For that Reason: Chapter Seven

Written by: Hikari's Dark Side

Co-written by: Yami no Muraii

Disclaimer: Here, I disown both animes: Yu-gi-oh and Rurouni Kenshin. They belong to their respective owners, mentioned in the previous chapters. The characters are also not mine, BUT the plotline and situations do belong to me. I am unable to put this into an official/legal document, so there is absolutely no point in dragging me into a courtroom and suing me on copyright grounds.

Please enjoy and review at the end of the chapter.

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Beads of sweat rolled lazily down Kaiba's cheeks and forehead as he adjusted the wooden sword in his right hand. He widened his eyes in surprise as his lover attacked in one quick motion, swinging his own sword dangerously close to his. Luckily the brunette caught the blow in a successful block and had enough time to back away from his opponent.

Jou paused for minute, catching his breath and readying himself in a fighting sword stance. He groaned when the sore spot in his shoulder throbbed painfully from where Kaiba's sword had nicked him accidentally. Thankfully no blood had spilled, the nick only brushing a couple layers of skin. He had only a second's notice of Seto charging at him in a zigzag pattern, before blocking himself. The swords clashed against each other for what seemed like hours until both men collapsed on the ground out of exhaustion.

The sun was finally beginning to rise and sure enough, Yugi came striding out with a smile on his face. His amethyst eyes twinkled at their hard work and progress, evident on their sweaty arms and faces.

"Good Morning Yugi-sensei!"

"Have I ever told you two that I'm proud of you?"

Both shook their heads only slightly and stood up, bowed respectfully to their teacher, and left to go inside for breakfast. Yugi still had that smile on his face and he continued on his way to the market for shopping. Even thought it was quite early for a trip to the market, Bakura had asked him to fetch some heavier groceries such as soy sauce, rice, fish,(as Malik was unable to find many in the Gyro) fresh fruits from their gardens, and some herbs from the apothecary (1). It had seemed their large numbers of residents were all indisposed at the present time, so the teacher had volunteered to go. Being used to carrying heavy loads for training, Yugi appeared to be the proper man for the job.

Reaching his destination, the tri-haired teacher proceeded to locate the apothecary and purchase some healing, cooking, and gardening herbs. The shopkeeper had leered at him in the most unpleasant of ways, but one smile from Yugi and he had no choice but to grin back. The odd smells in that place were enough to turn any other man's stomach, if it happened to be full at the time. Venturing out to shop here before breakfast had been a very wise decision.

The fruit and vegetable stands were packed as usual with policemen, keeping a lookout for pick-pockets. The citizens, at least to Yugi's eyes, appeared ruffled at this misplacement of their protection against criminals. Yugi agreed with them, the police were supposed to protect people, not merchandise. A sigh escaped his lips, and he proceeded to the general grocer to pick up flour, fish, salt, rice and soy sauce. The grocer was unusually empty early in the morning, and Yugi could only guess and speculate why. 'Perhaps the crime rate is scaring people into hiding or leaving.'

The elder shopkeeper smiled toothily at the teacher and bagged his purchases personally.

He waved merrily to his departing customer and went back to sweeping the floors.

The walk back to the dojo was interrupted by Yugi's gathering of walnuts, peaches, apples, cherries, and pecans from the school gardens and orchards. The blossoms at this time of year never ceased to amaze him. He could hardly believe that it was only 8 or 7 years ago that he had nurtured these gardens alongside Bakura and Ryou. When he felt foreign warmth pass over his outstretched hand, Yugi started quite violently. But a purring voice in his ear calmed his jumpy nerves.

"Why hello to you too little one."

Yugi smiled, only a faint tint of pink adorning his cheeks, as he turned in Atemu's arms. The red-eyed Rurouni wrapped his arms more tightly around Yugi's shoulder area and rested his forehead against Yugi's. He smiled at the confused look on the teacher's face, both of their hearts beating a mile a minute. One of his hands drifted lazily to trace Yugi's jaw line, and rest on the back of the other's small neck. The movement of those smooth, yet rough hands caused Yugi to shiver in his skin.

The look reflected in both of their eyes resembled that of young lovers, drifting in the uncertainty of a first in a relationship. It harbored passion that belonged to young and older pairs alike. Crimson orbs flashed many of these emotions at identically loving amethyst. Hot breath passed across both of their faces to swirl around their close mouths.

Soon their noses were touching in an innocent Eskimo kiss. Atemu hesitated in his previous movements, but the look in Yugi's eyes drove all rational thought from his mind. They displayed uncovered adoration, passion, and love for him to gaze upon in fascination. In one swift move, Yugi tilted his head and allowed Atemu to take his mouth in a long, slow kiss. Atemu was immediately surprised at the unusual combination of hot and cooling touch of Yugi's lips.

He soon felt the other's skilled hands tangle in his mane of ebony and crimson locks and marveled at the motions that were administered on his scalp and roots. Atemu brushed his tongue smoothly across Yugi's velvety smooth lips, allowing him to feel each and every touch. Atemu slipped one hand in the fold of cloth concealing the soft flesh of Yugi's chest. He caressed the smooth and firm muscles under that warm skin, causing the younger to pull flush against him.

A soft cough behind Atemu caused the young lovers to separate at once. The older rurouni growled softly at the shadow hiding in the dark shade of the cherry and oak trees. A small boy stepped out from the dark, revealing a crown of unnaturally greenish aqua hair. His air of nobility and arrogance mirrored that of someone on the memory of both tri-haired males. Dark green eyes narrowed viciously and sneered at the tangled appearance of the other two males. His cold voice rang out, clearing the air of any remaining romantic aura,

"How disgusting…you two obviously need to get over your silly obsession or lust…whatever you want to call it."

Yugi's purple orbs swam with sudden tears, but clung desperately onto Atemu. Atemu's crimson orbs flared with rage, and his hand strayed to his sword at his hip.

"Shut it you twit! Just leave!"

"I think not."

The boy's cold nature was scaring Yugi, Atemu knew it. He could practically smell the fear lingering on the other man's innocence.

"A-Atemu…let's just go…"

"Like I said before…I think not!"

Atemu turned back to the stranger, growling more loudly,

"Just try it you brat!"

The stranger raised a small hand, snapped his fingers. Men with sharp bright eyes appeared out of the shadows, wielding daggers, and some even held shotguns from the Coast.

"What do you want from us? Who the hell are you anyway!"

A sly evil smirk spread across the boy's mouth and answered in that same cold emotionless voice,

"The name is Kaiba Noa, and I want everything you hold dear to your heart."

The largest henchman snuck behind the shocked males and knocked them both out. As Yugi slipped in unconsciousness, he heard a long, high-pitched laugh.

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When Yugi's eyes slid open, he was immediately helped up by Ryou. The boy's doe brown eyes were swimming with unshed tears,

"Yugi…what happened here?"

"I…I…don't know. These men came from everywhere. They said something about…"

But as his eyes searched the area beside him, where he was sure Atemu had fell down next to him, a new question came to mind,

"Where's Atemu?"

All (all being referred to as Yugi-tachi) of their eyes widened in realization. They all glanced at each other, not daring to speak up. Ryou put his arms around Yugi and whispered,

"I'm so sorry Yugi…Atemu…he has disappeared."

And rain began to fall around and on their faces.

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Sarah Costa: That isn't a very common belief is it? I would love to think so, but alas…I'm sure it is not. I'm glad Ryou got some glory, Bakura'll be proud to polish that trophy for quite some time, thanks for the review!

Puffin: Yep, I just have to write this for you guys, it's worth it in the end! Don't be afraid to guess, and thanks for the review!

PetPetAngel: No keeping secrets from this 'friend' of yours! coughcrushcough Thanks for the review!

S. Chensu and Luff: This is even shorter…o.o…I'M SCARED! Don't hurt me, I promise more longer chapters ASAP! . May the King of Angels bless you for the long review!

Yana5: Sanks for the review!

Darkmistressofyaoi: I like your username, very creative and unique .. Yamis sure are tiresome aren't they. Yours doesn't give compliments? OO Mine can't give a comment, let alone a single compliment. Thanks for the review!

Enjeru and Yami Enjeru: Hopefully you girls can find some things interesting to do! wink I love you both, and thanks for the review!

Padfoot13: Aww…you can be so flattering sometimes Padfoot, I thank you for the kind compliments, I only hope that this chapter wasn't too short for you. Thanks for the review!

Akira of the twilight: But the fluff is good for you. Angst is OK as well, but you need a balance…boy…now I sound like a Buddhist or Hindu. (No offense to real ones, I poke fun at all religions including my own). Thanks for the review!

Tears of a mermaid: You really think so? I thought it was short, but it's your people's opinions that count, I'm only number two. Thanks for the review!

Yaoishoujo: Here are the ages, sweetie:

Yugi- 22

Atemu- 25

Ryou- 19

Bakura- 24

Malik- 20

Marik- 24

Seto Kaiba- 18

Jounochi- 18

Noa Kaiba- 22

Love from Hikari…and thanks for the review

Note: If the dates don't work out right or something, my readers, I ask you to let me know, otherwise, THESE are the ages, OK?

hugs you back If you mean on yahoo, then no. BUT I do have a DevART account. I count that as a website, personal or not. I'll post the link in my bio so you can check it out, Ks? I don't know if I knew before, but you're 6 or 7 years older than me! I was shocked, I'm just a teeny tiny high school-er and you're an adult…but I love you just the same! Don't fret a hair on your head! smile

xoxoJelly-Redxoxo: Sorry…thanks for the review anyway!

seers-of-a-lost-paradise: Your review definitely encouraged me to stay as a writer, and helped me to further pursue my dream of being one. Thanks!

Quill Masters: Trying at the moment to work on it…I'll try my best. Thanks for the review!

Yami Yuugi: Aww...you always were the sweet Pharaoh of the two of us. Thanks for the review!

Loving eyes: All your reviews have really brought me out of the dumps, your yami can have all the plushies she desires! (dumps truck-load of Malik, Marik, Atemu the Rurouni, Yugi-sensei, etc). Thank you for all your reviews!