Seth: This chapter may seem to go by fast. Don't worry, that was the intention. Trust me, Yami's plight may be gone but that's only for the time being. Enjoy.

Forever Scarred

Chapter 19

6:54 a.m.

Kaiba took a deep breath as he slowly crept away from the blonde's sleeping form. He shook his head lightly, taking a moment to lock the gentle image of the one he long-time ridiculed. He always found the 'mutt' to be such a bother, a complete moron not deserving even a second of acknowledgment.

A frown formed across his face as he turned away. Why he treated the other with such cold harsh feelings was actually unknown to him. Sure he played the obnoxious superior over the whole group but Jyonouchi was the only one not given any sort of respect. He was a ruffian, a pathetic mediocrity. But still, even that being said, he really had no solid standing on his overly snobbish behavior towards him.

He looked down to the floor, a certain scrap of paper catching his attention. He smiled very lightly; talking with the blond last night totally erased the reason why he'd come to him in the first place. Kaiba picked up the naïve and hesitated note, from which he could tell was hard for the other to write due to the shaky writing and misspelled words. He traced over the words with his finger, his expression softening at the insecurity wrapped around each line.

But Kaiba didn't know how to answer such personal questions. What was he to say about the whole situation? He never should have kissed him; all it did was add more confusion into the whole mix. Even though the kiss didn't bother him so much. All he wanted was Jyonouchi to feel safe and warm but holding him just didn't feel like it was enough. Kaiba acted on impulse but also his own emotions at the time. Admittedly, he enjoyed having the other's warm lips against his, but perhaps that was a bad thing.

Well, the ever-complicated CEO had… business to attend to. His dilemma with his blond-haired guest would have to be put away, for the moment. He glanced one last time at the blond before leaving the room.

"I better go and clear things up with Yami, for Jyonouchi's sake."

He smiled at him and shook his head. "And to what do we owe this visit?" The blond laughed gently and shrugged. "Come in, Jyonouchi, it's freezing outside."

"I'm sorry to drop in on ya guys. I just want to get the feelin' back in my legs before headin' home."

Yugi frowned, his eyebrows furrowing, "Jyonouchi you can't walk in this weather—you aren't even wearing a coat! You'll freeze to death before you make it back home."

'Please don't tease me.' He smiled dumbly with another shrug, "Nah, I'll be fine. A lil' cold weather ain't gonna hurt me."

"Jyonouchi-"

Yami handed the blond a cup of hot chocolate. "Relax Yugi. Jyonouchi will be fine because I will drop him off."

Yugi nodded but the blond disagreed. "No, don't go through trouble, it's my fault for bustin' up my bike an' tearin' up my jacket."

It was silent for a long time, but Yami smiled anyway, even though he wanted to shake Jyonouchi until he told him the truth. "It's not any trouble, you know that. Finish your drink. I'll go get one of my coats and drop you back home. Don't even try to get out of it because either you accept or you don't leave."

The blond stared into the sweet warm chocolate and for a moment his expression softened and with it he started to come unhinged. 'How can I lie to them so much? They do everything for me… Why can't I even be honest wit'em?' He put down the mug and excused himself to the restroom.

He locked the door and exhaled deeply but quietly. Why did he knock on their door? He knew it would put him down even lower, he knew it would hurt to see their worried faces so why did he do it? 'Because I'm pathetic and unable to be anything worth something in this world.' He needed to know people were worried about his well being, that he wasn't completely forgotten by everyone. But the lying is what got to him every time. 'I wish I could say something, I wish I could do anything for them.'

8:04 a.m.

Yami tapped his fingers against the glass counter, consumed in the thoughts of last night. It was barely eight and the shop wasn't open yet. "What's wrong with you, Yami? Did something happen between you and Yugi?"

He glanced at the old man and exhaled exhaustedly. "This whole thing with Jyonouchi is just bringing the worst out in me. I don't blame Yugi for my attitude or my selfish insecurity."

"Hm. I noticed Yugi was wearing the Millennium Puzzle when he left for school. Does that have something to do with your visit to Kaiba's last night?" Yami was silent, nodding his head in the negative. He didn't feel like talking at the moment, not even to him, whom he respected and accepted advice from. "Well, I am heading up to the store to buy some groceries. Try not to remain so glum and depressed while I'm gone."

She stepped out of the car and smirked as she stared over at the Game Shop right across the street. "You sure he's alone?" She asked a tall black-haired man as he approached from the side.

"Yes ma'am. The elderly man left approximately seven minutes ago and the little one has left for school before so. Yami Mutoh still remains inside."

"All right then, let's go catch us the Duelist Champion." She opened up her purse and checked her make-up before crossing the street.

Yami walked down the hallway stairs, hearing the sound of light tapping at the front door. He raised his brows and peeked through the glass window, he was surprised to see a beautiful business-dressed woman on the other side. He shook his head and pointed to the sign hanging on the door, "We're closed. Come back in an hour."

She smiled sweetly resting her hand upon her hip, "Mr. Mutoh would you mind opening the door? I would like to speak with you on something of great importance."

There was something peculiar about her tone of voice. He didn't trust it, actually, something told him there was something wrong about her 'innocent' expression. "I'm sorry but we're not open."

"What if I said I have information about your little friend Jyonouchi Katsuya?" Suddenly her sweet act had darkened a shade.

He glared, "What do you know of him?"

She reverted into her normal smirking nature, folding her arms slowly across her chest, "Only everything. I know that he is living with that young millionaire and that someone is after him. Would you please open up now?"

Yami could sense a trap but still, he couldn't pass up the chance to find some information about Jyonouchi's plight. Reluctantly, he unlocked the door and let her in. She nodded in thanks and surveyed the area. "Who are you and how do you know about Jyonouchi?"

"Mr. Mutoh I am more than well informed of your dear friend. You could say I know more about him than you do. You must know by now that you and your fellow chums are being watched daily non-stop by some very intelligent private investigators. I know you are aware of this, you did take a few down after all. It was you wasn't it?"

Yami glared darkly at her as he suspected, she was bad news. "Who are you?"

Her face lightened into a distant smile, "My name is Lien and I am a little bit of everything. I run errands, I am a secretary to one of the most powerful men in business and I am the wife of the man that has your little friend cowering in his bed at night. I am also the one who arranged to have you all watched and followed too."

"You are the wife of-"

"That's right. My husband is growing tired of sitting back and letting his fuck toy roam around freely, so some action needs to take place. And although I admire your strength and audacity to take down three top men, he feels you need to be taken in and punished for interfering." The door opened and four big bruisers walked in, they stood behind Yami just observing- waiting for their cue. "A man with such abilities to kill so effectively like yourself really arouses me. It's a shame that you will not be given due credit for it."

Yami clenched his fists and sighed. 'I really wish Yugi hadn't taken the Millennium Puzzle away from me right now.'

"There is one thing that confuses me about you. Those were not simple everyday killings; they were deformed, brutally pounded from the inside outwards. How is that possible, how could you alone commit an act so out of this world? It's absolutely mind-boggling. Alas, I suppose I'll never know. Once he's through with you, all you'll know to do is cry and whimper just like that Jyonouchi child." She smiled cheerfully but with all the venomous tone of a snake.

Yami shook his head, "You can do what you want to me but you'll never get your hands on Jyonouchi."

"My dear, we always get what we want. This isn't some little fairytale, no one is innocent for long and the weak are only the toys of the powerful. We'll get him just like we have you. Who knows though, maybe you'll become the new favorite." She chimed.

Kaiba pulled up and answered his cell. "So you say they went in a little while ago?"

"Yes sir. There are four men and one woman. They are inside alone with Yami Mutoh as we speak."

"All right. Stay at your post."

"Yes sir."

The brunet put away his phone and stepped out of the car. It was a good thing he decided to have people of his own watching them too. He could see through the windows that tension was heavy in the air. He knew it wouldn't take them long to figure out who killed those goons. He turned the knob and stepped in with his intense glare in full affect.

The big guys turned and took on a brutish fighting stance ready to pummel him into the ground. But Kaiba only stared, unafraid of them. "I assume you all aren't here to buy the latest batch of duel monsters' cards. If it's not too much trouble, might I ask you take off while you still can and leave Yami to me? I really would appreciate it."

Lien frowned and sighed, "Stand down boys and just leave. There's no longer any reason to be here." She ordered and the four guys bowed and left the store. She took her turn and passed up the forgotten Pharaoh stopping before the powerful CEO, "Mr. Kaiba it is an honor to meet you in person." She stared over at her 'prey' and held back the urge to glare.

"You must be Monuten's wife, Lien. I'm surprised to see you here."

"I am a bit curious as well, on your sudden presence here of all places. I would think someone as committed to his work would be at the office."

Kaiba opened the door for her, "And I'd think that you'd better head back to your husband right about now."

She walked out the door, without another word. The room was silent until the two black cars left from view. Yami sat down behind the counter sighing once. Kaiba followed him and sat opposite him. "What's the matter with you? I told you not to open the door for suspicious characters and you just disregarded my advice. I know you don't value my opinion but I'd think you'd be smart enough to listen to common sense."

"She mentioned knowing about Jyonouchi's situation and I took the chance. I knew it was a trap as I opened the door and let her in."

"Next time you try something reckless, give me a warning beforehand. You could have messed up everything if you'd gotten taken away by them."

"Messed up everything? So, I was right. You have been making plans without me."

The brunet ran his hand over his face and exhaled exasperatedly, "You know what. I didn't stop by to argue. I really came by to try and work something out with you. Jyonouchi was upset by our constant bickering so; I think we both need to find some common ground. This time, we really need to do what we can to get along."

Yami stared at him intently for a while. Kaiba's whole attitude seemed so sincere and true. Maybe he was genuinely worried and serious about helping out Jyonouchi, maybe more so than he and the others believed. And assured by the look of sincerity in the once called ruthless other's eyes; he nodded and shook the outstretched hand. "Fine. How about you start by clueing me in on this 'plan' of yours?"

'I guess Yami can help me a little.' He nodded. "Alright but you might be angry with what I haven't told you earlier."

"No, we weren't able to get Yami. Seto Kaiba showed up and prevented us from apprehending him."

"Kaiba?"

"Yes. What do you propose we do now? Looks like your supposed 'business partner' isn't trustworthy after all."

"That remains to be seen. He hasn't done anything to stop us yet."

She shook her head and tightened her grip on the phone, "You're being too lenient. How can you consider trusting this man?"

"He could be a great benefit to our need."

She sighed and raised an eyebrow, "Careful honey, greed is what killed the powerful."