So I'm going to try to post this one final time....please, if anyone has an issue or problem with my story, please, please email me and tell me. Please don't report it and have it taken down again. I know a lot of people are enjoying this, and it's not fair to have it removed.
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Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh...NOT MINE!
Chapter 10
Seto's eyes widened in horror as he stood motionless in the front entryway, one hand over his mouth, the other clenched into a fist by his side, his eyes glued to the front door. He was unaware of everything else in the room, except for the sight of the person leaning smoothly against the doorframe.
Oh my god no! Please don't let this be real!
Sweat beaded on his brow and his legs trembled slightly at the sight of Marik standing in the doorway. The crazy, platinum haired Egyptian grinned at the stunned brunette, raising his hand in a greeting.
"Surprised to see me, Kaiba?" he asked with a chuckle, causing the other boy's heartbeat to pick up rapidly. "I'm just as pleased to see you, too. Please, don't ask me to stay for dinner, as I've already made other – arrangements."
With a sweep of his cape, he turned and strode out the door, much to Seto's relief. The feeling didn't last very long, however, as Seto took in the rest of his surroundings. A horrified gasp rose in his throat as the rest of the hallway swam into his view.
Jou knelt on the floor in front of the open doorway, his head bent, the Millennium Rod lying on the floor in front of him. He didn't move, and only the faint rise and fall of his chest gave Seto any indication that his lover was alive.
"Jou?" Seto whispered, stepping forward and kneeling beside the motionless figure. He placed his hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Please Jou, you're scaring me. Get up, please."
Jou's head began to rise slowly, like a monster in a bad horror movie. His eyes were closed tightly, his face pale and drawn. As Seto watched breathlessly, Jou's eyes flickered open.
The usually warm ambrosia eyes that Seto loved so dearly were void of any emotion, the spark of life that always seemed to dance in those orbs banished, replaced with a dull gleam.
"Scaring you?" Jou said, his face twisting into a wicked smile. "You've yet to experience true fear, Seto Kaiba."
Jou's voice was hollow and emotionless, his face a mask of pure evil. His eyes had a slight tilt to the edges, and a psychotic grin split his face.
Seto stood quickly and backed away from Jou, his eyes wide and frightened, his breath choking him. His back slammed into the hallway table, and he gripped the edge of it, tremors of fear coursing through him.
"Jou?" he whispered. "Please, no, oh god, no!"
Jou's alabaster hand closed around the Millennium Rod, the polished gold gleaming at his touch. He rose smoothly to his feet and stood facing the terrified brunette. A maniacal laugh escaped his lips as he pointed the Rod at Seto.
"Frightened, little rabbit?" he hissed. "You should be, foolish mortal. Fear me and tremble at the sight of me. I feed upon your terror, the sweet nectar that sustains me, for I am your damnation, your worst nightmare. And I shall destroy you for my own amusement."
As Seto watched, rooted to the spot with terror, Jou raised the Rod over his head. Lightning seemed to crackle in the air, and a giant ball of glowing light surrounded the Rod and the hand that held it. With a growl, Jou swung the Rod downwards and pointed it directly at Seto. A golden stream of power emanated from it, striking Seto's chest, lifting him off his feet and slamming him into the wall.
Seto screamed as he hit the wall, pain coursing through his body. He slid slowly to the floor and lay there, his entire body surrounded by a glowing light. He felt his mind beginning to slip away, and he desperately struggled, knowing that it was a losing battle.
"I love you Katsuya," he whispered, his strength ebbing away from him, as his mind was destroyed. As the final curtain ofdarkness closed over his eyes, his mind was scattered into a million pieces, flitting away into the void. He slid into the silent abyss of insanity, and knew no more.
--
"You did wonderfully, my pet," Marik said smoothly, as he reentered the hallway from the porch, where he had been hidden from sight. He stepped over to the evil-looking blonde and eased the Rod from the other's hand. Caressing the Millennium item like a cat, he pointed it casually at Jou, releasing his control.
Jou breathed in sharply, his head jerking upwards as he felt the cage around his mind lift. He looked around in confusion, his eyes darting wildly, before widening in horror as they took in the sight of the crumpled form of Seto lying motionless against the wall. He screamed, racing over to the brunette's side, and took hold of one of his lover's hands.
"Seto! Oh god, Set, what the hell happened?" he shouted, terrified. He gently shook the unconscious boy's shoulder. "Seto, please, wake up! Wake up, oh my god no! No, you have to wake up! Seto!!"
"He won't awaken, little Jou," Marik said with a chuckle, causing the blonde to spin around in terror.
"Marik!" Jou cried. "What the hell did you do to him?"
Marik laughed. "What did I do?" he said calmly. "Why, Jou, I did nothing. It was you, my pet. You destroyed his mind with the Millennium Rod. Shame, too. He would have made a lovely mind slave. Ah well."
Jou felt himself beginning to panic, his breath increasing, his heartbeat speeding rapidly. I did this? I couldn't have! I wouldn't have! He's lying, he has to be lying, oh god, please say that he's lying!
A slight burning pain in the palm of his right hand made him glance down at his open hand. His eyes widened in terror as he realized the truth behind the Egyptian's statements.
A perfect copy of the Millennium Eye had seared itself into his flesh.
With a wild shriek, Jou launched himself off the ground, flying towards the psychotic spirit. He clenched his hand into a fist, ignoring the slight pain, and looped it towards the other's jaw. Marik dodged it neatly and laughed, raising the Rod again.
"Such spunk you have, my pet," he smirked, his eyes narrowing. "Save that energy for later – you're going to need it."
The Rod glowed brightly and Jou felt the now-familiar sensation creeping slowly into his brain. He didn't even bother to struggle this time, his rage and sorrow too consuming to fight.
Forgive me, Seto. I'm sorry I couldn't stop him. I'm sorry I couldn't stop me. I love you, dragon.
The cage snapped shut around his mind once again, placing him back in the control of Marik. With an evil smile, Marik strode out of the house, the helpless blonde trailing behind.
--
Marik stood on the deck of his yacht and pushed open the door to the hatch. It hadn't taken him long to reaquire the vessel his other had used to come to Domino in, nor to make certain adjustments to accomodate his newest arrival.
He entered the spacious room, Jou trailing soundlessly behind him. Closing the door behind the docile blonde, Marik turned and led the other boy over to the bunk, pushing him down to sit on it. He raised the Rod and pointed it at Jou, grinning at the confused look that crossed the blonde's face as his mind returned to him.
Jou looked around in terror. He leapt to his feet in a panic, his eyes searching the room for Seto, his face falling as he saw Marik standing in front of him, a pleased smile on the crazy Yami's face. Tears sparkled in his honey eyes as he recalled the events of the evening.
"Welcome to your new home, little Jounouchi," Marik chuckled, spreading his arms wide.
Jou's breathing increased as he glared at the Egyptian in furious anger.
"You bastard," he hissed. "You goddamn asshole. You think you've won? You hurt Seto, you kidnapped me – what the fuck makes you think you're going to get away with this?"
Marik laughed psychotically. He leaned forward, staring directly into the golden eyes.
"I wasn't the one who hurt Seto, pet," he whispered, grinning widely.
Jou snarled wildly and launched himself at the spirit. Marik was prepared, however, and grabbed hold of the feral blonde's arm, flinging him towards the bunk.
Jou hit the side of the bunk, his shoulder crashing into the hard wood, the force sending him stumbling back a step. With a groan, he grabbed his injured arm, and looked up just as Marik's hand encircled his throat.
"You've much to learn on how to behave, little Jou," Marik growled, lifting the blonde and slamming his back up against the wall. With his free hand, he lifted a large black iron ring from the table next to the bunk and snapped it around the other boy's neck like a collar. Thick black iron links led from the collar to the wall, effectively chaining Jou. Marik stepped back to admire his prize.
Jou had collapsed to his knees, groaning with pain, his eyes wide and fearful as he clutched at the band around his neck.
"Marik, what sick fucking game are you playing?" he hissed. "Get this goddamn thing offa me now, you baka."
Marik leaned over, his fingers grasping the blonde's chin. "I don't play games, my pet," he whispered, his voice deadly and controlled. "You'll soon learn that as well. But one thing at a time."
He stepped away from the furious Jou and headed for the cabin doorway.
"Sleep well, my little toy," he said, his eyes gleaming madly. "Too bad Seto isn't here to tuck you in."
With a soft laugh, he exited the room, closing and locking the door behind him.
Jou's lips curled back from his teeth as he stared at the door. With a defeated sigh, he slumped to the floor, his eyes stinging with tears.
What did I do to Seto? He thought, as the tears began to course down his cheeks. How could I have done that? I destroyed the person I love most in this world, and I didn't even try to fight it. How could I have been so stupid?
"I'm so sorry, Set," he choked, his chest hitching with sobs. "I'm so sorry I was so useless. Forgive me for being so weak, my dragon."
Closing his tired eyes, he slipped into a troubled, sorrowful sleep.
--
"Hurry, Yugi, we must get there," Atemu said, a worried frown creasing his brow.
Yugi glanced down at the speedometer of his car and then at the spirit sitting by his side. With a wordless nod, he pressed harder on the accelerator, the tiny vehicle hurtling through the night.
With a wild screech of the brakes, he came to a stop in front of the massive iron gates that stood sentinel around the large house. Atemu was out of the car before Yugi had turned it off, and was racing over to the gates. With a heave, he shoved them open, and flew up the cobblestone walkway, Yugi trailing close behind.
As they reached the slightly open doorway of the house, both boys stopped.
"It isn't like them to leave the door open," Yugi whispered, his amethyst eyes glittering nervously. Atemu nodded.
"Aibou, we must be careful," he said in a low voice. "Let me go in first."
Yugi nodded, and Atemu eased the door open slowly with a creak. The breath caught in both of their throats.
"Oh my god," Yugi breathed. "Kaiba…"
A/N: Whew! Finally got another chapter done! Poor Jou and Seto….my god, the things you'll do when you aren't in your right mind LOL! So, what did you think? Please be honest, I really value everyone's opinion. So anyway, as always please read and review…it's what keeps me writing!