Joey awoke with a start. Where am I? he thought. The events of the night before came back to him. Sticks. Rain. Cave.

            Kaiba… The final thought brought the smug visage into Joey's head. Yes, he remembered what happened last night. His sore body and slightly bruised wrists quelled any doubts he may have had. He glanced around him. Kaiba was nowhere in sight.

            Just like Kaiba, he thought bitterly. To use him and then leave.

            He stood up, somewhat shakily, and looked around for his clothes. They were in a neat little pile against the wall, underneath his jacket. They seemed to mock him. Kaiba took the time to fold his clothes but not to wake him up and say…

            Say what? Joey asked himself. For that matter, what would Joey have said to him?

            Joey shook his head as he began to dress. He couldn't believe that this had happened, that Kaiba had…had done this to him. The worst part of it was that Joey couldn't convince himself that he hadn't at least enjoyed some of it.

            But I hate him, don't I? He tried to summon up memories of all the times Kaiba had done something that had hurt either him or his friends. Instead, his mind rebelled and recalled last night, when Kaiba had spoken so tenderly of Mokuba, showing a side that Joey doubted most people had ever seen. He cursed himself. And what had he done? Revealed his vulnerable side with little prodding to someone who would – who did – take advantage of it.

            He pulled his shirt roughly over his head and slipped on his jacket. On a sudden whim, he kicked the remnants of last night's fire so that it scattered in all directions, feeling a slight, childish retribution at the action. After patting his jacket pocket to be certain he had his cards, he made his way out of the cave.

            The sunlight glared down on him brightly as he stepped away from the mouth, and he blinked his eyes to adjust to the harsh rays. Heading off in the direction he thought he had come from the night before, he maneuvered his way through the trees.

            "Joey!" he heard Yugi's voice call, and adjusted his direction slightly to the right. His small friend's form came into view, his hands cupped around his mouth, preparing for another shout.

            Yugi dropped his hands and smiled; he looked relieved. "There you are. We were worried."

            Joey followed him back to the camp, almost tripping over the prone, snoring form of Tristan. "Yeah, I'll bet." He nudged Tristan roughly with his shoe. "Wake up, ya moron. I coulda been in danger."

            Tristan looked up sleepily. "Huh?"

            "I'm back in one piece, not like you care."

            Tristan managed an "Oh, good" before slumping back on the ground.

            "Tea! Bakura!" Yugi yelled into the trees. "He's back!" They appeared together, coming from the direction opposite from where Yugi had been standing.

            "What happened to you, Joey?" Tea asked.

            "I hid out from the rain in a cave. Sorry if I scared ya."

            Sitting up, Tristan rubbed his eyes. "Can't a guy get any sleep around here?"

            Tea glared at him, her arms akimbo. "No, now get up."

            He begrudgingly obliged her and turned to Yugi. "How long until we reach the castle, Yugi."

            Yugi looked in the direction of their destination and thought for a moment. "A few days probably. Let's get moving."

            Joey trudged along behind the others, deep in his thoughts. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get Kaiba out of his head. Focus, he told himself. Serenity is depending on you. He forced himself to think of her: playing together before the divorce, their special day at the beach, even that terrible morning six years ago when she was driven out of his life. Anything to keep himself from remembering those piercing eyes. So blue…

            "Hey, Joey." Joey was wrenched from his reverie by his friend's concerned, upturned face. "You ok?"

            Joey looked around and realized everyone had paused and was staring at him. "Yeah," he answered. He made his voice a little softer. "I was just thinking about Serenity."

            Tea placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You'll save her, Joey. Just like Yugi will save his grandfather."

            And Kaiba will save Mokuba, he thought, but didn't say. Instead he thought of an answer that would allow them to continue on. "Then what're we waitin' for? The sooner we get there, the sooner Pegasus is beat." He faked a grin that seemed to satisfy them all, allowing it to melt from his face as soon as they turned away. A conclusion settled in his mind. He had to find Kaiba and demand a resolution to his inner turmoil. He wasn't sure of what exactly he was going to say when – and if – he found him, but he knew he would be in no position to duel in this frame of mind, and he couldn't afford to lose.

***********

            Dusk was becoming night around them but still Yugi pressed on. The castle seemed closer with each step, and he couldn't bring himself to stop, even though his feet protested every inch. Though his friends were also tired, they didn't have the heart to stifle his determination. Tea forced herself to speak when he tripped for the second time. "Yugi," she began gently, "don't you think-" She cut herself off with a gasp that made them all halt.

            Yugi whirled around. "Tea, what's wrong?" His eyes were worried.

            "Nothing," she said to put him at ease. "I just thought I saw something over there, in the trees." She pointed to the left of the roughly hewn path.

            Joey's ears pricked. Maybe… he thought. It could be Kaiba. They were heading in the same direction. He had to check. "Why don't we stop here, Yugi," he offered. "We're all pretty tired."

            Yugi bit his lip and looked longingly at the castle once last time before nodding. "Alright."

            Joey lay down between Tristan and Bakura and feigned sleep, listening to his friends' breaths, waiting for them to become steady. When he was certain they were all asleep, he lay still for a few more minutes, breathing in the quiet of the forest. Then, as silently as he could, he slipped into the woods off the path in the direction Tea had pointed. He moved cautiously, almost on tiptoe, the darkness making it difficult to see roots protruding from the ground. When he was just far enough so that he could barely see the edge of the path, he paused, listening intently for the smallest sound. Hearing nothing, he took a few more steps and noticed that ahead of him the trees appeared to be thinning. His foot landed on a branch and it crunched, the noise seeming deafening in comparison to the stillness around him. He winced, sure that everyone within miles must have heard it. He debated going back and forgetting this foolish hunt through the forest, but something inside him pushed him on. When he reached the area of sparser trees, he realized he was on the edge of a small clearing and positioned himself behind one of the larger trees to try and stay concealed. In the center of the clearing was a small fire, built up just enough to offer a slight glow. Other than that there was nothing in sight.

            Joey sighed. They must've heard me. Stupid idiot.

            "What are you doing?" a voice whispered behind him.

            Spinning around, Joey found himself face to face with Kaiba. He hadn't even heard him approach. "Uh…" was all he could manage, his heart beating so fast it felt as though it would burst.

            When Joey didn't speak, Kaiba continued. "Were you looking for me?"

            Joey didn't know how to respond. If he said no, Kaiba would know he was lying. But saying yes would bring another question. One he himself didn't know the answer to.

            "About last night, Joey, I'm…" he trailed off and looked away.

            "Sorry?" Joey finished for him, getting himself under enough control to speak.

            Kaiba didn't reply, though Joey didn't really expect him to. He figured that was probably the closest thing to an apology he'd ever get out of him, but it wasn't enough to make him feel like himself. Like Joey. He needed to understand why. Why he was sneaking around in the middle of the night; why he wasn't able to answer Kaiba's questions; and most importantly, why he wasn't out here trying to murder him for what he'd done.

            They stood there awkwardly, the silence beating down on them. Kaiba was the first to move, making to step away, but Joey caught his wrist. A current of electricity passed between them, and Kaiba looked down at Joey's hand and then back to his face. Without really thinking, Joey leaned up and kissed him, pouring out all the turbulent emotions he had wrestled with throughout the day; it left him breathless. Even Kaiba was panting, as they pulled apart for air. His eyes bore into him, asking a silent question. He nodded. He didn't know why he wanted this, even acknowledged that he shouldn't, but, at least for now, the wanting was enough. He renewed the kiss, deepened it, their tongues battling for dominance. Sliding to the ground, he pulled Kaiba down on top of him. Their lips parted, and Kaiba rested his forehead against Joey's so that he could pull off his coat. He tilted back slightly, straddling him, and quickly unbuttoned his shirt, casting it aside. Joey leaned forward so that Kaiba could help him remove his own jacket and then pull his shirt up over his head. Stretching out over him, one arm planted on each side of his body, Kaiba lowered his face so that it was directly above Joey's. Joey closed his eyes for the kiss he thought was coming, and was startled when he felt Kaiba's lips brush his collarbone. Teeth nipped at the tender skin, eliciting small gasps from Joey's lips. His tongue trailed a wet path down the center of his chest, while he used one of his hands to caress the bulge in Joey's jeans. Joey tried to repress the moan that rose in his throat, not wishing for his friends to find him in this compromising position. Kaiba moved further down his body to his feet and pulled off his shoes and socks. Deftly he undid Joey's pants and tugged, causing him to lift his hips so that he could slide off them and his boxers. Rising, he divested himself of the rest of his own clothing before dropping to kneel between Joey's legs.

            "Turn over," he ordered.

            Joey did as he was told, though warily. He wasn't sure he liked not being able to see what Kaiba was doing. He rose up on his hands and knees, feeling his buttocks brush against Kaiba's hard length; he shivered.

            Kaiba's lips pressed close to his ear. "It won't hurt as much this time."

            Joey felt a slick finger press his entrance and allowed his body to soften. He felt no discomfort as the finger was inserted, nor did he when another finger joined it. The third finger stretched him, and he winced as he felt a slight, dull pain. Then the digits were removed and Kaiba hooked an arm under Joey's chest to support him. He entered him as slowly as he could, allowing Joey's body to widen to accommodate him. With a final push he was in, and he felt the muscles contract around him, trying to adjust to his length. He thrusted with slow, deliberate motions, rocking Joey's body forward and back.

            "You ok?" he whispered.

            When Joey nodded, he quickened his pace and shifted slightly, trying to find the small nodule of nerves that would bring Joey into a fervor. He knew he succeeded when Joey uttered an unmuffled gasp and his arms buckled slightly.

            "Whoa," he panted, "do…that…again."

            Kaiba positioned himself so that he hit the spot with each thrust, and he soon had Joey moaning unintelligibly. He slid the arm that had been supporting Joey's chest downwards and wrapped his hand around his weeping organ, stroking in time with their thrusts. With a cry Joey released and crumpled onto his arms, gasping from the exertion. A few more quick motions and Kaiba collapsed on top of him, spent. He soon caught his second wind, and was up and dressing before Joey even made the move to turn over. He sat up and wiped the sweat from his brow.

            Kaiba dropped his clothing into his lap. Joey looked at it stupidly for a moment, then up at Kaiba.

            "What," he asked with an irritated tone, "you want me to help you or something?"

            "No."

            "Then get dressed."

            Joey rose and began to put on his clothes, while Kaiba stood by, holding up his jacket by the collar. He handed it to him and allowed him to put it on before speaking.

            "You know you have to go."

            "Yeah, I know. This isn't somethin' I want to have to explain to the guys."

            Kaiba snorted. "Why do you care what they think?"

            "'Cause they're my friends. What they think is important to me."

            He looked thoughtful. "I'll walk you back if you want, so you don't get lost."

            "Ha, me get lost? Whatever," he scoffed, but he permitted Kaiba to walk with him.

            At the edge of the path they paused, and Kaiba pulled Joey roughly against him, his lips against his ear. "I'll see you later," he growled huskily. Then he turned and disappeared into the foliage the way they had come.

            Joey shook his head, dumbfounded. I don't understand this at all. Stepping onto the path he sighed to himself and lay down on his back next to Tristan, careful not to wake anyone. Looking up at the sky, he allowed the twinkle of the stars to lull him to sleep.