Title: The First Time

Author: Wintersslayer

Rating: Pg-13

Pairing: Seto/Yami, sorta Joey/Yami

Spoilers: None that I know of.

Warnings: Maybe some language. And please, LOOK at the pairings listed. If you don't like, then don't read.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh.

Summary: AU- 10 years ago, Yami had a beautiful relationship with Seto that ended tragically with Seto's death. Now, shortly after his engagement to his long-time best friend Joey, Yami meets a man named Seth, who curiously looks a lot like Seto...

Status: 9 of ?

A/N: Not much to say this time. At least you all didn't have to wait two months for an update this time. ;) Anyways, enjoy!

START OF CHAPTER

Chapter 9

Before going to the Kaiba Manor, they had first stopped at the game shop for Yami to grab a few things. He seemed to be packing his bags quite often these days, and wondered if it could be some sort of sign or something. This time, however, he also packed his dark blue scarf. He really wanted to go to the dragon fountain- he just hoped that Seth wouldn't mind much.

As he lay in his bed in the guest room at Kaiba Manor later that night, Yami began to think about this. Strangely, Seth had never mentioned even once about Seto. He must know that he had had another adopted brother as well. Mokuba must have had told him. He remembered that Seto had always talked fondly about his little brother, so he knew that the Kaiba brothers had been very close. So it would make sense that Mokuba would want to share with Seth his memories about Seto. Unless…those memories were simply too painful for Mokuba to bear. The youngest Kaiba was probably reminded constantly of his deceased brother, as Seth had an uncanny resemblance to Seto, so that was probably enough of a reminder of the past for him, without having to talk about it as well.

Yami sighed as he closed his eyes tiredly. It had been a long week, not only because of the tournament, but also because of the situation with Joey. He was so glad to have had Seth there- he didn't think that he would have been able to get through the week if it had not been for the Dragon Master's help and support. He was really looking forward to spending tomorrow with him.

The next morning, Mokuba found his older brother sitting at the kitchen table, reading the paper and sipping his coffee, as usual. Their guest was still asleep, which gave Mokuba the time he needed to talk to his brother. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he sat down at the table next to him. "Good morning, Seth!"

The brunet glanced up from his paper, smiling. "Morning, Mokuba."

Mokuba eyed the headline on the front page of the paper. KC TOURNAMENT A HUGE SUCCESS! Perfect. "So," Mokuba began, "looks like the tournament was really great for the company. It was a good idea to have it here in Japan."

Seth nodded. He definitely agreed that it was a good idea to have the tournament here in Japan. Though, probably not for the same reasons that his brother was thinking of.

"When we go back home to America," Mokuba continued, "I bet that we'll have lots of new offers."

A small smile appeared on his lips. "Actually, Mokuba, I was thinking that we should stay here in Japan for awhile."

He felt his smile fade. "Stay here? Why would we do that?"

"Well, with the old KaibaCorp Headquarters still being maintained here in Japan, it would be quite easy to set up a new headquarters here, temporarily at least. Japan is a fast-growing economy. We should take advantage of that while we are here."

The younger Kaiba frowned. "Are you sure that's not the only reason why you want to stay here?"

He smirked slightly. "You know me too well, Little Brother." He went back to reading his paper.

A little while later, Yami came down the stairs, dressed in dark jeans, a tight-fitting long-sleeved black shirt, and carrying a worn, dark blue scarf in one hand. Seth raised an eyebrow at the scarf. Obviously, it must mean something special to him for him to have kept it so long.

They held hands as they walked along the snowy trails in the park, heading towards the dragon fountain. As they neared the fountain, Yami found himself getting rather nervous. What would Seth think of him when he started talking to Seto? He had already decided last night that he would not mention that Seto was Mokuba's brother, but would rather wait for Seth to bring up that particular point. He did not want to cause any weird tensions between the two brothers. He wanted to respect Mokuba's decision to not tell Seth about Seto, assuming that was indeed the case.

When they reached the dragon, Yami looked up at the fierce, proud face, smiling slightly. He spoke quietly. "Hello, Seto. A lot has happened this week. I won the Duel Monsters tournament. The competition was quite intense." He shot Seth a small smile, then turned back towards the dragon. He took a deep breath. "I… I broke off my engagement with Joey as well. We just…aren't right for each other. I guess you're happy to hear that- you never did like him that much."

Seth stared curiously at Yami as he continued to talk in a low voice. Why did the name Seto sound so familiar to him? He had heard that name somewhere before…Then suddenly, it hit him: Yami had called him that name before! It was that night he had saved him from those men at the coffee shop, and he had muttered that name just as he was becoming conscious again. At the time, Seth didn't think it meant anything- after all, it was rather close to his own name, only off by a letter. But now, he knew that it did mean something after all. The question was, what exactly?

The Duelist Champion finished his conversation, then turned towards the tall man next to him, who, as he had expected, was eyeing him curiously. "You probably think I'm rather crazy, right?"

He shook his head. "No. You probably have a good reason for talking to an inanimate object. But I am rather curious about what that reason is."

They sat down together on one of the benches before Yami spoke. He began to tell how he had met Seto, how he had found him up at the mountains and given him the blue scarf as a gift, and how they had formed a very strong relationship.

Seth didn't particularly like hearing how he was really close with another guy, but he hid his feelings well. At least Yami wasn't going on and on about Wheeler- that would have made him positively sick to his stomach. "Sounds like you had something really nice going," he muttered. "So what happened between the two of you?"

At this, crimson eyes became sad. "Seto…was in a terrible car accident. He…he didn't make it." Yami felt Seth wrap a comforting arm around his shoulders, and he smiled his thanks. He glanced around their surroundings, a sort of wistful smile on his face. "This was our favorite place. We had spent nearly every day here together. This is where I feel closest to him…"

The CEO frowned slightly. It sounded like Yami was still in love with this Seto guy, that he wasn't quite over him yet, even though it has been nearly ten years already. They must have had some kind of relationship, for it to have lasted well-past his death. He wondered if he could ever form such a relationship with Yami, if he even had the chance to form one. For someone who was deceased, this Seto would be a tough competitor it seemed. A lot more difficult than Wheeler would ever be. He needed to devise a new strategy…

That night, the two sat on a comfy blanket on the Kaiba's spacious lawn, gazing up at the stars. The day had been absolutely wonderful for Yami- so relaxing and peaceful, without any worries about Joey or anything else. As a matter of fact, not once had the blond even crossed his mind- all he could really think about was Seth and how he enjoyed his company so much. It reminded him greatly of all those times he had spent with Seto. He didn't realize till now how much he had missed those tranquil times.

The sky was perfect for star-gazing tonight- they were far away enough from the bright city lights for the stars to shine brightly themselves. Yami glanced at his companion, who was staring up at the stars in an oddly familiar way. That intense blue gaze, the way his head was tilted just so…it looked almost exactly like how he had once seen Seto looking up at the stars, in the mountains. "I'm looking for the North Star," he had said, "to make sure that we are heading in the right direction."

Without thinking, the Duelist Champion commented in a quiet voice, "See anything interesting up there?"

The CEO replied in an equally quiet voice, "I was just looking at the North Star."

"I- I've heard that it can guide people who are lost…"

He nodded. "Yes, in the literal sense anyways, using the star as a kind of compass. However, some believe that those who are figuratively lost can be guided by the North Star as well." He frowned. "What a bunch of nonsense, if you ask me."

Yami did not have a response, though he found himself wishing that the stars could indeed tell him what to do, that they could point him in the right direction… "I hope that it's true," he murmured quietly to himself, unsure if Seth even heard him. "We could all use a little guidance sometimes."

The next morning, Yami reluctantly bid Seth and Mokuba goodbye. He supposed that he should talk to Joey and Yugi and their friends, to straighten things out and to explain some things. He needed his brother and friends to understand that him breaking up with Joey has nothing to do with the Kaiba family. He needed his ex-fiancé to understand this as well.

Upon arriving at the game shop, he was greeted by a rather big surprise: Joey, Tea, and Tristan were sitting with Yugi in the living room. Four pairs of eyes looked up as he entered the room. There was a rather awkward silence before anyone spoke. He was definitely not expecting to have to confront them all the moment he had stepped into the room. He had hoped to talk to his brother alone first, so that his brother would be by his side when he talked to the others. So much for that plan.

It was Tea who finally broke the silence. "Yami! We are so glad that you are here. Now, you can patch things up with Joey."

Her cheerfulness sounded rather forced to Yami. He could tell she was nervous. He gently shook his head. "There isn't anything to "patch up", Tea. I don't love Joey, and I'm not going to marry him." That was surprisingly easy for him to say, a lot easier than he had expected.

"Yami," Yugi said in his gentle voice, the kind of voice that he used whenever he wanted his older brother to side with him on something, "Joey had told us Friday night what had happened between the two of you. And while we were all rather shocked at what had happened, we've all forgiven him. He is very, very regretful over what he's done, and he now realizes his mistake of thinking that a party would resolve things between you two."

At this, Joey finally spoke, his voice quiet. "Yami, I truly am sorry for what I tried to do. I know that you don't trust me any more, and I don't really blame you for that. But I swear I've changed! I won't drink any more, and I'll learn to keep my temper. I'll do anything to regain your trust. I hope that you'll give me a second chance, give us a second chance."

Four expecting pairs of eyes stared at him, small smiles on their faces. Yami knew what they all wanted him to say. They wanted him to say that yes, I believe you, and of course I forgive you too, and yes, I want us to have another chance as well. But he knew that, in his heart, those words were simply not true. He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Thank you for those words, Joey." There was a hopeful gleam in the blond's eyes. "Perhaps, with time, I'll be able to forgive you, and learn to trust you again. As a friend."

At those last three words, the faces of his brother, his ex-fiancé, and their friends all suddenly fell, the smiles disappearing instantly. He hurried on. "And before you say it, this has nothing to do with either Seto Kaiba or Seth Kaiba. I just feel that, Joey and I are not meant for each other. We're better off as friends, which I hope we can remain." He turned his gaze towards Joey. "I'm very sorry, Joey."

There was another awkward silence, till Yugi suddenly spoke, again in that gentle voice of his. "Before you make you're decision, promise me something first, Yami. Promise me you'll spend some time away from Seth Kaiba."

An exasperated sigh escaped Yami before he could stop it. He couldn't help frowning as well.

"Because," Yugi continued, ignoring the sigh and frown, "I think that he is clouding your judgment, making you feel so confused about everything. I know that he reminds you greatly of Seto Kaiba, and what you're feeling towards him is probably what you had felt ten years ago. Yami, what you don't realize is that your feelings are for Seto Kaiba, not for Seth Kaiba. You are living in the past, and it's dearly hurting your present. So, what I think you need to do is stay away from Seth Kaiba, and then you'll find that you still do love Joey, and that your future is with him."

Tea and Tristan instantly agreed, starting to list out how the two Kaiba's were similar, how they themselves sometimes confused them, and blah blah blah. Yami soon tuned them out. It appeared that his brother and friends did not understand.

"I'm going for a walk," he said suddenly, turning and heading back out towards the door. Tea and Tristan stopped their chatter. He wished that he hadn't come back in the first place, that he had stayed with Seth at the Kaiba Manor, where he didn't have to deal with these kinds of problems.

"Yami, wait! Don't go!" It was Joey calling out to him. He sounded desperate.

He stopped, but didn't turn around.

"Please. Don't leave me. I…I can't live without you, Yami. You must understand! You're my entire life. Everything I do, I do for you, because of you. Please, don't take away my reason for living!"

A little over-the-top, Joey, Yami thought. A little over-dramatic, and not very believable. Your actions simply don't match up with your words. He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Joey. But it's over." He continued out the door without waiting for a reply, picking up his bag as he did so. He had had enough.

Yami had no idea where he was going. He just continued walking. Eventually, he would have to get a hotel for the night, maybe for the next couple of nights. He didn't feel much like returning home to the constant badgering of his brother to "stay away from Seth Kaiba". He sighed deeply. This day was not turning out as he had hoped. Yesterday had been perfect, so relaxing for him, and yet it felt as if that had happened weeks ago. He was so tired. Why couldn't Joey and Yugi see that he did not love Joey any more? Why was that so difficult for them to accept? He sighed once more. Seto, why did you have to leave me? If only you were still here, then things would be okay, and this whole thing with Joey would have never even happened. I wish Seth were here right now. You always did have a knack for making me feel better.

He stopped suddenly, blinking rapidly. He pondered over what he had just thought. Did his thoughts just switch back and forth from Seto to Seth and back to Seto? In his mind's eye, he saw Seto Kaiba standing there clearly before him, that dazzling smile on his face. Then, the image wavered a bit, and there was Seth Kaiba standing before him, that same dazzling smile that was on Seto's face was now on his. What the heck was going on with him? Could Yugi have been right in what he had said about him confusing his feeling for Seto as feelings for Seth?

Or was it something else entirely?

Glancing around his surroundings, he wondered how far he had already walked. Not surprisingly, he was at the gates to Domino City Park, having taken the long way around apparently. With a small smile, he entered the park and began making his way through the familiar paths.

When he was close the dragon fountain, something cold and slightly wet suddenly slammed into his back, causing him to stop and turn around. Glancing down, he spotted the culprit lying next to his boots: a snowball, or what was left of it anyways after it had smashed against him. Frowning, he looked up and scanned his surroundings. Another snowball hit him in the back of his legs. He whirled around, hoping to catch whoever it was. No such luck though. A third snowball flew through the air, this time smacking his head. He whirled around again, running his hands exasperatingly through his hair as he did so, sweeping the snow out. No one. He frowned again in annoyance.

Suddenly he heard a rather familiar laugh. It was coming from behind him, and he turned around. Seth Kaiba was walking towards him, tossing a snowball back and forth between his hands. He was grinning. "Ah, so I've finally found something in which the King of Games is not so good at: snowball fights."

Yami smirked. "Seth Kaiba, the King of Snowball Fights, then." He paused. "How did you get me from both sides?"

Seth stopped several feet from him, still tossing the snowball in his hands. "Well…I had a bit of help, actually." He pointed towards a particularly large tree, where a young boy was hiding. He gave a thumbs-up sign to the two men, and with a silly grin, walked off. Seth had paid the kid to help him. "So I guess two against one wasn't quite fair. "He shrugged. "It was still quite fun though. Anyways, catch." He tossed the snowball to Yami, who barely had the time to catch it.

Yami looked at the ball of snow in his hands, an uncertain expression on his face. He glanced back at Seth for some help. To his surprise, Seth did not say anything, but with a grin still on his handsome face, made a sort of chopping motion with his hand. Holding the ball in one hand, Yami hesitantly made the same chopping motion with his other hand above the ball, looking at Seth as he did so. The CEO nodded, and with a shrug, Yami brought down his hand, breaking the snowball in two. What he found inside it caused his mouth to drop slightly.

Inside the middle of the snowball Seth had placed a beautiful pendant, in the shape of a star. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the star was made up of five large diamonds that formed the points, and smaller diamonds in between each of the larger ones. A long silver chain accompanied the pendant.

Seth was at his side. He placed a hand on the small of his back, guiding him towards the dragon fountain. "Come on."

Yami was still staring at the pendant in his hand. "Seth…it's beautiful. But why?" He looked up at the tall CEO.

"Last night, when we were looking at the stars, you had murmured that you wished that the stars really could give guidance. So, I pulled a few strings last night and had this charm made for you. I thought…I thought that it might give you whatever guidance you were looking for…" he trailed off, looking a bit embarrassed. The explanation sounded stupid even to him. They had arrived at the dragon fountain.

He was certainly not expecting the answer that Yami gave him though.

"Thank you, Seth. That was very thoughtful of you…but I'm afraid I can't accept such a gift."

"Why not? I had thought that it was over between you and Wheeler. Is it too fast, too soon? I…we could slow down if you'd like, wait for a bit."

Yami shook his head. "No, it's not you, Seth. It's me. I did break off my engagement to Joey, and I have no regrets doing so…but still I'm feeling…so confused at this point. My thoughts are all a jumbled mess, my feelings even more chaotic. I don't know what to think or feel any more. I just…can't accept your gift. Please understand."

Seth pondered over his words. So if it wasn't Wheeler then (and what a relief that was), then there could only be one more explanation. He stared at Yami incredulously as it dawned on him. "You're still in love with that Seto guy, aren't you, the one you told me about at the fountain." It was more of a statement rather than a question.

Crimson eyes widened. "Yes, I did…do…still love Seto. I will always love him. And even though he never said it, I think that he did love me." He lowered his gaze to the snowy ground, not wanting to see Seth's hurt expression any longer. "I'm so sorry, Seth."

The CEO's mind was racing, struggling to keep his anger in check, trying to find the words that would convince Yami to be with him. He took a long, deep breath. "Look Yami, you're the most amazing person I've ever met, and even though we've only met briefly throughout the years, and only started to really spend time together this past week, I feel like I've known you my whole life. I find your…devotion towards Seto admiring, and I hope that one day you'll have that same devotion for me. Because, what I mean to say is that, Seto isn't the only one who's in love with you. So am I."

Yami's head snapped up at these words, and looked at him with wide eyes. Seth slowly leaned forwards and gently brushed his lips against the shorter male's. After a few more seconds of shock, he started to respond back eagerly. Taking this as a good sign, the CEO wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.

A few moments later, they broke the kiss, both panting slightly. Seth gently took the star necklace from Yami and gently put it around his neck. The Duelist Champion leaned up to gently the kiss the other in thanks. The day was suddenly looking much better.

As a matter of fact, the entire week turned out to be so much better than the previous week. Yami had spent nearly all of his time when he wasn't working with Seth. He was delighted that the CEO would be staying in Domino City for an indeterminate amount of time. Though the CEO was quite busy with converting the old KC building into the new headquarters, he always found time for him. They would walk around Domino Park, or sit star-gazing in the Kaiba's spacious lawn. Yami was nearly living at Kaiba Manor now, usually picking up more clothes and things when he went to work at the game shop.

Speaking of the game shop….Yami supposed that, if there was one blemish to this happy week, it was Yugi and their friends. They were all giving him the cold shoulder, obviously taking Joey's side in their breakup. And as for Joey, he hadn't seen or heard from him since Sunday. Yami was actually quite relieved at that- perhaps he had finally decided to move him.

However, all was not as he had hoped for.

A week after he had last spoken to Joey, Yami received devastating news from Yugi: Joey had been admitted into the hospital.

END CHAPTER

Oooo…cliff-hangerish! I wonder if anyone actually feels sorry for Joey though… probably not.

Anyways, moving right along…they finally kissed! Whoo-hoo! About darn time too… I know you people have been waiting for this moment. Hope I didn't disappoint…

Next chapter…Yami finds out why Joey is in the hospital, and decides to…well, I don't really want to spoil anything. ;)

Thank you for reading, and please review! ;)