Joey continued to sit there with Serenity sobbing and holding onto him as if her life depended on it.
"..Are you sad cause I can't see nothin'?" he questioned. Serenity picked her head up again staring at Joey's face. Stray tears dripping off her face, she slowly lifted her hand up. Her lithe fingers touching the side of Joey's face.
She carefully turned his head towards her so that she could stare directly into his eyes. Even though he was looking at her and his eyes were on her. Serenity could see it in his eyes that he couldn't really see her.
"You..You really can't see me at all?" she asked in a whisper. Joey's seemingly empty eyes stared at her blankly.
"No," the words fell from his lips.
Serenity's eyes fell when the words reached her ears. Her fingers fell from the boys face. Joey blinked when he suddenly felt the warmth slide off his cheek. He couldn't feel her anymore, his head turned a little his eyes searching through blackness.
"Serenity?" he asked. Serenity's eyes looked dead though she slowly stood from the bed remaining silent. Joey's brows knitted together continuing to look around helplessly for something that he couldn't find.
The others looked at the younger girl as she stood up turning away from the bed. She stepped forward wordlessly past the other people.
"Serenity?" Joey asked again his voice growing more worried. A tinge of fear could be heard in it.
Serenity walked to the door in turn walking past the two Kaiba's into the hall way.
"Serenity?" Joey asked again. The group looked back at the now blind boy. Tea walked forward carefully placing her hand down on the others.
"It's alright Joey," she said softly. Joey's eyes softened a little feeling something touching his hand.
"Tea?" he asked. Yugi looked up at her and placed his hand over hers as well.
"Yeah..we're all here for you Joey." he added. Tristan and Duke joined in as well. Joey looked down smiling only a little.
"Thanks guys" he said.
"Well I've spent enough time here," Seto announced turning around.
"Wait!" Yugi said suddenly turning around to face him. /Yugi let me take it from here/Yami said through their mind link. /Alright/
Yami then took control of the younger boy.
"Kaiba I'd like to have a word with you," he said walking up to him. Seto glanced at the other.
"Fine but make it quick." he agreed stepping out of the room. Yami and Seto walked out farther into the hallway so they would at least be out of earshot.
Yami came to a halt, "Kaiba, how can you be so inconsiderate?" he asked. Seto looked at the other with a raised brow.
"I have no idea what your talking about." he stated. Yami frowned at him.
"Joey's just been rendered blind and you just walk out like nothings happened," he said almost spitefully. Seto crossed his arms glaring at the shorter male.
"Why should I care about the mutt?" he asked. Yami forced himself to bite his tongue. Only Kaiba could frustrate him so much just by talking.
"Because Kaiba, do you even realize that your the one who caused his blindness?" he asked. Seto widened his eyes looking at the blonde.
"That wasn't my fault, its not my problem that the dog got injured." he retorted. Yami glared back at the brunette.
"Yes Kaiba it is, your attack was so devastating and traumatic for him that it turned him blind!" he argued. Seto remained stone cold as ever though not beginning to believe the Pharaoh. "Kaiba because of you Joey may never see again!" he snapped harshly.
"How was I supposed to know that?" he asked sharply. Yami's glare held firm.
"Kaiba, Joey had come out of a coma only a few days ago, do you honestly think that such a devastating attack wouldn't hurt him? And the fact that you used the same card that traumatized him so much the first time you beat him with it in Duelist Kingdom."
Seto this time was left silent..he wasn't sure if he had any rebut for that.
"Because of what you did to him, Joey may be blind the rest of his life." he said. "Serenity looks damaged enough from it..and even if they find out that they can give him eye surgery, do you honestly think Serenity or Joey's parents could even afford it?" he interrogated. "Joey used the prize money to pay for Serenity's surgery before...its not like he can do that again for himself." he said darkly. "On that note..do you think that Joey will ever be able to play Duel Monsters anymore?" he asked.
Seto found himself struck completely silent by Yami's tirade. For probably once in his life he didn't have any answer he could give.
Yami's voice turned hateful, "After all..its not like he can even see his cards anymore...so I suppose you got your wish Kaiba." he said crossing his arms. "You always did say that Joey was a waste of a duel disk..well congratulation..thanks to you he'll never be able to use one again anyways." he said swiftly turning around and walking back towards the room.
Seto leaned back against the wall feeling almost...winded from the verbal beat down he'd gotten. No one since Gozaburo had ever gotten to him just by talking. He glanced at the yami who was walking away.
"So what do you propose I do about it?" he asked. Yami stopped suddenly hearing the others voice. He hadn't expected the Kaiba to answer him at all. He turned his head to the brunette.
"..The least you can do..is at least try to care." he answered silently turning around again and walking back into the room.
"Where'd Serenity go?" Joey asked looking blankly at the wall. Seeming to just stare at a space.
"We don't know...I'll go find her," Tea said walking out of the room.
"..Is she sad..cause I can't see her anymore?" he asked. Yami glanced behind him hearing Seto walk up behind him in the doorway.
The two other teenagers in the room looked at each other at a loss of what to tell him.
"Uh.."
Joey frowned, "She is..isn't she?" he said more as a statement then a question. Tea walked back into the room; stepping past the two in the doorway.
"She..She doesn't want to come in the room." she said sadly.
"..Thats okay," Joey said causing them to look at him. "I don't blame her for not wanting to see me...after all...I can't even see my own baby sister." he remarked shamefully. "..I'm supposed to take care of her...I can't even do that anymore. She probably doesn't want to see her brother now that he's useless." he said sadly.
"Im sure she doesn't think that Joey," Yami said looking at the other blonde. Feeling pity for the younger male.
"...I..I just wanna be alone," he remarked quietly. The others exchanged worried glances. Unsure if it was a good idea to leave Joey alone.
"Alright," Yami replied ignoring his friends obvious worry for leaving the boy alone."..The doctor said he wants to keep you over night." Yami said while ushering the remaining occupants out. He watched everyone else scurry out of the room before turning his gaze back to Joey. "...Goodnight Joey." he said silently as he turned around as well; shutting the door behind him.
Joey heard the door shut and then there was silence. He waited a few moments, making sure that everyone was gone. After a few moments he laid himself back down; turning onto his side. He could feel tears filling his eyes;and soon felt them spill over his face. He squeezed his eyes shut clenching his teeth together as his body trembled.
Sobs tore brokenly from his throat, his fingers gripped the sheets below him. Hoping it would give him some kind of stability.
/What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to be strong for Serenity?... I can't even be strong for myself./
He allowed himself to sob. When he had woken up..he didn't know why he couldn't see. And he was scared...of course he was. He couldn't see. The fear only increased when he heard the doctors voice. Explaining the thing he'd never thought someone would be telling him. He could hear Serenity too...hear her crying. He could hear the fear in her voice.
And he made himself be strong for her..he had to protect her..and be strong. Even if he was terrified..he couldn't let Serenity know. If Serenity knew that he was scared too she would be terrified.
But now he couldn't hold it in, he couldn't see, he was blind and there was nothing he could do. Not for himself for Serenity or anyone else.
/How can I do anything anymore? God I'm so fucking scared, I can't even do anything!/ he thought in frustration. /Every time I open my eyes there's nothing there! I don't even know where I am! I don't know where anything is!/
He was to afraid to even move because he didn't know where he was. He didn't know where anything around him was. Tears fell rapidly down his face. His body shook with ever sob he let out, he hated this darkness. He hated the helpless feeling it gave him, he hated having absolutely no control over anything. He hated not knowing.
Now he wouldn't even be able to take one step without fearing if he would run into something. He cried and cried all night long. He cried because he was scared, scared that he would live in this darkness permanently. That he would never be able to see Serenity, or any of his friends ever again.
That he would be left with only memories of their faces, what was he supposed to do when even those faded from his mind though. He was afraid that he would never live the life he had before. He would never read anything, he could never watch his friends duel again, or even play himself.
...
The night passed and everyone decided to stay on the blimp and leave tomorrow when Joey could go. As soon as it turned to morning they all once more reconvened in the hospital room.
Joey was already sitting there staring blankly as usual, he picked his head up when he heard the door slide open. "Huh?"
"Hey Joey, the doctor said you can go home today," Tea said. Joey continued to look into the empty space.
"Oh..thats good." he said.
"However, Mr. Wheeler I would like you to continue to see the doctor at the Domino City Hospital every week. We need to continue to monitor your condition for a few more weeks." he said.
"Oh..alright." Joey said turning his body to the side. As soon as he felt his feet touch the ground he froze. He sat completely still. The others looked at the boy questioningly. Tea finally walked over to the other side of the bed.
"Here let me help you," she said taking the boys arm and helping him off the bed.
"Thanks." he said.
"Other then that your free to go Mr. Wheeler." the doctor said. Joey's gaze appeared to stare at the spot next to the doctors head. He extended his hand.
"Thanks for all your help doc," he said. The group once more exchanged glances. Joey's hand wasn't even pointed to the doctor. The doctor frowned a little, moving and shaking his hand.
"Come on Joey," Tea said leading the boy. When Joey felt Tea pull his arm he could feel his heart rate pick up. As soon as he took one step forward he could feel the feeling returning. The fear.
It was like trying to walk around in a pitch black room, or walking around with a blindfold on.
/I don't think I've ever been this scared in my whole life...is this what my life is going to be like from now on?/ Joey wondered sadly. He attempted to hide his fear, he had to make them think he was still strong.
But even he couldn't hide the hesitation.
"How 'm I supposed to get home?" Joey asked suddenly breaking the strange silence that had fallen over the room.
"Uh, we could walk you home if you want Joey," Yugi offered. Joey frowned a little a look of sadness creeping into his eyes.
"..My dad won't be happy about this," he admitted. His father was hard on him enough as it was. Joey couldn't imagine trying to live with him when he couldn't see. "He's not even home a lot...so I wouldn't have anyone to help me." he said.
Another silence fell over the room.
"Where am I supposed ta go?" he asked. Furrowing his brows; wondering why no one was answering him. He wished he could see their expressions. The group of friends whispered amongst themselves trying to figure out what to do with the Wheeler.
"The mutt can come with us." Everyone widened their eyes their heads snapping towards the brunette. Who stood there with his arms crossed with the same cold expression he always wore.
"What?" they all asked in unison. Had they just heard correctly? Did Seto Kaiba just offer to help Joey Wheeler!
He glared at him, "Did I stutter?" he asked sharply. Mokuba looked back at his brother just as surprised as the others were.
"Seto?" he asked. The older boy looked away from the others.
"I intend on dying with a clean conscience." he stated in the most Kaiba way ever. They glared at the ceo only slightly. Go figure that if he of all people was going to be nice he'd have to do it in the most jerk way possible.
Joey blinked widening his eyes slightly when he recognized the taller boys voice. /K-Kaiba?/
"A-Are you sure Kaiba?" Yugi asked still recovering from shock. Seto glanced over his shoulder.
"Do you want me to take him or not?" he asked. Yugi widened his eyes.
"T-Thats not what I meant!" he insisted. Seto rolled his eyes and looked down at Mokuba.
"Come on Mokuba," he said. The raven haired Kaiba looked up at him.
"Alright," he said and then looked back at the Wheeler who was standing there. He walked over to the blonde. And took his hand making the blonde jump a little from the sudden touch. "Here Joey, I'll help you." he said.
Joey's brow twitched a little as he tried to recognize the voice. "...Mokuba?" he asked unsurely. Mokuba looked up at the older duelist.
"Yeah." he said trying to the best of his 12 year old abilities to guide the blind teenager. Joey blinked when a thought came into his mind.
"What about Serenity?" he asked causing the young Kaiba to halt. "..Where is she?" he questioned. Mokuba frowned looking back at him.
"...I..I don't know." he said. Tristan quickly interjected before he could say anything else.
"Don't worry Joey we'll go find Serenity and make sure she gets home." he promised. Joey frowned a little.
"O-Oh..okay." he said unable to hide the tinge of sorrow in his voice. Seto looked back at the two.
"Lets go." he said turning and began walking down the hallway. Mokuba nodded and began leading Joey again.
"Thats weird." Tea said rubbing her head. Duke who had been very silent the whole time chose to speak up.
"What? You mean Kaiba actually offering to help?" he asked. Tea nodded the confused look growing in her eyes.
"Yeah..it doesn't make any sense." she said unable to grasp it.
"After all Kaiba's the one who hates Joey's guts, why would he want to help him?" Tristan added. Yami who had taken full control of Yugi's body again looked at the three people who remained in the room.
"He already said why." he replied, they turned to the short blonde. "He said he wants to die with a clean conscience didn't he?" he inquired.
"Yeah but what's that got to do with Joey?" Tristan questioned.
"He feels guilty."
The statement almost echoed through the room before it actually settled. "..Guilty?..Kaiba?" they said in unison. After all the thought of Kaiba feeling...well pretty much anything was pretty shocking.
"I had a talk with him yesterday..he needed to realize that he was the one who caused this." he stated looking to the side. "I suppose it must have gotten to him enough to make him see the truth." he said lightly.
"...Come on guys we should go find Serenity and make sure she gets home." Tristan said breaking yet another silence that had formed. The rest of them nodded and walked out of the room to find the young Wheeler.
...
Meanwhile with the two Kaiba's and Joey. Mokuba had managed to guide Joey [with a lot of difficulty] down the stairs that led off the blimp.
"Alright we're almost to the car." Mokuba said in relief. Seto glanced back at them stopping at the car.
Mokuba stopped as soon as he reached the car door, which was already open.
"Alright..um..just..put your head down." he said. This could possibly end up being harder then getting Joey down the stairs. Mokuba tried to get Joey into the car.
"Ow!" Joey cried out Mokuba's eyes widened; he jumped. Joey looked dreadfully confused as he reached his hand up rubbing his forehead.
"I'm sorry!" Mokuba cried out in panic. Seto who had been watching his brother sighed rolling his eyes as his brother had a mini freak out. He stepped forward putting his hand on the blonde's head and pushed him forward.
Joey widened his eyes when he felt something pushing him and at the same time pushing his head downwards.
"Huh?" Joey asked..he was sitting. Mokuba looked up at Seto when he saw that Joey was already in the car.
"Get in Mokuba we need to get home," he said. Mokuba nodded and slid into the car as well with Seto following after him.
/..Did...Kaiba do that? This doesn't make sense...why would Kaiba help me?/ Joey's brain couldn't process any of it. It nearly gave him a heart attack when he hit his head on...whatever he hit it on. He guessed that it must have been the car since that's what Mokuba had said.
/He hates me..why would he offer? I don't know wether to be thankful..or more scared then before. The thought of being alone with my Dad while I'm like this was scary...what am I supposed to expect if I'm staying with a guy who is my arch rival?/
Joey let out a small sigh; his head hurt. He was tired and he couldn't do anything. All he could do was sit there, wondering what was going on around him. He couldn't even move without having someone lead him. And even then he didn't know if they would run him into something.
Joey had always been careful about who he placed his trust in.
And now he would have to place his trust in his worst enemy.
Kaiba.
TBC
Oh lord that was so long well tell you the truth i got a very mean comment that made me very upset and well i'd just like to say to that person 'IN YOUR FACE!' why because they complained that i wasn't making him panicked enough or some crap like that and all this other stuff and well this is the reason he wasn't! He IS! scared as hell! Makes sense now huh! Yeah next time someone wants to leave me a comment like that make sure its not on the first chapter because incase you haven't realized the first chapter NEVER! explains anything half the time! I explained pretty much everything in the SECOND! chapter! And please just give me constructive criticism...my brain can't take anything else! REVIEW..PLEASE...seriously is this fic any good...at all?
