Intoxication

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! And all the characters herein belong to whomever and I am making no monies whatsoever. The plotline belongs to me and me alone, and all the original characters (meaning those you have never seen before) belong to me.

Author’s Note: This is purely fiction. I hated the way they ended the series and if the series had been mine it would have been chocked full of slashy goodness. Set after Dawn of the Duel with a slightly different ending, cause the original made me cry. All respective songs herein belong to their original artists and I do not own them. For the record, this is NOT, I repeat, NOT a song fic; the songs used are to create depth for the plot and to ascertain how the characters are feeling.

Jounouchi for the sake of my story is a baritone - The Baritone is the most common type of male voice. Baritone range: The vocal range of the baritone lies between the bass and tenor ranges, overlapping both of them. The typical baritone range is from the second F below middle C (F2) to the F above middle C (F4), which are exactly two octaves. In the lower and upper extremes, a baritone's range can be extended at either end.

Fever, Sway and Save the Last Dance for Me – Michael Buble
I’ve Got You, Under my Skin – Frank Sinatra
Smile – Michael Jackson
Unchained Melody – the Righteous Brothers
Kiss from a Rose – Seal
She’s Like the Wind – Patrick Swayze
Behind Blue Eyes – The Who

Italics – thoughts.
. . . italics – flashback

Summary – Senior Year of High School, it was supposed to be the best time of their young lives, but for one of the group, its not. But what lies around the corner at a place of Intoxication, well, suffice it to say Jounouchi finds what he wants behind blue eyes.


Intoxication
By TheDarkSynfulLegend



Chapter Two – Dancing in the Moonlight


Friday had come and Jounouchi was practically bouncing on his heels the entire day which did not go unnoticed by his friends or even the teachers. Everyone wondered what was going on with the young man, though no one managed to get any information out of him at any given moment in time. The lunch bell had just rung and everyone was out in the courtyard including Jounouchi who was writing down something in a notebook that he had been clinging to all week. His stomach was making more noises, and Seto who was walking by happened to overhear it. “What’s wrong with you, mutt? Not getting enough table scraps at home?” he asked snarkily.

“Shut up, moneybags! Not everyone has a personal chef!” Jounouchi replied with anger radiating in his tone, as he fought the urge to rise and punch Kaiba.

Rolling his eyes, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small lunch holding it out. “Here, bad enough your stomach is distracting me in class.”

“I don’t want or need your pity, Kaiba! You can just take that meal and shove it where the sun don’t shine.”

Perhaps a different tactic. Seto thought as he spoke, “Fine, I’ll tell Mokuba that you didn’t want the lunch he asked my personal chef to make for you.”

Jounouchi quirked a brow as he glanced from Seto’s face to the paper bag. “Mokuba asked your chef to make me lunch? How do I know you’re not trying to poison me?”

Opening the bag, Seto pulled out a container that was filled with curry and rice. “See, he even asked the chef to make your favorite.” He would never tell Jounouchi that he had watched him eat in various places and knew what he loved to eat. But if he could get him to take this small olive branch he was offering that was a start . . . as his thoughts tracked to what he had told Mokuba just the other morning.

. . . Mokuba and Seto had just settled down for breakfast when Seto spoke. “Mokuba, I need to speak with you on something.”

“You mean the crush you have on Jounouchi?” Seto sputtered as he glared at his younger brother, the same stare that usually made businessmen crumble and give him whatever he wanted. “What, big brother, its not like I don’t see how you pick at him all the time about everything. Just tells me that you like him and you’re not sure how he’d take it.”

“When did you get so insightful?” Seto asked, still flabbergasted at his brother’s depth of perception.

Mokuba speared a sausage and responded, “you’re always calling him names, and snapping at him when he’s trying to help. Or do you not remember what happened when I went into the virtual game to save you with them?” He finished, nibbling at the sausage before swirling it through the syrup on his plate. “Anyway, you treat him like he’s the girl on the playground you like but are afraid to tell.”

Seto sighed, “Mokuba, it’s not that simple. I can’t tell him, not after everything I did, the insults...”

“Then start small, and work up the courage to tell him.”

Shaking his head, Seto got up and walked over to Mokuba’s seat and ruffled his hair, “thanks Mokie.”

Eyes shining, Mokuba looked up, “you haven’t called me that in years.”

“I know, Mokuba, but you’re my brother and I love you.”

“Love you too, Seto. Just remember what I said, start small.”

Seto let a small smile creep over his lips as he thought back to all the days when he could hear the mutt’s stomach making noises during class and slowly, Seto was putting the pieces of the puzzle together . . .

Jounouchi reached out and took the container, “thank Mokuba for me, Kaiba.” He said before wolfing down the food as though someone was going to snatch it away from him. And that made Seto narrow his gaze as another piece fell into place.

“I’ll be sure to tell him, mutt.” Seto responded as he sauntered off, hearing Jounouchi growl something but the slightly shorter young man held his tongue. As he moved off, he saw the rest of Jounouchi’s friends approaching and stayed close by to eavesdrop.

“Are we still on for movie night tonight, Jou?” Yuugi asked as he plopped next to his best friend. “Atemu made me rent the Mummy trilogy. Guess he’s homesick.”

Jounouchi hung his blond head for a moment, “I’d like to Yuugi, but I can’t. I gotta go somewhere after school…” his voice trailed off a bit.

Honda glanced over, “you okay, man? You keep disappearing and you’re always so tired in the morning.” He asked as he glanced at the empty container, “You cooking now?”

A scowl covered Jounouchi’s features as he shook his head, “Mokuba sent it with Kaiba. And yeah, I’m okay I just have a few things to do that’s all.”

“Jou, I’m worried about you…are you sure everything is okay?” Yuugi inquired.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Yuuge. Promise.” Jounouchi replied, as the bell rang, “back to the grindstone huh?” he asked, as they went back into the school to class. Seto followed slowly as he digested what Jounouchi was saying to his friends and he couldn’t help but think what the mutt doing that was keeping him from his friends. The rest of the day went well, and as soon as the final bell rang, surprisingly it was Jounouchi that leapt up and ran for the door. The rest of the squad followed at a more sedate pace shaking their heads in wonderment. With a sigh, Seto headed to the offices of Kaiba Corp for another day at work.

~*~*~*~

“Did you hear about that new club that’s opening tonight?”

Seto overheard as he walked into the lobby of the multi-million dollar company that he owned. What club?

“Yes, I thought it sounded fantastic, I think I may go tonight. They said they have live singers.” The other woman was saying as she leaned on the desk. “I’m excited. I can’t wait to get off work so I can go to the club. Club Intoxication, here I come.”

Seto rolled his eyes as he walked by the desk, trying to block out the gossiping women. Walking into the elevator he went straight up to his office and sighed; setting his briefcase down he pulled the first folder off the pile of them and opened it.

~*~*~*~

Club Intoxication was already bustling as Jounouchi walked in through the front door and glanced around. There were four women standing in a corner, chatting away and staring at a menu between them. The two men, standing by the bar were leaning on the wood and glanced over at the door when Jounouchi entered. Pushing off the bar as one unit the duo came to him. “Hey, you’re the new guy they got.”

“Yeah, I’m Jounouchi.”

“I’m Ichiro, this is Kenshin, we’re twins.” The duo looked very similar, though one of them had blue eyes, the other had green. “We don’t normally dress alike.”

“Yeah, we do.”

“Only cause you make me.” The one named Kenshin said with a smile.

“I do not!”

Jounouchi smiled at the twins banter, it reminded him of his relationship with Honda, but made him long to see Shizuka again. Arista and Draco came out of the back office and smiled, “Glad to see you made it, alright, could you all gather around.” The women who were chatting away wandered over and stood quietly, while the twins crossed their arms over their chests and waited.

Arista sat down on a chair as Draco stood behind her, “Let’s start with introductions. When I call your name just nod your head.” He started, as he pulled out his list, “Jounouchi, stage name ‘Suya’.” Draco started as he handed over a belt that had a short apron on the front, already inside was a pad for the orders. “Hotaru, stage name ‘Firefly’.” He continued, holding out another apron. “Ichiro. No stage name needed. And Kenshin, again no stage name needed. Twins after all. They perform together.” Arista smiled warmly, as the group seemed to mesh a little bit. “Takara, Ume and Shiori, no relation but they hang together a lot.” He handed them all aprons and spoke, “Last thing we need to discuss now that everyone has been introduced, is the rest of your uniforms. Arista.”

Rising from her seat, Arista headed towards the back, where a small window was. “Here, is where you put your tickets for the food you will serve.” The group followed after her, as she went through a pair of swinging doors, the club’s name emblazoned on it. “This is the kitchen as you can see; behind here is the locker room where you can choose to leave your uniforms, men on the left, women on your right.” Arista continued, “We will ask you to wear these when you are on duty.” She said with a grin, pulling a black leather vest out of a cabinet, on the back the name of the club once more, but on the front, each one had their name stitched on it in silvery blue. “The band will be here shortly and you each need to clear your songs with them and with us.”

One at a time, they went over to Draco and Arista and wrote down what song they would perform and what time they preferred to go on. Once that was done, Draco nodded and opted to take the songs out to the band, which had arrived and were setting up. “Last thing, Arista is our hostess and I’m in the kitchen. You guys will do just fine. Arista and I have faith in all of you.”

The quintet all nodded and spoke at the same time, “yes, sir!”

Arista laughed and Draco rolled his eyes, “Fine. Get to work.” He said, leaning down and kissing his wife’s cheek before heading towards the kitchen. The quintet started to move around the small club while the band warmed up, playing an instrumental version of ‘I Put a Spell On You’, as Jounouchi swayed to the music, lost in the notes. At six p.m. the doors opened for the first time and several couples came in instantly, filling up a few of the tables, as the waitstaff jockeyed for positions. The waitstaff took turns taking the stage and singing their assigned songs with the small quintet playing in the background and a few of them were very impressed taking notes which meant there were a few newspaper reporters who were interested in writing articles on the club. Whether it was food, drink or atmosphere, it would all come out in the Domino Daily.

When Jounouchi got up there to sing, he picked the one that the band had been playing on their warm-up, and his husky voice echoed through the club. Women swooned when he climbed down from the stage and as couples left and new ones entered. Small boxes that were set up by the doors, each having the engraved stage name upon it were used for the patrons to tip the staff when they sang if they so chose. Jounouchi wandered over to a table where a few women were seated, “can I get you ladies something to drink?” he asked, pen poised over the tablet of paper.

The two women glanced up and one of them blinked rapidly, “Um, how about two mojitos.” She said, biting on her lower lip as Jounouchi nodded and made a note on the pad. “Ooh, and an order of the calamari.” She continued.

“Of course,” he replied smoothly as he ran a hand through his long fringe of blond hair that hung in his caramel gaze, “anything else ladies?”

“No...Thank you.” The other woman said as she smoothed out her navy skirt and slipped quietly out of her jacket but she was unprepared for the way that Jounouchi moved and helped her with it, the pad tucked back in his apron and the pen shoved behind his ear. He draped it over the back of her chair and with another smile headed towards the bar and then the kitchen to place the orders. “He was definitely worth coming to see.” She said dreamily watching as Jounouchi headed to another table.

“Yes, he was indeed.” Her friend responded, as she sighed softly, “I will have to make a point of coming more often then to hear him sing. I wonder if he takes requests.”

“Or phone numbers, he’s cute, I’d date him.” The two women dissolved into giggles as Jounouchi returned with their drinks and set them down, each glass was on a black napkin with the club’s logo on it. Two minutes later he returned with their calamari, then as soon as it was on the table vanished into the crowd as they watched him go.

Jounouchi was oblivious to the women’s stares as he maneuvered his way around the tables in the club, carrying drink and food orders to their respective tables. He had already done his song for the night and was trying valiantly not to stare at the clock above the bar; but knew he had to get home soon or there would be hell to pay. Patrons began to weave out of the bar hailing cabs in order to get home and soon there was no one left in the club at exactly 1:45 a.m., and the weary staff sank into chairs on a first night grand opening well done.

Draco came out of the kitchen wiping his hands on a towel that was attached to his apron. “Well, I think our first night was a success.” He said, sliding into a chair next to his wife. “Did you tell them about the boxes?” at the negative shake of his wife’s head Draco rolled his eyes, “there are boxes by the door that all the customers were aware of, each one has a name on it, yours to be specific. They can put requests, extra tips, and other items in your boxes as long as it fits through the slot.” He continued, “they are locked for security reasons but you will each be able to bring in your own lock and key if you wish. The keys are presently hanging in the locker rooms, but enough of that, you all go home and get some rest, I think you’ve earned it.” He barely managed to finish as the staff made a beeline for the locker rooms.

Jounouchi punched his card and sighed as he changed his clothes leaving most of his uniform in his assigned locker. Changing his clothes into his jeans and a t-shirt, he shoved his feet into his sneakers and picked up the key to his box. The twins had already left, along with the band, the girls had caught a taxi and Jounouchi was going to walk as he always did. Picking up his bag, he headed out into the main portion of the club to find that Arista was sound asleep in one of the booths and Draco was cleaning off the tables. “Want some help?” he inquired, picking up and extra rag and wiping down a nearby table as he set his bag down.

Draco raised a brow, “sure you don’t want to get home, and it’s late.”

Jounouchi shrugged, “five more minutes won’t kill me.” He muttered in reply. I hope. Came the errant thought.

“So, what did you think of Intoxication in full swing?”

He pondered the answer before he gave it, “it’s a great place, thanks for giving me a chance.”

Tossing the rag into the container that held dirty dishes Draco smiled, “you didn’t disappoint me tonight, Suya, but you’d better head home, I gotta carry Arista upstairs and put her to bed, didn’t think she was that tired to be honest with you.”

Sparing a glance to the beautiful red-headed owner, Jounouchi smiled, “working hard will do that to you.” He replied as he put his rag down in the same container then picked it up and carried it into the kitchen, on his way out; he scooped up his bag and paused by his box unlocking it with the key. Inside were several bills and some notes, shoving it all in his pocket Jounouchi walked through the door pausing for a moment, “see you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Suya.”

~*~*~*~

When Jounouchi arrived at the apartment he shared with his father, he noticed his dad was passed out in his bedroom snoring and he sighed in relief. Heading into his own bedroom that was far smaller, he toed off his sneakers and sat down on the edge of his mattress, pulling out the bills and counting them. A smile creased his lips as he realized he made a decent amount, and he divided them into several piles, only to mark them with a note and placed them all in the small lock box he kept hidden in his room. His honey brown eyes breezed through the notes that were left, one or two of them were names with numbers, the rest were song requests. Placing them all in a safe place, Jounouchi clutched his blanket and curled into a ball to go to sleep.

The next morning, Jounouchi was awakened by a pounding on his bedroom door. “Open up, Katsuya! Where were you most of last night?!” his father was shouting through the wooden door, Jounouchi groaned as he got up and padded over to the door opening it up. “ANSWER ME!” His father snarled, raising his hand.

“I was out, working, Dad. You know, trying to make some money to pay off the bills.”

“What bills?! I get the bills paid!” the man roared as he glared down at his son. Jounouchi didn’t respond, and that angered Jounouchi’s father more than anything else. “You hear me, boy?!” he snarled. When Jounouchi opened his mouth to say something his father didn’t give him the chance and backhanded him across his face. “Give me whatever you earned last night, boy, or you’ll regret it.”

“Why? So you can gamble it all away again and leave me with nothing?” Jounouchi managed to mutter as his face was exploding in pain from the impact of his father’s fist. Grasping Jounouchi by the front of his shirt, he lifted his son up and stared into those eyes that were so much like his mother’s. There was no fear in those brown eyes, and that pissed him off more than anything else. “You’ll pay for that little statement, mutt. I swear to God you will!” he snarled, raising his fist again.

~*~*~*~

“Mr. Kaiba? You sent for me?”

Glancing upwards from where he was frantically typing on his computer keyboard, the LCD screen casting an eerie glow over his features, Seto finally looked up. “Yes, Roland. I need you to do something for me.” He said, turning off the monitor to his computer.

Roland tilted his head a bit to the side and reached up to adjust his sunglasses, “What can I do for you, sir?”

“I need you to go to a place for me and tell me your thoughts on it.” Seto started, as he interlaced his fingers, and the eyes of finely polished sapphires focused on his right hand of Kaiba Corp. “Intoxication.”

“Sir?”

“What? You mean you haven’t heard of this place? The secretaries have done nothing but gossip about it for the last week before they even opened.” Came the cool response, as Seto pulled out a file and tossed it over, “all the information you’ll need to find it and who runs it.” He checked his watch, “go tonight and find out all you can about the establishment, and if it is worth my time.” He said.

“Your time, Mr. Kaiba? I do not understand.”

Seto rolled his eyes, “Mokuba insists I need to take some time off from work and that going out seems to be key.” He stated, then continued, “and I’m wondering if this . . . Intoxication is a place that I may want to visit.”

“Yes sir!” Roland said as he turned on his heel and headed for the door.

“Oh, one more thing, Roland.” Seto’s voice stopped him cold as he turned and listened, “try to relax, consider this one of your night’s off.” He said before turning the monitor back on and returning to his work. Roland walked out the door and thought for a moment and then headed to his own offices down the hall from his charge.

~*~*~*~

Jounouchi was hurting, his ribs were throbbing unmercifully and it pained him to even breathe deeply. Crawling over to the small futon, he noticed that sometime during his unconsciousness his father had ransacked his room, found the small lock box and taken the contents. “Dammit.” He muttered, attempting to get to his feet, once he was upright a wave of vertigo struck and he swayed, barely managing to get his hand to the wall to steady him. He lifted his shirt and noticed the deep blue-black bruising spreading across his ribcage and hissed as he pressed in and the pain flared through his side like a wildfire.

With small steps Jounouchi made his way to the small first aid kit he kept in his room searching for something as he knew that he had to go to work tonight even if it killed him. Opening the kit, he found a few useful items, but most importantly, there was an ace bandage. Picking up the bandage, he began wrapping it tightly around his ribcage and secured it with the small devices that held it in place. Dressing was a challenge especially his shirt as he had to move his arms that pulled muscles in his chest. When he finished, he shoved his feet into his sneakers making his way slowly to the kitchen where there was a loaf of bread and some type of lunch meat that barely looked edible. But with no money, since his father had stolen it all, he had any choice. Making a sandwich, Jounouchi ate it without truly tasting it then cleaned up after himself.

It was still very early and he didn’t have to be at the club for a few more hours; however he didn’t want to stay here any longer than absolutely necessary. Grabbing his messenger bag in which he shoved a change of clothes, he headed out the front door and into Domino City. He wandered around downtown for a little while until his ribs started to ache and it became harder to breathe. He sat down heavily on a bench and tried to get his breathing under control, when he heard a voice. “Hey Suya.”

Glancing upwards, Jounouchi came face to face with Draco. “Draco.”

“You okay? You look flushed.”

“I’m fine.”

Draco knew that something was up, as he took in the teenager, Jounouchi’s face had an unhealthy flush to it, and there was sweat beading on his brow. “Want to try that again?” he inquired, as he sat next to him on the bench and noticed the small bruise that was on his cheek. “What happened to you?”

Jounouchi shrugged lightly, “Got into a fight.” He said, the excuse slipping almost too easily from his lips.

Nodding a bit, Draco offered Jounouchi his hand as he got up, “alright, well come on, let’s get you checked out.” He said, as he waited. Jounouchi’s face blanched a bit, but the look in Draco’s eyes made him think twice about arguing. “Anyway, Arista would probably kill me if I didn’t help one of our employees.” He finished with a smile. “I promise, I’ll stay with you.”

“I suppose.” Jounouchi responded taking Draco’s hand in his own and allowing him to help him to his feet. Once he was upright, he struggled to stay that way as vertigo washed over him again, and it was only with Draco holding his arm that he was able to stay on his feet and not go crashing back down onto the bench. “Never bothered before.”

“How often has this happened, Jounouchi?”

A shrug of the shoulders was the first response and Draco had to strain to hear the actual words that left the teenager’s mouth, “too often.”

Draco didn’t say another word but hailed a cab and after helping Jounouchi climb in followed and told the driver where to go. Jounouchi however, as soon as he hit the interior of the cab; his head lolled to the side as he passed out. “And you thought you’d be able to work in this condition? What were you thinking?”

Upon arriving at the hospital Draco paid the driver then gently lifted Jounouchi from the backseat. He carried the young man inside and set him down on a chair as he went over to the station where a nurse was typing away at a keyboard. “Can I help you?” she asked, looking up at him.

“I have a young man who was in a fight, can he be seen by someone?”

The nurse nodded, “Fill this out and someone will be with you shortly.” She responded, handing him a clipboard with some paperwork on it. Taking the item she handed over Draco drifted back to where Jounouchi was and sat down, as he filled it out the best he could. His eyes continuously drifting to the young man at his side.

A woman dressed in a lab coat came over and stood quietly beside Draco. “Have you finished that?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’ll take it, could you carry him into exam room one please?”

Handing over the clipboard, Draco then lifted Jounouchi into his arms and carried him to where the woman wanted him to go. “who are you?” he asked, setting the young man onto the bed, the tissue paper crinkling.

“I’m Dr. Kurosawa, and I have a few questions. First off, are you family?”

“No. I’m his boss over at Club Intoxication.”

She nodded, and gazed down at the clipboard, “well, I would need his father to be here for the exact medical history. Would you step outside while I do the exam?” Draco didn’t move, and she sighed, “please, sir. I know you are concerned, but you are not family, therefore you cannot stay.”

Glancing towards Jounouchi who hadn’t moved since he placed him down on the table, Draco took a deep breath and walked over to the young man, “I’ll be outside if you need me, Suya.” He said, as he made his way to the door. “I’ll be in the waiting room.” Draco finally said as he left the room, closing the door behind him.

As soon as she was alone with Jounouchi she shook her head, “now, what have you gotten yourself into? Bad enough you’re stealing my school supplies.” Akihiro Kurosawa muttered as she started to unbutton Jounouchi’s shirt.

~*~*~*~

Author's Note: Always, please read and review. I need the reviews to feed the plot bunnies that hop around my head.