I have finally gotten around to noticing that takes out the spacer/interval thingies I put in. (You know what I'm talking about, right? The things that separate Kaiba's POV from Joey's and Marik's?) So sorry it's taken me all this time to realize. I've figured out a way to have them in there, so there'll be no more confusion anymore, k? - And I'm not getting as many reviews as I did when I first put this up. Why IS that! -shrug- I guess I'll make due with what I get.

Disclaimer: ... -pout- Don't rub it in. Read the other ones, you should get the hint.

Teian no Kokoro- Chapter Eight: Taken

'I got a note from Seto today. Serenity gave it to me when I got home from Yugi's, saying that she found it on the door. It says: To Mutt- Meet me in the lobby of Kaiba Corp. tomorrow at 8 p.m. We need to talk.'

'Is this what I think it is? I mean... is he gonna say that he feels the same way I do? He might explain why he kissed me yesterday... But why is it to 'Mutt'? He hasn't called me that in a while. I'm kinda looking forward to it, yet I'm not. If it's not about what I hope it is, what else is there to say that he has to tell me at night and at his work? When I read that note, my heart did a backflip. Could Seto love me? Did he kiss me because he has feelings for me? Kamisama... I truely hope so.'

ixi

Seto Kaiba stared blankly at the black computer screen. Random thoughts went in and out through his mind.

He had tried working today, he really did. He would start, but found minutes later that he couldn't concentrate completely. His mind would wonder off for several moments, then he'd bring himself back to earth to start working again. It never lasted long. After several hours of this cycle, it was around two in the afternoon when he finally gave up and shut off the computer. He now realized that six hours is a long time to wait.

'It's tonight...' he thought, leaning back and propping his feet onto the desk, 'My chance to tell him... Why couldn't I have waited a little longer...?' A feeling that he hadh had all day resurfaced once more. He looked down at his slightly shaky hands. 'I'm nervous, that's all... Then again, I'm telling him how I feel...'

Kaiba folded his arms tightly, hugging himself. 'How should I tell him? Oh, I know. 'Hey Joey. Yeah, um... the real reason why I didn't talk to you for a few days was because I was sorting out my feelings, and I realized that I'm in love with you, which is why I kissed you. Could you please feel the same?' Hm, that's the way to get turned down.'

He swallowed a large amount of saliva that had quickly accumulated in his mouth. 'Oh Kamisama... Tell me that I'm not doing this for nothing...'

ixi

Marik was standing in front of a window. Dark blue drapes were pulled to the sides, revealing a starry night that was being reflected off a large body of water. No clouds were out to cover the full moon, and the ocean looked crystal clear.

Marik was wearing his usual blue sleeveless hoodie that was two sizes too small. A simple pair of loose jeans adorned his legs, and a few other gold ornaments were on the rest of his body. His left eye was replaced with a golden orb that had the image of Horus's eye on it. Around his neck sat a golden necklace holding the identical image. In his right hand was a rod, an orb with gold wings on the end of it.

His pale eyes glanced at a clock on the wall. 'Seven- fifty. Kaiba told him eight.' A wide evil smirk went on his face. 'Any minute now...'

He clenched the Millennium Rod tighter. 'Is Kaiba in place?'

'Yes, Master Marik. He just appeared,' came the answer.

Marik continued smirking. 'Good. Only do it when he is looking. Don't mess this up.'

ixi

Kaiba sat in one of the waiting chairs in the lobby. Only the ceiling lights above the secretary's desk were on, dimly lighting the area. He stared down at his hands which were clamped together in his lap.

'I know it's around eight by now,' he thought, 'I came down at seven forty five...' He sighed, relaxing his tense muscles a little. 'I need to relax. This'll go well. He tried to tell me this at the dock, I know that what it was...' Memories of his kiss with Joey floated to his mind, and he slightly smiled. 'I'm human, so I am capable of falling in love.'

He glanced out the front windows. The streets were lit by still open stores and street lamps, making visibility clear. A figure was walking toward the building, his head down and partially hidden by shadows. Kaiba could easily tell who it was just by the height and the way he walked. Joey had his hands in the pockets of his favorite green jacket as he approached. Kaiba stood up and went to the middle of the room so Joey could see that he was there. There was a soft smile on his lips, and his icy eyes immediately melted.

Kaiba was surprised to find how calm he felt, watching Joey slowly come closer. 'He came... This is it...'

A second figure emerged from the shadows on the other side of the street. He wore a dark cloak, and the hood was up to hide his face. Kaiba glared as he watched this figure come up to Joey. The walking teen never noticed him.

'He had better not...'

Another cloaked figure came out, this one directly behind Joey. Kaiba's eyes widened in horror as both figures rushed up to the teen and captured him. Joey tried to get free, but they were stronger. One covered the teen's mouth as the other held his hands behind his back and dragged him into the nearest alleyway.

"JOEY!" Kaiba ran as fast as he could out the doors and into the night. He went down the street and stopped at the opening of the alley that he was sure they had taken Joey into. He looked as hard as he could into the shadows, and noticed a small lump on the ground. "Joey?" he asked frantically, jogging up to it.

He knelt down beside it and looked it over. Picking it up, he realized it was Joey's jacket. "His favorite jacket..." he whispered, pulling it against himself and closing his eyes. "Who the hell would take him...?"

A dark laugh sounded in his mind, making him whip around to look. "Who's there?" he yelled.

The laugh was louder this time. "Who do you think?"

Kaiba scowled. "Marik."

"Yes, hello..." said Marik, "If I'm not mistaken, two hooded men took you beloved Joey away right in front of your eyes."

Kaiba immediately stood, still holding the jacket. "Where did you take him, Marik? I swear I'll hunt you down and force you to tell me if you don't this instant."

Marik laughed darkly. "I'm surprised, Kaiba. I thought you'd be more worried that I know your secret..."

"I don't care!"

"Oh? Maybe you should. I think I'll just let you mull everything over for now. I'll see you when I'm done with your boyfriend."

Kaiba fell to his knees, traces of tears finally coming to his eyes. "Joey..." He punched the ground. "How does that bastard know? He'll use it against us, I'm sure." He took a deep breath and walked out of the alley.

'I'll come for you... I promise.'

ixi

Marik smirked as three people walked into the room. Two cloaked figures were carrying a blonde haired teen by the arms. The teen was wearing a tight fitting white tee shirt and blue jeans. His brown eyes hinted that he was dazed. Both men dropped his arms to let him slump to the ground.

"Welcome, Joey," Marik greeted, "I pray my Rare Hunters treated you well?" The response he got was Joey looking up to glare at him with blank eyes. He turned to the Hunter on the right. "What did you do to him?" he snapped.

"He struggled, Master Marik," the Hunter answered, "We were forced to hit him."

Marik immediately stood. "Making him have a concussion was NOT part of the plan! Get out of my sight!" He watched both Rare Hunters hurridly bowed and scurry out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Sighing, Marik walked over to Joey and knelt down in front of him. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, putting a hand under Joey's chin to make him look up.

Joey swatted the hand away, and continued glareing. A little color came back to his eyes. "Well enough to know that I hate you," he said strongly.

Marik backed down a little. "I see... You're able to think clearly. Good..."

"Why did you want me here?" Joey asked.

A smile went on Marik's face. "I'm glad you asked. I wanted to make a deal with you, pertaining to your lover."

Joey scowled. "I have no lover."

Marik's smile widened. "Don't lie, Joey. I know of your feelings toward Seto Kaiba."

"What do you mean?" Joey snapped.

"You know what I mean. Remember what happened at the pier Friday?" He watched Joey's eyes go to the ground as he turned pink. "I knew that would jog your memory. If i recall correctly, you kissed back. Is it because you love him?"

"Fuck you, Marik!" Joey yelled. "Whatever the fuck you offer, I ain't takin' it! Fuck you!"

Marik stood, towering over the teen. The two Rare Hunters that had brought Joey in were there once again. "Is there anything wrong, Master Marik?"

"Take him," said Marik, glaring right back at Joey. As Joey was picked up and being taken out, Marik watched. "You'll take what I offer, Joey... I'm sure you will..."

ixi

Kaiba wondered around the streets in the dark. Rain was hitting the ground hard, but he didn't care. The thick clouds made the sky even darker. His hands were in his pockets, his sight was on the ground.

'No one's come asking around for him. I'm surprised.' He kicked a stray pop can on the sidewalk that was in his way. 'He's been gone twenty-four hours now. That bastard had better not have laid a hand on him... He better be okay...'

His attention went left, and he saw on the other side of the street the same shadowed alley the first Rare Hunter had come out of to kidnap Joey. His legs stopped going forward as he stared.

'Where are you...?'

His sad eyes closed as he willed his legs to take him away from that spot. He went quicker than he had been going, almost at a light jog. When he realized, he slowed himself.

'I'm worried... Heh, and it's about someone else other than Mokuba...' A smile went on his face, one that was sad and bitter. 'Heh heh. This is so stupid. Someone has taken Joey. Shouldn't I be putting my heart and soul into a search? But where do I start? I shouldn't be wondering in the rain... Mokuba'll have my head.'

And seemingly for no reason, Kaiba's knees buckled beneath him, hitting the drenched sidewalk and making him wetter than he already was. His hands came up and covered his face.

'This is too much. It hurts too much, it actually hurts. And it's for him...' An image of a grinning Joey came to his mind's eyes, making the pain inside him worsen. 'I can't work, I can't sleep, I can't stop thinking about it... Marik. Marik, that... that...'

He curled into a ball on his knees as the tears steadily flowed. 'It's too much...'

END CHAPTER EIGHT

A/N: ... -bursts into tears- I have a tendency to make main chararacters OOC! How can my readers ever forgive me...! Really, don't you agree- Kaiba is WAY too OOC? I think so. Well, please accept my most sincere apologies. - And did you know that that last scene right there was extremely impromptu and not written? -looks around and whispers- Is it obvious?

Anyway! To end this, here is actually TWO quotes of the chapter, both coming from "Gravitation"'s Noriko Ukai: (Book 2) "THAT"S AWFUL! What's wrong with your voice! It sounds like you're gargling a cat's nut sack!" (Book 5) "What the hell was that! You sounded like an elephant with his nuts stuck in a circular fan!" -laughs- Gotta love Noriko's metaphors... And the quotes are quite fitting, what with the OOCness. ...-cries- PLEASE review! I seem to have a shortage of them. -gives a pretty smile.-