written by Shayne Thames and Kathryn Shiver
Yu-Gi-Oh and related characters and indica © 1996 - 2005 Kazuki Takahashi
Author's Note: Bleh, I'm writing this and rushing to get to school. Mid-terms tonight in Interpersonal Communication
Yami: I'd fail that class. I'm not very social.
Sonic Remix: Which means I'm doomed.
Yugi: Don't talk to me about socialization.
Reviews:
i love athrun - Here's the new chapter!
Dre - Thanks
Yana5 - I KNOW! I got sick of the merboy stories being the tragic endings of the orginal Little Mermaid, or of Yami becoming human. I find this to be a refreshing change of pace.
Atemu Yugi Lover34 - Glad ya like how its going so far
Hikari Skysong - Well read on to find out more!
amyrose300 - It's not over yet, but THIS is the last chapter.
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PART 3: THE UNION
About night time, Yugi and Yami had swam up to the surface for some air when they found Joey at the beach, skipping stones across the water.
Grinning happily, the small youth waved to his friend.
Joey looked at him, smiled slightly and waved back before skipping more stones.
Concerned for his friend, Yugi swam closer. "Joey? Whats wrong?"
Joey sniffled. "Seto...messin with my head..."
"He pulled another trick on you?"
He nodded. "Normally I'd grin and bear it...but this one was horridly mean."
The small teen frowned sadly now, already figuring out what kind of trick it was.
"He apologized...but it still hurt. How long is he gonna string me along like this? Its been 5 years man. And I don't care if he was rich or poor. I'd still say yes even if the ring was carved from wood and he lived in a cave, it wouldn't matter to me! At least I know he's committing his life to me. If its been five years and he's still unsure of committing...that scares me...it scares me a lot."
"Joey, I know he plans to marry you, I sometimes overhear him talking to himself about it."
"Well...I'm waiting...I'm still waiting...I'll wait till the end of our lives if I have to...I'm just scared, the longer he waits..."
"Trust me on this Joey, he WILL ask and I do beleive it will be soon."
"Maybe...but...the more I think about it...the more I realize that there's one thing more I have to do..."
Tilting his head slightly, Yugi looked at his friend in confusion. "Whats that?"
Joey shook his head. "Can't go into detail now...I'll explain when I do it."
Sighing, Yugi sank down most of the way into the water.
"You're lucky, Yugi..."
Confused, Yugi looked up at him. "How?"
"In a matter of days, you two went from total strangers to committing to be together for life."
A light blush surfaced onto Yugi's face at that. "But you've known Seto for years Joey and I've always been jealous."
Joey sighed. "Still...I have some planning to do. Seto's gone to a meeting tonight, which gives me plenty of time to plan."
"There anyway I can help?"
"Not this time, pal. This is something I gotta do on my own."
Disappointment showed on Yugi's face. "Oh... Ok..."
"Hey...be happy...you got someone you know will be there for the rest of your life."
"I know... But I won't get to spend as much time with you anymore Joey..."
Joey looked downcast. "I know...I want to stay...a lot..."
"You'll come visit, right?"
"You bet."
Once again a delighted smile lit up Yugi's face.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Meanwhile, at the hotel conference room, Seto was let into the room, where the business manager waited for him. "Greetings Mr. Kaiba, thank you for coming tonight."
Giving a curt bow of greetings, Seto settled down into the other chair. "Greetings to you as well."
"We have had discussions about the price you have offered, and we finally agreed to the amount you have proposed. Upon signing of the business contract below, we shall process this through the busniess beauro and alert the staff to the changes. By the end of the week, the Atlantis Resort shall officially be in your posession."
Nodding, Seto picked up the proposal papers, reading all of the text printed on it as well as the fine print. "That is excellent indeed. I am sure you are aware of the creature known as Yami?"
"Yes, he is a frtiend of the village, and therefore a friend of the citzens of Paradise Island."
"The reason I wish to complete the deal is for his sake, as well as a close friend of mine by the name of Yugi who, from the sound of it, is in love with Yami."
The manager nodded. "If it is in the name of Yami's interests, then we find this business deal an honorary one."
"I wish to protect him and Yugi as well. A personally selected staff will be moving in a week after the deal is sealed as well as personal tutors for the boys so that they knows of the other's world better."
The manager nodded again. "Your intentions are very noble."
Seto smiled softly. "I only wish what is best for my friends."
The manager agreed. "Well if you find the business to your satisfaction, we await for your signature."
Nodding, Seto pulled out his pen and signed the paperwork.
After that, they made copies of the signed paperwork and gave him the copies. "Thank you, Mr. Kaiba, I'm sure we'll be meeting again soon."
"It is a pleasure working with you."
As Seto left the room, a girl assistant ran up and walked beside him. "Sir, we're getting the guest list made up for the cerimony now and we'll present it for your approval. Is there anyone you want on the list?"
Nodding, Seto rattled off the list of names that were all of Yugi's friends and his grandfather.
She nodded. "Have you decided on the color theme? two black, two white, one black and one white, or what...?"
He frowned slightly in thought. "Make one black and the other white."
She nodded. "Any kind of cake in particular?"
Seto smiled now at the question. "How about a simple white cake?"
"Yes sir. Anything else? I know you mentioned you wanted it at the beach..."
"Yes. Two of the guests are local residents here, one being Yami and the other is Yugi who's staying here with him. I would like it if there was a spot made where they can sit and enjoy themselves without drying out."
"There's a cove area with a waterfall. The spray from that should keep them nice and moist."
"Not to mention make a pictureque background for the photos."
He nodded his acceptence to the suggestion. "Sounds good to me."
"Anything else?"
"Make sure there are no jawbreakers in the candy dish for the children."
She blink but nodded. "Yes sir."
Nodding, he dismissed her. He was hoping to surprise the blonde.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Joey didn't come back to the hotel all night, but a note was pinned on the pillow the next morning.
Blinking in confusion, Seto picked up the note to read.
'Meet at the docks in the village when you get this. -LEAVE YOUR WALLET BEHIND-'
Chuckling softly, Seto pocketed the note and set his wallet down on the stand before leaving the hotel, locking up behind him before heading for the docks.
Joey was standing the docks when he got there, watching the river with a look of longing in his eyes.
Quietly, Seto moved up behind him and wrapped his arms around the pup, resting his chin on one shoulder. "Missed you pup, where were you all night?"
"Been doing a lot of thinking..." He looked at him. "For 5 years, you'vbe done everything for me. Now its my turn. I want to take YOU on a date, do things for YOU for a change."
A small smile tugged at Seto's lips now before nibbling slightly at an ear. "I would love that very much, pup."
Joey leaned into him a bit before walking down the street with him, looking at the different crafts, and walking along the beach and seeing the sites for once. It was simple, beautiful, romantic...and it didn't require money to do.
The brunette remained quiet for the most part, allowing Joey to have his way.
The most suprising part of the day came at the end, when they went back to their room and Joey actually COOKED dinner. In fact, there was never a day that Seto been around Joey when he cooked, they had always gone out to eat.
"When did you learn to cook pup?"
"I always have. But you always took me out to fancy resturants, you never gave me a chance. Heads up." He came in with the pot and glomp a big helping of rice into his plate. "This was inspired by a winning combination that Yugi told me about." He added shrimp to the rice, and poured a glass of strawberry wine.
An eyebrow raised in surprise at the dish before smiling softly. "It looks wonderful, pup."
"Well dig in!" He fixed up his plate before setting the pot on the stove and sitting down in his chair.
Smiling, Seto nodded and eagerly enjoyed his meal.
Joey smiled as he ate it. The taste of the meal was plesantly different from the normal resturant food he had pretty much lived on.
"This is excellent, pup. You're done a wonderful job."
Joey blushed. "Thanks, I'm glad you like it."
"You know, maybe we should eat in more often..."
Joey blushed again. "That'd be great."
Smiling, he remained quiet as he continued to eat.
"I wanted to show how much I love you, show you how we're able to share that love without needing money involved. Granted, it IS a nice perk, but I don't care about it, I only care about you."
Collecting the now empty dishes, he gave the blonde a kiss on the cheek before going into the kitching to wash them. "I know, just figured you'd perfer an easier lifestyle than what your father did."
"I know...I think it was fate that wanted us together...I mean think about it...we met at the school. The school normally reserved for people who can afford it. Yugi and me had won special scholarship to get there."
He nodded as he listened quietly.
"Yugi and me had gotten into some trouble with some of those snot-nosed brats that were trying to weed us out just cause we didn't afford lunch every day. But you came in that day and protected us..."
"I perfer that those who try to learn be given that chance, not thrown out."
"I'm glad we were able to make a friend. Things just clicked from there..." He stood and leaned into him with a sigh.
Arms wrapped around Joey now. "And I called you a mutt even back then as you reminded me of a blonde puppy."
"Yea...I was a little insulted at first but I got used to it..."
Seto couldn't help but smirk. "No one messes with the pup and not face its master."
Joey nuzzled into his chest and sighed. "I definitely missed you last night."
"I know, I missed you too."
"So...now what do you want to do...?"
"How about we sit down and watch a movie together?"
Joey nodded. "Sounds good to me."
Smiling, Seto fixed up a bowl of popcorn before heading to the couch.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
At the end of the movie, the phone rang.
Blinking, the brunette automatically reached over to the phone to answer. "Seto Kiaba here."
"Sir, sorry to bother you, but I wanted to let you know that we got most things arranged, but there's still one vital piece of information we're missing."
Seto blinked once more. "And that is?"
"What date are we setting for?"
Seto glanced at the calendar for a moment. "Tomorrow."
There was a pause before- "-uh...yes sir!"
Chuckling, Seto let her get back to work and hung the phone up.
Joey snuggled closer. "More business?"
"Mmmm... A surprise."
"Oh goodie. Sugar or chocolate filled?"
Chuckling, Seto silenced him with a kiss.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
The next day, Yami was sititng perched up on a rock with Yugi next to him. Nearby, the spray from the waterfall kept them nice and moist. "Lemme get this straight...we're having a wedding, and the only person who DOESN'T know it yet is Joey?"
Giggling, Yugi nodded happily at the question. "Yup! Its a surprise."
"Wow...wish I thought of it." He grinned and winked to Yugi.
Smiling happily, Yugi snuggled closer.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
By this time, Joey was sucking on a soda from a can and following Seto down the beach. "So where we off to today?"
"You'll see, I decided that a walk on the beach would be good for both of us."
Joey grasped his hand and shared his soda. "I'd like that very much."
Smiling softly, Seto lead the blond towards where he had everything set up, moving so that he wouldn't see anything of it untill they rounded around a cliff.
Joey was in high spirits, nearly skipping along.
"Pup, I need you to close your eyes for a moment."
Joey did so. "Don't stick anything under my nose again, I just had a soda and I don't wanna spew again."
Chuckling, Seto promised, leading him around the cliff to the center of where everything is. "Alright, you can open them."
Joey opened them, looking around in shock. "What's all this...wha...hey, what's everyone doing here?"
Smirking, Seto brought out the real box. "I do beleive this is what you've really been searching for."
"Oh good, I was starting to get hun-"
Slowly, Seto opened the small box, revealing the gold band.
"...oh my god...OH MY GOD..."
"Joey, will you marry me here, with friends and family watching?"
Joey covered his mouth to muffle the scream he wanted to let out in excitement. With tears coming out, he nodded very eagerly, while saying all the while. "Ohmygodohmygodohmygod-"
"Pup... Don't make me get the jawbreaker again..." Smiling softly he kissed him
There were loud cheers and whistles from the others, and asistants came up to get the two into dressing for their suits.
Grinning, Seto lead the shocked blonde to the dressing tents.
Pretty soon the wedding was on, and before anyone knew it, the kiss tied the two together forever, leaving everyone to cheer loudly for them.
Yugi, for the most part, was curled up quietly against Yami. He was glad for his friend.
During the reception party, the phone for the assistant rang and she called to have everyone quiet for a moment so she could have Seto's attention. "SIR!"
Blue eyes looked up from where he was before moving towards her. "Yes?"
"That was Mr. Stuart on the line. First of all he sends you best wishes on a happy wedding..."
Seto nodded quietly, figuring something else was on her mind about the call.
"Second, he sends his congratulations. The Business Beaurou has processed the business deal. You are now officially the owner of the Atlantis Resort." Joey stared at Seto. "WHAT!"
Blue eyes looked over at him. "The village here are very much familier with Yami and I figured it would be easiest if the resort focuses on them."
"That...that's amazing..."
"I told you I was doing this for my friends."
Joey nuzzled him. Yami was looking more and more happy and nuzzled Yugi softly.
Purring softly, the smaller teen snuggled into the other's arms happily.
Eventually came the time for Yugi and Yami to depart and they met with Seto and Joey for the last time. "Guess this is where we part our ways for now, isn't it?"
Amythest eyes were dimmed and sad as he hugged his friends. "I wish you two could stay... But I know you can't..."
Joey hugged back and smiled. "Don't worry Yug...summer's coming up and Seto promised we can spend the entire summer here."
The brunette nodded in agreement. "You two take care alright? And Yami, if I find out that Yugi's been hurt because of you..."
"Please. You think I'm gonna do the unthinkable?"
"I'm only looking after him."
"I know. Don't you worry, he's in the best of loving care."
Reassured he nodded.
They waved to the couple on land before slowly swimming out to sea. Joey nuzzled Seto softly as they waved back.
"Come on pup, its time to go..."
He nodded and headed back for the hotel, but not before looking at the sea one last time. "Suddenly, summer can't come soon enough..."
Gentle he kissed the other's ear. "I know..."
THE END
Next Week: Sapphire Immortality - A Sonadow story. Sonic, who has been fighting the war against slavery, wakes up to a distant futyre where HE is a slave!