their Udjat observing globe had been destroyed by the power of the talisman, they’d both seen enough to be afraid for Jou. But Atemu had knowledge Seto didn’t – that the stone was more powerful than it should have been. It was not something they should mess with still wearing their mortal coils. He’d called for his father and relayed what they’d seen. His father had taken the information and sworn to do what was necessary – then instructed Atemu to keep the arrogant priest under control – they didn’t need an elemental soul going into melt down.

Light energy sparked around Seto as he fought to break the bonds. Atemu was forced to call for Yugi. He’d been comforting Anzu and Genmi since they’d banished Honda. His light half hurried into the room. “Yes Ate... Oh! What’s happened? Did Jou go with her again?”

“No. She brought an unexpected guest. I contacted my father and he is handling it, but Seto...” He gestured to the straining, sparking, raging man. “He’s...”

“Well what can this guest do?” Yugi wrapped his arms around Atemu’s waist, feeding him his energy with a simple touch.

“Worst case would be to try to force a bond to Jou’s soul – elemental souls can’t be divided or bonded to others. They... if it is attempted it will destroy everything.”

“What?” Yugi blinked in shock.

Atemu sighed and increased the energy to subdue Seto. His cousin had gotten much stronger. “The elementals are called that for a reason. They are the basics of everything – everything springs from them. They created the gods, the heavens and the earth. Everything is made up from the Elementals. They created the Proteus Gods with their thoughts – the earth with their desires. The four elements are the beginning and the end. To divide even one is to rip away one quarter of all existence.”

“Oh gods! No wonder Jou was causing rifts without knowing it. But why doesn’t he know?” Yugi wondered as he sent more power into the containing bands.

“Because the Elemental Souls come to earth as a kind of vacation – a place to experience their desire for pleasure, for pain, for loss, for love. To do that they choose to lock away their knowledge. Their souls are divided because a single being with even locked power, with a man’s weakness, could destroy the balance of creation. When the two halves leave this plane they join and become one for eternity – or it’s next vacation.”

Yugi’s breath left him in a gasp. “So we disappear after this life? Become one being?”

“No. The soul is a separate entity, but the spirit... the spirit is separate as well. My spirit is Atemu, yours is Yugi. Our spirits are made up all of our experiences here on earth, of the energy and knowledge we gather. They are separate from our soul. Our soul is the soul of Fire. We, you and I will ascend to our rightful place, as will all the spirits who reside with the elemental souls. But... the soul will leave us. It has no place in the realm of spirits, and the realm of souls is not where we will belong.”

“So we won’t be soul mates?” That devastated Yugi.

“We will always be joined heart and spirit. And we will always have shared a soul. Our bond is immutable.” Atemu comforted his love gently even as he turned up the energy again to contain his wildly glowing cousin.

Abruptly Seto stilled, his power dying. “Let me go.” He ordered tersely.

“I can’t. You mustn’t interfere.”

“I won’t. The viewing globe is back.” Yugi and Atemu released him instantly.
Blue eyes flicked past them. Rah stood in front of Seto’s porch. Jou, spiked hair listing, eyes wide and shocked, stared at the god. A woman of unearthly beauty was staring at Rah, stammering out excuses. In just a few minutes Rah had sent the goddess packing, sending Mai’s soul with her.

Seto gave a soft grunt of satisfaction. “Bitch won’t be back.”

“Wait Seto, there’s more, you know there is.” Atemu warned.

With eyes narrow in speculation he watched as Otogi’s soul and spirit were placed within the sprawled body of Mai, then woken with Rah’s commands and exit. Seto was torn between pride at Jou’s quick thinking in calling Marik and annoyance that his lover hadn’t even considered calling him.

Anzu poked her head around the door just as Marik appeared on screen. “Oh.” She was surprised, never having actually seen a viewing globe before, but she didn’t back away. “What’s going on?”

Yugi took her hand and squeezed gently. Atemu wrapped an arm around each of them. “Watch. Jou will explain it better than we can.”

And he did. Sure it was a little chaotic, but Marik’s summing up brought it clear. Anzu exclaimed “Oh god! Poor Otogi! And Honda! They’re going to need our help. Otogi is going to be clueless. He’s never been female and being pregnant is about the worst it can get. We have to go help him.”

“Anzu?” Atemu blinked at her. “Have you forgotten what they did you us? To you? To Genmi?”

“They made mistakes. We all did. But we’re still friends inside. I forgive them. They’re going to need us all to get through this. Besides, I think I’m going to need the moral support. After all we’re both carrying unusual kids.” She smiled. “It’ll be nice to have another woman to talk to.”

“Anzu...” Yugi was troubled. “What about Genmi?”

“She is yours and Atemu’s daughter. Honda will have his own baby to worry about. He’ll be so grateful to have Otogi back, with baby bonus and the promise of more babies, he will not think about Genmi.” She smiled optimistically. “Let’s go to Bakura’s and Ryou’s.”

Yugi glanced at Atemu for guidance. Atemu shrugged and smiled. “Yes, Dear.” He frowned and glanced over at Seto. “You’re coming too. We’ll need your insight and you need to calm down. You can’t just show up, Jou will know you were watching.” A glance at the globe showed Jou undressing for the shower. Atemu smirked and waved the ball out of existence. “He’s obviously going to de-stress. Let’s go.”

“But I...” Grumbling, but knowing he’d acquiesce “We’d just started watching him again. I wanted to see the mess he made of my bathroom.”

“It’ll be cleaned by the time you get back.” Yugi reassured. “Now let’s go.” In a rare show of power, displaying his equality to his darker half, Yugi sent out beams of light, bringing them to Bakura and Ryou’s house.

***

Jou sighed and flopped back on the bed he shared with Seto. The gel had been easy to scrub out, or perhaps he’d simply been motivated. But whatever the reason his hair was clean and normal colored in no time. He’d even blow dried it into it’s new style. He’d worn it in a ‘neat, all American’ style for so long that it had been a shock to see it in the mirror. Of course he’d been too preoccupied with mental anguish and physical healing to worry about trims and styles, and it had grown out several inches. His hair had been a disaster. He was vaguely surprised that Seto hadn’t said something. His lover was meticulous in his grooming, getting trims every three weeks. That Seto enjoyed the scent and feel of the wild silken mane never occurred to Jou. Jou had barely noticed his own shaggy mane until Seto had mentioned Vic getting his hair cut.

This new cut, chin length, with full sides and a layered top and messy bangs, was classic surfer, but it suited his face and made his eyes appear deep and mysterious. It looked good, very good. He hoped Seto thought so too.

Thinking of Seto Jou grabbed his cell from the bedside table and called him. This shit had been weird. Maybe Seto could talk to him about it. To his relief he answered on the second ring. “Kaiba.”

“Hey Seto. Some weird shit went down here. Thought I’d let ya know.”

“What’s that? Jou?” Seto’s voice was distant, and Jou could hear a lot of people talking and the chink of glasses or cutlery.

“Yeah it’s me Seto...” More noise “Sounds like a party.” He half-joked, half-asked.

“Ngh... not really.” Seto’s voice sounded more distant than ever. There was a thump followed by several thuds, then a woman’s voice, one he didn’t recognize, but that sent shiver’s of sexual awareness down his spine, spoke into the phone. “He’s busy right now. He’ll have to get back to you.” The connection ended, leaving Jou white faced and furiously staring at the phone. Without hesitation he grabbed his Udjat and keyed in his ‘observe mode. Seto, sprawled on a futon, lay in abandon as a woman with long blue-black hair knelt next to him, sliding his cell phone in his pocket with intimate familiarity.

“What the fuck?” Jou growled and closed the observation ball. No way was he going to watch Seto get laid by some bimbo. Rage and betrayal tore through him. Seto was fucking some bimbo while he was fighting for his soul? No fucking way. When that asshole got home he’d knock the shit... He stopped right there. Why should he wait? Malik had Vic. Why the hell shouldn’t he just go and push the bitch off Seto and pound the hell out of his... his... loving friend for even considering her. Quick as a wink he hit the button on his Udjat and willed himself to where Seto was.

Seto was standing beside the futon he’d just climbed from, glaring at Gaia with glacial eyes. “Keep your hands to yourself. Goddess of Earth or not I’m not some...”

A flash of shadows and Jou stepped into the room. With a glare that would stop traffic he scorched first the woman lolling on the couch, then his... then Seto. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Jou?” Honda’s broken, raspy voice came from his right. “Man, thanks for comin’. I
really need ya.”

The blond barely spared a glance around the room. Atemu, Bakura, Ryou, Marik, Mai, Honda, Seto and the black haired woman were scattered around. Mai-Otogi was sobbing in Marik’s arms, Atemu and Bakura were standing next to Honda, holding him back from who knew what, and Ryou was standing quietly watching everyone. Jou didn’t hesitate, he didn’t care about anyone else but Seto. “Who the fuck is she? Why th’ hell was she all over ya? An’ what da fuck are you doin’ here instead of China?” He challenged his blue-eyed lover directly.

“She is Gaia, Goddess of the Earth. She came to discuss the child Maitogi is carrying. She seems to think I would be willing to give her a child. I shoved her off me and told her to get lost. I’m here because of an emergency call from Marik about Maitogi.” Seto glared back “What the fuck happened when Mai came to our home?”

“Wha... She tried ta make me her soul mate or somethin’. Harpy Goddess, weird candles and floating rocks, then Rah came and took her soul away. He brought Otogi’s back an’ put it in her body. How th’ fuck did ya know she came ta call?”

There was a barely discernable pause, then Seto snapped “Well I’m here aren’t I? Of course I’ve heard what happened. More to the point, why are you here?”

Jou’s face went slack in shock and realization. He’d come because Seto was with someone else. It had pissed him off, infuriated and hurt him. He’d come to knock the bitch on her ass and make sure Seto knew that he was Jou’s...

‘Holy fuck! No goddamn way. This can’t be happening.’ He shrieked at himself. He’d come here because he was jealous of Seto... Jealous that the other man had looked at, touched, a woman... not just a woman, but touched anyone but him. His skin burned dark red and his eyes went wide with horror. He and Seto were loving friends, they’d agreed to care for each other, love each other, but were not in love. Jou had no right to be jealous if Seto chose to be with anyone. None, and he had no right to be relieved at Seto’s explanation. “Uh... uhm...” He stammered incoherently, his face telling everyone watching what he was thinking.

Seto maintained his controlled façade when all he wanted to do was pull his red-faced, sputtering lover into a kiss. A jealous Jounouchi was more than he’d hoped for. Jealous, possessive... and incredibly hot. “Whatever brought you here must have been important. You’re only wearing your pajama bottoms.” Seto felt justified in pointing that out. He loved to see the color on Jou’s face and that brought a fresh wave. Yes it was mean, but nobody ever accused him of being nice. “Well?” Seto demanded coolly.

“I uh...” Jou was saved by Honda breaking in to the tight moment.

“He came for me Kaiba. He knew I’d need him and he came.” Honda’s bloodshot, tear blurred eyes fastened on him in desperation. “Ya know what’s goin’ on don’tcha? Mai’s lost her mind and Otogi’s dead. They say you were there but I want to know... Help me figure this out.”

Jou fastened Honda’s problem. “Okay look, Mai showed up at our home tonight. Said all kinda weird shit, summoned a Harpy Goddess,” He gestured to the black haired woman sitting provocatively on the couch. “Her daughter I think. Now that I look I can see they look alike. Anyway, Mai promised the kid she was pregnant with to the Harpy if she would join our souls. Uh, Celaeno agreed until Rah showed up. Rah basically sent her home ta her mommy and sent Mai’s spirit with her as payment for the trouble Mai caused. I didn’t know Otogi was dead until Rah brought him out and stuck him in Mai’s body. So, uh, Mai is gone and Otogi is pregnant. Uh... but since Otogi is dead, he’s gotta be Mai.”

Honda’s eyes were wide, stunned. “So Otogi is Mai? And Mai is gone? But Mai was pregnant so now Otogi is pregnant?”

“Yeah, pretty much. Her eyes changed colors, but that kinda makes sense too. They say th’ eyes are th’ window to th’ soul.” Jou nodded. “But ya can check it easy enough. Ya lived with Otogi fer years. Ya must know somethin’ that only Otogi would know that ya can ask Mai – eh... yeah I’m gonna call her Mai. Otogi is dead and everyone knows that body as Mai.”

“You are as crazy as everyone else.” Honda was backing away from him, his eyes wide and rolling. “Either that or I’m crazy.”

Jou sighed “Yeah that’s possible too.” He shrugged “But why don’tcha just ask her a question only Otogi would know.”

“You expect me to play into this madness?” He snarled. “I never thought you would all be this cruel. My lover, my soul mate committed suicide because of me. Maybe I deserve the torture...” He covered his eyes with his fingertips, blotting tears. “But I can’t take it... Otogi...” He whimpered into his hands. Anguish and regret doubling him over.

“Red rice.” Jou jumped slightly as Mai’s voice, or rather Mai’s voice minus the nasally tones and accent, said softly, then repeated “Red rice. The first time I took you I served you red rice in bed. It was fitting... because I love you and it was your first time. I told you... that being a virgin meant never being taken by a man. I was your first and only man... Red rice is what I served you. We have eaten it in bed on each of our anniversaries since.”

Raw pain and disbelief were etched in Honda’s features as he lifted his head to meet the soft green gaze that he’d last seen glazed in death. “How...” Faster than anyone could expect he leapt across the room and grabbed the blond woman by her shoulders, shaking roughly. “How... How did you know that!” He screamed in torment.

Gentle hands, warm with life and love, so different from the corpse’s he’d been holding only a while before, yet the same... the touch felt the same... cupped his face. “Because I was there. I can tell you more, I can tell you about the time we made love on the chief’s desk, or the time I jacked you off at the awards banquet. You came just in time for me to zip you up before you had to stand and accept an award. Or the time you tied me to the bedpost and used your baton to...” But the words were muffled by Honda’s hand. Searching eyes probed the tear-drenched, familiar eyes for long, long moments. Belief and hope were stirring deep inside Honda’s soul. “Otogi... it’s you?”

Tears falling, the blonde woman nodded. “Yes.” She spoke through the muffling hand.

Then the hand was gone and Honda was straining her close, burying his lips against hers. It was different, the angle off, but a few adjustments and it was the same, the warmth, the love, the total rightness of Otogi in his arms. If he’d kissed her he’d have known instantly. Why had he bothered with questions? It was his last thought as his grief gave way to joy and love. He’d worry about how later... this was all he cared about. He was lost in the kiss, trying to pour his heart and soul into it, all of his grief, love and joy when he was abruptly shoved away.

Mai glanced around wildly and bolted for the nearest door. “Oh goodness.” Ryou sighed as the sound of retching reached them. “I hope she made it to the bathroom.”

“What...”

Anzu rolled her eyes and moved to follow. “Probably morning sickness – and before you ask – it can happen any time. Mai probably fasted for the ritual and her body has gone through some changes. She needs some crackers and perhaps milk.” With a nod she left them to it.

Honda looked around with stunned eyes. “He... He’s pregnant?”

“She.” Gaia corrected as she sat up and primly arranged her skirt. “Otogi Ryugi is in the body of a female, so she is pregnant. I rarely allow males to get pregnant. It upsets the natural order.” She shrugged and gave Seto a flirtatious glance. “Are you sure you don’t want to become my consort?”

“Positive. You are not my type.”

Her dark eyes flicked to Jou and a mischievous grin crossed her lips. “I can see why.” Standing she straightened her skirt. “Fine, I’ll tell you what I came to say. Mai carries my great-grandchild. The father was the Avatar of my grandson Zeus.”

There were several gasps around the room and Gaia nodded “Yes, it is the first progeny born of our Pantheon in centuries. It is vital that the child reaches maturity because our Pantheon is fading in strength and needs the modern world to embrace and enrich us.” With a long look at Seto she smiled again and kissed his cheek, then disappeared in a woodsy scented mist.

“Well damn. Who called her?” Bakura asked, uncomfortable with the first Goddess created from the Chaos of the four Elemental Souls.

“I did.” Atemu spoke firmly. “We needed to know whose child Mai carried. My house – Pantheon – is at war with a few others. For the most part we co-exist with the Greek and Romans, but there are a few...” he trailed off “It would be bad for a child of one of those houses to be around our children.”

“Oh.” Bakura sighed “Fucking politics. Fine so what did we learn?”

Anzu, leading Mai back into the room, glanced around. “What’s happened?”

“Nothing really. Mai...Otogi... Mai... is carrying the child of Zeus’s Avatar.” Yugi explained softly.

Otogi, from inside Mai’s body, groaned. “Great, just great. Wasn’t he Hercules’s father? Wasn’t he huge? Damn...”

“We will all get through it.” Marik reassured gently. “Here is Ryou with a snack. Eat. We will all feel better once we eat.”

Jou shook his head and stepped back. “Nah, not for me. I got no place in this. Ya don’t need me ta figure out about babies an’ gods. I’m headin’ for bed. Otogi – glad yer alive. Honda, good luck and congrats. Uhm... and yeah, see ya all later.” He didn’t dare glance at Seto. He was too scared of what he’d see. Seto was too smart to have missed that he’d been jealous with a capital ‘J.’ As he pulled out his Udjat he waved casually in the brunet’s direction. “Have fun in China.” In an implosion of shadows he disappeared.

“Well...” Atemu stared at the area where Jou had stood just a moment before. “Now that’s interesting.”

“What is?” Yugi asked softly.

“He used his own power. And he...” There was a burst of light and Seto disappeared too. “Oh progress.”

“What’s going on Atemu?” Yugi’s voice held shades of concern.

“Just Jounouchi and Seto sending sparks.” Bakura grinned. “We’re going to miss the fireworks though. I have a feeling if we tried to watch we’d be blasted into the next millennia.”

“Yes.” Atemu smiled and turned to everyone. “Otogi – Mai. We have to call you Mai from now on.”

“I know. I...” The blonde glanced at Honda. “I’ll adjust. Or maybe legally change my name to something I like. I’ve always liked the name Meiryu...”

***

Jou had barely flopped on the bed when Seto stepped into the room. Jou widened his eyes innocently. “Don’tcha gotta be in China?”

“No. We need to talk.”

At the brunet’s grim tone Jou felt his gut clench. Desperate, he tried to evade the issue. Feigning a yawn he rolled over and buried his head under his pillow. “Can’t it wait? I’m tired.”

“No.” Absolute finality. The pillow was removed firmly from his head.

“Awww...” But Jou rolled over and slid to his feet, coming into a relaxed fighter’s stance. “What?”

“Why were you there?” Cool narrow eyes told Jou the brunet had reasoned it out. He had no place to hide.

“Why ya even askin’? Ya know already.”

“Do I? Maybe I want to hear you admit it out loud.”

“Damn it what good is that gonna do? Just leave it alone. I’ll get it under control. It ain’t yer problem.” He dove back on the bed and clamped the pillow over his head again.

“You’re right it’s yours. But...” Seto’s voice broke off and he sat next to Jou on the bed, tugging the pillow away. “But we share things remember? Friend’s share problems. Let me help with this.” He tousled the blond locks roughly “I’m not the one to have to tell you that.”

“There ain’t a fix for this. I just gotta figure out...”

“Figure what out? I’m good with puzzles.” Seto was having a blast. His love was fighting admitting to the jealousy with all he had. He was enjoying come up with ways around the blocks.

Jou sighed and glared, his eyes widening at the dancing blue eyes watching him with wicked knowledge. “Oh you jerk, ya like havin’ me on th’ ropes don’tcha.”

“I like having you on my bed.” Seto corrected. “I love watching you try to squirm out of admitting to feeling more than just friendship and sexual curiosity for me.”

The blond moaned and rolled over, turning away from him. “Fuck I knew you knew. So what now?”

A warm hand shaped the curve of his ass, pressing into the pajama covered groove, emphasizing what he was saying. “What now is you roll over and kiss your friend goodbye, then kiss soon-to-be lover and boyfriend hello.”

“Oh shit.” Jou gulped and rolled over. He sat up and screwed his face into a scowl. “I ain’t ready for this. I don’t wanna be in love with ya.”

“Mmm... too late.” Seto whispered, bending down to capture the disgruntled lips. “Ten years too late.”

Relaxing into the familiar touch, Jounouchi sighed and twined his arms around his lover. “Mmm... better late then never...” He dropped his head back, offering his neck to Seto’s talented lips.

***

Okay here is the dilemma folks. Should I leave it here – or go on to more adventures of Jou figuring out who Seto’s soul mate is (Jealous comedy moments plus angst) and get into the shadow battles? Also there was a lovely little “Almost never” clause for Gaia – and she is mildly peeved at Seto... room for MPREG ppl. Let me know what you think.
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Winding Road