Title: Hope for Tomorrow
Author: Crimson Eyed Dragon
Rating: R
Pairing: Seto X Yami
Warnings: language (Yami has a dirty mouth), sexual content, violence, and 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
Chapter 9
Bright fluorescent lights shined down over the prone figure on the hospital bed. Bronzed arms cradled under his chin, he gazed unblinkingly at the wooden box that lay flat on the bed before him. It had been two weeks since Seto had returned it to him and he still hadn't let it out of his sight.
He had only opened it once since he had received it, just a quick check to make sure all its contents were still safely located inside. Yami was fairly sure that the cop hadn't gone against his wishes and looked inside. If he had, he was pretty sure he would be sporting a pair of shiny metal handcuffs instead of a yellow plastic hospital ID bracelet.
Letting out a breath of air, he laid his head down on his arms, only to pull his right arm free to push back some of his golden bangs that had fallen in his face. Gently, he brushed his fingers across his temple thankful that at least one of his injuries had healed nicely. His mangled back was still giving him problems and was reluctant to heal right. Just a few days after being brought in, he had developed a rather serious infection and the doctors reasoned that his attackers had used an unclean knife.
Yami snorted as he tucked his arm back under his head. He didn't doubt that Taro's 'employees' had used a dirty blade on him or any of their victims. They weren't exactly known for their mercy. Their victims were played with, making their inevitable death excruciatingly painful.
But Yami was an angel of mercy in a devil's disguise.
The first blow that he dealt was always an instant kill; all the rest was for show. He didn't want his victims to suffer in death since he figured they had suffered enough in life if they were dealing with Taro.
He idly wondered if the cops had figured that part out about one of the 'rune' killers. If they had then there had been no mention of it over the past couple of weeks. He knew that Bakura and Seto were on the 'rune' case; that was obvious with all the futile questioning he had been receiving every time they stopped by.
He chuckled a little. It amused him somewhat at how much the blue-eyed rookie had visited. Not a day had passed where Seto hadn't stopped by even if it was just for a few minutes. He couldn't for the life of him figure out what the need to check up on him was. It wasn't like he was going anywhere anytime soon. Hell, he couldn't even roll over, much less crawl out of bed. Course it would be nice to actually be able to go to the restroom instead of filling up a clear plastic bag for all the world to see how much you've pissed in the past hour.
Sighing, he lifted his head slightly to look at the small alarm clock on the bedside table that Seto had bought him when he complained about not being able to see what time it was. It was just before lunchtime and he wondered exactly what time the rookie would show up today.
For some strange reason he was beginning to realize that he actually looked forward to the time he could spend with the cop. He found himself willing to open up just a little and act like a normal eighteen year old when the other was around. Here in this hospital, with Seto only, was he able to let go of the self-preservation thoughts that were harbored in his soul. There was no need to be so guarded all the time. And he was enjoying in tremendously.
Maybe if they had met in a different life he would let himself be with the handsome man.
But in this life, it was just too dangerous. There were too many secrets that just could not be told and most of them would land him in the electric chair with the blue-eyed cop pulling the switch.
Of course this didn't make him stop from admiring Seto Kaiba. He was tall, held himself proudly, shaggy chestnut colored hair, sapphire eyes that seemed to lock on to his soul, and a body that filled out his cop's uniform perfectly.
Hmm. Maybe he could get at least a good lay out of this.
Grinning to himself, he shook his head. First he would need to get healed, get this plastic tube out of his dick, and then he could play.
Violet eyes widened before they narrowed in anger, "What do you mean he's not coming here to stay with us?"
Bakura sighed as he went to sit down beside his charge on the over sized couch. "Listen Yugi, I know this is going to be hard for you to understand but you need to try ok?"
Seeing the young boy nod his head, the cop continued. "Atemu's life is in danger. When Taro finds out that he survived he's going to send someone after him. If he were to stay here then that would put your life in danger too."
"But why? I didn't do anything." Yugi asked, showing his childlike innocence.
"No, you didn't. But you and your brother look a lot alike. Someone could easily mistake you for him. Atemu is going to be unable to fight for awhile and if someone were to come here and you became a target, do you think he would just lay there and let you be hurt?"
Sad amethyst eyes glanced away, "No, he wouldn't care about what happened to him self."
"Exactly," Bakura sighed. "Yugi, you know as well as I do that he wouldn't care that he was hurt and in his current state, that would be both dangerous for you and him. He needs to be able to heal completely and he can't do that if he's worried about you. Besides, I doubt he would agree to come here for those exact reasons. He's a smart kid, he would know him being here would put you in danger."
"I guess your right, but I still don't like it. He's always taken care of me and now I can't return the favor."
"But you are helping him, by remaining safe. That's all he's ever wanted for you. For you to live the life you deserve away from harm. Return that favor by letting him recover away from here. And don't worry, you'll be able to see him, we have an open invitation to Kaiba's."
Yugi smiled and nodded his head, happy that he would be able to spend more time with Atemu. Over the past few weeks, he had seen him almost every day and it was almost like old times when they were inseparable.
But he understood better than most people thought he did about why Atemu made him go with Bakura that day. His brother was getting further and further into a dangerous life and he knew that Atemu constantly worried for him and that he wasn't doing a good enough job at providing for them.
He always knew when his brother had been sent to jail cause Bakura would always show up and bring him to his house until Atemu was released, though they never told him the reason's why. But it wasn't unknown to him what some of the things his brother did either. Word gets around on the street and if you know where to listen and look you can find out almost anything.
But he was never disgusted or upset with the life Atemu had chosen cause he knew he was only doing it for him. To Yugi, the older sibling could do no wrong because everything Atemu did, he did out of love for him.
How could he find fault in that?
He couldn't and he wouldn't no matter what anyone else thought.
"Don't you have homework?" Bakura asked, snapping Yugi out of his musing.
"Yeah, history report."
"Need some help?"
"Sure. Let me go get my stuff."
Thoughtful blue eyes stared past the hospital door window into the room behind it. His gaze was locked onto the apparently sleeping figure lying on his stomach. Stiff white bed sheets had somehow been pulled down, showing the lean bandaged back. Tri-colored hair was pulled back into a ponytail, keeping it from falling into the other's passive face. Even though Seto couldn't see Yami's eyes, he could picture them perfectly; that exotic crimson color that could either chill you to the bone or entrance you into their hypnotic gaze.
It was remarkable how calm, relaxed and normal the male looked sleeping like that. It was like he didn't have a care in the world and all his problems had been solved over night. But Seto knew better, Yami's problems were just beginning.
Slowly, he had gotten to know the other teen and what he saw, he liked. Yami was like a double-edged sword. But one side was sharp and deadly while the other one was dulled and gentle. Cross him the wrong way and he wouldn't hesitate to slice your throat. But the other side was blunt, worn down over time from going head to head with enemies, it could still hurt his opponent, it was not to be taken lightly, but it also told you that he was wearing down and no longer wished to do battle.
But Seto would never take him lightly; no he rather liked that sharp, deadly edge that Yami had. He didn't want to break that fighting spirit cause that was part of him, part of what attracted him to the amazing teen. He would just have to slowly ease his way into that tightly guarded soul and show him that some things a person doesn't have to fight and that not all battles are won in bloodshed.
It was going to be a difficult road for both of them and Seto was more than willing to take up the challenge, but he wasn't sure if Yami was ready for it yet. He knew that the smaller teen had yet to deal with what had happened to him and it was just a matter of time before the 'mark' had an affect on him. When that happened, it was going to be a turning point in Yami's life. But would it be for the better or worse?
Only time would tell, but they were slowly running out of that precious time. But no matter what, Seto knew he would be there for him. His heart ached to be with his hellcat, the one that had stolen his heart without even knowing it.
With a sigh, Seto quietly opened the door and stepped inside before he closed the large metal door behind him. Cautious footsteps led him over to the chair that constantly was beside his bed now. Taking a seat, he took a quick look around the sterile room, thankful that neither one of them would have to spend much more time in this place.
Although he was looking forward to having Yami staying with him, he wasn't to thrilled about having to be the one to break that news to the feisty hellcat. It seemed that everyone was wary of telling Yami about the decision and had left it up to him to be there barer of bad news to the teen.
Sighing, he relaxed in the seat and turned his eyes back to the prone figure, only to find slightly dazed crimson looking back at him.
"Good afternoon, Yami. How are you feeling?"
"Better," he replied as he shifted as much as he dared to look at the blue-eyed cop better. "It's been worse."
"Hmm."
"So, what are you here for today? Come to ask me again what Taro wanted with me? Or have you finally given up on that?"
"Not today, maybe another time. I need to tell you some things though."
"Oh? And what would that be rookie?"
Taking a deep breath, Seto locked his gaze onto the teen. "You're going to be released from here soon."
"Good, I'm getting sick and tired of all these nurses coming and going. Plus I need to find me another place to live."
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, I've found you another place to stay."
"No offence rookie, but I doubt very seriously that you would know what I need in that area. My hideouts need certain things."
"Yami, you're not staying at a hideout. Bakura and I think it would be best if you stay with me for a while. You need to continue to heal and with Taro still out there…"
"Oh hell no!" Crimson eyes flashed as Yami used his hands to push himself off the bed to get a better look at the cop. "There is no way in hell I'm staying with you!"
"Atemu…" he growled out.
"That's not my fucking name!"
Seto moved forward when Yami started pulling the IV out of his arm. "Stop that right now, Yami. You're going to hurt yourself even more."
Brushing the rookie's hand away, Yami affectively pulled the needle out of his arm, not caring about the small amount of blood that escaped the tiny hole in his skin.
"Listen here rookie," he spat. "There is no way you are going to make me come with you. You have no right! I can take care of myself!"
"Oh? Like you did when you were caught by Taro's men? So it was just a misunderstanding that got you that marked carved on your back?"
Seto knew instantly he had mad a mistake with those words as he watched crimson turn to dark pools the color of dried blood. Inwardly he cringed at the sight of them; this was not the way he wanted this to go. Sensing the young teen was about to explode in anger, he quickly reached over and hit the 'call nurse' button.
"Fuck you, you son of a bitch! You have no clue as to what you are talking about, so I'd suggest you shut the fuck up before I make you!"
Pure rage rushed through his veins, as he locked cold eyes onto sapphire. He wanted nothing more that moment then to wrap his hands around the rookie's throat. Without even thinking, he pushed himself up till he was sitting on his knees in the middle of the bed. Adrenaline and anger kept him from registering the pain from his back as the stitches tore. It didn't even register to him when the door opened, only to close again just as quickly.
"Yami, calm down! You're going to damage your back even more!" Seto watched as fresh blood began to seep through the gauze bandages, leaving a perfect outline of the rune mark on his back.
"Like you give a fuck!" he growled out as the blue-eyed man stepped closer to him. "All you care about is closing your damn case!"
"That's not true, Yami," Seto said quietly as he heard the door open again. A quick glance behind him brought a nurse with a needle into his view, along with two male orderlies. He gave them a nod in understanding before he turned his gaze back to the enraged teen before him. "I'm doing this cause I care about you. I don't like to see you hurt."
For a moment, Yami stared at him in shock, not daring to believe he heard that right, before his instincts brought him back to the present. But in that time Seto had taken advantage of his momentary lapse, grabbing his shoulders roughly, holding him in place.
"What the hell are you doing! Let go of me!" He struggled against the taller man, only to find his efforts in vain. His strength had not yet returned to him and now that the adrenaline was wearing off, he was beginning to feel the affects of his actions.
"No, this is for your own good. And when you wake up, you'll be safe back at my place."
Just then, Yami realized that there were others in his room. Seeing the nurse coming towards him with a syringe, he doubled his efforts to get away. "NO! You are not going to drug me with that stuff!"
Noticing the nurse was beside the bed, waiting for a chance to inject Yami, Seto pulled the teen closer to him, while wrapping on arm around his shoulders, avoiding the mangled back. Leaning down, he whispered, "Please forgive me, this was not the way I wanted our first kiss to be, " before he captured Yami's lips in a fierce but desperate kiss.
Shock immobilized his body temporarily, allowing the nurse to inject the Hadol into his system. He had no time to respond before the drug took affect and threw him into a hazy darkness.
Dragon: Thanks for the reviews and come join my new Yahoo group called Kokoro no Yami. Link is in my bio. Hope to see you all there!