Vacation

Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own it.

Author's Note:

Are you ready for the next installation! GOOD! Let's Go!

Vacation!

By Mou Hitori no Akari

Two- Moving Ahead

"Can you believe it?" Jou said in a rush, as Yugi was in the process of placing the last of his jig puzzle together. "How did you ever manage to get Seto to come, Jou?"

"More like beguile, hiki." Yami entered the room, a towel around his neck. He shook his wet, tri-colored hair, sending beads of water on both Jou and Yugi.

"I didn't 'beguile' him, whatever that means." Jou said, giving a look of mock hurt at Yami, who in turn chuckled.

"It means to trick, or charm one with trickery. Jou." He gave a low chuckle, shaking his head.

"Well, whatever. I didn't trick him, or nothin'. I just asked if he and Mokuba wanted to come, and Mokuba took it from there. Boy, you shoulda seen da look on his face, man." Jou laughed, "He looked ready to run and everything!"

Yugi put the last puzzle piece in place, and sighed. "There," He said, clasping his hands together, "Do you really think he'll pull through with going with us to Okinawa?"

"C'mon, it's Kaiba. Have you ever seen that guy back down on anything?"

"You're right." Yugi remarked with a grin. "Especially when it comes to Yami." They both looked at Yami, and Yami stared back.

"He wouldn't even back away from a shitting contest, that guy." Jou snickered, and Yugi began laughing incessantly. " 'I bet I can dump faster than you can, Yami.' " Yugi said in a voice that sounded like Kaiba's, pointing for emphasis, "P-Priceless!" He was rolling with laughter now, the muscles in his stomach spasming.

"That makes him a champion, a-alright!" Jou snorted in-between fits of giggles, while Yami watched them with raised brows.

"It's not my fault Kaiba's aggressive. That's just his nature. One which I will never--" A new burst of laughter roared between the two, and Yami shook his head. "--understand." He finished.

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When all things were said and done, Yugi called another meeting with his friends to discuss the plans of their vacation. Yugi wiped his eye clear of a tear that threatened to fall, a silly smile stuck on his face.

"A-Alright, guys," Yugi started shakily, trying to ignore Jou's small outbursts of laughter. "Is everyone here?"

"All except--" He sighed into another laugh, "--Kaiba. He called me on my cell. Said he was gonna be here."

"What is so funny?" Ryou looked to Yugi, then Jou in interest.

"Naw, nothin', Ryou-chan." He said, shaking his hand.

"Ok, guys, Jou has informed me that--" But before Yugi could get down to business, a knock came to the door. Yami disappeared for a moment, then reappeared with Kaiba behind him. He gave a cold stare to everyone in the room, acknowledging Yugi first. "Afternoon, Yugi." He said curtly.

"Ah, Kaiba. You made it. Have a seat wherever you want." Yugi smiled, and he sat on the love seat across the room, sitting next to Jou. He crossed his legs, and arms, his blue eyes giving Jou a sideways glance. Jou had seen him look his way, and when he did look, Kaiba had already looked back.

"Have we come up with a financial solution?" Yugi looked around the room, and Jou raised his hand first. "As y'all can see here, we are capable of getting the money together for this trip. But," Jou gave a small glance to Kaiba at first, continuing his sentence. "But it will be tight."

"That's true, Jou. So once again, any ideas?"

Everyone paused in their thoughts, and stared at Kaiba. He stared back, then narrowed his eyes. "Wait just a damn minute. I can read every single one of your minds, and the answer is--"

"Aw, c'mon, Kaiba!" Jou grabbed his arm, startling Seto, as Jou crushed his arm to his side. "We need money, and you are da only one who can sum it up for us!" Kaiba gave a small growl, staring into Jou's chocolate orbs. He was starting to become disturbed with the severe closeness that Jou was presenting. He slowly tugged his arm out from Jou's grip, and gave a long sigh.

"How much is it?" He whispered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"What did ya say?" Jou smiled, and Kaiba stared at him, his eyes narrowing. "I said," He growled, "How much is it?"

None of them could believe that Kaiba caved like that, and they were all thankful that Kaiba was expensing the trip. Maybe some extreme luck was on their side, maybe today was their lucky day, or maybe...

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The day had arrived, and everyone was excited. They all met up at Yugi's house early that morning. Yugi did a head count, as impossible as it was, jumping occasionally to pat someone on the head to put them on the roster. They all felt like they were going on a third grade trip instead.

"Ooooook," Yugi said, "Do you have everything, all?"

"Yes." They all said in unison, and Jou rolled his eyes.

"No one needs to use the bathroom?"

"NO!" They all shouted, and Yugi hid behind Yami, who observed them all with raised brows. "I guess that's all, then." Yugi said indignantly, crossing his arms.

"Ok, is it just me," Anzu pointed, "Or that limo is coming this way?"

Jou turned around, and was ready to call her stupid, when the very same limo parked by the curb. Everyone stepped back, and watched the door open, a very annoyed Kaiba standing in their wake.

"Let's get the hell out of here, already." Kaiba called out, and everyone got into semblance. Otogi had turned on his car, popping open the trunk, placing some of Honda's things in the back. Honda stood next to Otogi, placing his bags in. "Dude, you look real tired." Otogi had said quietly, and Honda grunted in response. "Anzu and I got into an argument, and I told her if she didn't come, well..." He sighed.

"I just wanted her to come, ya know?"

"Then how come she is here?" Otogi looked over his shoulder, referring to the girl with eyes as blue as the sky, and hair as brown as chocolate. Her form was well rounded, and she wore a pair of shorts, and a tank top placed underneath a denim jacket. She was beautiful, Otogi thought, but he could see right through her.

What did Honda exactly see in Anzu? He would never understand that, and suddenly out of nowhere a pang of jealousy shot through his heart. She didn't deserve him. Honda was too much of a wonderful person to get caught in her web. So the question ebbed in his heart, as he tried to convince himself that it was none of his business.

"Because," The soft sound of the baritone of Honda's voice brought him back to earth, and he continued to load the trunk. "She wanted to see me go, to say goodbye. I hope when I come back from all this, I will let her know how I feel..."

"Why let her know later, when you can let her know now?" Otogi murmured softly, touching his shoulder gently, slightly surprised that Honda did not push his hand away. "It's vacation now. You can do whatever you want, Honda. Don't be afraid of what tomorrow may bring, 'cause yesterday already happened, and you're in today already. Don't let her run you."

"You're," Honda contemplated for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "You're right..." He said softly, putting his bag down. Otogi watched him go, a small smile forming on his lips. So he was egging Honda on, and at this point he didn't care. He just knew he had pushed Honda into doing something for the better. One day he would thank him for that, he thought to himself as he hopped into the driver's side of the car, putting the key into the ignition.

He watched through his rear-view mirror, watched the look on Anzu's face as Honda spoke his mind. She seemed surprised at Honda, tugging her hand free from his hand when he had spoken some other words. She stood there, as Honda turned around and walked away, ignoring her call. He opened the car door, and sat next to Otogi.

Otogi was going to ask him how it went down, but instead he shut his mouth, turning the car on.

Yugi, Yami, Bakura, and Ryou all entered Yami's Civic. Jou was going to go with them, but Kaiba grabbed Jou's arm, startling Jou. "You're coming with us." Mokuba said over Seto's shoulder, and Jou smiled. "Where are you going?" Yugi called from the car, and Jou waved at Yugi. "I'm goin' with Kaiba, ok?"

Yugi and Yami exchanged glances, and both shrugged.

Jou hopped into the limo, this being his first time ever in a limo. He sat on the other side, and played around with the buttons on the ceiling, ignoring Kaiba's occasional stare at him. "Let me guess," Kaiba said, trying to hide his amusement at Jou's excitement. "This is your first time, right?"

"Yeah! Whoah, dis is so cool!" He looked out the window.

"Take us where we need to go, Zavier." He barked, and the driver nodded. "Yes, sir." And the car began rolling forward.

Somewhere, deep inside of his heart, Kaiba Seto couldn't wait to get to Okinawa.

Not that he was excited, or anything.

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Author's Note:

Arigatou for reading this story! -