OMG I am soooooooooooooooo sorry! I know I only got 2 reviews, but if it was actually interesting enough to read more, I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! -Gets on hands and knees-

Okay, I'm done now. After this I will be updating semi-regularly, I had just hoped to receive more reviews before I posted Chp 2, plus a little bit of writer's block so early on didn't help...

DISCLAIMER- I am poor so pretty pretty please don't sue me! -Makes puppy eyes- I don't own Seto Kaiba, I only kidnapped him.... so...arrest me, but don't sue!

Oh and...

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Time lapse character change, yada yada yada.

I saw this system elsewhere and I liked.

Chp.2-Introspection

(From Seto Kaiba's point of view)

The 17-year-old Kaiba grimaces and pales to a nice pasty white as he gets closer to the injured 16-year-old.

'Oh no...this is worse than I thought...' Seto says to himself eyeing the damage. Wheeler 's jaw appears to be broken and his nose shattered. His eyes are swollen closed and he has a large knot on the side of his head. As Kaiba approaches he hears the slow rasp of ' Wheeler s breathing.

Kaiba checks to make sure no one is watching him and bends over Wheeler, taking his pulse. His heartbeat is faint and irregular.

'For several years I said that I would be the one to do this to Wheeler...Now that I see him lying on the ground and covered in blood, I don't feel the satisfaction I expected...' Kaiba thought sighing at the emptiness inside.

Besides emptiness he was worried for Wheeler's life. While he had always enjoyed taunting the boy, Seto had never so much as laid a finger on him. He was too dignified for that.

"Aw, shit!" Kaiba exclaimed not at all gracefully. "I have to get him to a hospital!" Then he did the only thing he could think of and picked the younger boy up. He lifted Wheeler in his arms and held Wheeler's head cradled to his chest. He began running and made sure not to make Wheeler's injuries worse.

'Who did this? I will make them pay. Wheeler is mine! I'm the only one allowed to touch him!' Kaiba thought in disgust.

How could he have let someone else hurt Wheeler when he always claimed that he would be the first? Was letting someone else get the first shot dignified? Kaiba no longer cared. He had threatened to pound Wheeler, but never had he actually followed through with his threats. Kaiba was known as a self-absorbed snobby billionaire, but he was not known as an attacker. He may occasionally pick on Yugi and his friends by making snide remarks, but he would never touch them. Now he had lost the only chance he had to prove that he meant what he said, and it was all Wheeler's fault! He was going to be forced to eat his words! Stupid mongrel! What had he been doing out in a dark alley on Saturday night anyway? Why wasn't he out with Yugi and his friends?

Kaiba got so mad at Wheeler for allowing himself to be beat by someone other than Seto Kaiba himself, that he nearly hurled Wheeler's limp form to the ground. Just as he was about to however, he remembered that he was Seto Kaiba, dignified CEO, not some spiteful, jealous teenager.

"What am I going to do with you now Wheeler?" Kaiba repeated.

Kaiba ran to the four city blocks to the hospital in about 20 minutes, and immediately took Wheeler into the E.R.

"May I help you?" asked a pretty blonde receptionist who didn't seem to notice the unconscious teen in Seto's arms.

"Yeah, get this mutt a doctor!" Seto replied scathingly.

She took one look at the blood covering them both and ran to phone in the nearest ER doctor.

When the doctors arrived Kaiba practically threw the other boy at them and went into the restroom to clean off.

He went outside and the blonde receptionist walked up to Kaiba.

"He's on his way to intensive care. While you wait we have some initial paperwork for you to fill out sir, if you'll please come and sit right..." the blonde broke off mid-sentence at the icy glare Kaiba was giving her.

"I do NOT fill out paperwork. Ever." He said, easily towering six inches above the top of her head, putting a big emphasis on the last word.

"Sir," she began, trembling and diverting her gaze, "We need to know your name, how you found the patient, what happened, and what his condition upon finding him was." She shuffled her feet nervously under Kaiba's still icy glare.

"My name is Seto Kaiba. That's all you need to know." He said coldly.

"I know you're upset, but I'm sure he'll be all right..." she began trying to cheer him up.

"Spare me. I don't care if that mutt lives or dies, I only brought him here so no one could accuse me of attacking him. Now I suggest you get out of my way." Seto said, heading toward a corner by the snack machines. He called a member of his staff and had some fresh clothing brought in, then he decided to let Wheeler's sister know what had happened.

But when Kaiba called the Wheeler residence no one answered, and he was forced to call Yugi. 'This is going to be a long night' Seto groaned inwardly as he hit the speed dial for the Mouto home. 'When did I put that there?' Seto wondered vaguely, realizing that the number should not be in his personal phone.

"This is Seto Kaiba, is Yugi Mouto there?" Seto asked impatiently.

"Yugi, its Kaiba! Are you here?" asked Yugi's grandpa as he covered the mouthpiece with his hand.

'It's not like I can't hear him' Seto rolled his eyes at the phone.

"Kaiba!" Seto heard a startled Yugi in the background as he scrambled for the phone.

"Yes, what's wrong Seto?"

"You're friend Wheeler was being stupid and got himself beaten up by a bunch of thugs. He's at Domino Memorial Hospital, just thought you should know." Kaiba said before hanging up ignoring Yugi's sputtering comments. Seto left the waiting room, heading towards the hospital exit.

"Seto Kaiba?" One of the doctors stopped him.

"What?" he sneered, already in a bad mood because he'd had to talk to Yugi.

"You brought in Mr. Wheeler did you not?"

"So?" he asked impatiently tapping his foot and looking at his watch.

"Will you fill out this paper work?"

"No. I know nothing about this boy. His friends are coming, ask them." Seto replied, his voice full of contempt.

"But Mr. Kaiba..."

"I don't have time for this!" Kaiba snapped angrily as he turned and walked out the hospital doors.

"Just ask for Yugi Mouto, he should be arriving soon." He called behind him at the wide-eyed doctor.

Once Seto was outside he decided he wanted to walk back to the mansion. Mokuba could wait tonight...but he'd better call first.

"Mokuba? It's Seto, pick up the phone." He said annoyed.

"Hi Seto!" called an out of breath 12-year-old Mokuba. "What's up?"

"I'm going to be home late tonight, so don't wait up for me, alright?"

"Al...right.." Panted Mokuba.

"You okay Mokie?" Kaiba asked, reverting to Mokuba's childhood nickname.

"Fine...Seto...I just...ran...to the phone." he panted.

"Alright. But you should be in bed when I arrive, understood?"

"Okay! Bye Seto!" He agreed, and the Kaiba brothers hung up.

Seto put his cell in his pocket and walked past Yugi and friends as they ran from Mai's car to the hospital. Serenity ran up to Kaiba and grabbed him by the shirtfront.

"Where is he Kaiba?" She asked as tears poured out her eyes.

Kaiba coldly removed her hands from his shirt and put them at her sides.

"He's in the hospital." He replied rolling his eyes.

"She asked you a question!" Tristan yelled as he attempted to wipe the look off Kaiba's face. Kaiba easily dodged and Tristan fell to the ground, his face smashing into the pavement.

"Tristan!" called Yugi, Tea, Mai, and Serenity.

"Kaiba you jerk!" Mai responded. "Serenity just wanted to know how her brother's doing!" she continued as she patted Serenity's hair.

"Get up Tristan. You won't be able to help your friend if you're lying in the dirt." Kaiba responded coldly.

"How can you be so cruel?" Typical Tea response. "What if that was Mokuba in there? Wouldn't you want to know how he was doing?" She appealed.

"Please Kaiba..." Sobbed Serenity.

"He's in critical condition. That's all I know. And the doctors are going to have some paperwork for you." Kaiba replied in a cold tone as he walked away.

"Fuck you, you cold-hearted bastard!" Tristan yelled after him, shaking his fist.

"Tristan!" Serenity and Tea said surprised.

"I'm sure you'd love to Taylor, but you're not even good enough to lick my shoes, let alone fuck me, so I would just shut my mouth if I were you." Kaiba drawled in a calm, superior voice.

"Shut up Kaiba! You're not even worth the blood Joey got in your goon's fancy car!" Tristan yelled.

"Shut your mouth fool! You don't even know what you're talking about!" Kaiba spat as he spun around and faced Tristan. His icy blue eyes were full of a dangerous icy fire that even Yami hadn't seen.

"Kaiba...?" asked the uncertain 16 year old.

A see through Yami appearing at his side, also eyeing Kaiba oddly, choosing to remain invisible at the moment.

Kaiba turned on his heel to face Yugi then, graceful as a professional dancer in his rage.

"What do you want Yugi?" He snapped coldly.

"Why are you so upset Kaiba? You normally ignore Tristan, and I've never seen you this upset..." Yugi began calmly. Normally Kaiba just ignored Tristan and kept walking.

"Maybe I just enjoy making Taylor squirm. Or maybe I just want Wheeler to suffer without his precious friends for a little longer." Kaiba stated coldly, subtly reminding them that Wheeler needed them.

"Kaiba..." Yugi began again.

"Forget it Yugi, just run along to the puppy's side now." Kaiba said, waving his arm in dismissal before turning around and leaving, trench coat flaring behind him.

'Or maybe there's just more to me than meets the eye.' Kaiba sighed after Yugi was out of earshot. Normally he could care less what Yugi and friends thought, but tonight it bothered him. He supposed that seeing Wheeler all torn up had shaken him, rattled his mind a little. He was in no mood for Tristan Taylor's obnoxious comments.

Kaiba liked to be the one in control, but no matter what he did, control continued to evade him. He was supposed to decide when Wheeler would be beaten to a bloody pulp damnit! Not some common thugs! They had run when they saw Kaiba, probably because the CEO could have the cops there in minutes, and he could knock them all unconscious while he waited. It was common knowledge that Kaiba knew all sorts of Martial Arts, and with his grace and strength he'd be a tough match for anyone.

But why him? Couldn't someone else have saved Wheeler? Kaiba was disgusted. When Wheeler returned to school Kaiba was going to have a nice little chat with him. Though how Kaiba was going to take his frustration at Wheeler out on Wheeler he did not yet know. He couldn't very well walk up to him and say "How dare you allow someone other than me to knock you out!" now could he? No...Kaiba shook his head. He just didn't know what to do and he didn't like the feeling.

It would have been easier if Wheeler didn't look so bad when he'd brought him in...V.V...Seto sighed again. Since he had seen Wheeler 's smashed up face he had found it more difficult to hate the teen. He still despised Wheeler, but every time he thought of him Seto saw the blood that covered his own white jacket... and heard Wheeler 's last conscious words. He'd been trying to tell the thugs that they were lucky to be getting away, when really he was lucky that Seto Kaiba had come to...wait, that wasn't right...Seto had not come to save Wheeler...he had just had a bad day and wanted a reason to beat someone up... But now his day had only gotten worse... Seto sighed again. It was going to be a long night...

Seto looked up and saw that he was near the Domino Museum, a rather boring place to be on any other night. But tonight the museum represented peace and quiet, and a chance to calm his edgy nerves. This was just what he needed.

Seto Kaiba entered the dark museum and headed for the back. There was an interesting display dating to the BC's that he liked back there. It had early cavemen and mountain lions and such. Kaiba was interested because it reminded him how he too had evolved from something weak to something great and powerful.

When Kaiba got to the display he sat down on a bench nearby, staring at it, yet not seeing it at all. He kept seeing Wheeler's damned face! Why couldn't he get that image out of his mind!? It wasn't like what had happened was his fault...

Tristan's words kept ringing through his ears. He wasn't cold hearted...was he? He had been a little distant lately... thinking only of ways to further his business's success. He had no time for stupid emotions...they only got in the way. Did that truly make him cold-hearted? He didn't usually feel much of anything anymore... Kaiba knew he loved Mokuba... but... He felt nothing else. He no longer felt joy or excitement when he gained something for his company, and he felt no sorrow or regret when he lost something. He only felt the need to improve, to be the best at what he did. The need to succeed in every way possible!

Yet tonight he had failed... he had not followed through with his goal. He wanted to be the first to wipe that smug grin off ' Wheeler's face! That lame mongrel that always acted like he was better than Kaiba, when it was Kaiba who did all the work! Seto Kaiba worked hard for what he had, yet Wheeler had all the friends and happiness. Seto sighed.

Had he really become jealous of the other boy? Him? The Seto Kaiba, CEO of a billion dollar company? Seto laughed quietly. It was totally ironic. Seto had everything he'd ever wanted, his step father's company, a comfortable home with Mokie, and enough money to buy whatever his and Mokuba's hearts desired. Yet Wheeler had something Kaiba didn't. Laughter.

Wheeler always managed a smile, even when his sister didn't have enough money for her eye operation. He had always been happy, with his friends at his side and a dopey grin plastered on his face. Even on the brink of unconsciousness Wheeler had managed a smile. He had little money and did poorly in school, yet the younger boy seemed content with his life.

Was that what Seto lacked? Contentment? Happiness? Did he lack Joy? Was he truly unhappy? He had noticed the way Mokuba had been looking at him lately. He almost always had a worried look on his face.

"Am I...depressed?" Kaiba wondered aloud. "Is that why I can't seem to think straight? Why I can't get excited about my progression at Kaiba Corp? Is that why I feel like my mind is trapped in a fog?" Kaiba muttered softly holding his head in his hands.

'I keep working harder and harder, yet the puppy still seems to be happier than I am. I work my ass off every day so that Mokie and me can be happy. Where is all that now? Even Mokuba seems distracted these days...It's like a dark fog has surrounded my life... what happened to my ambition? Why doesn't seeing Wheeler's bloodied face entertain me? I always wanted to pay him back for all the cracks he's made at me, calling names and acting childish because I have the decency to work hard for my company!' Kaiba thought to himself.

Just then Kaiba saw something move in the shadows. Whoever it was they'd heard everything Kaiba had said.

"Who's there?" Kaiba said, rising to his feet.

"Happiness is not something you get by burying yourself in books and work Kaiba. You have to relax and let life come to you. You work to hard."

"Yami." Kaiba stated, glaring coldly as Yami came out of the shadows.

"Where's Yugi?"

"He stayed with Joey. Kaiba, I can unlock your mind you know..." Yami said, walking to Seto's side and gently fingering the puzzle.

"I'm fine Yami! I don't need anyone's help!" Kaiba glared at Yami with such fury that the pharaoh nearly took a step back.

"You said you're mind is trapped in a fog," He muttered. "I'm simply saying I could make things much clearer..."

"Why would you care anyway? It doesn't concern you." Kaiba stated flatly, wondering if maybe Yami had the right idea.

"Kaiba..." Yami sighed. "I'm not here to fight. I only want to help."

"Thanks, but no thanks, Yami. I don't need your help." Kaiba stated coldly and emotionlessly. "I just need some time to work things out, now why don't you just go back to your little pet and leave me alone." Kaiba said glaring at Yami.

"If that is what you truly want Kaiba, but my offer still stands."

"Leave. Me. Alone." Kaiba gritted. "I. DO NOT. want. your. help." he said as if speaking to a very small, dull-witted child.

Yami gave Kaiba one last look before fading into the shadows and disappearing.

'Maybe he's right...Maybe I am working too hard...' Seto sighed and looked once more at the primitive beasts behind him.

"I'll just go home and get a good nights rest..." Seto Said as he stretched and left the nearly deserted building, walking right past the sleeping security guard.

change

'I hope Kaiba will be alright....' Yami wondered in the shadows. Kaiba had been acting strange lately, and now he knew why. If only the CEO could learn to relax a little, then maybe things would be better. Lately whenever Kaiba saw them his comments had been worse, and just two days ago he, Yugi, Ryou, and Mai had to hold back Joey and Tristan. Things were getting out of hand and both Seto and Joey seemed to know it.

Yet they continued to provoke each other, letting out all their frustration in the schoolyard. Normally Yami wouldn't have minded, but he knew there was more to Seto Kaiba than met the eye. The ancient Sorcerer that he had once been ha hidden his emotions too. The problem was that Kaiba hid his emotions so well Yami thought even Seto himself couldn't see them. If Kaiba went on like this they'd all pay, Yami knew what happened when Kaiba lost touch with himself, it had happened once before.

FLASHBACK

It was in their freshman year, and Kaiba ha been particularly nasty these last couple weeks. He came to school, and, as usual, Got in a fight with Joey. Joey had suddenly got very upset, and before anyone could stop him he shoved Kaiba against a wall, threatening him in a low voice. Kaiba went dark red, almost purple in a sudden burst of emotion that had been pent up for far to long. He shoved Joey off of him aimed a kick at the mongrel's head. Had Yami not appeared and quickly dragged at Joey's feet, moving his head, then the boy would have died. Kaiba didn't seem to care.

"Out of my way Yami!"

"Kaiba! You nearly killed him! Snap out of it!"

"I know perfectly well what I'm doing Yami, this mutt deserves death and then some." Kaiba replied, coldly glaring at the gasping Joey.

"Is it really up to you to decide who lives and who dies Kaiba?" Yami asked loudly.

"Perhaps not, but the world would be better off with one less distraction."

"Distraction? What is that supposed to mean Kaiba? All I said is that you're an arrogant bastard!" Joey said sitting up.

"You wouldn't get it if it crushed in your skull puppy. Now be a good dog and lay down. " He said sarcastically.

"Why you little..."

Yami raised his hand in front of Joey and looked Kaiba in the eye. Something the other boy had said didn't add up. Just as Yami was about to ask, Seto Kaiba turned away.

"You're not worth my time mutt, why don't you get up and let your bodyguard take you back to class?" Said Seto in a mocking tone, all emotion faded away.

Seto stopped being as harsh for awhile, but wouldn't look at Joey for nearly a week. He just ignored him. And Joey did the same. Yami though this was odd, and every time he saw Joey glance at Kaiba he was red in the face, though whether from anger or something else Yami never could decide.

FLASHBACK ENDED

Yami sighed again as he heard Kaiba get up. He really hoped that Kaiba could sort out his thoughts, if not, someone was in for it. As Kaiba left the museum, Yami faded away and went back to Yugi.

change

By the time Seto got home Mokuba was asleep, and when Seto went in to check on him the younger boy was moaning and covered in sweat.

"Mokuba? Wake up." Seto said sharply, shaking him.

"Mokuba!" He said more urgently.

"Huh? Seto?...What's...what's wrong Seto? You look really pale...."

"You were dreaming Moke, is everything okay with you?"

Mokuba rolled onto his side facing Kaiba and looking really uncomfortable, though determined none the less.

"What is it Mokie?"

"Seto...You're scaring me. You're always quiet now, and you hardly ever smile any more. What's happened to you? I want the old Seto back..." He said all in a rush.

"Mokie..." Kaiba began. He had not been expecting this. Not from the only one who ever brought him joy.

"Why aren't you happy anymore Seto?"

'I'm not...even Mokuba sees it?' Aloud he said "I'm happy Mokie, I've got you."

"But that's not good enough Seto. I see that look in your eyes when you're working. You're hiding your emotions again like you did 2 years ago. Why do you hide your emotions? What are you so afraid of big brother?"

"Mokuba, I'm no.."

"And don't say your not, because I know you are. Last tie you were worried about being supreme duelist and your tournament, and you were scared of what people said when you lost. Don't deny it to me Seto, I'm your brother!" Mokuba said as Seto attempted to speak in his defense.

'I didn't know Mokuba was this upset...' he thought.

"You were scared then and you're scared now, so what are you so afraid of feeling this time big brother? What are you afraid of?" Mokuba asked gasping for breath.

"I...I don't know Mokuba." Kaiba began, deciding to be honest with the only one he'd ever cared for. "I really don't know." He shook his head.

"How can you not know?" Mokuba asked a little quieter this time.

"I don't let myself think about it..." He shifted uncomfortably on his brother's bed.

"Seto, please think about it, for me? Don't keep it all bottled up until you explode, then don't talk to anyone for a week. It's not healthy." Mokuba said, eyeing Kaiba worriedly.

"Alright. I'll give it some thought. Now no more nightmares, okay?" Seto asked, smiling for the first time in ages and ruffling Mokie's hair. Maybe his brother was right. Maybe if he just confronted the problem rather than hiding it away...

"alright!" Mokuba hugged Seto around the waist before he rose to leave the room.

"Love you Seto." his small voice called.

"Love you to Mokie, sleep well."

"I will."

With that Seto Kaiba closed the door and went to his room. But when he lay down he found sleep evasive. What was wrong with him? Why was he so worried about Wheeler? And why had he been getting nastier in their petty little fights? He didn't hate the other boy, it was just fun to insult him and watch as Wheeler became flustered when he couldn't think of a comeback.

Seto tossed and turned most of the night, his dreams when he finally did sleep filled with dark shadows and a broken and bloody Joey.

YAY! I am finally done! I'd like to give a special thanks to my first two reviewers, Rachel Dracon and Moonstar-dust. I like that name, well both, but I am obsessed with moon....anyways thanx guys! and to my inspiration, insight to insanity! I love her writing! Thankee thankee thankee!!! -jumps up and down- If it weren't for their encouragement, I probably would have given up in despair! AHA! I have an idea for the next chapter, and all thanks to my beautiful dream that I had last night. The next chapter should be here in around 2 weeks or sooner. I really hope you like, and review review review please .