The Bet

chapter 9: changing the wager


Yugi sighed and closed his locker after putting his morning books away and tucking a worn, beaten novel under his arm. He wasn't going to lunch; he planned on slipping up to the library to do some leisure reading, as he normally did. It was a great way to avoid the common masses, who wouldn't be caught dead in such a place.

Although, he seriously doubted he was going to be able to do much concentrating; he'd been spacing out all day, worrying about Yami. It was Friday afternoon, and he hadn't seen or heard from Yami since the older boy had given him a ride home earlier in the week. Then again, the fact that this was his first day back to school after being absent for two days might have something to do with it.

He had wanted to go to school Wednesday and Thuy, iy, in hopes of seeing more of Yami and talking to him. However, when Yogi had been in the tub Tuesday night, his grandfather had come in and seen the huge, dark black, blue and purple bruise on his soft stomach from Jounouchi kicking him, and the raw scrapes on his weather reddened cheek from Ushio pushing him to the pavement Monday morning. His grandfather had kept him home, applying a medicinal cream on his huge bruise that doubled the healing time, and constantly covering the scratches with antibiotic ointment. Now, his bruise wasn't swollen, and he could move without much pain and the scrapes were scabbed over.

Yugi turned, clutching his book to his thin chest with his hands buried in the long, warm sleeves of his thick, woolen sweater, and his huge violet eyes in their customary gaze on the floor as he walked along the wall. He chewed his full lower lip thoughtfully, wondering if he'd only been dreamihen hen Yami had ridden him home. It was so absurd; Yami, hot, popular Yami interacting with him, Yugi, a pint sized nobody......but, if it was a dream, then what a wonderful dream it was!

The small one sighed, shaking his head. It had occurred, but he didn't understand why it happened. All he knew was that it was the first time anyone had ever been nice to him, and that someone had been his secret crush! And, now, he supposedly had a date with his crush. While his heart fluttered at the thought, his mind rationalized that was probably not going to happen. It was too much good luck for someone like him. But Yugi was determined not to question or second guess himself; he was merely going to enjoy whatever was thrown his way. He had attention for the first time in his life, and he liked it.

Yugi was so lost in his musings he hadn't realized he'd bumped into someone until he fell backwards onto his small behind, which was slightly sore from his previous falls. Yugi gasped in surprise whes bos bottom made contact with the hard linoleum, then winced and slowly gazed upwards with fearful, wide eyes as a hasty apology stumbled forth from his lips. "G-gomen n- nasaii..." His soft voice trailed off as he stared into a pair of dark crimson eyes.

"Y-yami!" Yugi squeaked, his heart starting to pound rapidly and his hands trembled in his sleeves with his nervousness. He had wanted to see Yami, but now that he had, what was he supposed to do? How should ct? ct? Thoroughly confused, he gulped and looked down, shaking like a leaf.

"Yugi." Yami wore his familiar smirk, and his voice had all it's familiar confidence. The older boy held his palm out in invitation, but Yugi didn't see it. Yami insistently moved his hand closer and Yugi flinched, hesitated, then slowly one fine little hand emerged from a woolen sleeve, lost its death grip on the worn book, and was placed in Yami's warm, larger one.

Both boys felt the shock of skin on skin, of soft porcelain sliding on to the rough pads of Yami's calloused hands. Yugi's eyes widened to twice their natural size and flew automatically to Yami's, who were amazed as well. Both held their breath, savoring the sensation, befoami ami shook his head, clearing it, then curled his long fingers around Yugi's hand, and helped him to his feet.

Yugi looked up at Yami, breathless and batting his long eyelashes, still lost in the spell. Yami leaned down, smirking once again after having gained his composure once more. "We've got to stop meeting like this. I don't think your sweet ass could take much more." He joked lightly, the look in his eyes darkening when he said 'sweet ass'.

His words broke Yugi out of the trance. The little one quickly looked down, his hand still in Yami's, and blushed a brilliant shade of red. "Gomen nasai, Yami! I'll be more careful, I promise, I'm so sorry, I- Arigato for helping me up. I'll be more careful.....I'm sorry....I'm such a klutz...."

"Hush, hush." Yami placed a finger under his chin, lifting it up and gazing deeply into his eyes. "I was only joking, Yugi. It's alright. But I've been wanting to see you."

Yugi swallowed the lump in his throat, then smiled shyly at Yami. "I-I've w- wanted to see you, t-too." He said bravely, then gazing at the floor again.

Yami smiled. "It's been a while; we're still on for tonight, right?"

Yugi's eyes shone with sudden happiness and surprise, flying back up to Yami and searching his face. Hesitantly, he nodded.

"Good. I'll pick you up at eight, okay?"

Yugi nodded again, then Yami walked away, his hand caressing Yugi's good cheek as he walked past.

Yugi watched until he was out of sight, then let out a soft squeal of excitement, joy lighting up his features. He really, truly was going out on his first date! Clutching his book tightly, he skipped up to the library, day dreaming all the way and lost to cloud nine for the rest of the day.

*******

Mai looked at her reflection in her locker mirror, applying more lipstick instead of grabbing her book and getting to fifth period. Her locker was conveniently located en route from her fourth period class to the one after that, and she never bothered to lug excess weight when it wasn't necessary; she always stopped at her locker in between classes, and stashed her books for classes away from her locker in the lockers of her acquaintances.

She was just touching up her eye liner when she saw in the mirror a blonde headed figure walked past with his books and notebooks carelessly under one arm. She smirked at him as he passed, oblivious to her. It was time she and Jounouchi had a little chat about his screw up.

******

Jou nervously bit his lip as he tried not to look at Mai, fearful of attracting her attention. While he wasn't one to back down from a fight, Mai and her gang were just a little too over the top for him. So far, he and Mai hadn't bothered with one another, not even in study hall. However, he knew it was only a matter of time before she decided to catch up with him. She was just waiting until he dropped his guard.

She was going to skin him alive for beating up the wrong boy. Jou hadn't done that on purpose; it had been an honest mistake. It was so hard to tell one from the other; all the geeks were alike. Or maybe he just didn't pay enough attention.

Jou snorted, not really giving a crap either way. He didn't know them, and they didn't matter to him. Although, staying alive did. And he seriously wondered whether or not Mai was going to really slit his throat. She was, after all, one of the most notorious kids in school. And wasn't it rumored that Marik, whom Mai was known to hang with, had tried to kill his own father? Not that Jou could blame him; all fathers were-

"KATSUYA!! I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR FUCKING STUPID ASS!"

He turned just in time to catch Mai's beringed fist, only to have another catch him in the ribs, momentarily knocking the air out of him.

"FUCK OFF, BITCH!" He snarled back then lunged at Mai, and the two began an intense physical brawl with Jou taking much of the heat and ended with Mai pinning Jou to the wall. Both of them were mussed, panting, breathless, and sporting a few drops of blood.

"You are so fucking stupid! can can't do anything right! How hard was it to pick the right midget? You couldn't even do that without fucking up! Makes me wonder why we ever dated in middle school."

"Because you weren't so crazy back then." Jou's voice was low, though his eyes were hard and full of hatred.

Mai had recovered some breathe and was going to start round two when they were so rudely interrupted.

"Young lady, release that young man this instant." The principal and two security guards man managed to push themselves through the throng of students, who had flocked like vultures to a kill, to watce fie fight, hollering and chattering excitedly as animals are prone to do.

The principal eyed Mai and Jou with distaste, being well acquainted with both of them, and not under the best of circumstances. For them. "You two. I'm not surprised. Neither of you can stay out of trouble for very long. Jounouchi, you've hit the record with three months. I knew you'dak yak your lucky streak sometime. Both of you, follow me."

The mob of students changed from rioting animals to silent mourners, upset that their fun had been spoiled by the ever dreaded authority figures. Then, they were normal students again, shuffling along to class whispering about the latest piece of gossip.

Jounouchi slouched along with his fists rammed into his pockets and his head lowered in shame and silent rebellion while Mai strolled casually along, more worried about her appearance than being in trouble. She ignored the lingering students until a flash of baby blue caught her eye, and her gaze locked with Anzu's. The cheerleader's pretty features frowned in disproval as she suddenly turned, stuck her nose in the air, and stomped off to class. Mai lost a bit of her swagger as she followed the principal and security guards.

*******

Yami smiled to himself as he walked past a dazed Yugi. He was extremely glad that he had managed to run into the smaller boy, though he told himself it was only because he would have lost face tonight if he showed up with out the boy. He was, after all, just playing a game, and certain people would say he was loosing his touch if he didn't bring Yugi.

Speaking of certain people, Yami lost his smile, his eyes narrowing and face hardening, as Bakura came stalking up to him with a demonic glint in his eyes. "Whatever hair brained scheme you and Marik are currently plotting, I want no part of it."

Bakura leaned against a wall, smirking back at Yami. "Since when were you a chicken?"

Yami snorted. "I'm not afraid. I've proven that countless times. However, I can think of better ways to waste my time and energy rather than wreaking senseless destruction."

Bakura sneered. "Destruction is never senseless, especially when it comes to school property. However, I didn't want to talk to you about that, stupid ass. The day I want to have anything to do with you is the day blue snow cones come from hell. I want to change our little bet."

Yami was tuning Bakura out when his last sentence caught his attention once more. "Oh, really?" He raised an eyebrow.

Bakura snorted. "You act so high and mighty; you're almost as conceited as Kaiba's pompous ass. I've taken an.......particular interest in the silver haired twat that looks like me, much like you have with that short thing you like."

"And your point is?"

"Whoever fucks their bitch first wins."

"And whoever looses?"

"Has to pull down their pants and masturbate publicly at the graduation ceremony."

"Fine."

"Fine." Yami and Bakura each turned on their heel and headed off in the opposite direction.

&&&&&&&

gah, this chappie's done! whee, next chappie; yugi's first date!!! and it's going to be very interesting, i promise you!

my God, i have so madeasdeas for this fic! it's gonna be a doozy!! *giggles * that's a weird word! anyhoos, i've been getting ideas from the oddest places for this; mostly for the yami/yugi relationship.

things like graduation, prom, etc we gotta get through, but also there's the whole yugi finding out about the bet thing, then we have the summer; senior trip! and, of course, they're taking their lovers with them! ^___^ then yami's going off to college at the end of the summer, and yugi's gonna start 11th grade, and that's gonna be the end of the fic! *giggles * but, i promise, lots more to come~

*sighs * i've just really been loosing my motivation! i know what i want to happen, i've just been too lazy to type it, or i've been too buys. life sux, big time!