Disclaimer: Praise to Yugioh and its writers, a circle of which I do not belong.

Often relationships become redefined overtime, generally for the best. Seto and Joey have traveled so many roads, yet they have always ended up in the same space. Coincidence I think not. The story is a series of flash backs which define the present feeling growing inside their hearts. Just a little ooc, and a lot of Mokuba and Serenity which defines and challenges the boys to rethink their lives. I hope you enjoy. Dark so be prepared, but not shocked.

Chapter 11: The Letter Part Two…

Big Brother,

Please forgive me for being a coward in sending you this letter and don't blame Mokuba. Mai says I'm getting stronger every day, but I'm still scared. I wrote this letter to you, but it died in my heart and I cried because I couldn't say the words to you. Mai says it was a piece of my soul I wanted you to have, so I must have the courage to give it to you, I've always wanted your courage and strength in the face of my weakness, so here's a little piece I borrowed from you.

It's ok to be angry Big Brother and I know you feel a little empty as I have been for so long. I give you this piece of my soul and I hope it fills the empty hole with peace. Don't look for me Big Brother I'm ok. When I come to you soon I will run to your arms and I won't be afraid, Serenity.

The note floated to the floor and Joey opened up the next page and read the first line . . . . .

Ooooooooooooooooo

Dearest Big Brother . . . .

I remember a time when Mommy and daddy always laugh. I would sit in my corner and play with the paper animals Yugi made. You always practiced dueling with your monsters and prayed for the day you could beat Kaiba. I thought it was so funny. But things changed. Daddy drank his beer . . . .

. . Mammy started to get sick a lot and daddy drink and play cards all night. Our house always smell and you stayed away a lot. All I had were my paper dolls, I was so lonely. Mommy got real sick one night so I fixed all daddy's' food for the games. Maybe he wouldn't be so mad. Everybody said I was so cute and a good little girl and a good little cook just like Mommy. I felt good.

Daddy lost the games and Mommy was gone. The man who won got mad and Daddy said I was just like Mommy good for other things and good for only one thing. The other men got quite and I didn't understand what I did wrong.

Daddy told me to go into the room with the man and I cried for Daddy because he was upset with me. I cried for Daddy to come and help, but he never came. After a while I couldn't see through my tears and I stopped feeling through my pain. I couldn't breathe so I pray for a quick death. I died inside as the teeth tore the skin on my neck; bugs crawling all over my skin; and a long slimy tongue on my flesh. I understood why Mommy got sick. Did she hate me too?

"Whore Just like your mother," a voice called out and a hand covered my face. Only Daddy's hand was that big. His voice continued. "Don't cry and don't tell your Mother. I'll kill Joey and you'll be all alone in this world. Don't run away, I'll find you and sell you to a whore house where you belong. So you better be a good little bitch and you'll have a roof over your head."

That night I died and my dad died too. My life with Yugi's paper dolls ended. I scrubbed my clothes and hid the sheets under my futon. Mommy returned from the hospital two days later now I understood her bruises, but I hated mom too. Why did she leave me with him? Why!!! Big brother!!!

I hated you; you should have seen my pain, why didn't you know? Why didn't you protect me? Lies and more lies . . . . . It was because I was worthless.

The bleeding never stopped and I fainted at school. The nurse would have called the police, but mommy promise to punish my bad behavior. And stop her daughter's whoring ways. Yes now the world knew my secret. I was ashamed.

That night Mommy found the sheets and clothes. She burned everything and we ran away. I didn't talk for a long time and Mommy kept me at home in a single room. She made me wear pants and cut my hair; I was her son. For a year Mommy called me Soma and we never spoke of Daddy again. Mommy said you hated me and I could never see you again. When Mommy died I ran away, but you found me, I didn't understand.

Somehow I reasoned you didn't know, but would you want me as your sister? Mai tells me you will always love me. She says my heart is pure.

I won't be sad, I can't be happy. I just want to be. Can you love me again, even if I'm not your angel? I never wanted to leave you or hurt you Big Brother. . . . Never.

Serenity

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Joey read the letter several times before he took a breath. Two days ago he would have been searching for Seto's shoulder to lean on or worst to cry on. Next he would have battered him with angry words and blamed the brunette for all his troubles. A cycle repeated over and over for the last few years. Last night everything changed in Joey's mind and heart. Seto had given him strength and for the first time in two years his head was clear.

'I will not run today I will stand, 'he whispered to the folded paper. Instead of balling the letter up or tearing it into bite size pieces of paper. Calmly the young man walked into another room and lay down. He had a lot of soul searching to do and little time.

A few hours later Mokuba and Seto walked into the empty cabin and freaked. Seto found Joey spread out on a day bed and quickly laid his head on the boy's chest, calling his name, fear rising with every word. Joey immediately responded to the sadness, "its ok, Seto; I'm fine."

"Don't scare me like that!" Seto voiced. Seto searched his face, yet he only found resolve. "Tell us, what is your next move?" Somehow the older boy understood something changed in the weary hazel-eyed boy.

The distance between a disturbed hazel eyed youth and a stoic blue eyed dragon disappeared within moments. Joey reached for the long slender fingers he'd hoped would one day caress his body and laced them with his own. The words I love you flowed with ease from his lips and massaged the tight lines across Seto's face. This time Joey leaned into Seto's taunt body pressing his slender frame close, but Seto sensed confidence not fear and it sent waves of pleasure throughout his rapidly beating heart. Joey took the letter and slipped it in Seto's back pants pocket. He whispered the words "Later" to his partner. His eyes conveyed passion; Joey wanted this new found relationship to go to the next level; he was ready.

Mokuba blushed at the heated exchange, but marveled at the innocence behind it. Seto needed the feelings Joey gave his heart and spirit. It was wonderful, yet painful.

"Mokuba I know she is waiting for you to call and tell her I've either fallen apart or I'll storm the walls to get to her. But I do believe she knows I'm coming." Joey's voice was very calm.

"Just so you both know I'm going to get my sister today. I will not be swayed from telling Serenity I love her with all my heart and soul." Strength flowed in his veins with each word. "When you're held in the arms of true love, everything is possible." Joey smiled at Seto.

"But what about Serenity's feelings?" desperately Mokuba lashed out. "She doesn't want to see you!! I don't care what is in that letter."

"Mokuba," Seto spoke, not really understanding the hatred behind his words.

"Then she can tell me that too." Joey smiled. "You see it's her feelings that I am thinking about."

"No, you don't understand anything," Mokuba cried out. "Just go away."

Seto was confused at the sudden change in Mokuba. His hostility didn't have a place here and besides Mokuba was the calm one.

Joey glanced up at Seto and tried to make him see things were going to be just fine. He finally understood what he needed to do. Mokuba had reason to be unset, he was hiding a secret and it took Joey a while but he reasoned some of it out.

"Mokuba, just how much do you really know, concerning this letter?" Joey spoke directly to the young Kaiba.

"Well, I never asked or judged. I only know home wasn't a happy place." Mokuba turned away from Joey looking down at the floor.

"It's ok Mokuba, don't be afraid." Joey encouraged him to continue.

"I know she cried a lot and things, bad things always happed at night in that room . . . . You know that room on the third floor in back of the house. . . . ." Mokuba's voice drifted off.

Seto left the casual embrace he shared with Joey and stepped towards his brother. Joey blocked his steps. "Don't Seto let him talk?"

Mokuba's eyes glazed over and his voice changed into that of a small boy. Joey grasps Seto's hand squeezing it gently, but firmly. He pulled the tall brunette back into his embrace.

Mokuba continued to talk; he had forgotten the two boys were in the room and he zoned out in the past. "Father told me things happened to bad boys in that room. I saw the dirty clothes and the blood stained rug. He said I was next if I didn't do my lessons and be an obeisant son. It was only later that I understood he beat Seto raw for my being dumb. I scrubbed and scrubbed the rug but all I had left were my tears and the blood stained rug. Mokuba dropped to the floor on his knees "Mokuba, what are you saying." Seto screamed out, but Joey covered his mouth.

"Listen Seto, can't you see he's not with us. Serenity and I never lived in a house with floors or rooms. Serenity slept in a room with me." spoke Joey.

"Seto don't listen to him, he's confusing me, he's turning you against me," Mokuba came out of his dream state and attacked Joey with words. "I was a good boy. I never . . . . Serenity was the bad girl, not me."

"Mokie, what are you saying, you knew all these years . . . my god Mokuba." Seto stood in shock, leaning on Joey.

"Trust, you don't know anything!!!!" tears burst from his eyes, he could hardly see through his blurred vision. Mokuba's covered his face with his hands.

The room started to spin for Seto; he could feel a dark cloud descend over his head. "Joey is this some kind of trick?" Seto pulled the letter out of his back pocket and Joey covered it with his hand.

"Its all here," whispered Joey. He directed his words toward Mokuba.

"No I don't believe you. She would never tell. We made a blood pack." Mokuba continued to sob.

"It's ok Mokuba, or should I bring Serenity into this. Don't you think she has suffered enough? It's time you trust us . . . ." Joey was in control. "What really happened in the guest house? Did Serenity really want to die?"

"It was me, Seto . . . I did it I killed that bastard!!! . . . I did it. I pushed him and he fell out of the window. It was open. . . . I didn't know it!!! He was screaming at me and making threats and I thought he was going to beat me. I ran into him and pushed . . . . He disappeared so I ran to the closet and buried myself behind his coats and suits. You came into the room and then they all came in and they said he was dead. I couldn't move. . . . I never told anyone, but Serenity. I. . ." Mokuba passed out.

Seto cradled his brother in his arms, tears of pain flowing down his cheeks. For the first time he understood the frustration Joey felt. It clawed at his guts. Joey looked into the pain stricken face of Seto and he cried inside. Mokuba's breathing was shallow, but steady, he was hurting.

The door opened and two sets of eyes looked on in astonishment.

"Big Brother, I waited for you to come, but . . . ." Serenity's words died as she looked on at Mokuba. She screamed.

"What the hell is going on," Hand on her hips, Mai assessed the boys and immediately reached for the girl. "It's ok, sweetie, look he moving. I think Mokuba's just fainted."

Oooooooo

Lots of Secrets ….

Wow, what a scare, fan down!!! Glad its back, so read and enjoy. Love ya!