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 12 :) Enjoy! – Razzleteddy


Shadows Within

A week and a half passed by when Mokuba finally woke up from the coma, weak and dazed but still alive. The doctor reassured them that he would be all right because he didn't suffer any serious damages to his lungs or brain but they wanted to keep him a while longer just to be sure. Although, Mokuba still had to be strapped down and put under suicide watch for a while just until the doctor felt it was safe for him. Seto, Joey and everyone else kept a very close eye on him as well. They took turns to comfort and support him as much as they could, never let their guard down either.

The guilt of what happened still lingered in Seto though. It consumed his whole being, to the point where he had no more strength. Worried and totally rattled, the sheer moment of losing Mokuba, the scene of him lying there pale and not moving haunted him every day. His little brother was so close to death, he didn't know what he would have done if his brother died, he'd be lost. They were lucky Mokuba was saved, yes very lucky indeed.

Compassionately enough, Jin, Seto's longtime friend, took upon himself to counsel them all during that difficult time and leisurely his kind and encouraging words did seem to help ease them enough, all but for Seto.

An uncomfortable depression still settled in him and he couldn't seem to help but blame himself for certain things but most of all about Mokuba.

Seto frowned sadly while he gazed out the car window. He had these troubled thoughts in his swirling mind. Nothing but quietness filtered the air. This was the kind of quiet you just wished would go away, that was interrupted with some sort of sound. He breathed in a feeble breath.

They were on their way to Childhelp on this Saturday, just the two of them.

With a creased brow, he would glanced over to his lover every so often, his sweet Joey has been so support with everything that had happened, even though there were still tension with him. He frowned with small tears in his eyes as the remembrance of that day, the argument. His hurtful words echoed in his mind, remained between them like a thorn on a rose.

He has been trying for a while now, to find the right words to say I'm sorry with but nothing he thought of sounded worthy enough. He felt like, he didn't deserve him at all. Shaking his head somewhat, Seto turned his gaze back toward the window and watched the peacefully scenery pass them by, like a picture show. It played over and over. Yes, it was a nice thing to see.

He rutted his brow a little as he thought about the place. He didn't want to go. He absolutely refused to leave his little brother's side. However, with Joey's constant persistent and reassurance he reluctantly agreed to go.

Gradually they pulled into the parking lot.

Joey parked the car and listened to the unbelievably calm. So, he sat there and waited, waited for someone to make the first move... but nothing happened. He studied the surroundings for a second then laid his eyes upon the building. It was a pretty standard place. It looked just like a big home in a way, welcoming and peaceful. When he told his father that he was taking Seto here, he was surprise that he let him go. He thought his old man would throw a fit but he didn't. He was glad and couldn't help but smile, "Well, we're here," he finally spoke but he didn't get a response, "Seto?" his voice was soft and caring, he shaped his face cheerless though.

Still, there was no response…

He slowly looked over and saw Seto there on the verge of tears and appeared to be having an inner struggle with something. He knew this was rough and was taking a heavy toll on him. "Seto, what's the matter?"

Seto massaged his forehead softly. He would open his mouth every so often. He wanted to say something but couldn't really find a way to do so.

Joey rutted his brow a little troubled. "Worried about Mokuba? Don't fret babe. Jin and everyone is taking good care of him," he wanted to ease him.

Seto shook his head a bit sadly, "No... i-it's not that." He couldn't look him in the eye, instead he faced down and played with his fingernail.

Joey studied the building once more, "Oh?" he rubbed his forehead a little.

Seto drew in a heavy breath and carefully thought over his words for a moment. He hesitated some, "I'm tired," he began. "I'm just so very tired Joey." He whispered dejectedly, "I just don't have any more strength left to give0, you know. I just don't think I can take much more," he confessed.

Joey just ran his hand among the rim of the steering wheel, "I know." He softened his eyes, "Don't worry Seto. You have me and I won't let you fall."

Seto gazed out the window again, he couldn't believe how caring he still was, he shook his head, "I... I don't really deserve you, you know." He whispered somewhat emotional, "You can do so much better than me."

Joey turned back to him curiously, "What?" he furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, I can do better?" he scooted closer to him, "Don't say that."

Seto breathed unevenly, he frowned very deeply as he stared at the floor. "It's true. You can," he sulked down in his seat, "All I ever do is hurt you."

Joey gave him a serious look. He didn't know where Seto was getting this all of the sudden. "What are you talking about? You've never hurt me Seto."

"Yes... I have," Seto voice was laced with guilt and remorse. He closed his eyes. "Joey, I'm so sorry... for what I said to you," he inhaled a tearful breath, "You know I... I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it," he said sorrowfully.

Joey softened features and knew what he meant. He him into his arms gently. "Seto, its okay. I know you didn't mean it. You said those words out of anger. Nothing more," he brushed his soft hair caringly, "Please, don't dwell on that all right," he held him closer to try to comfort him.

Seto rested his head down upon his chest with a sulk. "I don't get you."

Joey gave out a quiet laugh, "Look who's talking here," he snuggled into him even closer. "I'm not surprised. There are only few who can get me."

Seto shook his head, "No, I mean. Why must you be so forgiving? I certainly hadn't earned it." He looked up at him straight in his eyes, "You were right Joey for everything. I was the one who was wrong. I can admit that," he looked down again. "If I just listened to you in the first place maybe Mokuba wouldn't have done what he did," he pulled away a bit, "So you see. I don't deserve forgiveness especially yours," he creased his brow.

"Seto."

"This is all my fa-" Seto was about to say when he was cut off when Joey had brought him into a deep tender kiss. He melted away from that, he wanted it so desperately. He kissed him back just as passionate.

Joey then released him a little breathless. He consoled his face with his hands, "Please stop blaming yourself for everything babe especially with Mokuba. No one is at fault here and you do have my forgiveness regardless if you don't think you deserve it or not. I love you Seto and I always will."

Seto gazed deeply within his eyes, how he loved him so much. "Oh Joey, you sure amaze me." He grasped his hand, kissed it then brought it back to his cheek lovingly. "I'll be so honored to have you part of my family."

Joey smiled lovely as he hoped Seto was able to release some of his guilt. "Well, let's go. They're waiting for us," he grasped his hand even more, he opened his door to get out then pulled him along out of the car also.

Seto stood there for moment and viewed around. "All right then," he hesitantly followed Joey toward the building but he still felt unsure.

Once inside Seto slowly paced the lobby floor nervously. He was waiting for one of the counselors to come meet them. He was worried and rubbed his forehead with a nervous hand. He hoped this meeting would go well. He didn't want to screw up this time. Mokuba was counting on him not to.

"Babe?"

Seto hugged himself, "Yeah..." he answered just above a whisper.

Joey relaxed his eyes, "Don't be nervous. It's going to be okay," he stood up and walked over to embrace him, "You're making the right decision here."

Seto leaned into him, "I know," he felt good to have his support.

"Seto?" came a friendly voice, "Seto Kaiba?"

Seto looked up at the sound of his name. He pulled away from Joey and viewed a young light brown haired man with very kind eyes, "Yes."

The young man smiled warmly, "Seto, it's been a long time," he grabbed his hand for welcoming shake, "It's good to see you again."

Seto rutted his brow curiously, "Pardon me? Have we met before?"

"It's me, Akio."

Seto blinked, still puzzled.

"Akio Konishi. I use to work down at the children center in your city. You're the one that hired me when Jin wasn't available at the time, remember."

It took Seto a few minutes to finally click with him. When Jin had fallen ill and wasn't able to look after the center for a time. He had stepped in and look over the place for him until his friend had gotten well enough to return. He felt it was his responsibility being co-owner of the place and all.

And he indeed remembered Akio, full of passion and eager to work with the children, to help in any way he could. Yes, he remembered him very well. He smiled some, "Right, Akio Konishi. When did you start working here?" he furrowed his brow a bit, he was glad to see somewhat of a familiar face.

Akio relaxed his body, "I've transferred here a couple years ago," he explained, he gave a glance over to Joey, "And who's this?" he smiled some.

"Oh, this is Joey Wheeler, my fiancé." Seto gazed at him for slight moment.

"Hello there Joey, nice to meet you." Akio then shook his hand kindly.

Joey smirked a bit, "Likewise," he shook his hand back.

"Well please have a sit here." Akio offered them while he sat down himself, "Can I get you guys anything?" he looked each of them for a moment.

"We're fine."

Akio then lessened himself a bit then. He wanted to get to the matter at hand. "I was bit surprise when I heard from Jin a few weeks ago. He explained to me everything about you and your brother Mokuba."

"Yeah." Seto then rested back before he grasped Joey's hand for comfort. "Mokuba, he's been through a lot. He's been ra…" he began to say but couldn't finish, enormous guilt suddenly overtook him once more.

"I know how hard this is for you Seto and how reluctant you are on sending your brother here." Akio softened his face, "Let me assure you, this is the best choice you're making for Mokuba. He would get the best care here and he will be safe. We have air tight security for sure," he reassured him.

Seto just nodded as he tried his best to go along with this… he had too.

"Let me give you a tour of the place so you have good feel of it." Akio stood up and motioned them to follow, which they did. "Childhelp is a very stable felicity for special troubled children. We provide around the clock counseling, in depth one on one sessions, you know to help rebuild their shatter lives and give them the will and strength they had lost." He guided them down a long corridor as he continued, he lined his face warmly.

"We also provided lots of activities for the children to take part in to help balance things out and let me add, the kids do enjoy being here. They get that sense of security they seem to need, you know," he smiled kindly.

"Sounds pretty good," Set checked around the place while thought over what he said. Sense of security, he thought he was giving Mokuba that. He then paused in thought, well at least as much as he could. His time was limited when he was forced to deal with his legal issues. He should have been for him more , "I did my best," he suddenly whispered unexpectedly.

Akio stopped then looked at him when he heard his troubled voice.

"Didn't I?"

Akio walked over to him, "Of course you did." He softened his eyes at him, "Seto, I know you're blaming yourself for all that happened but you shouldn't. You're doing all you could to help Mokuba and more. No one is placing any blame here and I'm sure he doesn't either. You know, it takes great deal of strength to handle this type of situation." He grasped his shoulders supportive, "And you're standing pretty strong in my eyes."

Seto became a bit serious. "I have to be..." he looked away. He roamed his eyes around the beautiful grounds, "Mokuba counts on me to be strong."

"I know. But it must be hard though… to be the strong one all the time." Akio rutted his brow. He tried to comfort his grief he knew Seto had and obviously trying to cover it up. He had seen this many times before.

Seto furrowed his brow then hardened himself. He didn't like the way he was digging through his barrier, it was hard enough for him to open up to Jin about this. "Look, you don't need to counsel me here okay. I'm fine," he pulled away from him and started to walk ahead, he wanted to get away.

Joey sighed when he saw Akio's somewhat hurt expression. He knew Akio was just trying to help. "Don't take it to heart. Seto just deals with things differently." He then viewed his love with heartrending eyes, "What happened to Mokuba shook him pretty bad and right now he feels very vulnerable and I know... he hates feeling like that," he saddened his eyes.

Akio nodded understandingly, he didn't really mean to push him like that. He sighed some, "I know what you mean, I seen this before with many people, its okay. It'll take lots of time for everyone." He lined his brow, "Well come on, there's plenty to see around here so let's getting going," he changed the subject then guided Joey along as he finished the grand tour


Thanks for Reading :) Please, Review :) - Razzleteddy