Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh and I'm not entirely sure if there really is a place referred to as the slums in Japan. But hey! All cities and towns have an area where the gangs hang out at, right!?

AnimeFan: Man, this so sucks. I have a ten page research paper due for my A.C.E.S. club, another research paper due for my English class, and a seven page research paper due for my ceramics class. CERAMICS!! Since when does the meaning of the word ceramics have research paper in it!? What's worse is research papers are my biggest weakness in school!! 9__9 Oh well, at least I can escape to my stories. lol. So many people have offered ideas on Joey's strange behavior that mysteriously seems linked to the Slums. Yep, but hey. You'll just have to keep reading to find out. AND YES! Bakura-san is going to be his sweet, evil-spirited self that I love so much. ^-^ How do you people know how Bakura would treat Ryou!? They've never really gotten a chance to meet and get to know each other, since Ryou is unconscious when Bakura's in control and the other way around. Hell, IT COULD BE LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!! =P

P.S. I live in America so I, like many other fellow americans, get stuck watching the damn dubbed versions of Yugioh. -_____-' Sometimes it sucks to live here. One day I'll learn to completely understand Japanese and then get all the yaoi stuff and anime shows that I can dream of!!!! ^__^

Warning: Alcohol use, foul language, song usage, and abuse in this chapter...not to mention it's a LONG chapter.

##############################################################################

Not A Moment To Soon
*
*
*
Angel Trapped In Hell



CLANK...

Joey sighed and looked over from the window he had been peering into. Bakura was shifting through trash cans and dumpsters with his nose scrunched in disgust. What the hell was that tomb rat doing? Seto wasn't going to be in no stupid trash can.

Joey sighed and turned to the other, Lookin for your dinner? Kaiba ain't gonna be in their, ya dip!

Bakura grunted in annoyance, then his trademark evil smirk crossed his lips, Really now? If I were you I'd shut my trap and look in every bag of trash I find. After all, we're talking about a C.E.O. who's used to having everything done for him trying to survive in a place like this.

Ya...so what are ya gettin at?

I'm just saying... He paused dramatically, for all we know he could of been picked up, drugged, rapped, then dumped into the trash half dead to wait for his final breath of life.

Joey grunted his disagreement at Bakura's suggestion. They continued on down the alleyway in complete silence, Bakura muttering about wasting his precious time on a stupid spoiled brunette brat. What if he's right? Joey purposely trailed behind, sneaking a peek into every trash can he came across being careful not to let the other boy know what he was doing. Yeah, yeah, well I'm not taking my chances...especially when it comes to my beloved blue eyes. Still, he could of sworn he'd seen Bakura watching him from the corner of his eyes and smiling in an almost suspicious manner. Oh hell, who cares. Neither spoke as they continued their search...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Aaack! A scene change?)~~~~~~~~~~~~


Two young men jumped as a cat knocked over some bear bottles and hissed. After a bit of nervous laughter, they continued on in their search for a lost friend.

Joey's been acting kinda weird ever since Kaiba vanished... Triston mentioned from out of the blue.

Yami shrugged, not meeting the other's eye, I suppose. Then again, he's probably feeling Mokuba's pain. You know, the whole big brother and little brother thing with Seto and Mokuba is very similar to Joey and Serenity's relationship.

Yeah...I suppose.

Another long silence followed, neither speaking a word to the other as they crossed an almost alien terrain. The Slums could of been another world compared to their beautiful and clean neighborhood.

You think we should of told Joey? Triston spoke again out of the blue.

Told him what? Yami faked ignorance.

Come on, Yami. How come you told all of us about you dating Seto Kaiba, yet you didn't mention a word of it to Joey? Why keep it a secret from just him?





...I...come on Triston. You know how much Joey hates Kaiba! I know the rest of you would just shrug your head and try not to let it bother you...but Joey? I mean, the guy had a heart attack when Yugi announced that Kaiba was now his friend! Can you imagine his reaction if he had found out that I was sleeping with the man?

Ok, ok, Triston sighed, nodding his agreement. Yeah, you're right. Joey would of died on the spot.

Both of them continued down another street that looked oddly like the one they had just walked through a few minutes ago. Yami took a moment to note the same three cars parked together as the last three he had just saw. After a while they walked by three cars just like the last ones and Yami stopped this time, frowning over at Triston.

Triston? Are you sure this is the right way? For some odd reason we seem to be walking through the same exact road more times then we should...unless we're just going in circles...

Triston sweat dropped then looked to the sky, changing the subject, It's getting dark out! It must be about 6 or 7 o'clock by now. What do you think?

~~~~~~~~~(In honor of Star Wars: Episode 2...SCENE CHANGE!)~~~~~~~~


It's getting to dark out and we haven't found so much as a hair off that damn brunette's head. I vote we head back to the car, Bakura announced after much silence and walking.

Joey sighed, feeling slightly upset, Can't we just look a little longer? Five more minutes, Bakura, then we'll head back.

Please Wheeler, the others have probably already gathered back at the car. I'm sore, my damn feet hurt, and I'm aching to drag Ryou to bed a little bit earlier tonight then I had originally planned this morning.

Fine then, he started, Go on ahead back. I'm gonna look a little bit longer.

Suits me fine, see ya later!

Bakura turned and waved to Joey, before heading back the way they had came. Joey stood for a while and watched the other's figure melt into the darkness, finally letting out a relieved sigh when the yami was no longer in sight. Now I can get down to some serious searching. Avoiding the alley they had been walking towards, Joey cut through a few sections of the web of paths and alleys towards an enclosed gap in the buildings. He stopped their and shifted his position to a more relaxed state, seemingly oblivious to the dark figure that seemed to form out of the shadows behind him.

Joey scuffed his shoe on the ground and dropped his accent, I need information.

Then you've come to the right place, the shadow behind him spoke dryly. Of course, it will cost you.

He pulled out a fifty from his pocket and held it out behind his back to the shadowy figure, never turning or glancing once to the stranger.

The figure murmured approvingly as he stuffed the bill into his pocket, What do you need to know?

I need to know the location of a friend I'm looking for.



Brown hair, light chestnut skin, about six feet in height, blue eyes that you can't miss noticing.



The man remained silent for a while, thinking out his answer.

I know where he is, but it will cost you a bit more. Such information, if traced back to me, could prove a deadly investment.

Joey's stomach sank at this slight news. A deadly investment, that could only mean his dear love had gotten himself mixed in with a bad crowd. He searched his wallet and pulled out yet another fifty, tossing the slightly crumpled piece of paper behind him to the man. After a moment, the person turned around as well and pressed his back against Joey's.

He spoke in a hushed tone, so that Joey had to concentrate to hear it all, There is a young man who dances at the Hell's Night Club. Quite a beauty, that one. His appearance matches your exact description. Be warned though, rumor has it he's the owners little sex toy.

Joey gulped slightly and nodded to let the man know he had heard it. Then without turning he waited another five minutes in silence. By the time he finally turned to leave, the shadowed figure had vanished back into the darkness. Not bothering to search for the guy, he headed down the streets with an almost familiar ease towards the south side of the Slums. By the time he finally stopped in front of an alley with a neon sign glowing, "Hell's Night," it had already turned eight o'clock. Joey silently wondered if the others had left or were still waiting for him. Serenity was probably having a heart attack fit to serve them all. He was split between love, his love for his sister and his love for Seto. Well, he was already at the club so he might as well scour the place before he headed back. Besides...he knew Serenity was safe and sound, Seto was another matter.

"Heeeeyyyyyy!!! Peoplee!!!! It's time to get down and Dir-taaa!!!"

Fast beat, sensual music pounded the walls of the club's den and multicolored lights swerved about the whole scene of dancing men and women. Where the lights weren't shining, darkness clung. It was common knowledge that shady characters looking for a quick snatch and go or weed gathered in these spots like cockroaches waiting for the lights to go out. Any sane person would choose to stay within the safe confines of the lighted area. Joey himself would have, but he didn't want to be seen. Just observe and sprint out of there, that was his strict plan of action.

There! On the lower level floor! Had he really seen him? Creeping through the dancing forms around him, Joey stopped at the top level bars that kept people from falling down to the lower level. He peered out over the zombies below, searching for the flash of blue he had seen stare up in the direction he had been hiding in. He cursed his mind, this was no time for it to start playing tricks on him. Was it the music or the smoke that seemed to be clouding his senses?

No, this time he hadn't mistaken it. Joey watched the young man his eyes had suddenly latched onto. Though the boy was garbed in a torn, skin tight shirt and tight suede pants there was no ignoring that beautiful mess of chocolate colored hair or those gorgeous blue orbs that shimmered as the light flashed across them. It was him...Seto Kaiba...so different yet still the same. He watched his lost friend for a while, forgetting everything as he became entranced by the others movements. God, who knew Kaiba could dance that good. He was sexy beyond the blonde's wildest fantasies right at that moment. Then again, this was the real thing and not some subconscious wish.

Never taking his eyes off the brunette, Joey pushed and shoved through the dancing crowd towards the stairs to the lower level. So close, but still to far... Somehow, though he wasn't quite sure how, Joey managed to squeeze down the crowded stairs and through the mess of bodies till he stood right behind his dancing angel. Shoving aside the familiar sudden urge to hold the brunette and ravish him on the spot, he instead grabbed a hold of Seto's arm and turned him around so they were facing each other. Well, as much as a "5'7" and a "6'0" can face. He watched as the brunette stared at him for one confused moment before recognition flashed in those eyes. It WAS him.

"Seto Kaiba..." Joey murmured quietly so only the two of them could here.

The other frowned and faked confusion, "Sorry, I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

He didn't buy that one bit. Even Seto's voice hadn't changed that much, though it was lighter and less raspy then it had been in their younger years. Now it was water to his ears, as smooth and melt-worthy as the warm waters of a Caribbean sea. He so ached to taste those lush, moist lips and drink the sweet flavor of his tempting mouth. Aack! Enough of that thinking. He's standing right in front of me and I'm to busy drooling to say much else!

"Don pull this shit, Seto," Joey started, his fake accent kicking in out of nervous habit. "The others are waitin not far off. Let's get out of here before somethin real bad happens."

He tugged Seto along with him, but they only made it as far as the bar before the brunette planted his feet firmly to the ground.

"Now what," Joey stated in slight annoyance.

Why was Seto acting this way?

"I'm not going back. Never. I don't want to see that house...that life...or him," Seto stated flatly and stared down at the ground beside him.

He looked so forlorn standing there like that. Joey's heart ached to see the pain in his secret love's eyes. For the first time he noticed how bruised and depressed the other looked. It was obvious Kaiba was into drugs by his pale complexion and thinness. What had happened to him? Who or what could of caused his brunette so much pain that he would runaway to this hell hole and drown in sorrow? What could he do, he didn't know what to do! How could he help Seto when he knew nothing of what happened? All he could think of doing was squeeze the others hand gently and watch him with a softened expression.

Seto stared at him in confusion, surprised and unsure at the others sudden affection, "Joey?"

"Come on Seto...I know you were hurt, though I don't know why or by whom, but things are going to be ok. You can tell me everything and I'll help you recover. Trust me, anything is better then staying in this place."

His accent...it had vanished like that. Pretty weird considering his accent always got thicker and more definent whenever he was around the taller boy.

"Joey...I just can't. Even if I wanted to I'm not in the position to make that choice. Now let me go this instant. Don't come back either, I'm not gonna change my mind."

Joey scowled and tightened his grip on Seto's hand, "No. I'm not leaving here without you. We've spent the last months since your disappearance searching for you, and now that I've finally found you I'm not gonna just turn and leave!"

"What the hell is going on here!?"

Joey felt the prickling sensation of fear run up his backbone as the heavy voice boomed behind him. One look at Seto told him the other was really frightened at the moment as well. So strange to see fear in those blue eyes. Joey felt a large hand slap him hard across the back of the neck and head, sending him sprawling into the bar stools and knocking over several mugs and glasses. Whimpering, he messaged the back of his throbbing head and blinked to clear his vision. When he finally saw things in ones instead of twos Joey looked to the one who had struck him.

A tall, heavily muscled man loomed over him with Seto pressed to his left side in a very painful looking hold. The guy must of weighed 190 to 200 pounds with all that muscle and fat! People had backed away from the spot the three men occupied, obviously intent on not getting in the way of the fat bastard touching HIS Seto.

Still slightly out of it, Joey forced himself to his feet and growled dangerously at the guy, "Hey you fat bastard! What the fuck do you think you're doing?! Unhand Seto right now!!"

The man turned small beady eyes on him and stepped forward a little bit in manner of a threat, "I should be asking the questions here! What the fuck are YOU doing to my sex toy?!"

"S-sex toy! Seto ain't your damn sex toy, you fart mouthed pimp! He'd be dead from your crushing weight!"

Joey bit his words as the man laid another surprisingly powerful punch to his face. Once again sprawled on the floor and now sporting a bloody nose, Joey watched helplessly as the fat boar turned and started off with his Seto. There was nothing he could do. Just lay there and watch helplessly as his beloved was taken out of his sight.

"Go home Joey. This isn't your world...you don't belong here," Seto whispered back towards him before disappearing through a door with the man.

Joey laid there on the floor, eyes closed as he tried to clear his mind and think properly. God damnit, Seto was in it deep and in the worst possible way. He didn't even want to think about that tub of lard fucking his precious angel. Damnit, to late. Well, he knew one thing that they could do to save Kaiba. If he could get Bakura and Yami to come with him to this club, those two could use their powers to get rid of that whale and then they could all get Seto out of there and help him recover from his invisible wounds.

Yes, that was the best thing he could think of doing. So Joey wiped the blood away and pulled himself to his feet, running out of the club and down the streets towards where they had parked the cars and agreed to meet. He only prayed they were all still there, god knows how much time Seto had left...

##############################################################################


AnimeFan: Ewweeee...I did it again! Well, at least we know where Seto Kaiba is now. But boy, Joey has a problem here. Kaiba's stuck to drugs, probably alcohol, and he's allowed himself to become some fat bastard's (who from this day forth will be referred to as the fat bastard, boar, etc) sex toy! Oh damn me, how could I do this to poor Seto. 9___9 Hurry Joey! Our favorite blue eyed bishi god is in need of your guiding wisdom. (Bakura snorts behind the scenes at this comment but receives a glare from the authoress)