Thank you so much to all my reviewers! I never actually expected to get more than 5, and I now have 9! . I'll try and get this chapter done with and longer as soon as I can, oh wait...if you're reading this.... then I'm already done! Well anyways thanks a bunch!
DISCLAIMER- while I have kidnapped several people, I do not own them.... well, actually I do. But they can't talk right now.... they're "tied up" at the moment.... so sue me already! (Not really, I'll share!)
Oh and...
Dedication- this if for steffy and Savannah, my two best friends, and for neshia, who thought I should add the hospital scene. I was going too anyways, but now it'll be longer.
Oh, and 2 new characters will be introduced. Savvi is my friend Savannah and Clair is Steff. They wanted to be in my story, so I'll put them in. If anyone else has ideas or wants to be added just say so in a review. Come up with a name, description of character, who you want them to be (a brother a new kid etc.) and who you want them to be friends with and dating. Or you could just email them to me.... anyways yeah, so if you're interested please do that.
One more thing… Ages.
Seto17
Bakura18
Ryou16
Marik18
Little Marik 16
Yami18
Yugi16
Joey16
Tea16
Tristan16
Duke17
Serenity14
Mai18
"Talking"
'Thinking'
Time-lapse character change, yada yada yada.
I saw this system elsewhere and I liked.
Chp. 3-The Past, the Present, and the Future
(From Yami's point of view)
'Yami! You're back!' Yugi telepathically said.
No one else seemed to see Yami, and Yugi noticed this immediately. They were all sitting in hard orange plastic chairs in the hospital waiting room.
'Why are you invisible again? Aren't you feeling well?' asked his light, concern flooding in his eyes.
'I'm fine Yugi; I just needed some time to think. How is Joey?' Yami asks, a picture of Kaiba flashing briefly in his mind. Luckily Yugi didn't pick up on it….
'He's in bad shape… those thugs nearly killed him…' Yugi added as his eyes began to tear.
"You alright Yugi?" Mai asked as she looked up from comforting Serenity and noticed that Yugi had stood from his chair.
"I'm al right Mai." He sighed thoughtfully as he sat down again.
'Yami?'
'Hmmm?" he answered, unsure of the look on Yugi's face.
'Do you think… Kaiba…he looked all red. And he was acting different…'
'What is it Yugi?' Yami asked, even more concerned now.
'Well, he got pretty upset when Tristan mentioned the goon's car… but he wasn't upset until then. Maybe he, well, maybe he didn't use a car. Yami, maybe Kaiba was so upset and red was because he saved Joey?'
The thought startled Yami. Kaiba? Save Joey? That was as likely to happen as, well, as the doctor coming out within the next 5 minutes. Not a chance in hell. Yami nodded to himself.
'Yami? Earth to Yami, come in.' Yugi was looking at him expectantly.
'What? Oh, well, I guess it's poss-ible…" he began. But just then the doctor walked in.
'Well I'll be damned. Maybe it really was possible.'
"Yugi Motou?"
"That's me." Said Yugi standing. "How's Joey?"
"You're friend was in critical condition but we have stabilized his condition and his heartbeat has returned to normal. He has a heavy concussion however, and will need to remain here over night." At the horrible look on Serenity's face he continued quickly.
"But he can return home tomorrow, and go to school on Tuesday morning. I think he'll be fine." The doctor assured to sighs of relief.
"You're all lucky mister Kaiba brought him in when he did, otherwise he might not have made it. Poor guy, he was covered in Wheeler's blood and all out of breath when he got here." The doctor didn't seem to see the stunned look on all their faces. "You know, I think he ran all the way here with Wheeler in his arms. He must've cared quite a bit." The doctor said softly as he turned and walked away amidst the stunned silence this revelation had brought on.
'See Yami?' Yugi asked quietly. 'I wonder why Kaiba would do that? He hates Joey… and besides that, he'd never get his cloths dirty. Yami?'
But Yami wasn't paying attention. He was having memories of something similar that had happened a long long time ago.
Flashback
He was 17 and had just become Pharaoh, due to the death of his father at the hands of Titus, an excellent tomb robber who had but one son, the 17 year old tomb robber Bakura. It was a summer night, and he was riding a midnight black mare through the desert and watching the silver twinkling of the clear stars. On his way home he passed a lit village, and gave the people some gold before continuing on.
He was nearly back to the palace when he heard other riders' approach. Turning to see whom it was, The young pharaoh was surprised to see about 20 men in black cloaks coming towards him. The hoof beats had masked the quieter sound of the men coming out from behind the enormous sand dunes all around. Yami slapped his horse's flanks and she sped along faster, as more horsemen that had been hiding behind the dunes surrounded him.
"Hello, Pharaoh!" called the leader of the band as he rode to the front.
"Bakura." Yami nodded curtly at the young tomb robber.
"Well, well, well. Yami isn't it? My dear old father says that your father called your name as he died..." Bakura mused. "He screamed it, I believe. Crying like a big old baby." Bakura teased.
Yami was off his horse and in mid-lunge before he knew it, landing on Bakura and pulling them both to the ground in a struggling tangled heap. Yami pinned Bakura down and instantly held a knife to his neck where everyone could see.
"What now Pharaoh? Are you gonna kill me?" Bakura asked in a sickeningly sweet voice.
"Perhaps. After all, your father is a murderer right? Like father like son... Perhaps I should kill you now before you get that chance?"
When Bakura saw Yami's fiery eyes, he realized that Yami was serious. Dead serious. He pressed the knife in a little deeper and watched a single bead of blood appear around the knifepoint.
"Because, I'm not him." Bakura glared at the stars.
"What do you mean?" Yami hissed, not noticing the odd look that shone in Bakura's violet eyes.
"I'm not my father..." he whispered as Yami slowly looked down at him. "I may tease and make jokes, and I may even steal, but I am not him. I would not take the life of great men, and your father was a great man." It looked as though it pained Bakura to say it, even though no one other than Yami could hear.
"I respected him Yami, and when my father was killing him, your father looked into my eyes, and I heard his voice. He spoke to my mind, telling me that I don't have to be like my father. Saying that I have a choice. He was wrong." Bakura suddenly said bitterly.
"I have no choice. I can't be great like him. But I refuse to be like Titus. I will not kill good people. Yami, I may hate you with all the passion of a thousand years, but I will not be like father like son." He glared defiantly into the new pharaoh's eyes, and Yami saw the passionate hatred burning there.
"Very well Bakura." he said getting up, knife still pressed to Bakura's neck, though not as hard as before. "I will spare your life. But remember this tomb robber, you owe me." Yami whispered in his ear as he released him to his fellows.
Yami climbed astride his horse, and Bakura's men cleared a path under his watchful gaze. Yet Yami did not ride into the castle courtyard, but instead right passed it, ignoring the fire he saw lit in the sage's tower. The young Pharaoh needed to think.
'Could I ever be as forgiving as my father could? Would I ever measure up? How am I supposed to overcome the darkness I sense approaching? Very few know of it, but several others including myself have already noticed the darkness gathering in the far lands, and soon it will be upon us. How am I, a mere boy, supposed to stop it? My father's last advice was that someday I must take over the fight in his stead. He never thought I'd be the one beginning it.' Yami thought.
He was so deep in thought that again he missed the thunderous roar of hoofs until it was too late.
"Yami." It was Bakura's main man.
"What now?"
"Bakura's gone home to bed, but we're not through with you." He said, his eyes glinting dangerously in the dark.
"What do you mean?" Yami replied sharply.
"Your father was a very big enemy of our parents', and now we'll make you pay for his action!" The older boy said as he and the others leapt off their horses as one.
They all ran towards Yami, and managed to pull him to the ground. He felt a powerful fist slam into his tender gut and heard the screams of horses everywhere. Another fist slammed into his jaw, breaking it, and a third into the side of his head. Yami somehow threw them off, and using the power of the puzzle managed to stand and take up a fighting pose. As another leapt at me him, he gracefully kicked the other boy in the chest, sending him flying through the air with a broken rib cage. Yet even more boys jumped him, and so he collapsed under their weight, no longer having the strength to use the puzzle.
Suddenly the boys began to run, and a couple caught fire. The horses' screams were louder, and before Yami knew it a horse ran right over his legs, breaking them both. Then the boys were gone, and he saw a lone figure approach in the dim firelight. He weakly raised his hand in greeting. Everything was going all dim and fuzzy.
"Pharaoh!" He called as he ran to Yami's side.
"Seth?...." he asked weakly. Yami sensed that one of his ribs had broken, and it had ruptured a lung. He could barely breath and it felt fire and ice took turns flying through his veins in place of warm, soothing blood.
"Oh, Seth." He sighed. "I'm messed up bad..." Yami gasped at the intense pain, struggling to stay awake, to take one more breath. "Tell my mother I'm sorry, won't you?" he whispered to the young high priest, whose own father had died years ago. He had recently completed his training, and Yami knew it had been his fire he'd seen. And this was Seth's first night as High Priest.
"Yami! Yami no!" cried the 19-year-old. " I will not let you die like this!" You're mother needs you! Egypt needs you!"
"They'll...be...alright..." he rasped. "they've got...you..." Yami said, lowering his hand.
"But Yami!"
"It's...okay...Seth...they don't...need...me"
"I need you..." he sobbed into Yami's shoulder, afraid that moving him would only cause more damage.
"Seth..." Yami gasped, looking tenderly at him. "You don't.... need...me..."
"Yes I do! I love you Yami! I've loved you since we were boys! Please don't leave me now! I haven't even got to kiss you!" he sobbed harder.
"Seth," Yami tried reaching up again, and his fingers brushed Seth's face before falling to be caught in his hand.
"I love you too Seth." Yami said, bending towards Seth to kiss him. When Seth released him, Yami's pain was so intense that he passed out.
Yami awoke in a warm bed, surrounded by billowing white curtains. He looked around carefully, wondering if this was perhaps heaven.
"Good to see you're awake Pharaoh."
He turned his head and saw Seth, sitting in a chair and looking completely devoid of emotion.
'Was it a dream? Where am I? And how come I can't remember how I got there?
"Where..?"
"You're in the sages tower, in my room. When you passed out I touched your puzzle, and it flashed a glaring white. You stopped bleeding, and I immediately brought you here, where you have been recovering ever since."
"How long?" Yami asked, slumping back on the pillows.
'Does he remember? Or was I so out of this world that I imagined the whole thing?' Yami wondered.
"Three days. Everyone's worried." He replied without even a flicker of emotion in his carefully guarded expression.
"Even you?" Yami had to ask. He still loved him, he just had to know what was going on!
"Me? I saw you recover... Why would I be worried about you? You're my rival, it is not my duty to worry over you, only to make sure you survive. Egypt needs you and it is my duty to make sure you don't fail her."
"But Seth..." Yami barely heard Seth's hiss of in drawn breath at the use of his given name. "Don't you need me?" he asked. There, it was out, he'd said it. Seth looked at Yami carefully, to see what he was thinking.
"Why do you ask?" Seth replied slowly, carefully.
"I remember... Seth, you said... we... we kissed Seth! So why are you pretending it never happened? Why are you sitting there pretending you didn't say you loved me, and I didn't say the same?" Yami asked in an anguished yelled whisper.
At this Seth looked both shocked, and extremely relieved.
"I wasn't sure if you remembered Yami... we've always hated each other..."
"How'd you save me?"
"I carried you back in my arms..." he blushed.
"Well what happened to the other guy? Jounouchi?"
"I...still have feelings for him... but..." he looked down, not liking that his emotions were, for the moment, laid bare.
"You may keep him, I do not mind. I have feelings for the boy as well. But I think it's time for me to rest again..." Yami stretched, feeling weak, even from this little chat. The puzzle must have sapped his body energy, pulling it from inside of the pharaoh. He was totally drained.
Flashback Ended
'Yami! Yami! Wake up! Oh Yami, ple-ease wake up!' Yami heard little Yugi's voice rip through his memories, tearing across 5 millennia to reach his ears and bring him with a crash back to the present.
'Yugi? What is it?' Yugi was standing over me and looking at his dark with fear and deep concern etched on his tear-streaked face. It was then that Yami realized he was on the floor.
'Are you okay?" Yami's light asked anxiously, helping him to a sitting position.
'I think so... what happened Yugi?'
'I asked you what you thought of Kaiba...'
'Seth!' Yami thought to himself as an unbidden image of the high priest flashed through his mind.
'You just stared into space, then collapsed to the floor, twitching. Are you all right? You wouldn't answer when I called...'
'I'm fine my light. I was... remembering... I couldn't hear you, that's all. Where are the others?'
'They went to say goodnight to Joey. They hope he can hear them in his dreams so he can come back.'
'That's a little silly, don't you think?' he asked his light.
'You heard me...'
'But I wasn't hurt' Yami pointed out.
'Yes you were. You were crying Yami, and clutching your chest.'
Yami raised his hand to his face, and was surprised to find tear streaks there. Yugi is right...
'Ready to stand up now?' Yugi asked, sticking his hand out. His dark took it and with Yugi's help stood in one fluid movement.
'When'd you learn how to do that Yami?' Yugi asked a little surprised.
'A long time ago, I've only just remembered it.'
'You've always been graceful...but...that was amazing!' Yugi smiled up at his dark, and they headed towards Joey's room.
When we got there Yami saw Joey for the first time. He was very pale, and he looked odd wrapped up in all those bandages. But the steady rise and fall of their friend's chest made Yami feel a little better. Everyone else was done, It was their turn now. Both Yugi and his dark entered the room and closed the door, looking upon Joey's pale face.
"Joey, it's me, Yugi. We're all here for you, so wake up as soon as you can, okay!" Yugi gently ruffled Joey's hair, and then he left Yami to say his own goodbye.
"Joey? It's Yami... Come back soon, if you can. Everyone needs you back."
'Even you?' The question was asked telepathically, and Yami looked at Joey carefully for signs of waking. There were none. It was the same thing he had asked Seth...
'Do you need me Yami?' The voice that sounded like Joey's asked again.
'Who are you? Joey? I didn't know you could speak mind to mind...'
'Close... I am Jounouchi. Well, actually I am Joey, but I remember being him. I was with you and Seth... you were my best friends...We were all there for each other then....'
'And we still are. Kaiba is different now, he won't accept his past. But he is having trouble balancing his present as is. Jou, I remember you well. But I have a feeling that as I was out there, you are now. I am already forgetting my memory, and by the time you awake you will have forgotten yours. Just remember, you are not alone. I am still your friend and guardian in this realm, and I sense that you're the same for me. We'll always watch over each other. Just remember, Kaiba isn't like us. We'll have to earn his trust if the three of us are ever to be true guardians again. I still watch over him, but he is Seth no longer. Our friend has retreated to the depths of Kaiba's mind, hiding in their shared body. '
'I'll remember Yami. Even when I forget everything else, I'll remember deep down, that I owe you and Seth my life....'
'And I shall remember somewhere, that I owe you as well. Both of you. The three of us saved each other many times, and in this new I age I sense a second darkness coming, and when it arrives the three of us will need to fight together again. Remember that.'
'I will. We'll fight side by side like we did then, you and Seth lovers, and me with my two best friends!'
'We'll see about that. For now, let's just try and remember that Kaiba is a dear friend as well. I believe that somewhere deep inside him Seth hides, for there were signs of him today...' Yami looked back towards the bed, but Joey's mind had returned to sleep.
He walked out the door then, and, smiling at Yugi, felt as if a great weight had slipped from his shoulders.
Now all he had to worry about was Kaiba. But the closer they got to home, the dimmer Yami's memories, until, when they reached the front door, he had forgotten that he'd had them at all. Yet somewhere in the back of Yami's mind, he knew that his emotions were not to remain dormant forever, and would likely surface unexpected sometime soon.
(Seto's POV)
Seto was happy. He lay there, looking at the crimson eyes of the boy beside him.
"Yami?"
"Yes?" Yami replied smiling tenderly at the light in Seto's eyes.
"Where are we?"
"In my room... why?"
"I could've sworn I was in heaven." 'wait a minute...did I just say that? I don't like Yami...how'd I get in his room?' Seto wondered, confused.
'Oh, be quiet. He's talking to me.'
'Huh? Who are you! And how come he can't hear you?'
'I am another part of you. And this is our past.'
'Past? That makes no sense.'
'Sure it does. I'm the part of you that you keep rejecting. You buried me here, in your subconscious, refusing to admit that I exist'
"You okay?" asked Yami, concerned.
"I'm fine love. Just, seeing clearly, that's all."
'wait? Did I say that....or did he?' Seto wondered again.
'I did Seto, now calm down. This is my body after all, we're not in yours.'
'what?'
"What do you see?"
" I see me, how I will be in the future."
"How far into the future?" asked a laughing Yami.
"A long time." Said the voice gravely.
"Really?"
"Really. I will be a stubborn ass, who refuses to remember this time and place, and who forgets the bond you and I share."
Yami looked shocked.
"That can't be!" He said.
"It is, but it won't come to pass for a long long time. How about I go for a walk love? Perhaps that will clear my head..."
"All right... be careful Seth."
'SETH! Who the hell is Seth?' Seto asked angrily.
'I am Seth...' answered the voice.
'Well, who are you?" Seto asked again, impatiently tapping his see-through foot as he stood beside Seth.
'I am you, in Egypt 5 millennia ago. I am high priest, lover of the pharaoh. I am you. This is your past Seto Kaiba, and yet still you wish to deny my existence? Will you deny me now, even after your own mind has sent you back to my time in an effort to force you to remember?' Screamed Seth.
'How can I deny you? It'd be a little weird if I were talking to myself.'
Seth stopped for a moment, startled, mouth agape. 'Wha, what?' he finally managed to ask, slumping to the ground.
'I said, I would not deny you. I can see you, though why I believe this I do not know. My head hurts... So you are me? I am you?'
'Sort of. You know how Yugi Motou has A dark? A Yami?'
'Yes? What has that got to do with me?' Seto snapped, exasperated.
'I am your dark, your Yami. I am the darker, Egyptian side of you. We share a body, but have two different souls. Yet we share one destiny.'
'And what is that?'
'To be a duel master. We are to help the pharaoh in any way possible.'
'Help Yami?' Why would I want to do that?'
'I love Yami. I would die for him Seto. Surely you must feel it too? Not a love, but a binding? Our souls are bound by fate to help him save the world a second time.'
'That, is where you're wrong.' Seto replied coldly. 'I do not believe in Destiny. I have no fate. I do whatever I feel is worth doing, and NO ONE is going to stop me. Not even another part of myself. I will not help Yami. You can just try and make me.' Seto said icily in a towering anger that boiled through his veins.
Then Seto sees a small figure approaching. Seth looks over his shoulder and sees him as well.
"Seth! There you are man. I've been looking all over for you. Yami's been hurt!" He panted as Seth rushed up and shook the teen.
"Where is he Jounouchi? Where is Yami!"
The boy suddenly found himself being shaken so hard that when he tried to answer he bit into his tongue, and blood flew from his mouth.
'Stop! Seth...!' Seto warned.
'I don't know why I even care, but he seems oddly familiar...' Seto thought to himself.
'Damnit Seth! I said stop!'
Seth didn't hear him, but continued to shake the boy, and then Seto sensed it. This overwhelming need to save Yami, to protect the younger Pharaoh. He was washed in waves of anguished panicky fear, and all he could think of was getting to Yami's side before it was to late. He understood immediately. This was what Seth was feeling. Well at that rate he was never gonna let the boy go.
'SETH STOP!'
When Seth didn't listen Seto tried to make him stop. He reached out and simply pulled. His hands went right through him. Seto could sense the emotions, feel his hands shaking the boy. So he simply decided to stop. He began a mental chant and used every ounce of his willpower to change the physical feeling. He already knew how to change his emotions, and so began to calm the emotions he felt running through him. He did the same with his hands, for though he could feel Seth shaking the boy, He also felt his own hands, lying rigid at his sides. Seto forced one hand down. Then the other.
Then he realized that he was in the body and Seth was the invisible one.
'how'd you... do that?' He asked. 'I'm the high priest, you should not be able to do that'
'And I am you, remember? Besides, I've forced my emotions and actions under control many times. And you were going to shake him to death.' Seto said watching the invisible priest beside him.
"You okay Seth?"
Seto looked around startled, then gave the body back to its owner.
"Fine. Where's Yami?" Seth asked with clenched teeth.
"He's right where you left him Seth. It was a joke."
"Wha...What?"
"A joke? You know, I told you he was hurt, when he wasn't? It was a practical joke Yami."
"So he's... not hurt?"
"No, he's fine."
At this Seth leapt at Jounouchi's throat, wrapping his fingers around the other boy's windpipe.
"Well, now someone's gonna be hurt!" He shouted.
Seto tried to stop him, but nothing was working and the boy was rapidly turning grayish blue.
'Seth NO! Don't hurt him! For Ra's sake do not hurt him! I'm begging you Seth, please!' Seto screamed, getting on his knees near Seth and trying to pull him off.
'I don't know why the hell I care, but I feel an immense pain in my heart, I cannot let Seth kill him! Someone else will die!'
Seth looked up for just a moment, and his eyes widened in sudden fear. Seto's face hid not a trace of his burning emotion, and his eyes were filled with unshed tears, that he was struggling very hard not to release. 'This ache in my chest, it hurts like the pain of a thousand knives, as if my very soul is being torn apart!' Seto thought savagely, hating himself for allowing Seth to see him while he was vulnerable and open to attack, yet unable to stop himself.
'Please don't do it Seth! Please, I'm begging you! I'll do whatever you ask, just stop! He'll die if you don't!' As Seto screamed this last bit he felt scalding, hot, passionate tears pour down his face in an avalanche of pain and anguish.
Seth released the boy, healing him and putting him into a deep slumber. He would not remember these events.
'Who will die Seto?' he still looked afraid, but intensely interested as well.
'The....the boy...I don't know...' Seto replied shakily, still getting over being vulnerable and beginning to regain a little composure as his tears ceased to fall down his dark lashes.
'What boy Seto? Who will die?' Seth asked, staring into Seto's eyes. Seto felt an answer bubbling forth in his mind in response to Seth's words. he felt his eyes open wide, and sensed that the answer was close.
'I opened your mind.' He explained. 'Now, Who will die Seto?'
'Joey Wheeler...' Seto sighed, finally feeling his knees collapse underneath his long pale body.
He watched as Seth's eyes grew big, and recognized the name and face that went with it.
'Seto, when did you...?'
Seto shrugged. 'I don't know. Maybe it's because I saw him near death. Maybe I remembered him from here. Maybe it's a mixture of both.' Seto sighed , putting his head in his hands. 'I never wanted to hurt Wheeler, not even before I began to feel again...'
Seto... did you say... in your world... you feel again?'
'I just started to, yes. When I saw Wheeler hurt... why?'
'That means that whether you like it or not, fate is playing a vital role in your life. But it is time for you to return Seto, you must go back to your own time...' Seth looked at me, and it was as if I were rushing backward through a tunnel of darkness.
Seto felt himself falling and began to worry about whether or not it had all been wrong, and that Seth was really Marik, and Joey was in the hospital wing on his blimp. He wondered if Marik disguised as Seth had really sent his mind to the shadow realm, and if he would ever see Mokie or the puppy again. The thought hit him with the impact of a heavy brick.
Just as Seto felt a sharp pain wrench in his gut and in heart, he felt a jolt near his elbow and realized that he had hit his funny bone on the bedroom floor. It wasn't funny. In fact, it hurt. But Seto was used to dealing with pain. He opened his eyes and saw that he lay in a jungle of sheets on the floor.
(Joey's POV)
It was Tuesday morning now, and Joey was home from the hospital. He was currently getting ready for school while Serenity made breakfast.
'I had so many weird dreams while I was out... and everyone keeps lookin at me funny... Seto Kaiba saved me? The Seto Kaiba? I still can't believe it. But I can, I remember him calling me mutt. He sounded were-ied (worried with Jou's accent). But that can't be right... Kaiba doesn't care about anyone but himself! Selfish Bastard! But still, he did save me. Maybe I should thank him?'
"AHH! I don't know what to do!" Joey said aloud, as he ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up.
"Joey? You okay?"
"Fine Serenity." He called, a smile lighting up his face as he slowly walked down the stairs. His ribs were still bound up, and it hurt a little every time he moved, but Joey thought he'd manage.
They were running a little behind today, so instead of going to the game shop they went straight to school. And what was the first thing Joey saw? The one thing he dreaded most of course.
'Man, this just isn't my day!' he thought, exasperated.
Seto Kaiba, glaring icily in front of him. He looked so mad that even the usual huddles of fangirls were gone. Joey wondered why, until he saw one major flirt crying as she walked by with her best friend. Apparently Kaiba had yelled at her.
'How am I supposed to thank him when he looks as if he'd like to tear me limb from limb himself?' Joey wondered.
"You gonna be alright Joey?"
"I'll be fine Seren. See ya after school, kay?"
"Okay Joey!" She called as she waved behind her and walked away.
Joey walked towards where Kaiba hid, and just stood their, twiddling his thumbs.
'Should I go thank him? Or should I wait? Maybe I should go...' Joey started heading away, then changed his mind and started heading back.
'Maybe if I thank him now, he'll cheer up some...'
Seto
Seto chuckled silently to himself as he watched Wheeler walking back and forth. He had no remembrance of the dream, except that Seth had been in it, and he had shown his vulnerable side. That's why he was in such a bad mood.
'What is he doing? He keeps looking like he's going to come over here, but then he doesn't. Is the puppy actually trying to annoy me?' Seto thought amused. This was interesting, watching the puppy squirm. But it was starting to get a little bit irritating.
"Wheeler, stop that ridicules pacing. Either get over here and say what you want mutt, or shove off."
Seto's voice rang in Joey's ears.
'Mutt? I can't believe I was considering thanking this guy! I'll show him a mutt!'
But at the last minute Joey just turned around and angrily stormed off, not saying anything at all. He didn't know why, but he just wasn't in the mood for another fight with the CEO.
Seto looked up surprised when, after a minute, he didn't notice Wheeler's shadow over him. All he saw was the other boy's back as he angrily stalked off.
'I wonder what's wrong with him? I thought he was going to yell for sure. Then I'd have a reason to beat the crap out of him... but is that what I really want?' asked a tiny voice in Seto's mind. 'Do I really want to see those amber eyes of his full of pain? Wait a....did I just... Since when do I know the color of Wheeler's eyes? And since when have I cared if he's hurt? Something's wrong with me...' Seto thought holding his head in his hands.
He stood suddenly and walked off to his and Wheeler's math class, ready to get a good seat. Perhaps today the fangirls would leave him alone... When Seto got to class however, Joey was already there. He glanced at the puppy out of the corner of his eye. Should he say something? Not an apology of course, he was allowed to be grumpy, but maybe, should he ask what Joey wanted earlier?
"Wheeler about..."
"Kaiba I..."
Both had begun at the same time.
"You first." They chorused.
"Fine, I'll go first." Said Kaiba. "About earlier, I wasn't trying to make you mad, I've just had a bad weekend and I was feeling snappy."
Wheeler's jaw dropped.
"Did you just... practically...apologize?" he asked with wide round eyes.
"Of course not!" Kaiba snapped. "I was just explaining that I hadn't intended on arguing with you until you recovered." Kaiba stated coolly.
'What am I doing? I shouldn't have to explain myself to him!' Kaiba mentally smacked himself as Wheeler grinned from ear to ear.
"Whatever you say Kaiba, whatever you say."
"Well what was it you wanted to say?"
"I..." Wheeler faltered.
'I wonder what's making him so nervous? He was fine when we were fighting...' Kaiba wondered to himself.
"Iwantedtothankyoufortakingmetothehospital" Joey said all in a rush.
Kaiba was shocked. Was not what he had expected, not at all. He had expected Joey to have some new sort of comeback for the dog references, or some new way to try and chip at Kaiba's emotional armor, but not this. Wheeler only thanked his friends... Kaiba didn't know how to respond to this. He had mountains of comebacks built into his brain, he didn't even have to think about them, but not for this.
"Umm, Kaiba? Thanks anyways. I know you saved my life, and I umm..." Joey shuffled his feet.
Kaiba felt warmth spread through his stomach, and briefly wondered if he were hungry before realizing that it was an emotion. He felt... appreciated. Only Mokuba had made him feel anything recently though, what was wrong with him? And how could Wheeler be the cause?
Joey watched on, and flinched at the moment when Kaiba's face closed up and became devoid of all emotion. It was scary seeing Kaiba like that...
"It was nothing, trust me. If I hadn't been in a bad mood and wanted to attack someone I wouldn't have approached the thugs. I almost left you there, I just needed a punching bag or two. And as for taking you to the hospital, I only did it because I didn't want to be blamed for your death if you died." Kaiba replied in the coldest, most emotionless voice he could muster.
' I can not allow Wheeler to know that he's making me feel again. That would make me vulnerable, just like in that Ra damned dream. I refuse to let myself be vulnerable in front of that mangy mongrel!' Kaiba thought heatedly.
"That's just fine Kaiba! So long as you got some enjoyment out of it!" Joey yelled, his amber eyes flashing golden with anger, and a glimpse of something more. "I hope I at least made a big mess all over your fancy car! That would serve you right you cold-hearted Bastard!"
Kaiba flinched as he heard Tristan's words repeated.
'I'm not trying to be cold hearted, just, I can't let anyone see me as weak. When someone finds your weakness, they tear you down and rip you apart. I learned that the hard way. It's just so hard to trust people...'
'I know it is Kaiba, but you must learn someday.'
"Huh? What did you say?" Kaiba looked at Joey in confusion. Had he said that out loud?
"I didn't say anything..." Wheeler cut himself off, confused. Was this some time of mind game?
"Oh, I suppose not. Very well then, leave me in peace already." He said fiercer than he'd meant to. Just by the angry way Wheeler jerked his body, Kaiba could tell the boy was pissed.
'Oh well. At least now I'll get some peace and quiet.' Kaiba thought as he propped his feet up on the chair in front of him.
'I don't think so Kaiba.'
Kaiba's feet fell to the floor with a thud.
'What is going on? Am I hearing things?'
'No, It's me, Seth. Or have you forgotten already?'
'Oh. I'd thought it was a dream. I can't remember most of it you know.'
'I know.'
'What do you want?'
'Me? I want what you want. I want to trust. To live without fear of being criticized and torn down by the very public who worships the ground you walk on right now.'
'And what,' Kaiba began, eyes flashing dangerously as he leaned forwards toward the invisible priest. 'makes you think that is what I want?'
'It's right in here. I live in your mind for the time being, unlike the pharaoh I don't have a puzzle to hide in.'
'Oh?' Kaiba quirked an eyebrow at him.
'The point is, you don't seem to know what you want. I could clear your mind for you and make things a lot easier on the both of us.'
'You know what? Yami made the same offer. And I'll tell you what I told him. I. Don't. Need. Your. Help. Have I made myself clear?'
'You have no right to speak to me like that Seto Kaiba! I could banish your mind to the shadow realm in an instant if I wanted!'
'So do it.' Kaiba leaned back in his chair, disconnectedly closing his eyes.
'Send my mind to the shadow realm. I am in no mood to argue. I'm sick of always being manipulated, and wanted only for my money. No one knows who I truly am, so everyone who pretends to enjoy my company is just a fraud.'
'Kaiba...' stuttered Seth, alarmed. 'Surely you don't mean that...'
'Oh, I do. I assure you, I do.'
'Kaiba, no one knows you because you won't let them know you.'
'Then they should try harder! They should force me to let them know me!'
'But isn't that what you most fear? That others will know you, and use your weaknesses to exploit you for their benefit?'
'It is, but for someone to just try, that's what I want. They don't have to succeed. But no one even tries to know me.' Kaiba sighed, sinking back into his depressed state.
'Just go away Seth. Go bug Yami or something.' Kaiba waved at the air, dismissing him.
"Yes Kaiba?"
Kaiba looked up. The whole class was staring at him. He had been so absorbed in his mental conversation with Seth that he hadn't even noticed their arrival. Yugi was even staring at him. Damn!
"Do you have a question regarding imaginary numbers Mr. Kaiba?"
"No, I just wanted to go to the nurse, you're boring me." Kaiba said in the frostiest tones he could manage.
The teacher and several students gasped as he stood and headed for the door. Kaiba was their best pupil, he always paid attention, never missed his homework, passed all tests with 110, and never, NEVER insulted the teacher.
"Yes, Kaiba, you may go. Would you like a pass?"
"I don't need one." He said as he walked out the door. Instead of heading for the nurse's office he went to a part of Domino High that was under construction. There was a bathroom in there, and he knew it would be safe to think. No one would bother him there.
By the time Seto got to the bathroom, he was sure that Seth had left, which was a good thing because he needed to unfog his mind on his own.
"I just don't know what I want anymore..." Seto sighed. "I didn't mean to hurt the puppy's feelings today, I just can't let him see my vulnerability. I have no proof that he won't use it against me later." Seto cut himself off and gasped as he entered the bathroom. Someone was in here. Good thing he'd only been talking outside the door.
"Who's in here? Don't you know it's under construction?" he asked the pair of feet irritated.
"Well, so-rry! I just..." Wheeler stopped mid-sentence as he saw Kaiba.
"What are you doin here?"asked the pale boy.
"I could ask you the same." Replied Kaiba, quickly recovering from the initial shock.
"No fair, I...asked first."Joey lapsed.
"I came here, to think. Is there a problem with that mutt?"
"No, there's not. That's why I'm here too." Wheeler said with a quiet, rebellious type of attitude that said, 'I'm against you, but I understand you.'
"What could possibly be going on in that small brain of yours that made you have to come here?"
"Hey! Watch it pal, I was here first. I'll leave you alone if you leave me alone okay?" he added quietly, pleading the floor with his eyes for Kaiba to accept.
Kaiba was genuinely surprised. He had been certain that Wheeler would demand he leave.
'Why does he look so nervous? He's breathing so shallowly....He was here first and has the right to remain here and kick me out, though I'd never admit that to his face. What's Joey hiding?' Kaiba made a little gasp in the back of his throat. HE had just called Wheeler by his first name. And not out loud either, but in his thoughts. In his own, personal, thoughts. Wheeler just stood there, shuffling his feet and playing with his belt loops.
'What is he doing to me? He's bringing back my emotions and invading my thoughts, I know this, but, why?' Kaiba asked himself as he sat down on the bathroom floor.
"Fine. You ignore me, I'll ignore you. Got it puppy?"
For once Joey said nothing, he just went around the bathroom corner by the stalls and sat there in silence.
'Did I just call him Joey again? I did... What am I going to do? Why is he able to do this to me? I don't think I like it...'
A shout interrupted his musings, and the bathroom door burst open. Kaiba stood in one fluid movement, exactly as Yami had not so long ago.
"Kaiba?" asked a startled tall, thick boy. His name was Dan, and he was the main muscle on the wrestling team.
"You seen a shrimp named Joey Wheeler come by here? Tall, skinny, blond hair?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"That kid interupted a very important business deal on Saturday, and I owe him what's comin. Me an about 20 other guys are lookin for him. So have you seen him anywhere?" Dan asked, flexing his muscles, cracking his knuckles and flexing his fists.
"No. But if I see him I'll let you know."
"That's right!" A dawn lit up on Dan's face. "You Hate Wheeler too! Thanks Kaiba." He said walking away.
With his back to the other end of the bathroom Kaiba spoke.
"What was that all about Wheeler?"
"I'd like to ask you the same question. Why'd you pretend I wasn't here?"
"We had an agreement remember? But now I'm braking it. Why are they after you?" Kaiba asked in cold tones.
'Why are they after him? Joey's not the type who would ruin anything around guys like him. What's going on? and why do they want to hurt the damn puppy anyway?' Kaiba wondered in high irritation.
"Well, when you found me..." Joey choked. He sounded really tired. In fact, he had barely spoken a word since kaiba got there. In fact, he'd only taken just a glimpse of Joey earlier...
"When you found me I wqas bored....so I..." Joey gasped for breath.
"What's wrong puppy? Scared of big bad Danny?" Kaiba asked sarcastically.
"no...I'm not... As I was sayin....They weren't....thugs...." Joey stopped again, gasping for breath.
'What's wrong with him?' Kaiba wondered, a growing dread in the pit of his stomach. He turned around slowly, but Joey wasn't to be seen.
"They were.....black market....." Joey's gasping was punctuated by a very low, very brief very painful sounding scream.
"Joey?" Kaiba let the name slip as he ran around the bathroom corner to where Joey hid.
"I'm fine.... Go.... away." said a restrained voice from one of the stalls.
"Come out Wheeler, I don't have time for this." Kaiba said irritated.
"Then.....-pant-.....leave." Joey said as he gave another mini scream of pain.
"Joey?" Kaiba sounded really genuinely worried, and As Joey lay in his stall he just realized that kaiba really was worried. And about him of all people.
"I've fine......Kaiba...Please..." he sounded anguished. "Just leave.....Don't want....you....to see.......like this...." Joey said as things began to go grey.
Kaiba ran forth, breaking the door right off it's hinges and pulling it away from the puppy.
Joey sat on the floor, gasping for air and very, very pale. Kaiba looked at him, trying to see the problem. Then he saw it, there was a blooming rose of fresh blood on Joey's bandages. And his nose was bleeding too.
'No wonder he wouldn't look at me earlier! Stupid mutt! Thsi is bad... Why do I care? I feel panicy and scared, I do NOT like it.... SETH! SETH! GET YOUR ASS HERE NOW! SE-ETH!'
'what! Oh!' looks startled at the still conscious Joey.
'What should I do Seth?'
You.......don't know what to do? I don't believe I've ever seen you not in control... even when mokuba was kidnapped you didn't panick the way you are now....'
'Well, I've only just begun to feel again. Should I try to help him? He's awake....'
'That is for you alone to decide Seto.' Seth replied as he floated off into nothingness.
'Fine!' he menatlly screamed at the darkness, before closing his eyes and reighning in his emotions. When he thought he was sufficiently under control he opened his eyes. Bad idea. Joey's whole left side was bandaged now, and his breathing more shallow.
"Joey! Wake up mutt! LOOK at me!" Kaiba said, seizing Joey's chin.
"Huh? Kai....ba?"
"Yes it's Kaiba Joey, wake up! You have to stay awake!"
'RA Damn it all! I have fucking tears in my eyes! Oh wake up Joey!'
perhaps it was Kaiba's tears, or the use of his name, but Joey opened his eyes a little more and tried to sit up.
"Kai...ba?"
"Look, I'm going to get help, try not to move, and STAY AWAKE!"
"NO!......don't....leave?" Joey looked at Kaiba with such fear in his eyes, that Kaiba had to stay.
'Why is he looking at me like that? I thought he wanted me to go? And why Do I want to saty so bad? I should get help....'
"All right...I'll stay.....but.....how will I get help?"
'Jounouchi.....' Seth whisperd as he entered.
'Seth...get Yami, get him to get a doctor... If Joey goes unconscious he'll stop breathing....please...'
"Pharaoh here I come.' Seth nodded and went through the nearest wall.
"Seto?"
Kaiba was taken aback. It was Joey who had uttered his name.
"y..es?"
"It hurts..." Joey whispered, his voice fading.
"It's okay Joey, a doctor's coming. I promise." Seto said, pulling Joey up into his lap, where he burried his dry face in the younger boys silky hair.
Just then Kaiba heard Joey's breath stop. He had gone under, and there was no bringing him back. He had to do CPR. Kaiba began the mouth to mouth, wondering vaguely if he might have enjoyed this some time in the future.
As he again put his mouth to joey's Yami ran in.
"Kaiba! Joey?" Apperently the Pharaoh had no idea what ha happened.
"I was in class and felt a sudden impulse to come here...." Yami pulled out Seto's cell phone and Dialed 911, who sent an ambulance.
"Let me Kaiba, you look tired."
Kaiba only nodded, he was tired, and very unused to these emotions. Then it hit him. Why would Yami care If Kaiba was tired?
"Kaiba, what happened?"
"I don't know. Dan was looking for him and I said he wasn't here. Then he started gasping and I..." Seto stopped midsentance as he senced yami raiding his mind. He grabbed Yami's arm and clamped down hard, digging his perfect nails into Yami's arm.
"Don't EVER do that again!"
"Do what Kaiba?"
Kaiba looked down at Joey then, sensing somthing odd.
"He's breathing."
'If that wasn't Yami....then who was it?'
Seto turned around to make room for Yami to carry Joey out, when he saw a dark shadow emerge from another stall. It stood tall, and laughed manically before shoving the Pharaoh and Joey to the bathroom floor. Seth rushed forth from nowhere and attacked the man, who could, in fact, see him. The man held out the millenium rod, and as Seth was attacked with his own weapon Yami blocked it.
Yami stood up, pulled by the millenium puzzle, and glowed a bright gold.
"You two, get Joey out. NOW!"
"I take orders from no one, especially you Yami." I said coldly.
"But Yami, I can help..."
"Seth, my love, I will see you in another time and another place, but right now you are a distraction. And Kaiba, you need to look after Joey for me!"
The demon laughed and came forth. It was Yami Marik. He had returned, and taken the rod from the museum.
"GO!" I grabbed Joey and ran with an unwilling Seth, but it was then that a blast from the rod destroyed the wall in front of us. We were trapped.