RP Log: [Kisara, Seto, Mokuba, Mai, Honda, Anzu, Jounouchi and Shizuka]
Hell yes, that's alot of characters.
Summary: Kisara's throwing a small get together at the Kaiba mansion, and well....there's a lot of pairing action going on.
Notes: This rp is REALLY LONG. But it's in sections, so yeah :D IT HAS IT ALL. Romance, angst, action, MUSICAL TALENT, and that lovable little squirt everyone loves, Mokuba in his first rp appearence at AU played by the new mun.
Kisara was fluttering about the Kaiba mansion's living room, putting down various things on the table. She had recently gotten around to cutting her hair, which now was to her shoulders. "Lala~" she sing-songed to herself, hoping this whole thing worked.
Seto, meanwhile, was leaning against a random wall watching her. After a few moments of silence he spoke up: "How in the blue hell did you talk me into this?"
Mokuba meanwhile was helping out…but drinking a soda. "Because she owns you?" he said with a grin as he walked through a door near Seto. Then he made a whipping motion.
Seto looked down at his brother. "You're lucky we're related, kid." Kisara just laughed.
"You love me, don't deny it," the younger Kaiba said nonchalantly. "So when are we gonna get the show on the road? I'm ready to PAR-TAY!" he said, dancing a bit.
Kisara just grinned and ruffled the little Kaiba's hair. "Down boy, you can party like it's 1999 later."
After finally settling with a light summer dress, Kujaku Mai left her apartment. And magically made it to Kaiba’s place quickly even though no one in the RP has a damn CAR. She was very excited she had been invited to this party. After already applying for many jobs without any reply, she still had very little to do and much she didn’t want to think about. When she arrived in front of the Kaiba mansion, she knocked politely.
Kisara smiled and hurried to the door, quickly checking to see who it was. Opening the door quickly, she instantly hugged her friend. "Mai-chan!"
Mai smiled brightly. "Kisara-chan~" she giggled, hugging her friend back. "Already answering Seto’s door for him, hm~?"
Kisara laughed. "Of course! Seto's being a grump today anyway. Come on in, you're the first one~ Have you met Mokuba?"
Mai let herself in, running a hand through her hair. "Didn’t want to party, did he?" she joked, looking around the large place. "Mokuba?"
Mokuba perked up a bit as he saw the blonde walk in. "Hellooo, nurse!" he grinned, sliding over. "Mokuba Kaiba, at your service," he bowed.
Seto put his palm on his forehead. "Oh great."
Mai blinked, glancing from Seto to the younger Kaiba. "… Well aren’t you polite," she said with a smirk, grabbing his hand in a handshake. "Kujaku Mai."
"Enchanted to meet you," he said with a slight eyebrow swagger, kissing the back of Mai's hand dramatically. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"
Despite how hard… or lack there of, the boy seemed to be trying, Mai couldn’t help but laugh a bit. "And quite the charmer." She glanced over at Seto. "What happened~?" she joked once more.
Seto shrugged. "You're asking the wrong person, I'm afraid."
"Indeed," Mokuba shot back to Seto before smirking back at Mai. "He's just jealous cuz I got all the looks," he said slyly, as though whispering to Mai. "But I let him run the company. You know. To make him feel better."
Seto finally moved from his place at the wall and flicked his brother on the head. "Go help Kisara finish setting up."
The young Kaiba flinched, glaring up at his brother. "Oh, YES MASTER," he spat, turning to walk away, muttering about Seto cramping his style.
Mai was quite amused as she watched the little scenario. "Ashamed I know your secret?" Mai asked Seto, grinning a bit.
Seto snorted. "Oh, terribly." Could he go now? Seriously?
Honda pulled at his jacket. "Now, I'm quite puzzled. How in blue hell did Kisara talk him into having a party?" he asked, turning to Anzu as they walked up the sidewalk to Kaiba's door.
"I have no idea," Anzu said, pulling her hands out of her pockets. "You're the one he talks to the most, if you don't know I don't know who will."
"True. He isn't exactly Mr. Popular," Honda said. "Unlike myself." He rang the doorbell.
x sakebi x: (( ...now I just pictured Honda singing "Popular" ))
Most Heinous DX: (( what the shit I did too D8 ))
x sakebi x: (( XDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ...You all fail. ))
x sakebi x: (( Honda: I'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair~ // Seto: ...get out of my house. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( HONDA SINGS I'M NOT THAT GIRL DUH.
Most Heinous DX: (( ....BWAHAHA. ))
x sakebi x: (( XDDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Gosh. DOn't you know anything? ))
x sakebi x: (( WE'RE SO STUPID ))
Kisara had her hands full. "Seto, answer the door~"
Seto gave her a look before rolling his eyes and heading to the door. With the most bored expression on his face, he opened the door. "Hello."
Honda paused, staring at Seto's enthusiastic face. "Oh. Gee. This party is outta control. We should leave, Anzu. The cops'll be here any second," he said monotonously.
Anzu grinned. "Aren't you happy to see us, Kaiba-kun?"
Seto rolled his eyes. "I'm sure in some deep, hidden part of my soul I am. Come on in, Kisara's excited enough for both of us."
"Can't even show a HINT of happiness for me," Honda walked by Seto shaking his head. "I'm insulted. I have feelings, you know."
Reikaku Pyro: (( HEY LAUREN Shizuka's coming right? :D ))
x sakebi x: (( Course :D ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ....out of context lolz *HIT* ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Jou and Shizuka come together? :D ))
x sakebi x: (( *ded* ))
x sakebi x: (( Yes. :D ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ...AHAHAHAH *hit* ))
Most Heinous DX: (( OH DUDE. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( I'm so bad. ))
x sakebi x: (( YAY MATURITY ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( *19* What's that? :| ))
Most Heinous DX: (( Most Heinous DX: (( Who was gonna come first? :o Jou or Mai~? )) ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((*snickersnork*))
Most Heinous DX: (( *hit* ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ...for the win, Allison. ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...Well let's hope it's Mai.))
x sakebi x: (( XDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( For her sake. ))
Most Heinous DX: (( *ded* ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( We're so lame holy crap. ))
Most Heinous DX: (( XDDD ))
Mai blinked when she heard the door open, and quickly came to join the newcomers. "Honda! Anzu!" She called, waving with a smile. "I didn’t know you guys were coming."
"Mai!" Anzu waved back and walked over. "How have you been?"
Honda stood back awkwardly. Sure, he hadn't known how to act around Mai when her and Jou were together, but now it was just weirder. "...Yeah, hey."
"Oh I’ve been… making myself busy. How are you?" Without hesitation, Mai pulled Anzu into a hug. "It’s been ages..!" She pulled back, giving Honda a glance, wondering briefly if he and Jou had talked about… anything, and if Honda agreed. "Hey Honda," she said with a wink, despite everything.
Honda nodded back. "How's it goin', Mai?" he asked casually.
Kisara was finally done doing whatever it was she was doing and she hurried over to the front room. "Honda-kun, Anzu-chan~!" Hugs all around!
"Kisara!" Anzu hugged back, smiling brightly. She couldn't quite shake the feeling that there had been something weird with Honda only a moment ago, but it was gone now and so she supposed it would be best not to worry about it. Maybe she had imagined it.
Mai noticed Honda’s awkward behavior almost instantly, and averted her gaze away. She had always liked hanging out with Honda; she hoped he wasn’t angry with her or anything. "So. Can we get this party started?" She asked Kisara.
Kisara pumped a fist. "Of course!" She looked down the youngest Kaiba and smirked a bit. "Or isn't that your department?"
Mokuba looked up from his music collection and gave a thumbs up. "Hell yes it is!" he said, slipping a disc into the CD player. "Anyone for a little hardcore Disney action?" Music from the Mulan soundtrack blasted through the speakers, and Mokie headbanged a bit. "ROCK ON!"
Most Heinous DX: (( CAAAAN YOU FEEEL THE LOOOVE TONIGHT. ))
Most Heinous DX: (( ....wait. ))
x sakebi x: (( *snort* ))
x sakebi x: (( Mokie: I can feel SOMETHING. ;| ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Mokie: I'LL MAKE A MAN OUT OF YOU~ // Honda: ...That's ironic. ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...Lmao.))
Most Heinous DX: (( I totally didn't read the specific MULAN there. XD; ))
Kisara laughed. "Oh, fine. Only if you promise to let us have some RENT time. I'll let you sing along with Roger!" she said in a rather patronizing tone, putting her hands together.
"...You'll LET me?" Mokuba raised an eyebrow, scoffing a bit. "Honey, I dare you to stop me." Then he walked into the kitchen for a soda.
Mai perked up the moment she heard RENT mentioned. "Oh~ We have to listen to Out Tonight!" She announced, laughing. "Hell, I have that whole song memorized and the dance too."
Kisara laughed. "You too? Although I'd really like to play Maureen one day!"
Mai giggled into her hand, walking to Kisara. "You’d make a great Maureen!"
"I'd just have to practice my mooing," Kisara replied with a confident pose.
"Now, mind telling me again how going to a party and Kaiba's place is better than sitting at home playing video games?" Jounouchi asked his sister, just a bit irritated. She was forcing him to this affair, and it seemed like the last place he would ever want to be. "Because I'm just not seeing it."
Shizuka pouted and tugged on her brother's sleeve. "Oniichan~ Kisara-san said that Honda-san would be there, and Anzu-san! It's going to be fun! I don't like seeing you so upset all the time..." Shizuka pouted.
Jounouchi rolled his eyes. "Because I don't see those two enough or anything. Honda's such a stranger."
Her pout turned into a frown. "I'm sorry that you have people that care about you, oniichan."
"Yeah, me too," he sighed. "…Oh, COME ON it was a joke." Jou walked up to the door and reluctantly knocked. "Fine, let's get this over with."
"Well, it wasn't very funny," she replied softly before putting some of her hair behind her ear.
Seto noted how Kisara was too into this mooing business and figured he'd better open the door. He went and did just that and paused for a moment at Jou. "Oh goodie." He looked down at Shizuka. "Hello."
"..." Jounouchi looked at Seto before turning back to Shizuka. "Well, this is turning out great already, sis," he said, sarcastically smiling.
Shizuka nudged her brother before looking up at Seto with a faint blush across her cheeks. "Hello Kaiba-san~"
Seto stepped back and motioned with a hand. "Well, come on in. Hopefully there'll be something of amusement."
Jounouchi reluctantly stepped inside, slipping off his jean jacket. "Can't wait," he snorted.
Mai had been quietly singing a few songs to herself, when she heard the familiar voice. She felt her voice catch in her throat, and she was barely able to force a sound out at all. She didn’t know he was going to be here! Frozen, she didn’t bother to turn around yet. Then, she remembered how nice it had been just to talk to Jou, no matter how awkward. She took a deep breath… and didn’t move a muscle. Why couldn’t she just turn around and say hello?
Kisara gave Mai a soft look before turning to the newcomers. "Jou-kun, Shizuka-chan~!"
Jou recognized Kisara's voice before looking over. "Hey, Kisara. What's-" he paused. He'd looked up and saw Mai. Yeah. And he was frozen. "...up?"
Kisara just kept on smiling, hoping to keep the mood up. "Not much! Mokuba got the party started in his own special way."
"Huh," Jou said dumbly. His eyes were fixed on Mai, and his heart ached. He couldn't do that "nice chat" thing again. "...Hey, where're the sodas? I think I need one." He gulped. "Now."
Breaking from his jam session to I'll Make a Man Out of You, Mokuba pointed to the kitchen. "Right in there, blondie. Help yourself!"
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...*was just listening to that*))
Most Heinous DX: (( I'll go~ :D ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ... *psychic* ))
x sakebi x: (( Denise works in mysterious ways. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Hell yes I do. ))
x sakebi x: (( Hubba hubba ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( *dance* :| *hit* ))
x sakebi x: (( ;| ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((XDDD))
And just when Mai had the courage to turn around, she noticed the other take off to the kitchen. She blinked a little, and quickly took part in acting like she wasn’t phased at all, putting her hair behind her ears.
Kisara frowned for a second before putting a hand on Mai's shoulder. "Hey, I know. How about an Out Tonight duet?" she smirked softly. If that doesn't get Jou's attention, I dunno what will.
Mai quickly snapped out of it, bringing her smile back at the idea of singing with Kisara. "Oh, that’s a wonderful idea, Kisara-chan!" She exclaimed.
Seto rolled his eyes. "Oh, this will be entertaining."
"Mm-hmm," Honda nodded dumbly. He noticed Shizuka had come in as well, and decided to go over to her. "Hey, Shizuka-chan," he said, smiling a bit. "It's been awhile."
Shizuka looked up at him and smiled a bit. "Honda-san! How've you been?" I hope he isn't upset with me because of that time before school...
"Good, good," he said, scratching his head. "And yourself?"
Why did she feel like she was blushing? "I-I've been fine! Haven't done too much...how are things with Anzu-san?" ...why did you ask that?
Honda blinked. "Anzu?" ...Oh yeah. They pretend!dated, didn't they? "OH. Oh, that's over," he said with a laugh. "Couple weeks ago....we're still friends, though." Smooth.
"Really?" Shizuka asked, trying not to sound too..happy about that. Gah, you're awful! "Well, at least it ended okay?"
"Oh, yeah. It just wasn't right, y'know?" he grinned nervously. "But anyway..."
Anzu looked around a bit. There didn't seem to be many people to talk to... Honda appeared to be chatting up Shizuka, Mai and Kisara were planning a duet, Kaiba was out of the question for obvious reasons, and Jou was looking rather surly and she wasn't quite in the mood to deal with that yet. So that left... Ah! Mokuba! She walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Not interrupting your jam session, am I?"
"Matter of fact you are-" Mokuba said, intending to fake an angry look. But when he saw the tall brunette before him, he just sort of...awed. "....not," he grinned. "Oh, Anzu. Didn't know it was you!"
Anzu grinned. "Hey! How have you been lately?" It had been a while since they'd spoken, hadn't it?
"Great," Mokuba nodded, trying to deepen his voice a bit and sound aloof. "Just been practicing the ole' guitar. You?"
"That's good," Anzu said, sitting in a nearby seat. "Not much, really. Mostly dancing and school, same old same old."
Sitting right down next to her, Mokuba smirked. "Sounds just so exciting," he said. "Did you do something with your hair? It looks awesome." Cheesy grin.
"Well, I got a trim last week and I brushed it before coming over, does that count?"
"Well, thank you," Anzu said, smiling. "You look nice as well. Been brushing your hair?" she teased.
"Man's gotta clean up for a party," he said, flipping his hair back. "Gotta look sharp," he winked up to Anzu, cheesily pointing.
"MOKIE! CAN YOU HELP US REAL QUICK?" Kisara called from the living room.
Mokuba blinked a bit before shouting back to Kisara. "...CAN'T YOU SEE I'M WORKIN' IT HERE, LADY?" With a huff, he stood up and looked at Anzu. "Scuse me." He walked towards Kisara and Mai. "GEEZ can't a guy flirt around here?"
Kisara rolled her eyes and patted him on the head. "Whatever, sweetie."
"What the hell was so important you couldn't do it yourself, Lil miss Broadway?" he asked, a tad irritated. "Forget how to press play?"
Kisara blinked down at him. "Girls loves a man who can hook up a stereo."
"...And a mic!" Mai chimed in.
"Yeah, yeah," he said, rolling his eyes and getting to work on the electronics. "If I lose any ground with the brunette it's your fault."
"I'm sure Anzu'll still find you ever so entertaining, Mokie," Kisara replied.
"Well, who in their right mind wouldn't?" he returned. It didn't take long before the equiptment was set up. "Alright just don't suck or everything will explode and the party will be ruined," he said calmly, handing them the mics.
"You're too kind, Mokuba honey. You can go back doing...whatever," Kisara said to him. And to just be annoying, she kissed him on the cheek. "Who's a good boy~?"
Mokuba flailed, rubbing his cheek. "EW SETO'S GIRLFRIEND GERMS!" he cried. "Look I know I'm damn cute but he's RIGHT THERE. Geez. You'll blow our cover."
Seto would've tossed something at his brother but didn't have anything handy at the moment. Plus, that wouldn't be very nice. Wait, when did he give a damn about that?
Mai laughed, reaching for a mic, and grinned at Kisara when she heard the music begin to play. "Are you ready, Kisara-chan~?"
"Of course," she replied, clearing her throat a bit.
Mai smirked, and put the mic to her lips. She didn’t really care if she made a fool of herself--in fact, she wouldn’t, because she would look good doing it. "Whats the time? Well it's gotta be close to midnight. My body's talking to me~ It says: Time for danger!"
Meanwhile, Jou had retrieved the soda he had so desperately needed and walked back....and heard Mai's voice over the speakers. He looked up dumbly, seeing her sing again. "...."
Kisara continued, "It says I wanna commit a crime, wanna be the cause of a fight! I wanna put on a tight skirt and flirt with a stranger~"
Mai noticed Jou come back in, but tried to ignore her nervous feeling the best she could. "I've had a knack from way back at breaking the rules once I learn the games! Get-up life's too quick!" She smirked, strutting around and just not giving a damn. "I know someplace sick! Where this chick will dance in the flames!"
Kisara grinned, just sort of swaying to the beat herself. "We don't need any money, I always get in for free~ You can get it too if you get in with me!"
He had to admit-Mai looked natural doing all this singing and dancing. And it was much more entertaining than the time before when she was drunk. Now Jou found himself watching her in a daze, mesmerized by her voice and movements. Luckily, everyone else was watching her and Kisara as well.
Mai put her hands above her head, and her movements became more… suggestive. "Let's go o~ooout tonight!" She glanced over Kisara, singing with her. "I have to go o~ooout tonight! You wanna play? Let's run away~ We wont be back before it's Christmas Day! Take me out tonight…" She glanced at her audience again, liking the way both her and Kisara’s voices rang together. "Meow.. HA!"
Honda arched a brow at Mai's....dancing. Blinking, he reached out and covered the eyes of young Mokuba who was standing on the wall next to him.
"HEY," Mokuba protested, shoving Honda's hand away.
Kisara continued, although after a moment she started to fade. Mai seemed way more into it.
After a few verses, Mai walked over to the first person she saw, which happened to be Jou… but from what she was picking up, he didn’t seem to mind her singing at all. "You're sweet, wanna hit the street? Wanna wail at the moon like a cat in heat?
Just take me o~oooout tonight!"
"..." Jounouchi just stood there dumbly as Mai pressed against him. Why the HELL was she doing this? And why was he RESPONDING? He gulped again, finding one of his hands slipping to her waist as she stood with him.
"....." Mokuba watched, blinking. "Okay THIS I don't need to see," he said, lifting Honda's hand back up over his eyes.
Mai didn’t even realize Kisara had stepped back a bit, and continued to sing anyway. "Please take me out tonight!" She found herself pressing hard against Jou, getting more into the song, if possible. "Don't forsake me - out tonight! I'll let you make me - out tonight! Tonight! Tonight! Tonight!"
Jounouchi looked hazily down into her eyes as she sang, finding it difficult to look away or even move. She was so beautiful…He was in another trance, and he couldn't break himself out of it. "…"
Kisara blinked and put the mic down. Well, that was easier than I thought.
Mai was in some form of trance herself, even as the song ended. She stared back into the eyes that seemed to want to look into hers. "…Jounouchi," she whispered, leaning in for the kill…
And Jounouchi found himself leaning forward again. "Mai…" he whispered just as breathily. Why had he ever left this? ….Oh yeah. THAT. It hit him all at once, and his haze was gone. With a jump, he stepped back, staring at Mai blankly. "….." This wasn't working. The nicer he was to her, the more he was going to want to be back with her. It was time to try something else. "…What the hell are you doing?" he spat, but felt his heart break all over again.
Mai blinked, jumping back as well as whatever spell that had come over her evaporated. She was left there, staring back at Jounouchi as the silence of the room practically threatened her. What HAD she been doing? She had been into the song, and… so in love with Jou, she just… "I’m--I’m sorry," she said shakily, taken back by the harshness of the other blonde’s voice.
"Hmph," he snorted, walking away from Mai, acting as irritated as he could.
Honda frowned at his friend. "Dude, chill out," he said. "Don't be a jerk."
Jou stopped and looked at Honda for a minute. Then he walked over and whispered to him harshly. "Don't tell me how to handle this. I know what I'm doing." And with that he walked over to the chairs and sat near Anzu.
Kisara bit her lip. Jou-kun, what are you doing? She walked over to Mai and put a hand on her shoulder.
Mai found the floor very interesting. Why was Jou so mad…? Hadn’t he been looking forward to spend more time with her, as friends? She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to loosen up how tight her throat had gotten, but her throat was so dry now. She glanced back at Kisara, and forced a smile. "…it’s okay," she told her, moving from her embrace, and walked over to grab a soda to moisturize her throat. "Ung, ne, Kisara-chan~ this soda tastes a little funny," she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Kisara smiled a bit sadly. "Really? Lemme try..." she picked up one herself.
Jou scoffed a bit. If he was going to be this way, he was gonna do it right; no matter how much it hurt him. Taking a deep breath, he looked up to the ceiling. "Probably because it doesn't have any vodka in it," he said dryly, sipping at his own can.
Anzu looked at Jou from the corner of her eye, astonished at his behavior towards Mai. Honestly something had happened. She didn't know what, but she'd be damned if she'd let him talk like that. She couldn't really form words to say about it, as she wasn't positive what was going on, so she opted for the old standby and whacked him hard in the arm.
Mai froze where she was standing, clenching her drink until her knuckles colored white. "…." Why was he acting like this in front of everybody? Why was he acting like this PERIOD? Did he really lose every last bit of faith he had in her… at all? She swallowed, setting her drink back where she had taken it. "Uhm," she said, fighting the crack in her voice. "Kisara-chan? I think, I’m just going to go. …Got stuff to do around the house, anyway," she said, and without even waiting for a goodbye from anyone, she rushed out the door. Don’t cry. I’m NOT going to cry! It was a good thing she made it out of the house before she couldn’t control her tears any longer.
Seto watched Mai go before looking back to Jounouchi. "Wow mutt. Do us all a favor and shut up before you say anything else emotionally scarring."
Honda was almost in SHOCK at Jou's behavior. "Geez, someone took a cup of Instant Asshat for breakfast didn't he?" he said, walking over and whacking Jou right upside the head. "How could you say that to her?!"
Anzu turned in her chair to face Jou, glaring daggers at the young man. "What the hell is your problem, Jounouchi?!"
Shizuka frowned at her big brother. "Oniichan! That was...horrible!"
Jounouchi flinched, turning his head in every direction as all the others ganged up on him. "What?!" he said. "Look none of you under-...I mean you just don't-..." he paused, looking at all their angry faces glaring at him. "....Fine," he slammed his soda down and glared at Kisara. "Great party," he spat, then ran out the door, grabbing his coat.
~+~+~+~+~+~
He got out of the house and looked down the street, seeing Mai walking swiftly away. "MAI!" he called out, running after her. "Mai, hold on!" he pleaded.
Mai heard him, but she didn’t want to wait for him. She kept walking, swallowing hard again. She didn’t want him to see her like this! She didn’t want him to know how much what he said had hurt.
"Mai, come on," he called, gaining ground on her. But Mai wasn't stopping, not that he expected she would. He figured the only way to get her to talk to him would be to apologize. ".....I don't blame you for being pissed."
Mai, although hesitate, finally did come to a stop. "I'm not angry," she said truthfully, having difficulty hiding the shake in her voice that the tears were annoyingly causing. She just wanted to go home, and distract herself from anything Jou-related.
He paused, looking at her critically. "....well....if you were....I wouldn't blame you," Jou said softly. He shuffled his feet a bit. Of course, he hadn't thought this through at all. But when did he EVER. "...I shouldn't...I mean what I said..." he stammered along, not entirely sure what to say. "....I was outta line."
Mai was quiet for a while, before she wiped away the wettness in her eyes, and turned to speak to Jounouchi. "Why did you say it?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound as desperate as she felt. "Why are you acting so... I don't get it, Jounouchi! I thought we'd at least be friends...?"
"So did I!" Jou said quickly, before finding himself lost again. "...But I....it was just...." he just stammered along. God this was FRUSTRATING. Why couldn't he just tell her that he still loved her more than anything? Why couldn't he just forgive her?! "....I just don't know..."
Mai laughed a little without any kind of humor. "...oh." She didn't even care if her voice had cracked, and she became entranced with a crack on the sidewalk. "I guess I should just go home then?" she said softly, "If you don't have anything to say to me."
"...." He couldn't let her just leave like this. "It's too hard, Okay?!" he blurted out suddenly. "....It's too hard to be friends with you, Mai."
Mai looked up, surprised, teary-eyed and all. "It's too hard?" she asked, beginning to understand a little of what Jou was trying to say, but not wanting to. "So... it's easier to act the way you did back there?" She asked, having to wipe away another tear that threatened to fall after she had asked that.
"..........no," Jounouchi said truthfully, looking at her right in the eye. "I thought it would be, but...it wasn't." His voice trailed off a bit. "...It's so hard just to look at you now, y'know?" he laughed airly. No matter where she was Mai was too gorgeous for words. He almost got AGGRAVATED with it. "I mean, I can't do it! Everytime I look at you, Mai, I'm ....I'm always gonna want to...." he trailed again, letting his voice fade out.
Mai felt her arm drop by her side, as she managed to keep the eye contact with him. She remembered what Kisara said, about Jou still loving her... And now, now was her chance, right? "Then why can't we--Look, Jou..." she said, daring to hope. "You know me, right?" Oh no, she wasn't sounding desperate again, was she? Well, she was being completely truthful anyhow. "You know I... love you, and I would never do anything to hurt you. Ever. And Jou, I'll never drink again! I don't want to--Do you... not believe that?"
He wanted to believe her. And something in him DID. But there was still that nagging voice in his head; the one that told him to walk away and never look back to her, that it was never gonna change. "....Don't do this, Mai," he said sternly.
Mai didn't drop her gaze. She even dared to reach for his arm. "You're really just going to... throw everything we had away, Jou?" She didn't want to believe it, and when she heard Jou say that it was too hard being friends because whenever he was with her he wanted to be WITH her... her determination had no choice but to grow. "I'm not lying to you, Jou! Why would I lie to you?"
"Christ, Mai, I don't know!" he shouted, unable to control himself again. "But no matter how much I want you, every time I look at you all I'll think about is that night!" he raved. "I don't wanna think that, Mai! But I'm gonna! And I just can't get it out of my head!"
Mai flinched at the sound of his yelling, jerking her hand back from his arm. "So... There's no chance you'd ever want to be with me again?" she asked quietly, trying to keep steady. "...there's not a chance.. you'll ever have faith in me? Or did you ever?" she almost whispered, feeling her heart break again as she worked the courage to find his eyes again with her own.
It hurt him so much for her to think that he never had faith in her. Of course he did! How could she say that?! But...if that was what it was going to take....maybe he had to. "No, Mai," he said, heart wrenching in his chest. "...I can't see how we can." Be stern! Otherwise she'll see right through this.
Mai didn't say anything for a long time, as she just let all this sink in. "........I understand," she said darkly, and finally, although she didn't at all. It still made no sense to her, no matter how logical Jou's reasons may be. "So this is... goodbye, then? For good?"
"....Yeah," he forced himself to say. "Yeah it is." With that, Jounouchi took several steps away. "You should go back to the party. Have some fun," he told her over his shoulder. "I didn't wanna go to it anyway." Then he started walking further away, heading to his apartment.
Mai bit hard on her lips, not succeeding in stopping their trembling. She couldn't go back to that party. She realized this as Jou walked away from her; the one person whomade her feel as though the absence of a mother and a father was nothing at all; not when she had him. Jounouchi was the only guy she really had loved, and had been loved in re--Well, it couldn't be that way anymore. "...Bye," she said under her breath, still not managing to feel any form of closure. She turned and continued her trip home, wrapping her arms around herself. Even so, she still felt a chill.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Kisara sighed and looked about. "...so, that didn't go like I'd planned."
"Nah, really?" Honda sighed. "I think it went just smashingly."
Anzu stood up and smacked Honda on the arm, though much softer than she had Jou. "Not you too."
"What, now I can't make a joke without getting the jerk label?" he asked. "You know nothing I say has any meaning."
Anzu rolled her eyes. "No, that's not..." She stopped then pouted. "So you mean that 'Are you going to finish your hamburger?' really didn't mean anything at all?"
Honda sighed and shook his head solemnly. "Not a thing, baby."
"Then all this time has been a sham?"
"Sham and a half I'd say."
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...D: What awful, awful dorks they are.))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Yep ))
Anzu shrugged, then turned to Kisara. "I'm really sorry all that happened... I wish Jou could find some tact somewhere."
Kisara shook her head. "It's okay...and yeah. He needs a swift kick to the head.
"I'll do it!" Seto raised a hand.
Honda jumped up. "HEY I've been his best friend since middle school and I'm not about to let YOU kick him in the head!" he said sternly. "I get first dibs!"
Anzu grinned. "I'll pay you both to do it. There's enough of his head to go around, I think."
Mokuba jumped on to the back of a couch. "Man I gotta get some'a that action!" he said brightly.
Shizuka probably should've been upset about all this talk of injuring her brother but...at that moment, she really agreed with them. "Do I get to as well?" she asked a bit timidly.
Honda blinked for a minute, but then grinned. "Oh, hell yeah. He's your brother! You're obligated to!"
Anzu clapped her hands together. "So! It's settled then. Everyon's going to kick Jounouchi."
Kisara sighed and smiled a bit. "Seto? I put something in the fridge a while ago, should be ready now. Could you get it?"
Seto let out a faux-frustrated sigh. "Fine, fine, I have to do everything around here," he said as he headed back.
Shizuka watched him walk away and blinked. "A-Ah, I'll help!" She knew it was a lame excuse but, well, it was short notice. She hurried after him.
"..." Honda sat back, watching Shizuka scurry into the kitchen after Seto. She still had a thing for him? Lovely. And his little lie with Anzu hadn't helped much either. He glanced over at his "ex" and sighed with a slight smile
Anzu looked back at Honda and patted his arm gently. She understood how he must have felt, but she also understood how Shizuka felt... It seemed like the plan hadn't worked out as well as they'd hoped.
Honda nodded and patted Anzu's hand. "Oh well," he sighed a bit, looking back at the kitchen. "Wasn't meant to be."
"Don't get discouraged," Anzu said softly, squeezing his hand. "Come on."
A few minutes later Seto came back with whatever it was Kisara had wanted to get and placed it on the table. "Riveting."
Honda looked up and grinned for a moment. Then noticed Shizuka wasn't there too. "Hey where's Shizuka?" he asked. "Thought she went in there with you."
Seto gave Honda a quick look. "She hasn't left yet, obviously."
"...Well duh," he said dryly. "Any particular reason why?"
Seto just kept giving Honda that look. Go IN there, you moron. I don't want to hear your whining anymore.
".....Well," he said, a bit uncomfortable from Seto's stare. "Think I might just go see for myself." He slid out of the chair and into the kitchen.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Stepping into the dimly lit kitchen, Honda looked around for Shizuka. He saw her over to the side, looking a bit dumbfounded. "...Shizuka?" he asked. "You coming back?"
Shizuka jumped a bit and looked over at Honda. She was trying her best not to cry and it showed when she spoke, "O-Oh, yes...in just a minute..."
But Honda wasn't dumb. Shizuka was visibly upset, even under the bad lighting. "...You ok?" he asked, stepping closer. "Did something happen?"
Shizuka put a hand over her eyes. "Kaiba-san just...talked some sense into me, that's all..."
"...." Honda paused, looking back outside. "...That could mean a number of things with Seto," he said dryly. "Did he say anything mean? Because if he did I'll just go and-"
"No!" she said a bit too quickly. "No...i-it's fine," Shizuka said quietly, looking up at him. She smiled after a moment, "You're always so kind, Honda-san..."
....This was new. He blinked down at her, not entirely sure what to do. "....Um. Thanks," he said. "....I try?"
The tears were stinging at the back of her eyes and there wasn't anything she could do at this point. "I-I..." her voice cracked, "don't really like Kaiba-san like I thought I did..."
Honda looked down into her wet eyes. How had this....What in HELL did Seto say to this girl? "...But I thought that you-" he stammered a bit, glancing over his shoulder to the other room and back, thinking this was some sort of joke. "That you..."
"I-I told him...and I didn't expect him to return them. I didn't...but he said that I didn't know him," she said shakily, tears starting to fall from her eyes.
"He said what?" Honda said, completely lost. What in blue hell was going on here? "Well...maybe not as well as Kisara but," he paused. "...Okay that came out wrong, but I-" he stopped again when he saw her tears fall. "....Oh, don't cry, Shizuka," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder and leading her to a chair. After he'd gotten her to sit, he knelt down in front of her and took her hand, looking up at her with concern. "Come on, don't cry..."
Shizuka held his hand tight, just letting the tears fall with no intention of stopping them. "He's right...a-and he said that he knows there's someone who does care about me." She bowed her head, letting out a small hiccup. "He's right, that I don't know much about him and, and...but why does it hurt?"
"....." Honda paused for another moment. Seto had said that? He actually helped him out? How....oddly nice. In some weird way. And even if they were friends it seemed unexpected. "....Because you cared about him," he said solemnly. "And when you care about someone and they don't care about you back....it hurts," he even laughed lightly. "Trust me. I know."
Shizuka looked down at him for a moment, staring at him intently for a moment. "You...do?"
His soft smile faded as she looked at him, and just blankly stared back, as though it were something she should have known all along. "...Yeah," he nodded slightly, not breaking eye-contact. "...Like you wouldn't believe."
Why was her heart racing? Why did it feel like he was talking about...her? "H-Honda-san I..."
"Shizuka," he interrupted her unintentionally. Perhaps...he just should....if there was a better time Honda would never get it. But it was still so HARD even now! If he did, would he just be trying to get her on the rebound? How much a sleeze would that make him? "...I'm sorry you're hurt, Shizuka."
Shizuka had to catch her breath. "I-I'm sorry if...you hurt too," she said softly as she felt herself getting dizzy.
Honda was about to ask her back into the living room to rejoin the party, but he noticed she seemed a bit off. "Shizuka?" he asked with concern. "...Are you alright? You don't look so great..." and she didn't. She seemed a bit paler than usual.
Why were there suddenly two Honda-sans? ...nothing wrong with that. "I-I'm...fine," she breathed before suddenly leaning forward and completely falling out of the chair.
"Shizuka!" Honda said in surprise, catching her in his arms. But he fell off his balance, and ended up hitting his head against the tile of the floor with Shizuka fallen over his chest. "....ow," he muttered, then pushed the lifeless Shizuka softly. "Shizuka? Shizuka?" he said, voice escalating a bit.
Everything was black for a moment before she could hear Honda's voice. "A-ah..." she breathed out and slowly opened her eyes again. Where was she? Oh...oh, that's right. "Honda-san...?"
"Oh good," he sighed with relief, resting his head on the floor for a moment. "Thought I was gonna have to call 911 or something," Honda said, joking a bit nervously. Don't think about how she's lying on top of you, idiot. Just DON'T.
Shizuka smiled a bit and finally realized she was leaning against his chest. She was too out of it at the moment to really care, so she settled for just listening to his heartbeat for a moment. "I'm sorry...I've just been worried about oniichan and school lately, I guess it got the better of me..."
The fact she was listening to his heartbeat was not helping at all. He didn't need her hearing his racing pulse. "No, it's okay. I'm just glad you're alright," he said, hearing his voice crack a bit. "That's all."
Shizuka smiled a little and shifted around so she was facing him. "H-Honda-san..." Oh, she couldn't ask that. Not only was it none of her business it probably wasn't even her he was talking about. Then...
He looked up at her, finding himself just gazing. Shizuka...really was gorgeous. Honda knew that, of course, but now it just seemed to be accentuated. "....Seto's an idiot," he said softly before he could stop himself.
Shizuka blinked a few times, confused. "...I thought Kaiba-san was really smart."
"Not if he can't see how great you are," Honda continued in his daze. What was happening to him? And why did she have this effect on him no matter what? "...He's just an idiot."
She felt herself blush deeply. "H-Honda-san..." He's...so kind. He always makes me feel better a-and... Shizuka swallowed hard.
"...." He gazed up at her, just dumbfounded by her presesnce. Honda barely understood what was happening any longer. Everything seemed to spin around except for Shizuka. But he suddenly found himself completely aware of the situation and everything he'd just said....and he wanted to hit himself. "....Sorry," he grinned sheepishly. "I...I don't know what I just..."
She shook her head and continued to stare down at him. The things that he and Kaiba-san had said...how her heart was racing and how completely sweet he'd been to here for as long as she'd known him. Her mind going blank for a brief second, she leaned forward and gently brushed her lips against Honda's.
x sakebi x: (( WHOO!! ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( FINALLY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( IT'S ABOUT FUCKING TIME. ))
x sakebi x: (( XDDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ....bad choice of words. ))
x sakebi x: (( ...well ;x ))
....and there was no way that this was happening. Honda had to have gotten a concussion from that bump on the floor, because to think that Shizuka was KISSING him...it just didn't register at all. Nonetheless, if it was....then he should...and even if it wasn't, he did. After a moment of shock, he slowly reached his hand up and brushed it into her hair, pushing his chin up to hesitantly deepen the kiss. Please don't hate me for this.
Reikaku Pyro: (( Seto: I should check on them :| *walks in kitchen* ....
Kisara: What? :O
Seto: We need a new kitchen :|
Kisara: ....YES! ))
Shizuka was a tad surprised at herself for a moment but as soon as he started kissing her back all that vanished. She rested a hand on his chest and just fell into it all. Honda-san...
That haze settled in again, and Honda found it difficult to hold himself back. All the passion and want he'd had for her for the past several years seem to explode within him as he kissed her more and more deeply, pushing up and just wanting her to understand. His breath seemed to stop in his throat and an uneasy feeling tugged at his stomach, but he couldn't let this go. If he stopped it might turn out to be a dream, and he didn't want that.
Shizuka was almost scared for a brief second, not used to any of this at all. But it quickly faded once she remembered who was holding her so close. He'd never hurt me... Although after what felt like an eternity, her lungs burned for air. Almost reluctantly she pulled away.
Honda had seemed to lose the need for air, so he felt almost puzzled when Shizuka pulled back and her lips were no longer against his. It hadn't seemed that long to him, but at this point every law about this universe seemed invalid, so his perception of time might be a bit off. "......." he opened his eyes, looking dazily up at her. "...I..." he finally managed to breathe out.
"H-Honda-san..." she breathed as well, her cheeks a deep pink. She buried her face in his chest, gripping at his shirt.
Honda suddnenly regained his need for oxygen as he returned to reality, and started gasping slightly. "...Wow," he breathed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Honda-san...I-I'm sorry," Shizuka said after a moment, closing her eyes tight.
....wait what? Honda blinked for a minute before forcing them both to sit up on the kitchen floor. He looked at her, completely puzzled. "....What?" he asked almost in a whisper. "...What are you...sorry for?"
Shizuka was still clinging to him. "I-I kissed you and you said that you liked someone..." she said softly, really wishing she could just hug him and listen to his heartbeat the rest of her life.
Honda just sort of....stared for a minute. Oh. That's why she never got it. Because he coulda kissed her and she would still be oblivious. ".....Are you insane?" he asked her dramatically. "Shizuka, when I-" he was about to rave a bit, feeling his heart pick up, but he forced himself to calm. He reached out and firmly grabbed her shoulders forcing her to look up at him. "When I said I wanted someone I can't have, I was talking about you," he finally blurted out, but he said it almost sternly. "You were the one I can't have."
Shizuka's eyes widened a bit as she blushed deeper and deeper at his words. "H-Honda-san..." After a few moments she smiled softly. "You're so cute."
He was about to rant further, to tell about how he'd felt this way for years and everything else, but he just...stopped. And blinked. "....come again?"
Shizuka just sighed a bit and leaned against him again. How could she not have seen it before? Was she really that oblivious? She was so worked up in this little schoolgirl crush to see what she'd had... she almost apologized again, but felt like she'd said that enough for one night.
He almost wanted to demand an explaination from her, and was about to...aaaaand then she snuggled against him and he forgot what he was talking about. So still a bit dazed, Honda slowly wrapped his arms around the girl and held her close, really not wanting to ever let go. "...I just couldn't tell you," he said softly.
Shizuka nuzzled against him. "Why?" she asked quietly.
"I...don't know," Honda admitted. Now it all just seemed silly. "I didn't know how..."
Shizuka smiled a bit sadly. "I'm sure I didnt make it any easier..."
He squeezed her tightly, finding her warmth so inviting. "Forget it," Honda told her softly. "Just...forget about it."
And with that, everything felt a little bit better. "Alright..." she replied.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Grinning, Mokuba slipped down onto the couch. "Well, well, looks like it's down to me, the ladies...and you," he said, staring at Seto. "Lovely."
Anzu smiled, then looked at Kisara. "Kisara, do you have a brush and two hair ties I could borrow?"
Kisara grinned. "You're lucky I had my hair in pigtails until just a while ago. I'll go get a brush~" She fluttered off to do just that.
Mokuba blinked, watching Kisara bounce off before turning back to Anzu. "What do you need those for? Like I said before, your hair looks great!" he winked again. "No need to impress me, sweetie."
Anzu rolled her eyes. "Not for me. For you."
"...." Mokuba blinked. "Wut."
"I'm going to braid your hair."
Mokuba just stared for a moment as though he were just taking it all in. "...This is a joke, right?"
"Nope," Anzu said, taking the brush from Kisara when she returned. "Turn around."
"......Oh like HELL I'm gonna turn around!" Mokie cried, gripping the cushions of the couch. "The jaws of life couldn't get me to move right now! Not when my hair is in jeopardy!"
Kisara grinned and moved in closer to her boytoyfriend's brother. "Don't make me bring out the big guns, Mokie dear~"
"I'm not your loveslave! Your little Jedi mind tricks don't work on me, woman!" he said almost triumphantly. "And I. Ain't. Moving."
Anzu sat down next to him on the couch and leaned in, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Please?"
Reikaku Pyro: (( THIS WHOLE RP IS DEATH IN EVERYWAY. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Angst death, floof death, and funny death. ))
Dance Dance Anzu: (lmao XDDD)
Mokuba was about to protest further...till he saw Anzu's bright blue eyes and he just melted. "....that is so not fair," he pouted.
"It's totally fair," Anzu said, using her Womanly Powers (tm) to turn him around quickly and began brushing his hair slowly, holding it in one hand and carefully dragging the brush through with the other.
Seto was getting a kick out of this. "I think I need to get the camera out for this one."
"...." Mokuba blinked, but realized his defeat. "Oh hell," he said, turning around to give Anzu better access. "And you," he glared up at Seto. "You stay where I can see you, big bro."
Seto rolled his eyes and put up his hands in mock-defeat. "Fine, fine." Pause. "And could you say the world 'hell' anymore tonight?"
"Don't censor me, man."
Anzu grinned and kept brushing, careful to be as gentle as possible. "See? It's not torture."
"Depends who you're asking," Mokuba just pouted. He REFUSED to admit that it felt nice. In any way.
Kisara sat down in front of him with a smirk. "If I put on some Powerman, would it make it easier Mokie-dear?"
Mokuba perked at the thought. "Yeah then I can drift into my little rock universe and wouldn't have to be here for this!" he said.
Kisara laughed. "Exactly!" She hopped up and went to do that.
Anzu gathered all his hair together once it was sufficiently brushed, then put it in a ponytail and separated it into three groups, and began to weave the braid. "You'll like it when it's done."
"Hmph," Mokuba muttered as he heard the sweet sounds of Powerman burst through the air.
Anzu finished up the braid, then patted his shoulder. "All done."
Blinking out of his world, Mokuba muttered abit. "Hmm?" Oh yeah. Anzu did something to his hair. Startled, he jumped up and looked in the closest mirror....and he was mortified. "I LOOK LIKE THE 3 YEAR OLD GIRL NEXT DOOR!"
"And she has such a thing for you. Now you can be twins," Seto replied with a snicker.
"You look very handsome!" Anzu said, pretending to sound hurt.
He glanced back to Anzu, ready to argue, but found it difficult. DAMN THOSE BLUE EYES. "....I'm suddenly tired," he said dully. "Bedtime." And he turned for the stairs.
Seto blinked. "Wow, if I'd known that I would've started braiding his hair years ago."
Anzu laughed. "Glad I could be of service... Though, I think he has the right idea. I have to head home, Mom's got a new curfew," she said. "Thank you for inviting me. I had fun." And with that, Anzu waved goodbye to everyone and left.
Seto quirked a brow at the kitchen. "They've certainly been in there a while."
Kisara nodded and started towards the kitchen. "We should probably check on them."
He nodded and followed, poking a head in the kitchen and...promptly pulled his head back out. "...we need a new kitchen, it seems." He made a face.
Kisara blinked then beamed. "Yay!"
The End.
Summary: Kisara's throwing a small get together at the Kaiba mansion, and well....there's a lot of pairing action going on.
Notes: This rp is REALLY LONG. But it's in sections, so yeah :D IT HAS IT ALL. Romance, angst, action, MUSICAL TALENT, and that lovable little squirt everyone loves, Mokuba in his first rp appearence at AU played by the new mun.
Kisara was fluttering about the Kaiba mansion's living room, putting down various things on the table. She had recently gotten around to cutting her hair, which now was to her shoulders. "Lala~" she sing-songed to herself, hoping this whole thing worked.
Seto, meanwhile, was leaning against a random wall watching her. After a few moments of silence he spoke up: "How in the blue hell did you talk me into this?"
Mokuba meanwhile was helping out…but drinking a soda. "Because she owns you?" he said with a grin as he walked through a door near Seto. Then he made a whipping motion.
Seto looked down at his brother. "You're lucky we're related, kid." Kisara just laughed.
"You love me, don't deny it," the younger Kaiba said nonchalantly. "So when are we gonna get the show on the road? I'm ready to PAR-TAY!" he said, dancing a bit.
Kisara just grinned and ruffled the little Kaiba's hair. "Down boy, you can party like it's 1999 later."
After finally settling with a light summer dress, Kujaku Mai left her apartment. And magically made it to Kaiba’s place quickly even though no one in the RP has a damn CAR. She was very excited she had been invited to this party. After already applying for many jobs without any reply, she still had very little to do and much she didn’t want to think about. When she arrived in front of the Kaiba mansion, she knocked politely.
Kisara smiled and hurried to the door, quickly checking to see who it was. Opening the door quickly, she instantly hugged her friend. "Mai-chan!"
Mai smiled brightly. "Kisara-chan~" she giggled, hugging her friend back. "Already answering Seto’s door for him, hm~?"
Kisara laughed. "Of course! Seto's being a grump today anyway. Come on in, you're the first one~ Have you met Mokuba?"
Mai let herself in, running a hand through her hair. "Didn’t want to party, did he?" she joked, looking around the large place. "Mokuba?"
Mokuba perked up a bit as he saw the blonde walk in. "Hellooo, nurse!" he grinned, sliding over. "Mokuba Kaiba, at your service," he bowed.
Seto put his palm on his forehead. "Oh great."
Mai blinked, glancing from Seto to the younger Kaiba. "… Well aren’t you polite," she said with a smirk, grabbing his hand in a handshake. "Kujaku Mai."
"Enchanted to meet you," he said with a slight eyebrow swagger, kissing the back of Mai's hand dramatically. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"
Despite how hard… or lack there of, the boy seemed to be trying, Mai couldn’t help but laugh a bit. "And quite the charmer." She glanced over at Seto. "What happened~?" she joked once more.
Seto shrugged. "You're asking the wrong person, I'm afraid."
"Indeed," Mokuba shot back to Seto before smirking back at Mai. "He's just jealous cuz I got all the looks," he said slyly, as though whispering to Mai. "But I let him run the company. You know. To make him feel better."
Seto finally moved from his place at the wall and flicked his brother on the head. "Go help Kisara finish setting up."
The young Kaiba flinched, glaring up at his brother. "Oh, YES MASTER," he spat, turning to walk away, muttering about Seto cramping his style.
Mai was quite amused as she watched the little scenario. "Ashamed I know your secret?" Mai asked Seto, grinning a bit.
Seto snorted. "Oh, terribly." Could he go now? Seriously?
Honda pulled at his jacket. "Now, I'm quite puzzled. How in blue hell did Kisara talk him into having a party?" he asked, turning to Anzu as they walked up the sidewalk to Kaiba's door.
"I have no idea," Anzu said, pulling her hands out of her pockets. "You're the one he talks to the most, if you don't know I don't know who will."
"True. He isn't exactly Mr. Popular," Honda said. "Unlike myself." He rang the doorbell.
x sakebi x: (( ...now I just pictured Honda singing "Popular" ))
Most Heinous DX: (( what the shit I did too D8 ))
x sakebi x: (( XDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ...You all fail. ))
x sakebi x: (( Honda: I'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair~ // Seto: ...get out of my house. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( HONDA SINGS I'M NOT THAT GIRL DUH.
Most Heinous DX: (( ....BWAHAHA. ))
x sakebi x: (( XDDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Gosh. DOn't you know anything? ))
x sakebi x: (( WE'RE SO STUPID ))
Kisara had her hands full. "Seto, answer the door~"
Seto gave her a look before rolling his eyes and heading to the door. With the most bored expression on his face, he opened the door. "Hello."
Honda paused, staring at Seto's enthusiastic face. "Oh. Gee. This party is outta control. We should leave, Anzu. The cops'll be here any second," he said monotonously.
Anzu grinned. "Aren't you happy to see us, Kaiba-kun?"
Seto rolled his eyes. "I'm sure in some deep, hidden part of my soul I am. Come on in, Kisara's excited enough for both of us."
"Can't even show a HINT of happiness for me," Honda walked by Seto shaking his head. "I'm insulted. I have feelings, you know."
Reikaku Pyro: (( HEY LAUREN Shizuka's coming right? :D ))
x sakebi x: (( Course :D ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ....out of context lolz *HIT* ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Jou and Shizuka come together? :D ))
x sakebi x: (( *ded* ))
x sakebi x: (( Yes. :D ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ...AHAHAHAH *hit* ))
Most Heinous DX: (( OH DUDE. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( I'm so bad. ))
x sakebi x: (( YAY MATURITY ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( *19* What's that? :| ))
Most Heinous DX: (( Most Heinous DX: (( Who was gonna come first? :o Jou or Mai~? )) ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((*snickersnork*))
Most Heinous DX: (( *hit* ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ...for the win, Allison. ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...Well let's hope it's Mai.))
x sakebi x: (( XDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( For her sake. ))
Most Heinous DX: (( *ded* ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( We're so lame holy crap. ))
Most Heinous DX: (( XDDD ))
Mai blinked when she heard the door open, and quickly came to join the newcomers. "Honda! Anzu!" She called, waving with a smile. "I didn’t know you guys were coming."
"Mai!" Anzu waved back and walked over. "How have you been?"
Honda stood back awkwardly. Sure, he hadn't known how to act around Mai when her and Jou were together, but now it was just weirder. "...Yeah, hey."
"Oh I’ve been… making myself busy. How are you?" Without hesitation, Mai pulled Anzu into a hug. "It’s been ages..!" She pulled back, giving Honda a glance, wondering briefly if he and Jou had talked about… anything, and if Honda agreed. "Hey Honda," she said with a wink, despite everything.
Honda nodded back. "How's it goin', Mai?" he asked casually.
Kisara was finally done doing whatever it was she was doing and she hurried over to the front room. "Honda-kun, Anzu-chan~!" Hugs all around!
"Kisara!" Anzu hugged back, smiling brightly. She couldn't quite shake the feeling that there had been something weird with Honda only a moment ago, but it was gone now and so she supposed it would be best not to worry about it. Maybe she had imagined it.
Mai noticed Honda’s awkward behavior almost instantly, and averted her gaze away. She had always liked hanging out with Honda; she hoped he wasn’t angry with her or anything. "So. Can we get this party started?" She asked Kisara.
Kisara pumped a fist. "Of course!" She looked down the youngest Kaiba and smirked a bit. "Or isn't that your department?"
Mokuba looked up from his music collection and gave a thumbs up. "Hell yes it is!" he said, slipping a disc into the CD player. "Anyone for a little hardcore Disney action?" Music from the Mulan soundtrack blasted through the speakers, and Mokie headbanged a bit. "ROCK ON!"
Most Heinous DX: (( CAAAAN YOU FEEEL THE LOOOVE TONIGHT. ))
Most Heinous DX: (( ....wait. ))
x sakebi x: (( *snort* ))
x sakebi x: (( Mokie: I can feel SOMETHING. ;| ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Mokie: I'LL MAKE A MAN OUT OF YOU~ // Honda: ...That's ironic. ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...Lmao.))
Most Heinous DX: (( I totally didn't read the specific MULAN there. XD; ))
Kisara laughed. "Oh, fine. Only if you promise to let us have some RENT time. I'll let you sing along with Roger!" she said in a rather patronizing tone, putting her hands together.
"...You'll LET me?" Mokuba raised an eyebrow, scoffing a bit. "Honey, I dare you to stop me." Then he walked into the kitchen for a soda.
Mai perked up the moment she heard RENT mentioned. "Oh~ We have to listen to Out Tonight!" She announced, laughing. "Hell, I have that whole song memorized and the dance too."
Kisara laughed. "You too? Although I'd really like to play Maureen one day!"
Mai giggled into her hand, walking to Kisara. "You’d make a great Maureen!"
"I'd just have to practice my mooing," Kisara replied with a confident pose.
"Now, mind telling me again how going to a party and Kaiba's place is better than sitting at home playing video games?" Jounouchi asked his sister, just a bit irritated. She was forcing him to this affair, and it seemed like the last place he would ever want to be. "Because I'm just not seeing it."
Shizuka pouted and tugged on her brother's sleeve. "Oniichan~ Kisara-san said that Honda-san would be there, and Anzu-san! It's going to be fun! I don't like seeing you so upset all the time..." Shizuka pouted.
Jounouchi rolled his eyes. "Because I don't see those two enough or anything. Honda's such a stranger."
Her pout turned into a frown. "I'm sorry that you have people that care about you, oniichan."
"Yeah, me too," he sighed. "…Oh, COME ON it was a joke." Jou walked up to the door and reluctantly knocked. "Fine, let's get this over with."
"Well, it wasn't very funny," she replied softly before putting some of her hair behind her ear.
Seto noted how Kisara was too into this mooing business and figured he'd better open the door. He went and did just that and paused for a moment at Jou. "Oh goodie." He looked down at Shizuka. "Hello."
"..." Jounouchi looked at Seto before turning back to Shizuka. "Well, this is turning out great already, sis," he said, sarcastically smiling.
Shizuka nudged her brother before looking up at Seto with a faint blush across her cheeks. "Hello Kaiba-san~"
Seto stepped back and motioned with a hand. "Well, come on in. Hopefully there'll be something of amusement."
Jounouchi reluctantly stepped inside, slipping off his jean jacket. "Can't wait," he snorted.
Mai had been quietly singing a few songs to herself, when she heard the familiar voice. She felt her voice catch in her throat, and she was barely able to force a sound out at all. She didn’t know he was going to be here! Frozen, she didn’t bother to turn around yet. Then, she remembered how nice it had been just to talk to Jou, no matter how awkward. She took a deep breath… and didn’t move a muscle. Why couldn’t she just turn around and say hello?
Kisara gave Mai a soft look before turning to the newcomers. "Jou-kun, Shizuka-chan~!"
Jou recognized Kisara's voice before looking over. "Hey, Kisara. What's-" he paused. He'd looked up and saw Mai. Yeah. And he was frozen. "...up?"
Kisara just kept on smiling, hoping to keep the mood up. "Not much! Mokuba got the party started in his own special way."
"Huh," Jou said dumbly. His eyes were fixed on Mai, and his heart ached. He couldn't do that "nice chat" thing again. "...Hey, where're the sodas? I think I need one." He gulped. "Now."
Breaking from his jam session to I'll Make a Man Out of You, Mokuba pointed to the kitchen. "Right in there, blondie. Help yourself!"
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...*was just listening to that*))
Most Heinous DX: (( I'll go~ :D ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ... *psychic* ))
x sakebi x: (( Denise works in mysterious ways. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Hell yes I do. ))
x sakebi x: (( Hubba hubba ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( *dance* :| *hit* ))
x sakebi x: (( ;| ))
Dance Dance Anzu: ((XDDD))
And just when Mai had the courage to turn around, she noticed the other take off to the kitchen. She blinked a little, and quickly took part in acting like she wasn’t phased at all, putting her hair behind her ears.
Kisara frowned for a second before putting a hand on Mai's shoulder. "Hey, I know. How about an Out Tonight duet?" she smirked softly. If that doesn't get Jou's attention, I dunno what will.
Mai quickly snapped out of it, bringing her smile back at the idea of singing with Kisara. "Oh, that’s a wonderful idea, Kisara-chan!" She exclaimed.
Seto rolled his eyes. "Oh, this will be entertaining."
"Mm-hmm," Honda nodded dumbly. He noticed Shizuka had come in as well, and decided to go over to her. "Hey, Shizuka-chan," he said, smiling a bit. "It's been awhile."
Shizuka looked up at him and smiled a bit. "Honda-san! How've you been?" I hope he isn't upset with me because of that time before school...
"Good, good," he said, scratching his head. "And yourself?"
Why did she feel like she was blushing? "I-I've been fine! Haven't done too much...how are things with Anzu-san?" ...why did you ask that?
Honda blinked. "Anzu?" ...Oh yeah. They pretend!dated, didn't they? "OH. Oh, that's over," he said with a laugh. "Couple weeks ago....we're still friends, though." Smooth.
"Really?" Shizuka asked, trying not to sound too..happy about that. Gah, you're awful! "Well, at least it ended okay?"
"Oh, yeah. It just wasn't right, y'know?" he grinned nervously. "But anyway..."
Anzu looked around a bit. There didn't seem to be many people to talk to... Honda appeared to be chatting up Shizuka, Mai and Kisara were planning a duet, Kaiba was out of the question for obvious reasons, and Jou was looking rather surly and she wasn't quite in the mood to deal with that yet. So that left... Ah! Mokuba! She walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Not interrupting your jam session, am I?"
"Matter of fact you are-" Mokuba said, intending to fake an angry look. But when he saw the tall brunette before him, he just sort of...awed. "....not," he grinned. "Oh, Anzu. Didn't know it was you!"
Anzu grinned. "Hey! How have you been lately?" It had been a while since they'd spoken, hadn't it?
"Great," Mokuba nodded, trying to deepen his voice a bit and sound aloof. "Just been practicing the ole' guitar. You?"
"That's good," Anzu said, sitting in a nearby seat. "Not much, really. Mostly dancing and school, same old same old."
Sitting right down next to her, Mokuba smirked. "Sounds just so exciting," he said. "Did you do something with your hair? It looks awesome." Cheesy grin.
"Well, I got a trim last week and I brushed it before coming over, does that count?"
"Well, thank you," Anzu said, smiling. "You look nice as well. Been brushing your hair?" she teased.
"Man's gotta clean up for a party," he said, flipping his hair back. "Gotta look sharp," he winked up to Anzu, cheesily pointing.
"MOKIE! CAN YOU HELP US REAL QUICK?" Kisara called from the living room.
Mokuba blinked a bit before shouting back to Kisara. "...CAN'T YOU SEE I'M WORKIN' IT HERE, LADY?" With a huff, he stood up and looked at Anzu. "Scuse me." He walked towards Kisara and Mai. "GEEZ can't a guy flirt around here?"
Kisara rolled her eyes and patted him on the head. "Whatever, sweetie."
"What the hell was so important you couldn't do it yourself, Lil miss Broadway?" he asked, a tad irritated. "Forget how to press play?"
Kisara blinked down at him. "Girls loves a man who can hook up a stereo."
"...And a mic!" Mai chimed in.
"Yeah, yeah," he said, rolling his eyes and getting to work on the electronics. "If I lose any ground with the brunette it's your fault."
"I'm sure Anzu'll still find you ever so entertaining, Mokie," Kisara replied.
"Well, who in their right mind wouldn't?" he returned. It didn't take long before the equiptment was set up. "Alright just don't suck or everything will explode and the party will be ruined," he said calmly, handing them the mics.
"You're too kind, Mokuba honey. You can go back doing...whatever," Kisara said to him. And to just be annoying, she kissed him on the cheek. "Who's a good boy~?"
Mokuba flailed, rubbing his cheek. "EW SETO'S GIRLFRIEND GERMS!" he cried. "Look I know I'm damn cute but he's RIGHT THERE. Geez. You'll blow our cover."
Seto would've tossed something at his brother but didn't have anything handy at the moment. Plus, that wouldn't be very nice. Wait, when did he give a damn about that?
Mai laughed, reaching for a mic, and grinned at Kisara when she heard the music begin to play. "Are you ready, Kisara-chan~?"
"Of course," she replied, clearing her throat a bit.
Mai smirked, and put the mic to her lips. She didn’t really care if she made a fool of herself--in fact, she wouldn’t, because she would look good doing it. "Whats the time? Well it's gotta be close to midnight. My body's talking to me~ It says: Time for danger!"
Meanwhile, Jou had retrieved the soda he had so desperately needed and walked back....and heard Mai's voice over the speakers. He looked up dumbly, seeing her sing again. "...."
Kisara continued, "It says I wanna commit a crime, wanna be the cause of a fight! I wanna put on a tight skirt and flirt with a stranger~"
Mai noticed Jou come back in, but tried to ignore her nervous feeling the best she could. "I've had a knack from way back at breaking the rules once I learn the games! Get-up life's too quick!" She smirked, strutting around and just not giving a damn. "I know someplace sick! Where this chick will dance in the flames!"
Kisara grinned, just sort of swaying to the beat herself. "We don't need any money, I always get in for free~ You can get it too if you get in with me!"
He had to admit-Mai looked natural doing all this singing and dancing. And it was much more entertaining than the time before when she was drunk. Now Jou found himself watching her in a daze, mesmerized by her voice and movements. Luckily, everyone else was watching her and Kisara as well.
Mai put her hands above her head, and her movements became more… suggestive. "Let's go o~ooout tonight!" She glanced over Kisara, singing with her. "I have to go o~ooout tonight! You wanna play? Let's run away~ We wont be back before it's Christmas Day! Take me out tonight…" She glanced at her audience again, liking the way both her and Kisara’s voices rang together. "Meow.. HA!"
Honda arched a brow at Mai's....dancing. Blinking, he reached out and covered the eyes of young Mokuba who was standing on the wall next to him.
"HEY," Mokuba protested, shoving Honda's hand away.
Kisara continued, although after a moment she started to fade. Mai seemed way more into it.
After a few verses, Mai walked over to the first person she saw, which happened to be Jou… but from what she was picking up, he didn’t seem to mind her singing at all. "You're sweet, wanna hit the street? Wanna wail at the moon like a cat in heat?
Just take me o~oooout tonight!"
"..." Jounouchi just stood there dumbly as Mai pressed against him. Why the HELL was she doing this? And why was he RESPONDING? He gulped again, finding one of his hands slipping to her waist as she stood with him.
"....." Mokuba watched, blinking. "Okay THIS I don't need to see," he said, lifting Honda's hand back up over his eyes.
Mai didn’t even realize Kisara had stepped back a bit, and continued to sing anyway. "Please take me out tonight!" She found herself pressing hard against Jou, getting more into the song, if possible. "Don't forsake me - out tonight! I'll let you make me - out tonight! Tonight! Tonight! Tonight!"
Jounouchi looked hazily down into her eyes as she sang, finding it difficult to look away or even move. She was so beautiful…He was in another trance, and he couldn't break himself out of it. "…"
Kisara blinked and put the mic down. Well, that was easier than I thought.
Mai was in some form of trance herself, even as the song ended. She stared back into the eyes that seemed to want to look into hers. "…Jounouchi," she whispered, leaning in for the kill…
And Jounouchi found himself leaning forward again. "Mai…" he whispered just as breathily. Why had he ever left this? ….Oh yeah. THAT. It hit him all at once, and his haze was gone. With a jump, he stepped back, staring at Mai blankly. "….." This wasn't working. The nicer he was to her, the more he was going to want to be back with her. It was time to try something else. "…What the hell are you doing?" he spat, but felt his heart break all over again.
Mai blinked, jumping back as well as whatever spell that had come over her evaporated. She was left there, staring back at Jounouchi as the silence of the room practically threatened her. What HAD she been doing? She had been into the song, and… so in love with Jou, she just… "I’m--I’m sorry," she said shakily, taken back by the harshness of the other blonde’s voice.
"Hmph," he snorted, walking away from Mai, acting as irritated as he could.
Honda frowned at his friend. "Dude, chill out," he said. "Don't be a jerk."
Jou stopped and looked at Honda for a minute. Then he walked over and whispered to him harshly. "Don't tell me how to handle this. I know what I'm doing." And with that he walked over to the chairs and sat near Anzu.
Kisara bit her lip. Jou-kun, what are you doing? She walked over to Mai and put a hand on her shoulder.
Mai found the floor very interesting. Why was Jou so mad…? Hadn’t he been looking forward to spend more time with her, as friends? She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to loosen up how tight her throat had gotten, but her throat was so dry now. She glanced back at Kisara, and forced a smile. "…it’s okay," she told her, moving from her embrace, and walked over to grab a soda to moisturize her throat. "Ung, ne, Kisara-chan~ this soda tastes a little funny," she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Kisara smiled a bit sadly. "Really? Lemme try..." she picked up one herself.
Jou scoffed a bit. If he was going to be this way, he was gonna do it right; no matter how much it hurt him. Taking a deep breath, he looked up to the ceiling. "Probably because it doesn't have any vodka in it," he said dryly, sipping at his own can.
Anzu looked at Jou from the corner of her eye, astonished at his behavior towards Mai. Honestly something had happened. She didn't know what, but she'd be damned if she'd let him talk like that. She couldn't really form words to say about it, as she wasn't positive what was going on, so she opted for the old standby and whacked him hard in the arm.
Mai froze where she was standing, clenching her drink until her knuckles colored white. "…." Why was he acting like this in front of everybody? Why was he acting like this PERIOD? Did he really lose every last bit of faith he had in her… at all? She swallowed, setting her drink back where she had taken it. "Uhm," she said, fighting the crack in her voice. "Kisara-chan? I think, I’m just going to go. …Got stuff to do around the house, anyway," she said, and without even waiting for a goodbye from anyone, she rushed out the door. Don’t cry. I’m NOT going to cry! It was a good thing she made it out of the house before she couldn’t control her tears any longer.
Seto watched Mai go before looking back to Jounouchi. "Wow mutt. Do us all a favor and shut up before you say anything else emotionally scarring."
Honda was almost in SHOCK at Jou's behavior. "Geez, someone took a cup of Instant Asshat for breakfast didn't he?" he said, walking over and whacking Jou right upside the head. "How could you say that to her?!"
Anzu turned in her chair to face Jou, glaring daggers at the young man. "What the hell is your problem, Jounouchi?!"
Shizuka frowned at her big brother. "Oniichan! That was...horrible!"
Jounouchi flinched, turning his head in every direction as all the others ganged up on him. "What?!" he said. "Look none of you under-...I mean you just don't-..." he paused, looking at all their angry faces glaring at him. "....Fine," he slammed his soda down and glared at Kisara. "Great party," he spat, then ran out the door, grabbing his coat.
~+~+~+~+~+~
He got out of the house and looked down the street, seeing Mai walking swiftly away. "MAI!" he called out, running after her. "Mai, hold on!" he pleaded.
Mai heard him, but she didn’t want to wait for him. She kept walking, swallowing hard again. She didn’t want him to see her like this! She didn’t want him to know how much what he said had hurt.
"Mai, come on," he called, gaining ground on her. But Mai wasn't stopping, not that he expected she would. He figured the only way to get her to talk to him would be to apologize. ".....I don't blame you for being pissed."
Mai, although hesitate, finally did come to a stop. "I'm not angry," she said truthfully, having difficulty hiding the shake in her voice that the tears were annoyingly causing. She just wanted to go home, and distract herself from anything Jou-related.
He paused, looking at her critically. "....well....if you were....I wouldn't blame you," Jou said softly. He shuffled his feet a bit. Of course, he hadn't thought this through at all. But when did he EVER. "...I shouldn't...I mean what I said..." he stammered along, not entirely sure what to say. "....I was outta line."
Mai was quiet for a while, before she wiped away the wettness in her eyes, and turned to speak to Jounouchi. "Why did you say it?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound as desperate as she felt. "Why are you acting so... I don't get it, Jounouchi! I thought we'd at least be friends...?"
"So did I!" Jou said quickly, before finding himself lost again. "...But I....it was just...." he just stammered along. God this was FRUSTRATING. Why couldn't he just tell her that he still loved her more than anything? Why couldn't he just forgive her?! "....I just don't know..."
Mai laughed a little without any kind of humor. "...oh." She didn't even care if her voice had cracked, and she became entranced with a crack on the sidewalk. "I guess I should just go home then?" she said softly, "If you don't have anything to say to me."
"...." He couldn't let her just leave like this. "It's too hard, Okay?!" he blurted out suddenly. "....It's too hard to be friends with you, Mai."
Mai looked up, surprised, teary-eyed and all. "It's too hard?" she asked, beginning to understand a little of what Jou was trying to say, but not wanting to. "So... it's easier to act the way you did back there?" She asked, having to wipe away another tear that threatened to fall after she had asked that.
"..........no," Jounouchi said truthfully, looking at her right in the eye. "I thought it would be, but...it wasn't." His voice trailed off a bit. "...It's so hard just to look at you now, y'know?" he laughed airly. No matter where she was Mai was too gorgeous for words. He almost got AGGRAVATED with it. "I mean, I can't do it! Everytime I look at you, Mai, I'm ....I'm always gonna want to...." he trailed again, letting his voice fade out.
Mai felt her arm drop by her side, as she managed to keep the eye contact with him. She remembered what Kisara said, about Jou still loving her... And now, now was her chance, right? "Then why can't we--Look, Jou..." she said, daring to hope. "You know me, right?" Oh no, she wasn't sounding desperate again, was she? Well, she was being completely truthful anyhow. "You know I... love you, and I would never do anything to hurt you. Ever. And Jou, I'll never drink again! I don't want to--Do you... not believe that?"
He wanted to believe her. And something in him DID. But there was still that nagging voice in his head; the one that told him to walk away and never look back to her, that it was never gonna change. "....Don't do this, Mai," he said sternly.
Mai didn't drop her gaze. She even dared to reach for his arm. "You're really just going to... throw everything we had away, Jou?" She didn't want to believe it, and when she heard Jou say that it was too hard being friends because whenever he was with her he wanted to be WITH her... her determination had no choice but to grow. "I'm not lying to you, Jou! Why would I lie to you?"
"Christ, Mai, I don't know!" he shouted, unable to control himself again. "But no matter how much I want you, every time I look at you all I'll think about is that night!" he raved. "I don't wanna think that, Mai! But I'm gonna! And I just can't get it out of my head!"
Mai flinched at the sound of his yelling, jerking her hand back from his arm. "So... There's no chance you'd ever want to be with me again?" she asked quietly, trying to keep steady. "...there's not a chance.. you'll ever have faith in me? Or did you ever?" she almost whispered, feeling her heart break again as she worked the courage to find his eyes again with her own.
It hurt him so much for her to think that he never had faith in her. Of course he did! How could she say that?! But...if that was what it was going to take....maybe he had to. "No, Mai," he said, heart wrenching in his chest. "...I can't see how we can." Be stern! Otherwise she'll see right through this.
Mai didn't say anything for a long time, as she just let all this sink in. "........I understand," she said darkly, and finally, although she didn't at all. It still made no sense to her, no matter how logical Jou's reasons may be. "So this is... goodbye, then? For good?"
"....Yeah," he forced himself to say. "Yeah it is." With that, Jounouchi took several steps away. "You should go back to the party. Have some fun," he told her over his shoulder. "I didn't wanna go to it anyway." Then he started walking further away, heading to his apartment.
Mai bit hard on her lips, not succeeding in stopping their trembling. She couldn't go back to that party. She realized this as Jou walked away from her; the one person whomade her feel as though the absence of a mother and a father was nothing at all; not when she had him. Jounouchi was the only guy she really had loved, and had been loved in re--Well, it couldn't be that way anymore. "...Bye," she said under her breath, still not managing to feel any form of closure. She turned and continued her trip home, wrapping her arms around herself. Even so, she still felt a chill.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Kisara sighed and looked about. "...so, that didn't go like I'd planned."
"Nah, really?" Honda sighed. "I think it went just smashingly."
Anzu stood up and smacked Honda on the arm, though much softer than she had Jou. "Not you too."
"What, now I can't make a joke without getting the jerk label?" he asked. "You know nothing I say has any meaning."
Anzu rolled her eyes. "No, that's not..." She stopped then pouted. "So you mean that 'Are you going to finish your hamburger?' really didn't mean anything at all?"
Honda sighed and shook his head solemnly. "Not a thing, baby."
"Then all this time has been a sham?"
"Sham and a half I'd say."
Dance Dance Anzu: ((...D: What awful, awful dorks they are.))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Yep ))
Anzu shrugged, then turned to Kisara. "I'm really sorry all that happened... I wish Jou could find some tact somewhere."
Kisara shook her head. "It's okay...and yeah. He needs a swift kick to the head.
"I'll do it!" Seto raised a hand.
Honda jumped up. "HEY I've been his best friend since middle school and I'm not about to let YOU kick him in the head!" he said sternly. "I get first dibs!"
Anzu grinned. "I'll pay you both to do it. There's enough of his head to go around, I think."
Mokuba jumped on to the back of a couch. "Man I gotta get some'a that action!" he said brightly.
Shizuka probably should've been upset about all this talk of injuring her brother but...at that moment, she really agreed with them. "Do I get to as well?" she asked a bit timidly.
Honda blinked for a minute, but then grinned. "Oh, hell yeah. He's your brother! You're obligated to!"
Anzu clapped her hands together. "So! It's settled then. Everyon's going to kick Jounouchi."
Kisara sighed and smiled a bit. "Seto? I put something in the fridge a while ago, should be ready now. Could you get it?"
Seto let out a faux-frustrated sigh. "Fine, fine, I have to do everything around here," he said as he headed back.
Shizuka watched him walk away and blinked. "A-Ah, I'll help!" She knew it was a lame excuse but, well, it was short notice. She hurried after him.
"..." Honda sat back, watching Shizuka scurry into the kitchen after Seto. She still had a thing for him? Lovely. And his little lie with Anzu hadn't helped much either. He glanced over at his "ex" and sighed with a slight smile
Anzu looked back at Honda and patted his arm gently. She understood how he must have felt, but she also understood how Shizuka felt... It seemed like the plan hadn't worked out as well as they'd hoped.
Honda nodded and patted Anzu's hand. "Oh well," he sighed a bit, looking back at the kitchen. "Wasn't meant to be."
"Don't get discouraged," Anzu said softly, squeezing his hand. "Come on."
A few minutes later Seto came back with whatever it was Kisara had wanted to get and placed it on the table. "Riveting."
Honda looked up and grinned for a moment. Then noticed Shizuka wasn't there too. "Hey where's Shizuka?" he asked. "Thought she went in there with you."
Seto gave Honda a quick look. "She hasn't left yet, obviously."
"...Well duh," he said dryly. "Any particular reason why?"
Seto just kept giving Honda that look. Go IN there, you moron. I don't want to hear your whining anymore.
".....Well," he said, a bit uncomfortable from Seto's stare. "Think I might just go see for myself." He slid out of the chair and into the kitchen.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Stepping into the dimly lit kitchen, Honda looked around for Shizuka. He saw her over to the side, looking a bit dumbfounded. "...Shizuka?" he asked. "You coming back?"
Shizuka jumped a bit and looked over at Honda. She was trying her best not to cry and it showed when she spoke, "O-Oh, yes...in just a minute..."
But Honda wasn't dumb. Shizuka was visibly upset, even under the bad lighting. "...You ok?" he asked, stepping closer. "Did something happen?"
Shizuka put a hand over her eyes. "Kaiba-san just...talked some sense into me, that's all..."
"...." Honda paused, looking back outside. "...That could mean a number of things with Seto," he said dryly. "Did he say anything mean? Because if he did I'll just go and-"
"No!" she said a bit too quickly. "No...i-it's fine," Shizuka said quietly, looking up at him. She smiled after a moment, "You're always so kind, Honda-san..."
....This was new. He blinked down at her, not entirely sure what to do. "....Um. Thanks," he said. "....I try?"
The tears were stinging at the back of her eyes and there wasn't anything she could do at this point. "I-I..." her voice cracked, "don't really like Kaiba-san like I thought I did..."
Honda looked down into her wet eyes. How had this....What in HELL did Seto say to this girl? "...But I thought that you-" he stammered a bit, glancing over his shoulder to the other room and back, thinking this was some sort of joke. "That you..."
"I-I told him...and I didn't expect him to return them. I didn't...but he said that I didn't know him," she said shakily, tears starting to fall from her eyes.
"He said what?" Honda said, completely lost. What in blue hell was going on here? "Well...maybe not as well as Kisara but," he paused. "...Okay that came out wrong, but I-" he stopped again when he saw her tears fall. "....Oh, don't cry, Shizuka," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder and leading her to a chair. After he'd gotten her to sit, he knelt down in front of her and took her hand, looking up at her with concern. "Come on, don't cry..."
Shizuka held his hand tight, just letting the tears fall with no intention of stopping them. "He's right...a-and he said that he knows there's someone who does care about me." She bowed her head, letting out a small hiccup. "He's right, that I don't know much about him and, and...but why does it hurt?"
"....." Honda paused for another moment. Seto had said that? He actually helped him out? How....oddly nice. In some weird way. And even if they were friends it seemed unexpected. "....Because you cared about him," he said solemnly. "And when you care about someone and they don't care about you back....it hurts," he even laughed lightly. "Trust me. I know."
Shizuka looked down at him for a moment, staring at him intently for a moment. "You...do?"
His soft smile faded as she looked at him, and just blankly stared back, as though it were something she should have known all along. "...Yeah," he nodded slightly, not breaking eye-contact. "...Like you wouldn't believe."
Why was her heart racing? Why did it feel like he was talking about...her? "H-Honda-san I..."
"Shizuka," he interrupted her unintentionally. Perhaps...he just should....if there was a better time Honda would never get it. But it was still so HARD even now! If he did, would he just be trying to get her on the rebound? How much a sleeze would that make him? "...I'm sorry you're hurt, Shizuka."
Shizuka had to catch her breath. "I-I'm sorry if...you hurt too," she said softly as she felt herself getting dizzy.
Honda was about to ask her back into the living room to rejoin the party, but he noticed she seemed a bit off. "Shizuka?" he asked with concern. "...Are you alright? You don't look so great..." and she didn't. She seemed a bit paler than usual.
Why were there suddenly two Honda-sans? ...nothing wrong with that. "I-I'm...fine," she breathed before suddenly leaning forward and completely falling out of the chair.
"Shizuka!" Honda said in surprise, catching her in his arms. But he fell off his balance, and ended up hitting his head against the tile of the floor with Shizuka fallen over his chest. "....ow," he muttered, then pushed the lifeless Shizuka softly. "Shizuka? Shizuka?" he said, voice escalating a bit.
Everything was black for a moment before she could hear Honda's voice. "A-ah..." she breathed out and slowly opened her eyes again. Where was she? Oh...oh, that's right. "Honda-san...?"
"Oh good," he sighed with relief, resting his head on the floor for a moment. "Thought I was gonna have to call 911 or something," Honda said, joking a bit nervously. Don't think about how she's lying on top of you, idiot. Just DON'T.
Shizuka smiled a bit and finally realized she was leaning against his chest. She was too out of it at the moment to really care, so she settled for just listening to his heartbeat for a moment. "I'm sorry...I've just been worried about oniichan and school lately, I guess it got the better of me..."
The fact she was listening to his heartbeat was not helping at all. He didn't need her hearing his racing pulse. "No, it's okay. I'm just glad you're alright," he said, hearing his voice crack a bit. "That's all."
Shizuka smiled a little and shifted around so she was facing him. "H-Honda-san..." Oh, she couldn't ask that. Not only was it none of her business it probably wasn't even her he was talking about. Then...
He looked up at her, finding himself just gazing. Shizuka...really was gorgeous. Honda knew that, of course, but now it just seemed to be accentuated. "....Seto's an idiot," he said softly before he could stop himself.
Shizuka blinked a few times, confused. "...I thought Kaiba-san was really smart."
"Not if he can't see how great you are," Honda continued in his daze. What was happening to him? And why did she have this effect on him no matter what? "...He's just an idiot."
She felt herself blush deeply. "H-Honda-san..." He's...so kind. He always makes me feel better a-and... Shizuka swallowed hard.
"...." He gazed up at her, just dumbfounded by her presesnce. Honda barely understood what was happening any longer. Everything seemed to spin around except for Shizuka. But he suddenly found himself completely aware of the situation and everything he'd just said....and he wanted to hit himself. "....Sorry," he grinned sheepishly. "I...I don't know what I just..."
She shook her head and continued to stare down at him. The things that he and Kaiba-san had said...how her heart was racing and how completely sweet he'd been to here for as long as she'd known him. Her mind going blank for a brief second, she leaned forward and gently brushed her lips against Honda's.
x sakebi x: (( WHOO!! ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( FINALLY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( IT'S ABOUT FUCKING TIME. ))
x sakebi x: (( XDDDD ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( ....bad choice of words. ))
x sakebi x: (( ...well ;x ))
....and there was no way that this was happening. Honda had to have gotten a concussion from that bump on the floor, because to think that Shizuka was KISSING him...it just didn't register at all. Nonetheless, if it was....then he should...and even if it wasn't, he did. After a moment of shock, he slowly reached his hand up and brushed it into her hair, pushing his chin up to hesitantly deepen the kiss. Please don't hate me for this.
Reikaku Pyro: (( Seto: I should check on them :| *walks in kitchen* ....
Kisara: What? :O
Seto: We need a new kitchen :|
Kisara: ....YES! ))
Shizuka was a tad surprised at herself for a moment but as soon as he started kissing her back all that vanished. She rested a hand on his chest and just fell into it all. Honda-san...
That haze settled in again, and Honda found it difficult to hold himself back. All the passion and want he'd had for her for the past several years seem to explode within him as he kissed her more and more deeply, pushing up and just wanting her to understand. His breath seemed to stop in his throat and an uneasy feeling tugged at his stomach, but he couldn't let this go. If he stopped it might turn out to be a dream, and he didn't want that.
Shizuka was almost scared for a brief second, not used to any of this at all. But it quickly faded once she remembered who was holding her so close. He'd never hurt me... Although after what felt like an eternity, her lungs burned for air. Almost reluctantly she pulled away.
Honda had seemed to lose the need for air, so he felt almost puzzled when Shizuka pulled back and her lips were no longer against his. It hadn't seemed that long to him, but at this point every law about this universe seemed invalid, so his perception of time might be a bit off. "......." he opened his eyes, looking dazily up at her. "...I..." he finally managed to breathe out.
"H-Honda-san..." she breathed as well, her cheeks a deep pink. She buried her face in his chest, gripping at his shirt.
Honda suddnenly regained his need for oxygen as he returned to reality, and started gasping slightly. "...Wow," he breathed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Honda-san...I-I'm sorry," Shizuka said after a moment, closing her eyes tight.
....wait what? Honda blinked for a minute before forcing them both to sit up on the kitchen floor. He looked at her, completely puzzled. "....What?" he asked almost in a whisper. "...What are you...sorry for?"
Shizuka was still clinging to him. "I-I kissed you and you said that you liked someone..." she said softly, really wishing she could just hug him and listen to his heartbeat the rest of her life.
Honda just sort of....stared for a minute. Oh. That's why she never got it. Because he coulda kissed her and she would still be oblivious. ".....Are you insane?" he asked her dramatically. "Shizuka, when I-" he was about to rave a bit, feeling his heart pick up, but he forced himself to calm. He reached out and firmly grabbed her shoulders forcing her to look up at him. "When I said I wanted someone I can't have, I was talking about you," he finally blurted out, but he said it almost sternly. "You were the one I can't have."
Shizuka's eyes widened a bit as she blushed deeper and deeper at his words. "H-Honda-san..." After a few moments she smiled softly. "You're so cute."
He was about to rant further, to tell about how he'd felt this way for years and everything else, but he just...stopped. And blinked. "....come again?"
Shizuka just sighed a bit and leaned against him again. How could she not have seen it before? Was she really that oblivious? She was so worked up in this little schoolgirl crush to see what she'd had... she almost apologized again, but felt like she'd said that enough for one night.
He almost wanted to demand an explaination from her, and was about to...aaaaand then she snuggled against him and he forgot what he was talking about. So still a bit dazed, Honda slowly wrapped his arms around the girl and held her close, really not wanting to ever let go. "...I just couldn't tell you," he said softly.
Shizuka nuzzled against him. "Why?" she asked quietly.
"I...don't know," Honda admitted. Now it all just seemed silly. "I didn't know how..."
Shizuka smiled a bit sadly. "I'm sure I didnt make it any easier..."
He squeezed her tightly, finding her warmth so inviting. "Forget it," Honda told her softly. "Just...forget about it."
And with that, everything felt a little bit better. "Alright..." she replied.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Grinning, Mokuba slipped down onto the couch. "Well, well, looks like it's down to me, the ladies...and you," he said, staring at Seto. "Lovely."
Anzu smiled, then looked at Kisara. "Kisara, do you have a brush and two hair ties I could borrow?"
Kisara grinned. "You're lucky I had my hair in pigtails until just a while ago. I'll go get a brush~" She fluttered off to do just that.
Mokuba blinked, watching Kisara bounce off before turning back to Anzu. "What do you need those for? Like I said before, your hair looks great!" he winked again. "No need to impress me, sweetie."
Anzu rolled her eyes. "Not for me. For you."
"...." Mokuba blinked. "Wut."
"I'm going to braid your hair."
Mokuba just stared for a moment as though he were just taking it all in. "...This is a joke, right?"
"Nope," Anzu said, taking the brush from Kisara when she returned. "Turn around."
"......Oh like HELL I'm gonna turn around!" Mokie cried, gripping the cushions of the couch. "The jaws of life couldn't get me to move right now! Not when my hair is in jeopardy!"
Kisara grinned and moved in closer to her boytoyfriend's brother. "Don't make me bring out the big guns, Mokie dear~"
"I'm not your loveslave! Your little Jedi mind tricks don't work on me, woman!" he said almost triumphantly. "And I. Ain't. Moving."
Anzu sat down next to him on the couch and leaned in, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Please?"
Reikaku Pyro: (( THIS WHOLE RP IS DEATH IN EVERYWAY. ))
Reikaku Pyro: (( Angst death, floof death, and funny death. ))
Dance Dance Anzu: (lmao XDDD)
Mokuba was about to protest further...till he saw Anzu's bright blue eyes and he just melted. "....that is so not fair," he pouted.
"It's totally fair," Anzu said, using her Womanly Powers (tm) to turn him around quickly and began brushing his hair slowly, holding it in one hand and carefully dragging the brush through with the other.
Seto was getting a kick out of this. "I think I need to get the camera out for this one."
"...." Mokuba blinked, but realized his defeat. "Oh hell," he said, turning around to give Anzu better access. "And you," he glared up at Seto. "You stay where I can see you, big bro."
Seto rolled his eyes and put up his hands in mock-defeat. "Fine, fine." Pause. "And could you say the world 'hell' anymore tonight?"
"Don't censor me, man."
Anzu grinned and kept brushing, careful to be as gentle as possible. "See? It's not torture."
"Depends who you're asking," Mokuba just pouted. He REFUSED to admit that it felt nice. In any way.
Kisara sat down in front of him with a smirk. "If I put on some Powerman, would it make it easier Mokie-dear?"
Mokuba perked at the thought. "Yeah then I can drift into my little rock universe and wouldn't have to be here for this!" he said.
Kisara laughed. "Exactly!" She hopped up and went to do that.
Anzu gathered all his hair together once it was sufficiently brushed, then put it in a ponytail and separated it into three groups, and began to weave the braid. "You'll like it when it's done."
"Hmph," Mokuba muttered as he heard the sweet sounds of Powerman burst through the air.
Anzu finished up the braid, then patted his shoulder. "All done."
Blinking out of his world, Mokuba muttered abit. "Hmm?" Oh yeah. Anzu did something to his hair. Startled, he jumped up and looked in the closest mirror....and he was mortified. "I LOOK LIKE THE 3 YEAR OLD GIRL NEXT DOOR!"
"And she has such a thing for you. Now you can be twins," Seto replied with a snicker.
"You look very handsome!" Anzu said, pretending to sound hurt.
He glanced back to Anzu, ready to argue, but found it difficult. DAMN THOSE BLUE EYES. "....I'm suddenly tired," he said dully. "Bedtime." And he turned for the stairs.
Seto blinked. "Wow, if I'd known that I would've started braiding his hair years ago."
Anzu laughed. "Glad I could be of service... Though, I think he has the right idea. I have to head home, Mom's got a new curfew," she said. "Thank you for inviting me. I had fun." And with that, Anzu waved goodbye to everyone and left.
Seto quirked a brow at the kitchen. "They've certainly been in there a while."
Kisara nodded and started towards the kitchen. "We should probably check on them."
He nodded and followed, poking a head in the kitchen and...promptly pulled his head back out. "...we need a new kitchen, it seems." He made a face.
Kisara blinked then beamed. "Yay!"
The End.