Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh, but I would hurt the person who defiles it. 'Smiles, we love you.'

I have a beta for whispers happy days: she is a great author so check out her stories and profile, she's awesome. And review all her stories. Yeah it's all about sharing and having fun together.

Name: xnightmare'sxnightmarex

Profile: /u/1549247/

--

It's been a while and so much has happen to our little Ryou. He has an imaginary love that has protected him from death. But he has a few others who want him also. For now he is safe but what lays in store for the young man. Read on.

This is not for sixteen or under it deals with sexual situations and violence. So let's do it.

Oooooo

Chapter nine: Friends unite

"What are you all looking at?" Seto continued to wipe away the mysterious dust particles that had fallen from the air and landed in his eyes. The dust, in its strange form continued to fall down his cheeks and glisten. The feeling was one of ice and fire, one Kaiba didn't enjoy. Aside from being caught in such an embarrassing moment, he was not in the mood to spar with the mutt, however Joey never passed up an opportunity to piss off Kaiba.

"Well, well it looks like Kaiba is a little emo." Joey couldn't resist the temptation to get under Kaiba skin. Some things didn't change. His eyes sparkled with delight. Kaiba's cheeks were turning red. Joey cocked his head to the side and assessed just how far he would take this match, as for the moment he felt the game point was his.

"Emo, as if I care," growled Kaiba, he was a little confused, but tried his best not to show it. Kaiba and slang lived in different worlds. About the only slang he used was mutt, dog, and fuck-up; all in reference to Joey.

"Yugi I don't believe he know what it mean, heh heh. . . . Since he is so stuck up and such a lame bastard." Joey enjoyed the moment.

"Joey now is not the time for this; we have to think about Ryou." Yugi moved a little closer to the CEO. He still had questions that needed to be answered.

"No Yugi, I want an answer. Are you emotional Kaiba? The big bad CEO had a tear in his eye." Joey laughed. "I wonder what your tears are made of, anyway."

"Joey, stop! It's ok to care for someone." Now the blond was hanging over the edge, he had Yugi fightin' for that damn' Kaiba. He was so caught up in his personal battle with Kaiba all thoughts of Ryou flew out of his head.



Yami rolled his eyes realizing once the blond got started he wouldn't stop until somebody shut him down; sometimes Joey could be so childish.

"Kaiba will you ignore Joey just this once. I have to know how Ryou is really doing." This time Yugi positioned his body in between the two boys and held his ground. Seto ignored both boys and clicked open his cell phone. He had some important arrangements concerning Ryou that needed his immediate attention.

"Yugi why are you taking money bags side?" Joey rubbed his head in complete frustration and utter confusion. Ryou hated Joey which was all Kaiba's fault and Yugi was mad at him. Things were not looking good for the blond.

"Because you are the one acting like a jerk; what has gotten into you? Who cares if Kaiba is emo, honestly Joey? This time you need to get a grip." Yami send waves of support through their link, he liked this side of his little koi.

"No Yugi, did you see the way Ryou was hanging on Kaiba? I mean, he can't just take my boyfriend away like tha'." Joey realized he was upset but Seto was pissing him off. It was just in his blood to fight that damn Kaiba.

"So that's it, pretty boy, the only thought in that head is my. . . . My . . . . . as usual. Yugi forgot to bring along your doggie treats?" Kaiba flipped his cell phone and started to bark out orders to the hospital staff. He needed to arrange to have the family moved to a different level.

"Kaiba, wait," Yugi chirped. I have to ask you something, really. I heard the doctors earlier talking to you. Ryou he's hurt pretty bad; will he be all right?"

"What do I look like to you? I'd expect the mutt to ask such juvenile questions but not you Yugi."Kaiba continued to walk away. He was frustrated seeing the shape Ryou and his family was in, plus the danger was not completely over. The feeling that swelled up inside his heart was unfamiliar to him and he didn't like the sensations he was feeling. 'Damn I almost started to cry in front of the geek squad.'

"Kaiba, Kaiba, You owe my light an answer. He's been through hell to." Yami always protective didn't take anyone misusing his hikari. "Anyone can see you are in control of Ryou and his family. We started this fight together and if it had not been for Yugi, well Ryou could be dead. So don't even think of shutting us out. I won't allow that to happen."

Kaiba stopped and turned around staring at the dumb looks on their faces, or at least that was his perception. 'How could he tell them Bakura was not in the security room, but somehow escaped? I've got to get this situation under control, now.'

"I have a question for you Yugi. Was I the only one in that room? What do you think? The boy was stripped of everything, laid open bare, starved, and emotionally beaten. He was clinging to a psycho and wanted to go with the monster. I saw you Yugi, what else was in that room with him? Some of that shadow crap." Kaiba caught the finch in Yami's body. He tightens his hold on Yugi. Yugi moaned. Yugi 

remembered the caresses he experienced and the slight sexual pleasure from Ryou's friend. It was all very real and inviting. Yami still had not questioned him about the experience and he didn't hide the fact that it felt good. Now to realize Kaiba felt it too, upset Yugi even more.

"What, what are you talkin' bu'." Joey pushed back the hair that fell in his face and looked at the worry lines etched in Yugi face. "Yugi, what in the hell is jerk-face talking about?"

"Nothing, Joey, really," spoke Yami.

"Nothing," Joey mumbled. 'Yugi is scared to death and Kaiba has that I know it all look on his face. I hate to be in the dark.'

"Well maybe if you thought about something other than me, you just might learn how to follow a conversation, ingrate." Kaiba mumbled under his breath. 'He is a waste of air. I can't believe we actually worked together earlier; I must have been temporarily insane.'

"Kaiba, when did you believe in shadow magic?" Yami was slightly alarmed that Kaiba was able to sense the presence.

"I don't but he does." Kaiba glanced at the door to indicate he was talking about Ryou who slept on the other side. "I got a business to run and no time to waste on your nonsense. Ryou doesn't need your pity, your pathetic attitude, or the sorry look on your faces. He especially doesn't need you to encourage that shadow magic either."

"So what, you think you got all the answers? You think he needs you? Damn it Seto, why are you such a control freak?" Joey advanced on the six foot tall man and stops his nose from reaching his chin. Kaiba could smell the sweat from pure exertion and pushed Joey back with his finger.

"We are in a hospital outside of a sick family's room. Can you turn on one third of that empty brain of yours and think?" The words were very insulting, and made Joey feel like a little worm.

"Joey, listen to Kaiba." Yugi moved closer Joey and pulled him by the shirt sleeve. "Come on Joey, this time he's right."

"I don't care, Yugi, it stinks." Joey shuffled his feet and allowed Yugi to pull him back.

"Joey you are not even in my league. You can't claim what you never owned. You make me sick."

The CEO just smirked and continues to walk down the hall. Down the hallway, from the opposite direction in which Kaiba walked a man in a white coat walked pass Joey and stopped in front of Kaiba.

"Kaiba-sama," he bowed low. I have examined the entire family as you requested, but Ryou the young boy is not in his room. The staff informed me that you personally removed him to this level with his mother and brother. I understand your need to unite the family, but it is my belief that Ryou should not be so exposed for long period of time with too many people."

"Hey, what you mean, mister." Joey rudely interrupted the doctor.



"Yugi, can you put a muzzle on the mutt." Kaiba glared at the boy with disgust.

"Joey, we aren't getting anywhere with your insanity," Yami voice finally penetrated his thick skull and Joey back up against a wall.

"Continue, and make it quick, I have a busy schedule."

The doctor took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. He knew the reputation of Seto Kaiba and decided to test his own strength against the wits of this young giant. 'First I will explain the problem very professionally, next offer my opinion, and last go for the kill.'

"Well, his physical injuries will heal in time. Although he is undernourished that is still relatively easy to fix with a special diet. His mental state is of major concern to me. He believes that a secret ah . . . friend exist that protects him. But when he was removed from his prison this friend was not allowed to come with him. He feels completely naked and exposed, and undefended against all that is evil. Whatever imprisons the boy in his mind still has access to his body. He believes this most grievously. Of course his friend is in his mind, but Ryou has built up a prefect defense, yet it is most dangerous."

The doctor played with the ink pen in his shirt pocket in an attempt to avoid Kaiba's eyes. This also gave Seto Kaiba a chance to ponder the boy's situation and ask for help. However the mentors of this foolish man didn't explain Kaiba didn't need time to think about a situation. Kaiba only respected immediate reaction and sound answers of logic and honesty.

"Dangerous in what sense, I want an answer now!" Kaiba didn't like the words coming from the doctor, nor the look in his eyes. It is true the doctor was a genius in his field, but he was not a good man.

It was only because he realized the man would most likely shit in his pants if he raised his voice any higher, that he held his anger in check. 'This man is trying to play games. Fool.'

"Ryou's friend has become physical. He believe this protector, or thing in the room is real. It holds him, loves him and has kept his enemies away. Sometimes this thing, this person comes to him in whispers, on a breeze. Without his imaginary friend, he could easily hurt someone or hurt himself in order to survive. He needs to be watched very closely for the next seventy-two hours. I would hate to lose him to suicide, or worst prison." The doctor actually chuckled, but mistake.

"Enough," shouted Seto.

At one point the doctors complex mind registered he was the only one laughing after hours in this freak show. 'Maybe I can win the Nobel Prize with this material,' the doctorfancied. 'This kid has mental and physical injuries that belong in a case study.' Dollar signs danced in the doctor's eyes along with a good spoonful of greed.



"Prison," Yugi whispered to Yami, and turned to the Yami for answers. "Yami, I think this man is a fool. Is he actually trying to threaten Kaiba?" A chill ran up the link.

The doctor smiled and looked up into Kaiba's eyes. "He claims someone murdered his uncle. The boy was under heavy medications when he confided all this to me. I am sure we can over look that with the right incentive."

"Really," Kaiba eyes changed colors when he was angry. He was in the dark blue stage.

"Joey come here for a moment, I'm sure even you can understand this. Doctor claims someone was murdered and Ryou saw it. Claims it may have been friends or someone that helped him. He wants a little incentive to keep it in the family." Kaiba smiled. "How am I doing so far Doctor?"

"Fine, Kaiba-sama," sweat poured down his back, sticking to the thin cotton lining of his old lab coat. 'I earned this, besides Seto Kaiba is rich and I am sure he doesn't want a scandal. Oh this is a lot easily that I thought.'

Seto opened his brief case and nodded in the direction Joey was standing. The boy's mouth open to reveal his dog tongue handing out and a little saliva drooled out of his mouth. 'Didn't this man know he just signed his life away?' Joey recognized that smile on Kaiba's face as the 'I will destroy you.'Shit, he had seen the smile enough to understand it was the warm up in a plan the CEO calculated in his twisted mind. The blow you had better dodge quickly. Actually once Seto smiled it was already too late, because only a few people on this planet had the privilege of that smile. Joey believed the only reason he still had all his limbs was the simple fact Seto enjoyed using him. His merger life should have ended months ago.

"So Doc, how much do you want for that donation to the new children's' wing." Joey smiled at his cleverness.

"Ah, I think fifty thousand should be enough. We are talking about children. That should get the program started. I believe once we get the ground work going another fifty thousand should complete the project, assuming everything goes according to plan."

"What, yo Kaiba, he wants one hundred grand for the hospital."

Seto asked for the numbers to his bank account and transferred the money to the doctor's personal savings. Metal against metal he slammed down the cover of his laptop and smiled at the conniving man.

The doctor turned to go, but Kaiba was not finish. Joey smiled; the game was just getting started.

"Doctor, your pen, may I." Seto's eyes drifted to the ink pen the doctor had been twirling earlier in his fingers. Joey watched as the Seto's blue eyes changed to black.



"Sure," the sweat which ran down his back, now felt like frozen ice cubs, each cube digging into the fragile bone pallets that held the back in one piece; he wanted to leave Kaiba, not continue this conversation. 'Stay cool,'

"Did Ryou tell you just how his uncle was murdered? Seto broke the ink pen in half. Ink splatter all over the front lapel of the old lab jacket. Seto backed the stupid man into a corner next to Yugi and Yami.

Yami took Yugi by the hand and pulled him away. "Stop it Yami, what is Seto going to do? I'm not a fool and I will not stand by and watch while Seto dose something he might latter regret?"

"Yugi this is not your concern, stay out of it," For the second time in his life Joey realized he was working as Seto's second. He hated the CEO, but being near the insane Kaiba was a thrill he would not miss. Joey felt power and he liked it.

"Quiet Yugi, like you told me earlier."

"So, did he tell you I held my foot down on his wind pipe and twisted my foot deep into his neck? Like this" Seto grabbed the man's shirt and twisted it around his neck. "I listen for the bones to crack. First his eyes started to water and his face paled. I could see the fear in his eyes as the air started to stop following from his brain. But most of all I enjoyed the crack his neck made under my boot. Did he tell you that?" Seto released the doctor who trembled in fear. He fell to the floor a cowardly mess.

"Joey open my laptop and give it to the doctor." The doctor took the silver case and closed his eyes. 'He's insane, everyone told me to be careful, but I didn't listen. Shit I just want to go home.'

"Look, you maggot, Look at yourself," hissed Seto Kaiba.

"The doctor would have fainted if he had not been so scared. His eyes closed, after he looked at the horrible pictures and tears ran down his cheeks. "Please Kaiba; please I'll do anything you ask. I can't let this get out to my family. PLEASEEEEE!" The coward was on his knees.

Joey peaked over the doctor's shoulder and he spit in discus. The faggot was having sex with a young girl. I mean young girl. "Let me have him, that could be my sister, you pervert, sick ass."

"Joey, maybe the doctor has decided to send the plans for the children's' wing to the board of directors, for further research," smirked Kaiba.

"Yes, that's what I want to do immediately" he bowed low to Kaiba and prostrated his body on the cold floor.

"Oh you will do that and a lot more. I found out about your hobby this morning and already prepared your paper work. I would have given you a chance, but in your stupidity you sealed your faith."

Seto gave Joey a document for the foolish man to sign. It revoked his license and the statement explained why. If he was ever seen around small girls this would be made public. The man had two hours in which to leave town. Seto had other business to take care of. He left Joey, Yami, and Yugi 

there to clean up the mess. Although the doctor's habits were his undoing, his qualifications as a specialist were without question tops. IF everything he said about Ryou was true the boy was still in a lot of danger.

'I'm the only one who can help him now, damn them all.' Seto had a lot on his mind as he walked down the long hallway. Never would he admit his true feeling to the geeks, but he was beginning to really care about Ryou. The thought of anyone or anything touching him made the CEO's blood boil.

Oooooooooooo

Wow, this was a tough one. Hope you enjoyed, please review, Sherabo. Nite