ALRIGHT! - announcing my return to fan fiction, beginning with this brand spanking new story. I call it Wir Sind Sieben, Getragen von den Sunden - We Are Seven, Born of the Sins. Anyway, I've been working on this since summer started, and hopefully it will be the first chaptered story I actually finish ;

Nao, I'd like to thank devotedtodreams for being my beta for this story - at least, what I have done so far. I hope you all enjoy this, my first serious endeavour into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! fan fiction. !

(OI - as a side note, chapter titles in the dropdown menu shall be in German - the English translation will be at the beginning of each chapter.)

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN YU-GI-OH!, NOR ANYTHING ELSE WITHIN THIS STORY EXCEPT FOR THE PLOT. AND POSSIBLY A PENNY.

CHAPTER ONE - DER ERSTE SCHLAG; THE FIRST STRIKE.

Joey didn't know whether to scream or cry as the sharp, relentlessly cold steel of a serrated-blade knife plunged between his shoulder blades, making its home nestled in his flesh. The distinct, coppery smell of blood was already in the air from various other wounds, both from him and his assailant, and now the pain that coursed through his body and flickered in his eyes was all that stopped him from turning and ending the battle in one fierce blow. The other man laughed coolly, obviously not remorseful of what he had just done.

"You will die a slow death, Joseph Wheeler, as all of your precious liquid flows to rest in the sewer. Just like your friends before you; soon, your sister too."

"NO! Serenity!" Joey wailed helplessly, falling to his hands and knees in a rare moment of complete weakness. His golden hair was mussed beyond recognition; there was so much blood you couldn't tell the true color anymore. He shuddered and gasped, hanging his head and staring at his hands, which were palm-down on the ground, barely supporting his weight as he trembled. With one swift movement his attacker was towering over him, and Joey's life flashed before his eyes. He figured it was all over; it was merely a matter of time.

"Goodbye, Joseph," the man snarled cruelly, ripping the knife from Joey's back and laughing as the blood poured like a waterfall down the teen's body. He took stock of his work, and, satisfied, smirked as he disappeared into the night.

"Serenity, I'm sorry…Yug', Tristan, Tea…I failed you all…" he whimpered and collapsed into a heap on the cold concrete, not caring that more and more blood poured down his back as he shook with sobs. The steady stream of crimson from his wounds kept him warm, yet as time passed he grew colder. Joey knew he was dying – a moment he wished would never have to come, and especially not like this – and he knew there was nothing he could do. Worst of all, he couldn't even save the people he loved.

"Joey!?" a familiar voice rang out, piercing the silence between Joey's soft, breathless cries. A tall, spiky-haired shadow darted to the mass of bloody flesh and bruises that was Joey, wounded and broken but nonetheless alive.

"Yug'…? B-but I thought you were…" Joey whispered faintly, struggling to force the sound from between his bruised lips.

"Shh…Joey, no, I'm not…I'll explain later…" the voice cooed into Joey's ear soothingly, as strong arms handled the weakened boy with great care, much as a child would a precious porcelain doll. "Just be silent; save your strength. You need all of it…to stay alive right now…at least until I can get you help." The soft voice reassured Joey, and he felt warmth within those arms that didn't come from his blood pouring about his body. It was a secure warmth that let him know this wasn't the end; nay, for it was only the beginning – and Joey would soon find out.

WHEW! So, comments? I know this chapter is short - but when I wrote it I had no idea where the story was going to go. I just had this idea, and wrote it out. The next chapters get longer - trust me. Next one will be up shortly after this - to keep ya all satisfied and what. Thanks for reading!