Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or Spinal Tap. Isn't that a shame?
Author's Notes: It goes to eleven. Because it's one more. (That's a joke from the movie, "Spinal Tap". If you haven't seen the movie, you won't get it. So don't worry about it.) Thank you to all my reviewers! I do read each and every one. I have to tell you all…I LOVE writing Seto Kaiba! He's such a complex character! Someone asked me if I was related to him…I wish I was, because then I'd be rich! LOL! Thank you for the very nice compliment, though. I appreciate all your comments and suggestions! A special thank you goes to my beta-reader, Hyatt Insomnia!
Warnings: Mild violence and language, so far.
Listening With The Heart
Chapter Eleven: Being Unmasked
"Wake up, Joey. We're here."
"Ok," the blonde teen replied, and promptly fell back asleep.
"C'mon Joey, get up. You can't sleep in the car all night," Kaiba shook Joey lightly.
"Ok, ok. 'M up." He rubbed his eyes and went back to sleep again.
Kaiba sighed and walked around to the passenger door. He pulled it open, and Joey nearly fell out of the car.
"Hey! What gives?"
"You can't sleep in the car all night. Besides, you'll be much more comfortable in a bed."
"Ok, Ok...." Joey grumbled. He got out of the car, stretched, and yawned.
"Follow me." Kaiba led him into the mansion, and upstairs to one of the guest bedrooms. Joey would have been amazed at his luxurious surroundings had he not been so tired. He hadn't gotten any sleep since his father had taken him from the Motou's and he was totally wiped out. "The bathroom's through there," Kaiba pointed, "I'll get you a pair of my pajamas to wear....they'll be a little big on you, but it'll do for now."
"Thank you," Joey replied, sitting down on the bed and taking off his shoes.
Kaiba returned a few moments later to find that Joey had fallen fast asleep on top of the bed. He was so tired that he hadn't even bothered to get under the covers. Kaiba left the pajamas on the dresser and returned again with a blanket. He gently covered Joey with it.
Joey had begun to whimper in his sleep. Probably having a bad dream about Daddy dearest, Kaiba figured. Lord knows I've had enough of those. As he opened the door to leave, he heard a noise from behind him.
"No.........no..........please.............don't.............no........" Joey didn't sound like his usual tough self. He sounded more like a frightened child. Kaiba realized that underneath his street smart punk attitude, that's what Joey really was. We all wear masks when we face the world, don't we?
Kaiba walked over to the bed and sat down beside Joey. He stared stroking Joey's honey blond locks to try and soothe the boy. "Shhh.....Joey, it's all right.....you're safe here....shhhh...." Joey whimpered again, but stopped his tossing and turning. After a few moments, he seemed to fall into a peaceful slumber once again. Kaiba sat by his side for a little while. When he was felt that Joey would be okay, then he slowly got up to leave again. He took one last look at his new houseguest before gently closing the door.
"Poor kid." he murmured quietly to himself.
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The following morning at breakfast, Kaiba informed his younger brother that Joey was going to be staying with them.
"Joey Wheeler?" Mokuba asked in surprise, "But I thought you hated him!"
"I don't hate him, Mokuba," He was taken aback by Mokuba's statement. "After all, he did save my life, remember? So I do owe him one."
"Oh....well okay, then," Mokuba shrugged, putting another spoonful of cereal into his mouth. "So, where is he now?"
"He's upstairs sleeping. He's pretty worn out, so I thought it best if we let him sleep in."
"Oh, ok, big brother! Did you call Yugi to tell him yet? I know he was really worried about him."
"Actually, I was just about to do that now."
Kaiba picked up the phone and proceeded to dial Yugi's number.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Yugi, this is Seto Kaiba."
"Kaiba! Have you heard anything about Joey?" Yugi exclaimed anxiously.
"As a matter of fact I have. He's over here right now."
Yugi's eyes grew wide. "What!?"
"He's here. I found him last night."
"Is he alright? How'd you find him? What about his father?" the spiky haired boy fired questions rapidly at Kaiba.
"He's fine. Some how he managed to get away from his father."
"Can I talk to him?"
"I'm sorry, Yugi, but he's sleeping right now. He was very tired last night, so I don't think it's a good idea to wake him up."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Yugi sighed. "So, how'd you find him, Kaiba?"
"Um...it's a long story. Anyway, the main thing is that he's safe and sound."
"Where'd you find him at?" Unfortunately, Yugi wasn't quite ready to let the subject drop, much to Kaiba's annoyance.
"Some diner across town. He doesn't have any of his clothes with him, so I was wondering if you wouldn't mind bringing a few of his things over."
"What was he doing in there?"
Can't you just let it go?? He didn't really feel like going into details about the events of the previous night. "I don't know. He didn't have a coat with him, so I'm guessing he went in there to get out of the cold."
"But why didn't he come here?"
"He's afraid his father would come back there. He didn't want to put you or your grandfather in danger."
"That doesn't matter!" Yugi was upset now. "He can turn to us no matter what's going on! He shouldn't be wandering around outside in the cold! He still should have called us!"
"That may be so, but he didn't."
"Well, I guess the most important thing is that he's ok.," the violet-eyed boy finally conceded.
"I agree."
"We really don't need to bring any of his stuff over. Grandpa and I can just come by and pick him up later. It'll be nice to have him back home." Yugi smiled. He'd missed his friend's company.
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Yugi." Kaiba replied.
"Why not?"
"Because Joey's right. His father could come back at any time and take him away again."
"No, he won't! We won't let him!"
"Oh, you mean like the last time he came to your house?" Yugi winced on the other end of the phone. That comment stung him. "We have excellent security here at the mansion. He'd be a lot safer here than he would be anyplace else." Yugi hated to admit it, but Kaiba was right. They'd failed miserably to protect Joey on that fateful night. If Mr. Wheeler decided to come back, they would probably fail again. Joey was safer at Kaiba's mansion.
"All right, Kaiba. We'll bring Joey's things by later."
"Good."
"Well...I'll guess I'll see you later, then. Bye!"
"Good-bye."
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I know some of you wanted longer chapters, but it just depends on how the story is going. I'm doing my best to combine chapters. I don't want the chapters coming out TOO long, though.
Please read and review! Arigato!