Disclaimer: Praise to Yugioh and its writers, a circle of which I do not belong.

Often relationships become redefined overtime, generally for the best. Seto and Joey have traveled so many roads, yet they have always ended up in the same space. Coincidence I think not. The story is a series of flash backs which define the present feeling growing inside their hearts. Just a little ooc, and a lot of Mokuba and Serenity which defines and challenges the boys to rethink their lives. I hope you enjoy. Dark so be prepared, but not shocked.

Blood and Tears

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Chapter one: Friends

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Sometimes if you timed it just right, the sky, just before nightfall and after daylight would be filled with the sun and the moon together. The sun completely void of heat, no longer beat down on the people below, but paled to a deep brown with little specks of gold surrounding its prefect sphere. The moon would dance with the sun and gently rock its lover to sleep. It was on such a night one lone man leaned up against a nightlight post and pondered his next move. The shadows played games on his pale complexion: his slender frame comfortable and relaxed against the post, yet inside his mind he battled with thoughts of self-deception and self-control. For all the logical and justifiable decisions the dark beauty had made in his life, there was one he would take back in a heartbeat. No amount of money could repair the damage that the callous words he spoke to his brother almost one year ago caused two families to suffer.

Young couples, hands twisted together walked by and nodded at the lone figure; maybe it was faiths way of giving him courage, something he would never ask for because everyone knew Seto had everything a young man could possible want. On the surface he lived a prefect life, owned a successful business, and had a wonderful brother, but underneath this ideally existent the storms roared and lightening flashed shaking his life up and sometimes creating barriers that were impossible to break down. Tonight one storm raged in his heart and he was at a crossroad as to how to stop the flooding it was bound to make.

Kaiba's eyes drifted to the bar in front of the nightlight post; it wasn't going anywhere, and took the first step towards the door. His friend was on the other side, well friend was a bit of a strong word to use to describe the relationship. Or maybe it was more? It was confusing to think about the boy, and why he cared. He's not my responsible, or is he. Just looking at the hazel brown eyes that rarely flashed in anger at the tall brunet, his pouting lips that quivered when he was upset, the way he tilted his head to the side when he was confused, and the loose fit of his muscle shirt over the slump of his shoulders, all of these things bothered the dark beauty. When did the boy's shirt stop hugging his taunt chest? Maybe it was time to face more truths, but for the time being friend will have to be enough. Seto through shear will forced his feet to move, careful not to step on the cracks.



The bouncer and long time friend of the owner opened the door and stepped to the side. Harry took Seto's long white cape and nodded 'hello'. He handed his keys to the old man and walked into the quiet bar. It was still early; the only signs of life were the clicking a pool ball makes against the side of the table. Seto approached the bar, twirled the seat around and leaned on the counter. The gesture didn't mean anything, just something he did.

"Joe, quite night," he looked around at the old town bar. 'Joes Place 'had been around for ages and the old Broadway star knew everyone. He retired and moved to Japan his birthplace after thirty years on the circuit. Pictures of famous actors and actresses lined the walls.

"He's over there, Kaiba. Came in about two hours ago, looking pretty down. Let's see played a game of pool. Lost about twenty bucks, and ate all my peanuts. Had to send Mike to the store to buy some more." Joe reached under the counter and gave Seto a bill. Not that he really wanted to charge the boy, but Kaiba insisted. Kaiba took the paper and walked away.

"Kaiba, it a bad night, he's not doing so well," Joe whispered.

Concern played across Kaiba's brow and he leaned forward to listen to the words of the old man. He gained the boy's respect one year ago. Joe acted like a father to the blond; you know first job and all.

"Tomorrows the day, that's all he said, real broken up inside. Does that mean you ain't going back to that place anymore, I don't think he can do it anymore? I ain't seen him smile all night and he's been crying. I heard him in the john."

Joe took the shaker full of ice and finished fixing a customer's drink, while he continued his conversation. "Tried to hide it, but he's like my boy. If he got a girl out there, he really needs her tonight. But one thing I can say for sure, and that's a fact he ain't like his old man, not one time has he ever taken a drink." Joe rubbed the stubble from his chin; he didn't shave, but came straight to work. "Take care of him Kaiba-sama. He's a good kid."

Kaiba tapped the countertop with his finger, indicating he wanted a couple of drinks and looked in the direction of his friends table. All he could see was a mess of blond hair and slender arms on the table top. 'What the old man say, 'girl friend.' Well Joey never brought any girls to the house and Seto never brought any dates to the mansion either. He never asked how he spends his nights away from the mansion or with whom. Why did that bother Kaiba now? Their relationship or association was strictly a bond to hold the families together, nothing more or less. Shit they were like day and night, in the past always fighting. Now the only thing they really shared was silence.

"Hey, hey, are you going to stay here all night and shine the table with your head." Two glasses, one filled with ginger water, olive, and a twist, the other cherry coke, and six cherries loaded with ice, made a clicking sound as he set them down on the table. Kaiba removed the watered down drink and pushes the fresh drink against Joey's arm. The cool sensation awakens the boy and he lifted his head up.

"Hi, it's you. So you found me." Joey took a sip of the Kaiba's drink and smirked. He hated olives. Kaiba just watched and downed the cherry coke. He hated cherries.



The silence was expected, until the boy let it out. Kaiba knew it was coming just like the other times only this time he felt fear. Every month they took the journey together, but this time Joey ran away. The doctors said this would be the last journey the boys needed to take. It took Kaiba the best part of the day to find him, but he did. Here at Joe's bar drowning in his pain.

"Come on Joey, Mokuba has fixed a good dinner for us. He's worried about you Joey," Seto voice was low and comforting.

"Kaiba, I mean Seto, why did you eat those damn cherries." Joey's lip started to tremble, he couldn't stop it. His heart was breaking. "You hate cherries; you ain't going get spots on your face or something."

"Why did you eat my olives?" now his voice caressed Joey's wounded heart. "I know they make you sick. Are you going to lose it?"

The storm grew louder; Seto could see the anger and hurt in the boy's eye. The mask he couldn't hide was breaking into little pieces.

"Why Seto, why did it have to happen, I can't do this anymore. . . . ." Seto dropped his head and watched the little puddles of water dance on the polished wood surface. Maybe it was just the ice and cold from the glass; you know how it leaves those damaging water marks. Yeah, it was tears, tears; tears that Seto felt a heavy responsibility for.

"Joey, I need to take you home, Mokuba's waiting," his voice a little harsh.

"No, Seto, I want an answer why? I can't do this anymore." Joeys head found its way back to the table. He started to tremble and cry silent tears. Seto's hand reached out to touch his hair but he didn't know how to offer the comfort or wondered if he had the right to even touch him. The months spend together stopped the fighting, but the healing was a long way off.

His cell went off and this he understood. It was Mokuba, worried and alone. They were always in a private hell this time of the month, except Mokuba. Mokuba never gave in to the demons that haunted Joeys mind and heart.

"Nii-sama, where are you? Where is Joey? Have you found him?"

"Mokuba, we are all Joe's bar. Well Joey won't leave, he's. . . ." silence was expected, Seto didn't know what else to say.

"Nii-sama give Joey the phone, I'll talk to him." Kaiba lifted the blond's head to the side and slid the phone under one ear. He could hear Mokuba's comforting voice and at that moment he realize Mokuba was really the strong one. Joey wiped his face and quietly followed Seto out of Joe's bar.

For the second time that night the moon light dances across the pale complexion of the beautiful man. Only this time there were two figures and the sun was asleep. It was still a night for lovers, yet not for the pair. To be called friends was very fragile, and it was a sorrowful bond that made that relationship possible.



REVIEW, A Pleasant thank you, and most welcome….. Right now this is rated T, but it may go up. Enjoy…