Fushigi- I noticed something. If I write my chapters in my notebook
instead of on the comp, then they tend to be a bit longer. Maybe I should
start a habit. Anyways, here's chapter nine, the beginning of the
homestretch of this story. Yey!! One of first completed fics!! Hope you
like it. Oh, yeah, I forgot something. I added in a little twist, and for
a many few of you, please leave your weapons at home when you attack me. ^-
^
Betrayal Chapter 9: The Greatest Sacrifice.
What? T-th...Nani? Yami's mind stutters over that sentence. "Uh.." He tries to forma noun, a verb, anything, but...Nothing comes. How could this happen? It...Wasn't even a week till the wedding and Seto was canceling in ? The blonde shakes his head. He could have heard wrong. But that isn't likely. "But...Seto.." His mind goes blank.
"Yami, I can't worry about Mokuba while I'm marrying you." Seto explains. He knew Yami wasn't going to take this laying down, and he had prepared. But..He didn't prepare for one small detailed.
As he watches Yami, tears come to the crimson eyes, spilling over. They don't last for very long though. Yami quickly blinks them away, wiping their trail off his cheeks. But they had done their job. Sending Seto Kaiba on a long, merciless guilt trip. This was something Yami and Yugi had obviously learned from Mokuba. Yami smiles, his nose still red. "I'll wait." "Thank you , Yami." Seto whispers. He embraces his blonde yami tightly, wishing with all his heart that he didnt' have to cancel the wedding, but...It was either that or risk never seeing his little brother again..
"Now," Yami whispers, barely loud enough for Seto to hear him. "We need to find him. The sooner we find him, the sooner we can stop worrying over if he's okay or not." Seto nods. He heard the silent, uncalled plea. "The sooner we find him, the sooner we can finally-" The door slams open and a loud thud causes Seto Kaiba to lose his train of thought. "Sir!!" Kaiba rushes to the guards side. First glance, he didn't recognize him. Soon afterward, though, he knows him a George. One of Mokuba's guards.
"Marsh! Where is Mokuba?" Kaiba asks, helping him sit up as Yami gets the exhausted man a cold rag. "Sorry, I couldn't bring Mokuba." He whispers, sadness edging his voice. Seto lets this sink in. "Where was he last?" "Moon Swamps." Seto inhales sharply. 'Moon Swamps?' Yugi thinks this over. He had many ties in that area, but they weren't the most trustworthy people.
FYI. Moon Swamps isn't the most pleasant of places. Most of the people there are homeless, drug attics, and thieves. Some, or rather, a very select few were other. Now, the name Moon Swamps came from two facts. No matter where you are, unless it's cloudy, the moon constantly shines down on it. And then, it's also because it is considered a swamp. Just simply because of the trash, and other gooey stuff on the streets.
'As for why Mokuba would be kept there?' Yugi asks, to no one impeticular, but getting a response from Yami. 'We need to find Viance. Fast.' Yugi nods, taking his other's advice. Quietly, Yugi gets up and goes out, finding his way through the streets.
It doesn't take long before Yugi finds himself at what people call the Death Trap, or Homestretch, looking inside, many people watching him with lust filled and greedy eyes. He gulps, letting Yami take over. As he walks through Death Trap, someone takes him by the shoulders, their mouth threateningly close to his ear. "You wanna come home with mama, little boy?" She asks, letting her hands and nails explore his chest, trying to encourage him. He shakes here off, tuning to face her. "Y-Yami?!" He smiles, void of all kindness. "Lady Pathome, I see you're still here." She nods, shrinking away from his gaze. Satisfied, Yami continues through Death Trap, into Moon Swamps.
-- ~
--
Seto goes through the house, looking through every door, and every room. Since March had said that Mokuba was last in Moon Swamps, he hadn't seen Yugi. He simply disappeared. But where would he have went?
Finally after looking thought every floor, every door, and even the secret passages, he gives up. Yugi simply wasn't here. He could be somewhere on the property, but it had been an hour ago that he had noticed Yugi's absence, and who knew how long he'd been gone then. He was beginning to get another headache.
"Mr. Kaiba." Seto looks up at the figure. She's holding a phone as she smiles. He takes it. "Yes?" "Seto!" Yami's voice comes through. Seto hears Yami panting.
"What's wrong? Where are you?!"
"Just outside of Homestretch."
"What?! Why? Did you take anyone with you?" Seto demands.
"I'll have to explain later. I don't have time now. And I don have someone with me. In fact, I have..." Yami counts. "Five. Look, I just wanted to call, but I have to go. Bye Seto." Seto just sits there, holding the phone to his ear, disbelieve ringing though his eyes. The last sentence. Something wasn't right about it. The way he said it.
-- ~
--
Yami lets his hand and phone fall to his side. He hadn't hung up when he said bye. He stood there instead, listening to Seto breath. Nothing else. No noise, or sound made the sign of life clear on the other side.
He goes back through Death Trap, everyone parting for him. Smoothly, he goes through the labyrinth of alley's commonly traveled till he reaches a wall, three boxes on the ground. He kicks them over, revealing a loose stone. Calmly, Yami reaches down and picks it up, revealing a handle underneath. He grasps it firmly, pulling on it. A hidden door is pulled up, baring a narrow winding staircase. He takes one step, then jumps back as the stairs flatten. "Viance!!" Yami yells, knowing no one but Viance can hear him.
"What? Don't you know that I'm in the middle of doing something?" An echoed voice says from the darkness. "Viance, it's me, Yami! I have a question, possibly even a job for you." He looks at the flat stairs and watch them straighten out. Yami knowingly walks down the stairs.
-- ~
--
Seto Kaiba slams his fist against the wall. Yami and Mokuba bother were now in the Moon Swamps. He had always thought that Yami was smarter then that. But, apparently, he was wrong. He knew where he was, he could fight off a few of them easily, but still! This was the Moon Swamps. No one ever went there willingly, unless you needed something ultra rare, stolen for less, killed or you wanted to die. Some went on a whim, would risk going for information. And dispite what others think, the information you can get is as good as you can get from the Private Investigators, and cheeper.
But Yami said he had around five people there with him. That added to Yami's own power sjpi;d be enough. Right? 'But what if something happens to the five that's with him? How many can he keep at bay by himself?' All of this was too much to think about. Yami and his little brother were at Moon Swamps and Seto had two choice. Go insane with worry, or go help. Obvious choice. Seto grabs two small hand scythes. Dispite what others thought, Duel Monsters wasn't his only talent. He happened to be *very* skilled with these. He smiles, running his fingers over the blade, watching the cuts fill quickly with blood. "Perfect."
-- ~
--
"Yami, Yami, Yami." Viance repeats, picking up a few coins and dropping them back into his hand. Darkness surrounds both figures, and the feeling of recognition flows between them, ebony ether causing an air of comfort. Though the young Pharoh cannot see him, he knows him. Dark red, long hair flows beside his ears. Viance watches Yami with perfect menicing green eyes, his hair falling carelessly over one eye. He is partly blind, from spending most of his twenty three years underground.
"Yes, Viance." Yami walks over to him, hearing Viance push a chair to him. He takes it, holding it above his head, gracefully and effortlessly dodging the things that litter the floor. He sits it down backward, and begins to expain.
"..................So.. This Mokuba boy is somewhere here?" Yami nods. "Well, " Viance lays bac. "I did hear something about a little boy, eight...Nine, maybe, they say. He was taken by the Big Dogs. High people. Well, high to us. The only time I every heard of them kidnapping boys is for his middle daughter. Maybe a birthday present for her or something. He shrugs, the fabric of his clothing rustling. "Hell, I dunno! Maybe his pet rabbit got hungrey." Yami laughs. "Right, pet rabbit." He nods, knowing the rest of the information that he needs to know and gets up. "Good bye, Viance. Thank you." A strong hand graps his shoulder, whispering into his ear. "You think you can get out of here without payment?" Viance wraps his arm around Yami's waist, bringing him in for a small, simple, long awaited kiss. The redhead stops at this, remembering Seto. He playfully pushes Yami away from him, keeping his hair in his hand. "Goodbye, Yami."
-- ~
--
Seto struggles against his bonds. Metal did good in keeping him down. The guards had found him, trying to leave. But ehy caught him and strapped him down.
"Damn guards." He whispers to himself. He had planned to get out of here. Again he whispers something , but this word lets him out, cuts his bonds. At the dore, three guards stand, kicking dirt with their shoe. He smiles.
-- ~
--
Yami lets Yugi take over for a minute. They had gathered little information that Viance hadn't given earlier. It was little things, like a spotting, or a rumor. But one impeticular caught the young boys' attention.
It seems that the BD's have some kind of a grudge against Seto Kaiba. He had formed his company with someone else, costing them lots of money, and even after three years, they still wanted revenge. That revenge was kidnapping Mokuba. Which wasn't the smartest of ideas. He didn't hear much. They were idiots and didn't listen very well, so he didn't hear anything else.
He walks through the streets calmly, but alert. Not many here would attack him, but the cocky and arrogant, or maybe the new ones. And he needed to protect himself, just in case.
But no one did. He walked nearly the entire way to the club that BD stays at, with barely a squeek from a rat. Something was up. Yami takes control again and quickens his pace. It only takes a few more minutes, but he eventually gets to the club. Then as soon as he opens the door, he is bombarded by thieves, bouncers, and every one else, dragging him to the center. They drop him in front of two figures, one is chained. The other is being a pig. "Mokuba!" Yami whispers intensely. "Yami!!" Mokuba tries to run to the blonde, but the chain stops him short.
"So.." The pig brings up Yami's head by his hair, "You're the one trying to get Kaiba back,eh? I was expecting Seto, but-" "Let him go!" Yami says, purposly interupting him. Pig picks him up to his feet. "Brave aren't we? Well, lets take a look at you.." He circles the boy, running his fingers over his arms, smacking his butt, amongst other things before making it back to face Yami. "Hmmm..You're a bit taller then Moku-Chan, but,-" "I'll do it! I'll go in his place!" Yami says, knowing what he may say. "No Yami! You can't." Pig turns and slaps Mokuba, hard enough to pick him off his feet. "Shut up boy!! I didn't give you permission to speak!" Pig looks back at Yami, watching his eyes.
-- ~
--
Seto looks across the creek. It's approching two a.m. and he hadn't seen any sign of Yami or Mokuba. He sighs, sleep is very close, but Seto had to keep going. He had to find Yami and Mokuba. He had to!!
Little feet crush the grass beneath them, running toward the sitting figure. "Big brother!" he cries, clamping onto him. "Mokuba. You're..Back." Mokuba nods. Yami comes, not to far behind, and sits beside the brothers, gathering his knees to his chest.
Seto watches the boy, a slight breeze flowing easily through his hair. "Yami, how did-" Yami laughs; not a loud laugh, or one that says, "You doubted me?", but a sad laugh. "I'm about to explain that. And I know you won't like it, but you can't change it either." Seto looks back at Mokuba, who lets his death grip weaken, going over to Yami and sitting in his lap. Yami smiles, tears filling his ruby eyes once again as he wraps his arms around Mokuba. "I have.. Many regrets, Seto. Most of them are here. Moon Swamps. I was able to get info on where Mokuba was, who had him, and why they had him. I also knew they wouldn't just give him back." Seto begins to understand where Yami is going, but his body freezes. Mokuba's weeping shakes his entire body, but he tries to keep quiet. "Shhhh.. Mokuba, it's okay. Everythign will be fine." Yami whispers into the boy's ear, then goes back to explaining. "It took me a while, but I finally found out where they were tonight, and I got there. I got Mokuba out, as you can tell." Yami stops there, rubbing Mokuba's raven hair. Seto lays back, folding his hands over his stomache. "What did you have to do?" He was tryig to prepare himself, but preparing couldn't help him now.
"I.." Yami hesitates. "I had to take his place." Seto quickly sits up. "What?" Yami nods. "I could't get him out any other way. I had to." He looks at Seto. The brunette opens his mouth to say something, but Yami stops him. "Seto, I done this knowing I what I would have to do, and I accepted it. I knew eventually you would have to choose between us. So I made the choice for you." Yami shifts his gaze down to Mokuba, his hair shielding his eyes. "Looks like he cried himself to sleep." He hands Mokuba to his brother. "I have to go now." Yami leans in and kisses Seto, leaving tears on the other boy's cheek.
"Yami, wait!" Seto picks himself up fof the ground, not waking the boy in his arms. Yami shakes his head. "I need to go." "We can get you out of this! I know it!" "No! This was the only way! I know it." Yami turns his back to him. "Goodbye, Seto Kaiba. Seto stands there, watching the moonlight bounce off the retreating form's hair.
Betrayal Chapter 9: The Greatest Sacrifice.
What? T-th...Nani? Yami's mind stutters over that sentence. "Uh.." He tries to forma noun, a verb, anything, but...Nothing comes. How could this happen? It...Wasn't even a week till the wedding and Seto was canceling in ? The blonde shakes his head. He could have heard wrong. But that isn't likely. "But...Seto.." His mind goes blank.
"Yami, I can't worry about Mokuba while I'm marrying you." Seto explains. He knew Yami wasn't going to take this laying down, and he had prepared. But..He didn't prepare for one small detailed.
As he watches Yami, tears come to the crimson eyes, spilling over. They don't last for very long though. Yami quickly blinks them away, wiping their trail off his cheeks. But they had done their job. Sending Seto Kaiba on a long, merciless guilt trip. This was something Yami and Yugi had obviously learned from Mokuba. Yami smiles, his nose still red. "I'll wait." "Thank you , Yami." Seto whispers. He embraces his blonde yami tightly, wishing with all his heart that he didnt' have to cancel the wedding, but...It was either that or risk never seeing his little brother again..
"Now," Yami whispers, barely loud enough for Seto to hear him. "We need to find him. The sooner we find him, the sooner we can stop worrying over if he's okay or not." Seto nods. He heard the silent, uncalled plea. "The sooner we find him, the sooner we can finally-" The door slams open and a loud thud causes Seto Kaiba to lose his train of thought. "Sir!!" Kaiba rushes to the guards side. First glance, he didn't recognize him. Soon afterward, though, he knows him a George. One of Mokuba's guards.
"Marsh! Where is Mokuba?" Kaiba asks, helping him sit up as Yami gets the exhausted man a cold rag. "Sorry, I couldn't bring Mokuba." He whispers, sadness edging his voice. Seto lets this sink in. "Where was he last?" "Moon Swamps." Seto inhales sharply. 'Moon Swamps?' Yugi thinks this over. He had many ties in that area, but they weren't the most trustworthy people.
FYI. Moon Swamps isn't the most pleasant of places. Most of the people there are homeless, drug attics, and thieves. Some, or rather, a very select few were other. Now, the name Moon Swamps came from two facts. No matter where you are, unless it's cloudy, the moon constantly shines down on it. And then, it's also because it is considered a swamp. Just simply because of the trash, and other gooey stuff on the streets.
'As for why Mokuba would be kept there?' Yugi asks, to no one impeticular, but getting a response from Yami. 'We need to find Viance. Fast.' Yugi nods, taking his other's advice. Quietly, Yugi gets up and goes out, finding his way through the streets.
It doesn't take long before Yugi finds himself at what people call the Death Trap, or Homestretch, looking inside, many people watching him with lust filled and greedy eyes. He gulps, letting Yami take over. As he walks through Death Trap, someone takes him by the shoulders, their mouth threateningly close to his ear. "You wanna come home with mama, little boy?" She asks, letting her hands and nails explore his chest, trying to encourage him. He shakes here off, tuning to face her. "Y-Yami?!" He smiles, void of all kindness. "Lady Pathome, I see you're still here." She nods, shrinking away from his gaze. Satisfied, Yami continues through Death Trap, into Moon Swamps.
-- ~
--
Seto goes through the house, looking through every door, and every room. Since March had said that Mokuba was last in Moon Swamps, he hadn't seen Yugi. He simply disappeared. But where would he have went?
Finally after looking thought every floor, every door, and even the secret passages, he gives up. Yugi simply wasn't here. He could be somewhere on the property, but it had been an hour ago that he had noticed Yugi's absence, and who knew how long he'd been gone then. He was beginning to get another headache.
"Mr. Kaiba." Seto looks up at the figure. She's holding a phone as she smiles. He takes it. "Yes?" "Seto!" Yami's voice comes through. Seto hears Yami panting.
"What's wrong? Where are you?!"
"Just outside of Homestretch."
"What?! Why? Did you take anyone with you?" Seto demands.
"I'll have to explain later. I don't have time now. And I don have someone with me. In fact, I have..." Yami counts. "Five. Look, I just wanted to call, but I have to go. Bye Seto." Seto just sits there, holding the phone to his ear, disbelieve ringing though his eyes. The last sentence. Something wasn't right about it. The way he said it.
-- ~
--
Yami lets his hand and phone fall to his side. He hadn't hung up when he said bye. He stood there instead, listening to Seto breath. Nothing else. No noise, or sound made the sign of life clear on the other side.
He goes back through Death Trap, everyone parting for him. Smoothly, he goes through the labyrinth of alley's commonly traveled till he reaches a wall, three boxes on the ground. He kicks them over, revealing a loose stone. Calmly, Yami reaches down and picks it up, revealing a handle underneath. He grasps it firmly, pulling on it. A hidden door is pulled up, baring a narrow winding staircase. He takes one step, then jumps back as the stairs flatten. "Viance!!" Yami yells, knowing no one but Viance can hear him.
"What? Don't you know that I'm in the middle of doing something?" An echoed voice says from the darkness. "Viance, it's me, Yami! I have a question, possibly even a job for you." He looks at the flat stairs and watch them straighten out. Yami knowingly walks down the stairs.
-- ~
--
Seto Kaiba slams his fist against the wall. Yami and Mokuba bother were now in the Moon Swamps. He had always thought that Yami was smarter then that. But, apparently, he was wrong. He knew where he was, he could fight off a few of them easily, but still! This was the Moon Swamps. No one ever went there willingly, unless you needed something ultra rare, stolen for less, killed or you wanted to die. Some went on a whim, would risk going for information. And dispite what others think, the information you can get is as good as you can get from the Private Investigators, and cheeper.
But Yami said he had around five people there with him. That added to Yami's own power sjpi;d be enough. Right? 'But what if something happens to the five that's with him? How many can he keep at bay by himself?' All of this was too much to think about. Yami and his little brother were at Moon Swamps and Seto had two choice. Go insane with worry, or go help. Obvious choice. Seto grabs two small hand scythes. Dispite what others thought, Duel Monsters wasn't his only talent. He happened to be *very* skilled with these. He smiles, running his fingers over the blade, watching the cuts fill quickly with blood. "Perfect."
-- ~
--
"Yami, Yami, Yami." Viance repeats, picking up a few coins and dropping them back into his hand. Darkness surrounds both figures, and the feeling of recognition flows between them, ebony ether causing an air of comfort. Though the young Pharoh cannot see him, he knows him. Dark red, long hair flows beside his ears. Viance watches Yami with perfect menicing green eyes, his hair falling carelessly over one eye. He is partly blind, from spending most of his twenty three years underground.
"Yes, Viance." Yami walks over to him, hearing Viance push a chair to him. He takes it, holding it above his head, gracefully and effortlessly dodging the things that litter the floor. He sits it down backward, and begins to expain.
"..................So.. This Mokuba boy is somewhere here?" Yami nods. "Well, " Viance lays bac. "I did hear something about a little boy, eight...Nine, maybe, they say. He was taken by the Big Dogs. High people. Well, high to us. The only time I every heard of them kidnapping boys is for his middle daughter. Maybe a birthday present for her or something. He shrugs, the fabric of his clothing rustling. "Hell, I dunno! Maybe his pet rabbit got hungrey." Yami laughs. "Right, pet rabbit." He nods, knowing the rest of the information that he needs to know and gets up. "Good bye, Viance. Thank you." A strong hand graps his shoulder, whispering into his ear. "You think you can get out of here without payment?" Viance wraps his arm around Yami's waist, bringing him in for a small, simple, long awaited kiss. The redhead stops at this, remembering Seto. He playfully pushes Yami away from him, keeping his hair in his hand. "Goodbye, Yami."
-- ~
--
Seto struggles against his bonds. Metal did good in keeping him down. The guards had found him, trying to leave. But ehy caught him and strapped him down.
"Damn guards." He whispers to himself. He had planned to get out of here. Again he whispers something , but this word lets him out, cuts his bonds. At the dore, three guards stand, kicking dirt with their shoe. He smiles.
-- ~
--
Yami lets Yugi take over for a minute. They had gathered little information that Viance hadn't given earlier. It was little things, like a spotting, or a rumor. But one impeticular caught the young boys' attention.
It seems that the BD's have some kind of a grudge against Seto Kaiba. He had formed his company with someone else, costing them lots of money, and even after three years, they still wanted revenge. That revenge was kidnapping Mokuba. Which wasn't the smartest of ideas. He didn't hear much. They were idiots and didn't listen very well, so he didn't hear anything else.
He walks through the streets calmly, but alert. Not many here would attack him, but the cocky and arrogant, or maybe the new ones. And he needed to protect himself, just in case.
But no one did. He walked nearly the entire way to the club that BD stays at, with barely a squeek from a rat. Something was up. Yami takes control again and quickens his pace. It only takes a few more minutes, but he eventually gets to the club. Then as soon as he opens the door, he is bombarded by thieves, bouncers, and every one else, dragging him to the center. They drop him in front of two figures, one is chained. The other is being a pig. "Mokuba!" Yami whispers intensely. "Yami!!" Mokuba tries to run to the blonde, but the chain stops him short.
"So.." The pig brings up Yami's head by his hair, "You're the one trying to get Kaiba back,eh? I was expecting Seto, but-" "Let him go!" Yami says, purposly interupting him. Pig picks him up to his feet. "Brave aren't we? Well, lets take a look at you.." He circles the boy, running his fingers over his arms, smacking his butt, amongst other things before making it back to face Yami. "Hmmm..You're a bit taller then Moku-Chan, but,-" "I'll do it! I'll go in his place!" Yami says, knowing what he may say. "No Yami! You can't." Pig turns and slaps Mokuba, hard enough to pick him off his feet. "Shut up boy!! I didn't give you permission to speak!" Pig looks back at Yami, watching his eyes.
-- ~
--
Seto looks across the creek. It's approching two a.m. and he hadn't seen any sign of Yami or Mokuba. He sighs, sleep is very close, but Seto had to keep going. He had to find Yami and Mokuba. He had to!!
Little feet crush the grass beneath them, running toward the sitting figure. "Big brother!" he cries, clamping onto him. "Mokuba. You're..Back." Mokuba nods. Yami comes, not to far behind, and sits beside the brothers, gathering his knees to his chest.
Seto watches the boy, a slight breeze flowing easily through his hair. "Yami, how did-" Yami laughs; not a loud laugh, or one that says, "You doubted me?", but a sad laugh. "I'm about to explain that. And I know you won't like it, but you can't change it either." Seto looks back at Mokuba, who lets his death grip weaken, going over to Yami and sitting in his lap. Yami smiles, tears filling his ruby eyes once again as he wraps his arms around Mokuba. "I have.. Many regrets, Seto. Most of them are here. Moon Swamps. I was able to get info on where Mokuba was, who had him, and why they had him. I also knew they wouldn't just give him back." Seto begins to understand where Yami is going, but his body freezes. Mokuba's weeping shakes his entire body, but he tries to keep quiet. "Shhhh.. Mokuba, it's okay. Everythign will be fine." Yami whispers into the boy's ear, then goes back to explaining. "It took me a while, but I finally found out where they were tonight, and I got there. I got Mokuba out, as you can tell." Yami stops there, rubbing Mokuba's raven hair. Seto lays back, folding his hands over his stomache. "What did you have to do?" He was tryig to prepare himself, but preparing couldn't help him now.
"I.." Yami hesitates. "I had to take his place." Seto quickly sits up. "What?" Yami nods. "I could't get him out any other way. I had to." He looks at Seto. The brunette opens his mouth to say something, but Yami stops him. "Seto, I done this knowing I what I would have to do, and I accepted it. I knew eventually you would have to choose between us. So I made the choice for you." Yami shifts his gaze down to Mokuba, his hair shielding his eyes. "Looks like he cried himself to sleep." He hands Mokuba to his brother. "I have to go now." Yami leans in and kisses Seto, leaving tears on the other boy's cheek.
"Yami, wait!" Seto picks himself up fof the ground, not waking the boy in his arms. Yami shakes his head. "I need to go." "We can get you out of this! I know it!" "No! This was the only way! I know it." Yami turns his back to him. "Goodbye, Seto Kaiba. Seto stands there, watching the moonlight bounce off the retreating form's hair.