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I Know You're Out There Somewhere	By : Firewing Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 3536 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh!, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 33
- 34
- 35
Chapter 34

Disclaimed.

��..

Monday morning found Seto making vain attempts at organization while constantly being buffeted by yellow and black fuzz balls. He looked to Serenity for moral support , only to catch her giggling behind her hand.
He had sent his delicate electronic equipment on ahead yesterday, along with the foursome's luggage. Tristan and Jou were taking their bikes, and Serenity and Mokuba would be riding with them. Yugi, Tea, and Bakura would be riding with Seto in the Mercedes, while Pegasus and Croquet would be meeting them at the beach house. Seto was not looking forward to that particular drive; he dreaded being confined with Yugi and Tea, certain that Tea would not shut up long enough for him to take an entire breath. The simple fact that Yugi had beaten him at his own game, not to mention that he owed the tri-color haired King of Games far more debts than he could ever repay grated on his nerves. Bakura was by far the least of the evils; he was usually quiet, but Seto still hadn�t completely gotten over his and Tristan�s vodka stunt on the day Jou had moved in. Thankfully, the beach house was only about an hour's drive from Domino.
On the way to Shell Beach, Yugi made a few polite attempts at conversation with Seto from the back seat of the red convertible before figuring out that the CEO was in no mood to talk. Undaunted, Yugi settled for Tea�s comfortable companionship instead, which suited all involved just fine.
Bakura sat in front with Seto, perfectly content to remain unfettered by meaningless drabble. He had plans of his own for these clueless fools. The dark spirit of the Ring was determined to make an addition to his collection of Millennium items on this trip, and it hardly mattered to him whether or not the others got hurt or killed while he went after Yami. Although he was disgusted with himself for his botched attempt on Pegasus� life, he was in possession of the Millennium Eye, and Pegasus had apparently forgotten everything about the near-fatal duel that had put him out of commission for a year.
��
The beach house was a two-story, five bedroom Victorian with a wraparound porch and an attached three car garage; in other words, very close quarters for the crew Seto and Jou had invited along.
The large family room had a sunken conversation pit, a stone fireplace, and a bar. The kitchen had an island and a bay window with built-in seating for use as a breakfast nook. The main floor also included a formal dining room, living room, library, foyer, bathroom, and utility room.
Upstairs, four smaller bedrooms shared two bathrooms. There was a deck off the hallway on the front side of the house. The master suite had its own private balcony overlooking the ocean, along with a fireplace, dressing room, and a bathroom equipped with a large, oval-shaped whirlpool bathtub.
Seto pulled into the driveway as he and Bakura turned to look at the silent backseat passengers. Tea�s head was propped up by the window, and Yugi's rested in her lap; both of them were sound asleep.
Bakura found the extreme saccharine cuteness of the two nauseating, but forced himself not to gag. After all, he calmly reminded himself, he was supposed to be impersonating his weakling host. Therefore, he giggled and dug around in his bag for a disposable camera, snapping a picture quickly before the opportunity passed.
�Huh�what?� Yugi yawned, disorientated.
�I think we�re at the beach house.� Tea told him as she glanced around drowsily, rubbing her eyes gently.
�Yes, we are, � Seto confirmed. �The question is, where are the biker wannabes?�
�You don�t think they got lost, do you?� Tea replied worriedly.
�No. The mutt�s got instincts.� Seto shook his head. �He�ll find his way home.�
Yugi snickered. �I think you just unintentionally gave Joey a compliment, Kaiba.�
�Unintentionally?� Seto raised an eyebrow as he got out of his Mercedes.
��
While Seto was trying vainly to keep the chaos in his home to a bare minimum, Croquet was having difficulties with his own chaotic semblance of a life. The bodyguard stood in the centre of a luxurious hotel suite in Tokyo, listening calmly to the irrational ravings of the silver-haired madman by whom he was employed.
�But, Christopher!� Pegasus pouted, having run out of both arguments and energy.
�You should have brought a moving van instead of that fancy little Jaguar, Sir. Some things do obey the laws of physics. There is absolutely no way to get all of this�this stuff,�

he waved his hand at the nearly filled -to-capacity room, � into the car." Removing his shades and slipping them into his breast pocket, Chris rubbed his eyes and sighed wearily. "Of course, Sir, the fault was entirely mine. I should never have sent Kemo shopping with you.�
�But you�re no fun to go shopping with!� Pegasus complained. � You never let me buy anything.�
Croquet nodded, his hand dropping back down to his side. "Exactly."

�Hmph.� Pegasus put his hands on his hips. �Well, this certainly puts a damper on things.� He sighed as well, looking around the room. �Kemo will just have to send what we can�t take with us back to Duelist Kingdom, I suppose.�
Croquet sighed in relief. For once, it seemed that his master had decided to listen to the voice of reason which he embodied.
�Of course, there would be more room if I sent you back to Duelist Kingdom�� Pegasus pondered aloud, and his eyes settled on Croquet just long enough to catch his bodyguard�s look of sheer horror. For Christopher Croquet, the only thing worse than being with Pegasus 24/7 was not being with him 24/7, and neither man could understand how this state of affairs had failed to drive him completely insane over the years.
Pegasus chuckled despite himself. �Oh, Chris. Don�t give me that look.�
�Look, Sir? What look?� Croquet blinked, trying to appear innocent.
"That look you just gave me, as though I were about to abandon you to a pack of starving wolves." The silver-haired man smiled softly at his longtime companion. �Whatever would I do without you?� he asked in all sincerity.
�With any luck, Max, you will never have to find out.� Croquet replied, equally sincere.
�I should certainly think not,� Pegasus stated with finality, casually closing the distance between himself and his personal bodyguard.
At the precise instant that Max leaned in to kiss his protector, however, Kemo decided to make an unannounced and completely inopportune entrance into the suite. �Master Pegasus, the car is ready and waiting. What needs to be loaded into it?�
Covering his surprise well, Pegasus deftly plucked Croquet�s sunglasses from the breast pocket of his suit and handed them to the equally stunned man before him. �Croquet, you nearly forgot these,� he admonished. �What are you waiting for? We�re going to be late, and I doubt Kaiba is any more tolerant of tardiness than he is of anything else, especially on our part.�

Croquet snapped the sunglasses on with a nod as he turned to Kemo. �Never enter Master Pegasus� chambers without knocking first!� he growled at his subordinate.
�Sorry, sir. Forgive me, Master Pegasus.� Kemo bowed apologetically as he backed out of the suite, inwardly wondering just who those two thought they were fooling.
��..
The four teenagers who had arrived at the beach house in Seto's Mercedes had just finished unloading the luggage onto the front porch when two motorcycles roared up the driveway.
Mokuba leaped from Jou's bike as soon as it came to a full stop, dashing over to his big brother. �This is going to be so great! We went to the little marina town, Seto, and there�s this awesome surf shop where you can sign up for lessons. I wanted to, but Joey said I had to ask you. Oh please, big brother, I want to learn to ride the waves. My birthday is only a couple of weeks away, and surfing lessons would be the best present ever! Please, Seto, please��
Mokuba had to stop because he�d finally run out of breath, and Seto�s eyes were growing wider by the second as he contemplated the horrors of the deep, which included drowning and accidents involving head injuries, paralysis, and shark bites.
�Oh my,� Bakura whispered to Tristan, doing his best imitation of Ryou. �Kaiba doesn�t look too happy about this.�
Jou hung back, not wanting to get between the two brothers. He really wanted to learn to surf as well, but if Seto wouldn't let his little brother sign up, Jou wouldn't either. It simply wouldn't be fair to Mokuba.
Whatever response Seto had prepared for his younger sibling died in his throat as a sleek, white Jaguar pulled into the drive behind the motorcycles. �We�ll discuss it later, Mokuba,� he said, striding confidently over to the brilliantly-polished vehicle under his brother's frustrated glare as Croquet got out and walked around the car to open the passenger-side door for Pegasus.
�Really, Chris, I am capable of doing some things for myself,� his employer said in a low, exasperated tone, obviously meant only for the bodyguard�s ears.
Croquet grunted doubtfully as he went to retrieve their luggage, unloading an amazing amount of cargo from the compact vehicle. Seto rolled his eyes at the wanton display of Pegasus� possessions, and everyone else trotted over to help.
Pegasus smiled at the young CEO, ignoring the rest of the assembled company. �Did you happen to bring along any of those marvelous Duel Disk systems from your Battle City tournament, Kaiba?�
�Yes.� Seto grudgingly admitted.
�Excellent. After all, we have the four best duelists in the world gathered together here. It would be a shame to waste such a potentially entertaining opportunity,� Pegasus replied.
Jou looked around, puzzled once again. Four best duelists in the world? Pegasus and Seto, obviously. Yami and Yugi-do they count as one or two? They share the title King of Games, but most of the dueling world doesn't know about Yami. So, who�s the fourth duelist, then?

Pegasus chuckled, reading Joseph�s mind without Millennium Items or psychic ability. As usual, his son�s thoughts were written plainly on his face. The chocolate-eyed inventor walked over to the blond, squeezing his shoulder as he whispered into his ear. �You, Joseph. You�re number four.�
��..
Once they had made it inside the house, Seto got everyone�s attention in order to get the sleeping arrangements settled. �There are five bedrooms upstairs; therefore, everyone will be doubling. Obviously, the master suite belongs to Jou and I. Serenity and Tea will also share a room.� Seto looked pointedly at Tristan, as though daring him to object. �As for the rest of you, you can pick your own roommates.�
His agenda completed for the time being, the brunet left them to their own devices and headed for the small, improvised lab he had set up in the library. The others began to explore their vacation home, eventually taking their luggage up to the second floor.
The front entrance of the house faced east, the back of it facing the ocean. The master suite occupied the entire southern end of the second floor. Pegasus chose the northeastern room for himself and Croquet. The largest of the four remaining bedrooms, it was decorated in creams and browns, including a bay window which would be perfect for watching the sunrise.
The girls took the northwestern room, which shared a bathroom with Pegasus� suite. Tristan and Bakura took the room on the other side of Serenity and Tea�s, which shared another bathroom with the remaining room, by default Yugi's and Mokuba�s.
Jou hung out in the master suite as his friends and family popped in to check the fancy room out. He laughed and chatted with them, but behind his bright facade he was actually a little depressed. Jou knew that he had to give Seto his space or risk losing his lover, but they had only just arrived and already his boyfriend was locked away in the small library, tinkering with God only knew what.
Croquet told Pegasus that he wanted to take a walk, but his master wasn�t fooled by the seemingly recreational activity. What Croquet really wanted to do was a perimeter check, to find out what kind of security system was in operation around the beach house and to make himself aware of any weaknesses in said defence.
Pegasus used the opportunity to visit Kaiba. He was cautiously elated about the prospect of being able to reclaim his wife, yet he was also finally ready to accept that he had to let her go. He had spent far too many years wallowing in pain and grief while his life spun out of control, eventually becoming entangled in endless webs of deceit. Yes, he had Christopher, but had never been totally committed to the relationship, and he was grateful that Chris had always accepted that gracefully. Though they had been together over a decade, Max had always been haunted by the memory of his bride, a spectre with which Christopher Croquet could never hope to compete.
The one-eyed man knocked on the library door in what he hoped was an unobtrusive manner. �Kaiba, may I come in?�
�The door isn�t locked,� Kaiba answered gruffly.
�It wouldn�t be polite to simply barge in, Kaiba-boy." The creator of Duel Monsters sat down across from his son's boyfriend, crossing his left leg over his right. "I sincerely hope you do not intend to stay squirreled away in here for our entire vacation. Joseph is most upset already.� Pegasus paused, waiting for a response that didn�t come. Kaiba's fingers continued to fly over the keyboard, a part of his brain functioning on a level where strange electronic gibberish was his native language.
�I will admit that I�m curious; how is the program progressing?� Pegasus continued, undaunted. �You really should give Joseph some explanation. He needs to understand why you are more wrapped up in your work than you are in him.�
�No.� Seto told him gravely, his fingers slowing almost imperceptibly.
Pegasus frowned, �Seto, save your work, turn off your computer and pay attention to me.�
Seto huffed, but obeyed reluctantly. The sooner Pegasus had his say, the sooner he could get back to work.
He met the surprisingly familiar tawny gold-brown eye that seemed totally out of place in the older man�s face. Jou�s eyes, he realized, Jou got those incredible, mouth-watering chocolate eyes from his old man. No sooner had this thought occurred to him than he noticed Pegasus had gone sheet white and, in fact, looked remarkably like a withered old man.
Pegasus had picked up on Seto�s sudden focus on his one remaining eye. The clarity of it caused him to become dizzy, and the room faded out before him. As though that weren't enough, his limited and unpredictable psychic abilities decided to kick in at the same time, and suddenly he was stumbling through a desert ghost town, blood and sand clinging to the side of his face and matting his hair. The memories of Shadi, another Egyptian with a dagger, a swift slash, and a physical and mental pain more intense than any he�d ever endured before or since were the first sensations he had felt as Shadi himself thrust the mixed blessing of the Millennium Eye upon him, feelings that reverberated through all the years he had been possessed by the cursed artifact.
Maximillion Pegasus was no stranger to this now-familiar flashback, yet this time around he was vaguely aware of a woman watching the entire process from the shadows. Anya? Had she really been there? A sickening truth he�d spent half his life denying suddenly surfaced as his memory block dissolved.
By means of a different magic, Croquet appeared, open suit jacket and unclipped tie flying out behind him as he charged into the room. �Sir? Max!�
The bodyguard clapped his hands together sharply, drawing Pegasus back to the present, and Max hurriedly covered his protector�s rough, calloused hands with his own to prevent Chris from repeating the action. He had entered these fugue states often enough over the years to realize that the sharp noise, while effective in bringing him back to reality, was also a harsh blow to his already throbbing head. He tried to focus on the clear gray eyes, unusually unprotected, but wound up leaning his forehead into Croquet�s broad shoulder instead, too weak to even contemplate much else.
�I�d like to sit on the deck and watch the ocean for awhile. Perhaps you would bring me a glass of wine, Christopher?� Pegasus said after a moment, and the total lack of energy in his voice shocked Seto greatly and worried Christopher even more.
�Of course, Sir.� Croquet replied softly, rising to his feet and offering the silver-haired man to whom he had dedicated his life his hand.
Pegasus, however, had regained enough of his composure to exit the room unaided, Croquet following even more closely than usual behind him. Both men acted as though Seto had suddenly become invisible, which was fine with the stunned billionaire. He would have had a hard time maintaining his usual arrogant, cocky, know-it-all attitude after that display.

What the heck just happened? Seto demanded of himself before deciding that he really needed to spend some time with Jou. Enough of this weird crap for one day.

��.
The teens had changed into swimming gear and were outside enjoying the midday sun when Seto arrived. Pegasus had settled into a lounger on the deck, his eternal companion conspicuously absent. He was still wearing his frilly red Victorian suit, and the garment emphasized just how pale he really was.
Jou sat on the floor by his father�s feet, wearing red and black Hawaiian print swim trunks with his standard white T-shirt. They were enjoying each other�s company while they watched Tristan and Bakura set up the volleyball net they had found in the garage.
Seto had passed Croquet as he walked through the kitchen. The salt and pepper haired man had seemed oddly at home there. For a long while, the brunet simply watched the others from the doorway in silence, remaining unobserved himself.
Having finished with the volleyball net, Tristan began to tease Serenity, threatening to untie her halter-top swimsuit and chasing her into the water when she tried to escape him, both of them laughing hysterically the whole time. It wasn't long before Joey was on the scene, running across the sand, tackling Tristan, and driving them both under the surf.
�I give! I give! Hey, man, I didn�t mean it!� Tristan hollered, holding his hands up in surrender as he tried to laugh and choke on saltwater simultaneously.
Joey allowed his friend to sit up, pounding the taller boy on the back. Quick as a wink, though, Tristan had Jou in a vicious headlock, and the blond's protests could be heard all the way back on deck.
Seto sighed as he sat down in the chair next to that of his archenemy. �This could continue for the rest of the day.�
Pegasus smiled indulgently. �He�s only defending his sister�s honor.�
Seto shook his head. �No. He's been waiting for a chance to get into a brawl with Tristan all day.�
�At least he found someone who would play with him,� Pegasus replied.
Before Seto had the chance to become too irate and put his nemesis back in his place, Jou came back to the deck, soaking wet and grinning from ear to ear. He wasn't even breathing heavily, Seto noticed; Tristan, on the other hand, was standing knee deep in water, still trying to catch his breath.
Jou stripped off his waterlogged T-shirt and sat down by Seto, wringing the shirt out between his knees and watching the water run over the wooden boards. �He deserved that. Did you know Tristan got Mokuba started on the whole surfing thing, and then sided with him when I wouldn�t let Kuba sign up for lessons without asking you? You�d think Tris wanted me to get turned into dog meat or something.�
Seto chuckled. He couldn�t help it; his puppy was just too adorable. Pegasus was surprised into silence, having never heard Seto genuinely laugh before. Oblivious to their audience, the older teen reached out and lovingly traced the dragon tattoo on Jou�s upper arm. He�d forgotten Pegasus was there watching them, just as Pegasus and Croquet had ignored his presence earlier. In fact, he�d forgotten the rest of the world entirely. All that existed was his beautiful puppy, the midday warmth of the sun on his slightly pale skin, and the soft, rhythmic sound of the ocean lapping the shore.
Unfortunately for Seto, Croquet stepped out onto the deck a few moments later. With a gesture, Seto told Jou to follow him, and they went into the house together.
Pegasus looked up at Croquet and smirked. In his short-sleeved shirt and a chef�s apron, Chris should have looked like a macho bodybuilder who was cluelessly attempting to play housewife. He didn�t, however. Croquet was very much at home in the kitchen, being something of an amateur gourmet.
�Are you feeling better, Max?� the bodyguard asked quietly.
�Yes, Christopher. In fact, I think I�d like to go into town this afternoon and see about procuring some painting supplies.�
Inwardly, Croquet groaned. Anything but more shopping� �Certainly, Sir, but��
�What is it, Chris?� Pegasus asked. He had known from the beginning that his head of security would resist his afternoon agenda.
�Do you think you could refrain from painting pink rabbits?� Croquet asked in all sincerity.
Pegasus attempted to mimic his friend's characteristic gravity, but a mischievous glint in his eye gave him away. �Chris, did you know that Joseph recently acquired a tattoo? I�m tempted to get one of my beloved Funny Bunny. What do you think?�
Croquet groaned aloud then, throwing his hands up in complete and utter surrender to his master's insanity. �Lunch is served!� he announced loudly, leading his master back into the house before they could both be trampled by the stampede of starving teenagers that was now converging on the beach house with utmost alacrity.
��.
Tristan made it to the table first, but managed to wait politely while the others were seated. �Hey, where�s Joey?�
�With Seto?� Mokuba suggested. It was pretty obvious since they were both missing.
The brunet sighed as he rose from the table, took the stairs two at a time, and pounded on the master bedroom door. �Hey, you two hentai! There�s food on the table, and some of us want to eat!�
Jou came to the door in a pair of white cotton lounge pants, and his glare was only a few degrees warmer than what his boyfriend�s would have been. �Tris, you have an amazing sense of bad timing.�
�Croquet fixed lunch-chicken, corn on the cob, fresh watermelon, and chocolate cake,� Tristan all but whispered, tempting his buddy with the menu.
Jou tried not to drool. �Seto, I�ll meet you downstairs,� he called, grabbing a black tank top and pulling it on as he followed Tristan downstairs. As they approached the dining room, he began sniffing the air. �Chocolate Amaretto.�
�Are you sure?�
�Hey, does this nose lie?�
�Hasn't yet,� Tristan grinned.
�Wow! Why isn�t anybody eating?� Jou asked as he entered, eyeing the spread of food on the dining room table.
�Because some of us have manners.� Tea chided.
�Do you think maybe we should let Jou have the other side of the table to himself?� Bakura wondered aloud.
�Hmm�that may not be a bad idea.� Seto said as he strode into the dining room, wearing white, obviously tailored shorts under a black turtleneck. �The dog has been known to bite.�
That seemingly innocent comment answered the unspoken question of why Seto had chosen to wear a turtleneck in 90-degree weather, and a few muffled snickers went around the table.
�Hey!� Jou cried indignantly, and his father cleared his throat before the situation could become any more awkward.
�Joseph, please come sit by me.� Pegasus offered.
Jou gratefully accepted the seat at Pegasus� right, sticking his tongue out at Seto as Croquet seated himself at his master�s left. Seto barely restrained his urge to comment on the fact that Pegasus seemed to have acquired a new lap dog, contenting himself with a silent scowl instead.
After they had eaten, Serenity rose and dutifully began to clear the table. Croquet, out of habit, got up to help her, but she sat him back down with one hand on his shoulder.
�No, Mr. Croquet. You made the meal; the rest of us can clean up,� she protested.
Croquet sat down reluctantly. He wasn�t used to being waited on, especially by his master�s soon-to-be adopted daughter. Pegasus, for his part, silently applauded Serenity�s effort. He had attempted, without much success, to convince Croquet that this was his vacation as well, and that he was therefore not duty-bound to do anything but relax. Of course, for all the good it did, Max may as well have tried to order the ocean away from the beach. When he was certain everyone�s attention was elsewhere, he gave Croquet a reassuring smile, reaching under the table to pat his bodyguard�s knee.
Tea joined Serenity, who added in her brother's direction, �It wouldn't hurt you to help too, Joey.�
�We�ll all help.� Yugi said cheerfully, taking the sting from Serenity's good-natured chiding.
��.
Later that afternoon, Pegasus announced his intentions to go into the little marina town to shop for painting supplies, inviting anyone who wanted to to come along. His hope was that Joseph would want to do some painting with him, since it was an interest they both shared. Also, perhaps his son would provide a buffer between he and his long-time anti-shopping companion, thus forcing Croquet to surrendering to his boss� whims under the dual pressure of said boss and his precocious progeny.
Mokuba looked longingly at Seto, �Please, big brother, will you come check out the surfing shop with me?�
�It sounds like fun. Maybe we should all go?� Tea suggested.
�I should have brought a bus,� Seto grumbled as the others agreed with Tea that exploring Shell Beach may indeed turn out to be a fun way of spending an afternoon.
With the exception of Seto himself, the group made an exodus to the upper story of the house in search of more appropriate clothing. Seto headed to the library instead, hoping to get in a few private moments with his computer.
He was surprised when he looked up to find Jou watching him, looking positively delicious in tight blue denim shorts and a dark green silk shirt. Of course, Seto tended to think Jou looked wonderful in everything, including nothing at all.
�We�re ready to leave,� the blonde informed him. �Are you okay, Seto? You seem preoccupied.�
�I am, but don�t take it personally, Jou. The program I�m working on is extremely complex.� He was well aware that his explanation was far from satisfactory, and the look in his dragon-pup's eyes only served to reinforce that knowledge.
�This is supposed to be a vacation, Seto.� Jou reminded him. "For all of us, and that includes you and Croquet."
Seto reached up to touch Joey�s face with his long, graceful fingers. �It is of paramount importance, Jou, that this program is successful, because you are important. Please, be patient with me.�
He brushed Joey�s lips with his fingers, and Jou first kissed, then sucked each of them, all the while keeping his chocolate eyes locked with his lover's sapphire orbs.
�Good grief, you guys! Can�t you be left alone for two minutes without making out?� an exasperated voice came from the doorway.
Joey groaned, �Tristan, your timing sucks!�
�Are you guys coming or not?� Tristan demanded. "Everyone else is outside, and we're getting sick of waiting for you two every time we want to do something."
�Yes,� Seto answered, but his eyes were still focused only on Jou.
Tristan hesitated for just a second before going back outside. He�d never imagined that anyone could say so much with only his eyes, and he felt like a voyeur for observing that phenomenon firsthand. If they don�t show up in a minute, the brunet decided, I'll just take Serenity on my bike. Everyone else can ride in the Jag. He was not going back in there, and he wasn�t going to let anyone else go in after them either.
Tristan felt his face get warm as he recalled the look in Seto�s eyes, that unconcealed, white-hot intensity that went so far beyond mere lust or love that it had no name. He was about to tell the others that Seto and Jou weren�t coming when they walked out the door behind him, and only Tristan noticed that the cold, unfeeling mask that so often served as Seto�s face was back in place. However, Tristan would never again see his buddy's boyfriend as a power-driven, heartless jerk. Seto Kaiba was a man on fire, a fire named Jou.
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I Know You're Out There Somewhere