Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. It belongs to the creators of the show. However, I do have one request though. It's a simple request really. Please don't "plagiarize" off my written work, which includes original characters/places/names/chapter ideas. I mean if you want to use something that I have written out. That I have worked very hard on and spent many hours reediting, please show some courtesy and ask me first, okay, Thanks – Razzleteddy

A/N: Thanks for reading :) Here's chapter 7 :) Enjoy! – Razzleteddy


Shadows Within

By late evening, when everyone retired to their room Joey slowly inched the door opened to Seto's room and peaked inside. The room was dark and quiet on this cloudy night. He watched some shadows on the ceiling that came from out of the window and could sense a storm was coming.

He spotted Seto asleep on the bed. He softened his face, he hated to wake him up, he looked so tired but Seto did say he wanted to be awaked in a couple hours. Mr. Fields had told him about what happened with Mokuba, he heart ached for him. With a sigh, he wandered into room, shut the door behind him and started over to the bed. Suddenly, he heard a slight whimper, it sounded somewhat panicked. With that, he turned his head and saw Seto's face covered with sweat and his forehead creased in a troubled manner. He saw Seto whimpered again. Worried, he ever so gently crawled up beside him and tried to shake him awake but no luck.

Seto was lost in a horrible dream…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Shadows surrounded him as he ran through the black darkness with panic. He wondered where he was, he felt suffocate and couldn't breathe. The feeling pumped through him like lava as sweat covered his whole body. However, he just ran with his heart pounded rapidly. He had to find a way out, he wanted out. Therefore, he looked around more and hoped to see something, anything but no, there was nothing but darkness.

"Seto!"

Suddenly, he stopped then as he looked around slowly. That voice, he knew that voice, yes it sounded like. He widened his eyes, "Mokuba!" he cried out. He searched the darkness as he ran. He had to find him. He needed to find him. "Mokuba!" he called once more as desperation laced his voice.

"Seto, help me!"

He looked around once more at the sound of his brother's cry. "Mokuba, where are you!" He lined his face terrified that he wouldn't find him.

"No! Please stop! Don't hurt me please! Seto!"

"I'm coming Mokie!" He began to wept as he felt helpless at his brother's cries, "Just please tell me where you are!" He pleaded as he ran among the darkness. He couldn't find him, he couldn't find him. Where was he?

"Seto! Why won't you help me big brother!"

Abruptly he stopped to cover his ears from his brother's painful cry. He couldn't stand it any longer. He looked ahead then as Mokuba appeared in the distant, "Mokuba!" he felt relieved but only for a second, there was man behind him with a sinister sneer. He looked closer to the man's face and realized who it was, Baiko. He narrowed his eyes sharply, "Get away from him you bastard!" he spat out with hatred.

He stepped forward about to go to his brother when the ground began to sink swiftly below his feet, with him with it. "No!" he looked up in horror and watched Baiko take out a knife, ready to plunge into to his precious brother. "Nooo, don't do it!" He tried with all his strength to reach him. "Mokuba!" He bawled and reached out for him desperately. He tried to pull away from the ground when suddenly he widened his eyes. At that moment, he saw Baiko stabbed his brother in the back brutally.

"S-Seto."

He watched his brother whisper before he fell down and laid there in his own crimson blood, then echo of laughter bounced around him. In that instant, he felt his heart ripped into shattered pieces.

"NOOOO!" Seto screamed as he finally woke up. He fell out of his bed and landed on the cold hard floor. He looked up confused while took in his surroundings with a deep breath. He covered his eyes for a moment as he composed himself, "Dream... i-it was just a dream." He whispered, he viewed up once more a bit shaken and noticed that he was back in his cold dark room. He rubbed his face with a shaky hand, he didn't have the strength yet to get up off the floor and back bed. He just sat there instead and tried his best to process it all. It was all he could do at the moment.

"Seto."

Seto turned slightly at the sound of a voice, it was laced with worry, worry for him. He didn't respond though, he just sat there as the dream faded away slowly from his mind. Oh, how he hated sleep... dreams haunted him so. He can't escape from them no matter what. He sighed a bit feebly.

"Seto, a-a-re you okay?"

"Yeah... I'm all right Joey... It's just..." Seto trailed off. He stiffened then when he felt the hands of his love caressed his shoulders, but only for second. He relaxed at the comfort, glad that he was there with him. He looked up then a little relaxed, "Joey, I'm glad you're here." He looked around the room, he noticed the sun had set already and how dark it became, he could hear rain drops hit the windowsill, "What time is it?"

"It's almost eleven."

"Almost eleven." Seto furrowed his brow, "Why did you wake me sooner?"

Joey softened his eyes while he comforted Seto's shoulders that shook slightly. "I knew I should have awoken you up when I got here but…" he lined his eyes some, "I just thought you should sleep some more, you know," he hoped wasn't upset with him. He frowned and joined him on the floor, "Seto," pulled him into his arms while Seto laid his head onto his chest. "Are you sure you okay babe?" he asked again, he wiped the sweat off his love's forehead then sat there exhausted as well. "Seto...?"

Seto didn't say, he wasn't sure. It's been only a month since that horrible night and they are still in shattered pieces, especially Mokuba. Suddenly, at the thought of his brother, he head shot up. "Mokuba..." he pulled away for Joey arms, pushed himself off the floor and back onto his feet. He hurried for the door, flung it open and rushed out into the darken hallway.

Joey only followed him with sad eyes as Seto disappeared into the darkness. With a sigh, he slowly pushed himself off the floor then proceeded after him to Mokuba's room.

Seto hurried up the stairs to Mokuba's room, his brow rutted with worry. He had to be sure, he had to be sure that his brother was safe. He had an uneasy feeling, it taken him over. He paused at his brother's door. Mokuba has been asleep for at least a while now too. He hadn't heard a sound from him since he laid him down. He pushed it opened ever so softly and viewed in, the room was covered by soft glow of the nightlight left on.

"Mokuba?" Seto rushed in and felt his heart rate beat faster when he didn't see him there. "Mokuba," he said a bit louder, he checked under the bed but he wasn't there. He panicked now. "Mokuba!" his eyes watered with fear as he viewed around the room, "Oh please god! Not again!" His mind started to race and was about to rush out the room when...

"It's all right Seto. Check the closet, remember."

Seto turned around only to find Joey in the doorway. He then turned his eyes on the closet door and slowly made his way toward it. He grasped the handled, pulled it open, and sucked in a heavy breath for there was Mokuba asleep on the floor curled up in a corner. He covered his eyes in relief, "Thank god." He breathed in a couple more shaky breaths, to calm himself as he knelt down heavily upon the floor, "I've... I've thought someone had taken him again." He forgot that Mokuba was in there.

Joey quietly walked over and knelt down next him. Once more, he put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "No need to worry babe, no one can break in here. Yami got everything secured, remember." He reassured him and gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "Mokuba will be fine for a couple of more hours, okay," he lessened eyes with understanding.

Seto didn't say anything, he just watched his brother sleep, so far within the corner as if he tried to hide for something... or someone... he lessened his eyes at his form, "Oh, Mokuba..." he heart ached for him.

"It's getting late," Joey interrupted him. He knew how fatigued he was and didn't want him to get ill from it. "Let's go back to your room and try to get a couple hours of sleep." He stood back up quietly, "All right babe."

Seto thought about for a moment, he indeed felt weak and tired so he nodded. He stood up slowly, his eyes still locked on his brother.

Joey gave a glanced to Mokuba with a sad heart. The boy looked so small there, so... broken. Seto gave him one last look before he left to go back to his room with Joey close behind him.

One there Joey went over to his side of the bed and climbed on then waited for Seto to join him. However, he watched Seto just stand there and massaged his forehead obviously still shaken by the nightmare he had. "Come on babe, join me," he patted his love's side of the bed.

Seto inhaled a tired breath, he slowly inched himself over to the bed and climbed on also. But he wasn't sleepy though, he was still to wind up by the previous dream. "I don't think I won't be able to go back to sleep. I mean, not for a while." He confessed and settled down while Joey rested his head on his chest. He blinked his eyes some as he felt them water. So he rubbed them trying to get rid of the sleepiness there.

"That's okay. We can just talk then, if you want." Joey thought for a moment, "I let Roland off duty so he go can go home and get some rest. He'll be back on at his regular time," he started the conversation.

"That's good," Seto yawned into his hand. He tried to will his tiredness from his body, which it seemed to work. He reached his hand up and started to play with Joey's hair. He loved the feel of his hair, so soft to the touch.

"And…" Joey lessened his eyes, "Charles told me what happened today."

"Oh…" Seto frowned while he remembered this afternoon. He wanted so desperately to comfort Mokuba but all he did was made it worse. He then narrowed his eyes at the person who was supposed to help him. "See, I'd told you that stupid bitch doesn't know what she doing. I don't understand how Jin would assign such an incompetent fool," he spat out.

"Seto," Joey began, "Jin wouldn't have assigned her if she wasn't competent." He creased his brow, "Mokuba just had a bad day. It will get better, you'll see. She just needs time, I mean she doing her best babe."

"Yeah, well her best isn't good enough. Not for me." Seto scoffed angrily, "I'm going to have a little 'talk' with her tomorrow about this whole thing."

"Well," Joey inhaled a deep breath, "I hope you don't go in there with that kind of attitude Seto." He reasoned with him, "Try to be reasonable okay."

Seto rolled his eyes, "Riiight."

"I'm serious."

Seto shook his head. Reasonable, no, he wanted set a few things straight. "Whatever. What you are you doing here anyway?" He creased his brow, "I thought your father still had you on 'restriction' or other such nonsense."

"Not anymore. I talk to him about it after school and finally decided to take me off of it." Joey smiled happily. He thought about their encounter after school. It wasn't easy but after some 'convincing' he's father reluctantly took him off restriction, provided that he would stay out of serious trouble.

Seto smirked, "Well, it's about freaking time." He always hated when Joey would end up on restriction. He wasn't allowed to go anywhere or do anything. It was a bit ridiculous on how much control Joey's father had over his love. He hardened his face, he really despised that man. As he thought about it, he never let his stepfather had that much control over him. No matter how cold, cruel or abusive he was to him, he never did. He sighed deeply, "It still doesn't explain why you're here at this time of night."

"Well… dad say I could spend the night," Joey smirked himself.

"Your father is letting you 'spend' the night… just like that."

"Yeah… just like that." Joey's shifted his body a little nervous at the sound of Seto's staid voice. "I've asked him and he said it was fine babe," he knew Seto might want a better explanation. He didn't want to give him one though, it would only upset him. Seto had too much to worry about.

Seto stared at the ceiling with a perplexed look. "HE said it was fine...?" he felt him nod his head on his chest. "Hmm…" he responded with a now serious look. He wondered what his Joey had to do to convince that man to allow him to spend the night. He hardened his brow more and could take a pretty good guess. Yes, he really, really hated that man.

"Well, it's getting late. Are you hungry babe?" Joey suddenly asked and began to rub at his stomach gently, "Cause I can fix you something to eat if you are," he raised his head off his chest and viewed him tenderly.

"No," Seto grumbled at the obvious change of subject. "I'm not hungry." He faced him and viewed his brown eyes. He noticed how beautiful they were. Oh, how he loved them. No he wasn't hungry, he wanted something else. If Joey was finally off restriction he should make the most of it. Unexpectedly, he pushed himself up and kissed him slowly on his lips. Joey was taken a little aback by that but he closed his eyes too and kissed him back. He welcomed the desire. It'd been so long since they had some time together.

Seto captured his lips with deep passion. He moaned a bit, he was in pure bliss. He pulled him closer for more contact as he brushed his hand through his love's soft hair. Soon desperation engulfed them both, losing each other in glory of the moment. Reluctantly however, Joey pulled away as he remembered where they were. "Seto... wait… a sec," he said out breath.

Seto panted out of breath also. He viewed Joey's face and saw him about to say something but stopped him by pulling him into another kiss. He yearned for him, he needed him. He pushed Joey down onto his back, their lips still entwined with each other with deep passion. He was glad Joey was able to spend the night. It's been so long since they made love each other, he welcomed the desire himself.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was about early in morning when a big flash of light crashed hard as a raging storm roared outside. Mokuba eyes flew opened, ridge with fear. He shot up straight and wondered he was. He viewed through the crack of the closet door toward the window and watched the rain fall heavily outside.

Now he remembered. He's at Yami's house. Shakily, he wiped the sweat off his forehead with a deep sigh mixed with tiredness. He just had most horrid dream… it was that Washi dream. He shivered slightly as pieces of the memory still floated around his mind. Why could they just go away and let him be? Abruptly he cringed a bit and felt sick to his stomach then.

With a little more energy, he crawled out the closet and stood up shakily then jumped a bit as a flash of lighting flare outside his window. Suddenly he felt sicker. He rushed over and knelt down to a nearby trashcan and started to throw up violently into the pail, for a good five minutes.

When it subsided, he leaned against the bed feeling weak. At the brief moment, he was scared. He rubbed his forehead when suddenly he remembered Seto was here also and wondered where his big brother was, probably asleep in his room.

For once he wanted his comfort and security so he stood up slowly. He gathered his courage and tiptoed out of his room into the darken hallway. He made his way downstairs but paused in the darkness edgily as he listened to the heavy rainstorm roar against the house. He just creased his brow unsteadily and hoped he would find his brother soon.

He continued to walk down hallway to his brother's room. He paused at a door, opened it slowly and peaked into the dark room. He viewed the bed and smiled a bit when he saw Seto there asleep. He shivered slightly from the coldness in the air as he very slowly strolled over to him. He shook him but worried. He hoped Seto wouldn't be too mad for waking him up.

Seto stirred as he felt someone shake him. He blinked his tired eyes open and looked over to Joey who was sound asleep, curled up against him. With a shabby breath, he turned and viewed up. He saw his little brother standing there, hunched over, "Mokuba?" he whispered. "What are you doing up?" he sat up a bit and wrinkled his brow worriedly. He glanced at the clock for a minute, reading three fifty-five in the morning. "Are you okay?" he viewed him again.

Mokuba looked down but jumped fearfully. The storm outside crashed loudly and lightened the room up for a moment. He just viewed out the window with wide eyes. He felt his heart beat against his chest. He never liked storms, especially during the night.

Seto just softened himself, "Its okay Mokie… scared of the storm?" he rubbed his brow, "Do you want to crawl in with us?" he asked him gently.

Mokuba thought for a minute then shook his head no. He didn't want to go back to sleep any longer. He was too afraid his horrible dreams might come back to haunt him once more. He shivered at the thought. No it wouldn't be good at all. Seto just breathed profoundly, "No, don't want to go back to sleep?" he guessed, he viewed over his form, it looked very jagged.

Mokuba shook his head no as he looked down sadly. However, Seto just sat up more. "Okay then, how about I fix you some warm cocoa. Sound good?" he rubbed his forehead liking this idea. He hadn't had any talking time with Mokuba since yesterday's incident. Maybe this time if he took it slow, Mokuba would decide to open up to him more.

Mokuba showed a tiny smile as he nodded eagerly which caused Seto to smile a bit. "Okay." He was about to pulled the covers back when he paused. Suddenly he remembered that he was bare naked underneath. "Umm... do you think you could wait outside for me," he didn't want to freak his brother out or anything considering what he had been through, no that wouldn't be a good for Mokuba, he decided seriously.

Mokuba sighed insecurely as he shook his head no. He wanted to stay close to him. He was scared of the dark and couldn't shake the feeling that someone was going to jump out of nowhere to hurt him.

"Umm… okay then. Could you turn around for a second please?" Seto said with a tired frown. Mokuba raised his brow curiously, he glanced over to Joey asleep on the other side of the bed then back over to Seto and saw his bare chest. It didn't take long to register why he wanted him to. He back away with a small blush then faced away from him as he had asked.

Seto pushed the covers off himself. He got up and walked around the bed. He picked his clothes off the floor where he tossed them and got dressed. "All right let's go." He strolled over and grasped his shoulders tenderly.

Mokuba however pulled back. He tried to break his brother's hold when suddenly he jumped. He huddled close to Seto's waist fearfully while a loud thunderbolt boomed outside, lighting up the dark sky.

"Its okay… don't be scared." Seto soothed his back and hoped to ease his fear down. He then pulled his brother along out of the room and took him into the kitchen. He flipped on the lights, "Okay, let's see, where the cocoa?" he wandered over to the cupboards and opened them. He raised his brow as he scanned the items there, "Hmm... nope not in this one." He viewed over his shoulder to where Mokuba was, "Mokie, do you know where Yugi put the cocoa this time?" he raised a light brow.

Mokuba looked up at him with a nod. He inhaled a breath and went over to another cupboard. He took it out, walked back and handed it over to him.

"Thanks," Seto smiled, "Listen, wait at the table while I'll fix the cocoa."

Mokuba frowned worriedly, he didn't want be left alone, he felt uneasy.

Seto bent down when he noticed his uneasiness. He looked within his brother's eyes seriously, "There's no need to worry Mokuba. I'm right here and I promise nothing will happen to you, okay," he reassured him.

Mokuba panted shakily as he nodded, he turned about to leave when.

"Wait... Mokie?"

Mokuba paused and faced his brother again. He saw his eagerness then.

"I-Is… is it all right if I… give you a hug?" Seto hoped this time he would.

Mokuba hesitated but sighed as he noticed his brother sadder frown.

Seto only frowned when his brother didn't move. "Well... go wait at the tab-" he paused with surprise when suddenly Mokuba embraced him strongly. He hugged him just as strong then soothed his back slowly with a soft smile. "Oh Mokuba…" he whispered into his ear.

Mokuba then stiffened abruptly at that. He pulled away sharply from him and hugged himself very tight while he closed his eyes remembering...

"Mokuba... Mokuba... oh Mokuba..."

Mokuba instantly covered his ears as he whimpered some, that voice, that hideous voice. He couldn't block it while it echoed throughout his ears. He felt dirty and sick, he hate that voice. Please go away he told himself.

Seto frowned sadly at his reaction, "Mokie?" he lined his face worried.

Mokuba panted unsteadily then opened his eyes, they began to water with unshed tears as his lip trembled about to weep, he felt tainted once more.

Seto rubbed his brow roughly, must have triggered something again, shit. He inhaled a heavy breath. "Mokuba, its okay. Come here," he held his arms out for him, "Please," he wanted to comfort him the best he could.

Mokuba didn't move, he couldn't, not even to view his eyes. He felt ashamed, so ashamed. He didn't deserve his caring ways, no, not at all. All he wanted to do at that moment was to disappear. Maybe it would be better if he didn't exist. Maybe it would be better for all if he just died.

"Mokie please... come to me." Seto voice was firmer that time.

Mokuba sighed and slowly went back into his brother's awaiting arms. He sank to floor and leaned into him, tears slowly rolled down his cheeks.

Seto embraced him gently. He knew his limits with him. "Its okay Mokuba. Don't cry, its okay." He felt Mokuba shake while the boy cried quietly to himself. Seto just closed his eyes. "I know how you feel…" he breathed sorrowfully, "Sad and ashamed Mokie." He opened eyes as he pulled him away. He lifted his brother's chin to view watery eyes. "But you shouldn't. Like I've told you, what happened... wasn't your fault, no one blames you."

He softened his eyes lovely. "Especially me…" he gave him a warm smile while soothed his cheek some, "I love you little brother, no matter what." He pulled him back in a hug and vowed that he would do whatever it would take to help his brother overcome the dark void he was in. He promised with all his soul. "Okay," he began to hum their mother's song again as rock him to calm him down, he hoped he able to help him.

Mokuba couldn't stop crying. He just sat there exhausted and repeated his brother's words. He wished he could believe him. He took in a deep breath and listened to his smooth voice humming that sweet tune. The rhythm of rocking was starting make him sleepy and soon enough he fell asleep again.

Seto felt his body relaxed then go limp and knew he was asleep. He very carefully picked him up and carried him into the living room. He placed him down onto the couch then fetched a blanket from a nearby closet to cover him up. He stood there and watched him sleep peacefully, he hoped their little 'talk' eased him some, he wished Mokuba would talk to him. Tiredly, he glanced up at the clock reading four twenty-five and with a feeble breath, he walked back into the kitchen to fix himself some hot cocoa.


Please Review :) Thanks for Reading :) - Razzleteddy