Seto Kaiba rocked back and forth in his cell. For once, they hadn't given him any drugs. As a result, he was almost sane. It hurt. He had had it in his fingers... the Millennium Rod, the thing that would save him and destroy his stepfather...
And it had been torn away from him.
He was furious. And sick. And so very, very cold.
That could've been withdrawal, but he doubted it. God knew he'd had enough withdrawals to know the symptoms. No, this was the hollow, aching chill of having something- something he needed more than anything- just within his grasp, and then losing it.
He was tired as well. So damned tired... he needed a nail, a file, anything, something even mildly sharp, and it could slice his forearm straight to the bone and he could bleed and bleed and bleed and finally rest...
He could give up. He'd never given up before. It sounded so nice. So peaceful.
It would mean leaving Mokuba. Leaving Tasmin. Leaving the Millennium Rod and everything it could have held for him. But he was starting to not care.
Maybe he had stopped caring a long time ago. But, if that was the case, why did his stomach twist itself into knots every time Tasmin came to him? Why did it hurt him to send his brother back to face Gozabura every time he came to see him? Why did he want the Rod so damned much...?
Now he had a pounding headache.
This day just can't get worse.
The door to his cell opened and Tasmin and Mokuba stepped in. Tasmin had a strange, otherworldly look to her; she hardly even seemed to know where she was. Mokuba looked slightly frantic. "Niichan, I'm sorry, but I don't know what's wrong with her..."
He slowly sat up and stretched. The days Tasmin came to see him, he didn't have to wear that damn straightjacket. "Calm down, Mokuba, I'm sure there's a reason... it might just be a pregnancy thing..."
"Hikari." Tasmin said dully, with no inflection in her voice.
Now Seto sat up and took notice. "Tasmin, what's wrong with you?"
"I have something for you," she said, voice still oddly flat. "Something you desire greatly..." She pulled the Rod out from the waistband of her pants and held it out. "It's rightfully yours."
Seto all but tore it from her fingers. "Mine!" He cradled it to his chest, staring at it as a father would his first child, eyes full of wonder and glee. "It's finally mine..." he whispered.
Mokuba looked between Tasmin, who suddenly just sat down hard, and his brother, who seemed in an almost orgasmic state of bliss. "Did I miss something?"
"I don't know," Tasmin said tiredly. "Oh, God, I don't feel good..."
Mokuba looked over at Seto. "Um... should we leave him here like this?"
Tasmin smiled slowly. "You want the truth, Mokuba? He's never been safer or saner... He'll be fine. Let's go home..."
Mokuba chewed his lip. "That's not such a good idea, neechan... Father's going to be awfully upset when he realizes that the Rod is missing..."
Tasmin had a strange smile on her face, and she nodded. "Yes. Yes he will..."
Mokuba bit his lip. Maybe it was better if he didn't ask. After all, if he didn't know, he couldn't tell anyone, right? Of course...
He quietly followed his sister-in-law out of the asylum. She trembled and collapsed in the limo. I'm going to die. He's going to be furious... He's going to kill me. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. I don't care anymore. I don't.
She was silent for the rest of the ride back to the mansion, brooding.
Seto didn't even realize they were gone. He simply continued to cradle the Rod in his arms, heedless of the blinding glow that was emanating from it. It felt as if he were drifting on a warm, golden tide, and the aching chill and emptiness he had felt for years finally slipped away.
For the first time in millennia, High Priest Seth saw light. He blinked, confused, and looked around. "This isn't hell," he said, sounding rather bemused.
/Who the hell are you/ Seto snapped, surprised and confused now.
The other being had to think for a long moment.I... I believe I am Seth... The High Priest of... the Pharaoh...
Seto didn't know whether or not to start laughing. I've finally gone mad...
Seth slowly looked at his hands. I am... alive? Or... not dead, perhaps would be a better term... but... how?
Seto just slid down the wall of his soulroom, laughing weakly. I've finally lost it... Finally gone off the deep end. 'Round the bend...
Seth looked around more. "Neh... Hikari- where are we?"
Seto blinked now and tried to stifle his semi-hysterical laughter. /We're at the asylum.../
The other him blinked and looked very confused.
Seto sighed now. This was going to get annoying. Why couldn't he get a second personality with a small bit of intelligence? /A place where they put the legally insane./
Seth blinked and growled a bit. You are not insane!
Seto felt another hysterical chuckle rise. /Aren't I/
"No!" The spirit stood up. "You are not insane! You are perfectly healthy. I should know."
/Oh, that's encouraging/ Seto said dryly. /I feel so much better now./
Seth growled faintly, then tried to calm himself down. The Shadows were still too fresh in his memory, and his soul still felt ragged around the edges... Why are you here?
/Because I'm insane./
He made an irritated noise. Who put you here?
Seto shifted and curled up a bit on the bed in his soulroom. /My adopted father.../
Seth growled to himself. Seto didn't know how to shield his thoughts very well at all. The images, emotions and memories he was getting from his other half were giving him an outlet for his anger, and it was very effective. "He must die."
Seto sat up some and grinned a bit. /Now you're speaking my language.../ I may be insane... but I'll take that bastard out if it kills me...
Seth blinked in confusion until he realized it was a figure of speech. First, we must get out. Out now.
Seto looked faintly bitter. /Why bother? There isn't any way out.../
Seth grinned, and it had a distinctly nasty edge to it. You didn't have me before.
The thin, pale boy looked at the taller, darker form. I... should I trust him? He... he looks like me... Like what Ryou and Yugi had... I don't know... /...sure.../ he finally said, very softly.
His grin grew, if possible, even wider. Good. Then I'll need to use our body for a bit longer, if you do not mind...
/Just get me out of here./ Seto said, settling back into his old, worn pattern of use and sharp words.
As you wish, his other half said, and curled up on the bed, and waited. His plan would work soon enough, as soon as the nurse opened the door to give him food...
Then he would repay the man who hurt his other, blow for blow.
A/N: ... beh. It sucks. Dun care. Deal with it. Next chapter will be much, much better. : nods:
Dark Magician Girl/ Hikaru: Thanks again, and here's the neck chapter! Next one might take a bit to get out, though... got two major tests and two quizzes this week... . But the next chapter will be out soon, promise!
leafzelindor: Roomie: glomps: Bwahahahaa... if you don't like it, then I would have no reason to post it... XD