Disclaimer: I am a writer and Takahashi is the owner of the Characters. 'Whispers' are owned by Skillet and I thank both for the inspiration and a special thanks to a little kitten I know that inspired this story.

In the last chapter Ryou was rescued from one mad man only to face more problems. Sit back and enjoy. This is my first Ryou/Bakura and I must admit I really love that boy.

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Recap: Joey whispered to his friend but it was on deft ears. "Ryou, it's ok baby, we know everything. Give me.' I've got you protected" All Ryou could see were the eyes and mouth of Malik as they moved forming the words 'all dead' on his lips. The boy fainted in Joey's arms. The last words he spoke were 'mother . . . for

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Chapter 8: I'll rise from Hell and Win

Yugi was completely hysterical as Kaiba's private hospital transport secretly drove Ryou to a private hospital on the outskirts of town, of which Kaiba was a big ass stock holder. Ryou would be treated without anyone knowing the extent of his injuries and the said Malik would also receive some sort of aid. The only reason in hell Seto allow some aid to Malik was the simple fact Yugi witnessed his act of violence. If the situation had been totally left up to him, well we won't say what the outcome would have truly been, will we.

Yami held tightly onto his aibou in the limo that followed the transport to the hospital and Yami stroked his face in an attempt to wash away the anxiety the resent events caused him. The violence started by Joey and Kaiba had escalated into a war of sorts and completely fell apart which unleashed a side of Kaiba known only to Mokuba. Yugi, the kind hearted person he was, almost lost his stomach.

"Yami, I can still hear the sound of Kaiba's boot digging in his neck. Is he alive? Yami, please tell me we didn't kill him. Yami!!"

"Now, now hush baby. He's not dead, but why are you so worried about that dog? In my land we would have cut off his . . . . ."

"Stop it Yami, I don't care, and don't say it. I understand he did horrible things to my friend. But I am not a killer. Ryou, he will be safe, won't he? "Yugi couldn't stop shaking, and Yami held him tighter. He cradled Yugi's head against his own heaving chest and brushed the now wet golden bangs from his tear stained face. "Why Yami, why are people so cruel?" His sobs tore at the fragile lining of his heart, he hurt so badly.



Yami thoughts ran right next to Kaiba's, 'How dare he strike my Yugi. Yami touched the bruise and sent out a silent dead wish. 'I would condemn him to a living hell, if I could have without upsetting Yugi. '

The transport pulled up to a smooth stop with Joey walking swiftly next to the moving gurney, holding on to Ryou's hand, while he lay unconscious. Kaiba had stayed behind at the house to make sure all evidence of Ryou's existence and the violence were erased. Malik was taken to another undisclosed location known only to Kaiba. Kaiba didn't become the CEO of a successful company by spreading his business around.

Those were the events which happened two days ago, now two sadden friends set outside the room of their best friend, worried and hurt. When Ryou woke he was in a hospital bed and in a fog. Expecting to be in a dark room on a cold slab, or at least wet from cold water being thrown in his face, but here he was on a soft bed with light everywhere. He screamed, it was his only form of communication.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh Malik, where are they? I remember now, it was Yugi, he told his friends everything. They . . . . They killed my Mother, mommy . . . forgive me. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH….."

Ryou tried to get up, but his arms were strapped to the bed. "What is this?" Joey and Yugi eargerly opened the door in hopes Ryou had calmed down from the morning.

He looked at their faces and screamed out at them. "Why am I bound to this bed? I leave one prison and I find I am in another. You fill me with drugs and you call me friend. "

"Ryou, you don't understand. When we brought you to the hospital, you were bleeding and unconscious. After you woke up, and then Joey tried to explain what happen, you started to freak out and tried to leave through the window. You wouldn't listen to anybody. You just wanted Malik. "

"Shut up, I don't believe you? How could you Yugi," Ryou struggled against the leather straps in vain. "I trusted you with my secrets, and you tell them to Joey and Kaiba, the stupid and insane. Who else did you tell? Why not just put up a sign. Ahh!! DID you ever stop to think what would happen to my mother and brother? Did you, did you FRIEND!!"

"Ryou, Kaiba promised he would find them."

"But I was only a phone call away, I only had to serve him again and now I just don't know, I just don't know. I may never see my mommy again and I worked so hard please him. "Ryou pulled his body from side to side but he just couldn't get away.

"Stop it, just leave, and don't come back! JUST GO!! I don't want to see any one of you ever again. "

The boy filled with grief, just turned away from their voices and sobbed into his already soaked pillow. 'They destroyed my life. I have nothing, no family; only disloyal friends. Where are you my whispers?'

The sobs would have sent the weak boy to the floor had not the leather straps held him in place. He was so miserable. So twisted were his thought of grief at the loss of his mother and brother he would have lived a thousand days and nights under the psychic fool, just to protect them. Now they were all 

gone. His life had no meaning without his family. 'How could Yugi do this to him? Kaiba, Kaiba I remember him. .. '

Joey approached the bed, but Ryou screamed out in horror, which alerted nurses in attendance outside to get in touch with Kaiba. The staff had been instructed to watch the boy closely and report any changes in the boy's condition. Things were not looking good on the first floor of the "Blue Dragon Memorial Hospital."

Ryou continued to sob but he settled down a little, he did not want any more drugs and the boys just waited again outside Ryou's room, hoping Ryou would change his mind. Joey knew in his heart it was not Ryou's true feelings but it still hurt.

"Heh! Yugi, do you think we did the right thing? Ya know!" Joey folded his long legs under his body and tried not to feel a ring of truth in any of Ryou's words.

"Don't Joey, I know in my heart even if he never wants to see me again, and it was a chance I took. We did the right thing. Yami told me this might happen, but I had to make a choice. I did the right thing in telling you. Have you forgotten what Ryou went through?"

"Nah, it's just so hard right now, he's so upset and he blames us for everything. That damn Kaiba I hope he's telling the truth or I'm dead meat."

"Well I don't give a damn!!" choked out Yugi, who never cursed.

Joey arched his eye brow and took some of Yugi's strength, "Yeah, you're so cool, Yugi. If you can wait than I'm wit' ya, man. Yeah' all the way, man."

Joey reached over and pulled his little buddy down beside him on the floor next to Ryou's room and they held hands in friendship, forging a bond of patience and strength between each other to get through this for Ryou.

Yugi, dubbed 'Mr. Cuddle-bug', leaned against Joey and whispered his thoughts, "Joey, I heard the doctors talking to Kaiba. He didn't know I was looking for him at the surgeons office, you know the one that stitched up Ry's legs. The doctor said Ry had broken bones in his arms and legs that had not been set in a hospital, but mended on their own. He had bruises all over his back and there were signs of possible. ... I can't say it. He has suffered so much and we never know. The cuts on his legs will take a while to heal, because he is so weak and he has lost a lot of blood already, plus they don't know when the last time he had eaten. Maybe four to five days. Its' my entire fault, I know. "

"Don't Yugi; you're not that bastard Malik. He was an animal that needed to be put down;" Joey stood up and spit in a nearby trash can, his anger growing all over again at Yugi words. "You tried to keep a promise to a friend, that's important, yah know, like a pledge, honor and shit. You can't really break that."



Yugi put his head down and tried his hardest not to cry, without much success.

"Look man, why don't you call Yami he can bring us something to eat and we will come up with something to help Ryou." Joey set back down next to Yugi and waited for him to contact his soul mate. He only wished that one day he might have a mate of his own to comfort him in times of stress.

"Mutt, hay! If Yami sees you cuddling up to Yugi, I don't think he will be very happy. Can't make up your mind?" Kaiba appeared from hells gate, according to Joey, and he thought things couldn't get any worst.

"Stuff it, Kaiba; this ain't any of your business?" Joey stood up and faced his rival. "Yeah, why don't you go and count your damn money, cause without it, ya ain't got nothin' goin'." Things were back to normal in the Kaiba vs. Joey game.

"Ump, let's see. Mutt, out of his league, tried to play hero, but still a mutt on the outside looking out." Kaiba thought this was rather clever and nodded towards Yugi.

"Yugi, maybe I can get a complete sentence out of you, what's going on, some nurse came to get me, said Ryou was awake and losing it. Let me see, this is room two -six-two, Ryou's room and you two came to see him. Looks like the mutt brought some flowers that are hand picks, old, what the hell. So why you are two outside his room, huddled together, gathering dust and he's inside all alone?" Seto just ran his fingers through his hair in aspiration.

"Kaiba, Ry doesn't want to see anybody, especially Joey. I can't really explain, and the doctors say he's not eating. "

"Ok, let me get this straight, boys. We have an emotionally unstable brat, and he's in control. He's been unconscious for almost two days, wakes up to hell and we want him to eat food. Oh, and let's not forget while he is eating we conveniently strapped him to a bed and we wonder why he's out of him mind. Who's the fool? I wonder."

Seto kicked the door and stormed right into Ryou's room. Somebody had to fix this shitty shit. "Ok Ryou, why are your friends outside, moaning and you are alone moaning. Personally I think the blond belongs on the floor outside, but I was under the impression given your poor taste in men you're in love with him, wanting the dog. Whatever this love crab is, it's nothing but a problem.

The coverlet on the bed just moved allowing Seto to know he was alive. So the CEO just assumed Ryou was properly underneath crying his eyes out. Humming his shoulders he pulled up a chair next to the lump and continued to talk. "Ok, let me get this straight. Pretty boy, likes dog boy, dog boy saves pretty boy from the big bad monster, and becomes a hero. Hero eats dirt. Oh yeah!! Tall handsome CEO, desired by all who looks upon his face, wants to get into pretty boy's pants and I'm in your room. I know you ain't got much on under that sheet. WOW, must be my day. Hell as much as I hate to admit it he loves you, I just want good sex. Thinking about your smooth creamy skin, tight ass, and slender hips get me hard. Want to see" Seto could see the coverlet state to shift and shake.



"Mmm . . . maybe I should just crawl under the covers and take you now." On that last comment the trimmers stopped and Seto realized that wasn't the wisest thing to say, considering all Ryou had been through.

"Shit, well I am a bastard."Ok, Ryou enough. Seto grabbed the coverlet and ripped it away exposing the fragile boy. Ryou whimpered at the thought that Seto would rape him, but he wasn't completely against the idea either, not the rape, but Seto taking control of him. You see Seto always appeared bigger than life and glowed with a power which command respect or homage.

Ryou's eyes grew bigger than Yugi and more tears gathered in the long lashes which surrounded his chocolate eyes. 'Damn he is so helpless and glorious. My luscious whip cream, I could lick every inch of your body and still want more. Down boy, I gotta get these hormones in line. 'Seto's thought were running wild.

"Honesty, I'm not that desperate. Just relax while I take these straps off your arms. "

Still beautiful in his distress, the boy reminded Seto of a frighten doe or a small bird who's heart is beating so fast he will die if not comforted quickly. Tears still held in check behind a wall of fear were about to consume the now boy/child, time was running out. CEO knew that look, God he'd seen it in Mokuba's eyes the day they arrived at the orphanage and the moment he tried to kill him in Death T.

Ryou's eyes never left the CEO hands, and he watched as Seto gently massage the tender skin around his wrist. Faintly, but visible Seto could see old razor marks across his arms, which caused him to flinch. 'Why had I not seen these before? Damn I've been close enough many times.'

"Ryou, I will take care of you. You don't ever have to fear anything or anyone again. As much as I want to make love to you I would never force you. You do believe that…?"

Ryou looked up at Seto and nodded. Seto only chased him and kissed him, but he never hurt him. "Yes," he whispered. His voice shaking.

Seto raised his voice to get Ryou's attention and he held his face firmly in the palm of his large but gentle hands. Seto's presence meant attention and for that reason Ryou always felt a small amount of fear tempered with awe and surprisingly comfort. If anyone had the nerve to defy Malik it was Seto. Some part of the delicate boy would greedily welcome Seto's advances. The CEO didn't know but a little more pushing and Ryou would be his for the taking. Ryou enjoyed Seto's lips pressed against his on some level. Sure Joey made his heart flutter, and he felt all warm inside. But Seto caused every nerve in his body to react and he would become either overly heated or humbly submissive or afraid. Seto was like a roller coaster ride. 'I'll scream, and feel like I'm going die, but I want to ride it fast and hard.'

Just for a spit second Ryou blushed at his conflicting thoughts especially' riding Seto'.

"Ryou snap out of it. I don't have all day to hold your hand, even if you are a hot little shit. Come here."



Ryou lay his head on Seto's chest, since Seto had moved to the bed and with every comforting circle Seto drew on his back torrents of tears fell soaking Seto's black cashmere sweater. "Damn it Ryou, you're worst than Mokuba."

"Ump . . . I'm . . . soryy Kaiba." Ryou climbed a little closer to Seto, enjoying the warmth Seto provided.

Seto continued to comfort the boy and Ryou was almost completely in his lap, feeling save in the arms of one so strong.

"Listen, you little shit, if you tell anybody about this I swear, I'll change my mind and rape you for sure. You got that." Even with the awful words his hands had gentle strokes, so Ryou was not afraid. Seto was only being himself and the boy understood.

"Ump . . . ok . . ." finally after forever, the tears turned to sobs and Ryou grab Seto free arm and swiped his nose and eyes, like a small child.

"Sniffs. . . ."

"Ryou, ahhhhhhhh. . . you little shit, look at my sleeve. I think I'll kill you anyway. You have any idea how expensive my clothes are. Shit to all SHIT!"

"Sniffs. . . I can't help it. . ." Ryou started to shake and he just wanted to die.

"Ok. . . Ok. . . I get it, just . . . . Oh, hell Ryou." Seto pulled the exhausted boy completely into his lap and cradled him tightly for a moment. Ok, you want to talk, fine, but if you say one thing about that blond while you are in my arms, I will let you drop to the floor."

Ryou stiffen, but kept silent, he didn't want to lose this warmth. "Ok, Ok, I take it back spill it, all of it."

"Seto I'm so ashamed. You guys saw me, in the room." Ryou's voice quivered and he started to shake again.

"No way Ryou, don't you dare start with the 'nose – job' again."

This time Seto was pissed and used his 'board of directors' voice on the boy. "Damn it, listen baby, stop it." With his thumb he wiped away those tears, while Ryou looked into the most beautiful azure eyes he'd ever seen. Seto called him baby.

"You've not the first or the only kid to have a sick psycho lover, hell Yugi is probably the only prissy virgin

in the country. And when he dose finally do it, it will be with an ex spirit. You got problems? Joey's got a drunk for a dad and he sleep in the park when his dad has his week end parties. Hell, I'm sure he got stories you'd never hear. He has no idea I know about it and I make sure nobody fucks with him when he sleep on the street. You better not say a word about it. He might be an ass hole but the boy's got pride and guts. My old man took a leap out of a twenty-two foot high rise office building. Do you think I was born a bastard?"



"I don't think you're so bad Kaiba," Ryou wiggled his ass deeper into Seto's lap and brushed his goin though the fiber of his tight black leather pants.

"Listen if you keep on talking like that Ryou and my hands will open up the back of your gown all the way down and I will not be responsible for my actions. Quit moving around!!"

Seto's hands moved and cupped the boy's ass and gently squeezed the small but firm cheeks. 'Damn it I knew he would feel this good.' Seto sighed and Ryou closed his eyes for a moment. Seto's touch though unexpected was gentle.

"Listen, call me Seto, that'll piss the mutt off," he smirked. "I'm not a gentle lover. I would take you Ryou and posses you completely. I don't believe you really want that. I'm mean at work and I'm mean in bed. Don't take my kindness for weakness or love. I despise weakness in others and that is what you are, weak. Eventually I'll get tire of your crying and need to cuddle, so I would toss you out. "

"Ryou eyes brimmed up with fresh tears and he screamed out at Seto even striking out at him with his arms. "I don't give a damn about you or anybody any more. There's nothing left here for me!! You. . . took it all away."

Ryou actually hit the CEO and crumbled into a little shell sobbing once again. It seems the time for talking was at an end.

"My little koi, if I can be so bold, at least while we are alone, I can wish." Seto switched angles so his sleeve wouldn't become the tissue, but Ryou just grabbed his sweater and wiped his nose again.

Seto growled at the boy, set him down on the bed and leaned over him for his last speech. "Ok, you'll listen and next come with me."

"Listen up, on the other side of that door is life. You either face it with your head held high or you stay and hide in this room, till hell comes and claims your soul. Yugi will be by your side forever and Joey would follow you to hell if you gave him the time of day, he loves you. Anybody else got something to say then they got me to deal with a horny CEO whom is not always happy. What is your choice going to be? "

"Ok, Seto, I'm ready, I'll go with you." Seto would help him though this and he just might be able to face the world. Maybe he wasn't completely alone. Ryou slowly stepped outside the room with Seto standing behind him.

"Joey, Yugi, I'm so sorry for the things I said to you earlier. I didn't mean them. We'll not all of it. I just feel so bad right now, and I."

"Stop it Ryou, you don't have to apologize to anybody, you have the right to hurt." Seto glared at the two and dared them to say anything.



Yugi only had eyes for his friend and he ran the short three steps to his embrace. "Ry, its ok, just let me be your friend again. That's all I want."

"Ok, enough of this friendship shit, I got a busy day. Ryou are you coming. If you guys want to come, then fall in line." Seto glazed down at the ninety pound boy and he gave him strength. Joey noticed the look, but decided he would deal with that later. Ryou was talking and that was all that matter.

"Shit Kaiba are you ever not a jerk? Where are we going anyway?" Joey didn't like the way Ryou responded to Seto either.

Ryou stepped forward but his legs wouldn't move any further, he was weak and the medications were wearing off. His body hurt all over. "Seto, please."

Seto reached down and lifting his little koi up and held him protectively against his chest. Ryou settled down and felt no shame as he glanced down at Yugi and Joey; he was protected and safe for a moment. He could breathe without fear of dying. Seto grabbed his brief case and Ryou wrapped his arms around the CEO's neck and they walked down the hall.

The room they stopped in was on the second floor and appeared to be busy with activity. Seto placed Ryou in a wheel chair and Yugi attempted idle conversation. Joey just couldn't stop thinking about Seto and Ryou. "Damn him and his money, I know this is what it is all about."

"Joey, Joey are you listening, can you get Ryou some water he's thirsty." Yugi hit, Joey on the head and for the first time in almost two weeks Ryou laughed.

Seto opened the door and beckon for Ryou to enter. Seto scooped the boy up in his arms and set him down on the other side of the door. On second thought he stood directly behind him ready to catch the boy if he should fall.

Standing by the bed a young boy about twelve looked deeply into the chocolate orbs of a very sick boy. Ryou blinked and attempted to focus, because it had to be a mistake. The boy's hair was a smoky gray with strands of blond and silver running through it. His eyes were emerald green and glittered with sparkles of bright blue inside. His smile was slow and hesitant in coming but once Ryou stepped forward he ran to his arms.

"TAKI," Ryou could hardly speak the word, "brother." He could hardly see through the mist of tears both openly shed.

"Ryou, I . . . . I thought . . . We thought you were dead, he said you were dead, Mommy just didn't want to live anymore, and she got so sick. . . . I tried to help Mommy. I TRIED MY BEST!! But Mommy just got sicker. . . ." Taki's words became whispers and faded in the silence of the room.

"Taki, where's Mommy, where is she?" Ryou held his brother and prey his worst fears were not to be realized.



Taki pointed to the bed and slowly Ryou walked over to see the still figure lying underneath the covers. At first he only saw the white hair so like his own and shuttered as he leaned forward to pull it away from the face. Ryou knew it was his mother but she was so still.

"Mommy, mommy," he whispered and willed her eyes to please open. He could feel her sweet breath tickle his cheek and he hoped. Her heart beat was faint, but steady. "Mommy please, wake up."

"She's been like that for two weeks; he was going to send Mommy away, but. . . . . Ryou, he said you were dead, I thought I was all alone. I didn't know what to do."

For a moment Ryou embraced his brother again, and glanced back to Seto. "Seto is she . . ." Seto walked up closer to the brothers and gentle took the smaller Boy to his arms and Ryou pleaded with his eyes for some kind of sign. Seto could not give him anything, only a shoulder or lap or sleeve to cry on. He only hoped it would be enough. He saw the doctor's reports and knew Ryou's mother was very ill.

Ryou turned back to his Mommy and brushed the hair from her face and let the tears fall. "Mommy please wake up, It's me, Ryou, your son, no your baby. I need you mommy please."

He pressed his soft cheek against his Mommy's just like she did when he was little. Mommy always said rubbing cheeks was like sharing love and giving warmth and kissing. So when he got too big to kiss she would always warm his cheek.

"Mommy, please," A small sigh, just a whisper. "Ryou, Ryou is that you?"

"Mommy, Taki, look its Mommy, she called my name." Slowly the most beautiful chocolate eyes ever imagined emerged from under lashes longer that Ryou's.

Seto flinched at the reflection of his love interest in the eyes of his mother. My god mother and son were stunning. A hand appeared from under the covers and lightly touched the boy's cheek. "Ryou, my baby."

"Yes, Mommy it's . . . . Me."

Ryou pulled back the covers and climbed in the narrow bed with his mommy. He then reached out to Taki and Taki found shelter in his brother's arms. The three closed their eyes and held each other tight remembering the love that had been denied them for so long. No words were necessary. Secretly vows were made to never be separated again.

Seto quickly backed out of the room and stopped a nurse from entering. If you looked closely you could see the dust Seto wiped from his black sweater, because it couldn't have been a tear. Right CEO's don't cry. This family needed time together and he would see that they received everything they needed. The time for healing started now.



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Mokuba: Sniffs

Sherabo: should we continue, please review and let us know. I think the end will blow you away.