Freaky
Joey walked around the garden he had first landed in as he came to this strange world. He was wearing his only pair of jeans which he washed out at night and had the legs cut off half way. His shirt also had no sleeves anymore and he was still sweating like a maniac but at least the heat was bearable this way. Seth still tried to talk him into wearing one of those funny things he was running around in but so far Joey refused. But the temptation got bigger the warmer the weather was and Joey feared that at some point he would run around in a skirt. Of course he knew that it wasn't really a skirt and that every guy here was wearing it and must think his pants as ridicules as he thought their stuff but he still refused to just go along with the no pants policy. Joey also had his strangely changed duel disk that must have somehow gotten him to this place and if it could do that it must be his only way back and so he tried to figure out how every chance he had and it were a lot of chances that had gone by fruitlessly since Seth seemed to be just about as busy as his modern look alike.
Joey stopped at one of the ponds and let the water cool his feet. It felt funny to feel the fish try to nibble on his toe. It was tickling him a little but in a pleasant way. For the millionth time he wondered if he'll ever get home again. He was here for weeks now and during the first one looked into the room of this strange Seth character that watched his every move whenever he was around. It had been so freaky that Joey had screamed at him and all this guy did was look at him in pity coursing Joey to miss the good old Kaiba more and more. He longed for a good fight with him again. But he still missed his friends even more and wondered what they were doing all the time. Yugi must be worried sick and Joey had no way of letting him know what was wrong or where he was.
But there were other freaky things about Seth and one of them was that he wasn't only watching Joey. He tried to talk to him over and over and over. Trying to teach Joey this strange language but unfortunately for Seth, Joey had no intention of learning it since he still hoped that Yugi would somehow get him back to where he belonged. But Seth also had managed to pick up a few English words and was now offering food and drinks to Joey in English and he was also able to say a few other things but not much yet. Not enough for a real conversation but hopefully enough to get when Joey called him an ass hole. He should have that word down as often as Joey used it just to make up for the missing moneybags he would have picked a fight with.
"Joey." He heard a voice.
He turned to see confirmed what he had thought "Talk of the devil." He mumbled loud enough for Seth to here who looked questioningly. Joey gave a sigh "What?" He asked knowing that Seth had caught up on that one as well.
"Fallow." Seth instructed him but Joey had no reason to just walk after him like a pet dog. He knew what Kaiba would say if he ever found out that Joey had fallowed anyone after one word and that thought was enough to keep Joey's feed in the cold water that was much nicer then the hot sand anyway. After already standing in the door Seth turned around to see that Joey wasn't even looking at him anymore and asked "Food?"
Joey immediately looked up and said "Hell yes I'm starving."
"Follow." Seth once more ordered after hearing the word yes which was the only one in that sentence he actually understood.
Joey gave a sigh and got a pair of sandals on that he had gotten from Seth. They were much better for the heat then his sneakers and the sand was sometimes to hot to walk on in his bare feet and so he had to use those ugly things. And seeing that food was involved he better did follow Seth even though Joey hated the fact that he was behaving even more like a dog that way since he got a treat for listening to his wanna be master. While following he was surprised that they weren't going the usual way up to Seth's room. Joey hadn't been anywhere else in this palace. Even in the two weeks after Joey was allowed to leave the room he was only permitted to go into the garden and there were always some big muscular guys with a spear around and Seth had more or less hammered into Joey's brain that he would die if he did try to go anywhere else while Seth was gone off to do what ever it was he did when he left.
But now Joey was lead to a different place and curious where he was going with Seth. He got even more curious when they left the building and entered a busy street. Or rather a sandy way between sand coloured buildings stuffed with plenty of people. "Where the hell are you taking me?" Joey asked upset not bothering to think about the fact that Seth couldn't know a single word apart from recognising that Joey had said 'hell' which he did in nearly every sentence. And so Seth only looked at him questioningly and Joey pointed into the direction they were going and asked again "Where?"
"Follow." He simply said again. And he smiled like he enjoyed the fact that Joey had no idea what was going on.
"Oh come on just tell me. Where?" Joey said frustrated. He loved surprises but since it was Kaiba, or rather someone who looked like him he wasn't sure if this surprise would be a pleasant one. Granted Seth had always been nice to him and given him plenty of food and water and obviously tried to help him in this place where everything was so strange and different but Joey didn't quiet trust this look on his face Seth had whenever he watched him or the way Seth sometimes toughed him. Joey also thought it strange that since they had to sleep in the same room and that for had to share a bed that Seth always would hug him and more or less cuddle with him. Another thing about this Kaiba look alike that really freaked him out. But now Seth just smiled at him without saying anything.
After walking along that way they heard a scream. Joey turned to look just like Seth did but Seth was about to keep walking even though a girl was obviously threatened by some guys. "Leave her." Joey screamed even though he knew that it was probably pointless to say something he still couldn't just shut up. He grabbed Seth's hand since he obviously had some power and said "Help her." And pointed to the girl. Seth gave a sigh and walked over to those guys and started talking to them much to politely for Joey's taste. Joey looked at the girl who looked like she was about the same age as Serenity and Joey hated to think of a girl that age being in trouble and other would just walk by. But to Joey's pleasure the guys seemed to be less polite and soon Seth also got more and more aggravated and even started to scream.
"Go one kick his butt already." Joey mumbled without getting any attention from any of the three mans. He looked at the girl again who looked terrified and smiled at her for a moment hoping it would calm her down. Once Joey looked back up he saw two duel monsters standing on the other side obviously planning to attack Seth. Seth stepped back and Joey noticed just in that moment that he wasn't wearing his funny golden duel disk like thing. And if his memory didn't deceive him that meant that Seth was helpless as a baby. Joey saw in his face fear and without even thinking said "Stop picking on Kaiba. That's my job." And pulled a card from his duel disk. He had never done that since he arrived here. He never thought about doing that since he didn't think they could get him anywhere. But unlike Seth the first day he got the top card out without a problem and immediately summoned the monster he had drawn.
In front of him he saw the back side of his FlameSwordsman and was stunned at the heat that was radiating from him and nearly got mad at himself since the sun was already bad enough without the aid of the fiery swordsman. But strangely even though he felt the heat it didn't really bother him anymore and so he focused on the fight ahead. The opponents had two monsters while he had only one but one of the opponent was a Decoy Dragon which wasn't that strong on itself and from what he remembered this guy shouldn't be able to summon up anything else. The other one was a monster he had never seen before and looked like a mixture of a person and a raven. It did look tougher then the dragon and Joey thought that he better be a bit careful with that one and so Joey told his swordsman to attack the little dragon first. It disappeared without a problem and Joey was happy about it since it had reminded him too much on Kaiba anyway. Joey also noticed that he didn't need to tell his monster anything. He could feel it and knew that the monster would feel what he wanted it to do. Joey knew that he could control it with his mind only. It felt like the Monster was nothing but another part of himself.
After that the raven like thing attacked Joey's monster but moments before the attack would reach, it suddenly flew around the FlameSwordsman and right towards Joey.
Joey heard Kaibas voice scream something strange and felt a pain in his arm after the raven like monster had attacked. The pain didn't matter though, he had heard Kaiba and like hell he was going to loose to those losers in front of him when Kaiba watched. Joey focused his thoughts on his FlameSwordsman and more felt then saw him while his eyes were focused on the monster that had just attacked him and simply willed his swordsman to attack the thing in front of him. Joey could feel the muscles in the arms that held the burning sword tighten and the feet move without moving himself at all and the next thing Joey saw was how his swordsman transformed that raven into mince meat. Luck was on his side once more, the FlameSwordsman was stronger then the other thing. Both of the other guys fainted and Joey looked to where he had heard Kaiba's voice to see Seth stare at him with open eyes. Joey still felt the swordsman standing right where he was and willed him to just go to wherever he had come from and it worked. He disappeared and the card was shining for a moment before disappearing into the middle of his deck.
"Are you alright?" Joey asked Seth who was still staring at him. He didn't get an answer and decided to first look for the girl to give Seth some time to calm down. But the girl must have run off during the fight. She was probably to affright to stay.
While he looked around he could feel something on his arm and looked back to see that Seth had gotten up and bound a bit of white fabric around his arm. It hurt a little and Joey remembered the attack. "I'm fine." He said trying to sound as calm as possible while he removed his arm from Seth's hands. Once he was free he saw the cut in his upper arm that was bleeding a little. He stared at it. He hadn't noticed that he actually had gotten hurt like this. Sure there was a bit of pain but his only thought in that moment was Kaiba's voice which obviously was only the one from Seth.
Seth said something in his own language and tried to get hold of Joey's arm again. This time Joey let him do this, knowing that it was better to get the wound covered since there was so much sand around and what it might do if it gets inside of a wound like his. After that Seth walked back towards the place they had come from. "Hey." Joey complained and as soon as Seth had turned he asked "Where the hell is my food?" He could see a smile appear on the before worried face and then heard a sigh before he asked something in his own language but Joey didn't even recognize the word not that he bothered. "Joey wants food." Was all he said knowing that Seth understood every word of that one. Once again Seth said something and pointed at the wound looking worried. Joey just waved his hand like it was nothing and said "I'm fine." Before saying once more "Joey wants food." This time trying to sound cheerful to make sure to get into his head that he wanted to get the promised food and not someone to check on a wound he hardly felt.
"Joey food." Seth answered using Joey's language again and smiled at him still looking way to worried but walked into the same direction he had been before the little encounter with the bad guys they now left lying there.
After a little while they reached a market place and Joey stared. Once they were there he walked from one stand to the next not caring about the eyes that were following him. Probably because of what he was wearing. It didn't take long until his nose had let him to some food and he turned to look at Seth and said "Food." Again hoping to get some. Seth just gave the guy behind the stand some metal pieces and the guy gave some of the bread like thing back. Joey knew it by now and loved the sweet tasting stuff while he knew that Seth never ate any of it. Probably not liking the sweet flavour. This one was clearly fresher then the ones he had before and tasted that much better. Once he had eaten it all he once again asked "Food?" just to get a surprised look from Seth who then bought a bit more and Joey once more at all before walking from one stand to the next once again. After awhile he found some fruits he liked as well and again simply needed to say one word to get what he desired. They continued in that matter over the whole marked and looked around.
At some point they saw some jewels but Joey wasn't into girly stuff like that and just passed it. But Seth called his name and looked at them and so Joey waited to let him have a look around too. After looking at one golden bracelet Seth asked "Joey want?"
"Like hell. I'm not into girly stuff." Joey mumbled but only got a questioning look since Seth didn't understand anything. "No Jewels." Joey simplified knowing that he would at least understand the no while he pointed at the jewels hoping he would understand this one as well as all the other he had learned so far.
Seth gave a sigh again and said "No jewels." And it was clear that Seth understood but Joey wondered why he looked disappointed. Fortunately that disappointed look changed soon into one of astonishment and amusement as they kept walking and Joey kept eating. It seemed like Seth was just as happy about buying food for Joey and watch it disappear in the black whole of his stomach as Joey was eating it all.
After awhile Seth called out his name once more and Joey looked at him. He looked to a stand a bit down a way and said "Joey." while pointing into another direction as Joey was. Surprised Joey walked back to where he was and looked into the direction he pointed at and once he had seen what he meant he screamed "Kaiba" And dashed to a stand where a duel disk just like his own was lying. The only differences were that everything that was black now on Joeys was white on this one and that the red parts were in an ice blue coloured. It had to be Seto Kaiba's one and if that was in a place like this it must mean that they were looking for him. Mokuba probably forced his brother to help. Joey could nearly picture it how Mokuba was threatening Seto that he would never speak to him again if Seto didn't help Joey and how sad Mokuba would be if Joey didn't come back making Seto feel bad about not helping his brother to get his wish come true. It had to be that way after all Kaiba would probably just throw a party if Joey left.
"Joey want." Joey said as soon as Seth had caught up and looked as begging as he could. Seth smiled and seemed to discus something with the man who sold the duel disk. It seemed like he wanted to get as much money for it as possible and seen how much Joey wanted it. After a long discussion Seth gave the man some of his metal things and Joey jumped up and down in pleasure saying "Thank you." over and over. Seth smiled but once again looked a little worried as well. Now Joey was examining the new duel disk and not even minding where he was walking until Seth put an arm around his waist to pull him closer and save Joey from colliding with a stand. "Thanks." Joey mumbled when he noticed and continued his examination of the white duel disk while Seth's arm stayed where it was and led him back to the palace and into the bedroom they were currently sharing.
Once they had reached the bed room Seth said "Wait." and left Joey alone who was happy to look at the disk in private. He had already noticed a button that didn't match the rest of the disk. It looked like a black claw mark and Joey was sure that he was supposed to press it but didn't want to do so in front of the watchful eyes of Seth who looked with so much doting affection at times that it was creeping him out more every single day. Once Joey had pushed the button a small compartment opened and inside was an old looking piece of paper. Joey took it out and noticed that there were hieroglyph on one side but on the other side was something written in plain old English and Joey had never been so happy to have something to read as he was now.
'Dear Joey
We have a slight idea of where and more importantly when you are but we can't come and get you until we know it more exactly. This device you're holding now is a prototype and not properly tested do not use it to get back or you might get hurt. Wait for us to come and get you. Write down what you know about when and where exactly you are and put the note where you found this one. After that press the small button right under the claw it will send it back, hopefully. Please wait for us and be careful I don't want you to get hurt.
See you soon Seto Kaiba'
Joey stared at the note. Kaiba said such nice things? Mokuba must have written it and forced him to sign. Joey kept staring at the note wondering how to do what Seto had asked. He had no idea himself where or when this place is. And neither did he know how to find it out. There was no way to find out by asking Seth since he had no idea how to ask him. Suddenly he had an idea. He turned the paper and looked at the hieroglyphs, maybe Kaiba had thought about just that problem and written something there or got someone else to write something there. He would have to show this to Seth maybe then he would know what to do. Joey looked up and shivered, how had it come to this that he was relaying on Kaiba and a look alike of him so much? Something was seriously wrong with this picture.
A little while later Seth walked in and for once ignored Joey. "Hey asshole." Joey said to get his attention and Seth looked up at him. It wasn't normal that Joey addressed him. The only normal thing about this was that Joey didn't use his name. Joey always called him Kaiba or Asshole what ever that meant. Joey on the other side loved how the Kaiba look alike reacted on the word asshole like it was normal to be called that.
Joey held the paper out to him and Seth walked over to look at it. Joey wondered what was written since Seth looked like he was about to blow something up once he was at the end of the note. He looked at Joey and pointed at the last little hieroglyph or at least that was what Joey had thought but after actually looking at that particular one he noticed that it was the KC of Kaiba Corp instead. Probably meant as a signature. "Kaiba" Joey said but after seeing that Seth still looked confused he started to say "Seth, Joey, Kaiba" and pointed from Seth to himself and at the end at the KC on the paper. Seth looked even more mad now and Joey had no idea why. "What's wrong?" Joey asked.
"Joey want Kaiba?" Seth asked and looked sad.
"Like hell." Joey said but saw no understanding in the ice blue eyes that watched him. "NO. I don't want Kaiba. I want to go home." Joey said.
"Home?" Seth asked obviously getting that it was what Joey wanted but not what it meant.
Joey looked around and pointed around himself and said "Seth home." Then he pointed at the now two disks he had with him and said "Joey home." And pointed out of the window unsure if anyone would be able to get it.
But Seth looked at Joey and asked "Kaiba home?"
Joey nodded and said "Yes. Kaiba is home." Hoping that Seth would get that he didn't want Kaiba but get back to his own world. He watched the sad face and part of him wished to understand his language for the first time. It would be so much easier to explain such complicated things if he wasn't reduced to the vocabulary knowledge of a two year old. Even though it was impressive how fast Seth had gotten that vocabulary.
Joey was still in his thoughts when Seth took his hand and placed it on his own chest and said "Seth Joey home?" Seth looked nearly begging and Joey gaped. He wasn't sure if he had gotten it right but he got the felling that Seth was hitting on him. And that was more then just freaky. That was way past freaky. But Joey could feel his own hear beat at the look in those eyes the longing that was clear to see in them.
Joey's wish to talk to him probably got even bigger now but was still impossible and so he stared at Seth unsure at what to say to find out that Seth please meant something different than Joey understood from that.
But then it got aperant that Joey hadn't misinterpreted him at all. Seth face slowly moved closer. His eyes never letting go of Joey's and their lips nearly toughed, but in the last second Joey turned his head away and looked away mumbling "Kaiba, home." He knew that it wasn't exactly right. Yugi and Tristan would be more correct but since no one meant to him what Seth obviously assumed Kaiba to mean, Joey thought that it was better this way. At least it was clear to Seth that he had no chance that Joey would ever want to stay. Joey waited until he noticed that Seth moved away again and starting to pack some stuff. He had started to get some out before the conversation had started but now Joey wondered why he was putting it all into a little bag.
"Where?" He asked pointing at it.
"Atemu." Was all the answer he got. Seth had found out that Joey knew the name of the pharaoh and now he pointed out the window and shrugged.
Joey watched and wondered what he could mean. But then remembered the note he needed with the time and place they were in. Joey walked over to him and took his hand to make him look at him again. He looked hurt and Joey felt sorry for having to let him down but had something imported to do now. He held up his hand and pretended to write on it with his other while he asked "Write?" and then he pointed to the note he had just shown Seth.
Seth looked at the note and a smile suddenly played around his lips one that made Joey worry that he would write something completely different then what he was supposed to write. But at least he got something to write on and did use it. Joey pointed at the pen sort of thing after Seth was done and wrote on the other side a note of his own warning them that Seth might be up to something as well as a plea to get him out fast since Seth was creeping him out more every day. He left out the part where he was hitting on him since it was to wired to admit and Joey feared that no one would believe him anyway. Once that was done he put the paper back and did as he was instructed. The disk glowed for a moment and then disappeared. Seth stared at it but then just took that bag and said "Wait." to Joey and walked towards the door.
"Wait." Joey said now and looked at him. It looked like Seth was about to leave for longer and Seth was the only one Joey could talk to at all even if it was only with one too three words in a sentence but it was much better then nothing and from what Seth had said it was something wrong with Atemu. And even though Atemu didn't know him yet, he was his friend. "Joey follow?" He asked and looked up at Seth.
"Wait." Seth simply said and was about to leave when Joey grabbed his arm.
Joey knew that it was cruel to do what he was about to do since it would only get Seth's hopes right back up and that wasn't good but it was the truth and Joey really wanted to come along "Joey want Seth. I want to follow." He said looking deep into those blue eyes.
Joey saw the smile spread around his lips again but this time a much gentler one. Seth held on to Joey's hand and said "fallow." And then they left together on some unknown mission.
Authors Note:
Thanks to Nagareboshi-Lover, Leviathan of the Sea and Bankroll1001.
The fight was mainly in it to show that Monsters can hurt people here and Joey used the FlameSwordsman for mednin.