A/N - For those who read my LJ, this is not one of the three updates I promised this weekend. Since most of my stories are coming to a close I figured I could post the first chapter here now.
Yami Mutou sighed as he sunk down on the black leather seat of the posh black car. It wasn't a limo; instead it was a small sleek car, which made navigating Sydney's busy streets much easier then with bigger car.
Tiredly, Yami a hand through his spiky tri-colored hair and he closed his crimson eyes, wanting only to get back to his hotel and get some rest. His head was pounding from the wrap party he had been at only minutes before despite the fact he hadn't had a thing to drink at the party. Even the champagne that was freely being passed around he didn't touch. He only stayed around as long as he did for the crew who deserved a break after the long hours they had put in over the months to make everything happen.
"This could take a few minutes, it looks like there's an accident ahead Mr. Mutou," the driver said in a thick Australian accent. Yami sighed at the news but said nothing. It wasn't the driver's fault so there was no reason to yell at him. Instead he rested his head against the back of the seat and tried to nap.
For the past nine months Yami had been in the land down under filming his latest movie; a historical epic that was already receiving buzz that the young Mutou would receive his third Oscar in three years.
The first had come three years ago with his performance of a young man struggling with his sexual identity. Critics and peers were amazed at his outstanding ability to portray a newlywed who wonders if he had made the right choice in life so he has an affair with another man only to discover that he is gay.
The second Oscar came a year later for his role in a period piece of a man wrongly convinced and forced to live the rest of his life at Devil's Island, the famous and notorious French prison.
Yami however didn't care. Long ago he had lost his love for acting having discovered the hard lifestyle of a famous Hollywood star.
There was little that Yami could do anymore without the press reporting it. Even a simple trip to the grocery store was now front-page news among the tabloids. His personal life was non-existent. Every time he went out with one of his female friends, everyone would start amusing they were dating. His childhood friend, Isis, had received many hate mails from his fans since he became famous, as she was the normal person to be rumored as being his girlfriend. Jealous female fans would claim him as their own and call Isis a whore for trying to steal him away. Few knew Yami's big secret, which explained why he never dated. He was gay. But for the sake of his career he could never admit it.
The buzzing of his cell phone drew Yami out of his daze. "Hello?" he tired asked upon answering it. He had wanted to be alone with peace and quiet. Not even his assistant was with him that evening in the car.
"Sounds like you need a nap Yami…or as Malik would suggest someone to fuck you."
"Isis!" Yami said instantly brightening. A large smile formed across his tired face. "How's England?"
Isis Ishtar, Egyptologist, had recently landed her dream job of teaching at Oxford. Although born in Egypt, Isis and her younger brother Malik grew up in California with Yami who was the child of an Egyptian mother and Japanese father. Growing up Isis' passion had been Ancient Egypt and Yami was glad that his friend was following her dream.
"Magnificent. Just like you said it was. You should go back sometime as a tourist so you can visit some of the sights without having to worry about work."
A few years ago Yami had filmed his second movie in London. Rising costs however had moved most of the industry to Australia and Canada. Since he had exploded onto the scene four years ago, Yami had spent more time in Vancouver and Sydney then at his own home in Southern California.
"Maybe I will," Yami replied knowing that it was a lie. People like him weren't able to take vacations without the rest of the world knowing.
"I mean it! Come for a visit or I'll sick Malik on you!"
Yami lightly chuckled at Isis' comment. Like himself, Malik was gay. But unlike him Malik didn't have to hide the fact. Malik was as flamboyant as they came with his flawless tanned skin, long blond hair and skimpy clothes. Instead of having his own career, Malik much preferred mooching off of his sister and his friends. Despite everything though, Malik was a good and trusted friends. On many lonely nights, Yami had found himself drawn towards his friend who would ask no questions as they'd tumbled to the bed, their limbs tangled together, naked, as they kissed.
"And how's Malik liking the change in scenery?"
"Pfft, he loved the night life here."
"No surprise."
"But then he experienced the joyful English weather. He screamed bloody murder when he experienced his first rainfall here because his hair got soaked right after he spent hours at the beauty salon. He was on the next flight back to Cali and is now enjoying free access to your home."
"What!"
"I warned you not to give him a key…"
Yami groaned. "Knowing Malik he's having wild sex parities while I've been gone."
"Why do you think I've never gave him a key to my apartment when I lived there? By now you should know that Malik can't be trusted."
"Yeah I know."
Yami's body lurched as the car began moving forward again. Finally they were getting around the accident. "Isis, I better go. We'll be back at the hotel soon and I need a nap before packing."
"Oh, that's right! I forgot this was your last day of filming. I guess I should give Malik the heads up that you're going home so he can clean up the mess he made."
"Thanks Isis."
"Unfortunately he's the only brother I've got so I have to look out for him. I would hate to see what you'd do to him if you found your master bedroom painted pink."
Yami frowned. "I hate pink."
Isis' cheerful laughter came through the phone. "I know."
The two friends said their goodbyes and the car once again fell into silence for the rest of the 15-minute journey to the hotel where Yami called home for the nine months he had been shooting.
I need a break, Yami tiredly thought to himself as he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Even after a nap the bags under his eyes were evident. His makeup artist had been yelling at him for the past two weeks he needed more rest as she wasn't a miracle worker, but there was never any time.
The tips of his spikes were drooping at the tips when they were normally straight up. His bronze skin look pale, a clear sign he needed a vacation.
Yami had fallen immediately asleep upon arriving at his hotel room, flopping down on his bed without bothering to deal with expensive clothes. For two straight hours he had soundly slept until the phone rang indicating his wake up call.
Stumbling to the bathroom, Yami had taken a quick shower needing to cleanse his sticky body from the sweat he had worked up on the set. Although it was September it was the dry season in Australia making it hot.
It was after the shower where Yami found himself staring at his reflection, knowing he had to do something before he completely fell apart.
Isis' suggest came back to him now that he admitted he needed a vacation. It had been almost a year since he had seen his childhood friend in person. Because of his busy filming schedule he rarely had time to hang out with his friends like he did when they were younger.
However he had a strong fan following in England. Unless he went to an isolated part of the country he would be hounded by fans and the press. Even then he would have to venture out once and a while to visit Isis. All they both needed were for the rumors to start up again that they were dating. Isis deserved to be able to live her life without the chaos that haunted his own.
Scratching England off his list, Yami then thought about California. He grew up there, that was his home and Malik was there to keep him company in more ways then one. Plus Californians were mostly use to celebrities as there were plenty around.
Yami closed his eyes, as he thought about is more. He wanted away from that lifestyle. He knew he wouldn't find the break he needed there.
Egypt? He pondered. Egypt was his birth nation although he couldn't remember ever living there. They had moved to the US when he was only four months old. As a child he would listen to Isis and Malik's stories of the country and knew he would have to travel there one day.
No, he thought, quickly changing his mind. His parents were on vacation in Egypt at the moment and once they found out their only son was in the country they would insist on getting together. All he needed was his mother worrying about his health.
Japan…? He wondered thinking about his father. Though Japanese, his father spoke little of his native land throughout Yami's childhood. All Yami knew was that he left the country after he had a fall out with the rest of his family. Yami knew a bit of Japanese, not a long but enough to get by.
Opening his eyes, Yami looked at himself again and saw the newfound determination in the crimson orbs. He would go to Japan for at least two weeks, possibly longer. He would not be Yami Mutou, Hollywood superstar but instead he would be Atemu Mutou. Atemu was his real name anyway. Yami was only a nickname from his childhood. When he began his career he had taken on 'Yami' as his name under the advisement of his agent. If anyone asked he would tell them he was an American collage student searching for his extended family.
Allowing his eyes to drop, Yami saw his first class, one-way ticket back LA. Picking it up with his soft, bronze hands, Yami neatly tore it in half and dropped in the wastebasket that was next to the sink.
Walking back into his bedroom, with only a white towel wrapped around his waist, Yami strolled over to his nightstand where he had left his cell phone to call the airport.
Ten minutes later he had reservations on the next plane to Japan, which would be leaving in an hour. It was to a city that Yami had never heard of, Domino, but he didn't care. Although he was half Japanese Yami knew little about the country. Whenever he would question his father about it, the elder Mutou would grow quiet and quickly change the subject.
Dressing quickly in black leather pants, a black sleeve-less t-shirt and various bracelets on his wrists, Yami began shoving anything he needed into a travel bag. His assistant, Mahaado, would collect the rest of his belongings and have them shipped back to his California. He would leave a message on Mahaado's voicemail once he was at the airport so his friend wouldn't worry. He would also make sure to tell Mahaado to inspect every inch of his six million dollar home to make sure there was no pink anywhere beyond Malik's room.
Strolling back into the bathroom to grab his personal items, Yami took a moment to check his reflection again; making sure his tri-colored hair was in perfect spikes and that his earrings, one in each ear, looked the way he was supposed to.
Throwing the rest of his things in his bag, Yami threw it over his shoulder. Grabbing his cell phone and slipping on a pair of dark sunglasses, Yami strolled out of the room without another care in the world.
Yami had found a taxi easily enough. The cabs were like vultures as they flocked around the hotel waiting for tourist to come out.
"Airport. Fast as possible," Yami quietly commanded as he sunk down onto the seat in the back. His eyes drooped close as the taxi jolted forward, speeding in and out of the traffic.
In no time at all the taxi had arrived at its destination.
"Thanks," Yami said giving the driver a hefty tip. Grabbing his bag, Yami exited the cab and walked inside the airport so he could check in and to make the call to Mahaado.
Tapping his foot impatiently, Yami waited for Mahaado's voicemail to come on while he held his cell phone up to his ear.
"Mahaado, it's me. I'm going on vacation for while. Don't bother to try and find me…I'll call you when I can. Get my things from my hotel room and make sure they get home safely. Check on Malik also. I don't trust him. I'll talk to you later. Bye."
Yami ended the call with a press of a button. He then started heading towards his gate but only got a few steps before his cell phone went off again.
"Hello?" he asked wondering who it could be. He knew it couldn't have been Mahaado since it was already pass midnight and his assistant had to get up in the morning to make sure things were ready for their trip home.
"Hello pal, buddy, best friend in the whole wide world!"
Yami snorted. "Figures it would be you."
"I just wanted to know when you'd home so I can plan a big Welcome Home party. I also plan on meeting you at the airport with a big banner that says 'I Love You Yami'."
"You'll have to wait a bit Malik. I've decided to go on a vacation. Mahaado will be home tomorrow with my things so make sure you behave and don't hump his leg."
"Vacation? Where? To visit Isis? I'll meet you there! It'll be like old times! I'll even drag the cutie Mahaado along!"
Yami couldn't help but laugh at his weird friend. "First of all Mahaado is scared of you. He's probably going to consider quitting tomorrow when he finds out I told him to check up on you. Second, I'm not going to England. I need to get away for some peace and quite."
"Yes, you didn't look too flattering in those pictures the Enquirer had last week. By the way, apparently you've now broken my sister's heart, dumping her Mana."
"Great," Yami sarcastically replied with a groan. Mana was another friend of theirs who worked at the Sea World in San Diego. A month ago Mana had visited him while she was in the area on vacation. They had gone out for dinner a couple of times so naturally someone had seen them and taken photographs. "How's Mana holding up?"
"The mail has already started coming in. Everyone is blaming her for breaking you and Isis up."
Yami groaned again. "Remind me to send her a dozen roses next week."
"Gotcha. So where are you going? I wanna come visit!"
Yami was about to answer when he heard the overhead announcement to indicate his plane was boarding. "Malik, I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Alright. Just remember the time difference. I don't want to be woken up from my beauty sleep."
"Yeah fine," Yami laughed before ending the call. Feeling much better about himself, Yami boarded the plane, ready to start putting his life back together.
Hours later Yami found himself in another hotel room. This time he was in Domino, Japan at the posh Kaiba Hotel. Yami had no clue who 'Kaiba' was but since arriving at the airport in Domino he had seen the name numerous times on his journey to the hotel. Whoever he was Kaiba certainly had a lot of influence in Domino.
At the moment however, Yami could care less about some aging business who worked his entire life ignoring his family to make a quick buck. All he cared about at the moment was getting some much-needed sleep. Even with his nap a few hours earlier he was still exhausted from working non-stop.
Stripping naked, Yami slipped under the covers and closed his crimson eyes. Soon, he was fast asleep getting some much-needed rest.