EMO

Ch. 5

The sunlight filtered through the white curtains of Yugi’s new bedroom. With a soft groan, he rolled over in the fluffy bed and hid his head under the pillow, letting out a sigh at the warmth of the morning sun beaming down on him. It’d been a long time since he could feel the warmth of the bright sun. He could remember a time when he loved the sun. A time when he and his friends would be out all day from eight o’clock in the morning til’ the sun went down.

Atem peeked into the room and smiled before walking in and creeping up to his student’s bed. He sat down on the edge and leaned over the sleeping form. “Yugi…”

“Ng…”

The teacher chuckled. “Yugi… it’s nearly time to get up.”
“No…” Was the softly whispered protest.

“Alright then…” Atem grabbed the pillow and gently began trying to pry it from his student’s hands. When that didn’t work, he got up and pulled the blankets off of Yugi, causing the student to jump up and glare at his teacher. Atem chuckled. “I warned you.”

Yugi smiled some and threw his pillow, getting Atem square in the face. Atem’s eyes were wide with surprise, before he grinned back.

“Oh! It’s on now!” He yelled, picking up the thrown pillow and pouncing Yugi.

“Meep!” Yugi squealed out in surprise. He laughed out, grabbing his other pillow and hitting back at his teacher. He couldn’t remember when he was last happy when the person he was with wasn’t one of his best friends. Yugi lost his balance and Atem grinned triumphantly before pouncing on his student and tickling his sides. The youth laughed out and squirmed. “N-no! Stop!” His laughter was music to Atem’s ears.

The teacher stopped, both of them panting slightly from their joyful actions. Smiling, Atem rolled to his side off his student. Yugi looked at him with a happy gaze.

“Alright Yugi…” Atem playfully slapped Yugi’s thigh as he sat up. “Time to get up.” He stood off the bed and walked over to the bedroom door. “I’ll start breakfast.” He said and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

Yugi smiled happily and grabbed the pillow Atem had used to beat him with and he cuddled it, lying in his bed for a moment longer. He let out a contented sigh and decided that he would very much like living with his teacher.

Atem walked into his kitchen, his heart fluttering like a butterfly. When was the last time he had a girlish pillow fight? Or when was the last time he felt so happy to be alive? When was the last time he felt needed by another just like him?

‘When was the last time I needed someone so badly, besides Mahaad?’ Atem thought, and he suddenly felt fearful. ‘No… this isn’t need. It’s want. I don’t need Yugi. I want Yugi to need me. I want to need Yugi.’ The teacher stopped in his tracks and stared down at the counter. ‘I want Yugi to love me… I want to love Yugi…’ Atem began to feel hateful. He fisted his hands at his sides. ‘What’s wrong with me? Using a poor child to my advantage? I’m so horrible.’

“Atem, are you awake?”

The teacher jumped at Mahaad’s voice. He turned around and saw his friend in the door way.

“Mahaad… what are you doing here?” Atem asked stupidly.

Mahaad raised an eyebrow. “You… called me a few minutes ago and asked me to join you for breakfast.”

Atem blinked dumbly. “I did?”

“… Yes.” The taller man gave his friend a worried look. “Are you feeling alright Atem?” He asked.

Atem smiled. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“Atem…” Yugi walked into the room from the opposite hallway, but stopped in his tracks when he saw Mahaad with a hand on Atem’s cheek. “Oh… hello Mahaad.”

Mahaad jerked his hand from Atem’s forehead as if he’d been caught with it in the cookie jar. “Yugi? What’re you doing here?”

Atem smiled and put a hand on Yugi’s back. “He lives with me now.”

Mahaad’s eyes widened. “What? Atem, is that a very good idea?”

“I talked to his grandfather about it and Mr. Motou agrees with me. He even gave me permission to help Yugi in any way I can.” Atem replied.

Yugi nodded. “I’m alright with it.”

“Atem… I don’t think this is a very good idea.” Mahaad whispered.

“Why not?” Yugi asked.

Mahaad grabbed Atem’s hand and pulled him away from Yugi and into the living room. “Atem, you are in just bad a shape as Yugi is.” He whispered.

“I know. This way, we’ll be able to help each other, without Yugi knowing.” Atem whispered back.

“But Atem, I don’t… what if he only makes you worse?”

Atem narrowed his eyes some. “He won’t.”
“How do you know that?”

“I just do, alright!”

Mahaad sighed. “You’re doing this for yourself, aren’t you?”

Atem’s eyes widened. “Of course not! I don’t want Yugi to end up like me, so I’m going to help him while he still has a chance to be himself again!” The teacher turned to walk back into the kitchen. “You know I’m better than that.” He whispered over his shoulder.

Mahaad sighed depressed and walked back into the kitchen. He joined Yugi and Atem at the table and enjoyed a breakfast with them. Afterwards, he left for the school in his own car while Atem drove with Yugi.

“Jou!” The youth yelled as he ran through the crowded courtyard of the school.

Said blonde turned around, only to nearly fall down when his small friend crashed into him happily. He steadied his body on his feet while wrapping his arms around Yugi’s waist. “Whoa… easy dere buddy!” The blonde grinned.

Honda and Anzu smiled happily at Yugi’s glowing amethyst eyes.

“Hey Yugi! You look happy this morning!” Honda said.

Yugi released Jou from his iron grip and smiled at his two friends. “Yeah… Atem… err… Sensei is a great person.”

“You mean Aknunkadin-sensei?” Anzu asked.

“Yeah, Grandpa and Sensei decided that I should live with Sensei until I’m able to pay rent for an apartment.” Yugi explained as the four friends began to walk into the school building.

Jou smiled and rested an arm around his smaller friend’s shoulders in a friendly manner. “Dat’s great Yug’.”

“Jou… I can’t help but feel like you know something about this.” Honda eyed his blonde friend knowingly.

Jou blushed. “Er… I dunno what yer talking ‘bout dere, Honda, pal!” He yelled before rushing off to class ahead of the others.

Jou’s three friends stared after him in confusion. Honda sighed with a smile. “Oh well…”

“He’s always hiding something.” Anzu giggled.

“At any rate, I’m just happy to be with you guys again.” Yugi whispered.

“We’re happy to have you back Yugi.” Anzu smiled, putting a hand on Yugi’s shoulder.

“And it’s thanks to Jou and Aknunkadin-sensei.” Honda grinned. “I think it was Jou that missed you the most Yugi.”

Yugi looked down at the ground. “Yeah… I really missed him too.”

“Then why didn’t you just come back to us?” Anzu asked.

Yugi smiled up at them and ignored the question. “It doesn’t matter. I’m back now, and I’m happy to be back.” With that, the smallest of the four waved and rushed off to class.

Anzu and Honda looked at each other. “He’s hiding something, just like Jou.” Anzu whispered.

“He’ll tell us when he’s ready.” Honda smiled. “See ya, Anzu.” He said and made his way to class.

As Yugi walked to class, he kept his head down, afraid that if he met anyone's eyes, they would know how he truly felt at the moment. He was happy with Atem-sensei, but the person he truly wanted to be with was in love with someone else. He knew this, because he's seen the person he liked looking at someone else in their class. Walking into the bathroom, he stepped into a stall and locked the door before leaning against the wall. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes and he sat on the lid of the toilet, dropping his school bag.

Jou followed Yugi into the bathroom silent, wondering why his friend was going into the bathroom and not to class. He shut the door quietly and listened to his friend's sobs with a heavy heart. 'Yugi, why are ya cryin bud?' He thought to himself, staring at the closed door of the bathroom stall. Unbeknowst to him, someone had followed Jou into the bathroom. As Jou walked up to the stall, a hand grabbed his shoulder. Jumping, he turned to look into the eyes of Seto Kaiba.

"Ka-"

Seto lifted a hand to Jou's mouth to stop him from speaking. Shaking his head, Kaiba pulled Jou out of the bathroom.

"What da hell, Kaiba? Can't I check on my buddy?" Jou glared at his crush.

"Right now I think Yugi should be on his own." Kaiba said seriously.

"If he's alone, he may try sumthin again!"

"You don't trust Yugi?"

Jou's eyes widen. "What?"

"You heard me Jou. Don't you trust Yugi not to try something again?"

Jou looked down at the ground. "That's-" He paused.

Yugi stepped out of the stall, rubbing one of his eyes with his fist. Picking up his bag, he walked up to the door and went to open it, but then heard Jou's and Kaiba's voices.

"Jou..." Kaiba sighed. "You can't always help Yugi. Sometimes he needs to help himself."

"But... he's my pal."

"I know, pup." Seto smiled, stepping closer to Jou. "I'm a little jealous. Can't you worry about me sometimes?"

Jou blushed and leaned against the door to the bathroom. "S-Seto... we're in school."

"So? Everyone's in class. I haven't seen you in two days, so I haven't had a kiss in two days."

Yugi's eyes widened. 'No...'

Jou blushed more, but leaned forward some. Seto smirked, lifting a hand and petting Jou's cheek. "Thats my pup." He whispered and pressed his lips to Jou's in a passionate, heated kiss. Jou let out a soft moan, wrapping his arms around Seto's neck and pressing their bodies together.

'Stop...' Yugi bit his bottom lip to hold down the whimper.

Seto chuckled and pinned Jou to the door, kissing him more heatedly. Jou's body heated up as their tongues danced against each other. He shivered as one of Seto's hands gripped one of his butt cheeks, massaging it affectionately and he moaned louder.

'Stop!' Yugi leaned against the other side of the door, holding down his sobs. 'Why?! I love you, Jou!'

Jou panted as Seto pulled from the kiss. "I have a meeting in an hour." Seto whispered. "I'll pick you up after school. You owe me, pup." The CEO whispered, nipping Jou's ear. At the nod from his pup, Seto walked away. Jou watched him go before picking up his bag and turning to the door.

Yugi heard Seto walked away and stood from the door. He watched the door open. Jou's eyes widened.

"Yugi..."

Yugi's fists tightened.

Jou blinked. "You alright, pal?"

Yugi shook his head furiously before pushing Jou out of the way and running down the hall. The tears fell down his cheeks hotly and he ignored Jou's voice yelling his name. Pushing the doors open, he ran out of the building.

Jou's eyes widened as he watched Yugi run away. Grinding his teeth, he took off after his friend.

Seto was walking out of the gate when someone ran into him. Stumbling, he gathered his composure and turned to see Yugi on the ground. Raising an eyebrow, he stared down. "Yugi? What're you doing?" Yugi looked up at him through tearful eyes.

"Seto! Grab him!"

Seto looked up to see Jou running toward them. Yugi looked as well and quickly got up and started running again. Seto didn't have time to blink as Yugi ran through the gates of the school.

"Bastard! I told ya ta grab him!" Jou panted as he stopped beside Seto.

"I told you Jou, I want nothing to do with Yugi at the moment."

Jou glared at him. "Den I'm not havin sex wid ya tonight!"

Seto's eyes widened. "Fine..." He sighed. "Get in the car and we'll follow him. Damn pup. I just can't win against you."

Jou grinned and kissed his cheek. "Yer da best, Dragon!"

Seto blushed slightly and pushed Jou to the red Mercedes. Jou followed his lead and climbed into the passenger's side, bouncing in the seat anxiously as Seto walked around the front of the car and got into the driver's seat. "Hurry up, Seto! Or Yugi'll get too far!"

"Down boy." Seto muttered as he started the car and took off down the street Yugi took.