Title: Colors of the Soul
Author: Crimson Eyed Dragon
Pairing: Mentions of Marik/Yami
Rating: R
Warnings: Language, mentions of rape
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh
Summary: It's been three years since anyone has seen Yami and when the Kaibas' find him, even Seto's best efforts to heal this broken spirit may not be enough.

Status: 3/6

Dragon: Reviewer responses are on my LJ, link is in my profile

Chapter 3

"Yes, I know Mokuba."

"Good, now how far out are you? I've been waiting on you in this parking lot for twenty-five minutes now."

"Under normal circumstances, I would have been there before you. But damn this traffic."

"Yeah, ain't California wonderful Seto?"

"My feelings for it have just declined. Its taught you to use atrocious words like ain't."

"And no one uses words like atrocious. You need to get out more then you would understand that."

"Ain't isn't even a proper word." Seto scowled.

"Actually, its in the English dictionary. And when in Rome…."

"You are not in Rome, you are in the United States."

"Whatever Seto. Are you any closer yet? I want to get Yami out of here as soon as possible. He needs to be home."

Seto sighed and pushed the gas petal down as the light changed from red to green. "I know Mokuba, I want him out of there as much as you do. Listen, I'm about ten minutes out. I'll see you soon."

After hanging up with his younger brother, Seto tossed the cell phone in the empty passenger seat of his rented Cadillac CTS, landing on the plain manila file that contained all the forged documents he would need to claim that he was Yami's first cousin.

Its not like the fact was that much of a stretch, it just wasn't legal and slightly off by a few thousand years. But that part didn't matter to him anymore. He had fully embraced the magic and ancient world after he took an unexpected trip into the memory world.

To see those events, to see it with his very own eyes and to actually fight in a battle - to feel that pain - was enough to open his eyes and finally see what had been in his face all along. But to see himself – his past self – and to see the strong bond that the priest and the pharaoh had, to know they were family, cousins and yet still friendly rivals had been shocking to say the least.

And when Yami – Atemu back then – had come to his aid when he was fighting Zork, trying to save those kids in the street, and had merged their souls together to form the Master Dragon Knight, how could he not accept things and look at Yami in a new light? To be that close to someone, to have your souls merged together to fight something greater than you… it would be impossible to contain a bitter rivalry between them. But then again, it had always been Seto who had been bitter about it. Yami had, ever since Death T, seen something worthwhile in him but he didn't fully understand that until the very end of the memory world.

He had watched, passive as always, as the Pharaoh Atemu gave Priest Seth his Sennen Puzzle, handing over the fate of Egypt to his beloved cousin, entrusting him thoroughly even if just hours ago Seth had tried to take his life and his title away from him. Atemu trusted Seth beyond a shadow of a doubt just as Yami now trusted Seto the same.

How could he not bring the other into his family when he received his own body? They were family in some strange sense even if it was several thousand years old.

So how could he not have searched for endless hours looking for a member of his family when he had been thrown aside by his supposed grandfather right when he needed him the most? But there was nothing to be found which angered, worried and perplexed the CEO unlike anything else. It seemed like a hopeless cause. That is until Mokuba called him two nights ago…..

"Kaiba."

"OhmygodSeto!" He raised an eyebrow at his brother's tone; it had been many years since his younger brother rambled all his words together. "Ifoundhim!He'shere…inCal!"

"Slow down Mokuba." Seto switched the phone from his right ear to his left. "I can't understand a word your saying."

"I. Found. Him."

"Found who?" There was a slow, nagging sensation deep in his stomach. Like he would be both nervous and joyful about whoever his brother had found.

"Yami."

Never a time could he recall in his twenty-six years of life, ad he ever been so shocked, so stunned that he dropped the phone, it's deep thud resounding in the still room as it hit the carpeted floor. His mouth was almost as wide as his eyes as Mokuba's words rang repeatedly over and over again in his head. He glanced down at the thankfully unbroken phone and snapping his mouth shut, he picked it up again, hearing his brother's voice calling out to him.

"Are you sure its him?"

"I know its Yami. Who else has red eyes?"

He sighed, relief flooding his system as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Where did you see him?"

"That's just it, I found him while working on that internship I told you about at the mental home."

"He works there?" Somehow, Seto just couldn't see his old rival, friend and cousin working with the mentally handicapped. Sure the guy had a big heart, would do anything for the ones he claimed in his small circle of friends and family, but that was the point. Those people weren't close to him. Yami was usually aloof to ones that he didn't know personally.

"No." There was a small waver in his voice that instantly sent Seto on the edge. "He's not working here Seto….he's a patient here."

If he had not been expecting something this time, he would have dropped the phone for the second time in his life. "W-what?"

"Marik really fucked him up." Seto couldn't bring himself to reprehend his brother's foul mouth this time, having the horrible feeling that even that word wasn't strong enough to describe the situation. "He's been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and he has other problems that they can't identify. I saw his files Seto."

Seto's breathing was becoming labored – shallow – as he closed his eyes. "What did you find?"

"That Marik beat the shit out of him, rapped him, and completely destroyed his mind. Seto…he only talks in colors now. His mind has reverted back to almost child-like. He's…." Mokuba choked on his next words, "He's…not the Yami we once knew. It's like he's an illusion of who he was."

His heart screamed out an anguished cry as he listened to what his brother said. He instantly knew that what ever had happened to Yami it must have been completely beyond his knowledge or control for it to have caused the most complexed, brilliant mind he had ever known to be reduced to this.

"Seto," his brother said, breaking his thoughts. "The records have him listed as Atemu Yami Ishtar, just so you know when you go to make the needed documents."

Despite everything he had just learned, he had to smile at that. His brother knew him well. "I'll call you from the jet."

It had taken him two days to get the necessary papers, finalize his workload, and fly over seas to the state of California – two days longer than he wanted, but couldn't be helped nevertheless.

It pained his heart and soul that he had not been there that day Mokuba found Yami. That bond they had formed back in the Memory World urged him like a Siren, calling to another land – the song more powerful than his dragon's roar.

It was even worse one he had been able to locate Yami's records.

Finally having the proper name – although wrong – Seto was able to access them after a few hours of searching. Police, hospital, court records were all 'locked' away, undoubtedly by a good lawyer and a fair amount of money. Supposedly, only the US military or the FBI were the ones with the knowledge of what were in those files. Too bad for them that Seto Kaiba was just as skilled and as sneaky as any of the United States government branches.

But what he saw, what he read, in those uncovered files not only horrified him but frightened him as well. It hit too close to home for his liking.

Every cut, every scar, and bruise on the once flawless golden flesh brought back more memories than he cared to remember. He could almost feel what had been going on in Yami's mind with each punishment he had received at the hands of Marik.

After all, Gozaburo had done almost the exact same thing to him.

So with more determination than he had when he worked to get his company back from DOMA, Seto set out to get everything he needed for Yami's homecoming.

"Mokuba? What are you doing here? You're not scheduled to come back 'till next week."

"Dr. Hodge," Mokuba began, ignoring her question, "This is my brother Seto Kaiba. He's come here from Japan to see one of your patients."

Brown eyes swirling with confusion and slight suspicion glanced from the younger Kaiba to Seto, who nodded his head curtly in her direction. "Oh? And who might that be?"

"Yami Ishtar."

"And the nature of your visit? It's a long way from Japan to California Mr. Kaiba."

Icy blue eyes locked on to hers as he handed her the file that had been tucked under his arm. "I'm here to sign my cousin out and take him home."

"Your cousin?" She looked back at Mokuba, eyes narrowing. "You told him when law clearly forbids you?"

Mokuba just shrugged his shoulders, "Yami is family and up until a few days ago he had been missing. We searched for years. Do you honestly think I would keep my mouth shut?"

Seto interrupted before the doctor could retort, "Where is Yami?"

Ignoring his question, she opened the file and began leafing through the documents. "If this is true, then how come it took you this long to find him?"

"That's really none of your business Ms. Hodge." Seto said icily, ignoring her professional title. "All you need to know is we are here now. Now, I'm going to ask you again. Where is he?" He gritted his teeth, his patience wearing thin.

With a wary but defeated sigh, she closed the files but didn't hand them back to either Kaiba. "He's in his room, Mokuba knows where that is." She gestured to the file, "I'll go set the paper work up."

Both brothers nodded their heads as she turned to leave. Once she was safely away, Mokuba led Seto down several hallways. They walked in silence, each gathering their thoughts before they saw their cousin.

Soon Mokuba stopped in front of a plain looking gray metal door with a small window at the top and center of it. The younger Kaiba peered through the double paned and crisscrossing wires imbedded between them – designed to keep one from using it as a means of escaping – to make sure that Yami was still in his room just as the doctor had said.

"Seto," he stepped aside and motioned towards the window. "Maybe you should take a look now, so you won't be so shocked when you get in there. You don't need to show any outward signs of being uncomfortable around him. He'll pick up on it."

He just scowled at his brother. "Who said I was uncomfortable?"

"Just do as I say, ok brother? You might not show it to others but I know you better than anyone else and I can tell that is bothering you and I think I know the reason why."

Mentally he berated himself. He should have known that his facade would never work with Mokuba. And he was right, this was all too familiar and all too close for comfort. It was becoming clear that one of the main reasons he had survived was because he loathed the man –the bastard- that had abused him. But Yami… he had loved Marik with heart and soul.

He could only imagine what it must have felt like to Yami every time Marik threw all of it right back in his face.

Gritting his teeth, letting his emotions show just a bit, he walked up to the little window and peered inside. At first he didn't see anything – not even personal possessions – and for a moment he thought the room was empty of life. But giving the room a second glance, Seto finally saw a bit of moment off to the side. Turning his head to get a better angle, Seto's eyes narrowed.

There, sitting in a corner of the stark room, was a male in dark blue sweatpants and a gray long sleeved top with his knees drawn up to his chest, his arms were wrapped around his legs as he slowly rocked back and forth.

This…was Yami? With his black hair and that missing proud aura? No, this could not be his ultimate rival and only friend. He glanced back at his brother who gave him a knowing look.

"Hard to believe isn't it?"

Not trusting himself to speak, he just nodded his head and stepped aside as Mokuba grabbed the knob and turned it. Pushing it open, Mokuba stepped inside, holding the door for his brother to step through, closing it behind him with a small 'click'.

Seto was rooted in his spot as Yami lifted his head up at the sound. Sapphire eyes widened considerably. Those were Yami's eyes and yet….they weren't. So lifeless and empty they seemed, lacking that spark of mischief and arrogance that they once held. It almost looked as if he was gazing through Seto instead of at him.

Yami's head turned as Mokuba approached him and Seto barely noticed the slight shift in color those eyes made even as his slightly shrunken face remained impassive.

"Yellow?"

"Yeah its me, Yami." Mokuba said as he lowered himself to the floor beside his cousin. "How are you doing today?"

He looked away, his rocking finally stopping as he seemed to contemplate the question, then answered in a soft voice, "Purple….dark."

"Dark purple?" Seto asked, confused on the meaning. Mokuba had already warned him about Yami's color fixation – and he learned the primary colors – but the variations he was still lost on.

But instead of answering his brother, the younger Kaiba questioned Yami further. "Feeling sad?" Yami shook his head. "Frustrated?" This time Yami nodded.

"I see," Mokuba smiled again at Yami. "Well hopefully that's about to be all over. Yami? Do you remember my brother Seto?" he jerked his head towards his brother who had not moved since he entered the room.

Those hollow eyes turned back to him and this time they looked at him with another flash of recognition. "Blue," Yami said simply and gave a small nod of his head.

"Blue?" Seto rattled off the meaning, "Trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, and faith."

Mokuba chuckled. "That's your name Nii-sama. It fits don't you think?"

He couldn't help the small smirk that formed on his lips as he finally moved from his place at the door and walked across the small room to kneel down in front of Yami. But the movement and the fact he was cornered seemed to alarm their cousin. His eyes went slightly wide and he pressed his body impossibly further into the joining walls.

To Seto, at that very moment - with his wide eyes, black hair and frightened posture – Yami suddenly reminded him of a time many years ago when Mokuba was still a child and both of them lived under the oppressive rule of Gozaburo Kaiba.

Instincts kicked in.

Softening his expression, to one he only allowed those closest to him to see, he carefully and slowly raised his hand, letting Yami see his every moment. It pleased him to see that Yami neither flinched nor went limp in surrender. Inwardly, he rejoiced knowing that Yami wasn't completely broken, had healed some, or remembered him enough to know that Seto was trustworthy.

"Shhh," he soothed as Mokuba watched on warily, concerned about how Yami might react. But to both their surprise, Yami relaxed slightly, his body uncurling and his eyes returning to their normal size. Encouraged, Seto continued to move his hand towards Yami until he was lightly touching the ex-spirits cheek.

Amazingly, Yami closed his eyes and leaned into the now caressing fingers. Trust – no matter how little – showed clearly in that simple gesture.

It was a beginning.

"Would you like to go home with me to Japan, Yami?" Seto asked after a few minutes of silence, hating to break the almost peaceful atmosphere.

Crimson eyes slowly opened and immediately both Seto and Mokuba noticed their color were a shade lighter than before. And with a slight nod of his head, he answered with a yes.

Dragon: Just a note: I did not pick blue for Seto because of his eyes or his BEWD, I chose it because out of all the color meanings I found, it fit him best. And actually, dark blue (knowledge, power, and seriousness) was better suited for him but having Yami call him Dark Blue just doesn't sound as good.

Dark purple evokes gloom and sad feelings; frustration