Well, this was supposed to be up yesterday… oops.. I had to take out the Mokuba part because it just didn't fit (well, I have to rewrite it later) so that was part in the delay.

Well, here is the 29th chapter… geh… hopefully its still interesting. Just to tell all of you. EVERYTHING in this chapter was NEVER planned. …seriously. Well, some of it was, others were not.

Thank you (time for some personal talk with the reviewer/fans?): Johnny-Depp-Luv (Yugi:sad:dies a very painful death: I think you will like Yugi's fate.. :corrupt giggles:), Saffron-Starlight, Naru x 2 (aww, thanks so much you make me feel happy! Thanks, I did actually pretty well on my finals. I hope yours went well too! Lucky you got one more day to study… okay.. I didn't study at all… hehe, I lucked out too. ; I get so lucky sometimes.. ), QueenOfGames2 (I just LOVE your rambling! It gives me something to look forward too, hehe. You really hate Tristan a lot don't you, hehe, dumb obvious-answer-question. Well, don't worry, a lot of that, what you asked about, will eventually happen), Chrisoriented (thanks! Yea, I love Tristan/Ryou.. hehe. I doubt we will be seeing it again but… :grin:), Felidae (wow, I need to seriously reread my story… hehe, I probably couldn't do it. I SERIOUSLY BLUSHED reading your review. It was so… nice… :cant describe it: I felt so unworthy.. thanks so much!), ZeiYuki (you can reread it as many times as you like but I doubt you will remember… hahah sorry!), CircleKV12 x 2 (aww, thanks so much! You make me blush too! I'll try to write more Seto/Joey. I always have a lot of fun writing their dialogue. They always have really fun fights. Hehe. Sometimes I even confuse myself with everything that is happening.. ;), meluvyugi, serpent-vampfreak (thanks! I'm glad you like it!), medoriko (aw, thanks so much! Yes, I love cliffies, I try to make interesting ones.. maybe it worked.. don't know.. ;), Nina wyndia (yay, I'm glad you like it!), PeachyKay (I absolutely LOVE reviews that start out that way! Its like "What the hell is the matter with you, you sick !" then whatever else… makes me feel so good.. hehe. I used to do this to a lot of people. Act like I hated the fic then praise them on my hands and knees. Hehe. Yay! Another Tristan fan, yes, I'm a Tristan fan.. as you can see.. ;. Oh, thanks, I did pretty good on them! The finals that is)

MY FINALS GRADES:

English: DIDN'T HAVE ONE! (strange though)

Photography: ..um, I cant remember. I got the highest score though (I'm like the only person who actually pays attention in class… dumbass classmates.. I HAD A FRIGGIN SORE THROAT AND I HAD TO EXPLAIN TO FOUR PEOPLE HOW TO MAKE A FRIGGIN CONTACT SHEET TO PRINT! AND THEY COULDN'T EVEN LISTEN TO ME EXPLAIN IT TO THE PERSON NEXT TO THEM! FKIN A! AND MR. HUEGLI EXPLAINED IT ON THE BOARD! NIMRODS! …. :huff: … well, I lost my voice in the process, it got really sore… BUT I did get only 3 wrong on my final…)

Japanese: 97 pretty good for not studying at all. Hehe, bad habit.

Science: A… not quite sure what it really was…

Math: 94 … once again I didn't study… AND I forgot to write down notes on a note card that we were allowed to use…

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SENT ME GOOD THOUGHTS MY WAY ON MY FINALS! I HOPE EVERYONE DID WELL ON THEIR FINALS!

Okay, enough dumb chatter. Here it is.

Chapter XXIX: A Voice for No Words…

LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE

Duke was given the news slowly, the nurses were afraid that he would become hysterical, but Duke showed no emotion. He barely acknowledged the information given to him.

In a desperate attempt to free himself after waking in a strange place, Tristan attempted to leave the hospital bed, fell over the bars due to his casts, and nearly strangled himself on a carelessly hung blinds' cord.

Somehow Duke didn't find this believable. Tristan knew where he was. He wasn't afraid, he was trying to kill himself, not escape the hospital.

They said they had to restrict him because he might get scared again and try to leave his bed. Sure.. they restrained him because they couldn't predict if he would try to kill himself again. Who knows, he could probably kill himself with the straw in his water glass if he really wanted to.

Duke rested his palm on the white bindings around Tristan's wrists. They were across his thighs and his chest too.

"You dimwit," Duke mocked. "Are you that dumb they have to tie you down?"

Tristan opened his eyes and stared at Duke with a soft expression. "Well, who ever said I was that smart?"

"I suppose that's true." Duke slipped his hand into Tristan's. "I should just smother you with a pillow and get it over with."

"I knew there was a reason you visited me all those times. This whole time you've been planning on executing me yourself."

Duke gave a dramatic sigh. "And I had thought I fooled you to the very end. Since the day I met you I've planned your dramatic death. On a hospital bed, pathetic and weak, I would smother you to death…"

"Go for it, the pillow's right here behind my head. I cant even fight back." He tugged at the restraints to emphasize. "Its all so perfectly set up."

Duke looked thoughtful for a minute. He rubbed his thumb over the backside of Tristan's hand. "A pillow seems kind of primitive.. You need to go out with a bang.. And I'm not suggesting anything you morbid son of a bitch. Hmm, what could I do to you now?"

Tristan flushed a bit.

"I know, the perfect idea!" Duke exclaimed.

"What's that?"

"I'll smother you with a kiss."

Tristan didn't even have time to disagree before Duke's lips were upon him. Duke held his head with his hands so that he could not turn away even if he wanted to. And did he. He couldn't kiss Duke like this! He'd already made the hugest mistake of his life and he needed to accept the consequences. He shouldn't be getting any special treatment!

When Duke finally pulled away, Tristan gasped, "You were actually trying to kill me.. weren't you!"

"What? Cant take the heat of my kiss no more?"

Tristan gaped at him. "How can you even think of kissing me! After everything I.."

"Tristan! I forgave you! You made a mistake, a whole shit load of them and I forgive you! You've suffered enough. You may have hurt me but now you're hurting yourself a whole lot more! It may have hurt me a lot to find out that you had an affair behind my back but finding out you were dead just about killed me!"

"Dead..?"

"They told me you died because you were in an accident! I didn't care how angry I was at you at the time, the only thing I wanted was to have you back. Then Joey told me it was suicide, although I suspected it I didn't want to believe that you were that stupid."

Tristan looked out towards the window. "Despite how much you think I've suffered, nothing can really atone for what-"

"Would you get over it? You're a teenage boy! Teenage boys are constantly horny! I'm horny too and I've thought about sleeping around behind your back too! I may not have done anything but I still thought about it. So quit whining about it and accept that I forgive you. Plus.."

Duke looked away from Tristan now. At this moment, Duke couldn't meet Tristan's eyes. If he did, he couldn't promise himself he wouldn't cry. Why? He wanted to ask himself, it wasn't his body, why should he care? But he knew why he did. He loved this boy no matter what and he didn't want to see him suffering like this. Despite all the pain he'd been though for this boy, he would take it all if he could take away the pain Tristan was feeling now.

"Plus… you're only a teenager..and.." His voice was beginning to choke but his tears were dry. "You should know what they said.. you may not walk again. I believe.. you have paid for whatever sins you've committed."

The truth hung heavy in the air like smoke and Duke choked on it. He could feel Tristan shaking. He held his hand tightly and squeezed it.

"But its only a chance right." Duke said in a too fake and too cheery voice. "You can get better. You can learn to walk again right."

Tristan shook his head slowly. There were tears breaking free. "..no.."

"Yeah you can, I can help. We'll practice everyday.." There was sharp glass in Duke's throat. "You'll see. You wont be this way forever."

"..no point.." Tristan choked out. "..there's no point.."

"Stop saying that!" Duke yelled. Then his eyes softened. "You'll get better..you'll see." He rubbed Tristan's hand.

Tristan's voice broke. "There's something I need to tell you.."

Duke's heart skipped a beat.

"I tested HIV positive."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Meet me at Domino train station at 5:00 am sharp. Don't be late or else. S. Kaiba

Joey reread the note again, the soft silver letters catching in the light of the street lamps. It was just after 4:30 and he was freezing his ass off. There was no way that he was going to be late for this. He wasn't sure exactly what 'this' was but since Kaiba never invited him anywhere, he supposed it was going to be very special.

With that thought, Joey's stomach flopped. What if this was some kind of trap. What if a rival of Kaiba Corp. found out about their relationship? It was, after all, making the headlines that Kaiba had some sort of lover. They still hadn't pinned Joey since thankfully no one at the dance had sold him out to the paparazzi. But then again, he was wearing a costume and maybe not everyone knew who he was… But of course, Kaiba did just about scream his lungs out in the auditorium screaming his name..

Paparazzi. This could a set up by the paparazzi too. What if someone had sold them out. Or what if that old neighbor guy of his did! Joey scowled. It could have been anyone!

He looked down at his watch. Wow, he thought, he really did think slowly. It was 4:45 and that was all he had thought about? That, he admitted, was sad.

He was mentally degrading himself some more when Kaiba showed up. "Wheeler. You're here early. I was running late…what's that look for?"

Joey was glaring at him. "I've been here since 4:00!"

"And whose fault is that? I didn't expect you to get here until after five.. I'm actually quite surprised." Kaiba said nodding. "I guess old dogs can learn new tricks after all."

"Hey! You're the old one!"

"Anyway, are you ready to go?"

"Go where?" Joey asked, his ears perking up like that of a curious puppy.

"Well, today I thought we would take a little overnight trip to my vacation home. Have everything packed?"

"Packed! Packed! What the hell! I didn't know we were going anywhere! All your little note said was be here by 5 and that's it! Packed!"

"Joseph, you're making a scene. Get in the car and calm down."

Joey complied but not without giving Kaiba a deadly glare, well, the best that he could anyway.

Kaiba slid in next to him. "Don't worry about clothes, its all set. Is there any personal items that you need in particular?"

"Um… not that I can think of.."

"No big surprise there."

"What did you say!"

Kaiba snorted. "To Kaiba Corp. Felman."

"Yes sir."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Bakura. Bakura wake up."

Bakura opened his eyes slowly. The moment he saw those large purple eyes staring down at him he closed them again and rolled over.

"Malik.. what are you doing in my room?"

He heard Malik give a sad sigh. "After a long night of making love and you already shove me away like a stranger.."

"What!" Bakura screamed flipping around. Malik was dressed normally with a pink frilly apron of Ryou's draped around him.

"I'm only joking Bakura.. jeeze. Calm down and eat some breakfast."

Bakura tried to drill Malik into the ground with his stare but Malik was unmoved. Malik snorted. He started to leave but turned back to the grumpy man on the bed. "By the way," he said. "Yugi called to say that Ryou called him from a payphone to say that he doesn't want you to come looking for him and that he will come home when he's ready… What's that skeptical look for! I'm not making this up! You can even call him up yourself! I don't care any more, you made it plenty obvious that my presence here is unwanted!" With that, Malik stormed out of the bedroom slamming the door behind him.

Bakura paid no attention to Malik. He had no energy to deal with bitchy Egyptians so early in the morning. He bit into the toast tentatively. After what happened the other day, he wouldn't be surprised if there was some weak poison lacing his food these days.

It tasted fine, along with the rest of his breakfast. Malik said he didn't care but he was sure that Malik still liked him one way or another. About the Ryou thing though, he would have to check up on that though. It wouldn't be the first time Malik lied.

Bakura dressed slowly still eating his breakfast. He must have pulled a muscle in his back at work last night, his back was killing him. He eased a jacket over his arms and grabbed his cell of his dresser. The mirror caught his attention. He smoothed his hair over his forehead. It was strange having to have his hair cut. His boss was starting to enforce a few new dress policies and long hair was "unprofessional". A year ago Bakura would have seriously considered hurting the man or sending him to the shadow realm, but he knew better now though. He wasn't just a spirit who lived in a boy's body anymore. He had his own body now. He had to feed it and provide for it. He also had to feed and provide for his previous host. At times he regretted his choice for a body, but he knew he could never allow Ryou to go back there…

With his "father"…

Bakura scoffed. Some father he was. Beating his son for no reason. Ryou always begged Bakura not to hurt the tired old man. He said he was confused. Bakura knew better, it wasn't like he couldn't read Ryou thoughts any time he wanted to. He could go through every memory, ones Ryou didn't even remember. He could go through old thoughts, new thoughts. He could see everything but Ryou's true heart.

At first Bakura didn't care. It was fun to watch the twerp get beat. But then he grew concerned. He told himself it was only because he could always feel the pain afterwards when he possessed Ryou's body but that wasn't quite it.

He didn't know when his vague appreciation for the boy grew to love. It just happened and he didn't even see it coming.

He shook his head. No time for living in the past. He had work to do, namely finding Ryou. He would find that boy even if he didn't want to be found.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Hey Ryou, why don't you write down a list of books. I could go to the library and pick up some for you after work tomorrow. Seeing as you wont be going anywhere for a while you may as well have something to do."

Ryou looked up at Dylan from his bed. Dylan's bed. He offered it to Ryou because it was more comfortable than the couch. At least Dylan had class. He didn't even try snuggling up to him in the night when others thought he was sleeping.

"Um okay."

"Too bad I don't have a VCR…" Dylan said rubbing his lip in thought. "I could have rented some movies for you to watch.."

"Hey, don't worry about it. You're already doing too much as it is." Ryou reassured. "I would be out on the streets if it wasn't for you."

Dylan smiled and touched Ryou's hair briefly. Longingly. "Let me know if there's anything else I can get for you. Is there any kind of food you want me to pick up?"

"Nah, I'm fine. You're going to run your bank account dry on me if you don't take it easy." They both laughed.

"I suppose I cant help it. I just want to spoil you rotten."

Ryou grinned up at him. "If that's the case then, buy me some food to cook and I'll spoil you rotten."

"I could live with that." Dylan looked down at his watch. "Well, I better get going. I will see you after work then."

"Okay, later." Ryou laid his head back down on the pillow.

"You going to sleep all day?"

"Yup. Nothing else I can do."

"True. Maybe I can stop home for lunch. I'll bring some books back then. I'll pick something by random. Hopefully I get lucky."

Dylan paused at the door for a while just staring at Ryou on the bed. He watched Ryou stand up slowly and join him in the doorway.

"Have a nice day at work." Ryou said kissing Dylan on the cheek playfully. "Don't let the big kids bully you too much."

Dylan blushed a deep shade of red. "'K-kay." Ryou laughed at his stuttering.

"Later dear. Don't forget my food."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Why the long face Yami?" Yugi asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He settled next to him at the table.

"Kaiba and Joey are on a weekend getaway… vacation home or something just as absurd."

"What's wrong with them going away for the weekend? Joey's just about coming undone with the whole Tristan situation. I'm glad Kaiba isn't the heartless man we thought he was a year ago. He's going to so much trouble to make Joey feel better."

"I don't think you get it Yugi. Kaiba and Joey just weren't meant for each other. You can tell by the way they are around each other that it is just a big fight. They are just lying to themselves. Denying what they truly want."

Yugi sipped his coffee. "And what do they really want?" 'He doesn't love you Yami.'

"You don't know that."

"What?"

"You thought something about Kaiba just now didn't you. You said he doesn't love me. Well, how would you know? Have you asked him? Just because he's with Joey doesn't mean that he really wants to be with him. For all we know, Kaiba-"

"Yami! He doesn't love you! Joey and Kaiba are meant for each other. You can see it. No one hates each other more than they do, and no one loves and adores each other the way they do either!"

Yami's eyes darkened. "Yugi," His voice was dangerous. "I don't think you quite understand this whole mess. I would advise you not to get involved."

"Yami! I don't want to see you getting all worked up over this. I care about you so much you don't even know the half of it. I want you to realize that it was not meant to be so you can move on." Yugi sealed his thoughts. 'Maybe one day you will see me standing here.' "..and I don't want something terrible to happen."

"Yugi, don't be silly. I am not going to do anything reckless. I am not going to try to split them up. If they want something poor like that, then they can have it. They will see.."

Yugi chewed his lip nervously. Something was brewing in Yami and he wasn't quite sure what it was. He just hoped that whatever it was could be killed before it matured.

To be continued…

Not a good cliffie… better one with the Mokuba thing I wrote earlier… OH WELL!

Damn… I have a project due on Friday (presentation on whether Taiwan is a good country to build a factory in… geh) AND I have a paper due which I have chosen to write on Gay Rights. It seems that whenever I have a choice to write whatever I want… it always ends up with either Gay Rights or Racism or Prejudice.. Oh well. I wonder what Mr. William thinks.. OH! This is weird but Mr. Williams has a picture of himself in a thong on the side of his computer… WHY!

Oh well, Zei told me about a person who found out their teacher was on a gay-porn website… now THAT would be interesting! ("So Mr. Williams, do you have any interesting hobbies that involve you naked with other men on film? Just curious by the way.. I don't care if you have a wife! I want to know!" PS TO ZEI: this is an opportune moment to tell us about you-know-who… spatula…if you want that is, hehe)