Over the next month, Mazaki had not had an easy time. He had to cancel any and all royal courts scheduled. In fact, all meetings had to be rescheduled. As it was half the staff had to stay clear of Seto; he nearly kills you if you just say good morning to him. He himself had to stay clear of him. It was clear that he was not happy about Yami's leaving.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Bakura had tried desperately to get free to track down Ryo and strangle him and then drag his body back and deliver Mokuba to the king. However with Seto's current mood there was no way he could request the time off and since Seto was even more into checking the security details he didn't have the chance.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Even the big four were frightened. They were thrilled when Mokuba left and even ecstatic when they heard Yami left. They felt it would be the perfect time to take Seto out. However if anything Seto became more untouchable. Though he had shut down emotionally his rage was far greater than the big five had expected it to be. They thought he'd just shut down and be listless and depressed. They hadn't expected him to turn into a mad bull.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

"Hi, Yugi."

"Oh hi Joey."

"What's that?"

"Oh it's a letter from Master Yami. He went to a cabin retreat to get away for a while. He says he's not too sure if he is coming back. I don't like this at all Joey! I mean the king and Master Yami have been brother's for years, now it looks like they may never get back together! I'm worried Joey. What if, what if Master Yami never returns? I mean the kings so upset now you can't touch him or say anything to him without fear of him ripping your head off!"

"Well why not just go up to him and tell him to just make up already. Better yet write to Master Yami and tell him to make up."

"I tried that one already. We became friends when he wanted me to teach him magic."

"What did he want to learn magic for?"

"He wanted to learn so that he could protect King Kaiba."

"Well did you remind him of this?"

"Joey I've tried everything. He just doesn't think the king wants him around anymore. He won't tell me what the fight they had was about but it must have been pretty bad for him to just up and leave and threaten never to come back! I've even begged him to reconsider to talk it out and work it out but he says that without Mokuba he doesn't think that there's anyway he can get through to him."

"So why hasn't he just gone to look for the boy then?"

"I asked that too."

"And?"

"And he said he found out that he and Ryo are living in the castle in the next kingdom."

"Did he talk to them?"

"He said that Mokuba looked happy and he wasn't going to ruin Mokuba's life by asking him to return."

"How could it ruin the kid's life if he cares for him?"

"I wondered the same thing. I even questioned him on it."

"What was his excuse?"

"As long as he and Seto aren't getting along there's no reason to tear the boy from his life if he's happy there. He also said that it wouldn't be fair to Mokuba to force him to return just because they want him too. He said if Mokuba returns he wants it to be because he wants too, no other reason."

"I guess I can kind of see that."

"I just wish there was a way we could help at least get the two of them back together. I want to help but I don't know what more to do."

"Then it's up to me to save the day!"

"What do you mean Joey?"

"I have a sister myself and well we sometimes get angry with each other and need time apart but eventually we make up. I couldn't have handled her being mad at me this long. Especially now that she needs me the most."

"Why what's wrong with her?"

"She's going blind and the doctors all say that even with treatment they don't hold out much hope."

"I'm sorry Joey. I-I wish I could help but I can't I'd be afraid to try."

"Try what?"

"Nothing, forget I said anything."

"I won't forget it now spill!"

"Okay I've got a new spell that says it can heal all wounds."

"Have you tried it on anyone yet?"

"Yeah Mokuba's hands were full of calluses and whip marks and I healed them."

"I'll make you a deal if I can get the king and Master Yami to make up then you have to try to heal my sister."

"But Joey healing wounds on someone's hands and healing your sisters eyes are two different things. I'm not sure I can do it."

"I have faith in ya." Joey said walking away.

"Wait Joey where are you going?"

"To talk to the king?"

"But Joey what if he decides to strip you of being a guard?"

"I'll take my chances."

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Joey walked into the throne room where Seto was sitting. He had searched Yami's room hoping he'd left a note. All he found was the dark magician necklace Mokuba had given him. That was the day he truly snapped. He felt then that he had truly lost his family. For that day, forward Seto was inconsolable and untouchable.

"My king."

"What do you want mutt?"

Joey calmed himself if he wanted this to work he had to. "It's about Master Yami."

"Leave me alone mutt. I don't discuss my personal life with anyone!"

"Yeah well that's too bad! Do you hate Master Yami that much?"

"What! How dare you say that!"

"Well then if you don't hate him what you still doing here? I know if it had been my sister that left me after an argument and she was gone for this long, I'd have found her and begged her to come home. But then maybe I just care about my sister more than you do Master Yami after all he's no more than a servant, your personal advisor."

Seto's anger was swelling and he went down and pulled Joey up by the collar. "Don't you dare speak about my brother as if he nothing more than a lap dog!"

"If you care so much why haven't you asked Yugi to tell you where he's at and go get him back?"

Seto was shocked Yugi knew where Yami was. He dropped Joey to the ground. "You may make it here after all mutt."

"I'll take that as a thank you."

Seto just shrugged and went to find Yugi he didn't much care how Joey took it. After finding out from Yugi where Yami was, he told Yugi to keep a magical barrier around the castle to keep it safe till he returned and headed off to find Yami.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

The whole way there Seto kept rehearsing all the things he wanted to say to him. Finally, he arrived. He was scared he didn't know what to say nothing he could come up with sounded right. He carefully knocked on the door.

Yami opened it and was surprised to see Seto standing there. "What are you doing here my king?"

Seto was saddened by the formal tone in his voice. "I came to talk to you."

"About what? Is Mazaki not doing a good enough job for you?"

"He's not you."

"I'm sorry my king but I feel its for the best that Mazaki remain your personal advisor. He can do a much better job than I can."

"How can he do that? He doesn't even know me."

"My king…"

"Damn it Yami stop calling me that!" Seto yelled.

"What would you prefer I call you King Kaiba perhaps?"

"I'd prefer little brother but I'd settle for Seto at the moment." Seto said softly.

"My king it is inappropriate to address you so formally."

"Why is it so wrong for my brother to address me formally?"

"I'm not your brother remember."

Seto winced remembering their argument as if it happened yesterday. "I'm sorry about what I said, everything. I-I was upset and I don't know what came over me. When I said I knew there was a reason I keep you around, you said you knew I was teasing. You know once in a while when I'm sacred or nervous I tease you just to get a rise out of you. You know that! I know it wasn't all my fault that our brother is still missing but I still hope maybe someday to find him or at least maybe Mokuba will come home."

"My king I…"

"Stop it Yami! I lost my whole family due to a fake letter! First, I lost Mokuba and then I lost you! At the moment, there's nothing I can do about Mokuba but I'm trying my best to get you back!"

"I'm sorry but…"

"You hate me that much? I screw up once and you never let me live it down! Fine I wont bother you again. I just, I lost Mokuba because he never knew how I felt about him. I'm not making that mistake twice. I love you big brother and I always will." Seto said putting the dark magician necklace in Yami's hand before turning around and leaving.