Well hey again all! I apologise for the lack of updates lately, oh mighty loyal readers whom I exist to serve, but I've been ill and had writer's block and numerous personal problems and everything's just gargh. Ever notice how things get bad really quickly, but take forever to pick up?
Anyway, on with the reviews!
*blink* Wow... nothing specific to answer... no questions or anything... just praise... that's a first!!! *huggles to Yugi-Chan, ObiWanGirl, Tasan15, Ranma Higurashi, Kayu, Yami Lee, tsunamiscurse, Yuki KIKI, Star Girl11, WingedWolf (aka Tenshiwolf?) and silver-fox20 for reviewing!!!*
Well, on with the fic...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Seto and Jou lay together in Seto's bed, Jou's head resting on Seto's chest. They were talking and joking about the chat Jou had been having with Yugi and Ryou before Seto had gotten back.
"She threw him through the door?" Seto exclaimed, a huge grin on his face as he envisioned Serenity picking Malik up over her head and launching him.
"Well… not literally, but sure wasn't going voluntarily," Jou replied. "Seriously, she knew how to get her own way - she even scared me sometimes!"
Seto laughed. "Puppy, that isn't difficult."
Jou simply growled at that remark, making Seto laugh again. "Ah man, you should've heard us - it was like a girl's night in! All we needed was some make-up and a chick flick!" At this, both boys envisioned Ryou sitting and putting bows in Yugi's hair, causing them both to chuckle loudly.
Jou sighed and rolled over a quarter turn, so that his front was against Seto's side. He slipped one arm under Seto, drawing him into a semi-hug, and snuggled up against his koi. Jou idly doodled on Seto's chest with his fingers as he spoke, causing Seto to twitch slightly. "It's so hard to believe it's been almost four months."
"Four months?"
Jou frowned and jabbed Seto in the stomach sharply, causing him to half sit up with a gasp. Jou's frown soon became a smile - Seto's stomach and chest tensed whenever he was in that position, and he was unquestionably sexy then. Not that he wasn't anyway, Jou mentally added. He returned his head to Seto's chest, nuzzling against the warm, soft skin. "Four months since we started going out," he explained.
Seto felt a small tinge of pride at that, amongst the happiness. Jou was no longer measuring his life since Serenity's death; he was now measuring it against their first day. Seto turned over so he was facing Jou and drew him into a long hug. It was moments like this that Jou loved most - he felt so secure and relaxed in Seto's arms, and when it was just the two of them it didn't have to break until they wanted it to.
Jou gently kissed Seto's chest, whispering, "I love you Seto." He felt a kiss on the top of his head, and Seto replied, "I love you too, puppy."
The two lay like that for a while, each having his own thoughts, enjoying the feeling of having the other in their arms (and being in the other's arms) and not saying a word. Just enjoying it. Eventually, though, Jou broke the silence. "Seto…?"
A rather sleepy "Hmm?" confirmed Seto was still - just - awake.
"I was thinking… maybe it'd be nice to mark the occasion, you know? Go out somewhere or something? I mean, four months is longer than I've ever gone out with anyone for."
Seto sighed, trying desperately to climb out of sleep's clutches. "Same here," he murmured. "I guess it would be nice… but I'll only do anything if you're extra nice to me between now and then," he added with a sly grin.
Jou pushed his weight with his leg, rolling the two over so that he was laid on top of Seto. Sitting up slightly, he smirked down at Seto. "This nice enough for ya?" With that, he leaned down, his lips meeting Seto's, gradually leaning in deeper until their lips had turned white from the pressure. He gently traced his hands down Seto's body, drawing small murmurs from Seto until it reached its target, causing Seto to gasp through their kiss in surprise. As Jou set to work, Seto began moaning, his groans of pleasure vibrating through Jou's body, and Seto's grip on Jou tightened as he began to move with him.
Suddenly, Jou felt Seto freeze, and he pulled away from the kiss to ask what was wrong. Before he could speak, however, his question was answered - he peripherally noticed someone by the door. Slowly, almost guiltily, Jou turned his head to see exactly who it was.
Mokuba stood by the door, dressed in pyjamas covered with miniature Pikachus and holding a teddy bear by one arm, as if holding his hand. His eyes were wide, and a mixture of confusion and horror fused with the stunned expression on his face, telling Seto and Jou that he'd seen enough.
Jou rolled off Seto, uttering a quiet "Shit…" as he did so, and Seto sat up and fixed his eyes on Mokuba's. Not sure what to say, he began, "Look, Mokuba, I…"
Mokuba took a small step backward. "I… I had a… a nightmare…" the boy stuttered, his voice sounding distant as if someone were speaking through him, rather than him speaking for himself. He took another step, never taking his eyes off his brother's, before turning and bolting out the door.
"Mokuba!" Seto cried, practically throwing himself out of the bed and landing on his feet, before charging off after the little one. Jou also got out of bed and set about dressing, so that at least one of them wouldn't be naked when Seto brought Mokuba back.
Seto reached the bottom of the stairway and looked round. His brother had certainly used his head start to the fullest. "Mokuba?"
The only reply he got was the slam of the front door. Seto cursed loudly and ran back up the stairs to dress. "Jou!" he called. "Phone your friends, Mokuba's run away!" her heard a yell of confirmation and set his teeth grimly. He wasn't going to lose Mokuba.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"And he ran away?"
"Yes."
Seto looked round the room. Yugi, Yami, Malik, Ryou, Bakura and Anzu had all turned up within a few minutes, even though Yugi and Ryou looked like they were still asleep - even Yugi's hair seemed to be wilting. "Thankyou all for coming… we need to go out and find him."
Yami nodded. "And fast."
As if in confirmation, a great rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. Seto looked out the window and, for the first time, saw the rain teeming down, being lashed by strong gusts of wind. How he hadn't heard it was beyond him.
'Mokuba' Seto thought, his jaw hanging open slightly as the full reality of the situation slowly sank in. 'He's out there somewhere… cold and wet and scared…' As the human brain is prone to doing, Seto began imagining the worst possible case scenarios. 'What if he's facedown in a ditch right now? Or someone's taken him away? He's probably petrified… God, we have to help him!' Seto felt tears stinging his eyes, and he screwed his face up. "Mokuba…"
Jou took one look at Seto and took charge. "Yugi and Yami, you search the park. Ryou, Malik, you search the tip. Anz-"
Bakura cut Jou off. "I'm not having my hikari at the tip at this time of night! I'll go!"
"Alright… Bakura and Malik, go search the tip." Bakura looked a little too pleased about this for Jou's liking, but he decided it didn't matter right now. "Ryou and Anzu, you check the streets in that direction. Me and Seto will check the rest." Everyone, save Seto, nodded and headed for the door. Once it slammed shut, indicating the last one had left, Jou heard a choked sob from behind him. Turning round, he saw Seto had a trail of tears down each cheek.
"Mokuba…" Seto whispered, and he began to cry more heavily. Jou walked over and took his love in an embrace, Seto practically falling into his arms.
"I already nearly lost him once…" he sobbed. "I can't do this… not again."
Jou kissed Seto on the neck gently. "Come on," he whispered. "I was there for ya then, and I'm here for ya now… You can do this, just keep optimistic." Seto choked back another sob, and Jou kissed him again, shushing gently in his ear. "It's okay… look, Mokuba's still alive. We've just gotta find him." Jou didn't know if Seto would take the deeper meaning from that or not - Jou had lost Serenity, never to return, and Mokuba had become a little brother to him. He wasn't going to let Seto lose him.
Seto sniffed and looked Jou in the eye, nodding. "You're right…" he hoarsely whispered. He hugged Jou once more. "Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Out on the tip, Malik and Bakura had found nothing. Truth be told, they weren't searching as hard as Malik would have liked, but it was hard to resist Bakura's amorous advances.
Anzu and Ryou also had no luck. They checked every street, alley and side road time and again, just in case he'd kept on the move, but found nothing, save for a soggy cat that spat at Ryou.
Seto's limo driver, who had been awoken and told to drive round and look for Mokuba, also had no luck.
Seto and Jou had found nothing, and Seto grew more desperate as time wore on. 'Where could he be?' Another empty road. 'He can't have just vanished…' No luck there. 'Did someone take him after all?' Another blank. 'Mokuba… I failed you as a brother. I should have just told you from the start. I'm sorry…'
Again, Seto felt tears stinging his eyes, and Jou drew him into a hug, whispering comforting words. Jou's optimism was all that kept him going.
*~*~*~*~*~*
In the park, fortunes were different. Yami and Yugi were searching the bushes bordering a field, one on either side. Yami was resolutely going on, regardless of how he felt, but Yugi's hope was beginning to sink. How far could Mokuba have gotten? Where and when would he have stopped? What chance did they have of finding him anyway?
Just as Yugi's hopes were beginning to take a further dip, the weather beginning to affect him, he saw something out of sync with the green leaves of the bushes. A boom of thunder rolled across the sky once more as he reached out and plucked the teddy from the branches.
"Yami!" he cried, but his words were whipped away by the wind, carried to a distant place where no-one could hear them. Sighing, he grimly turned to the bushes. 'You'll have to find him on your own' he told himself, trying to pluck up the courage to walk in, fearing what he might find - or might not. Taking a deep breath, the rain trickling off his waterproof jacket, he pushed his way into the bushes, shouting Mokuba's name as he went.
Somehow, Yugi faintly heard his name being called in reply. "Yugi!" He turned to face where he thought it had come from and pushed his way through, trying not to get his hopes up but at the same telling himself that there was a chance, and he had to try. He pushed through a thick batch of branches and came to a thicket, where the trees branches were so thick they provided an impenetrable cover. In the middle, shivering uncontrollably despite the fact that it was slightly warmer in this shelter, was Mokuba.
Yugi had found him.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The two sat next to eachother, a silence between them as Yugi slowly let Mokuba get used to his presence. Mokuba hadn't wanted to get up when Yugi had offered his hand, and Yugi hadn't felt inclined to force him. He pondered his words carefully, not wanting to drive Mokuba further away.
Yugi sighed. "You know, Mokuba, your brother's worried about you. He's got us all out looking for you."
Mokuba looked up at Yugi, his eyes wide. "I… I didn't mean to scare him, Yugi-san…I didn't know what I was doing… It was just… him and Jou, were… and it…"
Yugi put an arm round Mokuba's shoulders and hugged him comfortingly. "It's not so strange really, Mokuba. Lots of people are like that. I know it's not *normal* in the eyes of most, but it doesn't make it wrong."
Mokuba sniffed, his shivering more controlled now that he had Yugi's rain jacket to keep him warm. "I know that, but… it just surprised me, and it was kinda scary… I mean, I thought I knew him, and then… I saw that, and I just…"
Yugi squeezed Mokuba again. "You never really know someone, Mokuba." Yugi smiled as he thought back to Yami on their first night together. "I mean, take me, for example…"
Mokuba giggled at this, the first time his face had shown anything other than sadness or worry since Yugi had found him. "Oh, don't worry Yugi, I knew YOU were since duellist kingdom!"
Yugi's face dropped at this. "You didn't need to be so blunt about it…" he murmured, only just preventing himself from pouting.
Mokuba giggled again, his cares slipping away like only the innocence of youth can allow them to. Unfortunately, a thought that troubled him struck again.
"Seto… will he be upset with me? I mean… because I ran away?"
Yugi smiled. "No, Mokuba. He loves you, and he's not angry. He just wants to know you're safe. I think he wants to say sorry to you, though."
Mokuba stared at his feet a while, contemplating what Yugi had said. Eventually, he looked up. "Promise?"
Yugi smiled and stuck out his little finger. "Pinkie promise!" he returned with a slight giggle.
Mokuba smiled and stuck out his pinkie finger too. "I guess I'd better get home then."
Yugi nodded. "Let's find Yami, and then we'll go back with you."
Mokuba paused a moment. "Is Yami your…?"
Yugi nodded. "To be honest Mokuba… almost all of our group is at least half that way."
Mokuba pondered this, and grinned weakly, trying to make a joke. "I guess Seto never had a chance then."
Yugi smiled in return, and the two boys got up and slowly made their way back out to the field.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Seto spun round as the sky above him illuminated. Someone had fired their flare gun. Before they'd left, each party had been given a flare gun, each a different colour, so that if they found Mokuba they could alert the others. The sky had illuminated red - that meant Mokuba had been in the park. Seto choked back a sob, he was so relieved. Mokuba was found. Regardless of how he was, he had been found. The wondering could stop. Grabbing Jou's hand, he sprinted back to his mansion, desperate to see Mokuba again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Mokuba? Mokuba, can you hear me?"
Yami gently shook Mokuba's prone form, but got no response. When he'd met up with Yugi and Mokuba, he too had given his rain jacket to Mokuba, to keep him warm. They'd all headed back to Seto's mansion from the park, and along the way Mokuba had been complaining that he "felt a bit weird." Yami hadn't known what to think, though Yugi had looked concerned. Along the way, Mokuba had visibly gotten worse, and eventually just stopped complaining. At Seto's gate, Mokuba had collapsed.
Yugi looked at Yami, his eyes full of worry and fear. "Yami, what's wrong? Will he be okay?" Yugi's voice was full of fear and optimism together - he was relying on Yami to do or say something to make it right. And all Yami could do was look at Mokuba - he had no medical knowledge, and didn't know what he should do. Yugi's eyes drifted to the boy's body, and he felt a lump in his throat. It shouldn't happen to someone like Mokuba - he was always so cheerful, so full of life. Then again, Serenity had been too…
Yugi's thoughts were interrupted by Seto's yell. "Mokuba!" he cried, his voice full of horror. He knelt down by his brother, an unspoken gasp holding his mouth open. Checking Mokuba's pulse and breathing, he asked "What happened?" Yami quickly recounted the events since they'd left the park, and a grim look settled on Seto's face. "I don't know what's wrong… but he needs medical attention, now."
Seto grabbed for his cell phone, but his hands were shaking too badly for him to hit the right buttons. Jou gently prised it from his grip, and moved away from the group that were now huddled round so he could call an ambulance. Seto, distraught at the sight of his brother's current condition, felt tears beginning to roll down his cheeks and made no effort to stop them. He was unaware of anyone or anything else around him - he just knew that, for the second time, he was losing Mokuba.
*~*~*~*~*~*
So... will Mokuba pull through... or is he gonna become my second character to die?
Oh, and I have a few questions... how many of you noticed an important point I raised in this fic? Notice how much Serenity has affected the story even though she died before the fic even started? Can anyone guess what else she's going to do? And can anyone guess what my point is? Special awards to anyone who can get those!
At any rate, I apologise again for the lack of updates, and if this chapter sucked I apologise for that too... but we're soon gonna get back to the angst you all love!
Just hit that lilly purple button, okies? ^_^
Anyway, on with the reviews!
*blink* Wow... nothing specific to answer... no questions or anything... just praise... that's a first!!! *huggles to Yugi-Chan, ObiWanGirl, Tasan15, Ranma Higurashi, Kayu, Yami Lee, tsunamiscurse, Yuki KIKI, Star Girl11, WingedWolf (aka Tenshiwolf?) and silver-fox20 for reviewing!!!*
Well, on with the fic...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Seto and Jou lay together in Seto's bed, Jou's head resting on Seto's chest. They were talking and joking about the chat Jou had been having with Yugi and Ryou before Seto had gotten back.
"She threw him through the door?" Seto exclaimed, a huge grin on his face as he envisioned Serenity picking Malik up over her head and launching him.
"Well… not literally, but sure wasn't going voluntarily," Jou replied. "Seriously, she knew how to get her own way - she even scared me sometimes!"
Seto laughed. "Puppy, that isn't difficult."
Jou simply growled at that remark, making Seto laugh again. "Ah man, you should've heard us - it was like a girl's night in! All we needed was some make-up and a chick flick!" At this, both boys envisioned Ryou sitting and putting bows in Yugi's hair, causing them both to chuckle loudly.
Jou sighed and rolled over a quarter turn, so that his front was against Seto's side. He slipped one arm under Seto, drawing him into a semi-hug, and snuggled up against his koi. Jou idly doodled on Seto's chest with his fingers as he spoke, causing Seto to twitch slightly. "It's so hard to believe it's been almost four months."
"Four months?"
Jou frowned and jabbed Seto in the stomach sharply, causing him to half sit up with a gasp. Jou's frown soon became a smile - Seto's stomach and chest tensed whenever he was in that position, and he was unquestionably sexy then. Not that he wasn't anyway, Jou mentally added. He returned his head to Seto's chest, nuzzling against the warm, soft skin. "Four months since we started going out," he explained.
Seto felt a small tinge of pride at that, amongst the happiness. Jou was no longer measuring his life since Serenity's death; he was now measuring it against their first day. Seto turned over so he was facing Jou and drew him into a long hug. It was moments like this that Jou loved most - he felt so secure and relaxed in Seto's arms, and when it was just the two of them it didn't have to break until they wanted it to.
Jou gently kissed Seto's chest, whispering, "I love you Seto." He felt a kiss on the top of his head, and Seto replied, "I love you too, puppy."
The two lay like that for a while, each having his own thoughts, enjoying the feeling of having the other in their arms (and being in the other's arms) and not saying a word. Just enjoying it. Eventually, though, Jou broke the silence. "Seto…?"
A rather sleepy "Hmm?" confirmed Seto was still - just - awake.
"I was thinking… maybe it'd be nice to mark the occasion, you know? Go out somewhere or something? I mean, four months is longer than I've ever gone out with anyone for."
Seto sighed, trying desperately to climb out of sleep's clutches. "Same here," he murmured. "I guess it would be nice… but I'll only do anything if you're extra nice to me between now and then," he added with a sly grin.
Jou pushed his weight with his leg, rolling the two over so that he was laid on top of Seto. Sitting up slightly, he smirked down at Seto. "This nice enough for ya?" With that, he leaned down, his lips meeting Seto's, gradually leaning in deeper until their lips had turned white from the pressure. He gently traced his hands down Seto's body, drawing small murmurs from Seto until it reached its target, causing Seto to gasp through their kiss in surprise. As Jou set to work, Seto began moaning, his groans of pleasure vibrating through Jou's body, and Seto's grip on Jou tightened as he began to move with him.
Suddenly, Jou felt Seto freeze, and he pulled away from the kiss to ask what was wrong. Before he could speak, however, his question was answered - he peripherally noticed someone by the door. Slowly, almost guiltily, Jou turned his head to see exactly who it was.
Mokuba stood by the door, dressed in pyjamas covered with miniature Pikachus and holding a teddy bear by one arm, as if holding his hand. His eyes were wide, and a mixture of confusion and horror fused with the stunned expression on his face, telling Seto and Jou that he'd seen enough.
Jou rolled off Seto, uttering a quiet "Shit…" as he did so, and Seto sat up and fixed his eyes on Mokuba's. Not sure what to say, he began, "Look, Mokuba, I…"
Mokuba took a small step backward. "I… I had a… a nightmare…" the boy stuttered, his voice sounding distant as if someone were speaking through him, rather than him speaking for himself. He took another step, never taking his eyes off his brother's, before turning and bolting out the door.
"Mokuba!" Seto cried, practically throwing himself out of the bed and landing on his feet, before charging off after the little one. Jou also got out of bed and set about dressing, so that at least one of them wouldn't be naked when Seto brought Mokuba back.
Seto reached the bottom of the stairway and looked round. His brother had certainly used his head start to the fullest. "Mokuba?"
The only reply he got was the slam of the front door. Seto cursed loudly and ran back up the stairs to dress. "Jou!" he called. "Phone your friends, Mokuba's run away!" her heard a yell of confirmation and set his teeth grimly. He wasn't going to lose Mokuba.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"And he ran away?"
"Yes."
Seto looked round the room. Yugi, Yami, Malik, Ryou, Bakura and Anzu had all turned up within a few minutes, even though Yugi and Ryou looked like they were still asleep - even Yugi's hair seemed to be wilting. "Thankyou all for coming… we need to go out and find him."
Yami nodded. "And fast."
As if in confirmation, a great rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. Seto looked out the window and, for the first time, saw the rain teeming down, being lashed by strong gusts of wind. How he hadn't heard it was beyond him.
'Mokuba' Seto thought, his jaw hanging open slightly as the full reality of the situation slowly sank in. 'He's out there somewhere… cold and wet and scared…' As the human brain is prone to doing, Seto began imagining the worst possible case scenarios. 'What if he's facedown in a ditch right now? Or someone's taken him away? He's probably petrified… God, we have to help him!' Seto felt tears stinging his eyes, and he screwed his face up. "Mokuba…"
Jou took one look at Seto and took charge. "Yugi and Yami, you search the park. Ryou, Malik, you search the tip. Anz-"
Bakura cut Jou off. "I'm not having my hikari at the tip at this time of night! I'll go!"
"Alright… Bakura and Malik, go search the tip." Bakura looked a little too pleased about this for Jou's liking, but he decided it didn't matter right now. "Ryou and Anzu, you check the streets in that direction. Me and Seto will check the rest." Everyone, save Seto, nodded and headed for the door. Once it slammed shut, indicating the last one had left, Jou heard a choked sob from behind him. Turning round, he saw Seto had a trail of tears down each cheek.
"Mokuba…" Seto whispered, and he began to cry more heavily. Jou walked over and took his love in an embrace, Seto practically falling into his arms.
"I already nearly lost him once…" he sobbed. "I can't do this… not again."
Jou kissed Seto on the neck gently. "Come on," he whispered. "I was there for ya then, and I'm here for ya now… You can do this, just keep optimistic." Seto choked back another sob, and Jou kissed him again, shushing gently in his ear. "It's okay… look, Mokuba's still alive. We've just gotta find him." Jou didn't know if Seto would take the deeper meaning from that or not - Jou had lost Serenity, never to return, and Mokuba had become a little brother to him. He wasn't going to let Seto lose him.
Seto sniffed and looked Jou in the eye, nodding. "You're right…" he hoarsely whispered. He hugged Jou once more. "Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Out on the tip, Malik and Bakura had found nothing. Truth be told, they weren't searching as hard as Malik would have liked, but it was hard to resist Bakura's amorous advances.
Anzu and Ryou also had no luck. They checked every street, alley and side road time and again, just in case he'd kept on the move, but found nothing, save for a soggy cat that spat at Ryou.
Seto's limo driver, who had been awoken and told to drive round and look for Mokuba, also had no luck.
Seto and Jou had found nothing, and Seto grew more desperate as time wore on. 'Where could he be?' Another empty road. 'He can't have just vanished…' No luck there. 'Did someone take him after all?' Another blank. 'Mokuba… I failed you as a brother. I should have just told you from the start. I'm sorry…'
Again, Seto felt tears stinging his eyes, and Jou drew him into a hug, whispering comforting words. Jou's optimism was all that kept him going.
*~*~*~*~*~*
In the park, fortunes were different. Yami and Yugi were searching the bushes bordering a field, one on either side. Yami was resolutely going on, regardless of how he felt, but Yugi's hope was beginning to sink. How far could Mokuba have gotten? Where and when would he have stopped? What chance did they have of finding him anyway?
Just as Yugi's hopes were beginning to take a further dip, the weather beginning to affect him, he saw something out of sync with the green leaves of the bushes. A boom of thunder rolled across the sky once more as he reached out and plucked the teddy from the branches.
"Yami!" he cried, but his words were whipped away by the wind, carried to a distant place where no-one could hear them. Sighing, he grimly turned to the bushes. 'You'll have to find him on your own' he told himself, trying to pluck up the courage to walk in, fearing what he might find - or might not. Taking a deep breath, the rain trickling off his waterproof jacket, he pushed his way into the bushes, shouting Mokuba's name as he went.
Somehow, Yugi faintly heard his name being called in reply. "Yugi!" He turned to face where he thought it had come from and pushed his way through, trying not to get his hopes up but at the same telling himself that there was a chance, and he had to try. He pushed through a thick batch of branches and came to a thicket, where the trees branches were so thick they provided an impenetrable cover. In the middle, shivering uncontrollably despite the fact that it was slightly warmer in this shelter, was Mokuba.
Yugi had found him.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The two sat next to eachother, a silence between them as Yugi slowly let Mokuba get used to his presence. Mokuba hadn't wanted to get up when Yugi had offered his hand, and Yugi hadn't felt inclined to force him. He pondered his words carefully, not wanting to drive Mokuba further away.
Yugi sighed. "You know, Mokuba, your brother's worried about you. He's got us all out looking for you."
Mokuba looked up at Yugi, his eyes wide. "I… I didn't mean to scare him, Yugi-san…I didn't know what I was doing… It was just… him and Jou, were… and it…"
Yugi put an arm round Mokuba's shoulders and hugged him comfortingly. "It's not so strange really, Mokuba. Lots of people are like that. I know it's not *normal* in the eyes of most, but it doesn't make it wrong."
Mokuba sniffed, his shivering more controlled now that he had Yugi's rain jacket to keep him warm. "I know that, but… it just surprised me, and it was kinda scary… I mean, I thought I knew him, and then… I saw that, and I just…"
Yugi squeezed Mokuba again. "You never really know someone, Mokuba." Yugi smiled as he thought back to Yami on their first night together. "I mean, take me, for example…"
Mokuba giggled at this, the first time his face had shown anything other than sadness or worry since Yugi had found him. "Oh, don't worry Yugi, I knew YOU were since duellist kingdom!"
Yugi's face dropped at this. "You didn't need to be so blunt about it…" he murmured, only just preventing himself from pouting.
Mokuba giggled again, his cares slipping away like only the innocence of youth can allow them to. Unfortunately, a thought that troubled him struck again.
"Seto… will he be upset with me? I mean… because I ran away?"
Yugi smiled. "No, Mokuba. He loves you, and he's not angry. He just wants to know you're safe. I think he wants to say sorry to you, though."
Mokuba stared at his feet a while, contemplating what Yugi had said. Eventually, he looked up. "Promise?"
Yugi smiled and stuck out his little finger. "Pinkie promise!" he returned with a slight giggle.
Mokuba smiled and stuck out his pinkie finger too. "I guess I'd better get home then."
Yugi nodded. "Let's find Yami, and then we'll go back with you."
Mokuba paused a moment. "Is Yami your…?"
Yugi nodded. "To be honest Mokuba… almost all of our group is at least half that way."
Mokuba pondered this, and grinned weakly, trying to make a joke. "I guess Seto never had a chance then."
Yugi smiled in return, and the two boys got up and slowly made their way back out to the field.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Seto spun round as the sky above him illuminated. Someone had fired their flare gun. Before they'd left, each party had been given a flare gun, each a different colour, so that if they found Mokuba they could alert the others. The sky had illuminated red - that meant Mokuba had been in the park. Seto choked back a sob, he was so relieved. Mokuba was found. Regardless of how he was, he had been found. The wondering could stop. Grabbing Jou's hand, he sprinted back to his mansion, desperate to see Mokuba again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Mokuba? Mokuba, can you hear me?"
Yami gently shook Mokuba's prone form, but got no response. When he'd met up with Yugi and Mokuba, he too had given his rain jacket to Mokuba, to keep him warm. They'd all headed back to Seto's mansion from the park, and along the way Mokuba had been complaining that he "felt a bit weird." Yami hadn't known what to think, though Yugi had looked concerned. Along the way, Mokuba had visibly gotten worse, and eventually just stopped complaining. At Seto's gate, Mokuba had collapsed.
Yugi looked at Yami, his eyes full of worry and fear. "Yami, what's wrong? Will he be okay?" Yugi's voice was full of fear and optimism together - he was relying on Yami to do or say something to make it right. And all Yami could do was look at Mokuba - he had no medical knowledge, and didn't know what he should do. Yugi's eyes drifted to the boy's body, and he felt a lump in his throat. It shouldn't happen to someone like Mokuba - he was always so cheerful, so full of life. Then again, Serenity had been too…
Yugi's thoughts were interrupted by Seto's yell. "Mokuba!" he cried, his voice full of horror. He knelt down by his brother, an unspoken gasp holding his mouth open. Checking Mokuba's pulse and breathing, he asked "What happened?" Yami quickly recounted the events since they'd left the park, and a grim look settled on Seto's face. "I don't know what's wrong… but he needs medical attention, now."
Seto grabbed for his cell phone, but his hands were shaking too badly for him to hit the right buttons. Jou gently prised it from his grip, and moved away from the group that were now huddled round so he could call an ambulance. Seto, distraught at the sight of his brother's current condition, felt tears beginning to roll down his cheeks and made no effort to stop them. He was unaware of anyone or anything else around him - he just knew that, for the second time, he was losing Mokuba.
*~*~*~*~*~*
So... will Mokuba pull through... or is he gonna become my second character to die?
Oh, and I have a few questions... how many of you noticed an important point I raised in this fic? Notice how much Serenity has affected the story even though she died before the fic even started? Can anyone guess what else she's going to do? And can anyone guess what my point is? Special awards to anyone who can get those!
At any rate, I apologise again for the lack of updates, and if this chapter sucked I apologise for that too... but we're soon gonna get back to the angst you all love!
Just hit that lilly purple button, okies? ^_^
