Shadu: The original character isn't exactly like the original character. To use him exactly like he is would be hard since his story takes place even before Yami's time. So, if any were wondering (mostly my friends, but oh well). On with the story.

Ch. 2

Who are you?

I saw black. And then, I saw the bullies again. They just stood for a second, and then fell to the ground, bleeding in various places. Then, there was a presence in front of me. I fell to my knees in shock. There was a man, almost as old as Kaiba, standing in front of me. I couldn't see anything but his back until he turned a little and relaxed slightly.

This man was wearing mostly black. He wore black jeans with black shoes. He wore a black, long sleeved, button-up shirt, very similar to Tristan's without the collar, and a white t-shirt underneath. He was very tall, probably tall enough to see eye to eye with Kaiba. His hair stood in small spikes all the way from the nape of his neck to the front. Some of his light brown hair fell into his slate gray eyes and across his nose. I had to look twice before I could be sure that I wasn't seeing things. I wasn't. This guy was actually putting up a sword, a real medieval style sword. He sheathed it with swiftness and grace. I stood up to get a better look at his face. He was breathing hard, and I didn't understand why until I saw his right shoulder. It was bleeding.

"Oh, you're bleeding," I stated, as if I really needed to, I mean, I think he would know if he's bleeding.

He said nothing as he raised his hand to his shoulder. He just stood there, holding his injured shoulder, breathing very heavily. This guy was unbelievable. He had this big hole in his shoulder and he just stood there, holding it and acting like there was nothing there. But it hurt, and I knew it. You could see it in his eyes. He hurt. It was only a little while longer before he turned to me.

"You'd better get home, someone's probably worried about you," he stated in a low voice. "Get your business here done, and go home."

"Wha, how'd you know I wasn't from around here?" I asked in shock.

"You're to nicely dressed," he replied flatly. "Now, please, get on with your business. I won't always be around to save your butt."

I stood in utter stuperment as I watched him walk away, holding his injured and bleeding shoulder. What else could I do? I barely knew the guy, there was no way I was going to stop him. And yet, something inside me screamed for me to stop him.

"Wait!" I finally called. "What's your name?"

He was, however, either out of earshot, or just ignored me. I couldn't really tell which. I guess it didn't matter. I'd never see him again, most likely. I couldn't do anything more than shrug it off and keep walking.

I lifted up my head to get a good whiff of the cool autumn air. The air was so sweet smelling around this time of year. I loved autumn. Joey doesn't really, allergies. But I love autumn. It's the best time of year. It's the time when all the trees show off their amazing colors and then share the colors with the ground below. I love nothing more than to make a pile of leaves and jump into them. Most certainly, this was the best time of year to me. Still, I couldn't fully enjoy today. I was more worried about Joey than I was eager to enjoy the autumn air. That, and I couldn't get that mysterious person out of my head. Who was he? Where did he come from? And why did he help me? Maybe Joey would know.

I was actually relieved when I reached the door of Joey's apartment. I reached up with a timid hand and knocked on the wooden door. I waited and then, I heard a loud cough, and a feeble voice tell me that it was okay to come in and that it was unlocked. I slowly turned the knob and slipped inside.

I found Joey on the couch, nearly asleep as we speak. He had rolled onto his side and now looked up at me as I came into his field of view. I bent down to get a better look at him. His face was pale and his eyes were tired and weary. But his face still held a smile at the sight of his little sister. I gently reached up with my hand and rubbed his warm cheek. He closed his eyes like a contented cat would, and just enjoyed my touch. At that point in time, nothing else mattered. Nothing else but my brother and his comfort mattered.

Joey was so warm. His fever was high. I know why he hadn't been to see a doctor, and it wasn't just because Yugi told me. As Yugi said, Joey had no insurance covering him. That, and even if he did, his dad would have to take him to see the doctor. And I knew that our dad was so self-absorbed that he didn't care what happened to Joey. I did, though, and so did our mother. However, there was nothing we could do besides make Joey feel as comfortable as possible. I hoped that at this moment, I was fulfilling that little pact between me and my mom, our mom.

"Do you want me to call mom?" I asked.

"No," Joey shook his head a little, his voice horse and overused. "Don't worry her."

"Yugi then?" I suggested.

Again, my brother shook his head and replied, "He said that he'll be by later after he takes a nap. I can't say I blame him," Joey lapsed into a coughing fit before he continued, his voice even fainter than before. "He was up all night last night taking care of me. What a guy, eh?"

"Yeah," I agreed, letting an insuppressible smile creep across my face.

Joey reached a hand out of the cover and touched my face gently, and whispered, "You need to take care of yourself. Don't worry yourself too much over me, okay Seren?"

"Okay," I nodded, feeling the beginnings of tears in my eyes.

"Now, you go home, it'll be dark soon, and that's when the really nasty thugs come out," Joey instructed, his voice nearly giving out a couple times.

I nodded and regretfully stood to my feet. I knew he was right. Joey usually was about these kinds of things. With one last glance at my ill brother, I went out the door and started on my way home.

The autumn air greeted me with enthusiasm. But I now had two things to ponder as I went home. I had Joey to worry about, and that stranger to wonder about.

Shadu: What do you think? I promise, mystery man will have a name. You'll find it out soon.

Hokage: Only if you review.

Shadu: Right, so, please do.