"W-What?" Joey was horror-struck. How could he possibly even think about killing the one that meant so much to him? But if he didn't, Yugi, Mokuba and Brianna would all be killed; in other words, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. What was he to do?
"So, what's your decision?" Mr. Wheeler asked, an obvious sense of hatred evident in his tone of voice. "Are you going to do as we say or will risk your friends' lives?"
The blonde gulped, afraid of what to say; afraid of the consequences that were sure to follow no matter what route he chose to take. He looked over to Seto, nearly on the verge of tears. He wanted to run into his arms; he wanted to feel safe from the terror that was beginning to overwhelm him. He felt so cold, almost as though his entire world was threatening to collapse at any minute. He couldn't take it anymore; he needed to find a way out; he needed to find some sort of a sanctuary where he could live in peace forever with the one he loved. Unfortunately, there is no such place…
"Joseph!" Snapping out of his current reverie, Joey turned his head and within seconds, both father and son had fixed their gaze upon one another and refused to look away.
"Yes?" Joey retorted, somewhat arrogantly.
"I asked you a question and I expect an answer," the older male sneered as he turned his head to the side and spit distastefully on the floor.
"I know what you said; I have ears." Joey was fully aware of his sarcasm and did not show the slightest hint that he cared. He did not feel the need to converse with his father in a friendly manner; the current situation was anything but friendly.
Hiding the obvious anger that burned inside of him, Mr. Wheeler spoke in somewhat of a calm manner. "Then answer," he stated plainly.
"The answer…" Shifting his gaze to Seto and then back to his father, Joey gulped, wondering if the answer he was planning to give was the right one.
"Say yes…"
"Huh?" Joey looked around to find the source of the unidentified voice and soon came to lay eyes upon the one person he least suspected to say anything…Seto…
"What did you say?" The blonde's query was most definitely an intriguing one.
"Just do what they say…" That was not the answer Joey expected to hear. Why would Seto want Joey to kill him? Was it because he wanted to save his brother and the others? Was he willing to sacrifice his own life for theirs? All these questions and more confused the blonde. What was he to do? Should he listen to Seto and do what he says? If he did that, the consequences would be dire. If he didn't, his friends would suffer; he wasn't about to gamble with his father's words.
"Seto I…"
"Ahem." Joey groaned and redirected his attention back onto his father.
"What?"
With his one eyebrow twitching, Mr. Wheeler cleared his throat and prepared to speak. "We're all waiting to hear your answer. So, what is it going to be? Are you going to listen to your friend or will you make your own decision?"
While trying to reason with himself in finding a possible solution, Joey moved over towards the couch and flopped himself down on it. Placing his head in his heads, he felt a few tears trickle down the side of his face. He couldn't take it anymore; it was impossible to win this fight. Nothing he could say or do would help him emerge victorious. He was stuck. However, it was then that he felt a gentle hand rest upon that of his right shoulder. When he looked to see whom it was that was standing behind him, he wasn't the least bit surprised with what he saw.
"Seto?"
Almost as if he were reading the blonde's thoughts, the blue-eyed brunette lowered himself to an almost crouching position behind the couch and whispered softly into his lover's ear. "Listen, I have a plan but you will first have to comply with your father's orders if it is to succeed." Not knowing if he had heard right, Joey turned around, only to come face-to-face with his crystal-eyed lover.
"What?"
"You must act as though you are complying with your father's orders. Once everything is in place, my plan will be set into motion. Understand?" With a simple nod of his head, Joey got up off of the couch and sauntered over towards his father, keeping at least a couple of feet between them at all times.
"So, have you decided what you're going to do?" Mr. Wheeler asked for the umpteenth time as his patience was wearing thin, fast.
"Yes…"
"Hm?" Joey's reply seemed to startle the group of men; they were not expecting to hear what they did.
"What was it that you said?" Mr. Wheeler inquired further.
Disliking the need to repeat himself, the young blonde heaved a heavy outward sigh and prepared to answer his father's question.
"I said yes…"
Mr. Wheeler chuckled lightly to himself and flashed his undeniable trademark smirk. "Very well, if that is what you choose," he spoke in an eerily calm voice. However, Joey was not frightened in the least. He had had to deal with his father on such occasions that were much worse than this, so anything less felt to be nothing more than just a simple conversation.
As Joey closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, he felt something hard being thrust into his stomach. On instinct, he grabbed a hold of whatever the object was and when he looked down at it, he realized that he was holding what looked to be a simplified handgun. His eyes immediately widened in shock; this was not what he had expected. If Seto really did have a plan to get out of this mess, was he prepared for something of this caliber? The blonde certainly hoped that he was, otherwise things were only going to get worse…
"What's wrong little Joey? Scared?" one of the men standing to the left of Mr. Wheeler mocked.
Joey furrowed his brow and glared at all the men, wishing for them all to just drop-dead right there and then. He couldn't stand all the mental torture that they were putting him through; he just wanted to escape from it all. Why couldn't he just live a normal life for once and not have to deal with all of his father's shit anymore? No, that would be too easy; either the gods were testing him or someone was out to get him. That was the way he saw his life and it had not changed since the time he had first moved in with his father when his mother and Serenity left to go live in New York City. Yet ever since he had met and fell in love with Seto, things changed for the better. He developed a more positive outlook on life because he was finally with someone that cared for and loved him with all their heart and soul. Sure it sounded corny, but it was true. He couldn't help wishing that he were back at the Kaiba Mansion with Seto, just curled up on the couch with one another as they had done in the past. That was a definitely a moment in which the blonde would treasure for the rest of his life.
"Wheeler!" The sound of his father's gruff voice snapped the teen back into reality, even though reality was not somewhere he wanted to be right now.
"What?" Joey practically spat in response.
"You were asked a question, so answer!"
Looking as though he were in some kind of a daze, he stared into his father's own chocolate brown orbs and shrugged his shoulders inertly. "What?" He was only pretending to act dumbfounded; he knew exactly what his father was talking about.
"If you don't quit acting as you are, you'll regret ever setting foot in this house…" Mr. Wheeler seethed angrily. However, this did not frighten Joey in the least. He was used to his father's idle threats, in which most of them were never put into action.
"Oh, really?" Joey responded rhetorically.
"Really…"
"And just what makes you think that I'll believe you?" As if almost on cue, the elder blonde pulled out a second handgun, one that was significantly larger than the one that Joey held firmly in his hands. Joey gulped, knowing full well what would happen if he questioned his father further.
"Heh, I knew that would get your attention," Mr. Wheeler stated followed by somewhat of a half-hearted chuckle.
In an attempt to withhold his anger, Joey kept his fingers wrapped around the handgun, tightening his grip even more so, yet being careful so as not to accidentally pull the trigger.
Lowering his head so that his eyes were hidden from view beneath his bangs, Joey spoke, his voice filled with the least amount of emotion. "Let's just get this over with…"
Smirking, his father replied, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Now point that gun at your friend and let's end this once and for all…" Mr. Wheeler then stuffed his handgun back into his coat pocket, hidden from view.
With some hesitation, Joey nodded his head in affirmation and pointed the weapon at his proposed target: Seto Kaiba. He really did not want to do this. Hell, he would do anything but this. However, he needed to save his friends from his father's evil clutches. If anything happened to them, he would never be able to forgive himself…
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Mr. Wheeler asked, tapping his foot impatiently. "Hurry up and kill him boy."
As much as he hated being called a "boy", Joey simply decided to just shrug off his father's comment and focus back on the present situation. Even though he had no idea what he was going to do, he knew that he was going to have to make up his mind one way or another.
"I said, hurry up…" the older male scowled menacingly.
"Yah, yah…" Joey replied without the slightest hint of fear in his voice. He then turned to face his lover and sighed. Looking deep into the brunette's cerulean blue orbs, the blonde knew that he would not be able to hurt him. In such a short time, the two of them had been through so much together, not to mention the fact that Seto was the first person to love Joey for who he was as an individual. It was the same way with Seto, even though he often refused to show it.
While reminiscing about his and Seto's relationship, Joey came to the conclusion that he could not even attempt to kill the one he truly loved. If he did, who would be there when he needed a shoulder to cry on? Who would cuddle with him when he wanted to be held? All their memories would be for nothing. He couldn't let that happen; he wouldn't let that happen. No matter what the cost, he would protect all the ones that he loved…even if it meant risking his own life in the process…
"Joey…"
Upon hearing the voice of his koi, Joey snapped out of his current trance-like state and floated back down to reality. Eyeing the brunette closely, he noticed something different, something unusual. The expression on his face…he didn't look like the same Seto Kaiba that everyone had come to know in one way or another. He seemed completely opposite to what he originally looked like. He didn't look to be that cold-hearted, ruthless CEO that most people tended to loathe; he looked more like his brother. The eyes…it was the eyes that gave it away. The way they shone made Joey want to cry; not tears of sorrow, but tears of happiness. This was the first time that the blonde had ever seen his lover's eyes sparkle like that. It was as if the brunette felt more for Joey than just pure love. But what was it?
"Joey?" Seto repeated.
"Yes? What is it?"
Looking into that of the blonde's innocent, chocolate brown eyes, Seto knew that it was not going to be easy to tell him what must be done.
"You…" he stuttered.
"What?" Joey inquired thoughtfully.
"You…" It was then that, without much of a warning, Seto spat out all of his internal feelings. "You have to kill me. You may not have believed me the first time I said it, but you must believe me now. Don't worry, I'll be fine." Smirking as if nothing was wrong, Seto closed his eyes and began to lower his head, prepared for Joey to pull the trigger. However, that was not what the blonde wished to do. He trusted Seto, that was a given, but how could he know that the brunette had such a surefire plan up his sleeve? His stomach was twisting itself into knots just thinking about it…
"Just hurry up and kill him already!" Mr. Wheeler barked angrily. "I don't have time to wait around! If you don't kill him soon, I'll be the one to do it!"
Joey clenched his teeth together and growled lowly. What right did his father have to force him to complete a task that he did not wish to do? Sure he needed to rescue his friends, but he could at least be able to do things at his own pace.
"Go ahead, Joey. I'm ready whenever you are…" Seto spoke monotonously.
Fearful of what was soon to come, Joey's hands began to tremble, as did the handgun. It was impossible for him to lock onto a single target because he could not stop shaking. Even if he did pull the trigger, he was afraid of what he would hit. The bullet could strike anyone in the room…including Seto or his friends…
However, Joey eventually began to calm down and pointed the weapon in the direction of his koi. He really hoped that it wouldn't come to this, but he figured that he might as well trust the one that he loved. After all, Seto had never once lied to him before all of this happened, so why wouldn't he be able to trust him now?
"I'm…sorry Seto…" As soon as Joey pulled back on the trigger, the front door flew open as Seto dodged the bullet and nearly flung into…
"Tea! Tristan! Ryou!" Joey exclaimed, ecstatic to see his friends.
"You're late," Seto spoke with a slight sneer.
Tea scoffed. "Yah well, at least we showed up, didn't we?"
"Uh, guys?" Joey intervened, yet no one seemed to hear him.
"You could have shown up earlier. If you were any later, I probably wouldn't be here right about now," Seto replied crossly.
"Guys?" Joey cut in once more but to no avail.
"Well I'm sure the all-powerful Seto Kaiba could have came up some ingenious plan to get out of this mess," Tea argued.
"GUYS!" Joey yelled in frustration as every single person in the room turned to look at him.
"What is it Joey?" Tea asked politely, acting as though there wasn't anything wrong with the current situation.
"I don't think that this is the best time to argue! I suggest that we get out of here and fast!"
"Joey does have a point. I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to stick around here for another minute," Tristan pointed out. However, before the group of teenagers could make their narrow escape, a couple of Mr. Wheeler's cronies moved in front of the door so as to block their only chance of escaping.
"Heh, it doesn't look like you kids will be going anywhere for awhile…" Mr. Wheeler chuckled lightly to himself.
"Oh yah? Well we'll just see about that, now won't we?" With that said, Joey motioned for his friends to gather together in a circle so that they could discuss their plan of action.
"So what's the plan?" Tea questioned curiously and Joey whispered softly so that only they could hear.
"Sound good?" Joey added.
"Yep. Now let's get this show on the road!" Tristan exclaimed as they all broke apart.
"Okay, on the count of three…one…two…THREE!" Joey yelled as half of the group charged in the direction of Mr. Wheeler and the other half flung themselves towards the males who were still guarding the front door.
Soon enough, after much punching and kicking, attempting to gain their passage to freedom, Joey and the others were victorious in the end. Unfortunately, things weren't quite so easy…
Each and every single one of Mr. Wheeler's partners in crime were lying unconscious on the floor…all except for one person…Mr. Wheeler himself. He was slightly injured yet could still manage to stand on his own two feet. As he stood in front of the group, his gaze shifted immediately to that of his son. He despised Joey more than anyone could imagine. After everything that had happened, from Joey running away from home to this, the elder blonde couldn't stand the sight of his own flesh and blood. He wanted to rid the earth of his good-for-nothing son once and for all, no matter what the cost may be.
"You…" Mr. Wheeler snarled.
Joey gulped yet managed to remain calm. "What?" he snapped back.
"You…are not and never will be…MY SON!" he roared while making a mad dash for the blonde-haired teen. With his fist out and ready to strike, Mr. Wheeler did not plan on missing his target. However, before the two could collide with one another, Seto stepped up and blocked his attack. Mr. Wheeler was pushed back by the force of the brunette's own fist against his stomach. The elder man landed on his feet, yet was now panting heavily due to the heavy blow that he had taken. Seto, on the other hand, had not moved from his current position, both fists and teeth clenched in anger.
"Don't you ever come near Joey again because if you do, next time, I won't be so generous…" By now, Seto was breathing just as heavily as Mr. Wheeler. No matter which way you looked at it, you could tell that the brunette was indeed pissed. If there was one thing you didn't do, it was mess with the people that he truly and deeply cared for. There weren't too many people that the CEO had a binding relationship with, but the people that did were extremely lucky. Joey was the first person that had loved him for who he was deep inside and he respected him for that. Joey didn't care that he was Japan's richest, teenage CEO…he loved him for him. He couldn't let all of their memories go to waste…he had to save Joey from his monster of a father, once and for all.
Joey's father merely cocked an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh, and what'll do to me if I don't leave him alone?" It was that that had pushed the brunette over the edge. Scowling with more ferocity than that of a tiger, Seto ran at Joey's father and literally began throwing punches every which way. Mr. Wheeler was able to dodge a few of them, but most of them locked on target. When Seto took a brief moment to rest, Mr. Wheeler took that opportunity to charge at him full force. However, the CEO was too quick and dodged the attempted attack just a few seconds before flesh and flesh collided. Upon landing back on his feet, Seto turned a hard glare onto the elder Wheeler, which clearly read, "Back off before I do something drastic…"
Even though it was most doubtful that Joey's father could actually defeat Seto Kaiba, he refused to give up. Seto really didn't want to use more violence than need be, but if it boiled down to it, he would have to do what was necessary.
"Get out of my way..." Joey's father growled menacingly; Seto was not fazed in the least.
"No," the brunette stated rather bluntly. "I'm not going to let you lay another finger on Joey. I have placed the responsibility upon myself to keep him safe from harm and I'm not going to go back on my word." Joey was slightly taken aback when he heard those words coming from the CEO's mouth. He had never heard anyone say such things about him; Seto was the first one. The only people that swore to protect him were his friends, but that was a given from the day that they first met. This was different. Someone other than his friends and outside of his family actually cared for him. He was literally left speechless; he knew there was a reason that he and Seto were together and now he had finally found it…
"Fine then, if you won't move, I'll just have to force you out of the way!" Again, Mr. Wheeler charged straight for Seto, missing him by a long shot. Just as the elder man's fist was about to make contact with the brunette's flesh, the CEO stepped aside, pulling Joey along with him. This action caused Mr. Wheeler to go charging directly into the nearest wall. As soon as his body made contact, he slumped to the ground in a heap, unconscious.
"Heh, too easy…" Seto gloated.
"Seto?" Joey piped up.
"Hm?" The brunette shifted his gaze to that of his lover and replied, "What is it?"
"T-thank you…" the blonde stuttered nervously.
"Thank you? For what?" Seto questioned curiously.
"For everything," was Joey's response as he leaned into his boyfriend's chest, dropping the handgun to the floor; luckily it didn't go off. Seto merely smiled and wrapped his arms around his koi. Now they could finally enjoy each other's company without being interrupted by anything or anyone. Well, almost anyone…
"Okay, as much as we know that you two love each other, I suggest we get out of here. This place is starting to give me the chills…" Tea said as she wrapped her own arms around herself as a method of comfort.
"Yah, Tea's right guys. Besides, don't you think that we should help them three?" Tristan suggested, pointing a finger to where Brianna, Mokuba and Yugi were tied up. It was then that realization suddenly dawned on both Seto and Joey.
"Oh, yah! I almost forgot!" Joey exclaimed as a large sweat drop streaked down the side of everyone's faces.
"How could you forgot about us?" Yugi demanded, motioning for someone to hurry up and loosen the ropes.
"Uhh…" Joey scratched his head while thinking of an answer.
"Never mind…" Yugi sighed. "Just get us out of here!"
Soon enough, all three teens were finally free and were now preparing to head back to their homes where they could finally relax.
"Well I guess I better get going. I'm supposed to make dinner tonight and I'm already way late," Tea said as she started down the street.
"Okay. See you later!" Yugi exclaimed while waving his hand enthusiastically.
"Bye!" Tea called back.
"I guess I better head home too. You coming Ryou?" Tristan asked as he turned to face his British friend.
"Yep," Ryou replied happily. "See you later everyone!"
"Bye!" everyone chorused together.
"Well I suppose it's best we get back to the mansion. What about you Yugi? Are you coming back with us for a little while?" Brianna inquired.
"Well I…don't want to be a bother…" Yugi replied shyly.
"Don't worry! You won't be a bother! We'd love to have you over, right Seto?" Brianna chirped.
"Hmph."
"I'll take that as a yes," Brianna smiled as Yugi returned the emotional gesture.
"Okay, I'll come over. But I can't spend the night. Grandpa said that he wants me home tonight so that I can go with him to the market tomorrow morning."
"That's fine. I understand." So without any further ado, Seto quickly whipped out his cell phone and called his limo driver for a ride home. Within ten minutes, the vehicle arrived and everyone piled in, anxious to get home for some well-deserved rest.
Ramen Goddess: Phew, that was a long chapter. But then again, I did make you guys wait quite a long time for this update. So, how was it? Did it meet your standards? I sure hope so. :)
Shout outs:
Dragonlady222: Thank you very much for your suggestion. I was thinking about using Yami, but then I decided to give Tea, Tristan and Ryou some credit. They deserve some recognition, don't you agree?
LadyVirgo1956: Thank you for your suggestion! When I first read your review, it gave me some ideas. I didn't kill Joey's father, but I don't think he'll be coming after Joey anymore. Do you not think that Seto gave him and his cronies quite a scare? If I were in Mr. Wheeler's place, I definitely wouldn't want to mess with Seto Kaiba. :P
Gbheart: It's okay that you couldn't come up with anything to help me. Writer's block can often be a royal pain in the butt. But I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter after the incredibly long wait that I made you suffer through. :P
The next chapter will hopefully be coming soon. I will try not to make you wait as long as I did for this chapter. So until then, please review! Luv ya! Ja ne!