Author's Note: I'M BACK ALL! WITH ANOTHER GREAT STORY! Here is the beginning of the end. The last installment of Run Away Puppy. This is the final war Seto and Joey will have to face but even after the war has ended there will be many battles that will be waiting to be fought. Join now, the puppy and his master, on one last journey through the inferno of hatred and despair, love and family. Without further a do, I grant you the gift of chapter 1 of the final expedition.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh and it ain't never gonna happen. I also do not own any of the children programming mentioned through out this story so don't sue me because I have nothing, well…nothing a normal person would want. I have the valuable Inuyasha toy here and there but other than that, I gots nothin'.
Summary: Having had a successful birth of their son, Seto has decided to make this family permanent; he has asked Joey for his hand in marriage. The news gets out and now there is a certain group of people willing to do whatever they can to stop this anticipated wedding and do what they can to put the "devil's work" to rest.
A Note To New Readers: It would be wise to read the first two installments of the Run Away Puppy series. If you do not I fear that you are headed for a rough crash and burn. I hope you will enjoy the first two installments! Happy reading to you all!
Run Away Puppy 3: The Final WarChapter One: Starting Middle School
2 months later…
6:00 am
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEPSeto turned over from his source of heat and hit the off button of the alarm clock. He groaned tiredly and felt the bed next to him shift. The young CEO turned back over and wrapped his right arm around his fiancé's waist. "Seto…" Joey said tiredly. "Hn…" The brunette buried his face in the crook of his lover's neck. "You better get up or Mokuba's going to be late to his first day of Middle School." The blonde felt the vibrations of his lover's groan. "I hafta get up early on my week off?" Joey placed a loving kiss on the other teen's lips. "Come on get up, he wants you to be there for him and more importantly, you have to be there for him. You're his brother…well more of a fatherly brother." The young CEO sat up from bed and swung his legs over the edge and yawned. Finally a bright light filled the room and a highly excited voice beckoned to the blinded brunette, "Come on Seto! It's my first day of middle school! Come on get up, I wanna get there early!" Okay so Mokuba's enthusiasm made Seto proud but he couldn't help being tired, he and Joey were up for a good portion of the night tending to a sick 4 and a half-month-old. It wasn't anything too serious, just a tiny cold, which was now, after last night, in it's final stages and clearing up. The brunette turned around and looked on as his fiancé pulled the eiderdown up under his chin and snuggled with the pillow. Seto sneered jealously then stood up and went on his way to taking a nice hot shower to wake himself up. After he the teen took his shower he dressed himself in his black slacks, black turtleneck, and white trench coat. This was his no nonsense look, especially to the outside world. He finished up then went over to the bed and kissed his lover on the right temple. "Be back later pup, I love you." Seto whispered.
"There you are Seto, I was wondering what was keeping you." Mokuba said while jumping off the couch and throwing his full backpack over his shoulders. The poor kid nearly fell over from the sheer weight of the bag. Seto smiled, "Sit a while Mokuba I have to make some tea." The boy dropped his bag and followed his brother into the kitchen, "Since when do you drink tea nii-sama?"
"I gave it up after the baby was born, it just wasn't the right "pick-me-upper" anymore and Dr. White informed me that tea was healthier than coffee." The brunette explained while making his morning drink. Mokuba eyed his brother's ring finger and saw the ring that Joey had given to him. "So, big brother, why did Joey give you that ring?" The young CEO smiled to himself, "Boy aren't you full of questions this morning. Well…he told me it was a reminder of the promise we've made to each other. A symbol that will always be there through thick and thin." Mokuba raised an eyebrow and the eldest Kaiba chuckled lightly, "You'll understand someday kiddo, but right now you just focus on being a kid." Suddenly another being entered the kitchen. "Oh sorry Kaiba." The dark-haired adult apologized while trying to back out of the kitchen. Seto responded quickly, "No need to be sorry. This is your house too for the time being, and please call me Seto." The man nodded. "Well, I gotta get Mokuba into town for school, first day of middle school." The elder teen ruffled his sibling's hair. "First year hu, my little girl is in her last, she'll be a freshman in high school next year. My kids have grown up and I've missed it, especially Joey." Seto finished making his tea to go then put a hand on his soon-to-be father-in-law's shoulder, "No need to remember the past when so much awaits the future."
Domino Middle School
7:45 am
Mokuba practically bounced all the way to the gymnasium they walked to for the New Year and new student assembly. Seto didn't remember this when he was in middle school, then again he preferred not to, his most memorable years started with freshman year at Domino High, the puppy was just beginning to bloom, in other words just starting to cop an attitude with all that mocked him. "THIS IS SO EXICTIING NII-SAMA!" Mokuba basically yelled, bringing the brunette out of his thoughts, he couldn't help but smile at his younger brother. If he felt this much excitement with Mokuba's first day of middle school he couldn't imagine what it would feel like when he was beside Jouneth at his first day kindergarten and first grade. The brother duo was greeted then shown to some chairs set up at the front of all the other rows. Seto couldn't help but feel like he and his brother were being treated special already.
"MOKUBA!" A child's voice called for the boy. The raven-haired Kaiba turned to see Derrik running toward him, with his mother and father in tow. The boy sat next to Mokuba and greeted him excitedly. "Can you believe it? We're actually playing with the big boys now!" Seto just sat and listened to this childhood chitchat. He was happy his brother had been living more luxuriously than he had. All he needed was his joyful little brother to turn into him. Then Derrik's mother asked a question she had no right to stick her nose in. "Where are your parents, child?" She inquired rather rudely. Mokuba went silent for a moment, "Well…you see, my parents aren't here…right now." The boy looked up to Seto for reassurance. "A boy raising a boy really isn't the way to go. You should have a sturdy father, not your brother, who should probably more than likely should be sitting with the eight graders." If it's not apparent now, then lets just say this woman dislikes Seto. Her husband cut in and gave the young CEO an apologetic look.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, students new and old, welcome to Domino Middle School home of the Swamp Dragons!" The crowd of students and parents cheered and Seto couldn't help but crack a smile at the mention of the school mascot. 'At least Domino High has the Twilight Dragon for a mascot. I guess you have to start somewhere.' Seto thought to himself. "I want to announce that this year we have created two new after school activities to go along with our large verity already, Duel Monsters Club and a mini district wide tournament. The club essentially is for students who just love collecting cards and various merchandise, can come together and make new friends. As for the Duel Monsters District wide tournament, this is a place where aspiring duelist can come and sharpen their skills and strategies and participate in, wholesome Duel Monsters fun. Like I said before, these are after school activities, any Duel Monsters cards or other merchandise that makes an appearance in class they will be confiscated until further notice, your teachers will go into more depth about the situation. I would like to thank all the parents and siblings that have come out today to support their younger or older brothers and sisters. You will now take your student's schedule and escort them to their homeroom class. Oh and before I forget again I am Principal Tetsuya Moya."
"Alright, so it says your home room is in room 24 with Mr. Penner (note: all the teachers I have used in my stories are real people and they are all great! Some of the greatest mentors I will ever have)." Seto read. The boy nodded then stopped as he looked down several different hallways. "Uhhh…" The brunette laughed, "To your left kiddo."
"Oh, I knew that." Mokuba said with a grin then started his way down the hall. The raven-haired boy walked through the doorway and was greeted by a very energetic teacher. "Well good morning and welcome to your homeroom studies and earth science. I am Mr. Penner and I am happy to meet you Mr…"
"Uh, Oh! I'm Mokuba Kaiba." The teacher shook the boy's hand, "Nice to meet you Mr. Kaiba. You may have a seat." Seto stood behind his brother and was next to greet the teacher. He was in fact an energetic man and more than likely loved his job, he had green eyes and a pair of seeing glasses. He had to be in at least his late thirties, early forties. His red hair was tied back in a ponytail, very professional. The man held out his hand to the young CEO, "How do you do sir, I am Rick Penner." Seto took his hand and shook it and nodded, "I'm Seto Kaiba."
"Mokuba's father?" Seto chuckled lightly, "No, sir, I'm his brother." Mr. Penner nodded, "Please, won't you have a seat." The teen went over to Mokuba and sat with him.
"Let me start out with telling you all that I love my job. I love my job because I am able to prepare your students for the world ahead, I can only merely give them a crash course but I will do my best to give them an understanding of the reality that awaits them. I can be a mentor and a friend, and I am more than honored that I will have been a part of your child's success." The parents and guardians of the students applauded him and he bowed. "I thank you for your applause, but it is your students that deserve the praise for making it this far." Again the parents clapped, but this time for their children. "Okay for our agenda today, parents and guardians will be invited to stay for homeroom studies then will be asked to leave to give their children the freedom to find themselves among their peers." The teacher went on to introducing himself then had the students introduce themselves to their class and had them say one interesting fact about themselves. Mokuba said that he loved to play Duel Monsters and had won various tournaments that the game shop held for kids. Finally the bell rang and signaled for students to head to their next class.
"NO! I don't want you to go Seto!" The boy begged, he had latched himself around his brother's waist. "Mokuba Kaiba. Come on kiddo you gotta let go." The boy released his brother but gave him the infamous puppy eyes. "Why are you so scared?"
"I'm afraid of…being alone. I don't know any of these kids." Seto hugged his baby brother, "Mokuba, you'll be fine. You can make friends easily and I'm sure Derrik has a couple classes with you." Still, the kid was trying to manipulate his elder sibling, "Listen, I'll come get you after school and we'll go out for ice-cream okay." The young CEO tried to reason. Mokuba finally sighed and nodded. "I love you Mokuba."
"I love you too nii-sama." The raven-haired Kaiba said while trying to hide the sadness in his voice. Seto stood up then began to walk away but turned to see his kid brother slowly make his way into his next class. The brunette felt a pang, he couldn't help but feel bad but then decided it be for the best to just walk away, Mokuba would have to become independent some day. "Kindergarten is gonna kill me." He muttered to himself.
Mokuba simply walked to his desk and slumped in the seat resting his chin on the top, and then sighed unhappily. "The puppy eyes didn't work on the parents hu?" A girl's voice asked. Mokuba lifted his head and looked up to see a long blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl smiling at him. The boy felt his heart do a flip in his chest; she was beautiful. He smiled sheepishly back at her. The girl giggled, "I'm Nikki, what's your name?" He new his name, why couldn't he speak? "Well?" Nikki asked. "OH! My name is Mokuba, Mokuba Kaiba." The girl smiled again and the boy felt his heart melt. "Nice to meet you Mokuba." Maybe Seto was right, maybe he could do this on his own.
9:56 am
It was simple for Jouneth to find something amusing to do. As he let his mother change his diaper he shook his little blue rattle relentlessly and squealed with happiness. Joey just looked on as his son entertained himself. The baby was now sporting a clean diaper and was happily going to town with his shaking and before he knew what hit him, he knocked himself on the top of the head. "Uh-oh, you hit your head. But that's okay." Joey tried coaxing his son from crying but Jouneth's head hurt and he was startled. So, he cried. "Awe, Jou, don't cry." The blonde said while cradling his infant close. Jouneth calmed once his pacifier was administered. So Joey put him down in his usual spot on his usual blanket and turned the TV to Disney channel, "Bear In The Big Blue House" was on. Joey actually didn't mind this show too much. Though there were some shows he just couldn't stand. Then there was "Sesame Street", Seto had told him not too long ago that he still found some of the episodes amusing, the blonde tried to pursue the matter but the brunette didn't budge.
"Puppy!" The blue-eyed teen called while closing and locking the door behind him. "We're in the living room Set." He shrugged out of his white trench coat then joined his lover on the couch. He looked on as his son pushed himself up on straightened arms then laid his chest back down and kicked his back legs. Jouneth was trying to figure out how to get to the entertainment center doors. He reached out then realized his arms didn't reach that far. So he kicked his legs again then reached. Still nothing.
"So how did everything go? Was Mokuba excited?" Joey asked with a smile. Seto leant in for a quick kiss. "He was excited but then when I had to go, he wasn't having it. He tried to get me to stay by giving me those puppy eyes you both do so well." The puppy beamed. "You both know how well that works on me."
"Awe, Seto, haven't you figured it out? That's why we do it, because you're easily manipulated." The brunette lunged at his lover and tackled him to the cushions. Then started tickling the blonde's tender spots. Seto had found those one night during another one of their sessions and decided to remember where they were for future torture. His memory was now paying off. Joey was in a fit of laughter and Jouneth was looking around for the noise. "SETO! PLEASE!"
"Oh, puppy, you're begging. What do you want?" Seto asked in his seductive tone. "Seto… stop, it hurts!" Joey pleaded between ragged breaths. The young CEO gave into his puppy then lay down on top of him and kissed him softly. They pulled apart for air and gazed at each other. "So, puppy, why did you give me this ring? I thought you were the only one who was supposed to wear a ring until we got married." The blonde kissed his lover. "That ring was my grandfather's, he gave it to me when I was really little. He was really sick and in his deathbed. He told me that this ring was good luck and it would grant all your heart's desires. It did for him. I stopped wearing it when you kept calling me names." Seto looked dumbfound at his puppy. "What do you mean?"
"Well, my heart's desire was you, I made wish after whish. Wishing and hoping that everyday you might just sweep me off my feet and I could finally live happily ever after. But when that never came, I stopped wearing the ring, though I still kept it close, knowing that it had more value than wishes." Seto bent down and placed a loving kiss on the blonde's neck. "So if it doesn't work, why give it to me?"
"I realized soon after we got together that it had worked all along, I just needed to see past the material value and really treasure the ring for what it meant to me. Happiness. You see, my grandfather gifted me this ring in his darkest hour just so that happiness could live on within me, by this time there was trouble with my parents. And now, because his death taught me so much, I was able to sang you all for myself." Joey explained before locking his arms round his fiancé's neck and bringing their lips into a sensual kiss. Finally the baby was feeling his sickness again and it started to irritate him. Seto sat up and pulled the amber-eyed teen with him. Jouneth started to fuss and rub his eyes. "Well he's probably tired and ready for his morning nap." Joey said while looking up at the clock. "When did you last give him his medicine?" Seto asked. "This morning when he was wailing." The brunette went right for his son's medicine and gave it to him. "Shh, it's okay now." The young CEO soothed while he rocked his sick son. Soon enough Jouneth succumbed to his drowsiness. It was hard for brunette to imagine that one day his own little boy would be in Mokuba's shoes. I guess right now he just had to hold and cuddle his little son while he could. There would be one day where Jouneth would want to be on his own and find himself but for now, he just wanted his mommy and his daddy's attention.
3:30 pm
"So, am I your friend Nikki?" Mokuba asked with hope sparkling in his eyes. The little blonde girl giggled, "Of course you are Mokie. Am I your friend?" Mokuba was completely speechless; she had called him Mokie. "Of course you're my friend, Nikki." She smiled giddily then kissed her found friend on the cheek. "Well, I gotta go, my bus will be leaving." The boy stuttered, "Uh…Nn…Nikki, my brother is here for me, do you want a ride home?" The girl smiled, "Maybe some other time but not today, maybe Friday." The raven-haired boy nodded then waved to the girl before she went to her bus. The Kaiba boy had a wide grin plastered to his face. "Hiya big brother o' mine." The boy greeted while jumping into his brother's car. "Well, you seem pretty happy kiddo." Seto said with a smile while lifting up his sunglasses. "I am big bro!" The brunette chuckled, "So how was your day at school?"
"It was perfect big brother." The teen raised an eyebrow. "I made a friend, her name is Nikki, she is so awesome! And beautiful." The boy sighed the last part of his sentence. "I see, and when will I meet your little girlfriend?" Mokuba blushed, "Seto, she's not my girlfriend!"
"Ah-hu, and I'm the worst duelist ever. Besides you just said she was beautiful and you sound love-struck." The teen teased. "Big brother, I have never bothered you about your love life so if you want in on mine, I want in on yours."
"Alright, but only if it can help you woo said girl's heart." Mokuba smiled, he was glad his brother knew so much about love. "Okay, uh, what was that leather dog leash for I saw tied to one of the head posts of your headboard a couple weeks back?" Seto fought hard against a threatening blush. "Uhhh…Nikki won't appreciate that." Mokuba really was innocent, "What do you mean. If Joey likes the gesture maybe…"
"No kiddo, let's start…somewhere else." The rave-haired boy eyed his brother closely, "Okay, how did you woo Joey? What did you say?" Seto remembered back to when he and Joey had actually began to understand what they were hiding from each other. "Uh, well in a nut shell, it took us a while to be able to learn how to get along so my first piece of advice would be to get to know Nikki. Be her friend first don't rush into something you might regret. Be a great best friend and she'll begin to trust you with all that she is at her age and you'll do the same back. It's a two-way street kiddo. A street you shouldn't be worrying about but this girl sounds important to you. Mark my words kiddo, don't let your grades falter okay? I want you to be able to support Nikki with a good career."
"SETO!" Mokuba whined playfully. The boy held dearly to his brother's words and decided to observe how Seto acted and responded to Joey and how Joey acted and responded to Seto. This was going to be a long week, but it would be worth every second. If it would in the end win him Nikki's love, then he would do it.
Author's Note: Awe…Mokuba has found his first love how adorable! But now it's Operation: Observe The Master And The Puppy. It's going to be an interesting ride for all of the Kaiba house residence. Wanna know what happens? Stay tuned to find out! Thank you all so much for reading and don't forget to review!