Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh

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…….

Chapter 8: Why?

Joey walked boldly into the room his sister had laid dormant in for almost one year and realized he had never really looked beyond her bed. Yet the room could have been a normal young girl's bedroom. Pink lace curtain hang from the walls with pictures that gave the appearance of outdoor scenes on the other side of white walls. The effect was lifting. Chairs with comfortable cushions in bright colors were positioned in the corners and the only unsightly machine was the breathing machine by her bed. Now it was rolled to a corner, the sleeping giant was put to rest, never to breathe again.

Fresh flowers and ancient bamboo sticks floating in oil lamps were set on tiny shelves which extended from the four walls throughout the room. Mokuba wanted his friend to wake up to a bright world, especially if he wasn't there.

"Mokuba you never gave up hope?" Joey whispered. "I'm so ashamed, because I didn't believe. I pray god will forgive me, because I will never forgive myself this horrible sin. Help me Mokuba to make this right."

Seto walked out to the terrace he figured this was a battle between Mokuba and Joey. Even before the almost fatal act Joey and Mokuba had a talking relationship. Joey's eyes followed Seto out to the terrace and his legs almost took him there. He blushed at the though and turned to the younger Kaiba for answers. "Mokuba I realize Serenity has the answers but how can I help without driving her away? I pretended everything was ok after she came to live with me and I never allowed the subject of Mom or Dad to come up in our conversations. We lived in silence. "

"Joey, you are doing it all over again. Stop blaming yourself for things you don't understand. You just need to listen and open up your heart. It's only natural to believe in life and death, but you have to understand maybe the connection I have with your sister is like the one you have with my brother. We aren't afraid to bare our souls."

Joey grew silent. He wasn't ready to use such strong words, as relationship and Kaiba in the same sentence. Yet his body tingled at the mention of his name. 'Did Seto mean that much to him?' he thought.

"Ok, maybe that was a little bold of me. Joey, she is my truest friend and from that friendship we have a strong bond of complete trust that binds us. I tried to explain this to you and Nii-sama, but you only witness physical needs. We took a blood owe to never leave the other alone and I never will. Never!!! If it is more only time will tell, but you must understand I love Serenity above all else."

Seto was lured by his brother's words and entered the room to hear more. He stood next to Joey completely mesmerized. Mokuba smiled and Seto nodded for him to continue. "You think physical attraction is limited to sex, but it's so much more. Maybe you want to bed each other, but I just want to know the soul and spirit that is my friend. You have to give and take and most of all understand, or sometimes just let it go."

"I think I understand, better. Most people want to change others, just as I tried to mold my sister into a little angel. I need to get to know the girl inside. I guess it's like thinking Kaiba is going to be a gentle guy and not bite my head off; you know calling me his puppy and all." Joey rattled on and didn't see Seto approaching.

"So you don't want to be my puppy anymore," chilled Seto, as he gently pulled the boy against his chest and with the expertise of a classical dancer he turned Joey around and next bushed his lips. Joey hands reached for the boys chest and he wrapped them around his neck in a lose embrace. All the stars glowed in Joey's eyes as he glazed at the heavens reflected in Seto's.

"Well, when you hold me like that, I can be anything you want." Joey pulled back and thought about Seto, a little anxiety interning his mind. This Seto was a little scary; although he knew in his heart he wanted him badly.

"Oh guys, we are in a girls hospital room, show a little restrain," voiced Mokuba. Actually Mokuba heard voices outside and assumed it was his friend coming back. Serenity's test was just fine. The doctors felt it was a miracle and she could be released tomorrow. The girl just needed exercise to strengthen bones. Yet the question unanswered by anyone concerned the state of her mind; that was another question, everyone avoided.

"Serenity I'm at a lost and I freely admit I don't know what to say to you. I love you and I understand your need to rely on Mokuba; but don't shut me out. This time I want to know the little sister I lost so many years ago. I want to share your pain."

Joey's eyes watered and his hands felt cold as he touched his sister's hair and stroked the tired tussles. She closed her eyes and allowed his administrations to leer her to a natural sleep.

"Nii-sama lets meet Joey at the nurses' station, and maybe go home for dinner, I'll come back later and sit with Serenity until she goes to sleep for the night." Mokuba winked and walked out the door.

"Fine I've got a few questions to ask the doctor anyway." Reluctantly Seto left his love interest and followed Mokuba down the hall.

Oooooooo

"Sleep well, my little sister. Tomorrow I take you home." Joey whispered the words against the paleness of her skin and closed the door. He wondered the streets and ended up at Joe's. The boy had a lot on his mind. Facing Seto tonight with his exposed feeling was not a good thing.

"Hi, Joe can I stay here tonight? You can go home early and I'll clean up for you, promise. No charge." Joey spoke to his friend.

"Sure no problem, you know you always got a bed with me," Joe studied the boy's face.

"It's fine, really. Hay my sister is OK, just wanted to be near the buses so I'd be there earlier. Well can't lie to you Joe. You know I live with the Kaiba's; well I just don't want to see them tonight. It ain't bad; just want to think things out on my own. . . . You know." Joey knew the man was a servant of Seto's so at least he'd give him an accurate report and have a peaceful night. "Night Seto," he whispered to the night breeze as he glazed out of the tiny window in the back of the storage room.

On the other side of the city at the Kaiba mansion another boy glazed at the picture on his lap top. Joey smiled back at the CEO, yet the sparkle in his eye pleased Seto the most. At the time he was telling jokes of a sexual nature to Yugi and the gang with that lopsided grin Seto loved so much. He set aloft on the other side of the classroom and snapped pictures of his puppy. Seto had so many secrets when it came to Joey and now he was forced to analyze all of them. Even with the entire garage in the past, could they really put it behind them and move to the future. Seto would settle for a little present. One day without fighting would be a start. His heart a little lighter he closed the lap top and lay his head down on the desk top. "Night Joey, sleep well."

Oooooooo

Joey called Mokuba in the morning and arranged for a meeting time at the hospital, also he needed a clean change of clothes. After a quick wash up and hot roll for breakfast from the local deli, Joey waited in the hospital lobby for Mokuba to arrive. Imagine his surprise to see Kaiba instead.

"Hay, put your tongue back inside your mouth. Mokuba had to go by his school first, and he had some personal business to take care of. He asked me to give you these." Seto shoved the clean shirt and cut off jeans in his face, a pair of black bikini underwear fell to the floor.

Apparently Mokuba had safety tucked them between the shirt and jeans. Seto reached down and picked them up before he realize what they were and pass them to Joey. He took a deep breath and tried to hide the blood rush to his heated cheeks. 'Damn 'he thought, 'medium, black, silk.'

"Yeah, thanks," he blushed at the thought of Seto handling his shorts and made a quick exit to the bathroom. "Ahh . . . back in a flash."

Together they approached the nurses' station and Joey filled out the release papers with joy. Mokuba had already by passed the boys and made arrangements of his own, which was the real reason he didn't meet Joey at the hospital. He was already in Serenity's room helping her to get dressed innocently of course and waited for Joey and Kaiba to arrive.

"Mokuba I don't feel so good. Will this be a good thing for me to go and live with my brother? I want to make it work, but I'm so scared. What if he finds out? I can't live with that, Mokuba." Serenity sounded three years old.

"Listen I'm going to take care of you. Don't worry. You, know you have all the time in the world?" Mokuba smiled and help her to sit in the wheel chair. "Trust me, let's go. I'm sure they are waiting outside."

Joey spotted his sister and Mokuba and waved the release papers in the air. But he didn't see the group of officials behind him. One tapped him on the shoulder, "Good morning, are you Katsuya Jounouchi, alias Joey?"

"Yes, that's my name. Who are you and what do you want?" Joey didn't like the sound of their voices.

"You have a sister Shizuka Jounouchi, known as Serenity; she was in a coma for a year and woke up yesterday. Is that correct?" The women dressed in black spoke, she looked like a reject from a foreign war movie.

Seto moved up close behind Joey and without thinking the boy leaned slightly into his heat. It was just so natural. "What's going on?" Joey countered their attack. "I have papers and I'm here to take my sister home. It's legal."

"I'm afraid we also have papers young man and a court order which will override your papers. It is of the opinion of social works you are not fit to care for your sister."

"Mokuba I don't understand," she reached up and grasp Mokuba's hand.

"Trust me, I was afraid of this." Mokuba mumbled.

"Look is this some kind of joke?" Joey took the papers from the official and gave them to Seto to read. He glared at the other two men and waited for them to continue.

"Last year this girl attempted to take a life in your care. She is still a minor. We can't take that chance. You can't provide a stable environment. We will have to take her to a public works unit until we can find a suitable home."

"No, Joey . . . . Please I'll die in one of those places." Serenity started to cry.

"Wait, my name is Seto Kaiba and I have a home that is very safe and stable. She will get the best of care." Seto smirked and handed the papers to Joey.

"I'm afraid your estate is off limits to this child. If the reports are correct she was found at your home in a pool of blood. Some reports say she was alone and others say there was another involved. Some say you tried to cover up the events that happen, so the mystery surrounding this child is filled with holes due to a cover-up from your organization. Kaiba we are not afraid of you or your money. But until this is sorted out, you have nothing to say that we want to hear." The bitchy woman derived pleasure in her little speech.

"Damn it Kaiba, it always come back to you," Joey screamed. "So they think you're hiding something. They want the true!!" Joey gritted his teeth. 'If he said anything then Mokuba's part in this would be exposed. So once more it came down to whose sibling would pay the price? Did it always have to be him?' Joey hated the thoughts swirling in his head, like a dust storm.

Joey left the warmth of Seto and walked briskly over to Serenity and Mokuba. It pained him to see her tears. It pained him not to see any on Mokuba. "Serenity I'm doing the best I can. Please don't cry."

"Joey I don't want to go to that place, please."

"Seto, say something, be a man for once. If you can't help me then just leave; I can't look at you, you're asking too much. Will you use your influence again and make it right for the Kaiba's again." Joey felt as though a year had been erased.

Minutes passed and the official said the car would be pulling up shortly. "You can file with the court, but for now say your good-byes."

"No, this can't be happening, why." I haven't done anything wrong to my sister. I've never hurt or hit her ever. "Joey pleaded. "You just can take her away."

"Maybe she hasn't suffered abuse at your hands but it is in her past and until we get to the root of what drove a teen to this act, she will be under our protection." The lady smirked and turned to check for the bus.

Mokuba looked towards the door and at his watch. "Just give me a minute Joey. Look here she comes."

A tall cool blonde walked through the doors and smiled at the group, she glazed lovingly at the frighten girl and walked with purpose to Mokuba. "Sorry kid ran into a little traffic on the way and a touchy police officer."

"Hey, are those the asses I get to kick . . . oh, I mean officials in black suits. I haven't had fun like this in ages." Mia smiled.

"Mmmm . . . your brother, the tall brood one and I suppose the cute little blond babe; his sweet cakes. They are cute." Mia winked at the pair. Joey just stared and Seto smirked.

"Excuse me, but who's the top dog or head bitch running this show." Mai tapped her heels on the floor.
"I have a restraining order from the governor that gives me sole custody of this girl. She will be staying at my private ranch for girls and it starts now. So take your keys and lock someone else up today."

Mai turned around and kneeled down in front of the frighten dove with the matted brunet hair. She wiped the tears away and lifted up Serenity's chin. "Remember me, honey. You and Mokuba came to a group session at my ranch. We sat by the lake and talked about men and the stupid things they do." Mai took a napkin out of the pocket of her waist coat and wiped the tears from the girls face. She smiled as Mai came into focus.

"That's better, my little kitten." Mai winked and adjusted the smile on her face. "Mokuba came to me last night. Said you were having a few problems and well I got a thing for that little sexy guy." Serenity smiled.

"How would you like to stay with me and my girls for a while or all least until you feel like staying with a bunch of guys? Damn a girl can use a break, how about it kitten. We can have long walks, and when you're ready we can talk. I promise to make you smile."

"Mai, I don't want to make my brother mad, I mean . . . . "The words broke into little sobs. "I can't go to that place. Mai I'm so scared."

"That's it . . . first you will only do what Serenity wants, forget your brother, he is not important right now. Anybody got a problem with that." Mai turned to the three boys or men and dismissed them from her physical presence.

"Mai, I want to go with you, if that's really ok. . . I decided Joey can visit me." Serenity's eyes landed on Mokuba and she gained strength. The boy nodded his approval and smiled at his lively friend. She was the medicine Serenity needed. Later he would explain exactly who Mai was to his brother and Joey.

"Joey. . . . Seto . . . trust me. I knew this was coming, so I made emergency plans. Mai is a friend, I'll explain everything later." Mokuba laughed at the expressions on their faces and watched as Mai continued to take control.

She kissed Mokuba on the cheek and wheeled her patient out of the hospital. A classy sports car bright red was parked on the curb. Mokuba lifted his friend out of the chair and placed her in the front seat. Mai with heels flying jumped over the seat and put the pedal to the metal. Three sets of eyes watched in ah. . . . As she drove off. Blonde hair mixed with matted brown hair was the last thing they saw flying in the wind.

Oooooooo

Hey, Serenity is on the way to recovery, lets pray for her.

Let's review, should I continue, let me know!!! Enjoy burning the oil.

S