Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to the characters of YuGiOh . But I will respectfully borrow them to use in my stories, thanks to fan fiction and Kazuki Takahashi.
Hey, how's it going out there. To my fans I promise a good story, lots of Seto/Joey discovering how to love. Let me entertain you once again. But you will write this story, tell me what you want...alternate endings...
It Hurts, Only When I Breathe...
Chapter1: Just another day
'Oh, another day, and I am alive,' Joey, touched his head, chest, and lower limbs; 'Hmm . . . everything, is still there.' Next Joey ducked underneath the covers to see if everything was in tack, it felt amazingly good not to have bruises on his body. 'Guess pops is getting a little lazy in his nightly visits.' Joey smiled. Finally, Joey looked up at the ceiling, cracked with neglect and age, he had nightmares of it falling in and no one being able to save him. Why, because his father would leave him locked in his room, and tied down to his bed at night. What a mess his life had been over the years, but today, thanks to a good friend it would be different. Joey focused his attention on a long running crack above his head and started to chant: I will not give in to the despair, that appears in my life, I will survive, no matter what, or how much it hurts. Joey spoke these words every day, every morning, of his life, for the past two years. He didn't have a Yami to care for his soul, or console him, when he hurt. He only had his words and a will so strong to survive. Joey's fire shown in his eyes, a beautiful light for all to see.
Continuing his daily routine, he reached under the bottom of his futon to a secret compartment, there he found his box. Carefully, Joey opened the box and pulled out a watch, and small pen: The watch was a special birthday present from Grandpa Mutou. The pen could be described as Joey's millennium item, because it had a very special power for him. The pen opened the door to his dreams. 'Oh shit, it's almost 7 a.m. I'm going to be late. How am I going to get out of here? Dad is still in the living room somewhere.' Quietly, Joey peeked around the curtain that separated the front living quarters from his bedroom. His father removed the door from the boy's room, because he had a hard time getting in about six months ago, bumping his head on something and passing out. Now the only thing that separated Joey from the hell he called dad, was a thin curtain.
Joey could see his father's body slumped over the kitchen table, his head drowning in his own stench. Cigarettes overflowed in the ashtray, which had toppled to the floor.
'Ok, I can do this, I only need to get to the bathroom and retrieve my money, which I left under the sink.' His father surprised him last night and he didn't have time to stash his pay from running papers.
Step, by step he inched his way toward the bathroom door and almost tripped over something on the floor. ' Aww man...' Laying at his feet was the body of a naked woman. Judging from the smell of her body, she had passed out from too much dope and liquor. 'No wonder pops left me alone. It looked like he had found something else to play with. So the beatings would stop for a while, or at least until his new toy bored him.' Joey stepped over the women and grabbed his money. He needed a way out of the apartment and the front door was blocked. Well, the only option was the window in his bedroom. He thought again of the dangers in his life, 'Eight stories up, and no help going down.'
Carefully, he removed the nails, one at a time and dropped them in his pocket. The trick involved getting the nails back in their holes without the appearance of being removed. Joey lifted the latch and raised the window just enough to climb out. Next he replaced the nails back in the holes and very slowly let the window down. Good the nails were in tack, just not pushed in. It would completely confuse his drunken father. Now inch, by inch, he made his way around the six- inch ledge, down a drain pipe, to the next floor. From there, he vaulted to the top of an old oak tree and climbed down. Once, he missed the tree and almost broke his leg, this time Joey hobbled away with a sprung ankle.
He walked around to the back of the apartment and climbed through the basement window. Joey discovered an old bomb shelter in the basement. He moved an old chest to the side and released a latch that opened the door to the place he called home. Once open, Joey walked down a short flight of stairs and opened another door to this little room, his true home. The cell was only six feet by six feet, but big enough for him to store his meager possessions, a crate to sit on, an old table to write on, can goods and dried milk to survive on, and a change of clothes. But most of all, his pictures of the gang and books to study, with and a small oil lamp to read by. Joey made up his mind two years ago, he would not grow up ignorant. His father never allowed school work in the house, yet he expected Joey to pass all his exams. Joey changed his clothes and combed his hair. He used a little dry paste to brush his teeth and neatly placed everything back before he left his sanctuary.
Next stop, Domino middle school to see his friend, Mokuba Kaiba. Joey watched as Mokuba exited Kaiba's limo, and started to walk towards the tree, that they often met at. Mokuba always on the outside looking in, still managed to involved himself with Yugi's friendship group. One afternoon, he decided to follow Joey home, you see Mokuba had a secret crush on Joey and he was not ashamed to show it. Joey smiled as the young boy walked towards him and thought about their close friendship, which started almost four months ago.
flashback.....
Joey looked around slipped into the back door of an old abandon warehouse, on the grounds of Kaiba Corp. Joey chose this building because he knew very few people had the nerve, to trespass on Kaiba Corp. property. After waiting about ten minutes, Mokuba followed Joey inside the building. He found his secret crush in the back of the where house going through some boxes. The room Joey entered in was dark and smelled of oils, turpentine, and paint. Mokuba could also pick up the strong smell of paints and canvas. Mokuba hid behind some boxes and watched Joey, at work. 'What could my secret crush be up to?' Thought Mokuba.
Joey pulled out a crate and sat before a canvas stretched out on a wooden frame. He started to dip his brushes on a pallet of paints, and mix the colors on the pallet. Joey used swift strokes on the canvas and continued to work for almost an hour. Constantly watching the time, he eventually stopped and hid the wet painting behind some boxes, against a wall. Joey neatly stored everything back in placeand left the building. After Joey left, Mokuba decided to explore. His secret crush was an amazingly talented artist. All this beautiful artwork hidden away in the old warehouse. Mokuba set on a box and decided his next move.
Almost two weeks passed and now that Mokuba had Joey's patterns down, it was time to make a move. Joey entered the building only to find Mokuba siting on the crate, he used as his artist chair. He didn't smell his paints and the room appeared to be completely empty. Mokuba just smiled.
"Mokuba was kind of game is this? Where are my things!?" Joey screamed out in total despair, and fell to his feet. He couldn't take this. Out of everything in his life, his art was the only thing that kept him alive.
Mokuba tried to be cool as he spoke to his friend, "Joey, trust me come with me, everything will be all right." What recourse did he have but to follow the young Kaiba and play his game? Together both boys left the warehouse: one, with the baring of an old man and the other happy, almost jogging. On the way to Mokuba's destination, the young Kaiba chattered on about school and Kaiba's businesses, he appeared to be happy. Joey felt miserable and just wanted to cry.Finally, the limo stopped and Mokuba pulled the broken artist, out of the limo. Joey's eyes were blank and filled with tears. He knew that the Kaiba brothers' could be cruel, but he thought Mokuba was different. Mokuba opened a large steal door, and they walked down a narrow hallway and entered a large room. Mokuba took his hands and danced around him, in obvious glee. Joey eyes were too clouded to notice his surrounding, at first. Gradually, Joey could smell the familiar scents that always calmed his spirit. He opened his eyes and a single gasp escaped his lips. It appeared he was in a studio of some kind and all his work hung on the walls.
Joey in a trance walked to the center of the room and gently picked up brushes and paints which were laid out neatly on a table. On top of his easel rested his latest work, unfinished and waiting for his touch. A ray of sunlight lite up one side of the room and Joey could swear he saw a rainbow. "I don't understand." Joey choked on the next words. "Why did you do this and how?"
Mokuba looked at his friend. "Well, just say you like it. It's for you, anyway." Mokuba blushed and continued to speak. He wanted to tell Joey that he loved him, but he knew there was little possible of anything happening, so he would settle for being his friend, for life. "Look Joey, you are really good. Well, I just wanted to help. You can use this room, it used to be an old meat factory, so it's the right temperature for your paints. I have the key." Mokuba still smiling handed the key to Joey
Joey, wiped the tears from his eyes, "Oh Mokuba, no one has ever done anything so nice for me. Thank you, so much."
"Oh it's not much, just an old building, but no one will bother you here. Joey there's something else I have to tell you. Well, you know that contest the state holds every year for artist. I sort of entered one of your pictures in under a fake name."
"Why? Mokuba well it doesn't really matter, I won't win anyway." Joey started to wonder around the room taking in all the smells he loved so much and enjoy this new freedom of space.
"Ah Joey, that's the problem, you are in the finals."
"What, I'm in the finals?" Joey could not believe what he was hearing.
"Well sort of, Joey, they want to see another piece of your art work, which I sent the picture of the dragons, its my favorite. I used your real name and you should be hearing from them soon. They will select five finalists to compete for the grand prize, which is a scholarship to one of the leading art academies in Japan."
After that incident the two often spent time together in Joey's studio and Mokuba learned Joey was a smart young man. "Joey, why do you pretend to be well not so bright? You let Seto pick on you daily."
"Oh I got my reasons," in Joey's world standing out was not always the best road to take.
End of flash back
Joey pulled Mokuba behind the tree, and whispered in his ear. "Mokuba the letter came today.I 've been accepted as a finalist, Mokuba. They want me to come to the capital next month. They have sent this sketch and each contestant has to create an original work of art using their ideas and bring it to the capital. We will paint on the spot, as a final test. Mokuba, I have a good shot at winning a chance to attend a four- year university on scholarship." Joey kicked at a rock on the ground and shuffled his feet.
Mokuba pulled Joey from behind the tree and jumped up and down. He was really excited for his friend. "Why do you look so sad, I thought this would make you happy? It's what you want to do, right?"
"Mokuba, I don't have any money. How will I get to Japan!? What about clothes!? I 'm almost out of all my paints. I need time to do this. What if my father finds out!?" Everything started to move so fast for the artist and he just could not believe his dreams were coming true.
" Joey, just let me take care of all of that. You just need to paint." Mokuba had a mission. He would get his friend to Japan, even if he had to fly him in one of Seto's jets. "Hmm. . . not a bad idea."
Seto pulled up behind the limo, he was riding in his new sports car and Mokuba had left his lap top in the back seat. With a little time before his first business meeting, he decided to bring it to his school. Why was Mokuba standing behind a tree and who was he talking to? "Mokuba, is that you over there? What did I tell you about hanging out with people that have no talent, or skills?" Of course, he ended that comment with a smirk.
Joey quickly stuffed the letter in his pocket. "Big brother, that's not true, Joey is really..."
Joey almost covered Mokuba's mouth with his hand, but caught the gesture because Seto would probably cut it off, "Don't Mokuba, you promised not to say anything, remember? I can handle your brother with one hand."
Mokuba smiled at his friends comment. It was true, Joey was not afraid of Kaiba. Mokuba couldn't understand why Seto couldn't see the beauty behind Joey's hazel eyes, or the shine in his honey-blonde hair. All the junior high school boys drooled over him every time he came to tutor them in art history, and math. Some even took the class, just to stare at his face. Joey didn't know just how hot he was.
"Hi, Nii-sama, what are you doing at my school? Joey needed to drop off my pens and pencils, he borrowed last week."
"Damn Joey, did you lose your supplies or maybe you thought they were some kind of bone to chew on. Mokuba did you check the pencils for bites?" Kaiba made a gesture to examine the pens Mokuba held in his hands.
"Ok Kaiba, you are pretty good with the doggie jokes . It appears you know quite a bit about their eating habits. Could it be you are related . How long are those ears behind your girly hair do...?" Joey laughed at his own brilliance.
"Wheeler, you're so dead," Seto moved to grab Joey, and Mokuba stepped between the two most important men in his life. 'Why in the hell can't they get along,' he thought.
"Seto, don't do this. You forgot today is the last day of the Egyptian Art Exhibit. Remember you promised to take me after school." Mokuba could tell by the look in Seto's eyes he had forgotten.
"Mokuba, I have this important meeting at Kaiba Land." He tried to smile, but Mokuba was fed up.
" Nii-sama, you can't do this to me. It's the last day and the exhibit goes back to Egypt tomorrow. I won't forgive you this, I won't." Mokuba turned to walk away, he was really mad at his brother. There was always a meeting or something. Both brothers started to throw words at each other. Seto running behind Mokuba as he continued to fuss.
Joey had never seen the two brothers fight, so he decided maybe he would help out. "Oh, Kaiba, I might have a suggestion. I planned on going myself, maybe Mokuba could go with me."
Both brothers turned around, and as if on cue, they both shouted out "Shut up, Joey." Two seconds later Mokuba realized his mistake and turned to Joey.
"Joey, Oh, I am so sorry, will you take me." He turned back to Seto, eyes wide with renewed excitement. "Seto, you can't refuse me this. You can't take me, and Joey can."
"Seto, how about we call a time out for a day. I can take Mokuba to the show and we don't fight." Seto looked deep into Joey's eyes and he saw no games or tricks.
"Ok, Mutt, but this is on my terms. You, Mokuba will be taken to Domino High by limo, where Roland will pick up Joey. He will drive you bought to the exhibit . I will pay for dinner and then he will take Mokuba home and drop you off where ever you want. I hold you responsible for my baby brother's safety. If any thing happens to him, you die. Got it."
"Hey, money-bags, I thought we said no jokes today. You don't have to give me death threats. I got a sister too, Kaiba. Mokuba is safe with me. I'll see you later Mokuba." Joey couldn't resist, he gave Kaiba a finger and ran down the street.
Mokuba fell to the ground and rolled over in laughter. Seto spun on his heels and left. "Wheeler you're dead when this is all over" Seto's voice just blew in the wind.
Joey had just enough time, to make it to first class. He really had not planned on going to the exhibit, Joey didn't have the money. The money he made last night had to be spent on a new pair of shoes. Hopefully, he would be able to squeeze out a few tubes of paint for the contest. Mokuba had given him so much, he decided the shoes could wait. Joey was no fool, he knew Mokuba liked him, yet he would never take advantage of that fact. It was almost funny, his secret crush just like Mokuba, belonged to someone who didn't even know he was alive. A man who believed, he was worthless.
The limo pulled up just outside the front gates of Domino High. Joey had to stay a few minutes after class because once again he was late. Yugi ran out to the limo calling Mokuba's name. "Mokuba, Joey had to stay a few minutes after class because he was late this morning."
Joey came flying out the building running into Tristan as he caught up with Yugi, at the limo. I got lucky Mokuba, Mr. Green decided to let me go, because somebody called him and told him I was going to the exhibit. He said if I write a paper he will take me off the negative list."
"Hey, what's up Joey, hanging out with kids now? Can't get a real date?" Tristan loved teasing Joey, he was so sensitive when it came to the Kaiba brothers.
"Can it, Tristan, at least I got some place to go? Me, and Mokuba are going to the exhibit at the Art Museum. I promise Kaiba I would look out for Mokuba. You know how he is, and I get a free dinner. Right Mokuba."
"Come on Joey, it's getting late." Mokuba tugged at Joey's shirt and pushed him into the limo.
Joey smiled at Mokuba once he was insidethe comfortable limo. Joey enjoyed being around Mokuba, he really understood the real young man buried deep inside. There were no lies between them and it felt good. Joey could talk about his passion for art and history. Even his friends didn't question or inquire about his grades. They just assumed his grades were bad, because Joey led them to believe that.
"Seto said to give you this. I'm sure it's a list of instructions for the care and feeding of one Mokuba Kaiba." Mokuba laughed as he handed Joey the letter. Mokuba usually exposed Joey to all types of dangerous things when they were together. There wasn't much he didn't know about the city and all it's little secrets.
Joey pulled the neatly folded sheet of paper out of the envelope. The script was graceful and smooth. Kaiba had a neat handwriting. Joey imagined his touch would be just as smooth.
Well, mutt. I trust you can read this, if not Mokuba will assist you. I will make it simple and to the point. Don't take my baby brother to any of the dives, I am sure you hang out in your free time. I'm only letting you take him because of my mistake. Don't make a mess in my limo. Make sure he arrives home, safety. Here's two first class tickets, for a private tour. Also a guest -card, which will take care of any expenses you may have tonight. Don't try anything funny I will see the bills tomorrow.
Joey handed the letter to Mokuba and they both doubled over with laughter. "Ok, Mokuba hand over the card."
The Egyptian exhibit was on the tenth floor. The officials thought it would be a little harder to steal something so high up and make it out of the building without getting caught. The first rooms house beautiful paintings a few tombs. Thick silk drapes hung from the ceiling to the floor creating a harem effect.
"Look, Joey, the name of this picture is called Seth. It's by an unknown priest, to the pharaoh." Joey followed Mokuba eyes as they roamed over the life size picture of the young man. The priest leaned up against a palm tree. His chestnut brown hair seem to sway again a gentle breeze, from the small body of water, called a oasis. He appeared to be in heavy thought. His face which turned to present a profile was a little shaded by the low slung palm branches swaying in the wind. Joey loved the way the artist used the paints: Warm brown, bold blue and soft golds.
Without warning Mokuba felt a swaying beneath his feet and Joey still in aw of the picture didn't realize he had physically been moved to bump right up against Mokuba back. The pictures started to shake on the walls and a glass urn shattered right in front of the youths, falling to the floor. In slow motion Joey grabbed Mokuba's hand and headed for an exit . It was completely blocked off.
"Joey!" Mokuba screamed out as the tremors increased sending them both to the floor. Joey looked into the gray orbs of his little friend and tried to take away some of the fear he saw there.
Joey took Mokuba's cheeks in his hands and spoke firmly to him, " Don't let go Mokuba. I got you."
" I'm scared, are we going die!? Joey."
The floor started to shift and Joey watched as the walls rolled before his eyes. In seconds the wall started to cave in on them. Joey eyes searched for anything to help and he spotted hope. Swiftly he open a tomb which fell next to his feet, and shoved Mokuba inside. Mokuba screamed as the lid closed down leaving him in darkness. Joey threw his body on top of the tomb and prayed as the ceiling came down.
Two minutes passed before the shaking stopped. Joey opened the tomb to find a frightened child looking at him, but safe. Joey lifted Mokuba out and felt his body for broken bones. He appeared to be all right, but Joey winched at the pain as it shot up his left arm.
"Joey, stop it. I'm fine, but your arm it's broken. Joey, what are we going do?" By protecting Mokuba most of the wood from the ceiling fell on Joey and crushed his arm.
"Mokuba, I will be fine, but we have to get out of here." Joey looked around and realized the ceiling had fallen in. Half the floor disappeared, only a huge gaping hole remained, and you could see four floors down. Both of the youth were afraid to move, because the walls still creaked and groaned as if in pain.
' Think, think.' thought Joey, 'Ok, we are on the tenth floor, near the rear exit of the building. Can't go up, my arm's broken, I think Oh, if I can get the ropes from the drapes maybe, we can climb out. There has to be another way out of here. Oh, God, I have to protect Mokuba please give me the strength.' He thought about his morning chant: I will not give in to the despair, that appears in my life, I will survive, no matter what, or how much it hurts.
Joey knew if this was a tremor then the earthquake would be on the way. The next shock would be on the way. If it was something else, well it really didn't matter. "Mokuba, listen." Mokuba's eyes were glazed, his cheeks and hands cold and clammy to the touch. " Mokuba, stay with me, please." The little guy was going into shock. He had to get him out, and fast.
"Mokuba, I need your help. We have to get to that hole in the wall over there. We need those ropes. I think we can climb out of here. MOKUBA, snap out of it."
Tears, mixed in with plaster rolled down his cheek. Joey noticed he had a small cut over his right brow, but he focused on Joey's voice. "Ok Joey, I'm here." Leaning against the wall, inch, by inch the boys walked around the hole which once was the floor. Joey managed to pull down the ropes and felt a small ray of hope ahead. He tied a rope around Mokuba 's tiny waist, after connecting the lead rope around his upper hip, bringing the end over his good shoulder. Just a step farther and they were at the door. Joey push the door open and it fell down only revealing another room caved in. Mokuba screamed.
Joey lost his footing and what little floor that was left gave way underneath, and both Mokuba and Joey wenttumbling down. Joey grabbed a ledge and held on pulling Mokuba back up with his last bit of strength. They had dropped two floors down. At least they were together.
Mokuba started to whimper and shake, his fear now grabbed at his heart. " We're going to die, I know it! Joey there's no floor, the ceiling it's . Look the wall is still moving." Another tremor shook the building and they dropped another floor. It was like an elevator with no sides, the horror movie in reality. But this room appeared to be in better shape. At least the air was breathable and for a moment Joey thought he heard voices. Two walls appeared to be in tack. Joey saw a way out.
Four little feet, scampered over to Joey and stopped directly in front of him. The eyes glowed like dark coal staring intently at Joey. Deciding they were of no interest it moved on. The mouse shimmed up a wall and disappeared down an air vent. So this is where the air came from. Maybe the voices he heard were right on the other side.
"Mokuba if we follow the mouse I think we have a chance. That's an air vent or at least a hole in the wall. We can climb out. Inch, by inch they crawled around to the vent. Joey followed behind Mokuba, dragging his arm. He held onto Mokuba's leg for a little support as they continued to crawl forward. His vision started to blur and the pain in his arm increased, making it difficult to think.
Mokuba lifted his small body up into the hole and rested only a minute. He could finally breathe. "Joey, I think I can see the sky, or at least light." Joey tried to lift himself up, but his arm wouldn't allow him to. It now hung swollen and painful at his side.
Joey had not followed him so he turned around to find out why. All this time Joey had focused on him and he didn't realize the shape his secret crush was in. Joey face was covered in scrapes and cuts. One eye looked a little swollen. Half of his shirt was missing, so Mokuba could see his side was bruised and his arm appeared to be broken in two places. But he didn't complain and continued to push Mokuba to safety. "Joey, I got you just give me your good arm. Reach up a little." Mokuba pulled Joey up into the hole with all his might. The air was thin and Joey could hear voice through the darkness of the hole. It was more like a small tunnel. He realized they had to be near an exit.
The wall groaned with the pressure of the two boys leaning on it. Joey could feel the ground start to shake again, they were out of time. He looked down and realized there was no down, only a bottomless floor. He didn't like this feeling. So Joey took a deep breathe, it hurt. He could feel a deep pressure in his heart and chest as he made the biggest decision in his life. He untied the rope that bind him to Mokuba and prayed for Mokuba's safety. After all he had made a promise to Kaiba.
"Mokuba, listen to me. This wall is not steady and we both can't climb out together."
"Joey, what are you saying," tears flowed steadily down his cheeks. I can hear voices, we are almost there."
"Baby, that's why you have to go first and don't look down or back." Once you get to the end just reach up, I think you will be out. This is the back of the building and that vent leads up. You may have to climb up just a little."
Mokuba reached for the rope and realized Joey had untied it. His eyes grew wide with fear and pain. " I won't leave you, we have to go together, please Joey. Don't ask me to leave you."
" Mokuba, I can't climb any more. It's up to you to save us both, Go, and send help for me. I know you can do it. It's just a little bit up. I can smell the air. Go..."
"No, Joey." Joey hit Mokuba across the face and and pushed his friend forward. "Go!"
The last thing Joey remember was hearing Mokuba calling "Joey I see the sky, I'm out..."
The ground opened up and swallowed the building. Joey fell four stories down, he was buried under the rubble.
don't cry, you all know how much I love Joey. R/R , thanks for reading...see ya...
Sherabo
