Stinging Beauty

Being in a good mood, I decided to put up this chapter, too. Have fun with it.

Oh, almost forgot, shin-iri means newcomer.

Ja ne, and thanks for reviewing!^^

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

21. Another part of me.

Of course, there had been a party.

Hell, there had been two parties, one hosted by a business associate of his(he had to attend, save he loose his face and a couple of very…fruitious connections), and then the one, his employees had thrown for him(he was sure, a couple of them would not show up for work or at least, in a sore state- not that he cared).

Needless to say, he was in a foul mood when he stomped into the house and slammed the door closed behind him.

“Mokuba? Mokuba, I’m home!” barked Kaiba.

His tone alone bore witness to the anger cursing through his veins.

Giving a shaky smile, his younger brother approached, and chirped:

“Kon-ban wa, nii-sama. Happy birth-“

„Don’t,“ hissed Seto, one hand stopping any forthcoming comments, „use that word in my presence ever again, wakarimashita? Or do I appear to be happy? Do I make the impression of being a happy, contented, cheerful birthday person to you?!?”

Mokuba had a rather naughty answer to that, but decided, he valued live. and mostly sugar, more than a snide remark. So instead, he muttered:

“Hai. Then, uhhh, what would you like? I don’t suppose, you’re hungry, ne?”

Seto leaned back against the closed door and, letting his eyes drift closed, shook his head.

“Please, all I wish for at the moment is a hot bath, a soft bed-“

“-and a good fuck”, added Mokuba under his breath. Blue eyes glared at him.

“What was that?” The raven-haired boy flashed an innocent smile at his elder brother.

“Nothing. I-uhhmm, will leave you alone, ok? Ja!”

Sprinting down the hall towards the staircase, he threw back over his shoulder:

“Oh, tokouro de*, there’s somebody waiting for you in your office!”

With that, Mokuba left a somewhat puzzled Seto standing in the hall.

However, the confusion soon turned into a boiling rage.

He hated surprises.

Strangely enough, the door to his office was slightly ajar, though the room inside was dark.

Entering, Kaiba tried the light switch, but found it dysfunctional. Just as he wanted to mutter a silent curse, a low voice came from the direction the visitors chair, opposing his large mahogany desk, stood.

“Don’t bother. Here, let me help you. ”

A soft, cold light appeared, grew brighter, and was then turned to the polished surface of his desk.

And Seto’s breath caught in his throat.

It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Crafted entirely of what appeared to be glass, the chessboard had not one, but three stories.

On the lowest, the pawns stood assembled, the center one was reserved for the rooks, bishops and knights, and on the top deck resided the kings and queens.

Stepping closer, the brunet took in every single detail of the masterpiece, and his heart gave another, almost painful thump:

The white king was Obelisk, the Tormentor, the white queen his beloved Blue Eyed White Dragon, opposed to Slypher and the Red Eyed Black Dragon.

Two Paladins of the White Dragon faced off against the other two rooks, black Gearfrieds, the Iron Knights.

Both Gilfords were as accurately forged as their rivaling white bishops, Lords of the Dragons.

Naturally, the Imperial Seahorses served as white knights, although the black Legendary Fishermen seemed a little out of place.

Each a line of white Battle Oxens and black Panther Warriors completed the set.

“You..made this? For me?” whispered Seto incredulous, as he picked up the Blue Eyes. The clear glass reflected the light, splitting it up and sending iridescent rays in different directions.

Gingerly placing it back, his fingers closed around the Red Eyes, watching the smooth, blueish tinted material capture and ricochet the light in faint, smoky patterns.

Jou smiled at the brunet’s expression.

“Hai. Actually, it was a school project I started last year. It was almost finished, I just didn’t knew what motives I should take for the figurines. Needless to say, dueling inspired me a fair bit. So did you. ”

Watching Seto’s face for any reaction, he concluded:

“You thought me how to play chess, so I only found it fitting to reward you for your patience and encouragement. Arigatou gozaimasu, Kaiba Seto, and happy birthday. ”

Azure eyes gazed perplexed into golden ones, and then Seto rasped:

“I think, I just fell in love with you. ”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Ohohohohohohohoo, I just made my day, scratch that, my entire week with that cliffie!^^ Ahh, yes, the benefits of being an authoress…

This three-floored chessboard I described was actually from a movie I once saw- I don’t remember the plot(if it had any), the actors, or even the title. All I recall is the crime lord standing in the center of the ball room, playing chess against himself-with exactly this special edition(of course, no DM existed at the time the movie was aired…^^)

The worst part was finding the according monsters from each deck- and yes, even I know that Slyphur is Yuugi’s monster-

Slypher? Slifer? Slyphur? No idea, how to spell that godcard correctly(in the German dubbing, I think they came up with four different versions...¬ ¬°

*Jap: by the way/before I forget