Disclaimer: I'm in love with a man I've never met; all rights belong to the staff of Yugioh, not I.

Ha, just want you to read and enjoy.

Chapter 6: I Don't Want to Hurt No More

"Nii-sama, yeah know it's really ok to love someone. Even someone you thought you hated forever." Mokuba wouldn't let Seto look away or give him some scripted answer. He was mature beyond his age, and very versed at understanding his brother's emotions.

Seto eased the hot coffee cup to his lips and slipped the warm brew; hoping to gain strength or at least the upper hand of this conversation, yet Mokuba was the only Kaiba today in control of anything. From the moment they arrived at the hospital he had a clear direction of all his actions and emotions. The young Kaiba was the only one with complete belief in the girl. Seto had already written off the cost of her tomb stone. He flinched at the thought. Then the girl would be out of their lives and maybe Mokuba could put this all behind him. Selfishly he had hoped she would never wake up, Joey's dependency would only grow. 'Damn I'm a bastard', he though.

"Nii-sama, you think Joey is only close to you because of his sister, but you got it wrong, that would be a reason to stay away. I mean you would be a reminder of all the pain he has suffered and especially me being your brother. He feels I've stolen everything from him, but I haven't. I'm sure some part of his heart hates me and blames me for everything but I will never stop trying to win his faith in me. It's the same for you."

"Mokuba, I believed she was gone and I wanted it to end, damn it. I believed it would be best for him not to hope anymore. What kind of thoughts is that to build a relationship with? What would I have built it on, regret, ah? But you always had faith and joy." In his frustration Seto spilled the remaining coffee and rested his head on the small table. "What can I possible bring to his life but more pain and suffering? How can I go in that room and look that girl in the eye without feeling remorse? I tried to hide her very existent. There is an animal in my soul that I hope he never sees; its evil and I can't control it. Damn it I've hurt him so much in the past with words alone, Mokuba," Seto cried inside.

"Nii-sama you only did that to protect me, not to hurt Joey or Serenity. One day they will see that, but you have got to believe it now." Mokuba's voice was calm and filled with warmth. He was the only one who could touch Seto's heart and make it bleed freely and in the next moment close it tightly.

"Why love Mokuba, why would I love him or he had desire for me?" Seto could have been a child asking for a cookie and the cookie monster steals it, or maybe you are eating your first big piece of cake and you drop the plate on the floor; he was at a complete lost.

Small hands, yet firm rested on Seto's shoulder blades. The raven haired teen started to slowly knead the tightness from his brother's neck and back. He pushed Seto down so that he slumped over the chair and rested his arms on elbows, his long bangs brushing the table top in front of his face. When did Mokuba walk around to the back of Seto's chair and start to comfort his big brother?

"Nii-sama you're scared and that's good. You guys touch each other all the time and that's love; I can feel it. You suffer silently all his pains and he screams out loud for you, just to feel your touch."

Seto lowered his head in complete acceptance, struggling to accept Mokuba's words. The stress from the past nights slowly disappeared and his head started to clear. His feelings for Joey were painfully clear and dangerous to his well being. Yet he knew in his heart there was no living without the sensitive blond or his troubled sister.

Mokuba continued, as Seto's breathing labored. "Joey is going to need you, because I know things that he won't be able to handle alone. He's only come this far because of you. You are the only one who can give him courage to help Serenity face her problems. I trust you Nii-sama, but you gotta trust you. You know we did something stupid, but the guilt you and Joey are sharing is just insane."

"I don't know if I can," Seto turned around and took Mokuba skilled hands into his large tremble ones. He needed Mokuba's strength to stand. 'Will he be able to except me, I won't change, 'thought Seto.

"I'm not mister nice guy," Seto tried to smirk, but it was so swallow.

"Yeah, tell it to the board. Nii-sama this is not a meeting, it's just emotions. Hell we've had enough tough times to write a number one best seller, so why are you running from life. I won't ever do that again. Anyway I don't think Joey needs some weird Kaiba clone. I think he likes all the rough edges and crap that comes along with you." Mokuba smirked and waited patiently to continue.

"Crap" Seto's eyebrow arched.

"Well, experience," Mokuba smiled as the revised word tumbled out.

A voice called down the hall momentarily interrupting the conversation, much to Seto's relief.

"Kaiba . . . . I mean Setoooooooooo." There was laughter in the calling and a bit too loud for the hospital, but nobody minded. It was a good thing to find happiness on this floor, where dead lived.

Seto turned toward the voice and sighed. "Joey?"

"Nii-sama you never answered my question? Do you love him? Because if you don't than you should just walk away before you damage his heart any more. The smile faded from Mokuba's face and his next words shocked even Seto.

"I love you Nii-sama with all my heart, but I won't stand by and watch you hurt Joey, I will take them both and leave. Serenity's happiness is all I want right now." Seto flinched at the power behind Mokuba's words and listen for the voice of Joey to call his name again.

One minute later, Joey tumbled into the arms of Seto resting his head on Seto recently massaged shoulders. His soft hair tickled Seto's chin and Seto' sighed again breathing in the scent of apples and peaches that always surrounded Joey. He turned his face against the soft hollow of Seto's neck and spoke, his breath warm against the gentle sway of Seto's Adam's apple. "She's alive, Seto. My sister is going to be ok." Seto could feel the moister from tears or was it just his heated flesh?

Joey leaned his body closer; he fit perfectly into the embrace of the tall brunette; yet he was also completely unaware of his actions. Seto cupped his cheeks in his long slender fingers and raised Joey's face tilting his neck back delicately; if they were a couple one would say for a lovers kiss.

Yes, the other was happy for the girl, but all he could feel was the warmth from Joey's body.

The gesture started Joey and he closed his eyes and just for a second he could feel Seto's breath mingling with his own. 'Is he going to kiss me?' Other parts of his body started to response and Joey felt blood rush from his toes to the heat on his face. Damn his couch was doing that Kaiba dance he usually reserved for his private times in the bathroom late at night after everyone was asleep. 'Shit could Seto feel it to? 'Joey moaned deep in his throat. Everywhere his body burned and he realize they were touching from his chest down to their calves which were intertwined. 'Damn when did that happen?'

"Seto"

It wasn't the first time he'd looked deeply into those hazel eyes, but it was the first time he didn't want to look away. Slowly Seto traced Joey's lips with his thumb and silenced him with a touch. "Not now, Joey, but soon. Very soon," the words were barely a whisper spoken from Seto.

"Seto," Joey whispered his name again. He slowly pulled every muscle away from the brunette. Cheeks still on fire, Joey spoke. "Is that a promise?"

Seto reached for his hand, and laced his finger through Joey's before he moved to far away. "Promise,"

Mokuba watched the entire scene and now pretended to cough. "Ah . . . can we go and see Serenity? Although the show is really cool. Look everyone's watchin' ya." Mokuba giggled at the expressions on Seto and Joey's faces.

"Ahhhh. . . well they took her up stairs for test but we can all wait in her room," stuttered Joey. He stole a glance at Seto.

"Well what are we waiting for; I got a business to run." Seto barked.

"Sure big brother," Mokuba spoke with pride. Mokuba blushed and looked down at his brother and Joey's hands which were interlaced. Both followed his glace and jumped apart.

"Ahh. . . . It's me Mokuba, just witnessed the almost kiss of the centuryyyyyy. What's going on? It's a bit late to hide from me now," Mokuba laughed.

Joey and Seto just didn't have words to say, so everyone walked down the hallway, lost in thought, each planning a future, not realizing happiness can be a fleeting thing if you don't have the courage to grab it. Not one of the boys, big or small understood exactly what that meant, but a little girl who had been sleep for a year was about to show them…….

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sherabo: Ok a little less dark, but I hope you like it??? Worried…. Review, I need a little love tonight after this chapter……