Title:Hope for Tomorrow
Author: Shadows of Chaos61
Rating: R
Pairing: Seto X Yami
Warnings: language (Yami has a dirty mouth), sexual content, and violence, yaoi
Disclaimer: Yugioh does not belong to me
Summary: Yami is an 18 year old that has lived on the streets most of his life, taking care of his brother, Yugi. Seto is a rookie cop that soon finds himself drawn into Yami's world.
A rare smile crept up on Yami's face as he looked at the sleeping form of his younger brother. He wanted nothing more than to bundle the child up and hold him close, but he knew he needed to get out before everyone woke up. It would be better this way. He didn't think he would be able to handle seeing the crushed look his brother would give him as he walked out the door.
Tanned fingers brushed Yugi's golden bangs out of his face. He almost laughed at the way his brother's hair looked after a night of sleep. But it wasn't as if he could say anything. They both were cursed with one of the weirdest natural hairstyles on this unforgiving planet.
He looked down at the piece of scrap paper he held in his hand trying to decide if he should give it to his brother or not. His handwriting was sloppy and his writing skills were even worse. The last time he had been in school was at the age of twelve and it showed. He could barely read or write and this was something that embarrassed him greatly.
Reading a newspaper for a job was impossible, and even if he did find one hiring he was turned down for his reading and writing ability. So normal jobs were out of the question for him. It was the other jobs he was good at, the kind that would land you in jail in a heartbeat. A fact he knew all to well.
With a sigh, he resolved to leave it for Yugi to find when he woke up. Placing it on the nightstand so it would be easily seen, he turned back to his brother and lightly kissed him on the forehead.
"Be safe, hikari. I will always love you." He whispered as he walked out the door.
Bakura looked up from his morning newspaper when he heard light footsteps coming down the stairs. As he thought, Yami was trying to sneak out of the house without saying goodbye.
"Leaving so soon?"
Groaning, Yami looked over into the kitchen. "Of course, you know I can't wait till he's awake."
Bakura stood up and grabbed something under the table. "Fine, take this then." He walked over and handed Yami what looked to be a new black book bag.
Looking it over, he opened it up to find it loaded with different types of nonperishable food, it was enough to last him several days. "Why?" he asked as he placed it on his shoulder.
"Cause I know you're too proud to go to the soup kitchens. Oh and take this, it's not much but it should help some."
Yami took the small white envelope that the Captain handed him, quietly he opened the sealed flap and counted out a hundred dollars. Crimson eyes looked up into concerned chocolate ones. "Again, why?"
"Look Atemu, I'm concerned about you. I still don't see why you choose to live out on the streets when you know you're more than welcome to live here. But if you won't live under my roof then the least I can do is help you out in other ways."
"Bakura, I really do not want you helping me anymore. You are doing me a big favor by allowing Yugi to stay here. That's all I care about. I've survived by myself for this long I can keep doing it.
Bakura narrowed his eyes, "Oh? What about a job, a place to live, food in your stomach, clothes on your back?"
Growling, Yami threw the envelope back at him, "I have a job and I have a place to live. Do not treat me like a child, bastard!" He turned his back on the white-haired man and walked out the front door with the forgotten book bag still on his shoulder.
Bakura looked down, picked up the white envelope that lay on the floor at his feet and stuffed it in the pocket of his work clothes. He would make sure Yami got it next time he saw him. He was thankful that he had forgotten the bag in his anger, he just hoped the boy's pride wouldn't cause him to throw it out later when he calmed down.
Seto blinked as Bakura threw a massive file to his side of their a joined desk. The expanded folder file all but called to him when he registered the name that was typed on it.
"So this is it huh?" he said as he picked it up and pulled at the string that was wound around it to keep it closed.
"Yep, that's all of it, all six years. Oh I'm sure there's more to it than what is in there but he's rather sneaky, and half the time he doesn't get caught."
Seto pulled out numerous reports and briefly scanned them. He knew just were to look in order to find out what he wanted to know. Sapphire eyes widened when he caught some of the crimes the boy had committed at one time or another.
"I see you've gotten a hold at some of the more amazing ones. You know if that boy had been able to live a decent life and gone to college, he would have been able to go far in this world. He's smart as a whip with no schooling, could you imagine how dangerous he really would be if he had an education?"
"I could only image," he stated as he flipped threw some more if Yami's bleaker background and grimaced at what he saw. The very thought that a child had to deal with these things made him sick to his stomach. "How did he stay out of jail? I mean even just a few of these were enough to keep most people behind bars for years."
"He was a juvie during most of that time. It's easier to get them out of some of the harsher penalties. Plus, I've been helping him umm get through some of it. That kid has had it rough and only did it for his brother's sake. I couldn't have him serving time for something like that. That's why I'm showing it to you. I'll need you're help in keeping an eye on him." Bakura glanced around him as he told Seto this. Even though most of the force knew he helped the kid as much as he could there were some in the station that would love to use this against him.
"Why though? If his brother's safe now, why is he still doing this kind of stuff?" Seto closed the file and handed it back to the captain. "Shouldn't he be free of it all now?"
Bakura sighed, "You'd think that wouldn't you. I believe he has done it for so long now he doesn't know any other way. That and he's pride is unshakeable. That damn kid will not let anyone help him or pity him. He has to prove that he can do it on his own.
This morning he left before Yugi woke up and I confronted him, gave him some food and money. He threw the money back at me and told me he had a job and a place to live. I don't buy it one bit. Oh I'm sure he has a job but I'm also sure it's highly illegal. But the place to live, I know better than to assume that. Last time I saw his 'home' it was at the corner of 5th and 7th under the sub terminal."
Seto nodded his head as he mulled through what was said. He had no doubts that the little hellcat did have an illegal job, especially after what all he had just read. But he had to have been paid something, so where was that money going too? The teen didn't look like he was on drugs yesterday, but that didn't really mean anything. So what was the kid up to? "Alright I'll help you keep an eye on him. And if I see him I'll let you know."
Bakura smiled, "Thanks. Now lets see what our next case is."
Seto tapped his fingers on the steering wheel to the music blaring from his radio. The day had been more than rough on him. The new case him and Bakura had been assigned led them to a drug raid on an unassuming house in a well to do neighborhood.
Both of them, with the SWAT team in tow, raided it to find it loaded with drug paraphernalia and several kilos of raw coke and other illegal drugs all ready to be sold. Five suspects had been charged and the paper work alone was enough to drive anyone insane.
He was thankful he was finally heading home.
Sitting there at the red light, he glanced around him; cop instincts ever present, ever watchful, waiting for something to happen. He loved his job and had always wanted to be a cop ever since his brother was murdered ten years ago. Mokuba would have been sixteen now if he was still alive. Ever since then he felt the need to protect the innocent even if it did sound like a pathetic line from one of those hero movies.
When the light turned green, he focused once more on the road ahead and began humming to the song that filtered throughout the mustang. As he listened to it his thoughts drifted to the little hellcat that he met yesterday. Even with their small encounter, he could tell that boy was hell on wheels. There was a defiant streak that ran through him and it flashed dangerously in those crimson colored eyes.
But that seemed to change once he got around his brother. Yes, that teen loved Yugi and it was clear that even though he wasn't around him, he only had his best interests at heart. This intrigued Seto greatly.
Even though he had never been put in the same horrible situation as Yami had he knew that if it had been him and Mokuba he would have done everything in his power to keep his own brother safe, at whatever the cost was to himself.
And after what he saw in that file… well lets just say the hellcat was lucky to have been so young and have a guardian angel working as a cop.
He was also lucky he wasn't dead already.
Seto sighed as he came up on another red light. He was really in the mood to get home. Placing one hand on the stick shift and the other on the steering wheel, he turned his head and looked out the passenger window only to spot familiar black, gold and maroon hair running around the corner.
Blinking, he turned his turn signal on and glanced behind him to see if it was clear before he changed lanes and turned right to follow the teen around the corner. Luckily, it was a side street with a few parallel parking spaces. Pulling in one, he turned the engine off and stepped out of the car. Making sure his gun was tucked safe in his jacket, since he was out of uniform, he followed the boy at a safe distance.
His eyes were ever watchful as Yami led him further into what was deemed the rundown part of the city. Here was where all the homeless and street thugs made their unsightly homes. Graffiti littered the walls of the abandoned buildings. Trash was piled up along the same walls, since the cans were used as fireplaces.
A hand tightened around his gun as he watched Yami turn and walk into a rather decrepit looking building. He wasn't scared of the teen or anything else but cop instincts once again took control. Stopping at the door, or what use to be called a door, he peaked around the corner and was mildly shocked when a deep, smooth voice filled the building.
"Don't bother hiding rookie, I know you've been following me. Now the question is why?"
Seto stepped fully into the area, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness that loomed in it. Glancing around he tried to find the source of the voice. Finally there was a flicker of light off to his side; looking over there he could make out the small flame of a lighter and a cigarette being lit. Once that was completed, Yami then proceeded to light a half used candle to give the room some more light.
Blinking at the light source, Seto stepped further into the room. From what he could make out, it seemed to be an old hotel of sorts from the look of the massive desk that the hellcat had set the cream colored candle on. "I wanted to check up on you."
Yami snorted, "You were told by Bakura to look out for me and let him know where I'm at. Doesn't work to lie to me, I've had plenty of that shit and know how to spot it." He took another drag on his cigarette, before he turned around, placing his back to the officer. "Well now that you know where I'm at for now, you can kindly fuck off. And tell Bakura that I will not be seeing Yugi anytime soon."
Seto ignored those words and stepped even closer towards him. Now that he was here, he wanted to talk to him and maybe somehow help this person. Even though he didn't know him, after all they just met yesterday, he felt some concern for him. It was winter out and this building seemed to trap every bit of it within its walls. "I'll tell him but I'm not leaving."
Yami jumped up on to the desk and let his legs swing freely beneath him as he studied the cop in front of him. He narrowed his eyes when he saw what was shinning in the others even in the dim candlelight. "Bastard, I don't want your help. Unless you want a cheap lay and can pay I suggest you leave."
"So that's your new job is it? You're selling your self?"
Yami shrugged, "So what if I am? It's no concern of yours now is it? I do what I must and what I want to do. I screw people; I give them a good time at a cheap rate. I'm fast and easy and I don't get all whiney like most of their wives or mistresses do." The teen took one last draw off his cigarette before he threw it at Seto's shoes.
Without even thinking, the cop crushed the still burning smoke under his shoe, as he spoke. "You shouldn't do that to yourself."
Jumping off the desk, Yami walked straight up to Seto and glared him in the eye. "Listen mother fucker, it's my body, my life. You have no right to tell me what I should and shouldn't do! You, mister high and mighty, can go to hell. Now get the fuck out of my place!"
Seto returned the glare the little hellcat was giving him. He knew that Yami was right, that he didn't have the right, but he didn't want this person to end up in an even worse situation than he already was. He had seen what happens to hookers when their johns got out of control. Hell he had plenty of reports that showed the aftermath of such incidents. He resolved then that he would keep an even closer eye on Yami and maybe just maybe he could help him, but for now he had worn out his welcome.
Seto reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. Opening it up he pulled out a business card and shoved it in Yami's face. "Take this and call me sometime."
Yami grabbed the paper, still glaring daggers at the taller man. "Don't count on it."
Suppressing the urge to knock the boy senseless, Seto turned on his heels and walked out of the building.
Yami sighed and let his shoulders slack as he watched the man leave his temporary home. Why couldn't Bakura leave him alone? Why did he have to send his flunky to find him? Couldn't these people see he didn't want them interfering with his fucked up life?
It was bad enough when Yugi was around. The poor child was so full of innocence and light, it took everything he had to keep the real dangers of the world away from him. But now Yugi was safe and well taken care of. All he needed to do was concentrate on him self now. Surviving day to day was rough enough without having to keep everyone at a distance.
Now that Bakura had a new partner, he knew it was just a matter of time before they inched closer towards him.
Yami dug his empty hand into the pocket of the brand new jeans that was given to him yesterday and pulled out his lighter. Placing his thumb on it, he struck a flame and held it close to the card Seto had just given to him. In a daze he looked at it, not yet joining the flame with the paper.
Groaning, he released his thumb, ending the little light source and crammed the unburnt card into his pocket.
Dragon: Wonder what was in Yami's file? Who knows? Guess you'll have to keep reading to find out. Lol I know, I'm evil that way. But I'm eager to see what you think is contained in the file, so why not humor me and leave your guess in a review? After all I've left you some clues!